#anyone who knows me knows i luv drawing hands lol

[fbfh]

curiosity is a wonderful thing - ch 5

wc: 2.3k

genre: political thriller (ish), slow burn, best friends to lovers

pairing: audrey x ben, eventual ben x reader

warnings: reader has a high startle response, audrey is the fucking worst, (mostly one sided) tension between audrey and reader

summary: after introducing the isle kids to the school and its history, audrey finds herself losing the fight for ben's attention to you yet again and she's starting to get sick of it.

song recs: rabbit heart - florance and the machine, pacify her - melanie martinez

a/n: fangz to cici (luv u gurl mcr rox) also fangz to the writing gods for letting me complete this in literally one sitting. no idea how i pulled this one out of my ass but I think it turned out good lol. also same optional fit

tags @yesv01 @magcon7280 @hopefullhearts @thatawkwardlittlefangirl  @sunshineangel-reads @strawberry-cake1 @dustyinkpages @kiara7777

Ben moves quickly, gesturing behind him at the school. He needs to get things back on track, and move past Audrey’s tactless backhanded insults as quickly as possible. He walks down the path as you, Audrey, and the Isle kids follow him. As usual, you’re a step behind him the whole way. Someone nudges you, and you turn around to see Carlos, extending your now chocolate covered handkerchief toward you. 

“Thanks.” You say quietly, accepting it and looking down to tuck it back into your bag. You fuss with the zipper for a moment as you approach the uniformly shaped hedges in front of the school. In your attempts to get your bag closed back up, you don’t notice yourself veering off the path in the wrong direction until you feel Ben’s hand on your back. You look up at him as he guides you to the right with the rest of the group. 

“This way, bunny.” He says quietly, and you smile, slightly embarrassed at having started to go the wrong way again. You’re both so used to Ben course correcting you like this that you don’t notice it anymore. But Audrey notices. She always does. Before she can grab onto his arm again, he uses it to draw the Isle kids’ attention to the school, leaving her unable to hold onto him. 

“Auradon Prep; originally built over 300 years ago and converted into a high school by my father, when he became king.” 

As Ben talks, it reminds you of your own class’s orientation day at the school a few years ago, led by Ben’s dad. You were so nervous that you must have stayed within two feet of Ben the entire time. He’s come such a long way since then, you both have. You could listen to him speak about the school, about this country, about the dynasties of royal families and the positive changes they’ve made for their people for hours. He sounds so much like his dad, and it fills you with a tender sense of pride. 

He pauses in front of the statue of his dad and you smile, knowing exactly what’s coming. He looks up at the granite likeness of his dad’s familiar face, his powerful stance, and claps twice. In an instant, the stone shifts and morphs, depicting him now in his beast form. A shrill scream pierces the air behind you and you jump at the noise, clutching your pearls as you startle. You both look back as Ben instinctively places his hands on your shoulders. It feels stable and reassuring, and you feel your heartbeat begin to calm down at the contact. Audrey waits to see if Ben plans on comforting her too, but he just looks down at you, making sure you’re alright.

“You okay?” He asks quietly. You nod, and he lets out a soft breath.

“Yeah.” You breathe so quietly anyone else would have missed it. 

Audrey lets out an irritated huff, crossing her arms. After that brief moment of reassurance, you look over at Carlos, who seems to have jumped into Jay’s arms. It’s quiet for a moment as Jay unceremoniously drops Carlos back onto the ground, and Carlos attempts to salvage what’s left of his dignity. Ben chuckles lightly, but not maliciously. Carlos notices this and seems confused that someone is actually laughing with him and not at him. 

“Carlos, it’s okay.” Ben says, “My father wanted his statue to morph from beast to man. To remind us that anything is possible.”

Ben hears you finish the last part of the sentence under your breath with him. You’ve both heard his father say those same words thousands of times, and it brings a sudden smile to his face that takes him a moment to get back under control. Part of you wishes that Belle and Adam were here to see him now, see how well he’s doing, how much he seems like both of them in this moment. You know in your bones that if his parents could see him like this, see how naturally and gracefully he talks about the school and the history of his country, they would be proud beyond words. But you’re here to see it, and that feels like enough. 

Mal looks at the statue, seeming unimpressed.

“Does he shed much?” She asks with a note of snarkiness to her voice.

“Yeah,” Ben deadpans, “Mom won’t let him on the couch.”

His quick response wins a look of approval from Mal, a chuckle from the other Isle kids, and a loud laugh from you - the kind that takes a moment to trail off. Once you’ve caught your breath, you turn to him to keep walking, this time in the correct direction.

“There’s lint rollers hidden all over the palace.” You add through a giggle, making Ben laugh audibly. Audrey seems less impressed by the ice breaking banter, keeping a tight smile plastered on her face and fighting the urge to roll her eyes. 

By the time Ben has brought you all into the foyer of the dorms and explained a little more about the history of the school, Mal is already asking about magic. She seems very curious, but like she doesn’t want to seem like she cares all that much - a defense mechanism, you assume. What people don’t know you care about, they can’t ruin. 

“Like, wands? And things like that?” Mal asks casually. 

“Yeah, it exists of course.” Ben begins, “But it’s pretty much retired. Except for some forms.” He finishes, gesturing to you, knowing you’re much more qualified to answer magic related questions. 

“Right.” You agree, “You see, Wonderland magic is based in nonsense, but here in overland where everything is sense, nonsense doesn’t make nearly as much sense, so it really doesn’t work quite as well - or quite the same way - as it would in a place where things don’t make much of any sense at all…” 

You begin to explain, only catching yourself mid ramble towards the end of your train of thought. You trail off, clearing your throat a little. 

“But that’s really a story for another time.” You finish. You don’t want to overwhelm them with information on their first day, and Wonderland rules (or lack thereof), are confusing to most people on a good day. Besides, none of them are from timeless domains, so anything they would learn about Wonderland could only be theoretical. Realization crosses Mal’s face, and she points to you. 

“So you’d be…”

“Alice’s daughter. Of Wonderland.” You clarify. Ben smiles a little, the way he always does when you introduce yourself like that. He thinks it’s so endearing how you think any Alice other your mom would spring to someone’s mind upon meeting you. 

“That explains the teapot bag…” Evie mutters. Someone chuckles, you’re not sure who, but you find yourself hoping this wraps up somewhat soon. You’re trying so hard to be patient, but you were dragged away from Wonderland so suddenly, and it’s always disorienting for you  like that. Besides, you’ve heard whispers of a nest egg that’s sure to hatch soon, and you’re dying to go back to Wonderland so you can get a look at it, maybe get some pictures. 

“Exactly,” Ben says, turning to you. You’re so grateful that he’s always here to help you navigate awkward moments, like when you don’t notice you’ve been rambling, or make a joke that doesn’t make sense to anyone except him. 

“She knows the most about magic out of anyone at Auradon Prep.” Ben continues, turning to you, “It’s just like you said, bunny. Most of us here are just ordinary mortals.”

Mal scoffs at that for two reasons. Not only did a literal prince just call himself a regular average Joe, but you’re supposed to be the one who knows the most about magic? She doesn’t think so. Not when she’s the one with her mother’s spell book hidden in her bag right now. She doubts you’ll still be the one who knows the most about magic starting pretty damn soon. There’s a new queen in town. 

“Ordinary mortals, who… just happen to be kings and queens.” She says. At the discussion of royal status, Audrey suddenly finds herself interested in joining the conversation again. She’s always been a little too eager to talk about royal status and bloodlines for your liking. 

“That’s true!” She says with that glimmer in her eye that only appears when she’s bragging. She reaches for Ben’s arm again, finally managing to grab it. “Our royal blood goes back hundreds of years…”

She pulls Ben’s arm around her shoulder, and he chuckles awkwardly. He catches your eye for a brief moment, silently praying for a graceful way out of yet another moment made uncomfortable by Audrey’s superior attitude and love of public displays of affection. You know exactly what he’s silently telling you from one look at his face, and you nod your head subtly toward the stairs, drawing his attention there. He looks over, spotting Doug on his way down to the great hall. 

“Doug!” He calls, lifting his arm off Audrey to wave Doug over. “Doug, come down.��� 

Doug nods, and jogs down the last few stairs. He walks over to meet Ben and you, standing in front of the Isle kids.

“This is Doug.” Ben introduces him to their new students. “He’s going to help you with your classes, and schedules, and show you around the rest of the dorms.” They’re silent, and he can sense their apprehension about being handed off to someone, no matter how well they mask it. 

“I’ll see you later, okay?” He says, with a small smile. There’s a reassuring quality to his tone of voice that puts everyone in the room at ease. The Isle kids seem to relax a little, and Ben continues, “And if there is anything else you need, please, feel free to-” “Ask Doug.” 

Audrey jumps in yet again with that tense smile, cutting off Ben for the… you’ve lost count of how many times, at this point. There’s some more forced laughter between Audrey and Mal, then before you know it, Audrey is dragging Ben away. You start to leave as well, reaching into your bag for your journal to check where you’re supposed to be right now. 

“Bunny!” Ben calls, and you turn your head. “This way.” 

You turn and scurry a few steps to catch up with him and Audrey. As Doug leads them to their dorms, Evie looks back, her gaze lingering on Ben’s hand resting on your back. Something he’s done very casually a few times in the short while they’ve been here in Auradon, but never once to his actual girlfriend. Evie might be a pretty face, but she’s definitely not stupid when it comes to love. She sighs, and crosses Ben off her mental list of potential princes. One girl she can easily compete with, but two other girls fighting for his attention means he’s just not worth her time. Besides, if Audrey doesn’t stand a chance against you - which she sure doesn’t seem to in Evie’s opinion - she’s sure it won’t be easy for anyone else, even someone as gorgeous as her. 

Across the great hall, Audrey stares straight ahead. She refuses to look at you, rolling her eyes and forcing a smile before turning specifically to look at Ben. 

“But Bennyboo,” She says patiently, “We’re supposed to have dinner tonight, remember?”

Ben’s brow furrows for a moment before he remembers the plans they had made.

“Oh, right.” He wonders how he could have forgotten that, but chalks it up to the very busy, very important day. 

“So we should probably get going,” she says to you, insincerely sweet. “Let’s catch up later, ‘kay?”

She begins to drag Ben away from you, but he hesitates for a moment. Suddenly he remembers why he hadn’t been thinking about dinner with her yet. 

“Actually, Audrey, we’re uh,” he looks at you before turning back to her. “We’re having dinner later. After the council stuff this evening.”

Finally, her mood drops in a way that no amount of chipper facades and tropical punch energy drinks can disguise. 

“...Right.” She says slowly, watching Ben take another step closer to you. 

“We actually need to…” He says, trailing off as you hold out your pocket watch for him to look at. The hands are a little too close to the word Late! for his comfort. 

“Oh god.” He mutters quietly. Audrey huffs and he turns back to her, really needing to wrap this up. 

“You’re welcome to join us, if you want.” He offers, kindly telling her that either way, you two need to leave right now. Her forced smile grows stale at the idea of having to sit through even more boring meetings, especially unnecessary ones. 

“I have a thing.” She says quickly, “I really need to go over the cheer routines we’re doing for the next tourney match. I cannot let Jane be an embarrassment to the squad again.” 

“Okay, so dinner later.” Ben confirms. He walks over to give her a chaste peck on the cheek before dragging you away to the next meeting you’re almost late for. She watches the way his hand stays on your back, even when you must clearly know where you’re going. She watches the way you talk to each other as you leave, animatedly and closely in a way that feels too intimate for her liking. 

You and Ben are always on the same page, you always have been. She knew what she was getting into when she started dating Ben, she knew about the busy schedule and all the meetings and how close you two are, but she just figured… She hoped that he would have started to like her more than you by now. There’s still time, she reminds herself. She can wrap her Bennyboo so tight around her finger that he forgets all about his little best friend. 

[viiisenyas]

if you are still doing the fic asks 🤲🎉🤩🎶

Absolutely, darling!

🎉 What leads you to consider a fic a success?

When my discord friends approve of it hahaha

🤩 Who is your favorite character to write?

Shockingly, Daemon at the moment. I'm giving him a little bit more time with his daughters, and it softened me right up like a marshmallow lol

🎶 Do you listen to music while you write? What song have you been playing on loop lately?

ALWAYS. I don't have a particular song, but it is most if not always the albums to whatever fandom I'm writing for. When I write MCU fics, I listen to those scores, Dragon Age is the same and so on

🤲 Would you please share a snippet of a wip?

Sure thing, luv! this is from *(checks notes)* chapter 19 of my unpublished longfic called Reign of Fire :D

A long while had lapsed before they found themselves at the Sept, and Aemond stopped to observe them passing through the grandeur doors. Aemond guided Elaena to sit on the steps in silence, and Criston drew his blade, waiting in ambush.

Has anyone sent news at all about her grandfather’s death just out of common decency? Or had the Small Council decided to keep this secret along with the rest of their scheming?

She didn’t know how much time had passed as she wrestled with her thoughts, but the sound of a struggle alerted her attention, and Elaena turned to see one of the twins restraining her uncle as Aegon thrashed against him.

I half-expected him to be dead, she thought with contempt before she rose to her feet with Aemond, and Ser Criston revealed himself, levelling his blade with Arryk.

“I do regret this, friend,” Criston said before Arryk pulled his cloak back to reveal his sword.

Elaena met Aegon’s gaze, and he chuckled softly as her hand flew to the hilt of her weapon.

“Thank the gods,” Aegon smiled with relief. “Come to rescue your husband?”

Arryk’s brows furrowed as she scoffed, and Aegon elbowed the knight as his guard dropped, and her eyes widened as he fled. 

Arryk drew his blade, ready to attack Ser Criston, but Elaena was faster on her draw, and she held her cold steel against his throat. 

“That is unwise, Ser Arryk, I assure you,” she said as Aemond raced after her husband.

He glanced at her with wide eyes, and Criston stepped closer. 

“Lower your blade,” she commanded, watching him intently. 

He lifted up his free hand in surrender, but his eyes betrayed his intentions as he glanced at Criston.

Elaena tightened her grip on her sword, and took a step closer, pressing the edge into his skin. “I’ve no desire for blood. Don’t provoke me into spilling yours,” she warned, expression hardening.

[nerdepic]

eddie munson supremacy >>>

[romancemoving]

My initial impression of Virote: Just a super funky lil' guy trying to vibe along in life despite his world constantly crashing down 25/8... His personality really do be like a colourful firework going off at 3am out of no where to throwing a shiny pebble across the calm sea and watching it skip a few times in ease before it drowns... And with his demeanor, he makes me feel like anything is possible to do / achieve, even if it's generally considered to be very wild to get into, or show him an art part of me feels it's not well done yet his presence is still somehow chill enough to make me feel like he'd be proud of me. I think the duality of his chaotic-ness and chillness stand out to me the most. I love how loud and chaotic he is, but also, he is also very patient and understanding, when you really stick around with him for a good enough of time. I love that Virote makes me feel like going on the best rollercoaster, while also feeling at home, listening to some lo-fi songs while drawing or just anything creative related. I don't think it's very easy to write a character who can really capture and deliver both the chaos and chillness equally, so the fact Virote is like that so well honestly amazes me! Truly, what a delightful character.

✨ @antigoddex. meme. still accepting!

if u throw that pebble too hard, it skips across the entire sea, back to land again, and hits someone in the head. and then it boomerangs back into ur hand ( that would be a great, petty, immature weapon to have......... gkfjgh just a tiny rock u skip and then it thonks someone in the forehead and returns to u .... ) u kno whats funny about vi’s level of loud... like in terms of how he talks. his loud is still kinda soft for a lot of people because his voice is pretty soft to begin with.... so its just kinda cute. esp when he insults someone across the room.... smh. having his cute ass voice telling someone to go fuck themselves and die.....  anyway omg thank u.... he has a big heart and a big, big sense of self. even if he isnt the most confident at times. at the end of the day, he does believe in himself. its almost scary how resilient he is. his resolve and will have been his strongest points........

he would absolutely b proud of whatever art u make! whatever art anyone makes as long as there’s heart in it! he can sniff out bullshit art from miles away... like shit from banksy and ppl like that lol. he encourages everyone to do art. even if theyre not good at it. whatever good means to you or anyone else. as long as there’s heart in it. that’s kind of all he’s ever asked for, especially art an art therapist.

anyway u know i luv leek................. luv u, glad to have u around again, was worried id never see u again!!!

and now i leave u w. this

i hope the first 7 minutes of this rainy,  breezy loop makes u think of vi.........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gtQuKQVknk

[thatpinkbetch]

Bkdk Fic Rec

I’ve been inspired to write a fic rec! This one goes out to you @lonely-rabbit

At like, the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 I stayed up until 4am every night reading fics, and because I’m such a loser, I made a word doc to keep track of all of them so I wouldn’t forget them.... I tried organizing it by length but it got messy cause I’m ridiculous and cluttered, so sorry! (I’ll save my own for the end alskdjflsdkfj gotta self promote you know). This is going to get...really long, so I’ll put it under a read more! Also, just a heads up, these are all on ao3, in case that’s important to anyone!

Disclaimer: Any fics with mature or explicit content I will add a bolded warning for, even if it’s only a little bit. Normally most fics will be tagged as such, but some fics that are rated as teen I’ve found to be more suggestive than some of those rated as mature, so I will try to point it out where it feels necessary, for anyone who wishes to avoid it.

Fics under 1k:

Illuminate by TheQueen (269 words)

Summary: Bakugou watches the first firework launch and fights to keep his face neutral

Very short, plot is about a case of amnesia, also very cute and well written for that length! Not angsty at all imo

sweaty hands holding secrets - shounentwink (563 words)

Summary: Someone said Midoriya holds secrets in his hair.

It’s not true: He holds it tightly in his hands. Bakugou’s seen it.

I really like this writer! You’ll see quite a bit of them in this post alkdsjfalskdjf

Fics 1k - 10k:

Many sunflowers later - Jeka (2395 words)

Summary: Scholar Midoriya Izuku comes back to the person he left behind after his journey through the kingdom, the mighty dragon clan leader Bakugou Katsuki.

Day 1 of Twin Stars Week 2020: Fantasy AU.

First of all, fantasy au!!! Second of all, jeka!!! (I need to read more of your stuff!!) Anyways, so cute, such lovely, pretty writing, wonderful story telling, and they’re so in love TT_TT

Boom Badoom Boom - warschach (3429 words)

Summary: Izuku's working the kissing booth at the school fair, it just so happens Katsuki has been crushing on him since the first grade.

“Did you—“ Izuku parted his mouth with no sound leaving it, “Did you pay?”

“Yea.”

“For a kiss?”

This one’s a little silly but I love it still. It’s got a “kids in the 80′s over summer vacation” vibe, I think. I love warschach! I should read more of their writing... They have SUCH good bakudeku content! *It’s rated teen but there’s some suggestive content, just a heads up!

Hopeless Ramen-tic - lalazee (7155 words)

Summary:  Midoriya is a cute guy who works at a ramen stall and Bakugou is thirsty as hell, but has to hide it by being an asshat. Another love story.

Ah, so good TT_TT so much sass, such good plot development and story telling for a simple concept *It’s rated as teen but again, it can be suggestive at times!

I’ll share this with you, so leave it behind - yabakuboi (3508 words)

Suammry: For the sake of the story, All Might is never in need of a successor, and, when Izuku saves Katsuki from the sludge monster, encourages young Midoriya down a different path. Thus, Katsuki and Izuku part ways after junior high, as Katsuki enters U.A. and the Midoriyas move overseas. It’s later that Katsuki realizes that there’s something missing, that he drove that something away.

Years after, Katsuki finds him in the last place he looks, in the cereal aisle at the local grocery store of their childhood neighborhood.

So soft, so sweet, so good if you just want to curl up in a comfy blanket and drink hot cocoa and feel warm and cozy and a little in love

The Secret Deku Box - yabakuboi (2241 words)

Summary: “Y’know, Bakugou never, ever talks about girls,” Kaminari says, his voice thoughtful.

“And I wonder why that is.” Ashido rolls her eyes.

“I’m just curious!” Kaminari whines. Kirishima drags the box out, unlabeled and unassuming, the lid not even fully clasped over the edges. “The guy has to— Whoa, what’s that?”

Kirishima realizes a little belatedly that this is a serious breach of privacy, and Bakugou will actually murder all of them. “Nothing!” he cries, attempting to shove it back under the bed, but Ashido snatches it away.

“Please be his porn stash!” Kaminari whispers as she whips the lid off.

Cute, funny, in canon, in character, and a must read I would say! 

daisy bunches and heather branches - halcyonwhispers (5862 words)

Summary:  izuku falls in love with the foul-mouthed tattoo artist next door.

Not another flower/tattoo shop au.... aldskjflaskdjfd Okay but punk!Bakugou is ALWAYS a smart move imo

the best part of me (is the worst I can give) - halcyonwhispers (5668)

Summary: Whole sentences usually make up people’s Words, but Katsuki got stuck with a name instead.

Izuku’s name.

I am such a sucker for soulmate aus when it comes to these boys TT_TT *There is some mature content, just a heads up!

Hard to Say - halcyonwhispers (8390 words)

Summary: Izuku is a Halfling, born after his faerie father spirited away his mom and then left her behind. Never quite fitting in with the humans or any of the supernatural beings in his small town, Izuku hoped that going to a diverse college in the big city will help him finally make friends.

Katsuki’s family has been powerful witches for generations, and he’s no different. Talented and a proclaimed genius to boot, he knew he shouldn’t waste his time on this dumbass (disgustingly cute) half-blood.

Or,

two idiots fall in love and don’t get that the other’s awkward cues are just a result of romantic tension.

I am ALSO a sucker for fantasy/mythical creatures au and I LOVED this one - Bakugou absolutely unable to handle how cute Midoriya is? Perfection - but it’s unfinished, and I don’t think it ever will be continued, unfortunately TT_TT

lots to unpack (throw away the whole suitcase) - shounentwink (4315 words)

Summary: “How’d you know?” Midoriya asks.

There’s a hunch to his shoulders that wasn’t there three hours ago. Freckled shoulders are kissed sunburnt and red: he looks like someone ran him over and left him like roadkill in the sunlight. Bakugou’s working with insurance today, but he could see the sparks of green lightning even from his elevated position in their shared agency. Midoriya’s holding his thumb, cracking it over and over — it looks like he’s rubbed it raw.

“Dunno,” Bakugou says. “Maybe you’re just easy to read, nerd.”

