#i just have ensemble brain rot

[minecraftbookshelf]

Every time there is any kind of traffic life duo/trio/shipping/grouping poll I'm just sitting over here like "why are we pitting all these bad bitch dumpster fires against each other?" why can't we just study them all under a microscope?

[kalashtars]

reading ensemble stars stories about The War and... like I know this is sad times and all.... but this is such a cast of homosexuals. like every fucking story has someone going "you are the light of my life I am literally in love with you I want to be with you forever and if you leave I will kill myself"

[pathologicalreid]

clue | S.R.

in which penelope hosts a new year's eve party. with a murder mystery theme.

who? spencer reid x fem!journalist!reader

category: fluff, slice of life

content warnings: all of the characters are dressed as detectives. marriage, murder, mentions of blood, fireworks, slight descriptions of fake violence, reader wears a dress, this is very haphazardly proofread. very slightly suggestive in the beginning if you squint.

word count: 2.95k

a/n: happy new year's eve friends! this idea has been rotting in my brain since i read the prompt. i started with the idea that i wanted reader and kristy to win and a dream, and now here i am. it was genuinely so much fun to write. (and now i have spencer x journalist!reader brain rot) i always see people writing for these challenges but this is my first time participating!

i wrote this for @imagining-in-the-margins' office party challenge based on the prompt "Penelope planned a Murder Mystery party... with a bunch of criminal profilers. Great. (Bonus if a non-profiler wins)" thank you so much for this challenge!

“I have no idea why Penelope felt the need to rent an AirBnB for a New Year’s Eve party,” you whispered, getting out of the car along with Spencer. “Or why we had to dress in costume,” you said, pulling your shawl over your shoulders.

Gently reaching over, Spencer tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ears, “It’s a Penelope Garcia party, that means it’s a production. Additionally, this is the first New Year's Eve we’ve been in town in four years, which means there’s no need for an MHM.”

Grinning up at your fiancé, you responded, “There does seem to be a moratorium on violent crime this holiday season.” The best Christmas gift you received this year was finding Spencer sleeping in bed next to you when you woke up.

You watched him reach into the back of the car for his jacket. The costume description Garcia had given him was similar to what he wore on a normal day. You helped him pick out the brown sweater vest and matching tie, but he selected the rest of the ensemble. “Did I tell you that you look incredible?” He asked, pulling his jacket on.

“I believe those were the words that caused us to be fifteen minutes late, Dr. Reid,” you chided but smiled nonetheless when Spencer pulled you close and embraced you.

You felt him smile against your neck, “Worth it,” he whispered.

Dragging him by the arm, you stood on the porch and knocked on the door. Almost instantly, a familiar voice rang out, “You have to use the knocker!” Penelope called out.

Sighing, you rolled your eyes and took the bronze adornment in your hand and knocked it against the red-painted door. The heavy door swung open and you were greeted by Penelope Garcia, “Welcome Dr. Reid and Someday Mrs. Reid, to the New Year’s party that will, likely, be the New Year’s party to end all New Year’s parties.”

“I have no doubt, Pen,” you stepped forward and hugged her. “You look great, I love this color,” you told her, settling your hands on your shoulders. She wore a lime green button-down dress with an old-timey collar, and her blonde locks were pulled up into a French twist.

Spencer and Penelope greeted each other, and Garcia led the two of you to a sitting room, “Where did you find this house?” Spencer asked, walking in behind you.

She waved him off, “I am the master of all things Internet, I found it online and thought it was perfect.”

Your heels clicked as you followed the two of them. They were quicker, Penelope knew where she was going and Spencer naturally had a long stride, not to mention the restriction of your gown. “Perfect for what, exactly?” You inquired.

“A BAU Murder Mystery party!” She answered as if it was obvious.

A wolf whistle from the other side of the room caught your attention, you turned around to see Tara grinning at you, “Well how about you.”

Blushing, you spread the skirt of the red silk dress out and gave a fake curtsy, “Oh this? Just something I had lying around.” In reality, you borrowed the dress from a coworker. Its only fault was being just barely too long for you.

Once you observed Tara’s costume, an off-white button-up with brown suspenders and matching pants, the gears in your head clicked into place. “We’re dressed as characters from Clue?” You asked, looking at everyone’s costumes. It all suddenly made so much sense, you were Miss Scarlet, and Tara was meant to be Colonel Mustard.

“Well, there are only so many characters to choose from, so I needed some other detectives to choose from. I picked Nancy Drew, Spencer is Sherlock Holmes with Matt as his Watson, and Krystall is Jessica Fletcher from the renowned television show Murder She Wrote.” Penelope pointed at guests as she explained their outfits, “Kristy is Daphne of the differently renowned television show Scooby Doo, and Luke refused to dress up at Hercule Poirot.”

Your eyebrows raised up, “I didn’t know not dressing up was an option,” you admitted. Despite the weather being unseasonably warm, you were still cold in your dress.

Sending a pointed look in Luke’s direction, Penelope cleared her throat before responding, “It wasn’t.”

Putting a hand to his chest in mock hurt, Luke feigned shock, “I did dress up as a very famous detective. Matt Simmons of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit.”

“But does that really count as famous?” The man himself, Matt asked teasingly.

In response, Luke gestured around the room, “Everyone here has heard of him.”

You tuned the two of them out. When provided the time, the two of them could bicker for hours. You looked at everyone else’s costumes, the rest of the group was from the board game. Emily was Mrs. White, Rossi was Professor Plum, JJ was Mrs. Peacock, and Will was Mr. Green.

The BAU spent so much time sequestered solving crimes that it was a wonder to have the entire group here at the same time.

After effectively shushing Luke, Penelope made her way to the center of the room, “Okay, I know what you’re all thinking ‘Penelope, we spend all of our days solving murders, why would you plan a murder mystery party?’” She stood up straight, pushing her shoulders back, “Well, I’ll tell you, the idea for this party came to me when I had the flu last month.”

“Are you telling us this party was conceived from a fever dream?” Emily asked, she leaned forward in her all-white outfit, resting her elbows on her knees.

Pointing at Emily, Penelope grinned, “That is exactly what I am telling you, my dear. Now, let me set the stage for you.” She clapped and the lights went out, bringing everyone’s attention to a projector screen that had just lit up against the only bare wall in this room. “Our victim was a resident of this house. What’s her name? You might ask. Patricia Gomez, heiress to a large fortune and a company that makes socks.”

A quiet chuckle came from the other side of the room, “This is quite the fever dream.” You had to agree with Rossi, Patricia Gomez was an almost painfully uncreative name. Still, everyone went along with it.

“Save all questions until the end, please!” Penelope scolded, “I have folders made up for each of you, with information on where your characters all were at the time of the murder. Before attending this party, the killer was already notified of their status, they may try to fool you.”

You skimmed through the folder that the technical analyst had handed you, it looked like a real FBI folder, but you didn’t doubt that Garcia had resources to make realistic fake files. The body had been found, stabbed in the kitchen, the time of death set at noon.

Matt stood up first, reaching out his hand for Kristy to take, but they didn’t get far. “Oh no, no partnering with your partners,” Penelope said, laying down another rule for her party.

“What are you saying?” Spencer asked, looking between you and her. It was sweet knowing that he had wanted to team up with you, it reminded you of how you first met. The FBI profiler and the investigative journalist.

Garcia sighed, “If you are canoodling with someone, you may not investigate with them.”

You shrugged at Spencer and walked toward Kristy instead, “What do you say, Daphne? Shall we?”

“Oh, I think we shall,” Kristy responded, hooking her arm through yours.

“Hey,” Luke interrupted, “It’s not fair for the investigative journalist and the lawyer to be teamed up to solve a murder.”

Stopping in your tracks, you stared at him for a moment, “Luke, you work for the FBI. If anything, I think we’re at a disadvantage.”

Together, you and Kristy made your way to the kitchen, as you walked away you heard Luke ask Garcia to be his partner, the two of you laughed as she told him she wasn’t playing because, “Somebody has to keep things organized, Newbie!”

Looking around the kitchen, you found a chalk outline, but not much else. Of course, this wasn’t a real crime scene, there would be no blood, and for all you knew, Kristy was the killer.

“What are you thinking, Dave?” You asked Rossi, who had teamed up with JJ. Maybe a seasoned profiler would push you in the right direction.

He cocked his head like he was weighing his options, “Well, the folder says there were only four people in the building at the time of the murder, and only one of them was close enough to the kitchen to pull it off. Logically, the best option is Mrs. White.”

So, he thought Emily was responsible. You scrawled some notes down about the kitchen before you and Kristy decided to move to the bedroom, “It says Watson – Matt - was in the main bedroom at the time of the murder, Mrs. White – Emily - was in the pantry, Jessica Fletcher – Krystall – was in the basement, and Professor Plum – Rossi – was in the library,” you read from the file.

“Then Dave is right, Emily is the only one who was close enough to get to Patricia,” Kristy reasoned. There wouldn’t have been time for anyone else to commit the crime in between the time the body was found and the time of death. The timeline of events was very short.

You shrugged, “Then I guess we could probably go to the library until the timer runs out.” Picking up the skirt of your dress, the two of you left the bathroom and walked into the library. Leaning up against the shelves, you intertwined your fingers in front of you, “Do you have plans for the new year?” You asked Kristy, tilting your head.

She hummed, “A lot of our plans tend to change. You know, with Matt’s job and the kids, but we’d like to take some kind of vacation, even if it’s just a day trip.” She answered, brushing her long hair over her shoulder, “What about you?”

“Oh,” you said, “You know, getting married.” You answered, “Then we’re just planning on seeing where life takes us, I think. You’re right, it’s hard to plan around the job. I can’t imagine adding kids into the mix.” The thought gave you a whole new respect for Kristy – and Will, for that matter.

Kristy smiled, “Totally worth it, though.”

Laughing it off, you pushed yourself off of the shelving, “I think I’ll take your word for it,” you responded. “For now,” you added, looking around the library.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, following your gaze around the library.

Realizing this must be how the BAU feels all the time, you answered, “Something is bothering me about this case.” Kristy beckoned for you to go on, “They all solve crimes like this every day, so in order to make it fun for them, Penny would have to make it at least a little bit of a challenge, right?” You asked.

“You think it was too easy?” Kristy asked.

You started pacing around the library, along the front of the desk. “The answer being Emily is too easy. There has to be something more to it.”

“Well, the file says she had experienced a blow to the head shortly before her death. So, is it possible she was incapacitated somewhere else and then moved to the kitchen to be killed?” Kristy asked, flipping through the file, she was sat on top of the wooden desk.

Nodding, you looked at the generated picture of your fake victim. She wore a large ruby necklace, her hair was pinned up, but in the list of effects and evidence, a necklace was never mentioned. “Did you see a necklace in the kitchen?” You asked, flicking your eyes over in her direction.

Immediately, she shook her head you spun around to go back to the kitchen. Mid-spin the heel of your shoe hooked into the too-long fabric of your dress, causing you to tumble ungracefully to the floor. “Are you alright?” Kristy asked. Not for the first time tonight, you found yourself jealous of her shorter dress. Damned board game characters.

Groaning in response, you blinked in an attempt to reorient yourself. In your peripheral vision, something caught your eye: a necklace. “Kristy,” you whispered urgently, hoisting yourself up into a sitting position before reaching over to grab the gold chain. It was crusted with something red that you could only hope was ketchup. Unless Penelope was taking this game way too seriously.

You lifted the chain curiously. “That’s the necklace that Patricia was wearing when she died!” Kristy exclaimed, “But that means…”

“Rossi did it,” you said from the floor. “And he tried to fool us with his poker face.”

Setting the necklace on the desk, you reached down to take your heels off. Kristy spoke, “Do you think the necklace is enough evidence for us to make our case?”

Raising your eyebrows, you looked up at her, “I don’t know. You’re the lawyer, do you think it’s enough evidence?”

She nodded, “I think the evidence pointing to Emily is circumstantial, but this necklace has substance to it. And no one else has gone through the library, so at the very least we’ll have a unique answer.”

You grinned, “I like the way you think, Mrs. Simmons.” You reached out your hand and she helped you up, “Let’s go show these FBI agents how it’s done.” The two of you headed back to the sitting room.

The room was full when you got there, “Ah, I thought we were going to have to send out a search party for the two of you!” Penelope said, “Sit, sit, I’m sure we have some excellent conclusions to go through.” She handed the both of you glasses of wine before you sat down next to each other on the velvet chaise lounge.

Honestly, it reminded you of grade school. When your teacher would go through the answers on the homework, only for you to find that, somewhere, you had done something terribly wrong. By the time it got to you and Kristy, half of the people said it was Emily, almost half had said it was Matt, and one person said it was Kristy.

Nonetheless, the two of you stood up and announced your conclusion, “it was Rossi,” you said in unison.

“First, we met with David in the kitchen, and we asked him what he thought,” you said. “He could’ve said no, he could’ve said something else, but he told us how he thought Emily Prentiss was the killer.” You explained, “Now, as extremely professional detectives, we know that frequently, killers can’t help but insert themselves into the investigations.”

Lifting her hand in a waiting gesture, Kristy continued, “But we heard him out, and we trusted his conclusion. Until we didn’t, that is.” She said, “After some more expert investigation, we went to the library, where Rossi had claimed to have been at the time of the murder. It was there that my partner discovered the victim's necklace. It was broken as if it had been torn off of her neck, and there was blood on the chain.”

“This is combined with the report that the victim had experienced a blow to the head before she died, which could’ve easily been inflicted by the corner of the very desk I discovered the necklace beneath,” you resumed. “We propose that David Rossi, otherwise known as Professor Plum, incapacitated the victim in the library, before moving her to the kitchen so he could claim he had no part in her death.”

Rossi looked up at Penelope, who grinned and nodded, “I didn’t even realize I had done that in the kitchen earlier. Are you by chance looking for a new line of work?” He asked, getting a chorus of laughter in response.  

“For my two winners,” Garcia said, her smile still bright as she draped two medals around your and Kristy’s necks. “Thank you, everyone, so much for playing this game. I know it’s hard to see it as a game when it all feels so real, but I appreciate you for separating fact and fiction for tonight.”

It was Luke who responded first, “Of course.”

“But maybe,” Rossi said, raising his wine glass in his hand, “Maybe next year we’ll just do a normal party.”

Tara raised her glass in response, “If you’re hosting, I’m attending.”

You nodded, concurring, “Far be it from me to miss a BAU party.”

Behind you, Spencer loosely wrapped his arm around your waist, “It’s almost the new year.”

“Aha!” Penelope said, “I have one last surprise for all of my favorite people! If you’ll just follow me out to the deck, we’ll be able to see the fireworks from here!”

Outside, the cool air bit at your bare skin. Ever the gentleman, Spencer draped his jacket over your shoulders. Grateful for the warmth, you pushed your arms through the sleeves and turned to face him, “You know, we’ve been together for years, but this will be our first New Year’s kiss.” You said, studying his face, every detail that you’ve come to know over the past few years.

Distantly, you heard the rest of the group counting down, but you were too focused on Spencer. “It won’t be our last, though,” he promised.

You grinned up at him, “As long as we get to go to the BAU party, Sherlock.”

“Of course,” he whispered, leaning down to press his lips to yours. “Happy New Year, Miss Scarlett.”

[whoopsyeahokay]

October Sun

summary: Xavier had been acting cagey for weeks, a fact you hadn't had the heart to address since Maddie's disappearance. but with his dubious return to school and how he loitered in the periphery of Nicole and Simon's orbit, you thought it was about time to get answers. too bad one pale, cow-eyed jock had other plans.

pairing: Wally Clark x fem!reader

warnings: eventual smutty smut smut. and mad spoilers. and obvious Canon divergence. very involved, very dense plot.

bon reading, frens

___________________________💀

OCTOBER SUN pt.4

Xavier knew that whatever oddness you displayed, it was done with intention.

Sticking wads of gum in your hair at recess? Hana's brother had shaved a strip off the top of Hana's head in 5th grade and you'd needed to give your mom a reason. Giving Xavier's dad a casserole in a pan he'd have to return? He and Xavier hadn't had a homecooked meal since Xavier's mom went to visit her sister in 8th grade. Now every other Wednesday was circled on the calendar in Xavier's kitchen, Family Dinner scrawled in red sharpie.

So, whatever had possessed you into your uncharacteristic choice of outfit, Xavier knew there was a reason.

"Don't." You warned as soon as you opened the door.

Xavier smirked, eyeing you as you climbed into the passenger side of his truck. Of your friends, Mathilda was the one who layered herself in dark colors; a walking shadow with sass and a violent streak. You, on the other hand, tended toward a more eclectic wardrobe and never reached for black on black, especially since...

Well. Since.

Xavier recognized your leather jacket, the lapels boasting a collection of button pins and silver studs, and band patches stitched into the sleeves. An accessorized exhibition of your taste in music and social commentary.

The jacket made sense.

What didn't was what was undoubtedly your uncle's Black Sabbath hoodie paired with black skinny jeans tucked into pointed-toe, matte black booties, the small heels on which had click-clacked down the walkway from your front door to the truck.

"Your mom's?" Xavier guessed, referring to the jeans and booties.

"Shush."

"No, no, no," Xavier said mildly, pulling into the road, "I happen to think you make it work. It's giving—" He swept the air in front of him dramatically with one hand, setting the scene, "—Crime in the Dead of Night."

You shoved your backpack into the footwell and buckled your seatbelt before leveling him with a glare. Well, maybe. He couldn't really tell through the enormous sunglasses you'd chosen to complement your peculiar ensemble, but your lips were pursed in that way they got when you were grumpy about something.

"Shut up, Zav."

"No really," Xavier insisted, "Incognito Chic. Doesn't look like you're hiding something at all."

You smacked him on the shoulder, unable to suppress a lighthearted chuckle. "No questions asked." You said, invoking a years-old promise you'd made in the aftermath of what had happened to you that third week of 7th grade.

It was an appeal for support without having to reveal things that didn't make sense yet. Perhaps never would. Just unconditional thereness from someone you trusted to have your back.

A knot curled in Xavier's gut. His grip tightened on the steering wheel for a short second before he managed to tamp back the haunting feelings to the darkest corner of his brain.

He'd taken advantage of that pact in recent weeks. Had asked you a few times to cover for him if Maddie asked after him; even had you send texts about band practice on random days when the schedule hadn't changed since last fall. Every Saturday in Lucas and Hana's garage.

The whole thing with Claire made him feel rotted from the inside out. He could only vaguely remember how it'd started. A dumb decision made at 3am on a Tuesday, swaying from too many hits of his vape and two shots of his dad's whiskey.

And you never questioned him. Not once. Just honored your end of the deal because you believed Xavier was your friend and wouldn't make you aid and abet his sleaze.

Fuck.

A few blocks from school, you reached across the bench seat and placed a hand on Xavier's forearm, tone warm, "You sure about this?" You asked, "Cause we could go to the mall. Or drive up to the lake." Meaning his dad's cabin. "Or into the city."

Xavier gave you a weak smile, "Sounds like you're looking for an excuse to skip." He couldn't blame you. Still, "I need to do this, kiddo. Not just because I don't want the fucking trolls to win, but because there is someone in there who knows what's going on."

"So...what? You're going to track down leads and find Maddie yourself?" You raised an eyebrow. Again, Xavier couldn't quite see it with how much of your face the sunglasses masked, but your forehead shifted in a way to suggest it.

"Hey, I'm open to ideas if you have any you'd like to share."

You sighed heavily, shook your head. "Nah, B, I got nothing. But if you need help, just let me know." You smiled, patted his shoulder, then bent forward to grab your backpack.

Pulling into an empty spot in the parking lot, Xavier wrestled with asking you for another favor. After all the deceit, he should take responsibility for his own shit, but he didn't have the mental fortitude to deal with Mathilda's—albeit well-meaning—stance against his choice to return to school.

She'd made a fuss in the group chat the night before, words all capitalized and stressed in bold, and Xavier wasn't looking forward to listening to the barrage he was sure she'd prepared for him. Hana, Lucas and Eli, Xavier could manage, even if they shared Mathilda's point of view. But Mathilda? Was a force of nature.

You'd just slid out of the truck, were about to shut the door, when Xavier swallowed and forced himself to ask, "Do you think you could run interference?"

You studied him for a moment, likely wondering if it was worth it to take the bullet on Xavier's behalf, and then, "Sure thing, I got you."

Xavier was profoundly grateful to count you as a friend—hell, after all you'd been through together—a sister.

He put every ounce of sincerity behind his words, "Thank you," and offered you a proper smile, all teeth and crinkled eyes. You responded with a smile of your own, bright and buoyant and a boon to the anxiety rending his confidence.

"I'll see you in there." You chirped, stepping back and giving a mock salute, "Good luck!"

Xavier sat in his truck until you disappeared into the school, waited for the door to shut behind you before he leaned over and opened the glovebox. His vape sat on top of a mess of empty takeout wrappers and vintage CDs—the latter a testament to how old his truck was.

He hovered, stock still, chewed the inside of his cheek as his lungs and brain yearned for a taste of sweet-cotton-numbness.

"You know, you don't have to lie to me." Maddie's disappointment was palpable, pressing under Xavier's skin like cold fingers.

"Okay, fine, I'm a total burnout who is skipping class to get high in his car. Congratulations, you got me." He nonchalantly responded.

Maddie smiled, cute, dimpled, and said, "For the record, you're the worst liar in the world."

Xavier's heart broke.

Abruptly, he smacked the glovebox closed and opened his door, hauling himself out of his truck in a blur of movement. He needed to get his ass in gear before he changed his mind and fucked up again.

Today, he was going to make damn sure he did better.

💀___________________________

PART THREE - PART FIVE

also available on AO3!

MASTERLIST

[sugoi-writes]

Scream Machine - An Alastor x Reader fic

(Not sure if this will be a multipart yet or not, but hopeful for it to be! I hope you enjoy some brain rot with me! For reference of the song, look up Scream Machine by Maynard Ferguson on Youtube!)

Reader is a musician who started playing in their time in hell, and likes wearing heels/dresses. Alastor is brought to a "classy" speakeasy by Husk, and is perfectly content with watching your performance...

