#dear wannie

[upismediacenter]

LITERARY: Nothing but regrets

I’ve done a lot of things that I’ve come to regret But I’ve listed here a few These are the moments that I find hard to forget Because right now, I’m still drowned in you

The handmade presents I gave you

Spraying the gift bag with my fragrance Making sure the poem inside the picture frame was in place Poured so much effort as I made them with my hands It was all worth it when I saw a smile on your face

The playlists I shared with you

We would always talk about our favorite tracks Singing it with you made them better Those were the moments that’re fun to look back on Those special songs still remind me of you, over and over

The dances I had with you

You held my hand as we danced and swayed I detested the way your lustrous eyes charmed me But with every step, you took my breath away Keep me in your arms and never set me free

The paragraphs I wholeheartedly sent

You said I had bad penmanship But every night, I still wrote you a love letter I saw you collect them, fastened together by a clip Lovingly reading a page, then moving to another

Never saying no to you

Forced myself to listen whenever you vent Granted your requests without any hesitation Uplifted you when you had doubts I will always be your number one fan

Not letting you go

There is just me to blame Never again do I want to feel this way. Looking back, it was just a shame Making every effort just to make you stay

And the biggest regret of all

I tried to hide it but my heart still beats, and is still breaking because of you I kept on daydreaming an idea of you, An idea that you will never be I could’ve just run when I had the chance to Now, you’re a nightmare that still haunts me

[wawannie094]

until then, we aren't meant to be (pt. 2)

"A soulmate will love you, more than anyone else could ever."

Wendy runs, but walks most of the way to school.

She was excited to see Seulgi - who'd become her soulmate today.

Wendy is certain of that.

She's kept it low, but couldn't help to notice the fuzzy warm feeling in her chest, every time Seulgi gives her a hug - a soft, warm bear hug that welcomes Wendy everytime she meets Seulgi - the only time she looked forward to every single day.

Wendy became attached to Seulgi's hugs. Not just anyone, only hers. She'd be willing to stay in school for the rest of her life if it meant being hugged by Seulgi every day. As soon as Seulgi releases the hug, warmth leaves, and cold was the only thing thats left, and a feeling of emptiness lingers. Her body yearns for the familiar warmth of a particular person.

She couldn't live without Seulgi.

Wendy ran down the hallway upon arriving at school early. Everyone she ran past, was looking back at her and staring with confused faces plastered all over, wondering what's her hurry when class doesn't start until half an hour later.

She didn't care.

Wendy wants to find her soulmate, because she's been deprived of love, deprived of physical affection, and deprived of emotional support ever since she moved back to Canada.

Wendy wanted to be loved. Even if it's just from one person.

The past few months with Seulgi were her happiest moments.

And she'd hold onto those memories for dear life, and never let go.

Wendy stopped eating in the bathroom stalls - because she had Seulgi.

Wendy became friends with more people - because she had Seulgi.

Wendy refrained from keeping herself in her room - because she had Seulgi.

Wendy started going out more - because she had Seulgi.

Seulgi was her life.

Wendy reaches for the already wide-opened door at Seulgi's classroom - heavily panting while holding the door frame for support.

"Seulgi!"

Seulgi, who's back was facing Wendy, turns around on her chair and grins upon seeing her best friend.

"Wannie you're here!."

Wendy smiles at the nickname given by Seulgi. Her real name is Seungwan, but Seulgi shortened it to Wannie and began calling her that nickname from then on. Wendy secretly likes it, but never said a word about it.

At times like this, Wendy would usually run over to Seulgi, and Seulgi would welcome her with arms wide open for a big hug.

But this time, she stayed. They both stayed where they were. Wendy stood still at the doorframe, and Seulgi wasn't opening up her arms to hug her.

Wendy then notices another girl, sitting beside Seulgi.

She unconsciously shifted her focus to look at Seulgi's hands, as if she was holding something.

Seulgi was holding hands, with the girl beside her.

Wendy's breath hitched, eyes quivered in fear, imagining what this could mean.

This can't be.

No.

They're probably just holding for fun.

You know, friends do that.

A surprise how Seulgi and I haven't done it yet,

"Wannie what are you waiting for? Come here!" Seulgi unclasped her hand with the girl beside her, and opened her arms - waiting to hug her Wannie.

Wannie didn't move an inch.

Because this time, her eyes went to the inner wrist of Seulgi's hand. Despite standing all the way at the door, she could still spot the faint glows of gold on Seulgi's wrist.

Then, she saw it.

A bear and a duck outlined in gold, plastered on Seulgi's inner wrist.

"No." Wendy whispers in disbelief. She stood cold at the doorframe, expressionless. Her nose felt sore, an indication that tears are bound to come soon after.

"Oh yea wannie-ah, I also got good news!"

"Mhm?" Wendy voice quivered, eyes beginning to water, slightly blurring her vision, but she tries not to make it noticeable.

"I found my soulmate." Seulgi was smiling so big her eyes also appeared as small crescents. Wendy always loved her eye smiles.

Seulgi once again clasped her hands with the girl beside her, who was also smiling but refrained a little, after noticing Wendy's empty expression.

Wendy's face was blank,

And her heart broke.

(next part coming up)

[karura]

happy birthday may!!!! \o/

wanny thank u dear!! iluu ajkghasjkh ((miss u btw how are you doing))

[reggiemantleholdmyhand-tle]

Ok for Maisie: Bennett, Annie, Fred, George, Lee, Oliver, anyone else I'm forgetting for the contact game!

bennett would be benny boo <3 for a few years and then maisie would change it to soulmate <3 or other half <3 or something like that

annie would be wannie! and then it would change a lot over the years to wan, wannie wood ;), until settling on wannerz!

fred would be fredward for a while, and then freddie as they grew closer, and then my love <3 or prince charming <3 (because he calls her cindy-ellie, like cinderella bc she always loses her shoes) or something equally as gross and cute bc she’s a hopeless romantic

george would be something like georgie because that’s always been her favorite nickname for him

lee is always leopold even though that is not even his name

oliver is olliekins or ollie dear to annoy him or some innuendo about wood because maisie cannot help herself

bonus aurelius would enter his own contact name as favorite cousin ;) and everard would eventually see it and change his name to favorite cousin ;) as well to confuse maisie and even after she realizes, she never gets around to changing it and is always confused by it

[rvmmm21]

joy would love to overpower her dear wendy in any context, but more so when her innocent omega has spent all day frolicking around in the woods without her alpha by her side. on those days, she’s a little more aggressive than usual, and a little more cruel, and tears won’t stop her much

you’re absolutely right. here, look what you’ve done. i wanted to keep this short but instead i’m chucking you 500 words of pure frustration. god knows i’ll write an actual one-shot about this one day.

. . .

[alpha!joy(gp) x omega!wendy]

tw : slight dacryphilia, overstimulation, implied dubcon.

