#Magical Nine Courages

[twistedstoryteller]

let’s meet our heroes!

(who we’ll call by their well known names for simple sake)

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Wild(Link Azure Rune)[Age: 17]{Civilian nickname: Azul, Cook, Champion or “Champ”, “Cub”/Only Twilight calls him this/}

he’s technically our ‘pink lead’ or ‘mini leader’ of the ‘main’ team. He lived in the suburbs of Hateno with his parents and own younger sister. He befriended Mipha and Daruk when he was little around the age of 4 when his family had visited both Mipha’s and Daruk’s homelands respectively. He later gets to know Flora, Revali, and Urbosa when he was around 12 and sure things were a little rocky with Flora and Revali at the start of things but later they became thick as thieves, and with three more to add to the friend group(they still stay in touch even after he befriends the rest of the “chain”). Fast forward to 17 and he’s now in high school, one that’s he’s just transferring into due to having to move to Central Hyrule City because of his dad’s new job working as a castle guard for the royal family. While he is grateful he technically gets to be in the same class as Flora, Mipha and Revali(they’re helpful too). He pretty much still imitated by pretty much everything else around him. Such as not only the school being way bigger than his former one, not to mention the multiple number of students too. Sheer number is way intimidating than he can ever imagine, luckily he ends up meeting Wind and Tetra by literally bumping into them, they both actually help Wild. He was also pretty much there during the first attack cause it literally happened on the first day of school, just literally after school too(Seriously he was going to meet up with Flora, Mipha and Revali too). So there’s a Lynel wreaking havoc and Wild almost got caught up in one of the attacks if it hadn’t been someone pulling him out of the way, this someone being Warriors, and getting scolded a second later about why Wild was just standing there and it’s dangerous here so he should run. However Wild soon spots a familiar face. Wind and Tetra were both in trouble, and seeing he rather not stand by and do nothing. He rushed straight into the battle with one of the dropped bow with their extra arrows on the ground. Even though Warriors pretty much told him to just freaking run and get out of there. That actually triggered something in Wild as the moment he shot that arrow at the lynel, that arrow was engulfed in a bright glow making it enough to piece and stun the lonely in place, giving Wind and Tetra more than enough time to get out of there(Wind however noticed there was something familiar about the one that saved him and Tetra just now). Wild newly grabbed bow began to transform into something else. A transformation device that lets Wild turn into his hero form, and Wild doesn’t even think twice on whenever or not he should use it or not. The moment he does, Wild has a rush of memories he doesn’t even remember having before(Memories as the Original Wild) and powers he wasn’t even aware he has awakening as well. He uses this new power to actually fight the lynel and actually holding up pretty well(got to quickly rescue Mipha for a quick second), especially having way too much fun snipering lynel with a bunch of arrows, before soon finishing it off with his finisher move. Lynel is defeated and taken down, Wild and Warriors find a spot hidden from the public as Wild got a whole lot of media attention being that “The Hero of Wild has somehow returned to save the day” and “Does this mean the other nine heroes of courage will show up”. Wild is definitely a handful regardless he still has a lot of things to learn to actually adjust to living in Central Hyrule City, especially now having hero duties too(plus being reminded that he needs to keep his identity secret too).

Warriors(Link Leo Griffin)[Age: 24]{Civilian nickname: Captain or “Cap”}

He’s pretty much lived in Central Hyrule City for his whole life(his family too but still) and currently while he’s one of the newer castle guards just recently assigned to watch over one of the royal family members(Legend). He sometimes acts as the ‘main’ group leader, he actually awaken his memories prematurely compared to getting his actual powers upon one day running into Time when he was younger, so he knows the ins and outs of what they are dealing with, he just needs to figure out how to trigger his own powers as well. He awaken his powers when Wild was in trouble while fighting Gohma, and not only that but Time who just happened to be there at the wrong time also got captured too by said monster(Mr Lon Lon cannot exactly transform unless he wants his identity as “Time” to be downright exposed), he didn’t want to be stuck on the side lines as he couldn’t do anything to help Wild or Time(Mask|Sprite). Warriors was going to save those two if it the last thing he’ll do. His powers finally trigger in that moment and he’s finally able to transform to not only get both Wild and Time out of that webbing the two were trapped in before(and Time being able to escape, he however doesn’t transform seeing Warriors have things handle, and not just because he wants to see Warriors in action, nope 😶) but manage to work together with Wild in dealing with Gohma but also got to use his own finisher move on the monster too. Having save Wild and Time, and getting out of there(don’t want to accidentally reveal himself after all). He’s more than happy of having his powers had unlocked, of course regardless he’s just glad the both of them are okay and alright, he even got to hug both of them properly once they were properly hidden from public eye. So, now that he is able to help out more than ever(he didn’t just want to watch from the sidelines and be unable to do anything to help, heck, he even loathed the fact of being unable save the ones he cares for before too). Unfortunately he still has royal guard duties aka he needs to guard a certain someone from the royal family and that someone also seems to really dislike him(or potentially seems to hate his own guts, this luckily gets solved later).

Wind(Link Zephyr Kainalu)[Age: 14]{Civilian nickname: Sailor}

The youngest of the team. Wind lives on one of the close by islands with his grandma and little sister. Though he also stays with his best friend and fellow partner in crime Tetra when staying on the mainland with her, he been staying there a lot more recently cause of the new school he’s attending with her. He awakens to his memories and powers after noticing Wild been acting old, and had also been going straight for this odd little cafe with that guy that follows that “Felicity” guy more. Followed them all the way to a nearby port, gets caught by them both, later gets to see Wild and Warriors literally turn into the two heroes of courage that literally been making a huge buzz at school to fight that huge octo that just appeared(something about that monster felt familiar to Wind but he doesn’t know why), see them doing awesome before the giant tentacle ensnarls the two making it not awesome, spots Linebeck’s boat that has a cannon, uses that cannon to blast the thing to oblivion(Well tries to, also Wind will remember to apologize to Linebeck later if he accidentally wreaks it), oh past memories and powers come back, now he can actually put that octo in its place. Battles the thing with the powers, and than eventually uses his own finisher move on octo monster. So after that fight Wind pretty much collapsed(being caught by Warriors) looking pretty much shocked and yet very much amazed “That was f****king sick and awesome”, well was until he saw Linebeck’s boat uhhh, wreaked(Uh oh, no wonder Wind used his wind waker to quickly get all three of them out of there seconds later). Wind now part of the team! He definitely makes things more exciting by being here, he is more than eager to be with the others again even if not exactly all the chain yet. Random side note he does have an older cousin that is just two years older than him, who Wind noticed been acting slightly off since the start of this whole mess. Wind is not stupid to not notice how his cousin looks at certain things and than gets a headache afterwards(also Wind still curses cause well 🏴‍☠️, doesn’t stop some of the older members giving the sailor a certain look for said cursing).

Legend(Link Felicity Hyrule)[Age: 18]{Civilian nickname: Veteran or “Vet”} and Hyrule(Link Le Fey)[Age: 17]{Civilian nickname: Traveler or “Trav”, or “Fae”}

Both Legend and Hyrule are considered a duo and actually work together as a team pretty well(plus it’s not too uncommon to see the two of them together either). Legend and Hyrule met when they were kids being the ages 7 and 6 respectively. Due to each other’s influence, they were not as quite alone or lonely compared to their time as the First “Legend” and “Hyrule”. Sure Legend is still technically snappy but Hyrule helps reeling in Legend before he goes overboard(plus is the only Legend is willing to be soft around and not be as snappy. There are others, like Ravio Lorule[and Marin] but Hyrule is the first), and Hyrule has the tendency to apologize for things even it isn’t his fault which Legend helps stick up for him(Legend can’t tell you how many times he stuck up for Hyrule since he knows Hyrule can be too nice to say otherwise, especially when Hyrule says it’s fine and leave it be. Legend doesn’t believe that). However the two will always be grateful and thankful for each other’s presence in both of their lives. Plus they’re quite a fearsome pair when they work together. Also Legend has more than once wanted to punch Warriors in the face for the constant following and guarding the older does(Just because Legend’s technically part of the royal family does not mean he needs someone to follow him like a baby duck), Hyrule always stopped him from doing so. They both awakened to their past memories and powers when Legend notices Warriors isn’t as going as following crazy as he normally does, and actually decides to go confront Warriors about it because it isn’t quite like him to be acting this ‘off’ with Hyrule coming along as well just so Legend doesn’t turn it into a shouting match between him and Warriors. Long story short hijinks ensures as not only do Wild and Wind get to see what Warriors does in this life but who he supposed to be technically ‘watching’ over too, they plus Hyrule get to see Legend and Warriors butting heads. A lot(clear deja-vu for our team as the banter was quite familiar too). Later a monster Gleeok(something both Legend and Hyrule clearly feel a good amount of deja-vu around) shows up and Warriors tries to get Legend and Hyrule to leave/run. Legend and Hyrule obviously refuses as what exactly would that mean for the three staying behind. Wild and Wind already rushes in to transform with Warriors warning them a little too late about uhhh, Legend and Hyrule still here. With both now pretty much in shock. Despite that they do manage stay out of the way fighting till, one of the heads from Gleeok tried to crush both Legend and Hyrule, Warriors and Wild get the two out of the way but is instead nearly crushed instead if it weren’t for Wind’s quick thinking by him using the phantom sphere. Either way Legend and Hyrule have to deal with the fact that Warriors and Wild just saved their lives however regardless both of the two now really want to help out, especially when at some point Wild, Warriors, and Wind don’t seem fast enough to keep up with the monster. The duo become more desperate to help upon seeing Gleeok nearly crushing the three heroes, wanting to be fast enough to save and protect them.

Around this moment both Legend and Hyrule’s past memories come flooding back, plus their powers too. They transform into their heroes forms while also suddenly getting a whole lot faster than before as not only does Legend and Hyrule get the three out of the way very quickly, but also managed to make the Gleeok back off with their powers too. So after working Legend and Hyrule into the plan, they all work together to take down the monster and the new duo use their finisher move on the monster together. Taking down the monster, Legend and Hyrule get a now whole chance to process, well everything(I will not deny they did end up hugging each other greatly after this fight). With Legend and Hyrule being part of the team now, it actually makes things easier on Warriors’ guard duty for Legend as with both of them being the heroes of courage, as this technically means Warriors’ is filling his duty of being a guard to Legend and Legend doesn’t need more random guards that aren’t Warriors to follow him(heck even Hyrule if the other was with him) everywhere either. Doesn’t stop Legend and Warriors arguing about it. Also Legend technically lives in a grand lavish mansion now(still has an apple orchard in the back and cause Legend upright refuses to live in the royal castle) cause he’s technically part of Royal Family(Hyrule even technically gets his own room due to constantly visiting Legend too).

Twilight(Link Twil Ordona)[Age: 23]{Civilian Nickname: Rancher or “Ranch hand”}

He’s from the countryside of Ordon. He only recently moved to Central Hyrule City due to a new job opening that allow him to make more money for his adoptive family at home. He actually met up with someone who actually his blood related older cousin(Time) that allowed him to have this job. He awakens his memories and powers after returning from a job errand he ran before and just so happen to already met the rest of ‘main’ team on said return. He actually gotten along with them alright(thought Legend might have been prickly but gives him the benefit of the doubt, especially seeing the others trusting him so much). Anyway, he went looking for them after getting pretty worried about them from a recent attack by a monster with a weird shaped stone face, a shadow beast.(Doesn’t help Twilight feels an uncomfortable familiarity with said monster too). He shouldn’t exactly know where he was going with it getting dark and he can’t see. However he somehow still know where exactly to go, like being guided by instinct(that strange yet beautifully enchanting woman’s advice is ringing through his ears again) so he follows said instinct. He almost seems faster than normal. He finally gets to the others, and sees the five heroes instead however all five were hurt and can barely get up. Clearly struggling to fight this monster, and yet despite that. Something at him screams “HURRY TO THEM, SAVE THEM” and than Twilight’s eyes almost get more wolf like “PROTECT YOUR PACK WOLF!” and without even thinking he runs to get to them as fast he can, and howls getting both the group of five and the large beast’s attention(and in made it stop it’s approach to the heroes). From this his powers and past memories immediately awakened as he ran to them. He also immediately transformed into his hero form and not a second later that, he immediately shoved into his wolf form and managed to knock back the shadow beast away from the heroes. Plus is the only one to easily navigate through the darkness as well, he has “walked” through it before. With giving the heroes a fighting chance and Twilight shifting back to his hero form to use his own finisher move on the beast. He nearly collapsed once the adrenaline wore off after seeing the beast was completely vanquished. However It was only after this battle and sees that the others were safe.

He realized something, and after soon leaving the group of five heroes behind(greatly startling them by doing this) , he immediately goes to look for the woman he recognized as “Midna” from his past life. However, she was no where to be found. As if she was never there at all. The others later catch up to him, they all get a proper conversation(Wild already bear hugging Twilight at this point) and lead Twilight back to their home base(while making sure normal folk don’t spot them). They didn’t realize the one Twilight was looking for watching off from far off with a small smile of her own. Random detail though, He still calls his family in Ordon when he gets the chance to as even though he isn’t there in person with them. That doesn’t mean he can’t stay in contact with them. Especially telling them how he himself is doing. Twilight can also tell how eager his adoptive younger brother is to not only getting to see him(especially the rare chance of Twilight coming back to Ordon for a visit), but also it slowly seems more and more likely that the little guy would want to visit too.

Time(Link Kokiri Lon Lon)[Age:*Looks physically around 30 ish but uhh age is debatable for this guy as well, he won’t exactly bother to say nor tell said age*]{Civilian Nickname: “Old man” or “Mr Lon Lon” or “Mask”/“Sprite”Only Warriors calls him this/}

He’s not part of the ‘main’ team and instead served as the mentor to our little group. He is considered to be one of the “legendary cures” and is technically the first of to awaken to his past life memories and activate his powers at literally the age of 16(be glad it was not 9 or that would have been a whole different mess) as he unlocked them saving his girlfriend(Later wife) Malon(who also later get her past memories after the night she and Link got married). He’s more been help protect the city from the shadows and has been able to stay under the radar for quite a long time before he went more official when, well , lynel but before he can get there to transform to save Warriors and quickly deal with the situation, boom Wild, and the rest of the ‘main’ team following suit. Time does get his own chance to shine, not telling you how exactly(*COUGH*Mask festival*COUGH*)

Sky(Link Caelus Loftwing)[Age: 21]{Civilian Nickname: Caelus or “Cal”}

He is also not exactly part of the ‘main’ team and also a mentor for them despite his age. He also considered to be one of the “legendary cures”. Like Time there still moments or events either he or Time or both do jump in to help out the ‘main team’ whenever he can. His small time cafe “The Chain” that he runs with Sun(his girlfriend of at least 5 years, were childhood friends long before that), is actually where the base of operations or “Home Base” for the heroes(what better cover for our team of heroes than to be at the cafe working part time as waiters that just so happens to be very popular with customers). That aside he can technically summon his past life Loftwing partner “Crimson”. Luckily for Sky, Crimson really good at hiding from people that shouldn’t exactly know he exists.

Four(Link Serenity Smith)[Age: 16]{Civilian Nickname: Smith or “Smithy”}

Four here, is considered as our “Sixth” ranger. He actually doesn’t join the team for sometime as originally he’s a very unique case. Unlike the others, his past memories and powers as the original ‘Four’ were separated from his current self due to a very unique case, that unlike what happened with the rest of the original chain. Four’s “self” was still around as a Sword Spirit(who managed to look more human compared to other sword spirits) in the Four Sword(More will or might be explained in separate post). So cause of that Four had a normal ish life(Sure he felt things that were strangely familiar, his thoughts felt like they want to go four different ways. Not to mention the recent “Heroes of Courage” that showed up recently and people began to talk about them left and right, so despite that), it’s all good, not like he has anything to do with the weirdness(No the occasional headaches at weird times that are totally not connected with each other don’t count). Well, that was until he actually finds out who the “Heroes of Courage” were by mere accident after watching his younger cousin transform into “Wind” thus figuring out who the rest were(Four is definitely inner freaking out, this whole time his younger cousin and those odd group of guys said cousin been with. Had been the heroes of courage the whole time. Give him a few minutes), he soon begins to help with behind the scenes as he isn’t capable of taking part of the fighting himself as how can he possibly help out on the frontlines again? Didn’t stop from Four also becoming a part of the group as well too(aka friend too). He only began to truly help out with the battles by awakening to his past memories and powers. This relates to the fact his best friend “Mira”(or Shadow) being forced to work for the villains(More details will be explored on a separate post) and Four was protecting Wind at the time. Four’s defiance in refusing to give into fear or despair allowed Shadow to find the courage to take a leap of faith and throw Four the four sword back after having to steal it in the first place, which allowed Four’s past memories and powers to be awaken. Shadow got pulled under the curse that was inflicted on him because of the betrayal he just did, and Four refused to let “Mira” suffer for something that was never his fault. He immediately transforms and easily falls into his new(old) battle instincts very quickly as he manages to not only be on par with Shadow and the monster that was also there but give the others enough time to recover too, during this battle he did manage to chip off a piece of the control on Shadow however he was taken away before Four could actually set Shadow free from whatever control it was. Four is pretty much devastated(tired too) having lost his best friend to the villains. However he has the others there with him for support, and thus the last of the “Nine Heroes of Courages” are finally back together at last. Four was already part of the group by than so it’s more official now(he did get the very awkward experience of how his own memories are supposed to fit together, at least he wasn’t bedridden like a certain past split of his in his previous life). Side note, he apparently can summon a large bird like creature(Another loftwing like Sky) named “Zeffa” so. Now Four has a pet bird he’ll have to pretty much take care of and not let anyone else(that’s not the chain plus Malon and Sun as well as anyone else that already in on that little “secret”) know he has said huge bird, especially his dad(which is already awkward enough as it is. Four doesn’t need to add fuel to that fire by his dad accidentally seeing Zeffa somehow).

[starkeyisthelastname]

Hi! Could you do Rafe x virgin!reader where she wants to do it but she’s scared bc all her friends said it hurts and also bc rafe is big. He talks her through it (smut please🫶🏽)

(I picture Rafe in this as at the party in season 3 episode 7 🥵)

You sat on the edge of the king bed in what you assumed to be the master bedroom. The music from the party outside, could still be heard as you waited patiently for the man who told you to go upstairs. You couldn’t deny the fact you were nervous as you didn’t know exactly what was about to happen. All you knew was that you and the party host had been flirting with each other from the moment you arrived.

You had met Rafe working as a cart girl at the Island Club. The attraction there from the moment your eyes locked. He was gorgeous but intimidating. Your friends telling you to stay away from the troubled boy. His sex was rough and was painful as he showed no mercy to any of his partners in the bedroom. His size also part of that. You had never talked to him much, only occasional flirty glances and a hello. But the day he came in with his hair buzzed, sporting a whole new look, had you wanting him more than ever.

Which is how you found yourself in the master bedroom of Tannyhill at the party he had invited you to. Small talk, and red solo cups full of alcohol, had him asking you if you wanted to go upstairs. With a little bit of liquid courage, you nodded, ignoring the fear in the back of your mind. You were still a virgin and Rafe Cameron was most likely about to take it.

The bedroom door opened, making you looked up to see Rafe walking in, the lock clicking behind him. You swallowed the lump that was in your throat, the funny feeling in your tummy coming back as you looked up at him. “Is uh.. everything okay?” You asked, watching him stand in front of you. His light eyes, raked over your body which was barely covered by the tiny pink bikini.

Nodding, he stepped closer. “Yeah.. yeah.. everything is good.” He scratched the back of his head as if he was hesitant. “Mind if I tell you something?” He asked, glancing at you as to wait for your reaction. “What is it?” You asked, your voice barely audible as you felt his presence close in on you.

Your eyes focused on his, the magical looking blue now turning a dark color. “I absolutely want to ruin you.” He said lowly, smirk on his face.

Your fears came alive the moment he stripped of his swim trunks, the monster everyone had warned you about was now right in front of your eyes. He had taken his time with his thick digits and amazing tongue before telling him that you were ready. You were certainly wet enough after cumming for him, the bikini you wore, across the room as you laid naked. The man before you now completely nude, standing between your legs.

He helped you bend your legs back, knees resting against your chest so that he could see the pretty view. He ran the tip along your soaking folds, watching your body tense up immediately in nerves. “Hey, relax. Yeah? Look at me.” He told you, your eyes falling on his. Pushing in, the burning stretch had you wincing in pain as you felt just how huge he was. He let out a groan, eyes rolling back as he pushed through your tight cunt.

“You.. are so big.” You whimpered, gripping the sheets, the pain slowly subsiding to turn into pure pleasure. You looked down to watch his length disappear inside of you, your mouth falling open in a silent moan. His thrusts sped up, toned abs flexing and mouth open as he began to pound into you. You were soaking his cock, your cream at the base of his dick when he pulled back.

“I’m stretching this virgin pussy open, aren’t I?” His breath shallow as he hit something that was making you feel funny. “Such a good girl. Prettiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”

You gasped, your cunt clenching the more he spoke. The way this man was making you feel like you were on cloud nine just with his dick had you on the verge of exploding. “Ruining you for anybody else. Got that? Making you fucking mine.” He told you, his face nothing but serious as he made sure you looked directly at him. All you could do was nod lazily completely hypnotized by him and his dick, coming undone as you did something you had only ever seen in a porn video which was squirt like a geyser all over him.

[piscespetals]

summary: you & sevika work in an office, and developing a silly schoolgirl crush is the last thing you expected to happen at this point in your career...

word count: i stopped counting 3/4 of the way through once I reached 16k so this is pretty hefty!

content: pinning (of course), fluff, gay disaster, the tiniest sliver of smut

thanks for reading!

Kinda in my feelings about what it would be like to work in the same office as Sevika...

╰➤ I feel like you see her in passing a lot, since her office is only a few doors down from yours.

╰➤ The both of you often strike up casual conversations in the break room, filling the silence while awkwardly waiting for your food to heat up in the microwave.

╰➤ You always notice when she walks into the same room as you because she's constantly dressed to the nines—slacks hugging her thick thighs just right; form fitting and sleek. They shape the curved muscles of her calves as if the manufacturers make the material just for her.

╰➤ You also notice that she has a knack for neutral colors, especially with her dress shirts. She likes the top buttons to be undone, sleeves rolled up to her elbows and collar perfectly crisp. The air that swarms her is usually woodsy with a hint of spice.

╰➤ She's magical.

╰➤ And because of that, you aren't surprised at the buzz about her in the workplace. She's one of the new hires so it's natural for her to stir up curiosity. But beyond that, there's no doubt that she's quite the enigma. You've even heard a few colleagues gossip about how much they want her.

╰➤ The first time you interact with her is when you're waiting for the microwave to finish warming up your lasagna.

╰➤ Her dress shoes click softly against the tile floor as she enters the break room, causing you to glance over your shoulder. Your eyes widen when her gaze flickers from the microwave to you.

╰➤ "Hi," You mumble pathetically. Your stomach churns and your toes curl and all of a sudden, it's like you're a shy prepubescent person all over again.

╰➤ She smells good.

╰➤ "Hey," Her voice is deep and warm. It rings straight through you before settling at the pit of your stomach.

╰➤ "Uh," You swallow, shifting your weight. "I'm almost done. Then you can use it."

╰➤ She doesn't say anything else.

╰➤ Her lack of silence sparks a wave of nerves. Next thing you know, you're gesturing towards the microwave wordlessly.

╰➤ She follows the motion, eyebrows quirking up with interest.

╰➤ "I'm having lasagna for lunch," You announce. "This is my third time having to warm it up. I forgot how stubborn pasta can be in a microwave." Then you're patting the top of the rectangular miniature oven.

╰➤ You almost allow yourself to think that her expression has morphed into amusement. But before you get carried away with your thoughts, a loud ding! sounds.