No warnings, past minor implications/pining and mentions of blood and darker intentions. Have fun! 🎙❤️

❤️🎙❤️

The hellish speakeasy was bellowing with lively chatter, instrumentalists setting up for a new set. As Husk adjusted his mouthpiece, Alastor gives him a beckoning wave, eyebrow twitching. Shit

Knowing his goose could be cooked, Husk trudges his way over, his tenor saxophone hanging lazily around his neck," What's the matter?"

Alastor, expression blunt, says" So I'm supposed to assume that this next chart... ugh, Scream Machine... is going to be... tasteful?" The Radio Demon looked forlorn, ears drooping slightly. He had been promised performances that were more his style. But all that he's observed and heard is BAD jazz. He had half a mind to think that his 'associate' had done this on purpose.

"I have to admit, Husker, while these pieces could certainly be called JAZZ... it's not quite to my tastes." Husk rolls his eyes, ears perking up when his name is called from the stage. Husk waves Alastor off dismissively, his saxophone being slung back to a playable position.

"Some new hot-shot features in it... 'figured you might give it a shot. You might just find a new 'pet' to listen to..." Alastor all but cackles, wiping a stray tear from his eye," Replacing you, dear Husker? Don't be absurd!" Alastor gives his henchman a cheeky wave of his fingers, making the anthropomorphic cat growl. God, Husk hated that fucker...

But, to Alastor's surprise, his eyes did befall a nearly angelic sight. Your shoes clicked loudly as you entered the stage, calling forth attention from the room. It quickly fell to silence as everyone waited for the performance to start.

Alastor's eyes narrowed as he watched you shake hands with the vile, modern jazz conductor... Your grip seemed firm, domineering almost. He was quick to note the flinch he gave you, that nervous smile of an intimidated man. What a curious creature you were; you oozed confidence and bravdo.

There you were, dressed in a long, elegant gown that drug along the floor. Alastor's posture straightens as the jazz conductor let you take your place, before counting the band off. The intro was quiet, featuring only a small handful of instruments. Alastor nearly leaned in as it grew, the trumpets coming in to the fray after a few measures. He realized then that you must be a trumpet player and the hot shot soloist that Husk mentioned. His interest in you grew as he eyed you from across the room.

Your hands were slender, though not quite as slim as his... and much smaller. But, they did seem very nimble. As you gracefully glided through different fingerings and positions, Alastor found himself distracted by your hands. He saw how you seemed to have a loose, almost nonchalant grip, while your soul gave the performance of your life. A perfect juxtaposition between your handshake and now; that fascinated him. He wondered if your bravado was your mask, or if that was the REAL you...

His hair nearly blew back from his face as the chorus kicked in, eyes wide in disbelief. Indeed, that's why it's called Scream Machine. All the right notes, the chords were perfectly struck...but there was still a zanny dissonance that had him gritting his teeth. How gauche...

But, when you began your solo, his ears couldn't help but flick and flex towards you, absolutely devouring your tone and clarity. You cut through the ensemble like a well sharpened knife, your style and timbre undeniable. It almost made the song forgivable, in his eyes. He rested his chin on his hand's plateau, eyes lidded. Despite the jazz being more bombastic and modern... he could get used to this if you were at the helm...

You sauntered towards the front of the ensemble as you blazed into another solo, your fingers and tongue articulating quickly. You were effortlessly setting the newfound tone. He was impressed, to say the least. Improv or not, the solo was quite a tricky one. One that even he would struggle with on a piano. As you walked across the stage, you struck a powerful pose, before the conductor grabbed the edge of your dress and tugged. Hard.

For a moment, a flash of anger crossed Alastor's forced smile, until he was hit with the "reveal".

In a quick flourish that matched the highest note of your solo, you stood in a now short, golden dress that hugged your figure. It seemed that Alastor didn't mind the show... in fact, he was nearly enslaved by your performance.

You shot the crimson and pitch demon a devious look, winking as your solo continued. Alastor felt his mouth salivating, swallowing harshly to get rid of the access fluids. It was strange enough to find himself this entertained... more so than his heightened curiosity.

The way your throat bellowed and constricted when you were playing... the way your cheeks puffed just a bit was you sustained insane, high notes... the way your eyes would flit about the room, but always land on him. Maybe he wasn't the only one caught staring...

The Radio Demon's mind landed on a simple notion: tasting the metallic tang of your lips, fresh from the kiss of your mouthpiece. Would it taste metallic and jarring like blood, he wondered? Would you be breathless from your performance, or just getting warmed up? Alastor shook his head with a start. What a strange thought to have... especially for him. He tried to dismiss it, foot tapping instinctively to the beat.

As the song continued, it suddenly grew quieter, the piano, drumkit, and string bass the only instruments playing. He watched as you blew slow, hot air in your horn, keeping it warm as you rested. Your lips were red, slightly puffy from your efforts. Even as a talented as you were, you had a crack in your mask: you were definitely a little winded.

As he kept watching you, Alastor couldn't help but focus on how your pulse beat in time with the music on stage... His devious mind cooked up the idea of sinking his teeth into your quivering heartbeat... Perhaps he would lure you out back, to a quiet place...

Again, he surprised himself. He had to clear his mind as he tried to focus anywhere but your neck, fingers and face.

Then suddenly, the main motif hit again, and he nearly fell backward in his chair. His own heart thumped madly, matching your own. Your eyes didn't meet his, but even so, he felt like you were playing just for him. He WANTED you to play just for him.

Alastor gripped the sides of his chair harshly, elongated talons splintering the wood. That settles it. Husker was right about one thing... you were a fascinating sight... one to behold, and maybe even held...

As the song wound towards its conclusion, you gave a wide twirl of your hips, before striking your final note. The accompaniment roared life, sustaining the final note before hitting it again, resolutely. Applause echoed throughout the room as Alastor felt the need to join. He was not keen on appearing rude or uncultured. His characteristic smile stretched his thin face as you beamed and bowed. Your eyes, wide with awe, glanced his way. Alastor noted the way your face heated, nodding and giving him a flattered smile.

Indeed that settles it; he would speak with you. Now. Alone... And from there, who knows what he'll do? Alastor slunk into the shadows, Husk unaware that his master was taking a quick detour...

Backstage, you were being fawned over and cheered for, the instrumentalists and crew happily contesting how talented you were. You would always smile and chuckle, doing your best to wave off the compliments. Truth be told, you did enjoy the hell out of them, but you didn't want it all to go to your head. Not yet, anyway~

Even now, you were humble, as a unfamiliar shadow formed behind you. Instinctively, you flinched and turned towards the figure, having to look up to meet the gaze.

It was none other than Alastor, the Radio Demon.

"I must say... that was quite the riveting performance, dear. Quite the act! I wanted to give you my gratitude for making something so loud and gauche bearable to listen to." Alastor offered a sweet, welcoming hand, outstretched for you to take. Come on, he thought... shake his hand like you had the conductor's.

You had sized him up, knowing fully well who was paying you the backhanded compliment, "Alastor, sir... 'pleasure to be meeting the Radio Demon in the flesh." Your hand met his, and just like he suspected; you nearly held him in a vice grip. The sinister smile on his face doubled, a chuckle and a quirked brow sent your way.

"My, do my ears deceive me? Am I in the presence of a fan~?" The tone of his microphone filter made his voice smooth as velvet. His voice forced you to suppress a shiver. You roll your eyes, before an uncharacteristically soft smile graces your face; one that didn't match your firm grip.

"You could assume that, I suppose... I've been an active listener to your broadcasts for a while now. 'Gotta keep up with who got got... and who has the best music on the air."

If Alastor smiled any wider, he would be entering his full-demonic form. But for now, he controlled himself.

"Well, isn't this a treat then..." Alastor leans down to your height, his face mere inches from yours," I dont intent to be forward or crass, but perhaps you could accompany me on a quick stroll?"

You swallowed the lump in your throat as you processed his words. Knowing that he was an overlord, his words were a demand, not a request. If you refuse, you may die. If you go with him... you may die just the same. Every fiber in your being demanded that you turn him down. Lie, and say you have one more set...

You puffed out your chest, a brave grin on your face," Sure... My chops are busted from that last set. Let's bounce."

Alastor offered you an arm, something you weren't expecting. You hesitated a beat longer than you should have before taking it. Alastor's grip now firm, you felt yourself bend and wane before solidifying just outside the joint you played in. Your head turned quickly towards the door, then him.

"So you can teleport other people too...," Good to know, you thought, as Alastor laughed.

"Dear, why fight the crowd? I figured it would be easier this way, don't you think?" You returned a nod to him, keeping your mask sharp as the two of you started your way down the block. You realized then you'd have to return tomorrow for your trumpet. But again, that wasn't the most worrying thing on your mind just yet...

You were weary of the entire encounter, but continued to follow the Radio Demon, who seemed a little too hellbent on getting you alone...

[justoneofthoseghosts]

Back from the dead to scream into the void about Bridgerton because the Polin brain rot is real. I've watched the episodes twice now and have some thoughts nobody asked for:

Colin with all that new found swagger after his hot boy summer just makes me cringe. That whole montage with the ladies - er, no, thanks. Give me back my sensitive Colin please.

Nicola Coughlan is amazing, truly a superstar. She embodies the role so well, in all the bits - comedy, romance, intimate scenes. Ugh. I hope she gets more leading roles!!

Love that Colin drops all pretenses when he senses Penelope's distress at the first ball - sensitive Colin is still there folks!

Also, I think we moved on too quickly from his apology. "There is nothing more I want than to earn back the favor of the one person who has always truly made me feel appreciated." Luke said in an interview that the best version of Colin was the one when he was with Penelope (or something like that) and it does ring true in the first half of the season even if he comes up with this disastrous and misguided plan to help her find a husband. He's always himself when he's with her - there's no postering, no swagger.

I am a huge rom com nerd so I truly appreciated all the rom com elements in this. Nicola just ate that all up. She was amazing in all the awkward moments in the second and third episodes and Luke did a good job too. You could really see their chemistry and how they fed off each other!

They talk about how they first met. Please 🥺 it's the same meeting as in the book and the way they reminisce about it while walking in the market was so cute, straight out of a rom com!

Kinda cringed at Colin's journals because they were about girls 🤡 should have kept them as they were in the book where they were more about his travels.

"We shall gallop along" is this season's "I oiled my way right in" 😂

The first kiss scene was incredible. I think I prefer it to the book because there is much more emotional connection between them - they've been lifelong friends as opposed to acquittances in the book (even if Colin was starting to see Pen in a new light by then). The connection between them is undeniable but they each get something different from it. To Pen, it's the ending. The last thing she would ask from him before she let him go. To Colin, it's the awakening, the shift of his feelings, the beginning of its growth.

Pining, yearning Colin is not as unhinged and chaotic as in the book but I think he might get there in the second half. At least I hope because chaotic, unhinged Colin in the book was pretty great. I mean, interrupting a dance was kind of unhinged of him to do.

But I do like how down bad he becomes after that one kiss 😂 Luke really portrayed it well in the first few minutes of the third episode.

I quite like Francesca and John even though I know how that will end. Curious to see if they'll take front and center in season 4 or if the show is renewed, it'll be in season 5.

I know it is an ensemble show but there seems to be a lot more subplots this season?

lol at Portia trying to get her daughters pregnant when one of them hasn't even done it yet since getting married 💀

Penelope and Eloise ❤️‍🩹 they miss each other ☹️ also, I do not care for Cressida.

I've always liked Violet's talks with her children and how in tuned she is with each of them.

Can't lie, I loved the carriage scene - Colin's confession, the momentary disappointment that he was getting friend zoned, the intimacy but most especially towards the end where they could just laugh together because at the heart of it, they were very, very good friends first.

Also, that look Colin gets when he realizes he's going to marry Penelope? Chef's kiss, 10/10, no notes. Luke really delivered and I think it helps that a lot of the Bridgerton actors are theater actors because they have a distinct way of showcasing little nuisances in their facial expressions.

Needless to say, I enjoyed it. Even if there were some key departures from the book, I think it was a fairly good job. I can't fault them for bringing in an external force (another suitor) to help Colin realize his feelings even more. In the book, a lot of it happens in his head, which can be hard to translate to a show. At least we got rid of the suitor early and it didn't become a legitimate love triangle.

I do need a Lady Danbury and Penelope alliance though. I loved that in the book and I hope they don't drop it!

[wangxianficfinder]

In the mood for...

~*~

1. A) So I was reading Come Lay Your Head Down Beside Me by Preludian_Staves and I really want to read something similar: Gusu Lan taking care of pregxian. It'd be so good to watch the Lan people panic over their Lan-er-Furen/Fujun being not so calm and not taking care of himself unconsciously (cuz WWX won't let anything happen to his children, born or not)

B) Fics where LWJ is emotionally mature and confident and very horny, very openly. It's just so sexy of him to know what he wants and to go get it, you know? @utxqia

1A)

🧡 Accidents Will Happen by vesna (mrsronweasley) (E, 45k WangXian, Post Canon, Mpreg, Fluff, Light angst, Mojo's post)

sweet lotus petals, unfolding in the sun by stiltonbasket (G, 33k, WangXian, Unplanned Pregnancy, Married WangXian, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Curtain Fic, Medical Inaccuracies, Mpreg, wangxian dual cultivation baby, except not how you think, Reincarnationcan, be read independently!)

有情人终成眷属 | lovers, finally wed by stiltonbasket (G, 50k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Post-Canon Fix-It, Fluff and Humor, Junior Ensemble Shenanigans, Adopted Children, Married Life, Domestic Bliss, LWJ is a smooth smooth man, Confused WWX, Happy Ending)

1B)

(our friendship) up against the ropes by daltoneering (E, 36k, WangXian, Modern AU, Friends to Lovers, Getting Together, lan zhan FUCKS, Fluff and Smut, Experienced LWJ, Oblivious WWX, Mutual Pining, Friends With Benefits, Pining while fucking, Oral Sex, Anal Sex, Masturbation, Spit Kink, Dirty Talk, Light Bondage, Praise Kink, Dom/sub Undertones, Kink Negotiation, Pride and Prejudice 2005 (dir. Joe Wright), mentions of Wei Ying/others and Lan Zhan/others)

Lans Never Kiss and Tell by FeelsForBreakfast (E, 30k, WangXian, Modern AU, Friends to Lovers, Getting Together, Humor, lan zhan FUCKS, Mutual Pining, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, modern diaspora au)

So He Thinks He's Straight (A Memoir By Lan Zhan) by Pancho (E, 17k, WangXian, Modern AU, Light Angst, Some Fluff, First Time, Compulsory Heterosexuality, Novel Dynamics, canon wangxian kinks, Biting, WangXian Have a Breeding Kink, Consensual Non-Consent, Blink And You Miss It Noncon Kink, Under-negotiated Kink, (but everyone is very happy with everything going on, )Mildly Dubious Consent, Possessive Behavior, Possessive LWJ, Oral Sex, Blow Jobs, Rimming, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Barebacking, POV LWJ, Dark LWJ, (kind of - he's a little sus; better to tag it), Jealous LWJ)

Always Be Closing by betts (E, 32k, WangXian, divorcing QingXian, Modern AU, America, Office, Kid Fic, Drunken Kissing, Semi-Public Sex, Sexting, Divorce, Falling In Love, Bank Robbery, Secret Relationship, Co-workers)

leave all your love and your longing behind by ScarlettStorm (E, 143k, WangXian, Modern AU, no magic, Meet-Ugly, Panic Attacks, autistic lwj, neurodivergent wwx, the neighborhood asshole dog, if you’ve met one then you know, Hurt/Comfort, Pining, Minor Angst, major shenanigans, Happy Ending, for everyone including the asshole dog, Eventual Smut, switch rights, Sex Toys, horny yearning, Masturbation)

The Cause Of This Fair Gift In Me Is Wanting by Alliandra (E, 47k, WangXian, LQY/QS, Modern AU, High School, College/University, Time Skips, Slow Burn, Pining, LWJ POV, LWJ Fucks, WWX dates, "Straight Boy" WWX, HomophobiaNon-Graphic Violence, Implied/Referenced Domestic Violence, Implied/Reference, d Suicide, Attempted Rape/Non-Con, Overstimulation, Light Bondage, Blow Jobs, Masturbation, Getting Together, Ableist Language, WWX Has ADHD, Autistic LWJ, Queer Themes)

🧡 Rule Number One: Never get attached. by KizuKatana (E, 130k, WangXian, Modern AU, A/B/O, Criminal underworld AU, Fluff and angst, Crime boss LWJ, Rouge criminal genius WWX, Explicit Sex)

got your way with me by vesna (mrsronweasley) (E, 51k, WangXian, Friends With Benefits, Fuckbuddies, in which brain cells are barely used, wangxian/others very briefly, otherwise it's OTP all the way, lan zhan FUCKS)

all the trembling ways by typefortydeductions (E, 11k, WangXian, Modern AU, First Time, Overstimulation, Verbal Humiliation, Rimming, First Time Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Dirty Talk, Aftercare, sex tears, lan zhan FUCKS, LZ has had previous partners but WY has not, Dom/sub Undertones, Porn with Feelings)

all of the ties that bind by Magnolia822 (E, 30k, WangXian, WQ/LQY, Modern AU, Rope Bondage, Kinbaku, Shibari, Dom/sub, Discipline, Overstimulation, Sex Toys, Kink Negotiation, Rough Sex, ballet dancer WWX, Impact Play, Didn't Know They Were Dating, lan zhan FUCKS, Friends to Lovers, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Second Chances, Self-Doubt, Past Character Death, Porn with Feelings)

the author verseau has great fics

~*~

2. itmf pining. WangXian or Yizhan but either way so much pining it's a forest. With a happy ending. Please! (Also added to the YiZhan only post)

(Planning the Day) To Meet You by Bettydice (E, 61k, WangXian, Modern AU, College/University, Pining, Mutual Pining, WWX raises A-Yuàn, minimum angst, MAXIMUM GAY, Self-indulgent fluff, Slow Burn, Eventual Smut, POV LWJ, Happy Ending, Getting Together, Falling In Love, Masturbation, Blow Jobs, Hand Jobs, Anal Sex, Intercrural Sex)

long have you been alone by martyrsdaughter (E, 56k, WangXian, Modern with Magic, Modern Cultivation, Amnesia, Curses, Hanahaki Disease, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Workplace Relationship, Light Angst, Sexual Content, Mild Painplay, Overstimulation, WWX Has a Breeding Kink, Light Bondage, Mild Gore, Mild Breathplay, Brief Mentions of WWX/Others and LWJ/Others, other relationships are past tense and off screen exclusively)

A storm without a warning by Spodumene (E, 22k, WangXian, Modern AU, Compulsory Heterosexuality, Masturbation, Eventual Smut, Pining, Denial, Drunkenness, Jealousy, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Angst with a Happy Ending)

I will be chasing a starlight by feyburner, sundiscus (E, 71k, WangXian, Star Trek Fusion, Vulcan LWJ, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Misunderstandings, Mutual Pining, Eventual Smut, Angst with a Happy Ending, Pon Farr, Mind Meld, Fuck Or Die, Anal Sex, Hurt/Comfort)

silhouettes to steal this night by moonsteps (T, 51k, WangXian, Modern AU, Assassins & Hitmen, Roommates, Rivals to Lovers, Fluff and Angst, Identity Porn, Violence, Blood and Injury, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Secret Identity)

💖 Pentimento. by orange_crushed (E, 73k, wangxian, modern, college/university au, art conservation, museums, pining, not actually unrequited love, angst w/ happy ending, misunderstandings, smut, major character injury, hospitalization, hurt/comfort, past incarceration, forgery)

Unstrictly Ballroom by Ariaste (T, 47k, WangXian, background SongXiao, Modern AU, Everyone’s alive, the gang defeats systemic heteronormativity, Stripper AU, competitive ballroom dance AU, really stupid misunderstandings, Yearning, Mutual Pining, the wrist grab, Erotic Handholding, [Podfic] Unstrictly Ballroom by RevolutionaryJo, Unstrictly Ballroom [Podfic] by esbielle)

Straight Boy Wei Ying universe Series by raitala (E, 35k, WangXian, LQY/WWX, Modern AU, College/University, straight boy wwx, Porn with Feelings, Porn With Plot, Angst with a Happy Ending, Pining, Dom/sub Undertones, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Hand Jobs, Rimming, Angst and Humor, WangXian Get a Happy Ending)

You'd Break Your Heart to Make It Bigger by vesna (mrsronweasley) (E, 32k, WangXian, soulbonding, First Time, Case Fic if You Squint, Fools in Love, soul boning, soft fools in love, Pining while fucking)

Waiting for Spring by thievinghippo (E, 130k, WangXian, Modern AU, Mutual Pining, Pining while fucking, slight angst, Happy Ending, for a baseball fic, there's not a lot of baseball, Sports, Baseball)

live from new york: an snl au Series by varnes (E, 105k, wangxian, JYL/JZX, Modern AU, SNL AU, slow burn, friends to lovers, pining, getting together, happy ending, Secret Marriage, Accidental Marriage, Light Bondage)

Closer Than Eternity by Netrixie (T, 26k, WangXian, Modern AU, Reincarnation, an unhealthy addiction to starbucks, Immortals, Self-Doubt, POV Alternating, Minor Original Character(s), Canon Compliant, Post-Canon, Temporary Character Death, Angst with a Happy Ending, not for jc fans, This is not a reconciliation fic)

~*~

3. Hey can you recommend any fics where LWJ is angry at LXC for WWX’s death—he can forgive him later but I really want LXC to work for it. If possible can you also find any fics where LXC is confronted by NHS during/after his seclusion. @maromace

~*~

4. Good day! Thank you mods for doing this. We’re so grateful you exist. I was wondering if you can recommend fics whee lan zhan is dead when wei ying resurrects and he finds out and grieves.

