#You do not want to know how long my draft document is by now

[cellarspider]

1/30: Descending into the depths of madness, and also Prometheus

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We begin with the dissection of a movie destined to be picked over by eagles for all eternity, Prometheus.

I want to preface this by saying that this is not intended as a general critique of the movie. I’m going to be explaining how this movie became a font of madness for me specifically, in a way that friends of mine have found amusing. More below the fold.

I sat down in a theater in 2012, having seen all of the main Alien movies, having vague-to-specific awareness of the ancillary stuff–comics, games, et cetera–and a fascination with H.R. Giger’s work, and the way others had adapted his style to fit the series. I had seen the first trailer for Prometheus, and the “David 8” promotional video. 

It’s worth giving a moment for these videos, actually, because whoever cut it did a phenomenal job. Trailers are there to sell a movie, sure, but they’re also setting expectations, and this one set them high.

It is a fantastic trailer, for a movie that does not entirely happen. I saw this and it said to me “this might have a similar tone to Alien”. Which is the message it is intending to send: Alien opens with a title card revealed in a very similar manner, and features howling klaxons at its climax, and panicked screaming at unresponsive technology. The trailer is deliberately invoking these scenes:

Flashing light warning for the following video, though the sounds themselves are effective enough:

Combine with the further context that Ridley Scott directed Alien and was back to direct Prometheus? This was a must-see, as far as I was concerned. I like slow, measured horror films that work on atmosphere, building something darkly beautiful in the process: My top three at the time were Hellraiser, Sunshine, and Alien. Annihilation has since joined that list, and at the time, Prometheus looked like it might as well.

Particularly with the video that introduced David.

I’ve always loved android characters, and this series already included some excellent ones. Ian Holm’s plays the perfect merciless corporate man as Ash, and his reveal as an android is deeply unnerving. Lance Henriksen’s performance as Bishop in Aliens is iconic for a reason. In this fake advert, Michael Fassbender nails a combination of corporate blandness, carefully tuned non-threatening behavior, and absolutely dead-eyed emotional insincerity. At the same time, he’s presented as a new being, a fully capable individual with no personal history or chance to define himself. That can be really interesting when played properly. I wanted to see more of David.

That was where I was at, when the movie started.

The first scenes in a movie are important for setting audience expectations. A viewer could have never seen anything about the movie before sitting down to watch it. For those who do already know some things–the publicity around a movie, its place in a broader series, or broader things like genre tropes–these people also have to be led to an understanding of what the movie is going to be.

The first scenes are also vital for establishing suspension of disbelief. Suspension of disbelief isn’t turning off your brain, it’s allowing yourself to entertain certain ideas as fact, and then following those preconditions through the logic presented in the movie. If scene-setting fails–or the audience goes in unwilling to follow in the first place–then you’re in trouble.

And I was very willing to follow this movie at the start. I’m a geneticist. I love science fiction, even though I know how wrong most works in the genre are about biology. If a work says “this thing is possible”, I’m usually able to say “okay, I’ll allow it”. This first scene successfully managed to do that for me.

This is in part thanks to the fact that Iceland is a gorgeous place.

(Source)

Sweeping shots of nothing but landscape so stark that much of it looks like abstract art. I would, and have, watched movies entirely composed of this. Yes, I am the sort of person who enjoys Koyaanisqatsi.

Despite the contemplative subject matter, cuts in Prometheus feel off, and in a deliberate way. In the clip of Koyaanisqatsi above, the film follows the music. In Prometheus, they’re consistently off, coming at moments that feel like they’re halfway through a breath. Usually we speak of dissonance in music, but in this case, we have dissonance in motion. I didn’t notice this in the theater at the time. It’s subtle, but there. 

The opening shows us a humanoid alien engage in what appears to be a deliberate, religiously-tinged self-sacrifice, drinking a black substance that causes them to disintegrate. More dissonance in motion, going from deliberate action and the slow departure of a ship, to sudden and seemingly agonizing death. The view zooms in to the microscopic, where DNA is shown disintegrating and then reforming into new strands. We see what appears to be embryonic division: the beginning of new life.

(Sources: https://screenmusings.org/movie/blu-ray/Prometheus/, https://www.cap-that.com/prometheus/ ) 

The movie has asked for you to believe this much: humanoid aliens exist, they are technologically advanced, and they have a substance that can break down and remake biological material.

This also provided the first minor hurdle for me, as a then geneticist-in-training.

I’m very used to abstracted illustrations of DNA. All most people need to know is that it’s a double-helix (two spring shapes) held together by connecting bits made of four different, paired “bases”. Like A and B in the figure below, you usually don’t need all the information in C:

(Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-mcc-microbiology/chapter/structure-and-function-of-dna/) 

And in some ways, the movie gives a very decent illustration! They preserved much of the geometry, evident in the “major groove” and “minor groove” shapes noted in Figure A: the usual configuration of DNA in our cells is a slightly wonky spiral, which they appear to almost nail here. They also appear to have tried to render this DNA in a visual style coherent with H. R. Giger’s work.

They have done so by turning it into a pale bacon ladder, or possibly some very strange pasta.

This was slightly humorous to me, but it’s hard to render molecular-level stuff in a way that’s intelligible to an audience, so I was willing to go with it. This also gave an extra bit of information: this alien species has DNA.

Now, this is a given for multicellular life on Earth, but it’s not a given in the speculative world of astrobiology. Life requires some sort of way to encode instructions for how to build its component parts, but DNA is not the only way that could be done.

Overall, I like this scene. It, and one that comes relatively soon after, are stand-out scenes in terms of setting mood, matching the expectations from the trailer.

Unfortunately, they set the mood for a different movie than what actually follows.

And we meet the first stumbling blocks in the next scene, and have our first brush with some of the movie’s blunt-force approach to themes and exposition.

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[pacifymebby]

Maybe an imagine for the Peaky Blinders where at some point they got intimate with their girlfriend in the boys’ office and while they were distracted she put her underwear in his gun cabinet. Would love to know how they react when they’re just sitting at their desk and they go to reach for it one day and just find a really sexy pair of undies in there as well😂

I have been writing this for so so so so so so so so so long I think it was one of the first requests I got back in November and I'm so sorry it's taken me this long. It's been sitting in my drafts for months. But here it is, this was actually so much fun to write and I really enjoyed it. I just needed to be in a specific mood to write it i think? I really hope you're still here on my blog anon and that u finally get to enjoy the request :'(

Tommy

🌿 Tommy is only mildly surprised to find your underwear in the draw of his desk. You're always getting up to no good, trying to push his buttons... You're a little minx really, always trying to get his attention... So this is exactly the kind of thing you might do...

🌿He knows exactly why you did it too... Since getting into politics he's had to spend more and more time away from home, always on trips to London, never at home, with you... He knows he's been neglecting you

🌿So, he sends for you, calls you into his office quite calmly. "Sit down y/n..." he says nodding to the chair opposite him.

🌿You're a little uncertain, he looks so stern and serious that you're getting more and more nervous the longer he makes you sit in silence. You're definitely in trouble, that much you can tell...

🌿But you don't know for certain that he's found your underwear until he takes them out of the drawer and drops them in front of you on the desk.

🌿"Y/N, what are these?" the way hes looking at you through his spectacles, so calm and yet stern... You squirm and stutter your response suddenly nowhere near as confident as you had felt when you left them there...

🌿"Um... Well, uh... My um... My underwear i guess?" "You guess?" "No uh... I know Tommy..."

🌿"Right, alright..." he nods and for a moment when he flashes you half a smile and lets out a little breathy laugh you think thats all the torment he's going to put you through... But of course not. This is Tommy we're talking about.

🌿"Alright y/n, and what is your underwear doing in my desk among my tax documents and memos?" "I uh..." "Come on love speak up we haven't got all day..." "Because I put them there Tommy..." You're already blushing deep red, you're embarassed and he's really enjoying making you squirm.

🌿If he's telling the truth he loves that you did it, gives him an excuse to torture you now, force you to admit how much you want him... Something which he obviously loves to hear. Watching you squirm really tuns him on...

🌿"Oh okay, alright, alright... And y/n,why did you do that?"

🌿 You're speechless now, so embarrassed, you can't believe he's really forcing you to admit it but you know he won't let you go or give you what you really want until you do as he's asking and spell it out for him.

🌿You're just not really the kind of girl that does things like this and though it might have been thrilling to do something bad and out of character, you're remembering who you really are - a good, sweet girl - and suddenly you're regretting your little trick.

🌿 "I.. I guess well, you've been so busy lately Tommy I just... I didn't want you to forget about me you know..." you trail off offering him a shy but seductive little smirk. You really want to keep playing coquette but he's really put you in your place and you're not sure now whether he's going to give you what you want or just keep torturing you.

🌿"Right..." he nods before telling you to get up, "Alright y/n now answer me this eh? Come here and answer me this..." he says quiet and intense, running his hands down your arms, taking your hands in his and pulling you down to meet his gaze. He has you bent right over his desk in the most submissive position... You can hardly breath.

🌿"Do you really think you're so easy to forget?" you can hardly speak, just shaking your head slightly, your breath caught in your throat as he tugs you down to kiss you.

🌿 He stands up, letting you go, leaving you feeling let down and if you're being honest, a little confused. You thought he wanted you? For a moment it really looked like you'd played into his lustful side...

🌿 He warns you not to play childish games with him, that in future if you want something you behave like an adult and you come and ask him for it. "Sometimes angel, when you want somet from me, you say please eh? Remember that word sweetheart..."

🌿Fucks you on his desk anyway... "Thoight you might like playing the bad girl eh angel? You want me to show you how I treat those girls?" his low murmur sends a shiver down your spine and when he sinks his teeth teasingly into your neck you can't breath.

🌿Tommy was always going to fuck you on his desk. From the second he'd felt the soft lace in his hands he'd known what he wanted to do to you.

🌿He just wanted to make you squirm first.

Alfie

🐻 He's surprised by you, other young ladies he might expect this from but not you, not his sweet little zieskiet who has the heart mind and soul of an angel. Who is usually always so well behaved...

🐻 It doesn't help that when he discovers your little memento he's in the middle of an intense meeting with Tommy Shelby.

🐻 Tommy thinks he has the upper hand, thinks he's charmed his way into Alfie's trust once again but Alfie's hand has slipped to the drawer in his desk where his fingers skim the surface of the gun he keeps concealed there...

🐻 But where he expects to find cool metal he finds soft silk and lace instead and his heart begins to race as memories of the afternoon before when he'd called you into his office flicker through his mind like a naughty film...

🐻 For the first time ever Tommy witnesses Alfie Solomons speechless. Sure the moment doesn't last long, but for a second there Tommy catches a strange look in Alfie's eyes, like he's genuinely stunned... He's probably lulled into a false sense of security, thinking he's the reason Alfie's quietly struggling to swallow a lump in his throat.

🐻 But Alfie just sweeps the underwear to one side for later, tskes the gun out and rushes Tommy through the deal, hurrying him out the door, grumpy and impatient so that he can go home to you.

🐻 When Alfie comes home that night he's playing the "everythings as it always is" act, grumbling to you about the lads in the bakery, grumbling to you about something clumsy Ollie did earlier thst day... You're listening but only a little as you shape the bread you're baking. You're don't look at him until he says something that surprises you...

🐻 "Oh, oh yeah right, right i almost forgot, yeah, silly me eh, almost forgot these..." he says producing your lacy underwear and dangling them from the tip of his finger.

🐻 When you turn around to see what he's holding you're shocked. You drop the knife thats in your hand and it clatters on the floor. You shouldn't bd surprised, you only left them there the day before, but somehow your strange out of character whim had completely left your mind.

🐻 "Oh..." you say your hand raised to your mouth... Alfie's still just holding them out, the scandalous garment just dangling between you, you blushing at the memory of your time together. Him waiting, stern expression, for you to take them from him.

🐻 "Oh..." he says watching you, wondering if you know you're in trouble or not... You've turned the most adorable shade of red and he's already struggling to hold his grumbling resolve. "Yeah," he says, "oh..." "Thats what I thought an all when I found em earlier right, I though 'oh" he holds his hand to his mouth mocking your earlier gesture... Making thst blush of yours all the worse because you can't tell if you're being teased or if he's really quite cross with you..

🐻 "An you know what yeah poppet? I showed em to Tommy fuckin Shelby yeah and you know he said 'oh' too, just like that yeah 'oh'..." now you know he's trying to make you squirm, trying to tease you. Because you know theres no way your Alfie would ever show another man something as private as your underwear.

🐻 You smile nervously, your blush and your shy giggle as you bite down to try and stifle it too much for Alfie to maintain any temper he might have been trying to build up.

🐻 Instead he steps up to you, traps you between the cupboards and his body, holding your underwear right up to your face, the lacy garment dangling right by your cheek, silk brushing your skin.

🐻 "These my little zieskiet, these yeah are a very dangerous object, and you right, you're a very good girl yeah, so you my dear, you should not be leaving these, dangerous things yeah, you should not be leaving dangerous things like this lying around right, cause you never know who's gonna find em..."

🐻 "Well that's why i left them in your drawer..." you say quietly, your biting on the tip of your thumb, looking at him so sweetly that its hard to imagine you could have done something as tempting as this.

🐻 "Yeah," he says, "yeah you did didn't you... Tell me poppet, cause theres somethin I'd quite like to know right, somethin thst interests me a great ammount... Why yeah, why would a sweet little girl like you do somethin like that?"

🐻 You would be so shy and blushy, you absolutely wouldn't know what to tell him, your voice abandoning you as you look back at him with doe eyes, biting on the tip of your thumb. When you try to look away he takes your chin in his hand and steers your view back to him.

🐻"Remember my dear little zieskiet, we don't keep secrets me an you? Nah, we don't have no secrets..."

🐻 He knows what you want and he's definitely just teasing you because his favourite thing in the whole world is to watch how you melt like butter for him. How you'll tell him anything he asks, do anything he asks, all he has to do is stroke your cheek and look you in the eyes.

🐻 Honestly he thought he was cross with you for distracting him at a crucial moment but now he's face to face with you, now he's got one hand on your waist the other holding your neck delicately, all he wants to do is reward you for your bad behaviour...

🐻 "Think you'd better pop yourself down over papa's lap..." you think he's going to spank you but when your eyes go wide he just chuckles, tells you not to look so worried...

🐻 Fingers you within an inch of your life whilst you're laid across his lap and then makes you promise him that next time you want his attention you'll just ask.

🐻 "Oh an poppet, promise me yeah, promise me you'll give me a little warning next time you try to play a trick like that... Don't like surprises me..." He's practically telling you to do it again.

🐻 when hes finished with you he'll give you your underwear back and then watch you put it back on in front of him. You want to hate his triumphant little smirk but you're still shaking from your high and when you've done as he asked he welcomes you back into his arms for a cuddle and tells you (almost) all about how your little trick nearly interrupted a crucial business meeting.

Arthur

🍂 He had been about to kill a man. That he was sure of. Seething with rage, red in the face with a hatred burning in him, that infamous formidable temper hazing his mind, taking over so that in 30 seconds time he wouldn't be Arthur Shelby anymore. He'd be the animal he fought with every day.

🍂 He'd stormed through the house on Watery Lane to the cabinet he kept his guns but when he'd thrown the doors open, practically frothing at the mouth, eyes narrowed and searching only for a weapon with which to destroy the man in question... When he threw open those doors he found a pair of your silky panties artfully wrapped around the barrel of his firearm.

🍂 Suddenly the man in question was the last thing on his mind. His temper wasn't quelled, all that anger and adrenaline was still buzzing around inside his body... He needed an outlet, something or someone to take it out on, lay into... But he couldn't think of anyone else in that moment. Not now he'd seen your underwear. Not now he'd been graced by a flash of memory, your naked body spread beneath him, your eyes rolled back in ecstacy as he'd fucked you the night before...

🍂 So his attention was diverted and a man's life has inadvertantly been saved because now rather than vengeance Arthur is only hungry for you...

🍂 He spends a little time hunting you down, searching around the house and then around the town looking in all your usual haunts. However he finds you exactly where he wants you. Sitting in his chair at his desk in the office down the factory.

🍂 "You," he says when he sees you, his eyes narrowed on you as he takes in the sight of you. How pretty you are, how innocent you're trying to look. It drives him wild and he can barely control his breathing as he locks the door shut behind him and pulls down the blind, "fuckin stand up when I'm talkin to you sweetheart..." He growls snatching at your wrist, pulling you to your feet.

🍂 he's rough with you but honestly that's what you wanted... Arthur's always trying to be on his best behaviour around you and the idea of sparking his temper, of having him be a little rougher with you.. it excites you more than you want to admit.

🍂 he pushed you back against his desk until you're perched just on the edge and when he steps between your legs, your feet hovering just above his shoes, he takes his revolver out and points it at you. You're nervous, your breath catching in your throat as you look up at him with wide, not quite timid eyes. You're starting to wonder if you've bitten off more than you can chew.

🍂 he uses his gun to push your dress slowly up your thigh, you can't take your eyes off it, the cool metal on your skin shivering you, causing goosebumps to ripple over your arms.

🍂 "You are in so much trouble..." He growls, "you don't wanna know how much fuckin trouble you're in y/n... No you don't..."

🍂 "Fuckin look at me eh love, when I'm talkin to you you fuckin look at me..." You're so nervous and the way his voice comes out gravelly and thick with adrenaline, the way you can hear his rage in every word makes you scared you might have gone too far, that you really are in as much trouble as he says you are...

🍂 he uses the barrel of his gun to push your chin up holding it there digging into you to force you to look him in the eyes when he's talking to you. You're trembling with nerves and sexual desire and he can see both your fear and your lust right there on your face. "Not so innocent now are you darlin..." He growls as he rubs his rough hands up over your thighs pushing your dress right up to reveal you...underwearless, legs spread, the sheen of your arousal catching his eye.

