#but i really do hope to make more personal art and share them this year! i really do miss making them

[mienar]

sunrays and quiet moments

instagram | shop | commission info

[andthebeanstalk]

Gods I'm so glad I have the power to draw stupid ridiculous things. I've had two ideas in the last week for art pieces that made me cackle like a little gremlin for 30 minutes. And already, my decision to follow through on these ideas has been a great success!

It is very important to feed the silliness gremlin!!! Ze offers gifts of happiness and naturally occurring self-improvement! Should ze wither from lack of food, so shall artistic motivation and the joy I find in my craft!

So you see, it is absolutely vital that the gremlin be allowed to thrive and grow on a steady supply of shitposts and profoundly ridiculous pornography.

This will, in turn, help with my depression - making this fake isekai cover as well as this very dumb video game porn I just made into Medical Necessities, Actually. 😌😤🤡

[zee-rambles]

Lets. D0. This.

(Please note: Post will be updated as I find more resources and think of more strategies)

(Please do not re-use gif without permission…unless it’s to save Rise…)

Mutant May

YOU can watch Season 1 and Season 2 of RISE right HERE!

So I’ve seen a a lot of people still wondering if Rise of the TMNT can be saved.

There’s is a lot of hope, especially with the boom of fans joining the fandom after the movie dropped last year, people making more art on tumblr, twitter, tik tok, and so on. But also a a lot of doubt, especially after JJ Conway’s post on twitter.

BUT…I still think there is a chance…a GOOD chance. WITH ORIGINAL CAST AND CREW! Why?

We live in the internet. Information is more then easy to get out now thanks to social media. There is all kinds of ways to get the word out to people. Let’s abuse it. 😎

Fans have brought back shows before.

We need a MAJOR push through social media, more fans, more art, it’s up to us…and I think we can do it!

Fans convinced Netflix to bring Sense8 back for a finale

Fans convinced fox to bring back “Futurama” after it was cancelled in 1999.

Hey Arnold got the jungle movie thirteen years after the show was cancelled

Animaniacs got a 3 season revival 22 years after it stopped airing.

Brooklyn 99 was cancelled in 2018, and the fans convinced NBC to pick up the series.

Arrested Development was canceled after 3 seasons, but AFTER it was cancelled, it grew an audience and they made it come back!

Fans saved the original Star Trek in the 60s with letters.

They did it. Why can’t we?

So what can we do?

Well…

1. PETITIONS TO SAVE RISE that we can all sign…

PETITION 1 (The strongest one, but the more petitions signed, the better!)

PETITION 2

PETITION 3

PETITION 4 (save the content that was cut/we missed)

PETITION 5! (Make an ROTTMNT season 3)

2. Pester Nickelodeon and Netflix on social media (THE BIG ONE Y’ALL, THIS IS THE MOST DIRECT AND IMPORTANT)

Be polite, be non-toxic (don’t be rude or mean, the boys would not want that, and the Nick/Netflix won’t listen), but be LOUD, PASSIONATE, AND ANNOYING! Ask for DVDs of the show/movie, and then BUY THOSE DVDs!

MAKE SURE TO ASK FOR THE FULL ORIGINAL CAST AND CREW TO COME BACK, INCLUDING ANDY SARIANO AND ANT WARD.

Sample DM/Letter (but try to come up with your own. Too many repeats and they will ignore it)

“Dear Nickelodeon/Netflix/Viacom, I can’t tell you how much Rise means to me, and I really love that you put the show on air. But it was not fair that the show was cancelled before it got the chance to reach the audience it deserved, only because of a few bad reviews and a lack of advertising. The show is great, there’s tons of fans, tons of art, and people, including me, want so much more! Please bring it back! We want the original crew to come, Flying Bark, for the show to get it’s full second season restored, and it’s five season run like it was originally intended. People hated the 2012 TMNT when it came out, but it got it’s chance and now there are people that love it. Why can’t Rise of the TMNT have the same? It’s clear that the creators love their work and there’s a growing fan base for it. Rise just came out at the wrong time, but it deserves it chance to shine.”

The more personal you made the letter, the more you say what Rise means to you, the better.

As for me? I’m sending them a picture of Pizza Pigeon with the #wewantmoreriseoftheTMNT and #saverottmnt

Request movies/seasons on Netflix.

Ask for Rise Season 2, another season, another movie. Just keep asking!

Nickelodeon’s facebook page (Look, I know that facebook is a relic at this point, but the more people go there and PESTER Nickelodeon, the better!)

Rise’s facebook page

Leave good reviews. Share. Leave TONS of comments

Nickelodeon’s instagram

Nickelodeon’s Twitter page (treat carefully, there be Musks out there…only use if you are over 18)

Nickelodeon’s TikTok

Niceklodeon’s letter inbox

Nickelodeon, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

Rugrats was brought back because fans bombarded Nickelodeon with letters saying they wanted it back. Might as well cover our bases. This one is a BIG DEAL!

Nickelodeon’s Corporate Number

1-212-846-2543 Call them! Annoy them! Ask how we can get their attention! Tell them why you love this show! Why it deserves to come back.

Contact Paramount

Paramounts Request form

Official Fan Page Rise’s Instagram

The more followers the better.

Netflix’s instagram

Netflix’s facebook

Netflix’s Twitter (Treat carefully. There be MUSKs out there…only use if you are over 18)

SPAM NICKELODEON’S EMAILS!

feedback@nick.com

contactus@nick.com

Letterbox@nick.co.uk

help@paramountplus.coM

If anyone has any more, any deeper more direct points of contact, or more ideas, please share!

3. Leave good reviews for Rise anywhere and raise awareness everywhere you can!

One of the key reasons Rise did not do too well because it was unfairly review bombed before people could give it a chance…so get out there on tik tok, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, and ESPECIALLY youtube.

Make reviews! Analysis! JOKES! Support other content creators! When the Rise Reanimated video comes out, share it like no tomorrow!

No one paid attention when How to Train Your Dragon came out, but word of mouth and people saying it was good, made it the success it was. Let’s repeat history!

Anytime there is NEW RISE CONTENT on Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel, watch it, share, spread it.

Share this post on social media, across various sites, use the information here to spread awareness about how people can help and what they can do. Be relentless! (Like Leo in Lair Games)

Ask influencers to review, react, and give RISE a chance without placing judgement.

4. Make. ART!

Draw, Write, TWEET, Make MERCH, Sell MERCH, Make Tik Toks, Videos on YouTube, posts on instagram, discord, what pad, demanding more Rise, spreading the word, and just showing how much you love this show! Not only will it attract attention, but it’s also good for all of us. There will be more Rise content either way.

Make sure to @ nickelodeon on ALL of your art! SPAM THEM! ANNOY THEM! DROWN THEM IN LOVE FOR THIS SHOW! Demand DVD’s and Blue rays of the SHOW AND THE MOVIE! It’s not fair that we can’t have access to it!

PLAY THIS GAME!

If you see official Rise MERCH in the while, buy it if you can! Also support as many rise content creators as you can. If you can’t draw? Write! If you can’t create! Like! Share! Comment! Support each other!

Rise April ART Challenge

Keep in mind…there WILL be pushback.

Companies as big as Nickelodeon and Viacom care about their bottom line: $$$…money. BUT pushback, whether they are taking down your videos on Tik Tok, striking artists on twitter, mean that they’re taking NOTICE. So don’t. Give. UP!

One last thing to remember: DO NOT harass fans for enjoying other versions of TMNT

Even though Rise is the first and only TMNT I have ever loved, I don’t believe in shaming other fans for looking forward to, or enjoying other TMNT series. Gatekeeping like that was what stopped Rise from (heh) Rising as high as it should have. All Rise fans are welcome, and all TMNT fans are welcome. Rise deserves to reach more fans, it deserves another season, and it does not need to knock down other TMNT series to do it. Show them your love and your need for more Rise, without making other TMNT fans feel unwelcome.

Share, spread the word, give it your best shot! A village can move MOUNTAINS! SO let’s do it.

So that in the near future…we can MAKE THIS JOKE!

[steddieas-shegoes]

It’s not that Steve didn’t want a tattoo.

He’d wanted one for years. Just something to piss off his parents the way they pissed him off constantly.

Asking when he’d find a girlfriend (he wouldn’t, he’s gay), when he’d find a better job (he liked his job as a guidance counselor), when he’d move out of the tiny apartment he shared with that girl who couldn’t give them grandchildren (Robin gagged at the mere thought of any of that).

But Robin promised she’d go with him when he made this appointment a month ago and she’d just cancelled at the last minute. Something about a work emergency.

She didn’t have a work emergency. She worked at a Starbucks.

He knew what she was doing. It’s what she always did.

“I just wanna get you out of your shell! People should see the Steve that I see!”

Robin did get a different version of Steve, one that didn’t feel like he had to hide his surprisingly bubbly personality. His students got a calm, kind counselor. But everyone else?

They’d be lucky to get a smile during a conversation.

He wasn’t, like, an asshole.

He just had asshole tendencies.

Robin called him her Oscar The Grouch.

He allowed it because deep down, he knew it was true.

And now he was even MORE grumpy because he had to get this tattoo alone. In a place he’d almost certainly be the outcast in his glasses and business casual attire. With people judging him for not already having tattoos and piercings at the age of 27.

Robin owed him.

When he walked into the shop, he was surprised to hear classic rock instead of heavy metal. The front counter was covered in pictures of bands Steve didn’t know, tattoos he would never get, and signs that had enough vulgar words to fill up the swear jar he kept in the apartment for shits and giggles.

Nervous was an understatement.

A head popped around the corner, bright smile lighting up the face of a man who looked like he belonged here.

“Be right there!”

Steve didn’t bother to say anything because as soon as he started to respond, the head was gone.

He frowned, but figured the guy might be with another client and he was pretty sure they had rules about touching things with their gloves on. At least, he hoped they did.

He stared down at the picture on his phone.

It was small, simple. Something he wouldn’t even have to cover up at work.

One of his students drew it for him last year when he’d missed some work because of the flu. He’d only missed two days, but because he so rarely missed, his regulars were pretty worried about him.

His regulars being three students who sat with him during their lunch period to avoid bullies.

It was a sun, with beautiful yellows and oranges combining into a near perfect circle, small lines randomly jutting out and fading into nothing.

It was beautiful art.

And he was getting it permanently etched onto his body.

He loved his students, what could he say?

The head popped back around the corner, interrupting his thoughts again.

“Sorry for the wait. I had a customer on the phone. How can I help ya?”

“Steve Harrington. Here for a 6:00 appointment?”

The guy beamed at him, nodding along.

“Perfect! You said you already knew what you wanted?”

Steve held up his phone to show this still nameless guy the picture.

“You want the colors like that?”

“If you can.”

“If I can, he says! Of course I can! This is really nice. Did you make this?”

Steve snorted, but he wasn’t that amused. This guy was like a ball of energy and Steve was already exhausted.

“No. One of my students did.”

“Oh, are you a teacher?”

“Guidance counselor.”

“That’s cool! So you, like, make sure the youths of today are on the right path? Keep them interested in the right things?”

Steve blinked at this man.

“I guess, yeah. So can we uh, get started…”

“Oh shit! I always forget to introduce myself to the newbies. Eddie.” He held out his hand towards Steve to shake. Steve stared down at it for a moment, knowing his face was doing that judgy thing Robin always warned him about, but not being able to stop it. “Not a handshake guy?”

Steve cleared his throat, finally reaching his hand up to shake Eddie’s.

The rings on Eddie’s fingers were cold against his own, his grip was strong but not the type of string that made Steve uncomfortable.

Eddie was smiling at him. He never stopped smiling, this guy.

It was kind of…cute. Steve would never admit it to anyone, but the way Eddie just seemed genuinely happy was really doing it for him.

That was annoying.

When he finally remember to let go, Eddie was already turning around to grab a piece of paper from the shelf behind him.

“I’m just gonna have you send that to this email,” he pointed to the contact info on the piece of paper he’d grabbed. “And I’ll get it printed on transfer paper so we can get started.”

Steve nodded and sent the picture as requested.

He ignored the shaking of his hands. It wasn’t a big deal. It’s just a tattoo. Most adults have them. Robin had four. Eddie here seemed to have hundreds.

Eddie must have noticed his visible anxiety. He felt Eddie’s hand on his arm, squeezing gently.

“First tattoo?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Nah. I’ve just done a lot of first tattoos.” Eddie pulled up the picture on his own phone while he spoke. “I promise it’ll be easier than you’re thinking.”

“I’m not worried about the pain.”

Eddie glanced up at him quickly, then back down at the phone in his hand.

“It’s just permanent, ya know?”

Eddie let out a laugh and held up both of his arms, fully covered in tattoos.

“I know. That’s what’s great. Nothing in life is permanent, but these are. Even when you’re long gone, these will still be on your body.”

Steve hadn’t thought about it like that.

Permanence was something he’d always struggled with. It’s why he was so standoffish according to the two therapists he’d tried talking to. His parents had never given him an idea of what someone staying around was like, his friendships all ended when he realized he wanted to be a better person than they were capable of being, and his only serious relationship ended when he was ready for marriage and she wasn’t.

He’d been through a lot of personal growth since then, most of it thanks to Robin and some experiences at the gay clubs she took him to, and now he felt better about who he was.

He just didn’t think anyone or anything would stick around.

Robin was proving she might, but only time would tell. Plenty of time for Steve to fuck it up.

“You can still back out, man. I won’t charge you the cancellation fee or anything.”

Oh, how nice. Eddie thought he was a wimp and wasn’t even gonna follow his own policy to let him back out.

That’s shameful. He was ashamed.

“Not backing out.”

He folded his arms in front of his chest, trying to tone down the glare he could feel on his own face.

Eddie threw his hands up as he waited for the printer to finish.

“Alright. Just letting you have an out.”

Eddie looked over the few copies he’d printed, all slightly different sizes, and then lined them up on the counter facing Steve.

“What size were you thinking? Where’s this going?”

Steve pointed to the middle one, barely an inch wide.

“I was thinking my wrist?”

Eddie smiled at him.

“Sounds good, sunshine.”

Oh. That was not good.

That little thing his stomach just did?

Nope. Not good at all.

Eddie walked around the counter and gestured for Steve to follow him around the corner.

Steve found himself in awe of the room he was walking into.

He’d never seen such variety in anything. Some of it resembled the front counter, but there was also a Bob Marley poster, a rainbow flag, a whole wall of funny bumper stickers, and graffiti along the ceiling.

It was certainly a lot for the eyes to take in.

Steve kind of loved it.

He even let out a smile.

He quickly hid it away again when he heard Eddie hit his hand against the chair.

“Got it all clean already for ya. Just take a seat and get comfy.” Eddie reached over grab some gloves from a shelf before he sat in front of Steve. “Gonna put this on you first. Make sure the placement is good. Then I’ll shave that area and get all my stuff ready to go. The tattoo itself probably won’t take more than an hour, and most of that will be shading these beautiful colors. Need anything before we get started? Water? Bathroom? Snack?”

Steve’s head was spinning.

Eddie’s energy was relentless, and he had a smile on his face the entire time.

Steve couldn’t help smiling back at him.

“I’m good. Thanks.”

Eddie nodded and started humming along to the song playing over the speakers.

He went through everything quickly, but still took his time explaining everything. Steve was kind of grateful he didn’t have to sit in silence; His brain wasn’t his friend when there was silence.

“Alright, sunshine. If you’re good, I’m good.”

Steve felt his face heat up, blush spreading from his cheeks to his neck.

“I’m good.”

And then he started.

It was sharp, the needles carving ink into his skin causing a new sensation up his entire arm. But it was also…good?

He’d expected it to be painful, maybe even go numb. He hadn’t expected the pain to feel like this.

He lost focus. Everything felt distant and blurry, but in a sleepy way, not in a pass out way. Steve felt himself smiling slightly, but didn’t have the energy to stop it.

He was watching Eddie work, but wasn’t really seeing anything beyond the way his fingers splayed his skin tight and the tattoo gun left ink behind.

His eyes closed at some point, but he wasn’t asleep, the faint buzz of the tattoo gun keeping him present enough to stay awake.

“Hey, sunshine. Doing alright?”

“Hm?”

He tried to focus in on Eddie’s face. Eddie was very close. He was holding his wrist.

Steve was still here.

“Need a break?”

“No. I’m good.”

Eddie chuckled. “I’d say so.”

He continued, and Steve let his mind wander again. It was nice to drift. He’d never felt this relaxed before, not even during the massage Robin got him for his birthday last year.

“Alright, sunshine. You’re done.”

Steve looked down at the tattoo now covering his wrist.

It was beautiful, even better than the picture.

He started to cry.

If he wasn’t so far gone, he’d probably be embarrassed or angry about it, but surely other people had cried after a tattoo before. Maybe Eddie would just ignore it.

“Oh, sweetheart. Do you not like it?”

“No. I love it.” Steve took a shaky breath, then another. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

Eddie was rubbing his back and smiling sadly down at him.

“I’m glad you love it. I just have to wrap it up and go over some care instructions, okay?”

“Okay.”

Steve was never this vulnerable, not even with Robin. He was pretty sure she’d only actually seen him cry once when a student moved away.

His whole thing was that he didn’t show emotions. His job required it to an extent, though he was always caring to his students, giving them smiles when they came in to make them feel welcome.

But here he was smiling and crying to a stranger over a tattoo.

“Sunshine?”

“Yeah?”

“Got you some water. I need you to look at me while I go over the instructions okay?”

“Okay.”

He felt himself coming back down to earth as he looked at Eddie, a soft smile making Steve focus in on his mouth.

“That’s good. Keep this wrapped for four hours at least and longer if you’ll be outside. When you take it off, make sure you wash it with antibacterial soap gently and then use moisturizing lotion, unscented is best. If you need some, I can give you some. Make sure to keep it moisturized over the next week. It’ll peel a little, that’s normal, but if you see anything that’s a lot of color falling out or something, come see me and I can fix it. No long exposure to direct sunlight for at least 4 weeks, and use sunscreen on it if you think you will be.” He took a breath and smirked. “Got it?”

“Um.”

He handed over a paper with a laugh.

“It’s all right here. I just needed you to come back down from space. Drink your water and relax for a minute. I’ll go get the card reader.”

Steve did as he was told, enjoying the way the ice cold water helped him focus back in on his surroundings.

With the focus came the grumpiness. He was crashing from his adrenaline high, and his first instinct was to pout.

He didn’t think he was visibly doing so until he heard Eddie snort from a few feet away.

“Welcome back. Sorry to burst your bubble. If I didn’t have another client in 20 minutes, I’d probably have let you stay there for a bit. Seems like you needed it.”

“I. What do you mean? I was just zoned out.”

Eddie froze where he was typing something into his phone.

“Have you never…? Oh. Jesus Christ. Okay. Well. I don’t.” He looked genuinely concerned about what to do. “Okay. I don’t feel comfortable letting you be alone yet. Do you have someone you live with or who can hang out for a bit?”

“My roommate had a work emergency or she’d be here.”

Steve’s arms were crossed again, but the pull of the wrap around his wrist reminded him of the dull ache he was still experiencing. It made him shiver, but he couldn’t explain why.

“Okay. Can you stick around for a bit? I’ve got an office with a couch in the back.”

“Are you gonna tell me why?”

“Ever heard of sub space?”

“Like…the kinky thing?”

Eddie facepalmed.

“Yeah. Like the kinky thing.”

“I mean, I’ve heard of it. Why?”

“You just spent the last hour in it.”

Steve was usually pretty good at keeping a pretty stoic face, but his jaw dropped.

“No I didn’t.”

“Sunshine, you were gone. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone that deep from a tattoo before.”

“If this is just a way to get me alone in your office or something…”

“Steve. I know you don’t know me, but I would never do that. If I wanted to get you alone, I’d just ask you.”

“I’m sure I’d say no.”

“Exactly. So you’ll stay so I can keep an eye on you?”

Steve shrugged. He didn’t have anything else to do and Robin wouldn’t be home for hours.

“I guess.”

Eddie’s eyes were practically glittering.

“Good. Go lay down, sunshine. I’ll bring you more water in a minute.”

So despite Steve having no idea what just happened, and barely any idea who Eddie even was beyond a talented tattoo artist, he made his way to the office and curled up on the couch.

Pout firmly in place because he was still Steve, after all.

Chapter 2 /  Chapter 3

[skylarkspinner]

fiber art adventures in egypt

I recently got back from a trip to Egypt & finally got around to organizing some pictures to share. One of the things I was most excited about was seeing what I could find on fiber arts and textiles.

Dropping everything under a read more, 'cause this will be a long post haha

first visit: the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)

At the time of visiting, they had a special textiles exhibit. It covered Pharonic Egypt all the way up to modern times, although I only had time to check out the dynastic & a bit of the Coptic portion of the exhibit (which was what I was really hoping to see anyways)

Was super excited to see this diorama in person. I knew about it but had never seen good pictures of it. From the little I've seen of ancient Egyptian spinning, spinning with two spindles seems to be the norm rather than a master technique? It also shows up in tomb art, which the exhibit also shared:

They also used a different fiber preparation (splicing to create a rove of fiber, no traditional drafting to my understanding) so that probably made a difference? Regardless I really want to see if I can replicate the technique, especially because their spindles look so similar to modern spindles??

I took so many pictures of spindles, guys, and I fully intend to either have a few replicas made or to learn to make some myself. Also, although they were unlabeled... I'm pretty sure those are beaters for weaving? That was a bit of a trend with this trip, so much stuff was unlabeled :( I would've killed to at least get some date estimates for some of the stuff they had on display. I was nerding out in here though, and my family took a few pictures of how excited I was getting. A bit embarrassing, but eh haha

The exhibit also had a section on natural dyes used with a fun visual;

There was several diagrams specifically describing each dye source, but in the interest of not overloading on pictures I'll just list them out. For blues; woad, Yellows; turmeric, safflower, saffron, or yellow ochre; reds; madder, henna, pomegranate, and kermes. I originally thought kermes was another way to say cochineal, but it only seems to be distantly related.

next visit: Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Center

A small art center dedicated to hand-weaving wool and cotton tapestries. All of their work was museum quality & awe inspiring!!

Was even invited to their back rooms to watch a few of their weavers working; no I don't have room to put a room-sized loom anywhere but heck do I want one now

Our guide that took us through talked a bit about the natural dyes they use (all of their dyes are dyed in house with what they grow in their dye garden!!!) and got excited to hear I was also interested in natural dyes! He seemed a bit disappointed I'd never worked with indigo and. while indigo scares me, I'll take it as a sign that maybe I should try some time this year haha.

final visit; the Egyptian Museum

we really had to rush through this one which was a huge shame because it's packed full of artifacts. Also, the lighting in there is atrocious, so apologies for the not great pictures ahead.

They had a fascinating display of textile tools, more than what the NMEC had;

(Hand for size reference) I want all of these spindles! So badly! But a few of them look so much like a few of the spindles I own already?? A few of them had a spiraling notch, that's so cool? But also, what's going on with the one with two whorls? I have no idea. I'm fascinated.

Look at these whorls!! Although again, I'm a bit confused; the lack of labeling strikes again. Unsure why some of these "whorls" have two holes, or what the metal object with the wooden handle is. The display implies sewing needles, and some of them do look like it, but others.... really don't look like sewing needles. I'm absolutely enchanted by this little whorl though. I think it has birds on it?

