#❝ CAN I SWALLOW IT? ❞ → the fox devil / aesthetic.

[flimflamfranky]

What daemons do you think would suit each member of the strawhat crew? I’ve been craving daemon content the last few days, and I’d be curious to hear your take on it 👀

i’ll preface this by saying that i only read one (1) hdm book and most of my knowledge of daemons is from fandom, research, and my own interpretations on what a daemon is and/or means.

but yes, i absolutely have daemon thoughts 👀

luffy - the most typical answer, but i cant imagine luffy having anything other than a monkey daemon. it’s just the perfect fit for him. specifically, i’d give him a red-faced spider monkey! spider monkeys are super agile and they have prehensile tails, which fit luffy’s df abilities - since he got them when he was young, i’d assume that’d influence what his daemon settled as. also, they swallow fruit whole, which is like basically how luffy eats. and a red-faced one bc red.

zoro - CROCODILE! a saltwater crocodile, specifically. apex predator, strong bite, overall an intimidating animal...it all fits. plus, as a reptile, crocs tend to laze abt for sunning and digesting, which matches zoro’s whole napping tendency. plus, imagine zoro riding around on the back of a giant crocodile...that’s fun.

nami - this is self-indulgent, but a red fox! they’re cunning and smart, and typically seen as thieves. and they’re often associated with magic or have magical abilities, which fits nami’s whole witch thing. and i like the idea of nami and her daemon having matching hair :0

another fit would be sabine’s gull! gulls are also seen as thieves, plus they can sense storms to an extent! and a bird fits with nami being trapped by arlong and wanting to be free. i like the red fox better cuz i love foxes, but this is also a really good fit.

usopp - i had to give usopp a bug, and it had to be a bug that mimics, so i went with a giant stick insect! they disguise themselves as sticks, obviously, but this one also startles predators with it’s hidden bright wings! which is a great fit for usopp’s strategy. and i just like the idea of usopp’s daemon hiding on him and pretending to be a stick when she gets scared.

sanji - i was debating between several ducks, but in the end, i had to give sanji a swan. i mean, a beautiful, peaceful-looking creature that’s actually really aggressive and protective?? perfect. plus, they’re associated with love and often show up in fairy-tales, so it’s just a good fit for sanji’s whole vibe. and also zoro being chased around by an angry swan is just a great image.

chopper - i was honestly debating if chopper would even have a daemon?? he didn’t start out as human, after all, and i dont know if a devil fruit is enough to give him one. it could be another thing that makes him stand out and nervous around humans. but also, him gaining a daemon bc of the devil fruit is also a fun concept and you could do a lot of interesting things with their relationship :0

so, i’d give him an arctic bumblebee! honey has been historical used as a remedy for loads of things, plus it does have anti-microbial properties. and arctic bumblebees are cute, small, and very fuzzy, which is basically chopper in a nutshell. 

robin - a snake! specifically, a black/purple shore pit viper. robin having a daemon that people tend to be scared of is just a fun idea, symbolically. her daemon settling as that and as something dangerous as a way for robin’s soul to protect herself is just *chef kiss*. and i just like the idea of robin carrying around a snake wrapped around her neck.

franky - i had a lot of requirements for this one, but i eventually settled on an american beaver! they swim and they’re one of the most well known animal architects, with their impressive dams and what not. and, while they’re commonly associated with rivers/forests, they can live in inter-tidal areas! and i just really like the idea of franky having a (relatively) small, furry daemon.

brook - brook is another interesting case cuz he’s, ya know, dead, and typically daemons disappear when you die. so, he either doesn’t have a daemon anymore (which is hella angst-y) or his devil fruit, which mostly seemed to affect his soul, also affected his daemon. so his daemon looks all ghostly and spooky now (which is also fun).

as for what his daemon is, i went with an albatross! albatrosses have this strong literary tradition of being metaphors for a mixed blessing and curse, and of psychological burden, and that symbology was just too good to pass up. and it’s also a music term (referring to a song that overshadows the rest of an artist’s work). and i just think they’re neat, and i want brook to have one.

