#(after quite a bit of drama that's happening in Paper Hearts)

[kalolasfantasyworld]

The birdies at the wedding 🕊️

A little one shot posted for 3000 hits!

Summary:

Helena, Nozel, Heinry, Noureen and Natalia attend the wedding of Asta and Noelle.

Just lots of fluff, pretty descriptions, spanglish and some silly jokes 💕

Yes, there is an illustration 🩵

Type: One shot

Word count: 2800

Author's note:

I mention other people's OCs. (Literally mentions, but I couldn't stop myself 😁.) They belong to @lyranova @thoughtfullyrainynightmare and @loosesodamarble.

The ceremony at Asta and Noelle’s wedding was simply beautiful. Helena could come up with multiple astounding adjectives to describe it, but she was sure that even all of them complied could not reflect on how she was feeling. She bawled her eyes out and was loudly sobbing, while using a handkerchief to wipe away her never ending tears of joy. 

Her children two nine year old boys Heinry and Noureen, and Natalia a three year old little girl would point out her emotional state. 

“Mama, why are you crying?” Heinry pulled on her dress. “Papa do something!” He would then bother Nozel, who just smiled softly and stayed quiet as all of them should have done through out the ceremony. 

After Asta and Noelle spoke their vows and finally said the long awaited ‘Yes’, the party was moved from the great chapel to the Silva Estate ballroom. As the Lady of the house it was Helena’s job to have it meticulously prepared. She obviously poured her heart out and countless hours at that, towards reaching her goal. The grand hall was lavishly decorated with white, pink, purple and blue flower bouquets, garlands, lights and all possible accessories. However it was not too much, just the perfect amount to not let anyone feel overwhelmed, but allow them to appreciate the interior. Helena cared for the good name of House Silva and she continued to fulfil that playful promise she had made to Nozel years ago, about pouring her dignified strength and giving her best for the prosperity and reputation of their House. Theirs. And now Asta joined the Silva family too. 

The newlyweds sat at a rectangular table, which was specially raised on a platform, so that everyone could see them. Kahono as Noelle’s bride’s maid and Yuno as Asta’s best man, sat on both of their sides. Next to Yuno there was one additional seat prepared for his fiancé Neva, but she disappeared somewhere within the crowd and had yet to join them. 

Helena and her familia were seated at the table to the right from the newlyweds. Next to them sat Solara and Fuegoleon with their own three cubs. They were engaged in some pleasant conversations and Fuego was completely drowning in the mesmerising green eyes of his wife. Helena watched them fondly, happy that everything seemed to have fallen in its right place. 

She turned towards her three birdies, whose sight filled her with joy and pride only a mother could understand and smiled. Noureen was fidgeting with the high neck of the white jabot that he was wearing. It contrasted with his pastel red, sleeveless blazer and chocolate brown strands of hair, that fell onto his shoulders. Under the blazer he wore a white shirt with golden bands gripping it at his wrists. Matching pants were straight pleat and golden sandals finished of his look. The red cross flory fitchy earring in his right ear proudly stated, which house he belonged to. Although everybody could probably guess it anyway, because his hair was styled almost exactly as Nozel’s. And those eyes of his, they were lilac, just like nana Acier’s and his papa’s. 

Heinry wore the exact same outfit, just that the accents were baby blue and the earring was on his left ear. He looked like a miniature copy of Nozel with his silver hair styled in an eagle like manner. However only looked, because when it came to his behaviour, nothing could scream louder the energetic atmosphere of the Drazels. 

Natalia sat on the other side of the table in a raised seat specially prepared for a three year old. Her silver hair was getting longer and it was neatly styled in soft waves. The dark brown eyes of the girl were excited as she tried manoeuvring towards her mouth a piece of duck using a small fork. Helena worried that she would drop it on her soft lilac dress and then they would need to leave the party to get her changed. Thankfully Nozel was there to save the day. With a flick of his fingers he created some mercury protecting the fabric. 

Classical ballroom music was being played by the band and Kahono, now a kingdom wide star, sang a love song for the newlyweds. Helena was immersed into the sound. She felt excitement rise in her chest and she knew, she wanted to join the dance. 

Helena turned towards her husband and a her lips formed a beautiful smile. 

“Would you like to dance mi amor?” She asked in a sweet tone. 

“I’m good,” Nozel answered flatly and focused on the roast duck, that was in front of him, completely not noticing an annoyed expression on his wife’s face. He had to not realise, that she was just asking out of courtesy. 

Helena furrowed her brows and huffed. 

“Are you suuure?” She elongated the word and made Nozel look up. His eyebrows raised and lilac eyes were questioning. 

“I want to finish this dish,” he said. “You know it’s my favorite.”

Yes Helena was aware, but she wished to be selfish and dance now.

“Papa helps me eat,” Natalia crinkled her tiny nose and now that it was two against one Helena knew she lost. Daddy’s girl was taking his side, since her youngest years. 

“I would like to dance with you mama,” Heinry jumped of his seat and approached her. He respectfully bowed down and then reached his hand towards her. The little prince, that he was, knew all the required etiquette and was pristine with his manners. Lilac eyes flashed confidently and Helena chuckled softly reaching out to her son. 

“At least someone knows how to be a gentleman,” she grinned at her husband, who just rolled his eyes affectionately, before once again swooping in to save Natalia’s dress. “What if you just feed her?” Helena added. 

“I can… myself,” Natalia found the right word and furrowed her brows, while gripping harder onto the fork, that she was holding. She was a smart three year old and certainly a feisty one. Wonder where she got that from?

“You heard our hija,” Nozel proudly gazed at his daughter.

Helena could not help the fond expression, that appeared on her face. Nozel was a great dad, despite his countless worries, that he was going to be an awful one, like his own father was. However both of them pushed through, they made mistakes, they learned from them and they did all of this together, supporting one another. Now the three little birdies were growing up in a warm and happy environment, something Nozel’s childhood was lacking after his own mother had passed away. 

Helena was pulled out of her thoughts by Heinry, not so sophistically dragging her towards the dance floor. He was very excited. When the next song began to play, she let her son lead her and even though he would make tiny mistakes, and slip from time to time, Helena knew that he was doing his best and it was all that mattered. 

When Kahono finished singing they moved slightly to the side, but did not leave the dance floor yet. Helena smiled at Heinry and he responded in the same way, flashing his white teeth. ‘That’s my niño,’ she thought.

Suddenly somebody ran up to them and grabbed Helena’s dress hiding behind her. 

“Woah, Noureen!” Helena exclaimed startled. “What are you doing hijo?” 

He poked out his nose, so only the upper part of his face and frantically searching lilac eyes were visible. 

“Tia Noelle wants to dance with me,” he whispered determined. “I’m running away.”

“Yhm,” Helena nodded and furrowed her brows at him. “And you think you will find shelter, while grabbing my dress?”

“Yeees?” Noureen raised his brow and Heinry chuckled, which earned him a poked out tongue from his exactly twenty four minutes younger brother. 

“Hijo,” Helena smiled and pulled his small hands off her dress. She then turned around to face him and knelt down so they would be levelled. Helena reached out her palm and pressed it to her son’s cheek. Noureen nuzzled into it and she smiled, noticing right away how similarly to Nozel he behaved. “It is tia Noelle’s wedding day. She doesn’t want to dance with you to make you miserable, but to share her joy with her nephew,” Helena’s voice was tender. “Consider it a little gift you can give to her. I know you want tia to be happy.”

“I do,” he nodded motivated, “but what if I trip and then ruin her dress?” Noureen asked. “She looks very beautiful, tio Asta just can’t take his eyes of her.”

“My sweet hijo,” Helena looked at him lovingly. “It will be alright. You know how to dance and if you trip, that’s simply it. It will be just fine.”

“Tia won’t get angry?” Noureen blinked his lilac eyes. 

“I don’t think there’s anything, that could ruin her mood today,” Helena winked and tapped his pointy nose. Her son softly giggled. “So go on now. Ask tia Noelle to dance.”

Noureen nodded determined and ran off towards the woman of the night. Helena and Heinry watched them for a minute, before deciding to head back to their table. 

How surprised they were when the only ones present were Cyraleona and Eleonora Vermillon. Their parents and their brother were gone mingling, or dancing, while Nozel and Natalia were nowhere to be found. 

Helena furrowed her brows. Where could these two had gone off to? 

“Maybe papa did not manage to save Natalia’s dress and they went to change?” Heinry said out loud.

“Probably,” Helena nodded and looked at him. “Since they’re not here would you like to dance again?”

“Mama,” he groaned annoyed. “You know I have to ask you that. I’m practicing being a gentleman.”

“You already are one,” Helena chuckled, but let Heinry ask her again. Court etiquette practice was always welcomed, while being raised in a Royal family. 

However as they moved towards the dance floor and then began swaying to yet another waltz, something drew Helena’s attention. Between the swirling dresses and moving legs, Helena noticed a familiar glint of silver. She guided Heinry towards it, walking past a pair, who Helena recognised as Josele and Nacht Faust, and then abruptly stopped, because her heart could not take the emotion, that it was experiencing. 

Helena smiled and watched the view in front of her, while the warm feeling inside of her chest bubbled joyfully. 

Just a few meters away Nozel and Natalia were dancing. However since their daughter was so small he had to lean down towards her in order to support her. Natalia’s movements were clumsy and she did not know the steps, so Nozel let her step on his feet, and with each move of his, she had no other choice but follow. Two dark orbs were staring and trying to analyse the dance, while brows furrowed determined. Silver hair beautifully framed her plump cheeks as she pouted. Her lilac dress, surprisingly without any stains on it, fluttered behind her. 

Nozel was smiling, softly, because this was his way and Helena knew, that it was the most genuine expression, that he could have. His gaze was filled with love as he guided his little girl and lilac eyes were watching, taking in her view. Nozel looked amazing himself and Helena could proudly admit, that to her taste, he was the most handsome man at the party. He wore a blue, long sleeved blazer with sophisticated golden accents and a white jabot, but it started lower on his neck, beneath the part, where his golden collar used to be. A Silva cross was attached to the jabot at the centre beneath the soft feathery neckline. The vest underneath the blazer was white and his pants were pressed pleat, like those his sons wore. Silver hair was styled in the eagle like pushed back and up hairstyle and the strands at the front were braided. However it was just this official occasion. Everyday he would have them loose, because he no longer needed the reminder of his past. He would clasp the blue Silva pendant only on occasions, such as this one, which required the ‘Nozel Silva’ look. 

He had to feel her stare, because Nozel looked up at her and Helena’s heart beat faster. She smiled genuinely and felt a soft blush spread over her cheeks. How she loved him and the family they had created. 

“Natalia really can’t dance,” Heinry commented and pulled Helena out of her thoughts. 

“Oh shush. They’re doing amazing,” she quieted him, but her tone was fond. 

They came back to the dance themselves, but then Heinry grinned at her. 

“What if we do a switch?” He asked. “I can teach Natalia a little bit and you would dance with papa?”

“Heinry,” Helena chuckled. “Do you think I need a wingman to dance with my own husband?” 

“Well mama,” he shrugged. “You kind of failed earlier.”

“I won’t this time,” she deflected.

When the song ended they approached Nozel and Natalia. Helena smiled fondly and swept her gaze over them. Just as she was about to speak up and ask her husband to dance, Natalia reached out her little arm and grabbed onto his palm, pulling him down towards herself. Her fingers looked so small compared to his. She leaned in and whispered something to his ear. 

Nozel slowly closed his eyes and then delicately nodded, before ruffling her hair. Natalia squeaked excited and let him stand up. 

“May I have this dance Helena?” Nozel reached out his hand toward her.

She gracefully took it and let him lead her just few steps away from their children. They did not want to loose sight of them, especially the three year old in this filled with people ballroom. So only when Heinry and Natalia began to dance, the gazes of their parents went towards one another. 

“Keeping secrets from me again mi amor?” Helena playfully quirked her brow as Nozel pulled her closer and began leading her to the music. 

“Would you like me to spill them?” He asked flatly and when Helena nodded, he shook his head. “I can’t violate the sacred father-daughter trust.”

Helena pouted. 

“So I’m going to be left in the dark, when it comes to your whispers?” She fluttered her lashes. 

“Maybe,” Nozel stated. “Although I suppose you will get it out of Natalia after making her surrender in a tickle war.”

“I am the best at tickle wars,” Helena laughed. 

“I am aware,” he deadpanned and just to tease him Helena moved forwards. “Don’t you dare,” he furrowed his brows and it made her chuckle even more. 

“Oh you know I wouldn’t do anything, while we’re in public. Nobody will know the tricks that señora Silva has up her sleeve,” Helena winked.

“They don’t acknowledge how much of a devil you are with these,” Nozel stated in a serious tone. 

“No captain,” she corrected him and her tone changed to seductive. “I’m a devil in some other settings, only known to you,” she purred. 

“Helena,” he hissed, but could not hide the gentle, fond expression on his face. 

“I love you,” Helena grinned and Nozel just rolled his eyes. 

“I love you too,” he gazed at her deeply, “but you are annoying.”

“And I will gladly annoy you for the rest of our days,” she said. 

“Keep your promise.”

The song ended and Helena very reluctantly pulled away from Nozel. Two of their kids were nearby and she noticed further away Noureen bowing to Noelle, before she took her new husband’s hand. Asta’s green eyes were focused on her this entire time and seemed very excited to dance with his gorgeous bride.

“After the next song you should ask Noelle to dance with you,” Helena inquired. 

“I will,” Nozel nodded and looked at his sister proudly. “She’s come so far and became very strong. I am happy for her.”

“Oi watch out,” Helena grinned and he quirked his silver brows at her. “Your caring side is showing so much today, that some may even think the real Nozel Silva has been kidnapped.”

He narrowed his eyes. 

“You actually think you’re funny?” Nozel asked irritated. 

“And that’s how I know you’re my husband,” she giggled. 

Soon the song ended and Nozel was about to go ask Noelle to dance, while Helena and their children would head to the table. However at the last second Nozel stopped her and looked her in the eyes. 

“I love you Helena and you look beautiful this evening, just like you do everyday,” he said and it caught her by surprise how out of the blue it was. Despite being married for years, she flushed and her heart picked up its pace. “Save me the next dance, because I want to show off to everyone my amazing wife.”

[nonbinary-eddie-munson]

Steve is Robins beard/no upside down AU where Robin and Steve run away and get married after Robin graduates because she gets outed in the last few weeks of highschool and its the only way to stop her parents from sending her to a christan all girls college.

Originally the cover up plan is for Robin and Steve to tell her parents that they just recently started dating and a girl in band started the rumor about Robin being a lesbian because she was jealous and hoped it would make Steve and Robin break up. They can fake date and then "break up" after Robin goes off to college in Chicago, claiming the distance was too much.

Robins mom is fully ready to accept this as fact, after all it will do so much for their status in town if her daughter marries into the Harrington family

Robins dad, on the other hand, hates the idea of his only daughter being with the son of Richard Harrington. He watched the bastard play with his sisters heart in highschool before running off to marry some rich girl and will be damned if he sees the same happen to his daughter. No it will be better if he put an end to all of this and ships her off to Mount Saint Marys so she never has to see the Harrington boy again.

Cue Robin and Steve aided by Joyce and Hopper making a plan for them to run away because Steve will be damned if all of Robins dreams are crushed because her father wants to be an over protective asshole. They decide the easiest way to stop her dad from tracking them down and forcing Robin to come home is if they get married.

So the night after graduation, Robin sneaks out of her house and steals away into the night with Steve. They drive all night until they make it to chicago as the sun is rising. Joyce has a cousin who lives in the city and is willing to let Robin and Steve stay in her spare room until they get settled.

Carina has the same motherly warmth as Joyce, though she never married or had kids instead choosing to live with her " Capital R Roomate" Marjorie. Of course, the two women know the truth of Robin and Steves situation and as soon as the court house opens, they bear witness as Steve and Robin sign the marriage papers and offically become Steve and Robin Buckley-Harrington

They actually fought quite a bit on last names Steve insisting that he should take the last name Buckley because fuck his parents, while Robin still angry at her father wanted to become a Harrington just to spite him. Carina is the one who convinces them to hyphenate after, to her horror and amusement they suggest combining their lastnames and becoming the Buckington's (Steves idea) or the Harringley's (Robins idea)

Steve and Robin find jobs together at a local coffee shop and after Robins first semester at school working towards a degree in linguistics, Steve decides to apply for community college eventually deciding he wants to become a school councilor, he loves working with kids and hey if he can help atleast one kid all the schooling will be worth it.

