#i stand by this everyday 12(?) years later

[build-a-problem]

adele 21 is easily one of the top five most albums ever

[strangespinapple]

BW ~ My Love

Bruce Wayne x Fem Reader

blurb: you and bruce are childhood sweethearts. you love him and he loves you. there is nothing you guys wouldn’t do for each other. but between you being 7 months pregnant with his baby and bruce’s late night activities, you’ve been missing him a lot. so tonight instead of falling asleep and seeing him later on, you decided to stay awake and give your husband a relaxing bubble bath. 

warnings: SMUTTT 18++ MDNI - fluff - pregnancy - soft!bruce - sarcasm? - cursing - bullying - marriage - love - childhood trauma - mentions of death - mentions of virginity - bad/mean boy but soft only for reader troupe 🥹

word count: 2.3k

a/n: the way i've been in my bruce wayne and billy loomis era is CRAAZYYY, definitely more coming soon!

honorable mention: @devilfic. she is one of my favorite writers and i love her Bruce Wayne fics. she is also one of many writers who have inspired me to write. pls check her out if you haven't already! enjoy :)

You and Bruce are childhood sweethearts. Going to the same middle school as the soon-to-be mayor’s son, you saw first hand how cruel people can be. You always made sure to show kindness to him. To let him know that not everyone in this world is heartless. After the death of his parents, the bullying only amplified, and Alfred decided it was best to homeschool him. You were sad that your best friend would no longer be going to the same school as you. But that didn’t stop you from being there for him and seeing him everyday. Never would you have imagined that your childhood best friend would fall for you and make you his wife 12 years later. 

You are currently two months away from giving birth to his son. Bruce has been working extra hard in his day and night job. He promised that he will take a few months off to care for you and the baby. You love Bruce so much and he loves you. That’s why you are filling a soothing bubble bath for him to sit in. It’s 5:30am and the sun is starting to rise in Gotham city. While waiting for the bubble water to fill the tub, you pour a glass of wine and a glass of sparkling cider. Normally Alfred or Lucy (Bruce’s maid) would do this for you but with acts of service being your love language, this time you wanted to make it extra special for him. 

You make your way upstairs as quickly and quietly as your legs can carry you, trying your best to not ruin the surprise. You put the two glasses on the counter in the bathroom so you can scatter rose petals around the tub. Lucy has helped you pick them from the garden, a new hobby you had picked up to fill all your free time. You start to light all the candles you had placed around the bathroom to add to the romance. Turning the water off as now the tub was completely filled, you took one last glance around to make sure everything looked perfect. And it sure as hell did. 

The sound of the bedroom door opening and closing made you feel excited. 

“Honey?” Bruce called out for you. 

“In the bathroom!” 

His heavy footsteps against the hardwood floors can be heard coming towards you. As he walks through the threshold it’s as if time stopped for the both of you. Bruce has always been a very fit, tall and undeniably attractive man. It’s one of the many things that made you fall in love with him. But with him standing there shirtless, still dripping with water from his shower, it made your mouth water. And these pregnancy hormones were not helping either. 

Ever since he found out you were pregnant, he built a shower and changing station inside of the batcave to limit the amount of noise and movement he’d bring to the bedroom. He didn’t want to disturb you and the baby with his mental boots and foul smells after being trapped in leather all night.

Bruce was just as turned on as you were. Seeing you standing there round and swollen with his baby in a purple lacy lingerie nightgown makes his pants feel tight. Beautiful long brown shiny legs and arms that he would bet his last dollar would feel so soft against his skin. Big boobs filled with milk about to pop out of the silk fabric. Your box braids in a high braided ponytail that laid flat against your left shoulder, framed your beautiful chocolate face to look more natural and ethereal than you already look. He could eat you up right here right now and not give a single fuck. 

Taking a look around the bathroom and seeing how stunning it looks, he wonders how he got so lucky to have such a beautiful caring wife. Bruce looks you in the eye with such devotion it makes your heart swell. 

“What do we have here?” He says with a smirk on his face as he walks towards you. 

When he gets in front of you his hands gravitate to your waist, as you wrap your arms around his neck. 

“Well, I wanted to do something special for you. Something that you wouldn’t see coming.” 

Your smile is art in its purest form for Bruce. He leans down and plants a soft but passionate kiss on your lips. You kiss him back with so much love. The kiss begins to get hot and heavy. You can feel his prominent bulge against your upper thigh, making you more wet than you already are. Placing your hands on his chest to push him away, Bruce looks at you like a starved man with a pout on his lips. 

“I’m supposed to be pampering you, not being seduced by you.” While smiling at him Bruce takes one of his hands and slaps your butt. He takes a deep breath through his nose to calm his hormones down. 

“Okay, whatever you want mamas. Where do you want me?” 

“I need you to take your pants off and get in the tub.”

“Can you take me to dinner first before you try to get in my pants?” He side eyes you while smiling. One thing many people didn’t know about Bruce is that he has a funny sense of humor. Something only you have been privileged to witness. 

You put your hands on your hips and a giggle leaves your lips. (A/N: didn’t mean to rhyme here but just call me DR  Seuss heheh) 

“Get in the tub Mr Wayne” Smiling at him you move one hand to your belly.

“Well of course Mrs Wayne”

Bruce pulls down his sweatpants along with his boxers allowing them to fall to his ankles. His muscular body looks like it was sculpted by God himself. You simply couldn’t help but to stare in awe of him. He steps out of them and makes his way to the bubble bath. Getting in the tub one leg at a time he sits straight up in the bath with the bubble water hitting his mid-waist due to how tall he is. 

Forcing yourself out of your trance, you grab a loofah and lather it with his favorite body wash. Slowly getting down on your hands and knees right beside Bruce, you glide the loofah against his broad strong shoulders and upper back. Cuts and bruises litter across his entire body but you make sure to give a little extra love and care to each and every one of them. 

“Baby you don’t have to do this. I should be taking care of you in your condition.”

“But you always take such good care of me. I want to make you feel as special as you make me feel. Baby or no baby, I can do this for you.” You kiss the side of his face lovingly. Moving to the right side of Bruce to start washing up and down his right arm, Bruce puts his left hand on top of yours. 

“Join me.” His eyes are dark with emotion. You couldn’t tell if it was lust or love or maybe a little of both. 

“Bruce. This is supposed to b-“

“I know I know but trust me, feeling your body sitting perfectly on top of mine IS taking care of me.”

He puts his pointer and middle finger in the shape of legs and walks them seductively along your lower arm. His normally blue eyes, now a gray stormy color, stare deeply into your brown eyes making you incredibly wet. 

“And more importantly it will make me very, very happy.” How could you possibly deny this man anything?

Pushing up on your hands and knees you stand up straight. You throw the soapy loofah into the sink and immediately start stripping. Bruce stares intensely up at you as your hand pulls the straps of your nightgown off and it instantly drops to the floor. 

“Oh you’re trying to kill me.”

With your growing bump in the way it makes it uncomfortable for you to wear sleeping pants and especially underwear. Anyone else would’ve made you feel like a piece of meat, with the way Bruce was eyeing your naked body up and down. But instead, he made you feel so loved and appreciated. Many women would kill for their husbands to look at them the way yours is doing now, let alone wanting to touch them.

“Come here. I need you baby.”

Getting inside the tub, you straddle Bruce. His hand immediately goes over your ass and back up to your hips, moving you back and forth to get you all hot and bothered. A soft moan leaves your lips. Moving the bubbles out of the way, you grab his penis and begin to stroke him back and forth. Bruce’s head falls back hitting the rim of the tub with an audible whine. Thick veins run up and down all 9 inches of him standing hard, with an angry red tint to it. 

You are Bruce’s first and he was yours. When you guys were graduating from high school, he decided to stay home and take over Wayne Enterprises as well as begin his journey as Gotham’s vigilante. While you on the other hand went off to college in Central City. Bruce thought that he wouldn’t be able to have relations with a person, given all that his life entails. So he asked you if you’d be comfortable taking his virginity as it is the one thing he didn’t want to miss out on. Being the best friend you are, you could never say no to Bruce. Also because you were secretly in love with him. How could you not be? Bruce is intelligent, tall, funny, muscular, has ocean blue eyes you can get lost in, and a deep and mysterious voice. He’s always been so attractive. Still to this day women throw themselves at his feet, willing to do anything and everything to be with him. You were more than happy to give Bruce an amazing first time, and that’s exactly what it was. It was so good that he was constantly on your mind at school. He absolutely ruined any chance of you being with another man. And when you tried to sleep with other men nothing came close. Bruce felt the same way about you. Every time you are intimate with Bruce it reminds you of your first time with him. 

Bruce lifts his head up and his hazy eyes meet yours. Not being able to wait any longer, you lift yourself up onto his throbbing cock. Sliding downwards, Bruce’s hands on your hips help guide you as your back arches. Both of you let out pornographic moans into each other’s faces. 

“Fucking hell.” Feeling you squeeze the life out of him, Bruce buckles his hips up into yours. 

“OHH Bruce” 

You rock back and forth on his cock while he pounds up into you. With arms around him, you tug on the hairs on the nape of his neck. Pulling his hair has always been Bruce’s weakness during sex. Bruce wraps his arms around your waist and holds you down as he jackhammers up into you.

“MOMMY I CAN’T—“

“FUUCKKKK”

With him hitting that perfect spot inside of you, you lose all restraint and moan while coming hard on his cock. Due to overly sensitive pregnancy nerves, you end up squirting. Your legs shake and your pussy clenches the life out of him. Your moans are music to his ears and it pushes him over the edge. His eyes roll to the back of his head as he grunts. His cock swells and spurts of his cum fly into the deepest parts of your uterus. Knowing that if you weren’t already pregnant, you’d definitely be after this. 

Breathing heavily against one another, you and Bruce feel a rush of love and content in your hearts. You pull away from Bruce and stare into each other’s eyes. 

“I-”

Taking the words right out of your mouth “I love you so much”

You smile at him. 

“That’s what I was gonna say” You lean down and kiss him as if it is the last time you’re going to see him.

He moans softly into the kiss and then breaks it. You turn around in the tub to sit back against Bruce’s chest. He wraps his arms around you and rubs your belly lovingly. You lay your head back against his strong shoulder. You look up at him through your lashes and study his beautiful face.

“Have you thought about a baby name yet?”  He says looking back down at you.

“No, have you?”

“Nope. But I have faith in you to pick a good name for our baby. You're going to be an amazing mama.”

“Awe honey, you’re so sweet.” He smiles from ear to ear and kisses you sweetly. 

He has always loved it when you called him sweet pet names. It helps heal his mommy issues, one name at a time. 

“What do you think about Dick?” You pull away and hand his glass of wine to him while holding yours in the other hand.

“Mhmm I don’t know.” He takes a sip of wine.

“I guess when we meet him we’ll know.”

Another smile slowly creeps up on Bruce’s face. Seems like ever since you came back into his life, he’s been smiling a lot more. He cups your face with his other hand and moves his thumb back and forth. He stares into your eyes wondering what he do to get so damn lucky. You are the light at the end of the tunnel. The sun that shines after a harsh thunderstorm.

An amazing dream he never wants to wake up from.

[janeyseymour]

Love Thy Neighbor, Family Matters- pt 1

Love Thy Neighbor (FINISHED): Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6. Part 7. Part 8. Part 9. Part 10. Part 11. Part 12.

Love Thy Neighbor Oneshots: Ousted. Title Change.

Two Families Become One (FINISHED): Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4.

Summary: It's been almost three years since you and your wife got married. Ellie wants a dog or a new sibling- and she is nothing if not determined.

WC: ~2.8k

Melissa Schemmenti is your wife. Your wife. And Ellie is now officially a Schemmenti too. Legally, she’s Melissa’s daughter. Life could not be better. With those two by your side, you know that you’re going to be set for life. After everything that you’ve been through, you’re finally settling into this new married life with the redhead, your job is as steady as it’s ever been, your wife could not love you and your little girl more (you can practically hear her correcting you that Ellie is both of yours now), and Ellie is blossoming into a beautiful little lady. With your sweet soul and Melissa’s strong outlook on life, the now nine, almost ten year old is beginning to have thoughts and opinions of her own and can stand her ground. While you and your wife sometimes wish that she wasn’t trying to stand her ground against the two of you, you couldn’t be more proud.

But now with Ellie growing older, she isn’t as afraid to tell you and her mother exactly what she wants and needs in order to survive.

“Elizabeth,” you sigh as you cook dinner, Melissa’s arms wrapped around your waist. “For the millionth time: we are not getting a dog. You do not need one to survive."

“I do!” the not so little girl protests. “I need one so bad! It gets boring being the only one who wants to run around!”

