#but emphasis on rich kids au

[majestyjun]

he’s giving wealthy boy summer fling neither of you can forget happened

[verysium]

『02』 原神: genshin impact recs

魈: xiao

preta by @itoshisoup

"People think that ghosts are born exclusively of resentment, but they can also be born of love. Between those driven by resentment and those driven by love, which do you think cling most strongly to their suffering?" Xiao replies without pause, his gaze unfocused yet fixed upon something you cannot see. "Love." After a yaksha saves your life on the Plains of Guili, you insist on joining him in his war against the evils of Liyue. As the two of you encounter hungry ghosts and resentful spirits, you learn about the ones haunting him. notes: incomplete but intricately woven together; heavy emphasis on chinese culture, wuxia/xianxia genres; if you have watched any historical cdrama, you will like this fic; xingqiu and chongyun are wrapped up into the dynamic; xiao wishes to protect you for centuries; him and his paradoxes; not being strong enough to be considered invincible but still strong enough to try

公子: childe

thin ice by @falconcoast

childe is that senior frat boy on teyvat university’s campus. the one who majors in economics because he’s on scholarship to play sports. the one who is way too loud and you can hear him all the way across campus. the one who’s daddy’s money rich because he’s already sponsored, even while just in the ncaa. the one who manages to get everyone to swoon over him.  oh, right. and your favorite title for him: the one hockey captain who hogs all of your free time to skate after lessons because he always steals it.  all you want to do is do your job and teach skating lessons to the kids to keep your mind off the year-old mess with your figure skating, maybe even get an hour of skating in afterwards as a reward. that is, until the hockey coach sits you down and tells you that surprise! you’re the new team manager for liyue’s hockey team! ...it can’t be that hard to manage twenty or so boys and their captain, childe, right? spoilers: it absolutely is.  notes: wonderfully curated modern skating/hockey AU; childe is so american white boy in this; teucer being adorable; diluc and kaeya sibling dynamic is well-established; university and post-grad plans; figuring out your life and then working other people into it

国崩: scaramouche

tea screen by @after-witch

The trembling voice of the tea apprentice carries through the room, and though you can’t see him, you imagine he must be shaking. Who wouldn’t be, tasked with gaining the approval from the Sixth of the Eleven Fatui Harbringers?  notes: forced marriage and abuse; tea ceremony; sort of reminds me of the edo period; examination of womanhood within a patriarchal society; sexy, sad, and scary all at once; i pity the reader at the end; cycle of love and violence

a simple cup of tea by @after-witch

You have to be prepared and poised and perfect. But it’s hard to be all those things, even with the looming threat of your husband sitting next to you, when you’ve got a secret hidden underneath your clothes... notes: reader grapples with lust and objectification; unhealthy dynamic but portrayed realistically in an almost historical setting; reader is unable to separate her identity as wife apart from her husband; women being defined in the context of men; could be a social satire on traditional gender roles if you squint

love is a dog from hell by @itoshisoup

"A will is something you don't have. That's why you'll follow mine." notes: this fic is the reason why i do not think the concept of ownership in love would translate well into real life because it would be so self-destructive; reader struggles with aftermath of abuse and mistakes possession for protection; realistic depiction of unhealthy relationships; the fatui is exactly the dark criminal organization it is supposed to be; human trafficking and child sexual abuse; scaramouche is so goddamn funny i can't

钟离: zhongli

spoil of war by @bye-bye-sunbird

In the dead of night, you hear the sea calling your name. Sometimes the sound is as soft as a love song, gracing your skin in a gentle breeze that lures you to the seashore where the waves can finally lay claim on you. Other times, the sea strikes the land in a deafening, challenging roar. "Really now... How long do you think those mountains of his will stand in my way?" notes: accurate depiction of characters because archon war morax was genuinely terrifying; zhongli trying to deny his obsessive tendencies; rivalry with osial; reader is essentially sanctified as a symbol of innocent purity; imagine having two spiritual gods pine after you while you are helplessly stuck in the middle of their tug-of-war and simultaneously trying to mourn; that is basically the entire premise of this fic

��卢克: diluc ragnvindr

the parent trap by @falconcoast

twelve years ago, you got married to a man who had swept you off your feet in a little under two years. diluc was like a prince out a of storybook; effortlessly charming, strikingly handsome, and a kind man. you were supposed to live happily ever after at that winery, running a wedding planning empire, having a family, and growing old together.  until it all goes off script with a divorce. flash forward, and the only remnant of diluc that is with you is your daughter, dawn. the only piece of you that remains with diluc is your other daughter and dawn’s twin sister, phoenix.  it isn’t until both of your children get you and your ex-husband in a bit of mess that you realize that maybe, just maybe, you still harbor feelings for diluc.  or maybe it’s the wine talking. notes: one of my favorite comfort fics; i am a sucker for second-chance romance; diluc and reader now older but still being the same bumbling idiots they were when young; at this point the children have more situational awareness than them; based on the original movie; treat yourself to a cup of tea and a friday night with this work and trust me life will be good

博士: il dottore

deus in absentia by @bound-in-parchment

The first time was a coincidence. The second time was a fluke. But the third time? You were starting to think it was fate. Or, more likely, a calculated trap. notes: at this point we can just scrap whatever mihoyo puts out and use this work as canon instead; the world building is so originally creative; this author must possess such a giant sexy brain; reader is basically adopted by dottore and forced to be his apprentice/assistant; idea of losing yourself to your own ambitions; slow-burn to the max; reader is oblivious to full extent of feelings until it is too late; tragic to the point i need a time machine to resurrect them

dream a little of me by @bound-in-parchment

Celestia had a cruel sense of humor. He knew this, even before his days as a student. But to be given a soulmate? Now, when he openly blasphemed against the cursed island in the sky? He would outlive you and the dreadful fated bond that haunted your shared dreams. There was little point in this. He could at least put a Vision to good use. People were nothing but disappointments. He had no use for you. Until you pulled the bow across your instrument and awoke a part of him long buried by self-hatred and arrogance. notes: soulmate trope but with the two most aromantic fools to ever exist; zandik drowns himself in the river of denial; comic dynamic between segments; music and failed dreams; reader actually has a backstory dark enough to match dottore's character; does not shy away from the uncomfortable and gritty aspects of trauma, abuse, and literal mental insanity

chemistry / magnum opus by @jessamine-rose

In the realm of science, love and insanity are closely intertwined mysteries. Disillusioned with the world, you had long forgotten its beauty until the wise doctor gives you a change of perspective. notes: by far the most accurate characterization of akademiya zandik; he hates you then hates himself then hates the world for allowing your paths to cross; treats you as an objective experiment but then wonders why he's suddenly humanizing you; slow-burn; zandik is selfish and machiavellian and somehow you fit into that equation

the only hope i had was the freedom of death by your hands that held me together by @tiens-letters

It was a burden. The weight of the power you hold in all the land. Any human who has enough ambition would dare to covet it and any god even given divine powers would lust after it. You were powerful, able to end civilizations and make a new world altogether. Many would think that you are a sovereign being but you too are limited to mortality than what most would believe. You were human with a blessing of a god and you felt cursed and dirty. notes: honestly the ending made me so mad but take it as a good sign; basically entails the circumstances that would drive dottore to become somewhat capable of love; what is done cannot be undone; zandik finally meeting someone who is wiser and more depressed than him; deluding himself into thinking he could ever be domestically normal; somewhat idolizes/idealizes reader; themes of betrayal and misunderstanding

富者: pantalone

house cat / alea iacta est by @jessamine-rose

Your entire life has been a gilded cage. The gods refuse to grant your greatest wish, and so you have resigned yourself to the will of destiny. But what happens when the red string of fate is severed and replaced with the silver chains of the Regrator? notes: liyue nobility; dishonest business and financial deals; reader is a cat hybrid but i didn't notice until part two because the plot was so good; pantalone is the mastermind behind all his interactions with reader; heavy manipulation and orchestrations; wolf in sheep's clothing; alternate ending found here

隊長: il capitano

herbarium / fairytale / forget-me-not / astilbe by @jessamine-rose

You had long given up on wishes and happy endings. After what you believed to be the end of your tragic story, you resigned yourself to a shadow of a life with only your books and flowers to keep you company…until the vestiges of Windblume brought forth a mysterious stranger and a new ending for your dark fairytale. notes: capitano being the strong stoic protector of a delicately fragile reader; manipulation is so subtle and that is what makes it alarming; somewhat stirred my daddy issues because he is so parental; reader struggles between accepting his love versus hating him for taking away her personal agency; flower motifs

[wolfie-1221]

some rhaenicent fic recommendations

grey ridge (ríl liatroma) by molter ( @molter-writes ) - married with kids; business drama; they’re sickeningly cute; arguably the best thing ive read in the fandom; 10 out of 10; read it like 6 times; if you haven’t read it dude what are you waiting for

ride the dragon (and do it quickly) by molter - the #roadtrip fix it 

love is complicated by molter - Alicent is an actress and Rhaenyra is her rich best friend; they idiots and they’re in love; Laena is featured and she is fed up

leaf and blade by molter  - it’s summer; they’re hiding their relationship; they’re teachers; and my all time favorite tag ‘harwin gets a whistle’ 

cleopatra by dontaskmedude   - divergence from episode 4; Joffery does not die; Laenor and Rhaenyra do everything right; Alicent and Rhaenyra raise their kids together 

someone to watch me die by dontaskmedude  - this is just, this is just depressing; good but depressing; like if hurt/no comfort is your thing this is for you; it’s just so, so sad; kinda Alicent in chains/Rhaenyra half year queen era with some timeline tweaks but no happy ending; do not read this if you want them to be happy 

Untouchable by mylordshesacactus - young rhaenicent; if Aemma never died and if Alicent never married viserys; i love this story so much you dont get it

Blame it on Fate by Lumyart ( @lumyart ) - they’re rival co hosts; well, actually, they’re rival co hosts in Alicent’s mind; Rhaenyra is thoroughly enamored (as per usual) 

you don't know what love is (if you don't put up a fight) by tansymeadows - viserys manages to last a couple extra days and Rhaenyra returns after Alicent blinked her pretty brown eyes and said “you’ve only just arrived”

The Silver Queen and the Lady in Green by WanderingFan - idk how to explain this; honestly just read it; it’s really good; slow burn; like incredibly slow burn im on chapter 26 rn and they’ve only just become friends a couple chapters ago but god is it worth it 

is it too soon to do this yet ('cause I know it's delicate) by Arvedui - episode 1 divergence; it’s cute; they’re cute 

would it be enough (if i could never give you peace?) by Arvedui  - Jeyne Arryn my beloved; you and Laena would get along splendidly when it comes to these two nitwits ( i say with affection) 

Midnights Like This by pure_black_wings - based on Taylor’s album; college setting; slow burn

Duty and Sacrifice (A History of Rhaenyra the Blessed by Archmaester Gyldayn) by TheIronDragon10    (@theirondragonrants) - now when i say i love this story i mean i LOVE this story; if you ever wanted to know what the House of the Dragon looked like thoroughly united then LOOK NO FURTHER; top tier; it’s wonderful; it has angst, it has joy, it has family and sibling vibes, it has slow burn, it has pain and healing and love everything i could ever want from a realistic version of canon where my girls can be happy; emphasis on realistic because the irondragon does not pull any punches 

Cleaving to Rhaenyra by WanderingFan - another episode 4 divergence 

you’ve got your demons (darlin’ they all look like me) by geralehane    ( @geralehane ) - the reincarnation au 

lying (in the hollows of your heart) by wakesiren ( @wakesirens)  - read this for the last scene of chapter 3 and thank me later; update: READ THIS FOR CHAPTER FOUR AND THANK ME LATER

towers and dragons verse by beepboop (permanganato) - Alicent is one adorable nerd okay and Rhaenyra just loves her 

what is it good for? by bluebaric ( @viscountcrow ) - arranged marriage au; Rhaenyra is a war hero; Alicent is perpetually terrified for her life  

tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart by alphayamergo   ( @sydneysageivashkov ) - this was just, this was just hilarious; like picture Corlys and Otto snarling at each other from across the council room trying to convince Rhaenyra to marry either Alicent or Laena and that’s what this is

thine is the queendom by liadrell ( @lesbianalicent ) - this was an excellent read, really good character dive on alicent

