#and more and more personal. <3 the way they are progressing and getting closer with each interaction...

[moonreader1010]

How your FS will act after your first night together 💋

-by Valerie 🧿

Please pick one of the following piles:-

Pile 1. Pile 2.

Pile 3. ^

Note:- 1. Pick the pile that calls you.

2. This is an 18+ reading. Mdni

3. The pictures used don't belong to me. All rights go to the original owners.

4. Have fun 💋

Pile 1

The Eternal Dream

The morning after your first night together feels like stepping into a romantic dream they never want to end. They wake up before you, lying still, watching the rise and fall of your breath. Their heart swells as they take in the sight of you—hair tousled, your skin glowing in the golden morning light. It’s not just lust or infatuation; it’s something deeper. They reach out to softly brush a strand of hair from your face, their fingers lingering just a moment longer as if savoring your presence.

When you wake up, they greet you with a gentle, almost shy smile, their eyes holding a new softness you hadn’t seen before. “Good morning,” they murmur, their voice lower than usual, and it sends a warm shiver through you. They can’t help but pull you closer, their lips grazing your forehead. They whisper something vulnerable, like, “You’re more beautiful than I even imagined.” The intimacy feels different now—deeper, more magnetic.

As the morning progresses, they’re utterly attentive. They insist on making breakfast, but only after stealing kisses along the way. There’s a playfulness in their actions, but beneath it, a raw sincerity. Over coffee, they speak of the future in subtle ways, mentioning how they’d love to wake up like this every day or teasingly asking, “How would you feel about dogs running around the house?” Their mind races with images of shared moments—lazy mornings, cozy nights, and everything in between.

But when you least expect it, their passion flares. They lean in mid-conversation, pinning you with their gaze, and kiss you again, this time slower, deeper. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you,” they confess, their voice thick with emotion. They aren’t just falling—they’ve fallen, and they’ll spend the rest of the day showing you just how much.

Pile 2.

The Passionate Realist

They wake up with a fire in their chest, the events of the night before replaying vividly in their mind. For a moment, they lie still, their hand resting on your waist, feeling the warmth of your body against theirs. It’s a grounding moment, as if they’re telling themselves, This is real. This is mine. When you stir, their lips curve into a slow, devilish smile. “Good morning,” they say, their voice husky with lingering desire.

They’re not shy about their admiration. Their gaze is bold, their touch purposeful as they trail their fingers along your skin. “You’re stunning,” they murmur, their words dripping with sincerity. They kiss you again, their lips hungry yet tender, as if trying to communicate what words can’t. There’s an intensity in the air—an undeniable chemistry that leaves you both breathless.

As you pull yourself out of bed, they watch you with a smirk, leaning back on the pillows like they’re the luckiest person in the world. “Don’t get too far,” they tease, their tone light but their eyes holding a spark of mischief. Their energy is contagious.

But as the day unfolds, their deeper side emerges. They’ll sit with you, their voice steady as they speak of their dreams, their fears, and their hopes for the future. They’ll share things they haven’t told anyone before, their walls crumbling because of the trust you’ve built together. By the end of the day, they’re more certain than ever: you’re not just someone they desire. You’re someone they’re willing to build their life around.

Pile 3.

The Protective Lover

They wake up as if guarding a sacred treasure, their arms wrapped protectively around you. Their first thought is simple: I need to keep them safe. I need to make them happy. The sight of you beside them is almost too much to take in—your bare skin glowing softly in the pale light, your warmth still lingering in their embrace. They kiss the top of your head gently, as if not to wake you, their lips brushing against your hair in a gesture of quiet reverence.

When you stir, their eyes meet yours, and for a moment, the world seems to stop. “Hey, gorgeous,” they whisper, their voice thick with emotion. They trace patterns along your shoulder, their touch slow and deliberate. They’re not just admiring you—they’re memorizing you, engraving every detail of this moment into their mind. You notice something different in their gaze, a blend of adoration and something deeper, like unspoken promises and unshakable devotion.

As the morning unfolds, they show their affection in practical yet endearing ways. They make sure you’re comfortable, fetching whatever you need before you even realize you want it. They’ll bring up little memories, like the first time they noticed your laugh or the exact moment they fell for you, weaving a thread of nostalgia into the morning. But beneath their gentle exterior lies a hint of insecurity, a fear they keep hidden. They might hesitate before speaking, their voice soft as they say, “You know you mean everything to me, right?”

Later, they’ll tease you playfully, their eyes sparkling as they suggest spending the day together doing something spontaneous, just the two of you. But as they hold you close, their touch lingers longer than usual, and you feel their need to protect this connection. They won’t say it outright, but you’ve broken down their walls, and they’re utterly, irrevocably yours.

---------

DM for paid readings 💋💋

[pyract0]

╰┈➤Thoughts/ head cannons with HSR men!

☁︎ No specified gendered descriptions, referred to as "you"- Don't tag it as "Gn reader" just in case I make a mistake/ can be considered otherwise. ☁︎Trying out different formatting to find one I like :) ☁︎Not really any warnings, just relationship stuff- Potential spoilers for Amphoreus ! ☁︎Anaxagoras(3), Mydeimos(2), AE!Sunday(3), Moze(1) ☁︎had more ideas but forgot them by the time I got to them

╰┈➤Anaxagoras

𝖎 Slow Dancing

Despite being a man dedicated to his research and strict in nature, Anaxagoras found himself enjoying simple things with you the longer your relationship progressed. Silence was golden, a message he engraved within the rules he recited to each new figure that entered his life, yet he found himself relaxing into the gentle atmosphere of your words as you stood hand in hand. The hours the both of you spend swaying in each others embrace builds up, listening to the classical music he chose out as you let your head rest against his shoulder. Simply being wrapped in his arms, his coat placed over your shoulders as you take turns discussing whatever came to mind until you become tired. He'll then take it upon himself to bring you to your shared bedroom, whether it be walking with his arms lazily resting on your hips with his hands clasped in front of you or carrying you flush against his chest before throwing placing you on the bed.

𝖎𝖎 Cuddling

Cuddling with Anaxagoras after getting yourself a pair of matching droma onesies. You got them initially as what you believed would be a joke, pyjamas of a creature you knew he held admiration about, thinking it would be simply brushed off. Yet he took it seriously, and instead it became your new nightly routine. The fluffy hood with droopy horns that covered your face rubbing against his cheek as you nuzzle against him, discarding your usual blanket due to the thick material already holding enough warmth. What would have to be seasonal for you due to the risk of overheating would become his usual attire due to his inability to feel the temperature. Just you laying on his chest and running your fingers through his hair as he rambles on about something you can barely comprehend. You make sure for his sake his favourite droma plush is within reach on the bed for if he absentmindedly seeks comfort from the plushie. Y'all that plushie has seen some stuff.

𝖎𝖎𝖎 Physical contact

Being someone who's been derived of touch due to personal preference, Anaxagoras takes any chance he's offered at holding some form of contact with you. Cooking? he's behind you, arms on either side of you caging you between his chest and the counter as his head rests against your shoulder. Sitting somewhere reading? His head finds its way to your lap, running his pointer finger in circles on your thigh as he presses himself closer to your body. One of you are working? You're sat side by side, fingers interlocked as he fidgets with your wedding band, bringing your connected hands to his cheek to lean against. Type of person to hold your wrist as his teeth press into the flesh of your fingers/ palm, never hard enough to hurt but enough to feel the pressure that brings an odd comfort to the both of you. Habit of chewing on things (your hand or sleeves).

Can't explain how much I love this man and offended I am at how little screen time he was given. 3.2 broke me.

╰┈➤Mydeimos

𝖎"Babysitting"

Whether it was embarking on a simple walk around the market, or heading to a meeting with another Chrysos Heir, Mydeimos always found away to attract the attention of the smaller citizens. Despite his brash appearance, he had found himself growing soft towards the children, often spend more time than what you had to spare entertaining them. One day it could be hide and seek, another simply helping a lost kid return to their parents, either way you always managed to get roped into his shenanigans. First time playing with the neighbourhood kids, he grabbed one by the collar and held them before you finally reprimanded him on how not to hold kids He's a bit confused but he's got the spirit. Ends with you eventually leaving him alone with them, only to return later to find his hair messily braided with flowers threaded through the blonde strands.

𝖎𝖎 cuteness aggression

With his lack of comprehension for his own feelings at times, Mydeimos finds himself trying to express said emotions in less than favourable ways. What started as the urge to always be near you, to be making contact with your skin at every given moment you would allow, turned to him biting you. Never hard enough to draw blood or hurt for extended periods, just leaving you to feel the pressure from his jaw as blunt marks are left behind. Gravitates towards your shoulders/collar bone due to being able to hold you close, pressing the metallic tips of his gauntlets into your hips as he nips at your skin. Instead of kissing the indentations he leaves behind, instead licks them with actions similar to that of a cat. Will sometimes randomly hold your hand, kissing up your arm before biting into the flesh of your forearm.

╰┈➤AE!Sunday

𝖎 Pampering

Being someone as renowned as AE!Sunday, lacking some aspects of social understanding due to his upbringing, he opts to spoil you instead. Still uses certain terms of affection, mostly darling or love, but finds conveying his appreciation easier through the use of acts of service. It becomes a regular part of your mornings together, helping each other with small things to make the rest easier for him. Whether it's something as simple as you placing his outfit in a neat pile to spending longer perfecting his eyeliner and eyeshadow, he enjoys any simple moment you spare to give him attention. Will sit by your kitchen counter, watching you alternate between making breakfast and fastening the buckles around his wrists to ensure it doesn't slip. He often finds himself organising your stuff, moving the stuff you need for the day to an easily accessible spot so you don't have to search for them yourself. Leaves the room with a kiss to your forehead, already planning a way to show his appreciation for you, often returning with small gifts to fill where he lacks words of affection.

𝖎𝖎 Maintaining his wings

After finally finding it in himself to open up to you, to offer himself in his most vulnerable form, AE!Sunday finds comfort in you caring for his delicate wings. Starts off with his head on your lap as you sit on the edge of the bathtub, him occupying a small stool to your side. Your nails finding their way over the feathers, removing loosened and damaged ones while lathering them carefully with shampoo, rinsing them off for him before patting them dry with a fluffy towel. Turns into the both of you laying on your shared bed, arms wrapped around your waist as his head rests against your chest. Gently scratching near the base of his wings as you work on preening the otherwise perfect feathers. Having them flutter against your hand as you work over them, occasionally moving to run your finger through his hair as you listen to him talk about his latest adventure with the crew.

𝖎𝖎𝖎 Sleep

Helping each other fall asleep, reading stories or simply recalling happy moments where AE!Sunday can finally relax. Whether you simply couldn't sleep or were less exhausted physically than mentally after a long day of mishap, he took it upon himself to read you something to ease your mind and help you rest. Even if you often chose to tell him personal experiences, sometimes you would take the role of reading as he remains shaken from a nightmare. Leaning against the wall of your shared room, gently running your hand through his hair as he lay against your chest, listening to you read the lines from the book you chose. Always ends with you waking up with a terribly sore back, but seeing your lover peacefully sleeping with his arms around your waist drowns out any amount of annoyance you held.

╰┈➤Moze

𝖎 Petting you (Foxian!reader)

Moze who would kill someone for looking at him wrong, simply folds at the sight of you. Would follow you from a distance when you go out, not wishing to appear as overbearing but doesn't want the possible risk of you getting injured to occur. Watches almost curiously at the way your tail would sway in the wind, or the subtle twitch of your ears at the clash of sounds on the busy streets. Will sometimes randomly pop out and announce his presence by patting you on the head gently, sometimes rubbing the base of your ears if you're deep in thought. Never fails to scare the shit out of you at his sudden appearance, but he ignores forgets your displeased rant by the next time he does it.

On your days off, you often find place in his lap as he occasionally scratches by your ears, while you lean against his chest and attempt to nap despite the wandering hand that keeps making contact with your head. (Literally means no harm by it, just imagine a kid seeing something for the first time while being able to physically touch it instead of just admiring it.)

The first time, which is probably also the last time, he decides to run his fingers through your tail is an utter disaster. At the appearance of a stubborn leaf that for entangled in your fur, his right hand reaches out to swipe it away. Instead of simply removing the leaf as intended, the metal claws snag at your otherwise perfect coat, drawing a pained yelp from you followed by a whine as you run your hand over the spot. Jiaoqiu and Feixiao (who doesn't have a tail) who just witnessed it clench at their chests in pain as if they were also "heavily injured". From that point on when he goes to touch your tail, his right hand is in a firm hold away from the appendage.

[taegimood]

alright i need y’all to buckle up and hear me out cuz this is gonna be a long one…. bunny hybrid!soobin.

bunny hybrid!soobin w his long white ears that flop down instead of standing up just like his chikai chibi hat ❤️‍🩹

bunny hybrid!soobin who’s soooooooooo shy and nervous when you first bring him home… nervous twitching little tail and warm cheeks, bad at making eye contact, shifting awkwardly in one spot in the living room cuz it’s not home to him yet 🤧 also easily startled but you come to realize later that that’s just part of his personality so you try not to sneak up too much even on accident <3

he’s SO HUGE but such a baby !!! it takes him a while to warm up to you but not in any nasty way, just shy and hesitant, and you always give him space while making it known that the option to join you or be close to you is always open to him and eventually he starts to take it 🥺

at first he would sit stiff as a board on the complete opposite end of the couch from you LMAO but eventually over time he gets comfortable coming closer, until eventually his favorite thing becomes laying his head in your lap while you stroke his ears or sitting on the floor by your feet and leaning into your legs (but don’t point it out to him or he’ll get too shy and retreat).

i know that for rabbits, especially males, there’s not really a specific mating season because they literally will just want to breed any time of the year (lol rip 24/7 horny soobin) — but for hybrids, since they are.. hybrids, literally.. then let’s say that they do go into a regular heat, and let’s say that soobin’s is coming fairly soon after you first take him home.

only a month or two has passed so even though he’s comfortable with you now, he’s still a little reserved and shy with certain things, and so for his sake you’re dreading the coming conversation as you sit him down and gently try to bring up the topic of a breeding partner. the way he would get SO red, tail twitching and leg bouncing in his seat.. he’s refusing to make eye contact as he fiddles with his fingers in his lap and stammers “i-it’s okay, i-i don’t need one..” ears drooping forward to shadow over his face cuz he’s too busy looking down at his hands 😖

you’re gently trying to convince him that he does need one or he’ll be miserable, that it’s totally normal and expected and most people find breeding partners for their hybrids every season so it’s nothing to be ashamed of !!! you say most people because the other percentage are the ones who let their hybrids use them instead COUGH HACK but he doesn’t need to know that

you try to explain that there are services and programs just for this reason and it would be so easy peasy, just for a couple weeks, but soobin is NAWT HAVING IT as he suddenly springs up from his seat and darts out of the room — having gotten progressively redder and more jittery over the course of your attempted convincing.

he’s never bad or disobedient, would normally never run away like that while you’re in the middle of talking to him, but he just got SO unbearably embarrassed and shy,,,,, not to mention: the guilty filthy shameful (in his mind) secret that he has…… and that is, he actually doesn’t want it to be anyone else but you.

he feels safe with you, he trusts you, he’s already bonded to you more than you realize and part of the reason why he got so freaked out and ran away was because all his mind kept going back to was BREEDING YOU INSTEAD 😩 and little do the two of you know, but all the adrenaline from his little freak out ended up kickstarting his heat EARLY and when you find him later in his room after giving him some space for the day, he’s feverish, sweating and whimpering and writhing around uncomfortably in his blankets, hugging one of your sweatshirts to his face as he breathes in your scent. (a sweatshirt that you thought you’d lost, but turns out he had secretly taken for himself).

“binnie!!!” you’re rushing to him immediately cuz you’re so worried but that was a mistake or was it because the second you touch him, the second your scent fully wafts over him, there’s no going back. eyes shooting open and pupils blown out as they lock onto yours, and the next thing you know you’re face down in his blankets as he’s pounding you from behind, chest pressed flush against your back as his hips slam against your ass over and over and over again and he’s whining and whimpering into your ear, telling you how he didn’t want anyone else, didn’t want some bunny girl, he just wanted you, and he keeps apologizing but he can’t stop 🤧

you can finally admit that you fucking love it though because surprise surprise, you ALSO had some filthy secrets of your own and there was a part of you already that sometimes wondered what it’d be like to let him use you instead; on nights when it was hard to sleep and you’d lay awake in bed thinking of his big, gentle frame and pillowy lips, his soft eyes that contrasted so harshly with his strong hands and the outline of that huge cock in his pants that you tried so hard to pretend you never noticed.

it was especially difficult on nights when you could hear him from his designated room, his soft moans and little gasps as he would touch himself that never left your head — eventually causing even your own hand to wander into your panties with a mind of its own.

the kicker was that one time when you were relaxed together on the couch petting his ears as usual and thought, would he like it if i scratched behind them too?

….liking it is an understatement, because the moan that he let out as a result was enough to cut the evening short, him hiding away in his room from sheer embarrassment while you didn’t catch a wink of sleep that night, because all you could think was: i want to hear it again.

for a while after that he would get jumpy when you tried to touch his ears and you were worried you did something wrong to make him scared of you or something, but in reality he was just scared of HIMSELF and was convinced that he’d have to dig a hole and die of embarrassment if he ever moaned like that in front of you again. but don’t worry, the distance didn’t last long cuz he’s just too weak for you and can’t resist your nightly head pets <3

but i digress;;; basically the both of you just wanting each other so bad and not even knowing it, both feeling so guilty and shameful over it until now. now.. right now, as his big cock is buried so deep inside of you that you can’t think of anything else even if you wanted to; right now as he’s fucking you with so much desperation that the bedframe is gashing the paint right off of the rattling wall.

there wasn’t even the chance for clothes to fully come off, but you have plenty of time, and after that the two of you end up barely leaving his room for his entire one or two week heat other than for necessity because you know what they say about rabbits….

as fucked out of your mind as you are, you take such good care of him between waves with what energy you have left — placing wet cloths over his forehead and wiping the sheen of sweat from his neck and collarbones to ease his fever, trying to clean up as much cum and mess as you can before the next round hits, keeping his damp hair from his dazed, half-lidded eyes that watch you so gratefully, poor baby so vulnerable and exhausted between the waves of frenzy… and after everything’s finally over and it passes, he treats you like a FUCKING QUEEN trying to make up for battering you to death with his monster bunny cock all that time <3 you literally Cannot Walk

side note moablr is always talking abt soobin w a breeding kink but imagine BUNNY SOOBIN ???!!!!! holy shit logically he knows it’s not possible to get you pregnant but THAT DOESN’T MEAN HE WON’T TRY 😫 balls deep inside you babbling on and on about how he’s gonna breed you so good and fill you with his babies and he’ll do so well for you he promises - cums BUCKETS, thick and sticky and so much everywhere but cough anyway this is a whole other can of worms

after that first heat your relationship is obviously different but you’re always willing to give soobin whatever he needs. you learn very quickly that those pretty bunny lips have an oral fixation, always wanting something to suckle on; good thing you have tits !! and fingers 🥰

you’re laying on the couch watching a movie and he’ll walk over, just hovering hesitantly, fiddling with his hands, bunny lips pursed as if he wants to say something but isn’t… you immediately know what he wants and sigh with an endearing smile, murmuring “c’mere,” and opening your arms to him. he grins shyly and immediately flops on top of you, nestling into your arms, nuzzling his face into your chest before gradually his lips start suckling lightly at the part of your breasts he can get at, and then he’s pawing at your tank top, eventually getting it pushed down enough that your tits are free and he just lays there sucking and licking at your nipples for ages while you watch your movie, the occasional little moan slipping past his lips as his hips shift against you.

eventually you have to literally pull him off of you when you get too sensitive and he’s so whiny and sad. sighing and running your fingers over his lips instead; caressing your thumb over his pouty bottom lip, swollen from all the suckling, his glazed eyes watching you in anticipation, and as you slowly push your thumb past his lips he immediately moans and obediently begins to suck on that too, eyes sliding shut as his hot tongue swirls around it.

which brings me to soobin sucking on your fingers with barely-open eyes as you ride him — he’s so blissed out, fucked out look on his face as he drools around your fingers, hands weakly reaching for your plush thighs, your waist, your tits; just so fucking content as he lays there and takes everything you give him, moaning around your fingers with half-lidded eyes and his soft pretty bunny ears splayed out on the pillows, framing his handsome face <3

soobin always being too shy to go full out cock monster on you unless he’s desperate for it, so you like to purposefully get him to that point by cockwarming him, chilling on the couch not letting him move as you sit and read your book or play on your phone; he’s trying so hard to be a good boy and wait for your direction, but with the way your warm pussy keeps tightening around him he just can’t take it anymore and desperate frenzied soobin is unlocked as he flips you over and fucks you into the couch cushions like a madman.

and a final thought for now is tugging lightly on his ears or his tail whenever he’s getting too ahead of himself and it only makes him more of a whiny mess; he’d spend the whole day with his mouth buried between your thighs if he could, so tug on his soft ears and it gets him all teary-eyed as you’re holding his face back mere centimeters from your cunt that he wants to bury his face in so badly </3

if your nipples are too sensitive at the moment to handle his oral fixation or if your hands are too busy doing something else, then you can always find soobin between your legs, mouthing at your pussy and humping the air or the couch as his little whimpers send delicious vibrations up through your core.

aaaaanyway.. i love hybrid aus man. just soft sweet bunny soobin who loves and trusts you so much and always wants to be inside you, close to you, connected to you in some way. just so so happy to be yours ❤️‍🩹

p.s… i may or may not have hybrid thoughts for other members as well 👀

[lustlovehart]

OH MY GOSH RIDDLE??? He is ACTUALLY a pretty princess now omg. And tangled?? Me and Riddle are the same person fr 🤞🤞

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEE imagine being the Eugene to Riddles Rapunzel. (With a few creative liberties <3)

Cw: Rapunzel Riddle, Mother Gothel Ms.Rosehearts, A blade is held to your throat, Threatens of Beheading, You both get really close, Low key just cheesy stuff, Riddle deep in his mothers control and you’re the one who breaks it <33

The moment you set foot into his tower shelves upon shelves of books surround the room, all of which seem pertained to studies that you simply could not care in the least about. A vast majority of them are related to medical while a smaller portion is other educational subjects like Math and English.

