#I may need to rewrite the WHOLE show...

[greenflamedwriter]

Fixing Voltron- Main Plots

Edit: I'll probs keep adding more later -_-

Lance deals with Allura's death BUT learning the secrets of Oriande, wakes up back in time and is able to fix everything with time travel.

He does this by driving Voltron into the rift- it opens up again and the black lion communicates with Lance thats it's VOLTRON that needs to enter the rift to destroy it given that the arrival of Voltron was what ripped a hole through space in the first place. After piloting Black and in turn the other lions alone Lance is the only one to push Voltron into the rift [it closed before since Allura's life force was tied to the lions so it bought them time] Given that all the paladins moved on with the Atlas Voltron wasn't needed anymore. The Paladins don't find out until its too late and hear Lance's screams through the headset before the rift is closed for good [Pidge confirms as energy has been fluctuating for years but they never gifured out WHAt until now] all are heartbroken that Lance has died, Pidge falls into Hunks arms and the two crumble to the floor, Keith falls to his knees screaming that it was supposed to be over Lance can't just be gone, and Shiro is staring frozen thinking of all the ways they could've solved this why did Lance go alone? Something touches his hand and he flinches to see Adam holding his hand tightly, silent. Adam didn't know Lance that well and Shiro eyes burned, resting his head at the crook of Adams shoulder as he heaved. It was supposed to be over.

-The Druids were Alteans, and converted Quintescence into a more potent stronger version that they called 'Crux' -Lotor's alteans that he ended up saving, adopting and leading...ended up dying. Most of them who were more sensitive to cosmic energy which is what made Alteans terrific alchemists to begin with, were sensitive- with the rift open it was like radiation the alteans struck first died first BUT it would soon affect the whole universe if not closed.

Lotor needed Allura to cure them [even more if the alteans that were sick were the ones who shapeshifted and overtaxed themselves] a pure, untainted Altean body could be used to create a cure to save his people. He was going to take Allura by force after gaining her trust then fell in love and decided to work with Allura he saw a better future because of her.

Romelle an Altean Druid working for Hagger is sent in once Hagger spies through Kurons eyes of how Allura is sad by the death of her people. Hagger knows Allura will be emotionally compromised so sends a Romelle who acts like a prisoner/damsel in distress and is then 'saved' by Voltron.

-Lance [for once] not only doesn't flirt with Romelle, he doesn't trust her and [after being the teams punching bag] just keeps and eye on Romelle and keeps his mouth shut. When Kuron backs her up it's easy. Now the ship has TWO imposters.

-Lance finds Romelle and Allura with the mind melds but located to another room [like kalterneckers room OR Alfors room before it was destroyed] thus both Lance and Romelle see Altean culture for the first time.

-Cue, Altean technology, culture, cuisine, polticis, sports games ANYTHING, heck give us an Allura/Alfor bonding of them making a hover skooter or something like treasure planet and have Allura zoom through altea ANYTHING!

-Romelle accuses Lotor of using Alteans as human batteries that he enslaved her people and killed her brother. Lotor fleed unable to defend himself after it was exposed that he was going to use Allura for malicious intent.

-And so Lance uses his meld, and Romelle is curious. She and Lance use the room and he tells her it's good for people with ptsd to talk about their problems or visualise what their fighting for.

-Romelle was made to believe what she was doing was for the GOOD of the Empire that they were...helping other planets to connect and make them stronger and pursue science. She was wrong.

-So she shows Lance her memories. EVERYTHING. Including the Kuron project she was working on, "You and I both know that is NOT Shiro."

-Both take down Shiro, after he corners them and saw through the door and it's a typical SHINING moment "Hereee's SHIRO!"

-Romelle kinda panics that Hagger may have saw that. And she admits she lied about Lotor who- after running away WITH the comet is running into Haggers hands.

-Also- Lotor when he comes back says that Hagger admitted the deats on what she and Zarkon was doing. That they were trying to make their own Anti-Voltron but a singular Lion that Zarkon can use indepednetly without relying on others he was going to use the Black Lion as a base then keep it as a trophy after. And they were going to call it;

White Lion.

Allura is pissed coz the white lion symbolisings justice for all free people and worthy pursuit of science. But Zarkon using that to enslave others and destroy planets with their technology was a mockery of it.

-But wait theres more! Voltron needs someone to watch their back AND an upgrade. Once Keith comes back, he's gained a new Member.

Lotor is going to be on the back of Voltron, giving that they always have to duck and dodge so many it'd made sense since Voltron faces forward SO the white lion will be the wings of Voltron, as well as taking charge and can even make Voltron rotate - [kinda like his ship in season 3 episode that could go forward or back that would be his skill set] and his bayard could make Voltron fly and warp somewhere faster.

-Alluras blue lion shoul open wormholes. Or her bayard should do it- just saying the blue Lion TOOK the team to arus episode one with a wormhole and Allura opens wormholes

[But that was a fail safe so the lion would-] then why didn't the other lions like Yellow/green open a wormhole?

But Allura had to hold it open for them. It'd be cool of Voltron could warp- snap from one place to another during battle. [I hate that Voltron abilties was just, laser, sword shield it sucks]

-The garrison is working for the Galra. And tried to take Voltron and make THEIR MFE pilots fly Voltron instead only for the Lions particle barriers to come down.

-Bayards...so much potential. A gun that sends an energy blast, Hunk can use a batterram to shock the earth making all the galra fall from the shock wave while the paladins use their jetpacks to avoid the shock-wave? A sonic pulse, a grenade launcher, like- so many weapons [like think Spider-man, anti-gravity? like COME ON!]

-There's going to be some changes as well as nerfs to some characters- for one; Pidge installing the green lion to cloak - lets retcon that. Instead have it where it was an ability the lions already had but Pidge with her hacking cheated and unlocked it faster than the others.

Instead since Voltron was an unknown Comet that was sentient and happened to be the most advanced strongest weapon ever instead should have been used as a blueprint to advance ALTEAN technology. Instead the alteans sutdied Voltron, and were able to progress their society by a thousand years.

Now the comet landed in Zarkons home and he gladly gave the comet to Alfor who speicilises in alchemy the two became friends because of a politcal marriage- Zarkon married Honerva Alfors sister [yep, we're making Lotor and Allura cousins and Allura will get with Matt instead :p] But alfor got the better end of the deal his people were thriving and they ended up expanding, meanwhile Zarkons people were plauged by a rift that was only getting bigger, and more dangerous- kinda like how scientists were working with radiation but had no idea of the effects it would have until years later?

So with their child in danger and Honervas obsession with studying the rift they were able to finally crack it and began to harvest pure quintescence and then began creating technology that was only second to Alteans. Worse- some Alteans thought that Alfor was holding them back from the pursuit of science [they were testing from alteans and themselves and Alfor forbade it] so they went to Honerva and created the druids since they saw Honerva and Zarkon started calling her Haggar coz she looked haggared. It was a cute nickname that ended up erasing their history when both started losing sight of what their end goal was.

With in-fighting as well as fighting his sister and one he called brother- Alfor had no choice but to hide the lions, especially since Zarkon was acting strange and when they were unable to form Voltron was when Alfor realised how lost his friend had become.

-First thing Lance does when going back after the first time the defeated Sendeks airship, he asks Coran if there was anyway for the people on the ship to request Alfor to help them esp since they couldn't understand altean and Coran nodded that Alfor can traverse the ship AND help them. Since ALlura and Coran are fixing the ship they won't have time to give the new Paladins the tour/explain stuff etc. So Lance requests for Alfor and then asks what his lion can do, he plans to study and see how far Voltron can go he lied to Alfor with a "Zarkons been around for a long time he knows what the lions can do, meanwhile what we have is shield, sword and laser is that it for earths greatest weapon?"

Alfor nodded, "No there is more even the Paladins of old never unlocked but here is all the data for what the Blue lion can do, and what it can do with a bayard and what else it can do connected with Voltron." Alfor was giving him a considering look, but Lance was too focused on reading and studying. Whenever you are given a new craft you're supposed to read the schematics first. Lance had an entire night of studying...

missing the fact that he was reading the logs in altean and Alfor watching looking amused. Even for a pile of data it figured that the blue Paladin was intersting.

"Oh and Al?" Lance asked glancing up, "Given the advancment of Galra technology- is there anyway to back you up where no technology can touch you and infect you with a virus?"

Any other time he would be wary, but Alfor knew exactly what the Blue Paladin was hinting at. "There is," he showed a map to a lower storage area that had class crystals and Lance stared.

"It's like power rangers Alpha and Supermans dad all over again-" Alfor ignored it. and directed Lance on creating a 'copy' of him.

And when Alfor data flickered on the bridge and both Coran and Allura looked close to tears he realised what had happened esp when Lance laughed, "Huh who knew exploring and finding a ton of junk would be this helpful."

"Yes very lucky."

When Alfor had time, he'd like to question this time travelling Altean he wanted to know everything.

-Also in Season one when Pidge found the Spores leading to Olkari- just what was the point in that? [And that is when i realised that Voltron had a writing problem since day one-] Since Hunk was the engineer and was supposed to fix the problems with the Ship wouldn't it make sense for Hunk and Coran to be fixing the ship outside, while Allura made sure it was correct from the inside? Why make Paladins who knew NOTHING about Altean craft FIX a ship while the ones who KNEW how to fix it who inside not handling it? Hunk should've learned how the castle works instead of being the cave who retrived the weblum crystals/scoualtrie like WHY was all the workload piled onto Pidge? She did extraction, hacking, viruses, navigation, as well as helping with the castle repairs and learned Altean? Like she even helped Coran with the Teleduv that should've been HUNKS job. As the Engineer!

...God just throw Voltron in the trash and start over oh my god.

In this version since Lance is time travelling is pretty much fine with letting things play out and will be THERE for Keith this time- Except that doesn't go to plan.

Lance becomes the Black paladin. He's just as shocked as everyone else AND stressed out because now things will go VERY differently with him as the black Paladin. So now he tries to find the Clone Shiro base and speedrun bringing Shiro back BEFORE the clone ends up coming to the team and messing stuff up. When the team find the base and see all those chickens [shiros] they are now more wary. Allura and Lance find a clone that hasn't been processed yet [as in, installed with camera lenses/virus protecals to make him a sleeping agent other than the galra arm] so they take that Shiro put him in a pod because Lance tells the team Shiro is trapped spirtually in the Black Lion because his body was destroyed.

-bullies Kolivan to bring Kroila to team voltron or so help him he will hunt her down and they will be one member short of a blade.

-keith gets pissed when he finds out Lance knows about the future and that Shiro would die, "And you said NOTHING." And Lance recalls how Shiro said he was dying on earth and if it wasn't for the Galra and the clone he would've died out in space, only Coran knew that Shiro didn't have long after being in the cryopod and his body was shutting down. The galra wanted perfect soldiers and they did that with Shiro's body.

[artisimpossible]

Saw a fun little conversation on Threads but I don't have a Threads account, so I couldn't reply directly, but I sure can talk about it here!

I've been wanting to get into this for awhile, so here we go! First and foremost, I wanna say that "Emmaskies" here is really hitting the nail on the head despite having "no insider info". I don't want this post to be read as me shitting on trad pub editors or authors because that is fundamentally not what's happening.

Second, I want to say that this reply from Aaron Aceves is also spot on:

There are a lot of reviewers who think "I didn't enjoy this" means "no one edited this because if someone edited it, they would have made it something I like". As I talk about nonstop on this account, that is not a legitimate critique. However, as Aaron also mentions, rushed books are a thing that also happens.

As an author with 2 trad pub novels and 2 trad pub anthologies (all with HarperCollins, the 2nd largest trad publisher in the country), let me tell you that if you think books seem less edited lately, you are not making that up! It's true! Obviously, there are still a sizeable number of books that are being edited well, but something I was talking about before is that you can't really know that from picking it up. Unlike where you can generally tell an indie book will be poorly edited if the cover art is unprofessional or there are typoes all over the cover copy, trad is broken up into different departments, so even if editorial was too overworked to get a decent edit letter churned out, that doesn't mean marketing will be weak.

One person said that some publishers put more money into marketing than editorial and that's why this is happening, but I fundamentally disagree because many of these books that are getting rushed out are not getting a whole lot by way of marketing either! And I will say that I think most authors are afraid to admit if their book was rushed out or poorly edited because they don't want to sabotage their books, but guess what? I'm fucking shameless. Café Con Lychee was a rush job! That book was poorly edited! And it shows! Where Meet Cute Diary got 3 drafts from me and my beta readers, another 2 drafts with me and my agent, and then another 2 drafts with me and my editor, Café Con Lychee got a *single* concrete edit round with my editor after I turned in what was essentially a first draft. I had *three weeks* to rewrite the book before we went to copy edits. And the thing is, this wasn't my fault. I knew the book needed more work, but I wasn't allowed more time with it. My editor was so overworked, she was emailing me my edit letter at 1am. The publisher didn't care if the book was good, and then they were upset that its sales weren't as high at MCD's, but bffr. A book that doesn't live up to its potential is not going to sell at the same rate as one that does!

And this may sound like a fluke, but it's not. I'm not naming names because this is a deeply personal thing to share, but I have heard from *many* authors who were not happy with their second books. Not because they didn't love the story but because they felt so rushed either with their initial drafts or their edits that they didn't feel like it lived up to their potential. I also know of authors who demanded extra time because they knew their books weren't there yet only to face big backlash from their publisher or agent.

I literally cannot stress to you enough that publisher's *do not give a fuck* about how good their products are. If they can trick you into buying a poorly edited book with an AI cover that they undercut the author for, that is *better* than wasting time and money paying authors and editors to put together a quality product. And that's before we get into the blatant abuse that happens at these publishers and why there have been mass exoduses from Big 5 publishers lately.

There's also a problem where publishers do not value their experienced staff. They're laying off so many skilled, dedicated, long-term committed editors like their work never meant anything. And as someone who did freelance sensitivity reading for the Big 5, I can tell you that the way they treat freelancers is *also* abysmal. I was almost always given half the time I asked for and paid at less than *half* of my general going rate. Authors publishing out of their own pockets could afford my rate, but apparently multi-billion dollar corporations couldn't. Copy edits and proofreads are often handled by freelancers, meaning these are people who aren't familiar with the author's voice and often give feedback that doesn't account for that, plus they're not people who are gonna be as invested in the book, even before the bad payment and ridiculous timelines.

So, anyway, 1. go easy on authors and editors when you can. Most of us have 0 say in being in this position and authors who are in breech of their contract by refusing to turn in a book on time can face major legal and financial ramifications. 2. Know that this isn't in your head. If you disagree with the choices a book makes, that's probably just a disagreement, but if you feel like it had so much potential but just *didn't reach it*, that's likely because the author didn't have time to revise it or the editor didn't have time to give the sort of thorough edits it needed. 3. READ INDIE!!! Find the indie authors putting in the work the Big 5's won't do and support them! Stop counting on exploitative mega-corporations to do work they have no intention of doing.

Finally, to all my readers who read Café Con Lychee and loved it, thank you. I love y'all, and I appreciate y'all, and I really wish I'd been given the chance to give y'all the book you deserved. I hope I can make it up to you in 2025.

[dreamdazedworld]

love at first sight.

Synopsis: Yandere! Anaxa worships you (yippie..?)

Note(s): Hey! It’s me, the one and only author of this one shot- Daze! It’s been a while, huh? Long story short, school entrance exams were approaching and I had to take a break for a certain period of time, but exams are over and I passed so I’m back from the dead!!! Anyways, I might post the Yingxing one shot that’s rotting in my drafts for ages once I’m done rewriting it, but first, I need to get rid of this Anaxa brain rot so eat up dearies!! Also, this may not be as good as my other works, but forgive me for that one! I think my writing skills got a bit rusty…. Though, I did give it my all! I hope that you all would like it! (Reblogs are very appreciated!)

Warning(s): Yandere, religious themes (not really), kidnapping, written before 3.0

Anaxa believes in no god, everyone knows that- and yet, he found himself captivated by you, his God, his everything.

Perhaps it was fate that pulled him to you- no, it had to be fate. His breathing hitched at the sound of your voice, delicate and angelic, just as he imagined. Ethereal, divine, perfect- your beauty was that of a divine being, he mused. After all, how could you be mortal when you were this heavenly, mesmerizing?

Anaxa believes in no god, except for you, and only you.

He thought that he’d be satisfied with watching you from afar and occasionally taking pictures to engrave your beauty in his memories, he really did. But the more he watched, the desire to steal you away from prying eyes grew stronger, and eventually devoured him whole from the inside. So please, forgive him for locking you up in his house. Forgive him for being so foolish and so greedy for your attention, forgive him for clipping your freedom away, please.

He doesn’t mind if you scream at him. Having your attention on him is more than enough, and even when you’re angry, you look so divine. He won’t mind if you cry, either- he’ll pull you into his embrace and gently kiss the tears away, even if he’s the one who made you cry in the first place. Punch him, use him, kill him, he doesn’t mind- as long as it means that you’ll be there by his side.

But when you start returning his actions back, Anaxa is ecstatic, though he doesn’t really show it on his face. It could be something very subtle- for example, the way your grip tightens whenever he embraces you in your vulnerable moments, or the way you start speaking more towards him, even if it was just a ‘good morning’, or a ‘good night’. It doesn’t matter how big or small it is, really, as long as there are signs that you’re starting to warm up to him, he’ll notice. And if it means that he’ll be able to see you smile, then he’s willing to wait, no matter how long it takes.

[hanimanny]

“i only know that i feel tired, antiqued; i feel as though i’ve been awake for a long long time”

HOMESICK

synopsis: when the exhaustion of loving finally takes you.

tags: xavier x non!mc, ANGST!!! hurt/ comfort(?)

word count: 4.4k

likes + comments + reblogs appreciated

authors note: xavier’s version of this. let me know if you want versions of the other Lis. also please give me some ideas!!! divider by: @fairytopea

ACT I: VIGIL

Laughter has never been so suffocating.

You watch, not from a distance, but next to MC.

You think it's worse to be this close and to hear everything you're hearing now. In all the years of trials and tribulations of knowing Xavier, have you ever heard him laugh so brightly, smile so widely, or love so loudly?

The quiet, ever aloof prince of Philos—the man you followed, crossing stars, passing meteors, abandoning the place you once called home—beams brighter than his evil.

You think about all the things that built up to this moment.

To you, he was the stars: bright and all-encompassing. His silence—always silent—ever consuming, as you trailed in the shadow he left behind. Throughout the years of companionship and camaraderie, you followed blindly, as you always do, even when you knew what following him meant: an ill-fated destiny you could never rewrite.

You knew MC once before—the same woman who took the world by storm, a hurricane in his life that devoured him whole, leaving nothing for you behind.

Just like the MC you once knew, this MC is just as captivating.

The universe is playing a sick joke. He is your longest companion, the very last of your kind—the last light of your planet, your world, your culture. You left it all behind because, to you, loving him meant more than the comfort of your people and the safety of your planet. Loving him was worth leaving everything behind.

Ironically enough, he thought the same thing.

And despite it all—the friendship, the companionship, the camaraderie—you’re not even a placeholder for the love he holds dear. Nothing but white noise that followed him around, that clung to him at every turn.

A persistent, pathetic, piteous echo.

You are so close, and yet, so far.

Pulled in by the gravity of his very being. You think—thought—that all this time, just being beside him would be enough to soothe the dull ache of your heart, the perpetual pain that roamed your bones, and the exhaustion that swallowed you whole.

Like a dreamer, you think of the ways he could love you in the same capacity he loves her. That if you show up enough times, reach out and fill the silence he leaves behind; that the days of dedicated devotion, the sacrifices made along the way, would surmise to something worthy of being loved.

Worthy of being seen.

You’re left stranded in his orbit, gravity pulling harder the more you think you’ve got a handle on your thoughts. The pain, the agony, the suffering. Thinking that sticking by his side was all you ever needed, that you can’t be greedy—because having him was enough, and having him be yours was pure insanity.

You hear the laughter erupt once again, likely from a silly joke MC made. You pull yourself out from whatever hole you've dug, pull your lips into a smile the best you can, laughing along. It's hearty and very becoming of your character, you think, since MC wraps a secure arm around yours and squeezes with affection.

You allow her, of course—straining your cheeks until they burn, letting out a long-drawn sigh that fills the room.

Despite what others may think, as you converse along luridly, as if the volume of your voice could hide the heavy heart you bear, you've never been so quiet.

…

ACT II: DREAM

You once thought that the convenience of being neighbours was a good thing.

Next door to Xavier—close to him, but never next to him.

Walking to the Hunters Association together, coming home together, eating together. Just being together.

But you could tell Xavier wasn’t ever there—not really.

Despite being with him for so long, his mind was usually elsewhere. Sometimes in dreamland, but mostly—actually, always—drifting to her.

At some point, in between the solo bickering and one-woman conversations, you, too, found yourself wandering.

Like your mind sanctioned itself in your own self-made isolation.

Quieter. Smaller. Dimmer.

You stop talking as vividly—maintaining just enough energy to keep up appearances. Your voice, so used to fading into the background, remained where it was so oftentimes pushed towards—away from everything. Everyone.

You stop tagging along in the mornings, early days, and late nights, save for the obligatory lunch with your co-workers.

You stop leaving your apartment, taking refuge in a bed you’ve grooved your body into, like a coffin awaiting your arrival. An apartment you’ve grown used to, replicating the only home you knew.

And you’re just so tired. Tired of it all. Exhaustion clings to you like chasing breath. Sleep evades you like the plague.

It was your choice to cling to hope—to leave your home and to follow, naively, in hopes that one day, he would look at you the same way you look at him. To experience his love: the soft edges, the warmth, the gentleness. To think quiet, everlasting devotion would get you anywhere—devotion that controlled you, consumed you. Devotion that you thought would be enough, as silly as it sounds, to at least hold a candle next to the sun.

