#<- yeah im tagging it. and you would too.

[wildflowersandvibranium]

Muscle Memory : Chapter One

Pairing: CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS Restaurant Owner Bucky Barnes x Cardiac Surgeon Female Reader Alternate Universe

Series Summary: In a town that never forgets , she thought she could hide the bruises behind a perfect smile and life. But someone from her past sees too much—and remembers everything. sorry its so vague just don't want to give too much away!

Chapter Word Count: 3.1k +

Series Warning: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!! its a big theme in this series so protect yourself if that is triggering for you! Physical and Verbal Abuse to Reader (never from Bucky) , injury , trauma , nothing graphic. Will update accordingly as the story goes on!!!

Chapter One Warnings: mentions of abusive father & abusive fiancé to reader , protective comforting Bucky , mentions of blood , injuries and bruises , mentions of food and drinks , ft: Wanda Maximoff and OC! Tyler (readers fiancé)

If i missed anything let me know!

Author Note: my first series everrrrr im so exciteddd this is my baby and have had the idea for something like this since before i started writing! Next chapter is already written and will be posted soon! if you would like to be tagged let me know!! enjoy bbys 💖

Chapter One Chapter Two posting June 4th!!!

SERIES MASTERLIST 🫶🏼

MAIN MASTERLIST 🌷

The city hadn't changed much since the years she had been gone. 

Not really anyway.

Sure , a few new high-rises had wedged themselves into the skyline like eager newcomers squished together in a family photo , but the old angles were still there , stoic , sharp, familiar. 

Streetlights blinked in the same rhythm she had remembered. 

The sidewalks hadn’t forgotten her footsteps.

 Every block and street corner seemed to hum with memories , as if the pavement itself still carried the echoes of teenage laughter , secret tears , and plans whispered under a sky full of stars.

The hospital loomed tall and pristine in the distance , sterile and gleaming. 

But to her , it didn’t look cold. 

It looked like triumph. 

Like reclamation.

Like she’d pulled herself from the mud and built a cathedral with her own hands. 

It stood on the same hill where she’d once sat with blooming bruises and a heart too shattered for her young age 

Where she would always look up and swear that one day , she’d make it. 

That one day , she’d wear the white coat , sign the charts , hold the scalpel , save the lives.

Now she was Dr. Y/N Y/L/N. Cardiothoracic Surgeon and head of the entire department. 

Not a visitor. Not a student. Not someone passing through.

She had come home.

And yet—

As the moving truck sputtered away down the street , leaving the scent of diesel and the echo of squeaky brakes in its wake , she stood frozen on the front step of the townhouse. 

Her townhouse. The key dug into her palm as she gripped the metal.

. Her stomach was a fist , clenched tight and turning.

“Looks good , huh babe?”  Tyler’s voice broke the moment. 

He slipped up beside her and smashed his lips into her face kissing her cheek ,  too rough , and too hard. 

His arm wrapped around her shoulders like a noose dressed up , and disguised by comfort and his false charm.

“Yeah , it looks great. ” she said meekly.

But her eyes stayed focused on the street instead of the home. 

Tracing the curves of the curbs and gutters she once knew like the back of her hand. 

She could still see the old versions of herself darting past mailboxes and garbage cans , chasing time , chasing escape.

Tyler didn’t notice the catch in her voice when she answered.

Or at least he chose not to.

Inside her jacket pocket , her hand clenched around the metal keyring as the years came crashing back. Trying to ground her spiraling mind. Being back here came like a flood.

The summers. 

The scraped palms. 

The nights hiding from her father’s drunken rages. 

She remembered the feel of bark against her skin as she climbed the backyard oak , the sting of bruises and cuts she didn’t talk about , the muffled arguments that never stayed inside her family's walls. 

Bucky Barnes had been her lifeline—mud on his knees , flashlight in hand , whispering jokes in the dark while she tried not to cry too loud.

Even as a small boy who didn't understand how your dad , who all he knew of parents was nurturing love ; could hurt a girl like you so badly.

 But he would still hold you as you wept on his shoulder wetting his little polo shirt with your tears.

She could still hear his voice telling her they’d leave someday. 

That they’d go far. He would take her away from here and from the pain. That they’d never come back unless it was on their terms. Not forced.

And they actually had.

They left the city and went to the same college in the next state over. 

She’d go on to study hearts. He’d studied business.

They had run. Two kids with a car full of borrowed time and little money they saved.

They had done what they dreamed about.

But even the best dreams crack when reality sets in.

✿══╡°˖✧✿✧˖°╞══✿

Her ring caught the sunlight. 

It was beautiful—flawless. A large round diamond sat on a thick gold band. It was impressive and some would say remarkable. 

She would get stopped by women in grocery store lines saying how they wished they had a man like yours. Or you would get flooded with the “you are one lucky girl” 

You scoffed thinking of that. Lucky.

Tyler had proposed in Paris on a weekend trip just the two of you , he got down on one knee in front of the eiffel tower with a camera crew he’d hired for the moment. 

It was public , polished , perfect. Just like him.

What no one saw was what came after the perfection and cameras. 

No one saw the beating you endured if you looked at the pizza delivery guy a beat too long , or if a barista wrote his number on your coffee cup. 

Tyler would show you with his fists and strength how you weren't good enough or pretty enough. That you're stuck with him because he's the only one who can love someone like you.

People didn't see the way he always apologizes too fast after the beatings , always circling back saying it was your fault. 

He had brainwashed you into staying, believing his words in between slaps and punches.

The way his smile turned mean when he thought no one was watching. How his touch sometimes lingered in ways that weren’t tender or loving.

How she had learned to brace herself every time he raised a hand or tight fist near her at home.

✿══╡°˖✧✿✧˖°╞══✿

That first night back to her hometown , after boxes were half-unpacked and furniture half-placed where it belonged, Tyler unbuttoned his shirt in the kitchen and groaned utterly exhausted

 “Let’s get dinner. I found a spot people swear by around here”

She dropped the last box she carried into the kitchen with a soft thud. 

“Yes please, I'm starving , what were you thinking?” 

“Found this restaurant and pub downtown , called Buck’s. It's really popular ‘round here.”

The name hit like a punch to the ribs.

Her breath hitched.

“Buck’s?” she repeated , too fast.

He didn’t notice.

“Yeah. Local staple or something. Said it got a new owner recently looks good online.” He smirked. “Should be fun.”

She forced a nod , but something inside her had already shifted. 

It was subtle , almost imperceptible , like the first hairline fracture in a porcelain vase that was just about to crack.

   ✿══╡°˖✧✿✧˖°╞══✿

Buck’s looked like something out of a memory she’d tucked away too carefully.

The kind you don’t mean to keep , but never really lose. 

It hit her the second she stepped inside—warm amber lighting spilling across polished dark wood floor and ceilings , the low murmur of conversation and laughter , clinking glasses with the clack of the pool balls being pocketed  , and the faint scratch of a needle on vinyl as some old soul record spun behind the bar.

It smelled like smoked cedar , aged bourbon , and something sweet sizzling from the kitchen , probably a fresh cobbler or pastry.

It had to be Bucky’s place. 

It felt like him. 

It was honest , solid , warm at the edges and stubborn in the bones.

And there , along the back wall , were a large gallery of photos.

Black and white , sepia-toned , some a little faded with time. 

High school football teams , parades , the town's winter festivals , and a massive framed shot of their old neighborhood during a block party.

 She saw it instantly: the two houses side by side , hers painted in peeling blue and white shutters , his in sun-bleached brick with ivy vines crawling up the sides. 

That same crooked and overly worn fence. And that same tree she used to climb when the yelling got too loud.

Her fingers twitched at her sides.

Tyler was talking to the hostess , probably making a show of using his full name. Always networking , always turning charm into currency. 

She kept her eyes low as they followed the hostess to a table near the bar , but her ears strained for a sound she hadn’t heard in a decade.

And it came booming from the kitchen.

The black double doors swung open with a familiar squeak.

A voice called out something to the bartender—gruff , amused , easy.

She didn’t have to look , she knew.

But she did anyway.

And there he was.

Bucky Barnes.

Not seventeen anymore. 

Not that reckless boy with scraped red knuckles and a mop of brown curly hair.

No—this man was grounded. Worn in the way good leather is worn , weathered by life , yes , but built to last. 

He was a true man now. His beard was thick , touched with sun or maybe lightning with stress. His hair was pulled back in a small knot at the nape of his neck. His black T-shirt clung to shoulders broader than she remembered , and his sleeves were rolled high , revealing strong muscles and tanned forearms that moved with a calm purpose.

He looked like he belonged here. 

Like he'd carved this place out of his own heart and life and made something beautiful out of it.

And then , his eyes found hers.

It was like being punched in the throat and kissed in the best way , all at the same time.

A split second of stillness.

No breath. No noise.

Till his mouth moved before his mind betraying him.

“Y/N?”

It left his mouth half-disbelieving , half-hopeful , like maybe saying it would make her real.

She stood by the table as Tyler sat down , heart hammering like it was trying to break right out of her chest. 

“Hi.” she whispered.

He crossed the space between them in seconds. 

His arms went around her without hesitation , and she let him. 

She melted into him like a memory finding its shape again. 

His scent hit her like a freight train of nostalgia. Soap , whiskey , and something smoky she couldn’t name , probably whatever was on the grill currently.

“You’re really here,” he said softly against her ear , his voice hoarse.      “God, it’s been…”

“Too long , I know , I got a job at the hospital so I'm back for good.” she said, and it felt like truth was unburied.

They sat there just–smiling , taking in the other after years of yearning.

Then she remembered. Tyler.

She pulled back , the present slamming into her like a cold wind. 

