#i'm scared of how it will be a year from now ...

[verdancy-hime]

Yes.

But now I'm pretty sure when it was awesome this was mostly a trap.

I'm pretty sure most of my life was a trap.

That's okay.

I remember my grandfather taking me out to dinner once. Just him and me. We went to pizza hut. I blew bubbles in the lemonade.

I remember once buying a giant sheet cake with ghosts on it from work for $1 and eating little pieces of it every day after work. The frosting tasted better stale.

I remember falling asleep next to you on that fold out couch you used as a bed after writing poems on your back with my fingers.

I remember suddenly being able to read minds after staying awake all night pacing and then sitting in the cold at that concert. I remember seeing right into the head of the guy on stage while he thought about a woman i didn't know. I remember chewing the ponytail of the girl in front of me.

I remember getting drunk with my friends and my shoe breaking and walking around barefoot. I remember it happened so many times. Once I had blood stains on the back of my tights.

I remember missing a ride but then getting eaten out in a public park by the river behind the library and then briefly fucked and how the car lights turned on and pulled away when I was done. And how I laughed.

I remember the girl standing next to me showing me her phone and being annoyed and then realizing she was showing me the set list for the encore and they would be play infrared.

I remember when the singer yelled "you're at a streetlight manifesto show, if someone falls down you pick them back up!"

I remember shoplifting hundreds of dollars of books until they gave me a job at a book store.

I remember waking up next to my boyfriend at the time and the green glass lamp I had back then made the room look like it was underwater and peaceful easy feeling was playing and I was still on molly a little.

I remember sneaking paperbacks into the shallow end of the pool at deep eddy, and how the pages stuck together but I could turn them carefully.

I remember once at my aunt pat's when I was alone for there days and had nothing to do but read Calvin and Hobbes.

I remember my Nana cooking me eggs in the place she was caretaking and telling me stories about emus.

I remember 3 whole years where everything went exactly my way except I was in love with a boy and he wouldn't tell me he would never be with me even though I begged. And I tried everything to make myself stop being in love with him until I couldn't stand it anymore and I made myself scare him away.

I remember what his cock tasted like while he was driving and how afraid he was of cameras.

Once I got to raise two litters of kittens.

I remember

Do you guys remember when everything was awesome

[sweetstrawberryys]

"In the Mirror”

Summary: You're just chilling when Ghost sends you a cryptic message. But no worries, your house is only haunted by one Ghost.

Rating: light teasing, domestic vibes, mild language, Ghost being a menace, a lot of warmth

Masterlist

---

You: I just saw your husband.

Ghost: What?

You: I'm not married, where did you see him?

Ghost: In the mirror.

You stared at your phone, blinking once. Twice.

A beat of silence passed. Then—

“Oh, you cheeky little—”

The door creaked open and there he was, all six-foot-something of smug British man wrapped in black joggers and one of your pink sweaters.

Yes. Your pink sweater.

“I stand by my statement,” he said, unrepentant. “Saw your husband just now. Dashing bloke. Strong jaw. Really into this new pink look, too.”

“You’re awful.” You couldn’t help the grin, though, as you tossed a throw pillow at him. “You can’t just text cryptic shit and make me think there’s a ghost in the house.”

“I am the ghost in the house.”

He caught the pillow mid-air, tossing it back with lazy aim. It thudded harmlessly to the side as you crossed your arms and narrowed your eyes.

“You scared me for a second, you know?” you said, voice dipping into a soft whine.

Simon’s smirk faltered. Just slightly. Enough for the tender to peek through.

“Didn’t mean to.” He stepped forward, crowding into your space like the possessive bastard he was. “Was just messin’.”

You looked up at him, trying not to melt at how domestic he looked—stubble unshaved, hair mussed from a lazy afternoon nap, your softest sweater stretching across his broad shoulders. It was a rainy Sunday kind of look. A “we’ve been together for years and this is the man I wake up to” kind of look.

And God, he wore it well.

“Well…” you murmured, poking his chest, “next time you want to be weirdly poetic and mysterious, just say you missed me.”

He leaned down, resting his forehead to yours. The grin that ghosted over his lips was softer now, less cocky. The kind he saved for you and you alone.

“I did miss you,” he murmured. “You left me alone with a mirror and too many feelings.”

“Oh no,” you said dramatically. “The horror. Self-reflection.”

He huffed out a quiet laugh. “I looked in the mirror, and there I was. Standing there. In your jumper. In our flat. And I just thought… shit.”

“Shit what?”

“That’s her husband.” His voice dropped lower. “Me. I'm her husband.”

You stared at him, heart going off like fireworks in your chest.

You weren’t married. Not yet.

But sometimes he’d drop little things like that. Like he’d already made up his mind. Like the choice was made the moment you met. You’d learned by now not to tease him for it. Every time you did, he’d retreat into that skull of his. Lock the doors and throw away the key.

So instead, you smiled.

“That mirror’s a smart one,” you whispered.

He kissed you then. Softly. Slowly. Like it was the first kiss all over again. One hand on your cheek, the other wrapped around your waist, warm and anchoring.

“You’re wearing my jumper,” you murmured against his lips.

“You left it out,” he whispered back. “Which means you wanted me to wear it.”

You chuckled. “Or I just didn’t fold the laundry.”

“Potato, potato.”

“You’re a menace.”

“I’m your menace.”

He kissed you again, deeper this time. Slid his tongue between your lips like he was trying to memorize the taste of home. And maybe he was. Maybe that’s what this all was to him.

Because to Ghost home had never really been a place. It was something he built from the pieces he was given. A couch with a sunken cushion. A kettle always warm. Your laugh from the other room. Your toothbrush next to his.

A mirror that, for the first time, reflected back a man who had something to lose. Someone to love. Someone who looked at him and saw husband instead of monster.

“You’re thinking again,” you whispered when you finally broke apart. “I can feel the dramatic brooding radiating off of you.”

He groaned. “Can’t get anything past you.”

“Nope.” you reached up to brush a lock of hair behind his ear. “Tell me what’s going on in that haunted head of yours.”

He sighed. Rested his chin atop your head like it was his favorite spot on Earth.

“I was brushing my teeth,” he said slowly. “Saw my reflection. And for the first time, I didn’t flinch.”

You froze, barely breathing.

“I saw a man,” he continued. “Not a mask. Not a monster. Just… a man. In love.”

Your eyes welled instantly. “Simon…”

He pulled back slightly to cup your face in both hands, thumbs brushing under your eyes.

“I’m not good with words. You know that.”

“You’re better than you think,” you whispered.

He huffed a smile. “But what I saw in that mirror—it was the man you see. The one who laughs with you. Holds you at night. The one who tries to remember to put the seat down.”

You laughed wetly.

“So yeah,” he said. “I saw your husband. And it made me want to keep being him.”

“You always were him,” you whispered. “Even before the mirror said so.”

You stood there for a long moment, wrapped up in each other like an old love song. The kind that plays softly in the background while life goes on.

Then, in true Simon Riley fashion—

“You’re still doing the dishes though.”

“Oh my God—”

“You think just because I got sentimental I’m doing the plates? Nah, sweetheart.”

“You said my jumper. This is a pink tax. You owe me.”

“I am your pink tax.”

You threw another pillow at him. He caught it again.

And just like that, the moment shifted—from soft to silly, from heart-clutching to heartwarming. Because love wasn’t always declarations or mirror metaphors.

Sometimes, love was pink jumpers and teasing texts.

Sometimes, love was looking in the mirror and liking what you saw.

Especially when it reminded you of your other half.

---

This was inspired by this post . Thanks for giving permission to use the prompt. Hope you enjoy!

[sabxynsweet]

i'm so invested already.. how did mattheo and yn meet? did she freak out when she first saw him?

sweetheart!reader and mattheo meet for the first time

The first time you saw Mattheo was not the first time you met him.

It was orientation day at the very beginning of the semester for your sixth year in Hogwarts when he first came into your sight.

He was sitting a few rows away from you, a cold (bored) look on his face. It was something about his hair or his eyes, maybe, you weren’t sure but in that moment you decided you had to have him.

You had heard of Mattheo Riddle - who hadn’t. He transferred in third year but you somehow never crossed pasts until now.

The daydreams you had in class were now centred around one thing, a plan: How to get Mattheo Riddle’s attention.

The first time you met Mattheo - properly - came a few months later.

You were transferred to a more advanced potions class for your second term due to an improvement of your grades.

When you walked into the classroom for your first day, you cheerfully floated over to Pansy - barely noticing who was around her.

“Mattheo, Blaise; have you met yn?” She asked, your heart stopped at the mention of his name before it started again (very quickly) when you saw him behind her.

“Oh, I don’t think we’ve met yet.” You said nonchalantly, like you haven't spent countless 11:11’s wishing for him to notice you.

Blaise introduces himself while Mattheo simply nods. You’d have to work just a little bit harder for him, you guessed.

Professor Snape walked in and you quickly glanced at Pansy with wide, scared eyes.

“Scary.” You mouthed.

“A little.” Pansy confirmed, mouthing back.

Your very first assignment for the new year was amortentia.

Pansy turns to you with an apologetic look, speaking in a hushed voice. “I really don’t want to ditch you for your first class but please let me pair with Blaise. It’s amortentia!”

You laughed, “No, totally. Go ahead, I’ll be fine.”

She squealed, thanking you and blowing you a kiss before rushing to her boyfriend.

You turned to Mattheo, a silent agreement forming. You gathered the ingredients together, you talked a lot about everything while he simply listened (you hoped) quietly.

After your potion was mixed, you immediately caught the smell: cigarettes, cologne, something metallic? Blood, you presumed. You weren't even surprised that the scent of the amortentia was your favourite infatuation.

“I don’t smell anything!” You declared, quickly. You hoped he believed your lie.

“I don’t smell anything, either.” Mattheo said.

Well, typical, of course he wasn’t interested in anyone.

“We must’ve made a mistake, oh well!” You said frantically, “live, laugh, love, I suppose!”

He raised an eyebrow at you.

“What? Have you never heard of that expression.” You asked with genuine concern in your eyes.

He laughed. “No, I have. I’ve just never heard anyone use it besides people who design divorced women’s throw pillows, I suppose.”

“Well, now I’m feeling very judged.”

He shook his head. “Don’t. It’s cute.” He pauses, “very… you.”

You squealed inwardly at the sort-of-compliment but kept calm outwardly, smiling at him.

The bell rang, you put the cauldron of the “failed” amortentia potion to the side before packing your things away.

“Bye, Mattheo!” You smiled, waving your hand before making your way to the next class.

You turn your back so quickly you didn't see Mattheo’s lips quirking into a small smirk.

He leaned in closer to the cauldron of amortentia you created and inhaled: vanilla, raspberries and cinnamon - pure sweetness, all of which were notes of the perfume you’ve worn since third year.

The year that Mattheo first noticed you.

author's note: thank you for the ask angel! i'm so happy you're invested because i am as well. here's when evenmoredownbad!mattheo comes out !

[writeriguess]

I'M OBSESSED HOW YOU WRITE KATSUKI!!! That said, I'd like you to write an idea of mine. Katsuki has been in LOOOOVE with reader for a looooong time but has never confessed. Of course Bakusquad always tries to usher him because they can't stand seeing him so lovesick and keep telling him she's going to find someone else one day. And one day, their warnings come true and he hears that Iida has asked her to go out with him and she has agreed, which finally pushes him into confessing, and she returns his feelings but thought it's impossible he'd ever like her back, which is why she tried to move on from him and Iida presented a chance.

Too Late, Idiot

Katsuki Bakugou had been in love with you for years.

Not a fleeting, half-hearted crush. Not the kind that burned out. No—his burned slow. Deep. A steady ache behind his ribs every time you laughed too loud or leaned too close or looked at someone else the way he wished you’d look at him.

But he never said anything.

Couldn’t.

The words clogged his throat like smoke.

So instead, he watched. Glared. Pined in silence like a coward.

And the Bakusquad? They watched him.

Just tell her.

Kirishima’s voice, patient but firm, had become a constant refrain.

Before someone else does.

Mina warned, more than once.

She’s not gonna wait forever, bro.

Even Kaminari had a point. And Kaminari almost never had a point.

But Katsuki didn’t believe it. Not really. You felt... permanent. Untouchable. As if the universe wouldn’t dare hand you to someone else.

Until it did.

Until he saw it.

Iida, stiff as ever, stopping you in the hallway after class. Asking you something—his voice too far away to hear.

And you...

You smiled.

You nodded.

Katsuki felt the ground tilt under his feet. His heart didn’t break all at once—it cracked, slow and sharp like ice splitting under pressure.

He didn’t talk to you for two days.

Not because he hated you. God, no. He hated himself. For waiting. For assuming. For letting you go without ever holding on.

It was Kirishima who cornered him that night in the dorm lounge.

"You look like you’re about to explode"

"I am about to explode"

"So go tell her before you self-destruct"

Katsuki snorted, bitter.

"It’s too late"

Kiri shrugged like it was obvious.

"Then go make it not too late"

You were just coming back when he found you—walking up the front steps of the dorms, arms crossed against the chill in the air. Your expression was... off. Not happy. Not sad either. Just distant.

He stepped into your path.

"Oi"

You startled slightly, then blinked up at him.

"Katsuki?"

His hands were fists in his pockets.

"You goin’ out with him now?"

You stared at him like he’d grown another head.

"...I guess?"

"Why?"

You frowned.

"That’s not really your business, is it?"

He flinched.

Yeah. He deserved that.

But he didn’t back off.

"I thought you knew"

You tilted your head, wary.

"Knew what?"

"That I... like you"

It came out rough. Broken. Like it scraped something raw on the way up.

"I’ve liked you for a long time"

You just stared at him.

And then, softly, like you couldn’t help it—

You laughed.

Not because it was funny.

Because it hurt.

"No you haven’t"

"I have" he snapped, stepping closer.

"I was just—I didn’t know how to say it. I didn’t know if you’d ever feel the same"

Your voice was barely a whisper.

"You were scared?"

He looked away, jaw clenched.

"Yeah"

"Of what?"

"Of messing it up. Of losin’ you. Of hearin’ you say you didn’t want me"

You were quiet for a long time. Then—

"I thought it was impossible you’d like me"

You looked up at him, eyes shining.

"I waited so long, Katsuki. And I thought... I thought you just didn’t see me that way"

He swallowed.

"You said yes to him 'cause of me?"

"I said yes because I thought I needed to move on"

Silence stretched between you like a taut wire.

"You still wanna be with him?"

Your answer came without hesitation.