Ember to Flame by CrowSaint (@ dayneonychus ) - intriguing concepts 

our shadow over the sea by queensmooting - sigh

Long Live Our Queens! by WanderingFan - they’re gonna kill their fathers and they’re gonna rule together and it’s gonna be great

blood in your mouth (I wish it was mine) by dontaskmedude - this made me shed some tears

Of Our Own Accord by 99bad_habits ( @99bad-habits ) - can’t wait to see how this turns out; canon divergence at 1x08; Viserys lives long enough and Rhaenyra returns on dragonback and our girls get to co-rule

and i'll still see it, until i die by irridescence - h e a r t b r e a k i n g; starts around the winter fever and goes backward from there

by choice by alicents - co-parenting rhaenicent my beloveds <3; family fluff told in segments in a non-linearly fashion; it's cute; they're cute; something to read while canon is breaking your heart

good luck, babe! by  somebodytoundress ( @somebodytoundress )- based on the song by chappell roan; they're friends reconnecting after 10 years about to play lead love interests in a movie. give the song a listen and give the fic a read

am i making you feel sick? by  somebodytoundress - rhaenyra is a vampire. need i say more

fault lines by rogueorbit ( @rogueorbit ) - 1x08 canon divergence; rhaenyra returns on dragonback and her and alicent make peace; alicent plays otto like a fiddle while rhaenyra stands back and chants "i'm in love with you"

there’s more i just got tired so feel free to add your own; there are also other stories by these authors (Wandering and wakesiren to name a few) which I have not put here that are also enjoyable so you can check them out 

[saetoru]

Rich boy reo in college sounds so cute!!! Because you're probably his first real love (and maybe even his first partner), and he would literally buy the world from you,(also, he probs doesn't have an idea how normal, healthy relationships work bc all of his sources come from like, super stereotyped and cliche media about how girls love expensive things, jewelry and money and shoes). And I picture his first real date with you is not at a fancy five star restaurant , but rather something like instant fire noodles ramen outside a conbini, so he's a little bit unsure, y'know this man has a personal chef at home cooking all kinds of extravagant food, until he actually tastes it and now he's addicted to the "broken collage student" diet. He's just so glad to experience new thing with you, even if they might seem mundane to you.

✩ ‧₊˚ ✩。SWEETS — MIKAGE REO.

✩ — contents ⋮ introducing to you all: college au! rich boy! reo as your boyfriend—this time in your adventures, he tries a powdered donut for the first time

✩ — note ⋮ if you’ve been around for rb! gojo, you know the drill ;) also nonnie ty for the ask it was so cute

“what is that?” he asks, unsure. you look at him like he’s grown two heads.

“it’s a powdered donut, reo,” you raise a brow, “have you never seen one?”

“who powders donuts?” he tilts his head. it’s a bit cute, the slight pout on his face as he tries to decipher your odd little snack, the crinkle of his brow as he thinks deeply. “what’s it filled with?”

“nothing. i don’t like jelly donuts.”

“jelly?” he gapes, “just what do they feed you?”

“what do they feed you?” you ask incredulously. he shrugs, thinking about it deeply like it’s something he can’t hope to list all in one go.

“whatever my pastry chef makes, i guess,” he hums, “my dad had this one come from france once, and he made these—”

“eat this,” you hand him the donut, cutting him off as you purse your lips. “you’re not normal until you do.”

“my mom says those are bad for you,” he says like some kind of know-it-all kid—you suppose in a way, he is. “she says processed foods are not good for—”

“reo,” you say with a roll of your eyes, “your mom doesn’t love you if she doesn’t want you to have a powdered donut.”

“hey,” he pouts, “that’s not true. she’s just looking out for me—”

“just a bite,” you insist, holding it out to him as he eyes it like it’s poison in your hand, “i’ll even feed you,” you tease, reaching to pinch his cheek.

he grumbles, swats your hand away as he blushes and huffs a little at your smug grin—but ultimately, he caves, leaning forward and taking a small, hesitant bite of the confectionery in your hand.

the reaction is just what you expect: he chews, then he furrows his brows, and then he looks at you incredulously. you smile at him with a knowing look on your face as he snatches the last few bites of your donut from your hand—you can’t even be mad that he’s stolen your snack.

“why did my mother never let me have these?” he whines, “i’ve been missing out my whole childhood.”

“i’m sure you were doing just fine with private pastry chefs from france, baby,” you snort, reaching to thread your fingers through his hair as his head rests on your shoulder.

“nuh uh, they’re not like these,” he holds up his (your) nearly gone donut for emphasis, “these taste like pure sugar. i love it.”

“yeah they’re great,” you chuckle, “welcome to the lower class.”

“shut up,” he huffs, shuffling closer to you as press a kiss to his forehead, “you’re not lower class to me. you’re the classiest, most elegant, most priceless—”

“even in my coffee stained sweats?”

“especially in those,” he nods, “i’d never seen such artistically placed stains before. i was mesmerized.”

“oh good,” you giggle, hearing his quiet laugh ring next to you as he looks up and gives you a soft grin. you lean in, pressing another gentle kiss to his forehead as he closes his eyes and hums.

“thanks,” he mumbles, making you raise a brow in question.

“for…?”

“for letting me experience that,” he shrugs, a bit shy as he stares down at his lap.

reo’s always been a bit out of place. he’s always been the kid with the twisty crayons and mechanical pencils that the other kids stared at jealously. he’s always worn the brands no one can even pronounce as everyone around him went shopping together. he’s always eaten freshly packed lunch with a balanced nutrition while everyone else got soda from the vending machines.

a part of you feels bad for reo, feels a small bit of sympathy for the way he never really knows what to say or what to add in a conversation he can’t really relate to. you always watch him trip over his words when people complain about insane gas prices and the way eggs do not need to be that much per dozen.

so you smile warmly, grab his hand and lace your fingers as you grin, “experience a powdered donut?” you tease, making him huff, “oh, baby, wait till you hear about cupcakes.”

“i’ve had cupcakes,” he says indignantly, turning away from you with a pout.

“not the kind with cheap sprinkles,” you hum. “you’ll love them.”

something tells him he will, that here—with his head on your shoulder and your fingers in his hair, with store brought sweets that his mother would have heart failure seeing—here he’s just a guy, a normal guy who’s in love and that’s all there is to it.

“i love you,” he says quietly.

you smile, lean down and press a kiss to his mouth as you teasingly lick off the small bit of powdered sugar on his lips. “yeah, i love you too,” you hum, “but i would love it more if you didn’t steal my snacks next time.”

i lub him :( *holds reo in one arm and satoru in the other* these are my rich and spoiled lil pumpkins :(

[tennessoui]

a flavor of modern au obi-wan that does not get talked about enough: just. an asshole. rancid power dynamics between him and anakin, who is probably some shade of off limits (an employee, a friend’s kid, an intern, a student). nothing valued is here....this place is not a place of honor etc etc. he’s probably rich. not dark or evil but definitely not a great guy. creates the daddy issues anakin didn’t have before emphasis on daddy but also emphasis on issues

[erisluna35ocblog]

Last one for this set! It's my OC Keagan! Now this guy presented another challenge: hands. Because this style is supposed to keep line art to a minimum, I had to rely on shading to get his fingers detailed out. And of course, that spiky hair. It was tricky to figure out how it works. I need to map out his hair flow before I could render uuuugh.

Introducing the reverse world's closest thing to a Ladyblogger, Keagan Gerald Aurelio-Ashworth! Much like Reverse!Alya, he gets an undershave... and that's pretty much it. I guess the gold accessories and the sunglasses could be taken as a stronger referrence to Chloe as being the rich mayor's son has more emphasis in this AU. He's not exactly based on anyone from canon when he's like this, his design is based on making him as opposite to his og design as possible with very mild referrences to akumas and his og akuma form, Scorch, embracing the power the butterfly grants him rather than being averse to it. He's not exactly a reporter, he hangs around the upper echelons of society hence the semi-formal design instead of his og counterpart's more down to earth casual wear. Next to Fiona, he's like the second most altered compared to how he normally looks.

Why is he like this?

The short answer, it's cause the Supreme has his family under their thumb.

It started with a bad deal, his uncle died trying to dig their family out of it, his aunt Lorelei and cousin Leo ran off, and being overprotective with what family he had left, Mayor Julio Aurelio had Keagan locked up in their castle for his safety... And now what's left of the Aurelio-Ashworth Family are stuck under the Supreme's thumb. They're a political puppet and a goldmine rolled into one.

Keagan is not the sort to keep his head down. He's aware of what's happening, try as his family might to hide it from him. He still developed his hacking skills and had eyes and ears everywhere. He knows how fucked they are. For the longest time, Keagan felt so untrusting of everyone new... Never know if one of those people are under the Supreme's influence. He's heard they're eyeing him and his elder sister for their potential in wielding a Miraculous, and he's seen what happens to underage wielders after a while. Their life expectancies aren't that great, but that's why they use kids for it. They're easier to control. Sooner or later, it'll be Keagan's turn. Try as he might to find a way out, he couldn't find any. The most he could do was disrupt whatever dealings he could find - honestly, he doesn't want the same thing that happened to his family happen to anyone else. He was a minor annoyance at best. For the longest time, he felt trapped.

Then one day, his cousin reached out to him through a butterfly that landed on his watch. He wants him to join the Resistance as an insider. Through butterflies, Keagan can relay what he learns of the Supreme and in emergencies, they can either give him the power to transform or call out for a hero to save him. All he has to do is continue to play the fool and keep his ears up. His cousin heard his rep, the hedonistic party prince. While it wasn't a complete lie, he fools around to forget he's in deep shit, it wasn't the quite true either. It was the easiest way for him to be as disruptive as possible. But now, with his cousin as his life line, Keagan went from a minor annoyance to a potential back door for the Resistance. There's finally some hope he can pull him and his family out from under the Supreme's thumb.

Eventually, he met her.

He didn't think much of her at first, just another rich girl from new money. She's pretty fairy tale princess cute, he'd give her that. Her father was desperately trying to climb the social ladder... And was gonna fall for the Supreme's scam. As expected, they were hella annoyed with his interruptions but what else could he do to save them? Keagan knows this isn't necessary, when there's more effective ways to put a middle finger up at the Supreme, but he can't help it. Keagan just had to save them, even if neither of them would see it that way.

The girl was persistent. To Keagan's genuine surprise, she wasn't chasing him cause she's mad at him, she was following him to warn him that the Supreme goons are gonna mess with him for disrupting one too many deals that night. Aww. He's touched. Really. That's why he was covering her head with his jacket so the Supreme wouldn't target her too. He hopes his cousin heard all that and sends someone to save their butts.

That night was also the first night he properly met the Resistance. To his surprise, his aunt Lorelei decided to let the girl be the new Ladybug. If anyone asked him, he wasn't too thrilled about it. This girl had nothing to do with the Supreme nor the Resistance. She could've been free... much like he wished he was. Yet she chose to wear the earrings.

Contrary to his expectations, this is where the girl truly blossomed. The pretty princess turned out to be more of a knight in shining armor. Maybe she could save him.

[darkcrowprincess]

i saw this rec from the threads app on my insta and i just had to share 😭😭

i think it's fairly accurate considering everything HRJFKDKD

other than fighting rick on a daily basis i also dabble in shipping certain things out of spite which i love that you do as well HHAHA they can pry my ships and hcs from my cold, dead hands-

im curious! what's your go-to trope/au when it comes to your fave ships? im personally a sucker for soulmate aus or anything with angst FJGKDK

I'm going to separate my favorite tropes/aus into normal and problematic/unhingedv

Normal tropes : fake dating, soulmates, forbidden lovers, best friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, friends to enemies to lovers, 7 minutes in heaven, fake out makeouts, kissing to distract the other person and being into it, sword training, secret identities shenanigans, bad boy/punk and nerd/sunshine, friends with benefits that gets real real quick,hand holding(its more sexy that kissing at times), showering a person with kisses, taking your time kissing everywhere but the lips to build anticipation, girly girl characters, nerdy bookworm girl characters(not Bella Swan, hate her) weird girl characters. Rich person x broke person, meeting at a bookstore(hate coffeshop tropes). Couples who have the same humor. Using humor to cope. Found family(but no one calls each other siblings. Hate that new trend) squads, squad are idiots, hot boys, love letters, diary stories, texting fics(to a point, hate it when it gets dumb). Saving person from drowning/fire/falling to there death/just saving someone in general. Protectiveness. Battles couple, power couple.