“Um sorry t-this is Tyler, my fiance, and Ty this is Bucky , he owns the restaurant” she said , her tone shifting as she stepped aside her voice laced with something like shame or guilt.

Tyler stood and offered his hand , perfectly pleasant. 

“It's good to meet you , Bucky. Nice place you’ve got. Y/N used to live around here.”

Bucky’s eyes stayed on her for just a beat too long. As she was looking down at her feet.

Then he looked at Tyler and shook his hand. 

His grip was firm. Controlled. “You can call me James , and yeah. We grew up together next door.”

“Oh okay , James. So are you two like childhood friends?” Tyler said with a question.

Bucky gave a nod , slow and unreadable eyes flicking back to her. “Something like that.”

Then with a nod to Y/N he was gone , retreating to the bar like nothing had happened. 

Like the earthquake of seeing her again , here , hadn’t cracked his foundation wide open.

But when he came back with drinks , his hands were steady.

 He placed the glass in front of her , and as she reached for it with a “Thank you” , her sweater sleeve slipped back.

Just a few inches. Too much.

The bruise on her arm was yellow at the edges , fading and older, but unmistakable.

His eyes flicked down.

He saw it. But said nothing.

Maybe it was from her recent moving , a couch hitting too hard or a box being dropped he tried to convince himself.

But the smile that had been there just a moment ago didn’t quite reach his eyes anymore. 

His jaw clenched. The muscle twitched once.

He turned and walked away , saying something about getting back to work.

He didn’t look back as he walked towards  the kitchen.

✿══╡°˖✧✿✧˖°╞══✿

They finished dinner , but the food tasted like nothing. She was numb.

Tyler kept up a steady stream of chatter , about how impressed he was with the décor and vibe of the place , how his clients would love this place , and how maybe they should come here more often. 

She nodded when it seemed appropriate , murmured agreement when he looked her way for her input , but her mind wasn’t in the room or focused on the food she was now picking at. 

It was back at the bar. 

Back on Bucky’s face. Back on that fraction of a second when the bruise on her arm shifted the entire gravity of the evening.

He had seen it.

Of course he had.

She wondered if he’d known instantly , or if his brain had a moment to mistake it for something else. 

He knew what bruises like that meant. Knew what kind of silence came with them. They had both lived together in that silence once.

And now , he was watching her live in it again.

Tyler reached across the table , fingers lacing with hers.

She didn’t flinch this time but only because she had learned not to. If she flinched or recoiled from his touch in public Tyler got angry and would “give her something to flinch for” at home after words. 

When they paid the bill and Y/N gave a small wave to Bucky as they were leaving , they walked out into the cool night air. 

The sky had dipped into a deep navy , and the streetlights flickered to life in a staggered procession. She wrapped her arms around herself , more for comfort than the cold.

“Not bad,” Tyler said, stretching like a man satisfied with himself. “Good food. Friendly people. Might even beat that French place downtown I saw had better reviews.”

She forced a smile. “Yeah. I-It was nice.”

Her voice stuttered wearily; it didn't sound like hers.

And then , across the street—a familiar voice cut through the night like a firecracker.

“Y/N?! No way!”

She turned instinctively , and a blur of red hair was already coming at her.

“Wanda?” Her voice cracked under the weight of disbelief and joy.

Wanda Maximoff hit her like a hurricane of happiness , throwing her arms around her with a squeal that made a couple people on the sidewalk turn their heads. 

“Oh my God , what are you doing here? Are you back back?!”

“Yeah back for good , I just moved in,” Y/N managed, laughing through the emotion thick in her throat. “Took a position at the hospital.”

Wanda’s eyes widened. “Wait—the cardio position? That’s you? Vision said some hotshot was coming in to lead the department , but he never said it was you!”

Y/N flushed , laughing for real this time. “Hotshot’s a bit of a stretch Wans.” 

“No way, you’re a legend already.” Wanda grabbed both her hands. 

“You have to come to my wedding. We’re doing it here—Buckys letting us use the rooftop. I’ll text you the date!. You better not have plans.”

“I—uh—”

“Please. Everyone’s gonna lose their minds when they see you.”

“I’d love to , of course I'll be there,” Y/N said , surprised to realize she meant it.

Wanda beamed , already pulling out her phone. 

“Perfect. I’ll text you. And , hey! Welcome home, okay? You're really home.”

She gave one last hug and jogged back across the street to her group, disappearing into the night with a smile over her shoulder.

Y/N stood still for a second , stunned by how effortlessly the past had folded itself back around her like a worn-in sweater. The warmth of it. The weight of it. 

Her phone vibrated and she saw the invite from Wanda sent with lots of kissing emojis.

“Small town,” Tyler muttered. “Everyone knows everyone.”

There was a tone in his voice , slight, off—but she didn’t take the bait.

She just smiled quietly , pocketing her phone and hands.

As they walked down the block toward their house , her eyes flicked back—just once.

Inside the restaurant , behind the tall windows glowing golden in the dark , she saw Bucky.

Leaning against the bar still , towel over his shoulder, arms crossed tight. Watching. Not glaring. Not starring.

Just watching her.

His face was still. But his eyes—

His eyes burned.

He had seen the bruise. And he had seen the way she flinched when Tyler lifted his hand , even if it was only to brush away a stray hair on her forehead.

He had seen it. He remembered what that looked like.

He remembered it too well. And this time , he wasn’t seventeen. He wasn’t helpless. He wasn’t leaving.

This time, he had roots here. A life. A place that was his.

And now , she was finally here, too.

-end

CHAPTER TWO POSTING JUNE 4th!!

thank you so much for reading! 🥹

Comments , Reblogs , Likes and Requests are always loved!

(although if you liked this fic please consider reblogging so it can reach a wider audience)

They let me know that you are enjoying what I'm publishing and gives me motivation to write more and more! :33

[muchmossymess]

Ling!!!

[lucabyte]

Psst. What's your process for Comics? I would like to Know (Because your ISAT comics make me a little bit feral and I would like to learn)

Okay so the cop out answer is: i basically wing it every time since im very very new to making comics and my method is still evolving. but that's not helpful and i like to yap so ill talk through My Method anyway

So first of all: Ideas.

All my ISAT shit is like. extremely dialogue heavy & mostly focused on the same like. 3 topics and philosophical concepts over and over lbr. So mostly when it comes to drafting that I'll just let my brain bash the dolls together until i notice either 1. a fucking banger line (this usually becomes a punchline i then work backwards from when writing it out) or 2. that i keep coming back to the same like 'scene' in my mind.

(I'd love to know. how to make this work for like. OCs??? But I haven't quite cracked that one yet sorry)

For the former though what usually happens there is I write things out on my phone (this happened with the bonnie-centric ones a lot?) or i'll leave a voice note for myself. Or, if i'm at my computer it goes straight into notepad, which is where everything goes before i draw it.

so these are just like. Disgustingly strewn about on my desktop. But this is how i type up the comic scripts, which I do before i put the dialogue in csp because csp's text tool sucks ass, but you can see how these end up having Some Semblance of the final formatting? Some more than others. But they don't have much consistency in how i'm tagging the dialogue LOL. (bonus: one of these i never ended up making. because i come back to the same wells SO FREQUENTLY that it gets embarrasing to retread sometimes) Then I just... screenshot the notepad file and paste it into a csp window LOL.

So I've pulled up three comics just because theyre like, recent ones? (Links to all 3 -> x, x, x) And oh yeah immediately they're rather inconsistent. But this is the level of detail i do in my thumbnails. (Hello Golf Ball Loop) MOST of my long ass comics look like the first one though, and all of them follow the same thought process.

I will take the dialogue, and then just draw a panel that i think works with it. Then move onto the next line, and the next. Basically thinking mostly in speech bubble placement rather than anything? But I'll just keep... going downwards until it is done. You can see the speech bubbles tend to include either nothing or the vaguest indicator of what's inside them.

(The third one here is an outlier because iirc I actually had this very visual idea while drawing something else and went to go quickly draw it out so the text actually went right into CSP bc there was so little of it. But it was still panelled really sequentially for what action I know I wanted in each panel.)

Overall this is probably because of my habits from learning animation? I thumbnail as if im storyboarding, if that makes any sense. Or is any different to how people usually do it, anyway.

My friends who actually read comic books have told me off already for my vile leaning-tower-of-pisa bullshit formatting. I understand their criticisms because genuinely what the fuck am I doing half of the time? I like it though lol. It's a reflection of how stream-of-conciousness my workflow tends to be, but fuck if it means the aspect ratios aren't the wooooorst LOLL

Then i resize the thumbnails to be roughly 1920px wide, aspect ratio be damned. And at this point I usually also have to draw a big grid so that i can align the comic and make it not on a weird tilt. The most thought that goes in here is that I try to avoid making panels too samey in layout from line to line, and try to keep vaguely to making panels the same-ish height but a width of the page either in halves or thirds. Making it so they aren't completely inconsistent sizes does a lot for making things not look too sloppy.

My first sketch over the thumbnail usually is neat enough to be The Final Lines because I'm impatient. EXCEPT when i realise its going to get Fucking Complicated at which point i pull out the CSP models and my beloved cubes. Then i take a billion years to pose a consistent scene (and often realise where I need to cheat angles. Like for loop reaching down to sif's face. That doesn't make sense in 3d space so I had to cheat). This is basically par for the course whenever I want to do a scene where there's Any consistency in character positioning and they aren't just Talking Heads.

THEN. After the sketch (which was done with speech bubble placements in mind back at the thumbnail stage) I will finally put in the speech bubbles. This usually means re-sketching them, then putting the text down and doing all the typesetting (VCR mono looks very ugly in CSP a lot of the time so I fuck with the spacing of individual letters a lot) and THEN redrawing the speech bubbles around them properly.

