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guccifrog · 7 months

Text

THINK FAST P5

chris sturniolo × f!reader

summary: where a silly dare leads to a lot of unexpected events

soz y'all i fell asleep yesterday but here is your fic :3

part1 part2 part3 part4

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴:

Mama's boy- Dominic fike

0:09 ━●────────── 3:47

ㅤ ㅤ◁ㅤ ❚❚ ㅤ▷ ㅤㅤ

y/n's pov ☆

The gymnasium echoed with the dull thuds of sneakers and the occasional huff of exertion. It was just another day at school, and I was sitting on the bench, alone, watching everyone play basketball. My eyes wandered to the clock, counting down the minutes until I could be free from this hellhole. I didn't feel like playing today so I lied to the teacher and said I had a sore muscle. It was actually true, but I didn't want to be here either.

I huffed out a sigh, as my eyes scanned the room watching as everyone was doing their thing, a girl who I recognized as Alahna was showing off her new haircut, Dylan was trying to impress Amber, and Amber was just being Amber. My gaze shifted to a certain group of people in the corner, Cassie being one of them.

Her hair was pulled back in a perfect ponytail, and she was wearing a simple white shirt and black shorts, but she still managed to look gorgeous. Just looking at her for some reason made my blood boil. She was everything I wasn't, and she had the perfect life. But something about it seems fake like she's hiding something. I don't know, maybe I'm just reading too much into it.

"ugh she's such a bitch," I heard a voice say from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see it was Nick, he's been hanging out a lot with our group lately, and even though I'm still terrified of him finding out about that night, it's a little less awkward now that we got to know him a little more.

"Yeah she is," I agreed, not really wanting to say too much. Nick shrugged and moved closer to me on the bench, "I don't understand why Dylan keeps hanging out with her. She sounds so fake every time she's with us."I sighed.

"No cause my brother is literally whipped. He's been head over heels for her ever since they started hanging out. I don't get it. I mean, she's nice and all, but she's not that great. He's better than that," Nick shrugged his shoulders, disappointment coating his voice.

wait. Brother? which one is he talking about?

I frowned, trying to place which brother he could be talking about. "Wait, which brother are you talking about?" I asked, curiosity finally getting the better of me.

Nick frowned his eyebrows, a disgusted look placed on his face " Chris. He's been chasing her like a dog ever since she gave him a small amount of attention. It's pathetic really. I just don't get it, she's not even that pretty. Plus I heard she has something going on with Dylan already " He glanced over at Dylan and Amber, who were standing close together, laughing at something.

"wait really? I thought he was down bad for Amber," I admitted, not really paying attention before. Nick snorted, "Yeah, that didn't last long. Amber said something about her being into girls I think. I don't know, maybe it was just a rumor. But yeah." I raised an eyebrow, "So, she's into girls?" Nick shrugged.

there was so much going on, that it was hard to keep track of everything.

"Wait, why didn't anyone tell me?" I said, feeling a little shocked. I had known Amber since middle school, and even though we weren't friends til this year, I thought she'd at least tell me something like that.

"I dunno, maybe you never asked or something, and they thought you knew" Nick suggested.

"yeah, you're right I guess" I muttered, still trying to process this new information. Chris and Dylan are down bad for Cassie. Chris wants Cassie's attention but she's more into Dylan. Amber and Dylan aren't a thing like I thought, and Amber is apparently for the girls.

I glanced over at Cassie again, she was laughing at something Alahna said, just where the hell was I when all of this was happening? It's like everything is happening around me, but I'm just not there.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, breaking me out of my thoughts. I pulled it out and saw that it was my mom calling me. I sighed in frustration, knowing that I'd have to deal with her nagging voice. I waved at Nick and headed over to the lockers, I sat down on the cold, metal floor resting my back against one of the lockers, and picked up.

"Hello?"

"So you finally decided to pick up?" She asked sarcastically.

"Mom I was in cla-"

"Don't give me that excuse, you've been in the same classroom for hours."

I sighed. "Yeah, I'm sorry. I've just been busy with stuff."

"What kind of stuff?" my mom asked suspiciously.

"Just stuff, you know…school stuff, homework, exams…" I trailed off.

"Don't give me that crap, you're grades are dropping. You've been hanging out with that crowd again, haven't you?" she demanded.

I paused for a moment, I hate this. I hate how she's always so…involved in my life. It's like she can't just let me live. "no Mom I'm not hanging out with them" I lied rolling my eyes.

"Then what's going on, huh?" she pressed.

"Mom, I'm fine. I just need some time to myself. Can't you fucking understand that?"

"Hey! Watch your mouth kid!" my mom yelled. I winced at the sharp tone of her voice. "I'm just trying to look out for you, but you're acting like a spoiled brat! You think you're too old for me to discipline you, is that it?"

I wasn't gonna do this again, not right now. Not when I was feeling this frustrated. "I'm going to go now. I'll talk to you later. Okay?" I said, trying to end the conversation as quickly as possible.

"you're grounded. No going out this weekend. You're going to stay home and study. Understood? me and your dad will be back next week" my mom yelled before hanging up the phone. I stared at the phone screen, feeling anger boiling up inside me more and more. I got up, kicked the locker behind me aggressively, and stormed out of the school, not even bothering to head back to the gymnasium.

I sighed throwing my backpack over my shoulder, I had just finished practice and was walking down the hallway to my locker. I let out a small yawn, rubbing my tired eyes.

pov

"Mom, I'm fine. I just need some time to myself. Can't you fucking understand that?"I froze my eyes wide.

Peeking from the corner, I recognized the person, it was the stalker. She was sat on the floor, phone in hand and her back against a locker. My locker.

I wasn't sure if I hate this girl or despise her more, something about her just annoys the fuck out of me. Maybe it's the way she's always trying to be mysterious and shit or just her whole existence is irritating. Whatever it is, I can't stand being around her for more than five minutes without wanting to punch something. But what I don't understand is why I haven't confronted her about that one night. It's like some part of me is too ashamed or something.

"I'm going to go now. I'll talk to you later. Okay?"I watched her sigh, her voice laced with frustration, as she waited for who I assumed to be her mom to answer.

A few minutes later she hung up and sat down for a while on the floor just looking at her phone, before getting up and aggressively kicking my locker.

.･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.･｡ﾟ

What the fuck?

taglist ☆

taglist ☆@mattestrella @chrisfavoritepepsi @sunsetsturniolos @littlebookworm803 @sturniozo @sturniolooooo @athaliahxoxo @rac00ns-are-c00l4 @ev3rgreenxtrees @nonamegirlxsturniolo @crybabycat1 @mooniethesimp31 @ducksturniolo @ifilwtmfc @pepsiimaxx @sleepysturnss @lustfulslxt @ilovemattsworld @hrt-attack @flowerxbunnie @leprechaunbirthdaygirl @secret-sturniolo @that-general-simp @swangelss @familynotfandom @fuckshitslover @styles-sturniolo @lvr-111 @opheliaofficial07 @kiarastromboli @hearts4chriss @braindead4l @sturniolosreads @mattsturnzzz09 @itssophiasstuff @mayhem-72 @b2cute @buckys-celestes @4iriss @graceciesiels22 @urmom2bitch @junnniiieee07 @breeloveschris @b2cute @1horrormoviewhore1 @kqyslyho3 @whicked-hazlatwhore @ilovechrissturniolo1

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kroosluvr · 2 months

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hi!! as a fellow royal trio-truther ive been ADORING and loving your posts so much <3 you mentioned that you've like mentally re-wired shusumi so i was curious if you had a list of head-canons for how they develop in the game/post-game!! Im super curious to hear (: also any head-canons for the akesumi dynamic would be great bc I hate how little the game developed them together !!!

OMGGGGGGGGG HAYYYYYYYYYY ok so. first. look at this (idr if i posted this here already but if i did look again heh..)

ok now ill actually talk under the cut

note that some of this is headcanon territory bc i just be frolicking at this point

some backstory i fell in love w sumi as soon as her art was revealed i was like omfg peak design PEAKKKKKK i love her so much so i was really excited abt her but i feel like there were so many loose ends w her confidant and namely her crush on protag sometimes doing her a disservice (it turned ppl off from her (understandable bc i also dislike when writers make a female character out to be dependent on a male character) but also made other ppl weird abt her in the same breath....... shivers. people who overly-romanticize/sexualize mentally ill characters (especially girls/women) freak me out sorry

anyway that put me off frm p5 fandom for a hot minute. BUT regardless. i think people often focus on like "shy cute sadgirl kouhai crush-on-protag" for her which on top of atlus's.......mediocre handling of her also does her character a disservice... shes so multilayered!! she houses such insane convoluted levels of distress and fear and anger and reluctance and most of all STUBBORNNESS. i think her headstrong personality is not really emphasized in fandom but i can totally see it (maybe its just me but).

ok moving on to my shsm delusions i think to turn sumire's canon crush on its head i want to make them doomed to never get together. i think 3rd semester is so tense and high-emotion that royal trio are so deeply intertwined w each other:

like they all are mildly-to-a-lot suicidal so they hold onto each other so tightly to make sure none of them spirals and does anything bad. i think in the end they just want the other two to be Okay, even if they themself doesn't. if the other two are ok, then it's all good.

ok back to shsm LMAO i think seeing their relationship as like an odd high-emotion situation makes sense. they love each other, obviously, and provide each other comfort, but the idea of a relationship slips thru their fingers like water. is that right...? is that how it is? like i said up there they just crumble under the weight of their own love. tldr theyre in no place to "date" each other........ but they have their "almost." they're inseparable, they love spending time with each other, but knowing in the back of their heads that it won't last, and they'll have to leave it be one day. "sometimes when i really love someone i leave them alone forever." peak shsm to me. "let's run away together - but what if it's not enough? what if all of this fear and sadness still stays? i take a man down to the river and he throws away his sadness but hes still left with his hands, he's still left with the river (paraphrased richard siken). peak shsm to me. i think they try to treat eachother so softly and gently that it fucks it all up, actually. peak shsm to me. it's not codependency in the sense that theyre not trying to save each other - they're just trying to salvage out some love from it all. all of these terrible things that happened: there's still love, right? there's still love. but the pain can't all be sifted out, and everything still hurts. but they still love. (they just don't date or even talk to each other much after graduating and i think they talk to akechi but to each other its suddenly COMPLICATED. i hate these guys)

ironically i think if you throw akechi in the mix it stabilizes out and i think shuakesumi could totally have a happy married ending. but shsm as a pair i dont see endgame for them. peak for me is that theyre in love and then they spend the rest of their lives trying to forget each other (they don't)

(If this sounds ridiculous and stupid im sorry. i just like shoving too-many-emotions onto my favs sometimes (a lot of the time))

IN REGARDS TO AKESUMI i think my latest 2 comics describe how i feel abt them pretty well!!! link 1 and link 2. actually i think akesumi's friendship is a great way for me to explore how i see/portray/feel about sumire, because i see them as way more similar than the game pays attention to. they're both stuck in their ways: sumire in her cowardice, hiding from the incident and refusing to move on, and akechi entrenched in his own traumas and feeling like he doesn't deserve more than that. their self-hatred manifests in two opposite ways but its very similar at the core. they both like. have no fucking clue what they're doing in terms of handling their pasts so that's why i think them working together to get around their own respective traumas is so fascinating: akechi is terrible at it, pushing sumire too far, but at the same time that perspective is something that she needs. meanwhile, her sensitive and observant personality shows akechi that like, you can have This too: a soft, good love. to have someone care about you unconditionally, so gently. you deserve that, too. yeah i can explode my head off now

i did not proofread this.

#cele talks #violetrickster #sorry for tagging this stupidly i feel bad if my stupidity ends up in the actual tumblr tags UUUUE.#long winter

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the-fiction-witch · 8 months

Text

Mrs Dawkins P18 - P22

Media The Artful Dodger

Character Jack Dawkins

Couple Jack X Reader

Rating Sweet + Flirty

Series: Mrs Dawkins

P1 - P5 P6-P10 P11-13 P14-17

I barely slept, I had been crying all night.

I didn't eat, I didn't want to.

Still in my dress from last night at the breakfast table,

My father noticed at breakfast but didn't speak about it, Miss Hardcastle could tell something was wrong but I didn't answer any of her questions.

After enough of showing my face I got up and went back to my room, as I left I heard my father quickly ask.

"What's going on with her?"

"I don't know sir..."

"Well, find out." He demanded,

And of course, she began to follow me all the way back to my bed.

Once I collapsed on my tear-stained pillows, she shut the door and locked it, she came to stand by my bed patiently.

"Something you wish to speak about Miss Everset?"

"No."

"Y/n?" Her tone softened,

I peeked out from my pillow, "Yes?"

"What has gotten you so upset today?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Let me take a guess this has something to do with Dr Dawkins?"

I nodded

"I thought as much." She said, "What's happened?"

"You won't tell father?"

"No. Unless I need to..."

"Need to?"

"Only if I have to start measuring your waist?"

"No."

"Then I won't tell him."

I opened my drawer and handed her the note from last night, she took it and read it over,

"This from your ball?"

I nodded,

"So what happened last night?"

"He never came."

"He what!" She said but then stiffened herself, "He what?"

"He never came, I went out as soon as darkness fell last night."

"I remember you leaving yes,"

"And he never came, I waited for hours. He didn't show."

"I see, I can whisper this to your father and have him send a man to bootkick the doctor down a stairwell."

"No, it's fine I just want time alone."

"Understandable, I will tell your father your monthly sickness is causing trouble so he does not pry," she said going to my door, "Do try not to let your heart shatter over him Y/n,"

She left and shut my door but I couldn't help but be snarky, "Easy for you to say."

I spent the day in bed unable to really feel like existing.

I had read books that told tales of heartbreak and heard people talk of the pain, but I suppose a part of me never truly believed them. I didn't believe my heart's foolishness could cause me physical pain.

Every so often Miss Hardcastle would check on me or bring me food, often taking it away again on her next visit, but late in the afternoon, she came in with a small but sweet bundle of flowers in a grubby tankard.

I sat up and glared a little as she set the display on my table.

"What is that grimy thing?"

"It's a gift."

"A gift? From who?"

"It just arrived, one of your suitors had it sent to you."

"Oh." I sighed,

"Try to enjoy them." She said before she left the room,

I looked at the flowers some daises stuffed in a tankard, they were cheap, would likely die tomorrow and didn't really have much thought to them but still, I felt thankful someone sent them. I stood from my bed and went over to them checking the flowers, they were pretty I guess. I grabbed my jug from the side and went to give them some water in the hope they'd survive at least till tomorrow, I pulled the flowers a little to get space to pour in the water and I spotted a label around them.

So I plucked the label off and checked the name as I removed the flowers completely and began to pour in the water,

'To Miss Y/n Everset

From

Dr Jack Dawkins.'

I froze up stopping the flow of water, I felt so tearful to read his name, my heart ached so badly, and as I looked at the flowers I felt sick, to think he had done this to me and just tried to satisfy me with a bunch of cheap half dead daisies.

I Threw the flowers and tankard off my table letting them and the water scatter across my floor.

But as it did the tankard revealed a letter hidden up in the bottom soaked from the water I poured, I quickly grabbed it saving it from utter destruction and moved to my fire sitting it as close to the flame as I could before It would damage it further slowly drying the cream envelope as soon as it was dry I opened it having to hold it carefully, the page water damaged and some ink spreading any moment more It would have been unreadable.

'Dearest Y/n,

I beg your forgiveness, even if I do not deserve it.

I know you likely do not wish to hear from me much less forgive me, but I only pray you will at least read my words.

I cannot express the heaviness in my heart for what I have done, the pain I must have caused you.

Believe I had every intention of meeting you last night, I was looking forward to seeing you again, I was giddy with the thought of what we would do, what we would discuss, and even just seeing you again.

I am so sorry for not coming, I know I have likely broken your heart and believe me when I say it has broken my own.

But, circumstances prevented our meeting,

A man came in last night just before I left, he needed emergency surgery, the other surgeon was out, and the prof drunk beyond wakening.

By the time I was finished, it was too late, I did come to the bench but by then it was almost morning and I had missed you.

I know that is not the best reason to stand up a girl like you,

Just know truly, if I could have come I would have, and I would have cherished our time together.

I feel monstrous for causing you such pain, and I can barely stand the pain myself.

I do not expect you to forgive me, But I beg for one more chance.

Do you think you could be merciful enough to give it?

And even if not, could I at least say goodbye properly?

If you will grant me this, I swear on my life, I WILL be at our bench tonight.

From dusk to dawn if I must.

Meet me there and I promise you I will apologise a thousand times,

And if you forgive me, I swear to you, I will do anything you ask of me.

I pray I will see you tonight my darling y/n.

Yours affectionately

Jack X'

I was unsure, I had felt so betrayed by him.

I had already wallowed in sadness for so long, but part of me did want to see him even if I did not forgive him at least to hear him out.

If I don't go tonight, this will surely be over.

and if I do, there is at least hope.

I don't know if I can forgive him... and even if I did who's to say this won't happen again, who's to say I simply am a kiss and run, who's to say I am... something worse, simply one of many girls he tosses around like this but the least I can do is be merciful and fulfil his request.

I brushed my hair and put on a dress, I felt nervous and afraid but I had hope even if it may have only been a fool's hope. I wanted so badly to believe him, I wanted to trust Jack, I wanted to see him even to just hear him explain himself. I snuck out the kitchen door and headed out of the garden I made sure not to be seen as I headed out and through the grass. I found the little bench and took myself a seat taking an orange in hand to toss it back and forth between my hands. I sat and counted the stars doing my best not to cry, to think I was here again waiting.

