#drew the last image and added the rest after since I wanted it to make sense

[mnemonicmew]

Should’ve read the terms and services

[herrscherofmagic]

i've spent nearly 47 hours over the last ten days drawing nothing but kiana (and hov)

yeah.

anyways, since I've had about enough of drawing Kiana for the rest of my life (/hj) I'm gonna put a pause on this project; but I'll turn it from a sprint into a marathon and try and work on it occasionally instead of all at once

I want to draw other things again x-x

Close-ups of the drawings below, as well as the reference image set, and some other misc. thoughts

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Portraits drawn from imagination

Started the process by trying to draw Kiana's head from imagination; then after each drawing I'd pause, look at some references, see what mistakes I made, then put away the references and drew from imagination (and referring to previous drawings) again. I also took breaks at two points to practice drawing eyes & hair before going back to drawing Kiana

For the last 4 portraits, I'd draw a head from imagination as a warm-up to a drawing session, and then do another head much later on instead of doing it immediately. Around halfway through this "phase" I started the other phases at random points, and finished this portion of the process in the first ~10-15 hours of drawing time. The rest of the time was split across the other exercises

Also I gave her an angry expression because I felt it was the easiest for me to do from memory since I've drawn HoV more than just "Kiana" herself. I also used a boring level 3/4 view without much perspective because it forced me to really make sure I was doing everything accurately and with care.

Basically my thinking was that if I could make a boring level 3/4 portrait look good enough, then I'd have no trouble getting it to look good in other perspectives. That seemed to be true when I got to the stage where I was doing expression practice and had to deal with more head tilt and other perspectives, lol

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Studies of still images from screenshots of gameplay, character art, and stills from animated shorts

Did rough sketches first, then drew with solid color over the sketches on a separate layer. not much else to say here, lol

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Full-bodies

Started with an anatomy model loosely based on the proportions of Kiana's in-game model, and then two attempts at doing full-body drawings from imagination before realizing that it's bloody insane to try and do that much detail from imagination and I have much better things to do with my life than that x-x

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Color studies

yaaaay color! yippee!

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Action sketches/"gesture" drawings

"Gesture" is in quotes because I was way too slow with these for it to really count as proper gesture drawing, imo. But the intention was to start with gesture, and I got closer to that as I went on.

It's way too tempting to start adding detail so I had to metaphysically slap myself with a frying pan to keep myself from getting derailed by that >.>

To get references for this, I did screen recording of gameplay on the PC with OBS studios, then used DaVinci Resolve to play back the recordings.

On PC, when using the mouse controls you can hold the camera fairly still when doing an attack sequence, making it awesome for getting unique angles. For instance, when I recorded Void Drifter's attacks, I was able to get at least 4 different PoVs of her attacks: from the left, the right, behind & above, and in front & below.

Unfortunately, though, it was a bit of a hassle to get good recordings because I had to go into an actual combat stage to record it instead of being able to use an empty testing stage.

With DaVinci Resolve I could "split" clips to make cuts in the timeline that let me easily mark the spots where different attack sequences started, and I could also easily play it in .5x speed to help me figure out how the animations were going from one set of frames to another.

Plus if you close the program after saving, when you open it up again it remembers which frame you were last on and takes you straight there, making it easy to continue from one day to another.

I used White Comet, Herrscher of the Void, and Void Drifter attack animations here, but I also did recordings of Knight Moonbeam and Herrscher of Flamescion, and I might give those a try someday.

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Facial expressions practice

Started with the set of rough sketches (first image), then did some expression practice from imagination (second and third images) to try and get used to how the proportions of the face change slightly with movement of the eyebrows/eyelids/jaw, since the shape of the eyes and mouth is especially important when doing stylized faces (like the anime style that HI3rd uses)

Then this morning I started working through the original rough sketches and developing them one-by-one, getting through 8 before I decided to call it quits and wrap up the project for now

So the facial expression practice pretty much the culmination of all my practice. All the practice with proportions, the contours & forms of the hair, monochromatic shading, line quality, shape design, etc.

This was also one of the few times I've ever taken stylized references and actually adapted them to some extent instead of directly copying them!

This is especially noticeable in the hair, where I used a more standard style for the hair, in contrast with the variety of hairstyles and shapes used in the various manga references (i.e. black-and-white Escape from Nagazora Kiana's messy hair vs the neat and solid hair in the colored Gratitude Arc, AE Invasion, and Moon Shadow Kiana)

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Reference images

[pricklepicklepie]

It might be hard to ask for faves… so who is the oc you’ve had the longest?

OH EVAN, thank you bless you i love you. Let's open this can of worms together -

(forgive me, this got LONG. I mean LONG. It should be a simple answer but NO)

So, my oldest OCs, I didn't even post yesterday. This is a group of some of my oldest. I'm sure there are older ones, but these are the ones I remember/have images of. Lucis is probably the oldest with Katey being the second. There were piles more with this crew. Pretty much anytime I drew anything that wasn't transformers fanart, I added them to this "world". Which was nothing special, none of these guys ever had solid backstories or even interests or jobs. They were just designs that I returned to. Zoi and Lucis eventually got a little more developed (but not a lot lol) and got pushed into my "second gen" OCs. I don't really draw these guys anymore accept occasionally or when I want to make something new, sometimes I revamp an old OC and insert them into whatever story I'm making. Here are some of their more recent designs. I think these are all I've drawn of them in like, ten years or more lol.

Eventually, I made Zoi an office worker who plays bass in a band with Lucis and another OC, Elliot. SPEAKING OF ELLIOT

Elliot is kind of my oldest OC with a 'story'. SORT OF. First, I had all those loose OCs, not in a story, not doing anything. Then one day I make Elliot and Adrien and I decide they're going to be in this angels and demons type story where Elliot dies and comes back to life and they encounter evil angels, etc etc. Joel was a villain, Lucy was like, 'the girl', lol.

This whole plot didn't stick and I eventually just made Adrien human and now they sort of exist in a nebulous, melancholy, dreamy, sorta real-world setting. Elliot is roommates with Zoi and Lucis and the three of them are in a band. Adrien is a guy who just happens to be at their show. Some of my other OCs are in the background of this world, but I don't really think about them lol.

Here's kind of the transition period between the original, fantasy-type story, and the normal world story.

This was late in high school/college that I started calling Elliot's story Elliot's Sword. And it was going to be like Elliot going into a fantasy world from the real world and becoming a god-like figure. But after college, I made them the normal, real-world story. Here are some drawings from the modern era of Elliot and Adrien

It's hard for me to even find drawings of them bc I don't draw them so much, which is a shame! I really like the way they had become. I want to do a story with them where they meet at a show (or reunite since they went to college together) and Elliot eventually helps Adrien through the loss of his Grandmother who is his family's matriarch. And this brings up a lot of feelings for Elliot about his mother who died when he was a child. And together, they sort of explore this half-waking/half-dreaming world of grief. I had this idea that Elliot is like, a dream hopper and goes into people's dreams. And it's a story I really want to write one day, but ALAS. time will tell.

The Oldest Oc I posted about last night, is Puck! OOOHH BOY DO I LOVE PUCK. BUCKLE IN.

These are some of my first drawings of Puck, along with Richard and some other OCs in her setting. I made Puck for a character design class in college. I think my Junior year. She and Richard were basically Fallout rip-off OCs - they came from a post-apocalyptic world with Puck from the country and Richard from a large settlement. They were kind of 'Prince and the Pauper'. And I had this whole thing where they meet, dislike each other at first, have to work together to rebuild Puck's hometown, grow to love each other, adopt a girl named Tommy and raise her in the town, and eventually, Richard does something to betray Puck's trust when they're in their late 50s and they spend the rest of their lives in this bitter divorce arc. Here are some comic pages I made for various college assignments. This was a story I called The Town of Shilo.

Their story now is a little different than it used to be. Now, the idea is Puck comes to this large, sci-fi-ish city and meets Richard and all these other people and helps them maintain their little community by keeping robotic police off their turf. Puck's mother and sister are the CEOs of this large pharmaceutical-turned-weapons company, (though she has been sort of cut off from them and is their unknowing test subject, so she's not involved in whatever they've been up to). And Richard is the son of some politian and is trying to play double agent and use what he finds out from his nepotism job to inform his friends. There is SO MUCH MORE to it that I need to write down and nail down. But that is the basic idea.

These are all the OCs I think about who aren't DnD related. So I kind of have two worlds (elliot's and puck's) that I revisit from time to time and fuss with. The thing is, I never write anything down and never try to world-build or nail anything down. I just draw them with non-specific ideas in mind lol, which definitely has to change. With DnD ocs, it's just so much easier to make a quick guy who has a flaw and then his story is just figuring out that flaw and you get to do that with your friends and it's EASY. But I have a hard time getting back into my other OCs bc I can never settle on a story for them. But I do have dreams of making comics of them, so who knows, hopefully soon I will actually build out their worlds and be able to be more specific about what they can do/what happens to them. lol. BUT I UH NEVER GET TO TALK ABOUT THEM REALLY SO I SORTA TOOK THIS CHANCE TO SAY EVERYTHING EVER ABOUT THEM. HOPE THAT'S ALRIGHT??

tldr: I have this OC, Lucis, who is probably my oldest Oc who I don't draw anymore LOL

[maiataylor1]

Fundies - last indesign lesson

DUE Monday 29th of July

Make a storybook with at least 5 different Children's stories.

I started this process by picking which 5 stories I would have in my storybook. I decided to go with classic children's rhymes. I picked Jack and Jill, I'm a Little Teapot, Heads shoulders knees and Toes, Humpty Dumpty, and three blind mice.

Next, I drew a rough plan in my book about what would go there in the book. After I knew what was going on where I searched up who originally wrote each rhyme so I could write it in the book so people knew who actually wrote it.

Then it was time to get onto InDesign to start creating the book. First, we set up the pages that were going to be in the book.

Toby showed us how to get the pages number to go on every page in order so you dont have to write them up seperately.

Page 4 and 5

Page four and 5 are the first proper pages in the book. Because all my rymthes are small they only need one column. The margins r set in more of the middle of the page due to there not being much text and not needing it to spread too far. I used the paragraph style which doesn't spread out to far across much of the page because there isn't alot of text. Page 4 is a conents page which shows the reader which stories are written in this book and which pages they r on so its easier for the reader to access them. Since its a childerns book I wanted the colours in the book to be bright and colourful so the kids enjoy looking at it and are engaged. I coloured the titles of each rhyme on the conents page to match the background colour of that rhymes actual page. This is so the book feels connected as is easy for the reader to remember that colour matches with that page. I decided to use a rainbow pattern which flows really well and is pleasing to look at.

For the Jack and Jill rhyme I used a picture from online and added a crown to Jack's head and make the picture pretty big taking up most of the page because the text isn't long and also so its easy for the kid listening to look at. I chose a pinky red background which I think works well with the image and still allows the text to be easy to read.

For every page with a rhyme on it I used the paragraph style title for the titles of the rhyme just a simple but bold font. I used paragraph style 1 for the rhyme its self and made the text big for tired parents to read easily. I also used a simple title for and them authors name for the authors name who wrote the rhyme and put this in italics for it was more clear this is the author of the rhyme.

For page 6 I choose the rhyme I'm a little teapot and used the same paragraph styles as the rest of the rhymes. I found the teapot vector drawing online and then I drew some tea drops to add to it. I choose a yellowy orange colour for the background which makes the text super easy to read and contrasts well with the colour of the teapot.

For page 7 I made vector drew the person on illustrator.

I began by drewing a ruff outline of the boys shirt.

I filled the top in with purple and then drew a outline his face and where his hair will go.

I filled his face with a skin tone colour.

I drew his hair seperatly so that is would fit on his head and then set it to the back so it with go behind his face.

Here it is moved and fit to go behind his face.

Then I used circles as eyes used the hair colour to draw eyebrows on and used black to draw a nose and smile on his face. I used the same colour as his face to draw and fill in his hands.

I chose Humpty dumpty for page 8. I choose light blue which I think works well with the vector drawing and still makes the text easy to read. I vector drew humpty dumpty.

First I drew the top of the egg.

Next I filled it in with a egg colour.

I drew the other half of the egg and filled it in green to make it look like hes wearing clothes.

I drew some curves and traced them on top of the green part of the egg to try get them to line up and then just dragged them on top of the green part. I coloured this part in red.

Then I drew a rectangle and connected it to a oddly shaoed circle and filled it in black to make the legs and feet.

For the eyes I used three circles one blue one then a smaller black on inside that and then a smaller white one inside that. I used a bigger black oval shape to create a shocked face.

Lastly I drew some little arms and filled them in black.

For the three blind mice I found a image online of three mice and used a purple background to stick to the rainbow theme through out the book.

For my end pages I used the same pink colour as the front and back of the book and filled it in with the charactore from the book to make a pattern. The criss cross grid is used here because there is alot of images they need alot of collums. I thought this page connects the book together well and is cool and fun to look at when flipping through the book.

The front cover has the title of the book "Wonderfull Childerns Rhymes" and then all the characters in my rhymes layed out too.

The back cover has the little girl from the contents page and I drew a vector image of the speech bubble and wrote by me. Then in the right hand corner I wrote who published the book and just made up a name.

If I had more time I would time I would make a proper grid for my end pages and lay the characters out and make them smaller so its not so much in your face.

I changed the colour of the green title as it was hard to read to this darker green shown above. Then I changed the background colour on page 7 to match the new darker green.

[skylarmoon71]

Alexander (Grimm) - Crossover AU - Chapter 11

The warehouse was safe for the time being. 

They’d stopped momentarily to give Alexander a chance for recovery. Moving to the main room, one of the men paced, anxious. 

“It’s been four days, he’s not going to last much longer. I say we cut our losses and get out of here. Jefferson is probably in the Bahamas by now. We should quit while we’re ahead, take what we have and disappear, come on Evan.” 

