#exploding topics paid plans

[awaketake]

Exploding Topics Pro Pricing

This video is going to answer the question "How much does Exploding Topics Pro cost".

All Software-As-A-Service (SAAS) hosted online charge a subscription to keep their lights on.

That subscription also allows devs to improve the software on a daily basis. Exploding Topics Pro also costs a subscription.

But it has a huge database of topics, products, startups and trends.

That data + premium features gives you a big competitive advantage and profitable topics to pursue!

We are going to explore all plans: Entrepreneur, Investor and Business.

At the end of this Exploding Topics Pro Pricing video, you should be able to pick the best plan for you depending on your goals and budget.

If you are still on the fence, I will also show you how you can try any plan for 14 Days ($1 Paid Trial). No strings attached.

[livelaughpeg]

I'm writing this from a throwaway account, because you know...Scientology.

I want to preface this post by saying I am not one of those "I knew it all along!" people. I can't stand that attitude. I was pretty ambivelant towards Neil Gaiman. Prior to the allegations, I didn't hate him but I wasn't that interested in him as a person either. I don't think you can always tell when someone is a bad or good person simply by the topics they write about. If that was the case we'd be arresting every horror writer on earth.

But one thing that did always rub me up the wrong way was the way he talked about getting work.

I borrowed and read "Make Good Art" (a small book based on a speech he gave to graduates at the University of the Arts) at a time in my life that I was really struggling to get by (I still am to some extent, but in a different way). I expected to see some practical advice. Instead it was a bunch of glib shit like:

I got out into the world, I wrote, and I became a better writer the more I wrote, and I wrote some more, and nobody ever seemed to mind that I was making it up as I went along, they just read what I wrote and they paid for it, or they didn’t, and often they commissioned me to write something else for them. Looking back, I’ve had a remarkable ride. I’m not sure I can call it a career, because a career implies that I had some kind of career plan, and I never did. The nearest thing I had was a list I made when I was 15 of everything I wanted to do: to write an adult novel, a children’s book, a comic, a movie, record an audiobook, write an episode of Doctor Who… and so on. I didn’t have a career. I just did the next thing on the list.

Life is sometimes hard. Things go wrong, in life and in love and in business and in friendship and in health and in all the other ways that life can go wrong. And when things get tough, this is what you should do. Make good art. I’m serious. Husband runs off with a politician? Make good art. Leg crushed and then eaten by mutated boa constrictor? Make good art. IRS on your trail? Make good art. Cat exploded? Make good art. Somebody on the Internet thinks what you do is stupid or evil or it’s all been done before? Make good art. Probably things will work out somehow, and eventually time will take the sting away, but that doesn’t matter. Do what only you do best. Make good art.

Yeah, well, no shit. If you're a writer or artist you probably do anyway. Whether you get paid for it or not, whether you draw fan art or original art. But the point of Gaiman's speech was to give advice to people who wanted to be paid for their art. To make a career of it. Making art every day isn't always enough. You have to pay the damn rent, you have to eat, you have to network and do social media and promote yourself, and you have to do it while thousands of other people are doing the same thing in a massive crowd of people who want the same thing. Practical advice is much more valuable than platitudes and theory.

I am not a writer, I'm an illustrator, and let me tell you that for most people, 'getting your foot in the door' isn't a one time thing. Quite often you have to work at getting your foot in the door again and again until you become established, and it's very easy to be forgotten. I still feel like I'm in that stage now.

I watched my peers, and my friends, and the ones who were older than me and watch how miserable some of them were: I’d listen to them telling me that they couldn’t envisage a world where they did what they had always wanted to do any more, because now they had to earn a certain amount every month just to keep where they were. They couldn’t go and do the things that mattered, and that they had really wanted to do; and that seemed as a big a tragedy as any problem of failure.

The implication was that he was successful because he wrote every day and his friends weren't because they didn't, because you know, working a second job is tiring. He called this a tragedy, but there was something very glib about the way he narrated this.

I think someone had more financial cushion that he was letting on.

And yes, sometimes it does work that way, (some people are very lucky and make all the right connections) but Gaiman was getting Big Jobs right off the bat and something about that never smelt right to me after the way he talked about it.

And then I saw Jeff's tweets. Oh, that's why...

I suspect the truth is he was living off his family's money and connections, and while I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with that if you're a struggling artist, his family are Scientologists, and I don't think he ever struggled.

I suspect it's all a lie.

[a-d-nox]

web of wyrd observation: why final destination just makes sense

what if i told you the eeriness of final destination isn't in just the deaths… but the date it all began in the movie universe? on 5/13/2000, flight 180 exploded midair - but beneath the screams and fire is a blueprint written in a very wyrd web...

paid reading options: astrology menu & cartomancy menu

enjoy my work? help me continue creating by tipping on ko-fi or paypal. your support keeps the magic alive!

13 AS THE PERSONA NUMBER

death (13) as a lead theme is crazy on point - transformation, inevitability, etc - it's a perfect fit for this concept which revolves around inescapable fate and the fight to transform one's own death.

5 AS THE HIGHEST SELF

the hierophant (5) can represent rules, fate, and divine order, possibly ones that can't be escaped. it's perfectly aligned with the idea of an imposed cosmic order - death has a plan and nobody can just mess with it...

4 AS THE CORE NUMBER

the emperor (4) governs control, structure, and laws - which i find very on brand (again) that death has a structured plan... there's no chaos, just inevitability.

18 AS THE RELATIONSHIP & MONEY NUMBERS

there is a lot of uncertainty in material (think 2nd movie and the guy who won the lottery dying first) or relational (almost everyone disses the person who saves their lives) stability. the characters’ perceptions are constantly challenged because they can't trust what they see... simple joys and everyday tasks are no longer safe.

12 AS THE FLOW NUMBER

the hanged man (12) represents surrender, perspective shift, and sacrifice - a reminder that death is coming no matter what the characters may do... i mean except having a baby or killing someone and taking their death date for themselves...

6 AS THE BLOCKAGES

the lovers (6) can indicate choices, duality, or attachments. this could reflect how emotional entanglements (the desire to survive / save others) or denial prevents the characters from accepting fate.

have ideas for new content? please use my “suggest a post topic” button!

return to nox's guide to metaphysics

return to the masterlist of the web of wyrd

© a-d-nox 2025 all rights reserved

[lenaariewrld]

dream girl

suna rintaro ending ・ᡣ𐭩

You look up from your phone as soon as you see Suna’s last message and, sure enough, spot him walking towards you. He looks more rested and relaxed than this morning, and he’s changed out of the sweats and sweatshirt he’d donned, too. You lift your arm up to wave, making sure you catch his attention before dropping it to your side again. “You got here fast,” You tell him as he comes up to you in line. The people behind you are too engrossed in their conversation to notice his appearance or care about it.

“I have a car and live at most five minutes away,” He shrugs. You only hum back in response, taking that as a good enough reason.

Suna and Kunimi nod at each other in greeting, a wordless conversation you’re not privy to passing between them in the couple of seconds of silence. Kunimi shuffles forward when the line moves, and Suna takes that as his cue to relax in his spot with you, his arms laying around your shoulders and his chin resting on top of your head. You can feel the steady warmth of his body against your back. It feels nice, like a comforting blanket.

You never paid attention to how physically close Suna often was with you, how he offered his arm or hand or would relax with his arms against you, or how often the two of you hanging out at his place or your dorm resulted in the two of you cuddling while you did your own things. You wonder, briefly, if he meant anything with those touches or if he was just like that.

Did he also feel like his heart would explode out of his chest, or crave the feeling of being able to call you his like you did?

Did he want something more than just a friendship like you did?

You shuffle your weight between your feet, your body tense for just a second when Suna maneuvers himself against you again.

He presses his cheek to the top of your head, letting out a dramatic groan. “Why do these lines take so long?” He whines playfully, a tone you knew well to mean ‘i want to talk about something but i have nothing to say’. 

“Lots of people want their turn,” Kunimi says matter-of-factly from in front of you, glancing over his shoulder. You giggle at the dry tone of his voice. Suna’s arms circle around your shoulders a little tighter, like he was going to hug you, effectively pulling himself closer to your frame. You don’t think anything of it, but you can tell by his body language that he was rolling his eyes. The indignant huff he lets out was also a good indicator.

Before they can go back and forth, you chip in with your own conversation topic, mentioning a couple games you wanted to show Suna before either of you call it a day. You both discuss a loose game plan while the line moves forward, letting Kunimi play his round before it’s your turn. Suna pats your shoulder. “We know what happened last time you tried to play a fair game like this,” He teases with a half-smile, the lazy pull of his lips being enough to quiet your protests. You still roll your eyes and cross your arms over your chest, acting as if you were upset about his comment even if you truly didn’t care. As long as you got your prize, that was what mattered to you.

Suna focuses on the game, but you focus on him, watching as his face falls serious, his eyes squinted into slits of forest green. “Y/n,” You turn your head away as Kunimi calls your name and shows you the keychain he had chosen.

A little stuffed teddy bear was attached to the chain loop, it’s sewn on face looking eerily close to Kunimi’s resting expression. You laugh as he holds it up to his face. “This is ridiculous,” He shakes his head, though he was clearly amused and you could tell.

“Yeah, it looks a little constipated, hm?” Suna’s voice sounds from beside you, and you jump slightly at the proximity. When had he finished playing his game? And what was with his tone?

“Well, that’s just reaching,” You pretend to scold the man, turning back to Kunimi. He was busy affixing the keychain to his car keys, side-eyeing you and Suna for a second before tucking them away in his hoodie. “I think it’s cute,” You add, taking Suna’s hand and leading him away from the game booth before anyone can start to complain about your little trio holding up the line. Suna presses his lips together, but doesn’t respond.

The three of you make a beeline for another game to play, you and Kunimi falling into conversation about which ones look the easiest to beat and get prizes from without having to try too hard. You’d worked out a system for which ones to go for by now, and you were both engrossed in the conversation. It wasn’t until he started lagging behind, tugging your arm as he did so, that you remembered Suna was with you. He had fallen quiet for some reason. You turn to look at him while Kunimi continues walking, raising your brows curiously.

“What?”

“You’re just walking fast,” Suna says, but he’s not looking at you, instead his focus is elsewhere. You frown slightly. You’d spent enough time with the man to know when something was up with him, and usually he didn’t act like this. Being so… distant. And short.

You glance towards Kunimi before tugging Suna’s hand and diverting to a small side alley between two tents, giving you both a second of privacy. “Okay, what’s wrong?” You immediately question before the dark-haired man can question your sudden surge of strength. You place your hands on your hips and raise your brows again, waiting patiently for him to tell you why his behaviour was off. Suna scoffs and shakes his head.

“Nothing’s wrong,”

“You’re being all fidgety,” You point out, “And you have an attitude, which is different than your usual sarcastic i-couldn’t-care-less disposition,” You add quickly, not letting him blow off your concern. Suna remains silent for a moment, but he’s still not meeting your eyes. “Is it Kunimi?”

Now he looks at you, his eyes slightly widened like you’d caught him in a trap.

So that was it.

You sigh. “Come on, Rin, I told you he was fine.. You don’t have to be all hyper-defensive just because he’s here… I mean, you hung out with him before you were ever friends with me, so you don’t have to stop being friends with him just because he messed up with me,” You had to admit that his wariness (or what you assumed was wariness) around the other man was sweet, and it was nice to know he supported you so wholly, but it was a little much given you’d long since forgiven Kunimi of what he’d done. The sting wasn’t there anymore, the hurt of what he’d done and said had been soothed with his genuine actions.

“It’s..” Suna once again presses his lips together, an internal struggle going on within his mind that you can’t decipher. He seems to take a moment to debate his words, stepping closer after a beat of silence. “It’s not about that,” He finally admits, his voice quiet. Your brows pull together, furrowed in confusion.

“What is it about, then?” You ask.

Suna looks at you now, his concentration fully on you. You realise he hadn’t met your eyes fully this whole time, and you feel your breath catch in your throat. His eyes are raw, sparkling with some emotion and feeling that you recognise but can’t name (don’t want to name. don’t want to give yourself false hope). “Y/n, come on…” He’s even quieter, even closer. You didn’t realise the little amount of space between the both of you until you felt his chest brush against yours, his shoes prodding your own.

Words seem to get lost in your brain and any questions or statements you might come up with die on the tip of your tongue. Nothing seems to matter when you’re under Suna’s gaze, his face soft and earnest as he looks at you. Your heart is racing again, the buzz on your skin familiar and insistent, letting any doubts or what-if’s dissipate.

It comes to you.

“Are you jealous of him, Rin?” You tilt your head to the side just slightly, a teasing upturn to your lips. He rolls his eyes and looks away from you.

“Please–”

“You totally are!” You reach up to lightly slap his chest, giggling uncontrollably as the realisation hits you. It seemed so… silly to you, for him to be jealous of Kunimi. Was it not obvious that you had fallen for him? It was hard not to have. He had been there for everything, had grounded you when your entire world seemed so shaky, and had kept you company even when you thought everybody would want nothing to do with you. He knocked sense into you, kept you in check, and had been supportive of everything you’d done. And all he’d ask of you was a little bit of time together, when you’d have given him the stars in the sky if he desired them.

He huffs when you finally calm your giggles, your hands having rested on his shoulders now, pulling the both of you even closer. “You’re such a dork,” You tell him. “But if it wasn’t obvious…” You swallow down the nerves and potential anxiety of this blowing up in your face, finding it easy to ignore when he lifted his eyebrows curiously, his expression full of as much hope as yours. “I like you,” You confess, almost a whisper.

Suna’s expression doesn’t change much, but you can tell that he finally processes it when his eyes widen slightly, darting around your face like he was checking for discrepancies in your features. “Oh thank god,” He whispers, leaning forward. You feel the distant closing between you both and, then, he’s kissing you quickly.

It’s insistent and deep as he presses his lips against your own, perfectly finding the pieces to fit himself into you. His hands cup your face, keeping you close and stealing the air from your lungs. You kiss him back with no hesitation, pushing yourself onto your toes, into him, into his space like you couldn’t get enough.

And by god, it was everything.

Click!