"...No"

His breath left him in a rush.

"Then don’t"

You smiled, soft and sad.

"Then ask me"

He stepped closer.

Close enough to feel your warmth in the cold.

"Go out with me, dumbass"

Your laugh was brighter this time. Real.

"You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet"

He grinned.

"I’ve got a lifetime to practice"

[chow0w]

I’d honestly love to see your take on fashion for all of the tribes! I always love seeing world-building in the fork of fashion!

Thank you so much!! I'm trying to branch out and tie fashion in with lore/culture - I genuinely lost the plot with this one but you have to walk with me like WALK with me right now. come here.

Scarlet and the Skywings: A discussion on fashion, politics and culture

About this image: Queen Scarlet crawls out of her own self-portrait, looking down at Tourmaline and the Skywings in fury. She does not notice the Guillotine above her or the fire below her, focused only on her daughter who looks up in defiance. The words 'Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité' are repeated in the background, and Tourmaline's wings are drawn to look like rays of sun.

Setting the scene - Skywings and the French

I won't pretend to know the Skywing kingdom inside out, but tailwind's section in guide to the tribes gives good insight to the kingdom's situation during Scarlet/Firestorm's reign. the extract suggests that the Skywing kingdom was an economically thriving center for the arts, as well as a kingdom which followed some semblance of an aristocracy with noble families and an upper/lower class divide - similar to the situation of pre-revolution France.

We must also consider the scope of how bad things actually were before/during Queen Scarlet's reign. Social class is never directly mentioned in canon, but it could easily be reasoned (from her + Queen Firestorm's behavior) that Scarlet's rule created tons of problems for the kingdom's commoner. between fighting 20 years of sandwing succession war, uprooting major cultural practices and dumping heinous amounts of money into self-portraits, it's safe to say Scarlet and her mother were probably the two worst things that could ever happen to the average working Skywing. Like this is the Queen who threw Osprey (A public figure old enough to be long loved) into a ravine for... teaching Peril the law.

Starved of kingdom funding, ripped from their culture and sent off to die in a sandwing war, I really feel that the Skywings deserved to crash out French style on their high society.

(That's not to say that I dislike the canon plot of the kingdom: in fact, I think it's good - it completes its duty as a plot device and still manages to make sense and be cool. If I was Tui, I would absolutely call it a day there. Lucky for me, I'm a tumblr artist and not a bestselling author. I get to write about violent revolutions.)

The revised timeline

Given the context on why I think the Skywings needed a good revolution, here's how I personally would've structured the timeline after Scarlet's rule, including the events of Escaping Peril. If you haven't read that book, I suggest skipping down to the next image.

Scarlet comes into power. Bad things happen to everyone. Skywings are pissed for 20 years, but between the war, economic issue and the fire demon (Peril) nobody really has the energy to revolt. They stay quietly angry, and (perhaps) form something similar to the chrysalis.

One day, the dragonets of destiny arrive - something happens in the arena and the tyrant is gone. The kingdom sits in aftershock for a moment, before springing into gleeful celebration. The real bloodbath is never for Scarlet - presumed to be dead or missing, they turn to the Skywing nobles who supported her instead. The WoF wiki states Skywings enjoy entertainment and fighting alike, so I like to think their last gritty celebration of freedom was making the (oppressive) aristocracy their last arena victims. Dragons like Tailwind (born into nobility but low-lying or unsupportive) were probably spared.

Queen Ruby is elected to be the new skywing ruler by default - some Skywings may feel hesitant or reluctant to have Scarlet's daughter in power, but tradition + scares of another sandwing-type war keep them from kicking her out. She does a great job, so it doesn't matter anyways and they love her.

Scarlet comes back in Escaping Peril, and for a brief moment the kingdom is turned upside down. Stories spread like wildfire, and the Skywing population are ignited with a new sense of rage at their old Queen's return. At this point, I don't even think Peril's presence would be able to stop riots and uprise on the streets.

Ruby challenges Scarlet and the canon ending happens, or Peril (somehow) realizes Ruby is Tourmaline another way and the fight can be avoided altogether. Instead, the nature of Tourmaline's erasure (using animus magic, changing her identity) is so offensively un-Skywing that the population snaps and jump Scarlet together, right then and there. She dies like Scar from the lion king.

Back to the fashion - high society

Plot lost, plot recovered. I will talk about fashion now - starting with that of the aristocracy (specifically during Scarlet and Firestorm's reign.)

Extravagant garments crown the nature of upper-class fashion: big bows, long dresses, feathered headpieces and fur wigs are what make you well-dressed here. Curiously, upper-class Skywing attire is not very Skywing at all: imports are in, tradition is out! The dragons of the aristocracy order pearls from the sea, pelts from the north and the finest tailors to put it together. As the sandwing succession war starts, trade deals are interrupted and these garments become rarer: more valuable.

Function and Logistics

These garments are generally viewed as unisex, with the urge to be best dressed outcompeting the urge to have gendered clothing within society. Most of them have intricate mechanical makeup, which is a landmark to the Skywings and their long history of design. Copper wires braided together are bent to form skirt cages, and headdresses are fashioned in place using a complicated network of leather bands and iron clips. Putting these outfits on would undoubtedly require a team of assistants: maids clip the headdress in place while tailors edit the radius of the skirt cage, fixing it in place with a small plume of flame. The final result is a splendorous, inconvenient piece of clothing meant to show your wealth and absolutely nothing else. I imagine that flying is near impossible with these garments (or - one can fly, at the expense of their gown) so most dressing and undressing is done within palace walls.

Queen Scarlet and her mother, obsessed with beauty, would likely uphold these garments as a uniform standard within balls and celebrations. Skywings were expected to look as best as they could, with absolutely no exceptions and a very deadly consequence for disobedience. Fashion is always, in some aspect, political; seeing this type of needless extravagance as a working-class Skywing would've undoubtedly sparked anger, and I'm sure the French revolutionaries would agree.

Clothing for the Skywings: past and present

As it tends to, the fashion of the elites will bleed into the world around it - and with the removal of their culture and tradition, the Skywings of the kingdom would most likely follow suit in how they dressed themselves - abandoning traditional garb in fear of Queen Scarlet, and adopting new fashion trends.

These trends would include simplified, practical versions of High-class clothing: petticoats and puff sleeves replace pearl necklaces, fitting in with societal expectations while still being functional. These coats could be used to store day-to-day necessities like gold coins, trinkets or herbal medicines, with the sleeves made from thinly stretched fabric. Some Skywings may choose to embroider their coats and shirts, or even wear a hat - a slightly impractical item which could be used to flaunt one's financial security. While this fashion is nice, I'm sure lots of Skywings would be old enough to remember their traditional wear: some may even have it in their home, tucked away in the attic with other relics of home.

I imagine these garments were much more fluid in shape: made to be beautiful and flyable, they consisted of long fabrics trailing down from the base of one's neck, made from local materials found on the mountain - feathers, wool, flower dyes etc. The clothes themselves were beautifully detailed through pattern, not shape: beads, embroidery and stitching could be used to create a high-class garment, which would be used during weddings or balls. Some hats may have also been present, although these would still be largely difficult to fly with. These clothes probably returned as the Skywing kingdom began to heal, alongside the old traditions buried under tyranny.

When sketching these garments, I looked to traditional Kazakh clothing for inspiration, as both cultures share their mountainous location and use of local material. I understand that Kazakh and French clothing are different fashions from wildly different cultures, and the only reason this really works is because I'm writing in the context of fictional dragon world and not real human world. I considered keeping the fashion solely French, but honestly they're both so beautiful I had to include Kazakh clothing too!

Choosing which cultures to investigate is always the hardest part about making these posts, and so I'm trying to incorporate a lot of diversity as I plan - and maybe even explore one tribe in the lens of multiple cultures.

If you made it all the way down here, thank you so much for reading along! Writing about lore and culture is SO fun, and I really appreciate all of you who've inquired about fashion/culture within the other tribes! These posts take a little bit longer to make, so I'm aiming for one a week but we'll see. To anyone interested, my art contest is still going until the end of June! If you're a regular on this blog you will have heard this too often and want to jump me, but please have mercy.

You can find more info and enter here, in my discord server!

later ヾ(`ヘ´)ﾉﾞ

[bones4thecats]

Hello! I saw that request are open again and i really want to request headcanons from twisted wonderland!

I wanted to ask for headcanons of malleus, sebek and leona with a significant other with the personality and background of elsa! I mean, s/o is really introverted, shy, studious and prim but also has so much fear of their powers due a traumatic event in their lives and have problems with let go all the pressure and fear they have but eventually learn how to control their power better.

I hope this is not such a heavy request and youre free to decline this! I hope youre doing well in real life!

↳ Conceal, Don't Feel.

A Twisted Wonderland × Elsa! Reader.

Requester: @ultravioletqueen.

Characters Included: Malleus Draconia, Sebek Zigvolt, and Leona Kingscholar.

Possible Trigger Warnings: Accidental physical harm caused from sibling to sibling, mentions of parental death, attempted murder, and isolation.

●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●

🐉 Malleus uses magic in a lot of his daily activities. It's practically in a fae's DNA to use magic often. But, for you? You despised using magic. More specifically, you hated using your magic. 🐉 Your boyfriend noticed your hesitation to use your unique spell to defend yourself against an attack sent by Lilia in a spar. His green eyes widened and pupils narrowed when you flinched and jumped away instead of blasting back.

🐉 He asked what it was all about, and was shocked to hear you were told to suppress your magic due to its strength and danger against your younger sibling. 🐉 Malleus hugged you from the side and asked if you believed him to be dangerous because of his own magical prowess. You jumped and looked at him shocked, yelling a no and an explanation on why you knew him to be safe, not a monster. 🐉 When you finished, he smiled at you. "How am I not a danger, yet you are?"

⚡ Sebek was sort of scared of you at first. When you arrived at Night Raven College, your magic was still a little stray and was heavy dependable on your emotions. Let's just say hiding it all and then releasing it wasn't a very good move. ⚡ He and you began dating after your own overblot. It seemed impossible to many, as you were a first year, and your magical capabilities should have been below a second year's. But, it happened, and the world around began to freeze over. ⚡ Sebek's eyes were teared up when you began to scream in pain, ice overtaking your form. Your fingers were like icicles and your pupils snowflakes. He screamed for you to listen to him and not the thought in your mind. ⚡ "Your strength is not something to be scared of! Being strong is something you should take pride in! Your magic is beautiful, not monstrous!" He began to walk through the raging storm, leaving the sights of his fellow first years as he called out to you. ⚡ "Please- just come back to us! Come back to me! I love you!"

🦁 Leona and you had very different views on magic. He found it to be useful in multiple ways. You found it to be troublesome and something that would only tear people apart. 🦁 Maybe that was because it tore you and your younger sibling apart. 🦁 He knew you and your sibling had a harsh relationship, even harsher than he and his brother. You and they used to be very close; playing around anytime you got the chance. But, after you accidentally blasted them with your magic, you isolated yourself. 🦁 Leona tried getting you to contact them more, as you tried getting him to contact his brother more. But, he always failed. Eventually, he caught your sibling walking around campus, asking for you. 🦁 He was unsure if you wanted to see them at the moment, so he messaged you. When you told him to keep them away for now so you could get ready, he said he'd get Ruggie on the case. 🦁 While Ruggie busied your sibling, Leona sat in his room with you beside him. You were sobbing into his chest, while he just held onto you like a pillow. 🦁 "Don't worry, Frosty. I'm right here."

🌊 Copyright © 2025 by Bones4thecats on Tumblr. All Rights Reserved. 🌊

[idorelyss]

POCKETS OF TIME ex-wife.ᐟleila ouahabi x reader

summary moments with leila that you hold dear to your heart.

contains ex.ᐟwife leila ouahabi x reader universe, this is set during the years of their marriage, mentions of weight, they're so inlove, pure fluff!

author notes told yall i was working on something! here it is. enjoy it 💖

word count 2.6k

PLAYING STAY READY (WHAT A LIFE) BY JHENE AIKO FT KENDRICK LAMAR

ONE

you're laying on leila chest, her hands playing with your hair. lips still swollen from a long overdue makeout session. this was the first time you have seen leila in about two weeks, she had been away doing the usual football duties she has to do to get the career she strives for. you two texted the entire time while she was away, but nothing can compare to hearing her voice in person and feeling the warmth of her body against yours.

“i missed you.. alot,” you murmur, breaking the comfortable silence that laid between you two.

leila chuckles, “really? i missed you more.”

“pfft, no way. i always feel like a puppy begging for you to look my way.”

“anyone who knows us would disagree with that. i'm the one always looking for your attention.”

you sit up, making leila frown at the sudden loss of weight. her frown soon turns into a smile when she looks at your face; brows all furrowed and eyes all squinted. when you looked like that, she always knew you were thinking hard.

“i've been crazy about you since literally the first day you asked me out,” you say.

“same here,” leila sits up beside you, pushing back some of your hair behind your ear with her hand, “i liked you so much so fast. i never said anything about it until now cause i thought it would scare you off.”

you laugh, shaking your head.

“scare me off? nah, you could never scare me off.”

leila pulls you back into her arms, falling back onto the bed. “good cause i'm too obsessed to let you go.”

TWO

“look at you,” leila says with admiration laced into her tone, “your bump has gotten so big.”

a shy smile graces your lips as you look in the mirror at where leila's hands are resting at the bottom of your belly bump. ever since you have been showing, leila has asked you to stand infront of the floor length mirror in your bedroom so you two can look at the bump together.

“i feel like a whale,” you pout. weight isn't something you have ever really cared about, but seeing your body change so much in such a short amount of time has messed with you a bit if you're being honest.

leila scoffs before gently biting your ear. “don't talk about my wife like that,” she says, resting her head on your shoulder.

you roll your eyes in faux annoyance but in reality your heart warms at how she doesn't let you self deprecate.

“you're gorgeous. you're basically glowing,” leila pairs her compliments with a kiss to your cheek.

“ugh, stop..” you mumble, pouting. feeling embarrassed with her attention on you.

leila shakes her head but stops for now. her mind focusing on something else, “is the extra weight giving you trouble? making your back hurt?”

you let out a sigh and nod. the bigger your bump grew, the more your back felt strained. you aren't used to carrying around the extra weight even at 24 weeks.

“it's okay, princesa. i gotchu,” leila says. she slides her hands to underneath your belly then pushes it up, lifting the weight from you.

the relief she gives you makes you groan softly.

the smug look of satisfaction leila gives you makes you groan again, this time out of annoyance, and close your eyes.

