#[[ genuinely thought about using Bree]]

[crystalisedtem]

I just remembered that scene in Rats on a Train where Donald talks to them about the mission and how excited Chase and BREE were about going on their first mission because their persuading worked… It’s just really sad knowing how they wrote Bree’s outlook on missions later.

[carriehobbs]

Ellie x Morgan for the OC jumble! 👀👀

Bree I need you to know I genuinely just started laughing because Ellie and Morgan would be a DISASTER. They would NOT like each other, so any relationship between them would need to be the SLOWEST of slow-burns.

Ellie would (initially) think that Morgan is rude, abrasive, and lacks compassion for others (Morgan is kind of a dick upon introduction). Morgan would (initially) think that Ellie is naive, annoying, and cloying (Ellie finds compassion even for horrible people who don't deserve it). Their personalities would not initially mesh, but I think there is some promise with how Morgan behaves later in her romance route (in Wayhaven). Morgan-in-love displays a lot of consideration and loyalty to her partner, which would make Ellie feel appreciated and secure. Ellie, in a relationship, brings a lot of empathy and dedication - I think Morgan would benefit from having someone who really tries to understand her, and who tries to support her (when she inevitably has to deal with the fallout with her crystal and her lost memories, which I am just predicting will come up later). Ultimately, I think once they settled into their relationship, they would form this closely-knit, unbreakable unit between the two of them.

In terms of their relationship trajectory: Morgan would open by propositioning Ellie (as she does with the detective in Wayhaven) and Ellie would immediately reject her (Ellie is somewhere on the aroace spectrum and would not ever seriously consider casual sex with someone. She's also extremely inexperienced, so Morgan's attention would be incredibly daunting). I think it would take them working together and starting to see each other beyond their initial impressions to make a relationship work. Ellie would need to see that Morgan does care a lot about her friends in order to start opening up to her. Morgan would need to be on the receiving end of Ellie's warmth and patience in order to appreciate it as more than just saccharine nonsense.

Their relationship would be slow to build, but then one day there'd be some small moment that recontextualizes everything for them: A day where Morgan realizes she can't picture Unit Bravo without Ellie being there, or a day where something goes wrong and Ellie's first thought is that she would feel better if Morgan were with her. Then there would be endless yearning, between Morgan not realizing that what she's feeling for Ellie is love and Ellie not willing to make a move that might jeopardize their relationship (and not thinking that Morgan is interested, because Ellie turned her down once). Once Morgan figures out that this is love, I think they would actually get together pretty quickly (because Morgan doesn't strike me as the kind of person to sit quietly on knowing she's in love with someone, so once she knows then she knows and does something about it). Their relationship is very intense and committed once they get together, since they essentially skipped all the "light casual flirtation deciding if we want to be together" parts of the relationship and launched solidly into "we are In Love and Do Not Separate Us" territory.

[one-of-many-journeys]

Day 18 (1/2)

Utaru lands

I began the journey back to Plainsong at dawn. Bad news to deliver to Bree, and good news to Nel.

Walking through the farmlands, I heard an old man muttering to himself about a missing friend chasing after a group of Tenakth. I stopped to talk to him, wondering if his friend had tried to seek revenge on a group of rebels, but this wasn't the case.

The farmer's name was Emboh, and he was worried about his friend, a younger man named Jaxx, who had set off from Plainsong to Stone's Echo the previous morning to go after a a group of Tenakth hanging around by the river. Emboh didn't know whether they were rebel scouts or not, but I haven't seen any other Tenakth this side of the mountains apart from the party at the Embassy. This Jaxx might be in trouble. Emboh said he'd be impossible to miss; an Utaru with the markings of a Tenakth.

Inside the city, I sought out Bree, who was speaking in clipped tones to Fane. Interrupting them, I gave Bree the seed pod of his wife, Kalae, and told him the truth. She didn't fall; she was murdered.

This caught Fane's attention, and from his reaction it didn't seem that he was aware of the plot. I showed him the seed pod I'd taken from Kalae's killer, and he quickly recognised it as belonging to Lyna, an apprentice of none other than Kel, who was notably missing. Fane said she'd set off the previous evening for Summerwind, a small settlement to the south. Her childhood home. She was running away—whatever happened to staying in Plainsong on pain of death? She couldn't even face the pain of justice.

Fane went off to gather a group of guards to apprehend Kel, but their journey would likely be slow. I set off on my own to confront Kel myself.

I crossed the fields on foot; Summerwind was just beyond their boundary. All others had evacuated to Plainsong when the rebel attacks had begun. Kel was alone. Her eyes were bloodshot, her skin bruised, capillaries bursting; dark juice stained her lips and hands. Poison. Rather than face repercussions for her actions, she sought to feed the roots of her birthplace. I suppose that's her idea of a good death; perfectly circular. Nothing learned, nothing lost.

She knew that it was only a matter of time before I uncovered the truth on a more thorough search. She did not regret her actions, only that her actions had become necessary, thanks to Kalae's dangerous ideas. All I could tell her, and I hoped it would sting, is that her crime would only strengthen those ideas. She'd made a martyr of Kalae, and now that her followers would see that the Chorus was willing to kill to maintain ideological hegemony, they would rally behind Kalae stronger than ever. They would fight for their lives, and not merely wait for the soil to take them. With that nasty thought running through her mind, Kel succumbed to the poison.

Bree and Fane arrived with the guards soon after, expecting an arrest, instead finding a corpse. Bree was incensed at being denied justice, but I tried to comfort him in that Kel had made certain that Kalae would not be forgotten. Bree resolved to spread her ideas further, and make sure they found their way to join the voices of the Chorus, now that there were two vacancies.

Fane gave his thanks as well. He's a pompous idiot, but he did seem genuinely grateful for what I'd done for them, both in discovering Kel's crime and protecting Plainsong from the machines. All this will give him something to think about. Lying between us was the filth he'd chosen to ally himself with. No longer, I hope.

As Fane and the guards took Kel's body and seed pod away for the rituals to follow, I mounted up and headed further south for Stone's Echo, hoping to catch up with Jaxx and drive out these suspected rebels.

On the way, as the air grew drier and the mud turned to sand, I spotted some Firegleam infecting a cave wall and blasted it open to get at the salvage inside.

I left my mount just outside Stone's Echo, but before I could even enter the gates, I spotted Jaxx standing by the campfire.

He was impossible to miss alright. Red and black tattoos crossed his arms and chest, the same as I'd seen on the rebels in the area. As it turned out, it wasn't an encampment of rebels that Jaxx was chasing, but a group of ordinary Tenakth youth, and they were in trouble. They were injured, holed up in a cave by the river. As Tenakth, they were likely to see an offer of help as an insult, even if rejecting it meant certain death. Sounds like a very Banuk line of logic to me.

Jaxx knew who I was and had been impressed by the way I addressed the Chorus, so asked me along to convince the young hunters. Unsurprisingly, the Utaru of Stone's Echo were uninterested in helping a band of trespassing Tenakth.

I agreed to help and followed him south to the cave. I asked about his Tenakth markings, and he explained that he was a veteran, exchanged to the Utaru years ago as tribute. I guess Kue was another such person, gone both to teach the Tenakth and to learn their ways, and here was Jaxx, living among the Utaru to teach them Tenakth strategies of war.

At the cave entrance, we were greeted with insults and raised weapons by a young Tenkath warrior. Jaxx stepped forward and gave her a signal I recognised from holos of military correspondence—from Enduring Victory, mostly. The warrior recognised it as a parlay signal, and took in Jaxx's Tenakth tattoos. She led us inside the cave; I could tell she was desperate. I figured the situation in there must be pretty dire for her to sacrifice her pride.

Inside were three more Tenakth, all injured, but one most grievously. His name was Korreh, brother of the girl who met us, Sokorra. He'd been blinded by an exploding acid canister when fighting off a Bristleback. Together, the group made up Eagle Squad, and they were on a training mission. Jaxx explained that it was customary for prospective Tenakth soldiers to form a fighting squad and complete a mission together, hunting a dangerous machine in foreign lands and returning its spoils to their clan.

Their injuries had set them back, so now they needed to gather enough supplies to see them safely across the border. Sokorra had been planning to venture out to Riverwatch, the Carja fortress across the river, which was said to be filled with supplies. It'd looked pretty abandoned from a distance, and it seemed to me that Sokorra's intel only came from an old war story, but she was likely to get herself killed if she went alone. Begrudgingly, and only at Korreh's insistence, she let Jaxx and I go with her.

Jaxx and Sokorra argued the whole way across the river—Sokorra needling him for being a weak, old farmer, and Jaxx countering bemusedly about her reckless inexperience. The kid was bullheaded and endlessly irritating, but I could see just how much she cared for her brother and her squad mates. Her heart was in the right place.

On the shore were a pair of Glinthawks salvaging scrap with three Burrowers guarding them. I took all but the final Glinthawk out quietly, targeting its core to bring it down in an explosion of frost. Then came the task of actually getting inside the run-down fortress and collecting the treasures supposedly held within. Given the Oseram camp just across the river, I found it unlikely that the fort still held anything valuable, but I had to check. Alone. I couldn't bear listening to any more of Sokorra's attitude.

I pulled out some loose rubble from a wall around the back, entering through a basement and climbing up into the ruin's courtyard. From there, I did all I could leveraging cells open and yanking caches down from broken ledges. There were some useful parts, but nothing that would help the group of Tenakth heal and stock up for the journey west. I suppose trading with the nearby Oseram would be too much to ask of their tribal pride.

I climbed up to the highest watchtower, a place where the Oseram were unlikely to have reached, and though there was an impressive looking cache, it had been mostly picked clean already. A few dried provisions and rotting medicinal herbs; it was no rich Carja hoard, as Sokorra had spoken of. I heard the sounds of battle in the distance, and from the tower I saw Sokorra speeding off after a Widemaw, Jaxx on her heels. What was she doing picking fights with huge machines while injured?

Right. I can't talk, but I know I can handle myself. Sokorra's self-confidence is all boast. I glided down from the tower and raced after them.

By the time I caught up with them, two Leaplashers had joined the fight. I went for them first, striking one unawares and tying it down to finish it off before it could start whipping its electric yoyo around. Sokorra took care of the other—impressive, but it was Jaxx that was holding his own against the Widemaw as it began vacuuming up the nearby ruins and spitting bits out in deadly projectiles. Did I mention that all three machines were hunter-killers? More of Hephaestus' Apex variants.

I detonated the sparker on the Widemaw's flank, and all three of us went in to strike it at close range, while I anchored ropes to tie it down for further onslaught. It wasn't long before the beast that had attracted Sokorra's aggression was vanquished.

Both Sokorra and Jaxx were unharmed, and even seemed to have garnered a little respect for one another in battle, though no compliments were forthcoming without some snippy backhand to follow.

When I told Sokorra how little I found at the fortress, she was devastated, and she let slip her true intentions. She and her squad had never intended to return home to their clan, but wanted to carve out a life in solitude, subsisting off the wilds—outcasts, but not entirely by choice. Jaxx explained what I was too ignorant to pick up on: among the Tenakth, a blind warrior was of use to no one. If he could not fight, he would face a combat trial against a machine, which he was of course certain to lose. That was the point. Sokorra said that the Tenakth believed it was more dignified for a soldier to die in battle, but her tone was bitter; she didn't want to lose her brother, no matter the law of her tribe. She and her squad would rather cast themselves out for life.

There had to be another way, but Jaxx said they wouldn't be allowed to stay in Plainsong, with famine already rife. All they could do now was return what little supplies I'd found to the squad. It was an admirable loyalty they showed their squad mate, but I couldn't just let them starve out here in the wilds. While Jaxx and Sokorra returned to the cave, I doubled back to the fortress to see if there were any supplies I'd missed before I'd been distracted by the Widemaw.

[moonmeg]

I don't want to break the good mood we're having about the Bowers again but I recently started rereading some of Breeil's comics (yeah maybe I'm a little obsessed with them, who isn't?), and that one in particular where Edan talks about how Bree was mean and cold and Neil denies it saying she was just afraid to trust anyone again It got me thinking, what was Bree's relationship or dynamic with the whole family before she started being "friendly"?

I mean, was it similar to how Phillip didn't interact much with the Clawthornes when he was at their house, he just stayed in his room and was practically on his own all the time? You said it took a while for her to even call Neil a friend and before that she wasn't exactly nice and I don't think that was much different with the others.

I don't know, maybe I'm wrong but I could imagine how at least one of the siblings felt uncomfortable with this whole situation. Like Imagine sharing the same roof with a person who doesn't speak to you and the first thing you know about that person is that they treated your brother like shit 😭

Please don't take it as hate I love my queen Bree I've just been curious about this topic for a long time and I didn't know exactly how to say it and didn't want to give off bad vibes 😔😔

Oh no, please always feel free to break the good mood. Being obsessed with Breeil is very understandable, can't blame you. Though, it's hard to believe other people are obsessed with my OCs. I'll take it as a compliment though.

Now to the question:

Other than Philip and the Clawthornes, Breena did participate in the everyday life of the Bowers, joined them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, agreed to lend a hand and absolutely didn't isolate herself. It was her way of repaying the Bowers for letting her stay even a night in the first place. However, she didn't talk much with anyone during those activities and if she did her tone was always strained with a hint of rudeness. She used a lot of sarcasm and sometimes mild back-handed insults. Every "Thank you" was in combination with an eye roll. She kept talking about leaving and ridding them all of her presence for good but never went through with it because something kept her there. Something inside of her wanted to stay. Something inside of her felt home. And she'd have her good moments too! Genuinely smiling, doing little things like mending a quilt in the dark and secrecy of the night or do work around the house or fields, go on stand duty without being asked to and never taking credit for it just because she wanted to do something nice.

