#it could also be the difference of their genres though because a mystery needs to be tighter

[atinystraynstay]

Double Take - Lee Chan

Synopsis: Dino was convinced dating was just swiping on a dating app, going out for a diner, and maybe getting further than that before being ghosted. It was just the perils of dating as a young adult. There was just something different about you though.

Pairing: Non-idol!Lee Chan x fem. reader

Genre: "her first everything" girl meets the "first nothing" boy

Inspired by @aaniag - thanks for tagging me in this post ♡

First Encounters Mini Series: #1: #2: #3: #4: Wonwoo #5: Jeonghan #6: #7: #8: Dino

Word Count: 5k

Warnings: does contain descriptions of anxiety - please make sure you are taking care of your mind, body, and soul. If you ever need someone to vent to, my DMs are always a safe space 🩷

Dating in your 20s is not as glamorous as they make it seem in the movies. First dates sometimes flourished into second dates but quickly fizzled out. Or it sometimes was someone you were interested in that just turned into a one night stand.

While sure, there times that Dino wished he had a more solid connection with someone. But he was in no rush to settle down and get married.

Going to college helped Dino not only helped him find his passions in life but also found confidence in himself.

Maybe that was one positive to come out of dating apps? It made Dino feel good when he could swipe on someone and it was an instant match. He hated the moments where he would swipe on someone he found attractive, but would be stuck waiting to see if there was a mutual attractive. And sometimes, he would forget about who he swiped on because there would no ping indicating they swiped on him.

He never thought of himself as the most attractive guy. Honestly, he thought was more average than anything else.

But the moment he found himself in the bed of someone, he felt more reassured in himself. The more that people wanted him, attempted to gain his attention, he felt better about who he was as a person. I mean, college is all about self growth anyways, right? Dino's learning just happened beyond the classroom.

"Trying to find another date?" Seungkwan teased. "More like he's trying to find someone to fuck since he's getting lonely at night," Jeonghan added in.

There were times Dino regretted signing a lease with Seungkwan and Jeonghan. This was one of those times. The two of them thought fondly of their younger roommate, so they often lurked over his shoulder.

"Oh! She's cute," Seungkwan commented.

Hearing his friend, his head turned and narrowed his eyes at the culprit. He suddenly moved his phone close to his chest to gain some sort of privacy. But that was a big ask in this house especially with how close the three friends were. Jeonghan, being the menace he is, moved his hand around to move the phone away from Dino's chest which caused Dino to jump.

"Can I never have anything to myself?" he whined. "She's normally not your type, but maybe we could use a change?" "We?!" Dino gasped.

The two guys laughed before they moved away from the younger boy to go elsewhere in the apartment. Now alone, Dino did take a moment to look at your pictures closer. There were a few photos just of you. He found himself smiling at the way your eyes nearly closed when you were smiling wide. You also had a few pictures with friends at different events.

His thumb then pushed upwards on his phone screen, so he could look deeper into your profile. I have to know who she is.

The first thing he noticed was your name, 'Y/n," he murmured under his breath. It rolled off this tongue so eloquently. He also noticed that you were only 2 miles away from him.

Part of him wanted to stop and just swipe. There was always an element of mystery that came to first dates. Dino's favorite part was when he got to ask questions, got to learn about the other person. Yet, there was something urging him to keep going. After all, looking over your profile could give good talking points.

What sold the deal was your bio - "looking to experience something new 👀"

Intrigued, Dino swiped right on your account. And automatically, fire emojis skyrocketed from the bottom of the app and covered the screen. It's a match! was written across the screen as it brought up your profile with the ability to message you now available.

His fingers typed at lightning speed. He couldn't wipe the smile off his face at the presented opportunity to get to know you.

"I've never done this before. Wanna grab dinner tonight?"

You were at home, binging the reunion of Love Is Blind with your roommates. It was a lazy Saturday afternoon which of course required getting snacks from the grocery store, doing face masks, and a bottle of wine. All of your phones were placed on the table to minimize distractions

While all your roommates and you had different schedules, binging reality TV seemed to be the way you were able to come together. Everyone's eyes were watching the confrontation between two of the contestants when suddenly all eyes shifted to the coffee table once someone's phone lit up.

Specifically, your phone.

"Oh my god, guys! Y/n matched with someone on Tinder," one of your roommates called out. "And they messaged her."

And just like that, Love is Blind was forgotten about. Your third roommate reached for the Amazon Fire Stick remote to pause the Netflix show. All eyes then flickered from the coffee table and you. Never before had you been glad for a face mask to cover your face to hide your rouging cheeks, knowing that will only result in further teasing.

"Relax, you hyenas," you called out. It was as if they were holding their breaths until you read the message.

You typed in your password since your Face ID was not able to recognizing your face with the sheet mask on. The extra stop practically caused your roommates to shake with anticipation. You couldn't deny. You shared the same excitement, as you have decided this year, you were intentionally investing more in dating.

It's not like you had chosen before to not date. It was just something that settled on the back burner. You had always hoped to meet someone more organically, like at the coffee shop or on public transportation. Something out of a Hallmark movie. But that's not how reality worked. When you did meet someone, it was always overwhelmingly flirty which made you instantly retreat from the situation.

Yet, you couldn't deny the happiness you saw from your own friends and roommates when it came to their dating life. Oddly, even if it were a bad date, you wanted to feel the rush of getting ready for someone. You knew that in order to date that would require you putting yourself out there and being vulnerable. Your own saving grace was knowing your morales and not falling victim to social pressures.

Even if it meant not matching with many people because you wanted to take things slow, you would be content as you search for your perfect person.

Dino sent you a message

And maybe that was Dino.

There was no denying the smile that curled onto your lips at the name. You found the name adoring, peaking your interest. Your clicked on the message to read it.

"I've never done this before. Wanna grab dinner tonight?"

Your eyes widened which caused your roommates to lean in closer. The two right by your side let out a gasp, as the other two were practically going to pounce on you. However, you were too preoccupied with looking through his profile.

It took everything within you to maintain your composure, even if you wanted to squeal and kick your feet at the potential date. There were a few photos taken when he's been out to dinner. One in particular that caught your eye was him in a black tee shirt with a silver chain around his neck. Hello big arms! He had a softer face with a sharp jawline. Something about him seemed so friendly, making you even more willing to take the leap of faith.

"Come on, y/n," your one roommate begged. "We want to take a peak on tonight's bachelor."

You rolled your eyes before giving in and showed them his profile. One by one, your phone was passed around. Yet, after each person, there was a wide smile which indicated a sign of approval from your roommates. They knew that it took someone special for you to say yes, but it seemed like Dino had unlocked it just by sending a simple message.

"So what's the verdict, y/n? Are you extending a rose to Dino?"

What can you say? You guys really do love reality TV shows.

Without responding, your fingers went to work on the keypad of the app.

"Yeah, that sounds great! What's your favorite type of food? You can pick the restaurant as long as you meet me there at 7pm."

6:55pm

Dino had a routine when it came to first dates. Of course, he would shower first. He then would pick out an outfit that looked good but also one that was comfortable. Sometimes, after sitting for a while, he disliked the way certain jeans felt and he didn't want to be too squirmy in the chair across from his date. But he didn't want to dress too casually that might give the impression he was putting in little effort into this date.

For tonight, he opted for a pair of baggy jeans, a white t-shirt, and a tri-color cardigan. It was approaching that time of year when it might be a bit warm when the sun comes out, but gets a bit chilly still when the sun sets. Plus, he suggested going to a Mexican restaurant in between the two of you, so he knew while it might be a laid back setting, that he still looked presentable.

He had driven to the restaurant, since taking public transportation would take a bit too long especially since the restaurant was not even 20 minutes away. It was still light out too, but he knew when it was dark, he also had the opportunity to drive you home in the event you opted not to drive.

With his wallet and keys in his pockets, he approached the front entrance of the restaurant. It was a bit crowded for a Sunday night, but honestly, Dino didn't mind either way. He was admittedly excited that he was going to go out with you. Before leaving, Jeonghan and Seungkwan hyped him up and warned "she seems like a good girl, don't scare her."

There, indeed, was something different about you. Dino just couldn't put a finger on it, but that also made this date exciting. He's never had this level of interest in someone before.

As he approached, he noticed you were standing up front waiting for him. He couldn't help but smile at the gesture but also pick up his pace, not wanting you to be left waiting for long. Your thumb double-tapped your home screen, showing the time. Your noticeably let out a sigh before picking up your head. With a slight turn of your head, you made direct eye contact with him.

Dino couldn't help but notice the way your shoulders relaxed. Was she nervous? That's adorable. He wouldn't be rude and comment on it. He was just meeting you after all, and he wouldn't be so mean to embarrass you. Talk about a bad first impression.

"Hey y/n," he said as he approached you. "And you must be Dino," you smiled.

Gosh, her voice sounds angelic.

He never knew of someone who's voice matched so well to who they are as a person, but that wasn't the case with you. You were dressed so elegantly. Nothing too outlandish - just a pair of jeans and a rainbow colored sweater that looked light enough to be worn in any type of climate. You looked cute and breathtaking at the same time. A real life angel.

"I'm sorry if I kept you waiting," Dino apologized.

He reached behind you to open the front door, nodding his head for you to step in first. Your cheeks flushed quickly which caused Dino to smile brighter. "Thank you," you said before walking in. Dino let you take a few steps ahead of him before he joined in behind you. He kept a respectful distance, so you didn't feel uncomfortable but enough to indicate to any patron you two were together.

"Hi! I called earlier for dinner for two? The name is under Lee Chan."

The hostess nodded before looking down at the booklet, her finger acting as if it was guided to her name. Once she spotted his name, she grabbed the sharpie and crossed it out. She then proceeded to grab two menus before turning towards the two of you. "If you will follow me."

You glanced behind him with a wider smile this time. "You made reservations?" "Of course! I wanted to play it on the safe side."

It was such a tiny gesture but one that surely made your heart flutter. You never knew of anyone calling this particular restaurant for reservations, let alone anyone make reservations for the two of you. Knowing that Dino had been that thoughtful made you feel special. That had to be a tell-tale sign of the type of person he was. It just reassured you that this indeed was a good decision, even if it was spur of the moment.

You two were led to a booth along the wall. You were able to people watch if you desired, one of your favorite things to do. But it also offered enough privacy for the two of you to really get to know each other.

"M'lady," Dino said jokingly.

And he's funny! You giggled before accepting the menu from him. Being a bit nervous, you did look over the menu online before the date. You weren't trying to put too much weight on this date and all that it could potentially lead to. However, you still wanted things to go well.

"So? I gotta ask, is your name Dino or Chan? Or is there some secret third option?"

Dino couldn't help but laugh at your question. It was a fair question, and he knew that he would have to provide some context eventually. Lowering his menu, he wanted to be able to make eye contact with you. He didn't want to be rude!

"So, my full name is Lee Chan, but my friends call me Dino." "Dino," you said to yourself, smiling. "Why do they call you that?"

He smiled fondly at the memory of how he gained his nickname.

The menu was fully resting on the table, not only because he had made his dinner selection but because ehe was now fully invested in the conversation with you.

On the receiving end, the attention was a bit overwhelming. You were not so accustom to someone you were interested in making such direct eye contact with you. It only intensified the butterflies you felt in your tummy by his conscious choice of body language.

Yet, it wasn't something Dino just knew to be good manners. Plus, after one date when he looked all over the restaurant instead of just focusing on his date, he learned that's one way how you don't secure a second date.

"Well, believe it or not, y/n, I was a shy guy. Especially when I first was starting college? I could barely say hi without feeling nervous. But I guess as I experienced what it means to be in college, put myself out there, I started to gain more and more confidence. Eventually, my friends started to notice and said I was like the T-Rex in Jurassic Park, just bursting into the room and getting everyone's attention with my loud energy."

You nodded gently as you listened to him, smiling. You wanted him to keep talking to you, about himself. It helped take some of the pressure off of yourself, but you also were genuinely interested in Dino.

"Well, it is a very fitting nickname. Cute, I like it." "Cute like me?" Dino winked.

Immediately, your cheeks turned bright red as you tried hiding behind your menu. Dino couldn't help but chuckle more which only made you want to sink further into the booth, to hide. Was it a pitiful laugh or did he find it attractive?

God, what have I gotten myself into?

The waitress was your saving grace. You didn't have to come to some lame excuse or be subject to Dino's line of questioning quite yet. The waitress also coming around to take your order allowed the blood to subside from your cheeks. You wanted to try to be this cool and mysterious, to leave a good first impression. But honestly? You felt like a fish out of water. This was a brand new experience for you, and you were beginning to think you were too over your head.

Were you even ready to date? How does one even know if they are ready or need more time?

Once your orders were placed, Dino and you handed your menus to the waitress before she left you two alone. Here we go.

"So, y/n, tell me about yourself," Dino asked before taking a sip out of his water.

Okay! An easy question! Perfect.

You sat up a bit straighter in the booth, becoming a bit self conscious of your posture. At least from everything you've heard and seen about dates, even the tiniest things can make or break the date.

You told Dino about how you recently graduated college in the winter. Recently, you took the leap to move the city as your job was switching from remote to a hybrid model. You also needed the change of scenery, which has helped you want to put more roots down in the city.

Dino was impressed with your sheer perseverance. It's never easy to say goodbye to what you now and venture into the unknown, but you proved it was possible.

"Wow, that's really incredible. Good for you, y/n. I moved here with two of my best friends, so I cannot not imagine just making such a big move. Do you live alone?" "Oh no, I have like 5 roommates in our three floor apartment. It really helps." "So like a little family?" "Definitely feels like that sometimes," you laughed.

Truly, you held your roommates close to your heart. Not only did things work out for a good living situation, but they were the first friends you made in the city. They helped you through the homesickness you felt by letting you openly talk about life back home, or push for you to cook some of your favorite meals for them to try.

They also were big supporters in your venturing into dating. They offered many tips into how to date safely and allowed you to ask questions without judgement. They also were clearly very excited you took a chance of Dino rather than running in the opposite direction.

"So is that why you're on the dating apps? If you don't mind me asking, do you find yourself ready to date in a new palce?"

Well, he was half-right.

"Yeah, I think I'm ready to finally open myself up in that way. Moving and getting used to my surroundings really took a large chunk of my time." "No, that's completely understand. I've come to learn you need to be satisfied with yourself and other aspects of your life before being vulnerable with someone else because someone can really shake things up." "Well, for better and for worse."

He smiled at your optimism before nodding in agreement.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, when was your last relationship? It sounds like you have some past experience."

Dino couldn't help but chuckle. It wasn't really at the question himself, but the experiences he has had with dating were a bit comical. You frowned a bit, worrying that you asked the same question. He quickly stopped though to offer a gentle smile.

"Sorry, it's not you. Some memories of past dates came flooding in," he explained.

Well, that's more than I have, so you couldn't wait to hear them. Maybe they were just as funny as some are on the sitcoms you liked to rewatch?

Yet, you couldn't help but wonder if your very limited experience would be a deal breaker.

"What about you though? If you don't mind me asking," Dino said, restating the exact words you said to him.

It was meant to be comforting, but it made you all the more nervous. I guess it was the moment of truth.

"If we're being honest, I haven't been in a serious relationship before."

As you spoke, your tone was softer than from how you had previously carried it throughout the conversation. Dino couldn't help but frown and feel his heart chip a bit. Going on dates and then dating someone was always exciting, so he felt empathetic that you hadn't quite experienced that type of emotions yet. And he also felt sad that people had done you wrong.

"People suck," he murmured. "I'm sorry that you've been out with people who didn't take the time to realize how lucky they were for meeting you."

Your eyes widened at his words. You opened your mouth to clarify but you were so thrown off by his words. Luck? He thought it was a good thing meeting me? A complete stranger? You bit the inside of your cheek to try to rid of the creeping blush on your cheeks. This guy was too sweet to you.

"I mean, I felt like I was lucky when I found out you swiped on me," he confessed.

Now it was Dino's turn to blush. Your eyes widened but you couldn't help but smile wider. It was endearing to see him get a bit shy, almost like he was revealing the past version of himself. You were truly the lucky one that someone had just wanted to spend their Sunday evening with you.

"Trust me, I felt the same way. Even more so when you asked me. It was an easy yes."

Dino's ego came soaring back a bit. He knew the hardship of dating in college and trying to form authentic relationships. What he found himself wanting to do now was give you the best that he could offer to you.

"So is that what you meant in your bio when you put that you are looking for something new?"

It was as if in that moment you could hear glass shattering. Reality had come back into full swinging, shattering any sense of hope you had. There was no fighting the truth because it always finds a way to reveal itself. God, I just want to be eaten by the floor.

"Actually, yes and no?"

You sounded unsure of yourself. Yet, not wanting to jump to any conclusions, Dino kept a smile curled onto his lips. The way he sat was relaxed yet he was leaning in slightly, showing you that he was ready to listen to you. It was a silent way of encouraging you to speak, if you wanted to that is. Honestly, Dino just appreciated that he was with someone who seemed genuine rather than someone looking for a free meal or just to sneak off to the bedroom afterwards.

"So yes, this," you said, gesturing between the two of you. "is new to me. I've never gone on a date with a guy I matched from Tinder."

As if Dino's ego could grow anymore. You took a chance on him? You decided to try something new, to experience something different from your day-to-day all because you saw his profile? And that himself decided to take a risk and message you? Damn, he just won the damn lottery.

"But dating in general is new for me."

Woah, pause. You've never dated someone before? His eyes widened and jaw dropped slightly.

All you could do was sit there as began to panic. Oh no. Everything around you felt like it was coming tumbling down. And to make matters worse, the waitress showed up with your dinner plates. She set them down in front of the two of you respectful. The awkward tension literally being cut by the sound of sizzling meats from Dino's fajitas and the steam rising into the air.

"Let me know if you two need anything else!"

I need you to help me get out of this nightmare.

"Sorry," Dino said, clearing his throat. God, he felt awful. He could actually see the way your heart shattered at his reaction. And the thing was that he didn't even think it was a bad thing. He was just surprised because he was under the impression that everyone his age just dated around and that it was awful.

Time to do some damage control.

"I'm just surprised. I know it can't be because guys weren't throwing themselves at you. I mean, you are absolutely breathtaking," he vocalized. "But you really never have been on a first date? Ever?" "Never ever," you said, laughing nervously.

Now he felt the need just to get to know you, but also be protective of you. You truly were an angel in every sense to him.

The remainder of the date was smooth. It was as if disclosing your little secret helped you feel more relaxed. It also helped that Dino didn't come from a place of judgement. You did end up asking him what all he had experienced, and he admitted that it was quite a bit more.

But it seems like the thing you two were searching for was an authentic love connection. It was something Dino has gotten close to experiencing, but only scratched the surface of discovering.

Dino was the absolute gentleman during the date. He made sure you had enough water, that you were enjoying your meal, and that he even paid. That was something he wouldn't let you dispute. You weren't expecting it either, which also took Dino by surprised. He figured it was just first date etiquette that the man pays. Yet, you've heard too many horror stories from your roommates and TikToks were the guy doesn't even over to pay his half.

He even offered to drive you home. You were hesitant, for which Dino than at least offered to order you an Uber back to your apartment. But feeling guilty of him spending more money, you agreed to a ride back to your apartment. He allowed you to put in your address into the GPS before you relaxed in the passenger seat.

Never before did Dino think there was something special about a person riding passenger seat. Now, he wanted you always to be by his side in this sense. He loved glancing over whenever he rolled up to the stop sign or stopped at a red light that he could see you.

There indeed was something different about you, and Dino felt it. You were unlike any other woman he's been with as you seemed to want to invest in someone, to create something unique. You made him feel as though all those trials and tribulations of dating were all worth it if it meant it led all to you this whole time.

Coming up to your apartment, Dino parked the car. You raised an eyebrow as you watched him get out. It all clicked though when he walked around to open the passenger side door.

"You really are a gentleman, huh?" You said teasingly. "Hey, I'm just making sure you get to experience everything you've missed out on."

You smiled brightly at him before gently getting out of the passenger seat. And this time, you didn't hide your blushing cheeks. Dino loved knowing that he could elicit that type of reaction out of you, and he wanted to do it more often. Hopefully he's done enough to get you to consider a second date.

Once he made sure you were on the sidewalk and away from the door, he closed it. Slowly, he began walking you to the front door of your row house apartment. It was as if he didn't want the night to end. Neither did you.

"So," he began. "How was your very first date?" "It was everything I could have dreamed of and then some. Thank you for your kindness, Dino." "Anything for you, angel,' he confessed in a hushed tone.

Angel. I could get used to that.

Sooner than you two would like, you arrived at the steps of your apartment. Turning towards each other, you seemed like a lost for words. Especially you. What do you say to a guy that seems too good to be real? While you were hopeful he would want a second date, you wanted to be realistic. You couldn't fight the thoughts of your anxiety creeping in - what if he was only kind because he felt bad for you?

"I had a great time tonight, y/n," Dino began.

You were more than happy to let him take the lead on any sort of closing statement. Your racing heart and mind just was anticipating a 'but' to slip in.

"I don't want you to feel pressured to say yes to a second date. I know that there are a whirlwind of emotions that comes with any first date, let alone your very first one. All I'm saying is that I hope you consider seeing me again?"

