#Biologic fillers

[yashmedica]

The Booming Aesthetics Market: Trends and Technologies Shaping Healthcare

The Aesthetics Market: A Booming Trend in Healthcare The aesthetics market is experiencing tremendous growth, driven by a confluence of factors. One trending segment of this market is anti-aging treatments, with a rising demand for minimally invasive procedures that address wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of volume. According to a recent report, the global aesthetics market is expected to reach…

[minniesmutt]

♱ ━━━━━━ 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋: 𝐌𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐀 

♱ ━━━ CONTENT: MENTION OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL, VIOLENCE, PRISON, THERAPY MENTIONS, MORE OF A FILLER CHAPTER, WET DREAM, COCKWARMING, GRINDING, PET NAMES, IMPLIED MORE ROUNDS ♱ ━━━ WC: 1K ♱ ━━━ PAIRING: FELIX X READER ♱ ━━━ 18+ work!! minors and ageless/blank blogs DNI! you will be blocked, put an indicator on your blog somewhere that you are 18+ before interacting with this work/blog ♱ ━━━ a repost from my old blog

     Information was always easy for Felix to find. Everything was on the internet. Everything was put into databases. Police files, card info, medical information, everything. It was such easy access.

     From day one, Felix was already looking into Y/n, even before Minho asked him. He knew they didn’t find anything at her old apartment. So to the internet, he went. Checking her social media first. The fabricated life people selectively chose to put out. 

     Most photos were with friends. Trips, clubs, drinks, anything. Normal twenty-something-year-old behavior. Moving on to her friend’s profiles, it was the same story. Looking into them first.

     Seana was clean essentially. She had no issues with the law and worked a good job to keep herself afloat. Posted about her friends just like Y/n. Nothing was an issue with her. Karina had a bit of a record; driving under the influence, hit and runs, possession of illegal drugs. She had a job but more of a part-time thing. Nothing that really helped support the lifestyle she wanted to portray online.

     Looking into the family was next. From what he gathered and found out from reports, her dad hadn’t been in her life since she was young and was in jail on the other side of the country. There were no records of calls to anyone since his incarceration. Pretty content with rotting away in the system. Multiple times considering he had a bit of a history of being released and getting back in months later. 

     Her mom had passed away a few years ago. Coroners report stating a mix of drugs and alcohol. Grandparents having passed away or lived elsewhere in the country. Y/n essentially had no family from what Felix could tell. He felt a little bad for her, being on your own like that could hurt.

     Checking through medical records were next on the list. The first thing he noticed was notes from therapy sessions. Becoming very interested, he made his own copy of the notes and saved it onto his computer before he heard the elevator ding.

     “Felix?” He heard Y/n’s voice call.

     “Yeah?” He called back as he minimized the windows and pulled up some other things he had been looking into for Chan.

     Y/n walked into his little home office as he turned around in his chair. Sitting in his loungewear— a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt— as she made her way over to him.

     “What’s up, princess?” Felix asked as she made her way over to him.

     “Just a bit bored, figured I come bug you,” Y/n said as he pulled her onto his lap.

     “Keep me company while I work then, yeah?”

     “Can do,” Y/n smiled as he spun the chair around back to his screens.

     Y/n wrapped her arms around him and listened to his keyboard taps and mouse clicks. It was soothing to listen to honestly. Lulling her back into sleep on top of the blonde’s lap. 

     Felix noticed her asleep a few minutes later, gently rubbing her back before pulling her medical files out again. Reading through it, a few things jumped out at him. Trust issues, compulsively lying, unwilling to work through trauma.

     Felix emailed the notes he thought were most important to Chan but kept reading. 

     “Client has mentioned early life with mother but not much. Briefly mentioned biological mother being under the influence often and redirecting anger onto the client.”

     “Client laughs when explaining a core event in her life.”

     “Clients says alcohol intake has gone down; was previously using to cope.”

     Felix kept reading. He could make guesses now why she chose to stay with them. Given her family history, maybe some lack of attention growing up caused her to seek it from anywhere in her adult life. Now, she had eight men ready to do that at any time of the day. 

     Being a liar could be useful to them. But it made him wonder; only one friend had been caught by law enforcement and charged. The other one was clean from head to toe. Y/n seemingly had a history of issues— using to cope could mean getting into some trouble. But nothing. 

     But she seemed so unphased by the eight being gangsters. Maybe she’d never been caught? Maybe she was clean? It was a little difficult to tell. 

     Felix reclined back into his chair and wrapped his arms around Y/n. He gently rubbed her back as he took in the information. He knew Chan had a plan from the beginning of this arrangement, but he also had a feeling this information was going to give him a bit more of an idea to use her.

     Felix chuckled a bit to himself as he went back to some other tasks. “Lix,” Y/n mumbled

     “Yes, princess?” He asked looking down at her. Her eyes still closed but little moans came out of her as she subtly grinded on him.

     “Silly girl,” Felix said as he moved his hands down to her ass and pulled her closer, kissing the side of her head, “Y/n.” He said

     “Mhm?” She asked, moving her head to hide in his chest.

     “Having a fun little dream?” Felix teased

     “Yes.”

     “Want some help?”

     “Please.”

     Y/n was happy she was just wearing panties and one of the boy’s t-shirts. Made it easier for him to move his sweatpants and boxers down and push her panties to the side. Lining his tip up with her entrance and slowly sank her down onto him. Y/n moaned as her walls stretched for him till he was fully inside of her.

     “Feel so good,” Y/n muttered into his chest.

     “Yeah? Think you just like having a cock in you princess,” Felix got back to work. Y/n held onto him tightly as she slowly started to grind herself against him.

     “Gonna use me to make yourself cum?” Felix asked, his baritone voice going straight to her core.

     “Please lix,” Y/n whined

     “Go ahead, princess. Just know I get to use you to cum later.”

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[baylardian-1]

POV I scrap my old MLP next gens and do new ones lmaoooooooooo whateverrrrrrrrrrrrr,,,,,, Been wanting to do a Chrysalis/Shining Armor next gen that Cadence and Shining Armor raise (mostly Cadence). General idea being that he's conceived/born around the Chysalis season 2 arc. Cadence and Shining Armor end up taking him in a bit reluctantly, but Cadence warms up to the little grub baby quickly; Shining Armor takes more time and remains distant with his son. While he isn't biologically related to Cadence he ends up kinda metamorphically inheriting her traits as he ages. Cadence calls him Lovebug :) Bit of a filler concept for now, I used the canon colors for Chrysalis and Shining Armor which I'm prone to changing when I have a chance to focus on them. 

[taringill]

April O'Neil & Donatello Hamato💛💜

People who understand, please help. Explain something to me. Oooh... It seems to me that this is some kind of nonsense, since I have not found confirmation of this anywhere. Why do some people write under the posts about Apritello that April and Donnie are SIBLINGS?! That is, April is the turtles' own sister. I didn't understand anything. Do they have the same DNA or something? Maybe it's a fan theory or hypothesis. And yes, what April SEES in the turtles of the brothers is not an argument. The characters are just very close, as they have been communicating for many years. That's not how biological connection works. Attention: If you see April and Donnie AS friends or AS brother and sister, then I don't mind. Everyone sees the relationship of the characters in their own way. April and Donnie are friends, that's for sure. But they're not siblings. I even, bitch, watched the series with all the fillers (series without a plot) Seriously, people write about it as if everyone knows about it and it's official. And I'm a fool. But they don't give me any proof. Well, you know, it's as official as the fact that Big Mama's assistant is a lost turtles sibling. Phxxxx... Two people wrote to me that it had something to do with Karai... HOW? Karai's ghost (Shredder killed her) moved into April, gave her all her powers, April became a super girl, then Karai moved out of April (no matter how it sounds), and that's it. How many times have we seen it. A ghost or some otherworldly crap inhabits a person and thereby gives him his powers and controls him. Aghhhhh... Why? Why exactly in Rise of the TMNT did April and the turtles become literally relatives? (that is, April has the same DNA with them at least) That is, Splinter then turns out to be the birth father not only for turtles, but also for.... April? Oh, yes, I know that some people will write to me that April and Donnie are siblings, and that shipping them is incest. I am mentally ready for this. For example, to ship Leo and Karai in Rise of the TMNT is incest. The real one. If you don't ship April and Donnie, I don't mind. I don't care. It's just that their biological kinship sounds like nonsense. In short, help. Where did this come from?

Люди, которые шарят, пожалуйста помогите. Объясните мне кое-что. Ооох... Мне кажется, это какой то бред, так как я нигде не нашла этому подтверждения. Почему некоторые люди под постами про Эйпрителло пишут, что Эйприл и Донни РОДНЫЕ БРАТ И СЕСТРА?! То есть Эйприл родная сестра черепах. Я так ничего не поняла. У них одно ДНК что-ли? Может, это фанатская теория или гипотеза. И да, то что Эйприл ВИДИТ в черепахах братьев - это не аргумент. Персонажи просто очень близки, так как много лет общаются. Биологическая связь работает не так. Внимание: если вы видите Эйприл и Донни КАК друзей или КАК брата и сестру, то я не против. Каждый взаимоотношения персонажей видит по своему. Эйприл и Донни друзья, это точно. Но они же не родные брат и сестра. Я даже, сука, сериал пересмотрела со всеми филлерами (серии без сюжета). Серьёзно, люди об этом так пишут, как будто об этом все знают и это официально. А это я дура. Но доказательств мне не приводят. Ну, знаете, это так же официально, как то, что ассистент Большой Мамочки - это потерянный брат или сестра черепах. Пхххх... Мне два человека писали что это как-то связано с Карай... КАК? Призрак Карай (её Шреддер убил) вселился в Эйприл, дала ей все свои силы, Эйприл стала супер девочкой, потом Карай выселилась из Эйприл (не важно как это звучит), и всё. Сколько мы это видели. Призрак или какая-то потусторонняя хрень вселяется в человека и дает ему тем самым свои силы и управляет им. Агхххх... Почему? Почему именно в Rise of the TMNT Эйприл и черепахи стали буквально родственниками? (то есть, у Эйприл с ними одинаковое ДНК как минимум) То есть, Сплинтер тогда получается родной отец не только для черепах, но и для.... Эйприл? О, да, я знаю, что некоторые люди будут мне писать, что Эйприл и Донни родные брат и сестра, и что шипперить их - это инцест. Я к этому морально готова. Вот шипперить Лео и Карай в Rise of the TMNT - это уже инцест. Самый настоящий. Если вы не шипперите Эйприл и Донни, я не против. Мне всё равно. Просто их биологическое родство звучит как бред. Короче, помогите. Откуда это взялось?

[recomvery]

Ageism is so real. I saw on tiktok that 21 year olds are now getting "preventative botox" to make sure they don't get smile lines or wrinkles. This stuff is so crazy, the anti aging industry is booming everywhere, selling more creams, serums, pills, filler than ever. Why is everyone scared of getting older? It's the normal biological process to age and experience different things and life stages. Why do we have to "age gracefully" why is grey hair a problem or wrinkles ? That's so weird. Being natural is ok!! Being old is ok. I'm not scared.

[aalesu]

Expectations for the One Piece Live Action according to my queer ass (unrealistic but let me dream)

In chronological order!