There wasn't a single member of the Bower household, who didn't think Breena's stay odd or uncomfortable sometimes, some just hid it better than others. Even Neil had his doubts at times. Breena wasn't oblivious to that. In fact, most of her behavior was a form of intentional self-sabotage because she didn't believe Neil in particular would be this kind to her, let alone possibly like her and if he wasn't fazed much by her rudeness and kept seeing the good in her, she went for what's important ti him: his family. If his family didn't like her and complained about her enough, he'd lose his patience quicker.

Look, Breena was like 16 and had been through a lot in her childhood and her time on the road. For most of her life she grew up to believe she wasn't worth any kindness or anything at all for that matter. Her thought process here is irrational and her goal unclear and confusing. But it's supposed to be just that.

[harringtonswriting]

Omg Bree that list!! I would love to read 25. goodnight kisses with Bradley?🥺

ahhhh thank you so much Nova!! <3 i am SO sorry it took me so long to get this finished, but i hope you enjoy it!! god this was so adorable to write and i really, REALLY appreciate you picking this one bc it was such a cute idea <3

...

This was the best first date you’d had in a long time. Probably the best first date you’ve ever been on, if you’re being honest, but that’s not something you’re going to admit to your date. You didn’t want to give his ego that big of a boost this early, and also didn’t want him to think about your dating history being any sadder than he might already think it is.

Bradley Bradshaw had asked you out the night you met him at the Hard Deck, where he was drinking with his friends and you’d been convinced by yours to come out for some drinks and the promise of some very pretty Naval officers to look at. Which, you were happy to find, there were plenty of. Bradley included.

You’d thought he was just another good-looking flyboy when he’d walked up to you at the bar top, though his endearing smile and his outrageous taste in fashion had you intrigued enough to say yes; you had no idea how he still managed to look attractive wearing bright blue and magenta, but that coupled with his 70s-esque mustache and very pretty, big brown eyes ended up winning you over. You’d put your number in his phone, let him buy you a drink, and your friends teased you for the better part of an hour about giving your number to the first pilot who talked to you. But there was something special about Bradley, something genuine and funny and maybe you were a little tipsy, but you didn’t regret giving him your number.

Bradley messaged you the following afternoon to ask you to dinner this coming Friday night, and after the initial awkwardness (he’d responded to you with just a thumbs up emoji and you’d used maybe a few too many exclamation points), the two of you fell into an easy rhythm of texting back and forth. You find yourself enjoying talking with him, and looking forward to seeing his name pop up on your phone.

All too quickly, though, Friday night arrives and he picks you up in what is obviously a very old, but very well loved, truck. He’s got sunglasses on, big mirrored aviators, but no Hawaiian shirt tonight (he’d later tell you that he’d received advice that he should wear something a little more toned down for the first date, and you couldn’t say that a black t-shirt and jeans didn’t suit him just as well as what he’d been wearing the night you met him). He’d lifted his sunglasses off his face, clipping them on the front of his shirt as he got out of his truck, and a wide grin split across his face as he caught sight of you coming out of your house.

“You look amazing,” he says, and the words come out loud and earnest–it’s a genuine compliment, and his smile is infectious to boot. You smile as you return the sentiment.

“Not so bad yourself. I like this look,” you tell him, and you see him puff his chest out just a bit. As you walk towards him, he reaches into his truck and comes back out with a bouquet of sunflowers tied with a yellow ribbon. He holds them out to you, and you take them from his hands.

“These are for you,” he says, and you look down at the flowers. They’re beautiful, the loveliest shade of yellow from soaking up the warmth and love of the sun. “I didn’t know what you liked, but they reminded me of your smile, so I hope these are okay.” Bradley’s just a little bashful, and you rest one hand on his forearm.

“They’re beautiful,” you tell him, and it’s the truth. They are, and the fact that they reminded him of you? You don’t know how he can say that with a straight face, and if it came from anyone else you might be embarrassed. You still are, a little, but you’re just a little pleased, too, that he’s been thinking about you. You take the flowers inside, quickly putting them in a tall glass of water before heading back out to where Bradley and the Bronco are waiting. You head around to the passenger side door to pull it open… but it won’t budge. You try again, but still no dice. Oh, god, did you break his car? This is a classic, right? That’s what a lot of older cars are. He gets you beautiful flowers and you break his car. Wonderful. You look at Bradley, and he grimaces. Oh no.

“The, uh, the door sticks sometimes. Lemme get it for you,” he says, coming around to fiddle with the handle before the door pops open. You feel some relief, then, knowing that you didn’t just bust his car, and you climb in and he shuts it behind you. Then he’s getting in on his side, and the two of you head out to the restaurant he’d told you about for dinner.

It was a place that Hangman had recommended, Bradley told you, but he only decided to take that recommendation seriously when Phoenix, Payback, and Fanboy had all confirmed it was good. And you’d have to remember to thank Bradley’s friends the next time you see them, because they were right. It was a small place, not too far from the Hard Deck, with the best food you’d had in a while. The atmosphere was friendly and it was busy enough that you and Bradley had plenty of time to talk between your server’s check ups, but not too busy that you felt rushed or couldn’t get a table.

The two of you got through the basic first date talk pretty quickly; he’s a much better listener than the last few guys you’d gone out with, and actually asked you some questions when you were telling him about some work drama you’d been dealing with. You enjoy the way his big, beautiful brown eyes crinkle at the corners with crows feet when he smiles, and how he scrunches his nose when he laughs. He also talks with his hands, you’ve come to realize, and he nearly knocks his glass of water off the table no less than four times as he’s telling you a story about what had happened at work earlier today.

“Anyway, so the radio was totally shot, right? So I’m inverted above Coyote, Phoenix and Bob are freaking out, there’s no way to communicate and we still have half a training exercise to complete. Can you believe that?” Bradley has his hands in an awkward position, trying to give you a visual as to what things had looked like. You can tell by the way he talks that he absolutely loves what he does, and he loves being able to fly. And there are very few things more attractive than seeing a man get so excited to tell you all about how he managed to get his plane upside down and scare the shit out of his friends and co-workers when no one was able to talk to each other in the air.

Dinner is over all too quickly after that, though, but thankfully nothing gets spilled during the rest of Bradley’s animated descriptions of his completely serious job duties. After you’d left the restaurant, since it was still light out, Bradley suggested that the two of you take a walk together along the beach behind the Hard Deck. He swore up and down that watching the sunsets from there were phenomenal, and, not wanting the date to end just yet, you agreed to go with him. He drove you there, and the two of you left your shoes in the back of his truck while you walked along the sand, continuing your conversation from dinner.

Bradley was absolutely right about the sunset, too; it was gorgeous, seeing all the blues and pinks and oranges, and every colour in-between, painting the sky in front of you and the water softly splashing against the shore. The two of you stop walking and talking as the sun hits the horizon, the cool water gently lapping against your feet and washing the sand all around. You swear you feel the back of Bradley’s hand ghost against the back of yours as the two of you stand there, side by side.

There’s a soft breeze blowing, putting a little chill in the air, and you find yourself shuffling a little closer to Bradley. Warmth radiates off of him, and as you look at him out of the corner of your eye and see him bathed in the burnished glow of the setting sun and how it gleams in his eyes, you think all the warmth and light of that sun must have been soaked up into him. And the more time you spend here with him on the beach, the happier you are that you didn’t let the date end after dinner–and that you gave him your number in the first place.

Once the sun has fully dipped below the horizon, the two of you make your way back to Bradley’s truck as the night sky faded from dusky twilight to a deep blue. You do keep a few steps behind him, though, to admire the way he fills out his t-shirt and jeans from the back. He’d once again popped the passenger door open for you, and closed it for you before he made his way back over to the driver’s side. Then, once he’s situated in the driver’s seat, he’s peeling out of the parking lot and heading back to your place.

The windows are rolled down as Bradley’s truck speeds along the road, and the cool breeze from earlier is back and blowing through the cab of the truck. The drive passes by all too quickly, with you needing to give Bradley directions the closer you get, and before you know it he’s pulling into your driveway. He parks the truck and turns the engine off. A beat of silence passes between the two of you before you turn to him and smile.

“Thank you for tonight,” you tell him, and you catch a flash of his teeth as he smiles.

“I should be thanking you. I’m glad you let me take you out.” He’s so earnest, maybe just a bit too earnest, but you have a feeling that he’s not quite as slick as some of his friends had been at the bar when you’d met. Which wasn’t entirely a bad thing; as pretty as the green eyed blond who’d been chatting up your best friend had been, he seemed just a little too full of himself. Bradley was much more your type (though you’d probably wait to admit that, that’s more of a post-third date kind of thing, if you got a third date, that is. You hope you do).

Though you don’t really want to date to end, judging by the time glowing on the dashboard of the truck (which Bradley had insisted was only thirteen minutes behind and it had been since his father owned it, and was lovingly referred to as running on ‘Goose time’, which you hoped he’d explain in the future), it was getting pretty late and you weren’t sure if he had to work in the morning. If he did, then he probably should have been at home a while ago.

“I should probably let you get going.” You unbuckle your seatbelt and grab your bag, and if you didn’t know any better, you’d think you almost saw a pout cross Bradley’s face. But he nods, unbuckling his own seatbelt.

“At least let me walk you to your door,” he says, and before you can protest he’s popping open his door and you watch him jog around the front of his truck to your side. He fiddles with the door handle for a minute before he gets it open, and when he does he offers you his other hand to help you out of the Bronco. You take it, and once you’re clear he closes the truck door–and doesn’t let go of your hand as he walks all the way down the driveway, up your front steps, and stops in front of your door.

The two of you stand on the porch, his calloused hand still clasped around your own as the dim, yellow light shining above your door illuminates the space around you. A few moths are bobbing and weaving around said light, a few of them getting a bit too close and dropping down before flying back up again in an endless cycle.

“Is it alright if I kiss you goodnight?” he asks, voice a little huskier than it had been all night as he breaks the silence, and you feel cool relief flood through you when you nod because yes, absolutely, you definitely want this man to kiss you, and it feels good to know he wants to kiss you, too.

You hadn’t been quite sure what to expect, though; would he be eager? Pushy? Sloppy?

Thankfully he’s none of those things–sure, Bradley’s lips are more than a little chapped, but that’s not surprising given what he does for work. But they’re also warm, and the gentle pressure behind the kiss has you closing your eyes and leaning into him. His mustache tickles against your skin, brushing against it as his mouth works against yours.

When you pull back due to the rather unfortunate need that your body has for oxygen, you take a moment to scan his face in the dim porch light. He’s got scars on his cheek, chin, and neck, you realize, and they gleam almost silver as you take them in. There’s a tiny smattering of barely there freckles that dot his nose, and one of his deep brown curls is hanging loose and slightly over his forehead. You wonder what it would be like to reach up and brush it away, but decide that the first date maybe isn’t the right time for that. His eyes are crinkled at the corner, crow’s feet softening his deep brown eyes as he looks down at you.

“That was… wow,” he tells you, which is probably pretty close to what you’d have said, because he’s not wrong. “I mean, better than just wow, but this is probably where I should get going before I make a total fool of myself. Thanks again for tonight.” He squeezes your hand one more time before he’s turning and stepping back off your porch to head towards his truck. You dig your keys out of your bag and unlock your door.

“Get home safe,” you call after him, and he waves back at you over his shoulder with a loud laugh. You step inside after you watch him get into the driver’s side, and close and lock your door as you hear the Bronco speed off into the night.

And about half an hour later, while you’re laying in bed, your phone screen lights up with a notification from Bradley–he’s home safe, he just wanted to let you know so that you don’t worry about him, and he’d love to take you out again, if that’s something you want. You look over at the sunflowers on your dresser, yellow ribbon still tied around them, and you can’t help the smile on your face as you tell him a second date is more than alright with you.

[little-peril-stories]

Ok, I haven’t really been around since like October🙈🙈🙈 and when I saw just now that you are going to publish „The prince of Thieves"…ahhh I was so excited you won’t believe it😊😊😊 and when I then saw that you are going to rewrite it and it will be a complete new story my first thought was ‚why it’s perfect the way it is'😊😉 but then I read about your plans for the big main character aka Jamie change and…got even more excited😆😆😆

Because ahhh, I loved Jamie so much in TPOT which is why I always hoped we get to see more of him or even him acting like the actual gang leader he is!!! I mean delegating tasks is all well and good but at some points it felt like Collette was the actual gang leader and he was just the stand in for the public…sorry Jamie🤷🏻‍♀️

And when he once thought I believe it was during the Hatchett interrogation ‚he tried to channel his gang leader qualities‘ or something like that I was like ‚please do so I would love to see you acting as the gang leader you are and show those qualities you sure have'😊

I'm so looking forward to this new version of Jamie and the whole new story of course!!!! I'm going to be the first one to buy it once you get it published😍😍😍

Ok, just needed this to be said😊 and thought new year would be a good time for that😉 On that account…happy new year!!! I'm going to try to catch up on TQOL in the new year because I really missed Bree and Will😍😍😍

Ahh, hi! It's good to see you! 🥰 And, of course, Happy New Year! I hope 2025 brings some amazing things for you!

Thank you so much for the kind words, encouragement, and validation! I had originally planned for the TPOT book to come out in 2024, but as you can clearly see, that's not what happened. 2025 is a go, though, and this time I ain't lyin'. 😁 I'm genuinely so excited to get it out there, and while I also lovelovelove the online version of TPOT we're all familiar with, I do think the new version will be a) better and b) more *cough* marketable. Bonus: fewer plot holes. 😅

You might be excited to hear that it actually is the same story, with Will and Bree as the main characters still, but there's simply a lot that's changing or went out the window entirely. I guess I better make a few confessions now, haha.

