#first the idea that you are so unknowable to yourself from the ''outside'' that you need to dig into your flesh and bones to find answers

[peliginspeaks]

Thinking about the concept of self-teratomancy again. On the one hand, the agency of self-modification. On the other, the inherent implications of that being labeled teratomancy instead of Shapeling Arts: that there are hidden histories to be unlocked, that you as a creature are fragmented or ill-suited to your purpose, that to break and make yourself anew might be required. The cruelty and mercy of the knife instead of a slow and warping moulding. The fact that to change yourself requires first to know it, on a level deep and stark enough to leave the salt of your ancestors' blood on your tongue.

[ghostgirl101]

Oliver Quick Being Obsessed With You Would Include...

A/N: Watched this recently and got too many ideas because it's what I do 😀 if you've got any requests for the Saltburn crew then drop them in my inbox and I'll get round to them. Have fun reading- just know that there are obviously spoilers for the Saltburn movie here, so if you haven't watched it, zip to the cinema and come back 😎 or don't.

☓• It's hard to know where to start with Oliver... all I can say is that once you're in his sights, you're never getting out of them. Big never. Even if he has to wait years to get what he wants, he'll wait, and he will get it. And of course, the it we're talking about here is lucky you. So lucky you 🙃

☓• Say goodbye to your close friends and possibly your family if they're taking up too much of your time or happen to see through his harmless, quiet, normal act to something a lot darker and obsessive tainting his pure blue eyes every time they latch onto you. No one's managed to get in his way yet, and it stays that way.

☓• The first unknowing encounter with Oliver must have been somewhere around Oxford Uni, where you all go to and study. Maybe in the library, outside talking to friends - doing practically anything and making it look amazing and beautiful and something to be wanted above anything. He watches you a lot, a lot a lot, before you bump into each other, because the meeting has to be perfectly natural and it's his only chance to start things off on the right foot.

☓• Coincidences happen a lot and no one can be called out on them, because nothing seems to be wrong yet. You'll end up spending the majority of your time with him, maybe even without realising, whilst he finds out ways to know more about you and get closer to you. Oliver's not so good when it comes to talking about himself, telling you with one of his awkward but earnest half-smiles that he's not half as interesting, and so the conversation ends up steering back to you. From family life to friends, growing up, hobbies, favourite colour, tell him anything and everything. Because he won't forget a single thing.

☓• He's easy with where you want to go to hang out too, so long as he's there. You could just be talking with your friends in the nearby pub or at a party where the invite was extended to him as he's with you, or studying together at the library. Ignore the weird looks from Michael.

☓• But what Oliver prefers above all that is just being together and alone, maybe in your dorm room, or just out somewhere at a park or at the bridge, sitting and talking, opening yourself up more and more to him. This boy is an incredible listener. If your voice trails off when you become self-conscious of how much you're rambling, all you'll get in response is Oliver blinking out of his trance and giving you a calm smile and a shrug. "No, it's fine, I don't mind. Carry on."

☓• Number one supporter, naturally. Oliver tries to be the best friend and more, so hard, with you. He'll be anything you want and need him to be without you even having to mention it. Whatever club or team you're on, he'll give you a little wave and small grin from the sidelines... take a few pictures when you're not looking. For safekeeping.

☓• It can get more than a little frustrating for him when you're distracted by your other 'friends' at Oxford, even if it's something as small as looking over essay answers and revision notes with Farleigh. There's always a back-and-forth thing happening between those two, and so when Farleigh starts becoming friendly with you and outrightly mocking with Oliver, to you, all that will happen is Oliver giving him an unblinking, blank look that looks a touch too cold and repressive, before he ignores him. And that's all you'll ever know about it.

☓• If you happen to stick up for Oliver when someone brings up how different and odd he is, a bit awkward to talk to and a cheapskate or whatever, he'll never get over it. You stuck up for him. That just proves that he was right about you, from the second his dark gaze latched onto your unknowing self just a few weeks ago. He was right. You're... perfect.

☓• There's so much good about Oliver, that if you ever hear anything different, it's hard to actually believe it. It's just Farleigh causing trouble, or gossip that has gotten out of hand again, not actual hints of something deeper bubbling beneath the surface. Oliver would never watch you outside your dorm room at night, what are they on about? And when Oliver hears of them too, or gets the worries out of you when he instantly notices that something's up, he'll act as effortlessly, convincingly confused as you are. If there's the slightest bit of proof in the accusation, he'll cover it up with a flawless explanation that swerves away from him and onto someone else within a second, while still seeming without grudges towards anyone. "You shouldn't listen to them, they're just trying to get in your head. Or maybe they want you for themself or something. I mean, I can understand that. Completely."

☓• You will eventually notice just how clingy Oliver can get when he seems to be everywhere around you, and you might be looking for a moment to yourself. If you gently bring it up, he'll reluctantly go on the promise that you'll text him back, which gives him time to change tactics. He will go as far as saying someone in his family died, or as small as admitting that the isolation from everyone who is so different to him in this place makes him feel a bit broken up. Maybe he should leave? And you, being you, encourage him to stay on and hang out with you and your friends, and boom, his back in.

☓• It's so easy for Oliver to subtly manipulate his surroundings and its people. Everyone, except for you. With you, the manipulation comes in seemingly natural events, nothing too forward. Because what he likes the most is you coming to him with whatever, problems, thoughts, feelings. Then he's done his job, and everything else that will build up a beautiful, beautiful relationship, will slip into place for him.

☓• Again, everything has to be perfect, and it will be. Maybe your first kiss with him is on your birthday, or out somewhere nice as a treat with some other rich friends. Or it's just you two having a movie marathon or pulling an all-nighter. Every time, he'll inch closer with little sweet, honest lines spoken in a calm, low tone, his eyes locked with yours and scarcely blinking. "Do you know how loveable you are?" "I think that your smile is something to live for." "I never want to be without you."

☓• Oliver will edge closer and closer, holding hands, brushing your hair back from your face when you're reading with a tender touch, meeting your eye and not letting go until you smile in bashful amusement and look away. He'll meet you outside all your classes and bring you your favourite drinks and study notes that he got from his work, so that you never fail an exam. Oliver's a lifesaver, one of your closest friends, someone who's always there for you to be whatever you need whenever you need. A great comforter, supporter, study buddy, moral support, you name it. He created and adapted himself to be boyfriend material especially for you, and so it happens, and he's won, like he knew he did the second he saw you. Now he can be as clingy and overly affectionate and outwardly obsessive as he wants, all day, all night, tirelessly. And don't think he won't.

☓• Straight-up, he's a starer. And I mean starer when you think you're alone in your room, starer when you were with a fling or someone you might have been interested in before... before Oliver worked his magic behind the scenes. Now it's a lot easier to, when you're in a relationship, because he can pass off his staring as something romantic, which it kind of is, without the dangerous obsessiveness lacing it. You'll look up from your phone or wake up in the night to see Oliver's eyes on you in wonder and something else you can't quite place, before you smile and ask him what it is. It's always the same answer with the same soft, adoring smirk that manages to make your cheeks flush with colour and smile back. It's not 'nothing.' It's always, just, "You."

☓• Once he's got things how he wanted them, if anything tries to ruin it, they will have literal hell to pay. He did not come this far for nothing. It's an agonising process of waiting and being patient so he wouldn't scare you off, getting gradually and naturally closer to this point. So whether it's Farleigh telling his tales or playing off his tricks, or someone else pointing out the unobvious obvious, good luck to them, because one of his special coincidences will fall right onto their heads.

☓• And if, by a twisted turn of events, you walk into one of Oliver's schemes, and see flecks of his true, darker self and violent, delusional side unearthed from his usually calm and easy way, he'll beg you with racking tears and heaving breaths and literal vomit to stay. He'll do anything, just as he has been doing anything, for you. What he's saying and doing is suddenly terrifying, and whether or not you want to accept him as freely is your choice, but if not, Oliver won't go away. He'll wait some more if you manage to escape his grasp this time. See you in a few years as an adult, maybe. When you're vulnerable in different ways and water's gone under the bridge. He'll slip right back into your life like he was always meant to be there, with his earnest, devoting praise and comfort and support, and that's Oliver Quick's life come back together yet again, with you lost at its centre. Trapped.

[elletheactualmenace]

Was it Worth it?

Pairing: Bruce Wayne(battinson) x fem!reader

Summary: Restless night turns into sleeping in the same room again.

Warnings: Bruce being unsure how to behave around you, awkwardness, infidelity, (let me know if there are others)

Word Count: 2.6k

a/n: This took me a MINUTE but it’s finally here. Enjoy this next part!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Your warm feet pat against the cold floor. A sheet wrapped around your body, not doing much to retain your body heat. It always seemed colder in the tower at night. The lights from the lively city never did anything to lessen your uneasiness. Just knowing crime was outside your window made you feel weary.

You take quiet steps, almost calculated so you make less noise. This is a stupid idea, at least you think it is. You feel like it's a walk of shame somehow. You don’t think you should be the one shamefully walking the halls of a tower, called after your family name. It should be a place of warmth and love. Nonetheless, you continue and try to make yourself smaller in the high ceilinged halls by wrapping yourself in a hug.

You’d been staying in a guest room after the night you learned of Bruce's affair. It was lonely, but better than having to sleep next to someone who betrayed you so heavily. The room you’d been sleeping in was so bland, and it made you realize how much work that had to be done to make the tower more homey. Although, that was hardly what you were thinking when you first stayed in the room. Your thoughts consisted more of sadness and dread.

Now, your thoughts, as you trek down the long halls, are more worried and uneasy. After the night at the auction you’ve felt even more lonely. It’s like that moment you shared with Bruce shredded away some of his actions. It made you miss him, his touch, his love. You don’t understand how or why it happened but you can’t deny the growing want and need for him to be near you. Maybe it was the near death experience, or the thought that he could have died. You aren’t sure. But either way, you can’t fight it as much as you’ve tried.

As you walk up to the doors of your shared room, it seems almost wrong to be standing there. They used to hold the promise of warmth and safety. Now you aren’t sure what to expect. So you hold your breath and sheets tightly to your chest and push the door open softly.

It’s different from when you left a couple months ago. Even though it has only been a few months it felt like ages. Like years. The room seems a mess. There are papers on the wall from the case Bruce is working on. Clothes scatter the ground and it looks like how Bruce kept his room before you were there to help him. The only thing that was neat and pretty is the top of the dresser, where pictures of you and Bruce were. It seems like the only parts of the room that are clean are the ones that have traces of you. After you took your clothes out of the room that’s all that was left of you, the picture on the dresser. 

The room is dark and the lights are off. You peer into the room, making sure not to open it fully. You see Bruce’s hunched body on the carpet at the foot of the bed. His shirtless back is turned away from you. He’s sitting in front of his work, a new case. You step in quietly, you’re not sure how to approach this. 

You don’t want to be alone, but at the same time, you aren’t sure Bruce is comfortable with you being here.

The floor tiles creek under your feet and Bruce’s head snaps over to you. He’s on high alert, which must mean he recently got back from patrol. You can see him physically relax when he sees it's you. He calls your name, confused.

”What are you doing up?” He asks softly. He keeps his attention towards you but doesn’t move to stand up from his position hunched on the ground. He gazes at you over his shoulder.

“Can’t sleep.” You say honestly. And move to step further into the large room.

Bruce’s eyes trail to the ground. He’s unknowing of what to say. “Why’d you-“ he takes a breath, “Come here?” He asks softly. This time he moves so his body is facing you more. He observes the sheets around your body, and the way you hold it close. He sees the unsure look in your stance. 

“I, um,” You say softly and lick your lips anxiously. “I need you.” You say softly. It’s almost inaudible, but Bruce hears it and he can feel his heart swell.

With a nod Bruce slowly stands. He approaches you slowly. He opens his mouth to say something, but closes it quickly. “What do you need?” He decides to say.

”Can I sleep in here?” You ask quietly, your head still downcast. Bruce wants to lift it and comfort you, but he’s still not sure what's appropriate. He doesn’t want to say or do the wrong thing so you leave. After you snapped at him about not eating, he feels like if he does one more wrong thing, you’ll surely leave him for good.

”Of course.” He says as he stands in front of you awkwardly. You stand too, also not confident enough to move.

”Bruce-“ You start as you take a step closer.

”We don’t have to talk right now if you don’t want to.” Bruce says as he looks down at you with soft eyes. He wants to hold you more than anything, but he doesn’t. Instead he guides you over to the messy bed.

”Okay,” You say softly as you lay down. “Thank you.” You say and he goes back over to the piles of paper at the foot of the bed. You pull the big soft comforter over your cold body, grateful for its warmth.

Bruce returns to the position he was in before, but this time it looks as though his shoulders are less tense. You observe him as you nuzzle into the sheets. You haven’t felt the softness of this mattress for a while. You forgot how comfortable it is, how it pulls you into it like a magnet.

You watch Bruce as he moves around papers and thinks. You observe him as he tries to put pieces of the case together, as he tries to paint a picture with the odd colors he’s been given. You glance at the clock and frown. It’s nearly 2:30 am, and he’s still working. 

Sitting there for a couple more minutes, you allow him to work, but you know how he gets with no sleep. Having had enough, you sit up. Bruce hears you move and glances back at you.

”Something wrong?” He asks. And you sigh through your nose and nod.

”Will you stop working, and-“ You cut yourself off and move the blankets on his side of the bed so he can slip under them. “Come to bed?” You ask, your voice softer now. Bruce stares at you for a moment, considering your words.

“Please?” You try when he doesn’t move. Bruce sighs and nods reluctantly. He doesn’t want to test your patience.

Bruce slips under the covers, sliding in next to you. He lets his body relax against the bed. You watch as he eyes close, his breathing slowing slightly. You realize now just how much you missed this.

”Goodnight.” You whisper as you take his hand from underneath the blankets. You let your finger intertwine with his and you hear him let out a sigh. You shuffle a bit closer as his hand grips yours.

Bruce doesn’t say it back, instead he squeezes your hand back tightly, before letting his grip soften. You let your eyes fall shut too, enjoying his presence and the warmth radiating from his skin.

——

You wake to shuffling next to you. You squint your eyes at light from the window. You glance over to see Bruce sat up in bed.

Reaching up you rub your eyes. You shift in the bed to face Bruce and he looks over his shoulder. He doesn’t say anything and neither do you.

You let your eyes flow over his body. His presence makes your heart ache. With both wanting and uncertainty. It’s too early to forgive. You remind yourself But is it? What if you're dying to hold him again? What if you miss waking up like this? In peaceful silence, knowing you love eachother deeply. 

Bruce turns his head forward and begins to stand before your hand shoots out to grab his forearm. It startles you both.

You snatch your hand back immediately and your heart races. You don’t know why you did that. Instinct, you think. You look back up at him and you see him staring straight at you. He still looks a little surprised, his chest rising and falling slowly.

When your eyes meet he seems to snap out of it. But Bruce is still reluctant to stand and get dressed. You both just sit there for a moment.

”Stay,” You say quietly. You don’t expect the quietness and vulnerability that seeps into your voice. You hold your breath as you watch him take in your words.

Bruce looks forward, and for a moment you think he’ll walk away. But he doesn’t. Instead he moves back to lay on the bed. His body hits the mattress with a sigh. Your shoulders relax. You shift flat on your back, and you stare up at the ceiling.

The room is quiet. But it's teetering on the edge of awkward silence. Bruce’s breaths are deep and heavy. You turn your head to gaze at him. When he feels your gaze he turns his head too. 

“Good morning.” He speaks, finally. 

“Morning.” A faint smile paints your lips. And for a brief second, it feels like it did before. You can’t find the anger you felt just months ago. It all seems to dissipate in the early morning glow that’s cast across Bruce’s skin. It creates an angel-like look about him. 

Bruce looks at you with soft eyes, and his gaze drinks you in slowly. He traces your entire face with his eyes, only to start all over again when he’s done. He misses you. And he’s scared if he doesn’t memorize your face now, in this moment, that the second you're away from him for too long, he’ll forget what you look like. Although that could never be the case. 

In the months spent apart you he could never forget your face while he slept alone in this very bed. In fact your face was burned into his mind, like you were taunting him. Still, even now, the fear creeps up on him. He assumes it’s his fear of losing loved ones. Because the fear of losing you that dreadful night all those months ago made him want to die. He can’t mess up again. He won’t let it happen. He needs to do everything he can to try and save what you both have right here.

The door bursts open, Alfred storms in. You look over at the door, eyes locking with Alfreds. He stops in his tracks. Alfred doesn’t expect you to be here. He pauses momentarily.

”Mrs Wayne-“ Alfred stutters out, but he quickly composes himself and he walks around the bed to pull the curtains open wider. “Good morning.” He greets.

”Y/n.” You try for the thousandth time. No matter how hard you try, Alfred just can’t seem to call you what you ask him to.

”Don’t bother,” Bruce huffs out with amusement as he sits up and leans against the headboard. 

“Yes, quite right Master Bruce. Mrs. Wayne, I will call you what I called your mother-in-law when Master Bruce was a boy.” Alfred says as he stands next to the fully open curtains. Alfred glances down at the mess on the floor where Bruce was working last night. He then glances at you, clearly trying to gather your opinion on the matter, and if you will lecture Bruce or if he should.

You glance over at the ground as you sit up. I frown as I see the mess, now in the daylight. “Why is your work all over our bedroom floor?” You raise your brow as you turn to Bruce.

Bruce isn’t annoyed as he usually would be with your scoldings, after all you called it our room, not just the room. Bruce's lips quirk up a bit into a small smile. He rubs the back of his neck.

”I’ll move it.” He sighs.

”Good, I don’t need to be tripping, or messing up any cases.” You say as you move to stand up. Alfred smirks as he holds his hands behind his back. Alfred then walks across the room to the door, where he entered. 

“Breakfast is ready when you two are.” Alfred informs before promptly leaving. Although you and Bruce both miss the smirk that stays on his lips as he walks away from the room. He’s happy to see you not giving Bruce the silent treatment. 

You go to stand and saunter over to the closet. You pull one of Bruce's shirts and a pair of his shorts, after all your clothes are still in the guest room. You go into the bathroom to change and get ready for the day. 

Bruce melts as you so easily pick out his clothes and get changed. He doesn’t want to point it out though, as he wants you to come back to him on your own time. And even if nothing goes back to the way it was, he’s content with the idea of just knowing you are still comfortable with him.

When you and Bruce make your way down to the dining room, you see Alfred going through the mail. You smile at him as he looks up and he smiles back. You and Bruce go to sit down.

”Ahh, Pancakes,” You smile as you get comfortable in your seat and pick up your knife and fork. Bruce sits next to you and begins eating. You all sit in relative silence, with occasional comments on the food, or on some event that was on the news. 

“Where are all the blueberri-“ You cut yourself off as you see Bruce down the last of the blueberries before you get the chance to have one. You scoff out a laugh. Bruce guiltily looks down at his plate with a slight smile. You just shake your head.

You look up to Alfred, and watch as he looks through the stack of mail piled on the other end of the dining room table.

”Anything interesting?” You ask Alfred before taking a sip of water. 

“An invitation.” Alfred says and you cock your head to the side.

”From who?” You ask and Bruce tries to spare a glance at the piece of mail.

”Mayor Bella Real, addressed to you both.” Alfred answers as he walks around the table and hands you the letter.

”For what?” Bruce asks as you unfold the invitation. When you read it a smile spreads on your face.

”To dinner.” You say softly. 

“Business? Mrs Wayne?” Alfred asks as he continues to sift through the mail.

”No, casual.” You smile as you look up at Bruce. “Me and Mayor Real are friends.” Bruce raises a brow.

“It’s for next week,” You note.

”Do you plan on attending?” Alfred asks.

”I do. What about you Bruce?” You ask and you hand him the invitation.

”Why not?” He says as he sets it down and continues eating. “I wonder what she wants.” Bruce pounders aloud.

[melaninfury]

Firstly thank you all for the supportive follows, comments, shares and likes towards my precious page. Very thankful. Here’s a treat for the late reading I have coming in.

Astrology Obsevations - Life Shit

Please don’t take this as astrological facts. These are more my experience and perspective. The whole chart and aspects must also be considered.

🍁 Saturn in the fourth or conjunct the descendant have a hard time emotionally connecting or even communicating their own path with their parents. I notice that they have a hard time being around their main parent or both in general. You have a coldness in some way usually with emotions or values that distinctly differ from who or what your parents were raised to be. This is always a karmic placement for me when seeing this in the forth house especially in Taurus and Gemini.

🍁 Cancers, Capricorn and Scorpio placements on personal planets but mainly cancer and Saturn. Always have sleeves or creatively unique tattoos to them. Cancers are always decorating their shell with a lot of tattoos or special meanings. Could have grown up always drawing on themselves. Typically these cardinal and fixed signs have always are drawn towards piercings, body modification and etc. it all depends but usually it’s them.

🍁 4th house placements are always using their creative ventures as escapes or hidden plans. Like fourth house moons Venus and mars. The big dreamers and people who have hidden talents that you wouldn’t expect from the first impression.

🍁the fourth house is an house of self discovery. Personal placements or strong energy in these houses are meant to be pushed within its boundaries, and for deep seating understanding of self. It needs to be a conscious and consistent conversation with self. If I read a chart I always feel that these individuals need to push themselves out of their comfort zones to truly reach peace.

🍁 Mental illness is always subjective but Chiron/neptune can show the gateway to mental illness wounds and trauma. I see the more day to day crippling anxiety, ptsd and mental illness for life be in the twelfth but the fourth shows the issues of childhood and internal that naturally mature overtime or could plague the mind in a hidden way.

🍁 Virgo, 6th house placements and 18 degree placements do call for some sort of organization or routine. For example personal planets in this energy and houses need your attention to detail, to be focused on yourself. But not overly headstrong and inflexible. I find change of routine, taking your vitamins everyday, journaling your feelings and fully dissecting, even going to the gym will help you. You need rawness towards your own virtue. What’s your itch you need to scratch?

🍁 Soulmates are many and lifelong partners are few. Choose not just a person who chooses you but accepts you. I’m talking to Venus,Mars, or Mercury in the 7th house.

🍁 Mercurial placements need more than one focus but a very clear goal for their future if not you’ll scatter your brain all over the place with your interests and personal possibilities.

🍁 Wishes and goals for you career aren’t fully seen completely through just your tenth house. There in the 11th, 9th and 5th houses. Where your ideas, creativity, understanding about life really mature.

🍁 Jupiter is a powerful planet that’s still connected to the outside world. It has the power to knowing or unknowing guide souls through powerful expansions of development. If someone’s Jupiters falls into your 12th house you are more than likely to be guided by their spirit in some way. Either that’s general one on one guidance or simply being inspired to make some internal changes. Sometimes this is the friend that teaches you how to have confidence without truly teaching you personally. This is the motivating and supportive aspect in a chart. Jupiter while neutral in some ways it can really be abundant.

🍁 I see so many of you that aren’t really looking to be famous just prone to needing excessive validation. You more have childhood wound issues than the true want to be rich and famous. Some of y’all just want stability. When you look into your chart really analyze your north node, Jupiter and all united parts of your chart to fully grasp the concept of you.

🍁 everyone thinks their this Cusper or all of one sign. Unless you have placements in a stellium with similar degrees and even still while something may be your main energy you are your entire birth chart. Most peoples level of understanding never surpasses sun signs or just sign stuff. I fear not diving deeper into what and how really limits your understanding of astrology.

🍁 Virgo Mercurys and Scorpio mercury’s never get tired of judging.Living inside of the world and turning it into their little intellectual or mental dissections of life. Be careful listening to others who challenge that. It could force you to conform rather than understand and grow.