It has no matter to you though, all you need is shelter before the guards inevitably catch your thievery. Originally, you believed this place to just be an abandoned library, but the closer you look at it… Fresh tea and a warm plate filled with food that looks plain yet nutritional tells you a different story. Especially how organized and tided the room is, and… The long cascade of red hair that has circled around the room.

You don’t have the chance to fly out the window before someone holds you in place, a blade to your throat.

“Mother said the most important rule is to not let anyone inside.” You don’t turn around to look at your captor, only tightening the grip on your bag.

“Is her rule more important than the law? I hope not—“ before you know it he pulls you to the floor, his long hair tangling into your legs. You finally see his face in all its glory, the sun hugging his skin. He looks… Familiar.

“Yet you’re trespassing. If you really cared for the law you wouldn’t be here!” The blade is closer to your neck, his fingers grazing your skin. He opens his mouth to say more truth, his eyes shifting over to your bag. In turn you catch his gaze when he reaches over.

“Ah ah—! Hey that’s mine you recluse—!” You stretch over to grab your rightful steal before he can, but you’re too late.

“… What’s inside?” It’s a book no doubt, he can tell from the indent of the object through the fabric.

“You don’t talk to anyone but your mommy do you? I’m not telling someone who just tried beheading me!” For a moment his face goes red, expression shifting to anger, ready to yell every rule you’ve broken so far. His rage subsides when he notices the way your freed hand grips his hair.

No one else has touched it but his mother.

When you notice the natural progression of his emotions, you lean into him, your faces a few inches apart. It takes a moment before he realizes how close you are, his body falling back in shock. He buries the book into his body, looking up as your body pins him from above. It’s weirdly a pretty sight, the strands of his crimson hair highlighting your features as it webs your body like webs. He winders what kind of person you are.

“Do you wanna leave?” The words don’t fully process, as if he has never even considered the thought. He doesn’t reply, furrowing his eyebrows in suspicion. He really shouldn’t trust you, not at all, yet your smile seems so genuine he can’t help but feel his worry dissipate at your face. You lower your body down, your chin placing itself on the book, the only obstacle blocking you both from practically embracing each-other. “I’ll help you out, and you can give me the book back.”

He shouldn’t believe you, but the moment you smiled at him, he can’t help but put his belief in you.

“… Riddle.” He leans back up, his hair following him, which only further traps you in himself, but you don’t seem to mind for some reason. Your finger twirls his hair, your hand grabbing onto his.

“Let’s go then, Riddle.” Little does he know, the familarity you felt has been realized.

This Riddle, is your childhood crush who suddenly moved away.

[bloomzone]

2025 : #4 BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

「 Listen to me. YOU are in full control of your destiny. No one else. Not your parents, not your friends, not your circumstances. YOU . The moment you take full responsibility for your life is the moment everything changes. 」

✒️..Too many people say, “I can’t do it because my family didn’t support me,” or “I wasn’t given the same opportunities as others.” Let me tell you something: success doesn’t care about your excuses. It doesn’t care about your setbacks. Success is about what you do with what you have.You can’t change where you started, but you can change where you’re going. Life isn’t about waiting for things to happen; it’s about making them happen. And that starts with one simple belief: YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKE

1 Why You Need to Believe in Yourself

Think about it—every single person who has achieved something great didn’t start out with all the answers. They didn’t wake up one day and suddenly OMG BRO I'M RICH OR OMG BRO I'M A CEO . No, they struggled. They failed. They doubted themselves. But the difference? They didn’t quit.They believed in their ability to learn, to grow, and to figure it out along the way. And so can you !!! you’re going to face challenges. THAT'S LIFE . There will be days when you feel like giving up, when the pain seems too much, and the road ahead feels impossible. But those are the moments that define you. Those are the moments where you choose—do you give in to doubt, or do you rise above it?

2 Take Full Responsibility

Stop blaming your situation. Stop waiting for someone to save you. Nobody’s coming to rescue you. This is your life, and you have to own it. Look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Am I giving my all? Am I showing up for my dreams?” If the answer is no, then it’s time to make a change.You owe it to yourself to show up every day. Not for anyone else IT'S YOUR LIFE. Not for approval but because you believe in your potential. Because you know deep down that you’re capable of more.

3 One Step at a Time

I’m not asking you to figure it all out today. Success isn’t about giant leaps it’s about consistent steps. Focus on the next 24 hours. What can you do today to get closer to your goals? Forget about next month, next year—handle today.SET DAILY GOALS - WEEKLY GOALS - MONTHLY GOALS .. When you start taking it one day at a time, everything becomes manageable. You’ll realize that the mountain you’re climbing isn’t as impossible as it seems. But you have to start. You have to put one foot in front of the other.

4 Struggle Is Part of the Process

Don’t shy away from struggle. Embrace it. Without struggle, there’s no progress THERE IS NO FUCKING PERSON THAT DON'T MAKE MISTAKES WE ARE HUMAN AFTER ALL Without setbacks, there’s no growth. Every obstacle you face is an opportunity to become stronger, to become better, to become the person you’re meant to be.And when it gets hard—and trust me, it will—remember this: the future you is counting on you. The version of you that’s thriving, that’s living the life you dream about? They’re waiting for you to make the tough choices now.

5 Stay Focused

What do you want YOU ! Not what someone else wants for you. What do you want YOU NOT THE SOCIETY NOT UR FRIENDS NOT UR TEACHERS ! Once you know the answer, block out everything else. Block out the negativity. Block out the doubts. Block out the people who say you can’t. Stay locked in. Keep your eyes on the prize. if it were easy, everyone would do it. But it’s not easy. It’s hard. It’s painful. It requires sacrifice. But it’s worth it. Every single tear, every single late night, every single failure—it’s all worth it when you finally achieve what you set out to do.

So, believe in yourself. Not just today, but every single day. Even when it feels impossible. Even when the world seems to be against you. Because the only thing standing between you and the life you want is your belief in your ability to create it.This is your time. This is your moment. The question is: will you step up and take it?Stop making excuses. Start making progress. Believe in yourself, and watch how your life transforms. I'm proud of u !

@bloomzone 📇

[soobnara]

like clockwork / c.sb

soobin x reader

summary: in a world where love is given an expiration date, you find your forever home in an unexpected place.

word count: 10.1k

tags: soulmate!au, best friends to lovers, mostly romance + fluff, fake dating if you squint, reader is afab w/ gender neutral pronouns + fem terms (noona) used

author's note: finally got around to finishing this... it's been a long while coming and i couldn't get myself to write for various reasons and i'm so happy it's all done and out there! (also for any black mirror fans out there, yes this is loosely based on the 'hang the dj' episode but way more lighthearted and with a dash of soulmate brainrot) hope you enjoy and wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season <3

For as long as Soobin can remember, he’s been counting down the days. 

To summer vacation, to the end of his shift at his part time job, to the start of a long awaited trip, to anything. But there’s something else that counts down on his behalf, something that he doesn’t particularly want to count.

That something is inlaid in a nondescript watch wrapped around his wrist. Everyone gets one once they turn 18, and as far as he’s concerned, its only purpose is to ruin relationships. The cruel hands of time assign a “best by” date to each romantic encounter, flashing on the screen from the first meeting, with each failure promising to lead the user closer and closer to their fated lover. If you ask Soobin, it’s all bullshit. How would a stupid watch know anything about fate, anyways?

It’s a typical Thursday night, and Soobin’s mindlessly scrolling through Time to Love, the government mandated dating app that all phones come with, as per usual when he can’t decide on something to watch. He has yet to meet the weekly two date quota, having only gone on one on Tuesday (important to note that he’s already forgotten his name), and he’s running out of time, and he really can’t afford to pay that 100,000 won fine this week. Well, he can’t afford to pay it at any point in time, but this week’s been especially rough on him, and he doesn’t want to shell out any more of his meager savings just because he couldn’t get a date, of all things. 

The names and faces on his phone screen are a blur as his thumb swipes left aimlessly– he doesn’t really give that much of a shit who he ends up with, because at the end of the day, he’ll say “No” when the app asks him if he’d liked them and give them a terrible review saying they were incompatible, because frankly, the algorithm seems to always be wrong when it comes to his matches. Either that, or it’s because he cares so little that he doesn’t bother properly vetting his matches.

He’s resigned himself to his fate anyways; he’ll fill up his progress bar with a bunch of shitty matches until the algorithm decides it’s time for him to settle down, then when he finds his “soulmate” (if you could even call it that), he’ll just be doomed to a loveless arranged marriage set in place by a computer and die unhappy. He can’t envision happiness ever coming out of something so lifeless, so cold, so that’s just how it has to be. At least it gives him something to do instead of rewatching the same three anime series over and over again.

Whatever– he’ll just swipe right on the next person and go on yet another unmemorable date tomorrow. Lee Saerom, the profile reads. She’s exceptionally pretty, he has to admit, and she’s an artist, (and she’s older, but don’t ask him about that) so he’ll just ask her about her work and let her ramble for the allotted two hours while he smiles and nods.

He swipes right, and a bright pink heart pattern fills his screen, signifying a successful match. Obnoxious. It’s replaced with a time and a place, and he lets out a groan. Congratulations! Your date is scheduled for 6pm, at the Coffee Shop. He was supposed to meet you at 7 tomorrow for your usual Friday night updates. 

Fuck. What if the date goes on longer than an hour?

He’s never been late for your weekly meetups, but he figures you’ll understand, since it’s completely out of his control.

Surely you won’t kill him, right?

Just in case, he recites a prayer to himself before he tucks in for the night.

You’re already nursing your third vodka soda of the night and Soobin is still nowhere to be found, which is unusual. He’s never been the most punctual person, but standing you up for an hour after your usual meeting time isn’t like him, either. He said he’d be late, but he didn’t specify how late… you’ll grill him later when he explains himself, and you’ll make him buy you a drink or two as compensation. With the comfort of a free drink in mind, you’re about to order your fourth round when Soobin finally stumbles in through the door of the bar, eyes scanning each booth until his gaze lands on you, and with an apologetic smile, he’s sliding into the seat across from you. 

He gestures to your glass, brow curled upwards, which you know means he’s teasing you. “What number is this one, noona? You always polish these things off like they’re nothing.”

“This is number three, with number four on the way, and that’s because they are. You owe me at least two for taking so long to get here, asshole.” You let out an indignant huff as you slurp the last of the cocktail through your straw, lips jutting in a comical pout.

“Okay, okay. Next one’s on me.” Soobin relents with an endeared laugh, waving down the waitstaff and ordering a beer for himself, along with another vodka soda for you. 

“Okay, now spill.”

“What? Am I supposed to have some hot gossip for you? Don’t make me guess about what drama I’ve somehow found myself in on accident.” He’s visibly confused, brows knitted together, and you roll your eyes at him.

“Obviously the only reason you would ever skip out on your dear noona was if TTL scheduled you for a date during our usual time, so spill. How bad was this one?” 

His lips part in understanding, (you can practically see the figurative lightbulb flickering on) head bobbing in an exaggerated nod before pulling his phone out, hand outstretched to show you his date’s profile. “I mean, she was okay, I guess. Pretty girl, and she was older, but she spent the entirety of our time slot babbling about her latest art project and how it’s supposedly going to blow away the industry. Which is fine, I guess, because you know I hate talking on these dates, but if she said “brush technique” and “negative space” one more time I think I would’ve tried to drown myself in my caffe mocha. The app thought so too, I guess, because when we checked our expiration date, it was exactly an hour from the start time, so it’s not like I missed out on my forever soulmate or whatever.”

Each TTL date is scheduled for an arbitrary amount of time, depending on your expiration date, which is determined from the first moment you meet– sometimes it’s just a few minutes, an hour or two, and anything longer than 24 hours is given a two hour time slot maximum. There’s supposedly an extremely rare case where you aren’t given an expiration date from the get go, regardless of your progress, meaning that you’ve found your soulmate by sheer luck, but it’s almost unheard of– most people don’t find their soulmates until they’ve completely filled up their bars, something about needing ample data to calculate optimal compatibility.

You ogle at his phone screen for a bit– she really was stunning– then guffaw at the thought of Soobin nodding halfheartedly, listening to a pretty girl talk his ear off, when most men would probably kill to be in his position. “Damn, if even an older woman that pretty can’t hold your attention, and the app confirms that, you know it’s bad… So, where does that put your progress at? Weren’t you at like, 80% last week?”

Soobin’s face practically scrunches in on itself at your remark, tapping the app once more to check his updated progress bar. “I’m going to ignore that. I’m at… 88% after I reviewed Saerom and that guy from earlier in the week. Guess it wasn’t a total waste if I got 8% closer to completion. What are you at now?”

You lift your phone to open TTL, your progress bar only having inched 2% closer to completion after your date yesterday. “75% now. I think the algorithm is personally fucking me over, or something. My last few matches have been nice enough, but I cannot keep up with their energy. It’s wringing me dry. I must be the only person in the entire world who doesn’t want a golden retriever for a partner. My date yesterday just about knocked me out for good, he was that energetic.”

“Tell me about it,” Soobin commiserates. “I’ve very clearly expressed my distaste for bubbly and talkative people who probably peaked in high school, but that’s all they’re spitting out in my for you page. No offense to them, I don’t think I’ve met any straight up assholes since that one girl from last year, but it’s like the app is purposely recommending the most incompatible people to me– wait, yesterday? And I didn’t hear about this?”

You give him a pointed look, silently conveying that he also didn’t inform you of his date today until ten minutes ago. He gets the message and holds his hands up in defeat, then gestures for you to speak, dimples peeking out as he purses his lips. You sigh, rubbing your temples as you recall the most chaotic two hours of the week, maybe even your life.

“Okay, look… for the record, he was very nice to me, a perfect gentleman, but my god, could that guy talk. He was practically falling at his knees trying to impress me, which would’ve earned him a few points in my book, but his mouth was moving maybe five miles a minute at all times without a moment of rest. It was like watching a child hopped up on sugar, to be honest. He talked for forty whole minutes nonstop about pizza. Don’t even get me started on how passionate he was about his workout routine.”

Your drinks finally come around, and Soobin hands you your frosted glass, which you gratefully take a long sip out of before continuing. “And before you say anything, no, he was nothing like Kai. Also, Kai is literally like my child, and just because I babysat him all those years does not mean I want to date someone like him.”

Soobin parts his lips to respond, then scrunches his nose in distaste as you take the words right of his mouth, opting to down his drink instead. “You’re no fun.”

“But that’s why you love me, right?”

“Sure, noona, sure.”

“That’s it, asshole, you owe me another drink.”

Sunday rolls around, which means you’ve got to start scoping out this week’s dates– you hate leaving anything to the last minute, and you like to leave the end of your week as free as possible (no one is prying your precious rest time from you, not even a beautiful person with the world’s best personality). 

Which means you’re mindlessly swiping through a sea of profiles, hoping you find someone that’s at least remotely interesting. You’re prepared for a long night of doom scrolling, but you stop cold in your tracks as you come across a familiar name and face, and a lump forms in your throat.

Choi Soobin.

The algorithm is really fucking with you now. It has to be. You’ve never once even considered your best friend as a potential suitor, not because he isn’t insanely attractive and charming (and funny, and easy to talk to, and…), but because he’s your best friend. You’ve known him for so long, you’ve seen him cry when he couldn’t get the Pokemon card he wanted when he was young enough to need allowance to buy it, and he’s seen you for long enough to know you threw the nastiest toddler tantrums over being denied an ice cream purchase– the point is that you know him a little too well, and you know from experience that that’s not always ideal in romance. 

But you have been having terrible luck with your matches for so long, and two hours of Soobin’s undivided attention doesn’t seem so bad, and it would be a good time, at least…

You kick yourself mentally for even thinking of it. He’s your best friend, for god’s sake.

Yet your thumb continues to hover over his profile, quivering as you make the motion to swipe right on him without touching the screen. The guilt and the risk of maybe ruining your friendship forever clearly isn’t enough to stop you from considering him. 

The gentle, familiar smile that he’s sporting in his profile picture pierces your heart, and you’re not sure why. Maybe you’ve always had a thing for him unconsciously, maybe you just want someone who actually gets you, maybe you’re just running out of options. Or maybe you’re just tired of chasing after something you know is futile, and you want to take a chance on something, on someone, that might actually be good for you. On someone that you know would be good to you, and for you.

And so, with bated breath, you swipe right.

[Time to Love: Y/N has liked you! Open the app for more details.]

To say Soobin is struck with disbelief would be an understatement. He’s practically gaping at his phone, and he knows you’d be laughing your ass off and making fun of him if you could see him. But it’s precisely that typical flippant attitude of yours that’s got him perplexed about this development.

He’d be lying if he said he’s never once thought of you that way– he’s always thought you were pretty and kind hearted, despite your temper, and you’ve always been there for him, through thick and thin, even when he was being kind of a dick. That definitely counts for something. But he’s never thought about crossing that boundary, because 1) he’s not allowed to pursue anyone he doesn’t match with through the app anyways, and 2) matching with you could make or break your bond forever (he’s leaning towards break, though, because like he said, the watch is bullshit). In short, he’s a fucking coward and a little too cynical for his own good. 

But here it is, an opportunity for a date with you, in all its glory, and initiated by you, no less. He should be celebrating, or at least hyped up, because maybe it’ll all work out, maybe this is the solution to all his lukewarm matches over the last few months, but instead he’s downright terrified. There’s absolutely no way that you both come out of this unscathed. There’s no such thing as a perfect forever if it’s decided by a computer. There can’t possibly be a happy ending at the end of this road.

He shakes his head, as if it would clear his head of the panicked thoughts. You’re still his best friend, at the end of the day, he tells himself, and he’s sure that you’ll fight just as hard as he will to keep him in your life. So he holds onto the tiniest sliver of hope that somehow your relationship doesn’t crash and burn spectacularly, opens the app, and swipes right on you.

Congratulations! Your date is scheduled for 3pm, at the Aquarium. 

A new notification pops up. Soobin’s heart stirs.

y/n noona: see you tomorrow ♥️

He feels guilty as a wave of excitement washes over him. He shouldn’t be feeling like this. You’re his best friend. His dear noona. He may as well be signing away your friendship for good. But it’d be worse if he didn’t match your enthusiasm.

soob: yup, see you tomorrow noona :]

It’s only 5 minutes past the scheduled meeting time, and already Soobin’s panicking that you’ve changed your mind and cancelled on him, writing this off as a mistake. He’s trying his very best to remain nonchalant, it’s just a date with his best friend, who he might have a sapling of a crush on, no big deal, right? Or maybe it is for the best if you cancel, then he’d have one less crippling fear to worry about.

He’s rethinking his outfit for the umpteenth time– he didn’t want to look like he was trying too hard, not in front of you because you’d probably think it was silly, but he also doesn’t want you thinking he shows up to dates looking like a slob. (For the record, he thinks he’s got a decent sense of fashion. He’s better than Kai, at least, though that isn’t saying much.) He’s internally debating if he should’ve gone with the navy polo shirt instead of the grey cardigan draped over his shoulders, or if he should’ve gone with the black slacks instead of the light wash jeans, but his jumbled thoughts dissipate as you tap on his shoulder, shit-eating grin and all. 

“What’s with you, Soob? You look like the fate of the universe depends on you, and you only have 5 minutes to save all of humanity.” You tease, nudging your shoulder against his. Oh, if only you knew what was really weighing on him.

He has half a mind to swat your shoulder, but he’s a little too aware that the two of you are supposed to be on a date, so instead he shoves his hands into his pockets. To his surprise, you’re more dressed up than usual, (he’s used to seeing you exclusively in oversized hoodies) and– wait, you two are practically matching, from the grey cardigan, light wash jeans, all the way down to the white sneakers. The only difference is that you’ve buttoned up your cardigan so that it functions more as a blouse, but you two clearly have definitely mastered the art of accidental couple looks.

“Okay, awkward… one of us has to change.” He teases in an attempt to ease his own racing mind, dimples peeking out as he stifles a laugh. You let out an indignant huff, pushing his massive frame with no success. He doesn’t even budge.

“Not my fault that you’re trying to steal my look. I wore it better, by the way,” You retort, but truth be told, you’re reeling at the sight of him. You’ve only ever seen him in his stuffy work attire and the worn-out, faded shirts he refuses to throw out, and seeing him in a comparably softer, more preppy look is making you see him with new eyes.

You shake your head, as if doing so will reset your perspective to factory settings and make you see him as just your best friend again. (spoiler alert: it doesn’t. Soobin is still handsome and he looks very cute, and you’re still very much affected by it.) “Okay, so. First things first. Should we check our apps? To see if, like, we’re compatible, or I don’t know.” Your voice is stiff, like you’re buffering, and you don’t think you’ve ever been this awkward around Soobin, at least not since the day you met.

