#it was good i stepped away. gave me some perspective

[gotham-daydreams]

How would it have gone differently if Reader didn't try to be an "overachiever" and instead just stayed quiet and didn't interact with anyone besides Alfred until they left? Their room they left being mostly blank, with only the music journals? Giving up on trying to get their attention.

I think what's so funny about this ask, to me, is that I already have a concept like this written down (along with 3 others since the current reader I'm writing for the "Not [ ]" series is one of them but with a few missing details), so this'll be fun!

I guess it generally goes how you'd expect? Which is different for the most part, but the reader's perspective on what's happening is also different.

Granted, I would like to point out that, at least for this particular concept and the idea I have for it of how this would go, does have more stuff going on pre-Batfam that do affect how they perceive what's happening, and that's what makes things interesting in my opinion. Because someone can be naturally shy or just overall more reserved either out of nature or because they feel a certain way, but still feel bad about being neglected and, despite their lack of effort, feel that pain just as much as someone who's tried. Which is valid! Besides, someone's definition of 'trying' can vary as well.

Everyone should have a chance to have a family, and form some kind of connection with people. Just because you aren't going above and beyond for one person, doesn't mean you're undeserving of certain things. Especially not a chance to have a family, or feel like you have one. That's what I think anyway.

Nevertheless, back to the reader!

From the original concept, I will be tweaking a few things to fit the ask, but the same general outcome remains! Though again, the reader's perspective on things is a tad different. But how about this- I'll show two versions of the reader.

One that's quiet and more reserved because they gave up much earlier, or just generally hopeless really early on because maybe they felt as if anything they'd do just wouldn't be enough, who'll be accurately named Quiet!Reader. With the other being more closely related to the concept I wrote for such an idea, that we'll refer to as Waiting!Reader.

Quiet!Reader would change up things quite a bit! I won't lie!

They might already have bad self-esteem that's quick to develop at the start of things, which is something to note as that doesn't get better with time. They grow more cold and distant from the family at a quicker pace both from personal and external reasons.

Put simply, they don't feel good enough, and even if they did- anything they could do to get the Batfam's attention would never be enough in their eyes. To which, they see very early on when they try to engage and do some things with the family, only to be turned down. What doesn't help is when Quiet!Reader sees Damian get adopted and almost immediately showered with love, (compared to them) and that really cements some ideas that were already developing in their head about the family.

When Damian comes into the picture, they feel replaced. Seeing him as someone to fill in the 'youngest Wayne' role instead of them, so that Bruce and the others actually have someone to acknowledge for such a title. Just someone else to further take away the little they had.

So, they further step out of the way, glaring at the Batfam with tired eyes before that eventually stops too. Envy clawing at their heart, hatred being sent through waves of pain all throughout their body. Hurt unmatched. Yet they still remain invisible. Quiet as ever. Unnoticed. Everything they ever felt dies down, and forms a cold numbness that they begin to associate with the family.

Maybe through that, they feel closer to the family in some twisted way. Now just as cold as them. Just as talkative, and just as engaging. Almost mirroring them, but they're honest about how they feel. Honest about what they think, and therefore better. At least when compared to the Batfam- and to them, even if it wasn't a high bar to reach anyway, at least it counts for something.

It was never Damian's fault, or really about Damian at all. It could've been anyone else and Quiet!Reader would've still reacted the same way, they know that. Though just seeing the Batfam show love and care to him and not them just makes them feel... worse.

Clearly they're capable of love, and can notice new additions to the family (to which they may have mostly believed that the Batfam's neglect was just something the family did for whatever reason, and thought that them being the youngest had something to do with it for a while) and that breaks the reader. It doesn't hurt, not as much as it would've, maybe, but whatever hurt is there dies down quickly as Quiet!Reader, well, quietly accepts their fate.

The Batfam clearly wants nothing to do with them, so why should they try to do all of these things for them? It's simple, they shouldn't. So they don't. Quiet!Reader gives up, and continues to live their life without them.

The Manor just becomes a place they sleep in, and nothing else. It isn't anything close to a home, and not even Alfred can help with that.

It's because of that little fact, however, that Quiet!Reader leaves much sooner than the reader in the "Not [ ]" series. Maybe once they get a friend they can trust, they essentially end up living with said friend, hence why their room remains so empty. The notebooks they even keep in the room they have in the Manor is from when they were way younger, instead of just being from a few months ago or so. We're talking years since Quiet!Reader has touched those things now.

Maybe they do 'officially' leave a month or so before they usually would as an overachiever in the "Not [ ]" series, having only bothered to return so often before because of Alfred. Though even then, they'd forget to return most nights- only being reminded to even try and go back once Alfred would personally call them, and ask them where they were.

However now, after a while of just the time between them basically living with their friend and sleeping at the manor, they stop returning altogether. Though this time around they instead personally go to Alfred to say they're goodbyes. Not explaining much, but just saying that while they might still try to come and visit him sometimes, they don't live in the Manor anymore. Alfred already knows this, and the embrace they share fully hammers in that fact.

Yet when Quiet!Reader turns away, and leaves the Manor for good- even through the front door at that. Alfred can't help but just... miss them already.

You see, while Quiet!Reader is indeed quieter and more reserved, especially towards the Batfam, with Alfred really being the only exception, they still made music.

Maybe they didn't have as many concerts or physical, grand, live performances compared to the reader in the "Not [ ]" series, they not only started earlier, but may have actually started out on a social platform such a youtube. They really started out small, but were able to find and start their passion much earlier!

Most of what they played was when they were in the Manor, but slowly they started to get involved with things music related outside of the Manor and in Gotham- and from there were able to build themselves up even more. Hell, I'd even say that Quiet!Reader is a little more well-known and popular than the reader in the "Not [ ]" series because of the amount of extra time they dedicated to their passion.

So basically, Alfred this time around has more recordings and such of Quiet!Reader actually doing something they love than with the one in the series. However! Funnily enough, they're gone for a shorter amount of time despite having left earlier than normal.

Alfred is just, extra fed up with this nonsense, and so pulls his tricks more early on, but also make them hit harder.

He doesn't clean Quiet!Reader's room to show how long they've been gone, adding onto the emptiness and almost abandoned feeling the room itself gives off because of how bare and empty it is. They're music haunts the halls, subtle, sure, but still noticeable- especially to those who are hyper aware all the time. Pictures of Quiet!Reader and Alfred begin to be hung up, and if he can manage- some with Quiet!Reader and their friends during important parts of their life.

No one is safe from the guilt and anguish Alfred seeks to cause to not only have the Batfam look for you, but most importantly, to finally notice you.

Let's just say, things work out a little too well.

---

As for Waiting!Reader? Oh man, I've been wanting to rant about them for a while!

Unlike the reader in the "Not [ ]" series and Quiet!Reader, Waiting!Reader had some semblance of a life before getting adopted into the Batfam. Though the idea and character themself isn't musically inclined/involved in music, or even all that interested in music for that matter- for the sake of this ask, lets say they are!

I won't dabble too much into the life Waiting!Reader had before the Batfam, as if I do end up writing them I'd also like to keep some details vague (for the sake of leaving it up to interpretation and everything), but just know that during the time they were still with their original family, they were essentially taught that they should 'wait their turn', and eventually their parents would spend time with them and care for them. Hence the little name I've given them.

So! When they get to the Manor and are officially adopted, only to be neglected and ignored during their first few attempts- because of their young age, they immediately think "oh! they're just like mom and dad!" So they 'wait' for 'their turn', believing that eventually, should they wait long enough, they'll be rewarded with bonding and such from the Batfam just as they were with their previous parents.

This mindset changes what they do as well, as Waiting!Reader even goes out of their way to not bother anyone, or "get in the way" of whatever they could be doing. Waiting!Reader treats the situation so much like their previous home life, that sometimes they might even forget that the Batfam are completely different people from their parents. The only real difference that they can think of is that they're not acknowledged at all and it seems like their 'turn' never comes. Though for a while that doesn't get them down. The Batfam is busy like they're parents were! Waiting!Reader is sure that when things die down then they'll have their time.

... Hopefully.

I can imagine that part of the reason why Waiting!Reader holds on to hope for so long is because, again, their own parents constantly reassured them that they would have their time eventually. That if they behaved, and stayed out of the way, then they would go somewhere fun with their parents and essentially be rewarded for their efforts. They were conditioned to wait, to be patient, and just comply until those around them decided to actually take care of them, and spend time with them.

Of course, as they grow up the reality of the situation does hit them eventually, but during that time they do try.

Waiting!Reader helps Alfred around the house, and so they mostly bond over doing chores, among other things. They are also more mindful, and try to keep the amount of noise they back down— so they actually don't play at the Manor all that often, and instead play literally anywhere else. If and when they do play outside, around the area of the Manor like in the gardens or something, they make sure no one is around before even thinking of playing.

Alfred does help them break a few of their habits that they got while living with their parents, but the one thing he can't seem to 'fix' is how absolutely quiet Waiting!Reader is when they walk around. Which, as on can imagine, doesn't exactly help in a situation where the whole family, except for the butler, is neglecting you.

The amount of times Waiting!Reader has caught Alfred off guard is more then you'd think for someone that works with the Dark Knight, and his various sidekicks and such, over the years. Which does say something, sure, but it's also funny!

Regardless, similar to Quiet!Reader, Waiting!Reader is able to start their musical career earlier than normal, and thuse becomes a little more popular than they would originally. However, they're more known for their live performances and giving back to the community. Seemingly just like Bruce as they attend charity event after charity event, and try to do good by the people.

Waiting!Reader also does genuinely try to become a vigilante as well, but they do so in a way where they only take care of the smaller/medium guys, and leave the bigger ones to the rest of the Batfam. This is because they want to remove possible distractions for their family, and while they would try to take on "bigger guys", they don't think they're skilled enough or experienced enough to even think about it. So they don't even try. (They also don't have the same theme as the Batfam- since they don't want to 'ruin' their reputation with what they're doing or something. Which does hell them further detach themself from the family later on.)

I'd say that with Waiting!Reader, the difference between them and the Batfam is more clear to them? Like, to them, the Batfam are just so good at what they do that they have no hope of reaching them. So instead of trying to reach for them, they just do their own thing and try to help in their own way.

Because Waiting!Reader takes care of smaller guys, they are kind of closer to Waiting!Reader as a vigilante.

The best way I can put it is that while the community trusts Batman and the members of the Batfam to save their city, they trust Waiting!Reader to save their homes.

So basically- Batfam is the bigger picture while Waiting!Reader focuses on the smaller picture.

Nevertheless! Also like Quiet!Reader, Waiting!Reader actually leaves earlier. Except when they leave, they leave.