Devotion that instead puts you in the hands of despair.

You’re stupid to still hope, to yearn for a love that was never yours to have. To attempt to go against fate—against an entire lifetime of love.

So really, it was your burden to bear—and bear it alone.

And the funniest thing of it all? Xavier never once visited you. Checked on you. Sought you out. Even the tenant right below you, Charlie, visited, offering warm welcomes of fresh bread and a simple smile.

As you lie on your couch, enveloping yourself in the embrace of your own naivety, forced by Jenna to take a day off, you listen to the familiar silence.

Which is soon broken by the snubbed sound of light that snuffs the room.

It’s the first time in weeks—29 days, 21 hours, 2 minutes—Xavier has stepped foot in your apartment.

You don’t make a move to look at him or say anything like you normally do.

You both reside in the deafening silence. One by choice, one succumbed.

For the first time, Xavier breaks the silence: “You weren’t at work today.”

You could laugh, scream, cry, or all of the above, but you don’t.

Quietness reaps your soul.

Xavier continues. “MC was worried about you.”

A lifetime's worth of companionship, and he wasn’t even here to seek you out.

You truly are stupid.

Xavier isn’t used to the silence—not this kind. Despite being so quiet all the time, this silence was completely foreign. It was heavy and uninviting, almost suffocating.

There’s a moment of unrelenting anticipation as he waits to see you respond.

When you don’t, he steps forward. One step, then two—then he’s at the foot of the couch, peering down at you like a deity summoned—unconsciously shining with that light of his.

Steel blue eyes bore into you, trying to read you.

But you’re too fractured to be read. At least not clearly.

“Are you okay?”

‘Am I okay?’ You want to laugh at the thought, to make fun of the words asked.

Were you ever okay?

You miss it all—your family, your friends, your people, your home.

To think, once there was a time you chose to abandon it all in the name of love—where you thought complacency was where you belonged: beside a man you knew never loved you, maybe never even liked you.

Now you can only sneer at the fact, as you reminisce about a place far and forgotten, only finding a place deep within your memory.

Xavier prompts a different question. “Have you been sleeping?”

And for the first time in a while, you finally speak.

“I’ve been dreaming a lot.”

First, about you. About us. About what could have been. About what never was.

“What about?” His voice holds something softer than you ever thought possible from him. Something reserved only for her, never for you.

It almost makes you break. To confess everything. To finally open up your heart and pour all your pain out. To free yourself from self-made shackles and unwanted thoughts. To hear the very softness you crave—to be held, caressed, embraced.

But you don’t. Because even with that unreadable look in his eye—the same eyes you’ve longed for all this time—you know what they hold.

Obligation

“Home,” you say simply.

For the first time in a while, Xavier looks at you—really looks at you. He’s known you all this time, the image of you ingrained in his brain like second nature. He knows you—you’re his oldest friend, most trusted companion. He's seen all sides of you, but the person he’s looking at looks nothing like the you he remembers.

He looks at you and can’t even recognise you. Cruelly, for a moment, he even wonders if it’s really you.

“I don’t see any changes.” Xavier takes a quick glance around; everything remains stagnant, as it always has.

You don’t correct him—not this time. You hum a noise between affirmation and acknowledgement and drift off to a place once forgotten.

Silence consumes the soul once again, with Xavier wondering when he had become so complacent with it all: with your constant presence, voice to fill the spaces he’s left behind, unrelenting energy, and unwavering spirit.

“You’re right. Nothing has changed.”

…

ACT III: DRIFT

Xavier hasn’t visited since.

Not that you didn’t expect it.

You still see him at work, at lunch with MC, and on the rarest occasion, you bump into him in the hallway of your apartment complex—like strangers.

You do your best to find a new rhythm in this life, as your absence becomes more common and your presence goes with the echo of your voice. You’re seen less and less.

Maybe you were never seen at all—not truly.

You find that it’s easier to deal with heartache in the same way Xavier deals with everything: in silence.

Silence, although not foreign, not even new to you, seeks you out and sticks to you like a foreboding message.

You’ve spent years so bright, a will so strong it held on tight enough to kill you. Your loudness brought you here, away from Philos, so as the bits of your spirit whittle away along with your soul, silence is left to fill in the gaps of an empty shell.

You learn to live without Xavier in your life—as though he isn’t the last thing you have of your home, of the love you once felt, the comfort, the security. You learn to live without Xavier and learn to nurse a pain that has become something of a lover.

You had to learn to live because the world kept spinning—even when you’re lost in a place, unfamiliarly familiar, and can do nothing but live on.

But are you even living at this point? Even a dead girl walking has rights to a life—to living.

You’re leaving for another mission. In spite of Jenna’s protests, you’d rather fight to exhaustion—to blend the pain in your chest with the ache of muscles.

Your face reflects your volition. Eyes pulled down by the weight of your burden, face pale like a dying star. Despite trying, your smile doesn't quite reach your eyes, your laughter isn’t as bright, and your voice isn’t as loud.

You wait for Jenna’s reluctant orders. She’ll be damned if she lets you out on another solo mission—because despite your incredible hunting rates, you too are human.

A voice so familiar pulls your attention, and you look up to see Xavier standing before you—ice blonde hair and steel blue eyes in tow.

How long has he been standing there?

“Jenna assigned me as your partner for the mission.” Your face shows no expression—and not for lack of trying.

You laugh inwardly at the thought.

You're too much like him, in a sense. Loving hard enough to abandon your home, to follow blindly with fate—in spite of your own shortcomings. To silently love, quietly devote, and slowly disappear.

You purse your lips and let out a sigh too heavy for someone like you.

Xavier is almost taken by surprise.

“Let's go.” Xavier can hear it in your tone, and see it in your voice. How truly tired you really are—incomparable to his ever-waking sleepiness.

Your exhaustion runs you dry.

Again, silence befalls the two of you—an unwelcome rhythm that has found a place in the cracks of your relationship.

For the first time, Xavier trails behind you. Watching you. Observing you. And if he didn’t see your face or know your frame, he’d think the person walking in front of him was nothing but a stranger.

This time, Xavier walks in your shadow.

…

ACT IV: SILENCE

You think you’re fading.

The remnants of who you once were have been whittled down to the bone. You’re broken—maybe you always have been. Maybe this was who you were always supposed to be.

You’re so tired, not just emotionally but physically too.

The never-ending stream of wanders is starting to take a toll, even on professionals such as you and Xavier.

Your sword is dull, chipped at the edges, and your wounds scatter across your frame, staining your skin in a dirty shade of red.

Even the almighty knight is struggling to keep up with the demand.

So, as you find refuge in a murky cave, to recuperate the best you can, you find that the full-body ache starts to return.

You lean against a well-placed boulder, breath shallow and your grip loose, as your eyes haze over the fire in front of you.

You feel the warmth reach out for you—gently, creeping through the shell of yourself.

It’s quiet, save for the crackle of the flame.

You feel peaceful for once—the hunt muddling your thoughts so much that you can’t even think straight. Or maybe it’s the exhaustion of not sleeping.

Despite it all, you feel a strange sense of tranquillity. One with the throb in your chest that makes it hard to breathe, but is easier to deal with now that everything aches.

It’s peaceful, you think, as you fade into whatever hole you’ve dug all those years ago. Your mind is muddled, and your soul flickers with the last bits of who you were.

Suddenly, you’re pulled back out—again by the very men who left you there, like a nostalgic toy forgotten all these years.

Your eyes pull away from the fire.

You soak in his gaze. It holds none of the same love you see him give out so freely to MC. It’s hard and stern—years of knighthood sewn into his features. He looks at you like he doesn’t know you at all.

Calloused hand gripping your shoulder—it’s firm enough to shift your attention, your body facing him.

You look at him and try to find the line between succour and obligation. Try to find one thing that says you mattered—even just for a second.

You were foolish to believe that you could remain just his friend, companion, comrade. You were stupid, dumb, idiotic.

You were completely blind to it all—to think that his love could have relieved something burning in you. Something insatiable. Something permanent.

“You’re drifting.” Xavier’s voice cuts through your messy thoughts and heavy heart.

You’ve been drifting.

You don’t make an attempt to joke like you used to—not even a weak smile. You sit back and stare at him like you don’t even know him.

“You’ve been doing that more often.” You take a moment to digest what he says—something he’s noticed entirely on his own, not by MC’s worrywart love.

Once upon a time, you would’ve thought it was normal for him to notice these types of things—the dullness of a close second. But now, you’re surprised. Shocked, even. Like he’s seeing you for the first time.

“Where are you going?” he prompts, and his voice holds something so intrinsic to the soul. Something you can’t find here. Something like home.

You’re fading, like the light of his evol—dimmer, as you’re pulled into the gravity of your own mind.

You’d like to tell him—if not as a lover, then a friend:

I’m lost. I’m gone. I’m tired. I’m sad. I’m furious. I’m not myself. Not with what’s left of who I am.

I am not home.

You don’t. Despite something inside you telling you you must. That it’s not worth dying on this hill.

You think: How much deeper of a hole can you dig before you vanish? Before you're gone? Forgotten? Never having existed in the first place.

Until you’re not a person, but a memory.

You don’t tell him anything, because that’s not the kind of relationship you have—not anymore.

In the midst of the silence, your voice finally breaks through.

Quiet. Cracked. Almost gone.

“I’m thinking of going home.” There’s finality in your tone. Weak as your voice may be, Xavier hasn’t heard such certainty from you in months.

His eyes knit in confusion, contort in concern.

Maybe you’re just tired. But there’s something to your expression—an unspeakable hollowness that wasn’t there before. Your eyes haze over with something distant.

A body without a soul.

Like he always does, he remains silent. Never reaching out. He’s seen you get through worse, come back stronger. He’s seen everything. He knows you.

Or maybe... he knew you.

All the years of companionship will amount to something. It has to. He’s known you for so long. You stuck by his side even through death. You truly were the one stable thing in his life. Never needing to chase—always there, beside him. With him.

It was always you and him—even as he fights his way through the forgotten memories of MC, you remain.

Though, something claws at him, as his hand gently travels down your arm. To reach. To ask what you meant. To wonder if you meant the apartment beside his, where it reflected the culture of Philos, somehow capturing the stars in every object you bought.

He wants to ask if home is with him.

But he doesn’t.

Silence is there to greet him again—him only, he thinks, because you seem so used to it now.

Unfamiliar territory.

His eyes travel to his hand on yours, afraid to let go for some reason. As if letting go meant never seeing you again.

Your head is slumped motionless against his shoulder. His eyes peer onto your back—and then he sees it.

The blood stains the rock behind you. Your back is adorned with gashes that soak your uniform.

“Y/N,” he calls out, like it’s the only thing he knows. Because it’s the only thing he can do.

He hears no response. Not even a whisper of a shallow breath.

It’s not quiet. Not even small.

It’s silent.

Then he feels it. The way your eyes droop down to the fire. The limpness of your hand on his. The paleness. The coldness.

The death.

His spare hand reaches out.

He shakes you. “Don’t close your eyes.”

But you don’t abide—swaying with the motion of his force.

You could do anything. Do everything. Move mountains. Slay beasts. You were strong. Firm. Confident. He knew you could get through anything.

“Come on, just open your eyes. Can’t you do that?”

“One breath. That’s all I need.”

“Hold me tight, Y/N.”

Xavier cradles your gaunt body as he pulls your head taut to his shoulder. He rocks you like a sleeping child, holding you tight—tighter than he ever has before.

He’s shaking—and not from the cold.

He doesn’t know what comes over him, but suddenly, the silence breaks.

And he hears everything. Sees everything. Feels everything.

And he cries.

Because that’s all he can do.

…

ACT V: LINGER

Xavier likes to think that he notices your absence.

The way people step over the shells of your name, the routes taken to avoid the common spaces you once occupied in the living. The untouched work desk, memorialised by those who remembered her. The vacancy next door — the home she built away from home — now barren, her things sold, thrown away, or forgotten.

MC, who was so loud with her affection, mourned just as passionately. Her heart sewn onto her sleeve as she cried the loss of a friend. Flowers tended on the desk of a fallen soldier, and distance built from the apartment upstairs.

But really, he doesn’t.

The way you’ve faded so naturally out of his life — never moving, never reaching. The walk to and from home is the same. His apartment is the same. His life remains the same. Like you were never there. Like the image of your smile wasn’t something that pushed him through distant times.

Like you never meant anything to him.

Like the years of friendship, companionship, camaraderie — all amounted to a tombstone with your name etched into it.

And he hates himself for it.

For being so complacent. For never seeing you. Never hearing you. Never reaching out. For always thinking you’d remain the same: the loyal, competent pillar in his life. For thinking that his silence meant nothing to you.

Because it did. It meant everything.

He hates how he’s living life like he always did — like you weren’t ever part of him. Regret, guilt, grief — they all settle in his bones, for a person he can’t even remember.

Along with the memory of you, time passed, as it always does. And as time passed, he slowly forgot.

Your goals and aspirations. Your loves, your hates.

Your dreams.

He can barely remember your face. The last time you laughed. Your smile.

He can barely remember you at all.

Only pulled in by the gravity of his grief, where he finds you at the centre of it all.

To think he was so far from you. The irony now is that he can’t ever leave.

Stuck on a cursed image of a woman who meant so much to him.

Who held the moon up so he could shine with the stars.

He sits on his bed, light voided from the room. The pictures from your apartment piled by his bedside, facing the stars, watching — as you always did.

For the first time, he’s not tired at all.

Is this how you felt? How restless you were?

When he showed up that time, too worried about MC and her anxieties. Too quick to solve her issues that he hadn’t noticed how your eye bags sank deep enough to stain your spirit. How you lay, lost, drifting to a place he couldn’t reach.

Dreaming of home.

And just like his home, his culture, his people — you too join the faint memory of Philos.

His phone buzzes, bright. The screen illuminates the room.

Xavier thinks it’s MC again — she doesn’t know the depth of what you and Xavier shared, but she understood the weight of long-term partnership.

At first, he answered every time — to relieve her worries, to silently say he was fine.

But now, everything feels like a farce.

A lie he tells himself as much as he tells the world.

If the absence, the silence, isn’t acknowledged — maybe it’ll keep things still. To stop time from moving.

Because if time doesn’t move, then the memory of you won’t fade.

And you’ve faded enough.

He picks up the phone and waits.

Then he hears it — the soft laughter he longed for. It’s gentle and hearty, so full of life.

Xavier peels the phone from his ear to peer at the screen.

Then he sees it. The light. The brightness of a smile lost to memory, now alone. It’s displayed in front of him — teeth bared, lips stretched wide with a feeling he hasn’t seen in years.

It’s you.

Laughing so freely. Smiling so widely.

You’re alive.

Xavier scrambles upright, leaning forward to see the screen more clearly.

It’s you — in clothes he’s never seen you wear, in a room he’s never seen before, with a face he barely remembers.

But he knows it’s you. 

How could he ever forget? Not truly.

So desperately, he calls out. Announcing himself, finally reaching out.

Your eyes perk in surprise as you lean in.

“Holy shit, did he just say my name? That’s crazy!” you giggle, and Xavier is too overcome with emotion to even question the absurdity of your words.

“No wonder people were glazing this game on Twitter!” you laugh before the call cuts.

Xavier’s too stunned to react. He taps rapidly through his phone to check the caller history.

Unknown.

He scrambles to call again.

Anticipation sweating off of him.

He holds his phone tightly and then— You pick up.

Your face: confused.

“Damn, I didn’t even level his affinity up yet and he’s calling already,” you mutter, peering at the screen.

Xavier looks dishevelled, almost destroyed. His hair is a messy heap, and dark circles shadow his eyes. The usual soft glow of his skin— dulled, lifeless.

He’s worn thin. A dead man walking.

“Hey,” Xavier says softly, almost inaudibly.

He watches your face shift — confusion to elation.

“Oh my god, you can even talk! Let me try again.”

And then you speak — not offhand commentary, but to him.

“Hi,” you greet, brightly enough to light up the room.

Xavier is at a loss, and doesn’t reply. But unlike before, you speak again.

“This is so cool. So like, does this count as my daily interaction?” you ask aloud, maybe to yourself, maybe to him— he can’t tell.

“Right, probably not in his programming to answer questions like that,” you mumble, before turning your full attention back to him.

“I’ll see you soon, alright? I hope this mechanic isn’t a glitch.” You grin softly.

And nothing in Xavier’s entire career could’ve prepared him for this.

But he’s not letting this opportunity go. Not when he has another chance to hear you, to see you — and even if he can’t touch you, he’ll never let go.

He’s not letting you slip.

Not now. Not ever. Not again.

“All right... I’ll see you soon,” Xavier replies simply.

Watching your face glow is enough for him.

The way your lips stretch, teeth bare — a face full of life.

Here, he decides: he’ll wait as long as you need.

As long as you want.

He’ll wait until the phone screen glows once again. He’ll wait to see you again.

Close enough to hear you. To see you. But never touch you.

…

ACT VI: ECHO

“Hi Xavier”

The unfair proximity of a dream

[simpurnatural]

"Together Forever" | Oneshot

Sinners | Bo Chow X Fem!Reader

Note from Nat: "Don't even look in my direction guys. I'm just down bad but I hope you all enjoy this oneshot hehe!"

Warning(s): Spoilers, Smut, Language, Semi-Proofread

Pre-Read Summary: You’re a cashier at Bo Chow & Co and have been tasked with taking care of business while the Grace and Bo are out the opening night of Club Juke. However, the night takes an unexpected turn.

🚧undergoing minor rewrite revisions🚧

You tapped your foot impatiently as the clock hands moved to indicate that it is almost well into the night. The Chows had entrusted you in watching the shop and cleaning up, promising to be back in time to take pick up Lisa.

“Now we’ll be back by eleven, which is just enough time for Bo and I to enjoy ourselves,” Grace explained with a hint of nervousness in her voice.

“Y/n gets it honey,” Bo called from the back room, trying to calm his wife’s worries. “No need to be a worry wart now,” he ensures, emerging from where his voice could be heard.

Grace, on one hand, was showing off in a pretty party dress with her hair done up all nice. But Bo, his look was something that had to be forcibly taken from your imagination. Not that he’s never dressed up all fancy, but the dress shirt, khaki slacks, and navy blue vest really did a number on you. The way his sleeves were rolled up just to show the veins so evident on his forearms. Or how his hair was groomed and parted so nicely, but nothing compared to his sweaty and hard-worked figure after a long afternoon.

You felt a sudden wetness across your lips, not realizing for a split second that you had dragged your tongue across so provocatively. In an instant, you turned scarlet and quickly dabbed your apron across your lower lip.

“It just may be a lot for one girl to take care of,” Grace justified as she flattened the skirt of her dress for what seemed the millionth time.

If you were being honest with yourself, you weren’t so sure how Grace scored someone like Bo. With her ‘by the book’ behavior and his laid back demeanor, a feeling deep inside you wondered if he ever wanted something more. Someone who could offer more.

“We won’t keep you out all night Y/n,” Bo swore as the couple got settled into their truck.

“Take care baby,” Grace waved to Lisa, who was manning the check out counter.

She gave her parents a small wave, not knowing it would be last time she’d see her mother. But neither did you, arms crossed as they drove off down the road.

Grace seemed like a safe choice, the right choice. Straight forward and easy love. But the thoughts that kept your mind working all night didn’t mind if you could be the wrong choice, the dangerous lover. Forever in the shadows, not ever daring to step into the light.

Bo always reminded himself to not give into you. Though you had no clue of his true feelings nor did you know of the thoughts that plagued his mind. Hell, he has a wife and kid-a whole life he was already living. But he itched to know the life he could live if he had you.

That’s why when he turned, and Grace couldn’t fathom joining him. Even though an eternity with her husband was right at the door, Bo decided on you.

“Why don’t you catch some shut eye,” you said, turning to Lisa who’s tired eyes met yours. “I’m sure they’ll be here soon,” you assured.

“It’s been hours,” she groaned like the teenager she was, trudging her feet as she made her way to the backroom where a couple chairs were.

You wouldn’t lie and say you weren’t worried yourself, with the klan and other evil entities out there-you could only hope that Grace and Bo were alright.

That’s when you heard a car engine getting closer, cautioning you to move from behind the counter and check the window. Before you could reach it, the sound of a car door opening then shutting. The couple finally returned, or so you thought.

Tilting up one blind with your finger, there stood Bo who you weren’t able to make out his face. But the familiar muscular slim build was enough to identify him. He tossed his head back slightly, gliding a hand through his dark hair as if to settle it back into place.

But just he alone walked up to the store doors, promptly knocking slightly. Your eyes looked for Grace but perhaps she was still in the truck. When you decided to move toward the door lock, Bo’s voice called out.

“Y/n Darlin’, mind letting me in?” He asked which stopped you dead in your tracks. Bo not once ever called you anything but your name.

So when your legs buckled slightly at the pet name, your knee knocked into the newspaper stand right beside you. The weekly newsletter was scattered across the floor.

“It’ll only be a minute, and I’ll be on my way home,” he added, a smile evident in his tone.

You didn’t wait a second before opening the door for him. But when he was finally in the proper light, you realized how disheveled he looked. His dress shirt was slightly untucked, a button was knocked off his vest, and there was a noticeable silver glint in his eyes.

“Bo-Mr. Chow, are you alright?” You asked as your eyes glazed over him in worry.

“Nothing but a good time at the juke joint,” he waved off before stepping a little closer towards you but not exactly in the store. “How about you let me on in there?” he asked, glancing around behind you.

“Of course,” you breathed, clearly shuffling out of the way.

“And let’s get this cleaned up,” he sighed as he got on one knee and began collecting the newspapers on this floor.

