#clue as to why he /doesn't like him at all/ (and of course rai being rai would be polite in turn but he'd never be earnestly amiable)

[fionnaskyborn]

current mood:

[inazumaclown]

idk if i already said it here but i think level-5 is a monument for character design. their characters are memorable in any games or series they produce, even when they're a little too much, their designs have a peculiar, lovable charm, i really really like them.

anyway here's me rating the GO designs of the OG characters :

endou is the fucking favorite. you can tell the studio really did their best for him. even without watching GO, you can tell he's still his old passionate self but in a cool and matured way. you can tell he's coaching kids and you can tell the kids love him and he loves them in return. 10/10.

kidou is great. of course he would be wearing a suit to coach middle schoolers, this is what being kidou is about !

i do think the new goggles are a little goofy, but haruna gave them to him, so of course he would wear them without hesitation. you can tell he's still awfully serious, but also no longer ashamed to monologue about his (occasionally stupid) special interest of the week if asked.

i would have advocated for longer dreads rather than, idk sorta untangled dreads ? but you know what, this is great. 9/10

i'm in love with kazemaru. always has been. his hair is perfect.

i just don't get why he got the coraline's yellow raincoat drip. it tells me nothing about him. i can't guess if he is an athlete, a hairdresser, a mangaka, a drag queen, a military sergeant, a carpenter or a sugarbaby. i'm left alone with my headcannons, and no clue how to prove they make sense. 5/10

i love that fubuki shirou, canonically the prettiest boy in the world, decided by himself to dress like sheldon cooper.

i like that when he put his coat on, he looks like a hobo. he didn't even had to try the hot snowboarder style, he already knew he'll be a good-looking hobo. i like that for him. choose for yourself king, you don't need anything. 8/10

my man looks so good in this. he doesn't realize he looks like the lovechild of yakuza and a mafioso. he doesn't realize why the grandmas are scared of him at the supermarket, but it's okay. i know he's well paid, he's still hardworking and professional, he's stable in all aspects, and he smells like a very masculine, expensive perfume. 11/10

of course, fubuki and him are happy and in love, and nobody gets how it could have happened when they walk side by side.

ah, fudou. some would say his new style is a glowdown, but i almost disagree.

true, he doesn't look punk and alt anymore, but i can tell that now, he's a true leftist. he looks like he doesn't have a job. he always smells like *spicy* cigarettes. everybody in his neighborhood knows and likes him. he owns almost nothing, yet everybody owes him something. he's an anarchist but he still votes, because he wants to do his part for a more peaceful future. he does throw rocks at cops during social movements. 8/10

kidou and him are also happy and in love. they fight all the time for petty things, but it's their way to say 'i love you'.

kabeyama almost didn't change, and that's good. he looks nice and polite and like a wonderful freehugger. i trust him. i could give him my firstborn, i know the kid would be well-fed and in bed at a reasonable hour. 10/10

i don't remember why kogure was in GO. it had to do with haruna i think, which is good, i like haruna. whatever he's just taller. 4/10

sakuma looks nice. the longer hair looks good. he would look better if genda was with him though. 6/10

tobitaka. my boy. he found his place. giving him the rai rai ken was such a good idea. it's not about the looks for him. it's about happiness, and he looks happier now. 10/10

tsunami ! the last member of the B4. he didn't change that much, which saddens me a little, but maybe it was because his design was always good. 7/10

toramaru. same boy but taller. they made an effort with his hair, i'll give them that. he looks like a lost management firm intern. i hope he finds the printer next to the coffee machine. i also don't remember what he does in the series. 5/10

glasses suit hiroto. he looks serious enough to do a serious job well, and still weird enough to say some deranged stoner shit without anyone asking after one (1) sip of unalcoholic beer. good for him. 7/10

midorikawa lost a bit of his theater kid charm, but i guess this is what happens when you work in foster care. he looks like a great mom though. 6/10

i'm disappointed. aphrodi deserves better than a boring ass suit. i mean come on, that man doesn't NEED to look professional, he is literally named after the goddess of beauty, he deserved better than that.

the side ponytail looks good. so sad for the little bleaching accident. he should cut that. 4/10

i can't clown megane. i look like that man. i wish him well. 7/10

WELL THAT'S THE END, I HOPE I DIDN'T FORGOT ANYBODY :D

(gouenji will have his own post.)

[missjoolee]

More Than a Long Weekend

Making of Sunset Curve's Sophomore Album

(note from me, missjoolee. i have no clue how this happened. but it’s a spiral that ripped itself from my being that i’ve decided to spruce up just a touch [with some very good additions from my group chat 😘] and post. I don’t have the energy or time to fully flesh it all out for a full fic, but i decided i could at least write a scene to accompany the rest. hope you all enjoy!)

sunset curve released a stellar freshman album. they had a big tour and for their next one, the label wants to do a mini documentary of that process

Ray is the head videographer and producer of the film team.

Julie was originally just there as his assistant, but her knowledge of the music creation process had her making suggestions of what types of questions to ask, milestones to film, and Ray decided to take  a step back and have her "run the show" so to speak

which you can tell something changes because in the first week or so of one on one interviews, all the guys are kinda nervous, but then they suddenly are much more chill and smile more

Julie is constantly talking to the guys to keep them briefed on what the crew will be doing at any given time, explaining why whenever necessary, and the crew (and the rest of the band) slowly become aware of a blossoming something between her and the lead singer

cue the jim halpert looking directly into the camera moments from Reggie and Alex whenever luke goes off on a enthused tangent while speaking to julie. Cue the crew filming Julie's briefs with the band just so they don't miss any of the looks traded between the two

cue the crew and the band using their phones to sneak footage whenever they stumble upon a soft moment

Ray was surprised at first by all the extra down time footage that was getting recorded at first but then realizes whats happening. so instead of all that footage hitting the cutting room floor, it all gets put in a separate folder. suddenly, he's covertly pulling the guys in for private interviews. he's doing the same with the crew to talk about juke moments (if they want to) (Reggie jumps IMMEDIATELY onto dragging the smitten luke through the mud. telling stories of dumb things Luke has done because he was trying to impress julie)

and then he pulls luke and julie in separately to record a sort of "evaluation" of the documentary process (How was your experience with our crew? Julie took the reigns early on, how was it, working with her?)(julie's was more like the usual interview, talking on her experiences working with the different members of the band. a lot of questions were fishing for candid comments about luke)(and a lot of the more professional questions/answers do get used for SC's documentary)

then the album release is fast approaching. Julie is super proud of these boys. she knows the album is going to fly up the charts. but there is melancholy as after the release party, the documentary crew will move onto the next thing. She has all of the guy's numbers (having had to call all of them at some point to be like "where the hell are you? we are supposed to be doing this") and she's been texting Luke about a lot more non work related things recently.

but she doesn't know if that will keep up once she's not seeing them every week

Just prior to the release, the guys have a concert where they plan to debut one of their new songs. The crew is there because of this. the crowd is told that it's being recorded. Julie is hanging out side stage. Luke can see her getting into the music from his spot at the front of the stage.

Luke loves it when he can see the crowd singing along to one of his songs. It's even better when he can hear them almost drowning him out even with the mic. It's amazing when they are getting into a song so new, they've never heard it before but can really feel it. But as they debut their latest single, he discovers he was wholly unprepared for the emotions coursing through him after glancing to the side and seeing Julie belting the lyrics along with him. The only one in thousands. The lights doused her in pink, red, blue and yellow, gleaming off the luscious curls he's daydreamed about running his fingers through more than once. Her smile is so big he can't help but return it before looking back to the front.

Dread flashes through him, tingling along every nerve ending and taking up residence in his stomach. "It's almost over." His body goes on autopilot, stepping back from the mic and looking at his hands move along the frets for the change up between the chorus and the second verse, as he wrestles with his mind to focus on finishing the song. Luckily the muscle memory from all the rehearsals they've been doing in preparation allow his mind to wander a bit, but turning back to the crowd let's him push it to the back of his mind until the song comes to an end. He walks back to the drumkit riser where there are bottles of water sitting for him and takes a moment. He can hear Reggie talking to the crowd, giving him a small reprieve, but he's not concentrating on that as he re-hydrates and uses a small towel to wipe the sweat off his face. His brain is whirling because up until now, the thought of the documentary crew finishing up their work has always been something in distant future. But now, the album is done. The final milestones of the process are about to happen and then they will be saying goodbye to the documentary team that has been with them this past last year. He'll have to say goodbye to Julie, and he really really really doesn't want that.

Alex does a small drum beat, mostly with the kick drum, right next to Luke's ear to let him know he's noticed something is up but to knock it off and get out of his head to continue the show. That's right! He can figure this all out later. He still has time. All he can do right now is engage with the crowd and put on a killer show for them.

The rest of the set goes great. Luke is able to refocus having determined he'll figure out what to do about Julie later, his energy bouncing back up to 120%. He still finds his eyes glancing over to Julie often. Her smiles always widening when she notices, causing his to as well.

Once the final chords ring out, he's breathing hard, grinning from ear to ear as the crowd roars their approval. He pulls the guitar strap over his head and hands his guitar to one their roadies. They wave to the crowd, Reggie and him throwing the remaining picks from their mic stand supply to the fans. Alex comes from behind his kit to toss his drumsticks as well. Luke basks in the adrenaline, the sounds, before flinging his arms around his boy's shoulders and taking a bow together to the continued roar.

Patting them on the back once they are standing up again, they all turn and head offstage to where Julie is waiting with a giant grin on her face, pride lighting up ever feature. Luke doesn't even think, he just makes his way directly over to her. Her grin begins to drop slightly in confusion, not understanding the intense purpose of his stride. He stops in front of her, his brain just barely beginning to catch up with his actions but he's made it here and he's not about to let it talk him out of this. He reaches up and cups her cheek in his palm, hesitating. The confusion leaves her eyes and they begin to sparkle. It can't just be the reflection of the stage lights, can it? Her grin creeps back up and that's gotta be a good sign, so he takes the plunge dipping his head down to kiss her. She immediately pushes up into the kiss, standing on her toes. Her hands drift up his chest like live wires to help her keep balance. He'd thought nothing could beat the high of an amazing performance but this, this moment with Julie, is euphoric in comparison.

Neither of them remember that there is a whole crew of people recording. They both miss the glance between Reggie, Alex, and one of the cameras. The same glance they've missed every time they've gotten lost in conversation while the cameras were rolling. They don't hear the cheers from some of the crew, drowned out by the still roaring crowd, celebrating this turn of events after months of watching the two's feelings for one another grow.

It takes Alex's snapback hitting him in the back of the head for Luke to pull away, his eyes not straying once from hers. He watches as her eyes drift behind him and suddenly her face comes crashing to hide against his chest. Looking behind him, he sees the cameras, and behind them, Ray, and he can't help but feel a smidge embarrassed. Not enough to wipe the smile off his face or dampen the happiness coursing though him right now though. Glancing back down, Julie's curls are all he can see and this time he doesn't have to dream. He gently runs his fingers along them to try and get her to show her face again. She doesn't, but he can feel her smile pressed over his heart and that works for him too.

anyway. the documentary comes out and it does well. but then years later after they get engaged, all of her coworkers show up to the party with giant grins on their faces

and Ray interrupts the festivities to announce he has a surprise for the couple.

they are presented with a high quality documentary of the beginnings of their relationship. WITH interviews.

there are even milestones from personal cameras. not just from that beginning time, but from other moments throughout their relationship

they are in love. everyone knew it was happening. and they are super grateful getting to watch it happen all over again

[morriscns]

*   /        𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎   𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓 !

        ›   ⸻        lemme   just   say   that   i   literally   have   zero   clue   how   to   write   a   proper   intro   post   and   usually   just   avoid   ‘em   altogether   ,   but   i   decided   to   actually   try   this   time   ,   so   here   we   go   !   i’m   𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒊   (   or   just   rai   for   short   )   ,   i’m   twenty   -   one   years   old   ,   and   currently   chillin’   over   in   the   pst   timezone   .   my   pronouns   are   she   /   they   ,   or   dumb   /   bitch   ,   but   i’ll   honestly   answer   to   anything   . i also adore angst and drama so if you do , too , then we're gonna get along great !

*   /        𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 !

( hero fiennes - tiffin , twenty , cisgender male , he / him ) is that rhodes " ro " morrison ? a sophomore originally from manhattan , new york , they decided to come to ogden college to study fine art . they're the proud elite on campus , but even they could get blamed for greer's disappearance .

*   /        𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒 !

𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬 : january 7th , 2002 𝗭𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗖 : capricorn sun , scorpio moon , scorpio rising 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗧𝗦 : gregarious , vehement , and captivating 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗧𝗦 : acerbic , choleric , and decadent 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦 : can recreate any sculpture , drawing , or painting to near perfection , able to command a room without ever speaking a word , and is capable of running a six minute mile .

*   /        𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎 !

𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗥 : meet greer's younger brother; that's how rhodes was always introduced to new people, but truth be told, he never thought twice about it. to him, it wasn't a bad thing. he was, in fact, greer's younger brother, always would be, and he absolutely adored her. he looked up to greer in every aspect of life, and he often even mirrored her actions until they became second nature. in many ways, it was like they were the morrison twins, and if rhodes were being honest, he sometimes wished they were.

the two of them were often like two peas in a pod, and it wasn't out of the ordinary for one's interests to be the other's. they just fit. like two puzzle pieces, it wasn't uncommon to find one with the other, and rhodes would go to the ends of the earth for his beloved sister, always protecting her if someone or something got in her way. however, despite the fact that neither of them talked about it, rhodes always knew that they both felt the overwhelming pressure to be the perfect morrison kids. this was just another reason as to why rhodes always stuck by his older sister. she understood him like no one else, and he liked to think he understood her, too.

𝗦𝗞𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗢𝗡 𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 : despite any lingering pressure, rhodes is proud to be a morrison of his family's caliber. there are, of course, things he wishes could be different, but he doesn't know how to be anyone else but the rhodes conley morrison. it's basically a brand at this point, how caught up he is in being so proud of who he is. some would argue that he's arrogant in this aspect, and while they wouldn't exactly be wrong, rhodes likes to think that he's more confident in who he is than anything else. it's in his blood to be the best of the best, and he plans to live up to that no matter what.

elitism runs in his veins, and he isn't one to shy away from it. rhodes realizes all of the luxuries he's been granted in life, and he's proud to show them off, proud to walk around in designer clothing and drive the nicest cars. things might not always be pretty on the inside, but as long as he looks good on the outside, none of that matters. if anything, he's proud to have mastered the art of being proud.

𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗦 : football ( running - back ) , baseball ( pitcher ) , sophomore class board , and sigma alpha epsilon ( member ) .