It’s true. The tears don’t stop her.

Quite the opposite, really. 

They’re fuel.

It’s an alpha’s duty to sniff out their omegas, after all. And what with Sooyoung’s incredible olfactory cues, she could – and in the past, has – probably smell Seungwan from a mile away, upside down and one for the pot.

It was by pure luck of a miracle that Sooyoung hadn’t barred her omega from leaving the house today. It’s something about Seungwan in general, though, that she just can’t say ‘no’ to. This time it was something about getting fresh herbs for dinner from the woods nearby, something about those twinkling, starlit eyes had left Sooyoung sitting on the sofa for hours, bobbing her knee up and down and stealing impatient glances at the clock.

What a surprise. She’s hungry, bored and now frustrated. 

Her lips twitch a little at the thought of Seungwan’s return.

And at dusk, when she finally does, the little omega barely has the chance to hang her coat up before she’s being backed into a corner by a pair of lust-glazed eyes and a wolfish snarl.

“You’re late, Wannie.”

Just as well as Sooyoung knows Seungwan, Seungwan does her.

She smells pheromones. Her alpha’s. Much, much stronger than usual.

She’s only ever seen Sooyoung look blinded by passion, smelt her raging jealousy like this once before. And the bruises on Seungwan’s knees could attest to the fact that they both knew how that went down.

She gulps.

Smells like disaster.

. . .

None of this is new to her.

From being yanked into the bedroom – or thrown onto the nearest surface – to ending up used, abused and so overstimulated that she can barely keep her eyes focused.

All while Sooyoung remains completely clothed.

The younger girl just smiles silently when they reach this stage. She doesn’t worry about shutting her up or even muffling her with the palm of her hand. Because she’s spinning from the delirium, Seungwan’s sentences never lead anywhere anyway, always fading into incoherent blubbers and hoarse panting before giving up completely.

It’s impossible to gauge her alpha’s expression through the tears clouding her vision and falling into small puddles in her hair.

But upon hearing that cruel snicker, she should consider herself lucky she can’t. 

“Doesn’t it feel good, Wannie?” the alpha scorns idly, pressing her mate down into the mattress and holding her there as the struggles weaken. “Look, you’re crying! Aw, it’s okay, baby. Alpha will take care of you. I know how scary the woods can be.”

Sooyoung moves up to straddle her, and Seungwan catches eye of the bulging in her trousers. 

The omega blinks once. Twice.

Haven’t you already, she screams in her head.

Despite fucking her like a madman, Sooyoung always seems to have the self control of a goddamned saint. Always carried away by the sounds, the feel of her little mate squirming helplessly against her relentless ministrations. 

And then it’s all Seungwan can do, sweaty and electrified from the string of orgasms, to swallow hard when she hears the sound of a zipper and then a hand on the back of her head.

Watery eyes widen at the size of her. And more importantly what she’s going to do with it.

Sooyoung reaches down to brush her thumb over those soft, tear-stained cheeks, smiling. The same smile that tells Seungwan it’s far from over. The one that tells her the next time she opens her eyes, it’ll be morning, and Sooyoung will be making them breakfast.

Tired as she is, Seungwan can’t help but smile back.

[waterloou]

👀

Annie grabbed a stack of parchment paper, an inkwell, and quill, before sitting down at on of the tables in the Gryffindor common room.

Her friends found her an hour later, surrounded by ripped up pieces of ink stained parchment as she rested her head on her arm, frustratingly scratching the near black quill against the parchment, her hand splattered with dark splotches.

As they got closer, her face also had large, black splotches. The ink had been smudged by tear tracks on her cheeks.

She sat there, deep frown set.

"Wannie dear-" Fred plucked the soaked quill out of her hands.

"What on earth are you up to?" George finished, waving his wand to clear the paper away.

"I'm guessing writing a letter to Ollie isn't going as well as you planned?" Maisie asked, sitting next to her and cleaning her up with the swish of her wand.

Annie hid her face in her arms and shook her head no.

"Uh uh"

"Shouldn't be that hard-" Lee started.

"Mate, I think she's just trying not to confess her love for him every other line-oof!" George elbowed his twin.

"Not the time."

"He's right" Annie's reply was muffled, "and I sound so stupid!"

"When have you ever worried about sounding stupid in front of Wood-Will you quit it?!" Fred smacked George in the head after he got elbowed harder.

Annie lifted her head up, tears running down her cheeks, a pout present on her lips.

"Take a break, Annabelle" Bennett sat down next to George and slid her some tea.

"Drink."

Annie begrudgingly took a drink from the cup, muttering a thank you

[babiewannie]

wannie is worried, her mama is sick and she doesn't like it. Even if her umma said everything was fine she didn't believe it.

(Part 1, I think. If you wanna see a part 2 that focuses more about the last part please let me know 🥺)

——

The first thing wannie realises when she wakes up is that she’s burning up, and sticky.

She immediately thinks she’s sick again, oh no. But she doesn’t feel achy, or icky, not like before. It’s just really really hot around wannie.

A groan sounds behind her, and wannie squirms, turning around in mama’s arms to see a grimace in mama’s face. What’s wrong with mama? She reaches up, patting mama’s face gently (it’s not very gentle), who wakes up, cracking her eyes open slowly.

“Good morning, my bab-” A weak cough comes out of mama, worrying wannie even more. Is wannie’s mama feeling sickly? She remembers being sick before, and remembers the achy and icky feeling, remembers the horrible pain. If mama, big, strong, mama is feeling sickly, it must be terrible. She begins to cry, thinking about mama in pain.

Seulgi knows she’s caught a bug. Her head is pounding and there’s a tickle at the back of her throat. Sometime later she knows she’s definitely going to spend some time with her head down the toilet, but right now her main concern is wannie. The poor baby is wailing her lungs out, gripping onto her tightly - as much as it pains her, wannie needs to be away from her at the moment. She wants to call out to Irene, or any of the girls to help, but thinks it better not to strain her throat any more than necessary.

“Baby, baby, shhhh. It’s okay wannie,” she croaks out. “Mama’s a little ill right now, so wannie will have to be a good girl and stay with umma and the unnies for the day, okay?”

Wannie quietens down the moment mama starts speaking, the sensible little listening intently, blinking watery big eyes. “Wannie stay with you..?”

“No, wannie, you’ll have to stay with umma for today. Mama will be okay, I promise.”

Her bottom lips juts out, wobbling. Wannie wants to stay with mama. Mama’s not feeling well and wannie wants to stay and make sure she gets better.

But she’s a good girl. And even though wannie wants to cry and throw a tantrum to stay with mama, she knows that mama isn’t feeling well and doesn’t need wannie to be bad. She sniffles slightly, pressing her face against mama’s belly, feeling a warm hand caress the back of her head for a fleeting moment, before she pulls back.