jimbei - i had a hard time picking one for ol’ jimbo that wasn’t a whale shark, but i eventually settled on a koi fish! an asagi koi, specifically, which have this lovely blue/orange patterning. i just think the koi aesthetic is very graceful and dignified, which is a good fit for jimbei. and they’re hardy little fish, so that fits too. i know they’re freshwater fish, but i’ve always thought that daemons wouldn’t be limited by stuff like that, and could exist in environments that the animal they’re based on wouldn’t survive in.

vivi - honestly, a white dove is a great fit for her. she been involved in politics from a young age, so her daemon settling into something symbolic like that would be very interesting. plus, the dove’s homing ability and vivi’s loyalty to her home are fun links to make. a pure white dove would be good, but i also like the idea of a white/blue-grey coloration

and as a bonus cuz i like her:

carrot - i instantly decided that carrot would have a bird of prey daemon bc they have a) great eyesight, b) freedom/travel symbolism and c) it’d be funny. specifically, she’d have a grey eastern screech owl! owls also have an association with the moon, like rabbits, so there’s that. plus, they have matching head things (rabbit ears and feather tufts)!

[sweetasssuga]

Yoonmin Fic Recs

personal favorites = ♡

new additions = ϟ 

Leave Before the Lights Come On by doozy (jungtaeh) [1k] [general audiences] 

Yoongi calls Jimin his sweetheart and Jimin really loves that.

up all night (to get my luck) by cyphers for infires (infires_man) [3k] [teen]

“I just… Did someone in this room not just scream like they were about to be murdered?”

“Oh, that,” Taehyung says. “That was Jimin. He saw a spider.”

i don't care if you're not sorry, i forgive you by jflawless [3.8k] [teen]

Park Jimin doesn't understand Min Yoongi, but he wants to.

body language by awsuga [teen] [3.9k] 

Yoongi really liked to touch Jimin, for no special reason.

didn't sign up for this by reinvents [5k] [teen]

when jin tells him about jimin, he imagines a tall, lanky, university stud who showers maximum twice a week. one can say yoongi has a poor sense of imagination. 

dead roses by awsuga [8k] [teen]

Jimin was the sunshine the flowers needed. Yoongi was simply there to water them from time to time.

i'm fully operational (and at your disposal) by MauveTarte [8.5k] [explicit]

Five times Jimin helped someone, and one time Yoongi helps Jimin.

we're just lost stars by aegyofairy [8.6k] [rated explicit but i rate it as teen]

It's hard growing up, seeing your imperfections and having to face that you're in the spotlight 24/7, for Jimin it's even harder when you're falling in love with the only person who makes you feel perfect. Someone that probably just sees you as a kid anyways.

(or, that one where Jimin grows up, Yoongi takes notice, and basically all of bangtan ship yoonmin)

you don't have to say i love you (to say i love you) by sheabutter [9k] [teen] 

yoongi's so painfully and obviously in love with jimin, it sort of hurts the other members sometimes.

Sweeter Than Sweet by MissterMaia [10k] [teen] 

Yoongi hates sweet things. He hates sugary treats and pastries and candy, which is why he's less than enthused when Hoseok drags him to a Dunkin' Donuts to "cheer him up" after a run-in with one of his professors.

Yoongi hates sweet things, yes, but maybe he's willing to sacrifice his taste buds so he can come back and see the cute employee with hair as pink as the goddamn donut frosting.

Barbershop Romance by MissterMaia [13k] [teen] ♡

Jimin's impromptu visit to a salon called SUGA turns out to be more interesting than he expected. Way more interesting.

The Shape of It by Sharleena for diminies [14k] [teen] ♡  

It's not that Jimin wants much from life. Really. He's a simple man.

One thing he did not want, however, was to wake up to find out that the piano man in his snow globe suddenly came to life and is now sitting on his bed like he owns it.

Or

The au in which one of them is trapped in a snow globe but then comes to life.

