#instead of a flight there and a flight back

[kokii-omii]

🪽Flight Fest Race🪽

(synopsis)

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An event where Peyn and Pan have to go back home at the shaftlands in Feather-Fair City to participate in the annual Flight Fest Race

The race consists of five teams, Each team has five members and each member is placed within different areas that each have its own obstacles that they need to avoid in order to pass on parts of a staff to the next member, the final player has to assemble the staff as well as avoid their own obstacles in order to reach the finish line , players are not allowed to turn back or stop moving at all

it was originally Pan's brother Argos that was supposed to participate, and due to unfortunate timing, Argos got sick and is unable to partake in the Flight Fest

and with the teammates knowing they wouldn't be able to win without Argos they decide to drop out of the competition

and since the Nikos family sponsors the Flight Fest, they ask Pan to participate in his brother's place

so Pan tries to gather members for the Race and asks Peyn to help him look for people who would want to participate

Peyn asks his fellow Spelldrive members if they would want to participate in Feather-Fair City's celebration, after a lot of convincing (for mostly Leona) the spelldrive club agrees to participate in the race

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Peyn and Pan's race outfits

(the spelldrive club boys got different designs but in grey instead of blue and magenta)

[wildestdreamsblog]

My Love, let me go

Pairing: Kim Taehyung x Reader (Idol AU)

Summary: Breaking up with him during his military service was, initially, a good idea...until you found out that someone like him just wouldn't let go. (One shot)

Warnings: Yandere behavior, Obsessiveness, Possessiveness, Manipulative behavior, , If you’re not 18+ please, PLEASE, do not interact. Be mindful of the warnings. Let me know if I miss anything.

A/N: An effect of my brainrot (also have u see taehyung??? That in itself is an explanation enough) ✨

While the whole country and perhaps, even the whole world, waited in anticipation for June 10, 2025, you gnawed your lips in worry.

While the entire country screamed purple with his face splattered everywhere you looked, your heart was beating with anxiety for his return.

While people have been swarming in the country for his comeback, you wanted nothing but to leave.

If you could, you would have escaped the country by now. In fact, it was not from the lack of trying. You had planned months ahead; your luggage and plane tickets were all ready to go. Your leave was already planned in your work. Your itinerary for the whole month away from South Korea was planned, budget executed down to the single won. You were ready.

You knew you were ready.

However, what you failed to account was him.

You should have known, though, that you couldn’t outplan a manipulator such as Kim Taehyung.

Everything that could go wrong that day did go wrong.

First, your airline emailed you with an apology—your flight had been rescheduled to next week due to a sudden technical issue. You clenched your jaw, told yourself it was fine. You’d just leave the city instead. Maybe escape to the countryside.

So you booked a train ticket.

Your card got declined.

You blinked at the error message in disbelief. Moments later, your bank sent you a polite notification informing you that due to a “suspicious transaction,” your card had been frozen pending a thorough investigation.

Fine. You’d drive, then.

Except, of course, your car wouldn't start.

You stared at the motionless vehicle in your driveway, a bitter laugh escaping your lips.

Perfect.

Kim Taehyung: 1. You: 0.

And he hadn’t even arrived yet.

You didn’t have access to your money. You couldn’t use your car. You couldn’t even go to the place you already paid for. You were sadly, for all intents purposes, helpless and stuck.

The freedom you felt since he enlisted was slipping through your fingers by second, the weakened hold he had on you that you fought so desperately to loosen was starting to tighten again. You could feel it in your chest, your throat closing up like it always did when you sensed him near.

He hadn’t done anything directly yet…and the last time you spoke to him was when you went to visit him in his camp to end things. It had taken everything in you to face him, to stand in front of that beautiful, dangerous man and tell him you were walking away. It had taken too much of you to look into his dark and beautiful eyes to tell him that you and him were over.

But even now, you wondered—was it really courage? Or just convenience?

Because the truth was, you waited. You waited until he was safely behind gates and schedules, too far away to reach you, too confined by uniform and duty to chase after you and tear your resolve to pieces like he always did.

You ended things when you knew he couldn’t stop you.

And somehow, that made it worse. Because if there’s one thing you knew about Kim Taehyung, it’s that he never lost. Not really.

Worst of all, he never intended to lose you.

You had stood there, heart pounding, words trembling out of your mouth like fragile glass, fully expecting a reaction. Anger, disbelief, maybe even pain.

But he laughed.

He laughed like you had just told the most ridiculous joke in the world.

Head thrown back, shoulders shaking, lips stretched in that maddeningly beautiful smirk—he laughed so hard that soldiers and officers turned to stare. He laughed for too long until he uttered the words that still haunted you to this day.

Love, we will never be over.

You walked away that day, blocked his number, changed your address and never looked back.

Well, until now.

But that had been more than a year ago, you told yourself. A whole enlistment cycle. A whole lifetime, almost. He was a superstar—the superstar. There was no way he was still holding onto that, right?

Right?

And yet, deep down, under the logic and self-reassurance, under the layers of “he’s moved on” and “you’re safe now,” a familiar chill coiled in your spine.

Because if there was one thing you’d learned from loving him—it was that Kim Taehyung never forgot.

Looking back, there was no way for you to know that someone so well-loved by the public like him could be so…ruthless. So possessive. So traditional.

There was no way you could have known. The world adored him. He was beloved—a walking contradiction of mystery and warmth, always poised with that elegant ease, always smiling like the world had never bruised him. With his slow, thoughtful words and strange little quirks, Taehyung disarmed everyone, and you were no exception.

If only you weren’t swayed by his charming smile, or of how strange he was in the most beautiful way, then maybe you wouldn’t be hiding right now. Yes, you were terrified of him, but it wasn’t because you thought he would physically hurt you.

No.

You were scared of him because of how intense he loved you.

He loved you too deeply that there was no way it would ever be normal. He loved you too deeply that there was no more room for you in the us that he imagined.

Back then, he wanted to know everything—every detail of your day. What you ate. What time you slept. Whether your coworker was a man or woman. And when knowing wasn't enough, he wanted control. Where you went. Who you were with. Why you didn’t text back fast enough. Why your voice sounded tired. Why you were smiling in a photo someone else took.

At first, you made excuses. You called it passion. You called it longing. You rationalized that someone as big as he was basically could not have a simple relationship. That someone like Taehyung, someone so famous and busy, was just desperate to hold on to something real. That you were that something.

But even when you saw him almost every weekend, despite both of your demanding jobs, it was never enough. He was never satisfied with moments. He wanted all of you. He wanted to consume you. He wanted control.

Where you went. Who you were with. Why you didn’t text back fast enough. Why your voice sounded tired. Why you posted that story without tagging him. Why you looked so happy in someone else’s photo.

He said it was because he missed you. Because loving you from a distance was unbearable.

And you believed him.

He wanted you by his side, always— Wanted you on every tour, in every city, behind every curtain.

He wanted to be the only person you needed. And every night, he wanted to consume you—body, mind, time, and soul.

He asked you to quit your job so you could always be with him.

Said it so calmly, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Because, as he told you, he was the man. He should be taking care of you. His woman should not have to lift a finger to live. “Whatever you want,” he said, “it’s yours.”

But you never wanted to give up your independence. He never understood that despite the endless explanations you gave him.

You had seen what that looked like. You saw how dependent your mother was to your father, and you didn’t want that from you. You never wanted to ask a man for anything.

Taehyung quite literally hated how you couldn’t be with him in each tour or how you couldn’t live with him. In turn, you hated how he couldn’t just let go. You hated how he could not accept that you needed to be independent despite loving him.

You were too tired of it all that at one point, you told him that it was best for you two to see other people. And he just stared at you, eyes dark and wide with disbelief. Then he laughed. Not loud, not cruel. Quiet. Frightening, to which he answered why you needed anyone when you had him.

He said that maybe it was best to remove those people from your life.

Perhaps, asking him to breakup was the wrong thing to say.

Back then, you thought that that was the end, that you signifying your discontent with the relationship would mean it was over between the two of you.

You should have known that there was no leaving Taehyung.

If he couldn’t control you, he would control the situation. He was good at it, you surmised, shaping how other people see him.

He was good at playing the victim.

He was good at manipulating people into thinking that his love was normal and that he couldn’t live without you. He played it too well that you even villainized yourself when he got hospitalized.

They said he collapsed. Said he hadn’t eaten. Said he had broken down.

Fans were worried, news of his health took the social media in storm.

Park Jimin had shown up at your door, eyes bloodshot, jaw clenched so tightly it looked painful. He shoved past you without asking and stood in your living room like he owned the place.

“I didn’t know you were like this,” he said bitterly. “He only ever loved you. And what did you do?”

“You left him.” His voice shook. “How can you be so cruel?”

You had no answer. Because somehow, Taehyung had made even you question yourself.

Had it really been that bad? Hadn’t he always just loved you… deeply?

You came back. Of course you did.

But after that, he was even worse.

 And now, here you were, uncertain of whether the events that just transpired were back luck or someone who was pulling the strings.

Despite that, your paranoia lessened as days went by.

It was like what happened the day of his discharge were just fluke because what followed was silence. News of him meeting his friends and even attending Hoseok’s concert were all over the social media. He was out there living his best life. It seemed like he was living well, it seemed like he had forgotten about you. There was even no attempt to contact you.

Maybe, the military life changed his outlook for the better.

Maybe the enlistment and rigorous life squashed the darkness and obsessive need in his hear.

Maybe you were overthinking.

But dear, how wrong you were.

It was a little over a week later when it happened—when everything began to unravel.

You were running late one night, dinner with colleagues stretching longer than expected. The car ride home was quiet, and all you could think about was how good it would feel to collapse into bed. You’d had one too many drinks, just enough to fumble with your keys at the door. They slipped from your hand, clattering to the floor.