THREE

it's pouring raining outside. the weather matches your unpleasant mood. today felt like it was out of a movie, in a bad way. you had burned your eggs this morning so you went to work only have eaten a protein bar then you made a mistake at work and got scolded then on the way home you wanted to grab some cinnamon rolls to make up for your bad day but nope, forgot your cards at home and you only realized when you reached the counter. the sting of embarrassment that went through you when you had to say nevermind and walk out still burns you hours later.

so yeah, you have been having a shitty day.

you have already cried all the tears you could and eaten half of the ice cream in your freezer.

still, your bad mood is persistent. sticking onto you like it's humidity.

so you call leila, something you should had done earlier but you weren't thinking about that through all of your tears and anger at the day.

pick up, please you beg internally. the phone rings and rings until the voicemail plays. you let out a heavy sigh.

what could she possibly be doing? you remember her texting you in the morning with her usual good morning then telling you that she was going to go play soccer with her friends but that was back around eight am. she has to be finished with that by now.

you are about to set your phone down and start back on your ice cream binge when it rings.

my baby 💋 pops up on your screen. you barely let the ringtone play before you answer.

“leila..” you say, your voice nearly breaking into a sob.

“princesa, what's wrong? why you sound so down?” leila feels like her heart is breaking with how sad you sound answering the phone. she was just getting out of the shower when you called, so she missed it but called back the moment she was in her bedroom.

you let out a deep breathe, trying to stop yourself from crying. wanting to sound clear enough for leila to understand the words coming out of your mouth.

“today has been the worst day of my life. i swear.. like-” you go into a rant about all the happened. your chest feeling lighter and lighter as you speak.

leila listens to it all, already getting dressed as she puts you on speaker. she wasn't going to just sit at home while her girlfriend was going through it.

“don't worry, baby. i'm coming,” she says, staying a few minutes more on the phone before hanging up.

fifteen minutes later and there was a knock at your door. you get up and open it to the sight of a soaked leila with two bags in her hand.

“oh my god, leila, get in here.” you step aside to allow her to walk in. she smiles and come inside. kicking off her shoes by the shoerack before walking over to the kitchen to set the bags down.

“babe, why are you soaked?” you say, following behind her.

“cause i ran here. the bus would had took too long,” she says casually like that isn't insane, “oh, and i stopped by the store as you can see.” she starts to pull out the snacks she brought out of the bags.

you look at her like she's crazy. all you can do is laugh as you shake your head, “i love you but please, next time, just take the bus.”

“not when you about to breakdown over the phone with me,” she turns to look at you, frowning as she looks at your face. there are tear stains down your cheeks, your eyes are all puffy. she comes close to you and brings her hands to cup your face.

the coolness of her hands make you let out a puff, but you don't pull away. practically melting into her affection.

“next time you have a really shitty day, call me as soon as possible. i care about you, amor,” she says softly like you were fragile.

“okay.”

“okay?”

“i'll call you next time.. as soon as possible.”

“good. now let's eat all of these snacks until we feel sick and watch a movie,” leila says, proceeding to peck your forehead before pulling away.

you nod before remembering that leila is literally soaking wet and getting the water all over your floors. “right after you go dry off and change,” you say.

leila looks down at herself before smirking, “oh yeah. hold on a sec.”

FOUR

leila's sitting at one of the many tables in this venue, sipping on a glass of champagne. you and her have just got married. her feet are tired from dancing, her face is tired from smiling and laughing, and her stomach feels so full after all the cake she ate.

you're on the dance floor, dancing with your niece who isn't really your niece. the little girl, brielle, is actually your bestfriend's daughter. she's an adorable little girl who was happily the flower girl for the wedding.

the venue is pretty much empty at this point. everyone is off to their hotel rooms or outside talking about whatever. music is softly playing from the DJ booth. it feels like a scene straight out of a movie.

leila can't stop her smile from growing as she watches you pick up brielle and spin her around. you look so gorgeous like an angel. this day will definitely go down as one of the best days of her life. probably right after the day she first met you.

eventually brielle gets tired, resting her head on your shoulder. you smile as you walk over to leila.

“going to go give her back to her mom,” you say, nudging leila's foot with your heel, “then you're going to gimme a dance.”

“oh yeah?” leila sets her champagne glass to the side. she leans forward, putting her elbows on her thighs.

you nod, “mhm. i'm your wife, so you do what i want. happy wife.. happy life.”

leila shakes her head, smile still plastered on her lips, “hurry back.”

you make a kissing noise before walking away. leila whistles as she watches you walk away and lets out a laugh when you turn your head to give her an annoyed look.

ten minutes later, you're back. you come up to the side of leila and tap her shoulder.

“hi, wife. dance with me?” you hold out your hand towards her.

leila takes your hand and stands, “of course, wife.”

so that's what yall do. dancing slowly on the dancefloor, swaying to the music. there are some softly said words to eachother but it's mostly taking in the moment and enjoying it.

when the song ends, leila pulls you into a kiss. you smile into the kiss so of course she starts to smile too and the kiss goes from a embrace of lips to a clash of teeth.

“i love your smile,” leila says breathless when she pulls away.

your smile gets wider, if that's even possible, at her compliment.

“i love your smile more,” you say back.

“i love you.”

“and i love you more.”

FIVE

you're cutting vegetables, listening to your mother's voice while she talks about all the family drama. something about your cousin wedding and her husband being trash. you aren't really listening even though the tea is juicy.

it's hard to multitask; listen and cut up the vegetables well.

leila had took marco off to the park to tire him out. he has been energetic all day, so she got the got the great idea to take him out. your father decided to tag along, wanting more time with his grandson and daughter-in-law.

“-and you know, he didn't even ask for blessing from her parents to marry her. not that it's needed, but i'm pretty sure she would love to hear he got the approval of her parents,” your mother says, “he's so unlike leila. she actually came to us and ask for our permission.”

you were just nodding in agreement before fully grasping what was just said. you stop cutting, looking over at your mother.

“leila did what?” you say.

your mother looks at you, slightly annoyed you interrupted her gossiping. “she asked for permission to marry you. i remember she came here, brought flowers for me and a football jersey for your dad, and said she wanted to marry you and hoped for our blessing. of course, we gave it to her and look at you two now, married,” she says. all nonchalant like it was something you already known.

before you can say anything, your mother goes back to gossiping. continuing to talk down on your cousin's husband and you actually tune in this time as you swipe the chopped vegetables off the cutting board into the frying pan.

when leila, marco, and your dad come back, they're all starving. dinner is a lovely affair with the conversation flowing easily; marco talking about all they did at the park, your mother going into what she wants you all to do together as a family tomorrow, your father bringing up football, and leila chiming into every topic like the yapper she is.

your mind is off somewhere during dinner, but you still take part in the conversation.

after dinner, you take marco to go ready for bed while leila helps clean up.

coming out of the bathroom with a freshly bathed marco, you say goodnight to your mother and father as you pass by their bedroom. marco says a sleepy goodnight that leaves them smiling.

“night night, my love,” you say to him as you tuck him into bed. you had got him all dressed in his jammies. he looked adorable.

leila walks into the room, also changed into her pajamas and hair freshly wet from her shower. she smiles at seeing the two of you.

“mama, can we go back to the park tomorrow?” marco asks when leila comes to kneel beside you at his bed.

“mhm, yeah if we find the time,” she says.

you kiss his forehead then push back some of his hair from his eyes, “hm, you need a haircut.. we'll think about that tomorrow. sleep tight, have sweet dreams.”

you get up from where you kneel at the side of his bed and leila replaces you, going to give marco a kiss of her own and a few whispered words about what's to come tomorrow.

marco, exhausted from the day, is fast asleep by the time leila reaches his bedroom door. she smiles as she looks at him looking all adorable in his little bed then she gently shuts the door.

when she comes into your bedroom, slightly closing the door before getting into bed beside you. she kisses your forehead before saying, “he's an little angel, isn't he?”

“yeah.. must not take after you because you're the furthest thing from an angel,” you say playfully. giggling when leila pinches your side.

“yeah, yeah, whatever,” leila rolls her eyes, “go shower. you smile like fried vegetables.”

“so like a meal? awe, thanks for the compliment.”

“shut up.” leila rolls her eyes before shoving you with her shoulder.

you shove her back and scoff, “don't be mad i'm a full meal and you're not.”

“that's not how it was last night-” you cover her mouth before she can continue speaking. you can feel her lips turn into a smirk underneath your palm.

“okay, shut up,” you pull your hands away.

and of course, leila has that stupid smirk on her face. “okay.. just to let you breathe for a sec. you still gotta go shower.”

“i know, but before i do.. i wanted to ask you a question.”

leila gets slightly more serious as she raises her eyebrows, gesturing for you to go ahead and ask.

“did you ask for my parents blessing before proposing to me?” you ask.

the brunette lets out a sigh then laughs, “thought you were going to ask me something super serious. yeah, i did.”

“why?”

“cause i know how much your parents mean to you and you know, i love them too. i would have still proposed with or without their blessing, but it was nice to know they were 100% behind our engagement.”

you look at her for a moment before coming close to kiss her all over her face. leila giggles, half confused, half amused.

“i love you,” you say when you pull away.

she tilts her head, looks away for a second before saying, “i love you more, you weirdo. now go shower please.”

“pfft, I still smell like a meal. don't even.”

author notes one of my best works in a long while. hope ya liked it 😚

[cat-mermaid]

i gave The Gift of Fear to a friend as an xmas gift like a decade ago because he is exactly the fucking "i am man, i have no fear, i will trust these strangers that approached me from out of the dark while i am all alone in this parking lot behind a dead mall, my man manly arms shall protect me from harm"

you know what he said after reading it? He got snotty with me, he said it was "fear propaganda" and that the author had some kind of agenda and all i could do was slam my head against the wall because DUDE YOU NEED TO BE A LITTLE MORE SCARED AND UNDERSTAND WHY WOMEN ARE VALID 2 GET REALLY SCARED

also another reason (actually it was the main reason) i got him this book was because once in college he was obliviously following a woman in a parking garage at night because she was heading the same direction he was: towards their parked cars that were next to each other. When she got to her car and he was pretty much right behind her, she turned and maced him then jumped in her car and sped off

I love this guy but he is to this day oblivious about how his physical presence affects the people around him (guy who stops in the middle of a shopping isle and stands like a stump while other people have to go around him and acts surprised when i'm like DUDE BEHIND YOU) so yeah i can see his young 20-ish year old self being dumb as hell and not noticing that he is FREAKING this woman out by following her like a duckling

but that experience really left him bitter, and when i first knew him he'd say shit like "women shouldn't be taught to fight back, they should be taught to run" and i'd be like DUDE WHAT. WHAT IF THERES NO WHERE TO RUN MAN and he'd just hand wave it away and be like they should try just harder to run. He'd say all this weirdly specific shit like "oh women shouldn't bother attacking the groin that will just make the man angrier" and its like DUDE I HAVE BEEN TAKEN DOWN BY A TODDLER RUNNING BETWEEN MY LEGS WITH THEIR HANDS RAISED UP IN GLEE what are you talking about

he said a lotta shit that made me question my desire to be friends with him, wasn't till i heard the mace story that i finally put it all together and was like WOW MAN this really carved a deep trench in your world view huh

he's way different now, he doesn't say that shit anymore because he did made an effort to listen and learn finally realize that its not about you and that one misunderstanding, that every woman shouldn't be able to react to a situation

with force🔨

if they feel like their damn life or physical safety is in the cross hairs

Listen, we need to teach cis men to be more afraid. It sounds bad but listen.

Every time a woman talks about being afraid when walking alone some guy or pickmegirl will eventually say “Actually, more men get murdered and kidnapped every day” and I can’t help but think “And yet you learn nothing from it?”

I love listening to people tell their survival stories and the genre is filled with men doing absolutely insane shit like getting into a stranger’s car late at night just because they offered them a ride, or going on a hike with a friend of a friend and getting blackout drunk with them in the middle of nowhere. No wonder more men get murdered even without counting stuff like gang shootings and war, and the stories always end with “I was young and stupid. I know better now”

The author of The Gift of Fear talks about this too. Women in general have a way better sense of danger and he used to get a lot of cases where, for example, something happens outside a couple’s car, the woman gets nervous and tells the man to stay in the car but he’s more curious than afraid, goes outside and gets killed.

Shit like this is the reason why men supposedly have shorter lifespans. It’s not because their biological clocks end sooner, it’s because so many die young while doing insane things, including ignoring safety at work or driving too fast.

And when it comes to being murdered it’s because so many of them think they can protect themselves just because they are men. But often times a lone criminal doesn’t care about your gender if they’re armed. How many times have we heard about women being attacked but is saved by another woman who happened to walk by. All most criminals care about in a situation like that is whether they’re outnumbered or have witnesses.

This is not me saying women are wrong to be afraid, or that all cis men act like this (my brother would never in a million years walk alone in the city after dark) just that cis men in general need to learn that they aren’t safe either just because they are men and their complete lack of fear isn’t doing them any good.

Because I’ve seen plenty of videos from hikers meeting either bears or weird men in the woods and I can tell you for a fact they’d choose the bear too.

[arlenianchronicles]

Omg, actually, how do you envision Finrod’s discovery of humans to have gone?

Because to elves, humans must be such weird fleshy blobs. I can imagine Felagund to be all excited and then stop a moment to silently go “ew…” before finding some ‘ugly dog’ cuteness in them and start singing and playing for them.

But what about the humans when they wake up, and then they see some actual legitimate wood monster singing and playing a harp with creepy branch hands? (If we ignore that some of them had known the dark elves- koff koff. Speaking of- what are the dark elves like? What sets them apart from the other elves?)

Lmaooo, this AU is living rent free in my head. I’m so glad to have witnessed its start and now growth <3

Ohohh I hadn't thought about the first meeting yet! I think Finrod definitely would pause for a bit, kinda seeing a naked cat for the first time when all you've known are the floofy ones XD But I feel like he'd also find a sort of beauty to the Edain; I remember mentioning years ago how Elves consider their true faces ugly, which is why they wear their masks, and they now find humans' faces beautiful in comparison XD

Of course, when the Edain wake up, you can bet there's going to be running and screaming 😂 But Beor gets them under control! I imagine he's pretty darn scared, but he approaches Finrod (mainly because Finrod isn't really attacking while everyone's freaking out; his mask has a worried expression, and he's kinda behaving like a lost child amidst all the chaos, so Beor's thrown off by that XD)

First contact, success! XD

As for the Dark Elves, I'd guess they're pretty similar to Thingol's Sindar, with a slimmer silhouette, less layers, and more dark foresty colours. Maybe their masks don't have fully formed faces? I really ought to draw all the different Elves at some point, like with my height chart lmaoo

Ahh I'm so happy you're enjoying the AU's progress!! Thank you so much for your support (and to everyone, as well!) <333

[blueberrykizz]

Let me be Selfish (part 2)

Bob Reynold x fem! Reader

Part 1

Summary: After years of being apart and moving to Manhattan, New York City from Sarasota Springs, Florida and in a new relationship, you see a familiar face on the news.

