#how is he so beautiful and handsome and majestic and perfect and amazing and stunning and amazing

[mortallydarktragedy]

I can't stop staring at this photo, it's so bad I had to make it my homescreen and now I open my phone just to look at it 😭

[thirsty-lakedream]

The Renaissance Fair Champion

The echoes of clashing metal on metal excited the crowds as the two men in the pit fought for ultimate glory. One of the two, a handsome brunette who was barely wearing anything, parried the thrusts of his opponent with agile precision. Finally, with one powerful swing, he disarmed the other man wearing clunky chain mail, his weapon flying across the arena. The crowd could hardly contain themselves as the champion protected his title of blade master of the Renaissance Fair.

The man playing the king of the court waved his hand to address the show-goers. “And the winner of this duel, the fearless knight who is so brave he refuses to wear much armor, Anthony the Strong!” 

The hunk raised his sword in the air basking in the glory. The sweat on his body made a glisten that one may believe he was a god among men, with the skills to boot. 

After the show was done, ‘Anthony’ retired to a private tent for the renaissance actors to take a break after their shows. He set his sword on the table, taking a seat on a stool to strip off his arm and leg guards, the only thing he wore to his battles. Staring at himself in the mirror, he couldn’t help but get a hard-on with his own chiseled appearance. It wasn’t every day he looked this hot, he could probably get anyone he wanted with this killer body and winning grin. No wonder the people playing Anthony never wore any body-mail, because who would want to hide pecs like these?

“Kevin, amazing job out there!” Another man wearing regal medieval cloth stormed into the tent, happy that his show went perfectly as planned.

“Thanks, it was a blast. Did you hear the crowd, they couldn’t get enough of Anthony.” He kissed his massive biceps.

“You mean you, that was all you out there! Listen, I know you’ve been on the fence about joining us on our fair circuit, but you're the best Anthony we’ve had in quite a while. What do you think about joining us full time?”

As much as the person within loved being Anthony, the Adonis warrior of the Renaissance Fair, he still had doubts about leaving his hometown. “I’ll think about it, James.”

Just then a phone on the table went off. As Anthony read the message, his face sank. “Oh no, my friend just texted me he was in an accident on the other side of town!”

“But you can't just leave. Anthony has another show in half an hour!”

“Can’t you find someone else to play him?”

James looked annoyed but shrugged. “All the other regulars are busy today...I guess I can take over for the rest of the day.”

“Thank you!” The joyful pleas sounded weird coming from such a masculine brooding man.

“Yeah yeah. Just leave him and I’ll be back to put him on.” When James left the tent, Anthony got to work undressing what little garments he had. Standing completely naked, Anthony took one last look at his flawless body. Then began pulling his mouth apart. He continued stretching his face unnaturally, until ‘shlorp!’ The once beautiful face of Anthony was pulled back, revealing the scrawny and unimpressive Kevin inside. He slipped off the rest of the body suit, losing Anthony’s majestic muscles and size for his own stick body. 

Released from the fake body, Kevin posed the empty man on the seat, his dead eyes staring forward like a doll. Still erect from the feeling of being Anthony, Kevin almost decided to stay and become the hunk once again, but his friend needed him. Getting dressed in his street clothes, he took one more look at the lifeless guy, then left the tent.

After a moment, making sure the tent was completely empty, Ethan stepped out of his hiding place. “That was easy.” Both Ethan and Kevin were nerds who dreamed of having the perfect body, but no matter how much they worked out, they could never reach their goal. Every year they went to the renaissance fair, imaging themselves as the strong men who brandished swords and axes and caught the eyes of everyone at the fair. Though unlike Kevin, Ethan looked with more than admiration for these mighty studs. Ethan was bi but in the closet, and over the years fell for Anthony and his confidence with a blade. Whenever they attended the event, Ethan's secret highlight was watching the sword show where his dream man won every time. 

This year, however, Kevin last-second dropped the plans with a half-assed excuse. At first, Ethan just planned on staying home, but he eventually decided to go by himself in the hopes of seeing the champion win again. Then after watching Anthony’s incredible victory, Ethan finally built the courage to ask him out for coffee after. Instead, he found out his crush was nothing more than a costume being piloted by the friend that ditched him.

Ethan came up to Anthony, hardly believing that it was nothing more than a realistic skin suit. “Hi Anthony.” He obviously didn’t respond. “Why should I let Kevin have all the fun?” Ethan knew he didn’t have much time before that other guy would be back to take over Anthony. Quickly, he stripped off all his clothes from his small body and began pulling on Anthony.

As he stuck his foot into Anthony’s mouth, Ethan was washed by a feeling of euphoria. Even though he read stories of body suits, it was completely different experiencing it for himself. Though the outside was as real as a normal person, the inside had this unique rubber feel that hugged his leg in all the right ways. It was even still warm from its last occupant, and the faint smell of Kevin’s musk lingered within. 

Ethan pulled on the rest of the body, impressed by the newly acquired muscles and hung dick. Before pulling on the face, he couldn’t help but admire himself in the mirror. He could hardly grasp the reality of his head on such a stunning body. He had jacked off to the thought of Anthony before, but actually becoming him, he could hardly control his erection from growing an astounding 10 inches, twice as big as he could go normally. 

Finally, he took the misshapen head around his neck, pulling it over his own face. In an instant, Anthony was back, but this time it wasn’t Kevin inside. The veil between suit and real person was practically nonexistant. Ethan, now Anthony, caressed his glass-cut jawline. He always wanted facial hair like this, but could never grow it so rugged. His hands began to move lower, wrapping around his penis and starting to pump.

“You're still in there, Kev?” James returned, looking confused as a still lively Anthony was managing his erection the only way he could.

“Yeah, I got a call from my bud and he actually doesn’t need me.” The memories from Anthony began to flow into my mind, and I realized that James was the manager of the whole fair.

“Oh.” There was disappointment in his voice, envious that he didn’t get a turn as the sexy man. Who wouldn’t though?

“Actually, I was thinking about what you said and I will gladly take over Anthony from now on!”

“Really that’s great!” 

From outside the tent, a person dressed as a peasant called out, “5 minutes before the next show!” 

Anthony finished the first of many fantastic sessions with himself, then he grabbed his sword and put on the few prices of armor. Ethan, now posing as his friend, was ready for his new life as the champion of the renaissance fair. Let's just hope the suit will give him the same prowess with a sword that the previous Anthonys had.

[airi-p4]

From above the stars - Chapter 6

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | ...

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This is my fav chapter yet. I hope you enjoy 🥺🥺🥺

Chapter summary:

Marinette keeps visiting Gabriel, but it's getting harder as she's starting to move on. At the same time, she recalls some memories of the past while Luka opens up to her about his feelings.

AO3

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CHAPTER 6

Visiting Gabriel Agreste was getting harder as the time went by. Mourning Adrien and his wife was everything Adrien's father seemed to be invested in. No more designing or new collections, his big fashion company was being now leadered by his loyal secretary, even if it was temporarily. Sometimes, they would rely on Marinette’s old designs too, noticing most of them were inspired by her late boyfriend.

Whenever Marinette was at the Agreste Mansion, they would spend most of the time either in silence or listening to Adrien's piano recordings. Sometimes, Gabriel would melancholically recall some of his family memories, from the times they were happy- the time they were alive and together. Other times, they would look at some photos, both recent and old: Adrien's first day at school (the day they first met), Adrien's photoshoots (always looking handsome), his fencing and piano competitions (which Marinette would never failed to attend) or the events the Agrestes would usually attend (recently allowing Marinette to go too after Adrien's insistence). Every single memory brought tears to Marinette's eyes. She missed him.

Every single time she cried, Gabriel would pat her back or squeeze her hand in comfort, thanking her for loving his son, which would lead to more spilled tears from her eyes.

Guilt kept growing inside of her. Her heart was gradually getting farther from her boyfriend and closer to feeling alive again. She was well aware these visits would have to end someday, no matter how Gabriel Agreste tried to keep her close. She was aware how she was being used by him in order to feel his son closer- as a way to keep him alive in his life- a mere substitute.

____________________________________

One day, at the cemetery, she couldn't focus. She left some flowers for Adrien but she soon hurried to the Couffaine's family tombstone. Luka wasn't there. 'Yet', she wished to believe. With both positive and negative thoughts going back and forth, she lost herself in darkness once again.

"You're still here?"

The sudden voice startled her, but she could finally smile and cry in relief: Luka.

Marinette jumped to hug the guitarist as soon as she turned towards him. Her sudden reaction worried him.

"Marinette? Are you ok? What happened?" He asked, holding her.

"I- I was worried… and scared…. You were late and I thought... I don't want... to lose you too..." she whined in her low voice.

"Hey, I'm here. Everything is ok. I would never stop visiting my sisters. I can't always be here, but I try to come as much as I can"

"Can I trust you? Can I believe you won't disappear like Adrien, out of the sudden, without saying goodbye to me?"

"I-” he hesitated, making Marinette’s heart sink lower. Her sad face gave him the courage to sincerize with her. “I would never voluntarily leave without saying goodbye... As long as I can, and unless anything unexpected impedes me to come, I’ll be here. I promise. You're important to me, Marinette." He reassured her. ‘ More than you could ever imagine ’ he kept to himself.