Normal aus: Period drama aus, Fantasy aus, sci fi aus, pirate aus, fairy tale aus, cowboy aus, ancient times aus(Egypt, Greek, roman, China, Korea, Middle ages), mythology au, reincarnation aus, time travel au, time loop aus, fix it fics, 80s 90s au. Hate anything high school or modern times(unless it's teen wolf, or dear Evan Hansen), road trip aus, running away aus, royalty aus, multiverse aus

Ok now for my unhinged/problematic faves. Stop reading if this makes you uncomfortable

Problematic tropes: Kidnapping, Monster fucking, age difference, student teacher/mentor and mentie romance, sugar daddy and sugar baby, ice play, knife play, some pain play, bdsm but not too much hate name calling, choking kink, prasie kink, possessiveness to the point of craziness, finding someone killing for you hot, abo, bandage, rape fantasy, dubious consent, extremely dubious consent, captor and captive, stolchm syndrome, secret relationships, dark romance to a point, villians getting the girl/guy, hot villians, evil female villians, evil queen, evil female characters, evil female characters winning, bad guys kidnapping kids and being good parents(but they were still kidnapped) evil found family, villian x female character, villian x hero, villans winning, killing abusers,killing horrible guys, gray mentality

Unhinged aus: beauty and the beasts au emphasize on the beast and kidnapping and captor and captive au, the lives and drama of the rich, dirty secrets(pretty little liars level, vc andrews level), arranged marriage, monsters, falling in love with monsters,evil queens conquering and being happy and in love,royals conquering, daddy issues, abusive parents, abo au, war bride/husband, men(mainly straight) being evil and getting what the deserve, werewolves, mates, gothic romance aus, gothic horror au, teacher and student/mentor and mentie. Gotham like or purge like world aus. Zombie world aus where there's just no laws. Supernatural type au with emphasis of the monster and dark. Romeo and Juliet aus. Jail aus.

[leoneliterary]

OK OK Hear me out…

For the high school football AU:

Amatus would be the retired-football-star-turned-coach that decided to coach for an underfunded high school football team in a new school. He also happens to have 4 adopted kids that he met 10 years ago who also happen to go to said school. After his first year of coaching, the football team goes from benched losers to gold medal.

Ever since Amatus joined the football coaching scene, other high school football teams have started to pay attention to the newly formed “Talons”. Notably, the older Vultures and Jackals teams have been keeping a close eye on them - with more emphasis on the Jackals. In fact, the bitter rivalry between the Talons and Jackals seem to be getting worse every day ever since that one Jackal injured one of the Talons’ star players.

Every year the Mayor of Cusmo holds a super super big football tournament. The winner of the tournament gets support and funding or whatever from the Mayor and big-shot sponsors. The current mayor is Mayor Sarai, but in order to prepare her son, who happens to be favored for next-mayor-in-line despite his youth, she has put him in charge of the tournament.

Because the entirety of Cusmo is insane about football (like, SERIOUSLY INSANE) many sponsors, influential groups, and rich people start sponsoring teams a month or so before the tournament starts so that, if their team wins, they gain even more fame, money, etc.

Phew, that was a really long ramble, but the football AU has such Slice-of-life/Comedy/Romance/Sports/Drama energy that I couldn’t help myself 😭 I’d totally binge this for a week straight on Netflix lol

Oh. my. goodness.

YES

I love all of this. All of it!! You have done such a great job of fleshing my joke out by the way.

Ugh, I gotta do something about this, because this is just too cute to pass up

[ifyougoillfollow]

trick or treat!

MWUAHAHA - TRICKS BE UPON YE 😈😈

excuse me while i use this hallowed ween as an excuse to exorcise some demons:

what if rooftop gang Misfits AU

no listen if you've never seen Misfits(UK)(2009) i cannot in good conscience recommend doing so – it is a horrid little show full of horrid little people having a horrid little time and suffering horrid little fates more often than not, but like. it's also ASTOUNDINGLY funny, if you can stomach dated, edgy-with-a-captital-E late-2000's humor –

and boy CAN i, so i've recently made the mistake of starting a casual rewatch and lemme tell ya, the urge to stick our favorite rooftop fools* into this horrid little setting is MIGHTY but i cannot do it i REFUSE !!

anyway here's what i have so far**

* plus emi, because i'm predictable like that **please note i say 'so far' for comedic effect – i am for serious not gonna actually write this thing i cannot emphasize this enough

PREMISE Group of young delinquents sentenced to do community service get caught in a freak storm that gives them superpowers which reflect some important aspect of their personalities. Shenanigans (by which I mean crime) (by which I mean they immediately kill their parole officer (in self-defense!)) ensue. CAST MIC: Loudmouth. Doing time for assault. Talked shit, got hit – hit back hard. Wannabe punk with a chip on his shoulder. Flaming bisexual. Hates Aizawa. Has his sights set on Nemuri. Chill with Oboro. Finds Emi annoying. Power: Same as Quirk. AIZAWA: Buzzkill. Doing time for petty theft. Stole Daddy's credit card. Rich kid loner with a stick up his ass. Repressed homosexual. Hates Mic. Unnerved by Nemuri. Suspicious of Oboro. Finds Emi annoying. Power: Same as Quirk. NEMURI: Vixen. Doing time for shoplifting. Big titty discount fail. Shameless freak with boundary issues. Burgeoning bisexual. Tolerates Mic. Intrigued by Aizawa. Amused by Oboro. Finds Emi annoying. Power: Similar to Quirk, but based on pheromones and more emphasis on others perceiving her as attractive. OBORO: Stoner. Doing time for drug sale/possession. Local weed dealer. Chill extrovert with his head in the clouds. Token straight. Chill with everyone. Giant, obvious crush on Nemuri. Power: Similar to Quirk, except the clouds behave like real clouds, i.e. are intangible. EMI: Clown. Doing time for destruction of property. Prank gone wrong. Cringefail funnyman with a crippling need for validation. Closeted lesbian. Finds Mic hilarious. Likes to harass Aizawa. Giant crush on Nemuri. Chill with Oboro. Power: Same as Quirk.

Hizashi's the last to arrive at the community center.

He wasn't even on time for his court date – why the hell should court-mandated community service be any different? (Fuck the court, is the point.) By the time he's out of the locker room clad in his very own dumbfuck (but also kinda punk as hell if you think about it) mandatory orange jumpsuit, the rest of the clowns he's serving time with have already assembled in a convenient little lineup on the steps out front.

As he gets closer, 'clowns' turns out to be a more appropriate descriptor than he'd bargained for. Two of his four fellow ne'er-do-wells are sporting bad dye jobs in precociously pastel colors – blue for the guy, green for the chick. Bluey has a wide bandage over a nose that looks thoroughly unbroken. The other one has smiley-face stickers plastered over both cheeks and may very well be an actual clown. Both are flashing gap-toothed, paint-huffer-eyed grins. They're either going to be a riot or completely fucking insufferable, Hizashi can feel it in his jimmies.

Before Hizashi has a chance to suss out what kind of freak his other two compatriots in crime might be, a hulking, sentient block of a man steps out to join them in front of the community center. The dude is so jacked he's downright cubical. He's not just beefy, he's the whole goddamn cow – or bull, rather. Hizashi's not entirely convinced the fucker can look at his own reflection without ramming straight into the mirror, what with the red hair and all.

These are all the sorts of observations Hizashi would normally take great pleasure in relaying out loud, but the thing about Hizashi is, he's an asshole, not suicidal.

"Afternoon, everyone,” growls the steroid abuse PSA come to life. “My name is Todoroki Enji. I will be your parole officer for the coming weeks. While you are under my supervision, you do what I tell you to do, when I tell you to do it. If you can manage that until the end of your term, I will sign all necessary forms and you will all be free to continue down the path to lifelong delinquency on your own time. With any luck, next time we can skip this unnecessary step and send you straight to prison where you belong."

"Ah,” says Hizashi, “so you're a Cop cop."

The dark-haired bombshell Hizashi had deliberately stood next to as soon as he’d spotted her snorts. "He's a parole officer, numbnuts – what did you expect?"

"Hot and mean? Happy birthday to me."

Bluey pops up from beside Hizashi’s future heartbreak with a dopey grin. "Oh, hey, happy birthday, man!"

Before Hizashi can tell him off, the clown on Bluey’s other side starts shrieking: “Haaaappy birthday to you, happy birthday to you –”

Hot Stuff snorts again. "It's not actually your birthday, is it?"

Hizashi winks at her over his shades. "For you, baby, it could be."

"Real cute,” she drawls.

"Can you stop that?" someone snaps.

The clown stops her caterwauling. "But it's his birthday!"

"No, it isn't. He’s just trying to get in that one’s pants." There’s a sneer in that voice that sets Hizashi’s asshole-sense a-tingling. When he turns towards the source, he finds a dead-eyed, greasy-haired emo reject with the most potent school shooter vibes Hizashi’s witnessed to date.

"Yeah?” Hizashi shoots back. “And what would you know about getting laid, eh, Columbine?"

"That enough!” Officer Roid Rage thunders. Hizashi swears he feels the earth quake a little. “Your first task for today is to repaint those benches.” He jabs a meaty finger toward some benches across the way. “There are six of them, and six of you. Figure it out. Paint buckets and brushes are over there.” Another meaty finger over yonder. “Questions?"

The clown raises her hand. "Why did the chicken cross the road?"

"Are you for real –” Hizashi turns to the other clowns for help – “is she for real right now?"

"Hey, I'll bite,” says Bluey. “Why'd the chicken cross the road?"

"I dunno – that's why I'm asking!" She doubles over wheezing at her own joke. Probably to make up for the fact that no one else ever will.

"I expect those benches to be painted by the end of the hour,” growls Officer Roid Rage. Then he exercises the freedom Hizashi wishes he currently had himself and walks away. The bastard.

It’s only as the world’s clowniest band of misfits jingle-jangle one by one towards the benches over yonder, bargain bin painting supplies in hand, that Hizashi realizes the headcount is off.

“Hey – didn’t the cop say there were six of us?”

[narcissa-black-supermacy]

So, I gave holli a whole list with things preventing me from writing the fic I'm working on. But I think I need your help too? Since you're the Black family specialist (I agree with holli, we need a better name) I hope you can help me with these things :)

The Black Family library. Would you be able to take books away from it and bring them with you? Like would Sirius be able to take books with him to Hogwarts?

What kind of prejudices would Sirius still hold in 6th year? And would he realise that he has them?

In this, Sirius is more dark leaning. He struggles with the differences between his and James's magical alignments (James is more light leaning). How would that manifest itself?

Feel free to ignore this, but any and all ideas are welcomed :))

okokokok (trying not to jump at point 3 bc its one of my fav tropes)

Ohmygod. THE FREAKING LIBRARY. So. Libraries in ancient pure-blooded households are one of my faaaav things in fics. (I am writing that Voldemort Wins AU which we talked about rn, and it also has a huge emphasis on the library, since a lot of it takes place in 12GP, so I've been working with it a lot lately). So since 12GP is more space-limited than, say, Malfoy Manor, or the Manor Cygnus and Druella live in, I think rooms like the Library would have room enlargement charms on them. It would have a huge tall ceiling and rows and rows of tall bookshelves with ancient books in many many languages. Think like... tall gothic church ceilings, stained glass, statues of gargoyles that guard the restricted Dark Magic section. A huge lounge in the middle with sofas, chairs, a chandelier. I think most rooms have wards on them, so nobody is allowed into Orion's study, private bedrooms, etc. The library probably has wards too, but more extensive, something along the lines of "anybody who's family or a guest can enter", but "only family can borrow books" and "only x specific people can borrow books from the restricted section". If you borrow a book and don't return it, the pages are charmed to go blank and it becomes useless. If the book lands in the hands of someone it's charmed to be protected against (muggles, enemies of the family), same thing happen, or worse (like it sets itself on fire). (imagine Remus touching a book Sirius brought with him and it starts screaming at him because it's charmed against beasts). Walburga is the only one who's allowed into specific parts of the Dark Magic section, because she's petty like that, and at a certain point she extended the access onto Regulus as well when he asked very nicely. If you try to enter the restricted section without permission or take a book from it, the gargoyle statues wake up and attack you. Or like... plants, ivies? suddenly grow taller, grab you by the limbs. Fun. Lots of room for imagination. Love libraries.