You bent down to retrieve them—only for the door to slowly creak open on its own in the silence of the night.

Your blood ran cold.

Your gaze dropped to the bare feet inside your apartment, and slowly, it trailed upward—over the hem of cuffed jeans, up the muscular thighs that haunted too many of your memories. Your breath caught in your throat, your heart hammering in panic. You didn’t want to look. You didn’t need to.

Because you already knew.

But you didn’t have to wait for confirmation. Kim Taehyung crouched in front of you, his expression unreadable as he picked up the keys from the floor and held them out to you.

He held them out to you with a soft smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Looking for these?” he asked, voice low, calm, like he hadn’t just broken into your apartment. Like it was the most natural thing in the world for him to be here.

Your breath caught in your throat.

Your heart thundered against your ribs, panic clawing its way up as you stared at him—his face as achingly beautiful as ever, but his presence colder than the air-conditioned hallway behind you. You tried to speak, tried to find the words that could explain your fear, your confusion, your boundaries—but nothing came.

He tilted his head, studying you, then stood up to his full height. “You look tired,” he murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair from your face. “You shouldn't drink so much. It's not safe. What if something happened to you? You should have called me. You know I would have picked you up”

You flinched away from his touch, finally finding the strength to take a step back. “Taehyung,” you whispered, “what are you doing here? H-how did you find me?”

“Love, please don’t be mad,” his deep voice implored you as he reached for your hand, his grip, though it didn’t hurt, was tight. It was clear that you were not going anywhere. His unbridled strength was new to you. Taehyung had always been strong, but this was different.

He pulled you inside your apartment as though it was his, as though he had every right to be there himself. As soon as you stepped over the threshold, you noted the smell of homecooked meals. Your eyes went to your dining table where dinner was set, coupled with candles.

“W-why are you here? How did you find me?!” asked him, pulling your hand away as he closed the door gently. He leaned against the door, body relaxed, but his eyes never left you. And you just knew—if he didn’t want you to leave, you wouldn’t.

“You know…” he began, his voice almost wistful. “I tried to stay away. You hurt me when you left me, did you know that?”

You didn’t answer. You couldn’t.

“When you came to the base to break up with me, I was devastated,” he continued, stepping closer. “I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. I kept thinking…why? Why would you say those things? I knew you were only pushing me away because of the eighteen months we had to be apart. That’s what it was, wasn’t it?” His voice dropped to a whisper, lips curving upward in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You were scared I’d forget you. You wanted to see if I’d chase you.”

You took another step back, but your spine hit the edge of the console table behind you.

“I tried,” he repeated, softer now. “I tried to respect your decision. To give you space. But I couldn’t stay away from you.”

His smile was almost self-deprecating. “Isn’t it pathetic that I could only stay away for a week?”

Your hands curled into fists at your sides as your body began to shake not from fear alone, but fury. Fury at him. At yourself. At the twisted, beautiful thing that love had turned into. You shook your head. “I didn’t try to break up with you, Taehyung,” you said through gritted teeth, voice rising despite your best efforts. “We broke up. I changed my number. I left my company. I moved apartments. I changed everything just so you wouldn’t be able to find me. We are over.”

There was a beat of silence.

Then, he tilted his head to the side. Something shifted in his expression—not anger, not sadness, but something worse. Amusement. A quiet, terrifying confidence.

You watched his muscles tense beneath the stretch of his black shirt, fabric clinging to the lean power he’d carved into himself over the past eighteen months. He looked different. Sharper. Bigger. A version of him that didn’t need to raise his voice to command a room—or to cage someone in it.

“You don’t really think I didn’t know where you were all this time… do you?” he asked, tone light, almost teasing. “Come on, darling. You know me better than that.”

Your blood turned to ice.

“You know I’d go crazy if I didn’t know where you are,” he continued, his smile softening as if this were some kind of confession, not an admission of obsession. “You know that.”

And just like that, the bottom fell out from under you.

The months of peace you thought you had—the freedom you clung to like a lifeline—all of it shattered in an instant. The new phone, the job, the address, the carefully orchestrated distance... none of it had ever mattered.

Because he had known.

He had always known.

And the freedom you had fought so hard for?

It had only ever been an illusion.

Your breath hitched. You felt it the cold seep of dread slipping into your bones, anchoring you in place as he stepped just a little closer.

“You didn’t really think you could disappear from me, did you?” he asked softly, brushing his fingers along your arm like he was soothing a frightened animal. “Don’t worry. I’m here now.”

if I write another story for when the member gets out of military, who would you want it to be?

[taesanluv3r]

a warm welcome

han taesan x reader

established relationship. it's implied that yn is also an idol. kind of suggestive ending (?) but no actual smut. cutesy. lowercase intended, & pls ignore any spelling or grammar mistakes! enjoyy

wc: 1,678

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖

taetnyangi 🐈‍⬛

boarding the flight, see u soon darling

i’ll come straight to ur dorm yeah?

you

oki!! see u soon :3

uk my key code right? if i fall asleep just walk in and then lock the door

taetnyangi 🐈‍⬛

yup, love you ❤️

you

ily2, safe flight 💓

read, 8.05 pm

౨ৎ 1.15 am

taesan sighs as he sleepily walks out of the company car, saying bye to his group-mates who stayed in the vehicle to go back to their own dorm building. the boy lets out a quiet yawn as he enters the elevator, blinking twice to fix his sight as the door opened on the sixteenth floor. he drags his feet all the way to end of the hallway, stopping right by the final door. her door.

he smiles, wondering if she had even tried to stay awake late enough to greet him on his arrival after being apart for the past month while he was on tour. taesan kept his thoughts short though, not wanting to prolong the wait any longer as he hastily pushed down on the buttons of the key-pad lock above her door, eyebrows furrowing as he carefully recalled the passcode; her birth date.

with a single click sound, the piece that separates him from the cool air of her company-provided apartment came unlocked, a warm grin creeping against his face as he took in the dark atmosphere.

‘the lights are off, she’s probably asleep’

locking the door behind him, taesan simultaneously takes his shoes off and turns on the entrance lights. he jumps in shock at the unexpected figure standing before him.

a doll. more specifically, the stuffed monkey he had won her at an arcade many dates ago. the plush toy was oddly large, it's size resembling that of a tiny toddler. it sat on the floor before him, in its tiny plush hands a white-board with words scribbled on it in black temporary marker.

“your girlfriend is asleep already, she’s tired. but!!! welcome back!”

followed by a large and slightly deformed heart.

the boy lets out a laugh, picking up the doll and the white-board before making his way towards her bedroom. the door wasn’t closed properly, making it easier for him to make his silent entrance. the lights were off but the peak of the outside world that seeped through the tiny space between her curtains made sight for him to see. taesan's eyes softened, a smile he could not hold back forming on his rather cold complexion as he stood there and stared for a moment. she was curled up against the sheets, eyelashes grazing lightly against her skin as she breathed into her slumber.

not wanting to ruin her peace, the boy spots the marker on her bed-side table. he grabs it, using one end to erase the sweet message she had left him before and then the other end to jot down a new one for her. he placed the monkey beside her on the bed, the white-board back in its arms as he slowly bent down to press a soft kiss against her head. when her eyebrows furrowed and her head shifted deeper into the pillows he smiled and walked away.

yn turns in her bed, the slight sloppiness of his lips placed against her head waking her up from dreamland. the girl squints her eyes, expecting to be met with her boyfriend’s gleaming face but instead being greeted by her plush doll. she got up slightly to read the message he had left, letting out a sleepy yawn in the process.

“taking a shower, go back to sleep darling”

in the worst hand-writting known to man that it was a shock the sleepy girl could even comprehend it.

obliging, yn set the white-board aside, grabbing the stuffed toy and turning over to face the other side and fall asleep once again.

taesan finished drying his hair, thankful (and shocked that it even worked) for the ‘less-noise hair dryer’ his girlfriend had impulsively bought during some huge discount sale the shop was holding on its online forum. the boy finishes up in the bathroom, making sure the sink and shower were turned off properly before walking back into the bedroom.

he noticed the disappearance of the stuffed toy and the message he had left earlier, smiling idiotically to himself as he notices the change in her sleeping position as well. she had turned to face the wall, juxtaposing the way her face faced him when he had walked in the first time.

he checked all the lights in the small apartment once more before crawling under the sheets beside her. the warmth of her presence and the thick weighted blanket immediately engulfed his entire build. taesan wrapped his arms around the girl at last, carefully pulling her closer to his chest. awoken by the sudden warmth, yn hums as she turns back around once more. wordlessly snuggling into his embrace as he pressed yet another kiss to her head, and then another to her cheek.

“how was the flight?” she asked softly, voice raspy from her slumberful state. “good. i missed you” he responds. “me too” she mumbles, her words getting lost into another yawn.

and they were off to sleep.

౨ৎ 7.54 am

“mm” yn mumbles as she begins to wake. a yawn faltering out of her mouth as she rubs her head against the surface of her boyfriend’s chest that she laid on. the girl smiles softly as she looks up to see him fast asleep still. his hair's a mess and his mouth slightly agape as he let out simple breaths. she's taken aback, however, when his still expression had turned itself into a warry smirk.

“what'cha starin’ at darling?”

his deep and croaky morning voice, a voice she hadn’t heard in a while, since he was on tour in japan, sent shivers down her spine. the coolness of the air conditioner doing nothing to stop the goosebumps from forming against her skin.

“hm?” he hummed, starting to open up his own eyes to look at her. “i missed you so much” she says, feeling a sudden shyness wash over her body. instinctively, yn hides her reddened cheeks against him, only causing him to laugh at her bashfulness. the boy moves his arms, reaching over to fish her head out of his side. his middle and pointer fingers pressed below her chin as his thumb grazed over her chin and her lips. her lips that remained rosy and plump from the strawberry scented lip scrub she had done the night before.

