#< new tag for sorting posts about this project

[geiba]

okay sooo i made some sketches for a few of the sprites i'll be using, some of which i'm gonna show here, as well as thinking about the code edits i'll need to do for this project. i don't want to just redraw a shimeji to look like SQQ, i want him to act and move in character, so i have a whole bunch of edits to do

some of my notes:

i'm not yet sure how many sprites some animations will require so i'm not putting in a final number, or numbering which sprites will be used for what animation, but i'm going to throw out an estimate that the final sprite count will be about sixty-ish.

i mostly have all my animations already planned out. i know what i want them to look like and know how to do it, but there's a few i still need to think about, like one of the multiplying animations. i considered just getting rid of the one i have no ideas for, but i'll think on it some more. i'm open to suggestions too

i'm considering if i should code and draw in interactions with other shimejis already. it's a bit of a far off idea but i might make a Binghe or maybe even Liu Qingge or Shang Qinghua? who knows. anyway it'd be fun to make some interactions between them. i could even add a tutorial for adding more "romantic" interactions since i want to leave this area open for shippers. if i make it that is

"pet" - yes you can pat Shizun on the head. it makes him embarrased but he likes it.

i'd like to make this an incredibly intricate shimeji with a lot of animations but i'm worried about the performance. they may not be Chrome level RAM eaters, but they're not the lightest and i don't want to create something which people won't get to enjoy

i'm still considering where to host the files. thought about maybe hosting them on a patreon account (for free. the Shizun Distribution System does not demand payment for what it does) but i'm, again, open to suggestions

i'm making this for the Shimeji-ee DESKTOP SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS. i've never used things like the shimeji chrome extension nor do i own any apple devices. i don't know how to work with these. HOWEVER, if there's someone who DOES know how to work on those, feel free to make versions compatibile with apple or with browsers, BUT only if those versions ARE DISTRIBUTED FOR FREE AND CREDIT ME AS THE CREATOR. i want as many people as possible to enjoy my shimejis

two long idles, one of which i'm showing the sketch for. in the notes i wrote down "looping" and "sound" - while it may be a project that i do not realize in the end, i thought it would be cute to make an animation where Shizun plays the guqin and add sound to it. there would have to be the option to toggle animation sounds, and another to loop that animation, but i thought it would be absolutely adorable to make a sort of music player out of that animation, allowing the user to add a downloaded copy of their playlist into the files. imagine - you're sitting at your computer, studying, working or filing your taxes or whatever, and Shizun's on your screen, doing his thing, providing background music for whatever it is you're doing. cute, no? but this feels like the sort of thing that might get annoying or make your computer turn into a jet engine from overworking. so, for now this is staying a concept. the animation will be present, that much i guarantee but all that other stuff might not show up

OKAY, SO. as you might have noticed i have three designs. i sorta changed them since i made the first post about this, because as it turns out my computer screen doesn't actually display bright colours all that well. might have to fiddle with the settings on it more. anyway this time i coloured looking at my tablet screen so they should be more accurate to what i wanted. i decided that my previous design didn't look like mint chocolate chip ice cream enough <3

so, i'd like you guys to tell me which design is your favourite! i have mixed feelings about design no. 3 because, while pretty, it's kinda too detailed. i just know i'd get sick of redrawing it so i might simplify it further for the finished product

here's the designs!

*slight correction: the eye colour is not final! i left the sketch in on those parts and forgot to actually draw the finished design for the eyes. i don't have the time to correct that at the moment, however. sorry! for a closer look at how the eyes might look like, see previous design

[solanumflare]

I am 5 seconds from writing an essay on why till was never actually in love with mizi and he in fact just idolizes her but wasn't able to really tell the difference between those things because every show of love he grew up seeing (mizi and sua, and how ivan acted towards till) was somewhere between romantic feelings and worship so obviously he'd take one look at his own feelings of "I like mizi for all these reasons and think she's great and I want to be near her" and think yes this is romantic attraction. of course. naturally

yeah this is me projecting onto till but also it makes SENSE. like this fucker grew up around mizi literally calling sua her god. why do we think he's going to understand the difference between idolization and worship and actually being in love with someone. he grew up with ivan chasing him and only having eyes for him. why do we think he's going to understand the difference between wanting to be noticed and actually being in love with someone. mizi experiences her love for sua as sua being her god, the center of her life, absolutely everything, someone who owns her heart and is her whole world. and till probably hears her say this. and he decides that because his life centers on mizi (and wanting validation from her), he must be in love too

the way he is about mizi reminds me soooo much of myself when i was younger. I'd pick a person to latch onto and ignore everyone else and want them to look at me and talk to me and treat them saying my name as the best moment of my life and think that was love (it was actually hyperfixating on people and also I don't have romantic attraction)

its also the. the fuckin. the error no better options line in unknown. till needs someone to latch onto, someone to chase, someone to worship. everything sucks. everything absolutely sucks in his life. he needs someone to cling to and mizi is the person his eyes land on

this is getting into a realm where its going further and further from anything that canon has even ever implied but I don't care. full headcanon mode: aromantic till

grabs you by the shoulders please listen to what I am saying. I promise you it makes sense. I promise I'm not insane. till is some flavor of aromantic and he just has decided to call whatever he feels about mizi love because of a series of misinterpretations when really he just thinks she is pretty and cool and wants to be noticed by her. oblivious little fucker. this guy is the butterfly meme but the guy is till and the butterfly is labeled "thinking mizi is really cool and wanting her to notice me" and the caption says "is this romantic attraction?"

like no it's not. lmao

you have to imagine me standing in front of the tedtalk sign as I'm saying all of this by the way

[drinkabletoxicdishsoap]

Project Sekai x Fairly Odd Parents A New Wish AU? Why yes of course! WARNING: THIS IS SUPER EXTRA LONG!! BE PREPARED TO READ FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES 😭😭😭

Hazel- Hazel was one I struggled with! She’s either Saki or Emu. Emu’s story is that she is the daughter of the owner of Phoenix Wonderland, and grew up watching shows in the park. After seeing Tsukasa fail his audition, she hires him, along with Nene and Rui, to return the dilapidated Wonder Stage to its former glory. Emu wants to perform on the small Wonder Stage and keep it alive, as it was her late grandfather's favorite stage. She was inspired to make others smile by her grandfather, whom she greatly looks up to, though he passed two years before the main story. I feel like this matches Hazel a lot! The passion and wants to make people smile. Saki’s story is that Saki was born with a weak body. Because of this, she was hospitalized throughout middle school. Her older brother, Tsukasa, took care of her during that time. At the beginning of the main story, she has become healthy enough to return to school. Saki is determined to enjoy her youth and experience all the things she couldn't while she was in the hospital. Due to this passion, she sometimes overworks herself and falls sick. Saki and Tsukasa's mother is a piano teacher. I feel like this matches Hazel by wanting to experience her whole youth and how her older brother took care of her. For the songs that match them I’d go with Once Upon A Dream and Stella.

(1 and 2 are Saki, last is Emu)

Dev- He would probably be in Nightcord at 25:00! His story reminds me a lot of Mafuyu’s! If you don’t know it, basically Mafuyu’s mom is a manipulative, overbearing mother who tried to raise Mafuyu into becoming a doctor, stopping her from pursuing her own dream to be a nurse, which caused Mafuyu to suppress her own emotions to please her mother's high expectations (I totally did not copy and paste this shhhhhhhh). Instead of with Mafuyu suppressing her emotions, with Dev, he lets out too many emotions if that makes sense!! Dale would probably really want Dev to follow into the family’s footsteps, ignoring Dev’s dream. (no idea what that is yet, honestly your choice!) The song that I feel like matches him the best is probably BUG.

Jasmine- Jasmine would probably be in More More Jump! I could see her being Minori. Minori is a girl who no matter what, won’t give up on her dream and encourages others to follow theirs! Someone who looks up to others. Minori has a kind heart and tries to be considerate of others. However, she is also clumsy, tends to get panicked easily, and often has trouble keeping her composure. She looks up to many of her friends and classmates and aspires to be like them (totally didn’t copy and paste this either shhh). I feel like this in my opinion, totally matches Jasmine! The song that I feel like matches her best is Angels Clover.

Winn- See with Winn, I was stuck. I know I wanted them to be in Vivid Bad Sqaud or Leo/Need, I just honestly didn’t know who they would be. I don’t know they would be and I’m still a little unsure 😞but I ultimately went with An and Ichika. An’s story is that she is the daughter of the popular former musician Shiraishi Ken, who now owns a popular live cafe & bar called WEEKEND GARAGE, where she sometimes worked. She hopes to one day surpass the legendary event he put on, called RAD WEEKEND. She has been surrounded by music ever since she was young, and began singing partially because she felt a natural connection to it, and partially because she wanted to be like her dad. She has a lot of connections in the street music scene, due to being Ken's daughter. I feel like this just honestly gives Winn vibes? I don’t know how to explain it 💔 For Leo/Need, I gave them Ichika. Although Ichika seems stoic at first glance, she is a quiet, modest, and kind girl who is always thinking about her friends. Adding to her kind nature, and despite her insistence, she is good at complimenting others. According to one of her friends, she doesn't always communicate very well. (I’m now too lazy to copy and paste this but here’s the photo that explains her more.)

I feel like this sort of gives off Winn vibes? Tbh it’s hard to assign characters to Hazel friends since we barely know anything about them and it’s so sad because they’re so silly 😞😞😞 The songs that match them best are probably Pulse of the Metor and Awake Now.

(1st card is Ichika and the 2nd card is An)

For the vocaloids, they could still be you know, be vocaloids, have them as fairies, or they could be Cosmo, Wanda, and Peri! Like Wanda could be Meiko and Luka, Cosmo could be Kaito and Len, and Peri could be Rin and Miku!

Anyways, here’s all of the songs and their lyrics in one video clip (5:21):

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH FOR READING ANOTHER YAP SESSION, IT MEANS SO MUCH <333 I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY/NIGHT

[saline-coelacanth]

Not to rant about this because I've seen plenty of people talk about this countless times but apparently it still needs to be said but leaving "When are you gonna update?" type comments of fics is one of the worst comments you could leave. I don't think I have ever encountered a fic writer who enjoys getting comments like that and it sure as hell isn't gonna make updates come faster, if anything you might just cause the writer to NOT want to work on the fic and make it take longer for them to update.

Like... maybe it's because I am a fic writer, but I genuinely don't understand how people think that the author is going to enjoy seeing a comment that reminds the writer that they haven't updated a fic in a while instead of, you know, commenting about the actual story that the author spend their free time writing.

Idk, I'm honestly a bit desensitized to it because I have gotten SO MANY comments over my years of posting fics asking when I'm gonna update or if I plan on finishing a fic. It's to the point where when I get a notification about a comment on certain fics, I immediately go "Oh hey, how much you wanna bet it's a comment asking when I'm gonna update?" and like... 9 times out of 10 it is in fact a comment asking when I'm gonna update. And I know other fic writers hate getting these comments too but for some reason people still do it.