The Devil's Mistress by springrain21 [16k] [mature]

Yoongi is Captain of the pirate ship, the Devil's Mistress, and he and his crew are racing against time to find a famous buried treasure, always one step behind and losing it to another rival ship. To gain the upper hand, Yoongi kidnaps a silver-haired beauty who is rumored to be a creature of great power. He isn't expecting to fall in love on the way.

You Make My Palms Sweat by heukhaneul [17k] [mature] 

Jimin is definitely not crushing on his best friend's other friend's best friend.

time follows you (and fades) by thebestofme [17k] [teen]

hp!au - how half-veela!jimin and yoongi fall in love in the Slytherin common room.

(or, two sides of one story: Jimin worries about the effects of his Allure and hides his veela nature; Yoongi loves Jiminie but is too confused by mixed signals to act on it).

Art or Pornography by onlyalivetonight [20.7k] [explicit] 

Yoongi is an art student looking for participants for his university project. It's an important piece for his final year project, but it's difficult to find people willing to agree to read a book with a vibrator inside of them on camera.

Enter Park Jimin, a walking morality issue who makes him question his sanity.

i'll be a gentleman ('cause i'll be your boyfriend) by yururin for offthebeat [21k] [mature]

Yoongi isn’t an easy man to surprise, but kisses out of the blue and sudden boyfriend proposals can do the job.

Barbershop Love by MissterMaia [22k] [explicit]

Jimin has never taken his best friend’s jokes about his alleged praise kink seriously, because that’s all they are and ever will be. Jokes. They’re stupid jokes that Taehyung makes at his expense to see the shy Jimin turn into a blushing, embarrassed mess of stuttering protests and meek curses. They’re only jokes, and they’re so stupid.

Or at least Jimin has always thought so, but then his hairdresser boyfriend asks him to pose as a model for his winter collection, and Jimin realizes that there might the teeniest, tiniest bit of truth to Taehyung’s persistent teasing.

he's what you want (i'm what you need) byjonghyunslisterine [24k] [explicit] ϟ 

jimin needs to learn how to kiss.

word on the streets is that yoongi's a very good kisser.

Maybe if our Worlds Collide (We Could Be Together) by Sharleena [24.7k] [explicit]

Amidst one of his lonely travels, Yoongi meets Jimin at a diner.

For some reason, Yoongi really wants to run away with him.

"I work in a diner, I'm really bored and you come along with your lonely biker aesthetic and ask me to run away. It's cliché."

Yoongi swallows. "Is that a no?"

"I didn't say that."

Boys who Talk Shit™ by internetpistol [26k] [explicit] 

When Yoongi enrolled in BTS (aka Boys who Talk Shit) Boarding School, he wasn't really expecting to be the only 'straight' (to be read sarcastically) guy in a room of seven geniuses (aka children aged five to ten, honestly). Plus four pet spiders. Yes, plural.

Chaotic episodes in A Place of Love and War, where Yoongi learns all about True Love via Park Jimin, Music and Marriage. Sort of. Brain bleach and ear plugs are strongly recommended.

we should just kiss, like real people do by annarosewrites (annaroserae) [26k] [mature] ♡ ϟ 

The light from the windows has painted him lilac and pink and red, and he’s a masterpiece of shattered mosaic and Jimin is drawn to him. Inevitably and wondrously so.

“Hi,” Yoongi whispers, sweet and a little tired. Sharp cheeks and soft eyes, and Jimin thinks this is as close to divinity as he’s ever been.

[jimin doesn't have time for pretty city boys who'll leave as quickly as they come, but maybe, just maybe, he has time for a boy named min yoongi]

Summer Wine by mintsoda [28k] [teen]

"'No, uhm—,' Yoongi lifts a hand to the back of his head and ruffles his hair a little. 'I haven't been in a relationship for a while, actually, if that's what you mean.'

Taehyung's face lights up like a Christmas tree set on fire and Jimin prepares himself for the unpreparable.

'Our Jimin here is single, too!' Taehyung beams and Jimin cannot believe he just said that."

In which Jimin and Yoongi are both the fifth wheel in their group of dating friends during their summer vacation on Okinawa – but not for long.

home is the sea reflected in your eyes by anyadisee [33k] [teen]

Yoongi doesn’t know what he was expecting, exactly, when Taehyung called the day before asking about the pool in his mini-greenhouse, but it certainly wasn’t this.