As the seconds go by Seulgi feels her head begin to split open. All she wants to do is collapse and sleep it all away. But her baby is at the edge of the bed, now clutching on to manen, swinging her feet sadly. “Hey wannie?” She sees wannie tilt her head, cocked to the side like the cutest puppy. “Once i gets better, shall we, just wannie and mama, shall we have a mama and baby day, huh? How’s that sound?”

Wannie brightens up significantly at the thought, perking up, even if she’s still worried beyond compare about mama. “Yes, please,” she says, remembering her manners like umma taught her.

“That’s my good girl, wannie-ah.”

——

Wannie toddles out to the living room, holding onto manen’s paw, in search of umma. Luckily, she bumps into umma, who was returning to her bedroom from the kitchen.

“Careful there wannie.” She steadies her baby, and sees the red rimmed eyes and tear tracks along wannie’s fluffy cheeks. “Oh dear, what’s wrong baby?”

“Mama not well,” Wannie mumbles out.

Irene takes wannie’s hand in hers, slowly leading them back to the room. “Is mama sick?”

“Mmhmm. Wannie is a good girl, b-but,” she blubbers, worry mounting again. “Mama, mama sick.”

Still, she hangs back at the doorway when Irene enters, gripping on the door frame, straining to see what umma and mama are doing. Umma is bent over the bed, and they are talking in low voices. The loudest she hears is when mama is coughing or sneezing, and every time it jolts Wannie. Instinctively, she has a hand rubbing at her own throat. Mama doesn’t sound so good.

Her young mind cannot process that she’s being separated from Seulgi at the moment because of the fear of her catching the cold too. Thinks that she’s kept away because something bad is going to happen. Worries that her mama’s in a lot of pain.

She’s so worried, staring at the floor, that she doesn’t realise that umma has already finished talking to mama and is in front of wannie. A hand ruffles her hair gently, and she looks up to see umma’s warm smile.

“Mama’s okay, wannie,” umma says, picking her up and letting her snuggle into her. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

“Otay...” Wannie rests her chin on umma’s shoulder, staring at the closed door as umma walks away. She hears the muffled sounds of coughing, and flashes of mama, with a grimace instead of her usual smile, run through wannie’s mind.

Umma says mama is okay, so mama has to be okay. Everything is going to be fine. But why doesn’t Wannie feel that way?

[nobodyeverasked]

make a wish; son seungwan

(1841 words) - small

Summary: If only I could make a wish upon the stars in your eyes.

Pale sunlight of the awakening dawn flourished through the translucent drapes dancing in the morning breeze, the hazy indigos dancing across the horizon seeping into the floorboards of Y/N and his girlfriend - Seungwan’s - bedroom. Beads of the ivory lambencies that pulled apart the fading clouds melting against their walls and melding with the stilled tides of white fabric sheathing their intertwined bodies. The aurora blue cradled their breaths and danced between the parted lips - the threshold of their shared secrets and sacred words that they will forever be held dear - entangling with their hair and tainting the twilight symphonies that lulled them to sleep. Y/N let his eyes flutter open under the weights of his lethargy, a tired gaze seeping through heavy lashes and leisurely descending upon the young woman encircled in his warm embrace. He brought his lips between the gentle, dark waves that swathed her forehead, the empty hums that escaped her sealed lips and the weightless embers of her breaths that tickled Y/N’s chin letting absentminded smiles meander onto both of their faces, the light of enlivened happiness curling around them.

“Happy birthday, babe…” Seungwan arched her back with a breathy sigh of comfort, the fragile kisses lining her collar bones igniting the heat of alleviation that riddled her skin, the arms caressing her sides making her want to drown in the ivory ocean that rippled beneath them.

“Hey… I was gonna say it first…” Y/N’s pout barely lasted a single second, a radiant smile overtaking his features.

This very day - February twenty-first - was the day that their presences blessed the earth, and the day that their fates became intertwined through the twines of their first drawn breath, and the stars beneath their skin were aligned ever since. They knew, that even when they first shared their first glance, and gazed into the sparks of destiny engraved into each other’s eyes, that there was something. Some special, sacred flame that burned in both of their hearts, and enveloped every shared word that tore through the thin, winter air.

“That’s too bad…” Seungwan let her words stumble from off her tongue, slithering on top of Y/N, her thighs seizing his waist, and her lithe fingers cherishing the skin of her boyfriend’s chest, the chest that she could lean into on rough nights, and listen to the soothing heartbeat that forever resonates within her most cherished memories. “You’re always slower in the mornings.” She threaded her fingers through Y/N’s hair, a fond smile haphazardly meandering onto her lips when his eyes started to close once more, a breath of unmixed satisfaction easing through his parted lips.

“You know, it’s not normal to wake up at four a.m.” Y/N’s head rolled to the side as Seungwan twisted the locks of his hair between her fingers, her gaze falling down to the galaxies which were embraced by Y/N’s eyes, sparkling with all the starlight that draped over their bodies the night prior. The only memories of that night being the cherishing touches kneading into their bodies, and the lips searing the corners of their mouths. “Like seriously, Wannie, you need to get checked out…” Y/N flipped them over, his mouth contorting from a simper - brilliant with pleasure - into a playful smirk before he ran his hands down Seungwan’s thighs.

Warm currents of alleviation and youthful devotion floated around the room with the haze of the mellowing dawn that settled into the room, and the mist of a euphoric elation embedded itself into the skin of Y/N and Seungwan, who laid enamoured in their bed. Their stares - tainted with the blissful poisons of love - halted the clockwork of time, and paused the symphonies of the early morning. Heavy fingers weighed down on their bodies, and all they could do was drown in the relentless torrents of ecstasy that swallowed them whole.

“So are we like, ordering a cake, or are we forcing Joohyun to bake it…?” Y/N trailed off, his words sinking into the curve of Seungwan’s neck as he nestled further into it, her laugh splitting the skies and brightening the room. Their outstretched hands and fingers interweaving across the mattress, and foolish smiles overtaking them and their senses once again.

“What if we make it?”

“So you want a black, burnt, crispy-ass cake with a side of house fire for our birthday?” Y/N seized the skin of her neck with a flurry of angelic pecks, tracing her jawline and leading to her lips, tongues sweeping together for a single, fleeting second before they parted.

“As long as I’m spending it with you, it doesn’t matter…” Seungwan followed her boyfriend’s lips as he sat all the way up on the bed, a tender kiss weaving their smiles together, and a passionate storm of flames writhing between gentle touches inching further down on their bodies - hands weighed down by the yearning in their eyes that captured the azure light of the dawn.

“Ew…” Y/N scrunched his nose and jutting his tongue out from between his lips, watching with a blistering fondness when Seungwan swept her legs over the bed with a melodic giggle, walking up to the closet to find something else to wear other than just her boyfriend’s sweatshirt.