“Are you crazy, do you know what they’ll do to us if they find out we bailed. We’ll be running for the rest of our lives. These are dangerous people. You think American politicians are bad, if you cross one of these men you’ll be begging for death. We finish what we started. Get the names then get out. That’s the deal Hale. You knew what this was when you signed up.” 

Hale’s jaw clenched. 

The buzzing of his phone distracted him. Hale pulled it out, groaning in annoyance. 

“What the hell is up with your phone?” Evan asked. 

“Not sure, you know the service is shitty here. I keep getting these dumb ads. It’s been happening for a couple hours.” 

Evan stared at him for a moment, then looked at the phone, grabbing it from his hands. 

“Hey!” 

Evan snarled. 

“You idiot!! These are American ads!” 

“So?” 

Evan dropped the phone, smashing it with his heel. 

“We’re in the Netherlands, why the hell would you be getting American ads you imbecile!! Somebody tapped your phone!!” 

“What, that’s impossible.” 

“No, he’s right, they tapped the phones.” 

Both men flinched, jumping when the television before them turned on. The blond man on the screen caught them off guard. He was wearing a wide grin. 

“Oh, hello. I have to say I’m disappointed. I was expecting someone more butch.” 

“Who the hell are you!!” Evan demanded. 

“My name is Patrick Jane, I work with the FBI. Your buddy Jess sold you out. I figured he must have had a way to connect with you two hasty idiots, so we traced some of the contacts in his phone and bam, here we are. I honestly didn’t think it would work so well. Usually the bad guys catch on much faster but you two clearly aren’t very sharp.” Jane taunted. 

“Not smart huh, how about we kill your friend, show you how smart we are!” Evan drew his gun and Jane shook his head. 

“I don’t think so, my friends should be coming in about three, two, one!” 

“FBI, HANDS IN THE AIR!!” 

In seconds the room was covered, both exits blocked. Evan and Hale dropped to the ground, hands on their heads. Jane just gave a wave over the screen. When Nick and Hank walked in, they smiled at the image of Jane. 

“Thanks for the tip, you saved us a lot of time.” 

Jane nodded. 

“Anytime Detectives.” 

You pushed your way to the screen. 

“Nick, Hank, where is Alexander!!” 

“Don’t worry, he’s being taken care of by the paramedics. He’s a little worse for wear but from the looks of it, he’ll pull through.” You sighed, relieved. 

“Thank goodness.” 

“Yeah, you should be thanking me. After all, I saved your boyfriend.” Jane commented. 

“He’s not my boyfriend!!” 

All in all, it was a good day.

It took a while to wrap everything up. 

Nick and Hank are on a jet heading back to Portland. Alexander is in stable condition in his hometown with constant supervision. You’re relieved. Even though Alexander was still unconscious, Nick had sent you a picture, more for a peace of mind. 

It was obvious he’d been through an ordeal. His skin was paler than usual and you don't miss the bandages on his arm. He’s probably still in pain, but you feel a sense of ease that at least he’s safe. Alive.

You can’t ask for much more than that. With a yawn, you finally start packing up your things. You hadn’t left the office at all since the case started. You’re in need of a shower. 

As you’re reaching for your bag, you catch sight of Jane. 

“I guess you’re heading back.” 

Jane nodded. 

“Lisbon is expecting me. She wanted to come but they’re dealing with another issue of their own so she insisted that I was on my best behavior.” 

“I’ll make sure to tell mom that you weren’t.” 

He gasped dramatically. 

“Traitor.” 

You just laugh, and he opens his arms. You hug him happily. 

“Thanks for everything dad, really.” 

“You’re welcome.” 

He pats your back twice before he pulls away. 

“I hope one day you’ll tell me that secret of yours.” All you can offer is a smile. 

“One day.” You agree.

He nods. 

“Alright, don’t get up to any trouble.” 

“I should be saying the same for you.” 

He gives a happy wave as he moves over to Renard to bid his goodbyes. More than anything you’re thankful.

[sarambcreates]

Hybrid Forms: Illustrating and designing the cover

Before starting to illustrate the final product, I made a rough plan of what I will include. This was not necessarily the final design, just a rough idea of what I need to have in each page, such as a publisher logo on one of the flaps and quotations, the kind of thing you expect to find on a book.

I decided to start off with the front cover, so that after that I can organically design and make decisions based on what I created for the first page. I started by drawing a meditating lady, and used the stock image below as my guideline. 

While I followed the reference I used the symmetry tool in order to make her perfectly symmetrical with the exception of the crossed legs, so that it looks very visually harmonical. I made her green to emphasize the mother nature look and added hard shadows to make it a modern sleek look but there is texture since she is supposed to come from nature which has a lot of texture. My intent was to achieve a polished, upgraded version of the illustration I made in the workshop.

I changed the colours as I felt the background was too green leaning, and I wanted a strong but soft blue in order to transmit calm. I used a textured brush to moss to her as I felt it would make her more visually interesting than just vines. 

I added her hair by making it out of leaves just like the original drawing I did in the workshop. I drew a bundle of leaves and duplicated them until it was a halo of leafy hair.

I added a hill under her and roots to show her grounding through meditation. I added more texture to the sky to make it look painterly and soothing. Continuing to pull from the drawings in class, I added blooming pink flowers as it again communicates her emotion, as well as being reflective of her giving life to things - a mother. It also adds a nice contrast and a third accent colour that makes the whole piece more eye catching.

I played with what I had and drew a tree silhouette as it is part of the drawing but should not take the focus from the lady. This give a nice framing to her and adds interest to the piece without taking from her. The paler colour fo the tree silhouette also allows the text of title that I inserted to pop out more against the background and be more legible. Overall, I liked the ideas I was playing with but there was something about it that felt off -  it was not giving me book cover vibes. It was looking more like a poste that stands by itself, and feels a bit flat too overall, partly due to the tree silhouette removing some of the 3 dimensionality from the figure. I could not figure out what was missing so I left it to rest and returned to it the next day.

The next day I came to the conclusion that what was bothering me is that it was not giving the polish and refinement that I intended with this cover, as it should want to attract a side of the public that would want to purchase it just to display it on a shelf. I realised that part of this refinement was not coming due to the overuse fo textures, from the one on her skin, to the moss and the one in the background and hill. I scrapped all of them, moss included, and substituted the moss for vines that still insinuate she is one with the nature, but it looks less overwhelming to the eye. I made the blue a slighter deeper more saturated in order to catch the eye better, and also changed her tone of green to be in balance with this new colour.

I added back the tree, this time the shape more flowy and less detailed, and with a much fainted contrast with the background in order to distance it from the  figure. I also added tree branches to make her seem like she is the tree itself. Because of the business of the branches I added a light shadow to the title to try to make it stand out more.

From this last addition of making her into a tree, I also realised the trunk did not need to be there at all, as she is the trunk, the stability of that tree. This imagery also alludes to the mother’s role in a family and how she is many times what gives stability to the family. By erasing the trunk it draws the focus again to her. Even though I just removed all of the texture, I realised now that it was lacking too much now, so instead of adding too much texture like before I should pick one spot only. I decided to add it to the main background colour and it added the relaxing painterly texture I wanted it to have initially, without taking from the piece’s polish.

The title was still a bit lost against the branches, so I added an outline to it. It however made it look cheap and unharmonious with the rest of the piece. I also realised here that the font is part of the issue here and I had to change it to something more mature that reflects the adult themes of this book. Choosing a serif font could also make it more professional, academic looking (a doctor is supposed to be the author of this book) and make the book feel more reliable.

Changing the font gave it a sense of maturity that was lacking from the cover, and I was a lot more content with this result. I went ahead and added a subtitle and the author’s name, making sure to include Dr in it to add authority and reliability to the book. The title was still getting a bit lost in the branches so I added a slight light pink shadow to it by duplicating the title and putting it behind the main title. To make the title less lost I also toned down the saturation of the branches to make it bleed more into the background.

With the front cover mainly complete, I brought it into photoshop where I would be able to edit it more thoroughly using the healing tool. I started by making the front flap, and used the content aware fill for a base of what it woill look like. I want the whole cover to flow, and there to not be any illustration interrupted suddenly. The fill however predicted the shapes a bit off and non geometric. I also felt like the title was not standing out quite enough yet, so I further faded the branches behind it and got it to finally stand out enough. I also included the new york time bestselling author in a circle that looks like a sticker, just like many books have it as a sticker.

I used a simple brush tool with the right colours to make the shapes inside the front flap continue the ones on the cover. I used high streamlining so that the shapes would come out nice and smooth. If I look at the front flap by itself, the shapes that bleed into it look very gaphric aand pattern like, which I liked, so I decided to add one more shape on the right side in order to make it look intentional.

I replicated the shape of the tree, which made it look like there are more trees outside what the dust jacket covers. I also realised that the shapes gave me dynamic negative spaces perfect to insert the quotes, which I created using very flaterring lanugauge. I made them come from several sources, from media outlets to other authors and other doctors, which would give credibility to the book.

For the Back cover I knew there would be a significant amount of empty space as the description of the book won’t take over the whole page, so I decided to add another tree. I went back on procreate and I edited the same flowers I put on the lady on the tree to make it more interesting.

I added the text in a bok in a very geometric, flowy shape that is in the3 style of the other blobs of colour, however made it geometric. I chose this shape as it slightly resembles a flower, adding to the whole nature theme. The spine was still empty, so I decided to make the tree spill over onto the spine as it adds a nice feminine accent that will make the spine stand out against other books. This created these two nice negative spaces that perfectly fit the title and the author. However when I looked at everything as a whole, the tree was not balanced anymore as it ended before the back flap, so I made it completely symmetrical and allowed the branches to also adorn the backflap. This again would add a nice feminine touch to the back flap. I just had to add the text about the doctor and pick out a stock image of a professional lady, as well as a publisher and bar code. 

[jessileerusselluni]

224 Smylex 2/2

Backgrounds:

Using the 3D models I made in Maya, I put them into Photoshop and drew over them to create a 2D environment - 

Adding wooden textures:

I added metal textures to the shelves and drew in the shadows over top. Using the opacity I made the shading - 

The textures are subtle but become more noticeable when the rest of the scene is completed. I added textures to the floor as well. At first I liked the floor but then it started to bug me so I changed it later on-

Final backgrounds: 

These are my scenes with the last textures and images added to them. First I did the aisle and added the ceiling. I got the metal textures for the walls and added those in to give more depth. I like how the background shelves blends in to the ceiling - 

With walls - 

I wanted this to look more like a set, with the only colours coming from the poison and the food which could be contaminated by Smylex. The simplicity of the set gives of an eerie ness and uncanny valley vibe, this will be played up more with my audio I was making at the same time, it just needed some last minute tweaks. 

With the floor bugging me I decided to change it so it blended in better - 

In the editing process of the video I wanted to add in static images and darker areas to add a horror factor. I have edited video before for projects and I really love editing more than anything else, other than concept designing. The audio has sounds from both the movie and added music and effects free from YouTube. I had to edit pieces of the movie audio to cut out the talking over the broadcast in the movie. 

The second background had been changed. I didn’t like the walls in the draft so I got a brick texture to edit and apply into the scene I will be changing around a few things with the rooms again - 

I decided to grey out the food in the first scene so it fits better with the narrative and the environment. The colours are slightly visible but it could still show it’s tampered with. I also added graffiti to the sign with the letter S for Smylex and also stained with the product itself. It makes the scene pop and pulls your attention towards the poisonous product - 

I wasn’t able to complete as much as I’d have hoped because I have been struggling with health issues, but I managed to get the scenes, characters and audio all completed which I am happy with. 

224 Audio:

After getting all my designs completed for the characters, scenes and props I managed to create my audio which I tweaked with Blender, I was more confident using Blender since I edited videos with this for my own projects. This is the mix of the edited movie audio, added sound effects and horror & circus music which I got from YouTube, copyright free - 

https://va.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_roe9vyLnnI1ztoifh_720.mp4

I wanted a goofy animation with music but with sinister undertones. I t’s for an advertisement inside of a teaser trailer for a  game or possibly series about killer clowns/demons who poisons people. I used three royalty free sounds for the music and ambiance and static effect for the ending. The animation will have static on screen which should let the viewer know they’re watching this from a TV screen playing a broadcast video. The main clown, Carnival will be speaking, the two female voices are the puppets. The looping laugh at the end which I also edited to make a longer loop, will show Carnivals head spinning on a spiral background until the screen is corrupted with white noise and static, until errors take over and it closes.

I feel the audio is decent for what I’m going with, it’s the first time I have edited audio or done editing in this way before, and I really enjoyed it. I feel as though I could do better now since then because I have learnt more with editing and I’ve moved onto a better software for my editing. There are tweaks that could be done to this sound here and there but overall I’m okay with the result of the audio. 

[ashmcfarlane]

Jumping man

Composite image creation task. We have been tasked to edit an image of a jumping man. First we had to select the man to be seperate from the background, which was a similar process to what we learned last week using the layer masking tool. Firstly I used the object slection tool, but it is not the most precise and it ended up cropping an arm off and attached some of the background to the man. Had to fix it up a fair bit in the masking to get the man selected.

Cutting him out of the background was a massive struggle considering the shapes complexity, but once I got into the groove of it, it became quite easy. To cut him out (using the layer mask filter) I used a mix of the pen tool, polyagonal lasso, and brush - To either mask or unmask parts of the original image. I definitely could have put more time into the cutting to make it cleaner.

For outlining hair I had to use a mix of oppacities to make it look natural, since a lot of the hair isnt a solid colour/shape as it thins out into the background.

After he was fully selected (took a very long time) we then exported and linked the selection to illustrator and drew a backwards 'S' shape over the man. Then once we saved the file in illustrator it would then update the file in photoshop (linked), meaning we could see the edits done from illustrator, in photoshop.