This being opening his door to find Taehyung and Jungkook on his porch, the former with his fist raised mid-knock even though the doorbell is right fucking there, the latter standing a few steps behind him and smiling rather sheepishly while bridal-carrying a mermaid.

A goddamn mermaid.

It is too early for this, Yoongi decides.

;;

[or: in which taehyung and jungkook are concerned friends, jimin dreams of being able to walk and travel on land, and yoongi is a genius witch who can help.]

maybe i hate you can be our always by ameliabedelias for 777335 [35.9k] [mature] ♡ 

When Yoongi thinks about it, really gives it genuine thought, it's possible that Park Jimin isn't the worst person in the world.

//

(Or, Yoongi and Jimin get off on the wrong foot.)

The Boy in the Music Box by MissterMaia [52.6k} [teen]  

Yoongi doesn’t really expect anything special when he finds an old music box in his grandmother’s attic and she tells him to keep it. Oh sure, he expects the music box to be a pretty decoration to add to the stale interior of his small apartment. He expects it to play a tune and he might even dare to expect the barely-functioning little ballerina to dance along to the soft chimes, but that's it, really. The last thing he expects is for the little ballerina to take human form at night and throw his life out of balance with radiant smiles, soft giggles, and a heart-wrenching story.

you wish i was yours (and i hope that you're mine) by awsuga [55k] [mature]  

Jimin is getting ready to sleep his summer away now that all his friends have left for college except for him. That is, though, until he meets Yoongi. A boy two years older than him from the city, who has been kicked out by his parents and is now living with his aunt.

Because of Yoongi Jimin learns more about himself in one summer than he has his entire life.

The Songbird and the Sea by MissterMaia [255.8k] [mature] ♡   (u gotta read this one. get her published bc she deserves it. also so she can post her sequel.)

In a world where dominance of the sea is an endless battle between pirates and mariners, Park Jimin is content living in his little village on a small, uninteresting island by the eastern mainland. He wants nothing to do with the bloodshed of good and evil, the heartless killing of both innocents and condemned, the constant establishment and disruption of order. What he wants is peace, to live his life in the same town he was born in, to spend his days in the beautiful forest, and to use the powers of his Blessed Rune to nurture the home he loves so dearly.

But when his island is attacked by pirates, Jimin will have no other choice than to do as they command and leave all thoughts of peace behind in favor of boarding the Agust, a pirate ship captained by the infamous Min Yoongi, Black Fox of the East.

[russian-writer]

WHAT ARE YOUR MUSE’S AESTHETICS?

BOLD ANY WHICH APPLY TO YOUR MUSE. ITALICIZE WHAT THEY LIKE (For the basics) OR CAN BE TAKEN TWO WAYS (For the quotes) REMEMBER TO REPOST & NOT REBLOG. FEEL FREE TO ADD TO THE LIST.

TAGGING : Anyone who wants to! TAGGED BY :  Taken from meself

BASIC :

fire. ice. water. air. earth. claws. fangs. wings. gold. diamonds. grass. leaves. trees. roses. metal. iron. rust. rain. snow. lace. silk. cotton. sun. moon. stars. blood. dirt. mud. silver. steel. sugar. salt. lavender. pomegranate. foxglove. glass. wood. paper. wool. fur. smoke. ash. ocean. bruises. scars. wind. spices. light. dark. paint. charcoal. wine. hard liquor. sweat. dust. bare feet. canine. feline. coffee. tea. candles. sword. dagger. staff. arrow. hammer. shield. gun. spikes. sand. rocks. roots. feathers. pearls. rubies. sapphires. emeralds. herbs. waves. lightning. sunlight. moonlight. clay. stone. brick. lions. wolves. foxes. ravens. crows. mountains. chains. quicksand. poppy fields.