*   /        𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 !

anything angsty / drama related

flings , one nights stands , etc ( he's bi so go wild )

besties , party buddies , anything in that realm

enemies , personality clashes , gimme that drama

teammates , frat bros , literally anything

[fufukunaga]

Kiyoomi receives an unexpected bouquet of sunflowers on his graduation day. It's handed to him by one of the organizers of the event without saying who it's from.

Kiyoomi is confused. Maybe he just got confused for someone else. His anxiety spikes at the thought of some poor soul seeing him holding a bouquet that's supposedly theirs.

There's no note on the flowers nor was there any clue to who the sender might be. He expresses his worries to his cousin Komori who only laughs. "Why is it that your first assumption is that they made a mistake?

Haven't you thought that it might come from a secret admirer?"

Kiyoomi frowns. "Don't be ridiculous. I don't have a secret admirer. I'm me."

Komori merely rolls his eyes at that.

After the ceremony, friends and classmates begin pulling him around for pictures. It's a tiring affair.

And he wouldn't have put up with it if it weren't for Komori's insistence. He's not particularly close to his classmates so he doesn't get their desire to take pictures with him as if they've always been buddies from the start.

Maybe it's just the adrenaline of the event.

He knows graduating college is a big deal. They've all worked so hard to get to this point and there really is a chance they won't see each other in the future anymore.

But Kiyoomi isn't sentimental to those he doesn't feel attached to.

People keep asking him where his bouquet came from which only fuels his irritation.

He doesn't know. And fuck does he hate not knowing.

He's asked Komori plenty of times if this was some sort of prank on him but Komori says he has no idea and is curious himself.

He really feels like he just stole someone else's bouquet and he's starting to panic.

When finally the round of picture taking ends, Kiyoomi rushes out of the venue to see a familiar mop blonde hair waiting outside.

"Miya?" He calls out.

Atsumu turns around and smiles when he sees Kiyoomi, bright and brilliant. His eyes are shining like rays of sunlights. Atsumu reminds him of sunflowers. Like the bouquet in his hands. If anyone deserved a bouquet, it was definitely Atsumu. Not prickly, grumpy Kiyoomi.

There must have been some kind of mistake, truly.

"Hiya, Omi-kun," Atsumu greets.

"What are you doing here?" Kiyoomi asks. He wants to act annoyed but the tug on his lips give away his true feelings about Atsumu's presence.

He's happy that Atsumu is here.

Of course he is. He's been pining for YEARS. He's going to try out for the team he's in despite it being several miles away from home.

He's really got it bad.

"Congratulations on yer graduation," Atsumu says, ignoring Kiyoomi's question. Then his eyes fall on the bouquet of flowers and smirks. "Nice bouquet ya got there. Who's it from?"

Kiyoomi stalks closer to Atsumu, leaning down to whisper dramatically into his ear. "I actually don't know. I think the organizers made a mistake and gave it to the wrong person. I'm scared someone will come to me and say how dare I take their flowers."

At that, Atsumu bursts out laughing, doubling over and hitting his knees.

Kiyoomi glares at him. He doesn't appreciate being laughed at when he's being serious. 

Atsumu wipes a tear from his eyes. 'Ya crack me up, Omi-kun."

"Why are you laughing? I don't want to be accused of stealing someone else's flowers."

Atsumu lets out a few more chuckles but ultimately stops himself to give Kiyoomi a reassuring smile. "Ya don't hafta worry about that, Omi-kun. The flowers are yers. So enjoy them."

He gives Atsumu a suspicious look. "How would you know?"

Atsumu's cheeks show the faintest of blush as he scratches the back of his neck. He smiles sheepishly at Kiyoomi. "Ah, well. That's because they're from me."

Kiyoomi's eyes widen in shock. "What?"

"Just a lil gift for yer graduation day." Atsumu smiles softly, looking everywhere but Kiyoomi. "Do ya like it?"

Kiyoomi looks down at the bouquet in his hands with newfound fondness. His heart warms and his smile grows bigger by the second. "I love it. Thank you. But why sunflowers?"

"I don't know what yer favorite flower is," Atsumu admits. "Sunflowers are my favorite. And yer my favorite person. So I thought it fits..."

Kiyoomi's eyes soften. He steps closer to Atsumu, a bouquet's width away. He looks into hazel eyes and thought of bright yellow petals. "You're my favorite person too, Atsu."

Atsumu finally meets Kiyoomi's eyes, a small smile on his face. "Really?"

Kiyoomi nods. "You're my sunflower."

[1dmonthlyficroundup]

1D Monthly Fic Roundup

Hi, and welcome to the 1D Monthly Fic Roundup for August 2021! Below you’ll find 23 One Direction fics that were all published this month in the order they were submitted to the blog. We hope you’ll check out these new fics! If you would like to submit your own fic, please check this post on how to submit or visit our blog @1dmonthlyficroundup​.

Happy reading!

He Carries The Key by @lululawrence

[Niall/Louis, OT5, 8k, Not Rated, tumblr post]

Niall was mostly home, ready for a shower and a chat with Louis, when suddenly Niall was flooded with emotions from the pack bond.Shock. Surprise. Confusion.But mostly fear.Something was wrong with Louis.

Plus One by mynameispiaivy / @missrefridgefreetorator

[Louis/Luke Malak, 3k, Mature, tumblr post]

Louis is invited to an event and he has to bring a "plus one".

Better Mistakes by lovelarry10 / @chloehl10

[Harry/Louis, 117k, Explicit, tumblr post]

“Look, this doesn’t have to be the end of the world-”

“Oh but it fucking is,” Louis said, shaking his head. “How the fuck am I going to tell Matt I’m pregnant with a baby when we’ve not had sex in months? He might be a bit thick sometimes, but he is gonna know there’s no chance this baby is his.”

“You don’t have to, uh, tell him it’s mine, right?”

Louis scoffed. “Why, are you scared he’s gonna come and kick the shit out of you?”

“He wishes,” Harry laughed, looking back down at the test. “Shit, I … I can’t believe this. Louis, I didn’t mean for this. Honestly. It was just sex for me. We have great sex, and I didn’t see why I should have to turn that down, not when you clearly wanted it as much as I did. I didn’t want this to end in a baby.”

Louis knows he shouldn’t be sleeping with his boyfriend’s enemy. He knows that. But there’s something that draws him back to Harry over and over again. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan...

Thou, Sun, Art Half As Happy by @lululawrence

[Louis/Harry/Nick Grimshaw, 7k, Not Rated, tumblr post]

Hello, I’m sorry if this isn’t a post that is allowed on this channel, but I was hoping for the best since it is regarding a photography project I’m working on at the moment. I’m working on a set of sunrise kiss photos and therefore am needing a willing kissing partner. I’d hoped to be able to provide one for myself, but it hasn’t panned out, so here I am! I was hoping to find someone here, since I know most of you (at least peripherally) and can generally vouch for you not being creeps. Plus this way I know you will understand needing to continue to tweak the camera settings and reshoots etc that others might not.

Anyway, I’m looking for someone who identifies as male or male-ish (sorry, ladies) who is between the ages of 18 and 40. I’m a 29 year old male-ish myself, for those who would like to know before replying.

If you’re interested and are free the early morning of August 7th and would like to kiss in the sunrise with me for the sake of some (hopefully) interesting and fun photos, let me know via DM and I’ll give you the location.

OR the one where Louis needs a kissing partner, two show up, and it all might turn out for the best that way.

call my name and save me from the dark by @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed / we_are_the_same

[Louis/Harry, 4k, Teen & Up, tumblr post]

“I don’t know if it was a nightmare,” he confesses to the ceiling, the darkness making it easier to speak up even when he still has to close his eyes to stop himself from tearing up. “It feels more like a memory. But it can’t be.”

Harry shifts, and Louis can feel his chin perched on his chest, doesn’t need to look at him to know that Harry’s studying him. “Why?” He prompts, when Louis doesn’t immediately continue, and Louis swallows, tries to shrug off the apprehension, the fear that Harry will think that he’s gone mad.

“Because I heard them pronounce me dead.”

Feels like home by @neondiamond

[Louis/Harry, 2k, Explicit, tumblr post]

Louis comes home from work with an exciting surprise. Daydreaming and celebrations ensue.

this is my jam by @disgruntledkittenface

[Harry/Louis, 4k, Mature, tumblr post]

The guy’s eyes are so blue that Harry can’t tear his gaze away, even as he moves to the beat. The searing light shade is magnetic; he finds himself leaning in and yelling, “This is my jam!” only to earn a laugh from thin pink lips that Harry’s definitely going to be dreaming about tonight.

“Your jam?”

When the guy yells back over the music, his blue eyes sparkling and his lips twisted in a smirk, Harry’s chest literally puffs out with pride at earning his attention. His obvious approval. Tongue-tied, Harry nods and closes his eyes as he lets go, the music reverberating around them. All of the usual inhibitions that keep him in the corner at parties fall away and he bounces around the center of the dance floor, waving his arms above his head. Somehow his towel stays on, even as he starts to think he wouldn’t mind if it fell off. Fuck it. He finally made it here, he’s damn well going to enjoy it.

Harry goes to a gay bathhouse for the first time. 90s AU.

I Know My Arithmedick (2 + 2 = 4sum) by yeah_alright / @uhoh-but-yeah-alright

[Harry/Louis + Louis/multiple partners, 3k, Explicit, tumblr post]

Harry wants to watch Louis fuck someone else. Louis loves giving Harry what he wants. It’s simple math, really.

doG…and his friend by @uhoh-but-yeah-alright / yeah_alright

[Louis/Harry, 3k, Teen & Up, tumblr post]

When Joan has to move out of her small, nice home and in with a random roommate, she obviously brings her dog/boyfriend, Doug, with her.

Doug makes a friend. And maybe more.

I Heard You Talking by @lululawrence

[Louis/Harry, 10k, Not Rated, tumblr post]

It had been an hour of their noise that Louis had been dealing with, and for some reason the fact that these grown men were being this rowdy in the quiet carriage over a game of Uno was the breaking point for him. He stood up and turned around, making his way down to where the group of five were somehow gathered around a table.

Louis stopped at the table and cleared his throat, mouth open and ready to politely request they keep it down when the man who was sitting with his back to Louis turned.

He was stunningly gorgeous.

Blinking a ridiculous number of times in an attempt to pull himself together, Louis coughed and spit out, “This is the quiet carriage.”

God, he was nearly forty and that was the best he could do in front of a set of pretty, green eyes?

Or the one where Harry is famous and Louis doesn't have a clue. Good thing his son is able to help him out.

All That You Need by @haztobegood

[Louis/Harry, 2k, Explicit, tumblr post]

Pre-heat was always one of Harry’s favorite times to spend with Louis. It was a time to rest up and indulge in extra cuddles, like basking in a ray of sunshine before having to dive off the deep end. Louis lavishes him with tender touches and soft kisses. Harry wants to savor this time as long as possible. The unquenchable need will come later, but for now, his desires are simple. He just needed to be closer to his alpha. As close as possible.

sickly sweet fonding by amomentoflove / @daggerandrose

[Louis/Harry, 1k, General, tumblr post]

A few members of their crew start piling up the dirty dishes and taking them over to the sink. Harry walks around the cameras, and smiles brightly at Louis.

“What do you think, Lou? Do I have it in the bag?”

Louis eyes a bowl of bright pink lumpy batter being cleaned from Harry’s side. “Of course you do.” He wraps an arm around Harry’s waist and steers him away, all while ignoring the dramatic gagging Niall is doing. He doesn’t think it’s just the batter making Niall gag.

or the one where Louis fonds over Harry's horrible baking skills

Fractured Moonlight by amomentoflove / @daggerandrose

[Louis/Harry, 1k, Mature, tumblr post]

Louis huffs because he doesn’t want to deal with this. “Listen, I appreciate your concern.” He doesn’t. “But it’s not your duty to look after the sad man at the bar. Okay?”

'Ere comes the milk by stretchmybones / @onlyfor-thegays

[Harry/Louis, 1k, Explicit]

Louis is obsessed with Harry's mommy milkers.

everything comes back to you by stretchmybones / @onlyfor-thegays

[Louis/Harry, 8k, Explicit]

Harry and Louis are childhood best friends. What happens when Harry has to move towns just as they are starting their secondary gender presentations? What happens when fate brings them back together years later in the most unexpected of ways?

He Still Takes My Breath Away by @parmahamlarrie

[Harry/Louis, 32k, Teen & Up, tumblr post]

Camp Infinity is the perfect place for a lot of things; hiking, swimming, sports, eating, and falling in love. Harry Styles is a bit too familiar with the last one from his years of being a camper. This year things will be different. He’s 21, a grown man now, and ready to see Camp Infinity from a different point of view; working as a lifeguard. However, his whole summer turns upside down when a familiar British lad makes his return into Harry's life.Or the one where Harry is a lifeguard and Louis is the head of recreation. And, sometimes, you just need a little push to realize what was right in front of you the whole time.

Also known as – The Summer Camp Fic

tread lightly on my ground by fairytalelights / @lookslikefairytale

[Louis/Harry, 20k, Explicit, tumblr post]

No, that's the tragic part of this, the part that makes Harry feel like the universe is playing a cruel joke on him. The father of his baby is exactly right, exactly who he always imagined himself having kids with. He just imagined them married, bonded. Happy. He didn't imagine them barely talking, tip-toeing around each other because neither of them is brave enough to talk about what happened between them. He didn't imagine the father of his child not loving him back.

or, the one where Harry is having Louis' baby, but Louis doesn't know it's his.

Getting a Head for Heights by @ladyaj-13 / LadyAJ_13

[Louis/Greg James, 3k, Teen & Up, tumblr post]

The problem is, Louis thinks Greg would be quite good to date, so it would really help if everyone would stop reminding him of that fact so he could unthink it. He’d be a gentleman, at least until Louis talked him out of it, and he’s funny and nice and hot and they’re both into music and football and drama. He’s also a freakish giant of a human, and the problem with dating is that sooner or later you have to stand next to each other.

We Go Together (series) by @beelou / cherrylarry

[Louis/Harry, 3k, General, tumblr post]

A grease au

Hot Boy Summer (series) by @louisandtheaquarian / zita17

[Harry/Louis, 35k, Teen & Up, tumblr post]

Louis is an overworked bartender hoping to save up enough extra tips to buy a new air conditioner before he literally melts during a scorching NYC heat wave. Harry is the new neighbor that wakes him up by moving in his sole day off at 6am. An NYC enemies to neighbors to lovers AU featuring a rickety fire escape, the 2021 Euros, Lirry bickering like a divorced couple, and enough OT5 clichés to rot your teeth. (If Harry's pastries don't get them first.)

across the river is where my heart is by 4ureyesonly28 / @evilovesyou

[Louis/Harry, 8k, General, tumblr post]

The first time they see each other is when they are toddlers, playing out in the yard. Louis remembers sitting on the perfectly trimmed lawn and getting yelled at for picking at the soft blades of grass; she remembers looking over, across the narrow but deep and wild river, and watching another little girl, out in a different garden, picking flowers for her mother.