“We take you to the park almost everyday,” the redhead sighs. “You have plenty of fun with the other kids there.”

“I have plenty of fun playing with Carter’s dog!” Ellie states. “Come on! I think it would be so fun to have a puppy to play with, and it would teach me responsibility! Please, moms!”

“You are already plenty responsible,” you tell your little girl, turning to gestures at the way that she’s already set the table without either of you having to ask. “And we do not have room to house a dog! We barely have room for the three of us.”

“Then I want a baby sister,” the nine year old rebuts.

Both you and Melissa pause at that statement. “What?”

“I told you when you guys were getting married that I either wanted a puppy or a baby sibling,” Ellie says. “It’s been years.”

“Two and a half,” you say slowly.

“Years,” your daughter stresses. “If we can’t get a puppy, then I want a sister.”

Your wife looks to you. Clearly, you’re going to have to talk about all of this later.

“If we don’t have the room for a puppy, what makes you think we’re going to have room for a new baby?” Green eyes meet young ones that match yours.

“You two have also been saying that we’re outgrowing the apartment and want to buy a house. If we did that, we could get a dog, and you could have another baby!” Ellie looks extremely proud of herself for that solution to the issues she was presented with.

“El,” you sigh as you turn off the burner. “Have you been listening in on mine and Mom’s talks lately?”

Your daughter turns sheepish at that. “Maybe.”

“You’re such a troublemaker,” you run a hand over your face. If she heard that conversation, only the lord himself knows what else she’s heard. You just pray she hasn’t heard you and Melissa engaging in more adult activities.

“Maybe,” Ellie shrugs. “But you love me, Momma.” She runs across the room and engulfs you in a hug, as if that will butter you up. And it absolutely does.

“You’re lucky,” you chuckle softly as you kiss the top of her head. 

She’s growing, and she’s only going to continue to grow- you don’t have to lean down as much to hug or kiss her anymore. One of these days, she’s going to be towering over both you and Melissa. But for now, she’s still you’re little girl. And in all honesty, even if and when she is taller than both of you, she’ll still be your little girl. 

“Momma and I would love you even more if you stopped leaving your socks all around the house,” Melissa teases. “If we ever got a dog, you wouldn’t be able to do that anymore.”

“I’ll start picking them up when we get a dog then!” Ellie responds cheekily.

It’s later that night, once you and your wife are positive that Ellie is asleep, that you turn to her.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Melissa sighs.

“Look at you like what?” you chuckle as you pull her into your side.

Emerald eyes meet your own. “I’ve seen this look before, and it always means you’re going to give into what your daughter wants.”

“Our daughter,” you tell her pointedly. “And I- I don’t know. She’s kind of right. We have a decent amount of savings- enough to get a nice house with a yard for her to run around in… and whatever else we might want.”

“You’re really thinking about getting a dog?” the woman groans. “Babe. I don’t want to constantly have to carry a lint roller with me to get the fur off of me.”

You just shrug. She doesn’t seem to understand that you’re actually leaning more towards maybe bringing another life into this world.

“If you want to move,” your wife takes a breath. “We can look into it.”

“Really?” you ask hopefully.

“I mean, we are outgrowing the apartment,” the redhead sighs as she begins to lazily draw patterns on your thigh with her fingertip. “And I think it might be nice to be able to barbecue without Pat always trying to steal a burger off of me.”

You laugh at that. “Tomorrow. Right now, I just want to watch trash television with my wife.”

“Real Housewives is not trash!”

It’s about a month later that the Schemmenti family is officially moving out of the apartment complex that you’ve built your little life in. You’re moving into a stunning townhouse in Walnut Hill with four bedrooms, a deck, and a beautiful sunroom. The only thing that’s missing is a backyard, but even then, it’s a residential street, and there’s a park nearby. It still isn’t far from Abbott- you could easily walk to the school if necessary. It’s not far from Center City, and there are Septa stations all around you if you didn’t want to take the car.

It takes another few months for the three of you to settle into your new living space. There are touches and pieces that make it all your own, and you genuinely couldn’t be more thrilled.

Ellie loves it here. Despite not having a private backyard like the three of you had hoped for, your daughter is free to run around with her neighborhood friends, and the amount of children roaming your house at any given moment is a different change of pace.

But there’s still something missing. Elizabeth Schemmenti is determined that she is going to convince you and her mom to either get a dog or have another baby- preferably a sister.

The little girl takes it as far as using your work computer to create two separate PowerPoints in attempts to convince you. She sits you and Melissa down one night to present them.

“Moms, before you tell me no, just… hear me out?” She’s picked that phrase up from the redhead, who raises a brow.

“Elizabeth, we are not-”

“I said hear me out!” Your daughter whines.

You just take a deep breath and set your hand over your wife’s, a silent plea to at least listen to the girl. You both agreed that giving your girl a voice was important in her upbringing. At your silence, Ellie smiles. She taps a few keys and clicks the mouse a few times before turning the laptop towards the two of you. And in big bold letters are the words, ‘Why We Should Get A Dog’.

For a now ten year old, a rising fifth grader, her arguments are solid. You’ll have to sarcastically thank her former fourth grade teacher for helping to raise a child who is a solid argumentative writer. She has an opening, lists her reasonings, actually rebuts a few of the points both you and your wife would have made if she had given you the chance, and then closes. If she were to join the debate team in high school, you wouldn’t be shocked in the slightest.

“I’m very impressed, little girl,” you praise her gently. “You clearly put your heart into this presentation.”

“So does that mean we can get a dog?” Ellie asks hopefully, and she’s bouncing on her toes. For a split second, you remember a five year old Ellie doing the same thing as she tried to convince you to let her have ice cream on a night where she wasn’t meant to.

You glance to Melissa and shrug your shoulders with both brows raised, your bottom lip being worried between your teeth.

“Ellie.”

“Mommy,” your daughter says right back, and- oh, she’s good. She doesn’t call Melissa by that name anymore, feeling as though she’s outgrown it, but she’s bringing it back right now. And it almost works on the redhead.

“I- I don’t know. Momma and I would have to talk about it. And even then, I’m not so sure getting a dog would be a great choice.”

Your daughter nods along thoughtfully for a few seconds before reaching back for the computer. She again taps away at it for a few seconds before facing the screen towards the two of you again. This time, the screen reads, ‘Why Momma Should Have Another Baby’.

Her presentation is very similar to the first one, but you can tell that she wants this one more- and you didn’t think that was possible. Her arguments are even stronger than her pleas for a puppy, there’s passion in her voice, and you know in your own heart that she’s appealing to your own desires- ones that you had made offhandedly as you continue to watch your little girl grow into a not-so-little girl.

Melissa is stone faced through the entire thing, but you can feel the way that her hand unconsciously shifts to lay on your stomach.

This presentation only makes you think about how much you would love to have another child running around- one that would have Melissa from the start, have Ellie as an older sister. To have a child that has unwavering support from both parents from the start, without any rocky story like Ellie does with her absent father, would be… it would be wonderful.

This time, when your daughter is finished presenting, Melissa shifts to look at you the way that you looked at her over the dog situation.

“Momma,” Ellie looks to you. Her puppy dog eyes are strong as she launches herself at you to cuddle. “I really would love to have a little sister. I mean… you and Mommy aren’t going to be around forever, and I want to have someone to be with me throughout my life.”

She then turns to your wife. “And Mommy, I know you and Aunt Kristen have your moments, but you love her more than anything. I want someone like that in my life.”

“That isn’t true,” Melissa chuckles, although she does nod along. “I love you and Momma the most in this world.”

“But after us,” Ellie exasperates. “Please. Just… think about it?”

“About which one?” you ask your daughter curiously. “Because if we are going to do one, we can’t do the other. So… which one would you rather us think about?”

“Baby,” is the ten year old’s immediate response. “I want a baby sister.”

“You know that if Mommy and I have a baby, there’s a chance it could be a boy,” you laugh as you kiss Ellie’s head.

Your daughter shrugs against you. “I guess having a little brother wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.”

So that night, curled up in bed, you and your wife begin to discuss the idea of adding another child to the family. Ellie’s really sold it to you, and now you just have to get Melissa on board with the idea.

She, of course, has her doubts and trepidations about it. You do everything you can to squash those feelings.

“Baby,” you whisper as you hold her close. “I know that it makes you nervous, but… you’ve raised generations of kids at this point. You’ve done wonderfully with El for the past five years, and you’re only continuing to be a wonderful mother to her.”

“I’m… I don’t know,” Melissa sighs softly. “I mean, I can be a mother to Ellie girl, but what if I fuck up the kid we have together?”

“I fucked up with Ellie constantly,” you admit through a small chuckle. “We’re going to continue fucking up when it comes to El. But we’re going to do it together and get through it together.”

“Yeah,” your wife concedes.

“When we were getting serious, we did talk about having a baby together,” you tell her through a yawn. “And if you really, really don’t want to, we don’t have to. But I think… I think we could do it.”

Melissa just hums and kisses your head. “I think… it isn’t off the table. I would have to look at our finances and all of that, but… give me a bit to think on it?”

You nod into her as you turn to fully hold her now. It’s becoming clearer and clearer to your wife that you’re on the brink of sleep.

“Get some sleep, mi amore,” she tells you softly. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

That night, you dream again of your future. You so clearly see yourself in a hospital bed holding a newborn. Melissa is at your side with tears running down her face, telling you how proud of you she is and that your little girl is beautiful. Ellie is curled up on your bed, looking at the baby with big, loving eyes as she thanks you up and down for giving her a new baby sister. She’s begging you to hold the new baby.

It feels so real that when you wake up because your only daughter is climbing into bed with you that your heart aches. How much you wish that dream was real life. You roll out of Melissa’s arms and pull Ellie into your own, kissing her head a few times.

“Need Momma cuddles?” you whisper.

“Momma cuddles,” your daughter repeats sleepily as she curls up into your figure.

The conversation of expanding your family isn’t brought up for a few days, and then a few weeks, and then a month.

But one day in August, Melissa asks if you’ll go out to dinner with her.

“Yeah,” you smile. “We haven’t had a date night in a while.”

“I know,” your wife chuckles softly. “We’ve been so busy giving Ellie a great summer.”

“I can ask my parents to watch her tonight.”

“Barb and Gerald are already coming over at five to keep an eye on their beloved niece.” You feel a gentle kiss being pressed to the side of your head. 

“You’ve had this planned for a while?”

The woman you married more or less shrugs.

“Auntie Barb! Uncle Ger!” Ellie beams when they come into your home.

“Baby girl!” your coworker sweeps your daughter into her arms. Gerald ruffles the girl’s hair with a smile.

“You be good for Barb, yeah?” you chide your daughter gently.

“I always am, Momma!” Ellie chirps.

“She always is,” Gerald chuckles.

“We’ll be home by nine,” Melissa tells the two of them before grabbing your purse from the couch and guiding you at the door.

Once the two of you place your order and receive your wine, Melissa pulls out a few pieces of paper from her purse, handing them over to you. For a moment, a sense of dread fills your soul. The last time you were handed papers when you weren’t expecting was when Jared served you divorce papers.

“Look at them, hun,” your wife encourages you with a soft smile. “I think you’ll like what you see.”

So you begin to thumb through them. The redhead presents you with your combined finances, a few papers with suggested doctors to go through for artificial insemination, a list of Lamaze classes the two of you should attend if you do indeed have another baby, and the last paper is a list of names for both boys and girls that she favors.

You look to her with tears in your eyes. “Really?” you ask hopefully.

“Really,” Melissa smiles at you, tears now blooming in her own eyes. “The whole being a mother thing terrifies me, but… if I have you by my side, I figure, what can go wrong?”

TAGS: @schemmentis @thesapphictimelady @marvel210 @itisdoctortoyousir @morgana-larkin @thesamesweetie @doesthatsuggestanythingtoyou @marvels--slut @gwennybriggs @megamultifandomtrashposts @lemz378 @http-sam @melissaschemmentisbranzino @imaginesmultifandoms @sexysapphicshopowner @lilfartbox1 @maybe-a-humanbean @imlike-so-gaydude @sapphicxrat @a-queen-and-her-throne @sunsol-22 @notinmyvocab @melanielaufeyson @dvrkhcld @cosmichymns @sasheemo

[ratcash-wasgud]

Hii! Okay, I haven't wrote anything since I was like 12, but I had to try again since I'm going insane because of this show. I have like...a very specific story in mind, so sorry if not everyone will be able to identify w the reader lmao. I'm gonna use she/her for both Mizu and the reader. Anyways, enjoy.

Like swimming in the sunset...

It was cold, and it was all Mizu could register at the moment. The last thing she remembered was falling into the icy river with Fowler, but after that...not much. She was swinging between un-and-consciousness for a while, and through all those moments, her teeth were clenched, and her face scrunched up into a frown.

