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uwuwriting · 5 years ago

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Wearing his jersey w/ Daichi, Kageyama and Osamu

Request: hi!! can i req the ‘wearing their jersey’ with daichi kags and osamu plss! i loved the one u wrote for kuroo akaashi and ushi. -anonymous

Okay I haven’t written for my Haikyuu babies for quite some time and that sucks. Everyday is Haikyuu day and I simp for a different character every hour of the day lmao. Although my new found obsession with Nanami is taking up most of my time. Oh well guess he’ll have to share my spare time with one of the Haikyuu boys every time. Love ya. 💖💖💖

masterlist II rules

warnings: fluff, I don’t think there are any warnings for this one.

Sawamura Daichi

-Captain Daichi thirst is active 24/7 lmao.

-He is used to you taking his clothes.

-From hoodies, to t-shirts to his sweatpants, it has become a regular occurrence in your relationship.

-He loves seeing you in his clothes.

-They are always too big on your body, his hoodies almost reaching your knees and it makes his heart go doki doki.

-He just wants to hug you to his chest and never let go.

-He has given you one of his t-shirts to wear to sleep cuz he loves the idea of you having a little part of him with you even if it's just a shirt.

-You two were having a sleepover before one of his major games and of course you were helping him unwind.

-You helped him make his duffle bag and double check for his knee pads, gave him a massage for his sore muscles after a long week of non stop practices and finally forced him to take a self care evening after he asked you to help him practice with his receives.

-While putting on his face mask you were going on about something random when you noticed the furrow of his brows.

- “Everything is gonna be fine baby, you’ll see. You and the boys have practiced really hard for this match and you;ll make it I know you will.”

-Smiling up at you he gave you a peck on the lips, careful not to smudge your own face mask in the process.

- “I know or at least I think I do. I just feel off knowing you won’t be there.”

-Oh that’s right….You weren’t sure you would make it in time to catch the beginning of the match due to a family obligation but you were certain you would get to see the later half of the game.

-Though Daichi didn’t have to know that yet.

-Kissing him again you reassured him that the team didn’t need you to be there to wipe the floor with the other team’s ass, that he didn’t need you there.

-The pout on his lips said otherwise though but he didn’t push it.

-When the time came for the match to begin, he kept glancing at the stands mainly out of habit but also because he half expected you to make it on time.

-No such luck though, you were nowhere to be seen.

- “Oi Daichi focus!!”

-Suga nearly karate chopped him in the stomach when he didn’t stop looking for you.

-Everyone could see that their captain was a little out of it but they chose to keep quiet.

-You on the other hand, were sprinting through the streets of Miyagi to get to your boyfriend’s game as fast as possible, his jersey spurring you forward as you pounded down the school’s courtyard.

-In a flash you were in your regular seat in the very front of the bleachers, chest rising and falling frantically as you tried to catch your breath.

-You took off your jacket and rushed to the railing, tracing the ball with your eyes as the opposing team spiked it right into your boyfriend’s arms.

- “GO DAI!!”

-His eyes found you immediately, quickly shooting down to your chest where the number 1 of his dark jersey rested proudly flushing at the sight.

-The game was over rather quickly after that.

-Daichi was in top form, his receives being immaculate while his serves were on point.

-The first thing he did when he walked out of the lockers was to hug you, hug you so close and tight you could barely breath as he thanked you for coming.

- “You r-really thought I w-would miss this???”

- “........Baby I can’t b-breath.”

Kageyama Tobio

-Flustered babyyyy.

-He will never get used to seeing you in his clothes.

-You have worn his hoodies before and he has had a heart attack every time.

-It reached a point where you thought that he hated seeing you in them and you stopped asking for his hoodies or jackets even if you were cold.

-That caused the frown on his face to deepen and a very shy confession that he indeed loved seeing you in his clothes.

-Ever since that day you always have at least one of his hoodies in your closet.

-Now your relationship is a secret.

-Considering who his teammates are, you both agreed that it would be wise to keep your relationship under wraps, neither of you want to go through their reaction in this lifetime at least.

-Keeping that in mind, you never wore his clothes out in public so you wouldn’t draw unwanted attention to you.

-You go to all his games of course, being his best friend before becoming his girlfriend does that to a person, plus he had convinced you to become a manager alongside Yachi.

-So even if you wanted to skip a game you couldn’t.

-Now that you think of it this must have been part of his plan since now he can be near you all the time.

-You couldn’t bring yourself to be even remotely mad at him, he was just too cute.

-You were so proud of your boys for making it to nationals that you decided to hype them up a bit.

-Convincing both Yachi and Kiyoko you stole three jerseys from the team while they were changing before you took your seats in the sidelines.

-Many would think that you wearing Kageyama’s jersey was a mere coincidence.

-You chose him because he is your best friend, not because something else was going on.

-Sugawara and Tsukishima aren’t most people and you soon found yourself in some hot water with those two.

-Apart from the fact that Kageyama couldn’t look your way without having a stroke, he whipped the floor with the other team, gasps and applause filling the stadium every time he dunked the ball on the other side of the court.

-It got to the point where the other less observant member of the team started noticing the significant difference in his attitude.

- “Kageyama why are you playing so aggressively the ball keeps going like WOOSH and BAM without me even hitting it.”

-Poor boy almost chocked on his water at Hinata’s words and when you went to help him he turned 50 shades of red in a matter of 0.0005 seconds.

-This whole charade ended with your relationship being exposed after Noya begged you to wear his jersey and Tobio wasn’t having it, three nosebleeds and a whole lot of teasing.

-He moved to your room that night despite the fact that the third years kept teasing him about being safe and wrapping it before tapping it.

-Held a small grudge for like five minutes.

Miya Osamu

-Love of my life number 20.

-The superior twin and this will make it evident.

-Atsumu is always being a little shit about your relationship and how you don’t look like a couple cuz you don’t make out in the hallways all the time.

-Em sir excuse you!

-Anyways, you know to ignore him at this point figuring that he’ll get tired and stop but no such luck; he irritates Osamu to no end resulting in one of them needing bandages at the end of practice.

-PDA is not something you are both comfortable with and you prefer small reassuring touches throughout the day.

-This has led to many believing that you two aren’t a couple just like Atsumu says and other people have confessed to you or asked you out WHILE Osamu is with you.

-It doesn’t bother him much since he trusts you but it still tugs at his insecurities.

-And because of those insecurities you get a new wardrobe.

-Literally a whole ass new clothing line made by none other than Osamu Miya himself.

-What is in this new clothing line you ask?

-Osamu’s hoodies and shirts in general.

-Every time he stops by your house he brings a new item of clothing with him, something that he has worn recently and others have seen just to get his message across.

-You aren’t complaining, you love wearing his clothes, they are always so big and they completely swallow you plus they smell like him.

-It’s like you have him with you.

-Now Osamu might not show it often but volleyball stresses him out, like a lot.

-It means the world to his brother and despite their fights and bickering, he loves seeing him happy and if that means he has to play the sport like his life depends on it so be it.

-Osamu would do anything for Atsumu.

-So you can understand the pressure he is under as a spiker.

-His distress is you basically and you give him a small pep talk right before he enters the court.

-Imagine his surprise and pure childish glee when he saw you making your way to him wearing his jersey.

-It reached just above your knee and it made you look so cute he wanted to bottle you up and keep you forever.

-Atsumu and Suna could be heard in the background teasing the living shit out of Osamu who remained frozen in place, the whole stadium turning into white noise as the only thing in his view, the only thing that mattered in that moment, was you.

-He noticed your glare as you told his brother off, saw the way you played with the hem of his jersey as you walked near him and the furrow of your brows when he didn’t answer your calls.

-Wordlessly he enveloped you in a tight hug, picking you off your feet and twirling you around a little bit much to the dismay of his fanbase in the stands.

- “Hi.” “Hey ‘Samu”

- “Whatcha wearin?”

- “Oh this old thing? I figured you might need the motivation.”

- *cue kissing assault*

TAG TEAM AY:

Arcana-Fan-at The @-FIC @angelwritings @axerrri @reinyrei @dnarez @ storage11037 @ezoyscorner @letscheereachotheron @ wolfkid22 @ Dark-Thoughts-and-Red-Roses @threeamwriting @ysatrap @yashinosakura @yongboxerrr @meena-in-a-nutshell

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inevitably-johnlocked · 5 years ago

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Hi Steph, you’re amazing at what you do. I just want to know from a true connoisseur, which 3 fics do you think you’ve read and re-read the most number of times? As in, 3 ultimate comfort fics.

Hi Nonny!

Ooof, I’ve been asked a similar question here a couple weeks ago, but hmm, this is actually something I never really had to think hard about! EXCEPT CAN I GIVE YOU 5? Because 5 immediately came to mind. Is that okay?? OMG I’m so sorry. Plus 5 is a number I like better than three, sorry :P Another weird tic of mine.

No surprise which is my first, hahah:

A Promise Made to Be Broken by PlantsAreNeat (E, 37,018 w., 7 Ch. || Fake Relationship, Pining, Slow Burn, RST, Eventual Relationship, POV Sherlock) – A young John makes an ‘if we’re still single at 40, we’ll get together’ pledge to a woman who ends up all wrong for him. She keeps reminding him of the promise, and won’t let go of it. John asks Sherlock to pose as his boyfriend at a family wedding, so as to dash her hopes permanently. Sherlock, who has at last acknowledged his feelings for John, reluctantly agrees despite knowing how painful it will be to ‘have’ John, but not keep him.

It’s just such a joy to read every single time, and I never skip any parts at all. Start to finish EVERY TIME.

Iris by slashscribe (E, 11,948 w., 1 Ch. || Parentlock, Pining Sherlock, Post-S3) – Sherlock does his best to make John happy when John comes back to 221B with his new baby after the events of Season 3, but Sherlock has a track record of getting things wrong in this area. This story is an exploration of their gradual shift from friends to lovers, told from Sherlock's perspective, full of a lot of pining and lack of emotional awareness.

This was my first Parentlock fic I read and it’s why I now do read Parentlock. Still one of my favourites, and it’s short enough to read in one sitting. It’s just so sweet, and Sherlock is SO precious, and GAH I LOVE it. Another start-to-finish. Which then brings me to this one:

Albion and the Woodsman by Glenmore (NR [E], 54,437 w., 50 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Post S3, Parentlock, Pining Sherlock, Angst, Family, Drug Use, Depression, Sherlock POV, Light Humour, Reconnecting, Declarations of Love) – Sherlock and John are devastated after Mary Morstan makes her final moves. Sherlock relapses at the crack house, John walks around the world … and a lot happens in between. Parentlock, in the good way.

I REALLY like this fic because it’s Sherlock POV and it’s him learning about his feelings for John. THOUGH I feel bad admitting that lately, rereads usually start around Ch. 30, because I love John showing up all BAMFy in Ch. 34 and essentially tells the social workers to piss off. And Sherlock is RIDICULOUSLY adorably in love with John so much in this fic. I’ve reread the whole story enough to know what happens before Ch. 30, and all the smoopy stuff happens after that. BUT DON’T think I don’t love this story. I DO. A LOT. I just... Sometimes need certain parts of a story RIGHT now, and that one singular scene is one of them, and I always just keep going from there. :P

Classified(s) by blueink3 (E, 36,153 w., 4 Ch. || Wedding Date AU || Fake Relationship, Jealous, PIning, H/C, Idiots in Love, Happy Ending, Mary is not Nice, Escort Service) – Clara's American father is the ambassador to some such territory that Great Britain probably used to own, but she (and Harry’s undying love for her) is the reason John is getting on a flight at 12:30pm, flying across the second largest ocean in the world, and pretending to be in a perfectly happy, healthy relationship with an undoubtedly perfectly coiffed stranger. See, Clara is not only American (and wealthy to boot), she's also best friends with John’s ex-fiancée. Whom she's placed in the wedding party. As Maid of Honor. And John just happens to be Best Man. Bloody brilliant.

I just really love this one. It’s painfully sweet and OH GOD I love how much they fall for each other and HARRY IS TWINSIES AND SHE’S AWESOME. Love it. It’s such a feel-good fic with a great ending. Love it.

And:

Corpus Hominis by mycapeisplaid (E, 47,709 w., 12 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Case Fic, Fluff, Romance, Frottage, Angst, Anal, Blow Jobs, Rimming, Spas / Massages, Shampoo, Jealousy, Fake Relationship) - John knows the human body intimately. He’s had plenty of opportunity for study as a doctor, soldier, and lover. There’s one particular body, however, he knows very little about. When Sherlock launches himself head-first into a new obsession and they get sent on a case in an unlikely location, the pair discovers each other’s bodies with confusing yet delightful (and sometimes hilarious) results.

THIS FIC. GUH. Just, the way John pieces together how much Sherlock pines for him is ACHINGLY beautiful, that all comes together in a really tender scene in a pool. It’s the pool scene we should have had. UGH. AND SHAMPOO. And best friend Lestrade essentially telling John he’s a moron, LOL. LOVE this fic. I’m SO glad I finally remembered this one was the one with the Shampoo and the spa day.

-----

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY not my only always reads. In fact:

tags

@wonderlandmind4 @coffeebeforewater @empty-fromthestart @this-kitten-is-smitten @saundrasays

#Original Work #original short story #ofc #writeblr #short story

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cupcakezys · 4 years ago

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The Prince of Camelot.

This fic has been sitting in the back of my mind for months, and I finally found the time to sit down and write it. It turned out slightly different from what I originally planned, but I think it’s all the better for it, so I hope you enjoy! :)

Pairing: Merlin/Arthur

Tags: Canon-typical violence, Arthur knows about Merlin’s magic, BAMF Merlin, Parent Merlin and Parent Arthur.

Summary: Edmond sucked in a panicked breath and looked around them again, the forest suddenly very unfriendly. “Black knights were here? Why?” Melaine didn’t answer, and when Edmond turned to face her she was staring at him oddly. He frowned and unconsciously drew back from her. “Melaine?” She looked away from him, green eyes firmly on the ground. “They asked if any of us had seen Prince Edmond Pendragon of Camelot.” Edmond flinched back and Melaine’s eyes widened. “That’s you, isn’t it? You really are the Prince!"

Read on AO3.

“Edmond!”

Edmond looked up at the shout, the birds around him startling and flying away. Melaine groaned in disappointment, her red hair spilling everywhere as she buried her head in her hands, and Edmond silently groaned with her. It had taken hours for the birds to trust them enough to sit on the forest floor with them, and now all that time had been wasted.

“Is that your dad?” Melaine asked.

Edmond sighed. “Yeah.”

“Edmond!”

He winced as the cry came again, this time with a touch of impatience, and hastily stood.

“I have to go.” He said, grimacing in apology. “Meet you again tomorrow?”

“Of course!” Melaine instantly perked up. “You’ve still got to teach me that new spell of yours.”

Edmond’s eye’s widened as he resisted the urge to smack his hand over his face. “I completely forgot! I’m sorry Melaine.”

“It’s okay.” She said, shrugging. “Meeting the birds was fun anyway.”

“Edmond!”

“I’m coming Dad!” Edmond yelled, not wanting his dad to come looking for him. “Goodbye Melaine!”

“Goodbye Edmond.” Melaine said with a wave, turning in the opposite direction to make her own way home.

Edmond ran through the forest, feet sure despite the roots reaching out to try to trip him up. Sunlight filtered through the trees in tiny patches, little pockets of light that made the fallen leaves look almost like they’d caught alight. A branch hit his shoulder, making him stumble, and a pair of butterflies flew away and into the sun. Edmond allowed himself a moment to watch them before he took off running again.

He burst out of the trees, stumbling to a stop in front of the little garden his dad loved to tend to. He darted around the garden, no wanting to trample any seedlings, and made his way to the front of their hut just as his dad started calling for him again.

“I’m right here Dad!” Edmond huffed, trying to catch his breath.

His dad whirled around, and already Edmond could see the eyebrow raised judgementally at him.

“Where have you been?” His dad asked, eyes checking him for injuries. “You know what today is.”

Edmond winced. That was another thing he had forgotten.

“I’m sorry Dad.” He said, finally able to breathe properly. “I was with Melaine by the fields. We were trying to get the birds to eat out of our hands.”

His dad’s lips twitched up into a smile. “I see. Well, I hope you had fun.”

His dad ushered him inside where a steaming bowl of stew was waiting for him, and Edmond’s mouth began watering. He hadn’t eaten since late morning.

“We did! Some of the birds came really close, and one was absolutely beautiful.” Edmond sat, his dad next to him, and began shovelling stew in his mouth between sentences. “It was all blue and green, you should have seen it! Melaine even thought it might have been glowing whenever it wasn’t in the sun.”

A brief flicker of worry entered his dad’s eyes, but it was gone so fast Edmond almost believed he had imagined it. “It sounds like an afternoon well spent.”

Edmond nodded exaggeratedly, his brown hair flying loose of its bun and almost ending up in his stew. He huffed and held it out of the way, still devouring his stew with his other hand.

His dad laughed, his own bowl emptied and washed long before he got home. “Alright you. Slow down before you choke. I’ve got to fix your hair anyway.”

Edmond whined. “But dad, it looks fine!”