"Where are you, Jack?" I whispered my fear overflowing.

After a while, I took the orange set it on the grass gave it a gentle push to let it roll away through the garden grass.

"I don't know why I trusted you..." I sighed,

But I felt something hit my ankle, I looked down and saw the orange had rolled back to me hitting my ankle, for a moment I was confused but I looked in the direction I had rolled it.

And there he was.

Dressed the same as he was when I gave him my invitation, his brown trousers, white shirt, blue waistcoat, his purple coat and hat in hand.

"You came?" He smiled,

"So did you," I nodded,

"You look beautiful,"

"Thank you,"

"I uhh I wanna come closer I'm a little afraid you're mad at me." He chuckled tentatively taking a step or two closer, "Will you let me explain myself?"

"You May Dr Dawkins." I nodded,

He seemed upset but did his best to smile, "I am sorry, that's all I can say I'm sorry. I wanted to be here, more than anything. I'd been thinking about you all night, all day, you have no idea how much I was looking forward to seeing you." He said, "I went up to get changed and ready to come to see you then some guy comes in with a bloody hernia, Sneed was off god knows where and Prof was two bottles of whiskey deep into a desk nap. I didn't much have a choice, ended up being more complicated and by the time I got him sewn up... it was too late." He explained, "I did come, on a fool's hope you might still have been waiting for me, but you weren't. I don't blame you for giving up on me. I'd have done the same. I wanted to come to your window and apologise but - I don't know which is yours."

I chuckled a little,

"yeah, and I didn't exactly wanna guess wrong and get your Governess,"

"She's have pointed you in the right direction."

"So she is?"

"She seems to be," I nodded, "For now anyway."

"Great, I uhh I didn't wanna guess and get your father either I uhh I feel like that'd be a bit hard to explain."

Such an image tickled me of the thought of Jack climbing the windows to come to see me and finding himself at my father's window, I could Imagine my father's face, and Jack's.

"Ohh yes, Hello sir, what am I doing art your window? well uhhh no reason just on a stroll, you wouldn't happen to be able to direct me to your daughter would you?"

I couldn't hold back my laughter but neither could he, "I don't know, you're a doctor just say you're on your rounds."

"Ohh god no, some of these ladies in town here Doctors are making late-night bedroom window visits I'll never get any sleep." He laughed, "Do you think you can forgive me?"

"... I do."

He smiled and closed the gap between us taking my hands, "I was so afraid you'd never wanna speak to me again,"

"I very nearly didn't but the flowers were sweet."

"I'm glad you liked them, May I?"

"You may," I nodded,

He took the seat beside me set his hat on the side and slipped off his jacket, "I have missed you terribly."

"As have I," I smiled, "But..." I said as I took my hand from his.

"You're still upset with me?"

"Somewhat,"

"I will apologise a hundred times if that's what it'll take for you to forgive me."

"I do forgive you Jack, I just... I am struggling to have the trust you will not do it again."

"I wish I could swear I never will again, I wish I could." He said, "I think that brings us nicely to what I wanted to discuss last night, You and I. And the... The way we are to continue if that is even something you want?" He explained, "Is it something you want?"

"It is. Is it something you want?"

"More than anything." he nodded, "In that case there are things we both need to accept and understand."

"Yes, I'm sure there are." I nodded,

"The first is the hardest... if you want us to have a future together-"

"I do. I truly do."

"As do I, but if we are. The first thing you must come to understand is my job." He said, "I am a doctor. And Yes if we are to continue and our feelings grow, and one day our bud blooms into something more then Yes. You will be the most important thing in my world, but you must understand I am a doctor, I have a duty of care to all those in Port Victory. As much as you will be above all else you must understand I cannot turn my back on someone for your sake."

I nodded, "I wouldn't ask such a thing of you Jack,"

"You wouldn't?"

"No, Your work should be over me always."

"I don't want to have it be over you-"

"But it should, the greater good is that your work matters more than me. it would be selfish and cruel of me to keep you from your work, to take you away from it, even if you wish to spend time with me," I explained, "The life of a man, woman or child in your care should always trump my emotions."

"So you understand that?"

"I do, and I wouldn't have it any other way." I nodded, "Such is a choice one makes when one enters a relationship with a doctor."

"So we're entering a relationship now?" he flirtatiously smiled,

"I do hope so,"

"I hope so too." he nodded,

"I too have something I wish for you to understand."

"Of course,"

"I... I admit I have not always had this life, this level of society does still feel foreign to me,"

"You fear I will not be able to keep you?"

"No, no it's nothing like that. I... I know that this is not London, and I'm sure things are different given the change of circumstances, however. The rules of society apply here as much as they would in England, in India, in preu or even here in Port Victory," I explained, "Society has rules Jack, and I know already we have broken many of them, but if we are to go forward I would like us to do things properly, for the sake of my father, my family, That is something I need you to understand."

"You, want me to follow the society rules?"

"I do. And I hope you understand if this is to work, they must be followed. and if not then I do not wish us to."

He sat for a moment silently, he for a moment counted the stars, then chewed on his lip, before finally his eyes met mine again.

"I understand," he nodded, "If things continue they will continue properly, But I ask that you give me some leniency."

"Leniency?"

"I am a doctor, I spent a long time as a boy without social rules, and even longer on a ship in the navy where again the rules are... not as straightforward. I will do as you ask, I understand this is what you want but I ask you to be merciful and lenient at least early on, there are rules I do not know, will you be kind to me and let me off one or two for my ignorance?"

"I will allow that," I nodded, "That's only fair, but if I explain you a rule I do not expect to have it broken again."

"That's agreeable," he nodded.

"Good," I smiled, "So..."

"So..."

"I suppose now is the faithful question..."

"I suppose it is, May I ask you first?"

"You may,"

He smiled and looked into my eyes with a gentle smile, "Where do you see us? Where do you want us to go? Sweet Y/n, what future do you want for us?" He asked, "No matter your answer I will still tell you my own."

For a moment blushed, the heat rose in my cheeks, I felt outlandish but I wanted to be honest with him, there was no point in being untruthful.

"I see a life for us if you want one, I see us going forward, I want a future with you Jack,"

I held my breath waiting for his answer but it came swiftly,

"As do I." He smiled, "I want us to move forward, I do not want this to be a fling of a few evenings, I want us to be far more than that."

"You truly see a future for us?"

"I do, if you want one with me."

"I do if you want one with me too."

"I can't think of anything I want more." He smiled, "And as you know the social rules, where do we go from here?"

"Well, we can meet a few more times briefly and formally so long as my father is present, we may write to one another, and you may visit the house so long as my father agrees on it."

"And after that?"

"After that, we are to begin a courtship."

"A courtship?"

"Yes,"

"forgive me, I have never courted a lady before."

"No?"

"No. I am unfamiliar with the rules,"

"Well, you would of course have to ask my father for permission to court me, he would likely ask you a lot of questions,"

"I see, and if he was to allow us to court?"

"Then we would do so, we would court for a time, a few months at least, the shortest courtship my father will allow is six months."

"You've asked him?"

"I did, we spoke after my ball about men we agree upon,"

"Was... I on that list?"

"You were." I blushed,

"So your father is aware that you have an interest in me?"

"He is aware, I'm sure if you were to ask him for a meeting or even to discuss courtship it would not come as a surprise to him,"

"I see, and in this six months what are the rules?"

"We will be chaperoned,"

"Always?"

"Always." I nodded, "Our hands will not touch, we will not enter tight spaces together, our feelings and affairs will be our own other than in penmanship, we cannot travel alone, money must never cross our hands, we cannot give gifts, and of course, intimacy would be... utterly forbidden."

He gave me a look "Are you quite serious?"

"I am, such is the way of courting Dr Dawkins,"

"But... I've already kissed you."

"And that will have to remain our secret. Perhaps... we may exchange a kiss during our courtship secretly."

"You would permit me this? even if it breaks the rules?"

"I would, it seems foolish when we have already done so."

"And after six months of... courting, of being chaperoned and watched over without even a touch of your gloved hand. What then?"

"Engagement."

"Engagement?" he chuckled, "We'd get engaged?"

"We would, it is the outcome of courting, one should not court if you do not intend to engage, it is cruel to all involved."

"Understandable, don't want to waste your time." He nodded, "How would we go about our engagement?"

"Well, of course, you'd have to ask Father's permission, present me with a ring then you'd take over as my protector, we could go as we like unchaperoned, we could be alone together, we could be intimate privately as far as engagement allows."

"And how far does engagement allow?"

"So long as our wedding night is our first night together everything else would potentially be on the table."

"I see, and how long would our engagement last?"

"As long or as short as you wanted from then we would get married."

"Married, And I could make you Mrs Dawkins?"

"You could,"

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay, then that is how we shall move forward. I... don't know how long I will be able to stand being away from you, but I will write a letter to your father tonight to arrange our first formal meeting."

"I look forward to it." I blushed,

"As do I," He smiled, "and... perhaps if you, really couldn't wait to see me." he suggested playfully, "I am a doctor, and I'm sure if a young lady had a... tummy ache or headache I could perhaps pop by on my rounds?"

"That would be against the rules Jack,"

"I know, forgive me-"

"I think I'd allow it."

"Would you?"

"I think I would,"

He blushed a little, "You think you'd allow me... to deliver letters to you? myself? perhaps... via your balcony?"

I giggled, "Ohh?"

"I just don't want to risk our words being read by eyes over than our own."

"I think I could allow it."

"Do you think you'd allow me... to blow you kisses on your balcony?"

"I think I'd allow it if you permitted me to blow you kisses back Jack,"

"Humm" He chuckled, "Let me put it this way, you may want us to do things with the rules of society and etiquette and I am willing to go along with all of these rules for the sake of my feelings for you." he explained, "But, when it comes to me. I will not stop you, and I will allow my dearest darling to break as many rules as she pleases with me."

"You would?"

"I would, my... reputation, or lack thereof does not concern me. I do not fear gossip and talk, if my darling wants to do something with me, I will not stop her."

"Even if I was to... kiss you, or touch you, or -"

"Anything my little lady wants." He cooed,

"As much as I would adore indulging such a luxury, it's getting late we don't want to get caught again."

"Of course, get to bed don't let me keep you."

"Will I hear from you soon?"

"I will write and arrange a meeting with your father as soon as I get home, and I promise you will soon find me at your balcony with a letter for my dearest darling,"

"I look forward to it. Goodnight Jack."

"Goodnight Y/n."

I smiled and gave his lips a small kiss, his hand gently cupped my cheek as I kissed him, and he softly kissed me back. It felt as fantastic as our last kiss, and I never wanted it to end. But my fears took over and I moved back, I got up and adjusted my dress and he stood and fixed himself. "Sleep well Jack,"

"Sleep well yourself Y/n," he smiled kissing my hand before he began to leave the garden, and I headed back towards the house our slow steps letting our hands be slowly dragged apart, "Plesant dreams,"

"I will try, do try to have pleasant dreams yourself."

"I shall try, they will all be of you I am sure."

"As will mine," I blushed I blew him a kiss and he blew one back before we each went on our way.

I smiled listening to the bird's charming song, my head against my pillow, my arms around the cotton case stuffed with feathers, my nose nuzzling into the soft cotton, the sheets wrapped up around my legs, I felt so joyous, so peaceful, so utterly smitten with all things. I found myself in the half cling of sleep muttering as if my dreams and wakening were fighting for dominance over my body and mind, My sleep letting these words slip through.

"Ummm... Ummmm... Jack... ummmm... Jack... ummmm... My sweet Jack..." I muttered between my sheets, I blushed when It truly occurred to me what I was doing and I couldn't hold back my giggles, "Ummm... How I long to be in your arms, I can only imagine how long we shall have to wait until you and I can truly lay in my bed together, locked in one another's arms, I imagine now until were engaged." I blushed my fingers stroking the cotton of the pillowcase imagining the folders and hems of his white cotton shirt, dreaming for a moment more than his chest lay below my head, "But, something tells me my sweet Jack will not be able to wait so long." I giggled,

But I forced myself up and got dressed for the day, I sang along with the sweet birds outside my balcony window, unable to stop myself from doing a little dance to the song.

I heard the door open and Miss Hardcastle came in seeming surprised to see me this way, "My, You certainly have changed your tune."

"Certainly, why would I need to be gloomy when there is such wonder in the world?" I smiled taking her hand and dancing with her as I sang,

She was shocked and confused, moving away from my madness. "Well, this can surely only mean one of two things so either you lost your interest in Dr Dawkins quickly and have found another boy to ... fawn over." She said but I ignored her, "Or? am I to take it the day of you laying in bed as if the very world was ending was all for nought?"

I blushed but nodded,

"I see, so we are to take the last twenty-four hours as merely... what we hope shall be the first and last lovers' tiff."

"I'm sure of it." I smiled finishing brushing my hair and scampering down the stairs with joy, I went to the dining room and hugged my father.

"Ohhh hello, my sweet. Someone has leapt out of bed today." He laughed,

"Of course, so much worth getting up for!"

"I'm glad," he chuckled,

I took my seat and thanked the maid for my breakfast, I ate away at it kicking my feet from excitement and struggling to even stay still in my chair which was noticed by everyone. After a while one of the maids brought my father the post, I didn't much worry over it enjoying the last of my toast as he flicked through it sorting into little piles on the table depending on the business they were regarding.

"Humm?" He pondered to himself at one of them, he took the knife and opened the letter unfolding it and reading over the letter, He kept glancing up at me as he read it over and my curiosity grew as to why.

"Yes, father?"

"We have received a letter."

"Oh?"

"From one of your potential suitors."

"Ohh... I see." I said trying to hide my excitement but also my concern. "Is he one from the list?"

"Yes, You're only yes." He said

Miss Hardcastle and I shared a look, she knew, and she knew I knew, but we both had a silent agreement that some secrets are best kept from father. And my heart melted, that Jack had done as he said he would, he must have written it and sent it last night for it to arrive this morning. I wanted to know what was said but I was almost positive my father wouldn't tell me.

"Oh... My only yes." I nodded, "What does it say pray tell?"

"He has written to express his official interest in you." He smiled, "You're first of such letters."

"Ohh my, he has?" I smiled pretending I didn't already know,

"He has, very strongly in fact." He said, "He wishes to ask for a formal visit."

"He does, Ohhh..." I blushed trying to hide that I already knew,

"Well... as he is your one yes? Shall we write him back?"

I did my best not to look at Egar as I answered "I think that would be lovely Father."

"As do I, I shall write him back to arrange a formal visit. I take it the sooner the better?"

"I think so," I blushed,

"Alright, then again why waste the paper if we want sooner... I'll pop into the hospital today after my meeting." he smiled, "How does that sound?"

"I think that's perfect father."

I smiled so happily as I got into my dress for the afternoon, I stood by my ottoman looking at my mirror's reflection as Miss Hardcastle helped me into my dress, my hair and make-up, all done already, even if nothing compared to my debutant ball but still impressive. I know she wanted to do more for what would be my first official date but I slowed her intentions down a little stumbling and reminding her that Jack and I had seen each other more than once already. Of course, tried to push her more towards my ideas as if that is what Jack would prefer.

"Are you sure this needs to stay?" She asked as she finished with my little grey and blue dress and she looked at the red ribbon around my neck.

"I'm sure." I nodded,

"Miss Everset I know you have-"

"Lisa. Please. It needs to stay."

"If this man... is, a man you see a future with," she said, "You should bare your soul to him, you shouldn't keep yourself concealed."

"I thought this whole issue was to ensure I don't reveal so much,"

"You know what I mean." she rolled her eyes, "You should... let him see the scars of the girl he wants a life with."

"What in case they scare him away?"

"No," she said coming to look over my shoulder to look at the reflection, "Because sometimes seeing the brush lines of a painting makes you appreciate it all the more,"

"I will... In time." I said, "But not yet."

"Alright if you're sure Y/n," she said, "You ready?"

"I am," I blushed Happily fixing my dress and I scampered down the stairs excitedly, I went to the lounge. My father waited with a sweet smile, Miss Hardcastle stood in the corner and I sat on the sofa by the window with some embroidery in hand as I patiently waited.

I was doing my best to contain my excitement, as I waited impatiently.

I heard the door and I did my best not to jump or look too excited, I saw the maid heading to the door, and I hid my blush as I looked to the floor waiting to see if it was who I was already assuming it was.

"Dr Dawkins Has arrived Mr Everset." The maid spoke up,

I hid my blush and did my embroidery trying not to giggle, to think this was real. Jack and I were to see one another without worry of our secret being discovered, he was doing things properly and my father would see his intentions truly,

"Ahh perfect send him in." my father nodded,

and I couldn't help but look up as I saw him, Jack walked into the lounge dressed much as he often was to work at the hospital but clearly a little more cleaned up, we met eyes and for a moment I wanted to cry I was so happy.

"Dr Dawkins, Pleasure to see you again." My father smiled offering his hand,

"Ahh yes Sir, Pleasure to see you again too Mr Everset." Jack smiled taking his hand and giving it a firm gentlemanly shake

"And I'd like to introduce you to Miss Hardcastle my daughter's governess." My father indicated over to her,

"Pleasure to meet you," He smiled taking her hand and kissing it politely,

"And you doctor," she curtsied,

"and of course, My daughter Miss Y/n Everset." My father smiled indicating to me, "Who I am sure you're familiar with," He chuckled,

I smiled and got to my feet and stood with my hand out excitedly,

"Of course, I am delighted to see you again Miss Everset," He smiled kissing my hand,

"as am I Dr Dawkins," I smiled both of us trying to hide our blush given everything we had done and discussed in secret.

