#So Teo usually gets ‘^^ good morning

[synonymroll2121]

Some of me and my wife’s conversations but I edited them to be these two.

thank you wife for the screenshots

[stubbedt0e]

★ Pairing: Ren (14dwy) x Reader

★ Tags: Established relationship, internal doubts, fluff, overall lighthearted

★ Word count: 3.5k

MINORS/AGELESS BLOGS DO NOT INTERACT

When the sun’s rays first seeped through the curtains of your rather mundane apartment, your first thought wasn’t the fact that today was Valentine’s Day. But it was whether you have work today or not.

You didn’t hate your job but it does get tiring after a while…but the comfort of your hometown and familiar faces always made each day special. Be it Elanor’s clumsy little mishaps, Violet ranting about her apartment being just as run-down as yours or Jae’s silly bright smile greeting you on the street. You enjoyed it..you loved your life in this little beachside town. And one person who made it even better was none other than the absolute sweetheart of your life, Ren, your dearest boyfriend.

…wait…Ren..

You immediately turn to your side to find your sleeping darling, his lips slightly parted as locks of soft pink hair draped his perfect face. But unlike your lovely boyfriend’s relaxed expression, your expression was more of a feeling of doom.

Right..it was his birthday, and you completely forgot to get something for him.

Knowing Ren, he probably would smile and appreciate the bare minimum fact that you remembered his birthday..but you couldn’t just push his almost non-existent self-esteem deeper into the hole.

“Mmgh..Angel?”

The groggy morning voice of your pink-haired beloved calls to you, pulling you back to reality. You were panicking over the impending sense of doom so much you forgot unless you tell him to leave you alone, he probably wouldn’t quit acting like a little duckling always following it’s mother.

“U-uh..yeah..Ren..haha..”

You stuttered. You didn’t expect them to actually notice that you had something in your mind but of course they realized it right away. Even with his barely awoken mind, he appreciated every single detail of you and noticed it like it was some sort of intricate detail of a painting drawn by a famed artist.

“Is something wrong..? You seem worried..”

His puppy-like soft blue eyes met yours. He was too adorable..

“Uh no, cupcake..”

“Cupcake? Haha..is that a special nickname, Angel? You usually call me something else.”

He let out a soft chuckle. Yeah, it was true..you called him either by his name or that silly nickname Teo gave him. But that aside, his smiling face and gentle blue eyes under the morning sun looked..ethereal almost. Like straight out of a romance movie.

“Well..”

“No worries, Angel..I love it..Anything from you is good for me.”

From you..RIGHT-

You still needed to find something to gift him. Maybe you hade to pretend you dodn’t remember his birthday to surprise him more? But unlike others who would constantly drop hints about it being their’s birthday, he would just go on with you, pretending the special day never even existed.

Your boyfriend was an enigma who somehow wore his heart on the sleeves of his beige cardigan…so easy to read, yet it felt like you had yet to discover many things about him.

“Happy Valentine's Day, Ren.”

You managed to put on a smile and wish him despite the many thoughts running in your head. However what you didn’t expect was his expression going from a small surprise, clear by the slight widening of his eyes, to the most genuine smile ever.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, my angel..You truly are an angel on earth.”

There he goes again..Not like you minded it or anything. It was honestly pleasing to have someone always be with you, no matter what happens, and appreciate you unconditionally.

“You know, Angel..I never saw the point in celebrating loving and passion at all before you. For me..it was like an unnecessary chore. Because deep inside..I felt..numb? Hollow almost. You don’t see the point in celebrations anymore if you feel that way..”

Despite his almost successful attempts in masking his true emotions, you could tell behind it was just a broken soul. You tried your best to comfort him and tell him how he mattered. He appreciated it..and pretended to do as you said. But deep down you knew how he felt.

“I love you, Angel..I truly do..you make me complete..”

He pulled you into a warm embrace. His soft scent filled your nostrils..it was comforting and familiar. Soft, gentle lips placed a kiss on your temple. It was a small act of love but you could tell it was truly and genuine.

“Love you too..”

Both of you get up from bed, stretching your bodies. But you could focus less on stretching because this absolutely gorgeous human being was right beside you, his beautiful expressions making your heart flutter every time.

“Hey Ren..uh”

“Yeah, angel?”

You could at least wish him a good morning by making breakfast, even if it was small, he would appreciate it.

“You lay down today, mhm? I will make breakfast.”

“But, angel-”

“Shush..the least I can do for my boyfriend is to make him breakfast for the day of love~”

That certainly sounded corny..but looking at Ren, he was smitten.

“Angel..I.. don’t wanna trouble you but you are willing to do this much for me..I..I don’t know how to express how much it means to me..”

And there he was..slowly turning into a tomato. You leaned in and placed a small kiss on his lips just to fuel the fire. You swore the moment his lips came in contact with yours, he let out a tiny squeak. You wasted no time going to the kitchen, leaving him all alone with his probably short-circuiting brain.

Making your way to your kitchen, you finally had space to plan out what to get for him. He was well-off compared to you. You saw his high-end apartment. Deep down, you felt a bit self-conscious about if your gift would be good for him or not..despite knowing the fact that he would love it regardless. It was more of a lingering doubt in your mind.

You didn’t bother with a masterpiece, michelin 5-star breakfast. Whatever you made was simple and could be easily cooked by someone with no cooking skills. Well..food is food.

“Maybe a sketchbook..he does like to draw..but he has much better paper..”

“Nevermind..maybe another cardigan..he does like to wear warmer clothes always..but seriously..who gifts clothing for birthdays these days..”

“Hmm..maybe a haruko figurine? He definitely would love one!”

So many ideas..yet somehow, each one didn’t feel right..What would Ren even like for his birthday..

Another excuse for an existential crisis soon occurred..did you not know your boyfriend at all?

‘Ahhh! What do I doooo?!”

“Angel-?”

You nearly jumped as you heard the masculine voice from behind you. It was just Ren..You sighed in relief.

“Uh hey, hun..”

“Is everything really okay..? You have been acting strange..”

Quick..make an excuse

“Uh yeah..! Haha..I’m fine! Promise..”

Ren didn’t buy it..the concerned look on his face said enough. But for now he decided to drop the topic.

“If you say so..”

Okay..maybe you can make up an excuse to quickly ask him what he likes..This is gonna be so awkward..

“Hey..Ren!”

“Yeah..?”

“Been wondering lately..is there anywhere we can go to do some fun activities..? Y’know..like arcade or museum..”

He slightly tilted his head. If he said he enjoys anything as long as it’s with you, you swore you-

“Actually yeah..I do wanna do something with you if you don’t mind..”

Ok..good progress..

“I wanna go to the beach and spend our valentine’s day there..if you don’t mind of cours! I won’t mind anything you do-”

‘’Ren..this is about you, not me. Please? I want to make you feel special..you are special to me..”

He just awkwardly moved his eyes away from you..It was a bit out of his comfort zone to have all the attention on himself. He always made you the star of his eyes, giving you the time to shine as he watched you like the stars in the sky. You wanted him to be your equal..not your pet almost..

“Ren..I want this day to be special for us..if you let me..’’

“How could I ever say no to you, angel..”

You decided to ignore whatever he muttered for now. You both sat down at the table to eat and you saw Ren practically swoon at the bread covered in jelly. It was cute.

“Hm? Love the food?”

His eyes immediately went in your direction. He nodded like a happy little puppy, chewing down the food. Forget the food, the absolute cuteness happening before you was better than anything. You decided to rest your chin on your palm and enjoy the sight of him appreciating the bare minimum from you.

Probably feeling eyes on him, he looks back at you.

“Is..something on my face..?”

You chuckled and shook your head.

“Nope..just watching how adorable you are.”

Sounds of laughter filled the room, you could get used to this..you could get used to enjoying mornings with him. You truly loved him.

bzzt!

The sudden vibration from your phone made you look towards its direction. Picking it up, you saw it was none other than Moth, with their usual memes to wish you a happy Valentine’s Day. You chuckled at it before typing up a response, but just as you were about to do so, you saw an upcoming video call from them.

Looking at Ren, his expression looked like a combination of shock and annoyance at someone interrupting your tender morning together. You sighed and picked up the call.

“Mooooorning!”

Moth’s cheerful voice greets you as you see the smiling face of your friend on the screen and it was infectious. You felt your lips curving into a smile as well.

“What are you doing on this day~ Ohh~? *sniff* *sniff* Is that love in the air?”

Of course they knew Ren would be here with you.

“Is pookie bear Haruko right across you? Hmm? Heyyyy, pooks! Happy valentines day to you too~ Take good care of my bestie, alright?”

You saw Ren let out a sigh as well. Moth’s antics were exhausting for him, probably. He wasn’t the social type after all..which you always seemed to forget because of how he treated you.

“Anyways, you got any plans today?” Moth curiously asks.

“Probably gonna go on a date, yeah. You?”

“Me? Eh, I’m gonna read Haruko fanfics all day. He is my valentine, mind you!”

You chuckled at their words.

“Another year being single?”

You teased. Moth’s eyes widened.

“H-hey! Just because you got irl Haruko so easily doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone, okay?! Hmph-!”

“Haha..sorry sorry. Good luck with your fanfics!”

“Aye aye, captain!”

Just like average Moth fashion, they hanged up first. You didn’t mind it, you liked your friend’s quirks. It’s what made them special.

“Ugh..”

You heard Ren letting out a groan. He looked like an angry, fluffy fox right now. You reached towards him and ruffled his hair. Ren just nuzzled into your touch.

“Mmm..”

Oh god, his cute little noises..You held yourself back from squishing his cheeks so bad.

And just like that, time passed by. Both of you showered, got dressed, and finally stepped out of that old, ragged building. Moth was right. Love was truly in the air..in the form of the smell of the sea, flowers, and sweet cakes mixed. Looking at the cakes, it made you remember you still had to surprise Ren…and pick a good gift for him.

But you can’t stress out now..

“Sunflowers in spring..?” You asked yourself.

“Seems like these were probably preserved using artificial methods or some sort of lab-grown flowers..?” Ren responded.

Ren did remind you of sunflowers..gentle and always facing you like you are his sun. As much as you wished you could gift him fresh flowers but seems like your only available option was these off-season artificially preserved ones.

You found yourself walking to the direction of the flower shop with Ren following you.

“How much for two sunflowers..?”

“20 dollars.” The almost rude tone of the woman selling the flowers threw you off-guard, not to mention the ridiculously high price. But it made sense for shopkeepers to raise up their price on special occasions.

“How about 10 for two?”

“Supply in demand, take it or leave it.”

Okay, this woman was seriously pissing you off. You looked at Ren and there was a dark glimmer in his eyes..as if he was really tempted to get violent.

“Let’s leave, Ren” You said before the situation esalated.

“B-but..”

“It’s fine, I’m not buying flowers filled with trashy chemicals.”

Ren seemed like he wanted to protest but he respected your decision. You both walked away from the shop, not even bothering to take another glance back at the woman.

As you two made your way to the more crowded parts of the city, you realized how festive it had become. Back when you were younger, you don’t remember valentine’s day being so hustling and bustling in the town. Seems like, Attack on Giants really made the seaside town a tourist attraction.

“Heyy!!”

You heard a familiar voice call out to you and you saw a flash of dyed blonde hair and a bright red shirt before you.

It’s Leon and Jae.

“Oh? Out on a date, sunfish?” Leon smiled.

“Hey, Ron..or wait was it Ron or Rin-”

“It’s Ren..” Ren’s almost monotonous response cut Jae off.

“Yeahhh! Ren! I couldn’t bag anyone so I took my favourite Aussie out. Bros before hoes.” Jae shook his head. Leon just sighed and shook his head.

“Where are you two headed at?”

You tried to vaguely answer Leon’s question. “Yeah, around town. What about you two?”

“Oh we are heading to the beach!” Jae winks and wraps his arm around Leon.

Ren’s face immediately turned dark. It was almost comical how everytime Ren and you were out on a date, you always get interrupted by these two somehow.

“I see..”

“Oh by the way! You know for they are selling venus shells and and conch shells for couples! Maybe you and Ron can buy ‘em for eternal love~!”

“It’s Ren.” Ren interrupted Jae again.

“Oops! Sorry! Hehe- OH LEON LOOK!”

Jae pointed in the direction of some sort of stree shop selling trinkets and practically dragged Leon there. Leon gave you and Ren a goodbye wave before getting dragged to wherever Jae was taking him.

After saying goodbye to your friends, your attention went to the sulking Ren. Poor Ren was getting interrupted by practically everyone whenever he planned to have a loving moment with you. As much as you wanted to laugh at this but you felt bad for him.

But you considered Jae’s recommendation. Something that symbolizes eternal love..something special..

Soon after both of you made your way to the beach. You didn't plan to get into the water and go for a swim however. So you both didn't bother getting swimwear for yourselves. But you did take off your shoes to feel the warm sea water on your feet.

The moment you stepped into the sand..you realized you made a mistake.

It was hot.

“Ow..ow!”

You yelped as you quickly put your shoes back on. But looking at the one beside you, you realized, he was nonchalantly standing on the hot sand.

“Ren! Put your damn shoes back on!”

It seemed like he was trying his best to mask the pain from the hot sand but as soon as he got your ‘command’, he immediately complied.

“S-sorry, angel..I thought you would hate it if I put on shoes..”

You sighed.

“You saw how I immediately put those back on..C'mon, Ren. You don't have to tolerate pain to please me..Let's go to somewhere with shade. I need to check if you somehow got blisters on your feet..”

He just gave you a nod and quietly followed your lead. You felt like somehow this special day for him..his birthday was just somehow going inherently bad for the poor guy.

Booking a beachside chair, you made him sit down on it and checked on his feet. It was mostly okay, just a bit of redness because of standing on hot sand for a bit.

But Ren, on the other hand, was flustered. He never expected you to take care of him like this..

“A-angel..I'm fine..really..”

“You sit down right there..I'm getting something cold.”

Making your boyfriend sit down on the chair like an obedient puppy, you walk towards one of the stalls selling water and ice cream and other snacks.

On your way, you see a familiar head of white hair with a certain blonde.

“Oh? Isn't that Norie's colleague?” Kiara and Violet approached you. “All alone on the beach today?” Kiara teased.

“Oh, hey, Vi and Kiara. No, I'm actually here with Ren.”

You point at the bright hair poking out of one of the beachside chairs.

“And it's his birthday and I'm trying to surprise him..but I have no idea what to get him.”

Violet seemed to ponder for a bit.

“What does he like?” the blonde asked.

You felt kinda awkward answering that..for obvious reasons.

“Well..I'm planning to gift him something special that..y'know..represents eternal love..”

“Ah! Yes! How about promised jewelleries? Matching ones? Kiara got us these necklaces hehe~”

Your eyes moved towards your neighbour's necklace. A silver necklace with a heart-shaped purple gem placed on it. Kiara wore something similar too, but with a green gem instead. You did have thoughts about matching jewellery for each other but it felt like it would be too much.

“You know, matching jewellery doesn't always have to be engagement-related, haha. You can always get your beloved a matching pair of jewellery. Even if it's small..they would appreciate it.”

Kiara's face was beaming with a smile, in contrast to Violet's blushing face. She just hides her face on the sleeves of her sweater.

“Aww, is my little flower shy?”

“K-kiara!”

You chuckle and bid farewell to the couple.

Jae's idea about eternal love..Kiara and Violet's matching jewellery. You seemed to have an idea what you might get for Ren.

When you return back from the shop, you bought two cans of cold soda and a popsicle for Ren. You knew he was probably overheating from that chunky cardigan of his.

“Ren..! I'm back. Lemme see.”

You wrapped the cold can of soda with tissue paper and placed it on his feet. Ren seemed weary despite your reassurance that it's fine, he still didn't seem to buy it.

After resting for a bit and chatting about different topics with the view of the beach, you two finally decide to leave. You could spot Jae, Leon and Teo on the beach goofing around, but Ren just rushed out of there. It was funny seeing him get so agitated at their constant interruptions.

But before you two left the beach, you called out.

“Ren..wait..”

The taller figure turns back to you and tilts his head. He was so cute..