Notes: Since we don't really know how old Bob is supposed to be l'm gonna say in this story he's like 28 and reader is like 26-27 just she's only a little bit younger then him but she's out of college and a teacher for second grade.

Warnings: cheating sort of? (Not on Bob), Arguing (not with bob), toxic relationship (again not with Bob), swearing, brings up teen pregnancy (in a small part of a conversation), Bob talks about his drug use,

!THIS IS NOT PROOF READ! So I'm sorry if it's shit

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I gently pulled away as I looked down and sighed “Bob, I-I should go.” I said as I grabbed my coffee before I felt Bobs hand grab my wrist. As he looked up at me with pleading eyes.

“(Reader) please….j-just stay for a moment.” Bobs eyes were looking up at me as I looked at him for a moment before nodding my head.

I sat back down a little further from Bob as he let go of my wrist before he sighed and rubbed his eyes, as he looked ashamed, “I was stupid, okay? I didn’t want to leave you but, (reader) y-you knew what you wanted in life. Graduate high school, go for college for early children’s education…get married, have a family.” I looked up at Bob as he sounded like he was going to cry

“Bob…we were teenagers, the whole marriage and family thing was way down in the future for me back then.” I sigh as Bob nods his head

“Ya but you talked about it, and it scared the shit out of me, I dropped out of high school and I was smoking, and you were….God you were on the road to success, and I remember your parents getting on me about how I was holding you back, and if I made us teen parents, they’d kill me.” He laughed softly as I looked up at him

I laugh a little in response as Bob continues “I was sacred that because of me…you would never get out of Sarasota springs, like you wanted. And I was starting to get addicted to drugs and meth. I remember at your graduation I was out of it, I regret that so much now.” Bob nearly cried as I looked down

I tap my cup as I sighed “Ya…because we got in an argument, I was so pissed off.” I sigh as Bob nods his head, “That was when you told me it was either weed or you. That was before you found out I was also doing meth and all that” Bob said ashamed

I felt my eyes water “And y-you picked drugs…I remember because it was after the graduation at the graduation party and I couldn’t find you anywhere until I went to the front to see you buying from someone still high.” I sniffed as Bob looked up at me,

“If I could take it all back I would, I hated myself…still do because of that moment. I hated myself so much, after it happened I went home packed a bag a left” Bob eyes were watery as I looked down.

“I went to your house the next day…snuck in through your window. Your mom was home and she had just called my parents to see if you were at my place, she was worried and was asking all the neighbors where you were. I thought maybe you were just ignoring her and was in your room like you always did, but when I got there….and didn’t see you I cried, saw you left you room in a mess like you were in a hurry, the pictures you had of us on your wall on the ground and the pictures frame of me and you from the beach broken on the floor.” I felt a tear run down my face

“I remember laying in your bed because I missed you, took one of your shirts because it smelled like you…then I put all those pictures back into your memory box, i kept the picture that was in the frame. I still have the picture and your shirt.” I laugh softly as I wipe my face as Bob looked at me with wide eyes.

We sat there in silence Bob looked at me as I looked around the park seeing family’s playing, friends laughing, couples chatting. I didn’t say anything as a tear feel down my face and before I could wipe it away I felt another hand wipe it.

I looked back at Bob as he smiled gently at me, “I’m sorry for how I was when I was younger, I was stupid and dumb. I would understand if you actually hated me.” He spoke softly and embarrassed

I shake my head before gently scooting closer to him before resting my head on his shoulder, “I could never hate you Bob…I loved you to much to ever hate you even years later.” I sighed

I felt Bob become tense before I took his hand making small circles with my thumb just like I did when we were younger, Bob soon relaxed before thinking he kissed my head, “I still really want to be selfish.” He said quietly as if a whisper to himself

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We sat like that for hours, people watching in that park together spoke softly to each other about random things, it was nice and gentle. I wish it lasted longer.

Bob had gotten a call and told me he had to head back as I nodded my head telling I should probably head back home as well to finish up grading homework from my students.

When leaving the park Bob was going one way and I was going the other way, we looked at each other not saying much as Bob held my hand still he looked at me with softness as I stared up at him, almost as if we didn’t have to talk to understand each other.

A moment passed before I finally took breath “I-I should get going.” I said softly as bob nods still hesitant to let me go, as if he was scared that if he let go he’ll lose me. But soon he finally let go tucked his hand in his pocket and said his goodbye when he was about to turn away I acted without thinking and kissed his cheek before pulling away seeing the lipgloss it left behind

“Get home safe Bob, text me.” I looked up at him with a smile before turning around and heading home, I looked back for a moment expecting Bob to be gone but he was still standing in that spot looking at me.

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On my walk home I had much to think about, how I felt about Bob, what I should do about Nick. It was a lot.

When I finally got to my apartment and closed the door I walked into the kitchen to get some water where I found Nick making pasta, “Hey hon, thought I make dinner tonight.” Nick said happily before going to kiss my cheek.

I hum in response as I drinked my water before telling him I was going to grade.

Nick didn’t say anything for a moment, before I turning to me, “I don’t like you working at home, in fact I don’t understand why you work? (Reader) I make more than enough for the both of us.” Nick said as I rolled my eyes as Nick went on and on like he always did when I worked at home.

I finally cut him off “Well we’re not married, nor live together so…gotta pay my rent somehow Nick.” I said slightly annoyed as I sat down and began grading as Nick let out a sigh “Well we could get married.”

I froze for a moment “What?” I said as Nick chucked softly “I’m just saying it would make perfect sense, and you won’t have to work anymore, rely on me. Of course when we get married…you’ll have to stop being friends with certain people I don’t like…they’re just bad examples and people I already don’t like you being around.”

Nick spoke so casually about wanting to basically control my life like he wasn’t already. Nick came over with the food and he gave me my plate before sitting across from me.

“Nick I enjoyed my job, and I enjoy being with my friends.” I say softly not in the mood to argue with Nick. As he sighs “You don’t know what you’ll enjoy or like in a couple of years, and I just want what’s best for you, that’s all I want for you. I mean why take care of other people’s kids when we could have our own one day for you to take care of.” Nick said as he took a bit of his food

An image instantly came to mind of me having nicks kids and I instantly felt sick and lost my appetite,

“Well what if I don’t want that?” I looked up at Nick as he rolled his eyes “Well then (reader) you’re just being selfish.” I could tell Nick was getting a little bit annoyed with me since I didn’t immediately obliged

I sigh “Then I’m selfish, because I don’t see myself ever wanting that life…with you.” I mumble the last part

Nick bit the inside of his cheek as he shook his head “You’re being ridiculous, (reader) I just want what’s best for us, and I don’t really appreciate this conversation after I let you go out with a friend almost all day.” Nick was irritated as I looked at him in shock,

“Let me? Nick I’m a grown woman. I can do whatever I damn please and be around whoever I want.” I raised my voice was irritated as I looked up at Nick.

He was about to say something before my phone buzzed, and before I could reach it Nick instantly picked it up to read the text.

New message

Bobby: “I just got back home, wanted to tell you I thought about you and our conversation on my way back, I miss being around you. Anyways hope you take my advice have a good night sweet dreams.”

Nick read the text out loud before slamming my phone down “What the fuck!” Nick raised his voice “You told me you were going out with some friends, and instead you went out with…who the hell is this guy?!” Nick clenched his hand around my phone as I sighed

“He’s an old friend, and I didn’t tell you it was a guy because this is how you’ll react.” I dropped my fork looking at Nick

He shook his head “Damn right, and what was this conversation and advice, huh?! The guy probably wants to get your pants, with the whole ‘I miss being around you’ and ‘sweet dreams’ bullshit.”

I sighed “I don’t want to argue okay? Can we just leave it?” I spoke softly hoping that it would calm Nick down

But instead he got up threw my phone back at me got his coat and keys “I need to get a drink, after finding out my girlfriend is just a liar and a whore!” Nick yelled at me before leaving and slamming the door

I sat there in silence not knowing what to do tears ran down my face, my phone buzzed again it was from Bob, it was a yellow heart emoji, I laughed to myself a little.

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Two days went by and Nick never came back, I didn’t expect him to. I already had a plan in my head if he ever did, I would break up with him.

I had packed his stuff already in a couple of boxes, just a few clothes he left and his bathroom supplies, along with some decor he insisted I put up even though it didn’t match at all.

I was currently at my school in my classroom, my students were at lunch, I was planning my next weeks lesson when I heard a knock on the classroom door, expecting one of mu students I didn’t fully looked up “What do you need sweetie.” I said before looking up to see Bob.

“Bob! Oh, sorry I thought you were one of the students.” I instantly stood up and fixed my skirt that went to my feet. As he smiled down at me, “Hey…I was in the area…I remember you told me the school you worked at, thought I’d come by say hi and you texted me earlier saying you had forgotten your lunch so….I bring gifts.” Bob lifted the togo bag with a shy smile

I invited Bob in as I got one of the kids seats for him to sit with me and my desk as he brought out the subs I caught a glimpse of the receipt ‘Delmar’s’ I looked up at Bob “You didn’t. Bob you went to Queens just for the subs.” I laughed gently as Bob shrugged as his cheeks went pink

“I thought I hid it well with a different bag, but you told this was the best deli place ever….thought I would bring you something you actually enjoy.” Bob smiled as I looked up at him

He handed me the sub as I laughed softly to myself “You got my order right.” I said as I unwrapped the food as Bob looked at me

“I just got it like you use to back in high school. The guy gave me a hard time started going of on me in Spanish some guy had to help translate what he said to me guess the owner knew him, his name was Peter or something, but I explained that the order was for you and the man instantly stoped and made the order.” Bob shrugged as I laughed

“Mr. Delmar, good man I helped him raise money for a new shop after his last one caught on fire, he has a cute cat too.” I smiled before taking a bit of my sub as it instantly hit the spot

Bob chuckled softly at my reaction before he took a bite of his own and looked at me with wide eyes “This is amazing.” I nod my head as we ate in silence before I went to my desk drawer and got a small bag of chips as we ate.

───────────୨ৎ────────────

Bob stayed for a while as he looked around my classroom and saw all the pictures the kids drew nearly half of them was the new Avenger’s most didn’t have Bob only a couple and that was because the kids would copy the pictures from the news.

Bob listened to me talk about my students and how much I had to use his friends as a way to connect with my students to have them listen. I told him about my lessons plans and everything I would think he would find boring but instead he gave me his full attention and helped me come up with new ideas for crafts to make with the kids.

We talked for what felt like eternity as he told me all about the Avengers and how Bucky was in someway the mom of the group and always had to make sure Walker was behaving himself, and how at dinner Yelena would have her guinea pig eat at the table with them so if it ever got silent you would just hear her guinea pig munching on it food.

We laughed over so many things is was nice and comfortable. But when the silence hit, me and Bob just looked at each other enjoying each other company in silence.

We didn’t talk as Bob ate some chips as I finished some emails. Bob didn’t interrupt he sat patiently waiting for me to finish, he went on his phone for a moment before laying it on the desk and continued to look around my classroom and got a close look at the kids drawing some being about the kids family’s, their friends, the avengers, and me. He smiled at the drawings as he looked over them,

I sent the email before I got up to stand next Bob as he looked around, we stood in silence before he spoke up, “You’re students seem to love you.” I smile at his words as I looked up at him, “ya some of kids parents actually appreciate how much I do for the students.” I smile as Bob nods his head before looking down at me

He was about to say something when the bell rang indicating lunch was over, I sighed before grabbing my eyes to the classroom “Well I have to go get my student…I’m happy you came over Bob.” I say as Bob nods his head before going to wrap up his leftover sub and walk out with me

“Of course, couldn’t have you go hungry, you’re educating the brains of our future.” He smiled and chuckled a little as I playfully rolled my eyes as we walked out, “Well I should go get them…text me when you get home, be safe.” I wave at Bob as he nods giving me a small wave before turning to leave to the front office.

As I walked the other way I had an idea, I turned around to face Bob who was already looking at me before I gave him a smile “Hey Bob? Is there a chance…I don’t know…but if the team, the avengers could…could come to school and meet the kids? I’m sure the kids here would be thrilled.” I smiled as Bob looked hesitant before nods “I-I’ll talk to them about it.” He gave me a smile as nod “Thank you, I would appreciate it, just let me know.” I smile before giving him a wave as he turned around to leave as I turned back towards the playground.

───────────୨ৎ────────────

When the school day ended and my students were all picked up, I finally checked my phone as Bob texted me a while ago telling me he was back at the tower before sending me a picture of Yelena and her guinea pig eating together at the table.

I laughed to myself as I texted him back

(Reader): Omg you weren’t lying lmao that’s so cute.

I smiled to myself as I sent the message before getting up with my coffee mug to head to the teachers lounge to get a refill as I saw some of coworkers in there chatting.

I quietly went to the corner where the coffee maker was before the lounge went quiet as they looked at me. Before my colleague Jason and Sarah spoke up, “Someone had a surprise guest come by for lunch who just so happens to be part of the new avengers.” They smiled as I rolled my eyes at the

“He’s my friend and Bob is not part of the new avengers…he just lives with them…and is their when they have press talks in the background.” I say as I add sugar to my coffee

As Jason leaned against the counter next to me “Ya sure. Anyways dose Nick know?” Jason wanted to know all drama and details as Sarah liked to stay silent and listen,

I shake my head before I whisper to them, “Well me and Nick… aren’t really on speaking terms right now, and I could honestly care less if it bothers him or not.” I smile as Jason and Sarah looked at each other with wide eyes as I smile at them with a shrug before leaning against the counter sipping my coffee

Jason shakes his head “Oh naughty, naughty.” He laughed as I smiled at me as Sarah looked at me “So are you and Nick…over?” She asked as I sighed “Well we will be, once he gets over this stupid tantrum of his, I’ll tell him I’m over it, I already have his stuff packed.” Sarah looked at Jason then at me

“I’m just so done with his bullshit.” I sigh as Sarah nods with Jason, they were one of my few friends that actually said I should leave Nick.