“you're so pretty, darling” taesan says, tucking some of the loose strands of her hair behind her ear and cupping one side of her face lovingly. she smiles and giggles as he continues to shower her with a billion more compliments.

their laughs come to a halt as he stops and stares deeply into her large eyes. and then finally, after the long wait, the pair leans in for a passionate and loving kiss.

it lasts a while, their noses bumping against each other as they did so. stopping only when they both ran short of breath. yn looks up to see her boyfriend staring at her once again. except this time, there was something different about his eyes.

“what's up?”

her question is ignored as the boy moves to hover his body over her smaller one. he leans in to press a sensual and sloppy kiss against her neck and then whispers into her ear.

“what time do you have to be at the company today?”

she sighs before even thinking of a response, “like…at nine thir-”

that was all he needed to hear before cutting her off with yet another kiss. her hands instinctively went up to wrap around his neck, the both of them moving in sync to get into a more comfortable position. taesan's teeth dug into her bottom lip, inflicting a gasp from her and his tongue slipped right in. the so-called loving kiss was more of a sloppy make-out session now as his hand went down to run all over her body.

the otherwise silent room was soon met with the sounds of flesh, sweat, and their awfully hidden sounds of love. the clothes they had on, now discarded somewhere on the floors of her bedroom and their slumberful innocence long gone as their bodies danced through young lust against her bed-sheets.

౨ৎ 8.30 am

“ugh” taesan sighs, slumping back down onto the bed. yn does the same, using the strength she had left to roll into his bare chest. his arm came to wrap around her figure, hand stroking her hair as the couple started to catch their breaths.

“mm, i've missed you” she smiles, satisfied with how her morning had been spent. he chuckles in agreement before letting out an exhausted yawn. yn reaches her arm out to grab her phone, unlocking it to check on her notifications. in the process she is hit with the sense of time, sighing in annoyance as she tosses her phone away to her side and then looking up at him.

“i have to get ready and go to the company soon” she mumbles, words muffled up against the blanket as she curls back inside its comfortable embrace. taesan groans, caging her dramatically into his arms once more. “can't you get in a little late today?” he almost pleads, pressing kisses against her shoulders. “hm…” he shoots her a dumb pair of puppy-dog eyes in an attempt to win her over.

and usually it didn't work but...

“fuck it, i'm sure manager-nim will understand”

౨ৎ 9.56

manager-nim 🤓

yn where are you?

you were supposed to be here like half an hour ago??

oh i just got word that taesan-ssi arrived last night...

you know what fine i'll let it slide but only because you haven't seen him in a while…

be safe please 🙏🙏 and be here by 3 LATEST!

have fun 😉😉😉

delivered, 9.59 am

the end.

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖

LOLLLLL the ending is so silly 😭 anyways hey guys...long time no see hehe HOPE U ENJOYED THIS FIC TT sorry for being so ia, ive been insanely unmotivated 💔 love u guys, i'll try to upload more often again. love, kona.

[apatheticsunday]

Skittles-Flavored Fear

AKA "The Batfam rescue several Gotham-U students from Scarecrow's latest hostage situation. However, Dr. Jonathan Crane becomes obsessed when one student has a strange reaction to the Fear Toxin - extreme exhilaration and giddiness." Based on this prompt!!

Danny knows Ghosts feed on intense emotion to survive; he's never had to, never wanted to because it feels... parasitic. He never thought he'd be drugged with it. Sitting among his fellow students, tied up as the Straw Man or whatever monologues about his evil plans, Danny thought the worst thing that could happen would be hallucinating a dissection table. Maybe the GIW or his parents with gleaming googles and scalpels at the ready.

He doesn't even realize they're already being gassed until Danny takes a breath and tastes... skittles? Like, taffy, frosted cream, and melty-sweet syrup. The more he breathes it in, the more he feels strangely floaty. His head feels both heavy and light, stuffed with cotton, and he can barely even hear. (If he could hear, he'd probably would be horrified by his classmates screaming, writhing in terror all around him like a swarm of buzzing locusts.)

And then somebody - The Straw Man - is looming in front of him, grabbing Danny by the face, and curiously tilting his head. After a moment of contemplation, Straw Man rummages around in his satchel before Danny gets freaking hosed in the face with a concentrated dose of Fear Toxin. And then everything gets better worse. Danny feels euphoric. He's giggling, smiling, head so clouded from the high that he doesn't even notice even Dr. Crane drags him through the crowded lecture hall. Doesn't notice when two goons grab him by the arms and start to haul him toward the exit.

What he does notice is the Straw Man's body slamming into the wall. Several figures blur in shades of black, blue, green, and red as Danny squints to try and focus on at least one of them. Then, somebody - blue and black - is at his side. Danny kind of... slides down the hero's side, legs too wobbly to hold himself up, until the hero has to prop Danny into a half-laying-half-sitting position. Danny's still giggling, slurring something and his hand somehow finds the hero's face, patting it in thanks for the rescue.

It's only when the Big Bat comes over, fits an odd-shaped mask over Danny's face, that he stops smelling candy. Instead, he smells something putrid, almost like formaldehyde, sweat, and... unmentionable body fluids. Danny's head is throbbing like brain freeze and a pressure headache, nausea so intense he can taste it in the back of his throat and cramps in his stomach. One moment he's mumbling 'm gon' throw up and the next he's ripping the mask off his face. Turns to the side and... barfs on Batman. (If he were more coherent, he'd probably be mortified. Maybe even die again of embarrassment. Worse when Nightwing cackles uncontrollably from beside him. Ancients, he'd petted Nightwing!! On the freakin' face!!)

That's the last thing that Danny remembers. He wakes up in the hospital several hours later, several texts from Jazz, Sam, and Tucker saying they're taking the next flight to Gotham. Danny flops back into the hospital bed and groans. Groans louder when he remembers what happened in the lecture hall. At least there's probably a very small amount of people who can say they barfed on the Dark Knight of Gotham and got away with it, right?

(Cue Scarecrow constantly trying to kidnap Danny and the Batfam being put on Danny-watch to make sure he's safe. Maybe also trying to figure out why Danny reacts differently to Fear Toxin, but assume he's an undocumented meta with a unique biology. Danny absolutely thinks he's being stalked by Batman as revenge.)

[trippiexlove]

Echoes of Us -Ch. 3

Main Master List

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

ENJOY!!! ♡

Amani tapped her pen against the thick stack of the onboarding documents, her eyes scanning the meticulous details of a few new hires background checks. The familiar drone of employees talking and phones ringing hummed outside her office door. But today, even the precise world of HR couldn't completely anchor her attention. For the past few weeks, her phone had been a constant, low-level thrum of distraction. Josh.

He'd started with casual check-ins, asking about her week, sharing snippets from his life on the road, quick messages that she'd answered with answered with careful politeness. He'd told her about a crazy crowd in Boston, a long flight delay, even a funny story about Jon accidentally botching a move during a match. She'd found herself smiling at his texts more than she cared to admit, a warmth spreading through her chest that felt both forbidden and undeniably pleasant. She'd replied, always after a calculated pause, keeping her answers brief, and devoid of anything really personal. It was a delicate dance, a constant push and pull between the woman she was now and the girl she'd been.

A new notification buzzed, pulling her from a potential hire's resume. Of course, it was him. Her thumb hesitated before tapping open the message.

uceyjucey: I'm back in Florida for a few days. You free tonight? Maybe try that new Italian place downtown?

Amani's breath hitched. Dinner. Not a casual check-in, but a direct invitation. Her gaze flickered to the clock on her computer screen, then back to the message, as if willing it to disappear. The quiet hum of the office suddenly felt deafening. She could feel the familiar walls she'd meticulously rebuilt around her heart begin to tremble.

She reread Josh's message. The very thought of seeing him so soon sent a fresh wave of nerves through her, cold and sharp. Could she do this? Could she sit across from him, make small talk, pretend that twenty years of unspoken history, of a shared grief he didn't even know existed, wasn't simmering beneath the surface?

No. The answer was immediate, visceral. She couldn't.

Amani stared at her phone, the words "You free tonight?" solidifying in her mind. The internal struggle was a tempest. Her gut screamed no, but a softer, more persistent voice whispered yes. Before she could fully commit to either, her thumb instinctively navigated to the group chat with Tameka and Shawna.

Mani❤️: 1 attachment 

Mani❤️: What should I do 😩

The response was almost instantaneous. Her phone vibrated, a rapid-fire succession of messages from the girls. 

Tammy💖: You better say yes 

Shay🤞🏾: YES! BOUT DAMN TIME

Tammy💖:Don't even THINK about saying no. 

Shay🤞🏾: You gotta do this

Amani couldn't help but crack a small smile at their rampant enthusiasm, even as her own nerves frayed. They were relentless, but she knew it came from a place of fierce love and a desire for her happiness. She didn't reply to their frantic messages. Instead, with a deep breath that felt more like a leap of faith, she switched back to Josh's chat. Her fingers, surprisingly steady, typed out a reply.

_AmaniW: I'd like that. 7 works for me.

She hit send before she could second-guess herself, placing the phone face down on her desk as if to physically cut off the connection. The silence stretched, a few agonizing minutes ticking by. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat of anticipation and dread, even as she forced her eyes back to the resumes in front of her.

Her phone buzzed. Amani snatched it up, quicker than she could register, her eyes immediately going to his message.

uceyjucey: Bet, I'll make a reservation for us. See you tonight beautiful

Amani reread his reply, a strange mix of exhilaration and terror swirling within her. See you tonight beautiful. The words were simple, yet made her feel some type of way, hopes she hadn't realized she still harbored. She had said yes. The carefully constructed walls, twenty years in the making, were now officially breached. Tonight, she would sit across from Josh Fatu, and she had no idea what she was walking into.