“Yes, angel?”

“Here..”

Taking out the tiny box from your pocket, you open it. A dainty golden ring, with a venus shell and a tiny pearl placed on it.

After saying goodbye to Violet and Kiara, you went to a beachside souvenir shop. Pearls weren’t all that expensive on corland bay due to how plentiful it was. So you decided to buy that specific ring. Venus shell..the same shell the goddess of love emerged from..and a pearl..symbolizing pure love. Something befitting for Ren.

“Angel..”

“Not proposing to you, silly. I'd propose with a much prettier ring and on even a better spot..”

You didn't give Ren time to reply.

“Happy birthday, Ren..Thank you for being with me and loving me..”

You could see tiny crystalline drops forming on his eyes.

“Don't cry now..” You pat his head.

“Angel..I never expected you to remember my birthday. It's just..no one ever bothered to ever wish me on my birthday. Each birthday felt more like a constant reminder that I'm so..unimportant..”

“You aren’t unimportant, Ren.. You matter a lot to me..” You wiped off his tears. “Bet your family cares a lot too..”

“Hah..you would be surprised. But that's not important. Today is truly the first “Happy Birthday” I had. All because of you..”

He pulls you to a gentle embrace. The lingering smell of his cologne was comforting as always. Burying his face in your hair, he murmured. You could feel the smile forming on his lips. You felt yourself smiling too at this tenderness. It's perfect.

“Thank you so much, my angel. I will be here by your side. Always with you.”

[gooperts-gunk]

i saw someone on twitter writing qsmp names in korean and im trying so hard not to be bothered i know they have good intentions but it was just so wrong in parts so instead here's how qsmp names would be written in korean BY THE SOUND not how they're written. note that i am not korean nor on the korean side of qsmptwt but as a casual kpoppie it's a rite of passage to learn hangul and try to learn korean at one point therefore though i am not a trusted source i do know the basics of the phonetics LUL

alphabetical order & categorized!

get ready for me to infodump on mouth sounds

update from the morning after this post: fixed/optimized some!!!

english speaking creators:

badboyhalo: 밷보이헤이로 (baed-bo-i-he-i-ro/lo) i infer it'd be easier to just call him 헤이로 out of every part of him name please let's halo-truth bbh. the 헤이 slurs into the "hey/hei" sound, very little accentuation on the just one part, it works as one!!

dantdm: 단티디엠 or 댄티디엠 (dan-ti-di-em, daen-ti-di-em) i've heard both pronunciations for the name dan, it's a matter of preference here! EDIT: also possibly 댼 instead which is also daen but like, not really? but also they're really similar? and i don't know how to hear the difference but there is one and nevermind don't worry about it man

fit: 피트 (pi-teu) directly would be 핕 but that's just a tricky one it's bound to have a soft ㅡ sound following

foolish: 푸리쓰 or 푸리쌰? (pu-ri/li-sseu, pu-ri/li-ssya) THIS ONE IS TRICKY if it does go 쌰 it's be a soft one, but more likely 쓰 EDIT: IS IT 풀리쎠 (peul-ri-ssyeo) ?!?!?!? IM STILL ON THIS FOOLISH IS SO TOUGH TO PUT INTO HANGUL IM NOT GONNA BE OVER IT

ironmouse: 아이욘마우스 or 아이룐마우스 (a-i-yon-ma-u-seu, a-i-ryon/lyon-ma-u-seu) this one feels tit for tat, same same, just a minor difference in accentuating the r in iron or not! EDIT: could also be 아이런 (a-i-reon) or 아이론 (a-i-ron) !!!

jaiden: 제이든 (je-i-deun) no notes very easy and straightforward one

lenay: 르네이 (reu/leu-ne-i) same with jaiden's!

nihachu / niki: 니하추 or 니아추, 니키 (ni-ha-chu, ni-a-chu, ni-ki) another same same thing with ni-HA or ni-A, just depends on accentuation or not! the 추 may possibly be said as 츄 instead, but im unsure of which

philza: 피르쟈, 피르 (pi-reu/leu-jya, pi-reu/leu) no notes, straightforward! as you will come to notice, f's usually translate to ㅍ's, and z's usually translate to ㅈ's!

quackity: 콰키티 (kua/kwa-ki-ti) no notes! i heard like months back that quackity's korean fandom endearingly calls him 키티 i think?? fun fact i remembered :)

slimecicle / charlie: 스라임씨컬, 챨이 (seu-ra/la-im-ssi-keol/keor, chyal/chyar-i) wow okay so how do you write charlie in korean because i KNOW there's no way it's 챠르리 (chya-reu-ri) my tongue is tripping over the 르리, it has to be 챨이, or 챠리, or 챨리 right??? okay the more i think the more 챨리 (chyal-li) sounds right ok everyone go home i think it's 챨리 LUL

tinakitten / tina: 티나키던, 티나 (ti-na-ki-deon, ti-na) no notes! straightforward!

tubbo: 터뽀 (teo-bbo) no notes! but also i feel like there's other ways to write it that im just not convinced are correct LUL

wilbur soot: 윌버 쑽 (wil/wir-beo ssut) no notes!

spanish speaking creators:

carre: 카레 (ka-re) no notes!

elmariana: 에르마리아나 or 엘마리아나 (e-reu/leu-ma-ri/li-a-na, el-ma-ri-a-na) the reason why i included 에르 alongside 엘 is because it ends up sounding like "ed", the L/R sound in korean is in that same range and when said fast or cut abruptly like 엘, it sounds like a D, if not for context :) so 엘 COULD work! but it'd be hard to recognize it as an L/R sound without some extra space made for the sound. this is also relevant for elquackity!

german: 헤르만 or 헬만 (he-reu/leu-man, her/hel-man) same thing as last note applies here! it'd sound like HED-man more than HER-man but, still, could work!

luzu, arin: 루쥬 or 루주, 아린 (ru/lu-jyu, ru/lu-ju, a-rin/lin) no notes! i see luzu more said with the 쥬 sound instinctively but it's one of those either or i think EDIT: if it were the spain pronunciation i think it'd be 루튜 (lu-tyu) or 루뜌 (lu-ddyu) ??? the thhh sound doesn't exist in korean but this is the closest it gets i think

maximus, maxo: 맠수머스, 맠서 (mak-su-meo-seu, mak-seo) okay at this point my brain is mush and im sure there's a better way to write this but it's a tricky one. the 맠 could also be 막 (mag) but im unsure where in the mouth the difference is between 맠 and 막, because hangul is very mouth oriented, it's allll about tongue placement, and i am SO not on that X_X EDIT: i change my mind it's 막 for maximus but 맠서 is fine i think idk how to explain is just is. also alternate pronunciationfor maximus: 막씨머스 (mag-ssi-meo-seu)

missa sinfonia: 미싸 씬퍼냐 (mi-ssa ssin-peo-nya) yeah that seems about right (my brain is melting everything is hangul) no notes! EDIT: ok but IS it possibly 미사 (mi-sa)??? im doubting myself here

polispol, pol: 폴에쓰폴, 폴 (pol-e-sseu-pol, pol) no notes!

rivers: 리버스 (ri/li-beo-seu) no notes!

roier: 로이예 or 로이옐 (ro/lo-i-ye, ro/lo-i-yer/yel) this is one of those scenarios where an abrupt L/R sound works just fine! don't know how to explain it! but it just works!

rubius: 루비어스 (ru-bi-eo-seu) no notes!

spreen: 스프린 (seu-peu-rin) no notes!

vegetta: 베헷따 (be-het-dda) okay i don't know how to explain but tonalities of how you say vegetta in spanish make me think 베 and that the tta would be equal to the sharpness of 따 stick with me here i've been doing hangul names for so long now i can't see the end of the horizon EDIT: for some reason im changing my mind it might be 페헷따 (pe-het-dda)

willyrex, willy: 위리렉스, 위리 (wi-ri-reg-seu, wi-ri) okay again idk how to explain but the reason why ㄱ and not ㅋ is because it just feels like it instinctively, like that's a deep ㄱ abrubt stop, not a high ㅋ abrupt stop. im losing my marbles

portuguese speaking creators:

bagi: 바지 (ba-ji) no notes!

cellbit: 셀비트 (sel-bi-teu) guys this is getting hard. yes it's somehow sel and not se-leu. yes it's bi-teu and somehow not bit. if it were bit it'd be missing the aftermath TCH sound and i think it sounds good with it. the sel has space to breathe and isn't abrupt. stay with me. we're almost done EDIT: fellow hangul enjoyer anon in ask box said 셀빛 (sel-bich/bit) or 셀비츠 (sel-bi-cheu) if with the accent, i like these, ur getting put on the fridge with the best magnets. 빛 is a fun one because it sounds pretty much the same to 빝 or 빗, all end in the same stop of the tongue going to the roof of the mouth, but 빛 in particular means "light" and i think that's nice :)

felps: 펠릅스 (pel-reub-seu) holy moly i didn't expect this to be a tongue twister but i think i nailed it

mike: 마이크 or 마이키 (ma-i-keu, ma-i-ki) i've heard mike being called mikey so i included it for fun because there's been so much hardship. so so much. we're in this together.

pac: 팩 or 패크 (paeg, pae-keu) paeg and not paek because it's just a more throat based sound to say pac idk man. pae-keu is a hypothetical im losing it man i don't know anything anymore EDIT: okay i change my mind it's definitely 패크 over 팩 im so loopy from hyperfocus overload man EDIT EDIT: i can also see 팍 (pak) being used though that isn't how it sounds for us, i can see someone saying it that way in korean if they were to read it before hearing it and then go from there

french speaking creators:

antoine daniel: 안투완 단옐 (an-tu-wan dan-yel) in french the a's are long so 단 over 댄 is a guaranteed. the yel could be accentuated more but you get the point by now

aypierre: when french accent, 아이피에히, when english accent, 에이피에어 (a-i-pi-e-hi, e-i-pi-e-eo) (thank u anon for contributing 피에어 that makes much more sense)

baghera jones: one way is 바게라 전스 the other is 바길라 전스 (ba-ge-ra jeon-seu, ba-gil/gir-ra jeon-seu) a baGERa or bagEARa dilemma.....

etoiles: 에투왈 (e-tu-wal/war) no notes!

kameto: 카메토 (ka-me-to) no notes!

THERE!!!! IT'S DONE!!!! this was hard but i feel like i got most right. and when im wrong let's just say this was just hangul practice and not serious right guys, just practice round, right??? we don't take me so serious, right??? just stick fight with totem??? if you know korean especially the phonetics better than me which is NOT a high bar at all, you can step over that bar EASY, tell me a better way to write these thank u! smile :)

bonus round coming at you live from the morning after!!! some others that i thought "yeah let's include you"

im gonna be working on this on and off all day i think so don't be scared if someone isn't here chances are brain is doing something else but will add it later :)

cucurucho: 쿠쿠루쵸 (ku-ku-ru/lu-chyo) no notes!

walter bob: 월터 법 (weol/weor-teo beob) could also be 봅 (bob)

chayanne: 챠얀 (chya-yan) or 차얀 (cha-yan) no notes!

tallulah: 타룰라 (ta-lul-la) no notes!

ramon: 라몬 (ra-mon) or if you're pac you say 하몬 (ha-mon) heehee :)

dapper: 답퍼 (dab-peo) or possibly 답뻐 (dab-bbeo) but im not so sure about that one

leo / leonardo / leonarda: if you speak english it's 리오 (li-o) if you speak spanish it's 레오 (le-o), then add on 날도 (nar/nal-do) or 날다 (nar/nal-da) :)

richarlyson / richas: 리찰리손, 리차스 (ri-chal/char-li-son, ri-cha-seu) no notes!

pomme: 펌 (peom) or 폼 (pom) both work here!

trump: 트람프 or 트럼프, to make it trumpet change the 프 to 펫 (pet/ped)

tilin: 티린 (ti-lin/rin) no notes!

juanaflippa: 환나프리파 (hwan/huan-na-peu-li-pa)

bobby: 법비 (beob-bi) or 봅비 (bob-bi) both work here!

empanada: 엠파나다 (em-pa-na-da) no notes!

pepito: 페피토 (pe-pi-to) no notes!

sunny(sideup): 선니사읻엎 (seon-ni-sa-id-eop) this one works nicely because the 읻 bleeds into the 엎 and sounds like it's one full iddeop :) this one is an ending in ㅍ not ㅂ moment but i don't know how to explain why

[sweetcomicval]

𝐓𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 | 𝐉𝐉𝐇

pairing: jeong jaehyun x fem!reader song choice: rockin’ around the christmas tree - miley cyrus word count: 1.2 k PEACH & PINE MASTERPOST

As the evening settled in, Jaehyun tucked Teo into bed, the soft glow of the nightlight casting shadows on the walls. Gazing up at his dad with his droopy eyes, Teo spoke up with a yawn, “Dad, can we decorate for Christmas tomorrow? Please?”

Jaehyun smiled, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from Teo’s forehead. “Of course. We’ll start when Mommy gets home, and I’ll have everything ready, okay?” Teo's eyes fluttered open a bit wider, a hint of his usual energy peeking through his sleepy exterior, and he nodded. Jaehyun leaned closer, pressing a tender kiss to his forehead. "Good night, little man."

By the next morning, Teo was practically bouncing with energy, but before the holiday fun could start, there was daycare. As Jaehyun secured him into his car seat, Teo’s little face turned serious. “Don’t forget the decorations, Dad,” he said, his voice all business.

Jaehyun laughed, giving him a playful wink. “I won’t forget. Pinky promise.” After buckling Teo in, Jaehyun walked to your window with a teasing smile. “Have a good day, love. I'll handle the Christmas prep.”

You glanced up at him, a grin tugging at your lips. “You better. And don’t break anything!”. Jaehyun chuckled, leaning in for a quick kiss. “I'll try my best. Drive safe.”

With a wave, he stepped back, watching as you and Teo pulled out of the driveway, off to start your day.

Having the house all to himself, Jaehyun got to work. He dug out the storage boxes, each one packed with ornaments, garlands, lights, and memories of your little family. He spent the better part of the morning carefully collecting everything, checking that the lights worked, and making sure none of the fragile ornaments were damaged. He couldn’t wait to see Teo’s face when he returned home.

Later, the front door burst open, and Teo came charging in, his little feet thumping against the wooden floor. He stopped as he spotted the tall Christmas tree, standing proudly but still bare in the corner of the living room.

“Dad! The tree!” Teo yelled, running over to take a closer look, his excitement bubbling over.

Jaehyun smiled, kneeling down next to him. “I know! It’s all ready for us to decorate,” he said, a twinkle of pride in his eyes. Teo's features brightened with happiness. “Can we start now?”

Jaehyun chuckled, tickling his tummy. “First, we need to eat lunch, and we should wait for Mommy to get home from work, too.”

Teo’s shoulders drooped for a moment, but he quickly perked up. “Did you make jumeokbap?” he asked, already imagining the rice balls.

As they ate lunch, Teo suddenly remembered. “Oh! Dad, do you want to listen to the gift Mommy and I got for you?”

Jaehyun smiled widely at his son, warmth spreading through him. “I’d love to, baby,” he replied, wiping some stray rice off Teo’s chin with a napkin.

Teo followed Jaehyun over to the music setup, a cozy corner of the living room. Jaehyun gently lowered the needle onto the edge of the vinyl record, and the melodies of “O Tannenbaum” filled the room. Teo’s mouth dropped open as the record spun, the music wrapping around them like magic. Jaehyun smiled softly at Teo, his heart swelling with affection. “Thank you so much, my Teo. It’s a wonderful gift.”

By the time the sun started setting, Jaehyun heard the front door creak open. You stepped inside, cheeks flushed from the cold, looking a bit tired but still glowing.

“Mommy!” Teo shouted, leaping up from his toys and running straight to you, “You’re back!”. You knelt down to scoop him into a hug, your heart melting at his enthusiasm. “Yes, sweetheart! I know you’ve been waiting for me to decorate the tree. Let’s do it now!” You kissed his cheek, smiling as his joy lit up the room.

