#keywords and mouse

[justcomputer12]

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[danshi12]

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[angelicyoongie]

(you're) always on my mind (I)

— pairing: bird hybrid jimin x (f) reader — word count: 5.1k — summary: When your workplace announces that they've decided to promote collaboration between departments, you suddenly find yourself face to face with your sworn nemesis Park Jimin. Your plans to avoid him are quickly foiled as his presence turns the floor into a madhouse, your coworkers all vying for his attention. With so many people at his beck and call, why is it that Jimin is always so insistent on getting in your way?

01 - 02 - 03 / Masterlist

Gentle hums accompany you as you flick through the pages on your desk, highlighting the important keywords in your proposal.

Adjusting the reading glasses that are slipping down your nose, you glance to the side to find Jungkook twirling a pen between his fingers, staring at the same empty email as he has been for the past thirty minutes. Working beside Jungkook for the past three years has given you enough time to learn his cues and grow so accustomed to them that you no longer really notice when they happen.

In the beginning, the humming and singing under his breath would drive insane when you were trying to concentrate but you've since come to appreciate it. Jungkook would have a field day if he knew, but the truth is that you've found yourself missing the constant stream of the current top 10 pop songs on the days he's not in the office. 

"Do you need help with the email?" You ask as you flip to another page, tapping the highlighter against your chin as you scan through the words.

The humming – which you've learned Jungkook resorts to whenever he's feeling stressed – is cut off by a groan. 

"No, it's fine." 

You hear Jungkook clicking his mouse before the screen next to yours goes dark.

"I know that this workshop would improve my skill set but I'm not sure how to convince Mr. Shin of the same thing. For a company that's always pushing improvement and development, they sure hate to invest in it." 

"Tell me about it," You let out a quiet snort. "You know I had to beg Mr. Shin for months just let me attend a three-hour seminar the higher-ups had recommended for all the marketing employees." 

You see a mop of brown hair fall to the desk in your periphery, Jungkook letting out another upset sound. You give him a half-hearted pat on the back, quickly turning back to your proposal. 

"I'm hungry," Jungkook whines.

"And I'm not done yet," You reply as you drag your pen across another important section. 

"But it's officially lunchtime–" Jungkook goes silent for a beat as he picks up his phone, staring at the clock until it hits noon on the dot, "- right now! It won't make a difference if you hand in that proposal now or in an hour, you know Mr. Shin never looks at anything until after he's had his lunch."

"I can feel my body growing weaker with every passing second, Y/n, my vision is getting blurry, I can't feel my toes–" 

You roll your eyes as Jungkook dramatically slips off his chair, sinking to the floor between your desks. You place your pen down with a sigh, turning your head to find him already staring at you with wide, pleading eyes. 

"Are you really that hungry?" 

"Starving," Jungkook nods solemnly.

You spare your almost-finished proposal another glance. You know that Jungkook is right but the perfectionist in you hates to leave anything longer than you have to. Still, what difference will an hour make?

"Fine," You concede as you put your pen down, "Let's go get lunch." 

Jungkook lets out a victorious sound as he springs to his feet. He barely lets you grab your wallet before he pulls you out of your seat, throwing an arm around your shoulder to steer to toward the elevator before you can change your mind.

"So, what's the special today?" You ask as you both cram yourself into the open elevator, Jungkook's beefy frame providing some extra leeway from the other workers. You truly have no clue how his business casual attire has made it this long without ripping at the seams, you swear he's only getting more muscular with every passing week. 

"Pork belly," He gives you a sheepish smile.

"That explains the dramatics," You shake your head, smiling back at him.

You both hurry out of the elevator when it reaches the floor of the cafeteria, not wanting to get stuck in line behind everyone else. You pout as what must be a leopard hybrid slips past you, their natural gait so quick you only really catch sight of the tip of their black tail as they round the corner into the cafeteria. You and Jungkook are just regular old humans, so there is no competition there. 

As soon as you both have your food, with Jungkook's plate stacked so high you're worried it might topple over as you make your way through the cafeteria, you scan the crowd for a familiar set of antlers. You give Hoseok a bright smile as you spot him at an empty table, the deer hybrid is always quicker than the two of you to get out of his duties and grab a table. 

"There are my overachievers!" Hoseok greets you as you both take a seat. "Lunch started exactly seven minutes ago, why are you so late?" 

Jungkook lets out a sigh as he gets comfortable next to Hoseok, his chopsticks already loaded with meat as he says, "Y/n is working on another proposal." 

"Ah," Hoseok nods his head as if that explains everything, his reddish-brown hair bobbing along with the motion.

You childishly stick out your tongue, ignoring their laughter as you take a bite of your food. You don't mind their little jabs because you know they're right. You are an overachiever, but that's simply because you like what you do and you take pride in your work. It makes you happy when the ideas you've worked hard on get approved and implemented. 

"I do admire your work ethic, Y/n," Hoseok points out as he stuffs a lettuce wrap full of vegetables into his mouth. "I just don't relate. I'm only here for that sweet, sweet paycheck I get at the end of the month." 

Jungkook gives Hoseok a high-five. 

"Let me guess, you're only here to fund your figurine collection?" You raise an eyebrow, already knowing the answer.

"You know me so well," Jungkook shoots you a finger heart, one you quickly redirect in Hoseok's direction with a swipe of your hand.

Jungkook lets out an affronted gasp as Hoseok snatches it up, clutching his hand to his chest as he mutters, "That's so mean. I'm never going to give you another finger heart ever again."

"That's fine by me, keep them for your waifus," You bicker back. 

Jungkook ducks as Hoseok laughs, the deer hybrid's antlers getting dangerously close to his face as Hoseok leans to the side. There's a reason you tend to sit across from Hoseok and not next to him - your reflexes aren't as good as Jungkook's. 

Hoseok's giggles taper off into an amused expression as he looks towards the cafeteria entrance, "Hm, there's certainly one person in this company that can relate to your ambitious nature."

You glance over your shoulder, your eyes immediately locking on to the person he was referring to. The other employees in the cafeteria part like the red sea as Park Jimin makes his way through the room, their expressions awed as they take in the hybrid's dashing looks. Today, Jimin's deep dark blue hair is swept to the side, revealing his unblemished skin and pretty features. His large wings are folded behind his back, the blue feathers showing off their purple tint whenever the sun hits them just right. All that to say, you think the most striking part about Jimin might be his violet-colored eyes. There's something about the color that just makes his gaze feel so intense – captivating, almost. 

"Come to think of it, the two of you would be perfect for each other!" 

Your attention snaps back to Hoseok so fast you hear something in your neck pop. You scowl at him, kicking his shin under the table as you hiss, "Do you secretly hate me or something? Don't ever suggest something like that again."

Hoseok throws his hands up in the air, confused.

"I'm sorry? I just figured you might enjoy being workaholics together, gods know Park is just as bad as you are."

"Hyung," Jungkook shakes his head, "Trust me, you do not want to see the two of them together in the same room. Just based on the tone of the emails they exchanged last year during a project, it's obvious they're not compatible. At all. I thought Y/n was going to break her keyboard in two with how hard she was hitting the keys every time she had to reply to him." 

The reminder makes you huff, your chopstick stabbing into a piece of pork belly with vengeance. You had tried to be courteous at first, to collaborate with him in a friendly manner fit for work, but it hadn't taken many exchanges before you realized that Park Jimin didn't deserve that. His emails oozed with cockiness and he always presented his ideas as if they were something you had already agreed on, instead of something to be considered. What you detested the most about that project was that Jimin's proposal was eventually picked over yours. The gloating smile he flashed you during the final meeting still makes your blood boil even now. 

"Oh, my bad," Hoseok grimaces, dropping the subject as he takes note of the displeasure on your face.

You sigh, turning to pick up a napkin as your gaze subconsciously seeks out Jimin in the room. He's made his way over to a table with what must be co-workers from his and Hoseok's department, his eyes forming crescent moons as he grins at something that's said.

You don't manage to look away before Jimin glances up and locks eyes with you. His expression turns smug as he catches you staring, his hand reaching out to cover the female employee's fingers that are curled around his arm. He says something that makes her swoon, her loud giggles carrying across the room. 

Your stomach sours as you watch them blatantly flirt, annoyed with how Jimin seems to have no decorum in general when it comes to work. Even the company couples know to keep it professional during office hours. 

You roll your eyes, turning back to watch Jungkook shovel the last of his meal into his mouth. 

With your appetite officially gone, you dap the napkin to your lips, scowling as you say, "I'd rather quit my job than ever work with him again." 

Shortly after lunch is over, you finally put the last touches on your proposal, ready to go hand it in. You look over the pages one final time, making sure they're all in order and neatly lined up before you slip them into a clear folder. Just as you place your hands on your desk, ready to push yourself up from your chair, the door to Mr. Shin's office unexpectedly opens. 

He claps his hands twice to get the attention of the department, the office falling silent as they all turn their eyes and ears to him. 

"Everyone, I require your attention for a moment."

You relax back down into your chair as Mr. Shin walks further into the office, making sure he's visible to all the employees who are scattered around. He glances at his watch, smiling to himself before he explains, "As of last month, it was decided that the company will be testing out a new work system where employees from certain departments will be moved around to promote better in-house collaboration. This will hopefully bring some new and fresh ideas to our projects and we hope to see your creativity and motivation flourish as a result." 

"We will be welcoming the top worker from the development department, one I am sure will bring a valuable new perspective to our team. Mr. Park, if you will–" 

A terrible feeling settles in the pit of your stomach as Park Jimin strides into the room, a perfectly pleasant smile painted on his deceitful face as he takes his place next to Mr. Shin. Jimin takes his time looking around the room, sharing smiles and soft greetings with the workers closest to him. His violet eyes seem to zero in on you when he finds your desk on the other side of the office, the wings behind his back ruffling slightly. You can only assume it means that he's as annoyed as you are to be sharing the same department.

You can feel your lips twisting into a scowl as you glance back at Mr. Shin, the older man smiling so brightly at Jimin you would almost think he hung the sun in the sky every morning.

"Wonderful! As you know, we have a new big project coming up and I previously asked you all to submit your proposals for how we should best promote this new venture. Although I'm sure you've all been working hard on your ideas so far, I can tell you now that you may scratch that task off your list."

You suck in a small breath, your fingers tightening around the folder in your grip. There's no way Mr. Shin has done something so unfair, it must be about something different–

"Mr. Park had a fantastic proposal, one I believe will take this project to new heights, so I would like to announce that his ideas have been chosen and that we are all in good hands with this new addition to our team." 

Your gaze involuntarily flickers back to Jimin as applause breaks out in the office. The bird hybrid doesn't seem to have looked away from you at all and that self-assured, cocky smile blooms on his lips as he no doubt sees the defeat on your face. 

You don't think you've ever despised a person more than you do Park Jimin. 

Jimin's taunting eyes are momentarily blocked from view as Mr. Shin goes to shake his hand, the rest of the office using it as their opportunity to go greet (or flirt with) their new team member. You look away, finding Jungkook staring at you with a slightly horrified expression.

"Y/n, I'm so sorry, I really didn't think that hour would make a difference," He pleads.

"It's not your fault, this must've already been decided a few days ago," You answer, trying your best to keep the annoyance out of your voice. Jungkook didn't do anything wrong after all.

With a sigh, you throw away your proposal, already knowing you're going to have to pick up a bottle of wine on the way home to keep yourself in check. Crying all night over a wasted proposal is out of the question, especially since you know Jimin would probably gloat about it if he ever found out.

"But if you do feel bad, I wouldn't mind something from your stash," You pout.

Jungkook scrambles to open his secret candy drawer, the one he always keeps locked whenever he steps away from his desk. For a man who works out so religiously, he sure has a terrible sweet tooth. 

You give him a soft thank you as he hands you one of your favorite bars of chocolate.

You sink in your chair, biting into the bar in hopes that the sweet taste will overpower some of the bitterness coating your tongue as you hear Jimin's airy laughter fill the room, the hybrid already more at home than you've ever felt in this department.

Tapping your foot, you internally groan over how slow the office printer is spitting out your papers. 

Your day already got off on the wrong foot. Turns out that drinking a whole bottle of wine by yourself was a bad idea on a weekday and it was with a splitting headache that you had to get dressed in a rush and sprint to get to your commute on time. With no time left for coffee before having to clock in, you've been left to nurse your pounding head down to a dull ache with just some water and aspirin graciously provided to you by Jungkook.

Safe to say, you're not having a good time today.  

So, it comes as no surprise that the printer suddenly decides to jam, the machine whirling loudly as it tries to unclog the stuck paper.

"Fuck, you have to be kidding me," You curse under your breath as you give the machine a frustrated kick. Could your day get any worse?

"Careful, Y/n, or I might have to report you to HR for destruction of property."

The sound of Park Jimin's voice right behind you makes you jump, your surprise causing you to whirl around so fast your own feet can't keep up. Jimin grabs your arm as you stumble back, his hold just enough to keep you from crashing right into the printer.

"Shit, I didn't mean to startle you. Are you okay?" 

It's the genuine worry in Jimin's voice that makes you glance at his face, his delicate features twisted with concern as he looks you over. You find yourself a little dumbstruck seeing Jimin up close for the first time, the words not leaving your mouth as you take all of him in. His violet eyes feel endless as you look into them, the darker hues around his iris creating an absolutely mesmerizing color. As Jimin shifts his weight, you notice for the first time that there are a few scattered feathers slicked back with the rest of his hair. The texture is just slightly noticeable nestled between his blue locks, the color just as deep as his wings. 