[radio-4-is-static]

25コ目の染色体 | RADWIMPS

忘れてた泣き方 でも 今ここにある何か 目を閉じても零れそうな気がして

I will die for you, and I will live for you I will die for you, there is nothing more that I could really say to you

[officialkaitov8]

I feel like a changed person now

I’ve been watching Demon Slayer since late 2021, but it’s been a while since I’ve been so fixated on it??? Like I finished watching the hashira training arc a little less than a week ago and it just awoke something within me. I rewatched the Mugen training arc but now I’m just starting over so I can watch the entire thing (and cry about the end of Mugen Train for the third time)

[nomorezerocomments]

Blog Introduction

Hello! Welcome to the No More Zero Comments Project! This is a blog dedicated to reducing the amount of fics on ao3 that have no comments at all.

The goal is simple: find fics with no comments, read them, and leave a comment for the author. However, I (this blogs creator) am not in every fandom to ever exist on ao3 so this is not a task I can do alone. That's where you come in!

There are two ways you can do this. One is to go out and find fics with zero comments in your fandoms, and leave a comment. The other is to take a look at the spreadsheet i made with a list of fics i found with no comments and see if there's any fandoms you know. If I did my job right, you should be able to filter it? Who knows, I suck at technology. This spreadsheet will be updated regularly by adding new fics (and removing ones that have now received comments) so there will always be new stuff to see!

So far, the spreadsheet contains mostly fics from @febuwhump collections, as their commentfest is where i got this idea. If you want to submit one of your own zero comment fics for the spreadsheet, you can do so here.

If you read a fic from the spreadsheet and leave a comment on it (or have received a comment on your own fic that is on the spreadsheet), you can let me know here so I can remove it from the spreadsheet (you do not have to do this, I will try to check regularly to see if fics have received comments, but doing it this way will be a HUGE help to me)!

Some preemptive answers to potential FAQs under the cut!

Who runs this blog?

That'd be me, Izak, also known as @lightningzombie! Hi!

Wait, I see one of your fics on the spreadsheet!

Look. I'm not doing this for no reason. Around 14% of my own fics have no comments. In the interest of fairness, I'll only be adding one of my own fics to the spreadsheet at a time. This limit only applies to me as the owner of this blog. Everyone else can have as many as they like on there lol

Do I have to read fics from the spreadsheet?

Nope! It's just a handy tool for if you're looking for something to read, and want to help out an author in need of their first comment. You can go find zero comment fics wherever you usually get fics from

Is there some sort of prize/competition?

Nope! This is just an effort to increase fandom engagement since it fell off post-COVID. You don't have to report to me about it, you just gotta do it!

Why did you decide to do this?

Frustration with the lack of comments on my fics and the death of comment culture in general. Bewilderment when I saw a fic that had 1200 kudos and no comments. The joy that leaving 100 comments and receiving 20+ during the Febuwhump commentfest brought me. Boredom. Many reasons!

Will you do events?

Maybe! If there's enough interest we could do events similar to justleaveacommentfest.

Can I submit other peoples fics for the spreadsheet?

I mean, yeah, of course. But like, if you're going to the trouble of submitting someone else's fic, why not just leave a comment on it?

(edit: if you want to add a bunch of stuff from your fandoms that you don't have time to read/have tags you can't read then go for it!)

I don't know how to comment!

Yes, you do. "I like this" is a comment. "How dare you do that to [insert blorbo here]" is a comment. "<3" is a comment. "KAJSDAKSDHJ WHYYYYY????" is a comment. "I am rapidly approaching your location" is a comment. Just be kind!

Will you be doing this for platforms other than ao3?

For now, no. Ao3 is the platform I've used for a decade and the one I understand. However if you comment on fics that aren't on ao3, that's great! The spirit of the project is so give love to authors so do that on whatever platform you see fit

Happy commenting!

[jinxthequeergirl]

The Ol Switcharoo (pt2)

Stan pines x reader /ford pines x reader

Summary: Your family vacation lasted longer than expected. When you return home to Stanford, you realize quickly something wrong.

Warning: NONE

Hey! Just some housekeeping before you read on

☆Thanks for all the love ya'll it means bunches

☆this part is shorter do to me wanting to pace this better, but I hope yall enjoy none the less!

☆a few of ya'll asked to be tagged so I'm starting a tag list if you'd like to be included don't hesitate to ask

☆additionally I did have a Playlist for this specific series and if ya'll would like me to post the songs for it also lemme know

Enjoy!

~~~~~☆~~~~~

"STANLEY HELP!"

Stan felt himself freeze up, his heart race and mind go blank, why couldn't he think? Why couldn't he move?

He watched in horror as his brother floated up backwards through the air into the gaping hole in space and time.

"Do something!"

"What...what do i do!?" He asked meekly, looking around for something to help.he watched as parts of his brother slowly disappeared, and as he reached into his coat pocket and tossed something at him. "Hide my research...CALLL Y/N ANYTHING-"

Stan shielded his eyes as a bright white light filled the room and knocked him back onto the floor. The room was suddenly quiet.

"Ford!?...Ford! Come back!" He wasted no time to get back up and bang on the machine, hoping it would start back up like an old appliance. "Please!"

He raced to the lever a few feet away, desperately pulling and yanking at it, but it didn't budge.

"Stanford!?...Ford!? Are you home yet!?" The small coo of an unfamiliar voice snapped Stan from his nightmare.

"Hello!?" The voice echoed out again. He quickly got up, reaching for his only form of security. A baseball bat.

The voice had gone silent, but he could still hear someone moving he took a long pause, then opened the door swinging his bad.

"FORD WAIT! WAIT, IT'S ME! ITS Y/N!!"

Y/n?

He stopped swinging the bat and stared down at you.

"Call y/n! Anything-"

"Y/n?"

"Yes, it's me, Ford! I haven't been gone that long have i?"

He cleared. "No not at all we have some catching up to do."

You could tell there was something ford...well stan (you'd have to get used to the sudden name change) wanted to tell you while you sat across from him. Like he wanted to give you bad news. But he seemed to be thinking of the right way to put it.

"So..stan...what made you want to change from Ford to stan? Did your family have that much of an impact on you?" You tried to joke to lighten the tension that seemed to linger in the air.

"Well...something like that...listen y/n-"

"Are you OK? You seem...different you seem nervous...more nervous then when I left.." You placed your hand over top of his and offered a reasuring smile.

"I..."

stan didn't know you...he had no right to lie to you. But Ford seemed to trust you and judging from the photo on his desk in the basement, how fondly he seemed to write about you in the journal...the scrapped drawings of you in the garbage you meant a whole lot more to him then stan could understand right now, you must have felt the same way about his brother.

He remembered how worried his brother had been in making sure he understood you were absolutely under no circumstances to not touch the journals or anything pertaining to it again.

"My closest friend y/n and I have been working on this project for months now...I should have listened to her but I didn't...I need you to get rid of this journal she can't be near any of this when she returns."

"Did something happen with the portal?...with that...creature? And what happened to your hands!" You said now, pulling both hands into yours to examine them.

Besides, you already seemed so worried. He couldn't be the one to break the news to you. Not now.

Besides, he had a plan.

Sort of.

So he did what he did best.

Lied.

"Well...uh while you were away, I had a little accident. I had to get surgery...yea surgery, and the accident you know was from the portal...so I said, Forget the whole thing! "

He Tried to say it in a way that would convince even himself.

"Stanford, what do you mean? What happened? Are you just going to give up on everything we worked for?"

"I have to, I just need some time."

Neither of you noticed at first that you were holding hands as you spoke. Stan was the first to notice the closeness. It was the first time in what felt like years that anyone had shown him this kind of affection, let alone the kindness you were demonstrating with your concern.

"I don't know what happened while I was away or when you even had time for something to go wrong or why you would even start working again without me!" He noticed the slight annoyance building up and squeezed your hand.

And you took a breath. "But I understand and I won't pretend to know what happened and if you aren't ready to tell me I can respect that...things got a little rocky between us before I left and I'm really just hoping things can go back to the way they used to be with us. If a longer break and time is what you need... then I am 100% behind your decision."

He felt a wave of relief wash over him at your words. Maybe it wasn't your words but the kind-hearted look in your eyes, or maybe it was the way you still held his hands in yours.

You'd be the first two admit two things about your current situation.

One, Nostalgia was a funny thing. You knew when something was off about your bestfriend, the man infront of you was was a changed man, while his story didn't add up he looked shaken and defeated...after all this was the man you trusted with half your life. And you wouldn't lie, you had clung so desperately to the memories of college and spring through winter, it was that glimmer of hope and a mix of Nostalgia for your good times together that made you believe him.

And two, You always knew better then to trust your heart you and Ford would joke about the idea of following your heart and not your brain, how silly a concept it was that the organ that pumped blood through your body had such a pull on your decision making it made your thought process stop.

Yet here you where.

Following your heart.

"How about a few drinks and I can tell you about my trip?" You offered standing and being the first to break the lock between your hands. "And I can tell you about the plans I have for this place!"

"Plans?"

"Sure! I mean, we aren't doing our science junk anymore, so we need to make money somehow, right?"

You set down two glasses.

"Ok?"

You sat down, you listened to him explain how he had already done a few tours displaying whatever you had already had laying around and how people where eating it up.

"Stanford you've never been one for the gimmicky tricks, you've always cared more about the real deal...WE'VE been about the real deal...why lie to people?"

"Trust me y/n do a tour with me tomorrow try to show the people a real life monster and whatchamacallit and put it up against my made up creature."

You laughed. This wasn't what you had expected Stanford pines to spend his break away from work doing. It was out of character for him. But refreshing somehow.

Just like that, the seasons changed, and it was spring again

You learned quickly people didn't like the truth.

Real monsters and ghouls seemed to only upset or bother people so you and stan collaborated a way to make attractions that seemed real enough but also gimmicky enough that tourists would eventually laugh at it.

You learned pretty quickly that you were not only a pretty crafty person but an excellent storyteller.

You and Stanford seemed to almost pick up where you left off bonding and cracking jokes. It was like he was more confident than when you left him, more relaxed and full of life. You two fit right back into place with eachother with out missing a beat.

It's exactly what you'd been missing.

Soon, you were renovating half the house to be a showroom and giftshop, and soon after you were selling and wearing t shirts, you began putting up a sign. By the following summer, you were basically an operational business.

The mystery shack felt more like a brain child of you and Stanford and you cared for it like such.

It was something fun.

Something that didn't seem to be running Stanford down like the science stuff did. You could see a genuine smile on his face as he showed some local kid the corni-corn.

It was silly. You couldn't remember the last time you'd done something silly and adventurous.

It felt good.

"Another day another dollar y/n my dear." Stan said, flipping the open sign to close and placing his little red fez cap on top of your head.

"Soon enough, we'll have people from all over the place coming to get a piece of the mystery shack." He said, wrapping his arm around your shoulders, leading you back to the section of the Mystery shack that was still your shared home.

"Yea, we have a real Walt Disney start-up story, don't we stanford." He laughed loudly before suddenly getting serious.

"Listen. I wanted to say thank you for sticking with me through this. It means a lot."

"Of course, stanford." You reached up and planted a small peck on his cheeks. "We've been through everything together. I'm not going to stop now."

You could see stans face flush slightly as you stretched and yawned. "Anyways goodnight stanford."

"Uh yea...goodnight..." You heard him mumble as he touched his cheek where you kissed him.

Things where looking up.

