#fond memories are such a blessing to have and to hold on to lmao

[adlibitur]

sometimes i have to stop myself from retelling other peoples funny stories because they live so fondly in my own memory

[ann-writes-universes]

Foxglove (Cassian x Reader) Pt. 1 SMUT

A/N: Consider Cassian territory, entered. ALSO: based before the archeron sisters bloodline is even in existence (99% sure of that at least lmao)

Warnings: SMUT (Like Im talking 2k worth of this is filth).

W/C: 5k!

There was not many activities in existence you enjoyed more than this. A peaceful afternoon, warm sunlight, and the solitude of a foxglove field that sat on the outskirts of Velaris. Pinks, purples, and soft blues patterned the field, its view a downward glance to the city you had called home your entire life. If you listened closely on a particularly clear day, music from the rainbow could be heard floating on the summer breeze. Today, thankfully, was one of those days. You were stretched on the grass, lazing away your only day off this week. The leathers you usually adorned had been swapped for a sundress the color of lamb’s ear leaves. 

Often, on days such as this you found yourself pondering a plethora of topics. The solitude of your little hide away dredged up memories long past. The wind would bring in the scent of jasmine, or a particularly fond lute note and your mind would wander away from the pages before you and into a far off place. 

Reflection of the past was such a beautiful thing. Though, truthfully, you supposed it was also completely unfair. Being able to reminisce on what once was, had the capabilities to bring back fond memories, beautiful pieces of time that hung fondly in your mind. Yet- it had the power to bring back those awful shards of time that left your chest cleaved and your breath coming in short spurts. 

“I figured you would be here.” Cassian spoke, his voice dragging you from a particularly fond recollection of a day spent on the shore with Amren and Mor. Standing over you, his stature cast a long shadow over your form. You smiled up at him, staring at him momentarily before closing your eyes once more. 

“I thought you had tomorrow off?” You replied, sighing contently as the male sat behind you and gently pulled your head to rest on his outstretched legs. He ran a hand through your unbound hair, studied the strands. 

“I did. Decided I would rather spend today with you than the troops.” 

You relaxed into his body, relishing in the warm sunlight that had returned to your skin. You were sure that if you were to open your eyes, you would find him smiling lazily, relaxing his weight on his arms and tilting his face into the sun. Cracking open an eye, you were pleased to find yourself right. 

This particular version of your mate was your favorite. The sight of his shoulders no longer tensed and the crease in his brow faded from view. His hair too, was unbound for once- and it shined a silky noir in the summer sun. Reaching backwards you urged him to hold your hand, a request he obliged with no qualms. 

“I can't say I have many complaints you took today off, I have missed you.” You muttered, closing your eye once more. He chuckled, a throaty sound that warmed your bones. 

“I saw you this morning.”

“I know.” You sat up to your knees then, the motion urging him to open his eyes and watch. A smirk curved over your lips and he watched as you turned your head to face the open expanse before you. From this position not only was Velaris visible, but where the Sidra opened up to the western sea was also in sight. 

“I often forget how lucky we are to live in a place so beautiful.” You mused aloud, still watching where the distant waves crashed onto the golden shore. What a blessing such a sight was. “I hope it stays like this forever.”

Cassian sighed behind you, and shifted to sit crossed legged. You turned your head to face him once more, and upon seeing the downtrodden look he sported your smile faded and brows creased. 

“About that.” 

“Dont tell me you took off today to give me bad news.” It was a hopeful statement, but pointless as he looked at you. The stark beauty of his honey gaze was haunted. 

“(y/n)...” He was searching for what to say. You could almost see the gears shifting in his brain.  This alone clued you in and you turned to face the shore and city below. The blow you knew was to come had your spine straightening and shoulders squaring. 

“This is about Hybern, isn't it?” 

“Rhysand says the war is coming. He’s made his final decision on where we stand.” 

“I hope he made the right one.” 

“We will fight alongside the humans.” 

You nodded. Leaning forward you plucked a light pink foxglove stem from the ground. Twirling it in your fingers you pondered the color, the shape, how it smelt, and the fragility of it in your palms. With a thought it was a puff of pretty pink dust floating away on an incoming breeze. 

“Good.” Was all you had to offer to his statement. He shifted, scooting impossibly close to cage you between his legs. Ever so gently he pulled you into his chest. Relaxing into the broad expanse of muscle you rested a hand on his arm draped across your chest.  

“A lot of lives are gonna be lost. Can you handle that?” He whispered, breath fanning your ear. You stared at his tattooed hand resting on your leg, mulled over his words. They were not patronizing, more laced with concern than anything. You had never seen violent death. Cassian and the rest had seen more of it than deemed normal by most, and despite the vigorous training you had gone through your entire life, you had never been exposed to the violence and terror that coursed through the Illyrian blood your mate had. 

“I have no choice.” You replied finally. He tilted his head down to gaze into your eyes. They were impossibly sad as they gazed at you. You knew he was terrified of you being exposed to the horror of war, a thought he had expressed to you when this problem had come to fruition. “Things need to change, and this is the only way.” 

He nodded at your words, turned his eyes towards the horizon. A deep sigh heaved in his chest and you bit down on your lip, following his eyes towards the sun settling in the afternoon sky. Rhysand would want to see you all soon, prepare you. Tonight’s dinner was surely to be patterned with conversation of strategy and battalions, but for now you settled further into Cassian’s embrace. If war was inevitable, you wished to stain this moment into your mind. Soon, the peaceful images of the sea and your beloved home would be tarnished by blood soaked battles and ice cold camps in the mountains. For now it was the sweet scent of the foxglove and the warm embrace of the soul you loved most. 

And for now, that would do. 

⥈

Dinner started out quietly, everyone in attendance too content in the silence to broach the subject. Even Cassian, who was usually chatty at this time of night was stark silent beside you as he ate a dinner of lamb and wine. 

From his spot at the head of the table, Rhysand looked impassive. Always the stoic one, he ate with a crease permanently enlaid in his brow. Azriel across from you wore a twin expression, and Amren was characteristically silent with an empty plate before her. Morrigan was seemingly the only one who looked happy with the quiet, filling her second glass of the half hour. 

“I’d like to start by saying that I love you all.” Rhysand spoke finally, bringing his hands up to clasp them before his face. Five sets of eyes turned to face him, and silverware was quietly set down. Beneath the table, Cassian found your hand and offered it a gentle squeeze. 

“You all know what the next few months will bring, and I just want you all to know that.” He made it a point to hold each gaze as his eyes traveled around the table. You offered him a smile, one he returned weakly before he was placing his napkin on the table and leaning backwards in his seat. 

“Its going to move quickly. Hybern has already begun to send troops across the sea.” Azriel chimed in, shadows licking the tips of his wings fervently as he revealed their information. 

“I have had spies in the courts for months. It seems as though Tamlin-” Everyone’s breath caught, and subtly you looked to Rhys who’s eyes had clouded and jaw tightened. “And Berron Vanserra will be his strongest allies.”

Everyone nodded with bated breaths. 

“I’ll have a camp set up with Illyrian troops in the Summer court.” Cassian spoke, voice strong as whiskey. Your hand tightened on his. Despite his heritage along with your friends’ the Illyrians had never failed to terrify you, though some part of you supposed they were terrified of you. 

“Tarquin has agreed to aid our forces, as has Helion.” Rhysand murmured, gaze still foggy from the mention of his ex-confidant. “His soldiers are strong, but his forces are new. As are the human’s.” 

“(y/n), are the Valkyries prepared?” Amren inquired, turning her gaze away from Rhysand to face you. Clearing your throat you took a deep sip of your wine, nodding. 

“There are young ones, even younger than me but Njeri is confident they will be useful.” Amren nodded at your words, mulled over the possibilities young fae presented. It struck you then- the youth at this table. Rhysand and the boys ranging from 28 to 24, and yourself and Mor only 22. Those you would go up against…Hybern was ancient, skilled. The panic that began to rise in your throat was dangerous, so much so that you sent your mind to a far away place. When your had loosened in Cassian’s grip and your breathing slowed he removed his grip, focused on the far away look in your eyes before they closed. 

“I hate when they do that…” He muttered, shuddering outwardly. Mor could not stifle the laugh that bubbled from her throat, a noise that had everyone smiling.

“I think its fascinating.” She quipped, studying your relaxed features. 

“You know I can still hear you?” You mused, blocking out any further responses until the ilk had released its hold on your chest and slunk back to the furthest recesses of your mind. Rolling your shoulders you relished in the pop of joints before opening your eyes to look at Rhysand. He was waiting patiently, knowing you had something on your mind. 

“When do we leave?” You asked the dreaded question, unsure if you really wanted the answer. Rhysand sighed and he too finished off his glass before replenishing it. Glancing between both Azriel and Cassian his gaze hardened and he turned it towards the grain of the wooden dining table. 

“Two days from now we will head to the Summer court. Tomorrow we head to the mountains with Cass to ensure his troops are ready. Amren will stay here to hold Velaris.” He had found a scratch in the table particularly interesting. Rubbing his finger over it he tapped the table a few times before looking up. “We will discuss further tomorrow. Until then, let us enjoy this together.” 

Everyone nodded tightly, continued in meaningless conversation while the impending war loomed over your heads. Tomorrow you would prepare the Valkyries with Njeri, see who was ready and who was not. Tomorrow you would ready yourself, say goodbye to your home, and make sure every inch of the River home was burned into your memory. 

For now you ate with your friends, laughed at Mor’s recollection of a particularly fond Winter’s night, and this would be enough. It had to be. 

Gazing at your friends you imprinted their smiles, memorized the sound of their laughter. You had never experienced war but knew that the young faces before you would harden, the laughs would quiet, and their smiles bright as the northern star would dull. You would go into this war young- soft. And those of you that returned would be hardened by horrors you did not wish to imagine. 

Tonight you would pray to the mother that you would all sit at this table again, smiles be damned. But for now, this would be enough. It had to be. 

⥈

“Can I join you?” Cassian questioned from behind the bathroom door. You sunk lower into the purple tinted bath water, the curve of your lips tilting upward with a smirk. 

“Always.” You breathed. He entered quickly, shutting the door behind him and securing it locked as though someone would dare enter your shared room in the first place. He stripped himself of his shirt quickly, and stared down at you. You quirked a brow as he swallowed thickly, feigned innocence as that amber gaze drug the length of your submerged form. 

“Are you going to stare, or get in? The water’ll get cold.” You chided, relaxing your head against the edge of the basin. He scoffed audibly and though your eyes were closed you sensed him moving about the room as he stripped bare. Playfully, he reached into the water to tap your sides and urge you forward. With a sigh of feigned annoyance you shifted enough for him to slide in behind you, his legs stretching impossibly long on either side of you. 

“I think after this is over we should make Rhysand get us a bigger bath.” Cassian grumbled, the vibrato of his voice vibrating against your back. You chuckled and leaned your head against his shoulder, staring up at his dark lashes. The soak of your hair wet his skin and had rivulets of water streaking down the dark ink that marked his skin. His wings were dropping over the edge of the bath, sweeping the marble floors beneath. 

“Good idea, babe.” 

He smiled proudly and brought his arms up to wrap around your bare chest. You grasped his forearms, settled against him comfortably. The male released a low groan and shifted uncomfortably, the cause of his sudden discomfort becoming increasingly aware against the small of your back. 

“Oh good gods, Cass.” You huffed, rolling your eyes in jest. 

“I'm sorry.” He feigned, “You keep moving.” 

“Oh whatever” You giggled, shifting to face him fully. Scooting to the opposite edge of the tub you ignored the whine he released in your absence, “Turn around.” You commanded, nodding towards him. Cocking his head he raised a brow in question. 

“You are not getting into our bed without being clean. Day off or not you smell like a horse.” 

He snorted a sarcastic, “Gee, Thanks.” But shifted nonetheless. Positions firmly swapped you lathered your hands with his sandalwood soap and got to work scrubbing the expanse of his back. 

“Not to dampen the mood, but, you'll have to get used to me smelling like a horse when we don't have the luxury to do this.” He tossed out over his shoulder, tilting his chin to glance at you from the corner of his eye. You smoothed your hands over his shoulders, rested them on the top of his chest. 

“You’re going to be clean, Hybern be damned.” You snorted, returning to scrubbing the day's grime from his body. The male only complained when you forced his head under to wash his silken locks, though his complaints were quieted with the fair view he had of your bare breasts. 

“Sit up.” 

“Oh, I'm quite content where I'm at.” He ogled, wiggling his brows playfully. You rolled your eyes, rinsing out the last of the suds in his hair before swiftly standing effectively sending his head that was precariously perched on your knees into the soapy water. You couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of your throat when he emerged sputtering, hair smattered across his face. 

“Cruel, wicked female.” He groveled, watching with peak interest as you sauntered into the bedroom, still sopping wet. 

He wasted no time in following, and found himself rock hard at the sight of you sprawled across the night dark bedspread. A gust of your magic and the open window was closed, effectively shutting out the noise of those still awake in the city beyond. Your head was propped in a hand, the free one tracing the golden threads of the blanket. 

“I suppose if there is no time for bathing in war, there will be no time for fucking?” The vulgarity of your words had his prick twitching against his stomach. Swallowing thickly he shook his head, a gentle ‘no’. You only nodded in reply and rolled onto your back, clasping your hands below your breasts. 

“Well then we better make use of what time we have left,” You turned your head towards him, noted the wetness gathering at his tip, “shouldn't we?” 

Cassian practically lept on top of you, caging you in muscle and wing. The membranous expanse shielded you from the room, the light still burning in the bathroom shining through the webbing. You had always found them so beautiful, flecked with a map of silver scars from stories long passed. Reaching upward you let a hand trail gently down the expanse, a motion that had Cassian shuddering and sucking in a deep breath. 

Resting his weight on an arm he reached upward and captured your chin in his grasp, pulling your gaze back towards his own. His hair, still wet from earlier, hung in soaked strands by his face, tickling the tips of your cheeks. 

“I’ve always thought you were the most beautiful thing I will ever see.” He whispered, gaze trailing from your eyes, to the pout of your lips, and the slope of where your throat met your collar. His hand followed his gaze, tracing, memorizing. 

Leaning down the male pressed a firm kiss into the junction of your throat, pressing downward to suck gently at the spot. The only sound you were capable of replying with was a breathy moan. Calloused fingers continued to travel over the planes of your body. They paused momentarily on the swell of your breast, held the weight in his palms before they continued their ghostly path downward. You were writhing beneath his touch. He smirked against your throat, lifted his hand away each time you pressed into it. It stilled on your hip and grasped it firmly when you released a wine and pressed your hips upward, rutting against his length. 

“If you don’t stop, this will be over a lot sooner than I want it to be.” He growled into your ear, nipping at the lobe before continuing his assault on your neck, moving to your chest only when he was satisfied that the blossoming purple would still mar your throat tomorrow. 

“If you dont touch me, it’ll stop right here.” You challenged, glancing downward at him through your lashes. He smirked, challenge accepted. 

“You want me to touch you?” He questioned, voice tinged with a playful mocking. You nodded fervently, keenly aware that he had released your hip and was hovering over where you needed him most. 

“Alright.” 

His hands were back on either side of your head. Releasing a pitiful groan you frowned at him. The general only winked before continuing his path downward with his lips. Your legs were shifting beneath him so much that he wedged his body firmly between them, not uttering a complaint when they wrapped around his waist. The further down he slipped the higher your legs slid upward until they were caging his head between your thighs. His body had slid off the bed, and he had drug you forward. Sitting on his knees the male was eye level with your dripping sex. If you could paint at all you would have this view hanging above the mantle in your room. 

“If only your soldiers could see you like this.” You hummed, sitting up on your elbows. “The mighty Cassian, on his knees for a fe-” Anything else that was meant to be said was silenced as he descended and licked a firm stripe up the center of your cunt. The noise you emitted was a mixture of a laugh at his timing and an absolutely vile moan. You felt him smirk against you, and his fingers dug impossibly deep into your hips to stifle your writhing body. 

“Holy fuck.” You whispered breathlessly, snaking your hands down to tangle in his hair as he began to suck and lick relentlessly. Your thighs pressed him downward, urging him onward. Cassian moaned into you, the grip you had on his scalp encouraging his motions. Completely void of motor function your left leg loosened, sliding down his back and caressing his wing. The touch had the male growling. No longer was the general focused on soft love, he was going to fuck you into the mattress until the sun came up and they drug you away from him. This much became clear when he locked eyes with you through the curtain of his hair. The determined set of his brow as he devoured you was nothing short of pure sin.

He was anything but gentle as he shoved two fingers into you without warning, the stretch had your eyes rolling into the back of your head and your body collapsing to the bed. He chuckled inwardly and began to pump the digits with impossible quickness. If Cassian knew anything at all, it was how to make you scream, and that you were.  If he cared at all for the others sleeping in the house, he would have reached a hand up to silence your cries. But as he watched you unravel before him he couldn't have given less of a damn if everyone in Velaris heard you. 

Between his fingers and tongue it didn't take long before your orgasm was ripping through you violently. He worked you through the shudders, still pumping his fingers slowly as he trailed back up your body, sucking and licking as he went.

When he was level once more with your eyes, your gaze was hooded. Your arms were splayed above you, hanging off the edge of the bed from where he had pushed your body back onto it. He was straddling your left leg, shoving his knee firmly between your legs to keep them from closing. 

“Youre so pretty.” He murmured, trailing a hand down your throat as he watched you. His upper lip was slick with your wetness and as you brought his face to yours the taste of yourself on his lips spurred you onward. It didn't take much for you to push him onto his back, and he didn't complain when you lowered to straddle his waist. He moaned through gritted teeth as you rubbed your sex along the length of him. His hands raised to grip your hips with a bruising pressure once more. 

There was nothing more bewitching than to watch Cassian’s face as you sank onto him, settling the entirety of him inside of you. His lids fell closed and his lips parted in a guttural moan, brows creasing impossibly close. It was empowering, knowing you were the only thing in all of Prythian that could have him this intimately. That though alone had you rolling your hips against his, setting a slow pace. It wasn't often he let you take control, and you were basking in the rush it sent through you. With shaking arms he pushed upward, sitting fully so he could be eye to eye with you as you rode him. 

You could have sworn he was drooling as he watched your breasts move with the reverberations of your motions. 

“Beautiful…” He trailed off, raising a hand to cup your jaw and drag you to his lips. You met them with a bruising force, tongues clashing with teeth and skin. It was sloppy, but the love was there. Bright as the sun and powerful as the ocean against the shore the love you shared shone down the bond, pulling it taut. 

With skilled precision he had you pressed face down on the mattress within seconds, pulling out only momentarily to drag your hips upward before he was slamming back into you once more. He set a punishing pace, the room filling with the vile sounds of slapping skin and blissful moans. He had a hand pressed into the back of your skull, tangling in your hair tightly. Groaning at the pull you gripped the bedspread, clinging to it for dear life as he hunched over you, taking the skin of your shoulder between his teeth. His weight was pressing you forward, and the hand tangled in your locks dropped down to keep your head from slamming into the thick oak headboard. 

Neither of you could help but chuckle at the fleshy thump of his hand colliding with the wood instead of your forehead. 

“Whoops.” He breathed, slowing momentarily to drag you away from impending brain damage. Gently he gripped you beneath the arms, drug you upward against his chest he rested his head on your shoulder, picked the pace back up. Your neck fell impossibly limp, head falling backwards into his chest as he angled his hips and plunged deeper. 

He was growing sloppy, chasing his release as he watched you begin to crumble. In a matter of seconds his hand was on your clit, pressing swift circles into it. He watched with dark satisfaction as your mouth opened in a silent scream and you broke beneath his ministrations. The sight of you fucked out in his arms made it impossible for him to last much longer and with an animalistic groan the general was emptying his seed inside of you, lowering your body back to the bed as he filled you. 

It took everything in him not to smirk devilishly at the sight of you sprawled below him as he pulled out of you, dragging some of his seed with him. You were panting, fingers flexing against the sheets as you tried to gather yourself to no avail. 

“If only the Valkyries could see you now.” He jested, mocking your earlier triumph as he pulled you into him beneath the blankets. He cocooned your body with his own, wrapping his limbs around you until the two of you were effectively tangled. You were content, unsure of where he ended and you began. 

“You're an ass.” You mumbled into his chest, flicking his side for added measure. He shrugged and hummed into your hair, trying his best to detangle the still wet strands with his fingers. 

“An ass that made sure you aided all of Prythian in knowing my name.” 

“Cass?”

“Hmm?”

“Shut the hell up.” Despite the playful grit in your tone your cheeks were beet red. You didnt want to ponder too long on the things your friends would say in the morning. You made a mental note to personally apologize to all of them. Based on the smug look your mate wore, you were positive he would greet their complaints with not a singular fuck to give. 

~

The next morning was somber. 

To your pitiful glee, no one mentioned the night before. Though Az was sporting dark under eyes and tinged cheeks when you entered the kitchen for breakfast. You offered him a smile but the shadowsinger looked away quickly, clearing his throat before he was turning away to wash out his glass in the sink. 

As of now it was just yourself, Azriel, and Cassian milling about the kitchen. Though you were moving through the motions of your daily routine, there was ilk hanging in the air. Leathers were donned by all three of you which was not unusual, though the arming to the teeth was. Azriel’s shadows flicked about his ankles anxiously, and Cassian was uncharacteristically quiet as he ate. 

There was a collective decision between the three of you not to bring it up until Rhysand made his way downstairs, and when the heavy thud of his boots hit the first step downward you could not suppress the shudder that overtook you. He stood in the threshold of the kitchen, watching as your trio ate in silence. When it became apparent that you were all caught up in muddling thoughts he cleared his throat. When three sets of eyes were effectively on him he smiled tightly and bowed his head in greeting. 

“We’ll go to the Steppes first. (Y/n) I need you to get into contact with Nadja. You will travel to the summer court with the Valkyries.” You nodded tightly, glancing at Cassian whose jaw was tight. “Mor is with Nadja already, she’ll travel with you.”

With soft eyes you returned your gaze to Rhysand, “We’ll leave today then. We’ll be slower on horseback than flying. It’ll take at least three days.” 

“You're Not traveling on horseback. I have arranged for a ship to take you in order to avoid crossing any borders.” Rhys spoke, shoving his hands into his pockets, “I won't risk that until I know where everyone stands with us.” 

Though the silence was deafening you nodded once more and rolled your shoulders back. Glancing between your friends you pressed this moment into your memories. The four of you standing in that kitchen, cramped with their wings and the building anxiety. The way Rhysand’s violet eyes dulled, the soft red glow of Cassian’s siphons, and the dark curl of Az’s shadows over his wings. 

It would be a while before the four of you were together here again. You wished this wasnt something you feared would never occur again, the four of you together, doing something so simple as eating breakfast. But it was, and you were terrified.

But for now the feeling of safeness with the brothers would be enough, it had to be enough. 

Steeling your nerves, you readied yourself for war.

TAGS:

@brekkershadowsinger @piceous21 @younxii @momlo @morelovemorepeacemoretattoo-blog @highladyofillyria @crimsonandwhiteprincess @purplevitagen @isthataknuck @emptyporsche

[ymiwritesstuff]

Tenderly Perfect

Well, here it is, a Zhongli fic as I promised. I swear this man is doing things to me I can’t lmao. Also I’m not THAT deep in the lore so apologies if some things are incorrect. Anyway hope you enjoy, just some simple fluff with not much plot hehe.

Genshin Impact

Zhongli x Fem!Reader

Summary: Zhongli insists on taking you outside the city for a moment of good food, company and hair brushing.

Notes: SPOILERS FOR THE ARCHON QUESTS!, Fluff

Climbing to the highest point of Mt. Tianheng was the last thing you were expecting that day, though you should have expected as much. You have known him so long, of course he would be the one to suggest something like this. After hearing that you had never been on top of the impressive mountains just outside of the city, he was almost shocked and insisted on spending a day there, enjoying an all too lavish meal from Wanmin restaurant.

Zhongli held your hand throughout the trip, despite it not being entirely necessary, though he did save your face from hitting the ground a few times as the terrain proved to be rather unforgiving with its uneven areas and tiny pits. Being the perfect gentleman he was, he was more than happy to carry everything you brought with you on your little trip in his other hand while never letting go of yours. The action warmed your heart.

“We’ll reach our destination shortly.” He turned to you, a warm smile on his face. “The view up here is among the finest in all of Liyue.”

The way his deep voice spoke softly tingled your insides pleasantly, his hand gently holding yours as you ascended a set of stone stairs. You couldn’t help but mirror his smile, appreciating his efforts of showing you his favorite places in hopes that you would enjoy them as well. With him though, everything was enjoyable. Perhaps it was his divine presence that seemed to make every location that much better.

