#difficulty: ⭐️⭐️

[bts-trivia]

What bit Jimin during the USA portion of Are You Sure?!

LAST CALL:

[saerotonins]

im currently reading love, theoretically by ali hazelwood (i wonder what was THE REASON) and im just hMM what if i make a jjk actor au piece on this and write what nanami's reaction would be if he finds his wife reading the book just because the male lead looks like him? LOL

[prasadonline]

In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity 😎⭐️ #weekendvibes #weekendmotivation #sundaymood #newzealand

[sethsclearwater]

Paul headcanon right now—he’s definitely the type of guy to drive besides you if you have a tantrum, you insisting that you’re walking home after a petty argument but he wouldn’t leave you to walk alone duh. He’s 100% super protective and if it came to it he’d just throw you over his shoulder, with you kicking at his back.

UGHH I love him so much

-⭐️

PLEASE HE SO WOULD LMAO

...

"i told you i don't wanna look at you right now lahote!" you called when you realized that your imprinter was most definitely pulling up beside you in his car. despite the fact that it was pouring outside and you were already soaked, you had decided you'd rather walk back to your apartment in the rain than deal with arguing with paul over his family drama.

when paul didn't respond after a few moments, you decided to peek over your shoulder only to see him getting out of the car and striding over to you, "so fuckin' dramatic," he grumbled, low enough that you barely caught it but you did and immediately gasped, taking a step back from him.

"get in the car y/n," he ordered, clearly getting irritated over how wet you both now were getting thanks to your decision to walk home in the rain.

he rarely used your first name, generally only calling you pet names so you knew he was just as annoyed as you suspected he was. still, you decided to stand your ground and shook your head, "i already told you i don't wanna look at you," you countered, spinning back around so you could continue your miserable walk home in the freezing rain.

before you could even take a step, paul's hands were on your hips, spinning you around so he could throw you over his shoulder, "don't gotta look at me," you could tell he was rolling his eyes as he said it and you were immediately kicking your legs in every way possible to try and get him to put you down.

"put me down right now lahote!" you yelled despite your futile attempts to get out of his grip. paul was rolling his eyes again, not seeming to have much difficulty keeping you restrained as he pulled the passenger side door of his car open.

he was setting you down inside, sliding one hand to rest behind your head so he could be sure you wouldn't give yourself a concussion while you tried squirming away, "sit still," he ordered, voice somehow more firm with you than it had been a few moments prior which had you pausing your thrashing for a moment to look up at him, a flabbergasted look on your face as he buckled you in.

once he was confident you wouldn't be trying to run away, he crouched down next to you and allowed his eyes to meet yours, his gaze softening a bit when he saw the angry tears streaming down your cheeks.

"i'll drive you home," he reassured, "and then you don't gotta look at me until you want to, yea?" he suggested, sliding both of his hands over your thighs, the material of your leggings now soaked from the weather.

you sucked in a breath, not trusting yourself enough to talk yet so you settled for giving him a small nod which he seemed to find acceptable. he gave your thighs a gentle squeeze before he was getting up and shutting the passenger door, quickly coming around the car so he could get in the driver's side.

you had your arms crossed over your chest in a silent protest as he drove you back to your apartment, the drive only taking a few minutes before he was pulling into the parking lot.

once he had the car in park again, you allowed your gaze to drift over to him, "you gonna walk me in too?" you asked. you had intended for it to come across as sarcastic but instead your voice just came out much weaker than you'd anticipated which had paul letting out a heavy sigh.

he didn't want to rile you up anymore than you already were but he couldn't help how anxious he got at the thought of sending you inside alone so he settled for responding with a simple, "that's the plan."

you let out an equally heavy sigh, slumping back into the seat as paul got out of the car and came around to your side, pulling the door open for you, "i'll be quick," he reassured, crouching back down for a moment so he could uncross your arms and take your hands into his, "come on, yea?" he asked, waiting for you to nod before he was helping you get unbuckled and out of his car.

he was nothing if not a man of his word, staying silent as he guided you into your apartment complex, one hand on your lower back while he walked you to your door just as he said he would.

you fumbled with your keys, taking a few moments too long to open the door thanks to your shivering and the surging emotions currently going through your system. once you finally got the door opened, you stepped inside, quickly kicking your shoes off before you were spinning around to face paul who was patiently waiting in the door frame.

you really wished you could've come up with some kind of snarky remark to get rid of him but instead just found yourself staring at him, at a loss for words. your gaze was drifting down before you could catch yourself and you couldn't help the way you stared at the way his thin t-shirt was clinging to his skin.

"fuck it," you murmured to yourself, immediately stepping towards him so you could smash your lips against his. paul didn't hesitate before he was reciprocating and slamming you up against the wall.

[loveemagicpeace]

⭐️🎸Astrology Notes🌙🫧

Men's who has capricorn in personal planets grow up faster and they mature earlier. They have more energy, a father, a guardian. They are very responsible and serious. These are the fathers who will do anything for their child and want to do things right. They are very careful and do not get into something if they do not see a future here and are also more focused on themselves and their work.

Sagittarius rising- in reality they are very sad people inside. They make the best jokes and you will always feel positive and happy with them, but they often wear a mask that they show to others, but only to the people they trust the most, or sometimes even to those they don't. In their sidereal chart they have scorpio rising which means that this makes their interior very deep and emotional but hidden from the outside world.

Scoprio rising mixed with Gemini, will be very open, talkative and talk a lot. Geminis like to talk about things, they are curious, and sometimes they say more than they should. Therefore, such a person can betray many secrets of other people without realizing it or feeling a bad conscience.

I think a men who has mars in 8th house in very mysterious. This position is often marked by deep passions, transformative energy, and a mysterious aura. Men with Mars in the 8th house are driven by a deep and intense passion in all areas of their lives. Sex is very important part of him. There is often a strong desire for power and control, especially over shared resources, emotional connections, and even other people. He can often be subject to jealousy and intense behavior. But he doesn't show it from the beginning. I noticed that many times they test the other person's behavior and that they want to know their step.

Chiron sextile Ascendant-People naturally feel drawn to you when they need emotional support because you emanate a sense of understanding and compassion. This aspect suggests that you've likely experienced deep emotional or psychological wounds in your life, but you have learned to grow from them. Through facing and overcoming your struggles, you've gained a deeper understanding of yourself, which you can share with others. With this aspect, you are deeply empathetic, often able to sense the pain or struggles of others without them having to say much. There's a tendency to be drawn toward others who need healing, and you may feel a strong urge to help them. While Chiron sextile Ascendant often means you are aware of your wounds, it's important not to overly identify with them or let them define you.

Chiron trine Ascendant-People may feel comfortable opening up to you about their struggles, as your own experiences with pain or hardship have made you empathetic and understanding. You tend to present yourself as authentic and vulnerable, which draws people in and makes them feel connected to you. You aren't afraid to show your scars or talk about your past difficulties, and this openness makes you relatable and trustworthy. You tend to attract people who need healing or who have been wounded in similar ways as you. You'll need to be mindful of not taking on too much of other people's pain, as this can lead to burnout or emotional exhaustion.

I have noticed with Virgos, especially when someone has them in their personal planets, that they are minimalist in terms of style, clothes, etc. Let's say: they buy one piece and then combine the whole outfit with this piece. They often buy in pieces and are usually always color coordinated and never wear more than 2 colors.

If u don't have 5th house synastry with another person at all probability they will not have children. Because this is the house that represents children, childbirth, etc. And when you don't share this house with someone, you don't even see the desire to have children with that person, and the focus is usually on several other things.

The 4th house represents a family (but it does not necessarily represent a family with children. It is more of a home that you want to create for yourself or with your partner, and when you share this house with someone, there are also more chances that you will create a home together and also aspects with the moon indicate that you and the person can move together.

People who have many virgo placements or 6th houses often vomit. They are very prone to vomiting and have a sensitive stomach. They are very sensitive to new food (for example, if they try food that they have never tried before, it can quickly affect their stomach). They usually do not tolerate alcohol well. And they usually don't drink a certain drink or eat a certain food because it just doesn't suit them.

Difference between libra sun and libra rising - libra sun are more proud in love and when it comes to love. They are decisive about what they want and who they want in love. Because they are ruled by the sun and that is their ego and they can have a bigger ego. But they are also very serious, stable, always looking for some stability in love. Many differences, their view of love is completely different. Libra rising are sometimes too indecisive and in love with the idea of love. Maybe sometimes the idea that they can have someone and sometimes that's why they come across the wrong partner. They have to be more careful with who they get involved with, because they have an Aries in the 7th house and they can get a partner who ends up taking a lot away from them. When you're with someone who has the same sun as you, they have the same ego about the same things, so sometimes it's good if your sun is different from your partner's. Let's say: libra & libra sun will both have egos when it comes to love. Taurus & taurus sun are stubborn about values, money, materialism, changes.

Venus in Capricorn people if they really love you, they will stay and won't let you go. If they don't see a future with you, they won't stay with you for long (because they don't like to waste time). Which means that if they see you for several months, they see a future. Also they are not complicated. They appreciate mature people and intelligent people. They like people who have self-respect. But they are very careful in love.

