#as my birthday approaches i get more and more anxious for no reason and i hate it

[lunarentropy3]

Hhhhghhh

[kneelingshadowsalome]

Hello! I’ve been back and forth on writing you this bc I’m nervous but eh fuck it, I have no shame. So first off, I just want to say that you, Salome, are an absolutely stunning and brilliant writer. As someone who majored in classical studies in college, I was completely blown away by Fatum Nos Iungebit. The world you built was so deeply immersive and characterization of König, in that story as well as your other headcanons, is perfect. For the past week or so, I’m going to be honest, I’ve been going through your blog because I’ve been so hungry for more and the only reason I haven’t interacted more is that 1. I don’t wanna feel like a creep and 2. I was so scared of you blocking me for ‘’spam-liking” or whatever. I can assure you that I am a real person and I’ve been enjoying everything I’ve seen. I came across one concept however, that definitely got my neurons firing and that’s the idea of belly dancer reader x könig and I have some thoughts I wanted to share with you if that’s okay. :)

So I’ve been a belly dancer for almost a decade (I actually celebrate my ten year anniversary next year!). I was part of a belly dance performance troupe at my old university and I currently dance with a studio in my new city. It’s genuinely one of the great passions of my life. I’ve performed at all kinds of venues and for all different occasions from festivals to galas to charity events to hookah bars, so I definitely have some performing experience under my belt, well as what audiences are like. So when I saw the idea of König being mesmerized by a dancer at a wedding, I went !!!

I want to add the caveat that this is based on my experience as a dancer living in the US, and while I’ve performed for SWANA audiences (which is always an amazing experience 🥰) and non-SWANA audiences, I can’t speak for what it’s like in other countries. So, in my ✨personal✨ experience as a belly dancer going on a decade, it’s pretty rare that men will approach dancers during or after a performance—especially to actively hit on her. And believe it or not, it’s because many of them are actually intimidated! I have seen the most seemingly cockiest, proudest men just stare blankly and stand back while we do our thing. If anything, it’s usually women who approach us, gushing about our performances or asking where they can take classes and stuff. Women tend to be the first ones to get up and dance with us, shower us with tips, etc. (again, very much my personal experience as someone living in the US). When it comes to more family-friendly events like weddings and stuff, we also get a lot of kids approaching and that’s always so adorable and sweet—especially when the little babies think we’re princesses. 😭

So back to König, especially Y!König. 😈 he’s at the wedding. He’s mopey. He’s picking at his plate of chicken and rice. He’s happy for his friend and his bride, but a little bitter and jealous that he’ll never get to be that happy. Then, a mejance (essentially an entrance/overture piece of music) swells over the speakers and out comes the dancer, adorned in an Irina Sheyner number (she’s an absolutely STUNNING costume designer, plsplsplsPLS look her up 😭), veil flying behind her. She does her mejance, a drum solo, and at some point…she does a sword number. The level of control she has to be able to balance the sword on her head in impressive, but König can’t help but imagine what it would be like for to dance wielding his knives in hand. Finally, dancer opens up the floor and in typical faction brings out the bride and groom to dance with her, and then most of the other guests follow. Not König though. He hangs back and watches as this beautiful dancer holds the guests in the palm of her hand. Gone is the cocky, brutal soldier, and only the shy, anxious boy remains, the one who would always be left out of games at recess and who wasn’t invited to birthday parties. König has never been the dancing type, but he can’t even bring himself to offer her a few of the banknotes or dollars or whatever currency he’s using. He just stares, and she’s completely oblivious.

A while later, he’s getting ready to leave, when he spots Dancer. Her makeup and hair still done up, but she’s now fully cloaked and awkwardly lugging her suitcase and bags full of props and other equipment across the poorly paved parking lot. König zeroes in on her and before he knows it, he’s approaching her, asking her if she needs help carrying her stuff. Dancer, surprised but this gigantic man suddenly appearing before her, flashes a winning smile at him and says he can. König easily lugs the stuff to Dancer’s car. She thanks him profusely and just like that, she drives away.

It’s only a few hours later that the obsession starts to creep in. König, who’s ordinarily not a big social media user, is now checking the feeds and stories of his friends who attended the wedding. Finally, he comes across one friend who posted a video of themself with the dancer and tagged her Instagram. König can’t click on it fast enough and suddenly, he’s greeted by dozens of images and photos of Dancer. Some are adorably mundane. He finds out that Dancer teaches classes at a studio nearby, and some of the videos consist of dancer teaching basic moves to the camera. There are other videos of her at the local hookah bar, where she performs on a regular basis. König sees one particularly video of Dancer doing a piece of floor work, that same sword balanced proudly on her head as she’s propped back on her arms, her gorgeous hips undulating toward the sky. König feels a dark wave of heat wash over him. He jokingly thinks to himself that maybe he should take up hookah. But one thing is for certain, she’s going to be his one day. He’ll just have to be sneaky about it, subtle.

He clicks the follow button on Dancer’s instagram. She has a few thousand followers. Surely she can’t notice one faceless profile, right? 😈😈😈😈😈😈

Anyway, that’s all I have for now. I know you’re taking a break from fics but if you see this I want you to know you’re an amazing writer. Lots of love! 💖💖💖💖

Ughhh and another lovely soul 😭💗 I don't know what's going on in here this week but both you and anon have really made my heart swell!

And please please please, spam liking is never frowned upon here (I don't know why anyone would block someone who's clearly not a bot for loving your stuff?!) It's such a delight if I see that someone has liked a ton of things instead of just one. It's the highest compliment and praise! ❤️🥺

And your bellydancer prompt/drabble is so mouthwatering, god. If I'm being honest, I'd read whatever you wrote for this thing in a hot minute because you have the skill and you've done the research (an actual bellydancer in my inbox?! Ok Salome try not to be a creep) and the premise is just. GAH. So good, especially with yandere König! ❤️❤️❤️

I have to reveal I wrote like 8 chapters of a story relatively close to this in the fall: Stalker!König obsessing about reader, invading her DMs on Instagram and literally stalking her. She's not a bellydancer, but damn if I didn't think about changing her into one... :) The story is on hold for now, but here is a little snippet as a thank you gift!

CW: Yandere/Stalker!König, harassing, obsessive behavior

I’m sorry, Liebling. You were too beautiful yesterday. I got carried away.

You wake up just to see that your phone is full of messages. From him, of course. He’s created another account on Instagram.

I’m just a man.

You ignore it altogether, even if there’s messages and emails from other people too. You simply go to brush your teeth, hearing how the phone buzzes on your desk.

I know it was disrespectful. I could never call my wife that. Will you forgive me?

You sigh and finish with your morning routine, but the phone buzzes again.

I sent you flowers. Did you get them?

It’s like he knows when you’re awake, because you can see the messages from your screen without having to unlock it. Even if he refreshed your conversation every minute, every second, he can’t possibly see that you’ve seen them yet.

It bugs you to no end, this feeling that he somehow knows that you’re awake. It’s like he knows your every move. It’s the most unnerving thing, and makes you think about horrible scenarios where he has broken into your house while you’re at work, to install cameras or microphones or something. You feel like you’re about to go mad if this nightmare goes on.

You go to the front door, but hesitate a while before you turn the knob.

What if it’s a trap?

What if he wants to kill you because you yelled at him last night at the pub...? What if there’s a bomb or something that goes off when you open the door, what if he aims at you with a gun from across the street and kills you on your doorstep this morning?

Just what the actual fuck does this guy even want with you...

You sigh with a broken heart and some broken nerves, deciding it’s as good a way to go as any. You turn the knob and open the door, only to find the usual porch, and a large bouquet of dark red roses planted there.

More ice sinks into your stomach as you witness the evidence of him knowing where you live. But the fact that he chose to send red roses… Ugh, this guy is so old-fashioned and so unimpressive that it’s somewhat a dull surprise to actually see flowers on that porch.

Who buys red roses these days?

Couldn’t he have picked peonies or something, something to go with your other decor… Red roses are so eighties, so funeral-like, so boring.

You sigh and go and take the flowers to the trash. Then you walk back to your house, make sure the door is locked tight, and go back to your phone to type a message.

Did you see that?

The answer arrives immediately.

What? ❤️

I threw your flowers in the trash.

There’s bit of a pause after that. Your wannabe boyfriend clearly hasn’t got his eye on you at every given moment. That’s a bit of a surprise, almost a disappointment, actually. But only if you were any more crazy.

The reply comes after about 30 seconds, after a series of Typing… bumping up and down on the screen.

I’m sad.

You get some satisfaction from that, but the first reaction is a tiny, tiny dagger to the heart. You sigh – you do nothing but sigh these days – not only because of his message, but also because you can’t seriously be having a moment of compassion for your stalker, for god's sake.

You make me sad, Liebling 💔 Are you still angry with me?

You throw the phone away and go to make yourself some breakfast, only to stop and turn when you hear the phone buzz again.

I’ll send you more flowers.

Jesus…

You unlock the screen in a frenzy and type a reply in mere seconds.

Don’t bother. I’ll throw them in the bin too.

Typing…

You have to keep them at some point. Trash bins get full so soon.

STOP HARASSING ME.

You throw the phone away for good this time, and don’t come back to it for another hour. You eat your breakfast with squirming insides and a rattled heart, waiting for someone to come bring you flowers at any given moment.

But no one ever comes.

You check your phone before going to work, but there’s nothing from him there. You go and block his new profile, unsurprised to see that there are no pictures this time, not even a profile picture (well, there is one, but it’s only a black circle), just in case. You don’t know why you didn’t block him in the first place.

There’s a radio silence for a few days. You spend them at the edge of your seat, with lots of trouble sleeping, but soon start to ease into the fact that maybe he finally had enough. Maybe you were not as interesting or attractive as he thought when he met you in person…

Wait, what?

Gosh, you can’t be this desperate... You simply can’t. This has to end.

You don’t talk about him in therapy, mainly to convince yourself that you’re not thinking about him at all. You’re not missing him harassing and stalking you, and you’re not disappointed that he didn’t send you enough flowers to fill your entire bin.

You know you should address this: this crazy need to be something groundbreaking to someone. To want someone to be this obsessed with you, no matter how sick that someone was. You know you would have gone to the police if your stalker was the sleazy, weak-wristed man from the pub. You would’ve packed your bags and moved houses already, changed your name and closed your social media accounts, quit everything if your stalker was small and ugly and weak.

But now that you know he’s relatively good-looking, does something dangerous and has a lot of money, and looks like he could fuck and fight half the city by himself, you’re not in that much of a hurry to go to the authorities.

You’re even a bit sad that your stalker hasn’t given you any fevered attention these past few days... He hasn’t even asked you how you’ve been.

No one has asked you how you’ve been: no one ever does. You have to wade through this life all by yourself: depressed and anxious and crazy. Lonely… And horny.

Gods, you just want someone to hold you at night… Someone strong, and big, someone who would pay a few bills for you, take care of you and give you a round of good sex…

Your phone buzzes from time to time, but there’s no message from him. One night before going to sleep, relatively early, so early that it could be called the bedtime for old spinsters, you break down and cry a little. It’s not a wail: only a soft little sob, a few sniffles and a couple of tears until your nose gets clogged and the pillow is wet.

Your phone buzzes, and you reach for it, feeling so, so pathetic when you hope it would be him.

And the message is from him.

You’re the most beautiful woman on this earth. I know I fucked up. I’m just a horny dog and I don’t deserve you.

You sniffle and rise to sit, your whole system fully awake now. Oh god... You’re so fucked.

The message makes you feel incredibly good and sweet, almost giddy. It feels like he’s kneeled right there in front of you, like a knight who has misbehaved in the throes of his lust. You know it’s ridiculous, but you start to smile a little, and the tears dry on their own. The merry feeling is followed by righteous rage, a little fit, because he’s made you wait for days, he’s tortured you in every way possible, and he does absolutely nothing right.

You unlock the screen and start to type, not thinking it through at all before hitting send.

That’s right.

Fuck… Shit. That was a mistake. No, a huge error.

Why did you have to send that? Stooping to his level, sending stupid things like that…

You put the phone away quickly, then reach for it again to delete what you just send. But it’s too late.

I can be a good dog if you forgive me.

The message is waiting for you already, and when you don’t reply, the oppressive, ominous Typing… hits on the screen once more. God, how could you be so stupid…

I’ll kill anyone you need me to kill. I'll give you money, whatever you need. A new kitchen so you can cook me something nice? I’ll be a good dog, I promise.

What did you even expect?

Everything always blows up when you give him attention: any dumb person knows better than to give this hungry dog a bone. You’re just too fond of digging your own grave, it seems.

There’s no end to the messages: this guy starts typing a new one every time he has sent the last.

I’ll fuck you like a good dog too….

You lean your forehead to your palm, trying to figure out a way to stop this.

And then–

Fuck, now I’m hard

You take a quick breath of air and put the phone away.

Please don’t send a dick pic, please don’t send a dick pic…

The phone buzzes.

Look how hard you make me

There’s a picture attached, but you can’t see it when the screen is locked.

This is what I have to live with, day and night…

Message after message, your phone buzzes, and you check them quickly from your screen, swearing to yourself that you’re not going to give him the satisfaction of opening the conversation and checking the image he sent you. You know perfectly well what you will find if you do that.

But after only a minute or two, you unlock the phone, and open the conversation with your heart ramming in your chest.

Just one quick look...

[bluewhitehues]

Hug | Kim Mingyu

Summary: You secretly like your bestfriend chan,he has no idea and sets you up on a blind date with his friend and hyung Mingyu.

Genre: Angst? (Little bit), comfort, strangers to lovers, fluff

Warning: mentions of anxiety

Pairing: Idol Kim Mingyu × (f) reader

Part 7

The next time you meet mingyu is at Chan's birthday party. After a month, because you both have been so busy, but you've been texting each other meanwhile and needless to say you're much more closer to each other than before.

You arrive at the venue and greet everyone.You didn't see mingyu there yet, and wonwoo is missing as well that means they're may be late .

Chan had told you earlier on the call that he's going to introduce his girlfriend to you and the boys today at the party and he's been so excited about it saying 'I've already told her a lot about you guys and I've feeling you're gonna love her,she's sweet.'

And when you approach Chan, she's there as well.

"Heyy, Happy Birthday birthday boy." You say smiling at him.

"Y/n you're here!!! Thank you." He says exitedly smiling, extending his arms and enveloping you in a hug. You hug him back smiling.Then you give him his gift, he thanks you.

"Yunjin come here.." he says motioning his girlfriend.

"Y/n this is yunjin my girlfriend and yunjin this is y/n my bestfriend.. " he says introducing you both excitedly and kind of nervously.

"Hey finally ..it's so nice to meet you." you say smiling at her brightly because she really seems nice and you hope she really is cause chan deserves nothing less.

"Hey nice to meet you too,he talks about you and the boys a lot" she returns your big smile.

"Yeah, they're like the most important people in my life, so you've to know them" he says smiling softly at her.

You smile at them,"And he talks about you too, he really likes you."

She blushes a little at that, looking at him saying"really.?... I'm glad to know that." Then he also blushes.

The party is starting to get crowded and more people are coming towards chan to greet him,so you excuse yourself to go sit somewhere, he asks if you will be ok.. knowing you don't really like crowded places and parties. You assure him you'll be ok saying,"the other guys are here I'll talk to them don't worry about me." you pat his shoulder and go towards a table. You sit there with a drink looking at everyone, these things are really not your type, you feel uneasy at such big parties, it was bearable the other times because chan was there with you to talk to you and all..and you're trying not to think about that cause one: it's his party and he can't be with you.And second: now he has someone he'll be with from now onwards, and honestly he can't be with you everytime anyway.

The other boys are busy as well conversing with everyone, you wished atleast mingyu was here but then you think what if he ignores you.. and your uneasiness just keeps increasing, you're thinking you'll just go home in few minutes. With having no-one to talk with you, you're feeling out of the place, like you're the only one different from the whole world. Amidst of your overthinking you didn't notice Mingyu entering the party, first he went to chan, greeted him and he spotted you straight away and was coming to you but people kept talking to him, he didn't get to go towards you but he's been noticing you and your nervous/ anxious state ...he thinks is it because Chan's girlfriend is here? But he wants to go to you and comfort you whatever the reason is...

You get up to go the bar for a drink to ease up your nerves. At that moment Mingyu comes to you patting your shoulder to get your attention, you flinch looking back.

"Did I scare you ..sorryyy" he says looking at you.

And you both stop for a moment just looking at each other because it's been a month and god have you missed each other ...You totally did...

" Hey...you're late" you say looking up at him.

"Why? were you looking for me?" He asks giving you a playful smile. He expects you to say no but you actually nod at him. "I was..I met everyone and you weren't there" and you just look so adorable and your puppy eyes are melting his insides. He coos at you saying aww and hugging you.And it was so sudden you didn't expect it, and looks like he didn't either cause he goes stiff and his hands halt at your shoulders, he's pulling back panicking ,eyes wide ,"sorry I just- I didn't mean to- I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable" he says in one go making you shush him. He can't make you uncomfortable..he just can't have bad intentions, he's the type who'd think about others a lot,more than himself sometimes.

"Noo hey.. you didn't make me uncomfortable at all it's ok... in fact I actually needed a hug." You admit, looking down, holding his pinky finger in your hand. He looks at you and then down at your hands. He quickly envelopes your small hand in his big one,stroking his thumb over your knuckles.

You'd have actually cried if he had hugged you any longer , you just feel so exhausted, your social battery is out.

"Hey look at me..are you ok what happened ?" He asks concerned.