“I can’t wait.”

Despite learning of his true identity only recently, you had always had this underlying feeling that there was something peculiar about him. The way he spoke of Liyue’s traditions and history as if he had been present in those influential moments, was something you thought about a lot, yet it still surprised you when the truth was revealed.

Zhongli was somewhat uncertain of your reaction initially but was washed with relief when you expressed no hysterical shock or possible hostility. Since then, he has been enjoying his retirement with you with much jubilance.

You knew the journey had come to an end when Zhongli let go of your hand, allowing you to take in the breathtaking view on top of the mountain. Your (E/C) sparkled in awe as they looked around. The entirety of Liyue was visible, the whole city looking so incredibly tiny from so high up. The gentle breeze that hugged your form and swayed your hair was warm and welcoming, and you finally realized why the Lord of Geo wanted you to witness this with your own eyes.

“Zhongli this... This is…” You couldn’t find the right words because nothing would do the stunning view that bathed under the afternoon sun any justice. So you opted to just turn to him, immediately noticing his gentle smile that always made your heart swoon.

“I am glad you like the sight.”

You walked up to him and placed a kiss on his lips, being mindful of the bag he was carrying. After pulling away you glued your eyes on his resplendent golden ones, staring at him in admiration.

“It’s perfect.”

His other hand rested on your waist as you pressed your foreheads together, enjoying the feeling of having each other so close. At times like these, you couldn’t help but wonder what had you done to be blessed with someone like him. One would think that after becoming aware of his true identity as Rex Lapis, you would treat him as such. However, the person before you was Zhongli, just Zhongli, the man whom you had met while wandering aimlessly around Liyue, surrounded by unfamiliarity.

“Shall we begin?” you heard him ask, lightly lifting the bag that held the food you hadn’t even realized you had been craving. The quality of Wanmin restaurant didn’t disappoint, though you wondered if Zhongli had remembered to bring Mora with him when making his order. Though, knowing him, he most likely found another way to pay for the meals as he always did.

“Certainly.”

You helped him place a large blanket on the grass, allowing for a more comfortable experience, before placing the food that was still somehow warm on top of it, your eyes admiring the meals prepared by the famous restaurant. As you examined the sight before you, you noticed something and decided to open your mouth.

“No seafood?”

Your words were meant as a mere joke, as you were more than aware that the Geo Archon absolutely despised having anything from the sea on his plate. Still, to your surprise, he merely looked at you, slightly tilting his head to the side.

“Would you have preferred that? If you’d like it is in no way an issue for me to go back and-”

You cut him off with a giggle, finding his desire to make you happy above all else adorable.

“No, no. There’s no need. This is perfect.” You threw him a smile which he happily returned.

Once all the food had been laid out, you immediately went to dig in, enjoying the delicate flavors of the jade parcels and the juiciness of the meat rolls. With each bite you hummed in satisfaction, all the while enjoying the surrounding nature and the wonderful company.

In the midst of the dining and chatting with the gentleman responsible for this lovely picnic, the surrounding wind seemed to get stronger, as if the playful Anemo Archon himself was messing with it. You only noticed the change in the weather when the wind decided to latch itself onto your hair, causing it to fly everywhere before settling right on your face.

You heard Zhongli let out a chuckle of amusement as you moved your hair away from your eyes, looking at him with slight embarrassment in your gaze. With a soft sigh, you reached for your own bag and took out a hairbrush that you had fortunately taken with you.

“Didn’t think I’d need to use this here,” you laughed softly tracing the designs carved into the handle. It was an old brush but did its job wonderfully.

Just as you were about to start brushing your hair that had become full of knots in a matter of seconds, you felt Zhongli place his hand on top of the one that held the brush. You looked up at him questioningly. 

“May I?”

His voice was gentle as if he was asking with the utmost carefulness. You didn’t understand why though, you were more than happy to accept his offer.

“Of course.”

You gave him the hairbrush and turned your back to him, leaving your messy hair to be dealt with by the Geo Archon. Before he would start running the bristles through your locks, however, he had to inspect the brush closer. His golden eyes looked at the carvings, his mind traveling through Liyue’s long history.

“I recall a time when these handmade hairbrushes first arrived in Liyue. Traveling merchants would sell these at the harbor for a large sum of Mora,” he stated and you listened, always ready to hear his many stories and memories from a time unknown to you. “Only a few made their way to civilians’ hands, and fewer remain today.”

“Guess I’m pretty lucky then, huh?” A smile stretched his lips at your words.

“Indeed you are, my love.”

Zhongli ran his covered fingers over the carvings on the back of the brush reminiscing for a moment as he often did, especially now that he had abandoned his position as Morax. He removed his gloves and placed them beside him on the blanket before finally moving his attention to your (H/C) hair.

“Despite its age, this brush has stood the test of time rather beautifully.”

You felt the brush run through your locks, closing your eyes and enjoying the feeling.

“You mean just like you?” You joked, which earned you a chuckle from the male as he occasionally ran his bare hand through your hair.

Zhongli loved your hair, how soft it felt between his fingers, how it often swayed in the wind, how perfectly it shone. It framed your face perfectly and only enhanced your appearance he was so fond of. It was as if it was touched by a divine being.

He took his time with brushing it, making sure to unravel every knot carefully as he did not want you to feel even the slightest bit of discomfort. Even if you did, though, you wouldn’t mind. The fact that he was willing to brush your hair for you in the first place was good enough and filled you with happiness in its purest form.

His golden eyes, filled with a fondness for your entire being watched as your hair regained its previous state, and even when there were no visible knots, he continued to run his hand through the strands, enjoying the softness that he had restored.

“Beautiful,” he whispered as you felt his hand move to your cheek. He turned you to face him, his touch so gentle one would think it impossible that they were used to make spears out of stone to slay an ancient god. His words, no matter how many times he said them, always made a shade of crimson dust your cheeks.

Zhongli reached for something in the bag that once held all the food items, retrieving a single Glaze Lily, fully in bloom. Your eyes glued themselves on it, staring at the stunning flora in awe.

“I picked this before our departure,” he said as if answering a question you hadn’t stated out loud. “My intention was to merely give this to you, but…”

With gentle movements, Zhongli placed the lily behind your ear, moving a tiny bit of your freshly brushed hair to the side. You watched him, drowning in his loving gaze.

“This just might be the most efficient way of doing so.”

He kept a hand on your cheek and you placed yours on top of it, wanting to enjoy the feeling of his bare hand on your skin. You smiled once more, his words sticking to you. He made you feel so happy, so appreciated, so loved. No words came out of your mouth as you slowly closed the gap between you.

Zhongli returned the kiss, keeping his hand on your cheek while the tips of his fingers grazed the tiniest part of your perfect (H/C) hair that he adored.

[revasnaslan]

thane/irikah, sharing a dessert or one falling asleep with their head in the other's lap? your choice lmao

Sunlit Days | Ao3

The sun was a rare sight on Kahje. Once or twice a year, it would manage to make an appearance, but most of the time, the planet was shrouded beneath such heavy cloud cover that it felt like they were trapped in a perpetual night. While drell couldn’t thrive in such conditions, they made due.

Irikah was going to enjoy the sun for what little time she had with it. After all, tomorrow it would be gone again and they would have nothing but the memory of its warmth to tide them over until the next time the sun decided to show itself again. As Irikah made her way down the street, she leaned her head back and allowed the sunlight to wash over her deep blue-and-black scales. A contented smile played on her lips as she took the final turn and the house came into view at the very end of the street.

While Thane hadn’t mentioned taking Kolyat out for the day, that didn’t mean they had stayed home. Today was too beautiful to waste being cooped up inside, after all. Irikah had found herself feeling restless all throughout her shift, while sunlight shone in through the windows. More than once, she had found herself drawn away from her tests so she could let the sunlight fall across her face. She hadn’t even stayed late, knowing that the sun had began its descent in the sky.

“I’m home!” Irikah called as she entered the house, setting her bag down beside the shoes that were haphazardly piled next to the door. As she began shrugging off her coat, she peered through the doorway into the kitchen, expecting her son to come running as soon as he heard her voice. Kolyat was five now, steadily growing more independent, but he was always happy to see her when she got home in the afternoons.

Neither he nor Thane appeared, however. Frowning, Irikah finished shrugging off her coat and hung it beside the door before stepping through into the kitchen. There were a couple of dirty dishes in the sink, and the datapad Kolyat had gotten for his birthday—strictly for games that were supposed to help young drell develop cognition and memory retention—sat abandoned on the counter, still powered on. Irikah shut it off and set it to the side.

It looked like a bomb had gone off in the living room. Half-finished drawings were scattered across the floor and the low table at the center of the room—mostly Kolyat’s work from what Irikah could tell, although she also saw one or two that looked like they might have been done by Thane. He often mixed up red and black, where Kolyat did not, and it was noticeable in their work. As she began tidying up, avoiding stray crayons underfoot, she found herself wondering if they had gotten distracted by the rare sight of the sun, as she had at work. She certainly couldn’t fault them for it, if that was the case.

She carefully set the collected drawings in a neat pile and then glanced around again, for any sign of where they might have gone. Their coats and shoes were still by the front door, and Thane hadn’t left a note in a place she’d immediately have noticed. It was only when a light breeze ran across her frill, and she heard their voices faintly in the distance, that she noticed the door to the backyard had been left ajar. They must not have heard her come home, too caught up in what they were doing out there.

When she eased the door all the way open, she had every intention of immediately announcing her presence, but her voice left her when she noticed what they were doing. Thane had already dressed down for the evening, wearing what he often did when running through his daily meditations and exercises, and Kolyat was dressed similarly. The dark fabric was interwoven with thermal weave that helped maintain one’s body temperature, which was a finicky enough prospect when a drell was sitting still.

Thane was in pose, balancing his foot against his calf, just below the knee. At times, it was easy to mistake him for a statue—his balance never wavered—but right now, he was watching Kolyat attentively as Kolyat attempted to mimic him. And Kolyat—Arashu bless him—wasn’t nearly coordinated enough to do even that without wobbling.

“Your foot is too high,” Thane said patiently. “If you lower it, that will help.”

Kolyat pouted, but did as he was told. While he did still sway just a bit, there was a sharp determination in his eyes as he managed to hold the pose.

“Now, lift your arms up, towards the sun,” Thane instructed before he demonstrated. Although Kolyat hesitated, looking unsure, when Thane gave him an encouraging nod, he was quick to mimic his father. He still wobbled a bit, but he didn’t fall over as Irikah feared he might.

Irikah almost didn’t want to disturb them… only almost, though.

“Well, it looks like you two are having fun,” she said.

This time, when Kolyat nearly tumbled over, Thane caught him with a firm hand against his shoulder. Not that Kolyat seemed to notice—his eyes had lit up at the sight of his mother, and Irikah was quick to scoop him up as soon as he was close enough, spinning him around and kissing his cheek. Kolyat immediately began listing off everything that he and Thane had done while she was at work, although he ran through it so quickly she barely caught most of it. Still, she listened.

Thane approached more slowly and lingered a couple paces away, watching the both of them. His expression was difficult to discern, but there was just the slightest tilt of his head. Irikah recognized that as a sign of fondness. When Thane finally spoke, he did so without raising his voice. “Kolyat, you had a drawing you said you wanted to show your mother.”

Kolyat nodded quickly, his eyes alight as he squirmed out of Irikah’s arms. She set him gently back down on the grass, and he was gone before she could say a word more.

“I just cleaned up after you two,” Irikah sighed, although there wasn’t any actual bite to her voice. It was difficult to be mad at either of them for leaving a mess in the house when it was so nice out here. Thane still looked a little guilty, though.

“I intended to straighten up the house before you got home,” he admitted as he closed the distance between them. When he was close enough, he settled into her arms, pressing his face into her frill. “I fear time got away from us… how was your day, siha?”

“Well enough,” Irikah said, swaying the both of them a little bit in the sun. She closed her eyes and let it wash over her face again. “I kept getting distracted by the sun…”

“Didn’t we all?” Thane asked. “Kolyat could barely sit still all morning… he wanted to be out here.”

Kolyat had only seen the sun once or twice in his life—he had been born in the middle of a very rainy year—so it was little surprise he had been so desperate to enjoy it while he could.

Irikah let out a soft sigh and released Thane, taking hold of his hands and dragging him further into the center of the yard. Thane’s brow pinched, but he followed along after her without complaint. Once they were in the center of the yard, where the sunlight was at its strongest, Irikah settled down in the grass, crossing her legs in front of her. Thane was slow to sit down beside her, glancing back in the direction of the house, watching for Kolyat.

“I noticed that you tried your hand at art again,” Irikah said, reaching out to coax him into laying back with his head in her lap. For a very brief moment, he looked like he was going to protest, but when she began running her fingers along the delicate skin of his frill, he immediately relaxed into her touch. His eyes slid closed.

“Kolyat insisted,” Thane murmured.

Irikah couldn’t help but chuckle. “You spoil him, Thane…”

Thane’s eyes shot open again. “… am I not supposed to do that?”

Quickly, she shook her head. “No, no… it’s fine,” she said reassuringly. “Sweet, even… we should frame some of them. I think they’d look nice in the foyer.”

Silence—a comfortable one—passed between them then. Irikah continued stroking along his frill, and a low, contented hiss left Thane as his eyes slid close again. His breathing evened out within minutes, although it took Irikah a moment to realize that he had fallen asleep. He must have been exhausted… but then, Irikah supposed running around after a five year old all day would that to you.

“Mom!” Kolyat said with no regard for his volume as he hurried out of the house again, clutching the drawing he must have been hunting for. “I found it!”

Irikah hushed him gently, holding a finger to her lips. “You’ll wake your father,” she whispered, before beckoning him closer. “Now, let’s see what you drew.”

[sou-ver-2-0]

Hello 💜 I might have been spamming you a bit with the likes but I really do enjoy your meta💜 I also wanted to mention that I really do like the way Reko says she wants to reach out to Shin if you go Reko/Sou route? Gin and Reko being worried about him (w/ Gin likely feeling guilt for having voted for Kanna) was pretty sweet, especially with him treating Gin nicely in general and Reko having tried to get him open up early into 2-2 Main Game too? I don't think that route will end well but (p1)

(p2) I would honestly dig Reko and Shin being on friendly terms if the cast made out, especially with how Alice/Kanna route has Alice ending up being a big bro protector figure to Kanna, while Reko the only adult Shin has yet to be betrayed by that's alive and had the sense to vote for him than Kanna is the younger sister who plays big sis to a good deal of the cast. It's just an interesting thing actually, that how dysfunctional Reko/Sou route vs Alice/Kanna is?

(p3) With former, there is still some awkwardness compared to Reko/Kanna with Reko having already taken a big sisterly role with her, but Alice is more than willing to look out for this child, while with Reko/Sou you can see that Reko genuinely feels bad for him and wants to amend things, yet Kanna's death really was the last straw for Shin that at best she is going to get Shin not looking out for chances to actively harm her (or Gin) while they might be collateral damage anyway.

Part idk bc I forgot to mention: I like how his "I-I wouldn't leave you behind..." to Gin right after they visit Gashu's secret room sounds like he is hurt that he would think he would leave a primary schooler back if he found an escape path too, especially with him in ch 1 saying Gin should rest with him and Kanna and likely having planned to look out for him too, if Gin wouldn't have said he gives him weird vibes and stuck to Sara. And offers him snacks to leave him work in Nao's room gfkfg

Okay I swear last part but I forgot to mention that I also like that Gin says he hates loner but doesn't want him to die/says he feels sorry for him for smelling gloomy and he is actually one of the members who while saying he hates him in 2-2 Main Game, he also does get worried for the "outsider" types, saying he is worried they might not get enough clear chips? That said wow bullied by a primary schooler rip Shin

Hello there! I really enjoy your meta too! 💜

I absolutely love this ask. You wrote so much, so I wish I could think of interesting things to say, but all I want to say is “I love Shin’s relationships with Gin and Reko too!! I love them so much!!”

I suppose, in a way, Gin and Reko act as a barometer for how a “normal, decent person” would react to Shin. They are suspicious of him and sympathetic towards him at all the right moments in the narrative. They are neither as cynical as Keiji nor as optimistic as Kanna. But they are hilarious and I love that for them!

Like, you just mentioned all these genuinely sweet moments for them. But if I can pull up some contentious memories:

REKO: I'm gonna take that bastard out, I swear...!!

GIN: I bet he's just hiding under the bed in his room or something, woof!!

REKO: Perfect spot for a treacherous ass like him! Let's check it out!

This comes from the beginning of Chapter 2 when the whole team is on a witch hunt for Shin, and I just! I love how eager and aggressive they are in their pursuit of justice, oh my god haha. I love how well they both team up against him. It’s such fantastic dark humor.

Then I love how you can tell from Nankidai’s writing that Reko aggressively shakes Shin when they finally find him!

KANNA: What in the world happened?

SOU: Eh...? / T... That's what I wanna know... / Where is this place... When did I get here...?

REKO: Cram it, you bastard...! Like hell anybody's gonna worry about you now! / What're you plotting?! Tell me!

SOU: W... Waugh?! Hold on...!

KEIJI: Now, now. Violence isn't the answer, Reko.

REKO: Tch...!!

SOU: W... What is it...? You're so mean suddenly...

Featuring a bonus obnoxious “Now now” from Keiji, LMAO get a load of this filthy hypocrite.

I just love to imagine Reko grabbing Shin by the scarf and shaking him! Nankidai blesses us with the wackiest scenarios.

Also remember when Gin wanted to scribble on Shin’s doll??

GIN: Let’s scribble on the loner’s doll, meow!

SARA: Gin…

CHOICE: Don’t get us caught

SARA: Safalin will find out. Don’t touch them.

GIN: Meow! You’ll live to see another day, loner!

And they always call him “Beanie Man” and “Loner” instead of his name… They crack me up so much!! I could go on and on about them!

Anyway, the only reason I bring up these contentious moments is to highlight how sweet it is that they don’t actually hate Shin at all. As you pointed out, they end up sympathizing a lot with him! If Shin was just being his regular vulnerable self, they would probably be protective of him. (And just a little bit teasing!) I think that speaks very well for both Reko and Gin. It shows what genuine good souls they are.

I also love that you pointed to examples of Shin being protective of Gin! It’s lovely to imagine that if Shin hadn’t taken on the Sou persona, we could have seen more “big brother Shin” moments like that! Personally, I’m very fond of imagining Shin as a good big brother figure towards all three children in the Simulations. I want to think, in his true heart, Shin is someone who couldn’t stand to see the children die before him.

That makes it all the more tragic if they end up becoming collateral damage for Shin’s revenge. :(

I also love to imagine that they could become friends if Shin lived, and if things worked out just a little bit better. I don’t believe Shin actively hates them. Reko voted for him, and he would just hate Sara more for “tricking” Gin into helping to murder Kanna. I don’t know if Shin…wants to live anymore…in the route where Kanna dies… But if they managed to escape, I think Reko and Gin would both worry a lot about him! And they would want to help him. I’m certain!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. I’m a huge, huge fan of the loner’s relationships with the rock star and the furry kid. Seeing fan art or fanfiction of them being actual friends gets straight to my heart.

[artpharos]

46. "What if I told you I’ve been in love with you since we were kids?", requested by @takoyakicorn

2,904 words, Lonashipping

Figured since I took so long I may as well make it as worth it as possible 8′D

Prompt List from waaaaaay long ago lmao 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

Moon loves the unpredictability of Alola. 

It comes about from living so close with nature, with the jungles and seas teeming with Pokemon. The Tapu's blessings flit in and out between every boulder, every tree. No day is exactly the same. And with each one, new challenges and new friendships are just waiting to be discovered. 

Being the Champion, she's the one that the people call on for dealing with tough and unexpected problems. It's a role she's grown into since she was twelve. Adults would turn to her for guidance after she proved herself capable, time and time again. And now she looks forward to every moment of it- knowing full well that every day, something new will surprise her, catch her breath, steal her heart away. Be it the sun, the moon, the stars, or even something beyond. 

But in between all the turmoil, all the chaos, there are a few things that Moon likes because they never change. Predictable, solid; an anchor in the swirling excitement that fills her days.

Gladion is one of those things.

Sure, at first he stuck out like one of the many many unpredictable things of Alola. Even more so, with his black clothes and dour attitude in the midst of the cheerful colours and Alola's sunny disposition. But ten years on, Moon knows Gladion- how he's loyal to a fault, how he cares deeply for the people and Pokemon around him. How sweet he can be when he offers her a malasada, or how his rare, gentle smiles always sets her heart aflutter.  

How he will always command Silvally to land a super effective hit on Decidueye when he's desperate.

"Multi-Attack!"

Silvally caws, leaping into the air. Gladion's trained it to be faster, stronger- and now its movements are too swift for the eye to follow. Decidueye just can't keep up, and there's a victorious glow of the Fire Memory in Silvally's eyes. The flames sear around its claws as it strikes. But Moon sees the attack coming a mile away. 

"Pivot! Synthesis!"

Decidueye spreads its wings, shimmering in the light of the setting sun. It's ungainly on its feet, but it turns just enough to avoid the brunt of Silvally's attack, the flames just barely scorching its cloak. Then it's wrapped in a glow of brilliant green, and when the light fades-

"Not a scratch, huh." Gladion winces. He's long ago outgrown gripping his hand every time he battles, but his fingers still twitch at the failure of his plan. His green eyes betray a hardening frustration. "Silvally, back up-"

"Don't let him! Spirit Shackle!"

Decidueye lets out a raucous cry as it takes to the air. Energy gathers at the tip of its bow, and it fires. Silvally is fast, but it can't outrun the arrow. 

"Silvally!"

The chimera braces, its claws digging into the ground. As the dust clears, its eyes still remain fixated on Decidueye, and Moon wonders if her estimations are off. Then, it sways, and with a final trill, Silvally falls to the ground.

When a battle ends, there's a moment when time hangs in the air. When Moon can see across the field and feel her heart pounding with the exhilaration, the thrill of battle. The triumph of the moment seeps into her skin and her soul. Then the dust settles, and her breath catches in her throat. 

The sight's familiar- the frustration of defeat in Gladion's eyes across the field, the momentary twitch of his fingers. It's followed by his shoulders relaxing and his gentle exhale, skittering across the translucent floor. Then, he lifts his chin, meets her gaze with his own. His green eyes are filled with a warm respect, a small smile gracing his features. 

In that moment, Moon's stomach always flutters- silhouetted by the fading light of the sun, Gladion glows calm and warm despite his sharp features and black clothes. It always steals her breath, and she stays still, trying not to yell out the feelings that have remained in her heart for all these years. Instead, she schools her own posture. He recalls his Pokemon and steps forward to her with an open hand.

Ten years on, she's never told him how he always makes her feel like this. How she always treasures the quiet, stolen moments she has of him. After all this time, it'd just make things awkward between them, and as much as she likes unpredictability, she still likes the solidity of Gladion's presence, his touch. 

She takes his hand. The handshake is firm, steady. Expected. His grip is neither tight nor loose. Warm, his callused palm is a welcome sensation against her own. 

"Still have dirty tricks up your sleeves, I see." His words are sharp, but they're mellowed by the easy tone of voice, the familiar smile. 

Moon arches an eyebrow, feels the usual, teasing smile pull at her cheeks. "You're too predictable." 

Gladion lets out a soft huff. His hand drops away, and Moon laughs as he turns away.

And like every other time before, he glances at her through his bangs, his fingers twitching slightly before he holds a hand out to her again. 

"Malasada?"

Moon chuckles. She takes a moment to still the butterflies in her stomach, and smiles as she threads her fingers between his own. 

"Always."

_ _ _ _ _ _ 

Their favourite shop is at Melemele island's port, a stone's throw away from Moon's home and the ferry back to Aether. They buy their favourites- Moon's, a spicy Malasada, and Gladion's, a sour one. Then they sit at the docks, watching as the ships anchor and rest. The remaining Wingulls fly back towards land, and the stars begin flicker up overhead. 

Today, they make it just in time to catch the moonrise. Her namesake slowly crests above the waves. The glowing half-orb of luminous blue casts a silvery light upon the waves. Surrounded by the dusting light of the stars across the purple sky, it's beautiful.

She realizes she's staring when Gladion catches her eye, a faint smile gracing his cheeks. 

"What?"

"Nothing." He turns away and takes a bite into his malasada. "Some things never change. You always stare at the moon as if it's Arceus's greatest gift to mankind. Or Tapu Lele's, depending on the legend."

"Careful, that's sacrilege." Moon lifts an eyebrow. "Wouldn't want the Tapus to hear you calling their feats as mere 'legend'."

"Duly noted." Gladion keeps his face stern. "After all, wouldn't want you reporting my bad behaviour back to Tapu Koko."