Teo grabbed your hand, practically pulling you into the living room. “Mommy, look at the tree!” he said, bouncing up and down; his excitement was palpable as he pointed to the Christmas tree still bare in the corner. Jaehyun looked up from the boxes, showing you his dimpled smile. “What do you think?”

“Looks like you’ve been busy,” you said with a playful grin as you set your bag down. Jaehyun walked over, leaning in to give you a quick kiss. “All set, just like I promised. And so far, nothing’s broken.”

You and Jaehyun started unpacking the decorations, spreading them out on the coffee table. Teo jumped right in to help, carefully hanging the ornaments on the lower branches of the tree. “How does this one look, Mommy?” he asked, pointing proudly to a slightly crooked ornament.

You smiled warmly, crouching down to get a closer look. “It looks perfect, Teo. You’re doing an amazing job!”

As you all worked together, Jaehyun couldn’t help but pause for a moment, watching Teo concentrate on hanging each ornament to the best of his ability. It reminded him of doing the same with his parents, and now he was able to share this experience with his own family.

The tree was almost done—just a few more ornaments left and the star. But as Jaehyun reached for another box, he heard a loud crunch that seemed to echo through the room. His face froze as he looked down—he had stepped on the star.

“Jaehyun!” you gasped, holding back a laugh. “The star!” Your hands covering your mouth as Jaehyun winced, holding up the now-bent star.

“Teo, I’m so sorry,” Jaehyun knelt beside him, guilt washing over him. “I didn’t mean to break our star.” He looked genuinely apologetic, holding the bent piece up for Teo to see.

You stifled a laugh, walking over and patting Jaehyun’s shoulder. “It’s okay. We can get a new one.”

Teo looked up, a small frown creasing his brow. "Don’t worry, Dad," he mumbled, attempting to sound more courageous than he felt. "Maybe we can make a new one!" He gave a tentative smile, hoping to cheer his dad up with his cute dimples. “You want to make a new star?” Jaehyun talked to Teo in a pout.

Teo nodded, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Yeah! In art class, we made ornaments with paper, glue and glitter. I can show you how!"

Jaehyun smiled back at him, his shoulders relaxing. “Alright, Teo. Let’s make the coolest star ever.” He gave Teo a high five, his earlier guilt fading.

The three of you gathered around the table, with some glitter foam and other craft supplies you had laying around. Jaehyun cut out the shape, you stitched it together with a needle and golden thread, and Teo added some stickers, resembling a face. It wasn’t a stylish tree topper, but it was perfect for you all.

You suggested ordering pizza for dinner, and after a quick clean-up, you all sat comfortably in the living room to order. “What should we get on the pizza?” Jaehyun asked, looking at Teo. “Cherry tomatoes! And extra cheese!” Teo shouted excitedly. You smiled and chimed in, “Can we get one with Beyond Meat for me too, please, love?”

Later, with full stomachs and the tree glowing softly beside you, Jaehyun wrapped his arms around both you and Teo. “You know, I think this might be the best Christmas yet,” he whispered, his voice warm and content.

With Teo on his shoulders, Jaehyun carefully placed the new and shiny handmade star on top of the tree. Despite the earlier mishap, it felt like the perfect start to the holiday season—maybe even better because of it.

a/n: things are starting to look festive! reblogs and comments are appreciated ☺️ the divider is from @enchanthings 💘

[vettelsbitch]

I usually dont enjoy kidfics, but that Bez/Cele one really got me!! God, I love them so much <3 thanks for that fic!!!!

And it made me wonder what might happen next? Like. Does Teo convince Bez to invite Cele over for a Spiderman movie night? Are both, Bez and Cele, slightly (meaning very and obviously) nervous and Teo doesn't get it, because they clearly like each other, why not spend more time together?

I'm so happy that you like my little idea! There's more where that one came from that's for sure! im actually writing another more spicy-ish blurb rn

I think the shift would be slow with them, they're both busy, Bezz walks Matteo to his kindergarten early in the morning and then goes to work, Cele goes to his university classes but he's a bit lazy so he tried and mostly managed to not get any class too early in the morning, he also goes out a lot, so they don't cross paths that much at first. But since the first big meet up Matteo insists on talking to Cele every time they cross paths.

They're /clearly/ crushing on each other, as my Italian fact checker, beta and bestie @dobbiamo-capire told me and encouraged the idea, the lady that is the concierge/gossip central for their building starts a betting pool with other neighbors for when they're going to finally start dating. But yeah, it's slow, maybe Cele starts going grocery shopping at the time he knows Bezz gets back from getting Teo from the kindergarten, no reason, it's just convenient (sure). And maybe Bezz starts doing his runs with Rubik in the evening when Cele is coming back from class/just going out instead of in the mornings, it's just nicer weather (sure sure)

But yeah, at some point Matteo absolutely invites Cele over for a movie marathon, and Bezz is like "I mean, if you want, I'm okay with it", and Cele shows up with a spiderman hoodie on, and Teo has his onesie on, and insists that Marco needs to wear something too so he ends up with his one spiderman shirt, that maybe is a little small because it's from when he was a teen. Teo absolutely ends up falling asleep during the second film, maybe he is cuddled against Cele's side, his arms curled around his Spidey plush. And bezz is like "omg let me get him, I'm sorry" but Cele just shushes him and brushes one of Matteo's curls away from his eyes. "It's okay, he's a really good kid."

Bezz absolutely falls fully in love, but also and here is where I introduce the mild angst Teo is three years old, he was Cele's age when he had him, his ex did not want nothing to do with him so he's been pretty much a single dad from day one, and he knows how much your life changes with a little one in it, he knows perfectly at what moment in life Cele is and what he had to let go of to be there for Matteo, he wouldn't change it, ever, but he also doesn't want to make Cele do it for him.

But yeah, they do end up kissing and very much in love after some time

[ve1vet-cake]

Teo drabble

(this was almost called 'Oh naur'. My brain doesn't function)

14days with you is still an 18+ game and explicit stuff will be mentioned

MINORS DNI

Enjoy fellas

Probably very ooc Teo cuz am stupid weeeeee

------------------------------------------------

You woke up after a night with with Teo, like many nights before. Somehow you had gotten close enough to Teo for him to genuinely want to keep you around. You had met some of his other friends and even were one of his more regular 'dates' whenever you went out to party.

It was rare to make it simple. His friends were always eyeing you. You aware of he fact they were making bets on how long it would take Teo to discard you as well. Just last week he had apparently dropped someone for making him breakfast.

You had shrugged it off, though you were starting to like certain aspects of Teo and how surprisingly gentle he could be you were accutely aware of his boundaries. No love, or else you're out.

And you didn't want to lose such a good sex partner. You needed someone with experience after years of not having proper sexual partners.

Now here you were, sitting up in Teo's bed, stretching gently while figuring out how you'd get home this time. It was already 7am after all and you knew that Teo had a habit of waking up around 8 or 9 to get started with workouts and his skincare.

Cursing under your breath you peeled yourself out of his blanket, making sure he was still fairly covered before plucking your clothes off of his floor. With a yawn you made your way to his bathroom, grabbing your bag from his couch.

While you washed up and got ready for the day you tried getting rid of the soreness in your core and legs. He had been rougher than usual last night- not that you minded.

With a slight huff you smacked your cheeks to wake up a little more and got changed, putting on the spare clothes you'd prepared already.

With a last check in the mirror you smiled at yourelf before walking out of his room, quietly shutting the door behind you.

"I could walk to the nearest convenience store..." You were grumbling to yourself, deciding against going straight home and getting something to eat and drink first.

Lost in thought you didn't notice the woman before you, nearly bumping into her.

"A-ah! Sorry-"

You blinked, briefly apologizing. She must be one of Teo's staff.

You bit your lip, cursing yourself mentally for taking too long. If Teo were to come down now you'd be off the list.

"I was just about to leave. Don't mind me" You smiled gently at her, bowing your head before continung your way toward the front door.

Her kind eyes followed your figure a second, tilting her head in confusion before focusing the stairs.

"Won't they join us for breakfast?"

You froze, hand already on the doorknob. 'Fuck'

"Why should they?" Teo's raspy morning voice seemed to echo through the foyer. You suddenly felt trapped, afraid.

You heard him make his way to you or more the woman behind you.

"I mean we already started with breakfast and it's been so long since you had someone else to eat with." The woman pouted a little, worry glistening in her eyes.

"It's fine. They won't be coming back either way."

You felt your heart drop. Biting your lip hard you turned the doorknob and tried opening the door before hearing a smack sound behind you.

"TEODORE!"

As you looked behind you with widened eyes you saw the woman stand in front of a now defeated looking Teo. She had her arms crossed.

"You can't just treat every guest like that! I raised you better than his. Also; Aren't they the person you told me about??"

Teo's eyes seemed to widen as he shot her a clear 'Do not' glare.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"C-can I just.. go now?"

You stood there like a deer in headlights, unsure on what to do.

"No, come eat with us." The woman grabbed you by the arm, dragging you to the kitchen. "I like you, Teo has said that you're the first one to have held out for so long and to have respected him that much. You surely just overslept today, hm?"

"Y-yeah.. But.. He doesn't seem to want me here I can just g-"

The woman pouted at you.

Suddenly you felt a hand on your shoulder.

"You're lucky she likes you. after breakfast you're out. Understood?"

You just nodded, trying not to show your hurt. You had just lost something you held dearer than you thought.

After the in your opinion awkward breakfast you practically dashed out the door, immdiately calling a cab home.

"Are you really going to cut them off? They're so sweet and I like them.." Teo looked up from his phone, finger hovering over the delete number button.

[thechaotichorse]

CST, an old ass book I wrote.

LIKE TEO YEARS AGO-

TW: Blood, described gore, kidnapping, imprisonment, speaking of torture, stabbing.

ITS LONG AS FUCK SO YEAH ENJOY

CHAPTER 1

I wake up in my slightly uncomfortable bed to the sound of my caretaker's voice. 

“Eva. It is time for breakfast.”

I sigh and open my eyes, nearly blinded from the pearly white walls and floor. Everything in my room is white.

I hate the color white.[a][b]

For instance, the color white is used for “White Torture”. White Torture is where you are trapped in a room that is completely white. Everything is white. You stay there alone for months, and then you're let out. 

They say the loneliness never leaves you.

White is also the color of ghosts. Which is supposedly what my parents are.

I honestly don’t know what happened to my parents. All I remember is...well...nothing.

I wonder if the room is white to eliminate my memories. That’s what sometimes happens in White Torture.

I always conclude this isn’t the case. In the white cell, you are served white food to go with the torture. I don’t eat only white food.

Also, in White Torture you are isolated. I go to school and hang out with my caregiver, so I'm definitely not isolated.

I do sometimes see them, though. My parents.

When I look in the mirror, I can tell what my mom and dad gave to me.

My black curly hair? That’s my dad, but the curls came from mom. Peach colored skin? Both of them. 5’6 height? My dad. He was from England, while my mom was from Minnesota. 

I didn’t pick up my dad’s British accent, but I did pick up my mom’s accent.

The one thing that belongs to me and only me is my eyes. Coal black. My caretaker Miss Josie (she prefers mom but I don’t call her that) says that they look like “outer space with no stars”.

She’s right, I guess.

“Eva, the eggs are getting cold.” Josie’s voice calls.

“Coming, coming.” 

I push myself up and look out the window. It’s rainy again. 

Good. I hate the sun.

I dress in my standard school uniform; White blouse, black skirt, white tights, and black socks.

I pull on my black boots (my only choice of fashion is my boots) and walk downstairs. 

Josie turns her head at the sound of my footsteps and smiles at me. “Good morning, Eva. Did you have a-”

“Mmhm. I had a good sleep. It isn’t really your business.” I interrupt, and I sit down.

It might be rude to some people, but Josie says the same stuff every morning. And I mean the same stuff.

She continues to beam at me. “There is no need-”

“-to be snappy. Yeah, I know.” I answer, rolling my eyes. 

She blinks and cocks her head. Her head snaps back to its usual position and she says, “Your breakfast is ready.”

She places some eggs and bacon on the table and steps back as I take my fork and begin to eat. Mornings are the only time I really get to talk to Josie, so I ask her, “What happened to Kelsie?”

“Who?”

“Kelsie Meyer. My friend.”

She blinks. “Physical app-”

“Honey colored hair, freckles, always wearing a turtleneck…” I sigh when she tilts her head again. “Come on, the girl I hung out with a lot.”

“Oh. That girl.” Her head returns to normal and she turns around. “She moved neighborhoods.”

“Oh.” I answer. 

I don’t really have much else to say. This happens to all of my friends. Marlow Johnson? Moved neighborhoods. Jessie Toben? Moved neighborhoods. And now Kelsie has moved neighborhoods. It’s not right.

I haven’t seen any other neighborhoods. Maybe they're concealed by the woods.

The woods are a forbidden place. If you go there, you die. That's what all the teachers remind us at recess. One idiot, Carl Porter, decided to sneak over to the woods during recess one night. A bunch of kids told him not to do it, but he ignored them. All the kids in recess bunched up in a group and followed him to the woods. I was there too. Carl Porter wasn’t a friend, but he was a friendly kid. We didn’t want him to get hurt. He looked behind him and waved at us, then ran to the woods. We didn’t see him for two weeks.

That’s when his body was found at the front of the school. Bloody and bruised. Probably by an animal.

Nobody dares go to the woods anymore.

I get up from the table and dump my dishes in the sink. “I’m going to Maysi’s.”

“Have fun.” Josie answers.

I think she mutters something else, but I don’t hear it. I walk over to Maysi’s house and knock on the door. She answers it, her black curly hair dangling over her face. She pushes it aside and reveals an ocean blue eye. “Oh. Hi Eva.”

I wave and study her. “You still haven’t changed out of your night robe?”

“I just ate breakfast and was brushing my hair, Eva. Nobody can get ready for school as fast as you, you know it.”

“There’s probably someone.”

“Probably. Gimme a sec.”

She shuts the door again and a few minutes later, she comes back out. Her curly hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and she is dressed in a short jean jacket, a gray shirt, jeans, and nikes. 

Makes sense. She is one of the most popular girls in our school.

She applies some lip gloss and looks at me. “Ready to go?”

“Yep.”

As we walk to school, Mason Torres, the most popular guy in our school, walks over to Maysi.

“Hi.” he says quickly.

Maysi nods towards him. “Hi, Mason. What's up?”

Though she's popular, Maysi is not a bully. I like that about her.

He takes a deep breath. “I was wondering if, maybe, you’d like to eat lunch with me.”

Maysi looks at me and I shrug. She looks back at him and says, “Actually, I think I’d rather eat food with Eva. Thanks.”

He scowls and walks off.

“You don’t have to eat with me.” I say. “I mean, you should have other friends.”

“Everyone only wants to be friends with me so they can boast. You don’t boast. That’s why you're my only friend.” 

“Alright.” 

As we begin to walk into the school, I stop. I was staring at the woods, and I swear I saw something there. Like a silhouette of something. 

“Eva?” Maysi asks, stopping at the front doors of the school. “You coming?”

“Yep.” I hurry up to Maysi, and we walk through the doors.

CHAPTER 2

“How was school?” Josie asks.

“The same as always.” I answer, fishing through the cupboard for a snack.

“Define ‘same as always’.”

“Boring, lame, pointless.”

“School is not pointless or lame.”

“For most fourteen year olds it is.” I answer, pulling a bag of chips out of the cupboard.

“If you say so, Eva.”

I walk over to the living room and plop down on the couch. I turn on the TV and begin to watch an episode of “The Office”, when there’s a knock on the door. I pause the episode and get up. I walk over to the door and open it.

Maysi stands there, her jazzy outfit replaced with sweatpants, a blue hoodie, and no ponytail. She still looks dazzling without her fancy clothes.

“Hi, Eva.” 

“Hey, Maysi. What’s up?”

She bites her lip. “Can I hang with you? For a little bit?”

I study her face. It’s the same face she uses when trying to hide something. I look behind me. Josie’s cooking chicken. When she’s cooking, she never stops until the dish is completely done. She never notices anything either.

“Sure.” I answer.