Amani practically sprinted through her front door, tossing her work bag onto the foyer table with a clatter. Her phone was already ringing. It was Shawna, no doubt calling with Tameka already on the line, having been alerted by Amani's frantic acceptance message hours earlier. She swiped to answer, propping the phone against the fruit bowl as she kicked off her heels.

"Okay, I don't have much time to get ready" Amani blurted out, her voice a little higher than usual. "I don't even know what to wear? It's been a minute since I've been on a date." She paced the kitchen, peering into her fridge getting a cold water, taking a sip to calm her nerves. She capped it before making her way upstairs.

Tameka's voice, calm and steady, came through the speaker. "Relax, Mani. It's just dinner. You need to wear something that says you do this shit effortlessly"

Shawna chimed in with her usual directness. "Forget wearing jeans. I'm thinking that black two-piece set you bought last year. The one with the wide-leg pants and the slightly cropped top."

Amani paused mid-stride. "The one that shows a little stomach?"

"Girl, yes!" Tameka exclaimed. "It's cute, and it's got just enough edge. It gives enough body-ody" Amani chuckled at her friend hyping her up.

Amani sighed, half in exasperation, half in reluctant agreement. They usually had good instincts. "Fine," she mumbled, already heading into her walk-in closet. "But if I look ridiculous, I'm blaming you both."

She tossed the set onto her bed, the soft fabric a stark contrast to her racing thoughts. Slipping into it, Amani spun around in front of her full-length mirror. The wide-leg pants flowed elegantly, and the top hinted at her toned midriff without being overt. Adding some gold heels and matching gold accessories, she stood before her full-length mirror. "Okay," she conceded, speaking to her reflection and her friends on speaker, "it's actually kind of cute."

"Told you!" Shawna crowed.

They stayed on the line as Amani worked through her hair and makeup. She opted for soft waves, letting her curls fall naturally, and a subtle smokey eye that enhanced her dark eyes. The familiar rhythm of getting ready, coupled with her friends' encouraging banter, slowly began to soothe some of her nerves.

Just as she was applying a final swipe of lip gloss, she glanced at the clock on her nightstand. A quarter past six. "Shoot! I gotta go, y'all. Wish me luck!"

"You got this, Mani!" Tameka cheered.

"Don't forget to text us!" Shawna added, their voices brimming with excitement.

With one last encouraging word, they hung up. Amani grabbed her keys and a small clutch, taking a deep breath. The scent of her perfume, a sophisticated blend of jasmine and sandalwood, filled the air. She walked out to her car, the Florida evening air surprisingly cool. The drive to the restaurant was a blur of streetlights and nervous energy. Every turn brought her closer to the Italian place downtown, and to Josh.

Amani stepped into Amore Cucina, the new Italian place downtown, and the warm, inviting aroma of garlic and herbs instantly enveloped her. The soft murmur of conversations and the gentle clinking of silverware filled the air. She approached the hostess stand, her heart doing a familiar flutter.

"Hi, how can I help you this evening" the young hostess smiled. "Is it just one?"

"I'm meeting somebody here, reservation for should be under Joshua Fatu," she said, her voice a little steadier than she felt.

The hostess smiled politely, and nodded. "Right this way." She led Amani through the softly lit dining room, past bustling tables and intimate booths, until they reached a more secluded corner.

There, already seated, was Josh. He looked just as she remembered from the reunion—broad shoulders, the familiar tribal tattoos peeking from beneath his rolled-up sleeves, and that unmistakable, easy smile that still had the power to disarm her. He stood up as she approached, his gaze sweeping over her, a warmth blooming in his eyes.

"Mani," he murmured, his voice a low, familiar rumble. He leaned in for a hug, and Amani instinctively reciprocated, the fleeting contact a comfortable ghost from the past. His arms felt strong, a familiar anchor. When they pulled apart, he held her gaze for a beat longer than necessary before pulling out her chair.

"Thank you," Amani said, a soft blush creeping up her neck as she sat.

Josh settled back into his own seat, his eyes still on her. "You look good, ma." His compliment was genuine, and it sent a fresh wave of heat through her.

"You look good too," she managed, her voice a little breathy. He did, with his curly mullet perfectly styled and a crisp button-up shirt that highlighted his build.

Just then, their waitress arrived, a friendly woman with a notepad. "Good evening. Can I start you off with something to drink?"

They quickly ordered, Amani opting for wine, Josh a cocktail. The waitress left them, and a comfortable, yet charged, silence settled between them. The ambient restaurant noise seemed to fade into the background as their eyes met across the table. It was Josh who broke it, leaning forward slightly.

"So," he began, his voice softening, "how was your day, Mani?"

Amani quickly rattled off her day, detailing the stacks of potential hire paperwork, the delicate dance of employee performance reviews, and even the less-than-pleasant task of writing up a couple of disciplinary reports. She spoke with the practiced ease of someone who truly knew their domain, her professional competence shining through.

Josh chuckled, a low, easy sound. "Sounds like you're still bossing people around. Some things never change, huh? You always liked to keep me in line back in the day."

Amani laughed, a genuine, unforced sound that surprised even herself. "Somebody had to keep you in check. You were a menace."

His smile widened, a mischievous glint in his dark eyes. "Man, a menace? Nah, you just thought you had me figured out. Truth is, you were the only one I ever let get close enough to even try to put me in check." He chuckled softly, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

Amani playfully rolled her eyes, but the smile remained firmly fixed on her lips, a blush dusting her cheeks. "Better watch yourself," she retorted, deflecting his charm with a lightness that felt surprisingly natural.

Their waitress returned with their drinks, momentarily breaking the flow. Once she departed, Josh leaned forward, his expression softening. "How life been treatin' you? What brought you back here?"

Amani took a slow sip of her wine, gathering her thoughts. This was the moment where casual conversation could veer into deeper territory. "Life's been good for the most part." She paused, choosing her words carefully, the thought of her divorce still a raw spot, even years later. "After... well, when my mother got sick," she said, a slight hesitation in her voice, "and then after I got divorced, I made the decision to come back home. Needed to be closer to family."

Josh's eyebrows scrunched a bit, a look of genuine surprise and concern replacing his earlier playful demeanor. "I'm sorry to hear that. How's she doin' now?"

Amani offered a small, grateful smile for his empathy. "She's doing much, better now. Fully recovered, thankfully."

Josh nodded silently, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he spoke again. "Said you got a divorce?"

"Yeah, uh, we were married for a little while, divorced a few years ago," Amani replied, shrugging her shoulders dismissively, as if the topic held little weight for her now. "It was bound to happen, we just wanted different things out of life" Saying that was an understatement. Amani recalling the countless of arguments they got in regarding building a family together.

Josh's expression softened further, a hint of something unreadable in his eyes. "That's his loss, he fumbled somebody real," he murmured, his voice low and sincere.

Amani felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "I appreciate that," she said softly.

Just then, the waitress returned, temporarily interrupting them to take their food order. Once she had efficiently jotted everything down and departed, Amani took the opportunity to shift the focus.

"Enough about me," she said, leaning forward slightly. "How 'bout you? How did life turn out after college? Nobody snatched you up."

Josh leaned back, a smile playing on his lips. "Man, it was a wild ride for a bit. Moved back home for a while after college, actually. Ended up working with Jon and Joe at his sister's furniture business for a bit, just trying to figure things out." He chuckled. "Then one day, out of the blue, our Uncle Eki came and got me and Jon. Took us to Houston. That's where we really started training." His eyes lit up. "Eventually, we got signed to WWE. We travel a lot, but I love it, honestly. It's been a crazy ride, but it helps doing it with family. Never thought I'd be doing this, but here we are."

He paused, taking a sip of his drink. "And yeah, I was with someone for a minute." He offered a wry, dismissive smile. "We were married. But we're divorced now." He picked up his fork, twirling some pasta, his casual demeanor not catching the slight tension around the topic.

Just as Josh finished speaking, the aroma of rich tomato sauce and melting cheese filled the air as their food finally arrived. The waitress expertly placed their plates before them. Amani's stomach rumbled, a welcome distraction from the deepening personal turn of their conversation. They both picked up their forks, the initial silence punctuated by the gentle clink of silverware.

Josh took a bite of his pasta, his eyes meeting hers, "Did y'all have any kids?"

Amani's fork slightly paused halfway to her mouth. The question, delivered so casually, felt like a sudden, unexpected blow. Her heart constricted, and for a split second, the delicious aroma of the food faded, replaced by the sterile scent of a hospital room. She forced herself to breathe, to keep her expression neutral. Josh, engrossed in his own meal, didn't seem to notice her brief hesitation.

She cleared her throat, pushing away the phantom ache in her chest. "No," she said, her voice a little too quick, a little too even. "No, we didn't have any kids. Did you?"

Josh nodded slowly, taking another bite. He chewed thoughtfully for a moment, then swallowed. "I got two boys." He offered a soft, proud smile. "Thirteen and seven. They wild as hell." He chuckled, a genuine warmth radiating from him as he spoke about them. "It's been crazy, seeing them grow up so fast."

Amani's breath hitched again, this time for a different reason. Kids. Two boys. A wave of complex emotions washed over her—a pang of wistfulness, a flicker of what-if, all quickly tamped down by the familiar, sharp grief. She managed a polite, tight smile. "Oh, that's great. I'm sure you've been a great dad."

He didn't seem to pick up on her internal turmoil, lost in his thoughts of fatherhood. "Yeah," he agreed, still smiling. "Being a dad's a whole different ballgame. Best thing ever." He then looked up, his pride evident in his beaming smile.