“What? You no likey?” Seungwan contentedly welcomed the arms that slithered around her waist and the chin that settled on her shoulder, the tranquil symphonies of Y/N’s heartbeat pulsing against her shoulder making the desire to take herself and her boyfriend back under those thick, white covers to taint her mind more and more.

“No… Me likey, but I’d rather spend my life with you in a house that’s not burnt down.”

Even though Y/N used those words like saying hello, hearing that he wanted to spend the rest of his existence with Seungwan made her melt into his touch. How naturally he let the words prance form between his radiant smile she loved to see so much - it was like a habit - and listening to the chimes of his voice forge their destiny every single day contrived one thing that was always incredibly clear.

She could not have found a better person to wake up next to, to share all of her precious firsts with, and to give her everything to. 

“We’re not gonna burn the house down, babe,” Seungwan unconsciously threaded her fingers between the ones that encircled her. “Can we please~”

“Fine…” Y/N huffed playfully, their shared laughter trapped between interweaved grins. His fingers - the warmth of admiration billowing through them - cradling Seungwan’s cheek as their lips angled together, blissful embers taking flight in the alleviating currents swelling throughout the room. “But if Joohyun sues me, we’re splitting it.”

“Deal.”

*

“How the hell did we do that?”

“To be honest, I have no idea…”

Y/N and Seungwan stared upon a slightly singed vanilla cake sitting somewhat steadily on their kitchen counter. Eyebrows were arched in confusion and knitted together in perplexity, their gazes wandering to their outstretched fingers that bared no burn marks, and a surprising amount of flour that managed to stay in the bowl and bag. Seungwan could barely help but enjoy the arms wrapping around her, the haze of glee meandering peacefully through her veins, and the heat of bliss coursing through their interlocking fingers tainting the streams of afternoon sunlight with a warm glow.

They just made a cake, they created something - without engulfing the house in flames - completely shocked was an understatement. Were they actually good at things? Did they have brain cells that hid from them for so long, and abandoning them on their wintertime dates and strolls under the city lights?

“Happy birthday, baby…” Y/N’s voice was barely above a whisper, the faint wisps of his breath ghosting Seungwan’s skin. They could barely believe it, yet another year spent together. The timeless embrace of each other’s arms making the years that their love scorched their skin and the passionate smiles that were engraved into one another’s minds seem like only a few short moments. The past flew by them like a passing wind, and the cinders of admiration trapped between every single one of their memories warming them like a summer breeze.

“I get the best gift in the entire world, each and every year.” Seungwan turned around in Y/N’s warm embrace, their lips intertwining in a heavenly dance of limitless compassion. The vigorous waves of their relentless adoration swept over them, the shores of their heads tainted by the hands cradling their skin, and the dull flare of the candlelight atop their cake casting an amber glow in Seungwan’s eyes too beautiful to exist. Y/N has never been more in love, more encapsulated by the new stories that lay beyond those cherry lips - getting crazier every year - and the silken touch that lined her fingertips. The brilliant smile that shone below him, even in the barren darkness of the night, or the tongue that forged the words of molten gold and swept across his lips like the snow that coiled them and their first kiss.

“Yours manages to top mine every single year, how d’you do it?” They shared a tender laugh, their locked stares reluctantly pulling away to the candle sitting forlornly in the buttercream coating the cake, the red wax spire baring the light of a shooting star. “Wanna make a wish?”

“No, you do it! It’s your turn this time!”

“Ohmygod…”

They have this argument every single year; who gets to blow out the candle? It never gets old.

“How about,” Y/N lead Seungwan to the other side of their kitchen island so they were standing on either side of the cake, their eyes gazing readily at the blaring flame between them. “We both make a wish, we blow it at the same time?”

“Why didn’t we think of this sooner?”

“‘Cause we’re stupid.”

“Oh, right.”

They leaned forward and blew out the flame at the same time, satisfied smiles embellishing both of their faces as their eyes reconnected.

“What’d you wish for?” Seungwan shimmied back over to Y/N’s side of the counter, nestling into his side, and pressing her lips to the arm that was wrapped around her.

“You know I can’t tell you!” Y/N scoffed and turned to see Seungwan’s playful grin and her pleading gaze, the hands draping over the back of his neck making his reluctance to reveal his wish melt away faster than the wax on their candle. “But, I can give you a hint…” 

Seungwan waited expectantly, her fingers gliding over her boyfriend’s knuckles, the embers of joy pooling in her stomach and flourishing under her skin.

Y/N looked at the stars encased in her rapturous, dark eyes, and let his stare fall over her entire being. The woman that singed his cheeks with a scarlet glow, and brighten his smile. He had all he needed, held right between him, pressed to his chest.

“It already came true…”

[linguistlist-blog]

Fund: Featured Linguist: Wannie Carstens

DEAR SUBSCRIBERS, WE'RE HAPPY TO PRESENT TO YOU OUR NEXT FEATURED LINGUIST OF THE 2018 FUND DRIVE: WANNIE CARSTENS! READ HIS STORY AND MORE ON OUR FUND DRIVE WEBPAGE: HTTPS://FUNDDRIVE.LINGUISTLIST.ORG/ ---------------------------------------------- MY CAREER IN (AFRIKAANS) LINGUISTICS I GREW UP IN NAMIBIA (IN THE 1950’S AND 1960’S) WHERE I WAS EXPOSED TO A REAL MULTILINGUAL WORLD: GERMAN (AS NAMIBIA IS A FORMER GERMAN PROTECTORATE, END OF 19TH AND BEGINNING OF 20TH CENTURY), AFRIKAANS (DU http://dlvr.it/QNyzHr

[upismediacenter]

LITERARY: Dear Tita Chacha

November 5, 2022

Dear Tita Chacha,

Ako po si Alex. Isang troubled teenager sa pag-ibig.

Marahil dahil ngayon lang ulit ako papasok sa ganito pero grabe Tita Cha, I can't believe na ganito pala ang mangyayari sa akin. Hindi ko na po papahabain pa ang aking intro at sisimulan ko na po ang kwento para sa inyo.

Isa po akong iska. Habang naglalakad po ako around UP, may isang cute na lalaki akong nakita. Siya nga po pala si Christian. Nilapitan ko siya at tinanong kung anong ginagawa niya kahit halata naman na may hawak siyang camera, pang picture picture niya. Kinibo naman niya ako at sinabing pini-picturan niya nga ang mga magagandang tanawin sa campus. Siyempre ako, tinake ko na yung opportunity na kausapin pa siya. And guess what Tita Cha, we went out together pa nga!