"Now, shall we begin?" My father asked,

"yes of course," Jack nodded,

I smiled and took my seat again, and of course, Jack had to sit with my father, and we had to be a good decent space apart due to us not even being courting yet.

My father and Jack discussed very basic things, the weather, the business of the town and other such things to discuss. I stayed quiet but I smiled whenever Jack and I caught eyes, until conversation turned to things I'd be interested.

"So? Tell me about yourself, Dr Dawkins."

"Yes of course, Well I uhh... I uhhh I was born in London England,"

"That right?"

"Yes sir."

"Ahh whereabouts?"

"Uhh... Just uhhh south of Clarkenwell Green."

"Oh, By Jove." he chuckled, "You know I spent quite a time in that area as a young man myself."

"Oh, what a coincidence,"

"In fact, My sweet Y/n was born only just down the road in the small maternity office." He laughed, "Perhaps, well It's ever so unlikely but perhaps once we may have crossed paths?"

"Uhh perhaps yes sir."

"My goodness... you know every day this world expands but then you see a moment such as this and are reminded really just how small it is."

"Yes Sir, Very small indeed."

"Your family?"

"Uhh humble. I didn't know them for long."

"Ahh yes, can be a mean old world."

"It certainly can,"

"And then you trained I suppose, in London?"

"Ohh No actually at uhh at thirteen I joined the Navy under Captain Grim, learnt my medical skills. Hands on. In the field."

"A navy man?"

"Yes Sir, a surgeon Lieutenant,"

"My father was a Naval man, died many years ago. I had always intended to follow in his steps but uhh life brought me her own challenges shall we say, it certainly would bring me some joy to... keep the Naval in the family, or the family in the Navy as it were." He chuckled "Of course we are far off from that sort of talk."

"Yes sir."

"How long were you in the Navy?"

"Ten years, sir."

"Ten years my goodness, and then I suppose your skills and history brought you to Port Victory?"

"Yes, The Hospital had just lost its surgeon when I arrived, so I very much took up the role."

"I see, I see." he nodded, "You Know Dawkins, I see you as very much a self-made man, that something you'd agree with?"

"Yes, certainly so sir."

"Good man." My father said his hands together on his desk with a wide smile that wouldn't leave him, "I have always thought of myself as a self-made man. Men like us Dawkins, we crawl ourselves up with our nails to get where we want to be, No matter the cost, No matter the time, No matter the pain. I see a lot of myself In you Dawkins."

"Thank you Mr Everset, that uhh that is a compliment I shall treasure."

"I must say, this has been a fantastic afternoon," He nodded, My father glanced at me questioningly and I gave him a smile, "If I may be so bold as to extend you an invitation to dinner on Thursday."

"Ohh yes absolutely, I'd be delighted Mr Everset, I would be thrilled to attend."

"Excellent, I'm sure we'll talk more of this then."

"Is Uhh is that all sir?" Jack spoke up,

"All?"

"I uhh I assumed we uhh we would perhaps discuss things?"

"We have discussed what we need to today, I'm sure we can discuss more at dinner on Thursday."

"Yes sir, forgive me I-"

"It's alright, I know my daughter is... Excited about you. I assume then you are of her too?"

Jack blushed, "I undoubtedly am sir,"

"Alright, we will discuss it on Thursday." He said, "Pleasure to spend the time with you Dr Dawkins, and I look forward to seeing you Thursday."

"As do I, thank you, sir."

They shook hands and he kissed Miss Hardcastle's hand, and then he took my own with a smile,

"I look forward to seeing you again Miss Everset,"

"As do I Dr Dawkins," I smiled

He kissed my hand and was led away with the maid and Miss Hardcastle.

My father glared at me as soon as we were alone. "He's an... Interesting gent."

"That he is father,"

"After today, is he still at the top of your list?"

"Yes."

"Do you still have... ambitions for him to court you?"

"I do."

"Very well, he certainly has ambitions to court you, that much is obvious." he laughed, "We will... touch on the topic at dinner on Thursday and if he wants to court you he can come to me the shortest courtship I'll allow is six months."

"You'll really allow us to court after just my ball and two evenings?"

"Y/n. My sweet." he chuckled, "I'm not stupid."

"Father?"

"I'm not stupid Y/n. You two are sweet on one another even a blind man can see as much. and I know... you two have spoken outside of these realms."

"I uhh I uhh-"

"Don't try to deny it," he chuckled,

"I won't. Did Miss-"

"No. Do you really think I wouldn't have taken notice, when I so clearly see my daughter is in love? and thus kept more tabs on her than I would have normally."

"I am sorry Father I-"

"Don't be sorry my sweet." He smiled, "I know how young love works." he smiled, "I will allow courtship as soon as he asks for it. It would be foolish to force you to be apart when you are merely to sneak away anyway."

"Thank you, Daddy," I smiled rushing over to give him a tight hug,

"It's alright My sweet. Love... it's a magical thing. You remember what I told you the day of your Ball?"

I smiled and repeated his words back, "When you see him, when you speak to him when you and him touch hands, there should be this... spark that makes you believe you're the only two people in the world"

"And even I can see, the moment he touches your hand, for both of you it's like you're all that exists?"

"It is the father."

"I knew so." he laughed, "But mostly because..." he said as he took my chin gently, "You Give Dr. Dawkins, The very look that I once saw in your mother when she used to look at me." He said getting choked up, "And the very look I see on him is that which I used to witness in the mirror whenever I looked, or even thought of your mother." He smiled, "If this is the man you want, I could not bare stand in your way." He said, "Go on now, up to bed my sweet."

"Thank you, Father, Goodnight."

"Goodnight," He smiled giving my head a kiss,

I smiled as I did some drawings before bed, still in a frenzy from this afternoon.

When I heard a stone click as it graced my balcony glass.

I didn't want to believe it at first but I so hoped it to be true, I went to the window just as another stone found its way to the glass. Quickly I opened the door and scurried out onto my balcony a small ledge only just large enough to stand myself, beside the tall tree where the bird's nest sat.

I looked across the darkness and saw a figure in the grass,

"Y/n! My darling!"

"Jack!" I hushed, "Quiet! My governess is merely two windows down and even father is not far, You cannot be so loud, we both know the trouble if someone found you here."

"I know, I'm sorry. But... I couldn't stay away."

"Ohh My sweet Jack," I cooed sitting on the stone and making sure my nightie hid me away, "You did so well tonight, I am so proud of you."

"Thank you, I did my best to... Impress your father, I'm not so sure he liked me."

"He likes you very much, He wouldn't have invited you to dinner if he hadn't"

"I suppose not, I look forward to it so much."

"As do I."

"I assume he has spoken with you?"

"He has, at dinner things will be discussed and after that, if you come to him, our courtship will be permitted."

"Truly?"

"Truly. He seems rather taken with you."

"I'm glad I could impress him enough to make him think I am worthy of his daughter."

"He thinks so, he says he sees a look in you that he saw in himself back when he saw my mother."

"I don't doubt it, I know I... struggle not to look at you, to hide my feelings for you. I hope if we are to court soon my feelings do not need to be such a secret."

"I hope so too." I smiled,

"Will you... allow me to see you again? between tonight and Thursday dinner?"

"I will Jack," I blushed, "I admit... it was hard this evening to see you in my home and yet be forbidden to hold your hand."

"You have no idea, seeing you across the room. I could barely keep my eyes off you. Knowing all I wanted was to go over take you in my arms, kiss you and tell you how I adore you my darling."

"I hope soon, we will be able to do so."

"I'm sure we will, but until then I do not mind visiting my darling as she sits bathed in moonlight," He smiled, "Bright angel, for thou art, As glorious to this night, being o'er my head, As is a wingèd messenger of heaven. Unto the white upturnèd wondering eyes Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him"

I couldn't help my giggles, "Dr Dawkins? I do believe you are reciting that of Romeo and Juliet."

"well, How could I not? when I find myself below your balcony?"

"I would not for the world they saw thee here."

"I have night's cloak to hide me from their eyes, And but thou love me, let them find me here. My life was better ended by their hate, Than death proroguèd, wanting of thy love."

"Ohh Jack," I blushed, "I did not imagine you as one to have read Shakespeare much less Romeo and Juliet. At least not to this familiarity."

"You'd be surprised what you find time for on a ship for ten years." he chuckled, "You seem to know it fondly?"

"A young lady was always encouraged to read the plays,"

"I shall have to re-read, so I may dazzle you with words."

"You have no need to Jack, You're words already dazzle me, and cause me to blush beyond measure."

"You are far too sweet to me my darling," He smiled before he blew me a kiss,

I blushed but blew him a kiss back,

"I cannot explain how beautiful you look, sat on your balcony for me."

"I admit, there is a handsomeness to you in the darkness below my window."

"Ohh I'm more handsome in the dark am I?"

"You know what I meant Jack," I laughed,

"I do, I think it's something of us being alone. Or perhaps that we know we are doing something we shouldn't be."

"I do think that's true." I nodded, "But... it's getting late, you have work tomorrow I do not wish to keep you up longer into the night,"

He smiled a moment but came as close as he could almost whispering in the darkness, "O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?"

I giggled and acted up my best formal tone, "What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?"

"I think we both know the kind of satisfaction I would want, be it something we could do."

"Ohh My..." I blushed, "Doctor Dawkins..."

"But for tonight I will be satisfied with just one kiss."

"...I think I can allow that," I blushed,

He wasted no time, climbing the tree, I admit I worried for him but also was impressed by his agility, he climbed onto a branch a little too low to make the jump onto my balcony but he was close enough, so I held the stone and leant as far as I could before my feet would leave my balcony and he stretched up as much as he could which was enough for our lips to meet.

It felt like the sweetest kiss we had shared, when we pulled back I felt like I was flying.

"Whoa..." he gulped, "I don't know how but every kiss keeps getting better."

"I feel the same," I smiled, "Goodnight Jack,"

"Goodnight Y/n, sleep well my dearest. I will see you soon I promise."

"I will wait, for my Romeo to return, Impatiently"

He chuckled, "I promise it will be as soon as I can, How could I ever leave my Juliet all alone too long" he smiled giving my lips a sweet kiss before he climbed down the tree and blew me a kiss, I blew him a kiss in return before he headed away disappearing into the night.

#tbs smut #tbs imagine #tbs imagines #thomas sangster imagine #thomas brodie sangster imagine #thomasbrodiesangster #thomas brodie sangster smut #thomas brodie sangster #tbs #thomas sangster #doctor jack dawkins #jackdawkins #jack #jack dawkins #jackdawkinsartfuldodger #theartfuldodgerjack #theartfuldogger #thearttfuldodger #the artful dodger

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nowoyas · 1 month

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Koi no Yokan 1: the first impression matters most (Nishinoya Yuu/Reader)

Next - M.list - Ao3

A/N: so this has technically been up on ao3 for a month or so but I decided I'm simply going to post it on tumblr and live with less control over the formatting over here. for a more fun way to read, I highly recommend hopping over to the ao3 link above.

EDIT 9/20: DUE TO A URL CHANGE LINKS ARE CURRENTLY BROKEN. FOR EASE OF READING PLEASE PROCEED TO AO3. I HAVE NINETY FOUR FIC LINKS TO UPDATE SO IDK WHEN THIS WILL BE FIXED BUT SOON.

taglist is open!

Summary: Love at first sight isn't real. Whatever this Nishinoya guy was feeling when he proposed to you on sight, it wasn't love. And if you're wrong? All he has to do is propose another nine hundred and ninety-nine times to prove it. (nishinoya x fem!reader)

Warnings and Tags: fem, non gender-neutral reader, mental health + family issues, implied child neglect, hurt/comfort, coming of age, slow burn but like in a weird nontraditional way, gratuitous usage of footnotes

Word count: ~2800

p1. Love is real.

This one's simple enough. You grew up around your parents—hopelessly in love with one another, the romantic types put on this planet specifically to make their kids' life hell in a non-traumatizing, wholesome way, all sweet kisses and gross, get a room! to fill your childhood home. You've seen love. During at least one point of your life, there was love.

p2. Love takes work.

Also simple enough. Again we'll point to your parents—long nights worked by one or the other, working too hard, coming home to find you asleep on the couch with whichever parent was home for you. Bruised egos and hearts, fights that didn't need to happen but always would have, heated discussions whispered in the kitchen when you should have been in bed, but always always always coming back to each other. Separating from one another whenever there was yelling—keep the peace, come back when we can have a discussion. Trying to love you even when your grades fell too hard to overlook, but disappointed all the same, until you're yelling, until you don't fall asleep on the couch waiting for your mom to come home anymore, until you fall asleep studying at your desk listening out for your father, hoping tonight he'll be home before you finish your homework.

p3. Love must be earned.

—or at least, it can be lost. It'd explain the past two years. You lost his love, and you'll earn it back.

p4. If love must be earned and love takes work, then love at first sight does not exist.

Of course, none of this explains anything about what's taking place now, your utterly petrified classmate (one Yachi Hitoka, sits two seats in front of you, never interacted with) darting her eyes back and forth between you and the offender who could perhaps use a reality check against your worldview. For your part, the—question? demand? statement?—had the fun side effect of pitching your voice in embarrassment and disbelief, not to mention totally ruining the vaguely detached image of yourself you've very carefully cultivated over the years.

"I—uh—I'm sorry, what did you just say to me?"

p5. Love at first sight does not exist.

Although the other members of the Karasuno High School Volleyball Club wear expressions currently ranging from disbelief to exasperation, you're not entirely convinced you've heard the offender correctly until he steps forward, chest puffed out without a hint of self-doubt in his eyes.

Point of interest: as far as you were aware, volleyball is a sport about really tall guys yelling a lot and hitting a ball just real hard, and this one doesn't seem to have the height or the shoulder muscles for that. If your first impression is anything to go by, at least he has the volume. He's got a small build—lithe, even, and it's hard to tell with most of his teammates dropping their heads into their hands, but you'd say nearly everyone else here is a good head taller than him at least. It'd explain the hair: save for a little bleached tuft hanging down over his forehead, he's gone to the trouble to spike it, adding a few centimeters to his height total. All in all: confusing, but not unattractive.

c. Therefore, this is not love at first sight.

"Sorry," he says, tilting his head with a wide smile that doesn't look very sorry. "That might've been a bit rude. Please marry me?"

Yeah, that's what you'd thought he'd said, alright.

Shimizu, the gorgeous third-year who'd brought you into this line of fire, lets out a long-suffering sigh. One of the other guys is now on the floor, both hands threaded through his hair.

Point of disinterest: this behavior is clearly the offender's usual.

"Are you stupid or something?" the silver-haired guy on the floor finally manages to say, stage-whispering in utter disbelief. "Seriously, are you just a complete—"

Impulse: Have fun with this.

It's not that you really intended to cut the guy off—honestly, for all you care, he can yell at his teammate or anyone else all he wants. Hardly your problem. But—

I mean, how are you not supposed to laugh?

This is who you are: logic and impulse at war. Doubled over laughter, immediate stock taken of the situation, and, just because you appreciate his initiative, you let yourself speak without thinking too hard about it, full-body laughter subsiding to giggles as you meet his eyes. "You know what? How about you let me finish introducing myself and ask me that… oh, I dunno, we'll say a thousand times or so, and then I'll think about it. 'Kay?"

The offender—your suitor, you suppose—gains an extra centimeter of height at the words, eyes lighting up his face in a way that might actually be dangerous to someone with a few less brain cells to spare. He looks ready to say something, but stops himself. Nods firmly, mimes zipping his lips as though to let you know you can continue.

You stifle a lingering giggle, take a deep breath, and smooth out your uniform skirt carefully. You know how to smile and know how to charm and now you've got a reason to be just interested enough to bother with either. "O-kay. Um, I'm [full name]. Like Yachi-san here, I'm in class 1-5. It's a pleasure to meet all of you!"

"Nice to meet you!" they shout in eerie, overly-loud unison, bowing to the both of you. Beside you, Yachi nearly shrieks, hiding behind you a little as Shimizu steps forward to ask them not to scare the shit out of you both. To their credit, everyone seems genuinely confused as to what could possibly be startling about suddenly being yelled at by twelve or so guys standing around you in a semi-circle.

As for you?

You adjust your uniform bow carefully, suppressing a smile.

Maybe this "managing a club" idea won't be as bad as you thought.

Okay, point of order: it's not that you thought managing a club would be bad, necessarily. It's more that, well—look, pretty third-year approaches you in the hall while you're barely paying attention, assumes you're walking with some other random girl in your class, and you're looking for any excuse to stay out of the house as much as you can, anyway, so why not waste a few minutes this afternoon and some more tomorrow? It's not like you're agreeing fully to join or anything. And Yachi, at least, seems nice, though you're a little sorry she's been lumped with you.

You'd decided to make it up to her with a tepid offer of friendship, if for no reason other than to reassure her you don't want her dead (which appears to be a serious concern of hers?), but in the three minutes it took you to draw this conclusion and walk up to her desk, you'd been absolutely steamrolled by two of the club's first years from yesterday (Hinata: short, loud, springy, insists that you drop all honorifics for him. Kageyama: tall, quiet, blunt. Appears to just be along for the ride.) and somehow ended up jointly tutoring the two in English.

The days that follow give you no opportunities to learn any further names—your attention splits neatly between trying to figure out how volleyball even works and not fucking dying whenever a hit or whatever goes out-of-bounds. You'd been right about the yelling, mostly right about hitting the ball really hard (the really tall first-year sometimes hits the ball Not Hard, and your suitor doesn't seem to hit the ball at all?), and wrong about the guys needing to be tall (Hinata, for one, and most of the other guys are only tall in direct contrast to you).