It is very important to have compatible mercury in synastry. Because that's how you can find a common language. And you can mentally connect with someone in a more deep way. When you have a different mercury, it means that you and the person find it difficult to find a common language.

When you have 12th house placements you are more connected to your subconscious world. You feel things much more. You can manifest things faster and you can connect more with your other world.

2nd house shows that you value a lot of material things. And that when someone buys you a gift or anything, you always save it and have it with you.

Saturn in the eighth resists transformations, which is why the older astrologers associated this placement with a difficult death. It is not so much a sign of a difficult death as of resistence to the idea of any kind of change.

In contrast, the ninth house symbolizes those mental functions that reach out to deal with whatever is not routine or day-to-day. It is the house through which come new ideas, perceptions, and modes of thinking: a house of consciousness expansion. This is also universal house, which means that people with this placements are more connected to the universe. It is traditionally associated with long journeys, as opposed to the short journeys of the third. Long journeys place one in an unfamiliar situation and hence expand ones consciousness.

The tenth house signifies all relationships between oneself and another in which there is inequality: where one person plays a dominant role to the other, who explicitly or implicitly takes the role of a child or dependent. The essence of such a relationship is that the person taking the dominant role teaches or guides the other. The inequality inherent in these relationships is usually normal and proper rather than pathological. The superior knowledge of the guide figure and the guidance being given are useful and necessary to the one receiving them. Saturn as chart ruler represents in your life some guidelines. He sends you people who are like "saturn people" who give you some advice or teach you something. A reason to better understand life. Saturn gives you hints on how to find what you are looking for and how to achieve it.

When you have Cancer Moon, you will always remember your entire life from early childhood to adulthood. As if to browse the memory back and forth and relive the feelings of that moment. You also have a strong intuition. And you are emotionally quick to judge people, and your memory is essentially an emotional impression. You will remember the feeling of a person, an event, things and happenings. Memories leave an emotional imprint on your heart. Unlike, say, the Capricorn Moon, they are a practical sign. They will always remember how much you did for them, time is very important to them, how much time you took for them (especially they remember actions). An air moon like, for example, a Gemini, they give a lot to communication, words and will remember events based on what someone told them. Then we have a fiery moon, say Sagittarius moon. They will remember their energy and experience feelings based on the energy that the person gives them

🎸For personal readings u can sign up here: https://snipfeed.co/bekylibra 🎸

-Rebekah🦋🌙🫧

[hayanahed]

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"Please reblog or donate as much as you can."

Verified by :

⭐️ operation olive branch, number 26 on their spreadsheet.

⭐️ Project watermelon,line 249 on their spreadsheet.

[8thhousepriestess]

Hi! Was just wondering what could make someone consistently outcasted/alienated/bullied in their workplace? No matter how they act or where they work? Always with co-workers, not really their bosses.

Hey fellow misfit 🖤🤩

I can totally relate to this because I’ve also felt outcasted & alienated my entire life in social settings, including my workplaces & really just any new social environment where I had to interact with others. No matter how kind, funny, or friendly I was, there were always people who really just did not like me, or made no effort to connect. I spent a good chunk of my life & growing up wondering what was wrong with me, why I couldn’t hold convos or connections like other people & why I was “socially cripple”

Anyway, here goes…

• Mars, Saturn, or Pluto in the natal 6th house or transiting…can create tension in work environments, often leading to conflicts, power struggles, or feelings of alienation. these placements might unknowingly come across as intimidating, even if they don’t mean to. 

[ Pluto transiting my 6th house gave me years of difficulties at my work places & with co workers. I ended up being wrongfully fired & I was devastated .. BUT HONESTLY BEST thing that’s ever happened to me. Pluto completely destroyed my shit. But i found ME & where I belong ]

• Mars in the natal 11th house or transiting… Can bring conflict or competition. The person may find themselves repeatedly clashing with coworkers or facing tension in team dynamics. It’s like there’s always someone who wants to get competitive with you for whatever reason which can lead to defensiveness, aggravation, fighting.

• Saturn in the natal 1st house or transiting… can give off a “resting bitch face” or make someone seem overly serious, even if they’re really just shy or approachable at heart. The 1st house represents how others perceive you, so this can lead to first impressions that feel cold or distant, even if they’re far from reality. Pretty sure this is partly why the phrase “never judge a book by its cover” exists.

• Saturn in harsh aspect (square, opposition, or conjunction)… to Venus, Sun, Moon, or Mercury can create a disciplined or rigid demeanor that others might find unapproachable. Can struggle with feeling socially accepted, often being seen as too serious or distant.

• Saturn in the natal 10th or transiting… can create professional obstacles & a sense of isolation. People with this placement may feel unsupported or excluded by coworkers.

• Saturn in the natal 11th house or transit… can make it hard to feel like you belong in social groups…workplaces included. It could take you longer in life to find where you really belong .

[ Wherever Saturn is in your chart, it brings challenges, delays & restrictions but also rewards after hard lessons are learned. It’s important to remember that Saturn isn’t punishing you. The challenges aren’t happening to you; they’re happening for you—for your growth & soul’s evolution. ]

• Chiron in the 6th house or transit… can reflect deep wounding in daily work relationships or routines. The person can often feel like they don’t fit in, no matter how hard they try.

• Chiron conjunct the Ascendant or Midheaven… can bring repetitive themes of wounding & healing in social or professional settings. Though painful, these experiences often lead to finding your “tribe” after significant personal growth.

[ When transiting Chiron made a conjunct to my MC is when I entered a new profession & finally found my tribe of like minded people. Where my puzzle piece finally fit. I first had to change my career path in order to find my place in the world/with others. So this transit triggered career change & deep healing around my confidence & self worth. Chiron is the REAL MVP ] 

• Aquarius or Uranus in the 6th house or transiting… could indicate unique work style that might make the person stand out, sometimes in a way that others misinterpret as cold/distant or difficult to relate to. You could just rub some people the wrong way. Sounds like a THEM problem, not a you problem.

• Black Moon Lilith in the 6th, 10th, 11th or transit… can indicate being scapegoated, alienated, or made to feel like an outsider in social/work settings.

• Mercury or Venus retrograde in the natal chart… can cause communication or relational styles that feel “off” to others, even if unintentional.

• Moon square Saturn.. difficulty in expressing emotions in a way others find relatable, leading to misunderstandings or feeling emotionally cold. [ I have this placement ]

• Moon square Pluto.. intense emotions that others might find overwhelming or intimidating.

• Moon square Uranus.. emotional unpredictability that can disrupt social harmony, making connections harder to maintain. One day you might feel like talking & the next you don’t. Easily upset one minute &the next bubbly & joyful. Changeable mood. Hey it happens 🤷🏼‍♀️ it’s hard being crazy 🤣 [ I have this placement lol ]

• Sun, Moon, Mercury, or Venus in the 12th house.. can make someone feel unseen, misunderstood, or overlooked, even when they try to connect with others.

• Chiron in the 12th house or transiting… reflects deep wounds around invisibility or rejection, which can play out in workplace dynamics being opposite to the 6th house. [ I have this placement ]

• Leo Ascendant… ruled by the Sun, which shines bright & radiates high energy. Some people just do not like a bright light especially if they’re unhappy with themselves. So people will try to take that light & diminish your spirit. The spiritual shade being thrown around so freely out here is real.

✨🪐💫⭐️☄️

I’m sure the list could go on but I hope you found some of these helpful/insightful to your personal situation. You’re definitely not alone. These experiences are helping you grow into your highest self.

Ultimately, it’s not about changing who you are.. you are perfectly imperfect & exactly who you are suppose to be. It’s about embracing your unique energy & finding environments that appreciate & support it. Even if that means going in a completely different direction professionally.

Thank you so much for writing to me 🥰

-🫶🏻💜STEPH

[ghostlyferrettarot]

˚₊‧꒰ა 🐇 ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ What our Moon sign says about our childhood ˚₊‧꒰ა 🐇 ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

❗️All the observations in this post are based on personal experience and research, it's completely fine if it doesn't resonate with everyone❗️

✨️Paid Services ✨️ (Natal charts and tarot readings) Open!

🫧Join my Patreon for exclusive content!🫧

.*+’⭐️If you like my work you can support me through Ko-fi. Thank you!˖°.*+’⭐️

₊˚ʚ₍ᐢ. ̫.ᐢ₎₊˚.Masterlist₊˚ʚ₍ᐢ. ̫.ᐢ₎₊˚. ₊˚ʚ₍ᐢ. ̫.ᐢ₎₊˚.Masterlist 2₊˚ʚ₍ᐢ. ̫.ᐢ₎₊˚

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Aries: Born in a context with a lot of movement, action, and even combat, this fire sign is a determined, desirous, and active energy. These people find refuge in action, as they perceive from their mothers or caregivers a drive that overcomes obstacles, is unafraid to give orders, and can even be based on honest and courageous exchanges. As they grow up, these children need to direct their temperament and anger toward creative activities. This will help them improve their emotional management throughout their lives.