Sometimes I'll fuck myself over here and have to move stuff but ideally, if I weren't working like some kind of fucking barbarian, I'd do the speech bubbles before finalising the lineart. But I don't on account of going straight from thumbnail to final lines. You'd do this during the sketch stage if you were normal.

then it's finally panel border time. And then when I get to this stage I just make like. another few new layers above everything but the text where i just clean up. Everything that I had neglected while drawing. So any extra white lines or places where i just think things look bad and i want to redraw them entirely. I will also sometimes literally make a flattened copy of an entire panel to just move it around slightly. It's a deeply evil part of the workflow and i apologise for it. But also it's the major benefit to drawing in straight black-and-white with no tones. It means i can just overdraw anything that is unclear in the end.

(and reposting again Links to all 3 -> x, x, x for easy comparison if u want it)

ANYWAY for further reading. I know I've already stated these before somewhere on my blog but for ease of access... The major inspirations for how my comics Look are as follows:

1. tumblr user Floralmarsupial's homestuck comics found [HERE]. She did a LOT of straight up black and white comics that are ingrained deep in my brain at this point. These are always in the back of my head.

2. Leo Fox [LINK] regularly gets really strange and esoteric with overlapping panels and unorthodox layout. I stared at these a lot when i was starting to make the first couple ISAT comics even if i'm not going nearly as abstract as him

3. tumblr user the-hydroxian-artblog's comic Hangin' Out [LINK] has GORGEOUS typesetting and their art in general uses a lot of speech bubbles that convey some really funny shit by just resizing the text in funny ways. Gold standard for emotive typesetting and also their lin weight and b/w illustrations are gorgeous.

4. sonic the hedgehog idw keeps me humble and reminds me to make the speech bubbles fucking SMALLER. if im left to my own devices i make speech bubbles and fonts WAY too big so reading a cleanly formatted professional comic book for children reminds me what i should be aiming for in legibility.

anyway hope this helps? the answer really is "fuck it we ball" tho

[shygirl4991]

Chapter 5 Rivals in love

All art belongs to @b-r-i-n-g-x do not repost! Fic prompt from @itsajanea Tags: Angst, Romance, Action Adventure, jealously, love confessions, SMG4 discovers he is bi, fluff, abuse, PTSD, Blood, Abuse mention, eldritch horror Last Chapter Next Chapter

The crew made it back to the showgrounds after cleaning up the mess at inkopolis, the crew chatted with each other as SMG3 kept his distance. He felt sick after everything, the fear in his partner's eyes told Three everything he needed to know. He was an idiot for not believing in Aster, an idiot for pushing them away. He watches the crew chatting, he could already hear what they were saying. 

“God SMG3 is the worst, Aster really deserves a better partner.” Meggy sighs as she turns to SMG4. He nods as he frowns thinking over what happened “Yeah…if I was gay I know I would treat Aster better. Not like SMG3 wasn't pushing us to be a couple.” Three knew that was being said, he could feel the crew glaring at him for screwing everything up. His breathing was getting rapid as the space around him was closing in, he was nothing but a villain. Villains don't deserve love, they deserve to suffer for all the evil they have done in their life. That's right perhaps it would be the best outcome if Aster returned and left him, after all what kind of boyfriend accuses his partner of cheating when they have done nothing to make you think that beside being loving.  Four stops chatting with the crew when he notices Three walking away from them, he walks towards the man hearing his heavy breathing. Four reaches out before pulling back, he looks at the others and realizes they haven't noticed him walking away from them. He bites his lip as he calls out to his other half “SMG3!”  The man stops walking as he turns, Three’s eyes water as his body shakes from the rapid breathing.  Seeing the man he loves this upset made his stomach drop “Lets go get coffee.” he quietly said as he grabbed Three’s hand and dragged him to the cafe. Eggdog bounces over to them hearing the front door open, seeing his father upset he tackles the man cuddling up to him. SMG3 lets out soft giggles as the pup licks him, Four smiles as he takes a seat watching the sweet moment. 

After a while Three seemed to relax as he was petting Eggdog, he took out treats from his pocket and handed it over.  He smiles softly before turning to Four “Thought you wanted coffee?” Four shakes his head as he smiles at Eggdog. “You looked really bad so I thought Eggdog was the medicine you needed.” Eggdog barks as he cuddles up with Three again, the man chuckles as he sadly gives the pup a kiss “Well…I’m pretty sure things are over with Aster. Bet you're happy, you get to be on top again.”  Four frowns hearing the man's comment “Hey dude, of course this doesn't make me happy! You deeply care for Aster and with what they did im sure they care deeply about you too,” Four gets up from the chair and sits next to Three on the floor “Maybe Aster needs space.”  Four smiles at Three making the man blush as he quickly looks away “Didn't need you to cheer me up…baka.” Four chuckles as he leans against Three “Plus if Aster does decide to leave you well they're an idiot,” Four blushes as he plays with his sleeve “after all you're an amazing man with so much talent.” Three looks back at Four, his cheeks still pink, he smiles softly as he grabs Four’s hand. “That's pretty gay.” Four rolled his eyes as he intertwined their fingers, Four let out a shaky breath as he thought on how to help his other half. Three stares at their hands, his heart skips a beat as he feels their connection flow between them. Letting out a sigh he takes out his phone looking at his wallpaper of him and Aster, after a moment of silence Four gets up dragging Three to his feet. “I GOT IT! I have an idea to get Aster to come back, stay at the cafe I will be sure to bring Aster back then get answers!” 

Before Three could reply Four was already out the doors, he looked around to see which of the crew was still around. Tari sits down on a bench frowning, seeing her he runs up to her “Tari! Can you help me with finding Aster, I feel that idiot needs a good talking to.” Tari looks surprised “Oh sure! I have been worried about them, I have never seen them so emotional before.”  Four pauses for a moment thinking over Aster’s reaction, the fear and confusion in their face. He rubs his chin wondering what exactly caused Aster to run away, noticing Tari staring at him Four decides to not overthink things as waves his hand to her. 

  —------------------------------------------------------------

Aster looks around confused “Hello?” They hear the old man chuckle, making Aster’s eyes flicker red for a moment. They walk around the area looking for the old man, they start to walk away before they hear a hum “Where are you going? Hiding behind your fathers orders so you don't have to face the truth?”  Aster growls as they turn around looking around “Alright stop fucking around and show yourself!” The old man sighs, “There is nothing to show, kids these days.” Aster blinks as they slowly touch their head, it slowly clicked that the reason the voice sounded close was due to the fact it was coming from their head. They shake their head “Ha..this whole mess with my darling seems to have messed with me more than i thought.”  

“Oh Aster, I was hoping by the time we talked with each other you would have figured out the truth.” the old man lets out a sigh before Aster feels a strange pull in their chest. “I’m well a millennium star, a star of pure energy unlike the other one.” Aster silently listens before they decide to walk again “Listen, I’m going to need you out of my head old man. I have a mission to do and having you in my head is not helping me.” They decide to ignore the voice as they keep walking down the road, after a while the voice begins to speak again “What story did Ztar feed you?” Aster sighs as they keep walking, the strange pull is felt again causing them to stop walking. “Ztar and I are the last of our kind of star, thanks to the meme guardians that got in the way.”  Millennium laughs hearing the story getting on Aster’s nerves “Listen you asked i answered, what is so funny!” 

Before the voice can answer they hear footsteps approaching them, they turn to the sound to see SMG4 and Tari. They pinch the bridge of their nose slightly, Four steps forward staring them down “Why did you run away?” Aster crossed their arms staring at the man in front of them, they could feel a headache building from the stress of everything. It wasn't enough that they started to feel strange around SMG3, now they had to deal with a strange old man voice in their head along with SMG4. The tug in their chest was stronger, the pull making them feel sick. Tari gently grabs Four’s arm holding him back “Aster we have all been worried with how you ran off, are you hurt?” Aster frowns seeing the gentle look Tari is giving them, they look away thinking over the event “It was…overwhelming, after all my boyfriend almost died then we also had that fight. Hearing his apology was too much, look i'm not a fan of talking about my feelings can we just stop this?”  SMG4 pulls his arms away from Tari as he walks towards Aster “No, do you know how bad Three is taking this. You really think you can just use your good looks and charming smile to make us feel sorry for you?!” Aster glares at Four as they step forward “I’m not asking for a pity party cupcake. What, am I not allowed to have my own feelings?” As the two fight the ground begins to shake causing Tari to panic, she calls out to the two men hoping to catch their attention. 

The floor starts to crack causing Tari to gasp, the ground shakes harder now catching the pair’s attention. They look at each other before turning to Tari “RUN!”  she gasps when the floor breaks swallowing the pair, she reaches out and grabs Four’s hand at the last second. Four turns to see Aster fall to the pit below, taking a deep breath he gives Tari a small smile as he pulls her hand from his.  Tari’s eyes go wide seeing him fall, she screams out to the pair as they descend into the darkness. Four looked around in a panic as he fell looking for anything he could get a hold of, before he could grab onto something a piece of debris hit him. Aster groans sitting up, they wait a moment for their eyes to adjust to the new lighting. As they look around they notice SMG4 passed out next to them, they crawl over to Four checking on him. The old voice sighs as Aster is checking on the man “You're a confused child you know that? If you really were your fathers child you have the perfect chance to get rid of Four, that's one guardian down. Then Three would follow you anywhere just to get his mind off of losing his other half, yet you're taking care of him why?’ Aster finishes checking up on Four, they let out a small sigh of relief before replying to their inner voice “I…that's not how I want to do things.” The voice chuckles at the response, Aster couldn't help but growl hitting the wall, they pause as they slowly feel the wall they hit. 