That's about the extent of what you've gotten so far, beyond a bruise or two in preventing Yachi's soul from leaving her body. The guys seem to want to prevent those, but they're certainly not perfect. As for your co-trial manager, she is the very definition of skittish, and thus far has confided in you the following:

someone may want to kill her for standing next to Shimizu for several uninterrupted minutes (fair, Shimizu is extremely pretty)

the coach is going to kill her (maybe a bit narrow-minded—the Sakanoshita cashier is plenty nice, even if he does look a bit scary)

someone here is going to break a finger or perhaps an arm (yeah, no way to counter that one. It's athletics.)

someone here is going to unintentionally break her face with a stray volleyball (perfectly reasonable. You keep an eye out on her behalf.)

Despite this, she connects to the others far better than you ever could. When Hinata's study session with the three of you results in a boosted quiz score, he notices her before you and drags her into the hype session, allowing you to sneak on by while they cheer together. That's fine. You can't really match their energy, anyhow. Every now and then, though, she gets this look or makes some offhanded comment that makes you think she probably won't stick with managing.

For your part, you aren't really decided either way. The Karasuno High School Volleyball Club is full of… well, people. They're all different, you can't keep anyone straight, and while they're certainly polite enough in small doses, as a group, they overwhelm you with an energy that reminds you why you've never really gotten into sports before.

Your suitor is perhaps the worst offender of this—everyone gets louder around him, either out of necessity to be heard or simply because he seems to raise the energy levels of whoever's standing closest to him. He seems to be the root of about thirty percent of the volleyball club's total volume, and his boundless energy is extended your way whenever possible. Without fail, sometime between your feet crossing the threshold of the volleyball gym and getting your shoes on each day, he'll shout your name, followed by a full-chested compliment about how great you look today. It was unsettling for two minutes until you saw him take a flying leap at Shimizu in hopes of hugging her and end up getting slapped instead. For now, you'll take it as a relief that no additional marriage proposals have come your way.

You don't know whether to be disappointed that your suitor apparently is just your average horny teenager and you're not exactly special or relieved that, at least, you're not ugly enough for him to discredit you as an option entirely. If nothing else, it's hard to sense any sort of real threat from someone so openly and earnestly interested in anyone who breathes.

This is what you tell Shimizu as the three of you walk home after practice, the third time in a week she's apologized to you for his behavior. She's not the only one who has—the captain, a taller, average-looking third year, and the vice captain, the pretty third year with the silvery hair, have both gone out of their way to apologize on his behalf, as well as one of the more responsible-seeming second years. Each one has offered, repeatedly, that they can make him shut up if you want them to, but you've staunchly refused.

"I mean," you tell them each time, "he's harmless. All he's doing is complimenting me and like, little helpful things like helping me up. But I'll take you guys up on that if he actually crosses a line."

What you don't—won't—admit to Shimizu or Yachi, and will never admit to any of these guys, is simple enough: you like the attention. You like having a reason for your cheeks to feel a little hot. You like feeling like someone wants you here, like someone's not just being polite because they haven't yet found a reason to be rude.

The morning of the first day of your second week of this little trial membership, and like clockwork, your suitor is already in the gym, already fully awake like he actually rests when he sleeps or some completely batshit concept to that tune. It's six-something in the fucking AM. Normal people should at least be a little groggy right now, but here he is, running right up to you with a brilliant smile that makes you feel like squinting.

Then again, you suppose normal people aren't the type to propose marriage before you even get your name out.

"Good morning! You're looking lovely as usual today!"

You huff softly, open your mouth to mumble in some sleep-deprived reply, and end up cutting off in the sort of yawn that hijacks your full body to make its point. When you've recovered, you nod to him, rubbing the corner of your eye. "Sorry. I don't think I'm real for another twenty minutes or so. Mornin', Senpai."

Your suitor goes uncharacteristically still, jaw dropping as he stares at you. Suddenly self-conscious, you run through your memory of the past week. You'd assumed he was an upperclassman, not having seen him on the first-year's floor at all and having noticed that he seemed to be one of the more solid members of the team. Were you wrong? "Um… did I say something wrong?" you ask at last, hoping on hope he doesn't detect the nerves in your voice.

At your words, he seems to snap out of whatever stupor he'd suddenly gone into, shaking his head furiously. Unless you're mistaken, his face is turning a lovely shade of red, though you can't fathom why. "Uh—no! No, nothing's wrong. I mean, you didn't say anything wrong! You're—perfect, you're perfect, sorry, I—" He clears his throat, clutches a fist at his chest. You're starting to think he's having some kind of medical issue. "I'm not entirely sure you've ever done anything wrong in your life, actually."

You stifle a nervous laugh, tilt your head a little. "Um…?"

"Okay, sorry—I'm good. Perfect. Fine. Please marry me."

Ah. Alright, then.

A bit more laughter bubbles out of you, less nervous this time. "How about this: you tell me what your name is, because we still haven't been introduced properly, and ask me that nine hundred and ninety-seven more times, and I'll think about it."

The star-struck look on his face gives way to the brightest smile known to the human race. He holds out a hand for you to shake. On the record: your stomach does not flutter in reply.

"Nishinoya Yuu, at your service. Will you really marry me if I ask you a thousand times?"

You take his hand. Shake it carefully. Wonder if this is what dying feels like: no struggle, just letting happen what will happen, feeling strangely overwhelmed for no reason at all. "Hey, I said I'd think about it."

His hand's warm. It lingers in yours for just a moment before he drops the hold. "Challenge accepted, then. I hope you're ready."

You snort, wave him off as you head over to greet Shimizu. "Sure, sure. We'll see how long it takes for you to give up, yeah?"

"If that's what you're holding out for, you're gonna be waiting a while," he calls after you.

You toss your head back with a laugh. "We'll see about that!"

Koi no Yokan¹ (恋の予感): "premonition of love" or "love at second sight". in contrast to love at first sight, koi no yokan refers to the sense when meeting someone that falling in love with them is inevitable.

Footnotes

1. I spent a lot of time digging for the origin of this phrase and it appears to be attributed to a quote from one Nicola Yoon. I'm not certain that 恋の予感 is actually a Japanese concept the way that "love at first sight" is a concept in certain English-speaking cultures, and my research into this only turned up, like, BBC articles and an album by the American alternative metal band Deftones, so it's possible that this phrase is more of an Orientalist hallucination of Japanese culture more than it is a real thing.² Regardless, I truly love the concept, and I could not think of a more fitting title for this fic, so I am proceeding with the given interpretation.

2. For what it's worth, the BBC article I found does ask actual Japanese speakers about the phrase and claims it's common nowadays in shoujo manga circles. One of my good friends reads mostly shoujo manga and is more fluent in Japanese than I am, and I had to explain the concept to her, and also, no one can point me to any specific examples, so I don't really have any strong evidence that this is actually true. (Any examples of this out in the wild are more than welcome in the comments; I'm genuinely curious about this.)

Tags: @deeplightgarden @idonthaveanameideayet @dusstory

#my fics #nishinoya yuu x reader #nishinoya yuu/reader #yuu nishinoya x reader #yuu nishinoya/reader #haikyuu reader insert

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epitomees · 3 months

Note

Ship bias for Makoto. (Hopefully wasn't done yet.)

Send ‘Ship Bias’ and I will share up to 5 ships I have a bias for my muse!

Joker (...alright let me get this out of my system now that I've been given the chance..........SHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKOSHUMAKO!!! I ADORE JOKER AND MAKOTO SO SO MUCH, THEY'RE MY NUMBER ONE FAVORITE P5 SHIP!!! Their chemistry, the build-up between their characters, just literally everything about them is so so good and GOD I ADORE THEM AS A COUPLE!! This is yet another ship which rots my brain on the daily, every single day, absolutely nonstop. Like team leader/tactician, bad boy helps loosen up the uptight girl, power couple, I could go ON and ON about them! Joker is such a positive influence for Makoto. He was a miracle that appeared at just the right time before she fell into even more disgrace. She is so thankful for reaching out to help her, and she wants to return the favor tenfold for him. LIKE THEY CARE SO MUCH ABOUT EACH OTHER'S WELL-BEING SO MUCH, I COULD COMB THROUGH THE GAME AND POINT AT SO MANY EXAMPLES OF THIS BUT I'LL BE HERE TALKING EVERYONE'S EAR OFF!!)

2. Ryuji (RYUKOTO MY BELOVED!! This is another example of a bad boy/uptight studious girl trope that is SO SO GOOD!! Never forget how he LITERALLY jumped in front of a moving car for Makoto's sake! He's also a good person to help Makoto loosen up her nerves, let her enjoy the little things in life and just be a teenager! Let's not forget they have one of my favorite Showtimes together too!! When it calls for it, they can be a very explosive, violent duo and I think Ryuji would be so supportive of that side of Makoto. Plus I bet they'd enjoy seeing the other go feral!)

3. Ann (The first girls of the Phantom Thieves! I honestly really like the development we get to see between these two, even though it feels a bit brief and rushed to me. I like that Ann is angry at Makoto because she did nothing about Kamoshida when the incidents first started happening. But when Makoto joins the Thieves, you get to Ann understand Makoto's situation more and she listens to what Makoto HAS been trying to do to help with the student body. There's a nice enemies to friends to lovers dynamic they can have, and man...I really wish they had a Showtime together. I like the one with Haru, but I feel like Makoto's and Ann's connection would have been a better choice for Makoto's second Showtime.)

4. Akechi (....SO ONCE AGAIN, I'M EXPOSING MYSELF HERE BUT LISTEN!! Listen to me, let me just say something about these two. They COULD HAVE HAD AN ACADEMIC RIVALRY!! It was even mentioned in the concept stages too!! I would have loved to see these two go head to head with each other because they're the most intellectual individuals out of the bunch. IMAGINE THE DISCUSSIONS AND CONVERSATIONS THEY CAN HAVE!! In addition to that though, and...you know I had to point this at, but I still think about that one moment in Sae's palace when he puts his hand on her shoulder and asks her if she'll save Sae. LIKE MY GUY WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?! AT THAT POINT MAKOTO KNEW YOU WERE FAKING THIS, BUT SHE HONESTLY DIDN'T THINK YOU'D EVER SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!! On top of all of that, I just...think they'd be kind of neat as a couple too when you think about some of the similarities they share. Imagine them getting so heated in arguments, where one tries to one-up the other, them setting up puzzles or other obstacles when they meet up, LIKE PIT THE TWO SMARTEST PEOPLE AGAINST THE WORLD AND THEY WILL FIGHT BACK!! THEY BOTH ARE STUBBORN LIKE THAT I'M JUST SAYING!! And....I also just want them to be violent together. I think they hold in a lot aggression that can be used well in the Metaverse. Another power couple.)

#out of cards #mun stuff #Makoto #kinjiros-quiet-corner #((and....you know....I kind of poly ship Joker/Makoto/Akechi....because power trio....#...and...she can hold both their hands...#and stuff like that....I think it'd be neat to have those three together <_<#.....aaaaaaand maybe a little Joker/Makoto/Ryuji too.....))

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wizard-finix · 2 years

Note

❤️ 💥 👻 🎁 :D

YOOO THANKS FOR THE ASK :D

❤️ What is your favorite line that you’ve written in a fic?

Hmmm it's hard to settle on a single line, but I think it's a tie between this one, from Stygian Ringlet (my p3/p5 fic):

Ryoji remembered that awful night on the Moonlight Bridge, when his world fell apart. The night he remembered everything and instantly wished he hadn’t.

and this one, from a Runescape fic chapter I haven't posted yet:

“You know, I was planning on a nice evening playing cards with the rest of the crew,” Jaida said, still catching his breath. “But no, here I am, stuck in the temple in the middle of the night with you and the Scourge of Wushanko herself, with the only way out being blocked by an army of cultists, mercenaries, and giant crabs.”

💥 What is one canon thing that you wish you could change?

Ryuji's treatment in P5. I normally don't mind a character being comic relief, he does have some hilarious moments. The problem is that he had the potential to be a really good underdog-type character and have interesting character interactions with the others, but Atlus really did him dirty and squandered his character development by having the entire cast degrade him for the rest of the game. It worked for Yosuke in P4 because he tends to make those kinds of jabs at his friends and often brings it on himself, but it's a lot more one-sided with Ryuji. These people are supposed to be FRIENDS, guys. (I don't even need to say anything about the end of Shido's palace jfc)

(also Kawakami's social link and benefits are uncomfortable as hell so I never used them)

👻 What is your wildest headcanon?

OH, THIS ONE. I DEFINITELY HAVE ONE FOR THIS QUESTION. My wildest headcanon:

Shinjiro's persona has a latent berserk ability somewhat similar to Akechi's, and absolutely no one realizes this, not even Shinjiro himself.

I will explain this one, so hear me out.

In P3, the only ones in the game with personas that go berserk and try to kill their own users are the artificial persona users, who are the results of human experimentation. Shinji is a natural persona user unlike Strega, and he is (reasonably) mentally sound, which rules out that possibility.

Shinjiro's persona went berserk the night of the accident that killed Ken's mother. He definitely was not on Persona suppressants at the time, because this event was the reason he started taking them in the first place, so it wasn't because of the suppressants either. It had to be a preexisting issue (one that the suppressants actively made worse).

It's a LATENT ability. The first time it happened was the night of the accident, as mentioned before. Normally someone's persona discovering a new ability would be great, right? Well, in this case not so much, since it kind of manifested at the worst possible time and killed someone. And because of that crushing guilt, Shinjiro made no effort to train or understand this ability, instead seeing it as something deeply wrong with himself and trying to suppress it entirely with drugs. So he wouldn't really know if it was actually one of Castor's abilities or not.

Akechi's persona also has the ability to make its user go berserk (except Call of Chaos can also be used on shadows). Castor also pretty much went berserk and while Shinjiro himself didn't, there's no telling whether or not it was having that same effect on him and Shinji was trying to fight against its effects, causing him a hell of a lot of pain. Akechi, fueled by rage and spite, fully embraced this ability and used it on himself and enemy shadows; Shinjiro on the other hand actively suppressed his persona because of he doesn't want to hurt anyone else.

tl;dr I just think "latent berserk ability gone wrong" is an explanation that makes sense guys, cause when you think about it we don't actually know what was wrong with his persona in the first place

🎁 Have a piece of a WIP you want to share?

Oooh don't mind if I do (this is a deleted scene for Stygian Ringlet that I had to scrap because it didn't fit, so it's not actually spoilers lmaoo):

One ring. Two rings. Each one seemed to drag on for an eternity, only making him even more nervous.

After a third, agonizingly long ring, the other end picked up. A moment, and then a voice Minato hadn’t heard in far too long answered.

“Hello?” said Akihiko.

Minato immediately slammed the phone down on the counter.

Fuck. He couldn’t do this. What was he thinking?!

Minato, I would suggest you answer the phone. You’re being kind of rude, Ryoji gently chided him.

Minato eyed the phone warily before picking it up, slowly putting it back to his ear as if it might electrocute him.

(Well, it was Akihiko on the other end. Maybe it could.)

“Hello?" said Akihiko, sounding vaguely annoyed. "If this is a prank call, I’m hanging up.”

Minato swallowed nervously. Now or never.

“...Uh,” he said lamely. “...Hey, senpai.”

The silence that followed felt like the longest in his entire life.

#ask #p3 #p4 #p5 #stygian ringlet #my writing

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mysticdragon3md3 · 1 year

Text

Just realized. Maybe now's a good time to get back into being a Kingdom Hearts fan. But like, this time, getting utterly obsessed with it. lol

I thought returning to Persona 5 would be what gets me out of my FE3H fixation. But it just hasn't happened yet (especially with everyone only talking about P5R and me preferring vanilla P5). But tonight I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO emotionally effected, while watching these Kingdom Hearts let's plays by LeighXP. Maybe it's time to become obsessed with Kingdom Hearts again. ^_~

Finally, I decided it's time to go watch LeighXP's playthrough highlight vids of Kingdom Hearts 3…even though I still haven't played KH3. For the longest time, I kept saying I'll only watch a little, so I wouldn't spoil myself for when I actually play the game myself. But a while ago, I fell asleep with YouTube autoplaying, and when I woke up, LeighXP's KH3 vid was near the end, and then I couldn't resist finishing it. And I watched Professor Thorgi's top boss battle list that also spoiled the final Xehanort fight. So I've been spoiled on KH3 already. The little bits of unknowns still left for me, shouldn't matter anymore. And I'm tired of putting off watching streamers I like, out of worries over spoilers, when I know I'm generally immune to spoilers. Just because my spoiler immunity has been waning in recent years, I let it get me paranoid. But this is stupid. I want to watch what I want.

Anyway, it's been so long and I still haven't played KH3, but I still want to know what's going on before KH4 gets more trailers or releases. During all this meantime, I've come to accept that people can be a fan of videogames, the way that most "sports fans" are fans of sports: they don't play themselves, they just watch other people play, and they keep up on all the industry news---AND THAT'S OKAY. I eventually found myself in that position, before I realized it. But I can still feel how much these stories mean to me, even when I just watch others play. So I can't deny it's still a valid form of fandom. And that's okay.