More objects that I'm baffled by- the signage doesn't really indicate what some of this stuff is, if it's even known. Also confused by the object wrapped in white string in the right pic; it looks like a distaff but to the best of my knowledge the (ancient at least) Egyptians didn't use distaffs. It probably popped up in later times and was put in this display since it was still relevant, but I'm still not sure.

I have so many more pictures & thoughts but I'll save those for more specific future projects. I've been doing research outside this trip on ancient Egyptian spinning techniques and desperately want to go deeper into that, this trip just solidified how excited it makes me. If you made it all the way through this, many thanks for reading!

Bonus; look at this ancient linen 🥺

[theresattrpgforthat]

Hello!! Do you know any TTRPGs surrounding translation or languages? 😊 (thanks for all your work btw!!!)

THEME: Language / Translation Games

Hello friend! As someone who studied linguistics in university, I absolutely love talking about all of the funky things languages do! I hope these recommendations tickle your fancy!

Dialect, by Thorny Games.

Dialect is a game about an isolated community, their language, and what it means for that language to be lost. In this game, you’ll tell the story of the Isolation by building their language. New words will come from the fundamental aspects of the community: who they are, what they believe in, and how they respond to a changing world.

Dialect uses a deck of cards to help minimize the amount of choices you have to make in character creation, by dealing three cards to each player and having the players choose one from just those three. You track the change of your language over a series of turns, using prompts to help you navigate the conversations that arise in your community as the world around them changes.

Dialect has been very highly regarded as a game that really delivers on the experience that it promises. The grief that accompanies language death really shines through this game, so if you want to combine the wonder of creation with the pain of losing something so integral to your sense of being, this is the game for you.

Tiny Frog Wizards, by @prokopetz

You have mastered the secret arts of sorcery

The very primordial energies of creation and destruction are yours to wield as you will.

You are two inches tall.

Tiny Frog Wizards is a game about tiny frogs, wielding magic using the power of words. When you want to do something magical, you will roll somewhere between 1-3 dice, and use the values of your rolled dice to determine how the range, magnitude, and control of your magic.

What’s important in terms of this game recommendation is the Control aspect, because how well you are able to wield your magic depends on how many words you are able to use to make things happen! It’s a lot easier to use a spell with precision if you have enough words to detail where you want a magical pen to write, or what you want to throw a tiny magic missile at. Not enough words? Then the GM has license to cause some humorous side effects, or, if you roll poorly enough, cause your spells to really go off the rails.

If you like games where you need to choose your words carefully, Tiny Frog Wizards is worth checking out - especially since it’s in free playtest!

Xenolanguage, by Thorny Games.

Xenolanguage is a tabletop role-playing game about first contact with alien life, messy human relationships and what happens when they mix together.  At its core, you explore your pivotal relationships with others on the mission as you uncover meaning in an alien language. The game gives a nod to soulful sci-fi media like Arrival, Story of Your Life and Contact, but tells its own story. It’s a game for 2-4 players in 3-4 hours.

In Xenolangauge, you play as a group of people bound together through a shared past with unsettled questions. Your task is to understand why the aliens have come and what they are trying to tell us. You will soon discover the key to understanding lies in your memories together.

This is definitely an in-person game, as it is meant to come with a modular channeling board that will provide you with alien symbols that you will use to help you interpret messages. This is more than a game about language, it’s about relationship, shared memories, and connection.

Xenolanguage was kickstarted at the beginning of this year, but you can check out the above link to pre-order the game if this sounds interesting to you!

Star-Spawned, by Penguin King Games.

One unearthly night, a ray of colourless light descended from the stars, and under its warping radiance, creatures unlike any the world has ever seen were born. They do not know the world, and they do not know themselves. Unfortunately for the world, they're quick learners!

Star-Spawned is a GMless, oneshot-oriented tabletop RPG in which you don't know what your own traits do when play begins. The names of each group's stats are randomly generated using morpheme chaining, and characters are created while having absolutely no idea what they mean; figuring that out forms the greater part of play.

Star-Spawned is more about self discovery than it is about language, but the use of morpheme-chaining in character creation is intriguing to me. You will randomly roll three pieces of a word, and then chain them together to create a unique Facet, available to the players as stats. These Facets don’t have a meaning when the game begins - you need to play to find out what they mean. If you like playing around with semantics - the meaning of words - this might be a game for you.

Degenerate Semantics, by Mikael Andersson.

Degenerate Semantics is a role-playing game for 1-5 players and one Game Master (GM). The players will each portray a character who live in Emmaloopen's poverty-stricken lower city. They are young, wild, ambitious, and independent. This way of life is threatened by other factions, and the players will need to have their characters work together to survive and thrive.

In the process of playing the game, the players and GM will define and flesh out a language called Bandethal. A collection of street terms and slang, Bandethal is used both as a way to talk openly about illicit activities without alerting authorities and to establish street cred. The terms are liberally mixed in with plain English, or when the language is mature enough, can be used entirely on its own. The characters' success is in large part based on how proficiently the players wield the language.

A friend of mine ran this game for me three or four years ago, and it’s been sitting in the back of my head ever since. Degenerate Semantics was created for a Game Chef competition in 2014, and has remained in the same state since then. I don’t think there’s any more work being done on it, but the game is there for anyone who wants to give it a go - and while there’s a setting that comes with the game, that setting is highly flexible, depending on what your group is interested in. Our group decided to use a lot of gardening metaphors, and undertook a plant-based heist as our act of rebellion! If you want a game about the power that language can give a tightly-knit group, this is the game for you.

I've Also Recommended...

DROWWORD, by Ursidice.

[danganronpadespairtime]

Chapter 2 part 1 asks

All responses are in this post for organization. There may be chapter 2 spoilers.

(space to prevent misclick)

xmicrophonyx asked: How long did it take you to make the Insane Literature Girl MV? It looked like you spent a lot of time on it!

Making the drawing and video itself took a little over a month. But I had been planning out the text portions (translation, text excerpts, ideas for puzzles) of it for a little over a year (my planning document dates back to May of last year and somehow amassed 12K words..?).

I wasn't working on it continuously for a year, though; it was just an on-off project that I was lazily thinking about for a while.

Anonymous asked: Hi this is a random question but I was wondering if I was just seeing things or not. Does Xander have a tongue piercing? I think in some sprites it looks like he has one and others where it looks like he doesn't. He is totally my favorite character and I love his design by the way!

It's not visible in all of his sprites, but he does indeed have a tongue piercing.

He thought if he had one there he could slip it under his old school's strict "no piercings allowed" policy by just closing his mouth every time a teacher walked by.

Anonymous asked: one genuine question, was there anything specific you were considering when coming up with the cast’s birthdates? or were they pretty much random

Some of the birthdays are specific dates with meaning, then the rest were filled in throughout the remaining months of the year in a somewhat even temporal spread.

xmicrophonyx asked: For this chapter's BDA and fake-out BDA, were they made with 3D assets, just 2D art, or a mix of both? What was the process in making them?

It's a 2D image with a depth map.

Anonymous asked: Is the Hope's Peak the DRDT class went to a high school or something more like a 4-year university for young adults? (Sorry if this has already been addressed somewhere, if the information exists I couldn't find it.)

The second thing. The US's Hope's Peak Academy is post-secondary education. It is equivalent to an American college.

Anonymous asked: I really love the character Fan-Made MVs you do, like for Min and David! Do you plan on making one for every character?

No. I only make MVs for songs that I think fit a character, that I like, and that I have a good MV idea for, which is not something I can control.

Anonymous asked: Does David's new design have a default sprite?

This one is his default sprite.

Anonymous asked: Hi DRDT Dev! This is more of just a simple question and not so much a chapter specific question. We know David like to eat simple foods like ready oat meal. But can he cook small meals like scrambled eggs, omelets or things like that? Oh and how does David normally manage his feelings? I like to think that he journals but this is just a head canon of mine. I'm curious if you could share anything like that about him for us!

He can cook a decent meal, he just prefers not to.

Badly

Anonymous asked: Do the cast have exact ages or are they just deemed “colleges aged adults”?

They all do have exact ages, down to the day, but that's a spoiler. For now, just know that they're over 18.

Anonymous asked: Something I'd been wondering since Rose had talked about her secret with Teruko: She mentions that she was bailed out and came to work under the Spurling Foundation by Richard Spurling. In Bonus Episode #2 with Xander, he mentions the name Duke Spurling with distaste in regards to the Chariton incident. Are Richard Spurling and Duke Spurling the same person? Or separate people? If they're the same person, is Duke a nickname or a title?

Duke Spurling and Richard Spurling are different people, but they are brothers. Duke is (was?) a politician. Richard is a billionaire philanthropist who founded the Spurling Foundation. Duke is not officially affiliated with the Spurling Foundation, but he did receive sizable political donations from that foundation while he was still active in politics.

Duke is a first name, by the way, and not a title. Also, Duke is quite old, in the 80-something-ish age range. Basically, old enough to have been alive during the Tragedy.

Anonymous asked: I was wondering if there are any other characters with canon sexualities?

I said before that I would only confirm sexualities in the story itself, but I changed my mind.

Whit - bisexual Eden - lesbian Ace - gay Veronika - pansexual David - bisexual with a strong female lean. but he describes himself as "straight but also not opposed to any random impulses that may arise" Teruko - unlabeled/explicitly ambiguous

Everyone else is subject to interpretation for now.

citrusircus asked: You've stated before that you don't want any of your assets used with AI, but I'd still like to ask whether or not this extends to the character.ai site (considering no intellectual properly is actually used to make these). Completely understandable if you'd rather people not touch it! Just wanted to clarify.

I don't like character.ai.

tophats-tea asked: Was there a particular incident that caused the scar on Charles’ arm, or was it just a usual chemical spill from working as a chemist?

It's a dog bite scar.

Charles is under the impression that it's a birthmark.

Anonymous asked: why does hu have claws on her hand?

Those are not claws. They are plectra for guzheng.

shi-daisy asked: For my question, I'd like to ask is there anything random you can tell us about Levi? He's my favorite character and I'd love to know any miscellaneous details about him be it preferences or silly info you may have of him or how you came up with his character. Thanks in advance!

He has an almost unruly sweet tooth and will consume an entire bowl of lollipops (his favorite candy) in an hour if he doesn't watch himself.

If you see him in future art with a white stick of some sort in his mouth it's almost certainly a lollipop.

murderacademia asked: Ooh, do you have a random fun fact about Charles as well? :) he’s a big fave of mine! Thank u!

He's secretly very attached to his hair length, and doesn't like the idea of cutting it short.

welpuu asked: do the cast all have favourite colours? if so which ones? (also sorry if this was already asked 😭)

Teruko: red (reasoning: association) Charles: "Why would I assign emotional value to colors? That's a ridiculous waste of energy." (cerulean) Whit: neon pink (reasoning: "Pink!!") Rose: lilac (reasoning: likes subdued colors for their subtlety) Arturo: blueish white (reasoning: sterile) Levi: cerise pink (reasoning: feminine) Eden: daffodil yellow (reasoning: happy) J: black (reasoning: cool) Hu: emerald green (reasoning: elegant) Nico: none (reasoning: no interest) Ace: dark blue/purple (reasoning: refuses to provide reasoning) Arei: azure (reasoning: "I'm blue, so clearly it's the best color!") Min: taupe (reasoning: comforting) Xander: bright red (reasoning: passionate color) Veronika: white in conjunction with other colors (reasoning: brings out other colors well) David: gamboge (reasoning: inspiring)

Since I'm on the topic, here are least favorite colors as well.

Teruko: pitch black (reasoning: unsettling) Charles: dark red (reasoning: looks like blood) Whit: gray (reasoning: boring) Rose: none (reasoning: all colors have their value in the right situations) Arturo: neon colors (reasoning: tasteless) Levi: neon yellow (reasoning: a little hard to style) Eden: blue (reasoning: "Kind of a downer color...") J: pink (reasoning: obvious) Hu: blueish white (reasoning: sterile) Nico: white (reasoning: unsettling) Ace: titian (reasoning: doesn't like himself) Arei: green (reasoning: looks like puke) Min: white and pink together (reasoning: annoying) Xander: dark red (reasoning: looks like blood) Veronika: white in the absence of other colors (reasoning: soulless) David: gray (reasoning: depressing)

cuckaracha asked: but also for a real cool and sexy question. Can we have a totally normal and not fucked up fact about Ace?

When I designed Ace from the start, I wanted him to wear heels (because he is short), but I thought that it was inaccurate for a jockey's outfit, and I didn't do it. But then later I remembered that he isn't jockeying at the moment, so it would have been fine if he wore heels. In any case I decided it'd be okay to add them back in his new design.

When it comes to jockeying, Ace wishes he was shorter (he is on the tall side for a male jockey), but for all other aspects of life he might find it bothersome to be shorter than everyone else. So he might have a tendency to wear shoes that enhance his height. Subtly of course.

Also, he has 9 siblings.

Anonymous asked: taking a note from the levi asker, are there any random fun facts about nico or veronika that you have? those two are my favorites!

Nico cuts their own hair. Veronika's single green earring is a 'good luck charm' given to her by her dearest friend.

welpuu asked: another simple question sorry...im curious about if any of them have favourite ice cream flavours...or like maybe flavours in general? unless thats too broad then the ice cream flavours is fine 😭

Teruko - red bean Charles - coffee Whit - vanilla Rose - red velvet Arturo - chocolate mint Levi - caramel Eden - honeycomb J - black sesame Hu - rose Nico - "the flavor" (doesn't elaborate further) Arei - birthday cake Min - lemon Xander - sauerkraut??? Veronika - funfetti David - pistachio Ace - frozen bananas (actual frozen bananas, not ice cream)

sunriseindigo asked: does rose have a favorite art medium (acrylics, colored pencils, graphite, etc)? also, does she do digital art or is she strictly traditional?

Paints are her specialty, particularly oil, and she rarely uses any other medium. She does not do digital art.

Anonymous asked: would you be willing to spare any fun information about Rose?

Her whole family has plant-themed naming.

Daisy (older sister)

Saffron (younger brother)

Holly (mom)

Iris (mom)

xmicrophonyx asked: Is there any concept art of the DRDT cast?

There is, but it's so embarrassingly awful that I don't think it will see the light of day any time soon.

Other than this.

I'm certain is the first ever drawing of DT. I guess Arei used to have black hair.

Anonymous asked: what does the cast smell like :)

Teruko - Dirt, sawdust, burnt smell Charles - Laundry detergent Rose - Paint and chemicals Arturo - Antiseptic Hu - Womanly perfume (light) Veronika - Womanly perfume (heavy) David - Men's cologne (light) Levi - Men's cologne (heavy). Also, somewhat faintly, leather Nico - Cat Ace - Sweat and menthol Min - Lavender/eucalyptus/lemons/whatever essential oil she decided to use that day Whit - Fruity fun shampoo (for kids) Xander - Men's 3 In One Body Wash (for men). Also, somewhat faintly, gunpowder MonoTV - metal and burning rubber

Anonymous asked: Is the Spurling Foundation and XF-Ture Tech the same thing?

They are totally unrelated institutions. The former is a philanthropic organization, the latter is a for-profit tech company (that also seems to do a lot of other things).

spyrkle4 asked: Question! Will sometime in the future will we know a little more about the sibling characters of some of the cast members? I honestly am just curious about J's brother and wanna know more about him

It’s good to have names to refer to characters, so here are the names of some characters who have been referred to in the story (and additional information about other characters as well)

Fuyuko + Natsuko Nageishi (Arei’s older sisters, by around 2-5 years): They are identical twins, in both appearance and persona. Actually, their appearances are mirrored. The two of them are always seen together and share everything with each other. They are best friends and very close.

Ryan Rosales (J’s younger brother, by about 1-2 years): He likes playing video games, and the two of them play games often. He also loves annoying J. One of his hobbies is cross-dressing.

Elliot “Ellie” Cuevas (Charles’ older brother, by about 11-13 years): Although he has not had an appearance yet, he looks shockingly similar to how Charles looks now. His favorite food is pancakes and his favorite animal is dogs.

Felicity Giles (Arturo's younger sister, by about 3-4 years): She also has not made an appearance yet. She has low self-esteem and admires Arturo a lot.

These characters (and others) have reference sheets, but those are meant for internal use only, so maybe later I will draw reference of their designs to show you all.

zamazencian asked: Is there a fun fact about Xander you could share? He's my favorite guy :D

He has a very weak sense of taste, and most normal foods taste bland to him. As a result, anything he cooks has an overwhelmingly strong flavor that makes it almost inedible to other people. He seems unaware of this.

sourapplecake asked: what kind of accent does xander have? i can’t tell if it’s british or australian or what 😭🙏 <- a little slow

British.

Anonymous asked: Do you ever have any plans of making promotional splash art in the future? I apologize if this has already been asked!!

Not really.

Anonymous asked: Is Min, like... truly really into essential oils and healing stuff?

She is aware that essential oils don't have any scientifically proven meaningfully significant benefits, but finds them relaxing nonetheless.

Anonymous asked: Does David wear hairclips because he likes them or is there some other reason?

It's his manager's idea for "branding." But David thinks they're embarrassingly stupid looking and doesn't like wearing them.

saraanzu asked: do you have the death order for the rest of the show decided in your head already, or are you figuring it out as you go along?

Decided from the start.

xmicrophonyx asked: Any fun facts about Whit?

He's the best cook in the cast. His specialty is French.

Anonymous asked: where did David's hairclip's go after he had his little transformation in chap2? cuz it looked like he ate them lol

www.google.com/search?q=pants+pocket&tbm=isch

Anonymous asked: hi, sorry if this is a silly question but how do you pronounce davids surname? ive seen it pronounced "chee - em" or "keem" but i just wanted to know if there's an official way to say it teehee

CHEE-em

chee as in cheese

em as in seem

0-kaiya-0 asked: Will there be more FTEs?

Maybe, but I'm not sure I want to put out any more polls.

Anonymous asked: will there be any canon couples?

I'm not one to write romance, so don't count on it.

Anonymous asked: Are people allowed to make nsfw content of your characters?

Sure.

Anonymous asked: How is Veronikas last name pronounced?

GRE-ben-SHI-ko-va

Gre as in regret

ben as in the name Ben

shi as in shiba inu

ko as in cold

By the way, here's a tip for (approximate) name pronunciation. If you can identify the origin of the name, go to Google Translate, type it in the left box, set the left language to the appropriate language, and hit the speaker/play button to have it read out-loud.

[loupy-mongoose]

As tends to happen when I’m in an art funk, I’ve stockpiled a few sketch sheets.

First up, a little Momo love!

These ones are based on a plushie I got for Christmas. I want to reverse engineer its pattern someday, because I ADORE its proportions!

(The bottom right two are just freehands, not based on the plushie.)

And then just some “whatever my hands felt like doing” doodles.

And… a character that I’ve been trying to iron out for a bit now… she’ll be relevant to the story at some point, but I’ve been enjoying drawing her and finally getting a solid idea of what I want her to be.

But since she’s relevant to the future, I’ll put her stuff under a read more, for those who would rather wait until she’s officially introduced.

This character is named Jamie, and is very near and dear to my heart. She’s not only an old OC of mine, but she—with help from a Gardevoir— is basically the one who got me out of a human drawing phobia many years ago. (So you can thank her for me being bold enough to share today, lol.) She started out as a trainer-sona, but quickly became a character all her own, very different from me as a person.

Anyway, first for her, some gesture things and mood drawings.

Some hairdo practice

(I default to making parts either in the middle or on the left, hence the blurb in there, lol.)

And some fun I had with her Crobat, partially inspired by a comment from @penumbramewtwos

(I forgot her scars there, but it kinda works because I feel like this would happen before she got them. X3)

And finally, the part where I really felt like I was getting somewhere with her, aka some clothing testing.

I’ve been wanting to hold off revealing her until she comes into the story, but I really like how these all turned out, and I don’t know when I’ll be ready to move the story along. On top of that, her reveal really wouldn't have any special impact to most of you, since you don't know her. (Aside from a select few.)

So I thought I’d give in and share her with you all. Plus that frees me up to share more doodles of her if I so choose.

I hope you enjoy! ^v^

[httpsobi]

YOU...YOU CAN DO THAT? “a spider-reader x team"

WARNINGS/TAGS + sfw, they/them (gender neutral) reader addressed as spider cause if you can't tell i'm very creative, inspired by miles morales spiderman cause hes my fav, no beta we die like aunts and uncles in spiderman movies/comics, canon-typical violence (not heavily detailed).

A/N + to the anon who requested this nearly a year ago, i'm so sorry pookie the writer block put me in a author coma of sorts. despite this being a year late and trash, i hope you enjoy regardless, and i'm hoping to get more active with my writing again! enjoyyyyyy!

REQUEST + "Oops here I am again (the same anon who requested a reader with spider like abilities).. I forgot to specify 😭 but like maybe could you do idk a first meeting between the YJ and the reader (they/them btw)? Would they be creeped out with the readers' abilities or would it go like 'oh wooooow. Show us how it works!'?"

KF & AQ "Kid!" Kid Flash turns to Spider as he sprints across the buildings adjacent to them. They struggle to match his pace, but as he slows to stick his landing, they manage to catch up and yell at a simple instruction that nearly has him freezing in his tracks out of horror.

"Jump!"

"What?" They flinch at the loud screech that pierces through their earpiece. "No way- are you crazy?!"

"Just-"

Their eyes widen as they watch the monster they've been trying to lead away from the populated city centre leaps into the air behind him.

"-do it!"

Kid Flash hesitates for a moment, they can see it on his face, ready to ignore their request when the creature lets out a rumbling roar.

The ground shakes under his feet as the monstrous thing lands on the building behind him and his face drops into a comical expression.

He spares it a glance over his shoulder, and with its claws reaching out from him, he takes the leap, narrowly avoiding the sharp nails, but as he flails around in the air, weightless, he wonders-

does he really prefer concrete over nails?

He shuts his eyes, readying himself from an impact that- never comes. Rather, there's something sticking to his stomach before he's being yanked to the side, and then- up.

Instead of the smack of concrete, he hits a person, their arms wrapped around him as they roll both of them through the force.

Kid Flash, finally, shoots up and opens his eyes.

Spider and Kid Flash are sat on their asses with matching shellshocked looks, staring down at the building across of them, where that beast shares a similarly confused look as it watches the street below them.

The two turn to blink at each other, shuffling to their feet as they let out joyous cheers that sound almost like screams (poor Kaldur's ears can testify), arms wrapped around each other as they jump with like two middle aged men who's football team just scored the final point.

"Dude, we did that!"

"Right?! I thought I was gonna fall to my death but then you just-!"

"I didn't even know how I did that! It was sheer animal instinct-"

Needless to say, Kaldur was less than happy, and no more "jumping-off-the-building-and-praying" was permitted or attempted. 

Not around Kaldur anyway.

ART & SUP Superboy fails to punch through it, the cage simply folding and stretching around his fist before it pushes him, his shoulder bumping into Artemis'.

"Are we stuck in here until Robin gets back?" Artemis asks with a irritated sigh, turning to look at Spider.

They seem mystified, a mischievous glint in their eyes that she can make out through the big cartoonish eyes of the mask as they take in the strange cage.