She remembers carefully raising her hand and waving—her little heart beating hard in her chest, as if she had done something dangerous, something forbidden, even though back then she could not understand the true divide the River made amongst them.

bright eyes, blue denim by 4ureyesonly28 / @evilovesyou

[Louis/Harry, 2k, General, tumblr post]

Louis' favourite jeans have suddenly disappeared from where he always got them. Harry is a store manager with an affinity for customer care, particularly when the customer has bright blue eyes and happens to be very flirty.

whatever you feel like doing in this moment by 4ureyesonly28 / @evilovesyou

[Harry/Louis, 2k, General, tumblr post]

Louis gets all that he's ever wanted during his favourite game at their group's weekly improv show.

[eliemo]

Blood and Stars

Summary: Sometimes, Virgil doesn't know what to do without the pain. That doesn’t mean he ever wanted it in the first place. 

TW: Talks about self harm. Nothing too graphic, but please be safe. 

Masterpost

Taglist: @self-taught-mess @itawalrus @mygenderisidiot @a-very-gay-raccoon @dawnfire7 @cr4zyart @ray-does-stuff @whydoifeeltheneedtoorganizestuff @bunny222  @the-blue-recluse @bisexualdisaster106 (let me know if you want to be added or if I missed you)

Patton never would have brought it up again on his own.

He’d caught a glimpse of a nasty looking scratch along Virgil’s forearm while the two of them were doing the dishes after dinner. It didn’t look too deep- long, thin, and horizontal just beneath his wrist, but it didn’t look particularly pleasant.

“What happened there?” he asked, when they’d finished the dishes, not missing the way Virgil’s shoulders tensed as he quickly pulled his hoodie sleeves back down.

He hesitated, still tugging at the ends of his sleeves as he stared down at the sink, and Patton reminded himself not to push.

“I- I broke a mug,” Virgil muttered after a moment. “One of Logan’s glass ones. It was on the edge of the table and I, uh, bumped it. Accidentally cut myself on the glass when I was cleaning it up.”

“Oh, I’m sorry kiddo.” Patton was careful to keep his voice light, conversational, despite how badly he wanted to squeal with pride and pull Virgil into a bone crushing hug.

He was obviously nervous about this, about openly admitting a mistake and not immediately expecting screams or punches, but he was doing it.

“It’s fixed though,” Virgil added. “Or I...I asked Roman to fix it. No one was angry.”

“Of course not,” Patton said gently. “Accidents happen. And I’m proud of you for getting help.”

Virgil ducked his head, flashing Patton a tentative smile from behind his bangs, but the moral side noticed how he rubbed absently at the scratch on his arm.

“You got that cut all cleaned up, right?” he asked. “We don’t want it to get infected.”

Virgil blinked, staring blankly for just a second like he had no clue what Patton was talking about. It only lasted a moment, realization visibly dawning, and he pulled his sleeve all the way over his hand.

“Oh! Yeah, uh, I did. It’s fine, Pat. I’m all good.”

Patton didn’t want to risk stressing him out or sending him into a string of apologies for a mistake he hadn’t made, so he just smiled, squeezed his uncovered hand, and dropped the subject.

That had been a little over two days ago, and Patton honestly hadn’t given it a second thought. He’d confirmed the events with Roman that same day, both of them happy with Virgil’s progress, but other than that it hadn’t crossed his mind.

It was almost ten when there was a knock on Patton’s door, just after he’d changed into pajamas for the night, the sound small and hesitant.

Somehow, he wasn’t surprised to find it was Virgil on the other side of the door, arms wrapped around himself, hood pulled up over his head.

“Hey kiddo,” Patton said softly. “What’s up?”

Virgil was silent for a moment, eyes glued to the ground, and Patton realized he was shaking. “I, uh- s-sorry I know it’s late I just...I think I need to talk to you about something.”

There was something about his voice, how scared and hesitant it sounded, like he’d done everything in his power to convince himself to knock on Patton’s door tonight.

“Alright,” he said. “Do you want to go into the living room? I know my room isn’t always the best place for you.”

Virgil nodded, stepping aside to let Patton into the hall, the two sides making their way downstairs in heavy silence.

The anxious side went straight to the couch while Patton made a quick detour into the kitchen to get them both some tea, hoping a hot drink would help to calm both their nerves.

But it was another five minutes before Virgil worked up the courage to speak, sitting silently beside Patton, staring blankly into the steaming mug, stiff and unmoving.

“I lied to you,” Virgil said softly. “I’m sorry.”

Patton frowned, taking in Virgil’s hunched and trembling shoulders, and forcefully pushed down his own uneasiness. “Well, I’m sure you had a good reason, kiddo. Can you tell me what’s wrong?”

“The cut on my arm,” Virgil said quickly, squeezing his eyes shut when Patton went very still. “I- I didn’t...it wasn’t an accident. I did it to myself.”

Patton’s breath caught, something heavy in his chest growing to a suffocating weight. He swallowed, turning the words over in his head, carefully setting his mug down on the coffee table.

He knew he should say something comforting, offer Virgil the reassurance and support he so desperately needed right now, carefully encouraging him to elaborate. But all that came out was a hushed, “Oh.”

Virgil winced at that, curling in on himself, hands shaking around the plastic mug settled against his knee. Patton saw him swallow, breath hitching before he spoke again. “I...I’m sorry.”

“Oh, honey…” he trailed off, suddenly at a loss. What was he supposed to say? That it was ok? It...it wasn’t. “I’m not angry with you, I’m just...how- how much have you--?”

“Just once,” Virgil said quickly, and Patton’s shoulders dropped in relief. “I swear, it was just one time, Patton I promise I didn’t...I- I’m not--”

“I believe you.”

Virgil nodded at that, letting out a shaky breath, trembling hands carefully setting down the mug, still not quite able to look the other side in the eyes.

“I...thought about doing it again,” he admitted. “That’s why I came and got you.”

“That’s good,” Patton said, reaching over to take Virgil’s hand. “That’s really good, Virge. Thank you for coming to me first.”

Virgil shrugged, making no move to look up from his lap. “I was worried about upsetting you. I just...felt too stupid to go to anyone else.”

“It’s not stupid, honey. Not at all.” He took a breath, squeezing the anxious side’s hand, choosing his words carefully. “Can...can you tell me why you did it? Did something happen?”

Virgil shook his head, staring straight ahead at the empty staircase. He was absently rubbing at his sleeve with his free hand, and Patton fought to keep himself from staring, from asking to see just to set his racing mind at ease.

It wasn’t his place. He was here to help, to move at Virgil’s pace.

And then Virgil was digging into his pocket, fiddling with something beneath the cloth. He hesitated for just a moment, before wordlessly reaching out a hand to drop a small object into Patton’s palm.

It was a piece of glass, sharp and jagged around the edges, painted a dark navy blue with tiny white specks that might resemble part of a constellation if it was put back where it belonged.

It was a part of Logan’s mug, the one Virgil had broken, a piece of glass the anxious side must have pocketed before he’d gone to Roman for help.

“Oh, kiddo.”

Virgil suddenly pulled his hand away, wrapping his arms around himself, and Patton felt the loss of contact like a physical ache in his chest.

He didn’t...he had no idea what he was supposed to do in a situation like this. Logan would know, he thought. Logan always knew the best approach when it came to Virgil.

But...but Virgil had gone to him. He’d been scared and confused and he’d gone to Patton first. That had to count for something, right?

“It’s ok,” he whispered, and then immediately winced at his own words. “I mean- I mean it’s not- obviously, but...but I’m not mad. I promise, I just...can you tell me why? Roman said you seemed...fine.”

“I was,” Virgil said, hoarse and unsteady. “I thought I was, but I...I was just staring at the glass and I...I knew it was ok. I knew it was just a mistake and I wasn’t in trouble but...God, Patton before if I had broken something of theirs? I wouldn’t have been able to walk for days.”

Just like he always did when Virgil mentioned how he used to be treated, Patton felt a little breathless, a dangerous type of protective anger fighting its way up to the surface.

But he forcefully pushed it back down, just like he always did. Virgil needed him right now.

“I know.”

“You don’t,” Virgil said. And again, just like always, he didn’t sound angry over his treatment. Just...hurt and resigned. “I’ve barely told you anything, Pat.”

“Kiddo, I…”

“They told me I deserved it,” Virgil continued. “You guys know that. And I...I know I didn’t. I- I know that now but I...I just kept looking at the glass and I- I couldn’t get that stupid little voice out of my head telling me I needed to be punished. That I...I deserved to be hurt for messing up.”

He was wiping furiously at his eyes, tugging at his sleeve despite it being nowhere near high enough for Patton to be able to catch a glimpse of the mark.

“That was how it was. I wouldn’t learn without pain. And if I didn’t learn...it would be worse. I know you guys would never, so I...I did it to myself. Without thinking, I just...hurt myself. Like they would have done.”

Patton ignored his own tears, the panicked beating of his heart, instead reaching out to touch Virgil’s trembling shoulder, freezing when the anxious side flinched away.

“Virgil,” he said softly, cringing at how unsure he sounded. “Nobody should ever be hurt over an accident. You shouldn’t...I’m so sorry you felt like you had to do that to yourself. That- that you wanted--”

“I don’t.” Virgil suddenly whirled to face him, eyes wide and brimming with tears, and he flinched when Patton involuntarily shrank back. “Sorry, I’m...s-sorry. I’m so sorry, Patton just...please don't think that. Please.”

“It’s alright, honey.” Slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements, Patton put the piece of glass on the coffee table and opened his arms in a hopeful invitation.

Virgil crumpled, face falling with so much hurt and shame, slumping forward into Patton’s chest and letting out a breathy, panicked sob.

“I’m sorry,” he said again, desperate, and Patton quickly wrapped his arms around him. “I’m sorry, please don’t- please don’t hate me I don’t--”

“I could never hate you.” He tightened his hold, reaching up to cup the back of Virgil’s head. “Never. Don’t you think for a second that this changes a thing.”

“I’m not gonna do it again,” Virgil added, voice muffled from Patton’s shirt and the sobs they were both fighting to hold back. “I sw- I swear I’m...I won’t. I don’t want to.”

“I trust you,” Patton said, and he could only silently hope it was the right thing to say. “And we’ll be right here to help make sure you don’t. Just like we’ve always been.”

Virgil didn’t speak again, not for another few moments, the two of them huddled on the couch, trembling and wrapped up in each other.

When he held Virgil in his arms, sometimes Patton could only picture how life had used to be for him. Always terrified, always hurting, surrounded only by hatred and cruelty.

Had Patton been the first person to ever hold him? Before he came to them, had there ever been a time he was shown even a shred of kindness?

“I didn’t deserve it.”

It was so quiet, so small and sudden, for a second Patton thought he’d imagined it. But then the words registered, and he pulled back slightly to look down at the side in his arms. Virgil didn’t look up, didn’t move from where he lay against Patton’s chest.

“Kiddo?”

“I didn’t deserve it.” It was more forceful this time, and Patton felt Virgil tighten his frantic grip. “I hated it and they knew that and they still... why? It’s been months and I can’t stop and they knew...I don’t understand. What did I do? Why would someone...why did they hate me enough to do this? I can’t...I can't get better and I can’t stop. I thought- I thought I was and then I did this.”

Patton pulled off his glasses and set them aside, leaning forward to press a kiss to Virgil’s hair before shakily answering. “You didn’t do anything, honey. Some people are just...misguided. They’re the parts of Thomas he would never embrace. It wasn’t your fault. You were...you were just trapped.”

Trapped was putting it lightly. Beaten, threatened, and gaslit were more accurate, but Virgil always felt uneasy using those terms.

As much as Patton hated this, hated seeing Virgil in so much pain...this was the first time he’d ever really acknowledged that what happened had been unfair. That he’d deserved better.

But he couldn’t really find it in himself to dwell on that when Virgil was crying into his shirt again, trembling and gasping and so clearly ashamed.

“I owe you guys everything,” Virgil managed. “I didn’t think it- it could ever stop and then it did. You- you said you would never hurt me and you didn’t, and I just...thank you. You don’t know how much I wanted this.”  

Patton’s throat felt tight icy dread and warm love fighting for dominance, hatred for the people who had left Virgil damaged (not broken, he reminded himself- just bruised. He was getting so much better even if Virgil couldn’t see it himself) settling deep in his gut.

He shoved it aside, and held Virgil tighter, letting him cry it out.

“You don’t need to thank us,” he said. “Loving you isn’t a chore, Virgil. You don’t ever need to feel like you owe us for being kind.”

“But nobody else ever was! Nobody...I- I know you always say it wasn’t my fault but...but they all hated me. What if...what if I did something wrong?”

“You didn’t.” They’d been over this before, but Patton would say it over and over again if he had to. “Nothing could warrant the treatment you got, Virge. You know that.”

“I...y-yeah, but--”

“And you don’t deserve to be hurting yourself now,” Patton continued. “Honey, I need you to promise me that if you feel...the urge to do that again, you’ll go and get someone, ok?”

Virgil nodded, breathing still erratic but gradually slowing. “Ok.”

“Promise me, kiddo. I can’t...the thought of you doing that, I just...come talk to us first, ok? Me, Logan, and Roman are always here. Even Janus and Remus if you can’t find us!”

“I will,” Virgil croaked, giving a watery smile when Patton ran a careful hand through his hair. “I promise.”

“Thank you.”

“And I’m…” Virgil hesitated, like he was carefully considering his next words. “I’m sorry. I- I know you’ll tell me not to be but...I’m really sorry. For doing that. For putting you through this.”

Patton shook his head, feeling his tears slide down his neck and soak into the collar of his shirt. “I just want you to feel safe, kiddo. That’s what we all want. More than anything.”

Virgil nodded, slowly extracting one arm from where it was pressed in between the back of the couch and Patton’s side, swiping at the tears still streaming down his face.

“I’m trying,” he said. “I am. I promise, I’m trying so hard.”

“We know. We all know, Virgil. We see it, even when you don’t. And we’re so, so proud of you.”

For a second, Virgil looked uneasy, like he wasn’t quite sure if Patton was telling the truth or not. But it didn’t last long, shoulders dropping as he offered a small smile and nod.

“Thank you. For...for everything.”

Neither of them were in much of a hurry to move, but it wasn’t long before Virgil’s eyelids began to droop, the anxious side swaying slightly where he sat, and Patton managed to lead him upstairs to his room and into bed.