Your Light by StellaMozzarella (T, 18k, wangxian, LSZ & WWX, major character death, sorta temporary character death) and i think there was a recent itmf about fics where lan zhan is dead too

Over the Rotted Bridge by vailkagami (T, 314k, WangXian, Temporary Character Death, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, LWJ dies, Wei Wuxian doesn’t die, neither do (most of) the wens, JYL also lives, Original Character(s), outside pov, YLLZ WWX, Canon Divergence, CQL Verse, Illustrated, Grief/Mourning, Non-Consensual Resurrection, mute LWJ, Hurt LWJ, Slow Burn, canonical death of a child (mentioned), Survivor Guilt,  PTSD) 

The Second Siege of Cloud Recesses by Cerusee (G, 4k, wangxian, WN & WWX, WWX & LSZ, LXC & WWX, major character death)

~*~

5. ITMF fics where WWX makes it plain that he is pissed off with the world too. For all that people blamed WWX even post resurrection, there was a fair bit of wilful ignorance, selective blindness and complete lack of justice going on right after the war

Lol I would love to read someone blame WWX only for him to say that well, WWX doesn't forgive them either.

~*~

6. I'm in the mood for wangxian fics where Lan Wangji gets to be his bitchy best! Lan Wangji at his pettiest. Lan Wangji destroying people who deserve it. Just having zero patience for assholes not worth his (or his Wei Ying's) time. Not hesitating to glare at even the people he loves and walking off in the middle of a conversation he just can't be bothered to endure. You know, that flavor of Lan Wangji. Thanks muchly.

Revenge is a Side Dish Best Served With Tea by merakily (G, 7k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Canon Compliant, Protective LWJ, Petty LWJ, Fluff and Humor)

~*~

7. For the next In The Mood For, I’d love recs for everyone’s favorite overlooked podfics - ones that are further down in the “sort by kudos” than they deserve, or even that were published somewhere other than Ao3

[Podfic] A Knight in Shining Armor by thievinghippo by GrumpyC (G, WangXian, Single Parent WWX, Fluff, ridiculous fluff, rot our your teeth fluff, meet cute, Podfic & Podficced Works, Podfic Length: 30-45 Minutes)

[PODFIC] With Surgical Precision by Gwogobo (T, WQ & WN, WQ & WWX, WangXian, Time Travel, Families of Choice, making slight mistakes about the reality in which you find yourself, taking irrevocable action due to those mistakes, sibling bonding through murder, Podfic Length: 2-2.5 Hours, Audio Format: MP3)

("a story for others to tell" by Deinde [PODFIC] by shizrayaji (SEHathaway) & "we became a story" by Deinde [PODFIC] by shizrayaji (SEHathaway) will be moved to the YiZhan comp ^^ - Mod C)

Podfic: The Silt or Scurvy Series by raitala (M, 13, WangXian, Modern with Magic, Urban Fantasy, Hurt Some Comfort, Hopeful Ending, impromptu washroom surgery, Podfic, Podfic Length: 1-1.5 Hours)

[Podfic] Leading Tone by silencemostofall by Beria1021 (G, 24, WangXian, QingQing, XuanLi, Podfic Length: 3-3.5 Hours, Split Into Two Parts, Audio Format: MP3, Audio Format: Streaming, Modern AU, Soulmates, Eventual Happy Ending, Music, Orchestra)

[Podfic] some good mistakes by kisahawklin (T, 30, WangXian, Road Trips, (terrible road trips), Post-Canon, POV JC, lwj and jc do not get along and they're not pretending they do, 'reluctant cooperation with person you don't like' is my favorite trope, does a fic need to have a 'plot' can't it just be 'uncomfortable conversations', Yunmeng Bros Reconciliation, (ish they're working on it), Podfic Length: 1.5-2 Hours, Audio Format: MP3, Audio Format: Streaming)

~*~

8. for the next itmf, could I get fics where it's whump WWX? Some WWX/LWJ would be nice, but anything is fine. Thanks!

they who refuse to be blessed by sysrae (E, 7k, WangXian, JC & WWX, Canon Divergence, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Whump, Golden Core Reveal, Developing Relationship, Bathing/Washing, Confessions, Sharing a Bed)

❤️ whipstitch by curiositykilled (M, 131k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Dysfunctional Family, Torture, WWX Lives, but basically no one else, Case Fic,   Cultivation Sect Politics, Past Abuse, WWX Whump, YL WWX, JL Needs a Hug, JL Tries, Yunmeng Bro Reconciliation, Past Character Death, Body Horror, Non-Consensual Body Modification, POV Alternating, Flashbacks,   Eventual Happy Ending, Heavy Angst, Suicide Attempt, PTSD, Depression, Not A Fix-It, Mouth Sewn Shut)

总有一天; a place to hide (can’t find one near) by yiqie (E, 76k, WangXian, Modern AU, Pianist, Getting Together, Mental Health Issues, Suicide Attempt, Suicidal Thoughts, Depression, Hospitals, Overdosing, Eventual Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, Additional Warnings In Author's Note) MIND THE TAGS, wwx recovers after a suicide attempt but it's a happy ending

let me sing to you by greybird_crookedbranch (T, 61k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Canon Compliant, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff and Angst, adorable Juniors, Minor Original Character(s), for plot purposes, Minor Violence, Demonic Cultivation, resentful energy, Trauma, Guilt, Protectiveness, BAMF WWX, Hurt WWX, Protective WWX, Protective LWJ, Mental Instability, Possession, Angst with a Happy Ending)

out in the garden, there's things you hid away by saltyfeathers (E, 121k, WangXian, Possession, Animal Death, mass death event, Suicidal Thoughts, Suicide Attempt(s), lotta hurt lotta comfort, wwx-centric, unfortunately there's also a bodily fluids warning, there is sex and it is all in the last chapter, Serious Injuries, Angst with a Happy Ending, Post canon)

In The Dark Right Now by phnelt (T, 10k, WangXian, graphic depictions of injuries, trapped in a cave, Near Death Experience, fatalistic thinking, established wangxian, Family Feels, mention of unnamed illness of an offscreen character, Nobody dies in this fic, Modern AU, Hurt/Comfort)

salt to the sea by starmins (M, 31k, WangXian, WWX & JYL, Modern AU, Grief/Mourning, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Road Trips, Additional Warnings In Author's Note, Canonical Character Death)

it's your soul by syriala (G, 3k, WangXian, Misunderstandings, Hurt/Comfort, Mutual Pining, Getting Together, Fluff)

~*~

9. Hello, re: IITMF...does anyone have any wangxian fic recs where Lan Zhan confesses to Wei Ying/makes the first move? Can be modern/canon, any rating, dynamic etc. Thanks!💚 @the-marathon-continues-nip

Always Be Closing by betts (E, 32k, WangXian, divorcing QingXian, Modern AU, America, Office, Kid Fic, Drunken Kissing, Semi-Public Sex, Sexting, Divorce, Falling In Love, Bank Robbery, Secret Relationship, Co-workers) (link in 1B)

So He Thinks He's Straight (A Memoir By Lan Zhan) by Pancho (E, 17k, WangXian, Modern AU, Light Angst, Some Fluff, First Time, Compulsory Heterosexuality, Novel Dynamics, canon wangxian kinks, Biting, WangXian Have a Breeding Kink, Consensual Non-Consent, Blink And You Miss It Noncon Kink, Under-negotiated Kink, (but everyone is very happy with everything going on, )Mildly Dubious Consent, Possessive Behavior, Possessive LWJ, Oral Sex, Blow Jobs, Rimming, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Barebacking, POV LWJ, Dark LWJ, (kind of - he's a little sus; better to tag it), Jealous LWJ) (link in 1B)

Heart at Ease by diamondbruise (T, 6k, WangXian, Love Confessions, Temporarily Unrequited Love, it's not even that it's unrequited, wwx just needs to have a, Feelings Realization, Pining, Angst with a Happy Ending, Misunderstandings)

The Betazoid Wedding Conversation by starandrea (T, 4k, WangXian, Star Trek Fusion, Vulcan LWJ, Love Confessions, First Kiss)

The Demon of the Burial Mounds by Liebing (M, 5k, WangXian, set in universe but alternate storyline, Fluff, Funny, Swearing, Getting Together, Sweet, soft, sex happens off camera, Happy Ending, lots of flirting, Very low angst, but there is some pining)

Bait and Switch by JustAWanderingBabbit (T, 14k, 3Zun, WangXian, Canon Divergence, body switch, whatif, Weird Cultivation) LWJ declares his love to WWX during a moonlit sword flight above the clouds

~*~

10. heloo, for the next in the mood for could you give me some recommendations on fics where the juniors see/experience wwx going all yilling patriarch mode?

~*~

11. hi! sorry if i missed these in previous posts but i have two requests!

A) wangxian pride and prejudice au

B) wangxian princess mononoke au

i’m not picky about how they’re set up, but pref rated M or E, and the longer the better 😁 thank you guys, ur doing the lords work out here @wen-ning

11A)

only the deepest love by occultings (microcomets) (T, 40k, WangXian, Modern AU, Pride and Prejudice Fusion, Canon Divergence, Jane Austen Fusion, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Misunderstandings, Epistolary, (briefly), Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, [Podfic] only the deepest love by papercliptiara) haven't read this yet but the author is very good!

An Uncle's Request by suzvoy (G, 1k, WangXian, Canon, Pride and Prejudice Fusion, Fluff, Romantic Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, SO MUCH FLUFF)

~*~

12. In the mood for oc/jc :)

江山如有待 | It Seems the Hills and Rivers Have Been Waiting by ScarlettStorm (E, 295k, OFC/JC, Slow Burn, Post-Canon, (mostly), Transfem Character, WQ Lives, Fighting as Flirting, Fighting as Foreplay, qs also lives, demisexual JC, sex disaster jc, Femdom, switch rights, Eventual Smut)

~*~

13. Hello! May I ask for help in finding fics where Jin Zixuan and Lan Zhan are friends? Thank you!

❤️ save a sword, ride a socialist by sysrae (E, 33k, wangxian, modern w magic, college/university au, fake/pretend relationship, single parent WWX, homophobia, light angst w/ happy ending, idiots to lovers, fluff)

mating rituals by detectorist (E, 17k, wangxian, JYL/JZX, modern, college/university au, humor, pining, getting together, idiots in love)

~*~

14. I'm itmf wangxian fics where the Sunshot Campaign never happens. Maybe WRH wasn't crazy, maybe Nightless City got destroyed by a volcano, whatever. Drama and angst and whump is fine, just no war, no golden core loss. Not a/b/o please.

Impossible by Theladyofravenclaw (G, 11k, wangxian, JC/WQ, fairy tale au, cinderella au, misunderstandings, oblivious WWX, everyone lives au, happy ending) a Cinderella au set after Wen Ruohan was taken down but wwx still has his core and the dafan wens are fine.

~*~

15. for the next ITMF list, i'm looking for wangxian fics similar to cicer's spider lilies to sunflowers where one of them is trying to make a bargain and the price is their firstborn child, but of course babies can't be made alone so the other has to help! not fussed about which of them plays what role or if it's abo/mpreg, doesn't even need to involve pregnancy if adopted a-yuan counts as a firstborn. thanks so much!

~*~

16. ITMF wangxian being horny/needing to have sex as a side effect of a night hunt? Not necessarily fuck or die, but like, maybe they breathe in a horny poison or they get attacked by an erotica monster or even a simple night hunt where the adrenaline makes them excited. Merci! (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄) ノ～ ♡

it's not about control by westiec (E, 3k, WangXian, Established Relationship, Porn with Feelings, Rope Bondage, Outdoor Sex, Consensual Kink, inappropriate use of bichen, Inappropriate Use of Gūsū Lán Silencing Spell, Inappropriate Use of Gūsū Lán Forehead Ribbon, Very Appropriate Use of WWX, Sexy Chasing, it's not about control [podfic] by deepestbluesky) a thrill-of-the-chase scenario

full disclosure by wolframvonbielefeld (maknaeline) (E, 3k, WangXian, Mentions of Necrophilia, NOT re: wangxian, Overstimulation, Multiple Orgasms, Lingerie, implied zhuiling, wwx is the Master of the Turnabout, Field trips, Sub Drop, Mild BDSM, WWX is a Powerbottom) WWX, investigating a fierce-corpse sex trafficking operation with LWJ, gets caught in a burst of sex pollen. Note also that WWX is cross-dressed as a courtesan

Some foreign flowers by deliciousblizzardshark (M, 30k, WangXian, Modern with Magic, Case Fic, Alternate History, Sex Pollen, dubcon because of sex pollen, Trans LWJ, Mpreg, Accidental Pregnancy, Gender Dysphoria, Misunderstandings, Mutual Pining, Fluff and Humor, Non-Explicit Sex, POV Alternating, Implied Rough Sex)

Stainless by Fahye (E, 6k, WangXian, Sex Pollen, Yuletide Treat)

as amber of ember glows by occultings (microcomets) (E, 11k, WangXian, Sex Pollen, Marathon Sex, Multiple Orgasms, Mutual Pining, First Time, Miscommunication, Aphrodisiacs, pining for the person you're fucking, Getting Together, mostly)

one word from you by mme_anxious (E, 5k, WangXian, Canon Compliant, Hand Jobs, Sex Pollen, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Humor, Mutual PiningFeels, Mutual Masturbation, dubious compliance to worldbuilding, not as porny as you'd think, it's not porn unless there're Feelings okay)

as the constellations in the night sky by northofallmusic (tofsla) (E, 7k, WangXian, Sunshot Campaign, Sex Pollent, Canon Divergence, Past Character Death, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Dubious Consent, (Sex Pollen-Typical), .5 of a Golden Core Reveal)

Say So by FeelsForBreakfast (E, 15k, WangXian, Sex Pollen, increasingly convoluted excuses for not fucking your best friend, Fucking Your Best Friend, Light Dom/sub, extreme orgasm denial, Dirty Talk, Love Confessions)

🧡 Brilliant Mistake by brooklinegirl (E, 53k, WangXian, Modern AU, Sex Pollen, Mpreg, dubcon, Modern Cultivators, Dubious Medical Science)

in the darkest little paradise by martyrsdaughter (E, 4k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, PWP, Extremely Dubious Consent, Sex Pollen, One-Sided Sex Pollen, divergent at the end of ch26 aka malice part four!, Internalized Homophobia, Self-Lubrication, Size Difference, Bondage, Creampie, Somnophilia, Rimming)

Barefoot Runaway by Itszero (E, 18k, WangXian, A/B/O Dynamics, Alpha WWX, Omega LWJ, Sex Pollen, No Sunshot Campaign, Mpreg, Possessive WWX, Protective WWX, No War AU, Bottom LWJ)

miss me once the thrill expires by idrilka (E, 12k, WangXian, Modern With Cultivation, Getting Together, Pining while fucking, Curses, Sex Pollen, Rimming, Multiple Orgasms, first time barebacking, Face-Fucking)

and i'll burn with the fire of ten million stars by Lirazel (M, 11k, WangXian, Star Trek Fusion, you do not have to be familiar with star trek to read this, Pon Farr, (of course), but it's induced by a rare microbe so really it's, Sex Pollen, (statistically speaking any given trope originated in trek fandom), Dubious Consent, half-vulcan science officer!lwj, chaotic engineering disaster gremlin!wwx, let’s ignore the gender dynamics of pon farr because they’re stupid and reductive, the inherent eroticism of vulcan finger-touching, vers!wangxian because that's the only thing i believe in)

~*~

17. Hi! So after i read a fanfic about LWJ with cancer i decided that „i‘m in the mood for…“ would help me a lot with finding a fic, where WWX has cancer. So…just give me anything you have to that please. Thank you so much. @desperation-is-my-middle-name

Cure by Yukirin_Snow (M, 100k, WangXian, XiCheng, XuanLi, Modern AU, Hurt/Comfort, Sick Character, Cancer, Medical Procedures, Medical Jargon, Romance, Eventual Smut, Fluff and Angst, Love at First Sight, possible trigger warnings) if you are looking for wwx has cancer fics it seems super medically accurate, and the emotions are very realistic!! :D

some things go forward by everythingispoetry (T, 73k, WangXian, Modern AU, Hospitals, Teenage Drama, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Happy Ending, can teenagers adopt a baby, or rather can a baby adopt teenagers, papayas?) Both of them have/had cancer

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If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmeme and MDZS KINK MEME on Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what you order!***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack, whatever - it’s all good!***

[herri-writes]

Frozen in Time

Chapter 3: “Until next time, my dear.”

Izumi Sena x Reader (F) (!!)

Synopsis: After the aquarium date with OCEANS, a call from the foreign land reached the model. His flight back home resulted in the photographer learning a certain language with the help of the model's fellow colleagues.

Note: Idk if Izumi and Leo being fluent in Italian is canon but I have to since this thought rotted my brain. hard. Had to google translate those and read my Italian dictionary and install Italian apps. Instead, I use DeepL thanks to March’s recommendations. If anyone here knows Italian, pls teach me until I reach college so that I'll learn Italian there once I'm still studying for college. I swear... If I can annotate this, I would've spammed the whole thing by spamming a lot of simping noises, pics, and gifs.

Sorry this took me a lot of time to finish it but I'm still trying... Q-Q school sucks...

At the airport, Izumi was called for work at Florence. Izumi didn't disclose any further information why he had to go back there so suddenly and he only said that it's just urgent. 

Before he left Ensemble Square, he only told the rest of Knights to stay at Ensemble Square but they all came to the airport to see him off, much to his dismay. But he didn't show the annoyance when he eyed your figure and kept his expression neutral.

"So tell me, all of you wanted to see me off, don't you?" Izumi asked them, including you. "Why, don't you want to see us cry while you depart for Italy?" Arashi grinned as she asked him. Leo chimed in, "Come on, Sena~ We rarely get to see you depart when you urgently leave all the time."

Izumi pressed the center of his forehead using his fingers and massaged it as he let out an exasperated sigh. "Leo, you always go to Italy with me when we have the same flight." "Yeah, that's why I said 'rarely', remember?"

Ritsu chuckled at their interaction and glanced at you. "Not to mention, it's Princess' first time seeing you depart so..." He grinned as he trailed off and continued, "Coincidentally, she has something to give to you before you leave."

Arashi leaned close and whispered, "Go on..." and patted your shoulder. You walked closer to him and held out the bag to give it to Izumi. He raised his brow and stared at the bag with a stern face. "What's that?"

"Just take it, Mr. Sena." You replied, mustering up all of the courage to make him accept the gift from you. He didn't hesitate to accept the paper bag and took it from your hands from its handle. He scoffed, "So, last night, you called me by my name and now you addressed me by my last name with formalities? How weird are you?"

"Ignore that. Open that later when you're on the plane." You said and walked away. You immediately hid behind Arashi and let out a sigh of relief.

Izumi checked the time on his wristwatch and said, "I have to go. I don't want to be late for my schedule."

"Glad to hear that you're finally married to your schedule, Sena." Leo jested and Izumi huffed out, turning away from everyone and left for Italy for his work as a model overseas.

"See you in a week, Sena~!" Leo waved his hands and said goodbye to Izumi. All of the sudden, Izumk turned and walked towards you. The others let out a confused look until he leaned closer and whispered to your ear.

"Fino alla prossima volta, cara mia."

Izumi's warm breath touched your ear. Chills crawled into your spine as a blush dusted your cheeks when he whispered into your ear. Surely, those words will remain repeated in your mind like a broken recorder.

Arashi quickly pressed her fingertips on her lips as she hid her grin behind her hand and took a picture using her phone with her other hand.

Izumi's foreign words never left your mind. Those words repeated before and after you slept, keeping you awake at night. You don't know what language it was and try to wrack your brain if it's French, Spanish, or any other language.

You tried to look up those words in Italian for the translation online on the internet. Unfortunately, you don't know how to pronounce it or spell it out so you gave up.

The next morning, You read Izumi's profile once again in NewDi office and he lived in Florence, Italy for his modeling career. You heard from Tsukasa that Leo and Izumi live together in Florence while pursuing their own passions and come back to Japan for idol work. This time, Leo stayed in Japan because he's composing a song and he is stuck with his own inspirations while Izumi is away.

Coincidentally, your current schedule is accompanying Leo while he's attending DRAMATICA's circle meeting. After taking pictures of him with his fellow circle members, you know it's time for him to compose a song after gathering a pile of inspiration in his brain. You didn't want to disturb him but he noticed you right away and looked up to see you. A wide smile formed on his lips and called you.

"Oi, (Name)! Do you need some help or anything?" With that one question from him, you felt like you were determined to know the words Izumi told you and learn the language. With that, you asked Leo for help. When you explained to Leo that you want to learn Italian, he was ecstatic and was over Cloud 9.

It was all a blur when he dragged you to NewDi office so fast that your mind couldn't process the situation. You blinked twice as he ran out of the office and brought a stack of books with him, including papers fluttering away on the stack, falling like feathers from the sky.

"Let's start with the basics— greetings!" He said as his eyes sparkled with determination and delight and he let out flashcards that were nearly worn out of his pocket. The flashcards show that it was always used over time. Each card has a text and it's translated from Italian to Japanese, making it easier for the user to understand.

"But first—" His words cut off when Leo slammed a stack of books on the table. You read the name of the books from its spine. It's mostly written in Italian and your head starts spinning.

"Mr. Tsukinaga..." You called the composer. The unknown language that never existed in your vocabulary and it made you dizzy and you feel overwhelmed. "C-Can you slow down...? I'm new to the language..." Leo heard you and pushed the stack of books to reveal himself from behind it. He saw how your eyes practically spinning and it broke his heart.

"Rest assured, Princess~" Leo reassured you as he grinned. "I'm just showing these because these are what I used when Sena and I learned Italian way~ before we lived in Florence. Ah, the memories are flowing in my mind!" Judging from his expression, he's about to compose a song this time. "But, I'll let my inspiration stay inside me while my priorities go to the princess. Of course, to get used to the language, I'll speak in Italian to help you practice your auditory skills, just like how we learned Japanese since the day we were born."

"Alright... But please, can you please stop calling me princess...?" You sighed out and Leo answered, "But you're Sena's princess, you know?" Your eye twitched in annoyance and let out an exasperated sigh.

You slammed your forehead and planted your face on the table and groaned, "Stop calling me Zumi's princess. It gave me chills just by remembering his icy stare." Shivers crawl on your spine as you remember how cold his gaze is. But Izumi's warm and gentle touches made you blush. You're glad that you hid it away from Leo.