Big Changes (You'll Probably Notice Right Away)

✨ The story follows the same general plot, but the mechanisms and/or details are often different. It's also two books now:

-> The Mark of Thieves, which goes from the beginning of TPOT to a particularly traumatizing pivotal moment.

-> The Patron Saint of Scoundrels, which picks up immediately from that moment and takes us to the end.

✨ Jamie is an almost entirely new character now. For anyone else who's curious, I wrote a blog post about how I'm making him more deserving of the "IA leader" title over here.

(Fun fact that doesn't matter until TPSOS: our buddy Dr. Allan Armstrong Dale also gets a slight level up in badassery, but not to the same degree as Jamie.)

✨ The IA sigil is a different picture now. (This is one I'm still sad about 😭, but I know it ultimately works better and makes more sene.)

✨ Not everyone has a tattoo anymore.

Okay, there are other things that are different but I think those are the ones that might be most jarring to Tumblr/ao3 readers. The rest I'm gonna keep for a surprise.

As for the "whole new story" element . . . Well, I can't say it's entirely new, but I CAN say that a lot is different, so if you do read the published version, you will be getting a fresh version and not just the same thing over again but in book form. 💕

Thank you again, a million times over, for the love and support. It's difficult to describe just how much it means to me. 🥰💕

Oh! Before I go! In that blog post about Jamie, I mused about putting some bruises on his knuckles. I did it!

(Please excuse any typos or weird wording, I literally typed this up, like, two days ago and it hasn't been thoroughly edited.)

I squint, still peeking around the corner, at what Spider is doing in the narrow laneway between buildings, dressed prettily in a modest but fancy black frock that is puzzlingly incongruent to her surroundings. The activity in which she’s engaged is even more puzzling: She’s not just talking to the man. She’s daubing a white cloth against his knuckles—which are bleeding. Profusely.

“Alpha,” Spider says sternly, “why didn’t you just get yourself gone? You heard what he said yesterday. Cops are everywhere these days.” With a huff, she tugs a strip of cotton bandage from her apron and begins to wind it around his swollen hand.

Okay, I think I have rambled enough and taken quite enough of your time. Thanks again. Much love. 💕

[xxnashiraxx]

With Stars to Fill My Dream (7) - From Now Our Merge is Eternal

I'm releasing chapter 7 early!!!! ❤

Please have my girl in her new hard af fit, about to be traumatized next chapter. Lets goooooooo.

I'm setting up Ofelia's and Astarion's relationship, just the bones, it's so hard to write these two idiots sometimes. Forgive any grammatical errors I really tried to proofread this a billion times first. :")

Thank you guys!

Summary: A street-smart, musically inclined human girl with a tragic past gets abducted by a nautiloid after her painfully average shift at a retro singing diner. What's worse- putting your all into Olivia Newton-John and Travolta for lousy tips, or getting your guts ripped out by a gnoll? Or worse- getting turned into a hideous humanoid squid? Ofelia Montez will have to see if she can survive long enough to find out.

Pairing: Astarion x female!Tav

Warnings: 18+. Mentions of past abuse and trauma. Canon-typical violence and gore.

Word Count: 8,238

Opening below the cut!

Sparks of red and gold flash behind his eyes as Astarion sits against a tree, the breath that fills his lungs and pushes outward again makes him feel almost alive. Every scent feels more powerful- even his sight is sharper. He can see the individual feathers of a hawk circling above, looking for its next meal.

He’s chosen a view of the sunrise today, and whether it's his freshly sated appetite or something else, it looks more beautiful this morning than ever before. Granted he hadn't had the chance to see it before these last few days in as long as he can remember, but still… Ofelia’s blood has made him feel like himself again. Maybe more than he has since he’s been dead.

No flush colors his cheeks when he thinks of their union- he does regret the intimate nature of the bite, but even knowing its troublesome side effects, he’d have done it all again just the same, perhaps aside from not properly asking her first.

She’d been so willing, and that fact wasn’t lost on him. Why? He can’t fathom it. No matter how hard he pours over her every word and subtle expression, he doesn’t know why she’d said yes. Stupidity? Curiosity? Some strange notion of compassion? Pity?

He grits his teeth, though he can’t find it in himself to stay irritated. He can’t stop thinking about the taste, the warmth in his skin now, all of it. How can he secure this strange partnership between them? She isn’t like his usual marks. She’s intelligent but stupid. Kind, but petty. Soft, yet tough. She doesn’t seem to be receptive to his more flirtatious remarks, but perhaps he isn’t trying the right kind. All he’d had to do before was bat his lashes and flatter his prey, but with her it’s different. Her keen eyes search for something deeper- a connection.

The kind she looks for isn’t something he has. Mutual trust? Banish the thought. He’d sooner flee their odd little group of misfits than confess to Ofelia a genuine emotion of his. Or thought. She’d find some use for it, no doubt- keep it stowed away for her benefit someday. She’s just enough of a wildcard that if he yields a sliver of control to her, she may see the opening and go for his throat. He’s smarter than that.

Perhaps he’ll manufacture lies for her? Pretty ones? She’s young and impressionable- perhaps she’ll be swayed by them. He can feed her some truth, just enough to gain her trust, and perhaps secure future feedings and a warm bedroll. Astarion’s nothing if not a master of deception- the scores of victims trailing behind him speak for themselves. He’ll resort to the one thing he knows best- luring with his looks to keep her hooked so he can stay fed and safe while he figures out how to remove his old master from the equation.

After that’s through, he’ll be rid of her and the parasite.

He ignores the odd little twinge in the back of his mind- likely the worm. When he stands, his limbs stretch, and his muscles flex, the breeze coming off the river balmy and carrying the promise of another hot day. He’ll go find her and thank her, see if he can begin this dance he’s set out before himself.

And hide her marks from the rest of their companions…

[janevolturi]

If you had to rate each Twilight book from a scale of 1-10 what would it be?

@rosalielesbianhale

Ooh I love this! Honestly, it's easier than rating them best to worst because I think all of the books tend to have some really great parts and a few not so great parts lol.

Twilight- 8/10

It's the classic. It started a phenomenon. I remember when it came out and when I read it just how influential it was on the cultural world around me. Plus, it is the classic gothic vampire romance! This Edward is absolutely the best Edward and I was absolutely kicking my feet and giggling while reading. It also feels like the only book in the series that genuinely had a beginning and end, whereas the rest have all felt open for another book to be published (including Breaking Dawn). It felt satisfying as a story and also because the nostalgia factor is 10/10.

Midnight Sun- 7/10

Guys. This is gonna be bad but... I still haven't finished it. I just don't understand why it's so much longer than the other books??? Clearly Stephenie was STEWING on this for like 15 years it's absolutely crazy. I remember reading the leak way back when (the real one too, not just the one posted on her website) and trying to finish it all in one night. I really enjoyed it! When it was published in 2020, I obviously bought it and started to read, but because I wasn't really in my Twilight phase anymore I lost interest pretty quickly. That being said, I will read it!!! I love all the lore I hear that comes from this book but I am currently trying to cut down my TBR so it has to wait lol.

New Moon- 9/10

It's just so depressing and I love when my romances are filled with dread. It also helps that this was based on R&J which was my favorite- and only- Shakespeare play at the time I read it (I was 11). I really love how Jacob is characterized in this book and how it genuinely does set up a love triangle for Bella. It's sad because his character becomes so much more aggressive in later books that we lose what made him a viable option in the first place. Here it was like: who could she choose! The dramatic, "it's fate" love, or the best friend? It's awesome. Alas, I am on the side of "Twilight was never a love triangle" so it's a dashed hope. Also, extra points because the Volturi are truly introduced and I love a good evil politician. Plus, Dakota Fanning as Jane in the movies was one of my first crushes that made me realize I'm bi lmao.

Eclipse- 4/10

Fuck. This. Book. I don't even wanna think about it. I genuinely prefer the insanity that is BD to this dumb shit. NOTHING HAPPENS FOR A THIRD OF THE BOOK. Everyone is just so abusive and gaslight-y and none of the characters feel like themselves. Especially when it came to Edward and Alice, I could not STAND them in this installment. This is obviously not the case for the other books, and I still love their characters, but I cannot think of everyone's behavior in Eclipse without crashing the fuck out. The rating is only as high as it is because I loved the newborn army lore and it was cool seeing the vampires and werewolves team up. Plus Edward and Bella get engaged which is pretty cute.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner- 9.5/10

Underrated installment??? To be fair, I need to reread it because it's been a long time (see my above TBR comment) but I remember really loving this one. It's such a tragedy! Bree thinks she can escape and that hope is with her until that last second when she realizes Riley betrayed her! AND DIEGO!!!! I loved him. This novella is also the only one to not mainly focus on the romance and rather the logistics of the Twilight vampires, which I thought was really cool. It really shows how scary the vampires can be, considering Bella only knows the stories secondhand from the Cullens. It was definitely a standout installment because at this point, I was so used to SM's HEA that the fact that she chose to end it so sadly really surprised me.

Breaking Dawn- 6/10

I feel like having known these books so long I am truly desensitized to how insane this book is. I kind of love it in a camp way? Whenever I see the complaints about Breaking Dawn, I generally agree with the points being made. I don't think this ending works with how SM developed her characters over the course of 3 books, but it exists regardless. As a necessary evil, at least it's a fun one. I'm a big horror fan, so getting to cringe at the pregnancy/medical horror was a cool perk for a book that mostly focuses on fantasy and romance. I only like Renesmee as a possible downfall for the Cullens because, again, I love a tragedy and that would be pretty cool. As the perfect, beautiful little Bellward daughter I hope she ends up like Vasilii in BD2:

BONUS: Life and Death- 4/10

The most random shit SM ever did. I still don't quite understand the point she thought she made. The best part of this is the fact that now that there are canonical genderbent versions of each character so you can create lesbian and gay Cullens for all your fic and art needs. Stephenie Meyer Ally!

[bardic-perdita]

Finally put together a reference sheet for Breoch! It should be helpful for me to keep his design more consistent and if anybody ever wanted to do an Art Trade anytime.

Click on the images for better quality and to read the text.

I'll stick some more information about him under the cut:

Act One Introduction

Greeting

"I am ever at your service, khal'abbil."

"You seem eager to speak with me, and that pleases me more than you know. What can I do for you?"

Personality

Charming, flirtatious, and adaptable. He has a taste for the finer things in life, and is not impressed by the grime of the surface. He has never stepped foot out of the Underdark before the events of the game, so he is unfamiliar with the customs of the surface, and the various flora and fauna they encounter. Although he is Lolth-Sworn, once he is out of the City of Spiders with its web of deception and death, he feels safe enough to allow himself to show genuine care and affection for his companions. Once he considers someone a true friend, there are no lengths he wouldn't go to in order to protect his own.

Short Summary of Back-story

Breoch (pronounced Bree-ock) comes from a very loving noble family. Since the family were exiled after his great grandmother had children with a white dragon, the other Houses left them alone to live however they pleased. They weren't fully accepted back into the House hierarchy, but nobody was willing to fight a dragon and his brood of powerful draconic sorcerers. Breoch was the eldest of his brothers and thought it was unfair that his brothers wouldn't receive the same benefits as other noble families, so worked to ingratiate himself among the nobility to secure opportunities for them (and later his secret boyfriend). He used his charm, natural good looks, and underhanded tactics to climb the social ranks. He had a long-term boyfriend, a necromancer wizard named Varna, who at first was ok with Breoch's um…'negotiation tactics'. Their relationship eventually soured as they both became absorbed in their own pursuits of power. Breoch had always promised Varna his heart, even when he shared his body so readily, so one day Varna took him up on the offer…literally. Varna cut out Breoch's heart, kept it beating in a jar, and killed him. Nearly a century passed and Varna is offered an opportunity by a brand new goddess called 'The Absolute' to bring back his former lover and fully claim all of his heart, body and soul as his own. The necromancer is given a scroll of 'True Resurrection' and Breoch is brought back. Breoch escaped his ex's tower, but is later captured by some drow cultists and gets infected by a strange tadpole.

All the content I've made for him is under the tag Tav! Breoch

Breoch's Spotify Playlist

Close-ups of outfits and tent:

[bambiihee]

my bree bree, my bambi, my lia bee, my best friend… we’ve been through the fucking ringer together haven’t we… been through absolutely the thickest of thicks and the thinnest of thins huh… it’s quite an achievement that’s we’re still standing here together, muddied and unkempt, but together nonetheless, isn’t it? and i want you to know that i’m holding your hand, absolutely fucking clenching it to the point that it’s hurting, through it all.

i’d never thought that i’d have such close friends, people who genuinely care about me and want the best for me. and i’d never thought that i’d meet someone who understands me, inside and out, quite like you do. it’s such a beautiful feeling, an absolutely amazing feeling. i quite literally don’t know what i would do if you weren’t next to me right now. like i’m being so genuine when i say this. you matter to me SO fucking much and i genuinely cherish the connection we’ve grown together, and i’m excited to see it get even bigger and even brighter to the point where it hurts our eyes.

i love you so much, and i love you so much more. i’ve been repeating myself all day, but there are truly no words to describe it, there will never be any that even come close. you, and the rest of our amazingly beautiful and wonderful friends are my people. and it’s making me so emotional because i’d never thought that i’d ever get the chance to say that after everything i’ve been through in my life, but you are. you guys are my fucking people. and i love you ♡♡

making me cry like this is so evil 😭😭😭 kipo i genuinely don’t know what i’d do without you… one of the worst parts about being in your twenties is meeting people you should have met when you were twelve or thirteen. but i guess it doesn’t matter cos sometimes it feels like i’ve know you for ten years anyway <3 there’s not a single soul on this planet that understands me as deeply as you do. genuinely my soulmate. my heart is yours.

i’m so blessed to have you and our friends in my life, after years of feeling like an unlovable outcast. we’ve been through so much together but i’d go through so much more just to stay by your side. i thank the stars every day and night that we crossed paths.

it’s hard for me to get all my feelings out when i’m pausing after every sentence to tear up 😭❤️ i’ll hold your hand til the very very end. i can’t wait to see where life takes us.