Maysi smiles and steps inside. She’s incredibly wet. “Why didn’t you wear your rain jacket?” I ask, though I know the answer. She knew I’d let her in.

“You know the answer to that.” Maysi answers. “Ooh, ‘The Office’.”

After a few episodes of “The Office”, she asks to pause the show, so I pause it. I turn to her expectantly. She stretches her arms and turns her head the other way, saying, “This sounds really dumb, but…” I hear her exhale. “I want to go check out the woods with you.”

“What?!” I exclaim. “Maysi, people go missing there! Kids die! Don’t you remember Carl Port-”

“Yes, Eva.” she replies calmly. “I remember. It’s just…”

She looks around her.

“Look, I think it's best to talk outside.”

“Why?”

“We might be being watched.”

“You just said that you wanted to run into the woods in a place you think is being watched.”

“I just- ugh, just come outside Eva.”

We walk outside and take shelter under a table with an umbrella poking out of it. 

“So, why do you want to run into the woods?” I ask, folding my arms.

“I saw something.” she whispers. She must still think we’re being watched. “It looked like a human. I couldn’t tell, but… they were wearing a cloak and a mask. It was really hard to see. They were far away.”

“You know, I think I saw them too. I stopped in front of the school. Remember?”

“Yep.”

“So you wanna go look for them.”

“Mmhm.”

“And risk your life?”

“Mmhm.”

“You're weird, Maysi.”

“Mmhm!” she answers, her eyes shining like stars. “And so are you! So please come with me.”

I sigh. “Whatever, Maysi. I’ll go with you.”

“Yes!” she jumps up. “Let’s go!”

This startles me. “Now?”

She’s already off running. 

“Maysi!” I shout.

She’s too far ahead. I grumble and shoot ahead.

I’m wheezing by the time I catch up with her. She’s standing under a tree, watching a squirrel scamper through the wet, leafy branches. She notices me and beckons for me to come over. I cross my arms and raise my eyebrows. She rolls her eyes. “Sorry for leaving you in the dust.”

I purse my lips. “It’s fine. Just don’t do it again.”

She turns her attention back to the squirrel and smiles. “Can’t help that I’m such a fast runner.”

I punch her lightly on the arm and watch the squirrel too. I’ve only ever seen a squirrel once. A squirrel scampered out of the woods and right over to my house about 6 years ago. It spent thirty minutes scratching the front door.

As I’ve mentioned, that was the first time I saw a squirrel. 

Don’t blame me for thinking it was carnivorous, and don’t blame me for hitting it repeatedly with a stick. I obviously couldn’t leave the body of a squirrel on the floor, so I walked into the house and put the squirrel in the oven. 

I burned it to ashes.

I strangely don’t feel shame for what I did.

“Eva.”

I jerk back to reality. Maysi was talking to me.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t kill the squirrel.”

“Oh yeah, I was totally planning on doing that.”

“Sorry, sorry. It’s just that I saw you kill a squirrel a few years ago by beating it with a stick.”

“I thought it was carnivorous.” 

“Of course you did.”

“Was that a shot?”

“No, I’m just saying you tend to over imagine things.”

“You're right about that.”

She turns away from the squirrel and continues to walk deeper into the woods. “You're still going?” I ask her.

“Yeah. Don’t you remember why we came here? To see if we can find that person.”

“Well…” I jog up to her. “Maybe it wasn’t a person. It could’ve been a bear.”

“I know.” she answers. 

“Then what the hell do you want from this experience?”

“Excitement.” she answers, and she continues to walk.

I roll my eyes and follow her. After five minutes of walking, she stops. I stop too. “What?” I ask.

“I just realized something.” she answers.

“What did you realize?”

Her damp hair briefly moves as she turns around.

“I’ve never seen you smile.”

This startles me, as it's true. I have never smiled in front of anyone. “Yes.” I answer.

“Why is that?” she asks, walking closer to me.

“I never had a reason to do so.”

“You don’t need a reason. Sometimes you just smile for hello, you smile because you're happy, or you just feel like doing it. Like our caretakers. They smile all the time.”

“They might frown sometimes, but you’re right.” I kick at the ground. “They’re like robots.”

“Yeah. They’re weird.” she agrees.

Silence. We stand with the rain dripping onto our faces for what feels like an hour. Finally, I break the silence. “Do you want to see me smile?”

“I guess. I mean, that's the reason I asked you about smiling.”

So I smile. Just for Maysi, my best and closest friend. My cheeks feel rigid. Must be from not smiling often.

Then I stop.

“There. I smiled.”

I turn around.

“You have a lovely smile.” she whispers.

“Thanks. Let’s continue walking.” I answer.

We continue walking.

I look around. The forest seems a bit more eerie since I smiled. I’ve been walking ahead of Maysi for a minute, so I stop. “Maysi, I’m getting the creeps. Let’s head back.”

She doesn’t answer.

“Maysi, come on, let’s head-” I begin, turning around.

I gasp. She’s nowhere in sight.

“Maysi?” I whisper.

Only the drops of rain answer me.

“Maysi?! Where are you?!” I yell, running around. 

Nothing. She vanished.

Without hesitation I burst out of the woods and ran home.

CHAPTER 3

I burst into the house, my wet hair blocking my vision.

“Good afterno-”

“Can it, Josie!” I yell, and I run up the stairs. As I open the door to my room, I look behind me.

She’s staring at me, still smiling. I thought that maybe they frowned sometimes, but Maysi was right.

They never stop smiling.

I slam the door behind me and flop onto my bed. I dig my fingers into my face and pull down. 

Ouch.

I feel a liquid beginning to form on the scrapes, so I walk over to my mirror and look at it. I accidentally scratched 8 red lines into my face, all of which are bleeding. 

It looks a little like I’m crying blood, which is creepy, so I bandage it up.

Feels better.

I walk over to my bed and sit down. What just happened to Maysi?

There’s many possibilities, but I'll hang on to the most realistic ones. 

She ran off without me. Really unlikely, but possible. We’re best friends, and I’ve known her for years. Besides, she can't run away from me that easily. She’s not that fast a runner and she’s pretty loud.

She was killed. I don’t want to think about it. There’s no animal that could kill her that silently. Unless it was a shark. Sharks are silent. We’re not in an ocean, however, so very unlikely.

She was captured. Also unlikely. The woods are dangerous for animals, not kidnappers. There’s probably nothing to capture us. 

Unless…

That person! I jump to my feet. Maysi and I both saw a silhouette in the woods. If Maysi was captured, it would be by them.

I need to go look for Maysi. I mean, what kind of person runs away from her best friend?

Me, I guess. I’m a terrible friend.

I get up and grab a bag from my closet. I load it up with supplies for my search, including some pretzels, an apple, a pear, and a flashlight. The search won’t be long, but I’ll probably want a snack and some light.

As I zip up the backpack, I hear something. It must be Josie watching TV. Soap Operas are her favorite thing to watch. I wonder what's going on with Vanessa and Mason and their financial problems in Time is Money.

As I open my door, I realize that the noises I’m hearing aren’t Vanessa’s; their Josie’s. She’s speaking to someone.

And she sounds like she’s anxious.

Josie is never anxious.

As I tiptoe slowly down the stairs, I can’t help but hear her say, “...Eva didn’t…” and I freeze. She said my name. Is she talking about me? I dash past her and crouch behind the couch she’s sitting on, hiding from her view and try to make out what she’s saying. I think she hears something, because she pauses and turns around, and looks robotically from side to side. I hold my breath until she turns around and goes back to her conversation.

I exhale.

“Eva is not of age yet. It isn’t time.”

I jerk my head back, confused. What’s she talking about? I listen again.

“Elizabeth, the test. Eva can’t do it. You know that she’s underage. If you do this you’ll break the code of reality.”

Code of reality? The test? What are these things?

“Yes, yes, it is just that...she found out about Maysi’s disappearance.”

My face drains to pale. How does she know that?

“I just mean...I think she’ll find out about the pods. Yes. Maysi vanished in the woods. It was a bad move to transport her when Eva was there. Yes, it was. Eva now may suspect the woods, and I even saw her packing up. She’s going to find the exit if we don’t stop her. I do not think the test is an answer. The test you have a chance of survival. Eva must be terminated the proper way.”

I feel a scream coming, but I suppress it.

“What way is that?” She turns around, and that’s when I notice how insane her smile has become. “Why, killing her, of course. By poison, stabbing, loss of blood, starvation, dehydration-- Oh, you want poison? Of course, Elizabeth.”

She turns around and hangs up, then she walks into the kitchen and rummages through the fridge for a snack.

I run upstairs and toss my bag on the floor. Then I quietly close the door, open the door, and shout, “Hey, Josie, what’s shakin’?”

Ew, horrible line. She knows I don’t say this. Probably a little suspicious. “Oh, just this milkshake I’m making you!” She replies. “What’s your favorite milkshake flavor?”

“Strawberry-Chocolate.” I answer.

“Comin’ right up hon!”

I walk down and open the silverware drawer, grabbing a spoon, and placing it on the table. She smiles at me, and I smile back. Then, when she turns her back, I grab the poison she has attempted to hide from me (in her pocket), and replace it with sugar. 

“Hey, Josie, why don’t you make yourself a milkshake too?”

“Aww, you're being very thoughtful, Eva.” She places the milkshake down, and I notice the little white flecks of sugar she forgot to mix in. Nice try. “I’m actually on a diet, so--”

I spring up. “No, I insist. Here, I’ll make you one. I’ve watched you before, so I know how to make a milkshake.”

“If you really want to.”

I smile, turn my back, and begin to add the ingredients. We chat about school for a few minutes, and then I ask, “Josie, do you want some extra sugar in the milkshake?”

“Yes.” she answers.

I take the poison out of my front pocket and pour it in the milkshake. The poison is a blackish powder. I sniff it, and almost pass out from the fumes. This is definitely lethal. I mix it in as much as I can, and after a minute or so, the milkshake looks like it hasn’t been tampered with. I sprinkle some sugar on the top, so it doesn’t look suspicious. I add a striped straw so that I don’t accidentally drink the poisoned one.

“All done!” I sing, giving her the milkshake.

She and I sip our milkshakes. “This is very good, Eva! It reminds me of--”

That’s when she gasps. She clutches at her throat. 

“Are you okay, Josie?” I ask in fake concern. 

“My throat feels like...it’s...on fire…” she chokes, her eyes streaming.

“I’ll get you some medicine.” I say, and I walk over to the kitchen counter, where she always leaves her kitchen knife. I grab it and walk back over to her.

“That’s...not medicine, Eva....”

“I heard your conversation with ‘Elizabeth’, whoever that is, and I won’t let my life end because of you. I’m going to find out what pods are, what the test is, and where Maysi is.”

That’s when I notice how strong the poison is. There’s a hole forming in her throat.

“You were...planning on doing this to me?” I whisper in disbelief. “All these years, I thought you were so nice and sweet...but…”

I shake my head, raise the knife, and plunge it straight into her heart. She shudders, and her eyes begin to glaze.

“...I know you thought I was, too. But you were wrong because…”

I push the knife farther into her chest, and bring my lips to her ear.

“I’m not.”

I yank the knife out of her chest and watch as her eyes droop, the pinkness drains from her cheeks, and her smile is finally gone.

Whatever she was, she wasn’t human.

At least, not anymore.

CHAPTER 4

The woman before me is not the Josie I knew. Her smile gone, I see herself as a victim. A victim of what, I don’t know. But I know that whoever Josie used to be, that woman vanished years before. 

I’m shocked. I never thought I’d kill Josie. Sure, she annoyed me sometimes, but…

I go over to the couch and try to clear my head. With Josie dead, I don’t have a reason to be in this house anymore. Josie owned it.

That won’t stop me from stealing from it, however.

But before I do that, I need to dispose of the body.

I stand up and walk back over to the kitchen. Josie must’ve slid off the chair, because she lay on the floor, in a crumpled heap. I grab her shoulders and hoist her up, only to immediately drop her in disgust. The hole in her throat has started bleeding, and a small trickle of blood is running down her mouth and onto her chin.

Gross.

Suck it up. I grab her around the waist, hoist her up, and flip her over. I only need to see her throat for a second before it’s gone. I drag her over to where I remember the broom closet was, and, after a minute of confused shuffling, I find it. I open the door, but can’t keep my grip on Josie, who tumbles to the ground. I grab her armpits and yank her into the closet. I step out of the closet and grab the keys hanging on a hook outside. I glance one last time at Josie, close the door, and lock it.

Now that that’s done, I need to get some stuff.

I toss the keys inside a bag I’ll use to store my stuff. They might be useful later on. For what I don’t know. I’m a very cautious person. 

I walk over to the kitchen and open the fridge. There’s lots of food inside, so I grab the stuff that I think will spoil the slowest. Like the apples, carrots, steak, ice cream, etc. I also grab an ice pack, so things like the ice cream won’t melt. And although ice cream isn’t that useful, I just like the way it tastes.

Maybe I should get some weapons.

I rummage through a drawer in the kitchen and find what I was looking for. A lighter. I close the drawer and walk over to another closet (not the one with Josie). I open the door, and see what I expected. Josie has camping gear, what for I am unsure. I never went camping. She never did either. I grab a sleeping bag and a flashlight, and shove it into the bag.

It doesn’t fit.

I toss the sleeping bag out in frustration, and that’s when I notice a very thick, long piece of rope hanging on a hook in the closet. I grab it, and using it I secure the sleeping bag to my bag.

I think I have everything I need.

I walk towards the front door, but that’s when I realize that I forgot to get combat weapons. Sure, the lighter can be used to create some serious damage, but I have a high risk of lighting myself on fire.

The knife could be useful.

I walk into the kitchen and grab the knife, which I dropped on the floor. It has blood on it, which is both disturbing and gross, so I grab it and wash it off in the sink. I dump it in the backpack. 

Now I’m actually ready to go.

I walk up to the front door, pause, and mutter, “Bye, Josie.”

I walk out the front door, and don’t bother to close it. I don’t have a reason to anymore. There’s a slight breeze that ruffles my hair.

I should get moving.

I begin to walk into the woods, when a sudden sound distracts me.

Squeak squeak squeak.

Noticing that it’s coming from one of the trees, I rush over to examine it. There’s a squirrel in the tree, it’s tiny paws fussing over an acorn. It stares at me, and I stare back, my eyes narrowing in order to get the squirrel into better focus. The squirrel turns around to scamper off into its home, but is interrupted by a rock slamming it in the head, knocking it from the tree and killing it.

It could have been watching me.

I pick up the squirrel's corpse and examine it. It looks young. About 1 year old. After killing Josie, my sympathy is at an all time low.

I’m numb. I grab the squirrel by the neck and throw it into the deep woods. As soon as I turn around, I hear a shriek. I swing around and wait, hoping to hear another sound.

Silence.

I grab a nearby rock and chuck it towards the sound, to which I am rewarded with a rustle. I open my backpack, grab my knife out of my backpack, and charge towards the noise. I slice through a thick bush and stare at what jumps out of it.

A boy with a crossbow.

Based on his height and face, I assume him to be about my age, maybe a bit older, 14 to 15. 

We stand there and study each other, his spiky brown hair rustling in the slight breeze, his brown eyes focused on mine.

“Who are you?” I ask, my question obviously reflecting his own thoughts. “And where did you come from? Also why the hell are you in the woods? People died here.”

“I’m Liam.” the boy answers.

I glare at him. “Well where the hell did you come from? I asked.”

“I…um…came from a place called ‘the in between’.”

I stare. “‘The in between’?” Liam nods. “You suck at names.”

He flushes. “I didn’t call it that, someone else called it ‘the in between’.”

“Still a stupid name.”

“Whatever.”

He kicks at a piece of rubble. “Well who are you and where did you come from?” he repeats to me.

“I’m Eva, and I came from the neighborhood.” I reply.

Liam studies me for a few minutes. “Come with me.” he finally says.

I scrunch up my nose. “No, I’m not going with somebody I barely know.”

“Trust me, it’ll do you good.” Liam says, a small tone of desperation in his voice.

“No.” I say firmly. “I’m staying here and going with no one.”