I love this one so much, it was one of the first ones I read, it’s so good, and it’s another that really affected how I view their relationship! Idk this one just hit for me

hang the moon from us (it’s a no from me) - shounentwink (1200 words)

Summary: Midoriya’s gonna get sick of Bakugou one of these days, and then the whole ruse will be over, and the balance of power will tilt beyond salvation, but that day isn’t today and it looks like Bakugou knows it.

What an asshole.

Once again, I’m a sucker for the fantasy au... But even more, the diction, the details, the imagery...it’s absolutely all stunning here. I wish I could write this pretty

In Which Bakugou Finds His One Tru Luv - Erina (5862 words) This is the first one of a series called The Misadventures of Explodo-kill Agency!

Summary:  Welcome to the Explodo-kill agency! We can destroy your buildings, crash your cars, and help you solve one of the seven mysteries in life: who is Bakugou Katsuki's mysterious boyfriend?!

I’ll admit I’ve only read the first three but by god they are the funniest fics I’ve ever read in my life. I see that Erina has added more since the last time I checked it out! Tbh I was only interested in reading the purely bakudeku ones... (My favorite was the second one!! SO funny and cute!)

i still do - raeryn (9646 words)

Summary:  He’s losing him to pieces, but Izuku still tries to make them count. In which a battle leaves Bakugou Katsuki with amnesia, and Izuku finds himself picking up the pieces.

So, this one makes me cry. TT_TT

One Thing Straight - winningshot (9899 words)

Summary: They totally aren't.

Hints of their relationship is found in all of their friends’ social media accounts, but majority of their fans still think that Katsuki and Izuku are in relationships with anybody but each other.

It was amusing up until it became sad.

Lmao it’s a little salty but I guess I can be too. This is a social media fic! There’s multiple ships in this one, too

A Demolition Boy & his Cryptid BF - kewltie (8472 words)

Summary: Bakugou of the Demolition Squad is famous for running one of the most popular Youtube channels on the web that regularly blow shit up and jumped off a perfectly good building for shit and giggles. He's also famous for his Cryptid BF™, never appearing on camera except for a few bodyshots and all information on him is kept locked up tighter than Fort Knox, therefore drawing all sort of attention and curiosity toward his mysterious boyfriend.

Deku from Deku Explains is a hopeless chatterbox who is known for uploading 20-30 minutes video that talked about his favorite shows and comics and have one of the most devoted following on Youtube. He also can't seem to shut up about his boyfriend Kacchan, who regularly make his presence on the channel as a disembodied voice.

They should theoretically have nothing in common except a shared platform to host their content and an army of fans with an endless curiosity and devotion to their Youtubers. Vidcon is where we lay our scene and the internet is about to get a rude wake up call.

Okay kewltie is SO GOOD and very creative! The formatting is phenomenal, it’s like you’re actually experiencing a social media melt down in real time lol

be my good luck charm - writedeku (6785 words)

Summary: See, the thing is, Midoriya Izuku had been born with a curse. It’s not a curse that’s particularly visible. He doesn’t have horns, or a tortured face, and it’s not the kind of silly curse like a friend of his had way down south in Diagnor, wherein the girl had been born without the ability to say the word duck. Midoriya Izuku is just extremely unlucky.

(Or the AU in which Izuku's the world's unluckiest travelling merchant, and Katsuki is someone who may be able to help him. For a price, that is.)

Oh I adore this one! It’s so cute and such a good narrative! Nice and warm, and Bakugou trying his damnedest to be suave, and it somehow working because Midoriya is just as flustered. *Another one rated as teen but some suggestive content.

Smells Like Victory - majjale (2377 words)

Summary: Bakugou takes two steps into the room and stops, clapping a hand over his nose. “Ugh, what stinks like Deku in here?”

"Good afternoon, Bakugou. That would be the amortentia."

I must admit, not a fan of HP, but majjale...TT_TT majjale writes these two boys so well. This one is really, really good!

Cherish Me - Justaperson1718 (2376 words)

Summary: “What?”

Izuku looked back down at his menu and flipped the page, a small smile on his face. “Nothing.”

Katsuki glared at Izuku from across the table. “If it was nothing then you wouldn’t be staring at me.”

“It’s just a little funny watching you try to look your best for our date when you always look great anyway,” Izuku explained. He wouldn’t look up from his menu while he spoke, but his words remained ingrained with confidence nevertheless. He considered what he was saying to be fact, and nothing else. “Even when you’re not trying in front of the cameras, it’s still hard to take my eyes off of you.”

This is a sequel to a fic that’ll be in the next section, because it’s longer, called Manage Me. Please read that one first before this one! (Not part of a series, but they’re the same story line)

Fascinating - Justaperson1718 (1556 words)

Summary: “I’m not staring at you,” Izuku replied, his eyes focused intently on Katsuki. He’s still wearing his pajamas, sitting on his knees in their shared bed. He was awake moments before Katsuki, and waited eagerly for the other to awake.

Katsuki glanced over his shoulder after his shirt was on and glared. “You’re fucking staring at me right now.”

Izuku shook his head, humming his disapproval quietly. “I’m watching you.”

“That’s the same damn thing,” Katsuki said while searching for a pair of pants in the dresser. “Your eyes are fixated on me like I’m your life’s fucking goal or some shit.”

“I just like watching you get dressed.” Izuku tilted his head to the side and smiled softly at Katsuki’s confused stare. “I know, it’s weird. But I like it.”

*There is a little bit of implied mature content, but overall, it’s just so sweet and intimate, and I just simply adore this one.

in a place once filled with gold - dorenamryn (9226 words)

Summary: It felt strange to remember such details, for they were things a friend should know, and as far as Katsuki was concerned, he and Deku hadn’t been friends in a very, very long time. He could admit, with reluctance, that they were on the path there, now, even though they would never make it. Katsuki would die before they could get the chance.

or: There is a garden growing in Katsuki’s lungs, and he is helpless to stop it.

“Hanahaki disease” okay, I can explain myself. Okay, I can’t. In any case, you got angst with a happy ending if that’s what you’re into!

Kaleidoscope - DPRenFTW (5141 words)

Summary: Izuku is a witch. He just needs to find his familiar. Enter a boy that is a wolf, and a wolf that is a boy - with wild red eyes and sharp smiles.

And Izuku thinks:

"Oh, it's him."

Just as beautiful and fascinating as the name implies! I seriously recommend for the beautiful writing, the gorgeous world, the mythical creatures au, and the lovely bakudeku romance!

Learning Curve - sensiblysilly (4222 words)

Summary: Deku and Katsuki’s first kiss goes rather differently than planned.

And Katsuki’s quickly learning that relationships can be unpredictable - especially when taking into account the variable that is Midoriya Izuku.

This really is just a careful handling of a teenage romance where perhaps one of them may have shit they’re still working through. It’s really sweet, and a careful study at boundaries and the building of a relationship. I actually stumbled across this while looking for another with the same name and ended up pleasantly surprised. Kacchan can has a little validation, as a treat.

4/20 is a national holiday - Ereri_Garbage (

Summary: Izuku is a drug dealer that doesn't really accept the fact he's a drug dealer, Katsuki is hot as hell as shouldn't be allowed a facebook.

Happy (Late) birthday Katsuki and happy (late) 4/20. I actually half assed an edit on this one so it took longer to post than I thought it would.

Uummmm lmao yes I have a sense of humor. ;ALDSKJFLSKDJF Okay, I say that, but this is not a crack fic, it’s a good story that I enjoy with good writing, and *it has mature, content, obviously for multiple reasons here. It’s rated as mature but there are borderline explicit moments imo. It’s a fun fic and funny, too! And, ngl, it really does remind me of college... But forget about me, the bakudeku is wonderful too of course :)

Drinking Watermelon - warschach (8906 words)

Summary: For whatever reason, maybe divine fate, Izuku turned and looked over his shoulder and waved to them.

Katsuki’s heart full on stopped right then, and his fingers forgot their duty on the rails, and his body neglected its job to keep Katsuki balanced.

Izuku’s summer sweet smile fell into concern as Katsuki went airborne and cracked his skull on the porch.

or Katsuki works as a camp counselor, and Izuku is a boy made of summer heat and sunlight.

Love it when people have Bakugou as absolutely enamored with Midoriya; it’s so good and true. Anyways this one makes me like summer camp story lines. It’s funny and also cute and great writing! *It’s got explicit content, just a heads up. Warschach stories just have this youthful 80′s vibe, I don’t know how else to explain it.

there are listed buildings - semiautomatichearts (3309)

Summary: Katsuki first sees colors bloom when he is only three years old. It is timid Izuku, hiding behind the cover of his mother's leg who looks upon him with wide eyes, and Katsuki's world explodes in shades of greens and pinks and blues, and he is so startled, he begins to cry.

His life is then on defined in color, in shades his peers can't see, by the forlorn, timid stare in Izuku's eyes that always lets off more than he is willing to tell. There is a schism driven between himself and his fated other, and Katsuki strives to be better than fate, better than what is defined for him. He is more than the written pages of a book, to be cracked open and read by the gods.

He wonders if it is possible for colors to bloom for someone who will never love you back.

Ah...soulmates :) So interesting how bakudeku fits into soulmate aus like this one when they’ve known each other as kids! And when they’ve had this complex push and pull thing going on all their lives! The writing is beautiful, and so is the story!

Promise Ring - bkdkwritingsdump (3579)

Summary:  The midwest in the 1950′s is no place for boys who like kissing boys: something Izuku and Katsuki know all too well growing up there. However, the undeniable bond between the nervous science geek and the aloof delinquent will still find a way to blossom in such a desert.

Cute, sweet, makes my gay heart ache. Longing not just for the one you love, but just to feel right loving them. Very pretty story line, lovely story telling!

Fics 10k - 30k:

Fishy - warschach (19417 words)

Summary: Izuku’s convinced his hot co-worker/neighbor, Katsuki, is a mermaid-or merman- you gotta consider genders even with mythical creatures- and plans to prove it.

(or this is kinda like the show ‘Monster Quest’, except Izuku actually finds said monster, falls in love, and have sexy times.)

Another warschach! I love this one, I love how they write bakudeku, particularly as college students, their stories (at least, the ones that I’ve read) always feel so warm, like a summer’s day, but not a lazy one, one that’s playful? If that makes sense? *This one is explicit, another heads up!

Manage Me - Justaperson1718 (10756 words)

Summary: Izuku caught himself moving forward, his head tilted somewhat to the side, and his eyes shot wide open. His gaze met Katsuki’s half-lidded eyes now that he was no longer in a dreamlike state, and seeing the way Katsuki was looking at him—waiting for him—made him realize Katsuki would’ve let him do it. He might have even wanted him to do it.

“You’re both doing fabulous!” the photographer called out to them, packing his camera into his bag and getting ready to leave. “I just got word that what we have now should be good, so we’ll stop there. Thank you for your time! Lock the door on your way out after you change.”

The pair stayed frozen in place, with Izuku’s arms around Katsuki’s neck and Katsuki’s hands resting on Izuku’s waist, while the photographer and his supervisor left.

“Kacchan,” Izuku cooed once they were gone. “Did you want to…?”

Love the story, love the bakudeku! Very, very good bakudeku TT_TT very sweet *There is some mature content in here as well

point to a map (we’ve been there) - cosmicfuss (10589 words)

Summary: Serendipity / sĕr″ən-dĭp′ĭ-tē Serendipity is the occurrence of an unplanned fortunate discovery. Two men find themselves on a subway, hot coffee on one while the other is in the middle of a screaming match. After that they can't seem to stop finding each other, no matter how far they go.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; this fic owns my entire soul. I love the story, the ease of their relationship, just how lovely they are together. It’s another kind of nice, fluffy fic you’d read on a bad day where you come home and curl up in a blanket and listen to a ten hour video of thunderstorm white noise. *Again, some more mature content in here

Partners - tsukithewolf (13619 words) Another series! Two parts to this one this time

Summary: It is said that in Musutafu there is a charm that one can buy at a temple that will lead you to your destined partner. They say that if the charm works, you would be able to follow the red string of fate to the person you were meant to be with. And if the person returns your feelings, they would be able to see the string as well, proving that both were meant to be.

Three-year-old Katsuki and Izuku misunderstand what the word "partner" means and discover the charm and the rumor behind it is not only true, but more than expected.

Gets a little heavy, depression, bullying, suicidal thoughts, etc. But it must get worse before it gets better, that kind of thing. I also just adore the second part (called Bond) - maybe because it’s much fluffier, what about it?

Learning Curve - iknewaman (10304 words)

Summary: “Izuku.” Uraraka repeats as she motions at the person stood next to her. Green curls, average height, and, well. Up close, not such a bad smile. Uraraka points a thumb at Bakugou and enunciates slowly, “This is Bakugou. He can speak sign language too.”

Wait. Sign language?

The stranger— well, Izuku— looks at him with a raised brow. Their free hand lifts up as they make a slight motion of the hand.‘

Really?’

*

Bored out of his mind at a house party one night Bakugou is introduced to Izuku, a deaf student who offers to help teach Bakugou sign language in exchange for a favour-- or well, is prompted into asking for a favour.

Ah, I really want to explain this one a little bit? I’d never been into fanfiction ever, only really getting into it with these boys. This was the second one I read, I remember, and it caught me off guard, and it intrigued me. It really surprised me as to what fanfiction could be. Ngl I had biased perceptions of fanfics - I used to be one of those people who thought fanfiction could never be good writing - and this one slapped me in the face with it’s subtle beauty and creative story and heart melting capabilities, and very, very real relationship and growth. Anyways it’s so cute how happy Deku is to teach Kacchan sign language TT_TT Make sure to read the tags!

The Keeper and the Sun God’s Heir - SurelyHeavenWaits (12746 words)

Summary:  The Titans' have stolen something important from Izuku, heir of the Sun God, and he wants it back.

This one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one this one- Oh my god this one. Okay so what, I was a Percy Jackson kid, what about it? I love the mythical aus, particularly the god ones. But beyond that, the writing is so beautiful, just like the world, and the imagery. The bakudeku...absolutely stunning. The story itself? Incredible. Cannot recommend more. *There is explicit content in this, though I will say, it’s all in the last chapter, and all of the story is in the first two chapters. There’s also a second part as it’s a series and it’s short but it’s cute and sweet TT_TT

seven days - aaAAAaaahhhhHHHHH (10094 words)

Summary: There’s something about the green haired boy, an aura that just drew Katsuki in before he even knew his name.

[Sometimes your mind forgets, but your heart remembers]

Heed my warning: DON’T read this in front of other people. I bawl every time I read this one TT_TT I know I said I don’t like angst but AJLSKDFJALSKDFJ it has a hopeful ending! I mean yeah you’re gonna cry but...hope? :’) (that username really says it all tbh)

Fics 30k+

Notice me, nerd - useless_donut (40000 words)

Summary: Bakugou is in love with Midoriya. He doesn’t hide it, in fact it’s so painfully obvious that the entire class of 3-A has him figured out in a matter of months (days, in some cases). Too bad Midoriya is the most oblivious motherfucker out there, and Bakugou is too damn stubborn to actually ask him out.

Will the class of 3-A survive the sexual tension? Who will snap first? Someone put Bakugou out of his misery, please, before everyone else dies of second-hand embarrassment.

(a love story as witnessed by the class of 3-A)

Love the idea of Bakugou being brazen and brash, cause yeah, he is. So fucking funny though how that translates to him flirting. Gotta say, thought I was gonna cringe, but his “I’m gay af” outfit really ended up being A Look. Love the mutual pining, it really is strong in this one. *Okay, mature content in this one lads.

While You Were Sleeping - Belkacaramelka (71197 words)

Summary: The one where quirkless fanboy Midoriya Izuku rescues Pro Hero Todoroki Shouto, gets mistaken as his fiancé while he is in a coma, and gets caught up in the most unlikely fake engagement... until his childhood enemy and Todoroki's classmate Bakugou Katsuki tries to catch him out, and they both end up discovering a lot more about each other than they'd expected.

Quirkless AU based on the film; endgame BakuDeku. -- Katsuki didn’t know when the change had happened: how he had gone from asking why Todoroki chose Deku of all people, to wondering why it was Todoroki that Deku chose. Troublesome Deku, who cooed like an idiot at cats, tripped at a random catcall and sang badly. Who, despite everything, proved that it wasn’t the quirk that defined a person. Deku, who was too much, not his, and undeniably off limits to begin with.

Update: Epilogue added

*This one has mature content. If you can, please, for the love of god, read this fic. It’s like, tied with my favorite bkdk fic perhaps ever. It’s based on the movie of the same title, a nineties romcom with Sandra Bullock, but Belkacaramelka has so effortlessly made it into it’s own story, fit it so perfectly inside of the bnha world. I definitely stayed up until 6:30am reading this one. It’s got such good badass Midoriya, who is also sweet, and really really good reconciliation between bakudeku.

All Gifted - fitzefitcher (39129 words)

Summary: The thing about gifts is that they're meant to be given, they're meant to be shared; so Izuku will take his gifts, so freely given to him, and share them with all he holds dear.

Izuku is born without any gifts, as his kind often are, to a witch mother and salamander father, on one sweltering night in July.

This one is unfinished...and I highly doubt it will ever be. But what has been written is incredible. Once again, I’m a sucker for the magic/mythical creatures aus. But the relationship is great! The characterization is great! The found family trope that was building up is great!

under a hollow sun - umbrage (40572 words)

Summary: Midoriya is cursed with emptiness.

Misfortune leads him to a man of ancient magic and endless rage.

To stop an unfathomable evil, their mismatched halves must become whole.

Uuuggghhhh this was so good! I don’t think it’s going to be finished either :( Once again, fantasy au, more amazing writing, on point characterization, incredible pacing, makes you hungry for more story.

all the savage soul requires - majjale (58032 words)

Summary: Bakugou seems to have exhausted his patience for words and no longer acknowledges that Midoriya exists, so Midoriya crosses his legs, stares down at his hands limned in firelight, and makes a list of things he knows.

One. His name is Midoriya Izuku.

Two. He is a Godmarked, future god of life, heir to the divine throne.

Three. The gods have been fighting Death for eons, and now he's coming for recompense with everything he’s got.

This is majjale, so of course, the writing is more than beautiful; it’s absolutely breathtaking. This may be my favorite fic ever - unfortunately I don’t think it will ever be finished either TT_TT There’s the gods/fantasy au, which you know by now I love. But the characterization of our two boys is absolutely perfect, and I mean that as literally as possible. And the story being crafted between the two, the memory loss, the obvious history muddled by it all, it was so dense, and the PINING, so incredibly written, flowing so naturally. It wasn’t even close to being done, but it was wonderful, still is wonderful. 

My Writing: (You can skip this if you hate shameless self promotion)

You’re too damn flicking cute (1815 words)

Summary:  Bakugou is certain his shitty boyfriend is instigating kisses. Maybe it doesn't help that he keeps giving them away like it's a damn going out of business sale, but the stupid nerd is too fucking cute. Either way, like everything else, this is a competition, and he's going to win it.

Please don’t read this unless you’re going to the dentist afterwards! I’ve been told it’s so sweet it’ll give you instant cavities >_>;;;;

Bakugou Katsuki, you smooth motherfucker (10118 words)

Summary: Everyone around him knows that Bakugou Katsuki has a very special way with words. To the untrained ear he is loud and crass; to those that speak Kacchan, he is caring and inspiring. Yet there are rare moments, moments so fleeting you blink and you miss them, where Bakugou’s words pierce straight through Midoriya’s chest, and surprise everyone around him.

Goddammit, if only he would say them to Midoriya’s face.

Or, the five times Bakugou said something nice about Midoriya, and the one time he said something kind to him (but that was too long of a title).

I think most would consider this my best published fic; it’s one of those snapshot fics, “the five times where x did this, and the one time where they didn’t.” The recurring comment I get on this one is both of them being super in character, so I think that’s it’s defining characteristic! Bakugou and Midoriya have never known a life without the other, and in a perfect world, they never will.

Here, let me fix that (11247 words)

Summary: Bakugou honestly never thought he’d see Deku ever again. And now that they were together in this tiny compartment, alone for the next two and a half minutes, he had no clue what to say. He’d just apologized, right? So perhaps he could leave it at that and carry on with the original plan to never see the green-haired man that reminded him of dense forests, late night adventures, and tear-stained faces, ever again.

Ha! Who is he kidding? These bitches are soulmates.

I’ve gotten some critiques on this one, so sorry in advance if it’s not to your liking! Basically, what if Midoriya never got his quirk? Obviously, life would find a way to put them together because, as previously stated, these bitches are soulmates.

Plenty of Time (16654 words)

Summary: Bakugou found what little sleep he got restless and filled with nightmares that he forgot the second he opened his eyes. Tonight was the first time in a long time where he just had a normal dream - and it happened to be about Deku.

How fucking typical.

In other words, two dorks realize they have feelings for each other but don't know what to do about said feelings.

Ah, my first fic. Very simple, boys being boys, kinda like a slow burn? Idk how to explain this one, just boys figuring out their feelings and trying to figure out what to do about them. Been told these two are a little stupid but I think that’s valid.

We’re all time bombs waiting to explode (39223 words)

Summary: We have now entered the slipstream of time, into an alternate dimension where it neither is, nor isn’t, the 80’s. Two teenagers, burdened with the weight of adolescence in the modern world, find themselves struggling side by side, in part because of each other.

Bakugou, the most popular boy in school, has everything he could possibly want; status, power, and an unbreakable will. Having been dragged along behind him all the way to the top, Midoriya can’t help but wonder how (and why) he ended up standing beside his childhood friend-turned bully-turned friend again, weighed down by their complicated past and present. As the tension between them grows every day, and the arrival of a new, pretty face causes it to peak, it won’t be long before something - or someone - snaps.

I am...very bad at titles, and summaries apparently. This was my Heathers au, but it very quickly diverges from the original (I don’t do sad endings....) *This one has mature content, including implied sexual activity, drug use, and underage drinking, along with other heavy topics; please read the tags! Though tbh Midoriya is 17 for a couple weeks before it hits his birthday halfway through, so keep that in mind I guess? I kind of went heavy with this one, but I think the pay off was immense. This is the one with the most amount of comments stating it’s their favorite bkdk fic ever (and I cry). It’s a rough start, with a rough journey, but so is bakudeku! There’s a lot of petty drama, and then all of a sudden it’s Not That Petty and very much Far Too Real. Many have cried reading the ending, I cried writing it. My sister says it’s her favorite of mine. Now, I did kind of push this out without polishing it so much because I was losing my willpower, so if it feels lacking, that’s one hundred percent my fault.