"Nothing just .. I don't really like big parties and crowded places it makes me uneasy ..and also I felt out of place .. everyone was talking among themselves..and my social battery is kinda out"

Well Mingyu has seen you in parties before and he has noticed you're not really a party person, you always looked somwhat uneasy.

"Ohh.. it's not because of Chan's girlfriend is it? Like did you guys talk ? Sorry if I'm wrong." He don't know why he wanted to ask that, cause you did say you liked chan and seeing him with his girlfriend must've been hard for you, he thinks.

You look up at him shaking your head, "Noo why'd you think that ,it's nothing like that..we did talk chan introduced us and she was sweet, she's nice." "And besides I want chan to be happy, just because I had a crush on him it doesn't mean I'll be jealous or something like that. It's not like that at all and first of all he looks so happy with her, I'm not that selfish to think about myself..I can assure you right now the only concern I've about them is, I hope she doesn't break his heart and it works out between them cause that idiot deserves nothing less." You say giving him a little smile.

And he notices how you said 'had a crush' the past tense...blame him for focusing on that only.

"Ok my bad..but I'm glad to know that's not the case..I don't want you to hurt...in any way..." He says looking at you with such a intensity,such adoration.

You're blushing but you smile at that looking at him.

Then he says,"Also, from now onwards you don't have to worry about being lonely or uneasy in parties and all ..cause I'll be here and I won't leave you alone ..even for a minute." And god did your heart flutter at that. Because this means a lot to you.

"What if you're just saying it? " You ask quirking your eyebrows at him in question, but your eyes somewhat vulnerable.

He notices that and squeezes your hands,still stroking them.

He shakes his head with a small smile playing on his lips, saying "You'll see it then, I'll prove it to you with my actions."

"I'd love to see that then" you smile at him, you don't notice it but your eyes are filled with tears, they're not falling but they're there..and he just..he wants to make everything alright for you.

"I forgot to tell you ...you look beautiful" he says with a smile. "Thank you, you look handsome yourself." you say with a shy smile.

"I know right, I actually got late because I couldn't stop staring at the mirror" he says sheepishly making you laugh, that's exactly what he wanted to hear.

He smiles admiring you dreamily.

"Annoying as always" you say and he chuckles, suddenly pulling one of your hand to pull you in a hug, you place that hand on his arm,still surprised a little. He pats your head while hugging you, he guides your interlocked hands, placing yours at his waist and his at your waist.. and to you it all feels to intimate. And he's no different, his heart is beating so fast you can feel it..and he feels yours as well.

He sighs closing his eyes..he wanted to hold you from so long it's like he has waited for this since forever. He feels content ...with you in his arms, he has this urge to protect you from the whole world, he won't let any hurt come to you.

You hug for minutes and when you pull back.. both yours and his eyes are teary ..yours are still vulnerable. "What are you doing to me, don't do this" you say in a small voice.

"What am I doing?" he asks, may be he has an idea what you're saying but he wants to hear it from you.

" Being this nice to me, taking care of me and all this ..you've been nothing but nice to me even after our first encounter at the blind date."

He nods at you saying, "Yeah and I told you that day ..I've feelings for you ..I like you and I didn't do all this to woo you..I genuinely want you to be happy and well. I worry about you, I want only good things to happen to you and I just I want to take care of you..tell me you understand that.." he says with vulnerable eyes.

You nod at him saying, " I know you wouldn't do that just to woo me ...but what if I say it did work that way?" You build the courage to say, "what if I started to like you as well?" you ask tilting your head to side, looking up at him. He's confused at first then his eyes go wide . "What?? You're not kidding right ..don't play with my heart like that." He says with a small voice.

You shake your head at him squeezing his hand in yours "No I'm not kidding..at all.You did something to me Kim Mingyu, I keep waiting for you to text me these days and when you do, I get so happy and even tho it's Chan's birthday today, I kept thinking how I'll get to meet you today after a whole month..I kept looking for you today ...and god right now I hate you a little because you're making me say it like this but I want you to know that ...that I'm serious ..not kidding" you say nervously. And he could literally cry his heart out right now cause he didn't expect you'll say something like this to him ..not anytime soon atleast ...but you did. And he doesn't know what to say .."I - I- god I really like you y/n ..I can't believe you just said that ..I'm so - I'm so happy right now" he says laughing a little.

And you hide your face in both of your hands groaning a little, because you've never confessed to a guy .. and now when you did, you feel embarassed a little. He giggles at you, removing your hands from your face .. "Hey come on, you can't hide now ..not after saying that"

"Uh this is so embarrassing,it's all your fault I don't know why I always talk everything out with you ..I've got no filter and it just came out" you whine.

He coos at you,"Awww I'm sooooo glad I do that to you ..and you can't take this one back".. he says like he's threatening you, but he doesn't look like it at all.

"I'm not taking it back" you assure him.

He pulls you closer to him, " yeah good cause I won't let you." He whispers looking in your eyes.

And your damn heart starts doing somersaults, so you push him away a little panicked, looking anywhere but at him. And god he just wants to hide you from the whole world, cause you areeeee adorableeee. He laughs at you.."Behave" you say to him. "Ok ma'am" he says smiling at you,holding your hand again.

"So.. now what? We can't just say we're friends after this, cause friends don't confess to each other.." You ask looking at him nervously shifting from one leg to another. "Now? Now we date ..cause I'm not letting you go anywhere. Do you know how long I've waited for this day?! So ..Would you like to be my girlfriend y/n? Cause I really adore you..I want to take care of you and I'll treat you well....I'll prove it to you..." He says looking at you nervously. His eyes are holding so much sincerity in them.

And god this is the first time a guy is asking you out like this , and it is so intense with his words and those eyes it feels like he's proposing you for marriage, but it's just Kim Mingyu ..he's that charming naturally. Your heart is beating so fast and the fact that you're about to be in a relationship for the first time ..it's just- it couldn't get any better than this.

You nod at him, "I'd very much like it.Also Would you like to be my boyfriend?" You ask tilting your head, giving him a sheepish smile with that adorable blush on your cheeks.

And fuckkkk Mingyu is soooo gone for you. He just can't take it anymore and the fact that he'll be finally having you to himself, he feels like he's in cloud nine. He gives you a big big smile, laughing a little saying "I would love to be your boyfriend" he pulls you in a tight hug. He wanted to kiss you so bad when you asked him back, but he won't rush you like that. He's swaying you from side to side because that big puppy is so so happy. You laugh at him, patting his back with both of your hands. You pull back just enough to look at his eyes and he also looks at you.

"I've one warning for you tho." You say with playful smile but you feel vulnerable inside. He notices that and asks you, "and what would it be?" He asks quirking his eyebrows.

"You can't break my heart." You say looking at his eyes, he squeezes your hand saying "I won't ,but how's that a warning?"

"Because I'll look crazy saying you can't break my heart or I'll kill you" you say groaning a little.

And he bursts out laughing at you.

"Oh my god ..all you'll look is adorable y/n, not crazy at all" he's still laughing at you.

"I'm telling you don't underestimate me, don't say I didn't warn you before." you say still firm at your point.

"Ok I'll keep that in mind" he says wiping the corners of his eyes because he laughed so much ...

"But seriously ..I'd rather die than hurt you ..so don't worry..I'll not break your heart and hey if you don't remember, I'm the one who likes you more so I should be scared about you breaking my heart" he says playfully.

"Ok point understood..but I won't hurt you as well." You give him a reassuring smile.

All this while there's seungkwan standing a few feet away from you two, he finally talks, "ok are you both done ? Cause I've been standing here since last five minutes to call you two .. Chan's waiting for you both.. he has to cut the cake" and you both flinch at his voice looking at him.. then Mingyu smiles at him "Seungkwan-ahh that's why you're my favourite, thank you for being considerate..let's goooo."

Seungkwan smiles at you two. Mingyu looks at you saying let's go, you walk while holding hands.

You've a shy smile on your face you just can't look up, it feels so surreal. Meanwhile Mingyu, he has a big big smile on his face and when all the members notice you two and they give Mingyu all the teasing looks, he can't help but get shy. Seokmin has his hands clasped on his mouth in shock.

You try to be as nonchalant as you can ignoring them. But when you both go to stand beside everyone and chan sees you coming , you avoid his eyes as well cause you know you can't keep it cool if you look at him, he's gonna tease you a lot. You already feel tired thinking about that.

But he talks, "Here you both are.. I was waiting, let's cut the cake now" he says with a big smile, he feels so happy for you both. His blind date hasn't been a fail after all.

Part8

A/N: This update is so so special for me😭🥺💘 hope you all enjoy it as well.

Next part will be posted in next two days.

Me after this update:

[ozimaniac]

[A Character Analysis of Zen]

Now that we have Zen’s birthday date and know that his zodiac sign is cancer, I just want to look at some characteristics. (Because I’m guessing that these dates were picked for a reason and not just random.) I Also want to talk about his past and why he is so avoidant about it. Even if I just end up pointlessly rambling about it, with no clear conclusion, because we just don’t know yet.

I will now infodump. A lot.

So a main characteristic of cancers is that they are closed off or seem distant at first. Cancers hold back on revealing their thoughts, therefore they come off as mysterious and not easy to approach. They also try to avoid confrontation. They retreat into their “shells” if they are uncomfortable and they like to brood.

Nonetheless they are very caring and protective about their family and friends. They might put the comfort of others before their own. They have the tendency to be self-sacrificing.

I think this description fits Zen well. His character seems calm and at peace with himself at first, but slowly you realise that there are underlying insecurities and you don’t really know what he is thinking. Ow2 actually gave us some voice lines that make it more clear that he isn’t a perfect individual, that reached complete inner peace. He has struggles of his own.

I also saw “dislikes revealing of personal life”, which is really accurate. He has always been really mysterious, especially about his past. This is noticeable in the interaction with Rein and Genji, where Rein asks him “What did you do? You know, before the Crisis?” And he will give different responses, that are kind of short, silly or underwhelming, and it’s implied that he isn’t telling the entire truth. Let me list the following responses:

“I served coffee.”

“I collected payments at a laser tag arena.”

“I was a lifeguard at a water park.”

“I drove a tractor.”

These are pretty ordinary jobs, and I don’t doubt that he worked these jobs. (Except for the lifeguard one maybe, he doesn’t look very waterproof.) So I don’t think that he is lying.. but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t hiding something.

There is also a line, that I think has been cut out of the game, because I only found it in one video.

“I massaged sheep on a free range pasture.”

(Now that’s a dream job. But seriously.. I almost thought I went insane and made it up, because it was really hard to find.)

Then Rein asks “Is that true?” and Genji says “He won’t tell me either.” (Ram also says something similar.) So although he has a close relationship with Genji, he still won’t reveal what happened in his past. And this obviously makes me think that something bad happened, and that he is uncomfortable talking about it.

He also has a line that goes “My memories before the awakening are blurry, but I do remember some things.” and he doesn’t elaborate further.

It could be that he legitimately doesn’t remember a lot before the awakening, and this makes him feel really insecure. Gaining sentience as an omnics and trying to uncover those memories from the past, is probably like thinking about your first memories when you were a child. You might only remember snippets, and you might not be able to recall memories from a certain age. It could also be that some trauma has caused him to repress certain memories about his past and he feels subconsciously uncomfortable about it, which leads to avoidant behaviour, which might be his coping mechanism. Or he does remember his trauma and he is purposefully avoiding it, to not make the people around him uncomfortable or bring the mood down.

Zen’s current self is introverted, wise and sometimes witty. He went through a journey of self healing to get where he is now. So if I had to imagine what he used to be like in the past, then I’m picturing a quiet, oblivious and maybe anxious character. In the story with Symmetra he said that he used to have difficulty understanding certain phrases, which has some parallels to an autistic experience, like Symmetra’s.

His insecurities also shine through in some other voice lines. Like when he talks about his favourite animal, ants. He says “I envy ants for their clarity of purpose.” Although Zen seems quite accomplished, he still lacks purpose in his own eyes. There is also an interaction with Zarya where she asks if he dreams, and Zen answers with “I dream of peace. And, sometimes, falling.” Falling in dreams represents a lack of control over a situation or your life. Also feelings of anxiety or helplessness. 

Tw: trauma and bullying.

Ok so, what was his past like before the crisis.

First I want to look at Zen’s model. He is just an average, humanoid looking omnic. What we saw from Genesis, is that omnics like him were created for various odd jobs. We saw them being cooks or caretakers or servants.

And it’s not hard to imagine that those omnics faced a lot of mistreatment if they made mistakes. It would have been easy for humans to blame omnics and just treat them like objects, and bully them verbally or physically.

If you get bullied early on in your life, it’s likely that this will affect you throughout your life. So even if Zen wasn’t “awakened” yet, he still states that he remembers some things, and that mistreatment could explain his current, closed off self. When he is approached or asked things, he doesn’t say a lot and that could be learned behaviour, and a self defense mechanism. He also uses a lot of wisdoms and phrases that might seem impersonal, at least to strangers. (This could also be a masking behaviour.)

I can also imagine that omnics worked isolating jobs, which humans might avoid. (I’m picturing working in a closed off small space with repetitive tasks or no social interactions. Maybe a factory setting.) And this kind of job could get really lonely and boring. Once again, this could have led him to be more closed off, if he worked in that kind of environment.

Why would he keep this a secret though? Well, maybe it’s just not worth talking about. Sometimes the truth is boring, and the biggest fear is to disappoint. (This is less likely though, because he seems very intent to not tell anyone the details. So it’s probably something more serious that happened, like I mentioned before.)

Instead of being a victim, could Zen have been the aggressor? I think that’s unlikely, because it’s about his past before the crisis. Before the awakening. Most likely he did as he was told, because he didn’t have that level of autonomy yet. This also means that people were able to easily take advantage of him. If people mistreated him, then he had to just accept that, because that was his programming. Also I just don’t see Zen as being aggressive.

Well, anyway that was it!

I got sidetracked a lot on other thoughts, but I wanted to write about Zen’s past for a long time. His zodiac sign just gave me some confirmation about what I was initially thinking.

[clarepreed]

Sea Legs

Story Content and Summary - 6,544 words. At the age of thirty, merfolk deity Artis requires each merperson to visit her altar. She makes a choice on their behalf, and either sends them back to their people or gives them legs, sending them to live with the Earthwalkers. When Leonie is given legs and potentially the chance to reunite with her long lost love, tragedy strikes. Will Leonie join the ranks of those who never came back? Blood, drowning, on-site resuscitation.

--

Recorded on waterproof vellum, the oral histories of the Atlantic Schoole of Merfolke:

Each merfolke, having reached their thirtieth year, will make a pilgrimage to the altar of Artis. Merfolke content to swim with the Schoole will return home blessed. But a restless spirit will have their tail split in twain, and they will walk the Earthe until such time as the Sea calls them home.

— Just over two years prior, Leonie

Twenty-eight-year-old Leonie Cerulean rushed to meet Alaric Stormur at their usual spot. She’d been the one to find them first: ruins from a town of Earthwalkers, on a submerged island long-reclaimed by the ocean.

Leonie made a pretty picture as she hurried. Long, streaming ginger hair. A crown of woven sea grass that kept her hair out of her face. Her beautiful, long tail that glimmered silvery blue-green. She swam topless as was the fashion, though she’d adorned herself with a rope of seagrass studded with small shells. The rope twined over her shoulders, and between and beneath her pale breasts.

She spotted Alaric quickly, floating in a broken archway. He’d clubbed his dark hair at the nape for travel. He was otherwise unadorned. He had the light brown skin of an angel shark, and a beautiful red and purple tail like a speckled hind.

Normally, he swam out to meet her when she approached; today, he remained where he was, peering down into the depths of the ocean. Leonie felt her own anxiety in the way he held his shoulders.

Today was the day that could change everything.

Happy birthday, my love, she thought.

Alaric turned then. His face changed a bit when he saw her, shifting from sad and distant to a weak smile.

Leonie… He opened his arms wide. Thank you.

You look sad. She wrapped her arms around him. She’d wanted to spend time with him before they talked about his pilgrimage, but she realized now that this was unrealistic. Are you… restless of spirit?

I don’t know. Alaric folded her in his arms. Their tails rippled gently in the water. I’m anxious.

I love you!

Alaric pressed his mouth to hers, his hand threading tenderly in her hair. I love you, too, Leonie. Always.

Leonie shuddered against him. You’re saying goodbye.

I don’t want to.

But you are.

I would feel worse if Artis gave me legs, and I never told you goodbye.

Later, when Alaric didn’t come back, when days turned into weeks turned into years, Leonie wondered how it was possible to feel any worse.

Present day, Leonie

Leonie’s mother, Marin, kept pace with her, anxiously peeking at her daughter as they swam. Leonie, for her part, tried to ignore the looks.

You don’t have to swim so fast, Leonie Cerulean!

The faster I get there, the faster Artis will send me home.

Leonie!

Leonie stopped swimming and pivoted to face her mother. The older merwoman could have been her sister, her own ginger hair in a loose cloud around her head. I’m sorry, Amma, but I just want to get this over with.

I know, Leonie. But I’m your mother, and we might never see each other again. I don’t know when the sea will call you home.

You believe she will give me legs. Leonie watched a froth of little bubbles escape her mother’s mouth, nose, and gills. Her mother only laced her breath like that when she was very upset.

I have never met more restless merfolk than you, starfish.

I love you, Amma. Leonie darted into her surprised mother’s arms. 

I know! And I love you! But your spirit has always been restless, and the loss of your merman did not help.

If he’s alive, Leonie said. I will find him. The only reason he hasn’t come back is because Artis kept his tail. He will be looking for me.