It's the sound of hushed murmurs that remind you of where you are, your arm still securely held in Jimin's warm grip. It's impossible to glance over Jimin's shoulder with how high the curve of his wings are, but a quick look around them confirms that you're being watched by two female employees. The pair of them have been following Jimin around all day, disrupting your workflow with their high-pitched giggles whenever he spared them an ounce of attention.

It's obvious that they're not happy that Jimin is talking to you and not them. So yes, it turns out that your day could, in fact, get worse. You have no intention of attracting their ire and certainly not because of Park Jimin. 

"I'm fine," You reply, shaking off his hand, "I'll go call IT for help." 

Jimin's feathers rustle uneasily as you move to walk back to your desk, his gaze traveling between you and the printer before his face suddenly lights up. 

"There's no need for that, Y/n, I'll fix it for you."

The cocky smile he sends you way makes a shiver travel down your spine, the spot on your arm still warm from where he held it. To Jimin's credit, he does seem to know what he's doing. It only takes a minute of him opening a panel before the printer stops complaining and whirls back to life, the rest of your papers slowly being pumped out onto the tray at the other end. 

Jimin dusts his hand off, smiling proudly as he says, "There you go." 

You collect your papers as the last one gets spit out, very aware that Jimin hasn't made a move to go back to his desk yet. You turn to face him, sighing internally as you see the expectant look on his face.

"... Thank you," You tersely say. 

Jimin's chest seems to puff out a little at that. His expression turns smug as he leans in a little closer, the tone of his voice flirtatious as he asks, "If you're feeling thankful, maybe you can buy me lunch? I would be more than happy to accept." 

You fight the urge to roll your eyes. Of course, you should've known that his ulterior motive would be to humiliate you more. You'd bring him to lunch and then what? He would probably talk your ear off about how much better he is and how his proposal was picked over yours – that he's more qualified for your job than you are.

You give him an unimpressed look back, gesturing to the two whispering employees as you say, "I'll pass. It seems your fan club is waiting for you and more than willing to buy you all the food your heart desires." 

Walking off before Jimin can reply, you ignore the dirty looks the women send you as you pass them by, your sights set on your desk. 

It turns out that today might be a perfect day for checking out that café Jungkook found on the other side of town, after all. 

With each passing day, you're becoming more and more confident that the universe is out to get you. 

It's only been a week since Jimin was transferred to your department but somehow, it has felt like a year. The hybrid is always within your line of sight and the gaggle of people following him around are really starting to disrupt your work and get on your nerves. Not even Jungkook's gentle singing is enough to drown out the constant hushed gossip and giggles echoing across the floor anymore.

You sink into your chair with a sigh, vexed by how you couldn't even escape Jimin's presence in the bathroom. The other women washing their hands and touching up their makeup couldn't stop gushing about how handsome and sweet and utterly kind he was – you almost felt a little bad that they had been so fooled by his faux persona.

Cunning and infuriating would be much more fitting adjectives to describe him with. 

"I think you got an email earlier," Jungkook mumbles, his eyes set on his computer screen. His brows are furrowed with concentration as he types out his workshop request. It seems that with Mr. Shin's increasingly happy mood now that Jimin's around, Jungkook has decided he might as well try to get it approved.

"Thanks."

You click on the blinking icon at the corner of your screen, and a tiny flash of hope surges through you as you notice the sender. Maybe Mr. Shin changed his mind about Jimin's proposal, or maybe he has something else for you to work on, something that will take you far, far away from the office–

Disbelief quickly crushes that sliver of hope as you read through Mr. Shin's email. He wants you to help Jimin. Apparently, some of the preliminary ideas you submitted to your supervisor ahead of your proposal would be a great asset to the new project, and Mr. Shin believes that sharing them with Jimin will strengthen the department's teamwork. 

Grinding your teeth, you find the old files and send them to print, holding yourself back from writing an unsavory reply that would most definitely get you fired. You can't believe you're being asked to help the enemy, the same man who snubbed you of the chance to even hand in your proposal in the first place. 

"I don't want to interact with him," You groan, rubbing your forehead. 

"Who?" Jungkook asks.

"Who do you think?" You deadpan, giving his chair a light kick.

"Well–" Jungkook lifts his glance away from his screen, craning his neck to peer over the divider. "He's not at this desk right now so if you hurry, you won't have to talk to him at all." 

You didn't notice it before, but the office has been suspiciously quiet for the past ten minutes, completely void of the hushed giggles that seem to accompany Jimin. Following Jungkook's lead, you slowly get out of your seat, glancing around the floor to make sure the hybrid is nowhere in sight.

Finding everything clear, you hurry over to the printer, thankful that it has decided to cooperate for once. Grabbing your papers, you beeline for Jimin's desk, hoping to drop them off and get out of there as quickly as possible. Just as you're about to slam the papers down and be done with it, the state of Jimin's desk freezes you in your tracks.

Everything is blue. All the supplies that could possibly be personalized – his pens, sticky notes, keyboard, mouse, even a small potted plant – are all in varying shades of blue. You can only deduce that it's a hybrid thing, something that has to do with his specific species. Or, well, maybe he just really likes blue. Either way, it's certainly not what you were expecting. 

It's the ding of the elevator announcing its arrival that snaps you back into motion, the sound of flirty laughter carrying into the office as its doors begin to open. You hastily leave the files on the side of his desk, careful not to disturb the placement of his things before scurrying back to your side of the department floor. You take your seat just as Jimin waltzes back into the office, the usual group of women and men following him around. 

"You'd think he was a god or something," You roll your eyes.

Jungkook shrugs his shoulders, way too nonchalant as he says, "I mean, he is handsome enough to be one." 

You turn to look at him, raising an eyebrow as you say, "Jeon Jungkook, did you just compliment the enemy?"

Jungkook gives you a sheepish smile in return, flicking the ends of his hair as he replies, "Beauty recognizes beauty, Y/n, it can't be helped." 

"You're right," You smile, all sweet, "I guess it also can't be helped that I now only have one friend in this company. But since Hoseok doesn't enjoy meat, I guess I'll just how to throw out all of the delicious cuts I got for our monthly dinner tomorrow – what a shame."

"Wait, Y/n!–" Jungkook scrambles in his chair, dragging himself closer to your desk. "I was just joking, you know that right? Please don't throw away the meat." 

You stare him down for a second, narrowing your eyes before turning back to your screen. "We'll see."

Despite your less-than-great eyesight, even you know that Jungkook is right. It pains you to admit it, but Jimin is beautiful. Even so, Jungkook should know not to praise that handsome, winged demon right in front of you.

So, you ignore Jungkook's puppy eyes in favor of your work, giving him a taste of the betrayal you just felt. You can never feign being upset with him for long but ten minutes?

That you can do.

Though, you suppose you should have known that Jungkook wouldn't let you get away with threatening his precious meat. 

"Jungkook–"

You roll your eyes as Jungkook's pout deepens, his head turning away from you dramatically.

"I'm sorry, okay? I'll never joke around about pork belly ever again."

"Do you promise?" He huffs. 

Jungkook only turns to look at you once you promise that yes, you'll never do something like that ever again. His sunny demeanor is back the moment the words leave your lips, proving once again that you were right when you introduced him to Hoseok as a master manipulator. It's impossible to not feel like a monster when those doe eyes are staring at you with all the sadness in the world. 

You slowly begin to pack up your things as Jungkook chatters away about a new anime he's found, doing your usual steps as you log off and power down your computer. Just as you're about to clock out for the day, you hear your name being called from the other side of the floor. Getting out of your seat, you see Mr. Shin waving you over to his office, signaling that he wants to talk to you. 

"You should go ahead," You tell Jungkook as you leave your packed bag and coat at your desk. "I don't know how long this is going to take but I'll text you once I'm done."

"I'm holding you to that!" Jungkook wags his finger. 

You wave Jungkook goodbye for the day as you cross the floor, taking a deep breath to calm your sudden nerves. As you reach Mr. Shin's office, you softly clear your throat, pulling on your clothes to make sure you look presentable before knocking on his door. 

"Come in." 

You open the door as you hear Mr. Shin's muffled voice telling you to enter, the pleasant smile on your face faltering just the slightest as you notice that Park Jimin is already present.

"Sir, you called for me?"

Mr. Shin waves you closer to his desk, gesturing for you to take the seat next to Jimin. You keep your eyes forward, not daring to look at the hybrid lest you accidentally pull a face.

"Ah yes, it's about the new project. We reviewed the suggestions you proposed and decided that they would complement Park's ideas very well. With the spirit of department teamwork in mind, Mr. Park proposed that you would both work together on this project, sharing the responsibility."

"Oh, that's.." You trail off, not quite sure what to say. This was not what you envisioned when you entered the room.

You turn your head to look at Jimin, the bird hybrid sporting an unreadable expression. You can't tell if he's upset with the news or not – you can't imagine Park would be thrilled to be forced to spend time with you – but wait, did your supervisor say that–

"You asked for me?"

"Of course," Jimin nods, "It wouldn't be right to use your ideas without you on the team."

There's no trace of the usual cockiness you've come to associate with Jimin, nor any of that flirty demeanor. To your surprise, Jimin appears to be fully serious for once. 

"Right," You reply, at a loss for words. This was a twist you had not seen coming. 

"So, what do you say Miss Y/n? Would you like to collaborate with Mr. Park on this project?"

Frankly, working with Jimin is the last thing you want to do. But the fact that your ideas will be implemented in the project no matter if you're there to take credit for it or not, is what convinces you to jump head first into what's surely going to become your own personal hell for the next few months. 

You spare Jimin another glance, plastering on your best smile as you inform Mr. Shin that,

"I would love to, thank you for giving me this opportunity." 

The bird hybrid's chest puffs out minutely at your agreement, that sly smile returning to his lips.

You have no doubt that he has an ulterior motive for including you in his project. But no matter what Jimin decides to throw at you – you sure as hell won't be going down without a fight. 

a/n: welcome to this silly little fic! i've been wanting to write something more lighthearted for a while so this felt like the perfect story to do just that 💖 will the mc and jimin survive being stuck together for a project?? only time will tell (actually, you'll know in a few weeks lol)!

i would love to hear your thoughts so far and reblogs are very much appreciated 💖

[odileeclipse]

In the Presence of Truth {"Sage of Truth" (SMC) x Reader} PT 19

<<<Previous Next>>>

You knew her well enough to know that was a lie. And for some reason, that made you uneasy. 

You narrowed your eyes. “No, seriously. What?” Chai Latte Cookie only sipped her tea, all too pleased with herself, but Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie had no such patience for theatrics.

 With an exasperated sigh, he pulled a small notebook from his pocket, flipping through the pages with practiced ease. “Alright,” he muttered, eyes scanning his own notes, “since you’re so curious, let’s see…” 

Your stomach twisted. “Oh, for the love of-....Hazelnut, you did not take notes” But he had. Of course, he had.

 With a smug expression, he slid the notebook across the table toward you. “Here. Read it yourself.” 

Chai Latte Cookie leaned in, grinning like a cat who had cornered a particularly amusing mouse. “Oh, I love when he does this.” You hesitated, then, with no small amount of trepidation, picked up the notebook. The notes were surprisingly neat, brief, to the point, and, unfortunately, accurate.

Earl Grey, the ever-dutiful guardian, intercepts before Chai can go too far. Protective streak? Expected.

Subject (that’s you, genius) responds with visible embarrassment. Likely unsure how to process attention.

Sage of Truth remains silent but watching. Keyword: Watching.

Tension noted. Sage’s hands flexed once but did not act. (Self-restraint?)

Chai enjoying this far too much. Further study needed.

You groaned, letting the notebook fall flat onto the table. “This is ridiculous.” 

“Is it?” Chai Latte Cookie asked sweetly. “Yes!” 

You pointed at Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie. “This isn’t scientific”

 He scoffed. “It’s observational.”

 “And biased.” Earl Grey Cookie, who had been sipping his tea in relative silence, finally sighed, setting his cup down with quiet finality. 

“Enough,” he murmured, reaching out and perhaps mercifully flipping the notebook shut. His gaze, steady and refined as always, settled on you with something gentler than scrutiny, yet no less perceptive. “You don’t have to entertain them if you don’t want to.” 

You exhaled sharply. “Thank you.” Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie merely leaned his chin into his palm, watching the exchange with interest. “So you’re not denying the tension?”

 Earl Grey Cookie shot him a look that could have curdled fresh cream. “You are insufferable.” 

Chai Latte Cookie giggled, tucking her hands beneath her chin. “But we’re right, aren’t we?” 

Earl Grey Cookie sighed through his nose, rubbing his temple. “You’re never satisfied until you’ve exhausted every possible avenue of speculation.”

 You slumped forward, head in your hands. “This is the worst dinner I’ve ever had.”

 Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie hummed. “And yet, you still haven’t denied it.” 

Chai Latte Cookie clapped her hands together, delighted. “Fascinating!” You groaned. Earl Grey Cookie, resigned, simply picked up his tea again. 

Earl Grey Cookie had, for the most part, played the role of the patient observer offering you small mercies when the others got too carried away. But even he, ever composed, was not entirely above a well-placed jab. With an air of nonchalance, he reached for Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie’s notebook, flipping it open with a deliberate slowness that sent a shiver of unease down your spine. 

You watched as his sharp eyes scanned the notes, his fingers smoothing the edges of the pages. “Hmm.” He tilted his head slightly, considering. Then, to your horror, he pulled out his own pen.