The conversation shifted easily then, flowing between bites of delicious Italian food. They fell into a comfortable rhythm, reminiscing about the past, a shared history that felt both distant and incredibly close. Amani found herself laughing more freely than she had in years, recounting Mrs. Davidson's math class, or the time Jon accidentally set off the fire alarm during a pep rally. Josh, in turn, shared stories of football practices, and even some of the wild antics he, Jimmy and Joe, got into. It was easy, effortless, a reminder of the undeniable chemistry they'd always shared. The years melted away with each shared memory, leaving only the warmth of nostalgia.

As the plates were cleared and the remnants of their shared tiramisu sat between them, Josh leaned back, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "You know what I just remembered?" he asked, his voice soft, almost a murmur. "That time we snuck out." His eyes met hers, a familiar twinkle dancing in their depths. "Drove all the way to the beach, remember that?"

Amani felt a familiar flush creep up her neck. Of course she remembered. It was a memory etched deep, vibrant and alive, even after two decades.

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

November 2002 - Pensacola, FL

The soft glow of Amani's nightlight barely pierced the darkness of her bedroom. Destiny's Child's 'Dangerously In Love' played a low, soulful hum from her CD player, filling the quiet space as she lay on her stomach, absently flipping through a fashion magazine. Her mind drifted, half-listening to Beyoncé's soaring vocals.

Tap. Tap-tap. Tap.

She furrowed her brow, listening intently. It was a consistent, rhythmic sound, not quite loud enough to be an alarm, but persistent. Tap-tap-tap. It was coming from her window. Curiosity piqued, she pushed herself up, padding silently across the carpet and peeking through a gap in her curtains.

Standing in her yard, a shadowy figure silhouetted by the distant streetlamp, was Josh. He looked up, his face illuminated by the soft moonlight, that familiar, infectious grin spreading across his features.

Amani's eyes widened. She quickly unlatched the window, pushing it open just enough to lean out. "Josh, what are you doing here?" she whispered-yelled, her voice laced with a mixture of surprise and genuine delight.

He chuckled, a low, charming sound that carried easily in the night air. "I wanted to come see you, baby." His words, so effortlessly affectionate, sent a thrill through her. She couldn't help but smile, a warmth blooming in her chest. Then he gestured with a tilt of his head. "C'mon, take a ride wit' me."

Amani's smile faltered slightly. "Josh, you know I can't. I can't leave past my curfew." Her parents were strict, and the consequences would be severe.

Josh wouldn't be deterred. He took a step closer, his eyes twinkling. "C'mon, I'll have you back before your parents even notice. Promise." His charm was a potent force, and Amani found herself wavering. She glanced back, over her shoulder, at her closed bedroom door, then back at Josh's hopeful face.

She sighed, a small sound of surrender, and nodded. "Okay," she whispered.

Amani moved quickly, pulling on a pair of sneakers she'd left by her bed. She opened the window wider, carefully hopping onto the narrow ledge. Josh was there instantly, extending his arms. She climbed down, her heart thumping with a mix of nerves and exhilaration, finally jumping down into his waiting embrace. He steadied her, his hands warm on her waist for a brief moment before he released her.

He led her over to his black 2000 Honda Accord, the sleek lines of the car barely visible in the dim light. As they settled into the worn seats, Josh glanced at her, a playful smirk on his face. "Look at'chu, Miss Goody-Two-Shoes, sneaking out. Who knew you had it in you?"

Amani playfully shoved his arm. "Oh, shut up. Because if I get in trouble, I'm gonna be mad at you."

He scoffed, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Yeah, whatever. You know you can't be mad at me for long."

She rolled her eyes playfully, but a soft smile played on her lips. He was right, of course.

The drive was short, the wind whipping through the open windows as Josh navigated the familiar streets. Soon, the salty scent of the ocean filled the air, and the distant roar of waves grew louder. They pulled up to the beach, Josh parking the car facing the moonlit expanse of water. The darkness pressed in, broken only by the shimmering reflection of the moon on the waves.

Amani could feel a slight tension rolling off Josh. He was usually so carefree, so full of easy confidence. "What's wrong?" she asked softly, her playful mood shifting to concern.

Josh hesitated for a beat, his gaze fixed on the dark horizon. "It's just been... hard at home lately," he finally admitted, his voice low. "Especially with my pops being gone on the road for so long. Parents just constantly arguin'. And Mom... she's been puttin' a lot of pressure on me." He ran a hand through his hair, the usual lightheartedness gone from his face. "Just feels like a lot, y'know?"

Amani listened silently, her heart aching for him. She could see he needed to vent, to simply speak his truth without judgment. When he finally paused, a heavy silence hanging in the air, she reached over and gently squeezed his hand. "I hear you," she said, her voice soft but firm. "It's okay to feel that way. Just know that no matter what, I'm here to support you. Always."

He looked over at her, his eyes shining in the moonlight. A slow, boyish grin spread across his face, his dimple appearing. "You always know what to say," he murmured, his thumb stroking the back of her hand.

Amani leaned back in her seat, staring at him, a comfortable warmth settling between them despite the earlier tension. "Someone's got to keep your head on straight," she teased gently.

A charged silence fell, filled with unspoken emotions and the rhythmic crash of waves. Then, slowly, Josh leaned over. Amani met him halfway, their lips meeting in a soft, tender kiss that deepened with a familiar longing. The world outside the car faded, leaving only the warmth of their embrace, the taste of salt on his lips, and the intoxicating rush of young love. They kissed for a long moment, lost in the quiet intimacy of the night.

Josh finally pulled back, a breathless smile on his face. "C'mon," he whispered, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Let's go down to the water."

Amani's eyes lit up. "Bet I'll beat you there" she challenged, already fumbling with her seatbelt. She burst out of the car, sprinting towards the shimmering edge of the ocean. Josh was right behind her, his laughter echoing in the night. Just as her feet hit the cool, wet sand at the water's edge, he wrapped his arms around her waist, spinning her around once, twice, before they both stumbled into the shallow waves. They ran around, splashing each other, their laughter carried away by the wind.

Josh pulled Amani back to him, his hands still on her waist, and they stood there, chest to chest, staring into each other's eyes. The moon, a bright pearl in the dark sky, reflected in the deep pools of his gaze, pulling her in. Slowly, they both leaned in again, their lips meeting in a second, deeper kiss, wet with sea spray and charged with unspoken promises.

After a long moment, Amani reluctantly pulled away. "I should probably get back home," she whispered, the thought of her parents' wrath finally cutting through the hazy euphoria.

On the drive back, their hands were intertwined on the console, a silent, comforting connection. The air in the car was thick with a sweet melancholy, the echo of laughter and shared vulnerability. When they pulled up in front of her house, the familiar silhouette of her room on the second floor loomed.

They walked quietly back up to the spot beneath her window. Josh stood below, looking up at the ledge. "I'll see you in the morning," he said, his voice a low promise.

"Ok," Amani replied, her voice small.

He gave her one last, lingering kiss, a soft press of lips that lingered with the warmth of the night, before helping her jump up to grasp the window ledge. She pulled herself up with surprising ease, a rush of adrenaline aiding her. He watched until she was safely inside, giving him a quick, silent signal that she was good. Only then did he walk back to his car, starting the engine, and driving off into the quiet night, leaving Amani alone with the lingering scent of salt and Josh's presence.

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

Amani's soft smile lingered, a ghost of the memory playing on her lips. "I remember," she murmured, her voice laced with fondness. She took a slow sip of her wine, the coolness a stark contrast to the warmth the flashback had evoked. "I also remember almost getting in trouble that night."

Josh threw his head back and laughed, a rich, booming sound that filled their secluded corner of the restaurant. "Yeah your parents were strict as hell. Yo' dad scared the hell out of me when I first met him."

She laughed lowly, agreeing with him. "Strict is putting it nicely, never thought I would get off punishment for that."

Just then, their waiter approached, gracefully placing the bill in the center of their table. Both Amani and Josh reached for it at the same time, their fingers brushing.

"Nah, I got it," Josh said immediately, his hand covering hers firmly but gently on the check.

Amani started to protest. "Josh, no, I can pay for half—"

He cut her off with a dismissive wave and that easy, confident smile. "When you wit' me, you ain't got nothin' to worry 'bout." His gaze held hers, a clear message in his eyes that this was non-negotiable.

Josh paid for the meal, and they walked out of the restaurant together, the cool Florida night air a refreshing change from the warmth inside. He walked her over to her car, leaning casually against the driver's side door.

"I had a really great time tonight," Amani said, looking up at him. The evening had flown by, a whirlwind of laughter and unexpected familiarity.

His smile was genuine, warm. "Me too. It was good catching up." He paused, his eyes searching hers in the dim light. "I'd really love to see more of you, whenever I'm not on the road."

Amani hesitated for a quick moment, the phantom weight of her secret pressing down on her. The warmth of their shared past, the easy laughter, the undeniable pull she felt towards him—all warred with the heavy burden she carried. Her internal struggle was fierce, but ultimately, the desire to reconnect, to explore this unexpected rekindling, won out. She gave a small nod. "I'd like that too."

A wide grin spread across his face, lighting up his features. He leaned in, wrapping her in a warm, solid hug. Amani melted into the embrace, taking a deep breath and inhaling his familiar scent—a mix of subtle cologne, and something uniquely him. It felt comfortable, like coming home. After a moment, he pulled back slightly, then opened her car door.

"Get home safe, ma," he said, his voice a low rumble. "I'll hit'chu up later."

Amani nodded, a small smile playing on her lips as she slipped into her car. The engine hummed to life, a familiar sound that brought her back to the present. She backed out of the parking space, giving Josh a final wave before pulling out of the lot. The drive home was a blur, her mind replaying snippets of the evening – Josh's laugh, the way he'd looked at her, the startling ease of their conversation.