╰➤ Quickly, you open the microwave door, carefully reaching for your steaming tupperware container so that you don't burn yourself.

╰➤ "Well, it's all yours!" You don't have the courage to meet her gaze anymore, finding more interest in the carpet as you leave the room and make a beeline straight to your office.

╰➤ Interactions after that are somewhat similar. Sometimes, she asks, "How've you been?" If the wait to use the microwave is longer than usual.

╰➤ The conversations are more surface level than anything—a routine song and dance to fill up silence for the sake of politeness.

╰➤ They're strings of, "The weathers been nice lately" and, "What are you eating today?" and, "How's the workload been for you?"

╰➤ Then you both are scurrying off to your own little sanctuaries, not planning to see each other until the next business day.

╰➤ There's another time when you're late to going on break. You usually like to be one of the first ones to clock out and heat up your food. There's only one working microwave because your boss is too cheap to replace the second one (that has been broken for several months now), which causes a long line to form for those wanting to warm up their home lunches.

╰➤ Unfortunately, today is the day where you have to join the majority and step in line. Due to a phone call that lasted longer than you expected, you don't end up going to lunch until 15 minutes later than you usually do.

╰➤ You're softly rocking on your heels when Sevika comes into view. She rounds the corner of the office, stalking towards the line with taut muscles and a grinding jaw. An air of annoyance lingers around her, eyes unfocused and seemingly far away, hands—

╰➤ "Are you gonna step forward?" Shane, a co-coworker, asks. He appears disgruntled, pointing at the gap of space in front of you.

╰➤ That seems to gain Sevika's attention. She peers at Shane shortly before dragging her piercing stare towards you.

╰➤ Shane huffs at your silence.

╰➤ "Oh, right!" You breathe, breaking away from Sevika's regard. "Uh, sorry."

╰➤ Taking a few steps forward, you close the distance, doing your best to ignore Shane's rant about "dillydallying workers."

╰➤ A few moments pass before that familiar image of Sevika's grey eyes resurface in your brain. Glancing back towards her, you find her scuffing the heel of her dress boots against the carpet, attention set on no particular thing. She jumps between the carpet, to the gossiping co-workers nearby, to the flickering ceiling lights.

╰➤ Just when you're about to turn back around, she glances towards you. Your gut pulls, ears rushing with adrenaline and veins buzzing.

╰➤ Then, she mouths, "Hi," and you almost combust right then. Gone is the frustrated expression that was adorning her features moments before. Instead, a ghost of a smile plays on her lips.

╰➤ You blink a few times; stunned.

╰➤ You think you wave back at her, but you can't seem to be entirely in touch with whatever your body is doing.

╰➤ "Um, hey." You reply, clearing your throat.

╰➤ It's loud enough for her to hear. But it also may have been too loud. A few other people surrounding you look over in confusion.

╰➤ "Were you talking to me?" Brian, a colleague who's standing right in front of Sevika, asks.

╰➤ You bite the inside of your cheek. "Oh—uh, no. Sorry."

╰➤ Brian looks around, not so subtly, probably trying to find out who the hell your greeting was directed to.

╰➤ Sevika laughs at the interaction. It's the kind of laugh where she presses her lips together, shoulders shaking and eyes dancing with humor. She's trying to be polite—trying to contain her laughter—but she's not doing a very good job.

╰➤ The sight causes you to shuffle your feet in embarrassment, blowing a raspberry.

╰➤ "Look, I've only got twenty minutes of my lunch break left so if you aren't gonna pay attention..." Shane admonishes, voice thin. He's gesturing to the growing gap in front of you again, clearly fed up with your lack of wherewithal.

╰➤ You bite the inside of your cheek, choosing to ignore the way that Sevika seems to be laughing harder now. Fighting off a giggle of your own becomes difficult.

╰➤ "Okay." You reply. Then you face forward, catching up with the rest of the line. "Sorry."

╰➤ The next time you see Sevika, it's when you run into her before a staff meeting.

╰➤ Literally.

╰➤ You aren't paying attention, too busy with shuffling through your purse for a granola bar, eyes downcast and head hung low, when you walk straight into her.

╰➤ Her body is firm, your forehead knocking against the rounded muscle of her shoulder. Your breath catches, eyes widening as you try to glance up, struggling to regain your bearings.

╰➤ Strong hands grab onto your upper arms. The feeling of thumbs pressing into your skin jolts you awake from the daze you've been experiencing all day. And like a moth drawn to a flame, you feel yourself hovering closer—drunk off of the delicious air that surrounds you.

╰➤ Sevika's air.

╰➤ "Oh," You huff, blinking up at her with wide eyes. In the back of your brain, you register the feeling of her large hands encircling your biceps. It's a feeling you welcome. But it becomes faint when you realize the reality of the situation. "I'm so sorry," You spit out, remorse crashing into you. "Fuck—I mean...frick." A startled laugh escapes you. "Frick because fuck is totally not work appropriate...obviously."

╰➤ You swallow thickly. Your legs tremble, an undeniable pressure sprouting in your gut under the feeling of Sevika's pressing gaze. Her stormy grey eyes examine you with interest. It leaves your mind clouded over with impure thoughts—unprofessional thoughts.

╰➤ "I wasn't looking." You add.

╰➤ "Clearly." Sevika's sporting a shit eating grin. Her hands squeeze your biceps. "You good?"

╰➤ "I'm good. Just—" You clear your throat. "Well, I was actually looking for a granola bar. I forgot to take a lunch break because I'm drowning in paperwork. And then Cam announced the meeting at the last minute so I thought I could get a quick bite on the way. Except I'm pretty sure I've somehow lost my granola bar which is just my luck. And-"

╰➤ Sevika's eyebrows are raised so high that they almost meet her hairline. "I see," She mutters, sounding impassive.

╰➤ Fuck.

╰➤ Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

╰➤ Maybe you're talking a bit too much—a habit you've been trying to break lately—but it's only because Sevika makes you nervous.

╰➤ It goes beyond her demeanor that screams, "I don't like people so respectfully, leave me the fuck alone."

╰➤ Sevika is your work crush. She's gorgeous and good at meeting the weekly stats, and smells good.

╰➤ Despite the office rumors of her unapproachability and death glares, she's not entirely awful in your presence. She's pretty cordial with you in fact. Which means, she doesn't dislike you as much as she probably does the others.

╰➤ After all, she always lets you use the microwave before her. And she doesn't make you feel completely useless when you tell her a cringey joke, or make an embarrassing attempt to strike up conversation.

╰➤ But now, you've opened your mouth.

╰➤ You've opened your fucking mouth and have probably turned her off before she could even get a chance to truly know you.

╰➤ You've fumbled.

╰➤ The realization embarrasses you.

╰➤ "Yeah," You respond. The both of you fall silent and you imagine a static screen being displayed on a person's TV somewhere in the world. That's the perfect personification of this moment, you think.

╰➤ Sevika hums, letting her hands fall back to her sides. Then she's stepping back, slightly faltering and looking down at the space between you both. You follow her gaze, eyes widening at the sight of fingers gripping the hem of her shirt. Your fingers.

╰➤ "Oh! Sorry," You repeat. You tug your hands away, breath catching in your throat. "This is—" Your lips pinch together.

╰➤ God, this is embarrassing.

╰➤ Clearly scandalized, you tread a few paces backward.

╰➤ "Um, actually, I should go pee! I haven't had a chance yet, w-with the workflow and all. Especially now that the staff meeting starts soon," Your thumb juts in a general direction of the restroom behind you. "Gotta hate those bladder infections, am I right?" Pathetically, you force out a laugh.

╰➤ Humor trickles onto Sevika's features. Her lip twitches. "Right..."

╰➤ "Not that I have a bladder infection right now! I'm preventing one by going to the bathroom. My bladder is perfectly fine." One of the straps of your purse falls off your shoulder. You readjust it. "...Not that you care, or like, anything."

╰➤ A pause bleeds into the atmosphere. Slight chatter travels from a few offices down. People emerge from their desk, hastily making their way to the conference room behind Sevika. You struggle to ignore the sound of tapping keyboards and squeaking chairs. The lull is excruciating.

╰➤ "Okay, well–" You force a cough. "I'll go now. Catch you later, Sevika." You almost allow yourself to believe that her eyes widen when you say her name.

╰➤ But then you're turning on your heels and scurrying away, discarding the ridiculous notion.

╰➤ It's the next day when you run into her again. There you are, standing in front of the microwave, when you hear chuckling. It's easy for you to know it's hers. You find yourself savoring the sound every time it leaves her lips.

╰➤ A smile stretches across your face, and you peer over your shoulder, eyes landing on her for the first time that day. Sevika's wearing a white long-sleeve undershirt, partially covered with a black sweater vest and beige slacks. She has her hair styled in a half-up, half down. She's fiddling with a gold plated watch on her wrist, expression smug and eyes regarding the person beside her.

╰➤ The microwave beeps; a sign that it's time for you to retrieve your lunch and head back to your office. But your eyes can't help but linger on the stranger beside Sevika.

╰➤ Well, they're not really a stranger. Their name is Kai. You don't know Kai personally. You just know of them. They work in the warehouse, so you only see them during the times that all departments are required to attend the staff meetings.

╰➤ Occasionally, you may see Kai if they visit one of their friends that work on the same floor as you. They have chestnut brown eyes and a badass sleeve that covers their entire right arm. But besides that, they’re a complete stranger.

╰➤ "Smells good," Kai announces, turning to you. There's a glint in their eyes as they gaze at you, and that makes you feel exposed for some reason. You can't understand why or even how.

╰➤ Then, your attention diverts to the way that Kai’s fingers dance along the cuff of Sevika's sleeve. They trail up the material, alongside Sevika's forearm, before pulling away. It's the smallest gesture—something a general onlooker wouldn't notice without staring incredibly hard—but you noticed. You wish you hadn't.

╰➤ "Thanks," You mumble.

╰➤ You turn around, swallow, blink, and open the microwave door. You ignore the burning of the tupperware container against your skin, trying to shut out the pounding of your heart.

╰➤ "Hey," Sevika greets, the quietest she ever has.

╰➤ It's harder for you to meet her eyes in that moment. You're distracted by Kai’s swaying, and how it's perfectly on beat with the music that echoes through the office speakers; how they’re majestically relaxed in a way that you never can be.

╰➤ You don't understand why such strong feelings surge through you; feelings of envy and doom and a hint of jealousy. It doesn't make sense. It isn't logical. But it's there. It's annoyingly there.

╰➤ "You're the one who just got promoted to be Cam's assistant, right?" Kai asks. You stop in your tracks, halfway between the microwave and them. A wave of shock washes over you. You never thought they ever noticed you.

╰➤ "Um, yeah. It's not really a promotion, though..."

╰➤ "No?" Kai glances at Sevika out of the corner of their eye. "Vika said so. She's mentioned it a few times, actually."

╰➤ That's when you find the courage to glance over to Sevika. Her cloudy grey eyes observe the floor, jaw grinding and hands shoved into her pockets. Sevika knows your job title?

╰➤ It feels ridiculous to be excited over such a revelation. After all, you and Sevika work in the same fucking building. How can she not know what you do?

╰➤ But there are countless coworkers in surrounding cubicles who never catch your attention; people you've never talked to. People who would never know that your office resided within walking distance from them. And the notion is the same for you when you find yourself surrounded by unfamiliar faces on days you stray too far from your office.

╰➤ But Sevika knows. She pays attention. Whether that's a good or bad thing, you allow your heart to savor the thought.

╰➤ "Oh," You mumble, swallowing thickly. Suddenly, the thought of Kai’s close proximity to Sevika doesn't seem so bad.

╰➤ "Well, anyways, there's a clerk position opening up and I may have interest in it. Kinda wanna be a corporate person now, you know?" Kai grins, laughing lightly. You smile in return. "If I land the job, maybe you can help me get adjusted to office life? Show me the ropes a little. Vika says you're the best one on the sales team."

╰➤ Vika says you're the best one on the sales team.

╰➤ Vika says you're the best.

╰➤ Sevika's head lifts, rolling her eyes as she nudges Kai with her elbow. Kai yelps then coughs seconds after. 

╰➤ "I just do what's in my job description." You bashfully admit.

╰➤ Kai’s grin widens. “Right…” Their words are slow and heavy with an unspoken implication.

╰➤ Their gaze shifts to Sevika, then you, then Sevika, and back to you again. The hairs on the back of your neck stand and you find yourself feeling self conscious; it feels like they know something about you that you don't want them to.

╰➤ “I’m just gonna squeeze by really quick,” Kai announces.

╰➤ You side step, allowing them to head towards the vending machines. You make the mistake of not being spatially aware, moving over a bit too far and knocking into the table positioned to your right. 

╰➤ "You okay?"

╰➤ Your eyebrows furrow at Sevika's question—at her concern. The way her gaze flickers between you and the table has your stomach tugging. Your fingers tighten around your tupperware container.

╰➤ "Just clumsy," You explain, nodding at her. "Which you probably already, uh, know."

╰➤ Your memory travels back to the day before, and how you ran right into her.

╰➤ You're not sure you'll ever be able to forget something so embarrassing.

╰➤ Sevika smiles and you realize that it's the most genuine thing you've seen all day. "Oh," She says knowingly. "I do."

╰➤ She's teasing you but you don't mind it. You couldn't even if you tried because you're too caught up in how breathtakingly handsome she is. The intricate details of Sevika's smile always has a powerful effect on you.

╰➤ She has the tiniest dimples in her chin, puffy dark lips gorgeously contrasting to the whites of her teeth. And her gap—goodness, that gap has you wanting to curl up into a ball and melt away. It's placed right between her two front teeth.

╰➤ You hold your tupperware container tighter against the lower pouch of your belly, feet rocking forwards and backwards, head swimming from Sevika's presence. She has you completely gone for her. A proper crush—and surely, due to the current circumstances of being coworkers—a rather inappropriate crush too.

╰➤ "You know," You find yourself saying. "I just realized...I've never actually introduced myself to you."

╰➤ Sevika straightens, eyes flashing with that familiar light of humor. "You're right. You haven't," She clicks her tongue. "How rude."

╰➤ Your skin prickles, "I'm the rude one?"

╰➤ "Are you insinuating otherwise?"

╰➤ "Yes." You nod, trying to erase your smile. Your cheeks are starting to ache. "Did it not take you two months to say more than just Hi to me?"

╰➤ "Not true." She clears her throat. "Sometimes, I would say hey instead."

╰➤ Your jaw drops and silence fills the room.

╰➤ And then you're laughing. It's the type of giggle that bubbles over with an emotion similar to returning home. Your cheeks ache and so does your stomach; your vision momentarily blurs from the action of squinting. Sevika joins you with her own laughter but hers is more beautiful. It's like the soft breeze of the wind on a spring morning. You'd try to make her laugh forever if you really could.

╰➤ Soon you're exhaling softly, features relaxing as you glance towards her. "I'm sure you already know who I am, and what I do here. But, for formality reasons..." You begin. It feels weird to introduce yourself to her, especially after seeing her nearly everyday for the last four months. After all, it seems like she knows enough to have already talked about you to Kai. But it makes you feel better to do it this way. You give her your name personally and shake her hand.

╰➤ A proper introduction.

╰➤ Sevika repeats your name under her breath, trying it out for herself. The sound of it causes your toes to curl inside of your shoes. When she shakes your hand, you take note of how large her fingers are compared to yours. One of her hands could engulf the both of yours without any effort. And her skin is warm and calloused. Despite the rough exterior, she touches you with such fragility that you have to glance down for a second. It's almost as if she's afraid of breaking you.

╰➤ But then the moment is over. Kai returns, this time with two bags of Doritos in their hands. They throw one at Sevika, and thanks to Sevika’s fast reflexes, it’s caught without a single flinch. 

╰➤ “This should hold us over until Leah clocks out.” Kai sighs. “She wants to go to Famous Dave’s again and I’m kinda in the mood for like, anything other than that. Like I can only eat a certain amount of that stuff before I start suffering from a serious case of heartburn.”

╰➤ Sevika scrunches her nose, popping a chip into her mouth. “Then tell her that.”

╰➤ “I can't,” The whine of Kai’s voice becomes oddly endearing. “You know how she gets.”

╰➤ “Then don’t tell her.”

╰➤ “Or maybe you can tell her. She listens to you.”

╰➤ Sevika rolls her eyes. “No.”

╰➤ “Why not…”

╰➤”Kai, just talk to her. It’s literally not that hard.”

╰➤ “...That’s what she said.”

╰➤ You marvel at the way that Sevika stops mid-chew, gaze still downturned at the red bag in her hand before muttering, “Hilarious.”

╰➤ You try to wipe the growing grin off of your face as you bite the inside of your cheek. Kai glances at you once more, eyes sparkling a gorgeous brown. “Do you want to join us? We’re catching dinner at Famous Dave’s.”

╰➤ Your jaw falls slack, shock hitting you like a ton of bricks. “Oh.” You respond. A breathless laugh leaves you. “Um…”

╰➤ “It’ll just be me, Leah and Vika. Do you know Leah? She’s in accounting. Kinda tall, lanky…socially awkward with bright purple hair?”

 ╰➤ The description doesn't ring any bells for you. “Uh, no. I don't think I’ve seen her around yet.”

╰➤ “Understandable. She works all the way up on the 8th floor.” Kai tilts their head, regarding you with a warmth you aren't used to receiving from anyone in this building besides Sevika and your boss. “Anyways, the offer still stands?”

╰➤ That’s when Sevika glances up at you through her lashes. She doesn’t necessarily crack a smile, but a corner of her lip has curved into something subtle. 

╰➤ “I wish. But I’m working overtime to help Cam with our pitch tomorrow.” You attempt to ignore the way your heart deflates as you say this. 

╰➤”Aw, man.” Kai tosses their empty Dorito bag into a nearby trash can. 

╰➤ "But we should definitely plan something soon.” Before you do anything stupid, like flaking on Cam last minute just to meet up with coworkers for dinner, you urge yourself to bid them goodbye. “I'll catch you guys another time, alright?" 

╰➤ "Nice meeting you!” Kai calls. A short hiss escapes the bottle in their hand as they twist off the cap and tilt their head back. It's a diet coke.

╰➤ "You too!”

╰➤ It's awkward when you slip past them both, proximity dangerously close to Sevika. You find the courage to whisper, “Later Vika,” to her at the last second.

╰➤ Her body stiffens and it almost sounds like she chokes while swallowing another mouthful of her chips. It’s probably the least collected display of behavior you’ve ever witnessed from her. 

╰➤ You stifle a laugh, brushing past her and towards the direction of your office. 

╰➤ You feel really fucking sad today.

╰➤ Days like today are days that you dread. It isn't a result of anything particular. Of course, you want to be able to blame an event or cause. But the truth of the matter is that you're just having a really bad mental health day.

╰➤ It first starts off with you waking up late. You never wake up late. Your mornings are pretty routine. Some may call them mundane, but routine helps you get through the day easier. So when your alarm doesn't sound and you wake after a bad dream, realizing that it's 30 minutes past the time that your alarm usually rings, your heart sinks.

╰➤ You don't have time for a full breakfast. You have to settle for toast and orange juice instead, slipping on the cleanest pair of jeans and shirt that you can find. When you make it to work, you're just on time. But everything is off.

╰➤ Because instead of your usual business casual attire, you're sporting faded jeans, a blank t shirt and beat up sneakers. Your muscles are still sluggish and your eyelids are heavy. So far, the morning isn't great.

╰➤ As time passes, you realize that you're quite ahead in your work. Cam is off for the day, which means you don't have any extra errands or tasks to do for him. There is truly not much left to accomplish.

╰➤ You settle on the mission of clearing out your voicemail box. But that's soon completed. Your latest emails are nothing of importance and you don't have any upcoming meetings to attend. A cloud of doom hovers over you. By 11 AM, it doubles in size. Once noon hits, it's time for your lunch break and a sorrowful cloud clings onto you like a leech.

╰➤ It's hard to gain a semblance of what to do next. Your heart's true desire calls for your bed and a long restful sleep. Your chest seizes with dull aches and your mind swarms with everything yet nothing at all. This is a familiar feeling that you always hate. It's hard to prevent days like this. It always creeps up on you before you can find the strength to prevent it.

╰➤ You're nearly 30 minutes late to taking your lunch today. You've packed a deli sandwich with grapes, pretzels and a bag of potato chips. But none of it is appealing. And for the first time in months, it's a cold lunch—which you don't usually prefer.

╰➤ Your legs take you to the break room. It's almost empty, with only the buzz of a few coworkers trailing in and out. You sit at one of the tables in the corner, sighing softly and staring down at your lunch.

╰➤ You aren't hungry. Whenever the rare days like today hit you—days when your appetite for life fades—a dwindling appetite for food soon follows. But if you don't eat, then you'll later find yourself crouched in your bed with aching temples, fighting off the pains of a skipped meal. So you open the tupperware container that has a handful of green grapes and take a few bites.

╰➤ There's something about working in an office environment that you enjoy. It's mostly independent-driven, which you prefer. You don't mind the quiet solace that comes along with being in your own office, surrounded by towers of paperwork and due dates. The system of doing the same tasks throughout the day—of working through the same checklists—always leaves you feeling at ease.

╰➤ Even the soft rings of telephones and fingers typing against keys provides you the same comfort that brown noise does for other individuals. Everything about your job is monotonous and ordinary, and therefore absolutely perfect.

╰➤ Your shoulders soon relax as you eavesdrop on a conversation between two coworkers huddled together on the other side of the break room. It's silly workplace gossip about other folks that you don't know, but for the sake of people watching, you allow yourself to become preoccupied with the way they interact with one another.

╰➤ Both of the girls are dressed in fashionable attire, with sleek knee high boots and pencils skirts. Their faces are painted with spotless makeup, nails freshly manicured and eyebrows perfectly arched. Your gaze travels back to your faded old jeans and dirty white New Balance sneakers.

╰➤ Sighing, you tug on the soft hem of your crew neck sweater, which you've thrown on due to the chilly air of the building. That's when a chair beside you squeaks. The legs are dragging against the tile floor due to someone pulling it out and sitting on it.

╰➤ You're met with the familiar features of Sevika. Her hair is pulled back into a perfectly sleek low-bun. There's a slight hint of mascara and eyeliner, barely noticeable if you hadn't already seen her on the days where she's bare faced. She smells of everything good; the walking embodiment of heaven.

╰➤ And she looks just as nice as she smells, with her beige button up and black slacks and matching black dress boots. She looks expensive. She always does.

╰➤ You blink, not only taken aback by her beauty, but also by her sudden presence. Isn't her lunch break supposed to be over by now?

╰➤ "Hi." She greets, which is nothing more than a murmur.

╰➤ Sevika has a very distinct way of communicating. Her lips move so fast that sometimes, you aren't sure if she's truly speaking or if it's all just your overactive imagination. She doesn't talk much, but when she does, it's intentional. You know that every word she does say is meant to be said. And you appreciate that trait about her.

╰➤ She's not the type to raise her voice. Out of all the encounters you've had with her, there's never been a time when she's even gotten remotely close to losing her composure. But a part of you is not sure if composure is the right word. Sevika just seems to be naturally indifferent; mellow. Constantly unbothered. That's what draws you to her. And that's why you feel a dose of comfort shoot through you at that moment. Her presence will probably always be welcomed, no matter what mood you're in.

╰➤ You give her a small smile in return before popping another grape into your mouth.

╰➤ She hovers for a bit. You're not sure what to say, or even if you should say something. 

╰➤ "Not using the microwave today?" She adds.

╰➤ You force out a small chuckle. "No."

╰➤ Silence resumes.

╰➤ Her lashes are quite long.

╰➤ She really is beautiful.

╰➤ You glance away from her, absentmindedly playing with the tattered ends of your sleeves. Your left leg is crossed over your right, rocking back and forth out of habit. There's a moment when it lifts a bit too high, knocking into Sevika's shin.

╰➤ You grimace, "I'm sorry."