The young woman's grip became stronger, relieved for his words, and they spent some time in that position, Marinette hugging Luka and he holding her back as she cried on his chest.

“Are you free tonight? I want to show you something that may cheer you up”, Luka said, when her tears finally stopped.

“Huh? Yes… I’m free but… where are we going?” She tilted her head back to look up to Luka, her eyes still wet.

“Here. Where we are now”

“But… if we are already here why do we have to come back later?” she blinked in confusion and Luka smiled softly at her.

“You'll see” he whispered to her ear, making her blush in the process. “I have to go now, but do me this favor, Marinette. Meet me here at 10 PM. And don't forget to wear warm clothes. I'll take care of the rest"

“Ok…" she blinked twice, still red. "I'll be here"

"Good," he smiled. "See you later, Marinette"

After he lightly rubbed her back, Marinette finally broke her hold and watched him fade away in the distance. She forgot to ask him for his contact again but, at least, they had promised to meet later: a promise she believed he wouldn't break. ' What would Luka want to show me? ' she wondered when she returned home. Her heart beated faster in anticipation.

_______________________________________________

“Wow” Marinette exclaimed, holding Luka's arm close in front of his family tombstone.

“See? My antecesors chose this spot because it’s perfect to see the stars”

“It’s amazing… so bright… so pretty..."

Marinette's eyes couldn't stop staring at the night sky. It was her first time staring at the firmament properly, and she was stunned by how beautiful it was. She regretted not having properly stargazed earlier.

Pleased with the magic the reflection of the stars on Marinette's shining pupils were offering him, Luka moved his hand to hold hers, taking her by surprise. He smiled fondly at Marinette and she blushed at his touch. “There’s more. Come with me up the hill”

Luka guided her with his hand through the dark, holding a little lantern in his left hand. There was a picnic mat with a pair of blankets, a backpack and a pair of thermos. But that wasn't what Marinette's attention focused on: a wide beautiful starry sky appeared in front of them, nothing invading the majestic view. Luka gently pulled the breath-taken woman to the picnic mat, and gently signaled her to sit down.

“Wow! It’s so beautiful” she finally said, with her twinkling eyes fixated on the stars. "Do you think your sisters are up there, in the starry sky?” she moved her face to look at Luka for a moment.

“I’m sure of it." Luka answered, nostalgic. "Your boyfriend is probably there too...”

“You think so...?”

“Yes. He wasn’t a saint, but he was probably not a bad person either, when you love him that much. Lay down. You’ll get a better vision of the sky”

“This is so beautiful, Luka… No wonder your sisters loved this view… Oh! Did you see that? A shooting star! Do you think a soul is getting reincarnated now?” she exclaimed.

“I don’t know." He shrugged. "But it would be nice if the people we love so much could come back”

Marinette stopped smiling, noticing the sadness in his voice. She felt guilty and remorseful for being part of the reason for his grief. Actions with consequences she could never erase from their hearts.

“I wish I could go back in time and change everything. I’m so sorry… Your sisters are gone because of me… I wish I could erase my wrongdoings so they could still be alive…” She said in regret.

But Luka said nothing, he just squeezed her hand and let her cry a little. “You won’t see the stars if you cry…” he finally said. “Share this view with me, Marinette. For them”

“For them…”

______________________________________________

Marinette didn’t notice when she had fallen asleep. The sun was starting to rise and the sunlight awakened her. She turned her head to see her hand was still locked with Luka’s hand, who was sleeping. She glanced at his face then, and he looked serene, in peace. She could notice some dried traces of tears remained under his eyes. She was grateful to him, even more than remorseful.

“Thank you, Luka” she whispered, kissing his cheek.

“You’re welcome, Marinette”

She didn’t expect him to open his eyes and turn his face to her, merely a few centimeters separating them, eyes locked. She was partly glad he wouldn’t be able to see her flustered cheeks from this close, even if that was exactly the source of her redness.

“You’re awake. Sorry. I didn’t mean to...”

“Yes, I know you didn’t mean anything more than thanks. I understand. You love your boyfriend”

Marinette's heart skipped a beat at his words. She paused for a moment before finding the answer she had been looking for a while, feeling ready to finally put it into words.

“Loved. I think I’m ready to move on now…”

"What about destiny and soulmates?" Luka asked, surprised by her unexpected answer.

"I don't believe in them anymore... How could I?” she sighed. “I've already accepted that Adrien is gone and… I feel ready to find my own destiny now" She said, sincerely, but careful not to spill the secret feelings she had for him.

“Really...?” Luka asked, incredule at first, but immediately convinced by the confidence in her eyes. “You're very brave, Marinette. I'm glad you're feeling better”, he smiled, squeezing her hand in support.

“What about you, Luka?” She changed the topic, meeting an unusually distracted Luka.

"Hm?”

"You helped me feel better. I want to help you too. What would make you happy?"

“Me?" he paused, thinking for his answer. Marinette had been honest with him, and he wanted to do the same. He decided to share the feelings that had bottled up since he got the news of the tragic accident. "I wish I had been the one that died instead of my sisters. I wish I hadn’t let them go. I wish I had driven them to that mountain. With my mother's van, the damage would have been less severe, and they would probably still be alive. My mother is dealing with depression and anxiety now and it’s very hard to see her like that when she used to be so strong and independent... I can’t bear to see how the people I care about keep dying and leaving me behind. I wish I could go back in time… Use a savepoint… You know, like in videogames… Something called 'Second Chance', maybe. That's what I wish for”

Marientte didn’t know what to say. Her heart could almost feel his pain. He may have not lost his soulmate, but he lost his father and his dear sisters. She should have known he would be heartbroken. She should have known his heart was in pain. She should have been helping him more instead of letting him help her. She saw him vulnerable for the first time, and her heart ached for him. How silly she was to expect him to return her growing feelings, when his heart, unlike hers, had yet to heal. Her tears couldn’t be stopped as they joined his.

“Oh, Luka, I’m so sorry… I wish I could do something for you…” she sobbed, pressing her head on his shoulder.

“You are already, Marinette. Don’t feel obligated to do more out of regret. I know my wish is impossible to accomplish. We can’t go back in time. The only thing I can do now is let them go in peace… watch them in the sky...” he caressed her hair. “I wish I was as strong as you are. I wish I could believe in hope too”

“Luka…” ‘ You’re my hope ’ she wanted to say, but his words cut her before she had the chance to finish.

“And what about your memories, Marinette? Are they back?”

“Some of them are, yes. And you were right… It wasn’t all happy moments. I was blinded by my love for Adrien…” Marinette sighed. “He was jealous and manipulative sometimes, and I always ended up doing whatever he wanted. He always put himself first... except during the accident. But he wasn’t a bad person. He was very sweet, kind and attentive too. He just had a difficult and lonely childhood and he was scared of being alone… I loved him very much, still do, in another way... He just had bad luck. With family, with friends, with co-workers, school… Coping with his father stressed him too much… I wish I had taken him to therapy or something… Maybe he wouldn’t have had to rely on risk, fun, alcohol and adrenaline instead… I should have acted by myself more...”

“I can imagine that… You did what you could, Marinette. It wasn’t your fault” he empathized. “Anything else you remember?”

“No… Just this” she answered, trying to recall something she could have missed.

“Ok...” Luka kept his eyes closed, but something in Luka's voice alerted Marinette.

“Luka. Why do you keep asking about my memories? Is there something I’m supposed to remember?” She sounded slightly irritated.

“I don’t know”

“Luka…” she insisted. “Have we met before? Somewhere in the past…"

He finally opened his eyes and looked directly at her. “Why?”

Marinette gulped before speaking, staring at his eyes while looking for an answer. “You... seem familiar. And I have the impression we’ve known each other for a long time… But I can’t recall it no matter how hard I try to...”

“It’s better this way” he mumbled in an almost inaudible voice.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. Don’t stress over it. Some memories are better forgotten, anyway” he assured,  squeezing her hand. "Let's go home"

"Wait!" she screamed, surprising Luka. "Can I have your contact?"

The guitarist smiled, pretending not to notice the blush on her cheeks. "Of course"

Luka lifted Marinette's hand and gently wrote his number on her wrist, secretively under her watch. Marinette smiled, feeling lighter and relieved. Her heart felt closer to his. She was happy to understand more about him, even if it included his darkest fears. She wanted to help him, and she finally found where to start.

"Luka" she said, and he met her determined eyes. "Don't give up. Live . For the ones that left you behind"

Finally, she had found the courage to tell him the words that had been keeping her alive and hopeful. Now it was her turn to be there for him.

"Thank you, Marinette"

[alecmagnuslwb]

Soulmates

Writer’s Month 2020 Day Five

Read on AO3

Everyone has a soulmate, even impossibly a bastard like John Constantine. Not that he thinks he’s got some great, beautiful souled person out there that’s destine to be his. No John assumes that a bastard is destine for a bastard, no matter their gender.

He hasn’t really thought about soulmates in years, not since he was a child and his mother told him stories about the moment everything bursts into color and you suddenly know the names of every color before you. He’s grown accustom to the way his eyes see the world, but lately the black and white vision he lives with every day has grown tiresome. He plays with his magic, still learning and growing stronger every day and wonders if it casts in different colors, wonders what those colors are if they do. He lights the flames in the palms of his hands and can only feel the burn without being amazed by the orange and red glow he’s been told they have whatever that might mean.