The shape was infront of him, but I wanted the effect of it wrapping around him. So o then selectected the part of the 'S' that overlaps his waist and then masked it. I pushed the original shape under the 'jumping man' layer. This made the area infront of his waist visible with the other two over lapping segments behind him. so it looked like the shape is wrapping around him. He was inbetween two layers, the part that overlaps his waist (top) and the rest of the 'S' (bottom).

I then begain editing the 'S' in illustrator, it was originally a path with a stroke, but i decided to be different and swap the stroke with the fill to give it a more abstract 'S' shape. I decided to go for pink and blue for a more retro colour pallette. Once I'd save the file in illustrator, it would then update it back in photoshop.

I added a gradient on part of the shape to act as a hole/shadow for where the mans leg is sticking out. Played around the the colour intensities and layout of the shapes (circles and lines) to have it be more balanced.

I then added a hyperspace backdrop to show the messy chaotic abstract theme of the piece. Blends futuristic and avant-garde elements together.

Also did the same layer mask effect to cut out the cats, as the task said I had to add two other images to the project. (cats were a good choice)

Used the objects selection on the first cat, the edited and cleaned it up under layer mask.

Used good colour correction to fix up the edges of the cat, like I learned in last weeks class. I used a low opacity brush using the average colour of the orange cat to cover up the harsh, dark brown edging of the cat that occured from the object selection. Also used the polyagonal lasso tool to select the cats whiskers. Not the most realistic but the cats aren't the focal point of the image.

I moved the cats to wear I think is fitting and then used the smudge tool over the cats to make it looks as if they are getting sucked into hyperspace.

Had a lot of fun creating this, learned heaps. I had no clue you could link layers from illlustrator to photoshop. Also the simplicity of overlapping shapes to complicated images is very good to know. This style can come in very handy for creating bold posters or graphics. I'm happy with the outcome. This man is going on a spiritual journey like no other.

[twotailednekomata]

Look at this emo, demon boy. He looks like he is ready for some trouble. ( •̀ᴗ•́ )و ̑̑

For real, though, he gave me sooo much trouble last night. I wanted to draw my demon designs again so I'd originally plan to draw a regular demon in this 'at a rock concert, partying' pose, quickly finding out that attempting to draw a human chin in an upright position was going to be a pain in the ass (although I did manage to figure it out).

Then I noticed that the proportions I'd made for the body did not match an adult male's so I pivoted to a teenage instead (also because I thought it would be easier for me to draw). After this point that I decided to make the character an emo kid and added a wolf theme to it (because early 2000s, the peak of emo fashion and those edgy wolf ocs. No, just me? Okay...).

Next, I had to outline the body sketch I made with a darker pencil since I realized that I would not be able to see the lines I would make for the clothes if I could not see where the body ends and the clothes begin.

Then I'd to look around for references for the clothes this boy needed to wear. Google was not giving me the references I wanted so I used Tumblr to find inspiration instead (I mean, I have an account, might as well use it.). After getting ⋆the vibes⋆, I still had to design a general outfit for him, which meant more searching. (/◡_◡)

When I finally got past the 'Build-a-Wardrobe' phrase and commence drawing him, the jacket decided to be a little troublesome, especially the fur on the right half of the torso. I had to use colour to indicate where the fur was so that it didn't blend into the rest of the outfit. I did, however, noticed that the shoulders were looking odd so I added some fur to them too. (Also, I drew the outline of the pants before deciding on an outfit so I had to design around that. Ripped pants are emo enough, right?)

Once I got past all of that, my pen decided to not work so outlining him was a real sore, especially at certain areas like the horns or fur.

The easiest parts of this drawing were the goat legs and the tail I added after I finished outlining the rest of the drawing, lol.

Anyways, overall I'm proud of him and below the read-more are the main references I'd used. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your day. (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ)

Reblogs >>> Likes

(The concepts I drew for the main drawing)

https://www.mrporter.com/en-us/mens/product/celine-homme/clothing/leather-jackets/leather-jacket/560971903906151

(There's another reference for the jacket but it seems I can't find it)

This Tumblr post I'd found featuring a belt with a fanged mouth at the front (The demon is wearing it, just due to the size and limitations, I had to simplified it.)

Last, but not least, the jewelry. I mostly just came up with it from my imagination. I noticed that the emo photos I looked at feature at least one form of piecing and I saw an image that shows someone wearing two necklaces. Giving my character a choker, rings and a bracelet just made sense to me.

One bonus piece of reference before I go are these sketches for when I decided to take my first crack at demon design!

[darkacademicfrom2021]

It’s very ambiguous

Pairing: Loki x reader (gender neutral)

Summary: You have finally come to age; your soulmate mark draws itself in your skin. You can't figure out who it connects you with, but, oh dear, you can only hope and wish it is to him. But Loki won't make it easy for you to find out. Will you both overcome the pride and fear that would involve your love?

Word count: 4.6 K

Warnings: a bit of angst. (English is not my mother tongue and it’s my first time writing fanfiction in english, so forgive me if there’s any errors, and feel free to correct them!)

Sighing at your reflection, you stared for the Norns know how long to the fresh image that drew itself in the side of your abdomen.

You thanked it was easy to hide; saving you endless mockery from your friends if they saw that. The vivid portrayal of who you loved the most, in the most ambiguous drawing you could’ve ever gotten. How ironic.

What the Heavens would that mean, you asked yourself at least five times until the impatient knocking on the bathroom door pulled you out of your thoughts.

“Hurry up, we’re late”, said Sif. You knew she was already all dressed up for the Ball, and she would kill you, seeing you were still on your robes. You opened the bathroom door slowly, with burrowed frows. You couldn’t hide it, as much as you tried to. “Oh, for God’s sa…” she started complaining, but stopped as soon as she realized you were in a terrible state of mind.

“I got it”, you explained after she made you get out of the bathroom and sat you on the edge of the bed. “I got the mark. Impossible to guess”.

“Don’t worry about it, you’ll know who they is when the time is right”, said she, comforting you and eyeing the outfit you’d chosen earlier. “But crytime is over. Guess what time it is now. Yes, you guessed right. The Ball”.

The last thing you wanted to do in that moment was to dance; or to stay in a chair drinking wine the entirety of the night, for that matter. You didn’t need another reminder of your frustrated attempts at making him notice you. And you knew he wasn’t the one (if he were your soulmate, it would’ve already happened years; no, decades ago). But you still couldn’t help but falling in love at every little smirk, every little comment, every little thing he did. Dear, you were lost, completely gone in love.

That’s why you knew you wouldn’t find your soulmate for a long, long time. At least not until your crush for Loki had finally gone away.

“I’d rather stay”, you stated, and she rolled her eyes.

“Well, I want to go, and I can’t go alone. Please, at least do it for me”.

“Why would you want to go? Ever since we’re on age of being asked to dance, we have only gotten invitations from… well, anyone except them. And in the Balls we can’t even be their friends”.

“We can be friends, if they talk to us first we can talk back”.

“Yeah, we could, but they don’t talk first. They never do”.

Both of you were completely lost for the princes. But, unlike you, Sif had a chance with Thor. She was graceful, divine, a wonderful woman; a whole Goddess, an amazing warrior. There was no question Thor would sooner or later find love in her friend. But you… why would a prince like Loki lay his eyes on you? Romantically, he never showed a single trace of interest in anyone, much less someone in his friendgroup. You were the closest to him, yet he never said a thing.

He probably knew you drooled over him. He must have noticed how you looked at him in the library when he read to you, how you always defended him from everyone else’s mockery, how you intentionally pretended like you didn’t know any better in spells so that he could help you out. How your heartbeat raced when he fell asleep on your lap. He must have noticed, yet he said nothing.

She finally managed to convince you to go, with the condition that if you weren’t asked to dance at all, or even talk, you’d go back to your manor early.

You got in your best clothes, and undressing the best attitude possible, you both arrived at the palace and entered the ballroom as quick as your feet let you. The ambient was marvelous. Subtle lighting, most of them by candles. The golden details that characterized Asgard so well were everywhere. Both King and Queen were sat in their thrones, waiting patiently for the rest of the royal family to arrive before giving the annual speech and getting the party started.

“Do you think they’re not coming?” asked Sif as you got comfortable in your seats, eyeing the entrances.

“They can’t miss it, they’re sort of the hosts”, you said, “but… well, I don’t know. The other day after training, Thor mentioned something about this year being particularly difficult for them”, you added in such a low whisper that Sif had to pull closer.

“What did he say? He didn’t mention anything to me”, she whispered back. You two looked like you were merely gossiping, if it weren’t for the lack of giggling that would usually follow.

“He said… he said something along the lines of ‘we’re expected so much more than before in these dances, they’re more than just for fun now’, and, Sif, I think he meant…”, but she abruptly interrupted you.

“Courting? Oh, for the Norns, they’re not expected to choose a partner now, so soon, aren’t they?”.

“Soon? Sif, they’re already at each other’s throats for who’s becoming King, and they have been for a while”.

“They’re not exactly competing, anyways. You don’t have to worry about this. It’s not like Loki’s the one winning” said she, earning a subtle kick in the leg. “Auch!”.

“Would you stop being so hard on him?”.

“You know I’m right!”. 

“You know it hurts him. If you think so, at least keep it to yourself, Sif”.

You could’ve kept lecturing her if it weren’t for the sarcastic clapping of the Queen upon seeing the arrival of her sons. You read the ‘you’re late!’ on her lips and the apologetic looks on their faces. But nothing of that distracted you from admiring how marvelous Loki could get sometimes. Just when you thought he couldn't look any better, he outdid himself. You let out a sigh and Sif laughed.

“You’re staring”.

“And rightfully so. Look at him”.

But no matter how much you looked at him for the whole evening, you couldn’t get even a gaze from him. He didn’t even eyed you from the distance. You would’ve even gotten actually mad at him if it weren’t for the fact that he wasn’t looking anywhere. He didn’t seem like he was avoiding you; he was actively staring at the floor, with the saddest look on his face. And Thor looked pissed off.

“There’s a story in there and I will ask for as many details as possible once Loki spills the beans to you”, said Sif, elbowing you.

“I don’t think he will. Look, it looks like more than a fight. He looks so upset”.

You could only wish you were brave enough to break the stupid rule of the royals approach first so you could take his hand tightly and comfort him in whatever he was going through. As you always did. As he always let you.

The music played for three hours. Everyone was on their feet, dancing away, drinking away and chatting away, as one should in a Ball dance. Everyone except you and certain dark prince you didn’t even bother staring at anymore. You gave up looking for his attention an hour after the dance properly started, and it did nothing good to your pride to have been trying for that long anyways.

Sif got her chance, of course. Thor took his time, but after long he gave up with whatever quarrel he was having with his brother and approached her decisively. You were past pissed. Disappointed. After another sip of your wine, you couldn’t resist and stole a glance to Loki’s seat. To your surprise, you met his gaze. The God of Mischief was staring at you, and he apparently has been for Gods know how long. He quickly dropped his head and went back to looking at the floor, now with a completely red face.

You soon realized he was even more upset than before, as he watched Thor and Sif dance. And then you understood. Everything fell into place. Of course. Of course he liked Sif. Who wouldn’t. That’s why he fought with Thor. That’s why he was so worked up. You didn’t even need to read his mind to confirm it. 

You waited, still holding your eyes on him. You waited for another half an hour, but your patience was already on thin ice and he didn’t look like he would do anything more, anyways. So you did what you should’ve done hours ago. You got up and left.

“No, brother, you can go, I’ll let Mother know I’m staying”, said Loki from his room.

He could hear Thor’s patience shatter in pieces from the other side of the door.

“Don’t be ridiculous, we can’t miss the Ball. Father will kill you”.

“It’s not my problem”.

“I think it is quite your problem, brother”. Loki sighed. He wasn’t in the mood for his mockery. Thor sensed it and lowered his tone of voice, insisting. “Tell me what it is, Loki. I promise I’ll try to help out”.

But he only scoffed and locked the door, to start pacing around the room, feeding his anxiety even more. He covered his arm with his palm and tried his best to make it go away. It’s just an accidental illusion. I’m making it out of nervousness. I need to make it go away, he kept saying under his breath. But it didn’t go away. It wasn’t an illusion.

“Oh, FOR THE NINE REALMS”, he kicked his chair as a sudden burst of anger ate him alive.

“Loki, let me in!”, insisted Thor. “I’m going in”.

“You can’t help me”.

“I might, if you just tell me what is it. You love the dances. Come on”.

“I do love dances, Thor, I’m not particularly fond of the weight this one has on us; not this year” he growled from the floor, knees on his chest. “Not with what I had planned, I can’t do it now” he whispered. Thor pretended like he didn’t listen to that last bit.

Loki had been circling around the idea of asking you to dance for the last few months. It was all he wanted; to caress your hand and gently hold you by the waist, to move at the pace of the music, to feel your heart on his chest, his rising heartbeat with every breath you took. He wanted you, and if that wasn’t possible (and he was sure it wasn’t) he wanted to dance with you all night long.

But now, he would have to court you and marry you if he did. And, of course, it was what he wanted. It was definitely all he wanted. But he knew you wouldn’t. And he wouldn’t risk your beautiful friendship over anything in the world. What if he lost you forever? He could never bring himself to lose you, in any form or way.

“Brother, let me in. Or get out of the room. We’re late”.

“You’re late, Thor. Must I repeat myself? I’m not going”.

“I’m kicking the door”.

Loki sighed, and waited to hear Thor’s intense footsteps get closer and closer to the door to open it just in time and see him land on his face. Thor got up off the floor with blood on his nose.

“It combines with your crimson cape, brother, no need to worry” said Loki mockingly.

But Thor paid little attention to his silvertongue. Instead, his eyes were fixed on his arm. Then, he understood exactly why he was acting so terrified. Loki covered his arm as soon as he realized, mortified, but it was now too late and Thor had already seen it.

“Do you need any other reason to invite them to dance with you?”, he said with a grin of pride.