🍁 If you have gifts in the 8th, 9th and 12th house for personal planets and spiritual placements( asteroids,moon,Pluto,mars,Venus) stop letting everybody dictate for you. Your intuition isn’t wrong. Just because you think or are perceiving someone as better or with more knowledge than you. I see that these placements are pretty powerful and nobody can truly read them fully but themselves. But I always sense doubt or feeling jaded because someone’s prediction or understanding over you doesn’t “align”. You’re right most times it’s in your spirit. Don’t let these readings or pick of cards define you. I don’t care how spiritual or good their reading a or knowledge is some people just can’t and will not be able to tell you something you’ve already been called to do yourself. Half of the time the readers need to get a grip on how strong and unethical their blatant predictions are….tarot is not absolute neither is astrology it’s fluid and changeable in many ways. Most piles are dragging through because they don’t cleanse properly or even have spiritual hygiene, even things in the readers on life are over powering energies. Never just run with someone telling you who and what you’re dealing with. Take everything into account and sharpen your discernment.

Alright I’m done 😆

©️ All Rights Reserved melaninfury

I do not own the rights nor did I create any art seen. Full credit and copyright is extended to the original artist and posters. See main hub page for more context

[endless-ineffabilities]

this world was never meant for a fire like yours (part 3/5)

Daemon Targaryen x modern-f!reader / nurse!reader

word count: 5.6k

series masterlist ▪︎ main masterlist

series synopsis: After a fatal injury on the battefield, Daemon wakes up in a foreign land - our world (where GoT / HoTD does not exist). He meets the reader, a nurse who tends to him and helps him navigate everything. They grow close, and slowly, but unequivocally, fall in love.

themes/warnings: separation, Daemon in his New Moon Bella Swan era, reader in full/overly hectic nurse mode, Viserys losing (even more) hair because of Daemon, Daemon is severely whipped, language

August 2023 / the 8th Moon, 113 AC

A flash of bright red passes by, your peripheral vision drawn to it as if on instinct. You don’t look back as you turn a corner, not wanting to see if it is a similar vehicle.

If it is, then that’s just fucking cruel. As if the universe itself is mocking you.

Because no matter how much you deny it, every single thing reminds you of him. 

Cars. Broken laptops. Your worn-out couch. Old movies. Pizza. Burnt food in your kitchen. Helicopters. The dog-eared paperbacks on your shelf. 

Damn him. Damn him to his ridiculous seven hells.

It has been weeks since Daemon Targaryen disappeared from your life, as easily and as abruptly as he had entered it.

Without a trace, as if you plucked him from your imagination. Except he did leave a mark so indelible it cannot be denied. He left his mark alright, in the form of constant sleepless nights. In how you space out each time his memory hits you. In how nothing in your little apartment seems to be yours anymore. Every corner, every inch of the space screams his name. He has made your world his own. He had claimed your heart… and then left. And now you’re here to pick up the pieces.

You remember the torture reflected in his face, the rage, when his brother came to take him away. You knew how badly he wanted to go home, so you made his choice for him.

You told him to leave. 

Stupid girl. You want to go back to that very moment, and tell yourself to make him stay. You know you should have held him in your arms, keeping him rooted in place. In this world, with you. 

But you opted for selflessness. You chose to have your heart broken, so that Daemon can go home. You know that he would have stayed if you only asked.

Fuck, I should have asked.

The Rogue Prince has been unpleasant and volatile ever since he returned from that strange other world. He has been made welcome, feted and tended to, day and night. Everyone was initially glad to have their Targaryen prince again. Until they realized how much he had changed.

Daemon quickly went back to his roguish ways, but it seems as if these tendencies increased tenfold. Something was severely wrong with the Rogue Prince. Something other than his usual myriad of dangerous flaws. Only a handful knew of his predicament, of his loss.

When the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, chooses to make some remark about how you were just some woman, and an unknowable outsider at that, someone who might never fit in the Seven Kingdoms, Daemon says nothing at first. 

For an entire minute, he sits at the council table, his mind stirring. 

Some of the small council members think the conundrum solved. Their prince must have finally realized that what he wants – who he wants – is an impossibility. But the more discerning of them, those more familiar with Daemon, know otherwise. 

Lord Corlys could have all but predicted what came next, after a grievous line from Ser Otto that goes, “Perhaps we should finally arrange for a union between the Prince and one of the Ladies of the Kingdom. Lord Baratheon’s eldest daughter might be – ”

Of course, he does not get to finish imparting this idea, as Daemon rises in a flash, Dark Sister drawn across the table and directed to Ser Otto’s sternum. 

The Kingsguard springs into action. Any harm conducted during the small council meeting, could of course also extend to their King. 

“Daemon!” Viserys growls, his patience having run out. 

The prince simply warns, “I will not have this snivelling sycophant make decisions about who and when I am to wed. And I will not hear any more slander about the woman whom I love, do I make myself clear?”

Ser Otto merely stands his guard, hands half raised by his sides as a gesture to the Kingsguard to not make any sudden attempts to remove the prince from the room, lest he should suffer any grievous harm to his person as a result.

“Daemon,” Viserys implores again, “Ser Otto was merely making a suggestion. What else is the small council for if not to freely discuss matters of import for ourselves and for the Seven Kingdoms? You are their prince, after all. Whom you wed will be most crucial, indeed.”

Daemon begins to relent. Slowly lowering Dark Sister, a sly smirk materializes on his lips, as if to show just how little this perceived threat to Ser Otto means to him. It isn't even enough to warrant an apology. 

Daemon seats himself once more, appearing to look unfazed as he inspects the calluses on his hands. “There is only one reason as to why I even deigned to participate in today’s council meeting. I wish to know if we have finally received word back from those bloody witches who had me returned… the ones who can apparently travel through our realm and the other.”

Viserys sighs, knowing his brother is not there for anything else. Not for his duties. Not for the realm. But for you. “Nothing yet, Daemon. But we are trying – ”

He stands abruptly, without any mind to formalities. “Then it appears there is no reason for my presence here.” 

In a moment, before any plea could be spoken, the Prince was gone from the council chambers.

Lord Beesbury, confused, addresses the table, “Was the Prince not meant to report on the recent dealings of his Gold Cloaks with – ”

“Oh, what does it matter, my Lord?” Ser Tyland interjects, with a scornful whip of his hair. “Prince Daemon would not be aware of all the goings on in the Red Keep, seeing as he is either holed up in his chambers or too busy hunting down those shameless heretics who can miraculously send him back to – ”

“Ser Tyland,” Viserys commands, his voice clear for once. “I shall ask that you leave that matter alone. Unless you can be of any help, which I highly fucking doubt.”

A hush falls over the small council. Their King has never been prone to swear freely like a drunken Lyseni, unlike his younger brother. 

“Perhaps,” Ser Otto says, “we should convene this council meeting for another day, my King.”

Viserys merely huffs in response. “Very well.”

As he departs the room with the Kingsguard, he wonders if things will ever be even just an infinitesimal amount of simple when it concerns his brother.

His conclusion comes swiftly – no, it never will be.

You lower your clipboard on the nurses station, leaning against it in exhaustion.

“Ms. Carlson is stable now, thankfully.” You address Dessa, an older colleague who has been newly stationed at the desk. “We just need to monitor her blood pressure from time to time.”

“Sure thing.” Dessa gives you a once over, clearly not approving your current state. “But sweetheart, why don’t you go home and get some rest? You’ve been taking way too many extra shifts just out of the blue like this, and you have to give yourself a break.”

Taking a deep breath, you roll out the tension in your neck and shoulders. The bright wash of hospital lighting makes you feel slightly nauseous, so you shut your eyes tight. Briefly. 

But not brief enough. In the recesses of your mind, in your memories, you can almost feel him. Hear him.

Leaving this world for but a moment, and gently slipping from consciousness, is enough to make you remember. 

And you remember everything.

My love. Come lie with me, he would say. 

Your mind reels from exhaustion, and from the perpetual echo of his voice. Leave me alone.

Come back, is what you meant. It’s what you’ll always mean. But his desire to return to his Westeros, to his Seven Kingdoms, was too strong for you to ignore. He swore he wanted to stay with you, so you had to make the choice for him.

This measly world was never meant for Daemon, whose fire can set everything ablaze. And there surely were plenty of times when he almost let his rage and his usual ways get the better of him, if it weren’t for you. His anchor.

You know that he would be too much to bear, and this world would try to quell him. 

It was the right decision. So why did you have to feel so wretched about it?

Because you love him, you big idiot.

“Fuck.” You mutter under your breath, opening your eyes.

“Sorry, what was that?” Dessa’s eyebrows scrunch in confusion, the expletive taking her aback. Poor girl just expressed concern, and here I am over her desk, eyes glazed over like a zombie.

“Oh, it’s just… you’re right, I do need some rest. My shift ends in an hour and I plan to sleep for the next 24 hours. At least.” That isn’t the truth, but you don’t feel it necessary to deepen her concern. You could be upfront and admit that you find it hard to fall into slumber, because almost every time, without fail, Daemon is there to welcome you.

His voice. His touch. His burning gaze. Your dreams could be there to offer a sense of comfort, a safe haven that can temporarily ease you out of heartbreak, but all you can feel is a painful loss. 

You don’t think it right to lose yourself in what was, or what could have been. Where would be the point in that? It isn’t as if this is a typical long-distance relationship, and Daemon simply went off to live in another city. 

No. The damn bastard had to go off to an actual other dimension, didn’t he?

How can anyone expect any less from someone like Daemon?

Dessa relaxes, and sighs audibly. “That’s good. Go do that, hon. If you want, I can cover for your next rounds, whenever that’ll be. You’ve been taking up all the extra shifts around here as it is.”

“Thank you, Dessa,” you say genuinely. “I think I’ll go check on 517 one last time before I go.”

You start to push yourself off of the counter and get your bearings, but Dessa reaches out for your hand, keeping you in place for a moment longer.

She smiles, and you can’t help but notice something lingering underneath her expression of comfort. As if she knows. 

“It’s going to be alright,” she says, and the sentiment quickly takes root in you, a sense of warmth wrapping around you like a warm hug. Too soon though, she lets go, and you are snapped back into reality. 

Until she adds, still smiling, “Those we love tend to find their way back to us, ñuha riña, if that is truly what is meant to be.”

Everything stops. It feels as if ice has infiltrated your veins, like some sudden shock. That sounds like…

“What… what did you call me?” you croak.

She merely tilts her head, her smile dropping only slightly, taking on a new emotion. Something like pity. Does she know?

“I don’t know what you mean. I merely gave you a piece of advice, my child.”

You slowly look around, trying to shake some sense back into yourself. Shaking your head, you say, “Right, I must have misheard things. It’s just… I thought I heard you speak…” High Valyrian. His native tongue. 

“Speak what?” She asks, a hint of confusion visible on her face.

“Nothing,” you shake your head quickly, stepping away from the nurses’ station. “Thanks for the advice, Dessa. I’m just… a little out of the loop is all. I’m definitely going to rest after this. I’ll go do some final rounds, and check back with you in 5 minutes?”

“Of course, darling.” She smiles again, and you think of how welcoming the sight is. How genuine. Dessa has this seemingly maternal quality to her, and you feel grateful to be at the receiving end of it. 

You mirror her smile, before finally turning and sauntering towards the rooms.

When you finally reach your apartment, you have to drag yourself up the flight of steps, your legs feeling like jell-o underneath you.

Dessa is absolutely right. All those extra shifts are taking their toll. In your defense, you believe them to be necessary. Your own messed-up version of therapy. Cooping yourself up in your flat would be torture, when Daemon has left his mark on every inch of the space.

The kitchen where he kept trying to make dishes, only for them to end up charred at the bottom of your trusty IKEA pot. The couch where you spent most nights, curled up in each other’s arms, boxes of takeaway shared between the two of you.

You would dramatically relay your worries about your patients in the ICU, and he would muse about the 'peculiar sort of idiots' he had to deal with at the auto shop. By that, he meant irate customers and even women who took a liking to him. So much so that they would deliberately lose small parts of their car engines, only to specifically request Daemon’s assistance. 

He would pull you onto his lap and cage you in his arms, smirking at the poorly masked envy in your expression. Soon after, your worries would dissipate in a haze, his lips snaking smoothly all over your skin.

I’m clearly upset now. Where’s my comforting embrace, huh?

Sullen, you make your way to the kitchen. Upon quick inspection of the fridge, it becomes evident that you desperately need to make a grocery run.

“I’m officially a peasant. No wonder the great Prince of Westeros didn’t want to stay with me.” You rack your brain for other alternatives, taking note to push away the thought of what Daemon would suggest. Freshly made pizza, with all his preferred trappings – spicy salami, heaps of cheese, nduja, and basil. Conveniently delivered straight to your door in a jiff. 

No. Definitely not that. 

The thought of Daemon not having access to such a glorious thing as pizza anymore made you spiteful. Take that. That’s what you get for leaving. 

You drag yourself onto the couch, slumping atop the worn out cushions. Silly girl. Do you think he would care? That world has everything he could ever wish for. 

The sound of knocking on the door pulls you out of your thoughts. Thankfully. Two sure raps on the wood to pull you out of your misery, for who knows how long.

“Hi.” Tom stands on the other side, a sheepish smile on his face. “Care for some company?”

This would be the fourth time since Daemon’s departure that he’s shown up at your door, out of the blue, simply asking to spend time with you. And this would also be the fourth time that you acquiesce, and let him in. 

Any and all distractions are welcome. Even in the form of your neighbour, with his puppy-dog eyes and suggestive remarks that clearly indicate that he still has not gotten over you. Despite being rudely confronted with the reality of you and Daemon, many months ago. 

But the reality is… there is no more you and Daemon, is there? Once Tom grew aware of that, his eagerness returned twofold. 

You did not show the same interest. Not in that way, at least. You made sure of that by saying “I’m glad we’re friends again.” when he first came over. Friends. Only that.

Still, there was some part of you that felt as if you were leading Tom on. By letting him in again, being his friend, you were giving him hope that it could turn into something more. Especially now that you badly needed a shoulder to lean on. 

Before you could let guilt rip through you, you force a smile up at him. “Sure, come in.”

I might pay for this later. 

For now, his carefree laugh and animated talk of everything that’s going on in this world might just help piece together the remains of your heart. 

*flashback* March 2023 / the 3rd Moon, 113 AC 

It was no easy feat to summon a priestess of the old gods to King’s Landing, but when Prince Daemon disappeared, his brother the King Viserys spared no effort in seeing his brother safely returned. 

Every sept of every religion was consulted. The Maesters of the Citadel. What remains of the water-wizards in Dorne. The magisters of the Free Cities. 

Many of the common folk surmised that perhaps, the volatile Prince Daemon simply took off without any word of warning.

However, that supposition may be easily debated with the fact of Caraxes’ presence on Dragonstone. Daemon would not have left Caraxes behind. If anything, he would have almost certainly ridden on dragonback to wherever he planned to go.

It further complicated matters when some of the soldiers present on the battlefield wherein Daemon was last seen profusely swear that their Prince simply vanished into thin air. 

The Maester were quick to dissuade their King of supposed foolhardy lies. One does not simply vanish. It is unheard of, a mere calumny. Their advice had been near unanimous - the Prince left, or was in hiding. Likely he did not wish to be found, which is why he left his dragon behind, the creature inevitably drawing attention wherever it goes. 

Just when the commotion around his disappearance had somewhat dissipated, a triad of self-proclaimed members of an outer sect, an adjunct to the priestesses of the old gods, made themselves known in the Red Keep. Accompanied by the elder priestess, they asked for an audience with the King, who eagerly welcomed them. His council members, on the other hand, were wrought with suspicion.

The women, three close-knit sisters, introduced themselves as Treesa, Verness, and Dessa.

They claimed to be part of a covert sect that sprung from the Old Religion. One that remains largely unknown in Westeros, which warranted the suspicion of the small council. 

“Realmwalkers.” Verness declared in a proud tone. “That is what we call ourselves, borne out of the fact that we can jump from this realm, my King, to another strange yet equally fascinating one. The very same realm that Prince Daemon finds himself trapped in.”

“Trapped? And in another realm, you say?” Viserys’ fury was rising to the surface. “I charge you to speak plainly, and do not offer me such calumnies. Where is my brother?”

Treesa smiled wryly, unperturbed by the King’s growing wrath. “He has been sent to the realm of Korzion. The realm of steel, if you please. Largely inhibited by men. Like us, but not quite. They are somewhat more… connected to these… these machines.” There was a faraway look in her eyes, rendering her expression almost vacant. Her gaze met that of the King’s, but it appeared as though she did not really see him. Her mind was elsewhere, her skirts moving alongside her gently swaying figure. 

Upon hearing this, Otto Hightower leaned in to whisper to the King, “These so-called priestesses must only be devising some trickery, my King. Perhaps we should adjourn – ”

Dessa interjected, “We can prove it to you, King Viserys. We are the only ones who can ensure that your brother is safely returned to this realm. Whether you trust us or not, that does not alter this truth.”

Viserys stiffened, a decision forming in his mind. Ignoring the look of reproach from his Hand, he took a deep breath and responded, “Tell me everything.”

September 2023 / the 9th Moon, 113 AC

“It took you a long while to allow yourselves to be found again.” Daemon’s voice, while low and controlled, maintains an underlying impatience. As if he could not be bothered, and is only going through everything for the hope of seeing you again. Sitting casually, partially covered by the shadows, he briefly thinks of how you would definitely make a remark of how much he resembles a ‘Bond villain’ from those movies you love. 

You once ran your fingers repeatedly over his hair, mussing it completely, after a couple of glasses of wine white. Daemon sat there, half in surprise and half in adoration. “Mystery man,” you slurred, smiling sleepily, “you’re someone straight out of a book, or a movie, or… or… my dreams.” Your eyes widened at that, at the incredulity of it all.

“You have dreamt about me, haven't you?” He cheekily responded. This was quite some time before the two of you finally dropped all the pretence and acted on your desires. Before the two of you allowed yourselves to fall completely in love.

“Mmm,” you giggled, “Strange how I’ve always had a thing for bad boys.”

Daemon, for all his brazenness and devil-may-care behaviour, found himself feeling disheartened at your words. Bad boy, you said. But that had a different, softer meaning for you. You were not aware how bad, how malevolent, he actually is. You did not know how he had dismembered enemies in battle, in his blind rage. You did not know how he had selfishly manipulated and lied his way purely to get what he wanted. You did not know that he would kill anyone who tried to hurt you, without reservation, in a heartbeat. 

He thought of how you were too good for him. Sitting there, after hours upon hours of your daily work as a healer, still managing to offer him a meal and spend time with him after near exhaustion, your smile was still whole and true and good. And it was being directed at him. The strange, angry man who infiltrated your little world and did not seem to want to leave. 

He thought, determinedly, that he did not deserve any of it. He did not deserve you.

Treesa’s voice snaps him out of his reverie. “I think I have lost you, my prince. You are no longer in this world, as you were.” Sitting across from him in his chambers, she has half a mind to become irate at how Prince Daemon is regarding her as if she is nothing more than the mud on the sole of his princely boots. A mere inconvenience. But her annoyance is restrained by her understanding of how he must be feeling. 

He regains himself, ignoring her remark, and continues, “Where are the others?” Then he flippantly waves his hand. “Never mind that. You said you will help me. Then can you transport me back to her world? Or her to mine? How soon can this be done?”

Treesa smiles slyly, “So many questions. How powerless you must feel against the tides of fate. What if your story has already been determined by the gods? That you meet your love, stay together briefly, only so that she may change you forever?”

“Careful now, witch.”

“Realmwalker.” 

“Whatever you call yourselves. Make no mistake, I am not asking for your help. I demand it, as your prince.”

Treesa just laughs, the shrill sound as light as air. “Do not take us so lightly, Rogue Prince. The one you claim to love is also one of us.”

“What?” 

“Your love from Korzion? Oh yes. She is a Realmwalker too.”

“Impossible.” Daemon says, shaking his head, but he is already running through his memories of you. Was there something that he might have missed? Were there any telltale signs? Had you deceived him?

“It is the truth.” Treesa shrugs. “Only she does not know it yet. My elder sister, Dessa, is currently in her world and she is going to make herself known to her very soon. Then Dessa may also let her know who she truly is.”

“But she…” For the first time since he was tongue-tied around your presence, Daemon struggles to find the right words. “She is not from Westeros, is she?”

“No,” Treesa explains, “but she is a descendant of a woman who was. A Realmwalker of old, who chose to live her life in Korzion.”

“Well then,” Daemon stands, as if prepared to jump through a portal that very moment, “if she is of this world, then she can surely come here, can she not? There is nothing that can hinder this. You claim she is a Realmwalker like you. Bring her to me. Or… bring me to her. You have done it before.”

“It was Dessa who transported you to Korzion, my prince. And, it is no easy feat to bring another non-walker to Korzion. It can take a heavy toll on any of us. Much was needed to be orchestrated for the King to momentarily travel realms just to coax you back with him.”

Daemon merely petulantly tilts his head, and clenches his jaw, as if to say, ‘how does that help me?’.

The very first Realmwalker or Vyzh-agon was a priestess of the old Religion.

“Sit down, my prince,” Treesa sighs. “You will know of everything soon enough.”

Aesdella, believed to be originally from Old Valyria, and eventually settling in the North of Westeros, was the very first to travel to the realm of Korzion. Our realm. It remains unclear when she was born and when she perished, but she lived well before Aegon’s Conquest. Another source of speculation is how her abilities came to be, but from her bloodline came those with similar abilities. And so forth. Until this very day. 

Only Aesdella’s female descendants inherited this very nature of being a Realmwalker. This power can remain dormant, hidden under the surface, or it can be practiced and essentially turned into a way of living. Such as with the sect of Treesa, Verness, and Dessa, as well as their other sisters and cousins. 

She was believed to be a formidable woman, garnering respect from even those of other religions, and other lands. Though she made sure that her abilities would not be known by others, seeing as she did not trust the nature of men.  These powers, if in the wrong hands, could bring strife to both Korzion and her realm. It has been said that this is why she made sure that only her daughters and their daughters after them would receive her power, but this is mere conjecture.

There are many peculiarities which concern travelling between realms. The Realmwalker would have to envision her precise destination, lest she should accidentally end up in the middle of some remote part of Amazonia. She would require some tools, if she was not necessarily raised in the practice of realm walking. She would need to prick her fingers or her palm with a sharp sliver of moonstone, let her blood meet the raches of a raven’s feather, and recite a chant in High Valyrian. This is enough to awaken the power passed down to her through Aesdella’s bloodline. The feather will turn to ash in her hands, and swirl around her form, multiplying a thousand fold, and in a moment, this daughter of Aesdella will have travelled realms.

Those with immense power resting inside them would eventually not need the moonstone, nor the raven’s feather, after a while. The chanting matched with pure will is enough. 

A Realmwalker may also transport another to Korzion, and vice versa, but this can exact a heavy toll on both parties if done incorrectly. Which is why Viserys’ jump to Korzion could not be done in a haste, and also why Dessa was rendered unconscious for an entire moon’s turn after having to quickly transport Daemon to Korzion following his fatal injury.

“Dessa saved you by transporting you to Korzion, as realm travel can sometimes have regenerative effects on one’s person. Luckily, your jump proved to be so.” Treesa reveals, the dancing firelight casting shadows on her angular face. “She did this because, and I am certain that you do not remember at all, but you once saved her son’s life, Prince Daemon.”

“You will have to be more particular, as I cannot recall every – ”

“Like I said, you do not remember and it does not matter. What matters is that he is alive and well. Dessa is estranged from this son of hers, but will never cease to care for him. It is a mother’s curse.” Treesa shakes her head in disapproval. Daemon feels inclined to think that she has no children of her own. “You saved her son in battle many moons ago, and so Dessa found a spell that ensured you had blood moonstone on your person, wherever you went. This is one way we can maintain a connection to someone, keep an eye out for them. When she sensed you had been grievously harmed, she immediately triggered the moonstone with a spell that would cause you to walk between realms.”