This is a fun one :D Classism, number 1, above anything. Snape's Worst Memory happens when they're all around 16, nearing 17. There are no poor people in Sirius' immediate proximity, he is not exposed to that in any way. James is a rich pure-blood, Peter is presumably not from a poor family either. Now, Remus - people tend to forget - is only poor as an adult; as a kid, his dad also comes from a pure-blooded family with enough wealth, they are not Blacks or Potters-level rich, but Remus did not grow up poor. Snape is poor by muggle standards, not like the Weasleys who are poor for the Malfoys but can still afford to dress, feed and send all their kids to school, and travel to Egypt. Growing up like this, it shapes your entire personality. Neither of the MWPP seem to even remotely acknowledge that. Every Snape vs Marauders interaction in canon just.... drips with classism. The comments about his clothes, his nose, his appearance, calling him names. I think if Snape was a pure-blooded, rich, attractive guy, this dynamic would look so so different. Intellectualism, number 2. Sirius is not just smart, he is effortlessly smart. Going back to SWM in canon, James and Sirius in particular keep making fun of Peter for not getting things, or having difficulty with the exam. They both have the kind of gifted intelligence where they don't have to work hard for it like Peter or Remus, I think Sirius at 16 years old still does not understand that some people genuinely struggle with concepts that seem easy and effortless to him. "how can you not get something so simple?"; "don't be an idiot!" number 3, let's just call it popular guy syndrome? James and Sirius both have this issue - they are both very popular from day one, their names are recognizable, they are good at school, good at Quidditch, girls adore them, they are very attractive, very magically powerful... Just the whole package. They do have the whole bully aspect to them, even if it's not on purpose, it gives off a feeling that's a little intimidating to other students. I think that while James would try to use it in favor of making others feel more welcome, become a captain, head boy, etc, Sirius would be a little more reserved, more picky about who he lets into his inner circle, more mean to people he does not like who "want in" on their inside jokes and projects that he considers private. He will be very protective of his little friend group, which will come off a bit as a mean, intimidating popular guy.

Oh my GOD. This. This one right here, is something I love exploring SO much and NEVER see anywhere. Because this would be a thing, I think this would be their biggest and only fall-out, during the war, because James is SUCH a "black and white" kind of guy, while Sirius is literally Mr. "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters, Harry". James would be 100% against Unforgivables, against torture, a "we are not like them" kind of person, while Sirius is a "fight fire with fire" and "an eye for an eye" kind of fighter. I can see them having this argument all the time, the "if we don't kill them back, we will never win" argument vs "if we do that, we become just like them". Therefore, situations where they catch a Death Eater, for instance, and Sirius wants to use more unconventional methods of torture, so they keep arguing. Or using curses that kill (not necessary Avada, but powerful explosions, fire, curses bordering on dark magic) during battles. I would love to see one particular instance of it when James chooses a light spell, and the guy survives and later severely injures and almost kills one of them, so Sirius kills him. So they keep going back and forth between "if you just weren't so stubborn and self-righteous, and killed him on spot, this would not have happened!" and "this is not the way, I barely recognize you anymore!"

This is so long, I'm sorryyyy ;;w;;

[thebiggestnope]

Bunkbeds After Dark

Summer Camp AU Drabble. NSFT. Minors Scram. CW: Male masturbation Elena belongs to @prophetic-hijinks. Gus, Hernando, and Paola belong to @rinnysega. Javi belongs to @sionnaach. Check out all the Summer Camp AU (and other unhinged AU content) on @splat-precipice

Bruno couldn’t sleep. Judging by how long he’d been lying awake, staring into the darkness in his cabin, it must be about one in the morning. One thing that was nice about being this deep in the woods was how little light came in through the windows this far from civilization. The two sets of bunk beds in the room were awash in twinkling starlight. If Bruno hadn’t been so distracted, he might think it was pretty.

But Bruno’s mind was on other things. Summer camp was already a challenging place for maintaining wholesome thoughts – you couldn’t put that many people in short shorts and expect everyone to keep a clear head – but Bruno was struggling particularly hard tonight. Emphasis on the hard: Earlier that day, he’d knocked Elena into the lake, and he’d been treated to a view of her white t-shirt clinging to her spectacular breasts as she’d emerged from the water. The image was burned into his mind, and now he was having an awful lot of trouble getting his erection to subside long enough for him to fall asleep. 

He tossed and turned in frustration. He’d been doing his best to avoid masturbating in the cabin. With three roommates, it was perhaps the least private place for him to take care of himself in the entire camp. Even the mess hall was reliably empty for several hours a day. Besides, given how busy Paola and Hernando were keeping him in the boathouse, he was usually getting his needs attended to.

But as he thought again of Elena’s purple bikini top revealing itself through her soaked shirt, he knew it couldn’t be helped. Listening carefully to the sounds of his bunkmates snoring, he wriggled his way out of his sleep shorts, turned so he was face down, and positioned a pillow under his hips. He made an indentation in the soft material so that it would nestle around his cock as he thrust into it, and already the friction felt incredible on his sensitive skin. He needed to come so badly. This was fine, right? He’d be quiet and quick and he’d be very careful not to wake Gus, who was asleep in the bunk below him. 

He took hold of the edge of the mattress, closed his eyes, and got to work.

-----

Gus awoke from dreaming that he was at sea.

He’d been imagining a gentle rocking of waves lapping against a boat as he lay in the hull, peacefully looking out at the mountains across the water. 

But while the view of the mountains evaporated as he regained consciousness, the rocking feeling didn’t. Gus realized that the bunk was swaying. He briefly wondered if it was an earthquake, but he was pretty sure that earthquakes didn’t come with quite so much heavy breathing. Somewhere above him, he heard Bruno taking quick, labored breaths, and Gus realized what was happening.

What the fuck. Gus was annoyed. He had to wake up early to coach a soccer game, and now he had to miss out on his precious sleep so his annoying roommate could get himself off. Wasn’t Bruno getting enough action as it was? Everyone knew about him and his trips to the boathouse. This was so inconsiderate of him. Just like a spoiled rich kid not to think about the other people in the cabin. Gus lifted his leg, readying himself to give a powerful soccer kick to the mattress above him, when he heard Bruno let out a soft whimper into the darkness. 

Gus paused. Hmm. That noise… did something to him. There was something undeniably hot about that snooty nerd being so horny, so desperate, that he was up there making the whole bunkbed oscillate in rhythm with his need.

He thought about Bruno parading around camp in his little shorts, his long, slender legs on display, and Gus could feel himself getting turned on picturing Bruno moving above him. Gus realized that, ya know what? He could be convinced to join in.

He heard another ragged exhale from above him, and Gus considered himself fully convinced.

Gus pulled down his pajama pants, took himself in hand, and started to stroke. 

-----

The images in Bruno’s brain were coming at him fast: Elena pulling her t-shirt off and letting him glimpse at all the skin underneath. Hernando holding him steady in his big arms. Paola’s thick thighs on either side of his face. Gus running across the soccer field, sweaty in his jersey. He gripped the sheets, rutting harder into his pillow. Just a few more moments…

He paused to listen, to doublecheck that everyone was still asleep before he let himself fuck his pillow to his finish, and realized that he no longer heard Gus’s rhythmic breathing below him.

Gus, to his horror, was awake.

Had Gus heard him? Was he caught? Bruno didn’t think he’d be able to stop. He needed release so badly, and if he had to stop now there was no way he’d ever get to sleep. He laid on his stomach, biting his lip, trying to still his breathing long enough to figure out what to do next. 

Then he heard a slick, rhythmic skin-on-skin sound and a faint, almost imperceptible grunt in Gustavo’s voice, and Bruno almost blacked out. Was Gus – was Gus doing the same thing?

He pictured the slice of Gus’s abs the camp always got to see when Gus lifted the hem of his soccer jersey to wipe his brow, and pictured the way Gus’s bulge would swing when he ran. Bruno resumed his thrusting.

-----

Gus’s soft grunts of encouragement to Bruno could be, if anyone asked, just noises he was making while he dreamed. None of this was actually happening. None of it counted. He was just… doing stuff in his sleep. He thought about Bruno above him and tugged his foreskin in time with the sway of the bedframe. What was he doing up there that made the bed move so damn much? He pictured Bruno’s slim hips twitching hard enough to move Gus below him, pictured what Bruno’s face must look like right now. The pace was picking up; Bruno must be getting closer. Maybe his cheeks were red. Maybe he was biting his lip. 

Gus let other images flare through his head. He pictured Viv’s lovely, broad shoulders and thought about what she would look like bent over and moaning his name on the dining room table in the mess hall. He thought about Adriana’s muscular legs and pictured her pushing him backwards into a canoe, demonstrating just how good she was with the rope they used to tie the vessels to the pier. He thought about –

He thought about getting caught, as Javi’s snoring abruptly stopped, and both he and Bruno froze.

-----

Bruno couldn’t take it anymore. He was so close. If Javi woke up, he’d have to go on a midnight stroll and finish himself off under the starlight. Hell, maybe Gus would come with him. Bruno’s cock throbbed at the thought, which didn’t help the aching, undeniable need pulsing through Bruno’s entire body.

It also didn’t help that he could hear Gus’s heated inhales and exhales below him, as Gus struggled to cool himself and stay quiet. Bruno surmised that Gus must be pretty close too, and the thought made him rock his hips involuntarily into the pillow, creating a small tremor in the bedframe that, if Bruno heard right, made Gus breath harder into the darkness.

They both lay there paralyzed, on the verge of coming, silently praying for Javi’s snores to begin again. When they did, Bruno thanked god and anyone else who might be listening – which, hopefully, was only Gus – and bucked hard into the soft fabric of his pillowcase, his eyes rolling back into his head as he began to spurt. He ground all his weight downward as he came into the depression he’d made in the pillow and finally got the release he so desperately needed.

-----

Gus swayed with the motion of Bruno’s orgasm, Bruno all but shouting at him the exact speed and rhythm he liked when he came. Gaining that secret knowledge would have been enough to push Gus off the precipice had he not already been struggling to keep himself from tumbling off of it. He’d been so close when Javi had stopped snoring that he’d only managed to keep his orgasm at bay by biting his lip hard enough to taste blood. He’d nearly groaned in relief when Javi seemed fully asleep again, and the moment Javi had snored again he’d pumped himself hard and let cum dribble over his fist. Normally he would have grabbed a sock or something to catch his seed, but he was too far gone, too afraid of risking another close call with making the mattresses creak anymore than it already was.

Gus caught his breath, and knew Bruno was doing the same above him. He tugged his shirt off and used it to wipe himself clean. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to tease Bruno with a view of him waking up shirtless in the morning. Either way, he looked forward to meeting Bruno’s eye on the soccer field tomorrow, and wondered if he’d be treated to more dreams of swaying ships. After all, it was still early in the summer, and Gus was a light sleeper.

[princessfbi]

In your stories, you mention or play with Buck not talking or being unable to, an in/voluntary mutism, might we see more of that in future fics?

I'm sorry this took me a hot second to respond to Nonnie but I wanted to give it my full attention and I've been thinking about it since you sent this in!

Yes! Yes, you will absolutely be seeing that in future fics. Buck is such a large, room filling personality and the exploration of his silence is such a rich, unknown frontier that I plan on exploring for all of time. The in/voluntary mutism is something that's kind of a fundamental component to my understanding of Buck as a whole (and in particular my conclusions regarding his anxiety/stutter as talked about here). Given the emotional neglect he suffered that I suspected from day one, I always imagined he'd grown up in earlier situations where he was either talked over, ignored, or received negative reinforcements towards his inherent curiosity of the world. (No I will not forget that Margaret said, “Don’t be stupid, Evan.” any time soon.)