╰➤ Out of the corner of your eyes, you pick up on the movement of her broad shoulders shrugging. "It's all good."

╰➤ Your rocking resumes. You make sure to angle your body away from her after that; ensuring that you won't accidentally kick her again.

╰➤ Slowly, you nudge your container of grapes towards her, "Would you like some?"

╰➤ She hesitates, "No." Another pause, then, "It doesn't seem like you've eaten much of your lunch today."

╰➤ "I'm not as hungry as I usually am. It's been a rough day."

╰➤ She positions herself to where her elbows lean against the tabletop. It appears that she's inches closer and the smell of her practically overpowers you because of it. "Is it worth talking about?"

╰➤ You peer up at her, eyes widening when you see the dilation of her pupils. Her hands are clasped together, chin resting on her knuckles and grey eyes regarding you with interest. The squaring of her shoulders causes her muscular biceps to bulge through her beige dress-shirt. It's a gorgeous sight.

╰➤ Your heart stutters.

╰➤ "Um," You blink, trying to concentrate despite the ongoing brain fog. "I'm just sad today, Sevika." You swallow thickly, finding yourself inching a little closer with your chin resting on your own hand. "But there's not a particular reason why. It's ridiculous, to be honest. Simply one of those days, you know?"

╰➤ She shifts towards you.

╰➤ Your foot brushes against her calf.

╰➤ A solemn ease envelopes around the both of you as an expression of understanding trickles onto her features. She nods quietly.

╰➤ There's not much to say, or rather, not much that you want her to say. You're grateful that she doesn't make a huge deal of your admission. Sadness lives in every human throughout their life. Just sitting with her is enough to ease the tide waves of grief that has been rolling through you. At that moment, sitting in the break room with Sevika, your sadness somehow finds a way to transform into still water; a sea of tranquility solely from Sevika's presence.

╰➤ She hooks her foot around the leg of your chair, dragging you closer towards her. Your stomach does somersaults and if you weren't so flustered, you'd probably be brave enough to ask her why she's doing this. But instead, you're left trying to stabilize your heart and trembling fingers. You allow yourself to bask in her closeness.

╰➤ "Your sadness isn't ridiculous," Sevika begins, wetting her dark full lips. Her breath smells of peppermint. Your foot grazes against her calf again, this time for a few seconds longer. "I don't know who or what's made you believe that, but it never will be."

╰➤ The shift in her is abrupt; something powerful enough to cause you to gawk at her. With each passing second, all of your worries slowly begin to unspool and relax, because her words ring with unrelenting truth. You know that she 100% believes everything that she's just said. That's enough for you.

╰➤ "And I don't blame you." Sevika adds. "I mean, this job alone is enough to send anyone into a fucking spiral."

╰➤ You laugh for the first time today. Your palms rest against your cheek and your eyes crinkle shut momentarily. Somehow, she makes laughter on even the most difficult days easy. "Oh, I don't know." You respond, after finally calming down. "This place isn't so bad."

╰➤ "Are you sure?" Her eyebrows raise. "I find that very hard to believe."

╰➤ "Well, there are perks. Like the wattage for the microwave here...It's—what—1500? That's way better than the one in my apartment."

╰➤ She rolls her eyes, but you don't miss the way that they flash with amusement. "Sweetheart, no wonder you're depressed. You've turned to microwave usage as a source of entertainment."

╰➤ A giggle escapes you and you squirm in your seat from her teasing.

╰➤ Sweetheart.

╰➤ The pet name echoes in your ears.

╰➤ "There's not much else to be entertained by. The wallpapers here are quite dreadful."

╰➤ She grins, glancing at the wall behind you. "Oddly obsessed with microwaves and picky about interior design. Noted."

╰➤ Your nose scrunches as you fight off another smile, sighing melodramatically.

╰➤ Sevika looks as if she's going to speak again. But then her phone vibrates against the tabletop quietly. She grabs it, peering at the screen before exhaling. "That's my cue." She says with a reticent expression. "My lunch break is up."

╰➤ You feel yourself deflating but you do your best to cover it up, nodding instead. "I should be getting back too."

╰➤ You both stand up, the lingering tension in the atmosphere snapping like an elastic band. Sevika spares you one more look, pocketing her phone and stretching her arms. Her smile is small but the effects of it leaves you feeling disembodied.

╰➤ "See you around, sweetheart." 

╰➤ Then she leaves.

╰➤ You stare at the door in front of you, trying to gain the courage to knock on it.

╰➤ This is ridiculous, really.

╰➤ You're ridiculous.

╰➤ Your palms are sweaty and your heart is beating entirely too fast. You want to turn around and walk back to your own office. You want to forget about ever doing this, or being delusional enough to think that this was a good idea.

╰➤ But you've already gone through the trouble and effort of preparing everything...

╰➤ Plus, numerous coworkers have witnessed you standing in front of this door for quite some time now. Turning around and walking away without even knocking would not only be embarrassing, but also probably attract some negative attention.

╰➤ Sucking in a breath, you raise your free hand, knock three times, then exhale.

╰➤ One second passes and you instantly regret it.

╰➤ You shouldn't have done this.

╰➤ You're sure numerous minutes pass before the door finally swings open—at least it feels that way. Round brown eyes greet you and your heart skips a few beats.

╰➤ You definitely should have thought this through a little more.

╰➤ "Oh, Kai." You breathe. "Hi."

╰➤ “Hey!” Surprise filters onto their features. "What are you doing here? Have you been standing out here for long? Sev—uh, you have…” They disappear behind the door, whispering something indiscreetly. 

╰➤ "I was just stopping by." You shift your weight, growing uneasy. You try to glance past them but it's hard to see considering you're several inches shorter than them. "F-For um, well... I was hoping to speak to Sevika."

╰➤ Kai appears in front of you again, smirking impishly. “...Any minute now, Vika. It’s not like you have someone waiting out here for you or anything.”

╰➤ You swallow. Inconspicuously, you glance around you, hoping that no one is eavesdropping from their cubicles. "I was wanting to give her something. I'm sorry that I interrupted." You rub your palm against your forehead, not knowing where to go from here. "Honestly, it can wait. It's not urgent or anything. It's just a gift. I know we don't usually stop by each other's offices like this so I'm sorry for showing up unexpectedly. I just thought...I don't know. I can come back? Yeah, I'll just come back another time-"

╰➤ "That's not necessary." Sevika appears over the shoulder of Kai. Your chin tilts up in order to meet her gaze, and you take a few steps backwards, clasping your hands behind you. "You weren't interrupting anything." The handsome woman muses, brows raised. You marvel at the way that her eyes glaze over you, up and down, before settling on your face again.

╰➤ Nodding, you allow your attention to flicker to Kai, who is now standing in between the both of you with raised eyebrows. The awkwardness of it all makes you clear your throat, shuffling your feet and wishing you had thought of a better way to do this. Maybe you should haves waited until you saw Sevika again in the break room.

╰➤ "I’ll catch you guys later, okay?” Kai chirps, barely glancing at Sevika as they pocket their phone. They’re practically beaming at the both of you when they step past the door threshold. Then, they disappear behind the rows of cubicles.

╰➤ Your mind reels at everything that's just happened. You struggle to fully understand why the temperature of the central AC suddenly feels like a searing heat wave. 

╰➤ When you peek over at Sevika, you find that she's already observing you. Her two front teeth sink into the plump flesh of her lower lip, eyes a darker shade of grey and swarming with undeniable heed. You can't help but admire her lips and how they appear to be perfectly crafted. They look softer than a billow of feathers, and you desperately want to touch them—want to feel them—and want to allow them to sweep you up into another world.

╰➤ That hunger inside of you grows, a specific feeling that she's only been able to bring out lately, and you know that no one can ever satiate such a desire but her.

╰➤ God.

╰➤ You've got it bad.

╰➤ She releases her lip and you become enamored with the way her throat jostles as she swallows. Painfully aware of your obvious staring, you force your attention back to her eyes.

╰➤ "I've got something for you," You say. Your voice is unfamiliar to your ears—huskier.

╰➤ Silently, she gestures for you to come in. You step forward and close the door behind you.

╰➤ Sevika's office is similar to yours. The desk and chair are quite the same, along with the filing cabinets and additional chairs for guests. But she also has a dark purple rug, with numerous framed pictures and a mini fridge shoved in the corner.

╰➤ A pair of dark purple curtains are drawn, allowing the sunlight to creep in, and more picture frames line the windowsill.

╰➤ Before you allow yourself to get too swept up with your surroundings, you turn to her and pull your left hand out from behind you, which holds a card. It's a simple blank one that you bought at the store and it has the words thank you written with one of your favorite sparkly ink pens, along with your signed name and lip print stained by your favorite lipstick shade. Above the personalized message are a few pairs of pressed tulips.

╰➤ "I just wanted to express my gratitude." You explain. She takes the card, staring down at it silently. "I was feeling a bit down the other day and you helped me by keeping me company. It may sound silly because it was just a simple conversation but," You shrug. "Conversation goes a long way sometimes. Especially for those that need it."

╰➤ Her thumb traces over one of the petals, lips parting and eyes widening. It's hard to know exactly what she's thinking and a part of you believes that maybe you've overstepped—that you've crossed an unspoken boundary. Her ongoing silence causes an unexpected panic to stir within you.

╰➤ Desperate to clean up a situation that you fear will go haywire, you open your mouth to say, "These are from a small garden that I’ve been trying to grow." Your forefinger hovers above her thumb, gesturing towards the flowers. "I pressed them myself, so that they won't die on you." You lick your lips, mouth feeling dry all of a sudden. Oh god. Why does she look like that? Why isn't she saying anything? This can't be good. "And I...well, now that I'm thinking about this, I'm realizing that this may be coming off as weird. I'm sorry. If I've made you like...uncomfy or anything, I totally understand and I'm sorry. My intention wasn't to make things weird."

╰➤ Her head raises at that, expression completely unguarded. It's rare when you're able to see unfiltered emotions flitting across her features. Sevika isn't the type to walk around with her heart on her sleeve. But with the way that she's looking at you, you realize that there's something unbelievably tender about her gaze.

╰➤ "And you'll probably tease me for this," You continue. You curse yourself for sounding breathless. Tearing your eyes away from her, you point at the card again. "But I used my microwave to press the flowers. Only because the other methods would have taken too long."

╰➤ That's when she laughs.

╰➤ You exhale softly from her hearty chuckles, relief immediately enveloping you.

╰➤ Laughter is a good sign.

╰➤ "I should have maybe waited to give you the card. I just didn't want to anticipate your reaction until noon, if I'm being honest." You wring out your hands, not able to shake the nervous jitters running through you. "I hope you like it."

╰➤ She runs her thumb over the material once more, lips rolling inwards before she rubs them together, deep in thought. You impatiently wait for a sign, any sign, that indicates her feelings towards your gesture.

╰➤ Her eyes, set deep above the plane of her cheekbones, slant as they peer downward towards the cardboard in her hand. She inhales through her nose, relaxes her lips, then exhales.

╰➤ "You didn't have to do this," She finally replies. "But of course I like it." She doesn't smile. However, you do notice a new light in her expression when she refocuses her attention on you. "Also, you apologize a lot." She pauses before adding, "...More than you need to. You haven't done anything weird at all."

╰➤ You want to bury your face in a pillow and squeal. But you settle for a smile instead. "Oh."

╰➤ Her lips crack into a knowing grin before she turns on her heel and walks over to her desk. She delicately positions the card so that it's standing upright next to a picture of her and a skinny brunette man. "The card is beautiful." She observes. Despite the natural raspiness of her voice, it has a warmer lilt to it now. "Thank you."

╰➤ You determine that Sevika thanking you is a new favorite. You want to shower her with endless gestures if it means that she'll continue to show fondness towards you.

╰➤ She leans against her desk, halfway sitting on the top surface, before shoving her hands in her pockets. Through the material of her slacks, you notice that they seem to be balled into fists.

╰➤You shift your weight as a strong sense of pride swells in your chest, opting to rest your shoulder against the door frame.

╰➤Only—you remember too late that nothing is actually beside you, and that the door frame is several paces behind you. Instead, you stumble when you realize that there's nothing close enough to catch your weight.

╰➤ Your arms sprout out in an attempt to catch your balance.

╰➤ "Um," You mumble dumbly, flustered by the mess that you've become. "...Thought there was a wall beside me." You clear your throat, attempting to right yourself again. 

╰➤ Sevika stares at you, eyes dancing with merriment, as she struggles to swallow her chuckles. She forces out a few coughs, trying to cover up her mirth, but it's clear that she finds your lack of coordination entertaining.

╰➤ You rest your hands on your hips in an attempt to find a comfortable standing position. You want to cringe. You want to crawl under a rock and never be perceived again.

╰➤ You puff out your cheeks before blowing out a heavy exhale. The room feels really hot and your heart is doing backflips in your chest. You can't tell if it's because of your stupid schoolgirl crush or the embarrassment of nearly eating shit in front of Sevika.

╰➤ Probably a combination of both...

╰➤ "Gravity really hates me." You jest.

╰➤ Her grin widens. "I can tell."

╰➤ You let out an exasperated chuckle, palm reaching up to rub against your forehead. She has to be aware of her effect on you.

╰➤ Like it's just painfully obvious at this point.

╰➤ Right?

╰➤ Your lips part and your hands pool with more sweat and you feel like the biggest lovesick loser to ever exist. There she is, with her perfect face and perfect laugh and perfect everything. You've barely talked to this woman outside of lunch breaks yet here you are, giving her pressed fucking flowers and worshiping the ground she walks on just because she sat with you for a few minutes. There can't be any other way that you can become more obvious.

╰➤ Your hands are flailing ridiculously around you, towards her plush purple carpet and curtains and picture frames before you're saying, "Nice office by the way."

╰➤ And she's looking at you with that knowing expression that's borderline condescending, which you really love despite how much you want to hate it, when she replies, "Thanks, darling."

╰➤ You blink rapidly and try not to combust right then.

╰➤ Your feet carry you to a nearby bookshelf before you can think otherwise. A shitload of CD’s are neatly stacked on them with names of artists you didn't know anyone still listened to. You preoccupy yourself with shifting through them, trying your best to ignore the zoo erupting in your stomach. There’s collections of Nina Simone and Freddie Hubbard and Bill Withers. Your eyebrows raise at the eclectic catalogue, not bothering to swallow the surprise that sprouts within you. It should be known at this point that Sevika will never fail to surprise you.

╰➤ Your hands tremble as they hold an ABBA CD. They cling tighter to the plastic case, attempting to make the shaking less noticeable. Something warm brushes against your shoulder, before taking the CD from you. You peer at Sevika, observing the way that she wordlessly takes out the disc and moves to a CD player that is situated farther to your left. 

╰➤ Despite her being concentrated on getting the speaker system to work, you’re totally enraptured by her. Her smell surrounds you like a cloud of ecstasy. Her hair is down today, a feathery cut that stops just below her jaw. Loose ends are tucked behind her ear, highlighting the rarest features of her face that you probably have overlooked before. Her lips purse together while she deeply concentrates, puffing out in a way that makes them look unbelievably inviting. Your breath catches, a prominent ache building between your thighs as the room fills with the beginning chords of The Winner Takes It All.

╰➤ She hums underneath her breath as the first verse begins, neatly placing the CD on top of the player. Slowly, her eyes drag back to you, unfocused and clearly lost in the music that fills the room. But then she freezes, seemingly not expecting you to already be observing her. The harmonies of the song contrast to the moment of stillness then; a corded tension falling between the two of you. 

╰➤ The feelings you have in that moment are visceral. Your head is spinning and your heart is racing. No matter how hard you swallow, your throat remains dry and your skin yearns for her—for her touch and her warmth and her firmness. 

╰➤ Your eyes burn and you have to blink rapidly in order to clear your vision. You can't understand why these feelings have hit you so suddenly, and why they're so intense for a woman that's only your coworker. But you try not to scold yourself too much, rubbing your palms against the material of your skirt instead.

╰➤ “What’s wrong?” She whispers, scanning your face.

╰➤ And that's when you realize how close you're standing to her. Maybe you were the one to step forward—or was it her?—and shorten the distance, but you can't know for sure. You should pull away. You should bid her a good day and return to your office (you'll have to be on the clock soon anyways) but you can't.

╰➤ You can't because it's too late. She’s already roped you in with her aloofness and cheshire grin and warm sultry voice. The window to escape has already passed. You're simply in too deep now.

╰➤ “You're just really fucking beautiful.” You blurt out. 

╰➤ When Sevika registers what you've said, it seems like she stiffens in shock. Her lips part, a sharp breath being sucked in while her stare intensifies. 

╰➤ You don't have enough wits to properly downplay your words or try to retract what you've said. The most you try to do is blink away the tears in your welling eyes and say, “I’m sorry.”

╰➤ You take a step back, then two. The reality of the situation hits you like a brick wall. You let out a heavy exhale, trying to calm the storm beginning to brew in your mind.

╰➤ Holy fuck.

╰➤ What if you’ve made her uncomfortable? You've clearly crossed a line. You're at work. In fifteen minutes, you’ll both be on the clock and trying to get your day started. This is inappropriate. 

╰➤ You feel like employees from the Human Resources department will barge right in at any moment, confronting you about your intentions and hauling you off to be questioned. Guilt rumbles in you like an unrelenting river breaking through a dam.  

╰➤ Sevika is shaking her head, eyes searching yours with growing alarm. “Sorry? Sweetheart, you have nothing to be sorry fo-”

╰➤ “...with the flowers and the card and calling you beautiful. I shouldn't be doing those things and saying stuff like that. I mean, not because I don't think you're beautiful. You're so beautiful. It's just... Oh lord—I’m doing it again. Fuck. Frick. Uh,” You gulp, taking a few more steps backwards. “I just don't want to make you uncomfortable. I'm totally aware that we’re coworkers. And I don't wanna be that one creep in the office who-”

╰➤ “No, it's okay.” She shakes her head again, a small smile appearing on her face. “You haven't weirded me out at all.”

╰➤ You stop mid rant, mouth hanging open and eyes trailing back to her. “Are you sure?”

╰➤ “Completely sure.” 

╰➤ Your attention hooks onto the details of her laugh lines. They become more prevalent as her smile widens. You want to brush your lips against hers and feel the curve of her laugh lines against your skin. 

╰➤ You fight the urge, responding with, “Okay,” instead. 

╰➤ She hums quietly underneath her breath, arms folding against her chest. 

╰➤ “Okay,” She echoes. Her weight rocks backwards, a slight sway that causes her hair to brush lightly against her jawline. You're captivated by the sharp edge of her jaw—and how it seems to become even sharper with each passing second—as she momentarily clenches it. 

╰➤ She’s opening her mouth to say something else when there's a knock on the door. “Sevika?” The silhouette of a woman, probably a coworker, shines through the frosted-glass door. Reality slams into you like a semi truck.

╰➤ Your heart jumps at the interruption. For some reason, you take a few more steps away from Sevika and your muscles tense.

╰➤ There's a hesitation that looms in the air. 

╰➤ Sevika's eyes hold something undefinable. Her gaze is level and full of intent. And you can't understand why everything feels so convoluted right now.

╰➤ After a few agonizing seconds of silence, she sighs, shoulders falling as she shifts her attention to the ground. “Come in.” 

╰➤ The door opens and a pretty brunette with glossy lips and mascara-coated eyes walks in. You've seen her numerous times throughout the day. She's one of the receptionists. 

╰➤ She smiles at you and you're surprised when she greets you. You’ve never realized she knows your name. 

╰➤ “Tara,” Sevika addresses. “What's up?”

╰➤ The receptionist turns to her, “I was trying to call you but it was going to voicemail. I wasn't sure if you’ve turned on your phone for the day? I’m really sorry for interrupting. But you have a gentleman waiting for you in the lobby, he says he has an 8 o’clock with you? I just wanted to confirm.” She clears her throat, shifting her weight awkwardly. Then she’s eying you again with a small smile. “I’m sorry—”

╰➤ “No, no. You're totally fine.” Sevika’s features morph into an expression that's more genial. “Did you catch his name? I do think I have an 8 o’clock, I just lost track of time.” She’s making her way over to the CD player, swiftly cutting it off. The music stops and the air stills.

╰➤ Hair stands on your skin as she walks to her desk, fiddling with a few buttons on her landline. 

╰➤ “Yes,” Tara replies, glancing down at a yellow sticky note. “He’s from the branch in Chicago. He goes by…”

╰➤ “I’ll catch you later, Sevika.”Your voice is rushed and barely above a whisper. The feeling of overstaying your welcome floods you.

╰➤ Sevika glances up under her lashes, hands faltering from the paperwork she's rummaging through. You don't give her a chance to reply, simply shooting her a smile and wave before slipping out of her office. 

╰➤  You sigh at the sign in front of you, bold words reading, BROKEN! PLEASE USE ANOTHER ONE on a piece of paper attached to the microwave. A low groan burns in the back of your throat. You’re starving. In fact, it’s been forever since you’ve let yourself grow this hungry.

╰➤ You didn't eat breakfast this morning. You were too preoccupied with thinking about Sevika’s gift, and how the hell were you going to give her a card with pressed flowers in a non-creepy way. But the task has been done, and for the most part, Sevika didn’t appear turned off by your gesture. So now, you are hungry. 

╰➤  Your stomach growls and your mouth pools with saliva. Spinning on your heels, you march out of the break room, trying to think of any other parts of the building that has microwaves. Your floor definitely doesn’t, which means you would have to take the elevator. And you don’t want to do that, especially if it means having to walk through another department. 

╰➤  Your mind is swarming with what ifs and maybe’s as you travel through rows of cubicles. The possibility of finding an unoccupied microwave is slim to none. If the one on your floor has been broken all morning, then there’s surely a growing line at the other ones. Dread gnaws at you and you huff with distaste. 

╰➤  There’s a part of you that considers eating your food cold. But your nose wrinkles at the idea and it’s quickly disregarded. 

╰➤  When you reach the elevator, you're met with the sight of Sevika leaning against the adjacent wall. She is lazily scrolling on her phone, her other hand occupying her pocket, and her cross body bag hanging off of one of her shoulders. Similar to the sudden dip of a rollercoaster ride—visceral and unexpected—a warmth spreads within you. Your head feels light–weightless even–and you can feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through your veins. 

╰➤ Your arm lifts and presses the button that summons the elevator. It’s a silly action, since you’re sure Sevika has already pressed it if she’s waiting for it to arrive. But you need something to do with your body; something that can expel some of the excess energy and calm your belly acrobatics. 

╰➤ Your movement seems to catch Sevika’s attention, causing her scrolling to momentarily freeze as she glances up.

╰➤  Your gazes lock and your breath hitches and you’re pretty sure you begin to hear fireworks sounding in the distance. She smiles and you return the gesture. Or was it you that smiled first? 

╰➤  “Hi,” You say.

╰➤  Her attention trails to the lower half of your face, lingering there for a few moments before climbing back up to your eyes. In a millisecond, she’s pushing off of the wall, body upright and phone slipping into her pocket. “Hey, you.” Her grin curves even more.  

╰➤ You don’t know what’s making you feel so lovesick: the inviting cadence of her voice or the fact that she’s practically glowing. You don’t think you’ve ever seen any blemish on her face besides a few faded scars. Seriously–what kind of skin care routine did the robust woman have? You made a mental note to ask her. 

╰➤ “The weather’s been nice today.” She adds.

╰➤ You fight off a chuckle, nodding in response. The conversation is elementary and completely like all the other ones that you’ve had with her countless times before. But you enjoy how mundane your chats are with Sevika. It isn’t really the topics that interest you rather than the calming consistency of her presence. The both of you could be counting the wall tiles to pass time for all you care. 

╰➤ Sevika cards her fingers through her hair as she rolls her eyes at a corny dad joke you’ve just told. “Clever.” She quietly muses, husky voice thick with sarcasm. Her lips are fighting off a smirk though, so you know she isn’t as annoyed as she’s trying to seem. 