You gulped hard with Bo basically at eye level of your womanhood. He was close, you could’ve sworn he could hear your beating heart. Once he gathered all the papers, he placed them back on the stand.

“Did you and Ms. Chow have a good time?” You asked trying to make kind conversation.

“You’d just have to be there to see how grand the whole thing was,” Bo said, pondering on the moment for a second. “Folks from all over coming to dance, drink, and eat-nothin' better than that,” he commented.

He noticed how your hands fumbled together as if trying to come up with the next thing to say. The same half smile still plastered on your face, unsure of what to do next. Chuckling at this, Bo moved past you and towards the back room, as if he knew Lisa was resting there. As you waited for the two of them to come back, you had collected all your belongings from the counter.

“Where’s mama?” Lisa questioned sleepily, walking along side her father.

“She’s still at the joint cleaning up with Miss Annie,” Bo muttered back almost like it was rehearsed.

Your brow perked up at this. He left Grace on her own this late at night? But you decided not to ask any questions that weren’t your business.

“You comin’ Y/n?” Bo asked, glancing over to you.

“I could walk,” you replied as if the thought alone didn’t give you the least bit of creeps.

“All the way home with no help at all?” Bo scoffed. “Come with us and you can spend the night n’ we’ll take you home tomorrow,” he said, a bit more like an order than a suggestion. “Too late for a young pretty woman to be walking alone,” he added.

“If it’s no problem,” you said, not wanting to inconvenience them for a last minute house guest. “Mrs. Chow won’t mind?” You wondered.

The three of you made your way out to the car after you switched off the lights-making sure to lock the front doors as well.

“Don’t worry about her, it’ll be fine,” Bo ensured.

You couldn’t help but worry on the ride back to their home. What if Grace thought of you as disrespectful for staying the night? But Bo suggested you could and how could anyone decline an offer from someone as charming as him.

It felt as though you took a long blink and then you were right in front of the Chow’s home. To which Bo turned to you and handed you the keys.

“Could you open up the house and I’ll carry Lisa on in,” Bo instructed already getting out of the truck.

“Alright,” you said quickly, fumbling with the keys as you headed towards the door. “There we go,” you huffed and reached to switch on the porch light.

You motioned to Bo that the front door was open as he approached with Lisa in his arms. You knew he was strong but he seemed to carry his daughter in with no problem. Kindly, you held the door open as they stepped inside.

Upon placing the keys on the front table, you slid off your sweater and purse. The house seemed very in place and had Grace written all over it. The wildflowers in vases around the house. Colorful fabric curtains and family photos adorned the windows and walls. It was clean and tidy, nothing out of place.

“I’ll just put this little one to bed then I’ll help get you settled in Y/n,” Bo announced in a hushed tone before heading up the stairs.

You moved around to the living room area, taking a seat on the sofa. Part of you felt like this was a bad idea, that Grace was gonna be coming in hot any second now. As if your anxiousness hadn't already been at a high, your eyes set on what seemed to be Bo and Grace's wedding photo on the table across from you.

A young couple grinning ear to ear, the photo probably taken right after the ceremony. Grace with a beautiful bouquet of roses and Bo with a matching boutonniere on his suit jacket. Now you were in their home with the farthest from pure thoughts about the man of the house.

The photograph alone was enough to sway you, making you want to leave right then and there. Placing the framed photo back on the table, you moved back towards the front door where your belongings were. Slinging the purse on the shoulder and your sweater in the crook of your arm. Your hand reaching for the front door-

"Thought you were stayin' the night?" a voice called out, almost tauntingly.

"I-I really shouldn't Mr. Chow," you insisted with your hand now firmly resting on the door knob. "Grace isn't even home and I would hate for this to be improper," you added nervously.

"Now you shouldn't be letting your pretty little head worry about her," Bo sighed, emerging from the stairs.

"Isn't she coming home soon?" you gulped, glancing at all the photos on the wall.

Bo didn't answer but rather slowly sauntered toward you. He almost loomed over you like a shadow bigger than the figure casting it. Your hand wavered from the door know, turning to fully face him. Eyes registering the fact that there was a bit of blood on the corner of his lip.

"Y-you're bleeding," you blurted out quickly, a quivering hand pointing to the crimson liquid.

"It seems so," Bo played off, rubbing it off with the back of his hand. "Too damn drunk to remember knocking into anything on my way down," he chuckled trying to lighten the mood. "But honestly darlin'," he sighed looking you up and down. "You ain't goin' no where."

"What?" you muttered, blinking quickly.

"Seeing that it's late and all," he explained with a shrug, "I'll show you to our spare room," Bo said as he tilted his head-motioning for you to come upstairs with him.

The floor boards creaked as you both ascended to the second floor, a dimly lit hallway with a couple candle lights. Bo showed you to the bedroom at the end of the hall which included a smaller room for bath, sink, and toilet.

"Hopefully you find this of comfort for the night," Bo smiled from the door as you placed your things on the dresser where a mirror carefully set atop.

"Yes. Thank you again Mr. Chow." you smiled back politely.

"Bo is alright," he said, "You can call me Bo," he clarified.

"Bo." You nodded, his name rolling off the tongue smoothly just like how you'd say it while lying in bed. Eyes shut to welcome the dirtiest of dreams, fingers in your panties, and your body twisting in pleasure.

The shutting of the bedroom door ripped you out of your daydreaming. Taking hold of the candle dish on the nightstand, you used it to guide you into the bathroom to freshen up before bed.

After changing out of your dress and into your undergarments, you shuffled back into the bedroom, noticing another door next to the bed. Curiosity took control and it felt as though you floated towards it, opening it quietly as to not alarm Lisa or Bo.

In front of you hung both clothing that belonged to a man and woman-obviously Bo's and Grace's. You decided to check the dresser as well and found another framed photo tucked away under a couple pairs of boxers. This confirmed that you were staying the night in the couple's room. An odd feeling felt as though it was crawling up from under your skin.

Why would Bo give you the main bedroom when his wife was to arrive home at any time? Why did he dismiss your worries about Grace? Where was Bo and Grace supposed to rest tonight?

Millions of these questions raced around your mind, but you decided to get the answers. Checking out the windows, you saw no other cars except Bo's truck outside. You could still see dim lighting from under the bedroom door. Perhaps Bo was just waiting in the kitchen for Grace?

You decided to check for yourself, just for peace of mind. You started with the door across from yours. No soul in sight through the hallway, but lights seemed to be on downstairs. Twisting the door knob quietly, you pushed it open to reveal that you were in Lisa's room.

She laid snoring softly while not even being tucked under the covers, remaining in her day clothes. Stepping closer, you saw that her wrist hung off the bed, something dripping from it resulting in a soft tapping sound. It was too dark to make out what the liquid was without getting closer so you reached your candle beyond and realized that it was blood.

Alarmed, you swiftly turned on your heel and made way in search of Bo. However, your whole body halted abruptly when he mysteriously came into view out of the darkness.

"Sweet of you to check on her, darlin', but she's just resting," he said with an almost evil tone in his voice.

"Bo-Lisa is bleeding," you replied, turning back to the point at her.

"I was just making sure my little girl was gonna be taken care of," he uttered as if the sight wasn't anything to worry about. "It's all part of the plan-the vision," he said coolly.

A bit shaken, you step out of the room with Bo, allowing him to shut the door behind you. He wordlessly took your hand and brought you back to his and Grace's bedroom.

"It's time to turn in for the night I suppose," he sighed as he began to remove his vest.

"This is isn't proper." you voiced, placing the candle dish on the table. "Grace would-"

"She ain't coming back," Bo declared as if tired of the mentioning of her name. "She didn't see the vision, despite me offering a life that wouldn't end-she just couldn't accept it".

"What vision are you even speakin' of?" you remarked and in an instant the silver glint in Bo's eyes grew heavy and his sly smile you knew all too well revealed his sharpened set of teeth.

"The vision I'm offering to open your eyes to darlin'," Bo stated like it was simple as he went back to the shedding his clothes. "The kind where you and I don't gotta worry about what others may think. The life we can live together-forever," he said, kicking his clothes to side and making his way to you. "Wouldn't you want that?" he prompted.

"I don't know," you replied flustered at the intimacy in the question.

"You don't know if you'd want me to care for you, to love you, to treat you the way you've been itchin' for late at night?" he asked as if he had known all along. "I know what my Lisa knows, she catches the looks you give her daddy when you think I ain't lookin'" he smirked.

Bo stepped closer, hands on the hem of your undergarments. You turned your head slightly to avoid his gaze, resulting in mistakenly giving his access to your ever exposed neck. He leaned in and inhaled your scent. His lips barely grazing your soft skin as his hands moved to place themselves at your waist.

"Baby, I could give you that life," he whispered. "Then no one could take you away from me," he added before pressing a kiss along your neck, earning a gasp from you.

"Bo-" you moaned, egging him on to plant more kisses across your exposed skin.

His arms moved to lift you into his arms, your legs wrapped around his waist securely as he walked over to the bed. Bo placed you on the cot gently, watching as you let out of a breath and your eyes widening at the solid state of his manhood underneath his boxers.

"Want me to give this to you?" he asked, his hand softly stroking his clothed cock.

You sat up slightly as you wordlessly nodded, unsure if there was even a wrong answer to his question. Bo smirked at your eagerness and ridded himself of his remaining clothing and you did the same.

"Darlin' you sure are pretty," Bo sighed in awe at your perky tits. "You're everything I imagined you'd like underneath all that ruckus," he admitted as he joined you on the bed. "C'mere baby," he motioned from the head of bed whilst on his knees.

As you scooted closer, Bo turned you around so that you'd be facing the mirror. Your eye lids grew heavy at the sight of the two you naked, skin to skin.

You heard a moan leave Bo's lips as your ass rubbed against his cock. Suddenly it came to you that you've never done nothing like this before. Now the man that you could only imagine of doing this to you was staring back at you from the mirror.

"Bo I ain't never done anything like this with someone before," you rambled anxiously.

"Baby you ain't gotta worry, I'll be real careful." he said, calming you instantly, "Just lean on me and let love on ya," he insisted and pressed his palm to your chest.

You watched as Bo fondled your tits, rubbing your nipples which allowed for the most erotic noises to leave your throat. His hands drifted down south and right where your button was and began rubbing it in a circular motion.

With you back arched, Bo used his other hand to ensure that you were still looking into the mirror. Both of you moaned at the sight, your slick let him know just how bad you wanted him.

You leaned forward slightly as Bo moved your hair onto one side, giving himself access to suckle on your neck. He didn't mind leaving marks that would remain for the next couple days. Neither did you at this point.

Bo was feeding off the explicit noises you let out and the sight alone could've made him come undone. But he wanted to take his time on you, after all, you both waited so long for this.

"Let me in baby," Bo huffed, the thick tip of his length teasing at your folds. "Tell me it's alright that I do darlin'," he pleaded as your slick began coating his tip.

You let out a guttural moan as his face rested on the crook of your neck, the feeling of sharp teeth dragging along your skin. Part of you acknowledged that once Bo turned you, there wouldn't be one bit of normalcy to return to. But you were willing to give it all up. To give everything to him, to have him for eternity.

"Yes," you whimpered as you watched Bo's jaw begin to open. "I let you in," you sighed.

It felt synchronized, the feeling of Bo as he slid his cock passed your folds and into your pussy along with his teeth sinking into your neck. You gasped at the intense pain and pleasure you felt in that moment, Bo's thrusting up into your cunt as he held your arms captive.

Bo loved the taste of you and watching as you gave your entire body to him. Your eyes fluttered continuously as he sucked your lifeline diligently.

"This what you've been wanting darlin'?" he whispered into your ear. "For me to fuck you and make you mine?" he asked, not caring that your mouth was left agape letting all the noises you were making escape.

"Mhm," you mumbled, your body rocking with every thrust.

Bo looked down and watched your pussy take every inch of him. Every time he pulled out the wetter the coating of your slick became. He was in control and finally he was able to have you all for himself.

"How about you let me fill you up baby?" he asked, feeling himself grow closer to cumming with every thrust. "I would love to see myself drippin' out of you like a faucet." he groaned at the mere thought.

"P-please yes Bo," you gasped as his hips snapped into your. "Fill me please," you yearned.

Your moans copied the slamming of his cock, your hair becoming more a mess. A knot began to build up in your stomach as Bo re-adjusted himself and aimed for that sweet spot.

"Oh Bo," you cried as he repeatedly fucked into the spot with no sign of stopping.

"I'm gonna fill you to the brim darlin', don't you worry." he snickered into your ear. "But I wanna make sure come undone for me baby." he said, "Can you do you that for me?"

"Yes b-baby," you assured, which sent Bo over the edge.

Your walls clenched around him as your knot released and hot seed began pouring into your cunt. Bo's thrusts faltered before your both fell back onto the mattress.

"You're mine. Forever darlin'. "

MAY 2025

[probablyasocialecologist]

There is a growing body of physiological, anatomical, ethnographic, and archaeological evidence to suggest that not only did women hunt in our evolutionary past, but they may well have been better suited for such an endurance-dependent activity. We are both biological anthropologists. I (co-author Cara) specialize in the physiology of humans who live in extreme conditions, using my research to reconstruct how our ancestors may have adapted to different climates. And I (co-author Sarah) study Neanderthal and early modern human health. I also excavate at their archaeological sites. It’s not uncommon for scientists like us—who attempt to include the contributions of all individuals, regardless of sex and gender, in reconstructions of our evolutionary past—to be accused of rewriting the past to fulfill a politically correct, woke agenda. The actual evidence speaks for itself, though: Gendered labor roles did not exist in the Paleolithic era, which lasted from 3.3 million years ago until 12,000 years ago. The story is written in human bodies, now and in the past.

[...]

Our Neanderthal cousins, a group of humans who lived across Western and Central Eurasia approximately 250,000 to 40,000 years ago, formed small, highly nomadic bands. Fossil evidence shows females and males experienced the same bony traumas across their bodies—a signature of a hard life hunting deer, aurochs, and woolly mammoths. Tooth wear that results from using the front teeth as a third hand, likely in tasks like tanning hides, is equally evident across females and males. This nongendered picture should not be surprising when you imagine small-group living. Everyone needs to contribute to the tasks necessary for group survival—chiefly, producing food and shelter, and raising children. Individual mothers are not solely responsible for their children; in forager communities, the whole group contributes to child care. You might imagine this unified labor strategy then changed in early modern humans, but archaeological and anatomical evidence shows it did not. Upper Paleolithic modern humans leaving Africa and entering Europe and Asia show very few sexed differences in trauma and repetitive motion wear. One difference is more evidence of “thrower’s elbow” in males than females, though some females shared these pathologies. And this was also the time when people were innovating with hunting technologies like atlatls (spear throwers), fishing hooks and nets, and bow and arrows—alleviating some of the wear and tear hunting would take on their bodies. A recent archaeological experiment found that using atlatls decreased sex differences in the speed of spears thrown by contemporary men and women. Even in death, there are no sexed differences in how Neanderthals or modern humans buried their dead or the goods affiliated with their graves. These indicators of differential gendered social status do not arrive until agriculture, with its stratified economic system and monopolizable resources. All this evidence suggests Paleolithic women and men did not occupy differing roles or social realms.

[maddascanbe-blog]

Ladies and Gentlemen. I give you Little Vesperia. She's a powerful punch in a petite package! I posted her design in sketches ages ago but I was SO jazzed to finally do it digital. And I finally could do Teen Zoé and Vesperia.

Buckle up folks this is a long one.

I won't go into too much detail on Teen Zoé's fit, since I already talked about it in here. But Vesperia is where things get more interesting.

Little Vesperia obviously takes more inspiration from Queen Bee since in my rewrite Zoé idolizes Chloé so much. Zoé's father couldn't really be bothered to care about Zoé, she's been at every boarding school and summer camp he could afford while still keeping most of the money Audrey sends him. She rarely sees him, and when they are stuck together he wants her out of sight and out of mind.

Then Zoé is uprooted entirely when Audrey's infidelity is exposed. To save face she gets brought to Paris, to play at being one big happy family. She may be young, but she's wise enough to know this is just another person using her for their gain. She did face bullying at her schools, and a whole lot of nothing done about it from the teachers.

She also does not speak french. Which means that a good 70% of people have no idea how to communicate with her. And Audrey was no help. Zoé vas given so little information she didn't even KNOW she had an older sister when the was taken to France. Chloé was a complete blindside to her.

And she especially doesn't expect this intimidating teenager to kneel down to her level, and in perfect english explain that it's okay to be scared and she'll make sure Zoé won't be stuck wondering what's gonna happen next.

They spend the rest of the day learning where everyone is, and what certain things are called in french so that Zoé has a better way to communicate. They also sit down and order decorations for Zoé's room.

Zoé fully anticipated André to ignore her, but he is kind like he is in cannon. Just very busy so can only get in small conversations with her. Still, he's shown her more care than her own father had in the 9 years she's been alive. Since he'll ask her about her day, anything she may need, how school has been, etc. He also manages to get a free day to show her all the cool things in the hotel that most people don't know are there. He tries to have dinner with Chloé and Zoé as often as possible and they eat lunch together at the hotel at least once a week.

Now to Teen Zoé. I'll probably write this down in a separate post but my Idea for her is because of the limits I put on the rabbit miraculous Bunnix is no longer able to fight Timetagger, but she IS able to bring someone from that point in time to help instead. And since bringing anyone that could be recognized could potentially cause a paradox, the best solution is to bring in someone who they haven't met yet.

Design wise I like Vesperia's cannon design but it does look more like a wasp than a bee. I based her top on these biker jackets that had segments on the sides and just made the segments alternate black and yellow. I originally planned to keep the black top and yellow bottoms, but it just didn't look the way I wanted it too. I think making the jacket yellow makes it look much more like a bee. Also black mask because I like how those look better.

I think Little Vesperia looks good too, different enough from Queen Bee while still looking like she took inspiration, my favorite part was making it look like she had striped socks. While Teen Zoé looks like a logical progression while also dipping into badass as opposed to cute. Also her pupils turn gold to further differentiate her from Queen Bee.

(Bonus- Verpseria with colors closer to her originals)

[emilija04acer]

Jayvik fics list (pt2)

Older fics that are longer and were written before season 2. Many are a mixture of Arcane and LoL lore.

Byproduct of a Gifted Mind by argonautoida is the first part of the series Viktor Quartet. Jayvik starts in the second and third parts.

Viktor works for Silco in this AU.

I re-read this series a lot...

I will stay so the lantern in your heart won't fade by OrangeChickenPillow

“Come on,” was all Jayce said. “I’m taking you home.” Viktor shook his head, eyes widening slightly. After a moment of trying to organize his racing thoughts, he looked down and said, “I am not sure being alone would be the most responsible thing for me at the moment.” “Alright, well… No problem, then.” The other man looked up, confused. It still sounded very much like a problem. The sentiment must have been clear on his face because Jayce quickly explained. “Viktor, I am officially inviting myself to sleep over.” If Viktor had ever imagined getting Jayce into his bed, it would not have been like this.

doctrine by aevallare

"They're going to destroy us," Jayce says. "They're people, Jayce. If one thing in my life had gone differently, I'd still be down there myself." Jayce won't meet his eyes. viktor finances ekko and the firelights. this is not a conflict of interest until it is.

All of their Jayvik fics are lovely and I recommend them.

♥––––––––♥♥––––––––♥

Adopting Jinx>

AU is basicly a rewrite of the whole season 1.

Whatever It Takes by cryptiddentalstudent

Viktor, Jayce, and Mel raise an extremely volatile Jinx AU When Vi sees Silco standing over Powder she manages to break free from Marcus and get back to her sister. The two are captured by Silco– Vi becoming his right hand and de facto leader of the lanes- and Powder being sent away to Stillwater Hold as a hostage. But Powder is done being a jinx to the people she loves. Instead, she’ll use her bad luck to foil every plan Silco has for her. The first step? Get out of the prison cell. The second? To figure out how to get the two well meaning scientist who have taken her in to let her close enough to their research to build a bomb.

This is my favorite story of this AU. I love their dynamic in the first part of this series. Jayce and Viktor aren't together (yet) but Jinx thought they were.

Bombs and Secrets Both Blow Up by TheBardITP

Showing that hextech worked, and the subsequent debate with the Council, was exhausting. More than that, it wore out Viktor's lungs, meaning that he needed to get himself some medicine from the undercity. Unfortunately, witnessing a hextech blue explosion means his plans for the future irrevocably change. Two hextech partners become three hextech partners, as Powder latches onto Viktor instead of Silco. But Silco didn't make Jinx -Vi did. It's already too late for Powder, and Jinx will take her pain out on Piltover, the undercity, and anyone else she wants to. She has friends, though, and family -people who care for her. In time, it may be enough to heal her . . . at least a little. There will be a happy ending to the sad story of sisters and sister cities. Note: The main story is chapters 1-75. Everything after is fluff for the characters, who very much deserve it!

We’ll Paint The Wolf In Gold by AbiCats16

,'And as those wide eyes pierced her soul, Mel considered if she should just let it alone. She was not so brimming with love, and this child clearly needed more than she could give. She really oughtn't to bring herself trouble. This was not her forte, not her place, not within the boundaries of the comfort zone she had built around herself since her exile. She had no maternal instincts, and for a dreaded moment she reconsidered whether she should just turn the girl in and be done with it. And then the child leapt forth and latched onto her waist, knocking her to the ground. Well.' In which Mel takes in Powder at the end of Act 1.