[ohanna235]

A KILI X OC FANFIC

———

Astra had never travelled with anybody besides her father and Gandalf. She was used to comfortable silence and active listening of her surroundings. She was quiet, methodical in her walking, waiting patiently for a noise; something to hunt or something to fight. From time to time her father would tell a story about their ancestors or someone he once knew, but they always kept their voices low, their footsteps light. This journey was different.

The dwarves - except for Thorin - never seemed to stop talking. There was always an anecdote to be told, an argument to be debated or a song to be sung.

When Bofur wasn’t starting another chant, he was talking to Astra. The more hours passed and the more she was enjoying his company. He had a lot of things to say, not all pertinent, but it kept the girl’s mind occupied. Because as soon as nobody was distracting her, she kept going back to the last time she passed those woods with her father. Happy memories now heavy with her grief.

"Are you always so quiet?" Kili was riding on her right, Bofur in a conversation with Bombur behind them.

Astra glanced at him with a hidden smile, glad for the newfound distraction. "I’m thinking, listening." she explained simply.

The dwarf nodded seriously, like he understood exactly what she meant. Though it lasted only a second before he turned his head back to her with a confused look on his face. "Sorry, thinking about what exactly?"

Astra chuckled lightly. "Last time I was here…" she hesitated to continue, but Kili seemed genuinely interested in her thoughts. "… I was twenty. My father and I were going to Bree, but he made us stop and urged me to climb on a tree, that something was near." she pointed faintly to the forest surrounding them. "When I was high enough, he started laughing, saying it was only a jape… but I think it was just to see how quickly I could climb if needed." the girl smiled remembering him.

It had been hard to think or talk about her father for the months following his death, the words would get caught in her throat and tears would be menacing to roll down her cheeks, so finally being able to share memories of him with someone felt good.

"He had this way of training me…" Astra recalled aloud, "It was always very light, and fun."

Kili let her words float for a moment, not knowing what to answer to fond memories of someone he never knew. He simply watched the smile slowly die on her face as she, he was sure, was thinking of other moments with her father. "It is good to know that you can talk." the dwarf joked and it brought her back from the depths of her own mind.

Astra nodded, amused. "I can talk."

They listened to the other conversations for a minute before Kili spoke up again, like he’d just realized something. "Did you say you were but twenty? As young as a stripling!"

"I was already a woman then." she chuckled, giving the shook dwarf a look. "I am not much older today."

His eyes widened. "How much older then?"

Bofur shouted to Kili from behind them "Lad, you do not ask a woman how old she is."

It made Astra smiled internally. "It’s okay, Bofur!" she glanced over her shoulder to the dwarf before returning her attention to Kili. "I am twenty-seven. An adult among humans."

Kili nodded, his face more serious now. "Right."

After a moment, Astra added with a smirk "You must tell me your age now that you know of mine." It brought back his grin.

"Seventy-seven. But Fili’s eighty-two."

She furrowed her eyebrows at the addition of Fili’s age to his answer, but didn’t reply anything more as they continued to ride in silence, the air only filled with the others’ discussions.

———

"Here ya go, lass." Bofur smiled, giving Astra a bowl filled with some sort of soup Bombur had cooked. He sat beside her against the tree, further away from the others. "Thank you."

Most of the dwarves were sitting together, close to the fire, while they ate the light supper. She noticed Fili and Thorin speaking almost seriously as Kili interrupted them with enthusiasm. She couldn’t hear their conversation, but she could only guess it was about her when the leader shot her a deadly look, making the two brothers glance at her in incomprehension.

The light of the fire was illuminating poorly Astra and Bofur’s faces, but she could still see hesitation on his before he spoke up, daring to ask the question he thought about all day. "Thorin knew you before, right?"

Astra didn’t react, choosing mentally what to tell and what not to tell the dwarf. She was not ready yet to speak about that day, much less with the company of Thorin Oakenshield himself. She feared talking about it would only make her furious and would do no good to her quest. "I don’t think he did." she answered and it was only half-a-lie. Thorin had not seemed to recognize her the night before. So in a way, even though she remembered vividly his eyes looking directly into hers on that day, he didn’t know her.

"Mhm…" Bofur replied, contemplative. "You two just do not seem to like each other very much."

Astra gave him a look. "Well he didn’t even ask me my name before deciding that I was a threat to your company."

The dwarf shrugged. "You can’t really blame him. He has been betrayed by humans and others more times than I could count."

She looked faintly at Thorin, wondering how he could so easily betray people when he himself has been betrayed before.

"That’s a good thing his nephews like you. Maybe that’ll ease him."

Astra furrowed her eyebrows in question. "His what?"

"His nephews." Bofur repeated, pointing at Fili and Kili with his chin. "They are Dis’ sons, Thorin’s sister." he continued, but the girl’s eyes were on the two brothers, trying to understand how they could be related to Thorin. "Lovely, lovely dam, Dis."

Bofur went on with the story of the first time he met Dis, rambling to a distracted Astra, who was doing her best to listen to him.

She wondered if Kili and Fili were there that day, maybe she didn’t see them. If they were, they probably never noticed her. The way they introduced themselves at Bilbo’s house was too genuine.

Astra had waited politely for Bofur to finish his story before excusing herself. "I think I saw a stream back there, I’ll be right back."

The dwarf smiled, going back to his kin as she walked slowly to the water she saw when they decided on the camp site. She knew these lands were still safe, safer than anywhere they would stop from now on, so adventuring alone away from the settlement was not stressful. Travelling with a company full of dwarves, she needed to take the opportunities to be alone.

She kneeled in front of the small river, filling up the waterskin in silence, though she could still hear faintly the voices further from there. Astra washed her hands and her face quickly, the water cold on her skin. She took out her two braids, splashing water onto her hair and passing fingers through it.

She stayed there a moment, not moving, listening to the sounds of the water trickling and the branches moving with the wind.

The girl hoped it was worth it. She hoped joining Thorin’s company was worth it, that it would bring her to accomplish her entire genealogy’s wish. Without her father, she was the last one that could restore what was mere fairytales when she was young.

Astra heard a crack behind her and turned around, her hand immediately on the dagger on her belt, ready to throw it to whatever it was that was hiding. "It’s me." she heard the Kili’s voice as he stepped out in the moonlight.

She sighed loudly, her body relaxing and her hand moving away from the weapon. "Don’t do that again." she warned him, taking her waterskin from the ground before standing up. He nodded one time, his lips flattening. As she walked up to him, ready to go back to the others, he furrowed his eyebrows.

"What?" Astra asked him, curious as to why he seemed so confused.

"Did you take out your braids?" he pointed to her wet hair.

She didn’t know why she blushed, she just did, and she thanked every power in Middle Earth that they were in the dark. She had only ever travelled with her father. She never had friends or anything. It was not much, Kili remarking her change of hair, but it was enough to make her feel like she wasn’t alone and that somebody was seeing her.

Facing away from him, she went on with her walk and muttered a "Yeah". She could not let herself get soft or used to the feeling, so it was better to stop it from the start. In more or less of a year, the company would part ways, she would have much things to do if everything went according to plan and no time to mourn people who left or died. Astra only needed to remember that they were all related to Thorin in a way or the other to help herself not get attached. To anyone.

She was back to the camp site, Kili had not followed her, and everyone was quietly preparing to go to sleep.

She installed her bedroll where she was sitting earlier, further away from the company. The fire was near, but not near enough to produce a real warmth.

Astra sat back against the tree, waiting silently for sleep to come get her, her cloak tight around her. She hid her chin in the fabric, watching all the dwarves setting up close to each other. Bofur gave her a polite, almost pitiful smile from the other side of the fire and she returned it to convince him that she was good.

When Kili came back from the forest, she noticed his hair was wet too. He sat with his brother, unbraiding the knotted blond locks.

"Fili, you get first watch." Thorin spoke up and the dwarf nodded under Kili’s fingers.

NEXT: Chapter 4

[indolentsecurityguard]

⭐🚨 Siren Headcanon threads 🚨⭐

Small list of info about Legacy's main!

• He has some brawl stars merch at his house. he own a starr park snow globe alongside plushies, mug, keychain, and figurines as well.

• he pack his own lunch that he cooked from his home. He even has a bag for him to carry them around.

• Siren is Australian.

• He's a dog person. Talking to people is hard for him, so he thought about adopting a dog to have as company.

• He read books and has a shelf to stores them in.

• He listen to Sister of Mercy, The Cure, Twin Tribes, TV girl, Johnathan Bree, Molchat Doma, and Jack Stauber.

• Only able to speak a few words. He's a very muted person.

• If he tries to speak longer than usual, his voice gets quieter and starts mumbling his words.

• He goes to the gym at night. Especially since there are fewer people present and doesn't like how crowded it can get.

• he's a night owl. After a long day, he'll pull out Brawl Stars and play a few rounds before he rest.

• Sometimes he'll stay up all night to grind in-game. Of course, he'll get in-between breaks before jumping back in.

• he smokes cigarettes.

• As odd as this may be, he does wonders what it like to be in a coffin.

• Has all the cosmetics & skins for Legacy.

• Sirens is a melee type of player. He prefers to run up close and attack them as well as guarding his teammates. Legacy ended up being a good choice for siren because of this.

• In fact, He always play as legacy. He's his comfort pick and go to main when he doesn't know who to choose.

• He goes to a cafe. He'll also order one to take home after he gets out from the gym.

• His favorite skin and the one he has on currently is Pangyo Legacy. He loves pandas, It's his favorite animal.

• He used to live with his foster parents until he moved out.

• Siren's real name is Adam Blackwood.

• He's very independent. He learned how to take care of himself from an early age and know some life skills he needs to support himself. Much to his foster parents concern due to him not letting them help/raise him.

• As much as he wants to meet Legacy in-person, their interactions would be awkward. Doesn't help the fact that he can't convey his excitement toward him so it's a bit difficult for legacy to tell if he being genuine.

• he would like to get an autograph from legacy, but it's too shy to ask for one. (Maybe even scared to ask thinking he'll annoy him.)

• Outside of his esport outfit, he wears casual goth clothing. (here's an example of what i think it would looks like so far. I may end up changing it since it's only a concept.)

⭐End of Threads (Bonus: Sketch Doodles)⭐

[fangaminghell]

I don't know if I would consider these "romances" cause uh. Some of these are toxic, even when the people involved aren't even together. and some of these couples are already broken up for one reason or another. So...

Adam x Bree: Where in the process of getting divorced. They don't end up back together, but are simply happy that they're still in each other's lives. Arguably the healthiest outcome of everyone here.

Diana x Calreath: Calreath dies sorry. They had a good relationship, though Diana at times didn't open up much.

Adam x Jaern: One sided love/ hatred/ obsession. Jaern fell hard for Adam at one point and that just spiralled. Doesn't really hate Bree, I think, is generally more focused on Adam. Adam genuinely saw Jaern as one of his closest friends. Maybe in another universe, they've gotten together, but 1) this isn't that universe 2) unless Jaern chilled the fuck out I don't see their relationship being healthy.

East x Jaern: Do I even call this a relationship????? Jaern knows East has some feelings towards him, and uses that against him. East knows that he knows and hates how his emotions - the thing he knows would never become a reality for a loooong time now - is being played with. Like yeah, East had feelings for Jaern at one point, and those feelings sneak up on him sometimes, but above all else, East does not want to be in any relation with Jaern outside a loyal member of his cult/ right hand man. And yet, Jaern just loves to poke at him. He hates it. He wants to run away. But he can't. And Jaern knows this. It's. Very bad. Just an abuse of power and emotions.

Jaern x Zenith???????: Honestly kinda made for each other in the worst ways lmao. In canon Zenith is what Jaern wishes he could be, and Zenith will make sure Jaern knows it. That is, of course, if I have them actually know each other on a cult leader to cult leader status. Outside of that I still think there's some playful bitterness between the two. Jaern loves being the center of attention, loves having influence, and here comes Zenith in his idol persona, who also loves that, and thus is actively competing for some sort of public dominance. Though to the average person, they seem like good acquaintances.

Anastasia x Audrey: Childhood friends to one sided crush( Ana developed feelings towards Audrey when they were younger) to sworn enemies. Nowhere near as crazy as Adam n Jaern, but man. What could have been.

Reukra x Harmony: They dated in college before breaking up. Harmony genuinely liked the man and thought he was Forever, but Reukra....simply didn't feel much. He likes Harmony as a friend, and he thought that dating someone like her was expected but....nothing. At the time, they broke up on good terms. They were still friends at the end of the day. But sometimes harmony looks back at those times and wonders where things went wrong and if she could have done more.

Eduard x Yuki: OKAY THE ONLY HEALTHY COUPLE SO FAR SORRY ADAM N BREE. We love a t4t couple in this household. Anyway, they aren't together for the majority of Insurgence, but they are very clearly in love with each other and are too shy to really say it. Kayla is scrolling through her phone as they awkwardly flirt with each other while London is just happy he got new writing inspiration for his next book ( oh and happy for them too).