Steve and Robin love the city and once they both graduate -Robin ending up adding a teaching degree in with her linguitics- they get jobs teaching at a local middle school Steve as the guidance counciler and Robin teaching French and Latin. They talk briefly about getting divorced after a few years but after almost dying in a fire together when starcourt burned down they're trauma bonded for life, honestly steve doesnt know who he was kidding thinking he'd be fine staying in Hawkins until the kids graduated while Robin went off to Chicago.

Carina and Marjorie introduce Robin and Steve to the queer scene in Chicago and Steve has his bisexual awakening. Robin becomes Steves beard just as much as he is hers. They both date around a bit, but nothing serious ever comes of it theres not many people who can handle the combined force that is "Steve And Robin Platonic With A Capital P Soulmates"

Enter professional substitute teacher/drama club advisor Eddie Munson and brand new lead journalist of the Chicago Tribune Nancy Wheeler, who are both confused, gay and unwilling to be homewreckers but cant help but to be sucked into Robin and Steves orbit all the same

[bluegalaxygirl]

Morning routine (Zosan X Reader)

Zoro X sanji x Reader, poly relationship headcannons. GN reader, established relationship. The other straw hat's are in it too i had to look up their sleeping schedule :)

Warning: bad Language, a little bit of violence (at the hands of Nami of cause) and Fluff, lots of Fluff

I don't know if i explained it properly about the seating of the straw hat crew so i'll put it at the bottom in case.

^ Your shared room with the boys has one of the biggest beds on the ship beside Robins and Nami's, thank the gods for that, Sanji can be quite clingy to whoever is closest while Zoro sprawl's out taking up most of the bed.

^ Mornings start out slow for Zoro, Sanji is always up early in order to get breakfast ready for the crew but he never leaves without kissing you both on the forehead, if it's a cold morning he will lay an extra blanket on the two of you before leaving.

^ On the rare occasion that you wake up first, either because of a bad night sleep or Zoro's loud snoring (you thought you would be used to it by now but some times its too much), you don't stay in bed for too long deciding to sneak out of bed making sure both boys are covered by the duvet before making you way to the kitchen.

^ Your usually the second or third one up of the morning, you cover up Zoro and fix his pillows for him before leaving the room. The first thing you like to do is get a hot cup of coffee/tea and read the news paper that was delivered that morning.

^ If Sanji is up first he will gladly give you whatever you want for breakfast, giving you complements on whatever choice you make and kissing your cheek sending you on your way to the table. Its quiet in the kitchen from then on, only the sound of Sanji cooking, flipping of the new's paper pages and the waves outside. its a rare moment on the sunny but you both enjoy it.

^ If your up first, you read the news and drink your coffee/tea alone at the kitchen counter, it feels nice to have a moment to yourself. When Sanji comes in most of the time you don't even know since your in your own little world. He comes up behind you and lightly wraps his arms around your waist while burying his head in your neck, breathing in your scent before saying "good morning my love". Depending on how needy he's feeling that morning this can last either a short while or half an hour, but he has to start making breakfast so lets you go and walks you over to your seat at the end of the table closest to the door.

^ Slowly but surely the others of the crew wake up, it's usually Brook who comes in and just gets a cup of tea taking a seat at the other end of the table, he asks about both your nights and then it's silent again but a nice silent, Brook enjoying the quiet morning with the two of you until Robin comes in.

^ Sanji smiles and greets her, hearts in his eyes and offers her a cup of tea or coffee and food. she giggles and accepts sitting next to you and greeting you with a good morning. Sanji practically glides over to Robin and places her food and drink down "For the lady" he says with a big smile.

^ You find it funny how he fawns over the girls on the ship while you laughing makes him blush like crazy and panic a little, "As much as i love you Robin my dear, i only have eyes for two people" Sanji says in almost a defensive way, every morning this happens and it makes both you and Robin laugh "Its ok, i know you love me, i find it sweet how you treat Robin and Nami, every girl should feel looked after" you words make Sanji relax and give you a loving smile, the embarrassed blush on his face fading into a light pink blush.

^ Once the drama is over you and Robin read the news togeather, on occasion talking about it until Zoro and Chopper walk in. Zoro looks half asleep while Chopper seems wide awake. They both say good morning, Chopper climbing into the chair next to Robin and asking about how the two of you are.

^ Zoro walks over to you and places a kiss on you cheek and running a hand threw your hair before going around to get a cup of coffee from the kitchen. While its brewing he walks up behind Sanji and wraps his arms around the cooks waist, letting out a small huff "What's for breakfast?" Zoro asks his head berried in Sanji's shoulder. They have a small conversation with Zoro almost falling asleep again but Sanji jabs him awake with his elbow earning a mean response e.g "Shitty Cook" or "Fuck you" Sanji usually replying with a smile "You know you love me"

^ Zoro huffs and takes his coffee saying under his breath "Yea i do". He sits down in front of Robin drinking his coffee like it was his life line, "How was your watch last night?" you ask gaining his attention, he lets out a sigh "Quiet like normal", you smile knowing Zoro loves a good fight and tends to look for one when he can. Robin lets out a laugh "Well im glad, i wouldn't want some other pirates or bandits boarding the ship and killing us in our sleep" she says with such a sweet smile

^ Chopper freaks out when ever she says stuff like that and so would usopp if he was awake to hear it. You, Nami and Fanky are usually the ones who have to calm them down, or in Nami's case knock some sense into them. After you clam down chopper, you give him the cross word puzzle in the news paper to do and a pencil.

^ Sanji comes over with his own food and Zoro's placing it down and sitting next to Zoro at the end of the table across form you. "Causing trouble again my dear Robin?" Sanji asks with a small laugh already knowing the answer. Things go back to normal after that, Robin helping Chopper with the cross word while Zoro and Sanji have a talk occasionally asking you to solve a debate between the two. Sanji lights a cigarette and lets out a puff of smoke seeming to relax, he can relax for a little while now just spending time with the less noisy people form his crew. Sanji leans over and places his head on Zoro's shoulder, even though they fight you know they love each other. This lovely moment always hold a special place in your heart, the three of you enjoying a nice morning togeather.

^ All good things come to an end when Luffy wakes up and usually brings Nami with him mainly scolding him for waking her up. They enter the kitchen with smiles, Nami's more sinister than actually happy "Morning love birds" she says looking at the three of you, she loves teasing you three about things but its all light-hearted and she always seem's to find a way to make you blush about it.

^ Luffy's first words of the morning are always "SANJI, WHAT'S FOR BREAKFAST?" and most of the time he ends up getting hit over the head by Nami "People are still sleeping" she sighs walking to take a seat next to chopper. "Nami-swan, What can i get you this morning?" Sanji gets up smiling and spinning around hoping to please the lady with his food. Zoro huffs at this not liking the way Sanji's attention is on some one else .

^ Zoro still isn't a fan of the way Sanji acts around women but he keeps his moth shut, there are times when he does lose it and they have a small argument about it before having an angry make out session. Honestly what are you to do with the two of them? you place your hand on Zoro's from across the table making him look at you, you give him a smile trying to calm him. he takes your hand in his and runs his thumb over you knuckles.

^ After Luffy recovers from Nami's punch he jumps up and takes a seat at the bar chanting about food "Go sit at the table luffy it'll be ready in a minute" Sanji almost yells making Luffy pout but taking a seat at the head of the table.

^ Sanji serves Nami first presenting it and complementing on how she looks this morning. you feel your hand being squeezed harder by Zoro making you jump slightly. Zoro doesn't seem to notice you flinch but just glares at Sanji annoyed at the attention he is showing the girl. As Sanji begins to move Zoro looks away letting go of your hand slightly, you can feel the blood flow return to your hand and let out a sigh. This catches Sanji's attention and walks over placing a hand on your should and kissing your cheek. you lean into it and place your other hand over his looking up at him and then back to Zoro giving Sanji the hit that Zoro isn't happy.

^ The other continue to eat as Luffy groans in impatience tearing Sanji away form you and Zoro "I know, i Know. i'll get it now luffy" He sighs getting a massive plate of food and placing it in front of Luffy who looks at with lust. Sanji walks away as Luffy gobbles it down abandoning the knife and fork he was holding onto moment before.

^ Around this time Usopp and Franky usually wake up so instead of sitting down Sanji walks over and puts out his cigarette before placing both his hands on Zoro's shoulders and starting to massage them, Zoro tense's up at the sudden touch but soon relax's into it. The smile on your face grows at the two of them and Zoro no longer being upset. Sanji leans down next to Zoro's ear and whispers something that makes your swords man show a cocky smile. Sanji flashes you a smile and Zoro brings your hand up to his lips giving it a kiss. You have no idea what Sanji says to Zoro and the men refuse to tell you even when you beg.

^ The moment ends when Usopp and Franky walk in, poor Usopp always seems to get embarrassed when seeing the three of you togeather in an intimate moment, he covers his eyes and apologizes while Franky just gives you three a thumbs up and a big "SUPPER". "Calm down usopp their always like this" Nami states earning a giggle from Robin and a big laugh from Luffy making Usopp's face get redder. "I think it's cute" Chopper perks up making Zoro blush and hide his face in his hand. You and sanji let out a laugh hearingZzoro curse under his breath, "sit down i'll get you some breakfast" Sanji says giving zoro's shoulder a light squeeze before walking away.

^ You get up and sit next to Zoro, Franky taking your seat to sit next to Robin. You wrap your arm around Zoro's free arm and try to pull his hand off his face "There's no need to be embarrassed, the others are all occupied now" you whisper succeeding in removing his hand from his face. The two of you drive Zoro crazy and there are so many things he wants to say and do with you two but he's secretly scared of what other people think of him. Zoro ends up giving in to his own needs and shoves his face into your neck laying his head on your shoulder, you raise a hand and stroke his hair.

^ After the last of the food is served and drinks are filled Sanji joins you two again take the seat on the other side of Zoro. Zoro feels his presence and reaches under the table to take Sanji's hand. Sanji smiles and takes his hand sipping on his coffee and then trying to light another cigarette but doing it with one hand is hard so you offer to help out. You take his lighter and light the cigarette for him. he takes a big puff and blows it out before taking the lighter back and kissing your hand "Thank you my love" he says with a smile.

^ Mornings always go the same way no matter what. the three of you enjoying time togeather with your crew and even though there are some bumps you three love each other with all your hearts, the crew are happy for you three and support the hell out of it. some show it more than others though.

seating:

starting off from the door and closest to the wall. reader (Later Franky), Robin, Chopper, Nami. head of table is of cause Luffy. leading round to the other side of the table is Usopp, Brook, empty (later sanji), Zoro, Sanji (later reader).

I hope you enjoyed. this is my first one piece x reader and im planning on doing more Sanji X Zoro X reader. Thank you for reading. :)

[plasticfangtastic]

Building Blocks. Ch. 2

A Butchlander fanfic

a/n: took a while but i managed to write something, updates will be slow but thank you for reading, not proofread I die with this as i ease myself into this again.

edit... forgot to add link to prev chap:

tags: slow burn, romance, dadlander, drama.

Sypnopsis: au where Becca stays with Butcher and passes Ryan as Billy's and is Billy who has to deal with Homelander after the death of his wife

Chapter 2

The woman stared at the vial with incredulity.

He hadn’t invited her in to talk simply handling her this vial on his driveway, naming it ‘Compound V’... something she had never heard before– before asking her to leave and keep low, he didn’t offer explanations simply asking for her hand in case he had to do disappear with Ryan on a short notice, whatever had happened it had him on edge and anxious to get her away from him as soon as possible either for his or her own safety she guessed. So she forgave his rudeness for whatever this was, had him hearing specters in the grass– It certainly wasn’t because he wanted to clean up the place for Ryan based on his appearance clean clothes but dirty hair, the smoke coming from the chimney was the only unusual thing she noted

“What’s on your mind?” She asks, unable to stand his troubled expression any longer.

“I don’t know if am gonna be in trouble.” He smiles weerily– but I’ll need to keep him distracted if I hope to get away from him.”

“Him?”

“Homelander…”

“What does he have to do with any of this?”

“You need to leave Mallory.”

She should’ve found a way to keep an eye on him, but she took the vial and left. Sensing a peculiar unease in his voice that didn’t often come from him.

“Is a bit warm to have the fireplace lit up.”

Butcher meet the Supe in his living room almost having a heart attack on the spot, he looked away trying to calm himself while hoping the Supe had been too self-absorbed to notice but Homelander had just chosen not to care, having more pressing matters in mind.

 Seeing he’d brought a gift box, Butcher studied his appearance, it look rigid yet desperate to appear approachable– boots had been polished and oiled, his gloves tucked under his arm, the flap of his suit down to reveal patriotic red, and his hair had been re-touched overnight there had been more brown on his undercut last time, now it had an almost strawberry tint blending into the browns to appear more natural if he had to take a guest, even brushed to the side lightly, Butcher scoffed finding it all quite funny that he would do all of this to look so artificial– no sterile instead of just looking like whatever his normal self was, perhaps all celebs were like this Butcher thought, yet he did found the present a bit charming.

“I thought I would bring him a present.” He said softly.

“I was burning some stuff…” He picks a couple cushions off the ground, kicking a dog’s toy to the side– what’s in the box?”

“A baseball glove– it’s my favorite sport. I want to share my passion, I guess.” 

Butcher examines the rather fancy wrapping of the box, there’s layers to it allowing decorations to be tucked in the sleeves, and for the life of him, he can’t find much tape on the sides of it, even the paper had a visible thickness to it that screamed excessive… that said ‘I want to impress you’ in cursive.

“I thought… well my assistant thought it would be a nice way to get to know each other” from one of the paper sleeves he pulls forward a set of tickets– there’s a Yankees’s game next week.”

“I don’t know” He has one look at the tickets– ‘Legends Suite’?? Those are great, no…”

“I thought of getting a private suite but I was discouraged”

Butcher took a deep breath trying to ignore the sparkles from the gift and back to business.

“Look… I… I don’t think you can just come in and tell him you’re his dad, his mom just died, he’s going thru a lot, mate.” He said softly, trying to sound as gentle as he could thinking of the burn scuff marks on his hardwood, hoping it wouldn’t be him, he had a handful of guns hidden across his living room but he knew that it wouldn’t do a thing against the blond– I… think we need to slow down”

“Work friends.”

“What?”

“You work for the CIA, I’m a superhero, we worked together on some cases and we are friends. I came today to give you my condolences and try to cheer you up, and then once Ryan is comfortable with me, I’ll do the honors.” He takes a step closer to Butcher pressing the tickets against his chest– eight guns all over the house… that’s a nice rifle in the closet… packs a hard punch. Try it, find out what’s gonna happen to you if you do.”

Butcher can only scowl at the man.

“We can work together, William. I want this to work out for the sake of my son… but don’t test me.”

“You’re not very good with people are you?”

“I’m a professional actually.” His eyes flash red for a brief moment but his charming smile never fades.

“Come back later. When we’re having dinner.”

“Why? He’s a minute away?”

Butcher walked towards the entrance standing by the red door to catch a glimpse of his in-law’s honda accord driving down the road as it emerged from the trees and shrubs.

He turned in a panic, to see Homelander had followed him half-way.

“You stay in the living room!” He screamed with panic.

Homelander paid attention to the man’s heart rate hoping he would just have a heart attack and die, but as the car moved closer he realized it wasn’t Butcher’s heart rate that he could hear drumming in his ears, but his own.

He wished he had a mirror and somebody to check his teeth, he wanted to make the perfect first impression, and as those light steps hopped off the honda, he could heard a voice in his head yelling, telling him to check his posture, to smile, to breathe calmly and by god to not curse in front of the child or cry, or blurt out something that could only scar him.

He hated the story they were gonna sell him, he wanted to run to him and tell him, he was his father, he wanted to rid of Butcher and take his place beside him, but he couldn’t… he couldn’t risk being rejected by him, when he had this man in his life already, a father that had loved him and protected him, and who at least hadn’t thrown him out, he had at least heard him– he almost wished Saunders was here, if she was he could simply seduced her and take them away from Butcher.

It would’ve been easy if Butcher was a woman, no pretense where the baby came from from the get go, he could’ve lowered himself to seduce the grieving widow if he had to.

As he smelled the anxiety rise from inside of him, he blushed at the thought.

“Feeling better, Billy?”

The older man whose eyes looked more tired than Butcher’s spoke first, after urging the kid to let his dog take a leak before coming inside the house.

He stared at his son-in-law, watching those swollen under eyes, he reeked of mouthwash and his clothes looked crinkled, nervously looking past him to catch a glimpse of Terror or Ryan.

“You really made yourself a fool. You weren’t the only one grieving and you had to make a scene in front of your kid, fucking shameless Billy!”