Still, I don't know what happened to my motivation to play KH3. I was so excited for KH3, for years and years. Then a few months before it finally had its actual release date, I suddenly dropped off KH. I still don't know what happened. (Maybe if I look through my Tumblr Archive, I could figure out what distracted me.) But it's strange that I never eventually regained my excitement for KH overall…even while I was buying every KH OC Nendoroid that released…even up until now. …But now…watching other people's playthroughs and reactions…I think I'm getting excited for KH again. ^_^

#personal fandom records #queendomcardiac #fe3hfuukasetsugetsu #stylishheartthieves #fandomfrictionfracas

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lewiscrown · 2 years

Note

LH screaming at you accidentally after the crash at Austria and reader got triggered over that because she used to be screamed at her face and hid in the mclaren pitwall until quali ended. Reader comes back early to the motor home and falls asleep on their bed till he’s back with food, flowers and a sorrowful look wanting to cuddle his angel

IM SORRY

Warning- angst and fluff xx

No proof read

You heart is racing after watching Lewis crash into the barriers. You decide to go to Lewis’s driver room to wait for him . As you walking up and down the room the door blast’s open with such a force that it closes it self again .

“Hey baby you okay “ walking over to him .you could tell he wasn’t okay by his body language as well as him qualifying in p9.

“ take a guess y/n dose it look like I’m okay . I Went from being on top of the world , winning races to not even qualifying p5 and above.”you heart sunk all you where trying to do is comfort lewis instead you got it thrown back in your face and you where bit going to have that .

“ Lewis I get you in a shitty situation trust me I know it can’t feel good okay but don’t take it out on me all I was trying to do is ask if you where okay .that’s it “ you screamed ,you where probably so loud the whole padlock could hear you .

“ listen y/n okay JUST LEAVE ME ALONE !! I’m sick and tired of this back and forth bickering okay just back .I don’t want to see you “

“ WHAT”

“ don’t act innocent y/n he saw they way you where talking to Daniel okay go see it he’s okay .I don’t know .”

“just trying to get rid of me so one of your hoes can sneak in here “ you snapped back .just like that you transformed into the flash and bolted out of there .having no idea where to go so what probably not the smartest idea you want to the McLaren pit wall where Daniel was . Pools of tears building up in your eyes were released as soon as you saw Daniel.

“I don’t know what to do I got there he screams in my face .. what do I do “ he could hear the pain in your voice .

“Y/n don’t worry it will be fine “ going into a hug . With in a matter of moments you felt better .

you decided to head back to your moter home you shared with Lewis. With in seconds you fell asleep to the scent on Lewis.

All of a sudden you woke up by hearing the door open . You decide to sit because you knew what was going to happen. Instead the complete opposite happened Lewis mother fucking Hamilton walked in with a bunch of pink roses and a hamper of sweets and drinks.

“I brought your favourite “ followed by a smirk .

“I can see Lewis I’m not stupid “

“ Daniel spoke to me and I’m so sorry I never should have doubted you and I love you more then ever “ smile appeared on your face and just like that a kiss proved that you 2 deserved each other You and Lewis melted together ending in a cuddle in the bed .

“ I don’t know if you can hear me , but you are the best thing to happen to me y/n”

#lewis hamilton fanfic #lewis hamilton imagine #lewis hamilton fluff #lewis hamilton x reader

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artekai · 3 years

Note

So after years of loving vanilla P5 I finally got around to playing Royal and guess who's fallen for the apple juice loving gentle madman! This bitch 👋 And since you seem to be therapy boi fan extrordinaire, y'all got any Maruki fic recs??? Really don't mind what kind, just want some good old Mookie content

That's great, anon, welcome to the club!! We're happy to have you! :D <3

I read a bit of everything and anything, so this might get a little long, haha. Also these are all probably gonna be one-shots. Sorry about that in advance.

Hoo boy. Here we go! ^^

Angst:

need you here by @docmaruki: Very, very painful one-shot about Takuto developing an alcohol addiction after losing Rumi, and Shibusawa chastising him out of concern. Be sure to heed the warnings!

Fluff:

This unnamed one-shot by @leelreallylikespersona: Very, very wholesome fic about Takuto introducing Rumi and Azathoth to each other! All three of them are really sweet here and the dynamic between Rumi and Azathoth is adorable. Honestly great if you need something to heal after the Rumi incident and all of the third semester stuff :3

Slow Day: A sweet Marukiwai pre-canon fic about Takuto and Iwai getting together in high school! Takuto is still a nerd and a pushover and Iwai is a rebel, but they're very respectful towards each other so it plays out really nicely. If the high school setting isn't your thing, the author also has a bunch of other Marukiwai fics, and, from what I've seen, their writing seems to be consistently great, so I would recommend looking around for a premise that catches your eye ^^

Another untitled one-shot by @/leelreallylikespersona: This one is an enemies-to-lovers Yaldaruki fic! Yaldabaoth is a demon now and is angry at Takuto for taking over Mementos, Azathoth tries to warn Takuto to stay away from him, and the rest is history, haha. It has some angst, but it ends in fluff, I promise, haha.

For all your third semester/ideal reality needs:

Stained Vow by @nicxan: I could go ahead and just recommend all of nicxan's Mookie catalogue because I really love their fics and they have lots of good stuff about the ideal reality, especially if you like reading Azathoth as dark and manipulative. This fic in particular is about Azathoth not being Takuto's real Persona, but an impostor, and about what happened to Takuto's Shadow if that's the case. It’s delicious ^^

Hard Truths, also by @/nicxan: This fic is about Takuto finding a cognition of his younger self in his Palace, and realizing said cognition is “selfishly” in pain, which forces Takuto to confront some... well, some very hard truths about himself and his reality. It's amazing, Takuto beats himself up and solves nothing, it's very angsty and very satisfying if you like suffering, hehe.

The Fall by @auncyen: Truly a wonderful, hard hitting, beautifully written fic about Takuto struggling with his self isolation after the ideal reality comes to be, thus losing the last shreds of his sanity and giving up.

Takuren family AU:

This is a lovely series of fics by @wildcard-rumi about a bittersweet AU where Ren is Takuto's son! I'm sure there's something for all tastes, but these are some of my personal favorites:

I Will Never Leave You: Absolutely heartbreaking fic about... well, things going wrong after the third semester infiltration.

Someone I Used to Know: Another tearjerker where Ren runs into Rumi, who still doesn't recognize him, which brings back some horribly painful memories for both him and Takuto about how their family fell apart...

Lost Everything: Also a really heartfelt fic, with a lot of fluff, hurt/comfort, and angst, about Rumi meeting a tiny Ren and their relationship as mother and son developing over time, until the break-in incident ruins everything :( Tiny Ren is super adorable, though, Rumi is also sweet, and their dynamic as a family is very cute :3

For all your reader insert needs:

and everything will be fine: very short but very heartwarming hurt/comfort one-shot about Mookie comforting the reader, who's having a terrible mental health day. Established relationship, post-canon, Takuto is trying his best to be better about the way he deals with trauma and it's very nice to see ^^

men, gods, and monsters by @myaphelion: Third semester reader insert fic with angst and hurt/comfort! Also a established relationship, the fic itself is very beautifully written and heartfelt... Reader agrees with Takuto's goals, haha.

Councillor: Another sweet, sweet hurt/comfort post-canon fic about Takuto comforting the reader after a nightmare and offering them to take the pain away, because he still has some control over Azathoth's powers, even if he knows he shouldn't... It's very moving :')

So there it is! My non-comprehensive list of Mookie-centric fics I like!

I tend to bookmark every fic about Takuto I read and tag it as "Maruki Takuto-centric" on my AO3, so if you want to find more to read without having to comb through the entire P5R archive then you can go feel free to check that out :3 Not everything in this list might be there because I didn't start doing that until later and sometimes I forget, haha, but there's more stuff there in case you still find yourself craving more! Most of the authors I mentioned have other Mookie-centric fics too, so they're a pretty reliable source too :3

Also, I mostly write about our boy Mookie in all sorts of situations, so if you'd like to take a look at my fics and see if there's anything that catches your eye, that'd be greatly appreciated 👉👈

I hope this helped, anon :3 If anyone else has any more recs, feel free to add on! :D

Happy reading! <3

#ask tag #anonymous #persona 5 royal #takuto maruki #p5r spoilers #fic recs #thanks a lot for the ask anon!! feel free to ask about our beloved counselor anytime!! :D <3 #no but really if you like any of these you should go check the author's other works #most of these have many more takuto fics i love but i couldn't include them all so i tried to limit myself as much as i could ;;;-;;;#love you guys <3

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the-fiction-witch · 2 months

Text

Well find her P5

Media - The Queens Gambit Character - Benny Watts Couple - Benny X Reader Reader - Y/n Watts Rating - Sad AF! Cute AF Word Count - 2613

warnings - SA / abuse/ homophobia/ religious extremism/ horror/ blood/ gore/

The room fell silent as Mr Whitemore's words lingered, leaving a palpable stillness that hung in the air. Eventually, Miss Peters turned her focus back to Violet.

"Miss Watts. When you awoke in the basement of Mr Whitemore's Corner Store, what did you find there?" Miss Peters began again,

"A cupboard,"

"A cupboard?"

"It was a small room, with bible pages on the walls, crosses everywhere, the room was too little to lay or really sit. Just enough to stand in." She said, "I screamed but begged for help but ..."

"None came,"

"No,"

"Exhibit C, a small cupboard designed for a water heater in the basement of Whitemore Corner Store. Not the walls lined with bible scripture, copper and silver crosses and the door labelled with a phrase." She explained, "Mr Whitemore, for the court. What is that phrase?"

"The Christ Closet," he answered,

"And pray tell Miss Watts, what would happen in the Christ Closet?"

"Mr Whitemore would push me inside, lock the door from the outside. He would do so whenever he told me I was being sinful, he'd leave me for hours, days even, without food, water ... the bathroom,"

"what was the longest time you remember being locked in there Violet?"

"... the longest, without water was three days, the longest with him giving me water three weeks."

I squeezed Y/n's hand almost to the point of hurting her but she did the same her nails digging into my hand as we listened... to our little girl, our sweet baby girl, explain what that man did to her. He is so lucky. so very very lucky. cause the first chance I get that man alone... he's dead.

"In total, you were his prisoner for two years?"

"Yes, Two years," she nodded, "But... it felt like so much longer,"

"Exhibit D, The basement of Whitemore Corner store,"

The picture came up, the walls a grey brick, lined with shelves of merchandise, a mattress on the floor with a TV, blanket, a radiator and a bucket,

"The basement was full of items for his business, Miss Watts was chained to the radiator for days at a time with no access to water, no access to the toilet, the only light that of a 1967 17-inch Zenith TV." Miss Peters explained, "And what was plaid on this TV Miss Watts?"

"It didn't get a signal, so the TV had an old 70's VCR. The tape he plaid was for a large-scale mass church service, the tape would play day in and day out the only break when it would reach its end and the machine would rewind it and start again."

"That sounds hellish... but that's not even the begining of what was done to you Miss Watts, if you have the strength. I'd like for you to tell the court sparing no details. What happened to you while under Mr Whitemore's abduction."

Violet sighed gathering her courage,

I did my best to prepare myself. I knew what had happened to her but I had never pushed to know the gory details. I wasn't sure I could handle it, but I needed to know, I wanted to know. So I can go to him with the knowledge of everything he's done and punish him accordingly,

"Mr Whitemore... is a horrible man. He's a monster. he took me and hid me away from my family, no matter how much I begged him to let me go home, or even just to call my parents to tell them I was alive. I offered him to ransom me back to my family but he said the money was not his gain. He was going to keep me until I was better or so he said. When I behaved I was his 'good girl' a term that still makes me shiver even now, when I was less behaved he called me... a monster, a demon, a creature of sin, dike and other such things. He made me wear a dress for a little school girl, He would make me work unpacking boxes for hours, he would starve me until I begged him for food, and if I stole food he would strike me with an old copper pipe, he would take a spray bottle and fill it with ice cold water to spray at me like a cat, he would isolate me never letting me see the sun, speak to anyone but him, and playing that horrible tape over and over so I lost all track of time." She explained, "But the worst of it... was his 'Conversion Therapies', he said I was a monster for being gay, said I was broken, sinful, filled with demons and hellish ideas, that I had been possessed and corrupted by satan."

"What were these therapies, Violet?"

"He would lock me to the radiator and force me to watch adult tapes. Made me watch porn only heterosexual porn, hit me or spray me with water if I looked away so I had no choice but to watch them, he'd make me say how much I liked them even if I lied. If he suspected I was lying he'd... put his hand up my dress and check if I was aroused. When he played these tapes he'd sit and he'd touch me with his hands, 'Arousal therapy' he called it, trying to force me to be aroused whenever I watched them. He'd touch me other times, at night or when I was working trying to make me attracted to him, and aroused to his touch, like I was supposed to be he said. He'd chain me to the bed and have his way with me forcing me to tell him I enjoyed it. He was trying to change me, he said if I gave up my hellish ways' he'd let me go. I tried to lie but... he never believed me." She wiped her tears,

"As I said at the start of the trial, I need not prove his guilt merely to let you see the monster this man is."

So did many others in the courtroom including the judge and Y/n but I didn't cry I wanted to, but I was so full of rage.

"Thank you, Miss Watts, I think we have all heard enough. I shall adjourn court for a five-minute break, I think all of us need a moment to breathe and collect ourselves." The judge explained,

Everyone slowly filled into the lobby, Us included taking the time for the bathroom, getting some water, and changing Sterling. When she came back from drying her eyes I wrapped my arms around Violet so tight I may have been crushing her, Y/n cuddled her too even little baby Sterling laying his head on her.

"You are... the bravest girl in this world, do you know that?" I told her, "You didn't have to do this, you could have sat at home and just sent your statement but you did it. We are so proud of you." I told her,

"We really are Violet," Y/n reassured,

"Thanks, Mom, Thanks Dad," She nodded,

"Hey," I smiled, "Anything you want for dinner, you pick the place we're going." I told her kissing her forehead, "And ice cream after."

"soft serve?" she asked,

"Nope, scoops. And you can pick as many flavours as you want." I smiled, "You ready to go back in?"

"Yeah I'll go grab our seats," She nodded heading back inside,

I sighed, "I am gonna-"

"I know." Y/n smiled kissing my cheek, "He's very lucky he hasn't gotten a high heel to the cranium."

"Or a knife to the cock. Good, we're on the same page,"

"Umm," She nodded, "Daddy?" She giggled holding Sterling up to get a cuddle from me too,

"Aww, hi little boy," I cooed kissing him,

"Daddy, can I and Mommy get ice cream too? Of unlimited scoops?"

"... I'll think about it," I smirked kissing her as I took Sterling, "Come on let's get back and get this over with. I wanna watch him burn."

We headed back in and took our seats again now it was his turn to sit in the box and answer his memories of things,

"The Police came to check your store, Mr Whitemore, due to reports of fake tobacco products," Miss Peters asked him,

"Yes, a routine check. Not my issue. The supplier." he nodded,

"And yet then doing this inspection they found Miss Watts?"

"They did yes,"

"So you admit you hit her, and dragged her to your basement, and you admit they found her in your basement two years later? Sounds like kidnapping and forced entrapment to me, Mr Whitemore."

"I never denied that,"

"You don't deny you held Miss Watts against her will?" The judge asked,

"No, I do not Your Honour,"

"Then how can you claim not to be guilty? You kidnapped a minor and held her against her will in your basement for two years even if you say you did not harm her, that is still kidnapping Mr Whitemore." The Judge explained,

"I did what I had to do."

"Care to explain yourself, Mr Whitemore?" Miss Peters asked, "Explain why you feel you are not guilty,"

"They must be made to listen..." He said, "That is the good word the lord passed to me when I was but a boy, I am one of those sweet sheep with a mind clear enough to listen to all the love and all the words he sends to us, the good lord told me that they must be made to listen to all those who harbour a demon, all those whom sin and think vile thoughts, all of them must be made to listen to the word of god. To see the light, see the error of their ways, and be brought back to the kingdom of heaven. And that fine day... The good lord sent me a message that this sinner must be made to see the light. She must be made to understand her sinfulness. She was only a child, still as innocent as the mother Mary, but she was still able to be saved. So Our father told me, he spoke to me and told me I should be the one to cure her."

"You claim Mr Whitemore, that god spoke to you and told you to Kidnap Miss Watts to cure her homosexuality?"

"Yes, he did."

"You don't deny this?"

"I do not."

"You don't deny that you kidnapped her?"

"No."

"That you abused her?"

"No."

"That you raped her!"

"No."

"For what reason Mr Whitemore!"

"Because she is a monster! All of them are monsters! And you are all monsters for allowing it! Everything I did I did in the name of god! And I would do all of it again if it would mean one less of these demons on our streets! I did for the lord so there are no rules that need apply to him,"

"But you Mr Whitemore are under the rules and laws of our country and of human decency!"

"I am doing God's will!" He shouted, "I take my words from god as there is no higher authority!" He yelled getting to his feet,

"Sit down Mr Whitemore!" The Judge demanded,

"Even if you punish me for following his word, he will reward me for what I have done!"

The officers forced him down again,

"I have heard enough. We will return when a decision is made,"

As they forcibly dragged him away, he continued to shout in protest. The judge and jury solemnly exited the room, leaving us waiting anxiously for what felt like an eternity, uncertain of the outcome. I held Violet close, feeling a mix of emotions as I pondered what fate awaited him. The weight of the situation left me torn, as none of the possible outcomes seemed adequate.

Let him go? Never.

Lock him up? He'd still eat, talk to people, and maybe get TV. too good for him.

Injection? To quick, he should suffer for what he's done to her.

I wanted to watch him die, horribly, slowly, and painfully. I wanted to beat him senselessly, torture him, burn him alive, take him off just before he died, half drown him, waterboard him, and bury him alive. Even that didn't seem enough.

But finally, they returned, they brought him back in and made him stand as the judge explained his fate.

