#and you're invited to give an offering that relates to what happened there

[landgraabbed]

running some redoran quests

[dairy-farmer]

DamiTim idea.

When Damian joins the family he never tries to hurt or kill Tim. In fact, he is distant and polite to him at all times. He develops a brotherly antagonistic relationship with Jason and the father figure relationship with Dick, but he goes out of his way to not form any kind of real relationship with Tim. He calls him Drake, never invites him to hang out or spend time one-on-one like he does occasionally with Jason or Dick or Cass, and in fact they rarely talk to each other at all.

Tim, and the rest of the family, aren't sure what to make of it. On the one hand, the fact that Damian treats Tim with the kind of distant politeness you would a casual acquaintance or co-worker isn't exactly great. But on the other hand, considering he was raised by assassins and Jason tried to kill Tim a couple times when they first met, it's honestly better than most of them were expecting. But the main issue is that Damian always make sure that people are very clear on the fact that he and Tim are not brothers. Not rudely, not maliciously, but firmly nonetheless.

If people comment about the two of them being brothers, Damian's usual response is something along the lines of 'While did indeed taken and adopt Drake, The two of us do not have anything resembling a familial relationship, which I am quite happy about."

It probably would have been more concerning if it had a negative effect on their night job, but it doesn't. Damian has never complained about Tim's ability to do his job, has never hesitated to be his backup or come to his aide. He just doesn't seem interested in having a personal relationship with him.

Until!

The day Damian turns 18 the whole family has gathered at the manor for a family breakfast before getting ready for a big celebratory gala in the evening. Damian is the last to arrive, and politely greets everyone like normal, before he turns and smiles at Tim with a "Good morning, Timothy. You're looking well." Before continue on as if nothing has happened. Everyone is pretty shocked, but considering everything that has to be done by the evening no one really gets a chance to talk about it.

Later, at the gala, once all the guests have arrived and food and drinks are being consumed, Damian gets everyone's attention to give a speech; he thinks the guest for attending, thanks everyone for the gifts and their kind wishes, and then turns to Tim.

Very formally he asks Tim if he would do him the honor of accepting his offer of courtship, with an eye towards eventual marriage. Shocked silence, followed immediately by a sea of loud voices: guest gossiping, Dick and Bruce basically screaming "WHAT?!?" at the top of their lungs, and Tim just completely frozen and shock and bewilderment.

After all the guests are quickly shooed home there is a family meeting where everyone tries to figure out what the fuck is going on, at which point they finally learned the reason behind Damian's odd treatment of Tim.

Before showing up and joining the family Damian had made sure to read up on every piece of information about the family that Ra's and The League had, in order to familiarize himself with everyone and plan his integration. That was when he came across Tim's file and he fell in love instantly. Not only was Tim absolutely lovely in appearance, but he was highly skilled in combat and vigilante related skills, as well as a wide variety of civilian skills, as well as being friendly, helpful, and intelligent. Damian had been worried about Tim developing familial/sibling feelings for him, which would make it quite difficult to convince Tim to court and marry him. He was also aware that some people, particularly in high society and the media might take issue with them being legally related via Bruce's adoption, as well as the age gap.

So in order to deal with all those issues Damian decided the best course of action would be to keep a polite distance from Tim in order to prevent any family feelings from developing, while waiting to come of age and making sure it was well known that he did not viewed Tim as a brother in any way. Now that he has of age, of course, Damian is planning to pull out all the stops in order to make Tim his.

Over the next few weeks he showers Tim with gifts; and not just normal romantic gifts like flowers and chocolate and jewelry. Every single gift is painstakingly selected to cater to Tim's interests and tastes: flavorful and elegant coffees and teas from around the world, professional high grade photography equipment, autographed and exclusive superhero and skateboarding merchandise, as well as smaller gifts and trinkets. Damian spends a lot of time with Tim, who was confused and slightly reluctant at first, but was quickly won over by Damian's thoughtfulness and attention to detail.

It takes less than 6 months for the two of them to announce their engagement. The ceremony is lovely, they are deeply in love, and then they spent the entire honeymoon fucking nasty. Damian worships and destroys Tim's body in turns, with a level of skill that Tim is incredibly confused about since he knows for a fact that Damian has never dated anyone (which he now knows is because Damian was in love with him). At the end of their two-week honeymoon, it's pretty much a guarantee that Tim is pregnant.

👀👀👀👀👀 damian planning from the get go to make tim his wife and officially courting him as soon as he was able to!!!

and despite the initial distance between him and tim damian manages to close it in a matter of months because unlike so many people, damian genuinely had an avid interest in tim and payed close attention to the things he enjoyed and liked which was why tim ended up returning his feelings!!🥺🥺🥺

[margotw10bis]

Crashing On Crush.JJK 7 [m]

crush!Jungkook x reader

Genre: smut; series; romance; angst

Words: 4.6k

Synopsis: What happens when your first encounter with your crush is Jungkook seeing your ass?

Warnings: sexual tension; broken heart; Calvin Klein JK (yeah, it's a warning)

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As much as you hate it, you do find Jungkook handsome and your heart has been pounding as soon as you noticed him. And you hate that you missed him - the last time you saw him was two weeks ago in the club. You are surprised to see him but also to see he has cut his hair. You can't help but missing his puffy shoulder-length hair and you want to slap you in the face for that thought. His black locks are now shorter in a mullet-style hair cut with a bang and are lightly curled. But gosh, he looks good. A little too good for your heart's sake.

You forget to how to breath when Jungkook stops a few meters from you. You feel your cheeks burning as well as your whole body and it's not because of the hot and suffocating July of Seoul because the A/C is on inside the art gallery. It's definitely because of Jeon Jungkook, the devil manifesting in a handsome man figure.

"Hi, uhm, I have an appointment with Aecha" He says after clearing his throat

"Follow me"

Even if you invite him to walk with you, it looks like you want to run away from him. Fortunately, you quickly arrive to Aecha's office. You knock and enter, Jungkook by your side. Your colleague offers him a way better smile than you.

"Jungkook, hi! Nice to meet you in person! We are so happy to work with you" Aecha's voice is warm and magically relaxes Jungkook

"Same here"

He tries to sound cheerful. He is really happy and proud that the gallery has approached him for the project, it will surely help him for his career but he does feel tensed to see you. He can't deny he hesitated to accept the job but then he saw it as an opportunity to set the record straight with you. He has been so grumpy that even Mina has stopped asking for his attention and let him work in his office at home. Jungkook has imagined hundred of scenarios of what happened between you and the guy after you left and every single one of them ended with you in his arms. By anger and frustration, he even broke his Apple Pencil and had to buy a new one.

"I am so sorry but I don't have time to talk details with you personally" Aecha continues, genuinely annoyed "But don't worry, Y/N is very professional and I'm sure you'll get along"

Your eyes widen and you throw distraught gazes at Aecha. 'Please, don't make me do that!' You silently beg her. But she doesn't get it or chooses to ignore it as she hands you the file. You do know the artists and the theme of the exhibition, as well as other details about the events related but you don't want to work with Jungkook. You know he is supposed to provide different visuals and supports, which means that you are going to deal with him for days. You're not sure your heart can handle it and you fear your determination to hate him will fail you - to be true, it has already began when he first appeared in the lobby.

Yet, you have no choice but to take the damn file with shaky hands and ask Jungkook to follow you in the meeting room.

A feeling of pain and jealousy fills you when you realize that his girlfriend has got to see him everyday and you have no doubt that he has looked damn hot every single day of these two weeks. Even now, in front of you, he is ridiculously handsome in his matching Calvin Klein denim jacket and pants, a white t-shirt finishing his perfect look. You can't help but wondering if his underwear is also signed CK, which makes you blush. Jungkook is fucking hot like that - would you dare to say that you are aroused by the absence of his usual all-black style?

You shake your head to erase those filthy thoughts and you sit down. You open and read the file, which gives you a good excuse to not look at Jungkook.

"Did you sleep with him?"

Jungkook's voice is neutral despite his pounding heart. He couldn't help but ask you. Even if it breaks his already broken heart, he has to know. His look-the-other-way part argues that if he knows, it'll get easier to let you go.

You immediately look up and open your mouth but no sound escapes it. Just by seeing you blushing hard, Jungkook knows. His fists clench and he is angry. Not at you, but at himself. You left with another man, you slept with another man because he pushed you away. He tries to convince himself that the pinch in his heart is due to his bruised man pride but deep down he knows that it's his feelings for you that have been rattled.

"It's none of your business" You eventually decide to answer "Let's not get personal and stick to a professional behavior"

Jungkook doesn't say anything but nods, poking on his inner cheek with his tongue.

Weirdly enough, you both concentrate on work and are able to have a peaceful conversation. Some details are discussed and Jungkook notes some ideas that get through his mind while you give him more informations.

"Can I see the art pieces? It'll help to get fully in the right mood" Jungkook asks at some point

"Sure"

You both walk through the art gallery and you can see that Jungkook truly appreciates the architecture of the building. You see his doe eyes sparkle with inspiration and you can practically see all the ideas that are currently filling his brain. Witnessing his passion melts your heart.

You enter the code of the storage room and motion Jungkook to step in. You explain that you haven't receive yet all the pieces but you add that he can look at them of the website of the gallery. His back facing you, a sketchbook and a pen in his hands, he is already quickly sketching a few visuals. You are quite intrigued by how fast his brain works and you move forward gingerly. You stand on your tiptoe to look upon his large shoulder and sneak on his sophisticate drawings.

"Wow" You whisper, almost in his ear, unintentionally

Jungkook was so focus on his work that he didn't notice you, but when you opened your mouth he startles and turns his head to your face suddenly. You are so close that your breathes are mixing. His eyes look right into yours but can't help going down to yours pretty lips. He gulps, a vivid memory of your several passionate kisses coming to his mind. He knows how you taste and he is dying to feel it again on his tongue. He wets his pierced lips with his tongue and the move attracts your glance too. A spontaneous wave of arousal goes straight to your lower belly.

Thankfully - or not -, staying this long on your tiptoe causes a cramp in your left calf. You immediately step back and wince, holding on the painful leg.

"What's going on?" Jungkook asks you, alarmed

"Cramp" You hiss

It doesn't take long to Jungkook to kneel down and massage your lower leg. You blush hard but convince yourself that it's due to the pain and not to Jungkook's warm palms on your skin. But why do you mentally praise you for wearing a yellow wrap dress and not your usual slacks?

"It's okay, you don't have to-" You speak up, weakly trying to push his hands away

"Let me do that for you"

His eye is so intense that you only manage to gulp and nod, letting Jungkook rubbing your calf to relax the muscles. You hiss as his fingers palp your aching leg, instinctively grabbing on his large shoulders to not fall. Feeling your hands on him, even through the thick fabric of his denim jacket and under this circumstances, Jungkook feels good. So fucking good. His whole body, that has been tensed for weeks now, softens under your touch. It's like he was physically missing something that your hands give him back. Someway, it's the first time you wish your cramp was lasting longer.