Please show Laboon, I'll cry if they don't

Dragon!! tell Luffy who his biological father is, poor opla fans need this knowledge

Gemme Chopper

Let me see opla Doctrine please

Sanji and Ace having sexual tension (make it as subtle as you want but I need interactions like in the fillers)

Ace being played by a trans actor (I know it won't happen but Coby gave me hope)

Navivi canon! (I beg you)

Bon Clay, please, I need him

Merry's Klabautermann

Maybe it will take 3 seasons but ⭐Franky⭐

Sogeking 🛐

Franky and Robin being cute and holsome (platonic because there's no way oda would approve this ship being canon)

[menalez]

things i’ve been accused of lying about on this hellsite:

1. being raped

2. facing CSA

3. being traumatised

4. being part black

5. my sister being my full biological sister (bc i’m not allowed to have a sister who is more visibly part black?)

6. my economic status

7. my father’s childhood

8. my asthma

9. my life in the UK

10. my abusive ex gf

11. my gf’s existence

12. my hospitalisation

13. the loss of my brother

14. where i’m from

15. where i grew up

16. being middle eastern

17. being middle class

18. not having slaves (u might notice a theme with racism in these accusations. & ur right)

19. speaking arabic

20. being exposed to tear gas

21. housing prices in my country

22. standard of living in my country

23. cost of living in my country

24. my skin colour ???

25. not having had lip fillers

26. not having had a nose job

27. being from a village

28. not being religious

29. coming from a communist family

30. my sex (accused of actually being male)

31. my sexuality

32. my sexual history

33. the size of homes in my country

34. my explicitly stated beliefs

35. being coerced

36. being abused

37. not having abused my ex

38. facing racism

39. internet being accessible to almost all of my country’s population

did i forget something

[genshinluvr]

Tragic Outcomes 5

Pairings: Xiao x fem!reader x Zhongli

Summary: After finding out about being an adepti, you wanted to know more about your background and the people that have abandoned you. After Childe gives you information about your background, he tells you that there is another person that is after your head, feeding false information about you to Lumine to fuel her hatred towards you. You, Zhongli, and Xiao take a trip to Mt. Aocang to speak to Cloud Retainer regarding your parents after Childe gives you information about your background.

Note: This is just a filler chapter on the reader's background and many more. There's not much conflict happening in this part aside from Childe and Xiao wanting to kick each other's butts. I'm not sure how much longer this story is going to go on for; maybe it'll go up to almost ten parts? But I'm not entirely sure on that part. Sorry if this part seems a bit wonky, I've been feeling under the weather for the past few days and have been trying my best to type out as much as I could ;v; I know I've said this many times already in all of my fanfics, but to my new readers or returning readers, please keep in mind that I post on AO3 as well, so if you have an AO3 and see a work similar to this, it’s me (Aaliah_exo on AO3). I don’t post anywhere else but on Tumblr (Genshinluvr) and on AO3 (Aaliah_exo).

Warnings: None that I know of 🤔 there is slight angst to it, but it's not as bad as the previous chapters!

Word Count: 8.7k

Tragic Outcomes Chapters: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

Upon arriving back to your and Xiao’s (now your, Xiao and Zhongli) shared room at Wangshu Inn, you changed out of your bloodied and tattered clothing and tossed them into the trash bin before changing into clean clothes that didn’t make it seem like you were part of a murder scene. Well, then again, Lumine did attempt to murder you. You stared at yourself in the mirror before pulling your shirt up, looking at the spot where Lumine had plunged her sword. You ghost your fingers over the area before letting your shirt fall back down. This entire situation was all too weird to you. One minute you’re human, and now all of a sudden, you find out that you were an adepti all along? A knock at the door snaps you out of your thoughts.

You take a deep breath to calm your racing thoughts, “Who is it?” You called out, turning on the sink in the bathroom before grabbing the hand towel off the hanger and wetting the rag in your hands before washing the blood stains off your skin.

“It’s Xiao.” His voice was muffled behind the closed bathroom door. You walk towards the bathroom door and unlock it. Xiao slowly opens the bathroom door and peeks into the bathroom. “Are you alright? You’ve been in the bathroom for quite some time.” Xiao says, leaning up against the bathroom wall, looking at you worriedly.

“I’m fine, Xiao! I was just changing into new clothes and washing the remaining blood off my body.” You said, holding up the wet rag that is now sullied by your blood.

Xiao hums, staring at your face closely with his arms crossed over his chest. “There’s something on your mind,” Xiao stated, pushing himself away from the walk before standing in front of you. “Do you want to talk about it?” He asks, caressing your face in his hands.

Your gaze falls, “I don’t know how to feel about discovering that I’m an adepti. I was raised human, lived a normal human life, and now I just found out that I was never human.” You said, letting out a puff of air before running your hands through your hair. “This all so confusing, overwhelming, and I feel like my entire life has been nothing but lies.” You sighed.

“Calm down, and take a deep breath,” Xiao says, pulling you into his arms. 

You shook your head, lightly pushing him away. “How can I calm down after knowing that my biological parents gave me up?” Tears blur your vision. “Did they give me up for adoption because I was a mistake? Did they not want me anymore? I…” You let out a defeated sigh before running your fingers through your hair, tears rolling down your cheeks.

Xiao pulls you into his arms and wraps both of his arms around your waist as you bury your face into his chest, tears staining and wetting his white shirt. You held onto his shirt tightly, body quaking with sobs. You hear footsteps approaching where you and Xiao stand; the bathroom door creaks open as someone opens the door wider.

“What’s going on?” You hear Zhongli ask, rushing up to where you and Xiao stand.

“Did something happen? [Y/N], are you okay?” Childe asks, placing a gentle hand on your shoulders. You continue to bury your face into Xiao’s chest, too humiliated to face both Childe and Zhongli. You didn’t want either of them to see you like this: weak and vulnerable. Also, because you’re an ugly crier and seeing you cry isn’t pleasant. 

Zhongli turns to Xiao with his arms over his chest, “Xiao, what is going on? Why is [Y/N] crying?” He looks over at you worriedly.

Xiao sighs softly, “She’s wondering why her biological parents abandoned her. There are many negative thoughts about her parents surrounding her mind. She’s also feeling overwhelmed and confused.” Xiao says, continuing to keep his arms wrapped around you securely.

Childe jolts before pointing at you and Xiao with his eyes narrowing, “Wait a minute, since when are you and [Y/N] back together?! I didn’t approve of the two of you staying together.” Childe crosses his arms over his chest with a deep frown.

Zhongli sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose, “Childe, now’s not the time to bring this up.” Zhongli stated, shooting a glare over at the ginger-haired Harbinger. Childe ignores Zhongli’s comment while glaring at Xiao, who scowls back at him in return.

“No, no, I must know why Xiao is still in the picture when Zhongli is right here,” Childe says, pointing over at the exasperated archon.

You dried your tears away and looked over at Childe, pulling away from Xiao’s arms. “Childe, can we please not talk about this right now?” You wipe your snot away with a tissue before tossing it into the trash bin. “Shouldn’t you be helping me find out about my birth parents instead of evaluating my relationships?” You grumbled, turning towards the sink to rinse your face with cool water.

Childe sighs in defeat, “You’re right, you’re right. I apologize, [Y/N].” Childe says, throwing his arms over your shoulders before pressing a kiss on your head, ignoring the glare Xiao threw at him. “When you’re ready, let me know, and I will tell you what I have found,” Childe says, patting the top of your head.

You pulled away from Childe, “You found something already?” Childe nodded his head. “But we just….” You trailed off, looking at him in confusion before glancing at Xiao and Zhongli. The two stare at you blankly as if telling you that they weren’t sure how the Harbinger had gathered information on your background so quickly.

“How did I find information on your background despite being asked to search for your background a few hours ago?” Childe asks, a prideful smile appearing on his face as he leans against the bathroom counter. You nod your head slowly, reaching over to turn off the faucet without breaking eye contact with the tall man in front of you. “Well, I am a Harbinger. It’s part of my job.” He flicks his hair sassily, making you raise your eyebrow at him.

“You have a point there.” You said, letting your hands fall to your side. “So, what did you find?” You ask, looking up at the man curiously.

Zhongli holds his hand up, “Let’s discuss this outside of the bathroom.” Everyone nods their heads before exiting the bathroom. You feel the anxiety gnaw at you each step you take to the living area; you stop in your tracks. Zhongli, Childe, and Xiao turned to you when they noticed that you had stopped following them.

Xiao looks at you worriedly before looking over at Zhongli and Childe, who has the same expression on their faces. It was clear that the mystery of your past was bothering you, especially the mystery of who your biological parents were. “[Y/N],” Xiao calls; you look up and blink at him.

You laugh humorlessly, “Sorry, I was…. Distracted.” You said, continuing to walk to the living room, walking past the three men who are now following you. Xiao, Zhongli, and Childe gave each other looks, not saying anything. You sat down on the couch, hugging the cushion to your chest. “Okay, I’m ready to hear about my tragic background.” You said, rubbing your eyes.

“Do you want us to talk about it now, or do you want to wait until we go to Mt. Aocang to talk with Cloud Retainer and the other adeptis?” Zhongli asks.

You hummed, “I would rather talk about it now then we can go to Mt. Aocang afterward because I’m not sure if the adeptis would be too pleased to see Childe.” You said, taking a quick glance at the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger from the corner of your eyes.

Childe held his hands up, “Ah, right, I forgot that the adeptis wouldn’t be too happy to see someone that tried to drown Liyue.” Childe laughs nervously while scratching the back of his neck.

“Or someone that had unsealed an ancient God to try to lure out the Geo Archon.” Xiao scowls, glaring at Childe. 

Childe chuckles, “Oh, if we’re talking about each other’s wrongs, let’s talk about yours, shall we?!” Childe claps his hands. “Remember how you touched another woman that isn’t your girlfriend? Oh! Remember how your girlfriend cried out to you to help her, but you ignored her cries and left her to die?!” Childe gives Xiao a fake smile; his hands clenched at his side.

“You two are insufferable.” You sighed, rubbing your temples. “Childe! Please, tell us what information you have gathered regarding my past.” You gestured for Childe to speak.

Childe perks up, “Ah! Right!” He sits next to you before pulling out a file and placing it on the coffee table in front of you. “Yes, you were adopted, but the thing that I am having issues with is trying to find your birth parents. Because they’re adeptis and gave you up for adoption, it’s harder for me to find out who your birth parents are.” He began to spread each document on the table; Xiao and Zhongli stood next to you and Childe, analyzing each piece of paperwork.

You made a face, “This bothers me so much.” You lean back in your seat and run your fingers through your hair. “ Should we even search for my parents? I mean, they gave me up for a reason.” You said.

Zhongli sits beside you, “It depends on what sort of answers you’re looking for and what you want to hear.” He grabs your hands and gently squeezes them. “I understand that you’re upset, overwhelmed, and confused, but maybe receiving answers will ease those worries of yours,” Zhongli says, giving you a small smile.

“Do you know who could be my parents?” You ask, looking at Zhongli curiously. 

Zhongli sighed and shook his head, “I believe that I don’t know any adeptis that were expecting a child. Because you’re raised to live a normal mortal life, we do not know how old you are exactly and whether your biological parents are still alive or are deceased.” 

“Dang, so you can be as ancient as Zhongli, and we won’t know it because of how youthful you are!” Childe commented, staring at you with eyes the size of dinner plates. “And unless we know the identities of your real parents.” Childe quickly added, ignoring the glares from Xiao and Zhongli.

“Wow, thanks for calling me ancient, Tartaglia.” You grumbled, lightly hitting Childe with the cushion in your lap. Childe grabs the cushion midair before he yanks you forward; you stumble onto Childe’s lap. You winced at the impact before scowling up at Childe. He laughs and leans down to say something, only for Zhongli and Xiao to interrupt him. 

“Childe!” Zhongli and Xiao scowled at the ginger-haired Harbinger. You grumbled and pushed Childe’s face away from yours before sitting back down next to Zhongli while muttering about how annoying Childe was while fixing your clothes. 