"Whoa. You have a nickname with him now, (Name)? That's nice. Seems like Princess and Sena's getting closer than expected." Leo exclaimed, loud enough for almost everyone in NewDi office to hear.

You sat up and facepalmed at how loud Leo's voice was. "What do you mean by that? That's the old nickname I gave him in the past." You waved your hand, brushing it off but the Italian classes with Leo turned into a one-sided interview with him about your relationship with Izumi.

"Tell me, you really like Sena, don't you?" Leo asked you once again while you read the flashcards. You blankly replied, "I don't."

Leo took your camera from the table and took a photo of you. The moment you heard the click from the shutter, you snatched it back from Leo's hands and looked at the picture.

In the picture, the camera's focus is on you while the stack of books on the side is blurry. You were reading the text on the flashcards with your face flushed red with a serious expression. Leo is not wrong about the fact that you're blushing but when he pointed out that it's because he talked about Izumi to you, your blush actually grew as you brought a tomato to shame. 

"Hah?! Then why are you blushing for the whole time when I talk about Sena, huh?" Leo pointed out as he exclaimed. You fell silent as you stared at the picture in the camera and looked back at Leo, who was grinning for the whole time as he put his chin on his hands as his arms propped on the table. "So, did I lie about that?"

"You... still do..." You stammered and put your camera near you on the table, away from Leo's hands.

Seeing that you flushed in embarrassment, hiding your flustered reaction, Leo's eyes glinted in mischief and he took a picture of you with his phone while you're not looking. He snickered as he tapped his finger on the screen and sent the picture in Knights' group chat at Hold Hands.

Knights | Operation: Photographer

Leo sent a photo

Leo: Studying while interviewing her about her crush on Sena.

Arashi: Please make her admit it. I want to see them kiss and annoy the hell out of Izumi.

Leo: Princess is too stubborn. She denied the whole time.

Tsukasa: You two chatted at the wrong group chat.

Leo: Let Sena see this. It's not like he'll get mad or anything.

Leo looks up as he hears you read the words on the flashcard and his eyes widen in amusement. He listened carefully as you attempted to read a sentence.

"Te-i a-mo..." You read one of the phrases in the flashcard, the one that it's easy for you to read. "Why is 'I love you' in Italian pretty easy to read...?" You murmured as you went on.

"Ka-ra... mi-a...?" You tried to read the next two words in the same flashcard.

"Cara mia" Leo corrected it for you fluently and asked you, "Was that 'Ti amo, cara mia.'?" You nodded at his question and he grinned happily. "That's how they call their female partners and tell her they love her. Meanwhile, caro mio is for the women who used it as their endearment for their male partner. I often told that to Sena for practice ever since the day we moved to Florence." He laughed out and continued, "You should've seen his face. His face is as red as yours right now."

"But it translates into 'I love you, my dear.'," You pointed it out and his grin widened and beamed, "I just want to tease him while declaring my love for him, that's all. After all, I always say that to my muses, my source of inspiration!"

"No wonder why Ritsu told me that you two acted like a couple when Mr. Sena thought of you as a pet." You said as you drank your juice from the bottle and continued to read the flashcards one by one. 

Suddenly, Leo barked, meowed, and cawed. You nearly spat out your juice and held it in your throat. You gulped it down and cackled, "Pfft—! Tsu-Tsukinaga?!" You laughed out and slammed your fist on the table. You clutched your stomach with your other hand and held it tight as it hurts to laugh out loud like this.

You lean your forehead on the table to hide your laughing face. Tears of joy came out of your eyes and you sat up and wiped it away. "Tsu... Tsukinaga... Th-That is too—" You chortled. "I can't help it...!" You kept laughing and his eyes showed a glint of mischief and shifted to his gaze to his phone leaning behind the stack of books.

Unknown to you, Leo recorded the whole thing with his phone, ready to show the whole scene to everyone later and quietly snickered. He turned his head to hear shoes clacking and the rhythm of the footsteps are like a model's, which he recognized oh so well.

"My, what's got our Princess laughing about?" Arashi chimed in and looked at your slumped figure as you rested your head on the table, exhausted from all of the laughing you had done. Quiet laughs came out of your mouth and breathed in between laughs. "I-It's Tsukinaga..." You felt like you nearly lost your breath after laughing a lot. "He— He suddenly made animal noises... out of nowhere..." You hiccuped and breathed as you calmed yourself down.

Arashi tried to process what you meant and it clicked her. She chuckled and smiled as she glanced at the stack of books written in Italian. Most of them are written from the original writer and author while the rest is translated into Italian. There are also Italian-Japanese and vice versa dictionaries, including some of the scribbled notes on the table.

"Why is she studying Italian right now?" Arashi asked and looked at Leo, who wrote notes on his old notebook. Odd, she thought. The composer is not composing and is just writing notes.

"Well, I believe it's something that Sena whispered to her at the airport last night," Leo answered as he scribbled down random notes on the pages and marked them down by encircling and underlining a word on the text's page. "I'm really sure he whispered something to her in Italian."

You sat up straight and took the flashcards once again and read it. "Something goes along with mi-a ka-ra or whatsoever..." You answered as you muttered, which caught their attention to you. Leo let out a wide grin on his face and snickered as you trailed on, "And a-ra puroshi... puro-chima... I... don't know now..."

Arashi looked at Leo and she saw him grinning like an idiot, making her gawk in response. "O-Oh..." She covered her mouth with her hand, baffled.

"Anyways, (Name)," Leo called you and he gave an old worn-out notebook in hand. "It's my old notes. You can have it and take it."

"Really?" You questioned and accepted the notebook. He nodded as he hummed in delight. "You asked me to teach you Italian and I'm happy to do so as I oblige. Anything for Sena's princess~"

"Thanks... but I'm not Mr. Sena's princess." You facepalmed. "Not now, but soon~" Leo teased and you felt so done at Leo that you groaned. Arashi giggled at your reaction.

"Tsukinaga... Let's just study, okay...?"

"Sì, mia principessa~" He grinned and he took the flashcards on the table and showed you a word on the card. He taught you Italian and his voice soothes you and motivates you as his energetic tone makes you focus on learning Italian.

He expected you to learn so easily on speaking Italian without the Japanese accent but his expectations went further south. First time's a charm and second can bring no harm but he wanted to snap when you reach the tenth. 

After what seemed like forever (to Leo), he felt like he wanted to scream and cry his heart out when he saw you trying your best at the language but...

"Sh-Shi... ao..."

"No, no. That's 'ciao'."

Leo held the flashcard tightly and firmly. He is so determined to teach you Italian but you're trying. He is holding back his tears, too desperate to hold back his screams and hear you say the word so fluently. He is really trying.

"Leo, take it easy, she's trying her best..." Arashi looked at you worried as she saw you furrowed your brows as you tried to pronounce the word correctly. You squint your eyes at the flashcard and try to read the translated text shown underneath the foreign text.

"Try to say it quickly, (Name). It works." His voice slightly shook as he told you so. He nervously gulped down and stared at you deeply.

To Leo and Arashi, this is the 20th time (recorded by Tsukasa, Leo's orders) and the ginger is so close to kneeling on the floor, all fours and crying in such pain. You were too cute to be mad at but he is holding his tears because you are trying, like a child wanting to say its first words. He felt like a parent at this moment.

"Shi-ao." You did say it quickly, resulting in Arashi sputtering and she covered her mouth and she stifled her laugh. "You did your best, (Name)..."

'Baby steps, Princess! You can do it!' He wanted to scream out as dramatic tears began to form on the corner of his eyes. "One more try, (Name)! You got this!" He gripped the flashcard so tight and held back his tears as he encouraged you to do one more attempt.

"C-Ciao...!"

There was a moment of silence after they heard you say the word fluently. Arashi's mouth opened agape and nearly dropped her phone while recording a video of you trying to speak fluent Italian. Her eyes widened and she inhaled. She was about to scream but someone did before she could say her words out loud.

"Finalmente! La principessa di Sena ha finalmente detto "ciao" in modo fluente!" Suddenly, Leo cried out in Italian, breaking the silence. The composer shed tears in happiness as the papers on his hands finally scattered, floating and falling like feathers in the air.

"You did well, sweetie. I'm so proud of you..." Arashi congratulated you and she cried happy tears, felt so proud for Knights' princess while she still recorded a video of you. She felt like a proud mother who saw her child doing its best on their achievements in life.

Tsukasa looked at his seniors in confusion and applauded at you. "Congratulations, Miss (Name), you did well after twenty-one attempts."

"T-Twenty-one?!" You exclaimed. Leo grinned and replied, "At least there's progress. Whahahahaha! Sena should see this. He'll go crazy about seeing Princess learning and practicing Italian language."

'Oh, God... he's too loud...' You nervously chuckled at the words Leo exclaimed out.

"Ciao, (Name)~!" Leo beamed as he greeted you and you smiled and greeted him back, "Ciao, Leo." Leo nearly got a heart attack and hyperventilated as he fell to the floor. "Principessa is so adorable! Inspirations are overflowing! Whahahahahaha!" He left the office with a mad dash all the way to somewhere he can compose properly and well, he couldn't control his own composure.

And of course, he left his phone, still recording a video of you practicing the language. You eyed his phone and you are so sure he's sending the whole video to Izumi later.

The office was left silent after Leo left and yet, everything was left in awkward silence. You stood up from your seat and brought the old notes and flashcards Leo gave you to your arms and broke the ice.

"A-Anyways, I think I should go... passing my report to the agency about my progress..." You nervously chuckled and scratched the back of your neck as you let out a wry smile. Ritsu's eyes glinted in mischief as he saw this and grinned, "My, if you keep on doing that, I might consider it as flirting~"

"Flirting...?!" You looked at him, baffled and Arashi chuckled and chimed in. "He says that if you do that again, you might end up flirting to someone if you do that." Ritsu stifled his laugh and snickered. A blush bloomed on your cheeks and you flushed in embarrassment as your blush brought Tsukasa's hair to shame.

"Rashi, I'm not trying to flirt with anyone here! You two, quit that, will you?!" The blonde and the ravenette laughed as a response, resulting in you pouting at them, angrily as your cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

In Japan, it's noon. In Italy, it's evening. Izumi returned to his apartment after a long day's work. He plopped down on his bed in exhaustion and sighed. He was so sure he did get enough rest when he arrived at Florence yesterday in the early hours of the morning. Thankfully for the idol, he managed to get a good rest on the whole flight to Italy and slept again after he arrived at his shared apartment with Leo.

Izumi groaned when he heard his phone notifying him with constant messages and it's obvious who is the sender of the message. He grabbed his phone on his bedside cabinet and checked his lockscreen.

Knights | Operation: Photographer

Leo sent a photo

Leo: Princess is so cute that I couldn't resist getting mad at her. She is really trying her best.

Leo: Oi, Sena. You better see this.

He opened his phone and looked at the group chat in Hold Hands and his eye twitched when he saw that Leo sent a video.

Leo sent a video

Arashi: I'm pretty sure it took you five minutes to take a video of her saying "I love you, my dear" in Italian after you left the office.

Tsukasa: Senior Narukami, he sent the one where Miss (Name) was studying at Sky Garden.

Leo: Buuuuuut I managed to take a video of her at Sky Garden in secret. She's still reading 'I love you, my dear' and she is still trying.

Izumi opened the video Leo sent at Knights' group chat. He watched it and carefully listened to what sound was there in the video.

His eyes widened in surprise when he watched the video. It's a video of you reading one of Leo's flashcards at Sky Garden. You were sitting on the bench as you read the flashcard under the tree's shade, reading Italian in a Japanese accent. He didn't expect that you would study the language after he whispered such words into your ear before he left Japan.

A faint blush dusted on his cheeks as he continued to watch the video of you as Leo's student in Italian lessons post-classes. He stared at the screen as he listened to you reading the words in the cards, attempting to make it fluent and understandable to the foreign ear.

"Caro mio..." His heart flutters as you mutter the phrase properly. His gaze softened and smiled. "Cara mia..." He whispered lovingly. He wanted to hear it in person and he wanted to hear those words from you.

"Amore mio... Wh— Mr. Tsukinaga?! P-Put your phone down will you?!"

"Ahaha~ I got caught! Scusami, Principessa." Leo ran away from you and the video stopped right there.

Izumi chuckled lightly at the way you reacted to Leo taking a video of you. The sight of you having multiple reactions at once without your face mask covering your face made his smile soften more.

He exited the video with a single tap at the arrow on the screen as he smiled. His smile disappeared and turned into a serious frown when he saw the others assuming and expecting Izumi's reactions and comments to the video Leo sent in the group chat. He irked when he read the conversation in the group chat and gave the ginger a cold glare.

Knights | Operation: Photographer

Leo: Senaaaa did you watch the videooegdkej

Leo: Sorry, I sneezed

Arashi: Obviously, he did.

Ritsu: Secchan must be squealing like a school girl in love~

Izumi: Say that again, Kuma.

Leo changed the group name to Knights | Operation: Photographer x Model

Arashi: Leo, Izumi will throw hands at you once he returns to Japan.

Izumi: Leo.

Leo: Ahahaha anyways...

Leo: I noticed that Princess can read the cards fluently without someone watching her as long as she did her best.

Leo: And it's obvious that she motivated and determined to learn because of a certain someone~

Ritsu: We all know who it is Lrosoprhrk

Ritsu: Sorry. Ritsu slept on me and he dropped his phone. — Mao

Izumi turned his phone off and placed it on his bedside cabinet and lay down on the bed, hugging the dolphin plush you gave him yesterday. He pressed his face on the plush, just like how you did back then at the aquarium's souvenir shop.

He can vividly remember that scene right before him. The way you pressed your face on the plush and nuzzled it, like a mother giving gentle affection to their child. The way you hold it in your arms is like how one will carry their pet, knowing its back is sensitive.

The model couldn't help but to lovingly sigh. For this whole time, he admired you and he never realized it. But that admiration grew the more he knew the others teased him for being warm, gentle, and affectionate towards you. The way he treated you is different from the way he treated Makoto in the past when he's still a student in Yumenosaki.

And yet, after reminiscing those memories of the past, his mind still wandered back to you, repeating the scenario over and over as he continued to remember the events back then at the aquarium. The way you reacted when he draped his coat on your shoulders, the way you looked at him when you caught him staring at you in admiration whenever you smiled, the way you shy away when he held your hand on the way back to Ensemble Square. He clearly remembered it all but his mind only thought of you holding the toy plush you bought from the souvenir shop, the one you gave to him, the one he's holding right now.

Speaking of a toy plush, he remembered something and he realized about one thing he forgot to do back in Japan. His eyes widened in realization when he remembered the plush inside his dorm room, inside the paper bag, and the said item sitting on his table.

That loving gaze full of admiration faded when he remembered what he forgot.

'Ah... I forgot to give that to her...'

At night, inside the shared apartment you lived in with your aunt and cousin, you still studied Italian with the notes and flashcards Leo gave you. You swiveled your chair as you turned to the next flashcard, reading the basic greetings in Italian text.

Outside of your bedroom, your aunt and cousin looked at you from your door, confused. They looked at each other and returned their attention back to you and the two stacks of old books on your desk. They let out a confused look ever since you arrive in the apartment, late in the afternoon with flashcards on hand that it caught their attention. They looked at each other and quietly followed you until you reached your room, closing the door shut.

Earlier, after you returned to the apartment, your mind wandered as your focus remained on the flashcards on your hand. You accidentally entered the apartment's storage room and you found old Italian books in there. You know that she kept her old things in the storage room. You scratched your head at the utter coincidence that you dusted the books and brought it all to your bedroom, which is now stacked in your desk.

While the two are watching you studying, Nyaitsu is playing with the crumpled papers on the floor. He stared at the ball made of a sheet of paper like a predator and growled as he jumped to get the ball of paper but it jumped away from him. The kitten yeowled and tackled on the crumbled paper again and this time, his attempt was successful on his playful little hunt, he happily let out a few small meows when he was able to crush the crumpled paper ball with his little paws.

From a cat's perspective, they seem to be grinning in victory as they watch its prey like a predator. He growls and scratches the crumpled paper with his claws and eradicates it under the paws of the merciless kitten.

While Nyaitsu is having fun with his own little game, you focus your brain on your studies and read the notes Leo gave you with his flashcards on the side.

"A-Ari... Aribi... de..." You tried to read the flashcard on your hand as you studied the language. "Ari... bede..." The kitten's ears perked up as he began to seem curious at his owner's new routine. He sat there and looked at you as he looked at you with curiosity.

You groaned and leaned your back on the chair's backrest and sighed. You don't want to give up right now. You sighed out once again and returned to study the language orally. You quietly exhaled and uttered it out. "Aribidecchi."

You facepalmed and your actions scared the kitten behind you. You sighed, "Too close..."

"Arrivederci." 

You turned your head to the door and saw your aunt, entering your bedroom and walking closer to you. "Arrivederci translates to 'Goodbye' in Italian." She pointed out and said the word fluently and accurately and she sadly smiled, remembering something she always wanted to forget. "Those are the last words I heard from your uncle before he left."

"He did?" She nodded at your question. "It remains fresh in my memory and it never fades. I missed him very much." From a longing gaze, it turns into a sorrowful one. You know your aunt's heart shattered on that fateful day, where he left completely in your lives, gone like the wind. It broke your heart seeing her like this.

You know all too well when her husband, your uncle, left Japan to work overseas as a full-time photographer. She begged him to stay but that heart wrenching news broadcasted on television made her heart shatter into pieces, shredding her from her core. Her sorrow affected you and it made your heart beating in pain whenever you saw her cry in her room ever since that day.

She shook her head and ignored the pain of the past and smiled. "Since you wanted to learn Italian, may I teach you as your foreign language teacher?" You excitedly nodded and hummed in agreement. She chuckled at your response to her question and began to wonder why you were learning the language on your own.

"(Name), what made you learn Italian yourself?" She asked you and you confidently answered, "Actually, I wanted to know what Mr. Sena told me at the airport yesterday evening." 

Her eyes glinted in awe at your answer. "My, it seems like someone made you learn the language just because of a single simple sentence or phrase." She quietly held her chuckle and grinned. She patted your shoulders and engulfed you into a motherly embrace, something you loved to feel ever since you moved into her apartment. 

"I won't pry further into your curiosity and I will teach you. In exchange..." She deeply thought and whispered into your ear. Her condition made your cheeks pink so that you couldn't help but to disagree without hesitation. "I-I can't accept that...!"

"Sweetie, consider that as a motivation to learn the language," She said as she placed her index finger on her lips and winked. "After all, you found a reason to be motivated and determined to speak the words you wanted to tell him once he comes back from overseas."

You bit your lip as you held your blush. She is right. You wanted to tell him something back once he returns from his flight back home to Japan. You wanted to know what he told you that day before he left the country to work in Italy for his modeling career. That is the reason why you wanted to learn the language.

An undying urge to learn while burning the midnight oil is too strong that the small fire of determination in you turns into an endless flame. You huffed out in excitement as you balled your fists as your eyes glimmered. She chuckled at your determined state and smiled. "But..." She pointed at the clock on your desk. "It's almost time for dinner so you can weaken the flame in you for a moment."

"Aw..." You sadly sighed and she patted your head. "If you knew that your stomach grumbled with that determined look on your face, your cousin would laugh at you and tease you for that." Her remark couldn't help but to make you flush in embarrassment and you clutched your belly. You heard your stomach grumble and you felt it from your arms as you clutched it and your blush grew more red, earning a chuckle from her.

"Now, now, little student of mine, it's time for dinner~" She smiled and noticed the little Nyaitsu climbing up on your sweatpants and resting on your lap. You gave out an anxious chuckle and sighed. "I guess he doesn't want me to eat..."

"No worries, I'll bring you your plate once I return." She said and left your bedroom, leaving you and Nyaitsu alone. Once the door is closed, Nyaitsu's ears perked up and meowed, trying to get your attention.

You look down to look at the kitten on your lap and smile. "Still playful, huh?" You asked him as you scratched his chin. He purred in satisfaction and melted on your touch. Somehow, seeing him like this made you remember how he patted your head that day while looking at you in a most affectionate manner.

Red bloomed on your cheeks and you hid your face behind your hands. There is no way that one single look of his made you melt. You swiveled close to your bed and took a pillow. You pressed your face on the pillow and screamed on it. There is no way that your idol crush is the first person you worked with since the whole collaboration project started and it made your head spin.

"Nonononono— There is no way...!" You panicked as your mind began to swirl with fragmented memories of you and Izumi together. You felt like a high school girl in love, infatuated with your crush. But the more you felt like you are infatuated towards him made you deny it. You felt like you wanted to crawl in a hole and die there at the fact that you are still in the first stage of Five Stages of Grief: Denial.

"Oh, Goddess of Fate, please help me..." You muttered your prayer under your breath as you returned your attention to the old notes on your hands. But the more you read the language, the more your mind thinks about Izumi. You begin to feel warm as your blush darkened and Nyaitsu is satisfied with how warm his owner is right now. Great, you made yourself as his personal warmer.

The next morning, you arrived at Ensemble Square's entrance doors. Before you entered ES' grounds, you put your face mask on, checked your camera bag and its contents, and patted every pocket on your coat. You felt a slight change in your coat pocket and noticed that there is a bump on it. You checked your pocket to see what's inside and you saw Nyaitsu, napping in your pocket.

"Nyaitsu...!" You whispered out his name. "Why are you in there?! You're not supposed to be here...!"

Seeing that the kitten was still napping in your pocket with no signs of waking up, you sighed and entered the premises and acted less suspicious, avoiding the fact that you have a kitten in your pocket.

You remembered you brought a paper bag with you in your hands. You'd rather not think about what's inside the paper bag because this piece of clothing belonged to someone you know and you forgot to return it to him. You are asking yourself why you forgot to return that to him after you left Ensemble Square for the day.

You texted Arashi to meet you at the garden and she agreed to meet you. Coincidentally, she mentioned Nyanko in her tote bag and she asked you if you brought Nyaitsu with you. Without hesitation, you said yes and she is ready on her heels to go straight to the garden, prepared for Nyanko and Nyaitsu's little playdate. 