~~~~~☆~~~~~

Tag list!:

@fanficcrow

@slay-thou-pookie

[shousetsubangbang]

Happy Pride from Shousetsu Bang*Bang!

Hi! We're Shousetsu Bang*Bang, the world's longest-running (that we know of) webzine of original smutty queer fiction and art! For the last twenty years, we've been putting out regular issues full of all kinds of queer romance focusing on sexy scenes and happy endings. Every issue is completely free, whether you're reading it on our website or downloading the ebook versions from Smashwords and Itch.io.

This is an all-volunteer endeavor, so we need your help! Want to do your part to help keep this one-of-a-kind (again, as far as we know) project going? Here's how!

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If you're a writer and/or artist who likes creating original steamy queer love stories, we'd love to have your work in our pages. Check out our 2025 Editorial Calendar to see what's coming up, and look at our list of Current and Previous Signups to find out how to participate! (Hint: Turn something in by the deadline! It's so easy!)

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We've got a ton of back issues, so the easiest way to start is to pick an issue title that sounds good and just start reading! Issues are carefully curated, so make sure you read them top to bottom (so to speak).

However, if you've got a hankering for something in particular, www.s2b2search.com has you covered. You can sort contents by issue, author, artist, and special collection, or by Events, Pairings, Main Character, Relationship status, Genre, Attributes, Activities, Creatures, Setting, Animals, Kink, Collection, Tropes, and Story Length -- or just click here to get a random story/artwork!

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With your help and support, we can continue being a source of sexy queer art, stories, and joy for many years to come. Thanks from all the editors, contributors, and readers of Shousetsu Bang*Bang!

[smartkookiee]

Wounds We Never Show // Ch.8 — jjk.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・ ❥pairing: Jungkook x Reader (she/her, afab) ❥genre/rating: 18+ explicit content, enemies to lovers, enemies to friends to lovers, enemies with benefits ❥chapter warnings/tags: flashback stuff, cute college JK, he's very charming, college y/n (she's chilled out), y/n gets a little hurt in this chapter (nothing major I swear, bothering Yoongi (my favorite thing to do in this fic), Vic has some legitimate advice, some more classic y/n and Jk back and forth, tae being a menace and meddling, swearing, fighting, angst, misunderstandings, y/n jumping to conclusions (again) heavy sigh, we are back in the god damn house (face palm), you will understand this once you finish the chapter but - JUST TRUST THE PROCESS I PROMISE I WILL FIX THIS ❥word-count: 7.3k ❥Series Masterlist Previous Chapter ||❥|| Next chapter ❥Playlist fic is cross posted to ao3 send an ask or comment on post to be added to the taglist! a/n: this chapter is mostly edited, if there are any mistakes pretend you didn't see them .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・

Five Years Ago

"Okay, how did that sound?"

You let out a breath, setting your notecards down on the table. Your brain was fried from running through your section of the presentation for what felt like the hundredth time. Across from you, Jungkook leaned back in his chair, absently spinning a pen between his fingers. His eyes, slightly glazed over, snapped back to you when he realized you were waiting for an answer.

"It was good," He said with a nod.

You narrowed your eyes at him. "I don’t believe you."

Jungkook cracked a sheepish grin and ran a hand through his already-messy hair, "Okay, fine. I barely listened," He admitted, letting out an exaggerated groan as he slumped forward, resting his forehead against the table for dramatic effect. "But! It wasn’t because it was bad. My brain just isn’t functioning anymore."

You sighed in relief, sinking back into your chair. "Thank god. I felt like I was just spewing out random words."

“Maybe we need a break. I need food or something.” Jungkook ran his hand through his hair. Standing up front he looked around the room like the answer was written on the wall or something.

"I have a power bar." You reached into your bag, rummaging through the mess of notes and pens until you pulled out. Tossing it on the table in Jungkook's direction.

Jungkook barely hesitated before tearing it open. He took a bite, chewing thoughtfully, "Or we could just call it a night. No offense, but I think we’re both way too dead to get anything productive done."

"None taken," You said immediately, already shoving your things into your bag. You didn’t need to be told twice. This project had drained the last bit of life out of you, and if Jungkook was giving you an excuse to stop, you were taking it.

Jungkook also begins to pack his things up, “You have any plans?” 

You paused mid-zip, looking up briefly before going back to shoving things into your bag. “Other than crawling into my bed and dying? No.”

“Wanna hang out?”

You froze. “Uh… really?”

Jungkook shrugged like it was the most normal thing in the world. “Yeah. Why not?” He grinned. “We’re sort of friends now, right?”

“Well, me telling you about my shitty ex who happens to be your shitty friend doesn’t really count as  friendship.” You fiddle with the end of your sleeves on your jacket.

“Ex-friend and we should hang out and we can become actual friends. We can go to the student union and just get some food or whatever,” He offered so casually it actually threw you off. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever hung out in the student union other than to get some books or a new ID card.” 

Before you can get in another word, Jungkook threw his backpack over his shoulder. Then without a second thought scooped up yours as well. Leaving the meeting room, you following close in toe trying to grab your backpack back. 

“Hey!” You rushed after him, reaching to claw your bag back. “Give that back!”

“Just follow my lead. It’ll be fun.”

“I was told to never go places with strangers.”

“Well, good thing I won’t be a stranger by the end of the night.” He looked back at you, grinning cheekily.

You narrowed your eyes. “I don’t trust that.”

“Just trust me,” He corrected, his tone teasing.

You exhaled, eyeing your poor backpack that he held hostage. You had a sneaking suspicion he wasn’t going to give it back without a fight. “…Fine.” 

The student union wasn’t far, and the walk there was surprisingly nice. The tension of schoolwork melted away as you made casual conversation, Jungkook making dumb jokes that you tried very hard not to laugh at. You were slowly starting to get a real sense of his personality; the one you’d spent the last month and a half trying not to care about.

Unfortunately, what you learned was that he was kind of an idiot.

A nice idiot. But still an idiot.

When you arrived, you assumed he’d take you to one of the food places.  Instead, he walked you straight past them, leading you toward a small bowling alley tucked into the corner of the building.

You immediately stopped in your tracks. “Oh no.” Shaking your head taking a few instinctual steps back. 

Jungkook turned back, amused. “Oh yes.” 

“No, Jungkook you don’t understand,” You embarrassingly laugh at the thought, “I’m really really bad.”

“Oh come on. It’ll be fun.” He set down both of your backpacks on the closest available seats. “Plus I can promise you, no one is as bad as my friend Tae.”

Taehyung, who you had no choice in meeting and had a feeling he would be around more often if you explored any friendship with Jungkook. 

“You seriously don’t know what you’re signing up for,” You sigh. 

“Come on.” Jungkook meanders away to find a bowling ball. “Let’s get a ball first and we’ll go from there.” 

“Is there some trick to it?” 

“Sort of, you want one that is decently heavy but not too heavy that you can’t hold it comfortably.” Jungkook picks up a ball and gives it to you, it’s marked with a six. “Try this. Hold it with one hand and see how it feels.” 

You slot your fingers into the holes. Holding the ball in your hand and letting your arm go slack to feel the weight. “Seems a little light.” 

“Alright so now we go up a weight.” Jungkook hands you a ball with a seven marked on it. You trade him for the new one. Testing this one out the same way. “Okay that feels good. Eight might be too heavy.”

“Look, you're already learning!”

“Just get yours.” 

Jungook picks himself a ball and you both go back and he sets up the lane for the two of you. Once it is all good to go, Jungkook goes first. Effortlessly sending his bowling ball down the center of the lane, getting a strike on the first try. 

“Oh you’ve got to be kidding me,” You say with an exaggerated groan. Jungkook seems fully amused by your reaction. “I can’t follow that up.”

“Oh come on. I just know how to bowl! I’m not expecting anything from your first throw.” Jungkook comes over pulling you out of your seat by your wrist. You try to resist but it doesn’t work.

“You promised me a fun time.” You drag your feet under you.

“It will be once you give it a shot!” Jungkook held his arms like he was presenting the bowling lane to you. 

You grab your bowling ball, having absolutely zero clue as to what you were supposed to be doing. “Don’t laugh.” 

“I won’t laugh.”

“Swear.” You look back at him, daggers flying from your eyes. 

“I won’t! Just go!” Jungkook Just stands back waiting for you to go. 

You suddenly felt like the pressure was really on now. With a swift swing you throw your ball, it goes straight for about one second before veering hard to the right. Wobbling and then falling into the gutter. 

Jungook doesn’t say anything, just steps up behind you as you both watch the ball roll down the gutter. 

“You missed.” 

“I told you I was bad.” 

“You’re not without promise, you just lack technique.” He clapped a hand on your back in what was probably supposed to be encouragement, but it felt more like a pity pat. “And guess what? You get to go again! Get your ball, and I’ll show you.”

Dragging your feet, you retrieved your ball again, sighing dramatically as you returned to the lane. Jungkook, apparently unfazed by your theatrics, stepped behind you and placed his hands firmly on your shoulders, nudging you slightly to the right.

“I don’t think I’m teachable,” You muttered.

“Stop whining. You can do this.”

Jungkook extended his arm straight out in front of both of you. “Okay, listen. You want your throwing hand lined up with where you want the ball to go. Keep your wrist straight all the way through the throw.”

As he stepped away to grab his own ball, you huffed, still unconvinced. “You have a weird way of making friends.”

He shrugged, casually inspecting the weight of his ball. “Feel free to leave whenever you want.”

You scowled, but he ignored it, holding his wrist up for you to see. “Now, like this.” He demonstrated the proper grip, keeping his wrist completely flat and facing toward the lane.

You attempted to mimic him, gripping your ball and focusing on keeping your wrist straight. But the movement felt unnatural, your instincts screaming at you to rotate your wrist at the last second.

“This feels wrong,” You complained, shifting uncomfortably.

Jungkook smirked. “That’s because you’ve been doing it wrong your whole life.”

You shot him a glare, but he only nodded toward the lane, “Try it again. And don’t overthink it.”

You line yourself up like he said. Just keep your wrist straight, it seemed simple enough. So you went again, throwing the ball trying to keep your arm lined up with the center. You knew instantly your wrist twisted a little. This time you were pleasantly surprised to see the ball stay mostly on course, knocking down a single pin. 

Jungkook begins clapping next to you. 

Your mouth falls open and you point down the lane, “Hey! I got one!” 

“You got one!” Jungkook just had an enthusiastic smile at sudden triumph. “Now we can really start competing. Maybe you’ll actually get better than me.” 

“Maybe in like ten years, but I think that’s like the first time I’ve every successfully hit a pin!” 

“By the end of the night you’ll be my star prodigy I swear.” 

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・

Present Day

 You were missing your wallet. 

You had actually been driving yourself crazy not having it. You thought maybe you had to have it at the bowling place the night before. You called them when they opened this morning. Praying that you had left it there. To no avail they said they couldn’t find anything. 

You were pretty disappointed. Not that there was anything special in there but you were going to have to replace your cards and your ID. Which was a whole hassle of its own. 

“I bet you just left it at home.” Vic assured you as you wallowed in self pity, moping around your whole shift. You really were just throwing the biggest pity party even though it wasn’t that serious. 