The only thing flooding through her mind was...a period from her childhood. She was around 12-14 years old back then, still living with Swordfather, being sore everyday from training, learning how to hide her chest, the taste of roasted fish and...

Knock knock knock...

Swordfather only nudged towards the door in silence, and that was enough for Mizu to get up and open it. She expected another mountain like swordsman, here to ask for a sword made by Eiji's hands, but no. It was you... a little girl, soaked, tired, and probably about to freeze, in dirty clothes and covered in bruises.

"Grandpa Eiji...I'm looking for Grandpa Eiji." The little girl croaked out, her voice hoarse and quiet. Mizu just looked at the girl with wide eyes for a moment or two before stumbling away from the door, looking at Eiji with a slight panic and confusion in her eyes. Eiji just whispered your name which gave you a permisiion to run to him. You fell at his feet, sobbing.

Mizu was stunned. She just quietly closed the door behind you, keeping the roaring winter out.

"Grandpa Eiji...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I...I cannot go home." You sobbed, bowing your head to the ground. In response Swordfather hummed. He reached out to place his palm at the top of your head. "Please...I know it's so much to ask, but please...let me stay here."

"Calm down, Child." He said, his tone quiet, almost gentle, but he didn't say anything else for the following seconds, maybe even minutes. He then took his cane, and lightly tapped his teacup which was lying near. It seemed like you quickly understood, as you got up and started making tea withouth a word.

Mizu just stood there, near the door, taking in what just happened...Did Swordfather just get a new apprentice? Was she old news now? Will he kick her out? What will she do if he--

Her train of thought were cut off by Eiji ligtly tapping her head with his cane which earned a little "ouch" from her. "Why are you standing around? We will need wood to feed the fire." He says casually, and starts walking to the door. Mizu's eyes lit up a little, and she hurried after him to collect firewood.

Later that night, when after the tea was gone and the moon was shining ever so brightly, Mizu stared at your back as the two children sat on the porch, accompanied by the white scenery and the peaceful night.

"You are," Suddenly you spoke up, making Mizu almost flinch. "Grandpa Eiji's apprentice?" You ask quietly.

Mizu nods quietly and lowers her gaze, and in response, you send a small smile her way. You murmur your name then look at her expectingly.

"...Mizu." She says, still keeping her gaze down, but she ocassionally glances up at you, as if to check when you're attacking.

Then a silence falls onto the two children, both looking away, not sure how to interact with the other.

"Let's...try and get along." You finally say, offering another small smile, though, this time, it somehow reaches your eyes too.

Mizu huffs a little. "Yeah...like that's how it works." She then looks straight at you, her gaze sharp.

Your eyes widen, and you thin your lips. "I...I said try." You murmur and end it with a quiet chuckle, while looking into her eyes. "I don't want Granda Eiji to go through hardship because we argue." You says, tilting your head a little.

Mizu huffs again, turning her head away once more, but then, after another deafening silence... "Alright. I'll try." She says, glancing back at you, and she's met a with a smile. A sweet one at that. One that she herself never produced. She can't help but relax her tense shoulders, and let her jaw also loosen.

"Thank you." You says, and glance at the sky before you get going. She wants to say somethig too, but eventually she gets quiet as she sees you head inside.

The next couple days were spent with only a few words exchanged between the two children. You did the housework, like cleaning, making tea and preparing a meal, while Mizu helped Eiji with his work, getting firewood, and blending metals. Glances although were exchanged. Whenever Mizu looked your way, and you caught her, you simply offered a smile before you went along with what you were doing. You did that everytime, even if you never got one back.

One night, you stayed up later than usual, and caught Mizu training outside, alone. You kept quiet, and just watched in silence as she fell multiple times, but got back up again and again, and hit the bamboo poles harder each time. After she managed to slice every pole in half, and she stood there, panting, you clapped quietly. Mizu's head jerked back to see you, wearing that same sweet smile, and gently clapping.

"Why are you here?" She asked, looking away. "Here to mock me?" She asks, looking at the dirt on her shoes with an angry frown.

You're eyes widened in confusion then you shook your head. "That was really cool." You say softly. "You seem strong." You say, shifting your weight from one feet to another.

"I'm not strong enough." Mizu spats, and starts setting up new poles. You walked closer too, picked up some poles and helped her set them up. Mizu looked at you, squinting her eyes in confusion, but you just focused on the task ahead. "Why are you like this?" Mizu asks, snatching the pole from your hand. "You don't have to pretend. You don't have to play nice." She says, throwing the pole at you. "You see what I am! So go on, say what's on your mind instead of acting like you're not disgusted by a monster like me!" She shouts, a little louder than she intended.

Mizu felt frustrated, angry even. Back then, she herself didn't even know why. She expected you to to spit in her face, call her a dog then go on your day. That's all she knew, but she at least understood that...so this confused her. And her confusion lead her to anger. To try and defend herself against something that isn't attacking.

"I..." Your eyes widened once again, in shock and you took a step back. "I..don't think you're a monster." You say, gathering all your courage and balling your hands into fists at your sides. "I never once considered that! So don't go and make assumptions about me, like I never did about you!" You stomp your foot a little. "You're different, I can see that, yes...but you never onced attacked me, nor gave me a reason to fear you! You are just shut off! You're not a monster, you act more like a grumpy old woman!" You yell back, huffing, and storming away, like a child your age would.

That leaves Mizu...stunned. She stands there, wide eyes and her lips parted in surprise. She expected a lot of things but...that. You looked...hurt? Maybe that's the way to describe it, maybe frustrated, maybe even mad. She doesn't really know what to do with that, but deep inside, she feels a little...relieved. After you're out of her sight, she can't help but let out a small chuckle.

The next day, as you were cleaning a fish that you were planning to prepare for dinner, you heard quiet footsteps from behind you. You decided to pay no mind to it, as you were still a little frustrated from last night, and kept pulling off the scales from the fish with a knife, just a little more aggressively. Then, out of nowhere, a hand reached over your shoulder, placing a small piece of candy next to your hand. You looked at the candy as you wiped your hand in your clothes, then finally picked it up, and turned around to face Mizu.

She had her gaze lowered and her she was chewing on the inside of her cheek. You couldn't help but crack a small smile. Then you broke off half the candy, took his hand and placed it in her palm. Mizu's gaze perked up, and her blue eyes met yours as you popped your half of the candy in your mouth.

Mizu felt her chest thighten and it was like her blood started to flow faster through her veins. She clutched the piece of candy in her hand and agressively shoved it in her mouth. That drew a chuckle from you...a sound that tickled Mizu's ear. It confused her so much, but she decided not to care. She sat down next to you and watched you as you prepared the fish.

The days were much more pleasent after that. Mizu talked to you everyday, even if it was short, and only about how she can help, she tried. She even enjoyed the silence between you and her, when you two just stared into nothing together. It was nice not being alone. You even watched her train every night, and softly clapped everytime after she finished a move you'd call "cool". It made her feel warm. Not in a way that she'd feel next to a fireplace, but...in a way that it'd feel to swim in the sunset.

You never once spoke about why you suddenly appeared, but she never pried in exchange for you not asking about her past. And somehow, you haven't discovered that she is a woman yet. It was strange, growing so close to someone who she didn't know too much about, and someone who didn't know much about her but she felt like she knew enough. She knew how you prepared a fish, knew how you giggled when she got tapped on the head by Eiji, and the sound you'd make when it happened to you too. She knew the face you'd make when a blug landed on your face, and the one you'd make when you saw the flowers freshly blooming.

Mizu haven't even noticed when a couple years flew by, and you two started to grow up together. But, before either of you could reach adulthood...

Knock knock knock...

Mizu was helping Eiji with hammering a blade while you sat in the corner and tried to wash a stain out of one of Eiji's clothes. Withouth a word, you stood up to get the door, and you were greeted with...a tall man with a sword at his hip. A usual looking customer at this place, but when you uttered "...father?" Mizu's blood ran cold. The next thing she heard was a scream as he took your arm with force, and lifted you by it.

"So this is where you were hiding?" The man sneers, and Mizu can see Eiji's eyebrows scrunch up. She looks panicked, and reaches for a sword and starts to run towards the man, but is stopped imidately with a kick. She flies back, clutching her side. The man, as if paying no mind to her, turned his face back to you.

You were shaking with tears in your eyes. "Father...please..." But the man didn't care. And with that, the door shut closed...and you were gone. Mizu whispered your name in pain, before yelling it out. She felt...hopeless. You came suddenly, and you disappeared just as suddenly. She hated that. She finally found someone who would accept her, and a child her age too...someone with such a sweet smile...But she was too week to save you. Your scream echoed in her ears, and tears gathered to her eyes.

After so much time, Mizu cried again, for the first time in ages. Eiji just sat there, clutching his cane so hard his fingertips turned cold...but he stayed quiet, and just looked ahead. That night Eiji lit a icense stick and whispered your name, as if you were dead already. Mizu hated the feeling that took over her. It was just like when she saw the fire those years ago...Grief.

Mizu trained harder everynight, swearing that nothing like this would every happen again...when she turns out to be too weak. She trained until her palms bled, and until she couldn't stand anymore.

But why, were those moments flashing in her head again? Her eyes slowly fluttered open as your scream echoed in her head once again and she took in what's happening to her. She saw Ringo's back, as she was getting dragged on a wooden plank, with Taigen on her left. She saw Swodfather's house, and she heard his voice...and for a brief moment, he heard your voice too before she fell back into unconsciousness.

[beautiful-basque-country]

I just had some Isastegi Cider that my local store had in it's wine section for a while. It was pretty good but very different from the local hard ciders i've had, dry or sweet. Is Cider a popular drink in the Basque Country? Or is this "American has Basque Cider, thinks all Basque people love cider"?

Kaixo anon!

Omg, of course! Cider is one important piece in our culture! In fact, until the 19th century cider was the only everyday drink for most Basques here in the coastal regions of EH because wine - produced in the plains - had to travel through the mountains via very bad roads, which made its transport slow and dangerous, which made wine so expensive only wealthy people could afford it.

Basque sailors would bring cider in their ships - water would have gone off - in their voyages to Greenland and Canada to hunt whales. And fun fact, Astigarraga (Gipuzkoa) is known as the cider capital of the world because it features a museum devoted to Basque cider and cider-making, there's one cider house for every 230 people and every 0.5km2, the highest ratios in the world.

Basque cider - in Euskara sagardo or apple wine - is flat and has no sugar added. It's made just with Basque apple varieties. It's a bit more sour than any other given cider, but in return it's more aromatic and light golden.

Cider is still an everyday drink - mostly with meals - in many Basque homes, but the cider season (from January to April) is when the cider from the latest harvest can be tasted and it's like a social event in EH, mostly in Gipuzkoa. And it's not something new! There are some theories that defend our traditional instrument txalaparta - known to be heard from miles away in certain conditions - was born as a call to cider season!

We call this time of the year txotx season! And what's txotx? Well, cider is kept in huuuuuge barrels called kupelak, like these:

Each one holds a different kind of cider: sweeter, drier, depending on the varieties used. When you go to a Basque cider house, one of the servers there will randomly shout: txotx!! and open one of these kupelak. People will stand up quickly with their glasses, ready to taste the cider and go back to eat; then, sometime later, txotx! Another kupela is open and another cider is available to taste!

Cider has to do txinparta, some sorte of "be broken", this is, the liquid has to be served from a certain distance and height, rebound first on the side of the glass and then onto the bottom, so all flavors and smells can truly be enjoyed. If you're drinking from a bottle, the same applies: it'll taste as it should when served from a height and after the rebounds on the glass. Not too cold, though! Just around 10-12ºC, and NO ICE.

Last year, EH produced around 12 million litres of cider, and its production increases every year.

[zyuu-fusil]

Hellsing OC: Eshika Cheema

(Commission by @.爱嘟生活馆 on Bilibili)

A brief introduction of my OC's early life, including her relationship with Walter, though I haven't decided the ending for her.

The format referred to the Hellsing fandom wiki. Thanks to the contributors!

I'm not a native English speaker, so feel free to point out my mistakes here ; )

Early Life

Eshika was born in India in 1944, her parents both serving Mrs. Hellsing's family for long. When Mrs. Hellsing got married with Arthur, young Eshika moved to England with her, and settled in the Hellsing's maison.

When they just arrived, servants in the house often gossiped about the two outsiders behind their backs. The girl, loyal to her hostess, confronted them every time she heard it. Once an argument intensified, and Eshika had to stand against several maids alone. Walter, having just finished his job, returned and called off the farce.