It's why one of my earlier HCs in my fics like in Waving Through A Window was that Buck was possibly a "shy" kid growing up (and even the use of that word comes from a place of misunderstanding his issues to communicate as shown in Buckley Bookshop AU). But I also think Buck doesn't realize how much of a bright spot in the group he is so when he gets shut down, I don't think one: he realizes he does it nor do I think two: he realizes when other people notice.

I also recognized earlier on (even before we knew about Daniel) that Buck was probably one of those kids growing up who was constantly told to "be quiet" and "you talk so much much" and "you're yelling" that he learned to retreat into the muteness as a coping mechanism. Sometimes I push him a little more into that retreat (like in Tortured Musician Buck!AU ) and then other times I keep it a little more an immediate result of trauma in like I Know We Didn't Choose to Change but that was also used as a wee bit of symbolism about the way we tend to silence victims even when our intentions are well meaning.

You know Oliver is such a great actor in understanding the script and the emphasis he puts on beats in Buck's dialogue but even as early as season one we got to see how much he understood Buck as a whole even when he wasn't talking. His expressions take such a journey like when he was sitting at the table after losing Devon and Athena comes in or when he wakes up and realizes what's happened after he choked on the bread. Like I'm sure someone could come up with a gif set of all the times we got see Buck's emotional depth play out through Oliver's face alone in scenes where he has minimal to almost no dialogue. He is always a hundred percent present in a scene and reactive not just to his scene partners but also the dialogue and overall story.

[kaeyastopmakingicepuns]

Hey, I suck at writing fics that have a plot, so here's a little Diluc x Reader prompt, for anyone who wants it.

It occurred to me that Diluc's character had been MADE for a fake!married trope, and this scene popped into my head, but I didn't know how to go further with it, so if anyone wants to continue it, or use it for inspiration, please be my guest! :)

Diluc x Reader Fake!Married AU

"There you are," you said, paying no mind to your fancy clothes as you plopped yourself down on the dusty floor to lean against the cold, stone wall of the wine cellar. You had found Diluc right where you had expected to whenever the winery held these public festivals.

Diluc, seated on the ground next to you, merely grunted in response, taking a swig from the glass bottle he held before he nestled it back into its place in the crook of his arm.

"People are looking for you, ya know," you commented idly.

Another grunt. Honestly, having a conversation with this man could be like pulling teeth at times. It was a good thing that you had known him long enough to have learned that once you did get him talking, Mondstadt’s grumpiest bartender was actually a huge softie with a droll sense of humor that never failed to have you clutching your sides with laughter at least once or twice before he inevitably clammed up again.

“There’s a new bard in town.” You tried again. “Goes by the name ‘Dandelion.’ Wants to woo you with a special poem he wrote just for you.”

And yet another grunt punctuated by a long swig from the bottle. Time for drastic measures.

“Hey!” Diluc cried, uttering the first word you’d heard from him all evening as you snatched the bottle from his hand and helped yourself to its contents. You lowered the bottle as soon as the drink hit your tongue and spat the sip you had taken to the side.

“This is just stale grape juice,” you said in disgust. Honestly, you should have known, but the way he was nursing the drink had you convinced it was something stronger.

Diluc rolled his eyes as a plucked the bottle out of your grip. “Wait ‘til you find out what wine is,” he remarked drily.

You laughed. There was the Diluc whose company you had sought out. “Connor would cry in shame if he ever heard you say that.”

Diluc winced. “Please don’t tell him,” he pleaded.

“Of course not,” you agreed. “No way I could break his heart like that.” You grabbed the bottle again and took a proper drink this time. Now that you were expecting the sweeter beverage, it was actually quite good. Dawn winery didn’t get its reputation for nothing, its grape juice was just as good as its wine.

“How much longer do you suppose I have?” Diluc asked with a grimace as you passed the bottle back to him.

“What, before they come bursting down here trying to marry you off to their sons or daughters? Oh, not long at all,” you teased, accepting the bottle as he passed it back to you.

Diluc groaned. “Archons, I hate this. I wish they’d just leave me alone.”

You gesture in his direction, using the neck of the bottle to point at him, ignoring the way the juice sloshed around dangerously inside, threatening to spill on Diluc, who leaned away from your waving arms with a frown. “You know what you need to do?” you asked playfully. “You need to get fake married.”

Instead of laughing at your joke, Diluc’s brow scrunched up in puzzlement. “I need to get what?”

You sighed. Leave it to Diluc to not be aware of classic story clichés. “You know, disappear for a week or two, then return with some pretty thing on your arm and just tell everybody that you’ve eloped.”

Diluc scowled. “But I don’t want to get eloped.”

Archons, but he was lucky he was pretty. Diluc was generally an incredibly smart guy, but sometimes the way he failed to employ common sense baffled you. Like when he had used slime bait near his own vineyard and had to fight off a few curious slimes every few hours for a week.  Still, being (secretly) big of heart and dumb of ass was what made Diluc, well, Diluc, and you wouldn't have him any other way.

“You wouldn’t actually get eloped,” you explained slowly. “You would just pretend to. You and whatever idiot you persuaded to be your fake spouse would know, but no one else would. That way, you get to be free from all the hassle of being a bachelor, and some lucky sucker gets to, I dunno, live in the manor rent free, or something. I’m not really sure what you would offer them to make it equitable, but I’m sure you can think of something, you’re rich, after all.”

It seemed Diluc still wasn’t getting the joke as, judging from the contemplative look on his face, he was actually giving the idea some serious thought. “That... might actually work,” he said thoughtfully.

Of course he would think this was a good plan, this was the same guy who thought it would be better if the city of Mondstadt was attacked from two fronts at the same time, rather than him revealing himself as the city’s so-called ‘Dark Knight Hero.’

“There is something you do have to be very careful of, though,” you said gravely, schooling your expression into something serious.

Diluc looked at you with concern. “What?”

“You have to make sure you pick someone whom you will absolutely not fall in love with, and will not fall in love with you under any circumstances,” You said. finally passing the grape juice back to him as you realized you were still holding it. Diluc took it and set it on the floor between you. “That’s how these things always go, someone falls in love with the other one and suddenly bam!” You punched your hand into your fist for emphasis, pleased to see that Diluc had been listening to you intently enough that he started a little. “The whole scheme goes up in smoke,” you said dramatically.

Diluc rolled his eyes. “Someone I won’t fall in love with?” he repeated. “How about you?”

“Ouch!” You put your hand to your chest in mock offense. That was clearly payback for making him jump.

Something flickered behind Diluc’s eyes and you hurried to make a teasing remark, knowing that if Diluc thought he had actually hurt your feelings his social awkwardness would instantly turn him back into Mr. Tall, Dark, Silent, and Brooding.

“And you call yourself a gentleman,” you said, lightly shoving his arm.

Diluc smirked back at you, visibly relaxing as soon as he was reassured you weren’t actually insulted. “I can be a gentleman,” he said, “when the situation calls for it.”

“I’ve never seen it,” you scoffed.

“Do you want to?” he asked, raising an eyebrow curiously.

You did, weirdly enough. At least a little. But rather than say that you snorted and said, “Archons, no.”

“I thought as much,” Diluc said confidently. He picked up the bottle again and finished it off, before giving you a sidelong glance. “You didn’t say ‘no.’“

“I didn’t,” you admitted. But that didn’t mean you were saying yes. After all, there had to be a reason this stuff only happened in stories, right? It’s not like this kind of game could work if attempted in real life.

“How would it even work?” you asked. “I mean, this kind of thing can only stay a secret for so long. It just takes one person learning the truth, and suddenly everyone knows. And it’s not like you can just explain away the fact that we have separate bedrooms to your staff, so that right there is where it all starts to fall apart.”

“No, it’s not.,” Diluc insisted. “It’s not at all uncommon for a husband and wife to have separate rooms. Royals do it all the time.”

You barked out a laugh. “Oh, so you’re royalty now? I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize you took that ‘uncrowned king of Mondstadt’ thing so seriously. And all this time I’ve been calling you by your first name. Is ‘your majesty’ too informal when we’re alone? Is it to be ‘His Esteemed Royal Highness, Diluc Ragnvindr of the Grape-Growing-Greats’ at all times?”

Diluc sighed. “Stop that, I just meant it’s not without precedent. My parents had separate rooms here when I was a kid, it’s not unthinkable.”

You blinked. You hadn’t known that. “They did?”

“Yeah,” he said. “They rarely made use of both of them, but they did. It’s expected of nobility, somewhat.”

Huh. There might be something to this plan, after all.

“And you still haven’t said ‘no,’“ Diluc said.

You hadn’t. Were you actually considering this?

“If you lived at the winery, you wouldn’t have to walk down here from Mondstadt every day,” he pointed out casually. Damn him for knowing your one weak point-- your hatred for your daily commute.

You were saved from having to answer by the torch on the wall going out with a pop, plunging the two of you into darkness. You squeaked and instinctively grabbed onto Diluc’s arm.

“Sorry,” Diluc said. “It must be a faulty torch. That’s the third time it’s gone out this week. I’ll get it.”

You felt Diluc wave his hand, and the torch flared back to life, illuminating the small corner of the cellar once again.

“Thanks,” you said, letting go of Diluc’s arm, wondering at the way Diluc’s face seemed to flare blight red in the glow of the firelight.

Suddenly, your eyes widened. “Archons, Diluc, you’re on fire again!” Was there a single pyro vision wielder in all of Teyvat that had mastered the art of not setting themselves on fire whenever they used their vision?

Diluc swore under his breath and began frantically patting his arm in an attempt to smother the flames. You helped, and, between the two of you, managed to get the small flame put out in a matter of seconds. Just another day at Dawn Winery.

Diluc stood, making sure there were no other embers lying around that could burn the whole manor down. “I should get back to the party,” he grumbled, offering you a hand to help you to your feet.

You followed him up the stairs, your earlier conversation seemingly forgotten. You were confidant that once the pressure from the party was gone the next morning, Diluc would never bring up the thought again, and you would both carry on with your lives.

But, still, neither of you had said ‘no.’

[erisluna35ocblog]

Reverse AU: The Good Guys

Fiona is the Ladybug for this AU. Haven't come up with a name for her yet.

Blake is the Chat Noir for this AU. Also doesn't have a hero name yet.

They stay platonic though. Fiona's still got something going on with Keagan. While Blake sees Fiona as even more like a sister to him since he got separated from Blair and Fiona is the most sister coded person he's stuck with for prolonged periods of time.

It doesn't help that they started off as a team of four with the Aurelio cousins dropping in as an akuma and as a Butterfly rather than as a duo, so their relationship never got to be as intimate as ShizuBlair's version of the LadyNoir partnership.

Keagan is still kind of an investigative reporter. However, there's now more emphasis on him being the rich mayor's son. He pretends to be a dumb hedonistic party guy with no talent for fencing. Little do the Supreme know, he's Lorelei's go-to combat akuma and is a hacker for the Resistance.

Lorelei is the big good, current head of the Resistance. She descended from a long line of people running the Resistance, all the way back to Adrinette.

Initially, it was just her, a few of her friends (her husband who died so she could escape with her secrets, Mrs. Liung and grandma Hisui), her son Leo, and her nephew Keagan who found a way to contact them discreetly.

Fiona joined in, lead to the group by Keagan. Keagan was initially just trying to convince Fiona to stay away from certain people so her family doesn't get pocketed by the Supreme (like his is) or worse, recruit her (like a certain bodyguard keeping tabs on him). He's doing what he could to prevent the Supreme from getting any more powerful.

But one thing led to another and Lorelei decides this girl had what it takes to be the next Ladybug (instead of her son, whom she'd rather stay safe and away from the front lines as the next Butterfly).

Blake joined in a couple of years before Fiona. Its cause he overheard Mrs. Liung talking to Lorelei, who can't get in contact with the rising model Blair. They can't reach her no matter how many strings they pulled, which is really saying something as one was a former celebrity and the other is the mayor's sister-in-law. They suspect the Supreme had something to do with it. This is why Blake joined the Resistance.

Mrs. Liung couldn't talk him out beyond getting trained first before jumping into the field. There's that and the Supreme tried to get rid of them and framed it as the Resistance's doing, so now they had no choice but to fight back and hidevwith the resistance.