 “Oh, come on!” you groaned. Earl Grey Cookie said nothing as he made a single, measured annotation beneath Hazelnut’s last point. Then he slid the notebook back with a satisfied nod, lifting his teacup once more. Chai Latte Cookie immediately leaned in to read what he had written, and when she did, her laughter rang through the dining hall like a chime of pure amusement. Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie’s brows lifted in surprise, and even he let out a small huff of amusement. Dreading what fresh humiliation awaited you, you snatched the notebook back. Your eyes darted to Earl Grey’s addition.

Earl Grey, the ever-dutiful guardian, intercepts before Chai can go too far. Protective streak? Expected.

Subject (that’s you, genius) responds with visible embarrassment. Likely unsure how to process attention.

Sage of Truth remains silent but watching. Keyword: Watching. (Not needed)

Tension noted. Sage’s hands flexed once but did not act. (Self-restraint?) (Biased)

Chai enjoying this far too much. Further study needed.

(New entry:) Subject is either alarmingly oblivious or in deep denial. Either way, outcome remains the same: fascinatingly easy to fluster.

Your face burned. “Earl Grey!” Earl Grey Cookie merely sipped his tea, entirely unbothered. “Merely an observation.”

 Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie chuckled, tapping his pen against the table. “Not bad, not bad. I might have to start letting you proofread my work. Though next time consult with me before desecrating my work” 

Chai Latte Cookie, still giggling, nudged you playfully. “Oh, come on, don’t pout. It’s not wrong, you know.” 

You huffed, slamming the notebook shut. “I’m finding new friends.”

 “No, you’re not,” Chai Latte Cookie said sweetly, resting her chin on your shoulder. “You love us.” You did. Unfortunately. 

Earl Grey Cookie set down his teacup with quiet precision. “Regardless, we should move on before our subject becomes too agitated,” he mused, though there was the faintest trace of amusement in his voice. 

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie hummed in agreement, slipping the notebook back into his coat. “For now,” he said. “But this is definitely going in the next round of observations.” 

Chai Latte Cookie eventually let the teasing slip away, resting her chin in her palm as she studied you with something softer in her gaze. The laughter had settled, leaving only the quiet murmur of the dining hall and the rhythmic clinking of teacups around you.

 “But,” she mused, her voice carrying a thoughtful lilt, “how would it even work?” You blinked, mid-sip of your drink. 

“How would what work?” She gave you a knowing look, as if you’d walked straight into a trap. “You and him.” Heat bloomed at the back of your neck, and Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie let out a low chuckle.

 “They didn’t even deny it,” he noted. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you shot back quickly, perhaps too quickly. But Chai Latte Cookie didn’t press the obvious. Instead, she tapped a thoughtful finger against her cup, eyes drifting elsewhere.

 “He’s immortal, right?” she asked. “Soul Jams grant that kind of longevity. And everyone knows Shadow Milk Cookie has one.” 

Earl Grey Cookie, who had been watching in silence, finally spoke, his tone measured. “Yes. It is well-documented that Soul Jams bestow great power and for those like the Sage of Truth, an existence that far surpasses our own.”

 He exhaled quietly, setting his cup down. “But that kind of longevity is not one easily shared.” The weight of his words settled heavily over the table.

Chai Latte Cookie, for all her playfulness, was not immune to solemnity. She lowered her gaze slightly, tracing the rim of her cup. “I just wonder what would happen,” she murmured. “If you did…I mean, hypothetically.” 

You swallowed thickly, unsure how to answer. Because you hadn’t thought about it…hadn’t let yourself think about it. Shadow Milk Cookie existed in a different span of time. He had seen years stretch before him like an ever-expanding horizon, where you… You were a fleeting thing in comparison. 

“Some truths,” Earl Grey Cookie said quietly, “are better left unspoken.” For once, Chai Latte Cookie didn’t challenge him. And for once, you weren’t sure if you wanted to know the answer. 

You tilted your head, a thoughtful hum escaping your lips. “You two do think alike,” you admitted, tapping your fingers against the table. 

“But honestly? I prefer bantering with you.” Earl Grey Cookie, ever composed, raised a brow. “Oh?” 

You leaned forward slightly, a teasing glint in your eyes. “Because you always let me win.” Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie let out a low chuckle, while Chai Latte Cookie pressed a hand to her chest in mock shock.

 “Unbelievable,” she gasped. “The great Earl Grey Cookie, yielding? What a scandal.”

 Earl Grey Cookie sighed, swirling his tea with a practiced elegance. “Yielding implies defeat. I simply find it… inefficient to argue a matter that does not require my full effort.”

 “That’s just a fancy way of saying you let me win,” you shot back, grinning. He exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. “I give you the illusion of victory.”

Chai Latte Cookie snickered. “See, that’s the difference,” she mused, tapping a finger against her chin. “The Sage of Truth would never do that. He’d just dismantle you with a smile and call it a learning experience.”

 You groaned, slumping against the table. “Exactly! Shadow Milk never lets me win. Ever. He just…he just smiles while I struggle and then nudges me toward the answer like I’m a lost little duckling.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie smirked. “And yet, you keep going back.” You shot him a glare, but he only shrugged, jotting something down in his notes.

 Chai Latte Cookie’s gaze flickered between you and the paper, her lips curling in amusement. “Ohhh, now I have to see what you’re writing.” 

Earl Grey Cookie, watching it all unfold, allowed himself the smallest smirk. “So, to summarize,” he mused, setting his cup down with deliberate precision, “you favor our exchanges because I provide you with a comfortable illusion of victory?” 

You pointed at him. “Exactly.” 

“And yet,” he continued smoothly, “you return to the Sage of Truth, knowing full well he will never afford you the same courtesy?” You hesitated, your mouth opening then closing. 

Chai Latte Cookie, ever the voice of mischief and reason, leaned forward, propping her chin on her palm. “Alright, alright, let’s get one thing very clear,” she said, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Earl Grey and the Sage of Truth? Completely different. The only real similarity is how they talk formal, refined, like they were both born with a teacup in one hand and a philosophy book in the other.” 

Earl Grey Cookie scoffed, adjusting his glasses. “I should hope my conversational skills amount to more than mere formalities.”

Chai Latte Cookie waved him off. “No, no, you both have that way of speaking where it sounds like you’re always making some grand declaration. But personality-wise?” She gestured between you and Earl Grey Cookie. “You like this one because he lets you win. He likes debates, but if things get too drawn out, he gets bored and moves on to something else-” 

Earl Grey Cookie exhaled sharply. “That is a mischaracterization.” 

“It’s true!” Chai Latte shot back, grinning. “You have opinions, and you like having them. The Sage? He doesn’t really do opinions just truths. He presents facts, lets people try to prove him wrong, then gently shatters their arguments like he’s doing them a favor.” 

You winced. “That… sounds about right.”

 “Exactly! Meanwhile, Earl Grey loves having a stance. He argues because it’s fun for him, not because he thinks it’s his solemn duty to educate the world. The Sage of Truth? He’s like, Oh, you poor thing, let me help you see the light, and you can’t even be mad because he’s so polite about it.”

 Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie nodded sagely. “One debates for the thrill, the other debates because he must.”

 You groaned, dragging your hands down your face. “Why does this all sound so accurate?” 

“Because it is accurate,” Chai Latte Cookie said with a smug smile. “Face it you don’t like them for the same reasons. You like this one” she jabbed a finger at Earl Grey Cookie, “because he’s fun, sociable, and knows when to give up the fight. You like him” she made a vague gesture toward where Shadow Milk Cookie wasn’t, “because he never gives up.”

There was a beat of silence. Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie tapped his pen against his notes. “Interesting.” 

Earl Grey Cookie let out a tired sigh. “I do not appreciate being reduced to a mere source of entertainment.” 

“Oh, lighten up, you are entertaining,” Chai Latte Cookie teased, taking a sip of her drink. “But you also have an actual sense of humor, which definitely sets you apart. The Sage of Truth is many things, but he’s not cracking jokes over tea.”

Earl Grey Cookie gave her a look, unimpressed. “I do not ‘crack jokes over tea.’”

Chai Latte Cookie smirked. “See? You just did. He wouldn’t.” 

You sighed, shaking your head. “So what you’re saying is…?” 

Chai Latte Cookie grinned. “That you have very different reasons for keeping both of them around.”

 You huffed, crossing your arms. “Great. Love that for me.” 

Earl Grey Cookie, ever refined, simply took a measured sip of his tea. “I, however, am deeply honored by the distinction.”

 Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie chuckled under his breath. “Sure you are.” 

Earl Grey Cookie, ever the informed one, casually refilled his tea as he spoke, his voice smooth but undeniably engaged. “Have you guys heard about the Spire of Knowledge?” he asked, glancing at you over the rim of his cup.

 You blinked at him, caught off guard. “The… what?” “The Spire of Knowledge,” he repeated, setting his cup down with a soft clink. “A research facility being constructed on Beast-Yeast. Once completed, it will allow the Sage of Truth to teach and conduct research on a far grander scale than the Academy can provide.” 

You stared at him, brain stalling. “Wait what?”

 Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie hummed, flipping through his notes. “You really haven’t heard? The Sage’s title is changing at the end of the semester. He’ll still go by Sage of Truth, but formally, he’ll be the Fount of Knowledge moving forward.” 

You opened your mouth, closed it, then turned a slow, incredulous stare back to Earl Grey Cookie. “And you just knew this?”

Earl Grey Cookie smirked, clearly enjoying your reaction. “Of course.” 

“I-how? When? Why?” You gestured wildly. With practiced ease, Earl Grey Cookie reached into his satchel and produced a neatly folded newspaper. He slid it across the table to you, and sure enough, right on the front page:

THE SPIRE OF KNOWLEDGE: A New Era of Scholarship In honor of the Sage of Truth’s contributions to academia, the Spire of Knowledge is currently under construction on Beast-Yeast. The facility will serve as a pinnacle of research, allowing the soon-to-be titled Fount of Knowledge to continue his teachings beyond the limits of Blueberry Yogurt Academy…

You skimmed the article in disbelief.

“The Academy is great,” Earl Grey Cookie said smoothly, watching as your eyes darted over the text, “but even it has its limits. This new facility will allow him to spread his knowledge even further research, lectures, possibly even intercontinental academic exchange.”

 Your fingers tightened around the paper as something unsettled curled in your chest. “So… he’s leaving?” 

Earl Grey Cookie raised an eyebrow. “Not exactly. He’ll still be here when needed, but his focus will shift. His influence will reach much farther.”

 Chai Latte Cookie, unusually quiet, studied your expression. Then, with a too-knowing lilt, she murmured, “You look troubled.” 

You hastily shook your head. “No, I just didn't know. I didn’t expect this.”

 Earl Grey Cookie leaned back, regarding you thoughtfully. “I suppose it is quite the shift. You’re used to seeing him here, contained within these walls. Now he’ll be something… more.” 

Something more. Something beyond reach. You swallowed. “I just thought… he was always going to be here.”

 Earl Grey Cookie exhaled, slow and measured. “I suppose some truths really are best left unspoken.” 

You weren’t sure if he was talking about the Sage of Truth’s departure… or something else entirely. You stared down at the article, your grip on the paper tightening slightly. Shouldn’t he have told me? The thought sat heavy in your mind, pressing uncomfortably against the edges of your understanding. Would this mean no more tutoring next semester? No more long-winded explanations spoken with infinite patience, no more sharp, guiding questions meant to lead you toward the truth?

You looked up at Earl Grey Cookie, searching for some kind of answer. “But… wouldn’t he have told me?” you asked, voice quieter than intended. 

Chai Latte Cookie tilted her head, considering you. “Maybe,” she said, thoughtful. “But maybe not. You know how he is, he doesn't see knowledge as something owned. He might not have realized you didn’t already know.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie nodded, flipping to another page of his notes. “To be fair, this has been talked about for months. It’s not exactly a secret.”

 “But it’s not our fault you don’t keep up with the papers,” Chai Latte Cookie added, resting her chin on her hand. “If you’d read them, you’d have known sooner.” 

You sighed, rubbing your temples. It wasn’t their fault, no but it wasn’t his fault either, was it? And yet, there was a nagging, irrational sting in your chest. It wasn’t that he owed you an explanation, but… Your fingers curled slightly against the newspaper. Earl Grey Cookie watched you for a long moment, his usual smirk tempered into something quieter. “You’re wondering if this means no more tutoring next semester,” he observed. 

Your breath caught slightly. You hadn’t said it aloud, but of course he knew. You nodded, not trusting yourself to speak. Chai Latte Cookie’s expression softened. “We don’t really know what’s going to happen. He might still be around for some lectures, but full-time tutoring? Maybe not.” Maybe not.

It was a small thing, in the grand scheme of everything the Sage of Truth, or rather, the Fount of Knowledge, was expanding his reach beyond the Academy. It was an honor. It was a step forward for academia itself. And yet, for reasons you couldn’t quite put into words, it didn’t feel like a victory. 

You forced a smile, setting the paper down with what you hoped was nonchalance. “It’s cool,” you said, waving a hand. “I mean, it’s just tutoring for this semester. It’s not like it was anything grand. He only started tutoring me because of chance, anyway.” You knew this.

 You knew this. There was no reason for the feeling pressing at your ribs, no reason for the slight weight in your stomach. It wasn’t like he chose to guide you from the start he had simply been there, in the right moment, with the right words. Earl Grey Cookie regarded you carefully, his eyes sharp in a way that made you feel just a bit too exposed. He hummed, setting his teacup down with a quiet clink. “You shouldn’t worry about it too much,” he said at last, his voice measured. “He’s still the same person to you. I doubt this would change anything.” 