Their hands press against the cage, palm flat as they give it a little experimental shove before she can make out their eyebrows rising.

Their palms start to spark, and the red hue of the cage begins to light up a pale blue, "Nope."

The crackles of electricity grow louder and Artemis and Superboy step back just as an awful cracking sounds and-

The cage bursts around them, Spider's sent flying back into Artemis, who's then sent back into Superboy and the three hit the floor with matching grunts.

There's a moment of silence, before Artemis is shoving Spider off of her and rolling off of Superboy herself. As the three sit themselves up slowly, Artemis can make out Spider nodding to themselves with what she thinks is pride.

"I didn't know you could do that." Superboy comments plainly as the three slowly get back to their feet.

Blinking at him, Spider wiggles their fingers at him with a smile.

"Me neither."

MG & ROB With a grunt, Robin sits up with a grimace, hand on his head as his eyes readjusts when he manages to make out Bane stood just in his eye-line.

Bane isn't looking at him though, instead the man's eyes are trained on Miss Martian floating in the air, hands outstretched out in front of her.

She's clearly too busy managing her telekinesis to notice the hulking man anger as he grabs onto one of the many large pieces of machinery lying around the abandoned factory and prepares to ambush her. 

Miss Martian, watch out!

Robin's voice rings out in her head, and M'gann whips around, eyes landing on Bane.

Before either of them can react, something is suddenly flying through the air and with a loud thwack- Bane is lying on the floor, looking a lot less angry and unconscious. Now up on his feet, Robin slowly approaches Bane, M'gann landing on his side as the pair blink down at whatever hit him.

Upon inspection, it's the barrel tank that those cement trucks carry. Empty, sure, but Robin's not surprised that guy was put to bed.

What's more surprising?

"Woooo, my aim's getting good, no?" Spider grins, bouncing on their feet as they approach the two.

"You... you threw that?" Miss Martian asks carefully.

"Duh, who else?"

"Oh. Well, thank you." She offers, a little dumbfounded but Spider doesn't seem to notice.

"How?" Spider blinks at Robin, who's been silently gawking at them as they approach.

"What do you mean, 'how'? I just threw it. "

Robin sputters at them, left eye twitching under his mask as he watches them stretch their arms out over their head with no care in the world.

"That's not- that's impossible?"

"Nuh, uh! Just grab, do a couple spins to get some speed and let go- works pretty well."

"I don't believe you."

"Why not?! I'm plenty strong!"

Safe to say that Robin made them perform a couple of strength tests when they got back to the cave, and now Robin's worried Spider might not be aware of the fact that most people can't just throw around cement trucks.

all work n' writing is work of @httpsobi. i ask you please do not copy, rewrite, translate or post on other platforms without my consent.

[javierpena-inatacvest]

Soup for Breakfast

Summary: Javi comes home to find that you caught the flu from your class at school, and wants to help you feel better.

Word count: 1.7K

Warnings: FLUFF. This is literally just pure fluff, as Javier Peña lives in my mind rent free as the biggest softie alive. Mentions of food/eating, mentions of death (but in a really wholesome way), reader being sick

Paring: Javier Peña x f!reader (no use of Y/N, reader is an elementary school teacher)

This can be read as a stand alone, or as a part of the Never Too Late Series!

A/N: I wrote this when I had COVID because I am convinced that if you told Javi that you were sick, he would literally go to the ends of the earth to help you feel better.

“Hey hermosa, I’m home.” Javi set his keys down on the entryway table and shed his dark gray suit jacket, flopping it over the edge of the kitchen counter. 

Silence. 

“Hermosa?” He questioned again, concern beginning to creep in his voice. 

Since you had started the school year, Javi came home every day looking forward to the image of you sitting at the kitchen table, projects and papers from your 3rd grade class spread across the oak surface. You’d smile and give him a big kiss, ready to share whatever crazy antics your class was up to that day. But when he stepped through the doorway, he noticed the usual construction paper, notebooks and crayons, but the seat where you always were was empty. 

“Hey baby, it’s me!” He tried one more time, hoping that you were in a room further down the hall and hadn’t heard him. No response. The silence sent Javi into fight or flight, now picking up his speed as he looked into other rooms to find them all empty. He paced back to the living room, trying to keep his composure, his past experience with missing persons not boding well for his current state. Taking a few more deep breaths before doing anything irrational, Javi went to sit down on the couch, until he heard a small grunt underneath him. 

“Please don’t sit on me.” You grumbled, nestled under a large pile of blankets.

“Hermosa, Jesus Christ, you scared the shit out of me.” Javi shot up, breathing heavily, placing his hand on his chest. You rolled over, shifting around in your blanket heap, head peeking out to look at Javi. “Baby, are you okay? What’s wrong?” Panic still lingering in his words, now realizing you were laying in a near lifeless heap on the couch. 

“No, I feel great. Isn’t this what everyone does when they feel good? Roll themselves into a giant blanket pile?” Your remark oozing with sarcasm and a hoarseness in your voice. “The flu has been going around my classroom and I think I got it.” You groaned, your body aching as you shifted yourself further out of your fabric cocoon. “You’d think by this point I’d have the immune system of a steel truck, but these kids are just never ending germ factories.” 

Javi quietly chuckled to himself as he knelt next to you, sweeping your hair out of your face and kissing your forehead. As he got closer, he could feel the heat radiating off you, your breaths heavy and labored as you fought to keep your eyelids open. He grazed the back of his large hand against your hairline, his deep brown puppy dog eyes growing more and more concerned.

 “Cariño, you look awful.” 

“Way to make a girl feel good.” 

“No, baby, that’s not what I meant, I-” he tried to quickly rebuttal. 

“Javi, I’m just joking. I know I look like a Gremlin someone just pulled out of a garbage can.” You both quietly laughed before you let out a deep cough, only adding to the effect of your disheveled state. “I started feeling gross this afternoon while the kids were at Art and Gym, so I already made sub plans for the rest of the week, just in case.” 

Javi leaned back down to kiss your head once again, knowing you really must have felt awful if you were willing to admit the fact you couldn’t fight your way through your sickness so you didn’t need to find a substitute teacher for your class. “Okay, hermosa. I think that’s a good idea.” He sat up to peek his head over the couch, starting at your kitchen. “Give me one second, okay?” 

You nodded, already back to being half asleep. Javi began rummaging through the fridge and cabinets, looking for any food that you would 1- eat, and 2- help you feel better. Grimacing at the low stock of items, he began frantically scribbling down a grocery list full of supplies. 

“Hey baby?” Javi had made his way back to the couch, squatting down next to you as he handed you a glass of water. 

“Mhmmmmhh?” You moaned, outstretching an almost limp arm to take the glass, sitting up as you took a few sips. 

“I’m gonna go to the grocery store to get some things. I promise I’ll be right back. Are you gonna be okay while I’m gone?” 

“Well I wasn’t planning on going very far anytime soon, I think I’ll be alright.” You half smiled at him, handing him back the now empty glass. 

“Okay. I love you.” He kissed you on the top of your head, his nose nestled in your hair before he pulled away, frantically gathering his keys and shutting the door behind him. 

“Love you too.” You mumbled, half coherent as you burrowed back down into your blankets. 

When Javi got to the store, he was a man on a mission. You would have thought someone had told him Pablo Escobar was inside at the rate he was moving through the aisles. Completely disregarding the list he had thrown together at the house, Javi had a shopping cart of supplies full enough to tend to the entirety of your 3rd grade class. The thought of seeing you sick and in pain absolutely wrecked him, wanting to do anything he could to help you feel better. He was so desperate, in fact, at one point while in the pharmacy section, he had thrown in a box of bandaids, just in case. 

When he returned back to the house, he was relieved to find you at least sitting in a semi-upright position watching TV, laughing to yourself at the ridiculous amount of groceries he had just set down on the kitchen counter. 

“I didn’t know we were planning on running a hospital out of our home.” You giggled as Javi unbagged the items. 

“I just wanted to make sure you had whatever you needed. I may have gone a little overboard.” He replied sheepishly as he continued to unpack a bag full of snacks. 

“It’s okay, it’s sweet. Thanks Dr. Peña.” 

“Of course.” He finished putting everything in its place before coming back over to you. “Here, drink this.” He passed another cup over to you. 

“Wow, you even got me the red Gatorade? You hate the red kind! You really do love me.” A soft smile crept across your face as you took a small sip. 

“Well I’m not the one who looks like they’re on their deathbed, Hermosa.” It took every ounce of strength in you to give him a playful shove. “I’m gonna make you some soup, okay?” 

“You didn’t need to go all the way to the store for soup, we have soup here.” You rolled your eyes, knowing how much it physically pained Javi to watch you eat Campbell's canned soup after having a taste of one of his mom’s recipes not too long ago. 

“I can already hear mi mamá yelling at me from the grave if I let you eat that shit, especially when you’re sick. I’m making you Caldo de Pollo so she doesn’t come back to haunt me. Had it every time I was sick. Swear it makes you feel better.” Your  heart was warming at the idea of Javi making one of his late mother’s recipes, thankful that Javi’s dad had given you some of them from her cookbook. 

“Thank you, Javi. You’re the best. I’d kiss your sweet face but I’m guessing you don’t want my germs.” 

“A quick one won’t hurt anyone, doctor’s orders.” He winked before planting a soft peck on your lips. 

As he got up, he went over to your entertainment center under the TV, pulling out 2 different VHS tapes. “Which one?” 

“You can’t pit two Harrison Ford classics against each other! Hmmmm, I do love Indiana Jones, but I think Star Wars is gonna have to be the winner today. 

“I had a feeling.” He smiled as he popped in the tape, the theme music blasting as he got to work in the kitchen. 

Javi had to admit, he wasn’t a terrible chef. It wasn’t until he met you that he actually felt a need to cook. In Colombia, he was either eating out or stealing whatever leftovers Steve and Connie had, and once he came home, his dad cooked, insisting he wanted to keep his wife’s habit alive and well, even after she was gone. After Javi had chopped up all of the vegetables, he tossed them into the pot to let them simmer with the already bubbling chicken and rice. Once the soup was done, he filled a bowl practically to the brim, bringing it over to you, only to be greeted by the sweet sounds of your soft snores, muffled under the blanket draped across your face. He laughed quietly to himself before putting your soup on the end table of the couch and shuffling himself underneath your blanket mountain so your head rested against his thigh as a pillow. He stroked the ends of your hair between his fingers in one hand, the other, rubbing up and down your back in soft, gentle circles. 

He let the end credits of the movie roll before turning off the TV and carefully unwrapping you from your blankets, scooping you up to carry you back to bed. As he laid you down, gently tucking you in under the covers, he heard you mumble something. 

“What was that, Hermosa?” Javi’s voice just above a whisper.

“I never ate your soup.” You muttered, eyes still closed, words barely coherent. 

“It’s okay. Go back to sleep, baby. You need to rest.” He sat on the edge of your bed next to you, planting a soft kiss on the top of your head. 

“Can I have it for breakfast tomorrow?” You grumbled, as you turned over on your pillow. 

Javi laughed to himself. “Of course hermosa. Nos vamos por la mañana con tu sopa. Espero que te sientas mejor pronto. Te amo con todo mí corazon, Osita.” (I’ll see you in the morning with your soup. I hope you feel better soon. I love you with my whole heart, little bear.) 

If you would have asked Javier Peña all those years ago if he would have ever made someone soup for breakfast, he would have laughed in your face. But now? Now, he would make a million bowls of soup for breakfast, if it meant he got to spend it with you. 

[yukipri]

Good morning.

A very kind follower let me know that my clones art has been stolen and reposted, again. This time on Tiktok.

So here's a new version of my art. It's called: "Apparently putting 'Do Not Repost' on the art 4 times + in my bios of every social + FAQ isn't enough, so how's this?!"

I'm feeling very defeated and exhausted.

I just finished filing a DMCA yesterday. This new art theft version already has more views than every like/note on all versions of my art on all of my socials COMBINED + multiplied. This art was only posted a few days ago. I'm beginning to deeply regret drawing it.

Art thieves getting views and likes does NOTHING for the community. Imagine of those likes/comments/followers had come to me, on any of my socials. Think of how excited I'd be to connect to new folks, how hyped I'd be to draw more.

(how maybe, just maybe, someone official might one day notice and it might lead to more😭)

I don't think I've hit 10K likes on ANY art I've ever posted on Twitter in 8 years, and certainly nowhere near that on Tumblr in a while. That's ok, I understand that's due to my own lack of skills, which is why i work hard daily to improve!

But ART THEFT DOESN'T HELP. This person did NOTHING but stress me out, make me regret sharing my work, and take away valuable time and mental energy from me producing more work. And I promise you, they will not be able to make my art for you.

Don't worry, I'm not just complaining about it. I've filed a DMCA (tho gosh TikTok's form is WEIRD, really hoping it worked🥲)

But please. If you see an art theft account, please don't give them views & likes. Someone else worked hard on that. They could really use your support.

Anyway, here's the link to my art on Tumblr. On my account. Since, y'know, I drew it.

[nyxmainex]

I finished it guys. I finished them. IN A DAY.

Be it, they are VERY rushed and look as such, but I AM PROUD OF MYSELF FOR ONCE.

@velnna @bara-izu @necromosss

Fanart for your characters.

(Warnings: Me rambling)

If any of the artist I made this for see this, I hope you like it even maybe a portion as much as I do. Maybe more. Genuinely, each of these three artists inspire me to continue my hobby of making art. The reason I even do this hobby is to share it in hopes to inspire others. As much courage as it takes for me to even make these much less post them is just proof to myself how far I've come in terms of social interaction. I thank my friend, my mom and teacher for supporting my hobbies and specifically convincing me to make this. I'm off on a ramble, apologies.

I really do hope you like this. Each character has something I added to them, and I explain in their dedicated paragraph. Then you also get an overall part:).

MIRA ♡

Necromosss is the second BG3 artist I found on Tumblr and I adore their art. Everytime I see Moss post, I promise you I immediately spread it to my friends just so they get the recognition they deserve.

Mira was the last character I ended up drawing, and is definitely the most hurried and sloppy. I made hers pretty late, close to the time I sleep, yet I do feel proud of how I made her. Imagining Mira in the stories I've created, I believe she'd fit in with Meladonia, a kingdom of ghosts, poison, and death. Overlooking the main theme, Meladonia's queen, Chamixie (and funny enough, my character who romanced Gale), is a very lighthearted, flirty person. She, while respecting death and it's concepts, is always up to make an occasional joke. She doesn't take everything personally, and I think she'd get alone well with Mira. The Meladonia magic is dark magic known at Kalak. 'Mixie (Chamixie's nickname) created Kalak as a form of a way to express herself. Kalak magic is not negative, and it's not harmful. In fact, Kalak magic is meant to heal and embrace your fears to use positively. Most of the time, using Kalak magic causes small white, almost snake-like slits to form in the pupil of the user's eyes.

I hope you like how I drew her!:)

STAEVE ☆

MAF is the first BG3 artist I found on Tumblr. I can't put in to words how much they've inspired me. Me and my mom both love Staeve, we think he's great, and I can't wait to see more art from Velnna.

Staeve is the first character I drew, and though not as rushed as Mira's, I wasn't confident drawing him. I'm not too sure about how I drew him, though I do hope anyone reading this likes it. Much like Mira, I imagine he'd be from Meladonia if put in my stories.

In case you haven't read about Kalak magic, I'll copy it: The Meladonia magic is dark magic known at Kalak. 'Mixie (Chamixie's nickname) created Kalak as a form of a way to express herself. Kalak magic is not negative, and it's not harmful. In fact, Kalak magic is meant to heal and embrace your fears to use positively. Most of the time, using Kalak magic causes small white, almost snake-like slits to form in the pupil of the user's eyes.

I've, as an anon, told Velnna about one version of my first OC (Broodmother Nera). And she's a version of my main five characters. Her and Chamixie are sisters, four years apart (Nera is 28). Chamixie is a much more sort of flirty person and takes everything told to her with a drop of comedy, unless it's extremely serious (ex: any abuse) as she has experienced negative situations herself. I imagine that she'd want to be friends with Staeve as long as he wants to, but would likely rather protect him even if he doesn't want to be friends. Staeve reminds Chamixie of Alison, the youngest of the five sisters, and was Chamixie's previous life's bio daughter. Even if they are sisters in this life, Chamixie still, while not overprotective, is cautious around Alison. To an extent, Staeve gives off a similar vibe as Alison, and 'Mixie would do more than her best to help Staeve without being overbearing.

I hope this is interesting enough, and that you enjoy how I drew Staeve.

HALION ◇

I have so much trouble remembering how to write this lovely man's name, please correct me if it's wrong, I have terrible memory.

I recently found Bara, and I love all their characters. (No joke though, I ran to my mom to show her your characters). Halion is definitely one of my favourites.

I was the most confident creating Halion, and I genuinely am proud of my art. This is honestly one of the few times I do feel proud of myself. From the posts I read, which is not too many, I love his cheery personality. He makes me believe he'd be from Parfi if he was in my stories. Parfi is the kingdom of the Wasteland, but is known for war, previously known for lust, but after Lord Clemin became the ruler, she changed it to accommodate travellers. While it was re-built for wars, she's made it a beacon of light within a desert. That reminds me of Halion. Clemin, as a ruler, comes off as strong and demanding. But out of all five of the rulers, and as the second oldest sister, she's very soft. Even with her own insecurities, she lifts people up and encourages their positive ambitions. She's actually not very confident, even though presenting as such. Even if she is very silent, and kind of reserved, she'd feel comfortable with talking to Halion.

She created Taei magic, the magic of heat. Taei magic is considered neutral magic, and though she has used it negatively on herself, Taei was meant to be positive. Using Taei magic is essentially holding the essence of a flame, and it's a guiding light to find others. Clemin wants the people of her and her sister's kingdoms to never have to experience what any of them did/do. Using it reflects a flame in the user's eyes.

I hope you agree he'd be from Parfi, and if not, tell me why:)! I also hope you like the art I made for him.

OVERALL/EXTRA

I'm sorry this post is so long, and I wanted to be finish setting up my blog when I made this but I'm just too impatient to do so. The reason this post is so long is because while I could've made art of any artist I enjoy, these three artists inspired me the most. (And I'm an overthinker, so I want to make sure you understand how much I appreciate these artists.)

I hope you enjoy the ideas I had and the art I made. I love all three of these pieces I've made, and I love the original art that they were based on more. And if it's alright with the artists, I'd love to draw more!:)

While writing this, my hands are shaking. Ignore any mistakes in the writing.

(References)

Mira: (her Notion page)

Staeve:

This

And this

Halion:

This

This

And this

PROGRAMS USED:

Infinite painter for lineart and Clip Studio Paint (pro) for everything else.

Edit: LOOKING BACK AT THIS, IT'S SO SAPPY AND LONG I'M SORRRYYYYYY

[onlymingyus]

To You

pairing; joshua hong x lee seokmin (dk) x afab reader

genre; smut (minor dni), fluff, angst

warnings; college au, med student!shua, art student!seokmin, art student!reader, poly relationship, unprotected sex, fingering, oral (f receiving), hand job (briefly), masturbation, voyeurism/exhibitionism, pet names (peanut, baby, darling), hand on the throat, creampie, breast play, some mild mlm (there is more mention of this in the bonus headcanons so if you don't want this skip the very end but it is mild -- but this a poly relationship so), mention of joshua being a sugar daddy, food and drink, pining, mild jealousy, negotiation of a relationship, teasing, the reader is written to be smaller than joshua and seokmin -- hence the nickname of peanut

w/c; 15 k and some change 

requested; no

a/n; this took me a while to write. there were a lot of plot points I wanted to get out and then the plot kept building. I really do hope you enjoy it. this poly relationship really became important to me over the couple weeks of writing it. i really like the pairing of shua and dk.

“Okay, so what is the similarity between transcription and DNA replication?” 

You tap your pencil against the table, your eyes watching Seokmin as he sighs, leaning his head back. You knew that he knew the answer, he was just struggling to put all the pieces together in his head to come up with the right answer. 

Lee Seokmin was a very smart man, he excelled in the classes that were focused on his major but when it came to those that were required for graduation, that is where he fell short. This is also how the two of you had become so close. You shared the same major, deciding to pursue a degree in Art but you didn’t seem to struggle in the mundane classes like math, biology, or English like Seokmin did. 

“They both require a polymerase.” 

You only smile at the voice but Seokmin looks up with a half smile rolling his eyes at the man who leans down to press a kiss to your cheek from behind. Joshua Hong, the very epitome of perfection. A pre-med student, on the Dean’s list, from a wealthy family, and your boyfriend. 

“I knew that. They both require a poly…uh poly meringue.” 

Joshua laughs against your cheek at Seokmin’s words before standing back to his full height. “Merase, but pretty close. How long have you two been at it?” His large hands work into your shoulders making you instantly relax in your chair. He seemed to know exactly the right words, and how to touch you to make you melt. 

You had met Joshua in an Art History class, he had been taking it for an elective after putting off signing up for one until the last moment. What he had first thought was his misfortune and what could have been an incredibly boring class turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to him. You had smiled at him that first day, the seat to your right had been open and Joshua couldn’t help but introduce himself. 

Now a year later, he couldn’t see himself with anyone else despite being the most sought-after man on campus. Many had been confused by his choice at first, you weren’t his usual type. You weren’t popular by most standards. You dressed in boring clothes, you were quiet, kept to yourself, a bit of a nerd, but Joshua seemed to see past all of that. 

To say that you hadn’t changed after you met him would be a lie. Your wardrobe was much different, you had shifted your personality slightly to be more personable but in the end, you were happy. You had lots of friends, even if not all of them were the type of people you wanted to be around. Most of all you had Joshua and now you had your best friend Seokmin, who reminded you so much of how you used to be. 

Seokmin refused to change. He was what most people called “emo”. He wore dark clothes, kept mostly to himself, headphones on, and his face in his sketchbook, but when he was around you he would open up. He was what you were before you let everything change, and you were proud of him and proud to call him your friend. 

“Mm, three hours I think.” You smile at Seokmin, his eyes moving over your face, finally falling to Joshua’s hands on your shoulders before he looks away to give you a bit of space. “But, Seokmin is going to ace this test. I can feel it.” 

Seokmin scoffs, leaning his head back against the back of the chair. You had so much faith in him and he adored you for it. He adored you for many reasons and most he couldn’t act on. You weren’t his, you never would be. How could he compete with Mr. Perfect? Even if he wanted to hate Joshua, he couldn’t. There was nothing to hate beyond the fact that Joshua had what he wanted. 

“Yeah, we’ll see. I manage to fuck up a lot of things, Peanut.” 

Joshua smirks a bit at the nickname Seokmin calls you. He knew it was innocent, something as simple as you being smaller than Seokmin but Joshua still found it amusing. Not every best friend had a pet name for each other. “I’m sure you will do just fine, Seokmin. You and Y/N have been working very hard.” 

You smile, gesturing back towards Joshua as if to say ‘I told you so’ to Seokmin who just laughs and shrugs. Joshua laughs, shaking his head, his hand moving to slide along the side of your face as he leans down to tilt your head up so he could kiss you gently. 

“I’ll see you later, Darling. Dinner at my place?” 