He stayed in Virgil’s room, humming softly until he gradually drifted off to sleep. It only took a few moments, Virgil having quickly exhausted himself tonight.

Patton wondered how long it had taken him to work up the courage to ask for help tonight. He wondered what would have happened if he hadn’t.

That was...not a possibility he was comfortable thinking about right now.

But he’d promised he wouldn’t do it anymore. He would reach out first if it got to that point again, and he had plenty of people willing to help.

Virgil trusted Patton, and after what he’d been through the anxious side’s trust was a difficult thing to earn.

The least Patton could do was trust Virgil to keep a promise.

[tevatstavern]

Yang overload.

- Chongyun's positive (Yang) energy seemed to have gotten stronger lately, and it's starting to get out of hand more often than needed. Maybe a little talk about it won't hurt.

[chongyun x g.n reader] [no t.w] [slight fluff]

a.n I do apologize if they're always slight fluff, ehe I'm no good at fluffy fluffy yet! And the short summaries too;; (´；ω；｀)

-•-

After a while of nothing but staring at the beautiful sight around Liyue in Wanmin, you've suddenly felt suspicious with Chongyun's present behaviour.

He seemed a little dazed, it was also accompanied with a emotionless face. You would've thought he was reflecting on his life as an exorcist. But, no. It wasn't anything like that all!

Infact, it was the complete opposite.

All he could ponder about in his mind was you. Though, It may seem like it was way too cheesy and unromantic to him. After all, he didn't have the time to have such fun or acquire a small crush on a person.

But that seemed to changed today.

With a sigh, you stirred your iced water with a graceful slide with your fingers. The ice cubes clinking slightly when touching the inner parts of the glass cup.

It was no secret that you were gifted a vision by the gods. It was no different on how the others had gotten them as well.

Flabbergasted by the sudden news, you immediately made your mind up to help the ones in dire need with your vision! Of course, it wasn't always a perfect and clean run helping out, but the compensation were definitely rewarding.

After all, with great power comes with great responsibility.

Well, to start off your day, you went ahead and tried to find a glimpse of a blue haired exorcist during the marketplace below, early in the morning. Since he seems to be here for a reason, and definitely was not intended on resting.

So you decided to tag along with him before and during his commissions given by Katheryne.

It was a mess trying to clean up the scattered Cor Lapis that suddenly spurred out of his hands the second he turned around to see you waving. And by total accident, you've managed to blow 1 away from the ground and straight to the ocean.

You've never felt so guilty yet quite amused this year. Wincing, as he came back drenched, bangs almost fully covering his eyes. The wooden planks also wet from his steps.

"Sorry! I- I seriously still don't know how to control this well! I'm so sorry-"

"Its alright, All that matters now is that I've gotten my Cor Lapis back. It would've been a disaster if it swept across oceans. It was good I manage to swim my way there on time."

And Giving him his homemade ice popsicles didn't even do the trick at all!

"..."

"..."

"...so, feel better?"

"No. The heat is slowly rising up an- and I can't seem to stop it- I- I think I might've eaten something hot while I was chewing!"

"Want me to make a sweeter version instead? Or do you want me to fetch some Cyro Whopperflower's real quick instead?"

"It- it's alright! just make the popsicles please!"

This weekend, chaos was happening more frequently around him, and you were sure it was bound to continue like this in the next weeks. Besides, you weren't sure if he was in the right mindset this afternoon after all the things that had happened this morning.

Of course you knew he was strong enough to handle such issues and problems himself! But, maybe it's time for you to intervene.

And so, with a nervous glint in your eyes, you opened up your mouth, "Hey.." you spoke out, His eyes seemingly snapping back into reality as soon as he heard your voice, before making an eye contact with you.

"Huh? What is it? My apologies, it seems like I've dozed off.." apologizing, he immediately averted his eyes. Oh dear, is he heating up quicker than usual?

"Its alright, really. I just wanted to ask if there was anything wrong lately. Uh, like your Yang energy?"

"It's nothing to worry about.. Recently, my Yang energy has gotten stronger over the past few weeks and I've been trying to restraint it as much as I can." He confessed, clearing his throat in the process before lifting one of his hands up to grab his iced drink.

With a tilt of a head, you hummed in response. "I don't know about you, but I think that's something to worry about. Any explanations on how it gotten stronger?"

"No, sadly. I'm still trying to find the reasons to it, still no luck. But that's not what matters now, we still have a commission we haven't done yet."

"Wait what? I

thought we finished them all already!"

"Ah.. about that, its not really a commission but instead, clues and information's on spirits I've managed to get a hold of."

"And who did you get it from?"

"Xingqiu, he truly is a good friend, isn't he? With this much research and clues, we'll surely find a good one amongst these papers!" With a small and gentle smile, he sends it towards you. Placing the papers right in front, your eyes scanning through each information given.

'A Blue haired demon destroying a cart of popsicles in Qingce Village?'

"..of course." Ending the topic with a sigh, you took a sip of your water, watching as the sunset slowly get overtaken by the moon and stars. Chongyun did the exact same thing as well, watching as the skies split apart to show the bright moon.

Oh dear, did he managed to catch feelings for you during his travels? He could feel his heart beating.

Touching his face with his hand, he felt the heat slowly becoming more apparent. Sneaking a glance of you near him, his eyes softened.

How would he even confess to you? It was hard confessing without feeling so mushy and awkward, but now, since his Yang energy gotten stronger, it was impossible to even spit the words out at all!

It was in a perfect scenario already! There was barely any customers near, the night sky, with you by his side. It was all set. All he had to do was tell you and everything would be complete!

With a shaky hand, he gripped the glass before sighing. 'Alright, all I have to do is tell them before it's too late!'

Feeling his cheeks heat more than it did before,

He then sputtered out his confession.

"[ y.n ]. There's something important and urgent I need to tell you." Grabbing your attention immediately, you snapped your eyes towards Chongyun. "Yeah? What is it?"

With both of your eyes interlocked with one another, your heartbeats beating in a synchronised beat- you felt like this was a dream. This exact scenario that went through your head before.

His comforting yet sharp eyes staring directly at you with such intense passion, you felt like you could melt at the sight of it. The street lights and lamps that illuminate his face, and the blush plastered across his face was enough for you to replicate the same expression.

"[ y.n ] , uhm.. I.."

"Yeah?"

"Uh, I...."

Oh, well, this wasn't going as planned for him was it?

Nervously gulping, he averted his eyes from you. Watching you stare at him with a blush apparent on your face was enough to make him feel heated up and embarrassed.

Raising his hands, he gripped them together for support. "I..." He spoke, slowly turning his words into incoherent words, mumbling silently to himself before the heat finally got the best of him.

Immediately noticing how red he've gotten, you hastily replied to him to calm down. Grabbing his hand by the action, and gently letting him take hold of the iced drink himself.

But alas, it only worsened as he realized you were holding his hand for a mere second.

"Chongyun!" You yelled out, quickly getting out of your seat before grabbing ahold of him by the arm, the wind blowing in slightly to prevent him from falling over quickly.

Settling him back to his seat in the Wanmin restaurant, you sighed. The blush still visible in your face. The fire behind you cackling as footsteps from another person suddenly is being heard.

Giving your full attention to the entrance, your shoulders tensing up in anticipation, as you waited patiently. The footsteps growing louder and louder, only to be relieved that it was Chef Mao.

"Hey! Didn't know you two were still here, I was about to close up the restaurant." He grinned, walking inside the restaurant as he immediately went tidying up.

"Oh, we were just watching the sunset. I guess we've stayed for too long." You chuckled, Chef Mao could only laugh in return.

"Wayyy too long. Well, you might need to ask for some help if you need to lift a man up." He replied, his words motioning to Chongyun. His back faced to you as he placed the utensils back to their places.

You shook your head in disagreement, despite the fact you knew he couldn't see you. "Nono, it's alright. I think I can bring him to Wangshu Inn with no problem. So, How about I help you clean up, Chef Mao?"

"If you say so, and of course, I couldn't say no to that, even if I wanted to!"

Chongyun awoken with a groan, his hands immediately shielding him from the sun rays that sneakily came through the window binds.

"Huh..? Where am I?" He muttered to himself, eyes blinking twice, before he sat upright. Taking a quick scan around his surroundings, he immediately knew where he was.

"Wangshu Inn. But why am I covered in-" his sentence was cut of by the sight of you sitting down on a chair, your head laying on top of the bed. Your lips curling slightly downwards probably from the dream you're having.

Eyes widening slightly, he took the peaceful image of you in his mind. You looked so graceful sleeping,

despite your messy hair that managed to look quite fluffy to touch. The soft rays of light shining through, your body illuminating softly, giving you such an angelic aura. It almost felt like a dream to him aswell.

With a smile, he patted your hair, running his fingers through your hair. Even if it was tangled. Before placing a small yet gentle kiss on top of your forehead.

He doesn't remember anything that had happened to him during that night, like all the memories have been swiped away from him in a millisecond.

But, he was greatful to have a peaceful morning with you finally in it this time.

[imagine-that-one-thing]

Her Majesty. || 20

Cruella

Anastasia.

The palace halls' are bustling just like my thoughts are overflowing and seizing to stop. I haven't spoken to or seen Harry since we fell asleep last night. Everything was great until it wasn't.

It is partially my fault for what occurred last night. I shouldn't have glanced at his desk and picked up the file, his work is his business, and I had no right to look. I was intrigued. I didn't anticipate recovering photos of what transpired the night my father died, and I didn't expect all the emotions to boil over and cause me to break.

I walk to the stables, the last resort of attempting to attain Harry. When I woke up this morning, I had hoped he would be close by. He habitually tries to linger when he knows I need to be awake at certain times, but I received no greeting this morning. No text, no call, nothing.

I mindfully lead down the hill; strands of thin light come from the sky, springing in between the cloudy May morning. The malachite-green fields appear covered in a bright sheen under the morning rays. The sparkling morning dew is making itself present as I slide on the soggy grass, almost sliding down to a host of daisies dispersed at the bottom.

I find myself safe and sound at the bottom of the hill and in the presence of the horse stables. I discover Harry standing at the fence, leaning his arms on the top panel as he watches a few of the horses being moved around by trainers. Harry glances over his shoulder and sees me but diverts his attention back to the horses. My breath hitches in my throat as I inch closer, I had assumed our issue from last night had subsided, but from the look on his face, I was wrong.

"Been looking all over for you," I break the silence as I stand beside him.

Harry proceeds to stare at the horses, intently observing them. I can only presume he is out here for some fresh air and to clear his head for a few moments before going back to work. "Been here," Harry responds.

"Are we okay?"

Harry breaks his stare from the animals and cocks his head to the side to glance at me. Then, Harry takes a deep breath and nods, "Your horse is doing well," Harry gestures to Meadow as she leads with the trainer.

"Yes," I agree, "Why are you out here?"

"I am watching the horses."

"Why?" I press.

"See the horse on the left?" Harry questions, and I nod my head, "She's going to be racing with yours. They're both good contenders for the Ascot."

"Where did she come from? Mum's horse is grey."

"She's mine… Well, she is ours," Harry responds, "Been watching her train for the last six months."

"When did you have time to buy another horse?" I cross my arms over my chest. I don't know half the shit Harry does, but I am not surprised by him having another horse.

Harry shrugs his shoulders, "Well, the man next to Mum started training her, but he couldn't do it alone. He asked if I would help, and I couldn't, so he brought her down here. Your Mum said she could stay in the stables."

I raise a brow, "Okay… We can discuss the horse thing later, but why are you bouncing around my question on why you are out here? You don't hide out here. I have been looking for you for an hour."

"You know how you need alone time? So do I. You should go inside and get your cuts cleaned up properly," Harry gestures back towards the Palace.

"I am fine," I mutter, "What is wrong, Harry?"

Harry sighs and bends down, picking up a black file from beside his feet and handing it to me, "You want us to be an open book; here it is. I don't want you snooping through the office, I have nothing to hide, but there are sensitive things in that office that you do not need to see." Harry begins as I take the file from his hands, "This file… I am hesitant to give it to you, but if it stops us from arguing, so be it. This is information and pictures of all the suspects that could be linked to your father's murder. Matthew and I have been working with an undercover cop that Parliament hasn't paid off to keep quiet. I have a private detective working with us as well. Every person in this file are suspects and people to be wary of."

"Why are you—"

Harry cuts me off, "I don't want you arguing with me over it. That is why I am showing you. These people are all dangerous. I know what to look for when I am out. I can protect myself and don't need protecting. Matthew has enough faith in me to know I don't need security at all hours. I am safe, Anna. But you need to be aware of these people. Remember their faces in case they come around."

"Just because you can look after yourself, it doesn't mean something can't happen."

"I am trained to do what I do; I am qualified to deal with situations. Let me worry about safety, and you worry about governing the monarch. I am not trying to be condescending, but I don't want to fight with you over my safety. I also don't want you finding things you don't need to see."

"I didn't mean to find what I found. And I don't want to argue; I am just worried about you."

"I know," Harry nods, his eyes ultimately softening, "I am fine, Anastasia, Matthew and I know what we are doing. You wanted us to uncover who did this, and we are. You need to let me do my job as security personnel, and you need to let me do what needs to be done."

I become withdrawn and open the file, my eyes momentarily skimming the photos and the information written under each image. No surprise, half of these members are part of Parliament. "I am working on proving they are immoral. Your mother and I are coming up with a plan."

"My mother is in on this?"

Harry nods, "Yes, sweetheart."

"You're not a detective or an assassin, and you can't do this."

"I promised you I would find who did this. We know what we are doing. Can we please leave this conversation alone now?"

I hand Harry the file back and clear my throat, deciding that sometimes what I do not know will not hurt me. I understand where Harry is coming from. "So, you have another horse in Ascot? How rich are you?" I chuckle.

"Not very," Harry responds. "Speaking of money though," Harry begins, "There is a house up for sale in the countryside. Would you like to take a look at it? It would be a good escape for you, so you aren't always on royal grounds."

"I haven't even looked at the Duchy of Lancaster. I have no clue what is in that trust that I have now inherited."

I have no clue how the trusts work. My father took care of everything, making sure I had everything I needed. Now, I have no clue how much money is sitting in my name or what to do with it.

I know there is land, estates, and God knows what at my disposal. My father never prepared me for financial things; he prepared me for hosting banquets and talking to world leaders.

"Baby, I didn't ask if you would pay. I asked if you wanted to look at it and discuss it."

"We can," I agree, "But I don't want our homes to be a part of the royal estates or trusts."

"As you wish," Harry nods, "I will send you what I found. Look for something you want. I am going back to work." Harry steps away from the fence, beginning to walk away from me.