🍂 he can't get his belt undone quick enough but when he's dropped his trousers around his ankles he grabs you almost violently pulling you towards the edge of the desk, entering you suddenly, the shock displaced with pleasure almost immediately as he growls into your ear and starts thrusting in and out of you quickly.

🍂 his movements are sharp and desperate and he's fucking you in a way he's never fucked you before. It's divine, exactly what you'd hoped for.

🍂 "y'see sunshine a man was gonna die tonight right, I was on my way to fuckin kill him when I found your little fuckin surprise..." He growls as he's fucking you, you're so dizzy with pleasure that all you can do is moan in response clutching at his hair for your dear life. Your legs squeezing his waist so tightly as you shake and he manoeuvres you on his cock.

🍂 "Fuck," he groans, "I was gonna fuckin kill him and these fuckin things were the only thing that stopped him yeah so I reckon that must make you some kind of fuckin angel... Doin god's work eh? What kind of angel goes round saving lives with her cunt eh?"

John

🌼 Would be absolutely delighted. All his Christmases have come at once and he can't keep the grin off his face... can't and doesn't want to be subtle even if there's someone else in the office with him.

🌼 In fact if there is someone else in the office with them he'll definitely flaunt the fact that his girlfriend's 'forgotten' her underwear. He's so childish'y smug about it and he can't wait to get home to you.

🌼 He'd have them hung from his finger, slung over his shoulder as he leaves the office early, waving them in explanation when Isaiah shouts after him asking where he's going. Then as the office door swings shut behind him he'd tuck them into his pocket for safekeeping, whistling as he walks home.

🌼 You have put him in such a good mood, theres a real spring in his step and his mind is buzzing with all the thoughts of what he'll do when he gets home to you.

🌼 he'll come in having decided he's going to tease you, play a little trick on you. He'll call through the house for you with a real urgent tone to his voice as if something is seriously the matter...

🌼 and when he finds you sitting in the nursery with one of your friends and the children he'll put on this grave expression, apologise to your friend and send them away.

🌼 "I'm really sorry sweetheart but this can't wait and I need y/n," "God what's the matter John, the family? Is everything okay?" You'd be so worried asking him all sorts of questions but he wouldn't give you an answer until your friend has hurried out the door and you've put the little one in their crib.

🌼 then he'd turn to you, still with those serious, worrisome eyes, he'd place both hands on your cheeks and hold you carefully, looking as if he were about to break the worst news... "I'm sorry for ruining your day flower, if it could have waited you know I would have waited..."

🌼 you're almost panicking now getting more and more anxious by the second, "John what is it just tell me what's happened!" You beg and just like that he relaxes, grin spread across his face as he shrugs.

🌼 "Oh nothing major, don't fret flower... You just forgot these is all..." He says with a cheeky grin as he takes the underwear from his pocket and dangles them in front of your face by the tip of his fingers. He looks so unbelievably proud of himself you could honestly slap him.

🌼 if he wasn't so attractive you would definitely slap him... Instead you just stare back at him in disbelief, you try to get annoyed with him, "For fuck sake John you scared me!" You exclaim but you can't finish the sentence without letting out a little giggle.

🌼 "So..." He says lowering his voice, getting closer to you, his hand on your hip pulling your body in close to his, "if you left your underwear in my office this morning..." He starts, his breath warm on your cheek as he leans in to whisper in your ear, "what're you wearin under this dress?" "Why don't you take it off me and find out..."

🌼 So then he realises you definitely didn't just forget your underwear. The naive 'ad had kind of thought it a mistake, hadn't really thought you capable of playing such a wicked little trick but now he's realised your games, how you're more trickst than he'd first imagined he's actually very proud of the fact.

🌼 he'd pick you up, your legs wrapping around his waist and carry you to the bedroom, throwing you down on the bed where he'd crawl above you, looking down at you full of pride and mischief.

🌼 "So you were playin tricks with me were you flower?" He'd ask, his tone making you squirm and giggle, making you feel teenage and playful and like you might be in the best kind of trouble. You'd try to wriggle away from him, he's got that look in his eyes like he's about to either tickle you to death or fuck you hard and you can't tell which...

🌼 "hang on a minute flower where dya think you're going?" He chuckles stopping you going anywhere with just his hand on your shoulder pushing you into the mattress.

🌼 uses your underwear to tie your hands behind your back so you can't escape him. Then fucks you until you're exhausted, your hips aching from having your legs spread for so long... But you've come so many times you have that warm, all over tingle and when you finally collapse into eachothers arms you can't wipe the smiles off your faces.

🌼 it's going to start some kind of game between you, the two of you trying to outdo one another with mischievous little acts. But John always loves it whenever you leave something intimate of yours in his office and now you know you'll be rewarded for it you do it more often.

Bonnie

🍀 You'd been in his dressing room with him before his big fight, wishing him good luck. You always worry about him before he goes into the ring but you're also really proud of him, and there's something about being alone with him in the changing rooms before he goes out that really turns you on.

🍀 You run your hands over his chest, taking in the sight of him unscathed for the last time, and try to contain your desire. You find him so attractive when he's in the ring and you always let him know. It boost his ego and makes him walk out there twice as cocky.

🍀When you kiss him goodbye you give him a real, deep snog, one hand in his hair, the other hanging your lace black underwear from the gym peg behind your boys head. You want him to have a surprise for when he returns later triumphant.

🍀 He doesnt notice them when he's leaving for the ring, too in the zone, focussing and firing himself up - and your kiss certainly helped fire him up.

🍀All through the fight you're cheering him on just as you always would and Bonnie feels absolutely champion even when he's on the recieving end of a few nasty blows. He knows his little dove is in the crowd watching him and that makes him fight twice as hard because he loves showing off to you.

🍀 When Bonnie wins the fight you're delighted, you jump out of your seat and scream triumphantly for him. Blowing him a kiss when he looks over to you, his bloody grin far more attractive than it should be.

🍀 When he returns to the changing room victorious he's greeted by the Peaky Blinders and his dad, all of them congratulating him. Tommy is very impressed with his work and wants to discuss the next match with him but when something catches Bonnie's eye he follows the younger lads gaze and smirks, rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

🍀Because Bonnie is blushing a deep shade of red. The poor boy is so surprised he's speechless and Tommy can tell Bonnie hasn't heard a word of what's been said since he clocked your underwear hanging from that peg by the benches.

🍀"Alright lads c'mon lets leave our champion to cool off eh, looks to me like he's expecting company..." Tommy is still smirking and his overly casual tone as he draws everyone's attention to the underwear in question makes poor Bonnie even more embarrassed and awkward.

🍀There's a lump in his throat he's struggling to swallow down and all he can think about is you. He manages to stammer out a goodbye, promises to meet them in an hour down the garrison but Arthur laughs and shakes his head, "Nah you won't," he grins, "nah you fucking won't!"

🍀And Arthur's right, the only thing Bonnie will be doing in an hour's time is well, you.

🍀He is so turned on by your little trick that when he sees you he can barely contain his desire for you. He's usually pretty bad after a fight, all that adrenaline coursing through his veins but today he's even more fired up than usual and when you slip into his changing rooms and find him alone, he's got his hands on you in seconds.

🍀he does not want to wait for you to clean him up like you usually do and when you take a warm cloth and begin dabbing at his bloody lip and the cut on his brow he wraps his arms around you and pulls you down into his lap, grinning and teasing you, kissing your cheek and nuzzling into you, making it very difficult for you to do your job.

🍀You giggle trying to brush him off, though secretly really enjoying seeing how desperate for you he is.

🍀"Bonnie sit still, you're making this really difficult," you smile trying to dab at his brow, missing because he's ducked his head to kiss your neck and has already begun to undo the laces that hold your dress together at the back. His nimble fingers are making quick work of loosening them and you know you need to clean him up quickly because the second he's slipped your sleeves from your shoulders you're doomed.

🍀And in the end Bonnie wins and you're forced to accept that you'll just have to wait to clean him up later. He's got other plans for you just now.

🍀Will hold you down in his lap, a really energetic needy fuck before lifting you up and fucking your roughly against the wall. Even though he's going hard he still manages to be careful with you, making sure to hold your head in his hand to stop you bashing it against the wall etc...

🍀He doesn't tire quickly and honestly, your little surprise has given him more of a rush than winning that fight.

🍀Neither of you make it to the Garrison for those drinks and poor bonnie winds up on the recieving end of a lot of ribbing from the other lads. Whenever they bring it up he blushes and gets embarrassed but no matter how many times they ask he never shares the details of what happened after they left.

Isaiah

🐀 Is quietly impressed by your devious little game. He sees them in the drawer strewn artfully over his revolver and he smirks, closing the drawer shut again as if he hasn't even seen them.

🐀 He's biding his time see, playing the long game, dragging the desire out for as long as he can. He wants to wait long enough that you will have forgotten all about it. Or at least until you've come to the disappointing conclusion that he found your little surprise and didn't care about it, wasn't even remotely bothered by it...

🐀 And when weeks go by without him so much as mentioning them, without him even hinting at having found the little gift you left for him that's the conclusion that you come to. That he wasn't bothered, that he thought it was embarrassing and childish, that he doesn't even want to mention it because he thought it was classless and foolish and he'd rather forget all about it.

🐀 Meanwhile Isaiah is enjoying having your underwear in his drawer at work, whenever he has to reach in his drawer for his revolver he feels the black lacy pants there too and smirks. He can't wait to remind you about your naughty little trick... When he's bored at work he opens the drawer to look at them and imagine what he's going to do with you when he finally makes his move.

🐀 And then just as you've vowed you'll never make a stupid mistake like that again, just when you've decided never to behave so foolishly again... He'll have a surprise for you all of his own...

🐀 One night when it's just the two of you, in his room, fucking he catches you out.

🐀 He's on top, his cock deep inside you and your eyes are closed, your lips parted as he fucks you hard, you're right on the edge, your body shivering beneath him, your hands clutching at the sheets as you roll over into an orgasm.

🐀 And then when you moan he shoves your underwear into your open mouth and shocks you with them.

🐀 Your eyes open wide in shock uncertain what he's just put in your mouth and when he leans down, his nose brushing yours, his eyes lit up with mischief, clearly very pleased with himself, and grins down at you, "you lose these?" You feel your cheeks flush crimson. But you can't hide or look away because he's got you pinned down and he's still fucking you, his hands either side of your head, arms rippling.

🐀 All you can do is look up at him, and because you can't shy away, because you're forced to face up to the moment you're forced to acknowledge how much it turns you on... So your only response when he talks to you is your needy moans.

🐀 "Whats the matter mousy, did you think I'd just thrown them out?"

🐀 he will tease you about it relentlessly, loves trying to embarrass you, likes watching you go bright red. But in reality he loves this naughty side of you and he wants to encourage it, so when you threaten him one day, "if you keep teasing me I shan't do it again," he backtracks very fast.

Michael

☘️ In New York, you're his other woman and you're jealous. Hes been spending far too much time with Gina lately, sure you know they're the real deal, you're just his honey on the side but still... You should still get a taste of your man every once in awhile.

☘️ So you slip them between a stack of invoices and stock reports and send them up to his office. You may or may not be aware that his Gina is up there with him. That he's all snowed up, and she's going to be the one who takes the invoices and starts to filter through them...

☘️She's probably the one who phones up for you... Michael doesn't even realise whats going on until Gina has welcomed you into the office, studying you, asessing how much of a threat to her relationship you really are...

☘️ But when Michael sees you he panics, swallows a lump in his throat and scrambles to sit up and start paying attention..

☘️ "Whats this about love?" he says to Gina, "whats y/n doing here?" "Oh so you do know her name... Congratulations honey I guess you're more than just one of his whores huh?"

☘️ you feel a little bit like you've walked into a trap, like you've made a bed you're not actually capable of lying in, you're hardly even paying Michael any attention now, it's Gina who's your main concern. She invited you up here... What does she want with you? She certainly isn't looking at you like she's looking for a fight...

☘️ She's watching you expectantly, waiting for either you or Michael to speak up. Then she takes your underwear and tosses them to Michael who is so surprised by them that he drops them.

☘️ "What do you think honey, you think he remembers who they belong to? Tell us Michael baby, are they mine or are they hers..."

☘️ Michael would he totally speechless, he's looking between the two of you, thinking that this is some conspiracy against him but you're just as stunned as he is and you kind of feel like turning and running out of the door.

☘️ but when you make your excuses to leave and try to back out of the door, thinking it best to leave them to their inevitable fight Michael calls after you... "Y/N wait..." which makes Gina laugh.

☘️ "Yeah honey don't go," she says licking her lips wickedly, "the funs only just getting started..." She says teasingly, her eyes glowing with lust... But who for you can't tell anymore?

☘️ When she catches your hand in hers and tugs you back into the office your breath catches in your throat. But what she whispers in your ear leaves you speechless, your heart racing.

☘️ "C'mon y/n kiss me, let's see what he does next hmm?"

☘️ It would be an evening you will never forget.. Gina was only really dragging you into it so that she could get your measure, wanting to work out exactly how much of a threat you were... Wanting to use you to torment Michael. If he's fucking you then she wants to he too, he can't possibly be allowed to have something she hasn't got.

☘️And although Michael is quietly livid with you in the moment he can't control his own lust, his anger taken out on you when he lies you down on his desk and fucks you hard, your head between Gina's legs whilst she rides your mouth and smokes a cigarette casual as you like.

☘️ after that whenever you or Gina feel like a bit of fun you send your underwear up and down to one another slipped between memos. The three of you spend a lot of time in that office snowed up and fucking.

☘️ and although Michaels more than happy with the new arrangement he still makes sure to get you alone so that he can punish you for being so reckless.

☘️ he will bend you over his lap and spank you making you apologise with tears in your eyes as you promise never to be so careless again.

☘️ You will however be that careless again and he'll be more than happy with the consequences.

[tc-doherty]

TC's Practical Writing Tips

Like I said before, I'm not gonna sit here and pretend that I can teach anyone how to write – that's a level of hubris even I'm not capable of –but in honor of my rapidly approaching ~quarter century of writing original fiction anniversary~, I did figure I would share the tips that I live by when it comes to the act of writing.

So without further ado:

Write it now, fix it later

2. It is always permissible – and usually enjoyable – to write the stupidest possible version

3. "Inspiration" is great for poets, but poison for people who write prose

3.1: if you want to write often, you need to write often, and then you will find that you don't need to be "inspired" because you will have made a habit of it and it will come naturally 3.2: even one sentence a day is still one sentence a day. And even one sentence a week is still one sentence a week. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop 3.3: believing in the concept that you need to be inspired to write will trap you into believing in the concept of writer's block 3.4: if you are having difficulty getting out words that satisfy you, lower your standards and keep writing (see point one)

4. A few months down the line you will not remember which words came easily and which words did not

5. It is always permissible to set a project aside for now, or forever, if you need a break

6. Read widely and often, both in your favorite genres and outside of them

6.1: pay special attention to both things that you love and things that you hate - study them, engage with them, learn what makes yourself tick and your writing can only get stronger

7. Never write for the lowest common denominator, via wise words I once heard: "if you open the window and make love to the world, your story will get pneumonia", have an audience in mind and the people who like what you write will find it

8. Never write for the bad faith critic, those people will always exist and you will need to deal with them at some point if you put your writing in the world, but they don't matter and you cannot live in fear of them

9. It's fine and normal to want engagement and praise, however you must find a way to make the act of writing joyful in and of itself – make the praise the cherry on top, not the entire sunday

9.1: writing is hard work, and it's a lot of work, if you lose the ability to enjoy the journey and are proceeding only for external rewards from others, you will gradually write less and less if the ratio of work to rewards is unsatisfying

10. For anything other than final copy editing, always write a new draft into a new document, or else the words you have already written will trap you from being able to make large, sweeping changes

10.1: any change you make will invariably snowball, and you must give space for that snowball to roll

11. If someone tells you that something doesn't work for them, believe them, because people know what they like. But if people try to tell you what to do to fix it, take that with an entire serving of salt because you are the author, not them

12. It is always morally correct to look at a critique that you received, even if you asked for opinions via beta reading, and decide that it's bullshit and doesn't apply to you

13. "write what you know" means "write what you're interested in"

14. "Show don't tell" applies to screenwriting, not novels. This is the thing that drives me the most insane every time I see it. Novels are words on a page, not images on a screen. They require a lot of telling. Not all telling, but a lot of telling. Become comfortable with that.

15. It is always, ALWAYS acceptable to use "said", do not listen to the lies of others

16. Have fun, do it out of love and you will never go astray

17. Become comfortable with who you are. Your work is always going to be yours and it is always going to sound like you wrote it, and this is a good thing! No one else is ever going to write exactly like you, and you should be proud of that

17.1: the concept of "originality" is vastly overrated, every culture has some version of Cinderella and we still love it. Your writing is yours because you wrote it, and it will always be unique because of that

[kurogane2512]

Claim

18+ CONTENT

Honkai Star Rail | Possessive!Jade x fem!reader | Smut with plot, basically jealous and possessive Jade wanting you for herself, some mentions of her snake touching you but nothing scary

A little fic I had in drafts since last week and finally had the urge to finish now after her release!

Under the starry sky sat a woman at Pier Point inside the IPC's headquarters, a glass of red wine swirled in her hand as she gazed at her surroundings engulfed with towering buildings reflecting the starry glow. She glaced at the documents neatly covering her table and focused on one particular piece of paper, the contents clouding her mind for some time. She closed her eyes and pondered upon the recent meeting from where the paper originated.

"Welcome to Bonajade Exchange. Who are you and what do you seek?"

IPC's Strategic Investment Department's senior manager, Jade, or popularly known by her alias of Lady Bonajade spoke as she leisured at her pawnshop one fine afternoon. A woman donned in opulent and elegant attire approached her with a desire, and she was willing to exchange it for her own until she found out the contents.

A document— most appropriately, a contract, was placed in front of Jade by the woman.

An interesting approach, Jade thought as she picked it up and read through. Her icy blue eyes scanned each word with focus, her expression unchanging until she kept it down and looked at the woman with a smile while crossing her arms over her chest.