Mr. and Mrs. Crawford were also members of the Resistance until they got caught and were snuffed out... yeah, Blake has plenty of reasons to be angry at the Supreme here and its why he's a bigger grouch in this au than in the main mlb au.

Grandma Hisui (real name: Haruji Tate) was one of the kids the Resistance saved from the Supreme, hence, why the Turtle Miraculous is with them. She left her daughter behind in Japan thinking she'd be safe there. Little did she know, the Supreme had influence there too, through the Tsurugis.

Some people are helping the Resistance but not on a regular basis. The Hale Clinic patches them up during the period when they didn't have a Ladybug. The Guerreros were one of the few rich families who heeded their warning and saw how horrible a deal with the Supreme is. So in gratitude, they let them hide in their property owned by their real estate business. Talia and Damien, being from those families the resistance helped, helps them out whenever they could.

Vincent Liung may be the turtle in this AU, trained by Hisui.

That's about it on everyone actively supporting the Resistance for now.

[fairytalesdoexist23]

The World Meets Nancy Hudson - 1

Inspired by and dedicated to Crissy622 on the clue crew discord server! Thank you so much for coming up with the idea for an au episode where Lucy and Ryan raised Nancy! And for allowing me to steal your idea and make it my own. This was such an easy chapter for me to write, and I absolutely could not have done it without your amazing idea!

Also big thanks to my tag list: @turtleduck-enthusiast, @faithfire, @simply-simptastic, for showing their interest in this fic and giving me even more motivation to write because of their excitement!

Disclaimer: I don’t own Nancy Drew, and all mistakes are my own.

Chapter One: The Predicament of the Heir

Lucy looked at her newborn baby in Kate and Carson’s arms before turning back toward the sea, her baby would be better off with them, a stable loving home. Ryan wanted nothing to do with her, and his family even less. She looked down imagining everyone’s life without her before moving closer to the edge. Her foot slipped on a wet part of the cliff, and she felt herself start to tumble over…

A strong hand gripped her and pulled her back up, Kate smiled at her, “it’s going to be okay.”

Nancy rolled over in her new bed, it still felt too big and too soft, if that makes any sense at all? She pulled on her Claw uniform and headed downstairs for breakfast. She stopped in her tracks when the only person in the huge Hudson mansion dining room was her grandfather, Everett. He was reading the paper and drinking some orange juice at the huge table. A nice spread of food, made by the Hudson’s staff on the table looked nice and appetizing, but she hesitated in the doorway anyway. “Are you going to stand there forever?” Everett inquired. Nancy rolled her eyes, “No I just don’t have that much time before work.” She said putting a big emphasis on work. Everett harumphed, but she didn’t get a rise out of him. Ever since her parents and her had moved back in with Ryan’s parents, he had made it clear what he thought of his granddaughter working and putting off applying to college. Bit rich Nancy thought, since he never wanted her to exist in the first place.

Kate and Carson took Lucy and newborn Nancy back to their house. Lucy still had no idea how to tell her mother and brother that she had a child now, and she for sure was never going to tell Ryan, after what he said in his last email, and then missing their planned meeting. “You can stay with us.” Kate assured her, “for as long as you need.” Lucy had no idea how to repay them and was so grateful, but still felt the urge that maybe she should have gone over that cliff. “You’re going to be a great mom” Kate whispered to her, before ushering her and Nancy into one of their guest rooms. “I’m going on a supply run to get things for Nancy.” Carson said, before running out to get a crib, diapers and other essentials. Lucy sat down on the bed, and looked at the newborn in her arms, “alright little girl” She whispered. “it’s you and me.”

Nancy stopped by the auto shop before work to see Nick. “Hey Uncle Josh,” she said upon seeing her uncle hard at work when she entered. “Is Nick upstairs?” “Yeah.” Josh replied, engrossed in his work. “But he’s with someone” he said. “Someone came by to see him.” “Oh?” Nancy said stopping in her tracks. “Yeah, I didn’t recognize her.” Josh said. “Well, I won’t bother him then.” Nancy said, “I’ve got to get to work anyway, thanks Uncle Josh.” “Sure.” Josh said, he seemed kind of distracted. “Hey um…” he called out after her, as she was almost to the door. “You know I love you kid, right? I want what’s best for you.” Nancy smiled sadly. “I know Uncle Josh, I’m sure Mom will apologize soon, this ugliness will be over.” “Yeah.” Josh said with a sigh. “I wish I could get you guys out from the Hudson’s thumb somehow…” “Don’t forget” Nancy said. “I’m a Hudson too, I can handle them.” “You’re also a Sable” Josh reminded her. “That’s the part of you that you should hold on to.”

Ryan finally made it away from boarding school, the night after Lucy was crowned Sea Queen. He hoped Lucy wasn’t too mad at him for not making it to their spot last night, but he couldn’t get away. She had stopped emailing him back, but maybe he could make some sort of grand gesture once he saw her in person. He stopped by her house first, but Patrice said that she never came home last night. He stopped by the ice cream parlor, although he didn’t know why she would be there now, since he stood her up there last night. Finally, he decided to try her friend Karen’s house. “Hi, I’m looking for Lucy” he said when Karen answered the door. “We’re not exactly speaking at the moment” Karen said not bothering to keep the contempt out of her voice. “Look I know you don’t like me…” Ryan said. “That’s an understatement.” Karen said. “Why can’t you see you’re toxic for Lucy? She’d be much better off if you and your family weren’t in her life.” “I’m just trying to find her.” Ryan said. “Again, hell if I know where she is” Karen said, slamming the door in his face.

“Wow not late for once” George said upon Nancy’s entrance to The Claw. “All your rich girl friends die or something?” “Ha ha.” Nancy said, not amused. “I need you to work late tonight.” George said. “I’m supposed to go see the fireworks…” Nancy protested. “You can think of it as a makeup, for all those times you were late.” George said. Nancy sighed. She pulled out her phone to text her godfather, Carson.

Nancy: Sorry have to work late, going to miss the fireworks. But I’ll see if Dad or Mom could accompany you?

Carson: That’s okay, wanted to skip anyway. It’s not the same.

Nancy: I know but you shouldn’t have to grieve alone.

Carson: Don’t worry about me kiddo, I’ll be okay.

Nancy wasn’t sure what to say to reply, of course she was worried about him, he recently lost his wife to cancer, when she heard a crash. “I’ll help you clean up Bess.” She heard Ace say from the kitchen. She rolled her eyes, same old Ace and Bess.

After what felt like forever searching for Lucy, and trying to email and call her, Ryan finally remembered that Lucy mentioned becoming closer with her guidance counselor as things were getting bad. He hesitated at the front door of the Drew residence before knocking. Carson, his father’s lawyer, answered the door. “You’re looking for Lucy.” He said, it didn’t sound like a question, but Ryan nodded anyway. “I’ll see if she wants to talk to you.” Carson said. “Come on in.”

Nancy felt like her work shift was never ending, and wished it would pass sooner. Maybe she should have called her mom to go check on Carson, even if he didn’t want to watch the fireworks. It didn’t help that there was a storm, and that the Claw was basically dead. She pulled her phone out of her pocket, and set it up to record the fireworks. Maybe Carson would change his mind and the four of them could watch it later, in honor of Kate. Although she barely knew if her dad would have any time since he spent all his time now working for Everett’s company. As if thinking of her dad summoned him, Ryan entered the Claw with what she assumed was business partners and people he was trying to make a deal with. Ugh, she had told him to stop bringing business meetings here, it seems like he was forcing his way back into her life, like that could ease the newfound problems with their relationship. She ducked back into the kitchen. “George” she whispered. “What Hudson?” George asked. “Can you take the table?” She asked. “I just need a minute.” “What table?” George asked. “I was going to close early because of the weather.” “It’s my dad,” Nancy said. “Ugh fine.” George said rolling her eyes. “I guess he’s never heard of other restaurants.”

Ryan sat awkwardly in the Drew living room while Carson went upstairs to get Lucy. The living room was strewn with diapers and baby toys, and a half-finished crib. Did the Drews have a baby? Ryan couldn’t remember. Lucy came downstairs without Carson, but he could still hear Carson upstairs, it sounded like he was trying to soothe someone. “What are you doing here?’ Lucy asked angrily. “I’ll back off and never speak to you again, I got your message loud and clear.” “What?” Ryan asked. “I’m sorry I missed our meet-up yesterday, I couldn’t get away, look I know how scary my dad is, but I did want to see you, and if you’re still in, I’m still in. I love you.” It was Lucy’s turn to look shocked. “What about your last email? You called me a....” She trailed off, and mouthed the bad word at him. “I didn’t say that.” Ryan said. “I would never call you that.” “Oh” Lucy said sinking down on the couch next to him. “In that case, I have something I have to tell you.”

Nancy took a deep breath before bringing over the drinks to her dad’s table. Its not that she minded that he always wanted to introduce her to his business partners, he always sounded really proud of her, no matter what Everett said about her working here, it was just the only time they talked and he seemed to think that was enough. Before her dad went back to her grandfather’s company, they had the closest relationship. But now… Everything had felt off since her godmother Kate died, and then to make matters worse, her parents just decided to move in with Everett and Celia without consulting her. And even worse, they abandoned Carson right when he needed them the most. “Hi, your drinks.” She said to the table, placing everyone’s drinks in front of them. “Hi honey.” Ryan said. “Everyone I want you to meet my incredible, brilliant, beautiful daughter, Nancy. She’s the Claw’s best employee, I guess someone was able to teach her the value of hard work.” Nancy nodded and smiled and shook everyone at the table’s hand. Hard work, like running back to your daddy’s blood money with no explanation?

“How did you even hide that for nine months?” It was Ryan’s turn to be angry. He got up off the couch and paced around the room. “And in all of that time, you didn’t think to send a message that said Hey I’m pregnant? Its yours?!?” “Well I was going to tell you yesterday” Lucy said getting defensive. “Literally the day you had my baby?” Ryan asked. “Our child? Emphasis on our?” Lucy brushed a tear away that fell down her cheek. “I wanted to but your dad he threatened my life, he didn’t want me in your life. It feels like no one does, like I shouldn’t even be here.” That was enough to get Ryan to stop pacing around the room. “That’s not true.” Ryan said. “I want you here, I love you. I’m sorry, we’ll get through this together, my dad and parenthood and everything. We’re in this together.” He squeezed Lucy’s hand. “Together.” Lucy agreed. “Do you want to meet your daughter?”

Nancy walked back into the kitchen. It seemed that Ace had just abandoned Ryan’s salad, on the counter to go help Bess with a spill. Well, at least it would be impossible for him to get Ryan’s order wrong, since he ordered the same thing every time. She grabbed it along with everyone else’s orders and brought it over to the table. “Thanks sweetie.” Ryan said, taking a big bite of his salad. “Delicious as always.” Nancy smiled at him and headed back to sit in the kitchen. After they had finished their meal, and what Nancy assumed was a good deal for Hudson Enterprises, Ryan came back into the kitchen to talk to her. “Look I know you don’t really like when I bring business here…” he started. “I don’t really like you doing this business at all Dad.” Nancy said, not keeping the anger out of her voice. “I know sweetie.” Ryan said. “Hopefully it will be all over soon.” “What do you mean?” Nancy asked. “Are you leaving Hudson enterprises?” Ryan blinked at her and swayed on his feet a little. “Dad, are you okay?” Nancy asked. “Yeah, just feeling a little off suddenly.” He said. “I have some Tylenol in my car.” Nancy said handing him the keys. “Why don’t you go grab some? You never remember to take any when you feel bad.” “Yeah, thanks sweetie.” Ryan said. “Love you.”

Lucy brought Ryan upstairs to where Carson was taking care of Nancy. “Wow that’s her.” Ryan said awestruck. Carson handed her to him, and Nancy wrapped her hand around Ryan’s finger. “My little girl.” Ryan whispered. “You’re never going to go through what I went through with my father.”

The rest of Ryan’s table sat talking and laughing, but it seemed like it was taking forever for Ryan to run out to the car, so Nancy stepped outside to check on him. “Dad?’ She called out. “Dad?” Her car looked untouched, but it was hard to tell with the storm. Something felt off, like an unnatural presence. She approached the driver’s side of the car, that when she noticed someone face down in the parking lot. Her dad. “Dad?’ She said more urgent this time, trying to shake him awake. “Dad?”