Waiting!Reader straight up leaves Gotham City to attend the college that they want to go to, in an area that has more opportunity for them, that isn't close to where the Batfam lives or patrols.

So they not only leave earlier, but it also takes the Batfam longer to find them. Especially because Waiting!Reader does still do some things in Gotham, they just don't live there anymore.

I feel like out of all three readers, Waiting!Reader definitely feels like the kind of person that someone would assume is some kind of "Phantom of the Wayne Manor," y'know?

So Alfred definitely tries to make the Batfam feel bad like he does with Quiet!Reader. Except how anyone in the Batfam is reminded that Waiting!Reader even exists, and that they've been gone for a while now is through a letter that is accidentally sent to the Wayne Manor from one of Waiting!Reader's fans. From there, some research does start and the more the Batfam learns, the more they want to go and find the reader- you know the deal.

I hope this answered your question even if I really did ramble on this time- if you'd like me to clarify anything or go into more detail on a specific part, feel free to send in an ask!

[tiredfox64]

Hello!! I love your fics and have a small request!

Is there any way you could do a pt.2 to "Thick thighs can save lives" and make it nsfw? I loved that fanfic sm when I originally read it! I love chubby reader stuff. I'm chubby myself soo!! Eee!!

I loved your fics sm. Keep up the good work!!

Thick Thighs Call for Good Times

Prior notes: Y E S! We big girls need our lovin. I went too crazy I think because Bi-Han got me all hot and bothered. I blame ███████ for my addiction to him.

Pairing: Bi-Han x Chubby! Afab reader

Warnings ‼️: NSFW, Overstimulation, creampies, oral sex (fem receive), we ride…Bi-Han…rhymes with dawn if you say it a certain way

You never left the Lin Kuei. You never left Bi-Han. Bi-Han was never letting you go. That’s just how the cookie crumbles.

It was clear to Liu Kang that he wasn’t getting his apprentice fully back. So a compromise was made. You stayed with Bi-Han and Liu Kang would come to you to actually train you since Bi-Han wasn’t letting you train with anyone else. As long as you stay near him he’s fine with this arrangement.

The Lin Kuei treated you much better than when you first arrived. That might be because it’s clear that a relationship was established, at least in Bi-Han’s perspective. You followed his lead and figured he wanted a relationship. It would be awkward if he didn’t want a relationship while he’s constantly trying to cuddle you and give you a little smoochy smooch.

The clinginess didn’t get better. That man had his hands all over you, squishing and squeezing anywhere he could. On a calm day he would only be squishing your stomach as you guys would lie down or if he had you in his lap. The frisky days, as you called them, were much more risqué. Chest, thighs, ass, if he could grab it he would.

The first time he ever grabbed your breasts it was a mind blowing experience. He was tempted by you. You were wearing a tank top after training for a bit. Of course no tank top could ever handle the size of your chest but you couldn’t care, you were hot. Bi-Han saw how your breasts would jiggle with every step. He came up behind you and gave you a hug which you gladly accepted, appreciating his cold skin against your burning skin. Then his hands grabbed at your chest. It wasn’t harsh but it definitely wasn’t a gentle grab. He wanted you to know what he wanted.

“Really?! You’re not gonna say anything to me? Just grab my tits like that?” You questioned Bi-Han but he didn’t care.

You’re not pushing him away so it’s fine. You did expect him to do it one of these days. That day was the day.

“They are nice. They fit so perfectly in my hands.” He looked very intently at his fingers as they squeezed down on your breasts.

He liked the way they bounced back. He liked how they felt in his hands and how they had weight to them.

He wanted a better feel and tried to slip his hands under your tank top before you slapped them away. He was ready to ravish you on a Tuesday afternoon, the sun was still out! He needed to learn some patience. Cause you sure as hell ain’t doing anything in his office when someone could easily walk in.

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Day after day he was trying to grab you in other places. It was difficult to have time to yourself. He even tried following you into the bathing area which you had to physically throw him out. We love a strong woman.

Oh and forget getting out of bed. No, he kept you close to his chest with one arm around your waist and a hand at your breasts.

None of these instances ever led to anything more. You would put a stop to it for multiple reasons. You were too tired, you need to wash up, you’re on your period, you weren’t even in bed. Bi-Han respected your rejection but that didn’t mean he wasn’t getting sexually frustrated. He can’t keep using his hands when he has you right in his grasp.

Truth be told you were still a little insecure about your looks. Clearly Bi-Han loves your body but that nagging voice inside your head says he won’t like you anymore once he sees you naked. You still wanted to hide your lovely rolls and stretch marks from him.

You do realize Bi-Han can handle it, right? Don’t doubt him.

You didn’t like this nagging voice. It’s preventing you from being yourself and expressing some wonderful things. You do want to have sex with Bi-Han. It’s a desire you must fulfill but one that will only happen once you start giving some love to yourself. So what better way to feel better about your body than looking pretty.

On a day when you weren’t training you decided to dress all pretty. A cute skirt with some knee high socks and a long sleeve v-cut shirt. Ooh girl, don’t you look all cute. You better work it! But only work it for Bi-Han, no one else.

You went around looking for Bi-Han, catching the attention of a few clansmen. When you found him he was watching over his clan as they trained. You wrapped your arms around his arm to get his attention. Bi-Han was gonna give you just a glance before he snapped his neck back to look at you. Your chest was squishing against his arm with the shirt showing your cleavage. When he looked down further he could see that you were showing some skin since you were wearing a skirt. Damn you look so adorable to him…and fuckable.

He didn’t say a word to anyone. He just grabbed you and threw you over his shoulders while making his way to the bedroom. You got used to him doing that but you weren’t used to the speed he was going at. He was practically pushing people out of the way before going into the bedroom. He locked the door and threw you on the bed gently. You weren’t all that surprised he did that but what surprised you was how he towered over you and what he had to say.

“Is this what you were planning? You were planning to get my attention by wearing that outfit. Bet you were hoping I would take you right then and there in front of everyone.”

Oh that’s not—no, that’s not what you were planning…

“What?! No! That’s not at all what I was planning-“ you were cut off when you hear the sound of cloth ripping.

Bi-Han tore your underwear off. The air hit your already wet pussy. His arms hooked onto your thighs before he yanked you closer to the edge of the bed where he was now kneeling. His lips practically grazed your clit. Next thing you know his tongue took a long drag up before swirling around your clit. You immediately gasped and your instinct was to close your legs.

Your thighs started to squeeze Bi-Han’s head. That was incredibly to him. Feeling those soft yet strong legs of yours squeezing him, possibly even suffocating him. Suffocation won’t make him stop eating you out. In fact, it makes it even better.

He would push his tongue inside you as his nose would bump into your clit. The taste of you would hit his tongue, causing him to want more and more. Occasionally his tongue would slip out and circle your clit as if it were candy to him. And you’re just supposed to stay there and look all pretty for him as you moan. Don’t think about pushing his head away he will not budge. He’s not done getting a taste of you and preparing you for more to come.

You didn’t realize how long it’s been since you satisfied yourself in any way. Ever since you came to the Lin Kuei you haven’t had the chance to masturbate. Meaning you were already so sensitive when he started going down on you. He could tell since you are already struggling to hold your moans in. He could feel your pussy clench around his tongue, letting him know you were about to cum. His tongue went back to your clit where he licked it continuously. It was his goal to make you cum and get more of your taste. He achieved his goal quickly.

You couldn’t hold back your moans. They weren’t loud but could easily be heard if someone were to pass by the bedroom door. Your thighs tightened around his head as if you were worried he would pull away if you didn’t keep him in place. That orgasm high was glorious. Wow, you feel amazing.

Bi-Han let go of your legs before standing up again. You watched as he licked his lips to collect the rest of your juices.

“Take your clothes off…now.” He demanded.

Oh you didn’t think that was the end right?

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He wanted you to be all sensitive and ready for him. Bi-Han has been waiting for this moment for way too long.

Your clothes were now on the ground and so was his. He didn’t even give you time to take off your knee high socks before he grabbed you and forced you on your stomach.

Bi-Han had a nice grip on your love handles. That’s what he loves about a body like yours. You are built to be loved and to make love. He held your lower half up while your face was down in the sheets. Your hands were gripping the sheets tightly as he slammed into you.

You didn’t see how big his cock was but you could definitely feel it. So thick and surprisingly the only warm part of his body. Or maybe that was your pussy warming it up, you can’t tell with the only thing in your mind being the pleasure that was pulsating through you. You didn’t even realize you were crying from the overstimulation.

Bi-Han could say the same about you. Your pussy was so warm and it squeeze him so nicely. He felt like you were made to be fucked by him. It just feels right.

The view he was getting was fantastic too. Watching his cock go in and out with your wetness coating it. Every time he thrusted into you he would watch your ass jiggle. And when you turned your head to the side he could see how your tears stained your cheeks. You looked so pretty like that. He leaned his body forward till his chest was pressed against your back.

“What’s the matter? Can’t handle being loved by your grandmaster. I thought you were a strong woman.“ Bi-Han teased you.

You wanted to say something back but you couldn’t make out anything. You needed to catch your breath but it felt like there was no break in his stride. Just that constant rough rhythm. It only became worse, or more like pleasurable, when Bi-Han placed his leg up on the bed. When he thrusted back in, you moaned loudly. This new angle allowed him to go deeper into you. Not just that but he was stretching you out more.

You were a crying, drooling, moaning mess below him. His cock slammed deep into you. You were done for. The overstimulated combined with the deeper penetration made you cum all over his cock. You shook and your hands gripped the sheets so tightly that your knuckles became pale. The moans you let out were definitely heard by everyone.

Luckily for you, Bi-Han was just as close as you were. He fucked you through your orgasm before his hit. Your love handles were definitely getting bruised because he was squeezing them harshly while he was cumming inside you. You felt a warmness that filled you. It will be a feeling you will never forget.

You two stayed in that position for a few moments as you caught your breath. You were all hot and you felt disheveled. Bi-Han pulled out, making you whimper from feeling somewhat empty now. He got onto the bed and laid down in his usual spot on the bed. And then he grabbed you!

You thought this was over? Hah! Not for that man!

He grabbed you and made you sit on top of him. You were confused on what he was doing. At this point you should be cuddled to sleep. But he looked up at you and commanded you to do something else.

“Ride me. Make me cum one more time then we will be done.”

You got nervous. Not that you were afraid to do this all over again but that he would be seeing the front of your body. You tried to cover your body with your arms.

“Are you sure you want me to ride you? Maybe you could fuck me from-“

“I want to watch you ride me. I want to see my beautiful woman please me.”

