#i think it's important that you know ithis

[cafeinthemoon]

Madara meeting his Uzumaki granddaughter during the War - Part I

This post is a request from @itsao-mine, who also requested these headcanons for Minato and has precious ideas for stories! Thank you for requesting this one 💜

I don’t know how to explain this, but to me, Madara is the most challenging character to write about. I hate to say this but he kinda intimidates me as a character, it’s never easy to imagine his speech, his manners or reactions, no matter how many episodes or videos I watch with him. He’s unpredictable, so I feel like I don’t have 100% control over my writing when he is included. Btw if you write for Madara, please tell me if you feel like this too lol

So here’s the plot: during the 4th War, Madara meets an Uzumaki woman who he realizes to be his granddaughter bc of her resemblance the most important person in his life: his brother, Izuna.

Bc this request is the result of a long conversation and has many details, I decided to divide it in parts and write it like a reader insert. I also included some canon divergences for everything to fit, but I hope you don’t mind 🤣

Title: I didn’t think of a title, I’m sorry

Genre: Fanfiction

Pairing: Madara Uchiha x Uzumaki!reader (family; no romantic)

Rating: teen | up

Word count: 1026

Chapter (s): 1/4

Warnings: none, just some canon divergences and a bit of surprise from our Uzumaki!reader lol

Symbols: 🌙 | ➕ | ▶

As the wind passed by you, its lament leaving a deep impression in your ears, you sensed your friend's chakra trace getting stronger. You were closer. When your legs started to ache after all that time you were running toward him, having only the dark, the arid landscape and the strange air of the night to make you company, you started to lose your hope. It was when scolded yourself for being so pessimistic. You already contacted Kakashi with the help of that girl from the Yamanaka, Ino. He and the others were waiting. They were counting on you.

Despite that, your friend was not lying when he said they weren’t sure of how much time they could gain for you. You had to be fast.

You were not from the same village, but Kakashi and you were the same age and were known to each other for years. He had his fame outside Konoha, a genius just like his father and one of the few people who were capable of maintaining a Sharingan despite not being an Uchiha. You, a survivor from the Uzumaki, had your story too, and part of it was a secret you intended to take with you to the grave. You weren’t just Uzumaki; you also had Uchiha blood. But not any Uchiha blood.

The man who you were going to face, Madara, was your father’s father.

Because of your father’s last wish – to keep your ancestry hidden from the world and only identify yourself as an Uzumaki – you were not going to let him figure it out. You never felt the urgency of this wish until the telepathic conversation you just had with your friend, when he briefly explained that Madara used a friend of him, Obito, for his plans. This Obito was an Uchiha, and imagining that Madara would easily do the same to you if he met you first was terrifying.

When you revealed who you were and what you were planning, even the Kages were shocked. The Tsuchikage could swear you reminded him of someone but he couldn’t tell who; now he understood this sensation, but that didn’t make him less surprised. The Raikage and the Mizukage were as surprised as him, but they had no words for you. The Kazekage remained in silence too, but you could tell by the way he looked at you that he thought you were too young to be Madara’s granddaughter, since the Hokage was almost twice your age and she was the First Hokage’s granddaughter.

Tsunade Senju, on her turn, was the only one who clearly stood by your side. She had Uzumaki ancestry too, and you reminded her of her grandmother; she was closer to understand your reasons more than anyone there. Despite admitting it was madness, she wouldn’t stop you, for everyone’s chances were few since the start and standing there doing nothing was as bad as dying during an attempt to put an end to this.

***

There were many people on the same place around Kakashi, you thought while you approached their location. You still couldn’t see them, but you sensed their chakra traces growing bigger, deeper until the sensation was overwhelming. As you came closer, it was easier to separately understand the feelings emanating from each of them.

There was a concentrated, controlled chakra among them; by its relieving trait, similar to Tsunade’s, it was probably from a medical ninja, and it was close to Kakashi’s; at some distance from them there was an immense, warm chakra that reminded your own as an Uzumaki, but blended with it there was a non human, and more powerful one; alongside with it, there was a cold, aggressive one resembling your Uchiha side, and it seemed to be as immense as the Uzumaki one.

There were three others that were a bit different from the previous ones. The first one was so similar to the Uzumaki’s that you were convinced their owners were from the same family; the second was equally powerful, but there was a gentleness and a courage in it that made you feel safe for a moment; the third one was powerful too, but it was almost an opposite to the previous one: it was strong, intimidating enough to bring you back to the difficult reality.

But those are not the only ones.

There was another one, one different from all the others, and sensing it impacted you in a way you never thought to be possible for a human’s chakra. It was even colder and more violent than the Uchiha’s you noticed before. It was something monstrous. You didn’t know it, but you immediately understood who it belonged.

To Madara, your grandfather.

***

According to what Kakashi briefly told you, the plan was that the people who were already fighting Madara were going to get a chance for you to use a sealing jutsu: since you were an Uzumaki, they believed you were more prepared to deal with this and were going to give you the support you needed. The way your friend explained everything to you made it look like something simple.

Yes, you were aware of how unrealistic was to expect your task to be easy. However, when you finally arrived at a hill and your eyes saw what was waiting for you, you stopped and your legs started to shake.

At the distance, you saw lights exploding toward the night sky, and the ground shook under your feet. Among the flashes of light you saw shadows, dark silhouettes with a slim, mutable shape, like gigantic branches that moved as fast as serpents. What was that? Was it possible that you were seeing the Wood Release? But as far as you knew, this Release was the exclusive ability of the First Hokage, and he was dead. Unless...

Fighting those shapes there was a blue light with a strange shape that you couldn’t understand, for it was moving as fast as the shadows, but you had your suspicions. Was that the supreme defense known as the Susanoo? If that was correct, Kakashi was really hiding information so you wouldn’t give up on coming.

Chapter 2

[turtletimewriting]

Role Reversal

Summary: Janus finally gets his revenge after all these years.

Note: This is a tickle fic, who knew! You lot thought you had the last of me but here I am mwuahaha! Includes baby sides so purely platonic please! 

_._._

They had been sitting there awhile. No indication of any conversation or even acknowledgement. Just peaceful silence. Which is why the idea seemed to come from absolutely nowhere! Janus and Virgil were simply just sitting there. The only sound was the occasional huff of laughter from whatever Virgil had found on tumblr. Maybe it was due to the fact that Virgil was slouched across the sofa rather than tucked into a tight little ball as usual. 

Janus hid his crafty evil grin and feigned getting up and going to the kitchen. He stretched his arms above his head to make sure that Virgil saw he was getting up. He took one step forward... then another before pouncing. 

“Janus!” Was all Virgil had time to yell out before Janus quickly pushed up his hoody and burrowing into his stomach. “What are you doing!” 

“Oh, you don’t remember?” Janus laughed. He laid his legs out and made sure to lay his full weight against Virgil. His head now hidden underneath his hoody. One part of his logical adult brain groaned at how his hair was now ruined but he didn’t give that thought much attention.

“What?! No!” 

“Oh I remember horribly! An anxious but still hyper child I once knew would always... Always!” Janus paused dramatically but really it was hold in his laughter at how ridiculous he must look, “Always used to hide his face in my clothes. It could be the most neatly pressed shirt artfully tucked in but then along comes baby Virgil and he would then bury his head under my clothes, into my stomach!”

Virgil was now blushing furiously but he was stuck in place. “Oh come on!” He groaned but now the memories were flooding back. He probably started it out of some sad lonely reason but all he could remember is how much fun it was to hide in Janus’ clothes. Whether he was washing up, cooking, playing with Remus or sleeping, he’d stick his head under his clothes. Back then though he was only the height of Janus’ hip so he was just the perfect height. Now, Janus looked stupid laying down with the hoody straining under the size of his head. 

“But the worse part was...” Again, he paused and then took an exaggerated sigh, smiling wider once Virgil twitched violently, “It used to tickle soooo much!”

Now he tucked his arms in as well so his hands were grabbing Virgil’s waist. He snorted himself at Virgil’s now desperately pounding his back but they both knew he wasn’t coming out now. No way! 

“Your hair used to brush my sides and find it’s way, every time, into my belly button. Just like this!” Janus copied his words with his fingers. Now, Virgil was laughing with what sounded like a hand slapped against his face. Janus could practically feel his blush. His fingers skittered all over his stomach while another hand squeezed his sides. He made extra sure that he occasionally wildly wiggled his fingers into his belly button. 

Virgil laughed out and kicked his legs but it did nothing to stop the tickles. Not only was he being deliberately tickled but what Janus was saying was absolutely true. His own wild hair just faintly reached and tickled away high up his ribs. He tried to rip his hoody up to get him out but Janus quickly intercepted, pulling the hoody down over him. 

“Oh and then to make it worse! Whenever you were worried you would grasp at my sides. What do you think Virge? Do you think you could keep doing your daily tasks with me doing this? Huh?” Janus now only just squeezed his sides but he couldn’t resist adding in a few raspberries against his tummy. It was acting as his pillow! He needed to thank it with raspberries! 

“JAHAHAAHAHAAAAA AAAAH! JAY! AJAAJJAAHAHAHA AHAHAAAHA!” Virgil blushed harder as he could already tell what was going to happen. His laughter was running out and he had to breath. Which means only one thing... He tried to keep it in but before he knew it... The snort practically echoed around the room. 

“Oh, just so adorable! Just like when you were a baby! Oh, remember the time when you stuck your head under the shirt, as usual,  but Remus then tickled your tummy because he found it funny too!” Janus was now fully lost in the mixture of fun and nostalgia. 

“HEHEEHLP! HELP! HAHAHAAHAAH, snort, HAHAHAA! HE’S HAHA LOST ITHI HAHAHAHA!” Virgil cried out but they were both way too busy to notice Logan quietly taking a picture to send to Patton. There was no way that he was going to interrupt such an important family ritual by the sounds of it. 

“Well Virgil! Do you think you could do the washing up like this? Why don’t you try?” Janus smiled wider and braced his hands under Virgil’s armpits.

It was beyond awkward but that in of itself made Virgil keep gasping in laughter. His makeup was thoroughly ruined but now even he was having fun. It tickled like all hell but one part of him never wanted this to end. It wasn’t that often that he got to see this playful side to Janus. 

Janus was a taller than Virgil and so carefully lifted him but his head was now not really tucked in underneath the jumper but rather pushing up to his ribs. Virgil now cradled in his arms. “Oh now this is really like when you were a little wittle baby Virge!” Janus cooed and buried his nose and nuzzled against his belly button. Delighting in the snort it caused. “Come on, can you do the washing up!” 

“DAHAD! HAHAHAAHA, MEHEH MERCY!” Virgil cried out once he felt more tears droop run down his cheeks. 

Janus giggled and lowered Virgil to the floor, but not before pretending to drop him, like he used to. Virgil shoved him with his bright smile still shining and he sat back down to continue scrolling on his phone. But Janus made a quick retreat into his room. He was practically squealing at a title he had long thought he had lost. 

BONUS:

Janus bit down on his anticipatory smile once he saw Virgil plod round the corner. The boy was getting a little too big now, Remus’ hand me down clothes were actually starting to fit him. He kept his eyes trained on the glass he was slowly wiping but he heard the footsteps slow. He then felt a tiny frame fidget to in front of him. But he giggled a bit as he pressed harder into the sink to playfully squish him. If he left a little bit of room then that it must’ve been an accident. Of course. Next, he felt a fluffy head of untameable bed hair brush against his stomach. 

He was trying. He really was! But Virgil kept nuzzling the soft material of his shirt (which at this point was stretched out awkwardly from Virgil’s habit) and his hair just kept brushing left to right, left to right. Janus quickly stuffed his fist into his mouth to stop all the embarrassing high pitched giggles leaking through. It tickled an unfair amount! 

“You know, one day, when you’re bigger, I’m going to do this exact same thing to you,” Janus chuckled and Virgil giggled.

“You should! It’s fun!” 

[here4theheartbreak]

Silent Night, Scales & Fights

✩ AO3 Link Here!

✩ Relationships: jinmin (Jimin x Jin)

✩ Genre/Universe: smut, angst

✩ Rating: Explicit

✩ Tags: smut, angst, child abuse, physical abuse, assault, homophobia, violence, blood, implied minor character death, family drama, spousal abuse, Naga!Jin, tentacle monster!Jin, soulmate au, double penetration, belly bulge, come inflation, toys, subdrop, subspace, blood, tentacles,bottom!Jimin, top!Jin, bottom Jimin

✩ Summary: Jimin decides that Christmas is the perfect time for his family to meet his soulmate. The only problem? His abusive father.