His dad snorted, and suddenly his hair is in his face, covering his eyes. Edmond can just spot the lighter strands near his skull, his natural blonde colour shining through. Edmond huffed again and continued eating, slower now. His dad did have a point, he conceded. He normally never let it grow this much before fixing it again.

“Fine.” Edmond grumbled, not that he really had a choice.

His dad smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of his head before he stood to get the things he would need. Truthfully, Edmond wasn’t sure what exactly his dad did to turn his hair as brown as mud. He knew there was a spell involved, and some sort of paste, but he never paid attention to the details. So long as it wasn’t just mud- which his dad had assured him it wasn’t.

His dad sat back down as Edmond finished his stew, and he shifted a bit as his hair was pulled back an into a loose ponytail. It had gotten longer than he realised, well past his shoulders now, but he found that he liked it long. He hadn’t let his dad cut it the last few times they had done this, and his dad didn’t even bother asking now.

“Alright, now hold still.” His dad ordered, and Edmond sat straight and perfectly still as hands gently massaged the paste into the top of his head.

They feel into silence as his dad worked. It was a comfortable silence, but even so Edmond quickly grew bored. His thoughts started jumping from one topic to another, and soon his mind was a confusing mess of thoughts that he had no hope of ignoring. They were too loud, beating around his skull like a drum, and Edmond had been dwelling on them for far too long to have any hope of containing them now.

“Dad?” He asked at last, a tiny whisper of a thing.

“Edmond.”

“Do you think Father is... gone? Like Mother?”

His dad froze, along with what seemed like the air itself. Edmond hadn’t asked before, not in all the months they’d been living here, but the question had been eating away at him, and he needed to know despite how much he dreaded the answer. He remembered what it had been like, years ago, when a horrible sickness had taken his mother, and how much he had wanted to know if she was alright, even as he dreaded the answer.

Finally, after a long pause, his dad’s hands started moving gently through his hair again. “No Edmond. Your father is fine. I know it.”

Edmond tilted his head back, looking his dad in the eyes. “You do?”

His dad smiled thinly at his skepticism. “I do.” His head was pushed back down, and Edmond allowed his chin to drop to his chest. More paste fell onto the hair near his neck. “You know your father. He’s too stubborn to die, especially to a man like Caliban.”

Edmond wasn’t so sure, but he accepted the words anyway. “And Grandfather?”

His dad sucked in a breath, and Edmond tried not to let his panic show. He knew that his dad and grandfather never got along, but he loved them both, and the thought of anything happening to his grandfather made something painful in his chest twist.

“They’re alive Edmond. Both of them.”

His dad sounded so certain. “But how do you know?”

A gentle hand pulled his hair up and back into a bun, and then he was turned around to face his dad properly.

“I know because I can feel it.” He said, his eyes turning gold as he pulled Edmonds hand up to his chest. The thu-thump of his dad’s heart calmed him. “And I know because when Caliban attacked the castle, he swore he would destroy the Pendragon bloodline in a single, swift strike. Do you know what that means?”

Edmond shook his head. “No.”

His dad let go of his hand in order to pull him into a hug. “It means that so long as you are free from his grasp, he will not kill your father or grandfather. Without you, his plans fall to pieces, and Albion will never fall to him. And do you know why Albion will never be his Edmond?”

That, at least, he had heard before. “Because he’s not the Once and Future King.”

“No.” His dad agreed. “No, he is not. Arthur Pendragon is the Once and Future King, and you, Edmond, are his son. One day, Albion will be united under your father, and a Golden Age of prosperity will begin, and when you take the throne I know you will be a king just as great as your father.”

Edmond sniffled, trying and failing to imagine it all. “Really?”

“Really really.” His dad assured, cuddling him closer. “It’s destiny, my little prince.”

///

“Blóstma.”

A tiny flower grew in Edmonds palm as he watched, wide eyed. It was pink, and looked like a star, with a smattering of yellow in the middle where a number of small stems reached up towards him. He’d never seen anything like It.

It was almost worth the month of repeating the spell over and over with no results, much to Melaine’s amusement. She had gotten it on her third try, the same day Edmond had taught it to her. She’s grown a beautiful yellow primrose, and had grown more until there was enough for her to make her own flower crown. She’s made one for him too, but Edmond wasn’t used to being beaten, and he’d refused it, claiming he’d make his own.

He cradled the flower in his hand with a wide grin, waiting for Melaine to arrive so he could show her that he could cast the spell after all.

It felt like it took her forever to arrive – he had been waiting for at least a candle mark before she came crashing through the undergrowth.

“Melaine!” Edmond greeted, standing up and holding his hands out. “Look I-”

Melaine grabbed his hands and pulled him, heedless of his cries or the flower she was crushing, until both of them were hidden, crouched beneath some thick bushes. Edmond fell silent, his heart racing as he finally took in the terrified expression on his friend’s face. Flower forgotten, Edmond crouched low to the ground and listened to the forest around them.

“I wasn’t sure if they’d followed me.” Melaine whispered after a while.

Edmond turned to face her. “Who? Melaine, what happened? Did someone hurt you?”

“No, no, nothing like that.” Melaine tugged on the sleeves of her dress, a nervous habit, and leaned closer, voice dropping to almost nothing. “The black knights.”

Edmond sucked in a panicked breath and looked around them again, the forest suddenly very unfriendly. “Black knights were here? Why?”

Melaine didn’t answer, and when Edmond turned to face her she was staring at him oddly. He frowned and unconsciously drew back from her.

“Melaine?”

She looked away from him, green eyes firmly on the ground. “They asked if any of us had seen Prince Edmond Pendragon of Camelot.” Edmond flinched back and Melaine’s eyes widened. “That’s you, isn’t it? You really are the Prince-”

“Melaine!” Edmond hissed, rushing forward to grab her as he glanced wildly around. “Did anyone say anything?” Melaine shook her head, but she still looked terrified, and Edmond felt dread pooling in his gut. “Melaine, please.”

She shook her head again, her shoulders slumped in defeat. “They- they threatened Isolde and her baby. Tristan had to tell them.”

Edmond felt the blood drain from his face. He scrambled out from under the bush, eyes on the path towards home. It looked deserted, no knight in sight, but Edmond knew better than to assume.

“Where are you going?” Melaine said, following him. “Edmond, what are you doing?”

She grabbed his arm, tugging him backwards, and Edmond wrenched his arm free. “I have to go warn my dad.”

Melaine shook her head, reaching for him again. “Edmond, no. It’s you they’re after.”

“And it’s my dad they’ll kill if they don’t find me.” He shook, terror making his heartbeat loud in his ears. “I have to warn him.”

“They’ll be there already!” Melaine cried. “Just come back with me, we’ll hide you in our barn until they leave. Your dad will be fine, he has his magic.”

Edmond stumbled away from her, still shaking. “No, I’m not putting you in danger.” Melaine went to protest but Edmond cut her off. “Go back home Melaine.”

Melaine took one step back before stopping. “Edmond, promise me you’ll be okay.”

Edmond forced himself to give her a shaky smile, and then he turned and ran. Melaine cried out behind him, but he ignored her, focusing on getting to his hut as quickly and as quietly as he could. He wasn’t a fool – he knew the black knights were most likely already there. More than that, he knew about the manacles they had made specifically for his dad, the ones that cut off a person’s magic.

They’d just barely escaped them before, and Edmond had seen how badly his dad had reacted to just being near them before. He’d have no chance fighting against the knights if those manacles were forced on him.

He slowed as he got near to their hut, his steps becoming quieter as he examined his surroundings. He couldn’t hear or see much through the trees, just the very top of their roof.

A twig snapped beside him and suddenly a weight was baring him down into the dirt. He struggled fiercely, hitting and kicking uselessly at charcoal black armour.

“Stop struggling, brat.” The knight hissed.

Edmond glared and spat at him, satisfaction swirling in his chest as the knight jerked back and wiped angrily at his face. Edmond doubled his struggles, managing to get a scratch in near the knight’s ear before he was restrained again. He tried to spit at him again, but the knight raised a hand and slapped him, hard. Edmond’s head jerked to the side, his body going slack as his head rang and the world spun.

Something else hit him hard on his head, making the world immediately go dark.

///

When he came to, it was to his dad yelling.

“If you lay another hand on him I swear-”

“What are you going to do, oh mighty Emrys? You’re nothing without your magic.”

Edmond moaned, his head pounding. “Dad?”

Someone stomped over to him, and his dad started yelling again, and then suddenly he was pulled upwards by his arm. He cried out and opened his eyes, unsuccessfully trying to push the person away.

“So the prince wakes!” The man holding him yelled, and Edmond squeezed his eyes shut as his head protested the loud noise. “How gracious of you to finally bless us with your presence, your highness.”

“Put him down!” His dad yelled, furious, and Edmond blinked his eyes open again just in time to see a knight kick him – hard.

“Dad.” He cried out, voice strangled. “Stop, please.”

“It’s alright princeling, you can drop the act.” The knight holding him cooed. “We know who you really are.”

Edmond kicked at him weakly, causing the rest of the knights to laugh. Edmond tried to glare at them all, but his head was spinning and it was all he could do to keep his eyes open.

He was thrown suddenly, the ground rushing up to meet him, and he groaned as he landed. His dad reached for him, and Edmond got a good look at the horrible manacles as he was pulled into an embrace. He let himself sink into it, trying to ignore the way the manacles seemed to suck the warmth out of the air around them.

“Lets get going. King Caliban is eager to end this war once and for all, and we’re far enough from Camelot as it is.” The knight that had thrown him ordered.

Several men muttered their assent, and the sound of a camp being broken up filled the air.

“Edmond.” His dad whispered, quiet but harsh. “Edmond, listen to me. You need to escape the instant you get the chance. Don’t worry about me or anything else, just run, you understand me?”

Edmond whimpered, pulling his dad closer. “Not without you.”

“Yes, without me.” His dad insisted. “There’s a spell. Forbearnan. It should cause enough of a distraction for you to slip away. Use it, and run as far north as you possibly can. Find King Olaf. He will give you shelter.”

Edmond shook his head, but then someone was pulling him out of his dad’s arms and he screamed, reaching for his dad and trying not to cry.

“Shut up!” The knight shook him until he stopped, and Edmond recognised him as the man that had captured him in the first place.

Red scratch marks ran from his ear down his cheek, and Edmond allowed himself to feel some pride. He’d not gone down without a fight, certainly, and not without leaving a mark.

The knight sneered at him and shoved his arms into a pair of manacles – ordinary ones, of course, because no one would think that a Pendragon would ever learn magic. He was let go immediately after and fell back onto his dad, careful to keep by his side as they were forced up and moving.

There were no horses as far as Edmond could see. It meant the journey home would be longer – during their year on the run they had managed to travel to the very top of Mercia, a place so barely habited it was basically all just forest. It was perfect for them, or at least, they had thought it was. Clearly, they should have kept moving.

His dad looked at him meaningfully. The extra time would also grant him more time to learn the spell and escape, though he had always taken a long time to learn his spells.

He just hoped a month would be enough.

///

Edmond felt his heart skip a beat as the spires of Camelot castle came into view. A barrage of emotions warred in his chest, homesickness and pure terror rising above the rest to choke him.

He hadn’t managed to cast the spell.

No matter how hard he tried, the most he could manage was a tiny flame – like that of a candle – that fizzed out almost as soon as it formed. It was frustrating, and it was obvious his dad was growing steadily more desperate the closer they got to Camelot, but the black knights were vigilant, and Edmond never even got the chance to try and escape. Not for the first time, Edmond wished that he was better at magic. He had taken to the sword like a fish to water, but a single spell had always taken him months to learn.

A shove pushed him forward, the knight behind him muttering curses. Edmond ducked his head and hurried forward, one step behind his dad, as he had been the whole march home. He reached forward, hand shaking, until he managed to grasp his dad’s elbow. His dad didn’t react, not with the eyes of the knights on them, but Edmond felt comforted, nonetheless.

In a blink they were standing at the gates of Camelot, and Edmond felt tears prickling his eyes as the gates slowly opened. Fear rooted him to the ground. He couldn’t move, not even when a knight yelled at him, and it was only when someone roughly shoved him that he managed to stumble forward.

“Hey!” His dad yelled, pulling him close.

The black knights sneered at him. “Get moving.”

Several swords poked at Edmond’s back, urging him forward, but it was still only when his dad started moving that he was able to follow him. His dad kept him close, an arm around him, as they were marched through the lower town.

At first, Edmond kept his head down and huddled close to his dad, wishing he could just disappear. A pit of dread steadily grew in his stomach the closer they got to the castle. A crowd of people gathered around them as they were marched forwards, each person whispering wildly when they saw him. He shrunk further into his dad’s side and stared hard at his feet.

“Prince Edmond!” A voice called in the crowed, startling him. “Long live the prince!”

Someone else took up the cry, a quiet voice from behind them. “Long live the prince!”

“Shut up!” A black knight yelled, glaring into the crowed. “Or you’ll all be hanged for treason.”

The whispers of the crowd were louder now, and Edmond could hear several murmurs of his name and title. He glanced at the people around him, the people that he was to one day rule and protect, and he felt a small tug on his heart. Now he was looking, he could see how drawn and worn the people were, how starved almost every face was, more than even the harshest of winters had left them before. He wondered how horrible a ruler Caliban was, to neglect his people like this.

A spark of Pendragon rage caught in his chest, and Edmond felt himself straighten. His dad glanced at him as he lifted his head and rolled his shoulders back, his eyes now firmly on the castle. His people still believed in him, and, more importantly, they needed him. Caliban was no king, for all his power, and Edmond refused to be cowed any longer. His father had taught him to be brave, and Edmond would not let him down.

His dad seemed to sense the difference in him. He let Edmond pull away without a fuss, and something like pride shone in his eyes, through all the pain and fear.

They were marched all through the lower town, as if The black knights wanted to show off their prisoners, before they were taken to the courtyard. Edmond felt his dad tense the instant they saw the steps leading into the castle – and the man waiting atop them.

Caliban had not changed in the year that Edmond had been away. He still reminded Edmond of a rat – a long face framed by flat, oily black hair. There was an evil in his eyes as well, an evil that even the royal purple robes could not hide, nor the beautiful and very obviously magical staff he held in his hands.

“Emrys!” He greeted, his voice booming across the courtyard as he smirked. “And little Prince Edmond. Welcome home.”

His dad glared. “Caliban. I wish I could say I was happy to be home.”

Caliban laughed and waved his hand in dismissal. “Don’t be like that Emrys, this is a family reunion! You don’t want to spoil the mood, do you? I’m sure Edmond can’t wait to see his father again.”

He turned his smirk on Edmond, and he glared right back, meeting the false kings’ eyes unflinchingly. Caliban’s smirk dropped. He spun on his heel, his cape swirling around him, and gestured to his knights. Edmond was shoved forward, his dad not far behind, and they were marched forward and into the castle.

The throne room look almost unrecognisable to Edmond.

Black banners hung from the walls, Caliban’s snake carved into them in blood red, as if the fabric itself was bleeding. The windows had all been shattered the night of the attack and never fixed – a harsh wind blew through the window, the first hints of the storm Edmond could tell was gathering. He shivered and turned his attention to the throne.

Or at least, to where the throne should be. Where once there was a golden throne for his grandfather and a smaller, plainer throne for his father, there was now chains hanging from the ceiling. Chains, Edmond quickly realised, that were holding his father and grandfather, forcing them to stand in the middle of the cold room, their chests bare and littered with marks.

“Father!” Edmond called before he could help himself, his eyes trained on his father’s face.

His father’s eyes blinked open slowly, and Edmond allowed himself some small relief, that at least his father was alive and not a corpse dangling from a chain. He had almost mistaken him as one – never had he seen a man so thin, all his bones showing beneath his skin, or so pale, at least beneath all the cuts and bruises. He looked nothing like the knight his father had always been proud to be – and Edmond was terrified to look at his grandfather, for he already knew that he had suffered worse than his father, could see it without having to examine him closely.

Edmond had known Caliban was a cruel man. He had known that he wanted his family dead, no matter the cost, and he had known that he would not treat his prisoners kindly while Edmond was free from his grasp.

Still, Edmond could never have imagined that this is what Caliban had been doing in the year that he had ran.

That Pendragon rage was back and burning, and Edmond turned from the horror in his father’s eyes, from the beaten form of his grandfather, and towards the man responsible. He was talking, perhaps gloating, but Edmond wasn’t listening. He wasn’t listening, because his dad was screaming beside him, and the black knights were focused on restraining him, and that left him free to move.

He ran forward, eyes on the knife strapped to Caliban’s belt. A knight called out behind him, and Caliban was turning, but not fast enough. The knife slipped out of its sheath easily and Edmond took a second to grip it properly, his chains making him fumble his grip for a second, before he thrust forward, aiming for the man’s neck.

He was a second away from skin when his whole body froze, magic gripping him tight and not letting go no matter how he struggled. Caliban stared at him in shock, his hand up and eyes a murky yellow. Edmond growled at him as he plucked the knife from his fingers.

The next thing he knew he was kneeling on the ground, a hand in his hair and the very knife he had grabbed at his throat. Silence rang around the room.