They gave me a soft smile as Sarah pat my back “Well we’re on side with this, I mean from what you’ve told me and Jason, Nick seems like a selfish dick.” Jason nods in agreement with her as I gave them both a soft smile and thank you before fixing my hair “Well I should finish up grading my kid’s math assignment.” I smile before leave the teacher lounge.

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When I finally got home I put my bag and leftover sub on the kitchen table beside immediately going to my bedroom and flopping on the bed, kicking off my shoes before I texted Bob I was back home.

I laid on my bed staring up at the ceiling as I let out a sigh before my phone buzzed with Bob sending a thumbs up and yellow heart emoji before he sent a text.

Bobby: “Glad to know, get some rest and enjoy the rest of your leftovers sub, i already ate mine ten out of ten going again.”

I smiled at his text before resting my phone on my chest. I smiled to myself I felt like a teenager girl again crushing on a boy who just texted her.

“God damn it Bob.” I say before I rest my head on my pillow and eventually close my eyes.

───────────୨ৎ────────────

A/n: okay Bob is such a cutie also did y’all get my reference heh, I know I’m amazing. Anyways Taylor swift definitely came to mind when writing about Bob and reader when they were in high school. Also next chapter wouldn’t come out right away I’m still writing here and there into it, and because it’s my finals week I’m not gonna post a new chapter to the series this week, okay much love byeee!!!

[dragkingandreweldritch]

thinking about Sammie as an old man saying he still has nightmares around once a week sixty years after the juke joint massacre is so...

like I had ptsd nightmares that frequently at one point, in my mid twenties, for years, and it completely destroyed my life. I couldn't work, my health tanked because I was literally too scared to sleep so I'd stay up until I passed out from exhaustion, and it destroyed the relationship I'd been in for half a decade

this isn't a sob story, I'm better now because I was insanely lucky and had a good, kind, competent therapist who was able to help me work through my shit. I'm only mentioning my experiences because I know intimately how this kind of thing can ruin you so easily

the fact that Sammie was able to establish himself as a renowned blues musician and own his own business while fending off constant horrific nightmares is a testament to how strong he is emotionally

the horrors persist, but so does he

[slaaverin]

Jin kinda let the mask slip a little when he and Hobi were working on the Festa concept about how military changed them and you can kinda see even their dynamic with each other a little bit. Which we expected, but its still sad to hear it. I guess its like being away from your friend for nearly 2 years and rarely see them or get a chance to catch up all while making new friends, discovering different sides of yourself and losing that connection. So when you do reunite, you try to smile and force it back so to speak, even tho its not really clicking the way it use too. This is why I said they all need to discharge and be around each other again, get use to each other again before even attempting a comeback OT7 concert, like maybe do a group trip or something, otherwise its gonna be fake smiles and forced moments on stage, just to please fans. Luckily Jikook never had to worry about losing that connection with each other since they were together every day and I think this is one of the things they were scared of and also factored that into their decision to enlist together, which is a good thing, but being together on top of each other every day has is drawbacks too. Maybe they won't be sick of each other, but then again, maybe they will be closer than ever. Either way, they will come out changed as well and who knows maybe with each other, but at least we know Jikook are still clingy. Thats a good sign.

I'm glad you're pointing it out anon

I had the same observations

Jin & Hobi definitely changed a lot and it doesn't click like it used to

I admit that I have some fears that the same thing would happen to jikook, but I think the fact they were together they have more chance to keep a thether to their true/childlike selves, which is a relief.

Of course an experience like this would change anyone, and if we observe it, it's gonna be normal

I just hope that the reunion will allow them all to find footings again with each other, and maybe create a new dynamic based on each individuality. Something that will allow them to be accepted with the changes that occured to create something new where everyone feels like they belong again.

It might take a while but I'm sure they'll get there.

Jikook being still clingy reassures me a lot.

We'll see how it plays out in the future but when it comes to them I have less apprehensions

The fact they were together in there is a huge blessing that could have protected them from a lot of hardships.

I'm soooo curious to see how they will act, first at discharge but then after

For now I'm remaining positive and I cross my fingers that everything will work out 💜🥹

[mintchocolove]

Before you go

They meet you one last time before they leave to follow their destiny, as if fate had given them something to return to afterward.

Pairing: OT7 x f!reader Instead of yn I'm going to use Eunjin as the readers name, but each Eunjin is different. I'll take recomendations. English is not my first language so please be kind.

Lee Heeseung - Late-night harmony

One week before I-Land starts, Favorite, 2020

Heeseung was pissed at himself. I-LAND was less than a week away, and even now, he couldn’t stop messing up his performance. Not everyone was rooting for him, he knew that. Many trainees had been denied the chance to participate in the reality show, and they were mad at him.

News and rumors traveled fast in the building, and he wasn’t surprised that many believed the show had been created solely to guarantee his debut. The pressure was becoming unbearable, making him want to cry. His feet moved on instinct, only stopping when he found himself in front of practice room A-16. Once again, music drifted from inside—but this time, it was accompanied by a soft voice.

His hand moved to the door handle, pushing it open gently as the voice sang the lines to “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars. A smile tugged at his lips as he caught sight of the girl inside, her back to him. She wore a bright orange sweater with purple bows—instantly recognizable. It was the same girl from the end of last year.

Suddenly, the song stopped, and Heeseung locked eyes with you through the mirror. You looked almost scared to see him standing there. But he didn’t want you to run away again like last time—his mouth acted before his brain could catch up.

“Your voice is good. Want to sing together?”

You froze, beginning to gather your things immediately, then looked up at him like you’d just heard a ghost whisper in your ear. You seemed to be searching his face for any sign that he was joking. Instead of saying more, Heeseung walked into the room and stopped in front of you, waiting.

“Sure… yeah, that…” you let out a breath and smiled, gesturing to the floor beside you. “That would be good.”

And gods, he thought, if your voice was good when you were singing, it was even better when you were just talking. His cheeks warmed with a blush, slightly embarrassed, as you grabbed your phone and opened Spotify, glaring at it like it had personally offended you.

“You choose. I’ve been having a crisis over this for the past hour.”

If it was possible, his smile grew wider. Heeseung took the phone from your hands, scrolling through songs before settling on one. You grinned at his choice, whispering how much you loved that track.

Time passed quickly. You sang together, sitting side by side, and the tension in your shoulders eased. Heeseung no longer felt the pressure that had been eating away at him all day.

After a few songs, you decided to get a snack from the vending machine down the hall. You walked quietly beside each other, and Heeseung finally took in your clothes—the hideous sweater, the mismatched Converse. You definitely had a unique style. And it made him smile.

“My name’s Eunjin, by the way,” you said, not looking at him, too focused on deciding between cookies or chips. “Sorry I ran away last time. You kinda scared the shit out of me.”

This time, he couldn’t hold it in. A laugh burst out of him, loud and genuine. You turned to him, startled, your cheeks now a deep shade of red.

“Sorry for scaring you. I’m Heeseung.”

Your eyes softened as you looked at him, then turned back to the machine, shrugging as you pressed the button for chocolate cookies.

“Yeah… you’re well known in the building.” Stepping aside so he could pick his snack, you stared at his face, still boyish under the soft hallway lights. “I heard about the reality show. I bet you’ll do well, Heeseung. Don’t pay attention to the jealous trainees. Just do your best every time.”

His heart skipped a beat. He looked at you, studying every line of your face. His eyes stung unexpectedly with tears. It wasn’t that your words were the grandest encouragement he’d ever received, but somehow, coming from you, a near stranger who seemed to believe in him anyway, they meant everything.

“Then root for me while I’m there. If I debut, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

You smiled, nodding before whispering your reply. That night, when Heeseung arrived home, his phone buzzed with a message. He wasn’t surprised to see it was from you: “Lee Heeseung, I was rooting for you anyway.”

Park Jongseong - Bookstore browsing

One month before I-Land starts, Manga, 2020

Jay had not rested well last night, even as he walked around school with his hands shoved in his pockets, he wasn’t entirely paying attention. His eyebrows were knitted together as he tried to remember the lyrics of “The 7th Sense”. It had been happening a lot these days, maybe he really did need to rest. With a sigh, he started heading toward the library.

The library was silent and almost empty, except for a few students sitting near a window, apparently too focused to notice him. His eyes drifted to the second floor, and since he couldn’t see anyone from where he stood, he started climbing the stairs. The second floor was indeed deserted; the chairs and tables were perfectly in place. This was where the fantasy books and manga were kept, so it wasn’t surprising that not many people came up here.

He considered falling asleep at one of the tables. He only had two classes left, and one of them was P.E.—missing them wouldn’t be the end of the world, and he could get some rest. Finally giving in to the temptation, he sank into one of the chairs farthest from the entrance and took off his jacket to use as a pillow. The manga section was just in front of him, so chances were slim that anyone would come to bother him.

His mind drifted off quickly, falling asleep without paying much attention to his surroundings. He didn’t know how much time had passed when the sound of movement stirred him awake.

There was a girl standing on top of a chair, reaching for a manga with a slight frown, standing on tiptoe. Jay watched as the chair wobbled slightly, his body moving before he could think, just in time to stop the chair (and the girl) from falling.

“God, that was close.”

He looked up and met your eyes, you looked startled, a shaky breath escaping your lips as your trembling gaze landed on him. “Can you help me down?” you asked softly.

He nodded immediately, finally exhaling a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. Once you were safely on the ground, you bowed politely. “Thank you, if it weren’t for you, I probably would’ve fallen.”

He nodded absentmindedly, glancing up at the shelf you had been reaching for. The Attack on Titan collection stared back at him. “What volume were you trying to get? I’ll help.”

Your eyes widened slightly, and you murmured that you were looking for volume two—if it wasn’t too much trouble. Less than a minute later, the manga was in your hands, and Jay was putting the chair back in its place, not noticing that you were following him. When he turned around, you were standing there again, facing him.

“I’m sorry if this sounds rude, but… have we met before?”

He almost joked that you were in the same school, so it was likely. But there was something oddly familiar in your face, the way your eyes looked at him with quiet curiosity.

Then it hit him. You were Soyeon’s friend, the one who had been at his cousin’s wedding, smiling politely but looking a little out of place in the middle of the party.

“You’re Eunjin” he said, more like a statement than a question.

Your eyes lit up, a smile spreading across your lips, revealing braces. “Yes! How do you know that?” He smiled as well, walking back to the table he’d been sleeping on while you followed. “Wait, I do know you! You’re Soyeon’s cousin, Jay, right?”

He nodded, and you looked oddly pleased with yourself, your smile widening as you sat across from him. “She said you went to the same school, but I didn’t see you after that day.”

“You were looking for me?” he asked, a teasing lilt in his voice. You blushed, muttering something about how you weren’t. “I’m joking, Eunjin. Why don’t you tell me about the manga?”

Your face lit up at that, and you launched into an explanation, telling him you were rereading the series for an art project inspired by it. You talked for what felt like hours, and when you finally parted ways at the school entrance, Jay stood there for a moment, watching your back.

Then, suddenly, you turned around and jogged back to him, eyes lowered to your shoes as you pulled out your phone. “Could I have your number, Jay?”

You parted ways with a big smile on your face—and his heart felt lighter, his mind more at ease, even if he had only napped for half an hour. He was already looking forward to talking to you again.

Sim Jaeyun - Coffee shop

Four months before I-Land starts, Cold days, 2020

Jake tugged his scarf a little higher around his neck as a gust of wind slapped his face, his cheeks already red from the cold. Seoul winters were brutal, nothing like the ones back home in Australia. He exhaled, watching the fog of his breath disappear into the busy street, and pushed open the door of a coffee shop he’d stumbled across during a walk meant to clear his mind.

The warmth inside greeted him instantly, along with the soft sound of indie music and the hum of hushed conversations. He stomped the snow off his boots and looked around. The place was small but cozy; brick walls, warm lighting, and shelves filled with mismatched mugs and books.

He ordered a caramel latte and made his way to a corner table by the window, unwrapping his scarf and pulling out his sketchpad. He wasn’t the best artist, but lately, he’d found that doodling helped with the nerves. Practices were getting more intense—more pressure, more eyes watching. The weight of what if I don’t make it? had been sitting on his chest all week.

He was halfway through drawing a messy-looking tiger wearing sunglasses when a familiar voice made him freeze. “Jake?”

He looked up instantly, blinking in surprise. The girl in front of him had a black beanie pulled low, a thick puffer jacket engulfing her frame, and a steaming cup in one hand. But the face—and that smile—he recognized instantly. A grin spread across his own face. “Eunjin?”

She grinned, her nose red from the cold. “I thought it was you! I almost didn’t say anything because I wasn’t sure. Wow.” The familiar accent almost made him tear up; he missed having someone to speak English with.

He stood up quickly, warmth flooding him despite the chill outside. “Wow, yeah,” he laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “What are the odds?”

“I know, right?” She rocked on her heels before glancing around, eyeing his table. “Mind if I sit with you?” He nodded immediately, pulling out the chair in front of him. She smiled and plopped down, setting her drink on the table.

“I was at a makeup store down the street,” she said. “Thought I’d grab something warm before heading back to the dorm. I didn’t expect to run into my airplane buddy.”

Jake chuckled, the memory warming him. “That flight feels like it was a year ago.”

Eunjin nodded, muttering something about her hands still being cold before looking at him again. “How’s training?” Jake blinked, surprised she knew. Had they talked about that on the plane? He certainly couldn’t remember. At his confused look, Eunjin smiled.

“You said you were here for an audition,” she reminded him, eyes twinkling. “I guessed you made it in. I did too—not idol stuff yet, but I’m getting there, I guess.”

“That’s amazing,” he said, leaning in a little.

The conversation flowed from there, both opening up about how they were feeling these days, the pressure of not being enough, of falling behind. After a few minutes, Jake felt his hands tremble as he looked down at them.

“I want it so bad, you know? But I wonder if wanting it is enough.”

“You’re here,” she said, tilting her head. “That already means something.”

Her words settled something in him, soft and grounding. They sat in silence for a few moments, sipping their drinks, the city muffled by the foggy window beside them. Then Eunjin reached over and tapped the sketchpad.

“Your cat’s got swag, I’ll give you that,” she teased, grinning.

Jake snorted and rolled his eyes, but he was smiling for the first time in days. “It was supposed to be a tiger, actually.”

They talked for almost an hour, sharing stories of their dorms, their daily routines, and how much they both missed their moms’ cooking. When she finally stood up to leave, Jake felt the familiar tug of hesitation he’d had at the airport months ago.