"I decline." Jade stated without hesitation, a rare occurence in the endless trades she had done. The woman gritted her teeth in anger and attempted to retort.

"I was told anything can be traded here—!"

"Anything can be traded as long as there's an equivalent price." Jade interjected. "What you are willing to exchange for your desire is not enough."

"Then we'll negotiate! That's how you operate, don't you?!"

Jade's lips curled up from one side as she let out a chuckle, "Unfortunately, all the riches and benefits you can offer will never be enough for this desire. For I, have an unmatched will to keep it. I suggest you ask for something more.... quantifiable. I can offer attractive options, if you'd like."

The woman seethed with anger and rose up from her seat, "What a waste of time! Your pawnshop is nothing but a scam!"

The woman went away with a huff and Jade let her, knowing well enough it was pointless to argue. She stopped her recollection of the encounter as a knock was heard on her office door followed by a familiar sweet voice.

"Lady Jade, you called for me?" you spoke while peeking in. Jade offered a gentle smile and nodded.

"I have been waiting for you, Y/n. Have a seat~"

You closed the door behind you as you walked in and sat on one of the chairs from across her, nervously waiting for her to speak as you had no idea why she called you. You were Jade's long time secretary, someone she had picked from a ruined planet and offered a place of salvation in exchange for other benefits. Your track record with her was beyond impressive; despite having no experience in the corporate world, you managed everything as per her expectations and sometimes even beyond.

Jade placed the wine glass down and stood up to leisurely pace back n forth, more nervousness growing in you by her unusual demeanour. She had been a delightful boss to work with, to your utmost surprise. Her patience was remarkable and you rarely ever saw her raise her voice or lash out in anger, though her punishments were terrifying but you never got to experience them given your good behavior.

"This afternoon, I had an interesting deal at my pawnshop." Jade finally spoke and you listened intently.

"They came prepared with a contract detailing what they want and will give. It was rather impressive, I must admit. Unfortunate to them, the deal couldn't be seen through." Jade circled the table and stood beside you now, leaning against the edge while her gaze bore on you. "Can you guess why?~"

"Uh, what they were giving wasn't of equivalent value?"

"That's one reason, yes. Although, they were offering handsome assets and agreements, some of which would have been quite benefical to us. Can you think of another reason?"

You deeply pondered for a while, trying to think of an answer. You were well aware of her trade philosophy and it was extremely rare for a deal to not be successful so it meant this was something important.

"....Perhaps what they wanted was not up for sale? Maybe it was too valuable to you or the IPC?"

Jade's eyes glowed a vibrant color at your answer, slight enthusiasm surging through her. In a sense, both answers were similar, but Jade knew the difference very well. She smirked and extended her hand out to caress your cheek tenderly, the touch making you blush in return.

"Do you truly believe such a thing exists? Especially for me?"

"I.... I think everyone has something absolutely invaluable they won't give up for any price. I know it may be hard to believe since you are very good at digging people's desires and making them chase it, I myself have seen the best of people succumb to fleeting moments of pleasure and giving up their prized possessions. But if it's you then I know you are different...."

Jade's eyes narrowed with a glint and her hand caressed your cheek again, this time pulling back with a brush of her thumb on your lips.

"A good answer, as expected from my favorite~" You blushed again at the surprising praise.

Jade was skilled at understanding the human heart, accurately measuring people's desires and fetching an equivalent price. Yet none could understand her heart and the feelings hidden beneath those icy blue eyes. Perhaps even Jade herself wasn't aware of them completely, no matter how much she believed otherwise.

"Hmm, would you care to guess what it is that they wanted?~" Jade probed you.

"Uh.... I really don't know...." you genuinely had no answer to this, you didn't know her this well and she was never easy to read.

Jade chuckled, "Hehe, no need to worry. I'll tell you~"

Jade then leaned in close to your face, making you blush at the proximity before stopping near your ear to whisper.

"You, they wanted you." her hushed voice sent shivers down your body and for a moment you couldn't even register what she said.

"M-Me? I'm afraid I don't understand, ma'am...."

Jade chuckled again, the sound making you tremble more.

"No need for explanations. I have something more important to show you."

She retracted back and circled to her side of the table again to take out a document from her drawer. You breathed a sigh of relief when she pulled back, feeling slightly overwhelmed from her action.

"Here, have a thorough read then sign it below." she instructed as she placed a single piece of paper in front of you then picked up her wine again and walked off to the glass window, gazing at the city outside while you read the document. She looked at you in the window reflection while sipping her wine, noting how intently you read the document, evidently became surprised at its contents.

"M-Ma'am, I don't mean to sound rude but is there a need for this? Our previous agreement already covers everything, doesn't it? If you are doubting my loyalty then I assure you—"

"No, I'm not doubting your loyalty. I'm simply taking precautions." Jade turned around and walked up to you, you immediately stood up as she approached and placed her glass on the table.

"You are an exceptional employee, Y/n. A rare gem that I have polished with all my heart. Other factions see your potential and wish to acquire you, but they must know you are not up for sale."

"I-I would never leave, ma—"

"Shhh~" she placed her index finger on your lips.

"Consider this an extension of our contract. As you can see, nothing changes in your post, you are simply required to abide by stricter rules and have an additional fine in case of contract breach."

You were confused as to why she was doing this. You didn't think she saw you to be so important to keep you here this way. You eventually agreed and proceeded to sign the contract, you really had no other choice and were genuinely keen on continuing this line of work. Jade hummed and watched you sign, a small smirk adorning her face seeing her plan was successful. You finished your signature and noticed the other side where Jade's signature should be was blank.

"Ma'am, you haven't signed here." you extended the paper towards her, but she had a different plan.

All of a sudden, she grabbed your tie and pulled you close to herself. You saw her lipstick in her other hand and anticipated what she was going to do. She leaned down and you felt her lipstick glide across your cheek, assumingly writing something on it. She would normally do this sign all documents and contracts, it was her way to show her authority and stand out.

"I come for an audience, I come to fill wine, and I come to claim~" Jade remarked after finishing her signature on you.

"There, the agreement is made. Now, you must fulfill it to the very end— which I trust you will~"

You were blushing up to your ears now, unable to respond in any manner. Jade noted your flustered self and silently chuckled, finding you adorable. The next moment, she pushed you on the table making you lean on the edge while she towered over you, her arms caging you between herself and the table. Your breath fastened as you watched her remove her hat then slide off her glove with her teeth before grasping your jaw gently.

She leaned her body on yours, her ample breasts pressing against your own as she neared you and before you knew it, her soft lips were touching yours. Your eyes widened at the turn of events, the person you had admired and owed your life to— the one who saved you and made you who you are— the very person was kissing you, something you wouldn't imagine even in your wildest dreams. It was a short and gentle kiss, yet it felt most right.

"There's no backing out now, for you.... or for me~"

She gave you no chance to speak as she immediately pressed your lips together again, this time in a rougher manner. You finally pieced together everything and realized what was happening yet you found it hard to believe, how could someone as esteemed as her value you this much? You knew she probably wouldn't give you an answer, you decided to instead enjoy the unforgettable moment happening right now.

Jade's lips ravaged your own like a possessed creature. She had you completely pinned on the table now, her knee slightly grazing your core as she attempted to move closer. There was a hint of wine on her lips, sweet and addicting which made you want more of her. You had secretly harbored romantic feelings for her for a long time but never planned to confess, you didn't know if she thought the same at this moment.

Perhaps this is what she meant by desire and her philosophy of greed. Was she going to keep offering you more and more so as to make you chase it and wring you dry? If that was the case, then you were ready to give in to your greed for today. You closed your eyes and tilted your head to kiss deeper, your tongues mingling together as hums of pleasure left you both.

Jade parted the kiss with a moan, her lipstick smeared across your lips from the messy makeout. You gazed into each other's eyes, your own breathing still uneven and face flushed while she appeared as calm as ever. You then noticed something slither around her neck and soon manifest on her shoulder— her violet snake, matching the color of her nailpaint.

Even after being with her for so long, you still didn't understand this peculiar entity that would manifest in certain situations. You assumed it was conjured from the powers of the Path she followed, yet its true nature was a mystery to you. You weren't scared of the snake and perhaps it sensed that as it slowly approached you with a hiss, partially grazing over your cheek.

An amused look adorned Jade's face now as she noticed the way it slithered up to you, acting quite friendly. She leaned back to let you breathe and give space to her snake. It hissed at you more but it was clear it wasn't going to attack, instead it slithered around your neck once then climbed back on Jade's shoulder and disappeared. Jade let out a chuckle while fiddling with your tie knot.

"It has taken a liking to you, very impressive~"

She smirked then grasped your tie and pulled you back on your feet, but the power of the pull was slightly greater as you ended up falling forward on her instead, snuggled into her ample chest. Her arms were quick to wrap around you and hold you tightly, your senses overtaken by her rich, magnetic scent— a hint of something bittersweet like jasmine masked by a strong wine-like fragrance.

She smiled looking at you then grasped your chin to pull your face up and look into your eyes, her gaze scanning the signature mark she made on your cheek and imprints of her own lipstick smeared on your lips. Her thumb wiped away the smears but she would be lying if she said she didn't want you to keep them; in fact, she wanted to see even more.

"How adorable you look this way.... If I'm being honest, I was quite surprised by that deal previously. It's one thing to ask for materialistic treasures or even ideals but to trade for a person, that person being you was..... intolerable."

Jade's eyes glowed darkly, emitting an aura of irresistible desire. You shivered in your place from her gaze and felt your legs freeze in place, she had never looked at you this way— or anybody for that matter unless they angered her. But this glow was different from the glow when she'd punish traitors, this wasn't anger but rather..... lust.

The next few moments happened in a blink as her hands rummaged to undress you and push you down the couch before coming to straddle you, her lips pressed on yours again the whole time. She peeled off your shirt with haste, almost tearing it apart with impressive force. Her lips moved down to kiss and mark your neck, her lipstick making marks all over. She was quick but still left a deep impression before moving up to kiss all over your face too, numerous purple imprints of her lips being left.

You were breathing intensely now, too overwhelmed by her eagerness and pace. She leaned back up when she was satisfied with her marks and gazed at your disheveled state; red blush spread across your face, hot uneven breaths leaving your lips, her name still written on your cheek and the various lipstick marks in every corner the eye could see. This was her desire, her will to have you. An insatiable greed that was unmatched in the cosmos. No treasure could match this.

"Mine.... you are mine." she whispered before gripping your jaw and leaning down, her lips ghosting yours.

"I will never let anyone else have you. There is no price tag on you, you will always be mine. Is that understood?"

You were quick to nod, "Y-Yes ma'am. I don't want to leave you either."

Jade smiled, "That's my good girl~"

The praise made you blush more, how dearly she adored these reactions from you. Too bad for you that she was never going to stop using these; if anything, she planned to increase them.

Jade then undressed herself, beginning to peel of her coat followed by the rest of her outfit and sitting in front of you in just her bra and underwear. Your eyes remained fixated on her body as you intently watched it come in view, she was flawless in your eyes and you finally had the chance to feast upon her divine body. She then removed her bra as well and you swallowed a lump looking at her breasts, beautiful and round as you had imagined along with pink nipples.

She knew where your eyes were, she didn't mind the way you looked one bit. She wanted you to see and even touch but she was eager for something else. It was unlike her, patience was her middle name yet at this moment she was struggling to hold back her needs. She wanted to see you drown in pleasure, she wanted to hear your sweet moans and feel you around her. She would take it slow next time, she told herself.

"Hmm, what is this wetness that has been grazing me all this time?~"

Jade remarked and rubbed her fingers on your clothed core, a low whine leaving your lips.

"You naughty girl.... already eager to cum, aren't you?~"

"Mhm.... y-yes, I'm sorry I—"

"Shhh, not a word. Only thing I want to hear from your pretty lips are moans of my name, is that clear?~"

Your core throbbed at her words, "Y-Yes ma'am...."

She smirked and slid off your underwear now, completely exposing you for her eyes. She noted how wet you already were, your vulva throbbing in need of touch. Her thumb rubbed your clit first, eliciting a soft gasp from you. Her skin was cold yet felt good. Your walls continued to spasm and create more slick as she rubbed your clit, pinching and rolling it.

You bit your lower lip and whined more, desperate for more of her. She finally lost all patience herself and prodded her finger at your hole before gradually pushing inside. Your body heaved from the newfound sensation then she pushed all the way in, her long slender finger sheathed to the hilt and engulfed by your warmth. Your back arched and a pleasured moan left your mouth as soon as she entered.

"There, relax now. Good girl~"

Jade complimented more which only made you tighten around her finger. She pulled it out once then pushed back in to let you adjust but was soon thrusting her finger in and out at a quick pace, she somehow touched every sweet spot inside you and made you cry in pleasure instantly.

"Aaah! M-Ms Jade— mhm.... t-too fast!~"

"Now now, we have just begun. You have to take in another so loosen up, my darling~"

You tried your best but she was making it impossible. You felt another finger probe at your hole and thrust inside in no time, another cry of her name resounding in the office. Both of her fingers thrusted in and out and scissored together, reaching every pleasure spot and some you didn't even know existed since you never touched yourself that deep.

"M-Ma'am.... I can't anymore— ngh! Please.... I want to—!~"

"Mm, you held on longer than I expected. I will allow it~"

She grasped your face with her other hand and leaned down to passionately kiss you, her fingers probed one particular spot and made you finally release. You moaned into the kiss while your juices gushed out and coated her fingers. She parted the kiss to let you breathe and slowly pulled out her fingers, gazing at your slick covering them. It was erotic and embarrassing to see her play with it then lick it clean to taste you.

"How sweet, very befitting for you~"

She kissed your forehead, "You did well, you always have~"

You breathed deep breahts as you recovered from your orgasm then spoke, "Um, may I also touch you, ma'am?"

Jade smirked then grabbed your waist and suddenly pulled you closer, keeping your thighs around her waist.

"That depends. What are you willing to exchange for it?~"

You smiled, "All of me."

Jade bit her lower lip, "Hmm, what if it's not enough?~"

"Then I'll make it enough."

Jade chuckled, "I like your confidence. Come now, we'll depart for my residence. There's plenty of work to do to complete this trade~"

[sunsburns]

lonely dancers

pairing: dodge mason x gn!reader

summary: with graduation just around the corner, you're sitting alone in the local diner at carp and struggling to come up with anything for your valedictorian speech, unluckily for you, dodge mason is bored and wants to start a little conversation, maybe get a something out of you about panic.

—or: dodge offers you a fair trade

word count: 1.7k+

contains: fluff, kinda ooc dodge (i lowkey messed up his character a bit).

author’s note: i had this sitting in my drafts for a few months now, and i had no idea what to do with it near the end but i thought it was kinda cute so i decided to keep it and leave it as it was and have it up for interpretation. enjoy!

The new guy was interesting. He had caught your attention. Well, he had caught the attention of a lot of people in Carp; because everyone had known each other since diapers and had seen each other grow up in a town that never changes; because he was the first change in Carp in a long time; because he was different.

Dodge Mason didn't talk much, not unless he was spoken to or wanted something from you. You'd only ever spoken to him once, in class during the first semester when he was still fairly new. He sat next to you during English and leaned over to ask if you had a spare pen. And that was it.

No one knew where he came from, why he moved into town, or if he knew about Panic.

He didn't have any social media, no way of finding out any trace of his past unless he told you, but the chances of that were slim.

What everyone did know was that he worked at the diner with his mom. And you liked the diner; it was one of the few places you and your friends liked to hang out on your days off from school or work. The food was good, the people were decent, and the air conditioning was just cool enough to wear long sleeves inside without suffocating in the early weeks of summer.

You were counting off the days until you finally graduated, a little ecstatic now that you could count them on your fingers. But there were still more days left of school than the words you had written for your valedictorian speech.

The blank document on your laptop screen stared at you, the blinking cursor taunting you every time you deleted anything you wrote.

You only looked away when a drink you never ordered was set by your hand. You glanced at the person who put it down, almost startled to find Dodge Mason already staring at you with raised eyebrows from the other side of the bar table.

"Oh," you watched him toss a rag over his shoulder and wondered how long you'd been sitting there and when his mom left and he came in for his shift. "I never ordered—"

"I know," he said simply, shrugging. "You look like you need it."

You furrowed your brows and brought the glass closer to your lips. You could smell the faint hints of cranberries mixed with something else.

"It's a virgin Shirley Temple," he told you. "I can't serve you alcohol on the clock."

"Right," you muttered, finally taking a sip of your drink. You felt your face scrunch up as the bubbles fizzed down your throat. "I knew that. Thanks."

You expected him to leave you alone after that. The diner wasn't exactly busy, but a customer would come in every now and then, usually just asking for water between shifts at work. Dodge stayed nearby, keeping himself busy scooping up ice cubes and tossing them back into the bucket, glancing your way every once in a while.

You pretended not to notice, forcing your eyes back to your blank document. You could only stare at the screen for so long without getting a headache. You shut your laptop and sighed, pulling the drink close to you again and sipping at the straw.

Dodge moved closer now, no longer lingering near your presence but rather leaning on the counter between you. He rested his elbows on the olive-green wood, the corners of the paint already chipping off, and he rested his chin on the knuckles of his fist. "What're you working on?" he asked. "My mom said you've been sitting there since noon."

You couldn't help the flush that rose to your face, a mix of irritation and embarrassment.

It wasn't just the frustration of having spent most of your Thursday in the dingy diner, staring at a blank document for your valedictorian speech. It was also the fact that this was the most you'd ever heard Dodge Mason speak, and his sudden interest in your plight was unexpected and unnerving.

"Just this stupid speech. I don't know what to say," you admitted, the words tumbling out before you could stop them.

He made a face, leaning away from the counter and tapping his fingers against it in a messy beat. "That sucks," he huffed out, a hint of amusement in his voice. "For you."

You scoffed, rolling your eyes. "No shit."

"Talk out of your ass," Dodge told you bluntly. "No one listens to the speeches at graduation anyways."