Childe laughs softly, “I heard that Mister Zhongli and the short adepti over there is training you how to fight! It looks like you still need more training! For an adepti, you’re weaker than a Fatui Harbinger!” Childe says, reaching over to squeeze your cheeks with that insufferable smile on his face. “But then again, Fatui Harbingers are stronger than an average person and vision wielder.” Childe taps on his chin with a thoughtful look on his face. At this point, Xiao was itching to smack Childe with his polearm for calling you weak.

“You’re asking to get smacked right now.” You said, glaring at Childe. 

Childe snorts, “And you think you can land a hit on me? Well, aren’t you adorable!” Childe exclaims, poking you in the ribs. You jolt at the feeling before smacking Childe’s hands from your side with a glare.

“I will be the one smacking you, Harbinger!” Xiao growls, his polearm materializing in his hands before pointing the blade of his polearm at Childe.

“Oh ho ho, are you challenging me, a Fatui Harbinger, to a fight, little Yaksha?” Childe asks, getting up from his seat and cracking his knuckles. “I doubt you can land a hit on me! Considering you can barely protect your woman, I find it laughable that you think you can win in a fight between you and me.” Childe mocks, giving Xiao a lazy grin, his bow materializing in his hands.

Zhongli stood abruptly before pushing Childe and Xiao away from each other, glaring at the two men. “That is enough, both of you!” Zhongli growls, his amber eyes glowing menacingly.

“I’m tired of you two fighting. Can we please move on and get back into the topic of what we were discussing?” You ask, resting your head on the back pillows. Childe and Xiao glare at one another before moving away from each other. Childe sits on your right side, and Zhongli sits on your left, while Xiao stands beside Zhongli with his arms crossed over his chest. 

“So, you haven’t exactly given us an answer on whether you want to know who your biological parents are or not,” Childe says, fixing his hair before turning to look at you. “Again, it’s up to you. If you want to know who your parents are and your overall origins, I’m sure Mister Zhongli and the annoying little adepti over there will bring you to Mt. Aocang to discuss this matter with the other adeptis in Liyue.” Childe says, ignoring the heated glare Xiao shot was giving him.

You sighed, “I don’t know. I do want to meet my biological parents, but I’m not sure if they would want to meet me.” You said. “If they’re still alive, of course.” You quickly added.

“You’d never know unless you try it,” Childe suggested. “Plus, I’m sure there’s a good reason why they didn’t keep you. Perhaps they wanted you to live a normal life and not be put in harm's way. As an adepti, I’m assuming that there are a lot of risks and dangers that are in their day-to-day life.” He pats your head.

You slumped down in your seat, “Well, they could’ve lived a normal life with me too instead of putting me up for adoption.” You grumbled.

“You never mentioned anything regarding [Y/N]’s human parents,” Zhongli spoke up, reaching over to the paper scattered around the desk. “Are there any records on her human adoptive parents?”

Childe lets out a sharp sigh before shaking his head, “Not too many, other than them owning a small business in Liyue. They lived in a quaint village before moving to Liyue Harbor. To be really honest, I wish that [Y/N] met Zhongli first before meeting Xiao, but it’s unfortunate that we can’t change the past.” Childe sighs dramatically, letting the back of his head rest on the couch cushion. 

You rolled your eyes and lightly slapped Childe’s arm, “Childe! Stop trying to stir up issues.” You scolded the ginger-haired male. “What is up with you always causing trouble with people around you?” You ask, glaring at the Harbinger in front of you. He held his hands out as if surrendering to your constant scolding. Speaking of scolding, how many times have you and Zhongli scolded Childe over starting a fight with Xiao? At this point, Childe starting problems with Xiao is going to be a common occurrence the longer you stay with Xiao.

“Come on now, [Y/N]. You’re like a little sister to me! I have to protect you from harm’s way!” He ruffles your hair with a smile on his face. “And from people that definitely do not deserve you at all!” Childe added, looking over at Xiao from the corner of his eyes. You, Zhongli, and Xiao gave him a look. Childe rolls his eyes before letting out a dramatic sigh.

“Alright, I won’t start anything! Now, is there anything else you want to know before I let the three of you go to meet up with other adeptis?” Childe asks, sitting up in his seat before sorting through the paperwork and putting them back into the file.

You blinked at Childe, “I know I’ve asked you this before, but how in the world did you find my background information so fast? Lumine stabbed me a few hours ago, and not even a day had gone by.” You said, leaning back in your seat.

“And as I’ve said earlier, I’m a Harbinger! It’s my job to be able to track down people and search up background information.” Childe says, getting up from his seat. “Also, Lumine has this friend that you need to keep an eye out for,” Childe added, turning to look at the three of you.

“A friend?” Xiao asks, quirking up an eyebrow.

Childe nods his head, “She’s a Mondstadt native but studied in Sumeru— well, she was kicked from Sumeru Akademiya because she was exposed for cheating on all of her tests and exams. Just to let you all know, she doesn’t have a vision, but I believe that she still poses a threat to your safety.” Childe says, turning to look at you.

You give Childe a weird look, “How does she pose a threat to my safety if we don’t know each other and if she doesn’t have a vision?” You ask, slowly looking over to Xiao and Zhongli.

Childe clicks his tongue, “It’s because that girl is feeding some kind of misinformation and is coming up with some kind of rumor about you to fuel Lumine’s hatred towards you.” Childe clenches his jaws. “I don’t know what is being said about you, but I know for sure that it has something to do with that adepti over there.” Childe gestures in Xiao’s direction.

“Oh, great! More people after my head, how lovely.” You said, rubbing your temples with an irritated sigh. “When will my suffering end?” You sigh.

“We won’t let anyone touch a single hair on your head, dearest,” Zhongli says, lightly rubbing your back. “We’ll make sure that no one will touch you or harm you in any way,” Zhongli stated, his eyes glowing ominously.

“Ooh, it looks like Morax might make an appearance if someone dares to put his beloved in danger or tries to harm her in any way!” Childe says with a giddy grin on his face. “I should get going now! I don’t want to delay your quest to find answers about your biological family any longer.” Childe says, turning to walk out the front door of your, Xiao, and Zhongli’s residence at Wangshu Inn.

“Wait!” You exclaimed as you quickly ran to Childe and grabbed his wrists to stop him from walking out the door. “Do you know Lumine’s friend’s name by chance? Or what she looks like?” You ask, looking up at Childe with desperation. 

“And how do you know of her existence?” Xiao interjects, looking at Childe curiously.

Childe sighs, “Aether and Paimon expressed their concerns to me the other day while we were sparring. He mentioned how Lumine made a friend in Mondstadt, and this friend happens to know you somehow.” Childe explains; you stared at him blankly. Lumine’s friend knew you? How in the world does she know you when you don’t even know who she is? Could she be stalking you on Lumine’s behalf? You didn’t recall having any friends, acquaintances, or enemies that were from Mondstadt. You don’t even consider Lumine to be your enemy; she’s just some girl who’s obsessed with Xiao and desperately wants you out of the picture so she can have him for herself. 

“This girl’s name is Charlotte; she has light chestnut brown hair, wears thick-rimmed glasses, is about your height, and likes to dress up like a student from the Sumeru Akademiya. Even though she’s been kicked out of that school for cheating.” Childe replies. “Does she sound familiar in any way?” He asks, looking at you curiously.

You shook your head, “I don’t know anyone with the name Charlotte or anyone from Mondstadt.”

Childe hums, “Huh. How peculiar.” Childe whispers, stroking his chin. “You don’t know Charlotte, but she somehow knows you.” 

“We should get going now; we don’t have time to waste,” Zhongli says, placing his hand on your shoulder. You nod your head slowly before turning to look at Xiao, who walks over to where you and Zhongli stand.

“If you three need anything else, perhaps want me to gather some intel on this Charlotte person, let me know, and Aether will be my eyes and ears in regions I’m not able to visit in my free time. I’ll try to dig into her background.” Childe says, ruffling your hair before walking out the door.

You turn to Xiao and Zhongli, “So, should we go to Mt. Aocang now?” You ask, rocking back and forth on the balls of your feet. “I’m also getting a bit hungry.” You muttered, rubbing your grumbling stomach.

“We can eat something while speaking with Cloud Retainer at Mt. Aocang,” Zhongli says, guiding you and Xiao towards the door. 

At first, everyone thought that taking a trip to Mt. Aocang would be fast and easy. But everyone was wrong because the minute the three of you step foot onto Mt. Aocang, your nose almost immediately starts bleeding from being at such high altitudes. While you’ve stepped foot into buildings that look like it touches the sky, being on top of a mountain was different. Not only that, but the air is thinner in high altitudes, causing not only your nosebleed, but you’re also starting to feel lightheaded. 

“This is not my day at all.” You deadpanned, wiping the blood from your nose with a tissue that Zhongli had given you. “I got stabbed, I found out my adepti parents didn’t want me, some stranger is out to get me along with the person that had stabbed me, my nose is bleeding, and I am feeling faint.” You sighed, resting your head on Xiao’s back as he gave you a piggyback ride to Cloud Retainer’s abode.

“How are you holding up back there?” Zhongli asks. Zhongli was walking in front of you and Xiao, looking over his shoulders to look at the both of you.

“I feel like I’ve been put through the wringer. If I faint, forgive me, I am not used to being at such high altitudes.” You grumbled, continuing to press the tissue up your nose to soak up the blood that was gushing out of your nose.

Xiao snorts, “If being this high up on Mt. Aocang makes you feel faint, I don’t want to know how Mt. Hulao will affect you.” Xiao says, adjusting you on his back. “Are you okay? We can go back if you want, and Cloud Retainer can come to Wangshu Inn instead.” Xiao offers, looking down at you from over his shoulders.

You shake your head and wave away Xiao’s worries, “I’ll be fine! I’m sure I’ll adjust to it the more I stay here. Besides, an adepti like Cloud Retainer shouldn’t be going on a long journey just to visit an adepti-reject.” You said, clutching onto the tissue tightly against your chest, mentally sighing in relief when the bloody nose had stopped. “On the bright side, my nosebleed had stopped. The downside is that it’ll take a little bit of time for me to be able to adjust to the altitudes.” You said, patting Xiao’s back to motion for him to put you down.

You, Zhongli, and Xiao walk closer to where Cloud Retainer’s abode resides; the sound of the water rippling, the leaves rustling, the birds chirping, the light breeze blowing. Aside from the perilous height and dangerous drops, you wouldn’t mind having your own abode like this. Though, were you even worthy of having an abode of your own?

“I sense the presence of the Fenghuang.” A loud, feminine voice booms. You jumped at the volume of the voice and looked around Mt. Aocang with wide eyes. Where in the world is she, and how is her voice so loud?

“Where is Cloud Retainer?” You whisper to Xiao and Zhongli, searching high and low for the crane, only to not be able to find her at all. She sort of blends in with the environment. Before Xiao and Zhongli can answer your question, Cloud Retainer lands in front of the three of you, looking directly at you.

“Darling, you look just like your parents! Only human!” Cloud Retainer says, approaching you with her wings held out in front of her as if she was going in to hug you. You look at Cloud Retainer blankly, then at Xiao and Zhongli from the corner of your eyes. “My, it sure took you over two millennia to visit me!” She huffs, shaking her head in disapproval.

“Cloud Retainer, [Y/N] had recently found out that she’s an adepti,” Zhongli interjects, crossing his arms over his chest. “She has been living amongst the humans as a regular mortal with adoptive human parents,” Zhongli explains.