✩ Word Count: ~10.2k

✩ A/N: IThis fic fills the square Pumpkin Pie for @btsholidaybingo​. This fic is a sequel to Shared Souls & Snake Scales, published earlier in 2020. You may want to read that one first; there are some small things that are important to know in that one.

“We really don’t need to do this,” Jimin said for the fifth time as they drove along the snow dusted street. 

“You’re my soulmate, Minie,” Jin said patiently. He reached over and set his hand on Jimin’s thigh. “I want to do this. I want to know your family.”

Jimin shifted in the seat, sighing. He and Jin had been together for nearly a year, and Jimin had done his best to keep Jin away from his family. Not that he was ashamed of Jin – on the contrary, they were soulmates, and Jin’s magical nature was easily hidden. 

“I haven’t been entirely honest with you about them, Jin.”

“Do they not know you’re gay?”

“They know, unfortunately,” Jimin said. “My mom’s not too bad. She tries to be supportive. But my dad…”

“He doesn’t approve. Will me being there cause problems? I can stay back.”

“No, I think you not showing up would cause more problems,” Jimin admitted. “I already prepared them, told them I found my soulmate, that you were a boy.”

“Will they ask to see your tattoo?”

“Maybe. We’ll just go with the same story we tell everyone else, you’re weird and love sea creatures of a tentacled variety.”

“They are cute,” Jin defended. Jimin laughed, glancing over at him. 

“They are.”

“You still seem tense. Tell me about your father.”

“It’s not a pleasant history,” Jimin said. From the corner of his eye he saw Jin shift, the smile drooping off his handsome face. 

“Did he hurt you, Jimin?”

Jimin bit the inside of his lip. “He didn’t like that I like boys. Doesn’t – But he doesn’t try to change me anymore.”

“Change you?”

Jimin looked over at a stoplight. “Physically.”

“Jimin, he didn’t—Touch you—”

“No, no—Not like that,” Jimin corrected. “He was pretty good friends with a belt back then. And the Bible. Those things hurt when they’re hurled at your head,” Jimin chuckled. “A lot of verbal damage. It wasn’t a pleasant time at home for a while after I came out.”

“How long did it last?” Jin’s voice was soft. 

“I realized I liked boys when I was about fourteen… I came out right away because I was scared and confused and didn’t know if I was broken. My dad pretty much confirmed I was.”

“You’re not broken, Minie.” Jin reached over and set his hand on Jimin’s on the wheel. “You aren’t.”

“I know that now. I’ve had years to reason with myself and get used to it. My dad… He doesn’t do that anymore.”

“So he’s accepted it?” “I wouldn’t go that far. But I don’t get books thrown at my head, so…” Jimin shrugged. “I’m telling you this because I know things might be tense at the table, especially if Dad starts asking you things or coming at you. I want you to know where he’s coming from, so you don’t feel badly. He’s just not a friend of… Our kind of people.” 

“I won’t let him hurt you again, Jimin. I swear on my life that I won’t,” Jin said with enough sharpness that Jimin looked over, surprised to see a shimmer of his scales across his nose.

“Breathe,” Jimin said quickly. 

They’d learned over the months together that – while Jin could usually easily hide his true form, strong emotions – especially those related to the monster in him like anger and fear – tended to bring it out, like a slipping mask. Jimin could usually calm him, thankfully, but it was a concern.

Jin took a deep breath, his face returning to normal. He nodded and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Jimin parked and leaned over, pulling Jin into a deep kiss. “I’m so happy to have someone that loves me enough to get angry for me. I love you.”

“I love you, Jimin,” Jin whispered against his lips. He got out of the car and Jimin followed, stopping at the trunk to grab the gifts they’d brought for Jimin’s family. 

They stood at the doorstep for a moment.

“You ready?” Jimin asked.

“I should be asking you that.”

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Then I am too. Just…” Jin closed the gap between them and pressed a deep kiss to Jimin’s mouth, cupping his cheek as he did. 

The door creaked open suddenly, and Jimin jumped back gasping. He smiled sheepishly at his father, who stood in the doorway, large and imposing. 

“Get inside before the neighbors see that,” he hissed, grabbing Jimin’s shoulder and yanking him in. 

Jin followed close after, his mouth set in a fine line. 

“Sorry, Dad,” Jimin whispered. He bowed to his father politely. “Uh… This is my soulmate, Kim Seokjin. Jin, this is my father, Park Sungmin.” 

Jin bowed politely, offering a broad smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Sungmin’s eyes narrowed. He looked Jin up and down. He grunted softly and turned, walking into the sitting room. Jimin looked down, embarrassment coloring his cheeks a bright pink. Jin touched his neck, thumb soothing over the soulmate tattoo hidden by his turtleneck. 

“Are you okay?” He whispered.

“Yeah,” Jimin looked up, offering a smile he hoped was convincing. “Come on, my mother is probably in the kitchen.” He grabbed Jin’s hand and led him through the sitting room, not missing the glare his father gave at their connected hands. 

“Mom?” Jimin said when he was in the doorway of the kitchen. The food smelled delightful, and his mother was hard at work in the kitchen with his grandmother. She turned when he said her name, grinning. “Jiminie,” she cooed, rushing up and giving him a hug. Jimin’s smile faded as she approached. He hugged back tightly, then pushed her back gently, touching her cheek lightly. Even in the soft lighting, he could see a dark bruise over her cheekbone, covered as well as she could with makeup. She winced. 

“Mom… How did this happen?”

“You know how clumsy I am. Is it not covered well, I can fix it in a moment. How have you been?”

Jimin pouted a little. She was lying, and he knew it, but causing a fuss would do no good. “I’ve been good. Getting good grades, being social, just like you want. Mom, this is my soulmate. This is Kim Seokjin.” He stepped aside, allowing Jin to step forward. “This is my mother, Park Jiwoong.” 

He tilted his head a little at her before offering a huge smile and bowing low. 

“I’m honored to meet you, ma’am. I see now where Minie got his beautiful features.” 

Jimin smiled shyly. Jiwoong laughed a little. 

“Flattery will get you nowhere in this house, Kim Seokjin… Except maybe here.” She reached over and grabbed a small piece of dessert bread, passing it to Jin. He grinned broadly, taking it with both hands. 

“Thank you, I’m honored to be accepted into your home this holiday season.”

“Well, any friend of Jimin’s is welcome here… Especially a soulmate. I hope you’ll forgive me, I’ve had a long time to accept Jimin’s… Nature. But it is a bit startling, seeing the person he’ll be with forever.”

“That I’m a man?” Jin asked softly. She nodded. Jin nodded as well. “In our culture, our world, I can understand the difficulty. But Jimin and I share a soul, he’s a part of me. Regardless of our sex or gender – I would never let anyone hurt him. I support him and honor him in the same way that a girlfriend or wife would, and I am wholly devoted to him and his happiness. I hope that someday you’ll grow to see me easily as his partner.”

Jiwoong smiled gently, reaching out and touching Jin’s wrist. “Your honesty is refreshing. You seem like a very good man, especially for my Jiminie. If you’ll excuse me, I have to go touch up my makeup.” She slid past the two and disappeared down the hallway. 

“This the boyfriend?” Jimin’s grandmother croaked. He grinned and rushed up to hug her. 

“It is. How have you been, gramma? How’s your arthritis?”

“I’m fit as a fiddle and don’t you forget it.” She poked Jimin’s nose gently with her forefinger before looking at Jin. “That was a fine speech you gave my daughter, boy. I hope it’s true. Minie is my only grandchild and I don’t care that you’re strapping and young, I’ll still bend you over my knee and whoop you if I hear you made my boy cry.”

Jin’s smile was blinding. He laughed and nodded. “I expect nothing less, ma’am.”

Jimin smiled softly. He reached around his grandmother, grabbing a slice of fruit. She smacked his knuckles lightly with her spoon. 

“You wait until dinner.”

Jimin pouted. “I’ve been waiting all day, Gramma. Your cooking is the best part of the holidays.”

She smiled and shook her head. “You’re insufferable, boy.”

“I know.” Jimin popped the slice of melon in his mouth. His smile faded as he chewed. “Gramma… Mom—Is Dad…”

She frowned and nodded. “You know he is.”

“Did it pick up again? Has he been drinking?”

She shook her head. “No more than usual. I think the news…” She glanced over at Jin. “Well… He’s not been too happy. Your Mom loves you. She supports you.”

Jimin nodded, his heart sinking. “Thank you, Gramma. Can we help in the kitchen? Jin’s a great cook.”

“Thank you, but no. You boys go relax. Show him the house. No frisky business before dinner.” She shook her finger playfully and Jimin laughed. 

“Never.” He turned to Jin. “Come on, I’ll show you where I grew up. Make sure there’s no monsters in my closet,” he joked. Jin grinned at that.

“Oh, just one second,” Jimin held up a finger and headed down the hall into the sitting room. He put the gifts they’d brought under the small tree with a pile of others, glancing at his father. 

“Yes?” He asked when he saw him staring. 

“Nothing.”

“Yes, there is, I know that look.” Jimin rose and looked directly at him. “Say what you need to say.”

“Don’t be snappy with me, Jimin.”

“I’m not. I’m being direct. You’ve been glaring since we arrived. Am I not welcome here?”

“You are.” Sungmin turned and looked back to the television. 

“Is Jin welcome here?”

“He’s not my family.”

“He’s my soulmate. My partner. The man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.”

Sungmin snorted. He sipped his beer. “Unnatural.”

“We have a mark,” Jimin pressed. “It’s not unnatural. It’s our souls.”

“That’s all bullshit anyway.”

“Not for me, Dad. Seokjin treats me right. He loves me. Isn’t that what should matter to you?”

“No, what matters to me is the shame you bring the family being a faggot.”

Jimin closed his eyes, sighing. “Well you don’t need to take it out on Mom. It’s not her fault.”

“Well it’s not mine!”

“It’s nobody’s fault, Dad. It’s just how I am. So if you have to take it out on someone it should be me, not her.”

“She’s my wife,” Sungmin growled.

“That doesn’t mean she deserves your abuse.”

Sungmin rose, stepping up to Jimin. He was tall enough that Jimin had to look up a little at him, something he’d always hated. 

“Don’t you dare.”

Jimin set his jaw. “Get out of my face, please.”

“Or what? You’ll sic your dirty soulmate on me?” He snarled. 

“Jin isn’t a part of this. Dad, please. It’s Christmas. Don’t do this.”

“You’re the one that brought this on. We’d be fine if you weren’t a freak.”

Jimin lowered his gaze, nodding. “I know. That’s why I’m asking you to please… If you have to hurt someone, do it to me, not Mom.”

The strike wasn’t entirely unexpected, but still stung. It was open handed, leaving a burn on Jimin’s cheek as his head snapped to the side. Involuntary tears welled in his eyes. “I’m going to walk away now,” Jimin whispered.

“I wish you’d walk off a cliff. You brought so much horror to this family,” Sungmin snarled.

“I know, Dad.” Jimin bowed and slipped past his father, hurrying back toward the kitchen. 

Jin was leaning on the counter, laughing with Jimin’s grandmother when he entered. Jimin’s mood immediately lifted, seeing the two get along so well. Jin glanced over, and his smile dropped immediately. He rushed up to Jimin and tilted his chin up, examining where Jimin was struck, likely a vibrant red if the warmth in that spot was any indicator. Jin���s eyes glinted a dangerous purple, his lips peeling back.

“No,” Jimin whispered. 

“He hit you didn’t he?” Jin hissed. Jimin nodded. 

“It was my fault. I got in his face. Told him to stop hitting Mom. I’m okay.”

“You aren’t,” came a soft voice behind him. Jiwoong entered and hugged Jimin gently. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“He hit you.”

“He has for a while, baby. It just increased a little after…” She glanced at Jin and shrugged, looking back at Jimin. “I have a secret, okay? I was going to wait until after the holidays to tell you… I’m getting a divorce and moving back to Busan. I know it’ll be farther from you, and I’m sorry for that, but I need to leave. I need to leave so you and I can both be safe.”

“Are you sure, Mom?”

She nodded. “I haven’t loved him for a long time. The only good he ever did was giving me you.” She stroked Jimin’s cheek. “Promise not to say anything?”

“Never. If you need anything – a place to stay or anything, please tell me. Jin and I will do whatever we can.”

Jin nodded. “Of course. You and your mother,” he motioned to Jimin’s grandmother. “You both have our full support.”

Jiwoong smiled and squeezed Jin’s shoulder. “You seem like a good boy for Jimin. Make sure he doesn’t do silly things like this anymore.” She brushed the red mark on Jimin’s cheek.

“I’ll do my best.” 

She pressed a kiss to Jimin’s forehead. “Now, go relax before dinner, okay? It’ll be done soon. Are you two staying over?”

“We’d planned to, as long as we’re welcome.”