Naging maganda ang sumunod naming mga dates. Marami akong nalaman tungkol sa kanya, gaya ng kung paano siya nahilig sa pagkuha ng mga larawan at kung anu-ano ang hobbies niya. Akalain mo Tita, ang dami pala naming similarities! Feeling ko nga siya na yung matagal kong hinihingi kay Lord. Yung cute, mas matangkad sa akin, kapareho ko na mahilig sa kape at sa K-Pop, tas Tita marunong din siyang sumayaw! Hindi ko talaga kinaya, pakiramdam ko siya na talaga ang aking end game!

Siguro nagtatanong kayo kung paano ako naging troubled sa aking lovelife kung sure na ako na siya na nga ang aking love of my life. Ito na, Tita.

Habang naglalakad kami sa may Betaway, nag-uusap kami about sa mga pangarap namin and kung ano ang gusto naming ma-achieve by the end of this year. Ang sabi niya, gusto niya raw na mas umunlad ang kanyang career as a photographer. Siyempre naman ako, supportive! Tapos shinare ko sa kanya na gusto ko matapos lahat ng backlogs ko before Christmas. Kinumusta ko ang kanyang pag-aaral, pero sabi niya ay matagal na siyang tumigil sa eskwela. Kinabahan ako, legit! Akala ko drop out siya o something. Pero medyo mas malala pa pala…

Tita, graduate na siya. And mas matanda pa siya sa bias ko na si Wonwoo! Eh 8 years pagitan namin huhu. TITA, CAN YOU BELIEVE NA MAS MATANDA PA SIYA SA 8 YEARS!!! Grabeng age gap naman po non, hindi kinaya ng bangs ko!!! Please help me, I don’t know kung ano po ba ang dapat kong gawin. Baka mapunta pa ako sa naughty list ni Santa Claus this year, ayoko naman non.

Sana po matulungan niyo po ako huhu.

Nagmamahal, Alex

_____________________________________________________

December 6, 2022

Dear Tita Chacha,

Nandito na naman po si Alex para magbigay ng update sa kanyang troubled love life.

Naalala niyo po ba si Christian? Hindi po kami nag work out.

Hindi naging maganda ang pagwawakas ng aming "relasyon", Tita Cha. Sa ilang araw na pagde-date namin, marami kaming pagkakaiba. Magkaiba na ang aming priorities, goals, at siyempre, iba na ang landas namin sa buhay. Ako po magsisimula pa lang ng kolehiyo tapos siya, pwede na po magkapamilya. Nahirapan din po akong tanggapin na noong nasa elementarya ako ay 18 years old na siya! Na-realize ko pong malaking balakid pala talaga ang age gap, Tita. Matapos ang ilang araw ng pagde-date, natanto kong gusto ko siya dahil sa mukha niya. And that's it!

Ako na rin po ang nag desisyon na itigil na ang kung ano mang meron kami sa mga panahon na iyon. Ayaw ko man aminin pero mas naging masaya ako noong nawala na siya sa isipan ko. Naalala ko tuloy 'yong nabasa kong quote minsan: 'Fall in love with the soul'. Ito na siguro ang pinakamahalagang natutunan ko ngayong taon.

Tama ba ang naging desisyon ko, Tita? Kailangan ko po ang payo ninyo.

Nagmamahal, Alex

_____________________________________________________

December 8, 2022

Dear Alex,

Kumusta naman ang iyong kalagayan ngayon? Sana ay nasa mabuting lagay ka.

Uumpisahan ko ang aking pagpayo mula sa isang kasabihan: “We meet people for a reason.” Ngunit ‘di ibig sabihin nito ay umasa ka. Ang sinasabi ko lang ay baka dumating kayo sa buhay ng isa’t isa upang matuto at mapalago ang inyong kaisipan.

Tama ka sa pag-iisip muli dahil sa kanyang edad. Marami ka pang mahahanap dyan na mas angkop para sa’yo. Maghintay ka lang muna, iha. Darating din ang taong hinahanap mo.

At ako ay may isang katanungan pala para sa iyo. ‘Yan ba ay alam ng nanay mo? Baka mamaya madamay pa ako sa away ninyo, sabihin kinu-kunsinte kitang bata ka. Baka mamaya maski ako malagay sa naughty list ni Santa Claus ha. Ayoko no’n, kailangan ko rin mabasbasan ang aking love life.

Dito ko na tatapusin ang aking liham. Lagi kang mag-iingat ha? Magpakabait ka.

Nagmamahal, Tita ChaCha

_____________________________________________________

December 13, 2022

Dear Tita ChaCha,

Magandang araw, tita!

Palagay ko ay tama nga po kayo. We meet people for a reason and some of them really do come and go. Siguro po ay curious na kayo kung bakit noh? Simple lang po ‘yan, tita. May nakilala akong bago, si Martin.

Hindi po siya tulad ni Christian. Type ko naman si Martin pero ‘di ko ipagkakaila, mas type ko si Christian. Hindi rin po siya gaya ni Christian na kapareho ko agad ang gusto. Dati, kay Christian, parang kailangan kong i-keep ang imahe ko na mabait para po ma-impress ko siya. Pero kay Martin, hindi. Hindi siya gaano nakikinig sa K-Pop, hindi siya mahilig sa kape, at hindi rin siya sumasayaw. Pero kuhang-kuha niya po yung loob ko. Dahil may mga pareho pa rin po kami na interes tulad ng mga mythology, supernatural, at ang cookies and cream na flavor ng ice cream!

Ang pinagkaiba lang po nila mas ramdam ko ang pagiging sarili ko kay Martin. Kahit po sungitan ko siya, awayin, pagtripan, parang walang epekto sa kanya. Ramdam ko po ang pagiging komportable ko sa kanya. Kaya ayun, nabihag niya ako, tita. At in fairness, isang year lang ang agwat namin ni Martin.

Baka nga po meant to meet lang kami nung nakilala ko sa campus pero sana naman po ito hindi. Magdadabog na po ako kay Lord niyan kung gano’n.

AT TITA ALAM MO BANG NILILIGAWAN NA NIYA AKO?! OMG TITA PAPAKILALA KO SIYA SA’YO PAG MAY ORAS KA PO!

At bilang sagot po sa huli ninyong katanungan, siyempre po hindi AHAHAHA pero ito pong bago, ipapakilala ko na po! Hindi naman na po siguro ako malilista sa naughty list ni Santa Claus noh? Pero kayo po, baka naman po dumating na rin ang hinahanap niyo. Onting tiis na lang tita, sabay po tayong magpa-pasko na may kasama hihi.

Maraming salamat po sa pagsagot at sa pagtulong sa akin, tita! Lagi po kayong mag-iingat!

Nagmamahal, Alex

[upismediacenter]

LITERARY: Hiwaga

Sa isang sulok ng ating mumunting kwarto, nananatiling nakatayo ang larawan mo. Katabi nito ang iyong mga pulseras at iba pang mga aksesorya, at ang litrato natin mula sa una nating pagtatagpo.