For your sake, I hope so. Marin gazed into her daughter’s eyes, her own a deep well of sadness. I will picture him waiting for you to surface with open arms, my starfish. You will see all the bright things that the surface has to offer. And then you and Alaric will be called home to the sea to give me grandchildren to spoil.

Leonie and her mother had to part ways here by the dead reef. She had to make the rest of her journey alone. Leonie had left Alaric here on his birthday more than two years prior. Now, she was the one following the landmarks to the entrance of the underwater cave.

Be careful, her mother had told her. The Earthwalkers have artificial fins and devices to breathe beneath the water. They have been caught exploring Artis’ cave.

With that in mind, Leonie kept a watchful eye on her surroundings as she approached the fated cave. The exterior of Artis’ cave was unassuming, though the altar within was reported to be beautiful. With that in mind, Leonie swam to the entrance, hesitating only a moment before entering.

The cave was dark, even to Leonie’s light-colored eyes. It was also narrow, and she let her fingers trail along the rock as she swam, not wanting to scrub herself on something rough or sharp. 

Fortunately, the tunnel widened, and the space around her grew more visible. 

Leonie’s head breeched the surface and she closed her gills, spewing water from her nose and mouth. Then she drew a breath of moist, cool air. Above her, light streamed in from an opening in the rock. The beam fell on a large, flat rock at the edge of the water. Everything was dark, brown, and moist.

This is it? she thought, swimming over to the rock. Am I in the wrong place? Did the Earthwalkers do something to—

“Leonie Cerulean.”

The voice startled her, and she whipped her head around, looking for the source. 

“Place your hands on the rock.” The voice was not just one voice. It was the voice of a million women of all ages speaking at once. Loud and alien, but somehow familiar. Leonie’s heart beat faster, and after taking a few steadying breaths, she complied with shaking hands.

As soon as her palms connected with the rock, Leonie’s body went rigid. She bowed up, eyes opening wide and then rolling back in her head. The cave expanded, filling with color and light. It was like being inside a giant prism, cold but colorful. Blinding. She gasped, her mouth falling open, and one of the beams plunged inside, disappearing into her throat.

Leonie. You will experience much pain. Much pleasure. Much sorrow. Much love. You are a restless spirit. Go and walk the Earth until I call you home.

Leonie wanted to ask about Alaric. About her mother’s wish for grandchildren. About all of the people who’d never returned. But the light in her throat had become a blade of glass. It carved deep inside of her, then twisted. She was frozen in position, unable to pull away from the rock or curve her body away from the pain. Blood bubbled up her throat and spilled from her lips. Red, hot blood leaked from her nose and eyes and ears. Beneath the water, her beautiful scales peeled and flaked off, and her tail twisted until it split, turning the water dark with her blood. 

Leone seized, impaled on the beam of light. Her gills sealed themselves and disappeared. Her lungs reformed themselves to breathe only air. Her heart briefly stilled, but the light arced through it, restarting it with a twitch. She became a creature of glass and blood and the light spectrum.

And then, with a faint pop, the prism light disappeared. Leonie clung to the rock, no longer bleeding, naked and kicking her new legs.

The water level in the cave rose, swirling around Leonie as she gasped and thrashed. She knew Earthwalkers couldn’t breathe water, and she was one of them now. Leone’s legs felt strange and weak. She dragged herself up onto the rock with shaking arms, but the water quickly closed over her head. 

The water lifted her, pushing her up toward the source of light at the top of the cave. Leonie scrabbled for purchase on the narrowing sides of the cave, tearing her fingernails on the rock. Her head bobbed above the surface and she sucked in a great breath, only for the water to cover her again. Her shoulder caught hard on the side of the cave and when it broke free, the pressure of the water forced her body out of the hole in the cave ceiling and into the open air.

Brilliant light blinded her. Leonie clapped her hands to her eyes. A wave of water crashed into her, knocking her sideways. She glanced painfully off a rock. Leonie tried to touch the bottom with her new feet, but couldn’t feel it. She was barely keeping herself afloat with her arms, her legs useless sticks beneath her. 

How do Earthwalkers swim? she thought. A wave smacked her in the face, and she gagged on what had been life-sustaining and was now life-taking. The salt burned her eyes and nose. As she struggled, her eyes slowly adjusted to the bright surface light. She could see land not far from where she treaded water. A sandy beach with people. 

Can I ride the waves?

Leonie pushed away from the rocks and rolled onto her back. Her aching body was slow to obey her, but once she stopped wriggling, she found that she could float. Another wave slammed into her, violently pushing her toward the beach.

This will work, she thought.

The next wave, however, sent her a surprise.

NET! 

Leonie knew about nets. Earthwalkers used them to hunt. Sometimes, they caught and fatally injured merfolk that way. She’d been fortunate to avoid them. Until now. The net tangled around her, weights pulling her just beneath the surface. Leonie could still feel the current pushing her toward the beach, but now she was stuck.

Don’t breathe! Leonie pressed one hand to her mouth and nose, pinching her own nostrils closed. 

You’ll be on land soon! Don’t breathe!

Her lungs burned. Everything around her was a confusion of blue-green water, sand, net, and rock. The more time passed, the more her lungs hurt. A spasm clenched her throat. She shuddered underwater, useless legs kicking. Her cheeks bulging, Leonie thrashed her head from side to side.

Don’t… breathe…

Don’t…

She opened her mouth and sucked in water like air.

Before, when she inhaled water with her gills, she felt sustained and supported. She preferred it to breathing air, though she could do both. Before.

Now, her Earthwalker body tried to breathe the water, but it surged in and out of her to no avail. Her vision darkened. The movement of her limbs slowed.

This is why people don’t come back, she thought, before she lost consciousness altogether.

Alaric

If Leonie was coming, it would be today. Her birthday. This morning, specifically. Any minute now. He nudged the bag he’d brought for her with his foot to reassure himself it was there. Clothing, food, drinking water, first aid kit, state ID and passport, marriage license. The last three items were fake, but merfolk had lived above the surface so long they had their resources.

The bag also included a pair of wedding rings to complete the story, but he wanted to explain Earthwalker customs to Leonie first.

Alaric stood with his hands in his pockets, eyes intent on the No Swimming Allowed portion of the surf. The Earthwalkers had it fenced and roped off well out into the water, though Alaric was amused by the futility of roping off the sea. 

Further down the beach, he saw families playing in the surf, sunbathers lounging in chairs, and a lifeguard up in their tower, watching the water.

Merfolk didn’t arrive down in the family swimming area, unfortunately. They were birthed amongst the rocks and had to swim their way to the beach. Most made it, but there had been days when they thought no one had surfaced, only for the Earthwalkers to find a beautiful naked corpse washed up further down the beach.

Alaric had spent his first sixth months on the surface here, learning how to use his new body and how to survive among the Earthwalkers. Then he’d traveled for more than a year, backpacking across America, using forged documents to travel to every continent except Antarctica.

He’d returned a few months ago to reintegrate into the surfaced merfolk community and wait for Leonie.

She’s a restless spirit of ever I saw one, he thought, a sharp sense of longing cutting through him. He’d been fine, he had. He enjoyed his travels. He’d met a lot of people and had good and bad experiences.

But he still missed her. He had dreams about holding her in his arms. Talking to her. Kissing her. Having Earthwalker sex with her.

Earthwalkers often seemed to doubt their love for each other, but Alaric was still a merman at heart. Playing the field was fine, encouraged even. But once you found your match or matches, merfolk tended to mate for life. Artis willing.

A particularly forceful wave caught his attention, and he glanced toward the rocks. A geyser of water shot into the air. Alaric took a series of quick steps toward the surf, hand shading his straining eyes.

The ocean was too rough and frothy today to make much out. Even down the beach where there weren’t rocks, he’d heard the lifeguard cautioning Earthwalkers from going too far out, and parents talking to children about the safety of the crashing waves.

Leonie…

He didn’t doubt she loved him. But if Artis hadn’t given her legs, there wasn’t anything either of them could do until Artis called him home. 

Another wave crashed, followed quickly by a third.

Then his eyes caught on something that wasn’t water or rock.

A pale something, floating on the surface. An ill feeling swept over him, and Alaric slowly kicked off his shoes. He took a few more steps into the surf, then pulled off his shirt, tossing it onto the sand behind him.

The pale thing rode the next wave, and he realized it was a body, tossed about at the mercy of the ocean.

“Leonie!” Alaric shouted, even though he still couldn’t be sure it was her. He ran through the shallows, then thrashed forward until the water was deep enough to swim in.

Alaric was a good swimmer. They all were once they got used to their legs. They all took CPR and first aid classes, something that came in handy often as newly surfaced merfolk learned how to swim with their new bodies. He cut through the water, his heart sinking as he got a closer look at the body.

A woman, long-limbed and pale. Face down in the water and caught up in a net. She had a cloud of ginger hair floating around her, tangled with sea grass.

Artis had given Leonie legs. Leonie had come.

Leonie had drowned.

Alaric swam the last yards and caught her by the hair. He dragged her into his arms, trying not to get tangled up in the net himself. He tugged at the net, pulling it over her head and turned her over in the water.

It was for sure Leonie. As beautiful as he remembered, only now her pale eyes were a dark blue. They stared up at the sky, lifeless. Her lips were blue as well.

Leonie! No, no, no! At moments like this, he forgot Earthwalker bodies couldn’t speak mind-to-mind. Not that Leonie could hear him either way.

Alaric towed them both further from the rocks and then floated her on her back, his left arm cradling her under her shoulders and the other reaching up so he could pinch her nose. Then he sealed her purple mouth with his. Alaric gave her five breaths. Each time, water came up from her mouth and their lips parted with a sputtering noise. Still, he thought he could see her chest rise. 

By the fifth breath, she still hadn’t revived, her body growing more ashen by the second. Alaric wrapped his arm across her chest and swam one-armed for the shore, trying to keep both of their heads above water.

The lifeguard from the family beach met him halfway, taking her legs and helping him run her out of the surf. They dragged the net with them, her legs still caught up in its grasp.

“What happened?” The lifeguard shouted, the excitement in his voice showing his nerves.

“My… wife was swimming,” Alaric fibbed. “She got caught in this net and pulled into the rocks!”

They laid her flat, moving so fast her body crashed to the sand. He could see white foam already leaking out of her nose and mouth, dripping onto the sand as her head tipped to the side. Alaric immediately bent over her, his hands tracing her exposed ribcage. Bits of his hair had come loose, and he tossed his head impatiently to get it out of his eyes.

The lifeguard was speaking into a radio and digging through his backpack. “We have a drowned female in the No Swimming Zone B. I need backup, the AED, and EMS. I repeat…”

Alaric didn’t know if this man had ever revived a drowning person, but Alaric had. Multiple times. He clasped his hands together and pressed the heel into Leonie’s sternum. His fingers overlapped her left breast as he began pumping up and down.

“One, two, three…” He’d done this before, but he could tell this was especially bad. Leonie’s body made a squelching noise each time he forced her sternum down. His previous victims hadn’t taken in much water. It sounded like Leonie had inhaled water until there was no more room for anything else. 

The lifeguard brought an oropharyngeal airway out of his bag and tipped Leonie’s head back, measuring the airway against her jaw. As he held her face there, foam ran from her nose and mouth, covering her face in a white sheet of liquid. Each compression of her chest sent a spray from her lips. Her stomach popped up rhythmically, the sloshing within audible to Alaric.

“I’ll keep going until you’re ready!” Alaric called out. He was well past thirty already, and Leonie wasn’t showing any signs of reviving. He wondered if her heart had already stopped beating. Wondered how long she’d been in the water before he spotted her.

The lifeguard gripped her jaw and forced her mouth open, muttering: “She’s seized up!” He got the airway between her teeth and turned it one hundred and eighty degrees, letting the flange rest on her teeth. Foam came up the airway and around it, spurting in time with the thrust of Alaric’s hands.

The lifeguard popped open a pocket mask and pushed the stem into place, then pressed it to Leonie’s pale face. Alaric paused compressions long enough for the lifeguard to blow twice into the mask, then he started compressions again. 

“One, two, three, four, five…”

Hurgh hurgh hurgh hurgh…

The ugly sound her body was making filled him with despair.

She tried to breathe underwater. Moments before, that would have been okay, but…

The tide was coming in. Water rose around Leonie’s sprawled body. He ignored the water, pumping Leonie’s chest until it was time for the lifeguard to breathe for her again. His eyes ran over her bruised and scraped body before it was time to beat her heart again. Her new legs were bleeding. 

“One, two, three, four, five….” Each press of his hands made her shoulders shrug, her belly pop, and her feet rock. He tried to concentrate on keeping the proper depth and speed, knowing that at this point she probably needed them to just keep oxygenated blood circulating until the defibrillator arrived. “…twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen…”

“Over there!” A small engine sputtered to a stop close by, and he heard feet hitting the sand. 

“…twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five…”

“We need to get her out of the water!” a woman shouted. Two more people dropped down next to Leonie’s limp body. 

“…thirty!”

As the first lifeguard gave her breaths, another tugged at the net, roughly dragging it free of her legs.

“Let’s lift her!” the female lifeguard called out. “Get her up to the dry!”

The four of them grabbed her and lifted: legs, each arm, head and shoulders. They ran her up the beach, her long, matted hair trailing in the sand. Alaric dropped to his knees with her, wincing as her body crashed down in front of him. His hands immediately found the bruise forming over her sternum and he began pumping her heart for her again.

“One, two, three, four…” The beach lifeguards moved quickly around him. He saw one assemble a bag-valve mask and connect it to an oxygen canister. Another unzipped the AED and grabbed the pads. “…twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

A lifeguard held the mask to Leonie’s face with two hands while the other squeezed the bulb. Leonie’s bruised chest rose and fell. Rose and fell again. The lifeguards kept the mask in place as Alaric bent over her, precisely rolling his clasped hands into her chest.

The third lifeguard reached in around Alaric’s hands to dry her chest with a towel and then apply the defibrillator pads. One went above Leonie’s right breast, the other on her left side. The lifeguard smoothed the pads down with his hands and then plugged the connector into the AED, flipping the switch.

Alaric didn’t stop compressions until he heard the AED say: “Analyzing rhythm. Do not touch patient.”

He lifted his hands and leaned back. The lifeguards at her head gave her a series of breaths as they waited, air gurgling in and out of Leonie’s airway.

“Analyzing rhythm, do not touch patient! No shock advised. Continue CPR for two minutes.”

“I’ve got it!” the lifeguard operating the AED said. He leaned over Leonie and quickly resumed chest compressions.

Alaric didn’t move away. He wouldn’t, unless someone with authority told him to. Instead, he reached for her hand, which lay there flopping on the the sand with each thrust to her chest. Her fingers were cold and limp in his.

“What’s her name?” asked the lifeguard holding the mask.

“Leonie.”

The chest compressions were still audible. There was the hard thrusting sound of the man’s hands on her body. The sloshing sound of the water she’d swallowed. And the gurgle of the water in her lungs. Periodically, the lifeguards lifted the mask and let the water and foam run out.

He hadn’t seen her in so long, and her body was different now that Artis had given her legs. The way she looked now, with her hair matted and sandy, her face turning blue, her body bruised, Alaric hardly recognized her.

Her skin was paler than he remembered, though he acknowledged this was probably because she was dead or dying. The compressions were making her breasts wobble, the force traveling down to her stomach. It bulged up each time hands dug into her, emphasizing the force be was using. Alaric would hear stress in the man’s voice as he counted out compressions; these were just normal people, and Leonie was presenting them with a terrible challenge.

Her eyes were still open, bits of sand caught in her lashes and her eyes staring at nothing. As Alaric watched, her mouth sneered open beneath the mask and water spilled out.

The lifeguards lifted the mask, though one of them called out: “Don’t stop compressions”

Her head rocked, and her mouth gaped again, a wave of foam and water spilling out. It was running from her nose, too. Alaric had seen this once before, in a surfaced merman from another part of the world who’d drowned learning to swim in a swimming pool. The man hadn’t recovered.

“Agonal breathing,” he said, his voice quiet.

“Yes.” The female lifeguard reopened Leonie’s airway and pressed the mask to her face. The air made a gurgling noise as it flowed in and out of her, carrying with it more foam.

“One, two, three, four, five…”

The radio squawked: “EMS ETA 2 minutes your location.”

“…twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen….”

Alaric squeezed her hand, then pressed the fingers of his other hand to the radial pulse point in her wrist. He felt the lifeguard’s compressions bumping faintly against his fingers. He hovered there for a moment, then reached over and pressed his fingers to her femoral pulse. The beat was timed exactly with the man’s chest compressions.

“Good pulse with compressions,” he said. Then, as an explanation: “I have some training.”

“…thirty!”

Two more breaths, with the whoosh of the bag and the gurgle of the fluid in her lungs. Then the soft thumping sound continued.

“One, two, three…”

“Analyzing rhythm,” the AED cut in. “Do not touch patient! Analyzing rhythm!”

Alaric released her hand, and everyone leaned back.

“No shock advised. Continue—”

Alaric took over, his body lurching over hers and his hands thrusting forcefully into her chest. Her sternum sunk two inches each time he pressed. 

Come on, Leonie! Beat your heart! Breathe!

“One, two, three, four…”

Crack!

Alaric grit his teeth, but he didn’t stop until he reached thirty compressions.

“EMS brought their Gator,” one lifeguard said as she squeezed the bag. “I see them coming!”

Alaric felt the tiniest bit of relief, but he continued to make sure the chest compressions he was giving Leonie were the right depth and speed. It felt like an endless cycle; sternum down, stomach up, recoil. Sternum down, stomach up, recoil.

“I think we need to roll her for a second,” one lifeguard called out. “There’s a lot of fluid coming up!”