At ES' garden entrance, you were met by Ritsu, waiting for you at the entrance. Since today is the welcoming of mid-spring, the garden became a little colder than yesterday. You wondered if summer is closer than you thought but it didn't drop at the slightest.

Ritsu didn't hesitate to throw himself behind you and draped his arms on your shoulder. "Carry me." He whispered into your ear and it sent shivers on your spine. "A-Apologies, you seemed a bit heavy for me to carry you. And you're... invading my personal space..."

"I know," He mischievously grinned and smirked. "But you wouldn't mind if it's Secchan invading your personal space, hm?"

A pink blush dusted your cheeks and immediately answered, "I-I would mind..." You tried to push Ritsu away but he hugged you from behind, holding you in place. His warm breath touched your ear. It made you feel slightly ticklish and sirens began to wail in your head.

"R-Ritsu, can you please let go?" You shyly asked him and he rested his chin on the junction between your neck and shoulder. "I will, under one condition."

Oh, you know how much you hate conditions whenever you're in such a predicament. "No."

Goosebumps formed on your skin and when he blew air on the back of your neck. When he saw the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, he grinned. "Hm, I will let you go when you accept and admit your feelings towards Secchan to me."

"What if I don't harbor such feelings towards Mr. Sena?" You turn your head to look at him and struggle in his embrace. If someone saw you and Ritsu like this, it'll create a scandalous mess and rumors will spread like wildfire. The entertainment society is a dangerous place whenever scandals and rumors are formed and you don't want to be involved in such events.

"Ritsu, please let go of me." You grunted as you struggled and his embrace became tighter and yet his hold was firm. "Hm... I'll think about it until you say yes." His smirk became impish when he heard you groan in annoyance.

Light footsteps were heard on the way to the garden and it made you jolt and pale when you heard it. "R-Ritsu, let go! Someone's coming this way...!" You panicked as you struggled in Ritsu's embrace.

"Relax," He sighed in reassurance and nuzzled his face on your neck. "It's just Haakun, he brought the tea leaves he prepared for today's circle meeting."

"Yeah, right but what if it's not him?" You hissed under your breath and panicked. Desperate to avoid attention from the eyes of strangers, you quickly whispered. "F-Fine...! I'll tell you but please, let go. Let go...!"

Ritsu let go of you and grinned. "Good girl. You can't turn back on our agreement, okay~?" He grinned and you narrowed your eyes at him. The air became tense the moment you stared at him. Ritsu noticed a slight change in your aura that sweat began to form on the side of his face.

Your narrowed gaze became a cold glare. He saw that and it somehow reminded him of Izumi's glare but this glare is more intimidating and colder.

'Shoot... I crossed her line...' He thought as he looked at you. Deep inside, he is intimidated by your gaze alone when he doesn't show it on the outside.

You crossed your arms and asked him, "I don't know what you were implying but I do know that it's not a good thing, Ritsu."

He hid his fear with a sly grin and replied, "What if I tell you it's about the way you acted towards Secchan back at the aquarium?"

"What—"

"Senior Ritsu, I brought the tea leaves!" Your words cut off when a soft, gentle, soothing voice fills your ears and the intimidating aura around you dissipates. You blinked twice and looked at the person who was skipping its way towards where Ritsu is.

Baby blue colored hair, bob cut in style. His lavender eyes glinted in excitement. His smile is like a child's and it seemed adorable. In his hands is a box of tea leaves, which there is a label on the front of the box's side. Your eyes widen in surprise at the familiar sight of this young male right in front of you.

"Shino?" You said out his name and he stopped behind Ritsu. His eyes widened in joy and surprise and smiled. "Senior (Name)? It's been..." He counted with his fingers and continued, "...last year since we last met."

"My, you've gotten taller than last time, Shino." You chuckled and patted his head, earning a delighted giggle from him.

You met Hajime back then when Nazuna asked you to take a picture of him and his unit, Ra*bits, for his graduation picture for his last year in Yumenosaki. Time does sure flies seeing that there are changes that you can pinpoint a few when you saw Ra*bits' lives on your phone screen.

"How was Nyan-Nyan? Is he doing well at college?" You asked Hajime and he gleefully answered, "Of course! He manages his time well as a college student and as an idol. It's been like this since the past year after a long hiatus from college."

"I see. That's good to hear~" You chuckled and exchanged questions with Hajime for a moment to talk about Ra*bits' growth as an idol unit and their individuality as a unit member of the said unit.

Ritsu looked at you, baffled at the sudden change of your personality. He was left out when you suddenly chatted with Hajime. Thankfully for him, he can remember what Kaoru once mentioned in the common room a few days ago.

"If looks could kill, then her glare is way scarier than yours, Senacchi."

'Kaoru isn't lying about this one...' He thought and nervously gulped down, ready to apologize. But since seeing you smiling like you are talking to an old friend you haven't met for a long time, he decided that he'll wait after FLAVOR's circle meeting.

You remembered that the Music Course building never existed before when you stepped in as a student of Yumenosaki and blended in with the students in the Idol Course, just like how Anzu joined in when she became a student in the Producer Course. After the Music Course building was established after you became a third year in the academy, you never showed up to anyone in the Idol Course and stayed in the shadows for the whole war.

And seeing what happened at past Valkyrie's last performance and met Nazuna after he recruited members for the Broadcasting Committee, it made you wonder how were you pulled back to the Idol Course building after meeting Nazuna, whose voice is silent every performance and lived everyday as a doll, under his puppeteer's control.

Now that the marionette's strings are cut from its puppeteer, he lived like a human and he deserved to live like one.

You sighed, missing your committee leader. You know how everything was in the war. Though you're a student from Music Course, you knew what the war was like two years ago and you knew how much Yumenosaki had changed after the revolution. Peace spreaded throughout the whole academy when that happened.

"I heard from Senior Ritsu that you're his photographer today in your schedule as Knights' photographer for Picture Perfect. Am I right?" Hajime asked and you nodded. His eyes shined and lit up in joy, finally got to see his upperclasswoman back in action as a photographer whose job is to capture every memory, just like how you did for your fellow alumnus' yearbook pictures. "So it's almost like you're doing what you did before you graduated, right?" You nod and hum in affirmation at his question.

Suddenly, Nyaitsu popped his head out of your blazer pocket, surprising Hajime. "Whoa...! Where did that come from?"

You chuckled at the young rabbit's reaction and Nyaitsu climbed up on your blazer and stood on your shoulder. He meowed as a small greeting and Hajime stared at him.

"Apologies, Shino," you apologized to him and let out a light chuckle. "Meet Nyaitsu. He's my kitten and a part of my family. Well, I don't like him calling my pet because it sounded like I babied him and I rather having him as a family member."

"Nice to meet you, Nyaitsu." Hajime greeted him and Nyaitsu jumped off your shoulder. You didn't get to catch him on time and he landed on your forearm and dived into the paper bag.

"Nyaitsu?!" You panicked and opened the mouth of the bag and you saw Nyaitsu napping on the clothing in the paper bag. "Nyaitsu, don't nap in there. You're going to make me wash it again..."

"What's inside the paper bag, Senior (Name)?" Hajime asked and you nervously answered, "Someone let me use his coat and I forgot to return it to him before he left the country for work."

Ritsu heard this and his eyes glinted in mischief as an impish smile curved on his lips. Hajime asked another question. "Whose coat was it?"

"Mr. Sena's." You didn't hesitate to answer when a slight pink blush dusted your cheeks.

"Wait, Secchan's coat?" Ritsu joined the conversation, pretending to be surprised. You nodded and spoke, "Well, he let me have his coat back then at the aquarium. He said that the indoor area is cold and he let me wear it."

"I... I see..." Hajime smiled and uttered in confusion. You sighed out, "As much as I wanted to return his coat, now I have to wash it again because Nyaitsu is napping on Mr. Sena's coat..." You paused for a moment and remembered something.

"And speaking of coats..." You slowly turned your head to glance at Ritsu and an annoyed glare was seen on your eyes. "Ritsu, where is my coat?"

The ravenette nervously chuckled and dropped a sweat. "I left it in Secchan's room..."

You facepalmed and sighed. Your blush grew. You thanked your mask for the umpteenth time since the collaboration started and you sighed. "Ritsu, you have been really implying something since the start, hm?"

"Er... no?" He feigned ignorance and nervously chuckled once again. Your glare became colder, colder than the harsh winter in the mountains. You crossed your arms and spoke in a low tone of voice.

"I am watching you, you self-proclaimed vampire."

Ritsu grinned but behind that grin is a scared Ritsu who is speed dialing 119 for his life. On the other hand, Hajime, who seemed oblivious, made him remember something from your glare and pose. He blurted out, "Senior (Name), just you remind me of Senior Sena."

"Hm?" Your cold aura dissipated and looked at Hajime. You asked him, "Am I?" He nodded and hummed in affirmation. "Your glare and pose made me think of him." He smiled like an innocent child while he answered.

Your blush grew. "O-Oh..." His words made you look at him in confusion but your heart couldn't help but to flutter at the sight of your adorable underclassman being honest at his own thoughts. 'Goodness gracious, Shino... You are so cute that I wanted to shove you in my pocket with Nyan-Nyan...!'

"Ah, yes. So anyways," You changed the topic and continued. "I believe the rest of FLAVOR is waiting for us so let's go to the heart of the garden for tea."

"Oh, right. It's the welcoming of mid-spring." Hajime smiled and looped his arm under yours. "Let's go to the garden. I want to introduce you to Kazehaya." Hajime gently pulled you as he escorted you to the garden. You two giggled in joy as you two walked your way towards the garden and whilst having a conversation.

Ritsu was left behind, stunned as he watched you and Hajime walk away. He knew that Kaoru wasn't wrong after he witnessed your glare and he knew that Hajime reminded of Izumi's usual glare and serious composure.

'Seems like I really shouldn't mess up with her and be careful...' He nervously gulped down and followed behind.

At the garden, three of FLAVOR's circle members are waiting for the other two to arrive. As of now, their aura was serene and calm as the gentle mid-spring breeze passed by the three idols by the table. Eve's leader and Eden's unit member, Hiyori Tomoe sipped his tea from the cup and closed his eyes to savor the flavor of black tea, as suggested by fine's leader, Eichi Tenshouin.

A delighted, satisfied hum escaped his lips and let out a neutral smile. He opened his eyes and his amethyst gaze glanced at his aquamarine blue ones. 

"I heard you were the one proposing this collaboration project to that certain modeling agency. Am I right?" Hiyori asked Eichi a question with a stern expression. He chuckled and answered, "Of course. Originally, it was meant for StarPro's project but it requires experienced models. Thus, I changed it and asked NewDi's manager for permission, to which he openly accepted along with Knights' leader."

"I see." He replied and heard a dog barking underneath the table. Hiyori looked down and saw Bloody Mary sitting beside his feet. A gentle smile formed on his lips and lifted her up and placed her on his lap. "Jun, aren't you supposed to be watching her while I'm busy?"

"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Jun apologized as he arrived to fetch Mary and took her from Hiyori's lap. Tatsumi softly chuckled while he read a book in his hands and spoke, "I heard that there will be a few cats visiting the garden today. It'll be better that there won't be a fight between two kinds, Tomoe."

"Perhaps you are right." Hiyori agreed and faced Jun. "Jun, take Mary with you. I don't want our little princess to get hurt by their claws."

"Understood. I'll take her to my dorm room. I'm sure Oukawa won't mind. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go." He excused himself to leave and waved his free hand while his other arm carried Mary.

Just as Jun left, they heard a cheerful chatter nearby and they turned their heads to see who was arriving at their meeting place.

The teal haired idol smiled and closed the book after marking the page where he last read with a bookmark. "It seems like they have arrived."

"Come on, it'll be fun. I promise~" Hajime beamed and smiled as he pulled you to join the small tea party with FLAVOR. You hesitated and told him, "Shino, I don't know if I should join you..."

"Well, that can't be helped when you came along with Tsukippi and Secchan on their own circle meetings." Ritsu grinned and he asked you, "Don't tell me you're not used to drinking tea?"

"I-I am used to drinking tea but I'm not sure if I should come along right now." You retorted and shy your gaze away from him when Ritsu stood beside you.

"Isn't that (Name)?" Eichi and Hiyori asked themselves at the same time and they looked at each other and returned their attention to you, Hajime, and Ritsu. Eichi chuckled and grinned, "What a surprise. I didn't expect that they'd send one of their junior photographers for this project."

"And what a mere coincidence. It's someone we knew from the past who came along with Ritsu." Eichi muttered and remembered the past events at the war.

As the three of you arrived at the garden, you looked up to see a familiar blonde and your eyes narrowed at the lime-haired male. You stared at the two familiar idols and you clicked your tongue as the worst of memories in the past began to resurface in your mind.

"Heaven's Demon and Cabbage Head, long time no see. What a surprise to meet you here." Your words came out with sheer hate that slipped out of your tongue. Hajime and Ritsu sensed that your mood became sour the moment your eyes laid on Eichi and Hiyori's figure.

Eichi chuckled and Hiyori grimaced at the nickname you gave them back in your second year days. You began to wonder why you were acquainted with the previous members of ex-fine before, during, and after the war and you let out a wry chuckle and looked down on them out of pure contempt and you sneered.

"My, if it isn't (Name) from the Music Course," Eichi spoke up with a smile. You were aware that his smile isn’t genuine and you narrowed your gaze at him. He continued, "I thought we were still friends after you took pictures of the memories in Yumenosaki. We were so close back then." He spoke as he began to sound provocative while he grinned.

"Seeing that smile of yours made me think that you never changed at all, Tenshouin." You let out a neutral smile while your hatred towards Eichi seeped out with the words escaping your lips. "And oh, I'm not here to have a cold war with you once again. I'm here for the project you proposed."

"And how did you know it was me?" He asked and looked at you like an innocent child out of pure curiosity. You sighed out, "My boss, Ms. Narukami, Mr. Tsukinaga, and Suou."

Eichi blinked twice and he chuckled. "You never changed at all, (Name). You are a smart one, just like before."

"Became smarter than usual after the war ended, Tenshouin." You smirked with confidence and placed your hand on your hip. "And hearing the news that the heavenly orchestra lost to the revolutionaries back then, I couldn't help but to laugh. You deserved that by the way."

Ritsu and Hajime looked at you and Eichi exchanged replies. The self-proclaimed vampire notices the tone of contempt in your voice while Eichi's voice is being friendly. It's a one-sided hate conversation, a cold war Eichi had caused between you and him after fine won against Valkyrie in the past.

Hajime broke the moment of silence and asked you, "Senior (Name), I didn't know you were friends with Senior Tenshouin in the past. And what happened in the—" You covered Hajime's mouth and shushed him. He quietly nodded and removed your hand off of his mouth.

"Well, I may forgive you for being a changed man but I still loathe you with every fiber of my being for what you had done in the past, Tenshouin." You looked at Eichi out of disgust and crossed your arms. "Don't think I'll let the past slide like it's normal and meant to be forgiven."

"Understood." Eichi gave you a close-eyed smile and poured tea at the empty teacup. "And I wouldn't mind if you join us for tea, (Name). When was the last time I drank tea with you?"

"I never drink any tea you offered to me." You scoffed. "I don't trust you for that because I know you'll spike my tea."

"Oh?" He let out an amused chuckle at your remark out of doubt. "I am not spiking anyone's tea, (Name). I'm hurt."

"I'll take a few pictures of Ritsu's circle meeting with flavor and that's final. Nothing more, nothing less." You utter out and bring out your camera from its bag and turn it on. "I'll go ahead and prepare the camera. If you'll excuse me— ow?! Nyaitsu?!" Your words cut off when Nyaitsu climbed on your back. His claws caught on your hair and climbed up on your shoulder.

Hiyori sputtered and stifled a laugh while Eichi held his amused chuckle as both of their shoulders began to shake. Tatsumi on the other hand was quiet for the whole time and let out an amused smile while he watched you staying still until the kitten reached its destination— your shoulder.

Nyaitsu meowed and you let out an annoyed sigh. "Please don't do that again..." Ritsu chuckled and grinned. "If only I'm that cat, I wouldn't mind clinging on you anytime."

"Aren't you a self-proclaimed vampire, Ritsu? You might as well address yourself as a vampire with feline-esque behavior." You replied and walked away from him. He was stunned for more than he can count today. Ritsu clicked his tongue and sighed. "She really is like Secchan but modest..."

Few pictures were taken and you were satisfied with the result. You sat on the bench in the garden as the members of FLAVOR left except Ritsu, who was napping, resting his head on your lap. In the midst of the break, you read the flashcards you brought whilst you drank tea Hajime blended in your thermos. Darjeeling Tea, your favorite. You didn't know that he blended your favorite tea when you didn't tell him. You appreciated his effort and took a few sips while reading the flashcards.

"Mi manchi, amore mio." You read the flashcard as your Italian accent became accurate as you read it fluently. You looked at Nyaitsu sleeping on Ritsu's chest and you muttered out, "Nyaitsu è un gatto." You chuckled and patted Nyaitsu's head softly while he was on Ritsu.

"My, it seems like your Italian is getting accurate, (Name)." Ritsu commented and looked at you while he rested his head on your lap and asked, "What were you saying just now?"

"It's a secret." You replied and silently read while you mastered each sentence and phrase in the flashcards. You kept reading that you didn't hear the wings of a bird fluttering and perched on your shoulder. You blinked twice when you heard a small coo and you glanced at the bird on your shoulder.

"If this is one of Hibiki's doves, shoo it away from me." You blankly muttered and you glanced at the white dove on your shoulder. "And I mean it." The dove cooed and stayed there for a moment. You let out a sigh and continued to read the flashcards.

"(Name)! I'm here~!" The dove flew away from your shoulder and landed on your head and sat down as a voice called out to you. You saw Arashi skip her way to where you were and brought a tote bag with her, slung on her shoulder. "I hope I'm not late for their playdate." She sat beside you and put her bag on the bench.

Nyanko meowed and popped her head out of the bag, revealing herself to one of her owner's closest friends. She jumped out of Arashi's bag and her little bell on her purple collar jingled as she moved. She looked at Nyaitsu sleeping on Ritsu's chest and she didn't hesitate to walk over Ritsu.

"H-Hey! Naru, don't let Nyanko walk over me." Ritsu sputtered after Nyanko's tail brushed on his mouth. She sat beside the sleeping Nyaitsu and looked at the sleeping kitten.

Arashi began to fawn that her cat made a new friend. Her eyes widened when Nyanko licked Nyaitsu, cleaning him. Nyaitsu woke up and meowed, glad to meet its new friend. But what surprised you both is when Nyanko bit Nyaitsu's scruff and jumped down from Ritsu's chest and landed on the stone-paved floor and put Nyaitsu down.

Seeing this interaction between the two cats, you prepared your camera and took pictures of Nyanko and Nyaitsu playing together. She is acting like a big sister to the kitten when Nyaitsu chased Nyanko's tail and he tackled it. He bit her tail but Nyanko showed no signs of pain. Nyaitsu is still a young kitten so his bites aren't painful and she lets him play with her.

Out of habit, you stood up and took quick shots of the two cats on the stone floor in various perspectives and positions. The dove flew away as you stood up and disappeared into the blue spring sky. Ritsu hit his head on the bench and he hissed in pain. He pouted angrily at the fact that his pillow left him, taking pictures and squealing like a schoolgirl.

"(Name), that hurts. Aren't you supposed to be my pillow today?" Your brain is not listening.

You blatantly ignored Ritsu's annoyed remark and you kept squealing and fawning over at how adorable Nyanko and Nyaitsu seemed when they’re together. "You two are soooo cute I can just shove you two in my pocket!"

Ritsu left the garden with an annoyed sigh and looked for a different napping spot. He regretted having you as his pillow for today when there are cats in the area. First, he compared you to Izumi, now he's comparing you to Leo. Life is so not okay for the self-proclaimed vampire.

Arashi chuckled and took pictures of you kneeling on the floor and smiling like a child seeing an attractive toy right in front of them. Her seeing your smile made her remember once when she saw the pictures of you in your camera, back when she lent it from Izumi before they went to the modeling agency to return the camera to you.

Her heart softened when she saw that soft, genuine smile curved on your lips while holding Nyanko in your arms. You let out a soft giggle when Nyanko licked your cheek and you beamed towards the owner of the cat.

"Rashi, Nyanko is just like you." You smiled, complimenting the blonde haired idol and she chuckled. "I know, she is so sweet that I want to protect her in any way I can. Just like how I once declared to myself to protect you."

Your heart fluttered at her words. It made you feel soft and warm inside. Knowing Arashi, she is always there by your side wherever you go to accompany you as old childhood friends reunite after years of not meeting each other. You let out a soft, quiet smile. Your smile made her want to be with you longer than she knew.

She once declared back then that she will be the knight who will protect you, your happiness, and your smile. And now, she will pass that responsibility to the one fitting for you to protect your smile, taking you where the sun shines as you stay in peace.

Her mind tells her to protect you but her heart says otherwise. She knows that she will still pass that responsibility to someone and her decision is final after staying there by your side as your loyal Knight.

"Anyways~" She ruined the silence at a perfect timing and grinned. "Have you finally known what Izumi told you back at the airport a few days ago?"

You shook your head in dismay, earning a sad sigh from her. But not long, you beamed, "But I will do my best to know what he says and I'll finally be able to understand what he meant by that."

Arashi chuckled and cheered you on, "Do your best. I'll be here to support you."

You huffed out, determined to continue learning the language. "I will. Thank you for your kind support, Rashi."

"You're welcome, (Name)."

Behind the bush is the composer composing another song. He nodded as he heard you practice your greetings and farewells with Arashi. He secretly recorded a voice record of you and nodded at how accurate your accent is in Italian. He quietly chuckled and continued to compose a song, not wanting to disturb your small warm-up session with his fellow unitmate.

Leo hummed a familiar tune while composing and messaged a certain idol in Hold Hands. He sent the voice record to him and continued to compose.

Sena

Leo sent a voice message

Leo: Please listen to this Sena.

His eyes lit up when he heard a buzz from his phone and grinned.

Sena

Sena: Leo, why are you sending me this?