"It's gone" You say unsurely and, with regret from both sides, Jungkook stands up

"I'm sorry-"

"Don't. Please don't" You close your eyes in pain, not willing to remember once again what he did because you surely didn't forget

You hate him for breaking your heart but you don't hate him. Quite the opposite actually. You still love him, so fucking much. You can't change the past and you surely can't be best friend with him but you can make this professional relationship work. You want it for the gallery but also for Jungkook because you still think he is very talented and deserves the contract. That's why you take a deep breathe and start talking:

"Look, I know things have been... weird between us. Let's just put that aside and concentrate on work. I really want to feel good here so let's not make things more awkward. I think it would be nice if we could be colleagues"

Jungkook looks at you for a moment, surprised. He doesn't really know what to say when there are so many things that he wants to say - if that makes any sense. He runs a hand through his fresh cut hair.

"I'll work hard then, for you"

He doesn't specify if 'you' refers to the gallery and all your colleagues and artists involved or just you. But your heart doesn't care about the difference and skips a beat. You try to put a - weird - smile on your face to look relax.

"Welcome onboard then, Mr. Jeon"

————

Day 2 of working with Jungkook and you have to say that you are surprised how things go smoothly. You and Jungkook really get along - on a professional level - and your two brains seem to share the same ideas and vision of the project.

When he went home, Jungkook went straight to his home office and started sketching some visuals. On the one hand, he wants to work slowly only to get the chance to spend more time with you. But on the other hand, he has so many ideas for the different supports. The project clearly excites him and he hasn't been this motivated for a long time. Moreover, your cute yellow dress of the day seemed to be another reminder that you are like sunshine is his life and that everything looks better when you are around.

This morning, he has joined you in the same meeting room and gave you a cup of latte - he knows it's your favorite beverage - that he has bought on its way to the gallery. The sweet gesture didn't go unnoticed by your weak heart and your cheeks did redden. As soon as you two have sat down, Jungkook put his sketchbook and graphic tablet on the desk and explained the different concepts. You were so impressed by his work and how much he has done in just one evening. You couldn't help but being worried that he had not slept well and the dark circles under his beautiful eyes proved you no wrong.

You don't even notice it was lunch time until you hear a knock on the door. You look up and meet a sweet and cute familiar face.

"I didn't want to bother you but I've been waiting for fifteen minutes so I thought that you might have forgotten me"

Jongseob seems embarrassed and is blushing hardly. Your heart immediately melts and your smile widens. This doesn't go unnoticed by Jungkook who wonders how many men have stolen your heart. He can't help but feeling jealous. When will his possessiveness stop? Especially when you're not his.

"It's okay. Actually, I lost track of time. Please come in, Seobi"

You get up and give a big hug to Jongseob. The young man is quite impressed by Jungkook. His black outfit has returned and his tattoos are showing up under his oversize t-shirt. He does look intimidating and Jongseob feels a wave of protectiveness towards you, hoping that the stranger didn't give you a hard time.

You have no idea of what is going on in Jongseob's brain and you turn back to Jungkook.

"Let's meet up in two days so you have time to make the changes we've talked about. Then, we will show everything to Aecha" You say with a smile and Jungkook simply nods.

You notice the way he is staring at your young friend and realize that they don't know each other.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't introduce you-" You are cut off by Jongseob

"I'm Kim Jongseob"

You are surprised by his confident and quite cold tone. It's so not like him. You even feel his arm easily wrapping around your shoulders. When did he get this tall? You look at him, asking him with your eyes what the hell he is doing. But Jongseob is completely focus on the black-hair man.

"Jeon Jungkook"

Jongseob's eyes widen and immediately turn to you. Your face expression confirms what he thinks: it's the man who broke your heart. If you didn't say a word on your Graduation Day, you couldn't lie when a few days later Jongseob has asked you about how it went when you confessed your feelings to your crush. Even if you tried really hard to not cry in front of him, you couldn't stop a few tears. Jongseob was so heartbroken for you and has spent the day with you at your place, eating ice-creams and watching Disney movies.

The body of your usual so cute friend tenses immediately and he leaves your shoulders to step in front of you, protectively. His eyes narrow when he gazes at Jungkook.

"I hope he hasn't done anything to you" He says with his jaw clenched, talking to you but looking at Jungkook

A scoff escapes Jungkook's lips. Who the hell is this kid? He doesn't know anything about him and yet, he is judging him. Only if he knew that at his age, Jungkook was... No, it's better if he doesn't know, otherwise you would know too. And he surely doesn't want you to know.

"Jongseob" You say softly, a hand on his shoulder "Jungkook is working with me, everything is fine"

"Can't someone else deal with him? Why it has to be you?" His voice is more gentle now and he is looking at you, finally

"No, and it's okay. I promise"

"What are you going to do about it, uh?"

Your eyes widen in surprise while Jungkook smirks and then pokes his tongue in his inner cheek in a provocative way. He doesn't even know why he opened his mouth in the first place. Maybe he was just tired of everyone treating him like shit or maybe he wanted you to know that your little guy couldn't compete with him. 'Stupid fucking ego' he thinks.

"What did you say?" Jongseob responds aggressively, taking a step further and Jungkook does the same

"I said, what are you fucking going to do about it?" Jungkook articulates each single word, his jaws clenched

You start to panic and take place between the two men.

"Stop it now, the both of you" You try to be firm but your voice is a little shaky

"You were right, he's a fucking asshole" Jongseob goads

"What did you say?" Jungkook barks this time, ready to throw punches in this little fucker's face

"Jongseob!" You shout "Go wait outside, now"

You are so tensed that your whole body is shaking with adrenaline. What are you going to do if they start fighting? But you release the air of your lungs when Jongseob does as you say. You look at Jungkook to try to know what he is thinking but his features are too neutral, except for his gritted teeth.

"Jungkook, I-I never said that" You try after a moment of silence

"It's okay" He sighs, trying to relax the tension in his body "Even if you said it, you had every reason"

You stand in front of him, not knowing what to do. You are unsettled when a little sneer escapes Jungkook's mouth. You look at him, questioning him with your eyes.

"At least you have people to protect you"

"Jungkook-"

"No, it's okay. I see you on Friday with the finished visuals and support designs"

Jungkook grabs his stuff and goes away, leaving you breathless and heart pounding.

————

"Noona, I'm sorry"

Jongseob has spent the whole lunch apologizing but you haven't said a word. You are so disappointed in his behavior but you are also destabilized by the way you feel angry at your friend for attacking Jungkook. You shouldn't feel that way, it's true that Jungkook broke your heart but why do you still want your friends to have a good impression of him? It doesn't make any fucking sense and you sigh in frustration.

"Stop apologizing. What you did was wrong Jongseob"

"I know but he... he was just there and he broke your heart! Are you really okay working with him?!"

You take the time to think. Are you okay with it? Honestly, yes. And more honestly, you are happy to work with him. You wish the reason of that was because Jungkook works well but it's not: the reason is that you want to be with him, in anyway possible.

"Yes, so please stop. Maybe you don't want to hear it or you don't understand but Jungkook is nice"

"How can you say that?!" Jongseob gasps

"He is, really. What he did to me was wrong but beside that, he has been really nice to me"

And it's true. Objectively, the cheating-on-his-girlfriend-with-you part put aside, Jungkook has been nice to you. The two days you have spent working with him showed you a new face of him: the passionate yet so considering of other's opinions side. He has carefully listened to you, has taken the time to explain to you technical things about designs and has worked hand-in-hand with you to provide the perfect visuals. Even beside that, the morning coffee and the way he has hold the chair for you to sit down or the way he has turn off the A/C when he noticed you were cold, proves he is a good person. Maybe a little selfishly too, you want to believe that you have fallen for a good guy and not a shit head so the whole story wasn't you being completely wrong about him.

"Look, I'm a big girl. I know you're worried but everything's fine, Seobi" You smile at Jongseob, trying to calm him down

"Okay..." He sighs "But if he tries anything, please tell me and I swear I'll punch him in the face, just for him to know he can't mess with you"

Your heart softens at his pouty face and you promise. You know Jongseob just wants to protect his Noona but deep down you know Jungkook won't try to hurt you again.

————

You haven't heard of Jungkook until he shows up on Friday for your expected meeting. You have sweaty hands, not knowing how will be things between the two of you. You give him an unsure smile when you welcome him and you feel released that Jungkook is back to his old and nice self. He shows you the final project and everything is perfect. You compliment his work and you may notice a slight blush on his cheeks.

You waste no time and you two head up to Aecha's office so she can approve, what she definitely does. Your colleague is really impressed and praises the both of you. Your chest is full of pride that you managed the situation. You are really excited to be more involved in one of the gallery's projects.

To celebrate your success, you invite Jungkook at a nearby coffee. It doesn't surprise you anymore that Jungkook orders you a latte but it's appealing to your weak and soft heart. Coffees in hands, you sit down at a table.

"I'm so happy that your visuals have been approved! I can't wait to see the posters in real life and on the big screens of the gallery!" You tell him excited, which makes him giggle.

"I'm glad too. Tell me if you need help with the printer guy, I know that sometimes they can be a little hard to handle and delay things until you lose your mind"

"I'll sure do"

You feel so good joking with Jungkook. It feels like before you discovered about Mina, back when everything was so natural and delightful between you two. A small wave of nostalgia washes over your body and a small part of you wishes you didn't know about the girlfriend. However, the bigger part of you feels better to know that he didn't cheat on his girlfriend with you more than that.

"I have to tell you something"

Jungkook's serious tone and face make you stressed. You wonder what other bomb he is going to throw at you and how you'll manage to survive. 'Please, tell me there is no other secret girlfriends!' You pray

"Mina" He starts and your heart sinks by hearing the name, you still feel so guilty towards her even if you didn't know "She is not my girlfriend"

What the hell?!

Your eyes almost roll of your sockets by surprise. You are speechless. Does he lie? But he is looking straight into your eyes and you don't see anything but pain. But if she is not his girlfriend, why did he lie about lying to you? It doesn't make sense!

"She is my best friend, well at least back in Busan"

"But, why?" Is all you manage to say, your brain is completely upside down

"It's just an old habit of us, saying to other people we're dating. When we were younger, we were so close that most people thought that we were actually a couple. At some point, it was kind of a joke to confirm it"

Jungkook's nostalgic smile is not happy but quite sad and your heart squeezes. You wonder what caused him such pain but you don't want to push him.

"Maybe, back then, there were more than friendly feelings between us but it's not the case anymore. I just want you to know that nothing happened between Mina and I"

"Why'd you tell me that?"

Jungkook's eyes grow big in surprise. He doesn't really know why he tells you the truth. Perhaps he just doesn't want you to hurt because of this, because of him.