Moon laughs, and that is enough to crack his feigned veneer, the ghost of a gentle smile shining through. 

She loves that look on his face. The way he always looks warm and exposed and soft around her. It's almost enough to keep her entranced, to let her drown into the depthless pool of his beautiful green eyes.

She clears her throat, takes another bite of her malasada. Turns her attention back to the sky.

"It's just... back in Kanto, the city lights would have drowned out the stars and the moon." She giggles. "Here, it's so bright and beautiful. Growing up, I could never imagine it. No matter how many times I look at it, it always surprises me."

"Hmm." Gladion acknowledges her explanation with a thoughtful nod. Then, his expression changes back to a familiar smirk. "Unlike me?"

Moon pouts. "You make it sound like that's a bad thing."

Gladion laughs. It's a simple sound, but accompanied only by the soft crashing of the waves, it sounds beautiful. He smiles as he turns to her, leaning closer ever-so-slightly. 

"Champion, you are the first person who has ever called me unsurprising."

Up close, his smile is warmer, his eyes brighter. Over time, it's easier to resist the urge to lean closer, and instead, Moon rolls her eyes. "That's because people expect a posh businessman when they're looking for the Aether president. Not someone just out of his teens who has a fondness for black hoodies."

"And the black hoodie doesn't surprise you?"

"Maybe it did, at first, but... it's been ten years, Gladion." Moon grins. "You wake up, work yourself silly. You go to Battle Royales on Wednesday specifically because that's when Royal Mask fights. And then you show up at the League every Friday at 5pm to battle. You're as predictable as the tide."

Gladion's eyes widen, and Moon wants to remember the look on his face- the mild parting of his lips, the small crinkle of his eyes. But too soon, Gladion huffs and turns away. He doesn't retort, instead settling back to his original position. But his shoulders are relaxed, his breath calm. He continues to eat his malasada in peace.

Moon chuckles and bites into her malasada as well. She's not one for silence. But sitting here, next to Gladion, with only the stars and the sea around them and a companionable quiet surrounding them... she doesn't really mind. She looks forward to the nights like this, a routine part of her life and a man she's grown to love.

And yet sometimes she wonders what it'd be like to reach over, to tell him...

She cuts off that thought. Finishes chewing the last remains of her malasada. Tries to stifle the now-familiar pang of sadness that twinges in her chest. 

"You done?"

Gladion scarcely waits two seconds after she dusts the remaining sugary powder off her fingers when he turns to her. He's watching her, waiting.

Moon chuckles. Routine dictates that she should go home and sleep, prepare for tomorrow. Dream of green eyes as she sleeps. "Guess this is goodnight, huh?" she asks as lightly as she can. 

"No."

"Huh?"

Gladion gets up, and holds a hand out to her. She stares up at him, silhouetted by the night sky, at the hand so close that she can remember the warmth of his touch. 

"How about we do something different for once?"

"I know what this is." Moon arches an eyebrow with a grin. He looks so confident, so eager to prove himself, that it makes her heart warm. "What do you have in mind?"

He smirks. "I'm told you like surprises."

Moon laughs. Without a single mote of hesitation, she takes his hand.

_ _ _ _ _ _ 

He leads her down the familiar paths of Melemele, away from Hau'oli and towards the wilderness they both love. The moonlight filters through the large palm leaves, and when she looks up, Moon can still see fragments of the night sky; the stars and the milky way. All around her, the trees are like a comforting blanket. It enshrouds them in a gentle darkness, scented with freshly fallen rain and barely-trodden soil. Gladion's hand holds hers throughout, the faint smile on his face guiding her on through the dark. 

Eventually the familiar trail lights a spark of curiosity. This turn from Route 3, this scent in the air- Moon says nothing, doesn't voice her questions. Then Gladion guides her to the hilly overlook where the Melemele meadow stretches out in front of them. 

Moon gasps. 

She's been to the Melemele meadow at night before. The moonlight shines upon the yellow flowers. Now they're illuminated, almost glowing with a gentle blue. There's nobody else here this late at night, and the air is scented with sweet honey. A gentle, brisk breeze flutters through the sheltered field. But what truly steals her breath is the sight of the Cutiefly, dancing among the flowers, sparkling motes of light following their every movement. They form a trail of sparkles across the field, a web of light that Moon's never seen before. 

Truly, something new that catches her by surprise. 

"Figured we'd be just in time to catch the Cutiefly." Gladion watches her with a small, triumphant smirk. 

"How'd you know they'd be here?" She can't keep the awe from her voice as she watches the Pokemon dance, their little chitters filling the air with a pleasant song. 

"I'm President of Aether." He shrugs in response. "Learning about Pokemon behaviours is part of what helps our conservation efforts. And I learned a while back that the Cutiefly tend to be active during the half-moon. I hadn't seen it myself, but I figured you hadn't either, so..."

Even though his face is stern as usual, there's a faint colour on his cheeks, a warmth in his eyes. His hand grasps hers loosely, so easily, that Moon feels a swell of affection towards him. 

She leans against him, giggles as the wind blows fairy dust around them. "Thanks, Gladion. It's a very nice surprise. Maybe you're not as predictable as I thought."

He huffs and turns away. The angle hides his eyes, but his fingers twitch against hers. He says nothing at the close contact, doesn't move away nor react. 

"You're predictable too, you know."

He doesn't meet her eyes. His words, soft on a breath, sound... different. Reverent, even. Intimate. And even though she's used to his moods, his curtness, it's not a tone of voice she's familiar with. 

A shudder runs down her spine. But instead of laughing, instead of pretending she doesn't love him, doesn't love how close he is right now... she threads her fingers into his hand. He doesn't pull away. 

"You wouldn't hesitate to help anyone in need." Gladion smiles when he looks at her then.  "You're always up early in the morning, because you're eager to live the day. You laugh, even when you're upset. You love everyone- humans, and Pokemon alike. And even though you treasure your unpredictability, I know exactly what goes on through your head."

His green eyes pierce into her soul. His hand burns against her skin. And quietly, she asks, "Is that so?" 

"Yeah." Gladion nods, and his chuckle sends goosebumps down her arms. "You're happy right now, aren't you? That we're here together, watching the Cutiefly. That it's something that reminds you how much you love Alola."

Moon shivers. He's so close that she can feel his breath against her cheeks. Feel the intensity of his beautiful stare. Almost imagine that, just this once, maybe- 

"Moon?" He leans in close with a frown, and she realizes she's been quiet, too quiet. 

But Gladion's always gentle, always kind, always honest and bright and she loves him and maybe... having him surprise her like this, having him being unpredictable, wouldn't be that bad a thing. 

"You're half-right, you know." She licks her lips, searches his face for any hint of repulsion, rejection.

But instead he smiles, soft and sweet. "Yeah?" 

And Moon takes a deep breath, takes a chance.  

"What if I told you I’ve been in love with you since we were kids?"

The fairy dust flutters around them. The moon continues its upward climb. The moment holds. The Cutiefly flit about the glowing flowers, and the meadow sways in a gentle breeze. 

Gladion's breath catches. His green eyes widen. He says nothing. In the moonlight, his beautiful, angular features may have been cut from stone. 

Disappointment swirls in her chest. His touch burns, his proximity sending a sharp pulse through her. She moves to pull away-

Then his fingers thread with her own. 

"Gladion?"

Green eyes search hers. He inches forward slowly, and his free hand lifts to graze along her cheek.  

"Have you really?"

His bangs are like a curtain against the moonlight, shielding them from the field. He runs a thumb across her knuckles, and he holds her closely, so intimately, as if...

"Yes."

His lips are softer than she imagined, pressed against hers. Warmer, too, far warmer than her dreams. He pulls her flush against his body, his arm wrapping around her back. She shivers at the closeness of his touch, the warmth that floods her body from his kiss, her legs trembling. But he braces her, holds her close- kisses her, until she realizes that this is very very real. 

"Moon." He whispers her name as they part, the flush on his cheeks as warm as her own feels. A small smile dances across his face, and he looks so buoyant, so happy, that it stirs a soft giggle from her lips.

"Did I surprise you?" she whispers.

"It's a good surprise." His thumb brushes her bangs aside, leaving a warm trail on her skin. He chuckles. "And here I thought I had you all figured out."

"Likewise." Her smile is shy, but it makes him hold his breath and widens his eyes once more- and Moon has barely enough time to register the reaction before his lips are on hers once more. 

She pulls him closer, tugs his head down towards hers. His laughter bubbles against their lips, and when she looks at him again, he watches her with a warmth so pure, so bright, that she's sure it's a sight nobody's ever seen before.  

It catches her breath. Steals her heart away.

"Come on." He pulls away with a smile. He's barely a few paces away before he turns to her, holding a hand out to her once more. 

Without hesitation, Moon takes it. Threads their fingers together, secure. 

Gladion grins. The look on his face is bright, beautiful. He tugs her towards the meadow, where they're surrounded by the glowing flowers and the dancing Cutiefly. And when the moon rises to its peak and the fairy dust swirls around them, they dance, hand in hand, laughter and joy filling every inch of Moon's heart.

[honeyhenry]

Dearly Beloved

the request: Nikki& Dom and y/n’s parents reactions on her and Tom’s wedding day? thank you 💕

A/N: Thank you for requesting! This is my first ever request – I hope I do it justice! It was meant to be a blurb but I’ve hit 1.5k!!

Warnings: one swear word, nothing else unless you hate fond memories and fluff lmao

It was a beautifully serene moment for all those stood waiting in the building on the warm summer’s day. For some, it was a chance to see a close friend or family member join together with their loved one in marriage, becoming husband and wife. For a select few, however, today was the day that their sweet young child was getting married. It’s every parents dream for their little boy or girl to find someone who could only attempt to love them even half as much as they have since they were born. They now had to trust this other person to hold their sweet baby’s heart, and let them go off on their own adventure, called ‘life’, together.

The crowd came to a soft hush, with some guests craning over to see when you would be making your entrance. Every second ticking on painstakingly slowly, while the best man was doing his best to comfort the groom as he attempted to restrain himself from looking over his shoulder.

The music starts, a tuneful organ piece that reverberates within Tom’s insides. You smile from the other end of the room, knowing that today really is about to be the happiest day of your life. Clutching your father’s arm, you begin to walk.

All eyes are on you. Tom has turned around now to watch you walk towards him. He is smiling so proudly and excitedly, like a little kid on Christmas morning, and you’re the angel on top of the tree. His angel, in a matter of moments. He knows that he is one lucky bastard. All eyes stay fixed on you for a few moments, some quietly gasping and marvelling at you, until one pair turns away to look back at Tom.

While your mother could not take her eyes off of you despite seeing you in your dress earlier that day, Tom’s mother turns back to her eldest boy standing at the front of the room in a crisp tux, watching him fall in love with you all over again. Clutching her husband’s hand, she was overjoyed that her son had found someone he loved with his whole heart – he deserved nothing less. She’d had such a good feeling about you from the start, becoming close with you in no time, treating you like one of her own. The day Tom sat his parents down and told them he was going to propose to you, they were both overjoyed, elated that you were going to officially be a part of the family forever.

Nikki remembers the first time she realised her son was in love, even though the two of you had just been on a few dates by that point. Tom had come home for dinner one Sunday afternoon, acting coy but shining with happiness as he helped out in the kitchen. It was quite unlike him to not be outside messing around with the rest of the family, and so as he was innocently set the table, she had shut the door and demanded that she knew what he was hiding. A “Nothing, I swear Mum!” tainted with a grin and then a chuckle, had obviously meant something, and before everyone sat to eat only ten minutes later, Tom had told her about the wonderful girl he’d met; that things were “going slow, but mum, i really really like her. it’s only been a month but..well, when did you know with Dad?”

That’s all the confirmation she had needed. As a firm believer in “when you know, you know”, she had listened to her son’s rambling thoughts, wanting to be sure that the relationship was genuine and healthy. “Of course I don’t want to get caught out, but i swear i can see us being together for ages” he had mentioned at one point, and well, that’s when Nikki knew that she had to meet you, to find out who exactly was making her son a lovestruck fool.

And now here was her boy, forever that lovestruck fool, getting married.

Dom looks down at his wife and smiles, following her line of sight to where Tom stands beaming. He gives her hand a squeeze, knowing how happy his family are right at this moment. He’s got a good speech as part of his toast for later on, but for now he wants to take this all in. Watch his firstborn, with crinkled eyes and a bright smile, marry his love. His rambunctious, rebellious boy who made him a father. Tom was growing up far too fast for his liking. Sure, he had left home, and travelled the world independently, working hard and creating great opportunities for himself, but to start his own life with you, as a husband and one day a father? Well, Dom just wonders where his sweet 3 year old who ate strawberry jam straight from the jar, went?

Your own mother is trying so hard not to cry, after all, her makeup is expensive and she doesn’t want to ruin the photos later on. (Spoiler: she ends up crying at the reception but that may have been slightly wine-induced.) Her sweet baby marrying a handsome, caring, and funny man that she couldn’t have picked better for you if she’d tried. She knows the hardships you’ve faced while together, but knows that it’s due to those times that the two of you have grown closer, and become even more committed to each other. She was so happy, yet a little apprehensive at first when you’d told her about Tom. How you truly thought the world of him. She wanted to make sure that this “superstar actor guy” wasn’t messing you around.

Realising that Tom absolutely adored and cared for you, that he made you laugh until you cried, and that already he could envision growing old with you? Well, that did melt her initial apprehension. She loves the love he has for you, and even after 5 years, he’s yet to be in her doghouse. Although he was cutting it close – literally – when he had arrived at your parents house for dinner, with a buzzcut. Your mother has never been as speechless in her life, and she’s possibly the most grateful person out of everyone that today his hair is swept back neatly, a few curls kindly framing his face.

She wants her grandchildren to have Tom’s hair.

And your father, oh how he holds you close, knowing that as soon as you get to the end of the aisle, that he’ll be letting you go, placing your hand in Tom’s and knowing that he won’t be the only man in your life anymore. That after this ceremony, you’ll be hand in hand with another man – a mere boy – who is going to be looking after you for the rest of your days. He remembers so clearly, that quiet May afternoon when Tom had come to the house to ask for his and your mother’s blessing. He had been calm and focused on what he wanted to say, open to any and all questions, praying that the answer would be ‘yes’. Your father had pretended to consider it thoughtfully, earning a dig in the ribs from your mother, before he shook Tom’s hand, laughing and putting the younger man’s mind at ease. It hadn’t just been a “yes” – it had been an “of course, welcome to the family, son.”

He knew that Tom would do his best every single day to make you feel adored and important, that he would strive to encourage and celebrate you; it came so naturally to him. He was worthy of you, even though deep down, your father will always believe that no one will ever be good enough for his little girl. And yet here he is, walking you down the aisle, smiling at you and turning to each friendly face he recognises in the congregation, giving a knowing nod to your soon-to-be father- and mother-in-law. He’s going to fight tooth and nail with Dom over who gets the best grandparent name – when the time comes of course. No rush, as you’ll always be a baby to your father.

You reach the end of the aisle, smiling through the veil as you can see Tom’s sweet face, his eyes glassy and he swallows quickly before cracking a huge grin. You hug your father, squeeze his hand, and let him go.

“Look after her” he whispers between you and Tom.

“Of course”, is Tom’s quick and meaningful response, his brown eyes sincere and full of promise.

Your fiancé lifts your veil, smiling as he places it down gently, getting his first proper glimpse of you. He grins, and the sight is enough to make you giggle slightly.

“You look so beautiful” he whispers in awe, with such heartfelt candor.

Your mother clutches your father’s hand as he watches on proudly. Nikki and Dom watch fondly too, as Tom takes your hand, holding it firmly but gently as if nothing in the world could ever get him to let go. The two couples know all too well of the little whispers, faint blushes, and nervous, happy smiles. They’ve experienced that themselves many moons ago, and now it’s yours and Tom’s turn.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”

---------------------------------------------

any feedback is greatly appreciated, thank you for reading!

[dweetwise]

ok lowkey. that spirit thing was mweh😘 how strange yet oddly interesting. if you dont mind doing something similar... could you ... maybe write something where Zarina befriends the Nurse? like the nurse is getting bullied by all the other survivors and Zarina is just like 'bruh why?'. this happened once in a match and i cant get it outta my head😤🤡 love LOVE your work. keep it up

[thanks anon ily 😳😳😳 hope this is ok! there’s a special place in my heart for baby nurses, they are so pure <3]

zarina never had to deal with op old nurse bless her

Zarina befriends the Nurse: ficlet

Hearing yet another wail from the Nurse echoing across the map, Zarina looks up from her generator into the misty grounds of the asylum. The match had surely been going on for nearly ten minutes already, and the teleporting killer had yet to down any of the survivors.

Finishing up the repairs on her generator, Zarina starts navigating towards the sound of the screeches. On her way, she doesn’t spot a single one of her teammates on any of the generators, and frowns in irritation that the killer had apparently decided to farm with the others without anyone deeming it necessary to inform her.

“Forgot about the new chick again, huh?” she mutters to herself, already having had some trouble fitting in with the rowdy group of survivors and their already established dynamic.

Zarina finally reaches what seems to be the center for the commotion, arriving at the shack where Feng, Nea and David are running around in circles with the killer teleporting through the structure, landing a hit on David who the girls then immediately begin patching up right in front of the killer’s face. Zarina huffs out an annoyed breath that her assumptions were correct, turning away from the spectacle and fully intending to go elsewhere and refuse to participate in the others’ dumb little game, when...

“Oi, over ‘ere ya cunt!” David taunts, causing Zarina to clench her fists and whip around, ready to give the asshole Brit a piece of her mind for insulting her--

Only to see the still injured David pointing his flashlight in the Nurse’s face, prolonging the killer’s already painful looking fatigue state. Zarina swallows her misdirected anger and takes a more thorough look at the events unfolding at the shack.

She sees Feng Min get right up in the killer’s face, doing her stupid butt dance,  while Nea chain blinds the killer with her own flashlight, rendering her useless for a few more seconds. The killer takes a wild swing in Nea’s direction, but the street artist sidesteps.

“Ooh, big swing!” Nea mocks, clicky-clicking her flashlight and moonwalking around the Nurse while the killer recovers from her miss. 

“Baby killer, baby killer!” Feng’s high-pitched laugh echoes through the area as the gamer feigns vaulting the shack window, causing the Nurse’s bonesaw to uselessly hit the wood with a dull ‘thunk’.

“Couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with that aim--” David taunts from the shack entrance, making the Nurse quickly blink to him. David dashes through the pallet, avoiding the hit and proceeds to throw down the piece of wood on the killer, flashlight at the ready and already pointing at the Nurse. “Baited ya, bitch!”

“She’s so boosted!” Nea laughs, moving into position to reset the pallet in the blinded killer’s face while Feng injects a healing syringe into David’s shoulder. When the Nurse finally recovers from the combination of the fatigue, stun and blinds, only to have the now upright pallet be slammed right back in her face, Zarina decides enough is enough.

“What the hell are you doing!?” Zarina demands, approaching the scene. “Hey Zarina! Look at this baby killer!” Feng says, obnoxiously spam-pointing at the stunned Nurse. “Shouldn’t you be doing gens?” “Don’t get yer knickers in a twist, we’re just horsin’ around,” David grunts, rolling his shoulder from the sting of the syringe needle. “But why, though?” Zarina asks, shooting a glare in Nea’s direction where the Swede is once again blinding the killer with her flashlight. “Haven’t you done enough?”  “No offense newbie, but maybe you should go find a gen and leave this to us, yeah?” Nea says, a cocky smirk on her lips.

That moment, the Nurse manages to get control over her movements and executes a precise teleport to an injured David, only to have the syringe take effect a split second before the hit and fully heal his wounds, merely causing him to get injured again. Zarina thinks she hears the Nurse groaning in defeat, and she doesn’t blame her. With Nea sprinting right back up to the killer, flashlight in hand, and Feng running after David ready to tank a hit, the Nurse readies another blink and, to everyone’s surprise, teleports away in the direction of the main building.

“LMAO she gave up!” Feng laughs, the sound grating on Zarina’s nerves, as she begins patching up David. “Let’s go after her!” Nea suggests. “NO!” Zarina yells, absolutely done with her fellow survivors’ bullshit against the clearly struggling killer. “You’ve already won! Don’t you have any empathy?” she scolds the trio. “Oh I’m sorry princess, is the taaxic flashlight against your wittle journalist’s ethics?” Nea mocks, fake pouting. “We’ve put of with ‘er shite for years, least she can do is take a couple pallets in tha face,” David grumbles. “Yeah you try versing a five blink Nurse with a mori and tell us how fair and balanced that is,” Feng says, hands on her hips. “Whatever, that’s your problem,” Zarina says, not about to entertain the trio about whatever grudges they seem to be holding. “Just do the fucking gens and leave.”

With that, Zarina makes her way to the main building, thankful that the others seem to stay behind, at least for now. She feels compelled to apologize to the killer on her so-called friends’ behalf, once again trusting her strong moral compass to guide her to the right decisions. Before long she finds the Nurse in one of the rooms on the second floor of the asylum, sitting on a windowsill with an old photo frame in her hands.

“Umm... miss killer? Excuse me?” Zarina makes her presence known, peering in through the door frame. “You didn’t have to intervene, girl,” the Nurse says with unexpected softness and clarity in her voice. She looks almost serene, ominous heartbeat gone, sitting primly in front of the window and torn dress flowing gently with a breeze from the derelict wall.

“I know, it’s... I couldn’t just watch. I’m sorry about them, they’re--” “It’s fine. Truly. I understand,” she says, looking down at the photo again. “I haven’t exactly shown them mercy in the past, I would not expect them to act different.” “Are you... okay?” Zarina asks, cautiously approaching. The Nurse sighs. “This place, it... brings back memories I’d rather forget. I feel my focus slipping and my head is just not in it today.” “The others said you used to be more powerful--or p-perhaps just more ruthless, before...?” “I suppose that’s true,” the Nurse chuckles. “There was a time where I lost myself completely, the entity filling my mind with hatred. Now... I’m weaker, more often a disappointment to it, but... perhaps it’s for the best.” “Umm... not to point out the obvious, but--don’t you think it might help to take the bag off of your head so you could see better?” “You’d offer advice to me, an enemy? A rather peculiar survivor, you are,” the Nurse says, fondness in her voice. “As for the matter, I am able to see just fine, courtesy of the entity. Hiding my face is a choice, one of the few I still have. I--” her voice cracks. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up a touchy subject.” “What a curious one you are. Never give up that fire,” she says. “As for covering my head... he always loved seeing me smile,” she says, fondly stroking a finger over the picture, before handing the frame to Zarina, taking her completely off guard as she fumbles to grab the item.

In the frame is a picture of a happy couple on their wedding day, both smiling brightly and embracing each other. The man looks like a proper old-time gentleman, complete with a top hat and silly mustache. The woman is gorgeous, her pale skin and white gown a stark contrast to her fiery red hair and deep emerald green eyes.

“Is this you?” Zarina asks, slightly taken aback, reminded of the fact that the killers probably used to be normal people, just like her. “It was the happiest day of my life,” the Nurse says wistfully. “That was his favorite photo. He said it brought out my eyes, he--he loved my eyes, said they were a reflection of my soul, of our happiness. Which is why I can’t let anyone see my face.” “Because now you’re... unhappy?” Zarina asks, trying to understand. “Because I don’t want anyone to look into my eyes and see the madness that consumed me,” the Nurse whispers.

Zarina is at a loss for words, intrigued about the remorseful killer’s past but not wanting to pry further. She stares at the photo and tries to imagine how the cute, carefree woman in the picture could have ever turned into a bloodthirsty killer.

The sound of the exit gates being powered snaps her out of her thoughts, finally handing the frame back to its owner.

“Thanks for telling me all this,” Zarina says. “Can’t have been easy, what you’ve went through.” “I should be thanking you, for indulging a silly woman her tales,” the Nurse says. “Feel free to stop by, should you happen to wander into this realm from the campfire. I don’t often linger here, but... maybe it would not be so bad, had I company.” “You know, I might just take you up on that offer,” Zarina says, offering a small smile. The sound of a gate opening and the end game triggering reminds her that she’s on a time limit. “Shi--shoot, I’ve gotta run. See you around, uh... ms. Nurse?” “Please, call me Sally,” the killer says, primly bowing her head. “Zarina, was it? Do be careful out there. Your kindness might just be the end of you.” “Doesn’t sound so bad, as far as causes of death go,” Zarina quips, offering a cheeky grin before sprinting off the find the gate.