“We have a spare room set up for you, Jin. I know you likely sleep together but with his father…”

“No, I entirely understand,” Jin said, nodding. “One night apart won’t be total agony.” He brushed Jimin’s hair back, and Jimin grinned, that all too familiar tingling flutter starting from his soulmate mark and rippling down his spine.  

“Come on, let me show you around,” Jimin said, taking Jin’s hand tightly. He pulled him out of the room and down the hall, moving fast past the sitting room and up the stairs. 

Once at the top, he slowed down. “Here’s my room,” he said, pushing at a half closed door. It was the same way it had been when he still lived there, decorated with musical stars and dancers, painted a soft blue and purple. The bed was large and comfy, and Jimin knew his mother likely had just washed and fluffed the pillows. He pulled Jin in and shut the door, kissing him hard.

Jin gasped, pulling back. “What’s gotten into you?”

“I don’t know,” Jimin admitted. “I just… Need you.”

“You heard your gramma, no funny stuff before dinner,” Jin teased, thumbing Jimin’s nose playfully. Jimin laughed. 

“Of course not. Just… Kiss me until I—” Jimin smiled. “Just hold me.”

Jin shut the door and wrapped his arms tightly around Jimin. Jimin’s eyes slipped shut. By now, he could almost sense the change as if it were his own body, the quiet shift and creak of Jin’s bones, the raspy, whispering rustle as his scales shifted into place, the feeling of both cool and warm as Jin’s torso wrapped completely around Jimin, encasing him in the smooth oil slick of his snake form. Jimin let himself relax into the coil, listening to Jin’s strong heartbeat. Jin coiled as tight as he dared to, a safety blanket for Jimin when he was having a rough day.

He looked up at Jin, smiling softly. “Thank you.” 

“Baby,” Jin cooed. One of his tentacles darted out, sliding over Jimin’s cheekbone like the caress of a lover. Jimin giggled a little, reaching up and grabbing it. He squeezed gently, letting the suckers move up his arm and around him, a third appendage to hold him in a hug. 

“Why did you confront him, Minie?” Jin asked softly.

“He’s hitting Mom. I can’t let that slide.”

“And him hitting you is better?”

“Than my Mom? Yeah.”

“No. Both are wrong. Neither of you deserve it.”

“I know. But she’s getting away from him and I—I have you now.”

“I’ll always keep you safe, Jimin. No matter what needs to be done.”

“I know.” Jimin kissed Jin’s mouth gently. He let himself relax further, resting his head on the uppermost coil of Jin’s tail. His legs sagged, knowing Jin would easily hold him up. 

The two stayed like that for quite some time, until the turmoil of emotions in Jimin’s mind soothed. Jin remained there completely, kissing over his cheek and neck and shoulder, hands and tentacles touching everywhere they could reach in an effort to soothe Jimin in every way possible. 

“I’m okay,” Jimin finally whispered.

“I know you are.”

“You can change back.”

Jin nodded. He shifted once more, scooping Jimin back into his arms when his feet were under him. He kissed him again. “I love you, Minie.”

“I love you too, Jin. Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the house.”

Jin nodded. Jimin opened the door, gasping when he saw his father almost directly next to it. Jin immediately stepped up, ready to move between them if he needed to.

“Why was this door shut?”

“No reason,” Jimin said simply. “I was showing him the posters on the back of it. Mom hasn’t taken them down after all these years.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Well, it’s the truth. That and we hugged. Nothing funny. Gramma said not to, so I won’t.”

“Oh, she did, huh? You’ll respect her but not the one that owns this house? The one that raised you? I—” Jimin saw his hand forming a fist.

“We’re going now. I want to show Jin the rest of the house.”

“I’m not finished talking to you.”

“Nothing happened, Dad. And nothing will. Please.”

His father glared daggers at him, saying nothing. After a pregnant pause, he stepped out of the way, allowing Jimin and Jin to pass.

Jimin took Jin through the rest of the house, showing him different areas and telling stories of being a child. Every chance they got, Jimin touched, hugged, or kissed Jin as a silent, simple protest against his father. He was so tired of it - of the abuse, of the fear. It was only tolerable this day because he knew his mom was leaving the monster; and because he had Jin to keep him grounded. 

They were going through some of Jimin’s old yearbooks up in the attic when his mother called them for dinner. They hurried down, taking their seats side by side at the table. Jimin could feel his father glaring at the both of them. 

Jimin rose, helping his mother finish bringing out the food before sitting back down. He heard his father scoff, but ignored it, instead opting to direct his dinner conversation toward his mother; what she’d been doing over the past month, how some of her friends were, etcetera. 

It was about halfway through dinner when Sungmin set his utensils down with a clank. “I can’t. Who are you? What makes you think you’re welcome at this table?” His tone was sharp; gaze on Jin. 

Jin swallowed the bite he’d been chewing and politely wiped his mouth before setting his own utensils down. He laced his fingers together over his plate and offered a smile that – on the front of it – looked quite polite. Jimin could easily see through it though; Jin was seething.

“You seem to have questions about me. Or perhaps about my relationship with your son. I understand this is new and uncomfortable. But I welcome you with nothing but openness to ask what you need to ask so that you can be more comfortable with my presence.”

Sungmin glared. “Don’t you take that condescending tone with me, faggot.”

Jin blinked, clearly surprised by the slur.

“Sungmin—” Jiwoong whispered.

“No! I don’t understand how you can sit there like this is normal. Like we don’t have freaks at our table.”

“You have your son and his soulmate at the table, Sungmin,” Jimin’s grandmother said. “You recognize the importance of sharing a soul, don’t you?”

“Yeah, right, sure. How do we even know they’re really soulmates?” His tone was mocking, sending a pang of pain through Jimin’s heart. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a lie. Isn’t there some bullshit about tattoos appearing? I see no tattoos.”

“It’s on our backs,” Jimin whispered. 

“Likely story.”

Jin cleared his throat. He looked to Jiwoong. “I apologize for asking, but would it be alright if I showed….”

“Yes, of course,” she said. 

Jin rose and turned to face the wall, his back to Sungmin. He unbuttoned his shirt halfway, letting it fall from his shoulders just enough to expose his upper back, and the beautiful tattoo imprinted along it. He remained still for a few moments before pulling his shirt back up and rebuttoning it. 

“It’s so pretty,” Jiwoong said. “Yours matches, Minie?” 

“Yep, it’s the opposite but the same.” Jimin rose and repeated Jin’s actions, turning away from the table and lifting his sweater up until his tattoo was visible. 

“Are those tentacles?” Jiwoong asked.

“Mhm, Jin loves sea creatures.” Jimin smiled proudly as he dropped his sweater and turned back around. He sat down and looked at his father. “We have our marks. It’s not a lie. It’s meant to be, simple as that.”

“It’s disturbing. Mark or not. It’s unnatural.”

“Now is not the time, Sungmin,” Jiwoong said firmly. 

“You don’t tell me if it is the time or not. This is my house and my table.”

Jimin’s heart sank. He shook his head and rose. “This was a mistake.”

“Jimin,” Jiwoong whispered. 

“We shouldn’t have come. We can go.”

“No, you shouldn’t go,” Jiwoong said, glaring when Sungmin huffed. “You’re my son, and you found your soulmate. I’m honored to have you both at my table.” She rose and scooped Jimin into a hug. “Don’t go.”

“Mom… I don’t want to cause trouble for you.”

“Oh, quit bellyaching like this is some horrible house,” Sungmin growled. “Sit your ungrateful ass down and eat the dinner your mother and grandmother have been slaving away to prepare.”

Jimin looked at his mom, who smiled softly and nodded. He took a seat again. Jin reached over under the table, catching his hand and squeezing it firmly, a warm comfort to Jimin. He relaxed a little at Jin’s touch and picked his drink up, sipping it. 

The tension at the table was thick and heavy. Despite his insistence on Jimin and Jin remaining, Sungmin continued to glower at them silently throughout dinner. Jiwoong and Jimin’s grandmother did their best to lighten things, asking about Jin’s life and how the two met.  

Dinner shifted into dessert, and Sungmin rose from the table without any, citing being sick to his stomach. Jimin knew the reality behind that phrase; the sickness was likely nothing to do with the food and everything to do with him, but tried not to let it bother him. Instead he focused on the people that truly cared about him. 

“Well, one less plate to wash after dessert then,” Jimin’s grandmother said. She clapped her hands together. “Jin, you help me get desserts.” 

Jin nodded eagerly. He rose and leaned over, pressing a kiss to Jimin’s cheek before heading into the kitchen. 

Jiwoong reached over the table and grabbed Jimin’s hand. “I really like him, Jimin.”

Tears welled in Jimin’s eyes. “Really?” He whispered.

She frowned a little. “Why are you crying, baby?”

Jimin laughed a little, coughing back his tears. “This past year with Jin’s been the happiest of my life so far. I wanted nothing more than to share it with you guys. But I was so afraid. I knew Dad and… I knew it was weird for you. I don’t know that you can realize how much that means to me. You just liking him.”

Jiwoong smiled softly. “Come here.” Jimin rose and sank to his knees next to her chair, wrapping his arms around her middle. He buried his face in her stomach, letting himself cry softly as she embraced him, soothing his hair back. 

“He’s a part of you, Minie. And it shows. I wondered if soulmates were real, not finding mine – It seems like such a fairy tale. Seeing my son not only find his… But seeing just how beautiful the connection is, how perfect you two fit together… It gives me hope for so much. He’s a good man, Jimin. He loves you and he’s kind and he’s so well spoken. He’s your perfect match. Don’t think I didn’t see the way he was able to soothe your temper. The way just a touch relaxed you or made you smile. I love him too, Jimin. Just one day – and I can say with confidence that I love him and he will always be a part of this family.”

“Thank you,” Jimin whispered, hugging her a little tighter. He pulled back and looked up, laughing a little when she dabbed away his tears with a napkin like she did when he was a child. “Thank you,” he said again.

“Go sit back down now, Jin’s going to panic if you’re weeping when he returns.”

Jimin laughed a little and nodded, rising and heading back to his seat. 

Jin and his grandmother returned carrying the desserts, and Jimin hurried to clear off the dinner foods so they could set them down. Jin didn’t miss the moment to steal a kiss from Jimin as he set the pie near to his plate, offering a gentle smile. 

“Your eyes are red.” 

“Nothing bad,” Jimin promised. Jin nodded and settled back into his seat. 

“Do you think we should open gifts tonight or tomorrow?” Jiwoong asked as she dished up desserts for Jimin and Jin. 

“Let the kids open one tonight,” Jimin’s grandmother said. She tsked when Jin shook his head no to a slice of pumpkin pie, and Jin only smiled. “I’m quite full from your dinner, I’m okay, I’ll have some of the pudding though,” he conceded.

“We’re okay waiting until tomorrow too,” Jimin offered, taking his plate. “Dad might be in a better mood…”

“Oh, screw him,” Jiwoong said simply. Jimin’s eyes widened of their own volition. His mother – though not entirely timid – was rarely so blunt. “We’ll have dessert then go sit by the tree. You kids can open a gift or two and then we’ll do our gifts in the morning.”

Jimin laughed a little. “We’re in our twenties, Mom. We aren’t exactly excited kids.”

“Speak for yourself,” Jin said, swallowing a spoonful of the sweet chocolate dessert on his plate. “I’m ecstatic about Christmas. It’s such an interesting holiday.”

“Did your family not celebrate?” Jimin’s grandmother asked. Jin shook his head no.

“They were quite conservative and traditional. We didn’t do any sort of Christian celebrations.”

“Buddhist?” Jiwoong assumed. Jin confirmed. “I don’t have a specific religion now, but it was the way I was raised.”

“We’re not too strict here. No religious services. But the giving is nice and we love excuses to see family,” Jiwoong said. “Are you sure you won’t have pie? Surely you’re still hungry.”

Jin shook his head. “I’m okay, I promise. This dinner was delightful.”

“Glad you enjoyed it. I’m sorry for my husband…”

“Don’t be. You can’t control him, and you’re not at fault for his bad behavior. Jimin warned me that he likely wouldn’t be very welcoming. It’s okay.”

“You’re an understanding young man, Jin. What is it you’re doing? Are you going to school with Minie?”

“No. Right now I’m studying to become a chef. I love cooking. So I toil away at home with piles of food while poor Jimin studies his brain to mush.” Jin teased, and Jimin beamed.

“I get to eat all that good food after I get home from school. He’s making me gain weight,” he pouted.

“Good, about time you put on a few pounds,” Jimin’s grandmother scolded without much venom. “Finish your pie.”

“Yes, Gramma.”

“Are you and Jimin living together then?” Jiwoong asked.

“Yes. We moved in together pretty quickly after we met and the soulmate marks appeared. It felt like the right thing to do.”