Okay that was a lot! It took me a couple days...I hope I wasn’t too annoying with all my opinions! Please have a nice day. and enjoy some good reads, even if they aren’t the ones in this post!

[bangtan-dreamland]

Golden Crowns, Silver Lockets

Pairing: kth x reader

Word Count: 18.3K

Genre: e2l, medieval!au, modern!au, reincarnation!au, genie/fae!Taehyung, some angst but mostly fluffy!

Warnings: none I can think of?

Summary: This is the story of the princess who held the crown and carried its weight at an age too young, and the genie who made her into an excellent queen… 

or

You are only twelve years old when you mourn your parent’s death, and, in an attempt to become a worthy queen, you call upon the genie trapped in your locket, V.

A/N: This is part of @ficswithluv​‘s ‘The Luv Library’ project, one of which I had a lot of fun being a part of- I finally had that push to finish an actual fic! Though admittedly this isn’t really that good to be included in the list lol but I spent a month working on it and I’m mostly content with how it turned out. Now I’m off to actually make the first chapter of another series that popped into my head the other day...

Masterlist

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

In the daytime, the castle ruins are bathed in a solemn atmosphere. The sunlight gently streams in through the cracks that serves as their roof- flowers here and there add a touch of peace and calm to the scenery, making the place feel otherworldly. There is a word for the feelings you get from these type of places, you think to yourself. Desolate is not quite the right word- wistful, perhaps? Hiraeth seems to be a good word to sum it up as well.

The camera on your neck swings a little from side to side as you walk around, and you admire the engravings on the walls. So far you’ve been content with just walking around, not having particularly planned out a route. The castle grounds, big as though they may be are still easy to navigate through… somewhat. And besides, it isn’t as though you plan to follow any staircases leading up and/or down, so, really, you should be fine.

Your eyes light up with awe when you step foot inside the last room.

It is- huge, the first word that comes to your mind. Second is beautiful, its charm and the pull it has on you even greater than the previous rooms. Here you find yourself standing still, awestruck at the leftover parts of what must have been once a grand ballroom.

There are the broken down remains of chairs and tables scattered around, as well as pieces of torn fabric, faded and ripped.  Scorch marks litter the room, from the floor to the walls, and grass in random places where dirt must have gotten blown in the wind. You walk around slowly, mesmerized, before you stop at hearing a slight rustle.

You’re alone. You have to be. You haven’t seen anyone, since you stepped into the ruins, and you think you would know if someone has been here before you, but you don’t see anything and-

Oh. It must be an animal. Right? You are near the woods, so it would make sense, if an animal was in the ruins. Right?

You hear the rustling again and look around, now curious to find out what it is making the sound, before you finally pin it down to a small clearing a dozen or so feet away from you. You ready yourself, clutching the bag by your side should you need to swing it, before approaching. When you’re only a feet or so away, you take a deep breath, and go.

You take a step closer and- oh.

Oh.

There is not a wild animal as you thought, but instead a man seemingly around your age, sleeping peacefully on the grass. Even though he’s wearing a turtleneck and pants, you aren’t even sure if he’s a human- there is something very much ethereal about him, his beauty transcendental and you feel as if you are intruding on something sacred.

You take in his features- dark, curly hair that ends just above his eyes, unblemished skin, lips softer than anyone you’ve ever seen… his features that seem to be sculpted by the gods (how else could he be so beautiful?)

A part of you is itching to take a photograph of him- surely one wouldn’t hurt, right? How could you pass up such a beautiful subject? More than that- there is something about this stranger that draws you in…

You catch yourself just before you turn on your camera. Beautiful as he may be, you couldn’t just take someone’s photo without their permission. And waking them up for that- if you were shameless, maybe you could do that. Even now the words seem to burn against your tongue, painting your cheeks red. You turn around, willing yourself to walk away no matter how much every part of you seems to be begging you to stay with him.

“Are you lost?”

The baritone voice that suddenly echoes through the small field makes you stop short. Surprise runs through your veins at not only how deep they are, but how familiar they seem to be. You look back- the strangely familiar-but-not-familiar stranger seems to be looking at you, a small, inquisitive smile playing at their lips. You’d say it’s one of excitement, but it can’t be. Why would he be excited to meet you? And you know you’ve never met him before.

He raises an eyebrow at you- you realize that you haven’t replied to him or anything.

“Uh-“ you stammer the words out, flustered to be caught watching him sleep. “Well, no? Maybe- um.”

You pause, gathering your words. “… I was just wandering around… I’m sorry. Did I disturb your rest?”

At your reply, the stranger (you really should get his name, it doesn’t do to keep calling him stranger in your head. You could call him Mr. Handsome, but… yeah, no, you don’t want to call him that and then accidentally call him that out loud to his face later on) smiles even more, softer this time. “No, not really. It’s fine,” he stretches his arms, sitting upright afterwards and you can’t help staring at the minute flex of his muscles. When he speaks again, you flush at the knowing look in his eyes and the smirk that has overtaken his smile. He cocks his head at you. “You seem much more interesting compared to taking a nap, so I don’t mind.”

“And you seemed otherworldly when you were resting, so I didn’t want to wake you up, lest I incur your wrath,” you jokingly reply. You copy his action and tilt your head at him, smiling at him in a teasing way. “Though I guess you must hear that a lot- the otherwordly part, I mean.”

“I do, but coming from you it’s different,” he chuckles. “My name is Kim Taehyung. It’s nice to meet you- and you?”

You tell him your name, and you know it’s not just your imagination this time when he looks at you, even for just a split second, with eyes full of love and longing. It’s over like a flash though, and then there remains the friendly smile on his face.

“If you’re not in a hurry, stay and chat with me? You’re the first person I’ve seen here at the ruins. Just take it as a small break if you like.”

You tilt your head, considering his words, breaking out into a smile of your own. “Alright, I guess I can take a break.”

It should alarm you, you think. But this man- Taehyung, for whatever reason he seems to be reacting to you as though you are an old friend, it doesn’t raise any suspicion or fear within you. Instead there is the blooming of warmth and a lighthearted sort of giddiness. So when he pats the space beside him, you sit down- he leans back on the grass and you notice with a degree of amusement that his hand has ‘magically’ appeared close to yours. Note the quotation marks.

“So… a tourist, huh?” He casually brings up. You nod your head, then remember he can’t see you.

“Well, I guess you could call me that. This was where my family used to live, from our ancestors- until my mom and dad moved to a new city and began a new life away from here,” you tell him. He looks up at you, the interest in his eyes more visible than before as is his silent urging for you to speak.

“And you came back here to…”

“To look at the town I would have grown up in another life, I guess,” you finish for him.

“What difference do you think you’d have with the other you?” He asks. You chuckle at the odd question.

“Well, I’d probably be more into photography instead of the course I’m taking right now. Have you seen this town? It’s gorgeous,” you say, grinning.

“It is beautiful,” he agrees, before nudging you softly with his foot. “Are you staying here then?”

“For the summer, I guess,” you reveal. “I’m staying over at our old family house- the one near the woods, with-“

“-the big gate?” He finishes, before grinning. “We’re neighbors then. I live in the next house over- the one with the huge garden.”

You gasp- you’d seen that garden on the way to the ruins, and it had been as huge as it was gorgeous, no doubt well taken-care of. “You’re the one who owns that garden? It’s the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen!”

A pleased smile appears on Taehyung’s face, cheeks pinkening a little. “It’s just a little something I picked up for someone. Though she was more keen on enjoying the flowers than taking care of them.”

You feel disappointment wash over you- of course he’s already taken. Kind, sweet, gorgeous and attentive… although he never stated it outright, you had a feeling he was talking about a lover.

“Wouldn’t she be jealous then?” The words leave your lips before your mind processes them, and you backtrack on your words hastily. “Uh- not that I mean anything by what we’re doing, it’s just- um.” You freeze- Taehyung lets out a laugh.

“Nah, it’s okay, she wouldn’t mind it at all,” he says, shuffling closer to you, until there is less than a feet between the two of you. “I’m pretty sure she’d be happy if she knew, actually.” Red blooms across your cheeks again, and not for once since starting to talk to him that you find yourself wishing the ground would open up and swallow you whole.

“That- someone, I mean, she must be lovely.”

“She is,” he hums, eyes softening at the very mention of his beloved. “I’m lucky I got to be with her before...”

“Before?”

“We got separated,” he reveals, sorrow and loneliness entering his eyes, before he closes them. When he opens them moments later, the darkness is gone, and he shrugs and says in a much more lighthearted tone, “but I know we’ll be together again, eventually. I just have to wait for her.”

“Oh…” You look at him with confusion. What does that even mean? What was she to him? But before you fumble for words- the previous topic having unexpectedly gone down a dark path, Taehyung speaks again.

“But that’s enough about me- since we’re going to be neighbors, why don’t tell me about yourself.”

“If you ask me that, then I wouldn’t know where to start,” you mumble, before adding with a self-depreciating laugh, “besides, I don’t know if there’s anything intriguing about me.” He hums again, making you feel at ease, oddly enough.

“That’s alright. You can tell me anything- even what you’re thinking right now, I’d still find it interesting.”

You don’t know if it’s the way with which he utters the request- soft, pleading, or the way he looks at you- captivated, as if he could drink in your attention, or the way it feels as though you could weave out the minute fabrics of your life and he would find it as the most intricate tapestry that has you spilling words, but you find you don’t mind.

It’s strange. It’s really strange, and if Taehyung was another person you would never believe you could be like this- careless, some might say. But Taehyung is different, which is perhaps why you speak.

You tell him about what made you decide to come- the sense of wonder and curiosity you’ve always held for this place when you were young, but the fact that your parents never had the time to come back to this town held you back. You talk about finishing your semester, finally getting a break for a few months without schoolwork to keep you occupied. How you decided to come here, the journey, arriving here and arranging your stay. Hearing about the castle and making an impulse decision to explore. When you finish speaking, he is silent, attention still solely focused on you, and you quirk up a smile for him.

“… And then I encountered you and the rest is history, you could say.” You take a small drink of water before continuing, the hours of talking having made you thirsty. Even then Taehyung watches you, though you don’t feel anything but subtle contentment from being under his full attention.. “I’m glad I came here. This place… it has this feel to it- like I’ve stepped back in time. The good kind.”

You take another look around the ruins, at the way it seems to have stayed through countless decades with little to no human interference, remaining tranquil and unbothered. It isn’t long before Taehyung speaks again.

“This castle is always a huge point of interest to new people,” he agrees, before adding, “Though no one from the town really comes around these parts of the castle ruins.”

“I noticed that, but, do you know why?” You blink, eyes wide before you ask curiously. “I mean, this seems like a beautiful place, even if you argue that’s all that’s left are ruins.”

“It’s rumored to be haunted,” he shrugs, and you raise an eyebrow in response. There’s nothing that indicates the castle is haunted- when you think ‘haunted’ you picture a heavy sense of gloom, a sense of uneasiness and fear and you find none of those staying at the ruins.

“Haunted?”

“There’s a story behind the fall of this castle- it’s an old folktale around these parts at this point,” he explains.

“An old folktale, huh? I’d like to hear it myself… No one would tell me anything about this place,” you admit, remembering the way the residents had looked uncomfortable with a mention of the old palace ruins.

“… If you want, I still remember the story, somewhat,” Taehyung offers, chuckling at the way your eyes light up at his words. “Though, it’s a long one. It’d probably take me a few hours to tell you the whole story. Considering it’s early afternoon by now, I could probably tell you the story on the way home- hm, have you eaten anything yet today?”

“Not if you count a milkshake for lunch.”

“I have food with me- I can tell you the whole story, we can have a snack, and then I’ll walk you back home in the evening?” There’s a hopeful look in his eyes that makes you smile shyly- the next words slips from you so easily.

“That’s fine by me.”

“… Aren’t you wary being alone with essentially a stranger?” Taehyung’s next words are laced with amusement and disbelief, and you avert your eyes before replying.

“I would,” you fumble with the bag you’re carrying as you speak to him, the way your cheeks redden at the implications behind his words making it impossible to look straight at him. “But… for some reason, you’re the exception.”

“I’m the exception,” he echoes, voice softer, and you refrain from looking up, too embarrassed to look at his reaction.

For a few moments, you hear nothing but the chirping of birds far off in the distance, but then the grass rustles beside you and you see a hand offered to you. You take it- Taehyung tugs you down into lying on the grass with him, and, smoothly intertwining his hand with yours (and pretty much making your heart beat triple fast at the same time), he starts talking, his voice hypnotic.

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Centuries ago, when kings and queens still ruled the land, there lived a girl. She was crowned heir to be at the young age of twelve, as her parents fell under their untimely deaths. Her uncle, the king's brother, took over as regent, trying to shelter her from a truth she knew all to well- too young to truly be a ruler, and under heavy grief as well, the kingdom held little expectations for her.

Truly she would have, too, had she not had her mother’s locket, one rumored to grant wishes. One night she opened it- and out came a genie.

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His first thought of you, his new master is of not much worth- only that this time, he is under the beck and call of a human younger than anyone he has had before. There is nothing about that you that he finds special and he knows not why or how you were able to become his master when your predecessors have tried and failed. Still, it matters not to him in the end. This, he thinks, will be like every other encounter he has had.

You are the one and only child of the late royal couple, and it shows in every way. Decked out in nothing but the finest silks and jewelry that he remembers is from a queen who married into the throne centuries ago, you were, he suspects, one heavily doted upon by your parents. A pearl in the palm of their hands, so to say.

It would explain the heartbroken look you wear as you sit on your bed. The exhaustion evident in your movements, as well as your wan appearance. Beautiful eyes offset by the dullness of your gaze, pallor skin that reveals your lack of sleep, and the tear tracks on your face that are barely visible in the dim light of the candle…

And then you raise your head, and though surprise flits upon your face, it is soon replaced by a touch of hope, and then hesitation. You recognize him, what he is. You speak- he prepares himself for work.

The princess first asked for her parents back.

"No," refused the genie. "Death is irreversible."

“The myths are true, so it would seem, as there stands a genie right before me.” There is no fear or hesitation in your voice. It sparks a small amount of intrigue from him, as there is the lack of greed or lust for power as well.

“They are.” The gaze he sets upon you is with little emotion. He watches you slowly take in the fact that there stands a magical being in your room, a captured fae, able to grant your wishes.

“And you-“ here you pause, wariness and desperation warring against each other as you look at the supposedly magical being in your room. “You are to turn my wishes into reality?”

His lips curl in distaste and he prepares himself for whatever whims you force him to grant. “Only three.”

You look at him carefully, and then decide to throw caution to the wind- there is a fragile hope in your tone when you speak. “Then I would like my parents brought back to life, as they were days before.”

“I cannot grant you that wish.”

You chuckle bitterly, tears threatening to make a reappearance on your face. “Of course. And why not?”

The bite in your tone is thick at the instant answer he gives, the way you phrase your words a demand. It sparks an age old indignation in him, but the way your small frame curls up in disappointment makes him bite back the harsher words he would have said. Instead, he sighs and looks upon you with a little pity.

Death is never kind. Humans may be egotistical, selfish beings, but grief is special yet in the way it brings out the worst in anyone- a fact that he should know.

“Princess,” he starts. “Magic may be powerful, however, even magic in all its glory cannot bring back the dead. Were you to ask any other genie in regards to your wish- all that they will be able to give you is an illusion that they are still alive. And even then, it would only be for a short while. … I advise you to pick another wish instead.”

The princess cried out angrily. "Then what use are you, if you cannot do your job?"

The genie laughed angrily. "I, who have been and under rulers greater and grander than you, do you think I would choose to serve the likes of you?"

“I do not desire for anything else. All I want is my family back,” your voice wobbles, bitterness and frustration thick in your tone. You glare at him over your tears. “Are you truly a genie, if you cannot even grant my wishes?”

He sneers at you, sympathy for your situation vanishing like mist.

“And you are of the belief that I want to grant your wishes? That I chose to serve some selfish brat who believes them free to use magic without repercussions, out of my own volition?” His gaze darkens as he remembers the humans that set out to capture and enslave his kind, burning down forests and using sacrifices and rituals, all just to use them as inexhaustible tools of power. Hunted and secreted like shiny jewels- made to kneel in front of selfish, greedy, filthy mortals. It sickens him, even to this day, to think what has become of his brothers. Genies, they called them, merely another term for the fair folk captured and bound to human possessions- turned into human possessions. “Believe me, princess, I do not want to be in your presence as much as you do mine.”

You falter at his sudden change of attitude, before going on. “What does that have to do with anything?”

He purses his lips. “… Nothing. Is that really all that you wish for, is there nothing else? Toys, perhaps, or jewelry? The ability to read minds? Though it seems the latter is of little use considering you barely use your own.”

“Is that any way to talk to your master?” You scoff at him, and, in an attempt to get back at his comment you find yourself grabbing at a small detail. “If you cannot remember, then I will remind you- the moment you came out of that locket, you were bound to me as my servant.”

He hisses at the words, rage burning bright and true for a moment at the stark reminder of what he has become- the resolve with which he maintained to be civil with you disappearing. He comes close to you instead, the glare on his face glacial.

“Take heed of this, princess,” he growls, taking vindictive pleasure in the way you flinch back from him, fear crossing your face before you try to hide it by tamping it down. “I have been a fae longer than you have been a human, longer than this kingdom even existed. I have ruled and I have been with rulers for as long as time has been immemorial, and I will even after you die. Believe all you like that your position offers you protection, but I will not tolerate your disrespect towards me.”

A sudden sense of pressure bearing down on the room robs you of your breath- making it feel as though there is something pressing down on your whole body. Your genie’s voice softens as he continues, though there is no denying the amount of anger hidden in it. “My power may not reverse the laws of nature, but a twist of my fingers is all it would take to make you suffer. Do not test me.”

“You would never hurt me.” You barely get the words out with the way your voice shakes. He chuckles at the way you so obviously try to seem brave.

“Is that so, princess?”

“No, you would not,” you confirm, your voice becoming steadier as you continue, determined not to give in to his intimidation. “For the reason that if you did, you would be hurting yourself. Or have you forgotten about our contract?”

Silence follows your words, though the way he bristles is enough of a reply. The unnatural pressure vanishes so quickly, the air you greedily take in seems like heaven as you right yourself on your bed. Still when you regain your composure, you find him staring at you with equal amounts of disdain and hatred. Fair enough. You steel your gaze, look him in the eye, and click close the locket that lies on your neck.

“Leave. I have no wishes that need granting right now.”

At once he disappears, and you are left alone with your thoughts.

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Animosity instantly festered between the two of them- the princess, sunk in grief and the heavy weight of responsibility that came so suddenly, and the genie, in a permanent state of apathy and hatred. But as the princess realized the impossibility of her wish, she sent him back. All would have returned to normal, were her parents to come back to life, but the present was set in stone and instead she was to be the heir to a throneless kingdom.

Oh, her uncle tried to help her, but the princess was wise and clever, and she knew her situation. With little to no support from power hungry nobles, she struggled under their scrutiny. The crown was surrounded by enemies, ones that sought to use the death of the king and queen as a way to do whatever they wished, never minding how the smallfolk suffered, letting criminals and corruption fester in the kingdom.

But the princess’ most defining trait was how she cared. Family. Duty. Honor. She strove to become an excellent queen, instead of collapsing underneath the pressure. She set her mind to preventing the kingdom from falling into chaos, and instead create an era of peace and stability for everyone.

So out came the genie once more, and this time, she made her first wish.

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You find yourself opening the locket only a month after your disastrous first meeting.

“I am in need of your help.” You hope the words come out as you intend them to- calm, confident, even if the words speak otherwise. The genie- your genie, floats in front of you with a neutral look on his face, no ill feelings flashing across his face that might remain from your first meeting. You continue. “That is to say- I request you to teach me about my country.”

And isn’t it frustrating, to have to ask a genie, a captured, bounded fae, of all… beings, to ask for help? What would he know? Yet even so you are aware of how close you are to the edge, how much you need his help.

With the death of your parents, you understand that the kingdom has fallen into chaos- nobles of all ranks vying for power, and the citizens under their rules left to suffer. Oh, it may not be obvious now, you acknowledge with a grim look, but already plans have been set in motion to sabotage and replace certain people working under the crown.

Including you.

The moment the bells tolled, you knew you lost most, if not all of the people you could trust. And how could you not? The way your parents died… were murdered, it could only have been by being betrayed by someone they fully trusted. The lack of evidence all but proved that.

So here you are, hoping for the protection and knowledge of a genie (a fae, your mind corrects, a fae trapped by your kind, that hates your kind, and is it not ironic how you are asking them, in a way, to save your people?)

“Is that your wish? For me to give you knowledge on your country?” He raises an eyebrow at your wish- there is a gleam of surprise that flashes across his face all too quickly. To wish for knowledge is not unusual- that the knowledge will not serve you directly in power is the difference. Spells, weapons, servants- to those who wish for them, he is familiar. To history, however, he is not. Living as long as he has does not mean that he knows nor remembers what happens around him- he has never held a desire to stay and see the destruction wrought by his masters, regardless of his involvement. No matter though, his magic will see to it that the wish is fulfilled anyway.

“Make me into an excellent queen,” she asked of him. Under their bond of master and owner the genie complied, and though unwilling he taught her everyday what her tutors could not, in place of the king and queen who could no longer impart their knowledge to her.

You tilt your head and refute him without a second thought. “No, I do not believe that will suffice for a wish… if you must take it as so, then I ask you to teach me all you know in managing a kingdom.”

He looks at you in surprise, for once showing something other than indifference or displeasure. “And here I thought the princess had the sense to not act on our mutual hatred,” he drawls.

“Whatever gave the impression that it was mutual?” You counter back easily. The cold stare he gives you in turn, as if asking ‘is that so?’ makes you shiver, but you hold your ground. You swallow back your fear and go on. “Besides… as much as it pains me to admit it, you are the only one I can trust and are knowledgeable enough. Do you acknowledge my wish or not?”

He cocks his head to the side, amused and yet confused as well. Who asks a genie whether they will comply to their wish or not? There is steel behind your words that declare you will be heard one way or the other, but all the same, it is not a demand, but a request. Something seems to have changed since your first meeting, but a master he can at least tolerate is not something he will question.