The sound of a shutter clicking pulls you both from the kiss and you snap your head to the side, your cheeks flushed a bright red and your eyes wide like you were caught in a scandalous act. You kind of were, if you think about it.. Kunimi stands a couple feet away with a lazy grin on his face, his phone held up as he snaps a couple more pictures, giggling to himself. “I was waiting for you two idiots to catch on,” He mumbles, shaking his head in faux exasperation…

| three years later…

———

previous | masterlist

extras:

suna's dislike for kunimi definitely made him a little jealous of how much attention y/n was giving

suna wasn't planning on coming back to the festival, but decided to after seeing some tweets from others / y/n

taglist: closed

[backslashdelta]

I am a little 🤯🤯🤯 rn (in a good way) and want to ramble about it but also don't want to sound like I'm bragging sooooo gonna talk about a very cool but very adult thing (in the boring way, not the sexy way) under the cut.

Final warning: don't read this if you don't want to think about money/finances/home ownership.

Okay so I bought a house back in like 2018. I live in a small area and the sellers wanted to sell quick (and I think to someone planning to live there for a while vs rent or flip it) and it was just before all the housing prices started to explode, so I got a really good price on the house, and also got a decent interest rate on the mortgage.

At the time I'd been at the job I was doing for less than a year, and was making not amazing money but decent enough for where I live and for it being my first job out of school. Enough to afford the mortgage on the house and not be struggling, anyway.

I got laid off, found a new job that paid a bit better. And also gave out raises and promotions pretty quickly. So I'm now making nearly 3 times what I was making when I bought the house, and I've maxed out my mortgage payments (you're only allowed to increase them so much before the bank won't let you anymore) and also dropped a few lump sum payments on it to cut down on the amount.

My mortgage is up for renewal this summer, interest rates are shit. And... I have more than enough savings to pay off the rest of what I owe. So I think I'm just going to do it?

I'm not 100% sure but I was talking to my friend who works at a bank and she said I should just do it. I have enough in savings to pay it off and still have money left over, plus I have an untouched line of credit if anything super serious comes up that I actually need money for. And without a mortgage I'll replenish my savings really fast anyway because I won't have the mortgage payments anymore.

I'm going to think a little more but I'm thinking I'll do it before my birthday. It would be very very cool to turn 30 and already own my house outright. But it's also very surreal. And I feel a little bad talking about it, because I know so many people are struggling and that so many people may never even have the opportunity to buy a home while here I am, nearly having my mortgage paid off? Kind of makes me feel guilty, like I'm doing something wrong, but I know I'm not. I'm super lucky to be in a position where this is possible. But also I have worked really damn hard for this and I'm kinda proud of myself for being able to accomplish something that feels so surreal. I dunno. I just wanted to talk about it a little but I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, because I know money can be a sensitive topic.

[floosies]

Radio

early 2000s au

eddie munson x oc!fem

warnings: mentions of drugs, cursing, eventual smut, mentions of abuse, friends to lovers 18+

(a/n: this chapter will focus on the troubled teen industry, which I did research on during one of my law classes back in college. its a sensitive topic so you can totally skip this chapter its sort of filler of what happened during their time apart from each other '10- early 2011.)

"I'd rather go to hell than be in purgatory. Cut my hair, gag and bore me. Pull this pin, let this world explode"

Purgatory ( the months of failures and success 2010-2011)

It all happened so quickly, which she had prepared for mentally. She didn't fight whatever was happening, she was just told that they were taking her to where she would get help. Placing her in a van with blacked out windows, she stared at her parents wondering why they ever even chose to become parents. The van drove for a whole day, no one spoke to her after the first couple of miles, they only spoke to explain what would happen when she got to the 'boot camp'.

Her belongings were taken from her and she was told that her parents placed her in the program because of her behavior. Instantly, she knew this was going to be like a prison. Every day was some sort of manual labor and any sort of attitude or supposed disobedience was met with all sorts of punishments from cleaning to being made to sleep out in the woods for as many nights as they deemed necessary. Sometimes they wouldn't get dinner, and the food wasn't even a meal just small things.

She never bothered to write to her parents or use her calls on them. Just to her best friend to ask how people were, still even that was heavily monitored. It was though, how she found out about Eddie leaving Hawkins and about the band blowing up. In her heart she was happy for him, but a part of her broke knowing she wasn't with him. Still her friend always reassured her that Eddie had loved her and even told Julie about what he did at her parent's house. It was the only small bit of hope she clung to when it came to him.

During those months in her incarceration she had made friends with a girl who was similar in age to her. Her name was Charlotte which she hated because of the book and how growing up people always asked if she was named after it. They both bonded over their style and music taste, which got them into more trouble at times. One night it even led to both of them having to sleep in the woods, which was something they tried to avoid from happening again.

Due to their closeness in age, they were both brought into some sort office in the facility, where they were told they would be getting released out of the program soon. In the state they were currently in, they could not be held after eighteen which technically meant they were free to leave. When they did get released Julie had made a decision to do like Eddie and leave Hawkins behind. There wasn't any real reason to go back to that place. Graduation and prom had already happened by the time she was out.

Charlotte had mentioned how she had planned to go to New York, in her possessions was a credit card her grandma had given her. She had mentioned to Julie that her family was wealthy and only really did this to her to get rid of her for some time. It was fucked, and Charlotte agreed but didn't really care because she was just going to start over. Julie asked if she could join her, promising that she would work for her end of whatever payments or bills that had to be paid. Her new friend shrugged saying it wasn't that big of a deal.

-

Inheritance had been a hell of a savior, as soon as they bought their plane tickets and landed in New York, they had a place to stay. Julie hadn't gone into the facility with much. She had brought her phone but it hadn't been paid, so no service, and her wallet only had twenty bucks and her ID's. Apart from that was a small duffel of clothes her parents had packed for her. So once they arrived and cleaned up, Charlotte let her use the card she had to buy new clothes and what not.

Within the month they had started to make do with their situation. Where Charlotte didn't really care for finding a job, Julie did and when she found one she started saving to have enough to replace her belongings and pay for rent. Eventually though Charlotte did get a job working for a friend of her family, who was close to her grandmother.

In-between all the working and saving though, they started going out to the clubs around the Manhattan area. Documenting everything through pictures and being asked back by promoters who had found both girls 'pretty' enough to help bring people in. It was how Julie ended up befriending Alexa Chung one night. She had no clue who this girl was, but everyone around them at the club did, and at the same time, Julie and Charlotte were just as popular in that spot. It led to them talking about it the whole night and soon enough Alexa's agency wanted to talk to both of the girls.

By the late summer the girls had signed onto a modeling agency and gotten approved for work visas to enter the UK. Julie wasn't as picky as her friend had been about everything, she started doing ads for shops and magazines, being a guest interviewer for music channels and online radio shows. People loved her sweet demeanor and cheeky manner. Lottie never held it against her, she knew Julie didn't grow up in the limelight like she had so she let her friend make her way on her own.

With this new freedom, it didn't take long for her to make drastic changes. She didn't want to be found and she didn't want her past to exist anymore, so with her agent and publicist she got on a flight to Indianapolis and signed all the paperwork that would change her name, she'd chosen something slightly foreign and bubbly sounding, Francesca Thompson, the name added with a nickname, Frenchie, was a hit, her team agreed the decision to make the change helped her career immensely.

-

Frenchie had been reborn and her popularity in the indie scene had begun to bloom. Everyone spoke about her as Alexa Chung's sister from another mister. However, where Alexa was dating someone in her scene, Frenchie had a thing for guys who reminded her of the guy who had stole her heart. Though she never wanted to forget Eddie, she knew by looking at his social media and magazine articles that he had moved on. She was happy for him though, she always look out for him and the band, but now as a fan. By the end of 2010, she had found herself with this new guy who was coming up with his band.

He was something of a mix between Julian Casablanca and Oli Sykes but he wasn't either and his band was well into the metal scene. Nothing about him was similar to Eddie though, they didn't click as quickly but his piercings and tattoos made her feel like she could make believe. Both of them were on the come up and their fans ate up their relationship.

They entered the new year with his band and her modeling gigs blowing up. Their names synonymous with each other's careers. It was beginning to get easy to forget what once had been. She was a whole new person in love with someone who was close enough to home without the pain it once carried.

-

Eddie was touring, the band growing in success and notoriety through the approval of all the older groups who insisted that Corroded Coffin carried the spirit of metal into the present day. Ever the front man he didn't mind being on the front page if meant people were tuning into what the band was playing. Of course it wasn't what he wanted the focus to be on, but he'd grown up on Fred Durst doing outlandish shit all the time so what did it really matter?

He'd tried to look for her every once in a while, but there was nothing to be found. Julie's best friend had only mentioned once that Julie was safe, but what did that mean and why wouldn't she speak to him? He never got answers, but in his heart she was always going to be his first true love. Where ever she was he only hoped she thought of him the way he thought of her, but he moved onto someone new.

-

In September of 2011, there was a business party for her boyfriend's record label, of course he took her as his plus one. The night was going well til she saw them walk in, there he was with the boys. They looked so different now, well put together and groomed, something she'd never seen Eddie as before. They didn't speak, she stood beside her boyfriend the whole night.

Only for a brief moment did they pass each other as she went to grab some more drinks from the open bar. He just barely glanced at her apologizing for reaching over her to get some beers from the ice bucket beside her. Though their eyes met, its as if they were complete strangers. Her hair was platinum blonde now, his was cut short and there was a stud in his ear where there hadn't been a couple years back.

That night when she got back to her place, she lied about a migraine from the drinks to get her boyfriend to let her be for the night with the promise of brunch in the afternoon. In reality she spent the remainder of the night crying in her bed to an old picture she had of her and Eddie from their last hang out at the band's gig.

Meanwhile Eddie got drunk that night, his mind thinking back to how familiar that blonde at the bar looked. His mind couldn't piece it together, how something about her eyes reminded him of someone or something. However with the liquor in his system and a flight in the morning he started to forget about her as quickly as he thought about her in the first place.

taglist: @writinginthetwilight

[mysticalwriterwithintrusivethoug]

What Small Brands Should Know Before Signing with a Lifestyle PR Firm

In the media and PR world, the tug-of-war between 9‑Figure Media vs. Edelman often pops into conversations.

You’ve probably heard both names one humming about big budgets and flashy campaigns, the other about heritage and scale. This piece asks: what really sets lifestyle PR agencies apart? And why should you care?

Let’s talk about what these agencies actually do for their clients past the polished presentations and catchy taglines. Their roles have changed a lot over the last few years, and not always in ways you’d expect.

Some things still work, some don’t, and a few new tactics are starting to catch on. I’ll walk through some of that, share a couple real-world cases, sprinkle in some numbers not too heavy and offer a few comparisons that, with any luck, feel grounded.

And yeah, there might be moments where I go slightly off topic. That’s kind of how these things go real thoughts aren’t always perfectly linear. It’s how thinking works, right?

The truth is, most people don’t know what happens behind those glossy PR campaigns. There’s planning, crisis checks, and a strange mix of psychology and trend-forecasting.

Agencies aren’t just pitching articles; they’re engineering moments. Sometimes those moments work. Sometimes, they just fade into the feed.

But lifestyle PR in particular is a strange space. It’s aspirational but grounded. You’re selling ideas more than products, values, habits, aesthetics.

So a PR firm might push a wellness campaign not just with statistics, but with curated influencer interviews, brand tie-ins, and messaging that resonates emotionally. Not everything lands, and not everything should. What matters is how people feel after they’ve seen it.

Current Trends and Analysis

PR used to be simple: press release, media tour. Now? It’s a mash‑up of influencer partnerships, social media drops, short‑form videos, brand missions even NFTs here and there.

Sure, there’s data showing engagement rates are up about 15‑20 percent when lifestyle brands partner with micro‑influencers but success isn’t universal.

One brand saw a 30 percent lift in awareness but no sales bump, while another tripled ROI with the same model.

You ever catch yourself wondering if all this data obsession is actually making things better or just blander? It’s a fair thing to ask. Sure, numbers help steer the ship, but they don’t always point to something people care about.

I’ve seen campaigns that hit every metric on paper perfect targeting, polished visuals, smart timing and still? Nothing. No buzz, no real engagement.

Then there was this quirky TikTok collab that honestly looked a little chaotic. But it exploded. Not because it was flawless, but because it felt human, like someone took a risk instead of following a script.

Back then, PR used to be more about earned media getting a quote in a magazine, a name drop in an article. That kind of stuff had weight.

Now it’s layered in with paid posts, social chatter, and algorithm chases. A lot has changed, and not all of it’s clear-cut better. Today, match that with paid and shared content, and things get messy.

Budgets used to be 80 percent PR and 20 percent paid. Now clients want splits closer to 50/50. That upends how agencies pitch and execute. And with algorithms constantly shifting, even “paid” doesn’t guarantee visibility.

PR professionals now need to think like strategists, sociologists, and sometimes, behavioral scientists.

The bottom line? Lifestyle PR has become more layered. Success isn’t just about getting featured.

It’s about crafting an experience that sticks and doing it across channels that barely existed five years ago.

7 Key Services Offered by Lifestyle PR Agencies (and When to Use Them)

Let’s break it down:

Media relations and press outreach the classic — If you’re launching a new watch or home goods line, you’ll want this. It’s still essential but harder to stand out when dozens of pitches land in an editor’s inbox each day.

That said, a strong relationship still matters. Journalists are overwhelmed. If your agency has credibility and context, you stand a better chance.

There’s nuance, too. It’s not just about blasting pitches. It’s about timing, narrative, and understanding which outlets matter for your brand’s audience.

A small feature in a niche digital publication might drive more traffic than a national hit. I’ve seen it happen. One client got a two-line mention in a targeted lifestyle site and saw sales spike over the weekend.

2. Influencer and creator campaigns — these come with mixed results. A brand I worked with got major traction from a mid‑tier creator yet the conversion track was flat.

Pro tip: always test first. Also, don’t chase follower count. It’s tempting, but micro-creators often bring tighter engagement. People trust them more. A 40k follower skincare influencer might drive more action than a celebrity who’s repping five brands a month.