He's barely over twenty but he’s old enough to know that the world isn’t black and white by any means. It’s mottled with greys and shades of everything that he can’t see, but he can sense.

Tonight is another black and white night for him. He pushes open the door to the bar he’d seen a few nights ago when heading back to the motel he’s been crashing in. A rush of noise washes over him as he steps inside some hokey rock band that fancies themselves the next Billy Idol playing a horrendous cover of ‘White Wedding’ onstage.

John grits his teeth praying they don’t butcher something by The Clash next, he’ll have to leave America immediately if they do.

He shuffles over to the bar, taking a seat on an empty stool near the far end and flags down the bartender ordering himself a whiskey. He gives the man behind the bar a wink when he places the drink down in front of him and the bartender walks away completely ignoring the flirtation.

John just shrugs unbothered by the rejection and spins around watching as the band plays the last chorus. When they’re done the other patrons clap and John hopes they’re all drunk with the enthusiasm they’re putting behind it. The room transforms into a clutter of voices and clinking glasses after that so John swivels back around downing his first drink and ordering a second.

Behind the bar a poster catches his eye, a top hat adorning the center. He’s just reading the words Mistress of Magic across it when a deeply bad and deeply fake British accent sounds into the microphone on stage. John turns back around to find the lead Billy Idol wannabe yelling for everyone to quiet down.

“Alright, now we know your claps for us were bullshit and this is the real show you’re here for,” he says gesturing to the space around. “So, without further ado, the Mistress of Magic, the silver-tongued siren, everyone’s favorite majestic magician Zatanna!”

If John had known there was a magic show tonight, he might have found a better drinking hole. He’s got no need to watch someone pull cheap tricks and poorly concealed rabbits out of a hat.

John’s about to swivel back around, order one more drink and be on his way, but he finds himself frozen halfway when Zatanna appears on stage, not through a cloud of smoke hiding a trap door in the floor, but through a real bonafide portal.

That alone would capture his attention, but the woman herself has him sliding back to face the stage completely. She’s stunning, the goth princess of his dreams in knee high boots, fishnets, leather shorts and a corset with a bowtie.

Her arms are bare something whispered under her breath sending a trail of sparkling magic down them as she flips her long dark hair over her shoulder and gives the patrons a dazzling smile.

John doesn’t need to see color to know she’s a vision, but he’d pay good money to know what colors that magic is flowing down her arms and how it looks against her skin.

“Ready to see some real magic tonight boys, girls and non-binaries?” she says, her voice a melody. The audience roars and if John wasn’t so frozen in place he might too.

That’s when the show really begins, she conquers the stage, keeping everyone’s eyes on her the entire time. She twists magic around the room, her power strong and thick in the air. She speaks in languages he doesn’t recognize until eventually he realizes it’s backwards magic, a rarely used magic that she’s clearly no novice in.

There’s something about her that’s familiar, but he doesn’t have the right of mind to think too hard about it. To think beyond the absolute captive hold she has on him with every move she makes and every spell she utters.

Zatanna knows how to work a stage, how to hold an audience in the palm of her hand.

He’s certain he could meet his soulmate right this second and have the world burst into color and he still wouldn’t be able to tear his eyes away from the front of this bars.

He doesn’t so much as blink for the forty-five minutes she’s on stage.

“Alright, for my last trick, I need another volunteer,” she says and hands shoot up all across the bar, even the bartender who seemingly has a job to do sticks his high in the sky.

She scans the audience carefully tapping her finger to her lips until her eyes fall on him.

“You,” she says pointing his way. “At the bar.”

John pulls his eyes from the stage for the first time certain she’s pointing at someone else, like the eager bartender behind him.

“Yeah you in the tie, that’s right, come on,” she says making a come-hither motion with her finger that John couldn’t resist if he was chained down on his deathbed.

John slips from his seat picking his way through the bar and onto the stage. And if she was gorgeous from far away up-close John’s not sure how anyone could resist those piercing eyes. He wonders what color they are.

“I’m Zatanna, as you know,” she says smiling at the audience quickly before holding out a hand in his direction. Her nails are painted with little clusters of shimmering stars on them, a tiny detail he couldn’t see all the way from the bar. “And what’s your name handsome?”

He tries to force down a smile and fails, there’s no doubt she calls every poor schmuck she pulls up on the stage that and makes them blush, he’s not special even if he wishes he was.

“John,” he says putting his hand in hers and that’s when it happens. His vision blurs for a moment and then like paint being splattered on a canvas color blooms all around him. The curtains are red, the stage a deep brown and Zatanna’s eyes a deep, dark blue. She’s looking into his eyes too, a small soft smile on her lips.

Her eyes drop down to his tie briefly and she chuckles then quickly as if their whole worlds hadn’t just changed she’s turning back to the audience. A performers quick mind keeping up appearances for the show.

John barely recalls the trick he assists her with just knows that he trusts her implicitly and at one point ends up floating. When it’s over and he’s stepping down from the stage she touches his hand softly, a silent request to stay so she can find him after the show.

John nods stepping away as she gives the audience one last light show. A burst of rainbow sparks from her fingers before she disappears into another portal casting him one last glance.

John’s finally pulled from his daze once she’s out of sight and immediately books it for the door. He should stick around, really meet this person who’s his person, but he can tell from one look at that soft smile she’d given him she’s far too good to be stuck with the likes of him.

The universe fucked up, there’s no way a man like him deserves a woman like her.

He doesn’t get far, just barely out the door when a shimmering portal like the one on stage appears in front of him and Zatanna steps out now in a leather jacket with a shining silver top hat pin on the lapel.

“Oh, you’re here,” she says looking at him with that same soft smile.

He looks up and around her wondering if he can make his escape.

“Oh, you’re leaving,” she says disappointed. Her hands fall to her side uselessly.

“Look, it’s not you,” he starts and she lets out a sharp wounded breath.

“Ouch, I’ve heard that one before,” she says attempting to laugh off what she’s seeing as a rejection. He’s not rejecting her though, far from it, he’d love to curl up next to her and never leave he’s fairly certain. He’s rejecting the universe cursing this soft smiling magical being to getting saddled with jaded, piss poor soulmate like him.

He shakes his head. “It’s not that, I swear it, I’d stay in a heartbeat if it was only my heart on the line. It’s just there is no way a woman like you deserves to get stuck with a mess like me, trust me.”

He sidesteps and starts to walk past her, but a hand on his forearm pulls him to a stop. She spins around so she’s standing face to face with him.

“Look I won’t act like I understand the magic or science or whatever it is behind this system and I won’t act like it’s perfect, but something out there thinks you and I fit, thinks we could fit. So, shouldn’t I get to decide what I deserve?” she says with pleading eyes. “Please, don’t take that choice away from me.”

John takes a deep breath. He really doesn’t want to hurt her, but if he leaves right now that will hurt her more than if he stays and maybe one day down the line messes up. She’s right. He’s a coward who tried to run.

“Fuck, I’m sorry,” John says pulling his pack of cigarettes out. He pats around for a lighter and Zatanna leans in saying a quiet ‘erif’ her fingertip bursting in a yellow orange flame and lighting the cigarette he sticks between his lips.

“You’re forgiven, as long you don’t run off on me again,” she says smiling as she blows out the flame on her finger.

He takes a long drag blowing it off to the side and away from her.

“I won’t,” he says hoping he can keep that as a promise.

“Great. So, let’s try this again, I’m Zatanna Zatara,” she says holding out her hand. Zatara. Suddenly the familiarity of her makes sense, the backwards magic coming so easily for her much clearer now. If he was worried he wasn’t worthy of her before the last name doesn’t help that worry lessen. She’s a magical dynasty doing stage work in a dive bar.

He doesn’t run just because of that shocking development however.

“John Constantine,” he says putting his hand in hers. This time there’s no blurring vision, no burst of color, just a warm, soft hand holding onto his.

She smiles, “I like your tie John Constantine.” He looks down noticing the bright red of it for the first time. The irony that the rest of both of their outfits are black and white on the night where color came into their lives is not lost on him. “It’s a nice pop of color.”

He laughs, letting go of her hand to tug at the tie.

“I didn’t actually know it was red when I nicked it.”

“Nicked it?” she says eyes going a little wide. It sounds a little funny coming from her lips with no British accent.

“Uh,” he says twisting up his face. “Bought it?”

The question mark on his words is clear and she just laughs threading her arm through his as he tosses his cigarette at his feet stamping it out.

“Come on we’re having dinner and you’re telling me all about how you stole that tie, soulmate,” she says tugging him along into the neon lit night.

He likes the sound of that, even if he’s convinced the universe made a colossal mistake.

[astertataricvs]

Giyuu with a fem s/o thats an artist? but giyuu finds out on accident and stumbles upon their sketchbook with drawings of him? tyy

Thank you so much for requesting! I hope that you like this one ♡

Fingertips grazing on the white silky papers and hands holding a long thin wooden stick of fine charcoal. The tepid breeze of air blows through your body as you sight the sky coated with cantaloupe and pinkish colour. The smell of nature around proffers you a rejuvenating feeling as you embed the scenery in front of you in a blank piece of paper.