“Two years,” he states, but you shake your head firmly. Two years is not enough- then again, how many years must pass before you are? However, you know you need all the time you can bargain for. You have been given the opportunity to ask for a mentor greater, if not at least on par with your (parents, you miss them, but they’re gonegonegone and you would be lying if you denied spending every night curled up in your bed, shivering from the lack of a warmth so familiar to you) would-be mentors.

“Ten years.”

“Four years.”

“Until my coronation in six years, then you are allowed to go,” you negotiate, fixing him with an unimpressed look. “Or am I asking too much of your abilities? So much for your ‘having accompanied many rulers’.”

He scoffs at your blatant attempt to bait him into accepting, even if all the same he agrees. “Deal.”

He snaps his fingers- there is no visible indication that your first wish has been placed into effect, however, you can feel magic heavy and warm settling around you like a cloak. A part of you knows that it is what binds you to him- you cannot quite see it, but you can feel it. How wonderful. Note both sarcasm and relief.

“Now where do we begin…?” He muses, for the first time a smirk breaking out on his features. Snapping his fingers again finds you suddenly sitting on your chair, a perfect distance from your desk. Another and several stacks of books appear to the side, a heavy thud indicating their presence. You feel a part of you quiver in fear at the sight, but you steel yourself.  Your genie, it seems, senses your apprehension anyway, because he chuckles low and long, the smugness evident.

“The first step to becoming a capable ruler, is discipline,” he says, smirking, before he tilts his head to the side. “Ah- before we start, little princess, you may call me as V.”

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"Do you not wish for anything for yourself?" He once asked her. The queen declined the genie's offers for riches grander than any other, for power so great that it was untold.

The princess smiled wryly. "I am to be queen- I live and die for those who serve underneath me."

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“You’re still studying, I see.”

It is late- you do not know exactly what time it is, though you wager it to be somewhere in the middle of the night. The moon rising overhead offers you little light, but the candle on your desk provides an ample amount that you are thankful for.

The warm glow of the flame illuminates your genie at the corner of your eyes- V, floating alongside your desk. There is the mask of indifference on his face as always. Though it sometimes slips, and you see him visibly smile or frown sometimes. Tonight though, it seems as if he has donned it tighter, closer, until you cannot tell where his mask begins and ends.

“Yes, I suppose I am. One cannot simply learn the trades of a market without seeing how it works,” you state, attention half on him, the other half remaining on the book you are reading. You do not see him study you with open puzzlement on his face, that underneath the ever present hatred for humanity he feels, there is something else making itself known. “Though the fact that every book I’ve gotten so far gives only examples and never explanations on how the barter system works in detail is a point of frustration.”

You turn your full attention back on the book as silence greets your answer, a confused frown coming on your lips at the complications listed in the book.

“Studying so much- what is the use of it?” Just as you wonder if he’s back in the locket, you hear his voice next to your ear. “In the end, all your position will ever amount to is a figure of power. Human men have hardly changed since the beginning of time- believing that the world runs around them, that a woman’s power will never equal theirs. Your advisors and generals… given your word, they would run the country on your behalf.”

“I would have to trust them first to give them even a fraction of power,” you scoff. V it seems takes your words as they are, falling silent for a while before speaking again.

“Wish on me then, princess, and I will give you the utmost loyal of servants. What would you desire for them to have?”

“V-“ you sigh out his name, a serious look in your eyes that compel him to hold his tongue. “Everything that I can accomplish by myself, I will. Am I not already under your guidance? Your wishes, on the other hand, I would rather keep them safe until I truly need it. For one, if a plague beset my people, I would use a wish to ensure their safety.”

Although you cannot see him, you can sense the magic in the air wavering, thick and heavy. The book on the table is forgotten, at this point, your attention fully diverted to the genie by your side. There is a look of frustration on his face, as well as confusion. “For your people? What do they matter in comparison to you?”

You consider your next words carefully, wanting to tell him nothing but the barest truth for some unknown reason. It has been half a year since your first meeting, and during this period you have grown to know more about V, as well as the limits placed on both of you through your contract. He is bound to you in every way, he cannot harm you, he is to give you three wishes, of which afterwards the locket will never open again until a new master has received it. It is these three facts that have allowed you to loosen and relax, knowing you are under no threat from V.

With that, lessons with him has allowed you to see more than the bitter fae bound to the locket you hold near to your heart, instead seeing him as a respectable figure. From what you have heard and guessed, it is not a surprise to learn of the hatred he holds for humans… you have accepted it. People with power often go mad, as they say.

Furthermore V grants you your wish without fail- and when he teaches you, it is riveting. He teaches you not by telling you what or what not to do, but by giving you examples, small pieces of history lost to everyone but him, of kings and queens past that have ruled over kingdoms far bigger than yours. Although they have all fallen now, their lessons still remain, and you find yourself with a growing amount of respect for V. Perhaps, that is why a part of you desire his respect as well.

You close the book gently, and speak slowly. “Someday, I will be queen. But even before that, I am a princess. A royal. I do not live for myself- I live for the people I rule over, and when the time comes I will die for them too.”

V looks at you with an indescribable emotion in his eyes, before he says a small ‘I see’. You do not know if your words reach him, the underlying meaning in your answer evident enough for him, but if it is, he shows not any sign of seeing it.

He asked less, after that. But what once was sharp, cutting words grew softer, and he stopped giving her undue grief from his mischief.

The next day, when you wake up you find a book lying by the table on your bed. There is no title that gives a clue of the content inside, though flipping it open reveals statements and stories of alleged merchants, on trading and travelling and bartering. You grin.

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As she grew up, her love for her kingdom and her subjects only grew even more. From the little that she could experience under her uncle's strict care, she made the most that she could, taking in every moment that she could see her subjects.

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Today is a good day, you think to yourself happily. The sun is shining, the clouds plenty, and the wind just right- even the weather decrees it so to be perfect. The people around you currently yelling, squealing, happily dancing in the full view of everyone around- the music drifting across the street and enticing people of all ages to dance… yes, it was a good decision to sneak out of the palace and wander around the festival. You always were interested in the kingdom’s festivities, though two years ago you would have been cooped up in the palace, playing, separated from the merrymaking. And although the past year has been filled with grief and suffering, life moves on, and so eventually when the festival’s date drew closer, you found yourself contemplating options previously locked to you before.

And although you would have liked to attend the festival with your parents… you look to your right, finding V with the usual mask of indifference on his face, as though he thinks little of the merrymaking. You smile widely anyway, moreso when he catches you smiling.

“Remind me again why I was persuaded to accompany you on this dreaded activity of you humans,” he grumbles. You beam at him, the bubbly joy of the people around you infecting you.

“Would you not agree it necessary for a ruler to know their subjects? More than that, today is a day of celebrations!”

“What is there that you do not know about this festival,” he rebuts. “Or shall I remind you of how the meetings for this festival planning occurred?”

“Perhaps I merely want to see for myself what it’s like up close,” you shrug. He raises an eyebrow at you, ignoring the slight flush to your cheeks.

“Why is it so hard for you to admit that you want to join the festival?” He mutters, fixing you with a dry look. “Even more, having me come along as your ‘bodyguard’ when I could protect you from inside the locket.”

You find yourself momentarily struck speechless at his words. “You say that as though it is a crime to ask you to accompany me,” you huff, a frown forming at your lips. “But if you really disdain it that much-“

“No need to be so aggravated,” he interrupts you, waving a hand in the air as a smirk forms on his face. “Human you may be, but you’re not that bad for company. That aside, so this is what you wanted to see so badly you asked me for help in escaping the palace today.”

You roll your eyes at him- would anyone from the palace see you, they would scold you at how unrefined you are right now, but the thought only spurs you to let yourself loosen up even more. Today, you are not the princess, the queen-to-be, you are merely a commoner girl wandering around the festival, followed by your good friend, an older brother of sorts.

Or so it would seem to other people, not being able to see underneath the magic that V has woven around the two of you to appear normal to other civilians.

It never fails to amaze you, how V’s magic is wonderfully intricate. It seems there is no end to the uses magic provides, from the smallest tasks such as straightening your clothes, untangling your hair or rearranging your books, to big ones such as teleportation and invisibility. It took you a long time of bartering- you never wanted to use up a wish for something so menial such as this, but all the same you wanted to roam around and experience the festival for yourself. It was only when you baited V again that he finally relented.

A child passing by with their mother brings your attention back to the festival, and your eyes widen- the two of you have walked straight into the main street of the festivities while you were unaware. The people milling around everywhere, coupled with the activities and the decorations turning even the drabbest house colorful- it is a mess of sensations that makes you quickly look around, trying to get every detail in.

“Awestruck, are we?” V chuckles even as he shields you from the crowd, a teasing note in his voice. Another thing that has changed recently- V, it seems, has taken to lightly teasing you, though you let it slide as there is no malice or ill will to be found in his tone. It seems as if he has taken you as someone he can look upon favorably- or at least with some degree of comfort, to joke around with you.

“Of course not,” you deny. “Just- so many people surround us…”

V tilts his head in contemplation, before nodding. “Ah, yes. You’ve never left the palace, now have you?”

It seems as though today brings you another surprise, when you feel the warmth of another hand envelop your own. You cannot help tensing up, eyes wide as you look at him. He raises an eyebrow at you, as if the thought of him initiating contact with you is not something that should be made a big deal of, before speaking. “Don’t misunderstand. If you get hurt because your attention is all over the place, that will reflect back on me through our contract.”

“Uh-“ you stammer. “Right. I… I suppose that makes sense.”

He nods and assumes his mask again, though his hold on your hand tightens. “In any case, since the little princess has brought me out for protection, then perhaps you should use what remaining time you have to fully immerse yourself in and learn about the culture of your own people firsthand,” he offhandedly suggests. You feel your lips curl into a grin at the way he plays along with you and excitedly nod your head.

This time, when you look around, you let yourself fully take in the joy of the people, the activities that surround the two of you.

There are stalls on the side, offering various kinds of food, and music from bards and singers all around. There is no end to the list of new things you are only seeing today.

You stop at a particular stall- the flowers bright and colorful, yet blending into the scenery as well. You scan the display, brightening when you find a certain flower.

V only raises an eyebrow when you talk to the merchant, several coins leaving your pocket as you exchange it for what a few stalks of small, blue flowers.

“Thank you!” You call out- there is a skip in your step as you bring the flowers close, inhaling the sweet scent they emit. You then place them in your pocket, careful not to press them or destroy  them.

A brief glance at V reveals him looking at you with interest in his eyes- you smile shyly. “Forget-me-nots are my favorite flower, just from the name and its meaning. Besides that… I thought it would be a good token to remember today by,” you admit.

“Should you not get more then, rather than a few?”

“Even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to place them anywhere- forget-me-nots are rare here, and would anyone see they would probably spread rumours of all kinds,” you say, laughing at the thought.

V furrows his eyebrows slightly. “Still, the flowers will be in a poor state from this crowd.”

“I guess so, but… any later and there might not remain any more to buy… if it truly is in pieces when we return, then I suppose I will just have to let it be,” you shrug.

The two of you resume walking, and you find yourself falling in love all over again with the kingdom you live in. What truly takes your breath away though, is the presentation currently happening in the middle of the plaza. There, in the midst of the crowd, is a group of young men and women, seemingly dancing to the beat of a tune louder and heavier than the others. There synchronization in their movements amazes you, the grace with which they execute their actions a thing of beauty itself, not to mention the aura they seem to exude. 

You take a step closer, just to get a better look at them, but find yourself rooted to the spot as V’s attention seem to be elsewhere. You huff, waving a hand in front of him, but he does not react at all and you finally resort to pulling him close to the crowd of onlookers with you. Once you are as close as you can be- and with a clear view of the performance, you find yourself even more excited by their brilliance.

“V, look!” You tug on his sleeve repeatedly with your free hand, immediately pointing at the dance with your head when he turns to look at you, attention back from wherever he has previously been. The furrow in his eyebrows tells you your efforts were successful, though he seems to be irked. His next words come out in a grumble.

“I may have asked you to hold onto my hand as protection, but that doesn’t mean you can just drag me around-“

“Your mind seemed to be off elsewhere,” you chide him. “Besides, won’t you come watch- woah!”

You see for yourself with wide eyes the sudden, beautiful way the group seems to throw themselves up into the air, before landing with practiced movements, the easy cooperation with which they move spellbinding.

“Beautiful…” you breathe out, mesmerized. V rolls his eyes, though you cannot see it at the moment.

“You truly consider that stunning? I have seen casual street performances held by elves that hold more flair,” he dryly states.

You turn to him, a spark of exasperation and annoyance evident in your posture before you admonish him. “Can you not just appreciate it for what it is? You-”

The sudden fierce mumbling of the crowd grabs your attention and you look back at the group.

The problem is evident as soon as you look. One of the members performing seem to be struggling- though they push on the performance, and, throwing the other in the air, they prepare to catch them, but they trip-

You gasp, as do the people around you, before somehow, by some miracle, the catcher finds themselves with renewed strength as they correct themselves and catch their fellow performer. The crowd breathes out sighs of relief in unison, but your breath is still taken away, and you turn to V-

“You just-“ He scrunches his face in annoyance, scoffing as he interrupts your sentence.

“If they got hurt, it would only ruin the performance. No need to let something lackluster become even worse,” he huffs.

You tilt your head with a smile, biting back the giggle building in your throat. “Alright, whatever you say.”

The rest of the day proves to be less exciting, though still as enjoyable, and when the two of you return to the castle, it feels as though it is over all too soon. That the flowers you bought at the start of your excursion has been bruised so, well, you try not to let it dampen your mood too much. You leave it by your bed, unwilling to throw it away.

You find yourself smiling at the pressed flowers, forget-me-nots preserved and yet somehow the color still so bright, the aroma strong, lying by your bed the next day.

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

Her heart, though it was tempered by steel, remained kind as ever- never turning away those who needed help, and holding a compassionate and fair mind when dealing with any problems that arose.

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“How is it that you still have paperwork?”

You release a heavy sigh as you look over the documents in your hand, a weary look on your face.

“A drought recently struck the western province. One of the barons near the border has volunteered to provide relief goods, but it’s still necessary we check over the supplies to know if it will be possible or not…”

‘You could leave it to your retainers to organize this problem’, he wants to say, though he knows it would be useless. He already knows what you would reply. Something so important- a drought, delivering supplies to those unfortunate to have been living there- left in the hands of incompetent, scheming, corrupted fools? There would be no way you’d agree to that.

“I do not live for myself- I live for the people I rule over, and when the time comes, I will die for them too.”

It is exactly that phrase that forced him to acknowledge you are different. It was that moment that he thought, ah, you recognize sacrifice, the kind that consumes your very being, the kind that goes hand in hand with love and determination, the kind that you should never know fully of, because it means that you have understood the suffering that begets it. At so young an age, at only fourteen years old you already understand and accept the heaviness of the crown, a ghost upon your head as it may be for now.

Not for once he curses the fact that you are in such a precarious position, loathes the circumstances that led you to where you are, and maybe even hates you a bit too- why do you have to care, so much? Here you are, running on fumes and still you insist on performing duties that should be underneath you.

You care too much, and even he cannot deny that he’s come to care for you too, too much as well. He had long resigned himself to hating humanity, to burying deep inside any remnant of the fae he once was, before everything changed. But you bring out all the parts he has done his best to forget.

Your head droops a little as a lapse of exhaustion washes over you, but you pinch your leg- there is only a few days before the paperwork is due, and you cannot waste a single moment.

Although your head aches terribly- you struggle to remember which line you were reading, before you feel magic envelop you, and in a moment the fatigue in your body eases. You shoot a look at V, who only utters a, “move over.”

You scoot over to the side and give him an inquisitive look that he ignores. V slides into the seat next to you, half a foot of distance remaining between the two of you, and you feel yourself relax from being in a closer proximity. Not for the first time you wonder if it’s because of the bond between the two of you, but your sleep deprived mind urges you to return to the issue at hand. Snapping out of your thoughts, you turn back to your paperwork, ready to review the next piece-

The mountain of paperwork on your desk stands a little more securely halved. The other rests on V’s side of the table, with the genie himself reading over the reports. You raise an eyebrow at him, surprised, but V only says in a matter of fact tone, “Leave the logistics to me, while you handle the situation reports. If all this is left up to you, you’ll get not a single wink of sleep tonight.”

“I do not believe I would take that long,” you hum, although there is no denying the smile on your face.

“You place as one of the most meticulous masters I have ever served under,” he drawls. “Dawn will break before you finish- and you would be in a poor condition come morning.”

“Then you would not be in any state to learn from me, and what would your wish have been for?” He finishes with a scoff, even as your smile grows wider. It’s ridiculous, how happy you suddenly seem to be. All the more so that his own mood improves with your own.

“Alright, alright, I concede your point,” you chuckle, before playfully leaning your head on his shoulder. In a soft voice you whisper a thank you to him, and try as he might, he cannot deny how his heart (and oh, he thought it was already dead, buried away forever, but like everything else you bring it to life) skips a beat.

Too much, indeed.

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"I could make them disappear," the genie told her. "With one word from you, a flick of my finger could turn them into willing servants."

The queen laughed. "No, thank you. What would come after then? I do not wish to rely on your magic."

"You are unlike any other master I have ever had," the genie said, the tone in which he said it conveying how odd and fascinating he found her. Yet still there was respect in his tone as well.

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“If you wished it of me,” V’s voice is low, barely a murmur- indistinguishable to everyone but you in the room. “I could erase all traces of corruption. I could turn them into people devoted to the future of their queen and country.”

You keep up a docile façade as the people in front of you- dukes and marquis speak over each other in chaos, insults and barbs laid throughout their speech as though somehow putting down the others will prove them better than the other. As usual, the yearly councils lead nowhere, nothing but bickering achieved. Truly petty, and more than that, your time wasted when there could be better use for it- for one, reviewing documents. Instead here you are, with a dull throbbing in your head from the noise and what would you not give for some peace right now?

When I am queen, truly queen, I will do something about this, you promise to yourself. A heavy exhale leaves your lips as the men seem to forget your presence, voices becoming closer to shouting, no matter that you are the highest ranking in the room.

“No, thank you,” you instead respond to V, deeming it safe enough to at least whisper to him- no one is paying attention to you after all. “Besides, let us say I allowed that. What then of the next generation? Or should I wish for that too? Will your magic be strong enough to account for every future noble then?”

“Of course not,” he says, a raised eyebrow in place. “I doubt even magic can hold back human greed.”

“Then there you have it,” you tilt your head to the side to look at him better, a wry smile on your lips. “I do not wish to use your magic on something that needs to be solved by us humans.”

“It was merely a suggestion,” V shrugs, and you close your eyes in relief as you feel magic sweep over your body and your headache, disappear. As the ringing in your head disappears, you realize as well that your surroundings seem to have been muted a little, the voices on a level easier to handle.

When you open your eyes, you find V looking at you with a soft smile, one that you wonder if he knows he’s making right now.

“You are the strangest master I have ever had,” he murmurs. “Perhaps even the strangest human I have met as well.”

You feel a smile bloom on your face, the first one you hold all day. “Is that a compliment?”

V raises an eyebrow. “Does it matter if I say yes? You seem to take it as one anyway.”

You stifle back the laughter bubbling in your throat, and turn back to the meeting- it would not do to seem absentminded, after all, in case someone would glance at you.

If you feel V’s presence though, unseen but felt solidly next to yours, a warmth around your body and whispers in your ear that makes the meeting bearable, well, that’s for no one but you two to know.

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With the genie, too, the years eventually brought them close together, as comrades. What once was hatred and prejudice turned into grudging respect.

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“Do you think- if they saw me right now, would they be proud?”

On the third anniversary of your parent’s death, you find yourself reminiscing over old portraits of the three of you, looking over old possessions that you found hard to even touch- the grief too strong then.

And although the grief is still there, a heavy weight on your soul, you find it easier to deal with- the raw edges smoothened, even if the hole in your heart remains so.

In their room, untouched by anyone (you’d forbidden it so, and who would deny the wishes of an orphaned child, to leave their deceased parents’ rooms so?), it feels as though nothing has happened- everything is the same as it was years ago. The only detail that would say so otherwise would be the thick dust that has settled over the room- though one snap of V’s fingers had seen to that.

“Yes, you have grown to be a fine princess under my tutelage after all.” That V is sitting so close to you is perhaps the only reason you are not currently weeping, his presence offering comfort, a reminder that not everyone you love, you have lost. After all, he still remains, and the feel of his hand on yours- an anchor, it keeps you grounded.

“I miss them,” you whisper. V holds your hand tighter, and, throwing caution to the wind, you lean on his shoulder. The warmth that he emanates helps you keep your tears at bay, especially when you hear his voice a gentle murmur.

“I know.”

And with respect came tentative trust,

“Have you ever had family before?” The fact that fae apparently have cool bodies is a hidden blessing you always make sure to take advantage of, pressing close to V in order to escape the dreaded summer heat that has currently befallen the kingdom, worse than the previous ones. You close the book shut- the forget-me-not in your hand having long been a wonderful bookmark.

Rarely do you ever take a break from your duties- but this is an exception, the heat too much for you to focus on anything. Therefore here you two are, sitting in a pavilion situated somewhere far off from the castle (V had rolled his eyes as he magicked the two of you here, and scoffed that it would be easy to do the same when you declare it time to return, why use the castle rooms where there was still a chance of people overhearing you?), for once you turn the topic of conversation to V, curious about him. Three years and then some- it had been surprising to realize how little you know of him.

“I once had six brothers,” V reveals, after some time of deliberation, an eyebrow raised at your sudden question. “I was the second youngest.”

“Six? You had a big family then,” you muse, trying to imagine it. You tilt your head at V- focusing on him. Would his brothers have looked a lot like him, you wonder, with features that were too beautiful to pass as human? “How are genies even born, I wonder?”

“How should I know?” V replies, a bemused look on his face. “Besides, it isn’t as though we were bound by blood as humans are. Fae simply come into existence- the brothers I mention of ones I’ve been with my whole life.”

“Childhood friends in a sense, then,” you murmur, before you ask him again, softly. “If it’s okay with you- what were they like?”

V looks away from you with an indescribable emotion of his face- for once, after years of being by his side you find you cannot read him. But then he takes a deep breath and turns back to you- there is nothing but a soft nostalgia on his face, and the tender way with which he speaks his next words makes your heart ache for him.