"I don't know..." He sighs "I just wanted you to know"

You don't know what you feel. On the one hand, you are relived that he didn't cheat on his girlfriend with you, but on the other hand, you are still heartbroken because he has still rejected you - and the reason was not him having a girlfriend but just not wanting to be with you. And that hurts like hell.

Jungkook looks at you with his big doe eyes, biting on his bottom lip, while he waits for you to say something. But honestly, you don't know what to say. So he keeps going:

"I haven't seen her in years but she came up to me. She needed some help. Things are-were complicated. I'm sorry if I hurt you, I really didn't want that"

"I understand" You don't but what else could you say?

"Y/N" He says gently, grabbing your hand at the other side of the table "I am really, really sorry"

The warmth of his hand goes straight to your heart and cheeks. Why does he have to do that? It's so hard not to fall for him when he acts like that! You want to hug him and tell him you forget everything as long as he is with you. But you can't do that, so you smile instead.

"I wish I could go back and do things right with you. Maybe... maybe we could be friends or something?"

Jungkook winces at the way his thoughts have turned into words. It sounds so dumb and it's not really what he wanted to say. He wanted to ask you if you would accept to see him again, like before. Like when you were supposed to have a date at the Lotte aquarium.

"I guess we could be friends" You say in a small voice, almost a whisper

Jungkook's heart jumps in his chest and he knows he'll try everything to make it up to you. But first, he has to deal with Mina.

————

Since you have done a great job with the communication campaign with Jungkook, Aecha sends you over to meet the print firm. You are walking around in Seocho, a district of Seoul, but take the time to follow the Han River boardwalk. The heat and humidity is almost unbearable but the view is so beautiful. The sun is mirroring on the water. You close your eyes, feeling the D Vitamin entering your body. You hum in contentment.

Nevertheless, the universe couldn't let you in peace for five minutes. Your blood runs cold when a familiar but non welcoming face appears right in front of you. Mina. You don't really know how to act in front of her now that you know she isn't really Jungkook's girlfriend.

"Hi" You tell her with an unsure voice

"Hi, Y/N right?"

Mina's smile is bright but not really friendly. Something in her behavior makes you uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry, I can't stay long, Jungkook is waiting for me at home" She takes a dig at you

Her little scornful tone drives you crazy. Before you can even think properly, you open your mouth:

"Jungkook told me the truth. You are not really together"

For one second, Mina seems unsettled but she hides it quickly. You feel your heart beating faster and your hands freezing, just as if you were ready for a fight. It might not be a physical one but it will surely be punches with words.

"Did he?"

You stay silent, waiting for her to set the mood. You don't have hard feelings for her. You could be friends, if she wants to.

"Look, you seem like a nice girl" Although it doesn't sound like a compliment in her mouth "But I'm not sure you are the good person for Kookie"

"I think he's old enough to decide for himself"

"We might not be an official couple but we do share something special. We've been best friends for years, we have been through so many things, you won't ever be able to understand. I know him but I'm not sure you can say the same"

You are taken aback.

"I-I do know him" You sound less confident than you wanted

"Oh, really? Did he tell you about his past?" Mina smirks and you frown, confirming what she was thinking "I just don't want you to be hurt, Y/N. Jungkook and I are meant to be together. It might take some time but it will happen eventually. If you stay in between, you'll only get your heart broken"

Your watery eyes blur your vision. You don't know how Mina manages to do it but her words are so sharp that you could swear she is telling the truth. Maybe it's a result of her magnetic aura.

"I love him"

It's the final blow for you. An intense squeeze hits your cardiac muscle. You don't even know who you are anymore. You have read too many books, you have seen too many movies not to know. All along, you thought you were the main character of the story. But you're not. You're the second female lead in Jungkook's story: the one who only exists to make him realize that his true love has been in front of him since the beginning. There is no better destiny than two best friends finally aware of their true feelings. Fate, cruel as ever, put you on Jungkook's path for him to acknowledge that Mina is the right one for him.

And that fucking hurts.

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[another-lost-mc]

Hi Jes!!! Happy Sunday!!!

I’m curious; what do weekends usually look like with some of your obey me faves? Do you tend to just relax at home, or is your social calendar packed full? 😋

➤ sunday routines

characters: leviathan, asmodeus, barbatos, solomon & simeon, mephistopheles

content: sfw. established relationships with gn!reader implied. implied polyship with solomon and simeon. mostly domestic fluff/slice of life (slightly suggestive in solomon/simeon and mephisto's sections). wc: 0.7k.

a/n: thank you for the ask, andy! also my fav bias is showing.

Leviathan is dreading another long week of RAD classes. He invites you to watch TV in his room and if he gets the sense that you're anxious or just not in a great mood, he'll suggest that you pick what you both should watch. He won't complain even if it's some random movie or series he hasn't heard of or doesn't like. He plays his handheld with his head in your lap and every now and then he follows you to the kitchen for drink and snack refills.

Asmodeus meets you in the laundry room with his hamper full to the brim with clothes from the past week. He reminds you how to sort things to preserve their colours and the delicate fabrics. He even has his own special brand of laundry soap that just happens to be scented exactly to your liking. He's gotten angry at his brothers in the past for using it without permission, but he has no reservations about adding it to your own laundry. Usually he takes you to his room while you wait for the wash cycle to finish so you can relax. When it's time to fold and put the laundry away, he follows you to your room and helps if you'll let him (he insists you can take it easy on his bed or at his vanity while he puts away his own clothes). Afterwards, he takes your hands in his and examines your nails when he notices some of last week’s polish is chipped. He gives you a manicure, complete with a hand massage, before painting your nails with a fresh coat of polish for the week ahead.

Barbatos gets up early as usual and visits the street market. He already has his young master's dinner planned out and the ingredients on a list in his pocket, but he browses the daily offerings of fresh vegetables and imported foods while he debates what he wants to make for you. Sundays at the Demon Lord's Castle are usually more relaxed while the staff finish cleaning up from any gatherings the evening before. It'll give him enough time in his surprisingly flexible schedule to make lunch for both of you and it's the highlight of Sunday afternoons for both of you.

Solomon and Simeon invite you to Purgatory Hall to catch up on any last-minute homework you might've neglected or forgotten about. They're both extremely knowledgeable and kind when they explain concepts you might still struggle with, and you're glad you don't always have to bother Satan for his help. Solomon wants to charm you with a home cooked Sunday dinner, and he tries to sneak away from the table when he thinks Simeon is too focused on his work (and you) to notice. The best way to avoid culinary chaos is to offer to help both of them with dinner, and they're glad for your company. Sometimes they find your presence a little too distracting because they're hungry in more ways than one, but perhaps a break in one of their rooms can help.

Mephistopheles has a busy schedule and it's hard to predict what he'll be doing on any given Sunday. Sometimes he's helping his parents with errands related to their duties as high-ranking nobles in their community. Sometimes he's helping his younger brother with homework or they're playing games together. If he has no other obligations, he rides one of his favourite horses through the wooded trails behind his family's estate and lets you know when he's returned (he rushes to shower and dress before you arrive). He's more than happy to send a car to pick you up so you can have dinner with his family, or sometimes he's particularly greedy and sets up a private dining table in the lounge connected to his bedroom for the two of you. It's only when you're interrupted by the incessant vibrations of your D.D.D. later that night, and when he groans his frustrations into the crook of your neck, that you realize you lost track of time. Lucifer means well, but his timing is terrible. Some Sunday evenings, Mephisto accompanies you back to the House of Lamentation after instructing the driver discreetly to take the scenic route. Other times, you're glad you thought to bring an overnight bag with you and send Lucifer a hasty goodnight text before turning off your phone. You happily focus your attention back on the demon who pulls you onto his lap and eagerly picks up where he left off.

read more: obey me masterlist

[kmazine]

[ 04:58 PM ]

It's not even thirty minutes since Seungcheol been laying down on the couch and he's been sighing nonstop ever since. Despite the sound of the vacuum cleaner in your hand, it's not hard to hear his heavy sighs even when he didn't mean to make it obvious either.

"Are you okay, babe?" You turned off the vacuum cleaner and rest it carefully on the wall before walking to sit on the floor beside the couch.

"Tell me what's wrong" You scoot closer to the couch so you can rest your chin at the edge of the couch, face closer to his.

He turned his body to the side, facing you. He just offer you his pouty lips instead of answering you. You look at him as his eyes wanders into yours. He bites the insides of his cheek and seems hesitate to tell you. You let him doing whatever mental gymnastic he have in his mind for a minute before you palm his cheek with your hand and stroke your thumb on his cheek, making he sighs at your soft touch.

"I'm going to complaint again..." He purse his lips. He didn't need to explain for you to know what he's talking about. Your eyes shifted to his leg wrapped in thick cast.

"Well, you know what. Tell me, I'm all ears" you gaze your eyes back to him, as other hand offer gentle pats on his head as you wait for him to talk about it.

He immediately propped his head with his elbow as he start talking. From with how it's hard for him to not being able to do anything he used to especially when his work need him to be able to move around, and how it makes him more anxious each days because of it. You eyes never left his, making sure he knows you're listening, and sometimes you reply him with nods and hums, assuring him that you understand his frustration.

"I know you don't like hearing this but... I still feel like it's my fault. If - if only I'm being a bit more careful...." Another heavy sigh left his lips. Your heart hurts for him.

Be it work related or outside his work, he's an active person. He always enjoy outdoor activities with you and his friends so not being able to move actively because of his leg injury took a toll on him mentally too, so you hope at the very least, just listening to him talking about it might make him less stressed out. But, it give a pang to your heart when he start blame himself for that and it's only right for you to remind him that that's not the case.

"It's right for you to feel frustrated but you need to stop blaming yourself for this. I don't like it when you think it's your fault. Sometimes accident happens, Cheol. Let's look at the bright side okay?" You reassure him despite you yourself don't know how to convince him and wonder if you say the right thing.

He sit up and pats the space beside him, signaling you to sit beside him so you settle yourself right next to him.

"It's bearable only because I've got you with me here." His hands wrapped around your arm, as you let him rest his head on your shoulder.

"See. That's the bright side I'm talking about" You joke, hoping it will lift up his mood. You don't want him to dwell into this too much.

"Well, can't argue with that" He giggles and crane up his face to stamp a kiss on your lower jaw.

"Do you want to invite the boys to play game and hang out here? I think some of them are free tomorrow?" You pull back enough to look at his face. The joy bubble up inside of you at the way his face beams at your suggestion.

"They can be here all day while I'm at work. I'm going to buy dinner for us tomorrow, so just make sure to let me know how many of them will be joining" He nods, as his lips quirks up.

