#[[ also that crush thing left her a little...perplexed xD ]]

[countlessrealities]

Vaggie, I have a giant crush on you. Like, really. Those hips and thighs on you - and the way you can hold your own with a spear? 🤤 You’re amazing - and I can see why Adam and Vox were gaga over you in the past. Look! At! You, you beauty. You like women and I can respect that, I just want to ask if you would consider at least ONE date? 🥲

Unprompted asks || Always accepting !

Vaggie's lips curl downwards in a small but very telling frown. She's not impressed by the ask, not in the least, and she has no issue with showing it. Being indirectly called a badass isn't flattering when the implied compliment is almost completely drowned out by the comments about her body.

Being called beautiful? She'd say "thank you" for is, but the wording makes her feel a little sexualized and she does not like that.

"If you find a way not to sound like a creep, maybe we can hang out platonically one time," she answers, her flat tone matching perfectly the sentiment in her expression. "As for anything else...not happening. As you said, I'm exclusively into female-identifying individuals."

Now that this is out of the way...what was that about people being "gaga" over her? She knows about Adam, of course. She will never forget how awkward things had gotten between them after he had propositioned her, back when they were still best friends, in another life.

But Vox? That's news. Hopefully fake news. She sees every day how the guy acts around Alastor and if that's what you get when the Media Overlord has some sort of romantic or sexual interest in someone, well...She really doesn't want to deal with that kind of attention.

[darlingpetao3]

One of Those Days (Harry Wells x Reader)

Rating: G

Summary: How many times can you be embarrassed in one day? Pop, rip, and stumble -- just another one of those days at S.T.A.R. Labs!

A/N: Luckily, in real life, I only ripped my jeans when no one was around me and it was in a place no one could see XD

Taglist: @fandomdancer​ @bluesclues-1234​ @pinkdiamond1016​ @crissymadlock @ensign-tilly

Of course this had to happen to you today.

You hadn’t noticed previously, but now, as you scramble to get ready for work, it’s pretty obvious that your blouse has shrunk a bit in the wash. Have all of your clothes shrunk? There’s no time to check -- this one will have to do. At least it covers my body, you think.

As you rush to make it to work at the Labs, you wish that you could’ve been the one to get hit with lightning amongst various chemicals. Super speed would be super appreciated right now.

Also abs.

Abs would be super appreciated, too.

You stride into the Cortex in as large and fast steps as possible right on the top of the hour.

Success!

“Aww,” Cisco whines, “I was really looking forward to teasing you about being late again today. I had a great line all locked and loaded.”

“Ha! You’ll just have to keep it to yourself,” you reply. Cisco’s teasing was starting to annoy you immensely as of recently. If you had been late today, and had to hear whatever jab the engineer had ready for you, there’s no doubt the rest of Team Flash would have to lock you in the pipeline to avoid committing a serious beat-down.

You raise your palm into the air. “Talk to the hand, Ramon. But good morning to Caitlin and Barry!” The latter two come out from the testing room.

“Hey, you’re here!” Barry exclaims but immediately seems to regret his choice of words. “I mean, ready for the workplace safety briefing?”

“Ugh,” you, Cisco, and Caitlin complain in unison. At least that’s something you can all agree upon. “I guess so, but where’s Harry?”

“I’m here.”

Speak of the devil -- Harry enters the Cortex with photocopies of the supposed safety manual you’re all meant to study.

“I took the liberty of…” he trails off. “(Y/L/N), there’s something different about you…”

“If it’s that I’m on time, yeah, we’re all amazed.”

But Harry’s eyes drop slightly. Oh hell, the shirt is that noticeably tight, isn’t-

POP.

Suddenly, the buttons on your blouse give up in their fight to keep everything closed and secure. They betray you and reveal your bra to the object of your affection.

“Ah-” is the only awkward noise Harry can make. He stares but a second longer, and in that time, his face turns the colour of a tomato before turning his whole body around.

“Oh God, oh God, oh God!” You can’t help but freak out. Instead of jumping out of your skin, you flee the Cortex, but not before shouting, “Carry on the briefing without me!”

The workday has barely started. Are you kidding me?

I guess it’s going to be one of those days, then.

***

After waiting a calculated amount of time and tracking down the stash of wearable S.T.A.R. Labs paraphernalia, you found that the team safety meeting had concluded. Everyone was back to their respective tasks, and you wandered into the medical lab to work with Caitlin. She’s the last one who would tease you.

“So, do you want to talk about what happened this morning?” Caitlin asks you without looking up.

“Oh what, you mean my horribly embarrassing mishap? I can’t believe that happened. In front of Harry no less!”           

After all, Caitlin knows about your giant crush on the scientist. You’re always confiding in her about your hopeless attraction. And you’re certain the others know about the way you feel about Harry, too, just by looking at how you react when you’re around him. The only person whom you suspect is still clueless is Harry himself.

“Yeah, talk about bad luck. He left you a copy of the manual on your desk, by the way.”

You sigh.

“If you’re going to stay in here and avoid Harry all day,” Caitlin continues, “would you mind grabbing me two beakers from the bottom shelf there?”

“Sure thing.”

You sidestep towards the cabinet Caitlin indicated, but when you crouch down, you hear the most frightening sound.

RIIIIIP.

As if every mischievous god in the universe has zoned in on you today, you realize that a huge hole has ripped in the crotch of your jeans. Dammit!! These suckers must have shrunk too!

And wouldn’t you know it, Harry enters the room at this very freaking moment. Your eyes go wide, and Caitlin witnesses your reaction. She understands what has happened and tactically throws you her own S.T.A.R. Labs sweatshirt which had been sitting on the back of a chair.

You catch it expertly and tie it around your waist to hide the colossal tear like your life depends on it.

Harry stops in place, brow furrowed. “What’s with…?” he starts. It must look ridiculous - a S.T.A.R. Labs sweatshirt on top and another identical one tied haphazardly and not in the typical fashion around your waist.

“It’s called style, Wells,” you snap. “What do you want?”

He frowns. “Copper wire. Do you have any spare-?”

A tied band of wire hurtles toward Harry, who grapples at trying to catch the equipment.

“Do I need to remind you of the workplace safety manual, section B?”

“Just go, Wells.”

The perplexed scientist grumbles to himself on his way out of the room.

“Gah, why do my clothes seem to want to destroy themselves every time we’re in the same room?” you ask Caitlin rhetorically. She offers a sympathetic laugh in response.

Later in the day, after you’ve gotten some paperwork and testing done, changed into a full-on walking S.T.A.R. Labs promotion (the joggers are quite nice), and mentally regrouped, you brave a trip to the Workshop.

“Hey,” you say to get Harry’s attention from tinkering with his new gadget. As a reflex, he stands up from his desk at your one, quiet syllable. “I just wanted to apologize for earlier. I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

“Eh, it’s alright,” he replies, in what you perceive as a fake-gruff voice. He’s not that grumpy all the time. Sometimes you think he feigns it to keep up appearances. Harry moves a little closer in your direction but stops to lean back against his desk. “It’s not like I haven’t snapped at everyone else before. Including yourself.”

“Ha, yeah. It’s just been a weird day.”

“We all have those.”

“Yeah…”

You take a step forward, but the heel of your shoe breaks off and you topple over and into his arms.

“Whoa!”

You look up at Harry, with your face burning like a thousand suns.

“Thanks…” you say a bit breathlessly.

“Not-” he clears his throat, “not a problem.”

“Harry?”

“Yes?”

“I can stand now.”

You purposefully hadn’t uttered the words, You can let go of me, because you didn’t necessarily want that. In all honesty, you could have stayed like that for much longer than the ten long seconds it really was.

“Right, sorry.”

Taking off your shoes, you’re about to make another break for it when Harry says something else.

“(Y/L/N)? You might want to have a look at section C of the manual… improper and mildly dangerous footwear.”

[yue-muffin]

The muffin watches Love and Redemption (insert preemptive crying here)

Aright, I finally FINALLY finished live blogging this episode. @mejomonster my thoughts are aplenty! I actually wrote way too much! 

Edit: I’m an idiot, I forgot to mention a prediction/observation.