You raised an eyebrow, surprised by his audacity. "I never said what it was for."

"You didn't need to. Everyone knows you're valedictorian."

"Yeah, but," you stammered, struggling to articulate your thoughts, "you're the new guy."

"Hardly," he rolled his eyes, taking the empty cup from your hands and starting to make you a fresh drink. "I've been here for almost a year now."

"You know what I mean," you insisted.

"Do I?" Dodge Mason turned to pour something into the drink from behind him. You watched closely as he reached for a small box on the upper shelves, took out a tiny umbrella, and placed it in your new drink before turning to you again. "Here."

"What is it?" you asked, taking the drink from his hands.

"Virgin piña colada," he said, watching you take a sip. "Good?"

You nodded, letting the straw slip from between your lips. "Very."

He smiled, and you found it almost disconcerting. The rarity of it intrigued you, and you were sure it was the first time you'd seen him smile in a way that wasn't sarcastic. It almost threw you off balance, and you briefly reminded yourself that he didn't usually talk to anyone unless he wanted something from them.

But what could he possibly want from you?

"What have you come up with so far?" he asked, breaking your train of thought.

You blinked at him, momentarily lost. "Huh?"

"For your speech," he clarified.

"Oh, nothing."

He seemed genuinely surprised. "Nothing?"

You nodded again, feeling a bit sheepish. "Nada."

"You do realize graduation is next week, right?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Well, I don't see you offering any help," you shot back.

"I'm being helpful," he retorted, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"How so?"

"I'm giving you drinks, on the house."

You slowly opened your laptop again, your eyes never leaving his. He smiled at you sweetly, the kind of smile that made your heart skip a beat. You noticed the glint in his eye and couldn't help but ask, "What's the catch?"

"No catch. I get to practice my bartending, and you get to sit there and enjoy it."

"While you start small talk," you said, raising an eyebrow.

"What's wrong with a little small talk?" he asked, leaning closer, his voice softening.

"Nothing's wrong with it," you shook your head, letting the screen turn on and the same blank document open before you. "It's the fact that you're initiating it. What do you want?"

He didn't seem too upset to be caught by you. Instead, he leaned in closer, his eyes locking onto yours. "I want you to tell me about Panic."

Shit. You didn't expect him to ask you about that. Perhaps literally anything other than Panic. You decided to play dumb.

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

"Oh, come on, yes you do." He saw right through you, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. The sound sent a shiver down your spine. "Don't act like everyone else when I ask. You know the game. Are you playing?"

"Playing? What are you even talking about?" You tried to keep your voice steady, but the closeness and his unwavering gaze made it difficult.

"You're smart." He didn't falter, "I bet you're a judge this year, right?"

"A judge?" you tried not to seem flattered at his assumption. "Me?"

"It's you, isn't it? No one would suspect it. You're always too busy drowning yourself in school work—"

"There's much else to do here—"

"—and you keep to yourself a lot."

"I have friends," you insisted, though your voice wavered slightly. His relentless scrutiny was making it hard to think straight.

"I'm sure you do," he said, a teasing glint in his eyes that made your stomach flutter.

"You're being a dick," you retorted, staring at him blankly. Despite your words, you couldn't help but feel a strange comfort in the way the two of you had smoothly fit into a rhythm where you were comfortable enough to call him out.

"Okay, I'm sorry." He visibly deflated from the other side of the counter, leaning on his arms and frowning. It's unexpected, and it tugged at something inside you. "I'm sorry, okay? I just... it's hard. Being here, making friends. Everyone's known each other since forever, and I don't know..."

You tried not to seem too surprised, for his sake. You never realized how much it would suck to be in his place, especially after moving to a town like Carp, where people still called you new after being there for over a year and stared at you like you were an alien just because they didn't know you. And, for his sake, you were not about to lie to him either.

"Well, you're not exactly the most approachable guy." When he stared at you blankly, you sighed, pushing your laptop aside. "You're very intimidating. You're quiet and always alone. Too mysterious. I honestly thought you poisoned my drink."

A smirk grew on his lips, and you didn't hate it. "Who says I haven't?"

You narrowed your eyes at him, feeling yourself mirror his grin. "See, you aren't too bad. You just gotta put yourself out there."

An idea struck you, and before you could second-guess yourself, you blurted out, "Do you want to help me with this speech? Maybe we can work on it together at my place. Maybe I could tell you some more about Panic," you glance behind your shoulder for a brief moment, "I'm not thinking of playing. It's not my thing, but uh, I wouldn't mind helping you from the sidelines."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise, but then his expression softened into a genuine smile that made your heart skip a beat. "Yeah, I'd like that. When do you want to start?"

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[newtonsheffield]

Molly, I hope you realise the service you are doing with this new AU. A fluffy ass tale in which Kanthony are both properly unhinged and Anthony spends dumb amounts of money on Kate every day and she's just like, "You're an idiot, gimme my present" is exactly the kind of wish fulfilment I need in my life. I love this so much.

Oh Anthony will buy Kate whatever she wants. Because she’s really pretty, and smart, and she likes art and she never buys things for herself. She never treats herself so he is absolutely going to spoil his girl.

There’s a document on his computer that’s a draft of a petition for the national gallery to just hang a photo of Kate because as far as he’s concerned Kate Sharma’s face is a work of art. A Masterpiece. Blessings to Mr and Mrs Sharma on their creation of an absolutely perfect person!

Kate mentions needing to buy new shoes? Daphne says these are the nicest shoes.

New scarf? This one was hand woven from Scottish wool!

Earrings? Cartier have a tab for him now.

Kate’s colleagues can’t stop staring as once a week some sort of luxury good gets delivered to Kate Sharma’s office and Kate rolls her eyes and then tuts to Anthony on the phone. Truth be told they’re all jealous. Auction house employees are famously underpaid considering they deal with items worth millions every day. Kate Sharma’s walking around the office in head to toe luxury goods now AND she has a handsome boyfriend who worships the ground she walks on and takes her to lunch every second day??? Some people are just God’s favourites.

Kate meanwhile does little things for Anthony. She realised pretty quickly that his love languages are quality time and acts of service and a healthy dose of words of affirmation. So she makes sure she tells him every day how happy she is with him. She makes sure he takes time for himself, for them together, she organises little trips for them to go on. She made him a cake for his birthday and watched him swallow down his tears when she presented it to him in bed with a kiss to the end of his nose.

“I love you.”

Anthony took a long time to answer with his eyes pressed closed, swallowing thickly and still his voice shook. “I love you too.”

“I’m really happy that I met you. And I’m glad you were absolutely balls to the wall insane.”

Anthony huffed a laugh, “I think I actually owe Greggy a really big birthday present this year.”

“Eh we probably both do.” Kate sighed, handing Anthony one of the forks she was holding. “Now, take a bite and see what a good wifey I’d be Anthony.”

“Is that a hint?”

“It can be a hint if you want it to be. Start saving for a ring though.”

“You make it sound like I don’t already have one picked out.”

“Do you?!”

“You’ll just have to wait and see. Don’t be greedy, Kate.”

She rolled her eyes, “Still insane.”

“You love it though.”

“I don’t know what it says about me but I actually do.”

[hulhudhonado]

Ornithophile

Synopsis: Jing Yuan is a bird magnet. As harmless as it sounds, it seems to lead to misunderstandings.

CW: Nothing

HC: Reader works under Yukong. Reader is gender-neutral.

Characters: Jing Yuan, Yukong, Fu Xuan, Mentions of Tingyun and Yanqing

Note: Genshin to Honkai pipeline is real omg. Honestly I am not that interested in Honkai Star Rail or any of the Honkai games but I do play it and let me tell you I love this man. The characters in this game do not miss. Already making drafts for a Sampo fic. My one goal is to max them out. Also anyone interested in Aeons fanfic? Just asking. Anyway, please make sure to like, comment or reblog. Interactions with the post lets it reach a wider audience. Requests are also open! Enjoy.

Jing Yuan was used to the attention given to him, it wasn’t shocking to him. An individual of his status always would draw attention amongst the crowds. However, most people tend to divert their eyes or at least make an effort to pretend they weren’t staring, especially when they weren’t supposed to. It was considered a decent thing to do. However you on the other hand clearly did not understand this concept.

The first time he had caught your eyes, he waited for you to shyly look away like most people did, however to his surprise you kept a stern gaze towards him, refusing to move. It did phase him a bit, how strange that you had no shame to look away knowing that you had been caught. He chuckled to himself, that time he gave you the benefit of the doubt. Maybe you felt it was more awkward to look away.

However, the staring continued. You stared at him whenever you had the chance. He could feel your gaze burning from the back of his head. How were you so confident? Does he not scare you? Do you not understand authority? Maybe you just didn’t have the shame to hide the fact that you adored looking at him. He tried not to crack a smile every time he did catch you staring. He didn’t want others to know why he was laughing at himself.

It wasn’t a surprise to him, having people fall for him. Tingyun was already making sales from his looks, so it was clear that many people were head over heels for him. Maybe you were just like them, an admirer who was terrible at keeping a secret. He didn’t mind, he was already used to the attention.

—

“You seem to be distracted these days. Is your age finally catching up to you?” Fu Xuan jabbed. Jing Yuan let out a chuckle “ I don’t know what you mean.” He answered, unphased. Documents were piling up and Yanqing still didn’t have a decent partner to train with, he had too many unnecessary things piling up on his head. Fu Xuan was clearly here to mess with him for letting things go on for this long.

“Don’t try to hide, you have been laughing to yourself or cracking smiles out of the blue! Have you finally lost it?” She asked once more. Honestly not what he had expected her to say. He thought she was here to clown him for not finishing his work on time, he didn’t realise he had got caught. She continued. “If so, I’m willing to take your place any day for your ‘early’ retirement.”

Jing Yuan rolled his eyes, looking back at the screen in front of him. “If you don’t have anything better to do you’re free to leave. My mental state is perfectly fine.” Fu Xuan let out a smirk. “It won’t be for long.” 

Jing Yuan turned to her, he didn’t want to give her attention especially when he was this busy, but Fu Xuan was not going to stop fishing for answers.  Raising an eyebrow he decided to take the bait.“And what makes you say that?” Fu Xuan let out an almost sinister laugh. Jing Yuan could only frown, he didn’t like the sound of that. 

“I recently foresaw a future of yours.” The room felt cold in an instant. Jing Yuan was now fully focused on Fu Xuan, who continued to smirk victoriously. It didn’t seem to be serious but it didn’t seem to be a good thing either. “What did you see?” He asked nervously, he tried his best to hide it, he didn’t need to give Fu Xuan any more openings.

Fu Xuan pretended to think, withholding the information rather than stating it at once. Jing Yuan sighed, of course, Fu Xuan would want to have the high ground. “I’ll repeat, what did you see?” He stated once more, a more serious tone plaguing his words.

Fu Xuan scoffed. “You’re no fun.”

“If it involves me then it involves Xianzhou Luofu and its people. I would rather not be left in the dark about this.” Fu Xuan shrugged. “It isn’t something serious. If it was, I would have told you about it instantly. You know I am not one to take my time.”

“Then why hide it from me?” “Because it’s funny.” Jing Yuan sighed. “Just tell me.”

“Don’t feel like it.” And with that Fu Xuan's hologram disappeared. Jing Yuan huffed, how annoying. It seemed that people around him were forgetting what respect meant.

—

Yukong never made physical trips to meet with Jing Yuan regarding any issues on the Xianzhou Luofu. It was a big ship, and it was a waste of time to constantly travel back and forth when they could communicate via holograms.

However it was always safe to bring confidential documents face to face, a third party might cause leaks. To his surprise, you tagged alongside her during one of their rare trips. However, for once, you didn’t look up to look at him. He tried his best to focus on what Yukong kept saying but his eyes kept wandering back to you. Why were you not looking up? Was it because this was the first time you had seen him face to face? However he didn’t like this, he wished you would just look up like usual.

“Tingyuan couldn’t make it?” He asked, trying to focus the shift on you. You jolted up, now nervously looking at Yukong who also was caught off guard. Yukong looked back at you, before turning back to Jing Yuan trying to seem unphased. “Yeah, she was assigned a task alongside the trailblazers. You had assigned her to them.” She asked.

“Hmm, I did? “ Jing Yuan asked in a playful tone. You still didn’t turn to look at him, now just looking down at the floor to not draw any more attention. He couldn’t hold a smile on his face anymore, he was getting annoyed. Why today of all days you decide not to look at him? 

He wanted to see your face properly, not in his hologram form. As advanced as things were in Xianzhou Luofu, when he is in his hologram form he can’t see everyone clearly. It was like being stuck behind a screen. Now that he was finally face-to-face with his ‘staring partner’ he wanted to see what you looked like.

“Well, since things in the Xianzhou Luofu are not settled yet, I would prefer if you could hand me documents face to face from now.” Yukong blinked, before realising what he had stated. “But sir, that would take some time, and I can’t always make trips here when I need to take care of my team.” Jing Yuan tilted his head, pretending to be oblivious to his schemes. “You can just ask Tingyuan, or your companion right next to you. If you trust them to accompany you then I’m certain they can help you bring me these documents. Am I wrong?”

His statement finally made you look up. He believed he was ready to face your gaze, but he was being too cocky it seemed. When he had locked eyes with you he almost looked away with how sudden it was. Your gaze was sharp and strong, just as the times you had looked at him before. You had a poker face, attentive to your work since Jing Yuan had personally entrusted you to do Yukong’s work. It seemed the hologram way of communicating had dulled down the intensity of your gaze full of determination. Jing Yuan didn’t expect to get such a whiplash.

He held his ground, he didn’t need any reason to feel shy now. Fu Xuan’s words started to replay in his head, he wasn’t sure why. You couldn’t be the reason for his downfall, could you? There was no way. 

Yukong sighed, interrupting the spiral Jing Yuan had going inside his mind. “Of course. We won’t disappoint you. “ She answered. “I’m glad to hear that.” Jing Yuan smiled, his gaze never leaving you as you did the same. 

—

It wasn’t surprising that you made most of the trips. He found out that you were new to the job, at least to Yukong’s sector. Since Tingyuan was busy with the trailblazers and Yukong had her duties to attend to, you ended up being the special courier for any confidential documents. Most of the documents were digitised so your trips weren’t common, but Jing Yuan made it his mission to make sure you somehow ended up in his office.

Was this corruption from the higher-ups? Probably, if anyone knew what he was doing they would think he was bullying you but he didn’t mean any harm. He just likes the mini-staring matches you both have. Not many people look at him with such confidence. 

It also didn’t seem to be an issue as it seemed that you liked the job. No matter how many times you were told to bring in documents, you always followed through without complaining. Tingyuan tended to ask for bargains while Yukong would straight up avoid making rounds. You on the other hand would be ready to make a delivery in an instant. It was probably due to the fact you were still new to the job, but he liked to pretend it was because you wanted to see him often.

He smiled to himself thinking about it. He didn’t like how much of a narcissist he was. He knew people loved him but having his delusions of someone liking him more than just the ruler of the Xianzhou Luofu must be his breaking point. Fu Xuan was on to something, you must be his downfall.

—

It was like any other day, you made the delivery and you were going to head back to your station. However, Jing Yuan was getting tired of this. It was any day now that the trailblazers would be done with the Stellaron attacks and he would finally have to step in to fix what was left. This means everything would return to normal and your trips wouldn’t be necessary anymore. All these trips didn’t make you both any closer either, you were keeping a distance between the two of you.

He also noticed how you reduced staring, it seems you had caught on the fact that he knew you were staring. He honestly was surprised you didn’t realise it sooner, it wasn’t like you were hiding it. But now whenever he would catch your eyes you would jolt up as if he caught you doing something horrible. If it was in the past he wouldn’t have minded, but now whenever you looked away he felt frustrated.

As the day was going to end as it usually did, Jing Yuan finally snapped. He needed to change this routine you both had created. “May I ask you a question?” He asked. He caught you so off guard you dropped the documents on the ground. Scattering them all over the floor. In an instant you dropped down, to collect the papers off the ground. He followed suit, trying to help.

“Oh, you don’t need to do that sir!” You try not to stutter. You didn’t expect him to ask you anything. You guys never spoke anymore than anything related to work, so the sudden question caught you off guard. “ Don’t mind me, I just wanted to ask a question. I didn’t think it was that shocking.” He chuckled.

You nervously laugh, continuing to gather all the materials before he could get any more. To your horror, he had already collected most of it. However, the piles of paper were now in a mess, completely unorganised from how it was originally arranged.

“You can sit with me and chat while we organise these.” He stood up smiling, mockingly shaking the documents towards you while you tried not to get embarrassed. “My apologies sir.” You mumble, standing up with the little amount you were able to get. “I’ll forgive you if you answer my questions.” The way he spoke was so calm. He was a ruler for a reason, his voice was loud in battle and comforting to his citizens. You instantly felt at ease when he didn’t seem to mind.

“I’ll take you up on that offer, sir.”

—

When he said questions, he meant a lot of questions. He asked why you chose the job, what you liked, your interests, and your hobbies. He was ticking off everything at this point. You of course answered. The way he articulated the questions and the calm sound of his voice seemed to have entranced you. You were certain if he was a lawyer he would have gotten the answers right out of you in an instant. It was no wonder he was in such a high position.

“You seem to stare a lot don’t you?” A question that you didn’t expect. He smiled, eyes closed ready for an answer. Did he catch you off guard? He hoped so, he wanted to tease you a bit, making you realise that your silly little crush on him was already discovered. Maybe it was sudden but with how truthfully you were answering his questions he didn’t expect you to lie your way out of this.

You could feel the rush of blood on your face. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to stare! It’s just…” you cut yourself off. He patiently waited for your answer. What could it be? Did you like his face? Many people did, it was the reason Tingyuan was making a fortune for so many years. Or perhaps you would be bolder and say you liked his body? His clothes and armour enhanced its appeal. Or maybe his hair? It reminded of a lion’s mane to most and Yanqing would always mention how elegant it looked, even after he had spared the entire day. He wasn’t even sure how it stayed in such luscious conditions.