"Why do they respect you, but don't respect us?" said the girl, as she sat on the stairs and watched the young man light a cigarette. "In this house, you have to win respect for yourself," answered Walter. "Then... may I become someone like you?" Walter paused; for the very first time, he looked into the foreign girl's eyes, moist and stubborn. She was outnumbered by enemies but never flinched, for something she wanted to protect... With his heartstring pulled a little, the young butler exhaled smoke and smiled. "Yes, you may."

Later on, Eshika took the training of the Hellsing Organization to become a vampire hunter.

Before the Events of HELLSING

As the Millennium's first recession, Arthur decided to seal Alucard. Walter and Eshika focused more on the internal affairs of Hellsing family, rather than hunting down vampires.

Shortly after giving birth to Integra, Mrs. Hellsing passed away. On her deathbed did she ask Eshika to take care of her daughter. The housekeeper promised to protect Integra with her own life. Then she became Integra's nanny, took care of her in her everyday life, and taught her specific knowledge, like alchemy.

In 1989, Arthur passed away, and entrusted 12-year-old Integra with the Hellsing Organization. Sir Irons suspected his brother Richard would harm Integra and warned Walter in advance, but Walter had already become a secret spy for the Millennium. Instead of stopping Richard, he brought Eshika away from the maison in the excuse of a "date". As a result, Integra released Alucard to save herself. Eshika was guilty to expose the young lady to danger, against her promise to the late hostess. Although she didn't get suspicious of Walter, the incident made their relation unable to go beyond fellowship.

Later on, Walter and Eshika, as the maison's butler and housekeeper, helped Integra run the Hellsing Organization, until the Millennium made its comeback...

TBC.

[star-struck01]

Pudding and Whiskers Pt. 4

You meet someone cute at your work and your friend gives them your number

Masterlist | Pt. 3 | Pt. 4.5

(Not my photo)

Kenma Kouzume x GN!Reader

Word Count: 614

Written: 12/10/2020

Edited: 08/17/2023

"I gave him your number. It's about time you got a boyfriend; I can't stand to listen to your single ass complain anymore." She sighs and rolls her eyes, leaning against the wall of your breakroom. Your jaw hung low; you were absolutely dumbfounded by her. How could she just do that? Oh, wait, you would've done the same thing to her. You closed your jaw and shook your head.

"Thank you for doing that, but I could've done that my-" "No, you couldn't." She cut you off, giving you a sharp look. "I've known you for 4 years; if you like someone, you don't make the first move at all." She had you there. You didn't make the first move ever. A guy could've been giving you very obvious hints, and you still wouldn't ask him out. It was really sad, but this all came from the relationships around you, so it's not entirely your fault for not wanting to get into a relationship only for it to crash and burn two weeks later. You sighed and shook your head, sitting down on the floor and holding your head between your hands. “As much as I want to say you’re wrong, sadly, you’re not.” You let go of your head and let it rest against the cold wall, sighing louder. Hina shook her head and sat down next to you, leaning her head on your shoulder. The two of you sat like that and chatted until the call button was pressed and you had to go back to taking orders or cleaning up. This continued on for the rest of the day until the Nekoma team had left, and once they were out of the building, you and Hina were done for the day after you cleaned the room up. The two of you smiled at the team and thanked them for coming as they all filed out of the door. You felt like someone was staring at you, and just as you looked up, you caught Kenma quickly turning away with red dust on his cheeks. You thought nothing of the look and continued thanking them, and once they were finally out the door, you and Hina looked at each other's exhausted faces, giving a meager high five. They were a big team, which is why you and Hina got to leave early. The two of you went back to the staff room, changing out of your uniforms and back into your everyday clothing. “I’ll see you tomorrow then, yeah?” Hina looked at you with a tired smile as you hummed with your eyes closed. “Don’t fall asleep on your way home and end up in a ditch.” She waved goodbye to you just as you let out a short laugh and made your way home. Just as you shut the door to your house, you opened your phone to tell Hina that you ‘didn’t fall asleep in a ditch’ when you saw a message from an unknown number. You opened the message, a small smile gracing your features as you read it, and quickly typed out your reply. Hey Y/N, It's Kenma; would you like to hang out on Friday? Hi Kenma, I would love to hang out with you on friday :)

[comfort-writing]

Crayons and Cassettes

Chapter 6: Party at Harrington’s

You are a kindergarten teacher. Eddie’s daughter, Sage, is in your class. Eddie helps you relax after a couple grueling months.

warnings: smoking and drinking. mental health- anxiety- is depicted. this fic will be 18+ in later chapters- minors DNI!! no use of y/n. (please let me know if I missed anything)

a/n: I feel much better about this chapter. btw I totally wanted to get it out last night but I fell asleep after work oops. let me know in the comments or my asks if you want to be added to the tag list! requests are open!

word count: 2.9k

Chapter 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 || 9 || 10 || 11 || 12 || 13 || 14 (coming soon!)

Once school was back in full swing, you were busy, to put it lightly. Spring semester was always filled with setting up IEP and 504 recommendations for your students to be analyzed for in the first grade, as well as trying to have every student achieve mastery of all of the state standards. You had to make sure all of your students could write their name without mistakes, tie their shoes, know numbers one through fifty and the alphabet, knew a lot of sight words, and most, if not all, should be able to read basic books.

You were working hard to try and make sure that all of your students achieved. But that didn’t come without sacrifice. You and Eddie still called, but the calls were usually less than twenty minutes, as you needed to grade assignments and lesson plan for the days ahead. You still saw him at pickup line, but instead of those days where you were stressed being few and far between, they were growing more frequent.

You could tell he was getting worried about you. He’d even said it on your last phone call.

“Are you doing okay? You seem really stressed lately.” He cautioned, sounding genuinely concerned.

“Oh, I’m fine. The spring semester is always like this. I’m just not used to having such a large class size is all. They said that next year won’t be so bad. Apparently everyone decided to have babies at the same time that you did.” You joked, trying to downplay your anxiety.

“Is there anything I can do to help you out?”

“I’m not sure… just- being able to talk sometimes is nice. Allows me decompress a little. But if I think of anything else, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Okay..” He said warily, still not quite sure about where your head was really at.

You didn’t want to burden him with anything. You’d always had pretty bad anxiety, but you had learned to manage it pretty well on your own over the years. However, when life got stressful, it was more difficult to deal with, especially due to the fact that you didn’t have much time for yourself.

He’d invited you out to a little get together with his friends the other night. You said you weren’t sure, mainly because you felt like you had a pile of work that needed to get done and taking one night off might put you back. But he mentioned that you didn’t have to stay if you didn’t want to. He just wanted you to meet his friends- it was a casual hang out, nothing serious. You hesitantly agreed, thinking that maybe this might help you chill out a little bit.

It was tonight. Eddie said he’d drive you, which you appreciated, as despite you living in Hawkins since the summer, you still didn’t know your way around town outside of the main roads. You were standing in your closet, trying to decide what to wear.

Casual. Cute. Nothing too sexy or serious. Just- regular clothes. You should have something like that, right? You dug through your closet. It didn’t help that the majority of your wardrobe consisted of colorful dresses you wore to your kindergarten class. Honestly, dressing for five year olds was easier than dressing for adults, in your opinion. You decided on a pair of jeans and a light, comfortable sweater. It was nearing March, so it wasn’t snowing anymore, but it was still cold out. You put on your everyday makeup that you wore to school and tied back your hair, pulling out a few strands to frame your face. Earrings, bracelets, watch. Easy. Cute, comfortable, casual. You grabbed a pair of white sneakers and threw them on. Just as you were finishing tying your left shoelace, you heard a knock at the front door.

You answered the door, “Hey, Eds, come on in. I just have to grab my purse.” You said, letting him into the entryway.

“You look nice.” He smiled genuinely.

You were in a bit of a rush, the anxiety still having a hold on you, “Ah- thanks.” You said quickly, rushing to the living room to grab your bag. You walked back to Eddie, eyes looking a little worried, “Ready to go?” You asked, almost walking past him to head out the door.

He stopped you, placing both hands on your shoulders, “Hey.. Take a breath. Relax.” He said, taking a deep breath, eyeing you to follow suit. You did, relaxing your shoulders a bit. “This is supposed to be fun. You deserve a break. You’ve been wearing yourself out. One night off isn’t going to cause your kids to fail.” He reassured you.

You took another deep breath, “I know… I know. It’s just been a bit much is all. I want my students to succeed.”

“And they will.” He insisted. “But they can’t do that without your help. And how can you really help them if you’re so stressed all the time? You have to take care of yourself in order to take care of them.”

You sighed, “Yeah.. you’re right.” His words were reassuring enough for now.

“Okay. Let’s go have fun, yeah? And remember, if it’s too much, we can just leave. There’s no pressure for you to stay. I’ll drive you home and you can work or relax.” He said, squeezing your shoulders gently before letting go. You nodded, and he opened the front door for you, locking it behind you guys before walking you to his van.

Before you had the chance to open your own door, Eddie jogged over and opened it for you, taking a grandiose bow. You laughed, for what felt like the first time in at least a week. Ever the gentleman. He walked over to the drivers side after shutting your door, and the two of you pulled off to drive to Steve’s.

The moment you arrived at the cute little corner lot house, Eddie jumped out and opened the car door for you, taking your hand and helping you out of the car. He gave it a quick squeeze before letting it go.

You guys walked up to the door, and Eddie just waltzed right on through the door. You felt bad just walking into a strangers house, so you stood in the doorway for a moment. “Sup Harrington, you big lug.” Eddie laughed, wrapping an arm around Steve’s shoulder and bending him to ruffle his hair. Steve laughed and shoved him off, then noticed you in the doorway.

“Hey, come on in, don’t be shy.” He smiled warmly.

You stepped further into the entry way and shut the door behind you. Steve walked over to you and stuck his hand out, shaking yours politely, “Steve. Nice to meet you.” You told him your name and once you’d been introduced, Steve and Eddie walked you to the living room to meet the rest of the group. Everyone seemed warm and welcoming enough.

The younger bunch were back for spring break, so everyone had a lot to catch up on. You mainly listened to the conversation, just taking everything in. You sat at the end of the sofa, with Robin next to you and Eddie squatted on the arm rest. You’d been chatting with her, finding out the two of you had a lot in common.

“You want a drink?” Robin offered, getting up to go grab one for herself.

“Uh, sure. What do you have?” You asked.

She reached her hand out, you took it, and she helped you off of the couch, “We’ve got a lot, and I’m not even sure what all there is.” She chuckled as you followed her to the kitchen. She swung open the fridge like she lived there and reached in the back, grabbing a beer before leaning on the freezer and allowing you to scan the contents. You grabbed some premade cocktail in a can before shutting the door.

“So.. you and Eddie, huh?” She asked, wiggling her eyebrows at you.

You couldn’t fight the red tint that flooded your cheeks, “Ah- well.. not really?” You said, shrugging your shoulders.

Robin frowned and cracked open her beer, taking a swig, “What’s the holdup? He’s like, toootally into you. And if I could bet on it, I’d put down money and say that you’re into him.”

You sighed, “That’s already been established.”

She gave you a confused look, “So.. why aren’t you two a thing?”

“My job. Unfortunately, it’s like, illegal for me to date a parent. Plus, in this town, it’s not like we can be secretive about it- gossip runs rampant.”

“Ah- yeah, I guess that makes sense. Don’t worry., my lips are sealed”

“Thanks. But it still kinda sucks though.” You chuckled, bumping her shoulder

“I feel that. When I was in college, my girlfriend and I had to be like, mega-cautious around everyone. I know it’s not the same, but I know what it’s like to have to hide how ya feel.” She reassured.

“Thanks Robin.” You smiled, taking a sip of your drink.

She nodded and the two of you walked back to the couch, finding Eddie laid out where the two of you previously sat. Robin groaned and shoved him, trying to get him to move off of the couch. He rolled off, hitting the ground with a thud, and you and Robin quickly scrambled over him and into your seats, giggling. Eddie laughed and pointed an accusatory finger, “I knew I shouldn’t have introduced the two of you.”

You and Robin shared a knowing look and laughed, watching as he got up off of the ground and moved to sit on the armrest once again, leaning against the back of the couch and resting his arm on the cushion above your shoulder.

After a while of sitting and listening to his buddies laugh and tell old stories, with you chiming in at certain points, Eddie leaned down to whisper in your ear, “I’m gonna go out back for a smoke. Want to come with?” He asked.

You nodded and followed him through the house and onto the back patio. You sighed into the cold March air, seeing your own breath. He took a cigarette and a lighter out of his jacket pocket. He offered you one, to which you politely declined, before lighting it and taking a drag.

“You having a good time?” He asked, leaning over the patio’s railing and looking into the backyard.