Episode 1:

The CGI is actually very nice in this drama, I’m pleased. I will definitely watch dramas with cringe-worthy CGI, but it’s always nice when they manage to integrate it with the actors and set pieces well, which is even harder to accomplish in Xianxia.

Wait, what did the god of war do to deserve the reincarnation out of the heavenly realm punishment? Didn’t she defeat the Asura/Mosha guy? Was it because she used his weapon or something? And in the first place, why does that half of the Mosha guy’s soul qualify as a celestial that can be reborn? I suppose everyone is subject to reincarnation, but this batch is explicitly for those who have committed crimes in the heavens and wasn’t he on the demon/asura side? Or…maybe he was a celestial who betrayed them? Who knows, I’m just wildly speculating…

The scene definitely suggests there is a lot the narration is not telling us about how these two ended up being reincarnated - yet.

If she lacks the six senses, then why can she see and hear just fine? She apparently can’t feel pain, which would count for the deficiency of touch. Hm.

Xuanji, I relate to just wanting to go back to sleep and not deal with visitors so much lol.

HA, that little look of alarm one of the shixiongs (Liuzi?) has on his face when Linglong tries to convince Xuanji it’ll be fun because they get to check out the handsome guys. So is Linglong supposed to be her twin since they’re both 16 years old?

The dragon wolf thing moves a little funny, but at least it doesn’t look glaringly out of place and the camera doesn’t focus on it for too long, as is typical of CGI monsters. Kudos to them!

Cheng Yi is low-key really good looking in action scenes, just putting that out there. I didn’t think I would adjust to him in period clothing and long hair so quickly, since it usually takes me a while to make the switch (after seeing him in The Lost Tomb 2), but nope! He looks really good!

Ah, so this is the ruthless sect. I love how their first rule, which is literally more important than anything else they may value or encourage in their members, is to not show their entire face when outside the sect…also, what’s the point in hiding only half your face?? Sifeng’s mask only covers one eye, his forehead, and cheek on one side…at least have it cover the entire upper or lower half like everyone else in the sect (I know it’s so we can actually see the actor’s face and not supposed to make sense in-universe)?? I actually do like how they designed it though, it’s far less clunky than the full-face masks we saw in the opening sequence, probably due to the curves.

Sect leader…Sifeng is 16, he IS little pfft. Even adjusting for the times, he is a BABY haha. As I grow older, I realize more and more how young a lot of protags in fantasy stories really are. Also, sect leader is a drama queen, like he’s just lounging on his chair with this dramatic laid-back pose, takes a deep breath, and turns his chin up. So extra.

Aw, yes, I want to see more of Cheng Yi’s easy smiles. He’s so serious in TLT2, except when the warmth seeps into this expression when he’s smiling fondly at Wu Xie…

These devil/asura people have a weird bowing pose. I can’t help but think their hands make them look like…eagle claws or something lol.

Ah, a classic ‘I forgot my invitation’ situation. Well, Xuanji doesn’t have to feel too bad, apparently none of the other Shaoyang disciples know how to fly on a sword either lol. Her sister was tied down by that spell, but could none of the others have attempted to chase after the jerk who grabbed her? (Side note: I really love the color of his sect’s outfits.)

:3 I like Xuanji’s expressions, they’re just cute? So cute. Like her little huff when she’s defending her big sister from the jerkass. Also, I love characters who are like little kittens who puff up and try to protect their friends/family even though the one they’re trying to protect is probably more capable than them.

Jerkass really does take it too far when he just DROPS HER FROM THE SKY. Like, I can accept if youthful teasing goes a little far in that he snatched her and took her for a joy ride, but when it’s apparently that she really can’t summon a sword, it’s 100% not okay to just drop her and laugh it off. If Sifeng didn’t catch her, she could’ve died, and how exactly do you plan on explaining THAT to her father, huh Mr. Jerkass? He had like a dozen witnesses too.

Well, what can you expect from a guy who forgot to bring his invitation and literally was too arrogant and entitled to wait for his teacher to come out and let them in. :p Not the smartest cookie, is he. Even if you got in trouble for forgetting your invitation, you’d get in x10 more trouble for murdering a girl. Good thing she has plot armor and Sifeng was conveniently in the right spot to catch her lol.

Small note, he left her on his sword and she fell off after a bit - so…how exactly is HE flying? Can people fly without the help of their sword? Is he able to make more than one?

Lol Xuanji tugs at him like she does to her sister, it’s cute. But he’s so PANIC every time she touches him haha poor guy. He’s so awkward…why is it so endearing…

It took me a second to realize that he stutters, also that he has a voice actor this time! Idk why, Cheng Yi has a good voice. It would’ve fit this role just fine, unless there were parts they were concerned he couldn’t do. They did a good job matching the VA to his lip movements though, it’s really hard to tell it’s not his voice. It’s been a while since I heard Cheng Yi on video, but listening and comparing, now I can tell that it’s not his in this drama. Anyways, this might be my only complaint lol. Both he and his VA do a good job conveying the stuttering though!

Cheng Yi, you’re playing another character who’s good at disappearing in the blink of an eye lol…

Aah, so normally her sister’s personality type is the annoying sort, which is why she works well as a supporting character. I love how she turns her brattiness up to eleven in order to help Xuanji get out of a scolding by their father. I just really love how these two are so supportive and defensive of each other.

Edit: Alright, but Xuanji did you really just raise a flag for yourself so early in the show. ‘I think tears are the most precious things’. I WILL EAT MY HAT IF THIS DOES NOT BECOME RELEVANT LATER.

And instead of holding onto Sifeng’s name tag for like 50 episodes, she remembers she has it and goes to give it back + some birthday snacks because it’s his birthday too! GAH Xuanji is too cute.

I love how the guy who answered the door just his back only to turn around and smoothly give an explanation for his friend’s disfluency lol (so it’s a language thing!). AND THEN HE GOES ‘carry on!’ AND TURNS AROUND AGAIN. Idk why I find this funny but.

? Why all that effort for dew from a peach blossom tree. Is this one a special peach blossom tree. Why is he making tea with it. OH OK it’s good for cultivation.

He’s so vicious ha, he’s clearly perplexed by her - I mean, he’s the top disciple in his sect, so likely he doesn’t get how she can live so carefree and not have any desire to cultivate or anything. It’s perplexing and kind of total opposite to his worldview, so he reacts harshly.

Ah, I really like Cheng Yi’s acting! He goes from flat/indifferent face to reacting angrily to her picking the snake up, then a subtle worry as his eyes drop down from her to the snake.

I don’t know why I like this snake scene but I dooo. xD Also, it’s interesting how she doesn’t feel any strong emotions (she’s actually rather intensely curious tho!), while he puts on a mask literally/figuratively to seem like he doesn’t and yet gets worked up quite easily.

I’m glad she stops imitating him when he tells her to and is explicitly angry/upset, I get enough of people being assholes and making fun of others for things they can’t help like their speech impairments or mannerisms, it’s just kind of a personal thing that irks me.

AW HE’S SO PROTECTIVE OF HIS LITTLE SNAKE.

Why is it always the peach tree forests?? They’re always weird places that trap people. I can think of two other dramas where this happens haha. I know peaches do have significant symbolism in Chinese culture, so maybe that explains it.

Lol he still flips out a bit when she gets close. Poor girl, getting dropped from the air AGAIN.

Ah, this is the lake! Where they sealed part of that Mosha guy’s soul! This can’t be good.

Aw, look at his face, he’s genuinely worried for his little snake. CHENG YI YOUR RANGE OF EMOTIONS. GAH. 

I CAN’T OPEN IT. Oh wait.

WHY DID YOU GO IIIIN YOU JUST SAID YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING AND HE TOLD YOU TO STAY OUT, YOU LITTLE IDIOT. If he’s Little Stutterer, you can be Little Idiot, ok.

Here’s an idea, she finds the snake, you fight the dragon, and then all three of you get out of there.

OH the mask comes off!! Ok, but you have seen like most of his face already…Hahaha the look on his face ‘wait…why do I feel a hand why is she touching me there…OH NO’

Ah, a nice detail I didn’t think they’d think to add in: his stuttering got way worse without the mask on, since he was so upset/shaken.