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Taurus: They grow up in an environment where contact with matter is highly valued, and affection is demonstrated through objects and material elements. In their childhood, they perceive maternal figures as constant providers of what they need, be it food, gifts, or toys. They grow up perceiving the world through a perspective of security. The connection between these people and their caregiver tends to be based on material commitment, pleasure, and the drive to meet all their needs.

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Gemini: They perceive the world as a space for exchange and ongoing learning. Their mothers value their child's intellectual ability, ability to communicate, make friends, and always keep their curiosity awake. Adaptability and ongoing dialogue are the two pillars that give security to people with the Moon in Gemini, as this is how their connection with the maternal or caregiver figure is built.

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Cancer: They are born and grow up in an environment of great emotional security and a warm connection with their mother. They are likely to have difficulty adapting to new places. In childhood, they feel vulnerable and retreat into their shell with their mother, becoming rigid, inaccessible, and inflexible. The connection with the maternal figure is based on giving and receiving protection, pampering, and care. As adults, people with the Moon in Cancer will seek to create their own tribe, enjoy a deep sense of belonging, and feel a sense of familiarity among their loved ones.

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Leo: They are characterized by being the center of attention in the home. They are ideal for displaying their talents in spaces where they can shine from a young age. These are children who like many things or engage in many hobbies. Their maternal figure will teach them that the real world will not be as celebrated as it is at home, and it will be important to cultivate humility and simplicity.

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Virgo: They perceive their caregivers with a methodical perspective. This cultivates a dynamic of "for Mom to love me, I have to be organized." It is important to always do personal work so that making mistakes doesn't become a mistake. It is key to celebrate mistakes and allow them environments where they can improvise and express themselves without structures. People with the Moon in Virgo will interpret attention to detail and acts of service as great displays of affection and understanding.

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Libra: They are artistic, social, and constantly seeking balance. In these childhoods, there is a tendency to keep things in check: "To be loved, I have to please my family and create a balanced environment." People with the Moon in Libra seek to satisfy others, building a safe space where harmony and equanimity prevail. People with the Moon in Libra seek to satisfy others, building a safe space where harmony and equanimity prevail. For them, nothing is more seductive than the right balance and reciprocity in their relationship.

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Scorpio: This indicates a relationship with parents that is characterized by its intensity and could be perceived by the child as possessive and emotionally absorbing. It is important for these childhoods to have a space where they can connect with their independent emotional world, free from repression. This lotus water sign will need a dose of intensity. To feel that the bond with the other has strength and vehemence. They will be surrounded by Plutonian themes: attachment, transformation, life and death, their connection with the psychic world.

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Sagittarius: Those born with this shift live a childhood steeped in fantasy, experiencing a magical context and being encouraged to challenge limits. Natives will be drawn to new experiences. Often, this optimistic attitude can become a denial of everyday problems. However, the relationship between the native and their parents may be based on independence. Actions that for others would be a sign of detachment are perceived by them as a show of trust and respect.

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Capricorn: These childhoods transmit the energy from Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn. These children are often raised by older adults or within a highly structured environment. Thus, little by little, boys and girls with this Moon absorb the sobriety and demands of their environment. These people will need structure and will value actions that uphold certain traditions. This will make them feel that their relationship with others has order and a future. However, it is essential that they work on understanding their emotional world and expressing what they feel, understanding that their feelings are not "annoying."

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Aquarius: They tend to grow up in revolutionary, avant-garde, and ever-changing environments. Furthermore, they respond emotionally to collective vibes and networking. Their relationship with their parents can be based on eccentricity and intermittence. Moon in Aquarius will always need freedom to feel that their connection with others is fueled by creativity and independence. Nothing will bother them more than feeling conditioned by conventions that don't resonate with their soul.

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Moon in Pisces: From a young age, adults may feel that they are little psychics who see something we can't. It is important that they don't lose touch with their inner, spiritual magic. In fact, it is very beneficial for them to find a language or a method that allows them to put their connection with transcendence into words. It could be music, a symbolic language, painting, or esotericism. People with the Moon in Pisces will feel very secure in relationships that cultivate sweetness, the subtle expression of emotions, and tender acts.

[honeytonedhottie]

a post on persistence⋆.ೃ࿔*:･💝

im super happy and excited to announce that this post is a collab with the AMAZINGG @pinkpigtailsprincess. we wanted to collab on this post and talk about PERSISTENCE in manifesting and how crucial it is when ur manifesting things.

HOW TO PERSIST ; persisting simply means reminding urself that u already have whatever it is that u want. when u persist, you decide what it is that u want and you STICK to it.

the oxford definition of persistence simply means to continue in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.

your 3d literally has no choice but to catch up and reflect the new thoughts that ur thinking in ur 4d so just KEEP GOING. if ur gonna whine or complain every step of the way and think thoughts like "persisting is hard" or "theres lots of resistance/difficulty with manifesting" then thats what ur going to experience.

manifesting is easy, effortless, and instant. when u catch urself thinking thoughts that perpetuate the old story, remind urself that no matter what, whatever u persist in will harden into reality simply because it HAS to. stop getting in your own way!!

LIMITLESS > IMAGINATION ;

limitless definition; possesing power of an immeasurable rate a perfect way to describe your power your literally the god of your reality and you know you might think thats silly or “delusional” its so true though like ever since birth people are conditioned to believe that being negative is the more “logical” and “realistic” way to think than positive which is such a stupid revelation because all throughout life you meant to believe that you have to bring yourself down to earth about achieving something and that you’ll never have “” but that makes no sense seeing all of the extraordinary achievements that humans have done like

build rockets and do rocket science

walk on the moon

build the great wall of china

and so many others including the human body its self your cells in your body healing and protecting wounds and your organs being able to stay in the designated spot no matter what and you think “logic” actually matters?

everything in the human mind is projected i mean everything you use on a daily basis started off in the mind it all stems from imagination

DECISIONS ⭐️ ;

deciding is the final decision and the final outcome no matter what no questions asked like if you went too a sushi restaurant and ordered and decided that you want a shrimp tempura roll you will have the shrimp tempura roll no matter what concepts “if the concept of something can exist then that can be achieved no matter what”

literally something i think about alot and a direct quote from yours truly like most people do think that you can have something because its quote “unrealistic” or it “doesn’t exist” but if that were really the case than why is the concept of it allowed to prosper like if those things really didn’t exist then the concept of billionaires or superpowers and superheroes wouldn’t exist or even time travel everything single one of those things are a product of imagination!!!

YOUR THE ONLY POWER ;

alot of the times on loablr you see people say “you’re the only power” and “you don’t even need that method just imagination and that honestly just so real because if you really think about all of these methods ie: 48 hour challenge, 10k affirmations method etc.

and the void state those things also stemmed from that person’s imagination when you use those methods or use subliminals all your doing is giving it a smidge of your power the method is only powerful because your giving it that power in conclusion you and your imagination are the only things that matter !!

[yumenoberu]

Verdict

Ibara Saegusa x fem!reader

summary: Ibara Saegusa is someone people close to him would describe as ‘emotionally constipated’. His unit mates’ sentiment on the matter, however, is challenged after witnessing his odd behavior around CosPro’s new lady producer.

word count: 2.1k words

warnings: none~

published: 5/4/25

author’s note: Aha! My latest hyperfixation 🥰 I love Ibara and all of Eden so much!! But truthfully I’ve got only a basic understanding of them since I’m still in the process of reading through all the stories from both eras 🥲 so if there’s any misinterpretations or mischaracterization, I’d like to apologize in advance. Please let me know if you want more Enstars fics! my requests are still open~ Enjoy! ⭐️

It was a pleasant midday in Ensemble Square. For those in Cosmic Production, the day felt rather slow and mundane when compared to their usual hectic work hours.

Many of the major seasonal events had either passed or were in their planning stages, making the past few weeks feel like a downtime to the idols particularly.

Within one of the CosPro headquarters’s many periodically unoccupied meeting rooms sat the agency’s golden child and leader of Eden, Nagisa Ran, who was peacefully passing his free time arranging the precious stones and minerals he’d accumulated from his excavations.

The silent soul reached for a stone across the adorned, bejeweled desk, examining its properties against the light that shone through the room’s expansive windows.

A reflection projected by the glass, however, split Nagisa’s attention. He set his stone back into the organized pile before him and he let his eyes travel across the see-through glass installations to the office area directly outside the room, catching a clearer view the scene unfolding.

“I noticed… Ibara’s been staring at her.” He muttered his mental processes aloud.

The sudden utterance—especially of such an intriguing allegation, caught the pair that made up Eve’s interest instantly.

“At who?“ Jun, who was seated next to Hiyori at the opposite end of the extensive table, sharply turned to his senior. His tone and expression made it seem as if he was unreasonably aggravated, though Nagisa knew better.

“Ibara has?” Hiyori bounced and chimed in, peeking from beside Jun to infer.

Nagisa signaled them to turn the same direction as his gaze. They obliged, and like their leader implied, their group’s producer and fellow member, Ibara indeed occupied the adjacent office area.