“I tore the place apart this morning. It’s gone forever,” You moan. Pity radiating from you.

“Y/N all of that shit is replaceable you know?” 

“I know! It’s just annoying because I have to get my ID redone and cancel my cards. It’s a hassle.” 

“Well where did you go last night?” 

“I hung out with some of the girls in the ER. We went bowling, but I already called and they don’t have it.” 

“You hung out… with other nurses. That weren’t me!” Vic starts to sniffle and cover her mouth like she is about to cry. 

“Oh please, you hang out with other coworkers all the time without me.” You shove her chair but she just just ends up spinning in a circle with a laugh. 

“It’s fine. I’m not your favorite anymore… I get it. I can pick a new favorite too.” She scoots her chair, bumping it against yours. “Like Yoongi.” 

On cue Yoongi, rounded the corner hearing his name, his head perked up. “What about me?” 

“I can’t believe you would pick this limp noodle over me,” You say pointing at him like he did something wrong. Yoongi stopped dead in his tracks.

“Limp noodle?” He mutters under his breath. Looking down at his body, suddenly wondering if he did in fact look like a noodle. 

“You’re not a limp noodle, I’m making a point. Run away while you still can.” You say waving for him to escape in some direction, he nods. 

“Gladly.” Yoongi heads down another direction away from the nurse station. 

“No! Yoongi you’re my new work best friend.” Vic calls after him as he leaves a little too quickly. 

“No thanks.” The both of you hear him call back, making you laugh. 

“If anyone's your work best friend it’s Jin.” You spin around in your chair looking to see the reaction you’ll get from Vic. 

“He’s my work nightmare. I’ve never met another man who drives me more insane.” She says as she scrolls through documents. She takes a quick a quick glance at some notes left from the nightmare himself and you can visibly see her rage bubbling under the surface. 

“I should also run away before you explode.” You try to make your escape but she forces your back into your chair. 

“Not so fast. You know we have more work to do.” 

You knew she was right too. It was medication paperwork, usually this kind of thing was pawned off to others but it’s backed up and so now it’s made its way back to the nurses to fill out. Mostly had to do with filling the correct paperwork for medications to be ordered and paid for. It was just tedious but not at all difficult. 

“Fine.” You groan, continuing to work through some of the files on the tablet in front of you. Pouting still thinking about the hassle of having to replace all of your crap. 

“Are you stilling pouting? Come on, it’s going to be fine.” Vic rolling her eyes, her patience wearing thin for you now. “Could maybe one of the girls have picked it up by mistake?” 

You hadn’t really considered it, but it was possible. Except it was more likely that Taehyung or maybe Jimin had accidentally grabbed it. “I haven’t asked, I guess I could see.”

You go to reach for your phone, but Vic stops you again, “Nuh uh! Not till we get more of this done.” 

You let out a defeated sigh, dragging yourself through the remainder of the paperwork alongside her. Only after making a considerable dent in the workload did she relent, waving you off so you could make your call.

Stepping away, you pressed Taehyung’s contact and put the phone to your ear. It rang twice before his familiar, overly dramatic voice burst through the receiver.

“Well, if it isn’t the most beautiful person I know—besides me, of course.”

You couldn’t help the amused smile tugging at your lips. “I’m prettier, and we both know it.”

Taehyung scoffed. “Yeah, right. With my jawline? People literally fall to their knees.” His unwavering confidence was truly something to behold.

“Hmm, last I checked, it never worked on me.”

“That’s because you’re way too good for me,” He conceded, without missing a beat. “So, what can I do for you?”

You chewed your lip, hesitant. “You didn’t happen to take my wallet last night by accident, did you?”

He hummed in thought, dragging out the suspense just to mess with you. “Sorry, no. You lost it?”

“I guess so. I was so sure I had it when we left last night.” You frowned, thinking back. “Maybe Jimin grabbed it?”

“No, he wouldn’t have taken it. I’m also pretty sure I saw you grab it. Have you asked Jungkook?”

Your stomach twisted at the mention of his name. “Uh… no.”

“Didn’t he drive you home?”

You hesitated, suddenly regretting this entire conversation. “I mean… yeah.”

“You should check if maybe you left it in his car.”

You sighed, “I don’t really have a way to do that. Can you ask him?”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t have Jungkook’s number.”

A pause. “Really?”

You huffed. “Yeah? We haven’t exactly been on great terms for several years if you haven’t noticed.”

“Ah, right.” He dragged the word. “Well, I can give it to you if you want.”

You shook your head, even though he couldn’t see you. “I think it’s better if you ask. No need to add another avenue for us to kill each other.”

Taehyung chuckled. “Alright, if you say so. But what do I get in return?”

“My love and devotion,” You offered dryly.

“Ugh, you say that, but I know you’re messing with me.” You could hear the pout through the phone.

You grinned. “Goodbye, Taehyung. Let me know.”

The moment you hung up, Taehyung wasted zero time before ringing Jungkook. He knew Jungkook would pick up. And Jungkook, confused by the unexpected call, answered cautiously.

“What?” Jungkook said, his tone lace with suspicion.

“Good morning!” Taehyung sang through the phone.

Jungkook frowned, glancing at the time. “It’s 1 PM.”

“Fine, if we’re being technical, good afternoon.”

Jungkook sighed. “What’s up, dude?”

“You wouldn’t happen to have Y/N’s wallet, would you?”

Jungkook blinked. “Uh… no? Why? Did Y/N say I took it or something?”

“Not at all,” Taehyung assured him. “Just lost it and asked me to check with you since, you know, you drove her home.”

Jungkook frowned, leaning back in his chair. “I guess it could have fallen out in the seat.”

“Oh, imagine this,” Taehyung started, voice brimming with amusement. “You find Y/N’s wallet. You take it back to her. She looks at you with big, adoring eyes and says, ‘Oh my goodness, Jungkook, you saved the day!’ And then you say, ‘I know, baby.’ Then she says, ‘Let’s make out!’ And then—”

Jungkook cut him off with a deadpan, “You’re gross.”

“It’s romantic.”

“It’s never gonna happen.”

“Yeah…” Taehyung dragged the word out knowingly. “Never gonna happen… again.”

Jungkook pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t you have something better to do?”

“No.” Taehyung’s grin was audible through the phone.

Jungkook exhaled sharply. “I’ll check in a bit. I have to go to my office later anyway.”

“Oh, perfect.” Taehyung sounded entirely too pleased. “I’ll text you Y/N’s number so you can let her know you have it. Or don’t. Your call.”

Jungkook’s brow furrowed. “Wait, how did you know I didn’t have Y/N’s number?”

“Call it a hunch.” Taehyung’s voice was smug. “You two don’t exactly get along these days, so I figured you wouldn’t have it.”

“…True.”

“Just let her know soon, she seemed pretty stressed about it.”

With that Taehyung hung up. Jungkook was left  dumbfounded by the exchange. He wondered for a moment, maybe it had fallen out? So he slipped out of his apartment and headed on down to the garage. Once making it to his car, it was right there. You must have dropped it and didn’t realize. 

Jungkook picked it up, there was nothing particular about it. He made his way back up to his place. Pulling out his phone, Taehyung had already sent your number. 

Meanwhile, you were slumped on a bench during your lunch break, barely noticing the sound of your coworkers chatting in the background. Your mind kept drifting back to your wallet; the one that had slipped from your pocket, the one you hadn’t even realized was gone until you reached into your bag to grab your phone. It wasn’t like it was the end of the world, but still, you felt this nagging irritation.

Right at that moment, you phone buzzed next to you. Checking to see you had a message from an unknown number.

unknown: I have your wallet

The text was followed by a photo of your  wallet on a countertop. You could only assume this was Jungkook, and Taehyung had given him your number. 

unknown: I’m holding it hostage

: Keep it, it has your boy cooties on it now. 

unknown: You’re tell me

unknown: It has your demonic energy attached to it. I need it out of my life immediately before it give me bad luck

:Uh huh, can you just bring it back to me Jungkook?

In the moment you were waiting for him to respond, you decided on a fitting contact name.

TheWorstEver: I have to go to my office today to grab something. I can bring it by later.

:I’ll be home at 6 so anytime after that

You also sent your apartment details so he knew where he was going. Jungkook didn’t respond from there, thank god. It must have slipped from your pocket when you got in the car or something and you hadn’t even noticed. 

Unfortunately this means you have to thank Jungkook. Ew. 

You were still chewing over the situation when Vic walked over, her presence a sudden shift in your mood. She sat down next to you, her eyes narrowing as she took in the look on your face, “What’s with that face? Any luck?” 

You blinked, realizing you had been making a face. You quickly wiped it off and gave her a half-hearted smile. “Uh, yes… actually.”

“That’s great! Where was it?” she asked, her voice a little too cheerful for your liking.

You hesitated for a moment, your mind working overtime, trying to figure out how to explain this. After a beat, you mumbled, “Jungkook had it…”

“What?” She raises an eyebrow, she did not understand you. 

You had intentionally omitted the information about Jungkook being there last night because you really didn’t want to hear Vic’s teasing today. “...Jungkook had it.” 

She blinks at you like she was trying to register what you said, “What? How?” 

You sighed and rubbed your temples, annoyed at how complicated this felt for no reason. “I may have forgotten to mention that we ran into him and some other guys I know… we hung out.”

Her eyebrow arched. “Hung out? What does that mean?”

“I don’t know,” you muttered, looking at the table, hoping she wouldn’t press for more details. “It wasn’t planned. We just happened to be at the same bowling alley, in lanes right next to each other. Then I didn’t have a ride home, so... because I crushingly defeated him, he drove me home. It fell out in his car.”

Vic stared at you, unblinking, and you could practically hear the gears turning in her head. Finally, she broke the silence with a loud laugh. “Wait, wait, wait. You’re telling me nothing happened? After all the tension between the two of you recently? Are you seriously telling me you didn’t go home with him again?”

“No, Vic,” you said firmly, but there was a certain tightness in your chest that betrayed your words. “We just hung out.”

“Armageddon didn’t fall upon the world?” She teased. You bump her shoulder rolling your eyes. 

You shot her a dry look, but couldn’t stop yourself from smiling a little. “No. Everything’s fine.”

She hummed, clearly not buying it. “Damn, that’s boring. What happened to the fiery clash of titans you two used to have?”

You shrugged, feeling something strange twist in your stomach. “I don’t know, he’s… easy to be around lately. We just talk, I guess.”

Her eyes narrowed in confusion. “Really?”

“Yeah?”

“Huh.”

“What?”

“I don’t know, just seems strange.”

“I mean… it is, but what do you mean?”

She tilted her head, like she was carefully choosing her words. “Look, I don’t want to sound like I’m overstepping here. I know I tease you about the hooking up but… you’ve told me stories. This guy has seriously hurt you before, and now, suddenly, he’s easy to be around?”

“But what?” 

She lowers her voice to a whisper now, “He’s being nice… after you slept together? I don’t know, that sets some red flags off for me.” 

You froze, the weight of her words sinking in. You hadn’t let yourself think about it like that, hadn’t considered how easily things could go sideways again. But Vic wasn’t wrong.

“I hadn’t thought about it like that I guess.”��

“I’m just saying be cautious. Make sure he’s not doing this just because the door is open for that to happen again.”