“Is that so?” Cloud Retainer asks, looking between you and Zhongli. You, Zhongli, and Xiao nodded your heads in response to her question. “Well, this is news to me! I had no idea that Mei and Zihao gave their daughter up for adoption!” Cloud Retainer says, looking at you and Zhongli in shock.

You took a step forward, “Are my parents still alive by any chance?” You ask, giving Cloud Retainer a hopeful gaze. “Please, I just want to know whether my biological parents are alive or deceased. I want to meet them.” You whisper.

Cloud Retainer lets out a soft sigh of defeat, “I’m sorry, little one, but your parents are deceased. They’ve been killed by Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex.” You felt your heart drop in your chest, your breath getting caught in your throat. “They died to protect you.” She places her left wing on your shoulder with a sympathetic look on her face. 

“Protect me from Osial? Why protect me from an ancient God that I’ve never met in my entire life?” You look at her quizzically. “Also, isn’t Osial….” You trailed off, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. “Didn’t Rex Lapis defeat Osial two thousand years ago? I’m only in my twenties….” You trailed off.

Cloud Retainer slowly nods her head, “Yes, two thousand twenty-something….” She says slowly, giving you a look. “Sweetheart, you’re an adepti and was born over two thousand years ago.” Cloud Retainer explains.

“How can I be over two thousand years old when I was given to a human family for them to raise as their own child?” You ask. You felt like your brain was going to melt from all of the information that was given to you. Really though, how in the world are you over two thousand years old when your parents gave you up for adoption to humans whenever you’re an infant? Surely there has to be an explanation of some sort, right? “Did my parents seal me up in amber for two thousand years when I was an infant?” You ask, crossing your arms over your chest.

Cloud Retainer sighs, “Your parents are quite protective over you; I have no doubt in my mind that they would seal you up in amber for thousands of years just to protect you from Osial.” She says.

“I don’t understand this. How is [Y/N] an adepti?” Xiao mutters, looking over at you skeptically with one hand propped on his hip and the other stroking his chin. Since you’re supposedly an adepti, why did it take so long for it to show?

“Oh, Xiao. Do you want me to explain it to you?” Cloud Retainer asks, glancing over at Xiao. Xiao looks at Cloud Retainer with confusion. “Come here and sit down. I shall explain how [Y/N] is an adepti, now is the time to tell you the truth.” Cloud Retainer gestures for Xiao to sit down on the stone chair. Xiao lets out a slow sigh before hesitantly sitting down on the stone chair Cloud Retainer gestured for him to sit on.

“What is she going to explain to Xiao?” You whispered to Zhongli, not taking your eyes away from where Xiao sat.

Zhongli shrugs his shoulders, “I’m not entirely sure, but I’m quite curious what her explanation will be.” He says, crossing his arms behind his back while waiting for Cloud Retainer to speak. Cloud Retainer takes a seat next to Xiao before letting out a soft sigh and turning towards the yaksha.

“When two adeptis fall in love and love each other very much, the two of them would decide to do things with each other to show the symbol of their love and commitment to one another. By creating another life.” She says.

Your eyes widen, looking up at Zhongli, speechless. You covered your mouth and leaned towards Zhongli, “Is Cloud Retainer giving Xiao the birds and the bees talk!?” You squeaked, peeking over at Xiao, whose face was almost as red as the jueyun chili peppers.

Zhongli stifled his laughter by clearing his throat, “Indeed she is.” Zhongli sighs, nodding his head while trying to hide the fact that he was trying his hardest not to laugh. Xiao looks over at you and Zhongli with a glare, giving the two of you a look as if he was telling the both of you to shut the fuck up and get him out of this mess.

Zhongli clears his throat loudly, “I believe that Xiao was wondering why it took so long for [Y/N]’s adeptial powers to appear.” Zhongli says, covering his smile behind his clenched fist.

You perked up, “Yeah! Why did it take so long for my adeptial powers to make an appearance?” You ask, looking at Cloud Retainer in confusion while Xiao slowly gets up from the stone chair to stand next to you and Zhongli. The tips of his ears are bright red, along with the apples of his cheeks. Poor Xiao is so flustered.

“Oh! Well, considering [Y/N] has been sealed in amber for over two thousand years, it would take some time for it to catch up to her.” Cloud Retainer says, walking over to the three of you. “I believe the mortals call it being a late bloomer?” She asks, tilting her head to the side.

“The way you put it, it makes it sound like I hit puberty really late.” You said, tucking your hair behind your ears. “Although I guess in the adepti scenario, it makes a lot of sense.” You stroked your chin with a soft hum.

“I’m confused,” Xiao speaks up, gazing at Cloud Retainer with his eyes narrowing. “Why would Osial go after [Y/N]?” Xiao asks, looking at Cloud Retainer curiously.

You nod your head, “Yeah! Why would Osial be after me when I’ve never met him before, nor have I been in the same room as him!” You said.

Cloud Retainer sighs, “The only time the both of you have been in the same room was when he was visiting your parents after your mother had given birth to you.” She says. “The minute Osial laid his eyes on you; he claimed that you’re destined to be his wife, his lover, and the mother of his children.” Cloud Retainer says slowly, looking at Xiao and Zhongli closely. The two men tensed up beside you; their hands clenched into fists. 

“This is news to me,” Zhongli says, raising his eyebrows before crossing his arms over his chest. 

Zhongli recalled Osial talking about courting an adepti but never truly revealed who he planned on courting. The day that Osial lost his mind and went ballistic on the other adeptis and archons, could that day be the day when you were sealed in amber, hidden, and kept away from the Overlord of the Vortex? While Zhongli didn’t know your parents well, he knew that they were close acquaintances of Guizhong because of how much she had talked about your parents. She spoke very highly of them and gushed about their newborn daughter, insisting that Zhongli should meet Mei and Zihao’s daughter. 

“Maybe she’ll soften your stone-cold heart,” Guizhong would poke fun at him, giving him a teasing smile, while Zhongli, who went by the name Morax at that time, would brush her teasing comment to the side while taking a sip of his osmanthus wine.

“Destined to be Osial’s lover? Well, that’s a load of boar shit.” You snorted to yourself. Cloud Retainer cleared her throat loudly, giving you a disapproving look while you covered your mouth when you realized that you said it out loud. Wait a minute, doesn’t Osial have a wife himself!? “Osial has a wife, doesn’t he? It’s inappropriate to go after someone that isn’t your wife.” You grumbled, clicking your tongue with disapproval. “Geez, you can’t even trust an ancient God to be faithful.” You complained, making a face.

“Indeed, Osial has a wife, but he married his wife after your parents hid you away and sealed you in amber for over two millennia.” Cloud Retainer says, sighing softly. “If you would like to know more about your parents, I believe that Ganyu would love to speak to you about your parents. After all, she is quite close with them. They’re like her relatives whom she held close and dear to her heart.” Cloud Retainer says.

You nod your head, “I would like that! I think it’s a good time to visit her at the Jade Chamber, and we can set up a time and day to meet up to chat about my parents!” You said.

Cloud Retainer shakes her head, “Oh, nonsense! I have already informed Ganyu about the meeting! She should be making an appearance here very soon!” Cloud Retainer says. “It’s a shame that you weren’t raised to be an adepti; I believe that you and Ganyu would get along wonderfully! That being said, I wonder if you and Ganyu were similar when you were children….” She trails off. 

“Oh! We had no idea that we would be meeting Ganyu so soon! Quite frankly, we thought we’d be able to get some answers from you regarding my parents.” You said, scratching your arm awkwardly. “Don’t get me wrong! It’d be nice to meet Ganyu! I just assumed that speaking to you would be the last step in getting my questions answered about my biological parents.” You said, sighing softly. 

Just when you thought that your parents would be alive somewhere in Liyue, only for you to find out about the death of your parents from Cloud Retainer. It was disheartening and disappointing. You wanted to meet your biological parents and hear their reason for sealing you away for over two thousand years, other than protecting you from the Overlord of the Vortex, Osial. They should have chosen to hide away from Osial with you instead of leaving you alone in the world without their presence and guidance.

“What’s on your mind?” Xiao asks, lightly brushing his hands against yours. You looked over at Xiao and gave him a weak smile.

“I don’t think the lifestyle of an adepti would suit me. After all, I’ve been sealed for, what, over two thousand years, and my adeptal powers finally decided to show up years later?” You raised your eyebrows. “Plus, adjusting to the life of being an adepti would be complicated. Not only that, but all of Liyue will know my existence… that will include Osial.” You said slowly.

“You’ll be fine! I believe that you can still live your life in Liyue as an adepti, like myself, for example!” A voice says, grabbing everyone’s attention. Ganyu smiled at you and bowed politely, “Forgive me for interrupting and jumping in on the conversation.” Ganyu says.

“Osial won’t know of your presence. After all, he has been sealed once again.” Cloud Retainer says. “I will leave you four to converse with one another.” She says, before Cloud Retainer was about to fly away, you quickly stopped her.

“I have one last question to ask you.” You said Cloud Retainer turns in your direction. “You said you sensed the presence of the Fenghuang. Who’s presence are you sensing exactly?” You ask, gazing at her curiously.

Cloud Retainer chuckles, “I was referring to you, little one. Your father is the Feng, and your mother is the Huang. Coming together, they produce the Fenghuang, and you, my dear, are the Fenghuang.” She brushes your face lightly with her wings; if she could smile at you, she would. “The Fenghuang is also paired with a dragon.” She says, giving you a look. 

You blinked at Cloud Retainer for a mere second before asking, “What do you mean by that exactly?” You whisper, unsure of whether it is a good thing or a bad thing. 

You look at her quizzically before Cloud Retainer leans in close to your ears before whispering, “Morax— or should I say Rex Lapis, is also a dragon, so take that as you will.” Cloud Retainer gives you a teasing wink before flying off without saying another word.

You watched Cloud Retainer fly off into the distance, mouth agape. “Oh, so that’s what she was implying.” You whispered, feeling yourself grow shy, cheeks heating up. You cleared your throat, “So, Ganyu! Cloud Retainer told us that you know my parents?” You said, looking over at the blue-haired adepti.

Ganyu nods her head, “Cloud Retainer is correct. You grew up really well; it’s nice to finally see you again after a long time.” She says, giving you a small smile. “You look exactly like Mei and Zihao.” Ganyu examines you, eyeing you from head to toe.

You feel your breath getting caught in your throat, “If you don’t mind me asking, what are my parents like?” You ask, clearing your throat when you hear your voice tremble.

“Your parents are wonderful people, and they’re also quite powerful! While they don’t work closely for Rex Lapis, they do work with Guizhong. They have lent their strengths during the archon war but unfortunately lost their life to Osial.” Ganyu says, leading you towards the stone chair, motioning for you to sit down beside her.

“Other than protecting me from Osial, did they have any other reasons as to why they’ve decided to seal me away and give me up for adoption to humans?” You ask, letting your hands fall into your lap. “The way my parents didn’t hesitate to put me up for adoption makes me assume that they never wanted me and that I was a mistake.” You said, pressing your lips together, playing with the loose thread on your shirt.

Ganyu shook her head, “Please don’t think that way, [Y/N]. Your parents love you more than you know! They care about you so much, and they want you to live a safe and peaceful life without having to bear the responsibilities of an adepti.” Ganyu says.

“Have they ever thought about what I wanted as well? I don’t mind living a peaceful life as a “mortal,” but have they ever considered that I want to live that life with them as well?” You ask, frowning at Ganyu. You understand that your parents wanted to protect you, but why leave you all alone in a world where there’s danger in every corner? Have they really thought this through before thrusting you into Liyue to live the life of an average human? “It’s fine. You don’t have to answer that question. What’s done is done, and the past can’t be changed.” You said

“O-Oh! Well, is there anything else you want me to answer for you before you leave?” Ganyu asks, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder.