[sally is precious fight me. and lmao i didn’t even try to be subtle about who toxic nea is inspired by]

[yandere-society]

Watching over you while you sleep? Any member. -A

Under His Microscope

Warnings; Yandere, stalker, extreme lack of boundaries, scent kink??  idk if that’s a thing…

Words; 1.2k

“I would like to be the air that inhabits you for a moment only.  I would like to be that unnoticed and that necessary.”  

You were his favorite film. 

He yearned for photographic memory if it meant that he could recall every still frame movement of yours.  To burn it into his cerebrum and engrain it into his very dna. To study your little ticks and habits even long after he shared presence with you.  His own film projector within the depths of his mind’s eye that never failed to fascinate him. 

As if suddenly parched, his pink tongue peeked out to run over his chapped but plush lips.  He shifted his weight to lean against the wall a bit more dependently, the prolonged period of standing ultra still having taken a toll on his legs.  

Though agile and careful, he didn’t quite calculate the sound of his jeans rubbing against the wall and producing a quiet noise.  It wasn’t loud by any means.  But in the fragile silence that was easily overwhelmed by any slight sound above a few octaves, it was heard loud and clear.   

 In a chain of events that caused his heart to drop, you began to shift in our sleep.  Unconsciously reacting to the foreign intrusion of peace in the bed a few feet away from him.  You released a moan through puckered lips and furiously flipped over to bury your head deeper into your pillow. 

 Whilst this was happening, Yoongi held his breath and immediately froze. It wasn’t until his feline-like eyes watched your body melt back into the mattress with ease, that he allowed his screaming lungs to breath once again. 

 Only until he was absolutely positive that you were deep within rem cycle, did Yoongi dare stalk forward to retrieve a closer viewing. 

 The very shapes and angles of your form was something Yoongi had committed to memory.  He knew and worshiped every dip and crevice of your body. Your very being an oasis for his starved senses. Yet the full glory of it was always being kept away from him by flimsy clothing.  A mirage of what he could have, but doesn’t. It was tragic in all honesty, to be given a slice of nirvana but never getting enough to reach minimum satisfaction. Yoongi was left always itching for his next fix.  On his little nightly visits, Yoongi was always pushing and pushing for other ways to get said fix. 

 He had only started watching you sleep about a month ago.  He knew of your address for a couple months now, but only very recently was he ballsy enough to enter your room through a window to study you. Free from any limitation as the fear of you catching onto him was eliminated. 

 It started to get progressively worse. 

 His thirst for you, that is.  It was almost more real than his actual human needs.

One week, he went three days without eating. He didn’t even notice it until he nearly fainted while trying to climb up your window that he had been neglecting his needs.  Due to this incident, Yoongi now has alarms set up on his phone to remind him of when to take care of himself (eating, sleeping, water, showering ect). He couldn’t risk something happening to him before getting to fully be with you like he was meant to. 

 On one of his earliest visits, Yoongi was startled by how enthralled he was by watching you sleep.  It wasn’t as if he found the action in itself to be spectacular.  It was easily deduced that it was because it was you sleeping that he was so magnetized.  And like that, little things snowballed into an odd obsession of observing your rest.  

When you’d utter something in your sleep that made no sense.  (His favorite line being “My waffles are horny~”)

How you’d drool childishly, a stream of it hanging from side of your plump lips. 

How some nights you were more active and violent, kicking and punching an unseen person by thrashing crazily in bed.  

How you never seemed to be able to decipher if you were hot or cold.  One minute, ripping the blankets away. The next, wrapping yourself within their warm hold once again.  

His favorite though?

  When you had nightmares. 

 Although he hated it when his baby was scared, he couldn’t deny the sick glee he got when he heard your adorably pathetic whimpers.  God, it was his favorite symphony.  

The first time you had a nightmare on one of his visits, Yoongi watched like an eager tourist as your face scrunched up in a puppy-like fear.  It was too adorable for Yoongi to not want to see again.

  He slipped his phone out and carefully captured your face, being sure his flash and ringer were off. 

 That photo ended up being the first of many, Yoongi finding a new hobby of trying to catch the best expressions and positions he could.  He had to be careful with who had access to his device, your sleeping faces were both his lock and home screen.

 It wasn’t until Yoongi began to tear his eyes away from you, that he became more aware of his surroundings.  There was perhaps no better grounds for getting to know someone than inspecting their room with great focus.  Yoongi began to investigate your tiny bedroom, noting the little trinkets and signs of living with fond amusement.  Evidence for your hobbies were spread all over, Yoongi was quick to pick up on your love for (subject) and he must say he admired your dedication. 

 But it was in this period of trying to get to know the person behind the goddess that Yoongi came across his newest addictive tendency. 

Your hamper.  

Filled to the brim with used clothes that were waiting for their turn at laundry day.  

He felt like a sicko, but he couldn’t help it. 

 Like some demented vulture, he snatched a shirt from the pile and pressed it to his face.  And breathed in.  

The smell was syrupy like candy but held an underlining of musk that is expected from any mammal.  It was in no way gross though, your natural odor being something that was oddly sugary and delightful to Yoongi.  If he could make a candle out of it he would.

 Now everytime he visited, he was sure to sniff at a shirt or sweater.  He never dared touch your underwear however.  In some odd twist of logic, Yoongi perceived that as being intrusive to your boundaries.  Not keeping in mind that he was technically breaking in, but who cared about pesky details like that?  

Yoongi sighed and pulled out his phone to check the time, huffing with disappointment at the lateness of the hour.  He had to leave.

But before he did that, he elaborately tip-toed to the hamper. 

 He needed his fix.

He reached down and plucked out a tank-top before practically shoving his face into the fabric.  

He inhaled. 

Inhaled.  And inhaled. 

Never exhaling. 

He wished to ingest every molecule of you.  As if he thought that if he absorbed enough, you would permanently become a part of him.  Hungirly lapping at whatever leftover trace he could get of you. Yoongi would breathe in the blessed clothing until his lungs and nostrils would hum and sting with a vengeance for oxygen.  Only then would he pull away.  

After the ill deed was finished with, Yoongi swiftly made his way over to your window.  He looked back at you, to capture a last lick of his drug before he would flee into the inky black night. 

His addiction was never satisfied. 

That’s why he made a mental note to bring restraints next time he visited. 

A man’s patience can only go so far. 

And you had a tendency to get violent in your sleep, anyway.

He couldn’t imagine the hell you would raise when you were conscious.

(Lmao this is kinda bad pls forgive me.  Anyway, pls send in anymore requests and this is chinkbihh, 🔮signing off.)

[autumnslance]

Lmao I got three I'm particularly curious about for you on the character meme. Thancred, Lahabrea, Igeyorhm. XD Feel free to do as many or as few as you'd like of course!

You asked for it. We’ll start with That Damned Rogue. The Ascians will be below.

This of course got long, so behind a cut it goes:

Thancred

First impression: I started in Gridania and took like 2 years to finish ARR 2.0, was already spoiled on the possession angle (I spoiled myself, no big), and had just @erickgage‘s affectionate joking summary of Thancred being the guy who shows up 5 minutes late with Starbucks to all the early battles. So I didn’t really get to meet the guy ‘til the Waking Sands.

And honestly, he was stereotypical generic bland anime prettyboy competent guy. His 1.0/ARR model is…just sorta there. He was a flirt, also generic as heck. Really didn’t register too much, until I finished 2.0 finally and then went hard on the MSQ through the patches and into HW and StB 4.0, when I finally caught up to content.

Impression now: Godsdammit.

My first replay through the game was on PunchyCat, starting in Ul’dah, which meant I got to meet Thancred much earlier. I was immediately amused by his nickname for Nanamo, and Papashan’s assessment of the witty Archon. I was more into the lore, getting the first lorebook and reading the short stories on the main site, and playing through all at once instead of piecemeal over months/years made things make more sense. Thancred hits a lot of tropes I commonly like in a lot of characters, so he jumped up to being a favorite.

Gunbreaker suits him as a tank job (thank goodness he can stop trying to tank warmachina as a rogue, ffs Thancred), and tanking in general suits him when it comes to fighting for those he cares about.

I’m interested in the ShB story mentioning why he wears white in all his gear iterations; I’d previously made a post about his color choices and that aspect of character design, but having a lore explanation for his affinity for that color was interesting. I didn’t think his HW model suited him, honestly; way too rough mountain man hobo. His model in ShB is closer to his ARR model, but different enough, and imbued now with actual character, that he’s a bit more visually interesting and while still pretty typical handsome anime protagonist in appearance; his true personality just comes through a lot more.

I’m still forever mad about the unintentional character ‘ship with Aeryn, tho. It took a 3rd playthrough for it to happen.

For myself, mind, when I got into playing and learned his canonical age, it was at the time the same difference between myself and my younger brother. My assessment of the Scion “family” with Thancred being the middle child (esp his behavior pre-HW) maybe helps that. I’m getting to a point, really, where I look at the characters under 35 and think “OMG disaster children, all of you.”

Favorite moment: Oh goodness. There’s some good ones.

‘How was I supposed to know all my girlfriends would track me down and show up at HQ all at the same time: a master class in how to not to deal with multiple paramours by Archon T. Waters.’

His dramatic reappearance and duel with Ardbert in HW 3.1.

Taking out his frustrations by soloing the Coerthas cyclops boss so we can get on with the Tournament and fight Raubahn. (Side Bonus: pre-tournament when he jokes about fighting for the other team to even up the odds, and then: “It looks to be a veritable who’s who of the Eorzean Alliance. The only question is: who came to watch and who came to fight? Hmm…Nanamo. Definitely Nanamo.”)

Making sure Urianger knew he was still part of the team post-Soul Surrender climax.

“All right, which one of you triggered the obvious trap?” Also learning he can hold his breath for 10 freaking minutes–but still gets to be jealous of the WoL, Lyse, and Alisaie for their kojin blessing.

That dramatic teamwork with Urianger to knock Ran’jit down the pit in Rak’tika.

That frickin’ Trolley duty and it’s aftermath with the completed checklist of anime death markers and then just sitting there battered and bleeding and smiling and then giving Ryne a name and a headpat and “You’re family.” Bastard.

Idea for a story: Have you seen my Ao3 account? *grumbles*

Unpopular opinion: While he likely used drinking as a bad coping mechanism at times in ARR’s patches, I doubt he ever really went to blackout, as losing control to that extent, after having been controlled and probably losing a lot of time while possessed, would be awful. We see him drink a few times, but I don’t think he is/was an alcoholic.

I also agree with @ahlis-xiv that his flirtatious persona was mostly adopted. While he probably does have a healthy libido and enjoys time with paramours (that Urianger keeps a handy list of), there’s a lot that’s likely exaggerated, allowed to be assumed, and otherwise used as a cover, given his specializations. It’s also noteworthy how he’s mostly acting the same even after being lost in the wilderness, right up until our foray into the Antitower. The wit/humor gets toned down a lot, but the flirting is cut out entirely after that. He still charms some ladies in the First, based on incidental dialogue, but that seems a general reaction to him being a handsome hero type rather than any intentional flirtatious act on his part.

Favorite relationship: Thancred and little sister types. I do wish we’d seen more of his relationship with Minfilia outside of informed moments and the short stories. I feel like he has a semi-older-brother relationship with Lyse, too, given their antics in the 2.0 patches (particularly the “Hoary’s fighting the WoL, come watch!” and Thancred not even considering how one of his girlfriends would see him sending Lyse to retrieve an item until after and going “oh yeah, whoops”). And now there’s Ryne, and she is totally running things if you watch their background conversations/body language. But that’s kind of where Thancred likes it; find a girl who needs a protective older brother and do what she asks and whatever she needs.

I do have a special place in my heart for the expanded broship with Urianger that Shadowbringers gave us, though. I’ve already spoken on that one.

Favorite headcanon: Everything people assume about how he spoils the nutkin. And really, focusing on taking care of and doting on a pet would be good therapy. Goodness knows he needs it.

Also I assume he and Hilda hooked up at least once during the HW patches. Part of that expectation and cover, sure, to immediately flirt with the pretty, tough, half-elezen guard captain. But also, he spent however long mostly alone, and then only with the Vath and a nutkin for company; the guy was probably touch-starved and lonely and just needing a connection to another person he could relate to (that wasn’t a bug).

Otherwise, again, have you seen my Ao3? Ugh. Damned snarky smart rogues…

————

Lahabrea

First impression: Laughing Organization XIII-wannabe is obvious villain. Wonder what their deal is.

Impression now: So much lost/wasted potential thanks to being stuck as the ARR villain when it was so hastily rewritten and acted, and so little was decided on the Ascians and their motivations yet. A lot of what we learn now retroactively makes him more interesting. The fact he was a workaholic who looked at the workaholic Scion and went “ah yes; that one will do, perfect” makes me laugh.

Favorite moment: I like his interactions with Elidibus. And I am actually fairly fond of his theatrical reveal in Praetorium about the Ultima Weapon, the Heart of Sabik, and casting Ultima.

Idea for a story: Maybe stuff while he’s possessing Thancred. Maybe stuff between then and the Reactor. I dunno; I’ve been enjoying a lot of others’ stories about our first Ascian antagonist.

Unpopular opinion: Dunno if this is unpopular, but some of the retroactive information is to excuse why he seemed so much less powerful than other, later Ascians, but I do think the Speaker could be quite devious and powerful, if he had better writing around him. He suffers for being from ARR.

Favorite relationship: I am not ashamed to admit I am a Lahabrea/Igeyorhm shipper and Hades Ex seems to agree with me so there.

Favorite headcanon: The Speaker likely also had a good singing voice. Another thing good about possessing a man whose primary cover was a bard–excuses to indulge that.

————

Igeyorhm

First impression: Wannabe-Organization XIII also hires women, cool. Wonder if she’ll get to do anything?

Impression now: I’m sad so much got cut from HW; as great as it was, a lot got left on the editing room floor and it shows in spots–particularly where the Ascians connect with the plot. We learn much about her retroactively as well, including how she worked for/with Lahabrea thanks to being the one to wreck the Thirteenth, and change Ascian policy on how to bring about Rejoinings. I still wanna know more about her.

Favorite moment: You beat the whale, good job–thanks, that’s my key now. It’s such a perfect dick move. Excellent timing and taunting. 

Idea for a story: Maybe some of her inner thoughts working for/with Lahabrea. She was a raised up shard, so does that mean they found the scattered pieces of her original soul and force-merged them? I doubt it, since Emet-Selch mentions raising up those who are a piece of the previous office holder, but I wonder if it came with imbuing the new title-holder with some of those memories and knowledge. Perhaps she wonders if some of her interactions/feelings/whatever with Lahabrea are her own, or her tapping into her previous life’s memories. Something to think about, anyway.

Unpopular opinion: I dunno, she shoulda gotten to stick around longer? Or been allowed to do a lot more? Should have been much more of a presence in HW, but I don’t think that’s unpopular so much as unconsidered.

Favorite relationship: Lahabrea is really the only one she gets significant interactions with. Though I wonder about her interactions with the other few women in the Ascians.

Favorite headcanon: See above with the story ideas, really; she didn’t get a lot of time onscreen so there’s a lot of room to make things up, and retroactive info from ShB to make her more interesting, or at least her situation as an upraised Ascian.

[blkmxrvel]

Thanks, A Latte

Pairing: Lena Luthor x Black!Female!Reader

Words: 12k

Prompt:

Summary: the five times y/n takes Lena’s heart and the one time she does something about it.

Warnings:  Just a whole lotta gay shit, also I seriously didn’t feel like editing this so-

A/N: This blank layout has been sitting in my drafts for months and it’s christmas lmao, i tried my best, it’s probably gonna be in here for a few more by the time I get done with it. (i’m posting this May 20th, 2019. I started this draf in november 2018. jfc)  It’s Lena’s “POV” meaning you really only get her side of the story, you get a bit of Y/N’s view point.

i.

It was a regular day for Lena, so it was boring. She was the owner of a coffee shop, Brainy’s. It was her first time owning anything, so she took great pride in it; it was quiet, quaint and homey, just like she liked it.

She didn’t have many employees, but she didn’t really mind it either. She was fine with making tea and coffee and getting to know her customers.

It was only her today. Winn and Kara were out of town on vacation, and Sam didn’t work weekends, so she picked up the missing times. The bell above the entrance door chimed, and in walked a short girl with her backpack hooked around her arm. Lena took notice immediately, head looking up from where she was restocking cups. She was beautiful, Lena knew that immediately.

She’d never been here before, Lena would have recognized her if she did. Her laptop was soon out in front her, eyebrows furrowed together and fingers wiggling in frustration. Even with the stress radiating off of her, Lena was pretty sure she was the most beautiful girl she had ever seen.

Once she was done with the small work, Lena grabbed her notebook and pen and strutted over to the pretty girl in question. She didn’t want to disrupt her, as it was clear that she was surrounded by her work.

“Hi!” She said softly, but enough to catch her attention. Lena could have swore she was in a trance. She’d seen many eyes in her life, they were her favorite feature on anyone; but her Y/E/C were something eyes. She had never seen anything like them. They were big, vibrant and dull at the same time, they held anguish, stress, pain, but sparkles of joy and peaceful were sprinkled in them. She was heartbroken and in love.

“Welcome to Brainy’s! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here before, so I have a menu for you, if you would like to order.”

The girl looked at her for a few seconds, making Lena’s cheeks go a little pink. “Or not…”

She shook her head, seemingly coming out of a trance. “Sorry!” She apologized. “My mind is just so jammed packed right now. I know this is like a… special cafe, so do you have anything for focus? Something that could help me study a bit better?”

Lena thought for a moment, going through the menu that was engraved in her brain.

“Yes! But it’s not a traditional tea or coffee, it’s more of a boosted latte, that alright?” The girl nodded her head, subconsciously bouncing her legs up and down. “I’ll be right back then.”

It didn’t take long for her to become immersed in her work again, Lena noticed. The Y/E/C girl was writing things down on a notebook, softly saying the words to herself in hopes of memorizing them. Lena’s face turned down into a frown; she knew what those days were like, she was glad she was finished with school. But still, she wished that she could do something to lift her spirits.

“Here you go.” Lena said as she walked back to the table again. She didn’t acknowledge Lena’s presence, probably because she was so into her studying.

Taking note of this, Lena just sat the cup on the table. That seemed to catch the girl’s attention, she jerked her head up and smile guiltily at Lena.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t hear you, thank you so much!” Lena chuckled and just smiled back at her.

“It’s no problem at all,” Lena reassured. “I’ve been there too. Big exam?” Lena wiped her clammy hands on her apron. Her eyes were staring up at Lena, big Y/E/C eyes feeling like they were boring into Lena’s soul. She wasn’t used to this, this wave of pure euphoria that crash through her body from head to toe. She had only heard about love at first sight, she didn’t think to would ever happen to her.

“Yeah, midterm.” She replied. “It’s tomorrow and my house is never quiet enough for me to study, so places like this are my savior.” She let out something between a sigh and a chuckle before running her hands along the top of her pants. Lena frowned a little, disliking the way her body deflated.

“Well!” Lena put on her happy face and cheery face. “Good luck! This place is always open to you, and if you need anything at all, just let me know.”

The girl smiled a toothless smile at Lena, grabbing her pen and twirling it in between her fingers. “Thank you,” she said after a while. “I definitely will.”

Lena smiled one last time and walked back to the Kitchen. The mystery girl came in at the perfect time it seemed like, because at soon and Lena set her apron on her chair, Brainy’s got even busier. A wave of customers flooded through the shop, she didn’t even have time for a break that day.

It was 10 ‘till 9 and Lena was completely wiped. She had spent the rest of the day running around; taking orders and wiping tables. She hadn’t even had time to look and fawn over the pretty girl that was sitting diagonal to the counter.

How rude.

Lena stood at the counter, hands splayed over the edges. The coffee shop was practically empty, save for a few people just finishing up. Footsteps were heard getting closer to Lena, so she lifted her head. She was pleasantly surprised to see her favorite person– the new girl walking toward her. She had her bag on her shoulder and her phone in hand. Lena smiled right back, standing up straight and using her now clammy hands to smooth out her apron.

“I just wanted to say thank you, for the Latte. It was literally the best thing ever, I got all my studying done and I can finally sleep.” There was a certain giddiness to the way she spoke, something like relief and relaxation. Lena noticed that her eyes were a little brighter and that made her rejoice.

“Well I’m really glad that I could help. Would you like another for the test? Just something to boost your memory. On the house.”

She immediately shook her head. “I can pay for it, it’s fine.”

“Nah,” Lena waved her hand, leaning in a little bit. “Once my mind is made up there is no changing it.” She smirked at her, walking back to the area where the made the latte.

“I’m Lena, by the way. In case you didn’t see the name tag.” She swirled the chocolate into the cup holding it up to the whip.

“Y/N.” Lena smiled. She grabbed the lid, walking back towards Y/N.

“How fitting,” Lena said, boldness surging through her veins. “Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”

Lena reveled the way blush crept up onto Y/N’s cheeks almost instantly, a slight smile grazed her lips. She could’ve died when Y/N’s fingers brushed against hers, taking the latte out of her hands. It seems like she almost combusted, the red on her cheeks even more prominent.

She squeaked out another “Thank you, Lena.” and then turned around rather hastily grip firm on the cup.

“Good luck!” Lena wished before Y/N walked out the door. She blessed her with another smile, opening the door and getting lost in the National City crowd.

Lena’s body was still on a high, a light buzz surrounding her. She smiled to herself and faced the wall. She tried and failed to stop the pace her of heart, certain that she was going to die at any second. She turned off the machines, deciding to close a few minutes early; the shop was empty and clean, she could leave.

Grabbing her purse and changing her shoes, she locked the door to Brainy’s, keys in her hand and Y/N in her mind.

ii.

The second time Lena sees Y/N, (two weeks later on a chilly, fall day) not much has changed. It was after Lena came back from a much needed vacation.

Y/N’s in the same state: flustered, frustrated and in a rush. Lena watches as she walks over to the same table, shoving her car keys into her pocket as she sits down. She smiles at Y/N before walking towards her.

She’s still the prettiest girl Lena has ever seen, even when it looks like she’s five seconds from combusting.

Lena arrives to the table, smile morphing into a frown when the girl she’s grown so fond of literally looks like she is about to combust.

“Another exam?” That makes Y/N’s head whip up, eyes wide with shock.

“Oh, hi! And, no. A paper this time. Due tomorrow, actually.” Her eyes went back to her laptop, scrolling through the pages she’d written so far.

Lena chuckled to herself. “Do you have a habit of starting really important things at the very last minute? Because if that’s the case then studying might not be your issue?” Y/N joined in on the laughter, Lena’s heart and eyes swelling at the sound. She knew she’d do anything to hear it over and over again.

“Trust me, I like to get head starts on these things.” She clarified then shrugged. “I just I like it here, it’s kinda like my last resort when it comes to studying. When I finally realize that my parents won’t stop yelling, I come here…” Y/N subconsciously let her shoulders fall, eyes still on her laptop.

Lena felt a sudden surge of protectiveness run through her. She placed a hand on Y/N’s shoulders, frowning slightly. “I’m sorry, but know that you’re always welcome here. From the time the doors open until they close.” She smiled reassuringly at the Y/H/C beauty.

“I’ll make sure you have an unlimited supply of anything you need. On the house.”

At that Y/N’s head snapped up, shaking immediately. “Oh no, it’s okay. I’ll just-”

“Nonsense, this is my shop.” Lena interrupted. “Let me do an act of kindness. You deserve it, truly.” Y/N smiled appreciatively.

“Okay then. Well, thank you in advance. I’m Y/N.” She stuck out her head towards Lena, and with no hesitation, Lena grasped hands with the other girls, shaking lightly.

They were warm, Lena noted. Y/N’s hands were warm, they sent a hot wave through her body on this cold November day. They were soft, smoother than any baby she’s ever met. She didn’t want to let go, but she knew she had to.

“I’m Lena.”

If it was anybody else, Lena would’ve laughed at the way Y/N had completely forgotten their first introduction. Her eyes would’ve scrunched up and a small little chuckle would’ve erupted from her throat. But instead, a smile fell upon her face, soon morphing into a frown. How much stress and pressure was she under, Lena wondered. The thought made her nauseous.

-

The rest of Lena’s day went as planned. She counted money, served customers, made drinks; the usual.

Lena’s day at Brainy’s was coming to an end. She had serviced the last customer, the bell ringing as they walked out. Well, she thought that was the last customer.

As she was putting the chairs on top of the tables, she noticed her new found favorite person in her same spot. Lena smiled at the triumphant grin on the other girls face. Her heart fluttered at the way Y/N’s eyes closed in relief, her body doing a little dance.

Lena had finished wiping down the tables when she spoke up.

“That smiles is a good thing, I hope.” She tossed the rag back into the sink and unraveled her apron. “It’s too beautiful to be anything but joyous.”