“Hey, wait…” he said, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out his phone. “Let me get your number this time.”

Eunjin smiled, pulling out her own phone. “Took you long enough.”

They exchanged numbers and stood outside together for a while, the cold biting at their fingers as they awkwardly lingered before saying goodbye. As she walked away down the snow-covered street, Jake looked down at her name now saved in his contacts.

Maybe Seoul’s winter wasn’t so cold after all.

Park Sunghoon - Ice rink

One week before I-Land starts, One last dance, 2020

Sunghoon pushed the door open slowly, letting the cold air hit him like a familiar embrace. The same scent of resin, polish, and faint sweat lingered in the air. He knew it too well. Tightening the scarf around his neck, he let out a breath, watching it fog briefly in front of him.

This place had been a second home for years, early mornings, late nights, bruised shins, and blistered feet. But in a week, it would all be behind him. I-LAND was calling, and skating would become just a chapter in his story.

Still, he laced up his skates, needing one last glide. Just one. He whispered it to himself as the ice creaked under his weight. The floodlights were dimmed, and the playlist that usually echoed through the speakers had long ended.

There was another skater on the far side of the rink, moving slowly, lost in thought. Sunghoon let the silence carry him, his body moving on autopilot; a quiet loop, a small jump. Nothing special, just a goodbye.

Then came the sound of another pair of skates scraping the ice. He turned instinctively, blinking through the low light. A slim figure in a black hoodie was gliding toward his side of the rink, her long ponytail swaying gently as she moved.

“Sam Eunjin?” he called, voice cracking just slightly. He wasn’t sure she had heard him until she turned, startled, then slowed to a stop. Her face lit up with recognition, cheeks pink from the cold.

“Park Sunghoon” she said, skating closer with the grace of someone who had practiced most of her life. “Didn’t think anyone else came this late.”

Sunghoon looked around, rubbing the back of his neck, suddenly aware of how awkward he probably looked. “Just… needed one last skate.”

She smiled at that, a sad kind of understanding in her eyes. He hadn’t noticed it before, but her gaze spoke more than her words, filled with emotion, sparkling under the soft lights. “Same.”

They stood in silence for a moment, the only sound coming from the blades beneath their feet. “I heard from the coaches you're retiring,” she said after a beat, glancing over.

He nodded slowly. “And you?” he asked, skating in sync beside her as they traced a wide loop around the rink.

She shook her head. “I got a role in a drama. Not a huge part, but… enough to finally make the switch.”

There was a pause, heavier than it should’ve been. Her voice trembled slightly when she spoke again, eyes drifting across the empty bleachers. “Feels weird, doesn’t it? All those years of routines, music, medals, and then just—”

“Gone,” he finished for her.

They circled the rink in silence for a while. It was peaceful, two people giving a quiet farewell to a version of themselves they weren’t sure they’d miss yet.

“I used to think you hated me, you ran away everytime as kids” she teased after a moment, smiling as they both slowed to a stop at the center of the rink.

“I’ve never been good with girls, I get nervous” he admitted, lips tugging into a half-smile. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, quietly, Eunjin stepped back and gave a small bow.

“One last time?” she offered. “Just for fun?”

Sunghoon hesitated, then bowed too, a smile finally reaching his eyes. “You lead.”

They moved by instinct—no choreography, no music. Their skates glided across the ice like they had for years, two quiet souls saying goodbye not just to the rink, but to the people they had been within it.

When they finally slowed to a stop again, both breathless and smiling, it felt like something had lifted.

“Thank you, for skating with me,” Eunjin said softly as they sat side by side, unlacing their skates. The silence was no longer heavy, but warm. Outside, snow had begun to fall. Like a curtain closing on a long-awaited final scene.

“Thank you,” he said back. “For letting me.”

“Hey,” Sunghoon said as they stepped out into the night. “When your drama airs… text me. I want to watch it.”

She looked up at him, a small laugh escaping. Her eyes were full of emotion—so much that he wanted to drown in them. “Only if you debut.”

And with that, they parted ways again, their steps light despite the weight of goodbye. Maybe their paths had only crossed briefly, like lines etched in ice, sharp, fleeting, and beautiful in their impermanence. But they both hoped they would cross again.

Kim Sunoo - Convenience store

Two weeks before I-Land starts, Rainy day shelter, 2020

It was raining the kind of rain that clung to your clothes no matter how fast you ran. Sunoo pulled the hood of his school jacket tighter around his face, clutching his bag to his chest as he hurried down the street. His clothes were already soaked, and the cold had crept into his bones.

He didn’t even know where he was going, really. Just... walking or running. Anywhere that wasn’t a dance studio, a classroom, or a cramped practice room. Anywhere he could just be Kim Sunoo for five minutes, not “trainee Kim Sunoo”

A neon glow appeared through the foggy blur of rain ahead: a small convenience store, buzzing quietly against the gray. Without hesitation, he darted toward it, the bell above the door chiming as he stepped into the warmth.

He shook out his hair and rubbed his arms, slowly pacing down one of the aisles, letting his breathing slow. “Still craving ice cream in this weather?” a voice said, lightly teasing. Sunoo turned, blinking in surprise.

There she was — a yellow backpack hanging heavily from her shoulder, the same one from that tiny ice cream shop weeks ago. Her bangs clung to her forehead from the rain, but her expression was bright.

“You” he said without thinking, his tone sounding almost accusing as she stepped closer, her smile widening.

“Me,” she replied, mirroring his tone with a light laugh. “I’m Eunjin, by the way.”

“Sunoo” He let out a small laugh, his shoulders relaxing a bit. “Didn’t expect to run into you again.”

“Same. I guess fate just wants us to keep meeting near frozen desserts” she replied, glancing toward the freezer section. “Though I think they don’t have many flavors here, right?”

Sunoo made a face, and Eunjin laughed, then reached into her backpack and pulled out a small, half-wet hand towel. She walked over and gently tossed it toward him. “You look like a drowned cat.”

“Wow. Flattering.” He dabbed at his face with the towel, suppressing a grin. His mood had definitely improved. “Thanks. I really needed that today.”

She tilted her head. “Bad day?”

Sunoo hesitated. He wasn’t sure how much to say. But her voice didn’t feel judgmental, and there was something comforting in the way she just stood there — as if they were picking up an old conversation instead of meeting for the second time. “Just… tired, I guess.”

She nodded, and they ended up in front of the warm drink machine, both choosing hot chocolate. They paid in silence, then sat at the small tables near the entrance, watching the rain blur the world outside.

“I’ve been thinking about you” Eunjin said suddenly.

Sunoo blinked. “Really?”

“Well, not obsessively,” she added quickly, cheeks turning pink. Sunoo noticed that she didn’t seem to have a filter — and somehow, that made him smile. “Just… sometimes.”

He looked down at his cup, embarrassed but smiling. “That day was weirdly important. I didn’t even realize it until later.”

She glanced at him, curious, so he continued. “Because everything feels temporary right now,” he admitted. “I keep meeting people, or seeing places, and wondering if it’s the last time before things change. That day, it felt like a small moment I got to keep.”

Eunjin was quiet for a moment. The rain softened slightly outside. “That’s kind of nice, she finally said. “Sad, but nice.”

They both sipped their drinks in silence again, this time a little more comfortably, like a secret moment neither of them knew they needed. Eventually, Eunjin glanced at the time. “I should head out before it gets too dark.”

“Wait,” Sunoo said before he could stop himself. “Do you want to—” She looked back at him, eyebrows raised, a lopsided smile tugging at her lips.

He cleared his throat. “I mean… do you want to meet again? Just, you know, in case we keep ending up in the same weather.”

Eunjin smiled. “I’d like that.” She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a crumpled receipt, scribbling her phone number with a blue pen.

“Text me next time you need someone to rescue you from bad weather or bad flavors” she said, handing it to him with a grin.

Sunoo took it like it was something precious. “I will” he said, and meant it.

She stepped out into the rain, pink umbrella snapping open, her yellow backpack bouncing with every step until she disappeared into the blur of city lights and drizzle. This time, he wasn’t going to let the moment slip away.

Yang Jungwon - Amusement park

One month before I-Land starts, Pretty smiles, 2020

The amusement park was loud, messy, full of laughing children and overpriced snacks — not the kind of place someone with a secret folded tightly in his chest should be. Jungwon was supposed to be resting — whatever that meant when your world was about to flip upside down. Only the company knew. He carried the truth quietly, like a note slipped between pages, waiting to be opened.

So he wandered. One last walk through the city. His feet brought him to the amusement park before he even realized where he was going. And that’s when he saw her.

Eunjin.

She stood in line for ice cream, laughing at something Minhyuk had said. The late afternoon sun caught in her hair, making it shimmer like something from a memory. Jungwon watched from a distance, wondering — not for the first time — if her smiles were always that soft. If she ever frowned in a way that wasn’t playful or tired. If she’d ever thought about him since the skateboard accident.

Because he had. Maybe too often.

He waited until she stepped away from the vendor, two cones in hand. Minhyuk turned, his sticky fingers pointing in Jungwon’s direction.

“Hyung!” Minhyuk called, his voice far too familiar for someone he’d only met once. He waved enthusiastically, nearly spilling his cup.

Eunjin followed the boy’s line of sight. Their eyes met. And just like that, Jungwon couldn’t breathe.

“Oh,” she said softly to herself, the word barely carried by the breeze.

Then she smiled — slow and warm, the way a smile should feel. Jungwon stepped forward, brushing imaginary dust from his jeans, trying to steady himself. “Didn’t think I’d see you here,” he said once they reached him.

Her smile grew and she leaned down to whisper something to Minhyuk, who nodded and took off running toward the playground. “You look tired,” she said, stepping up beside him.

“I’ve been busy,” Jungwon answered, gaze drifting to the crowd bustling around them, everyone unaware of how strange the world felt right now. He was going to miss this. All of it.

They found a shaded bench beneath a tall tree. Eunjin sat beside him not too close. The air between them buzzed with the quiet static of things unsaid.

“I’m going away soon,” he said suddenly. He didn’t know why he said it. Maybe he just wanted her to know. Even if they weren’t close. Even if she didn’t know him, not really.

“For long?” she asked, her voice low.

“It’s… complicated.” He fiddled with his hands in his lap. She nodded. Like she understood. Maybe she didn’t. But she didn’t ask questions. That meant more to him than she probably realized.

“I’ll miss this,” Jungwon murmured. “Not the park, exactly. Just… days like this. Normal days.”

“Yeah,” Eunjin replied. “Those are rare.”

He turned toward her, really looking.

There were faint shadows beneath her eyes, like she carried too much for someone her age. But her smile was kind. And there was something open about her — not loud, but like a window left ajar. He noticed a freckle near her jawline he hadn’t seen before. And when she smiled, it reached all the way to her eyes.

“You have a really nice smile,” he blurted. His ears immediately turned hot. He could feel them reddening. Eunjin blinked, surprised, then laughed — soft and bright, her eyes crinkling as she did.

“Thanks,” she said. “Yours isn’t bad either. The dimples make you look… cute.”

He looked away, chewing on the inside of his cheek, smiling to himself.

Life was moving. And in a month, Jungwon might be on a screen somewhere… or nowhere at all. “I probably won’t have a phone for a while,” he said, suddenly. “But I’d really like to talk to you before that happens.”

Eunjin tilted her head. “I have your number from last time,” she admitted, her tone sheepish. “But I never called because it felt awkward to say I just wanted to see you again.”

Jungwon stared at her, surprised. His ears somehow managed to get hotter. “Call me,” he said. His voice was quiet. “Please.”

A whistle blew in the distance, signaling the next parade. Music bloomed in the air, grand and glittering. Minhyuk darted toward them again, grabbing Eunjin’s wrist with sticky fingers. “Come on, they’re throwing candy!”

Jungwon watched her get pulled away, her laughter like a ribbon trailing in the air. She looked back at him before the crowd swallowed her whole. And smiled. Her lips parted as she shouted over the music “I will call you, Jungwon!”

And that smile — wide and real and full of promise — stayed with him long, long after she vanished into the crowd.

Nishimura Riki - Bus stop

One month before I-Land starts, Umbrella, 2020

The rain had been steady since early afternoon, not heavy enough to cancel anything, but persistent in that moody, drizzling way that clings to your clothes and makes the city feel smaller. Ni-ki’s sneakers left damp prints on the sidewalk as he neared the bus stop, hands shoved deep in his jacket pockets. He didn’t mind the rain, really—it gave him an excuse to slow down, listen to music, and pretend the world was quieter than it really was.

The stop was nearly empty. Just an older man with a briefcase and...

His steps faltered. Her.

She sat beneath the narrow awning, a pale pink umbrella closed and leaning against her knee. Even from behind, he recognized her. Same baby blue hoodie. She was staring at the bus schedule taped to the pole like she was trying to will it into making sense.

He hesitated. Debated pretending he hadn’t seen her. But before he could decide, she turned and their eyes met. For a split second, neither of them said anything.

Then her eyes widened slightly, like the memory had clicked into place. “Ni-ki?”

He pulled out one earbud and gave a small nod, a shy smile breaking across his face. His Korean was still a little rough. “Eunjin.”

“Twice in one city,” she said, standing to brush off the bench beside her with a napkin. “That’s either luck or fate.”

“I vote luck,” he replied, sitting beside her with a murmured thanks. “Fate sounds too romantic.”

Eunjin laughed softly, glancing at him from the corner of her eye while tugging at her hoodie sleeve. “Maybe I like romantic.”

He gave her a scandalized look, and she laughed again, light and warm. The silence that followed wasn’t awkward; it settled between them like something familiar. Rain tapped steadily on the metal roof above them. She stared at the road, her foot tapping to a rhythm only she could hear.

“You’re out late,” he said eventually. “Were you at school?”

“Drama club practice.” She turned slightly; cheeks pink. “I want to be an actress. I mean—someday. Right now, it’s just school plays and getting stage fright in front of twenty people.”

“You want to be famous?”

She shrugged, eyes lifting toward the gray sky. “I want to be seen. Heard. I want to play someone else and still be me inside it, you know?”

He nodded slowly. “I dance. Kind of the same, I guess.”

She grinned. “What kind of dance?”

“Mostly hip hop. A little contemporary.” He toyed with the edge of his sleeve. “I’m training full time now. Not sure if I’m allowed to say more.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Secret agent vibes?”

He laughed quietly. Just then, the bus pulled up with a screech and a hiss of steam. They both stood. Ni-ki noticed it before she said anything, her umbrella was broken, one rib bent uselessly out of shape.