A/N: Thanks for reading! Hope you all don’t hate me too much for immediately poisoning Ryan. He is an important part of this fic, I promise, and his relationship with Lucy and them raising Nancy will be the driving force of the flashbacks! I’m not sure how many chapters it will be, but I do have an end in mind, so stay tuned. Please let me know if you want to be added to the tag list, or if you want to take yourself off (if its not your vibe I totally get it).

Chapter 2: https://fairytalesdoexist23.tumblr.com/post/667427942491701248/the-world-meets-nancy-hudson-2

[sparklingchan]

Tipsy Turvy || Choi San(Ateez)

Pairing : Reader (fem.) x Choi San

Word count : 5k+

Warnings : Cuss words , alcohol , hangover , mentions of over drinking, not proof read.

Genre : Fluff , a tiny bit of angst , romance , friends to lovers au.

Description : You have a complicated relationship with San , and the alcohol in your system makes it worse ( or better).

Author's Note : So with all honesty , I have NO idea how people behave when drunk so I searched it up and wrote this 90%  based on that ( and 10% on  my friends’ advice). I hope at least one of y’all get the horrible pun in the title  -_-

Please do reblog , like and comment if you like this. My DMs are also open so if you want to gimme a review , feel free.

Enjoy!

The coffee in the cup must have gone cold by now, because the moment you touch it’s surface ,you don't feel the same sting as you did a few minutes ago.

Not that it tasted good anyway. You're almost glad you didn't have to drink it but maybe, right now, you could use a sip or two to spare yourself a few seconds of peace.

"The coffee is wonderful, isn't it? It's my favorite one." The man in front of you - Mike - needs to seriously give you a break, or else there will be blood on the streets. Literally, "I'm glad you like it."

Does he not see the clearly disgusted look on your face ? Or was he so sure you'd like this drink just because he ordered it without even asking you?

"Yeah ,its fine." You sigh , touching your lips to the mouth of the cup and then putting it back down. You're not drinking that already tasteless and now cold coffee. No way.

"So ,y/n, since we're expected to give our parents an answer after this date, I'd like to know about your opinions first . And please be honest. I would hate to upset you." He says , scratching his chin .

Your eyes widen at the unexpected string of words. This is the first time since this stupid date began that he actually asked your opinion on anything.

"Well," you begin, your mind filling up with tons of words that you'd waited patiently to let out , "Marriage is a big decision. At least for me. And this is all too fast. I just hope we have enough time to know each other before our parents set the date."

He nods his head , “ I agree, I agree. Its important . Right."

You furrow your brows. His reaction seems very forced. Like he really didn't agree with you , but for the sake of it , he's agreeing.

"And what kind of qualities do you look for in a man,y/n?" You want to roll your eyes at the question but you pull your lips up in a smile, not quiet touching your eyes but enough to convince him. You wonder why he was trying so hard to save a date that had been going downhill from the moment he sat down in front of you. You guys clearly didn't like each other, and the spark was missing.

A spark you'd only ever felt with one person.

"Its difficult to describe ideal types but yeah,I'd like someone who's compatible with me and loving and well.. obviously respectful." You say. Mike chuckles at your answer , as if amused by it, "I was expecting you to say you wanted someone who's rich and handsome like...me , honestly. But it's alright." You wonder if he actually hears himself because he really sounded like a self absorbed piece of shit right now. And you'd really do anything to escape from this date.

"Well , I guess not. " you reply with a chuckle. In all honesty, you yourself don't know what your ideal type is. It's not about the conditions or requirements that a person fulfills. It's not a job , it's a connection. You can't confine people to certain criterias. It defies the whole purpose of that connection. And even if you did have qualities you looked for in a man , everything would always end up pointing at only one damn person. You push his images away even before they can surface into your mind.

"So anyway, as I was saying before the coffee arrived , my dad bought this really pretty yacht for me last month and it's super amazing to - " and you shut him out completely while he continues blabbering and you quietly sip the disgusting coffee in front of you.

You really want to groan now. Like on his face. Putting emphasis on how draining and boring this whole conversation is for you.

But all you do is smile and nod.

You were going to reject him the moment your parents set you up on a date with a ' nice and charming bachelor '. What side of Mike did they find even remotely nice or charming? You would never know. But one thing is sure now ,you will at least not have to deal with your parents pestering you for marriage after you reject Mike.

The weather is extremely humid today , despite it having rained in the morning so without a doubt , you'd spent your day indoors , reading a book and drinking unhealthy amount of fruit punch.

"Are they still upset ? " your parents should have seen it coming ,really. The rejection was as inevitable as the rising of the sun every morning or the setting of the sun in the evening. Yet , your parents are pretty disappointed at the decision even after three days since that stupid date. You , on the other hand are happy to have gotten rid of Mike - even if it meant your parents being angry.

Your younger brother , Jongho ,sighs into the phone, " What do you think? They really thought you'd finally marry now."

You don't really blame them though. Not at all. That's what they were always taught ,weren't they? Graduate high school, finish college ,get a good job and get married. The full circle.That is all they've every known yet you find yourself upset at the fact that they didn't consider your unwillingness to this marriage ( or any other marriage) at all. You're just barely starting to work ,you cannot throw away all of that to be a good wife and daughter in law. Sure Mike is the son of some rich man who does business with your father, but economical relationships cannot be a basis for a marriage.

"Well, I can't help it . I'm not marrying that asshole at any cost. " you huff , " He is so creepy and weird. Let mom and dad stay pressed. I don't care."

"Is it just because you didn't find Mike interesting or something else?" Jongho asks.

"I guess? " you reply, scratching the back of your head.

"You know , y/n, I understand that you don't want to get married and whatever but we both know there's a solid reason behind it and I am sick of you denying it all the time." Jongho is too honest for your liking. Too brutal , no sugarcoated words. Just the truth.

And the truth stings.

"Shut up." You grumble, fiddling with the book in your hands , legs dangling from the edge of your bed, " I told you not to mention it ever again?"

"Y/n, you love him. Okay? You have loved him for seven years now . It is high time you shoot your shot or else you'll end up with some rich asshole who doesn't give two shits about you!"

He's right,of course he is. His words are not really an opinion or a vague prediction of the future. Those are facts. But hearing him say all that out loud makes your blood turn cold in your body. Fear creeping through every inch of your skin , making it hard to think clearly.

"I don't think it matters if I love him or not. I gave up on him. We haven't spoken much ever since college ended. " you say.

" You didn't give up. You just ran away instead of acknowledging it. There's a difference." Jongho replies , " And for your kind information it's only been six months since college got over. You need to stop talking like it was twenty years ago or something. "

You chuckle at his last phrase, grateful that he's trying to uplift the weirdly tense mood. "I don't think I can do it , Jongho. I want to. I really do but I don't think he likes me back." You admit.

"You're delusional if you think he doesn't like you back, y/n. All the late night car drives, movie dates , eating unhealthy food late into the nights - San loves you too. Obviously he does."

You sigh ,running your fingers over the rough page of the book in your lap. 'Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.' The words read out. The tightening of your chest increases.

"He was just being nice." You mutter.

Jongho sighs loudly from the other side , "Okay , believe what you want . I can't handle both you and mom-dad together, okay? Spare me your bullshit. Bye."

Wow, talk about being a rude, disrespectful child !

You are usually not the one to point fingers or put blame on other people , but you really despised your best friend right now. And you have every right to do so. Your best friend is the main reason why your parents are so desperately trying to get you married and see you settle down and have kids and whatever. Jisoo is the epitome of every good quality all parents desire in a daughter. She's perfect. Even more than that sometimes.

"How's your husband?" Your question doesn't sound very genuine - the words slipping out of your tongue like they were being forced out. But Jisoo seems to let it go.

"He's good , really good. " She replies ,taking a sip from the only can of cola you had left in your fridge. She passes it over to you.

"How lucky ." You mutter , taking a sip of the same drink.

"I know what you're thinking ,y/n. I know your ass is upset about everything that happened with Mike but things take time. Okay? I married early because I wanted to." she says, reading right through you like you were a book she'd read millions of times ,"If you don't want to marry , don't. Stop blaming yourself for not finding good guys." " I wonder if I'll ever find anyone even remotely nice, Jisoo. The only few guys I've been set up on dates with are not my type and well , Mike ... I don't know. We're just not compatible." You complain , " And besides I'm so terrified of marrying a guy I barely know."

Jisoo sighs , "Then marry a guy you've known for a long time."

"Who are you talking about?" You frown. You know exactly who she is talking about but you want to hear her say it. Say his name which you dare not even repeat to yourself when alone.

"Choi San ,of course. The love of your life ,your sun and stars , your sweetheart. " she says , her dreamy eyes widening to exaggerate her point.

You slap her arm hard , almost a little too hard. But you're convinced that she deserves it. "Ow !" She yells ,rubbing the sore area on her arm.

"That name is forbidden in my vicinity." You say.

Okay ,maybe now you are the one who deserves a slap. On the cheek. You couldn't believe that his name still fills your stomach with butterflies and causes your heart to beat so fast that you feel dizzy even though you claim that you're over him.

"No, it's not, y/n. Come on ,dude. You're still not over him. You will never be unless you confess and face the supposed rejection on your own. Only then you'll find it in yourself to seek other guys , unless that's not what you want." She jabs her finger on your shoulder softly , "That, or you can marry San himself. It's very simple ,really."

Now that she put it that way ,it sounds even more complicated and it sends your mind to a voyage into the sea of memories that you rarely even acknowledged anymore( or at least ,you tried to).

San's pretty eyes and alluring smile , the soft hold of his hand on your arm as you run to the movie halls just five minutes before it closes , the warmth of his hugs that you so dearly loved , his silky black hair that you've wanted to touch on so many occasions and the day you were sure he had leaned in to kiss you but your annoying brother decided to call just at that exact moment. You almost wish you could go back to your university graduation day , and wait a little longer for him after the event got over and tell him that he meant the world to you. More than he could ever imagine. You really wish you had waited that day.

"Jongho has this stupid theory that he likes me too. He's making me even more confused. " you say.

"At least Jongho has more brain cells than you. That kid deserves an award or something." Jisoo replies , chuckling.

"He's not a kid. He's just a year younger than me and you." You deadpan. Great, your best friend and brother are now on the same team.

She rolls her eyes , "Yeah , you are a kid too. Only a kid acts so naive and stupid when everything they've ever wanted is right there in front of them. Hell, even a kid would realise that San loves you !"

Jisoo talks a lot , but her words are never empty or vague. She says whatever she wants to and has to. And she is always able to make a point. But you're a dumb bitch who likes to pretend she's still not in love with her childhood sweetheart and is looking for love somewhere else.

"Anyway, can we go for a drink?"

"Glad you finally asked." Jisoo grabs your arm and drags you out of the house.

Your favorite bar in the entire world has to be the one you've been going to since you were in high school. From your first time drinking to vomiting in its toilet after having way too many vodka shots , from dancing with your friends to crying alone in a corner , that place has seen it all.

Coincidentally( not really), its Jisoo's favorite bar too.

"Okay, y/n. I think you should stop now. That's enough."

Coincidentally also ,you happen to not have a good alcohol tolerance yet an endearing desire to drown your sorrows in those glasses.

"No, I'm not even properly drunk." You whine ,your words only barely making sense to Jisoo. She grabs the glass away from you.

"Come on , let's take you home. " she tries to pull you from your seat , "Can't believe I thought it was a good idea to drink on a weekday."

"No, no, Jisoo. " you resist , pushing her away. " I want to..stay. here. I like it here. It's so warm and cozy . If I go home, I'll cry. I hate home. It's so ugly. Ew. This place is so pretty ."

Your vision is so blurry that your brain can't even form clear images anymore. You see Jisoo's form after squinting hard enough.

"You won't cry. I'll take care of you, y/n. Come on." Jisoo is so insistent you have to hold yourself back from punching her. Her lucky ass would never understand how much in pain your heart is in. And how much the alcohol helps in forgetting all that even just for a few minutes.

"You go home. I'll stay. I'll stay here for as long as I can. Away from all you blood suckers." You slur. And then giggle for no apparent reason.

Jisoo heaves a sigh ,sitting beside you. "Are you going to come with me or do I have to call San to pick you up?"