Measurement is tricky here. Likes and views look good, but the real question is: did the message resonate?

And did it convert? Agencies worth their salt will track that, segment by creator type, and adjust fast.

3. Event coordination and experiences — From exclusive pop‑ups to virtual brunches, this one’s relevant if you want direct consumer touchpoints.

I once attended a rooftop “brand and brunch” reveal that felt more like a friend’s gathering than a marketing stunt. That closeness works. People remember how the event made them feel.

But events can flop. Low turnout, poor timing, awkward activations it happens. Smart agencies know how to pivot mid-event.

One firm actually turned a rain-soaked beach campaign into a cozy indoor retreat. Attendees loved the unexpected vibe shift. That kind of nimbleness builds long-term brand trust.

4. Social content strategy — Building content calendars, cross‑platform synergy, branded reels. The strategy often leans heavily on TikTok or Instagram Reels key for reaching Gen Z and early millennials. But platforms change quickly.

What works this quarter might be irrelevant next.

And it’s not just about being present it’s about sounding right. A brand voice that feels authentic across platforms wins.

The trick is balancing brand identity with platform expectations. You don’t post the same video on LinkedIn and TikTok. Well, some do but you probably shouldn’t.

5. Brand partnerships and collaborations — Two brands together can amplify each other think capsule collections or co‑branded events. There are legal hoops, but when it clicks, it can multiply reach overnight.

And the halo effect can be real: consumers perceive both brands differently post-collab.

Still, partnerships fail too. Values misalignment, messy rollouts, or flat visuals can sink the whole thing. Good agencies vet these moves like dating matches. Is there chemistry? Are the goals compatible? If not, better to pass.

6. Crisis and reputation management — Not glamorous, but what happens when something goes wrong matters. A small food brand faced backlash over an ingredient timely messaging and community engagement quelled it before it blew up.

Timing is everything. The first response often shapes the entire narrative. Also, crisis comms isn’t only about damage control it’s about preparation.

Agencies that run regular audits and scenario planning are better equipped. You never know when a tweet, review, or old video resurfaces. Better to be ready.

7. Measurement and analytics — These days, if you don’t show ROI with numbers, the campaign looks weak.

These services include tracking media impressions, sentiment analysis, click‑throughs, mentions, even hashtag virality. But don’t get blinded by volume. Sometimes, fewer high‑quality engagements matter more.

Dashboards help, sure. But qualitative feedback how people felt, what they said in comments, offers nuance numbers miss. Smart clients ask for both.

So How Do Approaches Vary?

Take APCO vs. BCW for instance. APCO often positions itself as strategic counsel first big investor messages, corporate storytelling. BCW leans into integrated comms with digital, consumer, and brand narratives. APCO might deliver a clear, top‑down message.

BCW may build a campaign with a dozen moving parts from press to TikTok to retail activations. One’s a sculptor, the other’s a choreographer. Which fits your brand? Depends if you want discipline or a full playbook.

Both have their strengths. APCO can offer gravitas a sense of senior-level confidence in a crisis or IPO. BCW might move faster, pulling creative assets from across divisions to meet a flash trend.

The trade-off? Depth versus range. Some clients want both. And that’s when smaller hybrid firms often come in offering personalized strategy without the giant agency sprawl.

You also have to consider culture fit. Are you the kind of brand that needs weekly pulse checks and daily calls? Or would a quarterly strategic reset work better? Choosing the right agency isn’t just tactical, it’s relational.

Future Outlook and Predictions

Expect boundaries to blur further. Data‑driven creativity will rise, think campaign decisions based on real‑time sentiment analysis.

Sustainability proof‑points will be more than bullet points they’ll fuel influencer content and media storylines.

But not all future shifts will be digital. There’s growing fatigue with screens. Brands might find value in real-world activations again, even if they’re harder to measure.

One prediction? The return of tactile storytelling print zines, ambient street campaigns, physical tokens.

I also see more AI‑assisted storytelling drafting pitches, trending content suggestions but humans will still handle nuance, tone, unpredictable consumer reactions.

And while platforms change fast, trust and authenticity don’t so agencies that lean into sincerity even when imperfect will be memorable.

Another shift? Regionality. Hyper-local campaigns with neighborhood influencers or cultural micro-movements may gain momentum. As the national narrative fragments, these pocket stories can feel more personal and relevant.

Conclusion

We’ve covered how lifestyle PR has grown beyond press, what services agencies offer, who does what, and where it’s going. You might walk away thinking: “There’s more to PR than products and press.”

And you’d be right. You’re steering a ship that’s part media company, part brand advocate, part crisis responder.

Those early moments of doubt are natural. But here’s the thing: executing well isn’t about perfection.

It’s about layering smart tactics, staying nimble. Now, when you circle back to APCO vs. BCW, or revisit the clash of 9‑Figure Media vs. Edelman, ask yourself which flavor matches your ambition and if you’re ready for what comes next.

It’s not about choosing the best agency. It’s about choosing the one that gets you. One that understands not just what your product is, but what you want people to believe about it.

And when you find that partner, that’s when strategy becomes more than execution it becomes identity. And in PR, identity is everything.

[vikochub]

Unlocking TikTok's Potential: How Creators Can Share Knowledge and Earn Through Courses

TikTok has taken the world by storm, captivating billions with its short, addictive videos. Originally a hub for entertainment, it’s now a platform where creators share bite-sized knowledge—think fitness hacks, cooking tips, or even marketing advice. But here’s the catch: TikTok’s time limits make it tough to dive deep into complex topics. That’s where courses come in. By packaging your expertise into structured lessons, you can meet your audience’s thirst for learning while opening up new income streams. This guide will show you how to harness TikTok’s power to share knowledge and profit from courses.

Why TikTok Creators Should Sell Courses

TikTok’s massive reach and diverse audience make it a goldmine for creators. Here’s why selling courses is a game-changer:

Monetize Your Expertise Sure, TikTok offers the Creator Fund and brand deals, but those can be unpredictable. Courses let you cash in directly on what you know. Your followers already love your quick tips—why not give them more and get paid for it?

Build Your Credibility A well-crafted course doesn’t just teach—it screams “expert.” Whether you’re breaking down photography tricks or lifestyle hacks, you’ll boost your reputation as a go-to authority.

Expand Your Reach TikTok’s algorithm is a beast, but its audience is mostly platform-bound. Courses pull in learners willing to invest in education, even from beyond TikTok, growing your influence.

Ride the Online Learning Wave The online education market is exploding—expected to hit $375 billion by 2026. TikTok users are hungry for learning, and you can feed that demand right now.

What Kinds of Courses Work Best?

Your course should reflect what you’re good at and what your followers want. Here are some ideas:

TikTok Growth Secrets: Share insider tips on building followers, increasing engagement, or cracking the algorithm.

Content Creation 101: Teach filming, editing, and producing standout short videos.

Niche Deep Dives: Go all-in on your specialty—think healthy recipes, DIY projects, or digital marketing strategies.

These tie into your TikTok vibe, making it a no-brainer for your audience to sign up.

How to Get Started

Ready to turn your ideas into a course? Follow these steps:

Pick a Platform You’ll need a solid platform to host your course—one with easy uploads, secure payments, and marketing perks. Check out options like VIKOC to launch fast.

Map Out Your Course Pinpoint your key lessons and split them into modules. Start simple, then level up to keep learners hooked.

Mix Up Your Content Blend videos, text, and quizzes to keep things lively. Stick to your TikTok style so it feels familiar.

Price It Right Scope out similar courses to set a fair price that matches your value. Test it out and tweak based on feedback.

Spread the Word Drop teasers on TikTok with hot sounds and hashtags. Team up with other creators or run ads to amplify your reach.

Stay Connected Chat with students, answer their questions, and cheer on their wins. Happy learners spread the word.

Tips to Nail It

Know Your Crowd: Match your course to your followers’ skill level—beginner or pro. Relevance is everything.

Keep It Clear: Break your course into bite-sized chunks with specific goals for easy digestion.

Make It Fun: Toss in activities or live Q&As to spice up the experience.

Push It Hard: One TikTok post won’t cut it—keep hyping your course with fresh videos.

Prove It Works: Share glowing reviews from students to build trust.

What’s the Payoff?

Your earnings hinge on your audience size, course price, and hustle. Say you’ve got 50,000 followers and 1% buy a $40 course—that’s $2,000. Bump that to 100,000 followers and a $50 course, and you’re at $5,000. With killer content and smart marketing, the sky’s the limit.

Real-World Wins

Creators are already crushing it with courses. A fitness TikToker launched a workout plan and had hundreds of sign-ups in weeks. A beauty creator turned her tutorials into a course and doubled her income. These stories prove courses can both pay off and deepen your fanbase.

Why Act Now?

The online learning boom and TikTok’s growing education trend are aligning perfectly. The platform loves creators who bring value, and courses are your ticket to stand out. Whether it’s more influence or bigger paychecks, now’s your moment.

TikTok isn’t just for viral dances—it’s a launchpad for sharing what you know. By creating courses, you can give your followers more while building a thriving side gig. From TikTok tricks to niche know-how, seize this chance to shine in a red-hot market.

[the-firebird69]

How this EVENT became a CITY (BURNING MAN)

Burning Man what they're calling it I'm trying to get chips about to hit the brain that's what the target means and this is a city of Max and they slowly change it over to that without telling anything and they're pretty solid sometimes but my son says

"burning Man sounds very strange and Hera too saying it with me and it is a connotation against men but mostly men are there smacks so they probably thought it was a rebellion type thing versus them which is what they set it up to be and she's telling me and I think it's about cloning they use they're thinking of using the giant female paid you to clone and the one in the Mojave and that's what they want to do they tried to do it with Hera and I and she says it all the time"

Also he went on to say

"we talked about a couple things only when was this and it's a very potent subject and the other was that they were willing to hit the queue from a spaceship they're trying to maneuver when in to destroy the brain to insert their own that's another topic"

And on top of that they also mentioned in brief that it was a cyclical thing no that they're doing it on purpose and all of it and that they had house creative things but both of them came up with something quite dramatic and they did say it down at fisherman's village in a way

My son and daughter said this at Publix

"when those Japanese soldiers were watching the bomb exploded Hiroshima and Nagasaki they stayed watching it until it came up and the flames almost engulfed them or did those who survived wanted to witness the whole thing and they wanted to try and harness the power and they went nuts with it and others were inspired a little but mostly they killed a lot of people and they were hunting people who are satanists for stuff and money the max have been doing it for years and they've seen these things down below and they're insane for it they are insane for money and they are just like the people that witness the bomb"

We added the last couple sentences but for real the effect of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were very long-lasting and into today and we'll be beyond it says we can also be the gods and make fire and that's what they'll say about these giant monsters is what they call them they're really Giants and their intense and they fight like machines and they kill people with impunity and they have things they say tons of people are getting lines they say it's going to be in the movies it's going to be in Comic-Con they're going to have comic books they're going to demand our son goes to Comic-Con cuz they're going to try and kidnap him by switching out and coming back in letting each other in the back door all sorts of shenanigans are planned and it's going to be Insanity okay this is what they want to try and do they want him to dress up as his character and he says probably not that one or Galactus and she says it too Ashirem and Eson and it says it's too hot already they never even make it to the damn building but he's small so it might not do much

Thor Freya

Olympus

We're going to go ahead and say this if he dresses up as his character I'm going to dress up as mine and go to Comic-Con have to leave everybody in the planet is going to do it if we do it

Ashirem

Eson

[leggerefiore]

Your writing impresses me greatly, every post you make with these boys makes me smile. Can we get some funny headcanons? Like does Ingo like his coffee extra sweet or does Emmet have a weird sneeze? Do they have their underwear labeled for the week? Anything fun that comes to mind!

(｡ŏ﹏ŏ) you're all too kind i swear, i feel like i write super averagely. I'm glad you're enjoying this blog!

▲Ingo & Emmet Quirks HCs▽

● Ingo sneezes loudly, actually. It scares people every time he does. One time, he sneezed in the middle of the Gear Station and the entire heavily populated, peak transfer hour went silent. The memory still makes Ingo flustered whenever Emmet brings it up.

“Hey, Ingo! Remember when you made people think an Electrode exploded in the middle of the station?” The younger twin teases with a mischievous grin on his face.

“Emmet, shut up,” the older twin's complexion had turned a bright ruby. “It was not that loud.”

○ Ingo drinks his coffee black, actually. The bitterness fuels him throughout his day, he especially enjoys dark roast blends. Emmet needs his coffee with several different types of creamers, sugar, a flavouring of some sort and milk. He's delicate, he claims. Ingo stares horrified at him whenever he places an order at their go-to café in Nimbasa.

● Ingo plans his outfits out a week in advance. It's rare he's not in his work uniform, so he values the moments in which he's allowed a bit more expression (barring his flamboyant jacket and hat). He always changes the outfits around despite it. Emmet throws on whatever five minutes before he has to go and always gets complimented on his attire. Ingo silently fumes about this.

○ They are usually out together, as they both enjoy each other's company. However, they still do things independent of one another as they are grown adults. Whenever they're spotted alone, people always try to look around like the other is hiding in a bush nearby.

Emmet sighed as a refreshing breeze blew around him in the marketplace. Driftveil always had a smell of spice and dirt, entirely different from Nimbasa. He examined the berries before him carefully, not wanting to grab an overly bruised one like last time. “Hey, Mr. Emmet! Is that you?” A voice called out. The Subway Boss turned in the direction of the sound. Hilda beamed at him brightly as she ran up to him. He smiled brightly back at her, “Hello. How have you been?” She replied with a simple 'good' before looking around the area curiously. Emmet tilted his head. Was she searching for something? He was about to offer her assistance, but she cut him off, “Is Mr. Ingo hiding or something?” It took the younger twin his entire willpower to not double over in laughter.

● Back on that topic, as children they were definitely attached at the hip. Some bullies even accused them of being conjoined twins who had been separated. Emmet chased after them holding his Joltik threateningly while Ingo cheered him on. Their parents were called that day.

○ They will occasionally finish each other's sentences unintentionally. A few depot agents are terrified by how casually the twins sentences are understood by each other. The brothers don't care, however. They take pride in their synchrony and have used it to mess with people.