“It's not them. I’m certain”.

“How are you so certain? It’s such an ambiguous drawing, and you haven’t seen theirs!”.

“They doesn’t even have a soulmate mark yet. They told me the other day”.

“You didn’t have one at that time either, it must have changed. Come on”.

Loki sighed and put on a long sleeved outfit, while letting Thor rant about how much he was sure you’d reciprocate his feelings. And Loki couldn’t say anything against it, because it would only bring ruin to everyone; to spill the obvious secret that haunted him everyday.

The fact that you lusted over Thor.

And it hurted him like anything else, because he knew even though you didn’t say anything. He knew he was the lesser prince. The one that gets looked over. The shadow in his brother’s spotlight. The always-prince, never-King. It hurted like Hell.

But there was nothing he could do about it. And now he had a mark that linked him to the Norns know who, but he only had eyes for you.

Because you were always there. You were the one to defend him against his own insecurities, and everyone else’s accusations. The one to laugh the loudest at his jokes, the one to hold him the tightest when you were in fear, the one to call him first to anything. And you were perfect. But you, for obvious reasons, didn’t think the same of him. You thought the world of him, but not in the way he wished.

And he wouldn’t even get to see you happy from someone else’s love, because his brother didn’t even have eyes for you. The idiot of Thor could not see your brightness, and Loki wondered how could anyone not fall in love with you.

“You need to try, Loki, you’ll never know if you don’t risk a little”.

“A little? To you this is a little? Do you have any idea what would happen to me if I lost them forever? If the person that I love the most leaves me because I just decided to stop hiding my feelings?”, yelled Loki, completely angered.

“Ah, there it is. If I decided to stop hiding my feelings”, repeated Thor, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes.

“What is that supposed to mean?!”.

“You are afraid; so incredibly afraid of letting anyone know you fully. That is your problem, Loki. They’ll accept you no matter what, because they already know you. You think you’re hiding, well, you’re not so good with this little lie of yours”, said finally Thor, tired of biting his tongue about it.

“You know nothing about their feelings”.

“I know enough”.

“Believe me, you don’t. And you don’t get to say a word about my love life, or anything about this situation, for that matter. You don’t get to make light of my situation, as you do with everything regarding me. Now, leave. Me. Alone”.

They continued fighting about it until one of their tutors had enough of their unpunctuality and came to look for them. Both entered the ballroom still highly upset at each other and said nothing about it all night. Frigga knew exactly what they were talking about, and didn’t make too much of a fuss about the delay in their arrival.

Loki tried to not look at you in the entirety of the night; avoided all the eye contact he could with anyone, specially you. He was too afraid you’d choose that exact time to practice your special abilities at mind reading (since you’ve done this at previous dances, when Loki didn’t approach you), and if he didn’t see you, you couldn’t do it. Because if you dared reading his mind you’d only find yourself. And in those little moments he got to glance at you, while you were distracted with something else, he sank in sadness, because all he wanted was to embrace you and dance with you. You looked as fantastic as you always were and more. You looked especially excellent. And it didn’t go unnoticed to him that you looked annoyed. From the eye-sided glances he got to steal from you, he saw you staring at the seat he and his brother were in. You were expectant. You wanted to be taken out to dance. And Loki’s suspicions about your crush on Thor only got reassured when he asked Sif for a dance and you looked the most annoyed you’d ever looked in ages.

You left the dance early. After about ten minutes Loki decided to go after you. Outside of the ballroom you could still be a friend; that was the whole point of swallowing his feelings. He wandered the palace until he heard fireballs collapsing against the huge walls of your typical training spot, but he lingered his entrance to observe you in an incredibly angry state of your magic.

“You’ll set the palace on fire” said a gut-wrenching familiar voice. Of course Thor was there. Of course Thor would get earlier to comfort you in something that he destroyed.

“Then so be it”, you answered with a crack in your voice. Loki didn’t mean to invade your privacy, but he couldn’t help himself but to listen.

“I know why you’re upset. Believe me, it upsets me too”.

“You have no idea what upsets me”, you answered, and Thor chuckled. Loki could sense that Thor was thinking about how similar you and Loki were. You threw another fireball against the wall.

“Let me guess”.

“Enlighten me, your majesty”.

“You didn’t get to dance with the man you like”.

“You know nothing about the man I like”.

“When will you all stop treating me as if I were blind? Come on, why won’t you tell me? I’m your friend. I know you’re burning up in love and you still think you don’t have a chance because… because what? Because he’s the prince of Asgard?” said Thor. You stopped your magic and stared at him with teary eyes.

“Because the prince of Asgard I love, is in love with Sif. And there’s nothing I can do about it” you answered. Loki’s heart broke. Hearing you admit your raw feelings to Thor that way, and Thor not even understanding you were talking about him.

“What makes you think he’s in love with Sif?!” insisted, still clueless.

But Loki didn’t need to hear any more of that. He ran through the halls of the palace until he got to lock himself in his room.

“What makes you think he’s in love with Sif?!”, Thor asked, and you scoffed. You lowered your gaze to the floor, trying to make the tears go unnoticed. They didn’t, and Thor hugged you tightly.

Thor was almost like a brother to you. You grew up together, but it was more than that. You were always for each other. He never had to ask about your love for Loki, he always knew. And you never had to ask about his crush in Sif; it was transparent. So you both supported each other. You didn’t even bother telling him how she felt about him, it was bound to happen. Now, you and Loki, on the other hand…

“He is, you can’t deny it”.

“I’m denying it, I assure you”. You wiped your tears away and touched your mark over your clothes. He smiled. “You got the mark, didn’t you?”.

“Yeah”.

“What is it?”.

“Ugh, it doesn’t matter. Maybe I should just forget him and start looking for my soulmate. If the mark showed up today, then it must be for something. There has to be a reason”. Thor nodded, still smiling. “What are you so happy about, dumbass? My heart’s broken".

“Nothing. You keep on looking. Can I see it?”, said he, patting your back.

“It’s too ambiguous, you won’t guess it”.

“So I expected”.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Do you know anything?”.

“Nothing whatsoever”.

You got in your fighting position. Loki bent down in his seat, focusing on the next fight. He was sure you’d win; he has been teaching you new moves and you completely mastered them. And your rival didn’t know any better, anyways.

One kick from your opponent; you avoided it and threw a punch. Another kick. Another punch. The rival grabbed your leg, making you lose your balance and almost fall down, but you used that impulse to push him away and get him to the ground. He got up and started using magic. A blue light shone around him and started getting closer to your feet. You closed your eyes and focused intensely; soon, water drops started emerging from the tips of your fingers. They quickly transformed into a stream of water that wrapped your opponent from head to toes, making his electricity magic attack him, instead of you. Loki smiled.

Your rival pushed further his strength and one of the electrified waterjets hit your leg. You fell to the ground with a scream. It hurted, a lot. Loki gasped and Thor had to grab his shoulder to remind him it was just a training fight. For his tranquility, you got up on your feet soon and started using your magic again.

An aura of sparks and wind formed around you while you closed your fists, extremely concentrated. Your opponent waited without attacking, but behind the shield of his armour. Loki saw Thor smile proudly; this was the part he taught you. For your fire side of your powers, Thor was the one to train you thoroughly. Loki sighed, frustrated because you haven’t yet shown what Loki had taught you with such enthusiasm. He still observed you with attention.

“This part is awesome, look, brother”, whispered Thor in his ear, which only made him angrier.

“I’m sure it is. They is awesome. And wait until you see what I taught them”. Thor chuckled.

“No need for jealousy, Loki. They’s all yours”. Loki rolled his eyes and directed his attention to the fight again.

The sparks and wind grew bigger and bigger around you, circling your whole body. Once the sparks became fire, you directed your whole energy to your opponent, sending him against the wall. If it weren’t for the gigant fire-proof shield, he would’ve gotten completely roasted.

You put your guard down, and as you did so, the wind and fire around you dispersed. Loki got to see you again once the magic flew down, and realized you had your clothes slightly lifted up. He tried not to look out of respect, but Thor gasped, and that drew his attention directly to what surprised his brother. And it did not disappoint. Loki’s chest got as tight as it has ever been. His breathing became irregular and unsteady, and his face got completely red. You didn’t notice your shirt had lifted up, so you didn’t realize what was going on. You got closer to your defeated rival and shaked his hand.

“You win. I see you’ve been well trained”, he said.

“I have”, you answered, and directed your gaze to the princes who were watching the fight. You walked closer to them to chatter, as you always did, but Loki got up fast and ran out of the training room. Thor told you to follow him, and Loki heard your footsteps behind him for the entirety of the hall, until you two got to the gardens.

Loki was shaking. He didn’t want you to be there. He didn’t want you to see him that vulnerable. And you knew it, so you didn’t get closer than two meters apart.

“Loki”, you said after a while, behind his back. “What’s wrong?”.

He turned around, face still red. He was usually cold, but at that moment he was burning up inside and out. Maybe he was burning out of love for you. Maybe out of anger, for being so pessimistic and making himself a martyr when his brother was clearly right. Maybe out of rage to himself, for waiting so long to make a move and losing so much time lost in his own head. But you were still standing there, concerned. And he had to say something, because you still didn’t know anything.

“I saw your mark”, he stated. Now you were the one with the red face.

“Oh… I, I don’t, uh…”, you stuttered, and he got closer to you. He grabbed both of your hands and you looked at him in the eyes, clueless. “I try not to give it that much attention”.

“Why?”, he asked. “It’s your soulmate. The person you’ll love the most”.

“I already love someone” you said, in a burst of confidence. Loki swallowed in nervousness. Your hands started to get sweaty. “I… ugh. Sorry. I don’t want to say…”.

“Who? Tell me, I’m your best friend”.

“I don’t want you to be”, you finally said. “It’s you, Loki. It’s always been you. I don’t care about this stupid soulmate mark, because I know I’m in love with you and I always have been”.

Loki stayed silent, which only made your anxiety increase. He finally looked at you in the eyes and formed a subtle smile.

“I thought you loved Thor”.

“What? Why would I…?”.

“I heard you after the Ball; you said the prince you love was in love with Sif”.

“Yeah, you”.

“I’m… what? I’m not… I’m not in love with Sif, darling”.

Your heart stirred, and you weren’t sure if it was because of the pet name he just gave you, or the fact that you got it all wrong. He wasn’t in love with Sif?

“I’m sorry, did we both think…?”.

“We’re idiots, apparently”.

You both laughed. That was it; that cotidianity, that normality that felt, even in the most embarrassing and intense moments, completely fine. Because you were, before anything, friends.

You hugged him. He returned the hug and caressed your neck and back with one hand. You felt his heartbeat rise, and from that position, he whispered in your ear with that beautifully deep and raspy voice; “I saw your mark”.

“I don’t care about it. I don’t want to ruin our friendship, ignore my feelings if necessary. But my heart only beats for you”, you whispered back. He sank his nose on the crook of your neck and felt his mouth form a smile against your skin. You shivered and felt warmth in your stomach.

“I don’t want to ignore your feelings”.

“I love you”, you said once again, regretting it in that instant. You couldn't stop your words from falling out of your mouth. You felt like you sounded desperate.

“I love you too, my dear”.

You, in shock, looked at him in the eyes. He kept smiling, and putting a strand of your hair behind an ear, placed a small kiss on your red cheek.

“I don’t know what to do next. I like being your friend”, you said. “And I don’t think we’re meant to be. I got a mark, and you haven’t, so it’s obvious we won’t end up together anyways. And I want you by my side for all my life; even if it’s just as a friend, you know? I don’t want to lose you”. Loki chuckled at your rant. “What?”.

“What makes you think I didn’t get my mark yet?”.

“Well, I… I don’t know. Did you?”.

“Yes”.

“What does it look like?”.

He smiled.

“It’s very ambiguous”, said he, sarcastically.

“Hard to guess, is it?” you chuckled, realizing what was going on. Loki lifted his sleeve, uncovering an identical soulmate mark to yours.

“Hard to guess, yet so obvious”, he said. He grabbed your waist and neck and both melted in a long, desired kiss. You sank your fingers in his hair, caressing his scalp. “Yours?”

“It’s very ambiguous too, you know?”.

[elendiliel]

Women of Star Wars (9 ABY edition)

[AKA evolution of an art style in sixteen figures.]

In honour (in intention if not execution) of the most awesome woman in the history of this planet, here are some drawings of a few of her near-equivalents (OK, not very near, but who is?) in a galaxy far, far away, circa 9 ABY. I honestly have no idea what might bring all these women together, but it would be glorious to see. (For anyone who doesn’t know, for Catholics and many other Christians today is the Feast of the Annunciation, also called Lady Day, one of many feasts celebrating the Blessed Virgin Mary.)

Helli, Nai, Gwen and Lookup are my own OCs. Helli is a loyal if not always conventional Jedi Knight who survived the Clone Wars and fought in the Rebellion; Nai was a padawan when Dooku seduced her to the Dark Side (not in any other sense) just after Geonosis, and became his student, then an Inquisitor. She saw sense shortly before Endor, and luckily ran into Helli before the Empire could catch up to her. Gwen and Lookup were assigned to members of Helli’s squad, Echo and Spark respectively, in the Clone Wars; they were reunited with their old pilots as the Rebellion really started to take off. In my fics, Katooni, Ganodi and their friends escaped the Temple siege and eventually became Helli’s unofficial padawans; by now, they’re full Jedi Knights, and may even have padawans of their own. Barriss is here because I’m ridiculously optimistic and firmly believe that she can be alive, free and reconciled with Ahsoka after the Rebellion.

(A note on my style: as I have the natural talent of a GNK, for now I usually find references I like and trace over them, making alterations as appropriate, and pick colours I want to keep directly from the reference. They don’t always turn out as I hoped. And yes, I know my handwriting’s appalling in both scripts; would a transcript be a good idea?)