Humming out an affirming response, you smile on his lips. Joshua grins against them, stepping back to give a nod and wave to Seokmin before leaving you and him alone once again. Seokmin sighs softly watching you with Joshua, the way you react to him. What he wouldn’t give to leave you breathless like that just once. 

“So, poly meringue.” 

Laughing, you shake your head at Seokmin, your pencil slipping off your fingers to fly in his direction causing him to laugh in return. “Polymerase, an enzyme.” You can’t help but feel your chest tighten at the sight of how handsome Seokmin is when he smiles so brightly for you. The way his eyes pull at the corners, his bright teeth on display. He never smiled like that for others. He was so timid, closed off. 

“Right, right. Not a dessert. I’ll remember that one now.” 

Several hours later you found yourself in Joshua Hong’s apartment. Not many were as lucky as him to have their own, especially not having to share. He had asked you to move in with him several times and each time you had declined telling him that you didn’t want to crowd him. Though in truth you were just afraid of what it would mean if you made that decision. 

You did love being there with him. Not having to worry about all the noise of your shared apartment, though you didn’t mind your roommates, even if they could be a bit much at times. Yet you found yourself spending many nights with your boyfriend only to have him remind you that you didn’t have to leave. 

“Did you enjoy dinner?” Joshua smiles as you sigh happily, your head resting on his lap while the two of you rest on his couch. His fingers lazily move through your hair, his eyes seeming to drink in every inch of you that he could see. 

Smiling, you meet his eyes only to look away feeling a bit shy even after all this time. “Yeah, it was really good. I still don’t believe you made it, that seems fake even for you Shua.” He had made some sort of smoked salmon dish with vegetables on the side. Everything about it had been delicious, to the point that you had asked it multiple times which restaurant he had ordered it from. 

“Scout's honor, I cooked it. I called my mom for pointers. I’m really glad you liked it, darling. Did the study session with Seokmin go well? I could tell he was struggling.” 

You loved that there never seemed to be any jealousy from Joshua when it came to Seokmin. Most men would be furious about their girlfriend having a male best friend but Joshua was completely supportive. He pushed you to hang out with him telling you that, ‘friends were important’ and ‘that he wanted you to be happy. Your happiness was the most important thing to him. 

“It went pretty well. I think he’s just too much in his head. Something is on his mind, but he isn’t telling me what it is. I think maybe once this test is over, he’ll feel better. Maybe he needs a good trip or something. I don’t know, I wish I knew better how to help.” 

Joshua listens to you intently, his fingers moving to run along your cheek down to your jaw. You were such a good person in his eyes. That was one of the many things he loved about you and what had made him choose you over anyone else. Your compassion for others above yourself, and when it came to Seokmin that was even more evident. Raising a brow, Joshua considers your words, a small smile crossing his lips while his thumb gently slides over your chin. 

“Mmm, we could do that. If you want, and if you think Seokmin would like it. I could plan it.” 

You knew that Joshua meant well, and you weren’t really against the idea but you weren’t sure how Seokmin would react. Letting out a small laugh you shake your head, your nose wrinkling a bit. “I dunno, we could ask him but he might feel a bit weird going with us. Don’t you think he’d feel like the third wheel?” 

Joshua’s hand slides along your jaw, his fingers caressing your neck causing you to swallow hard to the feeling of your stomach tightening. You couldn’t help the way his touch could instantly make your thighs instinctively push together without much effort at all. Seemingly to not even notice the effect he has on you, Joshua purses his lips and tilts his head in thought. 

“No, I don’t think so. Not if we don’t treat him like one. You pay so much attention to him, but yet I don’t think you truly see him, darling.” 

Furrowing your brows at Joshua’s words, you lick your lips to the feeling of his palm sliding along your neck and finally to your chest where his fingers play with the buttons of your shirt. “I don’t know what you mean, Shua. I see him…just fine, and I didn’t mean I would treat him poorly if that’s what, wh—what you are insinuating.” 

Your words become breathless, scattered almost as Joshua’s fingers push your shirt open leaving it to fall to either side of your body. He simply frowns, trailing the back of his fingers between your breasts over the middle of your bra all while shaking his head at your words. 

“I’m not saying that at all. You couldn’t treat anyone poorly, even if you tried. I’m simply saying that you don’t see how much he likes you. I’m not upset about it, darling. I just think that given the chance, Seokmin would very much like the opportunity to do exactly what I’m doing to you right now.” 

With your brows furrowing, you arch your back pushing your breasts towards Joshua’s touch. His large hand slides almost delicately over the lace until his thumb catches the top of your bra pulling it down slowly as his eyes meet yours once again. 

“Shua…please.” You weren’t even sure what you were saying please. Was it for him to touch you or was it about his conversation with Seokmin? Closing your eyes, you bite your lip and shake your head knowing he wouldn’t let it go without a conversation. “He’s just my friend…he doesn’t think of me like that. Could we talk about this later?” 

Joshua smiles, his eyes moving over your pretty face, his thumb circling your nipple feeling it harden under his touch. You can feel his cock hardening just under your head even as he laughs quietly shaking his head. “Mmm yes, I suppose, but I am right. You’ll see that one day soon. Stay the night with me?” 

There was no way you were going to say no. Not as his fingers carefully played with your nipple, but his other hand slid along your stomach toward the top of your jeans. “Okay, just tonight. I have to study…that test is in a couple of days. Oh god, Shua. I need you.” 

“You have me, darling. You could just study here. It’s quiet here, and I can be good. Seokmin could even come here to study with you. I don’t mind…I don’t know why you won’t just move in with me.” 

You sigh heavily, your hand sliding over Joshua’s forearm as his fingers slide past your now unbuttoned jeans to dip into panties. “Shua…not right now. We can talk about it later.” He hated when you told him no, you were the only person to do that. Not even his parents had told him no many times in his life. Then you had come into his life and Joshua didn’t always get his way. 

“Hmm…I’ll prove it to you soon enough. Somehow.” 

A moan leaves your lips that causes Joshua to groan deep in his chest as his middle finger slides between your folds over your clit. You were perfect, everything about you was all he ever needed. Sliding his hand back from your jeans, Joshua is quick to help you sit up pulling you into his lap so his lips can find yours. His pretty, plush lips work over yours gently drawing out another moan from your throat. 

Joshua’s hands slide along your body, discarding your shirt and then your bra to expose more of your skin to him. His lips move from your lips, down your neck to your chest while your hands move to run through his once perfectly sculpted hair. 

“Mmm, please?” The words leave your mouth with a soft moan, making Joshua’s head spin. His fingers press into your hips over your jeans as he looks up at you to meet your needy eyes. Joshua did let you want for much. He loved to give you everything your heart might desire if you’d let him and this was no different. 

You can see the adoration in his gaze as Joshua’s hands move to help you slide from his lap. His fingers lace with yours, the other hand tilting your head back so his lips can meet yours once again when he stands beside you before leading you toward his bedroom. “Anything you want, darling.” 

Stretching out on Joshua’s bed, you glance at the clock noting it wasn’t too late at night. You had fallen asleep but the sound of his shower had woken you up. Your fingers extended for Joshua but you knew he wasn’t there, you could hear the sound of the water and his humming just a room away. Smiling softly, you sit up, pulling the sheet around your chest and reaching for your phone to look at your texts. You had missed a few from friends but only one that you cared about truly. 

Minnie: ‘Thanks for today. Miss you already, Peanut. I’ll buy coffee in the morning.’ 

You bite at your bottom lip leaning your head back against the headboard deciding to press the call on Seokmin’s name. You missed him too and you had a few minutes before Joshua would join you back in bed. It would be nice to hear his voice before bed. 

Seokmin’s head pushes back into his pillows, his hand wrapped just under the head of his cock. He had put this off for so long, in truth he felt bad about it. Not so much the act, but his reasoning. You were on his mind and he had been looking through pictures, the next thing he knew he was so hard he felt like he was going to explode. 

He couldn’t help but let his mind fantasize about how things could be different if he had met you first. If you were with him in his bed instead of with Joshua. If instead of feeling like your loser best friend, he’d have you in his arms. Your lips on his. His hands move over your body. Exploring every part of you. 

Groaning your name, Seokmin pushes his thumb against his slit thrusting his hips upward. Pre-cum oozes along his fingers as he imagines what it might be like to have you touch him instead. How pretty your hand would look wrapped around his cock. How soft your touch would be and yet how much it would drive him crazy. 

He was right there, right on the edge. His climax teetered when his phone started to ring, your ringtone. You had set it yourself, along with the cutest fucking picture Seokmin had ever seen in his entire life. Gasping as his breath gets caught in his throat, Seokmin looks at his phone and your picture dropping his hand from his cock and feeling his climax being pulled from him. His free hand moves to pick up the phone and puts it on his chest pressing the button to answer it on speaker as he licks his lips. “Uh, hey…Peanut. Something wrong?” 

You could tell Seokmin was out of breath or something. Furrowing your brows you adjust the phone against your ear pulling your legs towards your stomach and shaking your head. “No, just missing you. I saw your text and thought I’d call you since you were still awake. Am I bothering you? Did I interrupt something? I can just talk to you in the morning.” 

Seokmin laughs under his breath, lifting his hand to run it over his face wiping away some sweat. With a soft groan, he tugs his sweats back over his hips and shakes his head a bit at how you seemed to know he was up to something. “No, no…I’m good. I was just playing a game. You aren’t bothering me. It is late though, I thought you’d be asleep by now. Are you at home?” 

He knew the answer, it was far too quiet on the other side of the line for you to be at home. Usually, if you were at your apartment some girl was yelling in the background and you sounded stressed out. Now you sounded calm, it was peaceful, you were with Joshua. 

“No, I’m at Joshua’s. We had dinner, I’m just crashing here tonight. You know how my place is…I’ll get more sleep here anyway.” 

Seokmin just nodded, he knew that was true. He wished he could just offer for you to stay with him but his dorm room wasn’t any better and his RA would lose his mind if you stayed the entire night. “Yeah, no…you’ve made a good choice, Peanut. You need some good sleep. Gotta rest that big brain.” 

You laugh, rolling your eyes at Seokmin’s words. “You are full of it. You know you are going to ace that test right? I’ll make sure of it. Speaking of... afterward would you want to get away for the weekend? I know I could use the break and you’ve been banging your head against tables for a month.” 

He knew there had to be some sort of catch but the idea of getting away with you sounded wonderful. Seokmin sighs, adjusting himself on his bed furrowing his brows. “Just us…or? I don’t mind getting away, it sounds awesome but…” 

Biting at your lip, you close your eyes to his questioning tone. You had known he would feel weird about it but you still felt like you should try. “I mean, with Joshua and I. He’s the one who had the idea. Said we could both use the time to relax, said he would plan it and everything. You know how he is…very goal-oriented.” 

That was one way to put it, Seokmin thought to himself, anal was another. Not that it was a bad thing, Joshua would make one hell of a doctor one day because of how his personality was. “Uh…yeah maybe. I don’t know, Peanut. Won’t that be weird? I’ll be in the way of the romance and all that shit.” 

You laugh a bit awkwardly just as the bed dips beside you, Joshua smiles at you when you meet his eyes. “I don’t think that’s what the trip would be for Min. It’s more for relaxing…not so much romance. Just think about it and let me know tomorrow.” 

“Tell him it’s my treat. He literally doesn’t have to do anything, just show up and enjoy it.” 

Seokmin frowns a bit at Joshua’s voice, leaning his head back against his pillows. “Yeah, I heard him. I’ll think about it, seriously I will. I’ll talk to you in the morning.” 

Nodding, you bite at your lip before letting out a soft sigh. “Okay, get some rest. I love you.” 

Seokmin laughs into a deep breath looking up at his ceiling at your words. “Love you too, Peanut.” Disconnecting the call, Seokmin lays his phone to the side furrowing his brows at what had just happened. He had a lot to consider. 

Joshua lifts his hand to run it over your cheek as you put your phone back on the nightstand with a small sigh. “I think he’ll go, Y/N. Don’t worry so much about it.” He watches your brows furrow a bit, his thumb moving to press against the middle of your brows making you laugh when they relax some. 

“I’m okay, I promise Shua. Just so much on my mind.” 

He could see the wheels turning in your head, so he knew that you were telling the truth. “Mmm, we could talk about it if you want, but maybe we should do it after you’ve had some more sleep.” 

You nod, leaning into his touch. Joshua moves closer to you letting you rest your head on his shoulder. You close your eyes to the feeling of his fingers trailing along your side. “I love you Shua.” 

Joshua grins, a small appreciative sound leaving his lips as he reaches up to turn off the lamp. He pulls you closer to his body, nudging your head with his cheek. “I love you too, darling. Goodnight.” 

“Show me.” You try to peek over Seokmin’s shoulder but the man is just too tall making it impossible for you to see the grade on his test without his permission. “Lee Seokmin! Show me right now.” 

The corners of his eyes lift slightly as he laughs, the way your voice rose an octave in your annoyance causing him so much amusement. This is why he called you Peanut, you were just so cute and small in his eyes. Reaching out to ruffle your hair, Seokmin then offers you the paper in his hands, making you scoff at him when you rip it away to look at it. 

“It’s not the best, honestly…but–” 

“You passed! Oh my god! I told you! What did I fucking tell you, Minnie?! You are so freaking smart. Don’t you ever say something bad about yourself ever again? I’m keeping this and hanging it on my fridge.” 

Seokmin groaned at your words, you were worse than his mother. He watches you fold the paper, putting it into your bag knowing you would do exactly what you said you would do. Granted it would probably end up on Joshua’s fridge and not the fridge at your shared apartment. 

“You are embarrassing. What did you make? Like a 100?” 

You furrow your brows and shoot Seokmin a look, the two of you begin to walk toward the closest bench to take a seat. “No, I made a 98…so I missed something, but it’s whatever. Besides, this isn’t about me. You passed the test which means we are going away this weekend, right?” 

He had never given you a straight answer regarding the invitation. Nothing more than a simple, “yeah…we will see”. Now Seokmin had no other choice but to say yes or no. He had passed the test and you and Joshua had made it clear it was a treat. 

Lifting his hand to rub the back of his neck, you watch as Seokmin thinks way too hard. It was clear he was going to tell you no and that made your chest tighten. “Please? We haven’t gotten away in such a long time and it won't be nearly as much fun without you. Please, please for me?” 

Seokmin’s eyes move over your face, your cute eyes pleading with him. God, he shouldn’t have looked at you and just said no but now he was fucked. Letting out a slow breath, Seokmin nods, dropping his hand back into his lap. “Okay…I’ll go.” 

Your arms wrap around his neck, your lips brushing over his cheek causing Seokmin’s heart to beat quickly in his chest. You were giggling, excited at his answer but Seokmin was trying desperately not to lose his mind. His hands move to rest on your hips before sliding along to your back to pull you into the hug allowing himself to enjoy it for the moment. 

“Thank you! I swear this will be the best long weekend. Shua has it all planned out, I don’t know what that even means but he says it will be perfect. He’s going to be so happy you said yes. I love you, Seokmin.” 

God, if you only knew. That was all Seokmin could think, his fingers clenching at your hoodie as his nose buried against your hair taking in your scent. You kept bringing up Joshua and he wasn’t really mad, just jealous. He couldn’t blame you for mentioning him but sometimes he just wanted a little time that belonged to him. 

“I love you too, Peanut. I’m sure it’ll be…great.” 

Seokmin looked around the room wrinkling his nose. He knew you were right down the hall with Joshua, so maybe that’s what made this worse. He had thought Joshua would pick a hotel with his room entirely separate, but instead, the man had rented an entire house. 

Flopping down on the bed, Seokmin groans at the feeling that washes over him. Fuck, the bed was so comfortable. The windows were open letting a warm sea breeze blow over him making his hoodie almost uncomfortable. He hadn’t had many chances to get away like this, especially to places like this, so he hadn’t really planned the best wardrobe for it. 

A knock at the door brings him out of his thoughts, Seokmin’s eyes lifting to the sound of your soft voice. “Can I come in? I have some stuff for you.” Hauling himself up, Seokmin groans with a nod, his hand moving to rub the back of his damp neck. 

“Yeah, come in.” 

Where he didn’t seem to fit in with the location, you quickly adapted. Seokmin’s eyes move over your exposed legs up to the end of your tight shorts where he pulls his eyes away with a soft breath. You seem not to notice, instead, you look concerned about him, moving towards his bed and laying down a bag and a stack of towels. 

“Okay, so here are some towels, and don’t be mad but I know how you dress and you seriously can not wear your hoodie the entire time. You are going to roast to death, Seokmin. I got you some t-shirts and shorts. I think you’ll like them though…they aren’t like Joshua’s style, so don’t freak out on me.” 

Seokmin just laughs, he wasn’t surprised but he doesn’t speak just yet. Instead, he just watches as you take out a few shirts and shorts, most of them darker in color and plain. He watches as you move to his duffle bag to take out his favorite blue flannel showing it to him. 

“So see, what I was thinking…you could wear this over this and like your sneakers even, but I did get you some sandals because we have to go to the beach.” 

You were so fucking cute and thoughtful. Seokmin’s eyes moved over your face and hands as you spoke and moved around his room to put away the clothes. You had gone out of your way to make sure Seokmin didn’t feel like a third wheel so far. He could appreciate it but he knew in the end there wasn’t going to be much you could do to change how Joshua looked at you or how he touched you. 

“Speaking of the beach, I was thinking we could go out there tonight.” Both your and Seokmin’s attention is drawn toward the door where Joshua leans against the frame with a smile on his lips. “Or we could just enjoy the pool and hot tub here, have some dinner, and relax. It was a long trip. Whatever you two are up for. This is a trip for you.” 

Seokmin looks down letting out a breath as the breeze moves through his hair, a small humorless laugh falling from his lips. He knew he would have to eventually spend some time with you and Joshua but maybe he could wiggle his way out of it. “Uh, I might just chill in here tonight. I’m pretty tired…I can order something and have it delivered and you two can have a nice night out toget–” 

“No, we will just all stay here. Go to the pool and get food, if you are tired Seokmin. We can watch a movie, your choice.” Moving around his bed, you grab Seokmin’s hand tugging at it to pull his attention towards you. Once his eyes are on yours, you smile at him tilting your head and trying to give him your best puppy dog eyes. “Like, Shua said, it’s our trip right? It’s because we passed Biology, Min.” 

Joshua watches curiously as Seokmin seems to crumble under your attention. The way the man’s thumb rubs a circle on the back of your hand until he finally sighs and nods making you smile brightly. You were so good at getting your way with him and Seokmin. Joshua had seen that same look so many times but it never took this much convincing for him to say yes to you. 

“Yay! Okay, so just get changed because you are sweating and we will all go to the pool and then get food. I’m so excited.” 

When you lean to kiss Seokmin’s cheek he stops breathing knowing that Joshua is watching. His eyes find the man who only smirks a bit, his arms crossed as he still leans against the door frame. He didn’t seem mad at him, jealous, not a single negative emotion. Seokmin wasn’t sure what to think. He didn’t know if he wanted him to be mad but instead, he watched you move back to Joshua who extended a hand out for you to link his fingers with yours before you both left the room leaving him alone. 

“What the fuck? Why am I here? Seokmin, you are an idiot…” The words were muttered under a breath, his hand running over his face as Seokmin moved to his feet to move towards the window letting the breeze hit him a bit more, cooling him down. 

Inside your shared room with Joshua, you drop his hand in place of opening one of the drawers you had claimed as your own to pull out one of your bikinis. Joshua closes the door behind him letting his eyes trail over your backside, the same smirk that had been on his face when he had seen you kiss Seokmin’s cheek still lingering on his lips. 

“You seem happy, darling.” 

You start to speak when you feel Joshua’s fingers pulling your shirt from your shorts causing you to laugh when you realize how close he is. Lifting your arms you let him help you undress, leaning your back against his still-clothed chest so his hands can slide across your stomach to your shorts to undo them. 

“I am, this was a really good idea. It’s already so relaxing being here. It’s like a weight was pulled off of me the moment we left campus, if that makes sense?” 

Joshua hums out a response with a nod, his lips brushing against the side of your neck. You sway your hips from side to side while his thumbs push at your shorts working them down your legs letting gravity take care of the rest. 

“It does, and I’m glad you are happy. That’s all I want, you know that though. Do you think Seokmin is happy?” 

Meeting his eyes in the mirror, you can’t help but feel your body warm up a few degrees when Joshua’s thumbs twist into the top elastic of your panties before he begins to work them down your hips to your legs. His eyes never leave yours even as he nudges your neck with his nose and lips causing goosebumps to spread across your skin. 

“Mmm, I hope he is. I think he is. He’s…just not used to this I think. As I told you before, I don’t want him to feel like the third wheel, Shua.” 

Joshua nods, pressing a kiss to your neck once your panties fall to join your shorts at your feet. His hands move back up your spine to undo your bra as he speaks, “I don’t think he will. I’m trying to make sure he won’t at least. I know you are maybe trying too hard. Don’t stress over it. He knows how much you love him.” 

Your brows furrow at Joshua’s words and the feeling of the back of his fingers sliding along your shoulders to push your bra straps from your arms letting the last garment fall from your body. Meeting his eyes once more in the mirror you tilt your head as he smiles at you stepping away to let you get dressed in your bikini though you were more aroused than you’d like to admit. 

“I…yeah I do love him. Does that bother you?” 

Sitting on the end of the bed, Joshua crosses his arms pulling his shirt up and over his head he watches you get dressed. At your question he can’t help but laugh a bit, his hips lifting to push down his shorts kicking them off. 

“Not at all, I knew that you loved him from the moment you met him, darling. There is a connection there that is unbreakable and I’d never try to hurt it. I’ve told you that many times. If anything I’d only want to strengthen it. Why else would I suggest this trip?” 

Looking back into the mirror you adjust the straps of your bikini watching Joshua undressing in the mirror as he speaks. You find yourself letting your eyes travel over his sculpted body. No matter how many times you slept with him or simply saw him naked you were never prepared for how breathtaking he was. 

“I don’t know. I just worry sometimes, Shua. Not all men are like that. He and I are perhaps too close sometimes. I don’t know and you’ve said things that have made me wonder about things.” You laugh at your ramblings and how your thoughts seem to just flow out of your mouth like nonsense. “Just ignore me. I’m just nervous about having you both here, I guess.” 

There was no way that Joshua was going to ignore you or anything you had to say. That wasn’t who he was or who he would ever be, especially when it came to you. Nothing you had ever said meant “nothing”. Reaching you to accept a pair of swim trunks you offer him, Joshua whispers a thank you before slipping them on and standing up to pull them to his hips. He can’t help but notice how your eyes shyly drop from him despite who he is to you. 

“We will figure it all out, we always do, don't we?” Joshua’s hand slides across your jaw to rest under your chin lifting your gaze toward him. His thumb gently caresses your bottom lip causing your mouth to fall open so deliciously that Joshua is the one who has to take a breath this time reminding himself there is a time and a place. 

“Yeah, we do. I love you.” 

Your words cause Joshua’s heart to beat a bit harder, his lips pulling up in a soft smile as he takes a step closer to kiss you. Speaking on your lips, his hands hold you close to him, fingers dangerously low on your hips. “I love you too, and to keep my word about not making Seokmin feel like a third wheel, I’ll restrain myself and take you out to the pool instead of taking you to that bed.” 