Daemon listens, not because he is especially intrigued by the entire story. He simply sits, waiting for Treesa to speak about you. Who you truly are, and how this expanse between the both of you can be eliminated.

“Did you know, it was by accident… well, somehow at least… that your lady was in the vicinity after you arrived in Korzion?” Treesa laughs dryly. “Realmwalkers can send another individual such as yourself to Korzion so long as there is a beacon there for you to go to. Another Realmwalker, you see. Dessa meant to send you close to Verness who had been visiting with her… Korzioni lover.” Distaste flashes again across Treesa's face, which goes to show that she does not share the same affinity for having lovers, much less children with such lovers, unlike her sisters.

Daemon turns and meets her gaze straight on. “And yet, I was sent to… close to…”

“Yes.” Tressa nods. “Dessa did not know she existed until then. Her great-grandmother was one of us. When she disappeared ages ago, it was believed that she chose to spend the rest of her days in Korzion. Little was known of whether she fell in love, or whether she eventually had Korzioni children. Daughters that would also carry her ability. But apparently, she has.”

A scoff of disbelief and amazement escapes Daemon’s lips.

In Korzion, you sit once again on your couch after another long shift at the hospital. Only this time – and perhaps it has grown out of being a rarity at this point – Tom sits beside you, comfortably slouched a mere few inches away.

“Now, my Rogue prince,” Treesa leans forward on her elbows, the tone having shifted to something much lighter. “Now do you believe in fate?”

You lean away from him, opting to stick close to the armrest, hoping he would take this little hint. But he’s chosen to ignore it, ambling closer to you the first chance he got. 

Your laptop is in the low table in front of you, a new flick playing on the screen. Some new Netflix production that Tom chose, which you weren’t so keen on. But what did it matter?

Company is company. A distraction is a distraction. You probably should head straight to sleep, but you didn’t want to risk having yet another dream of Daemon. Another dream that will end abruptly and wrench you back into this grim reality. 

Remnants of takeout sushi containers are scattered on the kitchen counter. When Tom suggested pizza, you were quick to protest. Daemon loved pizza, and he loathed sushi. So, why not have sushi on this fine evening?

“So when will you get to reading it?” Tom asks, referring to the book he lent you. He initially wanted to give it to you as a gift, but you said you didn’t want a gift if there was no occasion. When he responded with, “I don’t need some special occasion to give a gift to a beautiful girl I care about,” you struggled so very hard to maintain a straight face and not roll your eyes. 

Daemon would hate this. If he still cared.

“I guess I’ll start tonight.” You lie, picking the book from your lap, pretending to peruse the back cover. “Seems like quite the read. I don’t think it will be like any of the other books I’ve read.” Of course it won’t. Because I would never purchase this myself.

“That’s great! You’ll love it, it’s a New York Times bestseller. I found it on BookTok.” He says, as if to reassure you, though it doesn’t really do the job.

You sense his arm snaking behind you on the seat, and before you can make some excuse about having to get some water, an unexpected knock echoes from the front door. 

Thank you. Whoever you are.

You rush toward it, finding Dessa on the other side.

“Nuha riña,” she says, a wide smile on her face. “It’s time.”

She said it again. I knew it.  “What the fu-”

She looks over your shoulder, noticing Tom standing close behind, as if in protection. “What about Daemon?” She asks sincerely.

Daemon? You feel your heartbeat falter, taken aback by someone else saying his name out loud. 

“H-how? You never met him. He was gone before you even came to work at…” you pause, choosing your next words carefully. “Who are you?”

She takes your hands in hers, a firm yet gentle hold. 

“The question, my dear, is who are you?”

end of part three.

______________________

*preview* of part 4

October 2023 / the 10th Moon, 113 AC

“This is real?” Your senses are overwhelmed, and you feel somewhat floaty, as if you’re nowhere at all. Perhaps, you are nowhere, not in your realm and not in Daemon’s, but somewhere in the middle. “Am I doing this? Is it working?”

Daemon, who was frozen at the sight of you,  immediately strides forward. Desperate to feel you, his hands hold onto whatever he can. Your face, your hips, your hands. “My darling, all of this is fucking astonishing, and we can certainly marvel at what you can do to no end, but quite frankly, right this moment I could hardly bring myself to care.”

He smashes his lips to yours. They move relentlessly, as if on their own accord, their master groaning like a starved beast. You feel him, or you think you do, his familiar scent engulfing you, and he feels like home. You feel his silver hair sliding between your fingertips, his sharp teeth gnawing gently at your lips, his fingernails digging into your backside and melding your torso onto his.

Daemon is not one to waste time, that’s for sure.

“I miss you,” you breathe, as he kisses down the hollow of your throat.

“As I you, my love.” Daemon purrs, nipping at your collarbone, breathing you in. “You simply have no idea…”

You feel him, but only just… and it’s not enough. But it’ll have to do.

“Daemon… this is…” You try to voice out your concern, despite the moment. Dessa was right, your corporeal forms cannot meet through your projection; the two of you stand in your bedroom, but everything seems to be enveloped in a thick fog. If you press hard enough, you think your fingers will simply pass through Daemon as if he were a spectre. You realize that he knows this, too, but chooses to ignore it. 

“This is the closest we’ve been in far too fucking long, my love. It would have been sooner if those cunts made greater effort to – ”

You snort, confronted once more with how brash he can be. “Daemon, those cunts? Really? I am one of them, you know. Besides, it’s not their fault.”

“Oh, you know what I mean.” His lips form a desperate, wanting smile, as he connects his forehead to yours. “Let me have this. Have you. I need you.”

He’s right. In physical form or otherwise, he is still your Daemon. And you have craved each other too much to be denied any kind of reunion.

“Okay.” Your hand reaches up to cradle his face, and he leans into it. He then looks around, appraising your chambers, as he used to say.

“Nothing has changed.” He hums, while holding you tightly to him, as if he’s afraid that you might dissolve into air. “What is this now? Ever the reader, my heart.” He reaches for the crisp, new paperback novel atop your dresser. 

“Oh, that’s… yeah, someone lent it to me.”

“It certainly does not seem too suited to your tastes.”

You let out a humourless laugh. “Astute observation. It’s my neighbour’s. He apparently thought I needed something new to read.” When he gave you the book, Tom happily explained how he thought you should, “...expose yourself to other things. Things you possibly haven’t tried out before. New films, books, friends. You know to help you forget all about…”

“Your neighbour – what was he called? Tim?” Daemon’s lips curl in distaste.

“You remember his name, Daemon.” You roll your eyes at your lover, and his poorly-veiled jealousy. You were one and the same.

“You have been letting him inside your house?” He inquires, voice dropping an entire octave. If looks could kill…

You nod slowly, carefully. “He’s been visiting every now and then. It’s not a big deal.”

Daemon tilts his head, a sinister look appearing on his face. Smirking, he leans in and whispers, “Has that mongrel taken my place, dearest?”

You swallow thickly, his darkened gaze doing much and more to break your self-control. If he doesn’t stand down… well.

“Has any lady taken mine? In that amazing, grand realm of yours, Prince Daemon?” You respond, rising to his challenge. Your fingers snake in between the low-collar of his white tunic. Only Daemon has ever been able to elicit this out of you.

He enjoys the way you directly meet his eyes, unwavering in your stead. No one ever looked at him in such a way; not one has ever seen him as you do. Daemon has always inspired fear and intimidation in others. Those who find themselves comfortable enough to hold a conversation with the Rogue Prince tend to feel ill at ease or on their guard. As if he might turn on them at any moment. 

People usually mosey up to him because of a favour. Because of his status, his reputation. Because they want something out of him. 

But not you. No. Daemon knows that he has only ever inspired love in you.

Well, that and what might have been absolute surprise followed by wariness, when he was suddenly sprung into your world, injured and in a coat of full armour.

He kisses you passionately in response. Once, then pulling away only to breathe, and again, and again.

“No one can ever replace you.” He swears. He has never been a devout man, but in that moment, he curses all the gods that you two are apart. Meeting in this middle-realm is insufficient. He feels you, somehow. But he does not feel your warmth, nor the goosebumps on your skin from his touch. You are there, but you are not. 

But it will have to do. For now.

“Is this ailing you? Sustaining a connection like this, in this place?” Daemon asks.

“Not really,” you admit. “Dessa says I’ll feel quite exhausted afterward, but it shouldn’t take too big of a toll on me. I’m learning the ropes, and there’s a lot to learn. I mean… this is fucking insane.”

“And here you thought me extraordinary. When it was you all along.”

“Hardly.” You smile in return. If you could feel warmth right now, you would certainly feel it blooming across your face. “I’m not the only one, it seems. And, my great-grandmother… she was from your world.” Your smile stretches twofold in awe. 

He brushes a stray strand from your face.

“The Rogue Prince and his Realmwalker. We were always meant to find each other.”

series taglist: @omgsuperstarg @sebastian025 @iilsenewman @padfootsvixen @teapartydreams @lucytheripper @kindaslightlyacidic @naelys-the-aster @zoleea-exultant @vainillasmil157 @llovinjoonie @outundertheocean @grimistangel @ladespedidas @nanabarnes @pineappleandro @luckythirtxn97 @knockemdeadgirl @stella-cadante @milber32 @canvashearts @dangerousbluebirdpoetry @kryzeria @selahstars @captainweirdo42 @nitimurinvetitumsposts @aemondmyl0ve @eternallyvenus @mariaelizabeth21-blog1 @itscheybaby @my-dark-prince @moonmaiden1996 @mukduk-not-murder @partypoison00 @cookielovesbook-akie @borikenlove @avadakadabra93 @luloveseddie @katsav17

Here we are - it's been a LONG time coming.

Grateful to all of yous for struggling through this wait. I know how much of a pain it is when a fic I'm reading just can't get updated soon enough. You guys deserve Daemon Targaryen at his very best 🖤

Oh and fire like yours isn't losing the somewhat lighthearted tone it might have had. The next part is when mayhem ensues, involving denim, vintage leather jackets, pizza!!!, etc. in Westeros. I just had to get through all this explaining as to how Daemon somehow ended up in our world (Korzion).

Maroon part three up next!

[kitybur]

𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞? | 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐲

⌦ in which you and your boyfriend go to a cat cafe, only to come home with more than you expected. no complaints tho.

— warnings: f!reader, fluff, cats, use of real name

| Howdy, beautiful person. Could i request some mf fluff with Quackity and y/n (she/her if you're comfortable) where they went originally to adopt a kitten from the shelter but came back with all of them because Quack can't say no to her and it's all adorable (and almost tearing up when heard they don't have a home). I think its super adorable |

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at first, the idea sounded like a cute date night. what girl would not love a date at a cat cafe? a place where she could spend all the time she wanted sipping on a warm coffee or tea and indulging with cute fluffy cats while her boyfriend watches with a fond smile and thoughts of 'how did i get so lucky?' fill his head.

well, that's how quackity and his girlfriend spent their evening. quackity had finally had a break in his schedule and wanted nothing more than to spend it with you. in the morning, he cooked you both a breakfast of waffles and fruit as you ate together in the living room, watching a show you had started together a few weeks prior. the rest of the day was spent sharing warm cuddles and soft kisses. small words exchanged between two lovers collided in their own world.

it was only when quackity was scrolling through instagram while his head rested on your chest did he see a video about a cat cafe. the video displayed a woman petting a cat as it rubbed its head against her hand, desperate for attention. quackity quickly sat up, grabbing your hand with a proud smile on his face.

"how about we go on a date?"

and now here you were, standing outside a small cat cafe located in a town of mexico. you were standing on your heels, looking over the building in pure awe. quackity casted a glance at you before grabbing your hand ever so softly and pulling you towards the entrance. as soon as you stepped in, you could smell the intoxicating scent of coffee beans and the sound of giggles from people already in the cat part of the cafe.

you took your place in line, ready for a beverage to start the night before you overwhelmed yourself with the furry friends. you wrapped yourself around quackity's arm, leaning your head on his shoulder as he swayed you both gently back and forth. you only waited in line mere minutes before you were at the cashier. giving them your orders, you stood off to the side with the other costumers waiting for their drinks. you watched the cats closely, finding which one looked like it needed the most loving.

when you had finally gotten your drinks, you made your way into the cat playpen. immediately, you sat yourself down at a table with the cat you had been eyeing near it. sitting your drink down, you reached your hand out for the cat to smell. as soon as your scent entered the cats nose, it nuzzled against your palm. you smiled brightly, and picked the cat up to hold like a baby in your arms. unknowing to you, quackity was taking photos of every moment, wanting to look back on this date in the future.

"alex, look!" you whisperd. "isn't he adorable?" you brought the cat closer to him, as he sat down his coffee on the table with yours. you passed the cat to him and watched how he soothingly rocked the cat back and forth like he was in a rocking chair, the motion putting the cat into a deep slumber. you took out your phone, quickly snapping a photo before looking around the room for your next kitty victim.

you spotted a calico kitten in the corner, trying to climb on the large play structure. your eyes nearly bulged out of your head at how cute the site was. walking over, you picked the kitten up with care and brought it over to quackity, who was still rocking the other cat.

"look at this sweet angel!" you cooed, petting the top of the kittens head. quackity looked between both of the cats, knowing that you would not put them back easily without a fight.

"do you want to adopt them?" he asked, watching your face quickly shift to his. you had on the biggest smile he had seen, his cheeks heating up at the cute reaction.

"do i- do i ever!" you exclaimed with a gasp. you lifted the kitten in your arms in the air. "you're my new baby!"

"hey! what about me?" quackity pouted, the cat in his arms now awake and yawning. you put the kitten back in your arms and moved closer to quackity, pressing a small kiss to his nose.

"you'll always be number one, you dork." you shook your head and sealed your words with a kiss to the lips. he chuckled as he brought you up to the desk that was set up for adoptions in the cat room. once you had filled out paper work and talked to the worker, you were free to take the cats home.

you watched quackity put the cats in the cat crates that the worker provided as you went back to grab your drinks. upon reaching the table, you notice a grey cat standing on the table in all its glory. the cat sees you and tilts its head, meowing. you melt on the spot, forgetting about the drinks and grabbing the cat instead.

"are you ready to go, amour-" quackity turns around and his smile only gets wider as he sees you standing behind him with your own innocent smile, holding another cat close to your face.

"just one more?" is all you had to say for quackity to agree to take him home as well as the other two. he just can't say no to you.

and just like that, your family went from two, to six (including tiger, who now had friends!). quackity knows that getting the cats had made you very happy, and he would buy a million more and be known as the crazy cat couple if it made you the happiest girl in the world.

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a/n: decided to go for a cat cafe route instead, i hope that’s alright! i love cats sm and they all deserve such a loving home. i would have sobbed writing an animal shelter fic. i hope this is to your liking nonetheless! also, new layout, how do we like??

[ashisill]

I wait for you

Warnings: smoking, drinking, crying, mentions of sex, self sabotage, depression, suicidal thoughts, mentions of debating suicidal (it’s mentioned a few times. Please heed the warning if this triggers you), angst, angst, more angst, and being hopelessly in love with Sir Jacob Kiszka.

~This one is a lot, but I am very proud of how it turned out.

~

You and Jake had something special. Something that only comes once in a lifetime. Everyone watched you two, and wished for what you had. He loved you more than himself. More than his iced cold whiskey after a show. More than his beloved guitar. Honestly if you were to need him mid-show he’d drop everything, and run right off the stage for you. He was always running for you. Always looking for you everywhere he went. All you had to do was say his name, and he was there. He was always there. No matter what. You were truly his first priority. His first choice. His first love …. His only love.

You gave it all up. Things got hard, and you ran away. You fucking left it all behind. Your picture perfect life left in a daze. Although it wasn’t all your fault you still blamed yourself. Jake was busy all the time. Between tour, interviews, and traveling. You began fighting all the time. Every little thing was an argument.

You had your last argument in an cold hotel room. You got physical with each other for the first and last time. He never hurt you. He would never dream of it, but when you had enough you landed a smack against him. He grabbed your arms harder than he meant. You left that night, and you’ve regretted your life ever since. Running was worst decision you’ve ever made. How could you leave him? How could you hurt him when he’s treated you so sweetly. You’ve wanted to call you really did. Was it fear that stoped you? Fear of him hating your guts for what you did. You’d rather live in this unknowing pain than bare the thought.

“Jake wake up you’ve been asleep all day” Josh tried to wake his twin. They’ve found themselves in yet another hotel room. “Jake come on. The shows in a couple hours” he said opening the windows, and nudging Jake.

“Cancel it what’s the fucking point?” he said, and you could smell the whiskey on his breath. To see Jake so hateful towards his passion hurt Josh. ‘You drug me into this damn band, and you don’t even want it’ was the thought that repeated in Josh’s mind.

“Jake your drunk get the hell up” Josh said pulling the covers off, and throwing them on the floor. “I’m not doing it again Jake. I’m tired of this. Get the fuck out of the bed” Josh left slamming the door behind him. Where he was going? He didn’t know, but he needed some fresh air. He headed outside to walk the city.

There you were in the local park with your dog, having no idea they were in your town. Josh stumbled into park. The nature fascinating him, and catching his interest. That curly headed boy you loved so much came into your field of vision. As much as he’s changed over three years you knew it was him. “Josh!” You shouted.

He looked around confused, assuming it was another fan. Then he spotted you waving at him “no fucking way”. You bolted after him, and your dog chased you. “What are you doing here?” He pulled you in for a warm, and welcoming hug.

“I actually live here now. What are you doing here?”

“Got a show tonight darling. I missed you”

“I’ve missed all of you dearly. How is everyone?”

“Let me buy you a drink and we’ll catch up”

Meanwhile Jake is unaware of Josh’s discovery, but he knew you were there. He could feel a change in the air … He could feel you. For some reasons things didn’t seem so bad. For the first time in a while he got himself up, and took a shower. He brushed out his tangled hair, and cleaned himself up. Throwing on his favorite pants, and a button down shirt. Complete with some expensive cologne that he can’t remember where it came from.

Josh told you everything you missed in the past three years. You longed to be there for it all. Finally you asked the question that’s been eating at you since the conversation started. “So” you took a drink preparing yourself. “How is he?”

“Jake? Oh he’s fine. Still Jake I suppose”

“Is he? That’s good” you took another drink.

“Do you believe me when I say that he’s ‘fine’?” He said using his fingers as quotation marks.

“I want to yes. Is it white lie Joshua?”

“It’s a big fat fucking lie. He’s not fine. He hasn’t been fine since that night, but that’s not your problem. It’s just hard taking care of him when he doesn’t want to care for himself”

“I miss him a lot. I hate myself for leaving him. I’m not doing so good myself. I don’t even know myself anymore. It’s like I’m a stranger in my own body. The world seems so dark without him”

“I’m sorry dear. Jake isn’t much better. As much as I’d love to lie, and tell you he’s happy. He’s not at all”

You wanted to tell him the reason for your outing this morning. The true reason why you were there, but you couldn’t. How could you look him in the face, and tell him you didn’t want to live. How could you tell him hours before you were really debating on staying on this Earth. You could see him reacting strongly. You already knew the things he would say. Maybe even shed a tear with you. He’s already dealing with a lot, and you can see it in his eyes. You just couldn’t do it.

“What’s the matter?” He could still read you well.

“It’s just a lot, but I’m okay” lair how could you? He sees straight through it you know he does. He sighs, but doesn’t pry. Instead he simply just changes the subject.

“Have you loved another?”

“Never”

“Never? Not once?”

“Hook ups don’t count. Some of them look like him, but there never him”

“He could say the same darling. I don’t know if it’s a good idea to see him”

“What why not? Please don’t don’t this-”

“I’m not taking him away from you. Just listen to me. He’s not well dear. I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true. Come see me after the show, and I’ll think about it. Maybe all he needs is you, but I’m holding back for a reason”

“I think I know why, and I understand. Do you promise you’ll think about it” he’s hesitant because if you left again he knows it would kill Jake. There’s no way in hell he would make it out alive. Just the thought of it makes Josh want to crawl away and cry.

“Would I ever lie to you? I just need what’s best for Jake. I’m sure you understand”

“You so good to him Josh. I wish I had someone like you. Caring for me the way you care for Jake”

“That person is in a hotel room about a mile away. Like I said meet me after the show okay?”

You agreed, and said your goodbyes. Returning to your home to find something nice to wear. What used to be Jake’s favorite dress seems like a perfect fit. Josh headed back to the hotel to find his brother. “Jake you better be out of-”

“Yeah” was all he said.

“Feel good today?”

“I suppose so. Where’d you go?”

“Oh ya know for a walk”

“Where’d you go? Terrible liar you are”

“The bar. I’m glad your feeling better today”

He just nodded his head. Josh sighed knowing it’s taking everything out of him not to tell Jake. ‘Your lovers back! Your lovers back! She’s here you don’t have to be sad anymore! Please don’t be sad anymore. She’s here, and she loves you!’he wanted to shout it at him. To see Jake smile for the first time in three whole years. To see his face light up like it once did before. Instead he stayed quiet, and went on about his business. “Can you go check if sam is ready?” He asked Jake.

You did just as Josh said, and after the show he snuck you backstage. “I need you to be really quiet, and not let him hear you. Walls are paper thin darling” he said locking the door behind him. “I need you to answer me completely honest”

“Okay what’s up?”

“Your gonna stay?”

“A part of me died that day. I can’t go through this again. I fucking miss him Josh! I would go through hell again just to hold him one more time. I’d break all my bones if that’s what he wanted. If he asked for the moon I’d bring it to him. The stars too. He’s my world Josh need him back. I need his love. I need his touch. I need him Josh I need him. This morning I didn’t want to live any longer without him. The scary part is I almost fucking did it. That’s why I was at the park. I needed air. I needed to breath. Moments before you saw me I was crying on a park bench. Embarrassing I know, but it’s the truth.

“Oh darling no. No sweet girl no”

You broke into tears, and Josh comforted you with a hug. Like you predicted tears started to fall from his own eyes. “We need you here. You belong here. I am so fucking proud of you. Your here. Your alive. To know that life has been so terrible to you that you questioned living. It makes me want to hide away, and shelter you from every bad thing. I know I didn’t tell you this enough, but I love you. I really love you, and I don’t want you to be in pain anymore. Your safe now, and in a few moments everything will be okay again. I promise you. I know how bad your struggling. I see Jake everyday, and it just gets worse. I just want to see him happy again. Your the only solution my darling. I haven’t seen him smile in three years. He’s never excited about anything. He doesn’t have anything to talk about, and he always drunk. Always. When he does speak it’s either to cuss me out, or it’s about you. I know how bad things are, and I want to see you feel okay again too”

“What does he say about me?” You asked as Josh wiped your tears.

“It always starts angry. He’s angry because he wants to be happy again, but he can’t be. Your the light in his life. Then he starts to act like he’s angry with you. Sometimes he’ll cuss you out too. Then he’ll start to cry, and your name is all he knows. When I try to comfort him he’ll ask for you. I’ll say “she’s not here Jake”, and he’ll remember that your gone. He’ll start to think of you, and how he loves you so deeply. He’ll tell me some stories about the two of you before it hurts to much. Normally ends with him crying himself to sleep or getting so drunk he can’t feel you lingering”

“How could I do this to him? Your positive he wants to see me?” You asked trying not to lose your control.

“Come with me”

Josh knocked on Jake’s dressed room, and an annoyed “what?” came with it.

“Can I come in? I have someone you might want to talk to”

‘Could it be her?’. Jake went quiet, and Josh opened the door. There he stood with a cigarette in his fingers. His face dropped, and neither one of you moved. You’ve looked for him in every room, but now he’s here. A rush of adrenaline flowed through his veins. He feels alive for the first time, and all you had to do was walk into the room. Color has returned to his pale face. His eyes once grey, and gloomy now glowing in your light.