Alaric stopped compressions and helped roll Leonie onto her side. They let the water and foam drain for a few seconds, then quickly laid her flat again. Alaric pressed his hands to her cool skin and resumed compressions.

He was still pumping her chest when EMS pulled up. Three people in the back of the Gator, plus the driver.

“Female victim, unknown cause of drowning, possible injury on the rocks out there. The AED hasn’t advised any shocks.” the female lifeguard said. “She took in a lot of water.”

The medics slid a backboard along the sand by Leonie’s side, across from Alaric. Then someone said: “Sir, we can take over now, thank you.”

Alaric lifted his hands and scuttled a few feet away. Everything moved even faster, though he noticed the paramedic crew was quieter than the lifeguards had been. They verified Leonie’s absent pulse, and one of the medics started chest compressions. Another prepared what looked like a suction device. The third peeled off the defibrillator pads, while the fourth pulled her arm straight and cleaned the crook of her elbow.

“Alaric?” A hand landed on his shoulder. His friend Eldoris had arrived. He’d been surfaced for five years before Alaric got his legs. Eldoris kneeled beside him. “Is this who I think it is?”

“Leonie.”

“I’m so sorry.”

Alaric saw one of the medics open and assemble a laryngoscope, then reach over and remove the dripping oral airway from between her teeth. He’d had some practice with those in Europe, though he wasn’t certified to intubate patients in the United States. In short order, the medic slid an endotracheal tube down her throat, not waiting for compressions to be paused. Foamy fluid surged out of the top of the tube, running down the sides and across her lips and chin.

“She got caught in a net, I think. I didn’t… I didn’t see her come up. She was just… in the water, suddenly.” His voice was flat. “Artis betrayed her.”

“Do you have her ID and paperwork that I gave you?” Eldoris squeezed his shoulder, ignoring his comment about Artis. “I can get it from your room.”

Alaric looked around for his bag and spotted it several yards away. “Could you grab that bag? It has everything in there. I also have a shirt and shoes around here somewhere. I’ll… I’m sure there will be a ride to the hospital no matter how this goes.”

“I’ll find your clothes and get your bag,” Eldoris said. He stood, brushing sand off his pants. “You stay here with Leonie. Pearl can drive us to the hospital.”

Pearl had been here more than a decade and was one of two surfaced merfolk Alaric had ever met who’d learned how to drive. Alaric assumed he’d learn, if Artis didn’t call him back soon. Once he’d conquered flying in an airplane without having a panic attack, Alaric thought driving would be simple.

He wanted to tell Leonie about the planes.

“Pause compressions for analysis,” the lead medic said. The monitor was emitting a series of dings and alarms that sounded ominous to Alaric. “PEA… I want one milligram epinephrine and let’s get her in a c-collar and on the backboard for two more minutes of quality CPR. Keep an eye on oxygenation. Don’t hyperventilate.”

Once the c-collar was on, the group quickly rolled Leonie onto her side and slipped the backboard in place. When she was flat again, a different medic took over chest compressions. 

“Suction her again. Fast. We have to keep her oxygen up.”

Artis… what was the purpose of this? Why should anyone come to your altar if this could be the result?

He thought of his own transformation. The pain, the blood leaking from every orifice. The confusion and struggle. He’d very nearly drowned himself, collapsing facedown in the surf on his coltish legs. Eldoris and Pearl had saved him.

Was it a blood sacrifice for you? You know, some of these Earthwalkers don’t believe in deities. Sometimes, like right now, I could almost understand.

“Here.” Eldoris sat Alaric’s bag next to him in the sand, along with his shoes, then handed him his shirt. “I’m going to find Pearl. Will you be okay alone?”

Alaric nodded, feeling numb as he pulled his sandy shirt over his head.

“I will tell everyone to pray.” Eldoris gave him a worried look and then turned to jog up the beach.

Leonie looked bad. Alaric had to acknowledge this fact; maybe his angry train of thought meant he already had. One of the lifeguards held an IV bag high. Another held her airway open for the medic squeezing the bag. They had a blood pressure cuff wrapped around one of her arms. Worst was the relentless pumping of her chest. 

At this angle, he couldn’t really see her face. Just her chin, the c-collar, the hands pressed between her quivering breasts, the white defibrillator pads, and her stomach, rounding with each compression. Artis had given Leonie curvy hips, a soft-looking tuft of ginger pubic hair, and long thighs. Her legs and feet were bruised and covered in sand. Alaric wondered if Leonie was getting a sunburn laid out on the beach like that. He’d actually dropped some sunscreen in his bag for her, remembering how fair her skin was.

He thought about how she’d looked when they said goodbye to each other. Hair flowing in the water. Decorated with braids of seagrass. Her skin white-blue, tail long and flowing, with blue-green scales and gossamer fins. Her irises the most delicate blue. She’d kissed him, and the water filled with the fine bubbles of her sorrow.

There wasn’t any putting her back in the ocean. He couldn’t give her lifeless body to Artis and come back home one day to find her waiting. Their story would end here if she didn’t revive soon. The Earthwalkers would not keep trying forever.

“Pause… Okay, we’ve got v-fib, charging to three-sixty.”

The medic gave her a quick series of chest compressions, and then the lead called out: “Everyone clear!”

Please, Leonie. Please, Artis.

The bag was unhooked, and everyone raised their hands.

“Administering shock now…” Leonie’s body jerked, a split second bow of her back and a shockwave that flicked her limbs. “Shock administered.”

A lifeguard stepped in for chest compressions, his shoulders rocking quickly over his hands. Almost as quickly as he started, however, Alaric heard one of the women say: “Pause compressions, I think we got her!”

Alaric moved quickly, squeezing himself in amongst the first responders. Sure enough, Leonie was moving. Her hands came up, legs writhing weakly, facial muscles pulling into a grimace. Alaric pressed his fingers into her femoral pulse just as the others reached to do the same at her neck, wrist, and the other side of her groin. The medic holding the bag kept squeezing it regularly.

Her heartbeat pulsated beneath his fingertips, and Alaric let out a shocked huff of air.

“Got a pulse. Keep ventilating her, Quentin. Get her on half a microgram fentanyl IV, Cheryl. Bill, I need her blood pressure before we give her anything other than that.” The medic speaking leaned over Leonie and said: “Ma’am? Leonie, if you can hear me, try to remain calm. You had an accident at North Beach and you are intubated. Your…”

“Husband,” Alaric said, realizing the man was looking at him now. “Alaric.”

“Your husband Alaric is here, and he will meet you at the hospital.” The medic leaned back, though his eyes shifted to Alaric again. “Do you have a ride? I know your… compound does not have a lot of drivers.”

“Yes, I have a ride.” Alaric ignored the man’s use of the word ‘compound.’ “Are you taking her to North General?”

“Yes sir. What’s that blood pressure, Bill?”

Alaric heard the hiss of the blood pressure cuff before Bill said: “Ninety over sixty.”

“Alright. Cheryl, get her on a pump, half a milligram ketamine IV. She’s moving a lot. We need to keep her calm. They’ll likely want to keep her intubated for the next twenty-four hours.”

The man was right; Leonie’s legs especially kept moving. They flexed, then relaxed. Her feet pedaled the air. Alaric wondered if she thought she was moving her tail, or if she remembered she had legs now.

“Can I talk to her before you go?” he asked.

“Yeah, that’s fine. Bill, swap positions with the husband for a moment and get ready to load her on the Gator.” The man leaned forward, reaching for the buckle straps attached to the backboard.

Alaric scooted down, taking Leonie’s hand. When he squeezed it, he felt her fingers move. Her eyes were closed now, and the paramedics were still breathing for her, but Alaric felt hope warm the center of his chest. “Leonie. It’s Alaric. I love you. You made it, Leonie! It’s so good to see you alive! When you have your legs under you, we have so much to talk about. So much to see and do. Just be patient, my love. You are going to be okay.”

Her fingers twitched in his grasp, and Alaric brought her hand to his lips, gently kissing her fingers.

Leonie, approximately thirty hours later

Everything was wrong.

There were strange noises. A whooshing sound. Clicks. Beeps. Strange smells that she couldn’t identify. Harsh and acrid. She was cold. Her skin felt dry. Her lungs felt dry.

Did I get beached? What did Amma call it? A chemical spill? An oil slick? Plastic island? Earthwalker damage.

There was something in her mouth, running down her throat. It fed her air instead of water. Against her will, her chest inflated, then deflated. Inflated, deflated. Leonie tried to move, but her body felt strange. Heavy. Her chest hurt, and her tail… moved in two separate pieces.

LEGS!

“Leonie!It’s okay! You are in a hospital, a place where Earthwalkers go for healing.”

Alaric? She’d heard his dry voice before, when they explored the surface or visited caves. But she hadn’t expected to hear it now.

Alaric! You’re here!

“The thing in your mouth is breathing air for you. It must be uncomfortable. Think about the first time you switched from breathing water to air.” A dry hand linked with hers and gave her fingers a squeeze.

She remembered the first time her parents took her to a surface cave. They told her she would have to breathe through her mouth or nose, and not her gills. Her mother said it was an important skill to learn for emergencies. Leonie watched her father try it, saw his gills close and water spill from his nose and mouth. Then he made an exaggerated inhalation motion with his mouth, sucking in air like he was gulping water.

“See, starfish? It’s not so bad. You can speak with your chords if you breathe dry air.” He smiled down at her in the water, where she floated with her gills just beneath the surface.

Could I sing like Mom? she asked.

Yes, her parents said simultaneously. 

Earthwalkers drown in the water. Will I drown in the air?

“No, Leonie,” her Dad said. “Merfolk have superior respiratory systems. We can breathe both.”

Are you ready, starfish? her mother asked.

Yes, Amma!

 Marin handed Leonie up to Caspian, and he sat her on the edge of the rock, his eyes intent on her face.

“Close your gills, starfish.”

This was hard. At first, her gills gaped painfully wide, and water drooled not just from her gills but from her nose and mouth. Then she got her gills to lie closed, but she couldn’t figure out how to expel the water. 

Her father reached out and patted her on the back just a little too hard, making her body rock. Leonie lurched forward, and the water spilled from her nose. She made a strange noise, and it came out of her mouth as well. The water spilled back into the pool where her mother waited for her, a big smile on her face.

“Good, Leonie! Now, sip the air with your mouth!”

“Leonie?” Alaric’s voice cut through her reverie. She’d lost track of where she was, and when, and during that time she’d been letting the thing breathe for her without difficulty. “People will come soon. Healers. But we call them doctors and nurses in this hospital, okay?”

Leone opened her eyes.

The brightness of the room pulled her back to when Artis had given her legs and flooded her out of the altar cave. She’d risen to the surface, blinded by the light. And then she’d drowned in the water like an Earthwalker.

“You’re okay, Leonie. I’m so sorry you had a hard time coming to the surface. But you’re safe now. I’m here with you.”

Leonie blinked several times until the room came into focus. Then she saw him. He was dry, but he looked much the same. He wore his dark hair clubbed for travel, and donned Earthwalker clothing. But he was her Alaric.

I missed you! I worried you were dead! I love you! I love you!

“We can’t speak with our minds in these bodies,” Alaric said. He touched her face, and though they were both dry, his touch felt nice on her skin. “But I think I know what you want to say. I love you, too. Always.”

--

Leonie and Alaric return in Beached.

[multi-lefaiye]

a modern ghost story - wip re-intro

finally, a re-intro for my first ever writeblr wip intro... waow how time flies.

taglist (i'm gonna be real with y'all, i lost track of the taglist and had to dig it up again--tentatively tagging the original taglist as well as folks i thought might be interested): @albatris @skitzo-kero @anexor @lychniscitrus @transmasc-wizard @chaieyestea @vacantgodling @kingkendrick7 @jezifster @manuscriptsatmidnight @fictionalbullshitter @astral-runic

(if you'd like to not be tagged in posts relating to this wip going forward, lmk!!! <3 and if you'd like to be added to the actual taglist, also lmk!!!)

synopsis: A Modern Ghost Story is the tale of the four members of The Cyclone Seekers, a group of semi-famous storm-chasers, and their harrowing adventures chasing after storms in Nebraska in 2006. On the way, they quickly come to learn that they have far, far more than tornadoes to worry about waiting for them in the storms. Something sinister is afoot, and their past may come back to haunt them in a very literal way.

setting: various fictional locations in Nebraska, United States, in 2006

genres: postmodern horror (?) with traces of comedy--fundamentally a road trip story, though, about healing and facing the horrors head-on.

vibes except it's not clear what these mean: late nights at sleepovers where no one wants to go to bed yet, a mason jar full of bottle caps, the highs and lows of a long road trip with your friends, strange messages on the radio in a voice you thought you'd forgotten, the past is always one step closer than it appears to be, the coppery taste of blood on your tongue, your heart pounding in your ears as the world roars around you, a group of queer adrenaline junkies, "therapy is expensive, but sitting in your car while it rains is free."

characters:

picrew: [link]

Roach - 29 - they/them - 5'2"

Roach is not the face of Cyclone Seekers, as they find the idea of actually appearing on camera daunting. For the most part, Roach prefers to stay behind the scenes, most often handling their budget, equipment, and transportation, as well as acting as their cameraman. A lifelong smartass, they always say exactly what's on their mind and they're not particularly graceful or tactful. Why would they be, after all? Talking around the point only wastes time, and Roach hates to stop when there's important shit to get done.

Despite their blunt and often rude nature, Roach has a big heart deep down, and they care deeply for their fellow Cyclone Seekers, considering the others their best friends in the world. Roach doesn't have a lot of people in their corner, and they're steadfastly loyal to the end.

Oliver Cox - 32 - he/him - 6'1"

Oliver, like Roach, is not the face of the Cyclone Seekers. Instead, he is the manager of their ViewTube channel and website, as well as the one who usually deals with the people side of things. He's very sweet and enthusiastic, and generally a very gentle man who hates to even raise his voice. While, like everyone else, Oliver has his moments of anger, he prefers to redirect this anger into something productive rather than taking it out on others.

This isn't to say, of course, that Oliver is an innocent child. He's had his fair share of hardships and struggles in his life. However, he believes wholeheartedly in the goodness of humanity and the world around him. And this extends to the team, especially Roach--despite their often prickly exterior, Oliver considers them a very dear friend and is very happy to have them in his life. He sees the best in everyone until they give him reason not to.

Sydney "Syd" Ambrose - 29 - they/she - 5'11"

Syd is a friend of Roach's from college, an extremely anxious person who, at heart, has always wanted to leave their mark on history in some way. With their thirtieth birthday rapidly approaching, they want to do something great before the big day. This has, in part, reflected on their work with the Cyclone Seekers. As one of two hosts of the show, Syd is often in the spotlight, despite their severe anxiety about public speaking. When the cameras are rolling, their fear falls away, and they easily steal the show.

Aside from their ambition to do something great that lands in the history books, Syd has had a lifelong fascination with storms. The world of more traditional meteorology wasn't for them, so they've decided a more fulfilling career is to chase storms around and study them directly. It's working out so far, despite Syd's growing restlessness regarding the group's lack of mainstream success.

Yara Key - 30 - she/her - 5'7"

Yara is the other host of the Cyclone Seekers, and she's the much more outwardly optimistic and outgoing one. Their bit on the show is that, though Syd is the anxious one, they're also first to jump headlong into danger just to get a good look at a tornado; Yara, meanwhile, is friendly and outgoing but also the first to hide. It's a good bit and one that brings her a lot of joy, though it does irritate her sometimes to have people assume she's actually a coward. Because she isn't--she's just not stupid.

Though Yara hasn't known the others that long, she's a loyal friend who cares about them all deeply, and her not-so-secret crush on Syd is something Roach teases her about rather frequently (to which she gladly responds by teasing them about their similar crush on Oliver). When it comes down to it, fame isn't important to Yara, but she has a genuine love for entertaining people. And if she can do it while educating them about dangerous storms at the same time? All the better.

Vincent Cruz - 28 - he/him (questioning they/them) - 5'9"

Vincent Cruz is not a member of the Cyclone Seekers, nor does he have any particular interest in joining their little group. In fact, he thinks they're pretty ridiculous, and more than that, they're fucking stupid. He's grown up his whole life in a small town in Nebraska and knows all-too-well how dangerous storms like the ones they seek out can really be. They're going to get themselves killed, and they'll be lucky if it's quick.

However, Vincent feels an obligation to help them, or at least to make sure they can't put themselves or anyone else at risk with their antics. He isn't sure what makes him feel such a desire to protect them, but he insists it's not out of any care for them. They're just stupid. If he doesn't do anything, then they'll die. Simple math. (Ignoring the fact that they're his first friends in years, and they seem to genuinely like him for who he is when few others do.)

Vulture - 31 - he/him - 6'2"

A mysterious figure from Roach's past, one that they, until now, were completely certain was out of their life forever. Vulture is cold and cruel and pretentious, seeing himself as quite literally better than everyone else. He loves to hear himself talk and wants everyone to think he's the coolest motherfucker in the room at all times, for better and for worse.

For the most part, he doesn't seem interested in Roach, for which they're grateful. However, he has been contacting them again for the first time in nearly ten years, asking to meet up again.

[bedtimestoriesforbrokengirls]

Attention and the Acquisition Thereof — 2023 Edition

I’ve gone into the specifics of what I want in other places… thIs is more about the form and function of interaction. It’s intended to help steer you around common pitfalls and pratfalls, dramatically increasing the chances that I will leave you feeling embarrassed and embarrassing as usual, but also wet.

Becauae the good Lord giveth even as the good Lord taketh away.

Mostly taketh, really.

There’s only so good a Lord can be expected to be.