You hummed and tapped your fingers on your lap, “Not that I know of.” You murmur, shaking your head. “If I do have any other questions regarding my deceased parents, I will let you know! But for now, I think I got the answers I wanted to hear.” You said, getting up from the stone chair and dusting your pants off. 

“Are you sure?” Xiao asks, looking at you with uncertainty. You nodded your head and gave both Zhongli and Xiao a small smile. You can see a faint blush on Xiao’s cheeks from what had happened earlier with Cloud Retainer. You grabbed onto Xiao’s hands and gave his hand a light squeeze. “If that’s all, then we should head on back to Wangshu Inn. You need to relax from what has happened today.” Xiao says, squeezing your hands.

“That, I do. So many things have happened; I felt like I’ve been put through the wringer.” You said, rubbing your eyes tiredly. “Thank you for being here, Ganyu. Although it was short, I do hope I get to talk to you again in the future! Whether it’s about my parents, or if it’s just to hang out and get to know each other more!” You said, giving the qilin a small smile.

Ganyu smiles and nods her head, “Of course! I would love to hang out with you and get to know you more! After all, we do have over two thousand years to catch up on.” She jokes, making you snort at her joke.

“I wonder what I missed out on within the last two thousand years! You definitely need to catch me up to speed, Ganyu.” You said. You and Ganyu trade small giggles before bidding each other goodbyes.

“I’m ready to go back to the Inn now! I am in desperate need of sleep; all of the cryings really tired me out.” You said, stretching your arms in the air before yawning. 

“Before you get some rest, you need to eat something. You haven’t eaten anything at all today.” Zhongli says, standing by your side. “You can rest for a bit before we call you to come to the dining room for lunch,” Zhongli says. 

“Oh, archons. I completely forgot about food!” You gasped. A realization then hits you in the face before you turn to Zhongli and point an accusing finger at him. “You said we were going to eat something at Mt. Aocang while talking with Cloud Retainer about my background and biological parents!” You said, scrunching your face at him. How could the three of you forget about food so quickly? Wait a minute, do adeptis need to eat food to be able to survive? You know that adeptis technically don’t need sleep, but what about food? After all, you are an adepti, and it is going to take a bit of time for you to get used to being one. Since you’ve been raised by humans and lived a regular human life, would you and your body be able to adapt to drastic changes? Lack of sleep and lack of food is something you’re unsure if you’d be able to adjust to.

Zhongli chuckles, “My apologies, dearest.” Zhongli bows, lifting your hand to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss on your knuckles. “Let me make it up to you by cooking something for you to eat when we arrive at Wangshu Inn.” Zhongli offers, interlocking your fingers with his.

“You’re an Adeptus, [Y/N]. Surely you wouldn’t need food or sleep as much as humans do, as how you used to.” Xiao says, crossing his arms over his chest.

You made a face at Xiao, “Xiao, I’ve been raised as a human most of my life after I was unsealed from amber. It’ll be complicated for me to switch over to the habits of an adepti so suddenly! I’m sure I’ll need to take one step at a time.” You said, propping your hands on your hips.

Xiao opens his mouth to retort, but Zhongli cuts him off, “We should head on back to Wangshu Inn now. I believe that Cloud Retainer wouldn’t want us to linger around much longer.” Zhongli says, giving both you and Xiao a look. The two of you give each other the side eye before complying.

When the three of you arrived back at Wangshu Inn, you immediately went to bed to get a few minutes of sleep while Zhongli and Xiao were in the kitchen preparing lunch for the three of you to eat. As much as you wanted to help them out with cooking lunch, it was a long day for you, and you really needed to rest. You collapsed on the bed, and you were out like a light the minute your head touched the pillow.

“It’s a shame that her parents passed away before she could reunite with them,” Xiao mutters, placing the cutlery on the table, sorting and organizing the dining table. “She was really looking forward to meeting her parents but was riddled with anxiety.” Xiao looks at Zhongli from his peripheral vision, watching the ex-archon turn the stove off and pour broth into the bowls of noodles.

“The day is finally ending, and she has been put through so many obstacles. I can’t imagine what’s going on in [Y/N]’s mind when she found out about being an adepti after enduring a near-fatal injury.” Zhongli murmurs, walking over to the table and putting the bowls in front of each seat.

Xiao leans against the table, his arms over his chest. “Morax, do you think her suffering will ever cease? It feels endless.” Xiao commented, his gaze downcasted.

Zhongli sighs, “That, I do not know. As much as I want to say that it’ll stop, I have a bad feeling that it might worsen.” Zhongli says, his eyebrows furrowing with worry. Xiao gives Zhongli an exasperated look; Zhongli almost rolls his eyes at Xiao’s reaction. “I shan’t be giving anyone false hope. I love [Y/N] very much, and I hold her close and dear to my heart, but I cannot and shouldn’t lie about serious matters. Especially when her life and safety are on the line.” Zhongli says. 

Xiao’s eyes widened at Zhongli’s sudden love confession. How could Zhongli be so bold to say that he loves you when you’re with Xiao? Technically, you’re also with Zhongli, but the two of you aren’t as official as both you and Xiao are. Xiao opens his mouth to comment on Zhongli’s sudden love confession when the sound of the bedroom door opens. The two men fall silent when they hear footsteps approaching where they stand. You walked into the dining room, rubbing your eyes tiredly while mumbling something under your breath. You covered your mouth and yawned.

“Something smells really good.” You said, rubbing your eyes with the heel of your hand.

“Did we wake you up?” Zhongli asks, almost immediately by your side, both of his hands on your shoulders to steady you. You shook your head and leaned against Zhongli, eyes threatening to shut from how tired you were.

“The smell of food woke me up, and my stomach was grumbling.” You said, resting your head on Zhongli’s chest while eyeing the food on the table tiredly. “Is lunch ready now? I haven’t eaten all day today.” You said, rubbing your grumbling tummy.

“Yes, dearest, lunch is ready.” Zhongli chuckles, kissing the top of your head. “I was going to wake you up to eat, but it seems like you beat me to it,” Zhongli says, giving you an endearing smile. 

You and Zhongli walk over to the dining table; Zhongli pulls the seat out for you, you sit down on the chair, and Zhongli pushes your chair in for you. The small interaction between you and Zhongli and the little gestures from Zhongli made Xiao feel sick to his stomach. Xiao still doesn’t like the thought of sharing you with someone else, nor does he like the idea of you being with someone else that wasn’t him. 

“Oooh, Bamboo shoot soup!” You gasped as you grabbed your chopsticks and spoon and took a sip of the broth, humming in delight. “Delicious as always, Zhongli!” You said, looking over at Zhongli, who was looking at you intently with a tiny smile on his face.

“I’m glad you like it,” Zhongli says, scooping up the broth before taking a sip from it. Zhongli looks up at Xiao and motions for him to take a seat, “Xiao, you should start eating your food before it gets cold.” Zhongli stated.

You look over at Xiao and notice that he is still standing there, “Yeah! You should start eating before it gets cold! I understand that adeptis don’t need food to survive, but it’s best to eat. I don’t want you to get hungry.” You said, giving Xiao a pleading look.

Xiao sighs before sitting down across from Zhongli, looking down at the soup, then back up at you and Zhongli. You were happily eating the soup while Zhongli was taking a sip of his tea. Even though you were sitting in between them, Xiao couldn’t help but feel like there was a big rift between you and him. Xiao grabs his chopsticks and begins eating the bamboo shoot soup that Zhongli had cooked for the three of you.

“Osial can’t break through the seal, can he?” You suddenly ask. Xiao and Zhongli traded looks with each other before looking over at you, shaking their heads.

“Osial shouldn’t be able to break through any seals. Unless someone unseals him, he wouldn’t be freed easily.” Zhongli says. “Did something happen?” Zhongli asks, raising an eyebrow at you.

You let out a small sigh, “Well, while I was sleeping, I ended up having a dream about Osial. It felt like he went into my dreams to be able to communicate with me if that makes sense.” You said, placing your chopsticks down. “Is it possible for him to communicate with me through my dreams even though he’s been sealed?” You muttered, wiping your lips with a cloth napkin.

“That, I do not know,” Zhongli grumbles, his eyes narrowing. “Do you know what he looks like?” Zhongli asks.

“Other than his…. Serpent form, Osial appeared in my dream in his human form. Osial has deep blue hair, dark blue eyes, and pale skin; his hair is longer than yours, but it’s in a high ponytail.” You pointed at Zhongli. “He’s tall; he was wearing a dark blue and aquamarine hanfu. He was also touchy, which I did not like. While he’s handsome, I cannot be attracted to someone that is as evil as the Overlord of the Vortex himself. Plus, he’s not nearly as handsome as the both of you.” You said. 

“[Y/N], whatever you do, do not listen to anything Osial says in your dreams, alright? He will try to manipulate you and lure you into his trap.” Xiao stated, squeezing the chopsticks in his hands tightly.

“Xiao is correct. Do not listen to Osial’s words; they’re nothing but lies and deception.” Zhongli stated.

You give Zhongli and Xiao a small smile, squeezing both of their hands to reassure them. “Don’t worry! I won’t fall for his tricks easily. Besides, why would I want to listen to a man I’m not dating or married to? Speaking of marriage! He’s a married man and has the audacity to go into another woman’s dream to communicate with her?!” You scoffed in disbelief and disgust. “I would never go after a married man or a man that’s in a relationship of some sort; I’m not a desperate homewrecker who is constantly craving for a married man’s attention.” You said, continuing to eat your bamboo shoot soup.

“That’s my girl.” Zhongli and Xiao think to themselves, giving you a small smile before squeezing your hands with theirs. The three of you ended up continuing dinner while conversing with one another about your next training, which you’re not looking forward to, and about how you’ll adjust to your new life as an adepti. You’re not looking forward to all of the training, but you know it’ll be necessary when you’re put in a perilous situation. You’re just hoping the dream you had of Osial was just a dream and nothing more.

Note: Ah, took me a while to post part 5 for Tragic Outcomes ;v; this is a filler chapter, after all! It's intended to be a filler chapter since not much conflict is in this chapter when the reader is finding out about her past and such. I've been feeling a bit under the weather recently, so apologies if this part didn't turn out good ;v; Hopefully, the next part is better! I start school this coming week, and I'm not excited about it! I'll try my best to get something typed down and posted while in school! As I have said in my past posts, I ONLY post on my Tumblr (Genshinluvr) and my AO3 (Aaliah_exo)! Nowhere else except Tumblr and AO3!

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[possessionisamyth]

Not sorry, but I believe Sanji's arranged marriage made WCI worse. I didn't like the arc that much already, but the marriage was extremely unnecessary.

I know the framing is supposed to show Sanji is kind, but to me Sanji's kindness was never called into question. Whole Cake did not bring it back or highlight it. We knew Sanji was kind when he was told to leave Gin to die on the baratie and Sanji fed him anyway. We knew Sanji was kind when he trusted Nami even after barely knowing her and tried to reassure the rest of the crew there must've been another reason for her leaving. He extended that same kindness to Usopp by defending him from Luffy during Enies Lobby. He even blamed Zoro for Usopp leaving at all!

He's kind enough to remember everyone's favorite foods and preferences BEFORE Whole Cake Island. His kindness is shown equally to men, women, and kids in multiple arcs both main, filler, and in one piece movies set during pre-time skip. Of course Sanji is kind. THIS KNOWLEDGE CAME FREE WITH YOUR PRE-TIME SKIP ANIME.