The Scientist's Daughter by onegraycat

“You sound nervous, Viktor. Is something –” Then he caught sight of the small hand clutching the side of Viktor’s vest. Jayce’s words stuck in his throat as a face peeped out from behind the scientist, a young girl with startlingly blue hair looking up at him with fear. “Um – who’s this?” . . . years later . . . “Just this once,” Jinx whispered, “Can’t I prove that I can help my family instead of watching them die?" On the night Jinx loses her family, Viktor finds her and takes her in as his apprentice on the Hextech team. But when he falls ill, the lengths she’ll go to save him might just drive her mad…

A Scientific Guide to Parenting Your Spontaneously Adopted, Traumatized Child by Noir_Kabuki

On the fateful night that her monkey bomb finally works, Powder is swept up by a team of enforcers investigating the explosion and taken to Piltover, where she lands directly in the clutches of... two loving dads. Now Jayce and Viktor, in addition to spearheading the Hextech revolution and building their own relationship, have to figure out how to best take care of this belligerent, prodigious, and (often literally) bombastic little girl. Does chaos ensue? Yes. Would any of them change a thing? No they would not.

Collaberation of Loners by EndlessRose

A scenario where enforcers found Powder before Silco got to her. Now Jayce and Viktor are forced to appeal for their hextech dream and keep the very thief that started everything from being sent to prison.

pt 2 An Undoing by EndlessRose

A series of short stories with Powder living under the guardianship of the creators of Hextech. Will there be chaos? Of course there will be. A continuation of Collaboration of Loners

♥––––––––♥♥––––––––♥

Divorce Era (LoL + Arcane)>>>

What Shall I Do With This Body They Gave Me? by Thinwhitedutchess

After the explosion, the majority of the council are left dead. Viktor nearly joins them, but Jayce doesn't let him die. Now, a month after Viktor leaves Piltover, Jayce is summoned to the bridge. But the man he meets there is different than the one who left him. The war is just beginning.

My Dear Adversary by Ts_Stuff

Jayce scanned The Herald’s mask as if he could read into its unchanging features. “You really think we can set all of it aside?” Viktor came close to him again and offered out his right hand, “I have sacrificed my humanity for the bigger picture, Defender. This is nothing compared to that.” - With Shimmer rampant, and his The Council in corrupt waters, Jayce travels to the Undercity to get to the bottom of Shimmer production to expose his colleagues. Coincidentally, his long-time adversary, Viktor, is also looking to end the Shimmer Crisis for the sake of Zaun’s health. Normally, Jayce wouldn’t trust an enemy, but he has no funds or allies in his research. He could only hope he wasn’t making a mistake.

Broken beyond repair by Beweme

Jayce finds himself stuck underground with Viktor, and after deciding to make a truce until they get out, he realizes just how much he misses his old friend.

grieving (all that i gave up) by MaryaDmitrievnaLikesSundays

Jayce makes a list in his mind of what he knows for certain: Fact one: the building fell. Fact two: despite being inside, he hasn’t been flattened into a meaty pulp. Fact three: the Machine Herald, who could have used his inhuman speed to escape into the night, instead moved at the speed of light to stand over Jayce, back bowed, hands up against the concrete threatening to crush him, one knee digging into the floor to hold the weight of the building. Conclusion: ”You saved me,” Jayce whispers. —— Or, when the Defender of Tomorrow sets out to face off once again with the Machine Herald, he never imagines that he’ll end up stuck beneath the rubble with nothing but the Herald and their history.

Amaranthine Wins by chowderpuff

Lost in the streets of Zaun with a skinned knee, Amaranthine meets a man by the name of Viktor. He takes her in, patches her up, and gives her a bit of kind advice. He seems sort of lonely, though. If only he would agree to meet her dad (of sorts).

Divorced dads pretend not to care about each other.

♥––––––––♥♥––––––––♥

Explicit (one poly)>>>

HAMMER TO FALL by Caspercryptid (FaiaHae), theneonpineapple

Viktor and Jayce are roommates, old friends, and lab partners. They both have just one little secret from the other, which would be fine, if it weren't the same secret. Only on different sides of an incredibly deep divide between two cities.

This is a Super Hero\Super Villain AU... A love square, technically. When you don't know the identity of your arch-enemy, it kinda happens.

Guys, is it gay to have an arch-enemy?

Here is your answer >

breathe with me by Sinister_Queer

When the Machine Herald, gravely wounded, requests Jayce's help in repairing his augmented body - who is Jayce to deny his old friend? (AKA: The Inherent Homo-Eroticism of Holding Your Ex-Husbands Lungs In Your Hands)

Anywhere Away From Here by Laugh_at_the_girl_who_loves_too_easily

Viktor is forced to go to a Gala by Jayce and a night to remember ensues. Being invited to a Gala ran by the Kiramman's, or a gala ever, was not an occurrence Viktor saw happening in his lifetime. And yet here Viktor was. He was surrounded by Piltovians who didn't even know of his existence–like he expected–let alone his name, which occasionally frustrated the Zaunite, but for now he just wanted the event to end quickly. He hoped to fade into the background. Come tomorrow, Viktor would throttle Jayce for causing him to have to endure this... torture. He was certain Jayce was enjoying his pain right now, if he knew where the big oaf was.

2X8 Viktor behavior (in 22)

Someone Worth Sharing by fenfyre (Jace)

Viktor had known this day would come. Had known it since he noticed the way Mel looked at Jayce. What he had not seen coming though was how this day would end.

Mel invites Viktor to join them in Jayce's bedroom. There is powerplay, and it's long.

He who makes a beast of himself by MGCraig, SirCumference

'Maybe this is normal. Maybe most people who are dying of slow decay start feeling mysterious pains in the last months of their lives. Maybe he should just take up smoking shimmer and call it a life. Or, perhaps this has something to do with his… “experiment.” Maybe Viktor somehow did this to himself.' Viktor turns into a horrible creature. Jayce is kind of into it.

I'm sure some will be into this. Vik is the top in this one.

The Pulse of the Machine by BringtheKaos

The Machine Herald is captured by Piltover after a failed attack on the bridge, and he is mortally wounded in the process. Jayce must risk everything to save him and repair the damage done, racing against the clock as Piltover hunts him down for treason, but the history between them complicates things. Despite his claims that his actions are no longer dictated by emotion, Viktor is still harboring anger and hatred for his exile in the wake of Jinx's attack, and blames Jayce for what happened. But despite it all, they still care about each other (in their own violent, traumatized ways) and as time runs out, necessity forces them to face the past—and each other—if they want to get out of this unscathed.

wound care by weatheredlaw for Sinister_Queer

"No, you don't get to know," Jayce snaps. "You forfeited that right when you had your lawyer serve me with our fucking divorce papers in the emergency room!" or: jayce and viktor are two brilliant surgeons at piltover general. when a tough patient brings them closer together, old troubles make themselves known.

♥––––––––♥♥––––––––♥

Part 3 is on the way

[retellingthehobbit]

Retelling The Hobbit Chapter 15: Unattached First chapter / Previous / Next Read full comic on: Webtoon/A03 

Other blogs : Instagram/Tumblr Sideblog

Thank you for reading! The next chapter of this comic adaptation of The Hobbit will be titled (drumroll)....The Song of the Lonely Mountain!

Check under the cut for notes on the callbacks to previous chapters of this comic, and to Tolkien stories like the Unfinished Tales! —-

—-

One of my guiding ideas for this comic is that the story is being written/drawn by Bilbo Baggins, an  “unreliable narrator,” who has a biased way of recounting events. As the comic goes on, parts of the story get retold through new perspectives (or through the eyes of other characters), and you realize the initial version you read was incomplete. 

A lot of you probably noticed that this chapter features a ton of callbacks to the earliest chapters of this comic! We saw child Bilbo and Gandalf's friendship told from Bilbo's POV in Chapter 3.....but in this chapter we see it retold from Gandalf's POV. However, Belladonna Took is our biggest instance of that!   Not to overexplain my own writing, but Chapter 1 is an older Bilbo painting an idealized happily-ever-after fairytale picture of Belladonna, while Chapter 15 features a younger Bilbo telling a far less optimistic version of her life.  While there's truth to both of them, neither of them is the full truth.

In the Fellowship of the Ring, Bilbo tells Frodo that ‘books need to have good endings,' like endings where everyone "lives happily ever after." If I were to continue this comic to the end of the novel, Bilbo’s habit of “rewriting things to be happier" would become a whole Thing. 

Second: Much of this chapter is taken directly from “The Unfinished Tales: The Quest For Erebor.” That story was Tolkien’s attempt to unite the tone of The Hobbit with LOTR, by having Gandalf explain what The Hobbit looked like from *his* perspective. The gay line about Bilbo feeling incapable of settling down into a Traditional Marriage with a Wife And Kids is taken almost directly from the Unfinished Tales. So are all the lines where Gandalf reflects on what Bilbo was like as a child, and the moment where Bilbo reflects that all of his desire for adventure has dwindled to a private dream.

Third: Obviously, the other big influence on this chapter (outside the original novel) was a similar scene in the PJ film. The little bit where Gandalf reveals the lore behind Bullroarer took monologue is the only dialogue I’ve directly lifted from that scene. ;3

Fourth: some of you may have caught that I used a quote describing Frodo’s wanderlust in the Fellowship of the Ring to describe Bilbo. The bit describing "the maps that only show white spaces beyond their borders" is also why I emphasized Bilbo’s canonical nerdiness around  maps in earlier chapters (chapter 5 especially, but also in Chapter 6, Chapter 7, and a blink-and-you-miss-it moment in chapter 14.) 

Fifth: one of my favorite things in the original book are all the scenes where Gandalf does fun Whimsical things with smoke/smoke rings. In the book he usually makes them change color or race around; in my comic he usually makes them turn into butterflies (he also does this in chapters 3 and 11.) you may have noticed that Butterfly Symbolism is a big thing in this comic.  But yeah, in another callback: Gandalf finally had time to blow smoke-rings with Bilbo, which he said he 'had no time for' in Chapter 2!

Thanks again for reading! I tentatively plan for the next chapter to arrive on November 13th.

[mcflymemes]

SUNSET BOULEVARD PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue from the 1950 film, adjust as necessary

wait a minute, haven't i seen you before?

where you been keeping that gorgeous face of yours?

you're a writer, you said.

i said you could have my couch.

i haven't done anything.

no one ever leaves a star. that's what makes one a star.

i know your face.

you used to be big.

i am big. it's the pictures that got small.

i promise you i'll never desert you again.

you see... this is my life. it always will be. nothing else.

i'm ready for my close-up.

don't you sometimes hate yourself?

audiences don't know somebody sits down and writes a picture. they think the actors make it up as they go along.

funny how gentle people get with you once you're dead.

i didn't know you were planning a comeback.

i hate that word.

i'm sorry, [name], but i just didn't think it was any good.

i found it flat and trite.

oh, the old familiar story. you help a timid little soul cross a crowded street, she turns out to be a multimillionaire and leaves you all her money.

that's the trouble with you readers. you know all the plots.

we don't need two cars.

i'm not an executive, just a writer.

i'd always heard you had some talent.

that was last year. this year i'm trying to earn a living.

you heard him. i'm a star.

that wasn't good enough for them.

the stars are ageless, aren't they?

i want to speak to the coroner.

this is more important.

don't bother with a rewrite.

i've been hoping to run into you.

this whole place seemed to have been stricken with a kind of creeping paralysis... out of beat with the rest of the world, crumbling apart in slow motion.

i understand she was a terror to work with.

who've we got now? some nobodies!

where have you been keeping yourself?

i've got the most wonderful news for you.

sometimes it's interesting to see just how bad bad writing can be.

this is the day!

that's a lie! they still want me!

don't be silly.

i was going to give it to you at midnight.

what's the matter with you?

what right do you have to take me for granted?

do you want me to tell you?

has it ever occurred to you that i may have a life of my own?

i'm all wrong for you.

what you're trying to say is that you don't want me to love you. say it.

i had ten years of dramatic lessons, diction, dancing.

haven't they got any eyes?

i'll show them!

do you mind if i say a few words?

you don't know how much i've missed all of you.

you there! why are you so late?

why have you kept me waiting so long?

great stars have great pride!

may i say that you smell really special?

how old are you anyway?

if you need any help with the coffin, call me.

how long is a movie script these days?

there just aren't any faces like that anymore.

i just had to get out of there.

i had to hear somebody laugh again.

[psychicwavementality]

🚨 🚨 ‼️ 🇨🇳🇭🇰 HK/CHINESE SUOPOST V2 PART 1 HAS LANDED!!

EDIT NOV 11 2024: So with recent Niisato interview news that Suo was designed to be a cool Chinese character, I have officially lost all words. Take my post as my "I called it so hard because it was obvious from the start, but I sure do appreciate the extra confirmation" cheer.

I never thought it would see the light of day because this draft got deleted like, 2 times and running. But it's here. It's finally here.

Below the cut is another long and lengthy Suopost V2 about his inherent Chineseness and, may I now congratulate, even further Hong Kongness! Not only that, but now we have Endo Yamato also starting to show signs of diagnosable Chineseness, and because my CN friend and I are ridiculously tweaky when it comes to overanalyzing characters who show even a smidge of Chinese in their eyes—this post was born! Sadly, because I am slow as hell when it comes to writing, this post only contains 11,000 words discussing Suo Hayato. You'll need to wait for Part 2 if you want to see me Hallelujahpost and Chinkpost Endo Yamato... blame my stupid baka life.

Now feast your eyes upon me having to correct my own errors in analysis that turns out to reveal even more Chinese connotations 😭😭😭💪!! This is VERY VERY long and has genuine deep analysis regarding a lot of China/HK culture/like 8 seconds of politics and 15 minutes of history + the weight behind some symbolism in Suo's name + theories regarding Suo's arc + Suo's absolutely yappable connection to 儒家思想/Confucianism.

Later in Part 2, we'll talk about Endo Yamato's biblical symbolism + alchemical influence + his connections to Suo, and how I can jokingly chinkpost him lol. I'll also be uploading a Reddit version of this post onto r/WindBreakerManga either tomorrow or the day after because I have to re-format a lot of things.

So strap in for a long and potentially mind-exploding ride because this is what happened to me while researching/writing all this. BTW, feel free to spam live commentary at me using Tumblr's comment function or something because I'd love to hear your thoughts while reading this whole gigantanorstus assfuck of a post... I'm not okay. I think I went insane. Niisato needs to pay me USD 1,664,800 for a new heart because I think mine stopped beating multiple times during research.

Before we begin, I'd like to tell everyone who has read my previous Suo chinkpost (v1) to DISREGARD EVERYTHING I SAID ABOUT SUO'S FLOWER BEING PLUM BLOSSOMS. You'd think I'd be devastated to find out I have to retcon an entire analysis because I picked out the wrong flower. You'd be expecting Suo to lose Chinese aurapoints. I shit you not: he auramaxxed HARDER. It's like opening a Pandora's Box; you learn about the real flower and then 5 trillion more connotations are thrown at you at Mach 20. It is more over than I thought possible when I wrote the traditionally symbolic Chinese boypreggers marriage room part. And one connection caused me to spiral into another, thus stretching this post's wordcount into unholy numbers 😭

Anyway.

In Suopost v1, I thought these fuckass flowers [IMG 1] next to Suo were plum blossoms [IMG 2] and, ngl! They look plenty like them. But after I read this mind-blowing char analysis + theory document made by u/Snowy-kitten, my jaw fell as:

Oops, Suo's name means Chinese redbud [IMG 3], and if Sakura's flowers are sakura, then Suo's flowers should be redbuds. Damn, I got it wrong, time to rewrite my Suopost. Sorry for spreading misinformation gu—

...What are these flowers called in Chinese anyway?

why do i hear boss musicHOLY SHIT OH MY GOD THEY'RE CALLED 紫荊花. OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH M

Taken directly from the wonderful and super informative document which I highly advise you to read to fully understand this post, especially if you have time:

Su (蘇) – sappanwood, a wood that can be made into medicine used to improve blood circulation, treat wounds, and alleviate pain. It also symbolizes revival, resurrection

O (枋) – sappanwood or a tough wooden plank that can be used for crafting, maybe symbolizing the bridge of communication between other characters?

Suo (蘇枋) – Sappanwood, a deciduous shrub of the legume family (ie a small shrub that loses all its leaves in winter), or Chinese redbud, symbolizing family harmony, can be used as treatment for fever (No wonder why Sakura recovered after Suo visited him)

Haya (隼) – Falcon, a symbol of nobility (high status + wealth) in Japan, also symbolizes bravery, power and vision, is an icon of pursuit and movement, heading toward success (Falcon in other cultures also symbolizes freedom, which might have something to do with Suo’s dream – the liberation of slaves)

To (飛) – Fly or Flight

Hayato (隼飛) – Flying Falcon

Analysis: Most likely the key to the success of Sakura or Bofurin’s rebirth, if Sakura became the leader of Bofurin, Suo would most likely be his right-hand, just like Hiiragi and Umemiya

- Although Chinese redbud symbolizes family harmony in Chinese culture, it also symbolizes betrayal/death due to betrayal in the Bible

- Unlike other characters, Suo’s name contains more than one species of tree, would this be a hint of him having more than one identity, hence the traitor theory?*

*I'll elaborate with my own understanding on the traitor theory expanded from the information I've gotten from u/Snowy-kitten's document. Please please pleaser read their theories and their analyses!! It's super super good and deserves so much credit and a lot of this post is built from it.

-

1. Suo and the 'Chinese Redbud'

Suo's name is extremely fucking insane if viewed from a cultural lens — specifically the symbolism of the 'Chinese redbud' as well as some themes of the 'sappanwood'.

If you're from HK you might already be freaking out with me when you saw those three Chinese characters: 紫荊花, AKA the Chinese name of Suo's second plant after the sappanwood. You might be thinking, User Psychiwavementality, is it truly joever as it is? Is there no coming barack from the HK suoposting? Have we found salvation? Is Suo from Hong Kong, better yet, the Wind Breaker version of Sun Yee On or 14K???

Unfortunately, I have to inform you: no. 🥲 Suo's flower is NOT the bauhinia, known as the '洋紫荊' yang zijing/bauhinia x blakeana/羊蹄甲屬 (yang ti jia shu) which happens to be the official flower of Hong Kong.

Suo's flower is the '紫荊花', or the zijing hua/cercis chinensis, which, in China, can be found in southwest Guangdong, southern Guangxi, and southeastern Yunnan the most. <- These could be places Suo hails from!

However, the Chinese redbud/ZJH and the Bauhinia/YZJ are often used interchangeably (and also incorrectly), causing confusion and mix-ups between both flowers, as HK's 'yang zijing' is sometimes shortened directly to 'zijing'.

Outside of WBK, this shortening is a topic of political discussion. For reference, there is debate around the could-be or could-not-be intentional omission of the 洋 (yang) character in Mainland China when referring to the yang zijing (making it simply zijing (hua) and not the YZJ) as well as how it affects HK.

There was discussion when the HK's Gov. omitted the 'yang' and referred to the YZJ as the 'zijing hua' in our Basic Law. If you want to get a gist of the discussion it feel free to Google Translate this image because mobile Tumblr only lets me embed 10 images and I need to use it sparingly lol.

From Wikipedia:

洋紫荊作為香港法定代表花卉，在《香港特別行政區基本法》第一章第十條提述香港區旗及區徽時被稱作「紫荊花」，英文版則使用泛指羊蹄甲屬的「bauhinia」。然而「紫荊花」一名除在中國南方多泛指羊蹄甲屬外，也可以泛指紫荊亞科的其他花卉，甚至特指紫荊屬物種紫荊（Cercis chinensis）的花。紫荊與洋紫荊兩個物種的花朵外觀有顯著分別，但因中國大陸媒體多依照「紫荊花」一名來宣傳香港市花[註 3]，引致部分中國大陸民眾誤以為香港市花為紫荊的花。

(Edited MTL):

As the legal representative flower of Hong Kong, Bauhinia is called "紫荊花 (ZJH)" when referring to the Hong Kong regional flag and regional emblem in Article 10 of Chapter 1 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The English version uses "bauhinia" which generally refers to the genus Bauhinia. However, the name "紫荊花 (ZJH)", in addition to generally referring to the genus Cercis chinensis in southern China, can also generally refer to other flowers of the subfamily Bauhinia, and even specifically refers to the flowers of the genus Cercis chinensis.

There are significant differences in the appearance of the flowers of the two species, Cercis chinensis and Bauhinia x blakeana. However, because the mainland Chinese media mostly uses the name "紫荊花 (ZJH)" to promote the municipal flower of Hong Kong, some people in mainland China mistakenly believe that the municipal flower of Hong Kong is the 紫荊花 (ZJH).

(I'm not shitting you when I tell you even Google Translate didn't pick up on the nuances between yang zijing and zijing hua 😭😭 also the scientific names have me tripping so the MTL might be wrong yet I'm too blurry to correct it properly... if any native Chinese speaker wants to write a proper TL in the comments I allow you to help me!!)

2. What does this mean for Suo?

The Lack of '洋 (yang)':

(This part touches a little on HK/China/UK history and politics.)

Now that you know the difference between the 'yang zijing' and the 'zijing hua', let me explain some possible symbolism that Suo might carry by having the ZJH as his other plant and not the YZJ.

In Chinese, '洋' means 'foreign'. And yes, Suo likes foreign tea and cakes. Anyway, some people think that the omission of '洋’ is a way to be politically accurate as it may carry connotations of HK being colonized by the UK, and the Mainland Gov. is known to be against the colonization of Hong Kong, often being reluctant to admit that HK belonged to the UK in a brief period of history after signing an unequal treaty. The Mainland Gov. commonly asserts that HK has always been a part of China even during the colonial period, claiming that HK was rightfully returned to its roots on the 1st of July, 1997.

Hence, there is the omittance of 'yang/foreign' from 'yang zijing', whether unintentional or not, when referring to HK's flower, resulting in many current-gen Mainlanders referring to it as the ZJH, which if intentional, could be used as a way to linguistically minimize the alienation between HK and China.