Lena had no idea where that had came from, and she didn’t regret it when she noticed the small blush on Y/N’s cheeks and smile on her lips.

“It’s a great thing actually.” She responded. “I turned in my paper and I’m really confident about it. Perks of a quiet environment, I guess. I know I would never be able to get this done at home.”

Lena feels her heart break a little inside. She didn’t understand how someone this sweet and kind couldn’t find happiness in her own home. She hoped Y/N could find home somewhere else, maybe in the form of a little coffee shop she ran. She didn’t say that though.

“I’m glad that my shop could be a part of such a beautiful journey.” Y/N chuckled.

It’s quiet for a moment. Y/N packs up her things, puts on her hat and scarf. Lena is grabbing her purse and the keys to the shop. They both head towards the door at the same time.

They meet at the door, facing each other and smiling, eyes locked. Y/N goes out on a whim, something Lena was sure was just a spur of the moment thing, and wraps her arms around Lena’s middle. The significantly shorter girl squeezed lightly.

Lena is taken aback, but doesn’t let that show on her face as she hugs Y/N back. Curls lightly hit Lena’s face, a flood of blueberry scent flooding her nose. White heat made it course throughout her. Lena closed her eyes.

“Thank you.” Y/N says as she pulls away. She looks shy at first, timid. It was like a natural instinct for her and Lena didn’t like it. She wanted to hear the rich laugh she heard earlier, see her lips and smile the most. But she sufficed with soaking up the happiness she felt as the small smile that graced Y/N’s lips.

“I don’t mean to be weird but you have no idea how much your shop and the things you do mean to me.” They lock eyes again and Lena smiles a sad smile. She steps forward and hugs Y/N again, loving the way the smaller girl melted into her frame.

“It’s nothing at all.”

iii.

This time, Y/N walks in a mess. It’s nearly a month later and tears are streaming down her face, bag in hand, hair disheveled and shaking. There aren’t many people in the shop, surprisingly, just a few people on the left. Y/N was grateful.

It’s close to midnight, so Lena is cleaning up her counter, she wasn’t really expecting anyone else. But when she hears the bell and looks up to see who it was, she immediately notices Y/N. Not the crying, though. Just the fact that she didn’t say hi and she wasn’t in her usual spot. She’s sitting in a booth.

No greeting, not even a smile, and she’s sitting in a booth. Y/N was not a booth girl. Something was wrong.

The last few people that were in the cafe left and Lena didn’t hold herself back. She walked right up to Y/N, who’s spaced out, and sits right next to her.

Lena doesn’t say anything, just closes as much distance as possible before wrapping an arm around Y/N’s shoulders. The latter turns her head and stares at Lena, willing herself not to cry into front of the person whose opinion she cared about most.

That didn’t work, Lena knew the girl across from her way too well. The nights they had spent talking had really done wonders. Lena never thought she would care about someone as much as she did with Y/N. She felt like she knew Y/N: strong, determined, albeit stubborn. She also knew that Y/N was one of the most kind-hearted people in this world. She was so strong that she felt like she couldn’t feel vulnerable, Lena knew, because she felt the same way.

Lena squeezed Y/N’s shoulder, going out on a whim to lean forward and press her lips to her forehead.

That broke the dam. Y/N released a shaky sigh, her body convulsing as she leaned into Lena’s shoulder. She sobbed into Lena and wrapped her arms around Lena’s middle. The raw pain vibrated into Lena’s soul, so she held Y/N tighter and forced herself not to cry.

Lena knew pain like this. She had lived it time and time again growing up. The pain of all your problems, breaking the weight of your soul, not being able to hold it any longer. The way your sobs spoke for you, Lena had been through this all before.

That’s why she didn’t say anything. She didn’t try bothering with the whole self-assuring mantra. She knew the it’s okay and you’re not alone speeches were useless. They only made people feel worse. So she resorted to comforting Y/N the way she always needed somebody to comfort her.

She pull her closer into herself, so much that the smaller girl was practically sitting on her lap. Arms wrapped around her neck, she felt tears soaking through her shirt but she couldn’t bring herself to care. A shirt over the heartbroken beauty she had grown to like? It was impossible. Her hands soothed over Y/N’s heaving body, so calm and so gentle, the way she always needed. Soft, pillow curls ticked her chin, and Lena smiled.

It didn’t dawn on her that the position they were in was anything but platonic. That for people had known each other for 2 months were this close, this comfortable. It all felt so natural for her that she didn’t realize her heart beating and breaking at once. All she cared about was you.

She let Y/N cry for as long as she needed. Her loud sobs eventually dulled into weak whines, and soon into silence. She didn’t know what time it was. It was silence before Lena spoke up, hearing her take a deep breath.

“You don’t have to explain if you don’t want to. We can just sit here until you feel better.”

She felt Y/N shake her head. She sniffled a little before she lifted her head. Bloodshot Y/E/C eyes stared into Lena, and the latter just smiled.

“No it’s fine. I’m not gonna do all this and then not tell you. It’s not fair.” Lena chuckled while moving some hair out of Y/N’s face.

“It’s not about me, Angel. You do whatever you’re comfortable with.” She pretended not to see the smile and blush that appeared on Y/N’s face.

“I’m comfortable.” Y/N replied as she laid her head back onto Lena’s shoulder, facing the counter. Lena smiled and kept rubbing her back.

It was several minutes before Y/N spoke up again. No matter how comfortable Y/N said she was, she knew it would take a while for her to let it all out.

Lena had to strain her ears to her Y/N. “My parents arguing got worse. The worst it’s ever been. I don’t know what was said, but my mother left and took my two younger sisters with her. I don’t know why she didn’t take me, she knows me and my dad don’t get along. Oh well.”

“They did all that while I was studying for my exam too. It was so quiet all week I thought that they were finally starting to get along. Guess not.” A sniffle. “My dad yelled at me so bad afterward. He told me to go after them or do chores or something. I don’t know, so much was happening it was hard for me to process it all.”

Lena still didn’t say anything. Knowing that if she did Y/N would stop.

“I’m so tired, Lena.” Y/n’s voice broke. “Everything is just so much between school and home. I can’t even go back home because I know I’d hear my dad’s mouth if I did. He would try and blame it all on me. After a while I know I’d start to believe him. I mean my mother just left me there with him. Just me. Maybe I am the problem.”

“Okay, no.” Lena spoke up, not allowing Y/N to belittle herself. “That’s not your fault. Whatever problems your parents have is not up for you to take the blame for. You didn’t ask for any of it, not the arguing and discomfort. Hell, you didn’t even ask to be born.” Y/N chuckled. “Your parents are problems are results of your parents issues. Not you.” Lena ended firmly, letting Y/N know that she was 1000% serious.

Y/N wrapped her arms around Lena’s neck tighter and sat it silence for a little bit. This time it was Lena who broke it.

“You can stay with me. Since you said you don’t want to go home. I have an extra room and I live alone, it’s fine.”

Y/N lifted her head up and kissed Lena’s cheek, an action surprising them both. “Thank you, Lena. I’m staying with my grandma though. At least for the week, and then I’ll figure out something from there. She’s old and fragile, I don’t wanna stress her out too much.”

Lena hummed. “Well, just let me know. My door is always open for you.” Lena had the sudden urge to say that her heart was too, but she didn’t dare.

“You’re a saint.”

—

Three hours had passed before Y/N had decided to leave. Lena did her best to distract Y/N from her problems. Lena seldom left any subject untouched. They had talked about it all: book, hobbies, school, friends, music, and most importantly dreams and goals. Y/N wants art, Lena wants science. Y/N told Lena about her love for roller coasters, and Lena told Y/N about how terrified she was of them.

They played games. TicTacToe, I-Spy, hangman hide and go seek. They had the time of their lives. Especially for Lena, she had liked to think it was a date, but she’d never voice that out loud. It wasn’t until the 6th round of hide-and-go-seek that Lena decided to call it a night. She had been looking for Y/N for 10 minutes, 10 minutes! She should know this place like the back of her hand, it was her shop. Y/N wasn’t doing anything to help her out either, there wasn’t a sound heard anywhere.

Lena had decided to look in the closet, she was positive that was where Y/N had to be hiding. There was literally no place else.

Lena held her breath, steadying her hand onto the door handle.

3…..2…..1…..

“Got you!” Lena yanked the door open, smile wide on her face and ready to see the shocked look on her face. But she was the shocked one. Y/N was laying on the floor, curled up into nothing more than a ball with a bundle of curls on top.

Lena’s heart melted at the sight. Y/N hand was scrunched up under her chin. She knew she was in love. Okay. Maybe not in love, in love, but pretty damn close to it.

She took out her phone, yawning herself when she saw the time. 4:27. She kneeled down, getting a good look at Y/N before slowly waking her up.

YN’s face contorted into an expression of discomfort and anger when her eyes open. That dissipated though, when she saw Lena’s caring smile above her.

“Hey, Sleepyhead. It’s pretty late. And I’m not going to leave you here to sleep in the closet. But I will walk you to your grandmother’s house if you’re up to it?” Y/N nodded her head sleepily, taking Lena’s hand and standing up. It took a little while for Y/N to balance herself, but a few seconds later she had it.

Y/N walked to the exit, smiling gratefully when Lena handed her her bag. She opened the door for Lena, subconsciously leaning into her. Lena blushed hard, thankful that Y/N had been too tired to look up.

“Cambridge Street. It’s just a block or two away. I can walk alone.”

“This late at night? I think not.” Lena scoffed.

“But then you would have to walk home, that’s not safe either.” Lena smiled and grabbed Y/N’s hand, walking a bit slower.

“I’ll be fine. I have friends who look out for me.”

“What? Is your friend Supergirl?” Lena just laughed. If only she knew.

“Whatever.” The two of them walked in silence. Both of them were most content they had ever been. Y/N rested her head on Lena’s shoulder, Lena rested her head on Y/N’s. It was quite perfect.

Just as they rounded the corner, a large white house with silver lights screamed at them.

“This is me.” Y/N yawned. She didn’t lift her head until they had reached the steps.

Y/N wrapped her arms tightly around Lena’s middle, squeezing incredulously while Lena reciprocated. “Thank you.” She said. “Thank you for everything you’ve ever done. From the first moment I walked into your shop until now. I’m forever grateful.

“Anytime, sunshine.” Lena smiled as she let go of Y/N to reach for her phone, handing it to Y/N. “I’m always here. You can put your number in if you want, and then anything you need to talk you can alwa-”

Y/N grabbed the phone before Lena could finish her sentence, entering in her number and handing it back to Lena. “Done. You don’t have to tell me twice.” Lena chuckles, and they end up wrapped in that silence again. Only this time it was more vulnerable.

They stand at the doorstep, staring at each other. There’s something there. Y/N can feel it too, Lena is sure of it.

She’s never wanted to kiss someone so bad. She’s never wanted to wrap her arms around someone’s body and feel their warmth; protect them from every single threat. She’s never wanted to hear the laugh, see the smile, and just know that she’s made a beautiful heart beat a little faster. She’s never wanted to take someone’s pain away and be their happiness, not as much as her does with Y/N. Should she kiss her?

She doesn’t. She just settle with a kiss on Y/N’s forehead and a promise to see each other soon.

As Y/N walks into the house, Lena feels a pang of regret in her chest at the soft lips that pull up into a shy smile. Lena wanted to feel that same smile as their lips were pressed together.

She sighs. She should’ve kissed her.

iv.

Lena sees Y/N for the fourth time at Brainy’s two weeks later. They’ve been hanging out quite a bit since that night and it’s safe to say that Lena is completely infatuated with the brown skin beauty.

They’ve become the best of friends in the past two weeks, attached at the hip. They hang out at the park near Y/N’s house, go out for lunch when Lena had days off, shopping on Lena’s payday. Was Lena spending her money on Y/N? Yes. Did she enjoy spoiling her? Of course. What she ever going to tell Y/N about her feelings? Absolutely…..not!

With everything that Y/N has been going through lately, it wasn’t fair to just drop such a bomb on her like that. Besides, they were just starting to get to know each other, she didn’t want to jeopardize what little they had so quickly. And she didn’t even know if Y/N liked girls, let alone if she was the slightest bit interested in Lena!

Lena’s perfectly fine with falling in love from afar right now. She’s content with staring at Y/E/C eyes, or secretly reveling in the beauty she saw on her wash days, dripping with water in all its curly glory. She was fine with going to sleep wondering what it what feel like to have her right next to her, deep in a peaceful slumber. She was okay with suffering in gay silence.

For now.

It was another day at work for Lena, taking orders and wiping down tables when a chime came from the entrance. She put on her best fake smile and prepared to say the tired out greeting. Flattening out her apron she looked up.

“Welcome to Brainy’s! How may I he- Y/N? What are you doing here?” Y/N smiled, gripping her bag a little tighter.

She smirked. “Are you not happy to see me, Ms. Luthor?” Lena rolled her eyes playfully.

“You know I always am Ms. Y/L/N. I just wasn’t expecting you is all.” Lena straightened out her posture, placing her hands on the register. “What brings you? More homework?”

Y/N laughed and shook her head. Lena’s head was spinning.

“Nope, still on winter break! I just figured I’d pop up and pay you a visit! If that’s alright…” Y/N tilted her head towards Lena, her face changing, almost like she was beginning to regret popping up. Maybe she wasn’t as close to Lena as she thought she was.

Lena recognized this and shook her head dismissively. She was thinking of me. She. Was thinking. Of me. “Of course it’s alright! As long as you don’t waiting for awhile before my break.” Lena looked at the clock. 11:57. 1 hour to go.

“I don’t mind.” Y/N raised the bag that hung across her shoulder. “I brought some music theory and compositions with me. Can I get my usual please?” She rocked up on her toes, shiny a pleasing smile (Lena’s head was really spinning) before reaching into her bag to grab her wallet.

“Sure. But you don’t need that.” Lena turned her back to go and start making a Brainiac Boost Latte, the machine whirring as Lena added the ingredients.

“Why not?”

“Because it’s on the house, as always.” Y/N was the one the roll her eyes this time.

“Oh come on, Lena. You never let me give you things. While you always get me things, buy things for me. Why can’t I do the same?”

Lena shrugged, taking the cup off the machine and placing a lid over it. “Maybe I just like spoiling you.”

Lena was glad that her back was turned, because that did not mean to slip out of her mouth.

“Well, what if I wanna spoil you, too? Can’t I?” Lena wasn’t expecting that one either. But she didn’t let it show as she turned back around and gave Y/N her drink. “Isn’t that my right?”

Lena thought and let it sink in before she shrugged again. “I suppose.”

“Thank you.” Y/N handed Lena $10, walking away quickly and sitting at the table right next to the counter.

That wasn’t her usually spot, but at least she wasn’t at a booth, Lena surmised.

There was a comfortable silence between the two. Lena was working, doing her usual, and Y/N would occasionally ask Lena questions to cease the quiet. This time it was about music.

“Do you have a favorite genre of music, Lena?” Y/N lifted her head up to watch Lena wipe away at the counters.

“Classical is up there. Always been a sucker for a good composition.” Y/N smiled, eyes slanting.

“Do you have a favorite composer? Besides me, of course.” Lena stopped her wiping, shining a signature smirk at Y/N.

“I mean you are number one on my list. But Riopy and Mozart are a close second.”

“Hm,” Y/N hummed. “Maybe your mind is greater than I thought.” Lena chuckled.

“Why do you say that?”

“No reason, I just love both of them too. Not many people appreciate Classical.”

“That’s true.” Lena paused. “I’ve always been a sucker for country too!”

Lena wasn’t ready for the way Y/N’s eyes lit up and she bounced in her seat. “Oh my god! Me too! So many people talk shit about it, and I don’t understand it.”

“Their minds aren’t as great as ours.” Lena glances at the clock, feeling giddy when she saw that it was indeed her lunch break. “Great minds do think alike, after all.”

They fall back into silence as Lena sits across from Y/N at the table. She has her art supplies, sketchbook, pencil, the whole lot. She isn’t really hit with anything to draw, that us until her eyes fell onto Y/N.

There’s something about the energy that Y/N radiates that makes Lena so inspired. She wants to capture it with her pencil, put it on paper so everyone could see what she sees. (Okay maybe not, because she doesn’t want anyone else falling in love with her Y/N. That would thoroughly complicate things.)

Lena’s in love frustrated. How do I say I want to draw you without saying I want to draw you?

By saying it, dum dum.

Oh, shut up.

“Hey Y/N?” Lena leans in a little, glancing at her work.

Y/N doesn’t lift her eyes as she mutters a ‘hm?’ in response. She’s too focused. Lena made sure to add ‘Y/N’s focused face’ in her mental archives. “Would you mind if I drew you?” There’s a stutter in Y/N’s movements. Lena’s mind goes in overdrive with anxiety.

“I- Its just that your hair…its so beautiful.” Creep much?  “A-and I need practice on drawing different textures and facial features. I don’t want my art to be whitewashed and bland, I need…..a pop of color.”

Y/N snickers and Lena wrings her hands, nervous that she totally fucked up.

“What?”

“I know that wasn’t a black joke but the irony got me,” Y/N finally looks up, the sides of her eyes in crinkles as she tries to hold in her laugh. “Go ahead.”

Lena laughs and goes to a fresh new page. “You don’t have to like… look at me or anything, just do what you’re doing.”

Lena begins drawing. Starting with Y/N’s face: Heart shaped, round, perfect for her hands. She got the way Y/N her lip in concentration. She smirked when she licked her lips, knowing that Y/N was growing anxious with Lena’s eye on her. Then her hair, the way a pink bandana holds it back, taming it’s glory nature. She left the bandana out, though. She didn’t want Y/N to be tamed. She wanted her to be loose, carefree. She wanted to look at the way Y/N laughed and groaned when the strands of her hair got caught in her lip gloss. Or not care when her hair got wet after she had just straightened it. She wanted Y/N: uncensored, unfiltered, unedited.

It didn’t take long for Lena to finished her sketch. She committed every stroke to her memory, knowing for certain that this wouldn’t be the last time she drew the brown beauty sitting across from her.

Y/N was writing the last of her notes when she heard the incessant sound of the pencil on paper come to a slow halt. The sound of the long sigh fell from Lena’s lips, making her lift her head.

“Are you done?” She asked. Lena’s eyes met her own, a smile coming onto her face.

“Yeah. You wanna see?” An eye roll.

“Duh, Luthor. I gotta see how pretty you made me.” You’re already the prettiest, how could I improve something that’s already so perfect?

Lena keeps her mouth shut, grabbing her book and flipping it to show Y/N. Y/N is taken aback when she sees it, sees her. She’s drew…so meticulously. Every detail is there, every wrinkle, curve; Lena didn’t miss a thing. It looks exactly like her. Except, the Y/N on paper looks different, more serene and undisturbed.

“Is that how you see me?” Y/N asks after a while. Her eyes are staring at Lena, heart racing and cheeks hot. “So…angelic?”

“Well angels are angelic, Y/N. It’s kind of implied.” Lena quips. Y/N just smacks her lips and shoves Lena a little, forcing a chuckle out of her.

“Well, thank you. You’re really talented, Lena. This looks beautiful.” Lena shrugs and hands the drawing over to Y/N (She’s already taken a picture).

“No need to thank me. I didn’t do much. Your face is already like that, I just put it on paper.” Y/N giggles as she declines it. She wants Lena to keep it. A beautiful piece like that doesn’t need to get messed up at her grandmother’s house.

The rest of their time together is spent laughing at Y/N’s terrible attempts at drawing. She tried to draw a dog, which oddly turned out to look like an alligator. Then a baby, which ended up as a dog. And then a fruit, you don’t even want to know how that turned out.

“Don’t laugh, we all know art isn’t my thing. I just wanted to see how much I was working with.”

“Apparently not much.” Lena mumbled under her breath.

“Hey! I heard that.” Y/N laughs.

“Oops?” Another eye roll is giving before Lena glances back at the clock, her break over with.

“Well, I have to head back. This was quite a pleasant time.” Lena stands up as Y/N does, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug.

“Thank you,” Y/N utters as her face is in Lena’s shoulder. “I always have the best times when I’m with you.”

Lena feels the rush of pride through her veins. It doesn’t go away, instead it’s inflated when that new but warm feeling of love comes it. Lena welcomes them both, head cloudy as she walks out the door, a promise to text her on her lips.

She needs to kiss her.

v.

The air is even colder than the last time Y/N was here, if not colder. White lines appeared on her hands when she scratched them, a clear indicator that it was way too cold for her to be outside.

The sun had just set, it’s red-orange light beamed on her as she walked towards the entrance, keys in hand.

She walks in, a bit more smiley and pep in her step. Lena doesn’t notice, she’s too busy cleaning up the mess that James had just made. He’d locked a cup into the machine and forgot how to unlock it. Needless to say, he’s stuck on busboy duty for a while.

Lena had just tossed the rag back into the bucket. An exhausted sigh fell out of her mouth when she walked up to the counter, not even lifting her head up just yet.

“It looks like you need the pick-me-up latte this time.” Lena subconsciously snapped her head up, an immediate smile spreading across her lips.

“Y/N!” Lena beamed. “Hey, how are you?” She quickly lets her eyes scan over Y/N’s body: a cute, fluffy blue sweater with black slacks (that hugged her curves in just the right way), fit black flats and a silver hat snug on the top of her head. She looks likes a princess and Lena melts, quite literally.

Y/M shoved her hands into her pockets, rocking on her tiptoes and trying not to fluster at the way Lena’s eyes were locked into hers.

“I’m doing alright. You?”

Lena huffed out a small laugh. Typing on the screen in front of her. “As best as I can be. I hope you don’t have to work today. It’s Christmas Eve!”

Y/N smiled to herself. Lena didn’t know that though, so when her bright white teeth caught Y/N’s eye, she nearly fainted.

“I actually don’t! Classes ended last week, but it’s not like I had anyone to celebrate it with anyways.” She shrugs. Lena feels bad.

“Shit, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to bring it up. I’m over it anyways.” Lena doesn’t believe that. She lets it go, though, when Y/N shakes her head, dismissing the cute brunette with crystal eyes across from her.

“Of course you didn’t! I know that. Don’t worry about it.” Lena suddenly gets an idea in her head. Invite the pretty girl over for Christmas! Give her a present, tell her how you fell. Okay, maybe that last part was a bit…premature.

There’s a silence again. That silence. The silence that makes Lena want to close down the shop and kiss Y/N until the sun comes up.

“Spend Christmas with me.” Okay, Lena most definitely did not mean for that to come out of her mouth. Not like that at least. Y/N sputters, there’s practically smoke covering out of her ears. Lena blushes like hell.

“I mean! M-My friends and I, we have this thing we do every year, we call it friendsmas. It basically just a second Christmas, but with your friends!” Lena feels this sudden wave come over her. Was that…nervousness? Oh god.

“You’re welcome to come. I’m sure they would love you.” I do. “No one should have to spend Christmas alone.” Especially a beautiful woman like you.

Get a fucking grip, Luthor.

Y/N rocks back and forth on her toes. She’s playing with her fingers and avoiding Lena’s eyes.

“I- I don’t know. I mean I wouldn’t know anyone and I wouldn’t have a gift-”

“Just bring food.” Lena interrupts. “Literally anyone would be happy with food. They are greedy.” They both chuckle. “Only if you’re up for it, though. I would hate for you to feel uncomfortable. It’s completely your choice.” Though it would make my year if you came.

Y/N shrugs and rearranges her bag. “I’ll think about it. Anyways! I wanted to know what time you were off. There’s this cool new ice skating thingy at the lake and I wanted to know if you wanna go check it out.”

Hey! Let’s go on a date! You’re really pretty inside and out and I don’t ever wanna leave your side. Y/N didn’t say that, Lena knows.  But she really wishes she did. Was this a date? Could it actually be possible that Y/N returned Lena’s feelings?

She just smiled through her thoughts, reaching behind her to take off her apron. “I’m off now, actually. Cal is already here, and of course I would love to go.”

They walked outside together. Y/N didn’t have a car, and she assumed Lena didn’t either, so she thought they were going to walk. It wasn’t until she felt a warm hand grasping hers and pulling her towards the parking lot did she realize she was wrong.

Lena pulled Y/N along, trying to memorize the way her hand felt. It was soft, smooth, but she could feel the calloused fingertips on her skin, a result of endless hours of music practice.

Y/N’s eyes bulged out of her head when they got to Lena’s car. “Wow! This car is….” “Cool?”

“Hot!” That made Lena smirk, walking over to the passenger door. She held the door open for Y/N and closed it when she was in.