You blinked at him. “You doubt?”

 “I don’t deal in absolutes,” he said smoothly, smirking just a little. “That’s more his thing, don’t you think?”

 Chai Latte Cookie let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “He has a point.”

 Earl Grey Cookie gestured toward the paper. “Take a closer look. It’s not just him moving over students will get a chance to conduct research at the Spire. And quite a few professors will be relocating to teach there.” 

That gave you pause. You reached for the paper again, scanning further down the article. Sure enough, nestled among the lofty praises and grand declarations about the Sage, no, the Fount of Knowledge was a section detailing student opportunities.

 “Wait…” You frowned, eyes narrowing as you read. “So… some students will be going?”

 “Not just some,” Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie noted, peering over your shoulder. “It says applications will open for research positions. Sounds like they want promising scholars to join the expansion.” 

Chai Latte Cookie tapped a finger against the table, considering. “It is a big deal. It means more resources, more opportunities… and, well, it means he’s not disappearing off the face of the earth.” 

She tilted her head, eyes flickering toward you knowingly. “Unless, you know, you thought he was?”

 You stiffened. “What? No. Obviously not.”

 “Obviously,” she echoed, amused. You refused to meet her gaze, focusing instead on the text before you. The Spire of Knowledge. A place for learning, for discovery a place where the Sage of Truth would no longer just be a mentor to a handful of students, but a guide to countless scholars across the land.

A place where he would be needed. A place where he would be far. You swallowed, smoothing the paper out with steady hands. “Well,” you said lightly, “it’s not like I was planning on being his student forever anyway.” 

Earl Grey Cookie chuckled, but there was something softer in his expression, something almost unreadable. “No,” he murmured, “I suppose not.” 

Your fingers tightened slightly on the paper as you glanced between them. “How long have you guys known about this?” Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie shrugged, ever casual. “Months.” 

You narrowed your eyes. “Months?” 

Earl Grey Cookie nodded, picking up his teacup again. “Months.” 

“That could mean anything.” You exhaled, shaking your head. “Two months? Six months?” Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie smirked. “Somewhere in that range.” You groaned, leaning back in your chair. “Unbelievable. And you just what? Never thought to bring it up?” 

Chai Latte Cookie nudged your arm with her elbow, smiling just a little. “To be fair, it’s been in the papers for a while now. It’s not like they were hiding it.”

 “That doesn’t mean they weren’t withholding it.” You shot a look at Earl Grey Cookie, who merely raised an eyebrow. “Would you have preferred I announced it dramatically over afternoon tea?” he asked dryly. “Perhaps sent a formal letter? Dearest friend, I regret to inform you that the Sage of Truth will be moving on to a grander stage-” 

You groaned again, burying your face in your hands as Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie snickered. “Come on, you had to have known something was up,” he said. “The Academy’s been buzzing about it for weeks.” 

“Yeah, well, excuse me for not keeping up with every bit of news.” You sighed, rubbing your temples. “I just… figured if it was important, he would have said something.” Chai Latte Cookie gave you a look, something caught between sympathy and amusement. “He might not have known you didn’t know,” she pointed out. “And it’s not his fault or ours, really.”

You bit your lip, looking down at the article again. You supposed that was fair. You weren’t exactly the most up-to-date person when it came to campus news. But still… “He could have mentioned it,” you muttered. Earl Grey Cookie regarded you over the rim of his cup. “Maybe he didn’t think it would change anything,” he said simply. You stilled, your fingers curling slightly around the edges of the paper. Maybe.

But somehow, that didn’t make it feel any less strange. You poked at your food, appetite dwindling despite the warmth of the meal in front of you. The conversation had moved on Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie and Earl Grey Cookie now caught in some debate over a research paper, their voices a steady hum in the background but you remained quiet, thoughts tangled like ink-stained pages left out in the rain. The Sage of Truth no, the Fount of Knowledge was leaving.

 Not in the way most professors left, retiring or moving to another institution, but stepping into something grander, something beyond the Academy’s familiar walls. A whole spire dedicated to him, to his teachings, to the pursuit of truth itself. You should have expected something like this. A scholar of his caliber was always meant for something greater. So why did it feel like something was slipping through your fingers? A sharp pinch at your cheek snapped you out of your thoughts. “Ow-hey!” 

You jerked back, swatting at Chai Latte Cookie’s hand as she grinned at you. “You’re pouting,” she teased, propping her chin on her palm. “It’s cute, but tragic.” 

“I am not pouting.” 

“Mm, sure,” she hummed, clearly unconvinced. You frowned, rubbing your cheek. “What was that for?”

 Chai Latte Cookie’s expression softened, just a touch. “Because you looked like you were about to disappear into your own head forever,” she said, voice quieter now. “And because” she reached over again, but this time, just to gently pat your arm, “he’s done a lot for you, you know.” 

You swallowed, staring down at your plate. “I know.”

 “Do you?” She tilted her head. “Or are you just saying that so I’ll stop bothering you?” You sighed, shoving a bite of food into your mouth to buy yourself time. But she waited, patient and knowing, watching you with that same fondness she always had.

He had done a lot for you. Far more than just answering your questions and guiding you through lessons you barely grasped. He had been patient when others would have given up. He had given you knowledge, yes, but more than that he had given you his time. And soon, that time would run out. “…I know,” you said again, quieter this time. “I just didn’t think it would be over so soon.” 

Chai Latte Cookie didn’t tease this time. Instead, she smiled, warm and understanding. “Then maybe,” she said, nudging your arm, “you should tell him that.” You didn’t answer her not with words, anyway. Instead, you let out a quiet breath and leaned against her, resting your head on her shoulder. Chai Latte Cookie blinked in surprise before letting out a soft laugh, wrapping a warm, familiar arm around you.

 “Oh? No witty remark? No ‘Chai, you’re being ridiculous’?” she teased, though her voice held nothing but fondness. “Guess I must’ve really gotten to you this time.”

 You sighed, not bothering to respond, and instead let yourself sink into the comfort of her embrace. It was a feeling long ingrained in you, something that brought back memories of late nights spent whispering under shared blankets, of sneaking sweets from the kitchen and giggling over secrets too silly to be called secrets. She had always been like this warm, reassuring, a presence that could soften even the worst of days. She hummed, gently running her fingers through your hair like she used to when you were younger, back when the world seemed just a little simpler. 

"You always do this when you don’t wanna talk about something," she murmured. "You’ll pretend it’s fine, keep it all in, and then let me be the one to carry it for a while." You swallowed, but didn’t pull away.

"That’s alright," she said, squeezing your shoulder. "You don’t have to say anything. Not yet." You felt her chin rest lightly against your head, her embrace firm but gentle. The quiet hum of the dining hall faded into the background, replaced by the steady, familiar rhythm of her breathing. For now, you let yourself stay there, safe in the warmth of her presence.

The warmth of Chai Latte Cookie’s presence did little to stop the gnawing thoughts at the back of your mind. You wanted to freeze this moment, to let it stretch endlessly, to bask in the easy comfort of friendship where nothing had to be said, where you could pretend for just a little while longer that things were unchanged. But reality had a cruel way of creeping back in. A sudden jolt of realization shot through you, a sharp pang of dread cutting through the haze of your thoughts. Your notebook. 

You sat up abruptly, nearly knocking Chai Latte Cookie’s arm away in your haste. “Oh no.” Chai Latte Cookie blinked at you, surprised. “What?”

 “My notebook.” You patted your pockets, as if it would somehow magically appear. “I-I forgot my notebook. I don’t have it. I don’t have it.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie looked up from his conversation with Earl Grey Cookie, raising an eyebrow. “Again?” Earl Grey Cookie let out a low hum of amusement. “Perhaps we should start attaching it to you with a charm.” You barely spared them a glare as you pushed back from the table. “I need to go get it.” Chai Latte Cookie sat up as well, concern flickering across her face. “Wait, you mean from his office?”

Your stomach twisted. “Where else?” She hesitated, clearly debating whether to stop you. But then she simply sighed, her expression shifting into something more knowing. “You want me to come with you?”

 You shook your head, already stepping away from the table. “No, I’ll be fine. I just, I just need to grab it.” 

You left the dining hall in a rush, barely hearing Chai Latte Cookie’s call of, “Try not to get too lost in your own head!” behind you. 

Your feet carried you quickly through the Academy halls, weaving past the lingering students still milling about after dinner, your mind solely focused on one thing. Your notebook. Of course, of course, you had forgotten it. With everything else weighing on your mind, the thought of gathering all your notes before leaving his office had completely slipped past you. Now, you’d have to march right back there, face whatever knowing look he would surely give you, and retrieve it like an absentminded fool. The halls of the Scholar’s Wing were quieter now, the air cooler as night settled over the Academy. The glow of enchanted sconces flickered along the walls, casting long shadows against the towering shelves. Your steps slowed the closer you got to his office, the light beneath his door unmistakable. He was still inside. You hesitated just a moment before knocking. A brief pause, then “Enter.” You pushed open the door, stepping into the warm, dimly lit space. His office was much the same as it always was papers stacked in meticulous disarray, scrolls floating idly at his side, the scent of parchment and candle wax lingering in the air. Shadow Milk Cookie sat at his desk, quill in hand, his golden eyes flicking toward you as you entered. “You knocked.” 

You faltered. “…Yeah?” His lips curled slightly. “Interesting.” 

You rubbed the back of your neck, suddenly feeling a little foolish. “I, uh, forgot my notebook.” 

Without a word, he reached to the side of his desk and plucked it from a neatly stacked pile of parchment, setting it before him. Your stomach twisted at the sight of it; he had kept it within reach. You stepped forward quickly, reaching for it, but his fingers lingered against the cover, holding it in place for just a second longer than necessary. 

Then, softly "Are you troubled?" 

You swallowed, gripping the notebook tighter. “Well…” Your voice caught, uncertain. You had rushed here with the sole intent of retrieving your notes, of brushing past whatever lingering thoughts had been following you all evening.

And yet, standing here, with his gaze steady on you, the words tumbled from your lips before you could stop them. “Are you really leaving so soon?”

 Shadow Milk Cookie’s expression remained unreadable. “You have read the articles.” 

You nodded. “So… you are.” 

“Change is inevitable.” Your fingers tightened around your notebook. “That’s not an answer.” He tilted his head slightly, amused. “It is an accurate answer.”

 You huffed. “Then tell me the truth.” 

His gaze flickered with something unreadable. “That is my nature, is it not?” 

You frowned, exhaling sharply. “Then tell me…why didn’t you say anything?”

 There was a pause. Then, finally, he answered. “I assumed you knew. And if you hadn’t known I did it because you were not ready to hear it.” Your breath hitched. “You already knew it would happen,” he continued, voice even. “You knew from the start that my time as your tutor was temporary. And yet, when confronted with the reality of it, you hesitate.” He studied you carefully. “And so, I waited.”

Your heart twisted at his words. You had known, hadn’t you? You had always known. From the moment you sat in this very office for the first time, from the first lesson, the first debate, the first time his voice unraveled the tangled mess of your thoughts with nothing but patience and sharp intellect. You knew that his time here, with you, was always meant to be fleeting. But knowing didn’t make it any easier. “…It’s just tutoring,” you murmured, more to yourself than to him. “It’s not like it was anything grand.”

 Shadow Milk Cookie exhaled, a soft, knowing sound. “Is that what you believe?” You hesitated. He was watching you again, his gaze unwavering. The weight of his attention was suffocating in its gentleness, in the way he allowed you the space to say what you would but refused to let you lie to yourself. Then, his voice softened. “You have never been a mere student to me.” Your heart stopped. Your grip on your notebook tightened, knuckles white. Your breath stalled in your throat as his words settled between you, heavy with meaning you couldn’t name, couldn’t process, couldn’t even begin to understand. You looked at him, and he held your gaze, steady and certain, unflinching. And in that moment, the truth whatever it was felt closer than it ever had before.

Your fingers curled against the worn spine of your notebook, grounding you against the weight pressing on your chest. You had come back under the guise of retrieving it, but now that you were here, standing before him, you knew that wasn’t the only thing you needed. Shadow Milk Cookie watched you carefully from behind his desk, eyes steady, waiting. He always waited.

 You swallowed. “What are we?” His expression did not change, but the silence between you did. His fingers tapped against the wood of his desk once, a slow, deliberate movement. “You tell me,” he said, voice even, unreadable. Your throat tightened. “That’s not fair.” 

“It is the fairest question I can ask,” he countered smoothly. You exhaled sharply, shaking your head. “You always do this.” His brow arched slightly. “Do what?” 

“Turn my own questions back on me.” You took a step closer, gripping your notebook tightly. “But I’m not playing this game with you right now. I just-” You hesitated, breath unsteady. “I need to know.” 

He tilted his head ever so slightly, gaze unwavering. “Then ask plainly.” 

Your fingers tightened. “What are we?” A beat. Shadow Milk Cookie leaned forward slightly, resting his hands atop his desk. 

The glow of the enchanted lanterns cast long shadows across his features, making him seem even more untouchable than he already was. “Bound by intellect,” he mused, “shaped by shared time. You challenge me. I challenge you. And yet, you are here, asking a question you already know the answer to.” 

Your heart pounded against your ribs. “I don’t know the answer.” A flicker of something unreadable passed through his expression. “Then perhaps you are not ready to hear it.” 