?? What just happened with her blood lol.

Final Thoughts:

An interesting start, with nice character dynamics revealed and a dangerous situation to move the plot right along. I have been informed the drama really differentiates itself from the typical setup that has been supplied thus far, and I’m excited to see it unfold.

For now, I have a tiiiiny crush on Cheng Yi and I’m interested in where they take Xuanji’s character. Also, what disasters will result from their little excursion into the super lake where a demon lord thing was sort of sealed away a long time ago...

[dancing-with-dichotomies]

ALSO I APPARENTLY???

Started writing a WLW AU fic for SOSTOT?? Yuzuki/Kasumi, with Yuzuki being female here? AND TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT IT?  XD;; IDK it’s half decent so far, anyone want me to continue it...? ^^;

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

After a day of teaching a classroom of children, dear though they were to her, Kasumi was ready for a much-needed soak at the spa. She had just partaken of a light supper at Ginjiro's, some healthy spinach soup, and now she was on her way to see which of the deluxe spa treatments were available that night. It had been a few days since she'd checked, or did anything fun with anyone, she'd been rather busy with planning, grading and training and such...

She knew which one she was hoping for... The wine bath that the kind farmer at the crossroads, Sandy, had acquired especially for her earlier this year. How Kasumi lamented that she'd recently married, of all men, -Wayne-. Just... Why -Wayne-? Nothing could be more perplexing. Ludus, perhaps, might have made sense, he had such nice flowing hair at least --  But the crazy cowboy that used to flirt with almost everyone and gave really bad gifts...? Ugh. There was no accounting for the tastes of heterosexual women, and Kasumi was infinitely glad she was not one of them...

Then again though... Sometimes it could get a little frustrating too, which was why she often took her baths at the very end of the night, when there was usually few or no others left around. It was a little extra frustrating to be reminded of her former and now bygone crush on Farmer Sandy, now that she was in the arms of Crazy Wayne, as Kasumi called him only in her head... But she loved the smell of the sweet, tangy wine bath she had created just for her too much to stay away from it, even if it bore painful reminders for her now, it still soothed her muscles, if not her broken heart...

And ah, how fortunate. Tonight was Deluxe Wine Bath night~

Farmer Sandy had in fact since then also donated a few extra types of wine to the spa owner, apparently, to get people to try her new wine blends. Instead of the usual grape wine bath, tonight it was going to be a cherry wine bath, and the next week there was to be a strawberry wine bath. How delightful! Sandy, though your taste in men might be horrible, one could at least say nothing ill of your taste in wine...

There was a small handful of women in attendance that night. Shizu and Omiyo were there chatting together in one corner, Beni from Crimson Farm was also having a soak, and in one corner by herself, sipping from a cup of tea that Kasumi knew without even asking had a more than generous amount of honey stirred into it, was Yuzuki...

She was a strange but sweet girl, that Yuzuki... Kasumi had known her ever since she was a little girl. Often a very sick little girl... Kasumi felt so sorry for her. Abandoned by her own parents to live with her grandparents just because she was sick... They then went on to have another child and raised them, without any care for the first. Without care for how she'd nearly given up hope at their betrayal and wasted away in the hospital until her new friends and family managed to nurse her back to health.

Chiefly her grandparents, of course, but Kasumi hadn't been able to stay away either. The second she first saw the frail little girl, temporary trapped in a wheelchair as her poor old grandparents pushed her to her doctor's appointments and in and out of hospital stays... Kasumi knew her parents were only keen on the idea of her helping the other child because they knew it would make them look good to the community, but Kasumi was grateful for their help anyways. They allowed her to take flowers to the girl, some reading and schooling materials, and some healthy soup.

Yuzuki had been just as happy to see Kasumi as she was to see her gifts. They talked for hours. Kasumi would help Yuzuki with the schoolwork and read to her until she fell asleep. When they were close enough, Yuzuki confessed that although she was grateful for the soup, she had been madly craving some sweets, and begged Kasumi to get some for her. Of course it was a childish request and Kasumi knew she shouldn't let a sick person eat anything unhealthy, but she compromised by at least bringing her a bowl of peaches, cherries and strawberies the next time she visited.

Yuzuki eventually got better, and was allowed to go home. Kasumi still said hello to her and made light conversation whenever she saw her, but it wasnt nearly as often as before. For the first thing, they lived on completely different sides of town, with Yuzuki down low in South Tsuyukusa and Kasumi living much further up North, and working even further away than that at the school in the next town over. No one ever really stressed it, but there was also the issue of their much different social status. Many men and women in Tsuyukusa, not just Yuzuki, tended to treat Kasumi much more stiffly and politely than other people. She in turn adopted the same mannerism towards them.

She wished she could be more like Komari or Yuzuki. Though Yuzuki was quite respectful like Kasumi, she also had an air of casual, nonchalant familiarity with most people. Not quite as brash and obvious and in-your-face about it like Komari, who by the nature of her being unashamed in her approachability made it much easier for her to crowd Kasumi first whenever she saw her. Yuzuki would easily say hello and make small talk when she saw her alone, but if she was busy with something or someone else she'd keep a respectful distance instead...

Kasumi really missed the old days, their long conversations at the hospital...  But of course it was better than Yuzuki didn't have to stay there anymore.

A little over half an hour passed. Omiyo started getting a little lightheaded and Shizu offered to take her home, saying she needed to get back to her family and make supper anyways. Yuzuki said goodnight to them both and then they redressed and left. About fifteen minutes later Beni also wordlessly excused herself.

They were both hyper aware of the other's isolated presence after that. Kasumi was frozen silent, wanting to say something, but unsure if a bath was the sort of place to strike up casual conversation when you haven't spoken too much in a while...

Yuzuki seemed to wonder the same thing, waited a few minutes to see if Kasumi would also excuse herself... But when she didn't, and figuring it would be more awkward to stay silent, Yuzuki finally spoke up, mentioning, "This cherry wine bath is really nice, isn't it? I don't really like wine, but I've always kind of wanted to try Sandy's cherry and strawberry wines. They look so good, even though I know I wouldn't like the taste, the bottles are just so pretty! But I like it better in a bath like this, I think -- I get to smell it without having to taste it! It was so kind of Sandy to make the extra donations. I mentioned the same to her and she immediately offered to let me try the wines in bath form! In a couple of weeks Iluka and Siluka are going to come for a special Tropical Mango Bath night too! Ooh I do look forward to it! Aaah, a cacao bath sounds really good too..."

"Yuzuki..." Kasumi lightly chided her, hiding a smile behind her hand. "Be careful now... So many baths in a row might make you lightheaded..." She was starting to feel a little extra steamy herself, since Yuzuki mentioned that Iluka and Siluka would be coming another night.

Kasumi didn't have the courage to outright flirt with others, but when she did look upon others with romantic thoughts in her head, it was often girls from out of town. Iluka and Siluka, or Lisette. They were dream-girls. As in, literally only to exist as such in her dreams and in her head. It was safer with them, at least. How could she look upon Komari or anyone else in Tsuyukusa that she had to see regularly if she allowed such thoughts about them? At least with the other girls... If something ever did happen to ruin their friendship, she could just avoid ever going to Westown or Lulukoko again. Being banished/ostracised in your own home would be a much more complicated and inconvenient state...

So it caught her a little off-guard and confused when Yuzuki suddenly giggled, a strange kind of way... "Admittedly, this wine bath might be making me a little giddy... But I swear I didn't drink any, I just had a few sweets earlier..."

Kasumi cast a doubtful look at her. "A few?"

"Ahh... Just some yomogi and mitarashi dango..."

"...And."

Yuzuki knew she wasn't hiding anything at that point, bashfully coughing up the truth after a short pause, "...A-And monaka..."

"..." Kasumi didn't even prod verbally this time, just gave her old friend a knowing look.

"...Okay, okay, and a strawberry shaved ice! I'm completely sugar-high, I admit it!"

"Yuzuki..." Kasumi rolled her eyes then, wondering how the other girl managed to stay so abnormally stick-skinny despite how much sweets she consumed. Kasumi was skinny too, but she did have at least a few womanly lumps, even though she hardly ever ate sweets...