Design notes below the cut, in case anyone’s interested, in the order in which I drew the figures.

Hera

Starting with an easy one… Hera’s reference was taken straight off Google Images, and used as it stood. I did look at some pictures of Eleni to try to get a feel for how Twi’leks age (it’s been nine years since we last saw Hera, and she’s fought in a war and raised her and Kanan’s son in that time), but couldn’t see any obvious markers. I also toyed with the idea of giving her some sort of indicator of marriage (as far as I’m concerned, she and Kanan are married in the eyes of the Maker, if not legally), but couldn’t find anything Twi’lek-specific. A promise ring seemed too generic for her (and probably a human import) – unless Kanan gave it to her, in which case it would never come off. He’s marked on her kalikori, and that’s enough. (By the way, the patterns on her lekku aren’t natural markings; they’re tattoos, indicators of great bravery, as lekku are among the most sensitive areas of a Twi’lek’s body.)

Omega

My starting point for grown-up Omega was her only unaltered brother, Boba, specifically a photo of a still from TBOBF. I tried to narrow her shoulders and waist a little (not too much; her bone structure will still be similar to Jango’s) and change the shape of her chest, guided by pictures of Bo-Katan, and added her signature blonde bob for recognition purposes – freehand, which is why it’s a mess. The shot I chose was very well-lit, so I reused my colour scheme from a drawing of Torrent (the reference for which was an action figure of Cody). Her armour is, of course, in Bad Batch colours. (It’s proper beskar’gam, by the way, not plastoid nonsense; if even a child of the Watch admits that Boba has the right to beskar armour, Omega – heck, all the clones – should be entitled to it as well. I suspect there’s a long story behind hers, involving Hera, Sabine, the rest of the Bad Batch and an Imperial shipment.) And yes, I know the Greek alphabet doesn’t technically exist in the SW galaxy, but I couldn’t resist adding the omega.

Sabine

For Sabine, I had to merge two screen-shots from “Family Reunion – and Farewell”; her upper half is from the epilogue, as I wanted to get her post-war armour and hair right, but there wasn’t a suitable full-length shot available, so I spliced it with one from the main body of the episode, hence the angles perhaps being a little off. Her armour was daunting enough that I tackled her face first, instead of leaving it to last as I had previously, and it worked surprisingly well, so I switched to that order for the rest of these drawings. (I guessed at the part of her armour that was under her satchel strap in the reference picture, and had to improvise for her left hand, as it was out of shot; hopefully they look OK.)

Ahsoka

Again, Ahsoka’s reference is straight out of Google Images – live-action Ahsoka, of course. In retrospect, I could probably have lengthened her lekku, but I can’t really picture how they’d behave in that pose.

Barriss

Oh, this one was an adventure… To get the pose I wanted, I had to go through her duel with Anakin frame by frame (something Disney+ won’t allow, but YouTube does). There were some I liked better than this, but Skyguy kept getting in the way. The shot on which I eventually settled didn’t have enough detail on her face, so I spliced it with one from the beginning of their confrontation (to get her hair colour right) – unfortunately, the same couldn’t easily be done for Ventress’ lightsabres (which I’m not sure she still has in any case). The braid was a freehand addition, inspired by a drawing I once saw on Tumblr (and will probably never find again) of her, Ahsoka and Sabine on a road trip to find Ezra.

Leia

For Leia, I went for another Google Image, an action figure of her at the battle of Endor. Colouring her outfit turned out to be even more interesting than drawing her braid, but I think it worked out all right.

Helli

As I’ve said before, Helli started out as a self-insert, so her design is a modified self-portrait, from the same photo as the reference sheet I did a while back. I think I’ve got a bit better at shading since then – not that that’s hard. This is also the first time I’ve drawn her lightsabre properly, rather than inserting a recoloured photo.

Nai

Stars, this was complicated… Nai is the first non-self-insert OC I’ve drawn, and her design wasn’t fully solidified when I started planning this project. The pose is taken from a picture of Ventress I found via Google, as I originally likened her to a Nightsister. (Part of Ventress’ outfit was very dark and the picture had a black background, so I ended up making the outlines white at first, tracing over some of them in black at the colouring stage.) There’s a bit of that reference in her tabard design, as well; it just felt right for Nai, not as stripped-back as Helli’s but not standard either. Otherwise, she’s wearing the standard Jedi robes, but in a decidedly non-standard colour scheme. I initially considered black and white to match her natural colouring, but she’s had enough of black, so her trousers are dark blue instead. Her tabard is a very pale grey, a nod to her second Jedi master, Quinlan Vos, who by now could probably be called a Grey Jedi. Under his guidance, she’s learned not just to accept but to own her past, hence the deep red inner tunic. Her lightsabre is meant to be Haysian smelt, the colour of which I copied from Cal Kestis’ sabre; the blade colour was copied from Mace Windu’s, naturally.

I intended to use live-action Dooku as my facial reference, as he and Nai are from the same gene pool, but it just didn’t come out right. I imagine her as beautiful, so tried splicing in Padmé instead, keeping a lightened version of Dooku’s colouring; it didn’t work out as I intended, but I can settle for “she’d be beautiful if she stopped scowling at everything”. The pale skin and spiky black hair are meant to reflect part of her personality – prickly, defensive, and having a tendency to see everything in black and white.

Katooni

After all that, it was a relief to reach one of my favourite not-so-tiny Jedi. Katooni’s pose reference was a photo of live-action Adi Gallia, taken from Google; her face and lightsabre are her own, and also from the vast holonet. I kept Adi’s colour scheme for the robes for simplicity’s sake.

Ganodi

Gani was a little more complicated, as the only female Rodian I can think of is Lolo from the Clone Wars episode “Senate Murders”. I rewatched all her scenes (muted and without subtitles), but couldn’t find a pose I liked. Google furnished some concept art, but I decided mid-outline that her dress wouldn’t convert well into Jedi robes. I therefore changed tack and used a Googled picture of Master Bolla Ropal, using Lolo and Ventress as guides for how to alter the figure. (I didn’t narrow her waist very much, though; Lolo’s is ridiculous, and surely not natural.) Gani’s face and lightsabre, of course, are her own. I kept Master Ropal’s choice of colours for the trousers and boots, wanting some earth tones somewhere in the design, but white and blue were the natural choices for this born pilot’s tabard and tunics.

Fennec and Cara

I chose to draw these two directly from the same reference, as I love the interplay between them in The Mandalorian. Unfortunately, the photo I picked (from Google again) had some nonsense in the foreground around their feet, so I had to improvise a bit; hopefully it doesn’t look too bad.

Numa

Again, I couldn’t find a solo pose I liked in either of Numa’s episodes of Rebels, so drew her on her blurrg instead. Blurrgs are fun to draw, it turns out, but a ‘mare to colour. I made sure to include her tooka sketch and Boil’s name on her arm-guard; knowing the story behind them, how could I not?

Gwen and Lookup

I thought the droids would be nice and easy to draw. I was wrong. Straight lines are far less forgiving than organic shapes, and droids have plenty of the former. Especially these two. I hadn’t actually worked out Gwen’s class before reaching this stage; she ended up being an R2 unit, drawn from the series’ poster boy, R2-D2. Forest green just felt right for her; perhaps I’ve read The Silver Chair too often, and mixed it up in my head with the Arthurian legends from which Gwen and her friends R4 (who Fives tried to call Dragon) and Wizard got their names. Lookup is based on QT-KT from the D-Squad arc in Clone Wars, who I think is an R3 (comparing her design to that of the spy ‘mech R3-S6). I tried to darken her paintwork a bit; I know she’s feminine-programmed (I wouldn’t have included her otherwise), but there’s no need to stereotype. (My starting point was actually the uniform of a boys’ school near where I used to live.)

Peli

How did I come so close to forgetting Clan Mudhorn’s on-call mechanic, sass provider and (with Cara) brain-cell co-custodian? (Yes, in my book Peli and her droids, along with Cara and Greef, are definitely part of Din’s aliit.) Her reference, again, was pulled straight from Google; apart from simplifying the textures, I didn’t do anything fancy to it.

This was surprisingly enjoyable, considering how much I dreaded art at school. More along the same lines may be forthcoming; I’m considering a prequels/Clone Wars edition (with some of my favourite Jedi and senators, and Suu and Shaeeah Lawquane, for a start), and a sequels-era one (including some seriously underrated characters from Resistance). I didn’t have space for a few of my other favourites from this time-frame, so might do separate portraits for them. Watch this space.

[helnjk]

By Its Cover - F.W.

Fred Weasley x fem!reader

Word count: 3k

Summary: fred knows he’s quick to act and to judge, but what happens when it backfires with the pretty healer he meets at st. mungo’s? 

Warnings: malfoy!reader, mentions of hospitals, mentions of light injury, being estranged from one’s family, found family, adoption, insecurity 

A/N: this is for @theweasleysredhair‘s 9k writing challenge! my prompt was ‘i love you, but stop talking.’ so sorry i took this long to churn it out, but i hope you like it 💕

prompt is in bold

–

St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries was always full of healers rushing through the halls and patients with the strangest afflictions. 

Y/N Malfoy donned her healer robes and walked confidently through one of the wards, on her way to deal with her newest patient. Some sort of accidental explosion. According to the file, he was a male, 23 years old, and had a history of finding himself in the emergency wing of St. Mungo’s. It was Y/N’s first time treating him, though. 

Pushing aside one of the curtains to the correct cubicle, she was met with the sight of a long and lanky redheaded man, lying on the hospital bed with patches of purple across his neck and exposed chest. Other than the fact that his skin was discolored, he seemed perfectly okay. 

His eyes sparkled with mischief and amusement as the nurse on duty made sure he was comfortable. Clearly, he was in no pain at all, or if he was, it wasn’t enough to stop him from sending flirty comments in her direction. Used to this kind of behaviour, the nurse simply rolled her eyes playfully and continued her routine checks. 

“Ah,” she noted when she saw Y/N walk in, “I’ll leave you in the very capable hands of Healer Malfoy now, alright?”

With a soft pat on the patient’s non-purple shoulder, she gave Y/N a tentative smile and nod before exiting the small cubicle and closing the curtains on her way out.

Y/N, however, didn’t miss the way her patient’s shoulders tensed as he heard her last name. Her heart sank slightly as she saw the playfulness in his eyes dim, but she refused to let her feelings get the better of her professionalism. After all, she was quite used to this treatment from patients and colleagues alike. 

“Hello mister,” she paused to check her clipboard, “Weasley. Now what can I help you with today? Could you tell me exactly what happened with the potion you were brewing?” 

 “Added the wrong amount of aconite,” came his curt reply. 

“Right,” she said, noting it down on his file, “And what other ingredients were mixed in the potion?”

“Look, I’m completely fine. Things like this happen all the time at my workplace, the patches of color will fade away eventually. I just need you to sign the release form.”

Y/N’s brows furrowed and her smile slipped into a small frown. This was going to be a tough one. She had recognized his last name and she knew he was a pureblood. There was no doubt in her mind that the moment he realized she was a Malfoy, he created an image in his mind that was the furthest thing from what she truly was. 

With a soft sigh, she prepared herself to deal with the resistance that would come from her reply, “I’m sorry Mr. Weasley, but I can’t let you go until–”

“Healer Malfoy, there you are!” said a little girl who was dressed in her own small hospital gown as she burst through the curtains. 

For a moment, both adults in the small space gaped at her as if she were a ghost. 

“Mattie!” Y/N said, surprised. “What are you doing all the way here, silly? You’re meant to be resting after the round of potions you took this afternoon.” 

Currently preoccupied by her small ward, Healer Malfoy didn’t notice the way Fred Weasley was staring at her. As if she had grown a second head. 

“But I missed you,” whined Mattie, wrapping her arms around one of Y/N’s legs. “You said you’d visit again to read books!”

A soft chuckle escaped Y/N’s lips, “Yes, but I said I’d come read books after my rounds and after you napped! Nurse Thomas must be looking all over for you.” 

The pout that the small child sent up at her nearly made it past Y/N’s strongholds. 

“But I want to stay with you, Healer Malfoy!” she whined, “Please!” 

With a bright eyed, stubborn toddler clutching onto her legs, she couldn’t possibly say no to the request. However, her keen awareness of the other critical pair of eyes on her gave her pause. 

“Oh alright,” she caved, taking a moment to glance back at her patient, “But you’ve got to be good while I just finish up with my patient here okay? He’s gotten into a bit of an accident and I have to help him out. We don’t usually have purple skin, right?”

“Right!” 

For the first time since she barged into the room, Mattie seemed to notice the redhead on the hospital bed. 

“How’ve you got purple skin?” she asked confidently. Fred’s eyebrows shot up towards his forehead at the direct question before a large grin spread across his face. 

Working at Wheezes gave him loads of experience when it came to curious little kids, and he was quick with his response, “I was making a secret experiment and it exploded all over me!” 

His tone was conspiratorial and just enough for the little girl to move away from her position clutching Y/N’s legs and to inch closer to him.

“Yes, Mr. Weasley was just about to tell me what other ingredients were in his secret experiment so that I can help put his skin back to normal.” 

Fortunately for the healer, Mattie’s presence aided in softening the redhead’s attitude towards her. With the little girl firing question after question for Fred to answer, he was much more calm and receptive to whatever Y/N needed to ask or know. 

Unknown to her, the reason why Fred was more compliant this time around was because he was busy trying to alter the image he had conjured in his head about what a Malfoy was, and the scene he had just witnessed. He hadn’t known any Malfoy to be as patient, considerate, and overall just kind to someone who was not their own. Yet here she was, perfectly balancing a needy-child and a patient who judged her too quickly. 

“Alright Mr. Weasley, I’m just going to pop out to get you the right potions to take for this and I’ve got to get Ms. Mattie over here back to her room,” said Y/N, “I’ll be right back.” 