QUOTES :

“ YOU RISE, I FALL, I STAND, YOU CRAWL, YOU TWIST, I TURN. ” / the softest palms that never want to touch you until after a bottle of wine. / “ just braid your hair if you won’t brush it, at least, you useless girl. ” / pulling on your skirt with one hand as you shuffle away. / “ YOU’LL GET IT DONE BEFORE THE DAY IS UP. ” / GUILT THAT ISN’T YOURS TO HAVE. / it’s a crooked game, but it’s the only one in town. / “ how could you do this to me? ” / THE SHARP STING OF GUILT. / YOU FEEL SOMETHING EVEN THOUGH YOU’RE PAID TO DO THE OPPOSITE / THE FAMILY YOU NEVER HAD. / falling backwards through time. / DROWNING, BUT YOU DON’T SAVE YOURSELF. / “ you’re getting better. ” / “ they smile like a snake. ” / you’re the stars and the sky. / THERE’S A PART OF YOU THAT COULDN’T STAY AWAY EVEN IF YOU WERE FORCED TO. / they are your wings, there’s no doubt there. / “ lets take off somewhere. lets fly. ” / YOU EDGE A BIT TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN. / another ghost to take your place after every stumble. / deep roots in the ground slashed open in the sun. / rock candy melting in water. / waves rise and leave the foam behind. / THE PRECIPICE YOU CALL HOME HAS A TIP YOU’LL REACH EVENTUALLY. / happiness is the best front a man can make. / “ i’ve never seen someone as beautiful as you before. ” / YOU DISAGREE; THEY’RE MORE BEAUTIFUL. / discomfort at the tiniest of touches. / the sky opens up when you see them. / rain comes down.  / your sanity hanging by a thread. / “ OH GOD, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? ” / roommates weren’t supposed to be the smartest ones of all. / your mother had the most beautiful gardens, but you can’t grow anything worth a damn. / THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN DEEP SPACE AND DEEP WATER. / they’ve got a devil on their shoulder and an angel in their mind. /  YOU TRIED TO HELP, BUT IT ONLY GOT WORSE. / NOW THEY’RE DEAD, IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT. / adam & eve in the garden. / a temptress in crisp button-downs. / “ you’ve gone off the deep end, haven’t you? ” / THEY LIE SO PERFECTLY YOU ALMOST FORGET YOURSELF. / the spark that lit the kindling on your funeral pyre. / sugar and spice and a taste for the dark side. / you smell like the mountains in the winter. / crisp red apples piled up on the table. / your shoes are sharp, but your wit is even sharper. /what a pretty one, they say. / directionless laughter. / “ love, I think I’m dying. ” / A SOFT, HOLLOW SPOT SITS IN YOUR CHEST. / there’s a place you’ll never leave no matter who tries to stop you. / the seat of power fits like a glove. / heavy is the head that wears the crown. / there will always be someone ready to break your neck and relieve you of the weight. / you share a space, but not a mind. / they think of you as weak. you are, maybe. / “ what are you going to do with all of these pills? ” / an empty bird’s nest. / broken pencil tips. / there’s an empty paper in front of you that you’ll never fill. / “ we want you to succeed. i hope you can grasp that. ” / “ they weren’t there when it happened. ” / quick to anger. / corruption. / there’s a red string tying you together. / the scent of whiskey on the horizon. /“ you’re the best friend i’ve ever had. ” / “ jump. I dare you. ” / 99 red balloons drifting through a hazy sky. / you try to lift your head up, but it’s so much effort. / always walking on sunshine. / marble under the sun. / “ I was hoping that you’d understand. ” / there’s a million reasons to come down from the clouds, but you can’t be bothered. / loon is the word of the day. / hair twisted up with glitter butterfly clips like a haphazard mobile. / you drift, but you know where you’re going. / no one has any dirt on you because you’re infinitely spotless. / the empty side of your bed they crawled into when they were nine. / court hearings. / “ I MISS YOU. ” / siblings are a funny thing. / they point out every family-shaped hole in every picture on the mantelpiece. / a lone wolf separated from its pack. / “ they say your name is death. ” / all-consuming passion. / THINK ABOUT THE THINGS YOU DID. / feed off the daylight. / no signs of life. / “ what are you waiting for? ” / pure wilderness. / if you’re hungry enough, anyone can stop caring about something long enough to eat it. / spine like a ladder, and his weary feet can’t find purchase. / THE BURN WAS SO SLOW, NO ONE EVER SAW IT COMING. / LEARN THROUGH TEACHING. / “ have you ever thought about why trees bleed? ” / sleeping nude as a means to declare you want to stay. / “ go down with me, fall with me. ” / black on black on black on black on bl — / the long game. / restless hands. /YOU WILL DO ANYTHING TO KEEP THEM / a cemetery by the moon, unblessed. / even when you walked one would think you waltzed. / “ mad men know nothing, but you should have seen me ” / “ my blood ran cold. ” / power corrupts. / wood grain and nail tracks. / no scales are strong enough to judge you. / “ your eyes make me want to do terrible things. “ / gaping as the river swallows her whole / rose brambles claiming your home / power is power / i am the night. / lust and loss call used feet that rhythmically hit the pavement. / dark hair and a glance thrown over a shoulder / THEY CALL YOU ANGEL AND DEVIL IN THE SAME BREATH / YOU HAVE CEASED TO BE YOURSELF; ONLY WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO BE REMAINS / flowers bloom until they rot and fall apart / brother; what’s my name? / whatcha gonna do when the chips are down? / wouldn’t you have done the same? / you can have your principles as long as you’ve a belly full / lover’s desire / what remains? / when you were mine the world seemed to burn / apocryphal vows delivered upon hands and knees / BEWARE THE MUSIC OF THE DEAD, FOR IT SHALL LEAD YOU LIKEWISE UNTO DEATH.