He tried not to tap the table, eager for your answer. He could hear his heartbeat increase its speed, he didn’t realise how nervous he was. What was it about him that you just couldn’t help but look? He needed to know now.

“ The bird.” It was almost a whisper when you spoke. He wasn’t even sure he heard you properly. “The bird?” He repeated, a bit dumbfounded. You nodded, guilt leaving your body but suddenly feeling sheepish. You can’t believe you were going to admit this.

“ You always have a bird in your hair. It’s so unphased I always wondered whether it was tamed.” You continue to say. You watched Jing Yuan stare at you, unable to speak. You took this as a sign to continue. “Well you see, I love looking at birds. Especially since in Xianzhou Luofu, they are quite rare. But you have one always on your shoulder! So when I first saw it I was so shocked. If you don’t mind me asking, could you tell me what type it is? Is it a Zebra finch? A Waxbill? The red beak makes it a bit prominent but I couldn’t see its feather pattern so I couldn’t tell what type it was.”

As you continued to go on and on about the bird, Jing Yuan was trying his best not to show any signs of embarrassment. He couldn’t believe this. He had thought this entire time you had looked at him due to admiration. Honestly, it was his fault for making up delusions on his own but he didn’t expect this. You were staring at the birds that usually landed on his shoulder and hid around his hair. He was so used to it he completely forgot they even stuck next to him while he worked.

A sudden notification came to your phone which made you stop your little bird talk. You read it and immediately stood up an instance. “Oh no! The time!” You almost shout, your worried gaze not looking away from the phone. You look at Jing Yuan sadly, and he could feel his heart was close to bursting. Not only from his embarrassment but also how unhappy you looked knowing that you would have to depart from him.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t organise all the documents in time. I’ll make it up to you next time sir!” You begin to gather your things and head out. As you near the door you turn back to him shouting. “I apologise if this is inappropriate, but I hope to talk to you again!” You say. You take a bow before turning back and running out the door.

All Jing Yuan could do was stare as you left. Suddenly he could feel all the emotions he had held back to save face flowing out. He slumped on the desk, hands on his face trying to cover his face which was completely red. He could not believe this had happened to him. 

He heard a little chirp near his ear. He looked to the side, to see his little bird friend peeping at him in glee. “You did this to me.” He grumbled, glaring at the bird who continued to chirp, almost as if it was laughing at him. Sighing, he slumped back on his chair, trying not to think about what just had happened.

He couldn’t help it though. It made sense now, you probably were curious about the bird, trying to figure out what kind it was. He was the one overthinking it, making up stories in his head where you profess your love to him. No wonder Fu Xuan said what she did. She knew this was going to happen.

He sighed, picking up his little friend off his shoulder onto his hand. After making a mental note on finding a way to get back at Fu Xuan, he began to think about you again. He was already too deep into this, he was going to make you like him back. He stroked the bird’s head as it peeped in delight. He looked down at it as it playfully nipped at his finger.

Another idea popped into his head. The last words you said played in his head again as he stared at the bird who danced around in the palm of his hands. He felt a smile creep on his face.

“Well, at least I can figure out what we are going to be talking about next time we meet.” He chuckled to himself, humming a tune alongside the bird. He was already too deep into this, and he was not going to let you go that easily. 

He was going to make you look at him the same way he looked at you, one way or another. Who would have thought a love of birds would lead to this?

Good luck!

[sillystimmings]

why it matters: people have to make the gifs, it’s a way to show respect and appreciation towards their efforts. we wouldn’t be able to create what we do without them!

okay but the original post was deleted. now what?: posts get deleted, blogs deactivate, it happens you’ll run into it eventually. cite it to the last post you can before you reach a dead end. why? again, it shows respect and that you tried. it’s also important to some people that they know where their getting their gifs from. it may not seem like it but you can tell a lot about a defunct blog from who used their gif.

but how do you do it?

it’s so simple and it takes like two seconds

1) find the gif you want

for this example i’ll be using these cats from @heartnosekid

2) save the one you want

you know how to save an image silly press and hold until options pop up and click save

3) copy the post link

one of the most vital steps! click this little arrow

and then press copy

now you have your link! but where does it go?

4) keep track of your links

i like to use notes app to make a list of my links. you can use any document app like google docs or even make a draft post on tumblr to keep them there. it doesn’t really matter how, just as long as you keep track of them

5) adding it to your post

so you’re ready to post, yippee!!! organize your gifs how you please and then add text to where you’ll link your sources. i like to use x’s like

x x x / x x x / x x x

with each section representing a row so it’s easy to get to the gif someone might want

but you can do whatever you want! get funky with it use emojis idk have fun

add your marker and then highlight it

while highlighted click the little paper clip icon

that’ll bring this pop up. paste your link in the box and then click add link

congratulations you’ve done it! that’s all there is to it. mistakes will happen. you might source something wrong or link to a defunct page but that’s alright! as a gif maker, seeing someone make a good attempt with a mistake is better than no attempt at all.

[rqbossman]

Hello Mr Bossman! (and possibly anyone else who reads this)

Its an honour to be here, I have a few questions. First i appologise for the long paragraph, you may dismiss it for the questions at the bottom. For context, i am here after finishing TMA and being up to date with TMAP, i then went over and listened to RQG, and have just finished listening to Epilogue 3 and might i just say, good sir I am grateful for your podcasts. I am currently just a few months away from my final exams of High School, and as someone who even just 1 year ago was very lost, struggling with school and being just overwhelmed. TMA isnt exactly comforting, but the characters and plot managed to serve as a good form of escapism while sorting myself out. I found my self engaging more in creative things that i had originally put aside in favour of maths and science (which i hated but thought i needed to do). I started drawing again, even if just fanart. and i found things going well. By finding podcasts, story telling and these communities have helped me in my own understanding of what i want in life. I got an ADHD diagnosis earlier this year, and almost directly after started RQG and as my first hyperfixation (that i was aware of as an hyperfixation) gosh dang it hit hard. (in a good way). Ive been able to do so much more creative writing and drawings, and got re-involved with a small dnd group with some friends who i played one game with almost 4 years ago now. So overall, inspirational sounds cringe, but it was. Im doing my best with the upcoming exams, but trying to get in to Medicine is not my only prority, and the fact ive been re-introduced to my first love (Literature and story telling), im planning to go do an Arts degree and i know i wouldnt have been able to confidently make this decision, or even have survived this long in the school system without the work you and your coworkers do. Now the sap is out of the way, Question time! (if you could answer even just one of these questions it would be so cool)(they go in order of RQ relevant to random stuff)(dont feel pressured to answer all/any. i know i wrote alot): 1. what would you say is the best way to draft out a long-form story. (with "Erasing the Line" as an example) Did you start at the end, with the links to the overarching plot.

2. When working with the players (in a form of TTRPG), what did you do to make sure you didnt miss relevant timing of plot points/ avoid creating spoilers while still giving enough detail?

3. What are good places to start with making a job out of storytelling/voice acting/audio etc. In the case of RQ, how is this a job and where do i sign up please! /j (what i mean is, how is best way/how did you find all the people involved and was there a common path that you were all on before getting to where you are now?) 4. Do you have recommendations for Terry Pratchett Books, i may be an literary-leaning student, but it seems i have never actually properly read any of his books. so where is best place to start?/What did you read first?

5. Similar authors or similar inspirations? Did you have a favourite podcast you listen to in your free time that you havnt had a hand in producing/directing/working on. 6. Favourite song/album/artist. And more specifically, what you like listening to in background when doing either writing or (for ttrpg) character research/game planing. 7. Since the olympics are on at the moment, what has been your favourite sport to watch, if you have been watching at all. Thank you for your time :)

Thankyou for all the kind words. Knowing our work is helping people really keeps our engines fired up. Let's see if I can't answer your questions: 1. I "sandbox" which is where I just shove everything I can think of into an unorganised bullet point list. Characters, setting, plot, all of it in one big mess. Then I decide what type of story you want to tell, copy and paste to a new document and then start to organise the thoughts (with the sandbox on standby if new stuff comes in I don't know what to do with). I think of it like scultping, you cut away bits and reshape until something comes out the other end that is story shaped. Only then do I attempt to build the sandcastle and put something coherant together like a synopsis or scratch draft etc.

2. Very tricky. I did a complete review and update of all notes after each recording session and don't forget the audio eas edited. I made lots of gaffs that you never heard as audience.

3. I contacted anyone I could convince to take part and just proved I was serious by overworking. I don't reccomend that route. Unfortunately it really is "who" you know. That doesn't mean chase established professionals as much as it means you need to get out there and associate with other up-and-comers who match your vibe. For me the route was long and windy and not a particularly good example. 4. I normally recommend people do not read his books in publication order. Don't get me wrong, its wonderful watching his craft grow from one title to the next but I would recommend new readers tip their toe into his later works to see if they like where he ended up before committing the time. I often recommend 'Monstrous Regiment' as people's first one. My favourite though is 'Thief of Time.'

5. I don't get much time to listen to podcasts in the last couple of years. I used to listen to a lot of non fiction. 'Stuff you Should Know' and that ilk. I also read a fair amount of classic YA fiction to unwind (Windinsger trilogy, Bartimeous, stuff like that.) 6. Paul Simon's Graceland but when working I assemble a playlist for each seperate project that is tonally appropriate. If I really need to focus I listen to Classical Minimalism. Or the Old School Runescape soundtrack. I'm allowed to be ecclectic. 7. I am actually in an incredibly busy work crunch at the moment so haven't seen any of it!

[astropookie]

juno signs and their specific love language 🦋🪷

I took the idea from a question a uquiz test, a long time ago. it was in my drafts.

pinterest

*birth chart/whole sign system

Gemini

you need someone that’s intelligent, not a nerd but someone you can talk continuously without being bored, someone that’ll stimulate your brain. I’m not referring to them as a clown, I’m referring to them as curious. you probably find it very attractive when others take the initiative to start a conversation, adding a topic or being in silence when’s needed. people that have Juno in Gemini is kind of a sapiosexual (“individual who finds high levels of intelligence the most sexually attractive attribute”). they get bored pretty easy. they love to share ideas and understand or simply are curious about others perspectives/fields their partner likes.

their oddly-specific love language is to share information, a link, a document, making a resume, making a playlist -that does count as information👅- informing the other about something without u asking them.

Aquarius

they’re freaky dicky. they need someone as freaky as them, with the same humor or that gets them. they want someone that embrace their “rare” side, they have been struggling to accept it on this lifetime. friends, they need to be friends first, if not they’re fucked, it’s not gonna be healthy -I wrote it a long time ago but now I don’t share the same idea, take it if it resonates-. they’re attracted to a free spirit or a partner with different ideas that’s not afraid to confront them about it. they would like to share their most rare experiences and hidden preferences.

Their specific love language is to give gifts BUT like a cup with form of a penis or trending meme stuff both of you like or…they’ll defend you and speak well about you, like they’re blind. doesn’t matter if you’re a murderer, they’ll justify it and will try to make you look like a good person.

Capricorn

secretly, so profoundly they are attracted to someone’s seriousness or persistence, goal driven. they make their own reality. They look and are powerful -powerful not only means to put your chin up but to have presence, to know what you want, your resources and use them to your favor-. they need their partner to respect them and their boundaries. they need to be in charge, control. IK they’ll want someone that will put upside down their “being in charge” game. They want someone that will bossy them (when they‘ll know each other well). They’re independent, they like their own time.

Their specific love language -for most basic it could sound- is quality time and showing they care for you: they could be prideful and have trust issues, showing affection/being worried openly towards you -it’s not even the 1/4 of how they truly feel-. they like to take it slow, they won’t commit easily but when they want to know you, they’ll try and would deeply, they’ll take their time: they’ll protect you.

—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•

❀ Based on my personal experience and what I’ve analyzed in my surroundings.

❀ English is not my first language.

❀ I’m not a profesional astrologer, I love astrology and I’m willing to learn.

Thank youu. baibaiii🫣🫶🏼💋

Do not copy. Please give me credits.

[tiredlilguy]

Hii! I hope you’re doing well in college :)

If it’s alright to do x reader, can you write about having a romantic relationship with the flags? I rlly liked your hcs so I thought to make a flags request ! Here’s some questions to help you out

-Can they cook? - Are they affectionate? -Cuddling, big spoon or little spoon? -Are they good at comforting you?

If you do not want to do this request, you do not have too! Please take your time I don’t mind!

ASDLFJAHLSDKJFHLAKDSJFH i had to pick this one up immediately despite me having so many drafts. im boutta eat this shit up, the flags are actually literally my favorite. ty for requesting this (ノ・∀・)ノ this is very long... it's 6 pages on my document right now...

pairing(s): The Flags (separately) x GN!Reader cw: slightly suggestive for iceman and chuuya's, not proofread desc: romantic hc's with the flags, the real question is though, can albatross cook? (spoiler: no, he can't)

Pianoman:

he’s always busy, but strangely enough, whenever you ask, he’s always free

for some reason, whenever you’re in the room you’re like… the only thing on his mind and he forgets whatever he was doing before

I can see pianoman being a huge sweetheart for some reason

like… He’s the leader of the Flags, but at the same time he kind of acts like a care-taker a little bit

he just cares very deeply for his comrades and you, of course

his love languages are quality time and acts of service, but he likes to receive physical touch

this man is touch starved, so please give him a little hug when he’s stressing over deadlines and being hard on himself (since he’s a perfectionist)

speaking of physical touch: he LOVES back hugs, receiving them and giving them

he’ll be looking over at some copies of fake notes that he was working on with a frown on his face and -oh- there’s his sweet little bug squeezing him so much that he completely forgot what he was doing (he doesn’t care though, he loves you)

he’s only really affectionate when you both have a moment alone, but he won’t complain if you want a kiss or for him to hug you for a moment

when you two are alone though, he likes to give you surprise kisses or hugs; tends to be really clingy sometimes depending on how tired he is, but if you want space, he’ll listen to you

I feel like sometimes though, if he does initiate PDA, he likes to tease you: if you’re sitting on his lap, he’ll put a hand on your thigh, but then it’ll slowly trail up a little bit higher when he thinks your not paying attention, if he puts his head on your shoulder while you’re talking to someone, he might leave butterfly kisses on the side of your neck

he likes to tease you for sure, and isn’t satisfied until your a tomato…

nicknames for him… I think he’d use nicknames that are a little dorky because he likes to embarrass you, saying: “love bug” or “hot stuff” or “steady” (really old ass, from the 50’s nicknames)

“ You know, (Y/N) likes to call me studmuffin,” he brags to Chuuya, nudging the poor boy on the elbow.

“ Please leave me alone.”

I had to make the stupid reference… im sorry LMFAO

but when he’s feeling a little romantic, he’ll call you “honey”

he’s definitely good at comforting you, considering that he literally drops everything just to pay attention to you

will study every detail on your facial expression the moment that you walk in the room, but if you’re in a bad mood he won’t push you

gives you a back hug and a small kiss on the side of your head and asks if you’re ok and if you want anything

listens if you want to vent, or will leave you alone if you want. Anything you need? He’s there to take care of you.

just want to cry and lay down for a bit, that’s fine with him. He’s not the best singer, but he tries to hum to you

can he cook? He can, but I can also see him just preferring to order take out

at the end of the day, he tends to just be really tired, so cuddling up on the couch with you and some take out is enough for him (if you cook, even better, but he might want to help because he feels bad)

he’s a big spoon

when I saw that question I was like: How does this man sleep? In my brain, he’s a side sleeper, and he’d prefer to be the big spoon

when he’s drifting off to sleep, he likes to whisper sweet nothings to you

though, does he sleep? No not really, you have to drag him way from his desk and if he doesn’t budge just kiss him on the forehead and tell him to join you (he’ll end up joining you like 5 minutes later)

in conclusion, sweet bf, but also busy and tired (please give him forehead kisses)

Lippman:

Lippman is romantic as fuck

like you cannot tell me he’s got the rizz, Doc literally said he has a silver tongue (what else that tongue do *cough*)

he’s always holding your hand in his

his hands are very warm and gentle, and when he holds yours, he’s holding it very gingerly, not tugging too hard and only squeezing your hand to comfort you

love languages are gift giving and physical touch, he loves receiving words of affirmation

being an actor with may fans abroad, he hears a lot of praise from others, but none of their words mattered nearly as much as yours do

like you could just be complimenting him on how he styled his hair one day, and it’s like… the only thing he’s talking/thinking about

early on in your relationship together, he was quite shy actually: didn’t really initiate affection because sitting next to you made him feel nervous, but one day you grasped for him hand and now he just never let go

like I’m telling you, if you two are at home, he will not let go of your hand (even when he’s cooking)

speaking of cooking, he’s an amazing cook, but he’s also (similar to pianoman) busy as hell

he often likes to cook with you, enjoying your presence and closeness as you both work together to make a nice meal

he’s fine with PDA, but only if it’s PG… like he gets shy kissing you on the lips in public, but he’ll hold your hand (because he loves your hands :) )

if you initiate PDA, he won’t complain though

he’s far too shy to tell you no, and he also enjoys making you happy

seeing you happy makes him happy

nicknames for you are old romantic, but not in a dorky way. He likes to use nicknames in a different language sometimes: “mon cherié”, “cariño”

he also definitely uses “darling” and if he’s in a more excited mood, he calls you “sunshine” or “my flower”

“ There’s my pretty sunshine!,” he’d smile, as you’d run up to him and give him a hug.

comfort from him is >>>

he seems shy, but when he gets worried about you, he sort of goes into mom mode

he’s a little pushy, but if he notices you’re upset, he stops immediately

will hold you if you’re upset, and he has a sweet voice, so hearing him talk or sing will calm you down immediately

after comforting you, he’d take care of you for the rest of the day

you have work to do at home? No, you don’t, he’s going to make you tea and tell you how well beautiful you are

I can see him being very strict about his sleep schedule

he cringes at the thought of himself having wrinkles because he slept the wrong way, so he tries to go to bed at a certain time and wakes up at a certain time (mafia orders and job stuff are an exclusion though)

sometimes he goes to sleep earlier than you do, but he doesn’t mind if you interrupt him to crawl under his arms

for him, he definitely prefers to face you his sleep: he can see you face when he wakes up and nothing will make him happier

if he’s really tired though, he might like burying his head in your chest as your massaging his head with your hands

he’ll let out a soft groan before falling right to sleep

he doesn’t mind holding you either though: you being the little spoon or resting your head on his chest

likes to kiss your eyelids before he goes to bed ;;-;;

soft romantic bf, can be shy, but he tries this best to make you happy

doesn’t care just as long as there’s a smile on your face

Iceman:

Iceman is very much a lone wolf, but with you it’s “I literally hate everyone else, but I will give the world to you”

he can and will kill for you, rest assured you are very protective

though despite his rough exterior, he’s a kind man

honestly, he doesn’t really care so much for PDA, but he gladly accepts any form of affection you give him

he’s most likely not the one that initiated it, but the only time’s he does is if he’s talking with the others: he often gestures for you to come over to sit on his lap (and you do so, because who would say no-)

or if he doesn’t initiate PDA, it’s usually out of jealousy or to show people that your his

like let’s say you’re talking with someone for a bit too long, he’s probably going to slide a hand on your waist and giving you a soft kiss on the cheek, telling you that you both have to leave (you got no where to go, he’s just wants you attention instead-)

this man has the best kisses, like if anything those are what make your heart flutter the most

it doesn’t matter what kind of kiss he gives you: one of the cheek, a short peck, etc, it still makes you feel somewhat flustered and a tomato (which he grins at)

he doesn’t seem like the type, but he likes to tease you in more of a subtle way.