Leo snickered and sent a quick message to Izumi.

Leo: The sender you are messaging right now is composing.

Sena: Whatever.

"Ah, right. Rashi, I forgot to return Mr. Sena's coat. Can you leave this in his room?" You picked up the bag sitting near the bench.

"My, of course." Arashi chuckled as she accepted your request. She saw you hesitating to give her the bag and confessed. "But... Nyaitsu napped in the bag a while ago and I'm hesitating to give this to him or have someone leave it in his room..."

"No worries, a few brushes of lint roller will do the trick~" She smiled and you gave the bag to her. "T-Thanks, Rashi..."

Leo's hand froze as he wrote the melody from his mind. He blinked twice and began to process and remember what he had just heard.

'Did I hear that right? Princepessa has... Sena's coat?' He repeated his thoughts and without hesitation, he jumped out of the bush, scaring you, Arashi, and the cats. You jumped out of your seat and backed away when your eyes met his. He yelled, "(Name), you have to give it to Sena in person!"

"Whoa?! When did you get here?" You asked him, surprised at his sudden appearance. You looked at him and you were not amused by how the leaves stuck on his head and his tired eyes with dark circles, failed to hide from the concealer and worsened due to the lack of sleep. He simply answered, "I was here for the whole time."

"Tsukinaga, Rashi can leave it in Mr. Sena's dorm room once she returns to Starmony Dorm. You know that outsiders are not allowed there." You placed your hand on your hip and stared at his current physical appearance. "And most of all, you need sleep. You're in a worse state than I am."

You weren't lying. You stayed up all night studying and you don't want to lose your learning streak today because of work. Gladly the concealer you applied on your face worked well but your tired eyes show it all.

Arashi chimed in, "It's alright, Leo. I can leave this on Izumi's bed and give him a note."

Leo took a picture of you holding a paper bag and messaged someone. "Nah, leave it to me." He pressed the send button and grinned when he got a sudden message from his sender.

Sena

Sena: Leo, tell Naru to leave it on my bed in the dorm.

"Well, he said he wanted Naru to leave the bag on his bed in the dorm..." Leo sighed, disappointed. "Well, pretty acceptable because outsiders aren't allowed in the dorm.

Arashi took the bag and chuckled. "Well, I must go and I have work to do." She picked up her tote bag and brought Nyanko in there. "I'll be heading back to the dorm to leave Nyanko and Izumi's coat there so we'll see you next time." She left with a small wave and you waved back. "Mhm, good luck with your work Rashi. Stay safe and be careful on your way there."

As Arashi leaves the garden, you turn to face Leo, who still stuck his head out in the bush. He pulled himself backwards and got out of the bush and sputtered as he dusted himself to remove the leaves and twigs off of him. "So, how are your progress in Italian?"

"Fine-ish, I guess?" You answered and he chuckled. You helped him remove the leaves on his hair and on his shirt. "I'm still looking for the words Mr. Sena told me at the airport the other day..."

"Well, I can help you with that." Leo beamed and asked you, "So what was that again? The one you mentioned back then?"

"Something like..." You thought deeply and didn't hesitate to answer. "Fino arra prochima bolta, cara mia."

Leo stifled his laugh at your attempt at being fluent at the first attempt. It sounded a little funny now that he considered you in the intermediate level but you still tried your best. "He said that?" He asked you and you answered with a yes. He chortled, "Well, I didn't know he'll be the roman...tic type..." His words faltered and faded out in realization. His eyes widened when he realized what you had just said. He blinked twice and looked at you, dumbstruck. 

You tilted your head in confusion and asked him, "Tsukinaga...? Is something wrong?"

He shook his head to go back to reality and asked you in pure shock. "Se-Sena told you that...?" He asked you as he looked at you in bewilderment. You innocently nodded and he blinked twice. "Yeah. Do you know what he told me, Tsukinaga?"

Leo fell silent and thought for a moment. He sighed and replied, "Apologies, Princess. You might be surprised if I tell you the truth. That shall wait in the near future."

"If you'll excuse me, Princess. I have work to attend to." Leo picked up the music sheets from the grass and excused himself to leave. You tilted your head in confusion and watched him leave the garden, leaving you there with Nyaitsu sitting close to your feet and he meowed.

Few days had passed and it's the day Izumi returned home to Japan after finishing his work in Italy. Somehow, you expected him to meet you and the other members of Knights here at Ensemble Square after work hours but someone has other plans in mind.

At the break room, you quietly drank your tea from the can and reread your draft of your report in your notebook. You crossed out the less important parts in your draft and you wanted this to be perfect before passing it to your boss.

While writing, you felt an eerie presence behind you that you nearly dropped a sweat when you felt it that it sent shivers on your spine. That presence seemed oddly and nostalgically familiar at the same time. You were so sure that you felt this certain presence back in the days when you were wandering the halls while you were still studying at Yumenosaki.

Unknown to you, three idols stared at you deeply, deep into your soul. A pair of red and green eyes stared at you from behind the seat you were in. That caught the attention of a certain idol who was just entering the break room. He blinked and let out an amused smile. "Oho~?"

Suddenly, someone swept you away from the table and carried you in their arms and ran away from the crime scene. Everything went slow when someone carried you like time stopped and returned to normal when they ran away with you in their hold.

"H-Help me?! This is kidnapping! Put me down!" You screamed in confusion and flailed. Your screams caught the attention of the few at the halls and tears practically formed in the corner of your eyes as you cried for help. This is normal in Yumenosaki, they say. But this behavior cannot be tolerated outside of the academy grounds.

You felt like crying until a voice spoke up. "Shut your mouth or it'll affect Knights' reputation."

You look up to see Ritsu carrying you all along, all the way to the main entrance of the building. You fell silent and stared at him in disbelief. The K in Knights stands for kidnappers and the K in Yumenosaki stands for kidnappers, too. This is a norm in Yumenosaki and it's been a year or two since the last time someone kidnapped you like this.

Ritsu put you down on one of the benches in the lobby and sat beside you. He rested his head on your shoulder and napped. "Don't leave and someone will fetch us to pick Secchan up at the airport."

You deadpanned and replied, "He's an adult and he doesn't need to be picked up by anyone."

"What if I tell you that Anzu did that often whenever Secchan returned to Japan?"

"She's a producer, silly."

"And there's me, Leo, Suuchan, and Naru."

"You're his fellow unitmates."

"And what if I tell you that he wants to see you at the airport?"

"For work, of course." Ritsu let out an annoyed sigh as you countered his remarks without hesitation. "You really are a smart one, yet oblivious to understand why we need you there at the airport to meet with Secchan."

You were about to answer but it was cut off when someone tackled you from behind and greeted you with his usual greeting to you. "Uchuu~✩ Ciao, Principessa!" You felt like the air escaped your lungs the moment he tackled you from behind and you nearly fainted. Nyaitsu on the other hand jumped out of your pocket and yeowled in surprise.

"C-Ciao, Leo... Do you need to greet me in Italian?" You greeted him back and scratched your head in confusion. He haughtily laughed and answered, "Well, it's another way for you to learn faster into the language, Principessa~"

A sigh escaped your lips and suddenly, Leo took your hand and ran as drag you out of the lobby. You don't have time to prepare nor deal with his antics right now. You really need a break from Leo and his eccentric-like behavior.

"Tsukinaga?!" Alarmed, you screamed out his name and he didn't hesitate to carry you in his arms. You were so sure you thought that he's just a shrimp but he's actually not. You completely judged a book by its cover. "Sorry, (Name), we really need you in this one."

"Tsukinaga, I appreciate the fact that you are going to the airport to fetch Izumi after work hours. But do you really need me there?" Your words faltered when Leo dragged you to Ensemble Square building's exit. You were quite surprised there is a white van at the entrance.

Ritsu let out a yawn as he followed behind you and replied, "Well, we promised Secchan to bring you there to the airport with us and he agreed."

"I doubt that the frost prince of a knight agreed to your menacing antics." You rolled your eyes and narrowed your gaze and glanced away from Ritsu.

Your eyes widened when the van's door slid open, revealing Tsukasa. He held out his arms as if to reach something. A hit of realization came into you when Leo suddenly passed you to Tsukasa. For someone who is a few years younger than you, he held you in his arms with ease. 

The moment you are in Tsukasa's arms, he commented, "Oh, God. She's so light..." He brought you inside the van and put you beside him. Leo slid in and sat beside you and yelled, "All right, let's go! We got her."

'Oh, God. I've been kidnapped by Knights.' You paled at the realization. "Leo— No, Knights, are you planning to kidnap me?!"

"Maybe yes, maybe no." Ritsu yawned and entered the van and at the seats behind you, holding Nyaitsu in his hands. He chuckled and asked you, "Wanna join with me here?  You can cuddle with me."

You blinked twice and shook your head. You nearly cursed in perfect English but you held your breath and sighed, "No, I am not coming with any of you., except Rashi, of course. The K in Knights stands for kidnappers. I am leaving this van—"

Suddenly, the van's door is closed by Leo and locked. "Darn it..." The van left in front of the building and went out of the gates, driving its way to the city. You slumped your back to the seat's backrest and let out an upset huff.

As if everything is normal, Tsukasa read an article in his tablet, Leo composed a few melodies in his music sheets, and Ritsu napped with Nyaitsu at the back. You held your camera tight in your hands and beads of cold sweat formed on your forehead. Oh, you wished if only the ground could take you alive right now but drowning yourself in the sea is a better option as of now.

You sighed in distress. You were an alumnus of Yumenosaki Academy and escaped every chaotic antics and shenanigans of every student there in that said alma mater. You thought you could get away after graduation or Repayment Fes but you nearly forgot that it still existed at Ensemble Square, where most of Yumenosaki Academy students are there.

"Rest assured, (Name)." A voice called you and you look up to see Arashi at the seat in front of you where you, Tsukasa, and Leo are. She waved her hand to greet you with a kind smile curved on her lips.

'Rashi...!' You were on the verge of tears when you saw your childhood friend right in front of you, who seemed like an angel descended from the heavens, taking you away from the depths of hell. "Rashi, how can I be rest assured when Knights— your unit members to be specific— kidnapped someone in the past?" You deadpanned and she sighed, "I guess that can't be helped..."

You groaned in annoyance and you looked at Leo and Ritsu. "Still, why do you guys even need to kidnap me? You could've just told me."

"Well, technically, we have to do what our current king commands us." Ritsu answered. Tsukasa immediately retorted, "Don't point anything or everything to me. It was you all along."

"Nah, Naru and Leo helped you plan for all of this. The Knights-taking-(Name)-all-the-way-to-the-airport-with-a-getaway-van is all done by you and her." Ritsu replied and yawned as he forced Nyaitsu to cuddle with him, which made the kitten panic in the hands of the vampire. Out of habit, you grabbed Nyaitsu away from his arms, fearing that someone might hurt him in the process of forcing him to be cuddled by someone due to his small size. It pains you to hear Nyaitsu crying out to be free from his terrifying embrace.

Arashi dramatically gasped, "How dare you say such things right in front of Little Princess?! I would not dare to plan something like that just for bringing her to the airport with us."

Leo chimed in to the conversation and he retorted back, "Hey! I also didn't plan this so-called kidnapping thing. It was Ritsu. Naru and I only suggested bringing (Name) along to pick up Sena. Besides, she has something to say back to him once they meet again at the airport, right?"

You gave the self-proclaimed vampire a side eye when you found out the truth and you clicked your tongue. When Leo mentioned what you were supposed to do once you and Izumi met at the airport, a faint blush dusted your cheeks. To be honest, you weren't prepared at all. You hoped that it's just a simple greeting or a phrase to say it back to him.

"Well, it seems like you snitched the tactician of the unit." Ritsu huffed out in defeat.

Arashi ignored Ritsu and peeked from her seat and turned to look at you. "(Name), are you feeling uncomfortable? You can join me here~ My seat right here is a two-person seat~"

"Rashi... You are the sweetest being..." You called out her name with tears forming on the corners of your eyes. You sat beside Arashi with no hesitation and hugged her. Arashi chuckled and comforted you as she hugged you back. "There, there..."

'Tch. Favoritism...' Everyone in the van (except the driver) looked at you and Arashi being close from the seats behind you two.

"Ah, right." Leo remembered something and spoke his thoughts out. "(Name), remember what  Sena told you a week ago at the airport?"

"A little. Why?" You answered and he grinned. You blinked twice in realization and you blurted out, "Wait. I told you that a few days ago and I only know "cara mia". What's the translation of the first one?"

"Don't be surprised, okay?" You nodded at the small note that can be thought of as a warning. He answered, "Well, "Fino alla prossima volta, cara mia" translates into "Until next time, my dear"."

Everyone in the van fell silent. You looked at him out of pure bewilderment as your face flushed in embarrassment.

"Wait. What does he mean by "Until next time"...?" You inquired out in confusion and Arashi stifled her laugh at your sudden outburst. Leo held his laugh and nearly fainted as he held it in as his shoulders began to shake in amusement.

"You'll have to know about it from Sena himself." Leo laughed out, earning a flustered groan from you in return.

Later, as the van arrived at the entrance, Leo opened the van's door and grabbed your hand, dragging you out of the van with him. Nyaitsu jumped into Leo's jacket pocket and hid there as the two of you went out of the van in such a rush. You hurriedly fished for your face mask in your pocket with your free hand but it fell down to the stone floor the moment you and Leo stepped into the airport's entrance.

"Tsu-Tsukinaga, wait!" You tried to pull your hand away from him but he suddenly carried you in his arms and held you in place. "Scusami, Principessa~☆"

"Leo Tsukinaga, put me down. I can walk on my own!" Your demands fell on deaf's ears when his decision was final. You hid your face behind your hands to avoid anyone seeing what you look like. Luckily, the crowd in the airport is small and less in numbers so you're safe, for now.

In the airport's waiting lounge, Izumi waited for the others to pick him up. While waiting, he's listening to a recorded audio from his phone with his earphones. A small smile was curved on his lips as he listened carefully, almost memorizing every detail.

"Mi manchi, amore mio."

"My, you did well this time, (Name). How about goodbye in Italian."

"Oh, that's simple. Arrivederci."

"Wow. Who taught you?" "My aunt."

"Fufu, she's a good teacher and boss." "And she's also the best aunt."

His heart began to flutter as the sound of you expressing your happiness and joy and he let out an affectionate sigh. 'Thank you for raising her to be the sweetest person known in existence, Miss Old Lady...' Izumi thanked your aunt in his mind while listening to your conversation with Arashi, exchanging thoughts and laughs with you in the recorded audio.

Leo kept sending him recorded audios and videos of you speaking Italian in such a fluent manner since a few days ago. He noticed that there's progress but there are some words that you considered difficult. And on the next day, it became easy for you to say it but on the close to the accurate side. With Leo's help, you learned the language like a walk in the park. He was amazed at how you were a fast learner in the language. He let out a soft chuckle, catching someone's attention beside him.

Izumi didn't notice that the person sitting beside him heard him sigh and chuckle. He was too caught up in the progress from Leo's lessons that he was living in his world. He turned his head to face Izumi and asked him, "Sena, what's making you sigh and laugh like that? Is there something interesting in what you were listening to?"

Beside him was Shu Itsuki of Valkyrie, who returned to Japan to work as a member and unit leader of the said unit. Izumi turned to Shu and took his earphones off and replied, "Leo sent me something that made me annoyed. That's all."

A chuckle escaped Valkyrie's leader's lips and replied, "That made you annoyed? You seemed like Agape whispered into your ear, telling you to listen to the voice Tsukinaga told you to listen."

"Do I seem like one?" "You wouldn't be if you didn't let out a sigh full of affection out of infatuation."

"You sound like Mademoiselle, Itsuki. Or rather, you sound more romantic than usual." Izumi let out a sigh, making Shu let out a quiet smile in response. Shu huffed out in response, "Hmph, if she were to talk right now, she would've chimed in and said how much Mademoiselle and I are alike. But yes, it seems like I've gained quite a few insights in terms of romance. I have to admit, I read a few romance books in France when I'm having more time to rest at work."

"No wonder why." The two let out a friendly chuckle afterwards. Shu saw the paper bag beside Izumi's travel bag. "So you still have that? Is that item in that paper bag so special to you?

Izumi nodded and answered, " Yeah, it's from someone I know before the collaboration project started. I believe you met her back then, Itsuki. She's a fellow alumnus from Yumenosaki."

"Really? I would like to meet her." He replied and Izumi smiled, "Of course. Leo told me she'll be here with them in any minute—"

"Senaaaaaaa! We brought (Name)!" Their conversation ended when a voice called out to Izumi from a distance away. Izumi turned around to see who was calling him and he clicked his tongue when he saw who. "—when I told him that I'll meet her later at ES..."

Leo ran his way towards Izumi with you in his arms. He saw you looking like a mess while Leo carried you and ran towards Izumi. Nyaitsu is clinging on your skirt and clinged on it with its claws for dear life. When Leo slowed down and stopped after running, he climbed up on your skirt and landed on your knees.

"Speaking of... It's them and they're here... with her?" Izumi facepalmed and sighed. He walked closer to Leo and scolded him. "Leo, I told you that I'll meet her later at Ensemble Square. Are you out of your mind, Tsukinaga?"

Behind the two of you is a running Tsukasa, Arashi, and Ritsu, following the two and stopped running when they saw Izumi. Arashi waved her hand to say hi to Izumi but her face became serious when she saw Shu. "Ah, it's "Teach"... What a coincidence."

"Where is Kagehira? Isn't he supposed to be with you, Narukami?" Shu asked Arashi and she answered, "Well, Mika wanted to come with me but he's still busy with work. For Valkyrie, he says."

"I see." He nodded and held his sigh, worried for his unitmate who stayed by his side for the whole time as a unit member and dear companion.

Izumi's eyes widened when he saw that you didn't wear a face mask, the only protection of your identity from prying and sharp eyes in the area. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw you covering your face with your hands. He will definitely scold Leo for doing all of this so suddenly with you being involved in such matters later at Starmony Dorm.

"Leo, didn't I tell you not to bring her here?" Izumi gave the composer a cold gaze. Leo guffawed out loud and answered, "Sorry, Sena~ I can't help it. She really wanted to see you right now."

"Lies! I didn't say anything about it..." You sighed out and took Nyaitsu and put him in your blazer pocket when Leo put you down. Your feet missed the ground and your legs were a bit wobbly as you stood up properly on your feet. Leo replied, "Well, now, it finally happened."

Shu's eyes gazed at you with a sense of familiarity. He felt like he had seen you before. He was so sure he heard your name before but he didn't know where or when was the last time he heard that name back then.

You looked at the seat where a familiar paper bag was sitting beside his travel bag. You looked at him and asked, "So you still have that?"

"Of course." He answered and retorted, "Do you think I'll leave it there in Italy? Who knows when Leo will scribble his pens on the walls when he enters my room without permission?"

"Hey!" Leo glared at Izumi and retorted back. "You always lock your door in our apartment. Scared that you'll lose the gift Principessa gave to you?"

"I didn't say who gave it to me, Leo." Izumi and Leo began to argue. You let out a sigh and turned away from them and pretended that you don't know any of them here.

Your eyes glanced at the doll on Shu's arms and recognized it. You look away for a moment and for a split second, it moves. You glanced back at the doll, only to see it in its original position and you glanced away and looked back when you caught the doll moving.

'Mademoiselle, I know you're quiet right now and you can't fool me...' You spoke to the doll in your thoughts and surprisingly, she didn't answer. You let out a sigh of relief and turned to face the two arguing idols.

"Before anything else, Principessa has something to tell you." Leo turned his head to face you and he grinned. "It's something she promised to me in the middle of our study session."

"I didn't—" You paused for a moment and you remembered something. You sighed and walked closer to Izumi. As you were finally close, you looked at him in the eyes and spoke, "I know what you told me a week ago before you left Japan, Mr. Sena."

Izumi's cheeks were dusted with pink as you told him. You continued, "And I wanted to tell you this on the day you returned here in Japan... With the same language you told me a week ago..." You walked closer to him and told him to lean down. He didn't hesitate to lean down and he froze when you whispered something into his ear.

"Bentornato, ammiratore mio."

Izumi's faint blush grew on his face as you whispered those words into his ear. His blush reached the tip of his ears as he gawked in awe. He nearly fainted and his hands began to shake and blinked twice in confusion. He finally recovered from shock and let out a small chuckle and smiled in the most affectionate way possible, a rare sight to see.

When they saw Izumi's blush, Arashi stifled her laugh, Ritsu snickered, Leo grinned wide, Tsukasa was stunned, and Shu was surprised to see his friend blush like this. Knowing that the others saw him blush like this, he will never hear the end of the interview from his unitmates later after they return to Starmony Dorm.

You distanced yourself away from him to give him space. Your eyes were in a daze when you saw how red he was. Finally, when you told him the words you planned to tell him once he arrived home, you felt the weight on your shoulders lifted.

"I won't pry further into your curiosity and I will teach you. In exchange..." She deeply thought and whispered into your ear.

"Tell him something in return in Italian. Tell him a greeting once he returns. Or if you're brave enough, you can confess to him in that said language."

Her condition made your cheeks pink so that you couldn't help but to disagree without hesitation. "I-I can't accept that...!"

"Sweetie, consider that as a motivation to learn the language," She said as she placed her index finger on her lips and winked. "After all, you found a reason to be motivated and determined to speak the words you wanted to tell him once he comes back from overseas."

You felt like fainting on the spot when you remembered the condition she gave you with him. At least you have a goal that you kept as a secret for this whole time without any of them knowing.

"But, if he gave you an endearment in return, well..."

"I'm back, (Name)." He answered and he whispered into your ear, just like how he did before he left the country a week ago.

"Mi manchi, tesoro."

Your mind short circuited for a moment there when he whispered those words to you. Your heart exploded inside your chest. You felt like running ten laps right now after hearing him say that with an endearment in the end. Both of you at this point are an endearment away from falling deeper in love.

"You'll have to spend the whole ladies' night in my office with us and tell us everything that happened after the task is done. In. every. detail~" She continued her words with a wink.

"Mi manchi means "I miss you" in Italian." You remembered what Leo told you when you read the flashcards once back then. 'He misses me?!'