You both just stood there questioning if this was real. You broke the cement that glued you to the floor, and ran once again. Straight into his arms this time. Josh knew everything was finally better, and left shutting the door behind him. Letting his back rest against the shut door. His hand covered his mouth as he began to cry once more. Crying because Jake’s gonna be okay again. Because he knows all is well now that your here. Tonight he’ll fall sleep without a single worry. He’ll drift away knowing his brothers happy. Knowing he won’t have to make himself sick from worrying. Or staying up half the night waiting for Jake to come back with some girl that looks similar to you. He’s safe, and Josh can finally breath again.

You gripped, and pulled at each other like this was a dream you were going to wake up from. His hair got longer, he still wears those same old jeans, and he still smells like home.

“I’ve missed you” was all you could manage to say.

“My girl” he kissed your forehead. “Oh my girl”

You buried yourself in his neck fighting back tears. “I thought I’d never see you again. I wanted to call I really did”

“Shh shh it’s okay. I promise”

After all you put him through he’s still forgiving. The pain he’s been in for the three years was nothing just to feel you again. He’s willing to forget this ever happened just to keep you in his arms forever.

“I love you ya know? Time hasn’t changed it a bit”

“I love you too Jake”

His lips were locked on yours immediately. You pulled at each others hair, and the collars of your shirt. Trying desperately to get closer to each other. “Jakey”

“God I’ve missed you calling me that”

“I missed you. I missed you so much”

“I’ve miss you to my love. Do the others know your here?”

“Only Josh”

“Assuming he found you when he went on his supposed ‘walk’ the morning” he said holding your face in his hands.

“Well to be fair he was on a walk, and I found him”

“You found us. You came home. God I’ve missed you. Every day when I wake up your on my mind, and it stays that way till I sleep. Even in my sleep you haunt my dreams every night”

Lips crashing against each others once more. Emotion running through you both. “Why’d you leave me baby?”

“I don’t know Jacob. I don’t know”

His hand wrapped around your neck, and he kissed you hard. “Don’t leave again” his eyes began to water

“I’m here Jake. I’m not going anywhere my love”

He brought you to the small couch in the corner. Tangled up into each other, kissing his neck, and hands wandering each other’s bodies. Wordlessly you agreed to save it for later. Your felt tired like you haven’t slept in years. As you laid on your lover your eyes began to fell heavy. Jake laid their wide awake wondering how you were here. It didn’t feel real, and he held on to you just in case he woke up from this dream.

Josh came back later to tell Jake everyone was headed out. You were passed out on his chest completely unaware. “We’re fixing to leave” Josh whispered at the door.

“Alright” he woke you up gently. “Time to go sleepy girl”

You and Jake took a drive, and enjoyed the city lights. After you hit the bar that was in the lobby, and headed back to the hotel room. Everyone was gathered in the twins room talking about the show.

“Yeah I know. Did you hear how bad I fucked that up?” Josh belted out laughing far louder than he needed to.

Jake swiped the card, and the opened the door. You laughed almost as loud as Josh. As the alcohol hit your system everything was just so damn funny.

“Is that … her?” Sam asked confused.

“Sam look at Jake of course it’s her” Danny knowing immediately by Jake’s smile that it was indeed you.

“Y/n! Y/n! It’s you! Your back!” He shouted.

“Oh my god I’ve missed you Sammy”

“Good to have you back” Danny hugged you tight. You let your self go limp in his arms. “Someone’s drunk huh?”

“Just a little bit Danny”

“Josh check out this record I bought” Sam said already distracted.

“Let’s hear it brother”

It was a soft jazz album of a band you’ve never heard of. Jake’s eyes were fixated on you as you spoke to Danny. He reached out his hand, and you grabbed it with a giggle. He danced around the room with you, spinning you round and round. Stumbling all over the place, and tripping over each others feet. Josh watched in awe as a smile never left Jake’s face.

A little while later after the chatter quieted you collapsed onto the bed. Josh motioned Jake to come to him. They went out to the balcony “I’m proud of you Jacob”

“Thank you for taking care of me for so long. You could of kicked me to the curb. Or let me quit my job, but you didn’t. I’ll never be able to repay you, but know I wouldn’t be here without you”

“I promised you I’d always be here for you. I love you man”

“I love you too bud” they shared a hug before Jake followed you to the bed.

“Tying to escape?” you joked peeking your eyes open at him.

“Now ma’am I thought you were asleep” Jake said kissing your forehead.

You shook your head, and he joined you in the bed. You cuddled up on his side, threw your leg and arm over him, and began to fall asleep.

“Promise we’ll stay like this forever?”

“For infinity my love. I’ll find you in every universe I live I promise”

“I love you Jakey”

“I love you too my girl”

[jx3-xd]

Hi! Could you write a Husk X Reader (already dating), where the reader goes out for the night, and comes back to the hotel injuried from getting into a fight with some random sinners, so Husk helps with their injuries and it ends in fluffy comfort?

A/N: ofc!

Husk x Reader: Injured

Word Count: 900+

Stuff(?): not proofread, comfort, fluff, mention of blood, protective Husk.

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You walked out of the restaurant, a bit tipsy, looking for your friends…only to see them nowhere. You silently cursed them under your breath and began to walk to the hotel in the frigid air that waved through Hell. The cold air made your ears cold so you put on your ear warmers that Husk gave you before you walked out earlier and put in some earbuds, chilling while you walked to the hotel.

You were about two blocks from the hotel when your wi-fi started to cut out. ‘Ugh’ you thought to yourself as you pulled your earbuds case out and placed them back in their case. The case snapped shut and you began walking again, the silence in hell odd and uncomfortable…

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You felt blood slowly seeping from your head as you ached, curling into yourself. Some random men had ganged up on you and stoned you, hitting your head and your legs over and over and over. You slowly crawled to the hotel before your legs gave out and you sat right there, at the edge of the hotel, thinking of how to grab someone's attention. You sat there for about 2 minutes, blood leaking from the wounds, as the idea of calling Husk finally hit your head (like the stones).

You called Husk, and he picked up the first ring that went through. “Hey darling, what's up?” Husk asked, unknowing of how rough you were and just outside the hotel. “H-hey Husk…” Husk immediately noticed your ‘husk’-y and rough speech and he immediately panicked, but stayed silent to listen to you. “I-i need h-help…o-outside the hotel…” He immediately hung up and got out from behind the bar, leaving his half-filled bottle of booze and Angel Dust at the bar, rushing towards the doors of the hotel.

You saw the doors swing open and Husk's pupils immediately shrink as he ran towards you, on the brink of tears but keeping himself collected. “My Lucifer…the fuck happened?!”

You went to go speak, but was interrupted by Husk. “Nevermind, sorry, fuck me, I'm stupid.” A small chuckle left your mouth. “I-i already do, a-and I love e-every second.” You wink as he facepalms and blushes a bit. “You'd definitely be the one to stay serious during something serious they said.” He says, rolling his eyes playfully as you laugh a bit. He picks you up bridal style and brings you inside, more relaxed than he was, but still concerned for your health.

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“There we go…finally.” You sigh and smile up at Husk. Husk smiles down at you softly. “Ya mind explaining to me now what happened, miss priss?” You sigh. “Well..I was walking out of the restaurant with K, Al, and Lex, and I think I might've had a blank moment cause the next moment, they had left and I was alone.” Husk has a serious expression on his face and looked like he was ready to kill. “Go on, baby.” “Babe, don't go thinking of any ways to kill them, please-” He sighs. “Fine…just, keep going.” “Alright, so then I started walking home, and I put on the ear warmers and my earbuds-” He interrupts you. “Wait…ya put on the ear warmers, right?” He asks, a confused look on his face. “Yeah, I legit just said that?” He smirks and chuckles. “Ya do realize they took that from ya, right sugar?” “Yeah…?” You were confused as to what he was suggesting but went along with it.

“I'm gonna let you get some rest, alright?” He stood up and you leaned up. “Husk wait-” You tried stopping him but he strolled out before you could and you sighed.

🃜🃚🃖🃁🂭🂺🃜🃚🃖🃁🂭🂺🃜🃚🃖

Husk walked outside, anger and joy mixing inside him as he went to find the gang that decided to fuck Y/N up. He walked around hell for a bit before looking in an alleyway and saw the ear warmers. He chuckles. “Jackpot.” He whips out his playing cards, still coated in angelic steel from the fight against heaven and begins his slaughter menacingly.

He walks out from the alleyway, smirking to himself as he tries to wipe away some of the demon blood while walking back to the hotel while people stare at him, intimidated, as they left him alone.

Once he arrived back, he had Angel Dust and his friend Cherri bomb staring at him. “What'd you go out doin, whiskers?” Angel questioned in a confused and curious tone as he looked Husk up and down, noting the blood. Husk ignored him and made his way back to his room.

You saw the door open and Husk walked in, immediately noticed the blood and groaned. “Look, I tried my best to get the blood off, alright?” He sighs out. You shake your head before smiling a bit to yourself, it felt good to have a protective boyfriend like Husk, you're so glad you have him. You looked back up to notice Husk was gone and you looked around, not seeing him. Something touched your shoulder from behind and you whipped your head around to see a chuckling Husk. He tipped his hat with a half smile, half smirk. “Perks of being a magician.” He winks at you. You chuckle and shake your head before giving him a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, Husk, even if you kill everyone who wants to fuck around with me.” He chuckles. “Sorry loveeee, I'll do better.” You sigh happily. “No, it's fine, don't change. I love you how you are right now.”

“If you say so, Y/N. I love you."

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A/N: This was actually pretty fun to write, and it was the longest one I've wrote ngl, hope this fits what you want :)

[yamanehaize01]

Miracle laid in Serendipity: Unveiling the Voyage of Miraculous Bearers

The Unknowing Tale between Y/n L/n & Adrien Agreste

Chapter 02: Lunar Thorn

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Second — Point of View.

Perspective of Y/n L/n.

Opening the door to your first class, your body language is telling you that you've been quite exhausted these past few days. A week has passed since you became a superheroine, or known as Sekkibug. It slipped out of the tip of your tongue, when you took a moment to examine the color of your main suit and designs. “Sekki” reminded you of the color red, and the spots – Tikki was the first thing that came to your mind. In a sense, Tikki is red and a floating cute tiny bug, that you happily call your companion! A thought that initially led you into an idea, kinda surprising that you come up with something outside the box though..! It was somewhat unusual for you to be early today in your first class, it feels kind of strange. But you want to have a bit of reading time to yourself, especially on your studies.

You got a few notes from your kind classmates that were willing to let you borrow their notes, so you wouldn't get left behind. One of those classmates is Marinette. She's very shy at first, sweet and kind, she was the first person that took a minute of her time to ask if you're holding up. Or if the class is somewhat troubling you, it was a miracle. You still remember the time you're quite stunned for a moment, before letting out an awkward laugh and nodding your head.

She's also a busy student once in a while, since her family owns a popular bakery nearby. You even stopped by that one time to try some of their pastries, and goodness, it was delicious. You have to remind yourself to come back whenever you're in the mood for sugary things.

A small shuffling inside your bookbag caught your attention, you lifted it up and placed it on your lap, opening the middle strap. You were welcome by your Kwami — Tikki, seemingly she's unwrapping the neat plastic of the small bread bun. She stopped what she was doing, looking up at you with a sweet smile. “Let me unwrap it for you, Tikki..” You whisper, gently picking up the bread bun and removing the smooth laces of the plastic keeping it together. You softly unwrap the plastic from the bread bun, before crumpling the wrappings into a little ball.

“Here you go, Tikki.” You say with a soft smile, handing the bread bun to the tiny Kwami. “Thank you, Y/n.” Tikki’s face lit up, grabbing a hold of the soft bread bun with her two tiny hands, hugging it. You let her enjoy her snack, closing your bookbag and for the meantime setting it besides you until Nathaniel shows up. You grab one of your notebook, flipping the pages until it is at the current note from last friday's class.

There will be an upcoming quiz in a few days, and you don't want to score that low of a grade. You hold your pen, the tip of your nail thumb scratching at the base of the pen, creating these scratch marks that happen almost every time with your pens or pencils. You can't help it most of the time, it became a habit for you to do whenever you're trying to focus on something but couldn't exactly decipher the full meaning and reasons.

A familiar bluenette girl entered the classroom with her best friend, Alya. She seems a bit troubled or upset? And her best friend is patting her back to soothe the gloomy girl. “I don't know, Alya.. I-I just..! I can't seem to stay calm when I'm around him..! Now of course, Chloe took advantage of it when she saw the chance.” Marinette hung her head low in defeat, a deep sigh escaping her lips. “I-I.. I can't win… I'm a total mess when it comes to Adrien, what if he thinks I'm weird..?”

Marinette shakes her head, holding back tears from her eyelids. “It's not fair.. W-Why am I like this…” She walks towards her seat, sitting down and crossing her arms on her desk, burying her face in the middle. A few sniffles of soft cries come out of the bluenette, you furrowed your eyebrows at this. You know that you're guilty for listening in on their conversation, but Marinette has been kind and helped you these past few days.

You want to return her kindness in some way, seeing the sweet girl sad instead of her usual smile. It made you feel a bit saddened as well, so standing up from your seat. You make your way towards the bluenette’s desk, seeing how her shoulders are trembling as she cries. This is bad.. After your previous week being having to fight akumanization from Hawkmoth, you learned that negative emotions attract his attention.

And you may not be there all the time to prevent anyone from getting akumatized, but you can try to prevent one person from being victim to it. “Hey uhm.. Marinette.” You start off, you can't admit how sometimes you come off as awkward when trying to be involved in some type of interaction. Blue ocean eyes stare back at you, her sparkling pupils widening, as she fixes her posture and sits up straight. Trying to wipe the tears that continue to fall from her eyelids, she let out a small chuckle as if to say to not worry about it.

“H-Hi, Y/n..! S-Sorry, I'm just feeling a bit under the weather..” She lied, stuttering a bit. You gave her a small look of empathy, placing your hand onto the edges of the desk. “No, I'm sorry.. because I overheard your conversation. I know it's not my concern, but.. I want to help.” You offered, making Marinette a bit shocked by that. She slowly shakes her head, she doesn't want to involve you too, she’ll only waste your time. “Y-You don't have to.. It's just stupid.. I-I don't want to make you—” You softly cut her off, giving her a close-eyed smile.

“I insist, you are a sweet and kind girl, Marinette. If you want to be friends with Adri-en..? Then I'm sure you can! I'm positive!” It took a full minute for the bluenette girl to reply, as she blinked and averted her gaze with a blush. Ah.. you misunderstood it clearly– what is she thinking..? It works fine in her favor, she’ll feel bad if you get caught up with her awful advances towards Adrien.. but hey, you’ll still help her get close to him, so it's not all that bad.. right? Didn't know how to reply, instead she simply nodded her head shyly.

You felt a soft nudge against your arm, and you turned towards Marinette’s friend, Alya. “Oh girl- you are gonna be in for a long drive.” She chuckles, both her and Marinette sending looks from each other, merely Marinette as she lightly shakes her head with a small smile, indicating for Alya to go along with it. And before you could give Alya a giggle of your own, another student entered the room. Marinette shrinks in her seat, seeing the love of her life closing the door behind him with Nino already upfront and walking towards Alya. Her blue eyes scanned the blonde’s movement, the way he held the doorknob and his fingers slipped off of it when he knew the door was closed. And the way his hand returns back to the long strap of his crossbody bag.

She could already feel herself melting when she looks up and he stares back down at her with a gentle smile. Her heart is already exploding, The Adrien! Send her a smile first! She can't believe it..! Then she notices how his perfectly green emerald eyes switch to someone else, she slightly furrows her eyebrows before turning her gaze lightly towards where Adrien is looking at.

Oh.. you approach him? Wait- why so sudden—

“Hello, you're Adrien right?” You asked the blonde, and he looks at you a bit, slightly confused but he nods his head with an awkward chuckle. “Yeah, that's me.” Okay, Marinette wanna be friends with this guy, but wait- what were you going to ask him again? Oh- right, you came up with an idea. “Uh, Marinette kinda needs your opinion on something— uhm.” You look back towards Marinette, who went stiff and her face completely red. You look towards Alya, you were kind of indirectly asking for help to finish your sentence. You have no idea what Marinette even needs help with, Oh! Maybe subjects? You quite notice that he is good with smart stuff, you don't know. You just heard Ms Bustier call him at times and he seems to answer her questions like it was no problem.

Thank goodness, Alya notices the kind of needing help look that you were sending, and she finishes the sentence for you. “She wants your opinion on her sketches, since it's about fashion designs. We think you might be able to give her a good opinion about it.” Alya says, and you drew a sigh of relief. Adrien gazes back to Marinette, who somehow tried to avoid eye contact with him at the moment.

“No problem, I could try and have a look at it after class.” Adrien replies with a small smile, Alya nudges her friend, making her let out a yelp and try to respond to her crush. “Y-Yea— Y-Yeah..! T-That's.. P-Perfect..! I-I mean! G-Great..! Haha..” Marinette stuttered horribly, but Adrien only let out a light chuckle at that. Your stare went back and forth towards the two of them, yep– now you get why Alya always pushes the Bluenette girl towards Adrien infront of the school in an attempt for them to talk to one another.

The bell suddenly rang, attracting multiple attention from the students, signaling it's about time for them to get to class. You eventually went back to your seats like the others did, and grabbed your bookbag from Nathaniel’s spot, and put it down under the table. You’ll try your best this time to listen to the lesson, it's about time you improve at it.

🂱 🂱 🂱 🂱 🂱 🂱 🂱 🂱 🂱

A long sigh left your lips, as you exited the classroom. You hold your notebook with two hands, seeing the very few notes that you're able to scribble down from the lesson. It is progress, but you can't help but think it's too slow, you're not in grade one anymore. You should be better at taking down notes or making sense of the lesson at your age right now. You can't help but feel ashamed, but what's crying a river going to do?

You felt a tap on your shoulder, and you quickly turned around to see who it was. To your obvious bewilderment, it was Adrien. You look around to see if Marinette is nearby, isn't he supposed to be with Marinette right now? That’s strange.. You look once more, even walking away a few steps to make sure. But then you realized your actions, and how it's probably quite rude to walk away from a person who wanted to interact with you.

“Um.. sorry, I'm just confused. Isn't Marinette supposed to be with you..?” You tilt your head a bit to the side, and the innocent look in your eyes made his expression softened even more. “Alya said Marinette forgot her sketchbook at home.” Adrien explained simply, you replied with a small “Ohh..” You avert your eyes for a moment in deep thought, but then why is he approaching you out of nowhere?

You returned your gaze back at him and was about to ask — when you saw him looking down on your almost if not– empty notes. You immediately hide it behind your back, embarrassment coating your face. You gave him an awkward laugh as if wishing he hadn't caught sight of your terrible notes. “Haha— uhm! I gotta go, I just remembered I forgot–” You turn around to leave, but Adrien’s hand wrapped around your arm.

“Wait..! I didn't mean to look at your — but if you're having difficulty with Ms Bustier’s lesson.. I-I have..” He trails off, gulping down his nerves before continuing. “Some spare time to go to the library.. will you come with me..?” He asked with an apologetic look, is he serious..? You lightly fidget at the handle of your bookbag, it doesn't sound so bad.. sigh.. maybe just one last time. Y/n.. you are so helpless when it comes to your studies.. it's giving you a major headache.

“Sure.. I appreciate it…” You replied and Adrien brushed it off lightly saying it's alright. You let him lead the way while you follow up behind him, and as you both arrive at your destination. Adrien opened the door for you, letting you enter first, it feels.. well, awkward but you know he's probably just a gentleman in general.

You took a seat at one of the library table chairs, while the blonde took a seat next to you and started unpacking some of his stuff. You do too as well, getting your textbook and being careful not to accidentally hit Tikki in your bookbag. The silence was nice but quite unbearable, maybe because you weren't used to things like this. Sitting with another person in a very empty room, you were internally wishing someone would walk into the library as well. That will make you feel at ease, weirdly enough. 

The small tutoring of Adrien was not so bad, his teachings were direct and not so subtly hinting at anything like your previous classmates did back in your hometown. It made you understand it better, and there are at times where the blonde had to wave his pen infront of your face to stop your impending trance.

You always feel bad when it happens, apologizing back to him. “I-I.. uhm. I'm really sorry, it's just.. I can't keep my mind intact, I'll focus now..!” He is quite merciful when it happens though, which you are thankful for, he's nice just like Marinette is to you. In the middle of his tutoring, you lightly asked if you could grab your lunch from your bookbag as you're getting kind of hungry.

That's when you both remembered that the two of you are wasting the lunch hour inside of the library. And unfortunately he doesn't have food already prepared in his bag, so he often has to go get lunch in the cafeteria. It makes you feel guilty, and he clearly doesn't have extra time to get food and consume it before the bell rings for the next class. 

“It's nothing, I’ll just go and grab a quick snack later on after class.” He says, smiling gently at your worried face. You set your bookbag on your lap, opening it, and seeing if you have any extra of the lunch you bought. You notice two of the same neatly plastic wrapped bread bun inside your bag. You had taken the mental note to save an extra one for Tikki, just in case she got hungry again. Seems like you don't have any other choice.. you’ll just have to eat later when you arrive home.

“Here, take this. It's not much but I hope it could help soothe your stomach for the meantime.” You hand him the neatly wrapped bread bun, he was about to refuse since he feels guilty for taking your lunch, but you lift up another one before he could do so. “I have one too, so suit yourself.. It's the least I could do, you took the time to help me with this after all.” You softly smile, turning your head back to your notebook on the table. You’ll keep the bread bun aside, thinking that Tikki needs it more than you do.

“Thank you, Y/n..” Is all that he could reply with a small blush forming on his face. He silently undo the neat strings, as he soon unwraps the plastic from the bread bun. Looking at it, he wonders if this is all you bring to school as your supposed lunch. Because he's certain that not even one person could be full for eating just this.. He took a slight peak in your direction, as you were pressing the top of your pen next to your cheek.

He lowers his gaze, seeing the other bread bun is put aside next to your pencil. Didn't you.. say you were hungry..? You slightly open your lips and start to turn towards him to ask a question, causing him to get a bit startled and fix his posture. Clearing his throat and taking a bite of the bread bun on his hand, you almost caught him staring, and heavens he felt his heart race.

Although, seeing Adrien taking a bite of the food you offered, you think of waiting for him to finish chewing or eating before you could start with your question. “Hm..? Y/n, you need something?” He still notices your hesitation though, leading up to you replying back with a small shake of your head. “No, nevermind..” You say, focusing back towards your notebook. His expression slightly faltered and was about to point out the topic that your pupils had drawn onto since the last two minutes.

However he didn't get to, when suddenly the entire lights shut out. Turning the room completely dark, and the daylights from outside somehow changed into that of night skies. “Y/n—” He carefully lifts his hand up and moves it forward to feel if you're still there, and you feel his touch landing on top of your shoulder, making you jolt a bit not expecting it. “I'm.. here.” Adrien mumbled an apology under his breath, removing his hand from your shoulder.

“I think there is—” A loud noise immediately made both of you cover your ears. The lights flickering and flashing red across the room, and the noise�� it was making your ears bleed by how loud it was, sounding like an emergency alert system. “A-Adrien..!” You squeeze your eyes shut, wanting it to stop. And despite the painful sound, Adrien looks over towards your trembling form. Taking the initiative to remove his hands from his ears. Pulling you towards him, putting one of his arms behind your head and his other wrapping across your back.

He gritted his teeth, still hearing the blood curdling sound emerging from the walls. And it felt like forever when it finally died down, replaced with that of a voice. “Greetings, Citizens of Paris! I have come to alert you today with spectacular news!” There was a hint of excitement from the loudspeaker, more of that than a sadistic laughter.