"You're the best, babe. I love you" Seungcheol pouts, that cute pouts when he's all excited and you just want to kiss that lips. Knowing the look on your face, he moves his face closer to yours and kiss you before both of you let out a fit of giggles. He then grab his phone from the coffee table before his fingers went busy, tapoing on the touchscreen — you assumed he's mentioning tomorrow's plan to his friends.

"Also, I need your help with this" You stand up and walk towards the fresh dry laundry's basket and put it beside him. You hope with this simple chores, it will help him forgot about his concern for a while.

He reply you with an okay, still all smiley. He then tugs your arm so you bend your face down closer to him before he cups your face with his palms and melt his lips on yours, making you smile against his lips.

"Also, thank you, love." He said after he pulled out from the kiss before stamped his lips on your forehead. You let out a happy hum before continue doing the chores that you've been postponing for few days now.

Little did you know, Seungcheol secretly ordering your favourite food from your favourite restaurant for dinner.

p/s : I didn't specify or go into details the cause or severity of his broken leg so it can be from less serious incident too.

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

[ my other works / masterlist ]

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

a.n : I hesitate to post this one actually. I wrote this back then when Seungcheol went to Japan for the Tokyo concert. I want to post other fics first and come back to this later but his post on weverse and live last week somehow makes me want to post this sooner because his words somehow remind me of this and I hate being too emotional for him but here I am.

Like always. Excuse me for any grammatical mistakes or typos. I wrote this then dipped on this before coming back to add the last part so those mistakes this might be worse then the others. But I want to post this asap as much as I hesitate 😭

[my-naughty-writings-and-musings]

NSFW Gunmax x Reader

Chapter One

I have once again fallen into my old love, Brave Police, and with so much stress in my life I've decided to have a bit of fun with the bots! Synopsis is simple: Gunmax invites reader to "spend the night" with obvious intent, not knowing reader is fully aware that he's a virgin. Shenanigans will ensue.

(NSFW, Robot Human Relations, Reader uses gender neutral pronouns, Sauciness to Increase with Additional Chapters)

Please like and reblog, and let me know what you think!

"Here we are."

The garage Gunmax had brought you to was lit only by string lights overhead once the door closed behind the both of you, but even then you could see there was a fair bit more out of place in the abandoned cement structure. A bot sized bed of cushions covered in blankets was the main feature, and a closer look revealed it to be in the shape of a lopsided heart, making you smile at the sentimentality most would never have expected from a mech like Gunmax. To his credit, he must have also cleaned the place up, as there wasn't a speck of dust or dirt along the aged stone surfaces. You'd have offered a thankful flirt, but the not-so-distant sounds of the city's active night life gave you pause. The last thing the two of you needed was an unexpected visitor.

"You're sure no one will disturb us in here?" you asked as you looked up at him. Gunmax scoffed in sarcastic offense, hitting a button on the wall that snapped a heavy duty lock over the garage door.

"I scouted and secured this place myself, we won't be bothered." he said with full confidence. You saw no reason to distrust him on this matter, so you relaxed and turned your attention to the lovely night ahead. Gunmax had made it very apparent what he wanted to happen, his many forced innuendos telling you more than he had probably intended, but you were polite enough to play along provided he behaved himself. Looking back to the sizable and only slightly lumpy bed, you smiled in anticipation of a lovely evening. Gunmax puffed his chest out as he lifted you for a clear view of his work. "I even got it all nice and pretty for you, baby."

A most imperfectly timed flickering of the lights overhead made him pout, compelling you to jump to his rescue and save the mood. You knew from experience there was one thing that cheered him up without fail; playful ribbing. "I think we have different definitions of pretty."

"I'd say you have no taste, but I'm proof of the opposite." he countered effortlessly, back to high spirits without delay. You rolled your eyes at his boundless arrogance, but couldn't keep from smiling at his wit, especially when exchanging playful barbs had been the start of your relationship in the first place. Bending down to let you hop out of his hands, the mech flopped back onto his makeshift bed with an audible whumpf from the cushions, sprawling his nimble limbs as he looked down at you with a smirk.

"How about giving this bed a try before you knock it, yeah? It's big enough for two, but you can always have a seat on my lap." he offered, adjusting his posture so the area between his legs was freely accessible. It wasn't his most obnoxiously suggestive invitation, but you had little intention of just going along and making things easy if he tried to play at being something you knew he wasn't. It might not have been obvious to Gunmax that he wasn't fooling anyone, but if he continued to bluff you were intending to call him out on it. Having so much fun in the process was just a perk.

"Why would I ever want to do that?" you asked coyly, sitting down on the edge of the bed after hefting yourself over the lip. It was impossible to say just how many cushions, blankets and mattresses had been gathered to build it, but the end result was indeed quite comfortable. You couldn't wait to break it in properly.

Only mildly phased by your mock misunderstanding, the biker sighed in dramatic fashion, doubling down on his pouty approach as he leaned his cheek into his palm. Whatever game he was playing, he was in it to win, optics twinkling behind his visor with mischevious daring as he leveled them on you. "I'd hoped you'd feel grateful enough to show your host some appreciation, but I guess you have poor manners..."

The daring taunt flicked a switch in you, his overt teasing just too much to endure when you knew he was faking it, and you decided that he'd unknowingly chosen to do things the hard but equally pleasurable way.

"I had a feeling "checking out your place" was code for something else. But, if you put it like that..." you trailed off to crawl between his legs, moving carefully but quickly so he had no time to prepare before you were pushing his thighs apart, letting your hands linger on his freshly waxed white finish. His antenna dipped reflexively, and you heard him gulp when you stopped just shy of his panel. From the way he flinched backwards at your sudden approach, one would have thought you towered over the bot. You might as well have with how easily you had him on the run. "I'd certainly hate to be rude."

[missmagooglie]

The conversations that happen on the way back to the firehouse are always wildest after sex-related calls.

Hen will admit that their newest probie does occasionally exhibit the obnoxious habit of speaking as though his whole entire twenty five years on this earth have given him ample time to become an expert on absolutely everything, but things don’t get weird until Chim tries to bait him by saying, “Well how would you know, Buck? Not like you’ve ever had a dick in your mouth.”

The probie’s shocked and offended face is entirely predictable and, admittedly, hilarious. Hen cracks open her water bottle and prepares to tune out whatever well meaning but ignorant and at least mildly offensive assertion of his heterosexuality is about to spew from this boy’s mouth.

She is not prepared for him to hotly retort, “Of course I’ve sucked cock. I’m not homophobic!”

Hen promptly chokes, water pouring down her chin as she coughs and sputters all over the cab. 

“Shit, Hen, are you ok?” the probie asks her, thumping her back in a way that he should know as a trained EMT does not actually help in this situation.

“Fine,” Hen wheezes, waving him off as she gets her breath back. “I’m just. Gonna need you to run that back for me a little.”

Probie gives her that confused head tilt that she refuses to find adorable. The kid is a capable enough firefighter when he’s not running off half-cocked to try some big damn hero stunt, but he is a Chad of the highest degree. Hen does not and will not like him as a person.

“What? Oh, the blowjob thing?” He says with eyes that are way too wide and earnest for someone casually talking about oral sex. “It was no big deal, really. It was ages ago.”

Hen holds one finger up at him and takes a few deep breaths just to make sure she’s not going to cough any more, then says, “I am going to need to know who convinced you that there was a dick-sucking requirement for being an LGBT ally.”

Hen is genuinely worried the kid is going to hurt himself if he keeps thinking this hard.

“Oh,” he says, frowning with concentration. “Well, I guess it was more like in that specific situation than, like, in general.”

“Buckaroo, you’ve gotta know we’re gonna ask,” Chim says, leaning forward eagerly to hear whatever absolute mess of a story is about to come out of Buck’s mouth.

Buck manages to look surprised at Chim’s sudden interest. “There’s not, like, some big story. I was in Vegas, some friends invited me to Pride and I’m always up for a good party. We wind up at a club, this guy asks me if I want to blow him, and, you know, what was I supposed to do? Say no?”

Hen glances at Chim, who looks just as dumbfounded as she feels. 

“Uh, yes?” Chim says. “I mean, obviously if you're bisexual or heteroflexible or whatever we aren't gonna judge, man. But most people who aren't attracted to men won't suck a cock just cuz some guy asked.”

Buck shrugs. “I wasn’t gonna leave the poor guy hanging just because I’m not gay. I was in a gay club during Pride. He had every reason to assume I swung that way. When in Italy or whatever, you know?”

“Rome,” Hen croaks. “The expression is ‘When in Rome’.” 

Buck looks at her with his confused puppy face. “Isn’t that in Italy?”

“Sure,” Chim says, cutting in smoothly before Hen blows a gasket at the sheer absurdity of this boy. “But the expression’s about the Roman Empire, not the city.”

“You mean Ancient Rome?” Buck says, “Wasn’t that more than, like, 200 years ago?”

That’s it. That’s the final crack in Hen’s sanity. “Two HUNDRED? Bobby, pull over. I need to kill your probie.”

“For what?” Buck squawks as Bobby sighs heavily.

“General ignorance of the world!” Hen snaps. “I don’t know how you’ve survived this long, but it ends today!”

“Hen, not again,” Bobby says, dry as a bone. The captain mostly keeps to himself, but every now and then he’ll offer a peek into a delightfully twisted sense of humor. “It’s getting hard to cover up this many of them going ‘mysteriously missing’.”

The indignant noise that comes out of the probie's mouth makes all the brain damage she’s sustained from this conversation worth it.

At least until Chimney decides he's still curious and asks, "So were you any good?"

"Well, it was my first time doing it and I was pretty drunk," the probie hedges, before proudly adding, "but, I can shotgun a beer in under four seconds so opening my throat like that was kinda second nature."

"Please stop talking," Hen begs. "Just, close your mouth and never open it again."

He pouts at her. He actually pouts. "What about when I need to eat?" he asks.

"Don't. Speak." Hen repeats. "If I never hear another word about your sexual exploits, it will be too soon."

The probie mimes zipping his lips and throwing away the key. "No more sex talk at the fire station," he says. "I promise."

He absolutely does not keep that promise.

Unfortunately, Hen ends up growing fond of him anyway.