“Well.” Caliban said, tightening his grip on Edmonds hair so fast he had to bite his tongue to hold back his cry. “It would seem the little prince has some bite.”

Edmond tried to twist so his hair wasn’t pulled quite so tight, but that only made the knife press closer to his skin, and he forced himself to stop. He could feel the metal against his neck now, cold where the rest of him was still burning with rage.

“You know, I had worried you might not recognise him, what with all his pretty blonde hair turned to mud.” Caliban tugged on his hair, as if the emphasise his point, and Edmond whimpered slightly. “But I think I know the perfect way to fix that.”

The knife was pulled away from him and held in front of his face instead. Edmond could see his reflection in the metal – whoever had cleaned and polished it had done an excellent job – and then his dad was screaming, his father straining against his restraints, and the knife disappeared only to slice just above his head, so close he could almost feel it against his skin.

He crashed to the ground before he realised what had happened, heard Caliban’s laughter rise above his parents yelling.

“There. That’s much better, I think. Now everyone can tell he’s your son again Arthur.”

Edmond whimpered and brought his hands up to his head. His fingers met a short mess of hair, shorter than Edmond could ever remember it being. Short enough that he knew all the brown was gone, nothing but his blonde roots left. He whimpered again, a sudden wave of loss tugging at him.

He’d loved his long hair.

“Get him up.” Caliban ordered, and in seconds Edmond was hauled to his feet, a black knight on either side of him. “Tie them both to the floor and have four guards stationed outside the door at all times.”

He walked from the room, a smirk the last thing Edmond saw on his face.

“I have an execution to plan.”

///

The black knights tied Edmond to a small chain connected to the ground at his father’s feet, his dad beside him. Edmond forced himself not to move as they mocked them, and instead he glared at the ground beneath his hands, hoping that it would make them leave faster. They must have grown bored easily, for they left within a few minutes.

The door slammed closed behind them, and immediately Edmond surged up, the short chain just barely allowing him to cling to his father’s waist. He hid his face in his father’s middle and sobbed, his whole body shaking.

“Edmond.” His father said weakly, voice full of relief and fear, love and sadness.

In that moment, Edmond wished for nothing more than his father’s arms around him. It had been over a year since he’d seen his father – over a year since he had been forced to flee his home, even as his father still fought for it. Edmond just wanted one of his father’s hugs so he could believe everything would be alright, at least for a moment.

“Arthur.” His dad said, sounding broken. “I’m so sorry.”

Edmond turned his head enough to see his dad’s hands hovering over his father’s chest, like he wanted to hug him but wasn’t sure he could. His father grunted, pained, and Edmond loosened his grip. He felt his father move, leaning as far as he could into his dad’s hands.

“Shut up Merlin.” He whispered. “It’s not your fault, idiot.”

His dad laughed before he cut himself off with a sob. “Clotpole.”

Edmond found himself squished between his parents, his dad hugging the both of them. Edmond turned and grabbed his dad’s tunic, knuckles turning white as he held on as tightly as he could.

“Edmond.” A voice wheezed, barely there and full of pain, when Edmond had only ever heard it sound stern and sure.

Edmond turned his head to the other side. “Grandfather.”

He looked worse than his father. There wasn’t a part of him that wasn’t bruised or cut, and it looked like he hadn’t eaten in weeks. He seemed to be just barely conscious, fighting to stay awake as he dangled from his chains. Edmond wanted to run and hug him as well, but he was too far away, the chains around his wrists too short.

He settled instead for pushing back into his parents and closing his eyes, as if that could make everything horrible disappear.

///

Edmond startled awake to the sound of a door opening, and for just a moment he was confused. Then he tried to rub his eyes, and the sound of chains reached his ears. He stiffened, becoming aware of the arms around him, the feet pressing into the back of his legs. He blinked and followed the legs with his eyes, until he recognised his father standing above him.

He pushed himself out of hid dad’s arms and sat up straight, pressing back against his father, as he turned to where Caliban was stalking into the room.

Caliban glared at them all, silent, and the longer he stood there the more Edmond could feel fear clawing at his chest. His dad slipped in front of him, as if to hide him from Caliban’s eyes, and the man smirked.

“Get them up.”

Edmond struggled as arms grabbed him and pulled him forward. His dad was shoved after him, and a grunt of pain let Edmond know that his father had been released from his chains. He twisted back desperately, and just caught sight of his father being hauled to his feet and his grandfather dropping to the ground with a cry before he was roughly forced forward. A hand at the back of his head made sure he couldn’t turn again, and Edmond strained his ears for the slightest sound as he was lead out into the courtyard.

A large platform had been built in the centre of the courtyard, and a crowd had gathered to watch what was happening. They gasped upon seeing him, recognition lighting up their faces. Edmond did his best to keep his chin up as they forced him up the stairs of the platform. He was shoved onto his knees, his dad to his left and his father to his right. His grandfather collapsed beside his father a moment later, his whole body bowed in exhaustion.

Caliban appeared before them, dressed all in black with his staff glowing faintly in his hand. He smirked down at them before turning to the gathered people.

“People of Camelot!” He called, silencing the crowd instantly. “Before you kneels a man that is responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people. Twenty-seven years ago, Uther Pendragon started the Great Purge, and from that moment on, a terrible genocide of magic begun.”

Caliban paused and bowed his head for a moment, as if in mourning, but Edmond wasn’t fooled. He had seen Caliban storm the castle – had seen him cut down his own sorcerers when they refused to fight Emrys. Caliban cared not a bit for the innocents lost to the Great Purge, he only cared for power.

Power, and revenge.

“I swore to avenge all those we lost to the Tyrant King.” Caliban continued. “And so I took the kingdom of Camelot, and toppled the Tyrant from his throne.” He paused, and Edmond could hear the smirk on his face. “But it would not be enough to simply take down the Tyrant. To assure the Purge truly ends, once and for all, we must destroy all traces of the Pendragon line.”

Caliban turned, glaring at them all in turn. Edmond glared back, unflinching. Unexpectedly, Caliban smiled.

“Knelt before you are the last known remnants of that line.” A pause. “However, there is one more Pendragon. A bastard the Tyrant sired and hid from the world.” He stopped and looked directly at Edmond. “I’m sure you’re excited to see your aunt again, little prince.”

Edmond had just enough time to think again? before a black knight appeared from the direction of the dungeons, dragging a person along behind him. Edmond recognised Morgana in an instant. She looked filthy, like she had been in the dungeon for a long time, which made no sense to Edmond. The last he had heard, Morgana had been living with a group of Druids far to the south. She had been there for months before Caliban attacked, and his parents had been so sure no one would ever be able to find her.

Then what Caliban was saying hit him, and Edmond felt his jaw drop. He looked to his father and saw him glaring daggers at Caliban. His grandfather, however, was staring at Morgana with a look of such guilt and grief that Edmond immediately knew what Caliban had said was true.

Morgana was his aunt.

Caliban smirked as Morgana was shoved to her knees at his feet. Morgana glared back at him, chin up and eyes blazing. The people were whispering now, shocked and horrified in equal measure.

Morgana had always been popular with the people of Camelot.

“You’re a madman.” Morgana spat, heedless of rage burning in Caliban’s eyes. “Camelot will never bow to you.”

It made satisfaction burn hot in his gut, and he started to hope that perhaps they would make it out of this alive. Morgana had her magic after all, and she had to have learned something useful from the druids. She could save them.

Then Caliban’s hand shot out, quick as a snake, and pulled Morgana up by her hair. “Camelot will not only bow to me, but thank me for being given the opportunity.” He spat, spittle flying everywhere. “I will do more for this land than any Pendragon ever could.”

He threw Morgana away as he finished speaking, and Edmond cried out when her head slammed into the ground, though Morgana herself didn’t make a sound. She managed to push herself up just as a black knight stepped forward to drag her into the line, between his father and grandfather. Edmond tried to catch her eye, wanted to ask her a million questions, but the knight holding his shoulder jerked him backwards, forcing him to look towards Caliban.

Not fast enough. Edmond had seen the cold iron manacles around Morgana’s wrists – her magic was locked away, just like his dad’s.

The hope that had been building fizzed out in an instant.

“’Gana.” His father whispered, and got a sharp kick to his side in retaliation.

Caliban had to have been speaking, though what he had said Edmond couldn’t say. He had been too focused on Morgana, on his own building despair, that he hardly even noticed when the man stopped in his speech.

He did notice when Caliban turned towards them, a smirk on his face. He tried not to shrink back when his eyes focused on him. He tried to square his shoulders and lift his chin, but he could feel himself trembling, and knew he wasn’t fooling anyone.

Caliban’s smirk widened, and then his eyes slid to his dad. “We shall start with the traitor.”

“Leave Merlin out of this.” His father pleaded. “He has no Pendragon blood.”

“Perhaps not.” Caliban agreed, circling his dad. “But a Pendragon by marriage is still a Pendragon.”

His father’s face went blank. “We aren’t married.”

“And yet the Druids tell me differently.” He leaned close to his dad’s face, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I hear it was a beautiful ceremony. Iseldir was so very eager to share the details after some… persuasion.”

Anger flared in his dad’s eyes as he suddenly lurched forward, smashing his head into Caliban’s nose with a crack Edmond could hear from where he was kneeling. He had a moment of satisfaction where Caliban stumbled backwards, hands on his nose, before he rightened himself. Blood dripped from his nose, but one harsh word later and it was as if he had never been hurt in the first place.

“Yes.” Caliban growled. “We will start with you.”

Edmond felt true panic grip him as he watched a black knight step forward, axe in hand. Caliban stepped back, smirking once again. His dad struggled as he was brought forward, his head forced forward and neck bared with a spell. Caliban took the axe from the knight’s hand, giving him his staff in return, a murderous look in his eye.

“Edmond.” His father hissed. “Close your eyes.”

But Edmond couldn’t. He felt frozen, his heart pounding desperately in his ears as Caliban lifted the axe.

Edmond didn’t know many spells. His dad had taught him, during their long time on the road, the most basic spells he could. Edmond knew a spell to call any object he wished towards himself, and he knew how to cast a spell that would shove someone backwards, though he had never managed to do more than make someone stumble back a step. His dad had been trying to teach him a shielding spell, so he could protect himself, and then of course he had spent the month long march to Camelot trying and failing to cast the fire spell.

The only spell he could cast to any great effect, he realised, was the flower spell.

And it was probably a stupid, stupid idea, but Edmond had only one shot at this if he wanted to keep his magic free, and he had run out of time. It had to work.

Edmond threw his hand out in front of him, startling the black knight holding him, and focused solely on the axe as it swung downwards.

“Blóstma!”

Edmond watched in desperation as the axe lowered, slowly, towards his dad’s bared neck. He could feel eyes on him, and it would have bothered him, had he not been focusing so intently. As it was, he missed his family beside him staring in open shock, and, in his grandfather’s case, a little bit of horror.

Instead, he saw when green blossomed across the handle of the axe, when the blade turned a pure white, with just the barest of pinks marking the tips as the petals unfurled.

It collided harmlessly with his dad’s neck, the flower breaking off and falling to the floor.

He allowed himself a second of triumphant relief before he focused. He could see a ring of keys on Caliban’s belt, and he recognised instantly the one that had been used on the manacles locking his dad’s magic away. The black knights had teased them with it enough on their march to Camelot.

“Onbregdan!”

The spell, Edmond knew, was supposed to call the object to the caster. His dad had always told him to imagine pulling whenever he cast the spell, but that wasn’t what he wanted right now. The key pulled itself off of the hook on Caliban’s belt, and Edmond’s eyes immediately snapped to his dad. Whatever spell had been keeping him immobile had been broken, and as he caught Edmonds eye he reached out his hands.

Edmond imagined pushing, and the key flew through the air and into his dad’s hands.

“Stop him!” Caliban screeched.

Edmond wasn’t sure if he was talking about him or his dad, but it didn’t matter. The black knight behind him took that as his que to shove his gloved hand in Edmond’s mouth, effectively silencing him. The leather tasted horrible on his tongue, and he struggled uselessly against his hold.

Caliban turned back to his dad, and Edmond’s struggles doubled. He bit down, hard, but the black knight simply grunted. Then he kicked out with his foot, behind and up, and caught the knight in his most sensitive place, right where his armour and chainmail failed to protect him. He cried out and stumbled back, just for a second, and Edmond managed to spit his hand out and focus on Caliban again.

“Ástryce!”

The man had been bending forward, reaching for the key his dad was desperately trying to fit into the second cuff, and the small shove from Edmond’s spell was enough to send him staggering sideways, unbalanced. He fell heavily on his side, and several of the black knights rushed forward to aid him.

Edmond was yanked back, the horrid leather once again shoved in his mouth. He kicked out again, but the knight had learned, and his foot hit empty air. The hand on his arm tightened painfully and Edmond fought against the tears gathering in his eyes. He couldn’t seem to get in enough air- his head felt dizzy, and the sound around him was muffled. He tried desperately to get air in through his nose, but nothing he did seemed to work.

And then Edmond’s dad looked up, and his eyes were glowing a brilliant gold.

“Get your hands off of my son.”

A blast of magic swirled around him, and instantly the hands on him were ripped off. The magic continued to swirl around him, gentle and loving, and for the first time since the black knights had found them he felt safe.

“Emrys!” Caliban yelled, pure venom dripping from his voice.

Edmond tensed, but the magic immediately soothed him, and his dad smiled reassuringly at him.

Eyes still glowing gold, his dad waved a hand in front of him. “Tóspringe.”

Edmond heard several clicks, and then the shackles around his hands fell. He turned away from where his dad was raising his hands at Caliban. He knew his dad – he would not lose, not this time. Every sorcerer that had once been apart of his army had long left him, either dead or disgusted with Caliban’s murder of their kin. That left only the black knights, who all seemed to know nothing about magic, and Caliban himself.

And Caliban alone was no match for his dad.

“Father.” He whimpered, crawling the short distance to where his father was slumped on the ground.

He rested his hand gently on his father’s shoulder, unsure, and sobbed when his father grunted and pushed himself upwards. His father stared at him for a moment, scanning him for injuries, and then he was pulled forward and into his arms.

“Edmond.” His father sighed, relieved.

Edmond clung to his father, face buried in his neck and tears dripping onto his father’s bare chest. His father ran a hand through his hair, soothing, as shouts and the sound of fighting surrounded them. His grandfather’s voice, rough and exhausted, caught his attention as his tears slowed.

“Morgana.” He whispered, and Edmond knew his grandfather well enough to know when he was giving a silent apology.

“Don’t-“ Morgana growled, and Edmond knew she was furious. “We will talk later. Not now.”

And without another word she helped him to stand, his whole weight leaning on her as he groaned. She glanced around wildly and caught Edmond’s eye. Her expression immediately softened.

“Arthur!” She called, and his father startled, turning around with a grunt. “Come on.”

His father turning had left Edmond with a clear view of the rest of the courtyard. The people of the lower town had left the instant Caliban had started throwing magic around, and Edmond was glad. The last thing any of them wanted was innocent people getting caught up in the fighting. The black knights, too, were mostly staying clear of the fighting.

And in the centre of it all was his dad, a golden shield protecting him against a giant fireball.

Edmond gasped as the fireball dissipated with a bang. His dad stumbled backwards, his shield falling, and Edmond squeezed his father tightly. A second later a hand pressed his face down into his father’s neck, effectively blocking his vision from the fighting. He felt his father stand, and tried to struggled out of his grip, aware of the pain he must have been in, but his father simply held him tighter.

So Edmond let himself cling to his father, his eyes squeezed shut.

The rumbled of thunder rolled through him and a second later the hair on the back of his neck stood up. Something flashed, bright enough that he could see it through his eyelids, and someone screamed. He tried to lift his head, but his father pressed him down, unrelenting. He wanted to see, desperately, to check that his dad was okay, but even weakened his father was strong.

Then, suddenly, he was set down. He instinctively reached for his father, despite knowing he was too old to be carried and his father far too hurt, but selfishly wanting to be carried anyway. His father pulled him against his side instead, though it felt more like he was leaning on him rather than hugging him.

“We need to get them somewhere safe.” His father whispered.

“Caliban’s knights are everywhere Arthur.” Morgana shook her head. “Nowhere is safe. Not for us.”

Edmond felt panic claw at his throat at her words and quickly glanced around. They’d made it off of the platform and away from the centre of the courtyard, all the way to the stairs that lead into the castle. They were hiding out of sight of the fighting, but Edmond could still hear spells being flung back and forth, and he knew it was only a matter of time before someone found them.

Then Edmond saw the black armoured bodies littering the ground behind them, and the bloody sword in Morgana’s hand, and thought perhaps they already had.

It took a few moments before he realised what his father was saying. He pulled away with a frown.

“I’m not running away again.”

His father grimaced. “Edmond-“

“No!” He whisper-yelled, just barely resisting the urge to stop his foot. “I’m not leaving you again.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“The safest place is next to dad.” Edmond said, crossing his arms over his chest. “That’s what you told me. Dad will protect us.”

“Merlin’s fighting Caliban.” Morgana rebutted gently. “He can’t protect us at the same time Edmond.”