"Jacob Abraham Whitemore, You stand here on this the 20th of May 1987 inside Brooklynn East Court House. Accused of Kidnapping, Rape of a Minor, Abuse of a Minor, Sexual Abuse of a Minor and other offences. In not denying your crimes you have saved this court time and money, however, your non-guilty plea has wasted time, and emotional distress for your victim, her family and everyone here today. The jury and myself have deliberated over your fate and the decision has been made." He said, "The crimes you have committed are horrific, the fact you feel your god had ordered you to do such acts to your fellow human being and that you hide behind the umbrella of your religion is shameful, despicable, and insulting as a Christian. You are to be sent to Bakersfield Maximum Security Prison where you will be incarcerated in a solitary cell, but this will only be temporary, While you await your execution but electrocution." He said, "You are officially sentenced to death by electrocution."

The sound of the bang echoed out across the courtroom,

"God will forgive me for this! he will reward me!" He swore and screamed as he was dragged away but I didn't listen I just held Sterling, and Y/n in my arms so thankful that this would be over. I looked at Violet and saw her reaction, strangely she didn't have one.

"Are you okay sweetheart?"

"Yeah." She nodded a tear slipping from her lips, "I'm so happy," she nodded hugging us tightly "I love you guys so much,"

"We love you too, we both do," I reassured her,

"Come on, let's all get out of here," Y/n smiled putting Sterling in his pram and holding Violet's hand as they headed out, "Any thoughts where you wanna go for dinner sweetheart?"

"Mr Watts?" The judge said as he came up to our seats,

"Oh uhh Hi," I smiled, "Thank you, I can't even begin to explain how happy she is, and we are."

"I'm glad, but I wanted to speak with you." He said, "I always do a bit of digging into cases before the day, and I must say you and your wife... it very rare a couple will fight for their child's search as long as you did, kept their toes to the fire I must say."

"We always knew we'd find her. We never lost hope for our little girl to come home."

"That's commendable," He nodded, "Most marriages don't survive a child going missing either,"

"... I admit, things were hard between us for a while," I said looking back to Y/n as she cradled Sterling and chatted with Violet as they waited for me, "She shut down when we lost her, for a while I didn't know if I'd ever get the woman I married back. I almost lost her more than once... But truly there is nothing I wouldn't do for those girls." I smiled,

"I wish you only the best Mr Watts, you and your family."

"Thank you, judge," I nodded,

He offered his hand so I shook it before I turned heading out to meet with the girls,

"Hey, we decided?" I smiled taking Sterling and giving him a little cuddle,

"Yeah, Pizza Hut." Violet nodded,

"Pizza Hut?" I chuckled, "Alright if that's what you want, unlimited breadsticks, pizza and we'll get ice cream on the way home."

Everyone agreed so we headed out the court, putting this whole mess behind us focusing on the only thing that matters. Our family.

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asavt · 3 years

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I wanna share more of the squad™ (Madeleine-Espresso-Latte-Almond-Roguefort with the addition of Creampuff and Walnut too) headcanons because.

-First of all, I gotta say that when I draw them I'll most likely start my music play with either "What's going on?" or "Life goes on" both from the P5 ost, idk, settles a good mood for them. (like right now, as I write this the latter is playing)

-As said before, none of Madeleine, Espresso nor Almond (nor the girls) know that Roguefort is Phantom Bleu, Madeleine and Espresso both see something suspicious about them, and Almond and Walnut, with who Roguefort spends the most time with, might or might not have seen a few similarities between the two, but the idea has never crossed their minds.

The only one that knows, as also said before, is Latte. Although she was a little wary of it at the beginning, is this what made her and Rogue good friends, she is the only one that knows (for now) after all. Roguefort is someone that can trusted it seems.

-As an addition to that, is not uncommon for Roguefort to come into Latte's atelier as Phantom bleu at night if they see she is still awake (is weird to happen, but sometimes it does). In those nights those two just talk, Latte asking about how the place where they all live in is like at night. And sometimes Roguefort might use their shapeshifting abilities to try and copy their friends and do bad impressions of them, both them and Latte laughing a lot afterwards.

-I do headcanon Walnut and Creampuff to be really good friends. For some reason the idea of Walnut asking Creampuff to be her crime-solving-partner when they grow up is cute to me...

-They all share a collective braincell, is Espresso, but it doesn't always works at it's fullest so they are all still idiots.

-Going back to Latte and Roguefort because their friendship is something I love. Latte once, early on when she had just found out about the secret, if they were keeping up an act to take advantage of the other. This Roguefort answered that ''that wouldn't be a fair game now, would it?''. Whatever Roguefort finds about the others that can be deemed as a weakness they don't use it against the others (useless is some kind of urgent scenario where they need one of the others to do something, but they try to avoid that at best). This is what proved to Latte that they can be trusted, as they also shapeshift into any of the others way less (especially espresso, they know they would be killed on sight if they do).

-More with Latte, from what it says in the game I think she helped Espresso in the development of coffee magic, so both have known each other for a long time. People often confuse them as siblings, truth is, they are not, they just act that way. Espresso may say that Latte is a bother, but he really appreciates his friendship with her, as well as he thinks of her as a great mage too.

-Espresso got to meet Creampuff in one of the meetings, before him and Madeleine started to date and before the group got to meet Roguefort. She seemed a little intimidated by him at the beginning, and Espresso had thought some of her movements at the moment to cast spells a bit clumsy, but he still saw some promising future in the young mage. Creampuff eventually started to stop begin intimidated by the coffee mage, she respects him greatly, and she warmed up a bit more after Madeleine was brought one afternoon when she was visiting Latte and Espresso and Madeleine came by.

-Madeleine tends to shower the young girls with gifts when he can (either small things like candy, something one or both of them might have said they wanted, or just take them to a shopping trip). Well, he tends to give gifts to every single one of the group if he has the chance (which is pretty often tbh). Each one of them must have at last ten gifts from him, if not more.

-The group was pretty surprised when once Almond brought with him not only Walnut, who wanted to meet with Creampuff in the atelier to then go walk around, but also Roguefort. It was a few weeks after a pretty bad night after work, the detective had been close to collapsing on the ground on his way home when Roguefort, who had been off work, saw him, approached and offered help, something the detective first rejected but had to accept as he almost tripped and fell face first. The thief was well aware of how tired Almond was half the time he saw him (it wasn't as much as they saw Walnut in the middle of a chase of crime scene, they mostly had seen him when they weren't dressing up in their cape and top hat), and they were also well aware of the danger it was to engage with the detective when in their normal self, but begin honest they were worried of Almond's well begin. The two of them started to see each other more after that small encounter, mostly because Roguefort decided to stop avoiding Almond when they were off work.

-Once, Almond arrived really really late at the meeting, Roguefort behind him saying "he got caught up in various cases today", and the detective looked absolutely exhausted. Just as he sat down his cellphone started to sound with an entering call. Roguefort frowned, Latte sighed, Espresso and Madeleine exchanged looks and just as Almond was about to answer Madeleine snatched his phone and answered the call with "Hello, this is Sir Madeleine Cookie of house Madeleine, Detective Almond was requested to help both me and the renowned coffee mage Espresso Cookie with an issue we have at the borders of the city, so, may I ask for you to not call useless there's a problem as big as a dragon attacking the place, thank you and good evening" and hung. Latte and Roguefort were laughing hard, Espresso was chuckling and Almond was looking at Madeleine in complete disbelief.

"You did not just did that"

"I did, and hey, I got you a day off, enjoy it"

#headcanon time baby!#cookie run #cookie run ovenbreak #cookie run kingdom #Roguefort cookie #Latte cookie #Almond cookie #Espresso cookie #Madeleine cookie #Creampuff cookie #Walnut cookie #Espresseleine #Madelespresso #The cookie squad #^that is the tag now #madespresso

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callunavulgari · 3 years

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TOP 25 FICS OF 2021

1. Like Wildfire by makemadej | Buzzfeed Unsolved | Ryan Bergara/Shane Madej | 20k

“Is this gonna be a thing with you?” Ryan demands. “You can’t keep committing to stuff that no one else knows about! When people online say they want you to be more open and vulnerable, this is not what they mean.”

Heather Says: This was not the first fic that I read of 2021, but it IS the one that stuck with me the most out of the January lineup (which unfortunately usually gets glossed over). It's got all of my favorite tropes. Fake relationships, serious pining, and *squints* belly kink? Huh. Either way. Fantastic fic, great writing and characterization. 10 out of 10, champ.

2. μήτηρ, in the Greek by @kaikamahine | Hades | Nyx & Persephone | 37k

She went first to the hives of Silence and requested from them their beeswax. Then she found where the clay men had hidden their newfound fire, and took from their hearth the smallest burning scrap, which she used to light a wick. As the wax melted down it, its layers dripped and hardened upon themselves, and when it lengthened into a shape she could carry in her arms, she the Night bent her head and kissed life into it. This became the infant she called Charon, half-melted and smoking Promethean fire with every breath.

At the end of this recounting, she tilted her head and asked politely, Is this not how you have children?

Heather Says: Bear with me as I make tiny, squeaky noises of exquisite pleasure in your general direction, because goddamn, do I always love @kaikamahine's fics. I played Hades back in January and this fic was just one beautiful meandering walk through everything that I loved about the game itself, but so much MORE because Elizabeth always delivers on every front. The prose is lovely, but it's the relationship between Nyx and Persephone that keeps you rooted.

3. backdraft by broments | Promare | Lio Fotia/Galo Thymos | 32k

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Heather Says: Promare was a thing that happened to me and it lit a fire under my ribs that I hadn't felt in months. I had the good fortune of discovering it just as I was getting over my covid longhauler symptoms and I honestly think that it was the first spark of joy I'd had since September of 2020. This fic is a delightful coda to the movie itself, expanding on the world of Promare and, of course, Lio and Galo's relationship in the aftermath.

4. Hungry Thirsty Roots by coolkidroland | Persona 5 | Akechi Goro/Kurusu Akira | 56k

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Heather Says: Possibly cheating a bit because this is a series of three fics, but you know, I'm going to let it slide because they're all bangers. I spent a huge portion of 2021 trying to slog my way through P5 Royal and have been flirting with this pairing every time it comes back onto my radar. I just... really love that dynamic.

5. breaking the same old heart by tardigradeschool | The Adventure Zone | Taako/Magnus Burnsides | 11k

Taako and Magnus in triptych: before, during, and after the Bureau.

Heather Says: Another thing that I discovered in early 2021 as I was slowly breathing myself back to life: The Adventure Zone. And yes, I am well aware that I'm late to the party. I went looking for fic after I finished it, because I basically fell in love with this rare pair the moment Taako dove after Magnus's soul, and ended up finding this gem. Absolutely glorious. Perfection.

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Wei Ying lets the oars rest and leans back, tilting his head to look at Lan Wangji. “Did you find what you’re looking for? On the docks today?”

Heather Says: Lan Wangji as a selkie. Pining! Hurt/Comfort! Selkies!!!!

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“Have you ever heard of a mind meld?” Wangji keeps his voice as level as possible, as if he is not revealing foremost Vulcan secrets.

Heather Says: This is also technically cheating, because it is a series of three fics, as well. My favorite part is the third one, but it all deserves to be read. Star Trek fusion of the Untamed, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite things. And yes, this is the third of tardigradeschool's fics in one fell swoop.

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“Padawan Kenobi,” Yoda says, after a moment. “Complete your training, Master Skywalker will.”

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9. Christ in Repose by @andthepeople | The Mandalorian | Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin | 19k

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10. hear the monsters calling home by sundiscus | The Untamed | Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian | 8k

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Heather Says: I used to hate A/B/O fic, but over the last few years, I've developed a surprising weak spot for them. I think that's largely because so much of it in the early days was focused on the original aspects of the trope: very alpha vs omega. Lots of posturing and slightly uncomfortable vibes, but so much of the new stuff has done a great job of exploring the aspects - both traditional and not. This fic does a really great job of exploring that. It... also helps that this is lovers to enemies to lovers and I am SO weak for that. Always.

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Save the Belmonts, save the world.

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17. the red dark shifting by typefortydeductions | The Untamed | Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian | 15k

In the aftermath of the disastrous events on Tarsus IV, Wei Ying is rescued by none other than Lan Zhan, his former Vulcan best friend and now Starfleet Captain.

Heather Says: Another Untamed/Star Trek fusion! This one is a bit darker than the first one, but in a way that works perfectly for the characters. Tarsus fic always has teeth, and this one's is very good at cutting you. There is definite angst, hurt/comfort, ptsd, and an ambiguous ending, but one where it's very easy to imagine everything ending up all right.

18. raw silk and uncut wood by hisevilforest | The Untamed | Xue Yang/Song Lan/Xiao Xingchen | 55k

Xue Yang depends on the yin iron. When Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen take it from him, they'll have to deal with the consequences.

Heather Says: I'm a fan of the fuck or die trope, especially if it's handled particularly well. When I first heard about the SXX exchange this year, I went through and acquainted myself with all the material that came out last year. This one was my favorite of the bunch and contained a host of kinks that I am very, very fond of. Incidentally, this is also the fic that made me realize I really like it when Xue Yang cries during sex.

19. New and Used Boos by beethechange | Buzzfeed Unsolved | Ryan Bergara/Shane Madej | 36k

The guy’s teeth are large and even and starkly white—not Midwest white—and it’s then, at last, that Shane realizes who he’s talking to. Because that’s a distinctive smile. A famous smile. It’s Ryan Bergara.

Heather Says: I stayed up until stupid o'clock in the morning reading this the night it came out, and I don't even LIKE Notting Hill. But I do trust beethechange when it comes to fic, and god, this one was one of my favorites. The banter was spot on and I ended up laughing out loud during multiple parts of the fic. This fic warmed my heart like no other.

20. living in my memory/living in my mouth by tardigradeschool | The Untamed | Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian | 32k

Wei Wuxian dies at twenty-two and doesn’t come back. Lan Wangji dies in an “unfortunate accident” in a temple in Yunping at thirty-seven. The world moves on. Thousands of years later, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan have a senior thesis in cultivation to co-write on the Yiling Patriarch. It doesn’t go exactly how they were expecting.

Heather Says: This is somehow the FOURTH tardigradeschool fic that has made it to this list this year. They are all wonderful. This one explores reincarnation in a modern with magic au.

21. Existence is Chaos by blacktofade | Loki | Loki/Mobius | 10k

There's a recorded memory of them having sex, but Mobius refuses to admit that he and Loki have a sex tape. AKA the one where Mobius and Loki are destined to hook up.

Heather Says: I was SO delighted when blacktofade published this, because I've always loved their fic and Loki was the newest, shiniest fandom of the season. It did not disappoint.

22. No night as deep as my night. by orange_crushed | The Untamed | Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian | 17k

“Wei Ying,” he says. “Come in.”

Heather Says: I really adore fic that really leans into just how pants-wettingly terrifying Wei Ying really was at the height of his power as the Yiling Patriarch. This one is exquisite. Just the right amount of darkness.

23. out to get you (to get you) by iliacquer | The Untamed | Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian | 41k

In order to kill the Demon of Yiling, assassin Lan Wangji pretends to be courtesan. Falling in love with Wei Wuxian is an unfortunate complication.

Heather Says: Assassin Lan Wangji. Courtesan Lan Wangji. Delightfully complicated Lan Wangji. Canon divergent AUs are really great, and this one twists canon HARD in the best possible way to get this glorious outcome.

24. The Compact by @astolat | Harry Potter | Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter(/Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley) | 64k

Hermione frowned. “The real question is why the magic of Britain would be failing now, in fact.”

Heather Says: On November 25th, @astolat published 64k of Drarry fic that also just so happened to heavily delve into Arthurian elements, the world building of Harry Potter itself, and the utter galaxy brain idea of Draco Malfoy becoming High King of Britain. I... stayed up very, very late.

25. All Old Things are New Again by The Feels Whale | The Untamed | Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian | 51k

Full-time necromancer and part-time cam boy, Wei Wuxian, finds himself unexpectedly homeless. An enthusiastic patron comes to his rescue. Conversely: Immortal Cultivator Lan Wangji has been waiting a long time for his deceased husband to be reincarnated again. In retrospect, he should have anticipated that this is how it would go.

Heather Says: I stayed up until 2 in the morning last night reading this. I am... very tired, but very content.

32 notes · View notes

sashi-ya · 3 years

Text

{+18} – Cherry Blossom & Tangerines – Trafalgar Law x Y/n – Part 5

Modern AU. Trip to Jeju Island, SK. No spoilers.

Female reader. No physical descriptions. Everybody is +18, canon ages. Chopper is human.

Tw: NSFW, blindfolding, soft sub/dom, unprotected sex (this is just fiction, pls wear protection). Fluff. A little bit of ZoSan

A/N: I haven’t had the chance to visit South Korea due to Covid, so everything included is pure research. Excuse me in advance if there is something that’s not 100% accurate! Keep in mind is purely inspired ♥

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/31059467

Word Count: 4.5 K

» List of parts: {P1} {P2} {P3} {P4} {P5} {P6}«

Chapter 5

“Y/n it's our turn, let’s sing!!” Vivi told me, while pulling me from my arm. “Vivi, wait”, I said. I kept watching how Law was still hugging the girl. “What is it?... Oi!”, Nami said, also witnessing the scene.

“Don’t go, just… wait”, I begged my redhead friend who was ready to kill him. I saw how the mysterious woman and Law laughed together. Zoro didn’t even care, he was more drunk than anything else.

The girl was ruffling his hair, pinching his cheeks. Law didn’t even look at me. I didn’t know if he was just simply so amused about the girl that he simply forgot about me, or, he was doing this on purpose, knowing that I’ll be watching, maybe to let me know he wasn’t going to commit to me in any way.