╰➤ “Thanks.” 

╰➤ When Sevika centers her weight, she peers at the carpet, causing a singular strand of hair to fall in front of her forehead. A small part of you wants to reach out and run your fingers through it, but you softly shake your head to refocus. You listen to the faint rings of telephones in the distance instead.

╰➤“Well,” You drag out, growing uncomfortable by the silence. “Did you have a good weekend?”

╰➤She lifts her head, nodding softly. “Yeah.” A slight pause. “I went to dinner with some friends on Saturday, and then we watched the superbowl on Sunday…Made a day out of it, really…” She clears her throat. “Yeah. It was nice… What about you?”

╰➤ You don’t register the swaying of your body until your shoulder brushes against her bicep. “It was okay, I guess. I finished a novel. Went grocery shopping…did some gardening.” You wrinkle your nose, embarrassment washing over you. “Probably not as fun or eventful as yours, I suppose.”

╰➤ “Ah,” She chuckles. Her bicep brushes against your shoulder again. You can’t decipher if it was her fault or yours this time. “I doubt that.”

╰➤ You offer a thoughtful hum, but keep quiet otherwise.

╰➤ The elevator sounds with a soft ding! All too soon, Sevika is encouraging you to step on board before her. 

╰➤ “Hi Shane,” You say, smiling at the coworker that is already inside of the service lift. He barely regards you, lips frowning and worry lines prevalent on his forehead. He takes off his baseball cap momentarily, revealing a receding hairline glistening with sweat, before wiping it off with the back of his hand and repositioning the cap.

╰➤ “Hi.” The middle aged man grumbles. He nearly throws a fit when Sevika takes her time walking through the elevator doors. His face is firetruck red, left foot tapping impatiently as his finger presses the button for the 8th floor. 

╰➤ Your eyebrows shoot up and you look at Sevika. She observes the entire situation with passive amusement. 

╰➤ “Stupid elevators.” Shane grumbles. 

╰➤ You press your lips together, trying your best to refrain from laughing while reaching around him to press the button for the 6th floor. Usually, there’s a few microwaves on that one. “Where to?” You angle your head towards Sevika.

╰➤ “6th floor as well.”

╰➤ The atmosphere fills with the trademark grinding of the elevator and Shane’s disgruntled mumbling. The minutes tick by agonizingly slow and you even feel bad for giggling quietly when Shane huffs again, looking up at the ceiling with a grinding jaw. 

╰➤ Your fingers press against your lips in an attempt to remain calm, and your eyes flit over to Sevika knowingly. 

╰➤ Shane’s always been pegged as overly anxious and impatient in the office. He seems to be perpetually unhappy with everyone and everything. He seems to just be unhappy in general.

╰➤ A few levels down, the doors open and relief fills you. Riding the elevator with a fretful Shane definitely wasn’t on the top of today’s To-Do list. But then you falter at the sight of a plain concrete wall in front of you. Your eyebrows furrow and you glance back at the row of buttons. The number 6 is no longer illuminated, but you certainly aren’t facing the cubicles on the 6th floor right now. 

╰➤ "Shit…" Sevika mumbles. “This isn’t good.” 

╰➤ “Oh, come on!” The elevator shakes slightly in response to Shane obnoxiously stomping his foot. 

╰➤ Your breath hitches and you feel your arms searching frantically, trying to grab onto something to ground you, but only finding empty air. 

╰➤  Sevika’s already scanning the surroundings, probably for an emergency call box. You don’t say anything. You’re not sure if you can. 

╰➤ Don’t freak out. Don’t freak out. Don’t freak out.

╰➤ “I can’t believe this!” Shane’s voice is several pitches higher now. “I’m going to miss my appointment. Dammit!” He stomps his foot again, snatching his cap off. It falls to the ground and his hands tightly grip his hair–or, what’s left of it.

╰➤Sevika’s head snaps in the general direction of his. “Let’s not do that.” Her voice is icy. It comes off as a command instead of a suggestion and even you find yourself trying to gain your bearings. 

╰➤ Shane sends her a glare but he makes sure to keep his foot planted and his mouth shut. 

╰➤ Your eyes are burning and you're beginning to find it hard to breathe. 

╰➤ You’re stuck.

╰➤ The elevator is fucking stuck. 

╰➤ No–you can’t freak out. That won’t help. 

╰➤ Your hands are bunching against the material of your clothing, feet working into nervous tapping. Oh God.

╰➤ Oh God.

╰➤ Sevika finally finds a button next to an icon with the emergency bell symbol, which doesn’t seem to be immediately obvious at first glance. The noise is loud and jarring when she presses it, before an automated voice begins to speak words that you can’t fully register. 

╰➤ And then she’s talking with an operator, that much you can process, but it’s all blurring together too much for your liking.

╰➤ Shane is breathing loud. Annoyingly loud in fact. 

╰➤ You want to tell him to shut the hell up, especially when he starts crying, but you can barely see through your blurred vision and it doesn’t seem like your body will listen to your brain even if you will it to.

╰➤ Then there’s warm hands pressing into your shoulders, squeezing them, before lowering to your elbows. 

╰➤ “It’s okay,” Sevika reassures. “I just talked to the operator. They’re going to try to reset the system.” 

╰➤ You shake your head and grip onto her shirt. “We're going to die.”

╰➤ “Hey,” Her breath fans against your cheeks as she ducks down to look at you levelly. Her touch retracks before you feel warmness on your face. Her thumbs are swiping your skin. “Sweetheart, it’s gonna be okay.” 

╰➤  That’s when you realize that you’re the one who’s breathing heavy, because you’re also the one who’s crying. Her thumbs are wiping away your tears.

╰➤ “Sev…” You respond, breath ragged. “I’m sorry. I’m just scared, I-”

╰➤ “It’s an honest human reaction.” Her lips brush against your left earlobe as she pulls you in for a hug. “...Better than stomping your foot and shaking the entire cabin, that’s for sure.” 

╰➤ You let out an ugly combination of a sob and laugh.

╰➤ “Not funny, you asshole.” Shane isn’t too happy with the jest.

╰➤ “Hey!” You find yourself objecting. You lift your head but know it’s no use. Sevika’s too tall for you to be able to see over her. “Be nice, you two.” 

╰➤ Shane grumbles a few other curse words, this time much quieter. Sevika tightens her hold around your waist, nose rubbing into your shoulder with an odd tenderness, but she doesn’t say anything else.

╰➤ You’re sniffling as you try to relax in her hold. You’ve given up the task of restarting your heart because you know that you’ll never be able to truly calm down until you’re safely out of this elevator. But for the meantime, you try to distract yourself with the smell of Sevika, and the feeling of her pressed against you. You cling onto her like a raft in the middle of a storm, praying that she can continue to keep your worries at bay.

╰➤ “Sev,” You say again, voice shaking. “I’m really scared.”

╰➤ “I know.” 

╰➤ The elevator slips down a considerable amount, causing the both of you to lose your footing and nearly fall. Your scream melts into a gurgle of cries as Sevika curses lowly.

╰➤ She lowers the both of you to the floor, hands attempting to steady you. The panic you feel is definitely taking over now. 

╰➤ “We’re going to die.” You hiccup, eyes widening. 

╰➤ “Darling,” Sevika pauses. You almost believe that she’s trying to gather more patience, and you can’t blame her if she is. But the pause is too brief for you to know for sure. “We aren’t going to die. Hey–”

╰➤ Her fingers are gingerly pinching your chin, urging you to meet her gaze. An air of passivity rolls off of her. “Can you breathe with me? You’re hyperventilating.” Her brows begin to furrow. “I can’t have you passing out on me, you know.”

╰➤ “We won't make it out of here.”

╰➤ Her lips fix into a thin line, “Do you trust me?”

╰➤ Your reply is immediate, “Yes.”

╰➤ “Can you trust that I will make sure you get out of here safely?” Her palms begin to press against the sides of your face, holding you close to her. She strokes the apples of your cheek with her thumbs, expression pensive. “I've got you. I…” She wets her lips, eyes flickering with an odd light. “I promise.”

╰➤ A few stray tears escape your eyes, rolling down your face and onto her palms. You inhale a long shuddering breath as you nod, mouth souring everytime you think of your current predicament.

╰➤ “Okay.” You rasp. 

╰➤ The both of you are a breath apart, huddled in one of the corners. That's when you realize that you're actually sitting in her lap. 

╰➤ “I just can't believe I’m stuck here simply because I was wanting to use the 6th floor microwave.” Your eyes flicker shut, another wave of doom hitting you. “I just wanted some lasagna!”

╰➤ Sevika laughs. “If only you took the stairs.”

╰➤ “I know, right? I don't usually because I'm lazy, but maybe-”

╰➤ “I get that this is an emotional moment right now,” Shane grunts. “But does anyone have a bottle or something? I really need to piss.”

╰➤ Your nose crinkles. Ew.

╰➤ Sevika grinds her jaw. “You will keep your pants on, or so help me God…”

╰➤ “Okay, okay. I got it.”

╰➤ You clear your throat, shifting in her lap and glancing at Shane. He has his left leg crossed over his right, legs tense and face seemingly straining with concentrated effort. A vein is bulging out of his neck and sweat is gathering around his forehead again.

╰➤ “Tell me another one of your lame jokes.” Sevika whispers, completely disregarding him and squeezing you closer to her.

╰➤ The shift in conversation feels like emotional whiplash. 

╰➤ Everything about today has been weird. You never thought a day would come where you're actually sitting in her lap, and being comforted in the most gentle way.

╰➤ But then again, you never anticipated getting stuck in an elevator with her so…

╰➤ “They are not lame.” You refute, feigning offense. “They're dad jokes.”

╰➤ “Okay, well...” Her attention zeroes in on your nose. One of her hands raises, brushing at it before inspecting a small fuzzy and flicking it away. “Tell me one of them.”

╰➤ Your blink in thought, scanning your brain for one that you haven't told her yet. It's starting to become hard to decipher which jokes you have and haven't shared with Sevika, especially as the months continue to carry on. You fear that you'll run out of them sooner than you’d like to (at least the funny ones) and then you won't know how else to entertain her. 

╰➤ “What do you call a fake noodle?”

╰➤ Her forehead scrunches as she ponders on a possible answer. 

╰➤ A slow smile curves at your lips while you mutter, “An impasta.”

╰➤ You can practically see the gears in her brain shifting before she registers the pun. Her lips are puffy from constantly being chewed on when they pull into a playful scowl. The tiniest wrinkles appear along the slope of her nose as she scrunches it, eyes peering at you through narrowed slits.

╰➤ “You're ridiculous.”

╰➤ That causes you to laugh, heart warming at the slight annoyance in her voice.  “Ridiculously funny and charming? Sure.”

╰➤ “...Oh my god.”

╰➤ “You love my jokes, just admit it.”

╰➤ “Sweetheart…They're not actually yours. I know you google them.”

╰➤ “ It's my delivery though. No one delivers jokes better than I do. It takes actual skill.”

╰➤ “Somehow, I find that hard to believe.”

╰➤ “...There's the timing you have to consider and the vocal inflection.” Your hands fall down her arms, resting in your lap as they tug on one another. “It involves real artistry.”

╰➤ “How dumb of me to think otherwi-”

╰➤ “Oh, thank you! God! Thank you!”

╰➤ You jump at Shane’s outburst, examining the way he stands to his feet, a grin breaking across his face. He’s pointing at the elevator doors, which are now closing. A low hum fills the air. Soon after, the sound of cogs becomes louder and the elevator begins moving.

╰➤ You and Sevika startle at the sudden shift, moment now broken. When you peer at her, she's smiling softly, grey irises drinking in every one of your features. 

╰➤”I told you we’d be okay.” She says.

╰➤You're too relieved to properly respond, allowing her to help you stand up instead. 

╰➤ The intercom beeps and a voice says, "Rescue team here. Please remind us how many people are there with you?"

╰➤ “If you feel any sort of stress from today, please don't hesitate to use this number.” Cam says as he shoves a business card into your hand.

╰➤ You roll your eyes. “I’ll be fine. I swear.”

╰➤ “There's no shame in using the services, I promise. Just input your employee number and the company code on the website and it’ll—”

╰➤ “Cam,” Your left hand reaches up to squeeze his shoulder. You make sure to hold his gaze. “I’m totally fine now, I promise. I’ll admit that it shook me up a little, because it felt like we were going to be stuck in there forever. But everything's okay.”

╰➤ He scans your face, searching for any sign that you're being untruthful. When he doesn't find any, he nods smally. “Go home.” His stare becomes stern. “Take it easy for the next few days.”

╰➤ “Cam—”

╰➤ “I’m serious! If you go back to your office for the rest of the day, I’ll take a deduction from your wages.”

╰➤ You roll your eyes, “That doesn’t sound legal.”

╰➤ “I’m sorry, I can't hear you anymore.” He shrugs his shoulders, pacing a few steps backwards. “I have meetings to attend now.” He doesn't allow you to object, adding, “Have a good weekend, kid,” before turning around and leaving the room.

╰➤ It hasn't been long since you’ve been rescued from the elevator—maybe 30 minutes, at most. Cam made his way over to the three of you once he received notice of everything. You feel relatively fine. The medics accessed you first, since you seemed to be the most shaken up when they arrived. And ever since they finished, Cam has somehow convinced himself that you, Shane and Sevika should take the rest of the day off.

╰➤ He also seemed adamant about offering you the free therapy services that your company provides, hence the business card in your hand. But you feel like it might be a desperate gesture to cover his ass. Surely, this isn't the first time that someone's been stuck in the elevator while on the clock.

╰➤ The medic team seems to just be finishing their assessment with Sevika and Shane now. You stand off to the side, watching helplessly, as Sevika sits in a chair and chats casually with a buff paramedic woman. 

╰➤ The three of you were momentarily moved to a nearby conference room when rescued from the elevator. One of the office supervisors said it was to give you all a space to “wind down and decompress.” But you're pretty sure it's because the company is trying to gloss over the elevator incident. 

╰➤ The door to the conference room opens and you're met with the familiar face of Kai. Their eyes are wide—frantic—as they scan the area. 

╰➤ “Dude,”  They gasp, attention on Sevika. “You won't believe the stuff that's circulating the office right now…it's some crazy shit!”

╰➤ Then they’re grabbing one of the chairs closest to Sevika, plopping down in it. “Are you guys okay? Seriously, what the fuck happened?”

╰➤ “We were stuck in that stupid contraption.” Shane butts in. “We could have died and they only care about giving us PTO and a stupid link to telehealth.”

╰➤ It's the first time you've heard him talk since stepping off of the elevator. 

╰➤ “I missed my damn appointment and the fee I’ll get charged is ridiculous,” He slams his hand on the table, fingers spreading out against the surface and jaw grinding. “I’m gonna sue these motherfuckers.”

╰➤ Surrounding medics have been slowly packing up their equipment, but they momentarily freeze at the sound of Shane's threat. The one closest to Sevika lifts an eyebrow, expression bemused as she pockets her phone. 

╰➤ “I’m not sure if you can do that, Shane.” Kai quirks. Their eyes dance with humor as they swallow a chuckle.

╰➤ “I’m 62. I can do whatever the hell I want!”

╰➤ Kai nods, slightly taken aback. “Touché.”

╰➤ Shane grumbles under his breath, standing to his feet with the help of a nearby medic. He’s slightly hunched over, gripping the lower part of his back while he hobbles to the entrance door.

╰➤ “Bye Shane!” You call.

╰➤ He waves you off irritably, not bothering to turn around and give you a proper farewell.

╰➤ “And they said you fainted when the rescue team came,” Kai turns to you, expression morphing into something kinder. You think you see their eyes travel to Sevika for a split second, but you conclude that it’s just your overactive imagination. “How are you feeling now?”

╰➤ You laugh incredulously, “Do people just live to gossip here? That was barely an hour ago.”

 ╰➤ “It's not like there's much else to do around these parts,” Kai grins wickedly. “Besides the scandalous office romances that people chat about. But that's old news. This is the most exciting thing we’ve had since Christmas!”

╰➤ You laugh harder, hands coming up to rest against your cheeks as you work through your shock. “That's one way to put it.”

╰➤ The three of you are alone now since the last two medics managed to slip out of the room inconspicuously. And now it's harder to escape the overwhelming fatigue that looms in the air. Secretly, you thank Cam for giving you the rest of the day off.

╰➤ “I have to get back soon. I’m supposed to be meeting the Amazon delivery driver in t minus one minute.” 

╰➤ “Oh my god,” Sevika rumbles, shoving her friend out of their seat. “Go do your job.”

╰➤ “Yes ma’am.” Kai wipes their hands on their jeans, leaning down and kissing Sevika on the cheek before ruffling her hair. “I’m glad you didn't like, die or anything, loser.”

╰➤ Sevika merely grunts.

╰➤ Kai winks at you, “Bye lovebirds!”

╰➤ And then there were two. 

╰➤ You carefully pivot to face the herculean woman a few feet away from you. The crease between her brows, even though heavily prevalent when Kai was here many seconds ago, are now gone. She stares at you for a beat, lower lip caught between her teeth and hands drumming against the muscles of her thighs. 

╰➤ “Sorry about Kai. They're a bit childish sometimes.” Sevika mutters. But despite her words, you can tell she thinks fondly of Kai. 

╰➤ “I like them.” You find yourself admitting. “They’re funny.”

╰➤ “They’re annoying.”

╰➤ Her lips twitch into the smallest hint of a grin. Your own smile grows and subsequently, her eyelids flutter. In the midst of today's chaos and fading professionalism, the heart of something tender passes between the both of you. The air cracks and sparks fly. It's fleeting—but it's there.

╰➤ Her throat jostles as she swallows, “How are you feeling?” 

╰➤ There's an unmistakable burn within you that her question creates. “I’m better than before.” 

╰➤ Her eyes trail down your body, then back up to your face. You assume that it's a mistake. But then her gaze wanders again, and this time it's for longer. This time, it has more intent.  Your stomach flips.

╰➤ Her lips barely move when she responds, “Good.”

╰➤ You sense the moment slipping away, and a tiny part of your brain nudges you to leave the room and go home. God-forbid Cam stumbles back in and sees that you're still here. But for some reason, you hover.

╰➤ “Thanks for earlier, by the way,” Your tongue feels heavy in your mouth and your hands are growing clammy. “For helping me and stuff.”

╰➤ And stuff.

╰➤ You're not sure if thanking her for the other stuff is appropriate, considering you were practically straddling her and holding onto her in ways that's crossed many, many lines. But that seems to be the ongoing trend between you and Sevika; you cross too many lines with her.

╰➤ “No need to be thanking me.” 

╰➤ You shrug, “...Was still kind of you.”

╰➤ Her lips rub together and that's when you realize how soft they look. A small hum escapes her and you watch inquisitively as she opens her mouth. 

╰➤ But then nothing comes out, leaving her with a slack jaw and gaping mouth. Your brows start to furrow, chest tightening while several more beats pass and Sevika remains dazed. 

╰➤ A whooshing sound fills the air due to the AC turning on. Dust particles begin to circulate around you, and your ankles are tickled by the new draft blowing from the vents.

╰➤ “Is everything okay?” You try to keep the worry out of your voice, but the shift in her is abrupt.

╰➤ Her eyes cloud over with something indescribable, a sense of apprehension rolling off of her in thick waves. 

╰➤ “Um,” Her words drag and her eyes dart away from you. They settle on an empty space between you and the nearby wall. Her body is completely rigid, as if the floor will give out at any moment. “Would you ever want to hang out?”

╰➤ Your heart crawls up the walls of your esophagus, beating with all of it’s might.

╰➤ You shift your feet, then tug at your fingers.

╰➤ “Like, outside of work?” She clarifies. She dodges your eyes, settling on the other details of you instead; like your restless feet and your fidgeting hands.

╰➤ “You’d want to do that?”

╰➤ “Well,” She gives you a sidelong glance. “I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't.”

╰➤ Your internal debate resolves and your smile stretches wide—so wide that you think your cheeks are becoming sore.

 ╰➤ “Oh,” Your voice is barely above a whisper, so you have to clear your throat. “Okay. Well, I want to also.”

╰➤ She mirrors you and breaks into a silly grin, gap visible and nose wrinkling. 

╰➤ “Just let me know when,” You add. “And I’ll be down.” 

╰➤ “How about Saturday?”

╰➤ “Um—wow. I didn't know you meant so soon. Will Kai be okay with you choosing the day on their behalf?”

╰➤ Her eyebrows shoot up. “Kai?” 

╰➤ “Yeah, have you even asked if…” Oh.

╰➤ Oh.

╰➤ Your gut ignites at the revelation.

╰➤ The greys in her irises darken an alluring shade. 

╰➤ “Okay,” You nod, understanding completely now. She doesn't need to say anything more for you to realize the full weight of her offer.

╰➤ God.

╰➤ Oh God.

╰➤ You've dreamt about this moment for months but you never thought it’d actually come true.

╰➤ “Okay,” She parrots. “It's a date, then?”

╰➤ Your toes curl inside your shoes. Nodding enthusiastically, you confirm, “Definitely.”

╰➤  You never are the type to enjoy the action of driving cars.

╰➤ It’s mostly to do with the fact that your life could very well be in someone else’s hands. The likelihood of surviving another day without being in a car accident feels like sheer luck sometimes. 

╰➤ But your road anxiety is heightened even more as you brave the heavy city traffic, trying not to pee your pants at the idea of being near Sevika in less than an hour.

╰➤ You exhale, drumming your fingers against the steering wheel restlessly. Why is this taking so long?

╰➤ After ages of waiting, you’re finally able to get to the other side of town. It’s quieter here and far less busy. Sevika texted you the suggestion this morning and you immediately agreed–the quieter, the better.

╰➤ But your heart stops when you find yourself parked in front of a towering brownstone building, with multi-story terraces and sleek black protective gates. The streets are nearly empty and the distant chirp of birds fill the air.

╰➤ Your lips are pulling into a frown when you look at your phone screen, reading, You have arrived at your destination for the nth time.

╰➤ Swiping away from the GPS app, you allow your thumbs to click on Sevika’s contact number. 

╰➤ Two rings sound before she answers, “Hello?”

╰➤ “Hi–” You crane your neck to look out of your window. “I think I‘m here? I’m not sure where your place exactly is though...”

╰➤ You hear shuffling on the other line along with the soft hum of music. Then you see movement from a window on the second floor. Curtains are pushed aside and a familiar figure comes into view. The sliding glass of the terrace door is pushed open, and she’s sticking her head out, scanning the row of cars lined up along the street. 

╰➤ “Oh,” You breathe, heart stuttering. “Nevermind. I see you.”

╰➤ You remain seated in your car, like an idiot, while her eyes lock with yours.

╰➤ Then she grins, which is a heartbreakingly beautiful thing to witness. 

╰➤ “Sorry for being late,” You rasp into the receiver, eyes never leaving hers. “I got stuck in traffic.”

╰➤ “You’re two minutes late, sweetheart.” Her voice is thick with amusement. “That’s hardly anything to fuss about.”

╰➤ The following stretch of nothing is almost too painful to bear. Something is holding you back from stepping out of the car. Whether it be fear or nerves, you can’t really tell. All you know is that this feels like uncharted territory. 

╰➤ “I’ll come down and get you,” She says. You nod. She disappears into her apartment and the line goes dead.

╰➤ The air of Sevika’s apartment smells overwhelmingly like her: woodsy with a hint of apple cinnamon. Your shoes click against the floorboard when she guides you through the doorway, knuckles brushing against your forearm and leaving a fire in its wake. 

╰➤ “This is me.” Her voice is soft around the lock of the deadbolt and chain guard. There’s a lowly dimmed lamp hanging from the ceiling, a coat rack placed in the corner and a sitting bench to your left.  She looks over slowly–hesitantly; as if she’s trying to gauge your reaction.