● There is a train fact board posted in the administration area of the station. Ingo and Emmet take turns posting information on it. Sporadically, they argue over the facts posted on it. A poor secretary will cover her ears and beg for it to end as they heatedly debated something that goes completely over her head; she does not get paid enough for this.

○ Rarely, the twins will pretend to be each other. They will walk around the station with their outfits swapped. Emmet and Ingo imitate themselves near perfectly. It all goes well until someone litters or commits a safety violation. Suddenly, 'Emmet' frowns deeply and yells out a “Pick that up, immediately! If I catch you doing that again, I'll suspend your pass and ban you from this station!” The fan he was chatting is horribly confused. It was better than the clerk who watched 'Ingo' smile poisonously at a groper.

[harfanfare]

When your Prince Charming arrives || First Years x Reader

What if someone from RSA seemed to be your dreamed lover?

Ace Trappola

It isn’t easy to make Ace seriously worried, about something that wasn’t caused by his friends, wanting to get revenge on his poor—as they defined them—jokes.

From the first sight he knew, that a boy, who “accidentally” bumped into you, was a danger. Some kind of.

He seemed just… too perfect: tall, muscular, with beautiful hair and natural charm, charisma. His clothes complemented the colour of dark as cosmos eyes, and his manners were impeccable. Ace started doubting that even Vil Schoenheit himself could point out anything to him, but he wouldn’t bet on his arm.

With each trait, something was pushing Ace away from the boy more and more.

If he hasn't paid much attention to him, then you definitely did. By the time the day was over, you managed to tell him ten times how he helped you get up—"You fell because of him," Ace replied while rolling his eyes—and characterized the boy verbally, so that no teacher would complain about not enough words on your opinion essay.

“Agh, enough-!” Ace got upset when, even while playing cards, you didn't talk about anyone else but that handsome hero who helped you get up faster than Ace did. He got up from the floor. “Marvel at him in his face! He will certainly want to hear all these compliments in person.”

He stormed out of the room before you could stop him.

His arms were shaking once he got out of the dorm, to the Rose Maze. He emanated with anger and grief; he swore to himself, that he will kick this guy from RSA the time he sees him. Though he wasn't sure... would you be mad at him...?

“Wait, Ace!” you had to run as fast as you could to catch up with the boy and bump hard into him. You hugged his waist tight, worried that he would run away as soon as you loosened your grip. “Sorry. I really didn't mean to upset you.”

Ace turned around to see your eyes. The corners of his mouth quivered before twitched into a weak smile.

"It's alright," he said, but his voice slowly cracking. “The better one wins, right?”

"Of course," you tightened your embrace so that your cheek was pressed tightly against Ace's body. “I won't be with any guy who can't destroy a chandelier with friends.”

The boy took a deep breath before finally wrapping his arms around you.

The warmth he felt from you and the one inside him caused a strange feeling in his stomach and chest. He didn't know exactly what he felt, but he didn't mind at all.

“Out of my advantages, you chose this particular one?” He said, his face showing a mischievous, a bit mocking, but still friendly smile. "I guess it was at the top of such a long list as ‘Advantages of Ace’"

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

Deuce Spade

Deuce didn’t know what feeling was responsible for twisting his stomach, once he saw you and a boy from RSA, introducing him to some NRC classes.

Does his dark, rebellious side finally want to see the light of day?

Not as much as he wanted to hit that boy, he’d rather preferred to take you somewhere far away from him. From everybody.

“Someone's jealous!” Ace laughed when Deuce told him about his worries.

“Again, why did I come to you with this...?” The dark-haired man sighed, placing his hand on his hair and tightening it tightly. "You really think I'm, uh, jealous?"

“And not?” Ace tucked his hair back, laced the fingers of his hands together, and blinked several times. “Oh! My hero!” He said in a squeaky voice. “I will have to give up my lovely Deuce for you because you helped me up. A~aah!”

Deuce snorted and slapped Ace on the forehead. He fell onto the bed. The redhead burst out laughing as he looked at the nervous, sulking Deuce.

“Go Deuce,” he said, sitting down on the bed, still with an amused sparkles in his eyes. “Fight!”

Without waiting for any further words of encouragement, Deuce ran out of the room, towards the school. He went through all important, busier spots in the school before he found you in the cafeteria.

Of course, with that RSA guy.

He felt his body tighten like a tight string as you spotted him between the heads of the other students and waved at him.

"This is Deuce, my boyfriend," you introduced the boy to your dinner companion, and the dark-haired man looked away. So what if you guys were dating for months? The title "boyfriend" always made his heart run wild. “And this is [Boy's Name], a student from RSA.”

"Nice to meet you." Deuce reached out his hand and squeezed the boy's hand. He did it with such force that you could almost hear the crunch of bones and a soft gasp as the student jerked his hand away. “Now, I'm so sorry, but I have to take [Name] with me.”

He felt a twinge of guilt as you walked away, and the RSA boy was massaging his hand. However, now-not-yours prince charming will definitely go to the nurse, and on the way, he will surely run into one of the most beautiful students in NRC. It’s always like that in fairy tales.

You have to fight for your true love, right? They both have to find and keep the love of their lives.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

Epel Felmier

Just give him a chance, and he'll definitely try to kick that fop in the knee so hard he won't get up again.

"Fight fire with fire," Vil advised him during their usual dinner at Pomefiore. Even though Epel had said nothing about his worries, Vil could still sense a depressive aura from him that was definitely ‘not beautiful’.

The Pomefiore leader was also not very happy with the arrival of some students from the RSA. But until they were more beautiful than he was—not that anyone like that existed—their presence did not irritate them that much.

Of course, you didn't forget about Epel—you felt so drawn to your new acquaintance's aura that you sometimes lost track of time, but you make sure not to skip your meetings.

He felt like a pawn in a game of chess, not a player. He was attractively dressed, and now standing next to that RSA boy who had attracted your attention all too often. He took you with him a lot, that one day he almost offered to take you with him to the RSA. It would only require some paperwork, wouldn't it?

“[Name]” Epel turned to you, his voice trembling with anxiety and anger. He took a deep breath but didn't feel any cooling down. “The final decision will always be yours. But I want to say something about it here.” He pointed at the visitor and glared at him.

He felt a sudden need to straighten his hair and his clothes as silence fell around him. All the witnesses waited for his next move, and even though no one was saying anything, he felt like he was the new hot topic of gossips.

He went over to you and locked you in a hug as if he didn't want to watch all those onlookers.

"I know you may not believe me, but I really am not sure if he can bring you the happiness you expect," he blushed here. “I-I mean… I don't know if I can offer you a life only filled with happiness you want, but… I will try… So, uh, please don't go with him…!”

“Huh? There's no way I'm going with him,” you said, tearing away from him. "I'm addicted to apples and a certain apple boy, and I won't survive without this combination."

Epel breathed a sigh of relief, feeling his cheeks flush with shame, and memories of words that even sounded too serious for him.

Even though he felt terrible in this elegant garment, he couldn't think of it as his feelings exploded in his body.

Ah, yes. He couldn't want to love anyone else that much.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

Jack Howl

Jack never wanted to stop at anything other than "true love".

When you two started dating, he saw no other way than planning his future with you... But this RSA guy was never included in your plans.

"He's joining us," you told your new friend, pointing at Jack. He had his arms crossed and he was at least a head taller than the boy, so the boy had to raise his chin to see Jack's ears. “He offered to help us with cleaning.”

"Ah, yes," [Boy's Name] cleared his throat, trying to remain indifferent. He felt overwhelmed by Jack's presence and Jack made no effort to make it easier for him. Because what was he supposed to do? Squat down so that he doesn't feel trapped like surrounded by tall rocks? "We'll definitely need someone strong."

Everything went very agile and neat.

Even if you and the RSA student previously thought it would take a long, long time, in half an hour you managed to do more than you were allotted to. Maybe it's because your loved one didn't allow too long conversations between you and [Boy's Name]?

It would certainly have been hours if the two of you were left for each other. Ideally, a lot of time to make another appointment, exchange phone numbers, cancel your joint vacation plans with Jack and change your school, right?

“Thank you for your hard work” you put the broom in the storage box. Cleaning with magic was definitely simpler and easier, but as long as you can clean, magic can feel a little sloppy while comparing the cleanliness of rooms.

"Thank you for your hard work," [Boy's Name] replied, dusting his hands of the fluff. "Maybe... you'd like to go together, just the two of us," he stressed the last words, "to the cafe?”

"I'm sorry," you smiled apologetically. You looked at Jack who was just coming back and started walking towards him with a smile on your face. “You may not see it, but this one needs a daily dose of hugs because later he will be very sad.”

Jack silently denied as he turned his head to the side out of intimidation as you hugged him tightly.

… For moments like this, the existence of people like [Boy's Name] is needed.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

Sebek Zigvolt

“We need your assistance, [Name]” just after taking the left corridor, Sebek appeared in front of you and a student from RSA. The green-haired man had a stoic expression and his hands were behind his back, what made him seem much more composed than he thought himself. There was so much going on in his head that it would be easier to talk about what he wasn't thinking about. “It's urgent.”

Without further ado, he grabbed your wrist, knocking the RSA student's hand off your shoulder. He gave him a frightening look before he turned on his heels and you and you walked far, far away from this place.

"Hey, Sebek," you broke the silence that had been with you since you stepped out into the uncrowded corridor. “Something happened?”

“What do you mean?” He replied in a gruff voice and picked up the pace.

"For example," you panted, trying to keep up with him, "you're almost crushing my hand."

As if on cue, Sebek immediately let you go, doing it as quickly as if he had touched hot coal. With a surprised look, he glanced at your wrist, which turned slightly red from his tight grip.

"Ah, uh, forgive me," he muttered, rubbing his temple. "I still feel sick to see that human from the Royal Sword Academy."

“You mean [Boy’s Name]?” you asked, and Sebek made a face at his name. For him, this boy will always be "human" in the worst tone and sense of the word. "Some have described him as ‘so sweet that he is so bland’”

“It suits him.”

“You don't like him too? Too cute by Diasomnia standards?” you guessed jokingly. “Or were you jealous, hehe?”

“T-that's not the point!” He growled, feeling his face flush red. You looked at him in shock, now sure, you guessed it, and Sebek felt even more exposed by it. "It's just that this human looked at you so... so strange! I didn’t not like this.”

"There is a way," you said, smiling frivolously at him. “You can invite me to tea and vice versa, and then we will not see him anymore.”

[skellebonez]

The prompt you wrote with baby MK was extremely cute, but it also gave me an idea that wouldn't leave my brain: Imagine that same situation, but with Mei and Macaque. This is an open prompt, you can do with this whatever you like!

MK isn’t the only one who gets to have this kind of curse/ailment anymore! And I can’t resist putting this in the Cursed AU specifically, simply because I love the idea of this Macaque being confronted face first with the fact he actually cares. Even if it happens 200 times.

"What in the absolute hell are we supposed to do now?" Macaque groaned out, looking around the both of them for any indication of an escape that didn't involve him leaving Mei behind. Which was looking slimmer and slimmer if he didn’t want her to be in more physical danger than she already was. So. Stranded it was.

"I can still help!" Mei insisted, crossing her arms and standing her ground with a wide smirk. "I'm not powerless you know!"

"Never said you were, Jade," Macaque acknowledged instantly, tensing for a half moment when he realized how much he had to be attached to say something like that so fast. He forced himself to relax once again, no point in adding more fuel to the fire of worry that laid between them. "This just makes things complicated."

Oh yeah... complicated, that was one way to put it, definitely. If Macaque was being generous. And ignoring the fact that Mei wasn’t even 4 feet tall... and 4 years old. Physically.

Macaque was supposed to be on official mystic monkey business alone. Or at least that’s what he told Mei and MK to hopefully keep them out of his fur, but apparently Mei had other ideas. Like sneaking onto the private boat he had paid for to be taken to this secluded island far out into the ocean undetected, much farther than Mount Huaguo was. How she managed to sneak past security he may never know, now would he know how she managed to stay hidden for their 7 hour journey, and he would never admit that he was genuinely impressed.

He genuinely had not known she joined him until after the boat left, leaving them both stranded for at least the next 24 hours.

Horray.

Things had actually been going pretty ok, for the most part, after she had made herself known. In actuality Macaque was here to hunt down a specific item of his he had left behind on the island years ago, nothing really world shattering just... important to him. He knew that it would be safe here when he left it, the island as uninhabited and out of the way for humans to come to as it was.

But he also knew many powerful demons occasionally used this island as a hiding ground for when they were injured or planning something, against the owner’s wishes. And unfortunately one such demon just happened to be there on the one day of the while year he planned on coming.

That demon was deader than anything else on this island at the moment. Macaque hadn’t tried to kill him, not really, but they had lobbed something at him that Mei jumped in front of and he reacted on instinct.

If the thing had hit him in the first place they would probably be just fine. A decade and a half off his life span was nothing, unless it was set to a specific age in which... well, he was already able to do most of what he could do as a child so they still probably would have been ok. And hopefully she would be, if his memory served this particular demon was talented only in making temporary cursed and potions... mostly.

He hoped.

“Are you certain using your powers won’t hurt you?” Macaque asked, staring down at the short girl before him.

“I don’t think so?” Mei said with a shrug. “I mean, I’ve kinda had them for as long as I remember so... probably not.”

“Let’s not take that chance,” Macaque said with a sigh, looking around the beach. There was nothing for him to use, no emergency radio or boat. The best they had found on their entire search was a dinky little shelter. “It looks like our best bet would be to hunker down in that building and wait until mid day tomorrow for the boat to return. Provided there aren’t any more demons around we should be fine...”

“I can build a fire!” Mei proclaimed, running off before Macaque could even hope to catch her.

Something pulled in his chest, a protective thrum that he hadn’t felt since... since his journey with MK, but was becoming increasingly common the more time he spent training Mei. And he hadn’t felt that for so long he had forgotten what it felt like when it happened then, so unfamiliar with the desire to protect his old home and monkey friends of Mount Huaguo.

He would never admit even to himself that that feeling was “caring”. At least not yet.