“Bye Mr. Weasel! I hope you get to finish your secret experiment!” Mattie waved enthusiastically, turning from her position holding Y/N’s hand to get one last look at the redhead. 

When Y/N returned, Fred was sitting quietly on the bed, twirling his wand absentmindedly. The sound of her pushing back the curtains drew his eyes upwards towards her figure, and he sent her a tentative smile. 

Well that’s an improvement, she thought, returning the gesture slightly. 

“Alright,” she said, placing a box down next to him, “Here are the potions to take, there are two, you’ll have to drink them twice a day for the next three to four days or so. Your skin should return to normal by then.” 

Y/N watched as her patient’s eyes darted from the box of potions to her face then down to his hands. He seemed hesitant now, a far cry from the ease and calm that he donned the first time she saw him. 

Still, her job was done. She had equipped him with what he needed to heal and she had no jurisdiction over his temperament. 

“If you don’t have any questions–”

“How are you related to Draco Malfoy?” 

Fred’s question came out of the blue and it took Y/N off guard. Her heart clenched at the mention of her younger brother, the one she hadn’t seen in more than a decade. Still, the question is much too complicated and there’s so much history behind it that he doesn’t know about, she shook her head. 

“I’m sorry,” she began, clutching her clipboard close to her body, “But that is a very personal question and I don’t like to share that kind of information with patients.” 

She noticed him visibly swallow, “Right. You’re right. I’m sorry.” 

“It’s alright, Mr. Weasley. Don’t forget to take your potions, twice a day, for the next four days.” 

Y/N’s back is turned and she’s about to pull the curtain of the cubicle aside when she hears a faint, “Wait.” 

When she turned on her heel to face the redhead once more, there’s a sheepish expression on his face. He was rubbing the back of his neck slowly and the tips of his ears were tinged pink, “I-er, I’m sorry about how cold I was being towards you earlier. Is there a chance that I can make a better impression over coffee or something?” 

–

It’s a little awkward, Y/N had to admit. They were seated across from each other, clutching warm cups of coffee and taking sips periodically. 

She didn’t know what made her agree to meet Fred on one of her days off. Maybe it was the sincerity in his request, how he seemed eager to make a plan and see her outside her place of work. Or maybe it was her curiosity getting the better of her, knowing that he was a pureblood and what her father would call a blood traitor. 

Y/N had spent so many years hiding away from this part of wizard society, she didn’t know if she wanted to integrate herself back in.

“So, er,” Fred started, “Where’d you go to school? I don’t think I’ve seen you around Hogwarts, and you seem to be around my age.” 

That elicited a small smile from Y/N, “I went to Beauxbatons actually. Went all six years then got a healer apprenticeship at Mungo’s.” 

“Oh!” he exclaimed, “Do you know Fleur then? Fleur Delacour? Or well, she’s Fleur Weasley now.” 

“Of course I know Fleur,” she gushed, “We shared a dorm. One of the sweetest and strongest witches I know.” 

At long last they had a common denominator. After the stilted small talk was out of the way, conversation between them flowed freely. 

Fred, Y/N found out, was wit and cleverness all rolled up into a 6 foot frame. He seemed to have a sarcastic comeback to every quip she made. They made laughs tumble from her mouth and stitches appear in her sides. It was every bit exhilarating and charming. 

Y/N, Fred found out, was absolutely brilliant. Her mind seemed to be running a mile a minute but somehow she was able to put all of her thoughts into carefully worded sentences. He was caught off guard every time she let out a laugh, entranced by the effortless beauty that radiated from her smile. 

Sooner than they had liked, their coffee cups were emptied and they were both glancing at the clock.  

“I, uh, I really enjoyed myself, Fred.” Y/N smiled and gathered her things. 

He sent her a grin in reply, “Me too.” 

She could tell he was hesitant to say something, but she knew not to pry too much. Instead, she simply hoisted her bag over her shoulder. 

The next day, Y/N walked into St. Mungo’s to find Fred nervously shuffling around clutching a cup of coffee in his hand. When he caught sight of her, a smile stretched across his lips and he silently placed the warm cup in her hand. Without saying a word, he pressed a kiss on her cheek, blushed profusely, and waved. 

He had gone through the Floo before Y/N could say anything. When she took a sip, she was pleasantly surprised to note that it had been her exact order from the previous day. 

Slowly, Fred Weasley inched his way into Healer Malfoy’s daily routine. It didn’t surprise her anymore when she would spot him making small talk with the receptionist as she clocked into work. 

Like the first day, the first thing he would do was to hand her the cup of coffee. Some days he would stay and chat for a few minutes before he had to get to work, others he would have to leave right away. What always stayed constant, though, was the kiss on the cheek he would give her before leaving. 

–

“Alright, I’m sure you’re dying to know by now.” Y/N sipped her drink. 

She and Fred had gone out to dinner after weeks of him showing up at Mungo’s every morning. When he finally had the guts to ask her out, she took one look at him before saying ‘took you long enough.’ 

He had been the perfect gentleman the whole time, showing up at her flat with a bundle of flowers in hand, opening doors for her, asking if she was comfortable. Y/N found it extremely endearing to see the cheeky, witty wizard trying so hard to make sure she had a good time. 

Fred sent her a confused look, “What?” 

“How I’m related to Draco,” she explained, “Remember? You asked me the first day we met.” 

“Right. Right, yeah.” 

Despite him trying to appear as if his curiosity hadn’t peaked, Y/N could see the spark of recognition in his eyes. She knew it was time to finally tell him everything. 

She took a deep breath, “He’s my brother.” 

Fred, who was in the process of taking a sip of his own drink, choked on the liquid and began to violently cough.

“I-what?!” he exclaimed, “How are you Draco Malfoy’s sister? How did I not know he had a sister?” 

The absolute disbelief in her boyfriend’s face elicited a small laugh from Y/N, “Because I never went to Hogwarts. Ran away from home when I was pretty young, ended up living with Andy.” 

“Andy…” Fred mumbled, mulling over the information, “You mean Andromeda? Tonks?” 

She nodded, “Yeah. My house was actually a safe house during the last bit of the war, I don’t know if you remember.” 

“Godric now I feel like even more of a huge dumbass for treating you the way I did when I first heard your last name.” 

Y/N’s hand reached over the table and squeezed Fred’s. Her warm smile and kind eyes told him everything he needed to know. He had definitely apologized enough for how quickly he had judged her when she was introduced to him at Mungo’s. She knew that he knew who she really was, and not what her family name meant. 

– 

Fred watched as his girlfriend paced nervously. He wasn’t even quite sure that she knew what she was doing, but as she strode across the room, her bottom lip remained caught under her teeth and her hands were fidgeting with the bottom of her shirt. 

“Sweetheart,” he sighed after letting her walk back and forth for long enough, “You’ve got to calm down.”

“I’m totally calm!” she exclaimed, turning quickly to face him. The volume of her statement startled the both of them and Fred sent her a look that definitely said I-told-you-so. 

She sat down next to her boyfriend with a huff and instead of the sarcastic comment she expected to come from him, he took her hand in his. The two of them said nothing as their eyes concentrated on the way he traced her small and nimble fingers with his larger ones. 

“You ready to tell me what’s wrong?” Fred asked eventually. 

At Y/N’s hesitation, he squeezed her hand gently. She gave in with a sigh, “I’m just nervous about meeting your family. I know you’ve talked to them about me, but they don’t exactly know I’m a Malfoy.” 

Before Fred could even open his mouth to reply, she cut him off, “And I know, I know. Your family is wonderful and the complete opposite of mine. I’m just so used to bad first introductions–”

“Y/N, I love you, but stop talking.” 

Y/N let out a nervous laugh at what Fred said, despite how unnerved she felt at the sensation of the bubbles of anxiety in her chest. Still, she couldn’t help but feel the tips of her cheeks and the back of her neck heat up as well. One would think after months of dating the cheeky redhead she would be used to his ways, but hearing him say ‘I love you’ always made her heart flutter. 

Fred shifted, his body turning to face her fully, “Love, my mom would adore you even if you were a hippogriff with anger issues. The fact that you make me happy and that you love me is more than enough for her. You are more than enough.”

Then, he wrapped her up in his arms, her cheek resting against his chest. She could hear the rhythmic beat of his heart, and in the calming presence of her boyfriend, Y/N was able to settle some of her nerves. She could do this. 

“I love you so much, Freddie.” 

“I love you more.” 

–

“Mum, this is my girlfriend Y/N. Y/N Malfoy.” 

Y/N knew that to have raised seven children and look great doing it, Molly Weasley had to have been some sort of super hero. What she didn’t know, and what she wasn’t prepared for, was how tightly the Weasley matriarch hugged and how gently she dragged her hand up and down backs as she was doing so. 

It nearly made Y/N cry. 

“Oh I am so happy to meet you dear,” gushed Molly once she eased away from the hug. 

“Me too, Mrs. Weasley,” Y/N smiled, “Fred’s been keeping me from you and your wonderful cooking for much too long.” 

“Please dear, call me Molly.” 

Before she could respond, Y/N was ushered into the kitchen where all of the food was waiting for her under a few well placed preservation charms. Y/N turned to look back at where Fred was standing, and he had a smug smile on his face. 

“Told you so,” he mouthed at her. 

–

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[drarrily-we-row-along]

Day 12: Adrenaline

"You are such a bloody, fucking arsehole!" Harry shouted, as he burst into his partner's room at St. Mungo's. "I can't believe you."

"Could you lower your voice, please?" Draco asked, he was gingerly rubbing his temples.

"No, I cannot bloody well lower my voice!" Harry seethed as he looked at the other man. Draco was pale and quite obviously in pain, his slender frame resting stiffly against the mattress. "I am unbelievably pissed with you."

"Yes, well, I have a concussion and my head is pounding-"

Harry growled, "Well whose fault is that?"

"Potter, I am begging you to save the theatrics until my potion has kicked in and I'm not seeing sounds," the other man groaned. "Literally begging."

"Well you should have thought of that before you jumped in front of those arseholes who were shooting a stunner and bombarda at me."

Draco groaned and let his head fall back against the pillow, "This has got to be karma. Having your ungrateful arse as my auror partner is karma for all of my past sins. Merlin have mercy."

Harry opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by one of the nurses, Matilda if Harry remembered correctly. "Auror Potter, I'm going to need to ask you to step out of the room."

"Thank fucking Merlin," Malfoy sighed.

Matilda raised an eyebrow, "I'm going to need Auror Malfoy to strip down so we can put his dislocated, and partially shattered, hips back together. It's also going to be fairly painful."

"Good," Harry growled, "Remember this next time you try to put yourself in harm's way for me."

He stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. After a heartbeat, Harry shoved his glasses up into his hair so he could scrub his hands over his face.

(Read more below the cut)

As the adrenaline faded from his system, Harry's body started to feel a bit weak, legs quaking slightly, his heart hammering against his ribs, breath coming a touch too fast. He staggered away from the door and over to the row of chairs along the wall for people to wait.

Draco cried out in pain on the other side of the door and his fists clenched. He wished he hadn't said that; the other man being in pain wasn't good and he wished he could take it away.

Harry wasn't sure how long he sat there with his head in his hands, hearing the occasional outcry from Draco's room, before Ron showed up and clapped him on the shoulder.

"How is he?" Ron asked as he collapsed next to him.

"Ouch, fuck!" they heard shouted from the room across the hall. "That fucking-" a pause as the other man groaned, "hurts."

"Not great," Harry replied.

Ron nodded, "But conscious."

Harry sighed and leaned back in his chair, "You've finished processing those wankers?"

"Yes," he affirmed. "It was lucky, actually, that Malfoy blocked the spells," he said. "The cases behind you would have exploded with even the slightest hint of magic touching them."

"Great," he said with a sigh, feeling even more guilty.

"He's going to be okay," Ron said softly and to his horror Harry felt tears prickling at the back of his eyes.

"How do you even know that?" Harry asked, "No one told you he was going to be okay."

Ron snorted, "If he wasn't you would have burned everything to the ground by now."

His best friend probably wasn't wrong about that. He couldn't even bear the thought of losing Draco without feeling like he couldn't breathe. "He shouldn't have done that," Harry said finally.

Ron shook his head, "Done what? His job?"

"He shouldn't have put himself in the line of fire," Harry replied. "Not for me."

"Right," Ron said, "Just like you shouldn't put yourself in the line of fire for him, but just last week-"

"It's different," Harry said vehemently.

"It wasn't different for him," Ron said quietly. "I sat here having an identical conversation last week, only it was you in the bed." He shook his head, "Look, mate, you know I'm not ever one to advocate for talking things out, but..." he trailed off, leaving the rest of the sentence unsaid.

The trouble was that Harry didn't know how to respond, didn't know what to say to Ron or Draco. Before he could come up with anything, Matilda came out of Draco's room. She nodded at Harry, "You can go in now," she offered.

"Is he going to be here overnight?" Ron called.

"He's regrowing bones, Auror Weasley. Yes, he'll be here overnight."

Ron winced, "I'm going to go pick up Indian and bring it back. The food here is terrible."

"Thanks," Harry replied.

"Go on," Ron said, nudging Harry toward the room. "Go get things sorted."

Harry sighed, but squared his shoulders and stood up, moving toward the door and summoning every ounce of his Griffyndor bravery.

When he got to the door he knocked before entering. The moment Draco caught sight of him he groaned, "Potter, please. I can't take the lectures right now. Regrowing bones is a bitch."

Harry drew up a chair beside his bed and didn't say anything for a moment. Then he took a slow deep breath and said, "You terrify me."

Malfoy rolled his eyes and then winced in pain.

Harry continued before he could say anything, "And I know I sound like a complete hypocrite-"

"Too right, you do," Malfoy grunted.

"But it scares the shit out of me," Harry pressed on. "Draco I can't-" he broke off, shaking his head and the other man turned his head to look at him more fully. "I can't lose you."

"And you think that I can lose you?" he countered.