╰➤ You find yourself swallowing thickly as you’re smacked with another smell of her. 

╰➤ When you don’t respond, she toes out of her shoes, movements quiet and swift. Silently, you follow her lead. She gathers your boots with hers and positions them underneath the sitting bench. 

╰➤ “This way,” She mumbles. You allow her to side-step, walking down the hall and toward a connecting room, where you faintly see a burgundy living room set. The walk down the corridor almost feels too quick, since you keep getting distracted by the countless art and picture frames lined up on her wall. You realize that the walls appear to be so decorated that you don’t see much of the paint. 

╰➤ Her living room appears to be similar, littered with different pieces of art and photographs that you could stare at for hours if given the chance. The atmosphere is tranquil but the furniture and color scheme is deliberate and poised. The ceiling is much higher than yours and the windows are fairly large. Much of the interior is splashed with dark velvety hues of red and purple. 

╰➤ Two brimming bookshelves stretch to the ceiling, lined with countless collections of CDs and novels. The brick fireplace is already lit and emmenates a warm glow around the room. Sevika’s gaze is clear and level when you peer at her. And her eyebrows lift inquisitively. 

╰➤ “It’s…” Your voice cracks, causing you to clear your throat. “This is really nice.” 

╰➤ Her head is tilted, eyes squinting ever-so-slightly with a nature that is purely meditative; as if she’s trying to pick out any signs of dishonesty. The burning sensation of her dissection is potent. Your mouth pools with saliva as the seconds tick by.

╰➤ A low whistle escapes you as you try to compensate for the tension. “Why so quiet?” Your legs shuffle.

╰➤ She licks her lips and hums. “Just trying to make sure this is okay.”

╰➤ “What?” Your eyebrows are furrowing.

╰➤ She gestures at your surroundings, “This. My home—at least, that you’re comfortable being here. If you prefer to spend time in a more public place, then…”

╰➤ “Oh.” Your features relax. She’s trying to be polite. “No. This is fine, Sev. I’m always comfortable around you.” You wipe your sweaty palms against the material of your pants. 

╰➤ Her eyes follow the movement of your hands, before they linger on the lower half of your body for the tenth of a second while her jaw flexes. You gaze at her with growing anticipation due to the dead silence. She takes a long inhale through her nose, refocusing her attention back to your eyes with what seems like a great deal of concentration. 

╰➤ A shaky smile spreads across your lips. You travel over to one of the nearby bookshelves, which holds a CD player that’s currently playing a smooth jazz solo. You have to find something to do—anything—other than stand there and grow lustful under her pressing gaze. 

╰➤ “You have quite a collection,” You begin.

╰➤ Your back is turned to her as you look through the cases that are neatly stacked together. Despite being covered with clothing, the skin of your back grows hot, as if her gaze is seeping straight through the material of your shirt.

╰➤ “A lot of them were my parents. They loved collecting music.”

╰➤ You don't have the heart or gall to mention the past-tense reference of her parents. Instead, you nod. 

╰➤ You feel like you're hypervigilant to everything about her in that moment. The sound of her weight traveling across the carpet becomes heightened, and the hairs on the back of your neck stand when you see her shadow appearing out of the corner of your eye. When you look towards your left, you struggle to contain the zoo that rips through your stomach. She's close. Very close.

╰➤ Her shoulders brush against yours while she reaches across you to turn down the stereo. "You can pick something else if you want," Her voice dips into something low and syrupy. "I don't know what type of music you like." Then she's walking away. Your eyes follow her as she disappears into another room. "Are you thirsty?"

╰➤ "I'll listen to practically anything as long as it's not country." You shuffle through the CD's, stopping when a particular one catches your eye. A classic. "What do you have?"

╰➤ Once you've replaced the CD with one of your choice, you mosey into the other room to join her. It's a kitchen, fairly minimalist compared to the living room, and painted with nearly all black decor. The sight of Sevika standing there is unfamiliar. Her hair is tied up in a half up half down, small tendrils escaping and brushing against the sides of her face. Her nose is wrinkled, eyes squinted and lip rolled inwards.

╰➤ She leans most of her weight onto her hands, which are resting on the surface of the kitchen island. Her sleeves are rolled up to her elbows, and attention is focused acutely on a book that's sitting on the counter. Something savory wafts in the air and you spy a stove behind her that seems to be emanating an exceptional amount of warmth.

╰➤ "Um," you mumble. "Is everything okay?"

╰➤ Her eyes flicker up to meet yours, at first holding something distant, before they cloud over with an undeniable light. Her hands tighten into fists, pressing against the marble countertop before she relaxes them. Then she's standing upright, one arm falling to her side while the other rubs against her forehead. "I'm..." Her words trail off as she glances at the watch on her wrist. "Fuck."

╰➤ Then she's whipping around, opening the oven door. A small cloud of smoke appears.

╰➤ "What are you cooking?" You close the distance between the two of you, swiping through the smoke before peering into the oven.

╰➤ "Nothing anymore." She sighs. "It was supposed to be—"

╰➤ "Lasagna."

╰➤ You reach for the oven mitts sitting on the nearby countertop, slipping them on before grabbing the deep-dish pan.

╰➤ "I noticed you have it a lot." She continues. "I just thought—since you seem to like it..."

╰➤ You set it on the hot pads, inspecting the top layer of the pasta dish.

╰➤ "Actually, it doesn't look too bad." You say. "It'll have to go back in, and we'll need to turn the heat down to 375, so that it cooks all the way through the layers without scorchi—"

╰➤ That's when it hits you.

╰➤ "Wait," You abruptly right yourself, snapping your head towards her. She's already watching you, drinking in everything you were saying. Her eyebrows raise at your outburst. Hands still covered in mittens, you're stepping around her, doing a double take at the book that's still open on the kitchen island. "Is that a cookbook?"

╰➤ She doesn't immediately respond.

╰➤ When you crane you neck to get a better look, you're barely registering the words Classic Homemade Lasagna Recipe before her large hand abruptly lands on the book with a loud smack! Her fingers are outstretched, keeping you from being able to see majority of what's written. But it's too late, your assumption has already been proven right.

╰➤ The book is shut before you can say anything else. She opens an overhead cupboard, sliding it in there with one quick motion.

╰➤ "Oh my god," You fight off a wave of giggles, lips stretching into a wide grin. "That was definitely a cookbook."

╰➤ She brushes a few loose hairs out of her face and chooses to avoid your gaze.

╰➤ The stillness that follows is nearly unbearable. In the distance, you hear the current song from the CD player fading out. A car is honking from the street outside and the buzz of the AC comes on. You're still turned towards her, hands covered by her oven mitts and cheeks aching from the smile on your face. She continues to dodge you; resolute.

╰➤ You can't contain your laughter anymore. It's bellows out of you like a songbird breaking free from its cage. That seems to finally draw her attention, and wills her to glance at you. Upon locking eyes, slowly, she smiles an equally warm grin.

╰➤ And just like that, the elastic band of tension that existed all evening snaps.

╰➤ Her laughter quickly follows yours, deeper and soothing and just as beautiful as the last time you heard it. Her rigid stance melts away and her fingers relax.

╰➤ "Sev, why—" You wet your lips. "You didn't have to go out of your way to a get recipe and make this. I would have been fine with take-out."

╰➤ "Kai sent me the link to the cookbook yesterday and I figured why not. It was only $20," She rolls her eyes. "Plus it has better reviews that the lasagna recipes I was looking at online."

╰➤ The cookbook was only $20.

╰➤ Adrenaline courses through your veins from such an implication. Sevika bought a cookbook just to make one of your favorite foods. No one's ever done something like that for you before.

╰➤ No one's ever paid close enough attention to even notice your love for lasagna.

╰➤ The way Sevika always manages to nonchalantly flatter you will forever be something you struggle to fathom.

╰➤ You're biting the inside of your cheek, trying your best to contain your buzzing excitement as you place the pan back into the oven. Your back remains turned to her, stomach flipping and fingers nimble.

╰➤ "This is very kind of you to do," You find yourself muttering.

╰➤ "I mean," The sound of her body weight shifting is subtle. "It's our first date. It's the least I could do."

╰➤ "Still kind."

╰➤ You don't allow yourself to brush over one of her many kind gestures. You don't allow yourself to take any of this for granted. Sevika has been very good to you, especially in a world where people haven't been in the past. Often times, she's been more than just your friendly coworker.

╰➤ Whether she wants to admit it or not, she's the one who's actually a sweetheart.

╰➤ "Why don't you like to accept my compliments?" You inquire. You take off her oven mitts, setting them on a nearby counter-space before turning around. Droplets of perspiration trickle down your forehead and the back of your neck. You wipe them away with the palm of your hand, stepping away from the searing hot oven and towards her.

╰➤ Sevika is resting against the kitchen island, arms crossed over her chest and eyes solely fixed on you. You don't miss the way her jaw flexes as you come closer. But you choose to ignore it, positioning yourself to where your right hip is pressed against the island cupboards, just off of Sevika's left shoulder.

╰➤ "Because most of the time, I'm not doing anything extraordinary." She wrinkles her nose. "It's the bare minimum, actually."

╰➤ "Well," You almost come to a standstill as you rack your brain for an appropriate response. "I still appreciate it."

╰➤ That's when you send her a smile. Similar to an innate feeling, you expect her to return the gesture, since there's never really been a time that Sevika hasn't.

╰➤ But the seconds continue to stretch and her smile never appears.

╰➤ Her lips part and her throat bobs as she swallows thickly. You don't think you've seen her eyes look so lucid before.

╰➤ A part of you wants to be consumed by her. You want her to have you; in whatever way that would mean for her. You'd be happy with any scenario. But another part also wants you to remain present in this moment; to fully cling onto every moment that passes with you in her presence. It's a heartbreakingly beautiful conundrum to be in.

╰➤ "The bare minimum barely checks off the list. You know that, right?" Her voice is firm during this wake of silence. Assertive. Strong. But her words manage to undue something within you; something you didn't even know was tightly wound to begin with. "You deserve to receive so much more than the bare minimum from someone. And you deserve to not have to thank them for that."

╰➤ She says it with such conviction that you almost believe that she's been thinking about this for a while.

╰➤Hearing those words nearly break you.

╰➤ They're arguably obvious. But despite how much the general public likes to make instagram captions and TedTalks about it, you've never really been told this before. Not directly. Not with such certainty.

╰➤ "And," She wets her lips, eyes darting away from you for the first time. "Of course I don't want to be too full on this soon. I'd like to think cooking you one of your favorite foods would give me a good start. But there's—" She's shaking her head with creases forming in between her brows. "...a lot more that I want to offer to you other than shitty lasagna."

╰➤ You don't respond for a beat as you feel a new unspoken surge of energy igniting between you two. It's takes form as an invisible current, growing with each ticking second.

╰➤ Her attention doesn't waver, remaining clear and steady and safe. You find it hard to breathe with the careful way that she's studying you. Air pacts into your lungs at an alarming rate and your heart beats a mile a minute while your throat locks.

╰➤ Your lips part. Then, "What else are you wanting to offer?"

╰➤ You watch as she cards her fingers through her hair. There's a bounce to her silky locks that leads you to believe it's been very recently washed. If you step forward more, all you have to do is reach up to touch it. She's so close.

╰➤ Incredibly close.

╰➤ You don't know how it's happened but somewhere deep inside of you, where the abandoned and empty house of your life resided, a bright light has been ignited. Somehow, that house is no longer empty. It's no longer cold. Sevika has managed to cast an exceptional amount of life into you.

╰➤ Everything becomes watery at the revelation; her black marble countertops, her crème colored button-up, the swirling grey of her irises. It's all blurry. You struggle to blink away your welling tears.

╰➤ How typical of you to get emotional during a time like this...

╰➤ Sevika doesn't reply. She just peers at you with an expression that makes her look as if she's short circuiting. The air is warm, with the oven being heated to a scorching 375 degrees just a few feet away. It's warm and Sevika doesn't falter in managing to unravel you from her regard. It's warm, and your hands are reaching out. It's warm because it's her. She's the warmth.

╰➤ Your hands stop mid-reach, hovering in the air as she fleetingly glances at them. Your pulse thumps against the side of your neck; eyelids fluttering. "What else?" You press. A gentle nudge. A plead.

╰➤ You need to hear her say it; for the sake of confirming that everything is requited.

╰➤ She closes the rest of the distance by grabbing your hands with hers. They're larger and wrap around yours without any extra effort. The gesture is small. But it somehow still causes your legs to nearly give out. She tugs you, urging you closer. You stumble as you give into her magnetic pull. But you're too caught up in all that she is to truly feel embarrassed by it.

╰➤ "I want to offer you everything good." Sevika states it firmly; earnestly. "I don't feel that with people very often. But you," She squeezes your hands, puffing out a heavy exhale. Her breath brushes over your face, minty and enticing. "...I'd do anything to bring goodness into your life."

╰➤ "You already have." The lump in your throat explodes, almost blowing it out completely. Your voice is hoarse—thick with emotion.

╰➤ Her breathing becomes shaky and her mouth falls open. You watch as shock transforms itself onto her features.

╰➤ "Seeing you everyday in that stuffy break room...getting to know you and being able to talk to you," You continue, head bowing as you try to gather your thoughts in a way that won't overwhelm her. "Those days rest with me right here." You bring both your hands and hers to rest against your chest. "I already hold a deep tenderness for you. And it's something that's only for you. Do you know that?"

╰➤ She keenly follows your lips as you speak, leaning so closely now that her forehead grazes against yours. The movement is painstakingly subtle but it still makes your surroundings blacken. The feeling that takes over is close to a rebirth; like being pushed into the ocean by yourself and somehow resurfacing with Sevika fundamentally built into you.

╰➤ And when she kisses you, you know, down to the marrow of your bones, that this is something holy. Teeth clatter and hunger intensifies. Her hands have found solace by clinging onto the rolls of your hips, digging into you, hooking you to her. Ink becomes imprinted onto your heart, screaming—scrawling—Sevikasevikasevikasevika endlessly.

╰➤ She trembles slightly when you press against her; your hands resting against the firmness of her biceps. You reach for her further, never fully satiated, while your toes pull you upwards. Your neck cranes and your chest constricts from the way you desperately lean against her. You're chasing her—her mouth, her smell, her lips, her taste—and she welcomes you with just as much desperation.

╰➤ She's whispering, "...okay, okay," her voice a gentle echo. Her fingers curl into you, positively leaving marks. "I definitely know now."

╰➤ Sevika transforms from warmth to burning heat at that moment. You cherish the feeling.

╰➤ Somewhere, not too far away, a celestial body explodes.

╰➤ When she's lifting your shirt off of you, the burgundy color of her duvet being lit by a bright moon shining through her window, that same feeling of your world revitalizing returns.

╰➤ A mix of soft sighs and oh sweetheart and countless cresting follows. Your legs quiver and symphonies sound in your ears while she devours you as if you're her last meal.

╰➤ "Don't stop," you continuously plead, drunk off of the beautiful disaster that such a person could cause.

╰➤ She whispers into your skin, mouthing—kissing—and nipping, with a broken voice, "I won't. I promise."

╰➤ I promise.

╰➤ I promise.

╰➤ I promise.

╰➤ The headboard cracks. There's laughter, and snack breaks and savory kisses.

╰➤ And when you're lapping into her with unadulterated vehemence, giving her everything that she wants to take, you promise too.

╰➤ You'll promise everyday if she asks you to.

╰➤ You'll promise until your life expires—until the world ends. Until she decides that she doesn't want you anymore.

╰➤ Long gone are the moments of uncertainty; of hesitancy.

╰➤ After the both of you have recovered from chasing such a high, her arm remains draped over your waist, tugging you into her. She mumbles, "Stay," with a vulnerability that has you shaking your head before a beat of silence can pass.

╰➤ "Always."

╰➤ Another explosion emerges; this time larger. A supernova.

╰➤ Your lips press against her throat. She shivers. Her grip tightens. The moon shines brighter.

╰➤ Always.

[tarotwithlove]

PICK A CARD ⭒ why did you meet this person? (any connection)

reminder that this is a general reading and messages found here may not apply to everyone. take what resonates, leave what doesn't, and don't force anything if it does not fit.

BOOK A READING WITH ME · LINKTREE · 18+ PATREON · SUGGEST A PAC TOPIC · TIPS ♡ tips, bookings, and feedback are highly appreciated!

GROUP ONE

cards · the devil, nine of cups (reversed), death, ten of swords, nine of swords, knight of cups (reversed), agate: courage, power, perseverance. 

channelled songs · loyalty by kendrick lamar. i'll have some in a bit by crywank. magic carpet ride by nct 127. low by sza. 

my dear group one ♡ the person you are asking about may be a friend. or, more likely, an ex-friend. this is someone who may have betrayed you -- for some, this person may have slept with, flirted with, or otherwise gone after a person you were romantically interested in. 

take it as it resonates, of course, but this was definitely some life-changing betrayal. a betrayal that shook you to the core and may have jaded you to friendships entirely. 

meeting this person may have served one singular purpose -- to reveal the truth to you. to reveal the truth about this third party or this opportunity, specifically to show you how flimsy this was.

because, dear, if this friend could come in and steal this away from you so easily then it was definitely flimsy. you met this person because, quite honestly, you were growing too comfortable in a life (or with a person) that was not meant for you.

and so this person was sent into your life to -- in their own warped way-- shake things up and realign you with your purpose. to realign you with the people, places, and things that are actually meant for you. and to, also, trigger you so that your unhealed and forgotten wounds are revealed to you. 

GROUP TWO

cards · four of cups, the lovers, five of pentacles, the fool (reversed), king of wands, moonstone: peace, travel, balance.

channelled songs · lost umbrella by inabakumori. a lot’s gonna change by weyes blood. sweet & easy by wonder girls.

my dear group two ♡ the person you are asking about may be a lover, or a potential lover with whom the connection did not progress. this person may have ghosted you or unceremoniously, and expectedly, ended things.

whatever the specifics of how things ended, it may have taken you completely by surprise because of how well things were going.

or, at least, how well you thought that things were going. and you may have thought that things were going really well. so when they ended things or you stopped hearing from them, you may have been completely blindsided.

you met this person to, in a way, remind you who you are. to remind you that you are a badass and a beauty. and to remind you what it feels like to love or really like someone again -- because, for many of you, it may have been some time since you last loved or *really* liked someone romantically.

thus, you met this person so that your heart would not grow cold and shrivel up simply from lack of use. while it may not feel like it, you have met this person -- more than anything else -- to remind you that you’ve still got it. and to remind yourself how much you have changed, grown, and matured -- because of how just a few years or months ago this experience would have completely broken you.

GROUP THREE

cards · the moon (reversed), king of wands, judgement (reversed), ace of wands (reversed), four of swords (reversed), lepidolite: rest, sleep, dreaming.

channelled songs · migrate by mariah carey. rhode island by the front bottoms. sugar and spice (i found me a girl) by luther vandross.

my dear group three ♡ the person you are asking about may be a stranger. someone you crossed paths with and can’t stop thinking about, with thoughts of this person constantly occupying your mind. so much so that it may upsetting to some of you, because you just want to forget and move on but you are unable to.

you may feel strongly connected to this person. and even though your paths crossed briefly, you may be wondering whether there is some strong soul or spiritual connection between you two. whether you are meant to be more to each other than just strangers.

and that is why you have met this person. because you are meant to be more to each other than just strangers.

in the past, you may have shied away from making the first move towards another person, but this person has come into your life to make you change that.

to make you step into your own, be more confident, and to take initiative so

that you may live a fulfilled life. a life without regrets.

in short, you have met this person so that you may push yourself out of your comfort zone.

[strnsvt]

yoon jeonghan — a journey beyond platform 9¾.

dad!jeonghan ; mom!reader

hogwarts au

the sky hung heavy with clouds as, jeonghan, you and ara navigated through the bustling crowd at king's cross station.

the air was cool and crisp, a stark contrast to the warmth of excitement radiating from ara.

approaching the barrier between platforms nine and ten, you exchanged a glance with jeonghan. gripping ara's hands tightly, you led the way with a sense of purpose.

as the three of you neared the solid brick wall, ara's enthusiasm waned, replaced by a flicker of nervousness. her grip on the trolley tightened, knuckles turning white as uncertainty clouded her features.

sensing ara's hesitation, you knelt down beside her, offering a reassuring smile. your voice a soothing balm against her nerves. "just keep pushing the trolley straight ahead, and the magic will take care of the rest,"

jeonghan crouched beside you, his expression warm and encouraging. "you've got this," he added, "just trust in yourself hmn?"

ara's eyes flicked between you and jeonghan, a mixture of uncertainty and determination in her gaze. "but what if i mess it up?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

you reached out, gently cupping ara's face in your hands. "you won't mess it up, ara," you said firmly, meeting her gaze with unwavering reassurance. "you're brave. you're capable. and you're destined for greatness. just believe in yourself,"

jeonghan placed a hand on ara's shoulder, his touch a comforting presence. "and remember, ara," he said softly, his voice filled with paternal pride, "even if you stumble along the way, we'll be right here to catch you, sweetheart."

ara took a deep breath, drawing strength from your words and the unwavering support of her parents.

with newfound resolve, she squared her shoulders and took a tentative step forward, the trolley rattling against the cobblestones beneath her feet.

the world seemed to blur around her as ara pushed the trolley with increasing speed, her heart pounding in her chest. the rush of wind against her face was cool.

and then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the resistance vanished, replaced by the sensation of cool air and the sound of distant chatter.

ara's eyes widened in wonder as she found herself standing on platform 9¾, the hogwarts express looming before her in all its splendor.

a smile of triumph spread across ara's face as she turned to you and her father, her nerves now replaced by a newfound sense of confidence. "i did it!" she exclaimed, her voice ringing with pride.

she knew deep down that she was meant for greatness, just like her parents, each embodying different traits that she admired and aspired to embody herself;

she wanted to be like her dad — a cunning, determined yet sweet slytherin, and like you — brave, wise, loyal and ambitious.

as the train's departure drew near, ara's heart pounded with anticipation. with a deep breath, she gathered her courage and stepped onto the train, disappearing into the bustling crowd of students.

but just as the final call echoed through the platform, ara halted. a surge of emotion washed over her, and she turned back, running towards you and jeonghan with urgency in her steps.

throwing her arms around both of you in a tight embrace, ara's voice trembled with emotion. "i'll miss you, ma, papa," she whispered.

you and jeonghan held ara close, returning her embrace with equal affection. "we'll miss you too, sweetheart," you murmured.

jeonghan pressed a kiss to ara's forehead, his voice gentle but resolute. "take care of yourself," he said softly. "and remember, no matter where you go, our love will always be with you."

with one final squeeze, ara reluctantly released her hold, wiping away a stray tear as she turned to board the train once more. as the doors closed behind her, a mixture of pride and sadness washed over you and jeonghan.

jeonghan holds you close by wrapping an arm around your waist as you both watch the train disappear to hogwarts.

[percheduphere]

LET’S TALK ABOUT EXPLORING LOKI & MOBIUS THROUGH THE LENS OF QUEER EXPERIENCE

Thank you for this request, @nabananab 

Before I dig into this juicy ask, I think it’s important to note (however obvious the fact maybe) that an individual’s unique engagement with art is an inherent and integral part of art. The intention of the artist and the sociopolitical influence of culture, while important in our interpretation of a work, are not the sole source of drawing the work’s meaning. We are all artists in one form or another. I consider myself one of the pen, and nothing is more important to me than art giving someone a sense of emotional connection. I should hope other artists would agree, and for this reason I am an ardent believer in art taking on a life of its own once it has been created. The creator’s word, while it matters to some degree, does not supersede an individual’s relationship with the creation. Our histories, our desires, our fears, our likes, our dislikes, indeed our infiniteness as fragile human beings, allow us to create an elevated, spiritual interpretation beyond the confines of original intent. With art, there is no such thing as “reaching” or “reading too deeply”. 