Aster stares at the wall concerned “Why…does it feel…” they pull out their cellphone to give themself light. Their eyes go wide seeing the walls of the pit with a strange flesh all over, the more they looked around they notice an eye open up looking at them “AH WHAT THE FUCK!?” They grab Four and pull him away as they stare at the eye before it closes again, they hold Four close feeling anxiety growing. Four slowly opens his eyes seeing he was laying on Aster’s lap, he blushes as he quickly sits up scaring Aster “AH! Fuck man dont suddenly do that this place is already freaking me out!” SMG4 looks around confused as to what the man meant, his eyes wide seeing the familiar walls. He felt himself shake before taking a deep breath. “It…spread.” 

Aster gives Four a confused look, before he has a chance to ask further questions Four takes their hand. Aster looks around feeling all the eyes watching the pair “What..is all this? What do you mean it spread?” Four doesn't answer as he focuses on getting out of the pit, he can't bring himself to answer knowing that everything down here was created because of him. Annoyed Aster pulls back causing Four to trip, he falls slamming his face onto the floor. With a groan Four looks up “WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!” Aster crosses their arm “Waiting for answers here cupcake, what is this place?” Four gets up glaring at Aster “We don't have time for stories, this place isn't safe!” 

Aster rolls their eyes at the man's reply, they push Four aside as they walk forward only to pause when they notice something moving. They squint staring at the moving shadow, after a moment of silence they jump hearing Four talk “What? Thought you were the big man walking ahead.” Four smirks as Aster glares at him “I saw something walking around, but since you're such a smartass why don't you walk ahead. After all, I'm sure out of the two of us, I'm the favorite.”  SMG4 lets out a sarcastic laugh “Right, which is why right now you and Three are doing so well as a couple huh?”  As Four takes a step forward Aster trips him, Four catches himself as he turns ready to fight before he sees the dark look Aster is giving him.

“Listen here, I know you have some weird relationship with my boyfriend. But Three is mine understand? Just cause we are fighting doesn't mean you can be smug about it.”  Aster gets close to Four giving him a smile filled with rage it took the man by surprise, Four huffs “HA! What's wrong, the mighty Aster is jealous that I'm closer to Three?”  Aster grabs Four by the straps of his overalls “Listen here smartass i know you're in love with my boyfriend you're not sneaky!” Four’s face goes bright red as he panics at Aster’s words, as the two bicker the shadow slowly creeps closer to them. Four struggles to free himself “What? Me? In love with SMG3? haha you're really funny, I'm not even gay!”  Aster drops Four as they glare at the man “No? Well then you must be pan or bi cause I see the looks you give Three. Or maybe you're too stupid to see that you're in love with the man,I don't care, just know that you're my rival and I won't let you take Three from me.” Four gets up brushing the dirt off his overalls “Alright then Mx knows it all, if you're marking me as your rival, does that mean you actually love Three? Because last time I checked You never told him you do.” 

Aster’s eyes go wide as the elderly voice chuckles “You're getting called out, what will you do young one?” Aster opens his mouth ready to fight back only to notice movement from the side of his eye, he turns looking down the dark tunnel. Noticing the strange way Aster is acting, Four also turns, he squints down the dark tunnel wondering what the person next to him was looking at.  Millennium felt uneasy by the silence of the tunnel “Aster..do you feel that dark energy?” Aster sees movement coming for SMG4, their eyes go wide as they push Four out of the way. Once Four hits the ground a tentacle wraps around Aster, next thing Four knew Aster was getting dragged into the darkness. Four gets up quickly and runs after them “ASTER!” 

Aster digs their fingers into the ground trying to slow down the tentacle “Alright i'm having a shitty couple days SO LET GO!” Their eyes begin to glow red as they use their magic to cut it, once they sliced it a loud roar was heard.  Due to the speed they were being pulled they ended up rolling after being freed, Aster coughs as they stand up  “What was that roar?” They make their move to find Four when they notice their legs felt heavy, they looked down seeing a pool of strange black liquid “What..the fuck?” Millennium starts to panic slightly “Aster don't move, this strange substance is eldritch origin. The more you move the more it eats away your magic!” Aster pauses as they look around nervously, suddenly the room glowed blue catching Aster attention. 

There Four’s eyes glowed blue as he lifts his hands in the air, glowing blue hands begin to manifest behind him. Aster stared in awe before the hands quickly grabbed their waist, Aster looked at them surprised. “Weird..I can feel his warmth.” Aster squeaks when the hands lift them up and pull them to safety, Four smiles seeing Aster safe causing him to lose his focus. Aster gets dropped on the floor, Four gasp running to them to make sure they are okay. Aster picks themself up glaring at Four “Wow thanks for the soft landing.” Four gives them a sheepish smile “Sorry, Three practices solo meme powers more than I do after all I’m busy with my youtube channel.”  Aster sighs getting up they feel their legs shake as they slowly walk “What was that slime ick, stars im going to have to take a month long shower after this.” Four grabs Aster’s arm “Need help walking?” Aster shakes their head as they keep walking with Four staying close, they can feel their magic weak. It made them feel uneasy after all with their magic weak they wouldn't be able to protect themself, another roar was heard causing the pair to stop walking.  Four looks down hearing the roar, guilt beginning to eat him. Aster sighs as they keep walking. “We can figure out what to do with that roar later, we need to move forward before more of those tentacles grab us.”  Four nods as he follows after them, as they walk through the tunnel Four could feel his heart racing as he starts to see parts of Peach’s castle. 

Four steps in front of Aster getting them to stop walking “Yes?” they stare at Four “Listen,  I think i know where the roar is coming from. So I say the plan is we run like hell right to the exit and we never speak of this place again!” Four gives them a thumbs up before he starts to walk, Aster grabs his arm “As much as i love being left in the dark, I was close to dying back there. You know what's going on, so mind sharing cupcake?”  Four pulls his arm away as he looks at the broken pieces of the castle, he gently touches it “We all have a past right? I don't think you need to know about mine.” Aster glares at Four before passing by him, he turns his head opening his mouth before closing it as he follows Aster. The pair smile slightly seeing the light to the outside world, they start running towards it Millennium  starts to scream “SOMETHING IS COMING FOR THE BLUE ONE!” Aster acts quickly grabbing Four, they pull the man back causing Four to fall and hit the ground. There a claw slam into the spot where Four was, Aster purple eyes meeting red ones filled with rage. “Peach…you have gotten worse…” Four feels his guilt eating at him as the creature takes a step back, she sniffs around before glaring at Four. Seeing Four is the target, Aster grabs Four and runs off with him “Peach?! You mean the missing princess is here?!”  She dashes at them slamming down on the castle's piller causing Aster to lose balance, seeing they were falling Aster made sure to cover Four from the shards of rocks and glass flying by them. As they hit the ground Aster let go of Four “Damn it, Four run into the castle quickly!”

Aster touches their cheek and gasps as they look at their hand seeing blood, their eyes go wide as they look at Peach then their hand. “I’m…hurt?” Aster kept staring at their hand before feeling a strange pull, Millennium focuses his energy on Aster forcing them to look at Peach “Your magic can't protect your body anymore thanks to that substance, you need to keep your eyes open..otherwise she will kill you.” Aster shivers at the comment as they watch Peach walk towards them, they get in position ready to fight. The creature growls as she sniffs at their direction, Aster’s eyes glow, getting ready for anything. Peach blinks at him before passing by him “Smell..death…need…living.” Aster turns confused as they sniff themself “Death? Could that stuff I was in cover my scent…shit Four!”

Aster watches Peach movement waiting for an opening before passing her, they look around seeing Four crying in a room. They look around the room seeing a broken computer, they step closer seeing the decoration in the room. Four wipes his tears “I lost my hat…was looking for it then found my old room.” Aster stops walking as they stare at Four “You lived in the castle with Peach? Hm..I see why this place shakes you, whatever happened must have been really bad.” Four turns to Aster with a sad smile before giving them a confused expression when they start to strip off their flannel “HEY WHOA THINK WE MADE IT CLEAR ABOUT THREE BEING MY TYPE!”  Aster rolled their eyes “I'm not hitting on you dumbass, I need you to wea-”  Four sighs walking away from Aster, they groan as they follow Four with their flannel in hand “To think i could let my walls down, honestly what does Three se-” Aster, having enough of the meme guardian throws their flannel around Four “Shut up! That goop I landed on covers your scent, so wear my flannel now unless you want to be the princess dinner!”

Four blushes as he takes the flannel, he feels ashamed for how he is acting. He is supposed to be Three’s friend, doesn't matter if he has feelings for the man after all he missed his chance now Three has someone else. Four puts on their flannel as Aster watches Peach, the very person watching over him trying to make sure they both make it out. All Four has been doing is treating them like he did with Three all those years ago, Four frowns as he steps forward hearing a crunch under his foot. He looks down to see shards of the keyboard that once caused the crew so much trouble, he picks up a shard then walks over to Aster to show them “..I made a bad purchase on a keyboard, all in the name of making a perfect video. I almost got everyone killed…I turned Peach into a monster, that's why I hate it here. It's a reminder of how much of a failure I am.” Aster looks at the shard of the keyboard then at Peach “That was one hell of a purchase, look we all make mistakes. The main thing is you can make things up, your friends still are by your side.” Four lets out a bitter chuckle “Getting all old and wise on me?” Aster gives him a small smile “Please cupcake I'm only being nice so we both dont die here, once we are free you bet your ass i'm going to be showing off Three.”  Four rolls his eyes before jumping hearing Peach roar, the pair peek out seeing Peach sniffing around.  Four gasps seeing his hat in her claws before turning to the castle, Four grabs Aster pulling them away from the hole. “You don't think she works like a dog right?” 