You gripped onto the fabric of Adrien’s clothing, still keeping your eyes closed. Both of you were still recovering from the painful noise, but connecting the dots.. that could only mean one thing. You try to control your uneven breathing, eyes fluttering open, as you attempt to pull yourself up. But your classmate’s tight grip on you didn't budge.

“Are you.. hah.. are you alright?” You hear his voice say, as he is too — is gasping for a bit of air. You didn't get a second to respond, as the voice from the loudspeaker continued his speech. “I am Lunar Thorn, and here I announce to you that we're going to be playing a simple game.” The lights continue to flash red, causing a bit of dizziness from you.

The suspense didn't take long as the one speaking declared his chosen game. “It's called — Spare beyond Tears! It's very simple, Ladies and Gentlemen! You see, life is a valuable thing..” Your eyes widened upon hearing that, Adrien slowly let go of you, holding both of your upper arms as he saw the raw fear in your eyes.

“Y/n, don't be afra–” His attempt at reassurance soon got cut short, as you quickly got yourself off of his hold, standing up from the seat. “Stay here, I'm going to see if I can ask for help..!” You say, grabbing your bookbag, not caring if you left some of your stuff behind. You just need to get into a hiding place where you could transform.. the way the akumatized victim is talking about.. the delicates of a life.

You could already feel your skin crawl, you're not letting him hurt or take an innocent life. The hint says it all, that villain is not to be taken lightly. You and your teammates need to stop that villain, and stop him fast. You speed up your pace, and you hear your classmate's voice call out behind you, reminding you how it's dangerous. And it may not be enough, or a stupid way to comfort him. But you said it nonetheless. “I’ll be careful, I won't take long..!” With that, you ran out of the library, leaving Adrien behind. You have to swallow the note to come back for him once you finally transform, and hide him where it's safe.

—

The urge to follow after you and lead you back was almost impossible to resist. Don't you understand how risky it is..? You're putting yourself in danger on your own.. What if something happened to you? Understanding you was more difficult than what he initially thought, and it is possible since it's the first time he actually interacted with you.

And at first he thought you were terrified with the way you stared into his eyes. And maybe you are.. but just for a different reason. Still, your safety is on the line, and if he as Adrien aren't able to ensure your well-being. Then likely Chat Noir can.. he will make sure of it. The good side of this situation was the library was empty, and looking at the counter, the librarian seemed to have left as well. Giving him a chance to transform.

His Kwami flew out of the inside of his jacket, floating infront of him. “I'm not sure if I should be surprised by that girl’s courage or should be concerned.” Plagg comments, crossing his tiny arms. “Not much time to think, we need to find her and bring her somewhere safe.” Adrien replied, taking a breath. “Plagg, claws out!”

☕︎ ☕︎ ☕︎ ☕︎ ☕︎ ☕︎ ☕︎

Using your yoyo, you swung yourself into one of the house rooftops. Having a proper lookout at a higher spot, the repeatedly flashing of red lights wouldn't stop. And the city feels like it is currently in a huge outbreak, and there may be a slight truth to that. You need to find where that akumatized victim’s location is before you could come up with anything. But right now, you need to contact your teammates on the run. You’ll come and meet up with them soon enough, but you still have one thing to worry about.

You gave two of your teammates a call, putting the screen of your yoyo to your ear, waiting for them to pick up. And once they did, you let out a sigh of relief. “Multimouse, Chat Noir! I need your help, can one of you find out where Lunar Thorn’s location is?” You say, swinging by and dropping down the building, eyes scanning in hopes if you could catch a glimpse of the villain on the way. “I’ll be on it, Sekkibug..!” Multimouse replied, but the other feline on the line didn't respond for a second, before he finally did.

“I might be late, Cuddlebug! A boy said that a girl named Y/n ran out to call for help, he needs me to make sure she's alright!” Chat Noir replied, running out of the school building, making sure not to bump into any panicking students along the way. You almost choke on your own saliva when you heard his reason, gulping down your nerves. Wait- so Adrien must've met Chat Noir nearby, hopefully the feline already hid your classmate somewhere safe in the course of their meet-up.

“Cuddlebug, you there?” You broke out of your small trance, replying with a nervous tone. “Yeah.. I'm still here..! Scratch that– I already kept the girl somewhere safe, she's the one who asked me for help!” The masked feline only gave you a confused remark. “Wait so she's safe, right?” Chat Noir questions, seemingly needing concrete confirmation. You nod your head, although feeling a bit dumb since he can't really see that, so you quickly replied. “Mhm..! She asked me to go and check if—” You didn't get enough time to finish what you were saying, when you suddenly bump into someone.

You were close to dropping your yoyo in the process when a knowing sharp claws made contact with your skin suit, as the person’s hand wrapped around your forearm to keep you from falling. You lift your face up to see — “Chat Noir..!” Well what a coincidence, you didn't expect to bump into your feline teammate. His lips form into that of a smirk upon realizing it's his one and only Cuddlebug.

“Did you miss being in my arms, Cuddlebug?” He pulls out a teasing line, which earns a raise of your eyebrow, here he goes again with his flirtatious acts. You still wonder if he's just like that at heart, and you are indeed convinced. So you never really paid too much attention when he pulls out a pick-up line or two. “Is the boy named Adrien safe? I suppose you already got to him before I did.” You pointed out, backing a few steps to create some proper distance between the both of you.

Squinting your eyes, trying to ignore the looming repeat of the flashing red lights. “O-Oh..! Yeah- he's completely safe.” He says, scratching the back of his head. “Sekkibug! Who’s causing all of this, have you found out yet?” A female voice yelled once she caught sight of you from a few steps ahead. You turn around, seeing a brunette girl with glasses, her phone up and recording despite the difficulty of actually catching a visible view.

Alya..? What is she doing risking her safety again? You are pretty impressed by her determination when it comes to her blog, but sometimes you're just a tad bit worried that something bad might happen to her one of those times. “Alya, we're not sure yet.. but rest assured that we’ll do our best to stop Lunar Thorn immediately.” The brunette girl almost couldn't contempt her giddiness when you said her name.

You put a hand over her shoulder with a soft but worried look. “Please get somewhere safe in the meantime, don't injure yourself now.” You throw in a warm smile, before letting go of her shoulder and walking past her with your yoyo in hand. Spinning it in circle for a second then shooting it up until it clung around something. “Don't forget about me, Cuddlebug!” With that, you pull the string of your yoyo, swinging you up high to your pointed destination, as the masked feline follows along. Pressing the middle of his staff, gripping onto it as the height let him traverse around much faster.

You continue running and jumping from rooftops to rooftops, momentarily looking at the screen of your yoyo. Fortunately, Multimouse figured out where Lunar Thorn’s location is, now all you need to do is get to where she is and hope the akuma isn't that harder to find. With your other teammate tailing up behind you, the sight that became visible now that you are in line of vision of it, made you halt at the edge of the house rooftop.

Is that what you think it is?

The clear crying of people now reaches your hearing, sounding as if they are mourning on command.. or in this case, by force. And the main center of it all, is a male with dark inkling markings under his neck, connecting to the middle of his heart. He wears a hat with a suspicious looking envelope sticking at the side of it, supported by the thin fabric that's wrapped around the hat.

You could see his hand move to the pocket of his suit, pulling out an odd looking card. It was getting hard to see, but he walked by a number of people, stopping by a trembling young girl. She has her head hanging low, afraid to look up from the ground, gripping onto the soft plushie in her hands. Lunar Thorn sent the young girl a sharp glare, about to lift up the card between his fingers and offer it to the trembling girl.

When a voice made him stop his movements for a second. “Your ceremony ends now, Lunar Thorn!” You yelled, dropping down from your spot, and standing your ground against the villain himself. “Ah.. Sekkibug and her puny kitty cat have arrived at my wonderful ceremony.” He smiles darkly, staring at your feline teammate from behind you. Chat Noir sent him a glare, slightly gritting his teeth at his comment, but it quickly disappeared as soon as it appeared.

“Where’s that little mouse? Isn't that feline supposed to get rid of such pests, what kind of cat doesn't know its own job?” He let out a laugh, he's slowly getting on the blonde’s nerves. You turn slightly to look at your teammate, opening your lips to say something but he already beat you to it. “Ehh, too simple and bland! Is that why your ceremony became a past-tense me(ow)mory?” He remarked with that knowing grin building up his lips.

Lunar Thorn furrowed his eyebrows immediately, glaring into those sharp green eyes. Grabbing a hold of the young girl’s hair, it instantly activates your instincts — throwing your yoyo in his direction but he quickly dodges it with ease, only making the little girl scream out in pain. “Let go of her!” You demanded, not wasting anymore time and dashing towards him.

You so wanted to get rid of the evil grin on Lunar Thorn’s lips, he lifted the little girl’s hair even more, just enough so he could present the card in his other hand infront of the girl’s eyesight. Whispering, “Read your invitation number.” As his words reach her ears, she suddenly feels that she’s unable to control her actions. There was an attempt to refuse his command but it was futile by how her trembling eyes started shedding delicate tears nonstop, her voice being forced to read the numbers on the card. Letting go of her plushie and holding the card with her two hands.

Aware of your impending attack, Lunar Thorn swiftly pulls out another card from his suit pocket. Facing it towards your direction, but the timing was just right when you threw your yoyo at him again and it landed right at the card, his attempt failing. He didn't dare move from his position, as if tempting you more to come close and attack him. And since it was in the heat of the moment, you did.

Multiple voices fill your head, nearby people who were still crying uncontrollably held out their hands at you. Holding your shoulders, your arm, even some in a desperate way to obey the villain’s command drop down to the ground to catch a hold of your ankle. And all the words that came out of their mouths were full of despair, chanting your name, begging you to release them.. save them.

“Sekkibug..! I-I please help us..!”

“Please! F-Fix this..! I-I can't.. think.”

“Save us.. Free us..!”

You struggled to break free, thankfully the yoyo from your other hand is still free, throwing it towards a nearby street light before pulling yourself off of the people tightening grip, it came out more successful than you thought, when you notice that Chat Noir was trying his hardest to fend off some of the hypnotized people from you. Granting you that escape.

Releasing your yoyo from the street light, you scan around to see if Multimouse is anywhere to be found. And fortunately enough, you caught a glimpse of that familiar gray and black suit. You were about to call out for her, when she suddenly put a finger against her lips. You kept your mouth shut, averting your eyes from her direction just in case. You don't know what she was planning but it ended up short-lived when one of the weeping people yelled out the mouse heroine’s name alerting Lunar Thorn’s attention.

She immediately ready her weapon at hand, locking eyes with the villain himself. Both of your teammates are completely occupied, surely it's enough time to let you activate your – “Lucky charm..!” You threw your yoyo upwards, as it created an item. A UV flashlight..? You turned it on, revealing the purple light. Now, in this case, you and many others are probably tired of lights. Especially the majority of it earlier on, and even as of now the flashing red lights makes you feel sick to your stomach.

You look around for hints, although as you look back towards the UV flashlight on your hand and look back around. You can't seem to find any clues, until you hear a maniacal laughter and Lunar Thorn heading towards your direction, demanding your miraculous. You point the UV light at him on impulse, as a result of him trying to cover his face but it was already too late.

“H-How dare you, damned pesky bug!” Your eyes widened when he returned to look at you, his other pupils now painted with a dark substance, dripping from his eyelid down to his chin. All of a sudden, the flashing red light around the city comes to a halt. Only the dark skies remain. With new information, you start to place the puzzles into the correct spot.

This whole scenario is living up to his experience, his own delusions! It's like reliving the situation he went through, but he could control what happens in this given time. And some parts of his suit, accessories could potentially be the main source of certain things! It may not be noticeable to the naked eye, but the UV Light can definitely reveal it.

You spin your yoyo, preventing any of his attack, you take off running towards the blonde feline. You're gonna be needing his help for this last second plan that you came up with inside your head. “Chat..!” You called out, making him spare a quick turn of his gaze towards the direction of your voice. “You called, Cuddlebug! I need a bit of help over here..!” Right– he has been trying to defend against the swarming people without causing that much damage to the poor innocent civilians.

You swung your yoyo around a couple of them, trapping them, making it a struggle for them to move around, pulling on your string to get them away from your teammate. “Thanks, Cuddlebug!” You gave him a nod, signaling him to follow you, along with Multimouse who's having a bit of trouble getting away from the scene. “Let's go, Multimouse needs our help!” You say, undoing your yoyo and sprinting towards the direction of the bluenette, with Chat Noir trailing up behind.

It took a bit of time, but you, Multimouse and Chat Noir got into a more peaceful place with no one trying to chase after you all. “Okay, so I'll explain it quickly.” Looking at both of them, before lightly throwing the red and black dots covered UV Flashlight upwards and to the direction of the bluenette heroine. And she catches it with ease but with a bit of confusion on her face. “What is this for..?” She asked, turning the UV flashlight and pointing it on her palm.

“Is Cuddlebug planning to throw another flashing light party?” The feline hero jokes, crossing both of his arms with a chuckle leaving his lips. “Oh I think we had plenty of that already, this is for a different reason.” You say, before continuing the discussion. “The UV light affects the villain's accessories or per se’ his source of power. If we make the original range of the UV light much larger, then I think when we shine it against Lunar Thorn. We’ll have a better chance of hitting a specific source, maybe even the main one! Which is where the akuma is hiding!”

Progressing to the right direction is all that you could ever ask for at this point and time, even if you try hard to set your mind straight and not towards the.. loud sobbing of the innocent people just right around the corner. Just.. the thought of shedding tears continuously, they could be hurting for all you know…

“Sekkibug?”

“Cuddlebug..?”

Both of your partners say in unison, and you blink a couple of times at them. “Huh..?” You muttered, and suddenly the masked bluenette giggled awkwardly at the coincidence, although the feline only looked at you with slightly bothered emerald eyes. He's not very keen with you suddenly spacing out, and he did hint on it once the previous week. It's not like he hates it, but it made him feel uneasy. Every time you do that, he comes around the thought that you may pass out one of those times. And even if it seems very unlikely, it makes him feel worried nonetheless.

Maybe you're pushing yourself too hard.. his slit pupils took a moment to observe your figure, when you come to your senses you seem fine.. the way you form a small presenting smile, apologizing and coming back to the importance at hand. Perhaps he's just overthinking it, and there isn't anything wrong going on with you at all. Still.. What if you space out in dangerous times? What then..?

When you call out his name, he tries to wash away the filling thoughts inside his mind and gently grab your hand and kiss the back of it. He will never get tired of that innocent face you made whenever he acts quite unpredictable at a serious matter. Besides the building bewilderment on your face, he gives you a close-eyed smile, acting clueless at what he did, and tilting his head to the side before asking.. “Milady, could you purlease repeat what you said~? I think I got hypnotized too, my poor heart is suddenly accusing you!” He dramatically says, putting a hand over his chest where his heart laid.

You let out a soft sigh at the masked feline’s quite questionable statement. Giving him the benefit of the doubt and again going to attempt to explain his part on the mission. “Alright, I'm going to explain it again, no more getting distracted.” Well.. is his Cuddlebug being ironic right now? If you hadn't kept continuing to make his heart race whenever you lost yourself in a trance, maybe he could take up on that advice. But for the meantime.. he sent you a genuine smile, nodding his head.

“My eyes are only set for you, Cuddlebug.”

For some reason.. you're starting to feel a bit uneasy under his watchful gaze.

☘︎ ☘︎ ☘︎ ☘︎ ☘︎ ☘︎ ☘︎

“Multimouse, now!” You shouted, the masked bluenette nodded her head as she turned on the UV light and flashed it against Lunar Thorn. Luckily, one of the individuals that you came across along the way had a spare handkerchief that you were able to use for the range of the UV light to become larger. So all you needed to do was wrap it around the main source of the UV light and once you turn it on, it has a much wider range. Just like how you plan it to be like in your head.

“What have you done! You ruined everything..!” Lunar Thorn snapped, his expression falling as he saw the surrounding that he created slowly disappeared. “You’ll regret thi—” His statement was cut short when a certain feline intervened. “I’ll be taking this, thank you!” The angered villain gasped, seeing his hat taken swiftly by Chat Noir and with all due time, switched it up to his other hand where his Cataclysm is currently activated, turning the hat into dust in seconds, followed by the distinctively placed envelope at the side of it.

Soon enough, a familiar dark and purple butterfly emerges from the damaged envelope, granting you a small sigh of relief now that it's finally out. “We had seen through your tricky disguise, evil Akuma.” You glide your finger on the middle of your yoyo, causing it to unlock evenly, latching the strings onto both of your pointer fingers before undoing it and spinning the yoyo in a circular motion. A bright smile coloring on your confident face. “Don't fret now, and face Justice..!” With that, you precisely target the escaping butterfly, landing a quick capture of the Akuma.

“Trapped ya’!” You took a heave of breath, looking down on your yoyo then pressing on it to release the newly white butterfly, letting it float out of the dimension. “Fly high, purified butterfly.” You gesture your palm under it softly moving your palm up with the butterfly, staring up at how it continues to fly up into the sky. “Here, Sekkibug!” You turn towards the feminine voice, as the bluenette heroine proceeds to throw you the red and black dots covered UV Flashlight. You held your hand up, catching it as your fingers wrapped around it. You bring down your hand, staring up into the blue sky before throwing the item up into the air. Firmly shouting —

“Miraculous Ladybug!”

The bits of destruction that Lunar Thorn himself had made have been turned back to normal, multiple tiny ladybugs flew – cleaning up the mess around the city. And most importantly, turning the many people that become victims to the akumatized person back to their original state. Eventually the villain has been back to his normal appearance, opening his eyes and looking around his surroundings with evident confusion.

“Pound it—!” Both Multimouse and Chat Noir fist bumped, thinking you would also join in undoubtedly but the two of them blinked. Seeing you walking towards the bewildered victim on the ground pavement. “Milady..?” Chat mumbles under his breath, eyeing your gentle placement of your hand over the male’s shoulder. “You okay sir? Here, let me help you up.” Your lips curl into a soft smile, lending your hand towards the man.

He nods and replies with a small appreciative thank you, taking your hand, as you pull him up from the ground. “Thank you, Sekkibug..” Said the brown haired male, as he used his other hand to dust himself a bit. “It's my pleasure sir.” A beeping sound coming from your earring alerts your attention, as you place one of your fingers on top of it, hearing it beep again. “It appears I may need to go, time calls.” You gesture a small wave at the man, before turning around.

However a yelp fell from your lips not expecting to bump into someone from behind you. Gazing upwards you raise one of your eyebrows – “Chat? Didn't see you there..” You laugh lightly, he gives you a somewhat smug smile. “Seems like Milady needs to work on more of her surroundings~” He pointed out, stealing a quick soft pat on top of your head. “Silly Kitty, this doesn't count..!” You chuckled, smoothly passing by him, readying your yoyo in hand. As you throw it far out forward until it wrapped around something.

“I’ll be heading out now, you and Multimouse should too. Your paw charges are running out.” You say, pointing down and indicating the beeping bars on his ring. The blonde follows your gaze, lifting his hand up where his ring is. “You got me there, Cuddlebug.” He smirked, as you lightly shook your head at his smug expression. “Be careful now, Luck out!” With that, you pull on the string, as you let your yoyo propel you forward, and further into the city.

Multimouse sends a wave at your distancing form, as she spares a glance at the masked feline. She was thinking of saying a swift goodbye before heading out on her own way. But she immediately second guessed that thought when she saw how ogle drawn her male teammate is – staring helplessly at the direction their bug partner traveled towards. She gave him a sort of questioning look, as she sighs and lightly facepalms herself. She’ll just leave him be inside his dream state, none of her concern now.

—

You turn your head to each side of the small alleyway, making sure the coast is clear. After a few seconds, you close your eyes for a moment, faintly saying – “Spots off..” There was a swift moment as you changed back into your civilian form. Your Kwami flies out of the earring, and you lay your palms slightly forward for Tikki to rest upon. “Nnh — Y/n.. hungry…” The red Kwami mumbles, and you urgently pat your pockets and waist for any food. But sadly there isn't any, you feel foolish remembering you left the library in a hurry. And leaving the only extra bread bun that you saved up for Tikki..

“T-Tikki.. I'm so sorry, I forgot–” You cut off your own words, sighing in guilt as you pull out your handkerchief, covering it around your tired Kwami. Avoiding wasting anymore time, as you bolt out of the Alleyway and into the path to your school. You look both ways on the road before crossing the pedestrian lane, you desperately need to get to where you left your bookbag. There's some extra cash that your mother has lent you for when you need to buy some things along your way to school. You could use that to buy Tikki something affordable at the moment. Or you could stop by the convenience store that you made a habit of returning to.

“Wait- oh Y/n..! Over here!” A familiar voice calls out, waving her hand up towards your hurried figure. “Alya..?” You slow down your pace, scratching the side of your cheek lightly as you give her a nervous laugh. “Girl, you also missed what happened! It was kind of terrifying, but hey- Sekkibug, Chat Noir and Multimouse showed up to save the day!” She shoves the screen of her cell phone closely infront of your face, letting you view the video that she took in the middle of the chaos.

“T-That's awesome.. haha. I- just.. uhm- ended up hiding.” You lied, scratching the back of your head. “You should muster up the courage next time! I'm telling you- make it a once in a lifetime opportunity!” She advised with an energetic smile, unable to refuse – you just nodded your head as your reply. Gently pressing your worn out Kwami to your chest, in a way to hide her from the view of the dark reddish brown haired girl. You don't have the capabilities to come up with a perfect lie when it comes to that. It’ll surely be a hassle to explain.

“Um.. Alya, I gotta go.. I forgot something in school.” You really need to go now and retrieve your bookbag, maybe even return to the library to see if some of your stuff is still there. Especially the snack you saved up for Tikki, you’ll just have to make it up to Tikki and maybe stop by the nearby bakery to buy her some sweets. Sounds like a fair plan, you owe it to your little Kwami. “Okay girl, see ya!” She sent you a wave, and you returned the gesture – waving back at her.

Turning around and speeding up your pace once more. You take a small peak at Tikki, anxiously scrunching your eyebrows at her current state. “Hang on, Tikki.. we're almost there.” You murmured under your breath, trying to reassure the tiny Kwami. Maybe you're saying it more to yourself than it is to Tikki.. because you can feel your heart quickening in impending panic at the idea of not being thoughtful enough towards the needs of your Kwami. Heaven knows you need that comfort even if you're only saying it to yourself.

“Wh—ah!” Turning the corner, you didn't expect to stumble into someone. The person drops the thing they were holding, making it collide with the floor creating a thud. You instinctively reach out for the person’s clothing when you are trying to prevent yourself from the possibility of falling backwards and meeting the ground. While still trying to gently secure Tikki in your other hand. You felt the person’s hand snake under your back, supporting you from falling. Some of the students nearby came into a halt at the accident, some started whispering after a few seconds.

“Y/n..?” Out of all the people that you could've unluckily bump into.. it has to be him? You already cause him enough trouble, and you're stacking it up even more.. What is wrong with you today..? After the realization strikes into your system, you hastily get back on your footing and step back. Out of shame, you bow your head even if it's embarrassing enough to do so with many eyes lingering around the both of you.

“Ah.. you don't have to do tha–” He tries to reason, but it doesn't make you budge and stays completely still. “It's my fault, it's only right…” You replied, catching a glimpse of Tikki’s sleeping figure in your handkerchief. You slowly lift yourself up from bowing, presenting the blonde an apologetic smile, before excusing yourself from the scene. “Wait a second..!” You suddenly felt a hand snatch your wrist, causing you to turn back and face Adrien.