[laciere]

Bo Ruberg: In making video games about queer and trans characters, like We Know The Devil, do you draw from your own personal experiences? Aevee Bee: Yes, but it's more complicated than that. I've been thinking a lot about this idea of "empathy games." You're supposed to be able to experience what it's like to be this other person, right? To me, that sounds very similar to the confessional writing that a lot of queer artists get pushed into. It's like, "Tell us about your queerness" rather than "Create a new experience for yourself." I'm wary of confessional work, but also confessional work is just hard for me to do. I have other ways of getting at similar things. We Know the Devil is super autobiographical, but it's also about me unpacking that autobiographical history and finding alternative avenues out of it. A confessional story about my own childhood would be this static product, like, "Look at this. Here is a thing that happened. It's tragic and bad. Empathize with it."Instead, the game offers alternatives. It says, "Here's a thing that brings you in and allows you to both experience queer suffering but also to escape from it." In making a game like that, you can control and process your personal truth instead of just reproducing it. Rather than give an outsider ownership of whatever queer story I'm telling, I feel like I'm giving other queer people the ability to reclaim and control their own stories and their pasts. Maybe that's too idealistic, but a lot of people have interpreted We know the Devil as being about how they were able to process, understand, or control a queer narrative. The game has these tragic endings but then it has this really powerful, subversive final act that allows you to break through. I think that's part of the game's success. Ruberg: You make an important point about the value of designing queer games for queer players, rather than for the mainstream. Are you also interested in straight, cisgender people playing your games? Bee: I'm not trying to make games for straight people. At some point, I had the revelation that I didn't need to make work that was accessible for as wide an audience as possible. I was like, "oh wait, I can make this stuff for a niche audience and be successful." That was informed by my journalism around #GamerGate, because I was like, "Why are we making stuff for these people who don't understand, who don't want to understand, or who are actively trying to attack us for doing this sort of work?" We don't need to talk to them. Rather than putting all your energy into trying to convert the one person who is really angry on the internet, why not take that time and create work for people who actually matter? With that said, with We Know the Devil, I wrote a very honest and personal story that was true to myself and that is inherently accessible for others. The game is about women in love with other women, but a lot of folks who don't identify in that way still really relate to the narrative. If you're interested in making games, you should be thinking about it that way rather than trying to create something for some other person. Instead, be like, "I am creating this thing for myself and you are invited to participate. I am asking you to open yourself and leave behind certain assumptions." That's what good stories do. They invite you in.

"Aevee Bee: On Designing for Queer Players and Remaking Autobiographical Truth", in The Queer Games Avant-Garde: How LGBTQ Game Makers are Reimagining The Medium of Video Games (2020, Duke University Press)

[dark-frosted-heart]

Doki Doki☆Beast Camp - Foreign Affairs Faction

Part 1

This event ran from August 29 - September 8, 2022

As usual, can’t guarantee 100% accuracy on this

The day I visited Prince Silvio's private island at his invitation was the perfect day for going out. There was not a cloud in sight.

Emma: Wow! This island's so beautiful!

With the glittering sea, and the fragrant and lush forest, I break out into a smile at the breathtaking view. Nokto smiles in response.

Nokto: Yeah, beautiful.

Even Nokto's smile, which I had seen dozens of times already, somehow looked different and fresh before the blue sea.

(But even in a place like this, Nokto still has a hint of night...)

As I'm thinking that, alluring crimson eyes peer at me.

Nokto: Nice location to seduce you, isn't it?

Emma: N-Nokto, you're too close...!

I hurriedly turn away and am next greeted by a pair of alluring golden eyes.

Clavis: Haha. This island looks like it's worth setting traps on, doesn't it?

(It won't be any good to have Prince Silvio's island be full of traps...)

(But can I actually stop Clavis?)

While I secretly mull over this, Nokto sighs next to me.

Nokto: You'll only do this against King Highness, right? I'm going to have this girl fall for me after I seduce her in an unexpected way. Even if the mood's good, it'll be ruined by traps.

Clavis: Nope, things will be fine. After all, Emma will be traveling with me all around the island, pursuing every form of pleasure to the limit, right?

(Um...I didn't plan on either of those...)

Luke: You guys, that's enough. You're bothering Emma.

Emma: Luke!

I turn to look at Luke and he gives me a gentle smile.

Luke: Just leave those those two alone and we'll take it easy together.

(Spending time with just Luke does sound peaceful and fun, but...)

Emma: Since we all came together, why don't we-

I was going to say something like "have fun"...

Chevalier: ...

I see Prince Chevalier walking toward the villa ahead and I unconsciously shout.

Emma: Ah!

Will I be able to accomplish my original goal?

As I stare dumbfoundedly at his retreating back, I recall the day after Prince Silvio asked me to pick who to join me on the island.

After thinking over it for a night, I visited the foreign affairs faction office and told them what had happened as well as my desire to go to the island with them.

~~Flashback start~~

(It's not every day you get to spend time with the princes)

(I'd like to invite the foreign affairs faction because they're not around the castle as often)

(If we go together, I might be able to see the princes who usually work alone working together)

(It'd be a rare and valuable opportunity to get to know about the relationship between the princes, so I hope I can get them to accept my offer)

Emma: Please, will you go with me?

Clavis: Haha! I knew you'd ask me out.

Luke: A private island, huh.

Nokto: Wow, Silvio's pretty generous.

Chevalier: Ridiculous...

Emma: Um...so are you coming, Clavis?

(He was pretty enthusiastic that night when Prince Silvio invited me...)

Clavis: Of course. How could I not go to a place of supreme pleasure? Leave all the arrangements to me, okay?

Emma: Thank...you? How about you, Luke?

Luke: I'm down, but I don't think you should invite Nokto and Chevalier. I don't think they'd take you up on the invitation.

(That's true. I don't think I can simply invite them either)

(I got it!)

Nokto: Wha~t? You're looking at me all fired up. I don't care much about the island. But if you join me in bed...

(Maybe he's testing me...)

Emma: Staying at Prince Silvio's island has some merit for you Nokto, doesn't it? Since a lot of your business partners are from Benitoite, if they learned that you're close enough to Prince Silvio to be invited to his private beach, it'd surely make negotiations easier.

Nokto: Hmm, I'll give you credit for giving it some thought. It's true that strengthening relations with Silvio wouldn't be a bad thing. But I'm a prince so I've had a certain amount of trust since the beginning. I won't be at a disadvantage if I don't go.

Emma: Of course if you come, I'll do my best to serve you. Just not in bed.

Nokto: Ahahaha, I understand now. At first I didn't think you could convince me with just words alone. Are you trying to get me to lower my demands by suggesting benefits?

Emma: Yeah, I was wondering if you would be open to that kind of negotiation...

Nokto: Ok, sure. Yeah, that's it...let me seduce you on the island. I'll get some benefits from being able to seduce you at a different place. Sound good?

Emma: Yeah, sure.

(I'll have to be extremely vigilant...but I'm glad I was able to convince Nokto)

(Now for Prince Chevalier. I'm nervous, but it'll be fine)

(There's something "special" on the island that Prince Chevalier would be interested in!)

Emma: Prince Chevalier...

Chevalier: ...

Emma: I heard that the villa on Prince Silvio's island is well equipped to entertain guests. I'm told that there are plenty of well-known books and rare books written by Benitoite authors for book-loving guests.

Chevalier: ...

Emma: Would you like to come along?

Chevalier: I don't mind...

(Yes!)

Chevalier: Know that what you're expecting will never happen.

(Prince Chevalier saw right through me. But if I work hard...)

(If I do my best...)

Nokto: I'll live up to your expectations no matter what. It's a private island after all. If you have a situation in mind, let me know. I'll seduce you any way you want.

Clavis: I won't just "live up to" your expectations. I'll surpass them.

Luke: Emma, I'll protect you.

Chevalier: ...

(Everything will be fine...right...yeah, I'll do my best!)

~~Flashback end~~

(Back then I said I'd work hard and do my best...I can't be discouraged now)

(We've only just arrived on the island so there's plenty of time...)

As I psyche myself up, Nokto follows Prince Chevalier to the villa.

Nokto: Well, I think I'll go to the room and relax.

Luke: Hey, what about you?

Emma: I think I'll go to the room for a while.

(I need to figure out my next steps...)

Just as I thought about it, Clavis looks at my face and smirks

Clavis: Don't worry. I told you I'd take care of everything, didn't I? I have a present for you for being brave enough to choose us as your campmates.

After hinting at something, Clavis cheerily heads toward the villa.

(Present?)

Despite my doubts, Luke and I follow Prince Chevalier, Nokto, and Clavis to the villa.

---

Emma: Wow!

The large book case in the corner of the elegantly furnished room brings a smile to my face.

(There are so many books known for being interesting!)

(Prince Silvio's amazing. These are all hard to come across)

I spy Prince Chevalier sitting on the sofa by the window with a view of the sea, book in hand.

Emma: These books all look so interesting. It's amazing, Prince Chevalier!

Chevalier: It's not bad.

After the brief comment, Prince Chevalier turns the page and begins to silently read the book.

(If there are rare books, Prince Chevalier will no doubt be satisfied)

(And I'm excited to read all the books I've been wanting to read in such a lovely place!)

As I'm browsing the bookshelves while suppressing my excitement, I suddenly feel Clavis' gaze on me.

When I turn around, Clavis hands me a book.

Clavis: The first book you'll read here is this one. An exceptionally rare book that is a must-read to enjoy this island.

Emma: Exceptionally rare...book?

While I flipped through the pages, Clavis hands the same book to Nokto and Luke. He even places a copy on the table next to Prince Chevalier.

(It looks recently printed...)

(It's written in what looks like the most unintelligible characters I've ever seen)

(Is this book foreign?)

After checking the contents of the book, I look around and see that both Nokto and Luke have a look of annoyance despite not even opening the book.

Even Prince Chevalier, who's reading silently, doesn't even glance at the book that Clavis had placed on the table.

(Wait a sec...)

(Even though Clavis said it's a rare book, Prince Chevalier seem to be interested at all)

When I tilt my head in confusion, I hear Nokto let out a sigh.

Nokto: Listen, it's not a foreign language. It's Clavis' handwriting, okay? It's the characters we normally use.

Emma: HUH!?

(T-this...?)

Nokto: By the way, only King Highness can read it.

Nokto added as I stared at the book.

(Prince Chevalier's amazing...)

Luke: I'm sure whatever's written is garbage anyway so you don't have to read it.

Luke says while leisurely stretching. Clavis shakes his head.

Clavis: What's written is important information. It's a travel guide I made.

Emma: A guide?

Clavis: That's right. It's important to gather important information in advance to fully enjoy the camping experience. With this guide, you can see what kinds of fruit are around, what bugs are in the area, and even information about the heavy rain from a few days ago. And there's more...Look here.

Clavis opens to the page with a huge map of the forest.

(Compared to the writing, it's somewhat interpretable...)

(This forest is a lot bigger than I thought)

As I look in amazement, Clavis comes closer and whispers in my ear.

Clavis: You'll miss out if you don't enjoy this chance.

(It's true that I was so eager to learn more about the foreign affairs faction that I didn't prepare anything to enjoy camping)

Emma: Thank you, Clavis.

I smile and Clavis returns a meaninful smile.

Clavis: Let's start here then.

I look at where Clavis' pointing but...

(I can't read it...)

Clavis: It'll be noon soon. When camping, it's necessary to live off what's in the area. We can cook the fish we catch in the nearby river. One of us has to stay here in case something goes wrong. We'll prepare after-meal recreation at the same time.