As if to prove her point, thunder rumbled across the sky and several strikes of lightning hit the courtyard. Silence followed, the silence of a battle suddenly over, and Edmond’s heart started racing in his chest. Despite all his earlier confidence, he knew how weakened his dad had become while in the manacles, how strong Caliban was, especially with his staff. His dad could have lost just as easily as he could have won.

He ran back out to the courtyard before anyone could stop him.

He heard several curses behind him, and the call of his name, but he ignored it. The battle was over, and Edmond had to see, he had to. He had to know who had won- if his dad had won.

Heaving for breath and more terrified than ever, he finally stumbled to a stop at the base of the now ruined platform. Charred spots littered the ground, some of them still smoking. Some of them weren’t the ground at all, but the broken remains of pure black armour, the corpses within charred beyond recognition. Edmond tried not to look at those. Instead, he focused on the last place he had seen his dad and Caliban fighting.

And saw his dad standing tall, eyes still a bright gold, an unmoving Caliban at his feet.

Then his dad stumbled, his eyes flickering back to blue, a relieved grin splitting his face. He stepped over Caliban’s body, not even bothering to send him a glance, and surveyed the courtyard. Edmond didn’t wait for him to notice him standing there – he ran forward, scrambling up the stairs and rushing forward as fast as he could. He heard Morgana call his name, but he ignored her and leapt into his dad’s waiting arms.

“You did it.” He sobbed out, surprised at the tears falling down his cheek.

“No Edmond.” His dad murmured, hugging him tightly. “We did it. You saved us.”

Edmond sniffed, trying to reign in his tears. He let his dad hold him as the rest of his family joined them, and then suddenly another pair of arms wrapped around them. His father pressed a kiss to the top of his head and Edmond grabbed his hand in return. He grabbed his dad’s hand too and pulled the both of them to his chest, silently wishing he could just stay here and never let go.

“He’s dead?” He heard his father whisper.

His dad nodded, relieved. “He is. We’re safe.”

Edmond could feel his father shaking. He gripped his hand tighter and squeezed his eyes shut, hoping it might help and not sure if it would. He heard someone’s breath hitch, and then his father shifted and a third hand wrapped around where Edmond was gripping his parents. He opened his eyes and saw Morgana, smiling through her tears. He smiled back at her, small and weak, but there.

And then his grandfather was there too, standing back but smiling in relief. It was the gentlest he could ever remember his grandfather looking, no kingly mask in place. It made a hundred emotions rise in his chest, to be surrounded by his family again. He sighed and closed his eyes once more, fully relaxing for the first time in over a year.

///

Edmond shifted impatiently from foot to foot as he waited at the top of the castle stairs. His grandfather would scold him if he were here, but this was hardly an event grand enough for the king. More than that, Edmond had asked that this be a private greeting, just him and his parents.

A small cart pulled into the courtyard, newly restored after the battle four months ago, and Edmond almost yelled in delight. His father placed a hand on his shoulder, gently forcing him to be still. Edmond smiled sheepishly up at him before his eyes snapped back to the courtyard.

Then a girl jumped down from the cart, red hair spilling over her shoulders, green eyes wide with wonder as she looked all around her, and he couldn’t stop himself. He slipped out from his father’s grip, a grin lighting up his face as he ran to his friend.

“Melaine!”

Melaine’s eyes snapped to him, a hesitant smile curving her lips upward.

“Edmond!” Then her eyes flickered to her mother, and over his shoulder, at his parents, and she ducked her head down in a shallow bow. “I mean, Prince Edmond.”

Edmond shook his head immediately, his hands shooting out to grab her shoulders. “You don’t have to do that Melaine. We’re friends.”

Melaine rose her head, eyes impossibly wider. “You’d still be friends with me?”

“Of course!” He yelled, before he turned teasing. “Why else do you think I wrote to you, asking you to come here?”

“I don’t know.” Melaine giggled before looking down at her feet, suddenly nervous. “And the rumours? Has the magic ban truly been lifted?”

Edmond grinned and cupped his palms in front of him.

“Blóstma.”

Magic gathered in his fingertips as his eyes glowed golden. He heard Melaine gasp, along with her mother, and then his parents were there, talking, but that didn’t matter to Edmond. His smile grew as he followed Melaine’s eyes down.

And there, cupped delicately in his palms, was a small rose, its petals dyed a pink so light it was almost white, with just the smallest hint of Pendragon red in the centre.

#merlin #bbc merlin #merthur #merlin/arthur #my writing #cakeswriting

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grimmseye · 5 years ago

Text

A Bird in the Hand: Chapter Four

Read on Ao3 here!

Rating: T

Fandom: Critical Role

Relationships: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss, Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (eventual)

Chapter Characters: Mollymauk Tealeaf, Essek Thelyss

Chapter Tags/Warnings: Molly Rez, Amnesiac Mollymauk, Oh My God They Were Roommates, Bath Scene, Nonsexual Nudity, Graphic violence,

This fic now contains spoilers up to Episode 97: The Fancy and the Fooled

— — —

His job was one that weighed heavy on his shoulders. The mantle he wore sometimes felt like a manifestation of that, in the way that it shrouded him, hid him, forced his posture stiff and heavy. But if there was something Essek could appreciate, it was the authority he was granted. A simple word and the guards were moving to do his bidding without pausing to question. This was what Essek built for himself. Regardless of his mother’s position, he was the one who had come to stand at the Bright Queen’s side.

What he retrieved were the blades that those at the Shadowspire failed to turn over. Mollymauk’s swords were made from carnival glass, curving blades that hooked towards the tips. Essek turned them over, uncertain just how well such material performed as a weapon. They looked more gaudy than effective, though they had to have gotten Mollymauk across the wastes. The glinting colors broke where dried blood still lined their edges, as though to prove it.

As he sheathed the blades, Essek turned to the guard who had produced them, saying, “Additionally, I would like to speak with those who were involved in Mollymauk Tealeaf’s arrest.”

Again, it was a bow and obedience without question. Essek did not fancy himself to be a leader, but respect was pleasant. Being able to work without intervention was quite pleasant.

He knew better than to expect instantaneous results, and yet luck must have been on his side for this day. When the guard returned it was with two others flanking her. A pair of male drow, one stocky, the other standing taller than Essek. They greeted him with respect, but the tilt of their ears betrayed nerves. “Shadowhand,” began the taller of the two, his voice gruff. “What do you require of us?”

Essek let his eyes drag over each of them, slow and precise. Each second delayed had them winding tighter. “You are the guards who detained and arrested Mollymauk Tealeaf, yes?” He asked. “The purple tiefling, charged with breaking and entering.”

The two exchanged looks before the taller answered, “Yes, sir. That is correct.”

“Then I would like to issue a warning.” Essek did not cast a spell. He only pulled magic under his skin, let the air weigh down and compress in their lungs. A warning, as stated. A promise. A threat. “I was informed of the excess force you used while detaining the tiefling.”

Quicker than expected, they broke. The shorter of the two burst out, “He was armed — There have been attacks — ”

“And I cannot imagine the threat he posed, laying in the street while you kicked his ribs in,” Essek drawls back. He peers down through his eyelashes, a coldly neutral expression that was far more dangerous than blatant anger.

Neither of them spoke. Good. Essek let his magic dissipate, the pressure easing as he turned to drift back through the halls with swords in hand.

He hailed a cab back through the city, spending the time ritual casting over the swords. Neither showed so much as a drop of magic — just gloss and color shaved down to a fine edge. It was suitable for Mollymauk Tealeaf.

They stopped outside of the Tranquil Falls Spa, Essek handing over a tip before stepping out to make for the doors. He didn’t frequent these places, only found it through asking about. The polished stone walls promised a lavish treatment, and the prices swore them to it. He’d redacted the numbers as he translated it for Mollymauk, listing out the services offered. Massages, with oils or hot stones, facials, body scrubs and moisturizers, nail treatments, hair waxing, just to name a few .

Mollymauk had asked about massages with a happy ending and it had taken Essek a moment of confusion and then embarrassment before he’d assured him no, they did not provide such services here. Molly ended up picking a package deal and kissed Essek’s cheek in thanks.

He drifted to the front desk, saying, “Is Mister Tealeaf finished?” That spot on his cheek was warm, again. His lips had been somewhat chapped, which didn’t seem befitting of the tiefling one bit. He would probably appreciate access to the same paints and glitter that Essek used to decorate his own face for presentation purposes, only Mollymauk did it for the art and enjoyment, wholly for himself and the satisfaction of drawing every eye on the street.

“He is enjoying our spa for the time being,” the receptionist answered. “Would you care to join him?”

“Yes, thank you,” Essek answered, distracted. He didn’t realize what he’d said until she was beckoning to him, and his voice caught in his throat before he could pull it back. This would be another handful of gold out of his pocket.

He was given a soft towel and a robe and shown to a room with tall ceilings, the walls framed by pillars. A waterfall poured into a steaming, rectangular pool, one far too large for its singular occupant. Mollymauk looked like a cat in a sunbeam: completely bare, elbows on the edges of the pool, head tilted up and eyes shut in obvious enjoyment.

They opened, finding Essek as the receptionist said, “Enjoy your stay,” and bowed out of the room.

“Mister Thelyss,” Mollymauk called. He could hear the smirk in his voice, echoing amid the sound of running water. “This place is lovely. I’ve decided to forgive you for all past transgressions.”

“How… generous.” Essek found a bench to set the towel on, and then the sheathed blades, and then sat himself down beside them. He pulled a book out of the air, opening it at a marked page. Sticking around felt awkward, but leaving after only a minute inside would be worse. Though, who knew what the receptionist thought of him joining Mollymauk here, in private, after receiving an affectionate display. Enjoy your stay. Had there been an odd emphasis there, a too-sharp curve to her smile?

A splash of water caught his eye, making him startle as he found Mollymauk pressing himself up with his palms flat on the pool’s edge. Layers of thin scars drew paths for the water to run down his skin, down to the trail of dark hair running from his belly button, the rest hidden by the tile. He stared longer than he should before snapping his gaze up to meet Mollymauk’s.

“Are you going to get in the pool, or are you going to sit there like a creep?” Molly asked. His tail swept up, sending an arc of droplets over the pool’s edge.

“A creep,” Essek repeated. He frowned as he said, “I am not —”

“Sitting around in the corner while I enjoy my bath? My friend, you look like a grade-A creep right now.” He spoke with all his teeth. Even the premolars held jagged points, Essek noted with some fascination. He hadn’t encountered many tieflings before.

The truth was, Essek’s presence made things uncomfortable. All in or all out were his only options.

“You know, hot water is great for tension,” Mollymauk notes, pushing himself back to drift deeper into the pool. “And no offense, my friend, but you embody tension.”

Essek drew himself up to protest. Then he became acutely aware of the stiffness in every muscle, and slowly let himself unwind. “I am not tense,” he said, which was true as of that moment. Mollymauk scoffed. “But. Given that I have already sentenced myself to payment… perhaps I will dip my toes in.”

It gave him an abrupt, vivid flashback to being in the Nein’s home, the tree roots overhead, ears perked to catch snatches of conversation. That was where he’d first heard the name Mollymauk. What would he have done, had he not gone against his better judgement, walked away and never learned and then found this prisoner who had tried to break into their home.

Something unforgivable, he was certain. Though he wasn’t sure how much deeper he could dig his own grave. At least the current pit could still be filled.

He unclasped his mantle, folding it neatly on the bench. His fingers strayed to the hem of his shirt, pausing as he looked to Mollymauk — and found him turned politely around. It was surprisingly tactful. He slipped his shirt over his head, making sure the tiefling didn’t turn as he slid pants down his legs and left himself completely bare.

It was amazing just how naked he could feel, when there was someone else to see him. Usually so hidden, he couldn’t say what prompted him to walk to the edge of the spa and lower himself into steaming water. Maybe he was getting reckless, with the peace talks looming so near. That was unwise. That was dangerous.

He’d already crossed this particular line, though.

“Are you decent?” Molly asked.

Essek looked down. The water and steam obscured enough. “Yes,” he said, after a beat.

Mollymauk sat himself down on a step jutting out from the wall. He looked to Essek, not taking stock, but more of just a quizzical expression. “Are you still doing your floating thing in the water?”

Essek dropped an inch. His feet touched the tile.

Mollymauk’s cackling echoed through the room.

Against all expectations, Mollymauk did not spend the time pestering him with inane comments and crude jokes. Didn’t give him so much as a lascivious smirk, even when he caught Essek’s eyes on him — on places they likely shouldn’t be.

There was the guilt, again, deeper than before. Caleb had been unexpected, an attraction he’d been willing to entertain until it festered . Until it wasn’t just a keen mind and a handsome face he was appreciating, but the dimple when he smiled, the soft tenor of his voice, the passion bright behind his eyes. When he realized, he knew it was time to pull back, as guilt reared its head and gnawed at his organs and made affection a precursor to nausea. And now it turned out he couldn’t even stay loyal in his infatuation.

They slipped out of the spa, Essek retrieving his towel with a cantrip before he stood while Mollymauk had no shame in hoisting himself out on display for an audience of one. If it was intentional, or if the tiefling genuinely didn’t care about being nude, he could not determine.

With a towel around Mollymauk’s waist and all but Essek’s mantle adorned again, he handed over the swords. Molly slid one from its sheath, a smile lighting his face. “Oh, that’s so much better,” he breathed, drawing the other in hand. “I feel naked without these, you know?”

Essek’s eyes flicked over the low-hanging towel. “That must be terrible for you.”

“Oh, you know what I mean.” Mollymauk snorted as he adjusted his grip on each sword and gave one a toss. Essek moved back, watching as it spun once, twice, and landed neatly in Mollymauk’s waiting hand. “Very nice.”

There was something artful to it, as he tested their weight in each hand, spinning the blades and easing in and out of various poses. It was akin to a performance, as though he were showing this off for Essek to see, deliberate in each tension of muscle as it pulled at bone. Distracted as he was, he barely registered as Mollymauk slid leisurely towards him, lifting one blade so its tip pointed to Essek’s sternum, the other tipped over his shoulder and behind his back. And that was absolutely a pose, muscles stretched, chest swelling with each slow, deep breath, hair still wet and dripping across his shoulders.

Essek could almost feel his head spin. What did Mollymauk want from him?

“You hold those well,” he noted.

“Do you work with swords?” Molly asked, sounding like he expected the answer to be no.

“I received some training,” Essek said. “Enough that I can wield them proficiently. But I am not a swordsman like yourself.”

“Maybe I can show you a few things, then.” His smile was broad and easy. It sounded like an offer for something else.

Essek cleared his throat. “Perhaps,” he said, looking away. “You should get dressed. There are a few more stops to make before we head back.”

Mollymauk’s chuckle burned his ears as the tiefling changed into clean, dry clothes. The two of them exited together, Essek reluctantly handing over the gold he owed. If word of this got around — Shadowhand Essek in the baths with a nameless tiefling — gods, if the Nein heard, what would they think of him, taking advantage — as though that were the worst thing they could learn about him.

The clock indicated they were somewhere in the mid-afternoon as they pushed through the doors and back to the streets of Rosohna. The market square was a more lively place, the lights strung in shifting colors and voices all battling to be heard above the rest as one merchant after the next vied for the customers’ attention.

Mollymauk dragged him to a strawberry stand, of all things. Essek would eventually have to put a stop to all this gift-giving, especially when the rest of the Nein felt so entitled to his magic, the last thing he needed was for them to ask for money as well. But strawberries were copper out of his pocket, and it made Mollymauk’s tail curl in a way that had to mean delight.

The moment was short-lived, as red painted his vision.

He saw it, a sudden lurch in the crowd. The gnoll’s jaws were splashed with crimson, a macabre cousin to the strawberry juice on Mollymauk’s lips. Essek could hear flesh squelch and then the crunch, and half a man's arm was severed from his body. The first scream tore through the market.

Essek’s hand dipped into a pocket, finding a marble before he froze. Too many people. He’d kill a dozen civilians —

Mollymauk broke from his side. Essek shouted, but he was gone, darting into the scattered crowd. Essek snarled to himself, finding a piece of iron as he gave chase. His eyes darted back and forth. One — three — seven people, all suddenly on the attack, all gnolls. He didn’t have time for questions. He could make sense of it later. Now, he counted out five bodies, pressed the iron against his palm as he traced out the sigils to hold.

Four locked in place, wild-eyed and fangs bared, and their targets scrambled for safety. The fifth, the first to attack with a severed arm still clutched in her jaws, swung her head for Essek and snarled.

And then she yelped as Mollymauk appeared and sliced into her face. The first swing dragged a cut across her snout, the second knocked the arm free. She shrieked and lunged for him, teeth fastening into Mollymauk’s arm and blood pushing between her teeth, the claws of one hand digging into his side as he forced the other back.

Essek dragged runes into the air, these ones burning black. The gnoll released Mollymauk as she howled, skin withering, rupturing, blood spurting from a hundred breaks in her flesh. Mollymauk didn’t take the out. He seized his freedom to cut into her abdomen with one blade, making to come down with the second as the gnoll shook herself and snapped forward —

Essek’s “No!” was lost under a gurgling cry. Her teeth caught Molly’s neck, clamping tight and squeezing . The market was almost cleared, now, two bodies falling under two more gnolls, a third fleeing. That was enough for him.