You inhaled sharply, frustration bubbling beneath your skin. “You always do this,” you muttered, shaking your head. “You never just say things. It’s always about whether or not I can figure it out myself.”

Shadow Milk Cookie did not deny it. You pressed forward before your own fear could stop you. “Would you really make me wait a century?” His expression remained composed, but something in his gaze shifted. His fingers stilled against the desk. “You are asking a question I cannot answer.” 

“Why?”

 “Because the truth is not always something we are meant to face.” 

Your throat tightened. “Then lie to me.”

 A soft exhale. “You would not believe a lie from me.” 

You swallowed hard, feeling like you were standing on the edge of something. “So what are we, then?”

 Shadow Milk Cookie regarded you carefully, his gaze unwavering. “What would you like us to be?” Your breath hitched.

 A part of you had expected him to brush you off, to redirect the conversation, to keep you at arm’s length like he always did. But this, this was an answer that left the weight of choice in your hands. It terrified you. Your fingers curled against the fabric of your sleeves. “…I don’t know.” 

He exhaled, slow and measured, but he did not press you. “You do,” he said quietly, “but you are not ready to say it.”

You let out a quiet, breathless laugh, something caught between exasperation and resignation. “And you’re not ready to hear it.”

 Shadow Milk Cookie was silent for a long moment before murmuring, “Perhaps.” The air between you felt heavy, thick with things left unsaid. 

You took a slow step back, heart still hammering in your chest. “I should go.”

 He did not stop you. As you turned toward the door, his voice reached you softer, quieter. “Goodnight, scholar.” You hesitated, gripping your notebook tightly, before replying, “Goodnight, Shadow Milk.” 

And then you left, the weight of his words and your own following you into the dimly lit halls. The night stretched long and quiet, the distant hum of the Academy muffled by the walls of your dorm. You sat on the edge of your bed, your fingers resting lightly against your notebook. You had returned for it, exchanged words that danced around the truth, yet neither of you had dared to name it.

What are we? You had asked. And Shadow Milk Cookie, the Sage of Truth, the Fount of Knowledge had not given you an answer. Not because he didn’t know. But because, for once, the truth was something he feared. 

You could see it now, in the way his eyes flickered when your words lingered too long, when your questions pressed too close to something neither of you were ready to unravel. He was waiting, but he was also hesitant, as if what lay beyond your next words was a truth he wasn’t certain he could bear.

 You exhaled, shutting your eyes. He is immortal. You are not. That was the truth neither of you had spoken, the one that lingered between you like ink yet to dry. If you said it aloud, if you placed that truth before him, then what? Would he deny it? Would he let you believe that the weight of time wouldn’t shift between you? Would he let himself just this once be selfish? You swallowed against the tightness in your throat. I’ll ask again tomorrow. Because tomorrow, you would be brave enough. Brave enough to ask, and brave enough to listen. Even if you weren’t sure you were ready for the answer.

The next day came sooner than anticipated. You had barely closed your eyes before the morning light spilled through your dorm window, tearing you from restless dreams that blurred with half-formed thoughts you weren’t yet ready to face. Still, you moved through the motions dressing, gathering your things, forcing yourself into the familiar rhythm of the morning as if it could steady you. Chai Latte Cookie was already waiting in the dining hall when you arrived, her sharp eyes flicking up from her tea the moment she caught sight of you. “You look like you barely slept,” she noted, tilting her head as she studied you. You huffed, grabbing a tray and scanning the options. “Didn’t feel like it either.” Her gaze lingered, but she didn’t push. Instead, she watched as you reached for something light and quick simple toast, a bit of fruit, and tea that was far too bitter for your liking. No honey-drizzled waffles again. A shame. You sighed, nudging the tray forward. “It’s a tragedy, really.” 

Chai Latte Cookie let out a soft laugh. “You say that every time they’re not here.”

 “Because I suffer every time they’re not here.” You settled into the seat across from her, though your appetite was nonexistent. Chai Latte Cookie sipped at her tea, watching you with something unreadable in her eyes before setting her cup down with a quiet clink.

 “So?” she prompted. 

You blinked. “So what?” 

Her brows lifted, unimpressed. “You really think I’m going to let you dodge this?” You exhaled, poking at your toast with disinterest. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

 “Oh, please.” Chai Latte Cookie leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm. “You went back for your notebook last night, didn’t you?”

 Your fingers curled slightly against the table. “…Yeah.” 

“And?” You hesitated. And what? That was the problem, wasn’t it? There had been no dramatic resolution, no grand declaration. Just lingering silence and words that neither of you could quite say. You swallowed, shaking your head. “Nothing. We talked.” 

Chai Latte Cookie’s lips quirked. “Just talked?” You shot her a glare. “Yes.” She hummed thoughtfully. “And?”

 “And nothing.” You took a sip of your tea, grimacing at the bitterness. “I just” You exhaled sharply, setting the cup down. 

“I asked him what we were.” That caught her attention. Her eyes sharpened, the teasing edge of her smile fading ever so slightly. 

“And?” 

Your stomach twisted. “And he didn’t answer.” Chai Latte Cookie blinked once. Then twice. “…Oh.” You scoffed, shaking your head. “Yeah. Oh.”

A beat of silence passed between you. “Do you think he knows?” she asked, voice careful. 

You hesitated. “Of course, he knows. He’s him.” Chai Latte Cookie studied you for a long moment before leaning back, her expression unreadable. 

“Then maybe the real question is… does he want to?” Your breath stilled. She didn’t elaborate, didn’t press further, but the words hung heavy between you. You had no answer. So instead, you took another sip of your awful tea, swallowing the bitterness down with it. You exhaled, staring into the depths of your tea as if it could give you some sort of answer. It didn’t. Nothing could, really not until you finally faced it. And for the first time, you weren’t going to run from it. 

“I’m ready,” you murmured, voice steadier than you expected. Chai Latte Cookie blinked, her cup hovering just before her lips. “Ready?”

 You nodded, gripping your tea a little tighter. “To face it. To face him.” 

Just as the words left your mouth, a new voice cut through the moment. “Ready for what?” You tensed slightly, glancing up just in time to see Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie and Earl Grey Cookie sliding into their seats, their gazes flickering between you and Chai Latte Cookie with interest. 

Earl Grey Cookie arched a brow, clearly intrigued. “Are we interrupting something?”

 “Yes,” you muttered. “No,” Chai Latte Cookie said at the same time, grinning. “You’re just in time.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie leaned forward, smirking. “Oh, this has to be good.” You groaned, dragging a hand down your face. “Do I have to?” 

Chai Latte Cookie gave you a pointed look. “You just said you were ready to face it.” 

“That was for him.” 

Earl Grey Cookie hummed, adjusting his glasses. “Interesting. Him, you say.”

 Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie whistled, grinning. “Yeah, alright. Spill.”

You inhaled deeply, willing yourself to push past the embarrassment creeping up your spine. “Fine. But don’t say anything until I’m finished, alright?”

 No promises. You sighed, looking down at your tea before setting it aside. “I went back to his office last night.”

 Earl Grey Cookie let out a quiet hum of acknowledgment, but otherwise, they all waited for you to continue. “I told him I forgot my notebook which I did, by the way but we ended up talking.” 

You hesitated before correcting yourself. “Or… I asked questions, and he answered just enough to drive me insane.”

 Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie chuckled. “Sounds about right.” You shot him a glare before continuing. “I asked if he really meant what he said that whole thing about waiting a century.” 

“And?” Chai Latte Cookie prompted, leaning forward. You exhaled sharply. “And he wouldn’t answer.” 

Earl Grey Cookie tilted his head. “Not at all?” 

You shook your head. “He avoided it. Kept twisting my words back at me, like he always does. I asked what we were, and he just…he didn’t answer.”

 Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie let out a low whistle. “Oof. That’s rough, buddy.” You slumped back in your chair. “Yeah. Tell me about it.” 

Chai Latte Cookie drummed her fingers against the table, watching you carefully. “And what do you think?” You hesitated. “I think…” You swallowed. “I think he knows. I think he wants to know. But maybe he’s just as” You cut yourself off, shaking your head. “No. Maybe he’s more afraid of hearing the answer than I am.”

Silence settled over the table. Earl Grey Cookie regarded you with something softer in his gaze than before. “Because he’s immortal,” he said simply. You nodded. “And I’m not.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie let out a low sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well. That’s… complicated.” 

Understatement of the century. Chai Latte Cookie reached across the table, squeezing your hand. “And what are you going to do?” You tightened your grip around hers. “I’m going to face it.” 

Earl Grey Cookie studied you, then slowly, a knowing smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. “Then,” he mused, “this is going to be very interesting.” You exhaled, staring at the table, fingers curling against the smooth wood. The weight in your chest hadn’t eased not even after finally saying everything aloud. If anything, it had only settled deeper.

 “I’m afraid,” you admitted quietly, the words tasting foreign on your tongue. You weren’t used to saying them, weren’t used to exposing yourself so plainly. Chai Latte Cookie squeezed your hand gently, her warmth grounding. “That’s okay,” she murmured. “You don’t have to do this alone.” You hesitated before looking up at them at your friends, at the ones who had been there for you through every stumble, every late-night study session, every impossible theorem you swore you’d never understand but somehow did.

“Will you come with me?” you asked, voice softer now. “Not inside or anything, just… drop me off. Like the first time.” 

Chai Latte Cookie’s eyes softened, and she squeezed your hand again. “Of course.” Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie let out a low chuckle, tilting his head. “You say that like we weren’t already planning on it.” 

Earl Grey Cookie took a deliberate sip of his tea, then set the cup down with a quiet clink. “Consider it done.” His gaze flickered toward you, and for once, there was no teasing, no amusement just quiet understanding. “We’ll get you there.” 

A breath you hadn’t realized you were holding escaped. “Thanks,” you murmured. Chai Latte Cookie grinned, tugging you up by the hand. “Come on, then. No time like the present.” 

Your stomach twisted as you stood, but you didn’t protest. You had made your decision. Now, all that was left was to face it. You cleared your throat, shifting on your feet as you grabbed your bag. “Actually,” you started, glancing toward the hall, “we have Professor Almond Custard’s lecture first.” 

Chai Latte Cookie raised a brow. “You’re using class as an excuse?”

 Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie smirked. “Coward.” You scowled at him. “I am not a coward. I just have” You gestured vaguely, grasping for something solid. “academic obligations.”

 Earl Grey Cookie exhaled, setting his cup down with a quiet clink. “Right. Because you’ve always been so devoted to Almond Custard’s lectures.” 

Chai Latte Cookie snorted, nudging your arm. “If you need more time, just say that.” You shook your head quickly. “I don’t. I just… we have class.” 

You waved your hands, gesturing at all of them. “It’s a valid reason to wait.” Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie leaned back, arms crossed. “Sure, sure. Let’s just ignore the fact that half the time, you’re doodling in your notes instead of actually listening.”

 Earl Grey Cookie hummed, amused. “A very scholarly approach.” You groaned, rubbing your temples. “Look, I just want to get through this lecture first, alright? Let me at least pretend I have my priorities in order.”

 Chai Latte Cookie laughed but relented, linking her arm through yours as the four of you made your way toward the lecture hall. “Fine, fine. Lecture first. Then we drop you off.” 

The halls were buzzing with the usual morning chatter, students shuffling to their classes, some still clutching half-eaten breakfasts as they hurried along. You kept your head down, focusing on the rhythm of your steps, trying to quiet the nerves bubbling under the surface. Your friends weren’t fooled. Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie walked beside you, hands tucked into his pockets, ever the casual observer. “You’re just stalling.” 

“I’m not,” you lied. Chai Latte Cookie hummed knowingly. “You totally are.” 

You tightened your grip on your bag. “Can we not do this right now?” 

Earl Grey Cookie chuckled. “Oh, but this is such a rare sight. You, nervous? Afraid? It’s almost endearing.”

 You shot him a glare. “You could just not be the worst.” He smiled.

“Unlikely.” The classroom was already half-filled by the time you arrived. Students settled into their seats, the air thick with that particular kind of morning sluggishness that even the strongest tea couldn’t quite fix. Professor Almond Custard stood at the front, already sifting through a mountain of notes. You exhaled, slipping into your usual seat, Chai Latte Cookie right beside you, Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie settling in behind, and Earl Grey Cookie composed as always taking his time before sitting down with a practiced ease. 

You stared at the empty desk in front of you, fingers drumming lightly against the wood. Just get through the lecture. Then deal with everything else. It was a flimsy plan, but it was all you had. A beat of silence stretched between you and your friends before Chai Latte Cookie leaned in, whispering just loud enough for only you to hear. “You are afraid.” Your throat tightened, but you didn’t look at her. “…Yeah,” you admitted quietly.

 She didn’t tease. Didn’t push. Just reached over, fingers squeezing your wrist gently before letting go. Then Professor Almond Custard cleared his throat, and the lecture began. The lecture moved faster than you wanted. Professor Almond Custard’s voice droned on, his chalk tapping against the blackboard in steady, practiced strokes. Normally, his lectures felt endless dragging on in a way that made your mind wander, your notes fill with half-sketched diagrams and stray thoughts unrelated to the subject at hand. But today, the words blurred together, slipping past you like water through cupped hands.

 Equations, theories, principles you barely caught them, barely processed the information as the professor’s steady cadence filled the hall. Students around you scribbled diligently, nodding at key points, but your own pen hovered uselessly above the page. You weren’t ready for this to end. You weren’t ready for the moment class would be over, when the weight of your own decision would press against you, demanding you follow through. Your knee bounced under the desk, fingers tapping absently against the wood. You tried to focus, to latch onto something but the words slipped too easily from the professor’s lips, the minutes folding into each other, accelerating at a pace that felt unnatural. You glanced at your friends, searching for some kind of grounding. 