The man in front of you was not the confident man you just had dinner with. He was biting his lip gently, his hands were in his pockets as he tried his damn best to keep eye contact with you. But, you could tell that he was anticipating a rejection.

Oh, how the tables have turned. Gently, you took a step towards Dino. His eyes widened slightly but he couldn't fight the smile on his face. Leaning up gently, you pressed your lips to his cheek lingeringly.

"And miss out on experiencing a second date? No way."

[pholla-jm]

Sleepover

IMAGINE: SLEEPOVER ~ MEGUMI X READER GENRE: FLUFF WARNINGS: NONE *********************

You have known Megumi since the both of you were kids. You literally did everything together. You walked to school and back home together. You would go over to his place to play and vice versa. Even shared the same plates sometimes. There were also nights where he slept over at your house. 

You were there when he met Gojo. Which you thought he was some type of pedophile trying to take Megumi. You tried fighting him off, but what can a five year old do to a seventeen year old? Not much. He simply stopped your feeble attacks by lifting you up by the back of your shirt and holding you up. 

“You really need this tiny thing to protect you?” “At least I’m not some creep trying to pick up kids!” You shout at him causing you to give you a shocked and disgusted look. “Huh?! I’m not some creep!” 

“Ewe, what’s with your face?” Megumi says with an uninterested look.

And the rest was history. 

Now you both attended Jujutsu High. Even though both of you got busy with studying and training, you still found time to spend time together. 

That’s why you were gathering a plethora of movies, snacks and drinks. A recipe for a perfect movie night. Putting all the stuff in a big bag, you make your way towards Megumi’s dorm room. You knew he would be in there anyway. He never leaves his room because he likes to be an edgy teenage boy… those are your words that you told him. Megumi wasn’t the happiest once you told him that. 

Once you were facing the beige door, you loudly knocked on his door. It didn’t take long for him to swing the door open, an unamused look on his face. “Do you have to knock so loudly?” “Yup.” You answer while pushing your way into his room. 

It was clean and tidy, like always. 

“Yeah, sure, come on in.” He mutters. “Thanks.” 

You turn to him, noticing the comfy clothes he was wearing. Some sweatpants and a t-shirt. 

“We’re having a movie night.” You say while swinging the backpack off your shoulders. Megumi only sighs, deciding not to argue about your plans. Plus, he wouldn’t dare pass up the chance to spend time with you. 

“Which one do you want to watch first?” You ask, holding up the brought over movies. His eyes scan over the movie choices, immediately noticing that there was no pattern to it. It was from all different genres; horror, romance, comedy, thriller, and mystery. 

He chose the safest option- horror. 

Cliche right? 

Well he thought it through. He didn’t want to watch a mystery because he didn’t want you to keep asking him questions about the movie. Not thriller, because you would get bored easily, and not romance because he didn’t want the atmosphere to get weird. Well, weird for him at least. So the best option would be horror, because he knew that you would move a little closer to him. Then after the movie would be over, you would want to watch something more uplifting so you could erase any of the horror movie from your memory.

You gave him a look, “you must like seeing me suffer.” He shrugs, “I’m just paying you back.” 

He plucks the movie from your hand and walks over to the DVD player. A gasp leaves your lips as you look at him with a faux shocked look. “How dare you.” Megumi just rolls his eyes at your dramatics. 

“What else did you bring?” He asks. “I’m glad you asked,” you say while dumping out the rest of the contents in your bag. He eyes the plethora of unhealthy snacks and drinks, “we’re going to get diabetes.” “Nu-uh. Not if we eat healthy and do some serious cleansing for the next week.” 

“Right.” He says while picking up his favorite snack and drink, “we’re not eating on my bed.” “Fine.” You say not arguing with him, you knew how annoying it could be having crumbs in the bed. You plop yourself on his desk, while he sits in the chair. 

Megumi reaches for the remote, turning the TV on and pressing play on the movie. 

You quickly finish your snack, wanting to be in the comfort of Megumi’s bed. The movie wasn’t actually scary, it was just gory with a lot of jump scares and screaming. It was more of the loud noise that scared you. 

“You scared?” Megumi teases while throwing the wrappers away before joining you in his bed. “Tch, as if.” 

A loud noise came from the TV causing you to jump a little and grab onto the blanket tighter. You sink deeper into the bed, hoping to hide a little bit of your view of the TV. 

Megumi chuckles as you scoot closer to him. He immediately felt your body warmth reaching him, and it made him crave more. So he decides to scoot closer himself, shoulders now touching. You didn’t seem to notice. 

Once the movie was finally over, you were able to relax. “That was horrible. I need to watch something to make me forget about this.” You say getting up to grab the comedy movie.

A small frown makes its way to Megumi’s face. He started to miss the warmth of your skin pressed against his. Once you plop the movie into the DVD player, you jump into the bed with a large smile on your face. 

Your body was now more relaxed as the bright and funny film started playing. You get comfortable in the blankets, leaning back against the headboard. Your arm was no longer touching Megumi’s arm. Which he wished you would just move a little bit closer to him so he could feel more of your warmth. He was too afraid to initiate it himself, scared that you would just move farther away.

About half way through the movie, you started to feel sleepy. Your eyelids closing without your consent. Before you knew it, your eyelids completely closed and you were sleeping. Your head fell to the side, landing on Megumi’s shoulder. 

He looks over at you, a little surprised to see that you were asleep. His attention wasn’t on the movie anymore. Instead, he studied your face. You looked at peace, with your lips slightly parted and even breathes coming from your nose. Small pieces of your hair frame your face and Megumi swears you never looked so beautiful.

He adjusted himself, so that he wasn’t leaning against the headboard anymore. Instead, he was laying down. The new position causes you to fall as well. But it didn’t disturb your sleep. Instead you scoot closer to Megumi, attracted to his own warmth. Megumi doesn’t know what came over him, but his arms wrapped around you. Pulling you impossibly closer. Your head now laying on his chest, an arm and a leg thrown over him.

His body started to relax at the feeling of your warmth and the scent of your lotion. His eyelids started to feel heavy as well, but he didn’t fight off the sleep that took over his body.

Small smiles painted both of your faces as the movie continued to play in the background. Both now in a wonderful dreamland.

[anim-ttrpgs]

An absolutely incredible review of the beta version of Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy by review Willy Muffin on youtube, complete with visuals and actual analysis!

I'm going to also add to this post a comment that I left on the video, offering further insight into the design intentions of the game, though the comment might not make as much sense if you haven't watched the video yet.

Hey, lead writer of Eureka here, first of all I wanna say how good and professional this review is, it’s almost indescribable how it feels to see our project taken so seriously and given real analysis, complete with visuals and everything! We would be super impressed and happy with it even if you didn’t like the game—but luckily it sounds like you loved it hahaha

I’d also like to address a few things throughout the video, not as arguments or rebuttals, just further developer insight for everyone

Re: “Urban Fantasy.” “Urban Fantasy” is basically just another term for “modern fantasy”, just a fantasy story that takes place in the 20th or 21st century and deals with the intersection of contemporary life with the supernatural, and it might be an Americanism, or even a Southern-ism, since it has a lot of connections and origins in the living folklore of New Orleans, so I shouldn’t be surprised it isn’t a term everyone is familiar with. Just think of it as the kind of genre where instead of the vampire living in a secluded scary castle, his name is Phil and he’s your roommate haha. What We Do in the Shadows, Shadowrun, and the World of Darkness games are all some other good examples of “urban fantasy.”

Re: Scooby-Doo. Oh we would LOVE for you to run a Scooby-Doo-like wacky mystery with Eureka. Even though the main tone is dark and gritty and noir, we did intentionally build it so that it could run more lighthearted stuff as well! There’s even a few Scooby-Doo references to be found throughout the text, and if we hit a certain stretch goal on the Kickstarter, we’re going to be adding a bunch of Scooby-gang-inspired traits, including the option to play a Talking Dog!

Re: Combat being the largest section, even larger than Investigation. First of all, that’s kind of an illusion that is the result of the game being unfinished. I have a tendency when I write rules to use really long sentences, overexplain things, repeat myself, etc, and that dramatically bloats the rules text and page count, but that’s why we have an editor! She goes through after the fact and trims most of the fat off my bloated writing style to make it flow smoother and read faster, and take up less space. The PDF that was read for this review has had the Investigation chapter copy-edited (and cut down in size by about 25%!), but the editor hasn’t gotten to the combat chapters yet, so they still have a hugely inflated page count. When she’s done with them, you can expect each combat chapter to also be cut down in size by about 25%, so they won’t be nearly so large a chunk of the book.

Secondly, I’ll explain our reasoning for why the combat chapters and advanced combat rules are such a big chunk of the rules text, it’s intentional design which I will now explain. If anyone still doesn’t agree with that design, that’s fair, and that’s why we made the Basic Combat Rules an option.

The reason that the advanced combat rules are the default, and the reason they exist at all, is because it incentivizes and rewards Investigation. If combat is super deadly, it makes Investigation, snooping, and spying more appealing than kicking down the door and getting your head blown off. But of combat is super deadly, it also needs to be very deep and tactical, because if it’s deadly but shallow, then there’s no player agency. “Combat starts, roll some dice, okay your guy is dead.” That’s no fun. So by adding rules and modifiers for cover/elevation, distance, the difference between a pistol and an assault rifle, etc. we make it so that not only is combat its own high-stakes puzzle, but make it so that when the PCs HAVE to engage in combat, all their investigation can really pay off and save their lives. Spying on a building to find out the number of goons stationed there and how they are armed helps you plan and assess risk, stealing the blueprints to the building helps you know how to get the drop on the goons, and know the best places to attack from so that they are stuck out in the open and you are not, etc. and having rules for those things means that all the PCs’ snooping and planning makes a real mechanical difference in whether they live or die.

That’s just my opinion though, and one of the biggest reasons WHY we decided to write the combat with as much depth as we did.

Anyway, thank you again for this review and analysis of our project, our Kickstarter jumped up by about ten more backers in the evening when this video went up after several days of no new backers, and we have to assume we have this video, and all of you watching and reading this, to thank. You’re really making our dreams come true. :)

Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy is kickstarting from right now until May 10th! Back it while you still can!

If you want to try before you buy, you can download a free demo of the prerelease version from our website or our itch.io page!

If you’re interested in a more updated and improved version of Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy than the free demo you got from our website, subscribe to our Patreon where we frequently roll our new updates for the prerelease version!

You can also support us on Ko-fi, or by checking out our merchandise!

Join our TTRPG Book Club At the time of writng this, Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy is the current game being played in the book club, and anyone who wants to participate in discussion, but can’t afford to make a contribution, will be given the most updated prerelease version for free! Plus it’s just a great place to discuss and play new TTRPGs you might not be able to otherwise!

We hope to see you there, and that you will help our dreams come true and launch our careers as indie TTRPG developers with a bang by getting us to our base goal and blowing those stretch goals out of the water, and fight back against WotC's monopoly on the entire hobby. Wish us luck.

[onemeangreenbean]

Anything CH 6

SUMMARY: On the precipice of death Wynter does the only thing she can think to do to save herself. Something that is forbidden in her practice….to summon a demon and make a deal. The demon that answers her call ask what Wynter is offering  and in her delirious state she answers with the only thing she can think of  “Anything”.

PAIRING: Demon!Yoongi x BlackWitch OC 

GENRE: Demon AU, Mystery, Strangers to Lovers, Soulmates, Smut, Fluff, Angst, slowburn

WARNINGS: none

WORDCOUNT: 5,838

A/N: Hey! Here is chapter 6. This one and the next are a little slow but we gotta do it for the plot! Also I feel the need to state that I in fact grew up listening to Super Junior so don't take anything in this fic TOO seriously. As always I hope you enjoy! Please feel free to interact and talk to me 🥰

Previous | Next

Anything Masterlist | Masterlist

TAGLIST:

“Get up.” The chill from the AC bombarded Wynter’s body as she fought to pull the comforter back up. When she got it settled around her again it was yanked off of her, but this time Yoongi had discarded the offending material on the floor so that she couldn’t re-cover herself. 

Wynter groaned as she opened on eye to peer up at the demon lording over her. His gaze was piercing as he waited for her to move. Instead of getting up like she knew he was hoping for she opted to grab a pillow and place it over her head to block out the sun. It was short lived as the pillow was promptly yanked off causing Wynter to groan louder. 

What she didn’t expect was to be lifted off of the bed, a small yelp living her lips as she was unceremoniously tossed on the couch. She shot him a glare through her half sleep gaze as she tried to reorient herself  to being vertical. Yoongi stood there patiently, jaw tense,  as Wynter got herself together pulling her bonnet off letting her curls spill forward in a mess around her head. 

“Yoongi, it’s too fucking early for this.” Wynter mumbled as she walked over to her alter to give thanks to her ancestors. Centering herself she rang the brass bell and lit an incense. Yoongi had been on this kick for the past few weeks of waking her up at the ass crack of dawn to get started in training. He was instance on getting her back to the basics. Quizzing her constantly and making sure her rootwork practice what up to snuff. Which it was in Wynter’s eyes, but not according to Yoongi’s standards. 

She had been reading books on theology, wards, curses, spells, demonology, magical items, spiritual weapons, and various of “essential” knowledge that the little demon deemed necessary. Not that it wasn’t, just that waking up this early to study it was. Wynter was a zombie as she walked around the apartment checking the wards. Her magic lazy and slow this early. What she needed was caffeine, which was being held hostage behind Yoongi’s body which was leaned up against the counter as he observed her. 

“Move,” grumbling she shoved him aside to reach the coffee maker. Her taste buds awaited the steaming liquid but as she poured it she could tell that it was ice cold. Wynter side eyed the demon as she slammed her cup onto the counter. Closing her eyes she prayed for the strength the not punch him in the face. 

Hanging her head she hovered her hand over the cup of cold liquid. The spell was easy, a simple ward and small incantation, it was the focus that threw it off for her. Wynter was great at throwing up protection wards. It was what she was tasked with at home. She was comfortable with them because after doing something for so long it become second nature. Other facets of magic, even different wards, were something she wasn’t comfortable with. Not being confident in her magic was her biggest problem and hindrance to her magical life.

Wynter knew that she needed to get comfortable using magic in her everyday life in order to move past her aversion to her own power. It was hard though. The wall she had put up between her and the ability to let the energy flow naturally was blocked. Magic that was yielded with hesitance and fear, was magic that was dangerous to all, including the person wielding it.  Yoongi was trying to move her past it, forcing her day in and day out to use it in her life. Even if it meant warming up coffee. 

Steam began to raise from her mug as she focused on the feeling of warmth she wanted the liquid to take on, focusing on controlling how much magic she let out. Yoongi watched her quietly as he monitored the flow of energy. Scorching liquid splashed up on Wynter and all over the counter and cabinets as the cup exploded. “Damnit!” Fustratrated, snatched up a rag from the sink and started cleaning up the mess - throwing the broken ceramic pieces in to the garbage. Yoongi silently assisted her in the clean up and warmed up some coffee for her. 

“I’m never going to get it.” She scowled down at the perfectly temperature coffee. How he was able to do it so effortlessly aggravated her to no end. 

“You just need to stop rushing it, and trust that it will work the way it’s supposed to.” Yoongi stated. “You try to control it to much.” Scoffing Wynter looked out the window. She knew that Yoongi was right. That if she allowed the magic to follow the natural flow it wanted to instead of trying to force it then she probably wouldn’t have to clean up coffee every morning. 

“You have any news on Jiyeon?” Wynter wanted to change the topic, even if the topic caused Yoongi to let out a frustrated sigh. 

“No. It seems as though she’s gone underground.” Wynter knew that Yoongi had been working trying to locate the witch who cursed her but every lead he had was a deadend. Her apartment stood empty and anyone he asked about her seemed to act like she never even existed. Which at this point, Wynter was even starting to doubt if the girls name was even Jiyeon. 

“She has to be working for someone, which makes sense. But to go through so much to kill you and take you power is what’s bothering me.” Yoongi seemed to be talking more to himself than to Wynter at this point. She watched as his brows furrowed and his face pulled into his think face - little pout and all. He had been sending out all of the contacts that he had to see if they could gather any information about a low level witch who was working for a high level demon, but nothing had come back so far. 

Wynter walked off to leave Yoongi to his mumbling and plotting. While she still was having problems letting go of her “control” issues with the flow of magic, she was improving on her ability to place wards on her body. She still had to do it everyday, so it took some time in the morning , but she just incorporated it into her morning routine. The one that she was happy she mastered was the mind block one. Living with someone who could read your mind was  annoying on the best of days and infuriating on the worst. So as soon as she saw that it was thing she all but bullied Yoongi into teaching her. 

Though living with the demon wasn’t all that bad. Yoongi did his share around their now shared tiny apartment, mostly taking over the cooking. Wynter doesn’t understand how she had become banned from her own damn kitchen but she wasn’t going to complain about the amazing meals coming out of it. Her regular diet of ramen and sandwiches thrown to the wayside. It also wasn’t as awkward as she imagined it to be living with a grown , and incredibly attractive, man would be. They had only walked in on each other twice in the bathroom which, while it wasn’t Yoongi hadn’t already seen on her, Wynter saw just enough to keep her up at night. 

They left each other alone for the most part if it didn’t involve training or the curse. Yoongi had still yet to tell Wynter about the war brewing down below that he was now the official head of, but she worked enough that he could just go to his meetings and be back before she got home. He only needed her involved in one problem at a time. 

Yoongi cast as glance to the side as Wynter opened the fridge, taking in her shorts and t-shirt. He knew he shouldn’t be looking but while he had promised himself to not think any further about the soulmate bond, he still allowed himself the occasionally look at her ass. “Do you know any wards to help stay cool?” Wynter pulled out some homemade ice tea and poured it into a reusable coffee cup to take with her. 

Seoul had been hit with a heatwave for the past few days and it was making everything miserable, including her walk to Mikrokosmos. “Yeah,” Setting his empty coffee on the counter he walked over to where Wynter stood with her head in the freezer trying to cool off. When she heard him stand behind her, she reluctantly removed her head from the icey salvation. Taking his hand he placed it on her forehead and thought about the coolest spring day he could think off. What the breeze feels like? How it felt on his skin as the light chill spring air cocooned him.

“Thank god!” She groaned laid her forehead on his chest. The movement startling him a bit since he had been trying his best to avoid touching her outside of the normal amount. “Why didn’t you let me do it though,” Wynter’s voice came out mumbled from where her face was in his chest. 

“Be serious. You exploded a cup a coffee, there was no way you weren’t going to make yourself freeze to death.” His chuckled rumbled in his chest causing Wynter to removed her head and look up at him. Eyes big and wide as she pouted a bit. 

“That’s why I have you here to unthaw me,” she smiled up at him. Wynter had one of those smiles that lit up her whole face as she laughed. Tapping his chest so that Yoongi could take a step back, she thanked him and made her way towards the door. Slipping on her shoes and grabbing her bag she chirped out a goodbye to Yoongi as she left.

The walk wasn’t as miserable as it had been in past days now that she had the cooling ward that Yoongi had placed on her. Wynter was annoyed that she hadn’t thought to ask him about it earlier that week. The store was quiet when she got in, but she could see the light coming out of Namjoon’s workspace in the back so she knew he was here. If today was going to be anything like the past few weeks had been she was sure she wouldn’t see the tall shaman until around closing. 

Sighing she opened the store in silence and went about restocking some of the books in the back. Wynter was happy that the store was able to get back to what it was pre-fight. Between Wynter and Namjoon’s magic, they had been able to piece the place back together relatively quick, barring a few books that were destroyed in the fight. Since than though Wynter noticed that Namjoon had been keeping his distance from her. Only interacting when it pertained to the store or when he needed to re up her amulet.

Really the only Kim that would talk to her for any amount of time was Taehyung. All Jin did was see the youngest to the store with food and medicine for Wynter. She had apologized profusely for Yoongi hurting him, the red welt around his neck a constant reminder. Eventually he told her to stop and that it was okay, but his visits to the store and talks to her we less frequent and oftentimes short. She figured that both Seokjin and Taehyung were trying to stay out of the way until Wynter and Namjoon started talking again. 

It wasn’t for a lack of trying on her part. Wynter valued Namjoon’s friendship and presences in her life and didn’t want to loose that. She had tried everything from food to asking questions about an obscure topic he would usually spend hours explaining to her. Yet, she had only receive short answers or the occasional hum of acknowledgement. Each time she walked away in defeat but today Wynter was determine to talk to the man. 

One the few morning costumers had left, Wynter armed herself with her homemade sweet tea and ventured back into the workshop. The sweet tea had always been her trump card when she was in trouble. Now was it because of her immaculate recipe or her doing a small sweetin’ spell on it? Who could really say. All that mattered was that it never failed to sweeten people up and make a situation and conversations easier to navigate. Her knuckles rapted on the wooden door frame alerting Namjoon of her presence. Usually Wynter would just walk in but she didn’t want to overstep any of the new boundaries that had been put up. 

“Yeah,” his voice was barely audible, but she heard it nonetheless. 

“I brought you some of my homemade sweet tea,” Wynter said in a sing song voice. When she got no response so went on, “It’s a great cool and refreshing way to beat this heat.” Wynter watched as Namjoon continued working on whatever it was he was working on, not even sparing her a glance. “I figured you may be thirsty,” her voice trailed off as Namjoon heaved a sigh, dragon eyes looking up. 