Ibara simply stood against a cubicle divider with his usual polished stature alongside two other employees who shared his space.

At first glance, it would appear that the trio were all actively contributing to the discussion they were having, however, if one would take a prolonged moment to observe, it was clear that one of the three was staying out of the conversation. And to their surprise, the silent member was their self-proclaimed “socializer”.

“Ibara hasn’t spoken since I began watching him.” Nagisa relayed.

Ibara’s attention seemed to be fully fixated on the woman across from him. Though he maintained his routine business posture, his performative smile lacked the sharpness it usually carried. Even when his smile never reached his eyes, it was apparent, at least to the other members of Eden, that his demeanor felt irregular, to say at the least.

Jun blinked, having difficulty articulating his thoughts while scrutinizing the interaction, “Is he tryna—is she his type… or something?”

Hiyori shuddered, face contorting to one of displeasure as he faintly tugged at Jun’s sleeves, “You’re too trusting Jun! She’s the new producer, it’s obvious he’s sizing her up—ah! How pitiful~”

Unfazed by Hiyori’s theatrics, Jun continues, “She must be skilled enough to get into CosPro as a producer. Knowing Ibara, he won’t allow to be threatened in his own turf.”

“How heartless, that Viper gives me more reasons to disapprove of him everyday! Warui hiyori…” Hiyori pouts with tears seeping into his waterline, he sobs into his hand.

The pair eventually return to whatever task they’ve bestowed upon themselves before Nagisa’s interruption. But Nagisa’s eyes lingered, his curiosity keen on analyzing his partner’s intentions.

Hiyori and Jun posed a fair assumption, Nagisa acknowledged. Though he had to dispute their claims even despite their credibility. Somehow, he felt this instance was really one of its kind.

The look Ibara was subjecting the lady to was one Nagisa has never particularly seen his unit-mate display in the open, most especially toward someone he’s presumably never met.

What is normally a glare of imposing superiority, arrogance, or judgement was instead replaced by a gaze that unveiled the hidden softness deep within Ibara’s jagged, distorted mindscape.

He appeared murky, a glossed-over version of his usual self, Nagisa could tell. It couldn’t be from the lack of rest he’d often hear Ibara complain about when he’s reaching his limit. All things considered, Eden was more unoccupied than they’ve ever been these past few weeks. Ibara’s even had time to prep and cook all 3 of Nagisa’s daily meals recently, so fatigue can’t possibly be the cause.

Curious.

He continued to observe Ibara even after this initial encounter, and it gradually became apparent that interactions like these became more commonplace.

Like Hiyori mentioned, the woman was indeed a new staff member employed as an idol producer. He figured that being in the same position as Ibara, it was only natural she should train under him—the top, most influential producer in their company. And he was right to assume that. More and more of Ibara’s hours were dedicated to guiding her, which made this self-imposed operation all the more plausible.

And so Nagisa, roping in Hiyori and Jun, took this arrangement as an opportunity to investigate further. Perhaps this operation would keep him occupied until a new rush of idol work will come their way, he thought. So for now, he declared this mission is of Eden’s highest priority!

Days have passed since they decided to uptake this charge. Within the timeframe, little interaction between them and Ibara took place, well at least for Hiyori.

Among Eden, Hiyori had been receiving more work and so he found himself frequenting their office less. But today, he figured he’d visit to check up on their agenda’s progress for the lack of anything better to accomplish.

Hiyori turned a corner to meet with Nagisa at their usual spot when he caught Ibara and the lady producer entering an elevator. He rushed, as discreetly as his shining being could, to the nearest wall to watch them at a closer distance.

He saw Ibara hold out the door for her before entering himself and navigating the elevator controls before curiously stepping out himself and sheepishly waving her goodbye even after the doors slided shut.

Sheepishly.

It was unmistakable.

He was like a lovesick adolescent, all with his palm behind his nape, a bashful gummy smile, and hands jittering.

Ibara Saegusa, the tyrannical mastermind that Hiyori grew to despise for all his shameless faults, was.

“What is going on?” Hiyori shrieked at himself, truthfully stumped at what he just witnessed.

It just doesn’t make sense in Hiyori’s head. What would Ibara gain from buttering up to her? If this was one of the snake’s new schemes he’s executing it frighteningly well, he thought. As far as Hiyori’s knowledge goes, she was really a fresh idol producer with truthfully nothing tied to her name, so what was all of this for?

“Ohii-san, please keep it down.” Jun brought a saucer holding a teacup up to Hiyori, setting it before the man who was sprawled on the plush office seat, defeated and winded after he recounted what he had seen to his two companions.

Jun slumped down the seat across Hiyori, running his hand over his mouth, “There’s no way—“

Hiyori leaped out of his seat with a surge of energy, stomping at the ground, “You doubt my judgment, Jun!?”

“Please give me some grace—it’s hard to believe, is all.” Jun sighed.

“Have you noticed anything, Jun?” Nagisa joined, kneeling by the coffee table to level with them.

“Actually…” Jun grumbled, running a hand through his hair.

“Yes, Jun! You must have!” Hiyori cried, bending over in anticipation.

Jun recounted an exchange he had with both Ibara and the new producer. He detailed that the day prior to this, Ibara had pulled him aside to discuss his next activities. While they conversed, the woman in question appeared and smoothly entered their conversation.

Ibara wasn’t necessarily acting differently, Jun explained. However, it was when their conversation ended when he picked up on an irregularity.

“Iba-kun.”

“Iba-kun?” Hiyori and Nagisa tilted their heads.

“She called him Iba-kun.” Jun said it plainly, but one could notice the color draining from his face.

Hiyori’s breathing became panic-stricken, he yelped an unholy shout of despair.

Nagisa merely hummed. “They’re already on a first-name basis.”

“A-and he didn’t correct her?” Hiyori whimpered as Jun replied with a shake of his head.

“Ibara went silent after she called him that, then she said sorry afterward, but Ibara didn’t accept it. He just changed the subject.”

Jun continued, describing how Ibara even laughed it off. But his laugh was one that sounded fundamentally different. Usually, he keeps the toughness and grit that his voice would carry as a performative element to his businessman persona’s pleasantries. However, this laugh was hearty, light, unfamiliar to anything Jun had heard in his years of knowing the man.

“There’s no denying. There’s something there.”

They all sigh.

Jun bumps his fist into the table, “Ok, no. We have to confront him.”

“We have practice as Eden later today, we should ask him then.” Nagisa suggested, equally determined.

“Please! My heart cannot stand another day in ignorance.” Hiyori clenched his chest.

They all held their breaths until their practice time came. In true faith to his character, Ibara exceeded punctuality, arriving at the training room a half-hour early. The trio decided to enter all at once to interrogate him, and that they did.

After a short struggle, they managed to back Ibara to a literal corner at the edge of the practice room, guarding all the sides he could possibly slither to and escape from.

“Jun, Your Highness, Your Excellency.”

“What is this about?” Ibara gave them a ridiculing, cautious glare, his tone matching the same force.

Intimidated, they nearly shrunk. But they’re holding the power!

Hiyori held his chin up high, insulted at his targeted insistence, “Ibara!”

“Your Highness.” He replied coldly.

“You will answer my every question starting at this moment, understood?”

Ibara huffed and recovered, returning to his default faux upbeat and subservient attitude. He smiled at them, spectacles glimmering, “Certainly! However, you must also accommodate my own, what is this about?”

He doubled down with increased intensity and ferocity. The difference in his tone from his pointed words unsettled them.

“The lady producer,” Nagisa spoke gently but upfront, “How do you feel about her?”

A silence wrung between them, tension from amounting anticipation and stillness, strained the air they breathed before it was broken by abrupt fumbling,

“Ha-ha?” Ibara was unquestionably caught off guard, expecting he crossed them for some work-related reasons or issues, but this? About her? And…

Was that hesitation? Ibara?

“You flinched!” Hiyori wailed, “Now—don’t even attempt to play dumb!” He waved an intrusive, accusing pointer finger at the compromised man.

“Well?” Nagisa pushed further, remaining calm but adamant.

Ibara huffed, his eyes averted and brows knit together, and his last word strained. It was as if he was uncomfortable in his own skin.

“… I knew her from my time in the military camp. She lived nearby—that’s all.”

After a few moments of tense silence,

“… Did you miss her?” Nagisa suggests humbly, with ease.

Ibara’s eyes betrayed his calculated facade, its usual chill wavered. He was guarded, insecure.

Hiyori exhaled, dramatically fanning his bangs away as he relieved himself of an anticipated breath he held since Nagisa imposed the question.

“Nagi-senpai—“ Jun cuts in. But he’s stopped by a loud, imposing thump that quiets the room.

Ibara had slammed his palm against the table beside him that held the disposable water bottles, the harsh movements thrusted the bottles to the ground, sending them rolling away, rattling ominously as they went.

After a moment, Ibara bites back with familiar fortitude, “You are all being ridiculous.”

Ibara straightened his glasses, clearing his throat to reestablish the dignity he upholds as the group’s supposed dictator. He continued, with calm but anchored resistance,

“I am not emotionally invested in Ms. (L/n). Our relations are purely professional. I find her to be competent, efficient, and nothing more.”