You were putting on a pair of pants and adjusting them at your hips: zipping up the front zipper and button. You then reached over to the side to find a belt, only to realize that it wasn’t there. Suddenly, hands slipped around your waist and you realized that Iceman was doing you belt for you.

“ These pants compliment your waist quite well,” he whispered gently into your ear. It almost sounded like a bit of a growl. You felt your chest flutter as you let him do his thing. Though before anything else happened, he buckled your belt together and slipped his hands away, walking away as if nothing happened.

nicknames for you are simple. He doesn’t want to do anything more ambitious and he feels proud that he can call you simple nicknames: “love” and “babe” or “baby”

those nicknames make you feel flustered either way… so I mean

He notices you trying to reach something that was on the top shelf, but stops you. Getting you off the counter, and reaching for it himself,” Let me help you, Love.”

he’s the kind of man that lana del ray writes in her music *cough*

he LOVES YOUR WAIST: he’s always touching it

sometimes he’ll place a gentle hand on the side of your waist while passing you, he’ll take any chance he can to pick you up by the waist (and sit you down on the kitchen counter *cough*), slow dancing with his hands resting just a top your hips while you both listen to his old records

he’s just… always touching ur waist all the time

likes to do a lot of the heavy work for you like if you’re moving something large, or carrying bags

he only does it because he knows you’re entirely capable, he just doesn’t want you to ever lift a finger if he’s around

love languages are physical touch and acts of service

he’s a sweet comforter, but he most likely doesn’t say much

he’s always listening and he’ll do whatever you ask of him, but he just prefers actions over words

will hold you until you fall asleep if you were crying, he wipes your tears too :(

will not feel rested until your completely asleep next to him

the way he holds you is definitely you laying on his chest with your ear to his heart while he’s lying on his back with an arm slung around your waist

definitely does that really sweet thing where he’ll caress your side in circles

he smokes before he goes to bed, but if it bothers you, he’ll stop (or just smoke outside)

always makes sure that before he leaves for work that you’re awake (even if you’re half-awake), happy, and with a cup of tea/coffee

conclusion: lone wolf kind of lover aka everything that I want *cough*

Doc:

I feel like in a romantic relationship to him, there are very few moments where it seems romantic to the public eye

though in between you two, I can see it being very shy love

he tends not to initiate much affection, but you can quite literally see it in his eyes that he’s begging

at first, it seemed rather creepy and you thought he didn’t like you all that much, but in reality he was just silently asking for your attention

Doc is the kind of person that stands… really really close to you, so much that you’re a little bit uncomfortable and when you turn around and look at him, he smiles

he doesn’t initiate PDA at first, allowing you to show affection

he loves receiving head pats from you, it makes him feel proud of himself

though, when he started getting comfortable between the two of you, he likes to lay on you

like I’m talking… laying on your thighs, head on your shoulder, he likes to lean on you

since he’s rather sickly, he tends to be really cold quite often, so to him, you’re his personal heater

isn’t one to kiss you on the lips unless he’s feeling really passionate: a kiss on the cheek or on the forehead is enough for him

usually prefers to receive affection then give it, BUT he’s working on it, and for now standing next to him is enough

love language is very much quality time

he just likes to sit next to you, even if you’re not touching or saying anything

the silence with him is always comfortable with him, doesn’t matter what you’re both doing

the nicknames that he uses are really simple, but weird, yet strangely sweet like “happy pill” or “bug”

As he enters your room, he crosses his arms as he looks around for you. “ Hey, where’s my happy pill…WOAH-!”

You quickly tackled him into a hug. Though not hard enough for him to fall over. Doc let out a small smile as you hugged him albeit a little roughly.

his comforting doesn’t really come out very often

for example: let’s say you get injured

he’ll turn into a completely different person, rather serious and focused when he’s treating you

but if you are in pain, he’ll be holding onto you gently as he’s trying to patch you up

he hushes you if you wince from the pain

can he cook? Nope, and he doesn’t really try to either

because he’s a doctor, he tends to be busy and doesn’t really have much time to take care of himself

so either his subordinates deliver food to him, or you deliver him food (which he’s very grateful for)

I can see him being the kind of person who sleeps on his back, or on you… like from earlier

he’ll very easily fall asleep on your lap if you hand is touching his hair, but to be honest he’ll sleep anywhere

this man does not sleep, so if you offer your shoulder for him to lean on, he’ll most likely knock out

he takes naps anywhere… sleeps anywhere, so it’s quite hard to get him to sleep in a bed

anyways, if you’d like to sleep next to him, he usually lifts his arms so that you can nuzzle into his side as he lies on his back

if you’re too scared to be near him though, he might just hold your hand as you both fall asleep next to each other

he likes watching you sleep though, so sometimes he’ll just prop himself up on a pillow with a book while holding your hand in his other

in conclusion: he’s a quiet and sweet lover

Albatross:

PUPPY LOVE PUPPY LOVE PUPPY LOVE

he quite literally follows you every where

you’re going to the store? Ok, he wants to take you for a ride on his motorcycle. You’re going to go get some coffee at that cafe downstairs? He’s already throwing on his jacket. You’re just getting up to go get another snack? Well, he’s not going to let you leave his arms, so up he goes with you.

he’s always hugging you, doesn’t matter what you’re both doing

greets you with a hug, says goodbye with a hug, will just… hug you if you’re standing within proximity of him

I can also see Albatross taking his little furry jacket vest thing and putting it on you, as well as his sunglasses

no, you cannot argue with him, he’s going to do it anyways if you’re both having a casual moment together

as you can see from just now, he LOVES PDA

he loves to receive it, loves to give it

he’s always holding your hand, or waist, or has his head on your shoulder or on top of your head if you’re standing in front of him, is always hugging you

once again, no you cannot argue with him, he will probably cry, you haven’t tried to argue with him though… but you have a feeling that he would cry

sometimes you tend to forget that he’s behind you, and someone will end up pointing it out (usually Chuuya… the other Flags are used to it)

he lets you braid his rat tail and doesn’t take it out until you do, and you only take it out if you want to redo it

love languages are physical touch and quality time, he loves to receive physical touch back (please hug and kiss him, he enjoy it even if it’s a small thing)

can and will take you out for his midnight drives and shenanigans

once dragged you out of bed so that you could both go to the beach and run into the water (you were both still in your night wear, but seeing him laughing and smiling made you happy too)

he likes driving a lot faster than normal just so that you can cling onto him, his makes butterflies go absolutely HAM in his stomach

nicknames for you are cutesy, he doesn’t really like traditional nicknames and sometimes they remind him of Lippman and it makes him cringe

he likes to call you “Dumpling” or “Marshmallow”… maybe he’s just hungry, I don’t know

“ Dumplin’, can you pass me the wrench that’s in that toolbox next to you over there?”

speaking of wrenches, he feels happy whenever you visit him at his garage

you can just sit there and listen to him talk for hours on end while he fixes things up

he leaves his toolbox next to you on purpose just so that you can hand it to him

I can imagine that if you hand him a tool and he’s laying on his back under a car on one of those rolley cart things

instead of reaching out for it with his hand, he’ll quickly roll up and take it from you, but not before swiping his stained hand on your cheek and giving you a quick kiss

he’s just silly… and he likes to give you little form of affection

DO NOT LET THIS MAN COOK OH MY GOD

he may be great at cars and boats and planes, but do not let him cook

he will somehow find a way to burn the kitchen by just touching the pan with the stove off

though despite being a shitty cooker, he’s a big foodie

he loves to eat literally everything and tries new things because he heard a review

if you bring him to a new restaurant, he’ll be taking photos of his food and be reviewing it as he eats it

I can see him sleeping sprawled out on the bed, if you join him, he’ll unconsciously cling onto you like a magnet

he’s a pretty deep sleeper, but he’s always looking for you in his sleep

if you leave, he’ll whine and try to look for you even if with his eyes closed

in conclusion: he’s very much in his puppy love era, and his face is always red when he’s talking to you… he’s a blushy boy around you

Chuuya:

he’s very much a tsun, so it might be quite hard for him to get close to you, or even show affection

though, just know that despite how much he acts like he doesn’t like your affection, he recretly loves it

he fell first and harder mind you

he treats you like literal royalty behind closed doors though

Chuuya’s not really one for PDA, and he’s not going to initiate it under any circumstance

the only reason is because he has a tendency to want to continue to show his rough exterior out in public

he can get kind of awkward if you initiate it, but will relax into it after a while

though, when he greets you in public he’s a gentlemen: he’ll even kiss your hand and lead you places by the hand sometimes

though that’s about it

behind doors though, he’s… so clingy

bike the moment that you close the door, he already has his arms around your waist

if he kisses you anywhere, it’s on your neck, and he does it in the most dramatic way possible

he’ll take one of your hands in his as he’s behind you and he’ll let out a short breathe on your neck before kissing gently

don’t get him wrong though, he still loves to kiss your lips

if anything, he’s addicted to your taste

love languages are gift giving and acts of service

I just know this man will literally get you anything just to make you happy

expensive jewlery? No problem, baby. You want that coat that’s over a thousand dollars? It’ll be in your closet in a couple of days.

this man is loaded so… (MAKE HIS POCKETS HURT)

he definitely does a lot of things around the house if he’s not busy

the moment that he’s home, all house chores as his now and if you argue with him, he’s going to sit you up on the kitchen counter and uh… yeah.

anyways, he likes to help around the house when he can: if you made dinner, he’s doing the dishes. Even if he made dinner, no, sit down, he’s still going to do the dishes

he simply just doesn’t want you to lift a finger and wants you to sit pretty on the couch and enjoy yourself for a moment

speaking of cooking, yes… he can cook and he’s REALLY good at it

he had no former way of teaching himself other than wanting to find a new hobby, and oh my god if the dishes that he makes aren’t literally amazing

he enjoys cooking dishes that go well with his wine depending on what he felt like drinking from his collection

nicknames that he uses are simple and easy, but they get to the point. He’ll use nicknames like “doll” or “sweet stuff”; not as simple as ice man, but he likes them

He wraps his arms around you as you were cooking dinner,” How was your day, doll? Whatcha makin’?”

I can see him comforting a lot similar to iceman

he’ll listen quietly to literally anything you ask

if you want to be held, he’ll lay down on the couch and hold you in his arms as you’re laying down on top of him

will use his ability to make you both float away from the surface for a moment: something that he used to do that always calmed him down

he likes to caress your hair, so let him when he’s trying to comfort you.

if he’s sleeping with you, he’s definitely a spooner and he is the big spoon

he snores for sure, but he never loosens his grip if he’s holding onto you

sweet boy (-w-)

[copperbadge]

Hello, hello, could you please say more about how you use Microsoft OneNote in your professional life? I need all the help I can get to stay organized & on top of things, so I would love to know.

Sure! I use it less than previous because there's less randomized stuff I need to do now, so I don't need such robust management, but I can talk about how my use began/evolved. I started using OneNote because it was less finicky than Word but still had an autosave function and basic formatting, so it was useful for initial drafts of documents, taking notes on meetings, and keeping track of information I needed at my fingertips frequently.

OneNote's largest "unit" is the Notebook. You can have multiple Notebooks but I've never bothered; still I can see how if your screen was public a lot, you'd want to put some things in a separate Notebook. The Notebook then breaks down into Sections which look like tabs, which I would assign to broad things like "Meeting Notes", "Assignments", "Templates", "Personal" and "Excel Hacks". Sections break down further into "Pages"; each page is a document stuck into place, which you can title so that you can have a list of "pages" on the sidebar and find the one you want easily. Text in Pages can be formatted to some degree, and if you copypaste from websites, it'll tag on the URL of the site you pasted from, although you can also turn that off if you want. You can drag and drop Pages from one Section to another pretty easily.

So, for example, I'd have a "Meeting Notes" Section, and when I clicked the tab for that section I'd have a list of Pages, each of which was notes from a meeting I'd attended. Every time I went into a meeting I just made a new page, gave it a meeting title and date, and took notes on the meeting into the page window. The "Meeting Notes" Section thus became a fully searchable record of meetings I'd attended and what was said. When meeting notes were no longer relevant I'd drag them to an archival Section to retire in peace.

Here's an example of my Excel section:

You can see "My Notebook" up in the left top corner, my current Sections as tabs at the top, and the pages list on the left (I think more modern OneNote skins put the pages on the right, I moved mine back). Each line on the left is a separate "page" that tells me how to do something in Excel, something I need to do a lot but can't commit to memory (or couldn't but now have, it's a trifle out of date). So we're in My Notebook, section Excel, page Formatting Stripes, and on the right you can see how to format an Excel sheet so that it has alternating colored rows (there are other ways to do this but this way the stripes always stay alternating no matter what moves where). In theory I could dump all this stuff into one Page and call it "Excel" and put it somewhere else, but I liked having an easily-visible list so I don't have to scroll a single document to find what I want.

There aren't nearly as many tab/sections as there used to be; "Assignments" covers "all work that is not excel formulas" and includes stuff like instructions for how to pull a query in our database, a list of what everyone does at our company, a yearly guide to our events program, a few other things. I don't have a "Personal" section any more but I do have 2-3 pages in the Assignments section that are personal notes.

There's no inbuilt tagging function but because the entire notebook is searchable, if you're really into tagging you can simply add keywords to the top or bottom of a page.

I have OneNote pinned to my taskbar in Windows, and it's basically always open but it autosaves, so adding stuff is super simple; if I find a bug in our database or a quirk I want to remember I just click over to OneNote and add it to the database file, or similar.

I don't use it on my phone or tablet, because if I'm at work I have access to my laptop generally, but OneNote does sync across devices as long as you're logged in, so if you have OneNote and a Microsoft login you should be able to access it in multiple places.

[mrghostrat]

I remember you posting a blurred gif of the outline of atws, so if you don't mind me asking, how do you do that? Like, get the outline onto paper and not just scenes in your head. That's something I've always struggled with, because it's hard to write without an outline, but hard to do the outline when I don't have a first draft? I'm not sure how to explain it so I hope this makes any sense at all lmao

ahh so fair! some people just don't operate that way and you gotta do what's best for your brain. no point exhausting all your energy trying to squeeze into a "standard writing process" that'll make writing even more difficult for yourself.

under the cut, i'm going to explain my writing process every step of the way, using scenes of ATWS. i hope it helps in some way? i don't think it's anything special, but this is just how i write to appease my adhd.

first, this might help: i once used storyplanner.com when i didn't know how to even start a story and i loved it. it's a great tool that can hold your hand every step of the way, or just prompt you to think on your own. there's over 20 planners that ask different questions like "what's your character's major flaw?" "what's the inciting incident?" "what outside elements hinder the character?" etc that will present you with a complete story structure when you're done with it.

ok, now, how i write:

as for the post in reference, that's the 2nd stage of my writing process. i get carried away with tangents and hone in on details, so i plan in dot points to try and force myself to keep it simple and stay zoomed out.

i just write what happens in chronological order, and if i have an idea for a later scene (or something that i just want to happen, but don't know when/where/how), i note that in a separate document that i can refer to while i plan. this also allows me to gloss over vague sections to keep my writing flow going.

stage 1:

i've started using Notion's "toggle list" feature to minimise the less important parts of a scene and keep myself focused on the overarching plot during this stage. this is what the first point looks like:

i go beat by beat, essentially amounting to an elevator pitch for each stage of my story. "crowley and aziraphale are streamer roommates" + "people start to notice they each live with someone and the speculation starts" + "crowley and aziraphale interact on twitch" + "they attend the edinburgh meetup" etc.

i finish a story before i move on from this stage. i won't start writing something in earnest until i know how it ends.

stage 2:

this is what you saw in my gif, and why that page was so long. that's every scene i'm going to write in the story.

sometimes i jump straight from stage 1 to writing, but ATWS required a lot more figuring out before i started any kind of prose. here i'm basically noting down the details of what each scene is, the brunt of what's happening. this is when i have to figure out those "vague sections" i glossed over earlier.

it's still just intended to be a rough outline so i know where the characters are and what's moving their relationship along. most of these dot points are short because i've already thought about them a thousand times, and may have more details noted down in a different document.

meanwhile some of them i'm planning out the scene as i'm dotting it, making not of dialogue that i want to include.

stage 3: my bracket method

i only use this stage when i'm struggling to write and need to baby step into it. this is my "bracket method" in which i write the scene without, like... caring? some people may consider this "double handling" which may drive you mad, but it's the most helpful thing i've ever done for my process.

i switch tenses, i write how i chat (no capitals etc) and just word vomit the scene without focusing on prose. ATWS came quite easily at first, and i didn't need to use stage 3 until i got to chapter 4 and hadn't written in a few days.

stage 4:

this is writing the actual prose, but i wanted to include it so you can see the differences, to help better understand my notes/planning/outlining stages:

and this is what a scene looks like with stage three bridging the gap:

[yrrtyrrtwhenihrrthrrt]

Drabble request /nf (also I love your work so much)

Ambrosius is gathering files for something important, when he sees one form and has a full blown panic attack, partially because he’s exhausted, and ballister helps him :) (movie)

Hi hi! Sorry this took a actually forever, but since I have finally finished my long-form Goldenheart fic (!!!!) I can finally start addressing the drabble requests that have been rotting in my drafts!! I'm excited to show the movie boys some attention, I missed them. Please enjoy, hope it was worth the wait!