[motusinanis]

WHAT ARE YOUR MUSE’S AESTHETICS?

BOLD ANY WHICH APPLY TO YOUR MUSE. 

ITALICIZE WHAT THEY LIKE OR CAN BE TAKEN TWO WAYS { for me this is about Koσμος! }

REMEMBER TO REPOST & NOT REBLOG. 

FEEL FREE TO ADD TO THE LIST 

Tagging: @peeblcs @glittch-bitch & @spccdiskey

Short version as tagged by No one.

fire. ice. water. air. earth. claws. fangs. wings. gold. diamonds. grass. leaves. trees. roses. metal. iron. rust. rain. snow. lace. silk. cotton. sun. moon. stars. blood. dirt. mud. silver. steel. sugar. salt. lavender. foxglove. glass. wood. paper. wool. fur. smoke. ash. ocean. bruises. scars. wind. spices. light. dark. paint. charcoal. wine. hard liquor. sweat. dust. bare feet. canine. feline. coffee. tea. candles. sword. dagger. staff. arrow. hammer. shield. gun. spikes. sand. rocks. roots. feathers. pearls. rubies. sapphires. emeralds. herbs. waves. lightning. sunlight. moonlight. clay. stone. brick. lions. wolves. foxes. ravens. eagles. mountains. crucifix. 