He practically spat at them, “I’d prefer you stop insisting otherwise.”

The rest of Eden couldn’t articulate what to say exactly. One felt sorry his curiosity made him insist so far, the other regretted ever confronting him, and another was annoyed at his stubbornness.

“She is a producer and I am her superior—“

Ibara halts.

Feeling an overwhelming sense of heaviness, dread—regret. He exhaled, shaking off the growing migraine. Looking at the ground, taking a bit to re-evaluate. He realized what he just said, and how he said it—how it sounds.

He knows he doesn’t have it in him to deny her further. He can’t. He won’t.

Not after he’s waited this long to see her again.

As much as it hurts his ego to allow his unit members to subject him to such a compromising, vulnerable position, he’ll have to swallow his pride and profuse feelings of disgust to protect her own.

Just this once, he hoped.

“Aha!” Jun, Nagisa, and Hiyori exclaimed. Ibara cursed under his breath, turning his head away from them in his tenaciousness.

Jun sighed, relieved and content. Nagisa hummed softly, gratified and accomplished. Hiyori laughed heartily, holding his hands at his chest as he teased,

“You’re not as emotionally constipated as we expected, ‘Iba-kun’~”

masterlist

[bts-trivia]

What does GCF stand for?

LAST CALL:

[inc0mple]

🗝️ ”Keys Are People, Too” 100 Chapter Q&A ⭐️ (ongoing!)

(Last edit: 12/20 10:40 CST)

Hi! :) If y’all don’t know me my name is Inco (it’s not but shh) and I write a fanfiction for Cinderella Boy called Keys Are People, Too. It’s not finished, it’s ongoing and rapidly approaching 100 chapters XD (yes we are like four chapters away but shh rounding) (I PROMISE WE’RE ALMOST TO THE LAST ACT). So because of an ask from @isitamia and, we’ll say the 100 chapter milestone… tada Q&A??

I don’t know how many people are going to engage with this but that’s totally okay :) I love ranting about stuff and I’ve put a lot of thought into this story, so it would be cool to have an outlet to answer some questions where they don’t get forgotten in AO3 comments. And if you guys also have general questions about writing advice/things like that, I am not an expert but I do also like talking about stories.

So please ask! I’m not planning to close this at any specific time—I was thinking y’all could comment questions under this post or via reblogs (I might miss them in reblogs though) and I will edit this post to answer them, and also reply to you so you know your question is answered. This might get like 10 notes and that’s fine haha (I have zero idea how many people regularly read my story beyond the ones who leave comments), but if there are a lot of questions I’ll try to categorize them. Really just a place to drop info for fun :)

Q&A below ⬇️

I tried to make it organized. It's... kind of organized. Kind of.

Plot/Characters

"What key archetype isn't one of the siblings? Do we get to know their archetypes soon?" asked by @spookieee28 12/20

I'm not gonna say the archetypes at this point in time because it risks spoilers. You will find out by the end of the story and hopefully by that points all of the archetypes should be relatively clear. Some have already been mentioned like the chapter "Heralds and Thieves" for Jade and Cooper, I think (?) Cora has been mentioned as the Innocent archetype, etcetera.

"Which character do you struggle writing the most and which feels easier for you, if you have preferences?" asked by @isitamia 12/20

"Do you ever struggle with keeping Cinderella Boy's canon characters in character?" asked by @isitamia 12/20

I'll answer both of these together. Chase is pretty easy for me because I just channel chaotic gremlin energy and it seems to work. Buddy is OKAY although I am struggling right now making him vulnerable while still retaining him Buddy-ish-ness if that makes sense? Deacon is just Deacon... I am sorry, I feel like I don't really do anything to characterize him, he's just there as a sounding board XD I will say- I daydream situations for CB ALL THE TIME which gives me a lot of comfortability with the canon characters and considering what they would do and say and how they would react. I do have a little bit of difficulty characterizing the human keys so I just kinda went like "oh WELL that's because, UUHHHH, the key siblings don't match the keys exactly! That's it that's the answer!" because I felt like Silver wasn't quite Silver-ish and stuff. As for struggling writing the most I have two main answers.

BRONTE. For those who maybe haven't read this but are scrolling through it anyway, or aren't there yet, Bronte is the "human" version of Bronze and I kinda accidentally eliminated him from the story until like... the 80th chapte ror something like that. I had a lot of trouble actually writing his dialogue and scenes with Chase. It just did not have Bronze's snarky energy. So that was tough and I feel bad because I really feel like I did not do him justice :c

DUKE RAVENELL!!!!!! Ravenell hates me. He gives me so much trouble primarily because I just plunked him in at the beginning and didn't give him a real personality beyond a few vague notions. I've really had to sculpt his character as I went and it's especially difficult because Ravenell is intended to do a lot of plot device-ing. He perpetuates a lot of themes in the story and he is a HUGE character foil to Chase, because he often reflects the opposite of Chase's (and Idonea's) values and intentions. I want him to be morally grey and I am constantly fighting a BATTLE with this man to make sure he isn't too likeable or too hateable. I posted on Tumblr like a week ago really just asking for a diagnostic and the response made my day because people are all OVER the place about this man, some people love him, some will never forgive him, some are like "he's alright but there's something off about him and I can't help but distrust him" and others are like "I know he keeps making mistakes but I can't help but trust him" and I LOVE IT. Fortunately I think he's finally in a place perception-wise where I want him. I want the confusion. So badly. Only now I have to continue to fight this stupid tug-o'-war to keep him properly dividing until the end of the story XD

Behind the scenes

"How did you come up with the plot for KAPT? Was it just a little thought that popped up in your head one day, or did you have like inspiration or something?" asked by @xcitrix 12/20

"Did you have an idea for how you wanted the story to end when you first started writing or did you come up with more ideas while working on it?" asked by @lapileaf 12/20

I'mma answer both of these (and any others if they are asked) in kinda the same go if that's alright. In August I was wanting to write some fanfiction for CB, and one idea rotating in my head was, what if Chase went into a nonfiction book? Like he thought it the most effective way to study for a history project, or he saw a mention of Ex Libris, or something. So, completely directionless, I drabbled out the first chapter of KAPT where they find the book in the museum and... adopt it. And then it sat there in my Google Docs for like two weeks while I worked on a different fanfiction, Violets and Chains. I tried to return to it a little bit and got through the first anthology chapter where they're in the Chartesia battle, but that too did not have a plot behind it, I was like "myeh... trebuchets... uh... and now there's a guy... oh maybe they're PRISONERS..." And then brain did not work and I gave up. Eventually got myself together, BS-ed the rest of the scene, and then sat down and essentially ranted to myself about potential ideas until I figured out the plot.

More ideas have kept cropping up as I've worked on it. There are certain puzzle pieces that are foreshadowed in even teh first ten chapters that I didn't even mean to foreshadow because I hadn't thought of the yet - the plot was generally mapped out but has defintely been refined and added to as time goes on. Eventually you get into the flow of a story and everything just starts clicking into place, like you yourself are theorizing about an external work. Keep in mind that because I am publishing it as I write each chapter, KAPT is a first draft, and I have to hatch out plot points and main parts of the story as I write and make my best effort to recover any loose threads or things like that. It's a fun exercise!

"Do you plan to stick to the story you have already till the end or is there a possiblity you'll have to change some things if we get to know more about canon Ex Libris/Buddy lore while it's still ongoing?" asked by @iwikpines 12/20

There are some new bits of information that are kinda iffy for KAPT, but ultimately because KAPT takes place inside a book most of the Buddy/Ex Libris lore is not applicable. Regarding Buddy's situation I am going to go ahead like I was planning to originally, and I'll add a disclaimer when time permits. I don't think either way throws a wrench in the plans too much but I would rather be confident in the themes I've already set up as opposed to trying to hastily recover new lore in the last third of the story, if that makes sense.

"How did you come up with your ocs? I know some, like Jaime, come from another original story of yours ... but what about characters like Ravenell, Galeus, and Rose? What inspired you? How did you decide their personaltiy, their struggles? Did you take inspiration from yourself for anyone, similar to how Punko took inspiration from herself for Chase? Do you follow any specific process to come up with ocs, like follow a list, scheme, or coming up with hypothetical scneraios?" asked by @isitamia 12/20

A lot of the characters are cameos from a passion project I've been working on for years called IFI (no I will not tell you what it stands for) - Jaime and emma are from there, as well as several others including Alexei, Nishan, Mattheo, Kelitia, Indie (the Marchioness), King Aarius, and King Olivyn. So those are just plunked in and then Jaime decided to become part of the plot. As for the other original characters made specifically for KAPT, they just kinda got plopped in for one reason or another (I wanted Rose to connect to the Chartesia lore, Ravenell to have a foil for Chase, and Galeus because, well, there had to be a king) and then I slowly worked to build connections, themes, and character. Often times I don't specifically sit down and think "this character will be this way", it just emerges naturally from their dialogue, like I'm chiseling something out that was already in the stone like an archeologist, as opposed to carving my own new sculpture. I've always written that way and it makes it difficult when I am required to add structure to my writing or explain why I do things the way I do. I will say it is all VERY inspired from my own life and beliefs; Rose exists as a confidante in the story, and many of her more preachy dialogue pieces are things I'm getting out of my system. So yeah, not really a lot of structure to it, they just appear... and I figure them out as I go... most of my characters are in some way facets of myself or the way I percieve life. As I get more experienced with writing I'm sure I'll be more intentional with them, but for now, they are Athena and I am Zeus.