You were on a cliff where you're sitting under the huge oak tree as you sight the majestic sky and composition of the town underneath the cliff. This is your hideout whenever you had your day off from your profession of being a demon hunter. You found this place when you're exploring for something you can draw about. Then hours of walking, you stumble upon this place that eventually lured you because of the tranquil and enticing view. Since then, you would generally visit the place and it became your hideout due to no one was passing by and trying to visit the place.

Everyone in the demon slayer corps doesn't have any idea that you like to draw since you've been trying to hide it from everyone. It's not that you're obscuring it because your drawings are suck, it's just... all of your drawings were all about a certain ravenette who allured you by his captivating gaze and how graceful his gesticulations were.

The first time your eyes caught his figure, you already had the urge to draw his appearance in your sketchbook that you've been keeping for almost a year.

He gives you this odd sensation whenever you're going to stare at him; you would automatically command yourself that you want to draw his gorgeous face in your sketchbook since you don't want to pass the enchanting look you had witnessed. That's why the content of your drawing pad was full of Giyuu's face; slaying demons; sitting in the meeting room where all the pillars and Oyakata-sama were holding a meeting; Giyuu eating, and also, Giyuu's stoic face whenever his eyes were going to dart at you.

You don't have any idea why you're getting inspired to draw his face in your sketchbook, but all you know is that he's a perfect piece of art that you can't thwart your gaze and you can't repress your hands from scribbling in the paper and draw his face.

Flipping all the pages of your sketchbook, your lips curled as you look at the different portraits of Giyuu that you have drawn. For some unidentified reason, you couldn't help but always grin every time your eyes would settle on his figure. In spite of Giyuu isn't showing any signs of emotion, you still had the propensity to be attracted to him and draw him whenever you had spare time. The water pillar was an enigma to you, you don't know what he was feeling or his thoughts when you're going to sight the man and once the two of you will be paired up by Oyakata-sama for a mission.

You had known him as the emotionless and an uptight man. You never even saw him smile even if it's just a microscopic one. He would always have this poker face displaying on his handsome features and isolate himself from all of you. Although you wanted to speak to him and be close to the water pillar, his actions were enough reason to halt you from your plan. On your missions, you tried communicating to him with the best of your abilities, but his response would eventually end the conversation which was really challenging for you to think about a topic that would kill the awkward silence that was inundating the both of you.

Extorting a sigh, you heard your stomach gurgle since you still haven't eaten your lunch yet. Therefore you decided to go to your house and grab your lunch to eat in your hideout. Rising up to your feet, you place your sketchbook and pencil beside the trunk of the tree and leave it there. Yet again, you look at the view in front of you then afterwards, a smile tugs at your lips as you feel the gust of wind blows through your body.

"I'll be back," you said into emptiness and started your journey to your house.

Giyuu was taking a walk around to find a spot to invigorate his mind. He just returned from his mission that Oyakata-sama had sent him. It's been a while since he relaxed his tense self and for always thinking about slaughtering demons and his days with Sabito. Although he was an unobtrusive man and doesn't talk a lot, his mind was the exact opposite of it. He's always been thinking about the feasible outcomes that would occur to him whenever the sun had risen again.

As the water pillar come across to a cliff where an oak tree is at the centre and a beautiful scenery lies ahead. His eyes widen ever so slightly and sauntered towards the big tree. Trudging closer, the wind began to gush his body as his eyes caught a sketchbook and a pencil lying beside the trunk.

Giyuu's eyebrows rumpled, did someone just got here before him? Then where's the person that was here a moment ago?

The water pillar stared at the sketchbook, Giyuu wasn't the type of guy who would stick his nose into other peoples business but a moiety of him was intrigued about the sketchbook that was lying underneath him.

The deep blue-eyed man roamed his eyes to sight someone's figure but to no avail. Reluctantly, he started to pick the mysterious notebook then once he picked it up, he flips the first page and the water pillar's eyes widened a bit upon seeing the beautiful canvas engrave in the white sheet of paper.

It was a field of sunflowers where the petals were wafting in the air. Behind of the flowers was a group of trees where leaves were swinging due to the wind. Despite having no colour and just plain black and white; Giyuu was still fascinated at the well defined and real-life image.

After admiring the first canvas, he started to flip the page again. Darting his eyes to the next drawing, this causes Giyuu's mouth to fell open and dumbfounded at what he just saw.

It's a portrait of him where he was looking to elsewhere with his usual emotionless facade. This made him baffle and ponder who's the one drawing him and who owns the sketchbook he was holding. His first assumption was someone in the demon slayer corps since no one else would know him despite the organization. But what if it's someone he helped from the past?

To inspect further, he flips the next page and yet again he was astounded because the next drawing was also him, though, he's slaying a demon. Giyuu was awestruck because every page that he flips, it was still him with diverse scenarios. He was in utter disbelief that someone was sneaking behind his back to draw his features. Giyuu had mixed emotions after encountering the sketchbook; confused, disbelief, amazement, his curiosity was beginning to resurface as he flips the pages until it stopped from an unfinished drawing. It was the view of the place where he's standing right now, the town underneath the cliff and the view of the vast sky with cirrus clouds slowly moving.

Giyuu stared at his portrait that was very well elaborated. His geometrical and plain red haori, the shape of his eyes and nose. His long spiky hair that was tied into a low ponytail and his left hand that was gripping his sword. Minutes of examining the drawing, it just dawned upon him that it was really him. But why would someone bother to draw someone like him? Is he that appealing to draw?

"Tomioka-san?" Giyuu snapped out from his deep solicitudes when he heard your gentle voice rang in his ears before whipping his head to look at you.

"(Last name)..."

Gaping at the man in front of you, your eyes landed on the sketchbook in his hands which causes you to frantically grabbed the drawing pad in a quick pace.

"D-Did you s-saw it?" You sputtered as your face becoming to heat up because of embarrassment. You hug your sketchbook into your chest while looking at him with a faltering gaze.

Giyuu was stunned when he found out that you're the owner of the mysterious sketchbook that he rummaged. He felt his lips involuntarily parted once he sights your blushing face and how you protect the sketchbook in between your arms.

So his assumption was correct? It's someone in the demon slayer corps who was sneaking to draw him.

"I have no idea that it was yours," he monotonously said to which your blushing face augmented.

"I-I'm sorry i-if I'm drawing you without your permission..." you hung your head as you still hug your sketchbook.

You feel so ashamed right now that you had the urge to hop on the cliff if you only had the resolve to do it, same as you don't want to see his face this instant, you're too embarrassed to look at him. In many people that might saw your sketchbook, why does it had to be Giyuu? Why does it have to be the one you least you wanted to discover your book?

Ah, you wanted to be eaten by the ground right now.

"It's actually fine for me."

Your head promptly snapped at him to see Giyuu only looking at you with his usual deadpan face.

"What?" You asked for confirmation.

"It doesn't bother me if you wanted to draw me." Giyuu faced the landscape in front of you, relishing the warm breeze of nature.

"I thought you're going to be mad."

This causes to catch Giyuu's attention and looked at you with a perplexed expression. "Why?"

"I-It's because... I'm drawing you without your consent..." you awkwardly responded while gazing at your feet.

Giyuu only bored his eyes at you before diverting his gaze to the scenery. "I don't have any complaints about you drawing me. But I have a question to ask."

Lifting your head, you tilt your head. "What is it?"

"Why do you want to draw me?"

Upon hearing his question, your body automatically stiffens as you gaze at his face still fixated on the view. You feel your lips quiver and heart beats erratically. Before you can answer him, you bite your lower lip.

"I don't know why but... I had this sensation inside me that I wanted to draw you. Every time I'm going to draw your face, it always gets me the excitement and for me... you're a beautiful person, Tomioka-san..."

Giyuu's body went rigid once he heard your answer. He gradually turned his head to face you with shock evident on his handsome features. Never once in Giyuu's life that he would receive from someone telling him that he's beautiful. It totally took him by surprise and he didn't foresee that answer from you, specifically that you two weren't that close to begin with and just acquaintances.

"A-Ah! I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you by telling you're beautiful! Well... y-you're handsome-- no! What I mean is you are indeed beautiful-- ugh!"

Giyuu only watched you being frantic as you oppressively ruffled your hair. Seeing you being a mess makes him elicit a soft chuckle.

"Eh? Did you just laugh?" You stopped from your hysterical self when you heard a chuckle coming from him.

"No, you're just hearing things," Giyuu instantly replied with nonchalance.

"But I really heard you--"

"Think of whatever you pleased. I didn't laugh, it's just your imagination." Giyuu sighs then started to walk away. This makes you startled and shouts for his name.

"Tomioka-san!" The water pillar paused in his tracks and looked over his shoulder.

"C-Can I still draw you?" Your voice shakes as you said those words.

"Do whatever you want." Then in just a few seconds, you saw a minuscule smile tug at his lips that totally caught you off guard.

Before you can utter a word, Giyuu began his steps. "You're good at drawing, you have my praise for that," he stated then disappear into the woods.

You only stared at the path he walked on while blinking numerous times, confirming that you're not hallucinating. Did you really witness Tomioka Giyuu the known emotionless water pillar just bestowed you a smile? If so, he notably looked dashing if he's smiling, though he looked handsome even if he's in his usual indifference.