They drove in basic silence the whole ride there, the good silence. It was almost natural for Lena to grab Y/N’s hand as they approached the door. She noticed her uneasiness. Maybe it was because Lena was holding her hand and she didn’t want her to. Maybe it was because it was Lena, the girl she has been wanting to kiss since she was her. Maybe it was because Y/N wanted to blurt out i like you! Into the expanse of the car, but couldn’t find the courage.

Whatever it was, it made Y/N grip Lena’s hand tighter.

When Y/N and Lena got into the rink, they were both apprehensive, though the presence of one made the other feel better. And the scenery, oh, God the scenery. They had never seen anything so peaceful. A giant Christmas tree sat behind the rink, lights wrapped all around them. Music was playing loud enough to sing along, but soft enough to keep the merry energy. Kids, friends, parents, lovers were all skating around. Laughs were heard – the sound of making memories with the ones you loved most. Y/N wanted to feel what they felt. Lena wanted to give Y/N that feeling.

Lena didn’t tell Y/N that she hated the cold, and Y/N didn’t tell Lena that she didn’t know how to skate, but they sucked it up to be in each other’s presence.

“Are you ready?” Lena was trying her best to hold in her laughter. Y/N was clinging onto the side rail, wobbly in her skates and shivering. She wasn’t even on the ice yet. She was in the entryway, scared to take the first step.

“Um, not really. I changed my mind.” She tried to bargain. “Let’s just watch christmas movies inside instead.”

Lena grabbed Y/N by the waist, easing her onto the ice. They stayed still for a bit, Lena keeping them upright when Y/N lost her balance. “I won’t let you fall.” Y/N trusted her.

And so they skated, skated for two hours. Lena teaching Y/N how to keep her balance, and Y/N giving Lena some warmth every time she failed and fell right on top of her. It was a win-win situation.

They ended up sitting on the ice (Y/N fell and didn’t feel like getting back up. Lena got down for moral support) as the fireworks were being set off.

Lena looked over at Y/N when it happened; white, green, and red illuminating across brown skin. She swore she had never seen anyone more beautiful. Y/N’s nose was a bit red, her hands clammy as she blew into the, to keep them warm. The wind blew her hair back a little when the fireworks started, big Y/E/C eyes shining brighter than the lights. Her skin was glowing. Lena knew that in that moment she was going to kiss her. She didn’t know when, but she was certain she wasn’t going to wait longer than she had to.

Y/N leaned into Lena, trying to save body heat. “Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?” She asked. “I’ve never felt so…calm.” She turns to Lena after a moment, smiling brightly. “Thank you, Lena. Thank you for everything.”

Y/N moves completely on top of Lena, arms wrapping around her neck and she hugs the Luthor tight. Lena hugs back, obviously, rubbing her back and rocking them lightly. “You’re so welcome, sunshine.”

They move from the hug, but stay in close proximity of each other. After a while, they get too cold. They return their skates, grab their things and get back in the car. Two hours of cold and skating really makes you hungry, so Lena suggest Big Boy’s. Y/N, a lover of anything food, just agrees. This ride is filled with that silence too, Y/N grasping Lena’s hand.

They eat in the car. Lena paid, obviously. And when their down Lena drives Y/N back to her grandmother’s. Lena gets out the car and walks Y/N up to the door, the same spot the first time Lena wondered what Y/N’s lips tasted like.

“Did you have fun?” Y/N chuckles.

“I should be the asking you that. I’m the one that invited you. But yes, yes I did. I had the most fun I’ve ever had.” That seems to be a recurring thing whenever she’s around Lena, Y/N notices. “Thank you.”

They were silent for a few seconds, Lena tested the air. It was identical to the one last time. The same pull, same mutual desire. She could feel it. They had most definitely went on a date.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow? Will you text me the address?” Lena stared at Y/N confused for a second, but then she quickly figured out that Y/N was referring to friendsmas.

“I’ll do you one better. Let me pick you up? 7-ish?” Y/N nodded, her hands going to her back pockets. Lena was just itching to replace Y/N’s hands with hers.

“Yeah. Is there a special attire or something?”

‘Not really.” She wanted to say that Y/N looked beautiful everything so it doesn’t matter, but this time she….actually did? The blush on Y/N’s face and the small thank you that left her lips was evident enough. She actually did it!

Lena was feeling like hot shit now. “If you want, you can bring extra clothes and stuff too. We usually end up staying the night since it’s just us. But if you don’t feel comfortable, I can drive you back home.”

Y/N shook her head. No, it’s fine. I can stay, you’ll be there right? All night?”

Lena nodded. “All night and into the very late morning. I won’t leave you, sunshine. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Y/N giggled.

“Darn it! So close!” Y/N joked. Lena’s carried more weight than either of them realized. Lena meant it, she knew it and was sure Y/N knew it, since there was a smile on her face. There goes that silence again.

“Well! I guess it’s settled then. I promise you’ll love them and they’ll love you even more. Hopefully it’ll feel like home to you.” Hopefully I’ll feel like home to you.

“Thank you, a lot Lena. Really.” Y/N stands on her tiptoes, going to hug Lena for the last time that night, and pressing her lips to the corner of Lena’s mouth for the first. Y/N didn’t see the blush on Lena’s lips, thank God. She slipped in the house before Lena could open her eyes. 

vi. [versus 1]

It’s Christmas! Lena wakes up smiling to herself, it’s the happiest she’s ever been. She doesn’t have any immediate family, Lillian is still in jail and her brother is…..her brother. She took the majority of her day to do some last minute shopping. She prepped some food and did her laundry.

She spend most of her day shopping for Y/N, though. She had to make sure that this day was perfect for her, which includes the perfect gift. She remembered you talking about how you loved music and time you spent the whole time studying music. She also remembers how beautiful Y/N  looked, she had the portrait to prove it. Y/N told her that she wanted to play music more often, piano specifically, she just didn’t have a piano to play it on.

After she took her shower and ate some food, she made her way to the highest rated music store in national city. Lena knew that Y/N’s confession wasn’t a cry for pity, Y/N hated pity. She wasn’t trying to guilt trip Lena into buying her instruments, she just felt comfortable enough to tell Lena these things. That doesn’t mean Lena wasn’t going to buy you one anyways.

“Hi! Welcome! Do you need help in finding anything?” An employee greeted Lena as she walked into the store. She smiled, shifting in her shoes.

“Yes actually, I’m doing some last minute shopping and I was wondering where you keyboards were.” Justin, the associate, smiled.

“Yes! Right this way.” Justin led Lena to the back of the store, immediately they were surrounded by piano keys. “Were you looking for full size or partial?”

“Full size. Which one is the closest to an actual grand?”

“That would be…..” Justin trailed walking around. Lena followed. “This one right here, Yamaha Arius YDP-143. It’s one of the newest, digital but has everything that an acoustic piano would have: weighted keys, pedals, the lot.” Lena nodded her head, satisfied.

“That’ll work, thank you. ” She watched as Justin called another associate to assist in bringing the keyboard to the front.

Lena picked the one that looked the best: Black, sleek, pretty. Just like Y/N, she thought. She mentioned that she would like your name engraved at the top, and made her way to check out.

Meanwhile, Y/N was out buying something for Lena. Art was her favorite, Y/N knew that much. Lena probably had every art supply there way, so she wasn’t even sure the gift would mean anything to Lena. I mean, look at her car: freaking immaculate.

She bought them anyways though. Easel, paint, brushes, pencils of all sorts, it was safe to say Y/N was officially broke. She left that store and went to another, buying ingredients for Empanadas, fruit salad and brownies. She wasn’t going to show up empty handed. She needed to make a good impression, she needed to stop wallowing in her grandmother’s sun room being lonely, and she needed to put herself out there. She was thankful Lena had given her the opportunity.

Y/N wrapped the easel, paint, and brushes carefully. She spent a lot of money on these and would be damned if they got messed up before she could even give them to Lena. She prayed that Lena would like these.

The hours fly by and Lena is trying to get dressed, trying being the key word. She was freaking out. She dropped the gift at Kara’s place in advanced, it was too big of a gift to just hide in the trunk, you know. Besides Kara was a doll and lifted it with ease.

She’s stressed out over her outfit. She has to pick an outfit that says look at m e! but not one that says look at me! …Lena was having a hard time understanding it herself.

There was so much she wanted to do tonight: introduce Y/N to her friends, make her happy, hopefully she’ll make friends, hopefully she’ll like the gift, confess feelings and kiss her! She really, really wanted to kiss her. With consent of course, but what better day than the day of love and giving.

She decided to go with something simple, black jeans and cute Christmas sweater. She had simple black boots on and her hair was straightened down her back. When it’s getting close to 6:45 she pulls out her phone and texts Y/N.

hey, sunshine. i’m on my way. be there in 15 x

Y/N was sitting on the porch when Lena pulled up, way too anxious to just be sitting in the house. She smiled when she saw the white Tesla in her driveway. She picked up the art materials first, wrapped in pink and yellow paper. It wasn’t the best since Y/N hasn’t had a Christmas in a while, but it was decent.

Lena jumps out to help Y/N with the gifts, giving her a kiss on the cheek when they met each other. Lena doesn’t dare ask what it is and who it’s for, she just slides it in the backseat.

Y/N runs back and grabs the containers of food and gets in the car, Lena closing it behind her. Y/N bounces her leg up and down, shaking her hands out. Lena takes her seat, putting the car into drive.

“Ready?” She asks.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Y/N smiles weakly, her leg bouncing faster. Lena notices and nudges Y/N’s shoulder.

“You’ll be fine, Y/N. I promise. None of them bite. And if they do….bite them back.” They both laugh at that, Y/N rubbing her hands over her thighs.

“I know, I’m just a little nervous is all. Thank you again for inviting me, Lena. It means a lot.”

Lena scoffs playfully as she stops at a red light. “Stop thanking me, Y/L/N. There’s no need. Just relax, feel the moment, be happy.” Y/N exhales a deep breath, trying to follow Lena’s instructions.

It wasn’t long before they got to the party. As soon as the door was opened, a blonde girl with glasses smiled and gave her a big hug.

“You must be Y/N! It’s so nice to meet you! Lena talks about you nonstop!” Lena shot Kara a whatthefuckwhywouldyousaythat look.

“It’s great to meet you too, Kara.”

They stepped inside and Y/N was immediately greeted by everyone. She met Winn who was dating James. Alex who was dating Maggie. Cal, who’s she seen a few time at the cafe, was dating Nia. She felt at home right away, they were laughing and giggling. Christmas music played in the background.

Y/N was dancing around with Alex when she heard her name being called. “Please tell me you’re coming over for  game night.” Her voice was muffled, a warm Empanada in her mouth.

“Yeah! These brownies are freaking delicious! Not too much chocolate, not too bitter. Perfect.” Winn.

Y/N blushed. They actually wanted her to come.

“You guys only like her for her food, so shallow.” Maggie came over and wrapped her arm around Y/N’s shoulders. “She should come back because she’s so great to be around, idiots.” Maggie turned to Y/N. “Seriously kid, you’re like a breath of fresh air.”

Y/N only muttered out a small thank you and sure before Nia came and demanded to give gifts. She zoned for the most part of that, she was too nervous about whether Lena would like her gift or not. If she would say thanks, but no thanks. Or be disappointed that she didn’t anything better.

“Okay! Lena your turn.” Y/N broke herself out of her thoughts. She forced herself up and walked over to the tree. “These are for you, it’s not much but I hope you like it.”

Lena gasped to herself. Y/N got her a gift? She wasn’t expecting that. Tears sprang to her eyes when she opened the gift. She’d been wanting these paints and brushes for months. She never got them because she figured she had other things to worry about.

“I love it, Y/N.” Lena got up to hug the girl that was literally quaking in her boots, well… fuzzy socks. She squeezed tighter when she felt a breath of relief coming from Y/N’s mouth.

“I actually have a gift for you too, but it’s in the other room.” No one paid them any mind as they walked to the guest room, they just finished exchanging gifts. Lena stopped right before the door, telling Y/N to cover her eyes.

“Why? You aren’t going to kill me, right?”

“Of course not, too many witnesses.” Lena smirked and Y/N laughed. She covered her eyes, goosebumps raising on her skin as Lena led her inside.

“Okay…. Open!” Y/N let her hands fall, eyes widening like little moons when she saw the keyboard box. She immediately teared up.

“You didn’t.” Lena stepped next to Y/N, a light smile on her face.

“I did.”  Y/N stammered, looking between Lena and the box on the floor.

“Lena you… You can’t be serious.”

“I am.”

“I can’t take this.” Lena frowns and steps in front of Y/N.

“Why not?” She asked. “You deserve it, more than anyone I know.” Lena steps closer, invading Y/N’s personal space. She could feel Y/N breath as she looked up at her.

“You’ve already done so much for me, I….I don’t wanna seem like a moocher.” Lena chuckled at Y/N use of words. She feels a surge of confidence flood her veins.

“You aren’t a moocher, sunshine. You’re just a pretty girl that I wanna spoil and give the world to.” Her hand came up to cup Y/N’s face, heart swelling when Y/N leans into her touch.

This is the moment, the one Lena has been waiting for. Where that air is flowing around them, entrapping the two in their own bubble.

Lena takes a deep breath and places her other hand on Y/N’s cheeks. She feels her heart race as Y/N looks up at her with those big Y/E/C eyes, full of wonder and curiosity. Lena continues.

“From the first moment I laid my eyes on you, the girl with the best hair and the smoothest brown skin I have ever seen. All stressed out. It broke my heart seeing you like that, and I knew I would do everything to make you feel safe, happy, protect you. And when you spoke, and showed me your heart time and time again. I know that this is what I’m supposed to be doing. Can you let me do that?”

Lena can tell that Y/N is processing her words. Her eyes move all around Lena’s face. Lena knew she was looking for any sign of hesitation, insincerity, anything that would lead to believe that this was all a joke, too good to be true. But when she didn’t find any she nodded her head, leaning herself more into Lena’s hands.

“Can I kiss you?” Lena asked. Y/N stared and nodded again. As soon as their lips touched, there were fireworks. Y/N was shy, so Lena took her hands and placed them on her shoulders. She felt Y/N grip them and  pull herself closer, almost like she was just know coming to her senses. Lena’s hands went back to Y/N’s cheeks, squishing her cheeks.

They pulled away when it was hard to breathe. Y/N immediately giggled and hide her face. Lena smiled. “Are you okay? Was that okay?” Y/N nodded.

“I’m fine and that was more than okay.” She smiled up at Lena, like a happy puppy.

“There’s something else.” Lena squinted. Y/N ducked her head again, covering her face it her hands. Her words were muffled.

“What?”

“That was my first kiss.” Lena’s eyes widened. She was glad Y/N didn’t see, that would’ve been bad. Instead, she put on a sly smile, wrapping her arms around Y/N.

“Well, I hope your first kiss wasn’t too bad.” Y/N looked from her position on Lena’s chest.

“It was great, really great.”  She smiled. “Just….why the keyboard?”

“Every future famous composer needs one, right? Rather sooner than later.”

“But….” Y/N cringed at house broke she was. “It’s fucking expensive.”

“I would’ve gotten you a baby grand, I just didn’t wanna scare you away.” Lena panicked. “I hope this didn’t scare you away.” Y/N shook her head.

“This most definitely didn’t, it did the opposite.” Y/N took a chance and stood on her toes to press a kiss to Lena’s lips again, smiling widely.  “Thank you, you can’t expect me to not say it when you spent two-thousand dollars on me.”

Lena just laughs. “Fine, I’ll let it slide. You’re worth it, sunshine.”

bonus!

It’s raining when Lena hears a knock on her door. She didn’t know it was a knock at first, it was 2am and raining cats and dogs, she couldn’t decipher much.

All she had been caring about was why her girlfriend (it feels so good for her to say that) hadn’t texted her back in a few days. Lena wasn’t clingy, no, she was protective, worried. She wanted her baby safe, and understood that sometimes she couldn’t spend her days wrapped up in Y/N. Clingy was not a word Lena associated herself with.

Y/N usually texted back relatively fast. There were moments when she was driving or cleaning or working that delayed her response by a bit. But Lena would always get a reply – whether it be a full blown text or a simple emoji to let Lena know she was alright – there was always something. It had been two days, and Lena was starting to lose her mind.

“Alright! I’m coming, Jesus!” The person banged on her door again, more frantic. Lena yanked the door open, ready to eat into whoever it was ass.

“What the fuck is your problem? Baby? Oh my god what are you doing!? Get in here!” A wide eyed Lena ushered a shivering Y/N into her house. She immediately led Y/N to her room, helping her get rid of her wet clothes.

“I’m- I’m sorry for not texting you back. There was just so much going on and my grandmother-” Y/N had choked up on her words and Lena immediately dropped her spare clothes, pulling Y/N’s body into her own. She couldn’t care less about the fact that her girlfriend was naked, all Lena cared about was the fact that she was shaking with sobs. This reminded Lena of the first time she held Y/N in her arms as she cried, she hated it then, and she hated it now. No one deserves to be this hurt, especially not her baby.

“You don’t have to tell me.” Lena said. She immediately assumed the worse when Y/N wrapped her arms around Lena’s neck, face burying deep into her shoulder as she cried even harder.

Lena felt her heart clench. Tears sprang to her eyes as she laid on her back, Y/N on top of her as she rubbed her back. Y/N’s hair was still wet, it was probably going to get matted without a proper detangling but Y/N didn’t care and neither did Lena.

“It’s gonna be alright, baby. It’s gonna be alright, I promise.” Lena shushed.

A few minutes later her cries died down. Y/N held onto Lena with a vice grip, her face still in her neck.

“I’m a good person, right?”

“Of course, the best. Why do you ask?”

Y/N lifted her head and Lena’s heart broke and she gazed into her girlfriend’s red eyes. She had never seen Y/N so….defeated, like a child who no longer had anyone to guide them, take care of them.

“Why do bad things always happen to me?” Tears fell from your eyes. “What did I ever do that warrants me to keep getting hurt like this?”

“You know what they say, baby. The world’s toughest soldiers fight the world’s toughest battles.” She frowned as she held Y/N’s face, her thumb rubbing in circles.

“Well I may not be that strong, I feel like I’m ready to break.” Y/N sighed and laid her head back down on her girlfriend. “Hell, I’m already cracking at the edges.”

“Well, it looks like I’m gonna have to be the E6000 to make sure you don’t.” Y/N chuckled. She didn’t say anything, just played with Lena’s figured and yawned a few times.

“I told my grandmother about us.” If Lena wasn’t searching for Y/N’s voice she wouldn’t have caught it, she was speaking so soft. Lena looked down at Y/N, brushing the hair from her forehead.

“Yeah?”

Y/N nodded. “Yeah, I wish I hadn’t though. Maybe then I’d still have a place to live.” Lena stopped, a sudden rage flooding her veins as she processed Y/N’s words.

“Y/N….” Lena began.

“Yeah she did it. She kicked me out. I couldn’t even process what she said afterwards, I was just so… shocked. My own grandmother, the same grandmother that said I was her favorite and she would love me no matter what. Just….poof.”

Lena didn’t say anything this time. Trying to calm her anger before she said something she regretted. It wasn’t about her, it was about the angel with broken wings laying on her chest. She got herself together.

“I’m sorry, baby.” She kissed Y/N’s head. “I know how hard that is.” Y/N hugged Lena closer.

“Yeah, she hasn’t even met you and she made these dumb assumptions. It was crazy.” Y/N sat up suddenly. “And she told me I could stay if we broke up.” An eye roll.

Panic settled in Lena’s body. “And what did you say?”

“I told her tough shit.” Whew. “There’s no way I’m gonna ruin the best thing in my life because she’s a shitty grandmother and can’t accept the fact that I like girls. That’s not my problem.”

Lena rubbed her hands along Y/N’s side. “I’m the best thing in your life?” She smirked and Y/N leaned in, pressing her lips to Lena’s.

“Without a doubt. You’re the only one that hasn’t left yet, and you make me happier than I ever thought I would be. I lo-” She stopped herself, Lena needed her to keep going. “Thank you.”

“What did I tell you about all those thank you’s? It’s nothing at all. And I’m never going to leave you if I have anything to say about it. As long as you want me, I’m gonna be here.” She kissed Y/N again, pressing into her girlfriend’s hips and smiling at the sigh that fell into her mouth.

“Do you think you could help me find a place?” Y/N asked as they pulled away. “I wanna be out of there in 2 weeks tops.”

Lena smiled. “I could have you in a new place by tomorrow.” Y/N rolled her eyes and laughed at her overachieving girlfriend.

“And where would that be, Ms. Luthor?” She rested her hands on Lena’s stomach.

“You’re already in it, Ms. Y/L/N.” A smile took over Y/N’s face.

“Wow, I didn’t  peg you to be a U-Haul babe.”

“Oh, shut up.” Laughter fell from Lena’s lips as she pinched Y/N’s thigh. That made Y/N laugh, her head lulling back.

“Seriously though, you’d let me move in? Are you ready for that?”

“Baby I have been ready for you to move in since I first spoke to you.” Okay maybe she was a U-Haul. “I was serious when I said my door was always open for you.”

“So you weren’t just saying that to get my number?” Y/N squinted.

“It wasn’t the motivator of my intentions, no. That was just a bonus.” Y/N giggled.

“Are we going to be living together?”

“If you want to be, my love. It’s up to you. If you’re not ready, then first thing in the morning we can go apartment hunting.” Lena sat up herself, wrapping her arms around Y/N’s middle and kissing her chest.

Y/N grabbed Lena’s face to kiss her once again. She pulled Lena as close as possible.

“I think I’m ready. ‘Honey, I’m home!’ is going to sound great coming out my mouth.” Lena smiled brighter than ever, wrapping her arms around Y/N tighter.

“I can’t wait to hear it, baby.” Lena really couldn’t. She couldn’t wait to wake up with Y/N every morning. It didn’t even have to be in the same bed, just knowing that her girlfriend, her baby, her everything was going to be within a 500 foot radius was enough. Getting to cuddle when it’s cold, eat breakfast food together at 3pm, seeing her damn beautiful face was enough. It was everything to Lena.

“I know that you hate when I say thank you but I have to.” Y/N looked into Lena’s eyes. “Everything you’ve done for me, out of nothing but genuine want and need. For being my safe place when I didn’t have one. Being my calm when I was spiraling. Being my sunshine when all I could see was darkness, it means more than you know.”

“You don’t have to s-”

“Thank you, Lena. Thank you, a latte.” Y/N started at Lena for a few seconds before she burst into a fit of giggles. “Do you get it? Because I would always get a Latte, and it sounds like a lot, but it’s latte.” Lena laughed along with her girlfriend, she’s in love with a complete dork.

“I get it, baby.” She kissed Y/N’s nose. “I love it. I love it so much but not as much as I love you.” Y/N’s eyes lit up at Lena’s words, smashing her lips onto her girlfriend’s.

Lena felt tears hit their lips. She knew they were Y/N’s, she knew they were happy tears. She could feel the sheer emotion transferring from her girlfriend to her and she knew Y/N loved her too.

Neither one of them has ever been this happy.

[x0401x]

Flower Symbolism in Tsurune

The amount of plant representation in this franchise has considerably increased with the release of the DVDs and KyoAni’s latest spring campaign, so it seems more than appropriate to make this kind of post right now. This post has been bettered thanks to @bowcrazy. Most of the symbolisms refers to individual characters, so I’ve separated them by the official character line-up order.

I’m gonna start with the ones that represent everybody.

Yesterday-today-tomorrow: I’m guessing that this one is the flower that appears during the opening and ending. They seem to also be the ones appearing behind Minato in the DVD bonus artworks as well, so I’ll get to them below soon enough.

Iris: This one is mentioned twice in the novel, and in one of those mentions, they seem to refer to the Kazemai boys. It has many meanings, the most common ones being faith, hope, wisdom, courage, valor and admiration. In Japanese flower language, they’re associated with good news, glad tidings and loyalty. Gifting someone with irises normally means “your friendship signifies so much to me”, and they’re often used in Japan on Boys’ Day.

Now, the flowers below are the ones shown behind each of the characters in the artworks that come with the DVD/Blu-ray sets.

Sen & Man

Amaryllis: Stands for pride and self-confidence. Its message is “if you’ve got it, flaunt it”, and boy, are the twins arrogant. But here’s what’s truly interesting about this flower: it’s normally associated with one-sided feelings, lmao. The red ones, like most red flowers, are linked to passion and love, be it requited or not. I really wanna try to pretend that Senichi staring at Shuu in that artwork instead of ahead like his brother is doing has absolutely nothing to do with this, but damn, it’s hard. I won’t lie; this kind of depiction of the Kirisaki trio (literally every single thing about it) had been on my official art wishlist for a long time.