He tells you about his brothers- Jin, their eldest, always there with a smile and a laugh, who always looked after them, who came up with the worst jokes and was like what a mother would be to them. Suga, their second eldest, stoic and seemingly grumpy, but always ready to help them, soft inside even as he talked and acted otherwise. J-Hope, their third eldest, who radiated happiness and warmth like the sun, who was always there to cheer them up when they needed it. RM, fourth eldest, always a source of calmness and tranquility, ready to offer impartial advice and obscure knowledge when asked. JM, third youngest, their angel and fairy, who never failed to be there for them, love spoken through the many little actions he did for them, renowned as the best gift giver among them- JK, their youngest, mischievous but so so loving, always starry-eyed and a source of laughter from the endless amount of times he’d do the strangest thing just to get them to laugh and be happy, his adoration of them all so clear and plain to see.

And him- V, second youngest. He stalls a little, words petering out as if confused, and there is a blank, bordering on dazed, look on his face that makes you wonder if he has simply forgotten what he used to be like before he became a prisoner trapped in your locket. After a few moments he simply regales you instead with the other small details that he can remember, the few that remain.

And you listen. You listen as he tells you about the years they grew up together in a community of only supernatural creatures, how they found each other and created a bond so close that was unheard of even with other fae, the days they spent laughing and having fun, before they realized their own dreams, their goals, what they would dedicate their whole lives to.

V trails off when he reaches the end of their hundredth birthday, but it takes little to figure out the reason why, and the far-away look in his eyes makes you long to pull him into an embrace, comfort him like he has done for you. Instead you squeeze his hand- I’m here, you see, I’m not leaving, and hope that it comes through to him.

All too soon you notice the sky darkening into shades of pink and violet, dusk well on its way, and reluctant as you may be, you know you have to go soon. But when you look at V- at the wistfulness that can be openly read on his face, you find another set of words dying on your tongue.

“Speak up,” V says, “One look at you and I know there is something you want to say.”

“I’m sorry for what happened to you and your family,” you softly say. Perhaps you do not, and will not ever know what it feels like to have your kind be hunted and used, but losing your family, feeling as though you are trapped and surrounded by enemies… that you can relate with. It hits you for the first time, seeing V stare off into with a distant look in his eyes, that he has lost much more than you have, and it makes your heart ache to think of all that he has gone through.

When he speaks next, it is as if you can feel the emotions rolling under his voice, thinly masked by a layer of restraint and forced disconnect.

“Humans have always been power hungry, them coming for us was only a matter of time.” He closes his eyes, as if doing so will make whatever image in his head disappear, and you press closer to him, almost pulling him into a hug, I’m here, I’m right here. V leans his head against yours, and when he opens his eyes again you see the vulnerability thick in his gaze, though he still doesn’t look at you. “However, it isn’t as though you’re part of those who wish to harm and use us… so don’t be sorry.”

Dusk blends into night well before the two of you retreat back to the castle, the stack of paperwork sitting on your desk a perfect distraction, and if the morning after finds you with your bodies laid haphazardly across the bed (collapsing on the soft mattress after working on so much seemed absolutely tempting and V was not immune to it either), well, it only elicits laughter from you, moreso when you notice the (not the first time, but to this extent, perhaps) messy state your genie is in.

- and a steady friendship-

“You need a break.”

“You say that as though it is anything new,” you idly remark, a part of you wishing you had something sweet to drink right now- a cup of milk appears near you, steam wafting off the surface. You raise it and take a sip- the drink exactly how you prefer it to be. “Thank you.”

You feel V’s presence near you- he leans over your shoulder, and you need not turn to the side to know that he’s raising an eyebrow at the papers in front of you. “No need to mention it- what are these, anyway?”

“My suitors,” you explain, before amending it. “Or, well, people I might be betrothed to in the future.”

V nods understandingly. “Ah, the human intricacies. That a woman cannot be in power without a man to guide her.”

“Rightfully so,” you let out a chuckle at his words, though a part of you remains frustrated at the situation. “It is what it is, though,” you shrug, before a thought comes alive in your head.

“Tell me- do genies marry?”

“Marry,” V’s words are tinged by bemusement, making you chuckle again. “A human tradition.”

“Do the fae not hold concepts of romance?”

“We do,” he says, “Though not like you humans do. When we decide to mate, we swear our hearts to each other, and thereafter hold a ceremony by magic to keep our souls together. Much more meaningful than swearing on nothing but rings and to an audience of loyalty and faith.”

“Far better than the ones we hold, then,” you agree. V smiles at your response, before continuing.

“Quite so. Grand affairs too, with merrymaking that lasted for days on end and laughter everywhere.”

The thought brews in your mind. What would it look like, you wonder? Thinking of everything that magic has shown you over the years, and the little things that V tells you about his time as a fae, it does nothing but heighten your curiosity.

“I would have loved to see one,” the words spill from your lips easily, a sigh accompanying it. More than beautiful- you don’t doubt it would have been one of a kind, besting any wedding by humans. Still, it isn’t as though you can ask anyone to show you one, now can you? The thought pulls you back into reality, and you sigh as you turn back to the papers on the table, the task seeming even more uninteresting now.

It’s only when you pick them up that you find yourself surprised as your surroundings seem to melt away into nothing, being replaced by a sudden wave of colors that settle and-

Oh, you find your breath taken away at the dazzling display of magic and wonder- looking around shows that you are (somehow) in a clearing, surrounded by trees that are decorated with lights and tables and chairs and oh, (how? It must be by magic, you conclude, but it doesn’t take away the curiosity and awe in your reaction) the fae (they have to be, you have been talking about nothing else) fluttering around with laughter in their smiles and happiness in their eyes. It’s easy to get swept away, lost in the moment- a warm hand covers your own and you look at V with dazed eyes.

“Come on,” he hums, a smile spread across his face as your reaction is open for the world to see. “My magic can only hold up for so long, and all this is is a memory, but still- I hope it suffices.”

“Suffices?” You echo, flabbergasted. “More than that, this is beautiful though, what is this? V, did you-“

“This is far better than reviewing the profiles of men whose worth will never measure up anywhere near yours, I assure you.” V’s smirks, one that you cannot help returning with a chuckle as one fae in particular breaks into dance.

“Alright,” you concede, letting thoughts of other men disappear from your mind, determined to enjoy this present as much as you could. It’s the right decision, the best decision, you think, as you witness V beam radiantly at you. “Thank you.”

The two of you spend the evening dancing, laughing, singing and your dreams that night are filled with magic and wonder. When daybreak comes, you awaken to find yourself holding the locket in your hand, a smile on your face- not even the babbling of the nobles who have come to see you for some trivial matter can make the bubbly feeling in your chest disappear.

- lastly came solid affection.

It’s currently early morning- too early, some might say. There is not even a hint of the sun’s warmth or light, the only hints that it would be coming soon the twittering of the birds outside. The coldness of the night has not left yet, and so you feel the blanket covering the two of you is more than heavenly- it feels right, somehow.

V is warm against your skin- a detail that had made you giggle notoriously as he denied using magic to change his body temperature so, after you remarked that it would be nice to have a fireplace in the room- something you could not have as there were simply no space in your room for any, nor were there any fireplace built there in the first place.

When had the two of you gotten to this point, you wonder? Lying in bed with each other, your bodies pressed close to each other- V holding you tightly (he always does, though he denies it in the morning) to his chest, arms wrapped around you and a leg thrown over you as well (it will never fail to amuse you remembering the journey he took in knowing how to use legs and feet again, it may have been the one and only time he’d needed your help as a helpless babe did, as being a genie he only floated on air). The tips of his hair (of which you can still scent the rose oil he’d washed your hair with, and then you for him- V’s hair is luxuriously, puzzlingly, infuriatingly soft and you really should order more oil) tickle your shoulder from where he is nuzzling your shoulder, and surrounded by this, surrounded by him, you find that you cannot care at all, for once, what others might think.

V makes you feel like yourself, and the thought that this- blessed normalcy, that it might disappear soon fogs your head with dark thoughts. You find yourself shifting until you turn around, and, reciprocating V’s embrace with your own, you softly speak against his chest.

“There are still two years before my coronation.”

“I know.” V’s voice is a deep rumble, especially first thing in the morning, the raspness of his voice evident as well. His hands don’t pull you closer, but they stay where they are, a solid imprint of warmth on your back against the cold of the morning.

“And even after that, I still have my two wishes,” you continue, voice still a faint murmur.

“I know,” he repeats, and you curl deeper into the hug, hoping that actions will send your message across where your words may fail.

“Even when I am crowned queen, I would still need you, even if my wishes should remain as for reserve. Meaning- you cannot leave me then, even after I have become queen.”

V sighs, and you are struck with a sudden fear that you’ve overstepped some sort of boundary, although you know not what it could be. However, he only rubs circles against your back, making you instantly hum softly at how relaxing it feels. “Obviously, now go to sleep.”

You don’t answer, but the way your hand, curled against the shirt he is wearing, loosens is an answer in and of itself and he himself falls back asleep soon after.

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Still, as she grew, so did the corruption escalate, and whispers of crimes committed in secret grew worse. The princess tried, she did, but the result of her investigations only proved a horrible truth she did not want to know- the root of the corruption was from her very own uncle. From her parent’s death, to the suffering of her citizens, it was a bid in ploy to control her kingdom and remain a ruler in the shadows. It broke the princess, torn as she was between family and duty.

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The glass falls to the ground, the sound of it shattering echoing loudly in the room. You stare dully at the scattered pieces, your mind repeating the information you found out on a loop.

He never held any remorse, any remnant of guilt, and perhaps that was what made it worse.

“What happened-“ You look at V blankly as he materializes from your locket- previously still asleep from the heavy amount of magic he consumed the day before, hair mussed and clothes wrinkled, but his eyes alert and looking over you for any sign of a problem.

“I should’ve known,” you croak out instead, remembering the meticulous way your… their murderer (oh, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts and it feels like your body is shaking from the force of the tears you’re holding back and you just want it to stop) had discussed their deaths, the plans he made for them, for you.

“You couldn’t have.” The only thing keeping you grounded in reality is V’s hold on you, his embrace warm, and were it any other time you would find yourself embarrassed, but, now, all you do is lean into his embrace, your tears soaking his shirt.

The realization that V knows not what happened makes a part of you want to laugh, despite the situation. A larger part of you, numb, explains calmly that you should tell him, V must be confused, even if he doesn’t seem to be so should you not speak up already.

“All the evidence was there- my-“ you pause, a heavy shudder runs through you from the weight of the tears, “regent, my uncle, I heard him, he was the one who planned it, why was I too blind-“

“You couldn’t have known,” he says firmly, holding you tighter, as if doing so will make you tears stop flowing. You hiccup and grip him just as tight, the thoughts in your head never letting up.

“Why did I let myself be fooled for so long? All the clues were there, but whenever the thought would appear in my head, I pushed it down… because I was afraid of what would happen if it turned out to be true.”

“And it is,” you bitterly laugh. “You know what the worst part is too?”

“I still love him.” V remains silent as you choke the words out, his presence your anchor to reality. “I hate him so for what he’s done, but I still love him. I’m a horrible person, am I not? To still consider a killer family.”

“He is your uncle,” he finally says. “Someone you have known your whole life. Someone you have loved your whole life. Whatever it is that you are feeling right now… it is alright. You can love someone and hate them too. It is what makes you human after all.”

“I wish I did not feel so anyway,” you whisper. V smiles wryly in response, though you cannot see it.

“Perhaps not, but I do not think feelings work that way, princess.”

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In the end, though, she chose duty.  She chose justice. And as her day of coronation grew nearer, she planned for a rebellion- one that would fully clean the roots of corruption in her kingdom.

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“You chose him?”

V levels a dry look on Sanha- your lips twitch into a smile at his unimpressed look.

“Yes- do you not approve?”

“Would you not want someone more suited to ruling a kingdom?” He bluntly states as Sanha almost trips over his own feet, the packages he’s carrying falling from his hands, but thankfully enough being caught before it hits the ground. Sanha lets out a sigh of relief- another man, one he has never seen before but presumes might be Cha Eunwoo rights him back up, and, laughing, helps him deliver the packages in his hand.

A servant. You found a servant of one of the prominent noble families serving under you to be the leader and your successor- there is no more surprise to be found from him at this point, he thinks.

“All that is needed is someone to guide him,” you explain, giggling at the deadpan look on V’s face, before you smile a little softer. “Besides, what I find most important to me is how they see the kingdom and how they treat the people. Sanha sees them as family, and he treats them as one too. He will be a wonderful king with training.”

V remains silent for a while, watching as the two men are happily greeted by almost everyone they come across, and the enthusiastic way the duo reply. ��Not as wonderful as you though,” he eventually grumbles. “After all, you were taught by me.”

“No, I guess not,” you laugh.

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

Her second wish was thus for her kingdom once more- to secure that the rebellion would happen without a hitch.

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

“My second wish,” you murmur into the wind, though you are still sure that V can hear you, his chin propped on your head. Down below you can see the soldiers dragging Park Jin Woo’s family out, the yelling of the people you serve reaching even where you are, on a balcony several stories high. Your gaze lands on Jin Woo, and as you see his expression turn stony and hateful, you close your eyes. It begins, you think. “I want for you to fake their deaths- give them anonymity to everyone but Sanha.”

“Understood.” And with a flick of his finger you feel the world around you shift, the air stilling and everything, for a brief moment, blurs, before it becomes clear again. Below you, the scene has changed- although it seems to be the same for everyone, you can clearly see the faint shimmer around Jin Woo and his family, the only sign that they are constructs of magic. Jin Woo will wake up in Sanha’s bedroom, incorporeal, unseen and unheard to everyone but Sanha, who you have also already put plans in motion for, to guide him into being the leader of the rebellion.

You mourn for them, for the innocent boys you will be taking away and replacing with soldiers and tacticians. But duty demands it so, the rebellion is a necessity and you cannot let the responsibility fall to any other. Sanha- the highest ranking servant of the Yoon family, a charismatic and determined individual, trusted intimately by almost everyone. Even in the family he serves he is adored (to the point that he holds their surname, a highly irregular thing for a commoner) and you do not doubt that were he to lead, the Yoon family would follow. A person from both worlds, uniting the nobles and commoners- you can only hope it to be enough.

“You will be unanimously hated by your people after this.” V’s voice brings you back to the present, as the two of you watch the crowd of men and women all but fight the guards who do not hesitate to fight back, leaving injured civilians bleeding. Thankfully no one is dead- you have forbidden them to kill.

The screaming crowd is a testament to the influence that Park Jin Woo holds, as a peasant scholar famed in the kingdom. Having served many years as a sort of middle person for both nobles and commoners, if there is anyone who knows about the corruption and schemes in this kingdom, it is Jin Woo. Not only that, he is tenacious, and his loyalty fierce. You could not have picked anyone better, really.

“I know,” you affirm. “I accepted all those when I decided this.”

“You really will be all alone, at least until after it’s done,” his sigh is faint, but still you hear it. You smile a little, turn around and press your forehead to his- silly V, really, shouldn’t he know-

“Not true. I have you, do I not? You would not leave me alone, would you, V?” V smiling, slight as it may be will never fail to make you feel warm inside, moreso when he nuzzles his nose against yours and your smile grows wider, sadness and guilt alleviated for the moment.

“No, I suppose not.”

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

The night of her 18th birthday, there was a festival held by the kingdom. The princess, soon-to-be-queen, looked over her kingdom then- the weight of responsibility settled over her like a shroud she gladly bore, one she was fiercely proud of. As queen, she would do her best by her kingdom, over the people she ruled.

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

“Envious, are we?”

You bat away V’s hands as they prod against your cheek, presumably to pinch them. His resounding chuckle is something you hear over the noise of the festival below- but only barely, and you feel his arms rest around your waist, you roll your eyes.

“Not really,” you clarify. “Just- it reminded me of the festival we went to years ago.”

V raises his eyebrows. “You still remember that, do you?”

“Of course I do! You were still so cold back then,” you protest, before grinning back up at him as you remember fondly the past. “I never knew then, what to make of you. I mean, of course, you looked and talked as if you didn’t care all the time, however, your actions always said otherwise.”

“What care would I have for humans, before and even now,” he scoffs.

“And yet I remember you helping that little girl,” you point out cheekily.

“I’m pretty sure I already told you that was for the performance.”

“Oh, whatever you say,” you laugh. “I would be lying if I were to say that I am not mad at myself right now. I should have thrown caution to the wind then, taken their offer to dance back then.”

“You speak of it so- what, pray tell, is so interesting about dancing anyway?”

“What?” You raise an eyebrow at V, who sports a bemused look on his face. “Is dancing truly unfamiliar to you? Have you never danced before?”

“Genies have no need to dance,” he says with a huff. “But if you must know, I’ve partaken in activities that included dancing a few times in the past, though mostly for celebrations.”

“Huh.” You scrunch your nose, trying to imagine V dancing. “Do you miss it?”

“No. And certainly not dancing like that.” He grumbles. You pout at his swift refusal, casting an envious gaze at the people down below.

Joining them is impossible- even if you were to use V’s magic to disguise yourselves so, you find it hard to relax among people anymore, especially in places so crowded. More than that, you find it hard to relate to them- the festivities and celebrations tempt you to join so, but you know that were you to step into the streets, you would only find yourself feeling out of place, suffocated.

Still, it does not diminish the feelings of wistfulness, the idea of joining- of being, of belonging, and you wonder, not for the first time, what you would have been like, were you not to be queen.

But that was a dangerous road to travel.

You shake your head to get the thoughts of your head, and then you are surprised as you hear someone loudly clear their throat- you turn around to find V, bowing, with a hand outstretched to yours, eyebrows raised.

“Well?”

You stared at him in surprise. “Are you… asking me to dance? But… I thought you considered dancing beneath you.”

“I do,” he drawls. “But further thinking led me to realize that this is not entirely a bad idea, if only because otherwise it would be a waste of your having dancing lessons.”

“You were not even the one who gave them to me,” you point out quietly, a smile growing once more on your lips.

“Does it matter?” He raises an eyebrow at you, his eyes flickering from your face to his hand as if to say ‘come on.’ “Well, what are you waiting for, princess? Dance with me.”

You let out a laugh as you take his hand- he smiles, raises his hand, brings your knuckles to his lips and gently pulls you into a dance.

What seemed to be a good idea at the moment turns out to be not so good though, when you step on V’s feet a few times. There is nothing on his face that gives away how irritated he must be- you wince and say a few words of apology anyway. “Apologies… I find it hard without music,” you admit.

V sighs- you flush, embarrassed, but then a soft melody surrounds the two of you, fireflies seemingly coming out of nowhere and providing a dreamy glow to the balcony. Your eyes widen as you look around in awe- V grins and whispers in your ear.

“Satisfied?”

“Very much so,” you grin.

“Don’t be arrogant,” he says, flicking your nose, ignoring the squawk of indignance you let out. He holds out forget-me-nots to you afterwards though, making you smirk as he waves his hand, and the flowers settle on your hair like stars crowning the night sky. “Tonight is merely because I was feeling generous for once.”

You stifle back the laughter building in your throat- would it kill him to admit he cared for you so? Instead, you lean your head against his chest, the dance taking a more intimate, vulnerable turn.

This is nice, you think. Under the endless expanse of stars in the sky, dancing with V (your closest, most important friend, no matter if he’s not human), it feels as if for once, you are being given a brief respite from the duties that bind you so.

Tomorrow, you will have to return to reality- return to the fact that you are trying to save a dying kingdom by setting it alight with the flames of a revolution. To the reality that tells you you are surrounded by no allies from either nobles or civilians, all of them hateful of you (because you hold the power, for the nobles who wish to obtain it, and to the civilians who want for nothing but a secure life but have to deal with the greed of nobles, who think that perhaps it is because of the princess that they run rampant so.) The thought of returning to such a thing is disheartening, and you cannot help wishing, even if only to yourself, that the night would never end.

“When I opened the locket- I find myself being thankful everyday for that moment. Meeting you is a blessing- thank you for staying,” you mumble into his chest. A pause descends on the two of you- he sighs and pulls you in closer, his reply so faint you almost miss it.

“You say that as if I would leave any moment- where else would I go, if not by your side?”

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

"Have you ever wished to be anything else?" The genie asked.

"This again," the queen sighed, though she remained silent. After a while, she spoke.

"To be normal- perhaps, once or twice, I desired to be without responsibilities and care," the queen wistfully replied, but then she smiled. "Though it matters not in the end. As a commoner, I would not have had the chance to meet you, and I love my kingdom so. Those are what is most important to me in the end."

The genie laughed. "So you admit you need me."

"Perhaps," the queen replied.

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

“A question I asked you countless times.” V’s voice is like honey to the ears, you think absentmindedly to yourself. Sweet, velvety, deep and the way his fingers run through your hair makes you feel melting into his lap, though if the way he looks at you is any indication then it must be pretty obvious. He pinches your cheeks, as if to say ‘pay attention’, and you scowl at him- but you try and force yourself not to fall asleep anyway. “Though not once have you ever given me an answer.”

“Is there truly nothing you have wanted in your life for yourself?”

“You say that as though I want for nothing,” you say, sighing.

“You seem close to it, though, that sometimes I wonder if you do,” he grumbles. “You never seem to have any that you would be willing to wish for, anyway, and those that you do I cannot accomplish.”

“Have you ever thought that maybe I am, perhaps, already content with what I have?”

He scrunches up his nose at your response. “Alright then, let me amend my question. The confines of the crown- is there truly not a single time you wished to be free of it?”

“You- are truly insistent,” you grouse, but you take in a deep breath and try to sort out the words in your head. When you speak, your voice is low, but firm.

“Countless times I have wished to be anyone but the person I am right now. To be a commoner, with less responsibilities and cares, to live how I want to,” you admit, before you place your hand on V’s cheek and pull him closer. “But in the end I’d always choose this life, even if I were given a chance to change it.”

You look straight into his eyes, and think, yes, I choose this life, I choose you, though you would never admit so out loud. “After all, I have you, do I not? And though I loathe the days my duties tire me so, I still love the people I serve.”

“After all, I have you,” V repeats, smirk growing wider on his lips, though the distance between the two of you remains so. “So you finally admit my magnanimity, how fond you are of me?”

“Perhaps,” you laugh.

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

Finally, the day came for her coronation. It was the day she planned for the rebellion to happen, as most if not all of the nobles that were corrupt in her kingdom were in attendance. The procession was grand- the following celebration even grander. It hurt her to know that she had planned for the deaths of people who she once thought were family, but she chose duty and duty demanded justice, retribution for all the crimes they committed.