Juno x Xavier: I already said this story so long story short: Juno, Nora's older brother, used to date Xavier when they were both rangers. They've broken up- all bc of Xavier- and Juno has no plans of taking Xavier back. Xavier acts like it doesn't affect him but will ask about Juno whenever Nora is around, much to her annoyance. Bro, he's not gonna date you, move on.

Bonus: Silly and Self Indulgent but most likely not canon.

Adam x East: I don't think East would want anything to do with Adam after everything - no real fault of the man, East has just spent way to long with Jaern and by proxy, way too long hearing about Adam. But if East does try to interact with Adam, I think it would be funny if East said to Jaern that he's going on a date with Adam just to spite him. And then the man actually goes on a date with Adam. The only other problem is that it will be very weird for Yancy, who had to fight for their life against the East, who suggested Yancy to be sacrificed btw, and then proceed to watch East die. So. Yeah, maybe. Maybe not. It's still very funny.

Yancy x Damian: To be very clear, these two relationships don't really hinge on whether it's romantic or not. They mean a lot to the other, and that's what's important. But goddamit, they would be cute. And so awkward. So so awkward. Like I need you to understand the tension that's there when Damian comes back, changed and more self assured, putting up boundaries but also just distancing himself a bit vs Yancy who is trying to show more affection, trying to be the friend Damian needs, but bc of their nature they're just so awkward about it. To be clear again: This is going to happen regardless of if it's romantic or not. God their friendship is going through it. But the self indulgent part of me thinks a romance between them could be cute.

Nora x ????: This is very much not canon bc ??? Isn't even canon at all but I love the idea of a Carmen Sandiago esc relationship with ??? Being a ruins thief that likes teasing Nora and Nora actively trying to stop her. Que bickering and " why the fuck do I have a crush on her of all people". This is probably a good time to mention that Nora is an ace lesbian in this rewrite 👍

[harryleatherfit]

Upper East Side || A.U || Frankie Morales

Chapter 11: Opening Night

Frankie Morales x F!Reader

Word Count: 7.8K (i was gonna keep going but Warnings: mentions of fucking bad family, unprotected p in v (um), oral f receiving, mentions of sub space (when you squint at the end), spanking, hard fucking, tit sucking, some fluff, performance on stage, lmk if i’ve missed any

Authors Notes: let me know what you guys think! genuinely this is the longest thing i’ve written but i fear i’ll be hated for the next few chapters 😵‍💫 i love you guys ♾️

Chapter Playlist

Jungle Fever- The Chakachas

Somebody Like You- Bree Runway

Lust For Life- Lana Del Ray

🪩Main Master List🪩 Series Master List🪩

Opening night, electricity filled your body. You woke up with light peeking through your window, you stared at the dust particles floating around, you wish you could stay here forever. Both nights were sold out, your heart racing thinking you had to be on stage tonight. Performing in front of thousands excited you on second thought. You loved the crowd, the air, the excitement as you smiled. You had gotten leads at UNCSA, but nothing could compare to this. You didn’t know where you lay in the acting world at all, but you had to remember that no matter what you would be yourself on the inside.

You had gotten up before Laylah, Rose, and Hannah, making coffee and staring at the sun. You were hoping Frankie was up looking at the same sun. You did breath exercises, prepping your lungs for the amount of talking you had to do for the next few days. Setting your headspace was most important to you. You were scrolling on your phone and Frankies name popped up in the corner of the screen.

New Message:

Frankie: Can you come early to the theater? Somethin I wanna show you.

You: My call times at 3, want me to come at 12?

Frankie: 11.

You: Okayyy, need me to bring food?

Frankie: No, assistants already brought a shit load, I need to see you.

You: Packing my bags as we speak🥱

“Hey hotstuff,” Laylah walks out of your room, yawning, “Smells good. Ready for your big day?”

“Ready as I can ever be.” You shrug, embracing the heat of your coffee cup. The mornings were always so cold.

“Anything planned for the morning?”

“Well, he asked me to come in early, something to show me.” You whisper.

“Oh shit, damn ok,” They get excited, “Have fun gettin old man dick.”

“Laylah!” You laugh.

“Nah, I bet it’s good. Look at him.”

“Believe me I know.”

“Have you guys fucked yet?” They nudge.

“No, but I'm not even sad. So many times guys just want to immediately fuck and it’s such a massive turn off.” You explain, “He’s soft and gentle with me, never in a rush.”

“Yeah me and Bryce haven't done the deed yet. Have high hopes for him. And he also uses my correct pronouns so yay men!” They cheer.

“Well here’s to fucking men I guess.” You click your coffee in the air, “Is he treating you right?”

“We haven’t done much aside from hangout during rehearsals and stuff, so after we’ll actually have time to be with each other.”

“You should go with him after the show tonight, get dinner and walk around the city.” You suggest.

“I think that’s what I’ll do.” They hug you, “My beautiful astonishing Lady Macbeth, I’ll see you tonight.”

-----

You arrive at the theater, New York Streets bustling with people at this hour. Broadway never fails to have thousands of people in and out. Tonight was going to be a big one. Book of Mormon was on, but that show was always on broadway and Macbeth was only on for two nights.

You wondered how many stars were going to come, how many people you loved that would come to see your show. How many playbills you were going to get to sign.

Your interaction with Wes Anderson made you think about your spine, your eyebrow conjecture, the way you present yourself and your character on stage. Everything had to be different. Mattias had a pep talk with you before you left the theater, no matter what happens on this stage, we both know we have put our souls into this show.

It was true, there’s no need to stress about impressing people.

You set your bad down at the entrance, seats already blocked off, ushers clocking in their hours.

“Hey, up here.” Frankie calls up from the theater's booth, “It’s set up a little differently here, Broadway has way more money than our school could ever imagine,” You walk up the steps, “I know so much bigger than our little shabby room at the school.” You take in the scenery of the room.

“I bet you’ve worked here a lot though, right? I mean this is like your job, to do shows for the college, teach the building basics of theater, and fucking work Broadway shows.” How could he act like this wasn’t a big deal.

“Honey, my job is cool and all but doesn't mean I enjoy it. Long hours, having to meet people's demands, spicy celebrities, whiney actors.” He purrs.

“Hey! I’m not whiney, you’re the whiney one, arguing with everyone who pisses you off.”

You hug him, he’s sitting on a stool in front of the lighting board, “I wanted to be an actor actually, but never went through. I never had the courage to do bigger roles and my dad was always focused on my brother. So I just went into tech, it’s easier anyways.” He mumbles.

“Sometimes I wish I went into tech, being an actor is fucking hard,” You stare at him, “Why’d you quit acting? You could never be second to anyone.” You rub his face, hands lingering on his porno stash, his scruff felt like lightening under your fingers.

“When we were in our twenties, he’s a little bit older than I am, he was breaking through the stock market and everyone was shocked. I mean he broke through after 9/11 so he was everywhere.

My dad was disappointed that I wanted to do theater and acting and not anything business related. I was doing mini side jobs for Broadway and small film roles. I went to Spain for some time. Until I started doing this I was finally important to my family.” You back off from him, circling the room.

He hasn’t talked to you about his family too much, he said he’s an open book but you didn’t want to push him too much.

“Sad boring people want to go into the stock market. Margot Robbie was the only interesting thing about Wolf of Wall Street by the way,” You chide, “You're not a fucking disappointment, you’re motivated. You create worlds for people to see, you have so much passion. I wish I was you.”

He moves from his chair, standing up, he’s way taller than you

“Smart girl, go turn off the lights.”

“Frankie,” You stare at him, “We can’t, you know we can’t.” Even though you fucking want to.

“We’re not,” He laughs, “Just go turn them off, I want you to see this.”

You do as told, flipping the switch and returning to your sanctuary.

“Lay down and look up, cmon I’ll do it with you.” He instructs.

You find your way in the dark, glimmer from the ceiling illuminating the room. You lay down as you feel his body next to yours.

“See the ceiling? It’s stars, they painted stars in here for the actors to relax before shows. I’ve done shows here before and they always help me even before a long tech run.” He whispers, the ceiling reminds you of a galaxy, calming and beautiful. He moves to your neck, smelling your hair. You could bathe in his after shave, bask his cologne. He always smelled so expensive.

“Don’t get too comfortable pretty girl, someone could walk in.”

“Then don’t smell so fucking good.” You shove him away, laughing to your side. The pain in your lower abdomen could never subside when you were around him.

“I have something to give to you now, but would you wanna come over to my place later? We could get food, or walk around, or if you want to go back to your place after the show home then we can go there, orwecanjustleave-”

“Shhh,” You shove your finger to his lips, “I would love to go to your place tonight, please. We can finally be alone. Finally be with each other without anyone interrupting us.”

“Ok, ok.” He shakes his head like a giddy boy, “ Oh baby you’re gonna do amazing tonight.,” He kisses you quickly “Before I set up, I wanted to give you these.” He fumbles into his jeans pocket, pulling out two VIP Caroline Polachek tickets.

“No fucking way, you did not do this. Frankie, you did not spend this money.” You squeal.

“Stop, I didn’t spend any money gorgeous. I pulled some strings and magically got them.”

He hands them to you, they were metallic with black printing of the venue and time, with her name in this beautiful ceryllic, you couldn't imagine being in her presence. You’ve wanted to see her since the beginning of college, but you never had the money to go. Since her breakup from Chairlift, you fell in love with her artistry. She was meticulous about what she exposed to the world and you wanted to be like her.

“A little something for an opening night present, and the concert’s before your recital. A win-win.”He looks at you, “I know her new album came out and I know her producer, maybe you’ll get to meet her.” He winks. Get to meet your fucking idol? You were shocked but it was Frankie, of course he would do something like this.

“Don’t worry about tonight darlin,” He holds you, “This weekend is gonna be amazing.”

------

Is this the real life, is this just fantasy caught in a landslide. No escape from reality.

Bohemian Rhapsody was blaring throughout the dressing rooms, never able to run away from Freddie Mercury.

After your soiree with Frankie, you had gone to freshen up, prep your hair and skin. Ate a protein bar and met with Mattias. You blindly went over your scenes, and then he offered some cigarettes You shouldn’t have, but you did.

You fled out the back, door checking to see if anyone would see you. Not that it would matter but felt too familiar. You found a cozy spot, wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket the team gave you and lit one up with him. You felt like you were a teenager in high school again, smoking before a show to ease the nerves.

Passing on local tradition.

“You’ve got any family coming tonight?” He opens his zippo lighter.

“Nah, just my friends, I don’t have family up here. You?”

“Mom and dad, they weren’t too happy I came to this school but it’s starting to grow on them” He taps his cigarette, “Anyone special coming tonight?”

“Something like that. It’s recently new with him and I, but he’ll be here.” You blow smoke,“You?”

“I just broke up with my boyfriend so probably not. We’ll see.”

“Ahh Mattias, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

“I’m okay, just means I’ll be clubbing fucking extra tomorrow night at the afterparty, are you excited?”

“Fuck I forgot about that, I haven’t clubbed in years.”

“It’s at this hoity toity place in the Upper East Side, not The Box I promise but it’ll be fun as fuck. The directors are supposed to come, like the whole school is going to show up.”

The fucking Box. Frankie being there.

Flashbacks of Frankie fingerfucking you agasint the bathroom counter race through your mind, you couldn’t understand how bad you wanted him. The one person in your life that has changed your entire being.

You guys finish your cigarettes, small talk with him was so easy. Giggling about the shit you’ve seen in high school and college as theater majors. Mattias knew what the struggle was like, he knew the difference between stage anxiety and general anxiety. You guys were the perfect pair on stage.

“You go head on in Ms. Macbeth, get your shit done and I’ll see you soon sweet cheeks.”

-------

“So at 3 tomorrow the whole cast has an interview with The New Yorker.” Ms. Roylance announces, it’s an hour before show.

“And the main 2 have an interview with Vogue at 5.”

Vogue, what the shit.

Tech crew, all the actors and directors were in a circle, saying a couple final words before curtains would go up.

Across from you, Laylah and Bryce are holding hands and Frankie is talking to Mr Miller.

You were trying to calm your heart rate, you felt comfortable with everyone around you, but if you sit in a dark closet and rehearse for the last hour you would.

“I want us to hold hands, close our eyes and say one word we're feeling, and the last 30 minutes before show we can just roam in the back, hows that sound?” Roylace gages the group. Everyone agrees, clasping hands, shutting eyes and embracing each other's energy. It’s the best you can do.

“I’ll start, pleased.” She finishes.

“Happy.”

“Elated.”

“Horrified.”

“Worried.”

“Terrified.”

“Thrilled.” Bryce bellows.

“Overjoyed.” Laylah says.

“Light.”

“Captivated.” You immediately knew that was Frankie, his voice, the utmost bass in his voice. Shakes you alive. You open your eyes, looking at everyone around you, soaking up your last minutes with everyone before you break apart.

“Wondrous.”

“Flamboyant.”

“Flustered.”

“Scared.”

It’s your turn, you’ve had the whole circle to think about this, “Content.” Your eyes closed, the mid stage lights shining on you, the murmurs from the full crowd behind the red curtain, the smiles on all your faces, you’re ready.

“Happy.”

“Petrified.”

“Euphoric.”

The last words slip into the air, opening your eyes exasperated.

“Places in 40.” Frankie says.

Everyone separates, straggling across the stage, getting to their righteous spots but you stay. It only feels right and you know he will stay with you.

As soon as everyone is out of sight, he gets closer to you, but not daring to touch your hand. You watch him go to the middle of the curtain, he opens it slyly only to peek through to the crowd.

“Wanna come see?” He asks.