“What do you want, Wynter?” The cold indifference in his voice was jarring to her, but she understood where it was coming from. 

“Well, the store is empty and I came back to see what you were up to,” she tapped the glass in her hand and she tried to keep the conversation going. “You know see if you needed help with anything.”

Namjoon regarding her for a moment before answer, “Well, I don’t need help.” The conversation was getting nowhere, especially not in the direction that Wynter needed it to go in. He had even turned back to his task. She knew that Namjoon was good at reading between the lines, so at this point it just seemed as though he was going to make her work for every single syllable she pulled from him. 

Wynter was tired of tip toeing around him. With a huff she stalked over to his desk and sat the glass of tea in front of him. Pulling up a wayward chair and sitting down. “What would you like for me to say?” Her frustration with the situation bleeding out into her tone. “I’ve apologized I don’t know how many times. I’ve put in extra hours. I’m tried to start conversations with you on various topics. Brought peace offerings. Took my studies seriously. So what do I have to say or do to get you to speak to me?” 

While her tone wasn’t the nicest she needed him to lay it out for her because she was losing him, her best friend. Namjoon shook his head at her outburst, taking his glasses off to rub his eyes. “Honestly, I don’t know Wyn.” Silence hung between them as she waited for him to continue. “What do you talk about with someone who betrayed you in various ways? Look,” his eyes soften as he took inWynter’s demeanor. Her figure closing in on itself. “I want to forgive you, and I do, I’m just finding it hard to figure out where to start rebuilding our trust.” 

Wynter gave a curt nod as she racked her brain. She knew he was right, because if the roles were reversed she would’ve kicked Namjoon out of her life in a heartbeat. The fact that she still was even working at his store was really just a testament to how kind and patient he was. She understood that it was going to take some time in order to build their relationship back up but she at least had a step. Slowly she slid the glass over to him. 

“I think I may have a way.” Namjoon looked at the golden liquid skeptical as Wynter explained. “This is my special sweeting sweet tea-”

“Isn’t all sweet tea sweet?” Wynter rolled her eyes at his interruption. 

“Yes. But this one is special because it has a sweeting charm on it.” Before he could protest she cut him off, “It’s nothing serious, just a charm to help you see situation a bit better. Open you mind up to paths that you wouldn’t have considered if you were upset. I promise it doesn’t make you feel or think things you wouldn’t normally.” 

Namjoon picked up the glass, the ice clinking around as he inspected it. “My mama would always give it to me if I was having a bad day or was mad about something as a kid. Completely harmless. See?” She reached over and took a sip of the cool liquid. As it ran down her throat she felt the world become brighter. Colors more vivid and her deposition that this conversation was hopeless shift into one full of prospects and compromises. It took a moment of him observing her but he must have felt like it was okay because he finally took a drink himself. 

“Wow,” Namjoon smacked his lips as he peered down into the glass. “This is really good.” 

“Is there anything that you want to know that could help as move forward? I cherish you in my life and I want us to get back to some semblance of what we had before.” She didn’t want to pressure him but she figured if she was tired then so was he. 

“Are you really okay with him having you soul and power?” Namjoon stared directly into her eyes. It wasn’t a question that she thought he would ask. 

Shifting uncomfortable in the seat, Wynter looked at her hands in her lap unable to meet his gaze. “Of course not! It’s actually terrifying , but,” She paused trying to collect her thoughts and words so that Namjoon wouldn’t misunderstand. “I feel deep down that out of all of the options that could have happened this was the best outcome.” Namjoon’s eyes shoot up into his eyebrows at her words. 

Before he could interrupt she continued, “I know it sounds crazy, but I’m just being honest. I’m still going to try everything I can to find a way out of this contract but to be frank Yoongi is a really good teacher.”

Scoffing, Namjoon shook his head, “I’ve been trying to teach and mentor you for over a year. Are you saying that I’m shit at it.”

Wynter could see the hurt that was in his eyes as he posed his question. “Absolutely not!” She leaned over placing his hands in hers. “You are a wonderful teacher it’s just that you both teach differently. I still learned the bulk of what I know from you. Yoongi just has a more abrasive why of getting his points across,” she mumbled the last bit, still annoyed at being woken up so damn early. 

“Truly, I’m sorry that I betrayed your trust and didn’t come to you with this sooner.” Wynter whispered softly. “I trust you implicitly but I didn’t show you that, so let me prove it.” The both sat in silence as Namjoon eyes moved across her face, seeming to try and gauge if she was lying or not. 

“Okay,” Namjoon nodded after coming to his decision and squeezed her hands, taking note of how small they were in his. “You really want to find a why out of this contract?”

“Fuck yes,” Wynter laughed, bringing a small smile to Namjoon’s face. 

“Well, it looks like I better get to researching-” Wynter threw her arms around the man before he could finish his sentence. Pulling him into a tight hug. Namjoon was too stunned to react right away but quickly wrapped his arms around Wynter. It felt nice to have her in his arms but he let go as soon as she did. “Um, let me reup your necklace.” He held out his hand for her to drop the amulet into. 

Quickly she unhooked it and gave it to him. It had becoming routine for them in the past few weeks. Namjoon wanted to make sure that the amulet was always at it’s strongest, especially with a curse as strong as it was chipping away at the protection. He made sure to re-enchant it every few days. Between Namjoon’s amulet, Jin’s medicine, and Yoongi’s hovering, Wynter felt as good as new. Well, maybe not as good as knew, but she could tell that she was regaining her spiritual energy back. She wasn’t at a hundred percent, but she was at least up to seventy-five, which was enough to start training training according to Yoongi. 

Wynter didn’t agree but the demon was unwavering in his resolve. If she could push back actually having to use her power until never she would. The thought of unleashing it filled her with anxiety and fear. Yoongi wasn’t wrong because she could feel the power that she tried to suppress bubbling to the surface, an unfortunate byproduct of everyone trying to help her. It wasn’t even something she had been knowingly doing. 

The rest of her shift felt less awkward now that they had talked and flew by. “Um, let me know if you need anything,” Namjoon returned her necklace. “I’ll try and see what I can find out about breaking high level demon contracts.”

“Thanks again, Joonie!” Wynter stated as she gathered her things to get ready to leave, missing the blush that colored the mans face. She needed to get home in order to call her momma. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she called as she rushed out the storefront. She didn’t get to talk to her momma often due to time difference between them, so when she could find a way to she took it. 

Thankfully, the walk home was quick and the apartment thankfully empty, Wynter didn’t know where Yoongi went off to when she wasn’t around but she honestly did not care cause it gave her some peace and quiet. Her phone rang as she was warming up some leftover that Yoongi had left in the fridge for her. “Momma!” 

“Hey, baby,” the honey tone of her momma’s voice soothed Wynter. “Is now a good time?”

“Any times a good time when you call,” the both chuckled at Wynter’s cheesiness. “How’s business going?” Her momma had a small shop in their town where she would take on clients to do some spiritual work for. It wasn’t lucrative but it did pay the bills and allow them to live comfortably. 

“Oh, it’s going. Rev. Brown asked me to help him in some candle rituals this last week. Apparently, the congregation has been going through it!” The talked for a bit about the hometown gossip and how family was doing. “Right, Marcus asked about you the other day.”

Wynter’s smiled faded at hearing that her former friend had inquired about her. It was hard keeping her distance but she needed to. Wynter knew she didn’t deserve his thoughts, after when she had done. 

 “Oh baby,” she hated hearing the pity in her momma’s voice. “You got to let it go. You can’t keep denying you abilities.” Wynter snorted in response because of course she would say that. Her family had always seen her power as a blessing, when what it truly was was a curse. “You have got to not let it control you.”

“That’s easier said then done. You don’t understand what it’s like having this ability.” Wynter’s family had been filled with powers focusing on healing or prophecy and protection. Not her power though. She had a power that could create as much as it could destroy. A matter based power that allowed her to pluck things out of and into existence but since matter can neither be created or destroyed, anything she created had to come from somewhere. Wynter found out the hard way the bigger the creation the bigger the destruction. 

A walking black hole is how she would describe herself. Slowly dragging things into her orbit and pulling them apart atom by atom. That’s what she did to Marcus and if it wasn’t for his quick thinking he would be dead too. So, no, Wynter had no desire to try to learn to control her power or train with it, but with her contract with Yoongi she was going to have to figure it out. 

“I know I don’t understand the impact using your gift has on you, but what I do understand is that you not being able to control it is more my fault than yours-”

“Momma,” Wynter sighed. 

“No, Wynter. If I took the time to learn more about you gift and trained you properly than you would be in a better place. So that’s on me.” Wynter could hear her mommas determination bleeding though the phone. It was the same  conversation that they had every time her power would be brought up. Both of them trying to out guilty the other, leading only into silence as they both never knew how to resolve the problem. 

Though this time Wynter understood, albeit reluctantly, that the solution lay with the demon she had made a deal with. Yoongi knew what he was doing and Wynter trusted that he would be able to stop her if need be. It was an uncomfortable truth admitting that she was using him as a kind of safety net that she knew Namjoon wanted to be for her. In order to be truly open to using her power she needed someone she knew would be willing to take her out if it became out of control. 

Wynter hated that the only way she could see using her power was by knowing the death was the only way to stop her, but until proven otherwise that’s what she would go with. They spoke for a bit more after that, the conversation stilted but they would rather go through a million awkward pauses then hangup that phone. She conveniently didn’t mention how she made a deal with a demon to her momma, figuring she had had enough lecturing to last her a life time. Wynter knew it was only a matter of time until one of her ancestors dimed her out so she would just wait until she couldn’t any more. 

“Well, I gotta go make this food for your father before he starts tearing up my house. He already done came in her twice with those big ol eyes of his,” her momma chuckled. 

“Okay. Tell him I said hi and that I love him.”

“I will. Love you baby.”

“Love you to momma.”

The smoke in the bar was causing Yoongi’s nose to itch, ut he tampered down the urge to scratch it. He hated having to meet in places like this but this bar was the only one he was sure he had full control over. Solar had been a formidable ally to this rebellion and had graciously allowed him and the others to meet up to strategize there. 

Moonbyul gave him a head nod, which he returned, as he walked by and down the hidden stairway that was tucked behind the bar. He heard his men before he saw them. “All I’m saying, Jimin, is that if it was me Shindong wouldn’t have been able to get away. You go to soft on them.”

“I’m sorry, but unlike you I was a little preoccupied with making sure I didn’t fucking die.” Yoongi made it to the bottom of the stairs and saw the to two young ones still arguing while, Hobi watched amused and drunk his beer. 

“Hyung tell him my job is hard too,” Jungkook turned to Yoongi with a slight pout on his lips and doe eyes imploring him to take his side. Jimin on the other hand looked ready to throw his chair at the youngest face. 

“Both jobs are hard,” Yoongi mumbled out. “But unlike Jimin you’re not actively fighting.” Jungkook let out a gasp of betrayal while Jimin just looked smug. They continued bickering with Hobi’s encouragement in the form of snide remarks. Yoongi sipped his whisky as he took it in, not realizing that he missed this. The feeling of being around people who would do anything for you and vice versa. 

All three men had followed him into the underworld without a second thought, committing themselves to a life in literal hell. Jimin was the best assassin that Yoongi had and Jungkook was right behind them. Their competition to be better than each other made them the best in the kingdom. Though at the end of the day they would do anything to protect one another. Yoongi couldn’t believe that in his long life that he had found folks willing to follow hims blindly into hell. Stupid if anyone asked him. 

Taking a final sip of the amber liquid Yoongi cleared his throat, the table quieting down. Glancing over at Jimin he asked, “Updates?”

“I was able to gather some territories in the west but then Shindong started in with those fucking earthquakes. Everytime I would think I got far enough away I’d be hit with one.” Jimin ran his hands through his auburn hair. Yoongi grimace at the thought of the demons earth magic. It was handy in a way that he could just open up the earth and swallow you whole. He was happy that Jimin hadn’t fallen into one of the fissures Shindong opened up. 

“I was able to gather about another legion or two before I had to fight him head on. Unfortunately, he got away by creating a rift.” At this Jungkook snickered. “When you’re staring into a bottomless chasm see if you don’t save yourself!”

“What about you, Jungkook?” Yoongi watched as the young assassin turned to look at him. 

“I was able to injury Yesung and take a grab about half a legion from his territory,” he stated proudly. Fortunately for them demons are fickle with their loyalty. So if they are unhappy with the currently reign then they are easily swayed to whoever’s side will overthrow. Yoongi was just happy he had made a large enough name for himself to cause demons to follow him without pause. 

He had always been good at domestic and foreign affairs, making it easy for him to create allies. Unlike Jungsoo who made enemies everywhere he went. 

“Okay. Hoseok?” 

The red haired demon looked over the brim of his beer and made eye contact with Yoongi. “I was able to take out Heechul and Eunhyuk. I know they were on your ass for a bit, but they like the rest of the ELF faction think that they’re infallible, which they found out that they are not.” The smile that he had on his face could be describe as sinister and Yoongi had never been more happy that he would never have to face his best friend in battle. 

“I was also able to get some information out of them about some of Jungsoos plan,” Hoseok tilted his head to the side as he thought. “It’s not a lot to go on but it seems as though he’s power collecting. My opinion,” he stated frowning, “It seems as though he feels his power slipping and it’s trying to tighten the reins by outranking and outpowering any opposition.” Yoongi hummed in thought and agreement, tapping his finger on the table as he thought. It sounded like something Jungsoo would do. It’s what ever fading leader or dynasty did to protect itself; lash out, becoming overly aggressive, and in this cause make mistakes. Power hoarding wasn’t unheard of but it’s something only bottomfeeder demons did, not something someone in Jungsoo’s position would do because it made them look weak, and that was something Yoongi could use to his advantage. 

Smirking Yoongi’s tapping stopped. “We need to keep gathering factions and allies, but don’t engage any of ELF. I want them scrambling trying to regain the ones they lost. Jimin start a few rumors regarding them stealing powers, make sure they stick. Jungkook keep doing what you’re doing focus on the SHAWOLS faction, we need them on our side to turn the rest. Hobi,” Yoongi paused to run his hands through his hair, “figure out where these powers are coming from. We need to find a way to cut off the supply.” 

The men at the table all nodded in agreement. The stayed for a bit longer, catching up and drink a few more rounds, not really knowing the next time they would see each other. They all knew that war was brutal and that tomorrow was never promised so they always made the most of their time together. It was a fucked up family, but it was their fucked up family. Yoongi, as always, was the first to leave, having reached his interaction threshold. 

“Where are you off to, hyung?” Jungkook inquired, the alcohol making his face flushed. Yoongi knew that he would have to tell them about Wynter at some point but for know he wanted to just keep her to himself. 

“Took a new contract-” the sound of disbelief and confusion went between Jungkook and Jimin. “Yah! I take them every now and then.”

“Taking on a contract in the middle of a war is an interesting choice,” Yoongi leveled Hobi with a glare. He was fully aware that dividing his time was a risky move but he also knew that having someone with a power like Wynter’s on their side would be useful. If he could get her to use the fucking thing. 

“It was an interesting case,” he quirked an eyebrow challenging any of them to press him further. Hobi raised his hands in surrender and chuckled. Yoongi owed them an explanation, just not today. “See you all later.” He apparated once he made it out of the bar. 

The apartment was quiet, except for the sound of the tv playing quietly. He was silent in his steps as he walked over to where Wynter was curled up on the couch. A half drunk glass of wine on the coffee table and a book laid haphazardly over her face. He still couldn’t understand how she could read with the tv on and still comprehend what she was reading. 

A sigh slipped past his lips and he lifted her into his arms, taking her over to the bed. She made a small whimper as she got comfortable again, falling into a deeper sleep. Yoongi cleaned up her mess before crawling into the otherside of the bed. It had become routine that Yoongi would stay in bed with her as she was still waking up in the middle of the night having night terrors. He got little to no sleep this way. The warmth from her body a constant reminder of her presence next to him. Honestly, he didn’t know why he was torturing himself that this, but he knew that if it made her feel safer he would do it.

[marshmallowprotection]

ooh nintendogs ask got me thinking, what do you think their favorite videogames would be?

The only video game Yoosung's ever played in full is LOLOL, and that is League of Legends. So, I'm going to have to give him that game to play.

Zen, again, probably would enjoy Snake since I know he had an old phone before he ever got his smartphone... and hey, that's a fun way to kill time! But, uh, if you could teach him how to play games, I think he would enjoy story-driven games. I don't think it matters what kind of game it is, as long as it has a compelling story.

Jaehee would love the Unpacking game. I don't know why, it just feels like she would enjoy that low-energy style game where you're treated to an interesting story but you get to take your time poking and prodding different areas until you get it right. I do think the idea of her playing those cafe building games to study is funny, though.

I think Saeyoung would love Neko Atsume. I also think he would want to fund the VR version to completion because what could make that man happier than a world where all the cats actually like him and are NOT going to chew his arm off for sport? Sign him up for the game to collect all the cats and their favorite toys.

Jumin, canonically, does have a text message thread where he asks you about video games, and you can tell him about LOLOL or a dating sim. I don't think he's opposed to video games, but I do think he would prefer simple games like Tetris. I don't know why I feel like he would be a beast.

I am confident Saeran would love Animal Crossing and Minecraft. He just wants to build things and have little animals as his friends. That is what he needs to heal from his trauma, and I'm not just saying that because I love the idea of having a cute picnic in his blue rose garden. Nope, nu-uh!

I'm torn with Jihyun because he's a puzzle game. He loves puzzles and mysteries. He wants to solve things, but I don't know what sort of game he would love the most. So, we just have to gauge from his favorite genre and poke around until something clicks. I don't think there's a wrong answer. Point and Click adventures? Sob.

[richincolor]

Book Review: Liar's Test

Title: Liar’s Test

Author:  Ambling Kwaymullina

Genres:  Fantasy

Pages: 257

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Review Copy: ARC by publisher

Availability: Available May 21st

Summary: A gripping YA fantasy with a deadly contest to win a crown, a fierce heroine determined to right the wrongs done to her people, and a smoldering love story that could change everything...

I didn’t want to rule the Risen. Wreak a little havoc upon them, though? That was something else entirely.

Bell Silverleaf is a liar.

It’s how she’s survived. It’s how all Treesingers have survived, after they were invaded by the Risen and their gods. But now—thanks to some political maneuvering—Bell is in the Queen’s Test. She’s one of seven girls competing in deadly challenges to determine who rules for the next twenty-five years. If Bell wins, she’ll use the power to help her people and get her revenge on the Risen.

But Bell doesn’t know how much she’s been lied to. She’s part of a conspiracy stretching back generations, and she’s facing much bigger dangers than the Queen’s Test. She’s up against the gods themselves.

Getting hold of that crown might just be the least of her problems.

Aboriginal writer Ambelin Kwaymullina has created a fast-paced, twisty narrative and an unforgettable heroine inspired by the strength and power of Aboriginal women.

Review: If you’ve been around Rich in Color for a while you know that I love reading books from around the globe, so when the request to read a YA novel by an Aboriginal writer came, I jumped at the chance. The story sounded interesting and as a fan of fantasy I was looking forward to it. I was not disappointed. The story drew me in and with its fast paced storytelling kept me intrigued right up to the end. 

The highlight of the book, aside from an awesome and likable character in Bell, is the worldbuilding. It was very clear that Kwaymullina took her time creating Bell’s world as the rules of her society, the different religions, the mythologies, and even the supernatural aspects of the world was so clear that Risen society felt completely real. I fully understood Treesinger beliefs and their ways of life which gave Bell her strength to survive in such a hostile environment. What also was impressive to me was the complete history of the world that was slowly revealed through the story as Bell figured out the truth behind her own personal heritage. Each chapter was a mix of revealing more of this complex world while mixing it with a story that had political intrigue, a mystery that needed to be solved, and an overthrow the government type of thriller. 

The heart of the novel is Bell Silverleaf, who when we meet her is dying but is brought back to life through a supernatural power. We realize she is someone special but because she is trapped inside a temple, she has been oppressed for much of her childhood.  Bell survives by lying to who oppressors, pretending to share their religious beliefs, but by holding fast to the beliefs of her Treesinger people. She is courageous and thoughtful and really rises to the occasion when she is entered into the Queen’s Test against her will. Since she is such a survivor, she leans on those skills in the test but also discovers how much of a leader she can truly be and how much she actually really cares not just for her Treesinger people but for people as a whole. The growth that Bell went on as she learned to lean into her power was what really connected me to her. I enjoyed going on the journey with Bell and wanted to continue on her journey after the end of the novel (I don’t know if there is a sequel, but I hope there will be). 

I really enjoyed Liar’s Test as it was a fun, immersive read that allowed me to escape into to another complex world for a brief moment. The story was full of plot twists that kept me guessing and drew me deeper into the story. This novel was so different than so much other fantasy and it is a world that I would love to visit again and again. 

[joys-of-everyday]

MXTX's women

Let's do ✨discourse™✨

Addendum: I checked out twitter (x now?) for the first time in ages and... um... maybe this isn't a good time for discourse. But hey, I love mxtx so I'm just going to do a Shen Yuan and pretend absolutely everything is fine.