Emma: Recreation?

Clavis: That's right. After filling our bellies, we must fill our hearts.

(Fill our hearts huh...)

(The idea's nice but why does it sound so disturbing when Clavis says it...)

Clavis: There won't be any issues. If you follow my wonderful plan, anyone will be in for the most pleasure time of their life. The most important thing is assigning roles. I'll-

Someone interrupts an enthusiastic Clavis...

Nokto: Clavis, I'll go look for food with Luke and the girl. Naturally, King Highness will stay here. You're in charge of recreation. We can't read this guide.

(Nokto?)

I couldn't help but stare at Nokto as he spoke in a brisk manner.

Luke: You...

Luke also looked skeptical at first, but then he soon becomes convinced and gives a small nod.

Luke: Ah, I get it now.

Clavis: Interested, aren't you Nokto? Your big brother Clavis is pleased.

Nokto waves at Clavis as he pushes Luke and me out.

Nokto: Sure, whatever. Let's go.

---

After making a quick exit, we walk through the forest and Nokto sits down in the shade of a tree by the riverbank.

Nokto: *sigh* What a pain. Hey, can you fish?

Emma: I've never fished before but I've read books on how to... Don't you know how to fish, Nokto?

(Why'd he volunteer then?)

As if he read my mind, Nokto sighs in exasperation.

Nokto: Hey, you know I saved you, right?

Part 2

[yourforeverokay]

What happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas (Elvis Presley x Reader) p.2

word count: 1,5k

warnings: this part is a bit angsty, curse words, light violence (the husband is a dick...just a warning)

summary: After getting invited to the backstage, you and Elvis got to know each other. You two clicked immediately but what happens after you fall asleep in his arms and forget your husband completely?

a/n: Hey guys! I just want to stay that I'm so thankful for the love and support I got from you all of the first part! I'm so happy that you liked it and hopefully you're going to enjoy this one as well! Thank you <3

Jerry led you to Elvis' backstage room which was secured with multiple locks. "You can sit wherever you want, miss." Jerry said while opening a bottle of Pepsi-Cola. "I'm Jerry Schilling, Elvis' close friend." He said offering the soda to you. You took it with a smile and said: "I'm Y/N, nice to meet you, Jerry." You put out your hand to give him a handshake and Jerry sent you a small smile while grabbing your hand softly. You then looked around the room and noticed a pile of letters on a desk. You wanted to take a closer look but decided it was better to not snoop around somebody else's stuff. The room had everything in it. A fridge full of soda and beer, guitars laying on the floor with signatures on them and a rack for Elvis' jumpsuits. You decided to sit on the edge of one of the couches while keeping a good posture and your legs crossed, because you wanted to give a good impression of yourself. Jerry was on the other hand sitting on a chair close to the door you came from.

As you were just about to break the silence, the door opened revealing sweaty Elvis with approximately ten other guys behind him. "Hello honey, are you alright?" Elvis said while walking over to you. 'Stay calm, stay calm, stay calm' was all that you thought of but how can you stay calm when there's a literal piece of art in front of you. You stood up trying not to tremble, but you weren't sure if you succeeded. "I'm okay..." You said with a quiet voice looking behind him. Elvis immediately got the hint, that you weren't comfortable with the guys in the room, so he flicked his fingers and in the matter of seconds the room was empty. "Are you sure?" He asked. "Actually, I'm not. I feel a bit disappointed that John, my husband, just ditched me like I meant nothing to him. I don't really want to talk about it. You were amazing though. I have never seen a performance like that. You were everything." You answered with stars in your eyes. You wanted to compliment him because this was a once in a lifetime experience. Seeing Elvis himself but also meeting him and getting to talk to him privately. Your friends would never believe you if you told them about this. "Thank you, dear. And we don't have to talk about him. Actually, I wanted to get to know you. I saw you in the crowd and I couldn't help myself." Elvis said getting comfortable on the couch. 'He wanted to get to know me?' You thought. Your cheeks got pink, and you sat down next to him.

"So, tell me baby something about yourself." Elvis leaned back on the couch. You started out by telling him your name and age. Then you told him that you were a hairdresser located in a small city in Chicago and that you owned a hair salon, but the business was unstable because of people were moving away. He asked questions which you answered with passion. Then you asked him questions about being THE Elvis Presley and he told you everything you wanted to know. The topics also got deeper than just a small introduction. You both started to tell each other about your childhoods and how you both grew up poor in the countryside. You related to him, and he related to you. You started to talk about your dreams, and he listened so carefully and quietly that neither of you didn't even notice the time. With time passing by you both grew more and more comfortable with each other, and you both were sitting very closely to one another. You were facing him with your legs resting over his and he had his arm on the top of the backrest. You leaned on his arm every time he talked, your head resting on his arm while your eyes were deeply focused on his. You felt so comfortable and safe with Elvis. You felt like you two had a connection which you didn't share with anyone else. You both were so interested in each other's stories and thoughts which made you excited. It was like you two were in your own little bubble.

Your conversation just kept getting better and better, but you noticed that your eyes began to get heavy. You were currently resting your head on top of Elvis' hand, which was still resting on the backrest, while he was softly rubbing your leg. It sent shivers down your spine. While Elvis was talking about his Memphis Mafia, you closed your eyes for just a second. "Don't stop talking, I like your voice." you said to him which made him chuckle. "I like yours too honey". He said while continuing rubbing your leg.

-

You weren't supposed to fall asleep but here you were nuzzled up against Elvis's body. His arm was wrapped around your waist while the other one was placed behind his head. One of your legs was over his and your head was placed on his chest. You quickly pushed yourself off him. 'No, no, no no no' You thought. You had forgotten your husband and now you were here lying beside another man while he was probably freaking out. You quietly took your purse off the ground and tiptoed out of the room. You went as quietly as you could, not wanting to wake up Elvis. After you left the room, you felt empty. You felt like you were missing something, but you didn't know what. As you were walking up to your room all you could think about was Elvis. How he looked when he told you about his mother and his love for her. How his touch felt electric but delicate on your skin at the same time. How you got lost in his ocean eyes many times as you were trying to focus on his deep, deep voice. 'STOP it. You're a married woman.' You thought to yourself.

You glanced at your watch. It was 7:30 in the morning. You were scared to open the door, not knowing what was going to happen and not knowing if you should tell John where you had been. You took a deep breath before opening the door. You stepped inside and the room was pitch black. "Where the hell have you been?" John asked you in a strict voice. He was standing in front of the window, his back facing you. "I'm sorry I can explain everything." You said afraid of his actions. He turned around and walked over to you. You felt small and vulnerable. "I promise, this is not what it looks like." You said trying to explain. "I was just-" A slap on your cheek interrupted you. You held your cheek with your hand, teardrops falling from your eyes. "Now listen here, you little bitch. If I find out that you have cheated on me your life is going to be hell, understand?" John said in a low voice. He grabbed your face harshly. You nodded your head quickly, afraid what he was going to do next. "I promise I-" You tried to say but he cut you off. "Shut the fuck up." John said letting go of your face. He took his wallet and put it in his pocket, and he walked out without saying anything else. He made sure to slam the door as hard as he could behind him.

You fell to the floor, unable to control any of your emotions. You just sat there; arms tightly secured around your knees with your head resting on them. So many thoughts were running through your brain. What was going to happen next? Would you have to pretend that this didn't happen? Or would you get a divorce with the risk of being kicked out of your own house without much money left. You were scared and lost.

-

Knock, knock, knock. Your head turned towards the door. You had been sitting on the floor for hours at this point and the makeup that was still on from yesterday was running down your cheeks. You didn't want to get up because you knew it was just the cleaners checking if somebody needed room service. Only seconds passed until another knock, knock, knock. Your curiosity rose but you were unable to move.

"Y/N? Are you in there?" A voice came from behind the door, but it was so faint that you couldn't make up who it was. You watched the door with dry and puffy eyes. "Y/N, it's me Elvis, please I know you're in there. I came here to apologize." Elvis said with a soft voice trying not to attract any attention from anyone.

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @moonchild-daniella

[nogenderbee]

hii!! I love your works btw!

can I request akito, rui, toya with a reader with family problems? for example their family is arguing and falling apart or something like that??

Hi hello, I'm so glad you like my works, darling <3 And somehow I actually had huge idea for it so I hope you enjoy ^^

Akito, Toya, Rui with reader who has family problems

Tag List: @vodka-glrl - come get your ginger tsundere~

⊱ if you were keeping your family problems a secret from Akito, he'd often get confused why you're so scared to invite him to your house but he also understands privacy so he often just walks you home

⊱ although on one of your walks he overheard fight between your family when he was saying goodbye to you, so he finds out about it eventually...

⊱ if you do decide to tell Akito about your family tho, he'll be very glad that you trust him so much and will also relate a little...

⊱ he says that if you want, you can always stay at his place whenever and how much you want, sure Ena will tease him endlessly if she would catch you two snuggled into each other but just maybe he can get over it for yours sake

⊱ but if anyone from your family will raise their voice or a hand on your for that matter, and he'd get to know that then there's no way of stopping him, he's ready to argue or get into a fight even with your parents

"You can always come to my house. It's not the calmest place but from what you said, I think it can still help you calm down from what's going on at your place..."

⊱ you don't have to worry about much if you keep your family problems a secret from Toya, he doesn't like talking about his family either so he understands you, but he still can't help but wonder what's the reason for that...

⊱ the only way possible he finds out is if you spill everything out, since he doesn't want to get into your private things, after all he doesn't want to force you to anything or do anything and everything to find out, he thinks you'll tell him when you're ready

⊱ if you do tell Toya about your family problem tho, he'd often suggest staying a little longer outside with him, he'd love to take you to his house so you can spend time there but atmosphere there isn't great neither and he knows it...

⊱ so he'll take you to longer walks, choosing routs where you pass a lot of cafes, shops and other locations you might be interested just so the two of you can spend some time together and forget about bad things

⊱ if it happens that one of your family members raised their hand on you, he will really wany to confront them about it but if you tell him not to, he won't

"Oh look, our favorite cafe is on the way... would you like to enter and enjoy each other's company with something sweet?"

⊱ you won't actually succeed at trying to hide problems with your family from Rui that you gave family problems because of how good he actually is at noticing things, for example he'll immediately pick up how you always try to stay away from your home and instead prefer to hangout somewhere else

⊱ but just because he notices it, doesn't mean he tells you about it, instead he waits peacefully for you to tell him since he respects your privacy

⊱ if you do tell Rui about your family problems tho, he'd be really happy that you trust him that much and tells you that you can always come to him whenever you'll need anything

⊱ he'd build some special noise blocking earphones for you, so you can always just put them on whenever you have enough of your family and want some peace

⊱ he'll also offer you stay at his house or to hangout with him after school, or even to come go his group practice, just so you can forget even for a second about your situation at home

⊱ he isn't the type of person to be violent or really rude, but if one of your family members raises a hand on you, he may just build something to give them a good lesson

"Hey darling, I remember you saying how the constant fights are annoying you so I got you a little present! They're noise blocking headphones. Do you like it?"