Looking for a change of subject quickly to take some of the shame off of her, Yuzuki then mentioned, "Y-Yes, it sure was nice of Sandy to make those donations! She's really a great woman... But, just... Ugh, can you believe she actually married WAYNE?!"

Kasumi's mouth fell open just a little in shock, and she involuntarily leaned a little closer in without realizing it... "I thought I was the only one who thought that..." Obviously you keep such thoughts to yourself normally... But it was just the two of them here, and Yuzuki was thinking it too...?

The girl with the sea-green hair scooted a few seats closer to Kasumi too, now leaving just a respectful distance between them. "No way, I thought so too! He's seriously crazy! Like he's a good guy, he's not dangerous, he's just crazy! Nothing he does makes sense except for organizing the mail! I guess Sandy must like the wild type, but that cowboy is too wild for me... And he DID try to flirt with me once, before Sandy came along. He wonders why he got a reputation as a playboy but he WAS an awful flirt before he met her! It's one thing to flirt with someone you really like, but when you flirt with every pretty girl you see, and then wonder why you suddenly have so many ardent admirers? Truly, only an insane person would do that and not realized what caused it, I think..."

That was just what Kasumi had been thinking! "I'm glad at least that he seems to be properly devoted to Sandy now... She's an absolute godsend to all of our communities, so she deserves only happiness..."

Yuzuki nodded sagely. "I think so too. But then, we deserve happiness too! We work hard too, right Kasumi? This is really nice. Soaking your muscles after bending over a work-table for hours is nice by yourself, but it's even better when you have a good friend to spend the time with~"

Kasumi smiled appreciatively back at her. "I agree... It's been too long since we talked like this, hasn't it... It was rather hard to see each other for a while there, but... It would be..." Oh dear, that wine was making her blush now too... Yes, the wine... "It would be... V-Very nice, if we could see more of each other!"

Yuzuki blushed deeply at that too. "I'd like that... And..." Kasumi thought she was about to say something deeper and more meaningful, but then... "I'd also like some more sweets..."

Kasumi felt an eye twitch. The girl was insatiable... "Yuzuki, honestly..."

But then the green-eyed girl fixed a stare at her, an extra-open and honest gaze that made Kasumi feel like her own black orbs were magnetically attracted to them... "Honestly, Kasumi..." She repeated back to her coyly. "I want more... But... The sweetest thing I see here is you~"

...WHAT...?

Kasumi was struck with dumbfounded silence for a moment... Then just as suddenly, she erupted into mad giggles. "W-WHAT, Y-YUZUKI, THAT--Y-YOU...! AHAHA... You sounded just like WAYNE there...!" SURELY, since they were just talking about him, Yuzuki was just doing a funny impression of him as a joke... Right...?

Yuzuki blushed and looked down at the water bashfully at that comparison. "Hehe, I guess so... Flirting is harder than it looks, I suppose... I wonder how Wayne manages to get all the girls he says it to take him so seriously..."

Wait... She sounded... Genuinely a little forlorn by that...? "Y-Yuzuki...?"

Their eyes met again. Yuzuki scooted just a fraction of an inch closer, and Kasumi didn't scoot back when she toed into her personal space. "Kasumi... We've always been rather a lot alike, wouldn't you say? I've been wondering for a while... How much more like me you might be...?"

She was leaning ever closer... Kasumi felt no inclination to move away or stop her, the exact opposite in fact... It almost felt like her beauty was drawing her in, like a magnet to metal, until their lips were finally pulled together...

Heaven. Nirvana. Honey-sweetness still clinging to her lips and breath. Such a sticky-sweet breath, like a candy factory in one person's mouth. Normally Kasumi would never seek so much sweetness for herself, but the feelings it was stirring in her belly despite it being just a simple meeting of mouths was leaving her quickly craving more...

Her lips were so soft, moisturized by cherry lip balm... Sweetness on top of sweetness, softness she would now forever be tempted to touch again... She clung to the top of Yuzuki's shoulders, as if she might drown in water half her height if she didn't hold on... And Yuzuki, her hand slid around her waist, to her lower back and then...

Kasumi suddenly gasped and pulled back, looking around. No one was watching for that split moment she'd lost herself, thank goodness, but...

She looked back at Yuzuki... Knowing in an instant, there was no way she was giving this up... But all the same... "W-We can't, at least, not here..."

Yuzuki nodded right away, just as reasonable as her, but also just as eager to proceed. "No, of course not... And, we couldn't go back to my place either, since my grandparents live there too, but... We -could- tell them we decided to have a sleepover at your place, and we could be alone there... What do you say, Kasumi...?"

Say? Was she even capable of speech anymore...? Almost mute, her mouth began to move, but very little sound was coming from her shocked self. "Ah, I-I...?"

Yuzuki quickly let go of her, and looked away. "Unless I was mistaken... I-In which case, I'm sorry, and I'll leave you alone--"

Reflexes quick as lightning and her grip much stronger than Yuzuki's, Kasumi quickly reached in and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back close to her again.  Yuzuki's eyes went wide and her heart skipped a beat as the feminine lady suddenly displayed her strength, holding her tight, their torso's aligned. "...Get what you need, and meet me back at my home in half an hour... Okay?"

Shaking a little, feeling a bit weak in her hold but in a rather delicious way, Yuzuki nodded. She then kissed her once more on the cheek, and got out of the bath to collect her clothes and go home.

Feeling extra naked and exposed even though she was now alone, Kasumi quickly followed suit, putting her kimono back on while shaking like one of the early autumn leaves falling outside...

Was this real...? Was this really real, was this really really about to happen...? Did she perhaps drift off into an extra-realistic dream...?

Well, if she was dreaming, then she was hallucinating... Because it was an hour later than she ever accepted guests, and someone was now knocking at her door...

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

[randomnessunicorn-imagine]

Readers see themselves very weak and they want to become stronger so they will be able to fight against the terrible aliens who threat the Enterprise. They ask Worf, Riker and Beverly if they can help and train them to become a real warrior. (Consider putting the music "I'll make a man out of you" from Mulan XD maybe it helps)

{ I wrote one drabble for every character.

I hope you and people will appreciate, thanks for the ask! }

⚔️ WORF ⚔️

You werethe one who admired Worf from afar, because you could not find the courage toapproach him.

Everyonewould think you were crazy if you had a crush on this Klingon, well, you werenot so crazy because you admired Worf a lot, because he was a man of honour andvalue. He could appear scary but he was a gentle warrior and he was the onlyone who could help you.

Youreyes became two hearts every time you looked at him and you desired to know himbetter even if it was impossible because Worf was so cold, serious and distant.No way could a warrior like Worf be interested in a weak human like you butthere would be a way!

Maybethere was a way to approach him and you had an idea.

You knewWorf was a true warrior and so this could be a good excuse to approach him.

Maybe ifyou became a strong warrior like him he could notice you and love you. It was agood idea and you were super determined to achieve your aim.

“Ensign,(Y/N), you want me to teach you the art of the Klingon’s fight?” he asked youconfused since he did not think you were the kind of person who fought, becausehe always saw you so calm and pacifist.

“Yes,Mr. Worf, I want to become stronger, it’s very important for me and you are thestrongest warrior here, I can learn a lot from you, Sir.” You said with proudand determination.

“Ok, wecan start our training tomorrow.” He appreciated your willpower but you shouldknow, he was a severe coach and he took the art of fighting very seriously.

Then hetold you the hour and the place of the training, you would love if it was areal date but you could not fly too high, but it was better than nothing, youcould still spend some time with your favourite Klingon.

You werenot a real fighter and Worf realized it but you were not even so weak, youcould learn and he was not about to give up. His honour did not allow him togive up and so he put all his effort to train you.

His trainingwas hard and so any times you wanted to be the one to give up but you could notdisappoint him, Worf believed in you and you wanted him to be proud of you.

Youreyes shined like two fire while you were preparing your attack, he has neverseen you so concentrated and motivated.

“Sir? IfI win, could I ask you something?” you said with a cold tone of voice.

“Yes,what do you want to know?” He looked at you with a perplexed look.

“I haveto win first!” and you wanted to earn your prize and you were too embarrassed toask to him this thing and so if you would not win, your honour would be safe.