Laughing against his lips, you shake your head. You could understand the sentiment, your body felt like it was on fire under his touch. There was something in the air, a tension that didn’t seem to just be in this room but instead was inside the entire house. 

“Mm, you have to be a good boy.” 

Joshua groans a bit when you pull away from him after saying those words, your fingers slipping from his. His eyes follow your hips as you walk from the room leaving the door open for him.

“Seokmin, come on! The pool is waiting and the sun is starting to go down. It’s a perfect time.” 

Sitting by the side of the pool, Seokmin watched as you laughed splashing Joshua. You seemed so happy, so carefree. You both did, he wasn’t sure how to do that. Especially in his current situation. Letting his feet move through the water slowly, Seokmin smiles a bit when you move closer to him, a glint of mischief in your eyes. You had been trying to get him into the water for over an hour. He was still in a t-shirt over his swim trunks but you had at least gotten him to get his feet wet. 

“Peanut, what are you up to?” 

You just laugh softly, going under the water enough that it covers your lips making Seokmin smile even brighter at you. Joshua watches from a distance curiously, he had been trying to give Seokmin space but he had been watching him occasionally. He had noted how the man’s eyes had lingered on your body, but he couldn’t blame him. How could anyone not look at you? You were a feast for the eyes on a good day but today, in your bikini…you were a goddess. 

Tilting your head, you meet Seokmin’s eyes curiously as he matches your head tilting before a loud gasp leaves his lips when you move out of the water pushing your hands towards him to splash him with water soaking his front. Squealing, you swim away to a laughing but shocked Joshua who shakes his head. 

“If you have come to me for protection after an act like that, darling…I’m not sure I can provide it. I would probably have to even turn you over my knee. That was dirty.” 

Your cheeks burn at Joshua’s words, especially those said in front of Seokmin. You mutter for him to hush, your hands running around his arm as you laugh trying to hide behind the large man from your best friend who wipes his hand over his face, pushing water from his eyes. 

“You’re damn right that was dirty. Peanut…” Your nickname falls from Seokmin’s lips almost sweetly, his eyes lifting to find you looking around Joshua’s arm all while giggling. You had pushed him just enough and struck a nerve. 

Nodding, Seokmin crosses his arms in front of him peeling the wet shirt from his body causing you to suck in an audible breath and look down. You had seen him shirtless before but it was very rare and only for a few seconds, and he had never looked like this before. Had he been going to the gym? 

Joshua smirks at your reaction to Seokmin, he could hear your breath, and feel the way your hand tightened on his arm. Glancing back at you, he couldn’t help but laugh under his breath finding you looking away from the other man. 

“As I said, I’m not going to be able to protect you. You fought dirty, Y/N. Clearly…” Joshua tilts your head up, turning it towards Seokmin who lowers himself into the pool, his eyes on yours, “there are consequences to your actions, darling.” 

Consequences. That was one word for it. You couldn’t help but internally panic at the sight in front of you and how Joshua was acting. When his hand drops from your face and he moves from in front of you a whine falls from your lips making Seokmin laugh.

“What? Are you afraid I’m going to hurt you? I’d never hurt you…but payback is a bitch.” 

You brace yourself, closing your eyes, for the impact of water when Seokmin gets closer but it never comes, instead, you feel his warm body next to yours. Opening one eye, you peek up at Seokmin to find him smirking at you, his cup hands held above your head. 

“Hi, Peanut.” 

Words start to form on your lips, but instead of speaking them, you whine and Seokmin tilts his hands, letting the water splash onto your head and face. His larger hands held more than you ever dream of holding so you find yourself spitting out water towards his shoulder causing him to laugh. 

“Gross, I didn’t ask for you to spit on me. Haven’t you heard of consent?” 

Your cheeks burn from Seokmin’s words and hearing Joshua’s chuckle just a few feet from you. Reaching out with one hand you smack at his chest while using the other to push water from your eyes. Quickly you realize the mistake you’ve made when your hand Seokmin’s firm chest, his fingers wrapping around your wrist to hold you where you are while you seem to come to terms with what you’ve done. 

“Who are you, and what have you done with my Seokmin?” You blink the rest of the water from your eyes finally meeting the man’s eyes, feeling his thumb press against the inside of your wrist caressing it almost thoughtfully. 

Joshua raises a brow at the sight, the sound of him moving in the water seeming to bring you and Seokmin back to reality, the man taking a step back from you letting your hand go. You clear your throat, sliding your hands over your hair to push it from your face as best you can before smiling at Joshua, nodding your head as if to tell him everything was fine. 

He already knew everything was fine. He could see what was in front of him, and what he saw were two people struggling with their feelings for one another. The tension was so thick he could cut it with a knife. Smirking a bit, Joshua moves close enough to run his fingers along the top of your ass nodding back at you before finally speaking. 

“I think I’m ready for dinner. Is anyone else famished?” 

The word falls off his lips almost seductively and is laced with double entendre. Seokmin licks his lips dipping down in the pool suddenly feeling like he is overheating as if the water around him could boil at any moment. 

“I–yeah I mean I could eat. I haven’t eaten much today.”  

Joshua meets the man’s eyes and smiles moving you a step closer causing Seokmin to dip down in the pool even more. “Well, we will just have to make sure you are well-fed, Seokmin. No one staying with me ever goes hungry. Isn’t that right, darling?” 

You weren’t sure what he was up to but he wasn’t lying. Joshua was always huge about making sure that you had eaten well and that you were well taken care of so you nod quickly, agreeing unaware of how you were making the situation that much more unbearable for Seokmin.

Seokmin raises a brow at Joshua when he notices the man smirking at him. That was the first sign of a possible negative emotion towards him that he had ever noticed. Perhaps he was reading it wrong but it almost felt like a challenge and for some reason, Seokmin didn’t want to back down from it. It felt like Joshua was begging him to push back. 

“Then…in that case, let’s eat.” 

You picked at your food while the two men seemed to share in a silent conversation that you apparently weren’t privy to. Between raised brows, smirks, and scoffs here and there the tension had risen dramatically in the past hour. All you had wanted to do was enjoy your take-out, but it appeared that your two dinner companions had different plans. 

“How is the chicken, darling?” 

Joshua’s words draw you back to the present, your eyes finding him while his fingers play with the back of your tank top that you had chosen to get redressed in. Seokmin can’t help but tilt his head, his eyes following along with those fingers when you arch your back as they dip down towards your hip. 

“It’s good.” You sigh and mutter, “You’d know if you’d eat…” under your breath causing Joshua to chuckle softly, his fingers lifting at your tank top to allow his fingers access to your skin just underneath. Your eyes widen at his action, your thoughts instantly going to Seokmin just a couple of feet from you. “Shua…we are at the table and we both said–” 

“Said that we’d keep Seokmin from feeling like the third wheel.” 

Heat creeps over your cheeks, a bit of shame flowing through you at hearing it said out loud in front of Seokmin. You glance over at him but instead of seeing him giving you a surprised or angry look, he just stares at you curiously before picking up a piece of chicken and eating it. 

“That is what we said, Y/N. Darling…do you think I’m a fool?” 

Joshua’s words cause you to glance back at him in shock, you had no idea why he would ever ask you something like that. Shaking your head no, you find it almost impossible to speak trying to form words, confusion was written on your face. Joshua smiles at you, a small pout of sympathy at causing you distress falling from his lips as he reaches up to push your still slightly damp hair back from your face. 

“It’s okay. I know…I’m not mad. In fact, I’m just…fuck, I can’t get earlier off my mind.” 

You shake your head, still confused about what Joshua could be talking about. Was this about him or was this about Seokmin? Glancing over at your best friend you find him watching you and Joshua curiously, your heart tightening. Fear was washing over you because you couldn’t help but begin to worry about how this trip was going to mess up your friendship. 

Joshua, seeming to sense your fear and seeing something in your eyes, coos at you again, moving in closer to press a kiss to your jaw leading the kisses to your lips, until finally speaking against them. “I keep thinking about when I undressed you before the pool, about how hard it was not to throw you on the bed and fuck you. You were so wet, darling. You may have thought I didn’t know but…I always know.” 

Seokmin glances down at his hands, his shorts feeling slightly tighter. He wasn’t sure where Joshua was going with this. Was the man teasing him with what he couldn’t have, was this a big fuck you because he had realized how he felt about you? Or was this going somewhere else? 

You whine, your eyes glancing towards Seokmin noticing that he had looked away. You shake your head at Joshua and mutter for him to hush and save it for later, even though you can’t help but enjoy it. You hate how much you enjoy that Seokmin is there to hear what Joshua wanted to do to you. 

Closing your eyes, you feel Joshua smile against the corner of your lips before he pulls away. His fingers trail up your side, exposing more of your skin to the air as he speaks. “You are never this shy. Baby, we should just ask Seokmin to join us in bed. I’ve wanted to for so long...and you can’t lie to me or him and say it isn’t something you want.” 

Hearing that made you scoff. You tilt your head back to meet Joshua’s eyes knowing he had gone too far now. “He doesn’t like me like that, Shua. I know we’ve talked about this enough for you to remember that much. We’ve discussed that…he wouldn’t want—” 

“You could ask me yourself, Y/N. You don’t know what I want unless you ask. Don’t answer for me…until you ask.” 

Seokmin rarely said your name and you hadn’t expected him to speak up so firmly so when he did you swallow hard, turning from Joshua to look at him almost shocked. His eyes are locked on you, his jaw relaxed but an obvious bit of nerves still sits upon him as he watches you and Joshua. 

“Seokmin…” 

“Ask me what I want, don’t assume.” 

Seokmin watches you shift in your seat slightly, Joshua’s hand sliding along your spine up your back while he waits for you to do as you were told. You lick your lips at the feeling of his hand pushing your shirt further up your torso, Seokmin’s eyes dropping to the exposed skin before he once again meets your eyes waiting. 

“I–I’m too afraid to ask. I don’t want to ruin our friendship, Min. No matter how much I may want it, I’d rather forget anything that happened or is happening if it meant I could have you in my life after this trip.” 

That he could understand. You were so important to him. Seokmin shakes his head, his brow furrowing. His eyes meet Joshua’s for a moment who seems to be lost in thought himself. Joshua frowns a bit at your words, he hadn’t meant to cause you any stress with this. If anything he had hoped this would help to relieve any stress there already was. 

“You will always have me in your life, Peanut. I mean, fuck… I–have been waiting for this for fucking ever, and I feel like I should apologize to you and Joshua for that but –” 

Seokmin doesn’t get the chance to finish his sentence when you surprise him and Joshua by moving from your chair to step between Seokmin’s legs. Your hands cupping his cheeks, your lips meet his for the first time taking his and Joshua’s breath away. The moment had taken over you and happened so fast that you only realized that you had done what was on your mind when you felt Seokmin’s hand on your hip hearing him speak against your lips. 

“Oh, my god…” 

Pulling back, your cheeks instantly flair hot as if you were standing by an oven. Your hands trembling, you find yourself terrified to look back at Joshua but you force yourself to. Instead of finding a furious man staring at you as you assumed, you find him watching you curiously. A look of arousal in his eyes as he lets his gaze move over your body. 

Moving from his chair, Joshua extends his hand for yours to allow you to lace your fingers with his before he makes any more movements or speaks. His free hand moves to once again push your hair from your face allowing him to judge just how warm your face had gotten, a smile spreading over his features when he looks over your shoulder to Seokmin. 

“You don’t need my permission to follow but I feel like you want it, so you have it. If either of you is doubting that this is something that I am into or if it is something that I want, let me make it very clear to you right now. I want this, so either follow us into the bedroom and get what you want or deal with the regret later.” 

Joshua doesn’t wait for Seokmin’s answer, and he doesn’t let you ponder on his words as he leads you towards the hall pushing open the door to the master bedroom instantly pulling you into his arms. His lips move over yours hungrily, matching the way his hands seem to claw at your clothing. 

Seokmin had only stood in place in the kitchen for a moment when Joshua had pulled you away. He had weighed the pros and cons so quickly his head was spinning but the moment you were out of his sight it was unbearable and his feet had followed. Now he was standing inside the master bedroom feeling out of place and yet like there was nowhere else he’d rather be. 

Breaking from your lips for a moment to pull your shirt over your head to leave you in your lace bra, Joshua catches Seokmin’s gaze. A grin spreads over your boyfriend’s lips knowing this was going exactly as it should. With a few strategic steps towards you, Joshua walks you backward until your mostly bare back hits something firm and warm. 

Hands shakily move along your arms drawing your glance up to see Seokmin’s eyes on yours. Joshua’s fingers move back to your hips to carefully undo your shorts, giving you and your best friend a moment to collect yourselves. It only seems to take that long because when you whisper his name, Seokmin lets out a gentle breath, lifting his hand to slide it over your cheek as he leans down to press his lips to yours once again. 

Joshua pulls your hips forward momentarily to shimmy your shorts to the floor with your panties, a groan escaping him when he lifts his eyes to find your lips on Seokmin once again. “Unclasp her bra, Seokmin. She’s so fucking pretty…you need to really see her.” 

You felt suddenly embarrassed realizing how naked you were in comparison to the men in the room but when Seokmin’s knuckles ran along every bump of your spine to finally reach the clasp of your bra you couldn’t seem to care anymore. A smile crosses his lips at a soft moan falling from your lips, Seokmin has to shake his head feeling his cock twitch in his shorts. 

“I’ve dreamt about how pretty you would sound, Peanut.” The name on his lips this time had a different feeling, something more sensual and erotic as it rolled off his tongue. “I had some idea…but it was never close enough. God…you are so beautiful. I want to taste you so badly, my mouth is watering.” 

Never in your life did you think you would hear those words come out of your best friend’s mouth or never did you think you’d feel the gentle scratch of his nails along your skin as he guided your bra straps down your arms. 

Seokmin’s eyes travel along your back, over the curve of your ass as he swallows hard. He hadn’t been lying when he told you his mouth was watering or how often he had dreamt about how you’d sound. He couldn’t wait to discover the truth of all his dreams. 

Your bra joining the rest of your clothes on the floor, Joshua guides you to the bed letting Seokmin watch as you finally face him allowing him to see you more fully. Lifting his hand, he runs it over his mouth to suppress a moan but there was no way he kept it to himself. He could see the way you smiled hearing the sound escape his throat. Seokmin smirks a bit to himself pulling his shirt up and over his head while you watch him. Your eyes traveled shamelessly over his skin now that you knew he was yours, even if only for the night. 

“I think you like me, Peanut…just a little bit?” 

Joshua laughs, his shirt discarded on the floor, his thumbs already pushing his shorts and briefs to the floor as he watches you get embarrassed by Seokmin’s question. It was clear you weren’t going to answer it. 

“She likes you more than just a little bit. She’s being so shy, but Seokmin…I will tell you just how much my darling, Y/N likes you.” 

Watching Joshua move towards you, his cock resting heavily in his palm, you can’t seem to draw your eyes away. You lick your lips at the way his fist moves slowly up and down his shaft even as he gets closer to you until he steps behind you to kneel on the bed pulling you to sit down in front of him. 

Joshua smirks leaning to kiss your neck drawing a low moan from your chest, his fingers sliding around your stomach, between your legs only for his fingers to splay out. “Spread your legs for us?” 

Nodding, you spread your legs as you were asked, your hands resting on the bed as you lean your back against Joshua’s chest. His fingers begin to work in slow tortuous movements spreading your folds allowing Seokmin to see just how wet you already were for them. 

“Once, when I was fucking her, I mentioned you during just to see what her reaction would be. You see, I had a feeling about how she felt about you for a while. The way this pretty little pussy clenched around my cock…I will tell you Seokmin, I came almost instantly. She was so turned on by just your name.” 

Seokmin has to take a deep breath not only at Joshua’s words but also at the sight in front of him. He had only visualized what it might be like to be privileged enough to see you like this and now he was watching as Joshua teased you. He could see that you were practically dripping as Joshua pressed his middle finger into your entrance, a moan slipping from your lips followed by a throaty groan from your boyfriend. 

“You are so wet, darling. Are you that excited? You want to play with your Seokmin?” 

Joshua speaks against your cheek, his eyes watching his finger disappear into your pussy while your fingers wrap around his wrist tightly. You only look away from what he is doing when he mentions Seokmin again causing you to clench around his finger. Joshua smirks, humming against your jaw as he works kisses along your skin before speaking again. 

“I don't even have to hear you say it. Your pussy is telling me everything and more.” Joshua glances up to meet Seokmin’s eyes, the words falling from his lips like honey, “It's time for you to take over, Seokmin." 

He had been transfixed by what was in front of him. So, when Joshua tells him to take over, it almost doesn’t click what he means until you whisper his name. You wanted him so badly, you needed his hands on your body. Seokmin could almost hear that laced in your voice, his feet carrying him towards you in just a few long strides. 

Dropping to his knees in front of you, Seokmin lets out a groan of your name that causes goosebumps to spread along your skin. His hands start at your ankles sliding up your legs until he finally reaches your inner thighs, all while his eyes trail over your face and body. 

“You have to tell me again that you want this, that you want me. I just need to hear it one more time.” 

Joshua’s fingers slip from your core causing you to whine at the sudden feeling of being empty drawing Seokmin’s eyes down to where you wanted him the most. Licking his lips, your best friend shakes his head and waits for you to tell him what he needs to hear. He was unwilling to do anything that the both of you might regret later. 

“Please, Seokmin…please. Touch me…I need you to touch me. You said you wanted to taste me? Do whatever you want to me. I just need you.” 

At your words, Seokmin groans leaning to press a warm kiss to your inner thigh. The feeling of your soft skin beneath his lips was almost overwhelming. You let out a soft whimper as he grips your legs pulling you closer to the end of the bed, his gaze moving upward to meet yours then Joshua’s. 

He didn’t linger on the man, though he found himself more than curious of his reaction when his fingers finally did graze between your sopping folds to find your tight entrance. Seokmin bites at his bottom lip to keep himself from coming apart from the feeling and the sounds leaving your mouth. 

“So fucking pretty, Peanut. You are so soft, you like my fingers? Hmm?” 

You could only nod, your head falling back against Joshua’s shoulder when Seokmin slowly pushed two of his fingers into you instantly curling them against your velvet-like walls. His fingers were long whereas Joshua’s were thick. There was such a difference and yet both of them seemed to find your buttons without much direction or movement on your part. 

Joshua’s breath was becoming shallow, his cock throbbing against your back as he watched Seokmin’s fingers fuck into you slowly. He knew the tale tell signs of your arousal and the very fact that you were experiencing so much pleasure brought him to a place mentally he didn’t know he could experience. 

“He’s right, you are so pretty. Are you going to cum, darling? Wouldn’t you rather cum on Seokmin’s tongue? He has such a nice mouth, don’t you agree?” 

Another whimper leaves your lips, your pussy clenching around Seokmin’s fingers causing him to smirk. Joshua had been right, talking about Seokmin did cause your body to react. You were addictive, and Seokmin wasn’t sure how he’d ever give you up. 

“Fuck…I’ll give it to you, baby. I won’t even make you ask.” 

That was the first time he had ever called you baby, and if had thought your body had reacted before now you were panting as you clenched around him almost maddeningly. Seokmin’s mouth moves along your inner thigh torturously slow working his way to your middle until he finally runs his tongue around your clit. 

Your hips lift upwards to chase the feeling only to be pushed back down by Joshua who smiles against your ear sweetly. “Sit still…I have a feeling Seokmin is a generous man but also I think he would take away things if you act up. I’m a pushover when it comes to you, I let you act up far too often in bed.” 

Seokmin hums out a groan against your pussy, his fingers pushing deeper into you at Joshua’s words. He wanted to see that side of you one day because Joshua was right, he would put you in your place if need be. Tonight was not that night though. 

Fingers run through Seokmin’s hair causing him to relax further into what he is doing, his tongue running laps around your clit before he sends a shockwave through your body sucking messily at your folds. He isn’t even sure whose hand it is and he can’t seem to care as his hand on your thigh tightens when he feels you clench down around his fingers once again. 

Joshua grips Seokmin’s hair when you groan, a smirk lifting at his lips as he pulls the man closer between your legs eliciting a deeper sound from both of you. His cock was leaking heavily at the sights and sounds in front of him, but the moment you cum for the first time tonight he has to let out a deep breath to get himself through it without cumming untouched. 

The sound that leaves your mouth is one of pure bliss. Seokmin’s fingers fall from your pussy only to be replaced by his tongue that fucks into your still-clenching entrance begging to be filled. You tasted like nothing he had ever experienced. Better than he could have imagined and something he never wanted to forget. 

Your legs shaking around Seokmin’s head, you whimper out his name, and Joshua’s prompting both men to finally look at you curiously. Seokmin licks his lips clean causing you to shake your head in disbelief at the sight in front of you. A lust deep inside of you that needed to be quenched caused you to feel like you were burning from the inside out. 

“I need you, god…please? Fuck me. Shua, please? Baby? I want you and Min to fuck me.” 

You had asked him for something specific and Joshua never turned down a request if he could make it a reality. A groan slips from your boyfriend’s lips as he nods moving back from you to take your hand pulling you backward on the bed. 

“How do you want to be fucked, darling? Hmm? Where do you want us? How do you want Seokmin?” 

Hearing his name mentioned so many times in the context of fucking you was causing Seokmin’s head to spin and for his cock to throb painfully in his shorts. He had to get them off, he needed relief. You glance over just in time to watch as his thumbs hook into the top of his shorts pushing them over his hips along with his boxers letting them fall to the ground. 

You weren’t sure what you had imagined when it came to your best friend and the size of his cock but you were not disappointed. Instead, you stared for longer than it was necessary fueling Seokmin’s ego and causing Joshua to laugh. Familiar fingers turn your face back towards him as Joshua raises a brow waiting for your answer. 

“Not at the same time. You are both too big, oh my god…but will you fuck me first Shua? I’ve wanted your cock all day long, baby.” 

Joshua had started to speak when your fingers wrap around his shaft, your hand twisting perfectly using his pre-cum to cause the movement to be smooth and fluid. His head falls backward, a grin spreading across his pretty lips before he smiles and nods. 

“Fuck…that feels so good. Yes, yes of course darling. Why don’t you show Seokmin how good of a girl you are and ride my cock then? Hmm?” 

You and Seokmin watch Joshua move from you to lay against the headboard, his hand extending back out to you while his cock leaks desperately for you. Glancing at Seokmin quickly you can’t help but smirk slightly at the look in his eye when you crawl over Joshua’s legs to slowly line yourself up with his thick cock and lower yourself down gradually. 

The stretch is delicious and familiar. Your body reacts perfectly, your walls clenching around his length like a glove causing Joshua to breathe out your name as you finally sit over him completely. 

“Feels so good, Shua. Feels so full.” 

His cock was thick and just the right amount of length but you couldn’t help but let your eyes find Seokmin again. Your best friend biting at his bottom lip, his hand wrapped around a somewhat less girthy shaft but he was longer. You couldn’t help but think how different he was going to feel causing you to clench around Joshua tightly. 

Joshua laughs out a groan feeling you clench, his eyes following your graze to Seokmin before he looks back at you to watch you moving over him. His large hands found purchase on your body, one holding your hip tightly while the other massaged your breast. 