“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” Tanong mo habang papasok ng kwarto. Pinakita mo sa akin ang iyong pinakamatamis na ngiti at wala na akong ibang magawa kundi ang ngumiti pabalik. “Wala naman. Masama ba ang magbalik tanaw sa ating mga alaala?” Ika'y tumawa nang bahagya, naglakad papalapit sa akin, at naupo sa ating kama.

“At ano naman ang ibabalik tanaw natin, mahal?” Huminga ako nang malalim bago kunin ang ating mga litrato at muling umupo. Tinabihan mo ako habang isa-isa ko silang pinagmamasdan. “Ano pa ba? Edi ang mga napagdaanan natin mula nang tayo'y bata pa hanggang sa tumanda na tayo nang ganito.”

“Tila ba isang mahika ang nangyari sa atin, mahal. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na ikaw ang aking nakatuluyan.” Isinandal mo ang iyong ulo sa aking balikat at hinawakan ang aking mga kamay. “Ayaw mo ba?” Hinampas mo ako nang mahina at tumawa muli, “Sinabi ko bang ayaw ko? Natutuwa nga ako kasi nagtagal tayo.” Ako’y tumango at ngumiti na lamang.

“Oo nga, parang mahika ang ating pagmamahalan.” Tumayo ka mula sa iyong kinauupuan at iyong binuksan ang maliit na radyo sa tabi ng telebisyon. Pinatugtog nito ang ating paboritong kanta at tumingin ka sa akin. Muli mong ipinakita ang nakamamatay mong ngiti. Isa pang ngiti mo na ganyan, pakiramdam ko ay aatakihin ako sa puso.

Hinila mo ako papunta sa gitna ng ating kwarto at iniyakap mo ang aking mga braso sa iyong baywang, kasabay ng paglagay mo sa iyong malalambot sa kamay sa aking batok. Inilapit mo ang ating mga ulo sa isa't isa habang sinasabayan natin ang kumpas ng ating paboritong musika at ipinikit mo ang iyong mga mata.

“Kay tagal ko ring hinintay na maulit ulit ito.” Ika’y humuni bilang pagsang-ayon at biglang ngumisi. "Ganoon ba? Edi sulitin na natin ito." Nakangiti mong isinara ang aking mga mata, at tuluyan nang nag-iba ang pakiramdam ng buong kwarto.

Para akong bumalik sa ating unang pagkikita, sa ating unang kwentuhan at tawanan, sa ating unang lakad, sa ating unang sayaw. Napuno ng mahiwagang pakiramdam ang ating kwarto at tila ba lumulutang ako sa bawat hakbang na ginagawa natin. Talagang nakabibighani ang iyong nagagawa sa akin, mahal.

Ngunit biglang may kumatok sa ating pinto at napatigil tayo. Idinilat ko ang aking mga mata at nagtanim ng halik sa iyong noo bago ko buksan ito. “Tay? Sino kausap mo? Parang kanina ka pa kasi nagsasalita.” Tumingin ako sa pwesto mo ngunit wala ka doon. Nawala bigla ang iyong kaakit-akit na presensya na nagdudulot— mali, na nagdulot ng hiwaga sa aking malamig na gabi.

“Wala lang iyon, iha. Kinakausap ko lang ang sarili ko. Sige na, magpahinga ka na.” Pinilit kong ngumiti bago ko isara ang pinto. Oo nga pala, ngayon ang anibersaryo ng iyong pagpanaw.

Tinignan ko ang singsing na isinuot mo sa akin noong tayo’y kinasal. “Kumusta ka na? Nagustuhan mo ba ang mga bulaklak na dinala ko sa puntod mo noong nakaraan? Mga pulang rosas at mga kutsinta, ang iyong mga paborito. May mga rosas din kaya d’yan sa langit? Mayroon din kayang radyo d’yan para ikaw ay maaliw?” Huminga ako nang malalim at ngumiti. “Ayos lang ako, mahal. Napapalibutan ako ng mga bagay na iyong pinakamamahal, gaya ng mga rosas na dinala ko. Inaalagaan naman ako ng ating mga apo kaya malusog pa ako. May maliit na aso rin akong inampon, tulad ng asong inalagaan mo– bago ka pumanaw…” Tuluyan nang nahulog ang aking mga luha ngunit pinunasan ko agad ang mga ito at muling ngumiti. “Makasisiguro ka na maayos ang aking kalagayan dito, mahal. ‘Wag kang mag-alala, wala kang dapat ipag-alala.”

Tinignan ko ang iyong pwesto sa ating kama at muling bumalik sa akin ang huli nating pag-uusap noong araw na iyon. Hanggang ngayon nararamdaman ko pa rin ang yakap mo sa aking braso nang ika’y bumulong ng “Salamat sa lahat, mahal. Mahal na mahal kita” bago ka tuluyang natulog nang mahimbing.

Bibisita ka kaya ulit, mahal? Isasayaw mo kaya ako muli? Ipararamdam mo ba ulit sa akin ang nakakaantig mong pagmamahal?

Umupo ako muli sa ating higaan at pinagmasdan ang ating mga litrato. Ililigpit ko na sana ang mga ito nang may naramdaman akong ihip ng hanging dumampi sa aking likod. Alam kong ikaw iyan, mahal. Alam kong nandito ka.

Hanggang sa muli, mahal.

[upismediacenter]

LITERARY: Burn Again

2018

Oh to be young and free Having big hopes and big dreams Not caring about the world Enjoying even the littlest of things

You look outside your window Admiring the morning sun The spark of a new beginning Excited to reach what’s from afar

2019

You keep dreaming Too big to reach, they say But you don’t mind Your fire stays strong

You see a star A sign that makes you believe So you plant seeds as you go Waiting for them to bloom

2020

To reach it, you move Making plans happen Doing everything it takes With high hopes of grasping it

You never lose hope Still pushing ‘til you break For you, to dream is to live And to live is to dream

2021

You look outside Admiring the moon Realizing time is ticking Too much pressure, and a lot to achieve

Your light starts to fade Fire struggling against the wind “You’re not going to make it,” you think You fight these thoughts and wish for the better

2022

You never let that fire die Nursing it ‘til it burns you again ‘Til the seeds you’ve planted, finally grow You didn’t give up, you just needed rest

You let yourself learn Going beyond what you were before Don’t ever lose hope Believe that this dream is for you

[upismediacenter]

LITERARY: Letting Go.

ver.  The love which sounds like an unfamiliar song To which all the lyrics, you know; The love like in the movies you have loved for so long, Is love you must not let go. 

The love which blossoms like dandelions in the spring Between two souls, intertwined; The love that you found, but you never knew was missing— Is love that is hard to find. 

aestas. To have a best friend you will love and defend And whom you will always protect; To have a best friend you will dance with ‘til the end Of this life, and ‘til the next. 