❉⊱•═•⊰❉⊱•═•⊰❉⊱•═•⊰❉⊱•═•⊰❉⊱•═•⊰❉⊱•═•⊰❉

[grokebaby]

Hi!! [Points a million microphones at you]

Can I ask you about MewMew?? What's their story? What's their personality like? What relationship do they have with Evilicus? If they could send a message to the world, what would it be? Are they a milk-before-cereal or a cereal-before-milk kind of individual? (Or none? Do they even drink milk? I heard grown-up cats couldn't have milk)

+ any random facts you want to add! Take this ask as a ranting invitation.

HII OH MY GOURSH!! WHERE DID ALL THESE MICROPHONES COME FROM

This is such a nice surprise! Alot of what you're asking upfront can be discovered by just looking at everything I've posted about Mew thus far :) here's a few posts to get started though > Mew and Evie Part1 and Part2, follow ups to that part3 and Part4

Those are pretty good for catching up on what the "situation" between them is currently! The story is ongoing and I plan to reveal stuff about their past as well, slowly. I'd planned new developments to their current situation and adding more characters but I don't have the technical opportunities to do that now (irl stuff going on lol).

I've also answered tons of asks to talk about Mewmew in the past but I'm not sure how reliable tumblrs search function is... I'm very sorry. 🐟

Basic summaries!

Mewmew (Original intro post) - (m/ms or mew/mews) A mecha shapeshifter cat thing with a go getter attitude and a dark past in the Galactic alliance of public safety, aka a several galaxies wide military force. Mewmew has since retired due to preferring actually peaceful methods to attain peace. Now lives in a far off peaceful human village in the mountains and wants to live a normal life and do the little, everyday things that matter. If m could send a message to the world, it would be "Be kinder to everyone. This includes nyourself"

Evilicus - (they/them) An ex powerful demon lord covered head to toe in cursed armor, with a very nihilistic attitude and a grim perception of the world. Though since being defeated by the heroic Mewmew and hitting absolute rock bottom, they're aiming to do better, if at least for the sake of being fair to Mew, who ever so kindly offered them shelter even after their messy history. Rather oblivious to things we consider ordinary, and quite clumsy once you get past the spiky demeanor.

Their relationship - this may be subject to change as their story goes on but both have difficult feelings about each other I can say that much. Evie struggles with what's fair and acceptable behavior and tends to be jumpy around Mew as well as prone to outbursts (in fear or otherwise). Mewmew struggles with compassion fatigue and feeling like m needs to be a good person but struggling to find the limits and boundaries within that and knowing where to give or take in any situation.

More posts exploring this Here, and Here. (These ones in particular happen to be very grim)

Note that while the character premises are obviously silly, I do explore very dark topics in this story and I find alot of passion taking silly character archetypes and applying some level of realism onto them and putting them in situations that way :) it's not an "Edgy" reimagining, I genuinely love these characters and love exploring their roles in a story while balancing their inherent sillyness. Still, be warned!

More on Evilicus related stuff Here, here and Here

HERE'S A DRAWING REFERENCE POST

Milk before cereal? - Mewmew can in fact drink cows milk, m isn't a Cat (the animal) the way we know it. Mewmew is an alien biomechanical entity. Who chose to look like an earth cat, and is approximately under two meters tall. Frankly mew doesn't care for which one goes in the bowl first, ms eaten dry kibble before (yes, cat food.) but tends to prefer vegan options for milk, so soy rice or oat. Other than that, no notable preference! Mewmew is quite passionate about environmentalism

[ap0llx]

being an adult that needs a straight answer for most things and trying to translate that into boundaries and how I communicate has lead me to this conclusion: mixed signals or a "maybe" = no.

like if you invite me to something or throw me a "we should hang out" but it's too much pressure in that moment to pick a time or an activity, I'll either say no outright or assume you don't want to see me that badly. Same for if I extend the invitation and you say "maybe". That's not better than telling me no, and its infinitely worse to prolong a No until it's time for the actual plans to happen and then find an excuse why you can't be there. I hate last minute plans, and I hate shifting gears mid-task to start a completely different one. I have things I want to make time for, too, and I won't make time for you if you won't tell me exactly when.

same goes for "romance" as advertised—as intended, it's built such that you spend as much time in the nebulous crush/yearning zone where nothing is concrete for as long as you physically can endure it—I fucking hate that! If you don't know what you want from me, if you're unsure, if not having an answer is easier for you than a possible rejection—I can't relate. I'd rather know, and I have nothing to offer you. You weed out people who won't give you an answer on purpose this way, too. My baseline for romance being transparency, conviction, and self awareness has almost completely ruined dating for me because "romance" totally falls apart the minute you are direct about anything. And like, yeah, I'm autistic, but if the whole thing falls apart in the wake of honesty, you're probably not intended to be honest at all. Which is PROFOUNDLY unhinged when you're simultaneously and allegedly looking for someone to spend your life with LOL

If you can't enthusiastically pursue spending time with me or my attention, if youre not sure that that's what you want, then come back when you know. You know!?! figure that shit out on your own and then get back to me!

[shyvioletlife]

I finally have a quiet moment so I wanted to write down my thoughts about Andera and Binx's relationship.

From the get-go I've deeply deeply appreciated Omar making Andhera ace - the fact that he didn't originally intend that for the character, that andhera was supposed to be the brooding romantic hero of a regency story all the way until omar opened his mouth, is just so intensely relatable. I love andhera's absolute inability to flirt, to grasp what someone would do to successfully seduce someone, the utter panic at thinking that someone has fallen in love with him and immediately running to bring that back to friendship because, respectfully, no. All of that is done with the mask up, trying to maintain the facade of alloness in a society that demands it.

Their relationship with binx has become something precious to me. It began with friendship, two people who happened to meet in the first episode and managed to bond through their complementary energies. Andhera is extremely awkward as they try to maintain the mask he believes is necessary to maintain his image, but is very genuine and straightforward in their attempts to make a connection, make friends, with the people they like. Where Andhera is a stuttering mess, Gwyn/Binx doesn't mince words and simply says whatever is on their mind, but in an equally socially awkward way of saying the quiet things loudly. She is also extremely straightforward and heartfelt in her intentions. It makes so much sense to me that two people earnestly seeking friendships in both word and action would fall in line with one another so easily.

From the start, they were both looking to one another a helping hand, for friendship, for companionship in a harsh and unforgiving world. You can see it in Gwyn asking andhera for help during the Hart Hunt. In andhera's shell pal letter that followed that cemented their friendship (My Dearest Gwyndolin, no you're not *MY* dearest anything. YOUR Dearest Gwyndolin) And then Binx revealed their true form during the battle for the crystal heart and Andhera *knew* who she was. Andhera, who had spent the entirety of the maze game pondering deeply about who was worthy of the heart, asking the hedge and the universe and magic at large for guidance only to find it in his hands. Had seen Binx in her true form, and decided to trust them and trust that whatever purpose they had for hiding herself was good, and handed over the crystal heart.

Within a day of that, he learns binx's truth at the tailor shop - the loss of their court, the purpose they have for being at the bloom - and their relationship blooms even further. Suddenly this is not just someone he wants to know and comes to trust, but is someone with a purpose and a vision worth protecting. Andhera’s oath is the truest form of companionship they can offer. Devotion to a mutual cause, one born of care and respect, and a promise to be there for binx in the hardest moments, the ones where you most desperately need someone to rely on. In many ways this is the deepest form of love I can conceive of. It promises an end to loneliness. For both of them.

When andhera offers everyone a place at his court, I can hear the threads of desire and regret of that desire in how binx responds by saying she cannot join another court when she is the last of her own, before extending the offer themself. It’s honestly a little earth shattering (actually very earth shattering lol) when andhera ends up accepting their invitation because it is one step yet closer. One more action to consciously intertwine their lives together. This moment is not one of voicing I love you’s and promises for a future together, but of making those unspoken words a reality.

Binx responds by doing everything they can to help andhera become the truest version of himself in turn - removing the shard and finally giving him full control over his life and magic. Full control, even, of their ability as a prince, as the future leader of the unseelie court. They can step into the new future they fought to make as equals who can lean on one another for support and understanding, for companionship in any and all forms it takes.

My dear Binx. That simple greeting speaks more than I can put into words. Andhera and binx have chosen to belong to one another in a way feels itself to be beyond romance, beyond the throes of passion or desire. Their relationship is a closeness that is explicitly ace, and feels to me to be explicitly aromantic as well. It is simply binx and andhera choosing one another time and time again.

[killingsboys]

I saw you talking about the gifs you were excited to make because they’d make you happy and I can def relate to knowing only a couple of people will be interested/will like my creations and yet that won’t stop me from creating them because I want to see that idea become something *concrete*. It is pretty lonely, though. Like, sometimes I trick myself into thinking I won’t care nobody will like something I’ve made and then it happens and it really gets to me. Especially because I wish I could share it with someone. The enthusiasm, my creative process, etc.

My hiperfixation has tired the friends of mine who know about it, since I’ve had the same one for years. So it’s not new to me, I struggle to accept this lonely/rejecting feeling, but I accept it (most of the time).

What’s been making me really sad lately though is that whenever I create something to gift to someone, their reaction to it is very… underwhelming. I feel like I see in my art something others don’t see. I mean, maybe my drawings aren’t actually good and my stories aren’t really moving to others? Maybe I’m only good at it in my head, and whenever I want to surprise someone with a portrait or comment with them about fics I’ve been working on and stories I wish they’d like, I get to see what I make through someone else’s eyes and… it happened this week again, twice, and it devastated me. Because it’s not the same person, a lot of people have reacted the same way. So I’m always putting my heart into these creations and giving people pieces of my soul for them to look at it and not say anything in return. To treat it like it’s nothing, like it doesn’t mean anything to them. To not even tell me if they’ve read what I wrote, let alone talk to me about it. It’s like my best is not only not enough, it’s less than ordinary to those around me.

I don’t know how to live with this feeling, I know you’re very kind and pretty good at giving advice so I wanted to ask your opinion, or what would you do if you were in my shoes?