“You don’t have to sit so far away, Seokmin. Fuck...darling” His hand slides from your chest to your face to make you look down at him, your mouth instantly finding a way to wrap around his thumb making him groan out his words. “You have to relax around my cock or I’m gonna fucking lose my mind, angel.” 

You hadn’t meant to be so tight around Joshua, but everything felt new and intense. Nodding you let out a soft moan of a yes letting Joshua’s thumb slip from your mouth when you feel the bed sink behind you. 

Seokmin’s hand slides along your back down to your hip so that you have a hand on either side of your body. Your eyes close to the feeling of his lips moving against the back of your neck while his thumb presses into your skin pushing you down harder over Joshua. 

“I won’t lie, I had only dreamt about what it would be like to be in the bedroom with you, Peanut but somehow this is even better. Does Joshua’s cock feel good? Mm, you sound like you are going to cum again. What if I–?” 

He doesn’t finish his question, instead, Seokmin’s free hand slides around your body and then between your legs so that his fingers can rub over your clit. Your moans of pleasure building cause Seokmin to chuckle lowly against your neck, his teeth raking along your skin knowing he is only pushing you over the edge. 

Joshua groans your name, his hand sliding back down your body to your breast where his fingers roll over your nipple delicately. His large fingers barely pinched at the hardened bud but it was enough with Seokmin’s fingers and the cock buried deep inside of you to make the coil inside of you snap.  

Throwing your head back onto Seokmin’s shoulder, you can’t find words to moan. Instead, you simply try to catch your breath, your body trembling from slight overstimulation by the time your hands move from you. Underneath you, Joshua hisses out a long groan from his chest as his climax hits him like a train. 

Thick, warm cum spills into you as you roll your hips down over Joshua’s cock. His eyes roll back briefly while his hands move to hold your hips tightly pushing Seokmin’s out of the way. Joshua mutters a soft apology to Seokmin before his eyes find yours and they are filled with nothing but adoration. 

“Oh my god…I love you so much.” 

Seokmin didn’t need the apology, he understood why Joshua had pushed his hands away. The man had needed to be grounded at that moment. God, he could see why with the way you had been riding him. Watching you both for a moment, Seokmin tilts his head to the way your lips mesh with Joshua’s. How you whisper how much you love him too into the kiss before your boyfriend’s hands slide over your ass helping you slide off of him carefully. 

“If you don’t want to sleep with me, Y/N…we don’t have to do this.” 

Your brows furrow along with Joshua’s at Seokmin’s words. You had very clearly stated what you had wanted. Your eyes drop to his clearly painfully hard cock resting against his thigh as you turn on the bed to face him tilting your head almost like a curious puppy. 

Joshua can’t help but to watch with a similar curiosity trying to catch his breath and regain his composure. His eyes move over your ass up to the back of your head finally over to Seokmin’s face just over your shoulder when you finally reach the man. There was a look of confusion and desperation in Seokmin’s eyes but also something else. Joshua couldn’t quite place it. 

“I want you, Min. I said that. If you don’t want me, that’s a completely different story. We can forget this entire thing and you never have to worry about seeing me like this ever again.” 

As soon as the words, “like this ever again” leave your mouth Seokmin’s eyes seem to darken. A panic hitting him because those words are so final and it’s never something he’d want. You gasp into a small laugh when your back hits the bed. Seokmin’s hand is on the side of your face, his fingers moving around to the back of your head to pull you back up to his lips as he speaks. 

“I fucking want you.” 

“Then take me.” 

Seokmin’s hand slides along your leg pulling your knee up to his hip while your hand slides between your bodies to stroke him for the first time. He felt heavy and thick in your hand. The breathy whines that fell from his lips at your touch made you feel even wetter. 

Laying on his side, his elbow propping his up so he could watch carefully, Joshua observed how the two of you reacted to one another. How Seokmin’s groans made you clench. He could see it from where he was laying because he could see what was left of his cum seep from you each time it happened. 

Trailing his fingers over yours, Seokmin hisses against your lips lining himself up with your entrance feeling how wet you are. Between your own cum and Joshua’s, he thought it would be easy to push into you and yet you were still tight around him. 

The feeling of the tip of his cock brushing against your g-spot almost instantly because of his length sent you into a frenzy. A breathy, “oh” slipped from your lips as your breath quickened when Seokmin made the first experimental thrust bottoming out into you. 

“Fuck…oh my god. Seokmin, wait.” 

Panic flashed over your best friend’s face, the fingers of his free hand moving to push your hair from your face to look for any signs of distress. Instead, he finds you taking a calming breath. Lifting his head, Seokmin looks to Joshua who was sharing a similar panicked look only for both men to calm down when you let out a pleasured laugh. 

“It feels too good. You are going to make me cum too fast.” 

Shaking his head, Joshua slides along the bed to lay closer to you and Seokmin. A smirk plays on his lips when you look at him, your cheeks warm from your arousal. “Feels that good, huh? What’s so bad about cumming quickly, darling? Doesn’t Seokmin deserve you cumming on his cock a few times? For all the years you two have pined over each other at this point?” 

Seokmin groans at the feeling of you clenching around him as Joshua’s hand slides around your throat. You loved the feeling of Joshua’s hands, especially such a gentle touch in a place where your brain started to scream about a sense of danger. 

“He does, we both do. You are right, Shua. You’ve always been right. Fuck…I’m sorry.” 

Neither of them wanted you to apologize, especially right now but you were overwhelmed with pleasure as Seokmin started to move once again when you pulled him closer with your legs. Joshua simply smiles, his thumb brushing over your throat delicately before he leans to press a kiss to the side of your lips leaning back so Seokmin can kiss you right afterward. 

“I want to tell you how much I love you but…fuck I don’t know if that’s okay.” 

Seokmin wasn’t even sure he had said the words out loud but Joshua simply smirks raising a brow at your reaction because they were very much said out loud. He could see the way you were looking at your best friend. The two of you had said how much you loved each other many times over but this was different, you knew it, Joshua knew it, and Seokmin was going to understand it. 

“Then tell her. I wouldn’t have offered this and let you into our bed if I didn’t realize that you truly had feelings for her, Seokmin. However, before you say those words know what they mean and where they lead, for all of us.” 

Seokmin’s hips slow down, your hand sliding along his side causing him to shiver even as he meets Joshua’s eyes briefly before nodding. He was pretty sure he understood what Joshua was saying and he found himself wanting it, wanting it all. 

His eyes find yours once again, Seokmin trails his fingers along your jaw as you hold back a soft whine of his name feeling him bury himself deep inside of you once again. You were so close and no matter how much you were trying to hold yourself back you knew there was no way you were going to be able to stop it with how his cock was hitting you so perfectly. 

Fingers trace your shoulder down to where Seokmin’s arm begins causing you both to shiver. Joshua waits for Seokmin to finally speak, and when he does Joshua doesn’t look away. Instead, the man watches intently taking in every syllable as if the words were also being spoken to him, because in a way they were. 

“Shit, I’m not going to last long baby. I…god, this is not how I’d want to tell you this for the first time. Not that I haven’t said it before but I mean it differently.” He was rambling, but you can’t help but to smile, the warmth of his hand and the way his body was laying against yours felt intimate. You found this to be the perfect time while his body was completely connected to yours. 

“I love you so fucking much. I used to hate myself for it, but if you’d let me…if Shua would let me...I’d be part of your life. Whatever that fucking means.” 

Your eyes slowly close as your orgasm washes over you. Seokmin’s words fall near the end of his sentence followed by a groan when he feels you clench around him unlike before when you cum. 

Burying his face against your neck, Seokmin kisses and sucks at your skin. His thrusts are seemingly deeper after your first orgasm. He seemed driven to send you over that edge one more time, for you to join him as he climaxed. 

Moving his hand back from your arm, Joshua allows you and Seokmin the time to be alone in a way sensing that you both need it. Your bodies flush with one another, your moans almost in harmony before you mutter that you are cumming once again. 

Seokmin nods, his body almost shaking when you do. He is quick to follow you spilling everything he has into you in thick ropes filling you fully. Soft groans escape the man’s lips as he finally pulls back to kiss his way from your throat to your lips. Hushed whispers of how much he loves you reach your and Joshua’s ears causing you both to smile. 

The entire room is quiet for what seems like years until Joshua finally speaks up and leans to push your hair from your face followed by doing the same action to Seokmin getting your attention. 

“Don’t fall asleep yet, either of you. I know you are tired, and I am as well but you need to use the bathroom and we are all incredibly sticky. We can not possibly sleep like this. I’ll start a shower, Seokmin could you please get us some water?” 

Not waiting for an answer, Joshua slips from the bed heading for the master bathroom with two sets of eyes following him. Seokmin slightly stunned glances at you only to laugh a moment later when you only smile and shrug. 

“Is he always like this? He is seriously okay with me being here?” 

You lift your hand to run your fingers through Seokmin’s hair much like Joshua had a moment before. The man relaxes into your touch a soft smile crossing his lips as he listens to you speak. 

“He has never done anything without a reason, and when it comes to me he’s never done anything to hurt me. Shua goes out of his way to make sure I’m happy and taken care of. Sometimes he does too much, to the point I want to strangle him, but I always know he does things because he loves me.” 

Seokmin grins, tilting his head with a nod. You continue to speak even though your eyes follow his lips against your wrist. 

“So, if he has decided that this is a good idea…whatever this is, whatever it’s going to become then I trust him. I trust you. You are my best friend, Minnie. You and Shua are my favorite people in the entire world. I’ve never felt safer than I do right now.” 

Taking a breath, Seokmin closes his eyes, his lips pressed against the inside of your forearm. He is lost in thought because of your words but he seems to quickly regain himself with a nod. You watch as he slides from you even when you whine not wanting him to go. 

“I have to go get some water, Joshua asked for it. He’s right, about a lot of things it seems. I think he wants you to be hydrated after all of that. We could all use some water. Stay here, Peanut. I’ll be back.” 

Your eyes trail over Seokmin’s back to his ass as he leaves the room completely bare. You can only sigh feeling suddenly cold and alone even if Joshua was only a room away. Hearing the shower running and the sound of Joshua humming brings a smile back to your face when you realize he is closer. 

Joshua’s eyes move over your body, a grin spreading across his lips as he extends a hand for yours. He helps you sit up on the side of the bed before leaning down to kiss your lips.

“Are you happy?” 

You can’t help but laugh at the question. You felt it was pretty obvious but you still nod making Joshua laugh in response. This was all he ever wanted, you in his life and for you to be happy. He wanted to be part of the reason for your happiness and one of the causes of your happiness. 

“I’m glad, darling. We can talk about what all this means but I want to get you clean and situated first.” 

Seokmin was doing his best to balance three empty glasses in one arm while holding the pitcher of ice water with the other. A sound of alarm from his mouth alerted Joshua to his situation causing the older man not only to laugh softly but to jump into action moving to take the glasses from him easing his mind. 

“This is nicer than I had even anticipated. There were bottles of water, Seokmin.” 

“I know, but I saw the pitcher and the water tastes so nice here compared to back at the campus. I thought we could enjoy it while we had it.” 

Joshua furrows his brows at Seokmin’s thoughtfulness before nodding holding up the glasses one at a time allowing him to fill each with water. With one in your hands, you take a sip only to get a look from both men that causes you to roll your eyes before you take a large gulp swallowing it down. 

“You are both impossible. Joshua was bad enough before but I didn’t have to worry about Seokmin complaining.” 

Tipping his glass back, Seokmin all but drains his glass putting it to the side with a shrug. He takes your mostly empty one from your hands allowing Joshua to help you from the bed leading you towards the steamy bathroom as he follows. 

“Well, I have a feeling you are just going to have to get used to it, Peanut.” 

The early morning light causes Seokmin to grimace, a sound of annoyance slipping from his lips as he turns on the bed. It felt a bit crowded but when he opened his eyes he remembered why and where he was. You were laying against him, your head resting on his arm while your legs lay tangled with Joshua’s. 

He didn’t want to move, afraid to wake you or Joshua but a quick glance at the other man caused him to press his lips together. Joshua smiled at him softly, he had been awake for a few minutes now, his fingers lazily running through your hair and along your back to keep you calm and asleep. 

“She’s out. We took a lot out of her.” 

Joshua’s voice was quiet but Seokmin was able to make out everything he was saying. He would see that Joshua was also right. Nothing seemed to be causing you to stir from your slumber. Soft breaths hit Seokmin’s skin causing goosebumps to spread. 

“Shua, we should talk about what happened. What the fuck all of this means, I’ll be honest, I’m really confused.” 

That was fair, Joshua thought to himself. Everything had happened fast. Granted not as fast as it could have but given the timing of the trip, it was on day one. He had sprung the situation on both of you knowing the feelings were there. 

“What do you want it to mean, Seokmin?” 

Taking a deep breath, Seokmin glances down at you sleeping on his chest to shake his head. He knew what he wanted but he was almost afraid to say it. Your words about how Joshua treated you and wanted for you lingered in the forefront of his mind. 

“I want to be with her. I don’t want this to end. I like this…waking up like this. I mean fuck, I like talking to you like this. I liked how it was last night with us, but I don’t know what that even means.” 

Joshua furrows his brows at Seokmin’s words. He felt the apprehension, and he could understand it. This was all new even to him. He hadn’t put all the pieces together in his mind when he had decided to do this, but he did agree with what Seokmin was saying. 

“Yeah, I like it too and last night was great. I enjoyed all of it. I’m curious about where it could go. Where she would want it to go, all of this is of course up to her in the end but it’s also up to you. I can tell you that I want exactly what you want for yourself. I want you to be with, Y/N but that includes me. She is with me so you would also be…with me. I don’t know if that makes any sense.” 

Seokmin leans his head back on his pillow to take a breath trying to wrap his mind around the situation that Joshua was presenting to him. He didn’t hate anything the man was saying. It was confusing and different but something that he could very much handle. 

“We would all talk about what that means for us but, I couldn’t see this as just a “you are dating my girlfriend on the side” situation. That seemed wrong and unnatural. When I thought about you and Y/N, this felt right. You just fit with us, Seokmin.” 

That made Seokmin’s chest tighten slightly. You had been one of the only people in his life to talk to him like that before. To tell him that he fit in anywhere or that he was wanted so to hear it from Joshua Hong unprompted caused his head to spin. Licking his lips, Seokmin glances back over to Joshua with a nod, his hand moving to run through your hair next to Joshua’s. 

“I like that. I really like that, Shua.” 

You smile against Seokmin’s chest, your legs stretching alongside Joshua’s before you sigh out your own words. 

“I really like it too. Good morning.” 

Joshua laughs leaning down to press a kiss to the back of your shoulder before you turn to meet his lips for a good morning kiss. 

“You do? Do you want to be with us both? Everything that comes along with that?” 

Seokmin holds his breath watching you with Joshua waiting to see what you will say but when you smile on Joshua’s lips he can’t help but grin. 

“You mean you wanna date me?” 

Your hand slides along the side of Seokmin’s face up into his hair to gently tug him down so you can kiss him once allowing Joshua to move back just slightly as you do. 

“Yes, I do. We all date each other. I believe that’s what I was hearing?”

Seokmin hums against your lips before leaning back to let you look at Joshua who nods to let you know that you are correct. A smile spreads across your lips, you move to your back basking in the feeling of their fingers dancing along your skin before you watch them barely graze each other's hands not pulling away right away. This was exactly what you had needed and wanted without even realizing it. 

“I love you both so much.” 

Joshua smirks a bit, his larger hand moving Seokmin’s up your side causing you to let out a moan on a breath as they both whisper back that they love you too. 

Bonus Headcanons

Before graduation, you had a large diamond on your finger. It had been Joshua’s gift to you when he had gotten accepted to medical school. You had found that to be a bit backward but he insisted that was exactly how he had intended it. 

You and Seokmin own a cozy little studio where you showcase and sell your art. Neither of you worrying about money but simply enjoying the art-making process. 

Joshua had decided that the studio was more important for you both, so rather than needing to work under anyone else he had bought you both the space and insisted this was how it needed to be. 

Seokmin is the one who always jokes about how he and you have a sugar daddy. 

Seokmin was the best man at Joshua and your wedding. There is no jealousy about the marriage, instead, this is exactly how Seokmin prefers the relationship. 

Joshua’s family is a bit confused about why another person lives in such a large house with Joshua and you but they love Seokmin so much that they have stopped questioning it. 

Seokmin has his own wing in the house because out of the entire relationship, he is the one who needs alone time the most. 

Over time Seokmin and Joshua got much closer and more sexual making time with them even more erotic and sensual. You find yourself many times enjoying their kisses over your body or watching them exchange your cum from their tongues before one of them will fuck you into the mattress. 

tag list; @bangchanbabygirlx @just-here-to-read-01 @niktwazny303 @strawberri-uyu @yeritheloml @noraehey @hoohoohope @synthetickitsune @pandorashbox @enhacolor @guavagyu @httpswonwoosglasses @gyuhanniescarat @yoonguurt @xoxodino @sakurasangcl @fantasy2wonderland @woozis-wife @sunnyteume @multi-kpop-fanfics @noseblowersanonymous @whyokoa @baldi-2 @misssugarlips @raevyng @dkakapizzaboy @noniestars @diving1ntoyou @valentxi @onlyseokmins @jeanjacketjesus @emmmui @woo8hao @xxtingz @dejavernon @whereisgyu @yourfavoritefreakyhan @hyucksrealm @otterpopchan @xuxibelle @foxdaisy @smileysuh @vern0nsworld @yeosayang @jwnghyuns @tigermoonbiss @joshuas-wifey @moondaymorning @lunaofthelake @yeonjunscoffee @shuaslvr

please note that I am doing my best to tag all of you who have filled out the tag list form but tumblr won’t let me tag some of you. I think that is because either you have tags turned off or possibly a blank tumblr page. consider reblogging some of the fics you like from me or other writers. ♥

© onlymingyus - all rights reserved. Reposting/modifying of any fic, or pieces of original writings posted on this blog is not allowed. Translations not allowed. 

[helionpegasus]

Hello! :) I saw your post a bit ago saying you were accepting requests. Anyways, can I please req Azriel x Reader. Reader and Azriel announce they're FINALLY mated, after YEARS off the IC being like, "Are you sureeeeeee you aren't together??" and them laughing it off. But.... Mor forces it out by being like, "Y/N, I have this cute friend...." and she's saying that because she wants them to finally admit it. Honestly I NEED FLUFF. Please, and thank you so so so much!!! <33

i'm on the mood of doing hc, and thought this req would match it so well. i hope you don't mind this being hc 🥹

- You met Mor at Rita's and bounded instantly! Seriously. Born to best friends.

- She presents Azriel to you in the same night, and was like "Cauldron, you look so good together".

- Azriel was slightly drunk that night. Wich made him talk so easily with you. For real, that male was babbling.

- A week after you met him again in a Coffee Shop and said "Hi, Az!" and he just awkwardly waved back.

- You said that to Mor in the weekend and she said he was just shy.

- Later you discovered that this male was shy around YOU.

- Azriel's confidence it's aways high towards any female he finds attractive, but towards YOU? The bat baby get rosy cheeks.

- Your relationship starts to get closer once he returns of a mission with a big cut on his chest and go directly to Madja, but she wasn't there. There was only her apprentice, you.

- You freak out a little, 'cause there was TOO MUCH BLOOD. But do your job really well, and Az was so grateful for you.

- You end up being the first person he runs to everytime he's needing medical assistance.

- A sword slice in his back during a battle? You fix it.

- An ice burn from spending too much time in the annual snowball fight? You can easily recover it.

- A paper cut from the multiple papers in his desk from all his missions of the month? He runs to you.

- The Inner Circle started to be unsure of your friendship when the two of you got so drunk that ended sleeping in the floor of the living room.

- Your head landing comfortably on his arm. His head resting on yours and his wing covering you body because the heat in the fireplace was long gone.

- They were almost sure you guys do have a things when Cassian says "It would be a pleasure to have you in my bed"

- The shadowsinger was FUMING. He was ready to start a battle with Cass in the middle of the dinner table. (Rhys had to calm him down)

- After that Az had a moment with himself to settle down and recognize his own feelings.

- The male was deeply IN LOVE. There was nothing more to do other than accept it.

- He gained the courage to ask you out on a date.

- "A romantic kind of date?" You asked him.

- "Yes." He said. His brain ready to combust if you reject him.

- "Sure. Where we're going" And the Illyrian male never smiled more brightly.

- You guys go to an Art Exhibit in Velaris. With works of multiple artist towards Prythian.

- His heart skips a beat everytime he sees your eyes shining seeing a piece you really liked.

- Later you go to a restaurant to have dinner, and you start having a deep conversation about the paintings and sculptures that got a place in your hearts.

- Azriel listening to every tiny feeling you had during the visit.

- He's a gentleman so he pays the bill and walked you to your apartment.

- Once you reached the door, you take the first step and kissed him.

- Your first kiss with each other was like landing on clouds. His lips so soft and gentle. His hands finding their place in your waist and in the back of your neck. Your arms around his shoulders.

- When you distance yourselves for a little breath and locked gazes, the bond snapped. For both of you.

- The world makes sense now.

- Once you two got inside that apartment, you don't leave it for 2 weeks. (You know what I mean)

- Azriel said to Rhys he got an emergency with his mom. Because he don't want to share any bit of you with anyone yet.

- "I think it's time for us to leave our bubble." You says caressing his hair. His face tucked in the space where your neck meets your shoulder.

- "I think you're right." He whispers, but makes no intention of leaving the place in your arms.

- Your bubble of happiness and comfort was gone in the day after. When you too appeared in the dinner on the River House.

- You arrived there first because Feyre needed some help with Nyx.

- Azriel got some duties after giving himself the sweet taste of 2 weeks without working.

- The mismatch made you sit apart from each other. But you stayed the whole time sending each other love pulls through the bond.

- Somehow the conversation went to relationships. And Mor says that you all should go to Rita's and find a lover for the night.

- You can feel Az mood change through the bond.

- "Mor, I think we all settled down at this point" Feyre said between giggles.

- "I, Y/N and Az are fully single" she says looking at you.

- The bond was burning hot from Azriel's jealously.

- "Y/N, I have a really cute friend that I think you'll like to meet" Mor said.

- "She's not interested." Azriel says in a hard tone.

- The whole IC stops eating to look at him, dumbfounded.

- Cassian with the biggest grim ever sharing glances with Rhys, probably talking in their minds.

- Feyre with wide eyes looking at Azriel and how he was ready to stab Mor with the knife he was cutting the meat.

- Mor switching glances between you and Az.

- "Do you guys want to tell something to us?" Rhysand asks leaning his back comfortably in the chair, ready to hear the story.

- Azriel only looks at you, before letting go of the thick shadows around him. Freeing his scent to your friends.

- Not only his scent, but YOUR scent. And mostly the scent of THE BOND.

- Cass didn't waste time and hugged his friend with shouts of happiness.

- Feyre and Mor coming to you while Nyx was babbling in his mother arms not understanding what's happening but happy whatsoever.

- Amren, Nesta and Elain just smiling and giving their congratulations.

- "So... Emergency with your mom, right?"