“Okay…. I know…” You pause trying to form your thoughts, “As much as I don’t like Jungkook… he’s not really like that…” 

“I just would hate to see you make nice with him and then he turns into a dick all over again,” Her expression was serious but sympathetic. “He’s still a guy after all.” 

“Right. Well considering it’s never going to happen again, and I have dealt with Jungkook’s bullshit for years. I think it’ll all be okay.” You settle back into your chair and sigh.

“I guess. Just be careful, he’s caused you enough emotional pain… And I know your other friends love him too so they might not see it the same way as me.”  

Not that they knew about what was going on between the two of you, “Yeah that’s true.” 

And you thought that would be the end of it. Vic’s words ate at you a little as the day passed you by. As much as you liked to say you didn’t know Jungkook, you did know him enough. He wouldn’t just be being nice to you to sleep with you again. 

At least, you thought, but maybe he wasn’t the same.

He was the one to suggest sleeping together at the wedding… even if it spawned from something stupid Taehyung said. Jungkook was still the one to offer…

 Maybe he was like that. Maybe you had him all wrong.

You were still mulling it over when you got home later, tossing your bag onto the couch with a sigh. The thoughts lingered, tugging at the edges of your mind as you toed off your shoes, wiggling your sore feet against the hardwood. Before you could get too lost in your head, your phone buzzed in your pocket. A quick glance at the screen told you it was your mom.

With a small smile, you swiped to answer. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi! I haven’t heard from you in a while. Wanted to check in.”

You wandered into the kitchen as you spoke, pulling open the fridge with one hand and balancing your phone between your shoulder and ear. “Just been working, Mom. Nothing crazy these days.” You grabbed a bottle of water and cracked it open, taking a quick sip.

“I know. I just miss you. When are you coming to visit?”

“Hopefully soon. I just need to sit down and plan it out. I have all this time since the wedding now.” You leaned against the counter, absentmindedly peeling at the label on your water bottle.

“Well, pick the days, and I’ll make them work.”

“I’ll have to see. I’ve been learning all this new stuff at work, and I hate to step away while I’m still getting my feet under me.”

“Oh, that’s right, you moved onto a new floor.”

“Yeah, oncology.” You rubbed at the back of your neck, shifting your weight from one foot to the other. It had been a lot to adjust to, but you were getting there.

“How are the doctors? Everyone being nice?”

“So far, I actually really like the doctors I’m working with right now. Dr. Kim is incredibly talented. I’ve been learning a lot.”

“Is he cute?”

You nearly choked on your water, coughing as you straightened up. “Mom.”

“What? You never tell me what’s going on in your love life, so I have to get something out of you.”

“He’s fine. I don’t think I could ever date him,” you said, rolling your eyes and picking at a speck on the counter. “Nor do I want to. I don’t like dating coworkers.”

“Yeah, but you spend all your time in that hospital or with your friends.”

“Hey, I just went out last night with some of the girls I work with. We even ran into some other guys I know.” You wandered back toward the living room, plopping onto the couch and tucking your legs under you.

“Like who?”

“Like Taehyung. You met him last time you were here.”

“Ah yes, the one who flirted with me the whole time.”

You groaned, flopping back against the cushions. “Yeah, that one. And some others.”

“Like who?”

“Do I have to spell out every detail?”

“Yes! I haven’t seen you in months. I want to hear everything.”

You exhaled a laugh, shaking your head. “Well, he has this friend Jimin. And Jungkook.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Jungkook? Like the boy who terrorizes you? That Jungkook?”

“Yes, the very same.” You stretched your legs out, letting your head rest against the armrest.

“He didn’t give you a hard time?” You could hear the defensiveness in her voice. Jungkook has been a topic between you two many times before. He is not in your moms favor by any means.

“Actually, it was okay. Tense, but we didn’t fight or anything.”

“That’s good. I never liked him.”

“You’ve never met him.”

“Yeah, but he’s been awful to you, and I’m your mom, so I have to hate him.”

You snorted. “We’ve actually been getting along lately. Trying to turn over a new leaf or whatever.”

“Interesting.”

You frowned, sitting up. “What? Jungkook and I can get along perfectly fine! I told you about the wedding.”

“Yeah, but you still fought and almost killed each other then.”

“Well, since then, we’ve just been hanging out more. It’s… weird, but we’ve been getting along better.”

“Hmm, I don’t know.” Your mom sounded unconvinced.

“I promise, if he steps one toe out of line, I’ll go back to hating his guts.”

“I just worry. You know that.” You could hear the worry in her tone. It wasn’t unwarranted. 

“I know, but I really think this is okay.” You tried to reassure her.

Before she could say anything else, there was a sharp knock at the door. Speak of the devil. You pushed yourself up, stretching lazily as you made your way toward the entrance. But as you turned the corner, your foot caught on the edge of the coffee table—hard.

Pain exploded up your leg like a bolt of lightning.

“Shit—” You gasped, immediately crumpling onto the floor. The phone was still clutched in your hand as you groaned, one hand gripping your ankle.

“What happened?” your mom’s voice rose with concern.

You squeezed your eyes shut, hissing through your teeth. “I just kicked my leg into my coffee table. Like, really hard. Shit this hurts.”

“No! Did you break it again?”

You forced yourself to take a shaky breath, blinking down at your rapidly reddening ankle. It was already swelling, a dull, pulsing ache spreading through the limb. You flexed your foot experimentally—painful, but still mobile. Not broken. Hopefully.

“No, but god, it hurts. Let me call you back, Mom.”

You didn’t wait for her response before ending the call, tossing your phone onto the floor beside you. Slowly, you tried shifting into a seated position, wincing as pain shot through your leg.

Another knock at the door. Louder this time.

Fuck. Jungkook was still waiting out there. And knowing him, he was about to make fun of you for this.

Biting down on a groan, you braced yourself against the couch and pushed up onto your good leg. You wobbled, testing your weight, but the moment you tried putting pressure on your injured foot, another sharp sting made you suck in a breath.

“Fuck.”

With no other choice, you resorted to hopping. Awkwardly, you maneuvered your way to the door, gripping the handle for support before pulling it open.

Jungkook stood there, hands in his pockets, brow raised. “Took you long enough,” He said, a teasing lilt in his voice.

You leaned casually against the doorframe, as if you weren’t seconds away from toppling over. “Wallet, please.”

Jungkook squinted at you. “No thank you? Taehyung said there’d be a reward upon it’s return.” He pulled your wallet from his pocket, but his eyes flickered down, watching the way you shifted your stance.

“The reward is I don’t tell anyone about your crushing defeat last night.” You snatched the wallet from his hands, flipping it open for dramatic effect.

Jungkook huffed a laugh. “What?”

“Gotta make sure everything is accounted for.”

“Okay.” Jungkook rolled his eyes. At that moment you lost your balance. Bumping awkwardly against your door and having to hop on your leg to catch your balance. Jungkook gives you a weird look. 

“You know your face will get stuck like that if you hold it for too long.” You point at him and he doesn't drop his expression. 

“What’s wrong with you?” Jungkook tilts his head, arching a brow.

“Nothing’s wrong with me.” 

“You’re hoping on one leg.” 

“And?” 

“...Why?” 

You sighed. “I, uh… might’ve destroyed my ankle on my coffee table.”

“Oh my god. Are you okay?” He seemed actually concerned, you were literally hoping on one foot. Anyone would be concerned. 

You shake your head, “Why do you care? I’m fine.” 

“Oh yeah? Try to walk,” Jungkook challenged, arms crossing over his chest. Jungkook was trying to call you on your bluff.

Your pride flared up. You open the door slightly so you can show you can in fact stand. “See?” As soon as you put weight onto your other leg the same pain shoots through your leg again. 

In reaction you hop away from the door sucking in a sharp breath. The door didn’t close behind you, Jungkook stepped inside hesitantly. You were leaning against the wall behind the door. Leg up like a limping dog. 

“Yeah you look fine.” Jungkook quips, sarcasm dripping from his tone. He actually got to see your ankle and you had bruised it good. 

“Go ahead, get your laughs in.”  You wave at him, expecting him to laugh.

“I would if your ankle wasn’t huge.” His voice was surprisingly serious, and when you finally looked down, you winced. It did look bad. The swelling had already started, spreading in an angry, blotchy pattern across the side of your foot.

You actually looked at it and yeah this really sucked. Definitely bruised but you were pretty sure it wasn’t broken. You begin to hop your way to your living room, Jungkook following slowly in toe. 

“Y/N are you sure you’re okay? Do you need to go to the hospital or something?” 

Still, you shook your head. “I’m a nurse, Jungkook. I know what I’m doing. It’s just a bad bruise, maybe a sprain.”

He scoffed. “Right, because medical professionals are always great at taking care of themselves.”

You ignored that. Pushing off the wall, you started hopping toward the living room, making your way to the couch. Jungkook followed at an easy pace, watching as you collapsed onto the cushions with a heavy sigh.

“Y/N, are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital?”

“No,” you said firmly. “It’s fine. I don’t need X-rays to tell me it’s not broken.”

Jungkook crouched in front of you, eyeing your ankle like it had personally offended him. Before you could protest, he reached out, fingers brushing against your skin. His touch was surprisingly gentle, but you still flinched when he pressed against the tender area.

He glanced up at you. “Hurts?”

“Obviously,” You muttered. Reaching and smacking his hand away. 

He let out an exasperated sigh. “Where’s your ice pack?”

You blinked. “What?”

“Ice.” He repeated, already standing. “Where is it?”

“You don’t have to—”

Jungkook shot you a look. “You really think I’m just gonna sit here while you let your ankle swell to the size of a grapefruit?”

You sighed, relenting. “Top shelf of the freezer.”

Jungkook stands and disappears into your kitchen. Returning a moment later with the ice pack. You sit long ways on your couch, the swelling wasn’t so bad now that you were looking at it and you could definitely still move it full. Jungkook handed you the ice pack.

“Thanks,” You say, not looking at him.

Jungkook, however, didn’t move. He stood there, arms crossed, watching you like you had just grown a second head.

“What?” You asked, meeting his gaze.

“It’s too weird when you thank me,” He said, shivering exaggeratedly. “Gives me chills.”

You rolled your eyes. “Don’t get used to it.”

His lips twitched, but he didn’t push it. Instead, his gaze flickered to your ankle. “You sure it’s not broken?”

“I broke my ankle a year ago,” you said, adjusting the ice pack. “Plus, I’ve seen a handful of them before. This definitely doesn’t feel or look like that, but it hurts.”

You rub the side of your head. The ice was helping even though you could still feel the throbbing pulse where you hit it.

“I see.” 

“Actually, one more thing,” you say, thinking about it for a moment but deciding you weren’t getting up to get it yourself any time now. “In the bathroom, cupboard under the sink I have an ankle brace if you can get it.” 

Jungkook nods. Then looking around for an obvious place for a bathroom. 

You nodded toward your bedroom door, now closed. “You have to go through my room.”

Jungkook stared at the door, then back at you. “Okay, see, I’ve seen horror movies. This is definitely a trap.”

You groaned. “Just go in there.”

“A swinging ax won’t come down and slice my head off?”