"I don't know," Harry said, "I don't know." He rubbed his hands over his face. "I don't think I can do this anymore."

He glanced up in time to see the hurt flash across Draco's face before he reigned it in. "Fine. That's fine. Put in the transfer request and I'll sign it."

"No, I mean all of it," Harry said, clearing his throat. "I can't do the cases, I can't be the reason that people get hurt." He shook his head, "I'm tired, Draco. I'm so tired.” He swallowed, "and I want my life to be more than this."

Draco looked away, staring unseeingly at the set of drawers across from his bed. "Well, I wish you the best then," the other man replied, voice cold as stone.

Harry swallowed and summoned up a bit more courage, "Leave with me," he said.

"What?"

"Leave with me. Let's start our own business, we can become private investigators and get out from under all of the bureaucratic bullshit. Or let's do anything else. Literally anything. You want to have a coffee shop? Done. Quidditch supply store? I'm there. Want to remodel homes? Count me in. I will do anything that you want to," Harry closed his eyes, imaging it, then he said, "because if we're not Auror partners anymore, I can finally tell you the truth."

"What truth?" the other man asked hesitantly.

He took a deep breath and blew it out before sitting up straighter in his chair. "I'm in love with you," Harry said simply.

Draco blinked once, then a second time as he stared uncomprehendingly at Harry. "Potter, what?" Draco spluttered. "I'm the one with the concussion here, not you. Did you hit your head? Are you feeling confused?"

Harry laughed, "No, I'm not. Honestly, everything feels simpler than it has in ages. I don't expect you to feel the same or anything, we can stay friends-"

"Are you joking?" Draco asked and Harry winced and looked down at where his hands were clenched, clasping one another. The other man continued, "You don't expect me to feel the same? How could you possibly think I don't feel the same?"

Harry's head snapped up, "What?"

"Potter, I've been in love with you since the Alvarez case."

"Really?" he asked incredulously. That case had happened years ago at this point. It was one of their first cases together.

Draco nodded, "It's stupid, but watching you with that little boy-"

"Julian," Harry said, nodding at the memory.

"You were so sweet with him and so protective. And I realized that it wasn't an act, it's just who you are and I was doomed." He shook his head, "Of course I'm in love with you, you idiot."

He stared at him for a moment, looked into those clear silver eyes that he loved so much, "Can I kiss you?"

"Very gently," Draco replied, "Because as much as I would like to kiss you, my head is still killing me and I'm not supposed to move my neck very much."

Harry huffed a soft laugh before moving closer. He cupped his cheek and gently trailed his thumb over Draco's bruised cheekbone, trying to avoid causing any more pain. His eyes flicked up to Draco's before he closed them and leaned in touch their lips together. Two soft pecks were all he allowed himself before pulling back and brushing a feather-light kiss over his temple.

"Ah!" Ron blurted from the doorway, making both Harry and Draco jump, "Sorry, I'll come back-"

"Ron, it's fine," Harry said, pressing one more soft kiss to Draco's forehead before collapsing back into the chair beside the bed.

"No, I want to have plausible deniability at the Ministry when-"

"I'm quitting," Harry said.

"We're quitting," Draco added.

Harry grinned at him, "Really?"

"Yes," he said, smiling back.

"And you should quit too," Harry said, turning to Ron, "Come join our private detective firm."

"But first, bring us that Indian food," Draco said.

Ron rolled his eyes, "Years of this," he said gesturing between the two of them. "Years of watching you two idiots pining after one another and that's it. You just decide to quit?"

"Yes, well," Harry replied, clearing his throat, "I think I'm going to need to have more free time than the ministry allows."

"Oh, is that so?" Draco replied with a smirk, his voice smooth like honey.

"Alright," Ron said, "That is enough of that. If you want me to come work with you, we're going to need to nip that in the bud right now."

Harry laughed and held up his hands in surrender.

"I am happy for you two, though," Ron said.

"Me, too." Harry replied. Suddenly looking forward to the future more than he had in a long time.

Day 11: Pinky Promise | Day 13: Drunk

[danddymaro]

Meetings Under The Moonlight | Byakuya Kuchiki x Reader

A/N : Just a little idea that I've had. It wont be long though, and will continue family bullshit because I like nonsensical drama.

- This piece includes two parts

Word Count : 957

Meetings Under The Moonlight

She stared up at the raven-haired noble through half-lidded (e/c) colored eyes. 

Glittering with an undine love, they focused on him and his entire physique, admiring him wholeheartedly as though it was her last and only chance to capture the sight of him. And while he'd always been beautiful in her eyes, he held a more sensuous radiance that night, as though there were something special during this particular meeting.

During then, he stared down at her, the familiar impassive glance that was always shot towards the rest of the world somewhat slacked. And to her, he seemed almost content, and in a sense, at peace, something she liked to believe within the furthest depths of her being was just because of her.

‘ Byakuya,' she thought with a soft smile, one that held the lightest touch of sorrow that was well hidden to hide her internal torment, because she just couldn't let him see even the slightest bit of her true heart. 

Because when he did, she knew it would all be over. 

If he truly grasped as to how much she truly felt for him then perhaps it would all end, whether it was because of guilt, or the burden of her asking him for more, he would make sure to cut her off completely.

All in all, she was certain that she could never hope for more.

Through her dark, wet lashes she couldn't help but admire the beautiful man, relishing in the thought that for just that moment she was above anything else to him.

For just that moment, he let go of the obligations and order that made him so ridged.

Spellbound, she gazed at him with eyes that didn't stray, capturing his very image with a mind that would never forget, even if, somehow, the beautiful moment, one day, turned bitter.

As her back touched the cold floor, she closed her (e/c) colored eyes, her low breaths extended into long huffs that were on the brim of fulfillment.

And as he came closer,  she clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, hiding her nose within a silken curtain of sable, breathing in the intoxicating fragrance with ecstasy, inhaling in the sweet smell of his milky neck.

The faint blossom color that bloomed over his cheeks glowed of not embarrassment, but of arousal, that much was clear by the seductive, certain way his fingers grazed over her sensitive womanhood.  

She suddenly cried out as his long, elegant fingers lightly touched her, grazing her in a way that was teasing and ghosting, almost as though to remind her that while he was there, the true touch of his full affection was not.

"Byakuya," She muttered softly, her words barely above a whisper, hardly even constituting as eligible speak with how airy her voice had gone.

Perhaps it was the way that he sweetly touched her that made her melt so much, or maybe it was the fact that during those meetings, she could refer to him as his actual name and not any of his titles.

On that night there were many factors that played that left her bare, vulnerable enough to let slip something she hadn’t, 

"Byakuya..." she said again, repeating his name with bliss, " I love you..." she whispered against his skin, her warm breath fanning over his perspiring skin like the soft summer breeze.

At the admittance, rather than offering her a response formed with words, he claimed her lips again, and as he did he let the moment last longer.

 He then drew back almost hesitantly, all while never tearing his midnight-toned eyes from her glittering ( e/c) ones.

' If this night could be more perfect.' She started absentmindedly, ' I would wake up right next to you the following morning.' She added while weaving her fingers through his silken strands of ink.

By then his hands were on either side of her head while his piercing gaze remained unmoved, focused on her expressive face, particularly her (e/c) colored orbs.

His body then jerked forward, drawing a long pleasured mewl from her, filling the night with lustful sounds that replaced her sweet breaths and honeyed voice.

The dark-haired man then threw his head back, letting a low groan slip past him as his hands found their way to her hips. 

Possessively, they dug their nails into her, quickly drawing small, crescent indents into the (s/c) colored flesh as he delivered one, final push full of force and aggression.

There was then a moment of stillness, one that was filled with only panting breaths that slowly steadied as they gently fell back from their floating cloud of bliss.

It wasn’t long before she felt his hold loosen, and by then she knew their moment together was over. 

Afterward, he was as silent as always, and without a word, or so much as a single utter that could be mistaken as a hum of acknowledgment, he left. 

And she expected nothing more, already knowing the routine. However, in spite of all the anticipated disappointment, there existed a part of her that yearned for change. 

It hoped that one day he'd at the very least, turn back to look at her.

As time progressed she was certain he'd returned to his home, leaving her lonesome, left with nothing but the smell of him stuck on her clothing, melted onto her skin, and burned into her memory.

"If the night could be more perfect..." She started, lowly murmuring the words as she stared out into the outside world,  

"You'd stay..." she breathed, finally able to release the pitiful tears that had been held throughout their moment together and that she only had the courage to release once he was far gone.

Far off to the corner of her eye, she saw a bright luminescence. 

The sharp crescent in the sky glowed, smiling down at her with kindness, and perhaps pity as well because if anyone knew the man better, it was the forlorn moon. 

─────────────────────────────

- Let’s give this a bit more time, shall we?

A/N: This is after a time skip

Word Count : 903

Includes some Kisuke x Reader (But it’s truly platonic and just something sweet.)

Waiting beneath the same night

She touched her swollen belly with a tender hand, and during then nothing but a soft hum sounded from her. 

Looking up at the illuminated moon, she couldn't help but let stray tears fall from her glowing cheeks,

 ‘I would start off and ask how you are... But I know already.’ She started as a bitter smile rose.

‘ Right now you're sitting alone in your office, working relentlessly…

You're working, no doubt not missing any bit of me.

Working, fulfilling your duties, duties much more important than I could ever be.

Duties which make you unattainable...’

She continued before A shallow breath left her. 

 The soft, melodic tune she'd mindlessly conjured was then interrupted, and she gritted her teeth, holding back what would have been a heavy, choked sob that threatened to break through the tranquility of the night. 

Forcibly swallowing it down, she sniffled instead, choosing to incline her head back whilst closing her eyes, hoping to hold back any escaping tears.

‘ I can never stop thinking of you…’ She admitted with lament, ‘And it breaks me,’ She confessed.

‘Because I know you’ve lived your life well off without me...because let’s face it, 

This was no doubt what you wanted.’

She thought with resentment, only imagining the relief that the captain felt after she'd departed and found refuge in the world of the living.

‘The only one ever in love was me,

The only one of us that ever convinced themselves that it could have been anything more...was me.’

“ Byakuya Kuchiki... How I despise you,”  She susurrated, knowing fully well that while her words could, from time to time hold venom, they lacked certainty.

Otherwise, she wouldn't wait for him. 

Because, if it were any different, she wouldn't stare up at the dark sky, speaking to every face the moon had, hoping that during one of those conversations he'd step forward.

Gently, he'd caress her face before falling in. 

Afterward, he’d whisk her away, beneath the same moonlight they’d kissed, beneath the same lonely night they’d always lay together, he'd find her and bring her close.

And it was all she needed because she didn't ask for much but the simple admittance that she meant something more to him.

'Just coming here. Just searching for me.' She started, 'Byakuya, simply missing me would be enough,' She thought pitifully, well aware that she should ask for so much more out of someone she would be willing to give the world to. 

'I just need to know I fit somewhere in your heart,' she thought with sadness.

“ - I see you're out here again,” said a cheery voice, one that was very familiar to her, and had been something of comfort throughout the last few months.

Her (e/c) colored eyes then made way to the silhouette and recognized the former captain who hadn’t changed since his days in the soul society, and who remained the same man afterward.

 “ Kisuke,”  (f/n) said softly, hiding her wet face beneath the curtain of her loosely flowing hair that had been rustled through her sleepless turning.

He sat next to her and grinned down at her with a cheeky smile, seemingly ignoring her expression that was filled with melancholy, instead, offering his same playful and uplifting mood without a falter, 

“ Come now, you're too cute to be making that face again, “ he said while addressing the crestfallen look he knew was adorning her, because he knew why she came out, and especially why she stared up at the night sky so much.

"It's lovely isn't it?" He asked her,  encouraging a smile with his own. 

Looking away, she let an involuntary smile escape her as she nodded her head, 

“It always is,” she answered back, wholeheartedly believing it. 

'And it stings,' She inwardly added.

He took a quick glance towards her face, catching the sight of the glistening tears before watching as she whipped them away. 

A placid smile was then over her lovely lips, and with sympathetic hazel eyes,  he watched her lean her head onto his shoulder.

"That's why I stay out here," she lied, not knowing why she bothered to put up a front because she knew it wasn't convincing, especially not for a man as observant as he was.

"I know," he said back, "I just wish that you'd ask for company. You know I wouldn't mind," he said with sincerity, being true when he said he wouldn't be bothered by it if she asked.

"I know..." she said back, "Next time, I will." (f/n) muttered back to him. 

Quietly, he looked up at the sight she held dear, and while he did so he felt her tired body slump, absentmindedly smiling at how precious she was.

‘I know that tomorrow you'll be out here again,’ He thought to himself, recognizing it was all just routine. 'You'll be out here all alone,' he added with a touch of gloom, wishing she would just share a fraction of her lamenting with him because in her state it wasn't healthy.

 ‘And I guess I have no choice,' he thought with an inaudible sigh, ‘I'll have to do this again, at least until it breaks... until you just let someone in. ' He added while moving slowly.

He moved gingerly, careful not to disturb her as he cradled her. 

He then carried her, being careful as he moved her back into her room, leaving her there once he left her one last look of sympathy.

[aliwritesfic]

The Night Shift Part 1 (F!Reader x Frankie Morales)

Summary: Frankie has taken the job as the overnight cook at Lou’s Diner, where you work as the overnight waitress. Attraction slowly grows between you, despite both your best efforts. (18+ series)

Warnings: None for this part

Tags: Slowburn, diner romance, age gap (7 years)

Word count: 1.1k

Part 2

It was a slow night at Lou's Diner. But then again, Tuesday’s were usually pretty slow. There was only one customer, a night construction worker who had been coming in for the past three weeks for a bacon and egg sandwich. You watched at the clock ticked past 3:34AM, contemplating if it would be a good idea to have another cup of coffee. Your shift finished at 5:30, when the day crew came and the breakfast rush was just getting started. Can’t hurt, you reasoned with yourself, grabbing your favourite mug. The employees of the diner had their own mugs separate from the customers - most of them were old and had stains that couldn’t be washed out. 