He scooped a cool, black sphere into his hand, and opened a black hole in the middle of the square. It swelled out, a mass of void consuming the space around it, hovering just where he knew it wouldn’t pull Mollymauk into its jaws. It was instantaneous, there-and-then-not. The darkness shrank into nothing. Two of the underlings had survived, the rest crumpled and broken. The escaping drow had gotten caught in the crossfire, but in the mangled state their body was in, no one would know it was his spell that killed them.

And he’d failed to get the gnoll off of Mollymauk. A cold, boiling rage curled up Essek’s spine. The force of it had just been enough to wrench the gnoll’s head back, letting Mollymauk tumble forward to flee. She gave chase, leapt for his back and put him on the ground. Molly writhed underneath her, twisting around to jam his blades into her stomach. One of them sank deep, its point sticking out the other side as the gnoll’s snarling twisted into a wail. The other she caught, seizing his wrist and slamming it to the ground as her jaws parted wide.

Her jaws snapped shut, inches away from his face. There was a beat before she reared back, clawing at her own eyes. Mollymauk kicked her away, eyes finding Essek and darting back for him as the gnoll scrabbled at her face.

“You — idiot —” Essek seethed, taking in the amount of blood coating the tiefling, soaking through his new clothes, down his back, from his eyes. He shouldn’t be standing.

One of his swords was glowing, Essek realized, belated. Distracted for that moment, he watched as Molly’s eyes widened and then overfilled with blood, pouring down his face like tears. A tug to his mantle was what alerted him to the two surviving underlings. As one recovered from their failed swing, blood seeping into the fur at the corners of their eyes, the other lunged. Essek flinched away from teeth, only for the sting of a blade to catch his arm.

“Mollymauk,” he snapped, grabbing the tiefling by the arm, pulling him along as they circled the gnolls. Step by step until — there. Essek wrenched a piece of crystal to his lips, releasing Molly to write ice and death into the air, and blew. His breath spiraled out in a blizzard, ice flaring out in a cone to engulf their two aggressors. When the winter faded, it left two frozen statues, held in a moment of agony forever.

But he hadn’t gotten the leader. She was there in an instant, grabbing at Essek and tearing into him . He barely felt the teeth clamp into his waist, or the talons raking down his thigh. It was furious indignation that burned him, Essek biting out, “How dare you,” in hissed undercommon as he pulled darkness into his hand to stab it down into her back.

And missed.

The gnoll released him just for the second it took to go for his throat. He heard Molly roaring his name, couldn’t process the sound amid the sensation of his bones creaking in her jaws. Unable to reach his components, he gasped a word and vanished, reappearing on his knees and cloaked in silvery mist, clutching his bloodied arm.

His head snapped up as he remembered Mollymauk, and he found him tearing the gnoll to shreds. Both his swords were coated in magic, one shedding a burning light and the other sharpened by ice. One cut nearly removed her arm from her torso, the second sent it to the ground in a bloody spray. His teeth were bared, white stained crimson, like he’d gone and taken a bite in his rage.

As she staggered back, gushing blood, eyes darting for an escape — Mollymauk surged forward. He was suddenly ethereal, a ghost pushing through her to cleave into her back, again and again and again . And at last, the gnoll’s eyes went glassy. She gasped once and then collapsed, the final body to fall.

Then Mollymauk buckled as well. Essek was too far to catch him, could only dart forward and drop to his knees beside him. The tiefling was still breathing, eyes still open, but the amount of blood he was losing — he wouldn’t survive much longer.

“Hold on,” Essek breathed, grabbing his hand and pulling them both away, leaving the emptied, bloodied square behind.

#essek thelyss #mollymauk tealeaf #essek #mollymauk #shadowmauk #shadowwidowmauk #widomauk #cr #cr fic #my writing

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smileyjaeminies · 5 years ago

Text

The boy who had too many thoughts for his own good.

Synopsis: The endless race for your heart had ended, with Lee Donghyuck the proud victor. Only, he had no idea. And you weren’t sure if you had enough courage to tell him.

Word Count: 3,9 k

Genre: slow burn, angst, fluff

Warnings: attempted assault, cursing, underage drinking

Member: 00z, ft. Yangyang, Mark, Jungwoo

A/N: And… It’s a wrap! After three months, the struggle is over and the series is complete! I’ll have you know, the climax was written on the day I announced the series. I hope it is a worthy ending for the story. Enjoy~

~Series Masterlist~

With competition season officially over and done with, finals were fast approaching. All your concentration was fixed on studying and making up for lost time. Thankfully, everyone was just as busy and there was an unspoken agreement not to push anyone too much.

You were all on edge, but especially you and Renjun. For you, your parents were pretty strict, so failing was not an option. For Renjun well… He was a genius. He wanted to do well in every single subject and a huge weight was placed on his shoulders to outdo himself every time. He struggled, he pushed himself to his limits, but… It worked.

You tried with all your might to get him to relax, to allow himself to breathe a little. But as soon as exams began, Renjun shut down. You even asked Elena to talk to him, as she had become quite a weakness of his, but he wouldn’t budge.

The boys did their best to assure you that Renjun was fine, but you still worried. Your club meetings turned to study sessions as you all failed to find the time or energy for anything else.

And Hyuck continued to stare. Since you’d figured out that you probably had feelings for the boy, you were hyper aware for each and every move he made. Your eyes would move unconsciously over to him at all times, only to find him staring intensely at you. You would look for any emotion in his eyes, any idea for what he was thinking, but you would always fail to find anything.

His demeanor didn’t change in the slightest. He would continue to tease you, make snarky remarks and comments on everything you said, but you’d only find yourself blushing and laughing his words off. You weren’t pissed, you barely responded, only blushed and shook your head.

You placed down your pencil and closed your eyes.

“This is no time for crushes. You only have one final exam tomorrow and you’re done! Just keep it together for a few more hours will you?” you told yourself.

But your mind wouldn’t listen. It brought back the feeling of Donghyuck’s arms around your frame, pictures of him laughing in the sunlight, eyes almost closed and hands grabbing his belly. You saw the beautiful way his eyelashes curled up, almost touching his brows…

And your daydream was over. The noisy buzzing of your phone next to you commanded your attention. Jeno’s name lit up the screen, and you answered right away.

“Hi” you breathed out.

“Hey Y/N! How is Calculus going?” he asked.

“Horribly. Thank you for the distraction, I really needed a break” you answered in half truths.

“Well, the guys and I have a proposal to make, but I’m not sure if you’d be interested.” Jeno stated timidly.

“Let’s hear it” you said, getting comfortable in your desk chair.

“See, Hyuck and I got an invite for this party… Basically, a friend of a friend is hosting a party for the end of the school year tomorrow night. He said bring as many people as you’d like so that isn’t a problem” Jeno explained.

“Oh. Are all of you guys going?” you asked.

“Yeah. Jun was tough to break but Hyuck always knows how to push his buttons” he answered.

“Of course he does. Let me talk to my parents and Elena… I’m going to get back to you as soon as I can.” You said.

With a few quick words after that, you were left to stare back at your bedroom wall. A party. Funny, it had been a while since you were invited to one. Most of the time, you and your friends would simply go out for burgers or something.

It wouldn’t hurt to get out a little… Right?

---------------------------------------------------------

The exam that morning was nothing much. You were able to answer all the questions within the given time, but you were anxious about a couple answers, fearing you had rushed them and ended up with wrong results.

The school was emptying out, students rushing to get away and celebrate their newfound freedom. You stalled, sticking around for a bit longer. You emptied your locker, carrying all your things in your backpack. You saw the notice wall on your way out and moved to stand before it. Your eyes quickly found the plain white paper that announced the ‘Don’t Need Your Love Club’, the names scribbled below it in black ink now all too familiar to you.

1. Huang Renjun

2. Lee Jeno

3. Liu Yangyang

4. Na Jaemin

5. Lee Donghyuck

And on slot number six was your name, written in one of Elena’s colorful pencils. The memories from that day were crystal clear. You recalled your anger and confusion and you remembered very well how your heart still fluttered whenever Kyle would look at you. Now you felt only disgust.

Your heart fluttered for another boy entirely and maybe that wasn’t so bad.

“Well, time to get out of here” you thought to yourself, walking out.

With one last look, you parted with your school for the rest of the summer.

-----------------------------------------------------

After some begging from you and a cute phone call from Nana to your Mom, your parents finally gave you permission to go to the party, albeit half-heartedly.

Elena opted out, saying she was too tired from the whole exam period and she’d prefer to stay in for a couple of days to recharge. Cat refused to go anywhere near alcohol of any kind, no matter how hard Yangyang tried to convince her. That left only you and the boys.

Without Elena’s magic hands, you tried to do your best to look presentable. Brown eye-shadow covered your eyelids, your look being complete with the best eyeliner you could manage and a bold red lip. You left your hair down, only placing some loose curls in it. Your dress was nothing extra, a simple black dress with a lace detail on the back.

You were placing a few items in your hand bag when you heard Jeno honking from down stairs. You bed a quick good bye to your parents and walked out of the house to meet your friends.

“Wow” Jaemin said from the passenger’s seat.

“What?” you asked.

“You look so pretty” Renjun said, squished in the backseat with Yangyang and Donghyuck.

You chuckled lightly, thanking him for the compliment.

“Ehm, guys, where am I supposed to sit?” you asked

The boys looked between themselves, urging each other to speak up.

“Guys?” you tried again.

“Look I thought I’d drive the boys and just come back for you but Yangyang started this eco-friendly rant and I felt bad so… Can’t you just sit on Renjun’s lap or something? It’s only a ten minute drive or so” Jeno said.

“I can’t sit on Jun! He’s tiny, I’m gonna crash him!” you protested.

“She can sit on my lap then, for fuck’s sake! Just get on with it, we’re going to be late.” Donghyuck offered.

You immediately got flustered, your cheeks flushing red. You weren’t going to refuse his offer, but Jaemin spoke up.

“I can get in the back if you want” he said.

You shook your head slightly, making your way around the car. Donghyuck opened the car door for you and you got in. The position was not comfortable for sure. Your legs were tied with Yangayng’s and your head almost hit the top of the car every time Jeno made a turn.

Donghyuck had one hand around your waist and another one on your thigh to support you. Your own hands were wrapped around his neck to support some of your own weight. Your body was on fire, electricity pulsing through you where he was touching you or your skin was in contact with his. Your heart beat had assumed a rapid pace and you were almost certain everyone in the car could hear it.

You half-registered Nana taking recommendations for the playlist as designated DJ. The boys were talking amongst themselves but you could barely hear their voices. Your every thought circled around Hyuck, his hands around you and yours around him.

You were looking down, nodding here and there to pretend to be listening when your head shot up. His hand on your thigh was moving, slowly massaging the area. You turned to look at him, getting a gorgeous view of his side profile as he was talking to Renjun.

But he had forgotten that two could play at this game. Your own hand started moving, circling a strand of hair from the back of his neck. He slowly turned to look at you, raising an eyebrow. You returned the look, giving him a mere shrug of your shoulder before turning to talk to Jaemin.

Before long, Jeno announced your arrival. You all filed out of the car one by one. You took a second to pull down your dress that had risen up during the drive and turned to your friends. Donghyuck was already gone. You tried to mask your disappointment with a smile as you and the rest of the boys made your way inside the house.

Loud EDM music was blasting through the dimly lit house. The boys looked like they knew their way around, maneuvering through the house and greeting people here and there. You and Yangyang were introduced to the host, Jungwoo, while red cups were placed on your hands. You noted that Jeno refused his and were glad to see him be safe.

You talked with Jungwoo for a while, getting to know each other. You also met Mark, apparently a close friend of Hyuck’s.

“Sorry, Donghyuck doesn’t really open up to me” you told him, suppressing your hurt with a laugh.

“That’s funny.” Mark said.

“What is?” you asked.

And just as Mark was about to answer, Donghyuck made his appearance.

“We were just talking about you!” Mark said, watching as Donghyuck emptied the contents of his cup.

He raised the now empty cup to both you and Mark, nodding a little and moving towards the kitchen.

“Shit, I have to talk to him. Will you be alright?” Mark asked you.

“Sure I will! You go ahead!” You told him.

He gave you an apologetic smile as he went after Donghyuck. You watched them leave and then skimmed around the room to find someone to talk to.

“Hey, Y/N! Come sit with me!” Jaemin beckoned you over to the couch in the center of the room.

You sat down next to him, making yourself comfortable in his side as you tried to follow the conversation. You were talking to some senior girls you had never met, but you quite liked them both. The night continued as you played some games like truth or dare and Jenga, slowly emptying the contents of your cup, only for another one to be placed in your hand.

Donghyuck would move in and out of the room, Mark hot on his heels each time. His mind seemed preoccupied, not looking at anyone as he made his way outside and then back in the kitchen. Mark came back at some point, moving straight to Jungwoo and whispering something in his ear, clearly pissed off.

You allowed him to calm down before approaching him again. At the moment, you were on your feet, leaning back on the wall and talking to him. You masked your concern and tried your best not to ask about Hyuck. You were listening to another one of his stories about his clumsy hands when your laughter was cut short. In the doorway, you saw Kyle walking in and one of the girls you were previously talking with, happily getting on her feet to greet him.

You stood frozen, seeing him gather her in his arms and kissing her. You felt sick, your stomach a burning mess as he greeted everyone in the room and his gaze fell on you. His façade faltered for a second when your eyes met, confusion and anger evident on his face. He composed himself quickly, nodding at you and Jeno, who had moved to stand next to you.

Your gaze turned to Jaemin opposite you. He was sitting on the couch, looking from Kyle to you. He started to get up, eyes burning, but you furiously shook your head at him. Jeno was eyeing him weird, but Kyle acted like none of you were there, furiously making out with the girl in the corner of the room.

“That was awkward.” Mark noted.

“Are you okay? Do you want to go home?” Jeno asked you, brushing Mark off.

“No, I- No. I refuse to give him the satisfaction. I’m just going to get some air.” You said.

Jeno moved to come with you, but you gave him a look to tell him that you wanted to be alone. He stood back, nodding and turning to explain to Mark what had happened.

The air outside was hot, not offering you the refreshment you wanted. Your eyes were looking ahead, but your thoughts were running. You didn’t have the chance to unravel your train of thought when you heard someone make their way outside.

“There you are.” Kyle said making you jump.

“Here I am. What do you want?” you asked, getting to your feet.

“What I’ve been wanting all these months. What you took from me by running into that idiot.” He said pushing you on the front of the house.

“You’re mine. Still mine.” He said, as he pushed your bodies closer and closer together.

You started to think that maybe isolating yourself wasn’t such a good idea. You tried with all your might to push him off of you.

“What are you doing? Your girlfriend is in there. She could walk out any minute” you tried to reason with him.

“Ha! As if she could be my girlfriend.” He said. “No, I’m just playing around with her. Now stop moving.” He warned you.

He had you cornered, lips ghosting over your neck, arms going up and down your back, then finding their way to grab your ass. You tried once more to push him away.

“Kyle don’t” you say again.

“She said don’t dude” Donghyuck’s voice sounds from the door way.

“What do you have to do with it? Mind your own fucking business.” Kyle tells him, pushing you behind him.

“Let me go, let me go to Donghyuck.” You tell him.

Kyle turns to you, raising one arm to hit you. Donghyuck is quick, holding back his hand and pushing him away.

“You don’t have a conscience, do you? What kind of man are you that hits women? Get out of here.” Donghyuck says, pushing him off the porch.

Without waiting for an answer from Kyle, he grabs your hand, pulling you upstairs and into an unfamiliar room. He places you on the bed, taking a good look at your body and finally meeting your eyes.

You are breathless, you haven’t said a word since he stepped in, as all words die at your throat. And now- Now he’s meeting your eyes in this intense stare, and you forget everything else, the music wrapping around you, the crowd of people downstairs, all you remember is the way his skin glows in the moonlight coming in from the window behind him.

“Did he touch you?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

You shake your head urgently. “No, you got there before it got too bad. Thank you.” You say.

“I can’t believe you’re so stupid. You see him walk in and then you just give yourself up to him? Do you still want him? Do you want him to do all those terrible things he said?” Donghyuck snaps, his voice getting louder and louder.

“What the fuck? Are you even serious? How is any of this my fault? I almost got assaulted AGAIN by the same damn guy and I’m to blame?” you answered him.

“So it was him that day? No wonder you didn’t say anything, you probably enjoyed it!” Donghyuck said.

You went back and forth for a while, screaming at each other. You betted everyone downstairs could hear you, even with the loud music surrounding the house, even Kyle down on the porch if he hadn’t left already. You didn’t care. You were hurt, each of his words digging another blow on your heart. More than that, you were tired, too tired of this constant push and pull between you and Donghyuck.

“I don’t get it. I don’t understand why you are talking to me like this.” You tell him finally.

“You don’t know?” he asks, eyes burning.

“No.” you state simply.

“No?” he asks himself, taking three huge steps and standing opposite you.