You matched his position, “Yeah. Your friends are really nice.” You smiled.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. You deserve to.” He told you, leaning over and bumping your shoulder with his own.

You hummed and looked up, seeing the starry sky. It made you feel small, but not in a bad way.

“Just think, only two more months and you’re home free.” He mused.

You giggled, “You mean we’re home free.”

He smiled, “Well yeah, but I was mainly talking about you. You’ve been so stressed lately with all the hard work you’ve been doing.” He paused, looking over to you, “I’ve been worried about you. I mean, I haven’t known you that long, but I can tell that all of it has had an effect on you.”

You sighed, turning around to face the house. You placed your hands on your face and dragged them down, “I know.” You grumbled, your voice muffled by your hands. You let them fall and rested your elbows on the railing, leaning back. “I just feel like I haven’t had a moment to breathe since January. Spring semester is normally stressful, but it’s usually not this bad.”

Eddie nodded, taking another drag of his cigarette, letting you continue.

“I just- anxiety is a bitch, you know?”

Eddie laughed at that, coughing through it as the smoke spilled from his lungs. “Boy do I know it.” He said, once he’d gained his bearings. “But like I said, only two more months. You’re almost there. And really, I know I’ve already said this, but if you need any help with anything, you let me know, okay?”

You nodded and leaned your head on his shoulder, “Thank you, Eddie.” You whispered. He smiled and kissed the top of your head before laying his own on top of yours. The two of you stayed like that for a few minutes, enjoying each others silent company as Eddie finished his cigarette, making sure to blow the smoke away from you.

He snubbed out the end of his smoke in the little ashtray on the railing before looking down at you, “Ready to go back in?” He asked quietly.

“Do we have to? This is so nice.” You pleaded.

“You’re shivering. You’re going to freeze to death.”

“Ugh, fine. If we have to.” You groaned dramatically.

He laughed and wrapped his arms around you, rubbing your arms quickly to warm you up, “Come on, cutie.” He said, walking you back inside.

You laughed as you two walked back into the house, feeling yourself begin to defrost as you walked back to the living room together. You plopped back down next to Robin and she gave you a silent wink, to which you rolled your eyes and smiled.

Around ten, everyone was heading out, so you and Eddie followed suit. You said goodbye to everyone, you and Robin exchanging numbers, and Steve giving you a big bear hug. Eddie walked you out to his van, opening the door for you before climbing in himself. The two of you drove home, laughing and recalling funny things that people had said that night, listening to the radio on a low volume.

Once he pulled up to your house, he walked you to your door. “Hey, thank you for tonight. I had fun.” You smiled, leaning against your door frame.

“Me too. I’m glad you came along.” He had one hand in his jacket pocket as he used his thumb to fiddle with the rings on his other hand.

You looked up at him. He looked so handsome in the moonlight. You looked around for a moment, taking in that nobody was on the street and the neighbors’ lights were off.

“Are they planning anything like this again soon?” You asked.

“Not that I know of, but I’ll let you know when we do.”

You nodded, taking a step closer to him. “Really.. thank you.” You said sincerely as you wrapped your arms around him in a hug. He was a little surprised, but he hugged you back, wrapping one arm around your waist and using the other to rub your back.

To an outsider, the hug may have look like it lasted too long, but neither of you cared. You just enjoyed each others warmth and physical contact in that moment. You could have been there forever and neither of you would have noticed.

You pulled away slightly, looking up at him. He smiled softly down at you. You glanced around one last time before looking back up at him. You could have cut the tension with a knife.

After a moment, Eddie bent down and whispered in your ear, “You’re making it very hard not to kiss you right now.”

You squeezed him closer, taking a steady breath before whispering back, “I never said you couldn’t.”

He pulled back and looked around like you had already done, making sure nobody was around. Your porch light was off, so nobody could really see you guys anyways. He looked back at you for confirmation that this was okay. You nodded.

He didn’t waste another moment before leaning down and capturing your lips in his own, moving one hand to hold your cheek as he did so. His lips were warm and soft and he tasted faintly of cigarettes, but you didn’t mind. You felt like you were surrounded by him: his lips, his hair, his tall and lean figure. He smelled like smoke and some sort of warm and spicy cologne.

He kissed you gently, not looking for anything more than this. You melted into it, your arms wrapping around his shoulders lazily. Neither of you knew how long it lasted, it could have been a second or it could have been an eternity. But when he pulled back, the both of you feeling a little breathless, it felt too soon.

The two of you shared a look before smiling at each other. He leaned down and kissed your temple sweetly before he pulled away, your arms falling to your sides and feeling empty. “I’ll see you tomorrow at pickup?” He whispered.

You nodded dumbly, and watched him step off of your front porch. “Good night, beautiful.” He said with a wink, heading back to his car. You wanted to say good night as well, but you felt as though your voice would betray you in that moment, so you silently unlocked your door and walked inside your house, locking it behind you.

You leaned against your front door, taking a moment to let it all sink in.

Man, you felt like a teenager again.

Tag list: @mcueveryday @bebe0701 @emma77645 @edsforehead @manda-panda-monium @nina211544

[omegaremix]

Academy (Manhattan), 2022.

I’ve never patronized a business so much in six month’s time. That business was Academy Records / LP’s. I had the urge to buy one single record that was on my mind (Boulders’ Rock And Roll Will Never Die) and pulled the trigger on that plus much more. I found more city-centric records and tapes on its’ other Discogs handle and in the turn of the year made two online purchases with them. For the final day of this past Winter, I took an impromptu visit to Academy’s Brooklyn (Greenpoint) location and bought more of that magic in person. Why? City stores have that specific charm that none of the other local stores on the island have. By that, I mean types of artists and sounds easily found there and nowhere else. Last year’s visit to Williamsburg’s Rough Trade made the best example of it and explains why I spent almost $420.00 there.

I read that they had another location on the lower East side of Manhattan (L.E.S.) which I’ve been meaning to go. After my check-up on Lexington Av., I could not miss the opportunity. I’ve already visited six island stores with four to go, so consider Manhattan’s Academy a ‘bonus round’ - one of two to be exact.

It wasn’t far from Lexington Av. taking the crowded ‘6’ line downtown to East 12th Street. It was a leisurely trek under the canopies, scaffolds and tree, walking past the everyday city life and numerous groups of people standing around waiting for the ride to take them to their next event. Across the street from Academy was the playground hopping with urban youth of all colors shooting hoops and getting loud with one another. Another few feet across the street and here I finally am. What I noticed on the front door before entering was a sign that said “masks required”. Luckily, I saved mine from the clinic.

I walk in and Academy’s Manhattan space isn’t as ratty and dingy as its Brooklyn spot. No crusty carpeting but a concrete floor partially painted blue and walls only in slight decay. There’s shelves and white boxes of stock all along the right side up until the cassette racks. More shelves opposite the entrance and over the small island of wooden crates. Walk past the counter on the left and opposite that was a listening station of two of three working turntables. More shelves and white boxes on each side in the back section of the store before reaching their office. Good news: $1.00 and $3.00 hip-hop / rap, rock, soul, synthpop and new-wave records were all for the taking.

I pick a spot, any spot to start digging. That was their small used-industrial section. Right off the bat I find Test Dept.’s “Machine Run (Compulsion)” e.p., a true metal-on-metal attack and one of my all-time favorite industrial works. I was happy to pay $12.00 for that one. Ω+ followers know that I always make my way to the used-jazz section and they didn’t disappoint there. That copy of Hank Crawford’s Tico Rico, the one with his ‘I-could-care-less’ face on it, was a win. Hubert Laws’ Then There Was Light Pt. 1 on CTI featuring Bob James, Ron Carter, Steve Gadd, Richard Tee, and brother Ronnie Laws was another must-have because of them. And I got my first Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes record Dancing In The Sun. No Onsaya Joy, but that song which still stayed in my head all these years was enough for me to pull the handle on him.

Though Academy wasn’t Riverhead’s Sunday Records, they had a small but great used-synth-pop / new wave section with many shelves of soul sitting next to them. That lead me to their hip-hop / rap bins and $1.00 records, where was never a shortage of obtainable low-cost 12” singles. I found plenty of golden-era scores from Kool Moe Dee, 3rd Bass’ Prime Minister Pete Nice & Daddy Rich, and Spoonie Gee’s Godfather Of Rap ($5.00). A few flips later and I find Original Concept’s Straight From The Basement Of Cooley High for only $1.00. Featuring Yo! MTV Raps’ T-Money and Dr. Dre, it was an essential piece of Long Island history I had to take. I was floored in finding Antexx’ “Understand Me Vanessa (Vanessa Yo)”, a single I remember hearing once on WBLS during my Brentwood era and which absolutely no one talks about. But for $5.00 for four different versions of the same song, did I really need it? Nah. Give Academy more points for having some real old-school artifacts such as some Z-3 MC’s and T.A.P. records.

I still had a thirst for used 7” records so I had to sift through their four-by-four formation right next to the counter; where marked boxes of punk, rock, soul, reggae, oldies, and even French lyricists were fair game. I took some singles from my Atari childhood (read, Eighties hits) and bought some gambles in punk and d-beat. Get this: the Vagra 2016 demo LP that I bought blindly from Academy’s Discogs mail-order? They had their Refuse 7” e.p. in-store. How funny life fucks with you like that. And without even looking for it: Shizuo’s “Sweat” b/w “Stop It”. It’s one of the very few DHR releases I don’t have since I already had those songs. Well, for old time’s sake…

Then I strayed off the beaten path to find another marked box of punk rock and d-beat 45’s under the bins where I scored some self-titled platters in Soaker (because Wharf Cat), the super-CMYK saturated Strutter, and Glam. That one was my first-ever find from the La Vida Es Un Mus label and I am all the happy for it.

I sifted through more LPs both new and used in all categories. That’s where I scored even more major wins. The Men’s Devil Music, one of the few not released on the Sacred Bones label, was mine. Speaking of fantastic New York City labels, there was Institute’s Readjusting The Locks on clear / bourbon swirl vinyl. Why not? And I had to take the biggest hit for one of my favorite artists: an unwrapped copy of Boy Harsher’s Country Girl (Uncut) for $18.00. I won’t complain.

Academy had plenty of used LPs in other categories. They had a section devoted exclusively to the Numero Group. A little to the right was more classic rock LP’s and even further were their Detroit techno, electronic and jungle / drum-and-bass sections. I had a laugh when I found a copy of Give Up’s self-titled e.p. on the Ambush label; the second Shizuo-based release I came across. I do have it in my library since I bought it from The Port Jefferson Music Den during DHR’s heyday.

CD’s? They barely carried any. They had only two columns of it tucked away deep in a corner before their tape section, and that they didn’t disappoint. Though they carried the usual universal duds, they did have some exciting finds in punk and golden-era hip-hop. It was the first time in ages that I bought a cassingle. That was Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz’ “Deja Vu”. In fact, they did have a few dusty cases of them where they were five for a dollar. For $7.00, Who’s The Man (motion picture soundtrack) was a must-grab.

But the real good stuff was kept behind the counter in a glass case. The girl dressed in black denims noticed I was eye-ing them. Of course I was. There were a few that caught my eye. One which was Ata Kak’s Obaa Sima; a personal Summer jam and the very album that kicked off the Awesome Tapes From Africa label. I asked her to get me the price on that, Subhumans UK’s 29:29 Vision,and Health’s Disco4::Part I.

“That’s fifteen, fifteen, and that’s thirty.”

I really wanted Ata Kak so I took it, but passed up on the Subhumans UK tape. And as much as I like Heath, I sure as fuck on a rainbow-winged pegasus on a golden horn won’t pay $30.00 for a blue cassette. To be fair, Academy had a case: Discogs’ sellers priced it at $35.00. Put that back.

She added up my purchase. It was a great $177.00 and two-and-a-half memorable hours spent in the city. I walked out the door and looked across the street to see an empty playground. All the yelling and camaraderie was over for the day. I turned the corner to catch the next ‘L’ and ‘C/E’ line to Penn Station. No rush, no fuss, no danger. I had just enough time to catch the Central Islip train for what would be another hour-and-five-minute ride east home. Do remind me never to board a peak train ever again. For four dollars more, you can play musical chairs competing for cramped seats and be packed like a twist-can of Iberia sardines with almost no leg room.