"How do you post daily" (kind of) asked by @isitamia 12/20

To give an actual answer for this because I know it's a lot to post a 2-4k chapter PER DAY - I am a student and have a LOT of downtime in class where I can't really do anything but write. That is how. Also, I have taught myself to be a prolific writer because that is the thing in my life I can always rely on when other things are unstable.

"How did you extend the story so far? I love the plot and it's kinda insane how you were able to develop it so much, at this point it's a full novel and I kinda live for it LOL. Also how long would you consider one act?" asked by @shyve3 12/20

Two parts to this question, I will answer them both;

I didn't mean to. I am really bad about being concise; I can't. When I write and get passionate about a story there's so much I want to stay and I can rarely fit it into what most people consider a pallatable length. I just get going and... idk... unstoppable force or something lol. And yes KAPT is at least the length of a typical trilogy XD ITS BEEN FIVE MONTHS

Regarding the act question, I ORIGINALLY said KAPT would be three acts, with the first ending when Chase goes down into Rose's "tomb" for the first time, the second ending with the Bronte part, and the third being the final one. It is actually more like four now, with the "second" act split into two at the masquerade ball. We are so close to being onto the actual final act, which should be a 4th of the total fic, so we have maybe 30 chapters left (?) (we'll see lol)

I don't have a specific length, it's just the way the story tends to ebb and flow if that makes sense?

General stuff

"Do you have any advice as a writer?" asked by @iwikpines 12/20

I AM SO BAD ABOUT THIS because I really do just go type type type and words appear. I know there's more to it than that but I've spent a lot of time writing and not a lot of time learning how to write so I have the experience without the actual education behind it. Write what you care about :) I mean NO DUH but like - your best stories will come from the heart. You will find prolificness (is that a word?) in PASSION. If I didn't care about Cinderella Boy or the themes I'm trying to communicate in KAPT would I spent my days writing a chapter a day ABSOLUTELY FRIGGIN NOT I'd be writing a different story. So yeah - write what you love and your audience will find you. What the world needs is a buncha people doing what they love really well because it's what they care about. Also, I didn't include your full comment here, but I am excited to read your fanfiction! <3 Please post it on Tumblr when you also post it elsewhere!

[thewinter-eden]

Blood Sugar Virus (34)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Genre: Horror, zombies, strangers to lovers, angst, suspense, slow burn Pairing: Kang Yeosang x female!reader Warnings: based on the Wanteez Zombie episode, zombies, language, discussion of parasites, gore, angst, heavy topics, suggestive content

Story Summary: You (stage name Sugar) are the co-captain of a horror acting group. You and your guys are the ones the companies hire when they want to stage a zombie, ghost, or any vaguely horrific and dystopian episode. So when you get hired by Ateez to develop a zombie program, it's just another routine that you've done a million times. Everything's going exactly according to script--until suddenly it isn't, and it starts getting a little too real.

🏆 Esteemed Moot: @ramadiiiisme

⭐️ Reader Spotlight: @mrsminseochoi

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There are still enough zombies in the hallway to make the task ahead of you seem impossible.

The only reason you don't listen to the voice inside you that screams at you to duck back into the classroom and hide, is that they're all dormant, faces drooping low over their chests, shoulders hunched like it's too much effort to hold themselves upright.

Wooyoung sneaks out beside you, angling himself so that his broken table shield is on the outside, keeping himself between you and the zombies, so you can hug the wall.

You wait long enough to see Yunho, and then Yeosang, step out into the hall after you, and then you fix your gaze ahead. There's only one room between you and the one you left Jimin and Jongho in, and there's a small cluster of unmoving zombies between you and the rear entrance.

After your team advances a few feet without attracting any unwanted attention, you start to feel better about your plan. At this point, by your judgement, you're not planning on dealing with the cameras down the south hall, at least not unless Namjoon thinks you should, just to further throw off the military's observation of you.

The entrance to the stairs leading to the basement is in the stairwell where your earlier group had gotten trapped, at the end of the main hall you're currently tip-toeing down. Maybe it would be ideal to take out every camera in the building, just to spread as much darkness as possible, but you're not sure you have enough time.

Seeing how quickly the parasites had grown inside the people who had been implanted, you can only guess that you're already on borrowed time before the remaining parasites are grown to enough maturity to vacate their hosts and start looking for new, suitable environments to lay their own eggs.

i.e., you and the rest of your surviving group.

You're so close to the first cluster of creatures now that you can smell the sweat on their skin and real blood in their clothes. The lack of the sweet, corn syrupy smell tells you that none of the zombies you're creeping up on are members of your acting team.

The realization relieves you probably more than it should.

It's not like they're any less dangerous, or any less likely to try to tear you to shreds and eat you to feed the parasites controlling them. It's not like they'll be more friendly to you than the strangers that the military trucked in from whatever secret base where they had started this hellish experiment.

You're watching Wooyoung as you sneak around behind the first creature. It occurs to you only now that the piece of furniture he's holding might make it difficult for him to squeeze through without bumping anybody.

And what if their sense of smell is still intact? Had you been this close to any of them before? Could they smell the difference between your uneaten bodies and themselves?

You can't remember if you've noticed any recognition of their olfactory senses.

But Wooyoung presses the shield close to himself and slips through the narrow space without difficulty.

You're standing right up against a cluster of four of them now.

They huff and rasp, like they're mechanically forcing oxygen into their lungs, and shuffle their feet like they have to maintain some kind of movement to keep themselves standing.

You're in the clear in the next few steps, slipping quietly into the next classroom.

One by one, the members of your team follow you inside. The cameras are in both hall-side corners, and you stand back so Yunho can head for the closest one. You feel a nudge at your side, and find Yeosang gesturing questioningly at the doors, wordlessly asking if you should try to close them.

You shake your head. Troubling yourselves unnecessarily with the doors will only risk more time and more noise. But with that judgement call, you have to make sure Yunho isn't going to start swinging on the equipment with the axe and creating an explosion of sound that you're not prepared to defend yourself from.

Hurrying to the corner where he's crawling up on a desk to be able to reach the first device, you stretch your arm up to the only part of him you can reach, and place your hand on his leg.

He finches, twisting to stare down at you through wide eyes. When he sees that it's just you, he lets out a shallow breath.

You gesture to the axe in his hands and shake your head, hoping he understands your poor attempt to communicate. He appears somewhat confused, but as you pursue a laughable series of charades, gesturing at the open doors and then to the cameras, and then mimicking the way you had simply flipped the other camera up to face the ceiling, he shoots you a thumbs up and clamps the axe uselessly under one arm.

Satisfied that he's miraculously received your confusing message, you turn away from him and scan the room nervously.

The four of you are alone for the moment, but you know there’s always a danger of the zombies just happening to wander in at any second.

Wooyoung is posted in one open doorway, Yeosang in the other.

Yunho turns the camera towards the ceiling and then clambers down from the desk to get to the other one.

Since Yeosang is in the front of the room, where you'll take your exit when you're ready to move on, you go to stand next to him. You're regretting keeping your heavy duffel bag slung across your back, because every time you take a step that's not quite cautious enough, you hear the water bottles sloshing around inside.

He looks up as you approach, eyes falling to the hitch in your step that you haven't even noticed.

With his gaze fixed firmly on the bloody patch at your hip, he mouths the words ‘are you okay?’

You nod, settling your weight on your good leg. In truth, the bite at your hip hurts worse than any of the others, and you've been trying not to think about it. Even now, you're trying not to think about the way you can feel the taped edges of the bandage that he'd placed gritting painfully in the raw area of flesh as you move.

Reminding yourself that the pain won't last, that soon enough you'll feel the last of it, you meet his concerned eyes with a pensive stare of your own. You don't really know what's happening between you, or what you're feeling about it. When your mind goes back to the moment in the hallway, replaying the instant that he kissed you unexpectedly, your stomach flutters pitifully.

And all the moments that followed, from him resolutely holding your hand even as the others teased him, to the humorous attempt to ask you out for coffee, all twist your thoughts and feelings confusingly with the sense that something has been settled between you. You can't escape the feeling that something had been established in that short kiss, in the few words spoken between you since it happened.

How had you gone from being the butt of Ateez' jokes about you and Yeosang, to actually watching it come to fruition in some small capacity before your eyes?

Had it always been there, the way they seemed to have spotted it from the beginning?

You had been curious about him from the moment you met him, of course, falling immediately victim to the renowned charisma and fan service that they had all presented themselves with, but you had been training yourself for so long to refrain from any involvement or engagement with clients that you hadn't even acknowledged your attraction to him. In fact, you distinctly remember channeling your impressed surprise at his personality and presence into a clinical analysis of what he might potentially bring to your program experience.