At that moment Peach sprints towards the castle before any of them could react Peach swings her arms around smacking the pair, Four coughs as he slams on the floor. Through blurry vision he quickly looks for Aster,  he slowly crawls towards them only to pause seeing Peach sniffing near him. He shakes as he holds his breath, a rock flys hitting Peach’s head. She turns roaring at Aster “Sorry princess but your dinner is in another castle, but I wouldn't mind being your date!”  Peach charges at them as they throw themself out of the way “Stars that was stupid of me.”  Four gets up running to Aster “WE HAVE A CHANCE LET'S GO!”  Aster gets up running after Four, as the pair run the roaring gets louder as Peach was catching up.  Four grabs  Aster and hides behind a boulder, they stay silent as she sniffs around looking for them. She steps away  as she continues her hunt, Aster sighs “She is too aware that we are here, not to mention she’s fast. If we run she will catch up to us. If we walk there is a chance she could smell you thanks to your hat…damn why did she have to be a smart monster.”  While their flannel hides most of Four's scent, thanks to Peach finding his hat she can get an idea where the man is, Four gently taps Aster shoulder “I can be the bait, she wants me. You go back to the showgrounds and get the others to come back, that way you wont get hurt.” 

Aster looks at Four in shock. “You must be stupid, I'm not leaving you behind.”  Four sighs “If you don't then how will we get out of here?” Aster think’s to themself for a moment before snapping their fingers “Do you have Three’s emergency bombs?” Four’s eyes go wide realizing what Aster is hinting at, he touches his head and frowns “I do but..it's in my hat.” Aster peeks around seeing the hat being held by Peach, Millennium hums for a moment “You know youngster, I think I know how you can get the hat. But it's risky, you could get badly hurt.” Aster looks back at Four who was watching them, before looking back at Peach “Give it to me.” They whisper to themself hoping Four wouldn't pick up that they were talking to themself. 

—-----------------------------------------

Bob sighs seeing Three sadly drinking coffee in his cafe “BRO, YOU CANT LET A BITCH GET YOU DOWN!”  He turns, staring at his close friend, seeing the angry expression on his face brought comfort. It was always nice to know he had a friend who was ready to be mad in his honor, not that he would tell Bob any of that. Eggdog looks at his father concern on the counter, Three smiles softly at the pup before petting him “I caused this shit to happen, but Aster didnt say it was the end….even if i did fuck up.” Three finishes his coffee holding back his tears, Bob squints at him thinking before coming up with an idea. He slides up to Three whispering “Want to rob a bank or scam some losers?” Three smirks liking the idea only to be interrupted by Tari running into the room, she was out of breath covered in dirt. Three and Bob exchange a look before Bob pointed at him “IT WAS HIS IDEA TO SCAM THOSE ORPHANS!”  Three looked shocked at Bob for a moment before Tari started to wave her arms “SMG4 AND ASTER ARE IN DANGER!” Everything around Three slowed down as his red eyes began to glow, he focused his thoughts on his connection. He could feel the meme energy dance around him till he felt the familiar presence “Four is okay…but Aster.”  Tari catches her breath before pointing outside “I can take you both to where it happened.  ” The pair nod as they get ready to leave, Three hands over a glass of water to the gamer before he finishes packing a small backpack of items. 

Tari softly smiles at Three “I’m sure Aster is okay, they're not alone.”  Three nods as waiting for Bob to leave the cafe, once everyone was out he locked the cafe. The crew start to run to the location as Three thinks about the missing pair, Four just wanted to help fix the mess he did, Aster ran away thanks to him being jealous and scared that things felt too perfect. It felt as if his past karma was hitting him, as they ran Three feels pain surge through his body causing him to fall. The group stops as Tari runs up to Three concerned “Are you okay?” Three coughs feeling his body sore, he gets up touching his cheek feeling as someone punched him. Tari frowns checking on him before getting pushed away “I’m fine don't baby me, just hurry and show us where the idiots fell so we can save them!” Tari nods, getting up then pointing down the road “We found Aster over there, then Four and Aster started to fight next thing I knew the ground opened up taking them!”  Three felt the pain surging through his body, it was a clear sign something was wrong with his other half. He ignores the pain to his best ability as he runs with the others to the hole, Mario frowns getting close to Three “Mario doesnt like that…” Three bites his lip thinking on what to do “Well no way we can follow them this way…if we follow the crack there might be a faster and bigger opening for us! But we need to hurry!” Meggy pats Marios back to help him relax, Tari looks at the hole then catches up to Three “What's the plan when we get there?”  Her worried expression reminded Three that without Four the crew essentially didn't have a leader, given he is more of the straight man in the crew it felt as the crew were leaning on to him. 

Three is the king of the internet graveyard. He knew he had to relax himself and show the crew things were going to be okay. “Not sure yet, I just hope they remember what i always tell them.” Three keeps walking as Bob nods along with his words “THAT BOOBIES ARE A POWERFUL WEAPON!” Three glares at Bob “Where the hell do you think they're going to have that down there?!”  Bob looks side to side before getting closer to Three “Have you seen SMG4?” Three blushes as he pushes Bob away as they make their way to another entrance. 

      —-------------------------------------------------------

Four nervously walks towards the location of the cannon, if he remembers right when Three and Mario used it the cannon wasn't too far from the front of the castle. Four smirks seeing the star cover, he looks around making sure Peach hasn't picked up his scent. Looking at Aster flannel Four smiles at it, thankful that it was covering his scent, he picks up a rock and tosses it where Aster is hiding. Aster takes a deep breath “Millennium…you sure I can pull this off?”  The old man chuckles as Aster feels warmth on their hand, they stare at it confused “Child, you're a star with a power not many stars have. You just need to focus not on the dark but on the light, think on what makes you happy once you have it, hold it and do what I told you.” Aster frowns as they begin to think about something that makes them happy, they start going over everything they do. “Hm, cooking is fun! Designing clothes? Helping dad with his plans so I can spend time with him!” No matter what he mentions nothing seems to spark what the old voice told him, Millennium  sighs “you're so blind, here's an idea SMG3.” 

Aster roll their eyes as they focus on thinking of their target, the monster that killed all of their people. Yet the soft look he has when he is with Eggdog was adorable, he had strange ways of cooking things not to mention they swore one day he caught Three drinking hot sauce. Aster smiles softly as they remember Three’s giggles at Four’s party, hey they made a bet on who is better at rizzing. All the memories they shared with Three made them giggle as their hair started to glow, they opened their eyes looking over their body that was softly glowing “Three..makes me happy?” Could Aster have made the mistake of getting too close, could they truly be falling for their enemy. They Shake their head, no matter what they felt for Three they knew it would never be real after all Three will be dead once everything is said. Aster noticing the glow vanish they go back to thinking of the happy memories as they get up, there they see Peach slowly picking up on Four’s scent. Aster then grabs a rock making sure that their magic wasn't obvious, they then toss it hitting Peach face causing her to fall hitting the ground. The hat slips from her claws as it flies in the air, Aster runs after the hat catching it. Millennium gasps as he attempts to pull Aster's attention “BEHIND YOU!” Hearing this Aster turns to see Peach about to strike him, using the last bit of their magic they cover their body with a small shield. Her claw slashes at them cutting their side, Aster yells in pain as they hit the floor “AH FUCK!” they hold their side seeing blood staining their hand.  “Quick thinking on that son that would have killed you.” Millennium's voice begins to fade until Aster isn't able to hear it anymore, Peach roars as she gets ready to strike again. 

 Aster starts crawling with the hat in one of their hands, focusing the last of their strength they toss the hat to Four.  Seeing the hat land near him, Four takes action, activating the cannon he focuses his aim at Peach.  Four smirks as he places Three’s bombs in it “Hey Peach!” The monster turned growling at Four “Say hello to my secret weapon!” He smacks the cannon and launches the bombs at her. As Peach screams in pain Aster hears a voice “SOMEONE FREE ME SAVE ME FROM THIS HELL PLEASE I WISH I COULD GO BACK TO MY NORMAL LIFE!” Aster eyes go wide hearing the voice “Peach is still there.”

Peach collapse near Aster groaning in pain, their eyes meet again causing Aster to frown as they begin to glow. The moment Four sees Peach collapse he makes his run to Aster, he hits the brakes when he sees Aster glowing as they touch Peach. “Aster..?”  Everything begins to shake again as loose rocks begin to fall around them, seeing the rocks land close to Aster made the meme guardian panic “Aster I dont know whats going on but we need to mo-” a bright light strikes where Aster was causing Four to fall to his knees. The shaking stopped as Four stared in shock “Aster…no no ASTER ARE YOU THERE!?” His eyes begin to water as he struggles to get up, he needed to find Aster, just because their rivals in love didn't mean he would leave them for dead. As he gets up a large shadow is seen, Four looks up wide eyed to see Peach looking down at him. Four was ready for the worst only to notice Aster in her arms “This man collapsed on me…where are we?”

Four looks at her nervously “Peach? Is..that you?” He couldn't believe his eyes, Peach looked around confused and scared “Yes..I see you guys finally remember me.” Four rubs his arms “yeah…very late, I’m sorry about…” Peach shakes her head, handing Aster to him “The man is bleeding.” Four panics, hearing that as he sees their hand stained with blood, quickly checking their body to see the wound on their hip. He rips the sleeve of the flannel wrapping it around the wound, as he does this Peach notices on Aster chest a star-shaped birthmark. She stares at it until Four finishes covering the wound, he gently taps Aster face in hopes to wake them up.  Peach looks around where they are seeing her castle in ruin, along with the eldritch remains surrounding them.  She then looked at her claws then the rest of her body, she had become something new. No longer was she the princess the kingdom knew, she turns glaring at Four as she walks over to him with Aster “I can still feel my white magic, I should be able to wake him.” Four looks up at her surprised “White…magic?” Peach nods “As a child the stars blessed me with the power to heal, the last white star before Three decided to make a new one with Ztar.” 