If you’re going to introduce yourself on Tumblr, assume I’m going to look at your Tumblr and develop opinions. So, y’know… you might want to look into that, @stripperheelsanddiaperpails378.

Y’know what’s pretty? Patience and humility. Politeness makes me smile. You like it when I smile. I just know it.

There are all kinds of “Hi”s. The unadorned “Hi” bounces off me like bullets off Christopher Reeve. “Hi, I love your writing” is a lovely thought, and merits a thank you. “Hi, I’m nervous but wanted to introduce myself” earns you points for grace and my vague awareness. “Hi, what would you do to me if…” makes me want to lock you in a giant sunglasses case and then Spock Rocket you out a photon torpedo tube into the fucking sun.

Leading with a photo could be your masterstroke, or your downfall. If you get any response at all, I appreciated the effort. If you get a vague compliment, I think you’re nice. If I critique you harshly or speak derisively of your appearance, then you’ve either stupidly asked for it, or I like you a lot and know you well. If I’m anxious to see more, congratulations, other girls secretly hate you. Play the odds, see what happens.

It’s probably prudish of me, but I’m not into the whole “my guy wants me to do X with a stranger and I thought…” thing. I’m genuinely flattered to have been considered, but I must decline the invitation to the party.

Dear Sad, Quiet Puppies: You gathered up all of your little Pomeranian-like courage all those months/years ago, and you reached out to me… and… thud. I either dropped the conversation early, or ignored you entirely. You felt stupid and beneath notice. (Which, honestly, is quite sexy of you.) I was probably depressed at the time, but the reason doesn’t matter any more than you do. What matters is that you failed to spark my interest. But, hey, let’s face it… someday you’re going to try again. And I just wanted to tell you in advance to be brave, it’ll be okay, and remind you that if you’ve used your time wisely, you’ve probably learned a thing or two. You’ll do better. (If you’ve been unwise, well, have fun with that.)

This blog is coming up on its ninth birthday in a few months. I have posted thousands of words here, and they have all been lovingly crafted to convey both my intent and a few scraps of entertainment. I have posted on most every topic that crossed my mind. So there is no sane reason for you to wriggle up to me without having a very good idea of the sort of precipice you’re approaching. By the time you knock on my door, you should know a lot of what I want, and most of what I don’t. I should never feel unknown to you… I’m a recurring note of existential dread, not a jump-scare.

I can’t believe I have to explain this to grown-ass women, but here we are: you have to get to know me first. Your existence and availability are not inherently attractive. I am neither All That nor A Bag of Chips, but I am well-supplied with fodder for my cannon, and you will need to bring something of value to Bunker Hill if you want me watching for the whites of your eyes.

Did I just threaten you with an artillery barrage comprised to some extent of semen? It’s possible. Embrace ambiguity and keep up, dummy.

[arionawrites]

Hi! I'm really interested in Cordelia from your idalia clair series, do you have any more facts you don't mind sharing about them?

yes of course omg!! i love cordelia sm i’d be So Happy to talk about them!!

cordelia is 23 turning 24 years old when the first book takes place! their birthday is november 18, 1998.

they have a MASSIVE fear of water. there was this pool party that they went to with idalia when they were in high school and cordelia almost drowned and they’ve been terrified of any open water or swimming ever since.

their favorite color is green! like a really deep, earthy green!

idalia is their best friend, yes, but also their only friend. they’ve always felt like the type of person to seclude themself and don’t usually like being around a lot of people, which is ironic considering that, out of the two of them, cordelia is the most approachable and often unintentionally makes acquaintances with people who would LOVE to be their friend if they just let it happen. which they don’t.

it’s also ironic because cordelia is the one who initiated their friendship with idalia when they were in first grade and were in the same class together. cordelia approached idalia at recess one day and was like “our names sound kind of the same but not” and idalia (who has ALWAYS been too anxious and insecure of a person to be able to approach people at all, even as a kid) had been like “um???? okay???” and cordelia was like “we have to be friends because of our names” and idalia didn’t know what to do so she agreed and now they’re both 24 and constantly together

cordelia works at a bank. they hate it because it’s bland and boring but also they’re good with numbers and it pays well so they suck it up and make money. plus, it’s a local credit union with plenty of staff and good benefits so their hours can be pretty flexible when they need them to be and they get enough PTO to be able to regularly take time off

their favorite movie is Whip It! and they’ve always lowkey wanted to learn how to play roller derby because of it. it’s a secret that only idalia knows and also shares.

cordelia is SO loyal and cares about their loved ones more than anything else in this world. they don’t have many people, just their dad, their little brother, idalia, and a few cousins they grew up close to, but they would do ANYTHING for any of them at the drop of a hat.

anyone who meets cordelia would think that they are the most peaceful person in the world. the perfect mediator during conflict. don’t let them fool you. if given a reason they deem worthy of it, they can and WILL kick your ass.

i’m gonna stop there for now but if there’s anything specific anyone would like to know please feel free to ask!! i put so much fuckin work into my characters so i could ramble about them FOREVER if given the chance lmaoo

[darnedchild]

I’m dumping my emotional guts here, please ignore if you just follow me for funny memes and fandom shit

Some of you may have noticed that I’ve been mostly absent and disengaged for a bit.  Truth is, I’m emotionally drained and barely keeping my head up enough to care about anything going on outside of my home and immediate family.  And I have been for so long I’ve stopped counting.

Just for the highlights over the last few months -

My son has been having issues in one of his classes at school.  It was like pulling teeth to get his teachers to communicate with us about what they were seeing on their end; but eventually we had enough information to push to get the Demon Spawn evaluated and he was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD.  I’m not going to go into the details but I will say that the “F” this specific teacher had been threatening him with all semester was suddenly an “A” when we were able to put in an official request for a 504.  My husband, myself, my sister who teaches the same grade in a different district, and my therapist (all 100% biased, obviously) agree that it feels like we’ve been gaslit. 

His teachers noted in the evaluation forms that my son is demonstrably depressed, anxious, feels isolated, and thinks no one likes him at school.  That was the first time I’d heard ANY of that.  I knew my son was anxious and sensitive, but there is a HUGE step from what we see at home and what they wrote on his evaluation forms.  His teachers are our eyes and ears during the school day, they see my son when he’s not dealing with his emotionally damaged mother who is trying her best not to show her son how anxious and scared she is while he does the exact same because we both want the other to just be happy.  They recognized and identified all this devastating stuff about my child and didn’t tell us.  I have been informed that there are “reasons” the teachers might not have feel comfortable approaching us directly but I’m pretty sure this is exactly the kind of thing a school counselor is for.

I was a depressed, anxious, isolated child.  I very clearly remember what it was like.  And I damn sure do not want my kid to go through that.  If something tragic had happened and they knew he was on the edge of crisis and they didn’t tell us... I don’t even want to think about it.

One of my best friends died last year.  Her birthday was in February.  I did not handle the lead up to that well.  And in just a week or so it’s going to be the first anniversary of her passing.  I am definitely not dealing well with that.  I got a little note from the family, written by her mother, two weeks ago.  It’s been almost a year since she died and the family is still using the old address labels that include my friend’s name along side her husband’s (different last names), her mom crossed out her daughter’s name.  Maybe, maybe toss those labels out and get new ones so that people don’t break into tears the second they see their dead best friend’s name scratched out with a fucking black pen?

And the final highlight of this shit parade is that my 15 year old baby kitten Bellatrix was just diagnosed with stage IV kidney disease.  We took her to the vet because she’d lost some more weight (down to just over six pounds) and it was yearly shot time anyway, so why not draw some blood and see what’s going on?  She’s dying, that’s what’s going on.  Fun phone call - the vet, my husband, and me on speaker phone.  All three of us audibly sniffling away tears while we discussed palliative care options and best case scenarios and how much time do we have left with her?  The answer is not enough.  Never enough.  She turns 16 this year.  Would turn 16, but the vet insists we understand that the likelihood of her reaching her birthday is extremely low. 

I rescued her neurotic, balding butt when she was 11 months old.  My son has never known life without Bella.  She let him pull her hair with his chubby, sticky fingers and give her slobbery open-mouthed toddler kisses and use her has a pillow when he didn’t feel well, with only her usual “See what I put up with” side-eye in complaint.  If I’m sick, she’s at my side.  If I’m upset or anxious, she somehow knows.  She’s sleeps at the head of my bed (sometimes with her fur pressed against my face) and snores like a sputtering chainsaw. 

We haven’t told my son yet.  He had a big thing last weekend and we didn’t want him to forever associate that memory with finding out.  Our plan is to tell him this weekend so we can make sure he has a day or two to deal with his feelings before he has to go back to school.  I feel guilty about keeping it from him, though. 

And I’ve spent the last week wondering if this cuddle will be the last, so... yeah.

[creativeflowers87]

FEBUWHUMP DAY 7

CW: mentions of nervous breakdown, fantasy racism

AN: this doesn't really fit the prompt, but I can't think of anything else for this so ¯_(ツ)_/¯ Also, I forgot to say this but if anything confuses you in this fic, reblog or give me an ask or something and I'll explain!

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

It's pretty easy to tell that Nyxie's not a people person.

For one, she doesn't travel into town very often. The only times she really goes anywhere is when she is forcibly dragged by her friends to go on an outing with them or to decide a gift for someone's birthday, or something along those lines.

This isn't because she doesn't enjoy talking to people, no; if she can find a good topic, she can talk with someone for hours on end.

No, it's because people stare.

Nyxie pulls her beanie down even further than it should go. She hears a thread snap, but doesn't take it off to check it out. She'd rather not have random strangers busy staring at the plants growing directly into her head, thank you. The last time that happened, someone tried to pull the flower replacing her eye off her face. That was also the day when she learned that there were pain sensors there. Not a great day.

Honestly, the only reason why she came to this godforsaken market was because Calixto really needed help with her stall. The first day of the market this month, she was practically overrun with requests. Probably not a good thing.

So, Nyxie decided to help out! Because, y'know, she's a good friend! And she doesn't want to have to deal with Calixto's complaining about how she got nothing done that day when you dumbass, you got through like a hundred requests that day.

She continued to speed-walk down to the reception area, ignoring the stares burning into her back that are definitely not a figment of her imagination, thank you. As she approaches the sign-up, she sees a group of what she assumes to be students hogging the sheet for themselves, probably saving slots for their friends or something. Not that uncommon.

Nyxie sighs, walking up to them. "Uh, hey," she says, "Can I sign in, or something? I have, like, ten minutes before my friends call the police or something because I'm not with them."

Someone starts to give them the sheet, before they notice the moss growing out of their head like hair. Fuck my life.

"Hell no," they say, "Not giving it to some weird creature like you."

Nyxie frowns, trying to look more irritated than anxious. "Hey, I'm sentient," she says, crossing her arms in a way that she hopes looks intimidating. "And I do actually have people waiting for me. Can I please get the sheet?"

The person turns, seemingly trying to grab the attention of their friends, before turning back. "Listen, mutant," they say, "Do you really think those 'friends' of yours will care if you don't show up? Hell, you're probably just a funky little pet to them. They won't care."

"What?" Nyxie gives a false laugh, partially offended on the behalf of her friends, but partially nervous as well. Mostly nervous actually. "They're not bad people, is the thing. They really don't give a fuck if I look weird."

The person looks like they're about to get angry, but one of the other people watching steps up to them. "D'you really want to waste your energy on this weird thing here? This doesn't even matter, if they're not allowed here someone would've surely taken them out by now. Let's go, Vi's signed up."

Nyxie stares, frozen. Some part of her, squished to the back of her mind, is internally cackling at how anticlimactic that was. She watches the group walk away for a second, before realising that she should probably fill out the sheet.

Name: Nyxie

Age: Twenty

Species: 

Nyxie pauses at this one. How does she classify a human who died then was revived whilst halfway through the decomposition process, without mentioning that she's technically an undead, which is not generally allowed to be in, like, anywhere nowadays? What is one supposed to write for that? 

Before she has the chance to have yet another mini breakdown over this, she hears a voice from behind her. 

"Hiya Nyx," Calixto says. 

Nyxie jumps. "Dude, when d'you even get here?"

Calixto shrugs. "Like thirty seconds ago," it says. It glances over at the paper, then frowns. "You having trouble with that?" it says.

Nyxie pauses, considering whether she should really tell what her problem is. "Uh, I'm fine," she says, really hoping her voice isn't shaking that badly.

Calixto hums for a moment, before grabbing the quill out of Nyxie's hands and scribbling something down.

Name: Nyxie

Age: Twenty

Species: Human

Nyxie glances at Calixto in confusion. "What?" she says. 

Calixto shrugs again. "I mean," it says, "You were a human. Just say that you're in cosplay or something. The police have probably seen weirder things than a person that is constantly wearing moss and flowers on their head as a cosplay, and then you won't have to explain the entire reincarnation thing. It works."

Nyxie thinks for a moment, then upon realising that actually, this might work, exhales a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Thanks," she says, "I don't know what I would've done without you, really. How did you figure out what I was thinking?"

Calixto laughs dryly. "Probably because you were staring at that one line on the paper like it was genuinely stressing you out or somethin'. Somethin' like that," it says, but the joke falls flat. Maybe it noticed how close Nyxie was to actually breaking down or something, she doesn't know. 

The two stand in an awkward silence for a bit. Then, Calixto says, "We should probably head back before Em burns something down again, shouldn't we?"

Nyxie laughs, for real this time. "Yeah, probably."

[luveline]

you know, I'm coming right back [Fred Weasley x Reader]

summary: you're a lonely artist and Fred is your adoring model

word count: 2.4k

tags: reader insert, lonely reader, artist reader, seventh year, kids in love, first kiss, getting together, pining, fluff, friends-to-lovers

It was easy for you, usually, to act fine. To feel fine. Any loneliness that clouded your life was pushed firmly into the depths of your thoughts. You tried to focus on the things that mattered, essays and charms and your art.

You loved to draw. You had sketchbooks filled to the brim with sketches, some half finished, others coloured and lined. You drew everything, though you struggled to bring anything from your memory. Everything you drew had to be done right there, right then, with unsuspecting models. You sketched students eating their dinner, scribbled side profiles when you managed a spare minute in class. But you're most impressive artwork was done in the library, where nothing moved. Everyone was silent. You had pages and pages of bored, tired looking students. When exams approached, you hurriedly copied down the expressions of people on the edge of depression and panic.

You had friends, ish. You knew people. You'd had intense friendships that somehow always ended in awkward drifting aparts. Well, you thought. There must be something wrong with me. They liked me before they didn't, so the fault must've been mine.

You huffed out a sigh, pressing your face deep into the textured page of your sketch book, breathing in the smell of charcoal. You were sketching the illusive Fred Weasley, who you'd never truly drawn before. Maybe you had scraps from your second or third year when you'd still attempted to draw moving objects before getting comfortable and accepting that still life was your forte.

He was maddeningly good lucking when his eyebrows puckered in concentration. He seemed to actually be studying for once, sat at a table with his brother, George, and housemates Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet.

You were sat by yourself, and couldn't help listening to his lilting voice as he bantered with his friends. They were talking about Umbridge (the current victim of the Hogwarts' student body hate train), and quidditch, and their recent ban from quidditch. You'd never played.

"Watch out, dolly fell asleep," said one of the girls.

You bit your lip. You'd been nicknamed dolly by the girls in your dorm because of your porcelain doll you'd had since childhood. Even though this year was your last, you still hadn't felt the need to hide her away. She made you feel much less anxious and alone.

The whole school knew, naturally.

"Don't get any funny ideas," said Angelina,  to the twins.

"Come on Angie, you think so little of us?" said George.

"Yesterday I watched you trick a group of forth years into taking puking pastilles." Angelina said.

"It was hardly a trick. We told them they were multi-faceted," said George.

You could hear your heartbeat if you focused. It was in your ears. It bump, bump, bumped.

Bump bump. You flinched, a hand settled on your shoulder quickly moved.

"Wake up, dolly. Library's closing."

You squinted up into Fred's face, head halo'd by candlelight. Lifting your head from the wooden table, you stretched your neck to the left. It clicked.

"Uh..."

"Hmm?" You prompted him, smoothing your hair behind your ears.

"You have - dirt. On your face. Here-" He said, reaching forward. You closed your eyes as he gently wiped the skin above your eyebrow.

"It's charcoal."

"What?"

"It's not dirt," you said, peaking at him through your eyelashes. "It's charcoal."

He looked mildly surprised. You shifted, hoping to cover your sketch before he caught sight of it.

It didn't matter.

"It's me. My gorgeous dolly, you've created quite the masterpiece right there, haven't you? I look vexingly handsome, of course. Thought if that's a consequence of your skill or my handsomeness is anyones guess."

You were lost for words. "Uh, quite."

"Yes, yes, quite. Say, could I keep it?"

"... You want the drawing?"

"I'd love it, if that's okay."

"I," you quickly dug your thumbnail into the paper, tearing carefully at the centre. The paper came away a little ragged and smudged. "Of course. It's yours."

He handled it with care.

The librarian jingled her little bell again.

"Thank you. So, see you?"

"Yep," you agreed.

He nodded his head and bowed out with his friends. You tried not to feel paranoid at their laughter.

-

You were curled up in a hidden alcove, though it was hardly hidden. Most students knew where to seek privacy in the castle. You just so happened to get there first that evening.

You were trying to sketch Fred again. It felt weird to be missing a page from your book, and weirder still that you couldn't remember his face when he wasn't right in front of you. You tried, but it kept going wrong.

When you finally managed one you liked well enough, you had accidentally ruined it with a heavy hand and the wrong shade of brown.

He looked much too brunette.