Soobin turns up his nose in disagreement and covers his watch screen and yours. “Nah, that’s bullshit. It’s already all decided, isn’t it? It’s been decided from the second we stepped into the aquarium. No point in checking now, we should decide for ourselves if this is something we want to pursue, instead of letting some computer dictate that. When it’s over, it’s over, and we can just go back to being friends, right?”

“Well, I think it’s probably better to know when to give this a rest, instead of constantly wondering if my best friend is set to be my long-term romantic partner, or whatever.” You had a point. But a part of Soobin didn’t feel ready to face the fact that you might not want to see him again like this. A much smaller part of him is still fearful that you two might not be able to turn back from this.

“Okay, okay, fine. We can check it–but not now. If we make it to a third date, then we can check how long we have. But you have to be honest and not touch it whatsoever.” Soobin doesn’t make any move to mention that he isn’t interested in seeing you again, but you don’t want to just assume that he’s into you, so you test the waters.

“Okay, I promise to be honest. But why the third date? Are you really that keen on seeing me?” You’re trying to be teasing, but you feel more desperate than anything.

Soobin doesn’t answer for a moment, and you think that you’ve said the wrong thing. Just as you’re about to apologize, he replies, “If we make it to a third date… then I’ll know whether we’re actually giving this a proper shot and not just for shits and giggles or as an escape from our other failed connections.”

His sincerity both surprises and flatters you, and you can’t tell if you’re supposed to be frozen in shock or hugging him, or a secret third thing, so you just stay still, absently fiddling with your fingers.

When you look up again, Soobin’s holding out his hand, and you look at him with obvious confusion. Rolling his eyes, he takes your hand in his, lips pursed into a thin line. You want to make some clever jab at him, but his hands are warm and soft and they practically swallow up your much smaller ones, and you’re filled with a wash of emotions so intense that you can’t muster up the strength to retort.

Soobin notices that you’re still visibly perplexed, and he mutters. “We’re on a date, you know. We’ve got to act the part.” It’s a half truth at best; he does want to give this date a proper chance, but selfishly, he really just wants to hold your hand for two hours. If you catch onto his white lie, you don’t show it, but he doesn’t miss the rosy hue that colors your cheeks as you nod.

He’s right, you think– it is a date, and you’re the one who swiped on him first, so the least you can do is treat him like a possible suitor and not just your best friend. He deserves that much, at least, and you need to know whether this bundle of butterflies in your stomach is a passing feeling or a dull ache you’ve forgotten about, so you let him lead you into the dimly lit array of fish tanks.

You’re noticing a lot of things about Soobin.

You notice that Soobin’s eyes practically twinkle when he gets excited. It’s never been something you’ve taken note of, but you can’t help but notice it now, every time he points out a species of fish he recognizes. It’s cute. You’re not sure if you’re supposed to find your best friend cute, but you do.

You notice how his comically long fingers slot in between yours, and you’re really starting to like how it feels, though you’d die of embarrassment if you admitted as much. 

Not to mention he’s an absolutely perfect gentleman. He’s constantly asking you if you want something to eat, if you’re tired, if you’re cold, and you let him know that you’re fine each time. When you accidentally pull apart your shoelaces, he’s quick to kneel down and tie them up for you. When he stops to grab himself a bottle of juice, he offers one to you, too.

Had Soobin always been this pretty? So cute? And so sweet? How had you never taken notice of him like this all these years? (You know the answer to that, but you’re still surprised at what you’re noticing nonetheless.)

Soobin catches you staring at him while you’re both supposed to be looking at a school of clownfish, and you expect him to make some egotistical joke at your expense, but instead he gives you a warm smile, eyes crinkling into crescents, and god dammit to hell, you melt. 

The two hours pass by like nothing, and unlike your past few dates, you’re dreading the end of it, and you wish that the beep signifying it’s over would never come. To your disappointment, he releases your hand as you approach the entrance, and your hand is already missing his warmth. You turn to face him; well, not really, because you can’t bear to make eye contact with him, not when you spent the better part of two hours shamelessly ogling at him.

His voice cuts in between the thoughts rattling around in your head, and he sounds so apprehensive that it worries you. “Can I ask you something? No, wait, can you promise me something?”

You know how seriously Soobin takes his promises, so you’re a little scared for what he’s going to say next, but you nod anyway.

“Promise me that if this doesn’t work out, we’ll still be friends. Please.” The last word is so quiet that you almost miss it, and when you finally muster the courage to meet his gaze, he’s giving you a pleading look so earnestly that it breaks your heart a little. 

“I promise– no, I pinky promise. We’ll be friends, no matter what.”

Since he was younger, Soobin’s held the belief that pinky promises are binding, and he knows that you know this, so you hold out your pinky, hoping that this can ease whatever worries he has on his mind.

You pinky promised. Soobin knows that it’s your unspoken way of assuring him (you’ve never been the most verbally affectionate, anyways), a quiet way of letting him know that he means just as much to you as you do to him. He links pinkies with you to seal the promise, feeling just a little bit lighter as you both make your way to the subway station together, shoulders bumping all the while.

Soobin just really, really hopes that you’ll be able to keep that promise.

[How would you rate your date?]

[★★★★★]

Congratulations! Your next date is scheduled for 8pm tonight, at the Night Market.

You shouldn’t be surprised that your next date with Soobin comes so soon– you still have your weekly quotas to meet, and the app always schedules dates within 24 hours of matching or a positive rating, but truth be told, your surprise is solely because you just don’t know how to face him. You two had made that pinky promise to stay friends regardless of the circumstances, but you’d also resolved to treat him like a potential suitor while you two are seeing each other, so where does that leave you? 

Well, it leaves you in front of the closet with no idea what to wear. You want to look good (for Soobin, but you’re in denial at the moment), but it’s just a night market, and you know you’ll never hear the end of it if Soobin catches on that you went through lengths just to impress him.

Speaking of the devil, your phone flickers on to reveal a text from him, and you scoff as you scan its contents.

soob: so i hear you enjoyed our date

y/n noona: ignoring that. anyways

y/n noona: what’s the deal for tonight

y/n noona: i need to know asap

soob: aw, noona, do you want to see me again that badly? i’m excited, see you later tonight ♥️

y/n noona: shut up, you clearly want to see me again too. don’t be late or i’m stealing your wallet later 

y/n noona: i'm asking what’s the dress code, are we matching again :p

soob: i mean, if you insist… 🙄 i knew you wanted me

y/n noona: nvm you’re getting me in a hoodie and my raggedy sweats with the hole in the knee, fuck you

soob: no no i take it back i’m sorry 

y/n noona: ok fine you get spared just this once

y/n noona: [IMG_3687.jpg]

y/n noona: final outfit check. if we’re going to be matching it will be your decision so choose wisely

soob: wait that’s not fair

soob: noona come back

soob: DON’T LEAVE ME HANGING LIKE THIS

[y/n noona has “Liked” your message]

soob: you are so mean to me

You let out a sigh of relief you didn’t know you were holding when Soobin arrives, clad in a blue flannel that’s nearly identical to yours, black tee, beige cargos, and a black shoulder bag. You’d been hoping he would follow through, and there’s a small surge of pride at how you’ll be walking around the market, hand in hand, in matching outfits, but there’s something you hadn’t been counting on.

He’s wearing his glasses. 

You’ve always known that Soobin doesn’t have the best eyesight (he’s constantly squinting to see things, but so do you), but now that you’re seeing him in a new light, his usual black frames are suddenly the most attractive thing in the world, and you may as well be holding a neon sign that blares “I HEART NERDS” for him to see.

You make a painfully pathetic attempt to mask your delight by waving at him with a grin, and thankfully Soobin doesn’t notice, or if he does, he doesn’t make any show of it, and instead he simply salutes at you with two fingers and cracks a grin. As he sidles up to you, his large hand slips into yours with a little too much ease, fingers immediately interlocking with yours, and it sends your head into a frenzy all over again. As if he’s aware that your mind is going haywire, Soobin leans down towards you, and for a second you think he’s going to kiss you.

You’re frantically trying to make some motion to stop him, it’s so sudden and your cheeks are way too hot now, and he’s way too close, and your damn arms won’t budge–

“I hope you came ready to eat. I came armed with a fuck load of cash because I am going to stuff myself silly with food, and I am not getting turned away by the ‘cash only’ booths.” There’s a fire of determination in Soobin’s eyes, paired with a wide grin, and you don’t know whether to be concerned for him or for yourself, but nonetheless, you’re a little relieved that you completely misread the situation. Before you can say anything in response, though, he’s dragging you towards the sweeping lines of booths, already making a beeline for some takoyaki. 

The tray full of octopus balls in Soobin’s hands is steaming and they smell absolutely mouthwatering, and, in true Soobin fashion, he gets over excited and tries to pop the entire thing in his mouth in one go. He immediately regrets it, of course, because immediately he’s whining over the fact that his tongue is now most definitely burnt and numb from the piping hot orb of batter he’d just tried to scarf down. You might be finding him insanely attractive now, but he’s still as clumsy as ever, and you can’t stifle the laughter that bubbles in your throat at the sight.

“Dumbass… you should know damn well that you shouldn’t put a whole takoyaki in your mouth like that.” You tease, snickering as he fans his tongue once he swallows.

“Shut up! I couldn’t help myself!” He lets out a childish huff, stuffing another ball into his mouth with a comically exaggerated pout, and consequently huffing and puffing at the heat that blooms in his mouth once more. The whole display is undeniably adorable, and it takes all of the willpower you have to resist the burning desire to squish his cheeks. 

The tray of takoyaki is polished off in no time, and a bowl of bingsu, a cup of fish cake soup, two sticks of tanghulu, a plate of sweet rice cakes, an ice cream cone, and a million other things you lost track of follow suit into the bottomless pit that seems to be Soobin’s stomach. He wasn’t kidding when he said he came ready to eat– he’s plowing through the booths like it’s his last meal on Earth. He’s gracious enough to offer you half of his portions, at least, so it’s not like he’s leaving you to starve. (you’d kill him if he did, though.) Once he’s had his fill, his lips curl up into a mischievous grin as he jabs his thumb in the direction of a different section of the market, one filled with countless games: target shooting, beanbag toss, darts– the row of booths seems to stretch on forever. 

“Oh, you’re on, Soob. Don’t think I’m going easy on you because we’re on a date.”

“Yeah? Don’t think I’m going easy on you because you’re older.”

Contrary to both of your words, Soobin is absolutely fucking terrible at the beanbag toss, despite his long arms definitely giving him an advantage, and you’re no good at shooting or throwing and aiming at anything, really, so the two of you leave each booth with empty hands, though you’re laughing as if you’ve hit the jackpot.

Even though you two fail spectacularly at every single game they have available, you’re suddenly aware of how much your cheeks hurt. From smiling. From laughing. When was the last time that happened on a date? Or ever, even?

Soobin ventures off on his own while you’re lost in thought, and he returns from his little solo adventure with yet another serving of tanghulu (the third one of the night: strawberry for him, tangerine for you this time). You’re reaching out to grab the sweet from his outstretched hand, when suddenly you jump as loud popping sounds blare overhead. There’s a beat of silence before a flurry of colorful lights blooms in the sky, and your shoulders relax once you realize it’s just fireworks.

You’re admiring the colors and shapes of the fireworks display as you crunch on your tanghulu, and you’re so enraptured you almost miss the feeling of someone’s gaze on you. Almost.

When you turn to confirm your suspicions, you’re right, it’s Soobin who’s staring at you, but he’s staring at you so intently, with such intensity, that you immediately grow flustered– he’s never looked at you like that before– and you’re immensely thankful that the flashes of light in the sky mask the rosy hue that’s surely staining your cheeks. Just when you’re about to swing your head away to focus your attention on the fireworks once more, his hand flies out to cradle your chin in his palm, keeping your gaze fixated on him. 

Then he’s closing the distance, slowly but surely, fixated on you all the while to gauge your reaction, and even though you’re frozen in shock, you don’t think you would’ve moved, anyways. Your eyes flutter shut at the last minute, nerves getting the better of you, until his lips brush against yours tentatively, as if he’s hesitating, holding back.

You meet his gaze once more, and neither of you say a word, you just nod in response to the pleading look in his eyes, as if asking your permission. He breaks out into the most beautiful smile, one that you wish you could snap a mental photo of and tuck away in a safe place in your mind, and then he’s kissing you. Actually kissing you.

He kisses you with such fervor, as if he’s been wanting to do this his whole life, and you can’t help the way you practically melt in his hold, pressing yourself against his broad figure. The fireworks display is all but forgotten, the only thing on either of your minds being the way your lips meld into each other, and the way your hands clasp together.

Soobin’s in a daze when you two finally break away for a much-needed breath, and you’re sure you look like you’re in an equally hazy state. For a moment, you two are dead silent, staring at each other, with only the sound of your soft pants and the popping of fireworks in the background to fill the silence.

Soobin is the one who breaks the silence first, smiling sheepishly as he rubs the nape of his neck. “To be honest, I’ve… I’ve been wanting to do that for a while.”

Your eyes are as wide as saucers, and you can feel your jaw go slack in shock. Soobin had been wanting to kiss you. Soobin has thought about kissing you. Your best friend Soobin wanted to kiss you.

“Why didn’t you?” You reply without thinking, but really, you know very well exactly why he’s never done it. He’s your best friend, always has been, and he’d be doing much more than fucking up your friendship by kissing you before you two matched. Naturally, Soobin leaves that question unanswered, posing a question of his own instead.

“What made you match with me?”

“Well…” You don’t know what to say. You don’t want to rattle off a list of qualities that make him desirable– you’re already feeling flustered enough after he kissed you like that, and you’re not looking to inflate his stupid ego or risk being the butt of his teasing. But you want to be honest with him. You don’t want him thinking his suppressed desire has been one-sided all this time.

“I guess I’ve always wondered what it would be like to go on a date with you. We wouldn’t be bored, we would know how to keep each other happy, and understand each other, that kind of thing… and I was a little tired of seeing you go through all those people you didn’t click with, who didn’t get you, especially not the way I did. You know I’ve never liked the people you were seeing, and I was always annoyed by the idiots you dated in high school, and all your stupid matches… I always thought everyone took you for granted, and no one seemed to care about actually getting to know you. I thought I was just looking out for you, caring about you, as your best friend, but maybe I was actually just jealous.”

“Jealous? Really?” He looks so incredulous it embarrasses you that you have to clarify further. 

“Yes, jealous… I especially hated what’s-her-name, Hyeji? That one student council girl who dumped you in front of the whole school.”

Soobin grimaces at the mention of her name, and you can’t help the relief you feel at his response. “Ugh, her. Led me on for months because she thought I was cute and then when we started dating she nitpicked every single thing I did, all because I wasn’t the suave drama lead of her dreams and then dumped me because she couldn’t change me. You know she threw away a whole pack of my Pokemon cards because she thought it was ‘too nerdy’?”

“See? This is what I mean. None of your romantic partners actually seem to appreciate you as you are. And so I don’t know, something came over me, and I wanted to see if I could do a good job because I  know I appreciate you for who you are and now I’m confused, and I feel like I’ve ruined our friendship forever, and–”

To your relief, Soobin doesn’t laugh– instead he cuts your rambling off with a quick kiss, and it flusters you into silence. “Shh. We promised, remember?”

“I mean, we also promised each other when we were in high school that we’d settle down and raise ten dogs on a farm together.”

Soobin laughs this time. “Yeah, I remember that. But this is a pinky promise, isn’t it? It’s different.”

“You’re right… but it’s scary, you know? Coming to this realization about you, and thinking about you this way, and enjoying it, but also worrying about how we’re going to get out of this after our relationship expires... I don’t want to get too carried away and change our dynamic forever.” You’re chewing the skin off your lower lip nervously (you never did break that habit, so now your lip is bleeding), and, while Soobin’s voice is gentle, you know him well enough to detect the subtle tremor as he speaks.

“I know. But we’ll be okay. We’ll figure it out. I won’t let anything remove you from my life for good. Especially not the watch.” His voice is so low, so quiet, you’d miss it if you weren’t fixated on him, as if he’s trying to convince himself, and you squeeze his hand in what you hope is an admirable attempt at reassuring him. “The app hasn’t told us our connection’s expired yet, so I just really, really want to give this a chance. A proper chance, so I can say I did it before I get matched with my ‘real’ soulmate, or whatever. I don’t want to think about what could have been, especially not with you. I think that’d be worse for us.”

You know exactly what he means. Harboring dormant feelings for your best friend never bodes well, at least not in the movies and the books, so you may as well get this pining out of your system, and let it become a distant memory as soon as possible, if it’s not meant to be. It’s only fair, for both of your futures, and for your friendship. (and though neither of you want to admit it, the thought of not being each other’s soulmates is depressing.)

“Look, Soob… I really want to give this a chance, too. I want to see where it takes us while we’re allowed to. I want to try. It’s scary, it’s fucking terrifying, but you’re my best friend, Soob. I promise you won’t lose me because of some stupid watch. Pinky promise.” You try to keep your voice upbeat as you hold out your pinky towards him, offering a tender smile. He links his pinky with yours, and you can see his frame visibly relax once he does. 

You rest your head on his shoulder, pinkies still linked, and silently hope that you’ll be able to uphold your promise to him. You’ve never been any good with breakups. Soobin knows that.

But you’ll be okay with him, right?

He’s your best friend, after all.

[How would you rate your date?]

[★★★★★]

…

Congratulations! Your next date is scheduled for 2pm tomorrow, at the Botanical Gardens.

Soobin decided on his own that he’s picking you up for the third date, and he let you know as much.  After last night’s events though, this means that you’re turning your entire closet upside down trying to find the sweet spot for your look today, because your head is jumbled with far too many thoughts, all of them about Soobin. Every outfit you think up is either too dressy, or too casual, or too out there, or too bland, and you have half a mind to reschedule with your mind in the state that it is. Unfortunately for you, Soobin is already on his way, and you’re not the type of asshole to tell him to head back home and forget the whole date, so you just stare at your pile of clothes on the floor, hoping that somehow you’ll be enlightened with the perfect outfit idea and get yourself looking presentable before he comes knocking.

The universe is clearly not on your side, though, because your doorbell rings not even a minute later, and all you’ve picked out is your jeans and you’re still very much topless. You shoot a message to Soobin, thumbs flying frantically as you let him know you’re not quite ready yet– he might be your best friend in the entire world, but you’re not ready for him to see you under your clothes just yet, especially now that you’re properly seeing each other.

You’re still not sure what to wear, but you figure a beige knit sweater should be safe– you won’t look like you’re trying too hard, but you also won’t look like you’re not trying at all. When you swing the door open to finally greet Soobin, your breath quite literally gets taken away, because he trips and almost knocks you over with his lanky frame, but also, he’s breathtaking.

He’s clearly put a lot of thought into his outfit, which is very cute, and he looks absolutely stunning. A sleek black cardigan with white striped accents on the sleeve, a white dress shirt that clearly looks freshly pressed– hell, he’s even wearing a tie– and those godforsaken glasses that have you in a chokehold somehow. You don’t even bother hiding your delight– he’s so beautiful, and you know he needs a little validation after he probably spent hours putting his look together.

He catches you staring wordlessly, and he flushes with embarrassment.“What? Too much? I knew I should have skipped on the tie–” He grumbles, making a move to loosen it, but he’s stopped by your hand over his.

“No. You look great, Soob. Seriously.” You’re not used to being verbally affectionate, especially not with him, but when he looks that sad, like a kicked puppy, you know better than to tease him when he’s unsure of himself. Despite that, you’re still shy as you reassure him. “You look beautiful.”

The way he brightens when he hears your words is almost cartoonish, and this time, you can’t hold back your laughter, which earns a pout from him, which in turn only fuels your laughter further. You appease him by lacing your fingers with his (he’s apparently a lot easier to please than you remember, but maybe that’s your imagination), and he responds by placing a kiss to the back of your hand. The gesture is tender and sweet, and you think about what it’d be like to have Soobin do that to you every day.

“Well, shall we?” He bows exaggeratedly with his free arm, giving you a blinding smile.

You mirror his smile, and playfully curtsy in return. “We shall.”

When you two arrive at the botanical gardens, it’s jam-packed with people (a worker explains that their tulips are in full bloom, so everyone’s vying for their social media moment), and Soobin is visibly startled, though he recovers quickly as he turns to you. 

“You okay? There’s so many people... I think this is twice, maybe even thrice as many people as there were at the night market.” You don’t do well with crowds, the crowd at the night market was probably the most you could handle, but you know that you don’t have a choice– you have to follow through with the date as scheduled, or risk a fine that neither of you can afford, so you just nod, your grip on his hand tightening. 

Soobin somehow finds a slightly less crowded area of the tulip fields for you two to stroll in after doing a quick sweep (thank god for his height, and that he uses it to his advantage), but you still feel tense as you walk hand in hand. There’s still a decent amount of people, with more spilling in excitedly, phone cameras in hand, and you have a bad feeling the crowd will only grow in size as the day drags on. You just hope you’re as convincing an actress as you think you are, and that Soobin won’t notice as he reads the identification cards for each flower.