“Fine, you leave me with one choice.” Liam sighs. He taps the bush. “Seth, cmon.”

Suddenly, a boy with silvery hair around the age of nine bursts from the bushes and lands near me. He grabs a cloth and dashes behind me, and before I can do anything, the cloth is covering my eyes. “Sorry,” he whispers in my ear.

Then I feel a sharp pain in my arm and I black out.

CHAPTER 5

My thoughts are jumbled as I return to consciousness. My body is covered in a rough, wooly blanket, and I smell bacon. Am I back at Josie’s house? No, that can’t be possible. I remember everything. “She’s dead.” I mumble aloud.

“Who?” I hear a female voice say.

My eyes shoot open, and I see a girl with vivid pink hair and yellow, catlike eyes staring down at me. “Aaa!” I exclaim, jumping back.

“Sorry for startling you!” she says in a slightly high pitched voice. “It just gets a bit boring seeing the same old faces day after day, so when someone new comes to camp ya just gotta go and see the-“

“I’m sorry, who are you?” I interrupt. Rude, I know, but when someone I don’t know starts acting like we’re best friends? That gets a little unsettling for me.

“Oh, silly me. I’m Lori Barnger.” She extends a hand. “I help invent machines that keep the camp running.”

“What camp?” I ask, cautiously taking her hand and shaking it slightly.

“Well, we’re in a place called the i-“

“Lori! The oven broke down again!” a male voice calls.

Lori grimaces. “Ah, sorry Eva. Everyone relies on me to fix their broken machines. Coming!” She gets up and walks to the exit of the tent I’m in. She smiles and waves. “I’ll see you later!”

I wave back, when suddenly I fall backwards and am lost in the darkness of unconsciousness once again.

The next time I wake up, I hear two voices: Liam and a different male. Their voices are incredibly hard to hear, however, so I hoist myself up a bit and press my ear to the wall of the tent. Eavesdropping only seems to cause problems for me, but for right now, I don’t care.

“…don’t care about how helpful she could be, the new girl will take up more supplies than we want.”

“Her name is Eva, Jack…”

They’re talking about me. I suddenly am back behind the couch, listening to Josie speaking about her plot to murder me. 

Josie.

I can’t help it. Although she tried to kill me, it’s still so sad what happened. She wasn’t herself. I let out a loud, audible sob, and the people fall silent.

Shoot.

I hear footsteps, and I immediately shove my head onto the pillow and pretend to be asleep. I hear the tent door zip open, and a rustling. 

“There’s nothing, Jack. I think that she was just having a bad dream. Ah, no wonder. Her covers are all bunched up at the foot of her bed.” Liam walks over to me and grabs the blankets at the foot of my mattress. He tosses them over me and I realize how cold I was. Warmth washes over me and I hear Liam leave the tent again.

I press my ear back to the tent wall.

“Nobody makes a sob that loud, Liam. Even Seth doesn’t cry that much, and he’s a big cryba-“

“Don’t talk about Seth like that. He’s a strong kid. He’s stuck through everything we’ve been through without a problem.”

“I didn’t ask and don’t care, Liam. Remember who’s in control here.”

“I do.” 

“Good, then let’s continue our little chat about your new friend.”

“I just…there was something about her that I couldn’t help noticing. She was packed up, like she was ready to go away from her neighborhood to live somewhere else. I just thought that she could try to live in this cam-“

“Liam, Liam, Liam. I’m sure that she was only going to feed the animals.” Jack says carelessly.

“She threw a dead squirrel right at Seth! I don’t think she’s the type of person who would feed animals.”

“Well, you make a fair point.” Jack sighs. “I’ll let her in for now. But if anything goes wrong she’ll go back to the forest where she belongs.”

“Fine.” Liam snarls, and he angrily stomps over to the tent I’m in and plops down beside me, rubbing his eyes. He grabs his sheets and tosses them over his body. Within a few minutes, he’s asleep.

It takes me a second to fall asleep, and when I do it’s painful. I constantly wake up in between a repeating dream about Josie and the hole in her neck, growing wider and wider until it swallows me.

When I wake up for the last time, I’m confused about how I woke up, because it wasn’t from fear. Then I realize it’s because the silvery haired boy is rustling noisily around in a backpack. He notices that I’m awake, and immediately apologizes.

“I’m really sorry that I blindfolded you!” he whispers. “The leader of our camp, Jackson, has this rule where we have to use a sedative on a human who looks like they could survive on their own!”

“Wait, wha-? Why do you need to do that?” I ask, startled by his apology.

“Well, he’s afraid that the new people might turn him into the…leaders of the test. He’s a very paranoid and annoyed person, and he rarely trusts anyone.”

“I don’t think he’s very fond of me.” I answer blankly.

The kid shakes his head. “Oh, don’t worry, he’s not fond of anyone. The other day he yelled at this lady named Sue for spilling some of her water on the floor. Of course, Sue didn’t react much because of her past…”

“Who’s Sue?” I ask, puzzled.

“Oh, she’s one of the people who lives in this camp,” Seth says, grabbing the bag he was looking through again. He searches through it for a minute or two, before stopping. He looks at me and tilts his head. “I could introduce you to some of the people in this camp if you want?”

“I don't know…” I answer, remembering last night. “I feel like they’ll think I’m weird or something.”

“Everyone here is a little weird,” Seth assures me.

“Even you?” I ask. Seth doesn’t seem like the type of person who would be weird.

“Oh, definitely. Everyone knows that I prefer sleeping on rocks rather than a mattress,” he states, gesturing over to a part of the tent that’s covered with stones. I stare at him. “I told you everyone’s a little weird,” he says, shrugging.

“I guess,” I answer, shrugging. “Sure, you can introduce me to some people.”

“Ok, thanks. Lots of people have been wanting to meet you.” Seth says, pushing the bag aside and standing up. “I’ll be right back.” 

He runs out of the tent, and comes back a few minutes later with some bacon and eggs on a plate. “Here,” he says, giving me the plate along with a fork. “You should eat before we go.”

I nod and pick up the fork. I sink the fork into the eggs and take a bite. After a minute of eating, I speak to the kid. “You're Seth, right?” Seth nods. “So Liam’s your brother?”

“Yeah.” Seth says. “He’s really, really nice and caring. If you cry he’ll come over to you and comfort you until you're better.”

I nod and finish the food. When Seth offers to show me where to place my dishes, I follow him over to what looks like a portable kitchen. Fold up chairs, tables, a sink, two dirty mini-fridges, and a few random counters dotted here and there give off the feeling of strange comfort.

After I place my dishes in the sink, I’m amazed as the sink does all the washing on its own. “Who made this sink?” I ask Seth.

“Sam.”

“Who?”

“Oh, Sam’s one of our inventors. He created the mini-fridges and the sink you just asked about.”

“Hm,” I answer.

“Do you want to go meet him first?” Seth asks, his hand clutching my hand so that he can lead me.

“Sure, I guess.”

Seth pulls me across a very dusty pathway, over to a place that looks like a metal igloo, its silver dome gleaming in the sun. Seth knocks on the door, and steps back. He was right to do so. The door emits a steam that smells of rotten eggs, and a person in a white chemical-resistant suit comes out. “Can I help you?” They ask, their mask dripping with the liquid that came off the steam. Then they see Seth. “Seth! Hey, what are you doing this early? Is your brother up yet?”

“Liam won’t be up for another 15 minutes, he had another talk with Jack last night.” Seth says. “And I’m currently bringing the new person around— um…I don’t know your name…I forgot.” Seth says, staring up at me.

“Eva.” I remind him.

“I’m bringing Eva around, showing her some people in camp. She was fascinated by your sink.” Seth says, his attention back on the other person.

“A lot of people were.” the person says, walking over to the igloos door and shutting it. “Including your brother, Seth.”

“Yeah, Liam really appreciates your inventions.” Seth replies.

The figure nods and their hands reach over to a button on the suit. They press it, and the suit opens up like it has a door in it. A boy with dazzling blonde hair steps out of it, and he waves, grinning. Seth waves, and so do I.

“Hi new person! My name is Sam, and I work in the inventions department!”

“Hi, I’m Eva.”

The boy's ocean blue eyes fix on mine. He shifts his goggles that are strapped to his head. Seth speaks up. “Eva, do you want to go check out the inventions department with Sa-“

I feel something slam into my shoulder, and I whip around, expecting to see Jackson, although I don’t know what he looks like. Instead it’s a girl with curly black hair, stone gray eyes and a hollow look about her.

“Excuse me.” she says harshly, trying to get past me.

“Good morning, Sue!” Sam says happily. “How are you doing?”

“Fine.” she replies, still trying to get past me.

“Would you like to come check out some inventions with me, Seth, and E-“

“No.” Sue states firmly, and she finally gets past me and rushes off.

I wrinkle my nose. “Well, she doesn’t seem very friendly.”

Sam's joyful face is replaced with a bit of sadness. “Well…she didn’t have a very good life, I’ll say that much.”

“What happened to her?” I ask.

“Not my story to tell.” Sam whispers. He forces a smile back onto his face. “Anyways, let’s get go-“

“SAM OLIVER PLEASE REPORT TO JACKSON RIVERA’S TENT.” A voice booms out. “THANK YOU.”

Sam grimaces. “Ah, shoot. Sorry guys, I gotta go. I’ll catch you later.” He rushes off.

I blink. “He seems nice.”

“Yeah, he’s one of the most optimistic people in the camp.” His voice drops to a whisper. “There are rumors that he likes this girl named Lori, who’s also in the inventor’s department.”

“I know Lori!” I exclaim. “She came to visit me when I first arrived at camp unconscious a day ago!”

Seth looks guilty. “Actually you’ve been out for more than a day. The sedative I used on you was a bit too strong, and it caused you to blackout instead of being sedated.”

I ponder this. “Well, I got more sleep than I expected.”

Seth nods. I tilt my head. “Why do you never smile, Seth?” I ask.

“It’s a long story,” Seth says, obviously brushing off my question. “So since you met Sue, Lori, and Sam, do you wanna go meet Jackson or Liam?”

“No.” I reply firmly.

CHAPTER 6 

I blink my eyes open, the daylight shining through the tent canopy. I raise my arm and shield my eyes from the bright light and turn over onto my side. It must be around 7.

I sit up and look around, and that’s when I find the pile of fresh, folded clothes lying in front of me. There’s a note attached to them, and I pick it up. 

Eva,

I managed to sneak you some fresh clothes.

Our leader doesn’t like it when new people get things like this, but I think you should have it.

Don’t tell.

-Lori

I put on the clothes (which are soft) and open the tent door. I step outside, and immediately smell smoke. I follow the smell and see a breakfast area with a bunch of people gathered around a table. Upon seeing me arrive towards the table, Seth rushes over to me. “Hi, Eva. D’you want to come sit with me?”

I shrug. “I dunno, I was going to go check out the camp.”

“Well you should eat something before that. The camp is big, and breakfast is really important.” Seth insists.

I sigh and allow Seth to make me sit with him. Though I don’t feel particularly hungry, I eat a bit of egg to make him not worry about me that much. I can’t help but like Seth. We barely know each other, and yet he seems to genuinely care about me. As we sit at the table, he introduces me to a few people. Lanna, a mute redhead who is a teacher for people who can’t read or write, Erin, an inventor, and Don, a man in the military. “What military?” I ask Don, who is placing some sausages on his plate.

“Y’know, just some sort of guard just in case anything happens. Once a jaguar came into camp. It was pretty scary. We managed to wound it before Jackson came from behind us and stabbed it in the head.”

I look around the area. All around us is pure, gray terrain. It doesn't look like the habitat of a jaguar. I shake this thought off and say, “So…about Jackson. He’s the leader of this camp, right?”

“Mhm.” Don says through a mouthful of sausage pieces. 

“Does that mean that you have to get permission from him to join the military?” I ask.

Don gulps. “Well, yeah, but he doesn’t let girls in.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Why?”

Don shrugs and puts a huge sausage piece in his mouth. “I fink ‘e said somefing abou’ woman on’y being usheful for sewvants amd breeders.”

Even though I haven’t met Jackson (I have heard him), I feel some sort of hatred toward him. “That’s stupid.”

“Yeah, but nobody dares stand up to him. He’ll toss you out of camp so fast you can’t say ‘jerk’.” Don sighs, and he places another sausage piece in his mouth.

I eat a bit more egg then place my dishes in the self washing sink. I wave goodbye to Seth and begin to walk around the camp, looking at everything. After about thirty minutes, I begin to fantasize about joining the military. I’m good at fighting, I could easily fit in there. While I’m fantasizing, I accidentally crash into somebody. We both topple to the floor and I brush the hair out of my eyes to see who it is. It’s the girl named Sue. Books lay scattered around her, and as I reach towards one close to me, she snarls, “Don’t touch it.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Why not?”

“Because you’ll obviously just tear it in half like Jackson, or rip the pages off nitwit.”

I glare at her and pick up the book, to which she scowls. “I SAID don’t tou-” I shove the books into her hand. She looks at me in shock.

“What I am doing is called being nice, which you apparently aren’t that good at.” I snap. Then I get up and walk away.

I don’t like Sue. The way she acts seems both ungrateful and rude. I am about to continue checking out the camp, when Sue calls, “Sorry.”

I whip around, but Sue is running off. I notice she left one of her books behind. “Hey, you forgot your-” I begin, but I stop when I understand she’s out of earshot. I look at the book's title, and it says, My Diary.

Without really knowing what I’m doing, I pick up the diary. My hand makes to open the book, but I force myself not to. I pocket the diary, and begin to walk in the direction Sue had run. After I pass a few tents, I hear yelling. It’s coming from the largest tent in the area. I walk closer to the tent and listen intently. I’m surprised to hear Jackson.

“Lori, you know that we don’t give fresh clothes to the new people, it’s not-”

“Jack, I don’t care! The poor girl was dressed in the clothes from her caretaker's house! Cut her some slack.”

“I don’t care! Besides, she’s odd. While she was knocked out, she literally woke up twitching, then went back to sleep. I want to kick her out, she doesn’t deserve to be here.”

“Jack, come on, I think your being too harsh on-“

There’s a clatter and a bang as Jack supposedly slams his fist on the table. “She’s weird and I don’t like it. The way she acts is unsettling. You know that.”

Lori bites her lip. “I- I mean…she’s a little strange, yeah, but…” Her voice turns cold. “I’m strange too, Jack, and you haven’t kicked ME out.”

��Lori, wait-“

I duck out of the way as Lori’s dark shadow bursts through the tent entrance, anger flaring in her eyes. She begins to walk away when Jackson’s silhouette bursts from the tent. “Lori, don’t you dare walk away from me.” he hisses.

“Oh? And why not?”

“Sam,” he whispers tauntingly. “Your little, precious Sammy. I know you love him.”

Lori stumbles a little. “I-I don’t.”

Jackson rests his hand on Lori’s shoulder. I can hear the smile in his voice. “Yes, you do. I’ve seen the way you look at him. You’re smitten with that guy. Or should I say…freakish girl?”

“Don’t you dare make fun of him you fucking transphobe!” Lori screeches, and she slaps him across the face. “So what if he prefers to go by he/him? He’s happy, and he doesn’t go by she/her anymore!”

Jackson chuckles and rubs his red cheek. “You’ve made a mistake, Lori. You know what will happen unless you give me a little kiss.”

Lori’s eyes blare with anger, but suddenly turn frightened. She approaches Jackson and gives him a peck on the lips. Jackson’s voice turns cold, yet gentle. “That was close, wasn’t it?” He walks back into his tent. “Come by soon.”

Lori runs off. From what I understand and just saw, I’d say that Lori is being forced into a relationship with Jackson, or else he’ll do something to Sam. This annoys me so much that I have the courage to burst into Jacksons tent and state I want to be in the military, when I feel Sue’s diary against my leg.

She’ll be wanting this.

But just as I’m about to try and find Sue, my head twitches. Confused, I feel around my head to see if there was a bug or something, but no, there isn’t anything. Then my head twitches again. It’s a horrible feeling when your body moves without consent. It makes you feel like you have a problem. My foot makes a sudden jerking motion that causes me to fall onto the ground.