“Jade, get back here!” Macaque yelled, moving to rush off after her before she came barreling back herself with armfuls of sticks and pine cones.

“I got everything we need!” She laughed and threw everything down in front of the building, looking around. “Did you see any rocks?”

“I know how to build a fire,” Macaque said softly, crossing his arms and shaking his head. “We probably don’t even need one.”

“Aw, but this is like a camping trip now!” Mei said, flailing her arms in the direction of the sticks. “I’ve even got marshmallows in my backpack!”

“Why did you bring m-never mind,” Macaque groaned, rubbing his face and sighing deeply. “OK. We’ll build a fire.”

~

It had gone better than hoped, actually. Macaque was able to start the fire with ease and Mei had apparently thought ahead enough that she’s brought the ingredients to make something called s’mores. Macaque had never seen them before, either they were new or they were a foreign treat, but MK had mentioned them to him on their journey and he had to admit... they were nice.

He just wished the gooey marshmallow didn’t stick to his fur so bad.

“And then MK did something that made the clone glow gold and explode into a bazillion pieces of hair!” Mei said, sweeping her arms out as she finisher her story. “And that’s how MK created and saved me from Porty Clone.”

“Sound like MK’s clones had quite the variety to them,” Macaque said with a smile. He’d relaxed over the evening, the normal sounds of the island confirming to him that it was just the two of them now and that at the very least they were safe from attack for the moment. “No wonder he’s careful not to overuse them.”

“Yeah, but Porty was pretty fun until he went overboard,” Mei replied, words cutting off with a yawn and a shiver as the wind picked up. “What time is it?”

Macaque looked up, watching the moon and the stars. “Late enough that it would be best to get some rest. We don’t want to miss the boat after all.”

“Hey, you only paid them half so they better come looking for you if you don’t show up!” She laughed out, making her way into the building as Macaque dumped sand on the fire to douse it. Just in case, don’t need the island catching fire with the wind. “ So uh... what are you going to tell them about... me?”

“That I came here looking for you,” he said plainly, shutting the door behind them. The moonlight shone through the windows of the shelter, giving them just enough light to see the one sad little cot it housed, right next to the massive stock of canned food they had also raided for dinner. He pulled the blanket on the cot back, grimacing at the dust on the blanket but satisfied with the condition of everything under it. He went outside to shake it out and make it usable again. “They know I was looking for something and that’s all they need to know.”

“What were you looking for anyway, Hot Topic?” Mei asked after a moment, watching Macaque make the bed again. “And how do you... know about this place?”

“... it’s mine, actually,” he said quietly, looking around the sad shelter. Unfurnished, cold and empty, with only the island itself and non-perishable food for survival. “I haven’t been back in a long time and most know to stay away, but sometimes demons don’t care. I was looking for something... unimportant.”

“It must have been important if you came all this way to find it,” Mei said, yawning again and rubbing her eyes.

“Ok, that’s enough of that!” Macaque exclaimed, hoping his glamor was hiding the embarrassed flush of his ears at her accusation. “Time for sleep!”

Without giving her a second to protest Macaque grabbed her around the waist with his tail and deposited her under the now clean enough blanket before forcibly tucking her in.

“Hey!” She protested, scowling at him once her arms were free. “I can’t sleep yet!”

“Why not?” Macaque chanced, wondering if he was going to regret this.

“You never told me a story.”

“... huh?”

“At the camp fire!” Mei insisted, leaning over the bed to grab her backpack and hold it to herself like it was a stuffed animal (which wasn’t hard since it was... basically a hollow stuffed dragon anyway). “I told you a bunch of stories about me and MK and Piggy and Tangy and Sandy and you didn’t tell me anything about you and the Monkey King! So spill one, I’m not going to sleep until you do!”

Macaque wanted to say no, wanted to glare at Mei until she just went to sleep through sheer exhaustion, wanted to walk out of the building and just stand guard at the door instead... but he kept looking into her teeny tiny 4 year old glower and he couldn’t help but sigh in defeat.

“Fine...” He said after a moment, moving to sit at the head of the bed. He watched as Mei smiled widely, making herself comfortable. “Let’s see... where should we begin... How about the time Wukong thought it would be a good idea to challenge the whole island to 1 on 1 combat for the title of king because he was bored, long before his proper training?”

“That sounds like him,” Mei said, smiling into her backpack with another yawn as she closed her eyes. “Yeah... tell that one.”

“OK, so this was only a little while after he jumped through the waterfall...”

And Macaque went on and on, giving much more detail than necessary, watching as Mei slowly relaxed until she eventually nodded off before the story even got close to the ending.

Which was... probably good for Macaque, to be honest.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out the item he had come here to find. It was simple, all things considered. A little carved crown, made from wood and preserved carefully through the years, far too small for his head and more of a bracelet. Wukong had made it for him when their own duel, the final one of the whole island, ended in a draw all those centuries ago. A show of how they could, maybe, rule the mountain together one day. He’d left it here so long ago that he worried it would have been destroyed or fallen apart over time.

Apparently Wukong knew a little something about what he was doing back then after all.

Macaque smiled, slipping it back into his pocket as he slid off the bed to sit against it, all six ears fluttering out to listen to the island around them. Just in case.

Mei slept mostly soundly behind him and if she started to whine in the beginnings of a nightmare and he turned around to soothe her and whisper that he was there and she was alright well... that would be something to talk about if she remembered it.

[shoichee]

Heyy congrats on 100 followers^_^ Could you do prompt no 25 with kise?

HELLO HELLO HELLO THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT;; i am finally here with this request! This Kise is a mixture of dramatic, whiny, wholesome, and asshole (if you REALLY squint though) just sweeter overall~

Kise x Reader

25. “You’re mine. I don’t share”

Word Count: 2953

prompt list here

»»—————　☼　—————««

The day he had always dreaded slowly crawled by after the sluggish, harsh months of winter took their sweet time.

Though, he’s quite certain that the dreaded day would also… ironically take its sweet time to pass to the subsequent day.

“(y/n)-cchi!!” He sees you fumbling with your school bag on the school benches before he sprints to your side. “What’s with the frown anyways?” He stops to rub a thumb to smooth out the furrow out of your forehead. “Come on, if you keep that up, those wrinkles would actually stay there permanently, y’know… it wouldn’t be good for your skin at all.”

Upon seeing your exasperated reaction to his dramatic exclaim, he couldn’t help but childishly grin. Perhaps today wouldn’t be bad after all. Not when it started off on such a good note like this seeing you first thing in the morning.

“Anyways,” you sigh. “You didn’t have to run all the way over here… I was gonna catch up to you in a few minutes.”

“Yeah, but…” Kise gives a chagrined laugh, fiddling with his locks. “You looked really scary having a scowl like Kagamicchi, (y/n)-cchi. Wanna let your boyfriend in about your troubles?” Of course he had to pull the puppy eyes on you. Typical Ryōta.

“Hmmm…” you hummed for a bit, clearly trying to stall for an appropriate answer but putting up a facade of being dramatic like Kise. “Not really of importance. Just something I’ve been thinking about to deal with some scheduling and last-minute things.”

“Eeeeeeh? It didn’t really look that way to me…” Kise pouts, jamming his hands into his blazer pockets as he continued to stare at you. You slightly squirm under his intense scrutiny, but you sigh before turning to walk ahead. “But if that’s all it was, you can always ask me for help, (y/n)-cchi.”

“And since when did our all-star player and model have spare time?” you tease, swiftly changing the topic. “Hurry now, Ryōta. We have to get to class or we’ll be late.” Yet, even as you continue to briskly walk, you still felt something piercing at the back of your head before that feeling eventually subsided. You turn to call for him before you continue strolling into the building.

Kise sports a harsh frown, staring at the ground pensively for a few moments before sighing. He finally walks to class after you, trying to mentally prepare himself for the inevitable incoming chaos.

———

“Kise!!”

“Wh-Where did he go?! He was… just here a moment ago…!”

“Do you think he’s with that basketball club…?”

“Bummer… I really wanted him to have these.”

“So why do we have to help you hide when you could always tell them off to leave you alone?!” Kasamatsu scolds, irk marks apparent on his temple. “You’re always creating these problems for yourself!”

“Kasamatsu,” Moriyama ticks his tongue in disappointment. “Don’t be crass. We should be thanking him for bringing everyone over here. In this way, we all have a greater shot of getting chocolates, or even better… a cute date!” At his words, the captain only groans before facepalming; however, when he takes a deep breath and turns to lecture Kise about these matters once more, he notices the 1st-year’s sullen and distracted expression.

“Oi, does this sort of stuff really bother you?” Kasamatsu roughly ruffles his hair to snap him out of his thoughts. “You shouldn’t be encouraging this type of behavior from others. Just put a stop to them for your own good.”

“It’s not that…” Kise mumbles while looking off to the side with his arms crossed. “Besides, they always follow me around regardless of what I do anyways.”

“Oh!! I saw him moping a(l)ound after (y/n)-san [went ahead] this mo(l)ning! Su(l)e(r)y it’s about that!” Hayakawa explodes into the conversation with enthusiasm, eyes slightly sparkling at the fact that he hit the nail on the head about Kise’s mood. Kise only pouts more in silence in response.

“Well, if that’s the case,” Kasamatsu huffs irritatedly, as if the solution was as clear as day. “Then talk it out with (y/n)-san! Quit moping around like you have all the time in the world!” As he said this, he puts a firm foot on Kise’s back, ensuring that there would be a visible footprint on his blazer.

“Ow!” Kise laments. “But Kasamatsu-senpai… We’ve just started dating, and it feels out of line if I’m always snooping around in (y/n)-cchi’s business… It wouldn’t make sense for me to be nosy if they already told me they could handle this on their own… but…”

His teammates lean in closer to try to pick up Kise’s next words.

“Today’s Valentine’s… day, so I was kinda hoping… things would be… different?” Kise stops to crane his neck around out of uncertainty, which was quite uncharacteristic of the usually self-assured ace player. “Though (y/n)-cchi never seemed to be someone who liked stuff like this, but it would be nice if I got…”—he coughs out the next words—“... chocolates from… y’know.”

“W-W-What?!” Kasamatsu’s entire face erupts into a red tomato, slowly backing up. “That’s what you’ve been upset about?!”

“Ah,” Moriyama says, as if he understood everything. “Yes, yes… I see it now. Kise, if you want to get chocolates from (y/n)-san, you have to create the perfect inviting atmosphere and present yourself as an elevated gentleman. I guarantee this method will work…!”

“Moriyama-senpai, what are you even talking about?” Kise raises a skeptical brow but nonetheless tries to be polite to his senior. Hayakawa slings an over-friendly arm around his shoulders, but with the sudden weight, Kise’s head slumps down a bit.

“You can do this!!” Hayakawa shouts, pumping a fist up.

“What? Do what? No way I’m taking Moriyama-senpai’s suggestion!” Kise firmly pries Hayakawa’s arm off before he does his easy-going sigh. “It’s not that big of a deal. Don’t worry, I’m sure we can all go do karaoke night instead, right?~”

“Hmph, no taste. I still suggest for us to go pick up dates after school today,” Moriyama huffs with a slight pout, but it looks like no one paid any mind to his comment, because everyone started packing up their belongings to go back to their respective classes after lunch.

———

Kise plasters on his usual beguiling smile across his face, trying hard to not grimace at the ever-growing piles of sickenly sweet desserts on his desk… and the ever-louder fawnings of surrounding students vying for his attention. While the coos and ah’s are thrown in his direction, his mind is elsewhere… to you.

You’ve been actively avoiding him today. That much was obvious… especially during breaks.

Even when he eyes at your desk every so often, you don’t even notice his gaze, deep in thought with a scrunch in your brows every single time. Did he do something to upset you recently without him realizing it? He taps his pencil with a steady rhythm on his desk while racking his mind for any possible offenses he might’ve committed… all with that convincing smile still visible on his face.

“Kise, Kise! Will you accept my chocolates today?”

“Ah… hm…”

“Kise-sama, what do you think about these?”

“Nothing in particular…”

“Please take these…”

“Now, now everyone…!” Kise’s voice finally rings out loud and clear, taking Kasamatsu’s suggestion. “I’m touched that everyone put in their efforts for these! But you see… there’s way too much for me to carry and take home as of now… so I would really appreciate everyone to save it for someone much worthier of these chocolates than me!~”

Either way, Kise was going to dump all of the sweets off to the Kaijō team for them to enjoy these more than he ever could. After the clamors of disappointment and understanding, he was relieved to see that he was finally left alone, with the mountain of chocolates being his sole company. Yet, he was still hoping that you would stop by his desk after the crowd dispersed.

You didn’t.

———

He’s unbelievably antsy.

So much so that even the other upperclassmen besides Kasamatsu had to kick him out of his thoughts to focus on practice. Still, could anyone blame him for being so jittery when it was already after school, with still no signs of you nearby?

“What did I just tell you about that gloomy face?” Kasamatsu asks, smacking the back of Kise’s head. “Did you not talk to (y/n)-san about this?” The team starters were walking out of the gym, their outstretched shadows covering the orange-cast path with every step they took.

“Er… well… (y/n)-cchi didn’t look like they were in the mood for a conversation with me—Kasamatsu-senpai don’t give me that look! I swear I didn’t do anything wrong at all!”

“Tsk tsk,” Moriyama butts in. “Looks like you didn’t try my foolproof plan either.”

“Your idea is the last thing I’d ever do!”

“Hmph, suit yourself.”

Kasamatsu stares at Kise for a few moments, turning to face his shadow on the ground before looking at his face again with a frown. Kise catches his gaze and returns it with an inquisitive look of his own.

“Kasamatsu-senpai… that look you’re giving me is sorta scary, y’know…”

“Kise,” the captain says. “You said that (y/n)-san likes you right?”

“Of course!... or at least I hope so.”

“Then you shouldn’t worry, dumbass. Didn’t you say that they might not be a fan of doing things like this? Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone.” He sighs before continuing. “So don't get yourself in a twist just because you didn’t get candy from them. Just because everyone has always given you chocolates every year doesn’t mean that there won’t be a first time where someone won’t really do that. Keep your ego in check, rookie.”