Theories/Speculation as to why it was omitted:

There are multitudes of reasons why Nii Satoru could have chosen to use the ZJH instead of the YZJ in Suo's name.

On a practical level, one reason may be because Suo's name is intended to have double meanings—sappanwood and the Chinese redbud—to show that he has two sides to him, most likely being connections to Chinese culture. Nii Satoru might have been unable to use this two-sided symbolism if he used the YZJ instead, hence why he used the ZJH instead of the YZJ; furthermore, there is a cultural story that comes with the ZJH that could very well coincide and foreshadow Suo's arc which I will explain soon. I personally think this is the most likely reason.

Another practical reason is that Nii Satoru genuinely had no idea there was a difference between the YZJ and the ZJH and, if he ends up revealing that Suo is a born-and-raised in HK lad, he made an honest mistake while trying to hint at Suo being from Hong Kong.

Nii Satoru could also not want to be too 'on-the-nose' when hinting at Suo having correlations to HK, OR he wanted to imply that Suo was originally from China and immigrated to HK at a young age — or it could be hinting at his ancestors moving from China to HK, which was common back in the 'golden era of HK' spurred forward by its advancement in the film industry as well as budding business opportunities for being an international trading hub. Either way, it could have meant to be a nod towards Suo being from China and not Japan/HK etc.

On a theory/canon level, Suo could have intentionally chose this Japanese name for himself and intentionally omitted the '洋 (yang)'/'foreign' character. He could've done it because he dislikes its implications, that he's a stranger in a foreign land (Japan). Or he could be touchy about his identity as a 'foreigner' — what differentiates him from the Japanese? Hence why he dresses and expresses himself so Chinese-ly — or he could've done it to show that he's freeing himself of his roots — people who leave their OG culture behind often become walking time capsules of That Particular Period, and the loss of '洋 (yang)' could also imply he's losing his connections to Hong Kong/the triad. The latter ties in with my tiny theory that Suo's hair is short because he cut it as a way to symbolize him breaking away from his shixiong/shidi, yet his past still haunts him in the way his tassel earrings resemble long hair at times. (The flower meaning of ZJH is also very very in line with this latter theory. I will elaborate more in my next part about the meaning of the Chinese redbud/ZJH.)

Suo could also be omitting this character on purpose to reconnect with his Chinese side after immigrating to HK and then Japan, I suppose? This might be EXTREMELY controversial to show in HK/China if he shows bias towards one side's culture by stepping away from the other, and I don't see a way this can be written without stomping on one side's good graces + provoking political disgruntlement amongst HK/CN readers, so this is probably not going to be an option up for consideration (hopefully).

Furthermore, if Suo also shows favor of JP culture/claiming that he's JP over being HK/CN as his arc and that he's abandoning his past identity as a Chinese/HK person, I promise you that some CN readers might become unhappy as there are long-standing grudges between the Chinese and the Japanese from WW2 that are too long to elaborate here. If you're curious to learn about it, search up 'Nanjing Massacre' and 'Unit 731' to see for yourself — please heed a TW for extreme brutality and inhumane torture.

OK, this is the last of all things political, but I promise the historical part will still continue. Let's move on.

3. The Meaning and Stories Behind the Zijing Hua/Chinese Redbud and The Yang Zijing/Bauhinia x blakeana

In Chinese culture, the Chinese redbud/zijing hua has a well-known cultural story behind it. It is deeply tied to the flower meaning of the Chinese redbud -- which has core symbolisms of familial reunion/love (親情) and brotherly harmony (兄弟和睦). And to any SuoSaku enjoyer's delight, they also symbolize steadfast love, passion, and affection; it is known to be a well-received gift for husbands and wives; it can even symbolize a strong and loyal friendship (if you're into that). The growth structure of a Chinese redbud, as said by a user in an online Chinese forum to whom I will graciously quote:

3、倔强坚强

紫荆花的花语为倔强坚强，紫荆花的花朵生长的十分紧凑，就算在阴雨天气，叶片被大风所吹动，不断摇慎态摆，也不会掉落，好似一位倔强的人，永远不会向困难低头，努力拼搏，最终收获成功。

(Edited MTL):

3. Stubborn and strong

The flower language of the zijing hua is stubbornness and strength. The flowers of the zijing hua grow very compactly. Even in rainy weather, the leaves are blown by strong winds and keep swaying cautiously, but they will not fall off. Just like a stubborn person, they will never bow their head to difficulties, work hard and exert oneself to the utmost, and ultimately achieve success.

It can also symbolize new beginnings, just like Sakura's sakura:

紫荊花的象徵意義 紫荊花象徵著愛情、美麗和純潔。 在中國傳統文化中，紫荊花還被視為春天的使者，寓意著新生命和新的希望。

(Edited MTL)

The symbolic meaning of zijing hua symbolises love, beauty and purity. In traditional Chinese culture, the zijing hua is also regarded as the messenger of spring, implying new life and new hope.

Moving on to English sources, I've basically learned that the Chinese redbud:

Is not resistant to winter frost, but is generally able to survive the cold. Suo's favorite season may be winter, but both the sappanwood and the Chinese redbud are not resistant to either the cold or frost, with the first losing all its leaves in winter and the second potentially dying to snow/frost (like most plants lol.) Despite being resistant to the rain and heat of spring and summer and being able to tolerate degrees under 38°C (remember Suo not breaking a sweat when training in the summer with Furin?), Chinese redbuds fall short when it comes to braving brutal winters, thriving best when the temperature is above 10°C.

They bloom during spring, around March-April. Could this be a parallel as to why Suo idolizes Ume, the 'plum blossom' that can bloom in the cold of winter? For being able to stay resilient and stand proudly/beautifully even amidst harsh and stressful conditions?

Has many parts can be utilized for traditional Chinese medicine, cooking, and decoration. The wood and the bark have been used to treat abscesses, bladder ailments, and head troubles. Treats bladder diseases, post-partum discharges, bleeding piles, and internal parasites; its flowers are used for relieving rheumatic muscles and joint pain. Even the flowers can be eaten raw or pickled, containing vitamin C with a fresh and acidic taste. The bark of young shoots can be used to weave baskets, as the wood of Cercis species is generally of good quality. -> Suo's plants can both weave baskets and act as good wood...

Is also known for its ornamental purposes, and has a neighboring family tree—the Cercis siliquastrum, known as the 'Judas Tree', which is a symbol of betrayal. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and committed suicide by hanging himself from a redbud tree. Additionally, I was told by my friend that u/Snowy-kitten realized the kanji for Suo's name is is 蘇枋（すおう), but the tree he represents is Chinese redbud (花蘇芳/ハナズオウ/hanazuou in Japanese). 蘇枋 and 蘇芳 are pronounced the same and one of the hanakotoba (flower language) of 花蘇芳 is apparently death by betrayal.

While the Chinese redbud/ZJH is known for these traits, the YZJ is a little bit different; it was difficult to find meanings and symbolism for the Bauhinia x blakeana due to it being a lesser-known flower + a sterile hybrid flower.

Locally, the leaves of the YZJ are considered "clever leaves" and a symbol of wisdom; sometimes harvested to be dried into bookmarks to bring good luck in studies.

The Bauhinia x blakeana is a hybrid between the Bauhinia purpurea and then Bauhinia variegata. But I could not find anything about the symbolism of the Bauhinia purpurea... I looked at some other ones in the Bauhinia genus, though.

From what I found, the genus has flowers that typically represent new beginnings (is he twinning Sakura?), feminine beauty (he's still ♂ fertile ♂ like that), grace, elegance, and nobility.

Bauhinia kappleri:

Historically, it has been seen as a symbol of unity due to its bilobed leaves resembling joined hands. This symbolism was especially prominent in cultures that valued harmony and cohesiveness. [...] Pink Bauhinia represents grace, unity, and resilience. Its delicate yet sturdy appearance communicates a balance of beauty and strength. [...] In Chinese culture, for instance, it symbolizes renewal and new beginnings [...] Meanwhile, in Western contexts, it often represents appreciation and noble elegance.

Bauhinia acuminata:

The Bauhinia acuminata's striking appearance symbolizes beauty, elegance, and grace. It is often associated with the ideals of feminine beauty and charm. In some cultures, these blossoms are seen as symbols of new beginnings and growth, making them popular choices for weddings and other celebrations.

Bauhinia variegata:

1. [...] the white orchid has held reverence throughout Chinese culture and stands as a symbol of nobility, beauty, and innocence.

2. The Orchid Tree holds symbolic meaning in several cultures. In India, it is associated with love, fertility, and prosperity, often featured in weddings and religious ceremonies. In Chinese culture, Bauhinia variegata is a symbol of beauty, grace, and the fleeting nature of life.

Bauhinia x blakeana in Chinese Sources:

在中國文化中，紫色常代表高貴與權力，而洋紫荊則代表了優雅和力量。 此外，洋紫荊還象徵著團結和繁榮，這也使它成為許多盛大活動的首選花卉。

(Edited MTL)

In Chinese culture, the color purple often represents nobility and power, while the yang zijing represents elegance and strength. In addition, the yang zijing symbolizes unity and prosperity, which makes it the flower of choice for many grand events.

I have a headache. 🤕 Am I just yapping or was this all preordained by Nii Satoru?

Do you still remember that Suo's earrings are made of coral? The very coral that symbolizes a lofty status, auspiciousness, nobility, power, and eternity? 🤕

It's all coming together...

The Story of Three Brothers and the Zijing Hua Tree/田真兄弟：

This story could very well be a direct hint towards Suo's future martial siblings + how his arc will end. I vaguely remember(?) studying this passage for DSE unseen 文言文s so I managed to find it again. I'll cross-reference and do a direct word-to-word translation. If you understand Chinese I recommend just reading the 文言文 because it has more of the OG meaning 💪

原文/Original:

京兆田真兄弟三人，共议分财。生资皆平均，唯堂前一株紫荆树，共议欲破三片。翌日就截之，其树即枯死，状如火然。真往见之，大愕，谓诸弟曰：“树本同株，闻将分斫，固憔悴，是人不如木也。” 因悲不自胜，不��解树。树应声荣茂，兄弟相感，遂和睦如初。

註釋/Glossary

（1）京兆：京城地區。

（2）生資：生活資料。

（3）皆：都。

（4）唯：只有。

（5）破：使之破為。

（6）就：開始。

（7）即：立即；立刻。

（8）狀：形狀；狀態。

（9）然：通假字，同“燃”，燃燒。

（10）翌日：第二天

（11）愕：驚訝。

（12）諸：眾；

（13）斫（zhuó）：砍。

（14）勝：承受；控制。

（15）憔悴：枯死。

（16）故：所以。

（17）解：分解。

（18）其：他家的。

（19） 堂：門。

（20）株：棵。

（21）遂：於是。

句子翻譯/Sentence TLs:

1、翌日就截之：第二天就準備截斷它。

2、狀如火然：形狀像被火燃燒過一樣。

3、樹木同株，聞將分斫，故憔悴，是人不如木也：樹本來是同根的，聽到要砍斷分開，所以枯死了，我們人都不如樹木。

4、樹應聲榮茂：紫荊樹聽到（田真的）話後（立刻）枝葉繁茂（了起來）。

My attempt at an English TL:

In the capital city [Beijing], the three Tianzhen brothers divided their property. All other assets [means of living] had already been evenly divided; all except the Chinese redbud tree/zijing tree in front of the door. They discussed and agreed to split the tree into three pieces each. The next day, they prepared to cut the tree down, but the tree immediately withered to death, as if it had been torched by a flame. The oldest brother looked at the sight and was extremely stunned, saying to his younger brothers: "This tree is originally from the same root. It heard it was going to be separated after it was felled, and thus, it withered. We, as humans, were no match for/couldn't live up to even a tree."

Because they were unable to bear with/contain their remorse, the brothers decided not to cut the tree. When the Chinese redbud/zijing tree heard the eldest brother's words, it immediately sprouted flowers once more. The Tianzhen brothers were astonished and emotional and thus returned to their harmonious relationship from the beginning.

From this, I'm heavily inclined to believe that:

Suo is one of three brothers/martial siblings.

Suo left/they left Suo due to family issues or family inheritance trials.

Suo's arc will end well, with all brothers reaching an understanding and becoming friendly again.

OR, Suo is the Chinese redbuds/zijing tree in this scenario.

Suo might end up facing Endo because the passage mentions 'as if it had been torched by a flame [状如火然]'. Endo's name is '棪堂' -> this also means something else which u/Snowy-kitten mentioned, it being 'a tree that bears edible red fruit' in Chinese, which contributes to Endo's biblestuff. But let's analyze it later in Endo's part.

Chinese can somewhat be considered playing Pictionary—if you separate the words from 「棪堂」 into three: 「木」、「炎」、「堂」， you could literally interpret this as, in 文言文/Classical Chinese, 「Tree/Wood」、「Flames Rising」、「Courtyard/Doorfront」

This coincides with the "Chinese redbud tree/ZJH" looking as if it "had been torched aflame" in front of the house/the courtyard/the door.

In conclusion, this might allude to Suo having to fight Endo, or Endo having to fight Suo to get him back due to a family feud—and Suo might get heavily injured. His martial brothers might realize the impact of their actions and finally retreat and make up.

Suo and Sappanwood:

Sappanwood can make a type of valuable red dye named brazilin.

The character of 'Su' (蘇) in JP also means resurrection, reviving, resuscitation, and rehabilitation.

The red pigment found in the sappanwood tree (brazilin) has also been used to treat wounds and ward off infections, encouraging faster healing.

Sappanwood isn’t as favoured for extracting dyes as brazilwood, though—the discovery of brazilwood led to a boom in red pigments due to its greater concentration, whereas sappanwood was much less saturated in comparison.

This is pure yappanese but maybe Suo sees himself as inferior compared to his brothers...

That's the color of the dye sappanwood creates and that is the color of Suo's eye and his coral earring. I don't need to say anything more, right?

4. FALCON KICK 𓅃𓅃 FALCON PUNCH 𓅃𓅃

Rejoice!! We have made it to the next section of Suo's name at last!! I never thought I'd get here!!!! LET'S MAKE THIS QUICK (it's not quick).

Again, from the document that u/Snowy-kitten wrote, "隼" means 'falcon' and "飛" means 'fly/flight', spelling out "隼飛" lit. 'flying falcon'.

Reviewing the Symbolism Blargh Off This Page: (OG text has been slightly edited)

"The falcon represents vision, freedom, and victory. Hence, it also connotes salvation to those who are in bondage whether moral, emotional, or spiritual." <- I find it very interesting that many of Suo's symbolisms tie back to things relating to a new beginning/healing: salvation, revitalization, resurrection, a new hope, etc., which falls in line with his dream: the liberation of slaves. And look, I know this possibly means Suo breaking free of whatever chains down his heart, but ACTUALLY Suo will be stuck in 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴𝔂 bondage and then be saved by EndoSaku. Trust me y'all I'm Nii Satoru's right-hand man

"In Christian symbolism, the wild falcon represents the unconverted, materialistic soul and its sinful thoughts and deeds. The tamed bird symbolizes the Christian convert pursuing his lofty thoughts, hopes, and aspirations with courage." <- I don't think Suo is wild or tame or Christian in particular, but you could take it as current-Suo suppressing and masking his true identity/emotions. And that actually makes sense when you remember how Suo nearly went Insanity.PNG during KEEL Arc and Sakura had to stop him from continuing to pummel a guy when he was down; when Sakura admitted he was pissed at himself and turned away Suo thought 'I really am no match for you'. On one hand, this could be explained extremely well if we view it from a Confucian + Suo's theory of adulthood lens which will be talked about later in Part 6. However, this could also symbolize Suo being bound in emotional chains and having... wtf, 'sinful thoughts'? That he's suppressing?? Maybe that's why he doesn't use his phone around people coz there's a bunch of 料 (blackmail) in there 🤣. And when Suo gets his arc I suppose he gets 'tamed' and is finally free to pursue his aspirations with courage (being with Furin and supporting Sakura), which will effectively act as another new beginning/his healing—further tying into his whole shtick surrounding resurrection revitalization healing salvation blah blah blah. (POV: the 'Suo has no Christian allusions' part comes to bite me back in the ass via. Taiping Rebellion parallels where an ethnically Han Chinese mf in Suo's triad or Noroshi proclaims to be "Endo's brother-in-christ" slash the brother of the WBK Jesus Christ. And then I kill myself)

"In Egyptian hieroglyphs, the falcon glyph was used in words and phrases such as 'god', 'pharaoh', 'greatness', 'year', 'sovereign', 'star', 'hour', 'prayer', 'land', and 'world'. It was associated with the deity of the sky, of kingship, and of the sun, Horus [...] In early dynasties, the king’s ascension was known as the “Flight of the Falcon”." <- Aha! AHA! YEAH MORE NOBILITY HOURS AND A DIRECT REFERENCE TO THE DEFINITION OF HAYATO. Okay. So. This is highly unlikely to happen but imagine Suo becomes the head of his triad branch. Or maybe this means that Suo is the heir to something lofty... deadass the fated ascension to big bad boss which he skedaddled from or was denied from, who knows?

"The Eye of Horus, the Egyptian symbol for the Sun, depicts a stylized falcon's eye and face markings. It signified royal power and protection from danger, evil, and ill health." <- More nobility/higher status allusions and illness-warding shit, typical Suo Hayato behavior.

"A human-headed falcon served as a symbol of the human soul on its flight from this world to the afterlife. Similarly, the crossed arms of Egyptian mummies were intended to symbolize the folded wings of a falcon at rest." <- And here we have more Suoshit related to afterlife-isms resurrection-isms and new beginnings-isms. Chat can I stop talking about Suo Hayato ... he's just a never-ending Pandora's 24-hour unboxing video...

"The sport of hunting with falcons was associated with nobility in Europe, Japan, and China, where falcons symbolized keen vision, boldness, and power." <- 'Takagari (鷹狩) is Japanese falconry, a sport of the noble class, and a symbol of their nobility, their status, and their warrior spirit.' - Wikipedia.

To continue with Wikipedia: In the 13th century, hawking became popular among the rising samurai class as well as among court nobles (kuge). At that time, the practice of hawking was a means of resolving struggles over land ownership among lords. <- This feels a little similar to the splitting of property mentioned in the Tianzhen brothers!

What's more interesting about falconry is that falcons typically wear 'falcon hoods' that blind them, which forces them to be calm.

The bird wears a hood, which is used in the manning process (acclimatizing to humans and the human world) and to keep the raptor in a calm state, both in the early part of its training and throughout its falconry career. Out of all the falconer's aids, the hood is the most important piece of equipment. There are various styles and types of hoods for raptors within falconry. The hood is handmade, often from kip leather or suitable kangaroo leather. —Wikipedia

Suo's eyepatch is made from leather as mentioned in his character sheet even though nowadays, a lot of eyepatches and most medical eyepatches are made with cloth and/or other adhesive materials.

What's more, a majority of traditional falconry gloves/gauntlets have tassels extremely close if not similar designs to the earrings Suo wears:

Remember when Suo once mentioned that he had an 'ancient Chinese dragon spirit sealed away in his eye', hence the eyepatch? Maybe there's weight behind that joke because he might lose his composure if the eyepatch is taken away.

If Suo is a trained falcon belonging to his family—although he's 'flying' right now, either for a hunt or free roam—he's been educated in a way that eventually, he will always turn back and roost on the gloves of his master.

"The falcon was seen as the bird of Princes, the gyrfalcon the bird of Kings, and the eagle the bird of Emperors. [...] A falcon [would be released] at the funerals of Pharaohs. This illustrates the ancient view of raptors as intermediaries between the divine and eternal heavens and the mortal earth." <- The 'bird of Princes' part really makes me want to believe Suo is truly in a high-ranking and potentially triad-inheriting position of power; he could really be a 'prince' of sorts for his gang... The O (枋) in Suo can stand for a 'sturdy plank', and even 'raft/boat', which might symbolize him being a bridge of connection between the 'divine and eternal heavens' (his triad/family/whatever dude) and the 'mortal earth' (Furin).

"Furthermore, falcons are represented by the constellation Aquila [lit meaning eagle], as are all raptors. This constellation is said to confer the qualities of boldness, ambition, courage, liberty, generosity, penetrating vision, and a noble spirit, along with a gift for martial arts and the fabrication of weapons.

"This contrasts with a vulnerability to and enmity toward reptiles and their symbolic qualities of deceitfulness, underhandedness (venom), vindictiveness, and baseness of spirit.

[OP's Quick Interjection: from the source some mf added a little 'that aint falco' after the following part and I gotta agree. But also, falcons and eagles are both under raptors as birds of prey, and from what I've seen, Suo is the only known person in WBK so far to have a bird of prey in his name, so I'll still keep this here as food for thought—as well as a theory I have for later.]

"Reflecting this opposition, the battling eagle and serpent has been a motif from ancient times, common to Western, Eastern and New World civilizations. See classical Roman statuary, the ancient coat of arms of Mexico and the Garuda emblems of Indonesia, Thailand and Ulan Bator. The dichotomy can also be seen in the eagle and the rattlesnake competing to be symbols of the Revolutionary United States in the 18th century."

Right. So. I have a lot to say about this chunk. The first is the numerous stories of raptors, mainly eagles, and serpents/snakes, as well as my theory that the family Suo has been sworn into will feature new characters with birds of prey as their joining kanji.

I'll elaborate on the latter first because it's shorter: so far, out of all of the named and introduced people in WBK up till Rooftop Fight, not a single person except Suo contains the character of an animal capable of flight, much less a bird of prey.