Bi-Han was dead serious. He wanted to watch you not just to see how you reacted to being overstimulated but to see your body as a whole. This was the first time he was truly seen you naked. He wanted to see those gorgeous, round breasts. He wanted to see that cute tummy of yours. He wants to hold those powerful, thick thighs. He wanted it all. He wants you.

Hearing him call you beautiful and hearing how serious he was made your stomach do a flip. You lowered your arms, exposing yourself to him. You did as he wanted. You lifted yourself up a little, angled his hard cock near your hole, then slowly slid down on it.

You both let out a satisfied sigh. You might like this position a lot. It feels like he is really deep inside you. You don’t know if you could keep yourself going but you try.

You start bouncing up and down on his cock, hearing the mixture of your wetness and his cum making sounds every time you move. Bi-Han’s eyes looked at how your body jiggled whenever you slid back down. Your breasts bounced a lot. They called to him and his hands traced up your body till they got to your breasts. He squeezed and played with them. He pinched your nipples lightly and heard your reaction to that. Everything he did you had a clear reaction to.

Tears formed in your eye once again as the pleasure became too much. You were looking down at Bi-Han with half-lidded, glossy looking eyes. They were so beautiful to him. He could get lost in them. But for now his mind was lost to the feeling of your pussy squeezing him constantly. He saw that you were getting sluggish with your movements. He can’t blame you, this was a lot for you to handle. He pulled you close to him. Your chest was pressed against his. He looked into yours eyes and said,

“I’ll take care of this. Just relax and kiss me.”

You listened and started to kiss him. His arms wrapped around your waist and he held you tightly. His hips started thirsting into you. You moaned against his lips while he groaned. Your tears slipped down your cheeks as the pleasure came to a peak once again.

You moaned out loud as you came again. You didn’t try kissing him to keep yourself quiet. You felt like you had no control over your actions in this moment. A few more thrusts and Bi-Han came inside you once again. You must have been filled to the brim with his cum at this point.

Once the high started to dissipate you were left lying on top of him. He held you in his arms and his cock grew soft inside you. His hands were rubbing your back and running through your hair. You could have passed out in that moment if he didn’t start talking again.

“You seemed to like that a lot. I can’t understand why you were so hesitant before.”

“I was worried you wouldn’t like my body.” You responded in a sleepy voice.

“That is idiotic of you to think.” And that was rude of you to say, Bi-Han.

“You are beautiful in many ways. I was a fool to think you were weak before. You are strong and that is what I like in a woman. You are not only strong but gorgeous with a perfect body to love. I would not want to share my affection with anyone else.” He whispered to you.

You were surprised, truth be told. Bi-Han’s words sounded genuine. Your heart warmed up to the fact that he really did love you and your body. Now you felt silly for being worried before.

“You are the only woman I need now. You are my type. Now rest, you must be exhausted.”

Bi-Han placed a kiss on your forehead as his thumb wiped away any stray tears that were still on your cheek. You started to fall asleep with a light smile on your face. This was a wonderful experience for you and Bi-Han. Now you get to rest in his loving and strong arms.

Sweet dreams, gorgeous. Remember your worth.

After notes: My bestie sent me this, this is so me fr fr. Felt like it fits in.

[sturn1olo-ffics]

chris x fem!reader and reader had a vv long day nd she js wants to cuddle w her boyfriend?

if you don’t wanna write it totally okay 😜

- MY GIRL -

- Chris Sturniolo x Fem reader (she/her pronouns used)

- Warnings: barely any kissing, cuddling, use of y/n, fluff, I think that’s it??; NOT PROOFREAD

- About: request above 😈 I love this 😩

—————————————————————————————

(Y/N’s POV):

It was 10:00 and I was just getting out of a meeting. My manager kept throwing things on me left and right and I was starting to get extremely overwhelmed.

I hopped in the drivers seat of my car and began to drive home. I had such a long day, I didn’t even turn any music on.

I got home, walked inside my house, and immediately got in the shower before I hear my phone ding.

“Hey :) I saw you had a long day on your Snapchat story. Wanna come over? Or I can come to yours?” 10:31 p.m.

It was a text from Chris.

“Yeah, I’ll be over in about 30 minutes. Gotta shower” 10:32 p.m. I respond.

After showering and doing my skin care, I throw on a big t-shirt and some pajama shorts along with some shoes before grabbing my phone, wallet, and keys, and stepping out of the house.

The drive over to Chris’ wasn’t bad. My head was pounding and I just wanted to be with my boy.

After pulling in the driveway, I was met with Matt and Nick in the front yard.

“What are y’all doing?” I laughed. They were filming a TikTok, but seeing it from an outside perspective was embarrassingly funny.

“Y/N!!��� Nick yelled as he ran towards me.

“Chill Nick it’s 11:00 at night. We have neighbors.” Matt said calmly before grabbing Nick’s shoulder.

“Where’s Chris?” I asked, dapping both the boys up.

“He’s in his room. Told us not to go in there.” Nick responded.

“Ah- okay. Well, I’m gonna go see what he’s up to.” I giggled before walking into their house.

“Hi sweet girl.” A loving voice came from behind me as I entered the kitchen.

I turn around to see it was Chris, and he instantly pulls me into a hug.

“Been a long day, huh?” He asked, rubbing little circles into my back.

I nodded into his shoulder before he pulled away and turned me around, setting a hand on the small of my back, leading me down to his room.

I open the bedroom door to see my favorite movie queued on the TV and my favorite snacks on the bed.

“Chris-” I said before a tear slipped out.

“I know you’ve had a rough day, and I was hoping to try and make you feel better.” He giggles at me crying over the simple gesture.

He pulled me into another hug and gave me a soft, sweet peck to the lips before he lead me to the bed and turned out the lights.

I curled up into his side while he wrapped one arm around me, pulling me closer to him.

He leaned down and gently placed a kiss to the top of my head as we watched my favorite movie and ate snacks.

Every single bit of stress I felt on me had been swept away because I was with Chris. My favorite person. I slowly drifted off to sleep in his arms.

The movie ended and just as he leaned over to grab the remote to turn the TV off, Matt walked in.

“Hey do you know where the-” Matt began before Chris interrupted.

My eyes fluttered open at the sound of Matt’s voice.

“Shhh Matt. My girl is sleeping. Go ask Nick.” He whispered across the room.

I was barely awake, but hearing him call me “his girl” made my heart skip 3 beats.

“My bad.” Matt whispered back before softly closing the door behind him.

I shifted a little bit in my sleep before Chris placed a kiss on my forehead.

“Sorry sweet girl.” He patted my back.

“I love when you call me your girl.” I mumbled into his chest.

“Oh yeah?” He giggled, pulling me impossibly closer to him.

“I love you Chris.” I smiled into him.

“I love you more, y/n. Good night.” He whispered as my eyes grew heavy and I fell asleep.

—————————————————————————————

A/N: This was more of a blurb almost but I low key really like it. I’m all here for short-ish, sweet fics. Also, I will literally do any request ever as long as it has nothing weird in it like smut or implied smut. Love always 💙💙.

[lemonmaid]

Also for some reason I cannot edit on the app? Nor on the website, so please work with me here, sorry about the confusing layout, I know I hate it too.

“I don't need you hovering”.

(name) glared at Xiao, who was literally watching (Name) as a hawk as he tried to feed their four year old pup.

“Ah!!”

(Name) resumed his attention onto Yuen, who was glaring at the two for interrupting his feeding, “Oh I know buddy, Dada can be so mean”.

“He is four, I think he can feed himself”.

(Name) rolled his eyes, “I'm still cutting up his food for him, he could literally-”.

“Let me do it”. Xiao gently moves (Name) over to cut up Yuen's food.

(Name) silently seething; his scent souring,”I'm pregnant not incapable” he mumbles.

(Name) was only six months pregnant, not too far into his pregnancy but not too far away from giving birth. Did he appreciate Xiao's helpfulness? Of course, some omegas would be delighted to have a mate so helpful and understanding as Xiao. Xiao was very experienced in the field, having a pup, Yuen, before meeting (Name) with a one night stand. 

(Name) excuses himself from the room to finish getting ready for the day. Looking at the bathroom mirror, his stomach barely dropped, perks of being a male omega. 

“You should be getting bigger soon”.

(Name)’s eye twitched, “Wow… Thanks”. 

Was Xiao a great mate? Of course! (Name) couldn't be happier, but it's Xiaos overbearing that got (Name), it's ‘You're doing that wrong’, ‘no let me help’, ‘you shouldn't pick up Yuen’. It was very exhausting.

Xiao was dressed in his work clothing holding Yuen who was ready for school, hence the yellow bucket hat and blue school uniform. “Yuen say bye to Papa”.

“Bye-bye!!” Yuen does the kiss motion towards (Name).

“Are you going to be okay going to University today? I don't want you walking that far-”

“Again, pregnant, not broken, anyways I was going to pick up groceries after class”. (Name) gave the two a quick hug and the two goodbye.

“And then he tells me “yoU ShOUld bE geTTinG biGGeR sOOn” like fuck off please, I understand that he is trying to help but, it's overwhelming! I can do things by myself! I'm a big boy!”. (Name) ran to his father-in-Law, Zhongli, who was his Political Science professor. 

(Name) usually got to school early to help Zhongli set up the classroom, but that was both of their excuse to gossip.

Zhongli watched the younger omega scrub the chalkboard harshly, putting his hand gently on the younger male’s shoulder, “Maybe see it from his perspective… when Xiao was… Expecting, he was alone, besides from me and his step father, think of it as he doesn't want you to feel alone. Also culturally speaking, he the rest of his siblings were raised that a pregnant omega shouldn't be do anything but resting, so this is a change for him as well”.

(Name) snickered at the memories from early into his pregnancy, how Xiao told him not to rub his stomach often or the pup will end up being spoiled or how when he came back from night school, Xiao lit sages around the house. 

“Just communicate with him”. Zhongli said with a soft smile on his face. 

After class was done for the day the two omegas walked home together.

“Hmmm, what is for dinner tonight (Name)?”.

(Name) hummed, “I've been craving some Tangbao, the big ones, no, bigger”. (Name) drooled at the thought of a hot doughy, chewy, flavor filling bun in his stomach, the thought earned a kick from the pup inside of him.

As the two walked into the shared home space, the aroma of dinner hit their noses.

“Papa!!” 

Yuen ran up to (Name) and Zhongli, giving the two a giant hug, or as big his small arms could. 

“Hello to you too Yuen, I trust you've been a good boy for your fathers?” Zhongli said as he patted the boy's head. 

Yuen nodded his head, grabbing Zhongli’s hand, “come! I wanna show you! My book!”.