“I don’t need this, Wayne!” He squeezed his fists– thank you for looking after him, but mind your business.” He spat

“She was my daughter too.” He could’ve growled at him, he looked away with a huff before he could say anything else, both men trying to hold their rage and grief back, both eyes stinging as they looked at each other– feed the kid will ya? He didn’t wanna eat anything and barely got him to have some oats.”

“Thanks for taking care of him, I’ll get some chinese.”

His tone was overly polite and just as aggressive, both men didn’t wish to mingle any further, now without her they didn’t need to be friendly, just amiable enough to not push the other away.

Ryan emerged right on queue, he looked anxious as he let the old stubby dog pull on his leash, barking cheerfully, picking up speed as he saw his dad, his brown locks messy and his eyes just as exhausted as the ones on his pops, Ryan slowed down telling himself to keep smiling not ‘cuz he wanted to but for his father’s sake.

“Hi there scamp!” Butcher doesn’t hesitate taking him in his arms, lifting him up as if he was still a babe and light as a feather, squeezing in to make sure this is not but a dream, and from afar the younger man wished that was him.

Ryan said goodbye and it almost felt like it would be the last time he would see his grandfather something was off about his father, something that smelled wrong, his dog barged in wobbling straight to his food bowl barely noticing the supe in the living room, not that he could say the same about the boy.

His eyes glued themselves on that man, lifting his head, begging to be let go as he traded incredulous looks with his father.

“Dad, why is Homelander in our living room!?”

“I… we…”

“I’m a friend of your dad, from work!” His voice was forceful and rehearsed, irking Billy from the get-go– is nice to meet you, champ!”

Billy kept him close, never letting go of him, hand cemented on his son’s shoulder.

“You know Homelander!?” He said with a childish excitement.

“We met on a case. Top-secret.” he winks– he’s here to visit.” Butcher spits anxiously brushing his hair in a soothing motion.

“I heard about your mom… your dad has been such a good friend of mine, I just wanted to see if you— he was okay.” His voice is so fake it goes back to being believable– here I got you a present.”

The kid took a second to process it, looking back for permission before taking the ornate box into his hands. He waits for a nod before tearing that wrapper off, his excitement shortly dwindles as he finds the leather glove and white and red ball.

“Thought we could go watch a baseball game.”

He looks at the tickets only recognizing the Yankee’s as a big name team and nothing else. Homelander can almost taste his anxiety. This was not what he envisioned, it was completely wrong, voices yelling at him asking why the child wasn’t running after him or why he wasn’t jumping with excitement at his sight! He was the world’s greatest everything and the kid just seemed confused. The kid offered a polite smile and said thank you, taking his present and placing it neatly on the coffee table, as Homelander tried so hard… begging himself to not cry, that voice soothed him telling him he had missed the moment their fingers grazed each other.

“Can’t believe you know Homelander, dad.” the kid took his phone out– can we take a selfie none of my friends will ever believe me!”

That left a bitter taste on his tongue, his first interaction was no different from a paid one, he obliged putting his finest smile, his bitterness washed away as he felt those brown locks tickle his chin, as he took a scent of hypoallergenic detergent and dove soap, the little bit of sweat behind his ears, he could feel how warm his boy was, it was short lived but it lingered… etched on what little skin he’d touched, it soothed him, it made it so real, he could burst.

Ryan was his own… he wasn’t a figment of his imagination… he was flesh and blood, he looked healthy… he was tall and his teeth were straight but above all– he had his eyes and a chirpy voice.

“Mister Homelander needs to go back to work, he was just stopping by, right?”

“...William…”

“lol he called you William” he giggled– thanks for the present!”

“No problem, my pleasure. So do I pick you guys up for the game or meet you at the stadium?”

Butcher tensed up, knowing he really had no choice but to give him an answer, unable to kick him out.

“What do you think buddy? Wanna go check it out? They’re good seats.”

Ryan studied his father’s face seeing how forceful his calmness was, Ryan who only wanted to erase that drunken mess from the other day, looked towards the Supe and how his eyes glistened as they waited for a response.

“Why not!” He said cheerily– I’ve never been to a game before.”

“That’s settled! Now why don’t you go take this to your room and let me and ol’ Homelander have a chat.” Butcher could scream.

The kid isn’t oblivious to the sudden tension between them, brushing it off to bad timing.

“He looks a lot like you.”

Homelander comes back to earth as he’s spoken, giving Butcher his attention once more.

“He… goddammit Becca…” He sniffed, covering his face behind his palms, sinking on his couch as he processed it all– please leave… I’ll be there. I bet you won’t leave me the fuck alone otherwise.”

“I’m glad we are on the same page there, William.” His voice is oddly soft– he’s a lot taller than in the pictures… he doesn’t like baseball does he?”

“You might’ve well invited him to go watch Golf!”

“I can… I can get some other tickets… soccer, you guys have a passport right?”

“He doesn't, we never left the states and am not taking a bloody plane to go watch a match with a stranger.”

“I’m not a stranger! I’m Homelander, the most famous person in the whole world! Can get you a copy of my biography if ya like so you can get to know me.” He says with a sneer– can I stay for dinner then?”

Butcher can only describe his emotion as exasperated.

“I was joking…” He says with his prettiest smile showing his fangs as he pretended not to be hurt– see you next week.”

He lingers at the door, despite his eyes looking into the gardens Butcher can tell he’s listening to those behind him, he’s gone and all that remains is the wide open door.

The days go by excruciatingly fast, in a blink he’s in front of his bathroom mirror trimming his beard, it had been a while since he had bothered to keep tidy, ashamed to have looked this disheveled during his wife’s funeral, outside his bathroom door is Ryan who seems to be more well put than he is talking about wanting to check out some spots while they are in New York if they can after the game sounding so normal it scared him– kids were resilient creatures he said to himself, but he worried that the boy was pretending to be alright. The in-laws had visited, M.M. and his family had stopped by and even help clean up (more like Marvin had simply not stopped himself once he spotted a few too many dirty plates for his taste) he couldn’t say the same about himself until this moment. 

Mallory gave him a call and asked him ‘what was his fucking problem?’ whatever he had given her, she’d ended up being called to speak with not just the head of the CIA but the department of Homeland security, she was now without doubt being watched, told to keep quiet and some more.

Calling Butcher was dangerous hence the burner number, he couldn’t see a single suspicious car outside, it would be hard to hide when there was only miles of greenery.

He took a sip of whisky trying to wash away the anxiety of being washed, disconnecting the house phone just to feel safer.

Ryan made no mention about how low the radio volume was, about how quiet he was on the way there, trying not to think of the endless bickering and chatting between his parents, his mother’s scent lingering in the air, her dried coffee tumbler still on the cup holder, an abandoned sweater still in the backseat that filled the space with fading vanilla kisses, Ryan tries not to notice the ghostly whispers in the air, louder than the aircon and the quiet music.

He speaks very little, just grumbling about traffic and parking, complaining until he’s left the car wondering if the parking fee had been too steep for he had never bothered before.

“I can’t see him…” Ryan whispers tugging on Butcher’s shirt.

His cheeks were red knowing he had never once bothered to organize any of this, he simply showed up, not wanting to believe any of this was real, the tickets certainly looked real and the bustling crowd grew bigger and bigger, just a sea of branded clothes and loud people.

It feels hot and heavy as it presses on his shoulder, jolting awake as his body is pushed back effortlessly.

“William you came.” he sounds so happy it hurts.

He hadn’t expected to see him like this, taking a minute to process his appearance, the oversized baseball bomber jacket did very little to hide his thin frame, he expected the padded suit to have been merely ascending his physique not inventing it, Homelander mellow smile died quickly as he felt that man’s piercing gaze on him.

“Wasn’t sure ‘bout the traffic so we got here early, didn’t we?”

“I was gonna say my meeting ran late.”

Both men stared at each other awkwardly, waiting for the child’s response.

With a smile from the boy they both took that as their sign.

He watched from behind as Homelander stood closer and closer to Butcher, how he directed him across the building as if he knew every turn and nook of the stadium, how friendly he was being with him, how much attention he was giving him and his father.

For a game that he had no understanding of, he would admit it was nice that the supe was a walking wiki, both Ryan and Butcher expend most of the time listening to his explanations, it didn’t come off as somebody enamored with his voice, but as someone who wanted to share and they were happy to hear him, it made Homelander’s heart tingle as they asked him to explain what just happened before them or why people were booing upstairs.

Ryan and Butcher could only guess what was going on in his head but he was not scary at all.

he was nice.

“Thanks, I think the kid liked it.” he turned to him as they waited for Ryan to come out the toilet– it was good to get out of the house.”

Butcher didn’t want to admit he’d had a good time even if it was all gibberish to him.

“I got us some dinner reservations…”

“Normal people get full after some steak topped fries and fried chicken subs, sorry but I think we have to pass–

“You and me tomorrow.”

“Bit too early for a rebound.”

Homelander blushed, realizing how it had come out as.

Butcher tried to brush it off with a chuckle turning awkward as he realized this guy wasn’t his buddy so not used to his banter.

“Discussing Ryan! As if you’ve be so lucky.” Homelander fixed his jacket– I’ll pick you up at 7 tomorrow night. Also tell your friend Mallory she has nothing to worry about, just tell her not to be nosey.”

“I gather this Compound V shite is–

“Shhh... Hope you like Indian.”

“I’m english mate I sure luv me a tikka massala…”

“Good.”

[unnursvanablog]

Lovely Runner / kdrama review.

This is a pretty much a spoiler free review of the kdrama of Lovely Runner.

Lovely Runner is a bubbling triumph of a fanfiction-like romcom. The chemistry of the leads, or even just the whole cast was sizzling, the humor mostly great - the secondary couple were very grating to me. And the youthful, almost nostalgic vibes and the feel light and breezy that the drama managed to hold onto was delightful and echoes of longing and yearning tugged at your heartstrings. There was something quite old-school about this sort of rom-com that I could really appreciate.

Some stories do manage that suspension of disbelief just a bit more smoothly than others. And Lovely Runners seem to be able to introduce us to the logics of their little fluffy, rom-com universe quite seamlessly and therefor making the more unbelievable moments feel both earnest and earned enough that is just might work. Or you are willing to forgive it despite how much of a fan fiction this story feels like it is.

The drama has a tendency to use excessive amount of tropes in it's storytelling, like the clumsy heroine, noble idiocy, miscommunication and so forth. The amount of times the two leads fell into each other arms was way to excessive to become endearing after a certain point. It also does have a tendency to drag out the plot and the twists on a bit too long as we get further into the story resulting in some pacing issues.

Towards the end the story, the convoluted timelines and the murder mystery subplot does becomes more of a burden to the drama, causing it to lose some momentum - I feel like episode one and until around 10 is this dramas sweet spot. Things just seem to be happening to the characters without too much depth but the character have such a good emotional core within them, despite me wanting a bit more development from them as the timelines become more messy and annoyed as things are just happening to keep the plot going, no matter what you are rooting for them to get together in the end.

The actors certainly add more spunk and feelings into these characters than they have on paper and really sell the earnest of the story and keep you coming back for more. It's a fluff, it's tropy, but it's fun and bubbly and compelling enough and you never really get the sense that the drama is trying too hard to be something more than it is. It's a breezy, cute watch with very likeable leads and characters that you enjoy spending times with despite it's flaws - I just wish we could have gotten more scenes with the second male lead.

The drama manages to blending humor and cliché with heartfelt moments and I do think the drama does a good job making you feel very at home in it's world and therefor invested in it and so light and airy that you just enjoy these moments with the characters. The drama creates a narrative that is light-hearted yet earnest, as it finds the most absurd situations and gives the characters enough stakes that you want to cheer them on and make sure that they finally get their happy ever after. It becomes a safe space for you, in a way, while you are watching it where you can just leave your brain at the door and just enjoy the cuteness and fluff.

[magicalyaku]

Hey there! I'm back from writing paradise. I admit I might have gotten a little obsessed but that was just because writing is so easy and fun while everything else is always hard. u3u But I basically finished my novel so I have no excuses anymore not to get back into real life. Here's what I read in May! Pretty good month! uAu

Keeper of the Lost Cities 3: Everblaze (Shannon Messenger): The first one in the series I read instead of listening. Was a good choice because I think I missed quite a bit of the first volumes. 8D Also, it's so long. I don't think, me being me, that I would have made it though the audiobook. Don't get me wrong, I like the story. I have a tremendous respect at how it is written, keeping all the plotpoints together, presenting the puzzle pieces little by little, managing the huge cast of people. When I complain next time about a Middle Grade book being too simple and too shallow than this is the kind of book I'm comparing it to. My one problem in this volume was, how the tension never lets down. It's so wound tight all the time, everything is always on the edge of collapsing, including Sophie. It was a little exhausting for me. So I was very glad, there were at least some answers near the end.

The Scottish Boy (Alex de Campi): I went to Scotland at the beginning of May to visit my friend, so what better book to read than this. And what a book. It's the kind of story, where so much happens in the relationship of the protagonists that right after it ends you want to go back to the beginning and read all their first interactions all over again. Hng. It's great. Also Alys, my queen. When she first appeared I was so afraid she'd turn out evil. Because court intrigues and stuff. The ending of this book is all my heart desires. I don't actually like war stories, you know. But after In Memoriam and now this, they sure make good love stories. The drama of for once not knowing where it all goes? Who lives and who doesn't? Damn. I really enjoyed reading this book. The illustrations by Trungles are also verrry nice. uAub

Captive Prince (C.S. Pacat): This was a reread and I read the other two volumes in June, so my thoughts on the series will go there. :)

Wraith, Entity & Presence (Oracle of Senders 3,4 + 3.5) (Mere Joyce): It's so hard to tell my feelings for this series. There's a lot of death and murder, there's choking and burning and failed exorcism and so much danger of death and still it was just so pleasant to read, so charming and nice and laid-back. It's so weird. 8D I liked the cast of characters and the adventure and Cal's and Meander's relationship (the complete lack of gay panic and homophobic surroundings), the classical music references (even though I never looked up a single one). I wish there was a sequel with Cal and Meander as adults. I mean, I realise, it would be difficult to do in a classic novel format because the ghost cases just aren't big enough to last a whole book, but imagine it like a half-hour show oder manga series with a ghost of the week for half the chapter and their happy slice of life for the rest. Hah. Good series.

The Hanged Man & The Hourglass Throne (The Tarot Sequence 2+3) (K.D. Edwards): I didn't think about it while reading but in retrospective this series fits into what I categorise as "wild". There's so much shit happening here. Big and bold. At the end of volume 1 I was still undecided of I like it enough to buy it on paper. These doubts were washed away with the sequels. It's an investment in the beginning, getting into the world and all, but I found it totally worth it. That one big drama at the end of vol3? Yes, totally got me. Like right from the textbook. Make me care, rip me apart. Damn.

The Buried and the Bound (Rochelle Hassan): If someone asked me in a survey about what I want to read and then actually went and made it into a book, this might be the result. This contains only things I like: two suffering (gay) boys, one tough girl (not involved in any romance), which is the best constellation of characters, really. Some magic, some adventure, some drama, different storythreads that weave nicely together in the end. I enjoyed reading it a whole lot and am looking forward to the sequels!

Ander & Santi were here (Jonny Garza Villa): Now this one was difficult. I think it's a good book, I wanted to like it, but. Hear me out. For me, this is split in three parts. The first one is about the illegal immigrants. See, for as long as I remember my dad worked in a … what's it called in English … an housing complex for refugees? Not a camp, but like a dorm. And while illegals and refugees are still a step apart, they're at least somehow adjacent. I lived basically next to them half my life and never cared. When in 2015 there was a huge wave of refugees coming to my country and everyone was freaking out, I just thought "Great, that means my dad will keep his job" (because the dorm was always on the verge of closing down and it would probably been tough for my dad as one of very few black people in a kind of racist small town to find a new job.) So anyway, I thought it was a good thing to finally read an actual story about people in these situations, to learn how to care. So that part was good and insightful. The second part was about the art. I draw manga only, but I do consider myself an artist and I was around when manga became big in my country and the art schools hated it and made us suffer. I have thoughts on art. And I really enjoyed reading about Ander's art and process and thoughts. My favourite part of the book! And then there's part 3, the love story. And I think, because I connected more strongly to the other parts than usual I felt the disconnect here much more than usual! The romance in here is very intense and very physical and my aroace brain didn't compute at all. Complete detachment. Which was kind of a problem, because the romance is a huge part of the book. I really wanted to like it but it didn't work. I did like Ander as a character, though, and their family and friends. And the cover is still so damn pretty!

That's it!