Sending you love xxx

hi anon, first of all i'm sorry for the late answer, i meant to reply last night but i'm sick right now and getting my brain to put words in a functional order is. a task.

i am really sorry that you have those experiences :( sharing your art with someone is one of the most intimate and personal experiences you can share with a person and when you're just sort of written off, that is genuinely one of the worst feelings in the world. and it's so natural to want to share your art with others, even if you made it for an audience of one (yourself). art is an extension of who we are. of course we want others to see it and to love it.

i want you to know that your art is good. i don't have to see it to know that. your art is good just by definition of being yours. your art is something that wasn't in the world and now it is, because of you and you only. that is amazing! you created something that only you are capable of, and that is nothing less than a miracle.

i wish that your friends would tell you all of this and would appreciate your art. you deserve friends who love the things you make, who get excited about them, who support your art and all your ideas. i hate that they make you think that you and the things you create aren't enough. you & your art will always be enough, even if some people can't see that.

i hope you can find a community that appreciates you & your art and makes you feel extraordinary, because that's what you are. this is some pretty hilarious advice coming from me, the world's first and foremost discord coward, but i really recommend finding or creating a discord server for your fandom. post about it on tumblr, invite people who seem interested, and really try to make it an environment where everyone feels good sharing their art & engaging with each other's.

i wish i could offer you better advice. you really, really deserve to be able to share your work with people who are just as excited about it as you are, even more. you deserve better friends than people who make you question if the things you make are even good. and you deserve people who love and appreciate and treasure the art that you make for them. you put your heart and soul into it, and you deserve the same energy back. i'm sending you lots and lots of love, i hope your experiences get better ♡ you are always welcome to come talk to me about your art and your hyperfixations, even if we don't share the fandom! 🫶🏻

[svynakee]

1 serving of feminism, societal change not included: a critique of Barbie's conflicted storytelling and feminist message

Really enjoyable movie. I don't see the point in actually reviewing the movie itself as a movie. I would recommend it. Watch the trailers if you're on the fence. If you like what the trailers show, the movie is basically that, but more.

Unfortunately, whatever the movie tries to say about girl power keeps getting undermined by itself for sassy jokes about The Patriarchy. And it doesn't have much to say.

Spoilers ahead.

I'm going to spoil the whole ending here so seriously, last warning.

The final thesis of the movie seems to be "allow women to embrace human flaws instead of demanding perfection from them", or something along the lines of how women have the burden of keeping within a very narrow set of standards just to be acceptable. This is delivered by Margot Robbie's Barbie choosing to become human, embracing old age and eventual death. No longer Stereotypical Barbie, but Barbara Handler. Which is a powerful ending and a logical one to a journey that started with Barbie thinking about death, i.e. deviating from the plastic perfection of Barbieland towards self-realisation. Her individual journey as a character and how that journey relates to the feminist message works well.

The issue is that the rest of the cast and the setting doesn't seem to follow. It's like watching one of the movie's many group dance sequences, but the background dancers are moving at an entirely different tempo to Barbie's lead.

At the beginning of the movie, the narration says that the Barbies believe they've fixed gender inequality because of their female empowerment, the tone clearly sarcastic. It's laying out to the audience that Barbieland as a whole is naive and misguided, but well-meaning. If we think of Barbieland as a character itself, then the arc is pretty clear: Barbieland will have a rude awakening via Margot's Barbie, learn the error of its ways and take a more nuanced approach to feminism.

The actual arc that happens is that Ryan Gosling's Ken learns about patriarchy, brings patriarchy (or his parody of it) to Barbieland, which causes all the Barbies to become brainwashed. Margot's Barbie, which has been to the real world and seen (real) patriarchy, becomes the only Barbie capable of resisting the brainwashing and has to educate the other Barbies about their self-worth to undo their subservience to the Kens.

Firstly, some interesting conceits that the movie completely avoided exploring:

If Barbieland's empowered female leaders could be so easily brainwashed by a version of patriarchy that's "give men beers and listen to everything they say", it raises questions about how shallow that empowerment was. The Barbies completely forgot their self worth and autonomy because a guy told them men and horses run the world. Does this mean their plastic version of feminism is inherently fragile and centred around male perception? Or a reflection of how Mattel (in the movie) is company controlled by men who manipulate the idea of gender equality/female empowerment to protect their power? Really mad this isn't addressed beyond "the Barbies have no self defence against patriarchy, like a disease". I'd like to think that a woman raised in a matriarchal society would have some, if not more, resistance to the ideas of patriarchy.

Barbieland's normal culture: all the Barbies had careers and lead society, the Kens were background decoration. Margot's Barbie even says she doesn't know where the Kens live (my theory: they sleep on the beach). She refuses to let Ken stay for girls night at her house, which is reversed when Ken takes over and hosts a boy's night at her house. But it's not a complete reversal: Ken invites her to stay as his wife or girlfriend. He offers her what he was denied, albeit conditionally. And we see other Barbies in the house during the boys night. In Barbieland, Kens are second class citizens, excluded from most activities besides choreographed dances (I think one of the nurses might have been a Ken?). In the Kendom, Barbies are second class citizens...but they are included in the normal activities because Kens need to mansplain and play guitar at them. They need to hand Kens beers, so they are interacting with the Kens. They don't need to demand attention from Kens the way the Kens had to in Barbieland, doing flips and saying "hi Barbie". Both societies are flawed...but Barbies have more value in the Kendom than Kens had in Barbieland.

"It's like a spa day for your brain". That's what the former President Barbie says to Margot's Barbie when asked why she agreed to do patriarchy. This actually fits in with the movie's message about the demands placed on women to always be role models, always excel. That's apparently a demand borne of patriarchy, but this one line of dialogue shows that in the Kendom, Ken's patriarchy offers a relief from that. But all Barbies are 'freed' from patriarchy by being reminded of their achievements and self worth. This line of dialogue just sits there, like a big fat fly in the pudding. At the end the Barbies return society to the same as before, but with a few Kens in minor government positions and an acknowledgement of Weird Barbie and the other discontinued outcasts. So the choice for women is to stay in Barbieland and chase perfection, or be ordinary and human and die? There's no in-between, where a normally high-achieving turbo-empowered woman can decide "today, I'm going to read a cheesy romance novel where the man has galloping abs and a hazy idea of consent". All Barbies must be what their label says. President Barbie must always be President Barbie, even during sleepovers. She can never play guitar badly at someone on the beach, or do a shitty drunk podcast about horses. She can't be goofy and fail a flip on the beach. A Barbie can't do Ken things.

The outcasts. Weird Barbie is the only one who is acknowledged at the end, where President Barbie apologises for calling her weird behind her back and also to her face. Weird Barbie responds with something like 'it's fine because I like being weird'. But she's not the only outcast of Barbieland (and the Kendom). Growing Up Skipper, Sugar Daddy Ken, Magic Earring Ken, Midge the pregnant doll, Videogirl Barbie and even Allan form the group of discontinued dolls, who don't really have a place in their society. Like the movie's initial critique of Barbieland's feminism, the plastic nature of it means its inflexible. It does not acknowledge those that cannot perform their roles: girl power* (*terms and conditions apply). I hate how that's handwaved with an apology and the spokesperson of the weirdos saying "no problem sis". That's not how it works. Except it is; if you're a minority you've seen it. It's the "I have a black friend so I can say it", the "my nephew is autistic so I can argue about autistic issues", the "there's a gay comedian who said it wasn't offensive to the gays". It's so poorly handled. No, it's not okay because Weird Barbie doesn't mind being Weird. That's not the issue. The issue is that Weird Barbie was excluded from society because she was weird. The problem isn't her weirdness, it was Barbieland's attitude to it, and that CANNOT be fixed with an apology to ONE MEMBER of the community. Weird Barbie gets to join the government though so yay big win for the weird girls out there, really feeling the love and empowerment here.

Overall the issues regarding women's rights or whatever that the movie raised felt very stale, which led to several scenes falling flat for me. Most notably the big cathartic rant by America Ferrera's character, a human woman and mother who works for Mattel, just completely failed to land. I think the idea is that she's giving voice to all the frustrations faced by women daily under our society but I've heard all these talking points 10 years ago by female comedians. It didn't make me feel Seen and Valid, nor did it raise new points that made me think. In my life, women are already talking about these things, and the frustrating thing is that we can't seem to agree on how to address them. The fact they exist is old news. The one point I actually liked during the rant is the acknowledgement that women do turn on other women for being "too high achieving", I feel like mainstream girlpower movies usually avoid talking about that.

Maybe it's because I'm queer POC in STEM so my exposure to feminist discourse is different from the mainstream (American?) audience Greta Gerrig was aiming for but those scenes just bogged the movie down. It said nothing, and I felt nothing. I guess I felt a bit bored. I'm not saying that I expected the Barbie Movie to solve feminism, but I do feel like if that's the big climatic moment the movie's building towards, I needed to hear more than "stuff my coworkers rant about during lunch break". And we do say it in front of our male and nonbinary colleagues. They don't care. It's old news. They've heard it before too.

Also this rant is apparently the key to fixing the patriarchy-brainwashed Barbies. The movie washes its hands of Barbieland with the line "the Kens will eventually have as much power in Barbieland as women do in the real world" which I felt was really cynical and completely fails the message for a cheap final dig at patriarchy.

If Barbieland started out as a naïve, inaccessible, unrealistic, inflexible, shallow and corporate idea of feminism/gender equality...where does it end up? Where does that line, delivered by the all-powerful narrator, leave it? Barbieland thought it was an inspiration to little girls, empowering them to be strong and successful women. It wasn't. So that means it can never achieve that? Is the message of the movie that Barbieland is always fated to be a mere reflection of ours, with all its limitations and prejudices, except men and women have swapped places? Maybe that is Gerrig's message but holy shit is it a dark one.

The ending I would have actually liked to see is something like this:

We return to the beach. The volleyball court has mixed teams of Barbies and Kens playing, with 2 cheerleader Kens and a cheerleader Barbie. One of the Barbies playing is Doctor Barbie, who gets hit with the ball. The ambulance rushes over and Doctor Ken (possibly Magic Earring) helps her. Doctor Barbie says its nice to be the one being treated for once.

Reprise of the award show. Gosling's Ken is receiving an award for being 'dedication to Beach'. Midge and Skipper are also in the seats, ready to receive awards. A Barbie receives an award for something completely mundane, because ordinary women are supposed to be celebrated too.

President Barbie gets a brewski?

The movie left me with the impression that the story about womanhood, motherhood and surviving as a woman in modern society was at odds with feminist talking points. I couldn't tell if it wanted to critique or support modern feminism, whatever its idea of modern feminism is. The character's journey would sometimes just hit a pause button to Educate about Discourse, but without actually saying anything meaningful enough to educate. That detracted from the impact of the character's journey and took away some of the interesting points about the setting.

I felt like Gosling's Ken had a much better storyline, it was compact and tied up neatly. Maybe because it's a woman's take on a male narrative ("what if the GENDER ROLES WERE REVERSED? and men were OPPRESSED? ooOOOooHhh"), whereas the "being a woman is hard under patriarchy" story is something I've seen too many times. Or maybe Ken's struggle with self worth is simpler than Barbie's struggle with existential dread. I almost feel like Ken's subplot should have been cut, if its sacrifice would have allowed more focus and polish on Barbie's narrative.