(Name) took his shoes off carefully before stepping up stairs to join the family in the living space, (Name) drooled at the thought of dinner.

It wasn't too abnormal for Xiao to be cooking but usually (Name)  to cook. 

(Name) slouched down into the comfortable recliner in the corner of the room, waiting for dinner, closing his eyes, listening to Yuen speak his mind to his grandfather.

“this is! Uncle… Bo-sac-i-us!”

“That's a very good illustration, young one, who's that right there?”

“That's my new baby sister!”

“Oh, you're sister?”

“Mhm! Papa said he thinks it's a girl and Dada says Papa is always right”.

(Name) smiled fondly.

“Dinner everyone” Xiao spoke softly, taking in (Name)’s tired form.

The table was set up neatly, dinner looked perfect, it was almost like a mutton hot pot. 

“Now Yuen, do you want to eat with a fork or your training chopsticks?”.

“I wanna practice!!”.

(Name) looked at the food in awe, but his hormone pregnancy brain nagged at the thought that this wasn't what he wanted, but the food looked so good at the sametime. 

“Are you okay (Name)?” Xiao whispered.

(Name) started grabbing greens and beef and putting into his bowl, “I'm- fine”.

Xiao didn't press any further, picking up food and putting it onto Yuens and (Name)’s bowls. 

Dinner was calm, well, for everyone else. (Name) was quietly seething, he felt guilty about it though, he didn't mean to feel this way but he can't help it, pregnancy brain.

“Yuen, make sure grandpa sees his way out the door”.

“Yes dada!!”.

(Name) helped collect dishes to put in the sink.

“Are you sure you're okay? Your scent is off”.

(Name) finally quietly broke down, “I wanted Tangbao for dinner, not a hotpot meal, I hate that you do things for me, I hate how I can't go anywhere without you hovering! I'm sorry! I'm just overwhelmed!”. 

(Name) quietly sobbed into his mate's chest.

Xiao rubbed (Name)’s back, leading the omega up the stairs to their share bedroom. 

“I'll be back, let me finish cleaning and get Yuen to bed”.

Xiao was gone for 40 minutes, giving (Name) time to breathe and calm down. When Xiao came back, he had a small plate of melons and tea with him.

“I'm sorry”.

(Name) took the plate, calming down, “was this the good melon?”.

“The one that's been in the freezer since New Years”.

(Name) hummed, “I forgive you, for now”.

Xiao chuckled, massaging (Name)’s swollen legs, “I mean it. I'm sorry. I wasn't aware of your feelings. That makes me a bad mate”.

(Name) sighed, “You're not a bad mate, you..just… are not emotionally self aware sometimes”.

Xiao nodded, “I'll work on it, I'll do better”

“I appreciate that”.

A small knock on the door interrupted the two. “Papa, can I sleep with you?”.

The two omegas smiled softly, “Yes Yuen, give us a minute to get change. We'll come get you”. 

[akookminsupporter]

Namjoon gave a good interview to Vogue Spain and in it he said a few things that I thought I'd share with those of you who may not understand Spanish.

This was at the end of the article but I want to write it first:

One thing that needs to be made clear about this album is that, no matter how much the rumour mill is trying to spin it, it is by no means the end of the successful band. "Oh, I'm not leaving BTS. Absolutely not. This is the first time I'm launching a solo project like this, so I'm trying to stand up and take my first steps. But I'm ambitious and I have willpower. So I don't want to miss the opportunity to do both. So I will try my best not to lose control and steer these two ships at the same time. A lot of bands split up and fall apart, but I hope that doesn't happen to BTS. I just love the music, I love my job, I love the band members and I love myself. If I can keep both projects going, I think it can be something legendary in the long run".

Other important parts of the article:

"The k-pop industry hasn't stopped growing since we debuted with BTS [in 2013]. It's become a lot more complex and has brought a lot more people into its structures. I think there are a lot of lights, but also some slippery shadows. Many of us started our careers very early as a group: we slept and lived together as teenagers. We became a real family, which is great, but this culture has also affected me a lot, because sometimes I find it difficult to be treated as an adult who has autonomy in his decisions. I'm perceived as just another cog in the crew, in the context of a mass phenomenon",

Did you ever feel like you were getting completely lost in this delirium of success? "I used to think so, but the funny thing is that I am fully aware that it was my own choice to devote myself to the k-pop industry. Nobody pushed me into it. But yes, I have lost myself at times. Although perhaps saying this is an excess of 'self-empathy'. There is no answer. Except that, if k-pop is about recharging the batteries of a mass audience and I'm responsible for doing that recharging, then I have to keep my feet firmly on the ground. As an adult, as a musician and as a human being. And these ten years of my career have helped me define who I am and learn to love myself. But I'm still in that process, you know? All these internal struggles will be recorded on records and videos," he explains.

"Music is really necessary for the world, but, when it comes to my music, sometimes I feel like I'm producing something unnecessary. If I were to die tonight, I don't think anything would change. It might matter to some people for a while, but a farmer or a street sweeper is more relevant to the functioning of society. When I ask myself about the role of our generation in historical terms, when I look at all the digital platforms and communities out there, I am overcome with confusion. There are a lot of people who don't want to think. They have frenetic lives and turn to music or television to escape, so the last thing they want is someone trying to lecture them from a pedestal. In that context, I wonder how I can make my music matter. I haven't found an answer yet, but I keep trying to bring my own perspective to it.

As to whether he is afraid that the army he has on Instagram (42.4 million followers) might one day turn against him for a silly mistake or a blunder, RM answers bluntly. "Yes, it scares me. It scares me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When I was younger I tried to come across as a cool guy who doesn't give a shit what other people think, but I don't think that's right anymore. I care about the publicity dimension of my career and the influence I can have on others. It stresses me out, yes, but I think I can handle it. That's why I don't retire or do things like go out and drink the night away and then drive drunk. I'm human, I can make mistakes, but I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself. One of the keys is to treat this job for what it is: a job. I don't think artists have any special rights or status.

Note: if you would like me to translate another part of the interview, let me know.

[dokidokitsuna]

RWBY: Next Steps

This is just a design collection (remember when I used to do those? 'Winter Mission', 'Summer Tour'?? Fun times~)...and it may be my last. Its only real purpose is to give me something fun to draw for the NeverFell Projects wrap-up series. The recent Adam and Cinder designs are technically part of this collection, too. ^^

These were much harder to do than those two, though...I've spent ~2 months chipping away at this set, trying and retrying to address several different RWBY design criticisms while still making the girls look good. ಥ_ಥ I've finally begun approaching success, though, so I wanted to talk a bit about these ideas.

Ruby The only one I managed to design in one try. ^^; This was my answer to the question I felt was posed by Ruby's Vol. 7 design: i.e. "how do we do a new Ruby design that feels more 'mature'??" Because I never liked how the V7 design attempted to do that. :/

Between the new hairstyle and the new 'generic adventurer' clothes, it felt less like they were trying to evolve Ruby Rose and more like they didn't like her original design and wanted to get as far away from it as possible. V1-Ruby was such an iconic look (and STILL IS), and yet there's no trace of it in V7-Ruby. None of the goth-lolita style or playful edge that even V4-Ruby managed to preserve...instead they just scrubbed everything out to start from scratch, with a new design that's honestly 'meh' at best.

So what I did was stick closely to V1-Ruby, while adding just a few big changes to make the look distinct. You say a 'combat skirt' is too childish for an older Ruby? Well then we'll make it shorts...but shorts that are just as frilly and cute as the original skirt, with a similar overall shape. You say her original hairstyle is too boring and 'safe'? Well, then we'll change it...by simply shaving half of it off. It's a much edgier look that simultaneously preserves the original shape of her hair: from every angle except front and back, her silhouette will remain the same.

You say you want to give her new shoes, but don't want the fandom to make fun of you for covering them in dozens of belts again? Here's a wild idea: cowboy boots. ^^ A totally unexpected, unique item that still fits in with the antique-ish vibe of her goth clothes.

Basically, I just wanted to prove that you can do something dramatically different with Ruby without completely abandoning her fashion sense.

Criticisms: The details are still lacking; I think I should work some red accents into her corset and boots. Also, I originally designed this outfit with a white shirt, and I kinda want it back (she had the team colors! R, W, B, and Y! ;_;)...the problem is that it clashes with the sheer thigh-highs. One must go...I'm sure I'll figure it out

Weiss The toughest of the bunch: I did three different Weiss designs before landing on this one. ^^;;; The big epiphany came when I realized that Weiss looks her best when she mirrors Ruby. The girls' original design concepts share a lot of features; I feel like the characters were designed to look like they belong together, and figured I might as well honor that.

ALSO-- and this was the biggest priority for Weiss' design-- I firmly believe that she should not look like a princess anymore. From a character designers' perspective, it is ludicrous that they gave her the giant Disney ballgown in the same volume where they put classism at the center of the plot and have her send her bourgeoisie father to jail. That right there is the definition of mixed messages...

I thought the whole point of Weiss' character arc was to distance herself from the uber-rich parasites of her family and fellow 'Atlas elites'. I thought we cemented that when she officially lost her "heiress" title in V4. o_O I expected her next look to ditch the crown and visually show that she's past the point of 'rebelling'-- there's no more authority in her life for her to rebel against; she's free now! But alas...

So as usual, I had to do it myself. This Weiss outfit is definitely still fancy, with the coattailed vest and ruffled sleeves, but there's a lot less 'decoration'; fewer jewels, fewer details. The construction is straightforward and simple. And of course, no more tiara. Instead I decided to give her a li'l snow pea flower and ribbon, which ended up inspiring her new periwinkle purple-y color scheme. Like her original design, it's actually fairly colorful, but does its job and puts the emphasis on the white elements.

Criticisms: ...Not many, this came out pretty good. ^^ I might reconsider the black coattails, but if I do I'll probably just switch it out with the indigo inner vest. I like the idea of her outfit construction mirroring Ruby's, but her color scheme mirroring Blake's, since they have a closer bond in NeverFell.

Blake Blake designs are notoriously difficult; if you wanna hear some great reasons why, I suggest you check out this old Twiins iink RWBY design ranking video, which always helps guide me when I do redesigns for the main 4. Anyway, this phenomenon makes it hard to describe what I did...I guess you could say I tried to combine all the best elements of all her outfits, while clinging to the 'fancy action girl' vibe of her original design.

I'm most proud of her new hairstyle-- I dunno why, I just enjoyed working on it and making those decisions. ^^ It's hard to tell, but it IS shorter; now shoulder-length instead of back-length. We make up for this with additional volume, emphasizing the waves in her hair texture by pushing them outward. And most notably: she keeps the ribbon. She just wears it differently, using it to accentuate her ears instead of hiding them. This way, we keep the point of interest on her head while still showing her character growth.