“Hey, Manny, wanna coffee?” you called into the kitchen to the night cook. Manny was your only co-worker after 9, when everyone else left for the night. But it was his last night, and you hadn’t met his replacement yet. 

“You know how I like it, lover!” he called back. The nickname had become his favourite for you after a rumour swirled saying you and him were fucking in the chiller. Manny put that right to rest after introducing everyone to his husband. 

You made up a mug for each of you, adding five spoons of sugar for his. You had asked him once why he didn’t just have a soda if he wanted that much sugar, and Manny had told you that soda made him gassy in an unsatisfying way. You decided not to prod any further.

“Have you met the new guy?” Manny asked through the window as you set the steaming cup down upon it. You shook your head.

“Have you?”

“Yeah, I had to show him some night procedures last week. He’s not too bad, a quick learner. Easy on the eyes. Not as good as me, so don’t get any ideas about replacing me as number one diner cook in your heart.” Manny winked.

“Number one diner cook and now number one history teacher.” You grinned at him, swelling with pride that his hard work had paid off and now he was going off to his dream job. Many nights working together, quizzing him on various aspects of whatever he was studying. “What’s the newbie’s name?”

“Francisco,” Manny said, “but he said to call him Frankie.”

You nodded, filing the information for later. You didn’t think too much about Manny’s other comment - easy on the eyes. Honestly, with Manny that could mean anything. 

You spent the rest of your shift the way you usually did, cleaning and dealing with friendly old men who sometimes felt a little too friendly. You mostly let it slide, they tipped better when you flirted back, but sometimes the men felt a little too slimy.

The first rays of grey pre-dawn light started to peek through the windows and the breakfast rush began. You didn’t think of much beyond making it through the next half hour, and making sure you didn’t fuck any orders up. 

Your saving grace was Marissa tapping you gently on your shoulder.

“Time to head out, kiddo,” the older woman said. Marissa was your second favourite person at the diner, and you felt it had a lot to do with the fact she was the person to end your shift. That, and she reminded you of your grandmother. You didn’t waste a second, giving Marissa a quick kiss on her cheek and taking your nametag off. 

Manny was waiting for you outside in the back alley, cigarette in one hand and car keys in the other. 

“Come on, lover, let’s get you home.” He linked his arm through yours and you walked to his car together. He had affectionately dubbed it Carrie, after Carrie Fisher and Carrie the movie. 

You spent the car ride imagining movies Michael Cera could have been in to exponentially improve the quality of the movie.

“Okay,” Manny said, “instead of Timmy Chateu in Call Me By Your Name.”

You snorted at the image and at Manny’s ever ridiculous names for celebrities. “Perfect! Oh, replace Brad Pitt in Fight Club!”

“Michael Cera could do Tyler Durden, but Bradley could never do Scott Pilgrim.” Manny nodded seriously as he spoke. “God, I should be a casting director.”

All too soon, he was pulling up outside your apartment complex and against your will tears were pricking at your eyes.

“Jesus, are you crying?” Manny leant over to get a better look at you. “I’m not dying!”

“I’m gonna miss you,” a sob caught in your throat.

“We’re seeing each other on Sunday! Get a hold of yourself!” 

“It’s not gonna be the same!”

“Of course it’s not, but you’ve got to calm down. Take a deep breath with me, okay? In and out, just like that. Now look at me, we’re seeing each other on Sunday, and this new guy can’t be too bad otherwise Lou wouldn’t have hired him.”

You nodded, drying your tears on the sleeve of your shirt. “You’re right, you’re right. Okay, I love you, I’ll see you Sunday.”

Manny gave your hand one last squeeze and you decided it was finally time to go to bed.

~*~

Frankie didn’t know what drew him to the diner job. Since his army days, he had jumped from job to job, never staying more than a couple years. He liked working with his hands, never wanted too much responsibility, and wanted something that would leave him tired enough that we wouldn’t dream when he went to sleep.

The owner of the diner had asked if he’d had any experience as a cook, and when Frankie said that he was left in charge of the barbeque at all functions he went to, Lou shrugged and said “good enough.”

After shaking his hand, Lou had told him there were only three rules he cared about. Number one was do not harass the female staff, sexually or otherwise. Simple enough to follow, Frankie figured, for any decent human. The second rule was not to steal from the registers. Staff got food and coffee for free, within reason. And the third, was to try to avoid fighting with customers, but Lou would understand if it was necessary. 

There wasn’t a uniform, so Frankie wore what he would’ve on any other night - jeans and a flannel over a plain tee, and of course his cap.

Frankie arrived ten minutes before his shift started, looking at the clock on the dash of his truck. He was a little nervous, but that always came with the first day of a new job. The nerves mainly related to whether or not the person he was supposed to work with would be at the very least, nice. He was only thirty-three, but already he felt too old to be part of any workplace pettiness. 

Finally, the clock ticked to five minutes before his shift started. The sun was low in the sky and the truck had become chilly with the impending night. Straightening his cap, Frankie stepped into the warmth of the diner.

[jisungsplatforms]

[Chapter II: The Red Beanie Cutie]

Pairing: Producer/Music Major! Han Jisung x Photographer! fem! reader

Genre: NSFW! Smut; non idol au, college au, strangers to lovers

Warnings: Mature Content! strong language, sexting, masterbation (m&f) + kinda guided masterbation (f), nudes/unsolicited pictures of *certain areas*

Chapter word count: 1.5k (relatively short chapter)

Taglist: @hyunjeongins @seungstarss @es-kay-zee @hyunjinsplaything @formidxble @freckledquokka (want to be added? send an ask or a dm! <3)

Min’s ho3: uh- hi? 👋🏻

this is minho’s “fine ass friend with the red beanie” 👁👁

shitshitshitshit SHIT.

Your mind was jumbled and your palms were sweaty. How the hell did I even get his number? You backtrack to an hour ago, back at the party….To when Minho asked for your phone.

...Minho…...

You bit your lip, trying to think logically. No no no. It’s probably not the red beanie cutie, Y/n. It’s probably just Minho being an ass again and pretending to be his friend. That’s it! At least...That’s what you hope.

Min’s ho3: uhh hello? you still there?

im hoping that this is the cutie who was babysitting hyunjin earlier lol

Your blood ran cold. You really didn’t want to believe it. No way was it really the red beanie cutie.

Me: If this REALLY is the cute boy with the red hat...send me a picture.

You sighed. This should prove something. Your phone ‘pinged’ a second later.

Min’s ho3: damn straight to the point, are you? youre a lot more bold than i thought

You shivered, turning red. As much as you wanted to fuck him, you didn’t want to look desperate.

Me: I meant an INNOCENT picture. Of your face, I mean.

Min’s ho3: uh- duh! that’s what i meant???

what did YOU think??

Your face burned at the thought of misinterpreting his “innocent” message.

Me: Just thought I had to clarify for you! Nasty

Min’s ho3: whatever you say, babe 😙🤪

You gave him a minute for him to respond, putting down your phone to give yourself a breather. You sincerely hope that this was Minho cause that option is MUCH better than accidentally texting the person you’re thirsting over. After about 30 seconds, your phone pinged twice. One from Min’s hoe...and one from Minho ho ho. Oh dear lord.

You decided to read Minho’s messages first. Tapping on his notification, the phone directed you to your chat, revealing the conversation you two had during the party.

Minho ho ho 😼: You’re welcome 😉

You were seriously panicking at this point. Your fingers tapped onto the keyboard like a madman. You didn’t know if you wanted to hug Minho or murder that bitch.

Me: shutupshutupshutup You did NOT

Minho ho ho 😼: Oh but I did, my dear best friend haha gross

Better play your cards correctly, sweetie. Just keep in mind...he asked for your number!

His name is Jisung btw! Be nice to him! He’s a shy, sensitive boy. I’ll kill you if you make him sad!

You ignored Minho’s last sentence and nearly squealed at the information, trying to play it cool. You giddily switched to Jisung’s tab. Huge mistake. You should’ve prepared yourself, at least a little. You knew he was hot but the picture he sent you? Oh boy. His hair, which you now know is blond under that beanie, was tousled, falling perfectly on his gorgeous face. In the picture, he was now wearing a grey hoodie and posed like a model, the expression had was absolutely fierce. Oh yeah, he knows he’s hot shit.

Min’s ho3: *image*

it’s a little messy. srry i tried making it a little nicer for you, you know. since you’re a photography major and all that.

Me: No, It’s fine!! I think you look hot! 👍

You wanted to slap yourself. Oh Lord, please end me. Your phone lit up with another text.

Min’s ho3: oh really? 😏

well i think you’re hot too, y/n 😉😚

AHHHHHH

Me: Wait how’d you know my name? And my major?

Minho’s ho3: uhhh you are minho’s friend right??? cause that’s what he told ME and i’m really hoping he didn’t give me the wrong number…

cause honestly. it is something he would legit do alkskdjks

Me: Rest assured. This really is Y/n the photography major

Min’s ho3: well y/n the photography major

i’m jisung and i think youre hot too

and not to be nsfw or anything but i’d like to fuck you too 😉😉

ohmygoshohmygosh. This is really happening. Taking the little bit of confidence you had, you texted him something you thought was bold.

Me: Oh really now? Think you can fuck me good, pretty boy?

Min’s ho3: oh baby i know i’ll have you seeing stars

fuck you so good you won’t be able to think about anything but me and me only

You had to put down your phone to take another breather. Now, not only were your palms wet but so was between your legs. You’ve never texted with anybody like this but there’s a first time for everything, right? Your dominant hand slid down to your pajamas to tease your clit over the cotton material. Shy, my ass…

Min’s ho3: wait wait wait. before we do anything, just let me confirm something

you are single, right? youre not dating hyunjin or anything??

You stopped your movements on your clit. Am I seeing this right? You reread the message a few more times before bursting out in laughter.

Me: HAHAHAHAHA NO WE’RE NOT

Hyunjin’s my best friend. Been friends since we were 5. Dating Hyunjin would be like dating your brother ew

Min’s ho3: LOL OKAY OKAY. just making sure

infidelity is NOT my thing

You were heart warmed. He made sure you weren’t with anyone before getting nasty. Which shouldn’t make you so touched, it should be a basic common courtesy, but nonetheless, it still made you happy knowing he’s a respectable person.

Min’s ho3: okay now that i know i can have you

do you still want to continue?

Me: Yes daddy ;)

Min’s ho3: oh fuck okay

since you left so early, we didn’t get to talk, beautiful

we could’ve been fucking right now instead of texting

Me: Well...we could do both

Your hand went back to your clit, this time reaching inside your bottoms.

Me: You make me so horny baby

I want you

Min’s ho3: already touching yourself babe? how naughty

I barely even said anything but here you are. playing with yourself like some desperate whore

You whimpered, putting more pressure on your clit. You were never that into degrading but with Jisung? You’d gladly take it any day.

Me: Please tell me what to do sir

Min’s ho3: finger yourself. only one finger tho

You removed your pajamas and panties and flung them to the floor. You rubbed your thigh with one hand and slowly moved it to your sopping core. Gathering your wetness, you fondled yourself before inserting your middle finger inside you. “Hmm...fuck,” you moaned. With your other hand, you checked Jisung’s text when you saw your phone light up.

Min’s ho3: are you doing it baby?

Me: Yes sir

Min’s ho3: really? good. keep playing with yourself

i’ll tell you when i want you to stop

You sighed, pumping your finger. You wanted to enjoy it but it wasn’t enough. You definitely needed something more than just one mere finger. You contemplated whether or not you should disobey Jisung and grab your dildo from between your mattress. But you also wanted to see how much he could make you cum with just his words.

Min’s ho3: one finger babe?

You moved your phone and angled it to show your pussy. You wanted to moan seeing your finger deep inside you. Snapping a pic and sending it to Jisung, you threw your phone beside you and started pumping your middle finger faster, circling your clit with your thumb. Immediately, your phone lit up again.

Min’s ho3: fuck baby you’ll be the death of me

you know what? add two more fingers for me, beautiful. you deserve it

You cried, slipping your pointer and ring finger into your core. Now you definitely feel a lot fuller. You pumped your fingers in and out, breathing heavily. You felt so dirty, taking orders like this from a man you barely even knew. There was something so erotic about the whole thing that it drew you closer to your orgasm.

Jisung, on the other hand, was going insane as well; who wouldn’t be when he’s sexting with the most attractive person he’s ever seen? His right hand pumped his cock like a maniac. He was sweating, biting his thin lips so that no noise can come out, potentially waking up his hyungs. He knew he would die of embarrassment if they caught him masterbating to someone he just met today-or just masterbating in general-but it was getting harder to control himself. Especially with that little surprise photo? Shit- he thought he was in heaven, feeling like he would cum in that moment. The sound of a notification from his phone made his grab it from his desk.

Y/n the cute photographer: Closr! I’m so fuckinf ckose

Wsnna cum si bad

Me: yeah? then cum fir me y/n

With Jisung’s permission, you let your release taint your once clean bed. You shook as you orgasmed, moaning so loud you were glad your roommate was out of town. Once you finished, you slowly pulled your fingers out, wincing when the emptiness kicked in. You laid like a dead fish, trying to catch your breath. Your orgasm was so intense that you almost immediately fell asleep. Almost. A notification from Jisung shook you out of your trance.

(3) new message(s) from Min’s ho3

Min’s ho3: *image*

look how much you drive me mad, baby

hm you’re probably tired now after hopefully cumming so much so i’ll leave you...goodnight, y/n! hope you sleep well tonight cutie 😚

You sighed in frustration. How dare he switch from daddy to baby so fast. How are you supposed to sleep when he sent you a clear, mouthwatering image of his dick and abs covered in his cum?

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