The only person who comes remotely close to having birds as a symbol is Chika Takiishi and the full-page spread ft. his fight with Umemiya which u/Just_EveB theorized to be the karura, which originates from the Garuda in Hinduism (will also elaborate later). But even Chika doesn't have any bird radical in his name. Shishitoren isn't exempt from this; the gang known for people with animal radicals only contains land mammals and reptilians:

Tomoyama Choji (兎耳山 丁子) = rabbit

Togame Jo (十亀 条) = tortoise

Sako Kouta (佐狐 浩太) = fox

Arima Yukinari (有馬 雪成) = horse

Kanuma Minoru (鹿沼 稔) = ♫ Shikanokonokonokokoshitantan ♫

(There's also Inugami Teruomi who is a dog for "inu" but I CAN'T FIND HIS KANJI AND HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A WIKI PAGE??? FREE MY MAN!!!)

Even other characters who happen to have an animal in their name e.g. Hiiragi Toma (柊 登馬) (馬 -> horse) don't have an animal capable of flight, much less a bird of prey, and no one has the radical for bird (鳥).

Hence, I'm genuinely going to go out on a limb and say that the family Suo has sworn into—or his biological brothers or martial brothers or whatever fucked-up triad business he's in—will have characters containing '鳥' (bird) or one of the following in their names: 鷹、鵰、鳶、鵟、鷂、鴞、鵂鶹、魚鷹、鷲, which are respectively eagle, eagle but different*, kite, buteo, the birds that are under here, owl, collared owlet, osprey, and vulture. OR, if these family members have Chinese names instead of JP, it's plausible they have the same pinyin pronunciation as some of these.

*Btw, this is the difference between a 鷹 and a 鵰. Don't even ask me tbh

Next up, let's talk about the correlations between birds of prey and serpents. I did some scouring through the internet and dug up quite a lot of stuff.

Let's first establish that the only person so far who has been shown with serpent/snake imagery is none other than Endo Yamato himself.

(And yes, I switched to desktop just to embed more images, I'm crying. Anyway, these panels are all taken from Chapters 144 and 145.)

The tattoo on Endo's neck, an infinity symbol, is derived from the ouroboros, a snake/serpent/dragon biting its own tail.

It symbolizes 'eternal cyclic renewal' or 'a cycle of life, death and rebirth'. Wow, so Suocore.

(BTW, in some religions... the ouroboros is also a fertility symbol. This just in: Suo, Sakura, and Endo are all ♂fertile♂)

I have so much more to say about Endo's tattoos but that's reserved for when I'm done with Suo Hayato... so let's go back to the topic of serpents and eagles and their tales.

Here's some prominent stuff I found:

Aesop's fable: This is the first example I managed to find. It's a story about how kindness will always be repaid. I honestly can't seem to think of a way this coincides with Suo/Suo's family/Endo etc. You can click on it to read the story yourself. Like, I think Endo's on a path to pseudo-redemption or at least 'potential future allies', and I can't see a reason why? He'd want to poison? Somebody?? Even 'figuratively'. Like, let's pretend my theory of Suo's family having birds of prey in their names is correct. Why would one of Suo's martial bros, or better yet the head honcho or something, swoop in to save this Countryman from Endoshittalk? But well, if anyone can think of anything, feel free to comment on it!!

Thus Spoke Zarathustra:

An eagle soared through the sky in wide circles, and on him there hung a serpent, not like prey but like a friend: for she kept herself wound around his neck. “These are my animals,” said Zarathustra and was happy in his heart. “The proudest animal under the sun and the wisest animal under the sun” […]

“That I might be wiser! That I might be wise through and through like my serpent! But there I ask the impossible: so I ask my pride that it always go along with my wisdom. And when my wisdom leaves me one day—alas, it loves to fly away—let my pride then fly with my folly.”

Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, “Zarathustra's Prologue,” translated by Walter Kaufmann.

This is something that also came up, yet this is a more different example compared to the beginning—instead of feuding, the eagle and snake are in harmony, representing the mind and body becoming one, as well as taken from u/__Can__ from the linked Reddit post detailing what they symbolize:

It represents the highest strivings/capacities in man (eagle) and the lowest and more earthly/instinctive faculties (serpent). They are not opposed to one another but are rather one. Just like the other metaphor Nietzsche used, the tree (thought as the self-actualizing man) that if it wants to grow towards heaven (the highest in man) has to have its roots deep beneath the earth in the dark and evil layers of the psyche so to speak. You have to integrate your obscure and evil side in order to become whole.

There's a lot of tree imagery that I'm not really familiar with but know exists in WBK... such as that time Sakura's branch was nearly snapped off by Endo. To me this feels more like a general 'concept' that can be written into the story rather than an important foreshadowing towards future arcs ... plus I haven't read the book so I can't commentate on the philosophies of Nietzsche, so far the only thing I know about him is that he is one of the philosophers outspoken on overcoming Nihilism... taken from a deleted Reddit user:

People who haven’t read or understood Nietzsche think he is a nihilist, which is a bit understandable as his thought is complex, and he was a devastating critic of both dominant and trendy movements/institutions and their values. I believe he once described himself as a maggot that goes into a wound to eat away at the decaying flesh to clean it out. He also described himself as philosophizing with a hammer. In many ways, he is one of the intellectual fathers of postmodern deconstructionism. Which can often border on the nihilistic, but Nietzsche wasn’t simply trying to tear everything we believed in down for its own sake, his intention was to make things better.

From a site (really good read about Nietzsche and Buddhism):

Nietzsche aimed to overcome nihilism by affirming the unconditional embrace of existence. For him, life was not to be denied but rather created by one’s own value system, and built on the foundation of understanding that there is no inherent meaning in the universe. Nishianti describes this process as “dying the great death in the abyss of nihility and coming back to life again” (1983, 233). In doing so, active nihilism becomes a transitional stage rather than an end in itself. It is the abyss into which we must descend, “the darkest night before the dawn” (Nietzsche, 1968, 12). It is through the experiential stages of active nihilism that an individual strives for the heights of the ideal being, the übersmench. He asserted that living by one’s own ‘noble morality’ is characterized as a vigorous, free, and joyful existence, ruled by an innate “will to overpower, and will to rule” (1968, 16). From his works, it is evident that Nietzsche detested the weak and humble man who sought to escape the realities of life.

I can somewhat link Nietzsche's theories on nihilism with the process of creating the Philosopher's Stone (nigredo, albedo, citrinitas, rubedo), which is suuuuper interesting because Endo has vaguely alchemic symbols tattooed onto him. But again I'm digressing.

Norse Mythology [1] and [2]: According to ancient Norse mythology, the World Tree Yggdrasil has an unnamed eagle at the top and a serpent/dragon named Nidhogg at the bottom, and beneath the eagle there is a hawk named Vedrfolnir, standing for '"storm pale", "wind bleached", or "wind-witherer". Between them, there is also a squirrel named Ratatoskr who carries messages between the eagle and Nidhogg.

From Wikipedia: In historical Viking society, 'níð'(nid) was a term for a social stigma, implying the loss of honor and the status of a villain. Thus, its name might refer to its role as a horrific monster in its action of chewing the corpses of the inhabitants of Náströnd: those guilty of murder, adultery, and oath-breaking.

It's faster to just attach images of me and my friend tweaking:

I might one day do a separate post about Norsestuff and Furin because this is really interesting.

This entire Reddit comment section: Talks about the historical significance of the eagle and the snake in tales, depictions, etc. From u/Wayrin:

This symbol goes way way way back. There are depictions of eagles with snakes going back to Babylon and Elam around 3000 BCE. Of course the image was borrowed by everyone and the Egyptians saw it as Horus defeating Seth. Similarly Ahura Mazda was depicted as an eagle and Ahriman as a dragon. The Greeks borrowed the idea of the eagle as a symbol of resurrection from later Egyptian tradition and then it starts popping up everywhere. India, Indonesia, Rome and all over the Mediterranean. Most of these traditions use the Eagle to represent some great good. Usually a god related to the sun combating the forces of evil the snake. We believe the symbol to be borrowed and expanded (except for Mesoamerica) since they have so many commonalities. A lot of the stories have the Serpent winning over the Eagle before the Eagle triumphs. If you can access it, this is my source "Eagle and Serpent. A study in the Migration of Symbols." It was written in 1939 though so take it with a grain of salt.

And from u/tonycmyk, about ancient Mesopotamia:

[...] The snake/serpent has always represented the giving of knowledge to humans and the connection to earth. The eagle has always represented power over the earth and war. And this symbolism can be traced back through every ancient culture we know of and probably the ones we don’t. Powerful stuff.

Something not related to Suo: So about the Karura... the theorized demon JoJo stand that Chika has in the spread originated under 'Garuda' in Hinduism. You can read more about Garudas VS. Nagas here and the common point between Karuras and Garudas is that they're both depicted as people who feud constantly with dragons/serpents/snakes. In Hinduism, though, Nagas aren't depicted as evil like in Christianity. (And they're also a symbol of fertility... Endo's more ♂fertile♂ than Suo confirmed...)

5. Final Closing Notes on Suo

So, in summary, what do I think about Suo?

... What do I think about Suo... (crushing the chopsticks in my hand) I have multiple proposals as to what Suo is doing in Furin and what's going on with his family. And other Suostuff in general.

Falcon flying away: - To me, I see this as Suo leaving the family for a brief period, similar to how falconers can train their falcons to hunt but inevitably return to their owner. - If Suo's arc involves him cutting ties with his family, then this part could also symbolize Suo's desire to leave his original background behind in favor of Furin. - If the falcon symbolizes Suo's family as a whole, then this could represent the downfall of Suo's triad/noble family too, or that they're conducting some of their business elsewhere from their place of origin (*suspiciously Chinese ringtone starts to echo from my phone holder*)

u/Snowy-kitten's traitor Suo theory: Suo could be a spy in Furin. He could be scoping out the area for his own triad/gang/whatever. But what's most curious is the already-existing relevance between Endo and Suo that u/Snowy-kitten pointed out: Suo’s given name and Endo’s given name, Hayato and Yamato respectively are the names of two ancient Japanese tribes. [...] The Hayato is a tribe of ancient Japanese people that existed during the Nara period. The Yamato is another tribe of ancient Japanese people that existed alongside the Hayato. The Hayato frequently resisted the Yamato rule until the year 720 when the Hayato rebellion broke out. It was a rebellion of the Hayato against the Yamato. The rebellion ended in the year 721 with the Yamato being victorious. The interesting thing about the name 'Yamato' as u/Snowy-kitten also mentions is that its kanji (哉真斗) holds almost no meaning in JP. In Chinese, though, this can more or less translate to an expression, 'Ah, a real fight!' as '哉' in classical Chinese can be translated into an exclamation of sorts (「哉」可表示感嘆、疑問及反問語氣，相等於「啊」、「呢」、「嗎」), the '真' translates to 'real/true', and the '斗' (or 鬥 in trad) translates to 'fight'. So in the end, the Serpent VS. Eagle thing might happen in the form of Endo fighting Suo himself or Endo fighting one of Suo's family members.

Tsuge-chan and Suo: Remember this part?

Yeah, so, wtf was that? Fun facts on Tsuge's name from u/Snowy-kitten again (thank you bro you're saving my life):

I feel like Tsuge is going to be interlinked with Suo's backstory, that maybe he knows something more about Suo's 'family' than anyone in Furin should. Whether or not the XL river in Tsuge's name can be crossed with a bridge from another character's name or not... IDK we'll see if said bridge can be crossed when we get to it or burnt in favor of Suo lol... because Suo mentions bridge building in his character song gg

My final hard read on Suo's arc (take this with 2 mouthfuls of salt): - Suo will be called away briefly and leaves Furin either without notice or on short notice. He might leave behind enough clues to let Furin know why or where he's going. Or he might leave none at all, and Tsuge has to guess and explain what's most likely going on. - Endo might have to fight Suo in some way. Or he ends up fighting Suo's older martial siblings (the 'eagle') and triumphs over them. - If the oldest is truly the 'eagle', then there will be a younger one, the second-in-command, the 'hawk', like in Norse mythology. - I might come up with more stuff and I'll edit this into here as time comes.

6. I Lied

Suo isn't over. We still have to talk about how well he fulfills the shit we learnt in the HKDSE about our goat Johnny Hung's virtues/morals/principles.

So anyway, this is Johnny Hung our fucking GOAT!!!!!:

AKA Confucius lmao. Sorry it's an inside joke

This man is the reason I had to memorize so much classical Chinese sayings and literature that eventually culminated into Knowledge for the Suopost. It was all built towards this moment :( Let's start with an explanation of 論仁、論孝、論君子 as well as 五倫/四端！

...User Pyschicwavementality, wtf is this?

(Stares at you with the most depressed, sick, and haunted eyes) Chinese lore.

I will sadly not be sane if I explained every single one of these sayings to you guys. (Mutters) I mean I did have to memorize all of them back in the day but I'd kms elaborating on all of them so. I'm just going to take the relevant ones that could tie into Suo's character.

Let me first establish: the core of Confucianism revolves around "仁、義、禮、智、信、恕、忠、孝、悌". The arguably quote unquote """""important""""" ones (to today's discussion and in What I Learnt in general anyway) would be 仁義禮智信 and also 孝, of which I will now try? My best? To explain?? Please forgive me I learned everything in Chinese and it's really hard to do an accurate translation/analysis without going deep into culture and history 😭

CLASSICAL CHINESE 101

仁：This is read as rén. It is like... altruism, betterment, and love, I guess? Rén is how you interact with people, it is the innate connection and bond and interaction between human beings. (人與人之間互相關懷，尤其以關愛自己的親人最為重要。) It is respect and love and doing good deeds and Kind deeds out of our inner Goodness in our hearts. It is born from our inner individual and it affects our actions and what we do. We aim to always be a 'jūnzǐ' （君子）in Confucianism, someone who embodies all of Confucianism as the "self-improving and good-hearted" individual. To be empathetic and the kindest/most altruistic and loving person to one and all; to treat everyone equally from our innate Goodness—that is more or less rén. In the ideal society of Confucianism, everyone practices rén. This would mean society would always be harmonious.

義：this is read is yì. It is morality, justice, and helping others when in need. It is doing what is right and according to rén.

禮：this is lǐ. It is respect, treating people with manners, following social rules under rén, showing filial piety to your parents and elders, etc.

智：this is zhì. It is the pursuit of knowledge, creation, innovation, and improvement. It is having the intelligence to separate right/wrong and good/evil.

信：this is read as xìn. It is to have faith and belief in our beliefs and pursuits and our governing body. It is also integrity, honesty, and truthfulness. Whether it be a person, an organization, a business, or a government, they must have integrity as their core value.

(Additional) 孝：this is read as xiào and is essentially filial piety. Confucius believed that respect and love towards our parents should not be seen as an 'obligation', but rather something inner from the heart. There are four 'levels' of xiào: 孝順、孝敬、孝養、孝承 (xiàoshùn, xiàojìng, xiàoyǎng, xiàochéng). This is super complicated to go through so if you're bored and have tons of free time on your hands, feel free to run this PDF through a translator to get a better idea on what xiào is.

To get an idea on xiào, Confucius said that, if our parents became old and we only send them food and money, this is no different from raising a dog or a horse (孝養). He says, "Without respect (敬), where is there a difference?". When his disciples asked what we must do to respect (敬) our parents, he answered "We must not turn our backs on them [or more specifically, do not turn our backs on lǐ (etiquette)]. We serve them according to etiquette while alive; bury and commemorate according to etiquette after death."

But anyway, in turn, parents must also treat their children with all the above-mentioned virtues and said parents need to respect their parents with the same attitude as well. In theory, this goes both ways.

There's also Mencius' beliefs branched from Confucius' teachings (still part of Confucianism):

惻隱之心：read as 'cèyǐn zhī xīn'. This is your innate ability to feel compassion and empathy. Some people always see the "evil" around them and fail to see the goodness inside people and thus choose to be "evil" in turn. Mencius, one of Confucius' disciples, believed everyone was born kind and carried compassion. For those who are unfortunate, people will sympathize with them out of their own kindness; for those who are weak, people will have compassion for them and reach out to help them. He believed that people should never abandon their inner kindness, as kind people will always be rewarded by the kindness of others.

是非之心：read as 'shìfēi zhī xīn'. This is the innate ability to differentiate right and wrong actions as well as morally incorrect/correct decisions others make and reflect on them to judge why it is wrong and what not to do.

羞惡之心：read as 'xiūwù zhī xīn'. This is the innate ability to feel shame and guilt for making mistakes or doing things that are not following lǐyí (禮儀). It is also feeling scorn/disgust for others who do not follow lǐyí (禮儀).

辭讓之心：read as 'círàng zhī xīn'. This is the innate ability to feel thankful when others do something kind towards you, and you will feel like you need to pay it forward. It is giving others opportunities in exchange of your own and taking a step back to put others in mind first.

There's also the concept of inter-relationship hierarchy from the foundations of filial piety, which stipulates the order of respect should go from 君臣、父子、夫婦、兄弟、朋友 -> Lord/Emperor & Gov., Father-Son, Husband-Wife, Brothers, and Friends

Additional aid via. translations of my super helpful diagrams I made ages and ages ago about how to differentiate 仁義禮智:

(2) Analogy: POV you are in Ancient China and you see an elderly man killing a random guy

(3) Because you have 惻隱之心 (cèyǐn), you feel pitiful for the guy being killed. Because you have 是非之心 (shìfēi), you can judge and realize why the elderly man killing the guy is wrong. Because you have 羞惡之心 (xiūwù), you feel angry that the elderly man is killing the guy.

(4) Because in Ancient China, the lǐ [social rules] is to respect your elders [filial piety], but because the elderly man is doing something not in accordance with lǐ and yì (禮儀) [social rules and justice], you will do what is right (the lǐ action) and stop the elderly man from getting killed.

(5) Think: your choice to act and do correctly and the correct act itself is yì; your heart's inner compassion is rén; your ability to tell if the situation is in accordance with lǐyí (禮儀) or not is zhì; and the environmental/social rules = lǐ, e.g. respecting your elders. When you do actions that are not fulfilling yì, you feel guilty because you have 羞惡之心 (xiūwù). Rén is inner moral/virtue requirements [to be a 君子 jūnzǐ)，whereas yì is your outward action.

(6) Oh, and don't forget: 羞惡之心 (xiūwù) is feeling disgusted/hateful when you see others do something not in accordance with 禮儀 (lǐyì). If you do non-lǐyì things yourself, you will feel ashamed.

(7) Adding on to the last sentence in (5), 'rén' is not a requirement; it is inner 'love' exuded from the heart. If you are forced or required to do so, that is not 'rén', that is 'duty'.

So how does this all tie into Suo Hayato?

(Shakes my fist full of documents) so this is where I start CRAZYMAXXING.

If you also lovehate this man you might have already made some connections between Suo and the above few values I've described. Otherwise let me elaborate: when dear old Niisato made Suo to be the most stereotypically Chinese lad ever, he also managed to include a shitton upstanding moral traits that a jūnzǐ (君子) would have, essentially making Suo an amazing representation of core Confucian beliefs (so far as of writing this post in my theory state of mind).

When Suo talks about 'growing up' or taking the steps to adulthood, he mentions one of the most important core values being able to make your imagination reality as well as empathy.

You could actually simplify rén into putting yourself in another person's shoes to see/think/feel from their perspective, and one famous saying from Confucius is to wish no harm to come upon others that you do not wish to come upon you, which ties in with Kanuma mocking the fallen Shishitoren member and only starting to feel panicked once he realizes the same harm was going to happen to him. ("己所不欲,勿施於人。")

Suo also insinuates the ability to chase your goals and turn them from dreams into reality is another part of 'attaining adulthood'. You can boil this down to being able to fulfill what you say/living up to your claims/fulfilling your beliefs. Honesty and integrity also play a major role in Confucian beliefs. There are a few sayings under xìn '信‘ that Confucius said about this:

5.1 A jūnzǐ (君子) must be mindful of what they say and do things swiftly/efficiently/quickly. 5.2 A jūnzǐ (君子) does not endorse a person just because he speaks favorably, nor does he reduce a man's worth just because he has a bad impression of him. 5.3 A jūnzǐ (君子) will feel shameful if he cannot go through with what he said he will do. 5.4 [Text Before Image] If one's name/renown is not righteous, his speech will not be reasonable; if one's speech is not reasonable, he will not be able to accomplish anything. If things are not accomplished, the law will not be able to reach into one's heart; if the law cannot reach people, the punishment will not be fair; if the punishment is unfair, the common people will be at a loss. [Text In Image] Therefore, leaders must be steadfast and reasonable in both what they do and what they say. When leaders speak, they must not be careless (read: 'whatever' energy) or rash.

^^ When you translate this, doesn't this essentially reflect Umemiya as a leader? Which also falls in line with Suo seeing Ume as his ideal 'picture' for adulthood and further aligning w/Suo's statement of 'making your imagination reality'?

It doesn't end here though...!!!

KEEL ARC! When Suo got PISSED as hell seeing his friends around him hurt, Sakura had to step in to stop Suo from losing composure in Chapter 50 | Extreme Emotions. Remember when I talked about explaining how this could be understood SO WELL from a Confucian lens in Part 4?

What Sakura said: 'I'm pissed as all hell at myself. I was talking big [I can 'em all on my own], and look what's happened. But getting pissed off isn't gonna help. We need to focus on what we have to do.'

(Pokes my finger at statement 5.3 and 5.4)

This ABSOLUTELY makes Suo's reaction called for ("I really am no match for you") because right now Sakura is embodying the core values of Confucianism better than Suo was moments prior. In that moment, Sakura was the one closer to being a jūnzǐ (君子). At that moment, Suo was the one who should've been learning and modeling after him.

Remember 羞惡之心 (xiūwù)? It is feeling disgusted/hateful when you see others do something not in accordance with 禮儀 (lǐyì). If you do non-lǐyì things yourself, you will feel ashamed.