The poor attempt Whole Cake does is try to remind people Sanji is a nice guy after the horrible character assassination of making him an even bigger pervert which are two separate problems. The kindness was never drawn into question! We knew! We always knew! It's Oda's fault for deciding over and over again to make Sanji behave one step removed from "accidentally" groping women!

Like, Sanji's fandom wasn't built because he's strong like Zoro or fun like Luffy. Sanji's fandom derived from his gentleman schtick pre-time skip where he's genuinely fucking sweet when he's not twirling around like an idiot. If he was actually an intolerable gross pervert, it wouldn't matter how well he cooks. People would either have mixed feelings about him or they'd hate him. But post time skip Sanji???????? They were riding the fucking edge with that behavior. Like REALLY riding the edge! It was the cushion of his history that kept him popular along with the hope that they'd fucking tone it down!!!!! They wanted the grossness toned down! They didn't need a reminder of the kindness!

Add the fact that he didn't need A SECOND ALTERNATIVE BACKSTORY???? Apparently nearly starving to death on an uninhabitable island with a man willing to eat his own leg so the child had a shot at survival wasn't tragic enough for some people?!??!?? What does Judge's relation to Sanji add other than a last name he doesn't want and never claims? What do his supposedly emotionless family generate when Sanji has already been the character that chooses kindness when surrounded by cruel people. He's a freaking pirate! That's a normal Tuesday on some of the islands they go to! What did this arc add to him that made me look at his behavior differently? Should I thank Oda for adding another dead mom to his corpse arsenal, or will I acknowledge the fact he probably just wanted to add a super sentai reference so he could cover every style of anime in his giant storybook?

And I don't want to say Whole Cake was a bust. I mean Jinbei is there!! We finally get to see what kind of real threat Big Mom is!!! The Charlotte family is a colorful and tasty looking cast!!!! Sure the Katakuri fight wasn't nearly as exciting as other big encounters but there were big plot relevant things within the story including a connection to punk hazard! Yet, the whole thing with Sanji's biological family and this arranged marriage was the dumbest segway for us to get this information!

[corvin-ito]

Another spoilery Artificer - and also Gourmand now - headcanon poll

filler image (a singular horizontal grey line) to hopefully stop tumblr showing the actual real image in some areas, just to be safe.

Pictures for reference

i added image ids in the alt text so i hope those work

[softsophos]

Honestly the best way I can explain supernatural is by saying that 12 seasons in they had the devil possess the president of the united states of america and accidentally impregnate his aid creating a super powered nephalim that's also just some lil guy.

But also that this plotline allowed the protagonists to wrangle with themes of mortality, love, their past failings, nature versus nurture, chosen versus biological family, cycles of abuse, and the significance of the soul.

But also that this literal son of Satan couldn't be referred to as the anti Christ at any point because they blew that one back in season 5 on a rather shitty one off filler episode.

[warringwarrioridiot]

"They was asking for it"

YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR?? A BIG FAT BASEBALL BAT TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL AT FULL SPEED MAX ISTG

Mfs like this need to take a long walk off of a short cliff cus if I EVER catch them I'm gonna commit some good old fashion homicide.

If you say things like "You should've enjoyed it" or "at least you got some" I'm tracking your IP and shoving ten cacti in your anal hole and/or vagina.

"game is game 🤪"

You need to shut your ketchup stain, Junkrat main, micro brain, aluminium chain, ankle sprain, CHOCOLATE RAIIIIN, with your runny nose dirty toes lick hobos cOwAbUnGa BrOs, Dude, I want you to look at your entire life. All your life choices. And tell me when you had an original idea in your brain. Your ass got kicked out and disowned and you started aggressively tapping the home button on your IPhone "Oh, help. Why is it not working?". YOUR ENTIRE EXISTENCE IS LIKE A NARUTO FILLER EPISODE, MY BOY! YOUR PRANKS ARE AS REPETITIVE AS THE AD "Whopper, Whopper, Whopper, Whopper" YOUR BRAIN IS JUST AS REAL AS THE LOVE YOUR PARENTS HAVE FOR YOU! YOUR GRANDMA GAVE BLING BLING BOY A LAP DANCE FOR PAY DAY. Wait hold on! *Punch punch punch* GIVE ME THE MONEY YOUR GRANDMA! I JUST ROBBED YOUR GRANDMA! I JUST HIT A LICK ON YOUR GRANDMA, HOW DOES THAT FEEL?! SHE POOR AS HELL NOW! YOU PUT A BALLOON ON YOUR HEAD AND THOUGHT IT WAS A DURAG! YOU LIKE RONALD MCDONALD FROM OHIO! "HEYA KID! YOU WANT A BIG MAC?!" WHEN YOU WALK DOWNSTAIRS YOUR WHOLE HOUSE STARTS RUMBLING! YOU BRING THE POWER OF EREN YEAGER AND 37 COLOSSAL TITANS DOWN YOUR STAIRCASE! AFTER YOU EAT DINNER YOU EAT THE PLATE AND THEN YOU EAT THE TABLE AS WELL! CHOMP CHOMP! YOU RENT OUT THE GAP BETWEEN YOU TEETH AS A PARKING SPACE FOR ANTS! YOU LOOK EMO ASF "CUT MY LIFE INTO PIECES! THIS IS MY LAST RESORT! SUFFOCATION! NO BREATHING!" LOOK AT YOUR NOSE YOU HAVE TWO MARIO PIPES COMING OUT OF YOUR HEAD! YAHOO! LET'S A GO! THEY MADE A SEQUEL TO FINDING NEMO BASED OFF YOUR ASS CALLED "LOCATING CHROMOSOMES! IN THEATRES THIS JULY!" YOUR BEST FRIEND IS A RAT LIVING UNDER YOUR BED IN A PRINGLES CAN! YOU POSTED AN INSTAGRAM STORY ABOUT A JAMAICAN CRICKET GIVING YOU A LAP DANCE IN THE BACK OF TOYS R US! YOU TORTURED AN ANT BY TYING HIM TO YOUR BUTTHOLE AND FARTING ON HIM! I HAVE MORE ROASTS YOU KNOW! YOUR GRANDMA IS A DARK SOULS BOSS CALLED "THE WRINKLE!

EW NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO THERE IS NO WAY! THAT THIS... OLD ASS FART WRINKLE IS TALKING TO ME IN SUCH A DISRESPECTFUL MANNER. YOU KNOW IT'S ACTUALLY KINDA SAD YOU'RE OLD ENOUGH TO BE A GRANDPA NOW BUT INSTEAD OF ADVANCING YOUR BIOLOGICAL CHAIN YOU'VE INSTEAD SPENT YOUR DAYS ALONE IN YOUR ROOM READING HITLER MANIFESTOS AND COSPLAYING AS A FUCKIN' NEO NAZI. SO MANY YEARS AND SUCH LITTLE ADVANCEMENT. No seriously! Seriously I find it amusing THAT YOUR PENCIL PENIS DONKEY KONG BARREL BUILT LOOKIN' ASS WOULD ASSUME THAT I EVEN REMOTELY CARE ABOUT A SINGLE ONE. NO NO NO FUCK THAT. A SINGLE SYLLABLE OF THE VERBAL DIARRHEA GARGLE THAT'S COMING OUT OF THE DUSTY SARLAC PIT YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR FUCKING MOUTH! YOU WANT ME TO SHOW YOU MY FACE?? YOU WANNA SEE MY FUCKIN' FACE??? BITCH SHOW ME YOUR FUCKIN' HAIRLINE CAUSE I KNOW THERE'S NO WAY YOU'RE SPEAKING TO ME RIGHT NOW DRESSED UP AS A GOD DAMN DIABOLICAL BOY SCOUT. NAH LOOK AT THEM TEETH. BOY YOUR TEETH IN CREATIVE MODE. HELL NAH BOY STOP PLAYING YOU TOO OLD FOR THIS SHIT. BRO THEY GOT FOSSIL RECORDS FOR EACH ONE OF YOUR FAT ROLLS. NAH STOP PLAYING WITH ME BOY I CAN'T TAKE YO ASS SERIOUSLY WHEN YOU DRESS UP LIKE A GODDAMN MEDIEVAL TERRORIST. BRO IS ABOUT TO SHOOT UP HIS OLD FOLKS HOME WITH A CROSSBOW AND A FUCKING TREBUCHET. YA YEET DOM DOM DOM DOM DOM DOM! SHUT YO UGLY ASS UP. WHAT THE FUCK? A HE AHHH EEEEE SHUT UP BITCH. YOU WANT ME TO TURN ON MY CAMERA? YO DICK BUILT LIKE A INVERTED BANANA. YO FOREHEAD CRACKED UP LIKE THE AFRICAN SAVANNAH. I CAUGHT YOU AND YO SISTER BUTT NAKED LAST NIGHT. SWEET HOME ALABAMA. FUCK YOU THINK THIS IS? WHAT IS YOU WEARING WITH YO GODDAMN HONEY WHERE IS MY SUPER SUIT? NAH BOY LOOK AT YO ROOM, YO HOUSE DIRTY AS HELL. YOU GOT FOUR SEWER RATS IN YO BATH TUB RIGHT NOW FLOATING ON TOP OF A PIZZA BOX SINGING. "YO HO THIEVES AND BEGGARS". LIKE SHIT, BOY I CAUGHT YOU HAVING AN EMOTIONAL CONVERSATION WITH YO TOE NAIL LAST NIGHT. WE COULD'VE BEEN SUPER STARS REMEMBER WHEN WE AS JACKING CARS. YOU AND YO TOE NAIL WAS GOING TO BE THE DYNAMIC DUO. BITCH YOU WAS GONNA BE IN AMERICA'S GOT TALENT SWINGING THAT SHIT AROUND LIKE A FUCKING BOOMERANG. SHUT YO STUPID ASS UP. BRUH I CAUGHT YOU JACK SPARROW RUNNING AROUND YOUR HOUSE WHILE YOUR DAD WAS TRYING TO BEAT YOU WITH A TOILET PLUNGER LAST NIGHT. COME HERE BOY! SHUT YO ASS UP. BITCH EVERYTIME YOU TAKE A SHIT THE GAME OF THRONES THEME SONG STARTS PLAMMERING IN YO HOUSE.BUM BUA BUM BUDUM BUM. SHUT YO UGLY ASS UP BRUH.

Are you getting mad?

Are you getting mad?

DAMN You getting mad now! Cuz yo Legal name is Ledenhouser Strogenberg. Nah don't be Smiling now boy You ain't slick Boy! I caught you in the locker room after gym class Frantically wiping yo armpits down With a kleenex While tryna smell good For the girls In the hallway. OI ZOINKS! I GOTTA- I GOTTA HURRY UP. SHUT YO ASS UP YOU LIKE A DIABETIC TOASTER STRUDEL. YOU UGLY AHH AS HELL. YOU GOT THEM BIG ASS HUMPTY DUMPTY PANTS ON BRUH. YOU USE A FRUIT ROLL UP AS A BELT TO HOLD UP YO BUNG DU BUNGLA. Shut yo ugly Ass up You got Mineral deposits In your Belly button. You dumb As hell You thought Google drive Was a brand new Taxi service. Bitch yo Grandma Threw a Rage spell On the kitchen floor And started Smacking you with A weiner schnitzel. Shut yo ass up You a Diabolical Special needs Student. Boy you was In the back of a Short bus Maniacally Planning How you was gonna Take over Your school.HMMMMM YEAHHHHHHHHHH It will be MINE! Shut yo Ass up, Boy I caught you Butt Naked Playing gorilla tag With a mouse in your Kitchen. Yo ass Be sliding around The counters Like a paraplegic Frozone. Gotta Catch 'em ALL! Shut yo ass up With yo "I got a feeling Ooooooooo!" Everytime yo Grandpa Tickles yo Butthole. Shut yo Stupid ass up You thought the One chip challenge Was sticking a Hot cheeto Up your buttcrack. Ok! Here we go Everybody! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Shut yo Dirty ass up Get yo ass on bruh.