Kool Moe Dee: “Death Blow” 12”

Prime Minister Pete Nice & Daddy Rich: “Kick The Bobo” 12”

Professor Griff & The Last Asiatic Disciples: “Pawns In The Game” 12”

Kool Moe Dee: “They Want Money” 12”

Queen Latifah: “Ladies First” 12”

Public Enemy: “Give It Up” 12”

Kool Moe Dee: “Wild Wild West” 12”

Heavy D. & The Boys ft. various artists: “Don’t Curse” 12”

Spoonie Gee: Godfather Of Rap LP

Original Concept: Straight From The Basement Of Cooley High LP

The Men: Devil Music LP

Stepdad SS: Mad About It LP

Vaaska: Ruido Hasta La Muerte LP

Institute: Re-Adjusting The Locks LP

Test Dept.: Compulsion (Machine Run) LP

Boy Harsher: Country Girl (Uncut) LP

Hubert Laws: Then There Was Light LP

Hank Crawford: Tico Rico LP

Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes: Dancing In The Sun LP

Glam: self-titled 7”

Perdition: self-titled 7”

Soaker: self-titled 7”

Strutter: self-titled 7”

Hombrinus Dudes: self-titled 7”

Deformed Conscience: self-titled 7”

25 Rifles: History Of Flags 7”

Funeral Shock: Paint Thinner 7”

Vagra: Refuse 7”

River City Tanlines: “The Devil Made Me Do It” b/w “Nothing Means Nothing Anymore” 7”

Shizuo: “Sweat” b/w “Stop It” 7”

Code-13 b/w DS-13 split 7”

Billy Ocean: “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” 7”

Stacey Q: “Two Of Hearts” 7”

Miami Sound Machine: “Bad Boy” 7”

Cameo: “Word Up” 7”

Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz: “Deja Vu” CS

Who’s The Man: motion picture soundtrack CS

Ata Kak: Obaa Sima CS

[nialls-gorgeous-colors]

Shawn Mendes and Niall Horan Timeline

Year 2017

JAN 2017 NIALL’S PICTURE WITH ‘THE BOY’ IS HIS MOST LIKED IG PICTURE OF 2016

FEB 2017

Feb 5 Niall posts on SnapChat:

Feb 12 Fans see Niall and Shawn together at a Top Golf in LA. Niall posts a video of Shawn golfing. According to later interviews, they watched the Grammys together.

MAR 2017

Mar 2 An interview with Shawn in Japan that I can’t find an active link to:

Mar 5 Shawn talking to an interviewer at the iHeart Awards: Totally [working on new music]. Yeah, and we also just hang out a bunch. He’s a really cool guy, so he’s been really sweet, and once we get the actual time to get to the studio, we’ll make some stuff happen.

Mar 7 Niall mentions The Collab at the Rays of Sunshine Event.

Mar 10 Niall talks to Pop Buzz about The Collab: Shawn Mendes. Again, we’re good mates and if we ever get the chance to – you know, he’s on tour here now. I go to America this week. It’s kinda like, back and forth. We spend a couple of days tog –

Interview: Busy, busy lads. (Hey dude, why’d you interrupt that, I need to know what he was going to say about them spending time together!)

Niall: Busy men! And we’d obviously love to but – you know it was great. Shawn’s new song, Holding Me Back, he played it to me – he wrote it the day before the Grammy’s and he played it to me – he had a demo, he played it to me in the car. We were driving up to my house, we’re going to watch the Grammy’s at my house, and he played it to me in the car. And he’s like ‘man, I really like this song, I wrote this yesterday.’ And then he posted a picture on his Instagram last week of the cover of his new single. And I sent him a voice note of me singing the song – I’d remembered it, I just remembered it saying “Holding Me Back” on his phone. It’s that catchy. Great song.

April 29 Shawn gets asked about The Collab: “There’s nothing happening yet, but I’m really good friends with ‘Noral.’”

MAY 2017

May 1 Shawn talks about The Collab with fans: Hopefully soon… I’m really, really good friends with him, actually. Probably one of my closest friends within the music industry. But we just don’t have the time, he’s working a lot. So, one day we will.

May 5 Nick Grimshaw brings up The Collab: You’re good friends with Shawn Mendes, right? And you’re going to work with him? ‘Cause I saw that video of you and him singing in a dressing room somewhere.

Niall: Yeah, that was actually my sitting room, thanks!

Nick: Was it really?!

Niall: Yeah – ‘your sitting room looks like a dressing room.’ […] After the AMAs, the American Music Awards. Yeah, I’d love to, but it’s just finding time. He’s over here touring, I’m about to go back to the States. It’s all a bit mad. Hopefully at some stage, do something together. He’s a good lad, too.

May 9 Shawn mentions The Collab at another Q&A: I haven’t seen Niall in a few months. We haven’t gotten to the studio yet, but one day, we’re going to be something. I know I keep saying that, but it’s not like we’re in the studio everyday, he’s on the other side of the world.

May 22 Niall talks about The Collab with fans: Whenever we get the chance. We’ve jammed a few times, like when we’re at the house and stuff like that, but… Yeah, and I keep finding like, ‘Shawn Mendes’ picks all over my house. Like loads of ‘em, just ones with ‘Shawn Mendes’ – how many times has he been to the house? Looks like he just emptied his pockets when he came in.

1075theriver miscaptions the video: NiallOfficial talking about finding photos of ShawnMendes around his house. Niall corrects them:

JUNE 2017

June 2

Niall sees Shawn at the O2 Arena!

Christiaan Bezuidenhou

t posts a picture and we crop it:

Jun 9 Niall chats with an interviewer about seeing Shawn at the O2: I’m good mates with Shawn Mendes and he was playing the O2 the other night, and I went to watch him. I’m 23 and I’m standing there, he’s 18. And I felt like a proud older brother in a way. He’s 18 and selling out arenas. I was thinking, ‘[One Direction was] doing that as well.’ It was a bit of a head-bender and it was good to see.

With another interviewer: Do you ever come up with some songs and you think 'we should release these’?

Niall: Yeah there was one time when me and Shawn Mendes were in my house and we started jamming out, and we had a few beers and forgot.

Jun 10 Shawn about Niall at the Summer Time Ball: I’m definitely going to see Niall. I don’t know where he is but I’m going to go find him now.

Jun 19 Niall talks about Shawn coming over to his house: we had a couple of beers, and we were jamming a little bit, and I played a couple of songs to him, and he seemed to like them!

Jun 20 About Shawn: I love Shawnie. He’s the man. He keeps saying to me: ‘I’m so new to this!’

Interviewer: So what kind of advice do you offer him?

Niall: He gets really nervous a lot. He’s 18 years old! We all forget ‘cause he’s 6′5 and looks like Michael Phelps doesn’t mean that he’s not 18.

AUG 2017

Aug 5 A fan asks who Shawn’s favorite member of One Direction is: 'I love Niall.’ (I’m the girl in the background saying ‘Niall’ like DUH.)

Aug 8 Niall posts: 

It’s this fellas birthday ! Happy birthday shawnmendes .

Aug 20 Shawn confirms The Collab, once again, during Q&A

Aug 28 Niall posts to IG, 'watching the lad’ perform at the VMAs

SEP 7, 2017

Awww... 🥰 

Oct 5 Again with The Collab: Seen him last week in LA, but we were just going for a beer, we didn’t go and write songs.

Oct 19 Niall for Dan Wootton: The fans would love it. He’s in the middle of his album at the minute so if we can get something rustled up in the next while, we’ll see what happens. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Oct 20 Niall does a Q&A – mentions wanting to collab with Shawn, and his favorite songs: “Obviously, Mendes’s got some big tunes out at the minute.”

NOV 20 2017 THE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS!

The seating chart

They sat next to each other.

Stared lovingly into each other’s eyes. Shawn posted it to his IG, as one does:

Bonus: Zedd is us and we are Zedd

Dec 18 Fan asks Shawn a Need To Know question about Niall: If you were a girl, would you date Niall Horan? Oh, absolutely.

[yourdreamsyourwish-2]

Reaction #12: Password is related to their Ex

Baekhyun

You weren’t breaking into his computer without his permission. You had asked, to use his computer for something and he agreed.  You typed in the number code quickly.  Day - Month - Year…It was only after you typed in the numbers he had given you did they remind you of something.  You’ve been together for three years now, and you remembered last year he had given you flowers on this day.  You couldn’t remember why you remembered until he had written an anniversary card with it.  The day, the flowers, and the card clicked in your mind.  

His password to open up his laptop was his ex’s anniversary date.  Your fingers hovered over the keys looking at the open screen, eyes on the post it note.  You’ve been together for three years and he still hasn’t changed it.  

“Hun? You okay?”  Baekhyun called from the couch.  He looked over to see your frozen face.   Blinking, you gave a smile, closing the laptop quickly.  

“Yeah. I just remembered, "I have something else I need to do first.”  You stood up, heading to the chair to grab your jacket.  

“___?” 

“I’ll call you later okay?”  You wave goodbye quickly running out of his apartment, allowing yourself to cry only when you get to your car.  

Jongin

“I got it, don’t sweat it.”  You told Jongin over the phone when you opened up his tablet.  “I’ll send it right over okay.” 

“Thanks, you’re the best.” 

“I know I am.”  You smile into the phone.  Plugging into the tablet, you tried using the code he had for his phone, the same number for your birthday.  It didn’t work.  You tried the four digit date of your anniversary, nothing.  You tried his birthday, yet still nothing.  Sending a quick text about what number was his tablet, he responded just as quickly.  You stared at the four digits, hands slightly shaking when you used them and it opened.  You knew whose birthday that was.  Your ex-friend and his girlfriend from high school.  She had cheated on him, and after college you two had reconnected.  It had taken up all your courage to finally ask him out on a real date, and he said yes.  Taking a screenshot of the data he needed you sent it over in a text message real quick before closing the ipad.  You know it shouldn’t hurt you, that he still uses his ipad everyday, typing in her number but it does.  Despite being with you, you always felt he compared you to her in some way.  A comparison you never have been able to stand up with.

Minseok

You were going through his mom’s calendar to try and figure out a good day for everyone to get together.  You were heading to August, when you noticed a small note on July 8th.  Minseok’s ex-fiance's birthday was staring up at you.  0708.  You had known both of them, when they were together.  You knew his family would compare you both, never to your face, but still.  Sometimes when his mom looks at you, you see her eyes, maybe thinking how his ex could have done it better.  

“___?”  His mother called from the other room.  Minseok had been helping her get lunch ready.  “Yeah, I’m just looking.  Minseok, do you mind if I check your phone’s calendar?”  You, hoping they wouldn’t come out and see you panic.  

“Go ahead.”  He called out, with your hands shaking you clicked his screen on, typing in the password you had in the past so absent mindedly done.  0-7-0-8.  The phone unlocked, with just a simple click, and a small tear in your own heart.   

Yixing

He always called you peaches.  Yixing had said the way you smelled reminded him of the fruit he loved growing up.  It was a weird habit that he would relate people to food, yet he was a pastry chef, so it made sense in your mind.  In fact you were trying one of his strawberry tarts.  He stood behind the counter, helping customers and smiling with his chef hat.  In fact you looked around to see most of the delicacies he served were strawberries.  You even knew his password to get into the system was strawberry.  It was a weird thing you just started noticing after running into his ex the previous month.  A week ago, she had contacted you asking to meet as well.  Where she made a reference to her own fruit nickname.  

“I ate so many strawberries when we were together, I even have earrings with it.  I guess it’s an ongoing joke, I grew up on a strawberry farm you know.”  

Now you realized, everything pointed back to her.  Your eyes went to the small tray of mini peach pies in the corner of the display.  They were the only peaches he was selling currently, sad little treats that were still full from this morning.  No one had bought any.  You looked around gazing at the signs, to see if there were peaches anywhere, but in the fruit display decorations you had helped put up, there were no peaches.  

“Peach?”  Yixing asked, standing next to your table.  “You okay?”  He looked at you concerned.  For a second you thought about telling him, thought about asking, but you knew the moment you did, your relationship might end.  The woman he had lost, the one whose nickname decorated his life so elegantly no longer had any obstacles in her path.  The only one now was you.  But looking up at your boyfriend of two years, you didn’t want to let him go.  He was the first one who made you feel loved, even if it seemed artificial.  

“Yeah, it’s just a little too tart for me today.”  You gave a smile, hoping he wouldn’t see the sadness brewing.  You didn’t know how long you were going to be able to be with him, but you were going to enjoy it while it lasted.  

Reaction Masterlist

Masterlist

Liked Yixing's? So did I, I got an entire one shot stuck in my head.

In The Way is out Now!

[altegos]

Brandon Hale | NAYKT

Human | Synthetic Magic User | 27 (estimate)

Abilities

Extreme endurance, enhanced strength, synthetic magic (various colours) - energy blasts (light blue), gestural telekinesis, psychic shards (black), energy removal/infusion (green), limited weapon generation (red).

The rest of this profile is going to be under a cut as there is an alllusion to prolonged abuse since childhood with as vague a description as I could manage. There is also a reference to the character purposefully triggering himself to deal with a new also unsafe environment.