“Jungkook—”

“Your ultimate wish of seeing me dead would finally come true.”

“God, you’re insufferable. Just—please?”

Jungkook’s head snapped toward you so fast you thought he might get whiplash. He pointed at you. “Okay, now you saying please is the scariest part of all of this.”

You shot him a glare before he turned his back on you and went for your bedroom door. Jungkook took your room in for a moment before continuing to your bathroom. He didn’t really know what to expect to see. It was clean and the walls were decorated with pictures and mementos from friends. Small little things that you probably enjoyed here and there.

You watched as he disappeared inside, feeling something strange settle in your chest. It was weird, having him in your space. He had been around you a lot lately, but this was different. This was your home, your room—where things were personal.

He grabbed the brace from where you said it would be and came back out to you, “Here.” 

“I had a feeling I would need to keep this.” You set the brace next to you; it does you no good until you can actually walk on it. 

“You know, it’s kinda hilarious.”

You frowned. “What is?”

“That the mighty Y/N, got taken out by a coffee table.” He smirked, but you weren’t too amused. 

“I may have fallen but I still beat you yesterday.” 

“Barely!” he protested. “Anyways, do you need anything else?” 

That made you laugh under your breath, the tension in the air cut a little. Then a voice popped into your head. What Vic was saying earlier. 

You shake your head, Looking up at him where he was still standing, “No. I’ve got it from here.” 

“Okay… cause seriously if I need to take you to get it checked out I can.” 

“No… I’m good.” You stumble over your words. Jungkook nodded, and he seemed like he was going to leave but then your mouth was moving before your brain could catch up. “Jungkook.” 

He looked back at you, “Yeah?” 

“...Why are you… I mean why have you been so nice to me?” You say quietly. 

Jungkook blinked at you, his expression shifting from confusion to something unreadable. “What do you mean?”

You hesitated for a second, but you had already cracked open Pandora’s box, so there was no taking it back now. You swallowed hard, adjusting the ice pack on your ankle before looking up at him.

“I just mean… you and I… You don’t like me… and I don’t like you.” Your words were slow, deliberate. “And then suddenly, we hook up—twice—and now you’re all… nice. Talking to me and making jokes… it's I don't know…” You gestured vaguely at him. “Why?”

The air went still between you. Jungkook thought, “I–”

“Because if it’s… because we slept together… and if you’re expecting something–”

Jungkook cuts you off, “Excuse me?”

“What?”

“You think I’m only being nice to you now because I’m trying to sleep with you again?” He laughed, but there was no amusement in it.

You raised an eyebrow. “Am I wrong?”

Jungkook’s jaw clenched, and he scoffed, running a hand over his face. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

“I’m sorry?” 

He let out a humorless laugh, running a hand through his hair. “It’s actually insane how fast you jump to conclusions about me.”

You opened your mouth, but he kept going.

“You really think I’m only nice to people when I want something from them?” His voice was rising now, frustration cutting into each syllable. “You really think I’d sit here, get you an ice pack, get you an ankle brace, and offer to take you to the hospital just because I think it’ll get me laid?”

You swallowed hard but forced yourself to keep your tone even. “I don’t know what to think.”

Jungkook let out a sharp breath, hands braced on his hips. Voice quiet almost sad, “You’re always gonna find a reason not to like me, aren’t you?”

His words hit like a slap, knocking the wind out of you. Your jaw tightened. “That’s not true.”

Jungkook let out a humorless laugh. “No? Then what do you call this?” He gestured between the two of you. “Because from where I’m standing, it doesn’t matter what I do. I could be an asshole, and you’d hate me for it. I could be nice, and you’d still find some reason to be suspicious.”

“Jungkook that’s not–”

“Not what you meant?” He scoffed. “Not what you were gonna say? What?”

Your hands curled into fists. “Can you blame me? We fight constantly. And then suddenly, it’s ‘how’s it going?’ Like none of that ever happened. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with that.”

“Did it ever cross your mind that I was just being nice because I’m generally a nice person?”

“How was I supposed to believe that when all you have done is be intolerant and rude to me for years!”

Jungkook exhaled sharply. “Because you were an asshole to me! You’d already made up your mind about me a long time ago.” He shook his head.

“That’s not true.”

“It is.” His voice was quieter now, but no less sharp. He took a step back, the tension between you almost suffocating. “I don’t know why I bothered.”

The words stung, more than they should have. You didn’t even know what you wanted him to say, only that you weren’t done fighting.

“You don’t get to act like this is all on me,” you shot back, frustration bleeding into your tone. “Like you haven’t spent the last however many years acting like I was the most annoying person on the planet.”

Jungkook’s brows furrowed. “You were.”

You blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You were annoying,” he repeated, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “But so was I. And somehow, we ended up here anyway.”

Silence stretched. You hated how easily he could say things like that—like it was simple, like it wasn’t a tangled mess of emotions you weren’t ready to unravel.

Jungkook inhaled deeply, his voice quieter when he spoke again. “I don’t know what you want from me, Y/N. But I’m not gonna stand here and try to prove something to you when you’re dead set on believing the worst of me.”

You swallowed hard, but you had no response.

He steadied his voice, choosing his words deliberately. His tone, sad again, “I could be as nice as possible but you’re always going to see me one way. So I won’t do it anymore. Just in case you get the wrong idea. So have a nice life or whatever.”

Jungkook studied you for a second longer, something unreadable passing through his expression. Then, with a small shake of his head, he turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.

You couldn’t say anything… You had nothing you could come back with. 

All you could think about was the insane pit of guilt in your stomach.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・

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[xxchumanixx]

May I please request a fic where the reader (who's a famous singer) falls in love with Tim but is reluctant to fully trust and be vulnerable with him due to bad experiences she's had with men in the past? The reader could eventually write and sing a song about her love for Tim which blows up and even wins awards like Grammys too which makes their relationship stronger and she opens up her heart more? 🥺

Be myself

Tim Bradford x fem!reader

Warnings/Tags: fluff, a bit of angst, mentions of physical abuse / hitting (please look for help if you're in an abusive relationship! Being abused is not normal and it shouldn't be simply endured and viewed as it) Word count: 2.421 Authors note: I don't know if I used the gif before (probably did), but it just fits perfectly. I know you linked Whats love got to do with it by our legend Tina, but I kinda didn't vibe with it. I hope you'll still like it, though (if it was even meant for reference to the song the reader writes). I'm in no way a songwriter, so I'm not at all sure about that small part i wrote there. I know I posted a sneak peak for something different, but this gave me so much motivation to write so i put it first. Enjoy!

He didn't know how he ended up with you of all people.

Not that he'd complain.

Never.

But a famous singer like you and a cop like him? It had to be fate that brought you together when him and his rookie had been called to deescalate a situation at a concert of yours.

He didn't expect to fall for you - hell, you probably didn't either. It just kinda happened after you gave him your number before him and his rookie left.

It had been meant more like a joke - yet he hadn't been able to get you out of his head and neither did you. So he texted you.

Three weeks later you went on your first date.

You had been cautious, bad experiences with previous boyfriends and dates branding you more than you'd have liked to admit.

And so you didn't.

The date went great, leading to another one shortly after.

Tim swore you were playing some magic trick on him. The speed in which he fell for you was shocking. In a few weeks you had him wrapped around your finger.

It didn't take long for him to admit his feelings to you, saying he'd understand if you weren't ready for anything yet, and as he rambled on, you'd cut him off with a kiss.

Because you were indeed ready.

At least that's what you thought.

Not that you didn't have feelings for him - you had, and they were strong. You just had trouble letting yourself be too open, too vulnerable.

To trust easily.

Though, right from the start, you knew he was different. He was interested in your career, yes, but in a way that didn't profit him or made him want to brag about his girlfriend being famous.

Or try and hit you if you didn't spend all your money on him. It had happened once, leaving a mark on your soul you had trouble getting rid of. Getting rid of the douchebag wasn't exactly easy, either.

But that was another thing.

No, Tim supported you, took days off to watch your concerts and be there for you. And maybe to have the time of his life with you in your wardrobe backstage.

For a while now, you had been working on a project - a new song that one day came to your mind when you thought about the past few months and your relationship with Tim.

It had almost been a year now, and you started to question whether your cautiousness was misplaced.

Not that you didn't trust him.

You trusted him more than you did any other man you'd been with, it just was like a habit of sorts. Some sort of protection your mind had put up in the beginning.

It wasn't easy to let that guard down.

It was one of the main parts you included in that song. How he made you want to be more open, to trust and give up that control you so desperately held onto.

To love without the constant fear of it all going downhill.

Your producer, Savannah, supported you all the way. You wrote your song, recorded it over and over again until you were a hundred percent convinced that it did Tim justice in a way.

Or rather his love for you. The way he never treated you differently even though you were famous.

Sure, there were times when his face would be plastered along magazine articles alongside yours - especially the beginning hadn't been easy.

Hiding a relationship wasn't easy and it certainly didn't work in this case, either. The first time it happened it had been on Instagram.

Someone had seen you and him together, taking a video and posting it for everyone to see. Once it reached a certain amount of views, it spread like wildfire, and everyone knew.

Tim wasn't very happy about it.

He understood that it was part of your life, but he didn't like it - and that included him - plastered all over the internet.

When you were shopping and hoarded by paparazzi or too many fans and he'd notice you were overwhelmed, he'd play the 'I'm a cop, please stand back' card, effectively getting you out of the situation.

Another thing you loved him for.

He didn't thrive on the constant attention, didn't suck it up like a sponge and used it to his advantage. Not like other men had tried to do before.

So why was it so hard to let go? Why was it so hard to trust, to let yourself be too vulnerable?

When you published the song, Tim had yet to hear it.

Yes, maybe you should have let him listen to it before publishing it, but you were too nervous. Too nervous he'd laugh at you, tell you that you were crazy for writing and publishing that song.

It would have also meant he'd question the origin - why you had such trust issues, had these problems of opening up.

You didn't want to be judged. After all, you still hadn't told him about it.

Only a few days later, you and Tim were driving in his truck home, when suddenly, the radio moderator announced your new song. Tim's gaze snapped to you - normally you'd show him your upcoming projects, talk to him about them.

He didn't know you'd just published a new song.

Your cheeks heated up as he stared at you in confusion before his gaze fixed back on the street. You knew he was listening, picking up on the lyrics.

Another thing you loved about him.

He didn't just hear the songs, he listened to them. Analyzing them, understanding them.

So it was no surprise he did understand this song, too. About a minute into the song he parked in his driveway, killing the engine but leaving the radio on.

You nibbled on your lip nervously, heart beating wildly as you tried to make out his reaction. You couldn't read his thoughts, so you had to rely on his body language.

And when he understood the song was about him, his gaze snapped to yours right as the second chorus hit.

You let me be myself, and I thank you for that.

You ban all the bad thoughts from my head.

No matter how hard I try, I can't find anything bad about you.

And I hope you see me like that, too.

You support me, give me strength,

It is wrong to hold you at arms length.

I love you and I hope you see,

that your're the best thing that's ever happened to me.

You swallowed, not interrupting him as he listened to the rest of the song. This certainly hadn't been how you'd planned this.