That was a threat. Jisoo always uses the same one and somehow, it always seems to work. Not today though.

"Hah! Joke's on you ! He doesn't care about me." You point at her face , giggling again.

San? Taking care of you? Funniest joke of the year.

"He does ,y/n. You know he does. What are you being like this?" She asks , rubbing your hand comfortingly. "I see the way he looks at you."

"He probably has a girlfriend already. He always posts romantic shit on Instagram. " you say ,resting your chin on your arm.

"He doesn't have one. I know he doesn't. He probably posts all that for you." She says.

You want to believe her but your brain feels fuzzy and foggy now. Like the sky on winter mornings.

"I want to see San, Jisoo. I miss him. I miss him so much. " you keep muttering under your breath , "Take me to him. I miss him."

Jisoo stares at you - wide eyed and slightly annoyed. Your low alcohol tolerance will get you into serious trouble one day.

"We can see him tomorrow. Let's go home now. Now." She pulls your arm again.

You push her off , "I said I want to see San ! Right now! Take me to him!"

You have never yelled at anyone while in a drunken state before so the sudden increased volume of your voice scares Jisoo. She let's go of your arm.

"Okay, will you come home after meeting San?" Jisoo asks ,taking her phone out to call a cab.

"Yes. No. Depends. I never want to be away from him." You say. "Take me to him , please. I haven't seen him in months. Years. I don't remember how long. Do you think he'll recognize me?"

Shaking her head , Jisoo makes a mental note to never take you out for drinking again.

San lives a few minutes away from your own apartment, but with traffic sometimes it takes almost an hour to reach his apartment.

Today must have been your lucky day because the traffic was almost negligible. Although you don't remember the journey to his house , you do remember his familiar voice greeting you and Jisoo like he had almost expected you both to arrive at his door this late at night.

"She was throwing a tantrum that she wanted to see you. So I brought her here. I hope it's not a problem. " Jisoo says in her sweet voice that she uses on everyone but you and her husband. You scowl.

"Hey, I wasn't throwing a tantrum! " You hit her arm again , but she puts on the fakest smile when San looks at the both of you with a confused face.

"And she's not very sober right now." Jisoo admits ,sighing. San presses his lips in line , observing you as play with the hem of your tshirt and your eyes are focused on his face. You never had so much confidence in a sober state. He knows this because he's seen you like this a million times before and hopefully, if all goes well tonight , he might see this state in the future too.

His stomach does a back flip when you stick out your bottom lip in a cute little pout.

"It's okay. She can stay the night here. I believe you have something important to tell me ,y /n?" San asks, titling his head.

You nod , beaming with happiness. Your eyes never leave his perfect face and his beautiful black hair which he decided to tie in a small ponytail tonight and his toned arms and his breathtakingly sweet dimples as he leads you inside, bidding goodbye to your bestfriend. Jisoo must be very relieved right now ,you think.

"Do you need a glass of water ,y/n?" San asks you , as he takes you gently by the arm to his bedroom. His alert eyes are always on your steps ,making sure you do not trip on anything.

"No. " you giggle. You're so happy to be with him alone at last that you can barely contain it . "I missed you ,San."

He laughs at your words ,shaking his head in disbelief as he makes you sit on his warm ,fluffy bed.

You've always wanted to sit there.

"Waoowww , this bed is so soft. " you swing your legs up and down with a big grin on your face , "I want to sleep on this bed. Oh my god ,awww."

San sees you lean down against the headboard and laugh at the ceiling, pointing out peculiar patterns . You look very content right now ,he notices. Your flushed cheeks , big , curious eyes , messy hair , yet he thinks you look beautiful like this - raw and natural and pretty.

"San! Sit with me, come here." You say , patting the empty space beside you.

San obliges without a question. He pushes you gently to the other side of the bed , himself settling beside you , careful not to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.

"What it is that you wanted to tell me ?" San questions, his fingers reaching upto your forehead to remove the strands of hair that cover your eyes.

"Promise me you won't be mad. " You hum into his touch ,wanting nothing more than to wrap your arms around his body and snuggle into his chest. But even with alcohol in your system ,you know better than to do that.

"I promise." He replies with a toothy grin. His head leans on the headboard beside yours , his beautiful brown eyes drilling into yours ,making your knees go weak and heart flutter. And if it were possible to replace all blood from your body with physical adoration for Choi San ,you would have done it already. "Pinky promise?" You ask again ,lifting your right pinky up in front of his face.

Sighing , he connects his pinky to yours then pressing your thumbs together, "Pinky promise."

You take a deep breath then as naturally as ever ,the words you've always wanted to say roll out of your mouth , "I like you. "

San's breathing gets stuck in his throat , his whole being as if swallowed into a black hole for a few seconds. He stares at you like you were suddenly someone he'd never seen , never heard of before. Like you were a stranger that caught his eye in the mall. Like a gemstone he'd found while digging the ground. Like a precious falling star on a cloudy night.

"I-I mean we have known each other for sometime now. It's normal that you like me. As a friend." He stammers.

You roll your eyes , " I did not mean as a friend ,you idiot. I meant I like you as a man. You're so stupid, gosh." You punch his arm.

His heart skips a beat. He'd always known deep down his heart that this confession would happen one day or the other - but he had always hoped it would be him to say it first ,not you. His ego is a teeny tiny bit hurt.

"I know you don't like me , " you whine , your excited tone now suddenly switching into a sad one , " I know you won't date me."

San frowns at this new melancholic side of yours.

"Why would you think that?" He asks.

"I just know ,okay?" You say ,tears filling your eyes , " And that's why I agreed to an arranged marriage."

"You must have met someone nice then?" He takes his hand in yours.

Jongho was right - you love him. So much that it hurts to look at him ,knowing that one day you'll have to marry a man who isn't him. It hurts like someone is pressing a hot metal rod onto your skin.

You start sobbing.

"No! Of course not ! I don't want anyone but you! " You yell , a little too loud , " But my parents are still insistent about it. How do I tell them that I can't marry anyone else because I'm so in love with you?"

That's another new piece of information for San. But this one makes his heart drop into the deepest pits of his stomach , making him go numb for a few seconds. You were almost taken away from him, just because he'd always put your relationship in a complicated situation. You had almost held someone else's hand on the alter. You had almost ended up in someone else's arms.

The image of you with another man nauseates him and he decides to stop being a coward . Right now ,right at this moment .

"I like you ,too, you idiot." He says , not quite meeting your teary eyes." Don't go find anyone else. I'm here. I really am ,y/n."

His sincere voice washes over you like the first showers of monsoon - refreshing and enchanting. You feel like melting into a puddle under his gaze.

"I wasn't planning on anyway. " You sniff and rub your tears away. He leans in closer to your face , rubbing your cheekbones with the pad of his thumb. And you , being the shameless person you are , stare at his kissable, pink lips. If you lean in a little more , they'd touch and you could finally kiss him. You really want to . Would he mind ?

He presses a soft kiss on your forehead , pulling you into his warm embrace.

"I want to go to sleep and wake up like this every morning." You mumble into his chest , your hand playing with the hem of his t-shirt. "We will. I promise." he replies. The thought itself makes him feel warm inside , "I'll talk to your parents about the arranged marriage thing. They love me more than they would any other guy out there."

Your parents in fact do love San. Whenever they met him , they'd be filled with praises for him. Although a little jealous , you could easily see why San was so easy to like.

"You smell so nice." You say abruptly , drowsiness slowly taking over you , your eye lids getting heavier by the minute.

San's chest vibrates as his laugh fills the room , "Thank you, y/n."

"Will you be here when I wake up? You aren't going to run off, right? " You are just spewing out random sentences at this point but he doesn't complain either way. He likes this honest and vulnerable side of you.

"I'll be right here. Don't worry. " he whispers ,running his fingers through your hair , "But I'm pretty sure you won't remember anything tomorrow ."

You laugh, a big hearty laugh as you finally find enough courage to lightly wrap your arm around his torso. "I'll remember, San . I never forget."

San rubs your head soothingly , smiling to himself, knowing that even if you forget about it in the morning , he'll really be there to remind you of it. He'll be there by your side, as he always has been.

Every hangover is like a cycle that includes pain , regret and a promise to never drink so much again yet you somehow always seem to be struggling with the last one.

And the inevitable headache that follows makes you feel like someone had thrusted millions of knives in your head.

It hurt. Badly.

You stir in your position ,groaning at your throbbing head.

"Woah , good morning , sleepy head." San purrs into your ears , his early morning voice sending chills down your spine.

Wait. San? Choi San? With you in his arms? On a bed?

You sit up at the speed of a lightning bolt , breaking away from his warm embrace and crawling to the farthest corner of the bed. You look around the room , your heartbeat in your throat , taking in the unfamiliar surroundings that reminded you of what you might have done while in a drunken state.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Your eyes scan San, his sleepy face pressed to the pillow and his lips curved in a smile. His white t-shirt hangs loose from his shoulder, exposing the skin near his collarbone and his black, messy hair covering half of his face.

And even in panic mode , your first thought is that he looks ethereal with that early morning glow. Is this what being whipped really means?

"Y/n, don't tell me you forgot what happened last night. " he says ,visibly annoyed. He forces himself up in a sitting position as he runs his fingers through his messy hair.

You look away from him , adrenaline rushing through your veins as you try to recall last night's episode. Surely ,you didn't sleep with him since both of you are fully clothed and you didn't feel sore anywhere. Thankfully.

"Y/n? " he calls you again but you don't reply because your brain is way too occupied at the moment.

You remember the sound of a very weird combination of words leaving your mouth last night and an even weirder combination of words leaving his. And that's when it hits you - you had confessed to him. Full on movie style. All those years of daydreaming and trying to keep everything a secret gone into vain , your heart placed naked in front of him.

"Oh fucking hell." You hold your head in between your hands ,closing your eyes.

Maybe this was all a dream and if you focused hard enough ,you'd wake up in your bed , alone and yearning for the man supposedly in front of you. But that would still be better than this.

"Y/n, it's alright. You don't have to be embarrassed. " San says, inching closer to you.

You sigh. It's not a dream and you have to face him now.

"I-I'm sorry for whatever I said last night. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable at all. I don't know what had gotten into me." You say, rubbing your forehead.

By now , San is kneeling right in front of you, his galaxy filled eyes never leaving yours.

"I should be sorry , you idiot." He says , gently tapping your forehead ," if I wasn't such a coward and had confessed to you earlier , everything would have been different now. But better late than never , right?"

You gulp hard.

Now is the time to wake up , y/n, I'm going to be super pissed if this turns out to be a dream, you wonder to yourself.

"So..what you're saying is - "

"I like you , yes. Not as a friend , not as a classmate. I like you as a woman and if you agree to this ," San leans in dangerously closer , "Then I'll like you as a girlfriend, too."

You didn't need time to agree to this. You didn't need a second thought. You only need a small tug at your heartstring , which happened everytime you see his eyes focused on you and only you.

"Yes." You say.

His face breaks into a massive grin as he wraps his arms around you , with yours around his torso. You can feel the fast beating of his heart against your cheek as you snuggle into his chest .

"Thank you. Thank you so much." He whispers into your hair. Your cheeks are burning red by now but it's alright. It's a good type of burning. You can come to like it in the near future.

You don't know how long it is before he finally decides to pull away , much to your dismay.

"I'm going to make breakfast . Are pancakes okay with you?" He says , his arms by his side but his body still close to yours.

"Yeah. Obviously. " You loved his pancakes, as a matter of fact. Once, Jongho had even forced you to confess to San during your college years just so he could eat those delicious pancakes whenever he wanted to.

"Okay. You can go freshen up in the bathroom by then." He then unexpectedly takes your face in his hands , inching closer to yours with every passing second, " Don't miss me too much though."

You pout, playing along , " I already do."

And just like that , he presses his soft , luscious lips to yours, enveloping them in a quick kiss.

"Bye." And just like that too , he runs away into the kitchen , avoiding confronting what had just happened while you are left frozen and shocked and petrified and all synonyms of those words in the English dictionary.

But you hear him hum his favourite song softly from the kitchen and your shoulders relax.

Relax , y/n , you tell yourself , it's just San and he is your boyfriend now.