It wasn't long before she was back in her quiet house. The energy of the date slowly faded, replaced by a comfortable weariness. She went through her nightly routine on autopilot, eager to just wind down and process everything. Finally, she slid into bed, the soft sheets a welcome embrace.

She unlocked her phone, her thumb automatically navigating to the group chat with Tameka and Shawna.

Mani❤️: Made it home

Almost instantly, messages flooded in.

Tammy💖: AND???? WHAT HAPPENED?!  

Shay🤞🏾: DETAILS. NOW. WE NEED EVERYTHING!  

Amani chuckled softly, picturing her friends' impatient faces. The thought of recounting the entire evening, the laughs, the surprising revelations, and the deeply buried fears, felt like too much for right now. She needed time to sort through it all herself.

Mani❤️: Lol relax y'all. I'll tell you everything in the morning.

She locked her phone, setting it on her nightstand. She could practically feel their collective groans through the screen as more messages started to buzz through, expressing their displeasure at having to wait. But Amani just pulled the covers higher, a sense of quiet contentment settling over her. Tonight had been... more than she expected. And for now, that was enough.

Ch.4 (coming soon...)

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[ziggy-scardust]

Gah. I was an engineer at SpaceX on Crew Dragon for a few years, before it launched, during which time everything I learned about real integration & test engineering was from our NASA counterparts. I am 100% serious. I was fresh out of school and instead of the job I interviewed for, I was doing certification & test engineering for life support systems and answerable directly to the folks at NASA who had contracted SpaceX for Crew Dragon. I should not have been doing that job at that age.

yeah, I walked in having drunk at least some of the kool-aid. And I got schooled by my NASA counterparts, mostly 20-30 years my senior, all Shuttle alumni, who knew too well what could go wrong and were deeply suspicious of SpaceX’s cavalier attitude. They were the ones who taught me how test engineering actually should work and with them, I developed qualification & acceptance test plans that made damn sure we weren’t going to kill any astronauts. And y’know what? We didn’t. (*knocks on wood*) Crew Dragon couldn’t have in-flight iterations like that. Even when Elon, who was less nuts at the time, suggested not doing an in-flight abort test before Demo 2 (first human launch), that idea got killed. NASA Commercial Crew really held our feet to the fire and made us do it right. (Plus, Crew Dragon was starved of resources for years in favor of Falcon Heavy - we never got budget for technician & machinist time - so we straight up couldn’t have afforded to blow up anything anyway).

So I know for a fact that SpaceX is capable of doing proper integration testing. Unfortunately, a lot of the people I worked with were basically just rocket-flavored versions of techbros, and it was very few of us pushing back on their kool-aid. Many of the ones I knew pushing back have now left.

Then the space tech arena got flooded with techbros and VC bros in the 2020-2022 timeframe when interest rates were low and Elon worship was at its peak and VCs were on a space investment hype cycle and handing out money to anyone who could hire a former SpaceX engineer and say “give us money! We’re gonna build 3D-printed rockets/mine asteroids/do earth observation that’s indistinguishable from a bunch of stuff already being done by the public sector”. And now? Now we’re reaping this “hardware engineering but make it sprint/scrum style” legacy in a way that is driving me straight up the bloody wall. Agreed with @tehnakki that you can kinda get away with some of that in LEO (especially with cubesats & the like) - but I’m still skeptical of this bc LEO is FLOODED with junk and everything that goes there adds to the burden.

See, I went from SpaceX to JPL. And we had ONE shot with Perseverance. ONE. And we had to launch and land the damn thing in the middle of a pandemic and I had to run multiple four-day-long operational readiness tests with dozens of flight ops engineers for the critical events and keep the testbed operational with 20-year-old irreplaceable hardware which was all we could afford because this mission was only ever funded to begin with because we had spare parts from Curiosity. And it worked. The first goddamn time.

Everyone hates integration & test engineers because we cost money and we know what we’re talking about and expose it when other people don’t. But we also tend to not blow up whole vehicle stacks.

the number of spacecraft failures recently has been absolutely insane and it all comes down to tech bros barging into the industry going "it's not that hard wtf is nasa so bad" and then completely skipping out on any testing

[fawnymeadows]

˙✧˖° lace & teeth // nicholas wang

pairing ▸nicholas x maneater !reader

genre ▸dark romance, suggestive, supernatural

uses of petnames: darling, princess, doll

warnings ▸ mentions of stalking, unconsenual photographing

a/n: this isn't proofread forgive me

nicholas has never been the violent type, but you?  you feed off the blood of people and their very souls. more specifically - men. to you, they were scum of the earth, molded only to complain and satisfy the needs of women. yet as the saying goes, opposites attract. because the first time you laid eyes on nicholas wang, something in your withered heart rejuvenated. his piercing eyes sunk into you as they stripped you bare, breaking down your perfectly crafted monstrous fervour. nicholas felt different than your other 'prey' and annoyingly so

he didn’t flinch when your gaze found him. instead, he smirked, slow and unreadable, as if he knew exactly what you dreamt about - corrupting him and destroying him whilst he fucked your sweet little cunt. savouring it just for your lover, well soon-to-be love

the wood held its breath tonight. you stood in front of his secluded house on the sketchy outskirts of the town. it felt natural. too natural. you’d been here more nights than you cared to admit. you feigned nonchalance for weeks as if your insatiable desire for him hasn't been taunting you every night as you whine his name. and here you are again. though the door hadn’t been fully latched tonight. perhaps it was an accident, or an invitation. regardless it was enough for you to press your palm to the wood, as it creaked open

you eagerly entered his bedroom practically soaring up the flight of stairs. the room was soaked with his musky scent and twilight, as sharp lines of the moonlight slanted against the floorboards. but what drew your attention wasn’t his typical habit of not making his bed - it was the pictures

they decorated the walls, the floor, his pillow. hundreds of images, thousands even. every single one depicting you. the sudden bitter taste of bile sat in your mouth. interrupting your thoughts, the bathroom door clicked open. nicholas stood between the threshold of the rooms. his face stoic as if he was expecting you to show up at any moment. he was bare from the waist up, droplets of water carving lines down sharp planes of his jaw, hair falling loose and dark across his brow

'what are you doing here?' his voice laced with venom

'you've been watching me?'

he flinched not expecting you to assert fear. yet it was a whole lot closer to amusement. 

'and you've been watching back. so tell me darling... who’s the real stalker here?'

'isn’t this what you wanted all along doll?' his smile growing now, as he caged you. 'don’t run from me again. I won’t bite you' at that you laughed maniacally at the irony. 

'maybe I was waiting for you to catch me.'

you pushed him onto his already ruffled bed. straddling his lap. his hard on bruising your exposed stomach. you smashed your lips onto his. both fighting for dominance. he won when a moan escaped your mouth giving him full access. shoving his tongue down your throat. the kiss was messy. errotic. teeth clashing against each other as he steadied your waist, grinding you against him. 

he pressed a hand to your throat, gaze burning 'if this is a game' he whispered 'you should be very sure you can win it princess' you smiled brushing the tip of your tongue across his bottom lip 'I always win nicholas'

[crazy4eky]

Debut Day

⋆˚࿔ Warnings: oral (m!receiving), praise, hair pulling, use of mommy (it was like once), not proofread

⋆˚࿔ Pairing: Gabe Perreault x fem!reader

⋆˚࿔ WC: 1.1k

a/n: guy idk what freak monster took over me bc this was not supposed to be smut nor was this supposed to be the storyline for this but here’s this I guess 😭 his nhl debut fic is still in the works tho 🙂‍↕️

—————

Today was the day. It had finally come after almost 2 long years of waiting since Gabe was drafted, he was finally making his NHL debut. He was a nervous wreck in the morning, calling you about 10 times within 2 hours due to excitement nerves. The poor boy somehow sounded miserable but overjoyed at the same time. You had to convince him to stop calling while you were on the plane to New York with a little bribery, just a little blowjob mention and he was immediately cooperating, muttering a bunch of nonsense as he hung up.

The plane ride was long and miserable when you were itching to see your boy, the time felt like it was ticking by longer than it truly was. What felt like an hour was around 10 minutes. If only you had known a little bit ahead of time you would’ve stayed in Boston instead of going to California to visit Will in San Jose, if not the flight would’ve been about two hours rather than five and a half. Yet two days into your trip Gabe had called you with the big news that he'd be put in the game against the Minnesota Wild. He was absolutely ecstatic over the phone. It truly was one of the greatest moments of his life and you got to be there by his side to experience it with him.

Once you landed at the airport you were quick to order an uber before going to grab your luggage from the baggage claim. After grabbing your bags you were buzzing with excitement, speed walking to the pickup area to look for the uber.

As soon as Gabe’s hotel came into view your stomach was fluttering with butterflies, excited to jump on him and mutter how proud of him you were in between kisses.

You quickly hopped out with your bags and went up to the room Gabe was staying in. You knocked gently and heard footsteps approaching the door. As soon as he saw your face, he lit up completely, crushing you in his arms with a big sigh.

“Too tight Gabe.” You squeaked out while giggling.

“Oh sorry,” His grip loosened but he didn’t let go, “I’m so glad you’re here.” He mumbled into your hair, pulling you into the hotel room and taking your bag. He set them down and was right back in your arms.

“You excited for tonight?” You pulled back slightly to look at him.

“Yeah but I’m nervous too.” He said with vulnerable eyes “It just happened so fast, one minute I was in Boston and the next I was on a plane and signing my contract. I mean I knew it was coming soon but I didn’t think it’d be so sudden I-” He took a deep breath, making it clear he was stressing out a little more than he was letting on.

“Gabe, babe, calm down you’re gonna be okay.” You rubbed his arm gently, feeling the gentle curves of his biceps. He shivered at your touch, whimpering slightly.

“What was that?” You giggled, your hand making its way down his chest.