You carefully rolled your coloured pencils back up, securing the leather ties tightly so as to keep every pencil confined.

Sighing morosely, you flipped to a new page. Things got so complicated sometimes, it made you agitated. You doodled a little sad face in the corner of your page. When the one thing that you enjoyed in life started to go wrong, it set off your whole mood.

Your birthday was coming up. It had been on your mind a lot lately. You'd spend it alone. That's what you figured. Nobody would know it was your birthday, or if they did, you weren't friends now, so...

You began with an arching circle, bisecting the lines appropriately. Feeling out the familiar lines of your own face came easy, the slight upper tilt of your brows, your hair and your pursed mouth. You always looked sad in the mirror, and it showed, dotted here and there when the only thing to draw was your own face.

The rudimentary outline of a birthday cake took form. The candles were unlit.

In a fit of unhappiness, you scratched out your mouth. It was never smiling.

"What did that piece of paper ever do to you?" said a voice.

You jumped. Fred was peering down at you curiously, wringing his hands. You put your pencil between the soft cover and smashed it flat, closed.

"Hi, dolly."

"Weasley."

"Oh, not even a first name?"

"You neglected mine first," you reasoned, rolling the words. He smiled at your joking tone.

"How rude of me. Hi, Y/N," he corrected himself.

"Hi, Weasley."

He smirked.

"Anymore of me in that blessed vessel?"

"Nah. You never stand still."

"If I pose for it?" He asked. You patted the ground in front of you.

He was a lovely model. He stayed infinitely still, more still than you imagined possible for him. He sat at a 3/4ths angle, chin up but not too far, mouth tilted and eyes open.

His eyes were the one thing he couldn't keep still. You tried not to flame in the cheeks everything you'd catch his gaze on you.

You sketched fast, choosing to hatch rather than render, big swooping lines to give the illusion of a depth that wasn't really there. You would've loved to do a full render, maybe even a colour portrait, but he was beginning to look a little antsy.

You set the book on the floor to face him and pushed it into his eyesight softlt. He turned. He looked nice like that, face bent, hair falling into his eyes.

After a moment, he began scrounging through his robe pockets. He set down a box, a lighter, a pair of gloves.

Finally, he set a galleon onto the floor close to your crossed legs.

"For you," he said, smiling at your inquisitive look. "For the drawing."

"Oh, I can't accept that. And I'd like to keep this one, if it's alright."

Fred thought for a moment. "Alright, you keep it. And the galleon, too, for the one you gave me the other day."

You bit back a smile. "I can't take your money, Fred."

"I can't keep having you draw me for free. It's as valuable a service as anything else. Plus, I'm not sure if you know, but I run a lucrative business these days."

You picked up the coin, rubbing your thumb against the engravings thoughtfully. "It's hardly a service."

"A talent, then. A skill. You're very good."

You're neck almost snapped as you looked into his face, wanting to assess his expression for genuineness. He looked earnest, and kind. You blinked away the gathering heat behind your eyes.

"Thank you."

He waved a hand at you. "Think nothing of it."

"Really-" you cleared your throat, "-you're doing me a favour. I'm not good at drawing things that move."

"I'm sure you're better than you think," he said.

You shook your head, smiling smiling smiling.

"What's in the box?"

"Oh, this old thing?" Fred weighed the box in his hands. It was soft at the corners, like a simple jewelry box that you had in your trunk. He offered it to you. You opened it carefully, the lid sliding free with a shhhhh sound. Inside was an evil looking fruit pastille, a match stick and a dried up flower petal.

It felt like a very private thing to see, suddenly. Such an eclectic collection of items couldn't be random.

"The first puking pastille George and I made. Or rather, the second - the first was forcibly fed to Lee Jordan in our third year. The match stick is from my Uncle's matchbox. I never met him. And the flower was from Ginny, when she was 9." He sounded nervous.

"It's a memory box."

"I- yes. It is. Things are sometimes so miserable now, with Umbridge and you-know-who. Scary, even. I look at them when I feel like it won't ever end."

You took them in for a little while longer and then placed the lid onto the box with nimble fingers. You scratched the lid with a fingernail.

"It's nice. You're right. Things are so awful right now, it's good to have reminders of why we keep going."

"Exaclty. Dolly, can I interest you in a fruit pastille?"

"Not on your life."

"They're perfectly edible!"

"Sure, Fred."

-

The honest conversation you'd shared with Fred was a catalyst between you. He often came to find you, each time whining and nagging you to just sit in the library like most people do.

"What, so your housemates can throw paper balls at me?"

"They thought you were sleeping!"

A likely story, you thought. He sometimes asked you to draw him, posing with the elegance of a natural born model. It was great for you personally, you felt that you were really getting a feel for his face. Eventually, you were able to draw his face from memory, the details of his nose coming to your fingers as easily as a first year spell.

It became about capturing emotion. You could capture his likeness now without a second thought, but his emotions were much more complicated. How would you show his veiled frustration the day Umbridge kicked him off the quidditch team? Through the clenching of his jaw? The shy veins in his forehead? How did you showcase the fear when he'd come back to Hogwarts after Christmas break, through his eyes, downturned and squinting just a little?

Today, it was poorly hidden elation. "How come you're so happy?" You asked, pencil between your teeth. He grinned. You measured his face with your thumb in the air, forming an L.

"Is it a prank?"

"You're thinking too small."

"A new product?"

"Still need to go bigger!"

"Hmmm," you hummed. Measure twice, cut once. Or in your case, sketch once.

"George and I, we're gonna open a shop."

"A section at Zonko's isn't enough for you?" You asked, casually, though you were very very happy for him.

"It's going to be amazing. We're going to run it, just the two of us, and you won't catch me in these scrappy long sleeves anymore. The next time you see me, I'll be in a full suit and tie."

"The next time? Is that not tomorrow?"

Fred closed his mouth, realising his mistake. He had revealed something he hadn't intended to. "We're leaving," he confessed. "We were going to wait for our NEWTs but... Well, we won't need them. This is going to work."

"So. You're leaving today?" You asked, crestfallen.

"Hey," Fred said, rubbing a placating hand over the curve of your shoulder. "Tomorrow. During the DADA OWL. We have a plan."

"This is goodbye?"

"No! No. Not if you don't want it to be. Actually, I've been meaning to ask you something, and maybe now isn't the best time, I had this whole letter planned and I didn't want to distract you from your exams and-"

"What do you want to ask me?"

Fred straightened. "I wanted to ask - will you go out with me? Not, you don't have to be my girlfriend if it's too soon, I'd love to take you for food someplace, I was going to ask you to Hogsmeade, but when the shop officially became ours, the plans changed so fast and I didn't know if you'd still want-" you cut off his rambling.

"I'll be your girlfriend," you said.

"You will?"

"Sure, if you'll be my boyfriend," you murmured.

Fred moved the arm that had been on your shoulder to the nape of your neck. "That's a dealbreaker," he said, leaning in.

He kissed you chastely on the lips first and then pulled back to look into your face. You chased him, a moment of bravery, and opened your mouth to taste him. He was sweet, like sugar. Your sketch pad crinkled beneath you both as he pressed forward. Your chests touched, heaving.

"You're not gonna be my boyfriend?" You asked against his mouth, breathing hard.

"I'm gonna be much more than that, dolly," he said heatedly.

Your mouth was tingling. "Kiss me again?"

You gasped at the force of him, laughing. He laughed too against your lips, and the sound tickled. He gave you a multitude of short and sweet kisses before pulling away again.

He wiped the wetness from your lip with his pinky finger. "Godric, you're cute. Look how flushed you are! You're insane."

Something churned in your stomach. The butterflies had acquired a trampoline. You felt happier than you had in a very long time. "You're not half-bad yourself, Weasley."

[naturesapphic]

Maybe like older!nat trying to make reader more comfortable in a social event like a party or smth cuz reader has social anxiety and started crying…

Btw i luvvv ur fics 💕💕 have a good dayyy

No parties

Older!nat x fem!reader

Warning: social anxiety, gross drunk man, cussing, soft nat

You were sitting near the back of the room sipping on a glass of water. You didn’t really like alcohol considering your last traumatic events, you try to stay far away from it. You were watching people mingle and dance around the room in the compound. It was one of Tony’s monthly parties, no he never really has a real reason for throwing them unless it’s someone’s birthday or a big accomplishment has happened, other than that he just throws them whenever.

Tonight was Tony’s best friend rhodey’s birthday so of course, tony threw him a massive party to celebrate. You wanted to go out and socialize with everyone but you just don’t like parties. They are big, loud, crowded, and you barley knew anyone besides your girlfriend plus the avengers.

Natasha saw you sitting alone on one of the couches in the back of the room far away from everyone. She frowned looking at her baby, nat could tell that you were getting anxious with more people coming to Tony’s party and some of them weren’t even invited!

Nat decided to keep an eye on you as she mingled with everyone until a man approached you. You looked so uncomfortable and Natasha wasn’t having any of it. No one messes with her girl.

“Come on precious, let’s get out of here and we can go back to my place.” The drunken man said as put his big hands all over you. You shook your head no and tried to pry his hands off of you but he was much stronger that you but definitely not strong enough to your girlfriend. “Hey! Get your hands off my girl you pig!”. Natasha gave him the deadliest death glare you could give someone, usually it would send people running for the hills but this guy was too wasted to even comprehend.

“Or what….” The man sneared at her as he towered over your girlfriend, which she wasn’t much taller than him so it shouldn’t be a problem taking him down. Natasha cracked her knuckles and kicked him in the groin. Then she grabbed his head as she collided it with her knee. He groaned loudly and went on the floor in pain as he curled up into a ball. “Mess with her again and you won’t be able to walk for months.” She growled at him as she went over to you and her heart broke as she saw you shaking. You were having a panic attack and nat had to act fast so you won’t pass out.

Nat quickly got to you and pulled you into her lap as you started sobbing. “Shhh shhh printcessa…I’m here baby I’m here…” she rubs your back and rocks you back and forth. You bury your face in nats shoulder as she picks you up in her arms. She tells Clint and tony what had happened and that she’s gonna leave the party early to take care of you. They nodded their heads in understanding and hoped that you were okay.

Nat carried you up all the way to y’all’s shared room as she sat down on the bed with you still on her lap. You had stopped sobbing and now you were just sniffling a little here and there. Nat slowly placed kisses on the top of your head and forehead. “Are you okay babygirl?” You nodded your head against her neck and yawned. Nat giggled and kissed the side of your head. “Is my little angel sleepy?” You blushed and a small smile appeared on your face as you mumbled out a “yes”.

Nat smiled as she changed you and her into matching pj sets that she got for y’all last year. You snuggled into Natashas side as you started falling asleep. Nat looked down as she admired you. She couldn’t believe how lucky she got. She has the most perfect girl in the world and she’s so thankful for you.

[rebeccccccaaa]

ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ ʀɪɢʜᴛ _____________________

ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ’s!ʙᴇsᴛ!ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ!ʙᴜᴄᴋʏ ʙᴀʀɴᴇs ᴀᴜ

sᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: You and Buck have always been close growing up but you two soon learn that the line that separates friendly and flirting is a lot thinner than you think.

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢs: fluff, slight angst bc u got a shit bf, big bro vibes from bucky, smut duh [18+ minors dni (slight praise but also slight degradation, marking, belly bulge, squirting, fem!rec oral, unprotected sex, plz be safe irl, slight choking, pet names: darling&princess, i think that’s it lmk plz)]

ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ’s ɴᴏᴛᴇs: hey assholes i'm back for the time being lol. I have a few ideas and fics I'm currently writing right now so do not fret.

______________________________________

You knew this was a horrible idea. 

It’s Saturday night and you and your boyfriend were back in another night club after being kicked out from one just hours before. Daniel had gotten too drunk, as he always does, causing you to kindly ask the bartender to cut him off. Daniel didn’t take that too lightly resulting in a gnarly swing at the poor guy just doing his job. 

Security threw you out and Daniel called an Uber to go where you thought was going to be your apartment but twenty minutes later you pulled up to another club practically on the other side of town. You yelled at Daniel but he pushed aside stumbling inside for yet even more drinks and mistakes waiting for him inside. 

You sat at the bar simply drinking some water and snacking on some peanuts keeping your eye on your garbage boyfriend. You're constantly checking the time on your phone, annoyed with every passing minute. It was 2 am and you just wanted to go home and sleep. You were even debating texting your brother Steve hoping you could just crash at his place not too far from where you were but it would be incredibly irresponsible to just leave Daniel in the state he’s in. 

So you waited and waited and waited. Your eyelids felt heavy and your energy was just completely drained. You were basically a zombie. It wasn’t until a guy approached your half asleep body that you felt a sense of alert. Daniel was shit-faced so you were practically defenseless. 

“Hey,” the guy shouted over the music.

“Sorry, I’m not interested. My boyfriend’s-” you quickly said, only to be cut off.

“Don’t worry. I’m not gonna hit on you. I’ve got a boyfriend of my own,” he chuckled, making you breathe out in relief. 

“Sorry,” you cringed at yourself. 

“It’s alright; but uh, I hate to be the one to tell you this. You might want to check with your boyfriend,” he said sympathetically. 

You pushed your way through the crowd scanning every face in search of Daniel. What did he do? Is he hurt? Did he get in trouble again? Is he getting arrested? Where is he-

“Daniel?” you said eyes tearing up a bit. 

His arms were wrapped around another girl’s waist as he kissed her the way he kissed you. She practically moaned as their tongues slobbered disgustingly with each other. Their hips grinding against each other proactively as if you weren’t even there. Sadness turned to anger, and anger turned to rage, gripping Daniel’s short hairs and pulling his head away from whoever this girl was. 

“What the fuck?” the girl complained, her eyes completely bloodshot. 

“Did he tell you that he was here with his girlfriend tonight?” you're sad with gritted teeth. Daniel stumbled around still unable to register what the hell was happening. 

“Oh my god, you forreal?” she said.

“Who fucking cares? She’s a prude anyway. I got more action with you than I did her in the past, what, six months?” Daniel slurred. 

“You know what, you’re a fucking prick, dude. She deserves so much better than you; I bet your dick is small anyway,” the girl said.

“Fuck you too bitch,” Daniel spit. 

“I can’t believe you,” you said. 

“Oh, whoop-dee-doo, big fucking surprise. Babe, you’re a prude. Can’t you see it? I don’t know why I’m wasting my time with you anymore,” he practically puked out the words without any second thought. 

“Fine, then I hope you enjoy the rest of your night, you fucking asshole,” you stormed away holding in the tears; he wasn’t worth it. 

Almost three am and you just dumped your cheating lowlife boyfriend on the other side of town. Steve wasn’t answering his phone and you even wanna be near the club anymore. Walking speedily staring at your screen desperate to call an Uber home, you bumped harshly into a hard chest falling to the ground on your bum. 

“Fucking hell, I’m so sorry, darling,” the man said helping you up by your elbows.

“It’s ok. I wasn’t looking- Bucky?” 

“Oh, hey kid. What are you doing? It’s like three in the morning and you don’t live anywhere near here,” Bucky said, crossing his arms. 

“Daniel got himself kicked from the one by our apartment and Ubered here instead.”

“So where’s Daniel?” Bucky scowled; he’s always hated that guy, so did Steve.

“Probably fucking some other chick in the bathroom,” your voice cracked. 

“What?”

“It’s nothing; I just want to go home,” you cried.

“Hey, it’s ok; it’s ok. Do you wanna crash at me and Steve’s? He’s gone for the weekend with Peggy; you can stay in his room at least for the night,” Bucky offered; so that’s why Steve’s not answering his phone. 

“I don’t wanna intrude on your night. I can just call an Uber, it’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. Steve’ll kill me if he found out I left his baby sis alone in the streets of New York at three in the morning. It’s not a problem, we were just bar hopping and I stopped drinking ages ago.”

“Are you sure, Buck?”

“Of course,” he smiled warmly at you. 

“Hey, Nat!”

“What’s up?” a beautiful redhead approached you both.

“Gonna head home ; don’t do anything stupid,” he chuckled. 

“You too,” she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, “Catch you Monday?” 

“You’re stupid. I’ll see ya,” Bucky laughed before grabbing your hand and headed towards his apartment. 

“Thanks again, Buck. For letting me stay here tonight,” you said once you entered his apartment. 

It had been a while since you hung out at your brother’s apartment but nothing’s changed. Typical men and their inability to change even a throw pillow. You set your small bag on the couch before Bucky led you to Steve’s room. There were pictures of you and him posing at Steve’s graduation; and later your own. Pictures of Steve and Bucky at a theme park, during a bar-be-que for Steve’s birthday. So many memories that Steve held onto in his room. 

“Time really flies doesn’t it?” Bucky said, slightly startling you.

“Sorry,” he chuckled.

“No, you’re fine. But you’re right. Feels all these pictures were taken yesterday,” you reminisced. 

“I got you some clothes if you need to change; I’ll give you privacy,” Bucky said, slipping from the room briskly. 

You sat on the bed frustrated with everything. Your body was so drained from being up so early in the night, to the fight with Daniel. The past couple months with him were so awful. He was just so mean to you all the time and you didn’t know what you did wrong. Where did it go wrong? When did things shift?

"Is everything ok, darling?" Bucky asked quietly, knocking on the door when you hadn't come out after a while.

"What did I do wrong? I thought he loved me," you choked out. 

Bucky sighed as he walked over to the bed sitting beside you before engulfing you in a warm hug. You cried into his shoulder and Bucky couldn't help the anger that bubbled inside him for your excuse of a boyfriend Daniel. He never got along with the guy and now he finally has a reason to knock his teeth in.