Long Versions Below

 “ you rise, I fall, I stand, you crawl, you twist, I turn. ” / the softest palms that never want to touch you until after a bottle of wine. / “ just braid your hair if you won’t brush it, at least, you useless girl. ” / pulling on her skirt with one hand as she shuffles away. / “ you’ll get it done before the day is up. ” / guilt that isn’t yours to have. / it’s a crooked game, but it’s the only one in town. / chains. / “ how could you do this to me? ” / the sharp sting of guilt. / you feel something even though you’re paid to do the opposite. / the family you never had. / falling backwards through time. / quicksand. / drowning, but you don’t save yourself. / “ you’re getting better. ” / “ they smile like a snake. ” / you’re the stars and the sky. / there’s a part of you that couldn’t stay away even if you were forced to. / they are your wings, there’s no doubt there. / “ let’s take off somewhere. let’s fly. ” / you edge a bit too close to the sun. / another ghost to take your place after every stumble. / deep roots in the ground slashed open in the sun. / rock candy melting in water. / waves rise and leave the foam behind. / the precipice you call home has a tip you’ll reach eventually. / happiness is the best front a man can make. / “ i’ve never seen someone as beautiful as you before. ” / you disagree; they’re more beautiful. / discomfort at the tiniest of touches. / the sky opens up when you see them. / rain comes down. / poppy fields. / your sanity hanging by a thread. / “ oh god, what have you done? ” / roommates weren’t supposed to be the smartest ones of all. / your mother had the most beautiful gardens, but you can’t grow anything worth a damn. / the similarities between deep space and deep water. / they’ve got a devil on their shoulder and an angel in their mind. / you tried to help, but it only got worse. / now they’re dead, it’s all your fault. / adam & eve in the garden. / a temptress in crisp button-downs. / “ fuck, you’ve gone off the deep end, haven’t you? ” / they lie so perfectly you almost forget yourself. / the spark that lit the kindling on your funeral pyre. / sugar and spice and a taste for the dark side. / you smell like the mountains in the winter. / crisp red apples piled up on the table. / your shoes are sharp, but your wit is even sharper. / what a pretty one, they say. / directionless laughter. / “ love, I think I’m dying. ” / a soft, hollow spot sits in your chest. / there’s a place you’ll never leave no matter who tries to stop you. / the seat of power fits like a glove. / heavy is the head that wears the crown. / there will always be someone ready to break your neck and relieve you of the weight. / you share a space, but not a mind. / they think you are weak; you are, maybe. / “ what are you going to do with all of these pills? ” / an empty bird’s nest. / broken pencil tips. / there’s an empty paper in front of you that you’ll never fill. / “ we want you to succeed. i hope you can grasp that. ” / “ they weren’t there when it happened. ” / quick to anger. / corruption. / there’s a red string tying you together. / the scent of whiskey on the horizon. / “ you’re the best friend i’ve ever had. ” / pink tipped fingers lock in secrecy. / “ jump. I dare you. ” / 99 red balloons drifting through a hazy sky. / you try to lift your head up, but it’s so much effort. / always walking on sunshine. / marble under the sun. / “ I was hoping that you’d understand. ” / there’s a million reasons to come down from the clouds, but you can’t be bothered. / loon is the word of the day. / hair twisted up with glitter butterfly clips like a haphazard mobile. / you drift, but you know where you’re going. / no one has any dirt on you because you’re infinitely spotless. / the empty side of your bed they crawled into when they were nine. / court hearings. / “ I miss you. ” / siblings are a funny thing. / they point out every family-shaped hole in every picture on the mantelpiece. / a lone wolf separated from its pack. / “ they say your name is death. ” / all-consuming passion. / think about the things you did. / feed off the daylight. / no signs of life. / “ what are you waiting for? ” / a diaphanous sea of rose petals. / pure wilderness. / if you’re hungry enough, anyone can stop caring about something long enough to eat it. / spine like a ladder, and his weary feet can’t find purchase. / the burn was so slow no one ever saw it coming. / learn through teaching. / “ have you ever thought about why trees bleed? ” / sleeping nude as a means to declare you want to stay. / “ go down with me, fall with me. ” / black on black on black on black on bl — / the long game. / restless hands. / ivy infiltrating an empty, corroded church. / you will do anything to keep them. / a cemetery by the moon, unblessed. / even when you walked one would think you waltzed. / “ madmen know nothing, but you should have seen me. ” / “ my blood ran cold. ” / power corrupts. / wood grain and nail tracks. / no scales are strong enough to judge you. / “ your eyes make me want to do terrible things. “ / gaping as the river swallows her whole / rose brambles claiming your home / power is power / i am the night. / lust and loss callused feet that rhythmically hit the pavement. / dark hair & a glance thrown over the shoulder / they call you angel & devil in the same breath / you have ceased to be yourself; only what they want you to be remains / flowers bloom until they rot and fall apart / brother; what’s my name? / whatcha gonna do when the chips are down? / wouldn’t you have done the same? / you can have your principles as long as you’ve a belly full / lover’s desire / what remains? / when you were mine the world seemed to burn / apocryphal vows delivered upon hands and knees / beware the music of the dead, for it shall lead you likewise unto death