"I... er..." You stammer, quite unexpected at the endearment he gave you. You shyly chuckled and looked away to avoid his gaze. 'Oh, God... I'm falling for him...' You mentally sighed and you became flustered just at the endearment alone. Of course, you knew about it when Leo taught you the endearments in Italian.

Leo grimaced and commented, "Argh... I can't believe (Name) stole one of my muse..." He scratched his head and groaned, jealous. Arashi chuckled and replied, "But didn't you have her in your list of muses?"

"Ah, right..." He chuckled out of embarrassment at the realization and scratched the back of his neck.

"Is it over already?" Ritsu yawned and asked the others. They nodded in response and he let out a sly grin. "Hm, it seemed like we're a few moments closer to make their re—" Tsukasa shoved a donut in Ritsu's mouth, preventing the languid vampire from saying more than he should have. "Alright, you've nearly said too much Senior Ritsu."

Ritsu's protests were muffled by the donut in his mouth and slowly ate it. He glared at the garnet-haired knight but Tsukasa didn't care at all.

W/N:

I suck at writing endings that my hands craved to write chapter 4 because I am offering my soul after doing every single performance task this week. I am so done. Writer's block is a btch.

Give me a break. It took me a month to finish this. Fck school. It's summer here and it's soooooo hot. And worst is that I felt like I died due to red week.

T/L: (With the help of Duolingo lessons and DeepL)

Fino alla prossima volta, cara mia - Till next time, my dear.

Ti amo, cara mia/caro mio - I love you, my dear.

Si, mia principessa - Yes, my princess

Finalmente! La principessa di Sena ha finalmente detto "ciao" in modo fluente! - Finally! Sena's princess finally said hello fluently!

Scusami, Princepessa. - I'm sorry, Princess.

Mi manchi, amore mio. - I miss you, my love.

Nyaitsu é un gatto. - Nyaitsu is a cat.

Bentornato, ammiratore mio. - Welcome home, my admirer.

tesoro - darling

taglist: (url in bold text means that you were unable to be tagged. dw i’ll tag you at the reply section^^/)

@thelocal-idiot | @valeriele3 | @lleoll | @saiharaaa | @starlightalien​ | @saltyamen | @achilleas-dream

[iheartgod175]

So, that Star Fox x KonoSuba idea…

It’s had an insane grip on my brain. To the point where my good buddy @blazing-shadows had to spam me with fifty messages, haha XD

Basically, this is what happens when you get your yearly itch for one of your favorite franchises and add in the game that you’ve been playing religiously for a few weeks ^^

I’ve decided to title this silly story “God’s Favor on This Not-Yet-Retired Veteran!” It may be subject to change, though!

This particular crossover idea takes place during the Assault/Command timeline. Why? Because I absolutely ADORE Star Fox Assault, especially Peppy’s portrayal in that game, and while Command is a whole mess, a few ideas/characters were pretty neat (*cough* Lucy *cough*). That, and I wondered what would happen in an alternate scenario where Peppy dies for real during the tail end of the game (a question that has been answered by several authors, actually!).

So the basic gist is that Peppy dies for real after sacrificing the Great Fox, but receives a second chance at life when he meets Aqua, who revives him and sends him to Axel. That second chance at life involves a world where cabbages fly, ranking works like a video game, and the people there are somehow are even bigger a-holes than in the Lylat System. Oh, and he ends up being in a party with one of those a-holes. Not Kazuma—although he’ll definitely meet him later. That would be Dust, the resident town punk, and his long-suffering party consisting of Rin, Keith and Taylor. With his chances at retirement permanently shot, Peppy now has to navigate his new life of being one of the oldest adventurers in Axel, and try not to either rage quit or kill Dust in the process. Meanwhile, in the “real world”, Lylat is reeling from the Aparoid Invasion when the Anglars make their debut, and the fractured Star Fox team must face this amidst team struggles and without their beloved mentor.

It’d be easy to have either Fox or Falco in this scenario, since their personalities would mesh with the craziness perfectly (I personally would nominate Falco for this position since in-universe he’s super competitive), but even before I got into KonoSuba, the idea of Peppy ending up in an isekai situation—especially in this world—was too hilarious to leave alone. Also Peppy’s my favorite character, so that’s a no brainer, lol XD

Also, the main reason I had Peppy team up with Dust is for two reasons: 1. As much as I like Kazuma’s character, I wanted to challenge myself with writing an ensemble cast outside of the main one. Kazuma and his party will definitely get their chance to shine, but I wanted to focus on a different set of adventurers for this story, and the team that’s the opposite of Kazuma’s seemed to be a fun choice. 2. Dust is one of my favorite characters in KonoSuba, which happened completely on accident, lol (more on that in the KonoFan post I’ll make soon). And just imagining the headaches he’d cause Peppy was hilarious.

This being KonoSuba, hilarious shenanigans ensue, but there’s also a little bit of seriousness due to, well, Star Fox. You can’t expect a battle-hardened veteran like Peppy to just be dumped into a crazy world like KonoSuba and pretend none of the canon in his universe didn’t happen, lol. I told my buddy that this little story is gonna be full of humor, drama, tragedy, a smudge of romance, and lots of wholesomeness, because although I put him through the ringer a bit here, Peppy needs a bit of a break after the stuff that happened in canon ;_;

If y’all like this idea enough—or if I can’t shake the brain rot off, haha—this might be something I’ll post on AO3! Let me know what you think in the replies!

[belosmobilityscooter]

One draft that I had stored up for awhile. this one took me forever and I really liked the opening but it was hard finding motivation to continue, ugh I still have brain rot for this awful stinky carcass of a man. This was going to be a x reader fic that had Belos being hit by a car and getting nursed back to health but I got carried away with the details… oops.. anyways here it is

A rolling streak of white lightning echoed through the dark night, thunder crackling hard above the branch-darkened forest floor. Wet, rotting mulch and bramble underbrush were crushed beneath long, crooked appendages as a hulking form barreled through the wilderness, a shrill shriek warbled out from a disfigured maw as another sound of angry storm boomed above the harsh pound of rain. God was angry with him. His heart pulsed wildly in between the bones of his disjointed ribs, pounding erratically in his ears.

God knew what he had done, and his fury was not unspoken. The world was so loud, so great and booming like it was about to split apart and swallow him whole. He had failed his righteous duty, his mission to protect humanity had been foiled, the sacrifices he had made, the toil he endured, for nothing. Torment was awaiting him.

The world no longer made sense, a shallow hollow reflection of what was, what he used to believe. Dark shadows swam at the edges of his vision, trees melding into trees and then into monsters in the corner of his gaze. An ensemble of a cruel and vicious mockery, red-eyed imitations giggling and cackling madly as they grasped and clawed and tore, trying to drag him under as he fled. Children and men alike, red eyes blazing like a kerosene fire, his failures, his monsters.They had come to take him. He was consumed by a fear he hadn’t known in so long, his very being degraded to nothing more than a beast of his own fabricating. He was no longer a man, or the Emperor, or a witch finder, or a prophet, he was an animal.

He was afraid.

He threw back his antlered head, shrieking. The beady, burning sapphires in the hollow sockets of his eyes turned upwards fearfully, following the churning, black clouds brimming above, stealing away the stars. His Lord would had forsaken him, he was left to the mercy of vengeful demons come to wretch him down to fire and brimstone.There was no reprieve to receive from the onslaught, the quaking branches hung above did nothing to take the brunt of the sheets of cold, icy water that showered down, hitting the gnarled verdant of his thinly-stretched, mud streaked skin. There would be nobody to lift him away from the enclosing vise of the hell-ish creatures agonizing the man. Another hot rod of lightning struck down, somewhere closer and he skidded.

A ghostly figure loomed right in front of him, wide, pale gaze illuminated against the black like a broken mirror left to rot in the blight of nature retaken. His pale, sickly face slick with blood of his own, shed by blood of his blood, his mouth hung open in a scream forever silenced. An unwilling muse of creation in a cycle of horror and grief. He let out a broken snarl, carried away by the viscous howling of the wind and ran straight through the spirit. Shards of decaying cedar exploded as he hurtled through a fallen tree, ripping roots from the sodden earth in the process.

Branches slipped behind and then, the wide expanding torrent of the storm was upon Philip

The forest around him disappeared as he burst into an open expanse, his concave nostrils flaring as something metallic and foul met his senses. The laughs and jeers fell away as he surged, going faster than he likely ever had in his life. Where or when he was didn’t matter, it was just him, fleeing for his life, afraid and unknowing of the world beyond the chase.

The wind and flood whipping at his battered form, trees, terrorizing mountains broken only by a dip in the path. He was going too quickly to slow his momentum as he lurched across a road, a deafening roar rising above the thunder. Twisting around sharply, he swerved, his confusion mingled with hot fear as a burning, white light eclipsed him.

A short gasp was all that managed to escape his maw before he was struck.

He was falling, numbness firing through his nerves before everything in his body erupted into sharp pain, like his muscles and bones were being torn asunder. Lights blurred with sound, falling together as incoherently as he was. His teeth gritted futilely, waves of stomach nauseating, churning pain crashing over his being more and more in an amalgamation of agony, skull slamming and spiraling. Plunging down and down until abruptly, it stopped.

He laid across the pavement, still.

The world was a blanket of quiet, blissfully calm and eternally deep. Everything was still, silent, more silent than anything had been in such a long time. His voice couldn’t reach him here, in this serene heaven of dark, nor could its accompanying demon chorus of accusations and shouts. It was pleasant.

Nothing else was important, or really mattered in that moment, not currently. And for once, he was okay with that.

And then, like a gunpowder cannon, sound exploded.

Everything came flooding in, an ear splitting ringing taking hold, sensations pouring back into the body that desperately fought to keep itself alive despite all. Philip lolled his head to the side, eyes twitching, following the shadowy outlines of his surroundings that faded in and out, black dots clouding his vision.

He felt like a creature brought down by an arrow, struck right through ribs before running a pace and then falling dead. An arrow. Were there any arrows? Were arrows supposed to hurt in such a terrible way? When was the last time he’d been hit by an arrow? Usually these questions wouldn’t have an answer, for Philip could hardly recall a time from before he went to the Demon Realm. So long ago as it was, that all melted away to venom in his heart.

However at this moment he recalled distinctly. Twelve winters, he had gone alone out to forest looking for game while his brother was out working his apprenticeship. He with remarkable accuracy remembered how excited he found himself on that day, considering he managed to provide himself two pheasants. ‘ We’ll eat as kings shall ‘ he had remarked, breath billowing in the frost-bitten air, hard-packed glimmering snow crunching underneath his ragged boots. Despite the fact his fingers were numb cold and he was shivering, trying to draw his threadbare coat over his shoulders, as if that would somehow retain the warmth that wasn’t there. And so, too preoccupied with his catch, he had not taken notice of the arrow that came whistling out of the underbrush. And cried out in pain when it struck him through his shoulder.

He remembered the pain, and in comparison that now seemed a lot better.

His mouth hung open, desperately trying to form words, a cry for his pain, but instead he let out a quiet, broken moan. He wheezed, the noise reverberating through his distorted, aching body as each ragged breath unsteadily filled his lungs.

Philip had been afraid he would die that day, and of course when one was so young they knew no better and couldn’t tell the difference between a mortal wound and a survivable one. The arrow, which had only gone through his shoulder, had healed after a month or so with the tender care of neighbor and the warmth and company of his brother. The only thing that resulted was a several year period of discomfort.

This however..

Philip was afraid.

He could feel his heat ebb from his body as the cold rain washed it away. He could handle pain- he could handle it, but being afraid?

He did not like being afraid.

Philip wanted to thrash and wrench and throw, he would not-

He would not go like this. He came too far.

But his body failed him, he was too weak and his body resisted against his mind’s commands, the pain was too much.

Philip didn’t want to die.

He couldn’t go-

…

What was that sound?

Then, he paused. Staring blankly ahead, as he strained against the ringing-vibrations pounding within his skull.

Distantly, like the noise of music from the next room over, faintly he heard singing.

Singing?

How strange.. Why would anyone be singing?

And suddenly Philip had to wonder if there actually was anyone singing at all, that didn’t seem so odd out of all the terribly horrible things that had happened to him yet. In fact, it wasn’t that strange at all. He was content with that answer as he felt himself slipping away, it didn’t matter as the other things didn’t quite matter anymore either. The man felt himself going numb.

Was he dying? The thought came to him slowly, like the dim light just barely seen in the distance against the cool orange sky of an autumn dawn. There was this vague feeling that he probably should have been fighting this harder, he needed to survive. As he had always done before, despite the gaping wounds, the weapons wrenched inside of him, the raging storms, the blood loss and sorrow, but he had done all of that for so long, and he was very tired. So as against his nature it was, like a sick animal, he simply stayed down and let the cold feeling envelope him.

His gaze shifted slightly, catching shadows at the edge of his vision, feeling them drawing closer to him.

A lone figure sauntering forth from the darkness enclosing him. “ Caleb? “

He mouthed the words but nothing came from his lips, just a silence, terrible and lonely.

The storm and song washed over the witchfinder, the world falling away as the calm blanket of death slowly fell upon him as he finally lost consciousness.

[steddiesupportpodcast]

Meet the Podcast Team!

It's about time that we introduce ourselves, we're the team behind the Steddie Support Group Podcast 👋 Big thanks to @glitterfang for the amazing portraits 🎨🖌️

ALENA aka @peter-pantomime

Any Pronouns | Virgo | 30

I’m a veteran fan and amateur academic who loves analyzing individual characters and their interpersonal relationships, the plots, themes, symbols, and genre staples of pop culture media, and the dynamics between media fans and creators. I’m coming to Stranger Things from a long history of examining how fans participate in the process of making meaning through their interactions with media texts, and to Steddie from an even longer history of being emotionally devastated by blorbos and ships, the most notable being Destiel, Stucky, and Reddie. I love talking to people about all these ideas everywhere from Tik Tok comments to academic conferences, and so I’m super excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this podcast with so many wonderful people!

Guest & Host Appears on: Episode 4, 5, & 6

Twitter: @peterpantomime TikTok: peterpantomime Youtube: Peter-Pantomime

AMY aka @mojowitchcraft

She/Her | Scorpio | 33

I’ve been a fan of Stranger Things since day one, but fell headfirst into the Steddie hole last summer. There is no way out, I’m trapped, I’m stuck in here with them. Before Steddie I’d been an avid fanfic reader but I was always too shy to write anything. Over the past year my confidence in my writing has grown so much and I’ve met so many amazing and wonderful people in this community. Very excited to be part of the podcast team and lend my voice to our discussions! 

Producer, Host, Guest & Promo Team Appears on: Episodes 1, 4, 6, 7, & 13

Ao3: weird_witchcraft Twitter: @mojowitchcraft TikTok: mojowitchcraft

ASH aka @steddiehands86

They/He | Gemini | 37 

Joined the Steddie community around October and have been nonstop writing and cosplaying since. I have been writing on Ao3 since ‘09, but never so much as with this fandom. I’m so fortunate to be a part of this lovely group of people to talk about our brainrot in a safe, sane, consensual space… I’m also a Gemini, and like long walks in the woods. 

Guest, Mod Tech & Transcript Editor Appears on: Episode 1, 8, 11 & 12

Ao3: steddiehands86 Twitter: @steddiehands86 TikTok: steddiehands86 Instagram: steddiehands86

BECCA aka @glitterfang

She/Her | Taurus | 35 

I was a casual fan of Stranger Things up until Season 4. Now the brainrot’s got a hold of me and won’t let go. I’ve spent most of my time in this fandom as a small potatoes fan artist but have recently started writing fic as well! I love our little Steddie family and community and I’m just happy to be here. 

Host, Guest & Resident Artist Appears on: Episode 3 & 9 

Ao3: pizzabones Twitter: @glitterfangart TikTok: glitterfang Instagram: glitterfangs

BECKS aka @beccichu

They/She | Aquarius | 24

“Nope, you can’t start watching Stranger Things just because of him” were my thoughts last year after hundreds and hundreds of Stranger Things and Eddie Munson edits on tiktok. Well, after binge watching 4 whole seasons (the last one two times in a row) I fell head over heels for Steve and Eddie and into the Steddie hole pretty fast where I’ve been here ever since. I do write every now and then but my passion is cosplaying, talking about the blorbos nonstop and sharing my love for this community with others! 

Promo Team

Ao3: MsBecciChan Twitter: beccichuu TikTok: beccichu Instagram: beccichu

BIRDIE aka @audacityofbird

She/Her | Leo | 39

Bird isn’t even her real name, but she wasn’t sure if going by ‘The Motherf*cking Lizard King’ would be appropriate. Bird has been a fan of Stranger Things since the start. The ensemble cast, nostalgia and the way the show wove music into it in such a beautiful way hooked her immediately. The brain rot didn’t set in firmly enough to scour Ao3 until  2022 at the release of Season 4 but then the rest was history. A fandom lover and fanfic reader/ writer at heart, but her favorite role in fandom spaces is cheerleading, beta reading and being a part of the community. The love for these characters and the stories run deep but her gratitude for the friendships she’s formed here runs deeper. 

Guest, Mod Tech & Audio Editor Appears on: Episode 3 & 10

Ao3: audacity_of_bluejays Twitter: @audacityofbird

CADY aka @lostinadmiration

Any Prounouns | Capricorn | 33

Cady was a casual fan of Stranger Things until Eddie Munson flirted with Steve Harrington and then went and fucking died. She went online to cope with the grief, and stumbled onto Steddie art, which snowballed into discovering fanfiction, and landed her in a beautiful community of loving and supporting friends who love talking about those gay dudes! In the year of brain rot she completed two fics, has two neglected WIPs, and loves chugging out art. She also wants everyone to know she’s IYLO’s biggest fan and would love to discuss it with everyone and anyone!

Guest & Host Appears on: Episode 1, 9, 10, & 13

Ao3: lostnadmiration Twitter: @lostnadmiration TikTok: lostin_admiration  Tumblr: lostin_admiration

DAE aka @strawberryspence

She/Her | Libra | 23

Dae has been watching Stranger Things from the beginning, falling in love with the friendships and found family tropes in its core. She has always had a soft spot for Steve Harrington, this only intensified when Eddie Munson was thrown in the mix. Dae spends her time writing Steddie fics (mostly angst), editing and having mental breakdowns about gay fictional characters. 

Guest, Graphics Creator & Promo Team Appears on: Episode 4

Ao3: strawberryspence Twitter: @strawberrysomin TikTok: strawberryspence

JESS aka @mydarkdevotion

She/They | Pisces | 31

I’ve been watching Stranger Things since the beginning and fell in love so hard that I ended up getting Eleven’s 011 on my wrist in my cousin’s bedroom. I’ve been reading fanfiction way before stepping into Steddie and writing has grown more since then too. I guess you can say my friends see me as the person that would dive right into the danger (No tag reads/ No summaries) What can I say? I love surprises. Even if they end up in tears. Anyone who's seen my tiktok knows. But all in all just a real down-to-earth friendly person enjoying the thing I love.     

Guest | Appears on: Episode 5 & 11

Ao3: MyDarkDevotion Twitter: @mydarkdevotion TikTok: MyDarkDevotion

KAYLEE aka @sweetz059

She/They | Libra | 24

Kaylee has loved watching Stranger Things since she was 16, reading cutesy Byler fics and appreciating all the found family the fandom had to offer, and always having a soft spot for Steve Harrington. They didn’t really dive in until Season 3, however, when she finally was given a character that they could see themselves in. One Robin Buckley. Which just intensified her love for Steve even more. Then Season 4 happened, and Eddie Munson happened, and Kaylee finally saw the perfect match for Steve. Now they’re one fic down, and who knows how many more to go, and she wouldn’t want it any other way.

Guest, Host & Producer Appears on: Episode 3, 6, 8, 11, & 12

Ao3: sweetz059 Twitter: @sweetz059 TikTok: sweetz059 Instagram: sweetz059

KK aka @knormalizeknitting

Any Pronouns | Taurus | 39

KK is a genderless void who has been a nerd since time immemorial so naturally they’re obsessed with Stranger Things. They were a “normal” level of into the show, for a total geek that is, until Eddie Munson appeared and the Steddie ship set sail. Now KK spends all their time projecting Steddie onto every fictional pairing that has ever existed in media and finding new ways to torture Steve Harrington before letting him finally kiss Eddie. They’re extremely excited to be part of the podcast, make new friends on the server and talk Steddie / ST with so many lovely people when they’re not giving Steve even more trauma on ao3.

Guest, Host, Audio Editor & Mod Tech Appears on: Episode 2, 8, 12 & 13

Ao3: knormalizeknitting Twitter: @knormalknitting TikTok: knormalizeknittin Instagram: knormalizeknitting

KRIS aka @kwills91

They/Them | Gemini | 32 

I’ve written and read fanfic for many, many years, but it had been a while since I existed in a particular fandom. Then Season 4 of Stranger Things came out and I fell in love with Steddie. After mass consuming as many fics as I could get my eyeballs on, I decided that there weren’t nearly enough Steve breakdowns in them and began writing my own, and I’ve been unable to stop writing since. Hundreds of thousands of words of writing and millions of words of reading later and the brainrot is showing no signs of dying. And hopefully never will. Which is why I’m so excited to be part of this podcast.

Guest, Host & Mod Tech Appears on: Episode 2, 3, 8 & 10

Ao3: Kwills91 Twitter: @k_wills91 TikTok: kwills91

MANON @transmascsteveharrington

They/He | Aries | 26

“The binge watch format of Netflix shows hinders the growth and development of fandoms compared to linear released shows. Therefore it is unlikely that many viewers of Stranger Things will ever participate/form a fandom and read or write fanfiction-” is a sentence I once wrote in an essay in 2017 for my undergrad. Then the universe had a right laugh and several years, one gender crisis, and about 250k words of written steddie fics and countless words of read steddie fics later I am now here. I’m an avid writer and reader of stangst (Steve angst) and could talk about it for hours. That’s why I’m super excited to be part of this podcast. 