[valyrou]

hi there, dear! i saw you were doing matchups 🙀🙀 if it’s alright with you, may i please have a bsd matchup? please take your time on this!

my name is ren and i use she/they pronouns. write this with either one! i am omnisexual, but my preference is men at the moment. i am an aries, as well as an intj 6w5!

personality: my personality really depends on my mood. i am usually hella awkward when i first meet a person, and before we really get close i will be quiet and polite. but once you really get to know me, i am positive and energetic, and objectively funny. i’m incredibly kind and sweet and caring i think are the words, and i always put others before myself. i’m what one would call “a gifted kid”, i am very intelligent. i’m very responsible and i am the “mom friend”. i’m very clingy unless you make me uncomfortable. i can usually mask my emotions but if i bottle them up for too long I’ll just break down. i have ADHD and have the shortest attention span known to man, so I’m always off in my own little world. i need someone who can keep me grounded. i LOVE to talk and if you give me a chance, i won’t shut up. i am very insecure and have severe trust issues, unless you have proven to me time after time i can trust you. i fear that people find me annoying and i cry very easily, especially if someone raises their voice at me.

hobbies: i love to read, especially classics and fantasy novels. give me a good book and i can finish it in a day if i work hard enough. i play piano and i do theater and honors chorus, so i love to act and sing. i love writing and always am writing something, whether it’s in my head or on paper. i am an amazing cook and baker and will housewife if i have to 😼😼. i love to have conversations on politics and world debates. i like to play chess (but i suck) and pool (i don’t suck at pool), and i play tennis.

likes: i love music and literature in general. i am definitely a cat person and will pick up a cat off the side of the road and bring it home. i love drama and am a bit of a gossip. i also love fashion and will have a heart attack if i am not wearing something that matches. i love shopping and video games (i am a smash bros and mariokart GOD)

dislikes: i HATE bugs. if there is a bug in my house, i will scream and jump onto the counter to get away from it. you kill a bug for me? you have my undying loyalty. i can’t stand scary movies, especially clowns. i am somewhat of a picky eater. i also hate second chances. it’s not worth it to give hundreds of chances to someone who breaks your trust and heart every single time. i also hate the ocean. you take me to the beach? i will be sitting in a chair under an umbrella reading, looking absolutely disgusted 💀💀

love language:

A/n: THIS WAS THE FUNNIEST THING EVER LOLOL BUT NO WORRIES IT HAPPENS TO ME ALL THE TIME!! Also we are quite similar :0 thank you for requesting love, stay hydrated yourself and sleep a good amount <33

I will pair you up with…

Kunikida Doppo!

(Bro looks soo majestic <33)

Kunikida isn’t patient with Dazai since Dazai teases him on purpose, but he would be incredibly patient with you

He understands the struggle that comes with ADHD so he’d make sure you don’t zone out to much, maybe take you places and let you talk as much as you want

He‘s a great listener

Distracts you with something to fiddle with, so you don’t zone out on him

Maybe physical touch isn’t his biggest love language, but Initially warms up to it. PDA maybe too, depends really

Hand holding sure, except you guys work together (If you would work in the ADA as well that is) then it’s just an initial squeeze on the shoulder or a kiss on the head

Kunikidas love language is quality time fr fr

Takes you out all the time, art galleries, museums, ancient library, the park etc.

You don’t have to feel insecure around Kunikida as well. He loves you for you, not for who you‘d wish to be

He would make sure you understood that

Compliments all the way, long talks

He has a literal description of his dream partner like?????

He loves you the way you are and he promises you every time you doubt yourself that he loves the current you <3

As loyal as you Are

Get a bigger beach chair, because this guy won’t play in the water either.

Please give each other book recommendations???????

Would start off very shy and akward in the relationship but once you two really get to know every detail about each other honestly anyone would be jealous

Idk if it’s canon or not, but I picture Kunikida a great cook (not so good baker) too, so DUO COOKING

Baking with him is more complicated tho because he has absolutely zero clue what’s going on

He‘d probably even mess up half finished muffins (yk the ones were you only need to put in the eggs and oil and then the muffin mix? Yeah that one)

Kills the bugs for you <3

[shivunin]

yeahhhhHHHHH!!!!!! 😭 and 🧠???

Thank you, Zen! Expending Herculean amounts of effort here not to just. Post all of this thing. Posting only a little little bit even though I said I wouldn't

Sorry in advance for the whiplash c:

(Snippet asks)

😭 share a snippet that will break our hearts

An unmarked grave, Hawke had told Varric, laughing over drinks after that statue of her had gone up in Lowtown. Let the world mourn me, not its people. She’d added that trees quite liked a little extra iron, actually, not to mention roses, but Varric had cut her off there. It was a little too macabre to think of planting his dearest friend under a rosebush, even for him, though he’d made note of it to work into a story later. 

There was a drama to it, he supposed, still staring sightlessly at the list. He would have…would’ve liked to oblige. The Fade had been cruel and thorough in severing her from her life; there wasn’t even a corpse to burn, wasn’t even a body to bury. All he had—all he’d always had—was paper and ink. It couldn't possibly be enough; had, perhaps, never been enough.

Varric lifted a hand as stiff as wood, tapped the quill into its waiting inkwell, and began the final letter. 

Dear Fenris, he began,

There’s no good way to tell you this…

🧠 share a snippet where the character realizes something important

The knowledge that they were his family was sometimes almost too much to bear all at once. His life had held so much hurt for so long that this much happiness was still sometimes difficult to wrap his mind around. It was impossible to doubt that he was living precisely the life he wanted, and yet—there were still mornings when he woke and wondered how it had happened to him at all. 

They had never talked about marriage. They’d both been so happy as they were (the shadows slowly falling away from her face, the gentle unwinding of days in the library or garden, and then, of course, Leander) that it hadn’t occurred to him that it might be something worth considering at all. Marriage had not been an option for much of his life. But—was it something he wanted? Fenris had never thought very hard about the prospect, but now that she’d asked… 

“I—”

[meteodrives]

   𝙲𝙻𝙾𝚄𝙳   :      ❛  i'm not sure i miss it ,  but i feel like i should .  ❜

his words have always brought about feelings unmatched. to leave her unsettled, entirely at ease, or giddy with joy — he held every bit of that power.  ( could he be persuaded to silently release his hold on such a thing ?  she’d hope not . )  the mention of nibelheim has always been one that brought a mix of it all :  while she reminisced with a certain fondness & felt every inch of her heart ache with the same tragedy that intertwined itself in their bones, he did as well — but it's done in varying degrees, the latter of which felt on a grander scale. his mother was probably all he wanted to remember of that time. her head turned to him, watching as he flipped through papers that proved meaningless in the moment. it could wait, she thought — especially after viewing how frustration & melancholy mixed on his features.   ❛  that so ?  huh  …  ❜   eyes flitted to the other side, her voice smaller than intended. i feel like i should. had that been her doing? were her emotions infectious enough to corrupt his perspective? she never meant to do that to him. the guilt that overwhelmed her managed to hide itself well enough. 

          even if that were the case & as bitter of a pill as it was to swallow, he had every reason to feel conflicted. the instigator, a social pariah, just a troublesome boy. she remembered hearing all sorts of blasphemy escape from the mouths of adults. it was unavoidable, since news of a fight or any unbecoming drama reached her ears less than an hour after its occurrence.  ( damned be the small villages that couldn't achieve such a feat . )  if he were to tell her the only good part of nibelheim was his mother, she would not blame him ;  forgiveness was an art neither of them had mastered after all. she could not criticize him, so long as he & his heart took up the majority of those unspoken concerns. no amount of gossip, truthful or not, convinced the present version of herself otherwise. at the thought, she turned to him once more — a smile soft to show.   ❛  you’re still quite the brawler ,  though .  ❜   had there been any change in his guise, a grin or even a teasing shake of the head, she would have caught it. her eyes watched him as if, in the blink of an eye & with a tip of the hat, he'd be gone.

a hand reached out, curious as to what drew his attention ;  documents — all pertaining to strife delivery orders or previous purchases made for the bar. a joint effort, but a headache & a half to consider dealing with now. despite her gaze on the inked words, her mind lingered. i'm not sure i miss it.   ❛  maybe  ...  it's not the place you should miss ,  ❜   a pause, met with anxious silence.   ❛  but someone .  ❜   your mother.  ( to miss a person so much ,  the ill feelings close to memory are doubted  ... )   ❛  that happens ,  i think .  ❜   it was the best she could say, personal experience at the forefront of it all. mindful of his work, she's careful to set the papers back down in perfect order. there's one last beat before the question crushes reason :   ❛  do you  ...  feel like you have to miss it ?  ❜

*      ◞      @cloudvii            |​            prompted !

[journey-to-the-attic]

*comes crashing through your window*

Hi.

I haven't been here for 2 months.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS

*AGRESSIVELY WORD DUMPS ALL MY THOUGHTS ABOUT IK* (Mostly my twisted wonderland x IK au i thought of)

~~~~~~

IK, first waking up at the Entrance Ceremony : Diavolo, are you trying a new way of surprise summoning me to Devildom because I don't coffins are the best idea,,,, wait a minute you're not Diavolo.

Crowley : No??????

IK : *looks around the Mirror Room*

IK : *eyes land on the housewardens*

IK, dead eyes : Am I going to have to solve the problems and traumas of those boys right there because absolutely none of them look like they coped well with their traumas. The white haired boy looks alright tho.

Houswardens : ....

IK : Don't worry about it, I'm experienced with this. As much as I'd love to stay here with all the funky coffins, I have to meet up with Lucifer and Satan in like two days. The last time I was late they thought I got lost and ran around the block for like 20 minutes straight.

Crowley : Satan???? LUCIFER???? I'm sorry Miss but what in the world are you taking about???? This is Night Raven College, a school for mages in training. And you Young Miss, have been called by the Dark Mirror to take part as a student.

IK, blank faced : *remembering Solomon saying that there was a hidden school for training mages and sorcerers*

IK : *seeing how the housewardens looked absolutely traumatized and mentally unwell*

IK :

~~~~~~

(Here's the wiki for a more clear explanation : Link )

So,,, Twisted Wonderland takes place in a school dedicated to train mages and sorcerers, called Night Raven College. The entire school is split up into seven dormitories, each one based of a Disney villian. For example, Heartslaybul is based of the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Savanaclaw is based of Scar from the Lion King, so on and so forth. Each dorm has their own leaders, called either Housewardens or Dorm Leaders. Twst has both an English and a Japanese translation, the former for the english, and the latter for the japanese.

And as you can guess,, each dorm leader has ✨TRAUMA✨,, (except for Kalim, the white haired boy) so as the story progresses, we learn about their traumas,,,, and we basically beat love into their brains,,, affectionately of course.

Considering that magic is also in Obey me,, I made NRC a secret institution,, just for mages and sorcerers. I don't know how to fit in Devildom and the brothers,, so we just pretend the lore isnt there.

As for how IK got into NRC without any magic? Well, hanging around the strongest demons in existence, the demon prince and his butler, two celestial angels and the most powerful sorcerer in the world, you're gonna get quite a bit or residual magic, especially having pacts with said powerful demons.