"Harry," I call his name, and he turns around to look at me, "Are you sure we are okay?"

Harry nods his head and steps closer to me, "Yes. I am going to work. I love you. But before I go," Harry leans closer, "There's a hidden trust; you might want to find it." Finally, Harry whispers before he kisses my cheek and shuffles away, leaving me alone near the stables.

As much as he says we are okay, there's a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. No matter what, I am not going to like the idea of Harry and Matthew doing what they are doing. When I was in an emotional rage, of course, I wanted them to avenge my father's murderer, but not I want them both safe. I know they are knowledgeable and highly trained men, but I don't want the wrong person to find out what they are doing and turn the tables. Likewise, I don't want Harry getting caught up in anything more than what he already has.

♛ ♛ ♛

With Harry being tied to me, he is at a greater risk than he was beforehand. I don't think he quite understands, but I need to trust that he knows what he is doing.

I convene at my desk, carrying on my day of signing documents, writing letters, organising the royal tour with my assistant and doing my best to come up with ideas for the charities I represent.

On top of everything, I also have the task of discovering more about the armed forces. As the Queen, I can declare war and peace under the Royal Prerogatives, meaning I must stay updated with all foreign affairs. This type of pressure is something I do not want. If there is anything, my father was best at understanding his troops and knowing what to do in every situation. My father may not have been the most beneficial at opening charity events or attaining the right charities to represent. Still, his military was at the top of his priority list. I can only assume his devotion is due to him being a military member himself.

My father served in the forces before I was born. I must continue his work and devotion to the troops, not just as Queen but also as his daughter. With each day that crosses, the list of things I need to tend to is getting more comprehensive, adding pressure to my shoulders. I am drowning in the depths of the royal monarchy.

I glance towards Estelle and hit my pen on the paper in front of me, "Estelle," I distract her from the letters she is sorting through, "Will you get me the report of the day's parliamentary proceedings and find me someone who knows something about the military... Who helped my father?"

"Your Majesty, Prince Louis was the one who helped him the most."

"Great, tell him I want him in my office, please," I smile towards her, "I don't care if he is busy with Madeleine."

Estelle chuckles and nods her head, "I will, and I will get you the report," she responds, standing from her position and marching out of my office, leaving me alone for the first time today.

I take a moment to adjust my task from royal duties to hunting for a property that will not be associated with the royal family-- something that will be mine and Harry's. I explore the internet, unsure of what I am looking for. All I genuinely recognise is I want something homey, something that isn't just four walls and a roof, something that will be a nice escape from a life that I have never wanted. I want a small, cosy place where I won't have to worry whether staff will be watching or if the security cameras are on. I want something ordinary, maybe something with a vegetable patch or a small garden for me to look after. I don't want anything substantial.

"Ah, Anna, my darling friend," Louis enters my office with his arms spread out with an extensive grin across his face, "This better be good because I was-- Well, nevermind what I was doing," Louis trails off with a shit-eating grin, prompting me to shake my head.

"I don't even want to know, Louis," I screw my nose up at the possible thoughts of what he was up to. "I need some help."

"You're beyond help."

"Oi," I laugh, "If I wanted a smartass, I would have summoned Harry."

Louis nods his head, "I would say he is more of the prick than a smartass," Louis laughs, "He is a prick but also a standup guy."

"I didn't call you in here to discuss Harry. I need some help with this military stuff," I gesture towards the paperwork on my desk, "I don't know the first thing about this. You were my Dad's second hand."

Louis moans and slumps down in the chair beside me, "That is privileged information, and so is whatever I tell you, so what is in it for me?" Louis questions, holding the papers in his hands and flicking through them.

"Well," I begin, "I will let you continue staying at the Palace rent-free while you screw my other friend," I respond with a smirk, "And I will keep your secrets about what you do in the rooms that you are not meant to be in."

Louis stares at me with his lips wide apart, "Yeah, my husband is second in commands with security, and he watches the cameras. So he views every dirty thing you have done between events."

"Bloody Harry," Louis shakes his head, "Okay, well, since the cat is out of the bag, I shall help," Louis accepts, taking my laptop and commencing to take control over the word document, typing away and explaining as he goes. "Before I get too deep into this, who else knows about the shenanigans I have done?"

"Just Harry, he turns the camera's off to shield your dignity."

Louis shrugs his shoulders, "Hm, good man," Louis nods, "So, I-"

I cut him off, "So you should continue to help me unless you want Harry to stop hiding your sex tapes."

"Ouch, that is so dirty. They're not sex tapes, Anastasia. I was hoping you wouldn't act like I haven't seen you and Harry sneak off."

"So, the military," I change the subject, gesturing towards my laptop, "You type and explain," I command, not wanting to address private matters any further, he may be my best guy friend, but we do not discuss these things when the Palace staff can hear us.

I glance up from the desk and recognise Pippa waltzing in with papers in her hands. Pippa grants me a smile and stares towards Louis, "What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too, Cruella de Vil," Louis mutters.

Pippa places the papers in her hand on my desk, not breaking her gaze from Prince Louis, "The thing is, I was born brilliant, born bad, and a little bit mad. I'm Cruella. So don't piss me off." She recites a line from the real Cruella.

"Oh, you bring shivers to my spine; how will I ever sleep at night?" Louis leans back in his chair, amused by the banter.

"On a bed of nails with any luck," Pippa mutters, "I need you to sign these," Pippa pushes the papers towards me, "Parliament needs to be opened."

I nod my head and bring the papers closer to me, and Louis takes them from me, "So, do you plan to let me be reinstated in Parliament or are you still banishing me?" Louis questions, taking me by surprise.

When was Louis part of Parliament to begin with?

"Louis, darling, you're not fit to be in Parliament. We have been through this."

"No," Louis shakes his head, "You have been through this. I suggest you let me in."

"And I suggest that you sit down. Little boys should be seen and not heard."

"Pippa," I scold, "He is still a Prince. You will show respect," I inform Pippa, reminding her of her position. Pippa may be prime minister, but she still has an obligation to respect all royal members. "I will open parliament when I am ready."

"Anna, I don't need to remind you of the symbolism of the unity of Parliament's three parts."

I heavily groan and nod my head, "Yes, the Sovereign, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. I know, I am not a moron, as I said, I will open it when I am ready, Pippa."

"I suggest you make a wise decision and open it sooner rather than later."

"Pippa," I begin, "I will force the dissolution of Parliament through a refusal of royal assent if you don't leave me alone." I threaten her, not wanting to open Parliament until I know what I want to do. I do not wish to open Parliament with the members I currently have.

"You cannot do that alone," Pippa shakes her head, "So, sign and open."

Harry descends into the room, and I perceive him wander closer, his eyes staring at Pippa from behind as I begin to speak, "Pippa, all due respect, but I will do it when I am ready."

Pippa has no desire to take my word.

Louis clears his throat, "Cruella, she has told you she will do it when she is ready."

"Better men have called me worse things," Pippa returns bitterly.

"I doubt that they were better men," Harry interrupts the small feud that is happening in my office, "Now, I suggest you curtsey to the Queen and walk out." Harry advances forward as Pippa turns around to observe him. "Don't look at me like that. Your stare doesn't scare me."

"It ought to."

"It doesn't," Harry responds, "Now, get out. I want to speak to my wife."

"Your wife is busy."

"Pippa," Harry settles himself, taking a breath and closing his eyes for a brief moment, "Sometimes dead is better, you know a little something about that, don't you?" Then, Harry questions, "Now, if you don't get out, you will find yourself with Henry."

"Is that a threat, Harry?"

Harry shakes his head, "No, merely a comment, now walk," Harry points towards the door.

Pippa doesn't speak, and she keeps her lips tight as she half curtseys to me and begins to make her way to the door.

"Oh, so him she listens to," Louis mutters, crossing his arms over his chest.

Pippa glances over her shoulder, "He has the power to kill me, and he's better looking," Pippa responds, waving her hand and walking out of my office.

I stare at Louis and Harry before I shake my head, unsure of what just happened in my office. "Harry, my best pal." Louis grins, his cheery tone not working magic on Harry.

"What do you want?" Harry sighs, walking around the desk and coming towards me, leaving a kiss to the top of my head before he leans on my desk.

"Pippa seems to be scared of you, and I want to be back in parliament, make it happen."

Harry shakes his head, "I can't, I have no power over Parliament if I did… Well," Harry pauses, "Nevermind, I won't finish my sentence."

Louis pauses for a moment, looking towards me for help, but I don't intervene. I had no clue Louis wanted to be a part of political matters. "You're King, and you have just as much power as Anna."

"Sure, Louis, run in parliament, I don't give a damn," Harry responds, his tone of voice coming across as agitated.

"You're a bit hostile," I point out, regarding Harry's tone of voice and the way his mood hasn't changed since Pippa marched out. "What has you all rattled?"

"Is he not always hostile?" Louis chuckles, causing Harry to break a small smile.

Finally.

"I am," Harry nods, "I don't feel the best, and Pippa irks my nerves. Can we please get rid of her?"

Louis looks back down at the paperwork Pippa wants me to sign, "Since you have the means to kill her, why don't you? Do us all a favour."

"Oi," I interrupt the two men, "That is not how we speak around here. We do not condone murder. We have had enough murder."

"We can discuss a plan later," Louis shakes his head. "When she isn't around," Louis gestures towards me.

"Mhm," Harry hums, "You were so sweet when I first met you. So what the fuck happened?"

"He hung out with you," I murmur while Harry moves a few things around on my desk, purposely making sure they are not in their proper position. I don't know why Harry enjoys rearranging my desk.

"Anyway," Harry begins, "I came here to tell you that it isn't a good idea to open Parliament right now. I would recommend you don't listen to Pippa."… "With that being said, I am going to go lay down before I have to escort your mother through the tunnels."

"What do you know?" I instantly ask.

Harry shrugs, "She wants it open to try and gain more control. Goodbye, Louis. Goodbye, darling," Harry kisses my cheek before stepping away from my desk, not giving me much more detail to work with.

I wake up to a refreshing breeze tapping my skin that the soft sheets haven't covered.

When I finished my impromptu meeting with Louis, Harry wasn't back home; he was still on my mother's service. I am not sure where they went or what they were doing— all I know is that when Harry came home, he collapsed to the bed and fell asleep, barely managing to mumble a Goodnight to me.

I stretch my arm over to Harry's side, surprised when I notice it empty. I sit up in the bed and glance around, my eyes settling on the white balcony curtains whirling with the inadequate breeze. I get out of bed and follow the draft. My hand pushes the sheer white curtains to the side, and I step out on the balcony.

The early morning air is a little crisp for my liking, but it's soothing. The breeze drifts through my hair, the summery feeling still evident as another day of June will wake in a few hours. I cross my hands over my chest, shielding myself from the light breeze.

"Waking up alone is getting old," I softly make Harry aware of my presence, and he turns to gaze at me.

"Hey, why are you awake?" He asks, his voice low and flat, his arm resting in an L shape.

"I'm not sure. Are you getting ready to go to work?" I ask, considering it's around the time he obliges to start getting ready. His hours are all over the place, and I can never keep track. I rarely wake up to him still in bed.

Harry shakes his head, "I don't feel too well."… "The pain is getting worse." His voice is flat and laced with pain he’s trying to hide.

"In your shoulder?" I softly challenge, and Harry nods his head just as enough light touches his face for me to recognise the fullness of his eyes and most of the colour drained from his face. "Go sit down, and I'll be right back," I instruct as I step back into the room and grab a robe.

I wrap the robe around me and exit my room. The door closes behind me, and I look both ways of the hallway, stopping when I recognise Matthew with his arms crossed and his figure stepping closer to me.

"Where exactly are you planning to go?" He questions.

"I need an ice pack or two. Will you accompany me?" I softly request, already knowing the answer. There's no chance of Matthew allowing me to walk around at this hour by myself.

Matthew and I wander the hushed hallways, passing closed doors and darkened rooms. The Palace at this hour is quite eerie. There's no staff bustling around, and if there is, there's very few of them. Everyone is mostly asleep. The only people awake are the security team and the kitchen staff, who get up early to prepare for the day. "Do you ever sleep, Matthew?"

Matthew laughs and shrugs his shoulders, "On occasions, Her Majesty."

"Why must you address me formally?" I groan, nudging him as we progress to walk back to my room.

"You are the Queen."

"My name is Anastasia," I correct Matthew. "So, when are we letting my husband take over as head of security?" I half-heartedly joke, wanting to proceed with the walk with conversation and not silence.

"Perhaps, when I retire," Matthew responds, "Thought you wanted him out of the security business?"

I shrug my shoulders, "I do, but I know he wants to work, so who am I to stand in his way?"

"He's good at what he does. Best worker I've had in my entire career."

"Mhm," I hum, "So, how much closer are we to finding my fathers murderer?"

"Anna, I will not discuss that with you," Matthew shakes his head, "On a rare occasion, I made a deal with Harry. I promised him I wouldn't tell you."

"Go figure," I roll my eyes, "I just want to be in the loop."

"You know enough, focus on running the monarchy and let me and him do our job," Matthew presses in a polite manner. No matter how hard I press, I don't foresee Matthew or Harry giving me too much information.

I am sure they have leads and their suspicions, and I am sure they can prove who killed who, but I want to know.

While walking back, I think about Louis. He told me earlier that he had the opportunity to be in Parliament and was running until Pippa knocked him down. After that, Pippa refused to let him be in the office, and my father agreed with her, stating he was too young to be playing in the business.

I don't think Pippa declined him and banished him for his age, but more so because she knew he would not be on her side. Louis joined the political party, but Pippa refused to let him stay on.

He was forced into his royal duties since Pippa refused his entry into Parliament.

Louis' life is a bit complicated. He isn't a royal on standard terms. Louis' parents are royals of the Kingdom of Sweden. He will never become a King; he is a very distant Prince, around tenth in line for the throne. He will only ascend the throne on the death of the entire family. Despite being born a Prince, Louis was not born in Sweden. He was born in the United Kingdom, therefore making him a citizen here.

Due to my father's tight ties with Sweden, they agreed to allow Louis to represent both countries as he got older. When Louis turned eighteen, he kept his title as Prince but showed his dedication to upholding both ties, wanting to be a part of the British notions. My father agreed, taking him under his wing. Louis spent most of his childhood here with me. At the time, I am sure our parents thought we would grow up to get married. Instead, I married a commoner, and he is dating an heir to the throne. Madeleine will ascend the throne on her mother's death; she will become the Queen of Denmark.

Louis wants to regain his role in Parliament, and I think he would be exceptional, but I don't believe Pippa will allow it. She will fight me tooth and nail, and I don't want to fight her on more issues. Louis will have to find a way to enter Parliament. Perhaps Harry can help him figure something out.