Chai Latte Cookie scribbled away in her notebook, occasionally tilting her head like she was piecing together some complex puzzle. Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie, ever the casual learner, leaned back in his seat, twirling his pen between his fingers. Earl Grey Cookie sat with his usual air of composed attentiveness, chin resting against his knuckles, nodding at something the professor had just said. It felt normal. It felt routine. And yet, the second hand on the lecture hall’s grand clock kept ticking forward, dragging you toward the inevitable. Before you knew it, the chalk made its final stroke against the board. “Alright,” Professor Almond Custard declared, brushing the dust from his hands. “That’s all for today. Review the readings, and be prepared to discuss them next time.”

Chairs scraped against the floor as students shifted, gathering their belongings. Papers shuffled, the murmuring of conversation already beginning as people moved toward the exits. You gripped the edges of your notebook, staring down at the half-written notes half-finished thoughts that mirrored the way your own mind felt. Too soon. It was over too soon. You exhaled, steadying yourself. Then, before hesitation could sink its claws in deeper, you turned to your friends.

 “…Let’s go.” Your friends walked with you through the winding halls of the Academy, their voices a steady hum around you familiar, grounding, and just distracting enough to keep you from sinking too deep into your own thoughts. 

Chai Latte Cookie looped her arm through yours, practically dragging you along. “Alright,” she started, tone light but firm, “we need to go over strategy. What’s the plan?”

 “The plan?” You blinked.

 Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie smirked, hands tucked into his pockets. “You do have a plan, don’t you?” 

You opened your mouth then hesitated. “I mean… I was just going to say it?” 

Earl Grey Cookie exhaled, adjusting his cuffs. “Just going to say it,” he echoed dryly. “How bold.” 

Chai Latte Cookie grinned. “I like it. Direct, no room for avoidance.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie snickered. “Yeah, that sounds like you.”

 “Hey-” 

“No, no, I mean it in a good way.” He waved a hand. “You are direct. That’s why it’s entertaining when you get all flustered.” You groaned, throwing your head back.

 “You’re so helpful, really.” Chai Latte Cookie patted your shoulder. “Ignore him. What’s important is that you’re doing this, and we are here to make sure you don’t chicken out.”

 “I wasn’t going to” 

“Uh-huh.” Earl Grey Cookie let out a soft hum. “Regardless,” he said smoothly, “you’re already halfway there. You’ve accepted it. You’ve decided to face it.” He glanced at you from the corner of his eye. “Now all that’s left is to follow through.” The weight of his words settled over you. Right. You were doing this. You had to do this.

As you approached the Scholar’s Wing, your stomach twisted, but Chai Latte Cookie gave your arm another squeeze. “You’ve got this,” she whispered. 

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie gave you a light shove toward the door. “Go get ‘em.” 

Earl Grey Cookie smirked slightly, but there was something softer behind his eyes. “And remember, if all else fails-”

 “-run away and pretend this never happened?”

 “No,” he sighed. “Face it properly.” 

You inhaled deeply. The door to his office loomed ahead. Your fingers twitched at your sides. Chai Latte Cookie stepped back, motioning grandly. “Alright. Moment of truth. Go in there and be brave.” 

You swallowed. Your heart pounded. And then, before you could change your mind, you stepped forward, raised a hand and pushed the door open. Shadow Milk Cookie didn’t look up immediately. The quill in his hand moved with steady precision, ink tracing careful strokes across parchment, his posture poised, controlled. It was only after a breath slow, measured that he acknowledged your presence, eyes flickering up from his work. 

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The weight in your chest tightened. “I’m early,” you said, voice quieter than you intended. 

His gaze didn’t waver. “So you are.” The room felt heavier than usual, thick with something unspoken, something fragile. You stepped forward, closing the door behind you, your fingers curling at your sides. 

“I” You swallowed, forcing yourself to steady. “I wanted to talk.” 

His expression remained unreadable. “I had a feeling.” Of course, he did. You exhaled sharply, moving to stand near his desk, staring at the ink-stained parchment, the neatly arranged notes. Every part of his world was meticulous, deliberate. So why did this feel so uncertain? Your fingers twitched at your sides. “I’ve been thinking about what you said.” 

His gaze remained steady. “I suspected as much.” 

You let out a quiet laugh, shaking your head. “You suspect a lot of things.”

 “I do.” Your stomach twisted. You had to say it. You had come all this way you had made this decision, and you couldn’t back down now. So you met his gaze, standing as tall as you could manage.

 “Would you really make me wait a century?”

 The room fell silent. His expression flickered not much, not enough for anyone else to catch, but you caught it. The way his fingers hesitated against the parchment. The slight tension in his jaw. The careful way he inhaled. “…Would you wait that long?” he asked, voice quieter than before. Your breath hitched. That wasn’t an answer. That wasn’t fair.

But you had no room to argue, because you wouldn’t. You couldn’t. You swallowed hard. “No.” 

Shadow Milk Cookie’s gaze softened just slightly, though his face remained composed. “Then why would I ask you to?” 

Your chest felt tight. “Then why didn’t you just say that last night?”

 A pause. Then, with a kind of honesty that left no room for doubt, he said, “Because I was afraid of what you would say in return.” 

You inhaled sharply. His fingers brushed against the parchment, slow, thoughtful. “I do not fear the truth. I never have.” He exhaled, measured and composed. “But some truths weigh heavier than others.” 

Your hands curled into fists. ��Then say it.” His gaze didn’t waver. “And if I do?” 

You swallowed past the lump in your throat. “Then at least I’ll know.” A silence stretched between you. Shadow Milk Cookie studied you, as if committing this moment to memory, as if weighing something deeper than just words. 

And then, in a voice softer than you had ever heard from him, he asked “What are we, then?” You froze. The breath left your lungs all at once, your heart stuttering. He had turned your question back on you again but this time, it wasn’t a deflection. This time, he was asking. Really asking. 

You stared at him, your fingers trembling at your sides. “I don’t know,” you admitted. “I-I thought you’d tell me.” 

Shadow Milk Cookie exhaled slowly, tilting his head just slightly. “You are my student.”

 Your stomach twisted. “I know that.” 

“You are-” He hesitated, his voice quieter, more careful now. “You are my friend.” 

You swallowed. “And?” 

He didn’t speak immediately. Instead, he lifted his hand, rubbing a thumb across the ink-stained edge of his quill. Then, finally, he said, “And I do not know what comes after that.” 

Your heart ached. “Would you want to?”

 His gaze held yours, steady, unwavering. “…Yes.” Your breath hitched. That was all you needed to hear. 

The tension in your chest didn’t ease entirely there was still so much left unspoken, so much uncertainty, so much that neither of you knew how to name. But the truth of it this fragile, trembling truth was there, laid bare between you.

A/N Wow, I can't believe one more chapter of this back and fourth...or is it? Well they'll definitely kiss the plan hasn't changed. I really liked writing this chapter I really like my character's personality. took a walk to the beach this morning and the sunrise was just gorgeous!!!!

1 more chapter till they kiss I hope everyone's excited

Anyways...

Remember to follow and reblog for more bangers 😎😎😎🔥🔥🔥🔥

<<<Previous Next>>>

[barbiedemonaco]

as promised— some girl!driver fashion moodboards !!! starting off with my personal favs charles & george & lewis ❤️🩵💜

lengthy explanation + some more headcanons for each below:

i *personally* believe these three would be very traditionally feminine so this is reflected in my choices again this is all according to my *personal* headcanon which might not be the same as yours and that’s ok.. and yes they wouldn’t be decked out in designer/editorial 24/7 they’re athletes so they’d most likely live in puma or nike tech or lululemon or something idk but if they made as much money as their canon counterparts they might as well serve cunt on a daily basis idc this is my blog and i make the rules

charles

- warm autumn; lots of red obvi i don’t care that canonically charles’ favorite color is blue You’re Red Because I Say So

- i feel like she would get a little quirky and avant-garde with it… she does not have a single plain white tshirt it’s All statement pieces

- following up with the last point some of the cuter stuff i found were cropped tops and all that but i also wanted to pay homage to boy charles who’s a cozy mouse so we also have some cute sweaters in here for her..

- didn’t know how to showcase this here but she wouldn’t wear a bra and it is important to me that you know that

- slight animal theme here with the cheetah print and tabi flats.. it just makes Sense To Me

- for the making of these moodboards i didn’t really look for specific brands or fashion houses i would just pick pieces from my own pinterest boards as i scrolled through them but ive said time and time again that charles would be a die hard miu miu girl it just makes sense to me !!!

- keywords: playful + eclectic + romantic

george

- cool summer; i went with light and airy colors so lots of cream and cyan and powder blue

- silhouette wise i wanted to go with tight/confining pieces ?? to show off her self-discipline and uptightness… character design 101

- i feel like she’d (FOOLISHLY and BLASPHEMOUSLY) be self-conscious of her height so shoe-wise she’d do flats/oxfords/loafers/boat shoes (lol i know..) but if she *had* to wear something more formal she’d go with kitten heels

- keywords: intellectual + subdued + structured

lewis

- bright spring; i stuck with purple/magenta/silver as the main colors on this moodboard for the sake of visual cohesion but i feel like her wardrobe would be much much much more colorful

- with this one i knewww i needed to step my pussy game up bc of who we’re dealing with… someone who knows Actual Fashion.. so i knew i could not for the life of me make something ugly or god forbid boring

- lots of fun glitzy glamour ! i had to physically restrain myself from not doing just cunty clubwear bc this is meant to be for present-day self-actualized crunchy granola lewis not old testament hooking-up-with-rihanna lewis.. ik that version of herself speaks to her like venom

- like boy lewis i feel like she would like to show off her guns so lots of sleeveless tops 🙂‍↕️ but also some more billowing silhouettes !

- she’s tiny so she’d lovee to wear a big ass platform

- keywords: glamorous + sleek + futuristic

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

EPIC RAP BATTLE OF MISS RAVEN'S BLOG NRC!

J WORD LEECH!!!

VERSUS

*Full beeping noises, but we all know who it is*

BEGIN!

J word : Oh my? Oya? What do we have here? L— *triggers the keyword, resulting his next lines censored to be Oya oya noises*

***** : * Beeping noises, but we know he is killing it*

(This continues for a good minute)

M*ckey Mouse™ : Oh no! The audio receiver seems to be infect by a memetic virus known as *beeps*!

Mm™ : I am sorry everyone! It seem we have no choice but to rap the scripts of the contestants...eh? Mr. J script is all o— Oya? Oya Oya?

As the Oya Oya virus spread, so does the other one, the beep we shall not decensor.

This has stopped being an epic rap battle, and become a great battle between the Oya Oya? And the *beeps*.

Honey pooh : what is happening?

Crowley:

"Uhh...WHO WON?! WHO LOSE?! YOUUU DECIDEEE!!!!!"

N the world goes kaboom 🔥

[Referencing this post!]

WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS ASK... ALL THE BEEPING AND THE OYA OYA-ING... 😭

wbyobefefeafebpw I think. J word wins by default because his VA has actually rapped before as Iruma Jyuto from Hypmic... and as far as I could tell, L*ona's VA hasn't done rapping??? At least not extensively. I DID HOWEVER LEARN THAT UMEHARA ALSO VOICES THE GREEN HAIR MEGANE GUY FROM ENSTARS WHILE RESEARCHING AND IDK HOW TO FEEL ABOUT THAT...

[rose-xreads]

Zade Meadows | Adeline Reilly | Haunting Adeline | Hunting Adeline | HD Carlton | Book Aesthetic 𐙚

✧ | Post By Me!

✧ | DO NOT REPOST EVEN WITH CREDITS!!!

✧ | Instagram: @Rose.xreads

Keywords: Book, Books, Dark Romance Books, Dark Love, Bookstagram, Bookstagramer, Booktok, Booktoker, Romance Books, bookstagrambangladesh, bookstagrambd, Haunting Adeline, Hunting Adeline, Where's Molly, Satan's Affair, Cat And Mouse Duet, Zade Meadows.

[hisslord]

Vaggastor: Alastor meet exorcist vaggie. Alastor play around while vaggie try to kill to him. Keyword try. This became a game of cat and mouse. The game end when Alastor see Vaggie lose her wings.

"Miss me~ Miss me, miss me, miss me~"

Vaggie growls. "Stay still and let me kill you!!"

"Hm...nope~" Alastor smirks at her enraged expression.

Vaggie saw it was time to go back to heaven. "I'll get you next year!"

Alastor mockingly waves goodbye. "Oh, I don't think you will..."

[a-cat-in-toffee]

William and the mortifying ordeal of being know ❤️

space au writing, william showing dakota what he looked like when he was alive

"What do you look like?" Dakota asked the air, laying in his back in the middle of the living room.

The ship is quiet, in a relative sense. There's the whirring of the vessel itself, the way the metal creaks faintly if you listen close, the sound of Ashe's music in a nearby room, Vyncent's tail whacking the side of his wooden chair as he draws. The sound of one of the nearby screens kicking on. Dakota shifts his head to face it.

wanna see?

"How?" He blinks, then sits up. Nothing new is typed onto the screen, but after a minute, a new application is brought up. One Dakota hasn't seen before. He can tell by the icon that it's BellTech, though. It looks like a bunch of live feeds of security cameras, and the mouse navigates through screens until he's met with old footage dated to a few years ago.