But IK has nothing to fear, because she has experience with seven emotionally constipated demon brothers who never spoke about anything for centuries on end. Also a baseball bat because of all the BS that happened in her transfer year at RAD. She has the hot chocolate and blankets ready, now all she needs is a notepad and paper because now shes playing the therapist role once again!

~~~~~~

All right thats all from my brain,,,, gn

i don't know enough about crowley to know if it'd be in-character, but i imagine that once ik gives him a summary of How Much drama and plot stuff she accidentally summons, he gives her the baseball bat like "magic bullshit happens to you too much for a magic item to be useful, take this instead"

it'd be funny if this happens some time after the exchange program, so when the demons finally find out what happened they're like "wtf that's OUR thing"

[silverbladexyz]

hellooo congratulations on 100 followers!! I would like to request a matchup

name: Benni

mbti: enfp

pronouns: she/her

hobbies: writing and reading stories, drawing (mostly random poses) and gossiping

I get along with most people, except ignorant people who think they are superior.

Interesting fact: I have a lot of energy spikes and anxiety. I love old stuff too.

I know about all the novels, don't worry

Hii Benni my fellow Stormbringer fan! Tysm, and I hope you like your matchup ^-^

The images do not belong to me. They belong to their original owners.

Calculating...

Your parent figure is... ICEMAN!!!

-He’s a pretty chill dad actually; the chillest out of all the Flags

-You’re also one of the few ones to see his good-natured side. When he’s not killing or being professional for his work, he’ll just chill around with you and have a few conversations with you

-Iceman doesn’t really have a lot of spare time, but he would be totally down to try out some of your hobbies! He’ll go out to libraries and book stores to get some books to read with you, and even read to you if you wanted him to. I headcanon he has a deep but smooth voice that’s perfect for putting you to sleep

-He would like to read your stories, and when you tell him that you thought it was bad, he didn’t understand. Literally was like ‘why would you call a good piece of writing trash?’. Does give you feedback for your writing and what he would recommend to do to improve it

-Draw him!!! Iceman would be a bit confused on why you would suddenly sit beside him while sketching on a piece of paper, but when he sees the end product he is pretty impressed. Definitely hangs it up on his bedroom wall, along with your other drawings

-Gossiping? Fill him in on all the juicy tea girl!!! Iceman is the type to lay back and not intervene into other people’s business, but he would like listening to you talk because he is 100% a listener. Please keep him up to date with the dramas that’s happening, because Lippmann is getting tired of filling him in on the Port Mafia gossip lol

-I feel like Iceman would find your energy spikes refreshing, because he is quite taciturn most of the time. Think of it like an ‘introvert-extrovert’ vibe. However, if you were to have an energy spike when you are trying to sleep, he would be perfectly happy to brew you some chamomile tea, and read a few stories to help you fall asleep. Damn Iceman you should be my sleep therapist

-He would teach you self-defence if you asked him to. He wouldn’t teach you how to kill people, but Iceman would inform you on what each hit could do and it’s severity to the human body. Since he works in the Mafia, he doesn’t want any enemies coming after you, even though he probably is capable of killing them

-Speaking of enemies, Iceman would kill anyone who hurt you. No questions asked. Don’t bother talking him out of it, because if anybody hurt someone he cared for, they’re already dead to him

-Anxiety is an emotion that Iceman has not felt for a long time, but he will try to calm you down if you were feeling very anxious. He would listen to you talk, make you tea and even hug you if you wanted him to. He’s the best at calming you down, and he would never be tired of comforting you too

-Old stuff? Iceman loves listening to his old records, and he definitely likes old things too. Takes you out shopping at old antique shops, and would definitely keep some stuff that reminds him of you

-Takes you to visit the Flags sometimes, and they all love you. Albatross would sometimes laugh at how you and Iceman were so different personality wise, but still had the strongest bond with each other. Pianoman talks to you about art, Doc just chills around with you, Chuuya looks after you like a brother figure, while Lippmann gossips with you (he has a LOT of tea to spill). It secretly warms Iceman’s heart to see you getting along with the Flags

@yuugen-benni

[geminiamethyst]

Skyline Gang: Fears (Sprout)

1shot stories list: click HERE

Fears Summary: click HERE

Trigger warning for implications of verbal, mental, and emotional abuse.

This was also inspired by a short that I’ve seen on YouTube.

“You’re coddling him.”

“It’s not coddling if he’s afraid of them. It’s okay, honey.”

“Son, hold out your hand. Just hold it out.”

“Dear!”

“He’s going to have to learn to not be childish!”

“He’s three years old! He’s allowed to be a child for goodness sake! We’re going to Carla’s trailer! You can’t do this to him!”

Sprout’s eyes snapped open. Why did he have to be disturbed? He was having a nice nap. After not having a good sleep the night before, he thought that it would be refreshing to have a nap for an hour or so. Then he had that nasty dream. Though, now that he thought about it, that wasn’t a dream, it was a memory. One of many that he’d be happy to trade for. At least he’s making better ones everyday since those bad times now. How long has he been asleep for? He’ll need to get up…

On the other hand, he can get away with sleeping for a little longer. Yeah! He can sleep a bit more! He can get away with that! If someone asks for him, he’ll just say that his alarm didn’t go off (even though he didn’t have an alarm).

Wait! What’s that?

Crawling on his arm?

Sprout’s eyes drifted to his arm that was outstretched on his pillow.

———————————————————————————

“Excuse me.” She politely said as she walked up to Bud. Once he stood aside, she crossed over to the bed. To Bud and Rainbow, she was simply scooping up the spider into the glass and trapped it with the paper. To Sprout it was like he was witnessing her battling a dragon. “Safe and sound, mate.”

“Not until you get that thing out of the house!” Sprout shouted. He might have calmed down a little since the spider won’t touch him anymore. However, his heart was still like the wings of a hummingbird.

“Already on it.” Pip grinned confidently as she left the room. By this point, Misty joined in on the what was going on. She entered the house as Pip went back upstairs with the glass and paper. At first she thought that it was for an arts and crafts project or something. However, when Pip strolled out of Sprout’s room holding the glass and paper together, she got a little curious.

“What’s going on?” She asked with a sigh. What ridiculousness has Sprout come up with this time? This either going to make her roll her eyes or be a catalyst for her next plan of mischief making.

“Sprout’s arachnophobia kicked in upon seeing the specimen that Pip is escorting out of the house.” Bud explained quickly, almost going too fast to register what he was saying.

“English?” Misty grumbled.

“Don’t answer that!” Sprout retaliated. Bud willingly complied with that and before Misty could demand her request a second time, he gently shoved her away. It allowed Sprout to calm down on his own with Rainbow. He was tempted to go back to sleep again. However, his nerves were whizzing so much that his body might as well be a pinball machine. He might as well just get moving. Just quickly get dressed and get ready to do something in the Skyline. Just anything to take his mind off what happened.

“Sproutie, are you okay? You look very pale.” Candi asked when Sprout emerged from his room. Like Misty, she wasn’t in the house when Sprout found the spider. So she wasn’t aware of any of the drama.

“I’ll be alright…” Sprout tiredly responded. Why was he tired? Must be from the shock of that eight legged monster.

“Are you sure?” Candi asked, not quite believing his words. Sprout nodded. Just don’t think about it. Just don’t think about the spider, and everything will be just fine.

———————————————————————————

Later on, Sprout had pretty much forgotten about the spider. And why shouldn’t he? He was having the time of his life in the Skyline. Playing games, pranking any of his friends or Redcoats, having a laugh with everyone. What else to make him feel better than having fun? He loved every second that he had here. He didn’t care if it drove Misty around the bend if she was unlucky enough to get caught in his sights. It was all just fun and games. No harm was meant to be done.

Such as the case when he was joking around with a group of kids. Hearing the laugh and get excited was the greatest thing for him to listen to. Music to his ears. He always enjoyed playing with the kids, it was just a great time for him. So when the kids suddenly started pointing behind him and shouting, he thought that it was a game that they were all playing with him.

“A what? What are you all talking about?” Sprout jokingly asked, turning around. He thought he saw a flash of something behind him, but assumed that it was another kid. He rolled his eyes at the group in front of him. However, when a kid let out a playful scream, he froze up. Something felt…off…was there something on him or something like that?! “What is that?”

“Spider! It’s on your hat!” A kid shouted, pointing right up at Sprout. Spider? No. This has to be a joke right? Sprout hesitantly reached up, already shaking. There can’t be a spider on him. He refuses to believe it. It’s just a joke. However, when his hands made contact with something on his hat that shouldn’t be there, he couldn’t stop his panicking. He let out a loud scream, the toy spider on him flying to the ground. The kids started laughing at him as he ran away. However, Sprout was far from a laughing mood.

“Candi!” He let out a loud desperate shout. He climbed up to grab on one of the pillars in the pavilion. Misty (who he realised was standing behind him that entire time) had picked up the toy spider, and started going towards him. “Get it away from me!”

Misty didn’t listen, she just chased after him, holding out the toy spider like there was nothing wrong. It didn’t matter if it was a toy or not. A toy spider is still a spider! It’s still horrifying to Sprout. Sprout ran away with Misty chasing after him. At least he can play it off as a game to the kids once he loses Misty. The last thing he wanted was to scare them.

However, Misty didn’t stop chasing him, no matter how much he begged. He kept shouting for Candi, but it was like she was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he can lose Misty in the men’s bathroom. She wouldn’t go that far to chase him, surely. The odds weren’t in his favour. He couldn’t find anywhere that he could go to hide. Instead, he was backed into a dead end. Misty meanwhile, despite painting heavily from the chase, was still holding out the toy towards him.

Nighttime…

Kind hold…

Cruel hand…

Spider deposited into a terrified, small hand…

“DAD! STOP! PLEASE!” Sprout screamed at the top of his lungs. His body automatically curled up into a tight ball, tears running down his face.

“Dad?” Misty repeated. She’s not his dad. Why did he say that?

“Misty!”

The fun and games have stopped with absolute certainty now. When Misty turned around, she spotted Candi and Bud running over to her and Sprout. Bud looked calm, but something told Misty that he was wearing a mask. Candi was extremely worried, which intensified once she saw Sprout on the ground. She rushed right past Misty, crouching down to her brother.

“Sprout, it’s okay.” She spoke softly as Sprout remained still. She cautiously wrapped her arms around him. She half expected him to push her away in a panic but he didn’t. “You’re alright.”

“Misty, take that arachnid away. Please!” Bud ordered, immediately catching sight of the toy in Misty’s hand.

“Okay…” Misty rolled her eyes. Bud was going to continue his scolding, but she took off running. Find her later. Sprout is a priority right now. Bud scanned the area. It was staff only and thankfully quiet. Honestly the less guests that see Sprout like this, the better. He was about ready to call out for Rainbow once he was back in the main body of the pavilion, but then stopped. The orange dog wasn’t in the Skyline at this current time. What a time for Pip to take Rainbow down for a stroll on the beach!

“Sprout? He’s fainted!” Candi shouted in alarm. Bud re-diverted his attention back to Candi. In her arms, Sprout was slumped over. All the blood had been drained from his face, which was smeared by green and white face paint from his tears. He was completely limp like a rag doll. It was easy to determine that he won’t be waking up anytime soon. At least he didn’t have any physical injuries.

“Stay calm.” Bud calmly advised, guiding Candi to take deep breathes. The last thing that was needed was her flying off into a panic too. “Stay with him, I’ll be right back.”

Candi responded with a nod before Bud departed from the siblings. He hoped to catch Misty but she was long gone. Focus. Get Sprout to a safer area, somewhere more comfortable and safe for him to wake up in. Bud scanned the pavilion and his brain sang a chorus of hallelujahs when he spotted who he was looking for.

“Dude, how strong are you?” He asked as he ran up to his blue friend.

“Pretty strong. Why?” Dude asked after being stunned for a moment.

“You might need to help us with some lifting.” Bud stated, grabbing ahold of Dude’s wrist.

“Why? Bud, what’s happened?” He asked as he was instantly dragged by Bud. Bud didn’t give him an answer. He just dragged Dude right back to where he left Candi and Sprout. Once they hit there, Dude immediately understood the situation. He ran over and knelt down in front of Candi. She was holding onto Sprout, who was still unconscious. She was barely holding herself together to keep from crying.

“Is he okay?” Dude asked. Now he can see why Bud was asking for him.

“Fainted from fright. We’ll explain later.” Bud stated. Fright? Why? What scared him? Focus. Get Sprout to a safer area. Quick.

“I’ve got him, Candi. I’ll be gentle, I promise.” Dude gently spoke, rubbing Candi’s back. She hesitated, not sure if it was a good idea to let Sprout go. However, he can’t stay here. Once she pulled away from Sprout, Dude gently lifted him up off the ground. Without another word, the three left the area.

A few minutes later, Sprout was lying down on his bed. Candi put herself in charge of looking after him. She occupied herself with cleaning away his make up. There was this gut feeling that after Misty’s “prank”, he wouldn’t want to go around other people for today. Candi honestly wouldn’t be too surprised if Sprout decided to shut himself in for a few days as a matter of fact, not even to go out in the garden for fresh air.

“Tell me what happened.” Dude demanded as he and Bud stood in the doorway of Sprout’s room.

“Misty scared Sprout with a toy spider.” Bud sighed, wishing that there was another way to explain this. His mind still can’t get rid of the sight of Sprout literally running for his life while Misty was chasing him. Same thing goes for how scared he sounded while he was shouting for help. “She chased him until he reached a dead end. He screamed at her just as Candi and I got her to leave him alone.”

Misty? What was she thinking? She loves pranking people, everyone always has to be on their toes around her. But scaring Sprout to the point where he passes out? That’s going too far this time around.

“Dude?” Candi suddenly piped up. She had temporarily departed from her spot next to Sprout for this. There was something deeply troubling her. If she kept it in any longer, she’ll burst like a balloon.

“What’s up?” Dude responded patiently.

“There’s something that Sprout screamed at Misty and I’m really, really worried about it.” Candi fidgeted.

“What did he say?” Dude asked again.

“He screamed “Dad, stop, please”. I think…” Candi muttered before looking at Bud for confirmation. He silently nodded, also recalling that horrible scream. Dude was confused for a minute. His dad? That didn’t sound right. What did Sprout mean? If his dad wasn’t a good one, Candi would’ve said something too, since-

Wait…

“That’s right. I can’t believe I forgot; your family adopted Sprout after he was abandoned.” Dude sighed, kicking himself for not remembering such an important memory for the Gang. It was the saddest turned happiest moment in Sprout’s life. He was happily dancing around the house when he and Candi delivered the news of his new found family. How could Dude forget something so special? Not to mention, Sprout had mentioned his biological dad before, more than once. How could anybody forget about someone like that?

“That’s right. I think that his fear has something to do with his dad. The mean one, I mean.” Candi concluded, shoulders tensing up from pent up anger. Stay calm. Think of pink and puppies. Pink puppies! That’s actually a nice thought to have!

“It’s possible.” Bud muttered, rubbing his chin a little. “From what Sprout has told us before, it was verbal, mental and emotional abuse that he’s suffered from. It wouldn’t surprise me if what Candi said is true.”

“I’m not usually one for starting a fight, but if I ever meet Sprout’s biological dad, I’d give him a good punch.” Dude grumbled, crossing his arms.

“Violence is never the answer Dude.” Bud reprimanded. He knew that Dude wasn’t being serious about what he said, but still felt the need to say something.

“I know, I know. I just needed to say it before I do or say something worse that I’ll end up regretting.” Dude sighed. Why did he need to say it out loud again?

“I understand.” Bud reasoned.

“I’m surprised that you’re so calm, Bud.” Candi observed, curiously tilting her head like a cat.

“On the outside I am. But on the inside, I’m the equivalent of an erupting volcano.” Bud stated, crossing his arms. Candi tilted her head even more, a little confused.

“He’s angry.” Dude bluntly explained. It caused Candi’s face to light up a little in realisation.

“Might as well be Mount Vesuvius at the time of its last eruption.” Bud sighed heavily. This whole situation was just not pleasant to know and/or witness. As if to break the tension, the front door opened and closed with a slight bang. Dude quickly went to investigate. If it’s Mimi, that’s okay. If it’s Pip bringing Rainbow back from their walk, that’s even better. Rainbow could help support Sprout emotionally once he wakes up. However, instead of either of the three, Misty was downstairs instead. She looked like she was going to sneak into another room without being caught. However, she didn’t notice that she was caught already.

“Misty. Come here.” Dude ordered. Misty froze to the spot for a second. Once she realised that it was Dude calling for her, she had an inkling as to what it was about. As she agonisingly went slowly up the stairs, Bud and Candi went back into Sprout’s room to keep an eye on him. Better leave Dude to handle this anyway.

“How’s Sprout?” Misty asked. She didn’t look but she did actually feel a little guilty about the whole thing.

“Currently unconscious. He’d fainted.” Dude said. Stay calm. Just don’t lose his composure right now.

“Then he should be fine.” Misty shrugged. Sprout’s just sleeping. He’ll be fine when he wakes up.

“Misty!” Dude was aghast. How can Misty not see how serious this is?! That’s it! He’s putting his foot down properly this time around. Before Misty could push him away, he grabbed the strapped of her dungarees and started dragging her to his room. Candi and Bud didn’t need to hear this conversation. “Come with me.”

“Hey! Let go!” Misty protested, trying to pull away. However, Dude was much stronger than her. Once they were in his room, he slammed the door closed. She tried to make a break for it, but her way out was blocked.

“We’ve told you before that phobias aren’t something to joke about.” Dude immediately cut to the chase. “You yourself have one, and you don’t see us making fun of you for it.”

“Sprout’s fear is ridiculous!” Misty scoffed, hands on her hips. “They’re spiders! They’re harmless! He doesn’t need to be afraid of something that is harmless!”

“¡Por el amor de Dios, Misty!” Dude sighed in irritation. Misty suppressed a flinch. While Dude doesn’t do it often, she knows that when the Spanish comes out, that’s when he is starting to reach one of rare his breaking points. “It doesn’t matter if the spiders in this country are harmless or not. Sprout is deathly afraid of them! Why did you scare him half to death?”

“I knew that he didn’t like spiders.” Misty shrugged carelessly. “So I thought that it would be a funny joke.”

“That’s crossing the line of being a joke Misty.” Dude seethed, trying his best to hold back from saying something that he might end up regretting, even if the words were to be in Spanish. “You literally backed him into a corner from what I’ve heard. You have no idea what could’ve happened if Bud and Candi hadn’t intervened. For all you know, he could’ve hit his head. He could be in the hospital right now. According to Candi and Bud, it was a miracle that he fainted while he was sitting down. You scared him enough to have a flashback to his abuser.”