Had your gravitation towards him even back then been a masked sort of interest that you had conditioned yourself to ignore?

From what you remember before the utter demolition of planned events this evening, your earliest connection with him had been when he'd saved you from a fake zombie after Jongho unwittingly sacrificed you, and then proceeded to keep you close to him, going so far as to prevent you from alerting Hobi to your presence once you'd realized something was wrong.

Had he been curious about you even back then?

Had your delight over his intense immersion and commitment to your story been more than professional satisfaction?

Your mind is scrambling for context, desperately trying to search through your interactions for signs that this new dynamic was coming.

Despite your poor attempts at denial, you had noticed your disciplined detachment slipping more and more around him. You remember the stirring in your chest when you first noticed his soft lisp, the heat in your cheeks when you found yourself looking at him for a second too long, the complete abandonment of your emotional barriers during the lockdown, and the utter upheaval of all rational trains of thought as soon as he took your hands and gently scrubbed the blood off them.

Yeosang is still watching you between dutiful glances out into the hallway, waiting for you to explain why you've been staring at him with such a lost look on your face.

You realize that what you're feeling is fear.

Fear that it's not real.

That it's something you actually want.

That it will destroy you.

That you'll alienate him.

That it will end.

Yunho finishes with the cameras and comes to stand near you, nudging your arm to alert you of his proximity. You startle out of your thoughts, glancing over your shoulder at Wooyoung and gesturing him closer when you catch his eye.

With your team ready to go, you have only to resume your earlier positions and move on to the next room. You step up to the doorway where Yeosang is standing, and as he shuffles backwards to allow you and Wooyoung to take your places in the lead, you're studying him.

The expression on his face, pinched with focus, the posture of his body language when he immediately steps aside to let you take the lead, the path of his eyes from the impending hallway, down to the floor to check his footing, back up to you to wait for instructions or a signal.

He, much like most of them, had accepted your role of leadership from the beginning, despite the fact that you're drastically out of your depth and making things up as you go.

He trusts you.

It feels like it should be a heavier burden than it is, but you don't agonize over his faith in you the way you do with the others.

When you realize why, that it's because you trust him in equal measure, emboldened by the way he tells you when he has other ideas that contend with yours, and the way he's taken over control of situations that you can't find the capacity to get on top of, a weight comes off your shoulders.

You're not in this alone.

It's not all on you.

You have room to fail now.

It's a realization that terrifies you and comforts you all in the same breath.

Tackling the rest of the classrooms in the long hallway happens with almost flawless coordination. You and Wooyoung leading the way, choosing the safest routes between zombies that remain dormant, Yunho slipping around you as you reach each room and turning all the cameras, even the ones in the hallway, to face the ceiling.

Yeosang is your faithful guard at the rear, halting your progress every time he spots a creature turning listlessly to face you, never allowing your group to accidentally trip their tenuous capacity to track you visually. Within only a few minutes, your team slips into the stairwell and turns all of the devices in the narrow corridor.

Before you know it, the job is done, and the zombies are still unaware that you've been among them.

In the echoing chamber where Yunho concluded the last of your assignment, you lower your voice and turn to them.

“You guys go back from here. Make your way to my classroom, stay quiet, stay with Jongho and Jimin until we get back to you. No matter what happens, stay in that room. We need to know that you're there. We'll send the team from 2 to you.”

If everything goes as planned, though it rarely has tonight, you'll all be back in the same room together in a matter of minutes.

Wooyoung and Yunho accept your instructions without question, both heading for the stairwell exit.

“We set up the furniture as a sort of shield in case the military starts shooting.” Yeosang tells them. “Stay behind it, and stay low.”

Before they can take their leave, you stop them. They wait as you drop your towel and pull your bag around to retrieve three bottles of water. There's only one left.

“Make sure Jimin drinks one of these. We'll try to find more upstairs to bring back.”

You help Wooyoung hold his table so he can tuck the bottles securely into his waistband. When he's finished, you give them both your best smile. “We'll see you soon.”

Yunho lowers the axe to his side and drags you into a hug that you're not expecting.

“Be careful.” He whispers. “We're all getting kind of attached to you.”

Your heart is warm as he lets you go and grips Yeosang's arm, and you can see the fear written deeply in the contours of his face. “You guys have to be careful.”

“Yeah, both of you,” Wooyoung adds, frowning at you.

“No prioritizing anybody over anybody else.”

When Yunho's words reach you, you vaguely remember them as the ones you told him in anger hours ago.

“We'll be back soon,” You promise him.

You and Yeosang stand in the doorway and watch them sneak back down the hall, successfully skirting the meandering clusters of zombies and finally letting themselves into the classroom where you'd left the others. When you're certain they're safe, you step back into the stairwell with Yeosang and softly guide the latch into place.

Now it's just the two of you again.

You should have taken the axe from Yunho, and the shield from Wooyoung.

But you'll be with the second team soon enough, and they have their own axe.

You'll be fine. You just have to go up the stairs, which is already clear of zombies anyway, and however far down the hall that San and Mingi had made it.

You should be fine.

Turning on your heel to begin your ascent up the stairs, you're stopped by Yeosang's presence suddenly in front of you. He's slung his towel over his shoulder, watching you with empty hands.

“Do you need water?” You ask, reaching back for your bag again to get him the last bottle.

He shakes his head. “No, save it for later.” For a second he just stands there, thoughtful, tilting his head at you.

Unsure of what he's thinking, you blink back, shuffling your weight off your bad hip. It's your turn to be trapped in his gaze, confused by the indecipherable emotions passing behind his eyes.

“Are you ready to go?” You ask. “I don't know what kind of timeframe we're working with.”

His hand finds your arm before you can slip around him. He's still giving you that concerned look, head cocked to the side in away that makes you think of Rose back in the office, securely wrapped in Mingi's arms.

Is this how she had felt?

Yeosang's hand is hot on your arm, his expression just as warm. “If you want to rest for a minute, we can.”

Startled, you can't stop the confused frown that forms automatically. “We haven't been running.”

“We might have to soon. It's okay to take a minute.” His brow furrows slightly. “Your hip is bothering you.”

It is, but not enough to stop you from going upstairs and making sure the rest of your people are okay. “Yeah, but I'm good to go. Do you need to rest?”

You're anxious to put your eyes on your friends and see for yourself that they weren't caught in the rampages, but you won't take this moment of respite away from him if he needs it.

Yeosang's lips curl in a soft smile. “No, I'm okay.”

This time he lets you move around him towards the steps. “I just need to know they're okay. I'm sorry if this is too much.” You feel bad about dragging him away from the safety of the room with the others. “If you'd like to go with them, I can carry on from here.”

He just mounts the stairs with you, this time unbothered by your offer to release him from his foolish promise. “I know.”

The response surprises you, but you don't slow your climb. “I'll make sure they get back down safely.”

“I know.” He says again.

But he's still following you.

“Yeosang,” you take a breath, trying to sort through the maelstrom of messy thoughts that have you feeling frustrated again. “I don't know what I did or said to make you think I expect you to follow me, or feel responsible for me. If it’s some of that shit that Jimin said to you, I want you to know that you can ignore him. He's pissed that he's out of commission. If he could, he'd be the one refusing to let me out of his sight, and since he can't—”

You break off when you realize he hasn't said anything.

He's watching the steps as he climbs, listening to you.

You almost feel bad, because you know you sound like you're discounting your intimate moment in the hallway, and all the moments leading up to and following it, but you're not.

You just want him to know that you don't expect him to be glued to your side just because you shared an adrenalized kiss. You don't expect anything from him, especially since there's now a very large part of you wanting him to stay next to you. You have to be sensitive to the fact that you're now allowing your emotions to get involved, and you have no intention of letting them cloud your judgement and potentially get him killed just because you like having him at your side.

“You didn't make me feel like I have to do anything.” He says quietly.

“I don't understand,” you whisper back. You don't understand why he's installed himself next to you, of all people, during this horrible night. He came here with his brothers, shouldn’t he be with them, focusing on their companionship and survival instead of out here with you?

It doesn't make any sense.

“What don't you understand?”

You're on the second floor landing now, mere feet away from the door, but you can't move. Not yet. You turn back to him. “I don't understand what I did.” You're explaining yourself badly, but you don't know how to tell him what you're thinking. “I don't know why you don't want to go back to the classroom.”

That's not at all the root of your confusion, but you can't spell out every pathetic question tumbling through your mind right now. To your relief, he seems to understand enough not to ask.

For a minute he just stands there, thinking. It's a long enough pause to make you shift your weight from side to side, wondering why you chose now to have this conversation.

Finally, he takes a breath and lets it out slowly. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

The words hit you with some finality, like he's answering all of your questions in the simplest way possible. But you've heard that before, from less than sincere concerned parties, so you square your shoulders and pluck at the damp sections of your sweater that are sticking uncomfortably to your skin. “But I can do it alone.” You reassure him honestly. “I can handle it. I’m okay with being the one to look out for people. It’s what I'm good at.”