"You didn't do anything, I know it. That prick wouldn't know love if it hit him in the face. It's his loss. You deserve so much better than that asshole. Look at me, you're so beautiful and funny and fucking adorable; any guy who can't see how perfect you are, is a dense piece of shit." 

"James," you whispered. 

His words made your heart skip and your stomach flutter. But Bucky’s always had that effect on you. Even growing up. You weren’t going to sit there and pretend that hearing his words hadn't had a deeper effect than they would’ve coming from Daniel. Sometimes you wondered what being with Bucky would be like. You’re not the first to admit how handsome Bucky was and growing up you did have quite the crush on your brother’s best friend.  

You don't know what it was, whether it was the alcohol still swimming through your veins, or just feeling so vulnerable being in Bucky's arms but you wanted him badly. You needed him, needed to feel something again. And you knew he could give it to you. You pressed your lips to his and in an instant his hands dropped to your hips pulling you impossibly close against his body. Your hands went to the back of his head as you kissed him messily. Your noses bumped and teeth clashed but it was the best kiss you’ve ever had. 

“Fuck, your brother’s gonna kill me,” Bucky mumbled, almost to himself, as he slowly laid you down on your back.

Bucky’s hands trailed up your thighs, squeezing the soft flesh every now and then as he continued kissing you passionately. Your own hands couldn’t help but tug at his shirt desperately. When he did so, your breath was completely taken away. It had been years since you’d seen Bucky without a shirt. 

Not only had he been quite skinny just like your brother back then, but not long after leaving for college with Steve he was in a bike accident that left him with ghastly scars and burns along his left arm and shoulder. Since then, it’s fair to say Bucky never really ever took his shirt off. It had taken years just for him to remove the glove he’d always wear to cover the scars on his hand.

“You’ve gotten so strong, James,” you grinned, reaching out to brush the flexed muscles running down his front. 

He simply stared at you with an anticipating and anxious expression on his face, waiting for you to state the obvious. When you didn’t, when you pulled his head down to kiss him once again, he almost cried. Bucky hadn’t been with a woman in so long, afraid of this very moment. He knew at that moment, there was no one quite like you. 

Bucky fell in love. 

“Let me take care of you, darling. You’ve been so good to me,” Bucky whispered huskily in your ear as he trailed his hand under your own shirt brushing his fingertips along the underside of your breast.

His lips pressed softly against your hot skin along your neck before standing up between your legs at the end of the bed. He pulled your shirt off then played cheekily with the straps of your bra that you still had on. You smiled back at him with the same playful stare, reaching behind you to unclasp the material. 

You could see the way Bucky’s eyes darken and his pupils widened as he stared in awe at your naked chest. Your skin bursted into chills under his hungry gaze even though you felt like you were burning up. Bucky leaned forward kissing down the valley of your breasts, nipping once in a while playfully before laying you back down. He shimmied you out of your bottoms easily, kneeling on the ground leaving you completely bare before him. 

“You are absolutely stunning, princess,” Bucky whispered, running his hands up your thighs slowly. 

“Bucky, please. I need you,” you whimpered. 

“Don’t worry, darling. I promise I’m gonna take good care of you,” he smirked devilishly. 

He pushed your knees open, eyeing the arousal that glistened between your thighs. He brought his fingers up to you slowly rubbing your slick around before finally pushing a thick and long finger past your folds. Your body shuddered solely at the foreign but pleasurable feeling, already moaning softly. 

Bucky’s cock strained through pants upon hearing your beautiful moans; they were like music to his ears. He couldn’t help the way his hips would buck into the mattress in a desperate attempt to relieve some pain from his erection. Soon after he pulled his fingers from you slowly only to thrust them further in you, curling his fingers just right. 

He brought his mouth down to you, wrapping his lips around your clit sucking harshly. You gasped and your back arched, overwhelmed with pleasure Bucky was giving you with just his mouth and fingers. All the times that you’d given yourself to your ex, he had never made you feel this good before, feel this full; let alone with his fingers. Bucky was taking his time with you solely for your own pleasure and it made your heart swoon. 

Your legs trapped Bucky’s head between your thighs, squeezing as he continued to eat you out like a starved man. Your hands went to his hair pulling on his dark locks causing Bucky to moan deeply against you. You were so close to a release; your legs shaking violently and your stomach tightening. 

“Come on, princess. Want you to come all over my face. Can you do that for me, darling?”

“Fuck!”

“Be a good girl and make a mess,” Bucky teased.

His fingers moved faster as he swirled his tongue around and over your clit just as quickly. You were becoming overwhelmed and that coil bursted in the pit of your stomach. You pushed Bucky’s face from you, shrieking with pure pleasure; Bucky’s kept the rapid pace with fingers as you fell over the edge.

“Fucking hell, that was so hot, princess,” Bucky said standing up; his fingers, arm, his chest was covered in your arousal. 

“Did I do that?” your voice trembled. 

“Because of me,” Bucky winked playfully.

“I didn’t know I could do that,” you let your head fall back on the bed as you briefly caught your breath.

Bucky grabbed his shirt that he discarded not long ago and quickly wiped his chest and arm before discarding his pants and boxers. He nearly moaned at the feeling when he finally freed his dick from the restraining garments. His hand instantly wrapped around the base before pumping himself a few times. 

You brought yourself onto your elbows momentarily ogling at the sight of Bucky completely bare before you. Your mouth practically watered at the sight. Bucky crawled over you kissing you deeply and messily; but perfectly. He pulled away and you both had goofy smiles on your faces before bursting into a fit of giggles, Bucky’s head burying into the crook of your neck.

“You’re so goddamn adorable, princess,” Bucky’s voice was muffled. 

“Bucky,” you whined. 

You couldn’t resist squirming underneath the burly man. Although, you’ve just had what was probably the best orgasm you’ve ever had, you wanted more. You needed more; you needed Bucky. 

“I got you, darling. I got you.” 

Bucky wanted to tease you more, make you beg, but he was just as desperate to feel you as you were. He propped himself up on his elbows kissing you one last time before reaching between your bodies and lining his dick with your entrance. Both you and Bucky moaned simultaneously as he stretched you out; curses spilling from his lips as incoherent moans fell from yours. 

“So fucking tight, princess. Squeezing my cock just right, aren’t ya?” he whispered.

“Fuck, I feel so full,” you whimpered.

Bucky began to slowly move his hips in and out of you deliciously. He quickly picked up the pace, jetting his hips rapidly making your moans louder. Bucky sat up on his knees and gripped your waist surely to leave bruises in your wake. This new angle surprised you and you couldn’t help the squeals and moans that left your mouth. You chanted Bucky's name like a prayer; as if it was the only word you knew. 

Bucky watched you carefully, your face contorting with pure euphoric pleasure. He couldn’t help notice the small bump in your lower belly and without a second thought, he grabbed your hands pressing them firmly over your tummy. 

“You feel how deep I am, darling? Fucking poking through,” Bucky grunted. 

“Shit! Oh, it feels so good,” you moaned. 

“That’s right, no one’s ever gonna fuck you this good again. This pussy’s mine now,” Bucky growled. 

He took one of his hands and wrapped it around your throat squeezing the sides gently but firm at the same time. Your eyes rolled back and you moaned even louder, confident that the neighbors were sure to complain in the morning. Feeling Bucky’s hand around your neck was so exhilarating; you and Daniel had never ever experimented with anything beyond a pair of handcuffs, and that particular night went horribly. 

You like being choked by Bucky. 

“Fucking slut; you like this, don’t ya?” he came down to whisper huskily against your lips. 

“Mh-hm,” you moaned with a devilish grin, your bottom lip resting between your teeth before your eyes rolled back again. 

“Such a fucking beauty you are.”

Bucky hips snapped in and out and he knew it wouldn’t be long until he needed to release.

“God, I’m close, princess,” he growled. 

His hand moved to rest on the back of your neck to pull you up so you straddled his thighs and your chest was flushed against his. Your sensitive and hardened nipples brushed against his slightly sweaty skin causing you to shudder in pleasure. Bucky’s lips attached themselves to your skin along your collar bones sucking harshly leaving purple marks all along.

Your legs shook once again as they did before and soon enough with an arched back and shout of Bucky’s name you came all over his cock. Overwhelmed with your sex, Bucky bit harshly on your shoulder in a poor attempt to muffled the loud groans and moans he elicited. Feeling your velvety walls squeeze tightly around him pushed him over the edge, coating your walls with hot ribbons on cum. 

He fell forward almost crushing you but you were too tired to complain. Bucky continued to pepper soft kisses all over your skin whispering how good you were to him, how beautiful you looked. Just absolutely showering with compliments. You felt him slowly getting off you, probably afraid he was crushing you, but you didn’t want him to leave just yet. 

“Don’t,” you whispered, wrapping your arms tightly around his body. 

“I don’t want to crush you, darling.”

“You’re not.”

Bucky chuckled before settling completely above you, careful not to make you uncomfortable. Hardly any time went by when he felt the even and soft puffs of air hitting his skin, sure that you had fallen asleep. He picked himself up and with major guilt for his best friend, picked you up from the bed and walked you to his own room. 

After he was sure you stayed sound asleep, Bucky grabbed a clean pair of boxers and hurried himself to Steve’s room again. He collected all the discarded clothes and the dirty sheets and tossed them in the washing machine to clean right away. 

He hadn’t meant to fuck his best friend’s little sister, let alone in his own room, on his own bed, but it all happened so fast. 

He went back to his room letting the clothes do it’s thing, and quickly grabbed his phone. He messaged Steve, telling him that when he got back for his weekend with Peggy, he really needed to talk to him. 

Tonight made Bucky realize how much he loved you. Growing up, you two had always been close. But he doesn’t know when he stopped being friendly and instead began flirting. Bucky wanted to be with you; he knew it now more than ever. 

Bucky watched your gorgeous sleeping form on his bed. He smiled to himself before opening the window; the sun already rising and those beautiful golden rays seeped through the glass window, making you look angelic. He crawled into bed cuddling flushed against your naked body. He chuckled softly when you realized he’d returned, wiggling even further into his arms. 

“I love you, Bucky,” you mumbled. 

“I love you, too, darling.”

And he really, and truly did love you. As did you love him. 

=======================

ᴛᴀɢʟɪsᴛ: (For all my work)

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Bucky Barnes Taglist:

@stolenxkissess

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[seungmoroll]

Meeting the Parents | Jackson Wang

Word count: 1.5k

Genre: fluff, foreigner!reader

Requested: yes

A/n: this is long over due, but thank you to the anon who requested this, hope you like it!

           “I can sense your anxiousness from here.” You roll your eyes at your boyfriend’s unnecessary comment.

           “I can’t help but be anxious Jacks. I’m meeting your parents for the first time to tonight.” Unable to keep still, you twiddle your thumbs in your lap. Removing one of his hands from the steering wheel, Jackson softly takes your hand into his, causing for you to stop your actions. Gently rubbing your hand with his thumb, he says to you, “Love, there’s nothing to be worried about. My parents are lovely people, and you’re an amazing person, so of course they’re going to love you.” Bringing your hand up to his lips, he lays a sweet kiss that relieves you of the tension in your body that you did not realize that was present.

           Softly, you ask, “But what if they don’t?”

           “Then we’ll just have to make them like you, but Y/n, trust me, okay? I’m pretty sure my mom already loves you from what I’ve told her, and plus my dad does not have a single ounce of hate in his body.” Jackson’s words bring you some sense of relief, however, your worries still lay unsettled in your mind.

           When the two of you reach Jackson’s parent’s home, Jackson had led you to the front door. All the nerves that Jackson made go away in the car ride coming back as you see the door begin to open.

           “Jackson, my little boy! I’ve missed you!” Pulling Jackson into a hug, his father tightly embraces him. The image warms your heart. Once the two men pull away from each other, Jackson’s father immediately pulls you into a hug, “Y/n! It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

           Awkwardly hugging him back, you say, “It’s nice to meet you too, I’ve heard so many things about you from Jackson.”

           “Oh, I sure do hope good things. Please come on in. Jackson’s mother is in the kitchen, here let me go get her.”

           When he goes to fetch his wife, you take your chance to observe the house, there are plenty of family pictures along the wall, one that stands out to you the most. Walking up to it, you can’t help but laugh. Noticing what you’re laughing at, Jackson goes to defend himself, “Hey, don’t laugh at that picture of me, I was 13 and was in my awkward phase.”

           Unable to stop yourself from laughing at the pout on Jackson’s face, you tell him, “It’s cute, you were cute back then.”

           Before Jackson could get in another word, his mother comes running towards him and crushes him into a hug and he returns the hug with the same amount of pressure. “Oh, there’s my little boy! It’s been too long.” You find it endearing how no matter how old Jackson is and how big he is, that his parents still call him their little boy. When they pull apart, Jackson motions towards you, “Mom, this is Y/n.”

           Quickly, you pull out the bouquet of flowers that you had bought for her, “Hello, I wasn’t sure what to bring, so I brought you these flowers, I hope you like them.” Taking the flowers into her hands she observes them for a second before quickly pulling you into a hug, They’re beautiful, Y/n, just like you. I’ve seen so many pictures of you from what Jackson’s sent me, but the camera does not do you justice.” Your face reddens from her compliment. You now know the reason why Jackson was so kind and friendly, he got it from both of his parents.

           “Oh, it’s such good timing, dinner’s almost ready, boys why don’t you help set the table.”

           Walking into the kitchen to see if Jackson’s mother needed any help with dinner, you are met with the familiar scent. Approaching the stove, you see that it’s a dish from your home country, specifically you’re favorite one.

           As Jackson’s mother begins to plate the food, she says, “I hope that you’re okay with eating this for dinner. Jackson told me that this was your favorite meal that your mother would cook for you, and I just thought it’d be nice to have with you.” You smile at thoughtfulness she had put into making dinner for tonight. Assisting her with the plates, you tell her, “I’m perfectly fine with this. From the smell alone, I know it’s going to taste amazing.”

           “That’s very nice for you to say Y/n. I know it won’t be the same as your mother’s, but I do hope it’s good enough.”

           Once the two of you finish setting the table, Jackson’s mother calls the two men to quickly come. When he enters the dining room, Jackson gives you a warm smile and goes to pull out your chair for you, the proceeds to do the same for his mom before he settles down in the chair next to you.

           “Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving, let’s dig in.” Jackson’s dad says before he takes a big bite. Taking a bite yourself, your close your eyes and let the taste of it settle in your mouth. It reminds you of the memories of your mother making this dish every time for your birthday ad every time something good happened to you, and it makes you feel at home. When you open your eyes, you realize that Jackson’s mother has been watching your reaction the whole entire time, slightly embarrassed, your face flushes.

           “Is it okay, Y/n? I tried to do the best that I could, but I’m sure it tastes different from your mother’s.”

           Quickly reassuring her, you say, “No, no, it’s wonderful. It tastes exactly like my mom’s.” A smile quickly breaks through on her face, making your smile even wider. “Oh, that’s wonderful to hear!”

           “Wow, Y/n. If this is how all food from your country tastes like, I think I’m going to need to eat more dishes from there.” Jackson’s dad says to you. Putting in his own input, Jackson tells his parents, “Oh, there’s this one dish that Y/n makes for me all the type and it’s the most delicious thing in the world, of course along with your cooking mom.” Hearing Jackson brag about your cooking skills causes for your face to flush.

           “Oh, is that so? Maybe next time we come visit you can cook it for us.”

           Smiling you say, “I would love to.”

           The evening goes on as the four of you casually converse with one another. Jackson’s parents tell you all of his embarrassing moments of when he was growing up, and you basically had to shove fork in his mouth to stop him from whining all the time. You also get to tell them more about yourself and what it’s like back in your country.

           After everyone was done with dinner, you had all helped in washing and putting up the dishes, more like you and Jackson’s mother did all the work, while Jackson and his dad messed around in the kitchen; the four of you made your way to the backyard to hang out under the night sky.

           Walking up to the speaker that was set up outside, Jackson’s father started playing ‘Stand By Me,’ and held out his hand to his wife. She gladly took it, and they began dancing underneath the stars.

           Thinking back on the evening, you could day that you had really enjoyed every moment of it. Jackson’s parents had made you feel welcomed in their house and practically treated you as if you had known each other for a long time. You could with 99% confidence say that they liked you.

           “What did I say?” Jackson starts as he playfully bumps into your side interrupting your train of thought, “I told you that there was nothing to be nervous about. They love you.”

           Rolling your eyes at his playfulness, you admit to him, “Okay, you were right. I just didn’t realize that all the love that you hold for people is because of your parents, but now I know.”

           “Y’know, there was a tiny part of me that was nervous that they weren’t going ot like you.” Jackson’s confession causes for concern to grow within you, but before you could voice it out, he continues, “I was worried that I would have to pick sides, and we all know how much of a mama’s boy that I am, but I don’t think your worth losing Y/n; so, I’m glad that it didn’t come down to that because I’m not so sure that they would’ve been happy with my decision.”

           Raising an eyebrow at him, you ask, “Are you saying that you would have picked me over your parents?”

           Nodding his head, he says, “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

           At times like this, you wonder how you managed to find a man as wonderful as Jackson, “Jacks…You know I love you right?”

           Taken back by your question, he dramatically gasps, “Wha- of course I do. Why would you even ask that?”

           “I just wanted to remind you that’s all.”

           Leaning over, he lays a kiss on your temple then takes a step forward, bringing out a hand towards you, “So then you know I love you too, right?”

           Placing your hand on his, and letting him take the lead in the dance, you respond, “Of course I do.”

A/n: first thing I've posted since my unexpected hiatus, I hope everyone enjoyed it! feedback is always welcomed, so don't be afraid to tell me what you thought of this

masterlist

[fireflykaizoku]

Hello you are the body swap Queen now. 👑 here's your crown, my leige.