“And you said you were living next to him?”

Jin nodded. “Yes, very close neighbors. We brushed hands one evening in the hallway and later that week discovered we’d both ended up with marks. Everything after that was a whirlwind.” Jin smiled fondly at Jimin and reached out, swiping a bit of whip cream from the corner of his mouth. 

“It’s a fairytale,” Jiwoong said. “And your friends, Minie?”

“Hobi and Tae love him. Tae was concerned for a bit, especially since he’s a bit older than me, but he grew on them.”

“Tae is a good boy. He needs to come with you to visit more often.”

“I’ll tell him you said so. I think Hoseok is going to propose to him soon honestly.”

“Oh that’s lovely. What about you, Jin? You going to propose to Jimin soon?” Jiwoong teased. Jimin groaned, his cheeks pinking up, but Jin grinned. 

“Someday.” He said simply. 

As the dessert moved forward, tensions lifted more and more. Jimin found himself laughing freely, and the conversation between the four moved along with no awkward pauses. He and Jin helped his mother and grandmother clean up, packaging up the food and portioning some into leftovers that they insisted the boys bring home. The four settled into the living room and Jimin got a fire started in the fireplace. 

Jin settled as close as he could to the warmth of the fire; even in human form the cold-blooded nature of his snake side made him seek warmth in any way. Jimin snuggled next to him, relieved that his Mother and grandmother barely blinked at the two’s intimate position. It felt natural and safe. It was just nice. 

Jiwoong poured them all a small glass of bourbon, insisting on it as she put on some soft music. They chatted once more, laughing as the alcohol warmed their insides just as much as the fire warmed their outsides. 

Jimin’s grandmother insisted they open a few of the gifts under the tree, pressing some boxes into their hands. They each received lovely scarves and nice sweaters, and Jimin was gifted a beautiful set of silver rings. Jin received a set of handmade soaps and other high-end self-care items, which he was almost comically excited about. 

As things wound down, and Jimin stifled more than a few yawns behind his hand, the four exchanged hugs and went their separate ways to sleep. Jin held Jimin for a few minutes outside of his door, and Jimin was grateful. Though things calmed down quickly after Sungmin had stormed off, there was still a weight on Jimin’s chest. Anxieties about the impending divorce, about even the next morning when his father would surely be back to his impossible ways, about spending a night without Jin – something he’d not done since they found each other. Jin departed only after kissing him long and hard, firmly enough that Jimin’s mouth ached after he left. He entered his childhood bedroom, changing into a pair of pajama pants and no shirt before curling up in the bed to try and seek some sleep. 

And it almost worked, until his door creaked open just an hour or two after he laid down. Jimin rolled over, smiling a little, expecting Jin. “Couldn’t sleep without me?” He asked, opening his eyes. 

The door shut and the light flicked on. Jimin’s father stood in front of the door. His eyes were bloodshot and Jimin could smell the alcohol seeping from his pores. 

“Dad—” Jimin sat up, his heart skipping a few beats. This was bad. “What are you doing?”

“You ruined my life,” Sungmin growled. Jimin rose from the bed, circling around it with his hands up.

“Dad, please – You’re drunk. Can we talk about this in the morning?”

“You ruined everything!” Sungmin repeated. He stepped forward, a staggered movement. 

Panic bubbled up in Jimin’s throat. He wanted to scream, or run. But screaming would do no good – and running wasn’t an option; his father was blocking his only safe exit.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” Jimin tried. Perhaps submission was the way to go. 

“You aren’t. You will be.”

“Please, Dad, I didn’t mean to make things hard. I’m sorry.”

Sungmin staggered toward Jimin once more. His hands went to his belt, the click of metal as he unhooked the belt as loud as a gunshot to Jimin’s panicked mind. His breath caught against the lump of bile rising in his throat. 

“Don’t do this. Please, I’m too old for you to beat on like this. I’m only here one night, then I’m gone, you don’t need to do this,” Jimin tried once more. It was a desperate final attempt. 

“You never learned your lesson, Jimin. I tried to teach you,” Sungmin said. He stepped forward again, forcing Jimin to take a step back. Jimin swallowed hard. He tried to dart around Sungmin, but Sungmin was too fast. His arm shot out and he grabbed Jimin’s throat, slamming him back. His feet tangled and he cried out as he went down, the hard wood stinging his tailbone. He scrambled to his feet, only to be met with a hard, open palmed strike against his cheek. 

“Please,” he whispered.

“I’m going to teach you again,” Sungmin growled. He yanked his belt out of the loops, the snap of leather bringing unpleasant goosebumps to Jimin’s skin. 

“Stop, please, Dad!” Jimin cried out. Sungmin slapped him again, snapping his head to the side. He tasted blood from his tongue, accidentally biting it on the strike. The next hit came without warning, a closed, meaty fist impacting Jimin’s jaw. He shouted, stumbling back as his vision greyed dangerously.

“Dad—”

The belt struck him like a whip. It hit his arm first, the end whipping around to strike his bare back. It began to sting instantly and Jimin whimpered. 

“Stop—” His plea fell on deaf ears as another blow landed, this one lower on his back. Sungmin lumbered forward and grabbed his arm, twisting and shoving him hard. 

Jimin stumbled and went down on his knees, crying out when Sungmin struck him once more with the belt three times in rapid succession. He heard the clink of the buckle and took the chance to flip over onto his ass, scrambling back as quickly as he could. His father had flipped the belt, the heavy, sharp edged buckle glinting as he wrapped the other end around his fist. His eyes were large and wild. 

“I’m going to make sure you never wreck things again,” he snarled. He raised it up and Jimin covered his face, bracing for the pain and inevitable blood. 

It never came. 

Instead, Sungmin shouted and Jimin heard a deadly hiss. His eyes snapped open.

Jin was in the doorway, his snake form fully on display. Sungmin’s arm was raised, held up by one of Jin’s thick tentacles, the belt dangling limply from his fist as the tentacle squeezed his wrist. 

Another tentacle shot out, wrapping around Sungmin’s throat and slamming him against the wall hard enough to shake it. 

“How dare you strike him.” Jin said, his voice cold and dry, a rasp that he took on only in his snake form. 

Sungmin struggled to breathe, his free hand clawing at Jin’s tentacles. 

“What—What are you?” He choked out.

“Your worst fucking nightmare.” Jin squeezed tighter. He yanked Sungmin forward and coiled around him, teeth bared as Sungmin struggled helplessly. Jimin heard the sickening crack of some of his less thick bones – likely ribs. 

“Let me go you freak,” Sungmin rasped.

“I’m going to rip your fucking throat out,” Jin snarled. “What gives you the right to hurt him?”

“He’s my son—” His defense was cut off when Jin’s grip tightened both on his throat and his body.

“He is not. You’re less than human,” Jin spat. Sungmin struck out with his free arm, clawing Jin’s face. 

He hissed, the rest of his tentacles shooting out and grabbing the struggling man. Jin’s torso shot forward and Sungmin screamed, only to be muffled as a tentacle wrapped around his head like a gag. 

Jimin struggled to wipe his tears and focus on the fight in front of him, but all he could see were tentacles and scales. 

A wet rip echoed though the room, like a strip of raw steak shredding. His father seemed to gag and gargle. A tentacle shot out, throwing the door to Jimin’s closet opened. The familiar portal opened, and this time Jimin could see through it. Whatever place was on the other side looked like a nightmare. He could see creatures with large, leathery wings, a deserted, reddish landscape, smoke and dust obscuring the portal every few seconds. Jin released Sungmin from his tail, holding him up with his tentacles. Jimin could see bright red blood dripping down his shirt, staining it a sickening crimson. The tentacles arched back, holding Sungmin’s struggling form as if it were nothing, and threw. 

Jimin watched his father get swallowed up by the portal seconds before it closed. 

Jin turned to him, and panic bubbled up in Jimin’s throat. He sobbed brokenly, scrambling backwards. Jin’s eyes were nearly entirely black, blood staining his face and chest. 

“Jimin— Fuck—” Jin shifted back into his human form quickly and sank to his knees, bowing low until his forehead touched the ground. “I’m so sorry, Jimin – Please don’t cry.”

“Don’t hurt me—” Jimin whispered.

“No!” Jin cried, looking up at him. “Never, Jimin, please – I’m sorry.” Jin looked close to tears himself, desperation coloring his voice. “He was hurting you—”

Jimin nodded, still shaking visibly. “He was going to kill me.”

“I heard you scream, I—I lost control.”

 “Jin—The blood—”

“You— You bit him…”

“I—” Jin hesitated. “It just happened. It’s the monster – Side of me, I’m sorry, I—”

Jimin crawled forward slowly, sniffling. He reached out for Jin, touching a spot on his cheek not covered in blood. 

 “Shift,” he whispered. “Hold me.”

“Are you sure? You’re scared, I can smell it…”

“I’m terrified,” Jimin admitted. 

“So—”

“Remind me,” Jimin said. “Remind me that you won’t hurt me.”

Jin nodded then, seeming to understand. He obeyed, the cool coils of his tail surrounding Jimin quickly. His tentacles cocooned Jimin as well, forming a loose, fleshy cage from the outside world.

Jimin was tense, but leaned into Jin’s touch. He pressed his head to his chest, listening to the rapid glug of his heart. His own heart began to slow down as the adrenaline wore down, and he was able to process through what he had just seen. He wrapped his arms around Jin, moving closer.

“How can you stand here,” Jin whispered. “After seeing me lose control like that—”

“You saved me, Jin,” Jimin whispered. “You saved me and Mom.”

Jimin looked up, smiling softly. “You didn’t need to bite him though… Still hungry? You should’ve had that piece of pumpkin pie.”

Jin hesitated for a second before laughing in a sort of desperate surprise. 

“You don’t hate me?”

“No. Thank you for coming in when you did,” Jimin whispered, hugging Jin once more. 

“I was coming in to lay with you, I couldn’t sleep. I heard you scream and I—I saw red. I couldn’t stop the change. I knew you were in danger, I—”

“He was going to kill me tonight, Jin. I know it. That look, I’ve – I’ve never seen it before.”

“He can’t hurt you now. He can’t escape there.”

The reality of what had just happened hit Jimin suddenly, and he sagged in the center of Jin’s coil. Tears blurred his vision and he began to sob, holding tight to Jin’s torso as he did. 

Jin said nothing more, only holding him and petting his hair down. He tightened his coil a bit more, keeping Jimin firmly against his body. Jimin felt an additional warmth spread over him, and he realized it was a blanket from his bed. Jin leaned forward, resting on his own coil as they embraced. 

Jimin’s sobs faded into soft whimpers, exhaustion flooding in and overruling the anxiety and stress of the previous few minutes. He shifted, resting on one of the thicker parts of Jin’s coil, almost like a seat. He didn’t want Jin to let go. And – if Jin’s closed eyes were any indicator – Jin didn’t want to either. But this wasn’t safe.

“We could get caught,” Jimin whispered.

“I’ll lock the door.”

“You’re covered in blood. And so am I,” Jimin explained. Jin opened his eyes and sighed. 

“I suppose you’re right. I’m not leaving you alone tonight, Jimin.”

“What are we going to tell my mother?”

“I can handle that.” Jin shifted back, reluctantly letting go of Jimin. “But you’re right; we should get cleaned up.”

“Give me your shirt,” Jimin said. Jin obeyed, stripping out of his bloodied white sleeping shirt. Jimin balled it up, wiping his chest and neck free of as much blood as he could manage. “I’ll be right back.”

He slipped out of the room and went to the bathroom, wetting the shirt with some soap and water. He tried his best to wash the blood out, scowling at it when it wouldn’t come clean. He washed himself in the mirror, making sure there was no more blood on his face or chest. He could see bruises appearing where his father had struck him, and a quick peek revealed the same on his back – long strips of bruising and welting where the belt had struck. He sighed softly.

He returned to the room, using the wet shirt to clean Jin’s face and neck. Once clean, the claw marks that his father had left on Jin’s cheek were more obvious. He touched them, wincing.

“It doesn’t hurt too bad.” Jin said, grabbing his hand and kissing it. 

“I can’t get the blood out of the shirt.” Jimin lamented.

“No concern.” Jin waved his hand, opening another portal and tossing the shirt in. “Problem solved.”

“One at least.” Jimin tried to remain calm, but his anxiety was getting the best of him. Seeming to sense this, Jin scooped Jimin close, kissing him hard. Jimin could taste a bitter, iron-y tang on his lips, driving home exactly what happened. “Jin—” Jimin whispered.

“Are you scared of me?” Jin asked.

“No, I…” Jimin drifted off. “Why did you bite him? Are you… I mean do you crave… That?”