You walk downstage to him, setting in stone to his exact steps, letting one eye peek through the red fabrics and the whole crowd is lively, everyone is dressed so elegantly. The laughs, the people finding their seats. Ushers smiling. House lights dimmed sensually. This is what Broadway is about. Your jaw drops, but you wouldn’t let this dare scare your heart, you’re fucking ready for this.

“See, they are all here for you and Mattias, they are here to see the most wonderful production of the year and because of you, you bring the feisty energy they need.” He whispers into your ear. You shudder, almost tears of happiness, you had no stage fright anymore. “Now fucking blow there minds away baby.”

-------

The raven himself is hoarse, that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan, under my battlements. Come, you spirits, that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full

Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood, stop up th’ access and passage to remorse, that no compunctious visitings of nature, shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between, th’ effect and it. Come to my woman’s breasts

And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers, wherever in your sightless substances, you wait on nature’s mischief. Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark

To cry “Hold, hold!”

Make me fucking human.

For more or less, there was no crowd in front of you. Just Mattias holding your hand. Rebirth. Refinery. Frankie watching you from the booth, admiring every step you take. Acting is simple, people pleasing is simple, it’s melodic from making up the emotions on the spot and zoning through the waves of the artistry. It’s for the people, acting is a service. You’re giving your heart out to the world.

You follow your footwork with Mattias, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, husband and wife. Forcing your husband to follow through with your plan, killing the king. So detrimental.

You rush to the wings, dipping your newest costume with blood. Lady Macbeth is a woman of thrill and duty, she would do anything for her husband, and you know how that feels. You soak yourself with the sticky substance, getting it all over your face, fingerprints of deadly sins.

Hands so poignant with red, your heart could be falling out and no one would notice. Cue.

My hands are of your color, but I shame, to wear a heart so white, I hear a knocking

At the south entry, retire we to our chamber, a little water clears us of this deed, how easy is it, then! Your constancy, hath left you unattended, hark, more knocking, get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us, and show us to be watchers, be not lost so poorly in your thoughts.

You move the rest of the act, sit down through act 4, nothing involving you and finally act 5.

You mess around your hair, flick blood on your lips and action.

Out, damned spot, out, I say! One. Two. Why then, ‘tis time to do’t. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?

Instantaneously you have flashbacks when you were a child. In your cold room alone, dad and mom are fighting. This always fucking happened. The yelling would make you cry, but you learned how to get over it, you accepted that was your life. But now you’re safe, now you’re with people who love you and want the best for you. Men could never have control over you, ever again.

Do you mark that?

The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will these hands ne’er be clean? No more o’that, my lord, no more o’that. You mar all with this starting.

Go to, go to. You have known what you should not.

She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of that. Heaven knows what she has know.

The moment you’ve been waiting for,

Here’s the smell of blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand-

You don’t hold back, you dig into the crevices of your voice box, finding every follicle in your body to scream. To scare this crowd. You aren’t a little girl. Lady Macbeth is a story to never be let down. You drop to the floor, shrieking your mind away, begging for air and life. Letting the blood on you trickle with slobber and tears.

The exhaustion mixed with the heat of your scream made your head spin, but the crowd was silent- you lay there hiccuping for a minute, letting the waves of grief pass by.

What a sigh there! The heart is sorely charged.

I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whale body.

Well, well, well.

Pray God it be, sir.

The disease is beyond my practice. Yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep, who have died holily in their beds.

You shiver, shaking over to the edge of the stage,

To bed, to bed. There’s knocking at the gate. Come, come, come, come. Give me your hand. What’s done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed.

You exit, and the audience erupts in roars. They quickly sit back down, as there’s more dialogue with the doctor and gentlewoman, but not one moment did you hesitate to throw yourself into your monologue. It felt so powerful, unbelievably life changing.

The show finishes, sitting in the wing as your castmates finish the last monologue. Opening night was one for the books. You all line up for bows, tech right behind you, the curtain opens up and finally the moment you’ve wanted. Not the applause, but able to see Frankie in that chair, just staring at you. All you’ve wanted today is to be with him, but your performance was truly dedicated to him, he was the one that shocked your headspace, he’s the one that makes you want this all. You each take your singular bow, your feet wobbling, walking to the end, tearing up with this crowd, the graciousness you felt.

The standing ovation of the crowd was magnificent, every section clapping for minutes, no soul daring to leave their seats. New York, what a beautiful city. The strong whistles, the numerous claps, the chatter warmed your heart. Roses being sent your direction, hearts shown with hands.

Your crew was instructed to go back to your dressing rooms, clean up, hang your costumes and prepare everything the same for tomorrow, then you could go greet people if you wanted to.

Before you knew it, Mattias was dragging you out to the street, to see all the fans lining up on the street waiting to get their playbills signed.

You only wanted to find Frankie and Laylah, but you didn’t have one second to revive for yourself.

Mattias thrashes with your hand, opening the back door to the cold howling air, embraced by cheers,

“We love you guys.”

“I cried at your performance.”

“We’re coming tomorrow night”

“Lady Macbeth saved me.”

“I love you.”

Screams and shrieks were surrounding you, it’s not that you couldn’t believe it, but your heart was overpowered and overjoyed. So much in one sitting, your head turning in every which way, grabbing sharpies and scribbling your name as fast as possible.

One lady stands out, she’s quiet but vigilant, waiting for it to be her turn, and the closer you get you notice,

“Ms. Kim?” You could barely recognize her, it’s only been 4 months.

“My honey sugar, look at you!” She hugs you, tighter than a mothers hold, “Your teacher Mr.Miller gave me a shout and I booked my flight immediately, I couldn’t miss your Broadway performance.” She shakes her head.

“Ms. Kim, you didn’t have to do this, I could’ve sent you a picture, or a notecard, or a playbill.”

“Now that’s nonsense honey and you know that,” She swats your shoulder with her playbill copy, “Besides I know the whole team here, no need to worry I’m here for a week, so a coffee catch up is on your list after this weekend.”

The things that you could tell her.

“I miss you, I miss North Carolina.” You hug her again, breathing down her back, trying to not let people see your tears. She was there for you when you missed your mom, she was North Carolina in a summary, and you missed it so much.

“It’s okay sweetie, you were meant to leave that state it had nothing to offer, look at this,” She pointed at all the people, “This was your destiny.” She kisses you on the cheek, “I’ll text you for a coffee date, but go spend the night away.” She smiles.

“I love you!”

“I love you too honey.”

You leave her in the crowd, finding Mattias taking a picture with a group of girls. You tell him you’re gonna head back in to get your bag, to check your phone and possibly run into Laylah, find Frankie. Unlatching the door, the air rushing in your face, Laylah was already there with Bryce waiting for you.

“You did amazing! These flowers are for you,” They smother you, “The shock in the audience when you dropped to the floor, you stretched all of their hearts out.”

“Thank you.” You laugh, holding their hands, best friends working on Broadway together, your 16 year old selves would be thrashing down right now.

“My guys in the booth couldn’t believe they were at a college show, you and Mattias rocked it.” Bryce says.

“Thank you, that means the world. Seeing all the full seats was just fucking mind blowing and I’ll have to say that a million times to process.”

“We love you, were gonna get dinner now,” They wink, “See you tomorrow? Same time, same place?”

“Same time, same place.” You agree.

They grab your arm, pulling you close, “Get that dick tonight.”

You laugh so loud it refracts around you, we’ll see.

They leave you, content with the night. Smiling dumb because now finally you get to be with the man you’ve been itching to see.

You call him,

“Hey pretty girl, I was waiting to hear from you.”

“Sorry I was out signing playbills with Mattias. Working the night off.” You respond.

“Don’t be sorry, s’busy night for you. How d’you feel?”

“Good, Frankie, I feel amazing.” Seducing him over the phone, itching for him.

“That’s my star girl, shining so bright on that stage.” He smiles in the phone, you can feel it.

“Where are you right now?” You ask.

“In my car, just watching the sky.”

“And where would that be?”

“Behind the theater and the crowd, come find me princess.”

“Ok Playboy, I’ll see you in a second.”

You end the call, chucking your bag behind your back. You slowly walk to the door, finally entering a world you can’t step back out of. Reminiscing when you had no idea what the fuck you two were.

You sprawl out, no one would be here at this time of night. He’s smoking a cigarette, convertible top down. Collar open and his hat is off, puffed locks chasing every direction. He looks up to you.

“Frankie, an Ashton Martin Convertible?”

“Yeah.”

You stare at him, some fucking longer. “I don’t know, just an Ashton Martin roaming the streets, a really nice car I’ve only heard in books.”

“Would you feel better if you knew I saved a couple paychecks for this.” He raises his eyebrows.

“Sure.” So he had money, money. Double shit.

You get in and he stares at you, flickering between your lips and eyes. You could jump him now, but you had to wait. You liked the game.

“Food, bar, coffee, books, my house? What’s your wish tonight?” He holds your hand.

“Hmmm your house remember? Wouldn’t pass that up for a lifetime.” You remark.

He nods, setting the car in gear. You flicker your hands to his cigarette, he lets you take it and the drag of his menthol cigs felt smooth on your throat. Menthol and Frankie just make sense.

He’s playing Pink Floyd, blasting it through the dark streets of the city, and all you can do is smile stupidly. Your hair flying everywhere, hands perpetually finding the power of the wind, eyes closed.

You feel his hand sneak to your thigh, creeping to your body. Speaking to you through your mind. If his hand could do that now, what else would happen tonight? He moves further and further up your leg, eyes shooting open at him.

“What?” He turns to you, stopped at a light.

You grind your teeth, his hand was big enough to almost cover your whole thigh.

“You say something?” He smirks.

You wince as his hand lays on your skin, never moving but lingering so close where you crave his fingers.

A guitar ripple catches your attention from the speakers, he’s strumming to the beat on your thigh, and you can’t move.

“And we’re here darlin, what do you think?”

He parks in front of a modern brownstone, pillars glossing the entrance like a greek house. Bigger brownstone than usual. Everything about him makes sense, the expensive taste made sense, but this house was beautiful.

You take a breath, “It’s beautiful, Frankie. I couldn’t imagine anything different.” You’re scared to get out, but you itch to find what’s inside. He closes the top to the car, running around to open your door.

“Cmon pretty girl, don’t be shy.” He holds your hand out, he walks behind you up the stairs, punching in a code you looked away for.

“3570, didn’t need to look away baby, that codes yours.” He whispers to you, walking into his house.

Your first steps are met with roses, sprawled on the outskirts of the floor. His first floor, open for the world to see. Piles of roses, rose petals begging for your touch, he grabs your hips pulling you to him. “This is all for you.” You stand there with him, holding you. No man has ever gone this far to express something for you.

Grand piano deep into the room, kitchen with a marble island, champagne with two glasses full for you both, one staircase with golden spiraling leading to the top on the side. White columns and archways holding the house.

“And one person lives here?” You poke.

“Yes, but I quite enjoy it,” He lugs you closer to the kitchen to set your stuff down, “This is the house I dreamed of as a boy.”

“Well, it’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like this.” You ponder around like a child lost at Disney.

The back archway was all glass, you could see a light on outside to his backyard. His dining table to the wall of glass, next to the greenery. He had a conversational pit as his couch, dark green leather with faux fur overthrows. His TV was massive, and next to it were beautiful oil paintings.

He had shelves as a wall, lined with books and vinyls. Years of purchasing and collecting.

You take a peak, letting your hands run across the dusty spines.

“The Chakachas, João Gilberto…hmm Gerry Rafferty” You laugh, “Your music taste…is sexy Francisco.” He’s watching your every move.

“What can I say, I’m a cultured man.” He smugs a smile. He’s behind you, raining his fingers around your waist, you take Jungle Fever out of its sleeve, placing it on his record player.

“Just to set the mood don’t you think?” You snicker, “Have you seen Boogie Nights? You do look like a young Burt Renolds, scary kinda.”

“I get that sometimes, you like that darlin? Like broad-“ Kiss, “Hairy men?”

You dance with him to the music, listening to the women's moans of the song. Letting the dim lights glisten around his living room.

Moaning in his ear, grinding against him. Melting into his body.

“I love it.” You purr, “He was so sexy, don’t you think? That playboy pose he did made everyone in the seventies go crazy. I’d let him fuck me on spot if I was alive back then-”

He laughs, “Hmp, you wanna get fucked?” His head turns to the side, mouth curving open, with his eyebrows falling inward.

Your mouth falls, drooling over his voice. You hold onto his hair, sheething his body into yours, “Fuck me tonight Frankie, fuck me hard.” You whisper.

A lion raptures through his physicality, lifting you up to the closest thing, the Grand Piano.

“Frankie, we can't do anything here, I’ll break it!”

“I don’t care princesa, I don’t care, I’ll eat you out for hours and it could break, I’ll pay for another one.” He growls, “I need to taste this pussy now.” He set you down, looking you in the eyes as a rabid beast. His eyes were blown black, glaring at you for more.

He pulls your shorts down leaving you in just your shirt, your bottom half bare in front of him. “Mmh, no panties,” He chuckles, “What brought you to do this miel?”

“I figured there's no point, you’d rip them off anyway.” You shrug, head slating on the lid of the piano. Goosebumps rising on your body, the cold of the instrument touching your ass, air meeting the gloss of your entrance.

“Perfect fucking pussy, perfect fucking body. My girls so fucking perfect.” He spreads kisses down to your stomach, leaning when he reaches your mound. You grimace, you haven’t shaved in a long time.

“It’s okay baby, see?” He presses his hand on top of your sex, “Hair doesn’t change a thing how I feel about you. Hair doesn’t change a thing about how I want to fuck your brains out, okay?.” He kisses on top of your bush, shivering when you feel the wet of his lips with his mustache, nose bracing your clit. “I’m the only one that gets to touch your pussy like this, understand?”