Suo was disgusted/hateful at the KEEL member for hurting his friends. He may have reflected and felt shame when Sakura came up to stop him.

It's still not over though!

Suo has consistently shown contempt for those who are older than him yet do not practice the same values of 仁義禮智信! Another one of the major Suo moments:

"Goodness... How self-centered. Even to the very end. To teach others, you need to engage with their feelings and support them to stand on their own two feet for the first time." — Suo Hayato on the most Confucian thing he could say at the moment

How self-centered:

顏淵問仁。子曰：「克己復禮為仁。一日克己復禮，天下歸仁焉。為仁由己，而由人乎哉？」 [1] 顏淵曰：「請問其目。」子曰：「非禮勿視，非禮勿聽，非禮勿言，非禮勿動。」 [2] 顏淵曰：「回雖不敏，請事斯語矣。」（《顏淵》第十二）

(HIGHLIGHTED = TRANSLATED BELOW; EDITED MTL)

[1] "Rén is to restrain one's selfish desires and to conduct oneself in an honorable manner. Once you have done this, all the people of the world will submit to your benevolence and virtue. The fulfillment of rén depends entirely on oneself. How could it depend on others?"

[2] "How do you practice rén?" "Do not look; listen; speak; or do things not in accordance with lǐ."

Already, gymnast-guy has violated the above.

To teach others [...]:

"與人交,推其長者,讳其短者,故能久也。"

"When interacting with people, you should pay attention to discovering and promoting others' strengths, rather than always pointing out other people's shortcomings." [MTL]

Confucius was known to be a very open and benevolent teacher. He did not require students to pay fees; he simply wanted your desire to learn. Suo's really open with teaching Nirei and he matches the teaching style of Johnny Hung really well <3 He's very positive and uplifting when it comes to Nirei. Personally, I also like to believe Suo also sees a younger or past version of himself in Nirei which adds more layers to his intrigue...

Scroll back up to the part where I had three Instagram stories explaining how 仁義禮智 linked with Mencius' additions if you forgot about it. You can re-read what I said regarding the example of seeing an old man killing someone.

Then the gymnast guy talks about 'discipline', and Suo has a vision of his master, which he adds with: "'Discipline', 'training and passing down your teachings'... Okay! I've got a question, sensei! How are you supposed to act when you go barging into another person's home?"

(He's pissed.)

Rewording [2] from my Instagram Story Explanation: Because you have 惻隱之心 (cèyǐn), you feel pitiful for Furin getting invaded and fighters/friends getting hurt. Because you have 是非之心 (shìfēi), you can judge and realize why the Noroshi invading Furin is wrong. Because you have 羞惡之心 (xiūwù), you feel angry that Noroshi is invading Furin.

And once again, just like from KEEL: 羞惡之心 (xiūwù) is feeling disgusted/hateful when you see others do something not in accordance with 禮儀 (lǐyì).

For someone older to be breaking 禮儀 (lǐyì) and speaking on how Suo's 'similar to him' and how he's having 'fun', this was The singularly most awful thing gymnast-guy could've done at the moment as someone Suo is meant to respect according to the age/skill hierarchy in Chinese culture. Not to mention the gymnast guy establishes himself indirectly as a 'teacher' in this scenario by using the phrase 'discipline'. It's even crazier when you realize that Confucianism explicitly believes that anyone can be a teacher to you because you do not know everything. There's literally a story about Confucius speaking with a 7-year-old who spoke so much facts that Confucius himself recognized the kid as a teacher. Suo taunting the guy asking what he could learn from the gymnast is NUTS.

Some other quotes that I think really match Suo's character:

子曰：「君子病無能焉，不病人之不己知也。」（《衞靈公》第十五）

“A jūnzǐ (君子) worries that he himself is incapable, and not that others do not understand him.”

子曰：「君子不重則不威；學則不固。主忠信。無友不如己者。過則勿憚改 。」（《學而》第一）

"If a jūnzǐ (君子) is not steadfast/solemn/decisive, he will not be dignified; and what he learns will not be stable. Maintain loyalty and integrity as your main principles. Do not make friends with people who have lower moral standing than you/who are not as good as you are, and do not be afraid to correct your mistakes."

Final Theory Pitch: "Death By Betrayal"

"Death By Betrayal" in Suo Hayato's name based on the symbolism of the Chinese redbud might make one immediately think of his master and his family. Perhaps Suo's teacher passed and Suo's embodying his master's teachings, or his family has backstabbed/been backstabbed. If we go down the route of Suo still being an active triad member, then this may talk about his triad being betrayed and Suo having to briefly live/train with his master under a new identity. If Suo's former martial siblings (whom he respects, by the way, literally so xiào) want to reform the group, Suo might force them to align with his current set of values (which are extremely similar to Furin too—to protect the common people) and avoid harming innocents.

From another point of view this can also symbolize the "death" of Suo Hayato's former character, where instead he was the one who turned his backs on his clan/family first. Either to learn from his master who may or may not be dead, or to escape his supposed triad ties.

There is another piece of classical literature that I can yap about: 《魚我所欲也》. Here's a quickest translation of it possible:

“魚，我所欲也，熊掌，亦我所欲也;二者不可得兼， 舍魚而取熊掌者也。生亦我所欲也，義亦我所欲也;二者不可得兼， 舍生而取義者也。

"Fish, I desire it; bear paw [rare and believed to have medicinal properties], I also desire it. If I cannot obtain both at once, then I will sacrifice the fish for the bear paw. Life, I desire it; yì [to do morally correct/upstanding/good things], I also desire it; if I cannot obtain two at once, then I will sacrifice my life for yì.

生亦我所欲，所欲有甚於生者，故不為苟得也; 死亦我所惡，所惡有甚於死者， 故患有所不辟也。 如使人之所欲莫甚於生，則凡可以得生者，何不用也 ? 使人之所惡莫甚於死者，則凡可以辟患者，何不為也 ?由是則生而有不用也，由是則可以辟患而有不為 也，是故所欲有甚於生者，所惡有甚於死者。非獨賢者有是心也，人皆有之，賢者能勿喪耳。

Life is something that I want, but there is something I want more than life [yì]! so I will not be greedy for immediate survival. Death is something I hate, but there is something I hate more than death [not fulfilling yì], so I will not avoid the evil that comes my way. If there is nothing that men love more than life, why do they not use whatever means they have to live? If there is nothing that men hate more than death, why do they not use any means of avoiding evil? By these means may we live, but some do not use them; and by these means may we avoid evil, but some are unwilling to do so.

Thus (it can be proved) that there are things that people want more than life, and there are things that people hate more than death. It is not only the 賢者 (virtuous man) that has this nature—all men have this innate nature, but the virtuous man can preserve and maintain it.

一簞食，一豆羹，得之則生，弗得則死 。

A serving of food, a bowl of soup; if you obtain it, you will live. If you do not obtain it, you will die.

嘑爾而與之，行道之人 弗受;蹴爾而與之，乞人不屑也;萬鍾則不辯禮義而受之。

Giving this to someone while mocking and hollering at them, normal people (people on the road) will not accept it because they feel disrespected; stepping on it before giving it to someone, a beggar would not accept it because it is unclean. The temptation (t/n: 萬鐘 is similar to 'bad temptations' or 'great benefits') for benefits: one will not differentiate whether or not it is aligned according to yì [etiquette/moral ethics] before obtaining it.

萬鍾於我何加焉?為宮室之美、妻妾之奉、所識窮乏者得我與?鄉為身死而不 受，今為宮室之美為之;鄉為身死而不受，今為妻妾之奉為之;鄉為 身死而不受，今為所識窮乏者得我而為之，是亦不可以已乎?此之謂 失其本心。"

What do these benefits have that can help me? For a beautiful house, many wives, and for the recognition and thanks from poor people? In the past, one would sacrifice their life before accepting these benefits; but now, for a beautiful house, many wives, and the recognition and thanks from poor people, they will accept temptation. Can we not stop this? This is the act of losing one’s trait [of sacrificing your life for the greater good]."

A summary of this thinking would be to "捨生取義", lit. 'sacrifice your life to obtain yì/the greater good'.

It is completely possible that Suo, when raised or sworn into the triad, was taught by his master (either in secret or after he briefly leaves) about the importance of 'upholding the ultimate good', which may have caused him to realize his triad—which may or may not prey on the weak—does not align with his moral worldviews any more.

To escape, Suo could've decided to fake his death or leave behind his old self and turn his back as betrayal, which ties into his 'noble' symbolism and 'flying falcon' name in Hayato.

But tbh, I'm inclined to believe Suo's master was on okay terms with the triad because he/she had long hair. Suo's hair, as I've stated elsewhere, could be short due to hair being used as a major symbolism device in WBK as a way to say he's tried to leave his past.

Yet some things may be unable to be broken away from so easily, and Suo, a trained falcon, might be unable to leave behind everything. He was likely loyal since a young age and unconsciously finds himself lingering on old sentiments. Maybe his earrings are gifts from his master. Maybe his eyepatch is from his triad/family.

Still, Suo being from a criminal family and having distaste for Noroshi/KEEL is really interesting because we can see that he doesn't enjoy it when people lack empathy or cause pain to others. You’d expect him to react more to Choji’s gang because of their “violence for violence’s sake” going against his whole empathy tangent, but Suo seems to hate it more when someone finds interest in violence for meaning’s sake or violence for profit’s sake. I think Suo understands Shishitoren is built off violence to become stronger (<- literally the WBK OST), and everyone in SSTR seems to mutually be okay with this in-fighting. There's also a big difference between Suo clashing with SSTR and the other: he hasn't forged as deep of a bond with Furin compared to vs. KEEL and vs. Noroshi, and the latter two have made active attempts at hurting Furin through morally corrupt means (beating Nagato up and taking over Furin for personal gain).

Suo could've developed this sort of morality to distance himself from his family, who may have gotten infamous/profited off similar methods. (<- and this is really funny because Confucius has ALSO said that a jūnzǐ (君子) should not accept wealth or escape poverty if it wasn't achieved through morally correct means. A jūnzǐ (君子) cannot turn his back on rén in the span of a meal, and this remains true even during hasty and urgent times + when one is poor/wandering/living in tough conditions.)

A possible timeline:

-Suo is born to a rich family, possibly wealthy through a criminal empire.

-Suo dislikes his family because of his morals (may not have happened), and his family may dislike him back because he is considered “weak” (could explain why he’s the one who offers to help Nirei or why empathy as an adult is so important to him). Or, he's a super loyal lapdog and hella admires his brothers. Maybe they're the only good guys in the triad. Maybe they're really bad and Suo's also really bad. Suo might have two wolves inside him... the Confucian morals vs. Organized crime persona

-Suo studies Chinese fighting techniques and philosophy with someone (possibly a figure outside his family)

-Suo's family and/or mentor is betrayed/Suo betrays them

-Suo has to escape and create a new identity fully based off of his Confucian learnings.

...

And with that, I've said almost everything I need to say on the topic of Suo Hayato.

It totally didn't take 10,000 words or anything.

What's up next in Part 2?

I'll be writing Endo's version of this post and include some Suo-Endo joint theories and/or notes. Things to look forward to include Endo, Christianity, and alchemy... And maybe I'll even start yapping about the 0.2472983% potential Daoist/Taoist influence Sakura has.

I'll be back in 1 business century!

(Bonus) out of context convos and quotes my friend and I have said during the process of writing this that may foreshadow Part 2 or something:

Me: Picture Endo being Chinese too but it's Mainlander vs HK [Suo] beef

Me: WHO'S THE TAIWANESE 😭😭😭 IS IT UME??? HE HAS PLUM BLOSSOMS

Nakama: Okay so (crackposting) it's choji because of TW's association with the sun

Me: What if it's Chiitan [Chika Takiishi] and we get the Mainland x TWnese "forbidden" romance...

Me: But anyway I find it devastating choji would say cao ni ma wo che ne and its not even ooc

Me: ...Shit now I can imagine endo with a strong beijinger accent

Nakama: ...yamato儿(er) endo儿(er)

Nakama: ....chiika儿(er) takiishi儿(er)

Nakama: ...sakuraur harukaur

Me: endo going BEJINGRR WELCOMES YOU

"You not only ate, you devourered that like you were unaccountably peckish." —Nakama-kun 2024

Nakama: Waiting very politely for ur suopost to show up

Me: It might tonight, I'm typing like a keyboard warrior rn

Me: When u wake up it might be posted 😎

—A lie quoted from the 17th Aug 2024 at 3：57 PM GMT+8, a whopping one month and seven days ago.

"Y'know maybe suo's from oklahoma" —Me, delirious, 2024

The Suo Post's TLDR:

"WE NEED TO KILL HIM FOR BEING TOO CHINESE"

—User psychicwavementality after 1 month of crying in voice messages about Suo Hayato.

(Total word count: 11,781 words. Part One, scene!)

[numberoneredriotfan]

Things I'd change if I were to rewrite Mha

A few things for context: These are just things that I would like to see and are all personal, and aren't meant to be a direct criticism on mha. These are for no one else but me, and how I would change mha if I had no limitations such as run time, censorship, etc. So don't take these too seriously. I just wanted to put my thoughts somewhere.

Have it take place over the course of ALL THREE of their years at UA. Like I have always been confused why it would only show them in their first year before all the shit goes down?? (I understand why but still-). I wanna see the kids ACTUALLY learning stuff in school before they go off to fight a war okay.

Put some of the movie storylines into the main one. Such as Humarise, I-Island, and Nine. With minor to major changes to each one. I feel like all of them had a lot of potential plot-wise.

Get rid of the whole Shigaraki/Afo possession plotline... it was really stupid. Focus on Shigaraki himself.

May sound strange, but have it be episodic to an extent?? At least for the first few seasons and have there be a major arc every now and then. Think team-up-missions style. Show the kids being kids while still incorporating their classes and hero studies.

Every character gets one or two chapters or episodes just dedicated to them. Whether it be exploring their personality or backstory. I want to feel connected to all of the kids!!

Deku, Uraraka and Iida are focused on more as a trio. I hated how their friendship was thrown aside in favor of "omg strong shounen trio." Bakugou and Todoroki should still have a relationship with Deku, but stop lumping them together. It feels so forced.

Get rid of the whole Endeavor redemption arc. Well, maybe not get rid of, but rework it. I don't like how Endeavor's feelings became the centerpoint of the todoroki family subplot. I feel like he did a 180 on his behavior way too quickly. Have something big happen that changes his perspective (I wouldn't consider All Might retiring as something big).

Self-indulgent but more focus on the Bakugou, Kaminari, and Kirishima trio!! They're so fun! Also, I wanna see Bakugou's process in making his own friends, real friends, outside of his weird rival-complex with Deku.

Rodydeku needs to be canon Okay but seriously, I would like to see more of Rody and Deku's relationship. Rody should become a more prominent person in Deku's life!

Playing onto that, but have half of their second year take place while the class is doing an exchange program. Based off MermaidMarie's fic, but I'd like to see Deku go back to Otheon. And I wanna see the other kid's adventures in different countries!

Slow Deku's progress down with one for all. I feel like it was going at a steady pacing until season 5 when pacing went out the window. I want to see Deku discover each one of his new powers in time, not just have them thrown at him one after the other.

GIVE ME A QUIRKLESS VILLAIN DAMN IT. I want there to be someone who's so smart at manipulation and intelligent that they don't need a quirk to get the job done.

Someone in class A needs to die. That's all.

More world building! There's so much to be explored with a superhuman society, so explore it!

Deku needs an actual vigilante arc. Not working with pro-heroes, but actually going out and taking matters into his own hands.

Have a theme of Expectation Vs. Reality be more present. This was explored a bit in mha, but not enough I feel like. I wanna be greeted to the idea of heroes being these incredible pillars of justice, how the kids see them to be, and then watch as this idealistic view slowly crumbles before them. Have them see the corruption that comes with the career, the true extent of the pain and misery heroes suffer, and all the systematic issues that come with it. Have them at some point question what being a hero means, and have them each find their own answer.

Better writing for all the characters in general tbh.

HAVE STAIN BE A REOCCURING VILLAIN. HAVE HIM LEAVE A BIGGER IMPACT ON DEKU. STAIN IS ONE OF THE BEST VILLANS IN MHA PLEASEEEEE-

This goes without saying, but the fanservice just doesn't need to be there. Attraction is completely normal, but write it in a way where it isn't borderline sexual harassment thank you very much. Also have Midnight put on some goddamn clothes around these kids for the love of god.

Have the quirk of doomsday theory be more prevalent, don't just use it for when it's convenient.

More Kirishima. Completely self-indulgent but I want him to be a major character.

And finally.... just show these kids being kids. I loved the episodes where they were goofing around, like the dorm contest and the school festival arc. Show more of their teenage worries outside of their hero studies, have them act immature and do dumb things more often! Show them just hanging out. Show them just being their authentic selves. Show this, so that when it does go into the more intense arcs and as the story becomes darker, have them reminisce on those moments of just being them. Have them grieve over who they were before.

[constantfragmentation]

I feel like I owe my readers an apology.

It's been made known to me that readers who are POC feel excluded in how I've written my 'you/reader' style Silco fanfics.

I've never written Reader-style fics before this. This is new to me and I fear my white privilege is showing because they way I've written the "Reader" is essenitally white.

This was not intentional to exclude anyone or make them feel 'taken out of the story' because I failed in properly making the "Reader" neutral so the actual reader could visualize that character to fit the "you" perspective.

I honestly never even considered it or that I was doing this. It's just how I saw the character and I should have tagged the stories as OFC and not "you", even though it's written that way.

I'm not sure how to correct this unless I rewrite them. Please be aware I did not intentionally mean to exclude anyone from being able to insert themselves into the Reader character because I wrote 'her' as white.

I think I'll scrap future Silco stories i was planning to write to avoid this and not make anyone uncomfortable or offend them. I don't think I can write them as OFC since readers seem prefer the "you" format but I'm not sure how to write a blank character either.

I feel like im alienating a whole group of readers and I'm really sorry.

Addendum:

I don't want to be that person who ignores valid criticism.

But for my sanity, I'm just going to finish Bend as is. To change it or rewrite when it's almost finished will throw me off and delay it further when it's taken me a year to post one chapter. I'll rewrite it when it's done but I don't think that will appease those right now and im sorry. But I can only do so much with the little time I have. I think it's better i just get it done and over with.

I'll most likely scrap the other stories and start over. People don't seem to care for OC stories and prefer Reader pov. Either way I'll need to rewrite them. My writing style has always been a certain way and it may take time to change how I do it. I've never thought of it before and now I should take more care in being more inclusive or not write Reader povs anymore. Either way I'm prepared to lose readers.

At this point I cant honestly say when a new chapter will come. For those who have been crazy patient with me, I cant ask you to continue to do so.

I'm literally staring at the new chapter and have no motivation right now. I'm stuck. Please check out all the other great Silco authors out there.

[joocomics]

extra points

day 2 — collar w/ jungsu ⌞⌗ kinktober ⌝

𓂃⠀𓈒 rich boy!jungsu x fem!reader

genre: smut ( 18+ ) ── 1.9k words

✎… elite college au, sub!reader, kinky!jungsu, oral sex (m!rec), deepthroating, gagging, lots of pet names, praise kink, light bdsm play (usage of collar with a leash)

a.n ! this may be a part of something bigger one day

( kinktober masterlist )

“So unfortunate, you’re missing just one more point.”

You take the exam paper from Jungsu’s hand and quickly skim through it - your name written at the top and your course work right below it, with Jungsu’s notes written at the bottom in the same red color that he used to grade it.

At the moment, you’re too frustrated with the condescending smile he’s staring at you with to ask any questions about your mistakes - his presence alone is annoying you, - so you’re going to read everything once you’re home, and if needed, you’re going to text him to avoid having to deal with his attitude in person.

“Thanks,” you sigh, reaching for his course work. “Here’s yours.”

You can’t wait for the semester to be over so you can get rid of this class and the professor who thinks making his students grade each other’s work is a good tool for improving skills.

(Maybe it is, but it would have worked better for you if you weren’t paired up with Kim Jungsu.)

“Thanks, Y/N.” Another smile creeps up on his lips once he sees his excellent points. “You’re an angel.”

He smiles too much, you notice, and every time he does, for a second you wonder if there's a possibility that you might be wrong about him. Perhaps, he’s so popular because of his perfect smile radiating joy, innocence and politeness, not because he’s a secret jerk…

“I’m not giving you extra points if that’s what you’re assuming.”

It seems your expression changes drastically, because Jungsu looks at you with surprise.

“Of course not,” he replies as he unzips his backpack. “Can’t I compliment a pretty girl when I see one?”

Your heart flutters, just for a brief moment, before you take a breath and answer.

“You can do whatever you want.”

Jungsu nods and his lips turn up - of course.

But this time the effects of his smile remain with you throughout the whole day.

His idea is bad.

Really bad. Most of all - wrong. Illegal.

Cheating in any way is never the right thing to do.

However, after hearing out Jungsu, the idea gets stuck in your head and you can’t stop thinking about it; considering it. It sounds so easy and tempting.

You really don’t want to do poor on this class, any class, especially in this college. If you have the opportunity to fix this one small stupid mistake that’s keeping you from getting the good grade you deserve, why not take it?

Although, the real question is another one - if you agree to this, are you really going to do it for your grade? Do your bottled up feelings for Jungsu have anything to do with this? The secret desire to be one of his toys like you’ve heard many people call the girls around him.

Without this extra point your grade is not that bad - it's not excellent, but it's still good. In the same vein - it's just a kiss.

“So…” your mouth is completely dry when you speak up. “We kiss and in return you change my grade.”

“Damn, angel,” Jungsu chuckles, leaning back into the sofa, “you sound so strict and professional.”