Criticisms: Infinite, countless. This is a good look, but something is definitely still off. ^^;;; I think some additional detail in certain places (not sure where yet...) might help 'finish' it, so to speak. Maybe some extra yellow accents...? Also, the bow obviously gets lost in her hair this way. I've tried several color changes and don't like any of them; I think I may just have to texture it differently in the final product. Fingers crossed...

Yang Another tough one...I only made 2 design drawings, but the colors took several rounds of trial and error. I think my excitement over finally arriving at a good color scheme TODAY was what spurred me to make this post. ^^;

Anyway...there is a specific piece of Yang design criticism I hear fairly often that drives me up the wall: people commonly complain that she doesn't wear enough yellow; that she doesn't represent her character color well because all she wears is a yellow shirt. And the character designer in me wants to rip my teeth out whenever I hear this, because it blindly ignores the giant fairy-tale-inspired mass of yellow that is her hair, and the purposely attention-grabbing pops of yellow that make up Ember Celica. They're not "clothes", technically, but they're still part of the design! It's like saying a character with green skin can't represent the color green if all their clothes are black...without realizing that maybe their clothes are black BECAUSE they have green skin, in order to draw your attention to it...!! (╬▔皿▔)╯I just jifjkdsnfksahujknsjnfufh

...Anyway, anyway...the point is, it's difficult to take a character design with so much natural yellow in it and add yellow clothes and still have it read well. But because I like a challenge, I decided to take it on. I think the difference between the mustard leather and neon yellow hair is large enough to make it work, while still feeling casual enough for everyday wear. The champagne off-white she wears in her 'Hunter' outfit (which heavily inspired this) looks great, but it feels too 'classy' to me; like something specifically meant to dazzle the audience with her beauty for one special adventure, not for her to wear often.

On that note, my secondary mission with this design was just to make Yang look cute again, by following the structure of her V1 look, and even adding a little skirt on top of her battle shorts, which looks surprisingly natural considering she almost never wears one.

I don't know what happened in the canon to make the character designer forget the 'Yellow Beauty' part of her character concept; tbh even if her gender presentation gets more masculine she can still look pretty. Designs like Ozma, V7 Qrow and V4 Ren show that they understand this, but choose to cover Yang up in flavorless sheets of beige anyway. :T Making sure she always has a boob window isn't enough; the clothes themselves need to say something too.

Criticisms: ...Honestly, none? I think this might be solid. :> We'll see what happens when I draw it properly. I hope the white socks work out, because then she'll successfully be wearing the RWBY color scheme, which fits her (former, implied...) role as the glue holding the team together.

[tiredly101]

ok hear me out, i saw Clownsuu's art of wally but like, its a mafia AU Now i cant get the mafia AU out of my head- so like- Mafia AU Wally darling x Male!Singer! Reader? doesn't have to be the same as the AU plot as Clownsuu's AU i just need a mafia wally cuz there's NON. (P.S: Take care of yourself, drink water & take breaks! :) )

This is good! I already had a poll with similar idea holding the mafia au but this shall be a separate fic and I made reader know spanish! Hope you like it!

Devilish handsome singer

Pairing: Mafia leader! Wally Darling x Singer!Male reader

Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7,

Illustrated Mafia Au, picture made by @clownsuu!

Context: Gepeto is the same Gepeto from New Neighbor but he owns a bar that was bought by a mafia man instead of Male reader and only warning is one death mention! Mario may be Gepeto's boyfriend, I'm not sure yet, suggested to listen to Báilame by Nacho when M/n appears! And lastly M/n's outfit is basically my Welcome Home persona outfits because it just fitted perfectly!

Wally was sitting in an armchair playing with a gun, in front of him was a woman kneeled down, she was missing an eye and she was crying. She didn't pay in time but just when Wally was going to shot her Barnaby opened the door.

"Sorry to interrupt boss but Mario wants to meet at his bar, Gepeto's, in 30 instead of tomorrow," said Barnaby before walking out of the room with his pipe in hand. Wally sighted and shoot the woman in the head before walking out of the room. He changed in his usual outfit for business; rainbows pants with black suspenders, white shirt, red handerquief in a chocker style and his oversized blue blazer.

Wally was taken by Julie to the bar where Howdy open his door upon arrival. Wally walked inside the bar seeing multiple familiar faces who nodded in respect, this is one of the reasons he loves being the Welcome Home mafia leader since he was feared world wide.

"Mr. Darling! I'm glad you could make it in such short notice... Some issues happened with the secretary but not to worry I got rid of them," said Mario Genapetti while sitting down on the booth closest to the stage and made a sign for Wally to sit down while Howdy followed behind, ready to pounce if told so.

"Let's do business after the singer, you are in for a treat Mr. Darling," Wally sighted but nodded after all he did love some pleasure before business but that normally entitled having Howdy rough someone up so he can get a message across but he supposes that a singer would suffice for now.

The whole room went dark and people started cheering while footsteps could be heard in the stage and then a soft blue light fell on top of a guy; he had beautiful (s/c) skin, soft looking (h/c) hair, his eyes were covered by a black bandana that had a little rainbow drawn in it and he was wearing a dark red shirt that had on top of it a black corset that hugged his waist that was accompanied with some black dress pants.

The guys started singing in spanish while swaying his hips with each beat and Wally seemed to be in a trance at the guy's movement while a soft color settled in his cheeks. Wally didn't understand why he was feeling like that, it wasn't normal in his perspective.

"Who is him?," Wally asked Mario but his eyes never strayed from the guy's enchanting singing and ethereal glow. Mario chuckled which made Wally begrudgingly pay attention to the man.

"That is M/n Novell, his best friend with Gepeto over there and when I bought the bar he was part of the deal and I decided to keep him around since the few times cops stopped by he was all the motivation for them to turn a blind eye...," said Mario while smiling and motioned M/n to go where he was since his song just finished. While he walked over there with grace a guy gave him a black rose before kissing his hand and walking away.

M/n threw the flower on the floor and stepped in it before stopping in front of Mario who smiled and pointed towards Wally to which M/n sighted and sat down on his lap which made Wally blush a bright red color.

"I don't have your money yet Mr. Darling but I should get your payment in two days time and if you are kind enough to wait Mr. Novell here will be willing and able to do anything you want," said Mario which made M/n stand up abruptly and pick Mario by the shirt before turning to Wally and smile.

"We will be right back," said M/n before walking away while dragging Mario by the back of his shirt and Mario seemed scared. To say Wally was confused was and understatement but soon Mario came back with a very obvious slap mark in his cheek and he stuttered when he spoke again while M/n walked towards back stage to prepare for another song.

"Sorry for that miscommunication, tomorrow I will have your money," said Mario while slightly shaking and Wally raised his eyebrow before getting up and leaving. He didn't understand a word of what happened but all he knows is he coming back to that club just to see their devilish handsome singer.

Would you like me to do a part two @frindtheshapeshifter405?

[miel-ji]

All I Ever Wanted

Genre: fluff, roommates to lovers, one bed trope, gets kinda angsty for a second

Paring: Non-Idol!Felix x Reader, Friend!Changbin and Hyunjin

Word count: 6.6k

Warnings: slight jealousy, some language

Summary: Your roommate Felix has the idea to take his best friends on a beach trip. You instantly agree, loving the idea and you quickly plan it all.

A/n: I thought it’d be fun to try writing more from the member’s perspective this time, and it was so fun that I might’ve gotten a little carried away. It was originally supposed to be pure fluff, but the writing process had other plans lol

Felix has been craving a beach trip with his best friends (you, Hyunjin, and Changbin), so he jumped at the first opportunity that all of your schedules aligned. He grew up by the beach, so he often longed to be there. Even though the beaches here weren’t the same as Australia, they still helped combat his homesickness just a little. Some of the best memories he has are of him at the beach, and he wants to make new ones now with the best people in his life.

He approached you first with the idea since being roommates meant you were only a door away. His steps were light as he practically bounced down the hall to your door, and he rapped his knuckles against it a few times before calling out to you, “y/n!” His voice held a sing-song quality to it as he said your name.

“Yes?” You called out from your spot on your bed. It was getting late into the night, and you had already settled down. You were fresh and bare faced, and you were wrapped up in your blankets with a plushie resting in one arm and your laptop resting on your lap. You were trying to finish up some work, but you couldn’t help but lose focus as you switched between tabs that were completely irrelevant to the work.

“Can I come in?” Felix asked.

“Yeah, go ahead.”

Felix had an impossibly wide smile as he was buzzing with excitement from what he was going to propose to you. It didn’t even cross his mind that you might say no because the only thing that was filling his mind were all the things he wanted to do with you there. He stepped into your room and softly closed the door behind him before turning on his heel to face you. When you peered up at him from your laptop, he noticed how cozy you looked which momentarily relaxed his racing heart.

He noticed the plushie that you were cuddling and recognized it as the one he got you for ‘Palentines Day’. You had been a bit upset about not having a Valentine this year despite the guy down the hall having a very obvious thing for you who would’ve jumped at the chance to take you on a date. Not that Felix wanted you to go on a date with him since he was simply not good enough for you. Still, Felix wanted to do something nice for you, and when he saw the cat plushie with its rosy cheeks and playful smile, he immediately thought of you. He prayed you wouldn’t read too much into it when he gave it to you, and he prayed you wouldn’t notice that he just gave his other friends a home baked cookie as their gift. But the long hug you gave him when you opened it and the sight of you cuddling it now was worth the risk.

“What’s up, Lix?”

He realized he’d been staring when he let himself get lost in that memory, and he felt a little heat bloom across his cheeks. “Um,” he huffed out a little laugh, trying to shake away the flusteredness. “I have an idea…” he wore his big signature smile, showing off his pretty teeth again.

You mirrored his smile, always loving any idea that he came up with. “Lay it on me,” you patted the spot beside you on the bed to signal for Felix to join you. Skinship was normal in all of Felix’s friendship, so it really didn’t seem like a big deal when Felix made his way over to the bed and crawled in with you. But Felix’s heart didn’t flutter with his other friends the way it did now when you rested your head on his shoulder, nor did his stomach do flips with his other friends the way it did now when he felt your legs brush against his.

“Let’s go to the beach,” he breathed out, not wanting to wait any longer to finally spill his idea. “You and me…” He paused without realizing it, “and Changbin and Hyunjin, of course… the whole friend group.” He gulped while waiting for your response just now realizing that rejection could be imminent.