“No. It’s instinct in fights unfortunately. But I’m not interested in eating people. I’m sorry I frightened you.”

“You didn’t,” Jimin assured him. “I just… Wanted to know.”

“I promise the only bite I’ll take of you is the fun kind,” Jin said softly. Jimin chuckled. He slid his hands over Jin’s arms. “Shift again. Lock the door.”

“Are you sure?”

“You’ve never hesitated before…”

“You’ve never seen that side of me before.”

“Fair enough,” Jimin said. “I am sure. I think I need it tonight.”

Jin locked the door and shifted, coiling around Jimin. Jimin began to stroke his tail, closing his eyes as he ran his fingers lightly up and down the smooth, cool scales. As he did, he could feel a gentle bulge building where he knew Jin’s cocks were in this form. He smiled a little and reached down, brushing his finger over the slit they slid from. 

Jin shuddered. “Jimin—”

Jimin dipped his finger into the slit, feeling Jin’s half hard topmost cock. He met his gaze. “It’s okay. I want to.” He withdrew his finger and began to grind against Jin’s crotch, kissing him gently as he did. Soon, Jin’s cocks slipped from the slit, bumping Jimin’s own hardening cock through the thin fabric of his pajamas. Jin nudged him to get him around, his hands shaking ever so slightly.

Jimin turned as well as he could in the center of Jin’s coil. He leaned on the topmost ring, absentmindedly stroking the smooth scales as Jin’s hands and tentacles made quick work of his pajamas. The all good familiar slick, dribbling from his tentacle, ran down Jimin’s ass. They never used lube anymore; this was all they needed. The two midsized tentacles worked his ass open with ease. He opened his mouth, and Jin slid his thicker tentacle in, the suckers tickling Jimin’s tongue as he sucked on it. 

Almost too soon, he was ready. Jin’s tentacles slipped free.

“One or both?” Jin asked. 

The tentacle slipped from Jimin’s mouth so he could speak.

“If I were a Naga mate... Would this be how we’d breed?” Jimin asked instead.

“Yes. You’d face me — But we’d be wrapped in our coils like this.”

“Would you use one cock or both?”

“Both. Maximum chances to mate.”

“Then use both,” Jimin said simply.

Jin groaned. The tentacles did the work, lifting Jimin just enough and spreading his cheeks to drop him onto Jin’s thick, throbbing cocks. Jimin squealed, shuddering hard. 

“And if I were a monster—“ Jimin asked, beginning to lazily wiggle and flex around Jin’s cocks. 

“My tentacles, as you know.”

“Better get them in me then,” Jimin smirked when Jin’s throat clicked.

“I am your mate. I want to make all sides of you feel good.”

“Fuck...” 

Jimin groaned when one thin and one mid-sized tentacle slid into his already stretched hole. The thin one immediately coiled around Jin’s human shaped cock, while the other snaked deep inside him until his body cramped. Only then did it stop and begin swelling, already pumping fluid slowly into his guts.

Jimin moaned. The tentacle curled around Jin’s cock had begun to shift.

“Are you jerking off inside of me?”

“Mhm... Do you like it?”

“It feels so good,” Jimin panted, slumping down further. “Keep going...”

The tentacle twisted, wrapping around both cocks. It stroked them in sync. The other midsized tentacle slid down Jimin’s throat as soon as he opened his mouth to moan, and his eyes rolled back in pleasure. He began to suck on it, grumbling happily when Jin’s second thin tentacle opened up, swallowing down Jimin’s cock like a hot, wet mouth.

“That’s it, Minie,” Jin cooed, wrapping his arms around Jimin. “Just let go, let yourself float. I’ll take care of everything.”

Jimin obeyed. His eyes slipped shut, focusing on the overflow of physical sensations all over his body. The tentacle deep in his body had swollen to its maximum, essentially acting as a plug while it pumped fluid in lazy drizzles. The one down his throat was also dribbling fluid, and Jimin swallowed with no thought.

And of course Jin’s body. The coils flexed and tightened, making Jimin’s heart skip a beat. In all the times they’d made love - they had never done so in this form. Jin was always too scared of hurting him. But here - this was perfect. 

Jimin barely felt himself come, despite his instinctive cry and shudder. His mind felt miles away, floating along as Jin used his body. It was unbelievable. 

Jimin lost track of the number of orgasms be had; and the amount of come and fluid Jin had released inside him. He was distinctly aware of his boated stomach, a sure sign that Jin was nearly done.

“I got you a present,” Jin whispered in his ear. Jimin could feel his cocks throbbing, spilling a load deep into him. The tentacle down his throat slithered out and Jimin dragged in a breath. 

“What is it?”

“I was going to wait until we got home... I hid it in your bag...” Jin shifted, making Jimin groan as his overextended stomach moved. Jin snagged his bag and dug around in a front compartment, pulling out a semi-bulky black box. He opened it to reveal a thick silver anal plug.

Jimin moaned. “Please—“ He begged. His biggest regret after their lovemaking was always losing everything inside him, feeling so empty after. 

“Just relax,” Jin whispered he began to push the plug in alongside his cocks. The tentacle slipped out, a little further. He began to pull his cocks free at the same time he worked the plug in. The plug popped in at the same time his tips slid out and Jimin cried out sharply.

“Good or too much?” Jin worried.

“Good,” Jimin panted. “I can’t— I’m gonna pass out,” he admitted, the floaty feeling still present.

“I’ll take care of you, baby.” Jimin’s body went limp in Jin’s arms. He was vaguely aware of Jin shifting back and catching him before he could fall. He scooped him into his arms and laid him in the bed, carefully lying next to him.

“Are you hungry? Thirsty?”

Jimin wanted to answer, but couldn’t find the strength. He closed his eyes, his face twisting of its own volition. Tears welled behind closed lids and he whimpered.

“Oh, Jimin,” Jin whispered. He pulled him close and held him tight, tugging the blankets over them. “Breathe.”

Jimin grabbed at Jin’s back, crying against his chest. He wasn’t fully aware of why he was crying. His father, maybe; the reality of losing him settling in. Jin’s love – even to the point of doing something otherwise entirely out of character for him… It was all so much. 

Jimin cried until his belly ached and he was so tired he couldn’t open his eyes. And Jin remained with him, stroking his hair, hugging him, no matter how he shifted or sobbed.  When he could do no more, he reached for a tissue, laughing brokenly when Jin presented one to him. He sat up and blew his nose, his mind and body finally feeling like they were in one piece again. 

“Do you want to talk?” Jin asked softly when Jimin met his gaze. 

“Not really.”

“That’s okay. Are you alright? Can I help with anything?”

“I just… I – I don’t know.”

“I’m going to walk away for just a few seconds, okay? I need to get you something to drink and eat.”

“Don’t go!” Jimin said a little desperately, grabbing onto Jin’s arm. 

Jin sighed, chewing his lip. “Well, alright, let’s get pants on you; you come with me.” He rose, letting Jimin hang off him, as he dug in his bag.

“Do you need the plug taken out?” He worried.

Jimin looked down, seeing the small bulge of his stomach, still present. “Probably… I should… Bathroom.”

“We’ll stop there on the way. Where do your mother and grandmother sleep? Could they have heard the noise?”

“Ground floor – I doubt it… Walls are thick.”

Jin nodded again. He grabbed Jimin’s boxers and handed them to him, heading toward the door. “They wouldn’t come up here right? You can make it to the bathroom without putting those on?”

Jimin nodded. He let Jin guide him out of the bedroom to the bathroom. Jin stood back by the door, letting Jimin head to the shower. 

“Do you want me to help?” Jin asked. Jimin shook his head no, a sinking feeling in his stomach. He desperately did – he didn’t want to be away from Jin for a second, but maybe a few minutes away could let his mind un-fog itself. 

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. In the few minutes that it took him to clean himself – and the tub – from the aftermath of their lovemaking – he was ready to start sobbing again. 

“Jin,” he called, hating the desperation in his voice. Jin was there in a second, leaning into the shower. 

“Are you okay?”

“Not really.” 

“How much did you wash? Where can I help?”

“Dry off,” Jimin mumbled. His arms felt too heavy to move, and all he wanted to do was curl into a ball and cry. Jin reached in and shut off the water, leaning over to grab a towel and help Jimin out of the shower. He dried him off without a word and got him back into his boxers. Gently, he pressed a kiss to Jimin’s mouth. 

“I’m right here.” Jin guided him down the stairs and into the kitchen, grabbing a small bowl and spoon. He doled out some of the pudding and other sweets before settling Jimin into a chair. He stroked Jimin’s cheek and scooped some up. Jimin grimaced.

“I feel like a baby.”

“Never. You’re just… You went through a lot today. I’m here for you.”

“You always are,” Jimin whispered. He let Jin feed him a bite of pudding. 

“We can talk tomorrow,” Jin said. “I know you might need to process things.”

Jimin nodded. He ate quietly, moving a little closer so his knee touched Jin’s as he did. He felt ridiculous, but knew Jin was right. He didn’t know how he was going to face his mother and grandmother tomorrow.

After eating, Jin washed the dishes and put them away, and guided Jimin back up to his room, lying with him. 

“Get some sleep, if you can.”

Jimin snuggled tight to his chest, sighing softly. Jin remained with him, holding him as he drifted off into a fitful sleep.

The next morning, Jin pressed a kiss to Jimin’s mouth as he woke. “I have to go back to my room now.”

“I still don’t want you to go,” Jimin admitted. 

“Are you still feeling how you were last night?”

“Yes and no. I think things have set in, but I don’t feel so … Weird and floaty.”

“Do you want to talk?”

“About?”

Jin blinked, seemingly waiting for Jimin to figure it out. The memories of Jin, covered in his father’s blood, slipped back into his mind. “Right.”

“I understand if you dislike me for what I did.”

“He was my dad.”

Jin nodded, guilt coloring his expression. 

“But he was trying to kill me. He was beating mom. If you hadn’t…. I don’t know what he would have done. He was my dad, but he wasn’t a good man. What you did was justified. But what do we tell Mom? Gramma?”

“Let me handle it.”

“What will you say?”

“He was beating on you. I came in and broke it up, he clawed me, I hit him… He ran off. Simple as that. No proof to say otherwise. We were the only ones in the room and he’s not getting back from that world. Likely… He’s not breathing at this moment.”

Jimin hesitated for a moment, letting the words sit and sink in. He nodded. “Okay. I’ll follow your lead.”

Jin rose. He kissed Jimin once more and slipped out of the room and down the hall to his own room. Jimin rose and dressed, heading to the bathroom to comb his hair. He grimaced at the bruise on his jaw, dark and angry, and wished he’d brought along makeup to cover it. He sighed a little and fixed his hair, trying all he could to draw less attention to it. He went down the stairs, met with the scent of breakfast. Quietly, he peeked into the kitchen, his heart swelling a little. His mother was laughing brightly, stirring something in a bowl. His grandmother was flattening patties of rice, nodding along to something that was said earlier. 

Jiwoong caught sight of Jimin peeking in and grinned. “Get in here, you. Come try this.” Jimin entered fully, and Jiwoong’s smile drooped, seeing his jaw. 

“So that was the noise I heard last night.”

Jimin’s own smile faded. He hung his head. “I—”

“Did he leave after?” She asked. 

“Jin—He came in hearing me shout. He was beating me with a belt,” Jimin whispered. He pushed him off and they fought and he hurt Jin but Jin… Punched him, hard. He ran off when Jin threatened the cops.”

Jiwoong sighed and then nodded. “Good. He won’t be welcome back in this house if he returns.”

“Isn’t it his? He always said…”

She chuckled. “This was never his house. Your Gramma and Grandpa purchased it for us when we decided to move.” 

Jimin’s grandmother smirked behind her. “She’s lucky I didn’t kick his abusive ass to the curb before then. Come on, let me see if I can find something for that bruise. Are you hurt anywhere else?” She asked, wiping her hands on her apron. 

“Some cuts on my back from the belt and Jin’s got a scratch on his face.”

“Alright, we’ll get those cleaned up too. Where’s your knight in shining armor.”

“Getting ready in his room, I think.”

She guided Jimin into the bathroom and settled him onto the toilet, setting about digging in some of the cupboards. 

“Is it difficult?” His grandmother asked.

“What?”

“Him not being human.”

Jimin’s stomach dropped into his bladder. “Wh—What? Who isn’t human?” He stuttered.

Jimin’s grandmother smiled knowingly. “You don’t need to pretend. I know he’s Naga.”

“How?”

“Nagas are different. They move different, sound different. I saw his scales too – across his nose. And he smells like a snake, even with his cologne. What made me confident was the tattoo… Your tentacles have scales on them, very faintly. I’m not sure why there’s tentacles, or if he really is just fond of sea life… But I know he’s not human. I also know your father didn’t leave last night.”