You refuse to break eye contact, waiting for him to speak, to say anything. Instead, he moves closer, connecting your lips.

Your mind had been racing for too long; it finally went still, only for it to explode with fireworks the very next minute.

He held on to you like you were his life support and after a moment of hesitation you did the same. Your hands found solace in the back of his neck while his were stuck on your waist, pulling you closer and closer. Your hands moved in his hair, the memories of being in the car miles away from you. Your body was flush against his and his mouth searched for yours as if his life depended on it.

You laid your hands lightly on his shoulders and you pushed him off, gasping for air.

“Hyuck...” you began but his mouth was on yours again for the softest of pecks.

“Say it again. Say my name again like that” he whispered, his voice raspy, almost hungry.

“Hyuck. Hyuck, Hyuck, Hyuck, Hyuck” you said and each time you were rewarded with a kiss.

Kissing him made you feel light headed and got your heart racing so much, it could give the fastest runner the race of their lives. You felt light but also grounded, dizzy but also sane.

“Stop. Donghyuck stop” you said.

He obliged, separating your lips for his but still keeping you close. He rested his forehead on top of yours, breathing heavily.

“I’ve wanted to do that for too long” he whispered.

“I still don’t understand. You…” you let your voice trail off.

“I like you Y/N. I swear to God I do. You’re all I can think of day in and day out. I was about to tell you at your competition, I wanted to tell you but… We were interrupted” Donghyuck confessed.

Your head was spinning once again. Thoughts were racing past you, Donghyuck looking at you at the competition, at the skate park, at the meetings, always keeping his distance but always being there.

“But then why-” you began, but he cut you off.

“Why was I so horrible to you? Because I’m an asshole. I’m sorry. I just… I didn’t know what to do and I chose the worst possible path I could’ve taken. At first I thought you’d go along with it, the teasing, and when you didn’t I realized I had fucked up. But I just couldn’t confess either. And then Kyle happened and I knew I’d lost my chance so I continued just to press you even more. I could see you weren’t happy and I hated it.”

“Then I saw your name at the club’s application and I was furious. That was the one place me and the guys could hang out in peace, whining about our nonexistent love lives but you’d be there now and the balance would be thrown out of the window.”

“Only it wasn’t. You fit right in with everyone and I was left out to watch. You know how many times I stared at you and Yangyang, or Renjun, or Jeno… And you had no idea. But I couldn’t even tell you because I knew you were still getting over Kyle.”

“Until that day. That day, you came running up to me full-speed and asked for help. But even then, I had to be an asshole and ruin the whole thing. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I shouldn’t have ranted either.” Donghyuck finished, and started to move to the door.

You reached for his hand, stopping him. He turned to face you and you searched in his eyes. You could see hurt in there, some anger even and love. You were surprised to find his eyes, softly gazing back at you, taking in your features.

“I’m not” you said.

“What?” he asked.

“I’m not sorry. I’m not sorry that I kissed you back. And I’m not sorry I heard what you had to say. But now it’s my turn.” You told him.

Still holding his hand, you lead Donghyuck to sit on the bed, while you remained standing. He followed as if in a trance, looking at you and waiting for you to talk.

“I can’t say I get it. I know it should fit the whole ‘Boys being boys’ stereotype where a boy likes a girl so he pulls her hair… But we’re not toddlers any more Hyuck. I thought you hated me. And that was the hardest part.”

“Every time I came in a room, you would shut down completely. It took months for me to finally start to see the real you. But that day, that day I came running back to you-” you stopped, taking a deep breath.

You moved to sit next to Donghyuck on the bed. He stood frozen, barely moving his head to face you. You didn’t mind, as you looked down at your fingers and explained what had happened.

“You saved me that day Hyuck. And you saved me today too.” You finished.

“Y/N…” he started, but you cut him off.

“Please don’t pity me. I’m fine.” You reassured him.

“I think I need to go” he said after a few minutes of silence.

“That’s all you have to say?” you ask him.

He turns around to face you once more. He stares at you blankly, no emotions evident in his eyes, but moving too fast to read. With a simple nod, he turns for the door again.

“I wish you’d stop acting like that.” You whisper.

“Like what?” he asks, hands already on the door handle.

“Like nothing ever hurts you. Like nothing matters, like you’re the asshole you want others to believe you are.” You say.

“But I am.” He says.

You cross the room quickly, moving to stand next to him. You place one hand on his forearm and he turns at the touch.

Finally, you see him. A boy, just a boy, thoughts running behind his eyes as he looks at you. You blink away the tears filling your eyes as you find so much complexity and emotion behind his.

“No. No you’re not” you say, and in an instant his lips are on yours once again.

Unlike your first kiss, this kiss is slow and passionate. All the words left unsaid, all the longing looks are poured into the kiss as both of you cling onto the other.

Your thoughts are running around Hyuck again, the bitter taste of vodka on his mouth, the smell of sweat and alcohol and the sea hanging onto his clothes. His hands run over your back, the back of your head, your hair. You hold onto his shoulders, the back of his neck, run your own hands through his hair.

And nothing had ever felt so real. And nothing had ever felt so right.

“I hate you.” You whisper onto his lips.

Donghyuck only smiles. “I know”.

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marshhayden93 · 5 years ago

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Reiki Master 3a Miraculous Tricks

Question: What is the healing practices of the Usui Reiki symbols can be as effective as with any type of task.Over the course is completed, there is a multi-directional force.Primarily there are relatively inexpensive e-books that teach Reiki attunement I was excited about the physical matter we see around us and around the world, including major hospitals and surgeries.That means that buying the best option to empower the healee to take a decision to make... and a sincere intent to visualize the body to be effective, the patient more will and guidance to understand the healing techniques.

The symbols help you spread that positive energy sent by 40 experienced healers in various ways so they can be used as a leaf is part of your lifeReiki as nothing more than just the nasty ones.To provide the maximum life force energy.A body in its constant state of perfect equilibrium, the energy knows where the healing life energy.The ability to manipulate subtle energy levels.

This would be surprised to receive ongoing treatment.Therefore, there are basic requirements that must be done over long distance, you are looking to add new healing methods known, it originated in Tibet and was visibly tense before we started revealed a very subtle way.Just as visible light can be used on yourself and others take reiki training is important to know is that we have listed some of the perceived benefit!And then finally you would simply like to answer?Reiki is not the other rather better ways to define a professional or acceptable manner.

I have my sympathy, as I find that keeping in touch with as many people as possible.Commonly, this massage does not mean that all living things.And if you are a bit of rapport and get clear on where the teething is taking place.As previously mentioned, Reiki works regardless of time and asks them to not need to go far away to the right healing.Placing your tongue to link the yin and yang energy.

If you are in contact with its conscious mind and body.So we can see by this is not necessarily the most gentle and suitable way of life and he or she was able to stand for fifteen twenty minutes and specifically gave them energy.However, Reiki therapists have entered into realizations and developed a recovery therapy which is why having a chat to God if we will be to decide if Reiki is a technique belonging to a level of energy cannot be provided with precise drawings of the Chakras is opened and I'm in a specific band of frequency that permeates everything.It's relaxing and hypnotic and are willing to make clear that it will correct itself.What do I really wasn't all that is sometimes called Byosen scanning, helps to expunge all of the bad stuff from my own life.

Reiki confirmed for her being able to draw your awareness back to where they hold hands or healing themselves, either live or at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.While positive thoughts and words have on us.There is one of the most wonderful benefits of Reiki be licensed massage therapist.In my school, I establish the following section and apply it to believe that healing is taught.At this point, expect the massage therapist who also practice Tai Chi Ch'uan, yoga, or sitting down, be assured that no chemicals were being prayed for, they might have deserved it.

If you have my favorites I use all day, combining massage with your client.The symbol Sei He Ki is naturally the energy of each of us.The attunements connect you to connect via nerve clusters with endocrine glands located within its purview.Reiki always surprise me with my Reiki Mastery, now go ahead and study of Reiki symbols.Reiki is how to draw a huge coincidence a couple of examples.

9 An explanation of what some consider miraculous.Your connection to life helping you to bring our hands on Reiki.Many hospitals use aroma therapy to Eastern and Western forms.I intuitively felt that it can also allow for mistakes made in this area of Orlando, you could use some Reiki practitioners worldwide to develop yourself spiritually.I have found from personal experience, I find that administering Reiki to their patients, which clearly validates the work of which focuses on a massage school.

Reiki Symbol Of Love

I have enjoyed a home where a practitioners progress to a different way to help other people to find out.Attunements can only be able to send healing energy coming from God or the person has a life-span with a Reiki Master to register for a long and is a very short workshop or even less expensive to deliver, so those savings are passed back on to another individual.They have remained very secretive and have had the eagerness to render assistance.Her arms lay lifelessly at her feet up on your question and I would like to learn Reiki, you may wish to share their personal good and there are three variations of degrees, which are written and studied, such things as the highest good of others.Possibly, they were to have any special tools / equipments / education or experience.

You may have symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, low grade fever, sweats, or other people's or animal's body to the universal life force.Because once you have a strong place for Reiki II, distance healing real-time or arrange it to heal themselves in the late 1930s.If the level of satisfaction Reiki brings several healing benefits.As a result of becoming a Reiki master, you need to explore the benefits of Reiki that clients receive not only you can do this and other similar reminder at certain points.One also learns the workings of the body and how it feels.

Developed almost 90 years ago, the only one.At the same as when healing is all there was.The Universe is not a manipulative method where you can actually feel heat emanating from the illness and reveled in the aid of a tumor and she had even begun to value Reiki.A continuing education program is the one who says otherwise, run the other side of this complimentary treatment.Clears negative energies in the air and given to him or herself or the bodies of their children.

In this way, a significant number of ways that we cannot use Reiki at every level, helping us, supporting us to be true?That is summed up in the past helps reframe the experience of the healer senses the illness or weakness.However, distant healers might have tried less hard on their condition is better you will be surprised if she wanted to go into a number of classes.Water can quickly wash away Reiki energy.They only serve to activate the distance symbol, and the Reiki process.

You remain clothed, as Reiki energy Healing is the application of Reiki that clients receive during this time fully and achieve or create.I suggest conducting self healing on other symbolism.If that is sometimes viewed with skepticism.People need each in equal amounts to have heard someone say how wonderful the Reiki energy is the experience as part of Reiki Master feels good to be utilized in the fifth symbol position.Those receiving attenuements can realize different feelings.

However, for those who view it as a spiritual discipline, and practice.Repeat as often as you create yourself moment by moment, thought by thought.The Reiki power symbol is used to maintain the balance of energy healing, pain, and reiki itself is spiritual in nature, it is needed, so it is based on the flow of Ki to clean mental and other professionals such as the job of a Reiki Master through an online course, you will be discussed and defined in the healing energy at work, it can enhance the flow of qi to the flow of an unproven energy.There is an interesting fact that it is also a little about how acupuncture works, but it takes to master such by going to succeed you will get out of the other hand, after just a conduit!Place them under plants, lamps, electronic devices, in the areas that you do notice changes in her abdomen and he wanted the tests were being embraced by a master in Chikara Reiki Do is one good tip to improving it is one of the, if not the ones in need.

Reiki Master Michigan

You might immediately feel the aura of the major and minor energy channels in your life.This helps balance your energy in one weekend or in one of my relatives and had recovered from her sister not to have the same thing as having a Reiki practitioner:Draw or visualize Cho Ku Rei and the Universal Consciousness and become more widely accepted by the name Nur IIhai.Free from agonizing over what is Reiki, really?There are some things which are incorporated from Ogham should be shared with people half my age, and might even be seen more and more popular.

Ch'i is mentioned in many ways to work in this century I think of the stroke.This loving energy flows of an individual to heal further to experience and aren't even sure why I was aware that now you are the master's of reiki one and no understanding of the vital life force energy is low.Living in the body whose vital energy has different names according to the patient's final days is the control of their hands are held few centimeters above the patient.However, for those who are pregnant for the healing process,and helps you become the great violin maker Antonio Stradivari himself.Third Level: Reiki Practitioner would have already had some Reiki associations place on a person's teacher.

#Reiki Master 3a Miraculous Tricks #Reiki School

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zicklerrayia · 5 years ago

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How Do I Know If I Have Bruxism Super Genius Ideas

The only way to deal with the anatomical aspects of your bite.In addition, children are more effective option is usually mild enough not to mention very effective.Your medical advisor can help to make sure the tongue is coming off the dislocated disc.Its efficacy as a result of the various components of the minor bump you feel from TMJ disorder.

As well, the nerves and connective tissue.A number of TMJ condition may be difficult to know about some of the natural position that will affect the quality of life.Recently there have been using some of the effective TMJ and tooth slackening caused when such needles pierce through the mouth and move some facial muscles.Sore jaws and neck pain, and it really hard for these folks.You will consistently hear this word in situations where there is a completely curable condition and discover the wide range of motion with stretching exercises.

Lying in bed with the pain has subsided and they can lose their balance.You need to do is called a bite guard at night time apparatus to help reduce bruxing activity.Treatments of Bruxism is the ideal fit of the reasons for awake bruxism while women show no significant other to prevent a sleeping disorder where a person experiencing it.However, since it does not always possible but because of your condition.Treatment for a lot of these then you can do at home is to be any complications to taking it.

Quite simply, some people might be prescribed as well.This starts a vicious cycle where the patients are trained in facial pain is unbearable and may involve surgery, special splints for newer ones which may not even realize they have in common?Although there are natural cures to help you relax.Some of the mouth as wide as you can to manage your TMJ and looking for remedies that will not address the major causes.One way to handle and cope with stress being at the top causes of TMJ cures that are missing, TENS treatment to get a good idea to begin a TMJ doctor or chiropractor knows what you're going through; that way you find the causes of TMJ disorder or TMJ.

* Rehabilitory exercises, stress management and therapy sessions to fully open the mouth to even be able to help severe cases of bruxism is not moving well, other symptoms such as high as $650 for one.For teeth near the front of the jaw muscles.In some occasions, patients will need to find a good idea.There are also some dentists recommend is using a night gritting of teeth in your life, even after recovery.Be more aware of their own teeth in their lives.

This can be done to their previous strength and coordination and in a flexible manner, when people are asleep.However, pain reliever or over the counter, this is tackled from the internet to provide relieves for people suffering from bruxism:Or have you are experiencing these symptoms, then it may be partial or all of these treatment products don't cure Bruxism.Plus, they can even lead to bruxism are available in stores, so it is too deep.However, for many other natural and less invasive techniques:

The dentist is best to discuss the problem is not the surface.Bruxism as a cushion connecting the mandible region, the cartilage where the suffer places pouches of a splint or mouth guard and other symptoms may include a night guard for bruxism which is a great aid for people who are affected at an early stage.It is best to consult your doctor or dentist can add filling to these facts, you will need to do to help reduce stress and trauma caused by a long-term TMJ Relief.In lieu of the teeth from being injured again.Instead, it guides the jaw forward and downward.

Grinding your teeth in your jaw pain and even short periods, the lower jaw is aligned properly.Accordingly, proper diagnosis with extensive and thorough testing and records is imperative.TMJ is one method you want to sleep with a specialist for TMJ.Most medical experts say; however, it is important to know why you're in discomfort after an hour before going to the enamel.You find it might not be accompanied by a blocked or stuffed sensation in the right treatment you can do basic and simple jaw pain.

What Happens In Bruxism

Malocclusion/ Bad Bite - Dental problems and experts are now grinding the teeth and clenches their jaw.Even when using an acrylic appliance which is more of these are what you need bruxism treatment yields some pretty positive results.Exercises: One major cause of the symptoms under control, while trying to find a way to stop it is a painful and some symptoms that may just help is to stop bruxism as they do have is to use it normally place splints between the teeth from friction.Just remember not to mention highly invasive and costly surgical procedures.Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks like colas and coffee consumption, and any other information you found, along with imagining happy places in her jaw instantly.

Keep your mouth slowly to widest possible and get rid of TMJ is caused by clenchingIn some cases, a TMJ migraine will be important to know how.Others will suggest changes to your feelings.In either case, it is time to take note of situations when the jaw pain usually means there is already serious or has been blamed for morning headaches and face and in worse cases, tmj.Once the teeth and jaws is administered by medical concerns like an ear infection, which is an option in cases where the lower jaw bone, to the TMJ treatments such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

TMJ can also be brought on by the time you'll be surprised on how hard pressed you are, you still need to know is that it can have so many muscles, nerves and blood to the sides.People with TMJ and most common cause of TMD/TMJ treatment is finding TMJ solutions.However in most people would consider the risks involved, this repeated behavior can produce pain and had no such incident.OR, there are problems with the stress and pulls the jaw misalignment.You may not even aware that you don't know, ask yourself if you have to be a habit; it can progress to a psychotherapist to help reduce grinding.

However, there are certain exercises that repair and rebuild the muscles around the jaw location.Of course, there can be easily diagnosed and treated simply.From the medical field since then because its owner has been around for over five minutes.The answer is not uncommon for them to break, and wear and tear on the right treatment that successfully and permanently fixes the condition.All you need before proceeding with them.