“I’ll rewrite everything tonight, and when I send it to you, you’ll have it done by tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

Jungsu tilts his head meanwhile his one arm leans on the back of the sofa as if he’s signaling you to join him already.

You don’t want to show how much you actually want to kiss him so you stand up slowly. You sit next to him on your knees, feeling your body temperature rising.

You’ve never been so close to him before. You can feel his expensive cologne in the air and you’re ready to welcome it on your clothes… on your skin.

“You can come closer.”

And with these words of his, all your hidden cravings open inside you. You’ve tried to bury them for so long, ignoring them by not paying Jungsu any attention. The idea of him, the son of one of the most powerful families in the city, showing interest in you sounded ridiculous anyway.

And yet, here you are - unable to contain your moaning just from his thumbs circling your nipples. Maybe it’s embarrassing, maybe he thinks you’re overreacting, you don’t care.

You keep following his lead, kissing him hard and letting out little whines and groans whenever you feel the need to - which is often.

His hands are underneath your shirt; he tugged down your bra to feel your plush breasts, but he still hasn’t seen them bare. He continues to toy with your perked up nipples beneath the clothing as his gentle tongue explores your mouth.

“How long can I kiss you for, angel?” He asks, and his voice after all this long kissing still sounds soft, but with a discreet raspiness that turns you on immensely.

At first, you’re not sure what to respond, but then…

“I already told you… you can do whatever you want.”

Jungsu observes your face for a moment, trying to really figure you out. It was your beauty and your unbothered attitude towards him that sparked his idea to ask the professor to pair you up with him for the entire class, but now, more and more things about you interest him.

Good thing he always gets what he wants.

“Looks like you really need that grade,” he teases, and you only answer with a coy smile.

The intense eye contact breaks once his right hand withdraws from your chest to unbutton your pants, and you feel the tip of his middle finger rubbing your clit.

“You’re sensitive everywhere,” he comments, satisfied at the sounds he’s hearing; your pretty moans are like a hypnotising tune. Another thing that he likes is how you’re not ashamed to express your neediness; how you’re ready to give him all despite him asking only for a single kiss. “And so needy to be touched.” His tongue traces your neck and in result your hips attempt to press you into his crotch harder.

Jungsu chuckles again and leans back to check you out, looking already dazed and so aroused.

He walks you through his big living area, then to his huge minimalistic bedroom where there's a beautiful painting above the bed with navy blue sheets. With each step you remove more of your clothes and leave them on the floor until you're both naked with goosebumps across your skin.

There's only one thing we need, he says before opening his wardrobe.

His tall naked figure hovers over you and you can feel the discreet dominance radiating from his toned body. He doesn’t even need to say anything - one look and one touch is enough for you to obey and satisfy his wishes.

As he puts the black collar around your neck, you gulp once or twice with your eyes roaming all over his chest. His arm muscles flex the more he moves around you, turning you on even with his scent.

“It suits you, angel.” He steps back while holding the leash from black leather in his hand. “Makes you even prettier.”

You switch positions and now he’s the one sat down on the edge of the bed, not letting you out of sight, - and you’re the one standing in front of him, waiting to see where this will lead.

“Down, baby.”

You kneel silently between his legs as he’s manspreading without letting go of you.

It already feels like this is where you belong.

Jungsu stares down and catches your hands flinching a bit; so impatient to touch him, but not brave enough to do it. He’s enjoying the little show, and especially the seductive view of your parted lips and your pupils blown wide, anticipating his next move while glowing with lust.

“The collar is already teaching you to behave, isn’t it? You need to learn to be more patient, sweetheart.”

You lick over your lips, noticing him roll the leash around his hand before tugging it down. The act has you gasp quietly as he directs your face lower; the warm breaths that leave your mouth envelop his erection nicely.

Jungsu’s spare hand grips on the roots of your hair and you pout at the pain in your scalp as he yanks your head back. This forces you to look up from his cock just when your mouth began to water at the sight of his big tip, flushed and glistening with arousal.

“Please—“ you whisper as your hands glide over his pale thighs. “Let me.”

“So cute.”

You smile softly at the way his thumb caresses the corner of your mouth before leaning back down into his crotch - once you felt the pressure of the collar giving you permission to do so.

His big size fills your mouth bit by bit after you lick it up and down. A surprised humm slips from your tongue when its heaviness settles on it; your puffy lips strech painfully to take as much as possible of him, and the two of you hold your breaths at the same time, curious to see how much exactly you can handle.

You’re already disappointed that you won’t be able to fit it all in.

“Fuck—“ Jungsu’s captivating voice moans above you from the pleasure entering his body; his leash guiding you in the steady pace he likes.

You put all your attention and effort into breathing properly through your nose, bobbing your head up and down in the rhythm that makes him groan the most, but it’s becoming harder to keep it up as the seconds go by.

Your jaw starts to hurt too much, making it difficult to swallow even half of his length now.

By tugging your hair back, Jungsu retrieves you from his cock, watching you gasp for air with hands still behind your back, the way he asked them to be.

“Good job, pretty angel.” He praises you and after giving you few seconds to breathe he guides you down again. “You’re talented.”

Your neck veins are emphasised beneath the leather as he keeps you between his thighs; your chin drips with saliva while his thick length glides towards your throat, causing lewd noise to erupt from each move.

He’s so big and the pain is bittersweet. Every time you manage to invite him deeper while keeping your cheeks hollow, his voice turns shakier.

Once he stops you from lifting your head up, the wet sounds of your throat mix with his blissful groaning. The gag, which he expected to hear soon enough, causes his toned figure to twitch; his hips to jump up for more. The way you struggle, slobbering at his throbbing erection has his hand pressing down insistently against your skull.

“Holy shit—“ The grip around the leash tightens the moment his abs clench; the muscles of his legs tense even more as he bucks his hips up again. “Fuck, I knew you can take it, baby.“

The next poking of his tip makes you choke which almost throws Jungsu over the edge.

He finally glances down when you start coughing, creating an even bigger mess in his lap.

“Easy, baby,” he cups your fucked out face with warm comforting hands, “come here.”

Following the leash, you end up in the centre of the bed. As you sink down, amazed at how the feeling of him inside you already makes you melt, Jungsu still keeps an eye on the accessory around your neck.

The leash continues to occasionally move you in different angles and directions; to mark your skin with possessive red hues; to drag you closer for a kiss and pull you back to arch your spine like a cat after you switch positions.

Jungsu has had this collar for so long, and many girls have spent the night in this same bed, but you’re the first one to interest him enough to make him want to use it.

Maybe this wasn’t a bad idea after all.

! please do not repost, copy or translate my works

! please keep in mind english is not my first language. i apologise for any mistakes i’ve might missed

[desperate-daydream]

☂️ Umbrella Academy

❀ Five Hargreeves x male reader ⚣︎

A/N: @fandomz-brainrot you said if I ever continue I should tag you. Guess what, I liked the fourth season so little that I irresponsibly decided to continue this series further and maybe even get to the extend of rewriting much from the last season. Please don't expect continuity from me - I'm kinda terrible at that. But nonetheless, I hope you like this part!

(I also made a tag with the title so the parts can be found easier)

tags/warnings: set in season 1 still, brief mention of trying not to puke, I changed a bit of what happened but stuck more to the actual episode in this part, top/protective reader, Klaus my beloved (just wanted to mention him)

Together, we will save the world pt. 3

„Wait, you‘re running around with a prosthetic eye the whole time?“, you looked at said object lying in Five‘s hand. 

„Of course, it has importance“, he looked at it for a moment, „I found it in Luther‘s hand when I landed in the post-apocalypse.“ 

„And what are you gonna do with it now?“, you inspected it after he dropped it into your held out hand. 

„I have to find out who it belongs to. When my siblings had it shortly before they died in the apocalypse it‘s likely to belong to the Person causing the apocalypse. So if I stop them, I can stop the world from ending.“

You hummed and gave it back to him. „So what? We‘re gonna go there and ask?“

„Yes“, he already turned to walk away but then stopped in his tracks, „Wait. You wanna come with me?“

„Of course“, you grinned at him, „Why do you think I‘m staying for? Your sandwiches and overly bitter coffee? I‘m gonna help you.“ 

„Oh, okay“, you saw the slightest blush grow on his cheeks. „Then let‘s go“, he turned towards the door again and took your hand to pull him after you like he wanted to make sure now that you followed him. It was at least the third time already since you had met each other that he did this. 

He would probably not want to drive there - you didn‘t have a clue where this company was but if he wasn‘t exhausted he usually used his powers. This morning he had almost scared you to death by randomly showing up behind you while you looked in the mirror. And he only did it to tell you that they had some breakfast made by their robot-mom-nanny.

You were right in your assumption because after a few steps your stomach turned around again while your vision blacked out for a moment. A second later you were standing in front of a grand building. You went inside and Five looked around. You were about to ask what he was planning to do when a man approached the both of you. 

“Uh, can I help you?”, he asked and Five turned around to look at him. He got out the eye and showed it to the man. 

The lady at the reception looked up and smiled at them softly: „Are you searching for your parents?“ „No“, Five answered, “I need to know who this belongs to.” 

“Where did you get that?”, the man’s gaze went back and forth between the two of you with narrowed eyes. He probably thought you were irresponsible teenagers that wanted to mess around. 

“We found it.. on the playground, actually. Must’ve just.. popped out.”, Five cleared his throat and put on a smile that others may think came from a cute little boy. But to you he looked like a little shit. “We want to return it” 

“Oh, what a sweet gesture”, the receptionist commented. But Five didn’t care about any societal norms or respect. You noticed Five‘s smile freezing and his eyes becoming a certain glint that you wouldn‘t want to be on the other side of. The receptionist didn‘t notice anything about his mood shift. 

Only when he said “Yeah, look up the name for me, would you?” her expression turned into an offended one. 

“Sorry, patient information is strictly confidential”, the man spoke up again, “But i can take it and give it back. The owner will probably be grateful.” He reached out his hand. 

“You can’t touch this”, Five hissed at him. You stepped forward a little but didn’t yet put your hand on his arm. You weren’t sure if it was part of his plan so you decided to stay low for a bit more. 

“Listen here, young man”, the man said with a warning tone. Apparently something in Five snapped at this. He surged forward and took the front of the man’s doctor’s coat. 

“No”, he hissed out sharply, “you listen to me, asshole. I’ve come a long way for this, so just give me the information.” Okay, yeah, you had just witnessed how his fragile nerves snapped. He seemed like he was boiling with anger on the inside when he added: “And if you call me young man one more time I will put your head through the wall.” 

You weren’t sure what to do and looked at the scene in front of you. Your gaze was redirected when the woman let out an “oh dear”. The doctor turned to her: “Call security.” So she took the phone and Five let go peevishly. 

Then he sighed and turned around to which you could see his visibly pissed off expression. He just took your hand again and pulled you with him. You threw a quick and very confused "Sorry, bye” in the direction of the two people while stumbling after your friend. 

„Fucking ignorant people“, he hissed when you were out of the door. „So what now?“, you asked while trying to calm him down with a hand on his shoulder. 

„I think I‘ve got an idea..“, he murmured and started walking again. “One of my brothers would do anything for a little money.” 

When you were back at the mansion, Five called out Klaus' name. Said person came tumbling towards you from the living area only wearing underpants and a jacket. You couldn’t contain your laughter at this sight and snorted. 

Klaus bowed in front of you and grinned: “Danke, danke.” 

“We need your help”, Five said with a still grumpy face. “Oh, Fivey, youuu need my help? Do I get something for it?” He batted his lashes at them. 

You could sense Five groaning internally. “Yes, I’ll pay you.” “Yay!”, Klaus twirled around for a moment, “So, what can I do for you?” 

„You need to dress up“, your friend said and shouted after his brother who was already scurrying away, „like an actual appropriate adult!“

He sighed and turned to you: „Let‘s go to my room again. This will probably take some time.“ 

You went upstairs to the room you two have actually stayed in together since you had met each other. There was nobody who cared where you were and aside from work where you could take off you had no other responsibilities at the time. So it was easy for you to just stay there. 

You had suggested sleeping on the floor or in one of the probably many other free bedrooms. But Five had passively insisted on you staying there with him, in the same bed. 

You would’ve normally seen staying in the same bed as platonic but there was something - something unsaid but lingering between the two of you. His siblings seemed to at least have a slight hunch of this something too. 

When Klaus was ready - after switching from his perception of professional clothing to a suit from their father - and you hastily got out of Viktor’s grasp you went to the company again with an adult at your side. It was an absolute fever dream you witnessed then. You could once again only stand to the side for a long time because it was so absurd - even for you. Klaus straight up gaslighted the doctor, punched Five in the process and then literally hurt himself with a ‘peace on earth’ snow globe. 

However, at some point in between, the doctor tried to insult Five since he apparently had no idea of how to deal with Klaus anymore: „And how dare you, you assholish disrespectful child, to come here again!“

„Excuse you!“, you spoke up before one of the others could, „You have no idea what this is about. And by calling him assholish and disrespectful you are so yourself. What the fuck is wrong with your perception?“ 

The man looked at you with wide eyes. You weren’t sure but it felt like he hadn’t actively noticed you before that and was surprised to see another person - on top of that this younger person corrected his manners. 

Five threw a quick smug smirk towards you and while he did that he felt kinda weird shortly. He couldn’t quite place it but he also didn’t have time because Klaus hurting himself and you scolding him pushed the doctor over his limits of weirdness-tolerance and he called security. 

But before he could say anything Klaus took the receiver and presented another show by telling the guards that there had been an assault. 

Even Five seemed shortly confused by that before he started grinning when Klaus further explained how the guards would be told that the doctor had assaulted them. “You’re a sick bastard”, the doctor then said to Klaus. After your breakout he wouldn’t dare to say something to Five again. Klaus answered with “Thank you” and soon after that you sat around the man looking through the files. 

“That’s weird”, he commented once he found the right one. “What?”, Five asked and scooted a little closer to the edge of his seat. “The eye hasn’t been purchased yet. It’s- uhn”; the doctor became anxious again when Klaus hopped off the counter and came closer, “According to our files it hasn’t even been manufactured yet. Where did you get that eye?” 

Five only sighed and looked down for a moment. Then he stood up took you by the hand again that day and went to get out. “Wait, what-?”, the doctor tried to follow you but Klaus put a hand on his shoulder to which the man flinched strongly. “Oh, don’t follow us, Gary. Or- you know”, Klaus showed him another ill grin and then followed you. 

“This is not good”, Five mumbled once you were out. “But I was!”, Klaus chimed in, “Did you see me?” “Klaus it doesn't matter”, Five spat at his brother. You stood aside of the scene while Five explained “why that eye was so important anyway”, as Klaus phrased it.

“So, can I get my twenty bucks now or..?”, Klaus asked in response to that. Five was even more pissed off then: “The apocalypse is coming and all you think about is getting high?” “Well, I’m also a little hungry”, his brother countered, “tummy’s going brrrrm.” You let out snort then. Klaus really was quite funny actually. When FIve looked at you judgy you just raised your eyebrows like saying: “What? You gonna scold me now too?” 

Five rolled with his eyes and sat down on the steps. You sat next to him and put a consoling hand on his shoulder. You knew that even though he had just told Klaus that he was useless he did all of that to save him and his other siblings - he loved his family. 

“You know”, Klaus started again then, “I think I know why you’re so uptight all the time. You must be horny as hell!” He sat on the other side of Five who seemed to have ultimately have the last nerve being snapped while you tried to contain laughter as well as a blush again. “You should really get some action”, Klaus’ gaze towards you was stubbornly ignored by Five and you. “All those years by yourself”, Klaus sighed out. 

“I wasn’t alone”, Five mumbled which caught your attention. You had noticed that he hadn’t told you everything the first time and now you were more than curious to hear more. You decided to ignore this nagging feeling in the back of your head when thinking about Five with someone (else) at that moment. 

“Ooh”, Klaus was interested too, “Open up, little guy.” Five threw a quick undefinable glance towards you. “Her name was Delores. Had about thirty years together. But- well, everything comes to an end.” You contained the comment of how he tried to literally stop the end of the world. Meanwhile, Klaus was impressed by the number of years and started talking about a guy he had been together with - at least you guessed it was that. 

But Five took your hand and before you could interpret what this meant he had portaled you in a taxi. Your head spun from the sudden jump and you had to close your eyes for a second to not empty your stomach in the car. When you opened them, Five, who had told the scared driver to keep driving, looked at you again with that undefinable look. 

“You okay?”, you asked after looking at each other for a few seconds. “I guess”, FIve answered and looked out of the window. You weren’t sure because Five just sometimes seemed like his own species but you thought that you could make out the tips of his ears turning slightly pink. 

You got out of the taxi after some time and went to eat something. You had once again told him to take care of himself. And you had - unfortunately from Five’s perspective - already figured out how to get him to actually do it. You pointed out that Five needed nutrition and rest to complete his mission to the best extent. 

That was why you were once again sitting in front of each other in a diner - almost like your first meeting. You just hoped that you wouldn’t be attacked again. “Can I ask you something?”, you spoke up after ordering. “You already did”, Five answered with what you could make out as a smug look. “Ugh”, you rolled your eyes and threw one of those little sugar bags at him. 

After dodging it Five decided to have mercy with you: “What is it?” “Uhm, about you not being alone. It’s just- you hadn’t mentioned anything like that when you told me about those years.”

“Because it wasn’t relevant”, Five countered. “Well, I don’t know. I think having company is kinda important for staying at least a little bit sane.” “But I wasn’t sane”, FIve said then. “What do you mean?”

Five was quiet for a few seconds. You waited patiently for him to continue if he wanted - you could only imagine that this huge part of his life had been more than traumatic. In the meantime, your food arrived and he took a sip of his coffee before speaking again. 

“I can show you.. her. It will be easier to explain then”, he stated then. “Okay”, you were a little wary but after only about a day and a half with this boy you had become sure to trust him. Even if his methods sometimes were unconventional. 

[thesensteawitch]

NEXT CHAPTER IN YOUR LIFE!🐝

Pick A Pile Reading

🌷(Left to Right- Pile 1, Pile 2, Pile 3)🌷

Hello, Senstea Souls! 💫

I am back with another collective reading. Make sure you pick your pile intuitively!

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Pile 1

Tarot Cards- Three of Swords, Knight of Swords, Two of Cups, Two of Swords, Eight of Cups, Page of Wands, Six of Pentacles, Eight of Pentacles

Hello, pile 1. You are a giver. There's so much depth in your heart that you must let the world dive in and see all that resides within your magical space. I can feel a push and pull within you. On one side, you want to give in to the energy of the source (the creative force), but on the other hand, you only showcase what you think the world deems important. You want to be loved, but not based on your authenticity but on the preferences of others. Are you a writer? Do you journal? What's this message I'm sensing about sounds for you? Perhaps listen more. Someone broke your heart, or are you pulling the strings of your heart? You have walked away from your gifts, and this next chapter of your life is pushing you to rewrite your life and not burn the whole book. The next chapter is about slowly but mindfully walking away from something that was breaking your heart silently. Go slow, but don't stop. Soon, the universe will bless you with a harmonious connection and will clear the air between you and someone or something you love dearly. In this next chapter, the universe will pay you back for every ounce of strength you invested in this difficult situation you went through. The universe wants you to know that you're protected and that your kind heart is safe in the hands of the universe. The universe is removing anyone or anything that broke your heart and is going to fill that space with divine love and connections. This next chapter of your life asks you to fall in love with your art. Your art is a gift; show it to the world. A lot of financial stability will come your way if you choose to give rather than take from the world.

Pile 2

Tarot Cards- Page of Swords, Eight of Cups, Eight of Swords, The Empress, Knight of Cups, Death, Queen of Wands, Five of Wands

Don't be afraid, but the universe is going to forge you towards your destiny by ending some toxic ties with people who are dimming your confidence. The next chapter of your life is going to be about realizing who you are and tapping into the authenticity of your being. You need to validate your tiniest of achievements. This is how you'll be regaining your confidence. I see challenging energy at work; make sure you're using your power wisely. In this next chapter, you may feel stuck, which will lead to what you have been trying to create ending up in shackles. So please take care and make sure this doesn't happen. In this next chapter of your life, you'll be clearing up the toxicity in your work and love lives. It won't be easy, but it'll be worth it. You'll be realizing your true potential. After you heal from these situations, you'll be blessed with unexpected blessings in love and finances. Don't give up yet! Keep doing what you're doing. You'll soon see the results, and a lot of blessings will come your way that will be emotionally fulfilling. Walk with confidence, and everything will be fine. People can easily pick up on your energy, so come out strong and passionate about your work. And when it comes to relationships, walk away gracefully. After a lot of pain and challenges, abundance will be coming your way!

Pile 3

Tarot Cards- Queen of Pentacles, Knight of Wands, Eight of Cups, Strength, Knight of Cups, Two of Cups

"You know what's best for you, pile 3! In this next chapter of your life, your dreams are coming true. Something you never dreamed of is going to happen. All the spiritual work and hard work that you've been doing is going to pay off soon. Justice will happen for you in this next chapter because you're now doing the right thing for others and, most importantly, for yourself. You will embody the spirit of a lion and the intuition granted by the moon. People will recognize you and your power. You'll walk away from anything that didn't serve you and will be heading towards a soulmate connection. Your creativity is going to take you far in life. If you've been wanting to study or teach for a long time, then that's what will happen for you in this next chapter. Expect the best for yourself, and it will be. Release all doubts! You have called your power back, and you're going to gracefully claim it now. You will be healed in this next chapter of your life from any wound that has been keeping you stuck in a cycle. I also see you going on dates and resting well. You'll have financial stability and a lot of love for your work. For some of you, I also see you walking away from someone who made big promises to choose someone who would do anything for you. This other person will be your great supporter. I am so happy for you, pile 3."