"You really are a masterpiece in most of my drawings, Tomioka Giyuu-san."

[brianmayswifey]

Request: Could you do a oneshot where the female reader and Brian are visiting Brian's parents and Bri's mother is showing the reader embarrassing pictures of baby Brian and he gets all shy and blushes like mad? Thanks in advance ♥

UHMMM THIS IS SOOO CUTE! Maybe this story is not as good as you’re expecting because I’m not that good at writing fluff but I really tried hard! It took long becaaaussee I wasn’t in the mood for writing for days but here it is!

Warnings: kinda sad in the end, fluff

“We’ll be there in an hour.”, Brian told his mother on the phone. He was nodding while smiling, very excited of what’s about to happen tonight. “Okay, Mum. I love you too.”, he put the telephone back down and walked fast towards you.

“They’re excited, love! I told you not to worry about it.”, he says, running his warm hand on your neck down to your shoulder. He looked at you from head to toe and his smile grew wider. “Look at you! You look wonderful, you’re amazing!” He kissed you gently on your temple. You gave him a fake smile. “What if they don’t?”

Brian frowned a bit. “They’ll love you as much as I do. You look absolutely stunning, darling. And not just that! You have a beautiful heart too. I know they’ll see that too. You’re not just gorgeous. You’re perfect, baby.” He smiles at you as he fixed your dress’s neckline, which was a bit revealing. “These are mine, I don’t want anyone looking at it.”, he chuckled as he was pulling it upwards. You giggled, “I’m sorry it was the nicest dress I could find.” He smiled at you. “Remember baby, you’re absolutely amazing and they’ll love you.”, you nodded and smiled at him. He leaned down to kiss you on your lips. You rested your arms on his shoulder, around his neck and his hands were down your waist. “I love you, Y/N.”, he whispered into your mouth. His breath smelled like mint. You smiled before replying, “I love you too, Brian.”

You looked at the mirror once more before spraying on the perfume Brian gave you as a gift on your second month as a couple. It smelled like candy, something sweet, which Brian believes matches your personality. You turned to your boyfriend who looked very handsome in his white button down shirt and black pants and of course, his favourite pair of clogs. His curls are very majestic which adds to his attractive face. He had a perfect face structure and breathtaking facial features that makes you want to stare even longer and it automatically melts your heart. “You ready?”, he asks grabbing your bag and handing it to you. You nodded while smiling. The way he assured you and talked to you earlier had boosted your confidence a lot.

——————

“You know, I find it really cute that we’re both wearing white, Y/N.” He glanced at you quickly and put his hand on yours while the other one was on the steering wheel. He gotta make sure his girlfriend is safe. The warmth of his hands reminded you of how loving he is as a boyfriend. You are just almost five months together yet it feels like forever. It feels like you were already married by the way he showed you his love. You fully trust each other not just because you met four years ago but because of the way Brian makes you feel that you make his life a lot better and the way you make him feel that he’s the only man that makes you happy and confident.

You looked outside through the window and you remembered once again that you’re going to meet his parents for the first time. The nervousness, anxiety, and fear kicked in again. You kept worrying that they would hate you or something. That they might think you are not enough. The thoughts were bothering you so much that you didn’t hear what Brian was telling you.

“Love? Are you okay?”, he asks. You hear him now as he distracted you from overthinking. “Oh- oh yes, love. What were you saying?”, you stuttered as you replied. “I said we’ll go to Freddie, Roger, and Deaky’s flats first because Mum would love to see them too.”, he smiled as you nodded, mouth agape, obviously out of your mind. “Honestly, you okay?”, he asked once again for confirmation. “You look tensed.”, he continued. You didn’t respond nor look at him. “Babe, I told you you are an amazing woman and they’ll love you. There’s nothing to be worried about. I told them stories about how you take care of me when you visit my flat. And they smile when they see my face light up.”, you felt your confidence boost up again as he said that. There was concern on his face but you don’t like seeing it so you held his hand tighter and replied. “I’ll try my best to calm myself, love.” He took your hand and kissed it.

As you picked up the boys, the trip started to become kinda noisy. Roger was teasing you for being too nervous while the three were trying to make you feel better.

——————

As you got to the May’s house, your heart started to beat faster. You tried to catch some breath while Freddie was tapping on your shoulder, trying to calm you down. “Darling, they are amazing and welcoming parents. Don’t be so scared.”, Freddie smiled at you. The boys got out of the car first while you and Brian stayed so he can talk to you for a minute. “You can do this, my love. Okay? Remember what I and Freddie said.”, he said as he held you by your cheeks. You nodded and held his hand tightly. He gave you a gentle kiss on your nose.

“I’m so excited!”, Brian said as the five of you were walking towards the house. Brian knocked and in just about ten seconds, the door opened. It was Mrs. May. She looks a lot like Brian. She looks beautiful. She immediately hugged Brian. “I missed you!”, she exclaimed. She looked at you with widened eyes. You were so nervous waiting for her to speak. “You must be Y/N!”, she smiled and opened her arms wide, inviting you for a hug. “You look absolutely pretty! Brian has good taste.” Brian looked at you with ‘I told you’ eyes. “You too, Mrs. May!”, you responded with a smile.

She gave the boys hugs. “Ah Roger, looking great as usual!”, you see Roger’s cheeks turn pink. “And Freddie and John! I missed you!”. After all those welcoming talks on the door, she finally let you in. You saw Brian’s dad by the dining table, placing all the meals and plates on there. As you see him, you notice how Brian is a mixture of his parent’s appearance. The face shape and height was from his dad and the beauty from his mum. Mr. May quickly walks towards all of you and gave Brian a hug. “Dad, Y/N, my girlfriend.”, he says proudly. You gave him a smile.

Mr. May looks at you with glistening eyes. “How beautiful you are!”, he gave you a warm hug. He turned to Brian and joked, “You inherited great taste from your mother. Ruth chose a great partner like you did.” Mrs. May hit him with her elbows. You all, chuckled. He also greeted the three boys.

They invited you to sit on the dining table. The meals looks absolutely delicious. Brian sat next to you, his parents in front of you, and Roger, Freddie, and John at either sides of the table. You all got foods for yourself and Brian spoke. “So, Y/N, this is dad and this is mum. I told you my parents’ names already and you can call them Harold and Ruth...or Dad and Mum if you’d like.”, his parents smiled and his dad responded. “Yes, you’re a part of our family now. I want you to call us ‘Dad’ and Ruth, ‘Mum’”, you nodded.

You shared stories with each other and how you two met. You can see excitement and happiness in Brian’s face as he talks about you. How sweet! Everyone was laughing at the ‘Dad jokes’ when Mrs. May stood up and went to a room, which you suppose is the living room. She came back with a thick blue book in her hands. You watched her as she opened it and giggled to herself. She pulled a picture out and handed it to you. Before you could reach her hand, Brian swatted yours. “Mum! Don’t.”, Mrs. May laughed and slapped Brian’s hand away. You looked at it and saw Brian, his young self, probably the age of thirteen, sitting at the side of a pool in his swimming brief. You and Brian looked at each other. His face was red and he was embarrassed. You bursted into a laugh which made him smile. Mrs. May handed you the whole photo album while the boys were looking at the photo she handed you earlier. “Cute, right?”, Mrs. May smiled.

And there was another one where the whole family was at the beach. Brian looked like he’s a girl though. “He was two years old that time.”, Mr. May said. You literally cannot stop smiling that your cheekbones already hurt and kind of feels numb. He was pouting his lips the whole time you all are looking at his pictures while his mum was telling stories.

You could see Brian just poking his food with the fork and not eating them. He had lost his appetite out of shame. “Mum, this is embarrassing!”, he finally spoke. “There’s nothing wrong with them, baby.”, you caressed his cheek. A few minutes later, he stood and walked away from everyone without them noticing because of how much fun they were having. At first you thought you shouldn’t follow him because it would seem rude but you felt concern. “Excuse me, would you mind me checking him for a second?” They said it was okay.

You went upstairs and looked for him. You saw a door to a room with Brian’s name written and hanging on it. You knocked. “Bri? This is Y/N.” You heard his heavy footsteps across the room towards the door. He looked down at you, his lips still pouting. He let you in and you sat on his bed. “You okay?”, you asked while rubbing his back. He didn’t respond. “Why would you think it’s embarrassing? I find them cute.”

He looked at you with sadness in his eyes. “I- I just feel embarrassed that my childhood was not as great as you had. You know, I felt sad when taking those pictures. Having no siblings to share happiness with sucks. I felt so alone and it’s not just because I look ugly on the pictures”, you interrupted, “you look cute there.” He just looked at you and continued. “But also because it doesn’t have much value...I mean my life then wasn’t that great because I had no one to share my adventures with. I have no one who can understand me by the time. Those pictures makes me remember how sad being alone is. And I don’t like seeing them anymore— or letting other people see them. Because you’re all with a huge family. Tim is your brother, Fred, Roger, and Deaky have siblings. You were all laughing at my pictures but you don’t know what was deep inside those smiles.” You felt guilt after hearing those words. You held him by his chin.