“That’s it. I’m leaving”, I stated. Vivi, Robin and Nami insisted on me shouting at Torao, but I couldn’t. I was so hurt, and, besides that, I wasn’t even his girlfriend, so I had no right to reproach anything to him.

The girls came with me, and we drove home. The boys didn’t realize we had left until long after we weren’t at the karaoke bar, when Sanji texted Nami asking what the hell had just happened. “Sanji, you should ask your stupid ass friend Torao, what the hell is he doing with a bitch?, plus, go get your boyfriend too, she is right next to him”, Nami said via audio.

Sanji sent an audio back, “Nami-swan! Zoro is not my boyfriend… wait, you were talking about him, right?, whatever, Torao is still with her, I’m gonna see who the hell is she and kick the hell out of stupid Law for hurting Y/n-chwan”.

I drove as fast as I could, at that point I only wanted to bury myself in bed and cry my eyes out. I was silent all the way. My friends knew there was no point in saying anything else, so they just strung along with me.

We got home, and Robin offered me some tea, yet, I politely turned the offering down and headed almost running to my bed. I covered myself up to my face, and pitiful tears sprouted from my eyes.

I heard my cell phone ring several times, I knew it was probably my friends asking if I was all right. But I didn’t have the strength to even see the screen.

“Why did you choose to hurt me like this, Law?” ... I whispered to myself, unable to understand why I was in that position, why after all the romantic stuff he has done for me he didn’t even care I was there…

I reached my phone and simply turned it off, I was fed up with it ringing. Some minutes, perhaps half an hour passed until I fell asleep, crying.

Suddenly, Nami’s loud screams woke me up. “TORAO, WHAT THE FUCK? WHY ARE YOU BRINGING THIS SLUT HOME?”.

I didn’t hear Law’s voice, but I did hear someone climbing the stairs, quickly, almost running.

The door opened suddenly with a loud sound, like someone kicking on it. I was still in bed, and the bang of the door made me take an upright position instantly.

There he was, the villain of my story with tears on his eyes, hopeless, shaking. “Y/n-ya!!! it’s not what you think, let me explain…” “STOP, what type of lie are you going to spit out from your stupid mouth?, plus, what the hell? I heard Nami saying you brought that girl home. Have you been drinking? Are you drunk? what the fuck?” I shouted at him, also crying.

Suddenly, before Law could say anything else, I saw a brunette, tanned, tall girl, with big eyes that resemble Law’s ones. She looked at me, smiling and peacefully said, “Hello Y/n, my name is Lami. Trafalgar, Lami”.

I opened my eyes, and mouth… “Trafalgar?”.

“That’s right! I’m Law 's sister! Nice to meet you! I’m sorry if you got things wrong!” she said to my stunned me. “Oi, brother, she is so pretty!! Even more than in the pictures!”.

“Oh God…”. I was somehow relieved that Law wasn’t flirting with a girl, yet mortified because not only me, but all my friends had called Law’s sister a slut… a bitch.

“I am… I am really sorry… And, uhm, N-nice to meet you…”, I said, wiping the tears on my eyes. “It’s ok, darling! I’m leaving you alone so you can talk in peace, I’ll be downstairs!”. “O-ok”, I said sniffing.

Law slowly approached to the left side of my bed and sat there, next to me, in silence. I wasn’t capable of saying anything to him, either. I had put up a show, he probably thought I was a toxic girl, jealous or even worse things. I had mistrusted him. It was probably the end of something that hadn’t even started.

Suddenly, Law hurled himself on me, hugged me and nuzzled on my lap. “I thought you wouldn’t believe me, I’m sorry, I really do. Lami lives in Jeju and I wanted her to meet you because she is not traveling to Seoul any sooner, we just decided that we will be meeting at the bar so… so you could get to know her”. He said, still with his head buried onto my legs.

“Law…”, I began to cry again. I petted his hair and told him “I am the one who should be sorry. I- I thought you were a bad guy, a typical man that doesn’t care about the girls. I am sorry…”. I felt horrible.

I could hear downstairs my friends laughing, Sanji and Zoro fighting, Luffy shouting. Luckily everybody would make Lami feel comfortable, after all. Law was still sobbing over my lap.

After several minutes I decided to speak up. “Law, stop, you are not the one who should be crying asking me for forgiveness. You did nothing wrong. I was completely mistaken. I hope you will be able to forgive me someday”, I said, gaining composure in order to make things clear.

He sat back, looked at me with teary eyes and asked, “someday? There is nothing to forgive. I want to be with you, I … L…”

“Oi, you two, stop crying, Lami is leaving”, said Nami leaning on the door frame, smiling at us. As she left, and Law wiped the tears off my cheeks, we stood up from bed. I was still dressed so we headed downstairs right away.

“Sis, let’s go, I don’t quite remember how to get your home from here, so you tell me”, said Law. Lami looked at him with loving eyes, and said, “My big brother is always taking care of me, I missed you doc”. Law’s cheeks became red, and he hid under the white with black spots cap he was wearing.

Lami said goodbye to everybody, except me, “she probably hates me”, I thought.

I was going to wish her a good night, when Lami held my hand and pulled from me. “Let’s go sister-in-law, come with us!”. I followed them into the car unsure if Law wanted me there, because he was still embarrassed as hell.

I let Law’s sister sit on the passenger seat, and I sat on the back seat behind Lami. A few seconds after Law started the car Lami said, “Oi, Y/n! did you know that Law has never ever introduced a girlfriend to the family before?”. I choked a little when I heard her say “girlfriend”, and simply chuckled. Law told her to stop, but Lami continued telling me how “emo” he was when he was an adolescent, making fun of his sibling.

We finally arrived at Lami's house. It was a traditional Jeju stone house, with big windows and a typical korean roof construction. On the entrance was a tall guy wearing a cap with “PENGUIN” written on it, waving at us. Law parked the car next to a black Hyundai Ioniq.

“Oi!! brother-in-law!!! How are you? It’s been a year my dear friend!” the guy at the door told Law. We descended the car, and the guy hugged Law in a way “man” do. Lami introduced me to the man, he was his boyfriend, and they had been living together for a few years, and apparently before dating Lami, Penguin knew Law since they were little.

We went inside, and had coffee while chatting about everything. I didn’t feel uncomfortable at any moment, Lami and Penguin were really warm people.

Law’s sister and I headed to the kitchen. It was a perfect opportunity to ask her about their parents so I thought of the best way to bring up the subject. I didn’t need to, because it was the first thing that Lami mentioned.

“Y/n, I’m sure my cold brother didn’t tell you anything about our parents… right?”, she said. I was helping her putting some mochi onto a plate, so I looked at her and said “Not really… At first I thought Rosinante was his father, but then I realized that his surname was Trafalgar, not Donquixote”.

“That’s right, Rosinante is something like Law’s dad. When my brother was 10 years old, my parents passed away in a car accident. They were both doctors, the best ones of this city. Law looks exactly like my dad when he was younger…”, she stopped for a little, and continued, “We stayed with our grandparents at the moment. After two years, Law became really ill and had to be taken to Seoul for some doctors to cure him. Luckily, Rosinante was a volunteer at the children’s hospital where Law was being treated. After six months of intense treatment, he recovered and forged a friendship with “Corasan” who took care of him… Oh sorry, I meant, Rosinante. Corasan it’s just a nickname Law gave him during… the chemotherapy...”, she concluded.

“Oh… poor baby…I’m sorry for your loss too, Lami” I said, feeling a lump in my throat. “Don’t worry, we are all right now, time has passed”, she said, grabbing my hand softly and smiling. She continued, “but let me tell you something, I’ve never seen Law with that type of twinkle in his eyes in the 24 years I’ve known him. He loves you; I can sense that. Plus, when you left the bar earlier, he became so desperate, he was truly worried about losing you”.

I blushed instantly, yet, I was so happy of hearing how he probably loves me that I giggled. And Lami, too.

From the living room we heard Law calling me, “Bab… Y/n-ya, let’s go home it is pretty late”. “Ah… my sweet loving brother and his ways…”, Lami said with a sarcastic tone, rolling back eyes. We both laughed and headed where the boys were.

“Oi Penguin, do you have a bottle of cold water? I tend to get thirsty when I drive”, Law asked Penguin and looked at me with some sort of look I can only label as… horny?. “Right, bro, let me get you one”, said the cool cap guy and headed to the kitchen. “He gets thirsty?” I said to myself a little confused, but dismissed the thought as my attention went to Lami who was showing me a photo of his brother when he was a little baby.

The happy couple invited us to the lantern festival that was taking place the next night at the historical center of the city. They told us to bring all of our friends too. We were excited about it, so we accepted the invitation and left the house.

During the ride along a road by the sea, Law asked me, “Babe, can you please turn the GPS on?, I don’t really know where I am going…”. I searched for my phone in my pockets, but realized I’ve left it at home. “I didn’t bring my phone… give me yours”, I told him. He grabbed his from the black jeans pocket and gave it to me. “Law, your phone is dead…”, I said, trying to turn it on.

“Yeah, my battery died after calling you twenty times when you left the bar…”, he said, kinda joking. “Oh…”, I gasped, and continued, “Well, let me enter the address on the car sat nav”.

I approached my hand to the little screen when Law stopped my hand and smirked. “It would be a shame if the computer wouldn’t work and we ended up lost…”.

“You clearly had this planned, right?” I said arching a brow. “Me, planning things? that’s not something I usually do…”, he said in a sarcastic way, but with a sexy tone that made me somehow fidget on my seat.

I came closer to his face and almost talking next to his ear I said, “Let’s get lost”. Law licked his lips, placed his right hand over my lap and said “Heh, sure… I can’t resist myself anymore”.

He suddenly turned the wheel and took a little road that took us to the beach. Finally, my lover parked the car, luckily it was a deserted zone, a cliff area, and there weren’t any houses or places nearer.

The beach ahead of us was lightened by an intense moonshine, the sea was choppy so the waves hit hard on the cliffs.

Law threw his seat back and patted his lap, “Strip for me, and come here, baby”. “Ah, so we are fucking on the car, nice…” I thought and began to take my clothes off.

“Don’t take that off, yet. You know that little bandanna you have on your head could help us…”, he said to me after I jumped over his lap. I felt a rock hard bulge under my core, he was already so ablaze for me.

He then untied the cloth that was holding my hair, smirked at me, and said “may I?” while covering my eyes with it.

“Lay you back on the steering wheel, baby girl”, he ordered me. I remember instantly how he likes to dominate me, so I followed his order to a “Yes, sir”.

His fingers ran from my mouth to my neck. He kept lowering them softly caressing my flesh. I could barely feel the touch of his fingers over my skin. He wasn’t talking, and I was unaware of what was coming next, I was blindfolded, but surrendered completely to this man.

All of a sudden I felt a cold sensation over one of my nipples, “Uhg…” I moaned, throwing my head back. Then the chilly stinging feeling moved to my other nipple. God, what is that?... and suddenly remember Law asking Penguin the cold water bottle. “Damn you, Law”, I said to myself but only being able to verbalize moans and grunts.

He began to trail an icy path from my breasts to my lower stomach. My heated skin mixed with the cold water that began to melt over my flesh, felt like a sweet torture.

“Your hot body is making the icy water melt and wet my jeans… or is it perhaps your own arousal for your Master, baby girl?”, he said to me, while running a thumb over my clit.

He then penetrated me with two fingers as he only knew how to, took them off and asked me to open my mouth. “Taste yourself, baby girl”, he commanded me, and I opened my mouth and sucked.

I heard - and felt- how he unzipped his jeans, and slowly took his member out. I could feel how he began to softly hit his manhood over my sex. He was playing with it, but my body couldn’t wait for it to be inside of me.

“Is it getting hot in here, huh?” he said and unbuttoned his black shirt. I knew it because he then grabbed my hands making me caress his skin. My hands wandered along his chest, but my mind was only focusing on how much I wanted to be penetrated by this man.

I was drowning in lust, I needed him to do something, but he didn’t. “Law… Sir… What are you doing?... fuck me, I want you to fuck me…”. He laughed, and violently but gently enough he pinched and twisted one of my erect nipples. A strike of intense pleasure hit my center, and it was so unexpected that I only purred at it.

He then ran his inked fingers through my hair and pulled me closer to his face, this time he wasn’t being gentle, he was being rough… and I loved it. “What do you think you are doing? I am the one who gives you orders in here, are we clear?” he said, whispering with a grunt in my ear.

“Y-yes sir, I- am sorry…”, I said, stuttering. “Good”, he said and kissed me. We made out, hard, feverishly. I could feel over my entrance how his sex became even harder.

He suddenly put his hands on each side of my waist and lifted me up a little bit, so I could place my knees on each side of the seat. He used his right hand to guide his pennis inside of me. It was just the tip of it, he was enjoying how I was probably miming the words “fuck me” repeatedly. After a few seconds of torture, he grabbing me again from my waist, pushed me down against his lap. “Ugh..” I said, opening my mouth, throwing my back to the steering wheel, so hard that I made the car horn sound.

I wanted to be penetrated, and he did it so roughly, yet so pleasantly.

I began to ride him, back, forward, up, down, tracing circles with my pelvis. My left knee hit the emergency brake handle, it hurt but I didn’t care. I placed my hands over his strong abs, letting all of my senses focus on the pleasure, imagining the expression he had on his face when I heard him groan.

Law pulled my hair and threw my neck back, again making me hit my back on the wheel, and used his hips to bang me, hard, burying himself into me. Every thrust made my body react with little spams; I was being sent to heaven.

Law untied the bandanna that was covering my eyes, and said in between the thrusts and an agitated voice, “I want to see your precious face when I make you cum”. My eyes slowly returned to its functions, admiring the sweaty thorax of Law, the way his stomach would go up and down picturing his rapid breathing. His face showed a red glowing, he was more than aroused. I was too, and as I reached for climax, placing my right hand over the steamy glass of the car window, Law did too with a hard “Huh”.

He bathed my insides once again. I remained still enjoying the warming sensation inside of me, trying to erase any worry at the time.

Law placed a hand on my back and pulled me closer to his chest, while lying his neck over the headrest of the yellow Sonata.

I rested my whole tired body over his, enjoying the touch of our warm skins, the scent of his body, with my lips wandering along his neck, leaving soft kisses over its skin.

“We should go back home; they might get a little bit concerned…” I told Law, still over him. “Yeah, you are right, let’s go back…”.

It was 4 am so once we got home and opened the door, we entered stealthily. I walked behind Law when he suddenly stopped, and I fell over him. “What is it, Law?!” I whispered, “I don’t know, this is kind of a slumber party…”, he whispered back at me.

Suddenly all the lights turned on. Everybody was sleeping on bare mattresses on the floor of the living room.

Little by little our friends but Zoro and Sanji woke up.

“Oh my god, finally…” said Nami and everyone began to laugh. They weren’t laughing at us, but at Sanji and Zoro who were sleeping cuddled.

Law looked at them and looked at everybody else and said, “Excuse me, is this something new to you? Oi Mugiwara-ya, tell them every time you three get to sleep at home they do the same”. Luffy nodded, still laughing.

No matter how much noise they made, nor Zoro or Sanji woke up, they seemed to be happily enjoying sleeping like this, so we didn’t want to bother them anymore.

“Let’s go back to sleep, guys. Y/n and Law you can sleep upstairs, we left Law’s bed intact”, said Franky winking at us. “Thank you!!” I said, and we went upstairs jumping through the multiple legs of our friends.

We climbed up the stairs, and went into the boy’s room. I was undressing when suddenly Law offered me a big loose t-shirt. “Don’t get me wrong I love your naked body, but what if the boys enter the room and see you naked?”, he said. “Oh, Law, are you jealous? hahaha”, I mocked him. “Well, let's not discuss jealousy…”, he said frowning.

I grabbed his white loose t-shirt with some kind of black power ranger called “Stealth Black” printed on it and put it on, giggling. I could have sworn he was a geeky nerd, and that was the proof.

Law and I jumped into his bed and muffled up with the bedding. He hugged me, kissing my head. “Thank you for making this the best holiday of my whole life…”, he said. “Thank you for paying the bus ticket that time…”, I whispered with my face pressed up against his chest. We both laughed and soon after fell asleep.

I woke up with the sounds of some birds chirping on the window. Law was still asleep beside me, with his ruffled hair, his cheek pressed against the pillow with his mouth open, snoring softly. I couldn’t help but drool over that image, so handsome even like that, the intimacy, the person I wanted to wake up to each morning.

I placed my head over the tattoos of his chest, following with my index finger the lines of ink on his skin. I remained there for a few minutes hearing his heartbeat, drunk of his skin scent.

Softly he began caressing my cheek, still without opening his eyes. He was probably half asleep yet.

I felt a million butterflies trapped on my stomach, I was so in love, I had fallen for this guy, hard. I felt a little guilty, I mean, how was I supposed to fall in love so quickly with a man?... I guess it was just love at first sight…

Law’s hand stopped moving, and suddenly I heard him mumble something like, “Mmmm- hum - I-I- love you Y/n-ya”. I widened my eyes, “did he just say he loves me? “I was completely surprised and even unsure if that was what he said or if it was just my imagination.

Some minutes later, he opened his eyes, slowly. “Good morning, baby girl”, he said, kissing my forehead. I was immobile, watching his face still trying to process what he had just said. “What is it?, are you sleeping with your eyes open? you are gorgeous but that would be a little creepy”, he said, surprised.