It's actually so fucking sad these people still exist in 2024.

Istg misogynists and forced birth extremists and rapists are the most atrociously ugliest love-lacking idiots.

Image ref:

I rest my fucking case, your honor. Kill every single one of these people before I do it myself.

[romanarose]

For The Longest Time: Chapter 4

William Miller x Fem!OC (Lorelei Giang)

Masterlist : Triple Frontier Masterlist

Join my taglist!

Summary: To celebrate the youngest member of their family's birthday, the gang goes out for a beach day, and Lorelei has a new understand for Santiago

Warnings: Swimming?!?!? mentions of laci's past and the physcial abuse she endoured, mentions of weight, weight lose, starvation, dad mode santi <3 mentions of a near drowning in the past (the last chapter of LaL), Miller men trauma, parent death, talk of drug overdoses and addiction. I think that's it. Oh, I suppose accusations of cheating too.

A/N: This is def a filler chapter. It serves to further relationships and dynamics and lead up the end. I think after everything the last few chapters, a nice chapter is nice.

*******************

Another month in and things have eased around them. Lorelei and Santi kept their distance from each other but it had calmed down. Benny got over his irritation of Will keeping secrets and was increasingly excited to be a biological uncle. Lorelei had also met Frankie and Jana’s daughter, Rosie; a cute 3-year-old. In fact, her birthday was the celebration they were all out for right now. It was a beach trip, driving an hour out to get to the coast. Turning 3 and only in day care part time, she didn't have friends that she saw outside of daycare just yet, so Jana and Frankie decided she was old enough to go to the beach under the supervision of several adults.

Frankie, Jana, Rosie, Santi and Laci rode in one car, Laci being the unofficial babysitter for Rosie as the two bonded quickly. Miller’s and their girls (god forbid Lorelei ever hear someone call her Will’s girl) road in in another one. It had been a hot summer, so the water felt good on everyone. At 4 months along, Lorelei could still swim unhindered and enjoyed going far out into the water. She knew it stressed Will out, but he never told her what to do. She liked that about him, he simple waded in the water, watching her and she knew if there was an issue, he’d be out there in a moment. It was kinda nice, if she was being honest, the idea that she had the freedom to be herself but that she was safe while doing it. Will was going to make a good dad, even if this wasn’t the ideal situation.

He still never removed his shirt, the tight gray fabric stretching across his shoulders as he swam and wrestled Ben in the sand.

Lorelei was taking a break, sitting on a towel with Alice drinking a sprite that Will brought her as she watched Santi and Laci sitting in the water playing with Rose. It was cute, she had to admit. Lorelei still wasn’t fond of Santiago but she’d warmed up to Laci. Lorelei just didn’t get her. Girls like that, pretty, petite blonde white girls that wore pink dresses and had attractive rich boyfriends were generally the kind of girls that caused problems for her. Maybe it was bullying, maybe it was racism, maybe it was regular mean girl behavior but it never spelled anything good for her. Laci seemed genuine though, and after Will explained what she had been through, it made a little more sense why he was the way he was. They made a cute couple, and it was funny seeing the intense man so soft and happy with his fiance and his goddaughter.

“I can’t fuck’n stand her.” Alice spoke next to her, sipping her drink and Lorelei turned to him.

“Huh?”

“Oh come on, I know you see it. She drives me crazy with her giggling, her stupid clothes, her squeaky voice. Irritating.”

Lorelei rolled her eyes. “Eh, she’s just living. It’s not my thing but I think she deserves to be happy.”

“Oh for sure, for sure.” Alice assured, pausing before getting to her real point. “I think something’s going on between her and Ben.”

At that, Lorelei couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Oh, come on! Look at them!” She motioned to where the couple were laughing in the water. Santi was gently splashing Laci and Laci hiding behind Rosie. “She’s enamored with him, no way he’d cheat.”

Alice wasn’t convinced. “I don’t know. Did you know they used to sleep together?”

“What?!” That’s weird. Santi and Laci got together a few months after she got back in the states. Did Laci cheat on Santi? She didn’t think she had it in her, and Benny worships the ground Santi walked on, or maybe that's why, he wanted to have what Santi-

“Yeah, Ben and her used to have sleep overs at Laci’s and fall asleep on the pull out couch.”

Oh, that. “Alice,” She smacked her. “That’s not what I thought you meant.”

“It’s still weird.”

“It’s a little odd in their 30’s I guess, but if it was happening in the fucking living room of Santi’s house, it’s gotta be pretty innocent.”

“Mm” was her non committal answer.

Jana called from on top of Frankie’s shoulders. That was a strong man for being in his 40’s. “WHO WANTS TO PLAY CHICKEN!”

Laci immediately got excited. “ME- Oh.” She stopped when she looked at Santi, and sat back down. “Actually, never mind!”

Lorelei noted the guilty look on Santi’s face and he looked down, playing with Rosie, but Will came running up to the couple and grabbing a squealing Laci. With ease, he pulled her up to sit on his shoulders to join their friends in chicken.

“What was that about?” Lorelei asked Alice. Alice was an outsider like her, but she knew more about the strange group than she did. 

“Watch Santi as he turns.”

She did, Santi turning to catch Rose who was trying to run away. 

“See that scar on his neck? Had spinal surgery a few years ago. That, and his knees are shit. He can’t hold up Laci like that, even if she weighs 50 pounds.”

Lorelei looked back to where they were, Laci’s hands clasped with Jana's, the four the them laughing and smiling and throwing harmless insults. He looked good like this… strong, capable, fun

Alice spoke again. “Aren’t you jealous?”

“Of what? It’s not like I can play chicken 4 months pregnant.”

“Your man’s head is literally between her legs.”

She had to scoff at that. “He’s not my man. We aren’t together.”

“You’re having a baby.”

“Not the same thing.”

A wild Benny came out of no where, grabbing Alice’s arm and pulling her to the water just as Laci over took the over couple, Jana and Frankie falling back. “We’re next!”

Santi walked up to the now-empty towel, him dripping wet and Rosie bundled up in her Paw Patrol towel. Skye, of course. The pilot pup, just like her dad. “Mind if we sit here?”

She gestured for him to go ahead, a fussy Rose in his arms, slowing losing the battle with sleep as she clung her her uncle. Santi sang to her, soft and low in a beautiful tenor. 

“Luna de Xelajú que supiste alumbrar

en mis noches de pena,

por una morena

de dulce mirar,

luna de Xelajú, me diste inspiración,

la canción que hoy te canto,

regada con llanto

de mi corazón.”

Soon enough the little one was asleep, despite the noises from in the water.

“That was beautiful.” Lorelei spoke softly, extending an olive branch to the man. He was going to be in her circle for likely the rest of her life, she might as well ease the tension.

“Thank you, it’s one of Laci’s favorites when she-” He stopped, hesitating.

“When she what?”

Santi looked down at the sleep child in his arms, carefully picking little leaves or other things from the ocean out of her hair. Frankie had braided her hair back tightly. Rose had thick, tight curls from her Ethiopian ancestry, and Frankie learned all the Jana taught him on proper hair care. She always liked Frankie the most, and this was just a solidifier. Frankie was a natural mediating between all of them and an expert in cooling down Miller brother disagreements. He was always level head, treated Jana like a queen, and adored his daughter.

“Just when Laci… when she needs to calm down.” 

Ah, her ptsd. “I see. Well, you have a beautiful singing voice, she’s very lucky.”

He smiled at that, looking back up at the beachline when Alice won, sending Laci flying back. He looked ready to go at any point.

“She can’t swim. She says she can but it’s more like treading water.”

“Will won’t let her drown.”

Santi sighed, watching at the three couples set up for a threeway fight in the setting sun. “I know. He saved her once before. Last year for her birthday we went to a lake for a weekend and the boat tipped over. I could barely stand tall enough to breathe, so you can imagine she just went under.” He shifted uncomfortably, and Lorelei could see he didn’t like talking about it. “I couldn’t help her at all, I couldn’t see a thing, and Will scooped her up.” 

He chuckled softly. “She calls me her short king.” His eyes were still intently on Laci, who was happy as can be. “I know I’m a lot, but you haven’t seen her the way I have, seen how much work she’s put into getting better. When I found her that day last year, I thought she was dead. Her lips were blue, her skin was practically gray and she had a huge gash in her forehead, blood dripping down her face. 20 pounds lighter, if you can believe it. I’m so fucking proud of her. She’s got her own job, helping others no less. She’s doing so much better. I could never have been that strong.”

Jesus, that girl went through hell, but she saw it now. She saw Santi, understood him.

“You love her a lot.”

“She’s the light of my life.”

It wasn’t long before they all emerged, ready to get on the road after a long day of gift giving and quality time. This was nice, she thought. A good day for everyone.

*

“Saw you and Santi were talking there for quite a while, everything okay?” Will asked as he put their dirty clothes and towels in the wash, insisting that he wasn’t going to have beach water ‘molding up’ his house, and was about ready to go take a shower.

“Yeah.” Lorelei assured him, smiling as she rested on the couch (where Will laid down a throw blanket beforehand, the germaphobe). “He’s kinda alright.”

She saw Will smile out of the corner of his mouth; she knew how important these men were to her. “Yeah, he’s fine, I guess.”

“Hey William?”

“Yeah?”

“Got any baby names?”

Will looked up from where he was adding his own mix of fabric softener and detergent. “Oh. Uh, I guess we should start talking about that. It’s up to you, in the end though-”

“William, come on.” She knew what he was doing. He always differed to her, wanting to be the gentleman, but she wanted him to take charge sometimes.

He started his washer and walked over, setting another blanket down before sitting with her. “I guess I don’t really know, Emily and I -my ex-fiance- we had a few names but… nothing concrete.”

“Like what?”

Will smiled that smile she was begin to love so much, a tinge of blush at his cheeks; or maybe it was from the sun. Laci forced sunscreen on him extensively though. “It’s kinda an old man name but, it’s my pops name.”

“Your dad?”

At the suggestion, Will burst out in laughter. “Oh god no, fuck that bastard. No, I mean my grandpa. He taught me all I know, real southern gentleman. God knows without him, I would have turned out like my dad.”

Lorelei didn’t believe that for a second. “What the name?”

“Gideon. It’s a bible name, you know, my family, we’re baptists”

“I like it. Naming him after a good man, the name is nice too.”

His nervous smile brighten, those blues eyes sparkling at her and she wondered what she had to do to make them shine like that again. 

“I thought maybe. We could do something Vietnamese?”

And just like that, her heart swooped. Lorelei Ngoc Giang knew she was falling for William Miller. There was no way to deny it.

“Y-yeah… yeah that would be nice…” It was such a simple gesture, but something that showed he cared about her, her culture, and the past of her that would be passed on to their child. “I like Háo… or Đai…”

“Gideon Háo… I like that a lot.”

She leaned in, resting her hair on his shoulder. “And for a girl?”

She felt him shrug. “I dunno. I thought maybe… it would be nice to have a flower name for the middle name, like Rosie.”

That caught Lorelei’s attention. “Her middle name is a flower? So what, she’s got two flower names.” And she thought Jana and Frankie were the sensible ones.

“No,” Will laughed, shoulders shaking. “Her full name is Fatima Rosa-Maria.”