[silenzahra]

Luigi the Bookworm 📚✨

Today, April 23rd, we celebrate Book Day in Spain with a beautiful tradition: gifting books and roses. In the past few months, I've started to see Luigi, my favorite Mario character, as a bookworm, thanks to some art pieces like this one, by Mikis_art94 on Instagram, and this one, a short comic by Sarahsketckesluigi, also on Instagram.

And, since I'm also a bookworm myself, I thought of celebrating this day by sharing with you my own take on Luigi's bookish side 🤭 Warning: this is gonna be LONG, so make sure to grab some drinks and snacks and make yourselves comfortable! 💖

(Also, I may go and turn some of these into actual fanfics at some point because, well... I got myself inspired 👀🤭✨)

Please go and check this amazing post by @itsavee4117! It's a companion to this one and you can see many of my headcanons illustrated in his lovely art style!!! 📚💖

@bberetd @vulpixfairy1985 @peaches2217 @nuctoria @keakruiser

@pepperycar @kelbreyworshipper @roscolate and anyone else who might be interested: I hope you enjoy! Happy Book Day! 📚🥀✨

Part 1: Luigi's Bookish Side

Luigi is a person who tends to get excited easily, and when he does, he experiences those feelings with great intensity. This applies to all aspects of his life, and reading, one of his greatest passions, is no exception.

In terms of genres, Luigi is generally open to read anything. He enjoys realistic novels, historical novels, classic novels, mystery novels, sci-fi novels... And he also reads books about gardening, cooking, baking and mechanics from time to time. The only things he’s unable to consume are thrillers and horror. He's tried, but, with all the times he's had to face King Boo, he's had more than enough terror and frights to last him a lifetime, thank you very much.

His favorite genres are fantasy and romance. The former, because traveling to made-up worlds allows him to forget about his real-life problems and offers him an escape from his daily life, which can often be exhausting. The second, because he’s a complete romantic who loves to see people loving each other and living happily ever after. And also... because of something that has to do with Daisy.

Luigi lives every book he reads with the same intensity. For him, it's as if the characters really existed, as if they were his friends, people he can talk to, share common interests with, and also help to achieve their purposes in life (i.e. in the books they’re from).

And maybe... just maybe... he's fallen in love more than once while reading and now he has a loooong list of literary crushes thet only keeps growing.

So, when he’s reading, Luigi laughs with the characters, cries when one of them suffers or dies, his heart tearing in his chest, and is deeply moved every time a tender moment occurs, such as a kiss, a hug or a cute scene involving, for example, a baby or an animal.

His favorite stories are those about siblings. Not only because he enjoys reading family stories, but also because, without even thinking about it, he often finds it easy to put himself in the place of the younger sibling. For him, therefore, it’s as if he were reading a story starring himself and his beloved brother Mario, and he loves to imagine that they’re going on adventures together in an unknown world. Almost like when they first arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Over the years, Luigi has gathered quite a collection of books, so Mario, the moment they move into the little house in the Mushroom Kingdom that Peach offered them, doesn't hesitate to suggest to his brother that he use the extra room to build himself a small library. Luigi is not too sure at first, thinking that maybe his brother would like to have an office, but Mario insists.

So Luigi has a small library in his new home, which he soon fills to the top with books, and it’s his pride and joy. He and Mario assembled the bookshelves together, which they brought all the way from Brooklyn, and now Luigi has a wonderful reading nook where he can isolate himself to let his imagination run wild for hours. It is, along with the bedroom he shares with Mario, his favorite room in the whole house.

For Luigi, reading is something so important, meaningful and almost sacred in his life, that he has a whole ritual that he performs every time he sits down to read. He has a rocking chair in his small library, a present from his brother when they moved to live in the Mushroom Kingdom, and he has it placed right next to the window and in front of the fireplace. He likes to be able to see the sky when he looks up from his reading, and he usually stares at the clouds or the stars while he daydreams about or reflects on what he has just read. During the summer, he usually keeps it open, as he loves to read in natural light while the gentle breeze from Peach's land cools him, and in winter he keeps it firmly closed while the fireplace warms him.

Luigi loves to light a scented candle to help him get in the perfect mood for reading. His favorite scent is vanilla, as it reminds him of his favorite princess, but he also loves lavender and cinnamon. He usually makes himself a hot drink, sometimes tea, sometimes chocolate, and brings a nice blanket to warm up, which is why his favorite time to read is the coldest time of the year, especially autumn. He also prepares his set of post-its to mark his favorite sentences and parts of the book, and he has a ritual for colors too: yellow for funny moments, blue for sentences that make him reflect on them, red or pink for romantic scenes…

Luigi knows that there are many people who write directly in their books, but, for him, that is unthinkable. He sees books as a valuable and precious object, a repository of stories that helps him disconnect from reality and let his imagination run wild. He respects what everyone does with their books, but he’s simply incapable. Especially if it’s a book he has been given as a gift.

His favorite copies are hardcover, even more so if they include a dust jacket. He treasures all his books with the same affection, but those are undoubtedly his weak point. The most precious of all is a hardcover, dust-jacketed edition of his favorite book, which was a present from Mario, and which also has painted edges.

Usually, when it's time to read, Mario is either napping, spending quality time with Peach, or doing something else around the house. Polterpup, on the other hand, takes the opportunity to approach his owner and, if it's summer, lie at his feet while he reads. If it's winter, however, Polterpup will jump into Luigi's lap without his permission and cuddle up and fall asleep immediately, before Luigi even has time to recover from the fright and resume reading. (Check out @pepperycar's funny addition to this!)

Luigi is a speed reader. Usually, when he starts reading, he doesn't intend to go too fast. It's just that, after so many years reading, his eyes have acquired an astonishing speed, and he’s able to retain every word in his head despite going through them very quickly. Also, if a book really hooks him, he’s unable to put it down until he finishes it, which has caused him to stay up late several nights and go to work half asleep the next day, but it's always totally worth it. Because of this ability, he can finish books of about 300-400 pages in just a few hours, and sometimes also 500 if he gets caught up completely.

Luigi LOVES to buy books. His favorite visits are to Sarasaland and the bookstore, and he also does a lot of online shopping to support small publishers. Every time a new book comes home, he gets excited as if it's the first time, and always asks Mario to please record him while he's unboxing it. Mario unhesitatingly stands on the other side of the camera and makes sure that every shot is perfect and that the book looks great, and Luigi, delighted and grateful, always gives him the tightest and most spontaneous hugs every time they finish filming.

And, of course, once he has the book in his hands, Luigi squeals and kicks, excited, as he waves it in the air like maracas before hugging it tightly to his chest. And, when the book is a present from someone dear to him, he acts exactly the same, only he ends up crying and thanking again and again the person who gave it to him while, again, he presses the book against himself as if his life depended on it.

Luigi is VERY much a fan of merchandising. He loves collecting bookmarks, he has such a huge collection that he's had to divide it into several drawers, and every time he’s going to start a new reading, he tends to spend more time deciding which bookmark will be the most suitable than choosing the book itself. He’s also bought a few literary stickers and some printed works of his favorite books, like fanarts of different scenes or characters illustrated by various artists, which he's hung on a corkboard. And, of course, since his books are the most precious thing he has, he’s also bought many literary covers from different small artists' stores, so that he can keep his books well protected when he carries them around.

Luigi is the kind of person who takes a book with him everywhere. A doctor's appointment? Book in backpack in case the wait gets longer. Public transport? He can't think of a better way to spend it than reading. He even takes them with him when he meets up with Mario, Peach and Toad, just in case his brother and the princess get lovey-dovey, and Toad falls asleep. And, if there's one thing Luigi likes better than sleeping in nature, it's reading in nature.

Part 2: The Reader Brother

Luigi has loved reading since he was very young. When he and Mario were babies, their parents used to tell them a bedtime story, sometimes Pio, sometimes Mia, and Luigi always listened very attentively. He would gawk listening to them and loved how they used to put voices and even recreate some scenes to make them laugh.

Mario also listened very interested, but being a more energetic baby, he used to fall asleep about halfway through the story, with his head resting on Luigi's shoulder and his arm firmly around his brother's waist. Their parents would drool, but they had to continue, for Luigi, even if he was struggling to keep his eyes open, wasn’t going to go to sleep without knowing the ending.

Only then, with a satisfied smile, he would hug his brother back, curl up next to him, close his eyes, and put his thumb in his mouth to get ready for sleep. By then, Mario was completely asleep, clinging to Luigi like a koala to a eucalyptus tree, and their parents had to make great efforts not to melt as they tucked them in and kissed them goodnight.

Since then, both brothers have grown up being great lovers of stories, only that, while Luigi loves books, Mario prefers to consume them in movies or video games. Even so, these are all hobbies that the brothers share, as they love to immerse themselves in a good story that helps them escape from reality for a while.

When Luigi gets emotional about a book he’s reading or has just read, Mario immediately comes to his side to hug and comfort him. He knows that, even if it's fiction, his brother has lived through it all in such a way that his feelings, of sadness, joy or emptiness at having finished a great story, are real and intense. And Mario would never judge him for it.

Luigi is deeply grateful not only that his brother comforts him, but that he listens to him talk endlessly about what has just happened in the book he’s reading, and even catches his emotions. Mario may not cry, but he feels his brother's sadness as if it were his own. Fortunately, the same thing happens when Luigi is happy or excited because of a book, and even on the few occasions when Luigi has gotten angry with a character, Mario has giggled under his breath before calming him down, because he finds it extremely tender.

Luigi usually goes to the bookstore at least once a week, and Mario, since they were teenagers, has almost always accompanied him. The only exceptions were when Mario was dating Pauline, and Luigi had no problem paying his weekly visit to the bookstore by himself, but, deep down, he missed Mario.

His brother also loves to accompany him, because, despite not being as much of a reader as Luigi, he enjoys watching him go back and forth from one shelf to another, pointing out the books he’s already read and the ones he wants to read. Also, when he gets the chance to buy a new one, Mario is amused to see Luigi picking up one book after another and trying to load them all and then deciding which one to take home.

Of course, Mario immediately offers to help him carry the books so that Luigi can keep picking up more if he wants to, and Luigi appreciates it from the bottom of his heart. And also that, again, Mario listens to him chatting incessantly about why each book has caught his attention and why he has such a hard time making up his mind.

Mario always tries to guide him in the best possible way: "What do you feel like reading more right now?" "Is it part of a series or is it a standalone?" "Is the sequel already out or would you have to wait?" "Did you like this or that author better?"

And Luigi thanks him deeply for his advice and questions because, that way, he manages to discern which book he really wants to buy that time.

The best way to surprise Luigi, the best birthday and Christmas present, will always be a book. Mario knows this, and that's why he doesn't hesitate to ask his brother to show him his long and endless lists of books he wants to purchase, as well as discreetly taking notes every time he goes to the bookstore with him. Luigi cherishes every book his brother has gifted him like the priceless treasures they are to him.

Sometimes Luigi runs into space problems. Even though his bookshelf is large and spacious, there’s a limit to everything. In those moments when he’s overwhelmed because he doesn't know where to place his new acquisitions, Mario always comes to the rescue: he immediately offers to hang a new shelf on the wall, or to look for another bookshelf to place in some free space in the room, or, directly, he stares at Luigi's shelf with a frown and his hand on his chin for a few moments, before taking the new books from his brother's arms and, displaying his skills playing Tetris, manages to find room to place them.

He loves to do it not only because he enjoys applying in real life what he has learned playing video games, but above all because of the relieved smile that blooms on Luigi's lips when he sees that Mario has found the perfect solution.

Luigi loves going to literary events where he can meet his favorite authors and have his books signed, but he tends to get so nervous that he always gets stuck for words and sweats a lot, which embarrasses him deeply.

The first time, in fact, Luigi was so shocked to have his favorite author in front of him that he fainted. When he woke up in the ambulance, he was so embarrassed that nothing Mario, who, of course, always accompanies him, said succeeded in comforting him.

He only calmed down a bit at home, when, alone with Mario, he began to silently cry without even realizing it, and his brother, not uttering a word, sat down in front of him, worried, and wrapped him gently in his arms. He pressed the back of Luigi's neck softly to make him rest his head on his shoulder and stroked his back gently, his heart aching at each new sob that escaped his brother's throat.

It took him many, many years to convince Luigi to go to an event again, for Luigi feared the same thing would happen to him again. He didn't want to make a fool of himself like that ever again, especially not in front of writers he deeply admires.

So Mario decided that they would practice: he dressed as much as he could like Luigi's favorite author, watched as many videos as he could on the internet to soak up his personality and find out what kind of books they wrote, and pretended to be them again and again, relentlessly, until Luigi, little by little, managed to exchange a few words with him.

It took them many attempts, because, despite knowing it was his brother, Luigi had no trouble getting into the situation due to his overflowing imagination. Mario had to step out of character several times to try to calm him down and help him regulate his breathing.

Luckily, thanks to Mario's efforts, eventually it worked, and Luigi, a few years later, found himself back at an event and able to chat for a few minutes with the writers he read, even though his heart was beating frantically in his chest and excitement was flooding his insides.

He will never be able to thank his brother for his infinite patience, but Mario always plays it down tenderly. He keeps assuring him that it was not patience, but his deep and sincere love for his younger brother and his eagerness to help him fulfill his wishes.

Part 3: Royalty + Luaisy

Ever since the brothers met Princess Peach, she and Luigi have been, little by little, building up a beautiful friendship that grows every day, just like the sweet romantic relationship between her and Mario.

It didn't take long for Peach to discover Luigi's bookish side, and it made her eager and excited, as she has always enjoyed reading and loves to comment on the books she reads in great detail.

So she didn't hesitate to take Luigi to the huge library of her castle, and she smiled, touched, as she saw the amazement with which Luigi observed its towering shelves, turning on himself in the center of the room as he tried to take it all in.

Since then, Peach and Luigi have become reading buddies. The two of them love to immerse themselves in a good story, read together in the castle library while comfortably sipping tea and, of course, comment on what they have just read and exchange views. Luigi even ends up causing Peach to also take a liking to collecting bookmarks and literary merchandising.

They often do joint readings: they discover a book they both feel like reading and set a series of goals to try to read it at the same pace, so they can discuss it as they go along. Sometimes, however, Luigi discovers that Peach hasn't read one of his favorite books, so he doesn't hesitate to read it with her so he can see her reactions, and vice versa. They love to share their anger, their cries and their joys, for it fills their hearts with bliss and emotion that they have someone by their side who understands perfectly well what they’re feeling and why.

They enjoy hearing what this or that scene has made the other feel, or what they think of this or that character, because it helps them to see things from a point of view that, perhaps, they had not considered before. Reading enriches them, but their literary conversations enrich them even more.

And Mario, of course, is delighted that the two most important people in his life have forged such a strong, deep bond and spend so much quality time together, sharing one of their greatest passions. Often, unbeknownst to them, he stands watching them as they read in the library and gets a silly grin on his face when he sees them laughing together after chatting a bit about their readings.

When it comes to Prince Peasley, on the other hand, Luigi is the one who watches him while smiling, mesmerized, as the prince, always so elegant and sophisticated, has an exquisite oratory and knows how to strike the perfect tone every time a character intervenes, and also to confer the right emotion when it comes to the narrator. And Luigi, besides staring at him, enraptured by the fabulousness of his figure, also listens to him spellbound. He would almost say that he enjoys reading more when his beloved prince is the one who narrates, and plays, the stories.

Princess Daisy, due to her energetic nature, is not much prone to reading. She prefers more dynamic activities where she can unleash not only her endless energy, but also her competitive side. Even so, she knows and respects the value of books, having grown up well aware of their importance in safeguarding and protecting the history of her kingdom. (@kelbreyworshipper you may like these ones!)

But when she meets Luigi, she begins to show a slight interest in reading, something that at first was only born so that she could have something to talk to him about. Fortunately, Luigi, despite his initial shyness, doesn't need more than a mention of literature to start talking nonstop about his favorite stories and how much they make him feel. And Daisy, not even realizing it, finds herself listening to him entranced, very attentive to his every word and genuinely understanding why there are people, like Luigi, who find reading so exciting.

Over time, she starts asking him for book recommendations, which he happily obliges, and Daisy discovers that she actually enjoys reading, especially stories with tons of action. Still, what she likes the most about this is Luigi's thrilled and moved expression when he finds out she's actually listened to him, read the book he recommended and, therefore, now they can fangirl together. She falls even harder for him because of the cute little face he makes.

Sensing that her interest in him is growing and that it may be mutual, Daisy decides to invite Luigi to Sarasaland Castle to show him her library. At first she doesn't tell him what she has invited him for, which makes Luigi VERY nervous, as he doesn't know if this is a date or not. She playfully takes him by the hands, leads him to the library doors and asks him to close his eyes. Luigi hesitates a little, unsure, but ends up obeying so as not to disappoint her.

Daisy then opens the library and guides Luigi carefully inside. He almost trips, which makes her laugh, causing him, in turn, to relax a bit. And when she finally tells him to open his eyes, Luigi gasps and his jaw drops, his heart pounding in his chest, not only because that library is even a bit larger than Peach's, but also because, slowly, his mind understands and assimilates that Daisy had prepared this to surprise him.

And even though he’s fascinated by all the books before him, he ends up, without realizing it, looking at Daisy, with a blushing smile on his flushed face and his hands over his heart, while she explains to him that all those volumes belonged to his ancestors and that he has her permission to come whenever he wants to get them. "They're yours!" she says at last, turning to him, and Luigi's heart grows larger at the offer, causing a tear to escape his eyes as the princess, full of tenderness, smiles at him.

Over the next few days, Luigi goes to the library, encouraged by Daisy, who insists again and again that he come to Sarasaland. Her library has a huge ladder to reach the highest shelves, and Daisy uses it without a second thought to glide across the room, to the terrified gaze of Luigi, who dares not even climb the first rung.

As soon as she notices this, Daisy gets down, walks over to Luigi and takes him by the hand to guide him to the ladder. He almost cringes when she places his hand on the wood and freezes when Daisy encourages him to climb up. "It's completely safe!" she assures him. "And, besides, I'll be right here. You can hold my hand as you climb up. I promise I won't slide you down too fast the first time!"

Very slowly and clinging to Daisy's hand, Luigi climbs up the steps. She doesn't let go and keeps repeating phrases to encourage him, which makes Luigi feel almost as safe as when he is with Mario, though in a different way. Once he reaches the top of the first shelf, however, Luigi is unable to climb any higher, so Daisy doesn't pressure him any further. She gently grasps the lower end of the ladder and, after warning him, moves it a little, very slowly as she promised, to make him feel secure.

The next day, however, Daisy goes up right after Luigi and, leaning into the next bookshelf, pushes as hard as she can to propel the ladder to the opposite side at breakneck speed. Her laughter mingles with Luigi’s screams, but however, once they stop, he discovers that, despite his initial panic, he’s had fun with what Daisy has just done.

This then becomes a regular occurrence between them, until it gets to the point where Luigi feels comfortable and confident enough to climb the ladder by himself and propel himself across the library in true “Beauty and the Beast” style.

In the kingdom of Sarasaland there’s a tradition to honor books, as they’re not only a source of entertainment, but also the sacred objects that preserve their history. Daisy has grown up with these values and does not hesitate to tell Luigi about this tradition soon after they start dating.

On Book Day, it is customary for the man to give the woman a rose and the woman to give the man a book. This originated many centuries ago, before everything related to gender and relationships evolved, so nowadays, simply put, the members of a romantic relationship give each other both a book and a rose.

Luigi shows up in Sarasaland on the appointed date very nervously, dressed in a smart green suit, his favorite color, and carrying a wrapped book for Daisy, as well as a purple rose, very rare and hard to come by, which he has grown himself in his garden with Peach's help. Daisy greets him in a lovely purple dress, with a vaporous skirt, matching elbow-length gloves and her delicate shoulders bare. She holds out her gift to him almost before he reaches the castle gates and can recover from the amazement of seeing her so dazzling and beautiful.

He’s delighted when, upon opening it, he discovers that it is one of those special editions he’s been looking for for so long. Only Mario knew he wanted it, so he understands, without needing Daisy to tell him, that his brother has given his girlfriend a hand to surprise him. And that makes his heart fill with love and his eyes with tears, and the book even more precious to him.

Daisy excitedly opens her present and, to Luigi's surprise, squeals when she discovers that he’s gifted her a fantasy adventure novel that caught her eye when he first took her to his favorite Brooklyn bookstore. Daisy drags him into the library, invites him to sit down with some drinks (tea for him, a smoothie for her), and asks him to please start reading.

And so they spend their first Book Day together: settled on Daisy's fluffy library couch, she sat on his lap, the skirt of her purple dress spread over his legs, almost hiding them, and her arms around his neck, depositing light kisses here and there as he struggles to read aloud the book he’s just given her. This was the first time they gave each other a book, but of course it would not be the last, as reading together, visiting the Brooklyn bookstore and Sarasaland and Mushroom Kingdom libraries, and continuing to celebrate Book Day would soon become habit for them.

Daisy often stares at Luigi as he reads, amused by his reactions and the faces he makes, and, when their relationship is more established, she has no qualms about peeping over his shoulder. And Luigi, far from getting angry, what he did the first time and has continued to do ever since is to read aloud, so that she also finds herself immersed in the story without realizing it. (This may sound familiar!)

But what Luigi enjoys the most is that Daisy, whenever the characters in the book share some intimate gesture, instantly replicates it with him. If they hold hands, Daisy immediately reaches for Luigi's hand. If there’s a hug, Daisy wraps her arms around Luigi and holds him tightly, which leaves him breathless, but also makes him laugh and fills his heart with tenderness.

And, of course, if there are kisses, Daisy won't hesitate to start showering Luigi with them. First on his hand, on the tips of his fingers and on his palm. Then on the forehead, with a delicacy that always melts Luigi. His cheeks color every time Daisy places her lips on them, but what drives him absolutely crazy is when she seeks his mouth. It's the only thing that makes him put down the book and postpone reading for another time. (Check out @bberetd's wonderful art for this!)

Often, before they fall asleep, Daisy cuddles up to Luigi in bed, wearing his green shirt, and buries her face in the crook of his neck. Luigi absentmindedly begins to fiddle with her hair, delighted to have her so close, and, with his other hand, reaches for his book to read aloud a few more pages before they fall asleep. It's part of their routine and they both love sharing stories that way.

Part 4: The gang

The visit to the bookstore and libraries has now become a regular occurrence for everyone. As soon as he started talking about books with Peach and she showed him her library, Luigi immediately invited her to come with him and Mario the next time they went to their regular Brooklyn bookstore, and she gladly accepted.

On that first visit by the princess, Peach was as thrilled as Luigi and the two of them went back and forth in the bookstore, she eagerly looking at everything, he endlessly talking about the store and the many books he’s bought there. Soon they found themselves going often to acquire new books, not without first spending a good while in the place accumulating stories in their arms to, again, decide in the end.

Again Luigi was looking for Mario, who, unconsciously, had been staring at them with an amused smile and his eyes full of affection. Blushing, Mario would hurry to come to his side to help him, and Luigi, even though he’d caught him gazing at the princess in rapt attention, wouldn’t comment anything so as not to make him uncomfortable or put any pressure on him.

Many times, however, Peach would intervene and take two of the books Luigi had chosen. That's how she also started giving him books as presents, and Luigi couldn't be more grateful that his beloved friend pampers him that way. Her gesture makes her even more attractive and sweet in the eyes of Mario, who melts at seeing her displaying such adoration towards his beloved little brother.