--

Ambrosius’s breath caught in his throat. He'd been awake for days trying to sort through Institute garbage, and this new document he'd found just dragged him back into all that horror.

It was from the Director's previously classified personal files, and it was old, from back when he and Bal were children. He knew the Director was evil, he could accept that now, however much it hurt, but this was too much.

It was a detailed plan, spanning several years. Cursive notes were scribbled across it. Outlined in the plan were weaknesses and opportunities she'd observed to kill Ballister.

Ambrosius’s throat was dry. Ballister was only thirteen when this was drafted. Notes that read things like “Poor swimming ability– pool accident?” And “Visits Danks on occasion, staged kidnapping possible” as well as other horrific things bored into his soul. It looked like she'd abandoned the plans only because she expected Ballister to fail out before being knighted, and thus didn't want to spare the trouble.

He shoved the paper back into the folder. He couldn't let Bal see it, he'd already been through so fucking much. Ambrosius couldn't breathe. He ran through every time he'd ever spoken to Bal about the Director.

“Teacher's Pet,” to which Ballister had responded with hopeful eyes, “You think I'm her favorite?”

“No one hates a hero of the realm.”

“They're going to love you, like I do.”

“I'm sure she's only giving you a more challenging exam because she knows how much more skilled than the rest of us you are!”

“Nobody besides Todd and those other jerk have any doubt about you deserving to be here.”

“She loves you, you’re her best student, I'm sure you just imagined it.”

All the while, she was planning to kill him, a child. Ambrosius sobbed. This was all his fault. If he hadn't been such a privileged asshole, if he hadn't been so unwilling to acknowledge how the adults he trusted since infancy could be cruel, if he'd just listened to the love of his life, he wouldn't have had to endure such horrific trauma, things may have been solved sooner, he wouldn't have–

His arm would still be attached to his body. Ambrosius dismissed all his problems and fears and then joined up with the people punishing him. He'd cut off his arm! He'd cut off his arm and Ballister almost died!

Ambrosius felt like he couldn't breathe. Everything inside him hurt, and his breath quickened. Keep it together, don't let him find you like this, this isn't his problem, but shockingly that didn't work.

He was a horrible person, a horrible partner, a horrible knight, he deserved to fucking die.

“Rose?” That soft voice came from the doorway. “Rose!” Ballister hurried to his side and cupped his cheek. Ambrosius hid his face into his hand. He couldn't talk, he couldn't breathe, he was terrified and angry and miserable all at once, it was just too much.

Ballister rubbed his back and wrapped his arms around him, resting his head on his shoulder. “I'm here, Rose. I love you.”

Ambrosius sobbed and wiped his face. Despite himself, he wrapped Ballister tightly in his arms and flopped his face against his chest, shaking. “I-I’m so sorry–” he choked. Ballister squeezed him. “Rose, shh, don't you worry about anything right now. Take a deep breath for me. Come on, in.” He stroked his back.

Ambrosius took a shaky breath in, it felt awful.

“Good, out.”

Ambrosius tried to follow his love’s instructions. Why was he being so nice!? Ambrosius thought about little Ballister, thrashing for help, drowning in a pool after the Director closed the cover on him, and it felt like he was the one drowning. He imagined little Ballister getting thrown into a bag somewhere in the Danks and being done away with, or pushed off the wall during a training inspection, or any of the other horrible things he'd read. He'd trusted the Director. How could he ever trust anyone again?

“Ambrosius, look at me.” Ballister's voice was gentle but stern. He held Ambrosius's face to make eye contact. “I know it's hard to breathe, I know you're scared and you feel bad, but you've been overworking yourself going through these old records. This isn't your job! You need to sleep.”

Ambrosius shook his head. “No– No you can't– you can't look at these–”

“We'll find someone else to do it, then. This burden shouldn't have fallen to you.” Ballister helped him up and hugged him, and Ambrosius hugged back, still shaking with panic and grief. Having Ballister in his arms, though, it made him feel a bit better. His body was thick, muscular, warm and alive. As long as Ballister was okay, things would be okay.

“I'm going to bring you some water, and then I'll lie with you. Okay?”

Ambrosius swallowed. “Okay.”

Everything still sucked, he was still an awful person, but if Ballister loved him and wanted to cuddle, Ambrosius could never turn away his strong arms.

[somepsychopomp]

Come Home To Me pt. 1

i still feel so fucking insane right now. Today I drafted the first chapter of my Edling royal marriage fic where Ling is down insanely badly and wants to have Ed all to himself. i'd make up a better summary if my brain wasn't a withered husk rn but i did my best. This and future updates will probs be posted to my ao3.

Excerpt:

“Edward Elric,” Shen repeated, stroking his beard, “For what purpose must we seek him out?”

The Emperor’s smile widened. “I’m going to make him my Empress, of course.”

(word count: 4,442)

+++

Edward was glad to be returning to Resembool. 

The day was beautiful, the sky clear and brilliant blue. The rolling fields passed by his train window as he ached for a hot meal at Granny’s table. 

He was tired after a long stint of nonstop field world, and in heavy need of some deep cleaning on his automail, but couldn’t be happier. He had a suitcase stuffed full of research notes and plenty of good anecdotes to share. He didn’t yet know if he’d publish his findings, but he had someone looking forward to seeing them. 

Ed had spent the last four months in the northeasternmost fringes of Amestris, basically living out in the desert with minimal contact with civilization. He wasn’t opposed to the hard work, though. Not when the potential knowledge was so tantalizing. 

He functioned as the alchemical expert for a group of archaeologists from Central. They found fragments of Xerxesian architecture buried in the desert and with them, signs of alchemy. When Ed arrived at the site, it was little more than a bunch of holes dug into the heavy sand and some scraps of stone the archaeologists and their students found.

Ed turned an archaeological graveyard into an oasis. He found the proof that approximately nine centuries ago, Xerxes had a small outpost near what was now the border of Amestris. The older researchers on the team proposed it was a trading hub or colony. Ed had reason to believe it was some kind of remote lab, so experimental alchemy could be conducted safely away from the main populace of Xerxes. 

He wasn’t going to stick around long enough to fight for his point, though. He’d seen what he’d wanted to see and learned what he set out to learn. He was going to be proven right, eventually. So it didn’t matter if he stuck around or not. Even though Ed had done his part and even though the majority team begged him to stay on, promising him additional pay, he knew it was time to come home.  

Alphonse would already be waiting for him, after all. And it’d been almost ten months since they'd last seen each other. 

Ed felt the little warm flurry in his chest grow with excitement. Yeah, they were both adults now, it felt natural for them to want to do their own things. And they did, planning their own trips in pursuit of their individual interests. But they were still brothers and he couldn’t wait to see Alphonse again. 

Not that he’d ever admit it to Al’s face, but Ed still kept a beaten up copy of Alphonse’s first published research paper in the lining of his suitcase, ready to shove it into the face of anyone who dared to not call Alphonse Elric the greatest alchemist currently alive. 

And admittedly, doing so made Ed feel painfully like the late Maes Hughes. Maybe he finally understood why a man would be possessed to carry documentation of his family everywhere he went. 

But that was all behind him now. As all things came to an end, so did his voyage. The train pulled into the station and Ed jumped off the very second he was able to, hauling his heft suitcase in one arm as he ran for the waiting figure on the platform. 

“Brother!” 

Ed smiled. The two of them embraced and it really did feel like coming home. 

“I didn’t keep you waiting long, did I?”

Alphonse laughed. He looked about the same as before their split. Still so tall, still so strongly built. A happy far cry from the emaciated body Ed pulled out of the gate. It was insane, how Alphonse looked so much like their dad now. And he imagined that when Al looked at him, he saw Hohenheim in Ed’s face, too. As much as Ed was loath to imagine it. 

Al kept his hair short as well, while Ed’s had only gotten longer and longer. Alphonse noticed, of course he did, and waved around the end of Ed’s braid. 

“Are you ever going to cut this thing?”

“Never.”

Trisha Elric had long hair, so Edward Elric had long hair. Though maybe at this point, his was longer than even hers had been. It was getting hard to remember now. In his faint and watercolored childhood memories, it didn’t matter how long his hair was because hers always seemed longer. He was sure if he looked at one of Granny’s old photos of her, he’d see differently. 

Funny, how the mind played tricks like that. 

Alphonse tried and failed to take Ed’s suitcase as they walked to the Rockbell household. Ed swatted his hand away. 

“Just let me carry it, Al. It’s heavy.” 

“That’s more reason why I should take it. You’ve lugged it across the countryside, why don’t you let yourself rest for once?”

Ed blew the stray hairs from his eyes. Maybe his bangs could do with a trim, at least. He’d have to see if Granny or Al would be willing to take up the scissors for him, Ed didn’t trust himself enough to make it look halfway decent. 

The two of them chatted about nothing in particular, saving their best stories for when they could put their feet up and enjoy a drink together. Or at least that’s what Ed thought was happening, but he couldn’t help but notice Al was relaying details about minute town gossip with more enthusiasm than expected. 

“Everything alright, Al?”

“Of course, why do you ask?”

Ed shot him a sideways grin. “You’re a shit liar. What’s up?”

Al huffed and puffed but eventually, Ed needled the truth out of him. 

“Well, we’ve got company, actually. They’ve been in town for a few days already. And once they found out I was picking you up from the train station, they insisted on seeing you today.”

“Huh?” Ed scoured his cramped head for any plan he might’ve missed. Did someone he know say they were coming to visit? He asked, “Who is it?”

Al smiled, mischievous in his own right. “You’ll see.”

That made Ed wonder if it was someone from the military. Probably not the newly-promoted Brigadier General Bastard, so maybe someone else?

When they arrived, he didn’t see an extra car outside. On the porch, Ed did his best to shake the sand out of his coat pockets and boots before stepping inside. Immediately, he was hit with the fusion scent of coffee and motor oil. Tension he didn’t even know he was carrying drained out of his body as Ed called out, “I’m back!” 

No click-clack of mismatched paws came running in response. It was still hard to remember that Den wasn’t around to greet them at the door anymore. 

Ed left his suitcase by the door as Al led him into the kitchen, where Granny was sitting at the table with a grouchy looking old man and a young woman with dark hair. They all turned to look at him and it felt like an electric current was sent through his entire body. No way… 

“Lan Fan!” 

She still had the same sharp, dark eyes that Ed remembered from when they were younger. She stood, her expression lighting up at the sight of Ed. 

“Edward Elric!” 

She bowed for him, which felt downright silly. They went so far back, after all. And if Lan Fan was here…

“What are you doing on this side of the desert? Where's Ling? Is he with you?”

The old man cleared his throat and stood. He looked like the kind of guy Ed could easily imagine in the upper echelons of the military or a Xingese court: gray hair and beard, humorless expression, one hand wrapped tight around the curved handle of an ornate, darkwood cane. He was wrapped in loose, emerald green robes while Lan Fan was dressed how Ed remembered her. All black. 

“It is my obligation to accept questions and negotiations on the Emperor’s behalf,” the old man said. He spoke in an extremely thick Xingese accent, but enunciated his words with care. He shot Lan Fan a look, “Is it not?”

Ed’s mood soured slightly. Whoever the old fart was, he wasn’t interested. 

And yet, the old man said, “I am His Majesty’s most senior adviser, Yao Shen. I was sent at His Majesty’s request to locate one Edward Elric and deliver a message.”

To me? Ed wondered. 

The last time he spoke to Ling was when they were teenagers. The idea of trying to contact him again crossed Ed’s mind over the years, admittedly much more than once. After all, Alphonse kept in contact with Mei. He’d even made several trips across the desert to see her and study alkahestry in Xing. 

But Ling just felt so different. He got crowned as Emperor when he was seventeen! And Ed remembered so well how news swept across Amestris of the child king in Xing, who apparently went on a sojourn through their country only a year prior to his coronation. Ed just had no idea how he could ever reach across the world to someone like that. 

So he never did, as cowardly as it was. And seven whole years had gone by since they were a pair of teenagers fighting to save the world. Ed was twenty-two now and thought his chance to see Ling again, no matter how slim, was gone. 

But now Ling’s closest and most loyal vassal was in his kitchen. With a weird old man to boot.  

“Yes, yes. We’re all here for one reason or another,” a new voice said. Ed looked over to see Granny stirring a big pot on the stove. She said, “But all of that can wait. It’s supper time and my boys must be hungry.”

Lan Fan didn’t seem to be in any rush. And if she wasn’t treating this like it was urgent, it probably wasn’t. The five of them sat down at the table, where Ed got to eat a heaping bowl of Granny’s famous beef stew with fresh bread. For a few glorious minutes, he forgot he was being a poor host by not participating in the conversation while he stuffed his mouth. 

Subsisting off of dry rations for four months left one starved for flavor.

Once he had some proper food in his belly, he finally took note of Lan Fan’s arm. It had the super polished look of someone who’d just seen a mechanic, not like Ed’s brushed metal limbs.

“You’ve been taking good care of your automail,” he said. 

Lan Fan smiled. She held out her hand to let it catch in the light. “Your grandmother has been generous enough to do some maintenance on my arm these past few days.”

“Is that right?” Ed asked. He didn’t even bother to correct her, that Granny wasn’t related by blood. It still surprised him. Ed knew Granny was partially retired these days; she didn’t take on new clients anymore, just did repairs and cleanings. 

He was glad she agreed to take a look at Lan Fan. Xing, as he was told, sorely lacked automail mechanics. Too bad Winry was up to her ears in work in Rush Valley, he knew she would’ve loved to ogle at a good arm. 

Granny said, “As someone who’s seen my fair share of automail in all sorts of shapes and states, it’s my professional recommendation that you have yours examined by a mechanic at least once a year.”

“That is simply not possible, given her immense obligations,” Shen said. 

Ed and Al shot each other a knowing look. Why on earth was Lan Fan traveling with this old fart? 

“The Emperor sends for an Amestrian mechanic whenever my arm becomes too damaged to operate,” Lan Fan said, as simple as if she was commenting on the weather. 

Ed stared at her, mouth agape. As someone who’d gotten into far too many fights to count over the course of his life, some of which ended up in his automail getting completely shattered, he wondered what kind of things Lan Fan had endured in recent years. 

And by extension, what all that meant for Ling. Ling, who was not here but felt the need to send Lan Fan in his stead. 

Lan Fan turned to Ed and Al. “Now, tales of your exploits have been reaching Xing for years, but it’s often impossible to tell what’s fiction and what’s fact. I would love to know what the Elric brothers have actually been doing since we last crossed paths.”

It was a little hard to tell if she was actually interested or just changing the subject. Ed didn’t press either way. Alphonse, either by using some secret telepathic power or just knowing how Ed operated, stopped him from running to get his copy of Al’s research. He instead gave a summarized version of his studies on combining alchemy and alkahestry. 

As their bowls ran empty, Ed figured it was time to broach the subject of why they had guests at all. 

“So what’s the message meant just for me?” he asked, bracing an elbow on the table. 

Shen seemed unphased. “Unfortunately, it directly involves the security of our Emperor and must be delivered in private.”

“Oh?”

Ed turned to Lan Fan. Up until now, she seemed warm and inviting, a huge difference from her stoic self he first met. But even she shook her head. 

“I must agree. It can only be given in complete secrecy.”

Ed resisted the urge to grin. Whatever it was, he could easily imagine Ling landed himself in some sort of trouble and needed help from the former Fullmetal Alchemist. Ed might’ve quit the military and lost his ability to do alchemy, but he was still a force to be reckoned with. 

“Fine, then. I know where we can talk.”

Bidding Al and Granny a temporary goodbye, Ed led his two guests out of the house and up a dirt path. The sun was starting to set now, just touching the horizon and bathing everything in blinding gold. The air here was warm but not dry like the desert. It was damp and full of life. 

Ed guided them up a hill as the ruins of his childhood home loomed ever larger. He didn’t stop when they reached the derelict structure, stepping over scorched wood beams and the old stone foundation, leading them into the heart of his family’s house. 

“What is this place?” Lan Fan asked. 

Ed stopped just short of the stone stairs that led to the basement. No one in Resembool came up here. Maybe they were too afraid to, maybe it was a sign of respect. He noticed that no signs of vandalism or graffiti cropped up over the years. 

He put his hands in his coat pockets and said, “This was my home when I was a child. Now why don’t you answer me this, what did you come all this way to tell me?”

+++

The order from her Emperor to travel to Amestris without him was quite a shock to Lan Fan when she first received it. Not to mention His Imperial Majesty wanted her to guide Advisor Shen. He was so old, she honestly thought this could’ve been a ploy to have him perish in the desert to finally be rid of him.

The old man wasn’t happy about it either, even though he did his best to conceal it. 

Alone in a private audience with the Emperor, he bowed profusely and repeatedly while asking, “A thousand pardons, my Emperor. But what exactly do you wish an old man like myself to achieve in Amestris?”