More lore. “Fatima is interesting. Is Jana muslim?” Fatima was the name of one of Muhammeds daughters.

“No. Fatima was Santi’s older sister. She pretty much raised Santi and Frankie growing up, Franks mom was dead and his dad was an addict, so Santi’s mom took him in, spent more time at Santi’s than his own home. Mrs. Garcia worked a lot however, so Fatima raised them, kept them fed and alive. She died of an overdose a little before Rosie was born, so they named their daughter after her.”

“And the name Fatima?”

“There’s a town in Spain called Fatima, from back pre-spanish inquisition. Couple decades back there was a supposed apparition of the Virgin Mary in that town, so it became a girls name for Spanish girls and Muslim girls.”

The girls name proved more difficult. Lorelei didn’t like the flower names. Only one she liked was Rose and she couldn’t very well use that one. Other names were shot down by them both left and right. They decided to table it until they could actually get a name book.

“Alright.” Will slapped his thighs as he stood. “Time to show, then go to bed.” Old as man. 

Then Will’s phone rang, Will smiling when he saw his moms name pop up. “Hey ma- hey, you cry’n?” His southern accent alway got more pronounced when he was around h’s parents. Lorelei liked his mom. She was sweet, welcoming, and despite her shock, she took the news of the pregnancy well. Lorelei thought she was just happy to see grandchildren coming. Will’s dad was a man of few words, and even less once he learned they were expecting, but not together. Beating his wife and child apparently wasn’t as shameful as having a child outside of marriage. “Whatever he did, just call the police and I’ll be there in 20 minuets ma.” Will was already pulling on his shoes when suddenly he stopped, everything freezing and his handsome face going blank as he dropped his phone.

“William?” Lorelei rushed to him, going to check his vitals to see if he had fallen sick. Her hands touched at his neck, feeling for a temp and getting his pulse. It was erratic. “William, babe, I need you to look at me, do you need medical attention?” Every worst case scenario she knew was possible flooded through her head, trying to get his attention until he finally spoke.

“My dad just died. He… he had a heart attack.”

********************

A little tension eased, a little tension gained?

@pimosworld @my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction @whatthefishh @missdictatorme @milkymoon2483 @poeedameronn@itspdameronthings @miraclesabound @babymills16

[kaibasupremacy]

1. Canon I outright reject

2. A canon or headcanon hill I will die on

For Kaiba obviously~

Jksjsj 🥺🥺 thank you so much for the ask

1. Canon I outright reject

Despite all of the contradictions between the separate canons (anime, manga, sub, dub ect) I find it hard to pick an aspect of it that I refuse to find merit in, even aspects that are painful to me (Seto removing the locket in DSOD T-T)

My personal canon when it comes to Seto tends to be a mixture of anime sub (filler arcs included), and manga canon and DSOD, and I do not consider the Toei anime series to be canon because of the discrepancies with the manga.

I think an aspect of canon I outright reject is the idea that the Mind Crush made him a better person and “purged the evil” in him.

I have a very strong attachment to early manga Seto and I cannot see him as a uniquely evil character. The mind crush itself I find to be a disappointing climax to the Death T arc, but many lovely people in the fandom have made lots of touching art on the subject matter so I wouldn’t say I entirely detest it, but the idea that if he had not received the penalty games he would have been doomed (even if it’s strongly implied by the canon) I just cannot accept (and I think it flattens him). But that’s just a personal thing.

2. A canon or headcanon hill I will die on

Ohh I have several so probably I will end up leaving out some T-T I warn you beforehand they’re mostly super sad 😭

Two aspects that are ultimately up to interpretation but that I consider ultimately canon is that 1. Seto suffers from hallucinations and 2. Seto struggles with suicidal ideation. Another hill I will die on is that Seto’s childhood and adolescent experiences *before* and *after* his six years with Gozaburo were equally as scarring for him.

As for headcanons, a strong one I have is Seto being autistic. Another one is that he really admired Gozaburo, and never really disliked him despite the way he was treated until they had their ideological clash in respect to war as Seto began to grow into a teen with his own ideas and even then, I headcanon that Seto still saw it as a rivalry (kind of like the one he had with Atem later) and did not see himself as his victim.

I also headcanon that Seto was forced to be a child athlete by him, exploiting his already existent love for sports and competition.

I also headcanon that Gozaburo’s wife was European and a Christian Catholic and Gozaburo adopted her religious practices and tried to impose them on Seto as well, who grew to dislike religion for this reason.

I realize they’re all quite sad but I also have this hc that Seto struggles with poor body image and disordered eating and that his biological father turned to alcoholism after the death of their biological mother, and Seto had to stay home to care for both him and Mokuba, so the only time he went to school was when he was taken in by his relatives.

I also headcanon that he used books as an escapism throughout his life and as we can see has adopted a manner of speaking that’s very literary. He loves to write and writes a lot anytime he has the time to do so, but most of the time discards what he has written or is too embarrassed to ever show it to anyone, even Mokuba. In general I have a strong headcanon that he is very sensitive about art.

An happier hc I have is that he really loves amusement parks. Not just what they represent and the fact it’s his and Mokuba’s dream, but like, just attending and getting to do the most thrilling rides. And that his complex about winning is not limited to the things he considers “serious”, but just about anything. He could be playing the most silly game and will still treat it as a matter of life and death.

Thank you again for the ask and have a wonderful day ❤️ sorry for my bad English btw 🙏🏻

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Scientists propose a new filler for bone implants with increased bioactivity

An international team of scientists with the participation of researchers from NUST MISIS has proposed an alternative filler for 3D printed bone scaffolds based on calcium silicate. The material prevents the formation of a bacterial film on the surface of the scaffolds and, in the future, can be used for implants of lightly loaded bones, such as the skull. The results of the work were published in the journal Polymers.

Today, biopolymers are widely used in medicine. Development and production of polymer scaffolds, that serve as the basis for bone tissue restoration, is the particular interest to scientists and doctors working in the field of reconstructive surgery. For better survival, such scaffolds are usually colonized with the patient's cells.

Materials for scaffolds should not only be biologically compatible with the human body, but also promote the process of tissue regeneration and have antibacterial activity—to prevent the spread of bacteria on the surface of the scaffolds. Therefore, one of the main tasks of tissue engineering is the study and creation of new materials for printing scaffolds.

Read more.

[g-oblincat]

One of my favorite manga ended 3 hours ago and I must talk about it

I actually wrote this two days ago and of course, the finale comes out RIGHT when I was about to post lol

On Twitter, I used to maintain a yuri manga recommendation thread to keep track of what I read and recommend my fav works to others. Now that I'm back on Tumblr, a platform that actually allows you to write why you like something, I want to start doing more in-depth recommendations. Starting with this one!

Koroshiya Yametai (I Wanna Quit Being a Hitman!) by Tonoki Sun

Rose is a hitman who dislikes her job, but she has one thing to look forward to: dates with her girlfriend, Benika. However, not wanting to go on dates with a guilty conscious, she always confesses her sins (murder) to a priest in a confessional booth that hides both their faces. The priest, Father Shirafune, happens to be Benika’s actual biological father.

Rose doesn’t know the priest she’s told about all her jobs to is Benika’s father. Benika doesn’t know Rose is a hitman, and is also keeping her queer relationship secret from her religious father. Shirafune is curious about his daughter’s new “boyfriend”, and has no idea the “boyfriend” is the person who keeps confessing murders to him.

The initial chapters of Hitman remind me of Spy x Family, where the comedy and appeal comes from the dramatic irony and near misses of each character trying to keep their own secrets, but the tone is different. There’s definitely lightness and comedy there, but underlying is a story of Rose, a refugee fleeing her war-torn home and being forced to work as a hitman in a rich country who doesn’t care about her people. She’s a pawn for greater political powers, and the story is how she tries to break out of that.

A quick, non-spoiler list of why I like this manga - if any of these appeal to you, I beeeeg you to read this comic:

Really cute loving relationship between the main couple! But also: well-fleshed characters outside the main couple! Father Shirafune is GREAT

Plot is more political than I expected, in what feels like a very grounded, real way. The main plot of the story is about refugees that are discriminated against and mistreated and what happens in a country when that mistreatment reaches a boiling point.

I need to think more about the story to be confident in talking about this outside of surface-level observations, so I desperately want smarter people to read it so I can also see their takes haha

The writing is just GOOD and appeals to me specifically. The plot is fast-paced with no filler. There’s a good balance of comedy, lovely moments between the couple, action where you can see Rose get out of tough situations (more on this in the spoilers), and scheming and double-crossing between various political powers.

I read this comic on Dynasty Scans, translated by Gouma-Den. The site’s tags are usually good for content warnings - the main ones are violence/killing/etc. There isn’t a ton of gore though. I believe the raws are here. I don’t think it’s licensed as of me writing this, but you bet I’m buying it all if/when it is.

I want to ramble more about what I like about it below, but it will contain **spoilers**! All images are from the Dynasty Scans translation.

The precise way action scenes are written

The action scenes are super fun to read. Most of them are about Rose escaping pursuers in clever ways that don’t give out her identity, and focus on the steps she took to prepare for these situations and how she outsmarts her enemies. There is a similar appeal here to detective or heist stories where Rose is put in a tough spot, and you see how her knowledge and wild amount of foresight let her escape.

In general, I like the scenes where characters are thinking to themselves and trying to problem-solve in any manga, and this happens a lot in this manga. One of my favorite scenes is when Rose tries to figure out if Benika’s new friend is another hitman, without tipping off either of them.

I just think this is soooo cool. The story is full of Rose’s cleverness in these kinds of situations that is so fun to read.

The romance

The romance is so sweet. The girls have an adorable meet-cute and throughout the story, you really see why Rose likes Benika- she’s kind and energetic but doesn’t hesitate to give Rose a piece of her mind when needed. Rose clearly loves Benika a lot and is always thinking of her. The characters’ interactions feel cute but realistic, and they’re fleshed out outside of the romance, which makes me like them more as people and root for them more.

But also (huge spoilers ahead, please skip this paragraph if you plan on reading this at all) it’s soooo yuri to have one girl try to make a huge high-stakes emotional sacrifice for the other one while confessing that it’s all for love. And it happens in the latest chapter and I went wild.

The themes the story tackles outside of the romance

This to me is both the most striking part of the story!

The first, smaller thing that stands out is Benika and her hesitance to tell her father about her relationship because she assumes her father is homophobic since he’s clergy. Father Shirafune is not homophobic actually and the two have a good relationship otherwise, but it stands out that this is a consideration Benika has. I feel like a lot of yuri is characterized by being only about romance, not identity or society. Characters will like girls, but not be gay. I don’t think this is a bad thing- it’s a characteristic of the genre and TBH in my head, it’s the difference between yuri and LGBTQ manga. However, that’s why this aspect of the story stood out to me- it serves to show queerness plays a bigger part of Benika’s character and the world, is an important motivator in the story, and is good worldbuilding. It also is important because it adds to the grounded tone of the story- it’d be weird to have a story that is full of politics and religion otherwise but say nothing about the two main characters’ queerness.

Speaking of the politics of the story, the main non-romance plot is about how the unspecified first-world country the story takes place in (probably Japan, even though they never say?) treats refugees. There are multiple chapters about how poorly the refugees are treated, and what will happen to the country if it goes too far unaddressed (and if the country deserves what it gets).

This sequence of panels in one of the latest chapters was really good!

That’s it! The Dynasty translation is nearing the end of the comic (EDIT: It got posted right before posting this LOL that's what I get for being slow) so it’s a great time to catch up! Please read this comic and talk to me about it!!!