Whatever’s going on, I don’t like. I sit up and feel around my body. Nothing feels wrong or out of place. Shaken, I get up and begin to walk in Sue's direction.

CHAPTER 7

It’s hard to find Sue, given that she seems to have vanished into thin air. The only way to find her is by peeking inside tents. After about the ninth tent, I see Sue sitting on top of a sleeping bag, reading one of the books she dropped.

“Oh, it’s you.” She says, not bothering to look towards me.

“It’s me.” I confirm.

“What do you want?” Sue asks, putting her book down and glaring at me. “Make it quick.”

“You dropped this.” I extend the diary to her, and it is immediately ripped out of my hand.

“You didn’t read it, did you?” Sue asks suspiciously.

“I don’t infiltrate others' personal belongings, Sue.” I roll my eyes. “That’s a stupid and unbeneficial thing to do.”

She shoves the book under her pillow and picks the book back up. For some reason, instead of walking away, I remain in her tent. She looks at me weirdly. “Do you want something or…?”

“Er-” I know I do want something, but it seems stupid to mention. I extend my hand. “This…uh…is a little stupid but…I think we got off on the wrong foot. Can we like…be friends?”

Sue shakes her head. “I don’t do friends. They all die or disappear someday, somehow.”

I draw back my hand, and turn to leave, when my mouth moves on it’s own. “Well, having a friend is better than living life alone, right? Everyone dies eventually, so you gotta accept what happiness you can.”

Sue stares fixedly at her book, but I can see she’s not focusing on it. Her eyes are unmoving on a certain spot in the book. Her lips tighten. “Fine, guilt tripper. You can stay for fifteen minutes.”

“Thanks.” I walk over to her and peer behind at her book. “Whatcha reading?”

“Dracula.”

“Ah.”

We stay there in silence, when I sit down beside her. “You know, your hair is extremely curly.”

“Everyone says that. Go ahead, make fun of it, I know you w-“

“Can I style it?”

This takes Sue aback. She obviously hasn’t expected this. She shakes her head. “No, you might ship off my hair.”

“What gives you the impression that I’d ever do that?” I ask, somewhat irritated at Sue’s paranoia.

“I…I don’t-“ she glares at me. “Fine.”

I smile and turn her around so that her hair faces me. Slowly, I begin to untwist some forming knots, comb some dreadlocks out with a hairbrush Sue got me, and brush her hair so that it’s nice and silky.

After fifteen minutes of combing, Sue says, “This feels nice.”

“Yeah. If you want, I can come over every day and do your hair for you.”

“That’d be nice,” Sue admits.

I smile and continue to brush her hair. After a long while, I’m done. Sue runs a finger through her now silky black hair. “Thanks, Eva.”

“Don’t mention it.” I say, handing her the brush. She takes it, but she doesn’t bring it back to the bathroom. She screws her eyes up, as if remembering something. “What’s up?”

Sue’s eyes snap back to normal. “Hm?” She says, turning towards me. “Oh, sorry Eva, what’d you say?”

“I asked you what you were doing,” I answer. “You looked really concentrated.”

“Oh,” Sue says. She looks slightly uncomfortable. “It’s nothing. See you tomorrow, Eva.”

Noticing this as a “leave me alone” warning, I nod and leave her tent. As I’m walking, intending to go to the tent I’m staying at, I notice something. I seem to be continually circling around the front of Jackson’s tent. I’m confused about my body’s refusal to go home, when I remember the military, Lori, and Sam. 

I think I want to speak with him.

My foot immediately steps forward, and the rest of my body follows suit. As soon as I get into the tent, Jackson, who’s sitting at a desk with a pen and paper, calls, “Who is it?”

“Eva.” I answer.

I see Jackson’s fist tighten on the pen. “You don’t belong here.” He snarls, not turning towards me.

“I know.” I reply.

“Then why are you in here?” he asks, his hand scratching on the piece of paper.

“I need a favor.”

“Like I’d do anything for YOU.” he snaps, slightly turning his head in my direction.

“You will.” I answer, my hand twitching.

“Was that a threat?” Jackson drawls. He turns around. “We’ll go ahead, try me, you little idiot.”

Even though he just insulted me, I have to admit he’s quite a looker, with his steely gray eyes, coal-black hair, and strong, tall form. 

“Ugh, never mind. I want to be in the military.”

Jackson snickers. “You. A girl. In the military? Don’t make me laugh.”

“I’m not trying to. I want to join the military.”

“Well good luck trying to convince me. I only let pretty girls do what they want when they’re my girlfriend.”

“You little-“ I exhale.

“Yes?” Jackson asks sweetly.

“Never mind. Is there anything else I can do to get into the military?”

“Hmmm, I dunno.” Jackson snaps his fingers. “Ah, wait. You can beat me in a fight. That’ll prove you’re strong enough.”

As I nod, I remember Josie. She died at the hands of me. I could easily beat Jack. “Oh, I think I’m capable enough.”

“Great, it’s nice to have dreams.” Jackson taunts. “The fight’ll be at eight. Now get out.”

“Fine.” I snap, and I leave.

I step outside and prepare to walk to my tent, when Sam almost bumps into me. 

“Oop- sorry, Eva.” he mutters.

“It’s fine, Sam.” My eyes fall onto the pile of electronic parts he’s holding. “Need help?”

Sam smiles at me. “I’ll manage.”

I smile back slightly. “Care for a walk?”

“Sure, but let me just place these parts at the igloo. Lori…uh…wanted them.”

“Alright.”

As we walk towards the igloo, Sam asks a question I wasn’t expecting; “So, have you asked Jackson about the military yet?”

“I did.” I reply. “Wait, how did you find out about that? I thought-”

“Eva, please. I know everyone in camp. Don immediately told me about you wanting to join the military.”

“Ah, shit, my secret is revealed.”

“Mhm.” He walks over to the igloo and dumps the parts down. “Lori, the parts are here!”

“Thanks Sam!” comes Lori’s distant voice.

Sam and I continue walking. “Did you get in?” Sam asks after a while.

“No.” I say flatly.

“Didn’t expect you to.” Sam sighs. “That jerk is stubborn as nails.”

“Yeah.” I mutter. A thought pops into my head. “Sam?”

“Mhm?”

“What do you think of Lori?”

“She’s a cool person. Nice, funny, really weird, pretty, smart…” His face turns red. “Aaaand I’ve said too much.”

I, however, grin. “So you like her? Non-platonically?”

“Sure, you could- I mean- no! Maybe?” Sam covers his eyes with his hands. “Look, Eva, it doesn’t matter if I like her or not, because Jackson’ll just…he LIKES Lori.”

“Yeah, no shit, Sherlock. What’s the big deal?“

“The big deal is that he’ll most definitely kill me.”

“He’d kill you over a girl?”

“He’s…” Sam hesitates. “He’s killed people before. We don’t get on his bad side, due to this.”

“Oh.” I hesitate. “Sorry.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for.”

“Alright.” My stomach gives an unpleasant squirm. “Sam?”

“Yeah?”

“I arranged something to fight Jackson.”

Sam stops. He looks at me, somewhat frightened. “You what?”

“I-“

“Eva, for gods-“ He buries his face in his hands. He pulls it back out. “Your fucked, you know that?”

“I am?” I ask.

[sleepyselkiesims]

Part 53

Tiana took Pascal's death hard. And she was also the only sim awake at 3AM, so the benevolent god decided to take her on a morning out to see her friend.

HOLY!!! Hanabi lives here???? Ooo this is a Lottie-type friend for sure!!

Hi, Hanabi! can you help my girl cheer up?

No? Just be awkward and judgemental? Ok...

Playing dolls can fix this! Or if not, it'll be cute! (It did not do either, they just smashed the dolls into the floor the whole time)

The benevolent god decided to be a little silly and try out costume wearing for Tiana's eventual party. Her choosing a green alien was so so funny to me.

Looks like Hanabi has a sibling! Let's make more friends!

Unclear what this kid thought of Tiana or the costume.

Hold on, Koji????? What are you doing here???

Then the benevolent god realised that its was the twins birthday!!! Gotta bake 'em a cake before time runs out! And it was a good excuse to have Tiana cheer up by cooking with her dad.

Teo was a more empathetic listener than Hanabi anyway. I am so sorry Pascal died right before your birthday, kids.

WOAH WOAH WOAH WHAT?!?! WHERE?!?!?!?

OH MY GOD KARIM I TURNED MY BACK FOR ONE SECOND!!!! I didn't even see it happen this time!!!

I am suddenly regretting goofing around with the outfits, this situation is too stressful for a Yoda.

Obviously, the entire family was devastated. Albeit a bit confused, because Karim usually came back from this just fine.

Come on, Karim! It's their birthday!! Don't do this to them!!

Don't worry kids, I'll get your dad back!!

If Rapunzel can face her fears, anyway...

[daydreaming-away-reality]

You Could Lose Me

Teo x Reader |🌠| 0.4k

A smile immediately appeared on Teo's face when he saw who was his incoming call. Even though he had just been messaging with you mere minutes ago, getting to hear your voice always made him perk up. 

"Good morning, honey!" 

"Hi Teo," you replied. "Are you still getting ready for the day?" 

"Mmhm," Teo hummed as he navigated around his apartment. "I'm also ready - I'm really hoping to find the app's developers today." 

"You should tell them that I demand a paycheck like you," you joked. 

The sound of your laughter made Teo's smile grow even wider. He never thought that he would ever meet someone through a messaging app that would end up as the love of his life. 

 "I'll be sure to tell them, hon," Teo said with a chuckle. "It's so strange though, neither of us have heard from these developers in forever..."

 The other side of the line went quiet. 

 Having expected some response, the brown haired man was confused by your lack of response. 

"Sugar?" 

The sound of a shaky breath coming through his phone put Teo on alert. 

"Teo?" 

"Yes, sweetie?" 

Even though he couldn't see you, Teo could sense the hesitation you had before saying your next words. 

"I... I was reading our previous messages. What if... you're right and there's trouble with the app?" 

"That's why I'm going to look for the developers." 

"I know. But, Teo..." You bit your lip, wondering if you should hold back your worries. Despite how long the two of you were dating, you clung on this relationship just as much as Teo did. While you knew your man had his phone with other people at times, your worries would be minimal because you knew Teo would find a way to get it back. But the if the app was at stake... 

"You could lose me," you whispered. 

Your words made Teo freeze. You were the reason he kept using this app. You were the light of his life. The harsh truth of reality made him anxious. 

He could potentially lose you. 

"I could lose you," you murmured. "I'm scared." 

While it was usually you who was reassuring him and offering him kind words no matter the situation, Teo knew that you were the one who needed that today. 

"I'll do whatever it takes to find them," Teo vowed, putting his hat on as he headed towards his door. "You mean everything to me, so don't give up on us."

[indiealphas]

Bryce nodded when the other agreed to stay, the news elated him, feeling like a warm ray of sunshine dancing through leaves and gently warming you while you napped beneath a tree. But, despite how happy he was in that moment, like always, it didn’t show on his face- however it did show in his eyes, which seemed to sparkle exactly like shadows and light casting through thigh groves of leaves. Teo would probably see it- he was the only person who ever saw past the bad boy’s exterior, the only one who knew how to reach past all his walls and touch his very heart. Everyone else gave up on him, or fought him, or hated him- but Teo took Bryce’s complications in his stride and seemed to truly enjoy being with him, and so, likewise, Bryce couldn’t help that Teo had slowly come to mean so much to him, even if he didn’t know how to ever convey that through words.

He leaned into the other, keeping him close and leaning into anything he did- if Teo wanted to play with his hair, he tilted his head toward his palm, if the other wanted kisses, he gave them gladly and if he wanted answers, he spoke them. “No,” he said softly, “I mean- today was bullshit-” he shook his head, “-but, what I mean is … I just … want you here because I … want you … here,” he blinked at the other, not knowing how to explain how or why he’d come to that feeling. He nodded when the other suggested having fun and relaxing together, then shook his head quickly when the other asked if he would be out getting up to trouble as per usual, he nuzzled his nose preciously against the other’s cheek, looking at him through long lashes and doe eyes before carefully kissing him, then, almost waiting for permission before kissing him more deeply again. A complete change from the man who, minutes earlier, had nearly fucked Teo with such a roughness the other might’ve ended up in the hospital.

Bryce spooned Teo close, arms banded strong around the smaller man’s torso, holding him like the last scrap of a good dream. He let their legs tangle and let himself breathe in the afterglow, letting his heartbeat slow to something less frantic, letting his eyes close as if he could just nuzzle into the line where Teo’s neck met shoulder and blot out the rest of existence. He did this because he wanted it, not because he needed to mark territory, and it made the urge to say something—say anything—rise in his chest like a bad cough. He swallowed it down, but the roughness was there, riding on the edge of his voice. “I want stupid shit like…” he trailed off, his own words making his tongue heavy, “Waking up to you. Not even in just a sexy way, but like- just because your morning hair is funny and you talk in your sleep. A-and I want you to make those recipes you show me on your phone all the time. And I want us to be able to watch shit together. And yeah, of course I also wanna fuck you every chance I get.” The admission was raw and unfiltered and, as soon as it was out, he shifted to bury his face in the curve of Teo’s shoulder, “Want you ... to be my slut ... and my slut only.”

Teo giggled a little, feeling Bryce dipping his fingers into the puddle that had been formed on Teo’s stomach, his teasing tender touch tickling in just the right way. He let his hand move to just run over Bryce’s arm, coming down from his overwhelming high, before the gorgeous man ordered him to open up and he did with ease. His lips barely slipping open, his tongue barely slipping out to make the kiss as intense and tender as possible. He could taste the cum and it was certainly a good intense taste but he was mostly focussed on Bryce and how the man just made him feel so truly special with the sweetness of his kiss. After an upsettingly long time he pulled back just enough that he could feel Bryce’s breath brushing over his face as the man spoke, a simple request that Teo didn’t really think he’d hear. Staying for a single night, sure, but multiple felt like something new. He let his hand slowly slip up Bryce’s side and resting on his cheek, brushing it over the glistening skin and looking right into Bryce’s eyes “I’ve got nothing planned, I’d love to stay” he whispered back with a kind smile, moving a little so he could press his forehead against Bryce’s.

For a moment, he just kept stealing tiny little kisses, just embracing the soothing afterglow with the masculine god who had completely destroyed him. He gently moved his hand up to run over Bryce’s hair, running through the short locks and absentmindedly playing with them as he kept stealing little intimate kisses. After a while he ever so slowly pulled back and just went back to looking right into Bryce’s eyes “So, my Teddy Bear wants me here for a few days so that tells me today was extra bullshit” he whispered, innocently pushing some of Bryce’s hair behind the man’s hair “Does that mean I get to keep you all to myself for those few days? Just you, me, having a fun relaxing time all about this house… or will I be spending some of the time here worrying that my hole’s favourite filling might be out doing something silly and getting himself hurt? Just so I’m prepared for my day, am I having a fun slutty day or a nervous worrying morning before a slutty night?”

[pinkpetaljam]

Could I slide in and ask for a Ren and/or Alan drabble/HC? Maybe where their S/O wears their jacket out of the blue? I just think it would be cute XD Love your blog BTW

Thank you for the request and love Anon! (˶◕◡◕˶✿)

Ren | [Ȑ̵̮̀e̶͍̳͊̏ď̵͔͌̈́ȧ̴̱̩̌c̵̨̖͚̎̉̃ẗ̷͉́e̵̬̠̬͠ḓ̶̀͋]

• Ren definitely has a wardrobe that consists of clothes similar to the ones Haruko wears in the webtoon, but his go-to is the peach brown sweater. When he realises that it's not in its usual spot one morning, he worries for a moment since you seem to like that particular sweater.

• He's caught off guard when he walks into the bedroom and realises that you're wearing it – he's always wanted you to wear his clothes, he's dreamt of it many times – and now that you're wearing his sweater he can't help but think that it looks perfect on you, that it was made for you.

• "W-What are you doing angel? Is that my sweater...?" He tries to cover his blushing face, but he's also trying to hide the way his eyes trail over certain parts of your body, and he starts to think about how you'd look wearing the rest of his clothes.