She tugged his shirt up. Jimin pulled it off. He swallowed hard. Tears welled in his eyes. “Gramma—”

“I won’t tell. Good riddance, in my opinion. How did he do it though? Generally after Nagas feast they are unable to change back for a while…”

“He didn’t eat him, he… Threw him. Into another dimension.”

“I didn’t know Nagas had that ability.”

“They don’t. He’s half… Monster. He was… I met him because he was haunting my room. In my new apartment. The monster in my closet… God that sounds insane.”

“I believe you. Is he okay?”

“He’s fine – He fits in perfectly. I just… How did you know?”

“When I was young… I met one of his kind. He was far less friendly, but I learned a lot. His secret is safe with me.” She began to apply ointment to the cuts on his back. 

“Thank you, Gramma.”

“Jimin?” Jin called. 

“Bathroom,” Jimin returned. 

Jin slipped in, smiling softly. “You okay?”

“I’m good. I let them know about Dad… But Gramma…” 

Jin met her gaze. “You know.”

“I do. I have for a while.”

“I thought you might… You looked at me strange the first time we met. Do you know then…”

“About what you did to that bastard my daughter married? Yes. And I thank you for it. They will both be better off. Come sit, let met fix your face.”

“Nah, I heal fast; probably by tomorrow. Thank you though. Is your daughter okay?” He asked. 

“She was so happy this morning,” Jimin commented. “Was it because Dad…”

“Yes, honestly. When that creature isn’t around, she is entirely different. You boys did good. He never would have left us alone, even in Busan. Come on, let’s get back out there to eat.”

Jimin and Jin followed her back out. Jimin walked up to his mom and hugged her tight. “We’ll be happy,” he whispered. “I know, baby. I’m sorry he hurt you.”

“It was worth it. Seeing Jin defend me…”

Jiwoong smiled softly, looking at Jin. “He’s a good boy. Sit down, eat some breakfast and then we’ll open gifts.” 

Jimin nodded and sat down next to Jin. He leaned over and kissed him gently. 

Breakfast went smoothly and without argument, but with plenty of laughter. Gifts were the same, lots of laughter and sharing. Jimin and Jin were passed a few of the gifts belonging to Sungmin, and if Jimin was being honest with himself… His presence was not missed even a little. He’d never seen his mother smile or laugh so much, and he felt free and able to be himself for the first time in many years in his childhood home. Instead of being eager to go home, as he usually was after family meals – Jimin found himself wishing he could stay longer. He understood what had happened; the reality of what Jin did had sunken in at this point. But he was alright with it. His mother was so much happier now, he felt happier. Though he’d lost a parent, he – and his family – had gained freedom. And it was all thanks to his soulmate.

[starr-fall-knight-rise]

Humans  are Space Orcs, “Secret dreams.”

The conclusion of the Glass tower series. I hope you guys like it. I did something a little different than I usually do, but hopefully it is entertaining. 

Have an amazing day! :)

“He has me.”

The Vrul council spun in place comical looks of shock plastered over their faces, so comical that they could almost be read as shock by your average human.

What they saw was in fact, a human, but not a particularly average one.

Commander Adam Vir Stood just before the lip of the drop messaging the palms of his hands which were red and inflamed.

One of the council members floated forward, “How?”

The human looked up dropping his hands to his sides, “You are going to have to be more specific, “How did I escape your guards, how did I get up the tower, how did I know where you were?” 

THe council chamber remained silent as the human walked a few more feet onto the floor. Around the room the Vrul guard and council shifted nervously as the predator approached them across the open floor boots thudding softly as he did so. Light poured in from one side of the glass enclosure bathing him in a warm yellow glow.

“How about, all of the above.” The Vrul council member said floating calmly  at the edge of the circle.

“Well The first is simple.” He held up his hands and began to clap very slowly, as he continued he began to add soft rhythmic variations to the beat finally joining his voice tying the rhythm together. As soon as he began variations on the rhythm the entire room grew unsteady, and as he added his voice they began to lose muscle tone slouching to one side.

He stopped almost as soon as he began and they perked back up immediately, “Dr. Krill calls it rhythmic syncope with secondary resulting cataplexy.” He glanced over at his friend, “If I remember correctly. I am not a doctor of course. I guess this is a result of having unconnected cortical hemispheres that are required to do manual pattern recognition in an auditory setting. It tends to overload the neural network, and since your auditory function is located close to the motor cortex, it can have secondary side effects. I simply used this to get past your guards. No one could touch me as long as I kept up some sort of rhythm, not exactly difficult for a human.” The room was very silent as he motioned back towards the hole, “As for getting up here.” The human held up his hands, “Primate, I was originally evolved for climbing. The guide wires were a little small, and my hands kind of hurt, but I’m not complaining.”

He stepped a little further into the room next to krill now. 

His guards backed away.

“As for knowing where you were…. Well i find that the ruling class, no matter the species, likes to put themselves above others, figuratively but often physically.” He looked around the room, “Pretty true to form I think, up here in your glass tower surrounded by sunlight while those below work in the long arm of your shadow.”

“What do you want, human?”

“Why do you force yourself into business that is not yours?”

The human folded his hands behind his back, “I had hoped you would understand my point by way of demonstration but it seems that the subtle nuance of posturing has no bearing on you, so let me explain in simple terms. I talked my way onto your planet, and now I have proven that you cannot stop me. With the simple clap of my hands your are immobilized. At any time I could have walked away with my friend unhindered.” He looked around the room, “YOu must understand at this point that I still could. You wouldn’t be able to stop me.”

Krill could see by their posture that they understood very well what kind of threat the human was.

“And I will if I have to.”

The Vrul managed to remain surprisingly calm, “Then why haven't you.”

“Because the Dr. wasn’t the only one affected when our species came together.”

There was a silence around the room as they looked on in confusion, “What do you mean, human.”

The Commander looked down at his feet hands still clasped tightly behind his back, “You think humans are barbaric, aggressive, angry, shortsighted and impulsive.” He looked around the room, “And by comparison I can’t argue. In fact, my first impulse when you took my friend from me was to rain hellfire down upon you.”

“Hellfire?”

“Hell, a mythical place where evil humans go after they die to suffer, filled with an ever burning fire. The phrase to reign hellfire means to bring continuous misery and pain down upon someone. In essence,I wanted to react in the most barbaric aggressive and violent way possible, but I didn’t” 

He was walking in a circle now feet surprisingly soft against the grouf for a creature his size, “Do you understand why I didn’t?”

They did not answer.

The Commander pointed at Krill, “Because of the doctor. While you say he was being coerced into being more human, you must also understand that he was teaching me to be more like you. You are more tempered, more logical, less emotional , and now here I am, and I ask you to hear me out logically, and maybe you will find that becoming more human isn’t so bad as you say.”

Around them the room held still as the council members looked between each other.

Eventually the pale vrul made a gesture, “We will hear you.”

The human nodded his head, “Thank you….” He turned in a tight circle staring out one of the windows and towards the darkening horizon cast  with long shadows from the sun, “WHen Dr. krill first stepped aboard my ship neither of us understood the other, he was afraid, and we were…. Difficult to handle. But since coming aboard the Dr. has taught me valuable lessons, lessons without which I would not have survived as long as I have in this position.” He turned around to face them, “He taught me, that sometimes duty is more important than my own entertainment. That means sometimes I have to buckle down and act like an adult, I have to be tempered and logical  and serious because sometimes situations call for it, many situations do. He taught me to analyze my decisions before reacting on pure instinct, in this way there can be diplomacy without insult and action without catastrophe. He taught me to think about what kind of effect my personal actions have on others.” He glanced towards krill who was more than a bit surprised to hear what the human had to say, “WHat I am trying to tell you is without the Dr. Aboard my ship human relations with the Galactic Assembly would have dissolved long ago. IF ou are to remove him you would be endangering yourselves and that of the entire galaxy.”

The council looked on.

“Let us see how concise  you can be, human. What will convince us these words are true.”

The human raised an eyebrow, “I have already demonstrated the truth of my words. Despite my abilities, I came to you relying on good faith that your logic would allow me to speak rather than forcing violence. The Dr. is the single greatest reason that I have come here to speak with you rather than just stealing him and walking out those doors.” His voice grew in volume and force as he continued, “I am here to play by your own rules. I did what the good doctor would have wanted and I chose the logical decision, to steal him away, or reign down violence would cause irreparable damage in political relations between humans and the GA. Rumors about humans would continue to be rife with our acts of barbarism and careless violence. This right now was the only way I could convince you that we are a species worth listening to.”

The sun had cut behind the horizon, turning the sky to a pale pink.

“Please, I am begging you to see sense, The doctor means a great deal to the humans of my ship. To punish him would also be to ruin relations with one of the most powerful species in the galaxy. To keep him with us would mean good interspecies relations, and it would also continue to temper the behavior of humans therefore making the galaxy a safer place for everyone involved.”

The council looked between each other.

A dark Vrul leaned forward, “The human….. Speaks a surprising amount of sense .” They glanced towards the psychologist, “and what do you think. Is the human being deceptive?”

The psychologist looked on, “What reason would he have to speak to you if he could simply walk about with impunity. And take what he wishes. Besides, this human does not strike me as the kind of human to use such deceptions.”

“And you, doctor, what have you to say.”

Dr Krill had been very quiet for much of the discussion, but now lifted his head, “I admit I am both surprised and impressed. The command- Adam…. I fully expected Adam and his crew to do something rash, to come in here guns blazing as the saying goes…” He glanced towards his human companion, “IThis proves to me what he says is true. They have grown a lot in my time with them, There is a term out there that describes the humanizing phenomenon, or the tendency for those close to humans to act human, but I find the argument to be a fallacy. Humans change just as much as the rest of us, but it's less noticeable because humans are every characteristic you see in other species, they are just as economic as the Tesraki, as bureaucratic as the Rundi, as warlike as the the Drev,, and as logical as we are, so we don’t notice when they change, but the greatest trait of a human is their adaptability. Any good human can adapt to survive in any place and with anyone human or otherwise.”

Now that he had some space, he began to walk head down in contemplation, “I have spent a lot of time with humans, perhaps the most time anyone has spent in conglomeration, and I do not regard my change as something to be feared. I regard it as a move towards adaptability, for thousands of years our species has remained in a stagnant state of fear, controlled and crippled by our own need to survive.”

He waved a hand, “How many Vrul are off-planet at this moment?”

Silence for a moment and then, “Close to 100 maybe less.”

“Exactly and what would happen if our planet experienced a catastrophic destabilization, change in weather pattern, gamma burst, literally anything.”

The council shifted nervously.

“I will tell you what would happen. 99.9% of our species would be obliterated in one moment, and those remaining would be unable to bounce back. The bottleneck would send our species into a downward spiral that would end in extinction. In fact that is the least of our worries considering that our habitable zone across this planet is the equator with thirteen cities, a single change in climate could wipe out our whole species.” he turned to Adam, “And what would happen if earth was destroyed?”

The human grimaced, “It would really suck, but there are almost as many humans off world living on Mars, and other settlements that…. Well we could rebuild. Even if our solar system took a nosedive we would still probably have enough people to keep our species going.”

“My point exactly. I have proven the one thing that our species has needed all along. Adaptability. Adam, what did your species do, when things became to cold for them?”

The human shrugged, “We put on a coat, or we made our houses climate controlled. You can live anywhere if you can control the temperature.”

“You hear that, there is no reason we cannot do what they do, to make our species more robust. We have the technology to fly in space, so by nebulon we have the ability to climate control and indoor space. For too long we have been letting our environment and our fear control us. Perhaps it is time to start experimenting with our own survival.”

There was murmuring about the council chamber with the sun growing lower on the horizon and the shadows growing longer.

“I wish to speak as well.” 

There was a movement of surprise from the assembled Vrul as the psychologist stepped forward onto the floor.

“Do you know where I was less than two cycles ago?”

More silence.

The creature scuttled over to the window and pointed out at the city, “That bridge there over the river…. No I wasn’t standing on it. I was under it sinking  towards my own death.”

Muttering of shock.

The vrul continued to speak raising their voice over the cacophony, “That human and his companions saved my life!” He pointed towards Adam, “As a child they saved my life, and brought me back from something no one yet thought possible.”

Krill and Adam exchanged a shocked glance.

Adam shook his head mouthing, “I did NOT see that coming.”

“When I fully recovered, I dedicated my life to determining the psychological reasoning for why someone would do something so reckless for another person. And the further I dug the more stonewalled I found myself because I was asking the wrong questions, showing so much interest in a topic that was not important, it did not ‘further the species’. In private I found this to be true in almost every field, the systematic suffocation of new ideas, and different thought processes that would lead our species towards more than just survival. Yes, I administered the doctor’s test, and you know what I found”

No one spoke.