The twoof you started fighting and you really put all your heart and energy to winsince you never won against him but you observed Worf so much to learn all hismoves (yes, you also observed him because you liked him) but now was differentand you could not fail or act like a child.

After along battle, you found the right moment to attack him and knock him out. Youwon this fight, you started jumping, and screaming like crazy, Worf was perplexedbut could understand your euphoria, you were so exuberant

“Congratulations,ensign Y/N, you improved a lot these last weeks, I’m impressed.” he said with aproud voice, he found you a great student, after all.

“Oh,thank you so much, Mr. Worf, you’re a great teacher, you’ve got a lot ofpatience with me…” you said, scratching your head.

“So whatdid you need to tell me?” he asked you with his usual serious tone of voice andthen you freeze because it was time to confess your hidden desire.

“Well,Mr. Worf… I, I just wanted to ask you if you’d like to have dinner with me thisevening…” you said and you felt like an idiot and even Worf was leftspeechless.

“Dinner?”he repeated.

“Yes, Imean, I want to thank you for everything… “ and then you wanted just spend amore romantic time with him.

Worfnodded, he found it great and then he thought that fighting was very intimate,so he could say he would be glad having dinner with you.

.

🎷 WILLIAMRIKER 🎷

You didnot consider yourself as the strongest or bravest official of the Enterprise.

Maybeyou were a little shy and you self-conscious, so you often asked yourself ifyou were truly worthy of this job since you were not that powerful or heroiclike all the other officers you met.

Sometimes,you were called to take part of some missions and you did your job well, nobodynever complained about your work but you knew you could do more than this, itwas not enough and you wanted to be noticed, to leave a trace of yourself inthis big world. Maybe it was hard or unfair, but you needed to take a chanceand try something new, to feel the adrenaline under your veins.

Ithappened during that mission, it was a normal reconnaissance mission but itbecame more dangerous than this, you felt so weak and harmless. In that moment,when that alien attacked you, you were unable to defend yourself and youblocked, you stopped breathing as if your body freeze.

Luckily,there was the commander Riker to help you, he fought against that monster andsave you. Even when the two of you were teleported on the Enterprise, you wereshocked, he was truly worried because you did not answer at his questions andso they brought you to Beverly and she said that you were only scared, youblocked because of the anxious you felt.

When youfelt better, you just felt so worried and ashamed, you acted like a child, soyou wanted to vanish inside a black hole.

TheDoctor said you could take a day off so you could rest, she already talked withRiker and he had no problem if you needed to rest but you were the one who hada problem because you did not want to take a day off and you wanted to apologywith the Commander because you caused him trouble.

“Iwanted to apology for my behaviour, I didn’t help during the mission, I wascompletely unable to react and so you risked to be injured because of me, I’m sorry,Sir.” You said to Riker even if he was not angry or disappointed.

“Oh,ensign, Y/N, you don’t need to apologise, it’s not your fault, it was unexpected,just don’t feel guilty, ok? You did your job well.” He said, nodding, smilingfriendly and you did not deserve his kindness and good words, you thought.

Ofcourse, you were glad he was not mad but you had to improve and get rid of thisfear that blocked you.

“You arevery gentle, Sir. I hope I’ll do better next time. I should not feel so scared,sometimes I feel so weak.” You confessed, sighting.

“Uhm…You can still learn, why don’t you come to Worf’s Mok'bara lesson, I guess, you’llfind it very interesting and maybe you’ll relax a little.” He suggested,smiling politely.

“Oh,yes, I can try…” you said and then he left, you came back to your quarters torest, talking with Riker made you feel better and you hoped you could talk tohim again. Maybe you would meet him in those Mok'bara lessons.

The Mok'baralesson was not bad, a little hard but it was interesting, something you neverdid before and maybe it could help you to become stronger. There you saw Rikerand he was glad you accepted your advice; he greeted you with one of hisfriendly smiles.

“Youdecided to take a look at it, good.” He said, the lesson was over and everyonewas coming back to their quarters.

“Yes, it’sbeen very intense, it’s really hard… But interesting.” You said, hoping not toseem weird.

“Ah, itwas your first time, you’ll certainly improve.” He encouraged you.

“I hope,I truly need to become stronger, maybe learning a form of fight could help butI should do more than that.” You said, sighing.

“You’reso impatient, aren’t you? We can train together sometimes, what do you think?”he smiled wider and you just could not say no to him.

“I don’twant to disturb you, sir.” You said.

“Ah,anything of that and don’t call me sir in these circumstances, and I also needto improve, I��m still unable to beat Worf, so we both should do more than that.”He laughed, winking at you.

“Thankyou!” you said, you contained the joy because you did not want to appear like achild but you were truly happy you could spend some time with him even if itwas for training it was still great.

.

💉 BEVERLYCRUSHER 💉

You andBeverly were great friends and you two spent a lot of time together.

Youestimated her so much because she was such a strong and smart woman, she wasyour role model. Working with her was the grandest thing that could happen toyou, since you worked as a nurse in her infirmary and so you spent every daytogether, she was your boss but she treated you as her friend.

Yourwork was not very adventurous and so you did not live the adventures everybodyhere lived but you liked when she told you about them, you always listened toBeverly’s stories with curiosity and interest and you hoped you could live oneof those adventures with her someday.

You alsoknew that she, other than being the Doctor of the Enterprise, did so many otherthings, she was a great dancer and actress, she fought very well, you were soimpressed by all her talents.

She wasa super woman and you wanted to ask her if she could help you to become asstrong as her.

“I’d behonour if you could teach me some of your fighting techniques, I know you’vetrained with Worf, you are very skilled and I think I could learn a lot fromyou, Doctor.” You confessed to her filled with enthusiasm.

Shelaughed softly at your request, saying, “Why don’t you ask to Worf, he’s moreskilled than me.”, Beverly was honoured but she still was not so confident abouther fighting abilities.

“No, Idon’t want, I mean, I know he’s an expert but I don’t feel so comfortable withhim… he is too…Serious…” you said, hoping not to sound offensive but the Doctorsmiled.

“Yes,Worf is very austere. Maybe we can train together, why not.” She said, smiling.

“Oh,great. It’ll be fun… Thank you, Beverly… Hum… Doctor Crusher.” You said,sometimes you called her using her name since you considered her as yourfriend, she did not mind but you wanted to be professional, a little awkwardbut still professional.

Maybe ifyou became stronger, you could accompany Beverly to some mission and it wasuseful, anyway.

You andshe decided the day and the hour of your training and you could not wait tothis day to come.

Beverlywas a great teacher, she was so calm and patient, but she was so strong, shewas able to beat you even with her eyes closed but you had no experience.

“You’revery modest, you’re a true Klingon fighter, Beverly.” You complimented to her.

“I’m learningfor a long time, but I’m nothing compared to a true Klingon fighter, I can’tbeat Worf.” She said, preparing for attacking you and you parried her kick.

“Worfseems unbeatable but I’m sure, you’ll beat him one day.” You encouragedBeverly.

“You’reso kind, but you shouldn’t be kind with your adversary.” She said, smirking andthen she beat you again.

You lostyour concentration the moment she spoke, maybe you had to be less talkative andmore concentrated to the match but there were so many other matches to fightand you would win at least one of them.

Thanksto these lessons, you and Beverly became more friends than before and you wereglad of it, she was glad, too.

Sometimes,you even invited to have dinner with you and she invited you to have breakfastin her quarters because before a good training you needed to eat well. Sheacted like a mom with you sometimes but you liked being her spoiled child.

[thecrazyanimegirl]

Can you write a "Tokyo Ghoul" scenario (in third person's view), with Uta finally confessing his feelings to his "human" female friend/crush, S/O, at his shop one day?

I have no idea why I keep writing things like this xD please don’t sue me hahahh

Also, sorry for the long wait, hope you like it :D

 Uta had been fora longer time in love with one of his female suppliers, but he didn’t know thathimself either. He just thought that he liked her a little bit more becauseshe smelled always so delicious and spoke with him, rather than running awaylike other humans usually do. She was considered food for his kind, but becauseof her job she had to deal with all kinds of people, ghouls included, whichmade her an important asset to them rather than nourishment. Uta was at firstconfused seeing that his new supplier was a female human, but it made him kindaentertained because she acted very different than he expected her to.