I feel like a lot of the discourse around MXTX and sexism don't hit the mark? Things like 'there are few female characters', 'the female characters die', 'the female characters don't hold positions of power' are not indications as to whether a piece of work standing on its own is sexist. For example, you could write an entire novel about a sexless robot (which miserably fails the Bechdel test because there is only one character) and that says nothing about whether the work itself is sexist. This is an caricature of an example and of course, overall trends give a very different picture to individual works, so its not to take such works off the hook either. Similarly, including sexist troupes isn't inherently sexist, but equally arguing something is a 'critique' isn't a shield against criticism. Critique can be done badly, critique can become outdated, critique itself can be critiqued.

But equally the counterargument to this can't entirely be 'but look at x, y, and z - aren't they great female characters?'. Look, I love mxtx's women. I can write essays (plural) about mxtx's women. Many people already have. Then again, Eowyn from lotr is arguably a pretty deep character, but I would have problems if lotr was the best example of female representation we could come up with. The point being, the existence (or lack thereof) of strong female characters isn't (entirely) the point, even though it's often made out to be. Don't get me wrong, good female representation without strong female characters is... erm... hard. But if it was the crux of the argument, the discourse could be killed in three tumblr posts.

The bigger question(s) (possibly) is: What is its intent? How is that intent received?

SVSSS, MDZS, and TGCF are all extremely different pieces of work. SVSSS in particular stands out, because at its heart, it is satire. While debates around what kind of comedy is and isn't good exist independently of SVSSS, needless to say, judging satire in the same way you would say a murder mystery or a romantic fantasy is not advisable. Sha Hualing is a sexy demon lady whose clothes rip off in the middle of a battle. Why? Because that's saying something about a particular trope of a particular genre.

(Side note: I have opinions on how we shove different BLs together when they really shouldn't be under the same umbrella and how this muddies the discourse unnecessarily. I'm talking about Killing Stalking btw)

For SVSSS, if you get it, you get it (it's impossible to read without understanding this). While some loose threads exist about how female characters could have been more developed... man, do you know how much development my boy Mu Qingfang got? You're not sexist if you punch everyone (only half ironic here). (In terms of character development I also think this might be a fandom thing as well as a SVSSS thing.) But I think more relevantly, SVSSS tells you something about the way MXTX writes critique.

If you didn't notice, SVSSS is critique on two levels. First is the blatant critique of the harem genre, and the second is more subtle critique on BL, on fandoms, on webnovels, on literature. But while we get Shen Qingqiu's commentary guiding us through the first bit, this drops during the second bit. It takes Shen Qingqiu so long to realise that what he's living through is a crazy mishmash of BL tropes that the only narration you get on this is Pure Confusion. To realise Luo Binghe and Shen Qingqiu's early interactions is commentary on the 'dark and obsessive love' trope, you need to immediately realise that Shen Qingqiu telling you Luo Binghe is trying to kill him is just... Wrong. So (possibly, ofc I've no idea what's going on in the author's head) the intent is critique. But intent is meaningless without it being conveyed to the reader. So how are we meant to 'realise' what is going on?

Firstly, MXTX tells you. Shen Qingqiu goes: 'damn Luo Binghe isn't acting like in those weird danmei novels' and you're meant to go 'oh weird danmei novels I know about those'. Second is her very obvious use of tropes (even flagged!). 'Clothes rip/disappear in the middle of a serious situation, isn't this weird? Where have we seen that before?'. And thirdly, by introducing a sense of absurdity. Luo Binghe and Shen Qingqiu's relationship is presented in such an unconventional way (the master-disciple pair which generated a famous porno!) that it forces you to engage with it critically.

Okay, so what does that have to do with sexism? Take MDZS. We have a set of very tropey characters - 'the older sister', 'the scary mother', 'the strong independent woman', 'the damsel in distress'. We have explorations and subversions that go beyond tropes: Jiang Yanli's character shaped by her experiences in an abuse household, Yu Ziyuan's pride and loyalty, Wen Qing's well... everything, and Mianmian needs no explanation. We have flags to tell us we are meant to care about these issues: most obviously Mianmian experiencing gendered harassment for speaking up. All the women die! Yeah, isn't that a problem. Because it's the women sacrificing themselves, women silently taking on burdens, women chained by the circumstances of the world around them and still making choices about what is important to them (and it's often not themselves). The women aren't in positions of power/aren't shown to be as competent as the men! They're literally put down when they speak up, and don't the wives have a great time with their husbands. MDZS is critique of society. MDZS's women too are a critique of the society they (we) live in.

But not all critique is good critique! The first way that critique can fail is if it just isn't registered as critique by the reader. And this isn't always on the reader. If the author isn't clear enough on this, then they have failed to execute the intent of their work. And to this extent, I've heard enough people say that MDZS is maybe sexist as a first reaction (myself included) to think that yeah, maybe this wasn't well done. The flags are scarce. The subversions of tropes are subtle enough to be missed in it's entirety. Then again, MDZS often ends up as people's gateway piece into danmei, when it is probably better understood with more context - for me, coming back to MDZS after a big BL reading spree was exceptionally enlightening. As to whether it could have been better done in the bounds of the genre, without detracting from the banging story it was... I honestly don't know.

One way to go about it is, well... TGCF. Here everything is laid out to you to an almost bizarre degree. 'Look, isn't this a Hard Question' the narrative stops to tell you at multiple points, from Bai Wuxiang and Xie Lian's back and forths, to 'I don't know if what I did was right' speeches on a regular basis (maybe not regular but it was enough to notice). The troupes are still there but their twists are far more obvious. Xuan Ji is the 'deranged woman' who is (we are told multiple times) surprisingly normal and competent when she isn't around Pei Ming. Yushi Huang and Banyue are just obviously strong, competent, and in positions of power. Shi Qingxuan shines in all of her wonder, kindness, and unfortune. The flags are more glaring as well: Just Pei Ming's Existence, Ling Wen's whole backstory, Jian Lan's tragedy... And it probably worked? Since people seem to complain significantly less about any supposed sexism of TGCF.

Do I like it? I like elements of it. Ling Wen is honestly great.

But I love the subtlety with which MDZS weaves its themes and tbh I think some of the magic was lost there. (I love TGCF to bits for different reasons but yeah)

Does MXTX's writing of women merit discussion? Of course, everything merits discussion. Particularly MXTX's works which rely so heavily on genre tropes to craft themes. Is MXTX's work sexist? Idk, I would say no, but these things are Hard Questions.

But my feeling? My true feeling? At the very least, it is So. Much. Better. than a huge amount of work that tries to be feminist and pitifully fails.

My current pet peeve is the 'strong independent woman'. Depicting a sexist society then including a 'strong independent women' with no true appreciation of the realistic struggles she would face, as if the only barriers that we face within these societies is to stop being a loser... is worse in my books than not including any women at all. Or 'strong independent women' who turn out to be utterly pathetic and in constant need of saving. Or 'strong independent women' who have no other personality than being the 'strong independent woman'. The intent here is to come across as feminist and progressive without critically engaging in anything. It's paper thin.

Ultimately, the core theme of MDZS and TGCF isn't about women's experiences (whereas SVSSS is, I would argue, right into the nooks and crannies). Do these works explore such themes to the extent it explore privilege, conflict, and oppression? Not really. But you can't do everything - the role of an author is inherently about choosing what to prioritise. And given what it does do, I think it does some pretty neat things.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Sebek, Trey: Sugar Sweet and Bitter Step

Finally 👀 Sebek interacting with the dude that reminds him of his father… This is the juicy content I’ve been waiting for 😌 (It fucking slapped btw, did NOT disappoint 🦷 ✨ I especially loved when Sebek was describing the new candies he has tried and he describes pop rocks as candies that fucking attack you asduqbdoas) ASHDBAIDAIDqwehqbyoe8y IT WAS REALLY CUTE WHEN MALLEUS, LILIA, CATER, AND VIL'S VAS WISHED SEBEK-KUN HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN THE TWST YEAR III ANNI LIVESTREAM...

A Boy in Bloom, and his Flowering Future.

“What do you do on your days off?”

"Hmph, I'm glad you asked, human!" Sebek's laughter was smug and resounding. "I spend days off training!"

"You... train to relax? That sounds like an oxymoron."

The birthday boy scoffed. "As a knight and an attendant, there is no such thing as 'relaxing'! I must remain vigilant so as to best protect and serve the young master!!"

"I get that, but... your muscles would be sore after working out so much, right? You'd need to take some time off to recover, otherwise you'd be pushing your body to the brink and risk injuring yourself," Trey calmly pointed out. "I used to train back when I played soccer. Had to cut that short when I worked myself too hard, so I wouldn't want that to happen to you."

A sound like rumbling thunder collected in Sebek's throat. "O-Of course I know something as basic as that! I know to take breaks!! Don't belittle me, human!!

"When I say 'training', I don't mean it purely in a physical capacity! If I am not able to train my body, then I train my mind! As Lilia-sama says, tactical might has changed the course in many critical battles in the history of--"

"Oooh, I get it. You mean general self-improvement." His interviewer snapped his fingers as the clues all neatly fit together in his head. "So you like to read? What sorts of things do you usually go for?"

"A variety. I frequent the Mystery Shop to browse their selection, but Diasomnia and the school archives also contain a number of older volumes.

"Lilia-sama has advised that I expand my worldview, so I have taken it upon myself to read literature from many genres and eras. 'Even picture books have merit, Sebek! You should open your heart to them!' ... so he said."

"No kidding." Trey raised his brows. It certainly sounds like something Lilia would say... though I'm not sure how serious he was about it. "Hey, I've read some books to my little brother and sister before, so I could recommend a few to you."

"Picture books from the Queendom of Roses... I've yet to read those. I dislike having to make requests of others, but... on Lilia-sama's orders, I have no other option. You will provide a list of acceptable readings to me the day after today, understood?!"

"Sure, leave it to me." Trey offered a patient smile. "I gotta say though, I didn't think you'd be concerned about being so worldly. You seem a little too set in your own ways."

Ace and Deuce described him as hard-headed. Even Riddle said Sebek has a hard time handling horses in Equestrian Club because of his attitude.

Sebek looked as though he'd be struck in the heart. He recoiled, his face crumpling with upset.

"Hnngh!! I-I've heard as much from Lilia-sama that this would be a detriment if I am to serve the young master, who will no doubt face many diplomatic issues with other countries. That is why I'm making efforts to expand my horizons by diversifying my reading materials and experiencing new things."

"Such as...?"

"I have read in some texts that a good way to learn about other cultures is to consume their cuisine. I have taken to snacking on baked goods and sweets from different regions of Twisted Wonderland to this end. Cookies, muffins, and candies that the Mystery Shop stocks.

"There are lollipops in various shapes, candy so sour it makes your mouth bleed and colors it bright blue, and little granular candies that assault the taste buds with explosions when they hit your tongue...! Hard candies flavored with apples from different farms in Harveston, chewy taffies made with salt from the Coral Sea, gummy bugs from the Afterglow Savanna that gets stuck between my teeth, candied flowers from the Queendom of Roses..."

"Has the snacking helped you learn anything new about those places or the people that live there?" Trey asked, cocking his head.

Sebek paused to think. Moments later, he, with his full chest, proudly replied, "An Octavinelle student was monopolizing all the peppermint sticks in the shop, so I saw it fit to liberate them from his grasp!!"

"... In other words, you picked a fight with him." Trey sighed. "It’s… a start. A small one, but still a start if it gets you to interact with those outside of Diasomnia. You'll just have to keep working on that—baby steps now so you can be where you want to be in the future, yeah?"

"Indeed...!!" Sebek slammed the end of his broom into the ground, the motion hard and resolute. "If I wish to stand by Malleus-sama's side, I must do all that I can to be worthy of him. To go wherever the young master is... that is my greatest dream!!"

He grinned with his teeth, displaying prominent canines. poking out from between two rows of pearly whites. It was a smile as radiant as the sun.

"Oh, that reminds me." Trey indicated his own mouth. "I hope you're remembering to properly floss and to brush your teeth well after eating all those candies. It's important to take care of your dental hygiene, especially after eating sugary snacks."

"Grrgh...!! Where do you get off on, giving me orders!?"

"I wouldn't call them orders. They were just suggestions--though I think your teeth would be happier if you followed them," Trey joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Sebek's expression creased all the same.

"That you would see fit to suggest anything of the sort to me is offensive!!" the birthday boy grumbled. "My father makes similar remarks, no matter how often I remind him that I am a grown man!"

"Ahahah... I'm sure that's just his way of showing you that he cares. It's hard for any parent to watch their kid grow up. To them, that kid will always be their baby.

"Hmph! R-Ridiculous," Sebek declared. He haughtily turned away, his cheeks tinged pink. There was hesitation, and then an uncharacteristically quiet voice that slipped out. "You... really are like him in every conceivable way. I cannot fathom humans like you sort."

"Exactly why you're trying so hard now." Trey nodded to the sky above. It was a cornflower blue morning with a healthy sprinkling of clouds. "You've been training hard, so let's see you in action."

"D-Do not presume to understand my skill! I'll show you just how powerful I am!! Faster than light, stronger than lightning... I AM HE WHO HAS SWORN TO PROTECT THE YOUNG MASTER!!"

The vow was made, his ambitions announced.

In response to his decree, the broom fizzled to life. It lifted off the ground in a single strong stroke, Sebek easily swinging on. His robes fanned out behind him, fabric flapping loudly in an errant spring breeze.

Magic crackled in the air around them, hot as sparks, bright as stars. His spells matched his energy: loud and proud.

His grip on the handle was as steady as his resolve.

His fierce gaze, focused on the future.

[whitelotusherald]

I said I may or may not write my opinion about Blue Eye Samurai and guess who finished the first season and felt like sharing some stupid thoughts! (Gonna use they/them pronouns for Mizu - I think the creators' been using she/her but they just have that vibe, sorry.)

First of all, I'm NOT gonna praise it and say this is the best animated series I've ever seen in the samurai genre - this show is at most an okay copy/retelling of the classic Japanese revenge stories, however, it is still captivating.

For me, it felt like a mixture of two of my fav stories, namely Kaze Hikaru and Bakumatsu Kikansetsu. Mizu is pretty much like Kaze Hikaru's Sei (though a hundred times stronger and a million times more bloodthirsty with just an ounce of mercy) with a though start in life thanks to links to the Western world, losing family and wanting revenge so much that both of them end up leading the life of a man, often encountering how much better they are off in this role. On the other hand the whole show's vibe and Mizu's design remind me of Bakumatsu Kikansetsu's more serious tones and its hero, Akizuki - mysterious dude with unconventional clothing, blue eyes, a badass special sword, with the occasional rampage. Maybe my nostalgia towards both stories made me watch this one within a day.

The mix of Japanese and American storytelling was fun, although I must say that the baddies lacking complexity whatsoever made me itch sometimes. (Except for one dude, who really managed to fool me for so long.) Fowler is plain and boring, the most typical big brute Western guy they could depict, though it's fun to think this was an intentional copying of similar anime archetypes of Western characters. Taigen felt like a cheap imitation of Zuko being honor-bound but getting his ass constantly kicked, but who, by the end of the day, seemed to learn nothing. Ringo was fun and proved to be a million times useful indeed, though he just went and followed his heart in the twenty-fourth hour instead of his common sense, not helping those who would've needed it after all (though in the end it seemed like his help was not even needed lol).

Ah yes, this was my big problem with the show. Sometimes people just went to do stuff that... resulted in nothing. Like. Okay, go, warn people of imminent danger but what is the use when they can just...spot the danger like five minutes later without the warning and those minutes make zero difference? Ringo almost abandoned Mizu several times just to go after them eventually, for what?

But the series also offered some very clever ideas. For example, I truly thought that "oh my god are we going to get a two floors/episode fight or what? getting to Fowler will be like a stupid video game" just to have some pleasant surprise instead. Mizu's weapon... I'm not gonna go into that because I'm so in love with it! The red-light district and Madame Kaji and her girls were also A+ content.

This is again, something the show handled tastefully. Since anime can't show nudity without censorship (I think that law still exists?), I don't think there's any show, hentai or not where they could've got away with these sex scenes, but in an American animation on Netflix? No problem. I'm really not a fan of hentai or this type of mature content (I'd choose the most disgusting gore over it any time) but didn't bother me that we had a sex scene in every episode. (Maybe except in the last one.)

As for Mizu. Their whole aesthetics is so badass. You cannot not fall in love with them, ruthlessness or not. I know their whole character is built upon the fact that women couldn't get their revenge in the shogunate's era thanks to the strict patriarchy, and really, the most a women could achieve was rather Akemi's path. However, there are a few instances where it's not that easy to decide whether they are just pissed to be looked down upon as a woman, want to keep their secret, or there's more than that. They might be considered an unconventional woman who could never be satisfied with the traditional roles of women. One, who is forced to take on the role of a boy and does not know how to forget that when they can return to their womanhood. But that womanhood also feels forced. As if they're just simply outside of this whole shit that dudes are honorable samurai (or artisans / farmers / merchants), women are cooking and raising kids. That's part of the reason why I loved the idea that their sword is actually multifunctional and can be used as a naginata. Naginata became the weapon of women in the Edo era, so even though we're not there yet, it seems to have more feminine connotations than a katana. This double-shape of their weapon seems to reflect their soul. This is further emphasized by their outcast half-breed status, which, again, means they're not entirely one, not entirely the other.

Anyway.

Go watch the show.

It's worth it. Mizu is like some cockroach that refuses to die and kills at least a hundred people and just wants to be left alone to kill their enemies.

Please, watch it, otherwise we may never get to know how the fuck will white dudes die by the hands of a lowly half-breed who has the most crazy and determined eyes you've ever seen.

[hanibalistic]

RIBS | HWANG HYUNJIN. HAN JISUNG. LEE FELIX. KIM SEUNGMIN.

genre | fluff, angst, romance undertone, friendship au 

synopsis | you’re the only friend i need. 

word count | 10.4k +

warning | mentions of depression/depressive episodes / physics is not realistic here.

note | i could have finished this better but i’m no longer sad.

Felix was the only person who could drag you out of bed.

Hyunjin was swinging the car key around his index finger when he saw aggressive slaps of footsteps echoing from far away—a pair of sandals and a pair of sneakers. The window rolled down behind him, causing him to jump from where he was leaning. Seungmin clicked his tongue when he caught sight of the disbelieving glare Hyunjin threw for his carelessness, not because he thought Hyunjin was being dramatic but because he had rolled down the window on purpose.

“Good grieve, they can run louder,” Seungmin muttered sarcastically as he peeked over the window in search of two approaching persons.

Jisung chuckled from the car top, which Hyunjin had repeatedly nagged him to get off because the car was taken without permission from Hyunjin’s mother. He remained seated on it, though, cross-legged with his metal rings laid out after the boredom ensued from Felix taking longer than expected to get you out of your bed. He almost thought he would have to go home empty-handed.

“I’m just surprised they got out of bed at all,” Hyunjin said as he casually threw the car key straight upward. He caught it without looking, his fingers gripping the key, as he watched you and Felix emerge from the parking lot entrance in an unnecessary rush.

When you and Felix came to an abrupt stop before the car, the first thing both of you did was pant and catch your breaths. Cold air knocked the chills out of your lungs, and as you stared at your shivering shadow on the ground, you wondered why you let Felix convince you to go out this late at night in the first place.

He was the only person who could have gotten you out of bed during a depressive episode, and everybody knew that. Despite not being the closest to you in the friend group, if one could argue that there are even smaller cliques within a group of friends, he was somehow the only person who could motivate you to go above and beyond for a cause you knew nothing of. It has happened on multiple occasions, most disasters, but you cave into him every single time.

Such as the time he convinced you to fulfill the cast requirement for an indie theatre competition being hosted in the public library at night. It sounded like an embarrassing activity to take part in, and it was! If you guys had won, at least you could brag about it, but you did not, even though you could tell your team put in the most effort in the acting. Felix had not been dejected at all after the failure. He took you out for ice cream after bidding his theatre acquaintance farewell.

Or when Jisung wanted to take a trip to the train track for some edgy, deep thinking. Felix made you join them because he thought the more, the merrier. Also, Hyunjin had a midterm to study for, and Seungmin simply could not be bothered to put himself in that kind of stupid danger, where you lay down near the railroad to feel the tremor of the ground when the train drives past. Felix lay with you and Jisung on the other side of the tracks; he held your hand and reminded you to retreat your feet.

You supposed this time was no different. Your spontaneous friends have concocted a mysterious plan in which someone required all of you to participate. Felix was appointed the designated sad person retriever because you would have refused if anyone else had done it.

You had been on your usual spot on the bed, your head on a giant marshmallow plushie and your legs tucked and bent. Felix had, as usual, whenever you were going through a depressive episode, knelt before where you permanently stayed for weeks to talk to you face-to-face. It could be his gentle disposition. It could be his deep and coaxing voice, it could even be his comforting touch and firm promises to shield your potential discomfort once you are out into the cold, cold world.

It could be everything above. Or, it could just be that Felix was your friend, and despite his tendency for chaos, he has never once let you down.