Guest, Host & Producer | Appears on: Episode 2, 6, 8, 10, & 13

Ao3: ChristinMKay Twitter: @t4teddiemunson TikTok: ger_manon

SAGE aka @miserablekingsteve

They/Them | Virgo | 24

I watched Stranger Things back in 2016. Only because my mum was watching it in the other room, and I heard Joy Division’s ‘Atmosphere’ start playing. Causing me to come running out of my room and question what she was watching. Prior to that fateful moment, I was probably holed up, writing Torchwood fanfiction or listening to the audio dramas while live posting on tumblr. Safe to say I’ve been in fandom spaces for quite some time. Yet never had written anything with as much velocity as I did when Steddie quite literally dove into my periphery. What? Eddie Munson was doing Ketamine and being ridiculous, hard not to relate to that one. I’m super stoked to have had any opportunity to be involved in fandom this much and I’m excited to see where it continues to take me!  

Guest & Promo Team Appears on: Episode 6, 8, 11 & 12 

Ao3: miserablekings TikTok: miserablekings

SARA aka @3blackhearts

She/Her | Leo | 36

I’ve been watching Stranger Things since the beginning. I loved how creative and nostalgia-driven the show is. The death (maybe, hopefully not, let me be delulu a little longer) of Eddie Munson is what drove me to read my first fanfiction ever. I hadn’t resonated with a character that much in a long time and having his ending be so unsatisfying on the show led me to want a world where that’s fixed or never happens (shout out to AUs). Since joining the fandom I’ve found my niche by making podfics, and now this podcast. In real life, I work for a local non-profit and am a visual artist.  President & Founder of the DILF Steve Harrington Fan Club.

Guest, Host, Producer, Mod Tech & Audio Editor Appears on Episodes: 3, 4, 5, 10, & 11

Ao3: 3blackhearts Twitter: @3_blackhearts TikTok: 3blackhearts

[dcwnthercbbithcle]

HELL'S BELLES HEADCANONS

The Hell's Belles, at least as a functioning group of vampires has existed from 1963 onwards, though it's been a brain child and a frequent fantasy of the Founder, Chrissy since at least 1958

The name Hell's Belles comes as a counter offensive from the era of peace and love as a solid 'fuck you' to the 'sugar, spice and everything nice' perception around girls!

The Hell's Belles initially represented a form of feminine support Chrissy CRAVED, given her relationship with her mother has never been the healthiest. It was this idea that there was a kind of sisterhood out there that someday, somehow she'll find. Well, Chrissy was right, she hadn't anticipated then that she'd be making this sisterhood herself from girls and women as broken and cast away as her. But does the future ever really work out the way you expect it.

The initial Hell's Belles were made up of a group of fellow runaways, though these founding members are no longer a part of the group. They're not dead! They just parted ways on friendly terms!

You see, the Belles didn't exactly have a home base for the first several years. They were just as transient and nomadic as their head and that lifestyle is rough, even for a vampire. Chrissy made and lost many, many friends during these years and it was the complex feelings from that which lead to her and the third iteration of the members focusing more of an effort on finding a distinctive and definitive base of operations

The Belles found their home out of a University Campus located a ways from the picturesque coast of Santa Carla in a sleepier, but, fortunately for them, no less lively student town. Now, I hear you, how the hell are a group of vampires living undetected in a university? Well, they're not exactly in the University, they're underneath it.

The University campus didn't always live it's life teaching students, in a previous time, it was a sanitarium, used to treat victims of disease with fresh air and beautiful sights and to reflect this purpose, it was outfitted with the full ensemble. Numerous buildings, a beautiful vantage point for views and, the veins of any hospital operation: tunnels. 800 yards of tunnels and small alcoves. When the buildings were converted into a University, rather than footing the cost of filling in all of the tunnels, the school opted to brick off all the entrances, hiding doors behind false walls and plastering the creases while leaving them to quietly rot in disuse. Except.... they didn't seal ALL the entrances, the body chute, a secret exit for funeral homes to pick up bodies out of view of the patients and staff. That's how the girls got in and they've infested them ever since.

The girls do come and go through the secret entrances and exits left over from the past lives, secretly unbricking the doorways and hiding that they've rendered the doors usable once more. ALTHOUGH, this being said, they prefer not to source all of their food from students on the university. That would alert to them too much, five or six students missing a term? It's understandable! People get cold feet for university and in a party town near the woods, people can get lost! But more than that and it's suspicious, they prefer to snatch prey from Santa Carla to take heat off them (unless you're Doe who feeds from dying patients in hospitals)

There's a total of 13 Hell's Belles members, not counting Gareth who INSISTS he's not a member and Mapplethorpe who comes around to spend time with Doe. All of the members are femme-adjacent and they are a little picky when it comes to keeping vampires in their ranks! Vampires can come and go, they're happy to be a spot in the storm, but not just everyone is a part of the pack!

The girls of Hell's Belles go by the cover story that they're a part of a single sorority and that they're out of town, college girls. Often with an innocent or a naive edge to them, just because the girls are kind of dicks and they aren't afraid to exploit the few privileges they get from their sex!

One of the many rituals that comes in line with being a part of the pack is constructing bead curtain room dividers. It's a craft to show discipline, patience and devotion and once you've completed your curtain and it withstands the tests, you get to hand it in a room or hall and make that section your room! Welcome aboard! And no, they don't give you the beads, you gotta source your own!

[cryptidanathema]

raihan

Why I like them: He's that guy that you THINK'S gonna be a total douche but is actually a really great guy once you get past first impressions. Liable to do something stupid trying to impress you. Dragon in human form. Canon fang haver. Brags about himself in the third person and should not be trusted with tapestries. Babygirl you need so much therapy /aff

Why I don’t: That hat that can't decide weather it's a sweatband or a beany. Seriously what is that thing on your head man

Favorite episode (scene if movie): Haven't watched any of his anime scenes tbh, kind of scared to after how dirty they did Leon. So I'll just use this section to show some love to the bit in Pokespe where he tries to take on Eternatus... himself. Not using a Pokemon. 

Favorite season/movie: See above 

Favorite line: ...I'm just gonna put "Especially you, Piers! The way you battled me in the Champion Cup... You really had my Dynamax Pokémon up against the wall!" and apologize profusely. Yes for ship reasons but also the fact that the guy starts hitting on a new rival in the middle of a Dynamax Pokemon rampage just feels weirdly on-brand? 

Favorite outfit: Shout out to that slightly douchey waistcoat ensemble with the Flygon shades from Masters...which he has a matching stupid, stupid hat for. 

OTP: Raihan/Leon/Piers and Raihan/Piers both qualify. Leon just straight up hits the "you don't even have to Ship It, some characters having had sex is just objective truth" threshold and they're often really sweet together, I just have to throw an alt boy in there too to get into it because my brain craves them like a body craves air. And Piers...they get tragically few scenes together but the ones they do get are so weirdly charged? Like someone else said there's a certain "should we be watching this?" energy to them lol 

Brotp: Leon also goes here, mostly because coming up for platonic explanations for the sheer depth of Raihan's brain rot in regards to that man leads to some FASCINATING relationship dynamics. I'm a big believer that romantic vs platonic indicates a relationship type rather than inherently implying a hierarchy of importance and these two are a great outlet for mentally rotating those themes. Also he and Gordie are fun in Masters, I like to think that they became friends while having shared sadboy time in the locker room. 

Head Canon: Probably my biggest is that with the way there's some pretty depressing shit left unsaid about the way he views himself, the occasional signs of anger issues he shows, and how he's the only member of The Rivalcule you don't meet the family of, the guy did NOT have a good childhood. On a lighter note, the guy has absolutely dogshit music taste. Like we're talking Skrillex and below here. The fact Piers doesn't strangle him over it is testament to the depth of his affection. 

Unpopular opinion: Don't really have one? 

A wish: Gigantamax Archaludon whenever the Galar remakes come out in 10-15 years, he deserves to just summon a wholeass suspension bridge (that notably has a weather-related signature move at that). And, well, just more of him in general. 

An oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: Same as Piers, please don't throw this man into spacetime GameFreak 🤞

5 words to best describe them: Selfie boy kinda worries me 😔

My nickname for them: Rai, Rai-Rai...💖🐉

[charmwasjess]

workndeadline you say?

i say 11 & 14 for the ask game!

BOLI! Thank you, mine boss! I assure you I was actually working on this answer when I should have been working on my deadline, but this day went wide on me in weird ways. And please feel free to send some Ask Game my way if anyone else is interested.

That said:

11: Weirdest thing you’ve ever written/thought about writing/etc.?

Well, I do have some sex stuff. In fact, only just today I typed the upsetting words: "Dooku gonna break that seer in half (respectfully)" while chatting to my gal about this upcoming chapter of 12 months that I'll be posting … hopefully in the next week or so. (And then disappearing from this website forever into the deep woods, never to be seen again because of lingering religious guilt about writing sex.) But that isn't really that weird for Tumblr/Ao3 writing circles.

I think my weirdest writing project right now is The Thunder Answered Back. I slap a timer to give a defeated RotS-era Dooku like 10 minutes to grab up anything he wants to save at the Temple during Order 66, except the catch is that he has no hands. And then, it gets stranger.

It's an Escape the Empire salvage job, not a fix-it. It's part Jocasta/Dooku, but she might kill him, part Jedi family, but they might kill him, I'm wrangling a huge ensemble of obscure Jedi Legends characters and trying to save them all, there are younglings (I can't write kids!), Asajj is in the mix (she also wants to murder Dooku), Obi-Wan, Yoda, and even I don't know what's going on with Sifo-Dyas's ghost -- is he real? is he a figment of Dooku's imagination? is he part OF Dooku? and that's going to be a lot weirder when he takes over the plot and maybe tries to get them to all go save his Clones… ugh.

It's going to be really fun, and I'm behind on the chapter 4 update but actively working on it. Right now I have Winter Depression (tm) and my brain genuinely doesn't work well because of it, so I'm choosing stories that are more comfort food. But I'll be back after it soon!

14 Your favorite side pairings to put in?

Does Dooku/Makashi count, because… I think that's a side pairing in all of my Dooku fics. He loves his friends, I love tangling him up into various pairings with them, but at the end of the day, he really, really loves that lightsaber form. Probably because it's really Dooku/Dooku.

Another few pairings… I do love Quinobi, oldie but a goodie is Qui/Tahl, and I might do something with Sifo-Dyas/Arath soon. I kind of like the whole alternate subtext reading of Dooku: Jedi Lost that Arath is such a bully to Dooku early on because Dooku is inseparable with his crush, the cutest boy in the Hawkbat clan. *making finger guns and winking at Sifo-Dyas*

[petertoddgrayson]

Jason found a red ruby.

No- the red ruby called to him under a dumpster while Jason was on his way to school.

Jason somehow knew where to find it, like a tug on his soul urging him to follow the voice, or whatever machinations his brain is playing at him, and being an OCD Jason was, gave in to the strange desire that is crouching and reaching for something he actually has not single idea about- he just felt like it. The putrid smell of rotting trash and piss greeted Jason's olfactory senses. He winced. He probed his hands beneath the bin, until it came across something hard, and angular, fingers quick to grab and wipe away what grime or dust was stuck to it's surface during it's unfortunate stay. A ruby- Jason's assumes due to its deep red hue. He bit it- it didn't scratch, smashed it - not a single crack. He held it close to his eyes, scrutinized every minute detail, and came to a conclusion that it might be, and hopefully, a genuine ruby. His senses kicked in as soon as he stood, hastily hid the precious gem in his pocket.

" A man's misfortune is another man's fortune." Jason muses. He couldn't bring himself to feel sad, sad for anyone unfortunate enough to lose something of great value. The ruby would fetch a decent price, enough that he'd afford himself food, set of new clothes and maybe if he felt the need for self love, the latest issue of his fav comics. The only issue would be Willis, his bastard of a father, but that's for another day, so Jason went about to school like a normal student would, earning glances from passersby for his stiff stature.

The class hours came and went and it was lunch time before Jason knew it. He made his way to the cafeteria, and since Willis remembered to pay for his lunch credits, he'd get to be picky this time. Chilli dogs and caesar salad would suffice. Much to his displeasure-and surprise, the entire dining hall was grandly stirring, betas, a handful of female betas with their omega-ripoff-selves and even alphas scuttle their way to some specific spot. And that was when Jason's own came across a pair of ocean blue eyes, deceptively enticing-Dick Grayson, Jason's omega preened.

Which means, yes,

The Wayne Boys are here.

Carefully, Jason treaded his way among the crowds, stepping this and stepping there, deliberately crushing the toes of unfortunate souls, that is, according to Jason " are slaves to their instinct and are of base character at best." A deed, which he relished doing so, before a familiar voice came seeking his name.

"Jay! Over here!" Yells a grinning red headed alpha with a haircut-hair oh so terrible dead teachers rolled in their graves.

Jason merely raised an eye brow as an exchange before proceeding to pull a chair next to him.

"So.... what's the plan for tonight?" He asks, tapping the table like a drum ensemble of anticipation.

"What's the plan?" Jason frowns. "Don't pull that shit on me Roy, I know what that tone means."

"What's wrong with my tone?" (Fuck you Roy.)

" See? We've got a lot work to do.. like homework? If Dad learns I got detention 3 times this week he's gonna have my head! I better start patching myself up." Jason explains. Roy shrugged.

"I mean.. a group study? Except there's only two of us. Then the fun comes in after." Roy explains. Jason didn't respond, the alpha found him staring, staring - not at him, at someone else. He cranes his head, and finds Dick Grayson munching on his lunch, surrounded by a bunch of desperates.

"Jay!!" Roy waved his fully stretched hands, startling Jason. He felt a tug of pain, and jealousy. Jason should have been his, and only his.

"Yeah..yeah. I think that's a good idea Roy, maybe we could visit the arcade after we're done." Jason quickly dismissed, he couldn't peel his eyes off Dick. The alpha's too damn hot not to notice. The sharp jawline, tanned skin, and ohhhh that alpha bulge in his pants. Jason is salivating. Roy raised an eyebrow. "You could stay the night bud. Besides, dad won't be at home until like 8 in the morning. Tonight's his Thursday Poker."

Roy felt a sudden relief, and pain. Pained to learn that Jason, being an omega, is left alone uncared for. Roy wanted to be his alpha, he's been meaning to make Jason his. "Alrighty!! I'll bring some diet coke and chips." The alpha happily chirps.

The two dissolved into comfortable silence as they ate their lunch. Soon enough, their afternoon classes started and both parted ways.

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

Biology is the worst subject for Jason. He hated Ms. Dullingham's take on explaining omegan physiology, she seemed to objectify them. The beta teacher in question taught the class about how weak omegas are, and the overwhelming superiority of female betas.

"Betas." Jason shakes his head " They don't know anything." *not realizing that he spoke his mind.*

"Excuse me Mr. Todd?!" A raised heavily accented voice echoes throughout the room. Jason immediately snaps back to reality.

"Perhaps you were thinking too loud dear?" Mathilda Dullingham slithered her way to Jason's desk. "Were you?" A stick on her hand sent shivers to Jason's spine. Well, shit.

The entire class now stared at him. Some felt sorry, others didn't really care, while a few malevolent souls seemed to enjoy the show. And Jason hated this.

"I..I didn't-"

"Silence! Jason Peter Todd! You are out of this class!" The concussive sound as the stick hit his desk rendered Jason catatonic. Ms. Dullingham's a bitch and insecure as fuck. The whispers became audibly louder. "Off you go! Get out!"

Jason heard some giggles, he blushed from shame and anger, quickly packed his books and notes and bolted for the door. He can get through this, he thought, he's had far worse. A simple humiliation from a menopausal unmated beta teacher shouldn't affect him. Shouldn't affect him at all.

It was 2 pm, the corridors were mostly empty. Jason decided to head for the

comfort room to freshen up. Atleast he'd still be pretty even in this shitty situation he got himself into. Making his way to one of the stalls, waves of thick alpha arousal drowned his senses. He was quick to hide behind one of the stalls' door curtains, finding 6 alphas, 3 of which are from his class- Grant, Alex and Murphy otherwise known for their rough school records. The cause of arousal-Jason has no idea about. Apparently, the alphas seemed to hold a communal masturbation. The soft tenor moans became the apparent source of arousal, *they are watching porn, Jason realizes. Omegan porn. Jason's slick began to gather, and decided to leave; stealthy steps accelerated to running, and because fate wasn't kind to him, he slipped on a puddle of cum.

Thudd!!!

*Fuck

The alphas snapped their necks from the sudden noise.

The semen was quick to stick on Jason's clothes and absorb into it's fabric. It smelled funky.

Jason, still stunned from the forceful impact on his head (he fell on his head) scrambled for balance. But before he could take a step further, a strong hand grabbed him by the scruff.

He's so screwed.

"Looks like someone's enjoying the show." Alex sneers, dragging Jason by the scruff. "Don't worry bitch, we'd love to take care of you." Jason was silent from shock. He's been into so much shit. Alex dragged him to his friends. The rest of them stared at Jason like a piece of meat. He felt like a deer caught in head lights.

"Wo ho! An omega! This is going to be so fun." An alpha grins.

"Shut up Gerald!"

"I'll take his mouth."

"The ass is mine."

" I'll take him first, then you're next."

"No I'm first, then you, after Trent."

The alphas claimed for his body like 7 year old kids racing for their toys.

Jason was dropped on the floor like a corpse. He can't move. When the realization of a very possible rape hit him. Jason squirmed and ran for the door. One of the alphas, however, managed to trip him by the leg.

Alex walked over him and placed his feet near Jason's face. "Looks like pussy's back on the menu, boys!"

The boys started stripping Jason. Jason tried his best to resist by clawing, biting, punching or kicking and every possible way anyone can hurt a human by merely using their body. He was a prey ganged upon by thirsty predators, he's had worse for sure, but experiencing such on repetition makes him want to vomit. Disgusting. Jamie, managed to to get a hold on Jason's face, as he scrambled to undo his zipper.

A warm, sweaty cock as big as Jason's biceps rested on his chin. He knew his ass has been stripped bare, feeling the warm breath as an alpha ( Alex?) sniffed his cunt. The cheese like smell of smegma(?) had Jason hold his breath. Suddenly Jamie yanked Jason's hair pulling down his face towards his groin.

"Yeahh suck that cock bitch." Jamie gasped as he forcefully rubbed his leaking sex unto Jason's lips.

Remaining alphas stroked their dicks as they watched two of their friends defile Jason.

The overwhelming rancid smell of Jamie's groin made Jason puke. He spilled his half digested lunch all over the alpha's cock, covering it with spit, mush of Caesar salad and acidic chili dogs. Alex who was about to mount Jason bursted into maniacal laughter. "The fuck!" Jamie frowns, "This is not funny!"

"Dude,dude, chill. Just let the bitch eat that shit." One of the alphas suggested.

"Kinky."

Jamie squeezed Jason's jaw, and with an evil grin scooped the devil's mush that is Jason's puke. Meanwhile, Alex groaned as he pushed his cock into Jason's tight heat.

Jason froze. Anger and fear welled inside his chest. Being raped is humiliating enough, but to eat his vomit would be an absolute nightmare level of disgusting. He didn't deserve this. He hasn't done anything wrong. If anything else, Jason just tried to live a normal life, blend in the crowd never stepped on other people. Why is fate so cruel to him? Not once did he question it's inner workings, how the world constantly thrashed him from Willis and his mom's death, and this. Alex's and his friend's laughter dissolved into a background blur. Jason felt numb. A new wave of hatred and power began seeping into his body like magic.

"Eat up bitch." As soon as Jamie's hand neared his mouth, Jason saw red. A wave of telekinetic force surged through the room, knocking the boys out and tearing off the thin wooden walls that separates the stalls. The magnitude might have been enough to be felt by anyone outside.

Jason himself, was surprised, an instinct of his urged him to reach for his pocket. In his hands, the ruby glowed in red light, slowly disintegrating as its essence merged with his. Jason could only raise his hand in surprise. Trent who have managed to recover from the force ran for the door. Still thirsting for revenge, Jason levitated the alpha and hurled him to one of the toilet seats, crushing it and leaving Trent a bloody unconscious mess.

Seeing the unlucky fate of their friend, Alex and Jamie jumped on him, but Jason was quick to dodge. Now levitating in front of the alphas, blocking their exit, the remaining conscious ones, including Alex and Jamie were shaken, torn between the urge to fight, and the fear consuming them, telling their bodies to run.

" I suppose, I'm the one having fun now." Jason sneers, the alphas taking a small step backwards for every word. He felt the powerful, the fear of repercussions after this incident slowly drips away. Jason deserved this. And he knew these alphas had this coming too.

" I...I..-guys! Get up!" Alex stammers. Grant who have been catatonic stumbled into Trent. "He's still alive!" The group made an audible sigh, before focusing on the omega levitating in front of them. Each one of them in their defensive stance walked backwards, forming a crooked curving line of trembling bodies. " We're so..so-sorry" one of them finally admits.

"Sorry?" Jason cackles, " you ask for forgiveness?" He lands in front of Jamie who paled at such gesture. Jason lifted his chin and moved his face close to the alpha's cheek in a seductive manner. " After all these shit you've done to me, I wanted to kill all of you." Jason scoffs, "And this, just me beating everyone of you till you're all almost dead, is me being reasonable."

[glazeflower]

So like what if

the dateables joined a unit in ensemble stars!

Diavolo

He would join Eden

I mean have you seen is UR card with the appel?

But tbh he would created a solo unit just like Madara

I mean he has the resources 🤷

Barbatos

I think he would be a producer of Diavolo but for the sake of the title.

He would join XXVeil

You cant tell me otherwise

Luke

As I stated in one of my previous post

Branco

He is schrunk

That whole unit are schrunks

Beef with tori but sweets buddys

Hajime and Luke are baking buddys and share recipes

Simeon

Just like Barbatos he would help produce Branco with you if you produce them

But again as the title

He would join Fine

I mean the theme just fits with him and so

Tori giving side eye to Simeon when he talks to Eichi

( can someone pls drawing him in the Fine live uniform?)

Solomon

Switch

100%

Him and Natsume wizard bffs

He would make lives more spectaculair with magic.

I'm too brain rot about this