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

“You will do no less than amazing.”

As you stand in front of the mirror, you find yourself running a critical eye at the woman reflected back at you. Clad in a pristine blue gown, the intricacies and design of which makes you look like a figure of power, you wonder if the woman in the mirror is true. Are you a queen deserving of this kingdom?

V comes to stand beside you- the hand around your waist a comfort you greedily take advantage of, leaning close and surrounding yourself in his scent.

“You believe so?” Your voice, when it comes out, is small and quiet. V interlaces his fingers with yours, aware that this is the first time in months, perhaps years, since the vulnerability in you is as clear as day.

“I know so. There exists no finer queen than you in the world.”

“I know, I know. Because you taught me,” you huff, a slight smile appearing on your lips, but V only turns you around, and, looking into your eyes, he cups your cheek and says solemnly.

“All the magic in the world could never change a person’s true personality. You were always made to be a ruler.”

And with that, he presses a kiss on your forehead, a small wreath of forget-me-nots placed on your head. “I will be by your side the whole time.”

In the midst of the party, the nobles were surrounded by the servants. The nobles, suspicious from the unrest, sought to leave early- and so, the plan was set into motion far earlier than intended.

Fighting broke out in what once was the elegantly decorated ballroom, turning it into an arena. The citizens, greater in number and no less trained in the art of fighting than the nobles, began to win.

“V!”  You cry out his name, a whimper leaving you as you cradle his body in your arms. “No no no no…”

All around you, the fighting is no less intense that it had been when it broke out- though, you know, now surrounded by V’s magic, dwindling as it was, no harm would come to you.

“Must you really cry? You know I never know how to comfort you when you cry…” You ignore his words, your tears falling like rain on his face, and you hurriedly pull out the locket in your hands.

The queen, though, was left in the middle of the celebration, surrounded by swords and knives and spears. In an area too thick with the highest seated nobles, she found herself at grave danger. Though she tried to escape, she found herself in the direct path of an arrow- she awaited her death, but then...

Instead, magic, raw and wild lashed out around her and she found her dearest friend, the first one she made, closest to her heart and the one she trusted most out of anyone, lying over her.

In front of them, lay a cracked locket that she immediately tried to fix, but to no avail.

“It’s impossible-“ V hisses the words out, pain (oh god, never have you heard him be in pain before, no no no no), “once broken, it will remain broken.”

“What do you mean, ‘impossible’!?” You burst out, fear (for him, for you, for the two of you) hate (for the people who came after you, for yourself, maybe even for him) and deep-seated panic (because V cannot leave you, he cannot die because if he does, so will your heart) raging inside you “I wish- I wish- for you to heal, be okay, don’t die, please, V.”

“My apologies,” V’s voice is a faint murmur now. “My magic is too weak for so big a wish.”

The queen wept. She had come so far, planned for almost everything, but none that foresaw her without her the one closest to her heart.

It was then that the forces of rebellion noticed the flaw in their plan too. For all that they had foreseen every detail, they failed to notice that their enemy had a failsafe, one that they used immediately in the time of distress.

At once, the grand castle was set on fire.

“Should you really stay,” his voice a faint whisper now, strained. “Nothing but death awaits you if you do not leave.”

“And go on living without you?” You say, furious that he would even suggest doing so, before the heat leaves you and you brokenly ask him. “Do not suggest that, please.”

The crowd around you is long gone- having left in a stampede to leave the fiery inferno that the ballroom has turned into. All around you there is fire, but even then you know without a doubt that should you choose to do so, V’s magic will protect you as you leave.

But, sitting on the base of the throne that for so many years cast a shadow on you, V’s dying body in your arms, even if you are given a choice, you would always choose to stay. Pressing a kiss to V’s forehead, you grip his hands.

V levels a soft smile on you, nothing but warmth and love in his eyes, and you blink back the tears that never seem to stop. “Really now princess, was it not you who begged me to teach you how to be a queen all those years ago? What of the rebellion? What will happen to your kingdom if you are not there to lead them?”

“I made those plans because I assumed you would be with me the whole time!” You yell at him, your blurred vision offering nothing but his gentle smile. You hate it- why does he have to look so accepting of what is to come? You sob. “I cannot do this without you.”

“I love you in all the ways my heart will let me,” he says instead, an apology and a goodbye in one. The admission of love, put into words, even after both of you have declared it so in so many little ways, in a situation where you are forced to realize saying it back will lead to no future between the two of you anyway- it breaks you.

The queen was forced to watch her love wither away- and as the locket in her hand crumbled, so did her heart.

Servants and nobles alike scattered, the remaining forces of the rebellion swept up the ones that tried to escape.

But no one saw the queen.

The forces of the rebellion surrounded the castle instead, and as morning dawned, the ruins of what once was a glorious palace offered nothing but ashes and rubble. But nobody knew what happened to the queen. Some say that she died in the fire, while others say that she escaped with the help of her genie.

In the middle of what was the ballroom, they found the remains of a metal locket and a wreath of forget-me-nots, side by side.

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

“Are you alright?”

It’s only when Taehyung asks that you feel the tears dripping down your face, and you hastily brush them off, unsure of when you even started crying.

“What? Oh, no, I mean…” you trail off, eyebrows furrowed as you try to gather your thoughts. “It’s just, it’s sad, I think. She did all she could to save her country, but she died before she could see it happen.”

“You think so?” Taehyung’s lips quirk up into a secretive smile. “She did have her third wish though, she could have wished for her to escape.”

You frown at his suggestion. “And leave V alone? That doesn’t seem like what the queen in the story would do, in either version.”

“True,” he nods, before falling silent. You wipe discreetly at your tears in the meantime, stewing over the ending in your head. Is that really what happened in the story? No wonder the townspeople left the castle alone. Knowing that such a beautiful site holds such a sad history, you would’ve… well, it still wouldn’t have kept you away, you would have come anyway in the end, but… you would’ve been more respectful, you think. More appreciative, knowing now the history, the stories that envelop the castle.

You don’t know how long the two of lie there by the ruins, watching the night sky turn brilliant, decorated by the endless stars above. The silence between the two of you- it leaves you sorting out our thoughts, the chaotic mess that the day had turned out to be.

“I should probably go home,” you say regretfully, your heart still heavy after hearing the ending.

“You should,” he agrees, though he makes no move to get up as well for a while. It’s only when the two of you hear an owl hooting in the distance that he tugs you to your feet as well- you startle when you realize the two of you have been holding hands the whole time. “Come on, I said I’d walk you home, didn’t I?”

“Alright then,” you mumble. “Thank you.”

Taehyung’s eyes crinkle as he smiles, one that you can’t help returning easily- is it really so surprising to say that today has been one of the best days you’ve had? You can’t remember feeling so- so content, for a lack of a better word. Just his touch makes you feel calm and happy, as though all is right with the world. As if you’ve regained a missing part that you didn’t even know you had been missing.

“You know, there’s another version of the ending that I know,” Taehyung suddenly says as the two of you walk along, the moon bright enough that you can see the road clearly. Your hands stay connected anyway.

“Is it better?” You ask, tilting your head, and Taehyung’s smiles turns softer.

“I hope so.”

“Well, go on then, tell me about it.”

“She had her third wish, of course. But she couldn’t bear to leave him behind, and he was on the verge of dying- and in the first time of her life, she wished for something that was wholly for her and her only.”

“She wished for him to marry her.”

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

“You promised to stay with me no matter what, did you not, V?” You grip him tight, unwilling to let go- your next words ringing out sure and determined. “If your promise still counts, then… marry me.”

“What?”

“Marry me. Only a few more minutes remain until this place collapses, and so I would prefer it if we get onto it,” you say, staring into V’s eyes- wanting him to see that you are nothing if not serious. “The kingdom will be fine. They have Sanha as the next king, and Jin Woo will be there to help him if needed. They will be okay without me… but I would not be okay in any sense of the word without you.”

“I.. I’m not in any state to hold a marriage,” he says, stunned. You grin, widely, even as the world around the two of you rages, fire burning high and bright.

“Then,” you declare. “I wish- to marry you. Let magic bind us together. You are the only one I wish to be with, even in my next life, and the next.”

“You have-“ he laughs. “ You have the strangest wishes.”

“Perhaps, but this one is the best yet, isn’t it?” You say, winking at him, before you squeeze his hand playfully. “A marriage in human and fae traditions- with magic binding us… if only I remembered to bring my parent’s rings.”

For a few seconds he does nothing but look at you, as though to make sure that you are certain about this- you look straight back at him. A smile as wide as yours breaks out on his face, and you feel magic, faint but true and solid, wrap around the two of you. The wreath of forget-me-nots on your head are quickly taken off, repurposed into rings and the symbolism makes you blink back tears.

“A fae’s true name is known only to the fae themselves… you already know the stories of how much power a name holds,” he murmurs, before he intertwines his fingers with yours. “Too much time has passed- I barely remember my own true name.”

“Still I swear to you, not as V, but as Taehyung, to love and cherish you even into our next lives. Whatever burden you carry, I will carry alongside you- and even in our darkest moments I will never abandon you. As a friend, as lover, as the only one that makes me feel alive, with just your existence. There will never be another after you, should we be separated- no matter how many lifetimes come and go, I promise to love you still.”

Taehyung slides the ring onto your finger and you feel your heart swell with his declaration, before you repeat the vows. When you finish, you put the ring on his finger as well- you press your forehead to his and eagerly press a kiss to him. The barrier disappears, the flames instantly drawing close, loud and angry. You do not mind the blaze anymore, and if the look on Taehyung’s face is anything to go by, neither does he.

“I will see you soon- in our next life, and the ones that follow.”

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

“That seems wonderful,” you sigh in awe.

“Isn’t it? A wedding by magic that bound them together.” You don’t see the way Taehyung looks at you- asking, pleading, for what you might ask if you knew, the grip he has on your hand tighter, though his voice remains even. “They say their souls were intertwined so, that even after death and beyond, the queen and her genie are still together.”

Together… Taehyung’s words reminds you about the person he grew flowers for- the thought that he’s already taken makes you feel hollow. You can’t even get angry at yourself for hoping that this someone is only a friend, family, and not a wife or a lover like you first thought. It’s only been a few hours since you met him, that’s true… but there’s a pull to Taehyung that you find yourself gravitating to.

You feel guilty for holding hands, but the larger part of you is wholly satisfied by the way his grip on you is tight, as if he doesn’t want to let go. Neither do you, admittedly. You can’t help the sigh that leaves you when you see your house- only a minute or so before the two of you have to part.

“I like that version better,” you say, as you finally take the last few steps to your gate.

Taehyung hums. “I hoped so. I do too,” he admits. You smile at that, the two of you standing still in front of your house, neither of you making the first move to separate. When the moment lasts too long, though, you finally, reluctantly, let go of his hand, turning around to open the gate- before you gasp and turn around.

“Wait! I… will I see you around?” You ask him, cheeks red but the words sincere.

“I’ll always be here,” he promises, grin wide. “But if you want, I’ll come over in the morning with coffee.”

“Okay,” you say happily, finally stepping into the gate. “Tomorrow then. … Goodnight, Taehyung.”

He raises a hand to wave goodbye- when you enter your door, you turn around and see him finally moving from his spot, making you giggle, and in turn you watch Taehyung walk away until you can’t see him anymore.

It’s only when you get ready for bed that night that you discover a wreath of flowers on your head, beautifully crafted and intertwined together. You look at the flowers in surprise- bright blue, and the strong, sweet scent they emit makes you wonder if these are made from labs, not to mention you never even noticed them on your head.

Maybe Taehyung placed them there. Your mind jumps to the story of the queen, of her genie, of the ruins that lie as proof- you wonder if that makes you his queen, and Taehyung, the genie. You laugh at the thought, even as it makes you feel warm and you shake it off- placing the wreath near your pillow, you eventually drift off to sleep.

When you dream that night you see desks and parchments, a never ending sea of faces, and a locket on your neck- and when the flames swallow you whole, you wake up with a gasp.

[bunny-hoodlum]

Thank you both @dayseternal-blog and @mysummerchoi for the tag! <333

Nickname: Two that I gave myself: Momo in my teen weeb years, and most recently Missa cuz it’s sounds cute and unique and is closer to my real name. I’ve gone by Luv-Luv and Lis-Lis by my mom. My sister dreamt I was a Manatee once, so there was a short period of that, lol. I’ve never earned a Nickname among my peers. ^_^;;;

Zodiac: A q U a R i U s ~ ~

Height: About 5′3″. I’m almost 30, so I might be shrinking.

Last Thing I Googled: Sleater-Kinney 90s Fashion (I might draw some NaruHina where they look like they went to Alt-Punk house concerts in the 90s. It’s the mood I’m in. No promises tho).

Number of Followers: More than 220 I believe... for some reason..? My blog is pretty inconsistent content-wise and I haven’t really done poop on here since last Spring. ^_^;;;

Favorite Song: You can’t make me pick just ONE SONG. But for now, let’s go with Alt-J "Dissolve Me"

Favorite Instrument: I don’t know!!! T o T

Favorite Author: No one currently. But there are a lot of published authors that I want to get into: Banana Yoshimoto, Haruki Murakami, Kazuo Ishiguro, Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Ursula K. Le Guin, Charles Bukowski, maaaaaybe Dostoevsky... Then there’s those one-hit wonder kind of books, like Naomi by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki. I guess Jun'ichirō has other stories, but Naomi has always been on my mind. Out of curiosity, I might read the stuff from that suicidal guy that was in Bungo Stray Dogs...  Osamu Dazai! Oh yeah, I totally forgot I was reading the manga-ization of No Longer Human drawn by Junji Ito. 6.6

Oh wait, I guess I can pick a favorite manga-ka... Taiyo Matsumoto. <3

Dream Job: I don’t know anymore. I just wanna float around for a while and not think about who or what I could be until it comes to me. Would I like to work as a freelance artist for random companies? Sure. Would I like to publish a graphic novel? Yeh. But I’d prolly never experience a day of fun in my life again.

Aesthetic: Converse and torn stockings on a rooftop with pigeons and beer under an overcast sky. Or the inside of a parked car overlooking a forested valley, with mellow post-rock coming out of the speakers, and spiced coffee in hand. Camping out under nothing but a tarp roof, listening to the rain drum against the plastic. An empty roadside, a sheer cliff one side and a slope on the other leading into a forest, walking along the double white line like it’s tightrope. Dirty palms from charcoal and clay. Paint-stained jeans that look like a Van Gogh. Treehouses with a fireman pole and a rope swing. Being the only one in a resort pool after dark.

Favorite Animal Sound: Pigeons cooing

Random: I tried Taho recently. It’s Silken tofu, brown sugar syrup and tapioca pearls. The syrup was added to hot water, and the hot water gave the tofu a less-than-pleasant texture. I want to recreate a cold version of it. I’ll drizzle heated brown sugar syrup on cold silken tofu and cooked tapioca and see how that goes.

Tagging @tenney-shoes , @savage-scarcity , @schnikschnack , @scalding-coffee-cup, and anyone who wants to share stuff about them!

[oneemofungirl]

Together At Last 5.1 | Thomas Hunt x Kate Anderson

Pairing: Thomas Hunt x MC(Kate Anderson)

Summary: More fwuff

A/N: Merry Christmas you guys🎊🎉!!!! Dono what came over me while writing this chapter lol I was listening to old love songs and found a gem and yes I love italics it's my obsession. There will be another bonus chapter as a gift for yall Addi×Ethan shippers today~ Oh! And the conversation at the end of this chapter is sort of a foreshadowing of the chapters to come soooo~ Enjooy luvs hahaha <3 

-

I went to our room to change. A few minutes pass and Thomas joins and changes as well. I look at him sweetly and he returns the look as he saunters over to my side and puts his arms around my waist. We slowly started swaying as he started humming to the tune of Never Thought That I Could Love by Dan Hill.

“Kate.” He murmured beside my ear.

“Thomas.” I sighed his name.

“Can I touch you? I can't believe that you are real. How did I ever find you?” He sang to me tenderly as we swayed to his voice.

“I never thought that I could love, Someone as much as I love you, I know it's crazy but it's true, I never thought that I could need, Someone as much as I need you.” We sang in unison as we gazed deeply into each other’s eyes.

“I love you.” We whispered the last part before kissing each other softly.

“What was that.” I softly giggled, in a daze from what just happened.

“I never knew you could sing so well.” I admitted, still swaying side to side lightly with Thomas.

“Well I never knew either. I guess it’s another thing added to my list of talents then.” he shrugged.

“Show off.” I hit his shoulder playfully and we laughed together.

-

That night we decided to go out and eat at this really fancy Italian restaurant with a name I am sure to pronounce wrong.

“Oh my god, is that Tom Cruise?” I half-exclaimed as he helped me pull out a chair and sat down “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome and no. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he actually came here, this is quite a famous restaurant among celebrities.” he went around the table and sat down in front of me.

“Wow... I feel like an actual celebrity here.” I said, mouth gaping and looking around like a fish in a freaking pond.

“You are one.” He looked at me quite puzzled, (he thought that she would be more used to the fanciness of things considering the amount of projects that she had taken up in the past year alone.)

“I know but I feel like it’s just coming to me.” I said wide-eyed.

“I mean... dating you, working with such big names in the industry like Chris, Zoe and...well you. It’s really hard to believe that just two years ago I was a lonely kid searching for ways to make it big in Hollywood.” I looked at him in awe.

“Well, better believe it.” he shrugged, “Because like it or not you are part of this world now.” He gestured around us and a waiter finally arrived to take our orders.

I laughed softly and we both made our orders.

“Think I’ll let you pick the drink this time... I don’t want a repeat of Catalina.” Thomas winces a little at the mention of the date, remembering how rude the sommelier was to me. 

“If that’s what you wish,” he smiled apologetically at me.

We both chatted as we waited for our food to arrive.

“You know, this is quite hilarious.” I admitted, suddenly regretting my words, Thomas looking at me confused.

“What is?” he asked.

“Funny story.” I bit my tongue and I contemplated bending the truth a little bit before I leaned forward to tell him the story.

“In high school, I actually had a crush on a professor- well, teacher as well.” He looked intrigued.

“Really? Do tell.” He leaned forward as well to listen to the story.

“Well... I was this dumb kid who fell in love with literally everyone and anyone I saw.. And then one day I fell for my English teacher.” I sighed heavily before continuing

“He wasn’t that handsome? but he wasn’t that bad looking as well.” Thomas nodding ever so slightly while listening to me tell my story. But I didn't tell him the truth... My insecurities went flooding back to me like waves and before I knew it... I had made something else up..

“We were kinda flirting...? But I knew we wouldn’t go anywhere with it. One day however, he started to flirt with other kids in front of me and that enraged me. When I confronted him about it, he told me to ‘shut up’ ” I used air quotes and made an offended facial expression, “The audacity!” I lied. In an attempt to make a joke out of it... But now Thomas was laughing madly drawing the attention of a few customers sitting near us.

“Ohh. That is gold.” he wiped a fake tear away.

He bought it... I felt my stomach twisting in disgust... Why didn't I tell him the truth?

Thomas was recovering from his fit of laughter and calmed down a bit.

“He sounds like an idiot.” He said, a small smile on his lips.

“How dare he ask my girlfriend to shut up.” His hands covering the top of mine.

“Right?” I made an over exaggerated expression, heart still sinking from lying to him, and we both laughed while the waiter came back with our drinks.

“I’m so so so glad I didn’t end up with him.” I said while shaking my head

“Why is that?” He asked

I looked away for a split second and I was sure he noticed before I replied guiltily, “Because I ended up with a better idiot.” I forced myself and grinned wickedly at him

“Oh you spoiled little brat, just wait until we get home.” he playfully smacked my leg from under the table and we both laughed as the night went by. I pushed away all thought of my past and focused on the company that mattered instead. Thomas's company.

-

tag: @hopelessromantic1352 , @lilyofchoices

[delta-chan]

Outstandingly, after roughly six-thousand years, I have written a fanfic. It is very short. Sweet. But not overly so, kind of like one of those chocolate-covered potato chips.

Title: It don’t have one luv Genre: Gen, friendship, sadness, Ghost Adventures Featuring: Emet-Selch, WoL (reader) Summary: Yet another ghost visits the WoL! In spite of how ridiculous literally everything I have written regarding this fic is, it is quite serious and melancholy. In the olden days this is where I'd put "IDK how to write descriptions lol just read it" or the lyrics from a song, but instead you're getting this. Take a look~

Someone's nearby.

You wake from your nap, hazily turning your head to the side. A shining, robed figure is there—the Exarch? No... you slowly blink the bleariness from your eyes and your mind is awake in an instant. It's him. It's Emet-Selch—but he should be gone! You reel with the implications. Did you not do it right? What happened? How could he have...? You attempt to move, but it seems your body is held fast in sleep, unlike your mind, and in that paralyzed state you somehow feel relief. But why...?

“You were always like a beacon,” he says softly, presumably speaking to you, glancing about your quarters, “anyone who said they couldn't find you was a liar. You could blot out the sun...”

Your eyes follow him. He doesn't move far, his hand passing through your pack.

“Always so full of ideas... I remember that time you ran up to me with your hands clasped around something and slowly opened them, revealing a little white mouse. 'Isn't it grand?' you said... 'you didn't get permission!' I retorted. But that never stopped you. Your mouse was approved and you went on and on the entire afternoon about how many colors it could be... always excitable. I don't think I ever saw you have an idea that wasn't some type of soft. That... that is what I liked about you. No, that's not...”

He looks directly at you—almost through you with a soft, sad, genuine smile.

“We'd always take a room at the hall of rhetoric,” he says softly, “and no matter how differently we thought... no matter how much of a gulf was between us when it came to ideas... your voice was always so gentle, so even... and you always tried to understand. You always reached across the table, and you... you... in that glow...”

His eyes seem to mist, then you could swear you see tears falling from his eyes.

“I was so angry! I just couldn't understand!” he reaches up, messily wiping the increasingly obvious tears away and failing as more come, faster and faster. “Why did you abandon us?! Why did you... abandon me...?”

He takes heaving, shuddering breaths, deep and soul-shaking. Your eyes, too, well with tears, as if the tendrils of your soul are digging up a distant, painful memory.