Sure, you wanted him to know about the song and all the things it expressed sooner or later, but when you published it, the thought of him hearing it that soon hadn't exactly crossed your mind.

When the song ended and the next came up, he immediately turned the radio off.

He stared at you, shocked, surprised.

In awe.

You bit your lip as his own parted, though nothing came out. His head tilted slightly, thinking.

"Is it true?" was the first thing he asked. "Or is it just... I don't know, a random love song?"

Your eyes widened slightly, and you shook your head. "No, it's not a random love song." you said. "It... It's about you, Tim."

He nodded slightly, still shocked. "What about the- the trust issues you talk about? Or sing, for that matter." he inquired further. "Or the 'keeping at arms length'?"

You swallowed, sighing quietly as you looked away. "It's all true, yes." you admitted quietly. "And I know I should have told you, and I know you're having a lot of questions right now, but... I'm sorry."

Tim leaned forward over the middle console and placed his finger under your chin to lift your head, his blue eyes meeting your Y/E/C ones. "Hey, you have nothing to apologize for." he said, shaking his head slightly. "Yes, it would be nice to know the details behind it, but I understand that you didn't tell me. Or show me the song beforehand, for that matter. It's great, by the way - just like everything else about you."

You blushed, suddenly feeling undeserving of him. He was way too caring and understanding.

"I mean, I assumed some things..." he continued, tilting his head from side to side for a moment. "But I never pushed you to tell me. And I won't now. Neither did you on the subject of Isabel. If you want to tell me, I'm happy to listen, but you don't have to. Just know that I feel incredibly honored and love you."

Tears burned in your eyes, and suddenly, you knew you could trust him with everything. No more keeping him at arms length.

"I love you, too." you breathed out, smiling through the tears. "I just- I don't know." you shook your head in sudden embarrassment. "Ever since I got famous all the men seemed to want the same thing. Fame, my face as their way into Hollywood. To brag about their girlfriend being famous and make themselves look more important. Or try and hit me for not spoiling them like the ungrateful bitch I am." you grimaced, and his eyes widened before they narrowed. "I know you aren't like that, I do. I just couldn't shake this... habit of closing myself off and trying to avoid another one of these situations. I'm sorry, Tim. I know you are better than them. That song is about you and it is supposed to express how I feel about you."

Tim smiled, cupping your face with his hands. "You're so much more than your career, Y/N." he told you, wiping the tears away with his thumbs. "You're a caring, beautiful and brilliant woman. You're far more than I deserve yet I'm too selfish to ever let you go. I love you more than you can imagine, and I want you to know that I'd never try to get any fame or benefits or whatever from you or your career. Let alone lay a hand on you. I love you too much to risk us - not that I'd need your fame or money. I'm a cop and I love being a cop. My girlfriend just happens to be an amazing singer."

You laughed quietly, blushing more. His words spread a warmth through you like no one else ever did. "You're flattering me." you mumbled sheepishly. He cocked a brow. "I'm not." he said. "You are an amazing singer. You're amazing in general, all over."

You laughed once more, a smile on your lips. "You're way too good for me, Tim Bradford." you said. "I'm the one not deserving you."

He huffed, tilting his head from side to side again. "Debatable." he said. He leaned closer, capturing your lips in a sweet and gentle kiss. "Come on, let's head inside." he mumbled against them. "I want to celebrate this song."

It had been about two weeks until your song seemed to have gained massive popularity, and when the letter landed in the mail weeks later, you screamed.

Tim had rushed into the kitchen, gun drawn as he tried to find out what happened. When he saw you with the letter in hand, pressing a hand to your mouth, he lowered the gun, stepping beside you.

One look at the letter and his lips parted.

You looked up in your excitement, almost headbutting him where he was looking over your shoulder. "Tim-" you breathed out, cutting yourself off with another squeal. He grimaced at the high sound, though laughing as he moved to hug you from behind.

"Baby, that's amazing." he breathed out. "I'm so proud of you." You bit your cheek, heart pounding wildly. "I- I mean, I haven't won anything yet." you said, fingers trembling as they held the letter. "But..." "But you're nominated." Tim finished for you. "That's more than most can wish for. This is amazing, Y/N. God, I'm so proud of you."

You smiled widely, clutching the letter to your chest. You giggled and jumped up and down in his arms, pressing a hand to your lips. Tim laughed quietly, holding tighter onto you, his nose brushing the shell of your ear. In the last few weeks you'd grown even closer, and it all felt more right than ever.

"Told you you're amazing."

Nervous wasn't word enough to describe your current state.

The Grammys.

The fucking Grammys.

Never would you have thought this would happen. Who would have thought you'd make it this far?

Fidgeting with your small clutch nervously, you took a deep, trembling breath. Tim grabbed your hand, intertwining your fingers and giving them a reassuring squeeze. You'll be okay.

The wait had been torture.

Waiting for the day to come, waiting for the announcements. It was like a dream come true, yet the wait left you on edge.

You'd been nominated for single of the year. Your song about Tim Be Myself had literally exploded, landing you a spot at the Grammys.

You inhaled shakily as the nominees were announced before the moderator opened an envelope. She drew it out, making the anticipation rise higher and higher until your heart suddenly slammed to a stop.

"Best single of the year goes to... Be Myself!" Your lips parted, not believing what just happened. Tim cheered, the crowd applauded, and you got up on shaky legs.

You couldn't believe it.

This was more than you could have ever wished for, and as Tim pressed a kiss to your cheek, giving you the biggest, most proudest smile you'd ever seen on him before he ushered you to the stage, you knew it.

You knew he was the one.

He was the one that treated you right. The one that loved you unconditionally.

And you'd be forever grateful for that.

Tag List

@laheysfilm @newobsessionweekly @augustvandyne @RookieTrek @dhundhchrih @nachofriess @dtftheavengers @wonderland2425 @skywalker0809 @freyathehuntress @caplanbuckybarnes @sacredwarrior88

[joffyworld]

Happy Joffy Day!

Today marks a day of tremendous change here at JoffyWorld! To start, it's my birthday! I am officially 21, which is apparently a milestone to most people? Weird!

As a celebration, I've got a few things lined up for you all! First and foremost, I will be launching 4, that's right 4, new blogs each with a distinct theme or purpose! I also have what I have coined a "Wall of Mutual Appreciation" which you'll see later in the day, as well as a competition to announce with (albeit sort of small) cash prizes!

So, read on if you're interested!

The New Blogs:

@joffykingdom

This blog exists specifically to house my personal writing! This is where my poems and anthologies (other than my COTL au, more on that later) will be kept from now on! I've realised my poetry has always kind of gotten buried under stuff. Hopefully, this will remedy that! So, if you like my more personal poems, head on over!

@joffycourt

This is the blog I'm most excited about! This is a group project I've been working on for a while with some friends I hold dear! This blog will be a group-run blog designed to spread joy through reblogs, comments and posts just as I do here on JoffyWorld, but on a grander scale! I've seen, and been told personally by many, just how uplifting and helpful my time here has been, and I want to continue that going forward! So, I've gathered some of my most joyful friends, and we've decided to try and spread it even more together! Joining me there so far as the newest Joffy's of the court will be @loullipopx, @bash-js, @yotomazu and @littleperson404! Hopefully, this will only keep growing in time to help me spread the joy I feel from everyone even further! Only time will tell :D

@joffydungeon

This will become the new home for my NSFW reblogs, the more risqué or deranged posts. Basically, in the most simple way, this will be the 18+ blog from now on. Minors DNI, adults more than welcome!

@cult-of-the-anthology

Finally, this blog will be the home of my COTL au and it's respective series! I have plans to do side-by-side series all based within the same au, all told through alternative storytelling such as poetry, songs and whatnot, the type of stuff you've already possibly seen from my au's Ballad of the Bishops Series so far! If you want to keep up with the au, here's the place to do it!

The Wall of Mutual Appreciation:

My aim with this is to help spread one long list of appreciation for all the friends I've made here so far and help spread them with what audience I've collected so far. Each person I'm mutuals with will have a tagged entry into the wall, with a brief explanation of what I find so riveting about their specific artworks and skills! I thought it'd be a fun way to give back a little, and also possibly promote people a tiny bit! Of course, if you're uncomfortable with being on it and see yourself get tagged, let me know and I'll take your name down immediately, no questions asked! It's supposed to be a nice, fun thing, no negativity involved!

And now, the contest!

The Contest:

I will be hosting a writing contest! Cash prizes will be awarded (preferably through Ko-Fi, although PayPal can also be done) to the top three places at the end of the contest! The prizes are: £15 for 1st place, £10 for 2nd and £5 for 3rd, or their local equivalent in your own currencies!

The prompt will be announced by the 15th, and all formats of writing are welcome! I would, however, encourage everyone to try their hand at poetry! I know it's not a popular medium and other forms are welcome of course, but I'd like personally to see people try their hand at something new (and of course, since I'm the poetry guy in my friend groups lmao). I won't however be awarding "bonus points" for poems versus long-form writing for example, all pieces will be judged fairly!

... And that's all!

Thank you so much for everything you've all given me over my time here. It's not even been a year and we're already approaching 300 friends gathered! It's a wonder every day I wake up and talk to you all or even just see what you've been up to. You're all wonderful and I'm honoured to have gotten to know you.

Thank you, you have my endless loyalty, love and support.

Good luck and take care of yourselves,

The Original Joffy™

[ohnoproblems]

Would you be so kind as to recommend a few power metal albums by trans women? Seeing as Bandcamp Friday is coming up and it would be good to see what sorts of tracks I'm going to have to produce.

there is a hole in the cultural tapestry that the Encouraging Trans Women's Power Metal Concept Albums Metric (ETWPMCAM) seeks to address. my prior investigations haven't come up with much, unfortunately, but there is something out there. allow me to point you towards the artists Alicia Cordisco, Leona Hayward, and Melissa Moore (okay melissa doesn't strictly do power metal but she's cool). if you look at their current and prior bands you'll see a whole lot to dig into (with particular nods towards Judicator and Skelator and with the caveat that Absu is a complicated one because when moore came out as trans, the other member was a shithead about it so she left and took the bulk of musical talent with her).

moore's current band is Sonja, with one album released: Loud Arriver. i'm listening to it right now and lemme tell you: it fucking rips. bandcamp tags suggest she categorizes her stylings as more on the heavy/trad end of metal with a frisson of goth and post-punk. between this and the fact that the album's lyrics do not mention a single named princess, it is sadly exempt from counting towards a positive ETWPMCAM hit. she's still on the hook. but listen to it anyway, it fucking rips.

cordisco and hayward have collaborated quite a bit in several bands spanning several genres (i'm currently savoring the chance to dig into Wraithstorm once i finish listening to all this power metal), but most relevant to the metric are Justicar and the now-defunct Project: Roenwolfe. i'm cranking P:R's Edge of Saturn for the first time as we speak. it's pretty cool. across three albums, they included three parts (one apiece) of an overarching "Saturn Saga", totaling 16:55 of runtime.

if Project: Roenwolfe had continued that pace of inclusion, then in another 3-4 albums they would have reached the 40 minute minimum runtime bound for concept albums as necessitated by the ETWPMCAM. though maybe that strategy would only count if they had then put out some sort of Saturn Saga Compilation that combined all extant and hypothetical tracks into one continuous narrative. much to consider.