But then you replied in your sweetest voice, “I’d love that,” and Felix could feel everything falling into place. He giggled and turned to wrap his arms around you in a tight embrace, placing his chin on the top of your head.

“We’re going to have so much, I promise. I gotta go call the others now.” But Felix didn’t make any moves to get up from the hug for a second longer as he gave you one more squeeze. Finally, he released you and climbed out of your bed before slipping out of your room. He paused at the door, “goodnight, y/n,” he said softly.

“Night Lix,” you offered a small smile and returned to the position you were in post- Felix. His eyes drifted back to the plushie in your hold, silently wanting to replace it with himself, but instead he closed your door and padded off to his room.

~~~

Today was the day that you were finally going to get away. You’d all planned to go early in the morning, and Felix was struggling more than he thought he would. You had made him some coffee when he stumbled out of his room and into the kitchen rubbing his eyes. His black messy hair was sticking up everywhere, and he could still barely open his eyes as you handed him the warm mug.

He flopped down in one of the chairs at the small kitchen table and accepted it gratefully. You waited to speak to him as he slowly sipped his coffee and let the warmth settle in his bones. He hummed in appreciation and slowly opened his eyes, now fully awake. “Better?” you asked playfully, but he just nodded, the strands of his hair that were sticking up danced along with the movement.

“Much, thank you,” the sleep still in his voice making it sound even deeper. Fondness overtook you, you couldn’t help yourself from reaching across the table to place your hand over his that still rested against the warm coffee mug. Somehow you missed the way Felix stilled under your touch, and he looked into your eyes. You stayed like that, sharing the nice peaceful moment in the kitchen until a knock at the door interrupted you.

Felix cursed his friends in his head for ruining this moment for him while you pulled away and stood up to answer the door. “I’ll get it. You just worry about making yourself pretty.”

“I’m already pretty,” Felix rolled his eyes and mumbled to himself.

“Of course you are, Lix,” you ruffled his hair as you walked past him, and his pout immediately changed to a smile. Felix sighed and slinked off to his room to get ready while you greeted your friends at the door.

When Felix joined you in the main room with everyone a little later, the first thing he noticed was how close you were sitting to Changbin who was showing you something on his phone. Rationally, he knew that you and Changbin were just really close friends. You’d all met in university and managed to maintain a friendship that only grew stronger over the years. But he also knew Changbin was extremely attractive and such a gentleman that he couldn’t blame you if you had developed feelings for him. He really admired Changbin, and he even took inspiration from him in many ways. You deserve someone like him.

Felix thought how silly he was for assuming things though. You were all friends here, and he should stop reading into things just because he caught a little crush on you. Except was it just a little crush if he’s been feeling this way for almost a year now? If you’re the first thing he thinks about when he wakes up and the last thing he thinks about when he sleeps? If he could spend every moment with you and never get tired, and miss you the second you weren’t with him anymore?

He longed to tell you all of this, but he couldn’t help but think about what would happen if you didn’t feel the same. He didn’t want to ruin your safe space that was the apartment by tainting it with the awkwardness of unrequited love. Knowing you, you’d have let him down softly and found a way to keep being friends, but he also wasn’t sure he was ready for things to change.

So he kept all of this bottled up inside and strode fully into the room to make his presence known. He greeted Hyunjin, but his eyes kept sliding back to you and Changbin that were still in your own little world. “You finally ready, Felix?” Hyunjin teased and stood up to hug him.

Felix laughed, “I didn’t take too long, did I? Had to look pretty per Y/n’s request.” You were finally looking his way, so he took the opportunity to wink at you before greeting Changbin. “Is the car ready?”

“Yeah, just need to pack your and Y/n’s things. There’s not much room since Hyunjin needed to pack two bags.” Changbin shot Hyunjin a glare.

“Two bags? We’ll be gone for literally two days,” you said incredulously.

“Um, yeah, but I need to make sure that I have day outfits, night outfits, books, journals, paints, different pairs of shoes-“ Hyunjin said as if you were being the ridiculous ones before Changbin cut him off.

“And that was after negotiating down from three!”

Now you were all laughing as Hyunjin just crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. “Whatever, you’re still buying me coffee in the mornings while we’re there since you’re basically asking me to rough it.”

“Yeah, yeah. Where’s your bag Y/n? I’ll help you carry it to the car.” Changbin offered.

“Thanks, but I got it, Binnie. I’ve been hitting the gym too, see?” You flexed your arm with your practically non-existent muscle, but Changbin still poked and prodded at it pretending to be impressed.

Felix lips tightened into a line. He couldn’t keep feelings this way. “Already on it!” He called before rushing to both of your rooms to grab the bags before anyone could protest. He groaned a little at the weight of both your bags he bore on his shoulders, of course you both weren’t light packers, before trudging his way to the car.

You followed behind him, feeling a little bad that your hands were free while he carried everything, but he just smiled your way. “We should go to the gym together sometime.”

“Okay, we should,” you agreed, and the weight on his shoulders suddenly felt a little lighter. You finally made it out to the car, and you called out ‘shotgun’ at the same time as Hyunjin. “Rock, paper, scissors,” you suggested while already holding out your hands in position. Felix hated it, but he was secretly hoping you lose so you’d sit in the backseat with him. The first round was a tie, and Felix chewed his lip as you both shook your fist preparing to throw the next one. The second round was another tie, and Felix practically whined from the tension while Changbin raised an eyebrow at him to question why he was so invested. On the third round, Hyunjin threw rock as you threw scissors, and Felix was doing a little victory dance in his head.

Hyunjin broke your scissors with his rock, “ha, I win.” He taunted proudly. You just stuck out your tongue at him as he cackled and climbed in the passenger seat.

“Guess you're stuck with me,” Felix gave you a lopsided grin and lightly nudged your shoulder with his.

“We’ll have our own fun,” you linked your arms briefly, narrowing your eyes in Hyunjin’s direction before walking to the other side of the car to get in. Felix just laughed to himself. Your and Hyunjin’s friendship consisted of bickering like a married couple, but he knew it was all just out of love.

“Okay, is everyone ready?” Changbin adjusted his grip on the steering wheel and looked around to check everyone had on their seatbelts. He threw the car in drive, and Felix was feeling more energized than coffee could ever make him from finally taking this trip.

You, however, were still sulking in your seat a little with your lips pursed as you stared out the window at the world going by. Felix scooted a little closer to you from his seat and poked you in your side to get your attention, “Y/n, you’re pouting.” You jumped slightly when he touched you making him giggle before you turned to him.

“I just wanted control of the music…” Changbin always let whoever was in the passenger seat be the DJ, and while Hyunjin’s taste in music wasn’t bad, you just thought yours was better.

“I have an idea. Here, let me see your phone.” You handed over your phone hesitantly while Felix fished in his pocket for something. He pulled out a wad of white cord that you recognized as wired earbuds and wrinkled your nose teasingly. “What? They’re for the aesthetic,” Felix said while plugging the lightning adapter into your phone.

“They really are,” Hyunjin remarked from the passenger seat.

“Oh, you just hush and listen to your music,” you answered.

“Kk,” he blew you a kiss which you pretended to catch in midair, and threw it back at him. He shrieked and pretended to dodge while turning back around.

“Hey, stop throwing stuff in my car!” Changbin played along.

Felix was glad to see that you had thrown the kiss back instead of keeping it, but then he shook his head at how ridiculous the thought was. Once he untangled the earbuds, he handed you one and stuffed the other in his ear before handing you the phone to play music. The cord had a good distance to be able to sit in your seats respectively, but you still slid a little closer in the seat; your pinkies occasionally brushing each other.

You chose a song, and Felix knew it was the song that you’d been playing all the time around the apartment that week. The memories of you dancing around to it as you cooked or cleaned, sometimes even coaxing him to join you, playing in his head, and he turned it up just a little bit louder. The rest of the car ride was spent like this, your heads tilted towards each other with the shared music playing in your ears. Somewhere along the way though, your pinkies had become entwined not even remembering who had made the move to close the distance.

~~~

When the car came to a stop, it was about midafternoon, and everyone was feeling stiff from having spent a couple hours in the car. When you had stopped for something to eat earlier, you all decided to head to the beach first before the hotel to really soak in the first day of your trip. “We’re here!” Changbin announced to the car as you sat up and handed back the earbud to Felix. You looked down at your pinkies linked together, and you wished that you could take a picture of the moment.

“Thank god!” Hyunjin swiftly exited the car, and you wouldn’t be surprised if he dropped to his knees and started kissing the ground. Instead he stretched by the car and urged everyone to hurry up.

Felix didn’t want to be the one to unlink your pinkies, so he waited for you to move. However, after Changbin had also excited the car and a stifling silence entered, you still procrastinated leaving. He wasn't even sure if you were aware of the position of your hands as you seemed to be just admiring the beach from your window. That was until you squeezed his pinkie with yours to signal you were before finally exiting the car and thoroughly leaving Felix speechless.

You had all walked to the edge of the shore as a group, but Hyunjin plopped himself in the sand a few feet away from the water to draw while Changbin did the exact opposite. He practically threw his towel and shirt on Hyunjin as he rushed into the ocean laughing and splashing in the water. It wasn’t exactly summer yet. It was the weird weather inbetween that was warm enough to go for a dip, but the water was still ice cold. That didn’t seem to bother Changbin who waded out in the water up to his thighs and waved at you from the shore. You forgot to wear a bathing suit (which was a great oversight on your part as you thought about it tucked away in your bag), and you just opted to remove your sandals and dip your toes in the sand instead. You stood there, and let the tide wash over them and cause you to sink further in. You closed your eyes and basked in the fresh sea breeze through your hair and the warm sun on your face when you felt an even warmer presence by your side.

You looked over at your perfect view that was Lee Felix. He was gazing back down at you, and you studied the constellation of freckles that dusted his face. You had the urge to take his face into your hands and press kisses to every last one, but instead you continued to admire him. The soft lines of his face and the upward curls of his lips. The way his black hair still shined under the sun and his bangs that framed his dark cat-like eyes.

You were so entranced by him that you almost didn’t notice the way he was admiring you in the same way, and the beach was left forgotten in front of both of you. You reached your hand out to take his pinkie again, and Felix didn’t hesitate in wrapping his around yours. The smile that lit up his face once you were in his hold again was enough to make the sun jealous. Your own smile played across your lips, and you gazed out at the clear sparkling water that stretched out into the horizon. The view was consistent peaceful scenery until Changbin’s muscular frame cut through the water, still splashing around and having fun.

You heard a ‘click’ come from behind you, and turned around to be greeted by Hyunjin squinting through his camera lens that was pointed at you both. “Don’t mind me, go back to looking at the water holding hands. It was a cute scene. Changbin, get out of the frame! You’re ruining the shot!”