So speaking of, wifey could i please have soul mate body swap w Sanji? (afab reader pls) 💖 love yoouuuuuuu

i accept this crown thank you 😭😭 of course! i hope you like it! love youuu ❤

You celebrated your 23th birthday, and you weren’t excited about the birthday itself, but to finally meet your soulmate. You’ve been waiting too long for this to happen, and would be a little disappointed if your soulmate was younger, which it meant you’d still have to wait longer.

It was hard to sleep that night, with all the fantasies you imagined, wondering if your soulmate would be someone caring, gentle and romantic, just like you’ve always dreamed. Maybe they’d be your opposite, and the personalities would clash before you both realized you’re in love. Who knows? But whatever destiny had planned, you’d accept it.

You opened your eyes, seeing a boy wearing a strawhat looking at you, as if he was waiting for you to wake up. You jumped out of the bed, assuming the boy, who surprisingly didn’t look like a threat, broke in. As if you weren’t terrified enough, you realized that room wasn’t yours, the decoration was different, and there were too many beds.

— What do you want? — you asked, realizing your voice. — And where am I?

— Sanji, I’m hungry. — he whined. — You’re late, I want breakfast.

— Sanji? — you whispered asking yourself, and then you realized you finally had switched bodies with your soulmate! But who is he?

When the young man in front of you kept complaining about being hungry, you decided to act as if you were Sanji. How hard could it be? If he only made breakfast, it should be easy until you found out a solution, right?

— I’ll be in the kitchen in a minute. Just… Go wait for me there. — you replied.

The guy left, still complaining. You tried to find a bathroom to at least wash your face and feel awake. As soon as you saw your reflection in the mirror, you couldn’t help smiling seeing the face of your soulmate. He was handsome, blonde with funny curly eyebrows, that you thought it added some charm to his features. Apparently, he dressed nice too.

As you headed to the kitchen, you realized it wasn’t a house, it was a pirate ship! Your soulmate was a pirate!

While you were expecting only the guy you were talking to, you found other seven people sitting and apparently waiting for the meal. They were also a bit loud and talking a lot. As if it wasn’t enough to make you nervous while trying to make breakfast, something you weren’t the best at, there was a green haired man cussing at you for no reason.

With all your skills, you tried to make the best meal, hoping no one would notice the difference, which they did.

— Sanji, this tastes different. — the boy from earlier complained.

— Well, this is what we have now. — you replied, rolling your eyes. How picky this man could be?

— Stupid cook. — the green haired guy clicked his tongue. — Waking up late and letting us starve.

You decided to ignore that man’s remarks. You were washing the dishes, and you saw the woman with black hair approaching you. By her looks, someone could think she was intimidating, but during the breakfast you realized she was very nice.

— You’re Sanji’s soulmate. — she said. — Aren’t you?

Your eyes widened, how did she know? Could she perhaps see the future or something like that? You nodded, still surprised.

— I guessed. That’s why “Sanji” was acting so different today. — the woman giggled. — I’m Nico Robin. Nice to meet you.

— I’m (Y/N). Are you… Pirates?

— Yes, our captain is Luffy. He’ll be the king of the pirates. Your soulmate is Black Leg Sanji, he’s also our cook. He’s a flirt, but he’s going to be so happy to know he found his soulmate. Sanji will love you so much.

The woman kept talking about him, and the more you heard about him, the more you realized he was like you always wanted your soulmate to be. A gentleman who’d love you and take care of you. You also found out Zoro and Sanji just didn’t get along very well, and that explains what happened this morning.

But you wondered how you’d find your soulmate. You didn’t even know where you were right now.

— You can tell us where you live. Our navigator, Nami, will find your island. I’m sure Luffy won’t mind if she go there for a while.

After you and Robin explained the whole situation to the rest of the crew, the captain didn’t need to be asked twice. He was willing to make you and Sanji meet, and then switch back. The cute reindeer called Chopper was very curious, wondering how the soulmate thing worked.

During lunch and dinner, the two women helped you cooking something the crew would like.

Before sleeping, you went to the deck, wondering when you’d arrive at your island. You also wondered what you would do after switching back. The life as a pirate seemed so exciting, full of adventures, and be able to see a different place every day. You were hoping Sanji would ask you to sail with him.

The morning after you saw the small island from far, you felt your heart beating faster and you started getting anxious. After dreaming with that kiss for so long, it was about to happen in just a few minutes.

The ship docked, and you started walking in the direction of your house. You opened the door and saw your other half sitting on the couch, pulling a bit of the shirt you were wearing, or better yet, that he was wearing, to have a peek of what was covered by the layer of clothes. His nose started bleeding right away.

— Hey! — you said, not angry, just… Surprised. — What are you looking at?

He looked at you feeling extremely embarrassed not expecting to get caught trying to have a glimpse of your body. He just couldn’t resist, seeing your chest, feeling your curves as soon as he woke up in your body, he needed to look.

— I’m so sorry, (Y/N)-swan! — he apologized. — I was… Just a little look wouldn’t hurt, right?

You rolled your eyes, sighing.

— We need to switch back. — you said, sitting next to him.

— Yes, we do… — he said, getting closer and already eager for the kiss. — But before… Please, let me just have another look. Just a quick look. — he held your hand, and begged.

— One more.

He peeked under the shirt once again, just to make his nose bleed once again. One would think he had never seen a naked body before.

That’s really not how you imagined the kiss to be.

— Okay, now we switch back. — Sanji smiled.

You two just looked at each other, feeling a bit anxious, a bit shy. It was a kiss that would change your lives forever, it was a big deal. Sanji wanted to impress you, he wanted it to be perfect. He softly kissed your lips, before pulling you into a heated kiss, full of passion and desire. His hand place on the back of your neck, while the other pulled you closer by your hips.

When you two opened your eye and realized you had switched back, you saw Sanji’s face from close, his cheeks were red and he looked at you with so much love, as if he spent his life waiting for you.

— My beautiful (Y/N)-swan, let’s sail together, come explore the world with me. — he whispered, while brushing your (H/C) hair behind your ear. — You’re my All Blue.

[simluvbot]

Enhypen’s reaction to when you punch a guy (hyung line)

a/n: this was a request ! I said I could upload this a few days ago but due to it being my birthday and it currently being exam week I didn’t have the time to edit this so that’s why I uploaded without proofreading at first TT // ok I finished editing 😁 Jake and sunghoon’s one is so bad don’t read it pls sorry

Although as this fic includes violence I only wrote for hyung like members and not maknae line, I hope you understand

Warnings: descriptions of physical violence (punching), mentions of being in a crowd, mentions of wanting to harm others (thoughts)

+ note: this is a work of fiction and in no way am I encouraging violence ! I wrote this in a way that I thought would match the member’s personalities although this is definitely not a true depiction of the enhypen members ^^

Lee heeseung

You and heeseung had been in the library studying together for your exams, and although you both had luckily reserved a secluded spot in the library that was both quiet and spacious for your revision, it wasn’t soon before some inconsiderate assholes had decided to occupy your desk too.

There were only two of them, yet they still managed to take up over half of the table whereas you and heeseung only had one small portion to yourselves

Plus they were very noisy, and the only librarian being on the seconf floor didnt help either  😐

You and your boyfriend had both made several attempts to sheepishly ask them if they could please quieten down before the librarian came back and kicked them out and more importantly so you mad heeseung could focus ??

But they simply ignored you, paying attention to the… online games ?? They had came to the library to play???

You were starting to get very annoyed, but decided to bite your tongue and instead have you and heeseung focus on your work

But it was when one of them spilt their coffee on heeseung’s expensive   textbook and even laugh afterwards which is what you decided that you finally had it

You don’t know how it happened, but soon you were standing up and landed a solid punch on the guy’s face

Heeseung was really shocked, just as much as you at your brash movements

And he would be even more concerned for you when he sees the person you punched egret aggressive to you and start getting close in your face.

“Hey man, that’s enough.” Despite heeseung’s shock, it didn’t take him longer than second before he stood up and grabbed at the man’s arm easily after he got up close you you intimidatingly, heeseung’s strong grip preventing the stranger from hitting you back and you swear you’ve never heard heeseung’s voice so deep and authoritative before as he told the man to sit down and focus on his stupid game

Due to your own surprise at your actions, you barely payed attention to what was going on as heeseung had a polite (on his end..) whisper-argument with the two guys, packing his things up as well as yours before grabbing your hand and safely leading you out of the library

You two ended up going home where he cleaned at your busted knuckles gently, sad at the fact that you got hurt and overall bummed out at two guys who got you so worked up and that his go-to textbook got ruined ):

“Baby, why did you do that, Hm? We could have just left to another place. You could have gotten hurt if they fought back!”

More than anything, your boyfriend was upset at the idea of you potentially getting more than just a few cuts and bruises on your knuckles, and so you promised heeseung right then and there that you wouldn’t do it again

After both of you got changed into your pyjamas, you and heeseung had set up your own study area in the dining room table, where you both continued with your study session for the rest of the day, with lots of cuddles afterwards as a reward!

Park Jongseong

You and jay were walking back home and it was already dark outside as you were both walking through the streets.

Approaching a heavily crowded place outside a club which included several people under the influences, it was pretty hard for you both to squeeze through the crowd as you were walking past.

They literally were spilling onto the road.. :/

“Jay.” You gasped when you lost hold of his hand on yours, leaving you in the idle of the crowd alone. There were so many bodies around you and as you got quickly pushed to against a wall from the movements of the people you found it hard to make your way through the people who were much taller than you.

You were starting to get anxious and when someone came directly in front of you, literally ignoring you asking for them to move and plainly blocking you for no reason you started to get frustrated, adrenaline in your veins as you lost your boyfriend and wanted to get out asap before you started fo panic.

You had asked the person to please move out of the way so you could pass through and they even had the audacity to look at you and make eye contact — only to simply ignore you when you asked for the nth time for them to scoot.

So, with your anxiety peaking and frustration soaring, you punched them hard on their face as soon as they turned around, and when they went stumbling backwards you finally had enough space to escape from your trapped position against the wall.

Jay had finally found you and was right there a few steps in front of you, and you were almost reaching him when a hand pulled you back suddenly, slamming you against the wall aggressively and leading you to hit your head hard.

Jay saw the whole thing. and he was livid

He shouted at the guy and grabbed his hands in his, pushing him so he was off of you once again. Jay was so angry he literally thought he could see red. How dare a man not just refuse to let someone obviously distressed through, but to touch you and hurt you?

You had to calm him down and urged hin for you both to leave before the stranger started getting aggressive because he was already shouting at you both and some heads were turning 😟

He eventually listened to you when he saw your glossed eyes and you clutching at your aching knuckles, so gently grabbing your unhurt hand in his he swiftly led you both away from the crowd in less than a minute, face fallen and heart aching ah ):

“Hey, let me look at you. are you okay? Did that bastard hurt you a lot?”

You could tell he was still so agitated with what happened, checking at your bruised knuckles and looking a the back of your head that was starting to form a lump from the force of being pushed against the wall earlier.

“I’m so sorry, I should have held tighter. I should have brought some security guards with us today.”

You had to tell him it was okay and you defended yourself and the guy was just a jerk and can’t hurt you anymore.

Jay was still so sad at the fact that you got hurt all because he let you go accidentally for one second ): seeing you so anxious and literally in pain made him feel so bad.

He showered you in many kisses once you both got home and you had a relaxing bath together, as well as helping treat your bruise , promising for this to never happen again 🥺

Sim jaeyun

You were hanging out with your old classmates as a reunion and it was getting close to the time where Jake had said he would pick you up to take you home.

Your classmates had asked you if you had a partner and when you told them that you did, they all got instantly curious.

You of course got so excited and was ecstatic to flaunt off your talented and handsome boyfriend to them :D

So you showed them a picture of Jake, however the reaction that you were met with was not what you were expecting.

Your classmates were silent for a few moments as they looked at the photo, before one of them eventually asked,

“Oh, so that’s the guy you’re dating?”

You could see two of them exchange glances for a reason you could not possibly fathom and your heart fell to your stomach when you saw them stifing their laughter.

“What?” You asked, frowning as you looked at the photo you showed them on your phone. What was wrong with the photo?

“Oh.. nothing it’s just.. well.. he just doesn’t look like the best option..”

“It’s pretty cute actually. Of course you would end up with a guy that looks like he matches you in social level.. he’s probably a loser.”

You were so confused and the comments kept coming as they talked amongst themselves, openly criticising Jake for no reason.

You gotta admit, you never were the closest my with your classmates in the first place but still decided to agree to the meet-up for old times’ sake.

You could put up with their side glances towards you ever since you arrived because you barely cared, but when they dared talk about your boyfriend like that??

You were so angry you felt yourself almost shaking.

“Hey.” You said, standing up abruptly from your seat on the picnic table at the park you guys were hanging out at.

“Why are you insulting my boyfriend like that. What is wrong with you?”

Once again, they simply laughed in your face, seeming to think of your reaction as hilarious.

You were gonna start crying soon because the rage boiling up inside of you was reaching to the point that you were finding it hard to contain it and breathe deeply to keep calm and not cause a scene.

But they kept insulting Jake, liking watching you get angry under their gazes.

One of your classmates in particular kept offering comments, too many and you had enough - you snapped.

You punched them square in the face.

And you had done so just when you noticed Jake exiting his car right outside of the park, when it was obvious that he saw you.

You didn’t care, and in fact you started laughing almost hysterically in front of your classmates at their shocked expressions.

You were in tears because the person you punched started having a nosebleed… to you it was hilarious and you were in your own world trying to catch your breath from laughing so much until you heard your name being called.

“Y/n.” Jake said worriedly, finally reaching yoy and placing a hand on your shoulder.

He led you to his car, and after you both left and as you sat silently in the passenger seat having calmed down, you were staring to feel awkward with all the little glances Jake threw towards you ever so often.

He didn’t ask or push, instead just remaining silent and gripping at your hand you had punched your classmate with, thumb swirling over your red knuckles as he stared down at them with a bothered expression.

“Sorry.” You finally said, giving him a sheepish smile. “They just kept talking so badly about you when they found out I had a boyfriend.. I couldn’t resist.”

Jake if anything was a bit disappointed that you had reacted violently, and he was silent for a few seconds as he sat unknowing of what to say, frowning and licking his lips like a confused puppy trying to work out a solution.

“Please just don’t do it again. Violence is never okay, you should have just left. I don’t want my y/nnie getting hurt or getting into fights because of me, okay?”

You both drove back and cuddled a lot on the sofa, and Jake made sure to give your knuckles several kisses, his heart aching with the memory of what happened );

Park Sunghoon

“Ha, if it isn’t the ugly y/n.”

You bit your lip as you heard the familiar laugh of the rink bullies behind you, plainly mocking you.

“Still friends with that weirdo, park sunghoon?”

Ever since the members in the same extracurricular figure skating club had found out you were friends with sunghoon, the ice boy that they liked to torment for reasons forever unknown to you, you had soon too fallen victim to their evil teasing.

“I told you to stop making fun of sunghoon like that.” You said plainly, sighing as you sat down on a bench to undo your skates.

The group members laughed and would just not leave you alone, even going as far as sitting next to you and entering your personal space by constantly poking at your sides sharply.

And you swear to god the temptation of slashing open their faces with the bottom of your skates was very tempting—

But no, you had told sunghoon that you would meet him at the entrance of the rink to walk home together after your individual practices; and you were already running late.

“Where you going? To go see sunghoon? Huh? Go tell him that we messed with his skates so he fails in the competition.”

Your hands froze as you were tying your converses. You looked up, meeting the leader’s gaze.

“What?” You had enough. You could never understand why they had sunghoon as their punching bag. Sunghoon was used to it, not one to start arguments and the type to only keep to himself when things like this happen.

You just went along with it and followed his lead in ignoring your other club members, but them going this far to try to sabotage the performance sunghoon had been training months for? You had enough of simply doing nothing in retaliation to their bullying.

Standing up abruptly, they stood back at youe sudden movement, but not quick enough for being able to dodge the punch you swung directly on the nose of the nearest one in front of you.

“Y/n?”

Looking over to the doorframe of the changing room — there was park sunghoon.

“Sunghoon.” You said in shock, glancing over towards the group in front of you as they started guffawing at the sides of the person you punched

“Sorry, I got caught up with-“

You were just making your way speedily over towards hoon when you were pulled back by the wrist painfully.

You gasped when the force that you were let go of led you to be flung over to one side and practically topple onto the sticky matte floor.

Wincing as you landed on your wrist, you hissed at the fresh pain and the loud crack that came with it.

It was silent as everyone paused, having heard your wrist snapping as much as you had felt the pain of it.

“Y/n!” Sunghoon was at your side in an instant, pushing his way cut though the others standing around you in shock.

His pretty face was frowned with worry, eyes wide as he came in front of you, assessing your wrist without touching it.

“Let’s get out of here.” He scooped you up, and if you weren’t busy trying to breathe in and out deeply to calm yourself down after your injury, you would have been surprised at the skate bullies making space for a clear path Sunghoon to carry you through.

From all your time of knowing the talented ice boy, your skating partner and friend — you had never really seen him show much emotion apart from the small smiles and laughs he gave only to you. His long legs were able to stride quickly to a bench outside as he called an ambulance for you, a distressed expression as he meticulously cared towards you.

And gee if you breaking your wrist didn’t hurt like hell, but after all, did you regret that day? No. You finally were able to stand up to the bullies for the first time, and even more importantly — that moment had started the beginning of a new chapter for you and Sunghoon.