“E-Ego?! Rookie?! Kasamatsu-senpai, you’re cruel!”

“The captain means well, Kise,” Kobori says, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. “He’s right that today isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Perhaps (y/n)-san merely thought of it as another ordinary day.”

“Well… when you put it like that… I guess you’re right… It’s not the end of the world if I don’t get chocolates from them, and I guess it’s not fair of me to expect something like that out of them and get upset when it doesn’t happen. Thanks, senpai.”

“Well if you got it, then quit moping! If our ace player is in low spirits, the rest of the team will follow suit! Jeez…”

With his spirits uplifted by his seniors, Kise stops and waves off his upperclassmen before he sets off to look for you. Even if he doesn’t get anything from you, he wants to spend time with you before Valentine’s Day was over at the very least. Now… if he remembered your normal schedule, you should still be on campus near the…

He stops, wide-eyed.

Were you giving chocolate to someo—were they giving you packaged chocolate too?—

Before he could fully register the dull pain settling itself in his heart, his legs moved into overdrive, sprinting at breakneck speed that would’ve ended Aomine’s fast-pace career had he actually done this in the courts.

“(y/n)-cchi!!~~~~” He cheerfully calls out, completely masking the hurt from his voice and from his face. In hearing his unmistakable nickname for you, you turn to him mildly shocked seeing him bolting straight for you without a single warning.

“R-Ryō—!”

“(y/n)-cchi!~” He pounces on you with a fierce embrace from behind, his arms wrapped around your upper body and his head on your shoulder. But his chirpy closed-eye smile completely wipes off into a cool, narrowed stare directed at the person in front of you.

“... You’re mine. I don’t share.”

“Ryōta!” You turn around to face him within his hold with a chastise, and then you turn back to the person in front with an embarrassed apology. “I’m sorry, he’s usually not like this, I don’t think. Please don’t let him scare you like that…”

“(y/n)-cchi!!” Kise spins you back around to face him with his hands on your shoulders. You note the tight grip he had on you. “You’re awful, you know that? I waited the entire day for you to give me anything for Valentine’s but then thought maybe you didn’t celebrate today at all… and then you’re here giving chocolates to someone else?!”

“Um… (y/n)-san… should I leave?” You look out of your peripheral vision before giving a defeated sigh.

“I’m really sorry, but yes, that will be best. I hope you find the rest of the evening well.”

“H-Huh?! You’re… gonna ignore me? Oh, come on! We’re dating, right, so at least—” Before Kise went into full hysterics, you promptly placed a finger against his lips to shush him. Kise, who had a few tears accumulating on his long lashes, was stunned into silence, and it was frankly effective in stopping his theatrical tears.

“Ryōta…” you whisper, pulling your finger away from his lips to fiddle inside your school bag… just like this morning. He keeps quiet, but he resumes watching your every movement like a hawk. “I have your… chocolate here.”

“H-Huh?” Kise makes a noise of confusion but still keeps the silence, opting to try to figure out what the hell was going on.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, dummy.”

“I don’t get it.” He narrows his eyes, but you merely tilt your head in confusion while holding out the fancy package.

“H-Huh?” It was your turn to be befuddled. He crossed his arms petulantly in response.

“If you had it all this time… why didn’t you give it to me first thing in the morning? But you went and gave someone else chocolate first, and you know… it just didn’t feel good seeing you hand chocolates to them like that. Like, if I didn’t know better, I’d totally thought that you two were a couple—”

“Ryōta… were you jealous?”

“(y/n)-cchi, who wouldn’t be after seeing that?!”

“Ah, dummy,” you tease, realization dawning on your face. “Those were giri choco… they were the last club member I had to find to give to them in honor of our newfound friendships. You know, after the bonding activities we did in our club room this year?”

“Ah…?” Kise merely blinks before he slightly flushes from embarrassment. “But it still doesn’t make sense!”—he stops to wipe “tears” from his eyes with his arm—“I know we’ve barely started dating, but not only did you not give me anything until now, you actively ran and hid from me! You really broke my heart the entire day!” You grew nervous in an instant, slightly wringing your wrists and tapping one foot behind the other.

“People told me…” you started hesitantly, “that you hated Valentine’s Day. So…”

“Hn…” Kise stops his theatrics to give a casual shrug. “They’re right, more or less. I do find the entire thing annoying, to be honest.”

“Yes, exactly,” you reply. “Knowing you, they were probably right. Even still, I made you homemade sweets, but I didn’t know if it was a good idea to go through with this and give it to you. Besides, what if I was being too fast or forward? I don’t know… I lost all of my courage when I saw you that morning.”

“Eh??? Still, did you have to run from me like that? I seriously thought I did something wrong!”

“... I was jealous,” you whisper, looking down at your feet. “I didn’t like the fact that everyone was so bold to give you all their affection and confessions through their chocolates, but I didn’t feel like it was my place to tell them to back off. Felt like… it was better if I just… didn’t see it all. But… after seeing your outburst earlier, I decided it was the perfect time to give it to you…”

“(y/n)-cchi!!” Kise glomps onto you again, nuzzling his cheek against yours. Him being relieved is a huge understatement. “To think you were jealous too…!”

“Wh-What the—? Does that really make you happy?”

“Of course! It means that you care about me that much!” With one hand holding your Valentine’s chocolate, he tilts your chin with the other to plant a short kiss. “I was never a fan of this type of stuff, but… I love anything you give to me, I swear.”

“Ryōta…! K-Kissing? Right here in public?!”

“No one’s here anyways! They all went home, and speaking of home…” Kise grabs your hand to lead you out of the campus gates. “Do you want me to walk you home, or do you have any other place in mind you wanna go to?”

“Huh? Now? I mean, wait. How are we gonna go somewhere when you have all those… chocolates from school today? Wait, where are they anyways?”

“Oh, those? My teammates found them delicious apparently. I wouldn’t know.”

“You gave them away?!”

“Duh! Yours was the only one I wanted, (y/n)-cchi! Before you start lecturing me about how inconsiderate that is, if I just kept it, they would’ve all sat and melted on the tables anyways.”

You merely roll your eyes at him and sigh, but Kise only grins at your usual reactions to his antics.

“Just you wait for White Day next month, (y/n)-cchi~ I’m gonna go all out, and there’s no holding me back.”

———

Today might’ve been a bittersweet rollercoaster ride of emotions for the two of you, but the ending has morphed into something truly delectable. Just like the dark chocolate truffles in your Valentine’s gift to Kise.

[torifeelslikewritingagain]

Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Slytherin!Reader

Summary: Fred and you have never been sure of your feelings for one another.

Word Count: 7,823

Warnings: A bit of bad lenguage, and slow burn(?

A/N: This is the first thing I’ve written in 6-7 years, so let me know what y’all think, I’d appreciate it a lot:) Also, forgive any grammar mistakes, english isn’t my native lenguage, haha

GIF credit: @fgweasley​

Fred liked looking at you from afar.

He liked the way how you were different from all the other Slytherins even though you actually were like the rest of them.

Since your first year at Hogwarts, he’d taken a liking towards you. Of course at the beginning that liking was just friendly, he liked that he didn’t feel the need to punch you in the face, he’d never admit it tho, not even to George since they’d been taught to mistrust those in your house; but during that first year he’d always notice how you were the only Slytherin in the room who wouldn’t talk in class unless you were asked to by the teacher, he liked that you didn’t look at him or at George with despise. Of course, there were also times where the thought of you quietly and discretely planning a mass murder would cross his head, but you never gave a reason to worry that his suspicions were actually true.

Fast forward to your 3rd grade, after the winter break, he noticed in the platform how much your parents would actually show you their affection, that was also weird for the majority of the Slytherin kids he could recognize, and it wasn’t until that moment that George noticed him looking at you that he said:

“Oi, we’ve never pranked her, have we? Maybe we should pay more attention this year”

Fred felt terrible in that moment for having put you on George’s radar, he didn’t want to pull a prank on you, right? Although, to say the least, he was curious at how you’d react, after all, you weren’t insufferable like the most of your house, but you also weren’t the quiet mouse that you were during your first year, he’d seen you become more social, he’d notice how you would actively participate in Divination class asking Professor Trelawney real questions instead of mocking her like the rest of the students. He’d also see you talking to Abigail Rosier during dinner and often times he’d see you walking around the castle with her, so he concluded she must have been your best friend.

One night after dinner, when your fourth year was beginning,  he was sneaking away from Filch, until he overheard Malfoy yelling at someone:

“… keep defending them?”

“Because you insist on being a bloody cunt to them for no goddam reason!” It was the first time he had ever heard you say bad words, or even angry, you’d usually keep a neutral aura that was sometimes disrupted by your friends being funny or by him and George who had gotten a like to pull little harmless pranks on you. “They’re wizards too, Malfoy. Their blood status shouldn’t matter to you or anyone, that’s none of our business, they are just like us”

“Speak for yourself, I’m nothing like those blood-traitor weasels or that mudblood…”

“You’re right, the Granger girl is smarter than you could ever dream to be” In that moment he picked up what was happening, you, (y/n) Lafington, were defending his little brother and his friends, and you weren’t even friends. Were you? Did you think that them pranking you was being friends?

“My father will hear about this”

“Well, make sure to send him and your mother my love” He saw Malfoy starting to walk away “You’re children Malfoy, you don’t have to do this, leave them alone” He heard that last phrase with a smile on his face, now he could actually tell George that he liked you.

…

After the hallway incident, he rushed to tell George and Lee, who didn’t believe him; so he saw himself forced to subject to his brother the question if you were in fact, trash or not.

“Lafington?” Ron asked George back

“Isn’t she the girl who is always talking back to Malfoy?” Inquired Harry “You know, the one who is always around the chaser… eh.. Pucey!”

“Yeah! She is! I’ve talked to her in the library, we’re trying to convince McGonagall t…” At that point Fred had stopped listening, he was just happy to prove George and Lee that what he had seen was real, but he wasn’t so happy to hear that you were hanging around with someone as despicable as Adrian Pucey.

A few days later Fred noticed himself paying more attention to you, George did too.

“Just go talk to her”

“And say what? I was walking around the castle and decided to spy on you and Malfoy so now I want to say thank you for looking out for my brother and his friends when I couldn’t?”

“That’s not so bad, actually” George smirked, Fred felt immensely stupid, he couldn’t figure out what was it that he found so difficult about talking to you. “But if you’re not going to do anything, I guess that Adrian Pucey will” With that said, George walked away, making sure to bump into you, he apologized and smiled to you, as he kept walking, he turned to Fred to make sure he was watching, so he decided to seize the opportunity his twin created for him and approached you.

 ...

By the start of your fifth year, you had kind of developed a friendship. You liked the twins, you liked how at the end of last year they had sticked up for you when everyone turned against the Slytherins because of the Chamber of Secrets thing, you grieved the disappearance of their sister and celebrated when she was found, you liked how they didn’t take life too seriously and would always be there to make you smile.  

You liked how George would give you sweets when he had any on him, you also liked how much of a good listener he was, he was always there to hear you ramble about astrology, Slytherin’s gossip or a random book you had found at the library, out of the two of them, you were closer to him since Fred always seemed to have a weird face on when you were around, but it didn’t bother you that much, so you paid no mind.  You also liked how both of them didn’t make fun of you when you told them that you liked quidditch even though you didn’t know much about the teams, you liked playing it mostly, not watching.

Fred liked that about you too, so when you told the twins that Pucey was helping you train to try and join the Slytherin team that year, he felt his chest shrunk in relief, you weren’t flirting with Adrian, you were just being mates, after all, Slytherin is the most loyal house, and you all looked out for each other.  

You made your way into the team as a chaser, the twins were happy for you, and you were thriving! Quidditch had come sort of therapeutic for you, you loved the rush it brought when you were riding your broom so far from the ground, the sensation of danger when you knew that one the bludgers might hit you, you also loved the idea of getting out in an accepted way the rage that was always boiling inside of you.

Honestly, quidditch was the best thing that could have happened to you, it helped you to finally ditch what was left of your shell, as the season advanced everyone could notice how you were becoming more outspoken, more assertive, more popular; that didn’t mean that you were immune to the dementors watching around the castle, though. You just felt the need to express everything you were feeling, whether it was good or bad. And having those creatures around did affect you, despite to what everyone might have thought, you could be spotted arguing with Malfoy more often, you wouldn’t wait to keep things in the Slytherin common room anymore, you would just explode at any given moment. Professor McGonagall was worried about you, you’d always been one of her favorite students in your year, Snape on the other hand, was watching your character development rather amused, he told McGonagall that it was just matter of time that you actually started behaving like a real Slytherin, to what she refused to believe that he was right, so she decided to take the matters into her own hands.

“Professor, I swear on Merlin’s beard that we haven’t done anything punish-worthy in the last three days” Fred said while he and George sit at Professor McGonagall’s desk.

“Yeah, whatever happened to Filch has nothing to do with us this time” The professor looked at George in confusion to whatever it was that they had done this time, she hadn’t called them in for any of that matters.

“Mr. Weasley” she started “I actually called you and your brother for a different reason this time, although I would very much like to know what you did this time in order to automatically be defending yourselves. I wanted to speak to you about Miss Lafington”

“(Y/n)?” Asked Fred

“Yes, Mr. Weasley. I’ve noticed that you are rather close to her, and well, since she is one of my best students, I feel a little bit concerned about her attitude and mood lately”

This year you didn’t share your favorite classes with Gryffindor, which meant that the twins would often see the more reserved version of you in the classroom when the topic wasn’t of your particular interest, so Fred started to worry a little when Professor McGonagall said that; where you skipping class? Were you failing? He and George sat there in silence.

“Nothing unfixable, I want to assume, so I ask you both to remove that awful look from your faces. My guess is that the presence of the dementors, those terrible creatures, has been affecting your friend, as you may notice, a good portion of your classmates. So, as your head of house, I’m asking you to keep an eye on your friend and one of my dearest students”

“So, you want us to prank her more often” George asked with a smirk on his face.