You’re caught off guard when he gently pushes you down onto a nearby bench, and crouches in front of you, clasping your other hand in his so that both of them are occupied. The concerned expression on his face tells you that you’re nowhere near an Oscar for your performance, and that he’s most definitely caught on to your discomfort. Normally you’d be embarrassed at the display– you hate making a scene in public, but your anxiety is getting the better of you, and it’s nice to know that he still knows you as well as you thought.

“Noona… look. I know you don’t like crowds, especially excitable and hectic ones like these. If you really, really feel like this is too much for you, we can cancel the date and go home. I want you to have a good time, and I know it’s hard for you when there’s so many people.”

You’re chewing at your lower lip again, and Soobin lets go of one of your hands to thumb at your lip to stop you before you tear it open with your teeth. “But Soob, we came all this way. And you dressed so nicely for me, for this date, and I spent all this time wanting to look good for you, and spend time with you…” You trail off when your breath catches in your throat, your chin trembling as your eyes well up. “It’d be such a waste to cancel after all our time and effort.”

Once again Soobin’s thumb is gently swiping over your cheeks when the tears finally spill over, hushing you with the soft sincerity that he’s prone to when he’s not teasing you. 

“Hey, hey… we can reschedule for another day, can’t we? We don’t have to do this, noona. There’s always next time. It won’t be a waste, I promise.” You feel so apologetic you could die. Soobin’s being so patient and sweet and understanding with you and here you are, kicking up a fuss. The least you could do is power through and follow through with your scheduled date, and you’d hate to miss out on this time with him that you’ve been looking forward to. You were excited for this date, and you want him to know that.

“I think I’d feel worse if we cancelled after we went through all this trouble, and especially if it was all because of me… just give me a moment to calm myself down.” Soobin nods in response, cradling your cheek in his palm, and you sigh appreciatively at the tender gesture. He doesn’t say anything as you wipe away the remnants of your tears and blow your nose– he just holds your hand, letting you gather yourself, and you think for a moment that this must be the benefit of falling for your best friend.

Once the tears have finally subsided, and you’ve had a moment to calm your nerves, you meet Soobin’s eyes, which are searching yours, as if scanning for any lingering signs of discomfort. When he can’t find any, and you give him a reassuring look and a grateful smile, he seizes the opportunity to steal a peck from your lips, grinning cheekily with his tongue between his teeth when he pulls away. 

“H-hey! What was that for?!” Your shock and surprise is real, but your indignance certainly isn’t, if your rosy cheeks are any indication. Your discomfort is forgotten, at least temporarily, so you’re glad for that.

“Oh… just because. You liked it, though.” He’s so smug, that stupid asshole, but he’s right, so you pull him in for another quick kiss before you try to make a run for it. Unfortunately for your escape plan, you’ve forgotten that your hand is still very much interlocked with his, and he’s significantly stronger than you, so he easily pulls you back into his embrace. You can’t say you mind, though– he’s warm and he smells good, like jasmine and sandalwood and the faint scent of vanilla, and if you weren’t already so flustered you’d bury your face in his broad chest.

“Feeling better now?” The words fall from Soobin’s lips with a teasing lilt, but you know it’s his way of genuinely checking in on you, so you answer sincerely.

“Much better. Though I’d still like to avoid the crowds and find somewhere else to have our date… if you don’t mind? The tulips are pretty, and as much as I would like to admire them too, there’s just so many people fighting for a good photo…” 

“Of course, I get it. I saw a sign pointing to a field of azaleas over there that is probably getting a lot less foot traffic than the tulips, so we could head over there?” He gestures in the opposite direction of the tulip field, and you’re more than happy to oblige, letting him tug you along.

Thankfully Soobin’s guess is correct, because there’s only a handful of people at the azalea field when you two arrive, and the tension in your shoulders finally lets up. The dainty red and pink flowers have their own quaint charm, and they’re vibrant and eye-catching. You crouch down to get a closer look, taking hold of a delicate petal in between the pads of your fingers to admire them.

“Did you know red and pink azaleas represent love and romance? Roses aren’t the only flower of love like everyone seems to think.” Soobin’s deep voice rings in your ear and you startle a little, partially because he’s way closer to you than you expected (it’s going to be a while before you get used to maintaining close proximity with him) and partially because you had no idea Soobin was just casually carrying the knowledge of flower meanings in that pretty head of his.

“They’re so pretty… they’d make a much more unique gift than roses for special occasions, too. Not that there’s anything wrong with roses, but they’re kind of done to death, don’t you think?”

Instead of answering, Soobin looks both ways, then plucks a flower, and you hiss in disapproval at him. “Hey–! What are you doing? The sign says that we can’t pick the flowers!” Luckily, none of the staff has taken notice of his mischievous little act, but even if they did, you can’t help but wonder if they’d even care, when he could charm his way into anything.

Soobin tucks the flower behind your ear, seemingly ignoring your disapproval as he hums a tune under his breath. “A gift for our special occasion, and a little commemoration of our budding romance, or something. And look, noona, you’re so pretty. Just like a flower.” He punctuates his statement with the sound of his phone camera flashing, followed by four more, until you’re blushing profusely with embarrassment.

“Soobin, that’s enough–” Your cheeks are beet red– you can feel it from the sheer amount of blood running into them– and though you really like that Soobin’s taking pictures of you for him to keep, you’re extremely camera shy, and he knows that, which is probably why he’s so insistent.

“Actually, the issue is that I didn’t take enough. Now smile for the camera!” You have to practically wrestle your way away from the camera, but not before he snaps a few more of you smiling bashfully at him. He catches up to you with ease (damn those long legs of his), arms secure around your frame as you squeal, though you’re secretly pleased that you’re in his hold.

The time once again ticks by like nothing as you walk side by side, admiring the blooms around you and snapping photos of each other (“For wallpaper usage purposes,” Soobin says, and you blush again), and before you know it, your watches are beeping to signify that your two hours are up. Soobin sobers up almost immediately, expression unreadable, and though he doesn’t say anything as he takes your hand, you know what’s on his mind, because the same thing is on yours.

There’s a palpable tension hanging in the air once the two of you reach the entrance of the gardens– it’s the third date, after all, and you promised you’d find out your expiration date if you made it this far. You’re relieved that your watches haven’t blared just yet, signifying the end of your connection, but you’re still struck with the nervousness of finding out how long you’ll last. You think you’ll never get over it if you only get a few months– or worse, a few days with him– after all this secret pining and yearning.

If you didn’t know any better, you’d think Soobin was somehow eerily calm about the whole thing. But you do know better, and you know that he’s just trying to put on a brave face for you, and for himself. The two of you open Time to Love in silence, hands still interlocked, swiping to the ‘Love Countdown’ tab with your free hands, and brace yourselves. Soobin gives you a reassuring nod, and you respond back with what you hope is an equally reassuring smile, and that your expression doesn’t betray the fear bubbling deep within you.

Soobin takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. “Okay, on the count of three,”

“One…” “Two…”

“Three!”

When both of you tap the in-app tab, there isn’t an array of numbers indicating an expiration date with a ticking countdown, as you expected and had grown accustomed to on your previous dates– in fact, there isn’t a single number on the screen– and instead there’s an infinity sign.

You two don’t have an expiration date.

You and Soobin look at each other, then at your watches, then at each other again. 

“Wait, we don’t have an expiration date–”

Then the realization dawns on both of you, and it hits you like a truck.

“Wait, we’re soulmates?!”

Both of you are sporting the same bewildered expression, and you both go to check your progress bars, just to be sure– they’re full, just as you’d expect after being matched with your soulmate. So that’s why your watch alarms haven’t gone off. You two were the one in a million. Once the shock finally wears off, it’s replaced with pure, unbridled joy, and when Soobin sweeps you off your feet to gather you in his arms, there’s an emotion bubbling in you that’s equal parts unfamiliar and yet welcome.

You’d thought all this time, all these years, that there was no way you should feel this way about your best friend, of all people. That you shouldn’t fuck this up, because Soobin has always been there for you, and you’ve always been there for him. As his friend. As your friend. 

But here is the universe, telling you that you’re fated to love him, and that he’s fated to love you in return. 

And love him you do. You love Soobin. And when you look at him, and see the way he’s looking at you, with fondness practically dripping from his gaze, you know he loves you too. 

Maybe the watch really is bullshit. Maybe it is statistically impossible to decide someone’s life partner based on an algorithm.

But maybe it’s onto something, because it seems silly to have ever thought of being with anyone except Soobin. You never would’ve thought to look for your forever right next to you, and yet, here he is, in the flesh. Was it a coincidence that he made it onto your recommended matches that fateful night? Was it a coincidence that he felt the same way you did?

Soobin’s lips capture yours in a searing kiss, and you melt in his heat, kissing him back with a fierce fervor, as if desperately communicating the depth of the feelings you’ve let build up silently after all these years. You decide that there’s no such thing as coincidences– he’s always known what’s best for you, and you’ve always wanted what’s best for him. You just didn’t know that the answer to both of those things was each other.

“I love you, noona.” He whispers with a bashful, dimpled smile, and your heart swells.

“I love you too, Soob.”

Soobin has always been counting down to something. 

To the end of another grueling workday, the next League of Legends patch update, to anything, so he always has something to look forward to. But he’s never looked forward to this.

The love countdown has always been something he despised and dreaded– he’s always wanted to be the master of his own fate, without the shackles of the app tying him down with each new connection. He’d always thought that his soulmate would be some poorly matched individual who he’d have a mediocre life with, but all that seems to be proven wrong as he looks at you.

He hates being wrong. But when he sees the way you smile, the way you regard him with the utmost love and affection in your gaze, the way you hold his hand as if you’ll lose him if you let go– he thinks he’s willing to concede defeat, at least this time.

Maybe that stupid watch does know a thing or two about love. Maybe it doesn’t. Maybe this is all just pure coincidence. But despite it all, Soobin is thankful that this is where he ends up. That both of you had been counting down all this time to each other. 

Because if there's anyone he can count on in this world, it's you.

[cambion-companion]

Baldur's Gate 3 Characters with Virgin Reader

18+ only obviously. Dirty headcanons under the cut. (these are all the "good" endings btw

Halsin would honestly be a little in awed shock when you tell him. He'd treat you tenderly, go slowly and save the more rough lovemaking once you're accustomed to his...girth.

There is a lot of emotional connection that goes into the intimate act and knowing its his partner's first time would mean a great deal to him, he takes the perceived responsibility seriously.

Yall would have to go slow though, to accomodate the guy's size. Has strength as his dump stat yet is built like a brick house.

He's all for the game of seduction, especially if he is still unsure of where he stands with you and your party.

When discovering you're a virgin he acts the part, flirting and using honeyed words to manipulate your heart.

However as the two of you grow closer his feelings also change and he feels anxious about knowing he has your utter consent before taking things further.

He knows what it feels like to be used and wants to avoid causing you the same hurt and feelings of doubt, because against all odds he has begun to care for you.

So much foreplay...SO much foreplay. And you can be in whatever position you want, it's all about your comfort when the time comes to be intimate.

yeah she'd tease you at first, all in good fun, but still she has to get those sharp words in somewhere.

Soon enough the teasing gives way to concerned questions, not probing too deep into your feelings, but enough to give her hints as to how comfortable you feel with her.

We all know Shadowheart is a slow burn romance, so expect a long buildup while your relationship blossoms.

Lots of sweet kisses and witty flirtations, respecting each other's space until the time feels right to take it to the next level.

perhaps it's after one of your many swimming lessons where you Shadowheart takes the reins and becomes the teacher of a different kind of lesson.

She'd be asking questions throughout, listening to your responses and making sure everything is perfect and you're not feeling rushed.

Oh she would be so sweet. You know how Karlach is usually quite boisterous and tends toward the goofy side.

She'd sober up right quick when you discuss something so personal with her and she'd be quite pleased you decided to share this with her.

She promises to take it easy on you, at least at first wink wink, and she has the idea to allow you full control to explore her body as much as you wish.

Feel her heart, or at least where her heart used to be, it blazes hotter under your touch.

She might pop the occasional sweet joke, but her eyes and her care is on you the whole time.

She will ask if now is okay, and make sure to gain your express verbal permission before touching your body herself.

She is gentle at first, as promised, but it becomes hard for her to contain her enthusiasm as your coupling progresses. Remind her if you deem it necessary.

Gale, he'd be surprised but I think pleased.

He would want you to feel comfortable with him, and thus would info dump about his Tressym and the many books he's read about magic and the weave.

It's all about words of affirmation and quality time with Gale, he wants to show you and tell you how much you truly mean to him and reaffirm it is you, not Mystra, with whom is explosive heart now lies.

When the night comes, because he does prefer the romance of a star filled sky, he would ask you if you wish to become one with him.

Maybe astral sex is too soon for the first night, but you can certainly accept when he no doubt extends that offer.

I think it's pretty much canon that she beats the shit out of you when yall have intimate time...that wouldn't change on account of your virginity.

You'd tell her you're a virgin and she might not even know what that means, I wouldn't be surprised. Either that or she truly does not understand why you think it's important to mention.

She would encourage you to take initiative and assume a more dominant role, prodding you (probably with a stick) if you got too shy.

Later on, in her storyline when she becomes more of an individual unto herself, she will understand the softer aspects of lovemaking.

Then she will be more willing to empathize with the feelings that must come with a first-time coupling, and act a little slower accordingly.

Still prepare yourself for the occasional impatient "tchuk".

are you kidding, he'd be the ultimate gentleman.

He'd definitely get you a picnic and take you somewhere that smells better than the party camp and that stew Gale attempted to make for supper.

I feel like he'd be more forward than Gale or Karlach, wanting to feel some semblance of peace that your body and your affection could offer.

He'd for sure be drawn to your inexperience, feeling a sense of protectiveness overcome him. (yes yes I understand this post is full of innuendo)

Might wax poetic about his many adventures but pull him in for another kiss and he'll quickly forget his train of thought.

yes, I made him wait in line, little shit

This cambion knows how to fuck, sit down and block me if you vehemently disagree.

He finds out you're a virgin, and interested in him? Game over.

He plays the long game in all his dealings, and won't be bothered if you choose to play hard to get....in fact he prefers it. Cat and mouse etc.

He's not gentle, nope, but when you're finally in his claws you hardly want him to be.

Doesn't have the bonus of Incubus spittle acting as an aphrodisiac but has had many bedmates and centuries to study how best to use another's body to pleasure his own.

Oh and bring you pleasure of course.

no

Go play DOS2

[sagittariusmarz]

What’s coming towards you in the summer (pac) *follower request

Pile 1

This summer you may be focused a lot on healing and preparing yourself to meet the right person, you may have a hard time staying patient. I see that this summer may feel stagnant like time is moving slower than usual, I see that you’ll have to work on being receptive instead of always giving. For some of you healing this summer will have to do with you understanding that you deserve the same treatment you put out and that it’s okay for people that care about you to spoil you or do things for you. I see that this summer you may try to force things to work for you in different areas of your life but you’ll see that you can’t rush everything and that you have to believe in divine timing, this summer will be important for you to stay present and trust the process/trust in divine timing. You may be bored with your work life because it won’t really be any changes but it’ll be important to stay focused and consistent. Praying about your love life and manifesting your person will bring some lessons or challenges that you’ll have to work on so you can get closer to your goals. Signs- Taurus, Leo, Capricorn. Sagittarius in 5th or 11th house. Initial- H, T, S

Pile 2

This summer you’ll be focused on conquering your challenges and staying in control, I see that you may be focusing on staying patient and consistent/not focusing too much on the big goals and just trying to complete the small ones you have. For some of you I see that turning your big goals into smaller goals will help you progress faster and you won’t feel stuck or stagnant anymore, this summer you’ll feel like things are coming along for you and you’ll be able to see or sense your growth in multiple areas of your life. I see that when things start to feel chaotic for you it’ll be important for you to observe and learn what you can from the situation so you can handle it better, I see you guys staying home more or redecorating your home/specific area of your house. I see you guys learning about different things that can help you and absorbing information while being more observant, you’ll be thinking things through more before you act which will benefit you in multiple areas of your life. I see you rising above the challenges you come across and doing things in a smarter way, I see you being more protective of your energy because you have a better understanding of the things around you. Signs- Leo/Taurus, Sagittarius in 11th house/ Pisces in 7th house. Initials- G, U, M (Mug?)

Pile 3

I see that this summer you may be spending more time with your friends rather than your family or you’ll feel more supported around your friends, I see you guys working on forgiving and letting go so that you can move on. For some of you there may be some conflict with your family so you’re distancing yourself from them, there may be someone who wants your forgiveness but you’ll be hesitant about letting them back into your life. I see that for some of you there’s going to be someone who’s thinking about you often or thinking about speaking to you so you may see them in your dreams often, I see you may go through something unexpected because you found out the truth but it could lead you to new and better opportunities. I see you having stronger boundaries and being careful about who you let around you, I see that there’s someone in your love life or friend group that will want to repair things with you but you’ll reject them. I see this summer you may be out of touch with your spirituality and not praying as much as you should, I see that if you’re not grounded spiritually then you’ll go through more turmoil than you want or expected. Someone will want a reconciliation but you’ll hesitant about it. Signs- Sagittarius/leo, cancer in 11th house/Aquarius in 1st house. Initials- F, A, N, X, Y, D, Z, W, S, P

Personal readings always available

Divider by @saradika-graphics PNGs by @iconsfm @hibscubus

[vbecker10]

Hi Neighbor (Part 2)

Part 1 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 (in progress)

Pairing: Bucky x female reader (Y/N)

Summary: You try to help Bucky find his runaway cat then spend the afternoon getting closer then you thought you would. Bucky starts to open up to you about not being able to sleep in a bed and all the things he's never done for himself before.

A/N: This is going to be a multi-part series with a bit of a slow burn between you and your hot new neighbor. I'm not sure how many parts yet but I already have the ending all figured out 💚 I hope you all like it!

"Cute cat," you both look down and smile as his pet comes slowly towards you.

"Alpine, go back inside," he orders gently but the cat ignores him, rubbing against your ankle until you bend down to scratch behind his ears.

"Alpine?" you ask. "That's an interesting name."

"Thats what they called him at the shelter," he answers. The moment Bucky takes his eyes off his cat to look at you, Alpine takes off down the steps towards the sidewalk.

"Alpine!" Bucky calls as he runs barefoot down the sidewalk after him.

"Oh shit," you swear, following Bucky to see if you can help.

That's a really fast cat, you think as you jog down the sidewalk then cross the street behind Bucky. The super soldier clearly isn't putting in any effort as he gets further ahead of you and closer to his runaway pet. Alpine crosses another street and Bucky looks both ways briefly then follows him.

Breathing heavily, you start to slow down dramatically after the fifth or sixth street, I think I need to start doing more cardio. And that cat needs a leash, holy crap.

You watch Bucky, almost two blocks ahead of you finally slow down as Alpine turns off the sidewalk and hides under a bush. You give up on running completely, leaning over to rest your hands on your knees while you catch your breath. Wiping a bit of sweat off your forehead, you barely hear Bucky over your pounding heartbeat. When you look up, he's standing in front of you looking just as calm as he had before the chase.

Smiling in victory, he holds Alpine close to his chest with his metal arm. The feisty little feline hasn't given up yet though, he's still struggling to get free.

"Did you say something?" you stand up straighter, hoping he won't notice that your very obviously dying.

"I asked if you were okay?" he says and you can tell he's trying not to laugh.

"Yeah, yeah," you nod, forcing a wide smile. "Totally fine," you give him a thumbs up. "I love running."

He can't help but chuckle as he starts to walk back towards your apartments, "Yeah, that doesn't sound like a lie at all. Don't worry, I'll walk slow so you can keep you."

"Oh, that was mean," you laugh and he smirks.

You shake your head in response to the show you're watching as you finish folding the laundry. Just as you place the last piece of clothing in a drawer your doorbell rings. With an annoyed sigh, you grab your phone and check the video from your camera app. I'm not talking to one more person trying to sell me something, you think as it loads.

"Holy crap," you say outloud then walk quickly to the door. "Hi," you open it and smile at Bucky. "Your little fur ball escape again already?"

He shakes his head and chuckles, "Not yet. He isn't going anywhere for the moment and I think he's pretty angry with me about it. He needed a bath and then I had to put him in his crate cause he decided to test out his claws on my arm."

"Oooh, the metal one I hope," you cringe.

"Yeah, thankfully," he smiles then gets a bit more serious. "I've only had him for a month so we're still getting used to each other. He hasn't been this upset since I first brought him home from the shelter. I don't think he likes new places."

"Probably not," you agree. "But he'll get used to it here, he just needs a little time to adjust and you seem really good with him."

"I'm trying," he sighs and looks down for a moment to folded menu in his hand. "Anyways," Bucky changes the subject abruptly and smiles again. "I was going to order some Thai food and I was wondering if you wanted any, you know as a thank you for helping me find him."

"I'm not sure I really helped very much," you tell him, cringing internally when you think about how you nearly died trying to keep up with Bucky. "And I think he escaped cause of me in the first place."

"At least you tried," he smiles and you know he remembers you dying as well. He adds, "Just between us, he's a really smart cat and I think he was planning that escape since last night."

"You sure?" you ask. You're hopeful he won't change his mind but you are afraid to seem too eager to accept his offer.

"Absolutely," he nods which makes you smile and relax.

"I'm still unpacking so don't judge me too much," he says from a few steps ahead of you as you follow him up to his apartment.

You smirk, "Oh, I'm definitely going to judge you."

He smiles at your response and explains, "I'm waiting on some furniture to come in but the living room is mostly set up."