“I’m sorry, baby. I-I didn’t know you felt that way.”, he placed his hand on your cheek. “No, it’s okay, my love.” He answered and looked into your eyes. “You’re not alone, Brian. You don’t have to be alone. I’m here with you. I’ll forever be by your side. I will make you happy every second of your life. I’m your best friend. I love you.”, you assured him, making him smile. “Thank you, Y/N. I’ll do the same. I love you so much.”

You invited him to come back downstairs. As you sat down, Brian smiled at everyone, gesturing that he’s okay. Roger whispered at Brian, “I thought you were doing something illegal upstairs.” They both laughed. Brian looked at you and smiled. You placed your hand on his thigh, making him feel loved and feel comfort. He kissed you on your forehead and whispered, “I love you.”

[sconeboi]

this is what you want

length: 1.9k

type: angst and lovely fluff

warnings: blood, killing a monster

Based on this quote:

“Sharing a room you hate most is like sharing a room with a siren. (The kind on police cars, not the kind who try to entrap you when you cross the English Channel.)” -Simon Snow, pg. 166

AU where Simon and Baz cross the English channel on a quest, but Baz gets seduced by a siren on their way

thank you to @acraycratfangirl and @the-jeans for being my amazing betas!

BAZ

“Are we theeeerrrrrrreeee yet?” Snow asks, his head dangling off of the tiny rowboat we’re traveling in.

“Two hours, I’d say,” I reply. “Enjoying yourself much?”

He groans loudly and sits up. “We’re slowing down…”

I raise my wand and feel the snap inside of me that lights my magic’s match. “Up shit’s creek!” I say, pushing the flame out through my voice. The paddles on the side of the boat; rowing on their own, begin to move faster.

“You promised to help me find out who my mother’s killer was,” I tell him sternly. “You were sooo eager to come along…”

“You know what? Fuck you,” Snow says suddenly, rolling his eyes. “I’ve got nothing to do but bicker with you.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Princess Snow, would you like me to spell you a fucking football pitch out here in the middle of the Channel?”

“I’d actually enjoy that very much, thank you,” he replies sarcastically.

We’re seated on opposite ends, as far away from each other as we can get. I would give anything to change that – Snow and I, squished together and snogging on a little rowboat in the middle of the sea. The very thought of it makes my stomach do a dance, but I keep the stern expression glued to my face.

“Let’s get down to business,” I say. “Once we reach the vampire hangout–”

“Don’t say hangout,” Snow interrupts.

“Wha…why?”

“Say lair. You’re making the ‘giant dark bat underground hideaway of death’ sound like a couple guys having a good time.”

I roll my eyes. “Once we reach the vampire lair…”

Snow smiles slightly and I go a little lightheaded.

“We need to find Nicodemus and if he isn’t there, I believe I know of another place my aunt sometimes speaks of.”

“Wait, you’re telling me there are two bat caves?”

“Bat caves…what the fuck?” I want to slap that smug grin right off his face.

“You know, the Bat Cave? From Batma–”

“Snow, I’ve seen a hundred Batman movies in my lifetime. Besides, you said it yourself, don’t joke about the vampire lair of death.”

His face droops, and I smirk just to tug on his heartstrings.

All of a sudden I notice that a thick fog is forming around us. Snow sits up and summons his sword by his hip.

“What’s wrong?” I whisper.

“I..feel him…” he says. “The Humdrum. He’s here. He’s causing the fog.”

He’s right. As I reach out of the boat and touch a puff of mist that’s swirling in the air, an empty, hollow feeling shoots through my arm. The fog encases the entire rowboat, and the flame of magic flickering in my gut fizzles out forcefully. Simultaneously, the oars stop paddling. The warm buzz of Snow’s usual aura goes out like a light.

Something starts writhing through the water and I don’t even try for my wand; I know it won’t have any effect in this dry patch. Snow leans over the boat, knuckles white from holding his sword so tightly, nearly rocking it over. I’m flung from my current position and crash right into Snow. We stare at each other, stunned for a moment, until a splash makes us both turn around so that we’re back-to-back, searching for the sound.

My head throbs as I watch Simon Snow majestically emerge from the water.

SIMON

I turn to face Baz again to see a figure splash up from the water. At first I think it’s the Humdrum, but somehow I know it’s not him – there’s not that intense throbbing feeling that made my pores bleed. I know that feeling all too well.

The figure resembles myself, maybe in my 5th or 6th year at Watford. But it’s so flawless it might as well be a mannequin. Its curls fall in perfect little bounces, its moles are lighter and smaller, almost like freckles, and its eyes are a brilliant blue instead of my ordinary grey.

“Simon?” Baz asks the figure, his face in shock.

“No Baz, I’m behind you,” I tell him. He doesn’t budge. “Baz. Baz!” I grab his shoulder but he shoves me off. “It’s not me!”

The figure hisses like a snake, and Baz stares at it like he’s taking in every word. His lips are moving, but barely a sound escapes.

BAZ

“Snow…” I gasp at him, taking in his beauty.

“Hey, Baz.” He smirks like the handsome devil he is. “You’re looking nice.”

“R-Really?” I stutter, rubbing my arm awkwardly. “Y-your’re looking n-nice, too.” He looks too good to be true.

He laughs. “No need to be nervous. We’re just talking.”

“I know, you’re just…”

“Baz, I know how you feel about me.”

I think my stomach just flipped over completely. “What?”

“I feel the same way. I want you, Baz. You’re the most amazing guy I’ve ever met, that’s a fact.”

“Same! Same! Same!” I’m practically yelling at him. “I love you, Simon! I love you!”

“Hush,” he says. I do. “Do you want to kiss me, Baz?”

I nod up and down stupidly.

“Close your eyes, Baz. Walk forward towards the edge of the boat. I’ll catch you.”

I shut my eyes tight and start walking. “Will you scoop me up into your arms and carry me away into the sunset?” It’s like I’m acting out my 5th year fantasies.

“Absolutely. You have to trust me.”

I stop pacing. A force is grabbing me, pulling me back. It’s got me around the waist, nearly lifting me off the ground. I throw an elbow back to hit it away, and immediately it ceases.

And with the diversion, I suddenly start to question myself. I don’t trust Simon Snow. I always knew that we would kill each other some day. This could be a plan of his to snap my neck; to lure me in and then murder me while I’m loopy in love.

“You have doubts,” he says. “But this is what you want, Baz. This is what you want. You want to trust me. You want to kiss me. You want to touch me everywhere and more. You want me, Baz.”

He’s right. He’s too right. I keep walking with my eyes closed, under a trance that I never want to break from.

SIMON

Just as I have my arms locked around Baz’s waist, he throws his arm back and elbows me right in the gut. I’m thrown back helplessly, clutching my stomach and stifling a scream.

I can’t understand the monster, but Baz remains speaking plain English. After whispering under his breath he suddenly shouted out things I didn’t understand. Things like “I love you” and gibberish I couldn’t grasp. But pretty soon, the monster began unhinging its jaw like an anaconda until its mouth was practically perfectly Baz-shaped. It’s the most hideous thing I’ve ever seen. And since Baz closed his eyes a long time ago, he can’t sense anything that’s going on.

The monster keeps hissing and screeching, and Baz smiles bigger and bigger as the noises get louder.

“BAZ!” I scream at the top of my lungs. “STOP!”

“I want to kiss you…” he murmurs, reaching out his arms. He’s on the ledge of the boat, a foot away from the monster’s mouth.

“WILL YOU STOP, THEN?” I shout over the insane screeching. “IF YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT?”

“Sure…” I can’t tell if he’s replying to me or the monster. He’s inches away from falling right down its throat.

I sprint up to the ledge and turn Baz’s body my direction. In one giant movement, I smash my face into his. After a few seconds he looks up at me, entirely bewildered. Without wasting another moment, I slice the monster completely in half with my sword. It shrieks as the two halves shrivel up into dust and sink into the water.

My entire body quakes uncontrollably. I collapse down onto the seat just as my sword disappears. Small droplets of warm blood drips down my cheek and shoulder.  The image of slicing myself still resonates in my mind. Well, myself with my jaw unhinged like something from my nightmares.

Baz still stands there, blinking like an idiot. Eventually he falls onto the boat’s seat right next to me, our thighs touching.

“What the fuck just happened?” he asks me, running a hand through his hair.

“It was a siren,” I conclude, panting. I remember from one of the days I actually payed attention in class while Baz was gone – sirens swim in the English Channel. “A siren tried to eat you. It put you in a trance. You hit me when I tried to stop you.” I pause. “Really hard, actually.” I rub the area lightly.

Baz winces and a little bit of pink fills his cheeks. “I’m sorry,” he says. “I didn’t know what I was thinking.”

“Obviously,” I laugh. “The siren actually looked like…me.”

The pink in his cheeks deepens. “That’s…weird.” He pauses. “So did I kiss you or the siren?”

I bite my lip. “Listen, it was the only way to get you to stop walking towards your death…”

“Wow, how embarrassing, Snow,” he taunts. “Kissed Basilton Pitch, what a tosser, guess you’re gay now…”

“Stop it, Baz.”

“Well, if it was the other way around, you would’ve never let me live it down.”

“If I’m the one who’s suddenly gay,” I start to say, the gears turning in my head. “Then why did the siren take my form?”