You let him bring you out of your bed, and you two ran a few blocks down from the residential area of student dorm houses to the campus parking lot, where the rest of your friends were waiting for you. Regret filled your mind in trailing fog as you took uncomfortable deep breaths to steady your agitated body, courtesy of Felix’s athletic speed and inconsideration. You have not run this quickly for so long that this short run was enough to cause you to hyperventilate.

Jisung watched you with the chilly air piercing through the fabric of his jacket. Felix must not have given you time to prepare yourself because you arrived in your warm pajamas that no longer retained the heat of your room. The division from your exhausted body would soon fade as you begin slowing down, and the cold would hit you like icicles. He frowned in concern as he pulled at the hem of his sleeve before making up his mind.

He hopped down the car top, earning a warning whine from Hyunjin and an unnoticed wince from Seungmin inside the car. As he made his way around to approach you, he took his jacket off clumsily, leaving his toned arms out in the open. Goosebumps lined up his arms in the cold, but he still handed you his jacket with a hum of acknowledgment that he did not mind borrowing it to you.

“Thank you, Jisung,” you muttered as you pulled it over your head. It faintly smelt like him, like vanilla wood and cedar rain, but you were cooped up inside the house and were too far away to be engulfed by the fragrance.

“Don’t worry about it.” He waved at you dismissively before shoving his hands in his pockets. He strained and flexed his arms against the cold, finally realizing how cold the night really was. He looked at Felix with a disapproving smile of curiosity and asked a question to distract himself. “Why did you rush to get them here? We’re not operating on a deadline.”

“Oh yeah, I was gonna ask the same thing!” Seungmin said without trying to make himself more audible from behind a half-opened window. He was lazily peering at all of you outside from the car, his head rolled to the side and shaded over by the shadow. Only one of his dark brown eyes was colored by the fluorescent parking lot light.

Felix tilted his head in visible confusion. His brows furrowed with a knit to the middle before they relaxed, but his eyes remained faulty and questioning as he pulled his phone out from his jean pocket. He briefly informed himself of the time—it was midnight—and waved his phone in the air. “Were we not operating on a deadline? I thought Minho said he would only wait for five minutes by the peak, or he’s leaving without the shopping cart.”

You narrowed your eyes. A shopping cart? What kind of friend-group activity have these boys cooked up this time?

Your initial guess was that they had asked Minho, who worked the night shift at the local supermarket, to stall the end of his day so all of you could take a stroll around an empty supermarket.

It was one of the activities on Hyunjin and Seungmin’s bucket lists, both of them wanted to make it a practice for their photography hobby. Jisung likely agreed because the occurrence was aesthetic enough to be an inspiration for his music production hobby. Felix would join anything his friends were part of.

Minho may seem stoic and a self-benefitting opportunist, and he ultimately was a stoic and self-benefitting opportunist. There was no denying his priorities—himself and his loved ones—and his ability always to put the list first. But he was neither cruel nor selfish, and he could read situations like a hawk. He knew Jisung well, and through Jisung he knew you, somewhat. He may scoff at the idea of discreetly keeping the store open way after its closing time, but his heart was soft enough to do it if it meant you kids could have some time to relax through the painful university scheme.

But the supermarket was nowhere near the peak. The peak was up on the mountain top, and from what you knew, it was a place for athletic and optimistic people. It was a place of morning jogs and weekend hikes. Occasionally, beautiful girls and boys bring a picnic basket and knitted blanket uphill to take pictures. Then they promptly leave the hot sunny sky that juxtaposed the eternal chilly weather.

Neither you nor Jisung has the stamina or desire to hike up a mountain just to see an empty grass field on top. Hyunjin may have earned his license, but the narrow and rocky drive uphill always frightened him into being paranoid that an accident was bound to happen. Seungmin never indulged in sports and the pretentious fantasy of taking pictures for life validation. Felix only needed to experience the peak once, and that was enough for him.

The mountain was not a place for any of you, and it was nowhere near the supermarket.

“What did you guys plan?” You questioned before anyone could react to Felix’s concern about timeliness.

The boys exchanged glances, communicating only with their eyes and silently reaching an agreement. They had chosen to refrain from telling you anything about this meeting; its date and time, activity and purpose, location and route. It wasn’t hard to keep it a secret anyway. You had refused to meet and talk to anybody the past few weeks because of your depressive mood. But they made sure Felix would not disclose anything so you wouldn’t catch on that they went through all the trouble just to, hopefully, make you feel better.

For the operation to go smoothly, it would probably be best to keep every aspect of it a secret until everything they planned was carried out.

“You’ll see when we get there!” Felix replied with a chirp before he returned to the others. He frowned. “I swear Minho told us not to be late.”

“He did. We’re just not going to care,” Hyunjin said as he pushed himself off the car door. He unlocked the vehicle and opened the door to the driver’s seat. He got in carefully, his action contrasting his words, and as he slammed the door shut, he said, “What is he gonna do? Leave with the shopping cart? He’s not the type of person to do something like that.”

Felix hummed in dissatisfaction for a little before he shrugged, outrageously quick to come to terms with Minho’s free time could be exhausted and exploited in this situation. You watched as he walked around the car to the other side and got in, scooting himself to the middle seat. Through the window, you caught Seungmin kicking the driver’s seat after Hyunjin carelessly adjusted it back to accommodate his long legs.

Jisung stifled a chuckle when he saw the smirk on your face upon Seungmin and Hyunjin’s ceaseless banter. It was good to see you smile.

He had been so busy juggling his course credit internship and other class work that he barely got the time to pay you a visit or two during a much-needed time. He often thought about it, even though he knew his visit would remain outside your bedroom door where all he could do was knock, get rejected, and bid you goodbye.

But he thought it would do you good to know that someone is waiting for you outside your cocoon. He thought it would be nice for you to know that someone is waiting for you to take the time you need to leave your shell. So, supposed his visit was less of a visit and more of a reminder, where he would act as a memo paper stuck to the outside of your door, and you would only see it once every two weeks.

“Get in the car, you dimwits!” Seungmin called from the window after his eyes darted between Jisung, who was staring at you, to you. “Minho might just leave if we’re too late!”

Jisung perked up at Seungmin’s urge. It seemed that Seungmin successfully made Hyunjin pull his seat a few inches forward because Hyunjin looked rather irritated, but he still could not hide his humorous smirk from hearing what Seungmin said to both you and Jisung. Felix frowned in dismay but said nothing as he relaxed against the seat, catching a faint shut-eye.

“I’m riding shotgun,” Jisung announced as he jogged over to the other side of the car.

Hyunjin rolled his eyes. “No one’s fighting for the seat.”

“Okay?” Jisung ducked his head as he got into the car. “I still like to call it.”

Before Jisung sat down comfortably on the seat, he shoved away the mess Hyunjin carelessly placed on top. There was a box of tissue paper, a plastic water bottle, a round soap dispenser replaced with alcohol, and an opened zip-loc bag of face masks. It was all a concerned mother’s doing; Hyunjin’s mother always needed to have everything in the car for emergencies that never happened. It was bothersome, but only Hyunjin was allowed to say anything about it.

The only time any of you spoke up about the hoarded mess was when a water bottle had unknowingly rolled beneath the seats to the front, almost obstructing the way of the brake pad, when you all were hitching a ride to the night market on a summer Saturday night. Hyunjin’s mother had been very laid-back about it despite her paranoia about everything else. The fact that she allowed an additional person in the car (you had to squeeze between Felix and Seungmin and ended up sitting on half of Seungmin’s thigh) was a call for her lack of strictness.

“Ah–Jisung!” Felix whined when Jisung began throwing everything in the back seat.

You retreated your feet just in time before the dispenser could hit it. You clicked your tongue in agreement with Felix and Seungmin’s annoyance that Jisung’s solution to cleaning the mess was to dump it over to where you three sat. You helped pick up the hand sanitizer and water bottle, and you stuffed them into the side container that could barely fit the two items. Felix picked up the fallen masks and dropped them on Seungmin’s lap, and Seungmin picked up the tissue box so he could aim it at Jisung’s content face.

Hyunjin almost choked on the drink when Jisung got hit square on his temple with the corner of the tissue box. The offended whine that came out of Jisung was enough to cover the sound of the engine starting. As the car began to roll out of the campus parking lot, Jisung decided to stay still and keep the tissue box neatly on his lap.

Glancing at the rearview mirror, Hyunjin caught you staring outside the window at the passing street lights and bushes. There was neither a car nor a human in sight, but he knew you rarely looked for things to observe. Your mind has a castle of its own that changes according to your feelings and moods, that inside place of yours was enough of a worry.

Sometimes the walls are thick and impenetrable; the only way in is a secret door you must bloody your nails to find. Sometimes the double doors are open, but the bridge to cross the river stay uncooperative. Sometimes the river turns into an ocean with bodies sunk beneath. Sometimes the vines you grew and nurtured surround the castle walls like a prison. Sometimes the bridge is the remains of fire and ashes, but you stand looking across for people because the doors to the castle are locked.

Sometimes there are flowers and butterflies around. Sometimes it looks like a princess’s castle, with dreamy pink hues and soft sugarful doorknobs. Sometimes he gets to roam the grand halls like he lived in them and gets his own room with blank canvas and only the best quality paint made out of fresh fruits. Sometimes he gets to pick up a hammer and paint roller to fix the holes around the castle. Sometimes you ask him for help.

Hyunjin loved whatever state your castle could be in, even though he rarely knew the truth about it. Enough to stand on the other side of the bridge for a millennia, waiting for the wood to regrow into itself. Enough to drive up the dark, winding road uphill so he could bring you to see and do something that would hopefully make you feel better.

Without slowing the speed down, he reached down to grab the drink from the holder and took a sip. Then he raised the cup slightly and gestured it behind by shaking the cup, rattling the ice cubs inside. Everyone turned to him as if he had rung the bell of attention, and he asked, “Do you want a sip, [Name]?”

“What’d you get?” Felix asked, both for himself and for you.

“Ceylon milk tea. I got it from the local Taiwanese restaurant. For some reason, they’re selling Hong Kong style milk tea there,” Hyunjin replied as he reached behind for Felix to take the drink from his hand. “But it’s good. I thought you might like it.”

Felix raised his brow after he took a short sip. The moment the taste stained the tip of his tongue, he decided it was not for him. It wasn’t entirely bitter, but certainly the bitter taste did not overwhelm the subtle and traditional sweetness of a milk tea, which was that there were more tea and less milk and sugar. Dramatically pulling away from the drink, he nudged it to your side and you took it from his hand.

Hyunjin did not catch your grimace when you tried a sip. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t exactly what you would like either. Like Felix, you also thought there was an imbalance of the bitter tea and the sweet milk, where while the tea did not greatly overwhelm, it did stand out like a sore ingredient. You sipped one gulp after another, distaste forming in your brain but your hand wouldn’t stop bringing the straw to your lips. You needed something to drink, and you would drink anything before you picked up a water bottle.

“Hey, Lix,” you whispered with your head leaned close to his.

Felix moved toward you, but his eyes remained straight at the road illuminated by the headlights. “Hmm?”

“What are we doing?” You asked discreetly.

“Hmm…” Felix feigned thoughtfulness for a little. It felt like he was going to tell you what they had planned up at the peak until his face busted into a sly smile. He nudged your shoulder; he could already see you roll your eyes from his smile. Feeling playful as he would, he quietly said in a sing-song voice, “I’m not telling you! You’ll see when we get up there!”

You scoffed, taking another sip of the drink and realizing that your tongue and teeth must be stained the same dirty orange hue of the milk tea. You unconsciously ran your tongue over the front row of your teeth then, the way your lips pulled into a thin line conveniently acted as a displeased grimace. You looked out the car window and saw a pit of darkness with outlines of trees. Hyunjin was making his way uphill slowly; you chose not to comment on it.

“Is this your idea?” You added then, still questioning him despite knowing he might not answer you. “You better not have planned something atrocious!”

He gasped in disbelief, if disbelief has ever been paired with the joy of mischief. “Oh, come on! What do you take me for?”

His smile flattened when you stared at him with obvious disdain. Asking that question at this moment was nothing but a plea for insults. For a moment, you genuinely would not put it past him not to figure that social cue out. Your judgemental gaze was hollow and lacked substance because it wasn’t real, and Felix knew that. He returned your gaze with deadpan; he did not need you to answer, actually. His response was just something he could say in lieu of having to reject your question again.

“I didn’t plan this,” he answered eventually. “Jisung had the idea, and Seungmin figured all the logistics out.”

“I would say you’d be thanking me after all of this is over, but I highly doubt it,” Seungmin chimed in when he saw fit. He leaned his head forward so Felix’s voluminous hair (that, funnily, did not exist this morning) would stop blocking your view of him. He looked at you with his usual deadpan, exhausted eyes. You instantly knew he was roped into this through incessant annoyance. “Jisung’s idea is outrageously bad. I’m actually surprised his creativity can stoop even lower on the safety department.”

“Hey! I’m right here!” Jisung yelled, whipping around to direct his defence at Seungmin.

Hyunjin jumped at the noise that blasted right by his ear. Not to mention Jisung has been unmoving the entire ride, he assumed the short boy had fallen asleep. The sudden drastic movement sure jolted Hyunjin out of his fearful trance of driving on the narrow road of the hill. The car remained steady under his hands, fortunately. But still, he turned to glare briefly at Jisung, his eyes wide with warning.

“What are you looking at me for? Keep your eyes on the road!” Jisung retorted to Hyunjin’s unspoken words, his accusing finger having a field day in the air. The only thing missing from his aggressive performance was him waving the tissue box around.

Hyunjin clicked his tongue. His fingers gripped the steering wheel and shifted the car's direction accordingly as he spared short glances ahead. “I was gonna say don’t scream like that. It scares me, and I might run us off the road!”

“You’re gonna end up running off the road if you don’t stop looking at Jisung anyway,” Seungmin pointed out from the back.

“I still have a bone to pick with you, Kim Seungmin!” Jisung exclaimed as he dramatically turned around to face Seungmin. “I haven’t forgotten what you said about my plan!”

“What the hell did I just say about yelling when I’m driving!” Hyunjin gritted out before muttering faint profanities under his breath, his eyes finally settling longer on the path.

You, having seen Hyunjin jump at Jisung’s sheer volume, furrowed your brows and kicked the seat in front of you. Jisung shifted his focus from Hyunjin to you, his eyes wide with betrayal, and all you did was mouth at him to stop being so loud. Jisung pulled a face at you, but then he strangled out a defeated noise from his throat that mimicked the noise a child would make during a temper tantrum.

He would say something to pick a never-ending petty fight, but not when you were in the emotional state that got all of you here in the first place. You may not be in that place at this moment, as your friends surrounded you, and you seemed reasonably decent. Jisung just has no plans of upsetting you even by one-half of an inch, so he settled with a disheartened frown. He crossed his arms and slumped against the passenger seat.

The car was quiet again, saved for the tires rolling over tiny rocks on the soiled ground and the unknown bumping of the car as it drove on the narrow road. The previous tension soothed out quickly, leaving all of your attention on the scenery out the window, which was not much to see. Your hand, which was holding the drink, slowly fell against your lap. You ended up shifting the drink between your thighs so your hands could be freed to do whatever else they wouldn’t.

Your sight could barely travel far enough between the gaps of trees, and the restriction of the car window blocked you from seeing much of the sky. It was a never-ending road ahead illuminated by the headlights, which dimmed the actual color of its surrounding. The fog was either gathering or scattering the higher up you guys went; you could not be sure with the headlights and the dark night creating illusions in the air.

One thing you could see for sure was that a car was parked not too far ahead.

Hyunjin’s brows furrowed, and his head lightly raised from his fist that was propped up on the window pane. Jisung audibly questioned when he, too, noticed the familiar car parked in the middle of the road. When the car rolled to a careful stop, the three of you from the back seat decided to raise your concerns and leaned forward to catch a better glimpse of the blockage.

“Who parks their car slap in the middle?” Hyunjin muttered under his breath as he released his seat belt, but he made no attempt to leave the car. “A damn nuisance.”

“Maybe we aren’t allowed to head up the peak today?” Felix suggested, tilting his head as he squinted his eyes at the car. He could not recognize the license plate, not that he could for anyone’s car, anyway.

“Only the police can enforce that rule, and as I see it–“ Seungmin pulled a face of inconvenience, “that’s not a police car.”

“We should go check it out,” Jisung said with a shrug, then he eyed Hyunjin and nudged his chin toward the front. “Hyunjin, you go first. I’ll cover for you.”

You and Felix both hummed and shook your head in disagreement. Seungmin said nothing as he busied himself with accessing the situation more meticulously, such as trying to recognize the car itself or even the license plate. You guys lived in a small town, and the peak wasn’t a place tourists would pick. While not everyone knew everyone well, Seungmin thought he should still remember if he’d seen a certain vehicle driving around before.

He really doubted anything bad would happen.

“You’re so damn stupid, Jisung,” Hyunjin stated calmly, as if Jisung should already know his insult as a fact and should no longer be offended by it. “I thought you watch a lot of horror movies? Indulging suspicious situation is always the least intelligent thing to do.”

Jisung threw the tissue box on Hyunjin’s lap on impulse, clearly fed up. He hastily unbuckled his seat belt, strings of colorful profanity not even you have heard of on the ludicrous side of the internet—which was basically all the sides of it—leaving his mouth like soft bullets without a clear target. He spared a glare at all of you and scoffed. “If I get attacked by a stranger, it’s on all of you!”

He got out of the car and slammed the door shut. He opened it again a second later and poked his head in. He met eyes with you and quickly clarified, “Excluding you, [Name]. But the rest of you, hmph!” The door was slammed close again, much to Hyunjin’s dismay.

You stared at Jisung’s back as he marched forward to the car. His body shivered from the cold, which he unknowingly masked away through the angry stomps of his feet and possibly his fed-up annoyance toward everyone (excluding you, as he would clarify). You played with the hem of his jacket sleeve, feeling a sudden sense of guilt that you were sure your friends did not share.

Throwing derogatory statements around was not extraordinary. Spending years together has created a thoughtful list of what can be said and what would cross the line; of course, the only way to know what could be too far was that the line has been crossed in the past because rarely would anyone verbalize their specific boundaries until it has been breached. All five of you knew each other well enough to recall the list like the blemish on your backs.

Jisung lacking situational intelligence, Hyunjin being a lanky beanpole, Seungmin completely missing the humanistic point in every conversation, Felix sounding like classic but terrible soap opera stars with his weird accent, and you inherited not a single good gene from your parents. Were there things hurtful? Yes. Were they hurtful in the circumstance of your friendship? No, because it wasn’t true.

Jisung did not, in fact, lack situational intelligence. If anything, he may subtly be the best at reading a room. Hyunjin being a lanky beanpole was just another way to say he’s tall and lean, which has no true negative connotation behind it. Seungmin was, actually, almost always right about everything, and he almost always takes the best route. Felix—well, yeah, his was more of a joke than an insult, really, and he never minded it. You hated your parents! Of course, you didn’t inherit a single good gene. There is none to inherit!

Calling Jisung ‘stupid,’ or at least not defending him when it was done, was not why you felt guilty. It was because his jacket was on your back, he got out the car in shivering cold, and none of you decided to follow him just for an accompany. You sighed in defeat to yourself as you moved away from the window and turned to Felix. You made him hold the milk tea before unbuckling your seat belt and leaving the car.

“Jisung!” You called as you jogged up to him, who was already beside the car.

When you made it to where he stood, you found him already engaged in a conversation with somebody else. You side-stepped from behind him and poked your head over his shoulder, immediately recognizing the cart from the local supermarket and, standing behind it with his arms crossed before his chest, Minho.

Minho paused mid-sentence when he noticed your presence. He quietly acknowledged your presence by scanning you up and down. He pieced two and two together immediately; Jisung did bring something to keep himself warm, but the clothing was just not on himself anymore. And you were in a surprisingly minimal amount of fabric; he assumed you came straight from home. You would have been colder than Jisung would be. The boy made a selfless call.

Minho’s annoyance clearly faded into his furrowed brows and relaxed shoulders as he began reasoning with himself on whether it was fair to be irritated with you all. He concluded that it was fair: he ended his shift late, he stole company property, he had to wait for you all to be done with whatever it was so he could return said property, and his father’s van (which he borrowed to fit the shopping cart) broke down before reaching the peak.

Minho was beyond annoyed. He could have been home, doused himself with hot water and a nice body wash, and spent some time playing with his beloved cats. But no, Jisung and friends were about to do something very important. Jisung and friends needed to—Minho eyed you pointedly—cheer one of their friends up from a depressive episode.

The feeling of unfairness could only go so far until it reached a roadblock, and then it was altruism and the guilt for not wanting to enact it. What could he do? Deny Jisung’s request? Tell your friends that it wasn’t a big deal because everyone gets upset once in a while? Look at the kid in town he watched growing up turn from just being shy to, on occasion, dangerously miserable, and tell himself it was none of his business?

“Get Hyunjin out here, I need his car to help jump-start mine,” Minho said.

“It is technically his mom’s car,” Jisung clarified.

Minho grimaced with nonchalance. “She can take it up with him.” He said as he went toward the other side of the car, presumably getting the necessary tools from the trunk.