Shuu

Tulip: Its general significance is “perfect, enduring love”, but there’s also a variety of other meanings to it:

Undying passionate love, whether the passion is spurned or returned

Royalty and a regal nature

Forgotten or neglected love

Abundance, prosperity, and indulgence

Charity and supporting the less fortunate

There’s probably no better flower to describe Shuu’s character. The undying love surely refers to archery *cough* and Minato *cough*. He does have a regal, noble-like nature, and has been overflowing with talent from the very start. The neglected love might be a reference to his family, but it might also apply to Shuu hitting a wall at the end of volume 1. The part about charity and supporting the less fortunate is probably an allusion to Shuu growing softer and helping out the twins after Manji gets target panic. Moreover, the tulips behind Shuu in that artwork are white, which are used to claim worthiness.

Nanao

Osmanthus: The flowers that represent the Kazemai boys have very similar meanings and I’m pretty sure that’s on purpose. The osmanthus signifies happiness, good fortune and prosperity. This flower is known for being attention-grabbing due to its strong scent, and that may refer to Nanao’s popularity with girls. It’s also nicknamed “emperor’s flower” and “emperor’s jasmine” in some languages, which might be a reference to how Nanao is depicted as prince-like in the novel.

Kaito

Cornflower: This one also stands for good fortune and prosperity. However, it has a special focus on friendship as well, and considering that “friendship” is the keyword of Kaito’s character arc, it only makes sense. This flower comes in a variety of colors, but there are only blue and pink ones behind Kaito. The main people of Kaito’s character arc and development other than Kaito himself are Nanao and Seiya, so the colors surely represent the two of them respectively. The fact that the crushing majority of the flowers is blue is without doubt a purposeful detail.

Ryouhei

Peony: Yet another good fortune and prosperity flower. They also carry the meaning of bashfulness. The ones behind Ryouhei are red, which is considered a symbol of luck. The message of peonies is “striving to act honorably” and “sharing one’s love with others to improve their lives as well”.

Sunshine child exists to bless everyone. No news here.

Seiya

Daisy: This one has different meanings depending on its variations, but the generally accepted meanings are innocence, purity, new beginnings and true love. Giving daisies to someone also normally means that the sender might be keeping a secret.

Daisies are often used to represent motherhood as well. The ones behind Seiya are English daisies, which are often paired with primroses in order to symbolize motherly love.

Minato & Masaki

The symbolism resolving around these idiots comes in a set and it’s literally impossible to separate them since one either also applies to the other or is about one’s feelings regarding the other.

I’ll start with the flowers on the DVD/Blu-ray’s artworks.

Jersey lily: Lilies carry a variety of meanings, but red ones stand specifically for passion. Jersey lilies, on their own, normally represent:

Perseverance and resilience

Happy memories

Brilliance, radiance

The messages of jersey lilies are “you have a lovely smile” (Minato would tell you about it, lmao) and “I look forward to when we meet once again”. Now the last one was a punch to the gut.

Yesterday-today-tomorrow: This one is also known as kiss-me-quick, and the irony is ridiculous. It’s a flower normally associated with the stages and the passage of time, as the name denounces. In Japanese flower language, it carries the meaning of:

Good fortune, just as everyone else

Inconstant, fickle person

Passionate

That’s a very Minato-like flower, considering how much he wavers and how open he is to doing the unexpected. The passion part goes without saying.

Now on with the novel stuff.

Oak: The trees surrounding Yata Shrine. It stands for wisdom and strength.

Bamboo: Minato compares Masaki’s shots with bamboo sprouts at some point. They symbolise resilience and inspiration.

Cherry blossom: The story begins with the first day of school, which means spring, which means cherry blossoms everywhere. There also seem to be cherry flower petals raining all over the DVD/Blu-ray artworks, which makes me believe that this flower applies to all the main characters. Still, Kirisaki doesn’t show up until the cherry blossoms are already gone, and Minato meets Masaki for the second time when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, so I dare say the flower applies to both of them in a very particular way.

This flower is used to remind people that life is short yet beautiful, often represent gentleness and femininity, and symbolize the short-lived beauty of youth. They’re also an allurance to new beginnings and the start/renewal of a cycle, since they are a common symbol of the coming of spring. They’re usually an allegory for romance as well, but plot devices aside, I don’t think this one should be considered.

Azalea: Amongst other things, they mean “remembering your home with fondness or wishing to return to it”, “caring for yourself and your family”, “temperance and emotional evenness”, and “delicate/developing passion”. The part of remembering home with fondness and wanting to return to it definitely refers to archery, and I’m pretty sure that this is emphasized by the fact that the chapter of the novel in which azaleas are mentioned is titled “Home”. “Caring for yourself” surely refers to both Minato and Masaki, but “caring for your family” might refer to Masaki alone in this case, since he was shooting in order to send his grandfather’s soul to rest. Temperance and emotional evenness surely refers to Masaki alone, lmao. Delicate and developing passion, though, refers to the two of them without a doubt.

In Japanese flower language, the message of azaleas is “take care of yourself for me”. Now this is an extremely fascinating piece of information, because Minato and Masaki basically act like that with each other all the time, both conscious and subconsciously. Masaki is always giving Minato advice on how to improve not only his technique but also his life, and all Minato learns from him never fails to turn out useful for very personal matters, and normally serves as Minato’s trigger to solve each and every one of his problems. In contraposition, Minato never shies away from showing how important Masaki is to him, which always instigates optimistic changes on Masaki as a person and influences on big decisions in that have impact not only in his life but also on Minato’s (because literally everything one does affects the other at some point). In a way, one usually takes the initiative to care for himself after receiving positivity and affection from the other.

Spotted bellflower: Bellflowers are a symbol of gratitude and unwavering love. For some reason, the author specifies spotted bellflowers, which are known for their heart-shaped leaves.

Primrose: Minato seems to be holding a bouquet of primroses in the newest art for KyoAni’s spring campaign, and rather than representing him, they most likely represent his feelings. This one has the connotation of something special and of telling somebody you can’t live without them. Its main meanings are youth, love, new beginnings, rapture, new life, blindness, birth/rebirth and supertition, and if this shit doesn’t make y’all flashback at the speed of light to Minato and Masaki’s encounters at night in Yata Shrine, I don’t know what would.

But wait. It gets worse.

Primroses are a representation of the many stages of life, but they mostly stand for youth due to also representing the incapability to have a realistic image of the world when we are in love, as the initial moments of love have people in reverie and blind them a bit. Another meaning that it carries is the fact that there’s an end to each life on this planet. All of that seems to bring back not only the nights in Yata Shrine but also the truck accident and what happened afterwards.

These flowers also seem to apply to volume 2, since they symbolize our fallacies about love and other people, which both lead to disappointments and teach us important lessons. It also stands for protection and safety, and that might as well refer to the entirety of both volumes.

Victorians consider primroses as a symbol of bashfulness, inconsistency, young loves, and neglected merits. The message of primrose is “I cannot live without you”, and Minato literally can’t live without a certain somebody, so it seems legit enough.

[decadentblood]

below the cut, there’s some information about my characters. i’m going to update this later because i can’t keep looking at it but annaleigh and evan are all completed for now ! 

𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘   

brave little foot soldier you have more courage than sense and i’m not quite sure what to make of you. kneel a wayward child and rise a hunter of artemis. glittering silver bow and quiver and arrows made of materials that only gods can think of. glittering circlet on your head identifies you as a favored champion. do not disappoint the one whose gifts keep you standing. 

annaleigh barrow has a particular prowess in archery and incredibly vision at night. at just twenty five, for the last hundred and fifty years, give or take, they have faithfully served the goddess artemis as one of her hunters. though only at the nemean lion for the last five years, they have taken a liking to this place and serve as one of artemis’ representatives. you can typically find them in the armory, working. 

on history

annaleigh has been twenty five for about a hundred and fifty years. 

they were born in 1838 and a middle child in a family of ten.

anna’s mama got pregnant by apollo after her fourth or fifth and anna was born ! totally not a surprise to anna’s mama that a result of an affair would join the family. 

they’d grown up watching their brothers help their father hunt for food but they were never allowed to join and relegated to the more feminine tasks.

when the war rolled around, they were living in the border state of virginia during the war, extremely close to the borderline with maryland. 

anna’s family chose the confederacy. anna chose the union. 

she abandoned her family for the war effort in 1862, joining with a group of women who had medical training as nurses to follow the union army as closely as they could for the preservation of life. anna, bolder than most, had a tendency to go with some soldiers into battle.

in 1863, a few months before their 25th birthday, anna laid their brother to rest and sent home a letter to their mother. to this day, she doesn’t know if they actually read the letter or burned it like they had with the others. 

1863 was an auspicious year for anna. it was the year they almost died. 

in a haze of pain and death and gore, artemis appeared to a bleeding out anna and promised respite. in exchange for their life, anna became one of artemis’ hunters. 

home had never felt real until they’d joined the hunters. 

once a child now a warrior grown, anna has excellent aim and control when it comes to utilizing the gifts of artemis and they only ever want to bring pride to the title of hunter.

they’re well known for getting women home safely and taking down their fair share of would be assaulters — most of them have a broken nose by the time they’ve been picked up by the cops.

anna has a particularly intimidating look to them and they like to keep most people at an arm’s length away. 

it feels easier that way than to lose people that they care about.

𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍

i hear your mother in your infectious laughter and i see your father in your arms, strong and compassionate. i see your step mother in your quick tongue. she was your mother’s gift to your father, after you. she also did right by you, i know that by the way she gave you those little girls who comprise your world. son of aphrodite your blessings are numerous, her love for you present in your everyday. 

evan lowell has a stunning gift, if i do say so myself. mama gifted him the ability to petrify his enemies with a kiss. imagine how that went over the first time. it’s gotten better over the years, and he certainly does his mama proud, but he’s been at lowell longer than most, almost since it opened. maybe that’s why he’s notorious for being the first to chomp at the bit to go on missions ( well, until his baby girls arrived ). now he’s in his office, twin girls running around.

on history

evan lowell doesn’t have a lot of bad days. even the days where things seem like they’re world endingly bad, good always cropped up for him. 

he had a really good childhood, surrounded by little siblings. 

evan’s dad, aiden, met his now-wife, drew ( short for druella ), about ten months after evan was born. aiden and drew have had six kids together, making evan the oldest of seven. he has Always had that Tired Dad aesthetic going on, even though he’s only two years older than his nearest sibling in age. 

evan was always involved in what his little siblings were doing and how he could help his parents. 

he has incredibly fond memories of helping his mama around the house with the chores. by seven he was washing windows and vacuuming like a champ. he had a love for order in the chaos of their household and his desire for a close knit family started here, in these moments. 

drew also taught him how to cook. aiden couldn’t cook for shit and drew thought that at least one of the lowell men should get a grip and learn how to. she also taught him most of the other household skills he knows, from changing a lightbulb to fixing the weather stripping on doors. aiden also taught evan how to work with most tools. 

this close family dynamic set evan up well for his future and for how he treats his own children. but first, we should rewind a little bit. 

evan had Big Fuckboy Energy when he was in high school. he was a jock ( football in the fall, baseball in the spring ), he was voted homecoming and prom king his senior year, and everyone saw him with a revolving door of girls around him. 

this perception is extremely funny to evan, because he grew up incredibly respectful and desiring a relationship like his parents, one as loving and full of laughter. evan never had more than one partner at a time, and his gentle heart was broken pretty easily. high school isn’t the time to be seeking commitment but that’s pretty much what evan desired from the time he could stumble around on his little feet. 

skip forward to age 23. evan met caroline. 

he thought he was going to marry this girl, he was so in love with her. but some things ! they’re just not meant to be ! 

 but lmao he did get her pregnant so that worked out great. 

they’re actually on good terms and they have a court order in place, just in case. they don’t ,,, usually follow it. they co-parent effectively and he still spends most major holidays with her so that the girls don’t feel isolated from one parent or another.

caroline has a girlfriend now, her name is ismelda ! they’re very happy and evan really likes her. 

the twins aren’t totally fleshed out yet but in my defense they are four so they’re still working on developing into their own little people. their names are natalie and nicole. 

𝒌𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒎𝒄𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆

modern day witch aesthetics don’t begin to cover this kind of power. rose quartz lined windowsills meet tarot readings at midnight and sing the song of a queen of water; that song is about yourself. the  desire to run defeated by roots you didn’t mean to lay.

katharine mcclure spends a lot of time training others in the gym, it’s something that she enjoys doing. she’s intertwined with the weave of her mother’s magic, a gift she shares with most of her siblings. this little girl sewed chaos everywhere she’s been and only changed her ways when she got here. perhaps it’s because she wanted somewhere to belong, wanted somewhere to god. 

on history

katharine mcclure grew up in solitude, not that she minded much. 

her magic manifested itself early and for that she’ll always be thankful. 

she may not have had the best intentions at all times but it’s fine. no one died. 

that she knows of. 

i’ll update this ,,,, more ,,, soon, ,, i promise.

𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝒐'𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒌𝒆 

a child born of love and hardship, living and dead, she is a melancholic kind of beauty. her eyes sparkle with knowledge long since forgotten and twinkle with life. the voices that trail through her mind aren’t always hers but she understands the desire of wanting to be heard, wanting to be loved, wanting to move on from where they feel trapped. so she helps them. maybe that’s why papa left at eight years old after dropping her off at the nemean lion. maybe that’s why she grew up so lonely. 

melissa o’rourke typically sits at the counter in the lobby as an attendant. there are spirits there who flit about and talk to her, thankful for the first time in years someone could understand them. she just smiles and listens and these things have made her kind. they’re also gossip fonts, those pesky spirits, and people tend to be surprised by the things she knows. she’s been here a long time, a fixture of this place.  

on history

soon

𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆

in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit. i’m sorry that i press flowers between pages, i just want to preserve a beauty that is fleeting. i’m sorry violence comes from this act. i’m sorry because i don’t feel good enough, like i’m undeserving, like i’m not supposed to be here. is that because i’m the son of a man who holds open the gateway to death or is that because i’m the son of a woman who has never spent more than a week with me at a time? please let me skip to the part where i’m actually happy and not just pretending for the sake of pretending. amen. 

son of hades your bones sing a thousand songs and you don’t want to hear any of them. oliver henstridge grew up relatively well off, but you don’t come to the nemean lion at thirteen because your relationships with the mortal part of your family are all that great. he’ll leave for a week at a time every six to ten months to spend some time with his mother but usually he’s somewhere around the nl, being bothersome, making tiktoks, whatever he feels like doing in the moment. for a boy with the ability to manipulate shadows, to bend that piece of reality to his will and step through them like doors to the other side of the world, he certainly doesn’t take anything too seriously.

on history

soon

on wanted connections

soon

[mimir-anoshe]

Family don’t End in blood.

(- Posted/Credit from this YouTube Channel)

You know, I haven’t been in the Supernatural Tumblr fandom long. Maybe about a year and a half? And there’s shitty people, and ship wars, and all the bs that comes with the territory. Yet there’s meticulously beautiful meta, ‘wig? snatched’ crack,  ingeniously immersive fics’ of deserving authors and amazingly awesome people in general too. But the show... 

Oh, I’ve been watching this show for years. Along with the cast shenanigans, the cons, the bloopers I’ve been a part of this huge beautiful troublesome funny quirky family since I was 12. And as I’m sure it’s true for everyone who loves this show, its characters and the spn family as much as I do - this show has gotten me through some shit. So coming home today, seeing the video from J2M and finding out season 15 is the last hurrah of this incredible series that feels more like an old friend than a TV show. Yeah. It's tough, and I was crying, still am a bit for more than a few reasons. 

Ok, Chuck knows I may not be a master storyteller, but I’ll try. For her.

Once upon a time there was a girl...

An amazing, intelligent, funny, brave soul who never backed down and always stood up for what she believed was right. And in every aspect apart from blood, she was my big sister, and my best friend.

If you wanted a comparison, she was the dorky yet bad-ass elder brother Dean - we both adored pie - to my nerdy yet freakishly wise little sibling Sam - even though I’m the bi one out of both of us. I could keep going for days talking about her, and how bright of a celestial wavelength of intent she really was, but I’ll just sum it up with this...

I loved her very much.

We got each other into spn due to a dare, as I told her to steal her Dad’s Series collections, as he usually kept them out of reach from our cheeky paws (yes there was also porn, but surprisingly we left that alone). I thought it would be funny, especially since we had to YouTube how to pick a lock.

Never knew it would change my life forever. We found the first 3 seasons of Supernatural tucked away in a dusty corner, watched the first episode and never looked back.  

We manage to co-binge (after scrambling to buy the next two seasons) all the way up to S5 ep23 - the heartbreaking last Kripke farewell - “Swan Song”, whilst I believe Season 8 was still airing episodes. She wanted to make our ringtones “Hey Assbutt”; I just remember shaking my head and laughing, even now, even after I’d sobbed into her shoulder over... Well you guys know.

Though the one thing I vividly recall is perhaps the most important. She’d turned to me, and I was instantly suspicious, but she’d just knuckled my head and hugged me. Definite chick flick moment lmao. Then she gripped my pinkie tight and raised it in hers, and she made us both swear that no matter how many seasons, how much it made us laugh and rage and cry, we would stick around until the very last season. And no matter what, we would watch and laugh and rage and cry over the last episode of this show we both loved. Together.

Supernatural was our Impala, and our shared pact was the initials we scratched into it.    

Not long after that she was diagnosed with lung cancer.

For a while there everything was numb and horrible and inside it was...shit. Yet she always tried to put on that stupidly persistent brave face of hers, and she was trying so hard even though she shouldn’t have had to. Like Dean, I suppose. So I tried to try harder, to make her forget about the pain and the tears, and to remind her that she was still there. I tried.  

For her.

She went out with me and her Dad on her birthday to a parlour to get the anti-possession tattoo, and told me that when I was old enough she’d be right next to me when I got a matching one over my heart. We caught up to the - then - currently airing episodes whilst she was still in hospital undergoing chemo. I’d bring in my laptop and we’d stream them late into the night, I think we pissed the nurses off a bit too much with our slightly too loud reactions hehe.

Even though she got weaker and sicker, she never wanted me to stop watching episodes with her, until we were in the hiatus heading towards season 10. She kept saying that Dean would come back to himself eventually, that the ‘going black-berry eyes’ wouldn’t stick. That he always would, because he “loves his family too much”, is what she said.

And then a little while later, she was gone.

My best friend. My big sister. We never got to watch the next season, and we played ‘Wayward son’ at her funeral. Everyone who was close to us both knew the lyrics by that point, along with Led Zepp and a lot of the other  grunge/rock/metal bands she loved.

For a while I stopped watching the show. I was so angry, and lost, and it was so dark there for a bit. I though what was the point if she wasn't there to watch it with me? I think it was almost half a year later when I finally got around to coming to her Dad’s house - her room having been left untouched because it hurt too much - to help finally collect things or give em to charity.

It was there that I rediscovered the first few spn series boxes that we’d rescued from that dusty corner so long ago, and I don’t know why, but in her room, tears pooling in my eyes staring down at the cover, I decided to watch them all again. And for the first time since that last watch at her bed-side, it felt like she was there with me once again, alive, laughing and crying and raging with me like always. I caught up to the current episodes, and a short-while later entered fandom, which leads to me writing this post. If you wanted a metaphorical Ouroboros no one asked for in this post, there you go.  

I’m an atheist, but if there is a heaven like in the show, or something else, some sort of ‘beyond’, I liked to think she was re-living all the best memories I’m thinking of right now. Including the day we found our favourite show, with the Winchester brothers and the best gay-angel in all of TV. And that if she were reborn into the meta-alternative world of supernatural, that she’d be kicking ass right alongside them.

I think she’d be just as fond as me of the Winchester’s nougat son.

Now don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a pity story. My sis has been gone a while now, and although it will always hurt, I’ll never forget the promise I made. That every single moment of this show since 2005 has been a blessing, and that I am so grateful that me and her got to be a part of it together, and share it as something so special that changed both our lives for the better. 

That even though she’s gone, next year when the final season 15 airs, I’ll keep my promise. Until the last fare thee well of the last episode.

Because family DOESN'T end in blood, and neither does the spn family end in it either. She taught me that. The three Winchester’s taught me that. 

All of you taught me that. 

We’ll all still be the spn family, the cast, the crew, the artists, the writers, the shit-posters, the people who do binge re-runs every other week, the hardcore shippers, all people that love one another with bonds made over years of laughter, blood, sweat and tears. In some form we’ll still be here, and so will these characters - in our hearts - just like she was for me.

I’ll make every second in this final season something to treasure, laughing and crying and raging and smiling until the last moment. 

I’ll do it for me. I’ll do it for the supernatural family. I’ll do it for this show I hold so dearly.

And I’ll do it for her. 

[jinships-ideas]

BTS Run 49 & 50 - The Jin Harem

This potato is back! 

To make up for the lost week here’s an EXTRA long post that covers ep49 & 50!

Let’s Get it!

The incessant need for these 2 to be glued to each other’s side is a blessing to us all

Did they really have to lean into each other as they sat?

Yes, yes they did

Hobi sneakily touching Jin’s hand 

You thought you were subtle but the camera still caught it~

2Seok lost in their own world

More like Hobi being lost in the food and Jin being lost in the pretty sight~

Ft. Cutie Jin’s sitting pose where his hands are on his knees which are together while his legs are apart~

Jin uwu-ing while admiring Hobi’s happy face

Hobi uwu-ing back at Jin 

2Seok brings happiness

Despite sitting all the way at the opposite end, Chim somehow managed to engage Jin into the conversation

Chim even seemed to be gesturing towards Jin and set his sight on Jinnie~

Jinmin: The space between us doesn’t matter if we are still connected at heart

I laughed a little too hard at this

Jk being a brat and Jin letting him

Why are jinkook so precious?

Take note that there are plenty of food around but JK HAD to have the one Jin took a bite out of

HMMM I WONDER WHY

JK: Why eat when there’s a better use for those lips?

PROTECT THESE  PUPPIES

Tae went to pass JK a glass and Jinnie thought Tae wanted to toast and brought his own glass towards Tae

But as Tae hands the glass to JK, Jin just toasts against Tae’s hand

XD HAHHAHAHA THIS MAN IS GREAT

During the actual toast, Jin’s glass only connects with Joonie’s

Sidenote: Their colored bowties make them look like comedians

Awww JK looking up to Jin

LITERALLY 

NOTICE HIM ALREADY YOU FOOL!

the glass Jin is holding is actually JK’s! 

He wanted to try the drink and when he was done, he put it back on the table between Yoongs and JK

But Jk shifted it back to the spot between Jin and himself

Perhaps he put it there so Jin could reach it easier if he wanted another taste?

Bangtan: The Manito Episode! JK: The Episode where Jin gave snacks as his gift!

The same episode but the associated memory is different...

Jk has a proper glass but his extra ass HAD to use the ceramic one he has...

This boy is a child

PROTECT HIM

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

THERE’S ANOTHER CHILD BESIDE HIM!

I’m wondering if JK poured it to be a brat or for the sake of Jin...

Either way, it’s soft

It’s hard to tell who Jin was talking to as he mistakenly thought the ranking was talking about BV1...

Either way, it’s a Jinship moment

Hobi patting the slightly embarrassed Jin’s back 

XD HAHAHA THIS FOOL GOT CONFUSED 

Chim agreeing with Jinnie and pointing at him across the room

Distance is not enough to put a damper on Jinmin’s tenacity 

YOU CAN BET YOUR ASS THAT IF IT WEREN’T FOR THEIR SITTING ARRANGEMENT, JINMIN WOULD HAVE HUGGED TF OUT OF EACH OTHER HERE

Jin being fond at the sight of a fumbling Yoongs

Bangtan reacting to Jin’s comedy

Jin loves Bangtan, Bangtan loves Jin

BTS is the ultimate jinship itself

SLY HOBI PUTTING HIS HAND ON THE WORLDWIDE SHOULDER

2Seok checking in with that skinship

They really zoom out to give us a full reaction bangtan gives when it’s Jin’s moment huh?

Ft. touchy Hobi back at it with his touchy hand~

Hobi’s hand is STILL on Jin’s shoulder

Jin hitting JK out of amusement

Touchy Jin, Touchy Hobi

AHh life is great

Jin was the only one who was super amused by Joon’s “ottogi”

I bet that isn’t the only amusing thing Jin finds about Joonie~

Ahhhh onions~

The namjin vege~

2SEOK BE GOING STRONG!!!

Touchy HOBI, BLESS YOU

Joonie quietly praising Jin’s absurd skill at the card game~

Jinnie being very amused by Tae and JK’s hilarious conversation mid-game

Jk looks proud~

Jin was VERY amused at Tae’s misfortune with the pottery

Jin you evil man, beware of a certain pup with iconic eyebrows that will be after your ass!