“I held onto you,” he whispers shakily, “even in all my anger, all my hatred, I put you on a pedestal... I made a world where you never left. Everyone loved you, just as they always have... but it just made me more angry when I saw you again, and you continued to reject me. Continued to reject you. Pranced around as a distant shadow of yourself, casting me angry glances... to see that beacon turn on me so, to feel that gentle glow turn into a searing spotlight full of judgment, to feel as if you did leave because some part of you hated me...”

You want to shake your head, but you can't. His tears begin to slow, and he calms. He stares at you for a long time.

“But you never did. You never abandoned me, never abandoned us. Now that the haze is gone, I see that. You're just different. You always have been. Your ideas, always so soft... there was no way you could have stood for something like that. It wasn't me, and I wasn't myself. The haze was so strong that I could barely see past it.”

He smiles.

“You never did like people intruding on your privacy, so I'll go. But I wanted you to know that I'm sorry. Even if it isn't enough, I truly am... that's what friends do, don't they? They apologize. I hope one day you'll come to accept.”

Just like that, he fades away, and your eyelids become heavy, drawing you back into a deep, dreamless sleep. As you fall, you pray you won't forget. You promised.

[twilightvolt]

And so, another year has come to pass.....almost. ^  ^

Remember when i said i was branching away from Digimon back when i drew up Venom fanart? y’know, “I wanted to be more than what i used to be.” that being “a Digimon artist.”

2019 was basically just that. lots and lots and LOTS of fandom hopping.

If last year was me recovering from the pain and crippling anxiety of 2017, then this year was me finally getting up again, learning to stand up and live for myself rather than in fear of those i shouldn’t care about anymore. life still hasn’t been too kind to me even though, compared to last year, we’re in a better space. but i’ll get into more detail about that while i go through everything month by month on the clock.

Before we begin, if you’d like to see the previous years, here’s the links!

2018:https://twilightvolt.tumblr.com/post/181732950569/i-kinda-was-saving-this-for-when-i-had-the-time-to

2017:https://twilightvolt.tumblr.com/post/171806337539/a-3-month-late-art-summary-featuring-art-that-i

Might wanna grab your popcorn, my dudes. this is a long one.

January: On the Web

Coming out of 2018, things were pretty ok if i remember. i don’t remember much from this month aside from a few doodles i did like this one from when Spiderverse was the hottest thing. this was one of the last things i drew in my old style. before i decided to officially change things up in the next month.

February: Gotta Kick it Up

Pokemon Sword & Shield were announced and things were hype! oh, how things soured as the months went by. lol

But yeah, this was me taking that experimental sketchy pencil style from that Smash Bros. drawing and rolling with it all the way! it’s become my new go-to style and even though it’s still hella sketchy at times, i feel like it looks better in comparison to my old ink outlined drawings.

March: The Overdrive Dweebanoids

Oh right. my old Ben 10 phase that lasted for a millisecond in 2016 returned with a vengeance. and it was glorious. lmao

It spawned an AU that i didn’t delve into much, but if i ever get that spark for my favorite alien watch bearer, i’ll get back to it.

April: True Blue Lizard Bois

My Ben 10 streak continues and i was crankin’ out art left and right for it. i luved all the “doodle dumps” i made, but this drawing was wholesome and i picked it because of that.

To some extent, this could be a comparison between my past and my present. that being Overdrive!Ben being what, at the time, was my current obsession while Digimon!Vivi was a representation of where i used to be, back when i was starting out and entering Digimon OCTs on Deviantart.

May: Return to the Realm of Sleep ~HD ReMIX

Now THIS i feel was one of the grandest drawings i’ve done this year. hell, i even made a wallpaper out of it.

like, it was just a redraw of an old drawing from 2017. but to me, it was a way to tell me just how far i’ve come since then. and i couldn’t be happier.

This was also the month i rebooted my DA after a long time of inactivity!

....Iiiit didn’t really work much, but i’m still working on it. though i highly doubt it’s worth it considering most of the ones i used to hang with there are either people i don’t wanna associate with or people who left while i was gone. seriously, it’s a ghost town there.

June: Art Fight 2019 ~Dreams Vs. Nightmares~

Ahh, my second year of Art Fight. for this year’s event, i wanted to be a tad more grandiose. like drawing up this banner. i like being extra and stuff even if it kills my drawing hand, so yeah. lmao

...

Florida thunderstorms are friggin’ terrifying. idk HOW anyone can get used to that.

July: - BREAK DOWN -

Oookay, it was hard picking my favorite attack this year cuz i pretty much was satisfied with all of them. but i had to go with this attack because the artist i drew it for was someone i really admired for years and i’m just happy i could finally have an opportunity to draw them something. like, i luv how it came out, so yeah.

This was also the month i forced myself to finally do the thing and let go of the constant fear i felt towards certain people i used to hang with. while remembering 2017 will never NOT hurt, i can’t let that fear rule over me forever. i have to take control and not let it stop me from doing what i want. and that’s exactly what i did.

August: Ricky ~Sapphire, Emerald and AlphaSapphire

Oh yeah! after Art Fight ended, i returned to Pokemon randomly cuz i wanted to go back to my roots for a moment. revamping Ricky, formerly Ragna, and Yagami was something i’ve been meaning to do for awhile and it reignited a waning love for a series i started growing distant towards since Gen VII.

I used to really like Ricky’s old design even though i barely ever used him. but i guess this just shows how much more original i’ve gotten in terms of character design. ^  ^

September: Heartbeat Inferno

Now, i haven’t really talked much about what’s been going on life wise for most of this post, but trust me when i say irl, things weren’t really.....happening. like, it’s hard when you live (or rather, lived now) in a place with little job opportunity and you have NO experience whatsoever. the lack of progression must’ve hit something in me, so the week i drew this was me just....shifting moods, feeling everything at once. one day i’d be agitated as hell, the next i’d be so depressed i took a some odd hour nap and didn’t wanna get out of bed. like, for most of this year, i haven’t felt this stressed out and frustrated with myself. so this sudden crash was kind of....unwelcome.

But this drawing was a fresh change though, if i’m being honest. i’m not usually this uncaring about how clean the coloring job is, but i like it! i’d choose that other drawing i did for my friends’ birthdays, Skirmish at the Cable Club, but this one had a more personal drive behind it.

October: - PAPERMOON -

beastarsbeastarsbeASTARSBEASTARS--*COUGH COUGH AHEM* I MEAN....hai. :D

Continuing with my Pokemon shenanigans, i drew this big piece which was something i had in my head for years now, but never actually acted upon it cuz i always felt it was too big of an idea to work on. i’m happy i’ve managed to capture what i envisioned originally.

As for interests, i’m sure most of my current followers can deduce that i quickly shifted gears to Beastars as soon as the anime was released and so far, i regret nothing. it’s spawned a metric butt ton of new art from me and the way i see it, this phase ain’t stopping as long as this series continues. brace yourselves fam, i believe i’ve finally found the successor to my Digimon phase. lmao

Like, damn, i had a tough time choosing art for this month. i was stuck between this, - SMILE/WILD SIDE - and Slip Into Madness. so many good drawings i was satisfied with, y’know?

November: The Future is Now

I was SO planning on putting something else here, but then suddenly i just kinda had this urge to redraw that uggo gouache painting of Miyagi from highschool. and it turned out so good that i had to. like, really. lmao

As with the redraw of Dream Drop Digital’s key art, it was a reminder of how far i’ve come since then art wise. and i feel like i’ve accomplished so much this year because of it. ;w;

December: Winter Lights

And now we’re back to the present time. after over a year or so of living in Florida, we’ve moved once again back up north a bit. yet another clean slate, but things seem to be looking up despite the rather large bumps in the road the past week or so. lately i’ve been feeling that seasonal depression starting to set in, but i think i’ll be fine as long as i stay positive. cuz y’know, it’s not being happy all the time. it’s just knowing that things will get better someday.

One of the other reasons i drew this drawing was cuz i REALLY wanted to have something Beastars related on this clock. this series (and Legoshi in particular) really inspired me, so i had to leave a wedge open for my boi.

Looking back at the beginning of this decade (as 2020 would mark the next one), i realized that the 2010′s were basically me becoming more artsy. finding enjoyment for a new hobby that quickly became something i’m now more passionate about than video games which i didn’t think would EVER be the case.

Funny enough, it all started in the RP section of a little forum for an MMO called Wizard101. i was only in middle school at the time and, to tell you the truth, i had no idea i’d be going at it for this long. thought i’d just do it on the side but not really delve into the art world more.

But despite all the trips and falls, fandom drama or otherwise, i wouldn’t change anything if it meant i wouldn’t have the friends who’ve stuck by me in the aftermath of those times.

I may not be really succeeding in much, but it’s the small steps in life that matter most in the end. these past few months in particular was me getting fed up with feeling sorry for myself for not doing the things i was interested in in the past, getting over my regret and making plans for starting something new even though i know i’ll suck at first and not worrying so much about how others might perceive me.

And just like how life was changing for our resident grey wolf this first season, mine seems to be doing the same. and i believe this decade ended on a better note than i thought it would during the past couple years leading up to this.

Here’s to a new decade! ^  ^

~ For a future I want to believe in. ~

[diveronarpg]

Congratulations, PIKA! You’ve been accepted for the role of PORTIA with a faceclaim change to JESSICA VU. Admin Rosey: Be still my heart, for it has been captured ruthlessly and quite brutally by your interpretation of my darling, my sweet Pandora. “ …there’s a hubris to pandora that intrigues me. everybody sees life through a window, and pandora is no exception. she prides herself on her pragmatism and her ability to cut through the whimsical bullshit that others fancy. and maybe that helps her see the world more clearly.” It was in the beginning of your application that I noticed you captured the cruz of her character and for that, I thank you. I can’t wait to see our machina on the dash!  Please read over the checklist and send in your blog within 24 hours.

Out of Character

Alias | pika

Age | mythic. timeless. 18+ lol

Preferred Pronouns | she/her/hers or they/them/theirs, i’m not picky!

Activity Level | hoo man i try my best but i’m a full-time student with a bunch of stuff on my plate. I’m really good about tracking the dash on mobile, and i promise to be on to write every other day unless i let you know otherwise!!

Timezone | pst/gmt-8

Current/Past RP Accounts | jake. hugo. mallory.

In Character

Character | PORTIA, or pandora linh phan, with a fc change to jessica vu! (you might need to age her down a year bc jessica is only 19 but idk if it’s super feasible for someone that young to be a captain?? oof idk ur call adminnies!! or if it comes to it i’m ok with using jolie LOL i just prefer jessica.)

What drew you to this character? |

listen, i fucking love portia. the paradoxical free spirit who binds herself to the most minutiae of the rules? someone who simultaneously adheres to and flouts convention? a lawyer who uses her words for mercy? BADASS.

and then. AND THEN. you all reimagined her to be even more badass, which is certainly impressive. pandora isn’t a direction i would have imagined portia to be taken in. this is not a woman who would manipulate the law as an agent of mercy (though i imagine she certainly could, if she so chose to). no, this is a portia who has chosen to use her keen intellect in pursuit of the truth above all else, a product of the machinations imposed on her throughout her entire life. as an heiress, there have been strings cast upon her since birth. she has simply grabbed them to take control of whatever facets of her destiny she could.

but to return to the question, i think what really drew me in to pandora’s character was the lingering paradoxes you teased in her skeleton. for all she appears to be an unstoppable, calculating machine of a woman, a part of her still fears the inexplicable. though she might seem callous toward even her family, she wants to use her influence to help others—i imagine that in a world where she was not sent to the mob, she would have ended up a major humanitarian. i think it’s easy to be misled by pandora, to see only her calculating exterior and not dig into her underlying belief systems. she may be sharp enough to see and understand things about the world that the rest of us may not pick up on, but that ability has almost certainly strongly shaped her own views. the possibility of exploring the inner workings of someone so complex is something that makes me giddy on its own, and that’s before you even factor in the possibility of character development, because…

…there’s a hubris to pandora that intrigues me. everybody sees life through a window, and pandora is no exception. she prides herself on her pragmatism and her ability to cut through the whimsical bullshit that others fancy. and maybe that helps her see the world more clearly. but i think it gives her a very deliberate blind spot when it comes to her own weaknesses and the strength of mankind; she can predict what man’s folly will lead to, but i don’t think she’s had enough experience with positive relationships to understand the strength of human bonds. so there’s a lot to explore there, as well! and all of that’s before you start talking about her role within the mob and its interplay with her pre-existing heuristic reasoning omg. this is a girl that was forced into a war and turned it into a game. there are just a lot of layers to explore within pandora, is what i’m trying to say, and conflict between the various aspects of self that make up her identity.

ALSO HAVE I MENTIONED I LUV BADASS LADIEZ BC WOWOW I RLY DO UNF

What is a future plot idea you have in mind for the character? |

foul is fair and fair is foul:

to build off of what i introduced in the previous section, i think that a major underlying theme within pandora’s character is the notion of control. she is so used to having it—over others, but most importantly over herself—and fears losing it so much that i would love to see it wrested from her. pandora considers herself above verona’s war, in a way; as a captain, she doesn’t touch blood, and as a phan, she knows (or assumes, at the very least) that she has a way out. she is inherently analytical and never impulsive. but this is a game where logic fails in the face of the whims of faux gods, of ambrosia and warfare and the hands of witches. pandora’s been lucky so far in how the world has kept to its unspoken rules, but silly girl. the very otherness that separates her from verona’s darkness may very well doom her to it. let her see she that the best-laid plans have nothing against the hand of god. let her see that she cannot play a game where the rules are a sham.

the quality of mercy is not strain’d…:

pandora is a young captain, especially for only having been a montague for three years. surely, there are mixed feelings about that within the montague ranks. i think her relationship with castora is notable because of how unexpected it was for her to pick up castora as a mentee and how pandora herself wanted someone to show her the ropes. she clearly has ambition and intelligence, but she isn’t necessarily agreeable, nor particularly concerned about crossing the line into insensitivity. what i’m trying to say is that in the mob it takes a certain willingness for action to rise as quickly as pandora has, particularly as someone who isn’t part of one of the traditional mob families. despite what some of the rumors say, it is certainly not because of her wealth or her engagement, what has she done to position herself so valuably in so little time? who has she made enemies of? allied with?

and more importantly, what consequences will these actions have now, particularly during the unrest?

…it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven:

because of how quickly pandora has made herself indispensable to the montagues, i feel like it’s easy to overstate her loyalty to her fiance’s family. but loyalty isn’t necessarily something logical, and pandora’s first loyalty is to her logic. i don’t think it’s impossible for a party to shift her loyalties, whether it be to the capulets, to the montagues, or to finding peace another way. she may have her mind set on serving the montagues but her eyes are not closed to the complex reality of the situation she’s in. perhaps a compelling argument could shift her view.

oh romeo, oh romeo:

pandora’s relationship with roman is something i’d like to explore bc i’m a slut for romantic-coded plots because love seems antithetical to everything pandora values. there’s no logic to love, no real value that seems to be had from it. furthermore, it requires a relinquishing of control, and that more than anything is enough for it to be completely unattractive to pandora. she certainly respects, and to a certain extent cares for roman, but it is duty that binds them.

so i say, let her fall. it’ll be against her better judgement, certainly, and maybe it’ll end well, or maybe it’ll end with disaster. maybe she’ll finally learn to trust roman, and maybe that will lead to something more. perhaps she’ll fall for someone else, a rival, maybe, and their story will end in tragedy. either way, there is something to be said about how love can derail the best-laid plans.

Are you comfortable with killing off your character? | lol sure i guess as long as there’s some kind of like plot sense to be made yknow

In Depth

In-Character Interview:

The girl they send to interview Pandora-—and make no mistake, it is unmistakably a girl—looks like she could be Pandora’s age. Her blouse is crisply ironed, but the collar is slightly crooked. Her pen is cheap, and so are her shoes. Her earnestness is palpable. She is pretty, but she wears her youth in her face. Perhaps a person in the habit of indulging whimsy could have pictured the two women as roommates, recent graduates worried about internships and graduate school applications. Pandora, however, is not one of those people.

Their passing similarities are increasingly eclipsed by their differences the longer the women sit, the still-nameless girl fumbling with her notes, Pandora perfectly still. It’s easy for Pandora to mask her annoyance with indifference, less so for her to silence the disdain on her tongue. But she does, sympathizes with the girl, even. She does not belong here, that much is clear. Perhaps this is how Athena felt when she was challenged by Arachne.  

Eventually, the girl finds her footing. “What is your favorite place in Verona?” she asks.

There’s a moment that, on anyone else, would have been considered hesitation. On Pandora, it reads like anticipation, like the world is taking a moment to prepare itself for the words she is to say. “Would it be surprising for me to say Verona’s library? It contains a rather incredible collection of historical Roman documents.” It’s not a lie, not really. The library fascinates her, but not for the stories it holds in its walls. Rather, it’s the stories that unfold in its shadowy corners that draw her interest. If the girl isn’t a total fool, she can figure out the rest.

And apparently she does, or she is at least willing to take the answer at its face, because she presses on. “What does your typical day look like?” she asks.

“If you’re looking for a jetsetting life of glamour, I’m afraid you must go elsewhere.” Pandora feigns a sigh, twirling a lock of hair around a finger. “I wake up early, drink tea—I’ve recently given up coffee, you know—and meditate. If I have business for the wedding, I’ll tend to that; if not, I’ll study.”

There’s a look in her conversation partner’s eyes that seems akin to doubt. Ha. Certainly a recent graduate, then. Pandora smiles benevolently, but her eyes are cutting. The girl has shown weakness. “You seem surprised,” she says lightly. “I know it’s been going around that I’m taking a year off of schooling for the wedding, but you don’t think I’d be content as a trophy wife, would you?” Her parents had, and look where that had gotten all of them. She doesn’t sneer, but it’s a close thing.

The girl can’t meet her eyes, so Pandora continues. “Anyhow. I’ll usually spend the afternoon attending to family business, either my own or the Montague’s.” And wasn’t that the truth. “I try to meet with my fiance in the evenings. And at night?” She tilts her head coquettishly, but on Pandora, the action reads almost predatory, the gaze of a panther deliberating a strike. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”  

“And what of Montague’s more…nefarious business dealings? Do you have any comment on those?”

Huh. Perhaps the girl has more backbone than Pandora credited her with. A single, impeccably groomed brow rises.

“I do not.”

The girl swallows, then continues. “Okay, um…well…What has been your biggest mistake thus far?”

Pandora laughs, and the sound is beautiful but out of place, uncannily youthful from a creature that seems to transcend conventional labels. It’s easy to forget that Pandora is young, barely out of girlhood herself, worlds apart as she is from her interviewer.

“Darling,” she says, “I don’t make mistakes.”

She knows what they say about her, how they call her bella macchina, how they quaver before her ruthless pragmatism. Was it so bad to lean into the reputation? There were worse things to be associated with. And looking at her, content in her realm, a spider in the orb of her nest, it is so, so easy to believe. It is easy to forget that it is not her dominion, that Verona is not her land and the Montague-Capulet fight is not her fight, in the strictest sense. But nobody is as acutely aware of the reality of her situation as Pandora is. She is but a tool.

And thus, her mistakes are not her mistakes. It’s logical, really.

She has shaken her interviewer. That much is certain. But Pandora must give the girl credit, because she pushes on. “What has been the most difficult task asked of you?”

Pandora could recite a litany, if she so wanted to: becoming a Montague, being the Phan her parents intended, swallowing her knives instead of spitting them, unlocking the gilded cage her birth placed her in.

“Taking a break from school.” She sighs, and this time there’s a sort of truth to her wistfulness. It isn’t that she dislikes taking a more prominent role within the Montague family—to the contrary, it has been one of the most exciting experiences she has been able to apply herself to. There’s something about the unpredictability of mob life that challenges Pandora in a way that few other things have been able to. Though she likes the satisfaction of conclusions predicted, of victory strategized four steps in advance, there’s something exhilarating in being kept on her toes. However, she has a raw love for learning—for bettering her understanding—that is unique from her love for the game. There’s a comfortable reliability to the rules in academia, a safe expectation of how things are to react. And recently,  she sometimes misses the reliability of writ law, despite the new opportunities Alvise’s death has unlocked.

Perhaps it would be more apt to say that coming to Verona has been akin to opening Pandora’s Box. What a joke.

The interviewer pushes Pandora out of her thoughts. She has been saying something that Pandora could probably recite later, but didn’t particularly care enough to consider. Eventually, she reaches another question. Her last, if Pandora remembered correctly. And Pandora always remembers correctly. “What are your thoughts on the war between the Capulets and the Montagues?”

Pandora averts her eyes; she is not so proud to pretend that she is a good enough actress to hide the hunger in her eyes. “I don’t understand it.”

It’s not a lie. War, as a general concept, is inherently paradoxical—and that fascinates Pandora. The way that man has tried to civilize it, put rules to it, when it is ultimately a series of acts that defy basic human ethics, the one set of laws all decent men ought to follow. The attempts to moralize it. The strategy involved, the balancing act between victory and order and understanding. Understanding the philosophical notions of war is one of the few universal perplexities that Pandora itches to scratch, a puzzle that she can’t immediately solve.

Of course, in the meantime, there’s always the art of war to busy herself with. That, on the other hand, comes naturally to Pandora, almost frighteningly so.

She finally meets the girl’s eyes. “You can understand my concern, of course, especially for my fiance.” She clutches her hand in a gesture that could be mistaken as one of disquiet. “Dearest Roman…as long as this rages on, there’s a target on his back,” she says entreatingly.

Of course, she neglects to mention that there is a matching mark on her own.

Extras

a playlist:

control - halsey // runnin’ (interlude) // kehlani // pride - kendrick lamar // oh no! - marina and the diamonds // biking - frank ocean // woman (oh mama) - joy williams // talking to myself - gallant // never catch me - flying lotus feat. kendrick lamar // bite - troye sivan // power - kanye west // keep ya head up (jhene aiko cover) - tupac

hcs & misc. bits

Pandora graduated summa cum laude from her undergraduate program, where she studied economics and public policy. Technically, she’s a law school student—as her day job, if you will—but since Alvise’s death, she’s taken a break to focus on her work as a captain (or, depending on who’s asking, to focus on her engagement).

Pandora is fascinated by the Witches. They fall under the category of things she cannot explain, and that simultaneously frightens and attracts her. She spends a fair amount of time at the Museum, as a result.

Pandora is notoriously dismissive of things she finds wasteful, but she’s actually very into fashion and art.

Pandora is pretty skilled with languages. She’s fluent in Italian, English, and Vietnamese. She’s passably conversational in German and Mandarin, and can speak enough Japanese to conduct business.