You turned around wordlessly and moved into everyone’s line of sight. Hyunjin raised his brows at you questioningly from behind the wheel, his head still propped up on the base of his palm. The two at the back poked their head over to the front. You beckoned them over, mouthing at them to get out of the car. It took a short moment of confusion and you waving your hand more aggressively before Hyunjin took the initiative to leave the car. The rest followed him.

It took Hyunjin a few big strides to make his way to you. He stopped promptly behind you, and his torso leaned slightly to the side as his eyes adjusted to the dark atmosphere. Minho was already out of sight by the time you all gathered by the front of the van, leaving only the shopping cart to signify his supposed arrival.

Felix furrowed his brows at the sole existence of the shopping cart and looked around the area. “Where is Minho?” He asked. “Also, I don’t remember his car being a van.”

“It’s his dad’s,” Jisung replied as he moved around the shopping cart and curled his fingers around the handle. He pushed it forward, away from the van's headlights and into a darker spot, and he looked back at all of you. “It was the only thing big enough to hold the shopping cart.”

“Must be a hassle for him,” Seungmin muttered with no remorse. Minho agreed to do this after he clarified with detail what Jisung initially told him about this plan. Sympathy and gratitude should be given where it is due; this was not one of those times. Arching his neck slightly to look at the top of the mountain, which was their supposed meeting destination, Seungmin added, “He didn’t even make it up to the peak.”

“His car broke down,” Hyunjin guessed before walking to where the shopping cart was. He took some time to glance down the road further uphill and found that there wasn’t much he could see with everything being so dark. The city light did not travel here. “We’ll just walk. It’s not that far up ahead.”

You perked up when Hyunjin suddenly beckoned you toward him. You tilted your head in question but listened nonetheless. Seungmin followed behind you, leaving a baffled Felix behind.

“Hello? Is nobody curious about Minho’s whereabouts?” Felix mused incredulously under his breath, but upon not wanting to be left alone, he jogged up to the rest of you.

“He’s probably getting tools to fix the car,” Jisung mentioned off-handedly while listening to Hyunjin’s instruction to keep the cart steady. “He said he needed to jump-start it.”

Seungmin hummed in thought, then he huffed out a sardonic laugh and peeped at Hyunjin, who was busy helping you into the shopping cart. Hyunjin did not notice the attention given to him. He kept his grip firm around the sides of your waist and hoisted you upward, slowly dropping you into the cart before you adjusted your position against the cold metal cage. Seungmin pursed his lips slightly then, mildly intrigued at this decision.

“Didn’t you just say it’s not a long walk up,” Seungmin pointed out to Hyunjin without verbalizing his point.

You watched quietly with a smile as Hyunjin scoffed with an eye roll. There was no intention to answer the question, and you knew Seungmin wasn’t really bothered about whether you would walk up to the peak. It was just a petty fight to pick, something he could say to dampen the mood in a friendly manner. Felix even cordially shoved the both of them and offered to join you in the cart to add to the weight.

“Hyunjin!” Minho’s call hit right when you guys were about to depart uphill. He appeared from the side of the van with jumper cables in his hands. He knocked on the van with his knuckles to get himself attention, as if his voice wasn’t loud enough to jolt everyone out of their little bubble. “I need to jump-start my car. Can you lift the hood?”

Hyunjin exhaled incredulously, his face scrunched in disbelief as he gestured toward the van and his mother’s car. “What are you talking about? I never said I was going to help you with it,” he argued, but his feet moved as if he was ready to help. Or he could just be getting closer to continue the disagreement in a corner. “How are you even going to do that? You would need to turn the car around, your cables aren’t long enough.”

“He scared me,” Felix muttered with a sigh. He placed a hand on his heart, then two fingers at the base of his jaw to feel his pulse. When you laughed, he glared childishly at you. “Don’t laugh! He came out of nowhere!”

“And he’s stirring up trouble,” Seungmin chimed in with a grimace, his eyes focused on where Hyunjin went off to.

Jisung turned his head to look over his shoulder. He could not see where the two had gone off to, but he could hear them throwing words at each other. He did not understand those vehicular terms well, but he supposed he did not need to sense that an argument was brewing. Looking away to Seungmin, Jisung grabbed his friend’s attention with a soft yell before tapping the shopping cart's handle welcomingly.

“I’ll handle them,” Jisung said. “Just head up there. We’ll catch up. And watch the cart, it’s a bit heavy–ow! Ow! I didn’t mean you!” He panicked when you reached up to pinch his forearm, one leg stomping against the ground while he made no genuine attempt to remove himself from the pain.

Seeing that time was being stalled, Seungmin ushered Jisung away while muttering words of dismissive annoyance, his lips pulled into a constant grimace. Jisung clicked his tongue and retaliated by throwing air punches, but he soon left to deal with the hollering voices by the cars. Seungmin returned to you and Felix, his hands curled around the handle before he scoffed.

“He walked right into that one,” Seungmin commented as he began to walk uphill. Felix followed along with a faint giggle.

You laughed with him as you leaned your back against his direction and relaxed. “He did.”

Then it was quiet, again, like the norm between friends.

Felix had not attempted to help Seungmin push the cart uphill; Seungmin did not look like he was struggling, and the slope was not so great that walking up itself would be troublesome. The rusty turns of the mini wheels proved the old age of the shopping cart. The squeak with every other full turn blended in harmoniously with the nighttime chirps, and soon enough, you found out you could no longer hear the voices of Hyunjin and Minho.

The air was cold, cold enough for your lips to turn frosty and dry. You wrapped Jisung’s jacket closer around you and rubbed your hands together. Mindlessly as you blew air at your palms, you glanced up at the night sky and remembered that you were under one. The visibility of the stars from up the mountain surprised you, and there didn’t look to be any clouds of a different shade than the gentle dark sky.

Turning your head, you looked to the sky's left and right side of the sky, unsure whether they were East and West. It was a big blanket blue; dark enough to be black but not dark enough to rid itself of its morning colors. You switched your position so you could better stare upward, which had you slumping lower on the cart and leaning the side of your head against the back of Seungmin’s palm.

You didn’t even notice that he wasn’t holding onto the handle anymore and was instead leaning against it. The air was icy cold, but his hand was warm.

Seungmin briefly glanced at you when he felt the tickle of your hair against his skin. You spared him no mind, your eyes focused on the night sky he so often sees. He could barely see your features, but he supposed there must be a childlike glow on your face with how long you stared at the sky, as if it was a foreign object of fascination and not an exiting ceiling of the world.

Seungmin softened at the thought. He liked it when you had no anger and no grudge. He liked it when there was nothing to pressure you into a certain expectation. He liked it when you got to dangle your legs on the edge in relaxation. This was how the world should be like for you, and through that, how he thought the world was all it was for him.

He had always prided himself in his logic and truths, but most importantly, it was how he could deter himself from it. Nothing about what he was doing was good for him; he could be resting at home under warm covers, except he was at the peak without his parent's knowledge. But then his world became more than just picking the best option or knowing the right thing. The world became more than just from life til death but every moment in between.

This was what it’s all about to Seungmin, perhaps. Sneaking out of home to execute a illogical plan of cheering up someone in a bad place. Pushing a stolen shopping cart uphill and letting his friend lean their cheek on his hand as they stare at the stars, and he says nothing because his friend is not angry anymore. Basking in solace because he likes it when his friend can finally rest their head.

It had always just been about that.

“Here we are,” Seungmin announced when you three reached the peak.

You looked away from the sky and forward. There was a bit of ground before the peak reached a downward slope. Seungmin pushed the cart closer to the edge where the slide began and stopped. Curiously, you raised your head to check out the scenery. There was a straight path downhill to a cliff of some sort. You could not be sure. Trees were growing from below, and the ground may not be too far down as the trees way below the tip of their growth.

The path was singled out by the grass fields surrounding it, which you assumed meant people had walked down this slope toward the cliff before. Perhaps it was just a short jump down? You had no intention of finding that out. Moving your eyes away from far ahead, you noticed something lodged at the cliff's edge that stood out to you. It was a wooden board, possibly bigger than the wheels of the shopping cart but not too big that it would be noticeable to someone not paying attention.

“It’s so dark out here,” Felix muttered as he looked around the area.

It wasn’t eerie, per se. One might think so if they were afraid of the dark, but Felix wasn’t that kind of person. He was cautious but not necessarily scared, primarily due to him not believing in the supernatural.

“Yeah, it’s nighttime,” Seungmin responded. “It tends to get dark outside.”

“Have you ever, just, not said anything?” Felix asked with a bitter smile upon Seungmin’s sarcastic remark, and he felt a sudden surge of irritation when Seungmin decided to stay silent as a response.

“Hey, you guys,” you called as you turned around to face your two friends, completely disregarding the tension in the air. “Do you guys see that thing over there by the cliff? The super small wooden sign thing.”

Felix relaxed and checked out the way your finger was pointed. He squinted his eyes to see better before he giggled in realization. “Oh, that! Yeah, I see it!”

“You see it?” You questioned with a scoff. “You sounded like you knew it.”

“I–what?” Felix huffed out a laugh discreetly, then he waved his hand and shook his head. “What are you talking about?”

Seungmin rolled his eyes at Felix’s obliviousness. Felix had done the most part in keeping this operation a secret, but he was still careless. It wasn’t such a big deal. They just decided to keep everything a secret until last minute just in case you could give their idea an immediate rejection, which Seungmin guessed you would. Either way, Seungmin couldn’t even find it in himself to blame Felix. Who would have thought you would pick up on how Felix laughed at your question? Certainly not either of them.

“We asked Chan to put it there this evening because he was usually close by at that time,” Seungmin informed. He looked like he was debating himself for a moment before he added, “It was part of the plan Jisung made.”

You hummed knowingly and returned to the wooden sign. You wondered what it could possibly do there.

It simply looked like a blocking sign that would be too easy to avoid. Was it to block you guys from falling off the cliff? If so, why did they not just plan something farther away from the slope? Besides, you did not think any of you would be clumsy enough to roll down a hill! A wooden sign like that could not have been for a blockage! But what else could it be for?

“What is the plan?” You asked again, this time looking solely at Seungmin. “I asked Felix before, but he wouldn’t tell me.”

“That’s because we all collectively decided not to,” Seungmin said. “I mentioned you might not like the plan we have for you. I meant that.”

You sat up on the cart before slowly getting onto your knees. You faced Seungmin, your torso leaned forward as if to intimidate him with the proximity, but he made no attempt to remove himself from the space you intruded in. Calmness took over his expression despite your relentless stare. He has no intention to tell you right now when you could very well up and leave the scene. Then they would have done all of this for nothing.

Felix was frowning at the side while he watched the two of you stare at each other in silence. He has had this unshakable thought that he was being ignored since Hyunjin stopped the car in front of Minho’s van. Things may have been more hectic than needed, and he was being relatively quiet, but wasn’t this a little too much? It happened when Hyunjin was busy hoisting you into the shopping cart, and just then when you leaned on Seungmin’s hand to gaze at the sky, and now!

No. He was not overreacting! He has been standing obediently on the side the whole time! Has the narrator of this story forgotten about him?

“What the hell are you two doing?” Felix asked lowly after he approached you and Seungmin and placed his head between the space of your faces. He side-eyed both of you with judgemental confusion before he leaned away and scoffed, “I’m not here to third wheel.”

“You’re one to talk. This is happening because of you!” Seungmin said.

“How is this happening because of me?” Felix retorted with his hands raised in mock defense. He dropped his arms and placed his hands on his hips, and his eyes squinted in motherly disagreement. “Honestly, is it really that big a deal to tell them? It’s about to happen anyway.”

“What is about to happen, Lix?”

“Oh, an endearment!” Seungmin let out a breathy giggle that was painfully sarcastic. “But no, you are the third wheel.”

You glared at Seungmin for chiming in the conversation without an answer to your much-asked question. You found Felix pursing his lips in thought, possibly thinking whether he wanted to tell you what Jisung had planned or how to tell you what they planned to do. He gave it a moment before he shrugged to himself and approached the handle of the cart so he could better point you toward a direction.

“See over the cliff?” He asked with a jab of his finger. When you nodded, he continued, “It’s not a cliff, actually. It’s just a small drop down. You can jump if you’re brave enough. It’s not that big a deal. But, here’s the thing!” He moved forward and gestured down the slope leading toward the edge. “The slope is steep enough that if you speed down and jump, the momentum will push you high enough to see over the trees.”

“That’s not–“ Seungmin hummed from behind you, “that’s not really it.”

You turned your head to question him with a pointed look, and Seungmin sighed in defeat.

“Okay, think about skateboarding park structures,” he started, using his hands to demonstrate. “They usually have structures with an inverted dome shape, like a ‘U’ shape with the top of each side higher up.” He pointed at the tips of his fingers after he made a ‘U’ shape with one hand. “Now, if you slide down from one side, you get a push to go upwards to the other side. Subsequently, you fly into the air.”

You narrowed your eyes, glancing from Seungmin to the wooden board on the edge that seemed to act as a pseudo-momentum maker. If Seungmin was using a skateboarding park as an example, something would be pushed over the cliff or flung into the air. Was it the shopping cart? Was Jisung trying to see if physics could make a shopping cart go skyward? They wouldn’t need you here for that, though!

“Oh my god,” you whispered as recognition hit you, then you repeated it louder and angrier for them to hear. “Oh my god!”

“Wait! [Name], hear me out!” Felix rushed over and tried to prevent you from jumping out of the cart.

“I have nothing to hear from you guys!” You protested, trying to remove Felix’s hands on your shoulders which continued to coerce you back into your original seat. You attempted to stand up again, but the shaking of the cart forced you back down. “I’m not getting flung off a cliff, you maniacs!”

“What did I say?” Seungmin muttered as he gripped the shopping cart handle tightly to prevent you and Felix from shaking it down the hill. “I told you we should have waited to tell them!”

“What is waiting gonna do, huh? We should have let this be a surprise!” Felix argued, trying to gently shove you away from leaving the cart. “It’s not really that bad, [Name]! We’ve tested it out before!”

“Well, we can’t exactly lie to them either!” Seungmin chimed in despite the ongoing tug-of-war you and Felix were having. When Felix could not find the time to respond to him, he whined and gave Felix a kick on the ankle. “Hey! Did you hear what I said?”

“I’m a bit occupied?” Felix exclaimed. “How am I the only person trying to keep this operation going?”

“It’s going nowhere, Felix!” You hollered.

“Be quiet!”

Seungmin winced and immediately reached up to cover his ears when he heard Jisung scream beside his head. Felix also paused in surprise to find that Jisung and Hyunjin had already made their way uphill to where you guys were. Jisung laughed sheepishly at the glares he received, a hand reaching to scratch his neck. Hyunjin seemed to have deciphered what had possibly happened, and he rolled his eyes in annoyance. He knew Jisung shouldn’t have told you guys to go ahead without him.

The silence from the sheer shock created by Jisung’s scream was short-lived as, very quickly, your noises of panic set in.

Seungmin blinked a few times to register the sound of rolling wheels, and he finally processed that his hands were no longer holding onto the handle to stop the cart from running downhill. Felix followed Seungmin’s gaze forward, and he widened his eyes when he saw that the shopping cart was already tipping backward and rolling down the steep slope. This was not how it was supposed to happen, even though he had just suggested inputting the element of surprise!

“Shit, they’re falling!” Jisung yelled after you.

“Hey! Hey!” Felix was the first to bolt after you, disregarding his friends’ protest.

He choked on his saliva when he tripped on his own feet. He managed to stumble back up just in time, and the quick steps of his stumbling boosted his body forward so he could catch up with the cart. He extended his arm forward as best as possible and wrapped his hand around the cart's handle. He thought about pulling backward, and immediately he went against it because he knew his body was not steady enough to go against gravity in this clumsy state.

Your heart flew in a million different directions in your chest, unsure how this would end. If what Seungmin said was right, this drop wouldn’t be too steep. Death would have a lower possibility of occurring than injuries, which to you did not feel comforting because you intensely disliked pain. You briefly turned away from Felix to watch the nearing edge. Then you looked back at him struggling to catch up, and then upward at your friends on top of the peak running downward.

A giggle left your lips. It was an involuntary reaction, so out of place that you laughed at the existence of it. You were rolling down toward a cliff, and all you could do was laugh because… you weren’t exactly scared, were you? No. You were not. The wind blew against your face harshly, reminding you that you were falling backward, and you could only keep grinning.

This was thrilling, if anything, like a roller coaster without any safety measures. And the sight of your friends running after you like moths to a flame. Their ugly, frightened, and hurried expressions painted their supposed pretty features. And the knowledge that Felix would bolt after you regardless of the risk. It was funny. These were your friends. Your stupid but loveable friends.

It reminded you of when Hyunjin almost broke Seungmin’s nose after he managed to coax Seungmin onto a skateboard and decided that Seungmin was skilled enough to handle himself on a skateboard down the stairs. Or when Jisung thought it was a tremendous teenage experience to stand too close to Mines on New Year's Day even though the firework was loud and firey. Events that made you all scream in excited fear, in the joy of misery, friendly fire.

Briefly turning around, you closed your eyes and braced for impact when you saw that the shopping cart was nearing the wooden block. It hit with a forced and abrupt stop, and as expected, you found yourself being hoisted up into the air high enough to see over the trees—over the trees, you saw, was the city. Time seemed to slow down when you recognized the place of your residence from all the way up at the peak, and your heart opened.

Lights sprawled across the plane of existence; in street lights, in neon signs, in bedrooms lights, in headlights. The city's center was far away from the town where you lived, but as a whole, everything was vibrant and beautiful, and everything existed together. There were people on the streets, people in their apartments, people in cars, and people in stores. The lights stayed on because people were alive, and sometimes you forgot you were part of the promise that the city would remain awake forever.

People exist around you all the time, a sign of livelihood and human intimacy when you acknowledge them quietly, repeatedly, day after day. The old lady at the local convenience store, the classmate you never talked to, the group of kindergarteners crossing the road with their teacher, and you whose bedroom light stays on as a guide point for the adults returning home after a long day of work.

We all promised each other to stay alive by unknowingly inserting ourselves in this massive knowledge of ‘Us,’ so stay alive.

“I got you!”

Felix stepped onto the back of the lower tray and jumped upward. He used the handle as leverage to push himself further into the air, almost falling backward when his weight overwhelmed the empty cart. He gave a hasty push with his feet against the basket edge, finally being within arm’s reach of you, and he wrapped his arms around your body just as you two went over the cliff and began falling.

You buried your head toward his chest, your eyes shut tight, and Felix placed his hand on the back of your head to shield you from the fall. When you two landed, it was on a soft mattress, but the fall itself was so heavy that even as you landed on a mattress, your bodies ached. After Felix released you, you looked up to find him carefully scanning you for discomfort, and you laughed.

“Where did the mattress come from?” You asked between fits of giggles.

“We also asked Chan to put it here. He had a spare one at home.” Felix replied. Then he raised his brows in confusion. His heart had never run this fast, and you were laughing with every fiber of your positive bones. He huffed a questioning noise then, tilting his head into the mattress. He panted between words. “What’s–what’s so funny?”

You slowed down a little at his question and decided not to answer him because you had no idea why you were laughing, either. You were just excited, but there was no reason why you felt so. You were in no mood to explain your feelings to anyone and seek out the root of them for yourself. You just wanted to be in the moment where your body was thrown into uncontrollable joy.

Felix did not push further. He let a smirk show, and he rolled his eyes in defeat. “Okay. As long as you’re happy, then I have no complaints.”

You exhaled. You were happy. Even if it was for this moment, you felt better than staying cooped under your covers and drying your sore eyes for days. You thought about doing something when you get home; perhaps you would eat a cake, drink sodas, or read a book. Or you could hang out with your friends again and catch up with them.

You blinked away the fog in your eyes. You felt fine.

And then it was quiet. Quietness was what being friends was about. Or perhaps it was all about being more than friends and not knowing it, but that was not for this story to discover. This story was about great friends doing the stupidest things to make each other smile again. For the most part, the plan succeeded.

“You ran after me,” you muttered to Felix and placed a hand on his cheek. “That’s stupid.”

He smiled and watched you with an affectionate glint. Even the raise of his brow seemed to scream that he admired you greatly, and he never wanted you to be sad. “You think so?”

You grinned audibly with a nod, and there was something about him. There was something about Lee Felix that made him the only boy who can ever drag you out of bed. There was something about him that you never dared to open your heart to, but the thrill that hasn’t died down yet made you want to move closer to him. You felt you could kiss him, and he wouldn’t mind.

“You know what I take you for? Remember you asked me that back in the car,” you said suddenly, and despite not remembering what it was, he nodded to hear you talk more. You kept your hand on his cheek, memorizing his face forever, and whispered, “You’re like a gentle stream of water. You don’t hurt me, Felix.”

Felix wouldn’t mind if you kissed him now. He wouldn’t mind a bit.

“What about me? What do you take me for?” Jisung popped out of nowhere—since when did he get this skillset?—and leaned his head down to stay above Felix’s. He smiled with his eyes closed, smug and shameless, and he jutted his cheeks out on purpose by pursing his lips. “Put your hand on my cheek too, [Name].”