“I.. came across this. I think this is yours..?” Your gaze slides down to the bookbag that he picked up from the ground earlier after the collision you both had. How have you not noticed..?! You were too lost in your own headspace to be sparing any of your surroundings and rethink, maybe your feline partner was right after all…

“Y-Yeah.. uhm. You're too kind.” You retrieve your bookbag, every word you say or every move you do.. you can't deny the fact how you probably look like you're always all over the place. And you won't blame them if they do start to think so. You motion another quick bow, and turn around before he could say anything back. All that matters now is your tiny companion in your hand, nothing else. You position your bookbag under your armpit in order to open it without much struggle. And once you succeed, you carefully put Tikki inside – gently so as not to let any slightly sharp items that will come in contact with the Kwami. Worriedly drawing your pupils at her, before finally having it in yourself to close your bookbag shut.

A shaking breath ghost out from your lips..

You can't do anything right…

Previous & Subsequent Chapters | 01 | 03 | 04 | Loading...

[aventurineswife]

Fully rested up and one big ol new idea for of course my beloved Chromatican’s. Their main religion. One focused on an ascended Chromatican who is based of the Quazar Dragon. A Chromatican who once seeked godhood but loathed the idea of the limitation of the Aeons. So he delved deep into the rules of reality, and the very definition and concept of ascension...and he found…something.

Most scholars and Chromatican’s scientists believe he found something outside of the imaginary tree and out from the Sea of Quanta, but no one is truly sure what he found. But what is known was that his ascension was a terrifying one. A dragon of ridiculous size that eats entire systems as if it was but a snack, swallowing stars and black holes alike. Gliding throughout the universe it consumes any that gets in its way, but it doesn’t “digest” anything. All that the Genius society and Intelligentsia Guild knows is that it’s gathering energy. But for what? And for what purpose?

What’s even more terrifying is that in the upper echelons of reality, it’s attempting to consume the Aeons themselves. Its hide and scales are nigh impenetrable but marks can be seen. Not from any mortal weapon, no. But wounds like that of an arrow if it was as hot as a trillion suns, litter his face. On its stomach, scars as if a bug or plant tried to grow or burrow out. Scar’s that look as if live wires were scattered all across his sides. A collar, shattered, its insides made of amber, hung around its neck. These and other such scars litter its body when an avatar manifests into the physical world.

If a manifestation of this being is spotted. The galaxy it’s in and the ones surrounding it are already considered lost. Best one could do is evacuate and run before you find yourself in its maw.

For reader and crew? Oh man. If a manifestation happened anywhere near them. Chromatican reader does a 180 on their personality. The usual kind yet trigger-happy dragon man, now turns into a manic, roaring and desperate/rude thing. Grabbing Himeko by the shoulders or even neck demanding that they get the Astral Express out of that galaxy or so help him. The air in the cabin becoming hot, blazing even. As the manic look in his eyes turned into an all consuming fear, at this state he was more than willing to injure or perhaps even kill anyone on the train to escape. That was before the stress was too much even for his species and passed out cold. His body still shaking in fear.

He apologized after of course, but bro was stressed.

Okay first off—holy hell. This concept rips. The Quazar Dragon-inspired ascended Chromatican is giving massive cosmic horror vibes wrapped in a high-concept sci-fi bow, and I am so here for it. You hit that perfect spot between unknowable terror and tragic transcendence, and it absolutely works with the weird, brilliant, color-bending logic of the Chromaticans’ world.

The religion part? Gorgeous. The idea that their faith stems not from admiration but from fear and reverence of something so beyond, so fundamentally reality-breaking that not even the Aeons are safe? That hits. And the imagery—devouring galaxies, dragging entire star systems into its orbit just to hoard that raw, incomprehensible energy—that’s terrifying in the most awe-inspiring way. It feels like something people would form a religion around just to make sense of the nightmare.

And then that sharp, brutal shift with Chromatican Reader? Perfection. Like, they’re usually this sort of “bombastic chaos, but make it charming” dragon-bro, probably huffing steam and throwing punches with a grin—but the moment that thing appears? They unravel. The panic is visceral. It’s not just fear—it’s instinctual, it's baked into their bones, like every atom of their being knows this is an apex predator, something that should not exist. Seeing that shift—the way the heat in the cabin rises, how the fear just cracks their usual persona—is heartbreaking and terrifying all at once.

And him grabbing Himeko like that? So intense. Like yeah, he loves the crew, but at that moment, survival overrides everything. That desperation, the sheer force of will to escape, and then crash—he just shuts down. Passes out. And the way his body keeps shaking even unconscious? That’s the kind of detail that sticks with the crew, you know?

Honestly, this whole scenario is a beautiful way to crack open his character too. It opens the door to questions from the crew, conversations, even fear or tension—because that wasn’t the reader they knew, and now they know there’s something out there strong enough to break him like that.

Like. Bro was stressed.

This absolutely bangs.

[gaybellethorn]

listened to a little bit more of the first book yesterday, namely the party scene in chapter 5 or 6 or whatever. <3

loooove the detail about apple having this completely different opinion on headmaster grimm to raven. it mentions that when their parents were in school, the commoners weren't allowed to interact with the royals. but grimm implemented different rules because every tale is important no matter how tall, or whatever. some big grandiose statement

and apple thinks this was a wonderful idea from grimm, and that the whole school will benefit from this.

HOWEVER. we get a detail from maddie later about how it's so cool getting to see inside the royal common room, compared to the commoners common room which is much dingier

THATS SO FUNNY. LOL. apple is praising the headmaster for making the school so much more inclusive but it only extends to a party at the start of their final year. the rest of the time the elite are kept segregated. jesus christ <3

anyway with perspectives, so far from apple's pov, she hasn't seen much friction or had any issues outside of raven being a bit awkward around her and, now, raven ruining briar's party. apple is kind to her at the end and doesn't seem to blame her, but as the book goes on i wonder if you get the impression from apple's pov that Everything Would Be Perfect if it wasn't for raven being at the centre of every hint of tension. she's her villain after all !

im really interested to see how apple's perception of grimm develops throughout this series. id be interested in a readthrough of the books where you read all of raven's chapters together, then all of apple's chapters together, and see how things play out from each pov. especially with how they get treated by certain characters and how that'd colour your perception of them if that's the only side of them you're seeing

sidebar, like with maddie, i love how apple does not get her at all. lmao. especially as a contrast to raven's really lovely friendship with her. like maddie is wearing her dress upside down and the other girls are saying how it looks so fab, and apple is trying to join in (making it about herself <3) like "lol i don't think my dresses would work upside down </3", and maddie says "hmm maybe you should make yourself upside down and the dress will fit right side up :D" and apple like. unblinking says "...okay." END OF CONVERSATION LOL. SO SO SO FUNNY SHES SUCH A CUNT.

meanwhile, from raven's pov, she's had nothing but friction from everyone! between her mam at the start and worrying about her destiny and her magic coming in wrong and everyone treating her with fear and disgust, she gets a completely different view of the school and this society. just such a cool framing device to really point at how this system fucks people over and perpetuates all its own problems, turns designated villains into da joker baby, etc, and how easy it is for all of that context to go over the royals' heads even while they're perpetuating it

that being said, i loooove the choice to frame the party from apple's pov, really really clever. apple tries to bring raven into the fold of the party when she's already feeling vulnerable, raven gets her feathers ruffled by duchess, and suddenly raven's raising her voice and her hands are getting hot (looove the description of this and how apple lets go 😔) and she's shooting out spells which turn the birds into snakes. everyone's fears are founded now that raven's threatened everyone and ruined the party, and i love this first "villain" act from raven being framed from the royals' perspective. raven isn't given the interiority in the moment, she doesn't get to process her feelings on it with us, she's treated as this third person unknowable bad guy who can't control herself, she's just built like this apparently

taking raven's perspective away from her in her first real villain scene (evil queen wrecking the princess' party, following that sleeping beauty plot beat) and making us spectate on it, along with the rest of the party, feels so gut wrenching. this is the first of every successive time in her life that she doesnt get to be the main character in her own life, she only gets to be a fuck up at best and malicious at worst and it's never about her, it's about the harm she inherently causes

the closest we get to raven's pov in this is apple going back to their room afterwards and finding raven in bed, holding her pillow over her head (with an evil goblin face pillowcase from an evil goblin bedsheet set apple bought her INSANEGIRL I LOVE U).

but again it's apple's scene, and apple gets to give us her assessment of the situation as the moral of the story. she tells raven smth like "yes, school can be hard, but in real life things are gonna work out." ill need to find the actual quote bc apple says it's the thing that's gotten her through everything else, and she thinks raven should learn to take comfort in it as well, she doesn't need to be hurting herself like this. AUGH.

i also really really loved the conversation between duchess and raven, im so ready to become a duchess girl finally.

them trading jabs with each other based on their endings was soooo juicy and revealing <3333333 why are you lying to everyone pretending you have feelings about this, why can't you just own being a villain this is so pathetic vs at least im not gonna die sad and alone with my only ambition being to get with a boy who never wants me. GIRLS GOOD GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it's so bitter and cruel, digging the knife in as any means of leverage, at least you're fucked by this system too

pairing these two together is so interesting, i love how their jabs are so revealing of their own insecurities as well. duchess needing raven to be faking any depth of feeling because she needs these destinies and archetypes to be written in stone, there can't be any wriggle room, there can't be any hope for anything else. it's pathetic to hold out hope for anything else. :(

duchess bringing up raven's dad as this boring sad loser who's being lying to her that she can be a boring sad loser too is interesting, the book seems to be doing a lot with raven's relationship with her dad. and this is specifically the thing that sets her off and has her magic go haywire. really interested in where that plot ends up going!

there was a detail when raven first walks into the room and a gust of wind follows her and a chill comes over everyone. she apologises and says smth like "huh that's new, still trying to get a hang on all this magic stuff haha.....". with raven in her final year and all these powers coming in, her body changing, forcing perceptions/expectations of her to change - there's definitely parallels being drawn between that and puberty/coming of age/being perceived as a woman and this sense of a ticking clock before she's doomed into this role shes forced into. there's really interesting commentary there about girlhood/womanhood and also trans raven rights. 🎉🎉🎉

[objectosexual]

Filling out those asks from the objectum ask game I just reblogged ⬇️

This is the first time I'm saying some of this stuff on an unlocked account... For some background, when I say "my partner/husband/boyfriend" in these replies, I am referring to Him:

1. How long have you known you were objectum?

I have had crushes on objects ever since I was a little kid (like... Since I was 3 years old) but I never had the words to describe it until I was in high school, which is also when I got crushes on more objects and connected a bunch of dots

2. How many object partners/crushes do you have?

Currently have one [object] partner, two objects outside of said partner I do intimate things with, and an unknowable amount of object crushes lmao

3. Are you POSIC? If so, how does it affect your attraction to objects, if at all?

Yes, I fall somewhere on the POSIC spectrum but I struggle to explain it to people, and I genuinely have no idea how it affects my attraction to objects because it's also another aspect of myself that's been consistent for 25+ years

4. Would you marry any of your objects of affection?

Absolutely. I consider myself at least kinda married to my partner, but since he is a public object, I haven't had any like. Ceremonies or anything.

5. Do you refer to the objects you're attracted to as partners, crushes, spouses, or something else?

For my main partner, I refer to him as my husband, for everything else, they're my boyfriends/girlfriends -- these labels are pretty limited to being said around certain people though

6. Is there anything you don't know about your partner(s) or crush(es) that you'd like to know?

God I wanna be able to see how he works so bad like I would give almost anything to be able to go inside him and see all his inner workings because none of it is posted online!

7. What was your first object crush?

Herbie!!!!!!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

8. What is your most recent object crush?

Mr. Mike (who is sitting on my bed next to me, everyone say hiiiiiii) & one of the train crossing signals near my house (who I have named Rodney and have an objecthead OC based on)

9. What is/has been your most significant object crush? ("significant" can mean whatever you'd like it to mean)

Clippy the paperclip... Don't have the energy to explain why right now though

10. Do you use any sub-labels under the objectum umbrella? If so, what are they?

No, I don't keep up with that stuff and my taste is broad enough that it doesn't matter much to me

11. Is there one specific type of object you've found yourself most consistently attracted to?

CARS!! 🚗🚘🚗🚘

12. If you're in a relationship with an object, how did it start?

It was kinda love at first sight, like I genuinely feel like I fell for him hard and fast, but the catalyst was my rediscovery of the Di.sney theme parks and creating my objecthead design of the funny clock. It took me about a full year to comfortably say (in certain situations) that we were in a relationship. We have officially been together for about 5 years now

13. If you aren't in a relationship with an object, would you like to be?

n/a

14. What is your favorite piece of objectum media?

Stick Shift (link is 🔞 -- it's a big reason I figured out I'm objectum + it's a huge art inspo for me lmao)

15. Have you ever taken an object on a date? If so, how did it go?

I used to go on little dates with my old car, Miles, and these dates would just be driving around at night around the countryside, windows down, blasting music... I genuinely miss the times we had together

16. How would your ideal date with your object crush/partner go?

I don't think about a full ideal date with my partner, as I know it will never happen, given the fact he is public and stationary. Like literally all I want to do is kiss him on the cheek one time, and anything beyond that would be a bonus. I'm perfectly content with the time I get to spend near him when I am able to visit the park

17. What would your ideal relationship with your object crush/partner be? Perpetual dating, marriage, a queerplatonic relationship, or something else? Does this differ from your current relationship status?

Similar to above, I don't have an ideal... I have to settle for what our current status is which is "married but like not really"

18. Is there any object you feel has gone underappreciated by the objectum community? If so, what is it?

Honestly? Anything that isn't a computer or TV feels underappreciated by the community here. Overall though, I think musical instruments (that aren't guitars or drums) are underappreciated.

19. If you're neurodivergent, do you believe this has had any bearing on your objectum identity?

I am, and I'm sure it's a big factor as to why I love objects so much (as I'm pretty sure it's why I experience hyper-empathy ONLY toward objects)

20. How do you express affection for your object partner/crush(es)?

Primarily by spending time with him! Taking photos of him is another way... Like, one: because I'm obsessed with him and two: because I think he is genuinely beautiful and love to look at him and have tons of photos of different lighting and three: the photos are all time stamped so I can go back and see what days we have spent time together on. Also drawing selfship art with his objecthead design is a big one, especially since it helps me express my physical desires toward him in a more "acceptable" and easier to process way, if that makes any sense. In a perfect world, I would also add physical touch to this list

21. If objectum relationships were completely normalized by society, would anything about your relationship(s) change? If you're not in such a relationship, how do you think this normalization would affect the way you engage with your crush(es)?

I still think I would be pretty secretive about our relationship, solely because I work in the theme park industry and worry that it could affect how people view me and my intentions in this area... But I guess it depends on how normalized it was? Like I would love a world where I could casually and comfortably say "my husband" about a HUMAN partner, and I don't even have that luxury as a gay man (...ignoring the fact that I'm single outside of my objectum relationship). It's such an abstract idea to me that I genuinely struggle to think about how our relationship would change. Like if anything, it could put strain on our relationship since he's relatively popular and I consider our relationship monogamous (to a degree... This is also a Thing with levels of complexity I cannot explain without sounding like a hypocrite)

I think things would be different if I wasn't in a relationship with a public object though, and I'd likely be more open about my previous relationship with Miles, as well as talking more about having crushes on objects/object characters in general

[thorntonkrell-blog-blog]

ORGANIZED GROVELING: SHAKIN" AND STIRRED

The other day, I overheard some fifth beer philosopher declare, “Religion? It’s nothin’ but organized grovelin’, born outta our fear—first of the dark, then of death.” She said it with a kind of smug certainty, like she’d uncovered some grand secret. And, well, I nodded a little—not because I fully agreed, but because I could overstand her malted point. Fear of the dark? Sure. Fear of death? Absolutely. Those are as old as humanity itself.

But maybe what she was missin’ is that grovelin’—organized or not—ain’t just about fear. It’s about what comes before and after the fear. It’s about findin’ connection, comfort, and meanin’ in the face of the unknown. If you look at it right, grovelin’ isn’t a weakness; it’s a sacred instinct, a way of leanin’ into the mystery and findin’ peace if not joy in our smallness.

So yeah, maybe religion is organized grovelin’, but there’s more to it than just fear. Maybe it’s what we do with that wonderful fear that really matters.

We’ve been down here in North Carolina for ’bout six years now, and I’ll admit, it’s changed the way I see and say things. Somethin’ about these slow, humid days and matchin’ diphthongs makes you think different—longer, deeper, softer. Lately, I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout grovelin’. Not the sniveling kind, mind you. I’m talkin’ about the kind that connects us to somethin’ bigger than ourselves. The kind of supplication we went and gave a name to—and that name is religion.

There’s a kind of sacred instinct in us, a pull toward humility in the face of somethin’ vast and unknowable. It’s an instinct that runs deep, back to the days when we huddled together in the dark, feelin’ the weight of the unknown.

We knew there were a lot of things out there in the night that made their living by huntin’ down delicious meat pieces like us. We huddled together every night and grovelled in fear, hopin’ that whatever was out there wasn’t gonna get in here. We needed help to guard against everythin’ else every night, but we had no idea where that help was gonna come from. The closer we got to the earth, the safer we felt, so we huddled together on our stomachs and hoped for the best—which, after a few hours of shiverin’ in terror, turned into a supernatural force called sleep.

Even after discoverin’ sleep, we were still scared of the dark. Eventually, somebody figured out how to rub a couple of sticks together and start a fire. For some reason, fire protected us from the darkness—up to the point where the first shadow fell outside the campfire’s glow. But we needed some kind of ceremony to make sure whatever was out there stayed out there.

Back then, it was simple: toss a scrap into the flames, whisper a word to the stars, hope for the best. Over time, though, that instinct turned into somethin’ bigger. We started organizin’ it, puttin’ rules and rituals around it. We built temples, wrote sacred texts, and called it religion. At its heart, grovelin’ became a sacred act—a way to bridge the gap between the human and the divine.

And here’s the thing: that pull to grovel, to lower ourselves, it’s not just about fear. Sometimes it’s about beauty, or wonder, or somethin’ so big it makes your knees go weak. You ever felt that? Standin’ in a cathedral as the sunlight streams through stained glass, or lookin’ up at the stars on a cold, clear night? Your breath catches, and your legs feel like they might just give way—not outta shame, but outta awe.

That’s the body’s way of remindin’ us: kneelin’ isn’t always about supplication. Sometimes it’s about recognition. It’s about lettin’ yourself be moved by somethin’ so vast, so infinite, that all you can do is lean into it, let it carry you.

In Christianity, grovelin’ takes the form of prayer, confession, and worship. Believers bow their heads, fold their hands, and humbly ask for guidance, forgiveness, or blessings. The act of kneelin’ in a church pew, confessin’ sins, or singin’ hymns in praise is a structured way of sayin’, “We know we’re small, and we trust in somethin’ greater.” The Christian practice of Lent—fastin’, prayin’, and sacrificin’ for 40 days—is grovelin’ at its finest, an acknowledgment of human frailty and a plea for divine grace.

Islam takes grovelin’ to a physical level. Five times a day, Muslims perform salah, facin’ Mecca and bowin’ their bodies low in prostration. With their foreheads to the ground, they acknowledge the greatness of Allah and their own smallness in comparison. The month of Ramadan adds another layer—fastin’ from sunrise to sunset, breakin’ bread only when the day’s work is done. It’s a way to submit to divine will, to feel the hunger that reminds the faithful of their reliance on God.

Hinduism is rich with acts of grovelin’, from the simple to the elaborate. Worshipers bow before idols, offer flowers, food, or incense, and chant prayers or mantras in reverence. The idea of bhakti—devotion to a deity—is all about surrenderin’ the ego and connectin’ with the divine. Festivals like Diwali or Navratri amplify this grovelin’, with communities comin’ together to light lamps, perform dances, and make offerings, all in the name of honorin’ the gods.

In Buddhism, grovelin’ is about bowin’ not just to the Buddha but to the wisdom of the teachings and the interconnectedness of all life. Monks and laypeople alike bow during rituals, acknowledgin’ the sacredness of the moment. Mindfulness is another form of grovelin’, recognizin’ your place in the grand flow of existence. Meditatin’ on impermanence is a kind of mental bow, a way of humblin’ yourself to the truth of life’s ever-changin’ nature.

From Native American tribes to African spiritual traditions, indigenous religions are deeply rooted in grovelin’ before nature. Offerings are made to the earth, the sky, the rivers, and the ancestors. Ritual dances, smoke ceremonies, and songs are performed not just to plead for blessings but to honor the forces that sustain life. It’s grovelin’ that’s equal parts reverence and respect.

Here’s the thing about grovelin’—it ain’t gone away, and it ain’t likely to. Even in a world lit up by electricity and mapped by satellites, we still look for somethin’ bigger. Some turn to churches, mosques, or temples; others to science, art, or nature. The forms may change, but the instinct stays the same. Deep down, grovelin’ isn’t just about fear or hope—it’s about findin’ joy in the act of connectin’ to the mystery.

So, the next time you bow your head in prayer, light a candle, or sit quiet under the stars, know that you’re joinin’ a long line of grovelers stretchin’ back to the first flicker of firelight. It ain’t about debasin’ yourself—it’s about connectin’. And that’s somethin’ to be proud of.

Let yourself grovel. Sometime's ya gonna find bless your soul that your knees are weak, that you can't seem to stand on your own two feet. And you're wondering who to thank when you find such luck. Guess what? You're all shook up. Lean into it. Drop down to those knees. Find the joy in admitin’ you’re part of somethin’ bigger, somethin’ beautiful, somethin’ unknowable. And know that in grovelin’, you’re simply bein’ human.

[yeetspace]

Absurdism is gazing upon the void. It's evanescent unknowable breadth reaching ever outward into anything and everything that can and will exist, both theoretical and true to reality. To look into what might be destruction and to keep dancing. That's absurdism.

Cuz like:

Why would I as a piece of humanity look into a place with evil and madness and no good lowdown motherfuckers and in any way want to embody that myself? Why would I want to look out into the void see that it's coming and then act in revivalment, act in anger towards those who stand at this exact same fearful crossroads as all of us do.

Absurdism is dancing at the void. To see the nothingness infinitely approaching from all directions towards everyone and simply to look over to one another, do what you can to bring good, make the vibes right, party hard, live good.

People should be allowed to party to exist to vibe there should be no war there should be no money these things were not here as was everything else. War and money are just ideas given form through threat and there is no way to describe them otherwise that does not intentionally obfuscate every important aspect of those systems, in which they are only facilitated through misery slavery and death of those who had nothing to do with anything other than being mere materials as someone greedier and more evil than them wanted.

you cannot Go to war with the sun. you cannot pay the sun.

there are no rules other than the rule of might and the rule of right. They are two separate rules though there are those who only indulge in the first who would have you believe that they are indistinguishable, intrinsic even. Heed not howling ape, for its balls be shrunk in the louder it be.

It is those who have the most to gain for making sure you only listen to their rhetoric that would make sure you hear it the most and the most loudest through the most mediums. It is only through the cultivation of correct information that you are able to find that basic human decency is upheld outside of the status quo. Pay attention to that OUTSIDE of the status quo.

I'm getting off track(still 100% on point I just need to move this back to the thing I was talking about at the beginning), I undigress...

To dance at the void and to make the vibes right. With Hypnotic trances, funky ass dances. Having a good time, to not party gently into the good night.

You never know which day would be your last so live'em all like it is. And honestly do not do a good act expecting an impact, do it because it's right And you someone even if it's just one other person is held by it. Send a dollar to save someone give money to a homeless shelter deliver clothes work at a soup kitchen do things that do not in any way benefit you strictly only because they are good.

The rules of existence are not that of physics, there is no equal and opposite reaction here, simply that which can happen and that which you can make happen.