You shake your head yes, “Only you can touch me.”

“Look at me, look at me while I destory your fuckin pussy.” He pushes your legs closer to him, eye level with your pussy. You wouldn't believe you’ve gone hours without this, without his tongue. He adamantly drives into your cunt, moaning as he shoves his tongue inside you.

He moans, the usual vibrations of his mouth floating through your lower abdomen. Cells inside your pussy sensationally fucked up from his mouth.

The tip of his nose would rub against your clit, he always managed to do it, but this time he was moving his face. His nose was creating circles against your nub, tongue squeezing the life out of you.

“Frankie- ngh- baby- feels so good- keep going-” You plead. Instead of grabbing his hair, you wrapped your hands around the edges of the piano, keeping your body from contorting due to the immense pleasure.

Your request followed through, he kept circling, shaking his head between your thighs. He would never let up, swallowing everything your cunt had for him.

“Pussy on my tongue, so tight. Pussy walls are quiverin for me baby.” He groans, dancing his hands to your stomach, legs dangling over his shoulders.

“Hold onto my hands dirty girl, I know you’re strong, cum in mouth.”

He raffles inside you more, squeezing his hands so your body doesn’t escape from his touch. Your clit suddenly buzzes, repeatedly shaking. Your walls come crashing on his tongue, he doesn’t stop pushing into you.

You scream for help, violently shaking against his hold. You couldn’t control your voice, begging for more. You can’t do anything other than yell because the movement form his tongue

“I’m gonna cum Frankie, I’m gonna cum on your tongue-” You cry.

“Give it to me, drip into my mouth.” His sinister base flows through your pussy, the room spins and you shriek against the piano. He sucks you clean from your orgasm, releasing his hold from you.

“Breathe baby, breathe.” The fuzziness of the lights die down, and his face comes in contact again.

“Your tongue- is fucking magical.” You drunkenly smile, “But I want more tonight. Please.” He pulls you off the piano, leaving a sweat mark on the top. You plant your feet to the ground, he holds your body up.

He chuckles, “Tell me what you want mi amour, what is it that you want?” He taunts.

“Fuck you, you know what I want.” You seethe.

“Ok,” He nods his head, “If you think I know, then fuck yourself for me. Go down to the couch, take your shirt off, and fuck yourself with your fingers.”

He had your full attention and you feel small, you’ve never done anything like this in front of a man.

“Go on princess, I’ll be right here.”

You faintly walk to his couch, slipping past the steps. You sit down at the edge of the couch, taking your shirt and shifting your bra off your chest. You’re completely naked in front of him, nipples begging for his touch.

“Play with yourself for me, pretty girl.”

You snake your hands down to your entrance, fiddling with your slick. You touch your clit, but it feels nothing like his hands.

“Frankie please, I need your cock.” You whine.

“You should’ve just said that, now look at you, yeah?” He walks to the steps, sitting down, “I need to you to cum on your fingers before I fuck you, I wanna see it.”

You hum, discoing your fingers on your clit, you imagine his cock finally slipping inside of you. What you’ve wanted since you’ve laid eyes on him.

“Push those fingers inside, think of my cock dirty girl.” He growls, looking you up and down.

You plunge your fingers inside, moving your hips against your hand. Wishing to have his thick cock inside you.

“Frankie, I’ll be so good, please. I want you inside me. I want you holding me down, I wanna be filled with you.” You mumble, terrorizing your hand.

“Wanna be a good girl for me? Fuckin tie you down, fuck you until soak me.” You shovel your fingers inside your cunt faster, imagining yourself restrained against his bed. His cock pushing into you at an unforgivable speed. “You’d like that huh dirty fuckin girl. Not able to move while I fuck your cunt, fillin you up til you feel it in your stomach.”

You slant your eyes open,” I want you to tie me up one night Frankie, be your-fucking rope bunny. Want you to use my pussy.”

“I wanna do everything with you, dirty girl, so perfect.”

You feel yourself tightening around your hand, his words making you interclose on your hand.

You would never be able to make yourself cum this fast because of your fingers, but because of him, because of his coaxing words, your own orgasm felt stronger.

“I can it hear baby, I see you leakin, cum for me, let go. Then I’ll give you my cock for as long as you want. Shove those fingers in for me.” He purrs.

You fall back on his couch, wavering your body to your orgasm. You gave a final push, laying stagnant from your orgasm. You watch him stroll to you from his steps.

He’s hungry.

“So gorgeous, so wet for me.” He smirks, “Now what do you want, so perfect and plump for me.”

“I want your fucking cock, I need you inside me Frankie.” You tremble.

He licks his lips, sitting down on the couch, “Don’t wanna do anything you’re not comfortable with pretty girl,” He moves your hair behind your ears, “Is this how you want me? Let me get a condom.”

You push him down, you should use a condom but you couldn’t be less botherd, “You could’ve fucked me in that bathroom and I would’ve cared less Frankie, fucking on this couch will be more than heaven,” And it is, “Don’t worry about a condom, I need to feel you bare.” He goes to object, but you shove your fingers to close his mouth.

Your eyes linger on his cock, he’s already swelling, “I wanna do everything with you Frankie, you could never make me uncomfortable.”

You close in to the crook of his neck, kissing him everywhere, praising him for making you feel so good, “I need you to fuck my brains out, make it hurt Frankie.”

Without blinking, he lifts you to his lap, placing your naked pussy on him. He kisses you sloppily on the lips, holding you close so you don’t fall, he growls possessing more of you.

“My beautiful girl, I’ve been waitin for this to happen, been dreamin of you sitting on my cock. I’m so glad we’ve waited, it’s gonna feel so good baby.”

You rub against him, letting your liquid leak all over him.

“I’ve been so good Frankie, I’ve been trying so hard not to think about your cock, when you were down my throat all I wanted was to be full of you everywhere.” And now-” You shimmy his shirt off, kissing his collar bones, rushing to his belt.

He flings it off slamming it to the ground, you look past it as it impacts the floor, making a hard whipping sound.

“Bet you’d like that naughty girl, fucking whip until you’re red. Tie you up with my belt.” You squirm against him, humping his bulge.

Images of Frankie whipping your ass with his belt, slapping your pussy, makes your brain short circuit.

He pulls his pants down with his boxers, flinging his cock out. You don’t remember it being this big. He was uncut and at least 8 inches. How could he fit inside you? The sight already making your pussy leak.

You rush your hands to his head, dangling your legs on his lap, pussy out for the world to see. You pull his foreskin back letting his precum bead down to your fingers.

“Feel s’good baby, fingers feel so good wrapped around my cock.” He grimaces.

You pump his dick, letting him grow against you, he keeps getting bigger and bigger. His tip was so pink, you wanted to suck him off like a lollipop. You wanted his dick down your throat. Embellishing in every way he can fill you up.

You lick his precum off your fingers, and he shoves his thumb in your mouth, “Suck.” He demands.

You enclose, treating his thumb like his cock. Swirling, letting every part of your saliva coat it.

He parts from you, soon attaching it to your pussy to moisten you up. He was going to stretch you so wide.

“Tell me if it hurts baby, please, I don’t want you to hurt.” He requests.

“I don’t care if it hurts Frankie, I need you to push me open. I need your cock.”

You shift until your lips are hovering over the head of his dick, waiting for him to pump into you. The tension was so thick you could barely breathe.

He carnally anchors into you, his cock magnetizing inside your cunt, the moment he surges into you, holding onto his shoulders stronger, you both gasp from feeling each other for the first time.

“Holy fuck, princesa you’re so tight.” He braces.

You try to move up from him but he attaches his hands to your hips and pushes you up and down. The air is eccentric and you’re so grateful you get to be so close to him, clasping on to his figure as he fucks into you.

He nips at your collar bone, lazily kissing you. Your hair disheveled from your body shaking.

“I love your cock, I love your cock. Oh my god- FuFuFuFuck.” You chant in his ear. The simplicity of having sex made you feel safe, this was more than magical. He was almost fucking your heart. He was so deep inside you, your mound was connecting to his base.

You loved when he was so dominant with you, you loved when he was in control, you loved Frankie.

“Fuck me- as hard as- you can. Use- my pussy.” You yelp.

The more you felt your pussy lips gripping onto his cock, the more you seized. The connection was beyond powerful. He aggressively slips into you, his tip touching that perfect spongy wall that would make you lose all will power.

“God darlin, love watchin those eyes roll back. Didn’t know you’d get this cock drunk baby. You love my cock so much?” He rasps.

“Spank me, please, slap my ass and fucking mark me.” You whine.

He lifts his hand, slapping your ass. He grabs onto your love handles, pulling you onto his dick harder.

“You like that? When my handprints on your ass? You want more?” He grunts.

You shake your head, and he continues, the sting firing your pussy up. His animalistic movements make you worship his soul, he matched your sex energy and you couldn’t be more thankful. You relished this moment, so grateful for Frankie.

He lusted over your tits, he slowed to kiss them, suck your nipples to hardened peaks. Somehow your heart hammered, watching him take care of every need your body craved, made you pussy twitch with his cock inside you. Watching his mouth wrap about your tits intensified your lust for him.

“I want you to do something for me,” He releases, “I want you to spell my name.”

“How-”

“Move your hips, move your hips with my cock still inside, ride me.” He stirs.

He intertwined his hands with yours, you back up from his chest preparing. He doesn’t lose your eyes for one second.

“F” You shake, his dick is everywhere inside your walls.

“R” You whine, the contact so slow and vivid, you could almost hear the colors off the walls.

“Keep going, that's it, just use that dick.” He coaxes.

“A” The tip of the A making his cock arch into you deeper than you could have ever imagined, you yell, soliciting for neighbors to hear.

“N”

“K” The ache in your pussy crying to cum, but you weren’t done. You knew you had to finish.

“I”

“E” You whimper, not able to sit straight any longer.

“Such a good girl, knew you could do it. My good fucking girl.” He kisses you, “I know what that pussy wants, I know she needs to cum. Wanna cum pretty girl?”

“Mhm, please Frankie. I-I was so good. I wanna cum on your cock. I’ll do anything, I’ll be so so good.” You plead.

His cock was intoxicating your brain, oxytocin so high you couldn’t think about where you were, only that Frankie was all you cared about in your life right now.

He aggressively hurls into you again, pinning your hands behind your back as he holds them in place. You couldn’t do anything but take his cock, you had to accept that he was gonna fuck you til you saw stars.

“You can do it baby, pussy’s already leakin all over me and the floor. She’s clamping around me. I wanna see that pretty face when you cum.” He finalized.

“Fran-Frankie keep going, I’m gonna cum I’m gonna cum,” You praise.

You couldn’t even process his words, half-lidded and half dazed, all you could focus on was your pussy devouring his cock. Him driving past you until you couldn’t hear. The power to force you knew your voice was giving out. You couldn’t touch him, but him holding your hands back made you grateful, your orgasm so powerful you felt as if you were gonna break his cock.

Your voice box cracks, you immediately fall against his chest, stagnant from movement with the only action you could do was breathe.

He lays there will you, wrestling his heart from fucking you so fast. You couldn’t open your heart, let alone walk.

He picks you up, he leaves his couch area and you sense he’s taking you upstairs. He saunters into a dark room, placing you on top of his duvet cover keeping the lights off. You couldn’t tell what his room looked like, but you felt like a vegetable. He came back to you, cleaning your entrance with a baby soft towel. He has to move your legs, you were unresponsive with the widest smile on your face, eyes slanted to only see that he was getting in bed with you.

He lifts the cover, tucking you in next to him. You snuggle against his chest, embracing your body heat, spooning into him. Your breathing falters, in sync with his.

He rubs his hands through your hair, making you fall asleep faster.

“I love you, mi amor.”

And that's the last thing you remember before sleeping off the best night of your life.

—

i love lady macbeth soooo much. looking into the meaning of her monologues are so powerful and she changed my thoughts on shakespeare 🔁🔁

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taglist: @pastelnap

[bobbiworks]

When I was, When You were

Written by: Bobbi Henderson / 10027r Genre: Fluff, Romance, High School, One-shot Characters: EUNSEOK of RIIZE, ORIGINAL CHARACTER

As summer's warmth waned, autumn gracefully swept in. The cool breeze caressed my cheeks as I opened the bus window on my way to school. With each passing moment, I couldn't help but feel that this autumn held something special—it was my final year in high school, perhaps my last chance to find love.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of self-consciousness, knowing that most girls my age had already tasted romance. As I reviewed my class schedule, I sighed inwardly. Despite the announcement of a schedule adjustment due to a system error, nothing had changed in our class roster. Each student was still assigned based on their grades, a detail that seemed trivial amidst my swirling thoughts. Graduation loomed ahead, and amidst it all, I couldn't shake the yearning for a romantic encounter of my own.

"Bree!" I glanced up to find my friends entering the room with vibrant energy. They all appeared radiant and sun-kissed after their summer spent abroad with their families. "We missed you!" they exclaimed in unison, gathering around my desk to place a plethora of souvenirs from their trip.

"Wow, these are so thoughtful… thank you!" I said warmly, retrieving a couple of handmade pouches I crafted during my stay at my grandmother's house. "It's not much, but I made them with each of your styles in mind," I added.

One of the many reasons I cherished Gyuri and Yena was their genuine appreciation for even the smallest gestures. They had been my closest friends since freshman year, a bond that had grown stronger with each passing season.

"You're so talented, Bree. I'll treasure these!" Yena exclaimed cheerfully before heading to her seat to greet our other classmates. As they moved aside, my gaze drifted towards the entrance where Eunseok entered the room. Our eyes met instantly, and I blushed with embarrassment, quickly looking away.