Warnings: abuse towards a child, forced restraint, forcing loss of identity, severe dissassociation, scarring.

Please proceed with caution and skip if necessary.

NAYKT Character Facts

Brandon was taken in at a very young age by an elitest society of self-important families with delusions of power and importance. They trained him to be loyal to their cause and after the Maxwells took control, started using him for their experiments with Black Market (synthetic) magic.

Whenever he would fight back or disobey, they would restrain him and place an unusual bronze mask on his face. While wearing it they would only address him as 'soldier'. The intention was to strip him of his indentity and individuality beyond serving the society until he learned to stop fighting back.

For years, the experimentation resulted in nothing but pain and scars across his entire body. Eventually, soon after Brandon turned 12, the highly dangerous, toxic, volatile synthetic magic began to fuse with his body, granting him several varied and fractured abilities that he was trained to use to serve the Black Tea Society.

Several years later, The Black Tea Society HQ building burned to the ground. Every living member of the Society was in the building as it burned except for Brandon, whose only memory of that night is standing in the garden, the bronze mask in his hand at his side as he watched it all burn. He is almost certain that he set the fire.

Esmé soon found him with a tempting offer. Stability, somewhere to live, an income, and protection from anyone who might come looking for him. All she asked was a few small favours in return which didn't stay small favours for long.

While definitely happier and brighter than he ever was with the Society, Brandon isn't ignorant that he jumped out of one frying pan and into another. While he does his best to handle the everyday, he is prone to frequent dissasociation, and can easily lose hours at a time.

Writer's fave fact

The mask is still in his possession, locked away where no one else can use it against him. Whenever Esmé brings him a new job, Brandon pulls it from hiding and reawakens the Soldier. He hates it but he'll do whatever it takes to keep himself safe.

Waking up beaten, bruised, and bloody is horrific but he never remembers what happened and that's better than the alternative.

[saralayne]

This Love ~ Part 1 🩵💜

Change Of Heart

Lucy had been on a UC operation for a couple of weeks. No one at Wilshire saw this coming, especially Tim.

Lucy had gotten the tap to go on a long term UC operation. She was able to give Tim a quick goodbye before she left. Tim sensed Lucy was very apprehensive about leaving. He chalked it up to her being nervous about her first operation away. Lucy assured Tim that if for any reason he sounded the alarm she would take it seriously as she promised. Tim fully supported his girlfriend and knows she is not Isabel. This was not the past repeating itself. He trusted Lucy with his whole heart. Tim promised Lucy to go about his daily life and try not to worry every second of the day. She knew that wouldn’t happen but Tim was going to try his best with the notion of knowing he would not fully breath until Lucy was back in his arms. Tim stayed most nights at Lucy’s. Even without her there. He promised that he would be there for Tamara. Tamara was really worried about Lucy leaving in this operation. Tamara had spent her whole life feeling abandoned. When Lucy took her in it was the first time Tamara had a sense of home and family. Tim being at the apartment after work was comforting to Tamara. Not only feeling safe and protected but also not feeling lonely. As much as Tim joked about Lucy’s puppy over the years. Tamara had seeped into his heart and his life. Tamara was not only Lucy’s puppy but also Tim’s.

Tim had adjusted into a routine. It was extremely hard on him not having his ray of sunshine orbiting him everyday. He held onto the notion of knowing she would be with him soon enough. Tim also realized in her absence just how in love with her he was. He had known for a long time. In her absence it had become so apparent to him just how much he loved her. They hadn’t been officially dating that long but he had loved her for so long. Secretly, Tim had spent some of his free time venturing to different jewelry stores, looking for that perfect ring that he knew he would hopefully place on Lucy’s left hand. Sooner than later.

As Tim made his way into work on this Friday morning. He hoped it would be just a normal day. He had been working 12-16 hour days for 7 days and was looking to get some much needed rest. He knew Tamara would probably be hanging with friends but he as promised would be around the apartment in case she needed him for anything. As he walked into Wilshire up to his office, was barely able to place his bag down when his phone started vibrating in his pocket. Grey’s name flashing across his screen. “Good morning, sir” answered Tim. “Bradford, I need to see you in my office”

Tim was confused. Now that he is a Metro sergeant. He rarely reported to Grey anymore. Only under special circumstances. As he stepped near Grey’s office. His stomach plummeted. As he sees Captain Pine, Nyla and Angela. Knowing full well this had to do with Lucy. He felt as if his legs were going to give out.

“Bradford, please sit down” ordering Grey

“I’ll stand. Just give it to me straight. I-Is she ok? Tears involuntarily formed in his eyes

Angela grasped his shoulder with a comforting hand. “She’s ok. Tim. I promise”

Tim had a sense of relief at that moment.

“OK. So what’s going on?”

Nyla stepped in front of Tim. Nyla had direct contact with Lucy’s handler. She would give Tim updates when she could. Tim was happy that there was someone in contact but also a good friend to both him and Lucy.

“Tim. Lucy is walking away from the operation. I don’t know the full details at this point but she’s done”

Tim wouldn’t deny this was music to his ears on one hand. On the other hand, this was very surprising. This has been a dream of Lucy’s for a long time now. Going as far back as when she was his rookie. What the hell is going on?

“WHAT? This makes no sense. Are you sure she isn’t hurt? Something is definitely wrong. She would never just leave in the middle of an operation. Especially her first big opportunity”

“Yeah. Her handler tried to turn this around. Lucy is adamant. She wants to come home. Her cover is still intact. Our biggest priority is to keep it that way. Get her home safely. She is safe in a secluded hotel outside of LA”

Captain Pine quickly interjected.

“That is why I am here, Bradford. I am sending Po and Harris to go and safely retrieve her. Before you start, I’m gonna stop you. This is an order. You are not going. These are unforeseen circumstances and we need to be extremely careful bringing Chen back safely. I know you are aware of this, I do. But you are too personally involved. Which is completely understandable. I need you to stay here, understand?”

“Yes. Ma’am”

Po and Harris entered Grey’s office. Pine gave them final orders before they left the station. Tim had formed a close bond with his men since coming to Metro. Even becoming social with them. All Lucy’s influence at first but he really bonded with his team. In and out of work. Harris placed his hand on Tim’s shoulder. “Hey, Sarg. We got her. We will move heaven and earth making sure she comes back safely. Promise” Tim nodding his head accompanied with a small smile. He trusted his men. He knew they always had his back.

Po and Harris had to go an hour and a half outside of the city. So, they wouldn’t be back for a few hours. Tim tried to distract himself and dig into his mountain of paperwork. As he looked up from his desk. Seeing his best friend and Nyla standing before him.

“Hey, buddy” Angela says

Angela and Nyla making themselves comfortable on the vacant couch in his office.

“This is mind boggling. What the hell happened?”

“Tim, come on. Are you really surprised? murmured Angela

“For real, Tim. I saw this coming. I mean, I didn’t think it would happen in the middle of her first operation but I saw this coming in the near future” added Nyla

“Honestly, she has always wanted this. Getting the tap. It’s been a dream for her” Tim quickly replied

“Tim, my best friend. I love you but you truly are an idiot. Lucy’s dreams have changed. The future she once saw, is not her future anymore. You are”

“You think, that is really the reason for aborting this mission”

“I would put money on it”

“She is my world. I’m so in love with her. I have never felt this way. Not even with Isabel. I have even been looking at rings. I know it’s soon. But I have never been more sure of anything in my life “

Angela and Nyla are both smiling.

“Tim, both Nyla and I along with everyone here at Wilshire have seen this for years. We have been waiting for you and Lucy to see the light for so long now. It’s not too soon. The writing has been on the wall”

All of a sudden, Harris was heard on the radio.

“We have safely retrieved Officer Chen. No injuries. Estimated time of arrival back to Wilshire is one hour”

Tim tearfully pressed down the button on his radio. “Copy. See you soon, Chen” knowing Lucy would have heard his response.

Angela throwing herself in her best friends arms. “Come on. Let’s go into the debriefing room and wait for your girl”

“Sounds good”

Everyone gathered into the briefing room. About an hour later, Harris and Po enter the room with Lucy following behind. Lucy looking tired but happy. Everyone was smiling at the sight of her. As soon as she spotted Tim. All rules were thrown out the window and Lucy was running into Tim’s arms as tears were streaming down her cheeks. Tim tightly grasped the back of her head with one hand and the other cradling her back.

“Hi baby. It’s so good to see you. I have missed your beautiful face” whispered Tim

“Tim, I never want to let you go”

“Luce. You will never have to. Let’s get the debriefing done and then I can take you home”

As everyone sat down with Lucy. Grey began.

“Alright. Lucy. We are all so happy to see you safe and sound. With that being said. Can you give us some details on what is going on? I thought this was something you wanted?”

As much as Tim wanted to hold her while she explained. Always wanting to be her safe place. He knew giving her space and letting her debrief properly was the right thing to do. Still, he stayed close. Leaning on a nearby table.

Lucy glanced over towards her boyfriend before she began.

“Sir. I know this is out of the blue. First, I want to thank all of you for guiding and supporting me. You, Angela and Nyla. Always having faith in me to be a great UC. At first I thought this is what I wanted. I mean it’s always been a dream. A few days ago I was sitting alone in a beated hotel room. It hit me. I don’t want this anymore. For a few days I had found myself losing focus. I had to really dig deep and keep myself along with others safe. I felt a sense of guilt with that alone. So, as I was reflecting on why this was happening as I have never had any trouble focusing before. I knew. I don’t want this life, now or in the future. In the past few months my dreams have changed” looking over to Tim. He couldn’t help but smile. Her dream was him and a life together.

Angela was smiling knowing that she was dead on with her previous assessment.

Grey was also smiling. “Understood” He knew the hidden message in this decision. True love is about sacrifices and this is exactly what Lucy was realizing. Grey couldn’t help but be truly proud of her.

After she debriefed what had transpired in the last couple of weeks. Grey standing up from his chair.

“Alright Bradford and Chen. Go home. I’m sure you have a lot to discuss. Chen take a few days and come back to patrol. We love having you helping keeping the streets of LA safe”

“Thank you sir”

As Tim and Lucy left Wilshire. Hand in hand walking to his truck.

Later at home. Tim was so thankful to have Lucy in his arms again but he needed to make sure this is what she wanted. He never her wanted to feel any regret.

“Baby. I just need to know you’re sure you want to give this up? Your dream?”

“Yes. That’s the thing Tim. It’s not my dream anymore. You are. Our life together. Your my last everything. I want to come to you every night. Even when our schedules are different. Knowing you’re just a phone call away. This is not only the dream but what makes me truly happy”

“I love you Bradford”

“I love you too, Chen. Just so we are crystal clear. You are and will always be my dream. You are the best thing that has EVER happened to me”

“Copy that. You are it for me too. Always will be”

As they settled in for the night. Having a couple sessions of passionate love making. Which of course was mind blowing. As Lucy fell asleep in Tim’s arms. He just stared, knowing that very soon he would be getting down on one knee with a beautiful ring. Officially asking Lucy to be his wife.

[thedancingcockroach134]

Human Tito x Human Ozzie pt. 12 (1/2) (Jerry and Arthur)

(YEAHH)

"Jerry Robert Willis, the main leader and attraction to this whole mess! Him and the rest of his gang escaped last month. 8 people total, all mentally ill. They even caused the death of Natalie Fine, a.k.a "Dr. Fine". Back at the asylum, there was a meeting going on. The main boss, an Enby, Dr. Xaven, shows a project on their plan. They switch the screen with 8 pictures, the Crazy 8. "We're planning to start a search party, looking for all 8 of these patients. Even though it's been a whole month, I know, but we're finally ready! So, any questions?" One person raises their hand, "Uhm, Dr. Xaven, where do you think, well believe, they went?" Dr. Xaven slowly shows a sinister smirk, "We think that they've went to Hayesville..." Everyone started talking to each other, wondering if it's a good plan. "Dr. Xaven, this'll be a good plan and search party!" One of them stands up, "When should we start?" Dr. Xaven laughs, "Today..."