He nods agreeably. “You are good at it. That doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.”

You appreciate his concern, but the sentiment means little to you. “If I'm the one out here doing the work, then I don't have to worry about you guys once I've seen that you're safe.”

“You'll worry anyway"

You shrug, because he's right.

“They're okay with you being the one to handle it alone? Your team? When you take on all the details that no one else handles?” his head cocks curiously at you again, and you have to look away, pretending you're listening to the hall beyond the door.

“They don't know about most of it.” You admit, but you don't know why you're telling him this.

"And you're okay with that?" Yeosang asks you, watching the way your face blanks out when you nod.

"It's easier that way.” You say truthfully. “It allows me to do more for them without them trying to stop me.” You find his gaze again, nervously bringing your conversation back on topic. “So you don't have to come with me. I can do this on my own.”

“I don't want you to." He returns easily.

You want to feel touched by his words, and it annoys you that you're feeling too much frustration to appreciate what he's telling you. You huff and reach for the door. “You really enjoy making my life more difficult, don't you?”

He just grins at you, hiding a small laugh behind his hand. “I actually was thinking we made a pretty good team."

Flushed with embarrassment, because you'd also come to value and trust in what he contributes to your efforts, you give him your back and clear your throat. “Yeah, we make a pretty good team."

Your name reaches your ears, deep in his throat, and your hand pauses in reaching for the door. You're kicking yourself for the power he's gaining on you when you feel the warmth of his hand against your back. “When I asked you not to send me to another team, I meant it.”

You don't remember him asking.

His hand feels hot against your back, and your face is so red that you know there's no way he can't see it.

“Let me help you."

This time it doesn't feel like everyone else's shallow sincerity. He's not giving you the ‘let me know if there's anything I can do’ routine that everyone always gives you. He's next to you, refusing to go back down the stairs to relative safety, about to follow you into the unknown for the countless time tonight, telling you to share your burden with him.

Selfishly, you don't even want to deny him. “Okay."

"Okay." His thumb brushes you once in a sweeping motion and you feel a shiver race down your spine to flutter around your stomach.

You push the stairwell door open.

The sight that greets you surprises both of you.

More zombies, grunting and rasping in the same sort of small clusters that they'd formed downstairs, twitching slightly at the soft sound of your door swinging open, but otherwise dormant.

And, sneaking through the throng just like your team had, San and mini making their way toward your end of the hall, reaching up and pulling camera plugs and turning lenses.

They'd continued with the plan just as you had, already more than halfway done.

They spot you and Yeosang immediately, San instantly putting a finger to his lips as though you don't already know to be quiet.

Mingi brightens upon seeing you, tossing you an excited wave.

You wave back, and glance behind him. Other than the silent hoard of zombies, they're alone. You wait until you catch Mingi’s eye again, and then make your lips form the exaggerated shape of Rosé’s name in question.

He understands instantly, gesturing behind them and tossing you a reassuring thumbs up, and you assume that she's back in 2-1, waiting safely as planned.

Relief crashes over you at the knowledge that another one of your teams is safe and sound. Focusing on how to meetup with them through the crowd of creatures, you start looking for an opening.

Before you can take even a single step, you notice one of the zombies behind San and Mingi suddenly jerk, posture straightening.

Your heart slams in your chest. Your hand lifting abruptly to point a warning finger.

Mingi spins on his heel, spine rigid with panic.

Yeosang grips your shirt as another one of the zombies, this one closer to you, makes the same stiffening jerk.

The one behind Mingi falls to the floor in a heap.

The one in front of you crumples as well.

Shit.

Dread cramps in your stomach.

Most of the zombies around you start exhibiting the same terrible behavior, lurching as though someone pinched them, and then crumbling to the ground limply, like puppets with cut strings.

Yeosang's hand on your shirt pulls you back into the stairwell doorway.

San and Mingi are watching the zombies collapse around them, eyes wide with panic and confusion.

The zombies who don't fall begin to stir at the sounds of heavy bodies crashing to the ground. Their faces lift, heads cocking to listen, some of them turning sharply at the frantic scraping of San and Mingi’s shoes as they try to dodge the tumbling creatures.

You can't breathe. You can't think.

Yeosang's arm circles your waist, tugging you back into him and further out of the hallway as your eyes fall on the first one that collapsed.

Long, twiggy black legs appear, curling over the zombie's throat.

Panic crawls up your throat, choking you.

The fallen zombie closest to you is faced away from you, giving you a clear view of the waspish parasite that crawls from the back of his neck like the horrific hatching of an egg.

The waking zombies are lurching, lunging at the slightest sound, while all around them, parasites vacate their hosts and skitter out into the hallway.

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[watchinginfomercials]

Technical difficulties folks, we will return to our regularly scheduled programming in just a few moments!! 📺 ⭐️ ✨

[castletowne-bah]

CASTLE TOWNE AND ITS SPONSORS HAVE NO DNI ! Let’s introduce today’s contestant!

➤ ⠀NAME(s) - Ralsei , Remy , Locket , Clover .

➤ ⠀GENDER - Girl-boy . Astrumgender .

➤ ⠀PRONOUNS - He . She . Fluff . Tune . Blush . Dream . Glow .

➤ ⠀AGE RANGE - Late teens . Age dreamer .

➤ ⠀SOURCED FROM - Deltarune .

➤ ⠀ASSOCIATED WITH - Goats . Plushies . Daydreaming . Magic(k) . Princes . Kindness .

➤ ⠀FRONT TRIGGERS - ‘Dont Forget’ . Children . Piano music . Libraries . Verbal conflict . Seeing others/the body suffer . Self deprecating behavior . Being in the dark .

➤ ⠀ROLE IDEAS - Protector + Martyr + Soother .

Primary fronts or co-fronts to help calm other distressed alters, providing emotional support and producing a relaxing atmosphere. Will also front to de-escalate confrontations through diplomatic methods and peaceful dialogue. He will willingly take on others emotional burdens to protect the system, going as far as absorbing their negative emotions to help them heal.

➤ ⠀PERSONALITY - Gentle . Kind-hearted . Nurturing . Patient . Soft spoken . Pacifist . He has the tendency to put others before himself . Can be very shy at first but becomes super friendly . All he wants is to make others smile .

➤ ⠀LIKES - Learning new things . Teaching others . Helping others . Girly dresses . Soft scarves . Baking . Fluffy pets . The colour pink .

➤ ⠀DISLIKES - The dark . Being alone . Cursing . Seeing others fight .

➤ ⠀HABITS & QUIRKS - Constantly checks in on other alters . Carries a detailed list of every alters triggers . Refuses to use curse words . Has difficulty saying “no” . Often hides his own negative emotions . Will lock himself in front . Hums when he’s nervous .

➤ ⠀PROXY IDEAS - —Fluffy Boy . 🤍🌿 . ⭐️🎼 . 🫖🍰 . 🧣🐐 . 🕯️📖 .

[multiplicity-positivity]

Here’s some positivity for system littles who do not like being infantilized!

System littles (or syskids) make up a diverse group of system members, and no two syskids are exactly alike. Many are calm, focused, and capable and do not like to be viewed or treated as actual children! These desires are worth respecting - every headmate deserves to be treated in ways that uplift and affirm them, even if others have difficulties understanding their individual needs. So here’s to all the syskids who don’t like being infantilized!

🐻 Shoutout to syskids with important jobs, who help their system by going to work, managing finances, driving, or doing other tasks normally performed by adults!

🚂 Shoutout to syskids with emotional maturity, who are effective at regulating and processing big, scary emotions!

⭐️ Shoutout to syskids who are hosts and handle much of their system’s day-to-day lives!

🎻 Shoutout to syskids who, despite being calm and collected, still love to play, goof around, and have fun!

💐 Shoutout to syskids who have lost their sense of childhood due to trauma, or who feel like an adult because of the trauma they hold on to!

🦄 Shoutout to syskids who do not like to be referred to as young, little, small, or a baby, child, or toddler!

☀️ Shoutout to syskids in committed relationships who are capable of consenting and being loving sexual and romantic partners!

🎈 Shoutout to syskids who hold important, often complex or taxing inside roles like gatekeeper, manager, and caretaker!

🐯 Shoutout to syskids who have adult-oriented desires, hobbies, and interests!

🎀 Shoutout to syskids who are age sliders, and feel more childlike in some moments than others!

Syskids and system littles, you are such a cherished, valued, and important part of both your system and the whole plural community! It’s okay if you don’t always feel like a kid, don’t want to be treated like a kid, do lots of things that kids normally can’t do, or don’t fit the mold of what syskids often look like! You are special and you matter just the way you are. Whether you don’t understand your experiences sometimes, or you look back on them with great clarity, your identity as a system little and a headmate in your own system is still valid!

We hope you can soon find some time to have fun, enjoy a treat, or get some rest. Remember that it’s important to try and meet your needs, too! And if you need to ask for help, please know that doing so does not make you any less capable - everyone, no matter how old they are, needs to ask for help from time to time! We hope you can have a wonderful day today filled with moments that bring you joy!