📷

I move into my room and close the door behind me, surprised when I don't recognise Harry on the balcony or in the bed. I follow the dim light to the bathroom and locate Harry leaning over the sink with the water running and his arm in an L shaped being held by his hand.

"What happened?"

"I moved my shoulder the wrong way, and the pain… fuck, the pain was so bad it had me throwing up," Harry breathes out, "Go back to bed, I'll be fine."

"I'm not going back to bed," I respond, caressing my hand to his back and rubbing soothing circles, "Do you want me to call the doctor up here?" I offer, clutching a face towel and running it under the water before holding it to his forehead.

"I don't think she can do anything."

"She can give you something for the pain," I suggest, dabbing his reddened cheeks and shifting away from a few stray and fallen curls from his forehead, "How long has it been like this?"

"It has been getting progressively worse over the last month. I can't move my shoulder much," Harry confesses.

"You've been lying to me."

"I didn't want you to worry," Harry responds, "I'm okay, really, please go back to bed." Harry leans away from the face towel and gestures towards the bedroom, still cradling his arm.

Harry and I step into the bedroom, and he sits on the edge of the bed with a groan. I grab the ice packs I ventured out to get, and I gingerly sit beside him on the bed. "It's going to be cold, but it'll help with the pain," I inform Harry.

"Anna, please don't touch my shoulder, I'm begging. I can't handle more pain."

"It won't be painful. It's just a cold pack," I assure Harry, holding the cold pack to his shoulder ever so gently. Harry instantly lets out a breath and bows his head. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Been a bit busy," Harry responds, "Don't have time for this. Have the Ascott coming up and your royal tour."

"Well, you're going to have to make time," I sigh, holding the ice pack in place. "How are you feeling?"

"I am wonderful," Harry sarcastically responds, "Never felt better."

"No need for sarcasm," I mutter, rubbing his lower back while he takes a few deep breaths.

Harry has never been one to complain. On the contrary, he has barely missed a day of work since he began working at the Palace; even when he is sick, he has always showed up and done his best.

The royal doctor steps into the room and looks at me, "You look fine?" She challenges, scanning me up and down. I shake my head and gesture to Harry on the bed.

It is a change of events. For once, it isn't me calling for her to assist me; it is him.

"I am guessing you didn't follow up post-surgery, huh?" she questions, stepping towards Harry and bending down to kneel beside the bed.

Harry grunts and shakes his head, not bothering to defend himself. I had no clue things were this bad with his shoulder. I was under the impression the surgery went well, and he was on the road to a full recovery. He didn't show too many signs of pain until just recently. The doctor begins to check his vitals before taking a breath and touching his shoulder, putting pressure on him just enough to cause him to hiss. "I barely touched you," she defends, "Can you lift your arm?"

"If I could, do you think you would be here?" Harry snarls, letting out a heavy breath before apologising for his tone of voice.

"I am not going to stand here and waste time, and I am calling for you to go to the Hospital. I'll call for an ambulance."

"No," Harry shakes his head, "I can drive."

"Not a chance," the doctor shakes her head, "I know you are aware of what protocol is, and this is my protocol. You need surgery, and you're getting it, now," she informs him, taking her phone from her pocket and unlocking it. Harry groans in the background and continues to shake his head. He disputes the idea of an ambulance, arguing until we agree to find another way to get him to where he needs to be.

He's pretty stubborn, but I understand why he doesn't want an ambulance. He doesn't want attention drawn to him and doesn't believe he needs to take an ambulance from someone else when he is in perfect condition to wait.

♛ ♛ ♛

I remain in the hospital room with Matthew, both remaining in silence and staring at the oblique walls. At four in the morning, there isn't much to do or say. Against Harry's wishes, we brought him to King Edward VII's Hospital; he refused to be taken by ambulance, so we compromised and took him to the private Hospital by a car Matthew drove. He had exactly two minutes to sign medical papers before he was whisked off to surgery.

The Hospital is modest, with 56 beds and boasting more than four nurses to every patient. The Hospital has been in the family for decades. The Hospital was established in 1899 to treat injured soldiers fighting in the Second World War.

Just down the corridor from reception is the well-stocked library. It baffles me that there is such an extensive library, but others may want to read while waiting in anticipation. I don't want to read a novel about a love story, science or really anything. I want to be told that the surgery went well and Harry is okay.

I hear my phone go off, and I ignore it, continuing to stare at the walls, my foot tapping against the floor.

Ding, Ding, Ding.

I tiredly grab my phone, the dinging sounding every second causing me to glance towards Matthew. Matthew raises a brow, the irritating noise also coming from his phone.

I blink a few times at my screen, "You've got to be kidding me," I sigh profoundly, reading the banner on my phone that displays breaking news. "How? How does anyone know?" I immediately ask, clicking the link and beginning to read the article.

"Breaking news, on the advice of the Royal Highness's Doctor, one of Britain's royal members has been taken to Hospital. It is unknown which royal has been rushed in. The unknown monarch was taken by private car to King Edward VII Hospital in London.

All official engagements for this week, including the Queen's trip to Rome, will more than likely be postponed. The Queen is likely not to attend the Ascott. More information to come soon."

I glance towards Matthew, who shakes his head before he taps the phone screen and touches it to his ear. "I need Police officers to guard the entrance of King Edward VII Hospital, now." Matthew speaks into his phone, "And I need two guards at the entrance of room 15." Matthew ends the call and peers towards me, "Either someone saw us, or there is a palace snitch."

"What do we do?"

"Good question," Matthew bites on his lip as he operates his fingers through his hair. "I uh... I do not know. It is your decision... What should we tell the press?"

"It is none of their business. Harry is a private man."

Matthew nods, "He won't be too happy if we release his name."

"Can we say the articles are fake?"

"There are pictures…" Matthew shakes his head, "I'll think of something, don't stress over it. I'll handle it."

"Okay," I agree, "What do I do about a snitch? I don't want a snitch in my Palace."

"I will handle it. But, unfortunately, there are a few new guys who Harry and I didn't trust."… "Do I have permission to fire anyone I deem unfit?"

"Be my guest," I agree, putting my phone down.

I do not want my trust broken within my Palace. I should trust that all staff will keep their lips tightly sealed when it comes to private matters.

Harry will be pissed to find out that the media have written about this.

If there is a snake in my Palace, I will not allow them to get away with speaking to the press. Over the years, staff have been known to sell stories to the media for the right price. It drove my Father insane, but sometimes he understood the circumstances. As much as the staff are paid as well, there have been times during the years that the staff have not received enough to make ends meet.

♛ ♛ ♛

Harry and I relax on the balcony overlooking the beautiful garden behind the hospital, both of us taking the time to inhale the morning air and watch the gardens come to life as the sun continues to rise. Harry has a light blanket draped around his shoulders while in a shoulder sling to stop him from moving his shoulder too much. He looks miserable, but he isn't in as much unbearable pain that he was in and throwing up.

His free hand holds his cup of orange juice, and he screws his nose up with every drink he takes. "It isn't coffee," Harry huffs, "A little coffee won't hurt."

"You're on morphine, no," I shake my head, leaning back on my chair and enjoying the quiet morning.

"Fair point," Harry sighs, "Your first Royal tour is coming up. How do you feel about that?"

"Why are you making small talk?" I curiously ask, "You're meant to be sleeping."

"Hasn't fully kicked in yet," Harry answers, "I'm asking because I'm not going to be able to make it for the first part of your Royal tour."

I grow quiet, well aware that there's a good chance he won't be on tour with me. However, I had an idea after the events of the last few hours. Harry being in as much pain as he is in can only mean one thing— his surgery wasn't successful, and he will need another.

I have no desire to do the tour alone, I want him with me, but it isn't his fault. There comes a time I have to be a big girl and do what Queens do— keep moving forward.

I can do it on my own; I do not need him. I want him. I know the difference.

"I know," I softly sigh, "I suppose I'll think of something."

"I'm sorry, Anna."

"I know, I heard from the doctor… it was crucial to get it fixed," I remind him of the words she told him. She was very blunt with telling him.

"I don't think I can physically go; they're not going to let me. They want to do another surgery in a few days to fix the last part." Harry begins.

"I don't want you to push it back. I'll be fine. I've done tours before. I'm sure this will go smoothly. And maybe you'll be able to meet me for the last part of the tour?" I ask, and Harry nods his head.

"I'll do my best if I ever make it out of this hell hole."

"It isn't that bad," I glance over at him, and he raises a brow, disagreeing with me.

Harry cocks his head to the side, "Darling, if you weren't here, I'd be staring at the wall. But, unfortunately, all they have for entertainment are books."

"Well, you love to read."

"Not when I'm in pain and can barely see from my meds."

"Makes it even more fun," I joke, gently nudging him, "Do you want to go to the Palace? They might release you."

"Baby, they're not going to let me go until I have my last surgery. Then, according to them, I'm at flight risk of not coming back," Harry laughs, "And they're right, that's why I'm in this position because I didn't listen."

"You never listen," I respond, "Well, once your surgery is done, we can have you taken to the palace and have you cared for there."

"Can you be my nurse?"

I shake my head, "No, you have a smirk on your lips, which means one thing."

"Oh, come on," Harry whines, "I need a little TLC."

"You get enough TLC." I chuckle, shaking my head, "You're getting sleepy. Back inside, you go," I gesture inside, standing to my feet and holding his arm as he stands up as well.

[the-slasher-files]

OC: ANDREI KULOKOVA - NSFW ALPHABET

18 + ahead. Andrei is a freak and I cannot stop thinking about him so he needed this post badly.. hope you enjoy 🔪💕

MASTERLIST

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

Usually Andrei is very attentive after sex, especially after a particularly rough session. He will clean you of any blood, kiss your bruises and cuts, stroke your hair and call you his perfect little mouse.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

His own favorite body part would have to be his hands and his teeth. Andrei’s hands are very skillful, and he likes to work with them any chance he gets either for murder or for love. The man has extremely sharp canine teeth that he loves to bite, plus Andrei knows it makes him sexier and more animalistic.

Andrei loves his partners neck and back. He goes wild if you have short hair or have your hair up, he will just sit there watching your back and neck as you make him dinner, loving how the muscles move and flex, adoring every bone in your back rise and fall, they’re just so breakable. It feeds his feral side if he sees you faulting the mark he has given you.  

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

This boy likes it messy, big time messy. It is almost like an animalistic desire to see you covered in him and even yourself, if you mix a little blood in there too, oh boy, you’ve unlocked feral Andrei. He does also have a huge breeding kink and he will fill you up one thousand times over, finger you watching it ooze and drip, then rubbing it all over you and him. Andrei is nasty. He might even eat you out while your dripping his cum out of you.

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

He secretly wants to be a sub but it will take a long, long time for him to get there and be comfortable being a switch. Andrei loves his partners to ride him and that is his submissive side wanting to be released, but he will always act as if he is in control. 

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

Andrei is defiantly experienced in sex, but in a relationship, that’s a bit different. He is very good at sex and he knows it, but he tends to be a little selfish and loose himself, just jackhammering into you. Often Andrei has “fun” with his prey and has paid more than he would like to admit for a good time.   

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

Missionary, doggy or having his partner ride him. Missionary is by far his favorite, Andrei wants, needs, to feel you writhe under him, he wants you to look him in the eyes as you cum, and feeling your pulse under his fingers.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

Andrei is a very serious man in every way, and sex is often very intense, there is no room or enough air to laugh, but after a long time of being together he has a strange silly side to him. Especially if you catch him off guard with a joke he doesn't quite understand, "You are interesting little mouse" or Andrei's sadistic humor comes out when you jump a little too much at the flick of his knife.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

Andrei is not a hairy man by any means, so he is very fortunate enough to let his hair go and it is still only a medium amount of hair. Not overly long, curly light brown, but he likes to keep it under control for the most part. Andrei also has a little treasure trail.

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

Now Andrei has no clue how to be romantic, it is never something anyone had ever shown him, so keeping you alive, living together and sex is his romance. Andrei is very intense in the bedroom and will kiss and love you there but outside of the bedroom, you might have to help him. Intimacy can be hard because he is very touched starved, the small touches and gentle kisses is something that is hard for him, so don’t be mad if you go hold Andrei’s hand and he pulls away. You need to teach him a lot in this department. His favorite thing is holding you though, either sweeping you off your feet or holding you on his lap, man loves it. 

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

Andrei is a horny man who is gone a lot from home so of course he jacks off. Sometimes even if you’re at home he will call you into the bedroom and will just be fisting his cock smirking at you

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

This guy has so so many but his top favorites are blood, breath play, knives, predator/prey, breeding, daddy, fear play and bondage. He is a creative man with a lot of time on his hands.

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

Andrei will literally take you anywhere he damn pleases, from the field to the abandoned buildings to any surface in the house. He lives in the middle of nowhere so why bother trying to hide.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

This guy is horny 89% of the time, so just always watch your back for the wolf lurking in the house. Your new pair of jeans that hug your ass just right? careful. Batting your lashes when looking up at him? watch out. If you really want him to get going, get yourself something sliky and lacy that puts your body on display, straddle his lap with one of his knives in hand, holy shit Andrei will lose it. 

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

Andrei honestly doesn't have many no's and he will try it at least once before saying no. Absolutely no mommy kinks, given his past. Humiliation is a big no, he will never do it to you and you should never do it to him. Overly dominating him in his life, if you are worthy enough to see his sub side only use that in the bedroom, if you take that into every day life by ordering him around or asking for certain tasks done he is going to be very annoyed and pissed off. With you Andrei only wants a few simple things like cleaning his house, making him dinner and cuddling on the couch, other than that you are a free person, he won't try to really control you much. Just don't be stupid by leaving or putting yourself in danger or else his control and overbearingness comes out.