It's a weird angle, pointed towards an open door. For a few minutes the footage is uneventful, yet Dakota sits, raptured, and filled with a weird sort of dread.

After a second he sees something- No, someone, peak around the corner. They hesitate, then walk into the the hallway, and Dakota sees properly, for the first time, the ghost in the machine of the Winnebago.

William's hair is dark, a bit curly, and incredibly messy. What catches Dakota's eye is the small swath of white in the very front, a single pale streak falling dead center. Dakota can't really tell based on the footage, but he thinks William's eyes are maybe black or brown. Hes wearing dark jeans, and a black hoodie, and he looks ungodly pale. Like he hadn't seen the sun in millennium.

He's pretty, sure, but beyond that he looks... maybe 19 at most? The kind of guy Dakota would see in public and point out to Ashe.

"That's you?" The question feels weak, but its all he can really think to ask. The footage pauses.

yeah.

God, Dakota wishes he had any better indication of William's tone.

"You look..." Like shit, if he was being honest. Dakota could see the bags under William's eyes, and from what little of his actual body that was visible, he seemed incredibly skinny. "Young."

I was.

Keyword being was.

Dakota frowned, suddenly uncomfortable. "Wanna play Mario Kart?"

please.

He laughed, standing up and trusting Will to turn off the computer.

[ducktracy]

do you happen to know why there’s a noticeable drop in animation quality in the Daffy vs. Speedy cartoons? I’m very curious

short answer: studio shutdowns, the theatrical industry on the decline thanks to TV, lower budgets, all of their main talent either gone or mentally checked out beyond belief

MUCH longer answer reaffirming the above points!: the WB studio had a bit of a troubled lifespan, and the falling of the dominos can be traced back to the early '50s (or hell even post-war, since there were Technicolor shortages that caused lengthy backlogs) with the first--keyword, FIRST!--studio shutdown in 1953. 3D was on a huge rise around that time, and Jack Warner believed it would be the new industry standard. so! the cartoon department was shut for a few months so they could figure out if they needed to convert and adapt to this new format. Lumber Jack-Rabbit was a bit of a test subject for this

but the 3D bubble was indeed a bubble, and so the studio eventually reopened a few months later. a lot of the shorts are colloquially divided by this time period: "pre-shutdown" and "post-shutdown". the quality difference wasn't as big for directors like Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng, as they still had their units intact, but it made a HUGE impact to Bob McKimson, who was the lowest in the studio hierarchy. he lost his entire unit and wasn't able to get any of his animators back, so he had to rebuild his entire unit from scratch (and in cases like The Hole Idea and most of Dime for Retire, animating entire cartoons himself.) his shorts likewise had the strictest budgets, and that's why you begin to really see a noticeable quality drop in his shorts

fast forward about a decade or so. everyone is getting older, a bit more disinterested, crews are being shuffled around and people are leaving. Carl Stalling retires in 1958, the same year as the musician's strike (which is why there are shorts from that year composed of stock tracks courtesy of John Seely), Milt Franklyn takes over for him until his death in 1962... theatrical cartoons are on their way out the door as TV is growing bigger and bigger. there's a clear decline, both for WB and the theatrical industry as a whole, which is why the Warner Bros studio shuts down for a final time in 1963.

this is where we get a little more relevant to the ask. Dave DePatie was the last exec in charge of the studio, assuming John Burton's role after he took over for Eddie Selzer, who retired in 1958. DePatie and Friz Freleng teamed up to start DePatie-Freleng Enterprises (DFE), and so they leased the old Warner Bros studio and were contracted to produce their cartoons from 1964-1967. this is around the time where the Speedy and Daffy team-ups start beginning in early 1965. Friz directed the first handful or so, but DFE was ALSO making their own, non LT related cartoons at the time, and rolling in the dough with their new creation of a certain Pink Panther. so, Friz as a director started investing his time into these non LT cartoons, leaving Bob McKimson to finish up the rest of his dirty work for him. McKimson's crew is still the weakest, his budgets are still the smallest, and McKimson himself was growing more and more checked out with the job. he had for awhile now, but the death of his wife in the '60s certainly seemed to kickstart that sort of disenfranchisement further. the cartoons are the most obligatory than they've ever been

but don't you worry! the downward spiral still continues! once DFE's contract was up and they moved to a new studio, WB decided to bring back production in-house. such enters the Seven-Arts era, lasting from 1967 to the studio's last gasp in late 1969. Alex Lovy of Walter Lantz fame is brought in as the main studio director, and this is when you begin to see the emergence of characters like Merlin the Magic Mouse, Cool Cat, etc. they were still doing the Daffys and Speedys, budgets still cheap as ever, but attempting to lean into the late '60s animation landscape. all of the other LT characters had been retired by this point, and 1968 would see the last short with any formal LT characters in it (so... Speedy and Daffy)

i also neglected to mention Rudy Larriva's involvement with Format Films. going back to the DFE era, the Format Films studio (known for doing the '60s Popeye TV shorts and The Alvin Show) were used as outsourcing to make a handful of Road Runner cartoons. if you've ever watched a Road Runner and thought "wow, this sucks!" then CONGRATS! you're likely watching one of the "Larriva Eleven".

anyhoo, Larriva/Format Films also worked on some Speedy and Daffys (and when i double checked which ones he did work on, i was surprised to only see 3??? i thought he directed way more), and they too are cheap and quick for the same reasons above

SO! there you have it! and i've been slagging on the Speedy and Daffy shorts a lot, and i can't say it's without good reason LOL. with how many there are and in such a short amount of time and how utterly monotonous they are (as well as a reminder of the integrity these characters USED to have), it's easy to really point to them as the worst of the worst. but, unfortunately, they're just a portion of the studio's continued decline as a whole. all of the shorts were getting cheap and dull and droll--it's (unfortunately) not like the Speedy and Daffys were super flat and awful while the studio was also making amazingly lush Road Runner shorts at the same time.

like MANY of the most popular theatrical cartoon series, WB had a very unfortunate decline that i think is just more apparent to see because they were one of the studios that lasted the longest theatrically. i THINK Walter Lantz and DFE may have been the only studios that outlasted them, but i could be just as wrong so don't quote me on that! i'm not nearly as intimate with my 50s-60s history of the studio as i am the 30s and 40s, but i aim to change that!

[hellsite-detective]

i have been trying to find this video for MONTHS. i’m almost certain it was a repost from tiktok. it was a split screen with the “main” video playing on one side, and a guy reacting to it on the other.

the “main” video was a bunch of guys in someone’s yard pretending they were playing a game with completely ridiculous, arbitrary rules. they’d each pull out a random item, do something to one or both items, each side would react as though they won or lost the round, and they’d rotate out. some rounds included a minnie mouse shaped rotary phone, opening a cd case and signing the paper inside, and whacking everything off the table with a pool noodle.

the guy reacting was narrating the whole thing like an esports commentator (“oh, i haven’t seen this opening before, that’s weird” “oh, he’s going for x strat, nice” etc.)

i’m pretty sure i reblogged it a while ago, but i don’t remember if it was tagged with anything. i’ve looked through my blog’s archive and even old discord messages to see if ive sent it to friends. if you manage to find this extremely weird video then god bless

a client walked into my office lookin' for a video of a tiktok showin' off a classic sport. now, i'm no expert on trackin' down videos. without keywords to search, this would be hard. that is, if i wasn't given the perfect lead. see, my client happened to casually mention that they reblogged it a while back. and while most detectives would get a warrant first, i took the liberty of snoopin' around the archive while my client wasn't lookin'. by filterin' for videos, i managed to track it down with ease.

thanks for givin' me that lead! thanks to your archive, it was easy to find! i gave it a watch too, i haven't seen a game that intense since the 1947 Backyard Item World Championship. some really good plays for sure. either way, enjoy relivin' this intense game! have a great day!

Post Case: Closed

[sleepdepriveddieci]

Limbus Company Update 2025/04/10

Weekly Update Bug fixes: Certain triggers stayed after usage, working even for the defensive skills for E.G.O gifts, IDs and enemies. It affected "Wobbling Keg", "Omnivibro-octovecti-bell" from gifts, passives of (support) Dieci Hong Lu and (combat) Cinq Meursault on Uptie 4. Also Enemies possessing "Censored Courage" from L.C.B Regular Check-up. This should be no longer an issue. Certain effects of Gaze of Contempt E.G.O. gift didn't work properly. Doubling the effect on Max Upgrade and not triggering effects to enemies that hit ally that got targeted by multiple (2+) attacks properly. Epicenter E.G.O. gift effect had been fixed connected to self tremor recovery. Fixed Focused Encounter information unlocking (yay). Parts appearing in UI of Abnormality Dream-devouring Succulent no longer not load properly. In MD, choice event in Nocturnal Sweeping Pack for The Middle has now Envy affinity advantage. Mobile app client additional downloads that occurred during game play didn't return players to main screen. Steam client mouse and shortcut bug issue had been fixed. Hovering over Win Rate or Damage button and using shortcut works properly now. Custom Translation application fixes. For some reason pausing a dungeon stage made Tutorial "Skip" button appear (Are they working on tutorial that this appeared?) Simplyfing skill descriptions by removing more/less to +X/-X dmg skills. Sinclair E.G.O. - Lantern unnecessary text Keyword had been removed. Translation mentions of Heishou Pack had been adjusted in Canto 7.

Hotfix 2025/04/03: Yi Sang Fell Bullet EGO description had been clarified that Poise application works on two random allies. Newly released The Middle Little Brother Sinclair had few errors, like not loading Identity Portrait animation on skill 3 and clarification in skill description for EN players about stacking of aggro per skill slot. Both had been fixed.

300 Lunacyy! Yippe!

Rodion will threaten all ducks to be made in Peking style for her fancy arrival.

[saasadvices]

Keyword Research With Semrush a Step-By-Step Guide

Want to learn SEO the easy way?

When I started, I didn’t know how helpful keywords were. But then I tried them—and wow! They worked. Just think—knowing the words people type into Google. It’s like having a treasure map.

With a tool like Semrush, more people can find your site. Keyword research isn’t hard. It’s smart. In this guide, I’ll show you how to use Semrush. I did this when I got serious about blogging.

You’ll also learn what others are doing. And you’ll see how to do it better. Let’s begin. Your next big win starts here.

Getting Started With Semrush

Let’s start simple.

Semrush helps you find great keywords. This guide shows clear steps to find the best ones. You’ll also see what others are doing—and how to beat them. If SEO feels new, this will help a lot.

When I used Semrush for the first time, I was amazed. I found one keyword. It was easy to rank. That one word brought readers for months. A small step—but it changed things.

Semrush may look hard. But it’s not. It gets fun fast.

Creating an Account

Step one? Make your Semrush account. Go to the site and click “Sign Up.” You can try it free. Or pick a plan.

It’s simple. Type your email. Pick a password. Follow the steps. Check your inbox and click the link.

I signed up on a weekend. I wanted to know why my blog wasn’t working. In just a few hours, I saw so much.

Now you have the same tool the pros use. It’s your turn to use the data and grow.

Navigating The Dashboard (Very Easy to Read)

When you log in, the Semrush dashboard is the place to start. It might look like a lot. I felt that way at first too. But each part has a job.

On the left, there’s a menu. It has tools like Domain Analytics and the Keyword Magic Tool. Hover your mouse over each one to learn more.

Not sure where to begin? Click the Projects tab. I used that when I first checked a friend’s website. It showed me how the site was doing and what to fix.

You can move parts of the dashboard around. I like putting my favorite tools at the top. That way, I get to them fast.

Every tool gives you data. But you can change how it looks to match your goals. This helps you stay focused. Ready to grow your site? You’re all set to begin.

Understanding Keyword Research

Keywords help people find your site. They show what your readers search for.

When I started writing blogs, I didn’t know about this. Then I learned, and my site got more visits. Semrush helps you find the best words to use.

Importance Of Keyword Research

Good keywords can bring more people to your site.

One time, I picked the right word for a post. It got lots of views. That’s how much it matters. If you skip this step, you miss chances to grow.

Types Of Keywords

There are short words and long ones. Short ones like “SEO” get lots of clicks. But they are hard to rank for.

Long words like “best SEO tips for blogs” are easier. They help you reach the right people.

I use long ones now. They bring in readers who want what I offer.

Utilizing Semrush Tools

Semrush helps you find great keywords fast. It shows you what people look for.

This makes it easy to plan new posts. It also helps more people find your site.

Keyword Magic Tool

This tool gives you lots of ideas. Just type one word to start.

It shows you other words that people use. You can sort them by search count or how hard they are.

I used this tool last week for a blog. I found 10 good ideas in just a few minutes.

If you’re stuck, this tool can help. It saves time and helps you write better.

Keyword Overview Tool

The Keyword Overview Tool is great when you want to check how a keyword works. It shows you things like how many people search for it, how it trends over time, and how hard it is to rank for it. I use this tool a lot to see if a keyword is worth my time. It helps me decide before I spend hours writing.

You can also see the top pages that rank for your keyword. One time, I was shocked to see low-quality pages at the top. But the tool showed me they had strong backlinks and related terms. That’s why they ranked well.

Seeing this helped me plan better content. I found ways to fill in what those pages missed. This tool makes that easier. It explains why some pages win, which has really helped me with blog posts and landing pages.

Both the Keyword Overview Tool and the Keyword Magic Tool are super helpful. They give you real tips you can use. Want to grow your traffic? Try both tools—they’re a big help.