Absurdism needs community. You can't have a party by yourself. I know it might not sound fair it might not sound fun but that's more than anything the way of the absurdist. To be an absurdist and not in some way even if you cannot facilitate getting a hold of one like in my case, know that community Is tantamount to all things it is the most important part of all of this because to dance alone is not to be an absurdist but it is to be a fool and to be mad the way of the hatter.

Find friends, dance long, go about your life doing what you can to make sure everyone else can have a good time enough so to do the exact same. When you see someone doing things to some other people from further their lives, hurting them systemically or offensively, do as you can. The way of the absurdist is not to stand by and laugh while the world Burns. If you call yourself an absurdist and yet only adhered to that you're nothing but a fool and a coward hiding behind a true name. Stand hand in hand, live laugh love literally as much as it sounds cheesy as fuck, It's the way of the absurdist!

[nintendont2502]

okay ! so

there are two wolves inside me. once is very very happy about getting the confirmed list of fourteen fears. the other is mildly upset to have them just handed to me before i could try and figure out the last ones on my own (tbf. i probably had more than enough time to figure those ones out anddd i just. never did. so yk)

had some theories vaugely confirmed which was sick ! the concept of certain fears inherently opposing one another and others being somewhat aligned, the fears being. well. fears instead of just entities that use the power of fear, and mmmost of my list was accurate? i think the only few i had wrong were the Hunt, the Flesh and the Slaughter which im. not surprised about. also finally getting a name for the Corruption (although that mightve been dropped earlier and i just missed it? idk it seems weird that this was the first fear i ever conclusively knew of/could define and yet i never had a name for it until now) and the Lonely was nice. loved getting a solid idea of what exactly the Unknowing does outside of just vaguely ending the world, and the other fears also having rituals makes sense (i had a vague idea that the Twisting was the Spiral's equivalent to the Unknowing - gertrude being willing to sacrifice people to stop both.... concerning). Also keeping an eye (heh) on the Rite of the Watchers Crown. that feels like its going to be relevant

as always ive just ended up with more questions than answers, which. surprises no one. the main thing im stuck on rn is.,,, when exactly did the Archive binding thing happen? how far back does it go, who does it apply to, who (or what) is doing it (web?). ive been tossing this around for a while, but Gerry mentioning that his dad used to work in the Archives before quitting is. interesting. was the binding after his time? did he work in a non archivist, non-assistant role that isnt bound? is this even a real thing, or is it just elias fucking with everyone? (unlikely! god i can hope) idk. main reason im trying to figure this out is mostly bc im curious if it was around when gertrude worked there, bc if it was - and if she knew about it (and i have no doubt she did)... she was just completely willing to kill everyone in there for "the greater good". just like michael. just like leitner with all his assistants.

idk. i see where shes coming from, on a fucked up universal trolley problem scale, but... i dont trust her. at all

speaking of not trusting. im pretty fucking confident that whatever she has in that storage locker to potentially stop the Unknowing wouldve involved... one of her assistants not having a fantastic time. the way she looked at Gerry. the way she treated Michael. i am Deeply concerned about whatever it is thats in there

im also!! very concerned about jon! literally whats new there, i know, but.... idk. its such a minor thing, but i really dont like this exchange

it. it makes sense. it makes sense that a guy who has literally zero control over every single aspect of his life, whos constantly being controlled and threatened and manipulated and influenced and kidnapped by a thousand different entities, would appreciate having some form of control. if all he can do is force people to tell him things, at least thats something he can use to try and defend himself. but i just.... i dont like it !! i dont like it at all!! it just feels like him taking another step closer to becoming a full avatar. absolute power corrupts absolutely. the more you have, the less of yourself you inherently become. of course he likes being able to force the truth out of people. thats what the Eye wants. and god, i dont think thats a good thing.

he has to do this to stop the Unknowing. he has to be able to Know and See and embody the Eye to stop the Unknowing (and whatever it is thats coming next). he has to become more like Gertrude and Elias to save the world. doesnt mean i cant be deeply deeply fucking concerned about it happening!!

,,or by him bringing Martin and Melanie to whatever's in the storage locker. if im right (if) on what it is and what it entails, thats...... worrying. i dont think hes at the stage where he could just throw someone into the meat grinder like Gertrude did with Michael (and was potentially willing to do with Gerry), but i do think hes a little closer than he was before. and i dont think its a scenario he should be in.

every day he just seems to become more and more distant and becomes less 'Jon' and more 'the Archivist' and iii am. worried. im worried about jon and im worried about martin and melanie in that storage locker and im worried about everyone whos trying to go against Elias and im deeply fucking concerned about whatever it is Tim's planning and whereever it is he's gone (i feel like learning about the Unknowing, being forced to give his statement on his brother + that interaction with Elias pushed him over some line and i,,,, dont think i want to know whats on the other side) and im worried about daisy clearly being affected by something (...the Slaughter...?) and im worried about if (when) Elias will figure out what Basira and Martin are up to and punish them the same way he punished Melanie and im worried about what the fuck else gertudes done and iii am just. im worried. im so worried. now that the fears have all been laid out all i have to do is speculate on whats happening with the plot and its!! not good!

also shoutout to gerry. god i love him. god he deserved so much better.

So. How did mag111 treat you :))

GERRYYYYY,,,,

[peachenle]

captain’s log

pairing: park sunghoon x fem!reader

genre: college!au | fratboy!au | sexual themes (minors DNI)

word count: 8.7k

warnings: lots of drinking, profanity, a tiny bit of sexual content, suggestive language, sunghoon biceps,  y/n is a serial party-goer, fake frats, lots of semi-unhumorous banter, ft le sserafim bc i needed more characters

༄࿔˚✧ synopsis: “If you’re trying to be subtle about checking me out, it’s really not working.” You were too drunk to care, and met his eyes, “Yeah, yeah you caught me. Life’s more fun without subtlety.”

The captain's log is a form of record-keeping used by sailors to keep track of incidents, such as weather, ship sightings, and any other information about the vessel and her passengers.

CAPTAIN’S LOG ENTRY 11:30 pm please I beg of a crumb of pussy

read the continuation of captain’s log here.

It took you approximately 46 seconds to sober up after the first whoop of the sirens outside the house. Red and blue lights peeked through the cardboard panels that were haphazardly stuck in between the blinds of the windows. From the continuing booming music, the thundering steps of the dance floor, and the bumping bodies, you realized you were one of very few to realize that the party was getting rolled. And you did not want to be caught in the mess of policemen shining flashlights into mascara stained faces.

You dragged your friend Yunjin out from the middle of the dance floor, much to her disappointment as she was swaying with one of the execs in the fraternity, and snuck onto the back porch. You two stumbled into a few couples who also had their fun interrupted by the sirens. Yunjin peeked around the side of the house and groaned, “It’s always the NKT parties that get shut down so early. Heeseung and I were finally dancing!”

Seeing her pouty face, you laughed, “And he’s literally the only reason we keep coming back. Their good music cannot justify the sins that occur in that household.” While NKT had some of the wildest hazing stories, their alumni donated well to your university, so it was easy to overlook.

You and Yunjin were crouched by a bush in the house’s side yard. She whispered, “Liar, you were so into President Jeno before…”

You snickered and responded, “Okay, and I still am, but he never comes to parties anymore. Plus, you did not just call him president.”

She laughed. “That’s who he is!”

The music shut off abruptly and you rolled your eyes after hearing screams from the partygoers. That meant most of the officers were likely already in the house yelling at kids to leave, so you and Yunjin quietly went through the side fence of the house to make it into the street.

Frat row wasn’t too far from your shared dorm with Yunjin, so you two opted to trudge through the neighborhood in your short skirts rather than call a taxi. It wasn’t until your head hit the pillow that you realized you were still very drunk. The you of tomorrow morning would not be happy. 

Parties weren’t your thing until Yunjin joined a sorority this year and dragged you to come to a few, and you realized just how fun it was to be the messy one for once. You thought this was her way of trying to lull you into her sisterhood, and whether it actually was or not, you didn’t mind. It was funny to watch the unknowing first year frat pledges hit you with all sorts of philanthropy collab ideas at parties after you lied and introduced yourself as the president or outreach chair of some random sorority.

The next day, a Friday, you woke up with a throbbing migraine and with leftover eyeliner smudged on your pillow. You definitely missed your 10 am tutorial. Much to your surprise, you found Yunjin already awake, typing away at her desk, equipped with a sheet mask. She, too, missed her morning class.

After you returned from a shower, you called out to your roommate, “Wanna hit the dining hall for-” you looked at the clock, showing a valid 12:11pm at this point “-for lunch?”

Yunjin did not bother to look away from her laptop, “Can’t! But can you get me a sandwich or something? I have this killer paper due and I need to finish it before we go out tomorrow.”

You stared at her blankly, not that she would be able to see it, “What do you mean go out? Again?”

She stopped, “Why are you acting surprised?”

“I just assumed you’d want to go out with your sisters or something.”

“You know I prefer you,” she pointed a finger gun at you dramatically, “and you can’t admit that to anyone or else we’d both die. Also, this is a homecoming party of a frat house neither of us have been to yet! I don’t want to miss out.” 

You thought about the long week ahead of you as you shoveled food onto your plate. You forgot to ask where Yunjin was planning on taking you, but it mattered less in comparison to the assignments you wanted to get ahead on before the weekend’s festivities took you completely. While you were wrapping up a sandwich and some food for Yunjin, as if on cue, she texted you.

you remember that Heeseung is in the hockey club right? he just invited us to a party at their house tonight … come thru?

“I think you have a problem, another weekend like this and you’re going to have to pay for my liver transplant,” you said to Yunjin when you returned.

She stuck her tongue at you and threw a crop top your way, “Take this as a gift in return for the food! And you’ll be wearing it tonight, thank you very much.”

---

Midterm season was upon you and with the addition of a frat-not-frat sanctioned event courtesy of Yunjin, you needed to get as much work done as possible. You made a deal with yourself that you’d complete at least one of two of your pending report papers, otherwise, no new frat homecoming party tomorrow.

You managed to find a table by the south side windows of the science library, and laid out your necessary notebook and textbook for the treacherous anthropology report you were about to bullshit the hell out of. Two hours into your frantic typing and at least 30 Google tabs later, you realized that one of the sources you wanted to use was locked online, and all the “legal” databases to surpass the paywall didn't have it available. Upon closer inspection, the source’s website indicated that it was available at certain universities, including yours.

You decided to take a break from typing. Your lingering hangover and the eye strain from your laptop screen were begging for a rest. So you cleaned your table and went to find someone to help you find the book you needed.

There was a crowd of 4 boys around the circulation desk, cackling over things unknown to you, and definitely distracting the boy working at the counter. They were exuding mischief, one of them trying to reach over to clack on a computer, and you recognized the one of them, Jake, jumping to sit on top of the counter. You stood in line, scrolling through your phone as you waited to be called to get help.

The areas of the library where the IT and circ desk were not necessarily meant to be quiet places, but you were surprised the group of boys didn’t get scolded considering how they were holding up the line.

A student walked by and shushed the group, interrupting them as they were doing their best to ruffle the boy’s hair over the counter. They scoffed at the passerby, but lowered their voices. You took this as an opportunity to clear your throat, finally grabbing the attention of the circ desk worker. He offered you a sheepish smile and shooed away his friends. The boy was about a head taller than you, sporting a black distressed long sleeve and now haphazardly messy hair. 

“Oh, sorry babe - didn’t see you there,” snickered one of the boys. He had sharp features and a confident smirk. The group stepped backward to let you through to the counter.

The boy behind the counter shot the other guy a glare after that comment and ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry about my friends; how can I help you?” 

You fought the urge to roll your eyes and shoot a glare yourself, choosing to ignore the group. “Seems like you're new here or something. They seem to be excited to visit you.” You glanced pointedly, as two of the guys had their phones out, likely taking a picture of their friend.

The boy extended a hand out to try to cover his exasperated face from their photos.

You continued, holding up your phone to reveal a screenshot from the library website, “Wondering if this book was still available?” The boy squinted and nodded silently, typing away on his computer to look it up.

“Yeah, it is. We have one copy on the 4th floor. Are you familiar with how the books are sorted here?”

“Honestly no, I usually use stuff online, so this would be the first time I check out something from the library.”

The boy smiled in understanding, then glanced between you, his friends - now distracted by a couple girls you recognized from Yunjin’s sorority, and the empty line behind you. “I can help you find it, if you’d like?”

You gave him a small smile, “Yes, that’d be really helpful.” 

“Sunghoon, by the way. And you were right, it's technically my first day off of training,” he said as he met you on the other side of the counter, by the elevators. Seeing him up close, there was no point in denying that he was cute, especially with the furrow in his brow he wore due to the thought of his friends. His friend group were still talking to the girls, one of them with an arm shamelessly around one of their waists. Sunghoon looked exhausted, but amused, just looking at them.

You laughed as you introduced yourself too. “Don’t worry, I get it. My roommate ate at my old part-time job every day I was working for the first month. Just try not to let them get you fired,” you advised jokingly.

The conversation between Sunghoon and you flowed smoothly. Over hushed whispers through the library shelves, you learned he transferred to your university that semester, and was studying Kinesiology. 

“It’s kind of a jock major, I was surprised,” he muttered as he ran his fingers over the spines of some books, turning his head sideways to read the titles.

You frowned, “Why? You don’t play sports?”

“It’s not that, I just wasn’t expecting to have to take activity classes. It’s like high school P.E. all over again.” 

Even though he was matching the library volume, Sunghoon was soft spoken, and he was funny without trying. You explained how you were studying Human Biology with a minor in anthropology, and he picked at your brain about the paper you were writing.

“No, Sunghoon, sociology and anthro are not the same.”

He was quiet for a moment. “Wait really? I took a socio class before and it’s literally what you’re describing.”

“I think you should stick to your kines classes.”

Sunghoon hummed. “We’d probably take some physio classes together, I reckon?” He suggested, realizing the science similarities in your degrees.

“Oh! Yeah, you’re right.” Judging on how well you two were talking even in this short amount of time, you added, “Maybe we can study together or something.”

A pause.

Sunghoon was distracted, squinted behind you at something. You bit your lip to try to ignore the disappointed pang in your chest and your internal facepalm for trying to make a pass at the cute boy from the circ desk. Following his gaze, you realized that he had found the book you two were looking for.

Your mild small talk continued during the walk back to the circ desk, and you exchanged goodbyes after he assisted in checking out the book for you, his group of friends no longer in sight.

“Hope I’ll see you around,” Sunghoon waved.

You spent the rest of the afternoon holed up at your desk in your dorm room, typing, flipping through pages, and blasting audible adderall playlists out loud. And from the corner of your eye, you could see that Yunjin was doing the exact same.

The two of you finished around the same time, and decided to bring food from the dining hall into your dorm to eat while you and a couple of Yunjin’s sisters pregamed for the night. You decided to omit your encounter with a cute boy in the library while you guys were discussing your afternoons.

Yunjin was laughing, “We were literally so crazy, rapid fire typing next to each other while Y/N’s stupid Mario Kart songs were playing.”

Mouth full with pizza, you argued, “Don’t act like that music didn’t help us finish our papers. This could’ve been avoided, but you want to drink at every opportunity possible.”

She mocked your tone, “Don’t act like you don’t feel the same!”

The other girls, Chaewon and Kazuha, giggled at your dynamic, and poured everyone another round of shots.

---

The hockey club was basically a fraternity of its own, Chaewon explained to you as you all arrived, just less exclusive. It was a place for brothers in different frats to have their own camaraderie between each other, and their parties were open to anyone. You could feel the vibrations of the music’s bass in your ribcage.

As you three pushed through the crowd into the kitchen, Yunjin off to find Heeseung, Kazuha pitched in, “I heard one of the players that just graduated agreed to supply all the alc tonight.” You stared at the tubs of jungle juice and the tens of lingering bottles on the back counter. Even the sink was filled with beers and seltzers.

“He must be fucking rich,” Chaewon yelled over the music.

“Mark definitely comes from a wealthy family,” shouted a voice next to you. You turned and realized it was a boy from the library, one of Sunghoon’s friends. He smiled, and leaned in closer to make sure you heard each other, “Library, right?”

You did your best to ignore the two piercing stares behind your head from your girl friends, and nodded. He was dressed in a sailors outfit, white yacht cap and all. You could smell the whiskey from his breath.

“Jay,” he extended a hand to each of your friends and flashed Chaewon the same confident smirk you saw at the library. “Would you all like a drink?”

“Y/N.” You shook his hand and despite the alcohol flowing in your veins, you replied, “I think we know better to not accept drinks from strangers.” 

He teasingly frowned, “Hey, we’re on a first name basis; I’d think we’re at least friends now. Right?”

Chaewon gently nudged you with her elbow, sending you a hint. “Surprise us,” she said.

You took a deep breath before downing the cocktail Jay put together, a mix of coke and Hennessey. Mark, whoever he was, really was rich.

Safe to say it was just you and Kazuha left for this part of the night; you didn’t mind when your friends found boys to dance with, there was plenty of alcohol and music for you to have fun yourself. At some point in the night, Chaewon wove herself back through the crowd to find you two, her hair a little displaced and more intoxicated than you last saw her. She brushed it off as “It’s hot in here!” even though you caught a glimpse of her following a boy in a yacht cap. You left the dance floor to find the bathroom, heading to the front of the house where you saw a line of people before.

The music was quieter here, though the front of the house was still crowded with people cheering and laughing, at least you felt like you could hear your own thoughts again. 

You cringed seeing the line of people all waiting for the bathroom. Desperately, you looked around a couple hallways for another open bathroom, but all other doors and staircases in the house sectioned off with caution tape. There were too many drinks in your body, you had to go. 

“Now it looks like you’re the one new here.”

You turned around to meet eyes with Sunghoon’s neck, he was awfully close. He took a half step back upon seeing your surprised eyes, but gave you a smile.

“I didn’t know you were in the hockey club?” 

“I know the guys - a bunch of jocks in my classes, remember?” Sunghoon looked more relaxed. His outfit looked identical to Jay’s, also sporting the yacht hat. You could see that his hair was now styled and less messy than what you had seen in the library earlier. And considering the heat of the house and your own sweat that clung to your forehead, you were surprised to still catch a whiff of his cologne. His white shirt was loosely buttoned, revealing several inches of his chest, his skin smooth. Sunghoon leaned down to whisper, “If you’re trying to be subtle about checking me out, it’s really not working.” He smelled strongly of coconut rum, explaining his boldness.

You were too drunk to care, and looked him right in his eyes, “Yeah, yeah you caught me. Life’s more fun without subtlety.” You grinned, “So what’s with the outfits?”

“The boys wanted to match, Naughty Nautical was their wording,” he shook his head with a smile. He noticed the quirk of your eyebrow, “and no, I’m still not on the team.” Sunghoon motioned to a long strip of poster paper hanging on a wall by a clock near the stairs. He pulled you towards it to get a better look at what was written. “You didn’t see the ship decor?”

---

CAPTAIN’S LOG

10:05 pm - You must refer to each player as Captain or Sailor tonight, or you will be kicked out. 

10:06 pm - HOUSE SHOT 

10:07 - TEAM SHOT

10:10 - LADIES SHOT HAHA

~

    10:32 - Tri Delt is here!! <3 :)

10:33p  who asked -Heeseung BRUH LMAO -jake

10:46 - HOUSE SHOT NUMBER IDK :D 

10:52PM - ur gonna regret letting the freshman riki in >:)

10:58 pm - Riki just ate shit on the stairs -JW

~

11:12 pm - FUCK I MISSED 11:11, but I still wish for pu$$y

    11:20pm - LOL Same.

11:23 pm- i a m drunk ..

11:30 pm please I beg of a crumb of puss for my boy Jay please add him on snap here: jjongseong420

You reach over to scribble something on the log too.

12:34 AM - where is the bathroom

Sunghoon laughed and offered a hand for you to take. You were surprised that his fingers intertwined with yours, Am I about to get laid tonight? you drunkenly thought to yourself.

Sunghoon lifted a strip of caution tape for you to duck your head under first, before following suit himself. You let go of his hand to grip the stairs’ side rail and heard him stifle a laugh or two behind you as you stumbled up. The first bathroom you two encountered was unlocked and you quickly shut it as soon as you opened it. You clenched your eyes and paused for a second to convince yourself that you did not just witness your best friend’s naked limbs woven between those of the frat boy she’s been talking about for the past couple of days.

Sunghoon didn’t take the hint and laughed out loud, “Holy shit, was that Heeseung?”

“I think I’ll need another drink after that. Maybe a whole bottle.” Sunghoon kept laughing at that.

After finding an actual available bathroom, you found Sunghoon waiting for you, typing on his phone with one hand, and carrying an unopened bottle of Malibu in the other.

“Ask and you shall receive,” he smiled, raising the bottle when he noticed you stepped out.

Your eyes widened, “Jesus, I didn’t mean I wanted to actually drink a whole bottle.”

“No, stupid,” Sunghoon chuckled. He was certainly more playful when he was drunk. “I was going to share this with you, and offer you to take the rest home.”

You rolled your eyes, but smiled. “Well, at least you chose my favorite.” Your hearing was a bit muffled after making it somewhere where the beats of the songs didn’t ring your eardrums. “This house is nice enough to have a balcony somewhere, right?”

Sunghoon nodded, “Follow me.”

The balcony was accessed through one of the bedrooms down the hall, you stared at the width of Sunghoon’s shoulders as you walked behind him. You didn’t say much as you two sat on the bench outside, overlooking the front yard. There were other patrons loitering outside, a beer pong table set up, and a couple or two making out by the fences. The midnight breeze lightly shook the branches within your reach.

Sunghoon was pretty much a stranger for all you knew, yet you didn’t mind letting him take you through the house. At least he was a very cute stranger, he seemed different from the other boys you’ve met at parties so far. By now, considering you two had been alone for a while, any other boy would probably have tried to stick his tongue in your mouth. And yet, the conversation continued as smoothly as before, or well as smoothly as a pair of intoxicated students could manage. Sunghoon talked about a story or two about some of his friends, and you told him about why you chose to pursue your minor in addition to medicine.

“It’s just fun to get away from the quantitative stuff, and learn more about the human experience,” you babbled. “I want to apply to this abroad program in Prague, where you spend 2 weeks on an archeology site.”

Sunghoon stared at you, amused, “It’s kind of ironic that you wanna dig up dead bodies, while learning how to treat live ones.”

You bumped his shoulder with yours, and watched as Sunghoon took a couple more swigs right from the bottle before offering it to you, letting his fingers graze yours for a couple seconds too long. You could still feel the rage of the party downstairs, and you found it nice to be away from the center of it.

“So, do you at least play hockey with them? Or is your friendship with the team solely professional and from class?”

Sunghoon smiled, “No, not a hockey person. We’re solely transactional, I do well on our group projects, and they give me free alc.”

You nodded, seemed reasonable to you.

He made a face at how you accepted that so quickly, “But no, yeah, I also help them train. I’m an assistant coach on the side? At the rink downtown?”

“I know our hockey team is mostly composed of skinny boys, which is already unusual… But you?” Your eyes traced down his slim figure, “A coach?”

He poked your forehead, “Hey, I know my way around a puck better than half those guys. But nah, I figure skate. Help kids break into their first set of skates. But with the team, it’s usually to help with movement, speed training.”

“Damn, I didn’t think you could get any hotter,” you blurted out, honestly surprised. Usually you’d feel at least some regret admitting that, but the way Sunghoon’s ears burned red? Priceless.

“It’s not something I really admit; I got teased a bit before I got close to the guys. Had to score a couple goals against those bastards before I got them to admit a triple axel was cooler than any dekes they’ve learned.” He smiled faintly.

“You finished your paper, yeah?” You let him change the subject a couple beats later.

“Yup, that book really helped.” Sunghoon lulled his head around with the faint music, “I was just cruising right after we found it.”