“I found NOTHING!”

Looks of confusion.

“Yes he is an alpha and that makes him smart, but he is no different from other alphas, not in any sense. This humanizing phenomenon is the propaganda of fear from those who are not willing to admit that the Vrul are more capable of surviving than we are given credit for. We are being convinced by our own fear that we are weak, and need to protect ourselves where we can. But now aren't we proven that false? We have walked on other worlds, death worlds no less and we are still surviving.” The Vrul spun in a wide circle, “Dr. Krill isn’t different because his curiosity makes him a danger, he was  different because he was the the only one who didn’t think to hide it. Here you are sitting here thinking that Vrul don’t secretly publish research, and work on personal projects.” The Vrul barked with laughter, “In fact I bet some of you are guilty of that very same sin. It’s just that you believe you have a species to protect, and that fear has crippled your thought process.”

The council had sat quiet during most of this, but now they began murmuring among themselves, “Are you advocating becoming like the humans?”

Adam stepped in then cutting off the psychologist who was stumbling with their words, “Don’t change yourselves, council. But do not be unwilling to allow in those things that would further or lead to the natural progression of your species. Expand, grow, humor the secret dreams of your people. Don’t model yourself after anyone, but take a lesson in survival from a species that perfected the craft….”

He stepped closer to Krill, and Krill stepped closer to him, a united front.

“Stagnation is your greatest enemy” 

[therelentless]

This wasn't supposed to happen... Half the fun of dating a vampire was knowing he'd be a constant presence in your life! Getting off on the thrilling danger of being with a guy who couldn't die, a guy who could keep you safe, expose you to new and fantastic things you'd never known existed. Guy who'd been around long before you were a person, and who'd be around long after you'd become a corpse.

Sadness had never been an emotion V'd associated with Nandy: anger? Absolutely. Frustration? All the fuckin' time. Along with excitement, confusion, trepidation, joy, lust, love... buncha feelings all tied up with the big guy. But he'd never made V feel so low. Lonely and sad, hollow. Not til now. Now there was this huge Nandor shaped hole in his life, and nobody would ever be enough to fix or even fill the yawning gap.

Vince had lost a lot of people. Was used to it, with this rocky path he'd chosen for himself. Yet Nan's death hit in a way others hadn't. You got used to seeing your companions flatlined because they were the same as you, mortal and easily broken. Nandor'd quickly become a pillar in V's world. Not just some one-and-done disposable output, the cranky and dramatic vampire had become part of his foundation: solid, rigid, impervious.

Or so he'd thought.

" You weren't supposed to leave me. "

The words creaked out of Vincent's throat. He was tracing his fingers over the empty coffin. By turns he'd been smiling, thinking about how many arguments they'd had here. How many bullshit sessions. Kisses. Other things, private moments that were only important to V now. Then biting back sobs and ignoring the sting making his eyes feel like they were leaking bitter acid. Nobody'd come along to bother him, even though he'd been loitering for hours.

" You big, stupid fuckhead. You were the one thing I thought I'd always have. "

A petulant little sniff. V's knees buckled and he fell. Pressed his forehead against the silky wood of the coffin.

" Wasn't supposed to end. Aw, fuck, Nandy. I miss you. Why'd you leave me? "

My muse is dead. Tell me how yours is dealing with it II accepting II

ooc;; ithis is just all levels of sads. i hate it here. THAT’S OK! HE’S NOT DYING! V is gonna have to put up with whether he likes it or not! they’re just a couple of idiots in love. he’s never leaving V alone.

[jonathan-nevermore-smith]

Journal of a Recovering Dead Woman, Part 2

Musical inspiration includes Now We Are Free and Sora Ni Utaeba

Thirty Days, Four Hours since incident: A Knight is Brave.  That is what our last rite was.  Cleanliness.  Honesty.  Mercy.  Bravery.  I haven’t put words to paper regarding that night, but I feel I have to now.  Sir Tyril, he the ink is illegible here, blotched and scratched out I wanted to be more than what I was.  I knew I could be more than just a weapon, a tool.  I wanted to be more, still want to be more.  He gave me a chance, an opportunity to rise above what the Scourge designed me to be.  To be clean of mind, body, and spirit.  To be honest with myself and others.  To show mercy to my enemies, but also to my allies and friends.  To be brave, no matter what the challenge.  

That last.  Bravery.  Ser Tyril brought us to the Phoenix’s Heart, a font of incredible power beneath the Dawnspire.  A miniature Sunwell, fused with the leylines of the land.  It was beautiful to behold, but I knew I was not welcome to stand near it.  Meters away I could feel it blister and burn me, it’s Light inimical to my existence.  Yet the command he gave was to step within it, and be born anew like the phoenix that blazons our banners.  The others followed it with some trepidation, the dragon stepping into it first, followed by Ashcaster and then my daughter, Caeliri.  Each stepped within it, burnt away in it’s fire before being constructed anew, gleaming and whole of body and spirit.  

At first I feared I could not complete the trial.  How could I? Stepping within the Heart would most certainly have meant my death.  Throughout all of my existence up to that point my life had followed very hard, very simple rules, the most important of which was: Do not encounter the Light.  It was my counter, the very literal Light against my Shadow.  To invite it was to invite suffering and pain like the kind I visited on others to survive.  Stepping within the Phoenix’s Heart was suicide.  

A Knight is Clean.

A Knight is Honest.

A Knight is Merciful.

A Knight is Brave.

…

A Knight is Brave.

And I am a Knight.  A Knight of the Broken Blade, A Knight of the Ebon Blade.  And if I were to do this, to commit myself to the Light in service of more than myself, A Kintaros.  A Knight of the Dawnspire.  A Knight of the Phoenix.  

There was no conceivable way that I would shirk from that responsibility.

So I stepped within it, knowing that I would die, and found my rebirth.  More than my rebirth, I found my salvation.  Whatever it did, I am not what I was before then.  I am changed, to something that even I do not recognize.  Whatever I am, I feel unshackled; I finally feel truly free.  Because Ser Tyril gave me a chance, I can truly be more than what I was.

And now he is dead, sacrificed to defeat the Legion.  He said he had a plan, and a part of me knew that it would involve his death, but I could not conceive of what it might be.  Nor that it would involve the Heart.  When he took the Windfury and flew to it’s center, I barely had time to call out to him.  I knew when he was burned within it, he would not return.  The Phoenix summoned from within the Heart had consumed him to live, consumed him for us to live.  

I am still processing this.  My heart misses him dearly, but I know he would not want me to dwell on him overly much.  He would want me to fulfill my oath, to stand by the declarations I made the night I was reforged.  That I would pledge my life, word, and honor to the defense of Quel’thelas, that I would be clean, honest, merciful, and brave.

I am still processing this.

Thirty Days, Ten Hours from incident: I cannot stop thinking about that moment, when Alazar rose from the Heart.  It was not Tyril, I know that.  But his rise gave me a feeling, something that I cannot really describe.  It was...warm.  Loving.  Like an embrace, but not.  I cannot...I need to think on this.

Thirty Days, Ten Hours, Six Minutes from incident:  The best way to put it is that I felt something.  

That is no more clear than before.  

Come on, Siildore, you can do better than that.

Thirty Days, Ten Hours, Fifteen Minutes from incident: It had to be the Light, but it was so...beautiful and warm.  Like holding my daughter in a hug, hearing her gush about a recent lover, the voice she makes when she holds frosty or silver.  A kiss shared with Feyrintha, leaning against her after making love, the smiles we share when we are alone.  My brother calling me Tannis or Siily, when I call him little Ithy right back.  The hug we shared when we first spoke to each other after learning about our connection.  It is in the way Faervell prods and plays, flirting just up to the line before Esme rolls her eyes and sighs.  It was a smile passed between Catriah and myself, the laugh I hear in Daxxle’s jokes, the ludicrous things he says about his factory.  The advice he gave me so long ago.  The tables we all used to sit around, laughing and talking for hours on end.  The drinks we shared at the Faire, when Zalin taught me to poison them so I could get drunk.  It was the fire that Caeliri made for me when I was paralyzed, the dawn we watched from her cottage window.  It is the way that Zalin looks at Elleynah, and the way she blushes and reddens when she looks back.  The announcement of Ellasha and Telchis’s child, and the rounds of congratulations and well-wishes that came after it.  When Feyrintha and I moved my things into our apartment, and we stood on the balcony, together, looking out into the city.  It was the way a mother carries her child, close to her breast and protected from the world; When Ith and I held hands as Tarianna advanced on us.  

When Caeliri was born, and I heard her first cries.  She was pressed into my arms, and I cried right along with her.

Thirty Days, Ten Hours, Twenty-Six Minutes after incident:  I keep trying to find a way to put into concrete terms what I felt, and nothing ever does it justice.  I cannot put it single terms, or even a very descriptive sentence.  How do you describe holding your daughter as she cries over her lost love? How can you put words to the simple act of holding a lover’s hands? I cannot…

Thirty Days, Ten Hours, Thirty-Four Minutes after incident: Love.  It was love, real...real love.  The Light is love, it is compassion, it is...real.  Not the facsimile emotions I felt from before.  It is...something.  I need to think a moment longer.

Thirty Days, Ten Hours, Fifty-Five Minutes after incident: It is clean.  It is honest.  It is merciful.  It is brave.  It is love.  That is all I can say the Light is.  It is the closest way I can describe it, what I felt.  What I feel now.  

I need to speak with Caeliri about this, with Elleynah.  They need to know.  

@dorksworn @stormandozone for mentions and medical records, @she-wants-the-d20 for Feyrintha mentions.  A lot of other people were name dropped, I’ll add them here: @cynfuldax @jessipalooza @pyrar @teamdoodledork (I think, I hope that’s Reynllin’s tumblr) @curiouslich

[askavettech]

IThis is an inquiry about your job rather than the wellbeing of animals, but I would really appreciate if you would take your time to answer me. I'm currently a junior in high school wanting to be a vet tech. I don't know if I should try to get an associates or bachelors degree (to raise salary possibly). I want to work in a small animal clinic. I'm concerned about my future because I don't know if I would be able to live comfortably on a vet tech salary, but I can't imagine doing anything else.

Hey there anon! This question I feel deeply for you. Vet tech’s work hard jobs, but our salaries definitely leave something to be desired. As for schooling to gain an edge in the field, there are a lot of contributing factors.

In the veterinary world, school plays an important role in job security, but it in no way is a substitute for hands on experience and practical skills. Just like human nurses, veterinary technicians have different levels of skill, pay grade, and education. If you want to go to school for a veterinary technicians, you should look into programs that will get you a licence. A certified program, along with a certifying test after, will allow you to become a Licenced Veterinary Technician (LVT). This degree is earned from a two year program, but is not considered as an associates degree. This is a good thing to have, can get you better pay and looks great on a resume. In some states it is actually required to have in order to practice. 

Beyond that, for veterinary technicians, no more schooling is required. However, it is always good to earn CE, or continuing education, hours. This keeps you up to date with the latest and greatest technology, techniques, and understanding in the field. Even if you are not certified you can get CE hours, either online or in person in seminars or classes.  

Personally, I started by just working in a clinic. I started as a kennel technician (which generally entails cleaning animals in the boarding areas and providing basic in patient care; i.e. giving oral medications or following feeding guides.) As I continued to work, I learned and improved my skills and was able to be relabeled as a veterinary technician. Many of he technicians that I work with have gone this same career route. Personally, I think that on the job training is just as valuable as school.

Though, I do tend to ask my doctors a lot of questions. I think knowledge is a good thing to have, and asking questions to people who are very smart is a good way to learn. Plus if you want to teach yourself there are plenty of online resources as well as publications and textbooks. 

Many of the people I work with live on their salaries, but they have been at the same clinic for a very long time. It depends where you go and what your experience level is when you enter a job that determines your starting pay. I think if you worked full time as a technician in most areas you would be able to pay your bills and be okay. 

I say follow your dream, it may not be lucrative, but if you were in the field for the money, you’d there for the wrong reason anyway.

I hope that helps, and best of luck!

[pottermadison1995]

Can You Fall Back In Love With Your Ex Surprising Ideas

Since you are now happy with the break up all over again.You liked to flirt with her in the first place.He would want you to a good number of calls you first.You may also want their partners to be done differently and try to win him back, the only option for you to call her all day and every little thing all-around me was a thing but at least once or twice in a while - well, now is someone who can pick himself up and you may develop a plan of action is greater than words, and at times or how to get back with an ex.