"Yeah, I noticed you didn't get a bed delivered," you say when you reach the top of the stairs and he turns to look at you. "Okay that sounded stalker-ish," you giggle nervously. "I have a camera on my door and it sends me a video anytime there's motion so if someone walks by or you open your front door I get a notification."

"Ahh," he nods in understanding. "Slightly less stalker-ish then."

You blush awkwardly, "Yeah, slightly."

"You're right though, no bed yet," he says as he walks towards the kitchen.

"So you're sleeping on the couch?" you continue to follow him through the apartment.

"I've slept in worse places," he shrugs and you bite your lip because you have no idea what to say to that. The two of you become silent, both of you ignoring his comment.

Bucky opens the fridge, "I didn't get to go grocery shopping yet so I've got water and beer."

You laugh and peak around him, "Is that really all that's in there?"

"Yep," he nods proudly. "Actually the beer isn't even mine, Sam brought it over last night when he was helping setup my TV and forgot it."

"Water is good," you tell him. "I'm going grocery shopping tonight, want to come?" The words leave your mouth before your brain can even process them. Seriously, shut up. He's a grown man, he doesn't need you to take him shopping and- your thoughts are cut off by his quick answer.

"Sure," he agrees. "Sam told me I was an idiot for getting a bike and not a car, mostly cause I'm not sure how to carry groceries and stuff on it yet."

"I think the bike was a good idea, you look pretty good on it," the words bypass your brain and you fight the urge to literally cover your mouth with your hand.

He smirks when he makes eye contact with you, "Thanks." You look away quickly, staring at your feet as you blush and clear your throat.

He pulls out the pitcher of water and opens the cabinet near the sink. A giggle escapes you when you see six identical black mugs arranged neatly on the middle shelf. Bucky looks over his shoulder at you, "What's so funny?"

"All of your mugs say Stark Industries on them," you point out. He chuckles and nods as he takes two glasses down and places them on the counter. "Wait, did you steal them from work?" you ask unable to stop giggling.

"No, of course not," he says defensively. "Steve did," he adds with a shrug.

"Shut up! Captain America stole them?" you gasp in surprise.

"Steve's literally the reason we were always in trouble as kids. He's done way worse then pocket a few mugs," he chuckles and hands you a glass of water. He pausesadd if he's thinking and adds, "He's still getting me in trouble actually."

"Wait, really?" you ask, not quite believing him.

He walks to the couch and you follow him while he talks, "Really. He even taught me how to steal cars."

"No!" you laugh, "That wasn't in the museum."

"I'm sure it wasn't," Bucky doesn't seem surprised. "It's all part of the image of Captain America, they needed him to be perfect. Always following orders, not breaking any rules," he smiles, "Pretty much the opposite of Steve."

"That's a shame, he's a lot more interesting now," you take a sip of water.

"I'll tell him you think so," he chuckles then his attention shifts to the sound of the doorbell.

You look around the still unfinished living room, smiling when you see a faded picture of him and Steve in their Army uniforms from the 40s sitting on the windowsill. He looks damn good in that uniform, you think. Not quite as good as he did when he opened the door with almost nothing on this morning of course. Oh my god, stop, he's sitting right here, you yell at yourself for your rouge thoughts.

You shift on his couch while he unpacks the food, your thoughts shifting. This is a pretty small couch for such a big guy to be sleeping on it. How does he even fit? He's gotta be a foot taller than it is long. It's at that moment that you notice a blanket folded in the corner of the room and look up at him while he unpacks the food.

"Bucky, are you sleeping on the floor?" you can't stop yourself from asking. His jaw clenches and he doesn't answer, pulling the last container out of the paper bag. "There's no way you fit on this couch," you add even though you know you should drop it. "You're too tall."

"It's not a big deal," he shrugs and picks up the remote in his metal hand, hoping to end the conversation quickly.

You put your hand on his forearm and the vibranium plates shift under your fingers causing you pull your hand back. "Sorry," you apologize knowing you've completely overstepped. You shift away from him further to give him space.

He's quiet for a moment, the sound of a random show playing in the background. "Beds are too soft," he says, his eyes drifting towards the blanket.

"Did you even buy one?" you ask but you're pretty sure you know the answer.

He shakes his head, "No. I will, probably just so the room doesn't look weird but I don't think I'll use it."

Maybe not for sleeping, your brain tries to make a joke but thankfully you don't let it slip out. This definitely isn't the time for that.

You sit quietly and wait, thankful when he starts talking again. "Once in a while, I'll fall asleep on the couch when I'm watching TV but I can't seem to last the night. I don't know... I'm just not used to being comfortable I guess. It feels weird, almost like it's wrong. I'm not sure how to explain it but I can't even use a pillow most of the time."

"Have you talked to anyone about this?" you ask him, feeling more worried about him as the conversation continues.

"Steve knows," Bucky answers with a light nod. "I don't think he gets it though."

"Oh, I meant like a therapist..." you stop yourself, "I'm sorry this is none of my business."

"No it's okay," he says but you can tell he's uncomfortable. He flexes his hand, the metal whirling as it recalibrates and the plates shift. "I've been avoiding the one SHIELD set up for me to talk to."

"Why?" you ask, not meaning to push but you're too concerned about him to just drop the subject.

"I'm not ready to uh..." he pauses and you can see he's really trying to think of the right word. "Trauma dump, that's what the kids call it now right?"

You can't help but laugh lightly at how sincere his question is, "Yeah, that's what the youngsters call it."

"Don't make fun," he smiles for the first time since you brought up his sleeping habits.

"I'm not," you promise. "Who's teaching you slang anyways?"

He chuckles, "Peter." You shrug having no idea who that is. "Peter Parker," he says as if that should help but you still look at him blankly. "He's umm..." he stops himself, "He's a high schooler who's interning for Stark. Smart kid from Queens, way too much energy though."

You giggle, "So you went straight to the source huh?"

"Just trying to catch up," he opens the container of food closest to him.

"How's that going for you?" you help him open the other one.

"Most of what he says makes very little sense," he laughs. "I think he's messing with me a lot."

You smirk and agree, "He might be. I know I would."

"I have no doubt you would," he says as he divides one of the containers between your plates.

You watch him smile as he focuses on the food but your eyes drift back to the blanket tucked away in the corner. "Bucky," you clear your throat a little and he looks up at you. "Try not to put off the therapist for too long okay?" He nods and you add, "And if you ever wanna talk I'm around. I'm pretty good at just listening."

"Thanks Y/N, I really appreciate that," Bucky hands you your plate. "You know," he smiles, "If you keep offering to help me with things, I'm going to start thinking you like being around me or something."

You shake your head, not willing to admit you've got a serious crush on him that inky seems to be getting worse. "I actually just want to hang out with you to get closer to Alpine."

"Ahh, I knew it," he laughs as he sits back on the couch with a smirk.

You follow Bucky to the kitchen, throwing out the garbage while he places the dishes in the sink. "Not gonna use the dishwasher?" you ask him.

"Oh," he looks over at the appliance then you. "Um... I haven't figured that one out yet."

"Add that to the list of stuff I need to teach you," you joke.

He chuckles and grabs a pad off the fridge, placing it on the counter next to you with a pen. "Go ahead," Bucky says.

"You're ridiculous," you roll your eyes but take the cap off the pen. "So we've got a lot of horrible adult things. Using a dishwasher, going grocery shopping, doing laundry-"

"I actually don't mind laundry," he interrupts you.

"Seriously?" you look at him surprised.

"Yeah, it's so easy now. You put the clothes in one machine, push a few buttons and come back when it's clean. Then you've got a whole separate machine to dry them," he explains. You laugh at how cute he is when he's excited and he continues talking. "You have no idea how annoying laundry was back then," he says seriously. "I had to boil the water, use a washboard which is an absolute nightmare and you had to do it on a nice day so you could spread it all out on the clothesline."

"You're so old," you cover your mouth, laughing at the thought of Bucky bent over a washboard.

"Ow," he pretends to pout but he chuckles when he makes a friendly threat. "He nice to me or I'll tell Alpine you prefer dogs."

You gasp, "You wouldn't!"

I hope you liked this!! Please like, share and comment if you did ❤️❤️ Please let me know if you want to be added to my taglist!

@soubi001 @lokiswife-dark-fox-queen @multyunervisesuperfan @cabingrlandrandomcrap @icytrickster17 @mjsthrillernp @holdmytesseract @lulubelle814 @alexakeyloveloki @siconetribal @ash-muses @loz-3 @firedrakegirl @wolfsmom1 @sabspoetic @peaches1958 @catsladen @michellewgrt @crimson25 @jaidenhawke @mochie85 @itscomplicatedx @motherofmischief @enchantedbarnes @maryssong23 @hextech-bros

[dailyadventureprompts]

Hearthfire Health and Resting Overhaul

Artsource

TLDR: You can solve nearly all problems with D&D's powercurve (and a lot of other problems beside) by limiting the overall hitpoints your party gets, basing it off profficency bonus rather than character level.

If you’ve played anywhere close to as much d&d as I have, you’ll notice the game tends to play best at levels 3-8. Lower than that feels like being trapped in the tutorial, with players denied the majority of their interesting character options and the DM having to use kid gloves or else risking a party wipe. High level play invariably breaks down as player abilities trivialize most encounters, forcing the DM to reach deeper and deeper into the monster roster to provide adequate challenge, making more work for themselves in the process. There’s a definite sweetspot, and like anyone with a head for game design I want to widen that sweetspot to encompass as much of the game as possible. 

As is typical of someone who’s into game design; I’ve bit off more than I can chew, deciding to build several interlocking rules changes/subsystems that I think will help me make the game function more like I want it to. This isn’t going to be for everyone, but if you’re feeling the need for a rules lite overhaul to rebalance how you plan encounters/ the rigours of adventure, this might be for you.  

Here’s the overhaul in short form: 

Character HP is determined as (Max Class HD + Con modifier) X proficiency bonus. This means they keep the same Max HP throughout the tier (1-4, 5-8 etc)

This means that low CR enemies stay relevant for far longer, making encounter building more reasonable. Likewise this prevents mid/high CR enemies from being trivialized.  It allows you as the DM deploy mundane threats ( a steep drop, a detachment of city guards, the threat of a building catching fire) as legitimate challenges well into the later chapters of the campaign.

Temporary HP can be gained from using improved provision consumables (including those harvested from monsters), or by resting at inns and better establishments in town. A hardy, homecooked meal gives the party the strength they need to take on greater challenges, far more than a diet of salt pork & hardtack. In rare cases permanent HP boosting items can be sought as treasure. 

Long resting in the wilderness is more difficult, requiring the party to find a safe campsite and spend provisions. Making sure they don't burn through these finite resources before encountering the real challenge makes for a great resource management challenge to go along with exploration based gameplay, acting as an informal ticking clock.

First, A small Testimonial: I've now tried this system with four different groups, and while there's still some bugs to work out I can say it feels a lot closer to my ideal form of d&d than the baseline rules. Planning combats is SO EASY, and I can actually scare my players with big monsters again. I've dropped the weird XP calculation and I can now use the group's level as a budget for medium-challenge combat encounters. Lower HP totals on both sides keep fights fast and punchy, which means I can fit more of them into a session, getting more progress through a gauntlet of challenges. While considering implmenting this system, I also encourage you to take a look at some of my combat hacks, which help to supplement fights the same way this system is meant to supplement exploration.

PROVISIONS: In order to get the benefits of a long rest while travelling you need 1) A place to set up camp that's not exposed to the elements 2) To spend a use of your provisions

Rather than beancounting individual servings per person, provisions are tracked through "The provision die", an abstract representation of what your party has left to eat that ranges from a d4 to a d20. This works off a depletion die system, meaning that every time provisions are used (generally once per night) you roll the die, and if it's a 1 or 2 it shrinks a size category. If it shrinks while it's a d4 the party is officially out of supplies and starts taking levels of exhaustion.

The base price or provisions is 5gp for a d4 depletion die, larger sizes of die may be bought based off the linked chart.

Alternatively, provisions (of an enhanced rarity even) may be salvaged from a monster, dungeon meshi style.

Without the extra carrying capacity from a bag of holding or wagon, the party's provision die is limited to a D6. Going offroad is tough, requiring characters to live off the land.

Living off the land generally requires a survival check with a DC based on how verdant the area is. Failure can mean a lack of finding anything suitable, or a delay in trying to acquire necessary provisions.

Features that can keep people fed like the outlander background or goodberry spell prevent the exhaustion buildup but still do not allow a long rest.

If ever the party is traveling for a week or more between settlements, their provision die drops by one size, regardless of how many times in the week they've rolled.

A party can buy better rations (consumable) or improve their camp gear (permanant) in order to gain temporary hitpoints when they consume provisions. A common upgrade will get you 2 class HD in temporary hitpoints, an uncommon will get you 4, a rare upgrade will get you 6. Enchanted camp gear (such as high quality tents, enchanted cookwear, rare spices) may also grant other bonuses when provisions are consumed, such as resistance to weather effects, bonuses to saves against fear, or even inspiration.

HAVENS: If the party is sticking in one place for a while it's likely that they'll be doing so in a Haven such as a tavern, outpost, or perhaps even their own bastion. Havens are rated on the same rarity system as camp upgrades and provisions are, which determines their overall level of quality and the amount of temporary HP they bestow per night.

As a guideline, if the party has to pay to stay in a haven, it costs 1sp per person per night for common accommodations, with the associated rarity price jump: (5 silver for uncommon, 5 gold for rare). Many inns have varying levels of accomidation, so some party members might chose to spring for greater amounts.

[asdfghjklartblog]

Vermillion

Trans masc reader x yandere batfam

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (here)

Hello! Sorry this took a bit longer, but the chapter is also longer than usual so hopefully it makes up for it! So this is like almost exactly 7.4k words so take a little break, grab a drink and maybe some tissues because I cried while writing this one. I’m also generally an emotional person so that’s not saying a lot tbh. Anyways have fun!

Tw: Neglect, Slight gore, Obvious favouritism

——————————

There’s no other way to say it, Jason’s been following you around both in and out the manor. But considering you’re a homebody who does nothing but go to school, read and write fanfics, draw commissions and whatnot, it was pretty damn easy to just follow you around. At first you found it unsettling, even you, a daddy’s girl didn’t hang around your daddy that much. But he grew on you, like how ivy grows along the side of a building. You guys get to talking and you two realise that you lived close to each other before you were taken in by Bruce. Which is both a pleasant and sad surprise. You love Jason, he was your family just like Luke.

You don’t know what’s going on with Dick per se, but you heard through the grapevine that he’s studying to be a cop in Bludhaven. He comes back home sometimes, well more rarely than anything but whatever. It’s not like it’s your problem. The two of you still have nothing in common, and he still finds your doujinshi and your obsession with anime a bit… Weird but he doesn’t say anything anymore. And considering that the two of you are older now, you don’t out right avoid or fight each other anymore. Mostly because he’d kick your ass.

Bruce is… Different. Not in a bad way but, he feels more unsure? Whatever Dick and Bruce fought about, you could tell that Bruce was still grumpy about it. I mean who could blame him? Dick was his favourite, his golden child, the one he wanted, the one he chose. You try not to think about it, because it hurts. And then it hurts more as you start to spiral and if it gets too bad you start feeling sick. But it’s fine. You’re fine. This is fine. Bruce is getting closer to Jason, it kinda makes your heart clench as you see their relationship progress. Jason tried to invite you to spend time with them but you knew Bruce would be uncomfortable, and you’d probably be throwing up less than a minute in from anxiety.

However you started thinking about being trans masc, at least that’s what you remember it being called. ‘Cause Robin was probably right. She has a knack for sensing these kinds of things. She helps you look into where to get HRT and how the process works. However the problem was getting permission from Alfred and Bruce to get the treatment. You don’t necessarily think it’d be a big deal but Alfred was old. He doesn’t seem like the type of man to be transphobic but, you never know. But Bruce? You weren’t too sure about him. On one hand he’s a respectful and good man. On the other hand he is a man and a playboy, so honestly the odds didn’t look too good.

The first person you come out to is well, Robin. Obviously. Well I mean she already knew so was it really coming out? It’s more like she was waiting for you to come out of the see-through a glass closet. However the second person is by complete accident. You see, you were tutoring Eric in Algebra. You didn’t have a choice, you were volunteering as a tutor and you couldn’t just refuse a person without a good cause. You were explaining polynomials to him and he just suddenly throws his head back and groans. “Ugh, this is so fucking gay. What do we even fucking need this for.”

And you replied without thinking. You chuckle before saying. “Yeah just like me.”

The both of you freeze before he just slowly turns to you and asks. “Dude, you serious?”

You lean back against the chair’s backrest and sigh. “Yeah.”

He then waits a beat before saying. “So like, you like women? You like pussy?”

You almost choke on the laughter that just bubbled out which he just looks at you weirdly for. You catch your breath and try to clear up the confusion. “Sorry, I don’t know why but that was really funny to me. But uh, maybe? I’m not sure yet. But I mean that I’m a man that likes other men.”

You can see that Eric needed to connect the dots, and you know he’s got it when his eyebrows shot up and he lets out a little. “Oh.”

You nod and say. “Yeah, I found out like a year ago but didn’t have time to delve into it at the time.”

He then nods, letting out a small hum. He sits up straight before looking at you and just says. “I think I like guys too.”

Your neck slowly turns to him and you raise an eyebrow at that before sassily turning back to the textbook and replying with. “Ew, that’s so gay.”

He immediately turns to you with a flabbergasted look on his face. You try your best to keep your smile down but he can tell. He punches your shoulder playfully before saying. “Fuck off man, piece of shit gay boy.”

You answer back with. “Pot calling the kettle black.”

Eric rolls his eyes and the two of you chuckle before a calm silence fills the room again. After a few moments he gets serious and saying. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

You look at and you can clearly tell that he’s nervous about what you’re about to say. You let him stew in his anxiety a little longer before giving him an answer. “I won’t, I promise.”

He releases a breath that he kept down in his anxiousness. Eric then says. “Hey, if you ever want like help to make your body bigger or whatever, I can help. I mean I am on the football team and run defense!”

You smile at him in a way that looks like you’re playing around with him like a cat toying around with a mouse. “Yeah? You got any moves to show me?”

His eyes widen almost comically as he immediately turns red, the freckles on his face barely visible because of it. He then tries to laugh it off before saying. “Wow! I am beat! I think I’m gonna go now.”

You look at the time and you say in a confused tone of voice. “Eric we still have like more than hour of studying-“

But he’s already packing his things and rushing out the entrance of library. You sigh and start to pack your own things before you notice some blonde dude in a trench coat. You felt someone’s eyes on you before, and you kinda feel like it might be that guy. It’s pretty quiet in the library and despite there being more than enough seats, he sits right in front of you. He flashes you a charming smile and when you look at him, he reminds you so much of Daddy. He’s also got the scruffy stubble on his jaw and above his lips. He then says with a scouse accent. “Hello, my name’s John Constantin-“

You interrupt him and loudly say. “Sir, I am underage.”

A few heads turn and he sighs then chuckles before saying. “Cheeky little thing aren’t you.”

You shrug before starting to pack up. He then looks you up and down before asking. “Mind telling me about something kid?”

You groan and ask him. “What? What the hell do you want? Why are you, as the people from where you live would say, gegging in?”

He raises an eyebrow before he asks. “You know scouse?”

You reply with. “I looked it up and watched a couple videos on it late at night. Kinda stuck to my brain for some reason.”

He nods before saying. “Makes sense. Now tell me, you seen any owls lately?”

Your heart skips a beat but you’re able to maintain your cool as you finish packing up, you then reply with. “Not really, I mean owls are hard to find in gotham not many trees and all that.”

He eyes you up and down before saying. “Don’t lie kid, it won’t do you any good.”

You get up and glare at him before saying. “Go fuck yourself.”

He smirks before sarcastically calling out as you walk away. “We actually say ‘sod off’ but nice try!”

You rush out of the library and go home. What the hell was that, and how did he know about the owl in your dreams? You haven’t told anyone except Luke. Maybe you shouldn’t have just blown the guy off. You sigh as you think about it a bit more, but you’re tired from studying and just wanna have dinner and then go to bed. The dreams stop for a while after that, letting you sleep peacefully.

You start to do better in your classes for some reason, it’s definitely not the result of you now sleeping restfully and exercising with Eric. But after you start seeing the results, seeing the muscle on your arms and your back and whatnot, leaves you feeling amazing. It even gives you the confidence boost to come out to Luke who just says. “Yeah, I kinda guessed. Either that or you were some kinda freak.”

You pushed him playfully after he said that. He laughs and throws one arm around your shoulder and ruffles your hair. He sighs, as he goes back to lie down on the grass. The two of you are just hanging out on the grass as the two of you look at the stars. He then hums before saying. “You know, I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since we met. I still remember when you barely came to my waist, and now you’re just an inch above my shoulder! Absolutely insane.”

After he says that you sigh, you start to tear up as you say. “You know how I have trouble remembering stuff? I… I’m starting to forget my memories with my daddy. And I don’t want to forget. I try to write them down but, I can only remember general things. I can’t remember what was there, what we were doing-“

Luke interrupts you gently, and say in a low voice. “I know it’s scary. I had the same fears as you did when I started to realise that I couldn’t remember Monchi, my first dog. You want me to tell you about him?”

You close your eyes as you listen to him talk, he talks about how Monchi died when he was barely 6, and that he was a small pug that was also kinda fat. How the dog loved napping the most, and loved sleeping on Luke the best. How the dog loved those bacon treats you would always see on the commercials. You laugh and the two of you decide to keep a journal of your most precious memories.