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

Now Andrei loves to see his s/o writhe, whimper and beg for him. It's an animalistic need. And he is stupidly perfect with his tongue and his hands are extremely skillful. You will have a great time with him going down on you, just watch his teeth if he gets too carried away and he loves to tease and edge so he might be down there a while. However Andrei doesn't go down on you too often because he knows he just that good, and he's an ass. But if you thought just because he doesn't go down on you often means you are off the hook?? Nope. He has a huge thing for getting his dick sucked and he's going to make you do it constantly.. sorry.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

Andrei is a delicious, addicting mix of both in a way. He might edge and tease with foreplay for hours but the wolf is going to intensely and roughly ruin you, but if he is switches positions with you he likes to take it slow for a minute just watching you, praising and stroking your hair, probably wiping a tear or blood away, then back to impaling you. It's a true battle between the wolf and Andrei all they time.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

He is a big fan, mainly just because he is horny a lot and has a lot of work to do. It's and instant anger/stress relief for him. But at the end of the day if you can quiet his mind enough Andrei enjoys watching you to crumble slowly under his hands and go for a long, long session.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

He is an ex soldier and mercenary, of course he's a risk taker. Andrei, like I said before, likes to try stuff at least once before saying no. Also being with him everyday is a risk in general, with all his knives and blood obsession.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

This guy has stamina for days. You would think with all the cigarettes he smokes he would be dead in 10 minutes, but boy were you wrong. His hunts can go on for 10 hours or more sometimes, so you are at least in for 3-5 rounds at a time. If Andrei has been gone on a mission for a month or so and comes home you are not leaving the bedroom (or where ever he wants to fuck you) for at least 2 days.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

He doesn't necessarily like toys to make you or himself cum but for teasing he will totally be down for it. Andrei rather just use his mouth or hands. Skin on skin is what he likes.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Andrei adores teasing so much, he wants to break you down, bulid you back up then pick you apart again and again. He will put a plug in you all day just making sure you're ready for whenever he chooses to come home. Edging you is his favorite past time, he will do it until you cry and he will wipe the tears away and say "you're so beautiful myshka"

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

He is not very talkative in his everyday life but man is a huge dirty talker when getting into it. He also produces wolf like growls deep within his throat creating the most sinful and sexual noise you had ever heard

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

Silly drunk Andrei is my personal favorite, and it doesn't happen often at all so take it and run with it. He will start Russian dancing and almost failing over telling you watch him and learn, its very serious to him that you watch. He will also start singing old Russian songs from his childhood, loudly and wildly. Love and cherish this Andrei.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

Man is a big boy all the way through, even below the belt. A good 7 inches and thicker than average. Circumcised with a beautiful rosey head, and 2 large veins running the length.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

Man wants to go literally all the time. He has an inhuman sex drive. If you just tell him you want him Andrei drops everything and bends you over the nearest surface.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

Andrei has a hard time sleeping and winding down. His active mind just will not stop, so he really enjoys just watching you sleep on his chest, being gentle with his hands along your body and in your hair. If you don't fall asleep very fast either now is the perfect time to talk with him, get stories of his missions, Russian folk tales, funny stories about his brothers in the military and brutal childhood. He just wants someone to share his pain and his love with at the end of the night. Run your hands along his scars and in his hair while you're at it and you will have tamed a wolf.

[writingsfromstarfleet]

Q - Not That Bad

♫ - The Rains - Henry Jamison 

For the always lovely @okamiredfoxx I sincerely hope you enjoy! All you lot too, as always, thank you for reading! Hugs! ♡

The captain had called his staff to the bridge not too long into your shift, and you made your way there alongside Geordi. As you entered, Picard was stood almost defensively with Riker shadowing behind, seemingly arguing with a man who you had never seen before. Seeing the uniform, you turned to Geordi.

"A higher up? The captain doesn't argue with superiors, does he?" you whispered, as Geordi folded his arms and shook his head.

"Oh, this guy is not a superior."

Before you could ask what that statement meant, the man in question made a dramatic motion around, his voice loud over the hum of the Enterprise; despite Geordi's claims of the man not being superior, he held every single crewmembers attention like a queen in her court. He turned, arms wide to gesture at the crew.

"And this.. this-"

His words cut off as he made eye contact with you, and your breath hitched. He was handsome, whoever he was, and certainly entertaining. You raised an eyebrow, unsure of why he was looking at you in such a manner, before he made his way to you with a graceful decorum.

"Ah," the man began, taking your hand and raising it to his lips to place a delicate kiss atop your knuckles. "Le plus beau, magnifique."

Unsure of his action but somehow not able to take your eyes off him, you were thankfully dismissed of the interaction by the captain.

"Enough, Q. Get off my bridge!"

'Q,' you thought, smiling a little to yourself. You were no longer looking at him, but he most certainly was looking at you. 'What a gentleman.'

Whether that thought was genuine or sarcastic, even you couldn't tell.

Q had lived a long time, he had met many people, aliens and the like. In all of that time, he had never seen someone with quite the amount of ethereal beauty you possessed. Never had he been brought to silence, for any reason, but most certainly not by a simple human stood before him.

Backing away, he didn't take his eyes off of you, blowing you one last kiss before he went back to tormenting the captain. Your head spun to Geordi, who had a look as though to say he knew this was far from the end of it. Q had since vanished, leaving Picard and Riker, as well as the rest of the bridge crew, awkwardly looking in your direction.

"A word, Y/N. The rest of you, back to work." Picard's voice was stoic and professional as always, and you followed him into his ready room.

"Sir, who was that?" you asked.

"His name is Q, he's part of what's known as the Q Continuum. Often he shows up, causes a lot of trouble and leaves. I know you may be feeling somewhat unnerved by his actions out there, but rest assured we will keep you safe."

"Safe, sir? Is he dangerous?"

"He can be," he replied, sitting upright in his chair. "Never to a full degree, but he can be."

The captain had since dismissed you, and on your walk back to engineering, your thoughts had drifted to the omnipotent being that had you at his centre of attention. He couldn't be that bad, could he? He seemed polite enough, though there was nothing to hold him to on your part; you'd never met a Q before.

Some days later, it began. Little notes left around your work station. Without fail, every couple of days there was a new one sitting there. Each and every day, you would get to work to find something new waiting for you. You knew not of whom was leaving them, and you were desperate to find out. You tried to keep a close watch on your areas, even choosing to work later in hopes to catch whoever it was off guard. Not in an unkind way, of course; you simply wanted your secret admirer to not be so secret anymore.

Part of you had hoped it was Q, though you thought it improbable, given he had left the ship that day and not been seen since. You thought through your friend group, those you worked with and knew, and believed it could have been the ensign from medical you had grown somewhat close to in the past month or so. Still, your guess was as good as any.

"Any luck?" Geordi asked, smile gracing his face as always. You sat down and sighed.

"Absolutely zero."

He handed you a letter, in the finest font, copperplate handwriting adorning the envelope. Inside, you knew already there would be some form of poem, whether it was a rewrite of an old Shakespearean sonnet, or perhaps a Wilde or Keats poem. Geordi chuckled.

"Seems like someone has taken a real liking to you, Y/N. I'd tell you who it is if I knew. Whoever it is really has their grasp on the arts, I'll say that."

You laughed with him, pocketing the note and continuing on with your work. Geordi's expressions suggested he knew, or he had a clue at least, and you got on with the day without distraction.

"Finally." Huffing and leaning against your quarter's door as it shut, you let out a breath. A long day, things not really going wrong per say, it just felt busy, and you wanted nothing more than to get into bed and sleep.

"Finally indeed."

You jumped, turning to see who the voice belonged to.

"Q?" you questioned, wondering if you believed your eyes or not. Cautiously, you stepped forward.

"I see you've been getting them, then." He nodded to your desk, where the pile of notes sat, tied with a piece of twine holding them together. You chuckled.

"Yes, I have. It's nice to know my poet has a face. A handsome one at that."

"No doubt you've had a lecture from Picard about me. I would guess he told you to keep a distance, that you would be safer away from me."

Your eyes widened at the mans words; he was very correct. Sighing, he took your hand, continuing.

"Well, I could see why. I have perhaps endangered him a couple of times, but alas, one must do something to entertain oneself, right? Anyway, I could never harm such beauty."

Your cheeks reddened, your mind not processing how such a being could be labelled as dangerous. He was gentlemanly and kind, at least to you. A hand on your cheek brought your eyes up to look at him, your gaze having fallen for you to look at the ground as he complimented you.

"You certainly have a way with words, Q." Your voice light, he smiled at you. Charming it was, to you there was no malice under it at all.

"Give me a chance to prove I'm not so bad, Y/N? Let's have dinner sometime."

You smiled, nodding at him.

"That would be lovely. Of course, it's the least I could do for the intergalactic Lord Byron."

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to your cheek, and one to your forehead. His last sentence before leaving was whispered, quiet and reserved, a strange feat for the overt and loud man.

"Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray."

[marshmallowprotection]

Btw I agree with V's AE Saeran being Ray! I kind of think of him to be like...like how SE Saeran is the same alter that Unknown is but SE is just after some time, the same way V's AE Saeran is Ray after figuring out some things too. I also agree that Unknown, Suit, whoever the other alter we see on V's route is - whom I once called the fetus Unknown thanks to him using that name while being younger than THE Unknown from OS - he also still exists in V's AE. No clue what exactly he's up to though. Maybe if he also had some time to think about his relationship with Saeyoung (and V) and Mint Eye's brainwashing, he might be a little like SE Saeran is, who knows. He'll definitely have to sort some things out though.

I think GE Saeran is something that can really only "become a thing" on his own route, after everything they go through with MC and all.

On another note, I also like to headcanon that on his own route or more like after that, Ray and Suit are still there and present in his system instead of GE quite literally being them at the same time or/and being a merged alter. Like I tend to think that those two can still front sometimes, and GE is someone who was born into the system as a third alter alongside them. A big portion of my headcanoning is based on how GE keeps referring to them both as still being present (like in the AE, and on day 10 of his route he refers to both of them thinking/saying something to him or just being there).

Though I acknowledge that in the end this is just my HC. To me who also headcanons that he has DID, it feels more realistic than him suddenly having just one alter, because it'd make it seem like his DID is magically "cured" and it doesn't really work like that, so I like to think that the one we know as GE or Saeray is just an entirely new alter who has some traits from both Ray and Suit, as well as the new host👉👈

Haha, see and I don’t see Suit Saeran and Unknown as the same person. I know that’s just me in most cases, but I’ve always treated them differently because their actions are so sharply different. 

But, that’s for another theory post that I’ve written a dozen times before. I just feel like Unknown was a split with Suit Saeran that occurred during the time-gap between AS and SE. That’s just because I’m a loon that connects a chunk of Another Story events to the Deep and Casual Routes. 

I do know that Suit does exist within the confines of V’s AE, it’s just that it’s hit or miss with what he must be feeling in that timeline. I know that he’s angrier and will need Saeyoung to prove himself, and I know that he would need Jihyun to prove himself, too. That’s not going to be easy. I love exploring that idea, tbh, as he needs more foundation than Ray does sometimes. I’d love to write more about that. 

And, yeah, Unknown and SE Saeran are the same person, just pre-and-post their actions. I can’t believe how many times I’ve had to explain that one to some people. 

It wasn’t magically “cured” but I can understand how it reads that way to some people, for sure. The events of the game happen over 11 days, and realistically, if it were happening over the course of a few months, it would make a lot more in the way of sense that occurs with how fusion and integration can work. 

For a lot of systems, integration is not the goal, nor is fusion. There will be times when it can happen all of a sudden like this, or when it’s mutual in terms of the agreement from both parties that connect and interlock over time. There’s no right or wrong way to read into the system, that’s for sure. 

I appreciate hearing people who view it a little differently than myself because I’m always interested in learning how they came to that conclusion. Like, I see how you came to that conclusion and I’m like, “Huh. I read that and interpreted that a bit differently. Interesting.” 

For example, the reason why I’m someone in the camp of saying that Saeray is who he is stems from the fact similarly from his confrontation of Rika and the talk that we have from in the garden. That post is where I sort of go over how I feel about Saeray and how I came to the conclusion that he is a fusion, using what we get in the AE as well. 

When Saeray comes to rescue you on the 10th Day, you can ask, “Saeran?” or “Ray?” or like [Panic.] I pick Saeran each time because that was the last person that we spoke to and we have no way of knowing who is in the front at that time so it was the easiest gauge, but when you say “Saeran?”

Saeray simply says: That’s right. And, I’m also Ray.

He accepts being called either name. He’s a budding fusion and he’s struggling to know who he is because there’s a flood of memories from both sides all of a sudden. This disconnection that he once felt for his own health was suddenly all gone and he’s been given a lot of memories and experiences. He can’t feel quite where Ray begins or where Suit Saeran ends. He just knows that he’s not going to stay in Mint Eye any more and that he loves you. That he wants to live freely with you. 

The fusion occurred when they were sleeping and came to an agreement that they would be stronger together, and it just sort of happened. Fusion can be like that, believe it or not. It doesn’t mean that Ray is gone, or Suit Saeran is gone and I know the idea that they’re not “There” can really seem sad, but they’re not really gone, at least, in my opinion here given I stand with the fusion theory, they both became Saeray and are the person that you love tenfold. 

I’m no expert, haha, but I’ve spent a lot of time researching and putting care into how I characterize Saeran, Ray, Suit, Unknown, and even SE Saeran. It’s for my writing, as well as the fact that I want to be a good partner for my fiancé cause’ he has DID as well and made sure that his system and everyone that I love over there knows that I care for them and that I’m doing my best even if I have a few hiccups now and again means a lot. 

I just enjoy hearing different perspectives about, frankly. It’s interesting to see this!

[chidoroki]

TPN ch174

(spoiler alert: I'm in tears)

Okay, so remember how I thought someone was going to stop Peter from killing himself? Well, I was horribly wrong.. (and about one of the kids possibly being able to kill him too, oops)

Like, damn.. that isn't a pleasant sight to see, especially by young kids. They still try to save him too, despite all the trouble Peter caused for them. He may not have suffered the same way the kids have but he was still burdened with a cruel fate in this demon world. Being born into the Ratri clan, he had a duty to fulfill from the very beginning. He could have very well gone rogue like James and changes things for the better, but Peter decided to remain loyal to his family. He took pride in his work and occupied himself with whatever tasks were expected of him as the new clan head. All of that took place instead of him having a normal childhood. Well, as normal as one could get in this world anyways.

Peter's fantasy about a different and more carefree life right before he loses his own does make me hate him a little less. I have no doubt that he could've been friends with the rest of the Grace Field kids, even if he doesn't think so.. but he wasn't that lucky. Also demon god, why are you here? You know your appearance always stresses me out. “Well done for 1,000 years.” Was all of this just a source of entertainment for you? It sounds like Emma was successful in changing the promise at least but still, at what cost?

With all that aside, it's time to really get hit in the feels! Ever since it was revealed that Isabella was still alive, I feared how Ray would react to seeing her again and how the two of them would interact, if given the chance. And oh boy, we finally got that chance! Throughout the years we haven't seen Ray really think about Isabella in any way, unlike Emma who thought of her during Goldy Pond and when Musica helped her after she passed out from her fever back in the demon forest.

It's not until Ray and Emma went to the Seven Walls that we find out about how Ray feels about Isabella. When the duo was sent back to the fake GF house, Ray was mentally tormented by the siblings he couldn't save and Isabella herself. The situation alone is frightening, so it makes sense that he pushes her away after she gets close. He's still wary to her sudden presence and advances, having no clue whether or not this Isabella real, but it's still obvious he holds no trust in her or this illusion.