“Mr. Weasley, please, be serious. I’m asking you to not let these things affect that girl more than they should. I’ve noticed that quidditch has become and outlet for her but it can only last so long, so maybe try getting her out of the dungeons and the aura that surrounds her house for a little bit. Distract her, put some positive thought in her head”

“I understand, Professor” Fred nodded, he felt that McGonagall was overreacting a bit, you all were growing and asserting your characters after all, but he did notice you a little more irritable than usual. “Count on us”

“Good” She concluded “Now, go to class” The twins went for the door and just when they were about to close it “And know that you both have detention today for whatever you did to Mr Filch”

…

Fred had no idea how to approach you without spilling the conversation he had with Professor McGonagall, so he let George do the wonder while he just kept looking at you from afar as he always had. He didn’t know why, but every day he looked at you, he swore that you looked better than the day before, sure, you had eye bags and looked tired from all the training, but he found you mesmerizing even when you had your hair up in a bun that looked like a bird’s nest. And he could notice all the boys were noticing you, too, now he didn’t only have to worry about Adrian Pucey, no, now he’d also had Lee, who found you extremely badass, Cedric Diggory, who was on the Hufflepuff team and had been asking about you to some of the younger Gryffindor girls, knowing that Fred & George would talk about you in the common room, even Oliver had taken an interest towards you because of how you played; the quidditch boys in general,  he didn’t worry about Marcus Flint, though, he knew that he was too ugly for you.

So he kept his distance, as a friend could, of course. You’d hang out with him and George more often as Fred tried to sort out his feelings for you. Was he still just curious about you? Or had he actually started developing something more than platonic? He knew that you were amazing, and he was glad that people had finally noticed you, but he’d also feel bummed out by that sometimes, he felt that one day you might stop talking to him and George. He worried about what you thought of him, mostly, because he knew that he wasn’t as good friend to you as George was, but it was because he didn’t want you to look at him just as a friend, did he?

Meanwhile, you were enjoying the extra time with the twins, by the end of the school year you had even helped them come up with some ideas for the joke products that they had started designing, you still liked having them around among most of the new people in your life. You felt infuriated when you didn’t win the house cup, Fred reassured you that your game was good, it just was Wood’s last season and no one loved quidditch more than he did. So one week before going on summer holidays, they asked you if you wanted to come to the Quidditch Cup with them and their family, you weren’t sure, so you said that you missed your parents and went home.

During the summer you wrote to both of them, and Fred insisted that you joined them on their trip, but you didn’t want to be a bother, what if you didn’t fit it? What if their parents didn’t like you? What if all of their family hated you because you were a Slytherin? They assured you that you wouldn’t have to worry about a thing, that their mum would love you and their dad would, too.

On the other hand, you were nervous about even asking your own parents, they didn’t hate the Weasleys or any other “blood traitors” in particular, they didn’t care about those things, but they hated drama, that’s why they would keep low profiles and had taught you to do the same. You hanging out with the Weasleys at school? No problem, teens could always be spreading rumors, but you knew that showing up with them at an event like the Quidditch World Cup would be interpreted as an statement, and you knew how delicate things were getting politically, so you obviously felt uneased to say the least, you loved your parents, and you knew the values that they had taught you, but you also were aware of the kind of world were you grew up in, a world where people like the Malfoys would find themselves trying to be pleased by everyone out of fear.

You didn’t respond to the twins for three weeks while you meditated your next move, you were dying to see them, but was that urge stronger than your loyalty to your family?

…

Turns out your mom had seen you so down that she decided to go around your stuff and found the twins’ letters. When you came home from spending a few days with Abby she welcomed you with the letters in hand at the tea room. “Well, that’s it. It was fun while it lasted” You thought to yourself, but much to your surprise your mother encouraged you to go with them.

“There was only one boy who wrote to me like this, and that boy grew to be the man I married and turned into your dad. -Pay no mind to the blood status- I believe that’s what your father and I have taught you” She said taking her tea cup in hand.

You didn’t know why she was acting like this; they had also taught you to avoid big conflicts, yet, here you were. “Sorry mom, I don’t think I follow”

“Do you know why you feel like standing up to Lucius’ son? Because it is in your blood. During my time at Hogwarts I was friends with some muggleborns, but unlike you, I let myself get carried away by my house peers, don’t make the same mistake, much less when it’s about love” You remained silent after she spoke, you didn’t know where did she get this idea that you loved Fred, because she was talking about Fred, right? He was the one who wrote to you more constantly. “I’ll talk to your father; we’ll discuss it over supper”

Confused was short for how you felt. But at least you’d get to spend some time with some of your best friends, so that night you wrote to Fred that you were, in fact, joining them in a few weeks. You felt your stomach sink the moment your owl left. What if him and George now hated you? What if they thought that you not responding for weeks meant putting an end to your friendship? As these questions wondered your brain, the doubt of why your mom started talking about love came, too. Cause she was talking about Fred, wasn’t she? Why was Fred the one who came to your mind for this matter? Maybe she was talking about George, you were closer to him, essentially. But it was the mystery that drove you back to Fred, because sure, you were friends, but he had that face when you were around, and you also felt that there was this barrier, not in a hostile way, but as an aura of, well, mystery. You knew that he was the one to like you first, George had told you that story about the hallway and you defending Ron, and how Fred basically ran to tell him, yet, you always seemed to feel it odd since Fred was a little distant. At first you thought it was just his personality, you had thought “maybe George is warmer” but you’d often see him hang out with other girls, too. He’d hug Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson, just like George would, but he wouldn’t even let his arm brush yours unless George had started play-fighting and he had to intervene, so you just had thought that maybe he liked you, but he didn’t quite trust you. Until now.

What if your mother was right? What if Fred liked more as more than a friend? You couldn’t even begin to make sense to that idea, you had seen Fred around other girls, he was a master at flirting, he’d swoon them over. The thought of him fancying you didn’t add up to how he treated you, did it? You refused to give your heart false hopes and dismissed those thoughts quickly, you just went to sleep happy to create memories with your friends.

…

On the other hand, Fred thought that he would spend the most amazing time with you during these holidays, he had even started talking to George about his feelings for you trying to figure them out, but then his father told him that his friend, Amos Diggory and his son would also join the group, at least for the trip, and he felt like cursing the entire world. How could he define what he felt for you when Pretty Boy Diggory would be around? George knew, that Lee knew, that Tori knew because Annabelle had told her, that Cedric was interested in you, he was curious, too. The difference was that Diggory knew that he could charm anyone he wanted, he just had to play his cards right, while Fred couldn’t even begin to admit that he wanted to play his cards too.

You arrived at The Burrow a few days before the Cup, you got to spend time with the Weasleys and even Harry and Hermione, you knew Hermione from your late night study sessions at the library, but you had never actually had a conversation for Harry, you found him rather plain, not in demeaning way, but you could see that this boy had barely an idea of what he represented, he was just like any other boy his age. Molly loved you, even when you found hard to call her that instead of -Mrs. Weasley-, and Ginny liked you too, she liked having another girl who liked quidditch around to play, she was good, you bonded over the game. And she was kind enough to tell you that everyone noticed the small tension that was going on between you and Fred. At first you thought that she was just messing with you, after all, she was the sister of Hogwarts´ most prolific pranksters, but then one night Hermione joined the girl talk, luckily, the subject changed to Ginny’s crush on Harry, but you were left wondering, if people were repeating what your mother said, it might as well be truth, right?

You spent that night thinking about Fred, you liked how he snorted while laughing after a prank he had been planning for long turned out brilliantly, you liked how he would talk you out of pulling an all-nighter to study so you could go wander the castle with him and George. You liked how he would look out for you during the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin matches, much to Oliver’s dismay…

You loved how competitive he was. You loved how before each game he’d tried to place a bet, whether you both were playing or not. You loved how you two would exchange challenging looks from one side to the other of the field. You loved how defensive he got when it came to someone offending you or talking trash to your back. You fell asleep while thinking in all of the things that you loved about this boy, maybe you did have a crush on him…

The next day everyone was super excited, it was the game day, so you all got your bags and started walking into the forest. You were walking with a twin on each side when you saw a man with glasses come up to Arthur and greeted him. You heard Fred sigh and murmur something beneath his breath, but whatever he said was eclipsed by George saying “Now, the fun begins” with a huge devious smile on his face, you didn’t get it. Was this man someone that Arthur didn’t like that much? Were they work frenemies? Then your thoughts were interrupted by something falling from a tree, a someone, actually. Next to the man talking to Arthur was now standing the Hufflepuff’s team captain, Hogwarts’ golden boy: Cedric Diggory. You turned around for a brief second to look at Ginny and Hermione, who you could already see were starting to get a little face-heated from just looking at the boy, you didn’t blame them, every girl at school had a crush on him, and you weren’t the exception, you just were more discrete when it came to showing an opinion, plus you hadn’t been officially introduced to him, sure, you had played against him, but you had never crossed a word, so you felt that showing even the slightest hint of heart eyes for him was inappropriate, plus, now you had come to terms that you liked Fred more than just a friend, right?

He quickly noticed that you were all standing there looking at him so he came up to say hi.

“(Y/N), this is Hufflepuff’s team captain: Cedric Diggory; Cedric, this is (y/N) Lafington, Slytherin’s newest chaser” George introduced you after greeting him.

“Yes, I know exactly who she is” Cedric shook your hand firmly while he answered to George. Fred was silent. “You were the talk of all teams last year, how come no one had noticed you before?”

-Well, I noticed her since our first week at school, thank you-Fred thought to himself.

“I just…” You smiled at Diggory while shrugging your shoulders “I guess I wasn’t that interested in sports before, I’m more of a library mouse, actually”

“Oh, okay, so you’re smart, too. I get it. I like that” Oh Merlin, you liked Fred, but so did you liked having the most eligible man at school looking at you in the way he was.

George was having a blast mentally, he knew Fred was bloody pissed, but he thought that this was for his own good, Fred had to realize that you wouldn’t wait for him forever, so mayyyybe George actually had encouraged Diggory to hit on you. He felt like he was doing his best work as a best friend and as a brother.

During the rest of the walk, Cedric joined you and the twins, you all chatted a bit about school, and when you arrived at the game you went to the girl’s tent. Hermione and Ginny were craving details about Diggory, but you really didn’t have much to give them. Later, when you went looking for the twins, you didn’t find them, Cedric found you, though. You decided to take a walk around with him, while you were talking you got to know him a little better, he was a good guy; you picked up that the flirty smiles and eyes between you two were just denial when he mentioned Cho Chang, Ravenclaw’s seeker. This boy didn’t want to admit that his playboy days were over, you thought that was funny. Yeah, you still had a crush on him, but you realized that it was a platonic thing, you liked Cedric, as a friend.

After placing a bet with Ludo Bagman, Fred had gone back looking for you, when he saw you laughing along with Diggory he felt his stomach shrink and the bile rising through his chest to his throat, maybe Angelina was right, maybe you knew that he liked you but you just chose to ignore him, but he also George’s voice came to his head in your defense, how could you even begin to imagine what he felt for you when he could barely look you in the eye? Those beautiful (y/e/c) eyes. He took a deep breath and approached you, telling you that it was time to go to your seats, you said goodbye to Cedric and followed Fred.

“So…” You started while trying to keep with him “I was hoping that you could tell me a little bit about the teams that will be playing tonight…”

“Didn’t Diggory tell you any of that? Or was he just trying to get in your pants?” You stood completely frozen at what he had just said, Fred had never said anything mean to you, in fact, he’d go after anyone who mistreated you.

“Excuse me?” Was the one thing that you managed to express. Fred turned back to look at you and he crumbled a little on the inside when he saw the hurt in your eyes, the shock, he thought how cute you looked with your eyebrows furrowed like that, but he quickly realized that he had fucked up.

“Oh… I-…” He didn’t know how to apologize; he wasn’t used to get carried away by his emotions in that way. You didn’t say anything, you stood there maintaining eye contact, you were waiting for a proper apology. “Look, I’m sorry, that came out in a completely wrong way” He waited for a response but you gave him nothing “Fine” he sighed and walked over closer to you “I’m sorry, I really am” Nothing. “Hey, Lafts, I’m now begging for your forgiveness” He used your nickname, which you felt relaxed your forehead. “Pleeeaaaase…” In that moment you felt him taking your hand and putting to his mouth to kiss it while giving you puppy eyes.

“Okay, I accept your apology” You said with a small smile in return, and taking your hand away from his. “But what in hell has gotten into you?” You asked as you started walking again.

“I just don’t like that he thinks that he can have you that easily, I don’t want you to get hurt by one of the most famous playboys at school. That’s it” Fred knew that he had to be cautious about what he said, he didn’t want to sound like a complete lunatic, but he also didn’t want to confess his feelings for you in the middle of the scenario that you were standing right now in.

You also didn’t want to keep going with this fight, so you accepted his excuse and kept going, even though on the inside you were still upset about him talking to you that way. When you arrived at your seats you placed yourself between Ginny and George, avoiding Fred. George resumed the season to you before the game started, you saw Draco and his dad, who offered you joining them in the box, but you refused politely with a simple “Thank you Mr. Malfoy, but I’ll stay with my friends for this once” which made everyone look at you with inquire, you explained that Lucius Malfoy was one of your father’s oldest business partners, so it was better to keep things light with him, Draco was different story; that last part relaxed the tension and made everyone laughed.

During the game you could occasionally feel Fred’s gaze on you, you’d sometimes look back, letting him know that you weren’t angry, but still you didn’t want to engage a conversation with him yet.

You had a good time, even though you still liked playing better than just watching, the twins and Ginny were really happy that Ireland had won. After you exited the stadium Arthur told everyone that you’d have dinner an hour later, so you returned calmly to the tents, while you were walking you started hearing people screaming and some even running, you looked at the twins but they were just as confused as you.

“Spread!” Arthur yelled at you “Spread! Hide! Fred, George, watch your sister” at a not so long distance you could see people with some weird masks marching forward and destroying the tents around, then it hit you.

“Death Eathers” you barely mumbled. You turned to see Harry, Ron and Hermione already running “Go” you said firmly now to the twins, you pushed them and Ginny in the opposite direction where the Death Eaters came. “Go. They won’t hurt me. At least I think so, go, hide, protect Ginny” George nodded and took Ginny by the hand, the started walking.