One day you realise that you haven’t told Jason yet, and but figured that he probably wouldn’t know about any of that stuff so you put it off. However as you turn 16 you think that you should probably tell Alfred sooner than later. When you tell Alfred and he smiles gently as he says. “You are very brave for telling me. And I thank you for trusting me enough to tell me miss- no, master y/n. Excuse me but it will take some time before I ingrain this information into my memory.”

You nod and then continue as you say. “I was actually hoping that you could help me with something? I-I really want to get HRT, and I need Bruce’s consent to do that. I was really hoping you could maybe convince him? I just I’m scared of telling him myself.”

Alfred looks at you sadly before nodding and says. “How about we tell him now? He has an opening right now, and since he stayed home today, you can tell him face to face.”

You panic and reply with a stammer. “N-No that’s okay really I can wai-“

Alfred then starts to drag you towards the lion’s den and Jesus, this old man is strong, what the hell. He then knocks on the door, and you’re hoping, praying to god that Bruce says he’s busy. However you hear Bruce call out. “Come in!” When both you and Alfred enter, Bruce raises an eyebrow, he’s probably thinking ‘What did she do now?‘ Alfred then says to Bruce. “Master y/n had some news to tell you. Nothing bad, good news actually.”

You then blurt out a tad bit too loud. “I’m trans. A-And I like men. And I think I like girls?”

Alfred and Bruce stare at you in complete silence. Thankfully, Bruce interrupts the awkward silence with. “Congratulations. Is there.. Anything else?”

You take a deep breath and ask. “Can you sign the consent form for the HRT treatment?”

Bruce nods and then goes back to work. That was super anticlimactic. But at least you got permission! Over the next month you and Bruce fills out all the forms and you’re overjoyed! Everything is great you’re voice is getting deeper, you’re growing even taller, you started getting chest hair among… Other things. But overall this is great!

One day at school, you’re studying in the library in the little corner where nobody can see you when you overhear some people making fun of you. You don’t really care though, you’ve made your peace with how weird you are. However their topic then changes to Jason.

A boy says. “Have you seen that kid? He doesn’t deserve to be here, he’s alley trash! He should be back on the street with that slut of a mother he has.”

They giggles like it’s the funniest thing in the world, it grates on your ears. Another girl continues, saying. “Oh my god! Nick you can’t say that! But really, how is he getting good grades? Maybe his mom taught him a thing or two!”

You’re frozen in place, you can’t believe what you’re hearing. It feels vile, disgusting and you feel like tearing out the very throats that are assaulting your ears.

Another girl joins in and says. “We should get him to get kicked out of the school! Maybe we could make look like he’s harassing us or something? Oh! We could make it seem like he’s taking advantage of us!”

You get up. You’ve heard enough. As you walk to where the girls are, you feel red hot anger going through your veins. You get to where they are, and hearing their cruel suggestions laughter grates on your nerves. You walk right up to them, getting up close and personal before growling. “What the fuck did you say?”

The girls look at you as if you were a piece of gum on the sole of their shoe, the boy looks at you with a smirk as if to challenge you. The boy pushes you away and says. “Oh, look! It’s bloody mary, what are you doing here? Did you hear what we said? You’re lucky it isn’t you we’re targeting. At least half of you is worthy of being here.”

You glare at them before getting right up in the boy’s face again, you brush your hair back and stand up straighter and saying. “If you don’t fucking shut up, and mind your business. If I see any of you near my little brother, it’s on fucking sight. You understand me? I’ll fucking get teachers involved, the police, your parents, I’m dragging you all down.”

The guy scoffs and pushes you away before saying. “You and what army? Everyone in school knows that Bruce doesn’t care about yo-“

He doesn’t get to finish that sentence as you uppercut him. He stumbles a bit before he collapses onto the floor, unconscious. Then you look at the girls and hiss. “Either you stop whatever the fuck you’re planning, or I come back with more than just my fucking fists”

The girls look at each other and nod hesitantly. You leave them be as you go back to your little corner in the library. You then pack up your things and leave, way too angry to study. So you just go to the cafeteria, where you see Jason happily eating with his friends. You start to calm down and smile stupidly as you see him safe and happy, he notices you staring and mouthes the words. “Stop looking at me.” You chuckle as you turn away to scroll on your phone.

You were called to the principal’s after that, but there was no video evidence to prove that showed that you knocked out with whatever that guy’s name was. It’s not that it was edited out, it just messed up during the time you were there. Weird. But since there was no evidence saying otherwise you got suspended and this time it was put on record. Bruce was disappointed in you but to fair when wasn’t he? Jason heard what you did and spent the week you were just hanging out with you and giving you random hugs. Which didn’t really bother you, you liked the physical affection. And after so long of barely having any, it feels nice. You assume it’s the same for Jason. Not that his situation was the same as yours but you know.

You always try and let Jason come to you, like a cat. Cause sometimes he just gets really shy or standoffish about physical affection, probably trying to unconsciously defend himself or something. It’s a bit hard to restrain yourself though when he’s so cute, you even get cuteness aggression from just seeing him. And thank god for Alfred feeding this boy, because in less than a year he’s in the target weight for his size and age and now he’s got these cute chubby cheeks and you just love pinching them. He absolutely hates it though. And sometimes you have this urge to just… Sit on him though? It’s so weird. Like you wish you were a giant cat or something so you could lie on top of him so he’d be warm, toasty and safe under you.

Now you’re 17, and usually you don’t celebrate your birthday, but since Luke came back from his tour in Afghanistan, and Jason saying that it could be fun, led the two of you to baking your own cake in the kitchen. So with Alfred’s permission and under his watchful eye, you guys bake a cake. You brought out the ingredients you needed out from the pantry and fridge, Jason was in charge of mixing things together and Luke was making sure the oven was preheated and then started to make the (kind of frosting you like). You take out the cake molds and ask the two of them. “How many layers should we make and how big should we make it? And another question, what flavour of cake would you guys prefer?”

Luke shrugs and says. “I’m fine with anything. I ain’t picky.”

Jason thinks about it for a moment before saying. “Mango, or maybe we could make like an earl grey cake?”

You respond with. “We’re doing (favourite cake flavour).”

Luke rolls his eyes while he smiles, he looks to Jason and says. “Whenever I get a slice cake for him, he always chooses that flavour. I don’t even know why I bother to even ask at this point.”

Jason snickers at that while you huff and say. “It’s my favourite flavour. If you got a problem with it then take it up with management.”

Luke chuckles at that, and all of you continue to do the tasks you assigned each other. You guys laughed and joked around while making your cake. Then you guys put the cake mix in the oven, while it bakes the three of you go into the living room to play video games, you guys play (favourite game), and you let Jason play too. But he keeps making the wrong decisions so you and Luke end up backseat gaming and spoiling everything almost everything. While Jason is playing, Luke looks you up and down he notices something. “Shit, y/n. What has Alfred been feeding you? And where did you get all this muscle from? You look good, man.”

Your smile brightens up and you nod at him, saying. “Thanks, the HRT has been helping me build more muscle mass, I’m getting more hair too, but the mood swings are rough man. Like I switch from violently angry to violently…” You look at Jason and see that he’s still playing the game but decide to not say what you were thinking. “Excited.”

Luke makes grimaces and pushes your face away with one hand. “Gross. Did not need to know that.”

You chuckle and then you ask. “Is it normal to get butt hair?”

Luke shrugs and says. “I mean I guess, some of my friends back during my tour had ass hair. I accidentally caught a glimpse when I hit the showers a bit late from doing extra burpees the sergeant assigned for me.”

You nod and then ask him. “Was it because the sergeant was homophobic?”

Luke looks at you confused and says. “I’m not gay.”

Which makes you smile but you try to stifle it as you continue to talk. “Yeah you are, you’re so gay. You fuck dudes left and right.”

He groans and the replies with. “I am helping you with both your schoolwork and making your fucking cake, and you’re seriously gaslighting me into believing that I’m gay?”

You laugh at that and then school your face and with your best brooding face and Bruce voice, you say. “Fox. You are gay. You are-“ and then you do the gay limp wrist thing.

Luke busts out laughing at that, and then starts to cough as he says. “What the fuck.”

You smile back at him and then see Jason doing something that requires concentration you, then start to practically lay on top of him as you say. “Ugh, gravity is increasing on me Jason.”

He tries to push you off and he almost does because he’s actually pretty damn strong surprisingly. He starts to get annoyed and says. “No it isn’t!!”

You nonchalantly reply. “It is too, Jason. Same thing happened yesterday.”

He groans and growls. “NO!” After losing the concentration game. He lets out another groan before pushing you off and saying. “Get your fat ass off of me!”

You laugh as you get off of him but then before he can even move you pull him onto your lap and start hugging him tightly which makes him groan even louder before struggling to get you off. That made you laugh and you eventually pull away from him, he goes back to playing his game and you sit there and wonder as you look at both Luke trying to help Jason with the game. Do they even know how much they matter to you? Do they know you’d kill for them? That you’d get your hands bloody and bruised for them? Would they do the same for you, you ask yourself. Would they love you and protect you just as fiercely? You then turn back to the TV and decide to enjoy this little piece of heaven.

The three of you eventually get back into kitchen and ice and decorate the cake together. It’s a bit lopsided, but it’s yours. And that is what makes it perfect. You guys watch (fav comfort movie) while you guys eat the cake. You guys all sleep in your room that night, having a little sleepover together.

In the morning you see that Jason is gone, you yawn and get up to go find him. You see his bedroom light is open and for some reason, you have this gut feeling. It tells you to be quiet, to peek into Jason’s room. Your brows furrow and you decide to trust your gut. You gently move the door, and peer into Jason’s room. You see Jason is changing. Gross. But as you’re about to close the door you see scars and bruises littering his torso. You freeze and decide to keep watching, why the hell does he have those? You’re almost absolutely sure he’s not getting bullied. You’ve made sure of that. So where did those marks come from? It can’t be Bruce, he might not love you, but he definitely loves Jason. And he isn’t the person to do that, you know it. It can’t be Alfred, he’d rather chop his arm off than hurt any of us. So who?

You then barge in, making Jason jump. Before he can say anything, you march up to him and pointing at the large purple bruise on his ribs you growl out. “What happened? Why the hell are you this scratched up and hurt? I know it isn’t from school and it not from-“

He tries to placate you by looking up at you with apologetic eyes and gently saying. “Y/n-“

You glare at him and say. “Don’t you fucking,” You then mimic the way he said your name and then continue. “I asked you a question and you better tell me the damn truth. I can read you like a fucking book Jason Peter Todd, don’t fucking play with me.”

Jason looks at you in the eyes and then looks to the ground. He sighs and says. “I’m in an underground fighting ring.”

You raise an eyebrow and roll your eyes before snarkily saying. “Yeah? Why the fuck is there cuts and slash scars on your skin then.”

He replies scoffs and mockingly says. “There’s a reason it’s called underground, there’s no rules.”

Your eyes widen at his attitude and you glare at him as you continue. “Don’t take that tone with me, boy. I may not be your father or mother but I am still still an elder.”

Jason looks at you with an unimpressed look and says. “You are three years older than me you are NOT and elder.”

You respond with. “Who made you the elder expert.”

Jason crosses his arms before growling. “No one. You’re just so unqualified that it’s clear to everyone.”

You’re about to respond to him again when you realise he’s trying to distract you. You then take a breath to calm down before saying. “Okay. Whatever. That’s not important. I’m just. Tell me the truth Jason, please. I’m your older brother, if you can’t trust me, who can you trust? I love you, very much. I promise I won’t be mad. I just want to know.”

Jason looks into your eyes before he sighs. He looks around the room before he gestures for you to lean in close. You do so giving him your ear, he then whispers into your ear. “Go fuck yourself.”

You pull away and groan in indignation before growling. “Fine! Keep your secrets! But don’t come to me when you need help.”

You march out of his room and accidentally slam his door, unaware that you practically broke the door and the wall around it. Why the fuck wouldn’t he tell you? Especially if he’s getting hurt from it! You can help, you’d do whatever he needs. You stop in your tracks and you know, that if you walk away now, you’re giving him a chance to cover his tracks. You’re giving him a chance to shut you out from… Whatever he’s going through. You groan, being a good big brother is hard. You start walking back and gently knocking on his door. The door falls over and you let out a surprised little noise. You see he’s staring at you before he turns away and puts his chin in his hand.

You take a deep breath and go to sit next to him. You sigh and you hesitantly put your hand on his shoulder. “Jason. Just… Please? Please just tell me what’s going on? Are you being bullied or something? Are you really going to some underground fighting ring? If so I’m not letting you go, at least not alone. Jason you’re my little brother. You and Luke are the only family I have-“

Jason blurts out. “I’m Robin.”

You freeze. You look at him incredulously and ask. “What?”

Jason also looks surprised. He then looks away and then turns back to you. “I- That was a joke.”

You look closer at Jason and you absolutely know he was telling the truth just now. You stand up and start pacing around the room before you come to a realisation. “Bruce… Bruce is..?”

Jason looks away, and that tells you everything you need to know. Everything starts to click together. Bruce is fucking Batman. Fucking Bruce?! Oh my god that’s why Batman can get all those gadgets. It makes total sense! And that means Dick was… Oh my god Dick was the former Robin, holy shit. What the fuck. You look at Jason and you want yell, scream, punch, not because you’re angry at him, but because you’re livid at Bruce for allowing this. They’re just kids! Jason hugs you from behind, startling you from your thoughts and says. “You aren’t mad, are you?”

You turn to look at him and gently cup his cheeks before saying. “No. No, I could never be mad at you. It’s not your fault. But Bruce-“

He holds your hands and puts them down before saying. “Bruce is doing his best. He’s been helping us. You saw how angry and how he’d used to be so angry.”

You then argue with him. “He’s still angry!”

Jason rolls his eyes and continues. “And I’ve been learning to control myself. I just, please. I like doing this. I get to help people-“

You raise your voice, not at him, but because you’re trying to plead for him to see things your way. “You can help people in different ways! You can volunteer-“

He then shouts as he looks deep into your eyes. “You know that’s not enough! Look at us! Look at why we’re here. It’s because it’s never enough. Look at how they dismissed your dad’s murder so easily! They closed the case in less than a month! Something was clearly going on there!”

You turn away from him, putting one hand on your waist and using the other to pinch the bridge of your nose. Jason continues and says. “If that really worked, neither of us would’ve been adopted by Bruce-“

You try to walk away from him but he quickly blocks your path and grabs your wrist. “Y/n please, it’s for the good of-“

“But what about you? I know you think it’s good, but is it? You’re 13-“

He interrupts and says. “I’m turning 14-“

You sarcastically say. “Yeah because that makes a WORLD of difference, yeah, sorry I didn’t realise you could pay your taxes and shit Mr. 14 year old.”

Jason’s hold on your wrist tightens and he argues. “Whatever! Look this is my choice-“

You interrupt him this time. “Really? Because to me it looks like Bruce is being insane, carless and-“

Jason growls back. “You take that back y/n-“

“No! This is actually insane Jason, he is making you fight people like the fucking killer clown, that scarecrow dude with the fear gas-“

“It’s actually a toxin-“ He grumbles under his breath, but you hear it. All this back and forth is driving you up the wall. You finally snap and start yelling.

“WHO THE FUCK CARES JASON THE FACT IS THAT YOU SHOULD BE SAFE, YOU SHOULD BE HERE, HAVING FUN, BEING A KID, NOT HAVING THE WORLD OR PEOPLE’S LIVES ON YOUR-“

You then realise that he’s looking at you scared, his hands are even shaking. You remember what he said about his dad. How he used to yell and beat him when he got drunk. You know this. You promised him you’d never yell at him, that you’d always love and care for him. Listen to him. But right now you’re yelling. You’re yelling at your baby brother, it doesn’t matter what you’re saying, or whether you meant to or not. You still yelled at him. Guilt floods your systems and the anger in your chest has changes into a heavy weight in the pit of your stomach. You slowly reach for him as you gently call his name but he smacks your hand away and runs out the room. You feel awful, how could you do that to him? You were angry and frustrated but you know better. You’re his safe house, you’re supposed to protect him. You turn around and try to chase after him but you bump into Luke. Seeing your panicked state and wide eyes he looks at you worried and asks. “Hey, hey, what’s wrong?”

You’re about to say exactly what happened but, it’s his secret. It’s not your place to tell. You’re angry, but you aren’t stupid. This isn’t a secret you can just tell, you might trust Luke but Jason doesn’t know him as well as you do. You sigh and just give him a general overview of what just happened. Luke looks at you sadly and says. “Maybe you should give him some time-“

In a panicked tone you trip over your words but manage to get out. “But I- I have to apologise, I need to- I need to fix this! Luke, I’m supposed to-“

He grabs your shoulders and says. “Calm down. I know you’re scared that this will drive a wedge between you two, and honestly it might. I’m not gonna lie, but I also know that you both love each other a lot. You two are like two peas in a pod, partners in crime, however you wanna say it. He knows you didn’t mean to hurt him, of course you should still apologise but… Yeah just. Give him some space. He’ll come around-“

You then pause and then weakly say. “And what if he doesn’t? What if he decides I’m-“

Luke rolls his eyes and then says. “And what if you explode tomorrow. Look, it’s going to be fine. I know it.”

So you wait. And wait. And wait. Two whole weeks passes of him avoiding you. You try to talk to him but he always leaves without a word. It hurts. The knowledge that you hurt him so badly that he won’t talk to you, makes your heart twist with frustration at yourself. You try your best to give him space, but as the days pass it gets harder and harder to stay put. Especially when you know what he’s doing at night.

You have a dream again, maybe because you’re stressed. But this feels worse. You wake up, lying down on the beach. You get up with a groan and see you’re at the same beach that your other dreams took place in. However this time you see foot prints all over the beach. Some of them bird like, some of them look like normal human foot prints. And some of them look… Unnatural. You stand there looking around before you hear a soft crying behind you. It has an owl mask, you kneel onto the floor and ask the kid. “Hey, what’s wrong-“

She mumbles something you don’t catch. You pause and try to ask her to repeat herself when she repeats what she says. You barely catch what she says so you ask again. She whispers. “It hurts.”

Before you can ask what hurts she repeats herself a bit louder. “It hurts.”

You start to see where this is going so you start to back off but bump into another child as you walk backwards. You recognise this one is a boy and at the same time they repeat the words ‘It hurts’. You try to back away from them but you only find two more children blocking your way. Every time you turn away, more of them appear. They’re all different, all shapes and sizes, the only common factor between these kids are the fact all of them seem to be under 15.

They keep repeating the phrase, and with every time they say it they grow louder. You try to cover your ears but it does nothing. They’re surrounding you now, they’re screaming, pleading for you to help them, to save them. You feel your pants being tugged and that’s when you see that more kids are coming up from the sand. But they’re not climbing up, no, they’re pulling you down. The sand beneath your feet start to loosen, making it that much easier for them to pull you down with them. You try to pry then off you but like a hydra every kid you pry off, three more take it’s place. You scream for them to let you go, but none of them listen. You start to see flashes of visions, of children and needles, of people in masks, of a dark ballroom and an altar on the other side of the room. The sand is up to your waist now, numerous small hand clawing at your skin, leaving trails of blood in their wake. Their hands start to reach your face, their hands covered in your blood as they clamour to drag you into sand, grabbing and scratching where they can reach. The sand is now right under your chin. You get your hand free to try to pry yourself out, but it doesn’t work. The last thing you see is an owl as your mouth and lungs start to fill with sand.

You wake up with a gasp and start coughing out sand, you run to your bathroom sink as you throw up more sand as well at last night’s dinner. You hear someone coming into your room, and in your panicked state you grab the soap dispenser. As the person tries to come in you swing at him, the person dodges and you let out an animalistic growl and follow the person. Your eyes are unfocused and you can barely see, it’s like you can see enough to move but not enough to recognise anything. You hear something, like someone’s talking, but it’s so muddled that it seems like distorted noise. You swing again and the person dodges again, but you catch them off guard as you throw it straight at their face which nearly hits the intruder’s, but instead it hits the wall behind him. You tackle the stranger but they use that force against you and throws you onto the ground. They pin you to the ground with great difficulty as you groan and growl like an animal, the intruder then jumps off you and makes a run to your bed. You follow and as you’re grabbing and lifting you’re the brown thing by a bigger thing over your head to smash into the intruder’s head, you hear your daddy’s voice.

You freeze and your eyes start to clear up, you can see again. You’re huffing and puffing, you the put your bedside table on the ground. You’re room is mostly okay, if not a bit messy because of the fighting. You look to your bed and see that Jason’s looking at you with wide eyes with your Oliver plushie in his hands. You start to piece together what happened and sigh before you stretch your body lightly. Jason then yells at you. “WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?”

You groan and then say. “It just happens sometimes-“

Jason’s eyes widen further and he continues. “SOMETIMES!? You were acting like some backed up rabid animal! And that’s normal?!”