Hobi got the BEST position ever

Bless his hand that touched Jin

Bless his entire existence for gracing us with 2Seok and his amazing presence

Namjin imitating Yoonjin’s photo-zone fail 

Staff: Who here ships Namjin? Namjin: *raises their hand* Vmin: Let’s just stuff our faces to forget the betrayal Yoongs: Hmph. Unbelievable Jk: BIIITCH WHAT? Hobi: Excuse you? What about 2Seok bitch? Jin: I ship all Jinships like an intellectual ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

???

It at least nice to see Jin can command Hobi and JK’s attention with just 1 finger

Touchy Hobi is just FEEDING us with all the 2seok now 

Touchy Jin STRIKES AGAIN!

He hits Jk and JK doesn’t even respond

JK must be so used to this shit now XD

He even hits and rubs JK’s back when Tae was talking about the water park T^T 

Bless Jin and his touchy hands

The understanding gazes between Namjin 

Jin accurately guesses Joon’s distaste for Bungee Jumping with just 1 look~

What a dumb thing to expose

Don’t you know the production team will use that against you now?

The more you say you hate it, the more likely it is for them to use that as a future punishment...

Bangtan exposing themselves = Boo boo the fools

Ft. Jk paying attention to Jin and ONLY JIN

*inserts doo doo doo doo BGM*

STOP BEING SO DARN CUTE YOU TWO

First, they act all kiddish and then they suddenly pull this romantic ass crap

our weak hearts can’t keep up T^T

MORE PLEASE

HE CLOSED HIS EYES

TO SAVOUR THE SENSATION

FCCCCCK

JINKOOK BE AFTER OUR HEARTS

Did I say bangtan were boo boo the fools? 

I was wrong

It’s us

Always has been, always will be

Jinnie grumbles about how his snack gift was thrown away by Hobi and Hobi protests XD

Awww I found it touching how Jin seemed GENUINELY TOUCHED by JK’s active nomming of his snacks 

T^T his pouty lips and the head nods

T^T PROTECT THIS PURE MAN WHO JUST WANTS PEOPLE TO APPRECIATE HIS GAG GIFT

Hobi: Bitch really? In front of my salad?

(That’s right, it’s been a while but the salad meme is BACK)

Tae: Welp... I found a new target for Yeontan’s teeth Chim: *snickers* He thinks he can just touch MY man? *scoffs* be prepared to face my kicks Joon: I’m about to throw my fists Yoongs: Let’s see what this paper says! Oh it’s a certain Hoseok’s fortune! It says he is about to eat some punches thrown by yours truly! Jk: Bitch. How you dare, How you dare, How you dare!

This shows tht Jinkook was sharing their glass the whole time 

and I bet a whole lot of indirect chuus happened...

Tae & Chim: *UNAMUSED ABOUT THE INDIRECT CHUUs* Joon: Really bitch?  Yoongs: Can you believe those 2 shits? Hobi: Tell me about it. I’m the one sharing their love seat here...

Hobi flirting with Jin mid-award ceremony

WHO WILL BE THE WINNERS (to Jin’s heart)?

STAY TUNED

Lmao no, just read on XD for part 2 of this EXTRA long post~

Let’s begin the promised Part 2 of this post~

Let’s Get It!

Jinnie anticipates Joon’s nomination for the ‘Cute’ award...

So... You think he is cute enough for an award huh?

You’re not wrong...

But... you are also not being subtle

His amusement and Joy at seeing Joonie being nominated for ‘Best Physical’ Award

Jin: That’s right, that man’s body is A++

He could have also been teasing Joonie

Either ways, Namjin is great

Jinkook looking like identical copies

Ft. Broadass Jin making Jk look tiny in comparison

Jin cheering wholeheartedly for happy JK when he was announced as the ‘Best Physical’ Award winner!

Touchy!Jin strikes again!

We’ve missed you handsy Jin :’)

HAND ON THIGH!!!

*Screams*

HE GOES FOR THE WAIST AND BACK AFTER THE THIGH!!!

Hobi responds by reaching for Jin’s Worldwide Shoulder!

I feel like a sports commentator

Extreme! Shipping, it’s a sport

:’)))

Jin reaches for Hobi’s hand amidst their laughter 

Sadly they were too excited to fully hold hands

Jin doesn’t give up and finally gets to hold Hobi’s wrist properly

I love 2seok

2Seok loves love

Love loves 2Seok

Jinkook + 2Seok

BLESS THIS FRAME

BLESS THIS SEATING ARRANGEMENT

BLESS JIN’s GENES

Jk: He’s mine~ Hobi: Excuse you! He’s MINE Jin: *sigh* it’s tough to be fabulous

Hobi, JK and Joon expressing their delight for MC Jin’s nomination!

MC JIN WAS FANTASTIC

HE DID SO GOOD!!

Hobi getting Handsy like always~

Hobi’s hand is on Jin’s thigh

I REPEAT HOBI’S HAND IS ON JIN’S THIGH

Jin is wrapping his hand around Hobi’s arm that is touching his thigh

PRAISE 2SEOK

It looked like they were gonna interlock their fingers!

If only they weren’t moving so much!

Jin doesn’t even let Hobi’s hand go...

:’)))

2Seok be doing the MOST

The softness in the way Jin looks at Hobi with his hands grabbing onto his knee

THE SOFTNESS THAT IS JIN ADMIRING HOBI TALKING

T^T

*ugly sobbing*

Jin looked towards Hobi upon hearing his name being called as the winner for the ‘MC’ Award!!

2Seok STOPPPP

MY HEART :”)

Jin actually turned to look at Yoongi immediately after Hobi hugs him

He probably thought Yoongi should have won the ‘MC’ award!

BUT YOONJIN IS SO URGHHH

Yoongi the gentleman APPROACHING JIN TO HUG HIM

YOONJIN :’))))

Jinnie escorting Yoongi, the RIGHT ‘MC’ Award winner to get his award

Joonie sneaking in some skinship with Jin with his back patting of consolment

PARK JIMIN YOU CRUEL MAN 

CUTE MY ASS (kidding you’re still cute but you’re the evil cutie)

It was sooooo bratty to play that trick on Jinnie!

Poor Jinnie was so happy when he thought he won...

:(((

Chim better have hugged Jin to make up for it

Chim you are boo boo the fool

IF you wanted Jin’s attention, maybe don’t be so cruel and mean to him?

2Seok are just being too much right now...

WHEN WILL YOU LEARN THAT YOUR ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES?!!

Tae: That ass tho.... *licks lips* Joon: That muscle punk is blocking my view of the JinBooty! Jk: Awww YEAHHHH A+ view 2Seok: *can I have this dance plays in the background*

Jk and Hobi calling out Jimin for being mean

CALL THAT PUNK OUT

ISTG JIMIN BETTER HAVE BACKHUGGED THE SADNESS OUT OF JIN AFTER THE BS HE PULLED

I DEMAND A JINMIN BACKHUG AS COMPENSATION FOR MAKING JINNIE SAD

Jk the sweet child using the chance to sneak his hand towards his favourite place: Jin’s neck

Jk’s neck kink is once again proven

STOP FLIRTING FFS 

(please don’t)

Flower!Jin~

2Seok reaching for each other when Hobi was nominated for the ‘Acting’ Award!

THey are so adorable with each other 

(Low key confused why Jin wasn’t nominated too... Guess the crew for Bts Run has bad tastes and only thinks of reducing Jin’s efforts and talents and give him a totally predictable and no-thought-put-into-whatsoever cooking award)

‘Cooking’ Award - we all know the rightful winner

Bangtan knows it too

But couldn’t the crew have put more effort into a different award?

Even Jin was disappointed with it

(¬_¬)

The members all tried hard to hype it up by praising him and saying its an important award

But BTS Run staff... Really? Seriously? All that effort and creativity but you give Jin the ‘Cooking’ Award?  (¬_¬)

Maybe try stopping with this ‘reducing Jin as only a cook/carer’ thing you guys have been doing and see his Variety sense and recognise it for once

(¬_¬)

Awww Chim must have felt bad for being insensitive to Jin the whole time 

:’)))

You could tell he felt guilty XD

Just give him a hug and all will be good Chim!

Jinnie staying positive (we know he always does :’( ) and cheering Hobi on and hyping him for the same nomination~

How many times have 2Seok hugged? XD

Yoongi reaching to shake Jinnie’s hand like the gentleman he is~

Jinkook hug~ 

Ft. Hobi’s lingering hand on Jin~

2Seok will be the death of us this episode

Flower!Jin receiving flowers from another handsome man, Tae

:’)))

The bright way Hobi looks at Jin

SUPPORTIVE 2SEOK!!!

Tae and Chim knows what’s good looking too

Jin: *announcing his choice out of the 3 bachelors* JIMIN-SSHI! Tae: *looks into the camera like in The Office* So THIS is what betrayal feels like... Chim: ME?!! *GASP* Joon: DAFUQ? I WAS A SHOO-IN!

Tae: *still in his Top 10 anime betrayal mode* Chim: THIS BITCH PLAYED ME AND I GLADLY LET HIM Joon: Imma just turn away from the losers

Jin HAD to be petty and get his revenge on Chim huh?

Well, petty man, NO Chim HUGS for you :<

Namjin + Flowers = Good combi

2Seok just keeps going

just keeeeeeeep on going

Really 2Seok is too much

Our weak hearts are suffering from the QUALITY MOMENTS

THANK YOU

aaand they are back to being goofballs that we love and know them for

Jinnie sneaking a glance at Joonie at their nomination for ‘Best Chemistry’ Award

(Low key though, Joon’s face and Jin’s face froze for a little...)

Tae seems to be enjoying the Namjin though

2Seok, stop giving us diabetes with your sweetness and touchiness XD

WHen the staff was reading out why they gave all 3 combis the award, Joonie was just looking at his fellow nominee

Jin, however, was busy making his harem and was flirting with Chim across the room

These 2 XD Distance really doesn’t mean a thing for them~

Hobi nudges Jin to try to get his attention away from Chim~

...

Tell me it wasn’t just me that found it off

...

...

?

Chim’s slight smile as he makes eye contact with Jin

Joonie’s odd expression and tone...

I’m sensing something...

Jinnie being a kid

But... why was Joon looking at him like that?

*Theory brewing...stay tuned to find out*

Tae being adorable and matching with Jin’s kiddy actions~

Jk snickering in the corner...

Does he know something we don’t???

Jin requests Joon to hold his hand...

But Joonie pulls his hand away so quickly!

...

JK: Kids, this is why you don’t jerk off right before you have to film Hobi: STFU you are the only kid here Jimin: HAHA Hyung got caught doing the nasty Yoongs: Gross... Tae: Stop pretending to be saints y’all bunch of nasties Jin: I’m taking that you are not accepting my request to hold hands because you didn’t wash your hands... That’s disgusting Joon... Joon: BITch stop accusing me. I JUST DON’T WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND OK?! Bangtan: Who would want to hold hands with the person who caught them rubbing one out while calling their name? Not Joon. Joon: STFU Y’ALL ARE LYING

In case you guys didn’t realize, I am just joking

But yea There was some tension there but my nasty mind goes to someone being caught jerking off by someone else and thus awkwardness ensues~

Feel free to use this to write a fic!

Matching shocked!Namjin

HAHHAHHAHAH

THeir reactions were HILARIOUS

HOBIIII HHAHAHAHAHH

FCCCCKKK

*Save me Save me*

Joon: *wants to fight the confetti pt.1* Chim+Tae: * Enjoying the pretty streamers* Yoongs: *Having a mild heart attack* Jk: *enjoying himself* Jin: *caught in the middle of an earthquake* Hobi: *wants to fight the confetti pt.2*

Yea sure Hobi, wrap Jinnie up and tie him up

Not inappropriate at all

Hobi’s got his hands firmly wrapped around Jin’s waist

Yoongi has his arm around Jin’s Worldwide shoulder and Jin holds on tight to Tae’s arm~

Tae: Another member who is trying to wrap Jin up and tie him up

Inappropriate no.2

Hobi+Chim+Joon: *glaring at Tae’s audacity*

Well, aren’t you a little close, Sir?

Yoongs softly smiling at how Tae is wrapping jin with the streamer~

Jinkook is that touchy couple that will insist they DO NOT engage in PDA put pulls stunts like this

Jk isn’t even trying to hide his neck kink with Jin anymore

Fetus!Bangtan!!!

2Seok was already strong back then huh?

The way he looks at Jin...

WHO IS CHOPPING ONIONS HUH?!

2Seok is the main pairing for this episode 

HANDS DOWN THE TOUCHIEST AND SWEETEST PAIR THIS EPISODE

Edit:

TOUCHY JIN GROPES JK’s BUTT

Can’t believe I was distracted by all the 2Seok that I missed this

Thank you to the kind user who pointed this out in the comments section!!

-Edit end-

Jinkook + Shoulder + Neck + Shiba Jin + Headband Jin

*dead*

CHILDREN

FFS XD

Jin’s uwu though

:’)))

Jinmin are happy bubs that are glad to be on the same team~

Bunny!Jinmin~

Ft. Jin nudging Chim in the arm with his fingers~

THE FLUFFINESS AND CUTENESS

GAHH

If only they put the mike fuzz on  their butt to make it look ike a fuzzy bunny tail...

Top 10 Anime betrayals

When Jin lied about being unable to blow a bubble with gum

Joonie look so upset XD

HUG HIM TO CHEER HIM UP JIN!

Bunny!Jinmin abandons their animal friends and goes off to enjoy their time at the amusement park~

PHEW THAT WAS A LONGASS POST

Hope you guys enjoyed it!

Until Next Time~

[quell-tea-salon]

SolidS QUELL Party (SQP) event report~! (Warning: I ramble. A lot.)

The concert was over a month ago and unfortunately I have a memory on par with a goldfish, but it was one of the best experience I’ve had in Japan so far and I’ll try to recall as much as I can ;;;

The event took place on July 16th at the Kokugikan in Ryogoku. I was blessed enough to win tickets for the afternoon session, and arrived early to queue so I could enter the hall without standing in the sun for too long. There was a booth outside selling official concert merchandise like character goods and light sticks; I didn’t buy any, but there were loads of people near the booth who had laid out their purchased merchandise for trading (since most of the character goods are blind boxes). I should’ve brought along my SolidS merch to give away, since I’m really only into QUELL. (OOT: QUELL and SolidS are usually grouped together in blind box merch. I love everyone in QUELL so my chances of getting something I like is preeeeeeeetty high, but for some reason I keep getting Shiki?! So if anyone wants Shiki merch, let me know. I have... lots.)

There was probably life-sized standees of the characters somewhere in the lobby but I couldn’t find them ;; I went to look for my seat which was on the 1st floor and quickly realised that half of my view of the stage was blocked by the speakers...grr. Couldn’t complain too much though, since I was lucky just to be there. The photos above were taken while waiting for the rest of the crowd to take their seats. In the meantime, SolidS and QUELL PV’s were played on the projection screen. Every time SolidS appeared on screen, the audience screamed lol. There was some noise for QUELL too, but definitely not as loud... I was quietly cheering for my sons in my heart ;w; Started chatting with the girl sitting next to me and found out that she was a SolidS fan (of course), and that her favourite was Dai-chan (good taste). I really wanted to give her my SolidS merch.......

About 15 minutes before the show started, the two Lizz squirrel mascots (purple for SolidS, blue for Quell) emerged on stage, dressed in sumo gear (in reference to the venue, which is usually a sumo wrestling ground), to say hi to the arena audience. They were so big and round... ;w; I was super jealous of people who had tickets for arena seats, they got to be so close to the stage!!

The lights dimmed and SolidS appeared on stage as the audience went crazy. They opened the set list with KARA DA KARA, followed by Quell’s HIKARI. My heart was about to beat out of my chest, I was just so happy to be able to see my Quell sons in the flesh ;_______; I don’t know if my seat position in relation to the speakers had anything to do with this, but I couldn’t really hear the vocals well ;_; The music was too loud and vocals sounded muffled.... Nevertheless, getting to hear the groups sing live was a magical experience.

Next, everyone came back out onto the stage for introductions and opening talk (while admiring the 360 degrees seating). I only realised this after the concert, but they were all dressed in the same clothes as the characters in the official concert art! SolidS all slick and deadly in urban monochrome outfits, and Quell looking all breezy and relaxed in loose charcoal and blue. The twins of course were wearing matching clothes, down to the accessories....... ugh... angels..... Nogami even had Ichiru’s hairstyle T_T

The Lizz squirrels popped up on stage occasionally and the cast members gave them lots of love; Takeuchi kept hugging the Quell Lizz and squeezing his tail lol (he really loves cute animals). Nishiyama and the twins took turns holding his hands or gently guiding him around the stage (family aura!!). SolidS......... grabbed their Lizz by the crotch....

Moving on to the solo performances. Shiki took the lead with Tide, followed by Tsubasa with Canaria. I wasn’t familiar with any of the songs, but i could tell that the audience loved them. I don’t particularly appreciate Eguchi and Saito’s singing styles, but they had a lot of energy and really knew how to work the crowd.

After that, it was QUELL’s turn. First to perform was of course Shu, with End of Night. Takeuchi was completely at home on stage, strutting around and engaging the audience. I was surprised that he had backup dancers and i don’t know if he was meant to know the choreograph, but he danced along with ease and at other times swayed his hips in a way that made my inner mom voice want to yell at him to behave lol (I can’t help it, he’s so young). In recordings, Shu’s vocals are bold and precise; during the concert, Takeuchi was singing as himself - messing around with the melody, using short, breathy notes, and just having lots of fun. It sounded very different from the recorded version of End of Night, but it was a great performance regardless. 

Issei took to the stage to sing Hoshizora (starry sky) as the audience changed their light sticks to blue. IMO Shugo gave the most solid performance of the show. Issei’s voice was clear and powerful, but sweet and delicate at all the right moments. And he thanked us for showing him a beautiful starry sky with our light sticks T_T At this point the CD actually hadn’t been released yet so all we had was the demo. The full song was incredible. FYI, Shugo played the guitar for Hoshizora; I would’ve died if he had actually played the guitar at the concert too...

After the song, the rest of Quell joined Issei on stage. Ichiru ran STRAIGHT at Issei and gave him a tackle hug T___T I can’t deal with these two...

The next segment was SoriRaji (SolidS radio) and QueRaji (QUELL radio). Again, my memory is pretty fuzzy, but I’ve tried to jot down as much as I can remember. 

Eichi was probably nervous and kept messing up his lines. The twins cheered him on together with “Eichi, faito!” godddddddd so cute ><

Question for Shu: When did you realise that the twins had opened up (to you/Quell)?

Shu: I took a nap on the sofa one day, and when I woke up I found the twins asleep next to me

Ichiru: WAAAAAAAAAAAAA DON’T SAY ANY MORE

Issei: You looked so comfortable sleeping there, we couldn't help joining in...

Ichiru: Though it was creepy waking up to find Eichi STARING at us

Eichi: I was so jealous!!! I wanted to join in but there wasn't enough space on the sofa ;_;

There was a question directed at Shu, I don't quite remember what it was but it had something to do with Shu's schedule being busier than the others and whether it was hard for them to spend time together.

Eichi: Shu's usually the first one awake and out at work before the rest of us are even out of bed.

Twins: We should try to get up earlier sometimes and have breakfast together!

Shu: *Weeps into hands* My children are precious... (#Mychildrenareprecious became the official twitter hashtag for SQP lmao)

Question for the twins: What kind of cakes do you like?

Issei: I like mille crepe and cream puffs

Ichiru: I like cream puffs too! And mont blanc, and chocolate cake, and strawberry short cake! Anything with whole strawberries on top!

Mom, dad & audience: Aww...

Ichiru: W-what?! I just like desserts with lots of cream, what's wrong with that?!!!

Shu: That's cute ^^ I don't eat a lot of sweets but if I had to pick one, it'd be rare cheese cake

Eichi: Ti. Ra. Mi. Su <3

Question for the twins: Issei, as the older sibling, have you ever wanted Ichiru to call you "oniichan?"

Issei: I’ve never really thought about it before and I don’t think that it’s necessary, but now that it’s been mentioned I kinda want to hear it...

Ichiru: .....Hear what

Issei: You calling me oniichan

Shu: I’m filming this :)

Ichiru was reluctant ofc, but after some prodding from mom and dad (and the audience)...

Ichiru: (smol voice) .....Oniichan

Shu, Eichi, Issei: *FIST PUMP*

Audience: *DEAD*

Question for everyone: If QUELL was to go on holiday together, where would you go?

Ichiru: Okinawa!! I reaaaaaaaally wanna go to Okinawa!!!

Shu: *fond dad face* Let’s go ^^

Ugh they were 1000000% Happy Family, it was the CUTEST thing to watch.... I was trying not to die from how cute the twins were and it was reassuring to see Shu also trying his best not to burst into tears whenever the twins did or said something cute (which was ALL THE TIME).

I don't remember much from SoliRaji (SolidS radio), but #PHO~! became the other designated SQP tag because Shiki kept yelling that word LOL. It started with Shiki answering a question about his favourite south east asian food or something, and his reply was Vietnamese pho ("PHOOOO~!!"). That became a running gag throughout the rest of the concert wwwww Dai answered Thai green curry :3c 

And oh, in response to a question about who had the biggest hands in SolidS, all 4 pressed their hands together to compare sizes (Tsubasa and Dai even snuck in a lovers grip). Cue lots of dying screams from the audience, haha. In the end, Shiki was the largest, followed by Rikka, Dai, and Tsubasa (obviously based on the seiyuus hands, though I was surprised that Hanae’s hands were bigger than Umehara’s). 

In a nutshell, Eguchi and Umehara were wrecking havoc by running their mouths, so Saito had his hands full running damage control... as usual ww

After a short break the show continued with the solo songs, starting with Rikka’s Good Night My Darling. I always enjoy hearing Hanae sing live, he has such a pretty voice! Next was Dai’s Jinsei Hard Mode. Umehara’s singing improves every time I hear it... and obviously we all know he’s ikemen, but in person he’s even more gorgeous, goddamn.

Ichiru’s Akaku Somaru Sora (red sky) was as energetic and straightforward as in the CD! Tbh i think singing as Ichiru stifles Nogami’s skills (apparent when you hear Nogami singing in his own voice, and yes, that’s Shugo next to him) but he’s great to watch live and i LOVE that he waves enthusiastically at the crowd as Ichiru!!

When it was Eichi’s turn to sing his solo, Niji (Rainbow), we were all super excited because the song’s demo isn’t even out yet, and here we got to listen to it live, in full!! It was a fun, summery pop tune, befitting its title, and the whole time Eichi was hopping around and waving at the audience with a huge smile. He really was emitting rainbows and flowers T___T Nishiyama’s not the strongest singer in QUELL, but he definitely embodies Eichi’s cheerfulness.

SolidS returned to the stage to perform Tokyo LOVE Junky, followed by Quell with Aoi Mizu. I had mixed feelings when I first listened to Aoi Mizu since it felt completely out of place on a Quell album, but i figured they probably needed at least one upbeat concert-friendly song, and sure enough it seems like Aoi Mizu was written for this purpose. It’s definitely a lot easier to shake your light stick in time with the song compared to Hikari, or even Believer ^q^

We were asked to participate in a recording for the Tsukipro anime that’s airing in October. They wanted us to yell out the characters’ names or scream “kya~!” to use during actual concert footage in the anime!!! They were only recording for SolidS in the afternoon which meant that Quell’s would get done during the night show... I wanted to be there for Quell too >< Anyway, SolidS took turns going up on stage and used hand signals to indicate when we should start/stop yelling. Each recording lasted 30 seconds iirc? The audience was happy to comply haha, we went WILD. Shiki went first, then Tsubasa. When it was Rikka’s turn, Hanae wanted some variation lol he asked us to whisper when he put his hand down, and tune up the volume as he raised his hand. It was a lot of fun, I was laughing half the time because he was contorting his body (bending over backwards etc) while moving his arm, just being a clown really. We did our best to match his hand movements and got praised for it at the end :3 Lastly, Umehara got up for Dai and his first words were “Don’t call me Dai-chan” JKSDGJLHGDFLJ CUTE he used the same system as Hanae and ofc most of us screamed “DAI-CHAAAAAAAAAAAAANNN” ^q^

The show came to a close with the obligatory event ending song Sexy☆Sense. Obviously performed by SolidS as it’s their song, but Quell stuck around to join in. There was a lot of activity on stage but I mostly kept my eyes on the twins ;w; I have to admit that SolidS’ music is not really my taste, but Sexy☆Sense is super catchy and it’s hard not to sing along. A supercharged ending to an amaaaazing concert!!!

I’ve pre-ordered the SQP DVD so that I can watch what happens in the night session >< Can’t wait!! To those of you who managed to survive my TL;DR, thank you for your patience!