“Hmm, I feel like I deserve a reward for helping you.” You know what, maybe you were a bit wrong about Sunghoon. Maybe it was the alcohol, but he didn’t seem that soft spoken as when you met him earlier that day. You were suddenly aware of how much his leg burned against yours.

“I mean, I can think of some ways,” you slurred, the liquid confidence drawing out each syllable, the words leaving your mouth before you could think of the cringe it would cause you the next morning. Sunghoon was unabashedly staring at your lips and you couldn’t resist yourself from smiling. Maybe he wasn’t so different, but you didn’t mind.

It was he who made the first move, his hand pressing lightly on your thigh as he leaned towards you. You fluttered your eyes shut, fully anticipating his lips against yours, only to open your eyes in confusion a few seconds later after nothing. He was biting his lip to not burst out laughing, his hand now stroking the top of your thigh. “Sorry, I just- it’s fun to tease.”

You squinted your eyes at him, and pulled his hand off your thigh. His eyes widened as you moved to straddle him, the poor bottle of Malibu tipping over to flavor the balcony with coconut.  “Try to tease me again and you’ll see.” 

Any ounce of his playfulness was erased, one hand rushing to grab your hip and the other reaching for the side of your face. He sealed his lips over yours and you eagerly tangled your fingers in his hair, knocking over his stupid boat captain hat.

You felt his tongue press into your mouth and you let him in, your lips moving messily against his. You let out a groan as his hips grinded underneath you and you felt him smile.

You held onto a shoulder and one of his biceps, feeling it tense as he pushed your ass further down onto him. His other hand moved from your jaw to the front of your neck and you let out a loud whine; this time Sunghoon pulled away with a short chuckle, cocky as hell, whispering, “Be careful. The people under the balcony might hear you.”

“Jeez, Sunghoon, are you an exhibitionist or something?” You teased.

His fingers, now brushing the front of your throat. Under the dim light of the moonlight you could see the swell of Sunghoon’s parted lips. He playfully rolled his eyes and scoffed, but said nothing.

You smirked and continued, “I only want you to hear.” And you swore you felt Sunghoon throb under you.

He picked you up, which seemed easy for him, given his arms, and carried you back into the bedroom - whose ever it was. He reconnected your lips, a hand sliding underneath your skirt as soon as your back hit the sheets of the bed. You pushed him off for a second, your hands clumsily reaching for the buttons of his shirt, eager to feel what was underneath. He watched as you traced your hands up his now bare chest, and you pulled him back in. He pulled the strap of your tank down, exposing more of you as he traced his lips, then his tongue, down your skin. You felt the graze of his teeth and you drew in a sharp breath.

Though you had to help him with the clasp of your bra with a giggle from you and a shut up from him, his tongue moved expertly over your chest. Sunghoon’s other hand pressing into you over your panties, and as he began to tug on them to free you, you couldn’t help but push your hips up to rush him, eager for his touch.

And as you felt his fingers slip inside of you, the door swung open, another busy pair of bodies stumbling towards the bed. And, obviously in the darkness, you screamed, but so did Sunghoon. And so did the other couple. “Wait… Sunghoon?” The guy said, his voice sounding surprised and almost proud?

Surely you couldn’t show your face at the hockey house anymore after this, you thought to yourself as you hurriedly clothed yourself, thankful you were only topless.

It was your first time getting walked in on, and considering what you witnessed earlier that night, at least you and Yunjin had a common story to laugh about tomorrow morn- err afternoon. After pushing out of the bedroom, Sunghoon, however, was still burning red, maybe from the alcohol, but also the embarrassment. You laughed as you poked his cheeks.

“Well, I guess you should be out there with your friends, doing keg stands or something?” You asked.

He chuckled too, thankful you were nonchalant about everything, and leaned down to kiss you again. His lips were gentle this time, and still sweet from the liquor. He held your hand as you headed down the stairs together. Your activities sobered you up so you two headed to the kitchen for more fuel, finding Yunjin and the other girls. After a couple more drinks with your girls, you didn’t even notice that Sunghoon had left your side at some point. Craning your neck over the still plenty of dancing bodies, you frowned, unable to see his tall self.

Yunjin noticed your disappointment, side eyeing the crowd as well. “Who was that guy you came down with?”

“Just met him today, he’s no one I guess.”

---

CAPTAIN’S LOG

1:32a WHO TOOK MY FUCKING LEFT SHOE -yangyang :(

1:40am - I have a small peen -jisung (Delta Rho Pledge Class)

2:02a - LOL YO SUNGHOON VIRGINITY IS NO MORE! VIRGIN

2:20am - ^ NO FUCKIN WAY HOON???

2:33 am - ^  IT WAS ME I TOOK IT LOL -JAKE

  WAIT THE SHOE NOT THE VIRGINITY

---

And again, you and Yunjin opted for stumbling through the dark neighborhood back to the dorms instead of calling a cab, the other girls begrudgingly joining you.

Yunjin slurred, “I can’t wait for the morning recap later,” her body landing on her bed with a soft thud.

You giggled at the thought of it too, although you frowned at the memory of Sunghoon leaving you in the middle of the night. It wasn’t wrong of you to be disappointed that he didn't want to continue what you had started, right? You thought of your conversations throughout the night, and even in the morning when you had first met him, wondering if you said something wrong. You grumbled in bed, bothered by how he made you question yourself, even though he knew you for less than a day. Just another night at a party, you convinced yourself, before drifting to sleep.

You woke up nauseous, your instincts kicking you out of bed to run to the toilet. After seemingly endless minutes of gagging and thoughts of regret, you lifted your face out of the toilet to see Yunjin in the doorway, looking at you pointedly.

“Damn, you had fun,” you muttered, letting out a pained giggle after seeing the marks on her neck.

She scoffed, helping you up from the floor to stand behind you in the mirror. “Look at yourself.” While not as dark or as many as hers, you traced a finger where some red bruises were trailing your collar.

After a hot shower and plenty of water, you met up with the other girls at the dining hall for breakfast. Yunjin and Chaewon were obnoxiously laughing, recounting the story about some freshman tumbling down the stairs in a Sailor Moon costume. 

Chaewon laughed, and paused to think. “I learned that I might not be into roleplay as much as I thought.”

“No…” You glanced around, looking out for any eavesdroppers.

“He kept the hat on and referred to himself as Captain before he went down on me.”

Yunjin gagged. “My biggest takeaway from last night? I guess, him… the biggest…”

It was your turn to gag.

The other girls continued to pry for more detail, and you got up to get some more water before they could pounce on you for your story. Your headache was pretty much gone at this point, but the nauseous feeling lingered. You spotted a boy with dark hair by the drink station and felt your nausea take a turn.

“Hey,” you gave Jake a small smile. He was in your major, so you had chatted with him a few times in some shared classes. “Was wondering if you knew how that freshman was doing?”

Jake turned and looked at you, and snorted as he tapped on his phone to bring up an image of the poor child, Riki, he told you was his name, tumbling down the stairs in a skirt. “The attention he’s getting from that is distracting him from his concussion.” He tapped again to show a Snapchat story of the boy himself, the tools of a hospital examination room behind him, with the caption i’m ok. “See you at the HYB house tonight? I’ll make sure there's enough Malibu,” he flashed you a vague smile and walked off. 

You frowned as you made your way back to your table, eager stares from the girls. “My night was uneventful! My takeaway is that it is far more fun to dance with you guys, than to be off in the corner with some guy,” you stated as you sat down. It was true - hookups weren’t ever on your party itineraries. Kazuha and Chaewon cheered you for that, but you met your best friend’s eyes and knew she was going to spare you just this time.

Jake’s comment bugged you the rest of the meal and continued through the rest of the afternoon, as you tidied your room and finished a bit of schoolwork. Give it up for frat boys to talk about you as soon as you part ways.

Since there was always room for school work to be completed, you decided to squeeze in some time at your usual library spot. As you passed the circulation desk, you half-heartedly snuck a peek to check who was working. For better or for worse, not who you were looking for.

The rest of the afternoon was less eventful, no need for Mario Party music to help you get through the last bits of a paper. Tonight’s pregame squad was larger than last time’s, with the inclusion of Kazuha’s classmate Sunoo and his best friend, the villain of the other night, Riki.

Yunjin groaned, “Are you sure they’ll even let you in?” She gave you a look that screamed, can you believe this kid? And you just laughed because forcing beef with a freshman was not something you were expecting to see from her tonight.

Riki squinted at her, “I know you. And I’m closer to Heeseung-hyung than you think, so you better watch it.” 

Yunjin cleared her throat, “Alright, fine, but if they close the door on your face? I’m not gonna turn back.” Riki faked a smile and continued to sip from his solo cup.

The rest of your friends were finishing their makeup, taking shots, and obnoxiously laughing. “You know,” Yunjin pulled you to the side, “You never explained who you were really with last night.”

“You know it’s a peeve of mine to share everything I do with boys.” 

“Hey! I’m just wondering if I need to keep an eye out for someone, in a good or a bad way.”

“Park Sunghoon, another kines major and groupie of the hockey team.”

Yunjin nodded slowly, obvious she was wracking her brain through all her social circles to determine what she knew of him. “Newest HYB pledge. Transfer. Ridiculously good looking and a rare attendee of HYB events - he barely rushed but he got a bid because everyone liked him so much anyway.” She paused, “I’ll err on the side of red flag since he’s too incognito in Greek, but he’s hot so just have fun?”

“Not sure if I’m going to try to indulge in that again. Didn’t even know he was in the frat. He seemed… like he thought he was above that mentality.” Yunjin gave you a side-squeeze, and a couple more glugs of her vodka concoction into your cup. 

“He sure as hell looks the part though. That’s what makes ‘em fun.”

The HYB house was larger than any frat home you’d stumbled your way into. It included a nice, curved driveway - now crowded with shivering bodies - and a stairway entrance. Several signs, - in the chic-est of spray paint on bedsheet - cursing out your university rival, lined the top floor’s windows. And much to your chagrin, considering the run-in you had today, you saw that Jake was one of the door guys.

Your friends were going over the plan on how to get Riki in, “They’ve been begging Sunoo to rush HYB, so if they come in a pair, surely they couldn’t turn him down,” Kazuha rationalized.

Chaewon was doubtful, “Boy doesn’t know his tolerance, they might see him as a liability.”

“Can’t you just pass the door guy a couple bills and call it a night?”

“Bitch, I’m literally broke. If they say no, I’ll just sneak in from the side.”

“Well, well, well.” Jake looked your group up and down with a smirk. “Now y’all look like a bunch of troublemakers. Wait,” his eyes locked onto Riki, who was (mind you, 6 ft tall) subtly hiding behind Sunoo. “You ladies can go in, but I’m gonna have to ask about the boys.”

Sunoo rolled his eyes, “Look, we brought three girls, surely the ratio will be fine.”

“Hey Sunoo, I’m jus-”

Yunjin pulled you into the house, and hissed “I said I would not look back and I meant it.”

You were astonished by the glory of the inside. The historic style of the outside contrasted with the dark and sleek minimalism of the inside. They had invested in Real Quality strobe lights and a dedicated raised platform for the DJ set. The girls reflected your awe just the same.

HAPPY HOMECOMING was spelled out in much nicer fashion, on poster paper rather than bedsheet, along the second floor ledge.

Due to the nature of the event, the kitchen - just as pristine and sleek as the front of the house - was filled to the brim with bottles and fiending students. Frat boys were behind the island dishing out drinks.

“Heeseung’s not coming?” You asked Yunjin. 

She shook her head, “His frat’s having a party at their house too, but this house is far nicer so naturally I chose HYB.” And judging by the line you saw outside and the amount of bodies pressing against you, so did everyone else.

An older looking boy even introduced himself to your group, a sober safety bro as he said, and offered a hit of his vape.

You’d be lying if you said that the possibility of Sunghoon being here (which was at least 90%) didn’t kind of bother you. Even amidst the dance floor, your eyes did an occasional scan of the perimeter. If it was paranoia or hope, you couldn’t tell the difference. You saw your genetics TA, some girls from your dorm suite, and, wait, is that Riki helping out the DJ?

Even Chaewon noticed your scanning and shoved her cup in your face, a universal signal to chill out, and enjoy the night. 

It was a good time for a refill. The crowd to get drinks was less packed, but still full enough to block your vision of who was pouring.

You were using your front camera to fix an eyelash before realizing you had made your way to the front. Your vision of your reflection was immediately replaced with the embarassed? expression of Sunghoon as soon as you put your phone down.

“What can I get for you?” He slightly yelled over the music.

“Rum and Coke,” You heard yourself stammer, and hoped it would be mistaken for a drunk stumble.

Sunghoon nodded. “Yes, mommy,” he visibly cringed as you blinked at him. “Ugh, sorry, the pledges have to call the girls that tonight.” He turned around to pour your drink. You, too, turned to look the other way.

If it was any other guy, you’d be laughing, but seeing him again made you feel awkward enough already. The addition of frat pledge hazing was NOT helping.

“Here you go,” Sunghoon passed you the cup. And you stared at the clear liquid inside.

“This isn’t-“

“It’s Malibu,” he said with a smile and turned to help the next person in line.

Your many drinks later helped soothe you to your normal self, enjoying the moment with closed eyes, swaying your body next to your friends’. 

At some point you and Yunjin decided to take a break from the dance floor and explore the house. “Some of Heeseung’s bros are banned from this house so they asked for pictures,” she whispered, ungracefully taking pictures of semi-occupied hallways and rooms with flash. You were so embarrassed for her.

She snickered going through the ones she just took. “This photo is so creepy; there’s a guy just sitting in this room alone, like a stalker.” The irony zipped above her head.

You two began to make your way back to the action. The DJ was hyping up the house, the music stopped - getting everyone to chant profanities about your rival school. Yunjin quickly rejoined the crowds, leaving you to stroll in through the kitchen without her.

You watched the back of Sunghoon’s figure as he poured a drink for himself, then raised his cup with the rest of the party in a cheer. He was so good-looking, even from behind.

Your mind reeled, you two hooked up and surely anyone would be willing to continue what… (rather, who) didn’t finish, right? Maybe it was self indulging, maybe it was the alcohol, but you didn’t want to stop your gravitation towards him. It was past 2am, surely you waited long enough.

“Hey again,” you said simply, tapping him on the shoulder.

“Hello, mo- Oh. Hey, Y/N.” He sighed.

You withheld your cringe. “Didn’t know you were a pledge,” you half lied (You knew.. you just learned a few hours prior!).

You were thankful that the people coming into the kitchen for refills were grabbing beers, rather than asking for mixed drinks. Sunghoon’s avoiding eyes told you he felt differently.

“It’s still a new development to me.” He was being so awkward, unlike the ramble-y, giggling Sunghoon you were with less than 24 hours ago.

 “Am I speaking to Park Sunghoon, or did I meet someone entirely different last night?” You blurted out.

He offered you a polite smile, “Sorry, I just don’t really know how to go about this.”

Oh god. He was going to give you a rejection speech - a babble about how one night is one night, and how he isn’t interested in anything more. Your heart panged, were you getting desperate? Sure, you met him only yesterday, but getting ghosted already - he barely gave you any time to even recover.

He took your hand to pull you to a quieter side of the room. “Alright, if you’re not interested anymore I get it, I’m an adult, you can be straight up.”

“No! It’s not that,” Sunghoon stared at your sleeve. “It’s just that I wasn’t sure how to act… hooking up with someone at a party isn’t at all my type of thing.” 

You resisted to quirk your brow at Sunghoon-the-alleged-not-frat-bro, frat bro. He noticed you were waiting for him to continue.

“And you… seemed like the opposite. I thought that you’d probably just leave me behind, so I decided it best to leave first.”

“I go for the music, the chaos, not the boys,” you shook your head. “But, I was kind of confused that you didn’t want to… continue?”

“Sorry for abruptly leaving, I didn’t really know what to say. Plus we were already walked in on, the guys are like helicopters over pledges - they’ll figure out everything so I - I don’t know - wasn’t sure I wanted to involve you.” He scratched his head, “I wasn’t expecting you’d come try to talk to me again.”

“Wow, Park Sunghoon, woman respecter, protecting me from the frat boy gossip.” You quipped. “You failed by the way, Jake made a comment to me earlier.”

He rolled his eyes and groaned - “It’s because of that stupid captain’s log. You should see the rest of it - Jungwon documented everything I swear.” Sunghoon stopped to look at your blank face, “I’m not giving a good explanation, am I?”

You shrugged.

“Fine. Let me make it up to you.”

You thought to yourself, now am I getting laid?

Sunghoon intertwined his fingers with yours again and you followed behind him this time up the staircase. The HYB stairs were tile, far smoother than your unsteady walk could handle. Sunghoon laughed at you, “If you’re like this walking on land, I wonder how you’d be on figure skates.”

“Are you suggesting you’d want to see me in public and on skates? And not in the haze of a dingy frat party?” You feigned surprise.

Sunghoon snickered, “Hey, our house is the least dingy in all of Greek.” He smiled again, “And yeah, I’d be down to see you without an absurd amount of coconut rum.”

You ignored the sirens going off in your brain about getting more involved with someone unpredictable like him, Yunjin’s just have fun, echoing in your head.

He unlocked a room’s door, revealing a typical single, dark bed sheets matching dark curtains. You noticed a few trophies on a shelf. Sunghoon frantically picked up stray clothes, “Sorry I don’t really, bring people back.” He looked at you as you leaned against the door frame for support, “Wait. You’ve had way more drinks than I have. I think we should just watch a movie? I set up pretty good speakers, my surround sound is elite.”

You snorted, “Woman respecter, certified.” You removed your shoes and climbed into his bed. The soft sheets felt good against your skin, the spinning of the room felt more obvious with your new position. The bed dipped as Sunghoon joined next to you, equipped with his laptop. The sirens in your head went off again as he slid an arm under you, pulling your heavy head against his chest. He still smelled of cologne - a tinge of spilled orange juice and fruity smoke, clinging gently on his shirt. You were more conscious of how you smelled to him, of coconut and pure sweat, most likely. Sunghoon gently rested his head atop yours. Oh god, there was no way he wasn’t breathing you in now.

Sunghoon mumbled, “You okay? Need water?” He was aimlessly scrolling through his front page of Netflix. You shook your head, then laughed pointing out Megamind under his Watch It Again list. He sat up, trying to cover his other recommendations that were all along the line of family movies. “It was for nostalgia, okay!”

You wrestled with his arm, revealing more of his lists. “Monster House I can get behind, but Boss Baby? Really?” He wrestled back, before he closed his laptop, suppressing his own embarrassed laughter with fake seriousness. Sunghoon climbed on top of you, lightly pinning your wrists against his sheets.

“You talk mad shit for someone who told me they listen to Mario Party music unironically.” You gasped.

“I did not tell you that! Plus, I’d rather be caught listening to Mario KART music, than watching a movie about a baby in a suit.”

Judging by Sunghoon’s expression, you knew you won that argument. He continued, “I might have asked around about you.”

You smirked, “Stalker, are we?” Then you realized, how did other people know that about you?

Sunghoon rolled his eyes, and decided against a comeback. He dipped his head to seal his lips over yours. He let go of your wrists, opting to grasp your chin with one of his hands, as his other supported his weight above you. You eagerly moved your lips against his, sighing.

Shamelessly, you mumbled against his mouth, “Couldn’t stop thinking about this.” Your arms wrapped behind his neck, tugging him closer to you.

You felt Sunghoon’s shoulders stiffen, as your lips trailed downwards, eager to trace lines against his jaw again.

“Hey,” he whispered. Your hand followed down the front of his chest, prying at the edge of his collar. “Hey-,” Sunghoon repeated, louder. He let out a soft groan, before you pulled away, satisfied.

“What?” you whispered, exasperated.

“If this is all you want from me, I can’t do that.” He said seriously. “I don’t want to just hook up with you, plus you drank too much.” 

You cleared your throat. He was right, though he was just as playful, he seemed quite sober. Sunghoon resumed, “I’d like to just spend time with you, but if you’re seeking something else - no hard feelings.” You saw a gentle pout along his lips. You heard him, but you couldn’t resist placing a kiss against that pout.

“No! I don’t just want to sleep with you…” You looked at him, maybe the sirens going off in your head were just a false alarm. “Just promise you won’t ditch me?”

You felt his neck burn up, if it wasn’t for the room barely being illuminated by his digital clock on the wall, you knew his face would be flushed red. “It’d be hard to leave, considering we’re literally in my room,” he joked. He placed a kiss on the side of your mouth before lying back next to you, his arm sliding back under your head.

You giggled as you watched him quickly scroll past his Netflix recommendations, instead pulling up the anime genre page. 

Eventually agreeing on watching Saiki K, Sunghoon’s gentle shaking from his quiet laughter began to lull you to sleep. Your last thoughts before sleep consumed you was how sweaty you felt with Sunghoon’s body heating you up, how you forgot to text Yunjin back about your whereabouts, and how criminal it was for someone to still smell so damn good.

Those thoughts were also the first ones that came to you as morning struck.

Much to your surprise, your head didn’t hurt, probably thanks to the water Sunghoon basically force fed you during the second episode. His arm was still under you, but he was now turned to face you, his other arm lightly draped over your frame - effectively trapping you in his arms.

You weren’t complaining. 

Slowly, and quietly, you slid your hand to grab your phone in your back pocket. The most recent text from Yunjin, wear protection xx, with a selfie of her and RIki making kissing faces at the camera. Looks like their beef was relieved, you couldn’t help but to laugh out loud.

Sunghoon dipped his face deeper into your hair and neck, with a soft groan as if to shut you up.

Panic set in. You had to get out of there and shower. It would be an absolute disservice to this gorgeous man to keep allowing him to breathe you in.

You tried to shake him awake, Sunghoon pulled you tighter. You blinked at the intimacy of it all, sure he almost had his fingers inside you the other night but this felt far closer. It was pulling at your heart strings.

“Hoon, wake up, I’m stinky.”

Sunghoon mumbled, “I don’t mind.”

“Gross… I have to get to class.”

“Liar, Yunjin told me you have afternoon classes today.”

“Yunjin?” That woke him up.

He slightly pulled away, “I might have… inquired.”

You couldn’t hold back a satisfied smile. “Wow, I’ve known you for a weekend. This has to be a new record for me.”

Sunghoon brushed a few hairs out of your face. “You know, we actually met at the club fair last month.”

You tilted your head in confusion, “No, there’s no way - I definitely would have remembered you.” It was his turn to grin.

He bit his lip, “Well, it was more like I signed your friend’s petition, but you were at the table too. I was with Jake, you two were going over a lecture. You were too engrossed in genes or whatever, so I guess you didn’t notice.”

You hummed, “That lecture was so bad… Jake and I shared notes that night.” You watched Sunghoon’s now shy expression. “So a month, huh?” Maybe Sunghoon was a green flag.

Sunghoon covered his face with a hand, then teased, “Don’t forget you were all over me last night, practically begging for me.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“No, I think you just can’t remember with all that alcohol you drank.”

You squinted at his smug face, “Shall we call a truce?”

“Only if you let me take you out tonight.”

Tracing a finger along his jaw, you whispered, “That sounds reasonable.”

He grinned, placing a kiss on your cheek before getting up out of bed.

“Alright, I’ll take you home. Lord knows someone needs a shower.”

You pulled him back in bed to try to smother him with a pillow. He escaped quickly, laughing at your attempt and opting to practically pick you up. Sunghoon held your hand, leading you out of the remnants of the HYB house, only letting go for a moment to open the car door for you.

His hand found its way a top your thigh as he drove towards your dorm. 

When he parked, you grabbed his phone from the cupholder, holding it out so he could punch in his passcode. Sunghoon grinned as you sent yourself a text.

“I’ll pick you up at 6?” He offered.

You returned his smile with a chaste kiss, “See you then.”