“Maybe it was a mistake,” he suggests immediately. “I could have been pondering the different ways to kill you when it attacked us. Such a passionate emotion, could have been like love–”

“Why were you saying ‘I love you’ over and over?” I continue, ignoring him. “Why were you under its trance? Why did you want to kiss me?”

“I don’t know, I don’t know…” Baz stutters. Then, sternly, “Maybe I love you, Snow.” 

We’re both silent, staring at each other in disbelief at what the other has said.

“Maybe I love you,” he repeats, softer. “Maybe I’ve loved you since fifth year, maybe even before. And maybe it hurts so badly whenever you say you hate me, nearly every…single…day.”

His saltwater-colored eyes start to fill with tears. “Just forget it.” He starts to stand up.

“No, B–Baz, wait, I…”

“Shut up, Simon.”

Simon. “Fine!” I shout. I grab Baz’s arm, pull him back down, and press my lips onto his. It’s a softer kiss this time, and of course, neither of us back away. I reach up and grasp the collar of his shirt to pull him closer. His hands go up to my cheeks, which are blushing profusely. But this is what I want. I think it’s what I’ve wanted for a long time.

Suddenly Baz gazes away and pulls back.

“Alright…” he sighs. “I can see land. I’ll spell the oars again. Get the map from my pack.”

“Wait, what?” I say. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“But–”

“Snow, we’ve got work to do.”

“Then after work can we…you know…”

“Snog again?” Baz says, smirking. “Possibly. I mean, absolutely.”

I smile at him.

Everything is starting to seem right.

[faithstruetales]

When traveling, my itineraries are typically well-researched and packed with excitement to the minute, in fear that I’d miss out on some incredible experiences. However, with Seattle, for some reason I just let go, and everything magically fell into place.

We flew into Seattle and rented a car with Hertz. I’m still in awe of how super easy it was to get our car, despite being a packed holiday weekend. I read quickly that Seattle had many eclectic neighborhoods. I wanted to try them all, but time was too short in this soulful city, especially as we were staying at the Maxwell Hotel.

Maxwell Hotel – Pineapple hospitality

AKA “The Naked Experience”

This place ruined my life forever because I loved it so damn much. Upon walking into the lobby, a very friendly lady talked to me for fifteen minutes about her recommendations for the night. She then suggested I either take a cute adorable yellow bike or shuttle to one of their hot spots for free. There’s a funky lounge and bar, a rock star pizza restaurant surrounding welcoming pineapple water, coffee, and coconut cupcakes. The elevator was quirky, the hallways were classy, and I opened my door to see an adorable husky stuffed animal named “Fluffy” on my bed. Come to find out I could even adopt him to benefit local animal shelters.

Although the complimentary hot popcorn was tempting, I took a steaming hot shower, slipped on my complimentary robe and slippers, and fell into a cloud of dreams. A friend from back home had assured me that heaven was not ready for me, and I would not be dying on the plane, but perhaps my plane had in fact crashed. Not only was the bed divine but my husband and I each had our own fluffy twin duvet. I tried to buy them later but unfortunately the Simmons Beautyrest Black Luxury Hotel Collection Mattress cost $1,395 and the two twin duvets would end up being $900.

After an hour nap, it took great effort to get up, but we ventured to an amazing restaurant in Capitol Hill.

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is said to be an eclectic hipster neighborhood, perfect for a night out on the town with fun bars and restaurants. During my research, I too, believed the restaurant selection was the perfect entrance to a foodie’s paradise. It took me awhile to make a decision, but I finally settled on Herb & Bitter Public House.

Dinner at Herb & Bitter Public House

The Herb & Bitter Public House was a whimsical tapas bar where every table featured a menu covered by a different children’s book. I loved the atmosphere, the cheese platter was yummy, and the mixed drinks were handsomely strong.

Like the bars in Georgetown, the ones in Capitol Hill felt like they had soul, enough to inspire the likes of Nirvana. The area reminded me of the lively narrow streets in Boston, highlighted by beautiful rainbow crosswalks.

We were supposed to do some bar hopping and neighborhood exploring but we just couldn’t get that bed out of our thought clouds. Unfortunately Capitol Hill was not as exciting as the gigantic marshmallow patiently waiting for us at the Maxwell Hotel. We soon took an Uber back, put the “I’m naked” notice on the door and sank into Cloud 9. I’m sorry to say that I fell asleep at 10:00 in Seattle but I don’t regret it for a second. Days later I’m still thinking about that stupid bed, checking Seattle flights, scrolling past the haunting advertisements in my Facebook feed, and ultimately booked a night at their sister location in San Diego.

The First Starbucks Ever

The very first Starbucks to ever come into existence is conveniently right out side the Pike Place Market. We waited 45 minutes to get a coffee. To our dismay, the barista confirmed the quality of coffee found here was exactly the same at every other Starbucks. I had hoped they’d have some sort of exclusive blend but as they didn’t, I was feeling the crisp fall weather and ordered a pumpkin spice latte. I will forever be labeled as “ridiculous for being a basic bitch at the Mecca of coffee.” In my defense, there are much better brews out there, even in Seattle, so as always, follow your bliss.

Beecher’s – Cheese. Cheese. And More Cheese.

I cannot honestly say that Beecher’s has the best cheese I’ve ever had. Their grilled cheese was actually kind of meh compared to some I’ve tried at L.A. food trucks. However seeing cheese handmade and trying their mac & cheese was definitely worth the experience.

Sorry, I was too hungry to take a proper “before” picture

Pike Place Market

I’ve been to many markets around the world and after Camden in London, Pike Place Market was my favorite. It’s perfect for foodies, the eclectic, and the adventurous. You could easily spend a few hours here, taking it all in, especially on an empty stomach. I loved listening to the musicians as I tried the original Starbucks, went cheese tasting, and slowly sipped a cup of fresh apple cider.

Inside the market, you can try some of the freshest fruits, vegetables, and organic apple cider varieties.

You can even try chocolate pasta and go olive oil/ balsamic tasting

Among all of mother’s natures gifts, I was most impressed by the incredible exotic flower bouquets, ranging from $5-$15. If I ever lived here, I would need to have a serious weekly flower budget.

I bought this endearing necklace featuring stones from Puget Sound near Seattle, for whenever I needed the city to be a little extra close to my heart. I checked out some toys and other local crafts. I was beginning to wonder where I could find some hacky sacks, chili pepper lights, and zombie dolls in the same place, and as luck should have it, someone had already thought of that for me. Score.

The Seattle Waterfront

From inside Pike Place, take the elevator down and walk left towards the water. You will come across an enormous Ferris wheel, the aquarium, an artistic fountain, and a riddle to solve. Now, you may be asking yourself, why is “Ferris” in “Ferris wheel” capitalized? Which brings me to Fun Fact 206: In 1890, George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., a 33 year old engineer from Pittsburgh, put up $25,000 of his own money to create a giant revolving steel wheel in Chicago to rival the Eiffel Tower being displayed for the world fair. Unfortunately, even though the wheel was a huge success, after the fair Ferris was sued countless times, went into bankruptcy, and died from typhoid fever in 6 years later. While that’s a crappy way to go out, I hope he’s sitting on a cloud somewhere watching all of the beautiful Ferris wheels turning around the world and seeing his name capitalized.

Good job, Ferris

PAX

The plan after Pike Place Market was to venture into one of Seattle’s many other amazing neighborhoods, like Fremont or Ballard. However, as we were leaving we saw this… and well… parked the car.

PAX is an incredible yet intimate gaming convention held every year in Downtown Seattle. Even if you aren’t a gamer, but can appreciate magic and creativity, I’d highly suggest checking it out. I didn’t attend any of the panels but immensely enjoyed myself walking around, looking at games, and people watching.

Cannabis Tours

You might not smoke marijuana but it’s kind of interesting that it’s completely legal in the state of Washington. I was curious how it all worked, as our hotel lobby had stacks of cannabis tour pamphlets.

We walked into a smoke shop and asked, “How does this work? Do I need some kind of special card?” She took our licenses and we entered a room with all kinds of variations – rolled joints in pretty tubes and bags, cookies, brownies, and candy. A man put a huge menu binder on a glass case, describing all the differences and all I could think, is gee, there must be some really happy people in Washington.

The Gorge Amphitheater

The main purpose for our Washington trip was to experience one of the countries most stunning concert venues – the Gorge Amphitheater. The Gorge is a nice 2.5 hour drive east to Quincy, Washington, right outside George, Washington. Yes, there are people who get to say, “I live in George Washington.”What a wonderful world…

Camping there alone, especially with all the friendly enthusiastic fans, was an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Gorge was so much more than a concert. I don’t think I will ever be able to appreciate one the same way ever again, so hopefully I’ll be back here one day to hear that beautiful sound complimented by a sun setting over a scenic panorama of majestic cliffs.

The Space Needle

Some would say that Seattle is most known for the Space Needle – a 360 degree observation deck 540 feet high. While I’m sure the view is amazing and it might be fun to eat inside, to me, Seattle seemed like it would be better experienced somewhere random on the ground level.

Georgetown

A ten minute drive from downtown Seattle, you’ll find the delightful town of Georgetown. Walking around, we were welcomed by street art and some acoustic rock playing in the distance. The vibe felt like I always had imagined Seattle to be – a place with perfect combination of heart, grit, and soul.