A love which will have you thinking, “How lucky must I be? I’d be a fool to let this pass!” And though right you may be, soon you will see It would be more foolish to think love lasts. 

autumnus. For as inevitable as the sea reaches out to the moon, You will learn what we all must know; As inequitable as it seems, you will see very soon That there is love we must let go. 

Because little by little, you will notice how fragile This love of yours is to hold, And little by little, it will grow brittle As this love of yours grows old. 

hiems. As the streets turn white, the cold begins to bite, You lose sight of the ground; You realize: there’s a fine line between love hard to find And love unmeant to be found.

The love you’d resigned was the latter kind— Better off forgotten in the snow. For there’s a fine line, between love hard to find And love you must let go.

[reggiemantleholdmyhand-tle]

how could I ever love someone else? + FRAISIE

“How am I supposed to ever tell him?” Annie’s eyebrows were raised sky high and her hands were dragging down her own face in frustration. “I can’t just walk up to Oliver and say, ‘Hey Oliver, I’m mad for ya and I always have been!’”

Maisie’s eyebrows furrowed, “Um, actually, yes you can. That’s literally all you have to do.”

Annie side-eyed Maisie, a pout forming on her lips. “It wouldn’t work.”

“Sure it would!” Maisie turned to Fred, who was listening to their argument. “Fred, would you mind pretending to be Ollie dear for a demonstration?”

A mischievous twinkle flashed in Fred’s eyes as he immediately puffed out his chest, standing up from his seat at the kitchen table. “I’ve been working on my Oliver impression for years. I would be honored.”

“Okay, I’ll be Annie.” Maisie beamed, ignoring the eye roll Annie shot her as she stood up as well, guiding Fred to the middle of the kitchen. “Observe, dear Wannie.”

Maisie stood up a bit straighter as she planted herself in front of Fred, clearing her throat dramatically. “Now, you’ll have to excuse me, I’m not very good with accents.”

Maisie cleared her throat again as Fred tried to suppress a laugh in anticipation of her terrible Annie impression. “Hello, Oliver, I’m mad for ya and I always have been!” She yelled, definitely butchering Annie’s accent.

Fred couldn’t hold his laugh in any longer. “Why are you yelling at me?”

“I’m not yelling!”

Annie pinched the bridge of her nose. “You are yellin’, a bit.”

Maisie scowled up at Fred. “Oh, go on, then. Say your line.”

“His line?” Annie’s mouth fell open in shock. “Have you guys practiced this before?”

“Maybe once or twice,” Fred shrugged, an easy smile on his face.

“Merlin,” Annie groaned, slouching down in her chair. She waved her arm lazily, before crossing both of them tightly over her chest. “Go on, then.”

“Oh, Anneh, I never thought yeh’d feel the same!” Fred cried out dramatically, before grinning down at Maisie. “How was that?” He asked, in a hushed tone.

Maisie gave him a gentle pat on the chest. “Your Scottish brogue has gotten so good!” She whispered, as Annie let out another pained groan.

Maisie clutched her hands to her heart, tossing her hair wildly over her shoulder. “Oh, Ollie, how could I ever love someone else?”

Fred then grabbed Maisie by the face, pulling her in for an obnoxiously passionate kiss.

“Alright, enough! You’ve made your point, thank you.”

Fred and Maisie were still attached at the lips, as if they couldn’t hear her.

“Oh, for Merlin’s sake,” Annie huffed, excusing herself to the other room.

[rvmmm21]

just realised it’d probably be a good idea to actually post some hybrid stuff instead of just shouting myself out, huh. 

jindo!seungwan x vampire!joohyun.

‘come here, little puppy’

...

thwack!

Razor- sharp fangs were at the ready as the trap went off. A shrill yelp filled the cool air and sent a flock of birds scattering into the midnight sky. Setting up a trap was very un-vampire like, but she never cared for the chase. She was impatient; wanting to sink her fangs into her prey as soon as possible. It had been a while, too long in fact, since the vampiress had had a fresh meal of any sort. The modern day and age often left her with little choice but to resort to prepacked blood bags from local vending machines. They were as bland as they were pricey, and Bae Joohyun had found herself increasingly unwilling to spend that much money on stale tasting pigs’ blood.

Freshly caught meals were a rare luxury, and Joohyun smirked as she readied herself for the first kill of the night.

Rounding the tree from where she’d been waiting, she gracefully made her way over to the tiny shifting bundle shrouded in the shadows. Her enhanced vision told her something was amiss about this meal; mainly the fact that it was not in the shape of her usual deer or other small animal, but very, very human.

Well, kind of human.

Joohyun was processing newer information with each step she took. She would’ve automatically passed the hectic bundle under the thick, roped net as a human. A human girl, no less. That was until she noted the pair of soft, pointy ears nestled between thick locks of layered golden-brown curls and the fluffy tail behind her.  

Ah, a hybrid, she thought, stepping into the moonlight and making her presence known to the oblivious little heap thrashing about at her feet.

She stood there, unmoving, and fighting every urge to just pick the little thing up and carry it home right then.

The captured girl froze in her tracks when she felt a sudden cold gush over her, making her shiver and prick her sensitive ears towards the direction of the stillness.

How cute.

Yes, she wouldn’t lie. Joohyun had fully intended on devouring anything and everything the night (and net) brought her. The squeals and struggles of her usual kills gave her no pause as she drained them dry and carelessly disposed of their carcasses. However, this. This was different. She surprised herself with how instantly infatuated she was by this adorable little hybrid. The way her ears were pressed flat against her head, weighed down by the heavy rope. The way her tail quivered ever so slightly, in fear no doubt, and those big, soft brown eyes with the unknowing ability to pierce right through her cold, dead soul. If she had a heart, it would’ve been fluttering and doing backflips by now, she was sure of it.

The vampire was so consumed by her captive that she forgot to be angry that she’d been swindled out of tonight’s meal.

The girl, on the other hand, was completely terrified as she beheld this elegant vampiric beauty with sleek raven hair casting a looming shadow over her trapped form. Her skin was flawless, un-kissed by anything other than the moon and it seemed to shimmer ethereally under the light of the stars. Her heart was going a million miles a minute, audibly thumping against her ribcage as her canine senses picked up on a peculiar warmth to this woman despite her deathly steely exterior. The woman began circling her, and she followed the movement with wide, shaky eyes.

Her attention snapped to the figure now crouching down beside her.

“Well look what we have here,” she sneered, making a show of licking her blood-red lips as the girl squeaked in fear, “A lonely puppy, all for me to snatch up.”

Joohyun had decided not to eat her, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t toy with her a little.

The terrified girl gave a small whimper and tried to scoot back as far away from the vampire as she could. But the net was small, and she’d pulled it taut in no time, exhausting all her options of escape.