On multipleoccasions he sniffed her, being really close to her while doing it. She didn’teven flinch. Just when she felt him brushing his nose along her skin, sheturned and gently pushed his face away with a simple „Control yourself,please.“

His reply wouldallways be „But I can’t help it when you smell so alluring.“

She didn’t giveup on keeping a distance from him and that was probably the reason why hepushed even further, just to see how her reaction would be.

She wasn’t evenfazed by his attempts to scare her when he was hiding beneath a cloth. So hedecided to try a little bit more straightforward way. He waited for her to beclose to the wall and at the perfect moment and he pushed her onto it. Heplaced one of his free hands next to her head, preventing her from escaping.She gasped and looked at him confused.

„Uta? What areyou doing?“

„Just playing alittle bit with you.“ He grinned and brushed her cheek unconsciously. When herealized what he was doing, Uta backed away embarassed. She felt comfortable inhis hold and didn’t mind the closeness, so it made her a little bit sad when hedistanced himself. She had no time to waste, unfortunately, so she excusedherself and left to finish her other deliveries, promising to come back onceshe was finished.

The situationended kinda awkward. Instead of discovering and understanding her personalitybetter, Uta found himself perplexed with his newfound feelings. The two of themwere different species and it was quite unusual for a ghoul to fall for ahuman. He sat on one of his stools thinking about what had happened betweenthem in the last few days and came to a conclusion. He couldn’t just ignore thefact that he fell for her. Once she comes back he will tell her and hopefullyshe will return his feelings. He didn’t care if it was weird that a predator is inlove with it’s prey. After all, it was important what the two of them think andnot what everyone else says.

He waitedpatiently for the next few hours. He was starting to feel anxious and tried tosupress any negative thoughts. When the sun went down he thought aboutsearching for her but the moment he went to get dressed, she entered his shopall drenched from the rain pouring outside.

„Don’t tell methat you walked all the way here without an umberella?“ he asked taking hercoat off and hanging it to dry.

„Yeah, I forgotit“ she smiled embarassed and shivered a little bit. Uta noticed immidiatelyand grabbed a blanket to put it on her. She thanked him as he went off to makesome coffee to warm her up. She sat on the couch, fiddling with the hem of thefluffy blanket and waited for him to come out of the kitchen. When he finalydid, he gave her a big mug which gave off a pleasing scent of fresh grained coffee.He sat beside her in silence, enjoying his own cup of coffee while her muggently warmed her hands up. She stared at the rising steam, not knowing what tosay to him.

„I’m sorry if Iscared you back then.“ He spoke gently, not daring to look at her.

„It seemed morelike you were the one who got scared though.“

A soft laughescaped his lips and he continued.

„I guess you areright.“ He put his cup on the table in front of him „I had some time to thinkthings through and well… I think I love you.“

She choked andalmost spat the coffee she was drinking. A small amount spilled from her mouth andtrailed down her neck but she was too astonished to notice it. She placed themug on the table and wiped her hands and mouth clean. He watched her intentlyfrom the side, waiting for a response.

„It was kindaobvious for a longer time that you had some kind of interest, but I didn’texpect you to say it so bluntly. You really like to tease me in all kind ofways, right, Uta?“ she didn’t have the time to even think when she was pinned onthe couch by his strong hands. He stared at her with those beautiful black eyesof his, breathing faster than usual from the excitement. He held her handstogether above her head, restricting her movements to a minimum.

„Every singletime you walked through that door I had a very hard time to resist the urge todevour you. Your scent tempted me to feast upon you. Your body invited me totouch you. Your breathing made me lose my mind gradually.“

He knew this wasthe wrong way of showing his feelings, but something snapped inside of him. Hecouldn’t wait anymore. Frustrations he didn’t even knew about built up insideof him over time and everything flew out that very moment. He trusted his gutfeeling and took the risk to show what he truly felt for her.

„Then consume me,please.“

She didn’t haveto tell him twice. He lowered his head and kissed her soft lips, his mouthfilling with the lucious taste of coffee. He wanted to savor her even more sohe licked the wet trail of the dark liquid down her neck, the smell of her bodymixing with the scent of evening rain that drenched her hair.

He listened toher gentle breathing as he felt every muscle of her body move with excitementbelow him. He moved his head close to her ear and whispered, his hot breathtickling her skin.

„I truly loveyou.“

[miertje1000]

Natsumeweek day 2: Celebrations/Get-togethers

This got a lot longer than planned xD  Summary: Natsume hadn’t planned on celebrating his birthday, but when others find out he doesn’t really seem to have a choice anymore. 

Length: 2773 words

“Sensei!” Natsume struggled to escape from the giant hands of the youkai pinning him down. The ayakashi had come out of nowhere when he’d been looking for the cat and demanded that he’d give the book of friends, but as soon as Natsume decided fleeing was a better idea instead, it had pushed him onto the forest floor, almost crushing his arms.

“Give me the book!”

Natsume kicked with his feet, but they missed their target, making his efforts useless. If only he could get one arm free he could try to punch it, but it’s grasp was just too strong.

“Natsume-sama!”

The voices of the midrank’s made him turn his head in surprise, just in time to see a white blur approach and crash into his attacker with a fierce growl. The youkai whined in distress, pulled itself out of the other youkai’s jaws and fled before the big white beast could chase after it.

“Stupid little lowlife, trying to steal my possessions.” Sensei raged, landing on the ground lightly.

Natsume sent the creature a glare as to remind it that he wasn’t anyone’s possession, but the youkai didn’t notice it since it was already turning back into its usual maneki neko form.

“Natsume-sama, are you okay?” “Okay okay!”

The two midranks hurried to his side and both grabbed an arm to pull him off the forest floor.

“I’m fine, thank you.” He rubbed his arms until the feeling got back into them and took a look at his clothes in the meanwhile. His uniform was covered with dirt and he could feel leaves crisp under his fingers when he brushed them through his hair. There was no way he could show up at school like this, but he didn’t have time to go back home to change either.

A defeated sigh left his lips as he tried to pat the dirt off his clothes but smudged it all over them instead. “I can’t believe this even happens on my birthday.” He pulled a twig from his dust blond hair and combed through the strands in a useless attempt to fix it.

“Birthday? What’s that?” the midranks asked, looking at him in confusion.

Natsume stopped with fixing his looks to stare at the two youkai. He hadn’t realized he had said it out loud. “It’s… the day humans are born,” he tried to explain. “We remember the day and then celebrate it each year.”

“So you will celebrate it with us?”

“Celebrate, celebrate!”

And suddenly there seemed to be a lot of excitement he hadn’t foreseen.

“No, wait,” he rose his hands in the air in a calming gesture. “I won’t celebrate it. It’s a human thing, but I decided to just let it be this year.”

“Ahhww.” The two youkai slumped in disappointment, making the boy almost feel guilty about his statement.

“I’m sorry, I just don’t feel like burdening people with it.” He grabbed his bag from the ground and started continuing his path to school.

Three sets of footsteps told him the midranks had decided to follow him.

“What is a birthday celebration like, Natsume-sama?”

Natsume stared off into the air, suddenly wondering how he could explain it. “Well, usually there are a lot of balloons…” one of his hands traveled to his chin where his finger brushed over it while he thought of the other characteristics he had seen in those parties. He hadn’t really had any of his own and usually other people wouldn’t invite him, so he wasn’t entirely sure. “There’s also a cake, with the amount of candles on it that reflects the age of the person whose birthday it is. At some point he will try to blow them out in one breath.”

“Will not blowing them all out bring misfortune?”

“No no!” Natsume waved his hands as if to ward of their ridiculous question. “It’s just a tradition.”

“Oh, just a tradition.” Again the midranks seemed disappointed, but this time he didn’t feel sorry about it at all. He couldn’t imagine the trouble it would give if it did bring misfortune.  

“Also usually the other people give presents to the one whose birthday it is after congratulating them.”

The two youkai nodded, glued to the human with so much interest that Natsume had to keep from laughing.