We stayed at the Georgetown Inn for a night since it was close to the airport. It was cheap, clean, friendly, and a short walk to some intimate restaurants and bars with just the right amount of character. As we took in some homemade orangecello and happy hour pizzas at Via Tribunali, I felt comfortable just lingering for awhile.

Street Art in Georgetown

I wish I could have lingered in Seattle longer, because I loved every moment here, even when I wasn’t enjoying “The Naked Experience.” I can see why people love this unique city, but for me sleeping in thi was just a tad more enjoyable than becoming sleepless in Seattle.

© Faith’s True Tales 2018. All original words and images by Faith Brady unless otherwise noted.

Ever so often, travelers must make an ultimate decision. Is it better to explore or get naked? When traveling, my itineraries are typically well-researched and packed with excitement to the minute, in fear that I'd miss out on some incredible experiences.

[jamietheexplorer-blog]

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destination. Well, that’s absolutely true! Last December 2016 we took our roads to a small town in Cordillera Mountain Province, the famous town of Sagada. From Cebu we flied to NAIA in Manila. Then, 6-8 hours road trip from Manila to Baguio City. Baguio is the gateway to Cordillera Mountain Province. And then, another 5-6 hours road trip from Baguio to Sagada. There are no shortcuts to any place worth going, so all you need to do is be patient.

This is the highest point with 7400 feet above sea level located in Cattubo, Atuk Benguet

There are three routes to get in Sagada;

Manila -Baguio -Sagada

Manila – Banaue -Sagada

Manila – Bontoc – Sagada

Among the 3 routes the most popular is the Manila-Baguio-Sagada because Baguio is the Summer Capital of the Philippines and many travelers would love to stop and make a quick tour in Baguio before or after going to Sagada. This is also the shortest route to get there. The Manila-Bontoc-Sagada is the longest route.

The road to Sagada is not easy especially when it’s rainy season because of its narrow and winding roads and the other side are limestone cliffs. The soil is very weak and there are landslide everywhere. The best time to go to Sagada is during the cold season of December to February and summer for those who want to escape the heat from the City. When traveling to Sagada on summer, you should expect a huge crowd of tourists because that’s the peak season. For me, going to Sagada on day time is safer than night or dawn because during those time we should expect a huge fog that might cover the roads.

Tips before going to Sagada; 1. If you want a more convenient, fast and easy travel, there are many travel agencies that offers travel package that includes van, driver, free meals, environmental fees and hotel accomodations. Better to book a month before you travel. 2. And if you are seeking for more excitement and real adventure and you have enough time, I highly recommend to travel by bus. That’s the best way to fully experience travel adventure. No worries because there are many buses bound from Manila to Baguio, and from Baguio to Sagada I guessed there are schedules for buses. I am not so familiar with the other two routes.

Our group we chose to hire a travel agency because we are not from Luzon and we only have a short time. We want a fast and easy travel to be able to visit as many places as we can. We get a package tour Manila-Ilocos-Baguio-Sagada. In our six days of travel we had visited some of the tourist destinations of those places. We were very lucky to have Kuya Allan of Triple 8 Travel Tours, he is our best driver and  at the same time tour guide.

The mountain is inviting. I can’t resist it, so i took a selfie. 😊

While on the road to Mountain Province I was amazed with the scenic views of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and rice terraces. Seeing people walking on the street makes me wonder “Am I in the Philippines?” Because people are wearing shoes, coats and long sleeves because of its cold weather. We felt like we were in other country.

When we arrived in Sagada, we encountered some locals and we were surprised because they are English speaking people. They speak English fluently and naturally than those people who are living in the City. They also speak tagalog and most of the time when talking with their fellow native Igorots they uses their own dialect, the kankana-ey. I learned that they are fluent in english because their teachers many years ago were foreigners. People in Sagada are called native Igorots. They are already civilized people but their values, beliefs, lifestyles, cultures, and traditions remain well-preserved. And that is their greatest edge to the other places in the Philippines.

Things must do when in Sagada; ● Cave Connection – Lumiang and Sumaguing Cave

Sagada is blessed with stunning caves. They have Lumiang, Sumaguing, Balangagan, and Crystal caves. The most popular and well visited are the Lumiang and Sumaguing Caves. There are 2 course going to the caves. The 2-hour course at Sumaguing and 4 to 5-hour course that starts at Lumiang and ends at Sumaguing. Most of the tourists opt for the 2 hour course Sumaguing because it is the quickiest route and it also has a scenic and magnificient rock formations. It is also ideal for tourists with children. We opted the 4 to 5-hour course which is the cave connection. 

The three brave spelunkers. On our way to Lumiang Cave.

The cave connection is ideal for travelers who are brave hearted and thrill seeker people. Before going to the caves we contacted a native tour guide and he picked us early in the morning. We are 10 in a group but we do separate adventures. Only 3 of us are brave enough to go spelunking and the rest went to bomod-ok falls. At first i was hesitant but I pushed myself to conquer those challenge. We drove 10-15 minutes from the pensionne house and from the main road we walked 15 minutes to Lumiang cave.

After our 15 minutes walked we are now in Lumiang Cave.

At the entrance of Lumiang cave you could see hundreds of coffins beacause the cave became an ancient burial grounds for Igorots.

The entrance of Lumiang cave. This cave became an ancient burial grounds of Igorots.

Before we enter ��the cave our tour guide shared a brief orientation. He said that the departed igorots were buried into a fetal position, because it is believed that souls should leave the same way they entered it.

I wasn’t informed na magblue pala dapat ng sombrero ang grupo 😁😊 sa aming apat ako lang kasi nakagreen eh 😀✌

The igorots has strong beliefs on spirits. During all souls day they never visited there dead love ones especially those who were buried in caves and hanging coffins because it is the departed who will visit them at home. Before we finally enter the cave our guide  instructed us to always hold the rope because that serves as our life line. Because there will be moments where we go up and down.

So let the adventure of spelunking begin!

We are ready to get in!

I was totally nervous at the same time super excited beause it’s my first time to go spelunking. The small light from the lamp is the one that light us the way.

Our tour guide holding a lamp.

Three times our lamp failed and we need to stop because our guide will change something on the lamp.

So we seated there and total darkness covered the whole cave. There were only four of us in Lumiang cave because we were so early. Even if we’re only four inside that cave, we were very loud and I’m sure that we awaken some spirits living in that cave. We were so lucky to have a handsome, approachable and very gentleman tour guide😁.  Lumiang cave is perfect for those who are brave hearted people looking for some thrill and extreme adventures. One wrong step and you will be bumped down elsewhere. The stones are quiet slippery and they don’t provide any safety gears like helmets, so you have to be careful all the time. Always follow and listen to your tour guide because they know  more. The caves are their playgrounds. When inside the cave let your imagination run free. Leave all your worries outside, focus and enjoy the spelunking. Lumiang cave is quite scary because there are moments when you need to lie down and squeeze your body to fit in the tiny holes.  Sometimes you go up and down with the rope.

Triplets

There are also times when the guide carries you or let you sit on their shoulder. There is also time when you need to walk in the water which is neck level just to reach the other side. In Lumiang cave we only saw few rock formations because it was so dark.

Rock formation in Lumiang Cave

When we arrived in Sumaguing cave there were already many tourists. There you could see beautiful and magneficient rock formations and a crystal clear water that falls from the rocks. It’s quite slippery also so be careful.

These are some of the Sumaguing Cave rock formations some with names and some w/out names. 

This the pregnant woman and we are the triplets.

The turtle head.

The king curtain. I’m sorry but the camera didn’t give justice to the beautiful rock formation.

Name it.

Things you should remember while inside the cave. 1. Always trust your tour guide. 2. Never stray from the group. Don’t walk anywhere by yourself because you might be fall somewhere. 3. Do not carry all your baggage, leave it to your hotel or pensionne house. Just bring your money and celphones. If you’re bringing celphone, better to bring also a ziplock plastic. 4. Dress comfortably, better wear leggings, shorts, shirts, rush guards and slippers. 5. Do not leave trace on the caves. 6. Do not litter. 7. Do not vandalize.

That moment when we finished the spelunking, words can’t expressed how proud we are because WE SURVIVE! the cave connection.

I survived!

The cave connection is quite scary and dangerous but it’s worth doing. I will come again to Sagada and do it again.

● Bomod-ok Falls

While we are spelunking, the rest of the group engaged into 2 kilometers trekking to Bomod-ok falls.

Team Bomod-ok falls

They were being accompanied by a native tour guide and they were given a hiking sticks to help them balance for the trek. Based on their experience that struggle is real going to bomod-ok falls with thousands of steps up and down.

Small village of Igorots

If we only had enough time to go both the cave and falls then, i would never missed the trek. The hiking maybe tiring but the experience and the beautiful scenery of mountains, rice fields , the small village of Igorots, and the majestic falls are rewarding.

The majestic Bomod-ok falls

The falls is one of the places one must at least see since this one of the things Sagada is known for. There’s always a next time and I promised not to miss bomod-ok falls again.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN UNFINISHED BLOG..he3….to be continued ▬…

● Hanging Coffins

● Echo Valley

● Kiltepan Peak Sea of Clouds

When in Sagada Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destination. Well, that's absolutely true! Last December 2016 we took our roads to a small town in Cordillera Mountain Province, the famous town of Sagada.