Finding Relevant Keywords

Picking the right keywords is key for SEO. Think of your site like a shop in a busy street. To bring in the right people, your signs need to match what they’re looking for. I learned this when my old site got traffic—but not the right kind.

Semrush makes keyword picking easy. It helps you find keywords that bring the right visitors. Let’s see how to do that.

Search Volume and Difficulty

Search volume shows how many times a keyword gets searched each month. More searches can mean more visitors. But it also means more people are trying to rank for it. I once tried a big keyword and quickly saw it was too hard. It felt like selling lemonade where everyone else already is!

Semrush gives you a difficulty score. This tells you how hard it is to rank for a word. I now look for ones that are easier but still useful. It’s like picking a race where I have a real chance to win.

Long-tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer and more exact. They’re great because people use them when they know what they want. They’re easier to rank for and bring better traffic. I once used “best budget laptops for students” instead of just “laptops” and saw way better results.

Semrush helps you find these longer terms fast. They help you reach people who are ready to buy or act. Think about how you search—you use longer terms when you’re sure. That’s why these keywords work so well.

Are your keywords too wide? Or are they hitting the mark? Semrush can help you stay on track.

Analyzing Competitor Keywords

Checking what keywords your rivals use can change the game. You can see what works and use that info to grow your own site. I did this for a blog series and saw our traffic double in three months.

It also helps you find what’s missing in your content and what your readers want more of.

Competitor Research Tool

The Competitor Research Tool from Semrush is easy to use. It shows the keywords your rivals rank for. This helps you see their plan and how they get traffic.

You can also check how hard the keywords are and how often people search for them. I use it before writing new posts so I’m not guessing. It’s like getting the playbook before the game starts.

Identifying Keyword Gaps

Finding keyword gaps is a smart way to grow. These are words your rivals use but you don’t. That’s traffic you’re missing! I once found a gap through Semrush and wrote a quick post. That post is now in the top five!

Semrush makes this easy. You just compare your site with others. It shows what you’re missing. Then you can make content that fills the gap and brings in new visitors.

Creating A Keyword Strategy 

Creating a keyword plan helps bring steady traffic to your website. I've learned it's not just about popular words. It's about knowing what your audience types into Google and matching it with your goals. Semrush gives you easy tools to make a strong plan that lasts.

 Prioritizing Keywords

Start with keywords that match your goals. Use a mix of short (broad) and long (specific) keywords. Short keywords bring more people. Long ones often lead to more sales. When I made content for a small product, a long keyword helped me rank on page one fast. Semrush shows you how hard a keyword is and how many people search for it. Hard means more competition. But Semrush helps find good spots with decent traffic and less competition. I always suggest starting there. Think about what your audience wants. Are they just looking, or ready to buy? Knowing this helps you write content that connects and gets results. 

Organizing Keywords

Once you have your keywords, group them. Base it on topics or what people want. This keeps your content clear. It also helps Google understand your site. I use Semrush’s grouping tool to stay neat. It saves time. At first, I used a spreadsheet. It helped me stay on track and spot what worked. Ever wonder why another site ranks better with the same content? It's often about how they organize their keywords. That small step matters. Building a keyword plan is like building a house. You need a good plan and tools. With Semrush, you’re ready to build something strong. 

Tracking Keyword Performance 

Watching how your keywords do keeps your plan sharp. You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t. Semrush makes this part easy. It shows real-time data to help you make changes fast. 

Using Position Tracking 

This tool shows where your keywords rank each day. Semrush updates it daily. I once saw a drop in rank and fixed a broken link fast. That saved me traffic. Tracking helps you fix problems early. It also shows what’s working so you can keep doing it. 

Adjusting Strategy Based On Data

Don’t just collect data—use it. Semrush shows keyword trends and what’s losing ground. I’ve changed blog topics, dropped weak keywords, and updated old posts based on that. Doing this often keeps your site strong. Staying on top of things helps you grow over time. 

Advanced Tips And Tricks

Going deeper with keyword research helps you grow. Over time, I found tricks that save time and bring better results. Here are some advanced tips using Semrush. 

Leveraging Filters And Reports

Filters help find what matters. I filter by search volume and difficulty to stay focused. Semrush makes this easy. I check reports to spot trends. These help plan my next post. One time, I saw a CPC trend that led to a top blog post. **Exploring Related Keywords** Related keywords reach more people. Semrush suggests useful terms you may not think of. I use them to cover new angles in my content. Watch trends. Some words work better in certain seasons. I once updated a post with seasonal keywords and saw a fast traffic jump. These keywords help you grow without starting over. 

Frequently Asked Questions

 How To Use Semrush To Do Keyword Research?

 Log in. Go to the Keyword Magic Tool. Type your main keyword. Look at volume, difficulty, and CPC. Use filters to find the best ones. Save them and use them in your SEO plan.

 How To Perform Keyword Research Step By Step?

Know your audience. Use Google Planner and Semrush. Check what your rivals use. Focus on long keywords. Choose the ones that match your content goals. 

Is Semrush Really Worth It?

 Yes. It gives keyword tools, competitor info, and audits. It helped me grow blogs and win clients. If you care about SEO, Semrush is a great tool. 

Is Semrush Good For Keywords?

 Yes. It gives full keyword info, shows trends, and helps with ideas. I use it in all my projects. It really works. 

Conclusion

Learning keyword research with Semrush helps your content grow. It shows what works. Use that to write better and reach the right people. Try new things. Practice helps. Good keywords open doors. With Semrush, you’re ready to go. Keep at it—you’ll see results.

[friday-im-in-love-with-crowley]

Silly Game Time: First, pick one story you enjoy. Second, change its title. This could be done either by substituting synonyms for keywords or by giving it a new but equally accurate name.

For example, "The Fellowship of the Ring" could become "The Bling Buddies" or "Frodo's Worst Vacation Ever".

Mouse, H.D.

[futuretiative]

Tom and Robotic Mouse | @futuretiative

Tom's job security takes a hit with the arrival of a new, robotic mouse catcher.

TomAndJerry #AIJobLoss #CartoonHumor #ClassicAnimation #RobotMouse #ArtificialIntelligence #CatAndMouse #TechTakesOver #FunnyCartoons #TomTheCat

Keywords: Tom and Jerry, cartoon, animation, cat, mouse, robot, artificial intelligence, job loss, humor, classic, Machine Learning Deep Learning Natural Language Processing (NLP) Generative AI AI Chatbots AI Ethics Computer Vision Robotics AI Applications Neural Networks

Tom was the first guy who lost his job because of AI

(and what you can do instead)

⤵

"AI took my job" isn't a story anymore.

It's reality.

But here's the plot twist:

While Tom was complaining,

others were adapting.

The math is simple:

➝ AI isn't slowing down

➝ Skills gap is widening

➝ Opportunities are multiplying

Here's the truth:

The future doesn't care about your comfort zone.

It rewards those who embrace change and innovate.

Stop viewing AI as your replacement.

Start seeing it as your rocket fuel.

Because in 2025:

➝ Learners will lead

➝ Adapters will advance

➝ Complainers will vanish

The choice?

It's always been yours.

It goes even further - now AI has been trained to create consistent.

//

Repost this ⇄

//

Follow me for daily posts on emerging tech and growth

[naboman]

Pierrot.

Theme: A series of short interactions between bsd characters based on the Italian theater Commedia Dell'arte. Synopsis: Fyodor feels satiated at finally having what he's been looking for in his hands, but it would be a shame if it were taken from him so unscrupulously. Pairing: D.Fyodor + Fem!Reader. Genres: Drama/Tragedy, comedy in some respects. Warnings: themes of possession and servitude.

notes: Fyodor was initially going to be Capitano, but his character seemed more likeable as Pierrot, lol. these will be very short texts, I think I could write several of them at once (if my laziness cooperates). Good Read <3

Yokohama's Ferris wheel seemed an overrated spot in your eyes, but nonetheless very popular with tourists and local children alike. you wondered why for a moment, but didn't let it spoil the ride, not at this point, since it was the only fun you'd been having for the last few days. You opened the city map been holding in your hands for some time, a little crumpled from everything he'd had to deal with throughout the day. If you had some time, perhaps could stop by a tea store and have a dessert you liked, there were very positive indications around where was and perhaps could indulge your palate with a less bitter taste than usual.

Not that you was the pessimistic type, in fact, had adapted very well to your “conditional release”, but it wouldn't hurt to try to indulge himself a little. Perhaps even your companion would like to share some pleasant food to the sound of falling leaves and waterfalls in the background, as a way of wiping the tired look off his face and allowing your some personal space. “We could have something to eat, yes?” You commented in a voice that was a little too meek for his taste, sounding like flattery, yet he didn't complain, he looked up and greeted you with an icy smile. “What do you think, Fyodor?” The sound of his name coming from your lips made him look thoughtfully out over the landscape. You didn't usually call him by his name, it was mostly codenames or keywords, from 'Chief Sad' to 'Little Mouse'. He admits that the latter is his least favorite. Fyodor put a hand to his chin, he was sure what he wanted and when he wanted it, it wasn't a question worthy of taking up his thoughts, but he was much more intrigued by your comobility than by which dessert he would like to enjoy with you. “You look very comfortable,” he hissed, turning to you with a wave of his master hand, slipping it out of his cloak, the cold wind catching him, making some hairs stand on end "for a hostage" A disgruntled groan escaped from you, although you gave no explanation for it, the disgruntled grimace on your face catching the attention of Fyodor, who mumbled a slight “hm” in response to your exasperated reaction. Cosmo-World's Ferris wheel had stopped, and they were now at the top, with the wind scratching the tip of their noses, with the perfect view to capture all the beautiful sights of Yokohama harbor. You was enjoying the view from the top, as you would soon be back on the floor, where the density of your 'Chief Sad' enemies was setting in. “You didn't answer my question” Defeat fragmented out of you like a sigh. Fyodor groaned looking at your defeat. 'Ah, so that's it,' he mused. “Of course, let's do as you wish.” He finally gave his answer, doing your gluttonous, childish bidding. The controlled timbre of his voice irritated your ears, as if he were dictating how far you could go, and indeed, that's what Fyodor did.

“Just know that trying to fill your frustrations with candies won't get you anywhere.” True, as much as you wanted to avoid the facts, you were now just a small bird on Fyodor's big wing, where he was the only one to decide when and if you would fly again. Not that your life before him was exactly a euphoria of sensations, but it was better than being kept as Fyodor's pet. In all his generosity, he hadn't yet made the decision to actually put a collar on you, or perch you in a silver cage to be put on display. “I was just being kind,” You replied. “Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to be kind to me,” he snapped back, ”Your good deeds will be a good memory for me, believe me.” “Well, I expect no less” You winked with a certain charm in his attitude, bringing a hand to his face, as if stroking his cheek "I can consider myself an important person, after all, you've been looking for me" A small smile filled the flesh of his lips, with a certain arrogance. “I've been looking for you for over a century, I hope you recognize how much headache you've caused me in that time,” he commented aloofly, looking at her with a certain disdain, although his speech had an almost resentful tone. In fact, Fyodor had moved to almost every corner of Eastern Europe when he heard the quote from the paranormal with strong psychic abilities, in which he said that his abilities had led to the deaths of more than half a dozen other bourgeois. Fyodor was fascinated. Until his trump card simply disappeared. When he found her, she had been induced into cryogenics, her body remaining alive and in perfect working order just for this moment, only to be put to good use by someone like him.

If that wasn't a gift from God for all his devotion, then Fyodor had no idea what was. “It makes me question how vital I am to you,” you murmured, savoring the words, catching himself glancing indiscreetly at the man, something that, when he realized, you quickly resumed looking at the tourist map ”but, tell me, do you have a preference for any kind of tea?” “You're a notable part of my thoughts,” He admitted, his arms crossing to resume his posture, tilting his head as if it were nothing, his hair flowing down his face with a diagonal movement "Without you I have a chance, but with you I can be sure, as if… You and i would was made for this exact moment in history," Fyodor hummed like a lover, a small smile on his thin lips. “And I prefer black tea, my dear, thank you for caring”

His confession almost made her heated, but you couldn't allow herself to enjoy the flattery of someone like Fyodor. Fyodor was handling her as if he were playing with the food on his plate, leaving her unsettled and soft enough to mold it as he saw fit. If he was close enough to touch you, he knew that a sensitive woman like you would melt into his evil touch, like a buttery sweet. You snorted, shaking your head, pushing away the tide of the man's impure courtship. The excessive frills of your dress fluttered with the movement, like the feathers of a bird about to take flight. Frankly, he didn't even make the effort to give you decent clothes for the occasion. “You don't have poetic license, don't think you can seduce me by talking about these… things, about destinies, and victory. I'm not a... A whore!” She raged, the map almost suffering the consequences of her anger. Fyodor stared at her with a confused face. He found her a difficult woman to please, rather annoying, but your exploits instigated him. If you had been in his right mind (awake) when you was the daughter of a marquis, he would have tried to woo her to make you his as soon as possible. “In no way was it ever my intention be brute with you, Miss [Name]” Fyodor tried his best to put on a face of prompt repentance. “Forgive me for my profanity, I'm afraid I must be punished for my audacity,” he sighed regretfully. “Indeed you should” “So tell me, miss, what should my punishment be?” Fyodor stretched, the conversation intriguing him to the point of amusement him. “You must let me go,” you said. “I'm afraid I can't give you that,” he laughed humorlessly. “Something else. Take your pick.” “Buy me a fruity sweet” you demanded. “As you wish” He agreed with zero hesitation.