“N-nothing. No clue what you’re talking about.” He shook his head, but was biting back a smile. “Hey, y’know you promised a blowjob earlier, over the phone, remember?”

“I did but I-” You paused, you were gonna tell him that you meant after the game but realized he might need a little stress reliever before the game, “Yeah you’re right. I did promise that, didn’t I, pretty boy?”

He nodded quickly before leading you over to the hotel bed. “My BC teammates shouldn’t be here for another 15 minutes. Please?” His voice was soft and needy, you would’ve laughed at him if you didn’t want it just as bad as he did.

Without a word you started unbuttoning his pants painfully slow, just to tease a bit, which earned a loud groan from him.

“Shh, be patient.” You warned while unzipping his pants. You slid the pants off his legs, leaving him in boxers and a tight fitting shirt. You could see his cock tenting his boxers and your mouth nearly started watering at the sight. You tugged at his shirt, a silent signal for him to take it off, which he immediately obeyed, ripping the shirt off in seconds.

You stood back to take in the sight of him for a second. He looked so pretty like this. Cock straining, a wet spot on his boxers, panting heavily. You let out a little giggle before getting back on your knees.

“Want these off.” You told him, tugging at his boxers.

“Okay, yeah, alright.” He stammered but hooked his fingers into the waistband to pull them down. His cock sprung up and hit his stomach lightly.

“So pretty, Gabe. You’re so pretty.” You kissed up his thighs, leaving a few love bites on your way up.

You finally got to the base of his cock and licked a strip to the tip of his leaking cock. He gasped at the sudden contact, suddenly feeling extremely hot. You slowly took him into your mouth starting by just sucking the tip, using your hand to stroke the rest of him. His whines got louder the longer it went on, desperately craving for you to take more of him into your mouth. But you loved teasing and he knew that.

Except today he couldn’t take that. He needed your throat full of him now. His hand tangled in your hair, tugging a little but not to the point it’d hurt you. He pushed your head down all the way, making you gag and him moan loudly.

“O-oh fuck, yes, oh god. Just like that. Oh mommy, please.” He whined out desperately. He continued shoving your head down, getting off to your gagging and tears. He thought you looked gorgeous like that.

You clutched and scratched at his thighs but made no move to actually stop him. You truly loved when he took control like this. The feeling of your tongue tracing the vein on the underside of his cock made your mouth water.

Without warning he held your head in place as hot spurts of cum flooded your throat. He held you there for a good 15 seconds before pulling you off to let you breathe. You immediately coughed but were soon giggling at how fast he came.

“Feel better?” You asked as he wiped your chin with his disregarded t-shirt, cleaning up the spit.

“Much.”

Before you could respond there was a knock on the door and the BC boys could be heard, yelling at him to open the door. You looked over his body once more before laughing.

“Better get dressed before they see you like this.” To which he immediately jumped up, scrambling to find clothes.

[sofreddie]

High School Reunion 6

Summary: After moving in together, Jensen asks Y/N to accompany him to a convention.

Characters: Jensen/F!Fan!Reader, Jared, Others

Warnings: RPF, Fluff

WC: 2,334

A/N: One more part after this to wrap up the series!

Series Masterlist

Part 5

Y/N's flight was quickly approaching, and Jensen was hesitant to let her out of his bed for even a second, but he had done as promised, looking up and purchasing a ticket to accompany her back to her home. The flight back was significantly easier than the flight to Texas, but Y/N suspected that was because she had Jensen by her side. She always felt calm and ready for anything with him right beside her. Although she was nervous about the move as it was a big step in their relationship, Jensen's excitement was contagious.

Back at her two-bedroom bungalow, Jensen helped her obtain packing supplies and worked under her direction and instruction as they decided what to keep, what to give away, and what to discard. He was willing to get rid of all his stuff to make room for hers or to let her pick out whatever things she wanted for their home. 

Y/N giggled at how comically large he looked in her tiny home, especially compared to his much larger house in Austin. But he didn't seem to mind; instead, he curiously asked questions about the pictures, trinkets, and other items they came across. With his excitement and energy, it only took two days to pack up everything and close out the life she had been living as a single woman, ready to transition into the next phase of her life, with Jensen by her side.

Though exhausted, Jensen helped push her through, wanting to get as much addressed as possible before his hiatus ended and he had to return to work. So Y/N drank a little more coffee and kissed him repeatedly anytime she felt the weight of everything threatening to dampen her good mood. They'd have her things shipped to Austin, with a few exceptions for items she wanted to keep with her, and then catch a flight to Vancouver. 

While she had a passport for identification purposes, she'd never actually used it to travel anywhere. Going to Vancouver was her first trip outside of the U.S., and she was thrilled about the adventure. Jensen led the way, guiding her through the door of his condo late in the evening on their arrival. He only had one more day to help her settle in before he returned to work, and he hoped the transition wouldn't be too difficult for her.

He understood having to uproot one's life, having done so many times over the years for his career. It was never easy, and always took a little while to settle into the changes. But he hoped, with his help, that it would be less jarring for Y/N. He chuckled when she entered the condo and was gobsmacked.

It was smaller than his single-family home in Austin, but still larger than she expected for one person and bigger than her tiny rental home. Jensen splurged on nicer furnishings, wanting the comfort and calm of a nice place and comfortable furniture. However, the condo lacked the personality that was showcased in his house.

"Maybe you can spice it up a little?" Jensen offered, eager to see pieces of her mixed in their home, showing her presence wherever he looked. "Make it more homey?"

"Well, it could use a woman's touch," she teased, accepting his arms around her and the tender kiss he offered.

When he had to return to work, Y/N was eager to help, listening as he offered as many tips and tricks as he could think of. He was more than surprised when she woke with him after his alarm went off. After he showered, a bit disappointed she hadn't joined him, he was pleasantly greeted with coffee and breakfast, and his half-naked girlfriend in one of his shirts, working diligently in the kitchen.

"A man could get used to this," he said around a mouthful of fresh breakfast, washing it down with warm coffee.

"Good," she grinned, taking his dishes once done. "Now hurry up, you don't want to be late."

As if on cue, his phone dinged with a notification that Clif was waiting downstairs with Jared. He'd left her a list of phone numbers, recommendations for nearby restaurants and shops, and handed her a card for making purchases, as well as a key to the condo.

"Wow, you really thought this all out, huh?" she teased with a smirk.

"Always think about you," he responded with a kiss before leaving. While he still missed her throughout the day, he was comforted knowing she'd be there at night, so that he could see her, hold her, and kiss her every day.

Y/N kept herself occupied, doing research on the city and nearby points of interest, as well as researching items to spruce up the place. She was acutely aware that she didn't know much about acting, contracts, or Jensen's world, so she spent her breaks and downtime absorbing all she could about the entertainment industry, its lingo, and generally how things worked on his end. She hoped to sit him down and ask questions, learn more about it. If she was going to be a regular part of his life, and maybe one day more, then she really needed to be up to speed.

Every night when Jensen came home, there was takeout or a home-cooked meal ready. He'd shower to wash away the day, and sometimes she'd join him, then they'd settle at the table to eat and talk about their days. Jensen was on cloud nine. He had a career he loved, and a woman he adored waiting for him at home. He didn't know how he got so lucky as to find Y/N and have her fall in love with him, but he sent out thanks to the universe daily.

After a few months of a welcomed routine, Jensen knew convention circuits were coming up and he wanted Y/N to tag along. She'd never been to a convention, despite always wanting to, and he knew she'd have a blast like he always did. It took some convincing, as Y/N was deeply concerned about how the fans might react or what she might encounter if she went, and people knew who she was. While her picture was out there, she didn't really put herself in a position to be noticed or to deal with any of that. When she reluctantly agreed to come with him, Jensen beamed with excitement.

-

Y/N had experienced a lot of firsts since she'd met Jensen. She'd never sat on the hood of a car under the stars. She'd never been to Texas. She'd traveled more in the time they'd known each other than she had in her whole life combined. Now, she was vibrating with excitement for her first Supernatural convention. She'd never attended any convention before, and always wanted to go to a Supernatural one. But she'd never had the time or money, and didn't want to travel too far to attend. 

Jensen had surprised her with a convention package that allowed her to experience everything the convention had to offer as a fan. She assumed she'd spend most of the time backstage, or in a hotel room, waiting for Jensen to come around, which she didn't mind. But now, she'd finally get to see what it was like to attend as a fan, and she was thrilled. Of course, she had called Lana and geeked with her over the convention and offerings.

She was able to attend all the panels, always seated in the front and off to the side, as Jensen wanted her to be able to get away quickly if needed and have security protect her. He assured her again and again that it would be fine, that she had nothing to worry about. But she couldn't help worry when he was so wound up over it. It wasn't that Jensen was truly concerned anything untoward would happen, but he wanted to be safe, to keep her safe no matter what. He'd had a few rough encounters with fans, which were few and far between, and he didn't want any of that negativity visited upon her.

Although a few people recognized her from photos with Jensen and spoke to her briefly, for the most part, she wasn't hounded about it and was able to be a regular fan, like everyone else. Unlike the fans, though, she enjoyed the perks of meeting up with Jensen in between events, which made it all the better. She rambled on excitedly over the panels and photo ops, showing off some merchandise she had purchased, including a t-shirt and bracelet that she proudly wore. 

On the last night of the convention, she lay on the large bed in the hotel suite, smiling dopily as she looked over the various photos she'd had with cast members. She looked at the one she had with Jensen and Jared and chuckled. She waited to be the last in line for her photo with them, and they both grinned when she appeared.

"Oh my God, it's Sam and Dean!" she playfully squealed.

Jared laughed, "And what would you like for your photo?"

"A sandwich hug would be lovely," she beamed with bright eyes. 