A few hours later, back at the abandoned building, Tito and Ozzie were outside. "L-Look...Tito! A-A... bug!" Tito smiles, "Ooh, I see it! It's a ladybug! I heard that the amount of spots it has, that's how many children we'll have." They both counted the ladybug's spots. Tito blushed and turned red, "3... We're gonna have 3 niños." Ozzie laughs as she jumps, "3! 3! 3!" Tito threw the ladybug, "I don't think that's possible! I-I was just...joking!" In the back, Jerry was picking flowers. "And this one looks really nice! Ooh, you too! Can't miss that one! Haha, this plan was the best thing I've ever thought of! This'll-" He turned around and instantly turned red, "O-Oh...Arthur! H-Hey..." Arthur turned red, "H-Hey, Jerry..." They both looked down and blushed, not knowing what to do. "So," Jerry replied, "How's...your day been?" Arthur smiled, "Good. How about you?" Jerry smiled, "Very good, to be honest..." Jerry looked at the ground and found the perfect flower. He picked it out and gave it to Arthur, "I was just...picking flowers...and this one reminded me of you! Hehe..." Jerry blushed, "Wow, thank, Jerry...." He grabbed the flower and blushed.. Sara and Cammy were peaking out in the background, "Cammy, darling, you seem a little tired... You wanna lay down?" Sara asked Cammy, "N-No, it's fine..." Sara gasped, "By the way... I might've snuck out yesterday and went to a random store and bought...." Cammy looked at Sara's hand, "A pregnancy test?!' Sara nodded, "Don't you have to check on yourself after 2 weeks of unprotected sex?" Cammy nodded, "Yeah, I think so. Thank you, Sara." Cammy hugged and kissed Sara on the forehead. Sara smiled, "I love you-" Both of them unexpectedly heard Jerry outside say "W-Wait, I need to tell you something important! It's about my feelings!" Cammy and Sara smiled at each other and ran to the door, "Oh my god!" Sara got excited. As they both watched, Arthur turned around and looked at Jerry, "Huh?" Jerry sighed, "Look... Ever since I met you, it felt amazing! I've only been in that asylum for 3 months, and you've been there for over a year. Seeing you everyday just made me feel a lot better! At the same time, I felt a strong type if feeling, a...a l-love feeling...." Arthur gasped softly and walked towards Jerry, "Really?" He turned red and smiled, "Y-Yeah..." Jerry had said. Arthur then held Jerry's hands, "Y-You...also had the same feeling...f-for me?" Jerry nodded, "Yeah..." Sara and Cammy smiled, "Told you it'll work!" Sara had complained and exaggerated in a playful way. "Arthur, do you actually have the same feelings?" Arthur nodded, "I've always had..." Arthur then put his hand on Jerry's cheek and kissed. "Y'know..." Sara said, "They're going a little too fast..." Cammy laughed, "They're perfect, it's probably gonna go fast! This shit is faster than I fucking thought!" Sara then looked confused, "Does Arthur suck Jerry's dick or does Jerry suck Arthur's?" Cammy then looked confused also, "I think they can do both...."

(Pt. 12 (2/2) coming soon 😭🙏💅👌)

I'VE BEEN VERY BUSY I'M SO SORRY 😭

Sneak peak for Pt. 12 (2/2): Jerry and Arthur are now together, how would their relationship go? Would it be bad, good, healthy, average? Are they actually meant for each other?

[jetcat-14]

'The Boy with the Blue Hair' Hilda fic form 2019

First I wrote this 5 Years ago?? I Believe.

Second I was so much into the idea that Hilda might be a witch (I WAS SO WRONG) LMAO

And 3rd enjoy (ican't tell you there are no typos) lmao 🤣

Rain fall on the roof of the house. Hilda a 12 year old with blue hair laid on the couch. She looked up at the ceiling then over at Twing who played looking up at her. "Mum is it ever going to stop raining".

The woman laughed. She stood in the kitchen making hot cocoa.

"Hilda it will".

The girl sighed. Hilda sat up and looked at her Mother "Mum can I ask you something"?

"Yes Hilda".

"How did you met dad".

Johanna picked up the cups and walked over to her daughter and sat down next to her. And handed her a cup

"Your dad he was an amazing man and he loved you a lot and how I met him well we will have to go a long ways back".

28 years ago

A young girl with brown hair walks out of the house that laid on a hill overlooking the city. She wore a sparrow scout uniform on the sash of the unifor many badges lay. She walked alone alone the road she know to get her next patch she would have to leave the city without anyone knowing. "I have to found a super rare flower for this", The young girl said.

She soon come to the gate of the city she looked around seeing guards there checking cars. She used the cars to her advices to get out of the city. As soon as she got out into the forest she could only see trees and animals she had only heard of deers and many others. She keep going in she looked around to where she saw a group if flowers she want and looked at. She grabbed some that looked awesome and put them into her bag. But she looked up at the sky growing dark. "How long was I out here".

But as she moved something moved with her. A blue haired boy in the trees.

He looked at her never seeing a human girl before. But to him she was a beauty.

As the girl walked back to the city the sun had set. "No",she said.

As she ran rocks become trolls and they chased her.

The boy jumped down from the tree and used a spell to change himself into a troll and run at them. The girl had tripped and fall and watched as the came out her." I am sorry I came out here".

But before her eyes the one troll took out the others. Leaving the girl unable to move. One trolls left standing looked down at the girl and before her eyes became the boy again.

"Are you ok"?

"Ye.....ye.......yes".

He held his hand out and she took it and he pulled her up.

"My name is Johanna and thanks for saving me".

"Your welcome Johana".

She looked at the blue haired boy.

"Here I will take you back to the city".

She smiled when he took her hand. She thought he was cute.

1 year later.

Johanna remembered the boy who saved her he would come almost everyday to the house yet she had never said a word about liking him. He did the same.

Johanna waited at the window where the boy would cast his way up to her. And soon he did.

"Johanna how was you day of school".

"Good, and your day".

"Some as normal found out a new cave I going to expire tomorrow".

Johanna looked at the boy.

"There is something I want to tell you".

"Yes Johanna".

"I love you".

His face bacome red.

She looked away.

"Johanna I love you to".

She turned around just to be pulled into her first kiss.

The blue hair boy and Johanna kissed and thr blue haired boy pulled her into a hug. "Johanna I have always loved you".

4 years later.

"Johanna up here".

"I am coming I am sorry I don't have powers like you".

"Here".

He spoke and the 17 year old lifted up and landed next to him.

"Thanks" she said and kissed his cheek.

They hugged him and they over looked the woods below and the sun off in the West sky setting.

"So why here?",asked Johanna.

"Becouse",he got down on one knee " ,will you marry me Johanna"?

"Ye......YES"!

He jumped up and grabbed her and pulled her into a kiss.

He pulled away. "I love you Johanna".

1 year later

"Johanna",The blue haired boy called outside her window.

She looked out and smiled and opened it.

"Come with me Johanna".

"Mother and father doesn't".

"I know but we can live in my grandfather's house in the woods and be together there".

"Hold on",she said.

She grabbed at bag amd put stuff she would need and looked at the house one more time. "Bye mother and father". And she waved. She walked over to the window and looked down. The blue haired boy said a spell amd he flow up to her. He took her in his arms and flow off.

"I am sorry we never got to have a big wedding Johanna".

"It's ok".

"But we can have one with just me and you at the cabin".

They returned to the cabin. "Mother and father i don't care what they think I love you',said Johanna.

They came in Johanna pulled out a couple papers marriage paper they signed them and they both smiled.

2 Years later.

Johanna sat at the table and drow. "Hows my wife doing and my child".

"Will it has kicked a couple of times".

He smiled and kissed her head then sat down next to her. He watched as his wife drow but in a a flash she stopped.

"The baby is coming,"Johanna said.

"What"?

"The baby"! She stood up and the Blue Haired Boy she loved helped her up the stairs and into there room. He helped her onto the bed.

"Hold on Johanna".

He grabbed her hand "I am here".

19 Minutes Later

The baby was there a girl a blue haired girl.

The man sat on the bed facing Johanna. She held the baby. "She has youe hair".

"I know but she has your eyes".

"Hilda" said the man now father.

"Hilda I like it".

He kissed his wife and she rested her head into his chest. He looked down to see his two girls.

And he was happy to have them.

1 year later

The man walked to the house a saddened look on his face.He pushed the door open and come into. There sat his wife and baby. "Honey",Johanna said.

"Yes".

"Glad to have you home".

She stood up with Hilda jn her arms. The baby looked around at everything taking it all in. "My sweet baby Hilda", said the man.

He took her form Johanna and held her.

"Johanna".

"Yes", she said as she walked to the kitchen.

"I have to leave and I don't know if or when I come home".

She stopped everything.

"Leave".

"Yes".

Tears fell form her face.

He stood up and walked over Hilda looking at her mother. With his one free arm he took her in.

"I know but I have to things have to be atopped and only I can".

"I know but loseing you".

"You have Hilda look she like me in many ways blue hair, her snice of adventure she has it all".

She smiled "I love you".

Back to now.

"Your father left the next day and for 11 years now I hoped he would found us and come home but nothing".

Hilda head rested on her mum's lap. "Mum don't lose faith he will".

"Thanks Hilda".

"Beside Dad sound like he was a cool man".

"He was".

"He had powers".

"Yes and you might too".

"Powers"?

"Yes".

Hilda sat up and hugged her mum.

'Thanks for telling me about dad now I am going to see if I have powers".

She got up and ran of to her room.

Johanna loughed at her.

"Honey she is so much like you.

Thanks for reading.

[okieize]

   ( felix lee, demi man, he + they ) — look what the werecat’s dragged in! if you take a look at our records, you’ll find that RION KWON is a/n TWENTY THREE year old PÂTISSIER that’s been in cromerth woods for TWO YEARS. according to this file, they’re a DHAMPIR hailing all the way from MACKAY. that must be why they’re ALLURING and INTOLERANT. if you ask me, they remind me of   stars  that  couldn’t  quite  fit  into  his  eyes, so  they  splattered  across  his  cheeks +  dancing queen by ABBA playing in the distance while someone bleeds out on the bathroom floor from 17 stab wounds +  the  sexual  tension  between  a  healthy  portrayal  of  emotions  vs  saying,  “  i  think  i  am  going  to  die  ”. they are allied with THE DIAMONDS.

YOU’RE THEIR FIRST LOVE, DON’T BREAK THEIR HEART. all they ask is for love & care. THEY DON’T GET TO CHOOSE from where it comes. close your eyes. go ahead, do it. imagine ━━ imagine, disappointment lurking at every corner, always standing PROUD and at the READY. you’re their first love. DON’T BREAK THEIR HEART. their parents don’t follow this rule. he’s a shiny new toy ….. something to dress up & flaunt. they don’t get to choose from WHO it comes from. why’s it his responsibility to be so exceptional?

OUTLINE. past.

born 19/12/00 in mackay australia.

would visit his dad’s hometown of sujeong-dong, busan, during holidays & such. for this reason, he grew up speaking both korean AND english.

has a twin sister ( ryhan ) who is precisely thirteen minutes older than him.

always was a bit of an oddball. liked jabbing his fingers into the eyes of any & all plushies he could get his hands on.

which steadily turned into making makeshift executions for all of his sister's toys. ( his favorite being the decapitation of her dolls )

both his parents are human BUT they both also have ( had ) mutants in their family ancestry.

rion took an early interest in sparring and weapons which led to his parents enrolling him in taekwondo.

started out in introductory gymnastics at three & then moved into taking taekwondo once he turned six.

once earning their 9th belt, rion was able to fine-tune his dual specialties.

it was originally thought that ize was a quick learner ( which he actually IS ) but, it’d later be revealed it was an added perk of his mutation ability.

OUTLINE. psychological mastery & doppelgänger physiology.

isn’t sure when his mutations truly manifested themselves.

it’d be chalked up to him being either incredibly good at reading others or him being a swift learner.

rion himself became self-aware of the mutation at around eleven.

due specifically to their psychological mastery, rion tends to be overly paranoid & suspicious of others. leading him to develop some pretty gnarly social anxiety in his teens ( that they're still trying to overcome fully) and to become overly picky about the intake of his foods.

in short: he picked up cooking as a means to appease this paranoia.

also uses it on an everyday basis because it’s constantly active.

the doppelgänger physiology is believed to have actually been caused by his sister, who has the same power. instead of being a true clone/copy of ryhan though, he came out more so flawed ( if you would ). he is taking on more of the mythological route & truly being the evil twin.

having developed psychological mastery, they use it on an everyday basis. it comes in handy when having to put the schmooze on those unlucky enough to warrant a visit from him.

OUTLINE. vessel.

around 16 or 17, he figures “fuck it” & ventures out on his own. if he isn’t acceptable enough to his family, then they can kick rocks.

his relocation takes him to sydney to stay with a close ( i.e. ONLY ) friend, that he’d met through various competitions.

myles ( the friend ) is the son of the founder / president of vessel & is the one to recruit rion into the organization.

not truly understanding the severity of agreeing, they do it anyways.

just as with taekwondo, rion quickly moves his way up through the ranks & becomes the most sought-after employee, for clients & members alike.

by november of ‘22, rion ( at the request/demand of the founder ) tags along to chicago, to the newest location of vessel.

when not on a call, their time is spent working as a patissier @ self care. not that the money is really needed, considering where he stands with the big boss. BUT. it keeps them occupied.