• He's even more happy when you leave the apartment wearing his sweater, he'd never want you to take it off particularly when Leon and Teo are nearby, because its a way of marking you and showing that you belong to him – he'd consider getting a second sweater so that you're matching.

• That being said, Ren would love it when you give his sweater back and it has the faint scent of your perfume | cologne. He'd end up holding the sweater close to his face to breathe it in when he's by himself, but that wouldn't be possible if you had your own sweater...

• And if you happened to be wearing nothing but his sweater, chances are that you're in for a good time – that happens to be one of his daydreams, and he's going to kiss and bite you all over if you let him.

Alan Orion

• Alan has taken some of your clothes before, specifically the clothes you won't miss if they happen to disappear from your wardrobe. When his green fleece lined jacket goes missing, he does try and look for it since he wears it frequently, but it's nothing he can't replace.

• He's taken aback when he sees you wearing it, but it doesn't take long for him to smile since he's never seen you wear his clothes before – he's been waiting for this moment for a while now, but at least you two are even when it comes to taking clothes without asking.

• "I was wondering where that went! It looks good on you doe-eyes~."  His smile seemed to widen as he walked towards you, and he gets up close to pick some lint off of the white fleece, but he treasures this whole moment when he sees how happy you are wearing his clothes.

• He starts lending you his clothes whenever you're out in the woods together considering how cold it gets at night, but he also likes to lend you his jackets in front of Erika and Stu – he can't help but grin and act smug when you wear his jacket in front of them because it's a subtle way of showing that you're his.

• Alan also loves it when you give his clothes back and he gets a whiff of your perfume | cologne, and he always wears them when he's out working or getting supplies for his cabin since it makes him think of you – he does get sad when the perfume | cologne fades over time though.

• And when you wear nothing but his jacket, he's more than happy to leave some kiss and bite marks that are hard to conceal with your usual clothes, but you'll always be able to hide it if you wear his ones instead...

[mashihope]

❥ [DKB] Their makeup is done by their crush (Hyung line)

(This mini moodboard is made by me; I don’t own any of the pics.)

• Members: E-Chan, D1, Teo, GK, Heechan

• Group: DKB

• Warning: Mentions of food and the word "kill"

• Synopsis: You wanted to practice your makeup skills and decided to ask him to be your model. Little did you know, you're actually his crush!

[Note: I have zero knowledge about makeup, some things will probably make no sense at all, sorry about that]

Maknae line

E-Chan

He didn't think much about it when you suggested practicing your makeup skills on him.

He was just happy to be able to help you :) (and be with you, of course)

He kept looking at every single thing you did, from your hands moving around the table to prepare the stuff you needed, to your eyebrows frowning every now and then while trying to be focused.

He knew you didn't realize it but whenever you messed up a little bit, your nose scrunched in the cutest way possible, making his eyes shoot hearts towards you 🥺

He tried to throw a few encouraging words here and there, with a soft tone in hopes he wouldn't startle you; "Oh, so you're going to use that now? It will probably go well with that color you used before!" (while giving you a sweet smile and a thumbs up), "I see, you're using this to tone down the eye shadow, nice move"

You've been quiet most of the time, wanting to do a perfect job (perks of being a perfectionist) without getting distracted with the fact of being so close to Changmin's face (if only you knew he was trying to put that thought aside too...!)

He couldn't help but daydream while looking at every single feature of yours, not even trying to hold back a smile, but you thought he was just being his usual nice self.

He looked peaceful and relaxed on the outside but he actually got really shy and nervous every time your eyes met, feeling those stupid wings flying inside his stomach and making him wonder if you would actually hear how loud his heart was suddenly beating...

"Changmin... have you eaten?" but you heard his stomach growling instead, making him blush.

"Uh..." he couldn't help but let out a nervous giggle, he was so embarrased.

"You're lucky that I'm here, coincidentally my mom gave me this morning some *insert a korean food here* that she made. You should try it, she's a really good cook!"

Having to spend time with you and actually eating something your mom has made? He should buy some lotto because today's his lucky day!

D1

You were friends with Heechan, you didn't actually know Dongil.

The thing is, their stylist had to go home that morning because she didn't feel okay, and Dongil had already made a promise yesterday that he would make a Live with Harry at night after practice.

Heechan knows how good of a beauty vlogger you are, so he recommended you to Dongil.

You were surprised by the time you arrived at the practice room, he looked so shy, unlike in the random videos you had seen around YouTube before.

He was so polite, however, and bowed a few times out of nervousness, "I'm D1 but you can call me Dongil. I hope we can get along nicely"

"Hyung, we're not filming an interview, take it easy" Harry was dancing around the room while listening to xiker's Tricky House, unbothered.

"He's right, try to think of me as your usual stylist, okay?" you smiled, making your eyes almost fade away and showing a little dimple.

"Heechan, I'm gonna kill you after this" he felt his ears getting warmer after that, making him even more nervous.

"Okay, we'll start with sorting out the colors that will potentially look good on you, based on your skin tone, hair and outfit" you said in a excited tone, opening your makeup bag.

"Do you do this often? It looks like you know what you're doing" he said half smiling, while "playing" with his ear.

"Oh, so he didn't tell you? I have a YouTube channel, I guess you've never came across it before" you giggled while holding an eyeshadow palette beside his face, trying to see if any of those colors would work.

"Really...? We actually have a friend who..."

He started to talk non-stop about said friend, making Harry laugh in the process, already invested in BTS' ON choreo.

"That's... nice" it was cute, he was cute in fact, the way he had been rambling about it.

"By the way, you have a really pretty skin tone" you were putting a little bit of foundation on his face, thinking that he really didn't need that much because his skin looked good already.

"You're welcome... I mean! Thank you!" if he had been sitting on a chair, he would have fallen to the floor. Harry laughed once again (messing up the steps), amused by his older brother's suffering.

"Heechan didn't mention you'd be this cute, what a surprise"

The blush on his ears spread to his face and prayed that you wouldn't notice.

"Hey, my mom uses that" he pointed to the perfume bottle that was sticking out of your bag, and talked about how nice it's scent was and how much he had missed it.

"When I was on my way to this room, there was a certain scent in the hallway that reminded me of a trip I made with my siblings last year, it was the first time we were going on a trip together without our parents and it made really good memories... Turns out you were the one behind it!"

He didn't know what to say after that, so he talked instead about that time he went on a trip with his parents, the butterfly that scared him when he opened the bathroom door, the shirt he bought in the store that was next to the hotel and somehow what he ate yesterday.

"Dongil?" "Y-yeah?" "I'm done"

He was startled to hear those words, "No! I-I'm sorry, I'll be quiet from now on, I swear!"

"Oh, silly, I mean I'm done with your makeup!" you giggled, giving him your pocket mirror. It seems that he hadn't noticed that he had been talking for the past 20 minutes.

"Oh... I... Actually look good?" he was shocked as if he had never seen his own reflection before.

"Of course you do! You did the most part of it, honestly. Anything would look good on you"

"Oh, uh... Would you like to stay for a while?"

"I can't, but we can catch up another day on that story about that little boy who mistook you for Sunwoo from The Boyz!"

Dongil received a message from Heechan during their Live, "So, how did it go? :)"

"Y/N looks better in person than in the videos!"

Teo

Seongsik accepted quite fast... Helping you and actually having to pass some time with you, why wouldn't he?

Actually, he didn't really have anything better to do and was feeling really bored before you visited the dorms, but you will never know that.

"Did you think about anyone else before me? Ah, of course you didn't, you would never find any other face like this out there"

A quiet "wtf...?" almost escaped your lips, you silently judged him after whatever it was that he had going on.

When you turned around to face him again, he was sitting on the kitchen's counter, trying to look like a model with his gaze upon the horizon...

But he actually looked stupid.

"I should have asked Seongmin", you mumbled under your breath, already tired like a kindergarten teacher that has to look after a bunch of wild and hyperactive kids.

He looked confused when you told him to sit on an actual chair, "But I looked stunning sitting up there though...?"

You were debating between cleaning everything up and going home or actually doing his makeup; you didn't know if he was acting like that for real or just to annoy you, but he was doing a great job.

You tried to remember why you chose to do this in the first place every time he threw a pickup line... A LOT OF DUMB AND CHEESY ONES.

"Aside from being sexy, do you know what else I do for a living?"

"Seongsik, that's not how it works."

For some reason, he couldn't stop picking things up from the table, playing with the brushes and trying to tickle your face.

"One more time and I'll shove this pencil up your-"

"You're trying to look so serious, for what? You haven't smiled once since you came earlier" he tilted his head, looking surprisingly cute (but you'll never admit it though)

"I'm worried" "Why" "You didn't smile after I opened the door"

You rolled your eyes, unsure if he was joking or not because you were actually wearing a mask when that happened.

After what seemed to be hours of silence, he decided to finally make moves, "now or never", he couldn't stop thinking about it.

"I think this lipstick shade would look gorgeous on you, don't you think?", he said nonchalantly while looking at the lipstick container you were closing after putting it on him.

"I'm already wearing-"

You looked at him without realizing he had already got closer to you...

But didn't have time to react once you felt his lips on yours, a soft kiss filled with love and adoration.

You suddenly forgot about the makeup session, with wide eyes and red cheeks after he broke the kiss, checking your reaction and worried of you getting mad at him.

But he actually laughed when he found out that he had made your serious and annoyed façade disappear.

"I guess the boys were right and you do love me after all"

"Shut up" you approached the sink to wash your face in hopes it would stop burning (but failed)

GK

You were able to see all the question marks above his head, trying to understand your words while leaning on the wall with crossed arms, (you know, trying to look like the baddest bad boy... keyword, "trying")

You were holding back a giggle because his eyes were all above the place, in hopes they would land on anything that wasn't you.

"...why me?" is all that he said after processing your request, finally looking at you, "why not?" "...but why, though?"

Once you got him out of his confused state, you had to keep repeating the same words, "no, you don't have to pay me. No, Brave Entertainment didn't send me. No, Gwanghyun, I don't wan't money" (funny enough, someone outside passed by while listening to Lisa's Money)

He is really stubborn, and he couldn't help but think about how this could be seen as how their stylists work almost everyday, refusing to let you do it for free.

He had to drink a whole water bottle before sitting down LMAO

Once you sighed after giving up, he tried really hard to go back to his "bad boy" self, but he was just an anxious mess overthinking every single word that miraculously came out of his mouth.

"Would you mind if I...?", he asked showing you the screen of his phone, where it seemed to be his (also) "bad boy" playlist.

He felt better after the music started to play because he thought it would help him relax, but...

BUT

He noticed you were paying attention to the lyrics when you frowned, as if you were judging him now because of the words that rapper just said.

"Why did I get myself into this?", those words were echoing in his brain because you were quiet, almost too quiet...

"Wait", he suddenly froze after noticing the shapes you just made in his cheeks with a soft pink blush, "Did you just...?" "Yup 😊" "Did you seriously just...?"

You laughed, being no longer able to hold it back. He looked at you in disbelief, "Why would you put hearts on my cheeks? Do you find it funny? Do I look funny to you?" he gestured his hands around his face, making the situation look even more funny.

You made a bet with him; if he made a Live like that, you would accept the money he already decided to give you but if he washed his face before the Live he would have to accept only cute outfits from the stylists from now on.

...guess who's paying for everything on a date next friday?

Heechan

He overheard you talking about it with Changmin on his way to the practice room.

When he was about to go through the door (none of you knowing he was there yet), you lowered your voice and told Changmin that it would be your first time doing someone else's makeup and you were actually really scared of doing something wrong.

He leant on the wall waiting until the leader left the practice room.

"Hey, you, stop. Well, no, don't stop, but, you know what I mean" he was mumbling because his heart started to beat fast when you turned around and looked at him.

You tried to explain him what you wanted to do, which he nodded to with a comforting smile after you finished.

He could see that you didn't feel confident at all, so he made a promise to himself that he would make you smile at least one time, in hopes that would make some of those negative thoughts go away for a while.

"Okay, so" he held your cold hands after noticing they were shaking, "you can start by telling me what kind of style you're going for"

"I... I don't actually know, to be honest... I just wanted to try something that could look good on you..." you were looking at the floor, not even daring to look into his eyes.

"Do you have any ideas to work with?" he placed his hand sofly on your chin, trying to make you look at him.

"Hmm... I saved some of your Twitter photos earlier, but I don't know if you would like any of those"

That made his heart beat faster again, you've just admited you have photos of him on your gallery, OF HIM, not even Junseo or Yuku!

"You can do whatever you want with my face, I'm sure anything would look nice. I've seen a lot of your posts before, you always look good no matter the makeup style, so I guess you could even turn me into V if you wanted to"

"Why would I do that?" you raised an eyebrow, almost offended by the way he suddenly implied he didn't already look good.

The next 15 minutes passed surprisingly quickly. He was lost in thought about what he could possibly say to make you feel better after you became even more quiet, as if you had got mad earlier.

You assumed he was the one who got mad at you, judging by the expression on his face, so you were worried and decided you wouldn't say anything else that could annoy him.

"Why did I have to f*ck things up this much? He probably thinks I'm annoying :("

And then, when you turned around after picking up a brush, he greeted you with one of his "ugly" but funny faces, catching you off guard.

You stumbled and fell to the ground while laughing, out of all things you could have expected him to do, that surely wasn't one of them, but it wasn't unusual either.

"If you find dumb things funny, you should watch that new movie, are you free next wednesday?" he said without actually thinking about the meaning of the words that just escaped his mouth, starting to blush almost as much as you.

"I... You... Let's get on with this!" you tried to focus on what you were supposed to be doing, trying not to overthink what he said nor read too much into it.

He smiled to himself, proud of his little but brave achievement... I guess working for Brave Entertainment has its benefits after all?

[itztim3todi3]

ɪ ᴀᴍ ʟᴇᴏʀɪᴇʟʟᴀ

requested by @princeasimdiya12 via dm

can you do headcanons for Leorio in a Cinderella AU please?

i honestly think this is a stupidy funny yet cute idea lol

Requests | Open (read rules on pinned first)

Fandoms | Hunter x Hunter

Platonic or Romantic? | No reader, kurapika x leorio tho

he was in foster before pakunoda and phinxs adopted him

he had 4 siblings, Shizuku, Shalnark, Uvogin and Machi

they were all mean to him, shizuku forgetting him every morning, shalnark playing around with him by controlling him like some video game character, uvogin pushing him around and hurting him, and machi making him trip, fall down the stairs, drop things, etc

they dump all the chores on him and then go do their evil shenanigans he wants no part in

however when he's down with his tasks, he goes to his room and reads and studies up on doctor things

books, notes, etc that he has hidden from the others so they don't ruin them

and during one of these study periods a few small voices where interrupting the usual peace

at first he thought his 'family' came home early but instead when he turned around he saw teo little mice

a light bright one with green bits on his skin and a pure white one with cristal blue eyes

they where strange as they where talking, in English

he screamed but then calmed down when he saw the light brown one with a small thorn stuck in its side

he fixed the mouse up with a few scratches from the white one and now, they were friends

he decided fuck it and learned how to sew tiny little shirts for the mice

he did it, after poking his fingers many times, and they fit perfectly, with a few uneven threads but good nonetheless

they hung out in his hair and pockets a lot, or in the walls of the large house, it was an odd thing to be able to talk to mice

but Leorio took it as they were his first friends, even if they were tiny wall-dwelling creatures

it was like this for a while, the mice would hide when the others were there, and when they were gone, they'd join leorio in his study and just hang out

and then one day Prince Kurapika sent out a letter to everyone in the kingdom, inviting them to the ball he was holding

leorio was excited to get out of the house, but it seems his family had other ideas for him

they dumbed all the chores on him right before they left, ruining the suit gon and killua (the mice) had made for him the night before

and when he finished his chores, he was sitting outside, his mice friends sitting next to him sadly as they watched him sulk over not being able to go

then suddenly a little girl appeared and claimed to be his godsister Alluka

she helped him make the perfect suit, the ideal carriage, and his two friends being the horses and Alluka herself being the one who drives it

when he arrives, he's amazed

the castle is stunning and Prince Kurapika is even more stunning

when he gets to dance with I'm he's trying not to blush bright red and such

at the end after he ran off at midnight and his shoe fell off and the prince went around town to find who it was

he was finally happy being married to Prince Kurapika and being the Royal family's personal doctor

[myafterlifeisbetterthenyours]

basically a Striker x male imp with powerful regeneration powers, the two knew each other before Striker worked as a noble assassin, y/n by having these powers was almost always in extreme danger situations (like fighting a noble without a head and still somehow win), the two constantly bickered and usually ended up with broken bones. Now these days they meet again after years without seeing each other and with repressed feelings they finally have time to talk... after fighting a little more

Striker x Male Imp with a healing factor.