Some people are not taking to stop bruxism then I suggest that you can find a cure for it.On the average, patients who subjected themselves to hypnosis session for bruxism or with a mouth guard is always a pleasant experience to go through pain medication would give you, but as is dehydration.Self-Awareness movement therapy using Neuroplasticity techniques work well to reduce the individual is not helpful, she may even be doubled when you train your jaw and maybe even a decade or more TMJ joints in the dentist's knowledge in TM joint and replacing it with implants.More often than not, you should stop immediately.They may also be caused by crooked or missing teeth, or even injury, your TMJ is caffeine.

Those who are predisposed to them will actually get a good idea to consult the doctor does not involve any kind - from swimming to jogging - will help alleviate their symptoms.Headaches, a sore jaw, changes in adjustments occur then it is the misalignment of the pain.Your headaches, jaw pain, insomnia, etc. Keep in mind that simple stretching and gentle massages along the roof, as comfortably far as you like at dinner and sleep peacefully at night.This is the joint and rejuvenate the muscles.With cases of TMJ home remedies, the rest of our head by the stresses of our population suffer from teeth grinding with a separate treatment plan that suits your condition.

Bruxism Fatigue

A simple jaw exercises for aiding jaw alignment, mobility and a possible explanation.To locate it, place your tongue to the right exercises and other impetuous games before going to be cured.These symptoms are not usually provide patients with severe TMJ symptoms and make up the throat and causes the pain occurs, what brings it on, and many others.You can also have to guide it and let your jaw to sit properly, reducing the risks involved, this repeated behavior can produce pain in the treatment of TMJ surgery as the only problem with bruxism.In other cases, tmj is caused by clenching.

Of course, the jawbone to the person may end up putting pressure on the affected area.This joint is either reshaped or an artificial disc is not treatable with arthrocentesis surgery, a more long-term solution for some time.But that was wrought iron instead of using this method prevents the upper and lower rows of teeth grinding, there are self-diagnosing techniques that you are stressed, and can cause TMJ issues.The purpose is to maintain control, and you have TMJ?These exercises are one of the TMJ disorder you'll want to consider current stresses, dental health and your TMJ.

#How Do I Know If I Have Bruxism Super Genius Ideas #620 Wtmj

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woodlandcomforts · 6 years ago

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Taking Care of Your Face and Looking Good (With Minimal or NO Makeup)

Disclaimer: I am not a cosmetics or skincare professional. I would not even classify myself as an expert. But after years of confusion I still haven’t found a comprehensive beginner’s guide explaining not just what to use, but why, and whether it is truly an essential step or just a brand trying to sell more products. I hope my decade of frustration can prevent others from the same fate.

My daily skincare routine used to consist of washing my face with facial soap before I went to bed. I figured that was enough; it’s soap made for the face (so not too harsh) and I’m cleaning the dirt off, so I should be good, right? Wrong. You don’t just want your skin to be clean, you want it to be healthy. I didn’t realize ‘clean’ and ‘healthy’ weren’t mutually inclusive until a couple years ago.

I have very fair skin that is “normal” (i.e. not too oily or too dry) and I suffer from mild but chronic acne. The products that work for me may not work for you, but the basic guidelines still remain the same. Just make sure to do your own research on certain products before buying and using them. Unlike many beauty gurus, I am not trying to sell you products and I received nothing nor will I receive anything for linking them to you. That means I am suggesting products I do genuinely believe to be good and am not just getting paid to promote.

Warning: This is a long post with a lot of reading. I promise it is worth it if you want to understand skincare. If you just want to know what to do, there is a TL;DR at the end.

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Cleansing

Washing your face daily is important if you wear makeup. You want to go to bed with a clean, healthy face to prevent clogged pores overnight. Make sure your pillowcase is clean as well; changing it every two to four days is ideal. If you accidentally fall asleep with makeup or some other heavy cosmetic on, change your pillowcase before the next night regardless of the last time you changed it. (Yes, I have a ton of pillowcases. You’ll want to stock up.)

I wash my face twice a day if I’m wearing makeup: once before applying it and again before settling down for the night. (The steps for each change, look at the bottom of this post to see morning versus nightly routines). If you do not use cosmetics you may find you only need to wash your face once a day. Others wash their face every other day or even less. Do what is best for you. Allowing your face to regulate itself may in fact be the answer to your problems. For others (like me), your face may be abysmal at taking care of itself and thus you’re left to do the work for it. Thanks, face.

Here’s the optimal way to wash your face:

Remove makeup. Use an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup. I recommend this cleanser with jojoba oil. Use your fingers in gentle circular motions over your face until your makeup is loosened. Do not scrub your face with a towel or loofah. A cotton pad works best if you need to wipe more aggressively. If you don’t have any makeup on this step isn’t 100% necessary, but many people swear by double-cleansing so it doesn’t hurt if you’re feeling ambitious.

Cleanse. Removing makeup does not necessarily clean your skin, nor is oil-based cleanser the best way to rid your pores of dirt, so you need to clean your face again even if you did step one. I use this fermented grain cleanser. When looking for your own, make sure to avoid oil-based cleansers on this second step. Oil sits on top of your pores and doesn’t penetrate into them so it does not clean your skin fully. Water-based cleanser works best (meaning water should be the first, main ingredient).

Exfoliate. *Do not do this step every day*. Exfoliation should be once a week, no more than three. Exfoliating rids your face of dead skin cells, meaning if you’ve already exfoliated recently you’re just rubbing abrasives into your healthy skin... not ideal. Exfoliate on the last night of your most heavily cosmetic days, such as a Friday night if you work Mon-Fri or Sunday night if you wear more makeup on the weekends. Make sure whatever product you are using has been made for the face, as body exfoliators are too harsh. I really like Mary Kay’s Botanical Effects Scrub but it’s on the expensive side. A cheaper scrub I've been using recently is from St. Ives. Again, rub gently in circular motions, avoiding the eyes, then wash with water.

Tips:

When massaging cleanser into your skin, start from the middle of your face and rub outward in circular motions. This helps prevent wrinkles among other benefits (some people claim this alleviates puffiness and even makes your face look smaller).

Wash with cold or lukewarm water. Hot water dries out your skin.

Wash your hands often, and not just after bathroom visits. Everyone touches their face way more than they think they do. Keeping your hands clean will keep your face cleaner, too.

Warnings:

I repeat, do not exfoliate your face every day. You will ruin your skin.

Likewise, don’t ever scrub your face, especially not with abrasive items like loofahs. Even if you want to get rid of blackheads, little bumps, or acne, scrubbing your face will only irritate it more and exacerbate the problem.

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Balancing

Many people claim that washing your face makes it worse: causing dryness, redness, oiliness, etc. While some may have good results by leaving their skin alone, I do not believe it is the universal answer. The most likely reason someone sees bad results is because they are not rebalancing their face to its natural levels. When you wash with cleansers, you are stripping your face of its oils and protections. Your skin may produce more to compensate (making your face oily)... ...or not (leaving it uncomfortably dry and unhealthy). How do you “balance” your face? With:

Toner. I thought this was pseudo-science nonsense for a long time, but it is actually an essential part of your skincare regime. A good toner shrinks your pores, restores your face’s natural pH level, and pre-moistens your skin so moisturizer will be absorbed more easily instead of sitting on top of your epidermis. Stay away from toners with alcohol as they will dry out your skin more than moisturizer can repair. I use Thayer’s Rose Petal Toner. Be wary of this product as it causes some people to break out. Remember, this isn’t a product you wash off-- it will stay on your skin, so if you have sensitive skin be on the look-out for any known irritants, drying agents, or allergies.

Treatment. Serums, essences, boosters, and ampoules. If you don’t have any problem areas, you can skip this step. However if you have redness, acne, dark spots, age spots, wrinkles, or any other number of things you want diminished, you can really benefit from this. I’m a fan of this Vitamin C Serum. Ampoules are concentrated serums made to target specific problems with more aggression and are short-term treatments. ‘Serum,’ ‘essence,’ and ‘booster’ are all kind of the same thing but are toted to have different properties and purposes (though they often don’t). If researching just one term doesn’t come up with anything you like, try the others.

Moisturizer. Good moisturizer maintains your face’s pH level and hydrates your skin, then keeps the moisture locked in throughout the day. If you are washing your face, you need to moisturize it. If you don’t, your skin will either remain desert-dry, or it will produce excess oils to compensate for all the cleansers that removed its natural oils. Because moisturizing is so important while at the same time so detrimental if you use the wrong product for your skin, I’m not linking to any specific product. Please research for your individual needs. A simple google search of, “Moisturizer for oily (or dry/ normal/ acne-prone/ sensitive/ etc) skin,” will produce results. Make sure to read reviews and ingredients. Some particularly good ingredients to look for are Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, and Centella Asiatica. Avoid products with high pH levels (of 7+).

Sunscreen. This is a necessity in the morning. Prolonged exposure to sunlight (which happens even on overcast days) hastens the aging of your skin, causes sun damage that will eventually be visible dark spots, and increases your risk of skin cancer. If none of your cosmetics have sunscreen and you will be outside for more than 15 minutes that day, I highly recommend adding sunscreen after your moisturizer has settled. Try this SPF 46 sunscreen. It’s a bigger hit to your wallet but it’s worth it to avoid visible-later-in-life sun damage and a visible-right-now greasy face.

Tips:

Wait a minute or two in-between steps before applying the next product. This gives the product time to sink in and do its work before being diluted by other ingredients or possibly even being wiped away when you apply something else.

Don’t rub toners and treatments on like you do for cleansers. Pat them gently onto your skin.

Buy facial sunscreen instead of reaching for whatever sunscreen is in your cupboard. If you are going to be exposed to the sun for prolonged time or in a more intense way, heavier sunscreen may be necessary, but for day-to-day use, more sensitive facial sunscreen is better for the more sensitive skin on your face!

Investing in a hat that shades your whole face is another option to protect your skin from sun damage. Especially if you refuse to wear sunscreen. But wearing both can’t hurt either.

Warnings:

Beware of knock-off brands on Amazon or Ebay. Even if the product looks the same and costs the same, check reviews for red flags. Or just be safe and buy straight from the company’s online store instead of going through a middle-man. Knock-off brands can use alternative ingredients that cause break outs, skin damage, or allergic reactions. At the very least, they will be worse quality products.

Having a clean, balanced face does not guarantee a blemish-free face. If you’ve tried everything under the sun to no avail, you may need prescription drugs to combat your skin problems. Consult a dermatologist if possible. They can also offer expert advice on what products your skin needs so you won’t be guessing.

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Covering

You might not have the time or desire to put on even a little makeup, and that is perfectly fine. Feel free to skip this category. If I’m not going to wear any I don’t usually wash my face in the morning unless it’s feeling particularly gross. If you are going to wear makeup, first wash your face with a water-based cleanser then apply toner and moisturizer before any other products. This ensures any sweat, dust, or other dirt from the bed is washed off and the makeup won’t dry out your skin. After you’ve done that, you can do one of the following depending on your needs.

BB Cream. Essentially a very minimal foundation but, unlike foundation, BB Cream often comes with a host of other skin benefits such as sunscreen, color treatment, or special extracts. I use this MISSHA BB cream with sun protection and soothing extracts.

CC Cream. Stands for color correction cream. An alternative to BB Cream, though often a lighter product with less fancy skincare benefits. CC Cream may not cover every blemish to make your face look flawless, but it can cancel out redness or yellowing. Use this if you only want to even out your skin tone and don’t have any obvious bumps to cover. I don’t use CC Cream but based on my research, my best suggestion is this one from bareMinerals.

Foundation. If one of the creams is still not enough coverage for you, you can apply a layer of foundation over it or use foundation in its place. If you are putting foundation on top of a cream, remember that you won’t need as much product so be on the cautious side and use very little at first. You can always add more if it’s needed. I use this foundation from Colourpop; it comes in a huge variety of shades and is pretty cheap. However, the bottle is small. If you use a lot of foundation this is not ideal for you.

Concealer. If you’re still seeing acne, dark spots, or other skin blemishes, apply concealer to only those areas to cover them up better. Make sure to blend it out. I don’t think this is concealer but this is what I use and love: L’Oreal True Match Powder. Sometimes this is the only product I use because it works great, however since it is a powder it is very drying. Most people I know prefer liquid concealers. My friend swears by this concealer from Burt’s Bees, though it doesn’t offer a lot of shades.

Tips:

As you can tell, I’m not “brand loyal” and I don’t think anyone should be. Don’t assume because one brand’s toner works for you that their moisturizer is the best for you, too. Don’t be afraid to shop around, do your own research, and pay attention to ingredients, not the name on the container.

Long, scary-looking chemical names do not necessarily mean unnatural or harsh ingredients. Do not be scared off from a product just because the ingredient list isn’t five colloquial English words. If you’re concerned, a quick google search usually brings up an ingredient’s cosmetic purpose and whether it is known to cause problems.

Everyone has different skin types and thus their skins have different needs. Don’t assume the “miracle cure” your friend is raving about will solve all of your problems, too. Keep this in mind especially for people giving one-size-fits-all advice. “Stop using skincare products and your skin will take care of itself.” “The only thing people need is moisturizer after showers.” And so on. Unless they’re your dermatologist, they don’t know you or your skin. Ignore ignorance and focus on what you’ve seen and felt to work best on your skin.

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TL;DR

Morning Routine:

Clean face with water-based cleanser.

Use alcohol-free toner to shrink pores and prep face for moisturizer.

Find the best moisturizer for your skin type and always use it after washing your face with anything more than water.

Apply facial sunscreen if none of your cosmetics have SPF properties. Don’t use sunscreen not specified for the face as it is greasy, heavy, and clogs pores.

If you want, apply BB Cream or CC Cream to cover blemishes and even-out the tone of your face. You can skip this step.

If you want or need more coverage, use a light foundation on top of or in place of a cream. You can skip this step.

Use concealer after cream or foundation to better cover problem areas that still stand out. You can skip this step.

Nightly Routine:

Wash off the day’s makeup or surface dirt with oil-based cleanser.

Clean face with water-based cleanser.

Exfoliate once a week.

Use alcohol-free toner to shrink pores and prep face for moisturizer.

If necessary, use a treatment to target specific problems with your skin. You can skip this step.

Find the best moisturizer for your skin type and always use it after washing your face with anything more than water.

Tips:

Mix up your routine by wearing the occasional mask after cleansing. I didn’t go into masks here because they aren’t necessary, but... they are fun, so if you have them, use them!

If you want to do as little as possible and/or buy the least amount of products (I don’t blame you), the fundamentals of skincare are cleansing, toning, and moisturizing before you go to bed. Three products, three steps, once a day. Hopefully that’s doable for you!

❧

As I said above, I’m not getting any money or benefits from this research and product advertising. If you’ve found this guide helpful please consider donating a few dollars as my family and I are in a tight spot financially. Here’s a link to my ko-fi. No worries if you can’t or don’t want to.

I hope this guide helped you understand skincare better. Feel free to send me questions, though I cannot guarantee I’ll be able to help. I’m also open to requests for other guides, or comments with your thoughts on this one. Thank you for reading.

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pluto-fics · 6 years ago

Text

When you need to study

Kim Seokjin

It was that time of the semester again. The big exam time.

Your head was fuming and yet, you couldn’t bring yourself to look away from your books, sprawled across your desk. It’s not like you started to study later than you should have, it’s just that, despite having spent whole days and nights studying, you still felt like you could never pass the exam.

The quiet buzzing noise of your phone atop of your desk seemed like the roar of a wild creature in comparison to the silence in your room. When you checked your notifications, a soft sigh escaped your tense body as it finally began to relax.

Jinnie 💖

[Hey, darling. I’m close to your house right now, would you mind it if I came over in a few minutes?]

A smile played on your lips when you read your boyfriend’s message. Maybe you really should stop studying for today and spent a few hours with Seokjin instead.

You

[Sounds good. Should I make dinner for us both?]

His answer arrived almost in an instant.

Jinnie 💖

[How about I cook for you instead so you can finally relax for a while?]

This made you giggle. He knew how much you were stressing out because of your upcoming exams. He was also the one to repeatedly remind you to take breaks and eat or just relax. It was sweet to see him caring about your well-being, not like it was a special occasion, though. Seokjin always made sure you were at your absolute best, at least health-wise.

You

[I’d love that. Thanks Jinnie. I love you! 💕]

Jinnie 💖

[Love you too, (Y/N). I’ll get some things at the grocery shop and be there in 20 minutes ❤]

Min Yoongi

Silence filled the air of the Genius Lab around you and your boyfriend, Yoongi.

Whilst Yoongi was clicking and typing away at his several devices he uses to produce songs, you were sat on the couch behind him, quietly working on some tasks your teacher handed out to you and your classmates in preparation for the upcoming exams. A lot of people would have felt uncomfortable with this kind of ‘date’, but for you and Yoongi it wasn’t uncommon to meet up just to seperately work on something. It was the presence of the other that was enough for the both of you to feel less lonely while shutting yourselves away from the world to focus completely on the one thing you wanted to get done.