Peach looks at Aster as she places her claw where she saw the birthmark, she focuses her energy as it flows to Aster. Four watches Aster glow before their eyes open, Peach pulls her claw away watching them sit up. They hold their side as they look around confused, their eyes landing on Peach they jump slightly. Four grabs their hand. “Um Peach is back, she won't hurt us.”  Aster relaxed for a moment then looked at the two confused “Wait, how did she wake up when she was so ready to kill us.” Four shrugs as Peach stares at Aster “You don't know what happened also? I thought perhaps you…we must return to the kingdom. I'm sure the place needs its ruler back.”  Four helps Aster stand up as they slowly walk out the exit of the cave, only to be greeted with SMG3 and the rest of the crew. Mario tackles Four crying his eyes out “S-M-G-4 YOUR OKAY! STOP SCARING MARIO LIKE THIS!” Four smiles softly as he hugs Mario back “Sorry buddy.”  The crew smile at the warm reunion before staring wide eyed at the monster behind Aster, Peach notices them staring at her “Hello, It's been quite a while since i have seen you all, having fun while you left me here to rot?”  Meggy frowns looking down in shame “I’m sorry we forgot about you Peach, so much happened!”  Tari smiles softly at Peach “It’s great to see you back, you um really rocking the new look!” Peach sighs seeing the crew giving her guilty looks, that is until her eyes land on Three. 

Three steps forward causing Aster to nervously look to the side, Three looks at Aster seeing how dirty they are along with the cut on their cheek. Three takes a deep breath holding back his tears, Aster starts to play with their hair trying to figure out their emotions,  Millennium chuckles at the sight “I return and see you're still unsure.” Aster pouts hearing the voice in their head teasing them, after a few moments Three runs to Aster tackling them into a hug. Three’s hat flies off as they land on the floor, Three holds Aster close. “Can't leave you alone without you getting into trouble, not like you scared the shit out of me baka.” Aster giggles wrapping their arms around Three “I’m sorry I left your side, everything just felt overwhelming. But I will make sure to not leave your side again darling.” Aster pulls away, caressing Three’s face they both smile lovingly at each other. Slowly they lean in pressing their lips together in a sweet kiss, a kiss filled with real affection from both sides. An apology and forgiveness all in one action, Millennium hums at the sight feeling proud of Aster. 

The crew watches for a few moments before Four lets out a soft cough “Maybe you guys could make out later? Aster needs a hospital.”  Three pulls away with panic in his eyes “Hospital?!” Peach gently grabs Aster with her claw pulling him away from Three “Before I woke up I gave your boyfriend here a good cut on his right hip. There was lots of blood before.” Peach lifts Aster and gently places them on their feet “I suggest we all head to the hospital,  who knows what these two went through in this hell.” With the crew in agreement Three and Four hold each other's hand focusing on their destination, Aster watches in awe as a portal appears showing the hospital lobby. 

Aster slowly walks through the portal scaring several patients and doctors, Four awkwardly waves as people gasp seeing him. Doctors came running in to take Four away before fans started to line up demanding autographs, noticing the looks women were giving Aster some of the toads grab Aster hand also taking them to a room quickly. The crew slowly started taking their seat, Peach was the last to walk in causing the lobby to go dead silent. Peach looked around the room seeing the fear and shock in their faces. “Does anyone have contact with Toadsworth,  Princess Peach has returned.” The moment she said this the toads went into a frenzy, some were in a panic while others were into the new look of the princess. 

Meggy looks at Three who was looking at the hospital doors, she sits next to him giving him a pat on the back “I’m taking that you two kissed and made up?” Three shakes his head “Not yet, what does it even matter to you squid?” Meggy lifts her hand up “I’m just checking on you we are friends after all.” Three huffs as he rolls his eyes at her, his mind focused on both Aster and Four. He couldn't imagine how rough it must have been to be back there again, last time they went there to get a power star for his new castle. Even then Four was scared out of his mind being there, Then Aster was also a victim of that place without having the full story on what happened, his eyes drop to lap as he thinks back on how they looked.  For once the charming person he has known wasn't there, instead in front of him was a person drained from trying to survive a nightmare.  Their hair was a mess, their clothing was covered with dirt and other substances. 

Peach said her goodbye to the crew as she left the hospital getting annoyed from the reactions she was getting. Three watches Peach leave before returning to look at the door wondering what exactly happened. Four was the first to go out the doors, Three got up walking straight to him “Hey scrub next time you want to help me, don't get your ass in this much trouble.”  Four smirks at Three “Aw worried about me?” Three rolls his eyes as he blushes  “As if, all your friends were worried about you. I could care less.” Four giggles as he lightly hits Three “Always the tsundere.” The crew all pull Four into a group hug excited to see him okay, Three frowns at the sight as he walks to the counter “Um any update on Aster dusk?” The toad turns typing on the computer for a moment, she smiles at Three “Sorry no one by that name is checked in.” Three stares at her confused “What? They’re blond, black t-shirt with ripped jeans.” The nurse shakes her head “I’m sorry, our computer shows nothing.”   —--------------------------------------------

Aster groans holding their side “Ugh these three days felt like years.”  They look around seeing that no one notices them leave. They sit under a tree “ Millennium, why are you here?” They look up at the night sky waiting for a reply “To guide you, Aster you're not like Ztar. Did you not see what you were able to pull today?” Aster sighs hearing the voice “I don't need a guide, my father taught me all I know.”  Millennium shushes Aster making them pout “Aster your father isn't who you think he is, wasn't today enough to show where your happiness lies?”  Aster mind thinks about Three, how the man will be upset to learn that they sneaked out of the hospital. Then their mind goes over how Ztar would be pissed seeing that they failed in protecting themself and have gotten hurt. “I need to get home, been away for so long I dont need my father to think I'm back stabbing him.” Aster gets up ready to head home when their phone rings, they stare at their pocket shocked. So much happened they forgot they even had a cellphone on them in the whole mess, they took out their phone to see missed calls from their father. The newest call being from Three, Aster frowns sending a text “I will explain later, I’m sorry three.” They stare at their phone watching the dots appear, a ding sounds as Aster reads the reply “You better, if I find out you died because of something stupid Im getting Luigi to summon your ass from the grave.” 

Aster laughs from the text making the star in their mind smile “Aster, you have two paths to pick. It's never too late to pick the one that is better for you.” Aster stops laughing hearing the voice in their head, they frown “I am, I could never abandon my father, everything he does is to protect me.”  Millennium couldn't help the venomous tone that came out “Right, cause a loving father would abuse his child into being perfect. Cause a loving father would hurt you whenever you make a mistake, Aster can't you see!” Aster holds his head feeling frustrated over the voice words “SHUT IT! HE LOVES ME!” Millennium takes a deep breath “You have two paths Aster. One of love, one of darkness. Think for one moment what you want, whatever you pick I will be by your side. I apologize for attacking your father.” The voice goes silent leaving Aster fully alone, they look at their phone then the path to their home with Ztar. Putting their phone away they slowly start their walk back home getting ready to explain everything to their father. 

[aeriikiessss]

⋆˙⟡ The Way I Loved You

WORD COUNT: 2,689

TAGS: rebound relationship, emotional cheating, angst

A/N: sorry this is kinda horrible cause im trying to avoid writers block so enjoy!

DIVIDERS: enchantings-a, dollywons

PAIR: hwang in-ho x reader

Kang Hye-won smiles at you across the café table, calm and content, like nothing in the world could rattle him. He stirs a little honey into his tea, then reaches over to gently squeeze your hand.

“You okay?” he asks softly.

You nod, maybe too quickly. “Yeah. Just tired.”

Hye-won hums in understanding. He never pries. He trusts your words, takes them at face value, gives you space to breathe. He’s everything your friends say you deserve. Thoughtful. Dependable. Gentle.

He picks you up on rainy days so you don’t have to take the bus. He asks about your deadlines. He compliments you when you’re in sweats and no makeup. He’s good to you — good for you.

And yet, you feel like you’re suffocating in the silence between heartbeats.

⸻

Later that night, after he drops you off with a forehead kiss and a soft reminder to rest well, you lie on your couch with the lights off and your phone glowing in your hand.

And you see it.

Hwang In-ho liked your story.

Just a little red heart on an old sunset photo. It shouldn’t mean anything. You haven’t spoken in nearly a year. But the moment you see his name, everything inside you flips — your stomach, your chest, your breath.

Suddenly, you’re twenty-four again, sitting on the back of his motorbike with your arms wrapped tightly around him, the wind in your ears and his laughter echoing in your bones. You remember the way he’d argue with you about everything — where to eat, what to watch, who loved who more. And then he’d grab your face and kiss you like he was scared you’d vanish.

In-ho was chaos. Loud, unpredictable, wild-eyed and broken in ways he never tried to fix.

He’d slam doors and kiss you against them minutes later.

He’d text you at 3 a.m. asking if you wanted to drive to the beach — and when you said yes, he was already outside, engine rumbling.

You fought with him. God, you fought like you were on fire — yelling in stairwells, crying in elevators, pulling away just to fall back harder.

But you loved him like a storm.

And he loved you like you were the only thing that ever calmed him down.

⸻

Now? Everything is measured. Clean. Quiet.

Kang Hye-won makes tea with honey. Hwang In-ho used to take whiskey straight from the bottle and grin when it burned.