I leave this message with all of you as we look at these beloved characters through the lens of queer experience. 

LOKI 

Culture influences what we see and hear, which in turn influences artistic portrayal. Setting aside Norse myth, Marvel’s Loki is a classic example of a queer-coded villain (later canonized as a queer antihero). Deception, daggers, sexual temptation, transformation, and magic are all culturally tied to the “immoral” facets of femininity. Just as a strong, independent woman untethered to the control of man is deemed a “wicked woman”, a man demonstrating gender ambiguity and like qualities is similarly judged. Only masculinity is viewed as pure and good, and this no doubt was—and continues to be—a key force in white, western colonization’s destructiveness. It all but crushed our rich global history of divine femininity, gender diversity, and romantic and sexual expression. 

Asgard, as Marvel portrays it, is without a doubt a masculine-dominant warrior society. Only two women feature prominently: Queen Frigga and Lady Sif. Whereas Sif embraces her masculine qualities and fits in easily with Thor and the Warriors Three, Queen Frigga embraces her feminine powers, though her authority is submissive to the All-Father, Odin. Her influence is most heavily seen in her adopted son, Loki, with whom she shared and taught magic in hopes that Loki might “feel some sun on himself” despite the “long shadows [Thor] and [Odin]” cast. The magic that Frigga gifts Loki, however, attracts scorn. The subtext here is that Loki’s specialness, his individuality, comes from feminine powers despite presenting as a man, and a gender ambiguous one at that. Unlike Thor and Odin, he is not masculine. While strong, he does not exhibit Thor’s brute strength. He is cautious, thoughtful, another feminine quality, whereas Thor’s courageousness often veers toward foolhardy and brash.  

Thus, if Loki cannot be loved and accepted as he is (a queer person of another race), he will force love and acceptance through the power of the throne. Kings oft inspire fear, coercing subjects to love them whether they wish to or not. But we know Loki never truly wanted the throne. The throne is a mere distraction from, perhaps even a poor replacement for, what he truly wants: genuine love and acceptance that cannot be bought. Unfortunately, Loki believes he will never get these things, which is why, when Mobius questions him, Loki’s desire for control (Loki, King of the Midgard; Loki, King of the Nine Realms; Loki, King of Space) can never be satiated. Mobius challenges Loki for the exact purpose of revealing this to him. What do you really want? At this point, Loki does not have the words to form an answer. In S2E5, Syvlie raises the question Mobius originally asked in S1E1. It is then, after experiencing Mobius’s friendship and the other relationships that come to being as a result (including Sylvie’s), that Loki can articulate his answer. 

Loki’s othering, even before the discovery of his true identity as a Jotun (an allegory for a villainized foreign race), creates a lonely environment in which Loki’s potential for goodness is quashed by centuries of resentment, bitterness, and jealousy. His attempts at masculinity take the form of violence, all of which are, as Loki admits in S1E1, “part of the illusion; the cruel elaborate trick conjured by the weak to inspire fear.”  

Loneliness and the desire for love and acceptance are a universal human experience, but they are felt far more acutely within our intersectional queer communities. 

MOBIUS 

His fascination with Loki is compelling because there are many things we can infer about its reasons. The first, most obvious explanation is Mobius’s “soft spot for broken things”, which is in some ways tied to his qualities as a compassionate, forgiving, and supportive father. A secondary explanation is a wish for partnership. We know from S1 that Mobius’s friendship with Ravonna spanned eons. We later learn in S2E6 that he and Ravonna started out as peers, hunters. They were partners on the field, but where Mobius “failed” because of his humanity, Ravonna “advanced” because of her ruthlessness. This change in relational dynamics left him partner-less. Finally, a third, less obvious reason is Mobius’s desire to express himself in ways Loki does so effortlessly. That desire may come from the suppression and repression of his own softspoken queerness in order to survive the fascist culture of the TVA. 

Mobius is captivating for many reasons. Whereas Loki is a textbook example of culture viewing “queerness as evil”, “queerness as flamboyance”, “queerness as stylishness”, “queerness as loudness”, “queerness as sexual promiscuity and deviance”, “queerness as chaos”, Mobius very much aligns with the image of a straight-passing, repressed queer individual. This is an identity that does not get as much attention or presence in artistic media as it deserves, for there are many who need this representation to reflect them. He is not stereotypically queer by any means: he is not colorful. He is not stylish, flamboyant, or loud. His sex appeal primarily derives from the viewers’ attraction to his personality, though it certainly helps that Owen Wilson is quite handsome.  

Combine these three reasons, and it becomes easy to see how a character (or person!) like Mobius might fall in love with a character (or person!) like Loki.  

There is a certain amount of beautiful irony in how Loki and Mobius affect one another and consequently their identities. Mobius, feeling compassion toward an individual who has been brutally othered and oppressed, seeks to free Loki from the confines of his narrative, as determined by the “Time Keepers”.  The only feasible way to do this is to bring a variant of Loki out of the timeline and into the TVA. Mobius then provides Loki with the opportunity to change by: acknowledging Loki’s strengths, giving Loki the chance to use his strengths in productive ways, praising Loki when he does well, listening to Loki, believing in Loki, calling out Loki, and accepting Loki as he is, with all his history, without judgement. Mobius does not try to force change like Thor or Odin. Rather, he creates an environment in which change could happen naturally. This kindness and, indeed, what becomes unconditional love by the end of S1E4, allows Loki to embrace his authentic queerness with self-love and use his feminine powers for altruism rather than masking them with self-hatred and masculine rage. 

FREEING LOKI 

In S1E1, Mobius is enthralled with Loki’s hijinks as the handsome, charming, devil-may-care, D.B. Cooper. This minor escapade in Loki’s life, which was likely only intended for laughs by the writer, reveals something interesting about Mobius: Loki’s mischievousness, his magic, his cunning, are all quite endearing to him when no real harm is being inflicted. That is, Loki, when not under duress, is someone to be admired when he’s being himself. We admire in people what we wish we had in ourselves, and this, at times, may lead to powerful attraction. 

Loki, for his part, does much the same for Mobius. The environment (the TVA) which allowed Loki to thrive is also the same environment that has abused and constrained Mobius. 

The heat that Ravonna presses upon Mobius, however, changes his tone with Loki himself. When Loki asks Mobius why he “[sticks] his neck out for [him]”, Mobius provides Loki with two options to choose from: “A. He sees a scared little boy shivering in the cold, or B. He will say whatever he needs to say to get the job done”. Option A, while insulting, has compassion layered beneath the barb. Loki, an expert at cloaking truth with meanness, sees through this and indirectly chooses what he believes to be true in the cafeteria scene: that Mobius feels sympathy for Loki’s painful childhood. The subtext of this acknowledgement is that the true means to the end is reversed: Mobius doesn’t need Loki to catch the Variant on the timelines. Mobius needs the Variant to free Loki from the timelines. The Variant is an excuse and another agent of poetic irony: when Sylvie unleashes the multiverse, she literally frees Loki of his predetermined narrative. 

The conceit of S1E1 is that Mobius intends to use Loki for the “good” of the Sacred Timeline. It is important to remember that characters, while not real, are meant to mirror human complexity. Multiple, seemingly conflicting things may be true concurrently. In S1E2, we see in Mobius’s conversations with Ravonna that he deeply believes in Loki’a capacity to be a wonderful person and wants him to have the opportunity to change. His enthusiasm for these things outshines his desire to catch Sylvie.  

And, because the Variant is Loki, because Sylvie is Loki, because, as she says, “[they] are the same”, Mobius’s own freeing of Loki, his unconditional love for him, cascades from Loki to Sylvie. Sylvie would not be free to live as she pleases if not for Mobius’s compassion for Loki in the first place. 

In S1E4, Loki reveals the TVA’s sham. Mobius’s sense of self becomes fragile alongside his sense of partnership with Loki. But because of our sociopolitical culture’s influence on capitalism, the creative voices of the Loki series self-censures what could be (what is) a queer romance. This self-censureship makes itself known in Mobius’s own self-censureship. His jealousy and heartbreak cannot be spoken directly. It must be spoken through the words of a woman, someone who presents as the opposite sex. Through a looping memory of a scornful Sif telling Loki, “You are alone and always will be”, Mobius makes known the nature of his feelings for him.  

BUT WHO WILL FREE MOBIUS? 

In the same cafeteria scene in S1E2, Loki asks Mobius if he’s ever ridden a jet ski. Mobius’s response is demure, saying him riding one would “cause a branch for sure”. The jet ski gives the audience another clue as to what Mobius seeks in life: something fun, thrilling, and reckless. Yet Mobius sets aside his desires for what he believes is for the good of the TVA, and thus humanity. This suppression and repression of authentic selfhood mirrors the queer experience of living within a heteronormative culture, especially one with religious doctrines that equate pleasure with sinfulness.  

Because Mobius extended his heart, his partnership, his love (symbolized by twin daggers hidden in his locker [a closet]; notably a male phallic symbol of which there are a pair [partners]) and was soundly rejected, Mobius retaliates with the loneliness he himself feels. This loneliness may be interpreted as an allegory for the loneliness of being closeted as opposed to the loneliness of being out but othered. 

Ultimately, Mobius’s love for Loki shifts from selfish desire to unconditional love when he chooses to help Loki save Sylvie. In S1E5, it is conspicuous that after delivering Sylvie safely to Loki’s side, Mobius’s partings words are, “Guess you got away again”, to which Loki replies, “I always do”, which echos the lover’s trope of “the one that got away”. 

[It drives me absolutely bananas that I can't find the specific gif I need when I literally saw it multiple times earlier this week but didn't need it THEN]

Owen’s acting choice is interesting here. He laughs, smiles, then looks down before looking up again, his eyes shifting from fondness to what feels like longing. Mobius extends his hand, a sensible choice for someone who believes his love is unrequited and is unsure of how Loki defines their relationship. Loki, appreciating what Mobius has done for him, closes the distance with an embrace and thanks Mobius for his friendship. 

In S2E1, upon Loki’s time-slipping into the war room, whatever apprehensions Mobius had about physical contact was wiped away by the collapse of the TVA and the memory of Loki’s hug. In this scene, it becomes clear to Mobius that Loki is panicking. He makes the executive decision to use his physical contact as a grounding force, relocates Loki to a quiet environment, asks after Sylvie with no bitterness in his voice, then prioritizes Loki’s physical well-being. Perhaps, in Mobius’s view, his love is unrequited, but there is nothing in place to stop him from expressing that love more freely while honoring Loki’s feelings for Sylvie. This regard, which may be construed as platonic, may also be viewed romantic, courtly love. 

The fight between Loki and Sylvie in S1E6 sets the stage for Mobius to receive Loki and become a refuge for heartbreak.  

S2E2 and S2E3 has Loki’s and Mobius’s temperaments when it comes to investigating flipped. In S1, Mobius was focused on the mission and often had to reign in Loki. In S2, Mobius is more casual, more willing to take his time and enjoy the sleuthing as it unfolds, while Loki administers pressure to stay focused. The question is why? 

In S2E2, Brad attacks Mobius’s sense of self. He points out how weird it is that Mobius is not at all curious about looking at his timeline and stresses that the TVA, and everything in it, isn’t real. Brad calls into question Mobius’s reason for staying. Knowing that the answer is Loki, we can surmise through the queer lens that Brad also corners Mobius into potentially outing himself in front of the object of his affections, someone he believes does not return his feelings, and whose knowledge of those feelings may threaten their friendship. This is a traumatic experience for queer people in the real world, and this extra layer of emotional conflict adds depth to Mobius’s violent response.  

Mobius influenced Loki in a myriad of ways. One that has not been discussed yet is an appreciation for focus and order. Loki, in turn, has cracked the door open for Mobius to explore pleasure. We can speculate that, in his own way, Mobius is testing what happiness could look like living a life between the TVA and the timelines. For him, this means cocktails at the theater, cracker jacks, and exploring the World’s Fair, all of which are pleasurable on their own but are even more so with Loki’s company. His queerness, once again, is quiet, mundane, but playful in its own right, and finally brave enough to explore. These scenes suggest that Mobius is indeed happy at the TVA and, as we see in the finale, this happiness is solely rooted in his relationship with Loki and the emotional intimacy they share together. 

Loki expresses concern for Mobius, noting that he has “never seen him like that before.” Mobius, interestingly, deflects every concern by absurdly blaming Loki: “He got under your skin”, “I was following you!” The psychological undercurrent here is that Loki is the reason why Brad got under Mobius skin. Loki is the person that Mobius will follow.  

Loki takes Mobius’s distress in stride, responding in a way the Mobius normally would. However, Brad’s question piques his interest, and his own care for Mobius prompts him to gently challenge Mobius’s lack of interest in his own timeline. Mobius’s reason for avoidance is, “What if it’s something good?” 

In S2E5, it’s interesting that “good” in this narrative is defined as a heteronormative fantasy of a house, two kids, and (possibly) a puppy and a snake. The “good” in Mobius’s original timeline, however, is imperfect. There is a partner that is missing (partners being a recurring theme in the series, particularly in S2E3), pronounced gone not once but twice. The entire scene between Don and Loki has been discussed at length by many, so there’s no need to reiterate it here. However, let’s bring our attention to Mobius’s avoidance of this “good” because this avoidance resonates with another queer experience. 

The TVA, for Mobius, is the place where he studied, saved, and developed a close relationship with Loki. The fear of the “something good” is the fear of being confronted with something Mobius “should” want more than the TVA, and therefore “should” want more Loki. The fear is wanting something (or feeling pressured to want something) other than a queer relationship with no children. The question of “choice” is impacted by what is considered the “norm”. 

S2E5 very pointedly focuses on the concern of choice, especially Mobius’s choice, in the bar scene between Loki and Sylvie. “Mobius should get a choice now, no?” At this point, Loki’s regard for Mobius has finally caught up with the romantic nature of Mobius’s feelings for him. And Loki, living his own queer experience, is also afraid of his true desires like Mobius. In being part of the intersectional queer community, the psychological need to guard against disappointment is high and commonplace. Desires are easily disappointed by the expectations of oppressive social mores. This survival tactic manifests itself with our hope and heartbreak with mainstream media, Loki the series being among them. 

But Sylvie, the harbinger of true and absolute freedom, takes on the role of supportive ex and challenges Loki to answer Mobius’s question in S1E1: “What do you want?”  

In this, Mobius and Loki’s individual relationships with the TVA are identical. It was never about where (the TVA), when (time works differently at the TVA), or why (the timelines). It was about who. It was about each other. The TVA represents a liminal space which became home by virtue of the people who brought love into it. The TVA is code for Loki and Mobius when each speaks of it. 

Again, the artists behind the media must self-censure. In this, Loki also self-censures while giving the truth. “I don’t want to be alone. I want my friends back.” It cannot be denied that Mobius is Loki’s first truest and closest friend. “I don’t want to be alone. I want Mobius back.” Sylvie appreciates and validates this desire, but also points out that showing the TVA is something that cannot be unseen. The implication of this response suggests that Sylvie believes that Loki’s friends will feel compelled to join the TVA out of moral pressure. She reiterates the true lives that are being lived, and Loki, loving his friends, loving Mobius, elects to not take that away from them. “You are just fine without the TVA.” 

Yet, Loki must choose an act of profound selfless love to save everyone. In doing so, he saves and frees Mobius in the way Mobius saved and freed him. The tragedy and, once again, poetic irony is that they both would have chosen each other. In giving everyone freedom, the true freedom of Loki and Mobius is sacrificed. This double-standard reflects in our reality between those who identify as cis and heterosexual and those who do not. 

When Mobius looks at his timeline in S2E6, he does so for one reason: that timeline survived because of Loki’s sacrifice. He must honor that sacrifice and see what Loki protected. Mobius appreciates what he finds, but he doesn’t belong there. It is not what he ultimately longs for. And there must be worry, shame, in recognizing he would prefer to give up the house and two children if a life with Loki were a viable choice. 

We all experience loss in our lives. Loss without a goodbye is also commonplace but is another pain that is more acute within the intersectional queer community. I speak of missed opportunities for happiness due to external forces. I speak of loss of self. I speak of loss of friends and family and home. I speak of death, losing a loved one without a goodbye, because same-sex lovers are not considered next of kin, an impossibility without marriage. Marriage echoes back to Don, who has no spouse, and Mobius, who has no partner. 

[tremendouszinelovermug]

When it comes to some people headcanon about severus as a child or regarding children it becomes concerning...

Someone in the comments say: "severus Snape is obsessive creep, a racist incel who stalk her and hurt her sister"

Um...You do realize that you're speaking about a nine years old, right? You're accusing a nine years old, poor, abused child of those things, right?

Do you expect children to act "right" when someone belittle them or mock them? Of course they'll snap.

Petunia doesn't deserve to be belittled for who She's, and severus doesn't deserves to be mocked for his poverty, and what happens next is a reaction to the insult was nothing but an accidental magic.

Someone else would say: "if Harry was a girl, then severus would be obsessed with her"

For this idea to come into your mind and you treated it as a fact is in fact... sickening.

I used to see this headcanon treated as a fact in literally every YouTube video relating to HP and that made me avoid any video relating to severus, you know my favorite character...

I swear, people would write an amazing metas and make videos and once they get into severus, suddenly they loss their braincells.

I don’t say don’t headcanon these characters doing reprehensible things or consumed with bad thoughts, art is a way of healing.

I don't own your mind and you don't own mine, but learn to differeniate between what's in your head and what's outside of it.

You can hate a character as much as you want, but don't judge its fans over loving said character just because you have a sickening headcanon.

Someone else would say: "Snape was the worst fear of Neville"

And so was McGonagall to Hermione, you'll say that different: She's afraid of failure and she hold McGonagall in a high regard.

So the same doesn't go to severus? He's doesn't deserve respect? Or for Neville to treat him seriously?

I'll be honest, I'm so tired from hearing this, as if Neville supposed to be afraid of Bellatrix who, mind you, never met her before, even lupin explained the meaning of the boggart, it's what we think as our worst fear because it's recent.

Neville became a strong, brave man, who carve his way through the books, found the courage within himself, and killed the snake that killed his supposedly "worst fear" -heh, ironic-.

Severus Snape got nothing on Neville longbottom, especially if you'll use his fear as an excuse on hating severus instead of his treatment, because new flash, people aren't responsible about how we feel about them.

[violentdelightsandviolentends]

Hey love!<3

So I was wondering if you could write something with Will Miller? I’m currently in my Triple Frontier era and I would loveeee to read some fluffy Valentine’s Day blurb about him.

Thank you so much and have a great day<33

Real Love, Baby.

will miller x female reader

warnings - one curse word

valentines masterlist. inbox. masterlist.

You wake up to rocks being thrown at your window.

You’re half convinced you’re dreaming, so you turn back over in bed, willing yourself to fall back asleep. When the noise continues, you march over, throwing back the curtains with fury.

“Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?”

You open your window, chuckling as you shake your head.

“Aren’t I the one that’s supposed to say that? You know, because I’m up high?”

Will laughs, and the sound carries through the air like a feather in the breeze, right up to you.

“Shit. My bad!”

You sit down on the windowsill, looking down at the man whose hair is glinting golden in the light of the sunrise.

“What are you up to, Will?”

“I’m recreating our first Valentine’s Day, baby!”

You grin at him, shaking your head in disbelief.

“I can’t believe you remember.”

“Remember? Honey, it was one of the best days of my life.”

You smile softly, silently wondering how you got quite so lucky.

“Okay, come on. For real now. Let’s recreate it.”

“You sure you remember your lines, William?”

“You’ll correct me if I don’t,” he winks, taking a step back to get into position. “Okay, ready? Action!”

You transport yourself mentally back to that morning all those years ago. You were both seventeen, naive kids with big dreams and even bigger feelings for each other.

“What are you doing here, Will? It’s six thirty in the morning on a Sunday.”

“I just couldn’t wait. I had to tell you - it’s now or never.”

You smile, remembering him saying those exact words, before you realise that you’ve broken character. He gestures at you to carry on, fighting a grin off his face.

“Tell me what?” you continue, back on track.

“I love you. I’m in love with you. I have been since the fourth grade, when you leant me a pencil with a pink pom pom on the end. Maybe you don’t love me back, and that’s okay, but it is Valentine’s, so I just thought - what better day than today?”

You fight back tears suddenly, trying to process the fact that he remembers exactly what he said to you, even after so long. Inhaling deeply, you try to keep going.

“Did you have to tell me this so early? You couldn’t have waited until, like, nine or something?”

He laughs, full bodied and genuine, just like he did back then. He hasn’t changed a bit.

“I told you - I needed to tell you before I lost my courage.”

“I’m gonna go off script for a minute here, Will! This is the moment I climbed out of my window, but I’ll break my neck if I try that now. Give me one minute to come down. Hold on!”

You run down the stairs, still in your pyjamas, and out of the front door, where Will is waiting patiently for you.

“Hey Will?”

He looks at you expectantly, big blue eyes sparkling and warm.

“I love you too. I have since the fourth grade, when you bought a pencil with a blue pom pom on the end so we could be matching.”

He wraps his arms around your waist and dips you like you’re in a movie, before pressing his lips to yours. He tastes like peppermint, just like he did back then, and the kiss takes you right back to the first time.

He places you back on your feet as you wrap your arms around his neck, fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of his neck.

“Do you think they’d believe us?” you whisper. “If we told those seventeen year old kids that we’re married now?”

“Of course they would,” he replies, kissing you again. “I always knew I’d marry you. There was no question about it.”

You lean in and rest your forehead against his, the familiar warmth of his skin a welcome comfort.

“Thank God for your six thirty am courage, huh?”

Will laughs, deep and full of love.

“Valentine’s Day, baby. Some sort of magic in the air. Then, and now.”

You press a kiss to his rosy lips softly.

“Now, who’s gonna play the role of my mom coming outside and offering you pancakes and coffee?”

“What was it she said she saw us?”

You chuckle, shaking your head.

“Finally.”

“Finally.”

[moon-witchs-world]

Dress - Harry J. Potter

I don’t want you like a best friend. Only bought this dress so you could take it off.

Harry J. Potter x Fem!reader

~1,1K words Summary: After defeating Lord Voldemort Harry Potter wants nothing more than to be happy. To have an easy, simple life. Be boring for a while. Things have changed. The golden trio becomes a loved-up duo and leaves Harry spending more time by himself than he likes. Things with Ginny Weasley just didn’t work out, both of them have changed and they have gone their separate ways. He spends more and more time with you, his best friend and decides to ask you to be his plus one at Ron and Hermione’s wedding. 

Author’s note: this is pure, sickly sweet fluff inspired by the TS song Dress. Hope you enjoy, please leave me a comment or reblog, it makes my day! 

~~**~~

It would make me so happy to go to R&H’s  wedding together. Will you go with me?,’ Harry had written to you a few weeks earlier. You had written your reply with shaking hands.  I would love to, Harry. 

And so there you were on a sunny Spring day wearing a flowy, fairytale like dress that complemented all your curves, waiting for Harry Potter. 

Ron and Hermione were getting married today and you were beyond excited. You loved weddings. Adored them. There was something so magical and promising about two people dressed up to the nines, in front of all their loved ones, making vows that would last a lifetime. It was even more special when the people getting married were two of your best friends. 

You met Harry, Ron and Hermione when you were just eleven on your first day at Hogwarts. Being muggle born you didn’t know anyone who went to Hogwarts and you were so anxious. The trio was kind to you and accepted you into their little friend group. After the Wizarding War you remained closest to Harry. Ron and Hermione had finally confessed their love to each other and were making up for lost time by never leaving each other’s company or their home for that matter. 

During those post-war years you and Harry grew closer than ever and spent a lot of time together. He was the best friend anyone could ask for, but lately your feelings for him changed. You had fallen for the Chosen one. The man with the lightning shaped scar on his forehead and the fierce green eyes. The kind wizard who was seemingly unaware of the magnetic power he had on you. 