“Abuser?” Misty echoed. Whether she knew it or not, all the colour drained from her face.

“His biological father. You know about him.” Dude gently reminded.

“I…I almost forgot about him.” Misty spoke out loud without meaning to. So that’s why Sprout screamed “Dad” at her. She recalled the news that she received when she was told that he was going to join Candi’s family. She was quite upset about it since she’ll be living with Candi too. Being stuck with Sprout more than she already was is bad enough. However, when she heard the reason behind it all, she actually felt a small trace of pity for him. “Sprout and Candi have clicked so well as siblings that they may as well be blood related.”

Dude won’t scold her for forgetting. That would make him a hypocrite since he fell down the same rabbit hole. However, that doesn’t excuse her behaviour. Just lay down the punishment before Dude is somehow moved from what he had in mind.

“How many of those spiders do you have?” He asked, hands on his hips.

“Lost count.” Misty muttered after attempting to count with her fingers.

“I’m confiscating them. All of them.” Dude said, bracing himself for her tantrum.

“What?! Until when?!” She shrieked, stamping her feet like a toddler.

“Until I say so. And once you’ve apologised to Sprout.” Dude ordered, standing firm. Misty opened her mouth, wanting to scream her protests at him. However, she had a feeling that he won’t back down from this issue.

“How do you say “fine” in Spanish?” She finally asked.

“Bein.” Dude said. A little of the blue, but he had a feeling as to why she asked.

“¡Bein!” Misty repeated with ferocity. She pushed Dude out of her way and went to her room like a storm cloud. Well that left a bitter taste in Dude’s mouth. Truth be told, he hated telling anybody off, not just Misty. It was one of the things that he never liked doing as the leader. But if he’s going to at least try to get Misty to behave, then he’s going to have to learn to step up.

“How did it go?” Bud asked as Dude exited his room.

“As well as you’d expect. How’s Sprout?” Dude asked back.

“He’s just woken up.” Bud said, gesturing to the joker in question. Best news that Dude has heard for the past fifteen minutes. He observed Sprout as he was now sitting up in his bed, a little slumped in his posture. In his shaking hands was a chilled water bottle that he was taking small sips from. Candi was rubbing his back as soothingly as she could. Might be a good idea to let him have the day off. After the fright he had, he might not want to be around crowds for the rest of the day.

“Hey Sprout. How are you feeling?” Dude asked, carefully stepping into Sprout’s room. Honestly it was like playing a reverse version of the floor is lava with the amount of mess that Sprout had scattered around. He can scold the joker about it later. The last thing he wanted was to be told off as well.

“A little dizzy…” Sprout muttered, placing the water bottle on his bedside table. “Candi just told me that you carried me here. Thanks. And thanks to you and Candi, Bud. For stepping in.”

“You’re welcome.” Bud smiled a little.

“My only complaint…” Sprout suddenly said, becoming a little serious. Everyone else expected him to make a joke out the situation like he normally would. However, they were met with surprising words of advice instead. “When someone is unconscious, you turn them on their side. Don’t have them lying on their back otherwise there will be a risk of them swallowing their tongue.”

“I’ll remember that for next time. You really know your first aid.” Dude grinned after overcoming his own astonishment.

“Perks of growing up in a circus.” Sprout smiled back. However, his smile faded as he remembered what happened to him before his world went black in that room. “What’s happened with Misty?”

“Grounded. I’m taking away all those spiders that she has. She won’t be scaring you with them for a while.” Dude grumbled, wondering if he should quickly check on Misty. There was one of two possible outcomes: she’s either packing up all her spiders like he asked her too, or she had escaped out of her bedroom window. Either way, he’s taking those spiders. Sprout meanwhile looked horrified. By the sound of it, Misty had more than one of those horrible toy spiders. She’s going to scare him to death again, he knows it. Dude immediately took in the pale look on Sprout’s face and sat down on the bed beside him. “Sprout, are you okay?”

Tears suddenly started leaking from Sprout’s eyes again as he started to shake. Eight legs, eight eyes, webs…just keep it all away from him. After two scares already, he can’t handle another one this soon. He’ll literally have a heart attack! It’ll be just like back then! Before he met the others and gained his sister and new family!

“Oh Sprout.” Candi whispered, wrapping her arms around Sprout. He melted into the hug, sobbing his heart out.

“Sprout listen to me.” Dude gently said, rubbing Sprout’s shoulder. Puffy eyes met his, wondering what was going to be said next. “Whatever happened between you and your dad, that no longer matters. You’re safe, and you have a family that loves you. And I don’t just mean Candi. We’re all family here.”

Sprout had a bittersweet smile on his face. He pulled Dude into the hug as well, as if he was hugging an older brother. Bud awkwardly joined in by rubbing Sprout’s back. Sprout relaxed even further into the group hug. This was nice. Really nice. Suddenly all the scares that he endured seemed to have been forgotten. Just enjoy this time that he has with this dysfunctional family while he can. It’s just another precious core memory that he can have to replace the bad ones.

Arachnophobia- fear of spiders

Artwork was done by me.

This is genuinely the one that I feel most bad for writing because I also have a fear of spiders. Just not as extreme as I’ve written here. Sorry Sprout.

[manonamora-if-reviews]

The Whisperers by Milo van Mesdag

============= Links

Play the game (IFComp) See other reviews of the game

============= Synopsis

The year is 1938, two newcomers have just arrived at their new home: a communal apartment in Moscow, the beating heart of Soviet power. But what will they make of their new lives? And what will their neighbours make of them? The Whisperers is a story of love, revolution, belief, and the choices ordinary people make in extraordinary times. Or: the year is 1938 and you have arrived at your local soviet sponsored theatre, ready for a play lauded by the agents of the Department of Agitation and Propaganda as "the first truly socialist play", in which the audience, the people, decide the course of events. Or: The Whisperers is a script for an interactive play, loosely adapted into a piece of written interactive fiction (while also featuring an annotated version for the ease of use of prospective directors and actors).

============= Other Info

The Whisperers is a Twine(SugarCube) game, submitted to the 2023 Edition of the IFComp.

Status: Completed Genre: Historical

CW: Physical violence. Mention of executions. Mention of Holodomor (genocide by engineered famine)

============= Playthrough

Played: 7-Oct-2023 Playtime: around 1h Rating: - [IFComp vote] Thoughts: We all play a part...

============= Review

The Whisperers is an interactive game set in the late 30s Soviet block, where you are an audience member of an interactive "propagandist" play, of three "families" living inside a paper-thin-walled apartment. Throughout the story, you are asked for your opinion on how the play should continue. There are essentially 3-ish possible endings.

Spoilers ahead. It is recommended to play the game first. The review is based on my understanding/reading of the story.

I personally hate plays where the audience needs to take an active part of the story, where immersion is broken because the audience must have a say. But as an interactive game, I've quite enjoyed it! The active participating is not only welcomed, but adds another layer of intrigue into the story (at least in this case). The awkwardness of waiting for the play to start again is not there, as the passage loads right after your choice is made.

As for the story, a morality take in two acts, it made me think of those typical contemporary French plays happening within an apartment, where miscommunication and personal drama becomes the crux of the issue. While it is not as vaudevillian, with the play set in Soviet Russia during Stalin's regime, it is nonetheless cynical in its treatment of its characters. No one is good, no one is bad, everyone is stuck in their own situation (and some are maybe a bit stupid*). *the characters felt at times a bit flat, or a bit preachy in how they discuss some topics.

If you take it at face value, it's a pretty neat experience; and if you look deeper into it, it shows off the extensive research on the setting and the length taken to portray its intricacies, the horrors, and the hopes. It felt a bit like a commentary of the period. The play is fairly fast paced, and doesn't overstay its welcome, ending just at the climax. The interactiveness of it is fun, with your choice mattering or being disregarded (depending on the mode played) -- it could have been fun to learn whether these choices affected your position. I found the hidden ending to be the most fun one.

But, I did have some issue with the formatting of the text itself. While I appreciated the inclusion of formatting options, with palette themes and text font/size*, it made it obvious when an aspect was not customised (link colour not contrasted enough, popup). But that's a detail compared to... *it might have fitted more inside a Setting popup, the buttons' colours were too eye-catching.

... the passages not looking like an actual script. From the blurb to the game itself, it was clear we were meant to look forward to a play on our screen. But the text is vaguely formatted like one: the Act is centred on the page, but not the scenes or the character's names; the actions or voice level* are made obvious in brackets, but end up feeling lost inside dialogue (especially in the Guide's and Sergei's monologues)... It might seem like a detail, but the essence of playwriting felt a bit lost because of it? *the whispering aspect kinda felt like an afterthought after the first scene? The voice level of the characters didn't seem to matter much in further conversations...

Visual friction aside, this was neat.

[xiaowhore]

lights, camera, action!

premise. in which you get yourself involved in a lot of unscripted drama. (genshin celebrity au.)

includes. xiao, childe, albedo, ayato, scaramouche, thoma & kazuha.

previous episode. watch here.

note. the long-awaited sequel nobody actually waited for lmao. please read part 1 if you still haven't! this entire fic would be incomprehensible otherwise :'D

四 ; ayato, the cannon fodder

although xiao is, with absolute certainty, regarded as your definite favorite celebrity in your heart, ayato comes a close second.

he's a modern day prince; if anyone were asked to say which male lead they liked best, you can guarantee their answer would be among one of his roles.

he played a lot of characters—a school heartthrob, a ceo, a bar owner, and even an actual prince for a snow white retelling. each one with stellar execution, as you'd expect from an actor of his caliber.

so it is to your absolute horror to find him casted in this production as a minor villain. the one that happens to (futilely) seduce the journalist to bed, no less!

is he asking to get his image destroyed?! which... actually does make sense. he's already been typecasted as the “prince” type of male lead, and you can guess how frustrating that can be. it must suck to play one persona over and over, mindlessly spouting recycled lines; not much room for creativity there.

but he's had different roles too, of course. one that stuck to your mind is another murder mystery, a film focusing on the death of a family head. the power struggle for the place of successor isn't a secret even to the public, and the prime suspects are primarily composed of the victim's relatives who stand to benefit from the family head's death.

ayato played the role of the first son, believed to be the one most likely to inherit the riches. which means the sooner the family head dies, he gets to have all the assets. he's suspicious due to his probable motive, but overly so that it's too obvious; ironically enough, this leads the audience to think he definitely couldn't be the killer.

except he is exactly that, but for a reason nobody would expect. rather than greed, the first son murdered his father for driving his biological mother to madness due to abuse and then sent her to a psychiatric ward, where she eventually died. he took in a second wife, a woman only after his money, who kept on pressuring her husband to make her daughter his successor.

contrary to popular belief, ayato's character didn't loathe his step-sister. in fact, he cared about her quite a bit, and his hate for his father grew whenever he scorned her for being “lacking” or “good for nothing.” his scummy personality led to his demise.

in the end, the step-mother was wrongly arrested, and the true murderer wasn't revealed until after the credits, where ayato was shown sitting at his father's desk and laughing to himself, followed by a scene detailing how the actual murder took place and how he tricked the investigators successfully.

the contrast between his acting as a shallow young master and a cunning mastermind had been praised by many. to tell the truth, you don't know how he was typecasted as a prince when he's clearly more suited for “villain” roles.

...even so, his current role isn't anything like the previous one! a cannon fodder and a genius murderer are nowhere near alike! he's only there to make the protagonist jealous and his character is fated to die one week after the scene with the journalist!

you suppose your disbelief must've shown on your face when each actor's respective role was announced because he couldn't help but chuckle when he looked at you.

“...by any chance, did you audition for the murderer role? because- it's hard to believe that-” you struggle to piece together words, rambling while ayato is busy signing his autograph on your phone case. (as luck would have it, you don't have paper on you. you said he could sign the back of your shirt but he politely declined, insisting the shirt would get dirty like you aren't planning to get it framed on your bedroom wall and declare it your heirloom.)

you don't even feel shy talking to him from the sheer incredulity of the situation. ayato only laughs as he hands you your phone case. “i did. but it turned out getting a minor role is a good thing since i'm planning to be on vacation soon.”

“oh. that's understandable, then...” barely. you still have complaints about it. as an actor, you respect the director's decisions, but as a loyal fan, you oughta give him a talking to and demand to give your idol the role he deserves.

“do you dislike it?”

your brows knit together, eyes momentarily leaving your now prized phone case to glance at him. “dislike what?” dislike that you're treated like this? that you have to act as a brainless villain? that you don't get much screentime? then fuck yeah.

“dislike that you're going to do that scene with me.” almost bashful, he leans closer to whisper to your ear. “you know. the one in the hotel.”

all the blood in your body rushes to your cheeks. impishly, ayato's lips curl into a smile of mischievous nature, a far cry from the elegant simper he usually holds. “i... that isn't what i... no, i mean it's not that i don't like you as my partner, but- but-!”

sufficiently entertained by your fumbling, he stops being mean and lightly pats the top of your head. “let's both do our best. truthfully, i'm not the most adept with bedroom scenes, but if you need help, you can always rely on me.”

rely how exactly?!

...

“is it too tight?”

“um... a little.”

“okay. is this better?”

“yes. am i too stiff?”

“mhm, a bit. you don't have to be nervous. it's just me.”

ah yes. it's just THE kamisato ayato pinning you down your bed, breathing down your neck, moments away from stealing your lips. nothing to worry about, clearly.

he adjusts his grip on your wrists, loosening it to your liking. his character is meant to push you down forcibly, but of course he doesn't want to actually harm you during filming—to prepare before the shoot, practice is of utmost importance. you have to give the illusion of an aggressive assault when in reality he's handling you like a piece of glass.

but you're doing this right after a day's work, and you have to blame your stupid mouth for running off without command and casually asking him if he could visit your apartment to go over the scene. in late hours of the night. in what can be interpreted as a much more scandalous suggestion.

thankfully, you're not dealing with childe so you're spared from wiggling eyebrows or phrases with flirty implications.

but him being ayato doesn't make it any easier.

“don't you feel embarrassed making out on screen...?” you laugh awkwardly in an attempt to ignore the weird tension in the air, slightly overwhelmed by his intense gaze. “i know you've done this several times, but i imagine the awkwardness never wears off.”

“not quite,” he agrees. “but a job is a job... i say that, but i'd like to make it comfortable for you, if possible. how are you faring? do you need a break?” he sits up, allowing more distance in the space between you. you shake your head.

“i'm fine. just... nervous. it's my first time doing a bedroom scene...” you look off to the side, staring at the lights beyond your window. though you're in the comfort of your own room, having an unfamiliar man on your bed makes it all feel so strange.

...as you thought, it really was weird to invite a co-actor to your bed! eh? would booking a hotel be better? but isn't it overboard to go to a hotel for practice? inviting him to your apartment is equally as bad, though?!

“all the cameramen watching can be pressuring,” he adds in afterthought, releasing one of your wrists only to pin them with a single hand. you flinch a little when his fingers skim over your cheek, but you slowly relax into the heat. “it's best if you try to forget about them.”

“i'm afraid that's easier said than done,” you murmur, voice growing weaker as he leans down once more.

“really? i consider myself a decent kisser.” he grins, sly and confident. “i'm certain i can keep other things off your mind for a while.”

“wh- i'm not supposed to enjoy it, remember?!” you squawk indignantly with flushed cheeks.

“oh? my bad.” he relishes in your reaction, chuckling lowly. “you'll have to work hard acting like you don't like it, then.”

his lips hover above yours, breaths mingling with each other. the proximity catches you off guard but his hand is a steady weight holding you in place, urging you to look at him.

“don't think about anyone else. just focus on me.”

五 ; scaramouche, the best friend

“fantastic. i was also looking forward to a drama adaption but you've already ruined it for me.”

“that's not nice! you're supposed to congratulate me for passing the audition!”

“my courtesy towards you has already expired 5 years ago.”

“yes. you've made that very apparent.”

“have i also made my ire apparent? it's like the universe is telling me seeing you everyday isn't enough, i have to see you on television too. frankly, we see too much of each other.”

“you say that but you're the one coming over my apartment uninvited.”

“this is where i store my beer.”

scaramouche has a perfectly functional fridge so you know he's only doing that as an excuse. he's been this way for 8 years. (of course, he'd only been storing milk at your house when you were both still underage.)

(the milk didn't do any favors for his height, unfortunately.)

his words are as harsh as ever but believe it or not, he's your closest friend. not that he'd ever admit it, even at gunpoint. it's a feat you should add to your resume, honestly, because as far as you know, you're one of the few people he doesn't hate.

he tolerates you enough that he can practice your lines with you (with enough pressure), though he delivers his part of the script with such dispassion it makes it difficult for you to get into the mood. but in his own brand of patience, he lets you reiterate your lines an endless amount of times until you feel like you get it right.

he helps you with expressions too, albeit in a manner you find hard to appreciate.

“you look like you're constipated, not about to cry.”

“your jaw is hanging open. want to catch a fly with your tongue? act like you caught your husband cheating, not like you're about to eat half my burger when you said you'd only take a bite.”

(personal grudges were involved.)

he's not interested in the film industry at all, but he was the one who pushed you to pursue your dreams when everyone else was discouraging you from taking an unstable career. he's your pillar of support; even if he's glaring at you scathingly or giving cutting words matter-of-factly, he's all bark and no bite. the moment you shed tears, he's already pulling you to his chest, remaining silent as he rubs comforting circles on your back. he doesn't even complain when you bury your face to hide in his neck, soaking his shirt with tears.

underneath all that layers, he's pretty nice.

(admittedly, you have to dig real deep.)

when you're smiling and happy, however, he takes the chance to complain. sneering, he blurts, “what's up with you taking roles in romance dramas all the time? besides, you're way too old to be in high school.”