Kang Hye-won holds your hand with both of his. Hwang In-ho grabbed your waist like he couldn’t live without the contact.

You stare at the screen until the light fades. You don’t like the post back. You don’t message him. But the ache in your chest is undeniable, gnawing at the corners of your happiness.

You know what everyone would say.

Hye-won is safe. Hye-won is kind. Hye-won is what you need. But they never saw the way In-ho looked at you like you were art and disaster all at once. They never heard him whisper “stay” into your hair at 4 a.m. They never knew what it was like to be kissed like a secret, like a sin, like salvation.

And as much as you try to love Hye-won with the same fire—You can’t forget the way you loved In-ho. Or the way he loved you back.

Even if it almost destroyed you.

——

Your phone buzzes at 12:47 a.m.

You shouldn’t be awake. Kang Hye-won kissed your forehead hours ago and told you to sleep early. You tried. You even curled into bed, counted backwards from a hundred, let some rain sounds play from your speaker.

But there was no thunder.

No heartbeat louder than yours.

No voice whispering I’m sorry and please stay.

So you’re still up, scrolling through nothing, when his name appears again.

Hwang In-ho

“Did it feel real?”

That’s it. Just a message, small and weightless — and yet it lands on your chest like a brick through stained glass.

You stare at the screen, your breath catching between your ribs. You could ignore it. You should. But your fingers betray you, and before your logic catches up, you’re typing.

You:

Did what feel real?

The typing bubble appears instantly.

In-ho:

Us. Back then.

I know it was messy. But I keep remembering you laughing into my jacket like you were drunk on it all. I’ve been trying to forget you quietly. And failing loudly.

Your throat goes dry.

Outside, it’s raining. A soft drizzle against the windowpane, but somehow, the storm feels louder inside your chest.

In-ho:

I tried seeing someone new. She was sweet. She wore her pain like perfume — invisible but always there. She asked me once who I wrote about in my notebooks. I lied. Said no one.

But it was you.

It’s always been you.

You blink back the sting in your eyes.

Hye-won would never say things like this. He communicates in thoughtful actions, in gentle words. You love that about him. You do. But it’s not this.

This ache — the raw, bleeding poetry of In-ho’s words that make you feel like you’re being pulled backward through time. Through every night you screamed at each other just to feel something. Every moment you thought this is love, this is madness, this is mine.

You:

Why now?

He takes a moment.

In-ho:

Because I saw that photo. The one with the ocean in the distance. You used to say the sea made you feel honest. And you looked… gone. Like you were there, but not really. Like your soul was somewhere that tasted like salt and memory and maybe me.

So I had to ask.

Did it feel real? Or did I imagine it all?

You exhale shakily. You remember that photo. Hye-won took it, hand warm on your back, steady voice telling you to “relax.” You smiled. The sea was blue, endless.

But in your mind, you were somewhere else.

Backseat. Rain. Cigarette smoke. Mouth on mouth.

Back when love was feral. When you didn’t feel safe, but you felt alive.

You haven’t replied, but In-ho types again.

In-ho:

I’m not asking you to come back.

I just need to know if I was ever home to you, even for a moment.

The tears come then, hot and silent.

Because you did feel at home with him — in a house made of splinters, yes, but god, how you ran through it barefoot.

Kang Hye-won loves you gently. But Hwang In-ho still loves you loudly. And you don’t know which one your heart wants more — the peace, or the love he had for you.

It starts as a coincidence.

Or maybe fate is cruel enough to wear the face of chance.

You’re leaving a bookstore with Kang Hye-won, your hand tucked into the crook of his arm, your tote bag heavy with new stories you pretend you’ll read. He’s smiling, talking about dinner plans, about making kimchi fried rice the way your mom used to — and then his voice trails off.

You feel it before you see it. The air shifts. The air knows.

And then you look up.

Across the street. Leather jacket. Black hair still messy, like he’d run his hands through it a hundred times. That familiar crack in his posture — like he’s constantly ready to run or collapse, and never sure which one it’ll be.

Hwang In-ho.

He sees you. Of course he does. And for a second — just one brutal second — he smiles like nothing ever went wrong.

Your heart forgets everything else. You don’t hear Hye-won call your name. You barely notice the traffic that separates you.

You just stare. And so does he.

⸻

You meet him again alone, days later.

You don’t tell Hye-won.

You say you’re meeting a friend for coffee. You even wear a soft sweater he complimented once, just to bury yourself deeper in the lie.

In-ho is already there when you arrive. Seated by the window, fingers tapping a beat against his paper cup like he’s still trying to outrun his own heartbeat.

When he looks up, he doesn’t smile this time. His eyes hold storms you remember too well.

“You came,” he says quietly.

You sit across from him. You can barely meet his gaze. “I shouldn’t have.”

He nods. “But you did.”

Silence settles — not peaceful, not comfortable. It’s the kind of silence you only share with someone who’s seen you collapse in a stairwell and still kissed you like a prayer.

“I didn’t know you’d be there,” you whisper, fingers wrapped tight around your coffee cup. “The other day. With Hye-won.”

In-ho lets out a sharp breath, more sigh than laugh. “I know. I wasn’t trying to mess anything up.”

“I know.”

He leans back, eyes still on you like you’re a memory he can’t put down.

“Does he make you happy?” he asks.

You flinch. You hate how easily the question cracks you open.

“He’s good to me.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

You meet his eyes then. The same eyes that once looked at you like you were both salvation and ruin.

And you say nothing.

Because what are you supposed to say?

He makes me calm, but you made me alive.

He makes me laugh, but you made me scream and sob and feel like I was made of lightning.

He makes me feel safe. You made me feel like I was on fire — and I miss the burn.

⸻

Later that night, Hye-won traces circles on your back while you lie in bed beside him.

“You’ve been quiet lately,” he says softly.

“I’ve just been thinking,” you reply.

“About what?”

You hesitate. Then: “About how different love can feel. With different people.”

His hand stills. “Is that a bad thing?”

You roll over and kiss his chest, try to bury the guilt. “No,” you lie. “It’s just… different.”

You think about In-ho.

About the cigarette smoke on his breath.

About how he used to say your name like it was bleeding.

You wonder if he’s still awake, thinking of you too.

⸻

Three lives.

One perfect.

One broken.

And one — yours — stuck between the two, holding hands with a good man while your heart still bleeds for the one who ruined you with love and left you addicted to it.

You start dreaming in two voices.

In one, Hye-won calls your name softly, like a promise. In the other, In-ho laughs through his teeth, eyes on fire, telling you to run faster, hold tighter, scream louder.

You wake up tangled in blankets and guilt.

Hye-won isn’t stupid.

He watches the way your eyes stay too long on your phone. The way your smile falters when he touches your waist. The way you stop humming love songs in the kitchen.

He doesn’t confront you. Not yet. But he feels it. The weight of someone else’s name in your mouth — even if you never say it.

One night, he brings you dessert from your favorite bakery. You thank him, kiss his cheek, and eat half of it while pretending everything’s okay.

But Hye-won watches you from across the table with that quiet, devastating knowing in his gaze.

“You don’t talk about him,” he says, out of nowhere.

Your fork freezes midair.

“Who?” you ask, like an idiot.

“Hwang In-ho.” His voice doesn’t rise. It’s steady. Wrecked. “You never said his name. Not once. Not in the two years we’ve been together.”

You open your mouth to deny it. You want to lie. You should lie. But your throat closes around the words, and you just sit there — caught.

And that’s enough.

That’s the confirmation.

Hye-won leans back, rubbing his eyes like he’s already exhausted from fighting a battle he hasn’t even started yet. “I saw the way he looked at you that day. And the way you looked back.”

“Hye-won—”

“I didn’t say anything because I thought… maybe you were just shaken. But I see it now. You’re not here anymore. Not really.”

He stands. Doesn’t yell. Doesn’t cry. Just leaves your favorite dessert half-eaten on the table.

And walks out of the room like you’re already gone.

⸻

You meet In-ho again. This time, you choose to.

A different café. Dim lighting. No more accidents.

He’s seated by the window again, a worn-out book open in front of him. You recognize the spine — The Stranger, Camus. He never finished it back then.

“Hey,” you say, sliding into the seat across from him.

He looks up. His smile is hesitant, but warm. “Hey.”

The silence is comfortable this time. Familiar. Like the air between two storms.

“You remember that time we fought in the middle of the train station?” he says after a while.

You let out a breathy laugh. “Which one?”

“The one where you cried into my jacket and said you hated me. And I said ‘good,’ because I didn’t know how to say I loved you without ruining it.”

You go quiet.

He leans forward. “I was an idiot. I know that now.”

“No,” you whisper. “You were just… more broken than me.”

He exhales slowly. “I never stopped writing about you.”

Your eyes sting. “I never stopped reading into everything.”

He doesn’t touch your hand. Doesn’t ask you to stay. He just looks at you like he’s been starving and you’re still his favorite sin.

Hye-won is sitting on the couch, staring at the floor.

“I don’t want you to lie,” he says before you even set your keys down. “Just tell me. Are you in love with him again?”

You freeze.

He finally looks up, eyes glassy but brave. “Because I’m still in love with you. Even now. Even if it hurts.”

You stand there in silence. Not out of cruelty — but because you don’t know the answer.

You love Hye-won’s goodness.

But you crave In-ho’s chaos.

And somewhere inside you, two different versions of love are tearing each other apart.

——

The park is quiet except for the distant hum of traffic and your ragged breaths.

You stand facing Hwang In-ho, the space between you charged like a live wire. Neither of you wants to be here, but neither of you can walk away.

“You shouldn’t have come,” you say, voice sharp, trying to sound stronger than you feel.

He snorts, bitter. “Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.”