You laughed and did as he wished. He smiled with a soft nuzzle against your palm. For a moment you let the coldness of his cheek still the blood running through your veins. This boy was real, and he was your friend. Much like Felix, who laid across from you, and Seungmin, who sat next to Hyunjin by the edge of the cliff. They were all here, and they were alive, and so were you.

These boys were your best friends, which was why you get to do this.

“You! Are! A! Psychotic! Rodent!”

Jisung gasped, then he began yelling in pain when you switched from a gentle hand to a harsh pinch on his cheek. You got up along with Jisung and forced him to stay at a place as you went off on him for even thinking of this in the first place. Felix stayed behind you, glancing at Jisung apologetically while he kept his peace by remaining silent. He knew if he tried to chime in, he would be kneeling next to Jisung and getting an earful from you, so he opted to say nothing.

Seungmin and Hyunjin, who decided not to jump off the cliff so they could help pull you guys up later, sat down to rest. Hyunjin chuckled under his breath upon Jisung’s gloomy state, and he laughed even more at Jisung’s audacity to whine out loud in response to your scolding. Seungmin scoffed, knowing this was going to take longer than usual. He nudged Hyunjin’s elbow then, and one shared look with each other came the conclusion that neither of them would help Jisung out of the trouble he put himself in.

He has really got the learn how to read the room for once!

[bakugokemkatsuki]

Alleyway (pt. 1)

Dabi (Touya Todoroki) x Reader (GN?)

**Note: I wrote this invistioniing a Fem! Reader but never actually say/imply it so anyone could read **Genre: Fluff(?) **Warning(s): Cussing, and weapon meantioned **Word Count: 642 **Key: Talking Dabi, You

“Can you drop the fucking knife?” “Why don’t you drop the fucking attitude first, sweetheart?” Dabi had you pinned against a wall knife to your neck. This wasn’t this first time you had been in this situation with Dabi threatening your life, but you were certain to make it your last. “So why are you here, doll?” His voice dripped with arrogance and mockery with every word. “Come to finish me off at last?” You stayed silent trying to think of a way out of this. He overpowered you and being quirkless put you in a very bad position.

You remember your first encounter like it was yesterday. You were working with the pro heroes because though you were quirkless you were quite the detective. You were able to help solve many cases because of your amazing deductive reasoning skills. You ended up on a case about some mysterious fires killing several people. At first the investigators chalked it up to being accidental or an arsonist. Then the league of villains came on the scene, and you quickly pieced the puzzle together. Now when you had your first encounter you didn’t know nearly as much as you know now. This time you were prepared. The first meeting you had ended up in the crossfires of pros and the league of villains. Dabi had grabbed you and threatened to incinerate you then and there. He ended up letting you go but he also got away. This time was different though.

This time was different because after that encounter you did all the digging on Dabi as you could. Finding out anything and everything the agency had on him. You tracked his movements and kept digging. When digging you discovered the only Touya Todoroki case. It didn’t take long to connect the dots (though everyone thought you were just reaching after all Touya was dead). You knew the truth though and you were planning on using that. Now was your chance and yet you found yourself struggling to take him down. Tell him you know the whole truth and get answers. You had a pager in your pocket you could press, and pros would come running to the rescue, yet you found yourself unable to do it. You didn’t know why but being this close to him you couldn’t help but get lost in his beautiful blue eyes. Why? He was a villain, he stood for the opposite of your values, yet you couldn’t help but want to be closer to him.

“Hello, sweetheart. You listening?” You were totally zoned out and had missed most of what he had been saying. “Listen… I need to tell you something.” “Go on then, tell me.” His grip loosened and he moved the blade away, but you didn’t try to run. “Dabi, is it? I’ve been researching about you and investigating you. Tracking you even since our first meeting.” “Wow my own stalker.” “Shut up. It was for my job not for pleasure, I’m not a freak. Anyways I came across something and I was just wondering. You’re the “dead” Touya Todoroki aren’t you?” He completely let’s go of you and stumbles back momentarily, stunned by your question. “How did you know? No one knows?” “I came across the file while I was doing research on you and unlike my incompetent coworkers, I was able to connect the dots.” “Yes.” “Yes?” “I am Touya Todoroki.” Silence fell between you two, finally he spoke again. “The pager in your pocket. You could’ve pressed it by now. I know it alerts the pros to your location and they’ll come to save you. So why not press it?” “Honestly? Because I don’t think I need them to save me. At least not here. Not from you.” “What’s that suppose to me?” “I just mean I think I’m safe with you….”

[lily-blue]

Never the right time

☆ characters: scout member!minho & new recruit!you ☆ genre: attack on titan au, soldiers au ☆ warnings: physical fight, brief mention of death ☆ request: FWS14. form this prompt list ☆ summary: Minho tries to make you quit before your stubbornness gets you killed (a new expedition outside the walls is around the corner) ☆ words: 1,1k ☆ dedicated to: @dat-town​​ ♥

Since you had never been one of those people who fed themselves with comforting lies, you could confidently admit to yourself that you had conflicting feelings about joining the Scout Regiment. You didn’t dream about becoming a hero and solving the mystery of titans for the future of humankind; you didn’t yearn to see what was outside of the walls the way most Scout members did at one point in their lives; and you definitely weren’t looking for revenge, as the day the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan had breached Wall Maria, their attack had freed you from your abusive family. You didn’t hate titans, you just acknowledged that the world would have been a safer place without them. Especially because their existence had indirect negative effects on the remaining population of the world.

When the titans had driven humankind to the verge of extinction, Wall Maria, Wall Rose and Wall Sina had been built to protect the remaining population. Each wall had kept one third of the human kingdom safe, which meant that even though too many had died the day of the attack, Wall Rose couldn’t have offered shelter for every survivor (and Wall Sina with its wealthy residents hadn’t even bothered to try). At first, the citizens of Wall Rose had made some attempts (or at least they had made it seem that they had), but the reality had been, there hadn’t been enough food for this many people. Hence, the quests for taking Wall Maria back had begun.

Hundreds of untrained and physically weak people had been sacrificed to reach an impossible goal, so that they wouldn’t have needed food inside the wall. And with you not contributing too much to the economy, you had known that sooner or later it would have been your turn. Thus, you had decided to participate in the military training when they had been recruiting in your neighbourhood, because that way you would have at least known what to expect.

You had also liked the idea of quality food on the table three times a day.

The months you had spent training had been intense, but you guessed it had been only fair. Some of you would have actually faced titans and fought them to survive, so it had been better to make the weak give up instead of wasting precious food and resources on walking corpses. Still, knowing the cold-hearted logic behind the military’s decision and taking hits after hits were two different things. Getting punched in the guts repeatedly for example hurt like hell. 

You spat out the blood in your mouth and wiped it clean with the back of your hand. If you had thought the training camp had been hard, being an actual recruit was somehow worse. The Scout members didn’t know how to go easy on rookies, especially the captains.

Arms trembling lightly as you pushed yourself off the ground, you stood up. Your gaze was piercing as you looked captain Minho in the eyes. You swore, he had a personal vendetta against you since day one.

‘No need to be so gentle,’ you mocked the older soldier with a lopsided smile, finding joy in riling him up with your disrespectful tone. The tick of his left eye made every lost fight that much sweeter. You genuinely couldn’t have helped it.

Instead of entertaining you, Minho punched you in the guts and kneeled into the lower part of your thigh, so you would have fallen knee first on the grass. He also grabbed your short hair and pulled your head back, because this way you could see his face hovering above yours even though he was standing behind you. He was fast. Inhumanly so.

You raised both of your hands in surrender, although it was clearly written on your face that you planned to do anything but. The thin, white line of your otherwise full lips and the fire in your eyes weren’t a quitter’s.

‘There’s no tapping out in real life, maverick,’ Minho informed you like it had been supposed to be a new piece of information to you. Like you hadn’t known how real life worked when you had been only fifteen the day reality had quite literally come knocking on humankind’s door.

‘There are no fistfights with titans, either, but oh, here we are, aren’t we, captain?’ You taunted, the words falling from your lips so naturally, you doubted that there was any kind of communication between your brain and mouth by that time when it came to captain Minho. He picked on you too frequently and you pissed him off in return just as many times.

From that angle, you had a front row seat to the sight of the man’s clenched jaw, but it still surprised you a little when he suddenly pushed your head forwards and let go of you. You landed on your palms and knees, suppressing a groan.

‘Just quit already. It’s not like you want to be here. You’re not a team player, either,’ he said, coaxing scoffs out of you with how ridiculously confident he sounded. Like he had the right to tell you what to do. Like he knew what was best for you more than you did. Like he had ever succeeded before when he had tried to pressure you into doing something in those two months while you had been getting reading for your first ever expedition with the Scouts.

You turned around and sat on your butt, legs spread and pulled up, so that you could rest your elbows on your kneecaps comfortably.

‘Are you encouraging me to become a deserter? When people are counting on me and need me for the new formation?’ You mocked, the smile on your face a little odd, albeit genuine. ‘That’s not so team-player-like, either, captain.’

It was his turn to scoff and you relished in it. Even though a moment later, when your eyes met, you felt a little out of place. It was like deep in your core you knew that he wanted to tell you something - something other than another jab at your character -, but were also aware that he wasn’t ready to show you a different side of himself. The way he opened and closed his mouth then shook his head made you frown.

He turned his back to you, but stopped in his tracks after two steps in the opposite direction.

‘Put some ice on your face. If it gets any more swollen, your comrades might mistake you for a titan,’ he gave you a piece of unasked advice in typical captain Minho fashion and you actually laughed at his comment. Way to make someone feel special.

You put your hands behind your back and little by little, you put more of your weight on your palms as you leaned on your arms.

‘Sure. And whose fault is that, captain?’ You asked just to claim the last word and as you had predicted, he didn’t react at all.

You did not stare at the man’s back until he left. And you absolutely did not smile while you were (not) doing so.

the end.

[thecoffeelorian]

The Transport On The Left, #5

Title:  The Transport On The Left

Chapter:  Five

Genre:  Drama/Mystery

Word Count:  1.1 k.

Characters Included:  Wrecker, Captain Rex, and Commander Wolffe.

Brief Description:

"Does it make him a giant nerfherder to wish for something else besides working for scraps from others who don’t exactly enjoy his company, let alone having to stare down the barrel of what’s left of his life and spend it in total maddening silence?

Or should he just swallow all these feelings down like they’re a tasty milkshake from Dex’s Diner, force a smile, and go on doing whatever Hunter wants…?"

AO3: Link Here

No-Pressure Tags: @theosb0rnway @skellymom @gun-roswell @called-me-vicky @momojedi

@littlefeatherr @storminormins @thesmollestnerd @ilovemedia @sunshinesdaydream

@theta11lili @random-user753 @donut1642 @victorianretrogeek @thats-cacti

@gray-paladin @turkishfreak101 @idkwhatdoyouwannabecalled @riverside-of-neverland @wendywilliamsleftlip

@carlycrays @danger-noodles22 @lightninged @ladylienda @marvel-starwarsfangirl

@serinzatravel-blog @archaicsymbols @melymigo @wanderneverlost @spacemagicandlaserswords

@i-dont-know-how-this-site-works @moonstrider9904 @yeehawgeek and anyone else looking for a story where nobody dies.

Special Notes: This divider was created by @djarrex , and so I give all credit to her. :)

One // Two // Three // Four // Five// Six

Five

They’re gonna yell at you for stormin’ out like that.

Let ‘em yell all they want.

Hunter doesn’t like it when you do your elopement thing.

Hunter can deal with it just like everybody else.

Wrecker’s steps echo a bit too loud in the station’s corridor as he walks, a somewhat achy reminder that this station has, unfortunately, lost its purpose in life. Once, it held the solid position of tending to the wounded of the G.A.R., and as such could see up to two hundred Troopers a day if the fighting grew that heavy.

Nowadays, however, even though it’s got enough supplies for the welfare of around two battalions, it’s lucky to see a grand total of ten Troopers or less. Maybe that’s the amount of people in here right now, because even with his bad ear, Wrecker hardly hears anyone else out here besides himself. That’s got to be a good thing, then, because it means less chance of discovery and attack by any unwanted visitors, sure…but then again, it also means there’s almost nobody to talk to.

Especially not when the good Captain’s team of rescuers delivered Crosshair into their hands one minute; then had to go off to a different area of the station the next. Not when they’re still waiting for the grand return of AZI-3, as well as the chance of putting at least one unsolved mystery to rest.

Still…would it really have hurt Cap so much to stick around for more than a few minutes?!

Wrecker lets out a loud sigh and plops himself down in front of the nearest skyhole, his annoyance fizzling up ever so slightly. Okay, so he DID lie about going to find Fireball, but then again, he could cut the tension in that hospital room with a lightsaber, so he had to get out of there FAST. After all, he needs more to do lately, even if he won’t say such things out loud.

On the one hand, yeah, he IS happy to do other things besides fight and blow things up all the time. He’s finally bought his own paint set with the credits Cid managed to toss his way, so obviously, he’s learnin’ how to use ‘em. Already he’s tried his hand at painting a few tookas on the walls of the Marauder—red and black, of course, although he won’t exactly say no to the other colors as well—and so far, everyone seems to approve. Kriff, even Tech got so excited over his new talent that he almost dropped his datapad to get a closer look, and Tech NEVER puts that thing down. That has to count for SOMETHING.

On the other hand, though…painting and scrapping for barely fifty credits apiece seems to be ALL that he’s good for lately, because not only has he NOT had a good brawl in ages, but unfortunately, there’s been almost NO explosions whatsoever…and honestly?

The lack of any real action is becoming just so…BORING!

And if he has to be honest with himself, which he WILL—Wrecker really and truly MISSES IT.

He misses the way he and the rest of the boys could push their way through enemy lines with nothing but sheer determination and a really big ship door.

He also misses how, even though some of the locations they were dispatched to looked nothing but impregnable, they always managed to find their way in and out with barely a scratch gained in return.

And third, but certainly not least, he misses—other people. Other Troopers who not only could back his squad up in times of trouble, but also WOULD lend a hand without ever thinking twice about it. Is it SO wrong of him, then, to want SOME part of this to come back in his life?

Does it make him a giant nerfherder to wish for something else besides working for scraps from others who don’t exactly enjoy his company, let alone having to stare down the barrel of what’s left of his life and spend it in total maddening silence?

Or should he just swallow all these feelings down like they’re a tasty milkshake from Dex’s Diner, force a smile, and go on doing whatever Hunter wants…?

It’s about a minute or two later when Wrecker starts hearing voices coming from down the hall, two in total, and they sound kinda annoyed with each other. Does this mean Captain Rex is circling back around…? It might be great if he did! At least he might have somebody to vent to about his thoughts, then—that is, if Cap isn’t too busy with anything first!

“—don’t understand why—have commed—while, SIR.”

“We’ve—through this, Wolffe—utmost secrecy…”

And that’s just without the added bonus of getting to hear something, ANYTHING, about all of the Trooper rescue efforts going on behind the scenes. How wizard would THAT be if he did…?!

“I am sorry—Venator disaster, don’t get me—but it’s better if—things are kept—”

“—Who’s. There.”

All three of the men in this hall—Wrecker, Captain Rex, and a second Commander who also looks like he’s missing one eye—immediately fall still and silent, their respective focus turning to size the others up.

“Excuse me, sir, but I don’t believe we asked for eavesdroppers.”

Wrecker himself suddenly gets the feeling he’s standing before that nexu back on Saleucami, only this time, it’s learned to take on Trooper form so that it can catch human prey ten times easier.

At least, that’s the way he reads the room until Cap steps forward, one hand raised in a calming gesture.

“Easy, Wolffe, he’s a friend.”

“You’re SURE.”

“Yes. Wrecker’s—friend of Echo’s, so by association…”

“…He’s a friend of ours.”

“Correct. Now, could you PLEASE stand down…?”

Wrecker swears that he sees Wolffe’s mouth twist into a downward turn of disapproval, a lot of Troopers had done that to him before—yet, thankfully, he also must have thought things over as well, for the next thing he knew, Wolffe had let some of the tension out of the room by taking two steps back.

“There we are...thank you, Commander.”

A collective sigh spreads around the little gathering there, and Wrecker can’t help but grin a little in relief. Things are tense enough everywhere, he knows, so obviously he doesn’t want to make any rough situations even worse.

“Yeah…thanks, Commander! Er…d’ you want me to go back with the others?”

“Well, I’m afraid that depends, Trooper. What brings you out here?”

The time has come, he thinks with a little shudder, taking in a quick breath and then breathing it out again. It’s now or never, Master Billaba give me strength...

Wrecker stood up straight, made eye contact, and began to speak his peace.

[borathae]

↳ Index [Snippet #32 - Cozy]

“When you and Jungkook have a cozy night in.”

Genre: married life!AU, domestic Fluff

Warnings: Kookie being a cute dork & the best husband, they’re goals :(

Wordcount: 2.3k

a/n: I love them 3000 😔 also yes, you will be getting multiple ogc drabbles a week, you can’t stop me 😏 enjoy besties 🧡

There is a subtle knock on the door, ripping you out of the trance you had previously been in. You remove your eyes from the shower wall and finally begin moving the showerhead over your body again.

"Yeah?" you call out.

"Hey babe, it’s me", Jungkook says.

"Hey love, what's up?" 

"Can I come inside?" 

"Why?" 

"Don't know, I just thought that maybe we could talk a little." 

You chuckle, "you do know that I'm currently titties out, coochie free in the shower, right?" 

"Uuh yeah? Duh?"

The doorknob moves, but the door doesn’t open. Obviously, because you locked it.

"My boobie babie can I come in?" he whines behind the door. 

"No?" you laugh, "not when you’re giving me that voice." 

"What voice?" 

"The horny voice." 

Silence for a second then, "I'm not giving you the horny voice. Hey babe, what's the difference between me and the shower head?"

"I'll regret asking, but what?"

"The shower head can see your boobies." 

You roll your eyes. 

"Not it", you say despite chuckling to yourself. 

"Babe please, can I come in?" Jungkook tries again, most definitely pouting. 

"Not today, alright? Gotta really wash my crack." 

A faint chuckle. 

"Can I have that? I need me some good ol' alone time tonight", you tell him.

"Yeah totally, get that", Jungkook says, "I'll be upstairs then."

"Yes, it won’t be long anymore." 

"Take your time, love. Hey babe?" 

"Yes Koo?" you ask him, stepping out of the shower. 

"I took a shit before and it smelled so bad."

He cracks you up, "thanks for that information. I hope you left the window open." 

"I did", Jungkook sounds smug, "okay bye, Imma shower upstairs. Gotta wash that crack too. I wiped thoroughly though, just fyi." 

"Never doubted you, love."

"Okay good. Byeee", he coos. 

"Goodbye", you say, chuckling to yourself.

Jungkook leaves for good afterwards and you spend the rest of your nighttime routine smiling to yourself because of him. He is so childishly silly sometimes. It never gets old.

You make yourself a nice cup of chamomile tea before leaving for the bedroom. It seems that Jungkook went on a whole cleaning rampage before going upstairs. The kitchen, as well as the living room, are sparkling clean as you wander through them. He also loaded and then started the dishwasher and remembered to close the windows for the night. Thankfully, because you would have totally forgotten.

Smiling to yourself, because you have the best husband ever, you make your way upstairs to your shared bedroom.

It was the best room of the house. Located on the second floor and with east facing windows, it overlooked the ocean with its sandy beaches and distant seagulls. It was an entire front of windows, reaching from floor to ceiling and with a sliding door leading to the spacious balcony outside. You installed a series of planting pots along the railing and Jungkook set up your beloved cuddle nest. A canopied beach chair with a comfy mattress, soft pillows and fairy lights along the edge of the canopy. You and Jungkook spent many evenings snuggled up there and watching the sun set. As of recently, you also spend an unhealthy amount of time cuddled up in there and playing with your newest addition to your family. A little Doberman puppy called Bam. Jungkook chose the name, explaining to you that he wanted a word related to his roots and that Bam in Korean means both chestnut and night and that it is the perfect name for the dog. "It's because his fur is coloured like a chestnut, but he's also dark and mysterious like the night. Also chestnut sounds so cute, our little chestnut", he told you and because you had nothing to argue against the cute explanation, you decided to call your puppy Bam.

Said puppy is currently making your husband giggle happily as it wiggles his little body on his chest.

“Yeah scratchies”, Jungkook coos, scratching behind Bam’s ears, “yeah you like being scratched there? Ohoh yeah scrwatchies, yeah bwig scrawtchies.”

“Shouldn’t he already be in his crate?” you ask him, watching him with fond eyes.

Jungkook looks over at you. 

“Yeah I know, but look at him”, he cups Bam’s little face, turning it to you, “he’s so cute, I just wanna squish him.”

Bam barks softly, alerting Jungkook’s attention, who ends up giggle and then pressing a big smooch on the puppy’s forehead.

“God I wuv you so much”, he babytalks, smooching him a second time, “my Bamie. My cutie bwaby Bamie.”

"You're so cute", you tell him and finally claim your comfy spot on top of the bed. You set the mug of hot tea on your lap and sigh contently.

Jungkook releases Bam’s head and sits up, letting the puppy lie down in the little nook between his thighs. He leans over until he can rest his cheek on your shoulder.

"Wat'cha drinking?" he asks, sneaking a glance into the mug.

"Chamomile tea, it’s really good. Wanna try?"