“And sometimes people play games.” It wasn’t like the adults did that, but he feared that if he mentioned drinking the two youkai would immediately start pouring sake again.

“Games? What kind of games?”

“Uhm…” Yeah, what kind of games? He was always cast out, so he honestly didn’t know many games. “They play things like… pin the tail on the donkey!” Yes, he remembered that one. He’d seen children play it before.

“Pin the tail on the donkey? That sounds rather cruel.”

“Cruel cruel!”

They probably had a really different image of what the game actually was, but Natsume didn’t bother correcting them. Instead the school came in sight and after a quick goodbye he started running.

Maybe he could still make it just in time.

Of course he got a lot of strange looks when he arrived in his dirty clothes, but luckily ignoring them worked to keep most people from saying anything about it. To Natsume’s relief, Nishimura and Kitamoto simply laughed it away.

They were just making their way through the halls of the school after a break when Taki ran up to him.

“Natsume-kun!” She stopped in front of him panting, unaware of the adoring look Nishimura sent her. “Happy birthday!” She dug something out of her pocket and offered it to him. “I remembered you told me it was today, so I got you a little present.”

Everyone was perplexed. Natsume stared at the little wrapped up box in her hands, while he could feel the eyes of his friends drill into him.

“Thank you, Taki,” he smiled sincerely as he took the little gift. It felt warm and for a moment he just clenched it in his hands, not caring what was inside of it at all. Nobody had given him something like this on his birthday before.

“Oi, Natsume!” Two hands grabbing his shoulders and turning him roughly, pulled him out of the moment. “It’s your birthday?!”

Natsume looked from Nishimura’s indignant face to Kitamoto’s. “Y… Yeah…” he agreed hesitantly, not understanding where the anger was coming from exactly.

“And you didn’t tell us? We’re your friends! You ought to tell us these kind of things!”

Oh, so they were just mad because he had hidden it from them, even if it had been unconsciously… No it hadn’t been unconsciously. He hadn’t told them because he thought he shouldn’t bother them with it. He didn’t want them to feel obliged to give anything or come to a celebration.

“I… I wasn’t really thinking of celebrating it so…” Natsume sputtered awkwardly.

“Do the Fujiwara’s know?”

The interruption made Natsume hide his eyes behind his hair. “I don’t think so…” Of course they didn’t. If they had Touko-san wouldn’t have treated him the same as any other day. But they already did so much for him. He didn’t need anything special. He was happy with the way the Fujiwara’s treated him as they always did.

It was Tanuma who broke the awkward silence after that confession.

“Hey guys, what’s wrong? Did something happen to Natsume?”

He could hear the hint of worry in Tanuma’s voice, so he quickly lifted his head and smiled. “No, it’s fine.” He clenched the little box tighter in his hand, suddenly wishing Taki had taken another time to give it to him.

But Nishimura wouldn’t leave it at that. “Did you know it was Natsume’s birthday today?” He cried out indignantly.

Tanuma shook his head, clearly caught by surprise. “It is?”

“I guess I just happen to know because I asked about it a few weeks ago,” Taki laughed, scratching the back of her head. She seemed uncomfortable about having brought it up. She probably hadn’t thought she’d be the only one to know.

Honestly, Natsume had long forgotten he’d ever told her the date until now.

“Okay, so that’s it,” Nishimura decided. “Natsume, you won’t get away with this. We’re telling the Fujiwara’s.”

“But…!” “I think it’s a good idea,” Tanuma joined in, silencing his friend with a friendly expression. “I think the Fujiwara’s would be really disappointed if they found out they missed this day.”

And that’s how his plan of not bothering anyone with it fell to pieces. He could protest all he wanted, but his friends were determined. They would make plans with the Fujiwara’s and Natsume was not to come home for two hours after school. Tanuma told him to just get some manju with Sensei in the meantime.

But that wasn’t what happened. As soon as school had ended and Natsume was on his way back two shadows jumped out of the bushes, lifted him in the air and abducted him into the forest under loud cheers.

“Whoa, wait, let me go!”

Natsume struggled to keep his balance while the two midranks tossed him into the air and caught him repeatedly, calling his name until they entered a clearing.

“We organized you a birthday party, Natsume-sama!”

They finally tossed him on the grass, but so roughly that he ended up rubbing his behind with a pained expression.

“We heard it’s something humans do so we all gathered!” A kappa responded.

Only then Natsume realized the clearing was full of youkai. Hinoe was smoking a pipe at the side, winking to him when their eyes met, Misuzu filled in most of the space with his giant stature, but in front of him were many others. Even Sensei walked up to join them.

Behind them a handful of balloons bobbed on the ends of a few tree branches.

“Congratulations on your birthday Natsume-!” The voices all mingled together into a ridiculous mixture of Natsume-dono’s, -sama’s or just no honorifics at all. Sensei didn’t seem interested in joining in, but with all the others taking all this effort Natsume barely noticed.

“Aaah~aahh!” He was buried in an excited embrace when Hinoe rushed over to him. “I can’t believe human’s grow up this fast. You’d better not die as fast as Reiko.”

Natsume laughed uncomfortably, but at the same time warmth spread through his body and he could feel his chest inflate with gratefulness. All these youkai thought he was important enough to celebrate a thing they didn’t even really understand.

“Oh, I heard we needed to give you a present, so here’s something for you!”

She pushed a little object into his hand.

“It’s a charm that will protect you against a curse for one time. Use it well.”

“Thank you, Hinoe.” He looked at the shaped rock for a moment with a smile, then put it in his jacket with the other precious little gift.

But if he thought Hinoe was the only one with a present he’d been wrong. Suddenly youkai crowded all around him to offer him fish, fruits and magic objects. The midrank youkai claimed they had wanted to give him a bottle of rare sake but refrained from it since he wouldn’t drink it so they gave him really rare berries instead, saying they would cure illnesses.

The celebration was like a rush of chaos to Natsume. A happy chaos for that though. The youkai had gotten him a cake, but since it was stolen from the humans it said “Happily married” instead and they had put sticks into it to burn as candles. He didn’t manage to blow them all out, since the fire was too big for a human to get that far, but when the youkai decided to help one whiff of Misuzu was enough to solve the problem.

They hadn’t really understood about the donkey game and claimed they hadn’t been able to get a donkey for him in time. Natsume couldn’t help but sigh in relief that the poor animal had been spared and instead drew a donkey on a paper. With permission they used a few of Misuzu’s manes to make a tail and Natsume explained the game.

He could have known the disappointment about the boring game would turn into violence as soon as they had started with a blindfolded youkai, but it was kind of scary how some thought they needed enough force to take down the tree the paper was stuck on to get the tail in the right place or would even start running around trying to pin the needle into anything that wouldn’t move fast enough.

Still Natsume couldn’t remember ever having a better birthday party than this one. He let them blindfold him and tried himself. But however certain he had been he had pinned it in the right place it had ended up on the donkey’s snout instead.

They all sat down after the game, panting (somehow Natsume had an idea there wouldn’t be any humans who would have to catch their breath after this little game).

“Humans actually have an idea of how to make fun sometime,” Hinoe admitted, lighting her pipe again.

Natsume stared at the fallen trees with a sceptic expression. “I don’t think it’s actually supposed to go like this though.”

The youkai had gathered around him with cups and started passing the sake around, talking, laughing. The sky was starting to turn from red to dark blue and colors were washing out of the environment. The wind brushed the trees, bringing the scent of flowers.

Yes, it was definitely a chaotic birthday, but much better than any other he’d had. He closed his eyes, remembering the years he’d spent alone. Getting to hear from his foster families they didn’t have the money for his birthday or simply getting ignored on the day itself. It had hurt him so much that he’d started to hate this date. But now he felt warmth and peace inside. He could feel a relaxed smile play around his lips as he listened to the happy voices around him.

“Natsume!”

He opened his eyes when the call reached his ears.

“Natsume, there you are!”

He turned his head and met Tanuma’s eyes. And then he remembered. The others had told him to stay away from the Fujiwara’s for a while, but that didn’t mean they had wanted him to not come home at all!

“Tanuma! I’m sorry, I…!” But Tanuma just looked around the clearing, halting at the sight of the balloons, the donkey and then the mountain of presents at the edge. He smiled. “Looks like you were having fun.”