When Ray and the rest of the trio first see the real Isabella finally after these harsh years, they're all angry. It wasn't a surprise that they still hold some sort of grudge against her after the pain she put each one of them through. They were lucky to have outsmarted the woman who hurt them once already, now they have to do so again? Hell, I'd be mad too.

They probably felt that way right up until Isabella betrayed Peter. With the sudden amount of power and backup on their side, Emma accepts Isabella's help without question and the rest of the children follow suit. I assumed the kids forgave Isabella at that moment but I wasn't certain, nor was it brought up til now. Emma, of course, holds no grudge against her or the other ladies and tells them that the new promise will allow everyone to cross over into the human world. While the ladies are quite surprised to hear that, they're left speechless at the possibility of them being forgiven. Do they honestly deserve a bright future after all the selfish and hurtful things they've done?

They might not think so, but there is a certain someone who understands that feeling.. and that person is Ray. The fact that he can sympathize with his mother's feelings in such a way is wonderful, because we know he feels just as guilty. They both had no choice but to watch helplessly as all those children got shipped out over the years back at Grace Field and later accepted death as their own personal form of punishment. To finally see Ray not only talking with Isabella, but to hear him forgive her after everything she's done to him and the family he cares for so much? Oh my god, my heart is happy and I could honestly cry over it. As genuine (and blunt) as his words are, I do notice that he does keep a reasonable distance between him and his mother. Like I previously said, he probably didn't trust Isabella until very recently, so these feelings of forgiveness and love towards her are fairly new. He may not be completely there yet, but he's making a serious effort and seeing how much of an impact his words have on Isabella makes me tear up. (also, him? being happy he's alive?? after thinking his entire life was cursed?? aahhh, someone hold me, i'm soft)

We knew Isabella's true feelings about her precious children ever since the escape; how she wanted nothing more than to love them normally, for them to be safe and to never give up. These feelings have stayed with her all these years as we seen how caught off guard and choked up she gets when the kids still call her “mom” even after how poorly she treated them. We know how badly she wanted to apologize and praise them for all their hard work. To finally see Isabella get the love she deserves from these kids, the ones who never stopped loving her, from those who truly accept her despite her hurtful actions and words in the past, and her own son.. just this! This right here makes me cry!

“It should have been so painful. You must have been so shocked. You were betrayed by your mother in a most horrific way. Even now you're all trembling. But why? How could you forgive me? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I've been sorry.. for so long!.. ”

Aahh, I love this series so much. Now both children and adults are finally working together. Isabella will take care of the chaos at Grace Field (which includes Phil btw! he was actually mentioned!) while Emma & the others are off to do.. something else? I'm not sure, but the imperial soldiers outside are on the move. They also received a message from the capital city.. which is where we last saw Sonju, Musica.. and Lewis. So, let the anxiety continue.

[fly-pow-bye]

Powerpuff Girls 2016 - “Monkey Love”

Written by: Haley Mancini

Written & Storyboarded by: Alicia Chan, Caitlin Vanarsdale

Directed by: Nick Jennings, Bob Boyle

Not so awesome.

The episode starts with Reboot Jojo infiltrating the Department of Fashion & Defense in search for lipstick. He's interested in it because it's also the most evil superweapon ever conceived. Luckily for Jojo, this destructive weapon has no actual security system in place to prevent it from getting stolen by evil genius apes, but he does the Mission: Impossible ceiling drop anyway.

This is interrupted by the Fashionistas in their first Season 2 appearance. They want the lipstick, too, and they want to fight Jojo for it. I can't really blame them; this lipstick plotline fits them far more than Jojo, but considering quite a few of his jokes in other episodes and in this one, I could see why Reboot Jojo wants it. Bianca sics Barbarus on him, "Bianca's muscle" being her only role in Bianca episodes, and they wrestle for the Apocalipstick.

However, the second their eyes meet, Reboot Jojo instantly falls in love with Barbarus, and vice versa, and they immediately stop fighting. That's all of the build up of this "item with so much chemistry"; the very minute Reboot Jojo and Barbarus share screen time, we get hearts in their eyes and a fake version of The Manhattans' Shining Star in our ears. They're both villainous apes, they're the opposite sex, and there's not much else.

The good news is that this episode does have a scene where Reboot Jojo gets kicked in the face without a hit flash. The not-as-good news is that it's Bianca that does the kicking. As for the people who should be doing the kicking, the Powerpuff Girls show up, Blossom does one of her one-liners. I'm sure one doesn't have to be a certain other Jojo to guess the next line.

Blossom: Time for a makeover, evildoers!

Buttercup: Nice one, Bloss!

Of course, they couldn't resist praising themselves for their own jokes! Thankfully, there's no fist bump here. The good news is that a fist will be used to cave someone's face in. As Bubbles flies in to give Reboot Jojo the patented beatdown, we quickly learn the bad news.

Regular Chimpanzee That Is Not Wearing A Super Suit Punch, Girl Down, womp womp. It looks like Bubbles flew right into his fist; she's that incompetent in this episode for reasons I will explain later. Barbarus grabs Buttercup and starts punching her, which is more understandable. Still, these ultra-super-powerful girls that are supposed to represent "girl power" have been defeated rather easily, all so Jojo and Barbarus can flirt with each other.

Reboot Jojo: Oh, what a woman!

Bubbles: (wakes up from being knocked out) Technically, she's a...

Reboot Jojo: Shh!

I'll be honest, I have no clue what Bubbles is trying to imply here. Meanwhile, Blossom corners Bianca and tells her to put the apocalipstick down, but she instead gets a demonstration on how it works. She puts it on, and blows several kisses that explodes. At least Blossom isn't taken down as easily, as she flies around the explosions, calling out to Bubbles and Buttercup to do one of her plans. However...

Buttercup: (still struggling to get out of Barbarus's grasp) Sure, we'll get right on it!

This continues throughout the entire episode with Bubbles and Buttercup, and it’s all to force the main plot of this episode. No, not the "Monkey Love" the title is suggesting, but a plot about Blossom making plans. Without them, Bubbles and Buttercup can’t even get out of a giant gorilla and a regular-sized chimpanzee's grasps. It'll get even worse from here.

They eventually free themselves, taking far longer than I would expect kids that can lift buildings full of people, and do the plan. Unfortunately, it doesn't involve them punching them in a slideshow beatdown and throwing them in jail. That would be way too easy and inconvenient for the plot. Instead, it's the Waterloo plan.

The Powerpuff Girls dress up in Napoleon-era French military uniforms, already dooming the plan by playing the role of the country that lost that battle. Not good at programming, not good at math, not good at history, what kind of nerd is she? Also, pretty awkward if you know about that scene in the original's Child Fearing where they explain to Mojo Jojo what really happened to Napoleon. Maybe it was that amnesia ray!

We don't get to see whatever she was going to do, because they get "blown away" by the Fashionistas' and Jojo's explosive apocalipstick kisses immediately. Yes, Reboot Jojo putting on lipstick, that's his new character trait! He doesn't take from Mojo Jojo's odd manner of speaking or his tirades; he took more inspiration from that time Mojo Jojo was in a wedding dress.

After the explosion from those kisses, we cut to the Powerpuff Girls having breakfast the next morning. It does feel like a scene is missing, not that it would be a scene worth having anyway. The Powerpuff Girls should be worried that people that they usually take care of have easily defeated them, but that's not their worry.

The real situation is that Blossom made a bad call, and she's so afraid of saying the word "failed" that she has to wipe off her tongue. Buttercup, the one that usually has to save the other two sisters all the time, tries to comfort her by telling her that she fails all the time. Blossom scoffs, as she has a record of perfection. You know, like her dentist attendance! They don't actually say that, but I can.

As if he heard what Blossom said, the paperboy throws a tabloid through the window, which was thankfully open. Ever notice that Townsville’s entire news industry seems to be dedicated to insulting the Powerpuff Girls? They talk about how Blossom is useless for not having magical aura powers at the time and how Bubbles is the useless one. I don't remember if they said anything about Buttercup; favoritism is certainly coming into play here.

Suddenly, Bubbles gets a call from the Mayor! Jojo and Barbarus are sitting in a tree, R-O-B-B-I-N-G. Oh, and just in case you thought I made up that "item with so much chemistry" line, Bubbles also adds this:

Bubbles: Barbarus and Mojo are definitely an item! I called it, they had so much chemistry!

It's probably not a good sign if someone in the show had to say that. To be fair, out of all the Powerpuff Girls, Bubbles could understand Jojo and Barbarus better than Blossom, Buttercup, or the viewers. Unlike every other animal in this show, Barbarus doesn't speak English. The only people who could understand her is Reboot Jojo, an ape himself, and Bubbles, with her ability to talk to animals. It's either that, or this is just an "oh, that silly Bubbles" joke. It's probably the latter.

We cut to the Snooty Rose, a fancy restaurant. Reboot Jojo and Barbarus, bringing along an unhappy Bianca to Jojo's disgust, are trying to get a table, but the restaurant is already full. While Jojo laments that he just doesn't have the connections any more, Barbarus uses her evil lipstick exploding hearts to cause an explosion. I could have skipped this scene, but it's a scene where they tried to be creative with the idea of two villains having a date.

In contrast, right after that scene, we get Reboot Jojo fantasizing about their future relationship, along with a fake version of the Beach Boys' "Wouldn't It Be Nice". They have a wedding, they have children, Jojo gets to go to work, they bicker, Jojo gets to work harder in the only real joke in this whole montage, they grow old, and then they die. Are we supposed to find how pedestrian this is funny?

Why not give it a villainous twist? Have Jojo rob a flower store, have them laser “Mojo + Barbarus” into a building they’re destroying, have them crash another couple’s wedding to have their own wedding. It's just more wasted time that could have been used for a montage that would actually give these two chemistry without having to just tell us.

The Powerpuff Girls show up, thanks to the tip from the Mayor, and it ends about as well as the last time. This time, she can't even think of a plan!

Blossom: Plan Up, Down, Back, Back, Down, B...A?

Buttercup: What? That’s the code for infinite lives on Dragon Wizard Skateboard Fighters!

Hey, it's Four Random Words Tied Together from Bye Bye Bellum! I was thinking every episode took place in its own universe. The hearts, the exploding apocalipstick kind, not the long forgotten end segments, interrupts this moment. Reboot Jojo and Barbarus leave to not get frozen yogurt because of Bianca Bikini's lactose intolerance, and Blossom gets out of the rubble and flies away knowing that she can't do anything right.

She goes to a literal milk bar, where Blossom is drinking her sorrows away. She says she can't never go back to being a superhero, which the bartender replies is a double negative. Bad at programming, bad at math, bad at history, bad at grammar, what kind of nerd is she? Even she realizes this. Oh, and just in case you didn't get the obvious metaphor, here's a long pause:

Bartender: I think you had enough...

(pause)

...calcium. But I'll give you another vitamin: truth.

Calcium isn't a vitamin, it's a chemical element. Granted, neither is truth.

The bartender talks about his days as a balloonist clown. He was the best balloonist in town, making balloon animals. One day, he tried to make a huge balloon ferris wheel. It popped immediately, making him a laughing stock. After this one mistake, he gave up on ballooning, and moved to the middle of nowhere. No relation to Courage's. Maybe.

Blossom sees that this is all silly, and the bartender agrees. This is supposed to be a parallel; she was being way too complicated with her first plan. This is not a bad lesson, though it was done before. Guess where.

We cut to Bianca giving Bubbles and Buttercup some trouble. I can understand if Bianca was just using her explosive kisses, but she also picks up and flings Bubbles like she's nothing. Bianca is a normal human being with no superpowers other than her sense of fashion. It'll be like if Superman and Green Lantern fused together, cloned themselves, and still got beaten up by a regular bank robber. Girl power!

Despite taking on two superheroes very well, Bianca is still yelling for help from Reboot Jojo and Barbarus, but they're too busy talking about how romantic their robbing adventures are. Well, at least I got some of my wish from a few paragraphs ago, even if we only get to see Barbarus hold up a stolen horse from a merry-go-round.

One of these robbing adventures was at a shoe store, and Jojo gets to show off his high heels. It's funny because chimps can't wear high heels. Yeah, that's it! Barbarus finds this so romantic that she decides to propose to Reboot Jojo just when he was planning to. Just after Reboot Jojo says "yes", Blossom shows up to give her apparently useless sisters a new plan. With her newfound confidence, she has no worries about this plan!

The animators had worries about animating it though, so we just see the result: another Lipstick Punch, Girls Down. It’s okay, because there is a point to this: Blossom doesn’t care that she failed this time. Just like she didn’t care for the 500 times she failed in the reboot so far alongside her sisters. She decides to do another plan, while Jojo reinterates theirs to Bianca's disgust. I still don't blame her.

These villains would be easily taken care of just by beating the tar out of them in the original, but they have to use their special aura powers this time! We get to see a combined aura of a Cupid Bear shooting a pencil at them with his bow and arrow. They had to tie together these two plots somehow.

Unlike in Summer Bummer, the colors actually make sense this time. Blue bear, green bow and arrow, red pencil. I guess you can't use an arrow as office equipment, which seems to be Blossom's aura specialty. Blossom shoots the pencil, Bianca blows a kiss, and the pencil shoots through the heart! Subtle.

We explosion cut to the villains going to jail for the next 5 to 10 years together, much to the delight of Reboot Jojo and Barbarus. Judging by the next episode, they won't have to wait that long or explain how they got out. The episode ends with Blossom thanking her sisters for helping her see the error in her ways, even though they weren't involved in that, and then flubbing her line. It's an okay joke that fits with the episode's plot. If only they were more numerous.

Does the title fit?

It's obviously referencing Jojo and Barbarus's love throughout the, and it's supposed to tie in to this episode's sequel. However, Reboot Jojo and Barbarus are both apes, not monkeys, despite what Devo would tell you.

How does it stack up?

The A plot, the one with Blossom, is almost well done. There is potential for a plot with Blossom failing a mission, getting all sad about it, and learning that failure isn't a stopping point. I know this because, here's the answer, it was done in the original's Not So Awesome Blossom.

I'd say there's some potential for a Reboot Jojo in love plot, too, but they do even worse here. It's two villainous apes in love, and they never really follow through with that. It's a half mediocre, half bad episode. It’s still better than Tooth or Consequences, but not “Happy Buttercup” better.

While the episode doesn’t really have a cliffhanger, at least not one that will be directly continued, they didn't propose for nothing! For the first time in PPG 2016, even including episodes that billed themselves as sequels but only had a villain in common, we have a clear sequel!

Because this review was late, come back at 5:30 PM for a review of said sequel! I really wanted to be caught up before...the big one.

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