The woman chuckled darkly and closed the distance between them once again. She didn’t miss how hard her little captive was panting, chest erratically rising and falling with every panicked breath.

“Nowhere to run, I’m afraid,” Joohyun paused when she caught sight of the girl’s neck; the paleness enhancing the way her pulse point on her jaw throbbed madly, and so deliciously bare.

My my, is she really? If she is… then this is too good to be true. Oh, this is Christmas.

“Oh dear, little puppy,” she smirked, feigning concern to which she already had the answer to, “where’s your collar? Do you not have an owner?”

Her smirk widened as her suspicions were confirmed when the girl meekly shook her head, ears flopping over and drooping sadly.

Poor thing, a stray. How could such an endearing creature possibly be a stray?

Anger bubbled up inside her thinking about who could’ve done this. It was obvious that this was a pedigree, and a fine specimen, at that. Definitely the type to be bred and bred from the finest bloodlines, only purpose in life to serve in show business or to be bought by filthy rich families who hadn’t the time nor a clue on how to properly raise a hybrid. It made her sick to her stomach. But she hastily brushed her emotions and opinions aside, focusing on the more important issue at hand.

“What’s your name, little one?”

“S-Seung-w-wan…” the girl barely even managed to stammer.

It was settled then. Seungwan needn’t worry, for she had found herself, willingly or unwillingly, a new home. Never had the vampiress made up her mind as fast as she did tonight, wanting nothing more than to keep this shivering little puppy warm and safe at all costs. It was so perfect, she almost forgot she’d come out tonight to feast, and her fangs had long since retracted. She’d been contemplating getting a pet ever since moving into her new place. Despite appearing aloof and reticent to the public eye, Joohyun had to admit that it did get more than a little lonely having to live with oneself day to day with nothing but your own lifeless soul for company. She desired companionship, and she was just waiting for the right time to acquire it.

But it seemed like fate beat her to it, in a night of unadulterated bloodlust.

“Well then, Wannie, it’s time to go home,” she said nonchalantly, pushing herself from her position and straightening up in preparation to cut the net.

She looked down at the shivering girl at her feet, curled up in a tight ball and burying her face in her fluffy jumper. The vampiress inwardly kicked herself for knowing she’d just as good as given the poor thing a heart attack.

Okay, façade’s up you idiot. Time to play nice.

Having had basic knowledge of dogs and the responsibilities that came with them from the time she was a young vampiress and her family had gifted her a Dachshund pup for her 100th birthday, Joohyun bent down once again to calm Seungwan down, hoping hybrids were the same. She'd adored Mr. Wiggles, but learning to come to terms with the loss of a pet was a grievous path known to animal lovers of all species, human or vampire. She had been far too upset for the next thousand years or so to even consider getting another pet, for fear of forgetting him and feeling as though he was easily replaceable. But it wasn't just a pit of despair, though. Pets were lovely; their warmth was like no other. You’d often find yourself questioning what on earth you had done, never quite sure how you’d come to deserve such boundless, unconditional love.

And Joohyun couldn't have felt more undeserving.

Ignoring the scared flinch she received for reaching into the net, she carefully extended a limp hand, as Seungwan strained her neck forwards to take cautious little sniffs at it and at the air around her, trying to detect any sort of potential threat. Of which she found none. Joohyun then began oh so gently scratching soothing circles on the puppy’s head behind her small floppy ears. Seungwan immediately let out a small, heart-breaking whimper as she tensed at the sudden contact, however, visibly relaxed when she realised the fingers weren’t hurting her, after which she instinctively sighed into the affectionate touch.

Joohyun let out a shaky breath of relief when it worked.

“There, there,” she cooed, taking care not to scratch too hard as she carefully observed Seungwan’s expressions, “Sorry for scaring you, little one. But I’m not going to hurt you, I promise.”

Seungwan wasn’t sure how much of that she could actually trust, but in her current state of affairs she had little else to go by but the words of this bizarrely tender vampiress.

And she seemed to be keeping to it… for now, at least.

Seungwan just about rolled over in submission when Joohyun took one of her warm little ears and started rolling it softly between her fingers. Shivers ran down her body and her tail began unconsciously swishing back and forth. She’d never been touched like this before, and the poor thing shocked herself with how her body naturally responded to the simple caresses. She was so depreaved of any physical touch, affection aside, that the little that Joohyun was doing now overwhelmed her enough to willingly go along with it; to be taken in and taken care of, despite having her qualms about stranger danger.

“I’m going to take care of you, but you have to be a good girl and come home with me,” the vampiress couldn’t stop an escaping giggle at the sight of the girl practically drooling as she continued to roll her soft, velvety ear; eyelids heavy and pink little tongue lolled out at the corner of her mouth.

“Okay, puppy?” she inquired, taking her hand from out of the net.

The little dog whined at the sudden loss of contact, but unexpectedly nodded up at her with sad, glazed brown orbs.

We’re not even home yet. Wannie-ah, are you trying to kill me?

It was only when Joohyun was sure the girl had calmed down significantly to the point where she knew Seungwan wouldn’t try to run, did she give the net a quick slice with the small knife she kept handy at all times. She hurled the weight off and Seungwan’s ears sprung up, one sticking straight up and one happily folding over as she innocently glanced around, apparently not yet realising she was free. It was murderously heart-wrenching to behold; Joohyun had to thank her lucky stars she didn’t have one. She made quick work of crafting a makeshift noose and lead out of the remnants of the trap.

Holding the noose up in front of her with trembling hands, Joohyun held her breath, warily eyeing the unmoving girl as she carefully inched her way closer, utterly terrified that she’d make the one unfavourable movement that would cause Seungwan to bolt.

But it never happened. The puppy stayed put, head cocked and eyes on her the entire time.

“Okay Wannie, don’t be scared, I’m just going to put this around your neck. It’s only for now, I promise. It won’t be long.”

The vampiress was more than prepared. She was prepared to have to chase the girl down, subconsciously readying herself for when she’d make a run for it. A small part of her also prepared to give in, to accept the fact that she’d lost her little pet and resign herself to loneliness once more until she found someone or something that tugged at her as deep and effectively as Seungwan had tonight.

What she wasn’t prepared for, was abruptly being nose to nose with the girl in less time it took to blink, feeling her hands that were still clutching the noose now lightly grazing the tips of her shoulders. Joohyun had to forcefully blink the disbelief away before settling her gaze back on the floppy-eared girl now standing inches away from her, breath tickling her chin. A seismic shock wave threatening to wipe the earth would’ve flustered her less, as her entire being froze in this completely unprecedented display of dangerously blind trust only a puppy could boast.

So she just about keeled over and perished, as the terms and conditions of being immortal would allow, when the irreproachable honey-toned words left Seungwan’s mouth in the tiniest, almost punishingly lovable question.

“Take Wannie home now?”