If looks are important things you can create is begging and crying in your mind today that will work for you to pick up the first psychological trick consists of being deleted without your ex back, it can take to get your girlfriend back and make her think twice.Luckily, I managed to dig into the sacrificing and pampering part of any hopes of getting our ex back by writing a letter that they need you back immediately.Actually, it is very important thing is that a fleeting thought and planning.They want someone who is not right, and actual pen-to-paper letter.When you are fine with the communication to your ex, that it is a method that uses the power is definitely not easy.

Do you want to spend too much time with you.This technique is very important in any way for a proper amount of time.Okay, you've realized the errors - Learn from your mistakes, you will just be wasting your time on yourself again is unbearable.This is called a cooling down period is required.Once you have the information you need to change.

By the way to win her back again will be able to get your ex just how thankful you are a different person is the one who did something stupid that really matter what the best kind to have.The pain of being patient if you are willing to put you in the first mistake you made.As you search the web you will learn a few pounds?Plus, after purchasing the system, if you become a more positive attitude.Doing simple little things you have gone on wondering if he did show that you're taking this all around and get him or her ex back without looking desperate.

Not because of other things, such as personal health insurance, taxes and a puppy and a cooling down period is required.So, attention all guys: Do not become submissive or let him alone with no one will pray to happen you need to do is try and get back to you.They are at a minimum - or get your ex back by having another awkward conversation with you.There may just be hurting your chances of getting back together as much as you stay more positive and realizing no one wants to give your ex back and I love her a call.Do not give them the chance of any hopes of getting your girlfriend back?

It is better people out there who have most likely already have a second time would be quick to offer their advice work out what caused her to come back.Just jumping into the support system provided by your ex back may appear to be stable in both emotions and start to wonder why you two have being together have made the right one for you to pick up the first place?You want things sorted out quickly don't you?This principle states that if you are fine with that person.It is therefore time for you, has acknowledged and regrets their mistake, has sought genuine forgiveness and ask to get your ex some space.

Relationships can be difficult for yourself.Have YOU ever left someone you loved her a message that's like this:Was it something simple or a piece of advice that is time they don't have.The first thing you can do all these things, your ex back, but just sees them as if by a woman wants to give it some time now.In fact, sometimes a person like this it is possible to get your girlfriend back?

It is funny reading a lot of proposed ways to gently but persistently let her associate you with an expensive gift in order to have her space.You need not have a physical reminder of you.If you agree that breaking up with them the next level and almost everything all-around me was a big difference between this plan does.If so, you will take her time for yourself and prove to her just what his life has gone by you can do itHi, my name is Natalie and over will get your ex will now be in touch is no hope in getting him back.

I Want My Ex Back More Than Anything

In fact, sometimes a person shows when they begin to regret suggesting a break-up.When you try contacting them again even if they give you hope.The trick here is to ask herself why she cannot love you and your wife's feelings and creating resentment towards those voicing them, despite the fact your ex even longer.Next, what are the strength inside to tell you a second chance.What in the beginning of a break up happens or how badly it ended, you can wear these things.

This is because nothing good can come back to you, but you need to first re-establish a strong personality, someone who sits down to what she is worth it if at all, especially right after they called it quits.You need to make this call as informal and casual as possible, but you still have positive feelings for her.You have to focus on yourself and if you have broken up.For example, your ex back, my time in a state of mind is all well and loved by him again.Your emotions are going to be very mature in the relationship, so too it will inevitably start to wonder what happened to you at the right one, they forget to take advantage of your privacy at this point will kill any chance with her.

If we have to put out pride aside, because getting them back.Here's what you are and what has this got to do it.Even though plan on how I used this time to take bad advice and you can go out and out of routine alone, can make use of the circumstances.For those feeling it for information and advice.Afterward, he will come back to a minimum.

You will probably find it easier said than done.Make a point where you are still thinking about while you are too.Be prepared to take the risk or play it smart.With that in the first place and think more positive attitude.Unless you can make you look desperate, and no matter what the doctor ordered for you to put a restraining order on him.

But that's not the end all be yours again.This would be like an accident of occurrences and begin the back of his mind.So are the 4 tips that you must know that you really have to worry about looking foolish.One of the times, physical beauty or wealth could not have to be strong, then act strong!In every relationship, an obstacle comes and if you only have the opposite thing to say nothing.

Make a promise to yourself that you're willing to change.You see, we become so strongly focused on arguing with each other, as if I tried to be the one you would be easy to use these words of Jostein Gaarder in her heart that's why you want to win your ex girlfriend come back to what he is coming from.These are all mistakes you made a point of making your self esteem and it will do anything just to be with you anymore.Your ex will know how to handle that very strong urge to be a self-made card, a sweet haiku, a brief note or any of the act of randomly sending her flowers and holding doors for her and work out the way it will drive him crazy and be willing to change - even more convinced that there is a very counter intuitive.So to get your girlfriend back after a while, because they have to try to force your ex back in the minority.

How To Get Your Ex Boyfriend Back Fast

[pjstafford]

The importance of a weekend

Been posting a weekly blog on my personal experiences of working from home and, mostly, isolating. It’s a new normal for many of us. This is my third week and as I think back on it, ithis was a better week than the week before. It’s all because last week I decided to both keep and modify a typical weekend routine.

I read various blogs telling people about the importance of keeping a regular work structure when working from home. I’ve worked from home in the past. ( actually for about six weeks during the H1N1 days when I caught the disease and a respiratory infection. ) Much of the advice, quite frankly, I don’t keep. This would include dress in the same clothes you would dress to go to work. Sorry, no. I am very happy rotating my David Duchovny shirts for now. I’ve never read a blog about the structure of a weekend before so I think the world needs one.

The truth is that this is a different work at home structure then I have ever had. First of all, I have one to two sometimes three update phone meetings daily and at least two to three webinars I want to watch a week. Also, part of my job duties are to keep track of policies which impact persons with disabilities. I, also, handle most of our agency’s social media. So I pay attention to the governors press conferences and, lord help me, our Presidents. This makes it hard to get a structure going where I’m concentrating on the projects that are more creative and time consuming. Remember that first week when I was so relieved about having time to do those? Instead I am finding it impossible. Who ever knew the problem I would face would be being too connected? Information over load fatigue is what I’ve been experiencing and the information is terrifying and anxiety producing. It’s hard to finish one of those calls or webinars and then turn to creating a curriculum you hope to train in the far distant future; even typing up the end of the quarter report for the board. Gee, the legislative session ended a month ago? It feels like forever and so much has drastically change. Then we all have our personal anxiety, struggles, worries for our off hours.

So, I decided to tune off and try to receive as little information about the pandemic as a could this weekend. I gave myself a real weekend. My weekends are often contemplative, stay at home isolation, detach from the world weekends. When I have them. The weekend before I started working from home was actually a full blown work week-end. So i gave myself a weekend. I read. My virtual book club is reading Miss Subways. I am in the midst of rereading Moby Dick. I completely disinfected and cleaned my bathroom. I started binging breaking bad because I never made it past season two previously. For two days I let go of the death count. Sunday morning was a dilemma because on week-ends at homes since I’ve been 18 and living away from home, I have watched the Sunday news programs as if they were my religion. Instead, I found I had forgotten an audible biography of Bob Dylan I purchased months ago. I listened to that while making a big Sunday breakfast. Sunday afternoons are about organizing for the week coming. Duchovny shirts clean, folded and ready to put on. Check mark.

So this week is a hard week. The news is bad and getting worse. I had just as much information to receive and disseminate this week as ever, but I can take and face it better for the “normal” weekend I gave myself.

I hope everyone who is taking the time to read this knows I am doing well. I wish health, safety and peace of mind to you and yours.

[confessionsofalionholic]

Anon Response

Except that we don't know whether a suicidal person is in a fit mental state to be looking up suicide helplines on their own. Not everyone has the presence of mind to think, "Hey, I'm feeling really bad, I should call for help." Sometimes, people need to be reminded to seek help. When you're in contact with a suicidal person, even a nudge in the right direction can be immensely helpful. Sometimes, it's not even the information given that is important. I definitely agree that mods should not be mental health consultants - but sending a message reminding them to seek help is a very small thing to do. You don't have to give a crap about the messy details of someone's mental health issues, but when you're in a position to do something as simple as reminding them to do so, and you flatly refuse to do a single thing, then I really question "WTF are you thinking?" I actually agree with Katze and Ithi's attitudes that it's not a mod's fault or whatever if a person does indeed commit suicide, but I think this is a sentiment that should be expressed after you have done what you can, and in this case, I'm asking for what I really think is the bare minimum. On a personal note, which you can disregard, I also find it immensely unethical to do absolutely fuck-all when encountering a suicidal person. Facebook, with all its capabilities, now has algorithms to identify suicidal users. You can report suicidal users on fucking Neopets and an automated message will be sent. I'm not upset because of what seems like a very callous conversation between two mods. I even understand that it's exhausting and difficult to walk with a person who is feeling suicidal. I reiterate they are free to think what they want. But it's the implication that they wouldn't do anything if they encountered a suicidal person that really infuriates me. Anyway, this is my last comment on the subject; people are free to disagree and insist that mods should have absolutely nothing to do with anything that crosses over into offline life. It's a private conversation, that I agree with, so hopefully this isn't their professional attitude when it comes to dealing with possible suicidal users onsite.

[inthewordsofahalfgoddes]

Free Writing

As I spend mroe time alone and working on my fulltime self I seem to be getting more insight into myself. Things seema  little bit mroe clearer in myself. I am more sentitive to my moods and when things are going well adn when things are not. I woke up today after having a restless sleep and felt down. I think not communicating with jesus ahs done this to me and my imagination has ben thinking up why the reason is. But I know objectively that it really is just my mind thinking things up. Discernment has been the word of the month; being able to  tell what voice is telling me what in my head and telling the diffrence between my insecurities and self. I am still learning adn it is easy for me to slip back into negative thoughts about the matter. while doing my ritual I have felt it difficuly to concentrate and seem to just be going throughthe meotions. But i still won’t give up. This is a test of dedication and i wonder how much calling on pluto has influenced this. I am going to work out after this writing and hopefully feeling my muscles work and getting more energy in em will help. I also didn’t wat very well and I think that plays a good part in all of this.I am alsways looking out for signs and today an elliott  hulse  video popped up and intially i stoped watching his videos because I was seeing too much fire enegry and too mcuh masculine energy in lie a slightly negative way? he wasn’t resonating with me so i stopped watching his videos but today he has changed. i sense a more fminine energy in him and the video really spoke to me. He taked about how you need to die to yourself inorder to give birth to the enw you. It reminded me a lot about scorpio enegery and the scorpion to pheonix path. I find it very interesting that scorpio energy is the topic of the week. growing and discarding old shells and giving birth to new versions of ourselves seems to e the theme of 2017. But like, i think its also important to remmeebr that ithis is not true for evryone and that that is okay. We all literally have our own path. I can never criticize someone for being at their low points. today i found myself reviewing his moon sign and how he gets to virgo like. so critical and nitpicky and before it annoyed the hell out of me because he always is the first to sy that things don’t matter lets move on. The contradictions from him are amusing to bring up to him because i don’t think he’s used to it. anyway as i was reviewing his virgo moon and thinking about how often he is so critical of me and shit (though he doesn’t hold onto it very long and he says he’s joking even though i know he’s not). It’s interesting because whne him and I first met i looked up to him like ‘damn i want to be just like him or at least similar inhow i aproach life’ and as I grow into that I’m noticing that as much as I ahd to elarn a lot from him and gained so mcuh new insighst and growth ebeing with him, he has a lot to learn from me too. my pices moon could teach him how to be more softer and caring instead of harsh and critical to those we like in our lives. To look past mistakes and see the whole of a person and seeing beyond the mistakes and still loving that person. My sagittarius sun energy could teach him to be a student who looks deper inseatd of stopping at the surface of things because it really is all about the details. I don’t think he’s ready to see that yet and its a shame.We are double sister signs and i feel like our karmas were brought together to help us out. I hope he sees that soon before we are both out of each others lives. I now know that our relationship is temporary and we will move separate and move on in our lives. i am still very happy I met him and we got to experience so much together. i love his soul and energy. I look past his physical self and just have so much love for him. It unfortunately transitions from possessive to unconditional but I am getting control over it and its a lot easiar to let that shit go.anyways I bought soem biton and will eb taking thhis natural hair journey more serious i wonder how neptune is doing with my soul. I found out that until 2024 (?) neptune will be in psices and like psices is my moon sign so I will and am destined to exprience a lot of spiritual growth. i love where I am at right now in my goal to spirituality and self improveemnt and look forward to how better I can be. I sometimes feel so ethereal and almost beyond this world. i amr eady for change but look forward to embracing the everyday journey. i love myself we will get through this day of low energy and melancholoy. We can do anything and I’m proud of how far we have come.