Pandora doesn’t touch drugs or alcohol if she can avoid it. She’ll partake in wine socially, but otherwise avoids mind-altering substances. After all, her mind is her greatest asset. What is she without it?

mbti: istj-t

enneagram: type 6

likes: documentaries, oolong tea, louboutins. being right. victory, as a general concept. puzzles, especially crosswords. granita.

dislikes: people who chew loudly. empty rooms. foolishness. coffee. being called dora.

aesthetic: the click of heels on a polished marble floor. the smell of lavender at night. the rush of air that leaves your lungs when you exhale. a piece of ice melting on your tongue. the pre-dawn hour, when the world is a breath from still and light barely dusts the sky. falling, falling, falling down a rabbit hole. the knowledge of victory. gold on steel. the refraction of light through a shattered glass.

[sheeelaazhang]

Reflection: the end?

It is crazy to think back to the beginning of this quarter and see how far we’ve all come as individuals and as a group. I still remember seeing everyone for the first time in front of Tom Bradley. I was four minutes late, and I remember seeing a bunch of faces turn as I sprinted over to join the circle. I was shy, I was overwhelmed by all the amazing individuals that stood before me, and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Seeing such a large group as well scared me, I started to overthink, how is our group dynamic going to be like, am i going to make friends, will they like me? All these questions ran through my head.

Fast forward to today, right now after finally removing the cream out of my hair, I am in bed typing this at 2 in the morning and I can say that I am truly content. I am so grateful that I have found a family that I feel so comfortable being around. I feel like since coming to UCLA I really struggled with finding a tight-knit group of friends, a lot of the friendships I was making here felt fragile and tentative. After all these weeks of getting to know each and everyone of you, including the actives and the PMs through interviews, I can say with clarity that I am so happy with where I am now. 

@tamlynsasaki honestly from the moment we talked in front of tom bradley and then having you by my side in the car during i-night, I knew we would get along. I love you for being so understanding and for being someone that I can always talk to about long distance relationships and problems I am facing. 

@micheleshi my JPPPP! I am so happy we got paired together. Your radiant personality literally lights up my day and I always feel super happy and can’t help smiling when I am with you! Thanks for always having my back and for being so patient with my last minuteness. I love you very much!

@han-hannah HANNAH! You are one of the sweetest people ever. You are so genuine and kind and caring and hardworking and honestly just someone I look up to! You put your all into what you do and thank you for taking such detailed notes during monday meetings, we really couldn’t have done it without you. I love you!

@jtran9816 JACKIE! I’m so glad that we’ve gotten to talk more! Your facial expressions are 10/10 and you are so sweet for reading my rants on tumblr and actually privately messaging me about it to see how I am doing. Thank you for reaching out and I appreciate you so much <3 <3 ILY

@tranyconnie CONNAAYYY CONNIFER CONCON tbh I was lowkey intimidated by you at first because you seemed so confident and good and dancing and ahh! I am so glad that I got to joke around with you/drink/talk to you to realize you are super chill and ilysm 

@andyaliao​ andy i literally love you so much! from the moment I first met you I wanted to b your friend because you are so genuine and sweet and easy to talk to! I feel like I can really talk to you about anything and you are so understanding and nice about it! Love you forever <3

@brigittephung22​ brigitteeee literally I knew no one when I was rushing so it was nice when we talked because I was like omg yay im making friends! You were so sweet and easy to talk to! I really loved talking to you about relationships during scavenger hunt and i look forward to more talks like that hehehe love you!

(i realized this is a bad idea omg theres 17 other people omg omg ok im going to finish this)

@ryanneis​ RYANNN! tbh I was so shy in the beginning and your jokes that were LOWKEY RUDE jk actually made me feel like I was more apart of the APPLEGRANDMAZ and it made me more comfortable to be myself and open up! Honestly thank you for that and you will forever be my miming partner so don’t you go miming with anyone else im watching you like a halk

@nguyenevonne​ omg when you sent me the text apologizing for making jokes that might come across as offensive i was like GIRL NO! literally it made me feel more comfortable actually because I was kinda shy in the beginningggg so thank you!!! I LOVE YOU and honestly everytime I see you and hug you I feel so much better. You also crack me up so much ilysm

@ngkatelyn​ KATELYNNNNN! Honestly i rmb talking to you during that speed circle rotating thing in front of tom bradley and I was like omg this girl is so social and easy to talk to and cool I want to be friends with her! Lol! You are so easy to talk to ilyy

@heyyyson​ hayson!! I enjoy reading your tumblr posts a lot! You always have so much to say and a lot on your mind and I love that you are not afraid to share it. I feel like it is so easy to talk to you and you give great advice. Thanks for being there even if it was brief after lock in, I felt so much better <3 LOVE U

@jonathantnguyen​ JONATHANN! My president! Thank youu for always checking up on me and seeing how I’m doing! You always keep me on track and honestly you are so unfazed by all the sickness/disease/shit that gets thrown onto you and it is really inspiring to see that. one day at a timeee love you!

@leeeaannewooong​ leeeeaannnneee!! my person-that-stands-next-to-me-every-meeting! ILY! Thank you for always checking to see if im ok after each roast i honestly feel so much better:) You are also so on top of your shit and organized and is definitely someone i look up to! Thank you for being you and ilysmmm

@jackeytang​ jackeyyyyyy! You are one of the people i rmb during rush because you were super social and always had something to say! ALthough you don’t show affection very much I can see through your actions how much you care about us and how we are doing and ily so much for that. Also love your dark/twisted-ish humorrr :) :)

@gabrielsalazar​ GABEE the man!!! You crack me up so much omg when you first spelt camaraderie wrong and said it so confidently i squeezed your hand because I couldn’t stop laughing. Everytime you mention public speaking I also laugh sorry:D I love you for being someone I can always have a good time with <3

@heavenhumphreys​ heavennnn sorry for drawing demon claws on your shirt but i luv u gurlll thanks for always hyping me up even though we both know I can’t dance :D Ily and girl you chugging that tequila you should be the one with tequila in your name not mee :D You’re always so confident and you’re a natural leader that makes sure we actually get shit done so thank you for that <3

@dlam79​ DANGGG! LOL my partner for the PAC appreciation eventtt lol we were both so stressed and freaking outt. Thank youu for doing a lot of the work and being so patient and accomodating because of my freaking midterms. You are so on top of your shit, without you i would’ve died lolz also i love your sass and attitude and for putting up with my mess hehe ilysm <3

so uh i think this turned more into an appreciation post than a reflection...but honestly I wouldn’t be who I am now without you guys! even though pledge quarter is almost over we are still going to spend time tgt okkk. I feel like through this quarter the most valuable thing I gained was friendship <3 Apple grandmas for life!!!

Also my title may be misleading but i can say with certainty THIS IS NOT THE END THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING as cheesy as that sounds. Also I lowkey like writing these tumblr posts...im kinda inspired to like keep a daily journal or something. It’s pretty cool to look back and recall what you did :)) OK GOODNIGHT EVERYONE!

[sweetlysilent]

Secret Santa with the Holland's... (Headcanon)

Requested By: Nobody

Side Note: Since Christmas is approaching I wanted to write something relative to that because for me personally it’s one of my favorite holiday’s. I also thought this could be really fun to write so, I hope you’ll enjoy it just as much. :)

- alRIGHT SO

- Christmas is approaching, it’s one of the most joyful times of the year

- people are getting their trees to decorate in their homes, also decorating the outside of their homes with colorful lights

- and then you know by the end of the day you’re basically brOKE LOL

- rip everyone’s bank accounts in December lmao

- aNYWAYS

- you came up with a brilliant idea this year, it was gOLDEN, 100% best thing ever

- “HELLO BROTHERS I HAVE A SNAZZY IDEA COME GATHER AROUND PLS” You would shout from the kitchen, waiting to hear footsteps.

- “Y/N this better be good I was in the middle of a game!” Sam whined, making you smile and laugh.

- “I second what Sam said, but I was editing a video.” Harry chimed in, now standing beside his brother.

- “Alright we got two of you, where are the other two Holland’s.” You squinted at Sam and Harry who shrugged in response.

- “Y/N, how did you even get into our house? Nobody let you in.” Harry questioned, now realizing you were just randomly in their kitchen.

- “Tom gave me a key.” You laughed, watching as the two boys in front of you nodded in response.

- “Make’s sense, you’re always here anyways.” Sam laughed, making you laugh in response.

- it was true, you were basically always at the Holland’s house

- “TOM, PADDY WHERE ARE YOU GUYS SAM AND HARRY ARE ALREADY DOWN HERE.” You shouted once more, resting your chin on your hands.

- “I’M COMING GOOD LORD.” Tom shouted back, coming down the stairs, Paddy behind him as well.

- “What’s this huge meeting about?” Tom questioned once him and Paddy made it into the kitchen.

- “Well, now that you’re all here, I can finally tell you all my brilliant idea.” You clapped your hands, a bright smile on your face.

- “Does it involve baking? Because I can’t do that.” Paddy questioned, making you smile and his brothers laugh in response.

- “I mean it could if you chose to honestly, but I wouldn’t really advise that.” You laughed, ruffling Paddy’s hair up.

- “ANYWAYS, so, my brilliant idea is that since Christmas is approaching, I thought it’d be so much fun to do Secret Santa!” You clapped excitedly, only to see them not showing the same amount of enjoyment.

- “Secret Santa?” Sam questioned, before glancing at his brothers who also wore the same expression.

- “Have you guys never done Secret Santa?” You asked in pure shock, you loved doing Secret Santa, it made the idea of buying a gift for someone fun and adventurous.

- oKAY BUT FR WHO DOES SECRET SANTA BC IT’S SO FUN

- bUT also rip again to everyone’s bank accounts including mine bc I spend so much money yikessss

- rip money :’((((

- aNYWAYS

- “I mean we decorate our house and get like two trees but we don’t really do ‘Secret Santa’ we normally just get gifts for each other.” Tom explained, making you roll your eyes in response.

- “You guys have never experienced the thrill of Secret Santa, bUT that is going to change! I declare that this year, the Holland family will do Secret Santa!” You cheered, clapping happily as they all sighed but smiled at you anyways.

- “Alright fine, we’ll try it out, and if we like it, maybe it can become a thing.” Harry added, making you even happier than before.

- wOW that took a lot of convincing smh

- soon after, you started explaining how Secret Santa worked, how you were going to draw a name out of a hat and whoever you got you had to get them a gift, but you couldn’t tell anyone who you got or what you got them

- “But what if I need help? I suck at getting people gifts.” Tom whined, making you roll your eyes.

- “You’ll be okay, I promise.” You spoke dramatically, making him glare at you playfully.

- “Okay lets draw names shall we?” You questioned, shaking up the hat that now held slips of paper with all of your names on it.

- the first to go was Paddy, who was eager to see who he would get, he mixed his hand around in the hat, then pulled the slip of paper out

- #Spoiler he got Sam !

- then went Harry who was praying he’d get Tom bc he was easy to get something for

- #Spoiler he didn’t get Tom hahahaahah he got Paddy

- then Sam went, he mixed the hat around, then pulled a slip of paper out

- #Spoiler he got you !!

- then it was Tom’s turn, he was ready to see who he would get, even though there were only like two slips of paper left lol

- #Spoiler he got Harry yeet

- then it came down to you, with the last slip of paper in the hat

- #Spoiler you got Tom ! >:)

- “Alright now that everyone got their person, it’s time to start looking for gifts! This is where to me at least it gets super fun and exciting because people can get really creative with what they get or they can get something super lame, but you won’t know till you open the gift!” You smiled, looking at all of the boys in front of you.

- “Let the games begin, brothers.” Harry grinned, then exited the kitchen, along with everyone else.

- IT WAS SECRET SANTA TIME

- you were currently in a store, trying to find something to get Tom, he was honestly so difficult to shop for ngl

- you felt your phone buzz in your pocket, only to see multiple messages

- yes, you were in a group chat with the lovely Holland brothers

- Tom: WHO HAS ME I WANT TO KNOW

- Harry: THE WHOLE POINT IS TO NOT KNOW YOU IDIOT

- Sam: tHIS IS STRESSING ME OUT I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO GET AGKAJSDFKJ

- Paddy: gUYS YOU’RE BLOWING UP MY PHONE SHUT UP

- You: So, how is everyone enjoying Secret Santa so far??? ;)))))

- Tom: Y/N I WANT TO KNOW WHO GOT ME

- Sam: YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO KNOW, SUFFER LIKE THE REST OF US BIOTCH

- Paddy: SHOPPING IS SO DIFFICULT GUYS HALP

- Harry: Y/N HOW DOES ONE FIND GIFTS FOR OTHERS

- You: How am I friends with you guys like???? I seriously wonder this everyday

- Tom: UHM BC YOU LOVE US DUH

- Sam: I SECOND WHAT tOM SAID

- Harry: I THIRD THAT STATEMENT

- Paddy: I AGREE TOO

- You: lord, you all are something else, but yeah.. I luv you guys too :)

- You: OKAY GTG I’M BUYING GIFTS FOR WHO I GOT HAHAHAHAH BYE

- Tom: WHAT Y/N WHO DID YOU GET

- Sam: sHIT HOW DO YOU BUY GIFTS,,,, Y/N !!!

- Harry: WE’RE ALL DOOMED

- Paddy: i’m lost

- and with that you locked your phone, a smile on your face as you continued shopping for Tom

- eventually after spending hours looking around you finally found the perfect gift for him

- weeks passed and it was now time to exchange gifts with one another

- aND LET ME TELL YOU, those weeks were complete chaos

- “Alright! Today’s the day, everyone exchange gifts!” You smiled, you were all back in the kitchen holding your gifts.

- Paddy started, he carefully walked over to Sam, before setting his gift in front of him

- “Merry Christmas Sammy.” Paddy smiled, giving his brother a hug, who returned the kind gesture.

- then it was Sam’s turn to go, he hesitantly walked over to you, before setting the gift he got you in front of you

- “I hope you’ll like it.” Sam smiled nervously, making you smile and laugh slightly.

- “Of course I’ll like it you goof.” You laughed, giving him a hug, which he returned.

- then it was your turn, you picked your gift up, before making your way over to Tom, who’s eyes widened when he realized you had gotten him

- “IT WAS YOU THIS WHOLE TIME I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN.” Tom shouted, shaking his head, a smile on his face as he hugged you.

- “Surprise!” You laughed, before going back to your spot.

- then it was Tom’s turn, he picked up his gift, before setting it down in front of Harry, who was a bit skeptical but was excited at the same time

- and last but not least it was Harry’s turn, he picked his gift up and walked over to Paddy, placing it in front of him

- “Merry Christmas buddy.” Harry smiled, messing his hair up before walking back over to his spot.

- “oKAY so now that everyone has their gift, how was the Secret Santa experience?” You questioned, a smile on your face as everyone laughed.

- “It was thrilling, but stressful at the same time.” Harry responded, as everyone nodded in agreement.

- “Overall, I think it was really fun.” Tom added on, making everyone nod in agreement once more.

- “I’m glad you guys had fun, but now is the best part! Open your gifts!” You cheered, and before you knew it they were all diving into their presents.

- Tom opened his first, you had gotten him a multi-picture frame and put a lot of his favorite moments in it

- “Y/N, this, this is amazing, thank you.” Tom smiled, his eyes still scanning every picture you had put in it.

- Paddy was next to open his gift, he eager ripped the wrapping paper off to see a video game he had desperately wanted

- “Yes! I’ve been wanting this for months! Thank you Harry!” Paddy cheered, looking at the game in pure happiness.

- Sam was next to go, he tore the wrapping paper off only to see Paddy had gotten him a video game also, but not just one, but two!

- “Aw sweet, thanks Paddy.” Sam grinned, looking over the two games.

- then it was Harry’s turn to open his gift, he removed the wrapping paper only to see a new camera

- “Oh my god, Tom, thank you so much.” Harry spoke, he was blown away, he had needed a new camera for so long.

- then last but not least it was your turn to open your gift, you undid the wrapping paper, Sam was anxious to see if you’d like it or not

- bUT you loved it, he had gotten you a few different things, some lotion, some perfume, a gift card to your favorite restaurant

- “Sam this is amazing, you didn’t have to get me this much, but I love it, thank you so much.” You smiled, making him visibly relax and smile back at you.

- needless to say, everyone loved their gifts and whether they wanted to admit it or not, Secret Santa was a lot better than they expected

Christmas + Secret Santa + The Holland Brothers = A New Yearly Tradition :-))

[nightfell]

Rules: Answer the questions then tag people you’d like to get to know.

Thank you @haleykim84​ and @stardreamed for the tag :) Alright, let’s see what we have here! 

Nickname(s): Fell, Wolf/Wuff, Luv  

Gender: Female

Star sign: Scorpio, Year of the Dragon 

Height:  5'4

Sexuality: Straight 

Hogwarts House: Gryffindor 

Favorite Animal: Wolves and horses (Arabians, Arab Xs)

Favorite Color: Purple and orange (my endurance riding tack colors) 

Current Favorite Song: For Honor! For Toussaint! from The Witcher 3 OST has been giving me that much needed second wind during my run workouts and for drawing sessions, Echo by Foreign Air has been a good track for recent fanart pieces. 

Favorite idea to get creative with: Coming of age, introspection/self-discovery, interplay between friendship/love, slice of life, and angst. I’ve also got a thing for underdog, off-the-beaten path, complex, misunderstood/misread characters. 

What do I like to do when I’m alone: Curl up somewhere comfortable with a good book, doodle art, work on costumes/cosplay, casual video gaming, spend time with my mare at the barn, and go on long trail rides for hours in the woods. 

What do I think of my friends: I can count on two hands those I’ve come to trust as my closest confidants and love like family. I can be loyal to a fault at times, but those that reciprocate in kind will have a friend for life.  

Average hours spent sleeping: About 6.5 hours. 

Cats or dogs: I have owned/get along with both but I am definitely more of a dog person. I absolutely love sighthounds, especially greys and silken windhounds.

Number of blankets I sleep with: One, maybe two in the summer...and three to four in the winter lol I’m always cold. My dad took pity and gifted me an electric heat blanket this past winter and it was a GODSEND. 

Dream Job: I would love to have my art become more than a freelance hobby. I’d also love to work with horses more- running my own endurance training stable and helping kids in need with riding/equine therapy. 

Dream Trip: One of my bucket list goals is to trail ride everywhere I visit. I’ve been making good headway with this the past couple years picking up rides in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas and California. I really want to go overseas next though; at the top of my list is the Highlands in Scotland (which I’ve only visited in the past) and the Mongolia steppes. Rugged, wild, sweeping natural terrain seen between the ears makes my heart and soul sing <3 

When I made this account: November 2012 (personal)/July 2015 (fanart). Both accounts sat around for a long time though because I didn’t find much use for them until 4-5 months ago. 

Number of followers: 360 and counting :)

Tagging: @waywardbasementcat @asparrowsfall @celticbabs13 @okadiah @pilafiamadness and anyone else who wants to play!

[universitybee]

answer 11/ask 11

Thanks for tagging me, @milkteafirst!!

1. What’s your go to comfort food?

I love, love, love chips. like, I will eat 2 family pack bags of chips for breakfast, lunch and dinner for 3 days straight (especially the buffalo flavoured ones). also mashed potatoes!!! ,,, I know, I am so healthy

2. What genres of music do you listen to?

I’ve always really liked alt/indie music!  I absolutely adore Cage the Elephant, Grouplove, AM, The Vaccines, Arcade Fire, etc.  also classical and more recently, vaporwave, bc I am Trash,,

3. When was the last time you did something you shouldn’t have?

LAST NIGHT I stayed up until 4 am looking at memes on the interwebz when I had to be up at 6:30 to go to my 8 am class. rip in peace

4. Do you consider yourself technologically challenged?

I pretend that I’m not, but I’m pretty much a grandma when it comes to navigating technology. sometimes it gets really embarrassing when I’m trying to exchange numbers with someone and,, I can’t even set up a contact correctly lmao

5. What do you do to unwind/relax?

I really like to draw/paint!! I’m currently working on a sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project 2017!  I also nap as frequently as possible

6. Describe yourself in three words.

procrastinator, shy, & artistic!

7. What is something you would improve in your life if you could?

Ahh, I would definitely try to be more outgoing so I can make more friends in college.  I’ve made a few, but I never lived on campus with everyone else and so my social interactions have been limited to classmates ;A;. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and joined some clubs recently which is helping!! But I wish I could expedite the process a bit,,

8.  Are you still friends with anyone from your childhood?

Yes!!! My best friend since 2nd grade and I are still frequently in touch although she attends college out of state, which is awesome! I also still talk nearly daily with my best friends from 8th grade onward despite living about 2 hours away from them. I luv my friends <3

9. What was something that you did that you didn’t think you could do?

I have an extr e m e fear of teachers and professors, to the point where I’ve never spoken to a professor in college and have only spoken to my TA’s a handful of times. Earlier this week, I conquered that fear by inviting one of my professors to a program where you sit and chat over coffee!! I didn’t think I would ever have the guts to even attend office hours, much less sit and talk casually for an hour. it went wonderfully and he said he would definitely like to go again!! I didn’t think I had it in me; I’m so glad I did that :’))

10. If you could be friends with any character, who would it be?

idc if this is basic, I would love to be friends with Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice!! I have read it about 10 times over the past few years and I admire her wit and charm soooo much;; she’s so smart and independent and bad*ss 

11. How would you describe your aesthetic, if you have one?

uhm.....hm. somewhere between struggling art student and preppy school kid because I live in c o n s t a n t c h a o s but when I pull it together I can be super organized + I love sweaters, tea, notebooks, etc. idk if that even makes sense! lol

I tag @defensivedad, @loveliestbee, @studybless, @hahaudidntthinkihadablog, @pinkexoplanet, & @roseyboyy

1. What is the most recent thing you read? (book, article, fanfic lol, etc)

2. What is a song that speaks to you & what does it mean to you?

3. What is one of your life goals?

4. What do you do in your free time?

5. Do you like tea or coffee better? Fav kind?

6. Would you say that you are introverted or extroverted?

7. How often do you stay up until 4 am?

8. Where would you travel to if money were no object?

9. Are you more of a heart breaker, or do you get your heart broken?

10. Do you like the sciences or the humanities better?

11. Do you use bitmojis? (everyone in my life hates on me for this, no judgement lmao)

Thankz ! <3