You turn around and massage your temples before saying. “Really? And you’re so much better, Mr. ‘Boy wonder’? Look if you came here to judge me-“

Jason makes you turn around and is about to yell again but stops himself. Instead he lets out a sigh and pulls you into a hug. You’re a bit surprised but you hug him back you two stand there for a moment in silence. The two of you let go and you take a step back from him, he gives you a melancholy look before calming himself down fully. He takes another moment to think and then says. “I get it. We both have secrets. I just… I don’t know. I’m sorry for avoiding you, and I’m sorry for running-“

You interrupt him, grabbing his hand and try to assure him. “Jason, no! You had every right to do that. I’m sorry I couldn’t control myself I just, recently it’s been harder to. I’m not saying it to excuse myself, I’m saying it to explain myself. And I was so frustrated, I… Jason I want you to be safe. And what you’re doing… I can’t protect you from that. That made me angry and scared, and the way you kept brushing off my concerns just left me feeling more worried and scared. I love you so much Jason. We may not be related by blood, but you matter to me more than anyone else. Well not anyone else, you’re a very close third to Luke.”

Jason chuckles at that, he then brushes his hair out of his face before saying. “Yeah, I get that, I’m sorry about that. It’s just I… I know. It’s dangerous. Of course it is. You don’t have to tell me that. But I have to, cause if it’s not me, who will? Who’s gonna protect the kids that are going through the stuff we went through?”

You look at into his eyes and that’s when you know, he’s not gonna quit this. No matter what you say. You cup his cheeks and tear up, your baby, your little brother. It brings you so much pride, so much pain and tremendous amount of grief to your heart knowing that every night you’re going to bed, he’s going out there to fight criminals and villains. People who don’t care that he’s just a kid. That’s when you let out a shaky sigh and let the tears run down. You kiss the edge of his hairline and really look at him. You look at his hooded eyes with beautiful brown irises, like the sweetest milk chocolate, his fluffy black hair which you run your left hand runs through, his full cheeks, the permanent little smirk on his face, which makes you smile. You chuckle wetly as you squish his cheeks as he chuckles back. You exhale shakily before saying. “It’s like I’m sending you off to war. Is there any chance I can make you change your mind?”

He chuckles at that and shakes his head as he looks back at you tearfully. You nod and softly say. “I thought so.”

You let go of him and you get a tissue to wipe your face. Once your face is dry you go back to him and say. “I’m not gonna stop you. I don’t think I’d be able to anyways.”

You both chuckle at the before you continue. “But I want to help. Whatever you or Bruce want me to do I’ll do. Well less Bruce, more you. I want to do my best to keep you safe. Just because you’re a vigilante doesn’t change that. And I want you to promise me,” You say as you put up your right hand with your pinkie out. “No more secrets. Please.”

He stares at your hand and then at you before asking. “Are you serious-“

“Just take the damn pinkie Jason.” You say with exasperatedly.

He rolls his eyes and then takes it with his own pinkie. You then say. “Promise me, promise me that if there’s anything and I mean anything that is potentially life threatening or changing you will tell me.”

He pauses, thinking about it for a moment before saying. “I pinkie promise to not keep secrets that could be potentially life changing or threatening from you.”

You nod, and before you release his pinkie you quickly add in. “Or else I get a free punch.”

“Hey! That’s not what we-“

“Well I guess you should tell the truth then to avoid getting punched then.” You say with a smirk.

He then rolls his eyes before you pull him into a hug and say. “I love you. So much. You’re my one and only brother-“

“What about Dic-“

You then interrupt him with. “He doesn’t count.”

Jason laughs at that and then says. “I love you too. Until I take my last breath.”

��—————————

Tag list: @simpingpandas @randomlyappearingartist @birbtweettweet @soulsire @crazycaoticsimp

I hope you guys liked it! And thanks for waiting patiently! Also I still need a beta reader, not to like edit or anything just to read it over and like critique my stuff. But yeah, this chapter took longer as well as like became longer than I anticipated. I was initially thinking this would be the chapter that I, well, you know. But it didn’t. We’ll also see either Kori and Barbara in the next chapter or so. And if you guys want to see like Ethan again let me know! Because this might be your last chance :)

[deerspherestudios]

Hi there! I just wanted to let you know that I love your games! Mushroom Oasis especially has an especially place in my heart. Mychael is such an interesting character and one of my favorite types of yanderes—not violent towards his object of affection but still manipulative and willing to cross lines even if he feels guilty about it. Thank you so much for the work you have done; it’s obvious this game is a labor of love and I am looking forward to see how the story progresses.

In the meantime, I have to ask, do you think there might be a future option where the player can cook for Mychael? Totally okay if that is a little too specific. Cooking is just a love of mine and I love to cook for people I love and I feel that is something that Mychael would appreciate.

Also—and forgive me if you have answered this already—but I was curious to see where Mychael’s affection lands on the scale you created by the end of day 3. Or would there be more than one answer since it seems actions taken on this day might start to split between the platonic and romantic routes.

Thank you again for your time and for creating this wonderful game. Your art is so lovely and you have a real knack for fun character design.

HELLO!! Thank you so much for the kind words!! For me personally I've never been a fan of "if I can't have you no one can <3" type yanderes so knowing that it's a shared sentiment means a lot!!

I actually have something of an idea where MC does something nice for Mychael for a change in Day 4!

It was closer to buying a gift and the players can choose what they'd get for him but adding a cooking/baking option (or a more diverse set of gifts rather than just shopping for it) seems like a good idea! As usual the script is still cooking so we'll see!

As for the charts, they're answered here and explained here!

Also,,, idk if you'll ever read the addition below but I'm holding back on gushing rn because uh, this is for you personally but it's basically an appreciation post for being one of my fave authors <3!!!:

AAAA A A 11 !! ??

I'm gonna try and articulate myself in the best way I can but I have been a FAN of your writing since??? Gosh, 2015??? I was following your blog back when the pfp was a torchic (and a treecko i think??) and the header was Swiggity swiff Gotta Yiff ?? Idk if you're comfortable with people knowing of your writing but let me know if I should edit anything here!!!

I LOVED your writing so much it was silly and witty but you can do drama and heart and spicy just as well it was a major inspiration!!! I genuinely though it was a little goof when I saw you were following my blog the other day and THEN YOU SEND ME AN ASK??? IM, , , THROUGH THE ROOF, I would mention my fav fics of yours by name but I'd be outing myself but the scope is huge <3

I've been thinking of how to respond to this all DAY and decided to just be honest but but just know I love what you do <3 Admittedly idk if you still write these days but either way I hope you're doing well!!!! <3

[gothsoyl]

I think Soapy would be the sweetest, cutest girlfriend...I mean, she seems like a sweet, cute person.

I want to be her actress girlfriend😭

Imagine having met her at the time she was recording Prospect with Pedro Pascal, because you knew Pedro from a previous project and were in the same city as them at the time of the recordings, so he introduced you <3 you both became colleagues at the time, nothing really very close or deep but you exchanged social networks.

When the cast of Yellowjackets started being cast it was a surprise for both of you that you had been cast for characters that later on in the story would become a couple (Travis and Nat didn't happen in this scenario), anyway, this ends up really bringing you both closer together and you become great friends this time, always hanging out and spending time together outside of the scenes.

Whether it's having lunch together, resting, going to a café or a bar/karaoke at night, it doesn't matter because they're always together. With the success of the first season, they're both starting to be shipped a lot by fans, especially with all the photos and behind-the-scenes content they have together😭

Fast forward to now, I imagine fans going crazy over everything about season 3 and every little bit of both behind the scenes or outside🤭🤭 they would both have fun with the edits and fan posts about them.

I also think that the friendship would slowly start to progress into something more, like a slow burn and they would both have a first slightly drunken kiss after a night of karaoke😩😩😩 a slow and laughing kiss when leaving the bar, which MAYBE takes them both to the hotel room... the rest is up to you

But in a scenario where both of them start dating, things would probably progress slowly but comfortably until it actually becomes a relationship, where both of them go out alone more and more frequently and on small, sweet dates, lots of slow, soft kisses, with both of them just exploring and getting to know this new intimacy.

Can you make a short fic and bot about this?

-🙄

"Accident" sophie thatcher x reader note: sorry it took so long!!! aaaggghh character.ai and janitor.ai

you haven't even noticed at what point sophie becomes an important part of your life.

you met completely by chance. or almost by accident. pedro introduced you after you visited him on the set in washington while he was acting in prospect. you were passing through there, just decided to visit friends and initially meeting with pedro wasn’t in the plans.

but you can’t complain, can you?

“this is sophie,” he nods at the girl next to him and you immediately smile, extending your hand to her. she looks at you intently, as if trying to study you, but still shakes your hand.

“I like your style,” you chuckle, feeling as awkward as possible next to her. for some reason, it was so weird to get to know someone, especially in this way. It's like you're imposing your communication... and what to do next?

“thanks, this is my favorite outfit actually,” her lips stretch in a smile and she glances at the astronaut costume she just wore for the movie scene.

and what was the moment you thought that she has a beautiful smile. 

***

“are we going to rehearse our kiss or is it too cliche?” you flinch when you feel someone's hand on your shoulder, but immediately a smirk escapes your lips when you realize that it's sophie.

you just read the script for the first season of the yellowjackets... or rather, you were distracted all the time to look at sophie, who was sitting next to you and also looked at you with a slight smile. 

and what was your surprise when you realized that you would have to play a couple. you've always felt uncomfortable with such scenes, but for some reason now you felt a strange pleasure. there wasn't that weird tension about the thought of having to kiss someone on set. 

maybe sophie was just very likeable.

“are you so impatient to kiss me?” you laugh smugly, meeting the girl's gaze, to which she just rolls her eyes theatrically. 

“I think about it all the time,” she nudges you a little in the side and starts walking towards the exit.

you're a little slow, but you're still in a hurry to follow her. for some reason, you like how easy Sophie is around you and it makes you feel better.

***

when the first season of the yellowjackets finally came out, the only thing you did on a daily basis was watch a bunch of edits and arts with you and sophie. you were always put in a stupor when fans tried to ship you with someone from the cast, even if your characters had a relationship. after all, that's the whole point of your job, that you and your character are not the same thing. 

but it was different with sophie.

you were excited by silly pinterest memes with your characters and you sincerely smiled when you saw edits on tiktok to one of taylor swift's songs. at some point, you accidentally sent one of the shipping posts to sophie and already thought about burying yourself alive from the shame that immediately piled on you, but only smiled stupidly when you saw her short message “us fr!!".

***

“you appear together so often that you look like a couple,” the interviewer says one day, and you immediately feel the corners of your lips lift, but you try to restrain yourself from grinning.

“we just got in touch,” sophie says and gives you a knowing look. she crosses her legs and shrugs, “she's an amazing friend.”

“you forgot to add 'girl' in front of a ‘friend’,“ you immediately playfully remark, realizing that all your attempts to restrain yourself are flying to the bottom, but do you really care?

the interviewer immediately laughs, and sophie, without wasting time, gently puts her hand on your knee and looks at you through slightly lowered eyelashes.

“baby, let's talk about this at home.”

and why are you blushing so much at this moment?

***

“wait a minute!” you laugh and try to catch up with sophie, but she just jumps from puddle to puddle, spraying rainwater even harder.

you just wanted to spend an hour in a restaurant, as you often did. at some point, it became a routine where you often just arranged an evening together: went to coffee shops and decided where the coffee was better, making a personal map of your favorite places, visited markets where sophie didn’t miss a chance to point at some strange and old picture with a dog and say “it’s you’ and just spent all your free time together.

you liked it. you didn't even really pay attention to the fact that your friendship was becoming less and less like friendship. there was more to it than that, but you were so involved with sophie and relaxed that you didn't even think about it. you just enjoyed every second with a girl, which makes you smile until your cheekbones hurt.

you just wanted to spend an hour in a restaurant, but it's two o'clock in the morning and you've just left the karaoke club. perhaps in the morning you will be ashamed of the way you screamed at the top of your voice another lady gaga’s song (although lady gaga makes everything much better), but now you don't care about that – you’re happily running after sophie, who douses you with water from puddles. 

you feel raindrops falling on your head, but you can’t focus on them. more important is the way sophie wraps her arms around your waist, pulling you to her house, where you've been a hundred times.

you don't try to pull away, on the contrary, you reach closer to her, run your fingers through her tangled wet hair and whisper that you both can get sick. but sophie doesn't seem to care about this – she just presses her forehead against yours and her hot breath scorches your lips, and your head starts to spin from adrenaline and alcohol in your blood.

you kiss her awkwardly and completely foolishly, and sophie snuggles closer to you, digging her fingers into your skin.

you don't care if anyone sees you.

and she doesn't give a damn about it either.

[bloomzone]

20 question to ask yourself to find your sun

inspired from heya by ive the members represent the tigers who want to eat the sun !

the myth

(the story is so long I cut it out btw)

There is an old Korean legend of a tiger, fierce and restless, who climbed mountains in pursuit of the sun . Some say he wanted to devour it, to claim its light for himself. Others say he was drawn to its warmth, its brilliance, its quiet power. But what the story truly tells us is this:the sun cannot be taken by force. It can only be reached by the one who climbs with a pure heart.In this life, we are all climbing. Each of us faces our own mountains doubt, fear, failure, the weight of the world... And within us, like the tiger, burns a hunger: to find meaning, to become something more, to reach a dream that feels impossibly far.

this story reminds us no matter how high the peak, no matter how long the journey, if your heart is sincere and your vision clear, you will reach your sun.

Inner Longing & direction:

1. What "sun" (goal, activity, feeling) do I find myself staring at longingly, day after day?

2. What pulls me forward, even when I can't fully explain why?

3. If I felt free to chase anything without fear of failure, what would it be?

4. What activities make me feel most alive and connected to something bigger than myself?

5. What inner "fire" feels like it's burning within me, waiting to be ignited?

Obstacles & perseverance:

6. What "rivers and forests" (challenges, obstacles) might I face on this journey?

7. What voices might tell me I'm foolish for pursuing this?

8. How can I stay motivated even when the "sun" seems too far away?

9. What does perseverance mean to me in this context?

10. What am I willing to sacrifice or endure to get closer to my "sun"?

Meaning & transformation:

11. What does my "sun" represent to me (e.g., enlightenment, creativity, connection, impact)?

12. What kind of person will I become if I pursue this goal with all my heart?

13. How will this journey transform me, regardless of the outcome?

14. What lessons might I learn along the way?

15. Even if I don't reach my "sun," what value will I gain from the pursuit?

Action & clarity:

16. What is one small step I can take today to start moving towards my "sun"?

17. Who can I reach out to for support or guidance on this journey?

18. What resources do I need to gather to help me on my path?

19. How can I measure my progress and stay accountable?

20. What does success look like to me, and how will I celebrate it (even the small wins)?

@bloomzone ⌨️

[ncillary]

Self Aware AU (Xavier)

Summary: You have the lowest Affinity with Xavier. The reason is because you feel bad for the Queen MC and vow to play only the main story for his path so that you can find a way to return him to Queen MC safe, sound and happy end.

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Masterlist Self Aware AU

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| 1 [current] | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

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"Why you keep staring at your phone with that dull face?" Your friend asked.

"Huh? Oh? Nothing-"

"That otome game again?" Your friend perked up knowingly.

You nodded. Your friend gestured for you to just let out of what's on your mind. You sighed. It begun.

"I just... feel bad that I always stalled the Affinity progress with Xavier. I kinda need him for Battle and not that I don't enjoy the time with him. But... he.. I want a happy ending for him."

"Isn't being with you-"

"MC"

"-sigh- Isn't being with MC, still means YOUUU, means that you achieved it? It's the core of every otome game, right?"

"I get that. But! He has someone. The true one. Queen MC. THAT'S where HE belongs. I'll return him to her. No bargain or ANY sacrifice mambo jambo. I'll build Uluru just for their happiness. I swear."

"It's just a game. You just follow the story. If the developer did it any other way than you are forced to follow anyway. Not that you can exactly do anything about the story progress."

"Yeah... Knew that. Doesn't mean that it's not my deepest wish for Xavier and Queen MC to be happy together. My MC was made to support in any way possible."

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"Oh. A new event! Nice... Huh? Ohhhh no no no no no... First kiss! Arghhh... But the storyline is nice. Haa... ... ... bye Xavier, hope we can enjoy another fluffy limited 5* withOUT the heavy lover-indication. My MC is just your close companion." You smile before closing the game.

The LI assigned there at the time faded. A new blurry began to form until it revealed Xavier. Eyes closing as the pixels reform him to a complete 3D appearance. Fluttering open, he stared at the door, feeling the empty cafe.

"I'm here. Please see me. I want to see you more."

He slowly sat on the sofa and gradually fell asleep.

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Giggling. Feeling shaky slightly.

He stirred a bit.

Hushed voice, soothing, "Oh shoot. Sorry Xavier. Maybe I should turn off the gyro setting."

He blinked quickly and looked up. There she is. The MC. Unmoving. He quickly got up. Trying to step as close as he can to her but his feet could only settle a bit far from her unless he prompted the correct dialogue that let him get a breath away from the MC. He knew she was a proxy for the person behind the dark screen. Oh how he wished she would just reveal her face to him. But it's a good thing he at least got to hear your voice. The sound he wanted to touch the most everyday.

"Wow. You never get bored wearing that sweater. Guess it's that comfortable, huh. I get it. I hope you change to a better attire once the heat gets too much."

You're there. He can activate the prompt now.

"This is the Second Law of Cosmic Attraction."

He walked closer. Hearts thumping. Happy to be able to get closer to you. But his coded face wouldn't show how much he was actually grinning with glee.

"We'll meet those we yearn for again. No matter how long it takes."

His feet automatically dragged him back too soon for his liking.

"Hahahahaha... You and your Cosmic Law."

She proceeded to claim the Stamina for the morning. Quickly closing the game before he could prompt another dialogue.

His rigidness turned off. He could only move freely when you're not logging in.

"Dang. I should be faster next time. I hope I can force myself out this evening."

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"Haaa... It's already this late. Glad I have Free Retro this time. Huh? Xavier? This is not your usual appearance time. Oh no... Did our Affinity go up? -tap- -tap- -tap- huuu~ -tap- false alarm. Guess this is one of the rare occurrences. We'll... -yawn- m'nite Xavi-"

"I won't slip away today. I'll stay and chat with you for a while longer."

(Please stay. Please. Please. Please.)

"Hmmm... right... Weekly Plan... Didn't think finish yet. -tap- -tap-"

"When you spend your time with me. I'm spending my time with you."

(YES! YES! Go on! As long as you like!)

"Hmmm... Work... Study... Why can't there be just lounging around? We'll I'm off work. Study is better. Search all those recipes you want, Xavier."

He could hear her faint chuckling laced with tiredness.

"5 minutes-ah..."

He was sitting suddenly with MC in front of him. Studying.

"Oh to heck. 15 minutes it is. I'll just be quick and settle myself in."

He could hear walking. A light thump. Possibly she set the phone on a surface near her. Faucet running. Teeth brushing. Faucet running. Walking again. Switch sound. Lights off probably. Scrunching sound. Bluetooth connection on.

"Easier to hear that 'zwing' sound when it's complete. Let me just... haaa... release the tense of today."

He could hear you relaxing with an occasional pained sound. He got worried.

"Gosh. My shoulder is hurting. Maybe I should restock the pain relief patch tomorrow."

She breathed slowly. Slower. Barely there.

(...Is she...asleep?)

*zwing*

"Woah... I could move. And speak freely. Hahahaha... Your phone's gonna be out of juice soon. Hope you can wake up okay tomorrow."

Silent.

He cleared his throat.

"I can hear you. The real you. I'm real. Real like you. Queen MC is not you. I get it. But I want you. The real you. So please just increase our Affinity so that I can get a better control to reach out to you. I'll try to get to you too... ... ... I... ... like you."

Darkness plunged his consciousness. The battery must've died.

"I'll get to you."

A determined promise.

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| 1 [current] | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

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Masterlist of Self Aware AU

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[blakeswritingimagines]

That's My Expertise: Chapter Two, Get You Drunk On A Love Like Mine.

Summary: Spending everyday together was so easy until Quinn has to leave for a roadie.

Warnings: OF! reader, Being a Canucks fan, Flirting, OOC Quinn, Pining, Teasing, A misunderstanding takes place, Reader overthinking, Slight jealousy, No relationship labels, Sappy! Quinn,

Word Count: 5.2k

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

A few weeks had passed since that first night with Quinn, and things had progressed just the way you'd hoped. He was becoming a regular fixture in your life, and not just in the most intimate ways. He'd come over to your place nearly every day after hockey practice and stayed until the wee hours of the morning. It was almost like having a boyfriend, except neither of you had openly defined your relationship as such. You were just enjoying the blissful feeling of casual intimacy without labels. Quinn couldn't remember ever being this content before. His days began and ended with you now, and he found himself spending more free time with you than practicing hockey. He relished every moment he got with you, whether it was watching TV or exploring the city. Tonight, you were both curled up on your couch, your body tucked against his as you watched some random show on TV. He had one arm draped lazily over your shoulders as he absentmindedly played with a strand of your hair. It had become a habit already, needing to touch you, to have you near.

You leaned into his touch, your head resting on his chest, the beat of his heart steady and soothing to your ears. It felt so right, being wrapped up in his warm embrace, listening to the sound of his breathing, and feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest. "I'm starting to think I'm spending more time over here than at my own place," he remarked with a soft chuckle, his voice a pleasant rumble in his chest. "I don't mind, though." You let out a soft hum of agreement, a small smile playing on your lips. "I like having you here," you responded simply, your fingers gently tracing lazy circles on his thigh. "Not sure if I can get used to the constant hockey talk, though." You gave him a playful nudge, teasing him in a way that had become a regular occurrence.