“N-No, uhm, I am awake, yes. Good morning”, I uttered. “Are you ok, Y/n-ya?”, he asked with a confused expression. “Yeah, uhm… Law… Do you sleep talk?”, I inquired him. “Oh… did I? I’m sorry... I do, yes. Sometimes. What did I say?”, he said this time with a worried expression. “Oh, no, nothing, I thought I heard something but I don’t know. It’s nothing”, I said, trying to settle the matter.

We remained cuddling up a little bit more, until we heard movements downstairs. They were probably waking up, so I decided to go to my room and get ready for the day.

“New pajamas”, I thought while taking off Law’s shirt. I folded and put it on my suitcase, I wasn’t willing to give it back to him.

I went ahead and showered. I let the warm water bathe my skin while thinking about Law saying “I love you” while he was asleep. Was he really? Did he really feel that or was it just a dream?... I guess I should wait…

After the bath, which clearly made me more anxious than relaxed, I went downstairs to the kitchen where Sanji was already preparing breakfast. I decided to help him with setting the table while chatting about the lantern festival of that night. Nami, Vivi and Robin joined us and were pleased that Lami and Penguin invited us to such a pretty event.

Our last day in Jeju passed with us visiting the Samseonghyeol Shrine, which is the oldest historic site in Korea. That place is considered as the birthplace of three demigods of the island, founders of the Tanma Kingdom that governed Jeju Island before the Joseon dynasty took over.

At noon we came back from the city and began to get ready for the festival that night. I received a message from Lami, “@TraffLami.06 > hello Sis! How is the day going? Is my brother treating you right?. Listen, we usually wear “hanbok” to the festival. If you want to too, you can rent them from a friend's shop. I send the location. See you tonight! ♥”. I got super excited for it, I loved cultural clothing and I wanted to see Law wearing those clothes too. I told my friends and we all agreed on renting one. Law, being the warm boy he was, wasn't so sure about it, but with a little kiss and a little begging I could convince him.

The night came and we all drove to the historical centre of Jeju. The place was all garnished with paper lanterns, string lights hanging from some bridges, lit inflatable displays, food courts, typical music being played that mixed with the buzz of hundreds of attendants that were enjoying the night.

I was wearing a hanbok in yellow and orange tones, while Law used a green and black one. He looked like a typical groom; I couldn’t help but fantasize a little about us getting married someday.

Luffy of course ran to the food stalls followed by everybody else, Zoro went ahead and attacked the stall where they were offering some kind of soju and Law and I waited for his sister and Penguin to arrive at where we were.

Law was more silent than usual and his face showed concerned. I thought at first about him missing his parents or family, maybe the festival triggered some memories, so I held his hand without saying anything. He squeezed my hand, and began to sweat.

“Are you ok, doc?”, I asked. He looked at me, I could sense he got really nervous and finally mumbled, “Y/n-ya we need to talk…” …

Part 6, FINAL

64 notes · View notes

c-is-for-circinate · 3 years

Note

I'd love to hear more of your thoughts about why P5R didn't quite land for you. I had the same reaction to it, but I've never quite been able to properly articulate why the last section fell so flat.

God okay so I've tried several times to answer this, and it seems like the answer is 'I still have way too many feelings, personally, to say this in anything less than thirty pages and fifteen hours of work', because Persona 5 the original is a game I loved a lot and care about a great deal. And most of the reasons I disliked Royal feel, in my head, like a list of ways it broke some of the things I liked best about P5--which means explaining them feels like I need to explain everything I loved about the original game, which is a book in itself, complete with referents to P3, P4, Jungian psychology, the Joseph Campbell mytharc, and fuck all even knows what. And that is too much.

But today I realized that I could instead describe it from an angle of, Persona 5 Strikers succeeds really well at doing the thing I think Royal was trying to do but failed at. And that I think I can talk about in a reasonable amount of wordspace, hopefully, behind this cut because I have at least one friend who hasn't played Royal yet.

Note for reblogs/comments: I HAVE NOT FINISHED STRIKERS YET. I got through the jail that pretended to be the final jail and have not yet gone into the obviously inevitable 'ohshit wait, you mean there's something more than simple human machinations behind all of this?' dungeon. (I got stuck on a really frustrating side quest, put the game down, and then dived into Hades to avoid throwing the Switch across the room for a while--and anyone around this blog lately knows how THAT'S been going.) Please no spoilers past Okinawa!

So, one of the many, many things I really appreciated about Persona 5 was its straightforward and unashamed attitude towards abusers and their acts of violence. Because, while yes P5 is a story about the use of power and control to make others suffer, it fundamentally isn't about those abusers themselves. It's about their victims, those that survive their crimes. And this shows up repeatedly over the course of the game.

We do not give a shit why Kamoshida wanted to beat and rape his students. We really don't. Kamoshida does not deserve our attention one moment longer than it takes to make him stop. Because, ultimately, that's the goal of P5, start to end. We don't know for sure if what we're doing is fair, if it's justice, if it's questionable. What we know is that people are being hurt, badly, actively, right now this second. What we know is that victims are suffering. What we know is that we, personally, us-the-protag and us the Phantom Thieves at large, are in danger. And in those circumstances, we don't care about the abuser's side any more. We don't. We don't have the space or time or capacity to care, because that is not the point.

The point is to help the weak. To save the people who need saving, right here and now. To give others the courage to stand up on their own behalf. We're not even out to change society, not really--that's a byproduct. We are reactions. We are triage. We are important.

There's something so empowering and validating about that as a theme, y'know? In a media landscape so full of "sympathetic villains", the idea that, you know, maybe sometimes you don't have to break yourself to show compassion that might possibly heal the bad guy--that sometimes you can just make the bad guy stop hurting people--feels both refreshing and satisfying. I really appreciate it as a message! I liked it a lot!

And yes, there's nuance to that theme, and the game is not without compassion. We save Futaba, because 'make the bad guy stop hurting people', in that case, means 'make this person stop hurting herself'. We give Sae a path forwards, help her fix her own heart. Yet it's worth pointing out that in both of those cases, while we were very glad to do those things, to save those people, we also went into both of those palaces for extremely practical reasons to begin with. We needed Futaba's help. We needed Sae's help. The fact that we chose to talk Sae into a change of heart rather than simply stealing her treasure, while ultimately a very good thing for her, was absolutely a practical choice predicated on the need for her palace to still exist to save our life. And yes, we wanted to save her, for Makoto's sake--yes, we wanted desperately to save Futaba. But Sae and Futaba let themselves be helped, too, and that doesn't change the overarching themes of the story itself.

Akechi (and to some extent Okumura) would not let himself be helped. Akechi's another interesting nuance to this theme, because of all our villains, we do learn the most about what drove him to the cruelties and crimes he's committed. He's at that intersection of victim and villain, and we want to help him, as a victim--but we also know that stopping him as a villain is more important. We'd like to save him from himself if we could, because we save people from their sources of trauma, it's what we do. We regret being unable to do so. But in the end, what matters to the story is not that Akechi refused to be saved--it's that Shido and Yaldabaoth need to be stopped, for the sakes of everyone else they're hurting now and may continue to hurt in the future.

The thing is, there's space and maybe even a need for a corollary discussion of those places where victim and villain intersect. It's an interesting, pertinent, and related topic. Strikers made an entire video game about it, a really good video game. It's centered in the idea that, yes, these people need to be stopped, and we will make stopping them our priority--but they're not going after us, and that gives us some space to sympathize. Even for Konoe, who specifically targets the Phantom Thieves--compare him to Shido, who actively destroyed the lives of both Joker and Futaba, who ordered Haru's father's death, who's the entire reason the team is still dealing with the trauma of Akechi's everything. Of course the game can be sympathetic to Konoe where it can't with Shido. There's enough distance to do that.

But right--Strikers is a separate game. It's a separate conversation. It's, "last time, we talked about that, so now let's take it one step further." And that's good writing. (It's something Persona has done before, too, also really well! Persona 3 is about terrible, occasionally-suicidal depression and grief. P4 is about how you can still be hurting and need some help and therapy even if things seem ok. Related ideas, but separate conversations that need to be separate in order to be respectful and do justice to either one. P5, as a follow-up to P4, is a conversation about how, ok, changing yourself is great and all, but sometimes the problem is other people so how do you deal with that? Again, still related! Still pertinent! Still alluded to in P4, with Adachi's whole thing--but it wasn't the time or place to base a quarter of the game around it.)

So one of Royal's biggest issues, to me, is that it tries to tack on this whole new angle for discussion onto a game that was originally about something else.

Adding Maruki's palace--adding it at the end, which by narrative laws suggests that it's the true point that everything else should be building up to--suddenly adds in about a hundred new dimensions at once. It wants us to engage with "what in this abuser/manipulator's life led him to act this way?" for basically the first time all game (we'll get to Akechi later). It wants us to engage with, "if the manipulator has a really good reason or good intentions, does that mean we should forgive them?" It requires us to reflect on, "what is the difference between control and cruelty?" It asks, "okay, but if people could be controlled into being happy, would that be okay?" (Which, based on the game so far, is actually a wild out-there hypothetical! Literally not a single thing we've seen in the game suggests that could ever happen. Even the people who think being controlled is safer and easier are miserable under it. Control that's able to lead to actual happiness is completely out of left field in the context of everything we've encountered all game so far.)

That's too much! We don't have time to unpack all that! We only have an eighth of the game left! Not to mention we are also being asked to bring back questions we put to bed much earlier in the game about the morality of our own actions, in a wholely unsatisfying way. Maruki attempts to justify his mass brainwashing because "it's the same as what you're doing", and we know it isn't, but the game didn't need Maruki calling it out in order for us to get that. We already faced that question when we started changing hearts, and again several times throughout the game, and again when we found our targets in Yaldabaoth's cells. The fact that we change hearts does not mean we think "changing hearts is fine and kind and should be done to everyone, actually." Changing hearts has been firmly established in this game as an act of violence, acceptable only because it prevents further systemic violence against innocents that we must prevent. The moral question has never once been about whether it's ok to change the hearts of the innocent, only about how far it's ethical to go against individuals who are actively hurting other people. Saying "you punched that guy to keep him from shooting a child, so punching people is good and I will save the world by punching everyone!" is confusing! and weird! and not actually at all helpful to the question of, how much violence is it acceptable to use to protect others! So presenting the question that way just falls really flat.

(And right, I love Strikers, because Strikers has time to unpack all that. Strikers can give us a main bad guy who wants to control the whole world for everybody's own good, because Strikers has earned that thematic climax. It has given us sympathetic bad guys who started out wanting to control the world to protect themselves and ended up going too far. It's given us Mariko Hyodo, who wanted to control the world to protect other people and went too far. It's given us a long-running thread about police, the desire to serve, and the abuse of power that can lead to. And since we are actively trying to care for the people whose hearts we're changing in Strikers, we can open the door to questions about using changes-of-heart and that level of control to make other people happy. We can even get a satisfying conclusion out of that discussion, because we have space to characterize the difference--Konoe thinks that changing peoples' hearts means confining them, but the Phantom Thieves think it means setting them free. We have seen enough sympathetic villains that we as an audience have had the space to figure out how we feel about that, and to understand the game's perspective of "stop them AND save them, if we can possibly do both." And that message STILL rests firmly on Persona 5's message of "it is Good to do what you have to do to stop an abuser so long as you don't catch innocent people in your crossfire.")

It's worth noting that the general problem of 'asking way too many new questions and then not answering them' also applies to how Royal treats its characters, too. P5 did have unanswered questions left at the end! The biggest one, and we all knew this, was Akechi, and what actually happened to him, and how we should feel about him, and how he felt about us. That was ripe for exploring in our bonus semester, and to Royal's credit they did in fact try to bring it up, but by god did they fuck up doing it.

Akechi's probable death in the boiler room was absolutely the biggest dangling mystery of the game. It was an off-screen apparent death of a key antagonist, so all of the narrative rules we know suggested that he might still be alive and would probably come back if the story went on for long enough. So when Royal brings him back on Christmas Eve, hey, great! Question answered. Except that the situation is immediately too good to be true, and immediately leads to another mystery, which leads to a flat suspicion that something must be wrong. We spend several hours of gameplay getting sly hints that, oooh, maybe he's not really alive after all, before it's finally confirmed by Maruki: yup, he really died, if we end the illusion we'll kill him too. Okay, at least we know now. Akechi is alive right now and he's going to be dead if we do this, and that doesn't make a ton of sense because every other undead person disappeared when the person who wished for them realized they were fake but at this point we'll take it. So we take down Maruki, and okay, Akechi really is dead! Probably! We're fairly sure! Aside from our lingering doubts!

And then we catch a glimpse of maybe-probably-could be him through the train window, and I just want to throw something, because come on.

Look, it is just a fact of storytelling: the more times you make an audience ask 'wait, is this character dead or aren't they?', the less they will care, until three or four reversals later you will be hard pressed to find anybody who gives a shit. Royal does this like four different times, and every iteration comes with even less certainty than the last. By the end, we somehow know even less than we did when we started! Did Akechi survive the boiler room to begin with and Maruki just didn't know? Or was Maruki lying to try and manipulate us further? Or was he actually dead and then his strength of will when Maruki's reality dissolved was enough to let him survive after all? Is that even actually him out the train window?

Where is he going! What is he doing! How did any of this happen! What is going on! We all had these questions about Akechi at the end of the original P5, and the kicker is that Royal pretends like it's going to answer them only to go LOL JK NO. It's frustrating and it's dissatisfying and it annoys me.

The one Akechi question that Royal doesn't even bother to ask, though, let alone leave ambiguous, is how does the protagonist feel about him? The entire emotional weight of the third semester rests on the protagonist caring about Akechi, Sumire, and Maruki. Maruki's the person we're supposed to sympathize with even as we try to stop him. Sumire's the person we're trying to save from herself. And Akechi is our bait--is, we are told, the one thing our protagonist wished for enough to actualize it in this world himself. Akechi's the final lure to accept Maruki's deal. Akechi's survival is meant to be tempting.

For firm Akechi fans, this probably worked out fine--the game wanted to insist that the protagonist cared for Akechi the same way the player did. For those of us who're a little more ambivalent, though (or for the many and valid people who hated him), this is a super sour note. Look, one of the Persona series' strengths is the way it lets players choose to put their time and emotional investment into an array of different characters, so the main story still has weight even if there's a couple you don't care about that much. It has always done this. The one exception, from P3 all the way through P4 to here and now, is Nanako Dojima, and by god she earned that distinction. I have never met a person who played Persona 4 who didn't love Nanako. Nanako is a neglected six-year-old child who is brave and strong enough to take care of herself and all of the housework but who still tries not to cry when her dad abandons her again and lights up like the sun when we spare her even the tiniest bit of time and attention. It is impossible not to care for Nanako. Goro Akechi is not Nanako.

And yet third semester Royal doesn't make sense if your protagonist doesn't feel linked to Akechi. The one question, out of all the brand new questions Royal throws out there, that it decides to answer all by itself--and it's how you as a player and your protagonist ought to feel about an extremely complex and controversial character. What the fuck, Royal. What the fuck.

In conclusion, I'll leave you with this. I played the original Persona 5 in March and April of 2017, as an American, a few months after the 2016 election and into the term of our then president. It felt painfully timely. A quick calendar google early on indicated that the game's 20XX was almost certainly 2016, and the closer our plot got to the in-game November leadup to an election destined to be dominated by a foul and charming man full of corruption and buoyed up by his own cult of personality, the more I wanted to laugh/cry. It felt timely. It felt important. It felt right.

I went through Royal (in LP form on youtube, not having a platform to play it on) in summer of 2020, with a hook full of face masks by my front door and protests about racial tension and local policing that occasionally turned into not-quite-riots close enough to hear at night if I opened the windows of my apartment. The parts of the game that I remembered felt as prescient and meaningful as ever, if not even more so. The new parts felt baffling. Every single evil in the game felt utterly, painfully real, from the opening moments of police brutality to the idea of a country led by a guy who probably would use his secret illegitimate teenage son as a magical assassin if the opportunity presented itself and he thought he could get away with it. Yaldabaoth as the cumulative despair of an entire population who just wanted somebody to take over and make things be okay--yes, yes, god, in summer of 2020? With streets full of people refusing to wear masks and streets full of people desperate for change? Of course. Of course that holy grail of safety should be enticing. Of course it should be terrifying.

And then Maruki. Maruki, who was just so far outside the scope of anything I could relate to the rest of the game or my own life. Because every single other villain in the rest of Persona is real. From the petty pandering principal to the human-trafficking mob boss. The corrupt politicians and the manmade god of cultural desire for stability. And this game was trying to tell me that the very biggest threat of all of them, the thing that was worse than the collective force of all society agreeing to let this happen because succumbing was easier than fighting back--that the very biggest threat of all was that the world could be taken over by some random nobody's misguided attempts to help?

No. Fuck no. I don't buy it. Because god, yes, I have seen the pain and damage done on a tiny and personal and very real level by the tight-fisted control of someone trying to help, it never looked like this. Not some ascended god of a bad therapist. All the threats to the world, and that's the one I'm supposed to take seriously? This one man is more of a threat than the fundamental human willingness to be controlled?

Sorry, but no. Not for me. Not in this game. Not in this real-life cyberpunk dystopian apocalypse.

#c plays persona #driveby meta attack #p5 royal spoilers #p5 strikers spoilers #holy crap I did it #I actually wrote a semicoherent essay of a length I'm willing to put on Tumblr #about my problems with this game #I have been trying on and off for MONTHS #I wanted to like Royal SO BADLY #it makes me SO UPSET #anyway #now back to your regularly scheduled Hades blogging #asked and answered #Anonymous

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