“i still look fresh.” you batted your eyelashes at him, celebrating inwardly when he made a scandalized noise. “but i'm auditioning for a different role soon. if i get it, you'll see me as a murder victim instead of a high schooler.”

two weeks later, you get the e-mail confirming the love interest role. scaramouche goes so pale you consider taking him to the hospital.

“i know the journalist is your favorite character, but aren't you overreacting? do you hate me acting as them that much?”

he rolls his eyes so hard you almost think they're going to be permanently pointed heavenward. “are you stupid? that's not what i'm worried about. wouldn't you have to- you know- do that scene-”

“which one?”

“...the hotel scene...”

ah. well that certainly is a cause for concern. it's steamier than what you're used to; so far, you've only done light pecks or kisses that don't last too long. bedroom scenes are definitely foreign territory.

“i can only hope my partner is good-looking, then. i wouldn't mind it, if that's the case.” you laugh sheepishly, missing the way his eyes narrow in disapproval.

“...whatever. suit yourself.”

“don't tell me you still feel weird about kissing scenes?”

“i don't have issues with kissing scenes. i just don't want to see you sucking face on tv.”

“don't use that word! it's too vulgar!”

as part of work, it's inevitable you have to do a kissing scene here and there. scaramouche has never been fond of seeing them, turning away from the television or excusing himself to the bathroom whenever they come up. it's a reaction you can sympathize with; it is rather awkward to see your friend making out with someone on screen.

but he especially detests the old recording of your high school play.

long, long ago, you were part of the drama club. by association, scaramouche became a member as well—the pair of you were considered as a package deal. he was your practice partner so often that he got forced into joining.

he'd die before he ever tells anyone, but he had a knack for playing villains back then, specialized in wicked cackling and bone-chilling monologues reeking of depravity.

but in your final year, he got roped into playing the prince when the original actor sprained his ankle. incidentally, you happened to be playing the damsel in distress in your (pretty much unrecognizable) rendition of sleeping beauty.

“why is the prince shorter than-” before you could end your statement, he already slammed your face with the script.

the play was a hot mess. scaramouche couldn't play a decent prince for the life of him, so your club made the play a comedy and reworked the entire script to fit him better. the valiant and heroic character became satirical, forced into saving you not for love but to fulfill a prophecy that definitely wasn't in the original sleeping beauty.

the audience was taking the change well, intrigued by the bizarre twists and turns. the huffing-puffing prince was hilarious to watch, too.

it wasn't long before you laid in the casket, blinded by stage lights even with your eyes closed. the cardboard dragon had already been defeated, and the prince was fast approaching.

to your utter distaste, it was decided the prince would slap you awake. so you prepared for it when the last lines were being said, bracing for the stinging pain.

but then there was a rise in pitch, nearing to a yelp, then a loud thud, then the weight of two hands pressing on either side of your head, and-

your lips were touching something soft and warm.

the squeals and yells reverberated in the whole theater, the narrator stammering awkwardly and improvising ad libs last minute. your eyes snapped open and you'd gotten a front row seat to see scaramouche's blushing face, an explosion of pink dancing across his features.

after the play wrapped up and he peeled off the ridiculously frilly prince costume, he'd been set on destroying every record—alas, your friends weren't so keen on deleting such good footage. to this day, he still bristled at the thought of it; his and your first kiss showcased to hundreds of people.

it's harder to endure when he sees you kissing someone else, however. he never gets used to it, no matter how many times he tells himself to.

“oh, finally. it took so long for them to get together,” his co-worker groans as he watches the tv at the break room, airing the latest episode of the drama you star in. scaramouche glances at the screen, turning away when the camera flits to the boy with ashy brown hair. he's touching your face for the millionth time, bright teal eyes staring into yours so deeply scaramouche almost thinks he's actually besotted with you.

“you're not watching? i thought you liked this series?”

“i don't.”

for his own sake, he doesn't give the tv another glance, stepping out of the room.

this is fine. it's not the first time he's felt like this.

(it doesn't feel any less terrible.)

六 ; thoma, the former male lead

there are as many aspiring actors as there are stars in the sky; it's unfortunate only some of them shine brightly enough to be noticeable, and the rest twinkling weakly in miniscule dots.

for your case, and for your friend thoma's, you belong to the latter.

thoma is handsome, that much you can see with your own eyes, but a pretty face can be found anywhere in the industry—he lacks that special something that makes him stand out. that being said, you don't have it either, so you're on the same boat.

you're best pals, comrades in arms, partners in crime.

actual partners. once. for a romance drama.

(but not the main characters. just an obligatory side pairing, of course. you're the rebound for the second male lead.)

it was your first work, and you'd rather delete your existence than watch it again. hopefully, that also erases your dark history.

your... amateurish acting had been unsightly. the innocence you portrayed wasn't lovely, just a ghastly display of incoherent mumbling and lack of comedic timing. you wanted to tear apart each clip and toss it in some imaginary ditch where nobody can find it again.

thoma's performance wasn't as severe as yours. it wasn't half-bad, almost decent if not for the scant instances of awkwardness in scenes that required more emotional acting.

alas, the end product was just about what you expected; a series no one paid attention to. both a relief and a disappointment, because even if you hated it with every inch of your being, the effort you poured into practice and filming was real.

but after the drama ended, you kept in close contact with thoma, chugging down beer at dinners as you complained to each other about work. failed auditions, mistakes in filming, inability to get roles—you shared everything, and he did the same. each moment of embarrassment and each moment of breakthrough that called for a celebration, you told each other. through thick and thin, you had the other's back.

naturally, he was one of the first few people you called (second only to your manager) when you received the e-mail confirming your role as the love interest for arguably one of the most anticipated series to date.

he'd been overjoyed, above all, his elation overruling his surprise; it was a far cry from other violent reactions. (“are you sure it's not a prank?” scaramouche had said in disbelief.)

“you're finally going to be acknowledged!” gleefully, thoma chattered on, “that's the best news i've heard all year!”

and that was good. it was nice having his support. he'd been the one to give you a pep talk before you had to start rehearsals, soothing your fretful worries.

when you don't understand the essence of a particular scene, he's more than happy to help—“i'm just one call away!”

when you fumble your lines on camera, he laughs but not with mockery (a stark contrast to that little gremlin scaramouche)—“it's no big deal. you only have to do your best tomorrow.”

when you recount your experiences working with famous actors, he listens attentively—“you're starting to get along, huh?”

and then you would hesitate. it sounds like you're... bragging.

he says he's only one call away, but he's busy with his own work; still, he makes time for you. he listens whenever you complain, but he has bigger problems, ones that he doesn't say because he knows it'll dampen your mood. he has to hear about you acquainting with celebrities he can't even dream of meeting, like you're showing him the things he can't have.

you got lucky. what about him?

slowly, your face bleeds to commercials, advertisement banners, even huge outdoor LED displays on shopping malls featuring the drama cast—yet he remains as a blurry, nameless figure in the sea of aspiring actors.

he doesn't show it, doesn't even hint at it, but he must be... envious, right?

it's not hard to be. you've been in the industry for the same amount of time, began at the same starting line, yet only one of you found success, the other one left behind in the dust.

still. still. he never shows it. never stops being your biggest fan. never lets you think otherwise. he watches every episode, every interview. babbles how amazing your performance was in this scene. rambles how you did so well in this drama and he's so proud of you. smiles at how you have to wear a disguise now whenever you go out together so nobody can recognize you.

“it must be hard,” he comments as you hide in a secluded park, nearly getting found out by someone you noticed following you around. “you can't get around as freely anymore. are you okay? nobody follows you home or anything?”

always the worrier, you think. “of course not. my manager drives me around everywhere these days. you don't have to worry.”

thoma grins, plopping down at a bench. “that's a relief.”

for a moment, you just sit in silence, basking in the slight chilly air. the orange and pinks of sunset darken to streaks of blue, streetlights flickering to life.

“...did you know there are rumors of you dating xiao?”

you choke on air, coughing to your fist. “what?!” not that you feel flattered. not at all. (you've badgered xiao to come with you to the carnival last week, and then the waterpark a week before that with the rest of the cast, and- well. you suppose there's reason for people to speculate. you also wore matching animal headbands—how on earth you got xiao to do that, you're not sure either.)“why did that- how did it come to that?!”

“it's surprising for me, too,” thoma says. “if anything, i'd expect dating rumors with the actual male lead. or childe. he seems... particularly clingy.”

“albedo? there's no way he'd like someone like me.” you furrow your brows. if anything, it's only gotten awkward between the two of you ever since the confession scene. “ajax... well. i never know with him.” you honestly can't tell if he's flirting or not.

thoma laughs, eyes crinkling with mirth. “you look close with all of them. if i didn't know any better, i'd think you were acting a romance film outside of the project.”

you shudder. “if, and only if, i end up dating one of them, i'll attract all kinds of bad attention. it's not even good PR. i'd hate to think of all the fan girls who'll start cursing me, stealing their man and all that. hell, i'm not even dating anybody and i'm already being cursed.”

“i'll reply to every single mean comment and defend your honor.”

you snort. “do you even have the time for that?”

“...unfortunately, yes. i'm not receiving much work at the moment.”

oh.

fuck.

“i can... i can recommend you to the director. i heard he's starting a new project soon, so maybe-”

thoma frowns and you ground to a halt. “it's fine. i don't want you to do that for me.”

it sounds like you're pitying him. like you don't trust him to rise on his own.

but you want to help.

“is this why you look sad around me every so often?” he realizes, astonished.

“i... can't help but feel guilty,” you admit, unable to maintain eye contact. “every time i say a silly story about xiao, or ajax, or albedo, i feel like i'm showing off. every time i complain, you never try to compare, you only comfort me and never tell me about your problems. i want to do something for you, but i don't know what. i care about you, and i want you to do well because i know how talented you are. except everyone else doesn't, and i want them to see you.”

it's not fair. he's putting in the effort. the same as you are. but it's still not working out for him, and it's not fair.

“you... want to help me?”

you manage a weak nod. you hear an intake of breath, feel him shuffling closer. then he places his hand on top of your clenched fist.

“[name]. can you look at me?”

slowly, you raise your head. his green eyes are shining so brilliantly, bright emeralds gleaming in the moonlight.

yet they also seem... resigned.

“you're really nice, [name]. but you don't have to feel guilty. it's not your fault i'm still like this, and i'm already thankful you're worrying about me. i can't say that i was entirely... not jealous of what you have now, but that's just my problem. so you don't have to make that face, okay?”

he smiles, just like always. you open your mouth to respond, but then you feel that sensation again—that prickle at the back of your neck, the feeling that makes your hair stand on end.

“you're kind.” his hand cradles your cheek ever so softly, tenderly. your lashes tremble, like the flutter of a butterfly's wings. “that's why... i hope you can forgive me.”

this position is familiar. you know this, because you've experienced this before.

long long ago, just when you started your career, you'd practiced this scene with him in the dressing room—hearts pounding, hands awkwardly finding their places;

your lips brushing together in a shy kiss.

now, his fingers are carding through your hair, the closest he's ever been to you in years. you flinch, gripping his shirt, uncomprehending, and-

you hear it.

the shutter of a camera.

七 ; kazuha, the murderer

the first time you heard a complete newbie would act the murderer role, you were in disbelief.

alright, you were an unremarkable actor before your current role, but at the very least, you had experience. not only is this person entirely new to the industry, having nothing to show for himself, he's an amateur. it sounds like a recipe for disaster.

it's even more baffling when you discover ayato, THE kamisato ayato, tried for the role and didn't get it. who the hell is this newbie? someone who got in through nepotism? preposterous! the murderer is an incredibly important character to the plot, the whole series would be ruined if he turned out to be awful!

and then you see who he actually is, and oh boy, he does not look like a murderer.

he's more like a harmless bunny. fluffy white hair, round red eyes, a polite disposition—did you arrive at the wrong set, kid? maybe you were aiming for the high school romance drama and came here by mistake?

the webtoon murderer was no pretty boy. just an average-looking dude working at a convenience store nobody suspected to be the killer because of his unassuming looks, and that was the point. yet this eye-catching hottie is the complete opposite.

but everyone else in the cast is hot as hell, so maybe the murderer needs to be hot too so he can blend in??? director, what exactly did you have in mind?

“[name]!” just as you were staring at him, he turns and notices your gaze, expression immediately brightening. like an innocent baby chick, he walks up to you. “good morning.”

it's another day of rehearsals for the upcoming episode. so far, you haven't gotten to see his true skills yet—the most he's done is act like an ordinary extra part of the background and out of the limelight. it's understandable, since his character doesn't appear much until halfway through the series.

“kazuha,” you acknowledge him, still a little unused to his... general stickiness. you don't know what he found so appealing about you but he's taken to sticking by your side most of the time. childe has teased you more than once that perhaps the little chick has a crush on you.

“do you want to eat lunch together? i know a good fried chicken place.” so it's cannibalism now?

you agree to go anyway because fried chicken sounds great. plus, as much as you came to find that even celebrities are just regular people and you managed to befriend a lot of them, there's a sense of comfort in kazuha—he's the one you felt least intimidated by.

even if you text xiao for hours now, or come over to childe's house frequently, or go on food trips with albedo, or go clothes shopping with ayato and his sister, they're still people you can't get close to without boundaries. there's still a sense of distance separating you, one that you can't cross, but can happily do so with kazuha.

being with kazuha is just comfortable. there's never a need for formalities, and rather than co-workers, you feel closer to being friends.

sometimes, you feel as if you're babysitting though. he just... screams youth. holds the freshness of an amateur, clutching to naive hopes and wishes in the path of stardom. it's endearing to see, and it's like seeing a younger version of yourself.

it's a shame you've buried those naive wishes long ago, but you hope kazuha's career goes well for him. this drama will undoubtedly be a big boost for his popularity, but will also backlash on him if he performs horribly.

“this is my treat.” kazuha pushes the plate of chicken fingers to your side of the table, eyes shaped in smiling crescents.

you shake your head but take one nonetheless. “what kind of senior would i be to make you pay? order all you want, it's on me.”

kazuha doesn't pout but comes close to it, sulking as he bites on a piece of korean bburinkle chicken. “i can't tell if you're doing this on purpose.”

“doing what?”

“letting me off easy.”

...? this kid says some pretty strange things sometimes.

“i'll order some drinks. what do you want?” he offers, standing up.

“iced tea is fine.”

“got it.”

as he moves, his wallet drops on the floor. you're about to tell him so but you think better of it, already considering the possibility of kazuha sneakily paying for your meal on the counter and ordering drinks as an excuse.

you sigh, bending down to pick it up from the ground, but the wallet faces up, revealing the contents.

the first thing you see is your face.

you nearly jolt and hit your head on the table in shock, but you manage to suppress your surprise in a garbled mess of choking. this photo is... from that modeling gig you did a year ago. but why is it in kazuha's wallet-?!

you quickly put it back on the table, just in time for kazuha to arrive. he raises an eyebrow at your flustered expression but doesn't mention anything.

he makes a face seeing the wallet he forgot on the table. you were right after all.

later, as you return to set and practice ends after a few more hours, you recount the order of events to xiao, who could not be anymore uninterested at your entire spiel. perhaps childe would've made a more engaging conversation partner, but you'd rather not deal with his teasing right now.

“-and my face was right there! as his wallet photo! what the hell does that mean?!” years ago, you never could've guessed you'd ever be able to rant to xiao's face like this. yet here you are, unashamed in front of your idol.

“isn't it obvious?” xiao isn't even pretending like he's giving you his full attention anymore, preoccupied with the game console in his hands. “he likes you.”

“???”

xiao sighs, dead fish eyes looking straight at your clueless expression. “don't you have a photo of me in your wallet? that's the same thing.”

“that is certainly not the same thing! you're- xiao, and i'm just me. you're popular.”

xiao almost rolls his eyes. you're way too humble for someone who gets recognized by people on the street daily. “congrats, then. you met one of your rare fans.”

that was an unbelievable thought, before. you? having a fan? whenever you searched up your name, you couldn't find anyone talking about you. your character is different; you're looking for people who's interested in you as a person, not just your role.

now, though. you've accumulated enough fame for a fan club. several maybe, even.

... but even then. that modeling gig hadn't been successful. only someone who knew about it a year ago would know about it now, since it faded from the internet pretty fast.

as far as you know, you didn't have fans a year ago.

xiao makes a realization. “...isn't this the fourth time he invited you to lunch this week?”

“yeah?”

“.....isn't he just hitting on you then?”

now that's just not in the realm of possibility. xiao is so funny.

“he literally baked you cookies the other day.”

“friends give each other cookies, xiao. i can even make some for you if you want.”

“they were heart-shaped, [name].”

(you end up making him cookies to prove a point.)

days pass by, xiao giving you increasingly odd looks, and kazuha finally proves his worth in filming.

his performance rivals that of albedo's—the soft edges of his eyes sharpening into something menacing, gaze cold and apathetic, his lips downturned to an unfamiliar sneer. you're watching the birth of a star, and it's only a matter of time before his talent will be acknowledged.

he's different from ayato as a villain. ayato is cunning, the perfect example of a mastermind. malicious and dripping with spite. but kazuha looks innocent, a cute little bun you'd never guess can make those kind of facial expressions—twisted, vicious, malevolent.

it's part of the act, but you flinch when his character turns violent; kicking down doors, smashing glass windows with a bat. holding the extras acting as murder victims by grabbing them by the hair, throwing down cops like they weighed nothing.