Shen was a spoiled member of the Yao clan’s lesser nobility who used to be a close personal friend of Ling’s father. He climbed considerable heights by constantly praising the last Emperor, only to now find himself serving a much younger man with no interest in keeping his father’s past friends wealthy. 

It was rare that Lan Fan was ever out in the open too, but as her Emperor specifically wanted an audience with her as well, she stood side by side with the old adviser. 

His Majesty smiled serenely at Shen. “Your task in Amestris is to seek out Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric. Lan Fan is to escort you, seeing as she’s one of the… maybe two or three Xingese citizens who actually knows what he looks like.”

If she could speak freely, Lan Fan might have protested as well. She could never leave her Lord vulnerable, even if he did have other guards and the entire Imperial army at his disposal now. 

He cast his gaze upon her, expectant. She knew precisely why he wanted to find Edward Elric. She was perhaps the only person in the world who knew, who he trusted to know.  

And she took that trust very seriously. It was not her place to approve or disapprove of his desires, only to see them fulfilled. 

“Edward Elric,” Shen repeated, stroking his beard, “For what purpose must we seek him out?”

The Emperor’s smile widened. “I’m going to make him my Empress, of course.”

Lan Fan was staring straight ahead when he said so, arms on her knees as she knelt and awaited further instructions. But she would have loved to see Shen’s face if his startled, haggard coughing fit was anything to go by. 

His Majesty’s smile grew terse. “Something the matter, Shen?”

“Oh, well… I- I cannot… my Lord…”

“You cannot what? Condone my decision? You object, is that it?”

“No, no! I would never, your Imperial Majesty!”

He grew silent as the Emperor stood, his silken robes falling around his powerful frame. He descended the steps of his throne and Shen once more pressed his forehead to the floor in subservience. 

“Stand up.”

They both did so. 

The Emperor produced his right hand from the length of his robes and pulled a golden ring from his finger. It was newly made, polished to a mirror shine.

“Shen, you will take this ring and guard it well. When you find Edward Elric, you will hold my ring up to his image. And when you do, remember which is more impressive.”

+++

Yao Shen only ever wanted to live comfortably. And for many decades, he did exactly that. He wore nice clothing of moderate detail, had multiple sons, kept his head low in court, and was rewarded with a lifetime of servility by being named a chief advisor in the imperial court. Now, however, he thought he might just reach his end. In a foreign land surrounded by alien peasants, no less. 

Because his Emperor was correct. Edward Elric was more splendid than gold. 

At first, he hadn’t been happy at all to make the trip across the desert. He bitterly cursed his ill fortune under his breath, knowing full well His Majesty’s dog was his sole traveling companion. Then it was a matter of locating the insignificant village that the famed Fullmetal Alchemist came from. And even then, they could not rest until they found Edward himself. 

And when they did finally see him in person, Shen had not been very impressed. Edward Elric was clothed like a simple traveler, in plain garments and a rugged red coat. No silk, no gold, no silver. His boots were caked in dirt and his gloves were stained a reddish brown from the desert. His complexion was less than fair, his face tanned by the sun to a degree that most matchmakers would deem unacceptable.

Not to mention the fact that the boy referred to His Imperial Majesty, the Son of Heaven, by his given name! Had that mistake slipped anyone’s lips within Xing, they’d be executed. 

But everything changed when he saw Edward Elric in the sunlight. 

In the glow of the setting sun, Edward Elric looked like a lion. His long blond hair framed his face and reached his lower back. Shen was aware that it was common in Amestris for men to keep their hair short, as preposterous as it was. One’s body was a gift from their parents and to cut any part of it was to disrespect them. Edward Elric had very respectable long hair. 

And his eyes. The palace menagerie kept a host of exotic animals, including actual lions. The Fullmetal Alchemist had the eyes of a fierce and unflinching warrior, so bright and piercing. It was clear he’d seen and won many battles, but he wasn’t a brute, either. No, his were a set of dangerously intelligent eyes. 

It wasn’t necessary, Shen knew when he’d been defeated, but he could never deny an order from his Emperor. So he reached into his pocket and produced a small bundle of cloth. With trembling fingers, he unwrapped the golden ring entrusted to him and held it up to Edward Elric.

Both shined with a sort of blinding brilliance, as if the sun itself wished to pour all its warmth over the boy’s shoulders. He perfectly matched the descriptions of the Great Sage of the West, the founder of alkahestry. Any dignitary worth their salt would know what an auspicious sign this was… and that the young Emperor tragically chose his future concubine well. Very well. 

+++

Ed blinked, going cross-eyed as something small was held in front of his face. He leaned back, seeing that it was a golden ring. Thick and heavy-looking, too. 

“Uh…”

He moved to reach for the ring, unsure if that was what they wanted, but the old man simply tucked it back into his pocket. He cleared his throat. “Thank you for humoring an old man. Lan Fan, tell him.”

Was it just his imagination, or was she smiling ever so faintly? 

She stepped forward and said, “His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Xing will be arriving in Amestris in three days for a diplomatic mission. He will be arriving in Central City to speak with your Fuhrer and parliament and is scheduled to remain in your country for fifteen days. While he is here, he wishes to see you again.”

Lan Fan produced a small package from a pouch in her belt and presented it with both hands. “He asked me to give you this gift as a token of his earnestness.”

Ling wanted to see him?

Lightheaded, Ed accepted the gift. It wasn’t heavy at all.

Lan Fan raised her brows. Open it. 

So he undid the twine wrapping. It wasn’t what he expected, not that he had any idea what it could be. Ed held up the length of silk to the light. It was a long, thin strip of crimson cloth embroidered with gold. It was beautiful. He didn’t know what it could possibly be for, but he appreciated it. After all, 

Ling remembers me…

“Tell me something,” Ed said, running his fingers over the cloth, amazing as how smooth it was, “How has he been, all these years?”

“He has been well, thank you for your concern,” Lan Fan said. “He is looking forward to having your company once more.”

+++

Once Shen was excused from the throne room and it was just the two of them, Ling didn’t feel like sending Lan Fan back to her post as his invisible hand. He needed a friend right now. 

Sighing, he said, “It’s been a long time, Lan Fan.”

She nodded. “It has.”

Almost a decade had gone by since they last saw Edward Elric. 

He thumbed at the hem of his robe, thinking. “What if I’m too late?”

“You must not lose hope, your Majesty. He is still not married. Even if there was someone standing in your way, what real threat could they pose to you?”

He nodded, thankful as ever for her steadfastness. Unlike his endless officials, servants, and his stupid siblings all vying for his favor, Lan Fan had earned it long ago. He respected her opinion far more than many of theirs, as well. And if she had faith in him, perhaps that was a good sign. 

He wandered over to the windows behind his throne, whose light reflected off his gilded ceiling and his crimson pillars. The imperial palace sprawled before him, more wealthy than any other country he knew of. 

What would Edward think of it all if he could see it now?

He was going to see it, Ling reminded himself. He’d waited long enough, now was the time to finally act. 

The last time they saw each other was as children at the tender age of fifteen. Ling’s father held onto his throne for little over a year by no small miracle, but of all his brothers and sisters, it was him who was crowned successor before he was even an adult. 

He spent the first few years of his reign cementing his rule and keeping his country stable as power changed hands. He protected the Chang clan from extinction, elevated his own, improved trade and relations to the east, and chose peace treaties over war declarations. Now he was turning his efforts into improving relations with the west. 

The common folk such as his farmers and merchants loved him too, he made sure of it. Edward was born of common blood, after all. And he was famous across the world for his efforts to help those that could not help themselves. 

If he could, he would send Lan Fan to seek out Edward alone. She’d do it in half the time if she didn’t have a bag of bones tethered to her. Even though Yao Shen was a member of their own clan, Ling never really liked him. He was slow to adapt and too haughty for his age. But he was also a valuable pawn. Given his seniority among palace staff, if Ling could convince him that Edward was worth more than his weight in gold, the rest of his courts would follow suit without any effort on Ling’s part at all. 

Yes, convincing his people was the easy part. The least predictable element in all his plans was Edward himself. Unsurprising, but Ling wouldn’t have it any other way. 

At the age of twenty-two, he felt so old yet still so impossibly young. He knew he had a whole life ahead of him yet, but could not find it in himself to wait a moment longer. 

He closed his eyes and made a promise to himself. No going back from this point, no more waiting. He was going to have an Empress, this he knew since he was fifteen. 

So no matter the cost, Yao Ling was going to have Edward Elric.

[yankpop]

Yandere NCT Dream: Forcing you to marry them

All copyrights belong to @yankpop (aka me) so do not post/translate my works on any other platforms without my consent/knowledge.

Check more: Masterlist.

Female reader

WARNINGS: Forced marriages; blackmail; implied kidnapping; extreme manipulation.

AN: I'm not back to writing, I don't really know if I'll come back but don't worry, I won't delete the account. I have some works in drafts that I want to publish cause I don't have inspiration to write anything anymore. Enjoy it :)

-

Mark 

“And I just hope that even though it’s an arranged marriage, we get comfortable and get to know each other since we’re spending the rest of our lives together.” Mark tries his best to put you at ease through his words, even if it doesn’t seem to work. You’re still avoiding him, your eyes fixated on the ground.

Your lack of reaction makes Mark awkwardly scratch his head, not knowing how to deal with your shy attitude. You are probably trying to get used to this new reality, he tries to convince himself.

Getting married by arranged marriage was definitely not something you probably wanted for yourself, but Mark knew he couldn’t let you escape. His parents were long-term friends with yours and although neither you or Mark spoke more than a few words through the years, he still managed to convince his parents to settle the marriage between the two of you.

Your parent’s knew he was a decent guy who’d treat their daughter right, so they had no issue with this “arrangement”. Exactly how Mark expected it. 

Now, all he has to do is to convince you that he’s perfect for you, cause he is. Mark wants to give you his everything, all the happiness in this world and he knows that he’s the only one who’ll be able to make you happy.

Cause if it’s not him, then it’s not gonna be anyone.

He’ll make damn sure of that. 

Renjun

You weakly follow Renjun, his hand tightly connected to your’s was pushing you forward as the boy energetically rushes over to the iconic Las Vegas chapel, a fake Elvis already standing there to greet you both. You try to halt your movements, steadying your feet on the ground. 

“Renjun, wait! I’m really not sure this is the right thing to do.” disappointment appears on Renjun’s face, quickly replaced by frustration. “And why not? We already talked about this! I love you and you love me, then why not get married?” 

Pressing your lips together, you try to hold back your feelings, not wanting to lash out at Renjun. “Please, this is really not a good idea.” you beg, hoping to change Renjun’s mind but to your despair, it doesn’t work.

“No, we’re doing this. You said you loved me! Then show me you love me.” Renjun practically trembles with anger as he spits the words out. You’re not capable of fighting back and he takes it as a submission sign from you, beginning to walk back to the chapel and dragging you along.

You feel so helpless but it only gets worse after you leave the chapel, married to Renjun without the presence of any family members or close friends. 

Only you and Renjun. 

For the rest of your life. 

Jeno

Jeno, aka your kidnapper, drops a gift package onto your lap. Taking the package onto your hands, you look at it with surprise. Was today a special occasion?

Giving Jeno an inquiring look, he merely motions you to open the package. It’s actually a bit large, like it contains a book but not quite, as it’s incredibly thin so there’s no way there’s a book inside. Jeno watches you inspect the package with expectant eyes.

“C’mon, open it.” he almost begs you. As you rip out the wrapper, you discover that inside there’s a golden frame. It makes you curious about it, was it a picture?

As you finally rip out the entire wrapper, the content of the beautiful frame makes you stop breathing for a moment. Inside the frame, is a document. 

A marriage certificate, to be exact. 

Jeno’s body makes the couch dip as he sits close to you, his eyes eagerly attached to your eyes, drinking in your reaction. “Do you like it?” You ignore his words, closing your eyes. What the hell is happening? 

His hand comes to hold the frame, his hand covering yours. The warm touch repulses you, but you don’t dare to move away. “It’s a small gift for our one-year anniversary. I hope you like it as much as I do.” Jeno continues talking, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

When you don’t talk, Jeno gently takes off the frame from your hands, moving to kneel in front of you as you open your eyes. You feel so defeated, like the marriage certificate was a prison order. Jeno takes your face into his hands, lovingly gazing at you. 

“Now I can officially call you mine, isn’t that perfect?” 

Haechan

You avoid looking at Haechan, tears flooding your eyes already. You already know that if you look at him, all of your emotions will break free and you can’t have that. Not now, at least. 

Ignoring Haechan through the entire ceremony is hard, the persistent looks he gives you every 5 seconds are difficult to turn a blind eye to, even the priest notices Haechan’s clingy behavior, assuming he’s just in deep love. Which is actually true. 

Haechan says yes incredibly fast, practically cutting off the priest even before he manages to finish the question and when it’s your turn, you spit the words in a way that you are sure it shocked the man, but you pay no attention to it.

You’re only here to save your best friend, who was kidnapped by no other than Haechan. All of this - you’re only doing it to save her. 

Haechan wastes no time in pulling closer to you, giving you an intense kiss that makes you want to throw up but you contain yourself. The moment you’re outside the church, you immediately stop Haechan on his tracks. 

“Let her go now!” Haechan pouts at you, his arms sneaking around your waist, pulling you closer to him. “Is that really the first thing you’re telling me after we just got married? Not even an i love-” 

“Now!” You hysterically cut him off, tears freely streaking down your face. It makes Haechan’s face turn into an almost regretful expression, pulling his hands up. “I’m sorry, I’ll call Jeno to let your friend go, okay? Don’t get upset, baby.”

You almost scoff with irony at his words, but contain yourself, you don’t want to risk Haechan turning back on his word. You merely watch as Haechan fiddles with his phone, speaking with Jeno in a low voice.

After it’s over, he turns back with a small smile. “She’s free to go now.” You sigh in relief, wiping your tears away. She is safe now. You quickly spin around, beginning to walk away yet Haechan is fast in grabbing your arm, pulling you back. 

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” an incredulous frown on his face. Tightening his hold on your arm, he asserts. “We’re married now. You’re never leaving me again.”

Jaemin

Jaemin keeps a strong grip in your hand, almost too painful but you don’t dare to say a word about it. You’re not gonna say a word to him, or to be more specific, that one magic word.

Trying to ignore the priest is quite easy but to ignore Jaemin’s constant glares and the way he irradiates danger is a different story. You comprehend what he’s trying to tell you. 

Don’t make this harder than what it needs to be.

But you want to. There’s no way that you’re leaving the church unmarried, you are aware of that, but you want to annoy Jaemin as much as you can. Let him know that you’re not gonna make his life any easier. 

You almost miss it when Jaemin readily declares an overly intense yes to the priest, his hand giving yours a small squeeze but you choose to lower your head, turning your eyes to the ground. 

“And now, do you - Y/N L/N - take Jaemin as your husband?” you purse your lips together, ignoring the question and trying to focus on the ground. Jaemin’s hand gives a hard squeeze to your hand and you feel him coming closer to you, his voice awfully close to your ear. “Say yes.” he hisses, frustration seeping through his voice. 

Upon your lack of response, he angrily groans. From the side of your eye, you notice Jaemin giving the priest a small nod, to which the priest quickly reacts by completing the ceremony and pronouncing you man and wife. You bring your shocked face to the priest, only to see him accepting a large envelope of money from Jaemin.

You're screwed.

Chenle 

Your eyes start burning as you watch your parent’s arriving at the enormous garden that had been arranged to be the venue of your wedding. Taking several deep breaths, you enter the master suite and try to contain yourself.

You had accepted your fate a long time ago, believing that everything Chenle ever did was for your own good and that he is the only one that knows what’s best for you but now, watching your family once again - after months of isolation - is making you doubt your thoughts. 

In the spur of the moment, you dash towards the door but just as you grab the handle, it opens from the other side, causing you to bump into Chenle. He quickly grabs your arm to keep you from falling and raises his eyebrows to you.

“In a hurry to get married, are we?” he jokes, his eyes lightening up in amazement as he notices the elaborate dress that adorns your figure alongside with the elegant hairstyle you have on. 

“Wow, you look so pretty. Seriously.” he gushes over, his hand picking up yours. His other hand carefully cups the side of your face, considerate of your delicate make-up.

Your mind runs wild with contradictory emotions but you force yourself to be calm and serene. You’d hate to upset Chenle, especially now that he was starting to trust. 

His hand tilts your chin up and your eyes meet. Yours full of contained sadness while his are overflowing with burning love. He gives you a cheeky smile.

“I can’t wait for you to be officially mine.” 

Jisung 

You try to stay still from your spot on the couch. It feels too intimidating to be the only one sitting while the other boys are all standing, making them look both taller and quite scary, to be honest. 

“... and Jisung loves you so much, then why not? Give me a good reason for you to refuse his proposal.” Jaemin intensely utters, his eyes staring at you. You open your lips to say something but Renjun is fast to interrupt you. “See!? You don’t even have a logical reason to turn down Jisung. You two would be such a great couple, really.” 

Besides him, Chenle nods his head at his friend’s words. “Yeah, and being married would be great for Jisung. It would make him so happy.” he declares, before lowering his voice like he was about to share a secret. “He’s been so heartbroken ever since you have said no. He was so excited to propose and all and now you broke his heart. He’s been crying ever since.”  

Your heart clenches at his words, you never meant to hurt Jisung like that. You love him too, but you thought that you’re both too young to get married. You bite your lip, how were you going to get out of this problem?

“Guys, I really didn’t mean to hurt Jisung but I don't think I can do this.” you blurt out, glancing at the boys, hoping they’d understand your side of the story. Upon hearing your words, Jaemin crosses his arms over his chest as Haechan lets out an irked scoff. 

“You’re such a coward, you’re literally letting Jisung down!” Renjun hisses at you and it really shocks you how raw his words were. Your eyes start watering as your shoulders slump forward in defeat. Maybe you are a coward. Numbness hits you and the words simply flow out of your mouth, without even thinking. 

The boys share a victorious look between them at you finally giving in and agreeing to marry their friend.

Wasn’t so hard, afterall. 

-

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