She stared at it and groaned. “Of course.”

He held out his own umbrella—one of those plain black ones the company probably bought in bulk. “We can share.”

She blinked, surprised for just a second before her expression softened. She stepped in beside him, and for a moment, he forgot about the cold. They sat together on the nearly empty bus, still a little damp from the rain. Eunjin leaned her cheek against the back of the seat, watching the raindrops slide down the window.

“I almost didn’t go to the store that day,” she said suddenly and Ni-ki looked at her.

“But I was craving something sweet,” she added. “Funny how one decision can make you meet someone.”

He smiled faintly. “I was too scared to ask the manager for help.”

They rode in silence again, but this time it felt full. Just before her stop, she reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and placed it gently in his hands. Then she took his and started typing something into it.

“Put your number there. I’m giving you mine,” she said. “Just in case you need a translator.”

Ni-ki did as told, and when the bus doors closed behind her and she waved from the sidewalk, he looked down at the contact’s name she’d left:

Eunjin 🎮

The bench beside him was empty now, but somehow, he still felt warm.

If you read this, thanks. I accept requests.

[tinyboxxtink]

"Summer of '87" {Chapter 13}

WARNING: This chapter is pure smut, real NSFW. Read at your own risk.

Chapter 12

--

HEY! She's back from the dead!

I think it's been....2 years since I've written? I'm sorry! I got into some other writing, then life happened, y'know.

But I grew as a writer and I'm great at the smut now, so enjoy that. Like I said I jumped into this without a thought out plan but I think I'm getting there. Had two years to think about it, right?

Also I'm going with the tag list from the last chapter, let me know if you want to be on it from here on out.

@gingertimelord

@witchwolflea

@loliakeoghan23

@fancytragedything

@eg-dr3amer3

@wanniiieeee

----

As soon as the door to your room slammed behind you, you were tearing off Eddie’s jacket and clothes. 

“Jesus Y/N,” He chuckled. “Eager much?”

“Shut up,” You stuck your tongue out as he pulled your top off, freeing your breasts. He just stopped and stared at them for a second, taking them in.

“What’s wrong Munson, never seen a pair of tits?” you giggled.

“None as perfect as these,” he shook his head in awe while holding them in his ringed hands. The cool silver steel on your skin felt so good that a little moan escaped your lips.

The sound instantly affected Eddie, his already hard dick now causing him pain through his jeans.

“Ow! Ugh…fuck…” He groaned. 

You were quick to help, undoing his belt and freeing his member from it’s prison. When his pants were to his ankles it was your turn to stare. It was so big it stuck through his boxers like a mole out of a hidey hole. 

“What’s wrong Henderson, never seen a dick before?” He teased you back for the tits comment. 

“Not as small as this,” you smirked as you turned bright red.

“Oooooh you little--” He shook his head as he grabbed you by the thighs and pulled him into his lap. 

The only thing left between you was a simple little flap of fabric, your silk underwear soaked through.

“Mmmmm, that’s what I like,” He licked his lips as his digits slipped under the wet underwear and teased your opening.

“F-Fuck, Eddie--” you started whimpering, needing more.

“Mmmm? What’s that princess?” He had a teasing tone in his low, lusty voice.

“Need….you…” your voice became more shaky and desperate as your brain strained to form words.

“Well, since you asked nicely,” He smirked before slipping your undies off and throwing them across the room before grinding against your bare pelvis.

“Ugh!!!” You let a exclamation of frustation out of your mouth. “Fucking tease!”

“Ohhh, with the name calling now?” He chuckled as he bit his lip. He was eating up every second of your neediness. 

“I’ll show you -- “  you growled before grabbing a hold of his rock hard dick, squeezing it tightly.

“Oh FUCK--” He moaned loudly, his nails going straight down your back.

“Alright, someone knows how to play dirty!” He cackled like a maniac before shoving you back on your bed and sliding inside you roughly.

“Oh god-- Eddie, Eddie!” You cried in pleasure as he filled your body with his.

“Mmm yeah, back atcha babe,” He groaned as he quickly got to work. “So tight, you sure you’re not a virgin?”

“And what if I was, would you stop?” You teased.

He stopped mid-thrust and stared at you with wide eyes. 

“A-Are you?” his voice cracked with the question. He didn’t expect that answer, and he didn’t know how to feel about it. 

“Eddie look at me, of course I’m not,” you giggled and rolled your body under his hips with a sassy look. 

“Don’t fucking scare me like that!” He shook his head with a harsh sigh of relief before he resumed riding you.

“Like you’ve never de-flowered a virgin,” you rolled your eyes as your nails travelled down his bare back.

“...Do we really wanna get into body counts right this second?” He made a frustrated face.

“Okay okay, fair-- OH!!” You were cut off by Eddie’s tongue across your nipples. 

“Yeah, that’ll shut you up,” He chuckled to himself before resuming his position. 

“Fuck--- fuck Eddie--” You moaned as your mind began to fog with pleasure.

Eddie could feel your walls closing tightly around his dick, your juice quickly collecting.and running down his thighs. It only drove him closer to peak himself.

“Shit-- Come on baby, cum for daddy---” He panted as his core tightened.

“Daddy?” You had to snicker. “Seriously?” 

“YES,” He growled as he began to fill you.

“Fuck OKAY-- you yelped as he overcame you with his lust. “Daddy!” 

You screamed out as you crashed over the edge with ecstasy, shaking and spasming under his body.

He stayed with you as you both rode out your high, then slowed gradually and finally pulled out, flopping down next to you. You were still shaking from the high, you’d never admit it but that was the best sex you’d ever had.

“So, was it good for you?” He asked with a tongued smirk while taking your face close into his with a soft kiss. 

“Eh,” you feigned nonchalance, causing hiim to tickle you. 

“Ah ah ah!!!” You laughed and writhed in his arms while he peppered your body with kisses. “Okay okay YES it was good!!!”

He stopped and laid back with his hands behind his head in satisfaction. 

“Knew it,” he chuckled as he leaned over to pull a cigarette pack from his jacket.

“Big bully,” you fake pouted while he handed you one of the cigarettes before lighting his own. 

“You love it,” He looked over and winked at you as he lit yours.

“I do,” you smiled, catching him off guard. 

“Oh, I uh--” He suddenly faltered at the mention of the “L” word.

“The SEX, Eddie. I love the sex,” you clarified with an endearing eye roll. You could feel yourself falling for him more every second, but you knew it would only end in hurt. No point in entertaining the idea.

“Right, right,” he shook his head with a nervous smile as he took a drag off his cigarette. 

Welp, this was awkward. Great job, Y/N. 

“Y/N! EDDIE!” 

Your brother’s panicked screams suddenly interrupted the awkward silence. You and Eddie looked at each other with concern as you quickly got re-dressed. 

Well, that was nice while it lasted….

[trippiexlove]

Echoes of Us -Ch. 2

Main Master List

Story Master List - If you haven't read the prologue I suggest you read it before reading this.

ENJOY!!! ♡

October 2003 - 1 month after the miscarriage

Amani laid in her twin size bed in her dorm room. The faint scent of her warm vanilla candle still lingering in the air. She just finished writing a 5 page paper for a class. 

Now she was curled up in her bed. Where she has been for the past month. Not wanting to socialize, or be around anyone.

She laid there, the memories of the last month flashed through her mind. Her fingers wrapped around the necklace her best friends gifted her not too long ago. With the baby's initials and a message engraved into it.

J.F. 2003 Mommy's Angel

She sniffled as her thumb grazed over the necklace. A lone tear  falling from eyes. 

"I'm so sorry" she whispered, eyes closing as more tears fell. 

The next morning Amani woke up her, the events of last night still lingering in the back of her mind. She laid there in the silence, streams of the morning light peeked through the sides of the blackout curtains. 

She pushed herself up, her silk bonnet slightly askew. As she got out the bed, swinging her legs to the side of the bed. Walking to her ensuite bathroom, her body felt heavy. She completed her morning routine, very sluggish and slow. 

She made her way downstairs, bypassing the coffee machine, needing a cold glass of water. When she took the first sip, the coolness not only quenched her thirst but the fire in her chest. The feelings, the memories that she suppressed came flooding back and she felt overwhelmed. 

She leaned against the cool granite counter, pressing her palms flat, trying to ground herself. How could twenty years rush back so quickly? How could one night, one dance, unravel the carefully constructed walls she'd built around that grief? The baby. Their baby. Josh didn't know. He never knew. The weight of that secret, coupled with the fresh sting of seeing him, felt crushing.

Amani closed her eyes, a tear escaping, tracing a path down her cheek. She was a strong woman, as she would like to think. But right now, she felt like that scared, heartbroken girl in the hospital room all over again.

A soft creak from the hallway startled her. Tameka appeared in the doorway, her hair in a messy bun, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "What you doing up so early?" Her voice was soft, laced with concern.

Amani wiped her face quickly. "You know I never was the type to sleep in," she mumbled, trying to mask her turmoil with a joke. 

It seemed to work as Tameka didn't press any further. Shawna soon walked in the kitchen. "Oh look at sleeping beauty," Tameka joked to Shawna's dismay "surprised to see you up before 12"

"Girl please," Shawna rolled her eyes, making Amani laugh a little "not everybody a early bird like y'all" sitting at the large island "y'all want to go to brunch?"

Amani and Tameka immediately nodded their head, agreeing with the plans. They all went back upstairs to get ready for the day, Tameka and Shawna changing into clothes they brought with them. 

They made it to their favorite brunch spot, Willow & Whisk. Their server quickly coming to get their table, the girls ordering mimosas. 

Falling into their usual conversation, they looked over the menu. Shawna decided that now was the time to bring up last night. Not wanting to beat around the bush. "Ok I gave you grace last night, but we got to talk about it," she briefly paused, giving Amani a knowing look. "How you really feeling?"

Amani shrugged her shoulders, leaning back in her chair "I feel ok," both her best friends looked at her. Both of their expressions saying that didn't buy what she was saying. "what?"

"C'mon now Mani, we've known you for too damn long," Tameka rolled her eyes "be real with us"

"It's really nothing y'all" Amani knew she was lying. Not just to them but to herself. Luckily the server came back with their drinks, having the girls placed their food order before quickly walking away.

"Nothing? Mani please," Shawna took a sip of her mimosa, placing it back on the table. "We seen the way he was looking at you like a someone who found their long lost love"

Instantly the memories from last night flooded her mind. She could feel Josh's hands wrap securely around her waist. How easy it was for her body to mold into his like they were made for each other. 

She shook head, bringing her back to reality. "It was a lot I can admit that," she started, trying to piece her words together. "it brought back a lot of those feelings I stored away years ago" Amani sighed, pushing a stray of hair behind her ear. 

"Do you think you should tell him now?" Shawna asked, her gaze steady. "About the baby?"

Amani scoffed, a humorless sound. "And just drop a twenty-year bombshell?" She rubbed her temples. "No. Absolutely not."

"But, Mani," Tameka began, "don't you think he deserves to know?."

Amani shook her head, looking out the window, a knot forming in her stomach. "It's just... too much. I can't."

Shawna leaned forward, a determined glint in her eye. "What if you don't have a choice? What if he tries to contact you?"

"I still wouldn't tell him," defiance evident in her tone "there ain't a reason for him should know"

"Mani-" Tameka started but was cut off by Amani.

"Look I appreciate y'all concern but that's a door I closed a long time ago. I'm just not ready to open it again" Amani crossed her arms, almost like she was protecting herself. "If I tell him, it'll be when I'm ready"

After a beat of silence Tameka and Shawna both nodded their head. Though they didn't agree, they were going to support their friend regardless of her decision. Soon the server brought over their food, and Tameka quickly changed the subject. 

After returning back to her place afterwards, her best friends grabbed their stuff before heading out. Telling her they will get together soon before leaving her in the large house, replaying the events of the weekend. 

Days later, in a locker room getting ready for another Friday Night Smackdown. Josh sat on the couch in the locker room he shared with his brothers and cousin. He scrolled on his phone, briefly looking and liking post by fans. Buying himself time before he had to get ready for the night. 

His attention was pulled away from his phone by the door to the locker room opening. Jimmy coming in after a trip to catering. "What up uce?" He plopped down on the far end of the couch getting comfortable. 

Josh gave him a nod, still scrolling on his phone. "What's good"

"The reunion was lit this weekend," Jon leaned back on the couch "was cool to see everybody"

Josh nodded. "Yeah, it was aight." He put his phone done, grabbing the tape to wrap his hand, his mind drifting back to the reunion, to the emerald green dress, to Amani's eyes.

"Saw you and Mani," Jon nudged him, "look like y'all was having a little moment."

Josh let out a slow breath. "Yeah, it was good to see her." A wry smile touched his lips.

"You still got feelings for her, don't you?" Jon's question was direct, no judgment in his tone.

Josh didn't deny it. "To be real, seein' her brought it all back, uce. I ain't gon' lie." He shrugged his shoulder a bit.

Jon sat up a bit. "So, you gon' reach out to Mani?"

University of West Alabama Campus, October 2003

The stale scent of sweat and liniment hung heavy in the air of the locker room. Josh sat slumped on a bench, still in his practice gear, breathing hard, his body sticky and tired. It hadn't been the best practice, not by a long shot. Lately, his mind kept drifting, replaying fragments of a past he couldn't shake.

"You good, Uce?" Jimmy, his twin, asked, dropping onto the bench beside him. His voice was quiet, picking up on Josh's energy without needing to ask.

Josh sighed, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. "Nah, man. Just been thinking about Mani." He stared at the scuffed linoleum floor. "I miss her. And I hate how we left things." The words were a quiet admission, heavy with regret.

Jimmy was silent for a beat, picking at a loose thread on his uniform. "Why don't you just call her, then?"

Josh's head snapped up. He hadn't considered it, not really. Not after all this time. He thought it over, the idea taking root. He nodded slowly. "Yeah. Yeah, maybe I will."

After a quick, cold shower, Josh threw on some sweats. "I'm heading back to the dorm," he told Jimmy, who was still packing his bag. "Meet up with you later."

Back in the quiet of his dorm room, the lingering scent of pizza and textbooks did little to distract him. He grabbed his phone, his thumb hovering over the contact list. Finding her name, he took a deep breath and hesitantly dialed Amani's number before pressing the call button.

It rang a couple of times, each chime tightening a knot in his stomach. Then, an automated voice cut in, cold and impersonal: "The number you have dialed has been disconnected or is no longer in service."