and then right after that scene concludes with the director's “cut!”, with (fake) blood still splattered on his face, kazuha runs up to you grinning innocently, fishing for compliments. “did i do good?”

nevertheless, you give him headpats. “you're terrifying.”

he flushes, not too pleased giving that impression to you. the next day, he acts all sweet to you again, giving you a batch of cream puffs this time. xiao snorts somewhere in the background.

eventually, your manager notices the snacks you receive regularly. “oh, it's from that kid?”

“kazuha? mhm.” you nibble happily on the pastries.

your manager chuckles. “never thought i'd see him again here.”

“...what do you mean?” blinking owlishly, you pause from chowing down. “you know him?”

“he used to work at the bakery you went to often before, didn't he? the kid you kept telling to watch your first drama. you forced him to watch the episodes on your phone during his break.”

...............FUCK.

you do remember doing something that stupid. during the filming of your first drama, you frequently stopped by at a nearby bakery to buy snacks, and you remember there was a cute kid working there. you often pinched his cheeks and cajoled him into watching the series.

but when filming ended, you couldn't go to the bakery anymore. the filming location was far from your house, and the bakery was simply out of the way.

did that kid... kazuha... support you all this time? from that early on?

you curse your manager for telling you this right before filming. your mind is a mess, having trouble connecting that cute, precious child (why are you always calling him a kid, he's barely 2 years younger than you) to the smooth and flirty man today.

it's an important scene today too! the confrontation between the detective, his partner, and the murderer. it needs your complete concentration, and you just don't have it right now. you've never seen the director lose his temper, but you can probably manage to do it today.

albedo is performing well in front of the cameras as always, so much like a protagonist that you feel like you're watching from a television screen already. but you have a job to do too, so you do your best in the spotlight, pretending to be unaffected.

kazuha looks even scarier up close, so unhinged and unreadable. you know what his next move will be, written on the script, but that doesn't make you any less uneasy.

“you're bold,” kazuha drawls, playing with the knife in his hand, “coming to see me by yourselves.”

you can hear what he's saying, but it feels like your head is full of cotton. why are you so distracted? “so it really is you,” you speak, praising yourself for acting normally.

the other two exchange lines, and you thank the heavens you're mostly silent for the time being. for the meantime, you have a few moments to collect yourself; there's a chase right after this, and you'd rather not do something stupid like trip over yourself in the middle of something so serious.

...

sometimes, you're gifted with foresight.

but! to be fair! you did not trip over yourself! the staff forgot to fix the cables in one part of the set, and you tripped over those. so no. not entirely your fault.

albedo is too far away—he's on the side trying to unlock the doors with his brain powers somehow, and you're the bait distracting the murderer before he does. he can't catch you with his male lead in a romance drama reflexes now.

ordinarily, you would not trip over the cables. you have able eyes, and you could easily step over them. but you're at the stairs where darkness falls with each lower step, and wire cables don't exactly glow in the dark.

...you're at the flight of stairs. and you're about to fall over. FUCK. WHY DID THE DIRECTOR WANT A CHASE SCENE IN THE STAIRS.

you brace for the impact, hands outstretched, praying to at least save your face, but then in a complete break of character, kazuha reaches for you.

you're leaning too far to the edge now. there's no way to pull you back to even ground. kazuha grits his teeth, pulling you to his chest, and in an immense show of strength, twists around so he'd be beneath you.

you descend in a disgraceful tangle of limbs. you're enveloped in a warm embrace, cheek resting on a firm chest. a chin is tucked into the crook of your neck, heavy breaths tickling the skin of your shoulder.

heart pounding in adrenaline, you jolt back to action when the relief fades away and the panic settles back in. “your head-!” you scramble to touch kazuha's head, feeling for any bumps or even worse, blood. kazuha hisses, so you soften the touch, tracing over his body to check for other injuries. he became a literal mattress for you, and you crushed him under your weight. he looks so so frail, what if you permanently crippled him or somethi- what the hell is all this muscle?“what about your back? did you get sprained anywhere?”

“i'm fine,” kazuha wheezes under your caressing.

“you don't sound fine! who are you trying to fool? you didn't have to do that!” you grab his cheeks as you admonish him, frowning severely. they're as soft as ever, just as pinch-able as you remember—but you won't let that distract you now! that was very reckless of him!

bashfully, he averts his gaze, the cheeks beneath your palm growning warm and flushing with a pretty pink. “i'm not hurt. it's because you're... on top of me...”

you blink, glancing down at your position. at a proximity entirely inappropriate, you're hovering above him, straddling his hips and making no move to get away.

you scramble to scurry to the side, but his hands maintain their tight grip on your waist.

this kazuha is too different from two minutes ago! wasn't he just chasing you down the corridor in murderous intent?! now he's blushing underneath you, like a pure maiden you defiled!

what's with this soft, sugary atmosphere?! last time you remembered, this was a murder mystery drama!

(when the drama ends, you're casted for a romance college series with kazuha as the male lead. figures.)

[dearviper]

When You Wake Up, Will You Walk Out? Chapter 6

Eddie Munson x Cheerleader!Reader (note: reader is over the age of 18)

WARNINGS: 18+ (minors dni!)

Table of Contents | My Masterlist | AO3 Link

“Maybe I’ll ask Chrissy Cunningham to be my date instead. I’ve heard she’s a lot more pleasant to be around.”

Those words haunted you.

You knew Eddie was sorry — you hurt him, and he hurt you back. He didn’t mean it, he had said so himself.

But there was still that little niggling voice of doubt that had you wondering if what he said was true. Even if he hadn’t meant it, maybe Eddie was right. Maybe Chrissy was just the better option.

The thought stuck in your mind and had your eyes burning as you watched her at cheer practice the next day enviously. The girl was just irritatingly likable, so much so that you couldn’t even hate her after Jason left you for her.

You heard whispered rumors from some of the other girls that she and Jason had broken up, but that part hardly mattered anymore. Your issue was not with Chrissy, but rather with being confronted with your own inadequacy. Jason saw it, and now Eddie did too.

Miserably, you trudged to your locker after cheer practice. You were getting ready to go home and drown your tears in a pint of ice cream when a small piece of paper sticking out of your locker caught your eye.

Suspiciously, you pulled it from the slits and unfolded it.

Meet me in the drama classroom after practice.

Your heart skipped a beat, even while your mind cautioned you to keep up your guard. You weren’t quite ready to forgive Eddie yet, but you figured you ought to give him a chance to explain himself.

Note in hand, you slammed your locker shut and rushed down the hall, trying to temper your excitement.

Taking a deep breath you pushed open the door to the drama classroom.

Jason was standing inside.

“What are you doing here?” you asked almost accusingly.

His brow furrowed in confusion. “Didn’t you get my note?”

Your heart sank in disappointment. It wasn’t from Eddie, then.

“Yeah. I did.” You kept your tone cold and formal. With a hateful glare, you turned back toward the door.

“Wait! I just want to talk.”

Turning back, you leveled a steely glare at Jason.

“I have nothing to say to you.”

Dropping his gaze to the floor, he sighed and spoke softly to you. “Look, I… will you just hear me out?”

You knew it was a bad idea. Even so, you huffed and nodded. “Fine, whatever.”

He gestured for you to take a seat, but you stared him down, crossing your arms in front of your chest.

“Listen, honey, I… I really fucked up.”

“Yeah, you did,” you bit out, unable to keep the venom from your tone. “And don’t call me honey.”

“Okay, I deserve that,” he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I ended things with Chrissy.”

You raised an incredulous brow. “You mean she dumped your sorry ass?”

“No. And you can ask her. What happened at Andy’s was a mistake. I talked to her and told her so. And I’ve been trying to tell you, but you won’t answer my calls and you run away every time I see you in person.”

You scoffed. “A mistake? That’s one hell of a mistake, Jason.”

“The worst I’ve ever made,” he assured you with a pained expression, stepping closer.

You couldn’t help the twinge of longing in your heart as he fixed his soft eyes on you. Trying to strengthen your resolve, you stepped back to keep the distance between you.

“So what?” Though you tried to stay firm, your voice shook tellingly.

“So, I want you back,” he declared softly, closing the distance between you once more. Your heart raced at his proximity, and you couldn’t help the butterflies that stirred in your stomach.

“How can you expect me to trust you?” you asked brokenly, tears pooling in your eyes.

This time, you did not step back to counter his movements. Nor did you stop him when he lightly grabbed your elbows and tugged you in closer.

“Because I love you. And I know I hurt you, but you love me too,” he replied with pleading eyes. “We can get through this. I’ll spend the rest of our lives proving that to you.”

You opened your mouth, but no words came out. Seeing this, he spoke again.

“Look, just… just take a little time, okay? Don’t answer now. Think about it for as long as you need to, and I’ll be here waiting for you,” he vowed, taking your cheek into his hand and rubbing your cheek with his thumb.

Unconsciously, your eyelids fluttered shut at his touch.

“I love you,” he repeated in barely more than a whisper.

Leaning in, he kissed you gently before leaving the room. When you were alone, you brought a hand to your mouth, feeling as the warmth of his lips lingered there.

“Well, isn’t that sweet?” came Eddie’s sneering voice from behind you.

You spun around, eyes wide in alarm as he emerged from the shadows.

“Eddie,” you greeted with a nod, trying to keep the guilt out of your voice.

Something about the way he was looking down at you made you feel like you got caught with your hand in the cookie jar.

He only nodded tersely in response with an unreadable expression.

“I thought the room was empty. I didn’t see you when Jason… when I came in,” you faltered briefly, seeing something flicker across Eddie’s face when you mentioned Jason’s name.

Was that… jealousy?

“I didn’t think either of you would react well to having an audience for… that.”

He gestured vaguely towards you, and you felt your face heat up in embarrassment.

“You weren’t supposed to hear that. I tried to get him to-”

“Oh, I know,” he cut off your excuses with mock understanding. “How can I ever trust you again, Jason?’”

You glared at him silently, unsure of why he was being so cruel.

“So, what do we think, sweetheart?” Standing up on his throne, he clasped his hands together against his cheek and batted his eyelashes. “Is there a second chance for teen romance?”

“That’s not your business,” you fired back, suddenly angry.

“Maybe it’s not,” he admitted, throwing his hands up in defeat and hopping down from the throne. “I wouldn’t know. You’ve been avoiding me all week, just like poor Jason.”

“That’s not-” you began, stopping when you saw the unimpressed look on Eddie’s face. There would be no lying to him.

“Alright,” you confessed hotly. “I have been avoiding you. Do you blame me after what you said?”

Eddie had the good grace to wince guiltily. “I told you I didn’t mean that.”

“Didn’t you, though?” you pressed, venom lacing your tone. “You were right. I don’t exactly measure up against Chrissy Cunningham.”

“That’s bullshit,” he answered quickly, shaking his head. “You’re the best person I know. It’s just… you just…”

Your cheeks heated up at his words, and you finished his sentence for him.

“I hurt you, didn’t I?” you realized, and he finally met your gaze again.

Unable to stand that pitying look in your eyes, he waved away your concern.

“No harm done,” he replied quickly with a grin, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“Please don’t lie to me.”

He stared at you for a few seconds more before sighing.

“Ah, hell. As long as we’re putting it all on the line…” he muttered, more to himself than you.

Approaching you slowly, he stopped about a foot away from you and shoved his hands into his pockets uncertainly.

“Sweetheart, I- I want you. And not just as a quick lay.”

You were at a loss for words, but he kept going.

“I want you wearing my t-shirts and at my concerts and- and holding my hand as we walk down the hallway like two assholes in love.”

You both froze at the half-admission, and your eyes went wide. “Eddie, do you…”

“Yeah. Yeah, I do,” he muttered, looking away almost shamefully. Nervously, he glanced back up to watch your reaction. “And do you…?”

“I don’t know,” you whispered, voice breaking as you crossed your arms in front of your chest to defend your vulnerable heart.

Eddie’s expression hardened, and he took a step away from you.

“You still love him.”

You shook your head, desperately willing him to understand. “I just- I’m so confused.”

“What is there to be confused about?” he asked angrily, pain shooting across his face. “He left you. He broke your heart!”

He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head. The room was silent apart from your muted sniffles and his aggravated huffs.

“Is it the money?” Eddie asked quietly, looking at you with betrayal in his eyes. “You went slumming with the trailer park trash, and now you’re returning to your ivory tower?”

“Is that what you think of me?” you snapped. “I don’t care about any of that shit, Eddie.”

“Don’t kid yourself, princess,” he laughed bitterly. “Of course you do. You want your Prince Charming.”

Closing the distance between the two of you, Eddie tilted your chin up so your eyes met his. Running a thumb across your lower lip, he spoke softly.

“Do you believe his lies? When he says it’s forever?”

Despite the rage and hurt, the space between you was electrified. You couldn’t help but lean into his touch as if he was magnetized.

Lowering his head, Eddie captured your lips with his own. His fingers dug cruelly into your hips, and you weren’t sure if he was trying to hurt you or keep you from slipping through his fingers.

Allowing your head to fall back, you exposed your neck to Eddie’s hungry lips as your eyes fluttered shut. He pressed you against the long table they used for Dungeons & Dragons, pinning you there with his hips.

You moaned at the contact, his hard bulge digging into your stomach. While he continued making his way down your neck, you let your hands roam lower and lower down to his belt.

As you began to unbuckle it, though, he stopped you and shook his head.

“Why not?” you asked, almost wincing at how pathetically desperate you sounded.

“I think making love to you might drive me crazy,” he murmured with a sad smile.

Pressing a final, sorrowful kiss to your forehead, Eddie left the room. Dumbfounded, you stared after him and wondered why your heart hurt so badly.

When Eddie arrived back at the trailer later that night, Wayne was sitting in the living room watching baseball. Catching the miserable look on his nephew’s face, he grimaced and freed a can from the six pack on the floor.

Holding it out, he asked, “Y’okay, Eds?”

Nodding, Eddie grabbed the can and plopped down next to his uncle on the sofa. Taking a swig, he smiled mirthlessly.

“Love bites. I’ll be fine.”

previous chapter | next chapter

[unnursvanablog]

when you are one episode in to Queen of Tears, the new highly anticipated and very promising new kdrama and it pulls on of your least fav tropes on you at the end of the episode aka her being terminally ill and only has about three months t live (him being prepared with the divorce papers right at that minute is very amusing tho) but that's on me… because I did kinda go into this drama blind. I do that with quite a few dramas these days.

And while I do hate hate HATE that trope I do also know that there are always exceptions to the trope and in the right hands it can turn out fantastic. And I am just going to have faith in Queen of Tears and let it take me on this ride and hope for the best. I have seen two or three dramas where another least fav kdrama trope (memory loss) was done so so so well. Miracles do happen!

This drama is a soapy tale of crazy rich people being kinda crazy and over the top. And that can be ether super interesting and fun to watch or very very grating and too much. So far it's the former. It's very much used to frame the story and the humor of the show but it I almost wish it was used a bit more sparingly because it did feel a tad heavy handed at times, there are a lot of key players that were introduced and I can just tell how much filler we are going to get with some of these characters and their crazy antics.

And the core family is fun and the cast is very likeable. I am constantly going… on this one! whenever I see an actor pop up. I do suspect that Kwak Dong Yeon playing another dumb but loveable younger brother in an over the top rich family is going to be the death of me again. They can give me some good filler scenes with him just being adorable and I would not complain (too much).

Also the serial killer boss from Psychopaths' Diary is the second lead? ooooh, this is going to get crazy.

I worry about how much they are going to streatch this story and they know they can do that, add in tone of product placement and filler scenes because the two leads are very good and popular and will bring in ratings and viewers. So they are going to make every episode unessiarily long just for the sake of it almost.

I ran into the same problem with Kim Soo Hyun's last drama where I just felt like the theme, the characters and the love story and all that was there but it just felt done to death or drawn out way too much, way to thin towards the end of it and every episode was so long that I just got very very bored with it. It didn't add any extra depth to the characters or the story. It was just dragging on for the sake of keeping the viewers for longer.

I worry about the focus of the story towards the end tbh. I enjoyed the first two episodes a lot, but I felt like it was way too long and probably could have been cut down a bit and keep to the core of the story (and then after that has been established you expand a bit) and I just didn't have the attention span to watch the whole thing in one go. I put the drama on pause in a middle of an episode and then came back once I was ready to finish it.

You can also get a sense of that through how the drama is filmed. It's more just stylish, but I wouldn't really say that it's that focused on stunning scenery or cinematography. I guess we could say style over substance.

BECAUSE KDRAMA EPISODES OR ANY EPISODE OF ANY TV SHOW EVER SHOULD NOT BE OVER AN HOUR LONG unless you absolutely have to. Like if it's a final episode or whatever. It just makes the story not flow as well. It often makes the pacing a bit weird.

Him wanting out of the marriage, but not wanting to get a divorce in this over-the-top crazy family and rather just wait until his terminally ill wife dies, her thinking that he is finally showing her some kindness and warmth after closing his heart on her (probably because she is too busy thinking about keeping up apperances for the sake of her family and duties to them) and them slowly falling in love again over the course of the show is a very nice hook to a story.

And the story sets up both leads up well enough that you feel and root for both of them.

Like you are rooting for him to get out of there, because this life is making him (but also both of them) miserable, but you know he is ultimately going to fail in some way because they are going to end up together in the end. But it's about that journey and not the destination. Unless the drama decides to be very very bold and just kill her off at the end and make is suffer a whole lot. But it also makes you root for her, because she does need that love and support and we see her caring oh so much, in her own subdued way (probably because she sees the crazy in the family and want to sort of be that anchor that's keeping it all together), sort of behind his back. You do want them to sort of just take a breather from it all and slowly come together again.

I do kinda hope and wish that this show picks up the pace a bit and also just truly embraces the crazy and the soap opera aspects of the show and just goes all out. I want to enjoy some over the top nonsense that just makes you laugh and cheer because of how absurd it is. As long as they manage to ground the drama in it's own reality it's going to be fine.

Queen of Tears, please just be fun. I want to not be in a kdrama slump and have something that excites me every damn week.