Daisy, always eager to learn more about the place where her dearest hero in green grew up, also joins in, but, to her surprise, she finds herself next to Mario, fondly watching Peach and Luigi, especially the latter. They, however, are so excited talking about books that they never notice the goofy smiles with which Daisy and Mario look at them, delighted to see their two favorite people indulging in their greatest passion.

Despite this, both Mario and Daisy make sure to pay attention to the books that Luigi and Peach point out with the intention of acquiring them in the future, and then make plans with each other to decide which ones to give them on future birthdays, Christmases and, of course, regular days. Any time is a good time to surprise their favorite people with a new literary gift.

Sometimes, on their dates, Luigi and Daisy also go to the bookstore, and she, as always, listens to him talk very attentively. When it comes to advising him on which book to acquire, however, she’s much more practical: she thinks Luigi should pick the book he wants to read the most… or the one with the most romance in it.

And Luigi blushes violently because he perfectly understands the implications of such a suggestion.

Literary events also end up being a regular thing they all do together. Luigi, thanks to Mario, already manages to control his nerves and chat a bit with the authors when they sign his books. Peach, of course, is all sweetness and always tells them how much their stories have made her feel and dream. Mario just smiles and listens, delighted to be able to accompany them and to see them enjoying themselves so much, right up their alley. He always takes pictures of them with the authors, both together and separately, something he already did when it was just him and Luigi.

Daisy, on the other hand, is so spontaneous and genuine that she doesn't hold back when it comes to treating the writers with too much familiarity, which only embarrasses the others, especially Luigi. If it's the author of a romance book, Daisy doesn't hesitate to cheerfully tell them how much she and her boyfriend enjoyed the sensual and intimate scenes, or that she lost count of how many times she kissed her sweetie during the reading because of the sheer number of times the characters kissed.

In those moments, Luigi can only think of crawling under a rock. He has to resort to all the training with Mario to manage to keep his composure and not faint again or run away to hide so no one sees him turning red as a tomato.

However, then Daisy intertwines her arm with his and kisses him on the cheek, and he feels that his blush, this time, is due to being close to her and to her tokens of affection. After all, Luigi adores everything about his princess, all her sides and her personality, and besides, to other authors, fortunately, Daisy tells them how much fun she and her boyfriend had with their novel, and Luigi can only adore her.

At these events, both Mario and Daisy go out of their way to get lots of bookmarks and merch for Luigi and Peach, as they know they both love to collect stuff related to their favorite books. And also, again, they take mental notes of all the books they can buy as future presents for them.

From time to time, Toad and Peasley also join in on their visits to the bookstore, libraries or events. Toad is a big fan of fantasy and adventure comics, as they nurture his enthusiastic and adventurous spirit, and Peasley loves to talk endlessly with his favorite authors about the various subjects they cover in their books, thus unconsciously displaying, once again, his impeccable eloquence.

I really hope you liked this! I had a blast writing all of this and imagining my favorite characters in the many situations I've experienced myself as a bookworm, as well as adding others I came up with 🥰

Plase feel free to add your comments and feedback, and also headcanons if you have a few of your own! And if by any chance this inspires you to create your own stuff, I'd be more than honored 😭 All I ask is to please give credit! 🙏💖

Before I leave, please remember to check @itsavee4117's blog today! You won't regret it 🤩📚✨

[outsideratheart]

Too Much Teasing (Mapi Leon x reader)

A/N: You guys voted for the Mapi fic so here it is. I hope you like it!

Based off this request.

Life worked in mysterious ways and the past couple of years proved that. In a shock transfer you left Arsenal, your childhood club and the team that brought you up through the academy, for Barcelona.

The Spanish game came very easy to you but life off the pitch was more of a challenge. You are naturally a guarded person but there was one girl that managed to knock down your walls within the first few weeks. You and Mapi bonded over your shared love of tattoos, art and late night walks around the city.

You would see each other everyday which made being back in England for the Euros that much harder. Due the Barcelona's schedule you left for camp the morning after the Copa De La Reina final and you wouldn't be returning to Spain till August, should the tournament end with the Lionesses lifting the trophy.

But the thing about playing in Spain is that it sometimes felt like you lived two lives. For example, your England team mates had no clue you were dating the Zaragoza native. You were planning on telling them during the Arnold Cup but it was your first tournament as Captain and Mapi wanted you to focus. You were keeping the most important thing in your life from some of the most important people in your life.

You missed your girlfriend dearly and whilst you wanted nothing more than to drive to Marlow to see Mapi on your days off you know you couldn't so you settled for phone calls, more specifically late night phone calls. You walk aimlessly around the Teddington compound talking to Mapi about everything and anything. The sound of your girlfriend's voice had the power to distract you from the pressure that came with being the home favourites.

"Te quiero mucho baby"

You end the phone call and try your best to enter your room quietly as not to wake up your room mates.

"I take it i'll meet your secret girlfriend when I come to Barcelona?"

Lucy's voice makes you jump in your spot. Like every other night, you expected her to be asleep. You decide to ignore her question, choosing instead to get ready for bed but the defender continues her questioning whilst you’re in the bathroom.

"Will I meet her over dinner or at a team meeting?"

"Team meeting. Now no more questions" you warn her but she doesn't care.

"Am I going to be playing against her on Thursday?"

You freeze. Yes you were aware that England would be playing Spain in the quarter finals but what didn't register is that you are going to be playing against, and possibly beating, some of your closest friends.

"No way! You're dating Alexia!"

"What? No"

"It's just that you didn't answer"

"Because i've just realised that the next game we play will destroy mine and your team mates dreams of winning the euros"

"I thought you knew that. Isn't that the reason why you have been sad when you don't think people are watching?"

"I miss her a lot. This is longest we have been apart in a while and i'm finding it hard not being around her" You felt lighter having said out loud what you have been feeling for the last week.

You really wished that you could see Mapi before you play each other in Brighton. The fact that you wouldn't led to you being in a sour mood the next morning and it seemed to give the some of the players the perfect opportunity to make your mood worse.

"Hello grumpy, did somebody not get enough sleep?" Meado pokes your cheek as she sits down next to you.

"What can I say, Lucy snores like a pig" you know it wasn't your best work but hopefully it would change the direction of the teasing.

"No I don't!" Lucy argues "your grumpiness has nothing to do with me, it's because you miss your girlfriend"

"LUCY!" you glare at her from across the table.

"What?" the defender is no where near awake enough to realise what she has just said.

"Y/N has a girlfriend" Ella sings

"Who?"

"Is she english?"

"No she'll be Spanish"

"Is she hot?”

"Of course she is, look at Y/N" Alessia casually says.

"Lessi, you think i'm hot?" you ask the blonde knowing that she will get embarrassed.

"What, no" her response earns a scoff from you "no, I didn't mean that. I mean that you are, well you're you, we all see the way the fans obsess over you and some even flirt with you even though you don't back which I think is strange"

"It's because she has a girlfriend" Georgia turns the attention back to you.

This time instead of them asking questions they start guessing who it could be. They name the entire Spanish national team as well as the more known players in the league. Hempo is the one that guesses correctly but no way are you letting her know that.

In the end you walk away from the table, not that any of them have realised. Their attention was now on the non Spanish players playing in Spain. You make yourself another cup of coffee hoping that it will do one of two things, wake you up and ease the interrogation that you will be returning to.

"Y/N"

"What!" you snap.

When you turn around you are met with Ellen who has your phone.

"Your phone kept going off" The older forward passes you your phone. When you glance at your screen you see the name and a photo of the two of you which was taken over the Christmas period in Zaragoza.

"Mapito?" Ellen question.

"I called her it once, she changed the name of the contact" you explain.

The look on Ellen's face isn't one you recognise. It's similar to when she is happy about something but this expression has a hint of something else.

"I'm proud of you Y/N. I used the think you would never allow yourself to have a life off the pitch"

It wasn't what you were expecting her to say but you feel a warmth grow inside of you. She was right, for a long time you was solely focused on your career and everything else came second to that. Now you have someone who you will happily spend the day with and not give football a second thought whilst you are with her.

"Oh and one more thing" Ellen says "You don't have to worry about me telling them but please make sure you don't let it cloud your judgement during the game"

"Thank you Ells and you don't have to worry about that, I won't let them go back to Spain with bragging rights"

You try and think of the best place to call Mapi back, as you wander the ground you choose the garden at the front of the hotel. Butterflies flooded your tummy as you wait for her to pick up.

Mapi picks up but before she acknowledges that you have called her, you hear her shouting at Leila, then the other defender's voice comes through the phone.

"Y/N, you need to sort your girlfriend out. She is a sexually frustrated mess and only you can give her the pleasure she needs" Leila blatantly tells you.

"Yeah Y/N" your hear Pina's voice "Mapi is so in love with you that she seems to hate all of us when you're not here"

You found a tiny bit of comfort knowing that your girlfriend was subject to the same teasing you were getting.

"That's not true. She just loves me more now please give her the phone back"

You hear the sound of the line change and you know that one of them has put the phone on speaker.

"She's counting down the days until she can kiss away your sorrows when we beat you" Patri joins in.

"I admire your confidence or maybe it's your stupidity. Besides from what Mapi has told me, Jorge has been working you to the bone so it will be my pleasure to send you home so that you can all have some time off before pre season"

"I hate it when you do that"

Now you heard the voice of the woman you originally wanted to talk to.

"What's that maps?" you ask her.

"You say something mean but you do it in the nicest way possible"

"It's one of my many skills"

"I prefer your other skills"

"Mapi! There are kids around" you say referring to her younger team mates, who you happen to be close with as well.

"I'm alone now and I really wish I wasn't" you could hear the frustration in her voice.

"Maria Leon, do you always have sex on your mind?" you tease her.

"Sex, no. Sex with you, yes. Can you honestly say you don't miss me or that you don't crave my touch?"

"No, I can't. I miss you and everything that comes with you"

"We are not leaving our apartment for a week when we get home" Mapi's promise was something you looked forward to but it was also unrealistic.

"I wish that was true"

"Me too"

The line goes quiet and for a second you think she has hung up but then you hear her breathing and it worries you.

"We'll be ok after the game won't we? I know one of us will lose but it won't affect me and you will it?"

"You mean our relationship?"

Mapi hums in response.

"Of course not. I love playing football but nothing in this world means more to me than you. Is that what's got you so stressed out?" part of you knew something bigger was going on with your girlfriend. To most of the world she has this tough exterior but it couldn't have been further from the truth.

"The girls keep saying that if we beat you then you will break up with me"

"Which girls?" you asked the question even though you had your suspicions.

"Leila and —“

"I'll speak to her" you hated that the girls were teasing Mapi despite knowing how sensitive she can be "As for me breaking up with you, well the chances of that happening are lower than you beating us and that is very low"

"You know that playing against me will be harder than playing against any other team"

The cockiness in her tone was back and although you knew you could beat her, doing so would be very difficult.

"Oh yeah, why is that?"

"Because I know how you think and how you play. I know your mind and your body"

You hated thinking about the power Mapi had over. She was right when she said you knew your mind and body, at this point it practically belonged to her. Your mind was at it's calmest when she was around and your body yearned for her whenever you were away.

A short distance away you see Ella and Alessia hiding, no doubtedly eavesdropping on your call and whilst most people would end the conversation you are about to have or at least steer it in a different direction, you saw the chance to teach the young forwards a lesson.

"You do? What is my body thinking right now?"

Their eyes widen at your words but they don't move. It's as if the stare you give is causing them to be frozen in place.

You try to keep the rest of the conversation as vague as possible but Mapi makes it very difficult because for every reply you give she responds with a suggestion that makes you want to drive all the way to Marlow.

In the end Mapi gets called away which ends the call a lot sooner than you wanted but you know you are in for quite the teasing, that's if Ella and Alessia have the guts to share details of your call with the rest of the team.

"My little devils, what am I going to do with you?" you put an arm around each of their shoulders.

The three of you walk back through the hotel in silence. It is clear the younger girls don't feel comfortable discussing what they heard on the phone. That is until you reach the breakfast room where some of the players are still lounging about.

"Y/N was having phone sex with her girlfriend" Tooney shouts.

"Ella!" Me and Alessia say in unison.

It wasn't that you didn't expect her to say anything, it’s more so the fact that she announced it to the whole room as soon as she entered.

"And you did it in front of the kids?" Jill jokes.

Jill then proceeds to console a scared Ella but you couldn't care less.

"The kids happened to be eavesdropping and I was enjoying my phone call way to much to stop on their behalf"

Some of the younger players fake gagged at the thought but the older players knew you wouldn't have said anything that bad given that you had kept your relationship a secret, so your sex life wouldn't be any different.

"Give me three clues" Leah asks when you take at a seat at her table, which also sat Lucy, Keira, Georgia, Millie and Rachel.

You expected better from your co captain but you knew the clues you would give and your friends would hate them.

"Fine" you reply much to the table's surprise "3 clues. She's from Spain, she speaks Spanish and she plays for Barcelona"

The first two are obvious but the third clue let’s them narrow down their list of names.

"Did you really have phone sex knowing they could hear you?" Millie asks.

"God no. Do you really think I'm going to have that kind of conversation in public where everyone can hear me and where I can do nothing to satisfy the urges that come with it?"

"Y/N!"

"Just saying"

When the team arrive at the stadium a few days later, they watch you and wait to see if you will give away the identity of your Spanish girlfriend. You on the other hand start to get nervous about what this game means and what it will take in order to reach the semi finals. You would have to outplay the people who you, for the most part, train with every day.

You wanted nothing more than to skip right through the pitch inspection. Since finding out you were dating a Barcelona player, the team have been teasing you relentlessly and you didn't have the energy to go toe to toe with them today. When you walk out onto the pitch you see that the Spain team are already there and when you see a certain defender you remember that you need to talk to her. The team watch as you and the Spanish national walk away and you can hear them shouting things but given the eyes around them the don't say that much.

"Y/N" Leila wraps her arms around you "I've missed you chica"

The conversation you had with Mapi kept replaying in your head. The seeds of doubt that her friends had planted began growing and you couldn’t doing anything to stop them, not right now anyways.

"Leila"

"Am I in trouble?" you nod your head "Why?"

"Do you know why Mapi is worried i'll break up with her?" from where you stand you can see your girlfriend bent down at the centre circle doing her own inspection, something that is part of her pre match routine.

"It was a joke which now that I see your face I realise isn't funny"

"She is one of your best friends, you know how sensitive she is. Just think before you say things that will stick in her head. Now we're going to see her so that you can apologise"

"You just want me to come with you so that your team doesn't get suspicious"

There’s no need for you to respond, she is right and she knows it.

"Hi"

Mapi's head snaps up at the sound of your voice.

"Hola bonita" she stands up and gives you a hug, one that doesn't last no where near as long as she wanted.

No words are exchanged, both of you break out in a smile, just being within touching distance is enough for now.

"Is this my punishment? Being made to stand here whilst you eye fuck each other?" Leila groans. She is used to be the third wheel in Barcelona having joined you and Mapi on date night more than a few times but the tension between the two of you makes her feel a little uncomfortable.

"Punishment?" Mapi looks to see you with a smug grin plastered across your face.

"Right, yes. Leila is there something you would like to say?"

"I'm sorry for saying Y/N would break up with you when we destroy the lionesses"

"Destroy?" you laugh slightly at the defender's optimism.

"You know I love your confident side but Leila's right, we will go back to Spain victorious"

"I know don't what's worse, the fact you think you're going to win or that you just said Leila's right"

Leila asks if you'll walk back with her stating that she had something she wanted to talk to you about. The conversation ended with you walking back into the tunnel with your arms wrapped around her shoulder whilst your hand rested on her waist.

Your team mates takes you spending most of the time with the brunette as confirmation, they are determined that you are dating Leila Ouahabi. In the locker room you got question after question about how your relationship starting and it didn't both you in the slightest, how could it, they had the wrong person. Once you re entered the locker room after warm up the teasing stopped and the game faces appeared.

The match ended with England going through to the semi final but you couldn't bring yourself to celebrate. This would go down as the worst win in your career but being the captain came with duties that you couldn't get out of. You thanked the fans and did your interview but neither of those could keep your focus because no matter where you were on the pitch you could see your friends in red consoling each other.

"Aren't you going to console your girlfriend?" Lucy asks.

"You know what, yes I am" you had watched from a distance for long enough.

Lucy who had been joined by Keira watches are you walk towards the group of Barcelona players. Like Lucy expected you went to Leila first but for you it was because she was the closest person to you, funnily enough Mapi is the last person. You had seen her wear a brave face for the sake of her team mates but it is only when she is in your arms does she drop the facade.

"I'm sorry" you subtly kiss her neck.

The embrace between you is different than the one you shared with your other team mates. When you lift you head up you see Lucy watching with shocked expression. When you unclasp your hands that are settled on the small of Mapi's back, you send Lucy the middle finger. The action let's her know that she was wrong and in doing so you tell her who you're dating.

"What's that about?" Keira asks.

"You'll find out when you join me in Barcelona"

"Shhh" Keira shoves her girlfriend "I told you it was a secret"

You stay out on the pitch as long as the Spain team does. You have no intention of celebrating the win and you hoped the fans and your team would understand this. When the stadium starts to empty, the players leave the pitch.

"Do you they know about us?" Mapi asks as she walks in sync beside you.

"Ellen does but the rest think I'm dating Leila"

This causes Mapi to stop in her tracks. Her eyes go wide in shock and she finds herself getting angry. She didn't like the act the world didn't know you were hers but your team mates thinking that you were with Leila, that she really didn't like.

"I'm not ok with that"

At this point you are practically in the tunnel so you grab her hand and pull her into one of the treatment rooms. You were grateful for the privacy it gave you and under any other circumstance you would be up for having a little bit of fun but you can tell by Mapi's face that she is very serious about this.

If her face didn't give it away, her choosing to pace the small room instead of sitting with you on the physio bench with you did.

"You're my girlfriend, not Leila's, and I don't want your team thinking you are dating my best friend"

To see Mapi care this much about people, who to her are strangers, is a rarity. You didn't care much for other people's opinions so whether the team knew or not, didn't matter. This was something you thought Mapi agreed with you on but her reaction tells you otherwise.

"Mapi" you voice is soft as you try to get her attention.

"I know that it's me who chose not the tell them at the beginning of the year but that was a mistake. They should know that you are mine and not hers"

Now she is getting territorial, a side which rarely ended well in the past. Mapi didn't like to share but this isn't sharing, your team don't even think of Mapi when they think of your relationship which makes it worse.

"Maria" you hope using her birth name will make her stop but it doesn't.

"Y/N I love you and I don't want them thinking you love Leila. You love me"

"Yes, I do"

Fatigue was beginning to set in. After playing 120 minutes of football your legs were getting heavy and given that Mapi had the job of keeping up with you for the game, you knew she would be feeling the same yet she continues to pace back and worth as she worked through her frustrations.

"Do they think Leila makes you happy? That she can love you the way I do? Make you feel the way I do? That—"

"Maria Pilar Leon Cebrian"

"Yes" she stops pacing when she is in line with you.

Using your index finger you signal her to come close to you. Her face changes and you know it's because she has finally noticed you are in a room together, alone. When she is close enough you take a fistful of her shirt to close the remaining distance between the two of you. Mapi’s hand cups the back of your neck as your lips crash into each other. The time you spend away from each other never get’s easier and it makes the reunions that much more intense. Nothing else matters in that moment other than to rid Mapi of the insecurities she is clearly feeling. When you pull away it is only for a second to catch your breath and then you are leaning back in, hungry for more and by the way Mapi mouth moves in sync with yours she obviously misses the connection you shared just as much as you did.

You are so caught up in the moment that you don’t hear the door open, nor you do you hear the voices that belonged to your team mates. At first they say nothing, they simply stand there and watch the two of you. They didn’t know what to do, they didn’t want to move in case they made a noise and it was clear that the two of you didn’t plan on stopping any time soon.

It is only when you start to lift Mapi’s t-shirt do they make themselves known.

“Sorry to interrupt but this is the treatment room and some of the others are on their way here” Chloe gives you a heads up.

What they didn’t see is that you already have your shirt off and Mapi being mapi, she didn’t bother putting hers on fully, instead it stays hung around her neck.

Just then another door open, one that you didn’t even notice was there and given the commotion that you can hear on the other side let’s you know it connects to the lionesses locker room. Your suspicions are proven true when you see Ella and Georgia, their eyes widen at the sight in front of them, you half dressed and Mapi not that much better

“Hempo!” Georgia shouts “You were right. Y/N’s secret girlfriend is Mapi Leon” 

Mapi still stands in between your legs and shows no sign of moving. You rest your head against her chest hoping that if the two of you stay still and quiet then the team will leave you alone but that doesn’t happen.

“How do you know?” Beth comes into the small treatment room followed by a couple more of your team mates.

You thought the teasing was bad before but now they know the identity of your girlfriend they have a lot more material to use against you. Something that is surprising is that a few of them tease Mapi even though they haven’t really met her other than on the pitch.

You tap Mapi’s sides indicating her to move away so you can stand up and put your shirt back on and help her with hers. You quickly peck her on the lips before taking her hand and dragging her into the Lionesses locker room. If you introduced her properly then maybe the night back at the hotel won’t be complete torture.

“Mapi meet the lionesses, girls meet Mapi my girlfriend”

You can see the grin that spreads across Mapi’s face upon hearing you officially introduce her as your partner. She had been waiting for this for months and you had too.

“Wait” Rachael interrupts the questions that the girls have “I thought you were dating Leila Ouahabi, their number 15”

“No, she is not’ Mapi corrects her rather abruptly “She is my girlfriend” 

You had just managed to settle down her territorial side and now, without knowing, Rachael had woken it back up.

“But Y/N spent all her time pre match with her, not you” Millie joined in and by the smirk of her face you know that she, for some reason, felt confident enough to tease the spaniard.

Mapi is ready to fight for you even though it is unnecessary and you really didn’t want her going back into her changing in a foul mood given that most her team will be feeling rough because of the final score.

“You sure you want to tease her millie?” You know Mapi wouldn’t hurt a fly but there is a reason why she got ‘looks can be deceiving’ on her neck.

Mapi picks up on the game you are playing and she changes her face. Safe to say Millie steps back without saying another word.

You lead Mapi out of the changing room but one of your team mates can’t help themselves. They had to tease your girlfriend on last time.

“Sorry we beat you and sent you back to Spain” Alessia says confidently.

Mapi knew she was one of the players you had taken under your wing but she can’t let the young forward get away with it.

“It’s ok. We’ll beat you in the champions league. Oh, wait, no we won’t. You didn’t qualify” 

At the mention of United Ella stands up ready to defend her club and after the game you had just played you really didn’t have the energy to play mediator between your girlfriend and the devils.

You push Mapi out the door but pull her back for one more kiss.

“I’ll see you tomorrow for breakfast before you go back to Barcelona” 

Mapi deepens the kiss and you don’t have the will power you push her away, not at first anyways. It is only when you hear a mixture of wolf whistles and fake gagging do you end the kiss. 

“I’ll see you in the morning. Te quiero Y/N”

“Yo también te quiero” 

Upon re-entering your locker room you see all eyes on you. Let the teasing begin, again.