Confusion furrowed his brow. Disconnected? He hung up and immediately dialed again, then a third time, getting the same frustrating message. A wave of disbelief, quickly followed by anger, washed over him. He slammed the phone onto his desk, the sharp crack echoing in the small room. 

Josh kissed his teeth, shaking his head. "I tried years ago. she changed her number." Then, an idea sparked in his eyes. He turned to Jon. "Hey, you still got Tameka or Shawna's socials?"

Jon nodded. "Yeah, I got Shawna's IG. You want me to send her a message?"

Josh's face lit up. "Yeah, uce. Thanks."

Jon nodded, standing up. "Aight, Ima go see Trin before her match. I'll see you in a bit."

"Aight," Josh called after him, a renewed focus in his eyes. 

Hours later, the adrenaline of the main event tag match against The New Day, still hummed through Josh's veins as he walked out of the arena. Jon, Trinity, along with Sefa and Joe, beside him. The night air was cool, a welcome relief after the heat of the ring.

They quickly packed up the car making the short trip back to their hotel.

Amani stared at the financial report, her brow furrowed in concentration. The numbers swirled, a dizzying dance of profits and projections, yet her mind kept replaying fragments of the night before. She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. This was her turf, her meticulously built empire as the HR Director of Vanguard Tech. The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and the quiet hum of the office provided a welcome anchor, a total contrast to the emotional whirlwind of the reunion.

"Morning, Ms. Wilson," Mr. Vanguard's voice cut through her thoughts. He paused by her desk, a stack of folders in his hand. "I look forward to your Q3 presentation You're always sharp on those hiring numbers."

"Always, Mr. Vanguard," Amani replied, her voice smooth and professional. She gave him a confident smile, a practiced mask that rarely slipped. She'd spent the early morning refining the data, ensuring the employee retention rates were stellar and the diversity hiring goals showed solid progress.

Her day quickly filled with the big-picture demands of her role. She led a discussion about upcoming performance reviews, stressing the importance of constructive feedback, and then smoothly navigated a tricky conversation about a new pay structure. Every call, every interaction, required her full attention, her insights sharp and on point. She thrived in this environment, where logic and strategy ruled, leaving little room for the chaotic mess of her personal life.

After her last meeting, as she quickly reviewed an onboarding checklist for a new group of hires, she glanced at her phone. A message from Shawna popped up in their group chat. She opened it, seeing a screenshot of messages.

Besties 💕

Shay🤞🏾: 1 attachment

Shay🤞🏾: Jon reached out to me. Josh wants your IG but I told him I would ask you first.

Amani's heart immediately dropped. Fuck. She stared at the DM Jon had sent Shawna: "Yo Jey wanted me to ask you for Mani's IG." She read it over and over, each time her heart sinking deeper. She was pulled out of her thoughts when another message popped up.

Tammy💖: What you gon do Mani?

Shay🤞🏾: Just let me know.

She sat there at her desk, contemplating. 

Did she want him to message her? Was she ready to open that part of her life again? 

After what seemed like an eternity, she texted back.

Mani❤️: You can give him my IG

The girls reacted immediately, both sending heart emojis. Amani blew out a breath, placing her phone down. She forced her focus back on her work, but the simple act felt monumental.

After a full day, she finally arrived home. Kicking her shoes off by the door, she tossed her keys onto the foyer table. She walked upstairs to her room, throwing her clothes into the hamper before taking a quick shower.

Dressed for bed, she made her way back downstairs, reheating last night's leftovers. Taking the food out of the microwave, she settled onto her couch and turned on her show.

Halfway through, her phone buzzed. Checking it, she saw a few notifications from Instagram. 

jonathanfatu started following you.

uceyjucey started following you. 

uceyjucey wants to send you a message. 

Curiosity got the best of her and she clicked on the message. 

uceyjucey: What's up Mani

uceyjucey: It was good seein' you last weekend. Hope we can catch up soon whenever I ain't on the road

Amani stared at the message, her carefully constructed walls trembling. The past wasn't just knocking; it was sending a direct message.

Amani's heart skipped a beat. She read the message over and over again, her fingers hovering over her phone screen. It felt surreal, he was reaching out. It took her a while, her thoughts a whirlwind of apprehension, but she finally composed a reply.

_AmaniW: It was good seeing you too, Maybe we can one day.

His response was almost instantaneous, as if he'd been waiting, phone in hand.

uceyjucey: I'd like that. I'll let you know next time I'm in town ma.

Amani left the message on read, her phone still clutched in her hand. She stared at the ceiling, a thousand thoughts and emotions swirling within her. She couldn't believe herself that she replied back. 

She clicked on his profile. Scrolling through his posts. All of his and Jon's accomplishments, pictures of them holding the tag titles. Group pictures of them with Joe and to her surprise their little brother Sefa.

A strange warmth bloomed in her chest. Happy to see that even though his football dreams didn't work, he still found something he loved to do. 

Amani kept scrolling through. Couldn't help but to stop and look at his many different posts that showed off his tribal tats. Shaking her head internally. 

He always talked about them damn tattoos. 

After a while, she locked her phone, tossing it to the side. The screen went dark, but the images of Josh and the messages still burned in her mind. Her meticulously organized day, which had provided such a clear boundary between her professional efficiency and her personal chaos, now felt blurred. She'd spent years building walls around her heart, focusing on logic and strategy, making sure no one could breach the defenses she'd erected after him.

She closed her eyes, a sigh escaping her lips. Amani pushed herself off the couch, turning the TV off. She dragged her weary body up the stairs. Sleep desperately called her name, but she knew it wouldn't be easy. Her mind was still replaying the echoes of a past she'd thought long buried, and the unsettling warmth of a future she hadn't dared to imagine. As she finally slipped under her covers, the quiet of her room couldn't quiet the storm brewing inside her head.

Josh grunted, pushing the barbell up, the cold steel heavy in his grip. Joe spotted him, his hands ready. Around them, the familiar clanking of weights and the low murmur of his brothers, Jimmy and Sefa, filled the training room. They were deep into their last set of bench presses when his phone buzzed, the sound almost lost beneath the clang of iron.

"Don't drop them weight uce" Jimmy called out from the squat rack.

Josh rolled his eyes, but a moment later, Siri's synthesized voice cut through his focus, direct into his AirPods. "New Message from Instagram, _AmaniW: It was good seeing you too. Maybe we can one day."

His muscles seized. He almost dropped the weight, the bar wobbling dangerously in his hands. "Woah, you good Jey?" Joe grunted, quickly grabbing the bar and reracking it. "What the hell was that?"

Josh ignored him, tearing off his AirPods, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Amani replied," he announced, the words coming out almost a breathless whisper. Relief, pure and potent, washed over him, quickly followed by a rush of exhilaration. She replied. Just a simple maybe, but it was more than he'd dared to hope for.

"For real?" Sefa chimed in, stepping closer. "how you feel bout that"

Josh looked at his phone, then at Jimmy, who was now leaning against the bench, watching him with a knowing smirk. He wasn't sure how to put it into words. "I don't know," Josh admitted, shaking his head slightly. "Relieved, I guess. And... happy as hell she replied." He started typing his response, a casual I'd like that. I'll let you know next time I'm in town, ma.

He stared at his phone, the message glowing. Maybe we can one day. The words echoed in his mind.

October 1999 - Escambia High School

He could still feel the nervous energy thrumming through him, standing by her locker after football practice. The air was cool, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and the distant, excited chatter of high schoolers. Their school was throwing an October Fest for the students, and he'd been planning this for days.

"So, uh," he'd started, shoving his hands in his pockets, trying to act casual. "They're doing that October Fest thing next Friday... wanna, you know, go with me?"

She'd blinked, her dark eyes wide, a blush creeping up her cheeks. He remembered her fiddling with the strap of her backpack, looking everywhere but at him. "With you?" she'd whispered, almost to herself. She seemed so flustered, so uncharacteristically shy. He'd thought for a second she was going to say no, his heart sinking. Then, she'd finally looked up, a small, nervous smile playing on her lips. "Okay, I'd like that."

That okay had felt like winning the lottery. Like he could take on the whole world.

Josh exhaled slowly, the memory fading. He pocketed his phone, the grin still tugging at his lips. Joe gave him a slight nod, a silent understanding passing between them. He grabbed the bar again, ready to finish out his set. His mood increased. On the outside he looked focused but on the inside he was excited.

Later, as they walked out of the training room, sweat-soaked and tired, Josh clapped Jimmy on the shoulder. "Hey, man, thanks again for reaching out to Shawna for me."

Jimmy just shrugged, a small smile on his face. "No problem, Uce. Just don't let her slip through your fingers this time."

Josh paused, looking at his brother, then nodded slowly. He'd waited long enough. He'd never stopped thinking about her, not really. That flicker of hope, was all he needed. He wanted to reconnect with the woman he'd cared for, dared even to say loved, so deeply. It wouldn't be easy, not with his schedule, but for Amani, he'd figure it out. He had to.

Ch.3 (coming soon...)

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[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

2025 Ranmaru Birthday – The Day the Tears Fell

Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors and inaccuracies.

It happened on an early summer day, when the wind had just begun to carry the season's heat.

Maid 1: "Lord Ranmaru's birthday is coming up soon. I bet they'll hold a feast."

Maid 2: "I can't wait! I wonder what I should get him this year."

The entire castle was buzzing with excitement over Ranmaru's upcoming birthday.

(That's so like Ranmaru—everyone loves him.)

(I should think of a gift, too. I wonder what kind of celebration he would enjoy.)

As I stood there lost in thought, watching the cheerful maids chat, a familiar face came walking toward me down the hallway.

Mitsunari: "Lady Mai."

Mitsunari: "Pardon the sudden question, but have you seen Ranmaru today?"

Mai: "No, I haven't. Do you need him for something?"

Mitsunari: "Yes. Someone came by earlier to see him."

Ranmaru: "Huh? Me?"

Ranmaru peeked out from behind Mitsunari, his pink hair swaying.

(Perfect timing.)

Mai: "Looks like you've got a visitor."

Ranmaru: "A visitor?"

He blinked, looking puzzled.

Ranmaru: "Who? I don't remember having anything scheduled today."

He tilted his head, then headed off to greet the guest.

Later that afternoon…

(I finished work early. Maybe I'll head into town and look at some fabric.)

I wandered alone through the castle grounds and spotted a familiar figure.

(Is that...?)

It was Ranmaru, speaking with an elderly man by the roadside.

(Who is that?)

(Is he the visitor from earlier?)

At that moment, Ranmaru happened to look up.

Ranmaru: "Ah, Lady Mai!"

Old Man: "Good afternoon."

Mai: "Good afternoon. Sorry for interrupting."

As I stepped closer and bowed, the old man gave me a warm smile.

Old Man: "No worries. I'm the one who dropped by uninvited."

Ranmaru: "Yeah, it really caught me off guard."

Old Man: "Well, I happened to be in the area, so I thought I'd stop by and see how you were doing."

Ranmaru: "I'm glad you came. You look well!"

Ranmaru: "Are you still living in that village? The one just outside the castle town?"

Old Man: "Yeah, nothing's changed."

(They seem close.)

From the way they talked, I could tell they'd known each other for a long time.

(Even with the big age gap, nothing about their interaction feels stiff or formal.)

(I wonder what kind of relationship they have.)

As I tilted my head in confusion, Ranmaru turned his gaze toward me.

Ranmaru: "Are you curious about what kind of relationship we have?"

Mai: "Was it that obvious?"

Ranmaru: "Pretty much. But that honesty is one of your best qualities, Lady Mai."

He chuckled and whispered playfully.

Ranmaru: "To put it simply, he's someone who's kept my secret for a long time."

(Secret?)

I tilted my head, and the old man beside me let out a small gasp.

Old Man: "Ranmaru, are you sure it's okay to tell her?"

Ranmaru: "Yeah. She's special."

(Huh?)

That one word—special—spoken so casually, made my heart skip a beat.

(What does he mean by that?)

Old Man: "I see, I see."

Whether he noticed how flustered I was or not, the old man simply kept nodding, clearly pleased.

Old Man: "I'm an old man now. Maybe it's not such a bad thing to let one more person in on our secret."

And so, the old man began to share the secret he and Ranmaru had kept to themselves.

------------Flashback-----------

It all started with the arrival of a beautiful young man named Ranmaru Mori in Azuchi.

Cheerful, capable, and charming, he quickly won over the castle's residents, and word of him soon spread through the town.

Old Man: "A monster in the river?"

Villager 1: "Yes. They say something thrashes around in the water at night."

Villager 2: "Some even claim they've heard terrifying groans."

In a quiet village just outside the castle town, the elder—the same old man—had been hearing troubling reports from the villagers.

Villager: "Everyone's too scared. Lately, no one even wants to go near the river."

Old Man: "I see…"

Old Man: "All right. I'll go take a look myself."

Later that night.

With nothing but a small lantern to light the way, the old man headed down to the river—where he came face-to-face with the so-called monster.

Old Man: "You're…?"

Ranmaru: "Who are you?"

Standing in the river was a beautiful young man.

Old Man: "Hm?"

Looking more closely, the old man saw that the youth was limping, his eyes red and swollen.

Old Man: "Are you... hurt?"

Ranmaru: "………."

Old Man: "Here, let me take a look."

Gently lowering the lantern, the old man tried to approach the young man, but the latter stopped him.

Ranmaru: "Don't come any closer."

Ranmaru: "I just tripped over some rocks and fell, that's all."

Old Man: "I see. Then, would you mind sticking around for a bit?"

The old man sat a short distance away from Ranmaru and began talking about the rumors spreading in the village about a monster in the river.

Ranmaru: "You think that monster is me?"

Old Man: "Yes."

Ranmaru's eyes widened in surprise.

Ranmaru: "I didn't mean to scare anyone. I'm sorry."

He didn't look like a monster at all—just an ordinary, kind-hearted young man.

Old Man: "It's all right. Once the truth's out, the villagers will feel more at ease."

Old Man: "Still, what were you doing in the river at this hour?"

Ranmaru: "Um, it's kind of embarrassing, but I was reminiscing a bit."

Ranmaru: "I lost my father when I was still very young."

Ranmaru: "Every summer, he used to take me to the river and teach me how to swim."

Ranmaru: "Whenever this season comes around, I always find myself thinking of him. And this river feels a bit like the place we used to go."

Old Man: ".....…"

After a brief silence, the old man turned to face Ranmaru again.

Old Man: "Thank you for sharing that with me."

Old Man: "Starting tomorrow, no one from the village will come here again—not even me."

Part 2???