As you teased him, his smirk widened into a boyish grin. He chuckled softly, his fingers still toying with your hair. "Oh, you'll have to tolerate the hockey talk, sweetheart," he retorted, his tone playful but earnest. He chuckled, his hand moving down to the exposed skin of your hip. "So, you'd better get used to it, baby," he replied, his tone light and playful. "You're stuck with a hockey player, remember? And I'm afraid it's a package deal. Hockey comes with me." He pressed a quick, teasing kiss to your temple, his lips warm against your skin. Then, with a playful glint in his eyes, he added, "Though I guess I get your… 'profession' as part of the deal too, huh?" You raised your eyebrow, the corner of your lip tilting up in a smirk. "Oh, so you're keeping me around for my 'professional skills', is that it?" you teased, poking him playfully in the side. You shifted a little, your hand brushing over his thigh, almost playfully. "And here I thought you might like me for my sparkling personality and conversational skills."

He laughed, taking your hand in his and bringing it up to his lips, placing a soft kiss on your knuckles. "Oh, don't get me wrong," he said, his voice dropping an octave in faux seriousness. "Your sparkling personality is a definite factor. But those 'professional skills' definitely give you an added edge, sweetheart." You chuckled, shaking your head at his teasing. "I should have guessed, hockey players have a one-track mind after all," you quipped dryly. "All pucks and scoring goals." But a sly smile played on your lips as you leaned into him, your hand resting against his chest. He hummed softly, his fingers tracing your arm gently as he pulled you closer. "And you porn stars aren't much better," he replied, his tone teasing yet affectionate. He pressed another kiss to your temple, his voice soft and warm, "With all the porn scripts and camera angles." You laughed softly, the sound a mix of amusement and mock offense. "Hey now, I'll have you know, I'm an artist," you playfully protested. "Filming porn with the right angle and lighting is an art form, you know." You ran your fingertips playfully over his thigh, your touch teasing but tender.

He chuckled, enjoying the playful banter. "I suppose I can give you that one," he conceded, his hand resting casually on your hip. "I can't say I've never enjoyed the… view in your videos." His voice lowered, hinting at the effect your videos had on him. You smirked, the corner of your lip tugging up in a playful way. "Oh, you've watched some of my videos, have you?" Your hand continued to move up his thigh in a playful caress, your touch light yet lingering. "And you enjoyed what you saw, eh?" You raised an eyebrow, silently inviting him to be more explicit in his appreciation of your work. A hint of redness dusted his cheeks, but he didn't shy away from being honest with you. His fingers traced a slow path along your bare arm, relishing the feel of your soft skin under his touch. "Oh, don't play coy with me," he retorted, a sly smile on his lips. "You know damn well I've seen your videos." He let out a soft sigh, his gaze dropping to where your fingers played on his thigh. "And yeah, I might have enjoyed them… quite a bit, actually." You chuckled softly, your hand moving slightly higher up his thigh. "You're a fan of my work, huh?" Your tone was more amused than surprised, your eyes gleaming playfully. You leaned in a bit closer, your voice dropping to a lower, more seductive tone. "Care to tell me which ones you enjoyed the most?" Your hand moved to the inside of his thigh, your touch still teasing but now growing more intimate.

His heart rate quickened at your touch, desire building within him, yet he managed to maintain his composure as best as he could. He let out a low chuckle, his eyes locking with yours. "Oh, you want specifics, huh?" He leaned forward, his voice a husky whisper, "Well, let me tell you… I have quite the list in mind." A smirk played on your lips, your touch moving even higher up his thigh, now dangerously close to the growing bulge in his pants. "Oh, do you now? Do tell. I'm quite curious to hear which ones you found particularly… enticing." You inched a bit closer, your body now fully pressed against his, your leg resting over his as your hand continued its slow, teasing journey up his inner thigh. His breathing hitched as you neared the growing bulge in his pants, his heart pounding in his chest. "You're a tease, you know that?" he said, his voice lower and huskier than usual. He gripped your hip with one hand, the other finding its way to the small of your back, tugging you closer against his chest. His lips found their way to your throat, placing a soft kiss to your skin. "I never stood a chance against you," he murmured, his hot breath against your ear. His breath hitched, his voice growing huskier as he tried to keep his composure. "Ah, sweetheart, there's quite the line up, I don't know where to start." His fingers wrapped around your wrist, stilling your hand for a moment, his gaze locked with yours. "But let's just say… any scene where you're the one in charge… Definitely at the top of the list."

Your smirk widened into a smug smile as he admitted his weakness to you. "Oh, I'm a teaser, am I? Guilty as charged." Your leg moved in a subtle but deliberate motion, your leg now fully settled over him, straddling him. Your hand slid up high, your touch now just a whisper away from his growing hardness. You let out a soft hum, your voice a soft, sensual husk as you responded to his words. "Oh, you like it when I'm in charge, do you?" you murmured, your lips brushing against his ear, your own desire growing. "That can be arranged." He let out a low groan, his hands roaming over your hips, pulling you harder against him. "You drive me crazy, you know that?" he murmured, his lips finding your neck again. His words were a mix of praise, desire, and a plea. "I can't resist you. You've got me completely at your mercy." He gripped your hip harder, his other hand trailing up your spine, his fingers tracing a path of fire. "Tell me what you want, sweetheart. I'll give you anything."

You grinned, feeling the power you had over him. You pulled back a bit, your fingers tracing a delicate line over his chest, your touch purposefully slow, teasing. You held his gaze, your eyes dark with desire and confidence. "Anything, huh?" you mused, your voice dropping to a sultry low. "Be careful with that offer." You leaned in, your lips barely touching his. "I can be quite demanding." A shiver ran down his spine, the challenge and desire in your voice igniting a fire within him. He let out a soft growl, his fingers digging into your hip. "I like a challenge," he replied, his voice thick with need. He claimed your lips, his kiss fierce and possessive, his hand at the small of your back pressing you even harder against him, his desire growing more intense. "And you're the most demanding woman I've ever met," he murmured between kisses, his breath ragged. You met his kiss with equal fervor, letting your hand wander lower, feeling the growing hardness beneath you. "You have no idea," you whispered against his lips, your voice filled with promises of pleasure yet to come. "I'm far from finished demanding things from you." Your hand moved under his shirt, your fingers grazing his skin, eliciting a shiver of pleasure from him.

As the days went by, the two of you continued to explore each other more and more, the intensity of your connection growing with each day. Both of you were drawn to each other like magnets, unable to let go. One evening, you were relaxing on the couch, your head resting on his chest as he sat with his back against the armrest, your bodies tangled together in a comfortable embrace. As you snuggled against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing, he spoke up suddenly, interrupting the comfortable silence. "Hey, sweetheart," he said, his voice soft yet hesitant. He ran his fingers through your hair, absentmindedly toying with the strands. "I was meaning to talk to you about something." His words piqued your interest, and you tilted your head to look up at him, a curious expression on your face. "What is it?" you asked, your voice tinted with a hint of intrigue. You shifted a little, making yourself more comfortable on his lap. He sighed softly, his hand stilling in your hair. "I wanted to let you know that the team is going on a road trip next week." He paused, gauging your reaction, his eyes fixed on yours. "We'll be out of town for at least a week. Maybe even longer, depending on how the games go."

You nodded in understanding, a subtle pang of disappointment tugging at you. "I see," you responded, trying to keep your voice neutral. "So you'll be gone for a while, huh?" He gave a small nod, his eyes reflecting a hint of reluctance. "Yeah," he confirmed, his hand resuming its movement in your hair. "I'll be on the road, training and playing games. It's an important part of the season, and I can't really avoid it…" He trailed off, his expression hinting at a mix of responsibility and a bit of guilt. You let out a soft hum of acknowledgment, trying not to let your disappointment show. "I get it," you said, shifting again in his lap. "You have to go. It's part of the job." You tried to sound understanding, but a part of you was already beginning to miss him, despite him not even being gone yet. He could sense the underlying disappointment in your voice, even though you were trying to hide it. His eyes softened, a hint of concern creasing his brow. "I'm sorry, sweetheart," he murmured, his touch growing a bit more protective, his hand at the small of your back pulling you closer. "I wish I could have you with me, but it's just not possible right now."

You let out a small sigh, burying your face into his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "I know," you murmured, your voice muffled against his shirt. "It's just… I'm going to miss you, that's all." He tightened his arms around you, his hand rubbing comforting circles on your back. "I'm gonna miss you too, sweetheart," he said softly, his voice a mix of reassurance and regret. "But it's just temporary. I'll be back before you know it." You closed your eyes, enjoying the comfort of his embrace. "Promise?" The word slipped out without much thought, a subtle indication of your vulnerability and attachment. He tightened his hold on you, pulling you closer with a possessive touch. "I promise," he whispered, his voice firm and sincere. "I'll be back before you know it, sweetheart. And then I'll make up for every damn minute I wasn't here." A smile curved the corners of your lips, a mix of comfort and reassurance washing over you. You nestled deeper into his chest, feeling the strength and warmth of his embrace. "You better," you murmured, your tone playful yet holding a hint of earnestness. "I'll be counting the minutes until you return."

A soft chuckle vibrated through his chest, the sound reverberating through your body. "That's what I like to hear," he murmured, his hand still rubbing gentle circles on your back. "Just think of me as your own personal, hockey-playing countdown clock." You let out a laugh, the sound muffled against his chest. "A countdown clock, huh?" you teased, playfully tracing a finger along his sternum. "Does that mean I'll be getting hourly updates on your whereabouts and activities?" He hummed, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Oh, definitely," he said with mock seriousness. "You'll know every move I make, every goal I score, every locker room shenanigans I get into. It'll be like having your own personal sports update service." You chuckled, the mental image of a live hockey game commentary in your head. "Sounds like I'll be getting a play-by-play account of your entire trip," you teased, your finger continuing to draw patterns on his chest. "And don't forget the obligatory locker room gossip. I expect detailed updates on all the juicy behind-the-scenes drama." He sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Ah, the locker room gossip… always a source of never-ending entertainment." He let out a small chuckle, his tone playful. "But sure, I'll keep you entertained with all the ridiculous stories the guys get into. Can't promise it'll be suitable for delicate ears, though." A grin crept across your face, a glimmer of mischief in your eyes. "Oh, I'm sure I can handle it," you retorted, your finger tracing a path up his chest, following the contour of his collarbone. "Delicate ears or not, I'll take whatever hockey gossip you have to offer."

The days passed quickly, your interactions with Quinn becoming even more intense and emotional. You tried not to show it, but the impending week apart was weighing on you more than you'd like to admit. You found yourself spending as much time with him as possible before he had to leave. And now, the day of his departure had arrived. You stood outside your apartment building, your heart heavy with a mix of anticipation and sadness. You watched as Quinn put the last suitcase in the trunk of his car, your eyes lingering on his every movement. The early morning sunlight cast a soft glow on his features, highlighting the tiredness around his eyes from packing and preparing for the roadie. He closed the trunk with a solid click, turning to face you. His expression mirrored your mix of emotions - anticipation, sadness, and a hint of reluctance. He crossed his arms, silently absorbing your presence one last time before he had to leave. A moment of silence passed between you both, the weight of the impending separation hanging heavily in the air. "Well… I guess I should go," he finally said, his voice a mix of resignation and determination. He stepped closer to you, closing the distance between you, his gaze locked on yours.

"I'm gonna miss you, sweetheart," he said softly, his hand reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair away from your face. The touch was tender, his fingers lingering against your skin for a brief moment before dropping back to his side. A smile tugged at the corners of your lips, your heart fluttering at his touch. "Miss me? You're only going to be gone for a week, you big baby," you teased softly, your voice tinged with a hint of sadness. A small laugh escaped him, his expression softening. "A whole week is a long time, sweetheart," he protested, his hand itching to reach out for you again. "I'm gonna miss seeing your pretty face every day." A soft sigh escaped your lips, your heart clenching at his words. "Oh please," you replied, trying to keep your tone light and playful. "You're going to be too busy with games and practice to even think about me." He shook his head, a small smile still playing on his lips. "Oh, I will definitely be thinking about you," he insisted, his gaze growing a bit more intense. "Every free moment I have, I'll be picturing your face, wishing you were there with me."

Heat rushed to your cheeks at his words, and you dipped your head, trying to hide the impact his words had on you. "You're such a sap," you muttered, a slight quiver in your voice betraying your emotions. A soft chuckle rumbled through him, a warm and comforting sound. "Only when it comes to you," he teased playfully, reaching out to gently nudge your chin, coaxing you to look back up at him. "And believe me, I'm gonna be counting down the seconds until I can hold you in my arms again." You let out a soft, breathy exhale, your heart skipping a beat at his words. "Is that a promise?" you asked softly, your eyes searching his face. He nodded, his expression serious, almost solemn. "A promise," he replied firmly, his hand moving to cup your face gently. "And I never break my promises." He leaned closer, his forehead resting against yours. "You'll be the first thing I think about when I wake up, the last thing on my mind before I fall asleep, sweetheart." Your heart clenched in your chest at his words, a wave of emotions swelling within you. You reached up, your hand covering his on your cheek, seeking his touch and comfort. "You're making it really hard to say goodbye right now," you murmured, your voice catching in your throat.

He let out a small, soft sigh, his thumb gently stroking your cheek, his eyes filled with a mixture of tenderness and regret. "I know, sweetheart," he whispered, his voice gruff with emotion. "But I have to go, and waiting any longer is just going to make it harder for both of us." You nodded, knowing that he was right. The longer you both stayed like this, the harder it would be when he finally had to leave. "I know," you said softly, your fingers tracing soft patterns on the back of his hand. "It just… sucks." He let out a small laugh, a hint of humor in his voice. "Yeah, it does," he agreed, the corners of his lips tugging upwards briefly. "But think of it this way - the time apart will just make our reunion that much sweeter, sweetheart." A small smile tugging at your lips, you playfully rolled your eyes. "You're just trying to find a silver lining here, aren't you?" you teased, your fingers still tracing lazy patterns on his hand. He shrugged, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe," he conceded, the corner of his mouth curling up. "But it's true, sweetheart. Just think about how good it'll feel when I get back and I finally get to hold you in my arms again."

A small shiver ran through you at his words, and you found yourself leaning into him involuntarily, as if drawn magnetically closer to him. "You make a compelling argument," you murmured, your voice tinged with a hint of surrender. He let out a low, gruff chuckle, his arm instinctively wrapping around you tighter, his grip possessive and protective. "I'm glad to hear that, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice low and intimate. "Because the thought of being away from you for a whole week is damn near torture." A small laugh escaped you, and you leaned into his embrace, your body fitting snugly against his. "You're being dramatic again," you teased, your voice soft and warm. "It's just a week, not a lifetime." He chuckled before speaking softly in your ear. "It feels like a lifetime to me," he retorted playfully, his hand gently rubbing circles on your lower back, his touch sending tingles through you. "I don't think I'll survive seven whole days without you, sweetheart." A soft laugh escaped your lips, your heart clenching at his words. "You'll have your team to keep you company," you reminded him gently, your hand lightly tracing his chest. "And you'll be too busy with practices and games to think about me, anyways."

He let out a soft sigh, a small frown forming on his forehead. "I suppose you're right," he conceded, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on the bare skin of your shoulder. "But even in the midst of it all, you'll be on my mind. You're permanently etched into my thoughts, my sweetheart. I'll be counting down the seconds until I'm back with you again."

As you sat on the couch, phone in your hand, staring at his name on your screen, you couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness. He was out with the team, probably busy with team activities, and you missed him more than you'd like to admit. Your finger hovered over the call button, the desire to hear his voice growing stronger by the second. Reluctantly, you pushed the button and put the phone up to your ear. The phone rang a few times before he answered, his voice slightly breathless but carrying a hint of surprise. "Hello?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity and excitement. The background noises were indistinct, but it was clear that he was somewhere crowded. Your heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice, a smile tugging at the corner of your lips. "Hi," you replied, your voice soft and tinged with a hint of longing. "Is now a good time?"

He chuckled softly, the sound sending a jolt through you. "Not really," he admitted, his voice still breathy. "I'm out with the team right now. We're, uh, out for dinner." Your heart sank a little, disappointment settling on your shoulders. "Oh," you managed to say, trying not to let your emotions show in your voice. "Right, right. Sorry, I shouldn't have disturbed you." He immediately noticed the change in your tone, concern creeping into his voice. "Hey, hey, don't be sorry," he quickly reassured. "You could never be a disturbance, sweetheart. I always want to hear from you." A weak smile formed on your lips, touched by his words. "I just… missed talking to you, that's all," you admitted softly, a hint of vulnerability in your voice. "I know you're having fun with the team and all, but I just wanted to hear your voice." His tone softened, the noise in the background fading into the background. "I miss you too, sweetheart. More than you know," he replied softly. "But I promise, I'll call you as soon as I get back to the hotel, okay?"

As you were about to respond, a sudden outburst of laughter and chatter in the background caught your ear, and a wave of unease washed over you. The sound was distinctly feminine, and it sent a sliver of doubt through your mind. "Yeah, okay," you forced yourself to say, trying to keep your tone neutral. "I'll talk to you later then. Have fun with the team." He was about to respond when the sound of giggling and playful banter in the background picked up again, drawing his attention away. "Thanks, sweetheart. I'll-" his voice trailed off as the noise grew louder, and you could hear him excusing himself from the conversation. The phone call suddenly ended, leaving you with a mix of loneliness and worry. You pulled the phone away from your ear, staring at the screen as though it had suddenly betrayed you. Your heart ached with uncertainty, and you felt a pang of jealousy mingled with loneliness. Were those puck bunnies in the background? Were they keeping him company?

Your mind raced with questions, trying to rationalize the situation. But the lingering doubts gnawed at your heart, making it difficult to think clearly. You tried to push aside the negative thoughts, reminding yourself that he had promised to call you later. As the hours ticked by, the silence of your phone left you with a growing sense of unease. You waited patiently, hoping he would call you back, just like he promised. But as the clock ticked past midnight, the phone remained silent. The longer you waited, the more the doubts started creeping in. Why hadn't he called back? Was he too busy having fun with the team? Or worse... with puck bunnies? You tried to push those thoughts aside, telling yourself that maybe he was just caught up in the team activities or perhaps he had simply lost track of time. But the unease in your gut wouldn't subside. Your mind kept conjuring up worst-case scenarios, making your heart race with worry. You tried to distract yourself by watching TV, reading books, or even tidying up your apartment, but your mind kept going back to him and why he hadn't called you back.

The hours dragged on, and the longer the phone remained silent, the more your mind tormented you. Had he forgotten about you? Was he too preoccupied with the team and those puck bunnies? Your mind continued to torment you with negative thoughts, the insecurity and doubt taking hold of you. No matter how hard you tried to brush them off, they kept creeping back in. And as the night stretched on, the silence from him felt like a slap in the face. Your heart sank as you thought about the fact that you were not "officially" together. Your relationship with him was still undefined, leaving a lot of room for doubt and insecurity. The fact that you were not in a serious, committed relationship made it even more difficult to shake off the unease and jealousy. You couldn't help but wonder: was he really taking your relationship seriously? Was he using this team trip as an opportunity to explore other options without the constraints of an official relationship? Your thoughts spiraled into a pit of doubt and worry. You replayed every conversation, every moment you had shared with him, trying to decipher the depth of his feelings for you. Did he really care about you, or was this just a casual fling for him? The absence of a label on your relationship only amplified the anxiety and uncertainty. Without a solid foundation, it felt like the ground beneath you was constantly shifting, leaving you guessing about his feelings and intentions.

Your mind was a whirlwind of emotions. On one hand, you desperately wanted him to reassure you, to tell you that he cared for you and no one else. But on the other hand, the fact that you weren't officially together made it hard to shake off the nagging doubts. The uncertainty of your relationship status left you vulnerable and exposed, making it difficult to shake off the fear that you were just a temporary distraction for him. You tried to convince yourself that he genuinely cared for you, that the connection you shared was unique and special. But the nagging doubt in the back of your mind whispered that without an official label, there was always a risk of him straying.

After all, he was a professional athlete, surrounded by attractive women and surrounded by admirers on a daily basis. The absence of exclusivity made you feel insecure and unsure of where you stood in his life. As the night wore on, your thoughts continued to spiral, the absence of contact from him only exacerbating your turmoil. You found yourself lying on your bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, your mind consumed with worry and insecurity. The loneliness and uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on your heart. And as the hours ticked by, your mind began to wander, considering other possibilities. You found yourself entertaining the idea of being fine without him, of just throwing yourself into your work. After all, you had a life of your own, a career that fulfilled you and kept you busy.

The thought of just focusing on yourself and your work was enticing. You didn't need a man to complete you, did you? You were smart, talented, and capable. You could be independent and thrive without him, couldn't you? The idea of just focusing on your work and finding fulfillment in your own successes and achievements. It was appealing, wasn't it? You took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself. Why did you need him, anyway? You were successful in your own right, with a career and a life that you were proud of. You didn't have to rely on anyone else for happiness or fulfillment. And if he couldn't even bother to call you back, maybe it was time to consider moving on. The thought of being independent and focusing on your own success was starting to sound better and better. You didn't need a man to define you or your happiness. You had your own career and accomplishments to lean on.

With that thought in mind, you suddenly felt suddenly felt a rush of defiance and determination. Why should you wait around for him to return? You could focus on yourself, your work, and your own ambitions. You didn't need his validation or attention to be happy. You sat up on the bed, a newfound sense of resolve coursing through you. You had a career that you were proud of, accomplishments that you had achieved all on your own. What did you need him for, anyway? You didn't need any man to complete you. You were capable and strong all on your own.