The guys acquiesced, pressing her between them as they both hugged her tightly. The camera flashed, and she relaxed, looking up at Jensen. He cupped her cheek and kissed her tenderly. That was the photo she was laughing at. Jared stood a little behind with a shocked expression and a hand over his mouth as he looked at them kissing on camera. It was definitely getting framed and hung on the wall.

That's how Jensen found her when he returned to the suite for the night, the convention events now concluded. She was smiling in bed, with all her photos, souvenirs, and trinkets scattered around her. He couldn't fight the smile over how adorable she looked.

"Jay!" she exclaimed, climbing from the bed to rush into his arms.

"Hey, Baby," he kissed her sweetly again, but she could see in his eyes how tired he was.

"Let me clear off the bed," she offered before he could respond, stacking all of her items neatly on the nightstand.

Jensen grinned as he watched her, removing his clothes and ready for sleep. He could shower in the morning before they left. Right then, all he wanted was to hold her in bed and fall asleep with her in his arms. He fell asleep rather quickly. Y/N chuckled and pecked his cheek, before going around the room and packing up their things, minimizing the work Jensen had to do in the morning and still buzzing with energy from the long and activity-packed weekend. She liked taking care of him, and it was the least she could do in return for everything he had always done to care for her. 

Jensen did end up talking about her and their relationship at his panel when a fan inquired about them. Her heart melted at the gooey look on his face as he spoke of her, but thankfully, he didn't call her out in front of everyone. She wasn't prepared for a public unveiling of herself, and wasn't sure she really wanted that anyway. She liked being unnoticed, but was willing to endure almost anything for Jensen.

Which is why, when he'd invited her to one of his overseas conventions, she readily agreed. Another adventure she was sure she'd never get to experience if it weren't for Jensen. If she thought leaving the U.S. for Canada was an adventure, she was overjoyed to find herself in Rome, of all places. She enjoyed history and art, and Rome was an ideal place to experience all that and more. 

Although the convention was the main reason for going, Jensen and Jared often took their overseas trips for vacations as well. Jared brought along Gen and the kids, and Y/N was happy to see and spend time with them again. They were growing to feel like an extended family, and Gen was quickly becoming one of her best friends. After the convention, Jensen took her through the city, doing touristy things and dining out. He was sweet and dorky and impossibly romantic at every turn, and she again wondered how she ever managed to be lucky enough that he fell in love with her.

"This has all been so perfect, Jay," she swooned as they walked hand-in-hand on a bridge at night, the city's lights illuminating their path and lending a romantic ambience.

"Maybe I can make it better."

Y/N laughed, "I don't see how you could possibly make this better. It's incredible."

She gasped, her hands flying to cover her mouth as Jensen smirked and kneeled, removing a small box from his pocket. Oh God! It could get even better.

"Y/N," he breathed her name reverently. "I love you so much. And I am so damn glad that I met Lana and took a chance going to that reunion." They both laughed, and tears brimmed in her eyes. "I never thought I could love someone this much, and I look forward to what the rest of our lives together could be. Would you do me the absolute honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes! Yes!" she practically screamed, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him so hard it knocked him back a little. He laughed, pulling out the ring and sliding it on her finger, a perfect fit. She didn't need to know he had measured with a string when she was sleeping, wanting this to be perfect and having planned it for quite some time.

"I love you so much, Baby," Jensen said as he pecked all over her face and neck, making her giggle profusely.

"I love you, too. And I'm so glad Lana's a meddler."

They laughed and held each other, their eyes shining with hope for their shared future.

FOREVERS:

@lyarr24

@hobby27

@kazsrm67

@maliburenee

@440mxs-wife

@writercole

@spnbaby-67

@all-alone-he-turns-to-stone

@leigh70

@laycblack

@kr804573

@nancymcl

RPF:

@smoothdogsgirl

JENSEN ACKLES:

@slamminmine

@deandreamernp

@akshi8278

@mimaria420

HIGH SCHOOL REUNION:

@deansimpalababy 

@spnaquakindgdom  

[storm-of-feathers]

Brains are so stupid they'll give you insane stress dreams and then when you explain it to someone you're like "oh none of that could ever happen"

[unpretty]

love how there's not a single amtrak stop/station in all of northern michigan. if you want to travel south without driving, fuck you.

[charmwasjess]

Whatever you do, don’t think about how happy Sifo-Dyas must have been that last time with Dooku on Serenno. He’d been fired as a Seeker, lost his seat on the Jedi Council, had the worst rounds of visions of his life, and finally, finally, someone is listening to him, someone believes him, someone gets it.

He’s back with his best friend who promised to help him save the galaxy, like the two of them were made to do together. Like they always knew they were going to do.

[algrimthestrong]

Aednan's friends had chosen an especially inconvenient moment to appear, just when Mal had been about to admit that he was glad for his decision to accept Aednan's invitation, and though the elven prince had missed out on one of his favourite games, he was glad, for once, to be able to leave his peers to their own nocturnal amusements. He had a far greater prize on his arm and was in no mood to share.

"I am sorry about Alador. He does not like mortals very much," Aednan explained, silently cursing the fact that Mal's first enounter with Alfheim's residents had been such a rude one. The last thing he wanted was for Mal to not feel welcome. To his relief, Mal did not immediately demand that he take him back to his cottage, which was a good sign. He let go of Mal's shoulder to reach for his hand instead, gently intertwining their fingers as they walked. Alador had been right about one thing, though. Mal was special, and though the red-haired elf was his friend and playmate Aednan did not owe him an explanation, especially when he was still trying to figure out his own attraction to this most unusual mortal in all of Midgard.

"It's a game that we enjoy very much," the prince anwered Mal's question, happy to shift the conversation to a more pleasant subject. "One of us plays the role of prey, whom the others have to try to catch. Getting captured is inevitable, but it's the prey's skill and ingenuity that determines how long the game will last. The one who succeeds in catching the prey gets to pluck their flower." He let out a rapturous sigh. "It's always such an intense and exciting experience." His mouth curved upward in anticipation, eager to see what kind of reaction his revelation would elicit from the other man. Aednan thought it likely that Mal would have been exposed to such pastimes during his time beyond the veil, if not in deed then at least in word or tale. It was rare to come across one of the folk who did not enjoy the thrill of the hunt, after all.

As much as he wanted to linger in the gardens for a little longer and see if he could persuade Mal into letting himself be stolen away to one of the pretty little gazebos dotting the area, Aednan did not want to risk another disturbance by someone who might feel compelled to comment on the prince's choice of companion. They turned onto a side path bordered by opulent clusters of hydrangeas in blue and lilac that eventually led to a flight of stone steps, a shortcut that would take them to a side entrance into the palace. Aednan looked forward to taking Mal into the city and dressing him in the finest attire that gold could buy, but tonight his priority was to charm him out of his clothes. "We'll make our grand entrance tomorrow," the elf promised with a flirtatious smile. "Tonight, I'd like to keep you all to myself, my sweet one."

The beauty of the rose garden alone was dizzying, the heady scent of its large, blousy blooms permeating the evening air as they nodded gently in the breeze. Mal could only imagine just how lovely the rest of it would be as Aednan described it all with such bright, beaming pride, though it was indeed a shame that a week alone would not suffice to see every inch of the gardens that unfurled themselves around the elven palace; the prince’s suggestions would simply have to suffice in the meantime, a soft breath of laughter slipping free as he closed the distance between them and threw his arms around him, gathering the florist into his embrace. “As am I.” Mal admitted, figuring relenting just a little wouldn’t hurt matters. “I think I would have been quite foolish to refu—“

Mal’s gaze was instantly drawn to the gaggle of elves that came spilling out from between the meticulously trimmed topiary hedges, train of thought swiftly abandoned in the wake of their arrival. Every face was impossibly beautiful, albeit flushed with the exertion of their chase, ears long and knife-sharp, bodies willowy and elegant. Had he been unaccustomed to that fae etherealness, the very sight of them would have been enough to make the human florist feel clumsy and underdressed — even their stares bothered him very little when Mal had been accustomed to being ogled back in Faerie — though he didn’t miss the especially sharp assessment he received from one imperious red-headed elf in the group either. Alador, apparently.

If not for Aednan’s swift intervention the smaller man would have had something to say about his disbelieving question himself. What’s so special about this one. The cheek of it!

Supposing he could at least get some satisfaction in knowing that Aednan had chosen him over his peers (and his usual playmates, it seemed) Mal let the prince steer him away, but not before casting a fleeting glance over his shoulder at the bewildered troupe left in their wake. Most of them seemed vaguely amused, but it was hard not to be rankled by the look from Alador that followed them as they left the gardens behind. “That would be nice.” He mused, trying not to let a that eager-eyed elven curiosity get to him, no matter how it chafed to feel like some sort of novelty. “What was that flower chase, all your friends mentioned? A game?”

[joongdunking]

How it looks like when Style and Bison go on a trip together

Style and his brother in law, Bison 😆

Can't wait to see what Fadewww and Kant have to say!

[clansunsharp]

My friend Cosma and I did a hatchling swap recently, where we traded a child of our progens to live in each others' clans as a ward. Mulvany isn't exactly fitting in with the warriors of Clan Sunsharp, but he's still making his parents proud as a budding maritime archaeologist.

[evercelle]

I NEED YOU TO KNOW, YOUR MOST RECNT JAYVICK ART IS JAWDROPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL. THE SYMBOLYSM THE COLORS EVERYTHIGN ABOUT IT IS FANTASTIC. ME AND MY FREIDNS HAD LIKE A WHILE CONVERSATION DISSECTING IT AND FANGIRLING ABOUT IT. Please never die.

it's been super fun reading people's interpretations of the composition this time... i know what i had in mind, but it seems the feelings mage viktor gives in this one varies quite a bit :)c fascinating

one can't live forever for only fields of dreamless solitude await...!!! thank you for your kind words!