Hyunjin walked off to continue yelling at Changbin who just argued back to take pictures of him instead. Felix looked down at your pinkies still hooked together, partly trying to conceal the pink tint on his cheeks Hyunjin’s words caused, but he disagreed. The scene was perfect, and he made a mental note to ask for the picture later from Hyunjin.

~~~

When you all arrived at the hotel that night, the moon had taken its shift in the sky with a blanket of stars joining it. You had spent the rest of the day at the beach modeling for Hyunjin’s photography, burying Changbin in the sand, and then having a sand castle building contest with you and Felix as a team. You still believe that you won since Felix had helped you find the perfect shiny little seashells in the water to decorate it with. Felix was more than satisfied with the day knowing that he’d get wonderful sleep tonight replaying all the events at the beach. His favorite by far was when the sun had started to set, and the whole scenery had changed from a bright blue to warm oranges and dusty pinks. Everything had taken on a golden glow, and when he saw it reflected in your eyes, he felt nothing but pure happiness in that moment.

You were going to stay and look at the stars on the beach as well, but everyone was ready to find somewhere to eat dinner and get to the hotel to shower off the sand. When you arrived at the hotel, you made it a point to get out of the car before all the rest to grab your bag before anyone offered to carry it for you. You were a grown woman, dammit, and you were perfectly capable of getting your own things. As your group shuffled into the hotel lobby, you could tell you were all a little exhausted from your sagging shoulders and droopy expressions. You all agreed beforehand that in order to save a bit of money, you’d share rooms. You decided it was easiest just to keep the roommates how they already were: Changbin and Hyunjin, and you and Felix. You didn’t mind having to share with Felix because he was a considerate roommate, and he was very respectful of boundaries. Besides, when you had booked the rooms for everyone, you made sure the bathrooms would have plenty of space to get ready in and you each had your own bed.

Everyone checked in at the front desk, and you slipped the keycard into your pocket, not trusting Felix to keep up with. You weren’t much better with not forgetting things, but Felix managed to lose it or get locked out every. single. time. It was honestly cute how he’d blow up your phone pissed off about how they made the keycards so small and forgettable. Other times, he would FaceTime you and want you to keep him company until someone would finally let him back into his room. These were the nights that you stayed up late to talk because he would use the excuse that you were already in the middle of something, so you should just stay on the phone.

You were all silent as you made your way up to your rooms that were only a couple doors away from each other, lost in thoughts about a warm shower to cleanse the sea salt still lingering on your skin. You said your goodnights to each other by uttering agreeing mumbles and nodding from your door ways before pushing them open and slipping inside. Felix let you enter first following close on your heels in the narrow hallway that led to the rest of the hotel room, and he crashed into you as you came to a sudden stop. “Oh shit, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Felix quickly grabbed your hips to steady you, letting his own bag fall from his shoulder, when he noticed your expression. He followed your wide-eyed stare into the room, and he realized what caused your reaction.

There was only one bed.

Felix froze behind you as well, and his brain shut down, not thinking about what this would mean. You cleared your throat and turned to face him not realizing he was still so close that there were barely inches between you. You took a step back which caused Felix to do the same scared that you were feeling uncomfortable. “I- I swore I booked a room with two beds…” You spoke softly with your gaze cast on the ground and your brows furrowed.

“Oh…I- It’s totally fine. I can just go bunk with Hyunjin.” Felix quickly scooped his bag from the floor already backing away towards the door. “Don’t even worry, we’ve shared one befo-”

“You can stay…” You cut him off, and Felix’s mouth was slightly parted, still stuck on his last train of thought as he processed what you had just said. “I just mean, it would be unfair to ask that of you…” you gestured to the bed behind you as you said this, “There’s plenty of room, and their room would be too crowded with three people. Just stay…” You smiled at him reassuringly and Felix could feel his apprehension dissolve slightly.

“Are you sure? That chair doesn’t look too bad. I could just-” Felix was referring to the flimsy office chair parked under the desk in the corner of the room.

You laughed slightly, “Felix, it’s fine. We’ve fallen asleep on the couch together before. It’s not like you do taekwondo in your sleep, right?” Felix chuckled at this, and he was glad that you weren’t bothered by the predicament you were in. You were being your usual positive self, making Felix laugh, and relaxing him as always. However, it wasn’t like that time you had fallen asleep together on the couch at all, and you both knew it. The couch was on the smaller side, so you were able to share a blanket; however, you both slept at opposite ends. This time there will only be an arms length in between you, and Felix chose not to think about that right now.

However, he could no longer avoid it. You’d both taken longer than necessary showers to try to procrastinate the inevitable, and Felix had to place two fingers against his neck several times to check his pulse as he listened to you blow-dry your hair. He was sitting in the office chair in the corner trying to focus on the game on his phone when the noisy blow dryer ceased. A couple of minutes later, you walked out from the bathroom finally ready for bed, and Felix had to fight even harder to keep his eyes glued to his phone screen. He heard the rustling of the sheets as you climbed into the bed, and the light from your side of the room blinked out. He wondered how you could just go to bed just like that. But you rolled over on your side to face him, and he saw in the soft lamp light from his side of the room that you were looking at him.

“Are you coming to bed soon? It’s past midnight at this point,” You tried your best to say that flippantly, but you would be lying if you said you weren’t just as flustered at the idea of sharing a bed with Felix.

Felix cut off his phone, and he slowly nodded before dragging his feet over to the edge of the bed. He swallowed continuously and hoped his hands weren’t shaking as he peeled back the covers. He couldn’t help the snail-like pace he was moving in because he really couldn’t even believe what was happening. But there was no denying it as he slid into the bed next to you where the smell of your sweet shampoo greeted him. You were still turned on your side watching him calmly with your hair splayed across your pillow. “Do we need to do the whole ‘put pillows in between us’ thing?” Felix asked and laughed nervously.

You laughed at his comment, and Felix was already trying to think of another one just to hear that sound again. It was his favorite song after all. He shifted on his side to face you as well, making sure to be as close to the edge without falling off as possible. “No, no. I don’t think that’ll be necessary.” You smiled and reached out to ruffle his hair before your arm disappeared beneath the blanket once again. From the simple touch, Felix felt a wave of calmness wash over him. “Do you mind turning off the light, Lix?”

“Right, my bad,” he smiled sheepishly and turned off the lamp that was on his bedside table. The room was immediately plunged into darkness. Felix’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, and the shadows that were swimming in front of him slowly took shape of the hotel room, the bed, and you. “Hey, Y/n?” A small smile crept up on his lips as he tasted your name on his tongue.

“Hm?” The blankets were pulled up over your shoulders, and you had a hand resting under your cheek as you were still turned on your side to Felix.

“Did you have fun today?” The question held vulnerability and sincerity as Felix genuinely wanted you to have had just as much fun today as he had with you.

“Actually, can I tell you something?” You asked with the same vulnerability in your question.

Felix’s heart sped up as he dared to hope, “always.”

“I’m not the biggest fan of the beach,” Felix’s hope was momentarily shattered. He felt bad for dragging you to the beach if you really didn’t want to go. Maybe he should’ve considered that his friends would want to go somewhere else. “But, I had the best time today… I love going anywhere with you, Lix.”

Felix was surprised that he hadn’t melted right then into a puddle. “Me too. I love it too,” You didn’t have to see Felix’s face to know he was smiling because you could hear it in his voice.

Talking with Felix was always the easiest thing in the world, and that night was no exception. When you met Felix, you were still very reserved and assumed that no one cared enough to hear the thoughts in your head. Felix always cared though, and he helped you come out of your shell more. Now, you were completely comfortable sharing anything on your mind with him. That night, you both talked about all your favorite moments you shared that day, and all the memories you now shared before talking about life and what you wanted in the future. You’re not sure how long you and Felix stayed up talking before finally succumbing to sleep, drifting off mid-conversation.

~~~

When Felix slowly woke up that morning, the first thing he noticed was that he was no longer in the same position that he’d fallen asleep in. He was now in the middle of the bed, engulfed by your body. You were still fast asleep with your head resting on his shoulder and one of your arms tucked around his body. Felix blinked a few times just to check if he was still dreaming as he looked at your peaceful features. Your face was completely relaxed, and your eyelashes gently rested against your smooth skin. Your lips were slightly parted while the hair that cascaded in front of your face billowed in the small breaths that left from them.

With the arm that wasn’t trapped between your bodies, Felix very carefully tucked the hair back behind your ear. You stirred a little in your sleep, and Felix held his breath hoping he hadn’t caused you to wake up. But you just nuzzled further into his shoulder and adjusted your grip more securely around him. Felix released the breath he was holding in relief and returned to admiring you draped over him. He hoped you were having good dreams. He hoped you were dreaming of him.

It had been a little more than a false alarm though because in the next moment, your eyes softly fluttered open. He could see the thoughts rouse awake in your mind as your eyes wandered up from your bodies to Felix’s eyes. He tried to keep his expression calm, but his breathing became slightly more labored as he waited for what you’d do next. You hesitantly lifted your head from his shoulder and your arm from around him. You brought the back of your hand against your cheek as if to help cool down the heat from a blush.

You were propped on your elbow still by his side when you finally spoke, “sorry… I guess I’m just used to holding something in my sleep…” You trailed off not meeting his eyes. Should he have tried to move from your grip when he first woke up? Would you have been able to look at him then?

“It’s okay, I didn’t mind,” Felix spoke so softly that he almost couldn’t hear himself over the sound of his own heartbeat. Sure you were the one who took him into your arms at some point in the night, but he was the one who knowingly stayed in them the morning after. Had he messed up?

You didn’t say anything for a minute before completely sitting up in bed. “Let’s just… get breakfast, yeah?”