Blood rushed to his cheeks, but he knew lying would be useless. His friend wasn’t stupid. He probably already noticed what was going on.

“Sorry, it was so chaotic, I forgot…”

“It’s okay,” his friend assured him. “It’s not too late yet. But would you mind coming with me now? Sasada is freaking out because you’re messing with her plans.”

They both laughed softly at the thought.

“Yeah, I’m coming.”

Natsume turned around, smiled and waved. Naturally a big crowd of youkai waved back, calling after him with good byes. He shot a quick look at Sensei, but the cat’s expression said he’d be staying, so he turned around and followed Tanuma back to his home.

If he’d thought the youkai brought him a good feeling, then he’d have been mistaken compared to the warmth he found there. The Fujiwara’s welcomed him with a smile. Touko-san hugged him, Shigure-san shook his hand and all his friends crowded around him to congratulate him. A big cake was set up with candles waiting for him to blow out and the kitchen was decorated with flags and balloons.

“Don’t forget to make a wish while you blow out the candles on your cake! They say that if you blow them out in one breath it will come true.” Taki reminded him while Touko-san lit them one by one, Shigure-san at her side and the rest of the visitors positioned around the table to be able to see him.

“Yes, I will.”

He walked towards the table, looked at every face smiling at him and a wave of gratefulness and warmth almost drowned him. Quickly, to hide the storm of feelings inside he bowed down to the table and blew, thinking of how he wanted that he would never have to leave this place again. That he would never end up alone again. That these precious friendships and warm feelings would never fade. And he wished that these peaceful days would last forever.

All the candles went out.

[bellringermal]

What did meeting the "in-laws" involve for Maria and Gehrman? How does that go? Did it happen?

OHOHOHOH! First of all, we need to establish who their respective in-laws are. Please remember that everything that follows is based on Daisy’s and my own interpretation of the characters. This is PURE fanfiction.

Maria is an orphan, her mother was struck by the same blood-ailment that left Annalise sterile and her father died honorably in battle, shielding his own commander from a deathly blow. Said commander is Lord Ackerman, who’s a distant relative of Maria herself and Ghislain’s uncle (everyone is somehow blood related in Cainhurst, that’s how royal/noble families work :P). This being said, the closest family members Maria has left are her elder sister Evelyn, Ackerman (who’s basically her fatherly-figure) and Annalise whom Maria refers to as ‘Aunt’ even if technically she’s not.

As for Gehrman, his father is still alive at the time Gehrman and Maria make acquaintance but he and his son don’t talk/see each other that often. (Let’s say that they do their best to avoid each other as much as possible… it’s complicated :P) Gehrman’s mother, a kind and frail woman to whom he was way more close and affectionate, died when he was in his twenties. The hairpin he would later gift to Maria was hers. Buuuuuut, albeit not blood-related to him in any fashion, it would be a CRIME not to include Dores and Edmund in Gehrman’s “family” since those poor souls had to put up with the wreckage of a man that Gehrman is for 20 years and beyond. Willem also plays a prominent role in Gehrman’s life, but I would consider him more as some kind of benefactor with his own agenda than anything else and Gehrman is not the only one he took under his wing.

Now, onto your question: How does that go? Did it happen?

The answers are: mixed results and definitely yes. DETAILS UNDER THE CUT. This is going to be a LOOOONG post.

Maria had to jump through hoops to get Gehrman an invitation to Cainhurst but once Annalise realized that having the First Hunter in her grasp for an entire evening could be a great chance to find out how much of a threat the hunters could become, she accepted. Maria subjected Gehrman to 2 whole weeks of etiquette lessons in preparation to the event (so much fluff and comedy potential in those 2 weeks ///v///) and sent letters to Evelyn saying that she was going to introduce her to the man she considered her partner. And not just her ‘hunting partner’ if you know what I mean ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°). This alone surprised Evelyn quite a bit, because both her and Maria were into one-night/-week stands-kindof relationships and often in open competition with each other to win the favour of whoever they found desirable (just like the majority of the frivoulous Cainhurst nobles) . So, you can imagine how perplexed Evelyn was when one of her little sister’s letters closed with something like: “P.S: y’know, I think I developped a huge crush on my teacher, who also happens to be: 1) a commoner 2) a cripple 3) someone way older than me 4) the most awkward and badass dude I ever met. Love, Maria”. Joking aside, Evelyn isn’t that impressed by Gehrman once she meets him in person, but respects her sister’s decision and is happy to see her happy. Does Evelyn approve of them being together? Probably not, so many things can go wrong in a relationship like theirs (and a lot of things will actually go VERY wrong as the college and the city fall apart) but she didn’t approve of Maria pursuing military life in the first place and yet never opposed her decision and only asked her to carefully consider the consequence of her actions and be aware of what she was going to get into.

Ackerman on the other hand, is completely caught off guard at the news and ironically, worries more about Gehrman’s ability to ‘handle’ her than about Maria’s life decisions ehehe. Ackerman trained Maria for years (since she was 16, to be precise) so he’s well aware of her temper and knows her even better than Evelyn does. Ackerman is the one who saw her change from a girl into a woman and from a rookie into the most feared Cainhurst knight. The idea that Gehrman was able to earn her respect and admiration is enough for Ackerman to consider him as a suitable partner for Maria who was known to shrug off her suitors without a second thought, including Ackerman’s well-bred and handsome nephew, Ghislain. And, as someone who’s even older than Gehrman and widower to a younger bride, Ackerman is caught in a costant “I feel you bro” mood everytime he finds Gehrman staring lovingly at Maria.

Annalise doesn’t really care about Maria’s love life. The Queen is a busy woman whose love affairs generate way more rumors and gossip than Maria’s ever will…. She just poisoned her late husband and is in a weird-ass love/hate relationship with her advisor and chamberlain (who happens to be none other than Patches :P) but she’s also desperately seeking a cure for her unability to bear children. This obviously is what led her to seek Laurence’s help and to send Maria to Byrgenwerth, tasking her to ‘steal’ the secret tecniques that allow Gehrman’s hunters to survive in the Chalice Dungeons and retrieve the Old Blood. In a sense, Annalise is the reason why Gehrman and Maria met in the first place and she knows it. That’s why she loves to tease Maria about “her stableman” and costantly makes puns about how “servants do it better” (she’s the worst, I love how saucy she is XD). As the evening draws to its end, Annalise puts Gehrman to the test by arranging a duel between him and Ackerman in order to find out if the Byrgenwerth hunters are as lethal as they’re rumored to be and Gehrman’s performance does not disappoint.

[look at this wall of text °_° send help guys…]

Moving onto Gehrman’s ‘In-Laws’, Maria only meets his father once and let me say that he’s not the most pleasant dude to be around. He’s a bitter old man who can’t let the past go (guess who took after him, lol) and who never gave his son’s personality enough room to breathe. Maria was allowed to follow her aspiration to become a knight while Gehrman, who was more of a artisan/tinkerer-kind of guy, was forced into martial training despite his lack of physical prowess. Not saying that Gehrman’s father was a complete monster or anything like that, just that he, like many parents, didn’t believe his son could accomplish something by following a different path than his. He also despises the Cainhurst nobility whose members are nothing more than ‘filthy rich slakers’ in the eyes of the average Yharnamite and thus is waryand kinda harsh towards Maria. Logic tells him that there’s no way a woman like her could’ve fall for someone as ungainly as his son and assumes that she’s tricking him for whatever reason. Gehrman warned Maria about what was most likely going to be his father’s reaction to her so it wasn’t that of a big deal.

As for Dores and Edmund, they were there even before Gehrman and Maria became a couple and witnessed the tragicomic spectacle that was Gehrman’s ‘curious mania’ for MONTHS. Maria was kept in the dark almost for the entire time, but these two poor souls had to deal with Gehrman’s whining on a daily basis and genuinely felt sorry for him because they could see how ashamed/guilty he felt and how much in love he was. Edmund even cornered him at some point and persuaded Gehrman to talk about it as any good ‘parent’ would (Edmund best dad, FITE ME). So, when finally Maria and Gehrman broke the ice, both Edmund and Dores heaved a sigh of relief.