Why? Why am I feeling embarrassed right now? Did something happen between us before we started our summer vacation? Of course, Eunseok and I are friends, there's no doubt, but why does it feel awkward right now?

I hadn't noticed Eunseok standing beside my desk until the familiar scent of his cologne reached me. It was a pleasant fragrance, one I always associated with him. Slowly, I looked up to find him gazing down at me. Despite his thick glasses obscuring his eyes, I felt his gaze pierce right into my soul.

"Oh, hello, Eunseok!" I greeted him with a wave, and he gently took my hand, placing a small paper bag in my palm. "For me? What's this?"

"A souvenir," he replied softly, then turned to his desk and sat down. Eunseok was seated next to me, the most enigmatic presence in our class, yet he effortlessly befriended everyone.

"Thank you, Eunseok. I—" My words halted as one of the girls approached Eunseok with exuberance, causing him to turn towards her. She slammed her hands on his desk and scrutinized his face with exaggerated squinting eyes, despite fogging up his glasses with her breath.

"Song Eunseok, were you at the fireworks festival last week?" Hayoung demanded. "I could have sworn I saw you and even said hi, but you didn't respond!"

Fireworks festival? I began to feel more anxious after hearing that. Why does it feel like I am being too anxious about almost everything?

"It was definitely you, right? Even without the glasses… You were dressed so stylishly, with a beanie and hanging out with cool friends," Hayoung persisted, recounting her sighting from a week ago. "Though honestly, the guy with you was hotter, so now I'm not so sure."

"Hey, Hayoung! Can't you give Eunseok some space?" Gyuri interjected, her irritation evident in her tone at the early morning disruption.

"Oh, Gyuri, are you curious too? Because if that was Eunseok, you guys are seriously missing out. That guy I saw was something else," Hayoung teased with a laugh.

I stood nearby, nervously playing with the gift Eunseok had given me, listening to their conversation unfold.

"Where did you see him?" Gyuri challenged, stepping in between Eunseok and Hayoung.

"In Japan," Hayoung replied defiantly. "I spent my summer overseas, why?"

"That's impossible," Gyuri countered firmly. "Eunseok had plans with Bree before the summer started, so there's no way you saw him abroad."

Gyuri's logical reasoning caught me off guard, and I turned to glance at Eunseok, who sat quietly at his desk, seemingly unaffected by the girls' escalating argument.

The bickering between Gyuri and Hayoung only ceased when the homeroom teacher finally entered the room.

Later that day, I joined Gyuri and Yena for lunch at the school cafeteria.

"How was your summer?" Yena asked casually between bites of her meal.

"What do you mean?" I replied, tucking into my breaded pork cutlet.

"Your summer with Eunseok," Yena clarified, giving me a meaningful look.

I paused, gently placing my chopsticks down. "Summer with Eunseok? What are you talking about?" I asked, confused by their serious expressions.

"You mean you didn't meet up with him?" Gyuri asked, her grip on my shoulders tightening in frustration. "Why not?"

"Wait, hold on!" I pulled away, feeling increasingly anxious. "You're scaring me. What's going on?"

Gyuri leaned back, sighing heavily. "Did you two have a falling out? Or did he stand you up? Now I'm starting to think Hayoung was right about seeing him in Japan."

"Do I… have plans with him?" I asked, bewildered.

Yena lightly tapped my head, causing me to wince. "Are you serious? Did you hit your head or something?"

"I don't know. Ever since I saw him, I've been feeling so awkward," I admitted, dropping my gaze. It was unlike me to be so uncertain around him; usually, I was the one initiating conversations.

"What happened to you this summer?" Gyuri asked gently.

"Well," I began, biting my lip as I recounted my activities. "I spent a few weeks in my grandparents' hometown, then we had a big family party for my brother's wedding. After that, I was busy with chores and then got sick."

"But do you remember anything about Eunseok before summer break?" Yena pressed, her concern evident.

"I was delirious when I got sick and ended up in the hospital for three days," I explained. "Mom said I had to rest at home for the rest of the break."

"Did he try to contact you? Send a message?" Gyuri inquired next.

"I dropped my phone in the lake while fishing with my grandpa," I admitted sheepishly.

"Oh, Bree, talk about a series of unfortunate events this summer," Yena sighed, clearly frustrated. "Since you can't remember, we'll fill you in, okay?"

The conversation continued over lunch as my friends recounted what I had apparently missed during those summer months.

After hearing everything my friends told me about Eunseok, I finally understood why my heart had felt so heavy ever since waking up in the hospital. It was like I had lost something precious. Unable to contain my emotions, I quietly cried in the restroom after lunch, not wanting anyone who knew me to see me sobbing like a child over what I had done to Eunseok.

Stepping out of the restroom, I spotted him a few meters away, walking alone down the hallway.

"S-Song Eunseok," I mumbled, my voice barely louder than a whisper. He stopped and turned to look at me. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I quickly dropped my head, hiding my tear-streaked face from him.

I hadn't expected anything from him at this moment; after all, I was the one at fault, the one who had forgotten him and what we had together. The version of me who had dreamed of romance this year seemed so foolish now.

Eunseok could have easily ignored me, but he didn't.

I felt his hand gently take mine, and before I knew it, he pulled me into an embrace, shielding my tear-stained face from anyone who might see. His other hand cupped the back of my head, gently patting it. In that moment, I could hear the thunderous beat of my own heart.

Collecting my thoughts, I looked up at him and pulled away slightly. "C-Can we talk? Privately?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Eunseok simply smiled and nodded. Together, we walked out of the school building and headed to the quiet solitude of the schoolyard, where we found a bench and sat down. I continued to sob quietly beside him, feeling like a child in need of comfort.

"Have you eaten?" Eunseok asked me, breaking the silence. It struck me that this was the first time we'd spoken since summer vacation. Using his handkerchief to wipe away my tears, I nodded in response. "Good," he said softly.

"And you?" I murmured, turning to him, only to be met with a laugh. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," he chuckled, his hand covering his smile as he looked away. "You just look adorable." He paused, then continued, "And yes, I've already eaten. Did you happen to open the paper bag I gave you?"

I shook my head, recalling how everything had suddenly become chaotic when the homeroom teacher arrived. "Why? Did you write something inside?" I asked, curious.

"No," he replied with a shake of his head. "Just a small gift."

"Ah, I see," I nodded. There was a moment of silence between us as we both gazed up at the canopy of trees above us, sighing simultaneously. Our eyes met and we burst out laughing together. I laughed so hard that tears welled up in my eyes once again as I faced him.

"Eunseok, I'm so sorry," I finally said, my laughter subsiding. "I didn't mean to forget everything—everything Gyuri and Yena told me. I don't understand why I couldn't meet you at our usual spot that day." I paused as Eunseok removed his glasses, squinting slightly at me.

"I think I understand why," he replied gently, setting his glasses aside. It was the first time I saw him without them, and to me, he looked even more handsome without that usual accessory. "I knew, Bree," he reassured me, his hand resting on my head.

"But how? I mean…" I began, feeling a pang of anxiety, fearing he was only being kind, as he always was.

"Well, when you didn't reply, I got worried and went to your house," Eunseok explained. "I met your mom, and she told me you were in the hospital due to exhaustion and illness."

"But Hayoung mentioned seeing you in Japan. Was she right?" I asked tentatively, and Eunseok nodded. "So, it was you she saw? She described you as a cool guy."

"Am I not cool?" Eunseok raised an eyebrow playfully, giving me a teasing look. "Yes, it was me. I just didn't talk to her because my appearance in Japan was quite different."

"I'm still sorry," I sighed deeply. "I didn't realize why I've been feeling so hopelessly romantic lately. I even went to pray for love somewhere, and today I realized I missed a big opportunity…"

The air between us felt charged with unspoken words and emotions as we sat together on the bench in the schoolyard, our hearts and thoughts finally laid bare.

Eunseok turned to me slowly, his expression curious. "Hopeless romantic? What big chance are you talking about, Bree?"

I could feel my face flush hotter than a chili pepper at his question. "Uh, well…" I stammered nervously. Gyuri had mentioned that Eunseok had confessed to me and that we had some unspoken understanding. Had I misunderstood? Eunseok seemed perplexed by my hesitation.

"Oh, never mind," I hurriedly dismissed with a nervous chuckle. "I was just wondering why you wanted to see me that day."

"Hmm," Eunseok hummed softly, gazing up at the sky thoughtfully. "Taking a chance with you."

"With me?" I echoed, searching his eyes for clarity.

"Yes," he affirmed, but his answer left me wanting more. "Wait, I don't quite understand, Eunseok," I admitted, my panic rising. My heart pounded loudly in my chest, drowning out all other sounds.

I grew impatient waiting for him to continue, feeling annoyed by the delay. He chuckled at my expectant expression, and I impulsively smacked his head in frustration. "Seriously!"

"Why so aggressive all of a sudden?" he teased, catching my hand before I could smack him again.

"You're so aggravating!" I snapped, feeling flustered. "You know I hate waiting."

Eunseok continued to laugh, a hearty, infectious laugh that drew curious glances from other students nearby.

"What's so funny?" I demanded, trying to ignore how endearing his laughter sounded.

"You're adorable when you're angry," he replied, still chuckling. I noticed he was still holding his glasses, knowing he couldn't see well without them.

"Shouldn't you put it back?" I asked him, concerned, but Eunseok shook his head with a grin. "Your head might start hurting."

"Nah, it's fine. I just wanted to see you," he replied casually.

I felt my cheeks grow warm at his words, caught off guard by his straightforwardness.

"Bree, do you remember my last birthday?" he asked, and I nodded with a smile.

"How could I forget? I remember how upset I was when I ruined the cake," I chuckled softly. "What about it?"

"That was the first time my heart raced for you," he confessed, surprising me with his sincerity.

"Right, and your heart raced while I was scolding you for being annoying," I teased back.

Eunseok laughed and shook his head fondly. "Sometimes, without even realizing it, I find myself thinking about you. It's funny how we were just friends a few years ago, and now I'm telling you that you've captured my mind and heart. I didn't want to make things awkward between us, but I have to tell you—I like you more than just a friend, Bree. I want to be with you, hear your laughter, see your smiles, share your tears, and be there for you."

His words were like something out of a movie, and here I was, hearing them from him directly. I was speechless, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his eyes. There was no hint of rejection in my heart; perhaps I had harbored feelings for Eunseok for longer than I realized.

Reflecting on our shared moments, I remembered all the times he had taken care of me.

"Give me those," I said gently, reaching for his glasses from his hand. Moving closer, I delicately fixed his hair; his long bangs gently covered his forehead. "It pains me to see you squint," I sighed softly, placing his glasses back on his face and adjusting them carefully before cupping his cheeks in my hands.

"I never knew you felt this way," I confessed, a smile spreading across my face as I caressed his cheeks tenderly.

"Can I kiss you?" Eunseok asked tentatively, but I playfully covered his lips with my hand.

"No," I replied with a teasing glare, pulling back slightly. "Not right away. But you can hold my hand," I added softly.

"Okay, sweetheart," he agreed with a smile, gently taking my hand and planting a soft kiss on the back of it.

END OF STORY.

How was it?

[little-peril-stories]

Happy STS!

Today, we're going to get a little bit more specific, but hopefully still not too spoilery!

In The Prince of Thieves, Baden Hatchett and "the thief" (as we'll refer to him for these purposes) were always antagonistic, to put it lightly. But in The Queen of Lies, they are overt romantic rivals for Breanna as well (there was a little bit of this dynamic in TPOT, too, but I always craved more of it, which is part of why I'm so excited about TQOL!)

It presents so many delicious possibilities, given the possessive tendencies of the man who is Breanna's husband in this universe, and the thief's tendencies to aggravate them!

Were you also interested to see how this dynamic would play out in the AU? How did affect the way you wrote the characters? What else can you tell us about how you approached it?

Happy STS! On not a Saturday! Thank you so much for your question!

God this is such a ramble, and I’m not sure it makes much sense, I'm so sorry.

You know, your question made me think a LOT. A LOT. It genuinely made me consider whether I exploited this particular dynamic to its full potential. And I decided, that, uh, I don't think I did.

😈 But.

I think we can expect more thief-POV chapters (requested or not, lmao) that will get to play with this dynamic a little more. Also, TQOL might be another case of a CYO-ending situation, or at the very least an 'official' (lol whatever) ending and an alternate ending. (Don't worry, your question didn't break me or anything, I was already toying with that idea and this just helped the thoughts along!!)

Was I interested in this dynamic? I think so, although my primary drive in writing this was honestly just that lighting bolt image of a very free Breanna and a very not-free thief - so, the Breanna/thief relationship more than the thief/Hatchett relationship (lol).

How did it affect how I wrote the characters? Well, I was lucky enough to have our power- and- control-obsessed Hatchett from TPOT just waiting for me to transfer his energy to his relationship with Breanna.

In TPOT, I wanted Hatchett's weird thing with Bree to be more about his ego and pride, how dare you run from me, now see where it got you kind of deal. He can't control Bree, he can't control the thief, and that just frickin' kills him. It's what leads him to his downfall/his mistakes at the end of the story.

But in TQOL, Baden has a Breanna he can control, at least until <redacted>. So it was fun to play with his, uh, “calmer” side, a more quiet sort of menacing energy that the thief often manages to just shatter but is generally successful at intimidating Breanna. I love writing about power dynamics and it was actually really fun to explore how this one was so different from the one in TPOT.

I honestly don’t know if I answered the question. 😅

Tl;dr I want to play with this more through thief-POV chapters, and Baden Hatchett is in all universes a controlling, possessive asshole. :)