justicar's debut album promises to be an adaptational retelling of timothy zahn's trilogy of novels about grand admiral thrawn for the star wars extended universe. this is excellent news for the metric, but it's not out yet - though they do have an EP out about a different timothy zahn novel. i'm listening now. it's killer. adaptations count as concepts for the purposes of the ETWPMCAM imho as long as they're dedicating at least, again, 40 minutes of album runtime towards laying it out.

now leona hayward, she's got a band called Owlbear. i'm listening to it right now, as we speak. it's blowing my tits clean off. i'm looking at the lyrical content and i'm seeing songs about D&D (including the Dark Sun setting), i'm seeing record of lodoss war, i'm seeing fire emblem - there's a broad net here and they're casting it to fill two albums with absolutely rippin' miscellany. if they tighten the lens of focus to a single concept, then we at the ETWPMCAM tabulation office will have ourselves a HIT.

this was just from what i already knew bolstered with several hours' digging on bandcamp and metal archives. doubtless there's more trans women out there in metal - and the louder we are then the more out there in the metal scene and beyond can hear that and realize they can be loud like us!

but for the purposes of the ETWPMCAM - that is, determining if there is a power metal album out there exploring a single cohesive narrative concept for the majority of its runtime (à la Rhapsody of Fire's Emerald Sword Saga, Dragonland's Under the Grey Banner, Galloglass's Legends from Now and Nevermore, Unleash the Archers' Apex & Abyss duology, to give a few examples) which would not have existed without at least one trans woman's dedicated and direct creative input? i have got nothing. we have a long way to go.

anyway, to anyone in a power metal band with already-released concept albums reading this: it's never too late and don't die wondering. would LOVE to retroactively increase the metric.

[wotay27166]

AN ASSORTMENT OF SPARKLECARE FORMER FAN COMICS / AUs / PARODIES

The following are made by people not associated with KC and do not support KC. For each project I've written up a little blurb and put together some images to give an overview of sorts. If you are still into Sparklecare and want something to fill the void, here are projects that stem from it inspiration wise:

RELEASED

Suga Rush by @twinleafsystem

When Sugar Sweets is diagnosed with the chronic illness known as Sweetie Drops, the local hospital involuntarily admits them to Sparklecare Hospital. Unfortunately for Mx Sweets, the titular Sparklecare Hospital has anything but their best interest in mind. But with the help of her new friends, maybe she can escape! You can check it out here

Dovecare by @monsieurcapgras

Working as a nurse at Dovecare hospital, Uvie Hurse wishes to see the best in an otherwise horrible predicament. A shady boss, and troublesome patients - it's all in a day's work. You can check it out here!

Fresh Blood by @kyodentporc

Despite heeding the warnings of Charles Wells, Syco Sid's parents didn't exactly get the memo. Forcing their son to be institutionalized, Syco now must survive the horrors that await him. You can check it out here!

Ask Penpals by @sparklecare-good-au

The misadventures of Saturn Lonli and his pals! Originally the main character of the Sparklecare Good AU, now in his very own world! A heartfelt down-to-earth slice of life teen drama comic where YOU through asks can guide the story! You can check it out here!

Hell Hospital by @hell-hospital-blog

Hot off the heels of an arson attempt, Flayme Wolfe is sent to Bluebird Hospital as punishment for his crimes. The hospital is a front for vile experimentation where the patients are dismembered and have each other grafted onto each other. You can check it out here!

Crackcare by @cartooemcanhis

A redraw of the original Sparklecare comic in the artist's very own art style with a few new silly additions! You can check it out here!

PRE RELEASE / IN DEVELOPMENT

Strawberry Nightmare by @thecrumpler

There isn't much info about it right now, but Strawberry Nightmare is a reinterpretation of Sparklecare using names and characters to tell a completely different story that will prominently focus on Mood! You can check it out here!

Sparklemall by @snowytiger

The characters you know and love from Sparklecare now in an entirely new setting with radically different characterization! Hanging around in the hippest coolest mall in town! You can check it out here

Glittercare by @starrlybearleon

A proposed parody of Sparklecare that asks the question, what if the focus was one of those other hospitals in the same network as Sparklecare? You can check it out here

That's all folks!

These are the ones I know of, if anyone has more to add feel free to do so in reblogs. In the future if there are more that pop up that catch my attention I may make another post.

A reminder that #sperklacera is being used by a lot of people on tumblr for sparklecare adjacent stuff out of the main tag!

I will conclude this post with words from @toynbeck, someone who has been directly affected by the predators KC has associated with, on the most respectful way of going about creating things inspired by Sparklecare without supporting KC or invalidating victims:

[seasidefae]

hellooo. i wanted to celebrate 100 followers somehow (thank you for following this yapper who can't drive!) i've been thinking about the carcar wag!oscar au A LOT. but since i don't have enough time and the creative energy to sort all these thoughts out into one 3k word one-shot right now, here are some more headcanons

welcome to the full throttle universe

edit 2.1.2025: now a (major motion picture!) one-shot series

i aged up oscar a little bit so they have a 4-year age difference. 26-year old oscar piastri, architect extraordinaire, with his passion projects that are mainly education and sports related. he also jumps at any chance to participate in pro bono projects for local charities in australia.

that’s how he met carlos, at a gala in madrid oscar wasn’t even supposed to attend but the company needed someone to proxy, kiss ass and what not, and everyone else was busy. oscar thought carlos was an obnoxious 1-percenter trust fund baby asshole who spilled wine all over him (accidentally), meanwhile carlos is the epitome of that one viral tiktok audio going “blah blah blah proper name place name back story stuff” while oscar is angrily whisper-yelling at him. the cherry on top of it all is when oscar complained about his expensive suit being ruined and carlos went, “i will just buy you a new one.” oscar almost punched him. almost.

oscar hasn’t forgotten about the whole ordeal even a year later when he and carlos met again at wimbledon. again, oscar got tickets from a friend and he was alone. carlos was also alone. unsurprisingly, he doesn’t recognize oscar at first. at that point oscar knows this is the rude guy at the gala but he’s aware that this is carlos sainz jr aka formula 1 driver carlos sainz jr. carlos is friendly and enthusiastic, talking in the general direction of oscar about tactics and carlos alcaraz. oscar blurts out, “i thought you were a golf guy.” that’s when carlos finally turns to him and recognition hits. (the attraction hasn’t changed either) he brought oscar to meet carlos alcaraz after, got his number, and the rest is history.

oscar first started appearing in carlos’ ig stories in the 2024 season. they had a year to really think about whether or not they want to commit. turns out they do. whenever carlos is asked about it, he just says, “oh that’s oscar” and redirects the question when he’s asked for details.

ig stories from carlos:

oscar’s ig is private, as well as all his other socials. he has like 50 followers, just friends and family that have been warned about leaks, so he has no trouble posting carlos.

ig stories from oscar:

has carlos ever slipped? the guy is tight lipped when he wants to. but mention oscar within his vicinity and he’ll have that smile that can’t be helped. people can speculate all they want.

oscar first started showing up to races in australia ‘24 aka 2 weeks after carlos’ surgery aka the race he won. oscar tried to talk him out of racing post-surgery but carlos insisted.

that’s also when the rumors started to really hit. like at first it’s a cute little thing that only 5 people have talked about, and the rest accepted the faceless guy in carlos’ ig stories and post as some rando friend named oscar. probably a childhood friend? his sister’s boyfriend? he’s not even tagged. but after australia, seeing oscar in the garage wearing the red headset, having his lower third be just “Oscar Piastri” when he appears on screen, and greeting Carlos at parc ferme when he won definitely raised some suspicion a lot more. it’s not like they weren’t ready for that. it took countless of meetings with pr people that oscar hated, a decision left fully in oscar’s hands and not carlos’ because carlos understands oscar’s need for privacy. “piñon and him have a lot in common.” going to the australian gp was more out of necessity. (for himself, considering he'll be sick with worry staying at home and wondering if carlos, who was 3-weeks post surgery, would fare okay. he just wants to make sure he's FINE.)

[pipartuuli]

making this the official introductory post for all my future doodles and ramblings about the

Metalocalypse Vikings AU

I don't know how much effort I'll put into this, but musings below the cut! (And don't expect total historic accuracy - it's just for funsies, not a research project.)

All my future posts in this setting will be tagged with #MtlVikingsAU for ease of keeping tabs on them.

my co-conspirator, as always, is @aidoneira 💛

Setting:

Circa 840 c.e. near what will become modern day Göteborg, Sweden. The Viking Age is in full swing in Scandinavia. Seafaring Norsemen have begun to launch raids across Northern Europe and elsewhere.

Skwisgaar:

Skwisgaar is the Jarl (Chieftain) of a sprawling seaside town near modern-day Göteborg, having amassed a large army and in possession of an entire fleet of ships. An incredibly skilled swordsman rumored to be sired by a god, he is a formidable raider and has seen great success pillaging and plundering, folding smaller nearby villages into his own and going abroad for more exotic spoils. While charming, he has a cruel streak and a propensity for violence; success like his does not often come peacefully, and defending that which he and his forefathers built - what the gods have bestowed upon him - is his top priority. Lately, he's taken an interest in taming (or perhaps breaking completely) the wild spirit of his recent captive, Toki. For his thunderous nature and strength, he's earned the epithet "Þórshestr" - Thor's-Horse, or Thunder-Horse.

Toki:

Toki hails from a small village nestled deep in a fjord near what is today Stavanger, Norway. Trained as a strong warrior, he was the only survivor of a raid on his home by Skwisgaar’s army, having been barely subdued, captured, and brought back to Skwisgaar’s domain as a prize. While normally quiet and gentle, the fury with which he's able to fight as a Berserker is frightening. His skills with a blade (his preferred weapon being his seax) are second only to Skwisgaar’s. Some in the village whisper that he may even be more powerful than Jarl Skwisgaar himself... Toki finds companionship in the other captives pressed into Skwisgaar’s service. His speed and ferocity in battle have earned him the epithet "Snæfalk" - Snow-Falcon.

Runke:

Also a Norwegian captive brought to Skwisgaar’s village several years ago, Runke's jobs are many - he's able to carve and read runes, decipher omens, maintain a knowledge of various medicinal herbs and plants, and treat battlefield injuries. While some of these duties are typically seen as women's work - belonging to the class of the siðasveinn or völva - no one can deny his skill. For his wisdom (and beak-like profile), he's often called "Huginn" after Odin's own raven. He's made a begrudging sort of peace with his new lot in life and accepts his fate, even developing a soft spot for Toki who has become like a(n annoying) younger brother.

Týr:

A local of Skwisgaar’s village, Týr is a career soldier and Skwisgaar’s long-time guard and combat tutor - and the closest thing Skwisgaar has to an earthly father. In his younger years, Týr spent time going a-viking with his fellow warriors, but in recent times, he's been enjoying a slower state of semi-retirement, woodworking instead of sparring. He taught Skwisgaar everything he knows about wielding a blade. Despite his acuity with a sword, he is a kind and fair man, and has done his best to impart the same values to Skwisgaar (with limited success...) "Týr" is not his birth name, but a name he's earned after the god of war and justice himself. His birth name has been lost to time.