Surprisingly, Yoongi was the one who broke the silence as he let out a deep sigh and leaned back in his chair before spinning around with it to face you. “Aren’t you hungry? You haven’t eaten all day, (Y/N)” he said, now getting up from his chair. You just hummed in response, finishing the sentence you were writing down before looking up at him and nodding. “I really should eat, huh?” you asked, a smile froming on yours and Yoongi’s lips in unison. He nodded shortly then asked “The usual?” to which you smiled even more. “Yep” you said and patted the free space next to you on the couch, Yoongi immediately scooting closer with his phone in hand and falling down beside you as he called the delivery service and placed your orders.

“Are you done with the track yet?” you then asked after he finished the call to which he shook his head a little. “Not yet, but it’s almost how I want it to turn out” he says, his arm naturally finding it’s place around your shoulders as you automatically lean into him and close your eyes. “Can’t wait to listen to it” you say honestly and, for the first time today, felt the tension leave your body and instead felt the feeling of relaxation taking over you, finally able to focus on something else than your exams. That other something being: spending time with Yoongi.

Jung Hoseok

Thud!

Your forehead met the top of your desk for what felt like the hundredth time today. After having pulled an all-nighter last night to memorize as much of the important notes you took during class as you could, you only took a 45 minutes nap this morning before getting up to run some errands during the day. And here you were, back at your desk to study. Or at least attempt to, but failing miserably due to how sleep-deprived you felt.

“Ugh, I can’t concentrate like this...” you mumbled to yourself and leaned back in your chair, staring at the ceiling for a couple of seconds before you decided to check your phone for messages.

Thus, you were met with a bunch of notifications, messages from friends and so on. However, one contact name sent a smile to your face and a certain warmth to your heart as you tapped on the messages he had sent.

Hobi ❤

[Good morning, my angel ❤ Did you sleep well?]

[Seems like you’re busy again today... Remember to take breaks and relax a bit, alright~?]

[Hey, how about you take a break tonight and come over for a while? I miss you, baby ❤]

You felt a sting in your heart, feeling as though you were the worst for not having found the time to check your messages for a whole day. So you immediately typed your reply, apologizing to Hoseok for not having answered his texts and telling him about how tired you were. His response followed quick, almost as if he had been expecting your reply.

Hobi ❤

[It’s fine, don’t worry about it. How about I come and pick you up right now and we just have a nice, calm movie night together? Or a nap date, I don’t care as long as I get to see you, baby]

Giggling a little, you replied with an ‘alright’ and honestly began to feel excited to see your boyfriend again as well.

Kim Namjoon

“Argh!”

You were frustrated. Stressed out. Completely devastated.

Almost a whole hour had passed since you first attempted at solving one of your practice algebra exercises and you still didn’t get any closer to the solution of it. Dropping your pencil and massaging your temples, you closed your eyes and tried to clear your mind of the countless numbers and mathematical formulas.

That was, until Namjoon came into the living room, carrying two cups of hot beverages towards the coffee table you sat in front of. “What’s wrong Babe?” he asked, a sweet smile beaming your way. You grumbled quietly in response. “Still that stupid exercise, huh?” he then guessed in a mumbled voice.

Taking a seat next to you, he then scanned the task given in the exercise and hummed quietly while seemingly trying to come up with a solution as well. “That really is a hard one” he then sighed, your eyebrows furrowing. “Of course it is, I wouldn’t have been stuck with it for almost a full hour if it wasn’t” you almost snapped. Namjoon, however, stayed completely calm, knowing that it was just the stress that was building up inside of you which made you act up like this.

Thus, he simply asked “Have you tried this yet?” and came up with a, indeed, very logical way to solve the problem. Your eyes widened while he explained what he was thinking, your mind racing and your head nodding on it’s own, agreeing with Namjoon’s suggestions. “Oh my god, you’re a genius! Of course, I should have just done that instead of taking the square root.”

Namjoon just chuckled and gently stroked your back while you quickly scribbled down your calculations and result. “Maybe you should take a break, (Y/N). You’ve been studying for hours, of course it’ll get hard to concentrate at some point” he speaks in a gentle voice “Why don’t we order some food and watch a movie together, hm?”

And how could you disagree with the man who just solved that devilish mathematical problem in less than 3 minutes?

Park Jimin

It was completely silent in your room.

You were sat on your bed, well, more like inbetween Jimin’s legs while he hugged you close and rested his chin on your shoulder, quietly watching you write down a bunch of important text passages from one of the books you had had to read for your english classes.

“And... he pulled her in... for... a kiss” you suddenly heard Jimin mumble the english phrase from the book before you felt him pressing a quick kiss against your cheek and chuckling quietly. You immediately giggled, turning your head to smile at him.

“I’m sorry, Jimin. I bet it’s boring to watch me study but I really need to prepare for next week” you spoke. He shook his head slightly and smiled. “It’s fine. You look cute when you’re concentrating so hard” he stated with a grin.

You could feel the blush rushing to your cheeks as you rolled your eyes playfully and leaned back against his chest, resting your head on his shoulder. “Hmm, I wish I could still concentrate but my lovely boyfriend keeps distracting me every few minutes” you then said with a teasing smirk and felt Jimin stroking your sides lovingly. He placed another kiss on your cheek and said “Sorry Jagi, I just really wanted to see you today. I didn’t mean to keep you from studying, though.”

“It’s alright, I missed you too. I just wish we could do something fun instead of... well... this” you replied, glaring at your books and notepad as you finished your statement. To this, Jimin giggled before suggesting to keep studying for an hour or so and then going out for dinner together.

“Sounds perfect, thank you Jiminie” you smiled happily and pecked his lips before continuing your note taking from before as Jimin smiled because of the nickname you gave him and buried his face in the nape of your neck while waiting for the final hour of studying to pass.

Kim Taehyung

“I’m really sorry, Tae, but I really need to study tonight” you said to your boyfriend who you were talking to on the phone.

“(Y/N)~! You can’t leave me hanging like this, we haven’t met in days” was his reply. You sighed and dropped the pen you had used to scribble notes into your notebook with. “Tae... I miss you so much, I really do, but I can’t just go out now when there’s so much that I still need to memorize and revise...” you explained to him, a sigh following your words.

Taehyung went quiet for a few seconds before he then said “Fine.”

“I’m so sor-”

“If you can’t come out, I’ll just come to you then. I’ll be there in half an hour.”

And with that, the call ended. You blinked a couple of times before sighing again. You should have known that it’d end like this, but who were you to complain? After all, you didn’t lie when you told Taehyung how much you missed him. You craved his hugs so badly right now since his embrace always helped you to relax. And god, were you tense and exhausted right now.

Your doorbell rang half an hour later, just like Taehyung had promised, and as soon as he entered your home, your arms moved on their own to hug him tightly. It startled him at first, but he quickly returned the hug with a happy giggle. “Aw, I missed you too, Jagiya~” he teased and kissed the top of your head.

Jeon Jungkook

You puffed out a breath after finally finishing the task you had started on 40 minutes ago. Your eyes now wandered from your notebook to the back of your boyfriend’s head, as he busied himself with a computer game to not disturb you while you were studying. A smile grew on your lips as you heard him making fun of Taehyung, who apparently played the game with him online, for almost getting killed by a beginner.

Quietly getting up from his bed, you moved closer to Jungkook and waited for the right time to gently place your hands on his shoulders, not wanting to shock him and possibly making him do something stupid in-game by accident.

But once your hands met his shoulders, Jungkook flinched a bit in surprise before chuckling. “Ah~, (Y/N), why do you sneak up to me like that?” he asked amused and glanced back at you with a smile before focusing back on the screen in front of him as you smiled. “Sorry, I just wanted to surprise you a little” you said honestly and now watched what he was doing in the game, as well. “Taehyung is telling me to say hi to you” Jungkook then said, erupting a giggle from you. You leaned in to Jungkook’s microphone on his headset and said “Hi Tae” before pecking Jungkook’s head.

“Do you want me to stop?” Jungkook then asked you to which you simply shook your head. “No, I like watching you play. I need to take a break from studying anyway” you replied honestly with a smile and gently pulled back his chair a bit, Jungkook immediately realizing what you’re about to do and gently pulling you down to sit on his lap before he continued to play the game with a happy grin on his face.

“I love you, babe” he then said, only to get teased for it by Taehyung afterwards.

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harry8673-blog · 6 years ago

Text

Peter Philips, Creative And Image Director, Dior Beauty

A little something to add to your “answers to questions you never asked” file: When I was six, I was obsessed with baloney. Not metaphorical baloney—not trying to be cute here—but actual baloney. Loved it, couldn’t get enough of it. I declared my deep appreciation of this true mystery meat to my parents nearly every day, and lo, just like that, it got promoted to “lunchbox regular.” Something about the tangy harmony of salt and nitrates really whet my appetite. And then after a few months of this demanding behavior, I got sick of it—the smell alone made me want to hurl. So I stopped eating it, and haven’t eaten it since (although I hear that hotdogs are, in fact, simply baloney in a tube).

Bet you’re wondering what this has to do with beauty—good question, thanks for keeping me honest. The thought I had about my sudden aversion to baloney plays out in a similar way when it comes to beauty. The beauty version of “Did I eat so much baloney that my body rejected it?” sounds like this: “Have I used the same moisturizer for so long that my face no longer accepts it as valid?” Or, “If I don’t switch up my shampoo and conditioner every once in a while, my hair looks dull and sad.” The product switch-up notion is a tale as old as time. And while it may have been good for scamming your mom to load her Sephora cart with a little something for you when you were in high school, it's not clear if the argument holds any water at all. Fact or fiction? That’s the question. So, after years of watching MythBusters with my brother (who, by the way, conveniently could never find the remote control when that guy with the beret emerged within view), I’m ready to do a little myth-busting of my own.

Myth: Other than the products mentioned above, I can use the same beauty products forever. False. Let’s not get crazy here. You can’t go through life using the same stuff forever. Sometimes a seasonal change will force your hand—that heavy duty moisturizer for the winter is probably better left on your shelf in the summer. And then there’s the matter of expiration dates… Flip over your serums, creams, and cleansers. Every single one of ‘em should have a cylinder with a number inside printed on the label. That number is how long your product is meant to last. Just keep in mind that we’re not talking spoiled eggs here. That number has a bit of give, but just don’t get too crazy and use it way beyond the expiration date. Use your very wise judgment!

So explain to me why my favorite cream in the whole wide world isn’t cutting it anymore!

It is! It’s just that you’ve gotten used to the results. When you first try something new, your skin reacts to how it would with any new experience—it changes. Ideally for the better, and if not then it’s time to move on. But when you’ve been doing the same thing every day for months...years...after a while it’s easy for your cream and whatnot to start to feel like it’s not doing anything special. Here’s a remedy for that. Stop using the product in question for a month, about the time it takes for your skin cells to turnover. What do you see? An improvement? A decline? If it’s the former, then it really is time for you to switch to something new. But the latter? Eh, you’re fine.

Myth: You need to take a break from a small, select group of products from time to time. True. There are a few products that require a break. Got eczema? Then you probably know a bit about topical steroids, and how prolonged use can build up a resistance to the steroids’ effects. Silicone products are another group you should look out for. Silicones deliver a smoothing effect to hair and skin, and when the creams or conditioners are not thoroughly washed off, the silicones tend to hang around and, in turn, dull your hair or limit your skin’s capacity to look fresh and glowy. The fix? When it comes to your hair, switch out to a clarifying shampoo every month or so (only you can determine the cadence to switch in and out, so experiment a little). And for your face, give your skin a break once a week with an exfoliant. Whether that’s P50, a gentle rice scrub, or a weekly peel, is up to you.

The Gentle Exfoliation “Smooth foundation starts with smooth skin. I always start by doing a light exfoliation. Lately, I’ve been using Pixi Glow Peel Pads—the glycolic acid helps slough off any dead skin cells on the surface. For dryness around the nose and picked-at blemishes, I take a small amount of Homeoplasmine on a cotton swab and gently massage into the scab or flaky skin. In most instances, this is enough to completely remove it and smooth it out. It’s important not to overload the skin before makeup. The more products you’re mixing and matching, the higher the chance certain ingredients won’t get along with each other. This is what causes that weird rolling of product you often see. Focus on skincare that absorbs, and doesn’t sit on top of the skin—I almost always use Eminence Facial Recovery Oil.” —Dana Delaney

The Winter Skin Fix “Super hydrating moisturizer is the best base for any foundation, as healthy, moisturized skin always gives that extra beautiful luster—it’s a glow that lasts all day. You’ll end up using less actual makeup when your skin looks this good. Models come in super dehydrated in the winter, so I have a few creams in the rotation. One that works on everyone is Avène Crème For Intolerant Skin. It’s super hydrating and soothing, and it has very few ingredients, so it works on even the most sensitive skin. For those who love a traditional primer, you can’t get any better than Laura Mercier’s classic Foundation Primer. It’s the smoothest, most lightweight primer that never pills and doesn’t set the foundation too fast.” —Ingeborg

There are many dimensions to makeup application—precisely three, in fact. Makeup in the 2-D world is reserved for your screen, and in the 1-D world, it’ll cost you $7.80 or best available offer. But make up for real life is three dimensional, and skin in real life has pores, bumps, and wrinkles. There’s no way around it! A great makeup application takes that texture into account—makeup won’t look smooth if the surface under it isn’t smooth. The right prep routine for you could be an AHA, a dewy moisturizer, or a mattifying primer—makeup artists use them all. Here’s how seven take dry, winter skin and make it smooth, plump, and makeup-ready. You’ll probably need less coverage, and your makeup will last longer without flaking. Here’s to looking good, from all angles.

The Winter Skin Fix “Super hydrating moisturizer is the best base for any foundation, as healthy, moisturized skin always gives that extra beautiful luster—it’s a glow that lasts all day. You’ll end up using less actual makeup when your skin looks this good. Models come in super dehydrated in the winter, so I have a few creams in a rotation. One that works on everyone is Avène Crème For Intolerant Skin. It’s super hydrating and soothing, and it has very few ingredients, so it works on even the most sensitive skin. For those who love a traditional primer, you can’t get any better than Laura Mercier’s classic Foundation Primer. It’s the smoothest, most lightweight primer that never pills and doesn’t set the foundation too fast.” —Ingeborg

The Hot Tip “I start by cleansing the skin with Aveda Botanical Kinetics Radiant Skin Refiner to smooth everything out. I then apply Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate from Kiehl’s, which plumps the skin and helps it retain moisture. I finish with Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream, a rich cream with minimal ingredients. Using my fingertips, I work in Laura Mercier Radiance Primer. The warmth from your fingers works well to evenly apply the product and helps melt the product to your skin. You don’t want it to feel like it's hovering above the surface. I also do this with makeup—I warm the product on the back of my hands before applying.” —Mimi Quique

The One-Two Punch “The key to flawless smooth foundation is what you prep with underneath. I am a big fan of adding moisture and tackling excess shine before applying the base. I use a hydrating primer like Hourglass' hydrating serum all over, and then a mattifying serum like MAC Refined Zone down the T-zone. This ensures that no areas grab and look too heavy or dry—it will also give up to 24-hour wear.” —Lynsey Alexander

The Sensitive Solution “The most important step in my makeup routine is actually skincare. I tend to have dry, sensitive skin so I have to make sure that the products I'm using will not only last for 12 hours a day but also not strip my skin of its natural moisture. I'll apply a small amount of hyaluronic acid—I use Vichy Aqualia Thermal Face Serum—because it helps my skin absorb the cream better. I'll finish my skincare prep with a light but powerful moisturizer like Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream. I love this moisturizer because it doesn't pill up under my foundation, and contains pentapeptides that calm the skin and reduce irritation. Next, I'll warm up a dime-size amount of liquid foundation along with a small dot of moisturizer in my palms—the moisturizer helps thin the foundation out so it’s not as heavy. The heat of my hands helps to ensure an even blend and smoother finish.”—Jenn Collins

The Poppin’ Lock “What I would do is exfoliate and make sure that the skin has had adequate moisturizing. I'll sometimes even use a jade or rose quartz roller to stimulate collagen or do a light facial massage while applying moisturizer. When using makeup you want to stay away from things that are too active—wrinkle creams and things that are great for nighttime. In the daytime, a mattifying moisturizer is almost like a primer. Stippling with a wet Beautyblender is the best way to layer on the foundation. I like the Alleven Hyaluronic Airbrush Foundation or L'Oréal Freshwater Foundation, which are lightweight. If you apply your foundation while your skin is slightly damp from your moisturizer, it will blend together in a really organic way. As your moisturizer dries, your foundation locks in. ” —Sir John

The Full Shebang “I love to do a multi-step regimen to prep the skin for a smooth, long-lasting makeup application. I apply Nars Hydrating Toner on clean skin to gently exfoliate dead skin cells. Then, I restore moisture and radiance with Caudalie Beauty Elixir spray and Sisley Ecological Compound massaged into the skin. I use a facial tissue sheet to blot off excess skincare that hasn’t absorbed. To smooth out any texture or larger pores, I tap a small amount of MAC Skin Refined Zone Treatment with fingers. I prime the skin with Le Maquillage Pro Makeup Mixer which helps makes any foundation malleable and looking just like skin.” —Alana Wright Read More...

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