And then he asked you to go to the wedding together. Maybe he meant it just as friends, but you felt hopeful. Maybe today you were finally going to be brave enough to confess your feelings. 

You arrived before Harry did and had some time to take in the beautiful scenery. The wedding would take place outside, in the idyllic backyard of Bill and Fleur’s Shell Cottage. There were wildflowers everywhere and champagne flutes floated through the air. You grabbed one and took a sip. Maybe a bit of liquid courage was exactly what you needed. 

A faint pop behind you startled you and when you turned around you felt a mixture of comfort and anxiety when you saw Harry Potter had appeared behind you. 

‘Forgive me for being late. You look absolutely gorgeous,’ he said after pressing a kiss on your cheek. You hoped he didn’t notice you blushing just a little. When you replied, he was still staring at you.

‘No problem, I only just arrived. You look very handsome as well, Harry,’ you answered. His dark green dress robes made his eyes pop even more and his hair wasn't as messy as usual. You liked his messy, raven coloured hair that never seemed to want to behave in a certain way and you had to resist the urge to run your hands through his hair to mess it up a bit more. 

‘Please, everyone, take your seats. The ceremony is about to begin!’ Mrs. Weasley said rather agitated and you and Harry both went and took a seat at the front. 

The ceremony was intimate and beautiful. You were sure Ron had had a bit too much to drink before, he slurred his words a bit during his vows and his posture was a bit unsteady. Hermione looked radiant, even more beautiful than on a normal day. 

Maybe it was wishful thinking, but you thought you felt Harry’s eyes wander to you at least a couple of times during the ceremony. You were very aware of your upper legs touching ever so slightly and when you wiped away a few happy tears, he squeezed your hand softly. 

When Ron and Hermione were officially husband and wife and the newlyweds were sharing a passionate kiss, everyone got up and cheered. 

‘Let’s celebrate!’ Ron yelled enthusiastically. The chairs were magicked away which made space for a dancefloor. Harry took your hands and the both of you started to dance. You let him lead you over the dancefloor, never breaking eye contact for longer than a few seconds. After a while you two decided it was time to take a break and have a drink. Harry took two glasses of champagne from one of the floating trays and gave you one. You stood there in silence for a moment, looking at Ron and Hermione, locked into a tight embrace in the center of the dancefloor. 

‘You’re my best friend. I’m glad we’re here together,’ Harry suddenly said with a beaming smile. You had always been proud to call someone as kind and authentic as Harry Potter your best friend, but now the words hurt you. They felt empty. Not anything close to what you actually felt for him. 

‘I don’t want to be your best friend,’ you heard yourself say. His eyes widened in confusion and a few wrinkles appeared on his forehead as he frowned. 

‘Well, I mean, I like being your best friend. But I want to be more,’ you said so quietly it was no more than a whisper. Harry grabbed your hand and leaned in a bit. 

‘Well, to be honest, I didn’t ask you to come with me as a friend,’ he said with a slight flush on his cheeks. You looked at him in disbelief. Could it be? Could your feelings for Harry be mutual?

‘Is it weird to ask you to be my girlfriend at our best friends’ wedding?’ You giggled. 

‘I don’t know, maybe you should try it.’ 

Harry took a deep breath, straightened his back and took both your hands in his, in a way very similar to the way Ron and Hermione had stood before them not too long ago. 

‘My lovely best friend. Would you mind if I started to call you my girlfriend from now on?’ 

‘That would make me very happy,’ you answered. Harry looked relieved and then came a bit closer. His face was just inches away from you. 

‘I guess that since you’re my girlfriend now, I finally get to kiss you.’

‘I guess you’re right,’ you said with a smile on your face. He leaned in and pressed his lips on yours. Even though you had fantasized about this moment for so long, it was way better in reality. His lips were softer than you could have imagined and the touch of them woke a million butterflies that had been sleeping in your stomach.  

‘Okay, now let’s go and find a place where I can take off that dress. It’s absolutely gorgeous, but I think I like what’s underneath it even more,’ he said with a mischievous smile. 

[wundrousarts]

Do you think wundersmiths can talk with their past lifes like in avatar the last airbender?

Hmmm….. I think other people may have their own ideas and theories on this, but I am of the camp that the lines are not reincarnations, at least not in the traditional “past lives” / ATLA sense.

I don’t think there’s 9 souls getting reborn over and over. I think it’s just there’s 9 vessels that the Wunder / Wundersmithness gets transferred to. It’s unclear exactly how the lines are connected. We know from that Wundersmiths are referred to as like “First-Line Wundersmiths, Second-Line Wundersmiths, etc.” but I don’t think that being in any particular Line has any benefit, such as a tendency towards a particular Art.

Onstald’s book uses the following language:

Chronicling the misdeeds of the First-Line Wundersmith, Brilliance Amadeo, her predecessor the Wundersmith Deng Li, his predecessor the Wundersmith Christobel Fallon-Dunham, her predecessor the …

And Mog wonders at one point,

… which Wundersmith she might have replaced, and who among the original nine was her predecessor …

My understanding of Wundersmiths is that there are always 9 of them, which is why when one dies Wunsoc would immediately search for “the child who’d been born to take their place.” As in, there are always 9 Wundersmiths in the world no matter what.

As for the Lines and the chambers, Mog and Sofia have this exchange:

“Will I have a room named after me here someday, do you think?” Morrigan asked. “My understanding is that it happens when a Wundersmith turns one hundred years old. Or… erm, when they die. Whichever comes first,” explained Sofia.”

Mog asks that after reaching Odbuoy Jemmity’s chamber, who was killed at Courage Square, so based on this, it is a likely chance that at least his was created when he died. Your ask actually led me to investigate how old he was in the Nevermoor discord , but I don’t have the energy to transfer that all here right now, lol. But TL;DR: I do not think he was even near 100 years old. I think if we knew who’s chamber led into Odbuoy’s, we’d have a better idea of how the Lines are connected and what’s needed for a chamber to be made. I personally think they’re made by magic and not actually built, and the “cursed children” don’t have rooms despite dying because they are not part of Wunsoc.

I’ve also been thinking about the whole Wundrous Arts apprenticeship thing lately, and wondering how common or uncommon it was.

The language of the apprenticeship contract is: This is a Wundrous Arts apprenticeship agreement between the Wundersmith Ezra Squall and the Wundersmith Morrigan Crow. Arrangement to end either by mutual accord, or when the apprentice has mastered nine Wundrous Arts—including pilgrimage to the appropriate Divinities and acquisition of their respective seals.

Maybe the chambers indicate apprenticeship lineages? Sort of like Star Wars padawan lineages, lol… Like perhaps once they master all the Arts, they can have a chamber. Only thing that throws me off is I guess the ages of Wundersmiths and that if this was how it worked they could only have one apprentice. So I don't know. The wording of Squall's contract just makes me wonder if Wundrous Arts apprenticeships may have been done before.

Currently, I think I lean towards the other option for the Lines, but who knows. The wording of "predecessor" in relation to the concept of "replacing" is why I lean more towards it simply being who died and who "took the place." There is also the wording of "next generation," which could maybe go either way but I lean more towards the "replacing" by death/birth thing.

I think that knowing who is in the chamber before Odbuoy would help narrow down the possible ways the Lines and chambers form and connect. For example, it would be interesting to know if the chamber is someone who was alive during The Ghostly Hour from Age of Endings, Spring of Nine (where Odbuoy was seemingly alive but not present), or if it's someone who isn't present, and then may have been the previous Wundersmith that died and Odbuoy replaced.

But also this is just my current theory based on what little information we have to go off of! Regardless of how it all works, I hope that Mog or Squall are Ninth-Line Wundersmiths, lol. Also I am so sorry but I realized I actually just swerved to the side of your question to ramble instead 😅 If any of this doesn't make any sense I can always try my best to reword or elaborate!

[twistedstoryteller]

A Linked Universe Modern AU

I came up with an AU and I haven’t seen anyone else ran with this exact type of AU(yeah I seen modern aus of LU, just not the exact one I’m doing) I’m doing for the fandom yet so. For this I’ll do it myself, and call this AU

✨Magical Nine Courages✨

I know real original[/sar]. There’s the fact I made it kinda magical girl like too(mix of Precure and Sailor Moon plus some Tokyo Mew Mew, maybe super hero girls and power rangers/super sentai too?). So yeah. Now basic story or gist AHEM

The chain or the team of Links have technically long had their adventures and met each other, plus long ended the reincarnation cycle/curse thanks to their time traveling adventure they had together. However it has long faded into history all the way to modern day in the kingdom of Hyrule(aka everything we have now they have too, like phones, cars, and the most wonderful ✨internet✨[COUGH TUMBLR TOO COUGH] difference is that they technically still have ✨magic✨) and people are still trying to put together their history and better understand them(especially the most famous nine heroes depicted in them). Of course this peace couldn’t last forever, someone wants to bring back Ganon and wreck havoc once again. This of course is bad, very bad, as one certain high school gets attacked by some kind of overpowered monster(which first of all, monsters should be NO WHERE near the city or heck even in it. Second that monster shouldn’t be as OP as heck too). If only there are heroes that can stand up to such a threat, just like the legendary heroes of courage. Well, they are out there. They just need to be called on again ————————————————————————

Characters

Heroes

Villains

Others

Locations

Central Hyrule City

Central Castle High

Key Info

How do the powers work? What’s Hyrule Royal Family like in this exact AU?

Storyline

(Coming soon, please wait in the meantime 🙏)

Others

Headcanons for this AU

Incorrect Quotes for this AU

(The Links to the rest of these are coming soon, heck maybe I’ll add more later)

[shearlin]

Word count: 2977

An epilogue to 'A Piece of Heart'

First || << Previous

Every journey comes to an end. This one was no different. But there are still somethings to settle before the final farewells. Like items that were rented out that needed to be returned to their rightful owner. Like Legend was going to allow for them to give them back.

Hi :D I was fully expecting to post it in like few months. But as I was working on a different WIP I kept getting distracted writing this instead.

Enjoy :D

Nine portals of swirling white and gold framed in the arches of runes - glistering and icy blue - shone brightly in the middle of the meadow, as nine heroes of courage filled through the sparse trees.

They were allowed some time of reprieve after the final battle, some time to heal, to celebrate, to say their goodbyes.

Small mercies , Legend thought as the little whisper that guided them all here fizzled out to the soft rustling of the leaves. He took a deep breath to steady himself before turning to look around at his brothers, who were talking easily though the final final goodbyes.

This is it . The end of our journey.

He thought he would be angrier. Or more apathetic. That was usually how his journeys were ending so far. Either caught in the staticky fuzz filling his mind, while waiting restlessly for yet another unforeseen catastrophe to happen or in a simmering, directionless anger when faced with that particular kind of loneliness and longing that came with the goodbyes. 

Instead he found himself… calm? Tentatively content, even if a bit wistful. It was… bizarre. He scoffed at his own anxiety and rolled his shoulders, willing himself to relax. Seriously, if his mind could enjoy the ‘sweat’ part of the bittersweetness of this moment, it would be great.

They gathered in the space between the time gates and repeated for a hundredth time today the same plans for the future they shared a million times already in those last two weeks. Maybe no Link was good with goodbyes.

[...]

They stood in silence watching the portals radiating with power, all feeling a slight pull reaching deep into their souls. They would need to go soon.

Four broke the silence first stepping towards Legend and reaching into his bag. “Well, I think this officially counts as ‘the end of all of this’ so here.” He pulled out the Rod of Seasons and held it out for the veteran, “Once again, vet, thank you for everything. I dread to think how this journey would look without you.” And somehow Legend knew he meant so much more than just saving him from the worst of the portal sickness symptoms.

He looked at the item in smithy’s hands with furrowed brows feeling his hands itch. He needs it back. He promised Din he will keep it safe and away from any ill meaning person or being, while Farore re-establishes the Secrets keeping the Oracle Islands safe. He should bag it and as soon as he returns to his house, put it in a basement layered thick with protective and masking charms for however long he needs to, until Din sends for him.

He turned away looking deep into the swirling maw of the portal closest to him. Stretching his senses and focusing on the tiny tug on his very soul he had no doubt about it. They were divine in origin. Hylia Herself sends them their way to take them home safely. What were the odds She would put them in danger the first thing when they’re truly on their own for the first time in months?

… You know what? Never mind, better not answer that .

There was no way of knowing what exactly was upsetting Four magic this badly. Were his shattering scars sensitive to dark magic? Or it was the time-space shift itself, with its unnatural stretch and bend and crush and-

“Um, Vet?”

“Keep it.”

Read the rest on Ao3!

[obsessedtomone]

Unravel Yourself Before Me ⛓️ Chapter 13 - New Itinerary▸Shigaraki x femReader

Chapter Summary:

◤Nothing would make you happier than to wipe his smug ass grin off his fucking face, but alas.

For no other reason than to be a brat, you pick a seat that leaves exactly two spots empty between the two of you and slam your bag against the desk. It works and his arrogant face momentarily drops into one of annoyance, but to your dismay, he quickly recovers.

“Move your ass next to me or you’ll regret it.”

“Oh, yeah? Try me,” you say with a ragged voice and drop on your seat, completely done with the world. ◢ Setting: University AU - No quirks (unless degenerate personalities count) Tags: Slow burn, Eventual Smut, Very Unhealthy/Toxic Relationships, Humiliation, Mentally Ill Reader, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Enemies to ??? Warning: Dead Dove – Do Not Eat | Mind the tags TW: Implied Su/Self H, Dubcon, Past Child Abuse, Bullying, Reader has a super shitty past like actually, Shigaraki Tomura is his own warning.

AO3 Crosspost | Chain Divider by firefly-graphics

Chapters: One • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten(ko) • Eleven • Twelve • Thirteen • Fourteen Updates every Monday!

Chapter 13 - New Itinerary

Everything seems to bother you nowadays.

No matter how hard you try to take some of the heavy load off of your shoulders, things only seem to stack up for you.

They stack and stack, continuously falling on top of each other, until there’s a tower of them, reaching well into the sky, beyond anyone’s reach and thus rendering it impossible for you to manage.

Days were getting cold.

The air pollution was hurting your nose.

The traffic on the main street was loud and obnoxious.

Parents are screaming at their kids and blocking the sidewalk.

Your sneakers were squeaking against the wintry dry pavement.

Shigaraki was fucking holding you in a hostage relationship.

Assignments were piling up and you were falling behind.

The hangover was causing waves of nausea.

Your body was feeling heavy.

You’re used to it, knowing full well this won’t be the last time shit goes wrong in your life.

The remainder of last night was spent puking your guts into the toilet and crying until thin blood vessels formed on the surface of your sclera, creating webbings that were now burning your eyelids every single time they closed.

You’re used to it but fuck if you weren’t tired. Really tired.

Yet you keep walking ahead, surviving ten seconds at a time and letting the late morning air wash over you. So how long will you be able to keep this up? You blow your warm breath over your cold fingers, thinking about ordering a new pair of cheap winter gloves soon.

There are only a few weeks left until the holidays and—surprise, surprise—you really hated the holidays.

Taylor, whom you haven’t texted since you got home from the party, would eventually be gone to visit their family. You wished you had the courage to ask them to invite you too, but you don’t wanna be rejected—or labeled as that one clingy orphan friend.

You realize that once again, your life really fucking sucks.

In your front pocket, your phone vibrates, making a weird distinct noise.

It was the sound of Omen’s voiceline saying ‘Die.’, the one you set up somewhere between you warming up to Shigaraki trying to redeem himself, and the time he thought his confession would magically make you fall in his lap with hearts in your eyes or something.

You didn’t realize how fucking annoying it would sound when he’d actually text you. You didn’t realize it, because at the time you didn’t expect him to force you into another weird slave-owner relationship you’d rather die than be part of. What was that saying? Life's a bitch and then you die?

The deep dark rings around your eyes tell the world that you would love being literally anywhere else but on the way to class right now, especially after the party last night and the rough aftermath of feeling like your life is actively falling apart.

But you’ll recover, you always do.

You’ll recover and save whatever’s left of yourself over and over until you’ll fully break, the perfect little victim that you are.

Get Run Over By A Fucking Car Please — ur late where r u [Sent 9:26 AM]

Yeah, you really are half an hour late. Getting out of bed is kind of a bitch when you’d love nothing more than to shop for a gun and blow your—

Get Run Over By A Fucking Car Please — hello? [Sent Now]

Get Run Over By A Fucking Car Please — i know you can fucking read this and ur not that fucking stupid to ignore me barely a night after [Sent Now]

Get Run Over By A Fucking Car Please — if you dont reply in the next 10 seconds i swear to GOD [Sent Now]

Who would come to your funeral, you wondered. Taylor and friends? Maybe even your manager if you’re lucky?

You — leave me alone, I overslept. Im omw dick [Sent Now]

Get Run Over By A Fucking Car Please — bitch [Sent Now]

Get Run Over By A Fucking Car Please — hurry tf up before i get mad [Sent Now]

God was he disgusting and insecure.

You — wouldn’t miss spending time with you for the world <3333 [Sent Now]

Get Run Over By A Fucking Car Please — fucking gross just hurry [Sent Now]

You — asshole [Sent Now]

Get Run Over By A Fucking Car Please — whore [Sent Now]

“Tsk.” You roll your eyes and stomp the rest of your walk to the college of your nightmares.

Despite your best efforts, the trip doesn’t take you long and sadly, you do make it to your dreaded computer science class—if walking a little slower just to spite him.

From the back, Shigaraki turned his head to you, the moment you entered the lecture hall, watching the professor call you out in front of everyone for being late. You shrugged the nosy teacher off, because you’d be damned if you could find it in you to care about disrupting the class right now.

You know you probably should, your flimsy fucking scholarship depends on it, but maybe a life outside of college didn’t sound so bad anymore. You think you’d rather mop fucking piss-dirty bathroom floors of dingy corner bars for less than minimum wage, than spend another fucking second breathing the same air as this crazy cancer-inducing shit-stain of a human being.

Nothing would make you happier than to wipe his smug ass grin off his fucking face, but alas.

For no other reason than to be a brat, you pick a seat that leaves exactly two spots empty between the two of you and slam your bag against the desk. It works and his arrogant face momentarily drops into one of annoyance, but to your dismay, he quickly recovers.

“Move your ass next to me or you’ll regret it.”

“Oh, yeah? Try me,” you say with a ragged voice and drop on your seat, completely done with the world. You throw your head back, eyes screwed shut and not feeling like pulling up your laptop to work on your assignments right now. You open them again to watch the back of the room upside down, when the asshole spoke again, his grit-laden voice having the tone of a radio broadcaster.

“Did you know! Word on the street is that your friend’s mom is paying for their whole ass tuition! Isn’t that fucking neat? How sweet.” He grabs the back of the empty chair next to him and pre-emptively pulls it backwards for you, the way a dollar store gentleman would.

You scrunch your nose, wincing at his words.

Of course he’d stoop so low. Didn’t he say so? He’ll pull just about anything to get you to listen.

“Now, I also heard, coincidentally, that their mom is quite the conservative businesswoman. So let’s assume a pretty printed picture from their private social media gets unexpectedly…leaked. Mailed perhaps to their little bigoted parents’ doorstep, postage stamp and all. What do you think will happen when their mom finds out that—” Shigaraki doesn’t get to finish his cheap threat before you stand up, kick your chair angrily and drop on the one next to him.

God you’d want nothing more but to fucking strangle him to death.

He flashed you a crooked smile. “There we go, wasn’t that fucking hard now, was it?”

Fuck, maybe you should strangle him.

You roll your eyes, take your laptop out and do what you do best, opting to ignore him completely and distract yourself with the piling assignments that you have to plow through even when you wanna die.

It doesn’t really work, because he places a hand on the edge of your seat and it startles you, causing you to glance at him with visible disgust. Shigaraki notices it and takes that as an invitation to reach his fingertips over your thigh, digits splaying apart as he slowly slid his hand up your thigh. A shiver runs through your spine and you immediately tense up.

“Don’t.” You glare at him sharply, slapping his hand away.

He clicks his tongue disapprovingly—like you’re the one annoying him—and fucking does it again, gripping your thigh so hard this time, the blunt fingernails pressing into the fabric of your pants will definitely be leaving purple bruised half-moons.

“It really fucking hurts, stop that,” you growl at him quietly, your jaw clenching and foot pressing hard against the surface of the floor to keep you grounded.

“No, you don’t like me being nice, so I won’t be.”

“Nice?! You’re fucking insufferable!” you spat at him in an angry whisper. “Was last night not enough for you, sick fuck?” Shigaraki squeezes your thigh once, eyes narrowing and grin widening in response. “I already am fucking black and blue all over from—”

You try closing your mouth quickly, catching yourself but he smiles knowingly, the scar on his mouth stretching.

“Yeah? Let me see what I’ve done, I’ll be more mindful,” he lies, softening his grip, thumb brushing your leg in small soothing circles, knowing he wants nothing more but to paint your skin with reminders of him, wherever he touches you. “On that note, maybe you should start wearing skirts again.”

“What? I never wear skirts, you delusional creep.”

“You did for that scumbag.” Shigaraki casually drops yet another piece of information there’s no way in hell he could’ve had access to. He then shrugs, toying with the fabric of your pants between his thumb and his pointer finger. “It worked though, you looked hot.”

“The fuck? How would you know that?!” you shout at him pretty loudly, earning you a few glares from the row in front of you.

He couldn’t fucking know that, because you stopped wearing them long before you met your ex.

“Maybe I guessed. Or maybe I’ll tell you if you stop being a bitch one day,” an unexpected giggle claws itself out of his throat.

So never, you figured, clicking your tongue and rolling your eyes, quickly losing your interest as you look back at your screen. His hand resumed sliding up your thigh.

“Fucking stop that or I’ll seriously fucking scream,” you threaten, but he’s calling your bluff and takes it as a challenge. Your mouth opens, his smug expression egging you on to go ahead and do it, but you close it again, feeling dumb, feeling defeated.

The anger and shame made your cheeks burn, as students occasionally looked back at the two of you, whispering and making faces, utterly ignoring how uncomfortable you felt.

He’d tell them to fuck off, but sitting back and drinking in your frustration and helplessness outweighed the need to monopolize your attention right now. He’d have time for that later.

You think by the amount of times you’ve acted like hallway band kids together, half the fucking college assumes you have an exhibitionism kink. You don’t—at least not like this, but your train of thought is interrupted by his free hand appearing in your field of view, two fingers casually tapping at the side of your laptop, signaling you to get your work done.

Like you could fucking focus with him brazenly sexually harassing you in broad daylight.

Nonetheless, you roll your shoulders and once again take your chances, swatting his hand off of you and scooting away from him.

He narrows his eyes, demeanor now turning cold.

“If you don’t cut that shit out, I’ll take these off of you and force you to walk half-naked ‘round campus mid fucking december,” he spoke in a low monotone voice, signaling he’s reached the ends of his patience with you, then pulls your chair closer to him than it was before.

“Maybe you’re into that, freak.” He snarled, wrinkling his nose. “I’d suggest you go on and finish your fucking assignment, miss honor student.” Shigaraki leans in, nuzzling into your ear and making you physically cringe.

You have no choice but to let him.

And once you give up, once your shoulders slump and you’re halfway through biting the first layer of skin off of your lips, Shigaraki smiles triumphantly, burying his nose into the junction of your sensitive neck and deeply breathing your scent in.

You watch the students stare, look away and feel yourself burning up with shame.

“Fucking asshole,” you cuss to yourself softly.

Shigaraki snorts. ─────────

Perhaps the most surprising part was that Shigaraki did not end up going too far the days after the awful night at the party, not really.

He does keep feeling you up whenever he has the chance to, but never pushes it beyond critical. Enough to piss you off, to let your college know you’re his plaything now, but not enough for you to actually freak out—well, freak out more than you already do.

He’d ghost his pale slender fingers everywhere on your frame and you noticed his hands twitching every time they passed by your curves, leaving them completely unexplored.