"No thanks, I’m good. I already brushed my teeth. Hey babe?" Jungkook lies down beside you in a way so that his head is facing the side of your thigh.

Bam crawls up his dad’s stomach, sniffing at Jungkook’s neck curiously while the latter runs his fingers up and down his little back.

"Yes baby?" you ask him.

"I'm thinking about getting another tattoo again. What do you think?" 

"I think that if it makes you happy then go for it. The only question is where and what?" 

"I'm thinking inner left arm? There", Jungkook shows you the empty spot on his upper arm, "something related to Bam." 

"Get a chestnut or his puppy paw print."

Jungkook cranes his neck, gawking at you with big eyes. 

"That's so cute and genius!" he exclaims, "the paw print would be adorable." 

"Right? It would look really good on the spot too." 

Jungkook nods his head, reaching above himself to run the back of his hand up and down your leg.

"Thank you my darling, I knew you'd have awesome ideas", he says.

“Always happy to help.”

Bam now makes it his goal to lick Jungkook’s chin, making him laugh.

“No Bam, don’t lick my face. I already put my skincare on”, he whines, lifting the tiny puppy up so he couldn’t reach him anymore.

Bam kicks his little feet in the air as if he was sprinting, barking rather loudly.

“God Kook, you’re making him all hyper again. You know he’s not gonna be able to fall asleep if you do that.”

“Yeah, yeah I know”, Jungkook whines and sits up, pecking your cheek, “don’t worry, I’m already putting him in the crate. Do you wanna give him his goodnight kissy?” he says, holding him in front of your face.

“Goodnight Bamie”, you coo, giving your little baby a big kiss on the forehead. Bam gives you a kiss back, licking your left cheek until Jungkook pulls him away and rolls out of bed to place Bam in his crate. 

It was still way too big for him, but you both decided that it would be way more financially clever to already buy a big crate for when he grows up and in the meantime fill the space with lots of pillows and stuffed animals. Bam loves it, he especially loves cuddling with his pet giraffe. Tonight is no different. After Jungkook gave him his goodnight kiss and patted his head, Bam finds his sleeping spot cuddled up with the giraffe.

Jungkook hurries back to the bed after closing the crate and rolls onto his stomach, propping himself up on his elbows. He rests his chin on his hands, squishing his cheeks together in the process. Then he grins, eyes crinkling cutely. 

"What?" you ask him.

"Nothing, you're just so pretty."

You reach out, caressing his chin.

“You too, my prettiest.”

“Yeah? You really think I’m the prettiest?” Jungkook asks, fluttering his lashes at you. 

You run your thumb over his lips and the slope of his nose. 

“The prettiest”, you whisper. 

Jungkook grins, kissing your palm before sitting up and stealing a kiss from you. He hums in content, nuzzling the tip of his nose into your cheek. 

“You smell good, baby”, he says, before flopping on his back with his head nestled in the pillow. His fingers are stretched on his tummy, tapping a random rhythm his mind is coming up with on the spot. 

And while Jungkook enjoys the soundtrack of the night, consisting of cicadas and slow waves, you enjoy your chamomile tea, thinking of nothing in particular. 

"Darling I was thinking", Jungkook breaks the silence, "maybe I won’t work out tomorrow morning, but instead go for a run with Bam instead?" 

"Sounds good, Bam would get his movement too. Did the trainer say that we can let him go out so young?"

"I don't know, maybe we should ask him actually before I mess up his training or something."

"Yeah totally, I think that’s clever." 

"Fine then, I’ll work out tomorrow and then play with Bam in the garden later", Jungkook decides with a nod of his head, "do you think he'll poop on the terrace again?"

"I hope not. You’re cleaning it if he does", you say, nudging his chest. 

"You're so lazy, I swear to god", Jungkook pouts. 

"Sorry baby, I promise next time I'm in the garden with him, I’ll  clean it." 

"Obviously, That's a given", he says, eliciting a light laugh from you. 

"Fair point", you say, finishing the tea with a content sigh, "well that was yummy", you say, getting out of bed. 

"Where you going?" 

"Brushing my teeth, I’m not going to bed without clean teeth", you say, disappearing inside the en suite bathroom afterwards. 

You keep the door open so that Jungkook can continue chatting with you.

"I'm feeling so snacky for melon. I think I’ll pop down to Hobi's place and get a fresh one tomorrow."

"Sounds lovely." 

"Nice, I like that we're on the same page with this. Hey baby?" 

"Yes Kook?"

"Do you think we can feed Bam watermelon?" 

"I don't know. Did you check the booklet the trainer gave us?"

"I'm currently doing it", a short pause as he reads then, "good news. We can. But only a little amount and with all the seeds removed. That’s dope, we can give watermelon to Bamie tomorrow."

"Sounds awesome."

"God sorry, I feel like all I'm talking about lately is Bam", Jungkook says, making you smile. 

He is right. Jungkook has been nonstop talking about your little puppy ever since you got him. He sends you pictures of him, shows you all the videos he took, tells you all the things he thinks are cute about him, is inhumanely excited for your shared training sessions with him. One time he cried after Bam managed to do "sit" on the first try. Another time he cried because Bam fell asleep in his lap and he felt bad because he really needed to get up and pee. And another time he talked your ears off about how he will build Bam his own sidecar so he can go on your family adventures once he is older.

So to keep it short, Jungkook is so completely happy and obsessed with this dog that some people may call it insanity. You call it yet another reason why you love him so much. You are so happy about getting Bam and knowing that your husband is just as happy about it, fills you with so much joy. 

You leave the bathroom, turning off the lights behind you. 

"Don't stop, I love that you keep talking about him", you tell him, crawling back under the blanket. You rest your head in the pillow, rolling to your side so you are facing him.

Jungkook does the same. 

"I'm really happy lately", he says, "and you?"

"I'm really happy too." 

"Okay good, that’s good to hear. I just thought I'd ask because I haven’t done that in so long." 

"What? Ask me if I'm happy?" 

"Yeah or just asked you how you’re feeling in general", Jungkook shrugs his shoulders, "we're always so comfortable in our conversations that I sometimes forget to check up on you from time to time." 

You reach out, intertwining your hand with his'.

"I love you, you know?" you say.

"I love you too", Jungkook answers you, squeezing your hand gently. 

You love that even after all those years together, his eyes still seem to race between yours with such awe and adoration. He pulls your hand closer so he can nuzzle his nose into you.

"So how you doing, sweetheart? Any complaints?"

"None", you say, melting like ice cream. 

"Yeah none? How’s the sex front holding up?" 

"Oh that? Mhhm well, I don’t know", you shrug your shoulders.

"Scuse me? What's that supposed to mean?" 

"Oh well you know, I can’t really complain. I've had worse."

"___", Jungkook whines, "what the hell? I suck?"

“I’m just messing with you”, you say, cackling mischievously, “you’re amazing.”

“Yah, don’t do that”, he complains with a pout, reaching out to nudge your chest, “I almost started crying right now.”

“Aww I’m sorry baby, gosh come here”, you say, pulling him into a kiss.

One he tries to wiggle out of, “no”, he says, “don’t kiss me, you traitor.”

“Com’ere baby give me kissy”, you coo, smooching his cheek.

Jungkook lets it happen before flipping you on your back and pinning your hands above your head. He smooches your lips, darting his tongue out to lick your nostril afterwards.

“Ew Kook that’s so disgusting”, you whine, trying and failing to wiggle out of his grasp.

Jungkook cackles boyishly, “it’s what you get for telling me that my stroke game is weak.”

You roll your eyes fondly, “fine, I’ll take it.”

Jungkook grins and rests his head on your shoulder afterwards. You close your arm around him, playing with his hair.

“So comfy”, he says, closing his eyes.

“Yeh”, you say and kiss his hair, closing your own eyes afterwards.

You will fall asleep in this position and you will do so happily.​

[kc5rings]

Alright, I’m still waiting to see if they stick the landing but at 50% of the way through the story I’m enjoying myself enough to actively shill for Exoprimal

Y’all, the marketing around this game did it SO dirty, it’s wild.

I went into this expecting some pve crumbs in a pvp focused game, I knew and accepted that as I was really just chasing the high of early OW days when I truly loved playing Reinhardt, getting to protect my team and live the Wall power fantasy with Roadblock

What I did not expect, was a PvE mode that evolves in relation to the story you unlock through completing matches. Nor did I expect to actually get invested in said story!

It’s simple (so far) with well trod character tropes for the genre, calm and cool leader, soldier with a chip on her shoulder, eccentric tech expect etc, but all written with the feeling of someone who actually likes this genre of sci-fi and not as an irony poisoned nod and wink to the player. It’s cheesy but earnest, being roughly 1 part Pacific Rim to 1 part Starship Troopers

There’s also just so much more story than I expected, the above image is the story map at roughly 50% complete, each of those blue icons around the outside are clues awarded after a match, data, that corresponds with deeper overarching mysteries represented by the inner rings. Collect enough relevant data, which can be audio logs, text or video, and one of the inner ones unlocks that then has a cutscene to contextualize all the data.

It’s a drip feed story that has me doing my next match to find out what happens instead of only grinding for currency or a suit upgrade. It’s not groundbreaking narrative but the dialogue is snappy and the characters are fun, so I’ve stayed invested

As for the gameplay itself, I’ve been playing for several days and touched pvp maybe 3 times. The first match you play is random (so I got pvp there, and the other two times were scripted moments in the story that took place during a match because again, the gameplay evolves with the story

The first few matches are , frankly, a bit of a cakewalk. Medium hordes of fairly easy to deal with fodder, a few larger threats thrown in. Nothing difficult and the mvp nearly invariably goes to one of the more AoE specialized DPS with supports or more single target focused DPS with not much to chew on

Cut to later missions like the ones I did before work that throw multiple specialized enemy types at you that operate at different ranges and demand everyone do their job or you get overrun. Tanks have to hold back the tide or duel with one large threat, AoE DPS need to keep the numbers on small enemies down, healers work constantly to both heal, damage and debuff while single target DPS need to surgically remove major threats such as one later mob that spawns at a distance and can silence your entire team unless it’s weak spot is hit

Commendation screens shift sharply at this point, being largely supports, tanks or DPS who really excelled. The fights are a damage race at the end of the day, but each class is rewarded strongly for playing their role and selfish play pretty much just gets you dead

There are other modes/challenges that can pop up in a match that I won’t spoil here, but have ended up beating some of the most fun I’ve ever had in a hero shooter period, making each match just a little bit more exciting because you know at any moment things could change dramatically. Going from trying to blitz the challenges in order to beat the team you’re racing to just trying to survive as you hear the words “Carnage Module Online” from the AI running these wargames is always a thrill

It’s not perfect, the pvp is…. There, but nothing to write home about even accounting for my personal exhaustion with pvp. It’s also got the seemingly obligatory battlepass mess, though (so far) it’s only cosmetics. Everything that’s gameplay related (suit upgrades/unlocks) is earned through gameplay, even a fair few of the cosmetics can be bought with match currency so the pass is far from necessary

All of this is just me saying that Capcom barely marketed this game and focused almost entirely on the least interesting aspects of it. So I’m marketing it for them because it’s the team based PvE I’ve been begging for for ages

And you get to Punch Dinosaurs

With Power Armor

Which rules

So consider at least taking a look at the game and join me in some Dino punching and together we can help this game last long enough for Roadblock to get a good skin

[armpirate]

The Only One || JJK || Ch. 9

Pairings: mafia!jk x fem!reader

Genre: smut, angst, mafia, contract relationship

Warnings: Prostitution, torture, blood, use of drugs and weapons

Summary: You've always wished for a better life. Every single day at work, you were hoping something would change. Although you didn't think that change would come in the form of one mysterious man and a contract.

His controlling and selfish behaviour only wanted to keep you away from any other man that wasn't him, and you only had to wait for him.

Too bad you really thought you'd be smarter than Jeon Jungkook.

Previous || Next

MASTERLIST

Jungkook hung his gray blazer on the coat rack that was placed on the right of the door. He walked inside his office, followed by the careful steps of Yejun. Letting out a groan, he let his body rest on the wide chair behind his crystal desk. When looking up at his man, he was aware of that beige folder he saw on the passenger's seat when he picked him up at the club. He was no clairvoyant, but he didn't need Yejun to speak to know what was inside of it.

—So? —he finally sighed, resting his back on the backrest.

It had been a long day, Jungkook wanted the information in front of him as soon as possible, so he could decide what to do next.

—As expected, she keeps working in the club —Yejun placed the folder carefully in front of his boss—. She was pictured getting off the bus she usually takes and walking inside through the back door.

Jungkook saw the pictures that were taken of her, when Yejun opened the folder for him. There was nothing interesting in those pictures though. She was just walking the street, covering her head -and part of her face- with the hood of her sweater jacket as she headed inside the club, mixed with some others of her living her daily life. It was curious how she was barely seen outside. And when she was, she wasn't with anyone.

—What about it? —Jungkook asked, looking up again— I told Pedro she could work as a waitress if she wanted to —he shrugged.

Clearly, he knew there was more to it. The nervous look on Yejun's black eyes was very telling, and how he stuttered to go on -because of his possible reaction-, made him aware that what was to come wasn't good.But unlike what Yejun thought, it was pretty good for him.

—Our informant inside the club told me she isn't working as a waitress exactly —Yejun whispered—. Apparently she was told by Y/n herself that she got on an agreement with Pedro to retake her usual duties. The only thing she isn't doing is pole dances.

Yejun was expecting one of Jungkook's deathly looks that could make the most powerful man feel sorry for existing. But instead, his boss licked his lips while he grinned. It was the typical smirk on his face, that only showed up when everything went on as he planned.

—How trustworthy is the informant?

Jungkook kept looking through the pictures of the woman he knew wouldn't be easy to handle. Pictures were taken on different days, but she was wearing a similar outfit -if not the same- on each one of them.

—She's close to Y/n, apparently —Yejun mentioned—. And she also has been working in the club for a really long time. She has no reason to lie, she wouldn't be benefitted.

Jungkook shook his head in disgust. Y/n definitely had to find better people to surround herself with, and to trust. It was mind-blowing the amount of people that would be willing to air out information for no reason -like her nosy neighbors-, or in exchange of some extra money -like that coworker that gave Yejun all the information on her hand.

He was going to change that soon.

The look of satisfaction on Jungkook's face didn't disappear, it only evolved into a machiavellian and calculating expression due to his own thoughts about people.

And he wasn't wrong.

He knew people were greedy. The more they got, the more they'd want. And that girl was no different from all those people. He knew he wouldn't be able to have any control on her and her body the second he took that flight to Seoul. He was sure she'd fall back to the same hole he was going to take her out from. He didn't expect her to be drawn back to it so fast. Jungkook thought it'd take her a few weeks, maybe months to do something like that, but it was a matter of days.

She was more stupid and gullible than he thought. But not that he was complaining about it either. Y/n served him the consequences of her actions on a silver platter, and he'd be finally able to put one of the points in the contract to good use.

And not only that... The fact that Pedro was involved in her being back to work only meant he could benefit from it as well. Jungkook wasn't planning on his plan taking a turn like that, and being able to use it on one of his businesses in a territory that took him so long to get.

—Should one of our guys take action? —Yejun suggested with a smirk.

And just then, at the mention of somebody hurting her, Jungkook raised his eyes from the pictures, to dedicate the deathly glare he was waiting for. That mocking smile vanished as soon as he laid eyes on him.

—No —Jungkook shook his head—. Let her think I'm unaware of what she has going on —he tilted his head—. I think a little surprise will be better.

Bowing, Yejun understood what he meant and started making his way out of his office. That girl clearly didn't know who she was dealing with, but she would know once Jungkook set foot in Spain again.

He rolled on his chair, reaching to one of the drawers to get the contract he had saved as if it were one of the most precious things. His eyes went over her name a few times, smile going wider as he saw her signature lower on the paper, on the same page where her penance for not carrying out what she signed for.

She'd be only his. Even if that meant keeping her away from any other male that could be a menace for that deal they both made.

✸ ✸ ✸

2 days later

Y/n looked at Carla fondly with a smile, as she worked on her homework on the new laptop she gifted her. She remembered the excitement radiating out of her eyes as soon as she planted the box in front of her. And she'd repeat that same thing as many times as possible, if that meant to see her smiling that way.

—I still can't believe that it was from a tip.

The comment Jorge made burst her bubble and brought her back to reality, to the lies she kept feeding them to protect them from the truth, from the fact that she had been working as a hooker to pay the bills, the debts, and everything Carla needed after Jorge was hospitalized years back and after the economic crisis hit him so hard he was forced to close his supermarket permanently.

—You aren't involved in anything weird, are you? Because if you are, just know it won't bring you anything good. Easy money doesn't mean...

—No —she tried to sound as convincing as possible—. Sometimes there are generous clients that leave good tips. That's it —she shrugged, avoiding turning and looking at him.

—You should've saved that money either way —he replied, getting Carla's attention.

—Just be thankful when they make you a gift —she smiled when her eyes fell on a smiley Y/n—. I really needed it for some assignments.

—You could've gone to a cyber —Jorge called his daughter out—. That's what I did when I was younger. And I'm sure Y/n did that, too.

The smile on her face slowly vanished when she was reminded of those years, when she was the same age as Carla and she didn't have to struggle with anything, not even with her studies. Her parents weren't rich, but she had a good life with no worries, always getting whatever she wanted. She only had to ask for it.

She had everything until her world turned upside down out of nowhere.

—I... —she smiled nervously— Yeah —Y/n nodded—. That's why I gifted Carla that laptop. She should be comfortable with work. Especially if she plans on going to college next year.

One thing to add to the list of expenses: Carla's university soon. She almost forgot why she went to work at the club again, when she was about to leave after the customer slapped her and insulted her for making him finish early. She knew she'd need the money. And after paying the lender, she barely had any money left to survive that month, which left her praying there'd be no emergencies until she got paid later that week.

A few hours later, she was getting ready to start her daily routine as usual. Time to get dressed, prepare her headphones and get on a bus back to the club she thought she'd never be able to leave.

But of course that day wasn't going to pass by neatly, when she overheard a voice over the music and a hand tapping on the bar in front of her seat to get her attention. In front of her, she saw Alicia -one of her ex classmates-, when she raised her eyes from the blue bar.

—Oh my god, it's been a long while —the blonde smiled.

While the other girl seemed happy to see her, Y/n just wanted to vanish from that place. Last thing she needed on her way to work was to be reminded of all the mistakes she made that led her to this.

—Yeah —Y/n nodded—. How have you been?

It wasn't like she cared, but she didn't want to seem rude either, when the blonde bothered enough to reach out to her as soon as she was aware of her presence.

—I'm fine —she sat next to her—. I'm coming back home from the dentist. It's a nightmare parking in the center.

That made sense, actually.

She didn't want to look too much into the reason why Alicia was there, because as far as she remembered, she was one of those girls that had her own car assured since she turned sixteen.

—What about you?

—I'm okay —she shrugged, faking a smile.

Y/n clearly didn't want to give out how she was on her way to work, and why she was on a bus that took her to the coast -where most of the jobs were either in restaurants, pubs or souvenirs-, especially at the time she was going to. It wasn't like it embarrassed her, she knew what she was doing was way worse than any of those jobs. But she reminded herself how years back she discussed good universities to go to in Spain -or even overseas-, especially with this girl while they were competing on who got better grades.

Directly, Y/n didn't want to talk at all.

—How's life been treating you? You totally disappeared in the last year of high school. Everyone thought you went to study abroad in the middle of the year...

—I need to stop here —she cut her off—. It was nice to catch up with you.

Only thing is that it wasn't good to catch up with her at all. She saw an easy escape and took it, even if that meant walking for twenty minutes until she got to the bus stop that would take her to Portals Nous.

Her lower lip started trembling as soon as she hopped off, and her sight got blurry as teardrops began to accrue in the corners of her eyes.

It wasn't a good day for her. It seemed like the universe only wanted to remind her of everything she did wrong, everything that led her to where she was currently, while others kept showing her where she could've been if she had done things the right way.

She took her hood off as soon as she crossed the back door, and walked straight to the dressing room -where Amira was already waiting for her. She had been acting strange for the past few days, but ever since she set foot inside the dressing room that evening, she noticed she was more restless and anxious than usual.

Sometimes she had the feeling that her colleague wanted to say something, but ended up regretting it at the last minute. Before she could even ask, Amira was pulled outside to do her show on the main stage while Y/n kept getting ready to serve tables.

She moved around, dealing with touchy clients that laid a hand "accidentally" on her ass or hips as she served them their drinks. Evenings and nights always worked that way for her, until André -the barman-, gave her a small piece of paper with the room she had to go to. It usually took a few hours for it to happen, but that night it only took her thirty minutes until she saw those two numbers in the middle of her black platter.

Room eleven.

Leaving the glasses on the counter, she started making her way to the room. She didn't want to think who'd be behind that door. She just wanted to get inside, make that hour pass by fast, get her money and leave.

Standing in front of the black door, she sighed. Y/n got ready to show the fakest sexy smile she had ever pulled, and greet her customer. But that smile that took her so much effort to show, disappeared as soon as she was aware of who was sitting at the edge of the bed.

Taglist: @kaiparkerwifes @sheylamc @amy2006jones