“Oi!” Fred called them, but they didn’t listen, he turned to you, and grabbed you by the arm “I’m not leaving you here, let’s go”

“No, Fred. You’re a blood traitor” you got rid of his grip

“So are you!”

“Yes, but my family never talks about this publicly, no one knows. I won’t put them at risk” You knew that the words were hurting him, but he knew that it was truth, your parents’ business depended on them remaining neutral, no one really knew about your family’s blood status views unless they were close to you. “Look, Fred” You could hear the chaos closer and closer “You know I love you guys, and you know I value your friendship, but right now I really need you to go and look for George and Ginny, I can take care of myself” Just like he did with you a few hours earlier, you could see the hurt in his eyes, you knew your mother liked him from the letters, but you couldn’t bare the idea of putting her in danger for a simple crush. “I promise I’ll look for you guys when this is over, I’ll go help your dad” You kissed his hand and pushed him away “GO!”

You barely could see him running away because you turned around and started casting transfiguration spells on yourself, if you were getting into this fight, you’d make sure that no one behind those masks could recognize you.

When the dark mark was casted onto the sky, the Death Eaters started vanishing, everyone remained shook, when you made sure that none remained there, you started waking back to the party’s tent, there you returned your appearance back to normal, when you came out you saw Arthur returning, he recognized the clothes you were wearing and hugged you. “Thank you” he said as soon as you broke apart, you put your hand on top of his on your shoulder “No problem, Mr. Weasley. I just wish I could have done it without wasting time putting a costume on”

“You helped innocent people, and that should be enough” He gave you and honest smile and went inside the tent. Later when everyone had returned, you all returned to The Burrow, where you all were warmly welcomed by a worried Molly Weasley, who had heard everything from the news.

“Oh, dear, I assume your parents must be worried about you, you should write to them” She said to you as soon as she had the chance, and you agreed, so you thought that the best was to return home the next day.

…

Your parents weren’t that worried about you, actually, they knew that you were a fighter, but they did look worried about how thing would start changing from here on in, you told them that you made yourself unrecognizable when the Death Eaters showed up, which your father thanked you.

Over the next few weeks you wrote to the twins and your other friends, you even exchanged letters with Cedric Diggory (to whom George had felt the freedom to give your address) You just wanted to go back to Hogwarts and get away from all of the political problems going on, you wanted to go back to normal, where you could actually be you and give zero shits about blood status, you couldn’t wait enough for your 17th birthday, the day your freedom would came; if you were seventeen your parents would get excluded from all of your personal decisions. But for now, you could just keep on dreaming.

During the first week of class of your sixth year, you looked for the twins, they greeted you with the warmest of hugs, especially Fred (which surprised you) and you offered them an apology for bringing up the blood thing the day of the game, they were really understanding.

“Don’t worry, dad was amazed at how feisty you turned out to be, he didn’t see it coming, he snitched on you with us” George words made you giggle “Changing your looks to kick ass? That’s clever”

“Yeah, maybe you could help us perfect those spells so Snape and Filch can’t know who came for them” Fred added with a wink.

That same week you learned that this year you wouldn’t have quidditch because Hogwarts would be hosting the Triwizard Tournament, those were terrible news for you, but still, you felt excited about having exchange students over, and the twins had the idea that you could still play quidditch on your free time during the weekends, it wouldn’t be the same, but you were okay with it.

Fred wouldn’t admit it, but he really wanted you to accept the idea of weekend quidditch, because that was the first step on his plan to conquer you. When he heard his dad speaking so highly of you, he was certain that he was totally in love with you, the fear of losing you that he felt the day before, the way he reacted when he saw that Cedric could make you laugh too; the way his tummy felt when you kissed his hand, the way he suffered every minute while he hid knowing nothing of you and dreading the worst, he scolded himself mentally for letting you go, he should’ve gone with you, he shouldn’t have left you alone in a situation like that; All of that made  sudden sense to him while his father kept telling the story, he didn’t just have a crush on you, he wasn´t just curious, he was head over heels in love with you. So he asked for Charlie’s advice, and he designed a plan to ask you out  s u a v e m e n t e, the original plan involved hanging out after quidditch practice, so when quidditch got cancelled he had to improvise. He also had an advantage this year, you guys shared Potions class, which Fred knew was one of your favorites, so he would be able to talk to you during class because of Snape’s favoritisms towards Slytherins.

The weeks passed and you started noticing how George would always disappear when the tree of you were supposed to hang out, leaving you alone with Fred, you didn’t mind, you loved the way his red hair would look at night with the dim lights of the castle at night, and he loved the way your eyes lit up when you looked at the stars. Truth is that you two were getting closer, closer than friends, none of you said a thing about it, but you both could feel the connection growing. When the Yule Ball was announced you were sure that Fred would ask you to be his date, so you and Abby went dress shopping, she really didn’t like the idea of you getting with a Gryffindor, much less a Weasley, but she was happy that you had someone just like she had her Durmstrang student.

When you got to the shop Hogsmead and started looking at the fabrics, you noticed that other girls were already there, between them you could notice the girls of Gryffindor’s quidditch team, you paid no mind to them nor to their whispers and dirty looks. Abby went away for a moment to try on a dress that she liked, when she came back she had an annoyed look on her face.

“You didn’t like it?” You thought it was the dress “You know that’s just the sample one, they can make it for you in a different color”

“It’s not that” she said, putting the dress back “I liked the dress”

“Then why the face?”

“Look” she started “I know that you like the Weasley boy, much to the house’s dismay, and I’m trying (y/n), I’m really trying to keep my nose out of this because I like seeing you happy” she paused for a second before going, you could see that her mind was working trying to say something.

“Abby, it’s okay, I can take it” What could it be? Had he gotten in a fight with Adrian again?

“When I was in the changing room I could hear Angelina Jhonson talking about how excited she was to be attending the ball with Frederick”

“Well, that’s a shame for her, he’s going to ask me”

“That’s the thing Lafts, he asked her already, not you, her.” You could see that Abby was trying to hold it together, she was quite protective of you, but you did recognize that she was trying to not hate Fred. “I know it sounds terrible and I don’t know, maybe those twits are tryin’ to play mind games on us, but you should definitely check that out; I don’t want this night that we’ll probably remember forever to be ruined for you by some stupid scumsucker”

You were speechless, you didn’t know what to say, you were certain that Abigail wasn’t fond of the twins, but you also knew that she just wouldn’t lie about it, so when she had her order on her dress made, you two returned to the castle.

That night at dinner you had a hard time spotting Fred at the Great Hall, you also had a hard time spotting him anywhere in the castle, when you went to George for answers he responded with a simple “Love you both, I’ve done plenty trying to help Fred. I’m not getting in the middle of this mess” And walked away, which left you feeling even more confused and angry than before, why were they shutting you down? You wrote to your mom to know if anything big had happened outside the school, but she said nothing had really came up. You were left with nothing, the next few days George made sure to let you know that he was still there for you, but he drew the line when it came to talking about Fred. Something inside of you said “See? You were right, Fred didn’t really like you, it was all in your head; if not, then how come only George is here now?” And you didn’t want to give this voice the reason, but it was the only thing in your mind. 

The days passed and the ball came, you ended up attending it with Adrian, after all, you and him were really good friends. You were having a great time with your friends, you even danced a piece with Cedric, then George came to you, too. Fred remained far away, you could see him on the dance floor with Angelina, as Abby said; you felt your heart break a little more every time you looked at him, you were angry at him, but you were also angry at yourself, how could you had let yourself think for a minute that someone like him could fall in love with you? You were opposites, and everyone knew it, and everyone made sure you were reminded of it at all times. A slow song came on and Adrian said to you that he would try to dance with some girl from Beauxbatons, so you went to sit down for a bit. You watched all the couples dancing with a bit of longing, you saw that Ginny was there with a boy and you felt your heart melt for a moment, not everyone was having a rough night.

“Not having fun?” You heard George’s voice behind you.

“Eh” you shrugged your shoulders “I’ve been better” you turned your head to look at him.

“Well” He hunched over to be at your level “I see Pucey dancing with someone and my date blew me off too, wanna go wreck someone’s make out session?” That last part with wiggling eyebrows. He made you chuckle.

“Fine” You said rolling your eyes. You took your clutch and followed him through the hallways, you walked quietly, trying to spot any couple to scare. Suddenly George came to a stop in front of a door. You looked at him with questioning eyes, he nodded, letting you know that there was someone in there.

“You go first” He whispered. You smiled, excited. You got your wand ready. When George opened the door, you pointed your wand but before you could say anything you were surprised by Fred Weasley standing in front of you. Well, he was actually pacing, but still, he was in front of you. You turned to George.

“I thought you said t-“

“I know what I said” He cut you off. “But I’m doing this for you, not for him” He looked at both of you before closing the door and leaving you there.

You stood there in silence for a couple of minutes, you didn’t even want to look at him, you were hurt.

“So, I saw you dancing with Diggory…”Fred finally broke the silence.

“Really? Are you seriously bringing that up?” You decided to look at him and when your eyes met you felt the world freeze. You stared at each other. Fred had been watching you from afar, too. But now that he had you close, he was taken out of breath of how good you looked. The way your dress made your skin pop, the way your eyes were glowing thanks to the make-up, he could also see the lip gloss that you had been reapplying all night.

“Fred?” Your voice brought him back from his mind. “You know what? I don’t even know why I decided to stay, I should’ve left with George” You headed for the door but he quickly got up and stood before you.

“No. You know why” You got chills, you didn’t know if they came from the cold of the classroom you where standing in or from the look in his eyes. He took off his jacket and tried to covered you with it.

“No” You said stepping back and putting your hand in front of you. “You don’t get to play prince charming with me, not after you ignored me for a month… Why did you do it..?”

Fred didn’t know what to say, he knew that the moment to confess his feelings to you had arrived, but he felt too dumb to say something.

“You know Fred? If you didn’t like me you could’ve just been straight forward about it.” You started talking trying to keep your voice neutral. “You didn’t have to pretend to be my friend all these years, the worst part of it is that these last few months I felt like something beyond a friendship was growing between us” That was it, you gulped, your voice broke “You didn’t have to make me fall in love with you and then break my heart” Fred rose his head. You crossed your arms over your chest trying to keep all your feelings in.

“Wait a second, love, rewind a little bit there” He was in shock, he walked towards you. “You’re in love with me?” You could hear the surprise in his voice. Was he now laughing at you?

“You’re impossible, Weasley” You headed for the door again, but Fred grabbed your arm and pulled you to him. “Let m-“ You felt his lips crash on yours, shutting you up. You responded to his kiss, you could sense desperation in it.

“I’ve liked you since our first year” He said when you finally broke away “I’ve always felt keen on you. I love you. I shut you out because I was too scared of my own feelings, I’ve never felt this way for anyone else. I figured out that if I just cutyou off, all the feelings would go away, but they didn’t.” You looked at him mouth-opened, not knowing what to say, you both had been feeling this way but you were too scared to admit it.

“You’re an idiot” You finally managed to say. He kissed you again.

“Yes, I am, I am the biggest idiot ever” Kiss “but please say you won’t pay mind to the all the bloody talking and you’ll be my official girlfriend” He pecked you on the lips again.

“Yes, yes, okay” You laughed.

You stood there for a while, laughing at how obnoxious you both had been the last few years. You were in love with Fred, and Fred was in love with you. You weren’t waiting for you 17th birthday anymore, you were making up for all the lost time, everyone else could go to hell.

[marga-manso]

vvv random headcanons inspired by college and by something i'm writing:

everyone expects Nicolás to get really into stuff but Amelia is almost worse. they'll hyperfocus for hours and hours on end and tune out the rest of the world.

Nicolás fidgets A Lot. Amelia bites pens and gets ink on her face when they explode.

it's kinda scary watching them work together on something because at one point they'll talk to each other via one-word sentences that make no sense to anyone else, because nobody can follow their mental acrobatics.

the one thing Amelia can't do is type properly even though her parents actually paid for the lessons back in her time. she types with two and a half fingers and it's adorable.

Alonso is OBSESSED with stationery. best modern invention since motorcycles, if you ask him.

can and will use lots of highlighters at the same time and he's very, very specific about the colours and their meanings. honestly, his reports and notes are waaay neater and more organised than Amelia's.

Irene is in charge of sticking pics and post-its onto a wall and connecting stuff with strings. she lowkey goes completely feral over this.

"Irene, i love you but you are going bonkers"

"it makes sense, just follow the strings!!"

"there is no fucking way there are three Francos"

it does make some sense and now Alonso is on board of the conspiracy as well. Irene is v smug about this.

this is canon but i don't care: Diego doodles all over the fucking place and it's kind of weird discussing victims of the cuban war when the paper has a doodle of Marga's dog on the very top.

also, about Marga and Diego -they are Always touching. holding hands, linking their pinky fingers, somebody's hand on somebody's hair, knees touching, doesn't matter. Always. Touching.

Marga will plan their entire day and then cry when nobody follows the timetable -honestly, who thought it would be a good idea to try and tell Amelia and Nicolás how much time they should spend researching a topic?

also, she's the bridezilla of group reports and research. everybody would think that's Amelia but nope, she just gets comfy on her fave spot, grabs a book and a pen and turns into a silent goblin for hours. Marga is the one that gets really passive-aggressive about stuff.

Marga: my head hurts :(

Diego: today you have drunk one (1) glass of water and four coffees

Marga: shut up >:(

Diego isn't that better because he'll spend the entire day drinking cocacola.

he has been banned from drinking cocacola with caffeine.

Pacino spends the entire fucking day bullying people into drinking water and throwing water bottles around. has already threatened to waterboard Nicolás if he doesn't drink more water.

"Kinky" Nicolás answered just before Amelia smacked him upon the head with a folder.

does Nicolás have blue light glasses? he does now. he looks like a nerd when he wears them and i love him.

Pacino also makes food bc otherwise they will end up eating a MAcAitana for lunch.

boiled pasta has no secrets to him.

Marga and Diego have started to fake a horrendous Italian accent every time Pacino comes out of the kitchen holding a new pot of pasta. Pacino is this )( close to joining the bad guys just so he doesn't have to spend another second around those two.