You and Striker first met each other years ago.

The two of you ran into each other during a job. You both had been hired to kill some petty mob boss.

Striker was seconds away from killing the target, when you jumped through the guy's skylight splatting onto the ground.

Jumping up you effortlessly killed the mob boss and all his bodyguards.

Striker confronted you outside the building, surprised at how good you look after falling through a plate glass windows.

He told you that was good work, if sloppy, but that was his kill. And he just couldn't tolerate theives.

He was surprised by just how nonchalant you were, as though he were telling you something you'd heard a hundred times.

You told him a job is a job, and you wouldn't hold it against him if it were the other way around. And much to Strikers surprise, you turned, and began walking away from him.

Striker, froze, processing what was happening, before he raised his rifle and blew your brains out.

Usually didn't like shooting people in the back, especially a fellow assassin like you. But hey, you practically asked him to do it.

He began to leave, only for you to suddenly jump him from behind, scratching up his shoulders and back, almost managing to cut his throat.

He threw you off, before spinning around and fired three more shots into your chest. That seemed to keep you down this time.

Dragging himself away, he looked back to find you weren't there.

He found himself on edge for weeks after that, never sure If you were gonna go coming looking for pay back.

He only calmed down after running into you at a bar.

And much to his surprise you didn't seem to hold any animosity towards him, in fact, you actually offered to buy him a drink.

Not wanting to offend you, he said yes.

He ended up actually enjoying the night, the two of you having a lively conversation over a few drinks

He couldnt help but ask about the whole, "I shot you in the head, why aren't you dead" thing.

So over a few glasses of whiskey, you explained that you had a serious healing factor, so serious, you were borderline immortal.

Needless to say Striker was amazed and honestly found it kinda hard to believe.

Although what happened next put it all into perspective.

A large demon walked up to you, saying a few words he sunk a large blade into your chest.

Before he could draw his pistol you placed your hand on his shoulder.

Taking a large gulp of your drink, you pulled the blade from your chest and plunged it into the demons stomach. And like nothing had happened, you went back to the conversation.

After that Striker finished his drink, thanking you before he got the fuck out of there.

That was not the last time you and Striker crossed paths. The two of you often ending up taking the same job.

You always having an advantage as you could just recklessly run into a fight, absorbing every attack before killing the target, and walking away unscathed. Where as Striker had to more carefully think his strikes through.

And much to your surprise and joy, you found that through the many jobs you and Striker fought over, you developed something of a frienemy complex.

As annoying as you stealing his jobs was, he couldn't deny, he was having the most fun of his life.

Striker was an extraordinary Imp and it was exceedingly rare he found anyone on his level. So getting to test his skills against you was great.

The two of you were constantly fighting.

Most of the fights were picked by you, usually finding something petty to fight over.

You found the fights good fun, since you weren't really in any danger and Striker always gave his all in a fight.

Your fights got more common, Striker randomly attacking you on the street. The two of you fighting for hours, both refusing to submit.

Bloody knuckles, bruised bodies and broken noses, the two of you were relentless.

And oddly enough, between the brutal smackdowns and all night benders, you found you began enjoying each other's company.

It was an odd dynamic.

The way you could go from brutal fighting, to casually enjoying a meal together, back to a brutal melee.

Though despite your questionable relationship, the teo of you ended up seeing less and less of each other.

Striker began taking much higher risk jobs, often taking on nobility, and as such becoming harder to find.

While you on the other hand, with the pile of cash you made through your killing work you decided to take up several hobbies.

Painting, music, craft, but you would quickly grow bored of them, they were all too easy.

So you decided to travel, taking up any job that caught your fancy.

You tried to let Striker know, you know, for old times sake. But just couldn't get in contact wirh him.

A by-product of being known as a royal killer, you suppose.

You travelled for a few years, traveling the seven rings, taking up various jobs and drastically expanding your resume.

Eventually you'd find yourself in the wrath ring, finding work on a very quaint little ranch.

Usually you'd spend a couple months on the job before moving on to the next one. You'd done this for years, never sticking around for more than six months.

But you found yourself sticking around.

Life on the ranch was good. It was lots of hard work, but you were never bored. And the annual blood moon festival was always something to look forward too.

And over time, you found yourself genuinely enjoying your work. finally finding some sort of purpose in your life, finding yourself being treated like a member of the family. Eventually you worked your way up to foreman.

It wasn't long after a tornado tore through the ranch, you and another worker getting caught up in it.

Only managing to survive because of your healing factor.

You limped back to the ranch, you had to at least act like you were injured. The whole family was overjoyed to see you alive.

But it wasn't long after that a familiar face showed up.

Striker. In all his cowboy glory.

Initially you were overjoyed, tackling the Imp to the ground. Striker effortlessly throwing you off, before he recognised you.

He seemed just as happy to see you, the two of two sharing a hug.

You couldn't explain it, but it felt amazing to hug the Imp. The two of you sharing an long moment together. Staring into each other's eyes.

Apparently he was in town and looking for work.

You didn't buy it for a second, of course. Striker was a cold blooded killer, not some field hand.

But when the boss asked, you still backed his story, telling the boss he was the hardest working guy you knew.

Which wasn't Untrue.

So Striker began working under you, which was great, since he had to do everything you told him to.

But eventually you confronted him about it, telling him you knew he wasn't there for a field hand job.

Striker tried to keep the facade going, but he quickly gave in and told you he was there for a target.

You figured as much, striker telling you he actually planned on taking the position of foreman, as his cover and after hearing that you knew you couldn't let this opportunity go to waste.

So you didn't.

For the first few weeks he was there, you made sure he got all the grunt work, the two of you often getting into fights like the old times.

Though you did take emense pleasure in watching Striker struggle to do basic field work.

But if striker was one thing, it was adaptable.

And soon enough he was working as hard as anyone.

The two of you became close again, alot like last time, but there seemed to be something new between the two of you.

Like a longing that had grown between the two of you, after spending years apart.

Your feeling would grow come to a head after a trip into town.

Striker would use his first pay check to buy a bottle of local brew. Which in wrath, was essentially moonshine. You'd find a hill not to far from the ranch, before popping the bottle.

The two of you would go through the bottle fairly quickly, reminiscing about the good old days.

Both of you getting more and more inebriated as you dug deeper and deeper into your past.

Telling him you had tried to sat goodbye, but couldn't find him. Striker would admit that he had missed you desperately. Hed tell you how it was only his work that kept his mind off of you.

You would lean in close, inches from each other, leaning in, you'd share a much over due kiss.

You weren't sure how Striker would react. You half expected him to knock your lights out.

But instead, Striker pulled you deeper into the kiss, his hands beginning to roam your body.

The kiss would only grow in intensity, the two of you shedding layer after layer of clothing.

You would embrace each other in that field.

You couldn't remember who was on top, and who was bottom, but you woke up the next morning feeling very satisfied.

The next morning was... interesting.

Youd woken up in lots of interesting situations. But hungover, buck naked in the middle of a field besides your long time friend, was a first.

The weird part though, was that It wasn't awkward.

You woke up about the same time. The two of you just laying there, Basking in the early morning sun.

You would just curl up together for a while, quietly discussing what should happen next.

You were shocked when Striker said he wanted to be with you.

Not really sure how to answer, you just kissed him. The two of you ending up having some early morning sex.

So after hundreds of fights, years apart and a pretty severe hangover, you and Striker were finally together.

Thanks for the request y'all. Usually I like don't write for Striker as I just felt there was a bit too much content surrounding him. My headcanon is a little more intimate than the prompt suggested, but none the less, this was still fun to write. Thanks for reading I hope you liked it.

[solartranslations]

AF2 Pace Epilogue 2: Until the End of Eternity

~*Scene: Nordia Street*~

Pace: Hm? Someone call for me?

Teo: You’re hearing things, Four-Eyes

Pace: Come on, Teo-chan. Can’t you call me “Lasagna” instead of Four-Eyes?

Teo: Stupid, why should I? And stop calling me Teo-chan

Pace: Nope

Felicita: [I wonder what time it is for Pace when it’s morning in Regalo]

Felicita: [Or how he felt when his life became eternal when it should have ended]

Felicita: [I don’t have the power to read hearts anymore, and—]

Felicita: [Now, Pace’s gone too]

Felicita: [And whenever I smell lasagna in the air]

Felicita: [I swallow down the pain and go to sleep watching over my treasure]

Felicita: [All while thinking of the one I love]

~*Scene: Courtyard*~

Jolly: So, when is Alberto coming back to the island?

Felicita: He said in a week

Jolly: To study foreign trade? This is a longer trip than usual

Felicita: He wrote back saying that’s why it’s been so informative

Jolly: That’s good. Has he been helpful to you since becoming your new assistant?

Felicita: I couldn’t possibly have lead the island as the lord on my own

Felicita: I’m where I am now thanks to both the Family and Alberto’s support

Jolly: I can tell you’ve been working hard too, Ojou-sama

Felicita: I could, thanks to the treasures Pace left me

Jolly: The twins…Eleniko and Pricilla?

Luca: The sweets I baked are ready! Over here!

Debito: It’s snack time, kids. Hurry before they’re gone

Eleniko: Oh, snacks?

Pricilla: I want some!

Luca: Here you go! Ah, and Pricilla’s already eating them…

Nova: Their appetite sure reminds me of someone. Not that I need to say it…

Liberta: Pace, obviously. Even the girl is like him…

Ash: And somehow Niko takes after Strawberry Head as the quiet but smart one. They sure are different for twins

Dante: His friendly smile is just like Pace’s though

Dante: Hm? Pricilla, you have crumbs on your mouth. Don’t move, I’ll wipe it for you

Pricilla: Hey, you’re just trying to take my snacks. Hyah!

(*bonk) Dante: H-hey…

Felicita: Don’t hit Dante now, Pricilla

Felicita: You should be more ladylike!

Debito: Do you really get to say that, Bambina?

Luca: Ojou-sama was never ladylike at all. I can attest to it

Felicita: You really don’t need to…

Pricilla: I can’t hit him?

Felicita: If you have to, then hit Jolly

Jolly: …Excuse me?

Ash: Well, you are the one everyone hates

Liberta: Yeah! Have Pricilla give him what he deserves!

Jolly: Insolent…

Felicita: I’m kidding. Sorry about that, Dante

Dante: It’s alright, Ojou-san. Children will be children. I’m just glad they have so much energy!

Felicita: But they do need discipline if they misbehave

Nova: You’ve really become a mother now

Eleniko: Ah!

Felicita: Niko, what’s wrong?

Eleniko: My amaretti…

Pricilla: *eating*…

Felicita: That’s Niko’s share, not yours

Pricilla: But I want more…

Luca: Wait right there. I’ll make some more

Pricilla: I want more now…

Pricilla: *eating*…

Nova: Isn’t that our share?

Liberta: Wait! I haven’t had any yet!

Eleniko: M-me neither…uwaah!

Debito: Agh, come on. Boys shouldn’t cry over something like that

Eleniko: But…uwaaah!

Jolly: My, what a nuisance. If this is how they are every day, you must be worried for their future

Felicita: I’ll still raise them as best I can, so they can take over the lordship someday

Felicita: Because they’re the treasures…that Pace left me

~*Scene: Nordia Street*~

Felicita: [Right, Pace…?]

~*End of Scene*~

(Back to Directory)

[scotianostra]

It’s a sad in Shetland as the people remember the day tragedy struck when 31 Shetland “sixerns”, the traditional fishing craft of Shetland and a  total of 105 crewmen were lost in a storm on 16th July 1832. 

This post will cover three Shetland fishing tragedies over a 68 year period, it ended the centuries old tradition of Haff fishing in small six manned bots in the open waters of the North Atlantic around Shetland. Two of these tragedies happened in July, the third in December, however I have decided to post about the three in the one post.

There were between 300 and 500 sixareens or sixerns in Shetland. The Haaf fishing proved to be a hard life for these boats and they only tended to last 5 or 6 years. When they finished their lives as a fishing vessel some ended up being used as a flit boat for moving livestock, peats and other goods between islands or from ship to shore. The sixareens may eventually have ended up as the roof of shed or outbuilding. Nothing was ever wasted in Shetland, especially if it was wooden!

The men would travel up between 20 and 40 miles offshore. As the men were dealing with a prevailing wind, they could usually only sail in one direction. They were always happier if they could row out with a relatively light boat and sail back with a heavy load of fish!

When they reached the fishing grounds, the fishermen would barely be in sight of the highest hills in Shetland. They would have sea all around them.

Haaf fishing was very dangerous due to the unpredictable nature of the weather far out at sea. However, when you look at the numbers of men that fished and the length of time that they fished for, the actual disasters are relatively few.

On 16th July 1832 31 Shetland “sixareens” and a total of 105 crewmen were lost in a storm. The event is still remembered as “The Bad Day”. A London Distress Fund was set up and raised the sum of £3000. The money was raised for the dependants of the crofter-fishermen lost. The crew of one boat in 1832, did manage a lucky escape from the storm as they were picked up by a passing American sloop. However, the Captain of the American vessel refused to alter his course to Philadelphia and so, despite passing close to Orkney, the survivors had to cross the Atlantic and endure a further six months away from home before returning.

During another storm on 20th July 1881, hurricane force winds caught the fishermen by surprise. The boats that tried to come home were mostly capsized or swamped, but those that stayed at their lines for the most part survived. In all ten boats foundered and 58 Haaf fishermen lost their lives. They left behind 34 widows and 85 orphans. Six of these boats and 36 of the men were from the fishing station at Gloup in North Yell. It was a tragic loss for a small community.

On the morning of 21st December 1900, boats from Firth, Mossbank and Toft set off for the winter haddock fishing. They were some 32 kilometres (20 miles) away, between the Horse of Burravpoe and  Snap, when they were caught in a sudden and severe gale from the north-west. Many were lost during the storm which came on in the space of five minutes. The fleet were scattered. One made it to Whalsay, Skerries and Lunning but the rest were lost.

22 men were drowned, leaving 15 widows (5 of whom were pregnant), and 51 children. Firth was hit the hardest. Many of the men were great fishermen and the disaster devastated the Delting fishing industry, which never recovered. The women continued to work the crofts. Children grew up and moved away, leading to a rapid decline in population.

The plight of the families left destitute led to a lot of publicity in local and national press. The Delting Disaster Fund was set up to help those affected and it was one of Queen Victoria’s last public acts to appeal for support.

These major fishing disasters signalled the beginning of the end for Haaf fishing. The herring fishery in the 1880s and the Crofter’s Act of 1886, which put an end to the truck system, were two more nails in its coffin.

Larger safer boats were introduced and undecked sixareens were replaced by fully decked smacks. Fishermen could finally install a few home comforts. However, when the steam trawler was introduced, longlining in large sailing boats couldn’t compete economically. Haaf fishing stopped quite quickly at this point.

There are few sixareens left in Shetland. There are a couple of replicas and bits and pieces lying around here and there. At the Shetland Museum and Archives there’s a replica sixareen called the Vaila Mae. She sails regularly in Lerwick Harbour and you can even get a trip on her during Shetland Boat Week!

One of the only surviving sixareens from the past can be seen in the Shetland Museum, see pic teo, . She was built as the Foula mail boat, which fished for a little while and then ended up as a flit boat for shifting peats. She didn’t spend much of her life as a fishing sixareen.

You can find memorials all over Shetland to those lost at sea.