He’d inch closer to your neck sometimes, hooking a finger around your winter scarf and pulling it down to examine—admire—the fading bruises that he’d left that night.

He’d sniff your hair like a degenerate whenever he was in a particularly bad mood or someone pissed him off, then he’d tell you to keep buying that brand of shampoo, that he’d even fund it for you if you ever ran out of money.

Like you’d ever go seek him for financial troubles.

You couldn’t help but wonder what stopped him from taking you somewhere dark and secluded, to bend you over and fuck his sick fantasies into you, but you wouldn’t dare to ask—lest you give him ideas or imply you’re thinking about anything of the sort.

So you deal with his weird fucking obsession of being as close to you as humanly possible, not leaving inches apart when he’s anywhere around you throughout the day.

You’ve become his human stress-relief toy, you realize. A fucking Shigaraki branded fidget spinner.

Taylor would laugh at that joke, but you still haven’t opened any of their messages or seen them on campus lately.

Shigaraki makes you—no, forces you to take the same fucking breaks as him, eating together at the cafeteria whenever he fucking feels like it, making you miss most of your own lecture blocks because they didn’t match his. Something for which you’d have to draw a harsh line very soon.

Blackmail or not, you doubt he’d want you to fail and drop-out, as depraved and unhinged as you thought him to be. But then again, you were wrong about many things in the past.

There are eyes on you wherever you go, you suppose being the campus’ villain’s toy would do that to a person. He now lets them linger for only half the time, though, easily losing his temper (what temper?) glaring back at them and scaring them off whenever he’s had enough, after which he proceeds to tell you “Don’t worry, you’re mine” as if that was somehow reassuring to you.

You finished your classes for the day, but he eventually gets the bright idea to make you attend his own as well, his professors either not giving a fuck or too scared of his family crest to mention a literal stranger sitting in their smaller group lectures.

Coincidentally, you’d also found out what he was majoring in—a very pretentious masters in Data Science. Not that you cared, but you did notice his schedule was packed. You had half a mind to ask him why he had double the amount of your classes, but you bit back. You weren’t that curious.

A (barely) positive side to this whole arrangement was that being in class from morning until late afternoon somehow gave you a buff on your ability to study, the same way studying in a library would. You were less likely to procrastinate on your assignments as you often did at home, and actually ended up getting a lot of work done, whenever Shigaraki was too busy with his own material to make your life a living hell.

His hand would still be placed somewhere on your body, whenever he didn’t need to actively write or research, as if he would crumble into dust if he didn’t feel the blood pumping from under your skin.

Thankfully, his last break of the day finally rolls around and the two of you sit together in one of the wing’s common rooms.

He hasn’t laid a finger on you while you were typing away at your laptop, choosing to play some game on his handheld instead. You’re not only thankful for that, but also wonder if he’ll maybe get tired of you quicker than you thought he would.

And if he does, what then?

Would he just leave you be?

You pressed your lips in a tight line.

“What.” He raised a brow, his signature rasp making you realize you’ve stopped typing away at your projects for a while now and ended up watching the way his fingers clicked on every button with the precision of a professional gamer.

You wince, snapping your head back to your own screen.

“Nothing,” you mumble, “Just surprised you stopped acting like a damn monkey for a second.”

His eyes widened and he grinned, hooking one elbow around your neck and pulling you in close enough for you to smell a hint of his expensive cedarwood cologne. “Just tell me you miss me next time, instead of being a bitch,” Shigaraki coos, ruffling your hair up and making you scoff.

“I think I’d rather offer my ex to blow him for a pack of weed again.” You roll your eyes.

It’s been a while but you finally said the wrong thing again, so he gives you an unimpressed look, shoves you away from him and goes back to playing on his handheld, unpausing his game and now mashing the buttons.

“You’re so fucking stupid sometimes, I swear,” he scoffs. “Piss me off again and maybe I’ll make you crawl around and bark like a dog in front of everyone. I’m nice because I choose to,” Shigaraki says quietly and you make a disapproving noise, feeling a weird twinge of hurt for—disappointing him…?

What the fuck?

He curses under his breath. ”Never say shit like that again. You belong to me now, fucking get used to it.”

You considered disobeying him again, hurting him further, making him angrier, but all you could do was shrink in your seat and turn away from him defensively.

The rest of the days were more of the same, you following him around, letting him do whatever he wanted to. Whenever you zoned out or pushed his buttons too hard, he’d either get pissy and threaten you with some detrimental piece of information he shouldn’t have access to, or dare to sneakily slide his hand over the curve of your ass and squeeze it to get your attention.

And boy did that get your attention.

─────────

Friday finally comes around—thank the fucking lord—meaning you won’t have to see him for another two and a half days.

You think you’ve spent enough time together to last you three fucking lifetimes—so much so that you started enjoying working your part-time job in comparison. At least that fucking paid.

Your dreams of easing in into a quiet weekend are cut short when Shigaraki opens his mouth on your way out of the building and fucking goes “Are you free this afternoon?”

You stop dead in your tracks and turn around to face him.

He just stood there, hands in the pocket of his black overworn jacket, tousled white hair and with the strap of his old college bag threatening to snap and fall off his shoulder any day now.

Shigaraki stares back at you with an unreadable expression, one hand reaching to scratch at his neck— something he hasn’t done in a while now.

By the way, since when is he asking you for permission to waste your fucking time?

“No. I’m busy,” you deadpan, turning around and avoiding his eyes.

“No you’re not. You don’t work today.”

“Yes, I am, I have plans. Why the fuck do you care?”

“Change your plans then,” he grunts and you want to pull the hairs out of your head.

“No.”

He gives you an exasperated sigh, walking up to you with a clenched jaw, forcefully wrapping his hand against the back of your neck and pushing you to walk with him. You cross your arms and let him walk you like a fucking dog.

“Why ask anyway if you’re not going to fucking listen?” you question, feeling deeply frustrated. He considers ignoring you, giving you side-eye from behind his messy bangs, but mumbles a quiet reply anyway.

“To be considerate.”

“Ha! You? Considerate?”

Shigaraki tightened his grip and shoved you forward, making you stumble and almost eat shit on the floor. You luckily catch yourself.

“Yeah, you’re right, what was I thinking?” He rolls his eyes and walks away, leaving you behind. “Follow me. My car is off campus.”

“Your car?”

His car.

You struggled to keep up with his stupidly fast pace, but you managed to get there—if a little out of breath.

“Get in.” He opens the door to the driver's side of the car and slams it closed.

What did you expect? Of course he owns a red fucking sports car.

The passenger door opens for you and you suddenly feel very uncomfortable being in the presence of such a luxurious fucking object.

You simply stare at him and nervously fidget with the hem of your shirt.

“What the fuck are you doing? Get in, it’s cold.” He drummed his fingers against the wheel.

Seeing you being uncomfortable makes him snort, but he doesn't say anything otherwise.

You reluctantly take the bag off your shoulder, get inside and place it on your lap. Then you look at the raised door like you’re trying to figure out rocket science.

“H-How do you close it?”

“With your hands, moron. You pull on the handle like any other normal car, now hurry.”

You make a face, leaning in to grab the handle with your sweaty fingers and pulling it down. It really doesn’t take a lot of force and the door slides down in a smooth motion, closing easily with a satisfying thud.

Relief washes over you, glad that he didn’t trick you into slamming or damaging anything, because if you did ruin his car, you could only imagine the amount of debt you’d have to spend your entire life paying back. Or have another fucking thing he could hold over your head.

He’s patient, letting you settle in and observing you getting flustered over his car of all things. His dry lips slightly twitch upwards.

“A-A McLaren, really?” your voice wavers when you don’t want it to, mentally cursing yourself for sounding like such a pussy.

“Yeah, it’s my errands car.” Shigaraki seems like he’s pondering something, but reconsiders it and holds back.

“This is your errand car?! A goddamn sports car?!” you gasp and it makes him fucking chuckle. You’re visibly taken aback by the easy-going reaction, but luckily he chalks it up as further astonishment. “It’s a supercar, not a sports car, idiot. Maybe I’ll show you the others someday soon.”

“Others?!” Your nose crinkles and makes him snort. Then he presses one fucking button on the dashboard between the two of you and starts his car ‘supercar’ up, engine purring like a metallic kitten.

Fucking rich people.

Frankly speaking, you semi-anticipated for him to pull up to his scary criminal friends, a hotel or worse—his own house. But instead, he parked in the underground garage of your city’s largest mall and opened the door for you.

He opened the fucking door for you.

You watched him skeptically as he reached out a hand for you to grab, as if you were Cinderella and he was going to help you out of the half a million dollar carriage.

You smacked it away, making him roll his eyes while mumbling an ‘always so fucking difficult’, and you get out of the car on your own.

Unlike his usual behavior at college, Shigaraki is considerably tame in the unknown public. Maybe even a bit more fidgety than usual. He doesn’t grab or grope you, the only contact is the brush of his arm against your own while you walk side-by-side, and the occasional nudge to steer you in whichever direction he wants you to go.

While he’s distracted, you secretly observe his side profile, glancing at the mole on his mouth, his dark circles and his cracked skin, noticing how the scar on his eye matches that on his lips.

It feels like the moment you ran your fingers through his fluffy-looking white hair, back when he came back from the convenience store for you was now ages ago. It feels like ages ago, but the memory—the sensation itself—is burned deeply in the ridges of your fingertips. Buried deeply together with your strands of DNA, together with the rest of you.

You frown, turning your head away.

If only he’d been nicer. If only he wasn’t a crazy lunatic. If only—

Then what?

You let out a deep exhale, a shudder running through your body.

“Quit whining, we just got here,” he grunts, taking your sigh as a form of protest against him dragging you around instead of letting you go home. You’re thankful for that.

“Shut the fuck up.” You aim to kick him in the shin but he dodges, softly shoving you to the side and you could swear you saw the ghost of a smile on his face.

Oh, the things he made you do.

First, he fucking managed to pull you into the biggest arcade in the city, cashing in gross amounts of money on his play-card for the two of you to literally waste.

The machines you played at were mostly competitive co-ops, where you had around a 20/80 odds of winning against Shigaraki, despite your hardest efforts and despite the fact that you already had played a lot of them before.

For a rich basement-dwelling redditor, he was pretty good.

Significantly better than you, even, never failing to shove it in your fucking face every time he’d won and clicking his tongue disapprovingly whenever you reminded him that it was your first time playing or that you’d also destroyed him at some of the ones you’d picked (even if it was really close).

Tomura ended up letting you have your petty cake, opting to not reveal the fact that it’d also been his first time playing the games you won at and keeping to himself. After all, wouldn’t it be more fun when you realized you were no match for him yourself later on?

‘Next time’ , ‘Later on’. He caught himself feeling giddy at the prospect.

It was fun to watch you act so animatedly, to see a different side of you, one he never gets to see at school. You’re bouncy, talkative. A massive fucking nerd. You probably haven’t ever spoken to him as much as you’d attempted explaining the lore of some random game from the 90’s. You get so obsessed with trying to beat him at every single game, asking for a rematch a boring amount of times, brows scrunched and hyper-focused. He decides he really likes it.

And you’re a pretty decent player. So decent, in fact, that he’s never been able to really take it easy with you, lest he’d give you more opportunities to be petty and inflate your gamer ego.

Winning less than half the time probably annoyed you, but he knew right from the start. None of his friends were as good as you were, which was and was not surprising at the same time.

He’d never expected to be close to any female gamer though, especially not with the amount of prejudice he held against them, and him being as toxic as an entire Call of Duty lobby. If he was being truly honest—something that rarely happened—he’s never really had IRL gamer friends besides Spinner at all.

Spinner.

His mood soured in record time and he briskly pulled you away from the crane game before you could finish another unsuccessful run.

“Hey! I almost had that!” You pout, but he was dragging you out already.

“Don’t care. Come.”

“Ugh! You impatient asshole!” You smacked his shoulder with your free hand.

“Yeah, yeah, can it.”

After the arcade, the two of you went to several game stores, looking at games and merch you’d never actually buy.

What was really surprising to you, was hearing him ask for your opinion on not one, but several games you told him you’d played before. He’d even offered to buy you the ones you had in your backlog and had planned to get eventually, asking—insisting—to get your steam ID after you gave him the standard ‘I don’t collect physical ones’ answer.

When you figured that he wouldn’t drop it, you started getting annoyed.

“Tch, like I’d wanna owe you shit now, too,” you spat, beginning to ruin his mood as you usually did.

“Dun’ matter, I’ll do what I want, idiot. Live with it.”

“Then go ahead and buy it for me, if you wanna see me speedrun throwing it in the closest trash can,” you provoke, eyebrow twitching and a smug grin on your face.

He runs his free hand through his hair irritatedly and proceeds to chuck the expensive deluxe case at you, hitting you square in the shoulder.

“Hey! That fucking hurt you asshole!” you shout at his back, but he only flips you off and goes ahead to exit the store without you.

The remainder of your time together is spent eating at his favorite food place, where you find yourself yawning and getting bored after what was your tenth extremely weird gaming argument with him—over whether or not they should nerf Solid Snake’s ass because it’s distracting the player too hard when he’s crawling.

No, in your opinion they fucking shouldn’t because who the fuck cares, but he wouldn’t have it and you’re now like, ninety-eight percent convinced that he’s the owner of half of reddit’s weird fucking gaming-related posts.

And thus—you realize you’d rather vomit your whole meal than admit it out loud, but if you literally strip away your entire history with him and only boil it down to the two measly days you two got along in the past few months, going out today with him was actually really…not that bad.

You just hope he doesn’t end up somehow skewing this day to be some weird type of date in his twisted little mind, but soon enough you’d have other things to worry about, because as if on cue, Shigaraki opens his fucking mouth and proceeds to ruin your entire day. “Grab your shit, we’re going back to my place now.”

[writing-by-mimi]

Welcome to Mimi's masterlist.

Like what I do? Support me on Patreon!

Under the Royal Eyes

Barbatos x GN!MC x Diavolo

Even something as pure as love may become twisted.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

(Status: Completed)

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Possession

Diavolo x GN!MC

Possession; noun; the state of having, owning, or contolling something. That something just so happens to be you.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

(Status: Completed)

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Season

Lucifer x GN!MC

Alpha Lucifer makes a thrilling discovery.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

(Status: Completed)

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Value

Belphegor x GN!MC

What is your most valued item worth?

1 2 3 4 5 6

(Status: In Progress)

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The Weight of Your Words

Mammon x GN!MC

The old saying, 'words hold weight', has never been more true.

1

(Status: Completed?)

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Study Buddies

Satan x GN!MC

He was the Avatar of Wrath, destruction and rage his moniker, he wasn't suppose to love, or even recieve something as beautiful as it.

1

(Status: Completed)

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Dollhouse

Leviathan x GN!MC

The Avatar of Envy would do anything for you to be his dress up doll.

1

(Status: Complete)

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Misty

Features: GN!MC, Luke, Royals

...and just like that, all your worries were gone.

1

(Status: Complete)

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Only Ever Me

Diavolo x GN!MC

If the nobility think they have right, he will use might to show them otherwise.

1

(Status: Complete)

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Forever Ours

Diavolo x GN!MC x Lucifer

Desire may be ignored, but it never truly leaves.

1 2

(Status: In Progress)

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Green Eyed Monster

Diavolo x F!MC

Everyone had one. A green eyed monster deep inside known as jealousy. The Prince is no exception.

Featuring: Satan, (add others here dummy)

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Mc 'Unsheeps' Head Cannons

  In the Obey Me! Manga, Mc is a cute little sheep. (For real, if you haven't seen it, look at it. The team that put it together made Mc cute as fuck.) So what would our lovely, most eligible, Devildom men think when part of the magic oppressing Mc finally fades, but still leaves them far from normal? Humans don't have a cute little fluffy tail and a perfect set of fluffy ears...

Lucifer, Mammon, Leviathan

Asmodeus, Satan, Beelzelbub

Belphegor, Diavolo, Barbatos

BONUS: Diavolo (from my reject pile)

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BONUS: Diavolo Part 2 (requested by popular demand!)

Nine Demons and a Baby

Diavolo x F!MC

Demonus may just bring your dreams to life.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

(Status: In Progress)

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Attraction

1

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Say my name

1 2

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One sentence writing prompts

Diavolo / "Why are you naked?"

Lucifer / "Are...are those my underwear?"

Mammon / "I can explain..."

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Courage

1 2

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Nameless

Beel x F!MC x Belphagor

1

---------------------------------------------

Preoccupied

Satan x MC

1

---------------------------------------------

Impure Thoughts

Alpha!Beel x GN! OmegaMC

1

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Trade

Barbatos

1

---------------------------------------------

Ranchers/Farm Hands

Characters: Beelzelbub, Diavolo. (It turns into Beel x Mc x Dia midway through and I don’t apologize.

1

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Breeding/Knocked Up

Brothers+others

1

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The Best Intentions

Alpha!Beel x GN! Omega!MC

1

----------------------------------------

Paper Bonds

Diavolo x GN!MC

1 2 (Complete)

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Greed

Dominate!Mammon x Submissive!GN!MC

1

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Prize of War

King!Diavolo x Fem!Princess!MC

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

+ more I gotta find.

*slams head into concrete*

[in-the-undercroft]

Also as much as I LOVE Ominis and Sebastian-I love Poppy and I think she is so important. Natty too. I think they all play a part in making the MC.

Sebastian teaches them curses to protect them with goblins and dark wizards after them. He's the protection. Ominis is the balence, the yin to the yang. Keeps the MC from going too deep into darkness. Because he's seen the darkness, and his worried voice keeps them above the void, even if it can't save Sebastian until it's too late.

Poppy reminds them that there is still gentleness to be protectedness. Creatures that can't protect themselves. Kindness to be shown. There is still good, when it all gets too dark. And she sees the good in them.

And when it gets so much, Natty is always the bravery. The courage. Always ready to take on Hallow, to sneak out away from her mother's watchful eye. Idk. Natty's arc seemed rather flat compared to Sebastian and Poppy's. Like we meet her and she's already so brave and courageous and I love her but there's not much to say. Her quests kinda blurred. (I was distraught at the thing she took for me, you silly goose, I've already taken that).

It's why I think MC makes sense as Ravenclaw. They take so quickly to magic and ancient magic and their school work to take the OWLs within nine months. Curses, best knowledge, potions and plants, charms, all of it.

As someone who just got the relationship quest ending awards on Steam I'm so sad to say good-bye to the group, the Slytherin pair, the kind Hufflepuff girl, the brave Gryffindor, and well I'm not saying good bye to my Ravenclaw MC yet but I wanted to take them all to Hogsmede together. To have a butterbeer and just chatter.

I feel like Ominis would love hearing Poppy and MC discuss beast care and Natty and Sebastian would talk about dueling and other brave feats and it'd just be like home for the MC.

They can all be famous friends in my fics.

[niabridges]

I wanted to write a character profile for my MC, Ennea Bragge, and some cool moments with her new best friends. (I’ll probably have better screenshots coming)

Full name: Ennea Emiliana Bragge m. Ennea Sallow Name explained: The word "Ennea" is the Greek word for "nine". Nine represents the combination of three trinities (3x3). This symbolizes Ennea's internal struggle between light and darkness, her past self and her new identity, or conflicting loyalties.

DOB: February 1st, 1876 Nickname: E, Enny

Gender: Female (she/her)

Nationality: English

Blood Status: pureblood

House: Slytherin

Wand: Phoenix core, 10 ¾" Length, Willow, white or black (haven’t decided yet)

Patronus: Unicorn

Likes: Butterbeer, cats, owls, cheesy jokes

Dislikes: liars, stupid rules, getting up early, Ravenclaws (sometimes when they bully her) 

Magical pet: Siamese cat Loona

Owl: Boisie the eagle owl

Hobbies: Seeker on the Slytherin team, drawing, piano

Appearance

Hair: Hazelnut brown

Eyes: Azure blue

Height: 166cm

Physique: slim, too skinny, but she develops curves later on when she gets older

Other features: Tiny freckles on the nose, moles, blush

Parents: Unknown to her (grew up in a Muggle orphanage), Anton Bragge, Mona Bragge

Siblings: Ivanna Briarwood (Bragge), Ivory Bragge

Future

Career: Unspeakable at the British Ministry, briefly Arcane at MACUSA Arcane Department

Partner/Spouse: Sebastian Sallow Children: twins Silas and Slaine Sallow, Anya Sallow, Eloise Sallow

Primary background (will edit)

Background: Ennea Bragge comes from a long line of pureblood witches and wizards, but having grown up in a Muggle orphanage not much is known about her family. She transferred to Hogwarts in her 5th year, having previously been homeschooled (her magic more suppressed than encouraged) due to her unique magical abilities and the dangers they posed.

Personality:  Ennea possesses the shrewd mind and relentless ambition of a true Slytherin. Her intelligence is her weapon, resourcefulness her shield.  Though fiercely independent, she forges bonds of unwavering loyalty to those who earn her trust. A strong moral compass guides her, but it's tempered by a pragmatism honed by Slytherin House.  Though guarded, her deepest secrets-- her ancient magic, her hidden fears-- burn with an intensity that rivals any Gryffindor's courage.  Never underestimate what Ennea will do when she sets her sights on a goal.

Magical Abilities: Ennea possesses a unique form of magic that allows her to tap into ancient, nearly forgotten spells and incantations. She has a deep connection to the magical world and can sense magical auras and disturbances. Her ability to see and understand the hidden layers of magic makes her a formidable witch, but it also makes her a target for those who seek to exploit her power. In her 5th year she won a battle against a rebel Goblin Ranrok and saved Hogwarts in secret. She lost her mentor professor Fig in the battle. She contained all the repositories of ancient magic. Her famous reputation at school slowly started to grow.

Hobbies and Interests: Ennea is an avid reader and spends hours in the Hogwarts library, researching ancient texts and forgotten spells. She's also passionate about dueling and has honed her skills in Defense Against the Dark Arts. She loves to explore the outdoors around the castle.

Key Relationships:

Sebastian Sallow: Ennea shares a close bond with Sebastian, which has evolved from friendship to something deeper. She admires his courage and strength, and their shared adventures have created a strong connection between them.

Ominis Gaunt: Ominis is Ennea's loyal friend and confidante. She values his wisdom and unique perspective, and they share a deep mutual respect.

Challenges: Ennea grapples with the responsibility of her unique magical abilities and the dangers they pose. She is keeping a lot of secrets like ancient magic and Sebastian’s dark secret of killing his uncle and sometimes it become a burden. She's also navigating her feelings for both Sebastian and Ominis, creating a complicated love triangle within their trio.

Role in the Story: Ennea is the central character in their adventures, often guiding their decisions and actions with her knowledge of ancient magic. Her character growth is closely tied to her acceptance of her abilities and her relationships with Sebastian and Ominis. As they face increasingly perilous challenges, Ennea's determination and strength become vital to their survival. Ancient magic: A Double-Edged Sword

While potent and alluring, ancient magic is a demanding force. Unlike the controlled spells of modern times, it operates on a primal level, often reflecting the raw will of the caster. This translates to several key limitations:

Unpredictable Power: Ancient magic is notoriously difficult to control. The desired outcome is never guaranteed, with spells potentially backfiring or producing unintended consequences.

Emotional Volatility: Ancient magic is a reflection of the wielder's deepest self. Strong emotions, especially negativity, can corrupt the magic, twisting its effects and potentially causing harm to both the caster and those around them. Maintaining emotional control is paramount.

Hidden Costs: Tapping into such potent magic can exact a toll. Using ancient magic can leave the wielder drained, both physically and mentally. Overuse can lead to a dependence on its raw power, making it harder to utilize traditional, safer magic.

A Legacy of Power, a Burden to Master

Ancient magic offers immense power, but it comes with significant risks.  Those who wield it must be prepared for its volatile nature, the emotional discipline required, and the potential consequences of wielding such a primal force.  It is a legacy of power, but also a burden to master.