Your eyes flash. “So why are we standing here, then? Wasting time pretending we’re strangers?”

He steps closer, fists clenched at his sides. “Because I’m tired of pretending. You don’t love him. You never stopped—”

“No!” You cut him off, voice rising. “Don’t say that. Don’t make this about love.”

His jaw tightens. “What do you call it then? What was all of it if not love? The fights, the nights you ran to me because you couldn’t breathe without me?”

You laugh, hollow and broken. “That was chaos, In-ho. Not love.”

“Maybe chaos is the only love you know.” His eyes blaze into yours. “But you can’t lie to yourself. I know you still want this. Want me.”

You shake your head, backing away. “I’m not that person anymore. I’m not the reckless girl who burned everything to feel alive.”

He grabs your arm, spinning you back. “Don’t lie to me. Don’t lie to yourself. You’ve been running from this for years.”

The words hang between you, heavy and undeniable.

You stare at him, heart hammering, breath ragged.

And then, without thinking, without permission, his lips crash against yours — fierce, demanding, maddening.

You don’t resist. You can’t.

The kiss is everything you denied: angry, desperate, hungry.

His hands grip your waist, pulling you closer as if letting go would shatter you both.

You bite and groan and lose yourself in the storm of him — the fire and the ache and the reckless, raw love you buried deep inside.

When you finally break apart, your foreheads rest together, breaths mingling.

“I never stopped wanting you,” he admits, voice rough with pain.

You close your eyes, trembling. “Neither did I.”

[alivebobby]

a normal exchange with @kissesforcats

[datcravat]

It seems there's a new lawyer in town!!!

[abstractfrog]

Happy 1 year anniversary to Mr Sherlock Holmes! Here's a litttleee celebratory comic from me

[againstcrayon]

Every time I see a post that's like "haha I wish we could ride other monsters besides seikret" or like "they should add skins to make your seikret other monsters" I start clawing at the walls of my enclosure SOTRIES YOU WANT TO PLAY MONSTER HUNTER STORIES ITS RIGHT THERE. PLEASE. FOR THE LOW LOW PRICE OF $29.99 USD YOU TOO CAN LIVE YOUR MONSTER RIDING DREAMS. PIRATE IT FOR ALL I CARE JUST PLEAAASSEEEE PLAY IT ITS SO WORTH AND I WONT FEEL CRAZY LOOKING AT FANART ANYMORE

[sleepysundial]

"Aw, quit your belly-aching. Hands grow back!"

something about mad scientists and their big strong boyfriends idk.

[wasyago]

we're at it again🕺

[hauntingofhouses]

Very interesting to me that a certain subset of the BES fandom's favourite iterations of Mizu and Akemi are seemingly rooted in the facades they have projected towards the world, and are not accurate representations of their true selves.

And I see this is especially the case with Mizu, where fanon likes to paint her as this dominant, hyper-masculine, smirking Cool GuyTM who's going to give you her strap. And this idea of Mizu is often based on the image of her wearing her glasses, and optionally, with her cloak and big, wide-brimmed kasa.

And what's interesting about this, to me, is that fanon is seemingly falling for her deliberate disguise. Because the glasses (with the optional combination of cloak and hat) represent Mizu's suppression of her true self. She is playing a role.

Take this scene of Mizu in the brothel in Episode 4 for example. Here, not only is Mizu wearing her glasses to symbolise the mask she is wearing, but she is purposely acting like some suave and cocky gentleman, intimidating, calm, in control. Her voice is even deeper than usual, like what we hear in her first scene while facing off with Hachiman the Flesh-Trader in Episode 1.

This act that Mizu puts on is an embodiment of masculine showboating, which is highly effective against weak and insecure men like Hachi, but also against women like those who tried to seduce her at the Shindo House.

And that brings me to how Mizu's mask is actually a direct parallel to Akemi's mask in this very same scene.

Here, Akemi is also putting up an act, playing up her naivety and demure girlishness, using her high-pitched lilted voice, complimenting Mizu and trying to make small talk, all so she can seduce and lure Mizu in to drink the drugged cup of sake.

So what I find so interesting and funny about this scene, characters within it, and the subsequent fandom interpretations of both, is that everyone seems to literally be falling for the mask that Mizu and Akemi are putting up to conceal their identities, guard themselves from the world, and get what they want.

It's also a little frustrating because the fanon seems to twist what actually makes Mizu and Akemi's dynamic so interesting by flattening it completely. Because both here and throughout the story, Mizu and Akemi's entire relationship and treatment of each other is solely built off of masks, assumptions, and misconceptions.

Akemi believes Mizu is a selfish, cocky male samurai who destroyed her ex-fiance's career and life, and who abandoned her to let her get dragged away by her father's guards and forcibly married off to a man she didn't know. on the other hand, Mizu believes Akemi is bratty, naive princess who constantly needs saving and who can't make her own decisions.

These misconceptions are even evident in the framing of their first impressions of each other, both of which unfold in these slow-motion POV shots.

Mizu's first impression of Akemi is that of a beautiful, untouchable princess in a cage. Swirling string music in the background.

Akemi's first impression of Mizu is of a mysterious, stoic "demon" samurai who stole her fiance's scarf. Tense music and the sound of ocean waves in the background.

And then, going back to that scene of them together in Episode 4, both Mizu and Akemi continue to fool each other and hold these assumptions of each other, and they both feed into it, as both are purposely acting within the suppressive roles society binds them to in order to achieve their goals within the means they are allowed (Akemi playing the part of a subservient woman; Mizu playing the part of a dominant man).

But then, for once in both their lives, neither of their usual tactics work.

Akemi is trying to use flattery and seduction on Mizu, but Mizu sees right through it, knowing that Akemi is just trying to manipulate and harm her. Rather than give in to Akemi's tactics, Mizu plays with Akemi's emotions by alluding to Taigen's death, before pinning her down, and then when she starts crying, Mizu just rolls her eyes and tells her to shut up.

On the opposite end, when Mizu tries to use brute force and intimidation, Akemi also sees right through it, not falling for it, and instead says this:

"Under your mask, you're not the killer you pretend to be."

Nonetheless, despite the fact that they see a little bit through each other's masks, they both still hold their presumptions of each other until the very end of the season, with Akemi seeing Mizu as an obnoxious samurai swooping in to save the day, and Mizu seeing Akemi as a damsel in distress.

And what I find a bit irksome is that the fandom also resorts to flattening them to these tropes as well.

Because Mizu is not some cool, smooth-talking samurai with a big dick sword as Akemi (and the fandom) might believe. All of that is the facade she puts up and nothing more. In reality, Mizu is an angry, confused and lonely child, and a masterful artist, who is struggling against her own self-hatred. Master Eiji, her father figure who knows her best, knows this.

And Akemi, on the other hand, is not some girly, sweet, vain and spoiled princess as Mizu might believe. Instead she has never cared for frivolous things like fashion, love or looks, instead favouring poetry and strategy games instead, and has always only cared about her own independence. Seki, her father figure who knows her best, knows this.

But neither is she some authoritative dominatrix, though this is part of her new persona that she is trying to project to get what she wants. Because while Akemi is willful, outspoken, intelligent and authoritative, she can still be naive! She is still often unsure and needs to have her hand held through things, as she is still learning and growing into her full potential. Her new parental/guardian figure, Madame Kaji, knows this as well.

So with all that being said, now that we know that Mizu and Akemi are essentially wearing masks and putting up fronts throughout the show, what would a representation of Mizu's and Akemi's true selves actually look like? Easy. It's in their hair.

This shot on the left is the only time we see Mizu with her hair completely down. In this scene, she's being berated by Mama, and her guard is completely down, she has no weapon, and is no longer wearing any mask, as this is after she showed Mikio "all of herself" and tried to take off the mask of a subservient housewife. Thus, here, she is sad, vulnerable, and feeling small (emphasised further by the framing of the scene). This is a perfect encapsulation of what Mizu is on the inside, underneath all the layers of revenge-obsession and the walls she's put around herself.

In contrast, the only time we Akemi with her hair fully down, she is completely alone in the bath, and this scene takes place after being scorned by her father and left weeping at his feet. But despite all that, Akemi is headstrong, determined, taking the reigns of her life as she makes the choice to run away, but even that choice is reflective of her youthful naivety. She even gets scolded by Seki shortly after this in the next scene, because though she wants to be independent, she still hasn't completely learned to be. Not yet. Regardless, her decisiveness and moment of self-empowerment is emphasised by the framing of the scene, where her face takes up the majority of the shot, and she stares seriously into the middle distance.

To conclude, I wish popular fanon would stop mischaracterising these two, and flattening them into tropes and stereotypes (ie. masculine badass swordsman Mizu and feminine alluring queen but also girly swooning damsel Akemi), all of which just seems... reductive. It also irks me when Akemi is merely upheld as a love interest and romantic device for Mizu and nothing more, when she is literally Mizu's narrative foil (takes far more narrative precedence over romantic interest) and the deuteragonist of this show. She is her own person. That is literally the theme of her entire character and arc.

[skadoodle-with-extra-ification]

Tango from @watcheraurora's fic: King's Tide!

HIGHLY recommend this fic!!! Honestly WatcherAurora is one of my favorite ranchers writers EVER!!!

Tango's showing off his amazing swimming skills for his pretty human lol wheeee backflips!

[joshuamj]

Been enjoying EoW so far!!

Redraw of this:

[misersdream]

Slay the Prince - Happily Ever After

[thebrainrotsreal]

Listen there's a half chance the hands and stuff do not work this way, but simply?? pretend they do ig ??? Had to get some Vlad out of my system, so behold my fav ghostie on the planet! Wine drinker, petty plotter, my love, haha!