“Yeah,” his voice slightly cracked, so he cleared his throat and tried again, “yeah, you can get ready first.” You just nodded and made your way to the bathroom. When he heard the click of the door shutting behind you, Felix wished desperately he could know what you were thinking. Something seemed to have shifted this morning between you two, and Felix hoped this wasn’t the start of the end.

~~~

Felix felt his fears were confirmed when you spent the rest of the trip being as distant as possible from him. Others wouldn’t have been able to detect a change since you still spent time with him and joked around like normally. But Felix didn’t miss the way you would look away when you’d make eye contact or quickly pull away from a hug. It was eating him up inside, but he just wanted to pretend that it wasn’t happening. To keep telling himself nothing really changed.

On the way back from the trip, you took the passenger seat, and Hyunjin didn’t try to put up a fight for it this time. He compliantly sat in the back with Felix, and he offered to watch movies with Felix on his phone. Felix couldn’t focus on the screen though when you were in the front lost in conversation with Changbin, throwing your head back laughing at something he just said. Felix’s heart squeezed at the sight; had it really already been that long since you last genuinely laughed like that with him?

When Changbin and Hyunjin dropped you off at your shared apartment, the moon was once again hanging in the sky. For once there was silence that felt very close to awkward as you wordlessly made your way to the door. The whole building seemed to be reflecting your mood as nothing but overwhelming silence echoed through the halls. In reality, everyone was tucked away into their beds having a peaceful sleep, and Felix knew he should be ready to do the same with how late it was. But he was anything but tired.

You barely even acknowledged him once you arrived at your apartment, saying a halfhearted goodnight before disappearing into your room. Felix stood in his spot and stared at your door long after you went inside, wondering if this was the way things were going to be from now on. What had happened that morning? He should just talk to you. He chewed on his lip while contemplating this, taking a step forward, but ultimately steering away towards his room.

Felix abandoned his bag somewhere near his door, and he didn’t even bother unpacking. He was almost in a stupor as he changed into some pajamas and crawled into bed. He tossed and turned for what felt like forever before completely giving up on sleep and settled on staring up at his ceiling with one hand propped under his head. He replayed that morning over and over, mulling over every little detail. From the peace he felt in your arms, to the guilt when you moved away, to the disappointment after you eventually left. Felix was going to drive himself crazy ruminating like this, always coming to the same conclusion. He missed you.

He made up his mind that the first thing he would do tomorrow was talk to you when he heard shuffling at his door. As if his thoughts had managed to conjure you, there you were quietly slipping into his room. He watched you, confusion evident on his face, as you tiptoed your way over to his bed. “Felix?” Your voice sounded so small when you said his name.

“Y-yes?” Before he could even process what was happening, you had slipped into the bed, your arms wrapping around him and pulling him into you. Holding him exactly the way you had that morning.

“I couldn’t sleep…” you offered as if this could explain everything, and your voice was muffled by his shoulder.

“Fuck, Y/n…” Felix laughed but it came out almost like a scoff, and he didnt mean to come off so harsh. “You can’t just act distant all day, and then crawl in my bed like everything’s okay,” he softened his tone this time, and despite his words, he was relieved that you were holding him again. It was all he ever wanted.

“I-I can explain…” You looked up at him with eyes that were shiny and unguarded.

Felix, once again with the hand that was not tucked in between your bodies, reached over to tuck your hair behind your ear, taking the time to explore the emotions behind your eyes. “Please do, I’ve been so lost all day… Did I do something wrong?”

You were quick to grab his wrist as he pulled his hand away, sliding your hand down to take his in yours, “of course not, Lix… I was just scared.”

“Scared? I don't understand,” now he was confused as well as concerned.

“Scared of how much I liked it… Lix, I couldn’t sleep tonight because you weren’t there.” The confession lingered in the air, and Felix felt the seed of fear from before grow into hope. “Please don’t hate me when I tell you this but…”

“I could never hate you, Y/n,” Felix reassured and adjusted his grip on your hand more securely.

“It made me realize that I’m in love with you… that I’ve been in love with you,” You laughed airly like you couldn’t believe you were actually doing this. “And it’s okay if you’re not, but I needed some time to come to terms that you might not-”

“What makes you think I’m not?” Felix asked instantaneously. He was so excited that he didn’t even have time to breathe.

“You are? Don’t play with me, Felix. I’m serious.” you said a little stern.

“I am too, Y/n.” Felix answered exasperated. “I am so in love with you.” You were still staring up at him wide-eyed, and your lips were slightly parted in incredulity. Felix smiled warmly at you and gathered some courage, “I’ll prove it to you…” His eyes flickered down to your lips. He turned on his side to face you and propped himself up on his elbow. He slightly leaned over you and unlinked your hands to softly cup your jaw. He delicately traced your plump bottom lip with his thumb, “Can I kiss you?”

“Please,” That was all it took for Felix to lean down and capture your lips with his. Your breath meddled together as your hand snaked around the back of his neck to pull him closer to you. Felix’s mind spun as you deepened the kiss, and he took the chance to explore your mouth further. The kiss was hungry and desperate, communicating a year’s worth of pinning leading up to this one moment. Your teeth clashed and tongues danced together as you tried to get as close as possible to one another. Felix tugged at your bottom lip with his teeth as he pulled away and met your gaze of matching blown pupils. “Okay,” you struggled catching your breath. “I believe you now.”

“Well, that was easy,” Felix softly laughed and kissed your forehead again just to reinforce his point. “I’ll make sure to keep proving it though.” And Felix meant it. He was ready to show you nothing but love. He settled down on top of you and hugged your waist. He rested his head against your chest and closed his eyes contentedly as you played with his hair. He wanted to enjoy being in the moment and soak in the new discoveries of that night. He knew that there was still more to figure out in this new territory, but that could wait until the morning.

[ideasarestuckinmyhead]

Hi can you do a thing where young auron (like maybe....15 years old) travels to the future and meets adult auron, and is stuck there for 24 hours, and rook comes over for a surprise and sees young him and gushes over him calling him cute and adorable, and young him asked who rook is and auron says.....this is the love of my life

If you don't mind 🙏🏻🥺

They like us because of our personality??

Rook yawned into their hand as they walked to the kitchen to get some water. Groping the wall for the switch they flicked it and saw a kid looking at them with deer caught in highlights look. Both looking at each other the kid had red...hair? Rook looked at them hard as they started to connect that the kids looked a lot like...

"Auron?..." The kid seem to flinch a bit at them calling him out. Eyes flicking at the kitchen entrance and the gun in his hand made them feel a bit uneasy. "Are...you okay?" 'Auron' nodded and tried to speak but Rook's Auron, called out to them.

"Rook? Come back to bed, why are you- Who are you?" Confused was all over Auron's face and tone as he looked at the young man standing in his kitchen for some reason. Said young man step back a bit, why did this man look so much like a older version of himself?? Older Auron seeing the gun flinched seeing it, then glared at the teenager in front of him "Where did you get that?" Hissing out as he walked to him.

Causing the teenager to point the gun up quickly, he didn't know what would happen. Rook grabbed Auron and announced "I think that's you when younger???" Both boys paused looking at Rook, who then gestured to the gun "Put that away please? I just want to know how you got here?" Little A, nickname Rook gave him, put the gun slowly down but still held it.

"I...I don't know how I got here...Where is here actually?" The smaller red head questioned. Auron looked at him and sighed then turned to Rook "Can you make me coffee please? I'm going to need it." Rubbing his forehead he then sat down at the island and motioned the younger man to sit next to him.

Rook sighed as they began making Auron's coffee while humming a tune to themselves. Little A couldn't help but smile a bit when seeing that, "You are in a penthouse you'll own when older." Interrupted his staring. Auron then looked back at Rook that leaned against the island in front of them.

"Awee Auron you were so cute when younger!" Both blushed at the statement while Rook giggled then looked at the younger boy "Soooo are you hungry? Or thirsty I'll make something-" Rambling as they turned checking on the coffee then looking in the fridge in case the teenager wanted anything. Fussing really from both the Auron's perspectives.

"I-I can make something myself if I'm hungry don't worry Mx-" Little A felt flustered by this most of the time adults don't fuss over him because he is the older one. Usually it's Faust getting pampered, which now thinking of him he's worried. Thinking turned dark as he thought of what happened before coming here, he shot- Light laughter shined through his dark thoughts, looking up from the island he could have seen a halo above them.

"Mx? Holy shit! I'm not that old kid I'm probably a good 8 years older! Just call me Rook." Stating with a smile as they passed Auron his coffee. Flustered the younger man nodded, he was taught by....him, to always address a adult like that.

"Rook, dear, your flustering him. Be kind, he's still dealing with shit before coming here. Lord knows my prepubescent years were hell." Chuckling out as he sipped the coffee and sighed. "So, do you have any idea what could have caused this? What is the last thing you remember?" Questioning his younger self felt weird, but he was curious of how this happened.

Little A thought hard of what could have caused this, then spoke "There was this...Blonde man that showed up and tapped my shoulder. Saying I needed to do something?" Mumbling the last bit Auron nodded. So, Finn was meddling again he suppose. But there was a question shot at him from his younger self "So....their our partner?" Rook looked turned again from their breakfast they started making.

"Yes, they are." Simple words made the teen stare in shock. Causing Rook to snort holding their face trying to cover it. "I know shocking." Added by Auron as he sipped again at his coffee, causing Rook to giggle more.

"Someone liked us for our personality??" Yelped confused, setting off Rook in a full laughter as they tried not to drop the pan in their other hand. Auron nodded as he set down his finished coffee, little A was now staring at the counter, Rook and then Auron.

"Awe his confused face is so cute! I need to take pictures!" Declared as they put the eggs and pancakes on the counter. "Take what you want okay? If there is something you wanted but I didn't make, just tell Auron." Explaining as they gave Auron a kiss on the lips before fleeing back to the bedroom. Little A looked at the pancakes and then at Auron, who was smiling after Rook as they left.

"You can trust them, their cooking is good." Speaking as he got up and put his cup in the sink. Little A began to eat them, his body remembering that it only had cereal from this morning. He then heard a snap, turning his head he saw Rook holding a phone.

"Awwweee look at him Auron! His cheeks are puffed up like a hamsters!" Squealing only got a sigh in response as Auron looked lovingly at Rook. Auron looked at his younger self flush once again, this was going to be a long day for him.

[anami-io]

There's no need to exchange pleasantries.

ღ Scaramouche/Wanderer x F! reader.

Note: A scenario in which you and scara/wanderer/Kunikuzushi head up the mountain to thaw the ice. (I know aether or lumine does it but let's just pretend it was you guys for the time being!) You also happen to run into some old friends along the way. Some jealousy rouses in scara, which causes him to realize his feelings toward you. See what else happens as you read loves! :3 

PS: I listened to the album for dragonspine - Vortex of legends while writing this!

Warnings: Mentions of you getting sick. Slight swearing. 

Word count : 3,966

ღ

You have to admit. heading up the freezing mountain in Dragonspine wasn’t entirely what you’d expected it to be, for starters. You didn’t expect yourself to love the scenery as much as you did before you arrived. The hike was indeed a bit challenging. A few treasure hoarders stopped you in your tracks as you both made your way toward the next huge pieces of ice that you guys needed to thaw. Not to mention some fatui agents had also tried to stop you as well. There was a bit of an awkward silence that sat between you two as you continued your way up Dragonspine. You however were just a bit annoyed, as you recall your earlier attempt of trying to spark up a conversation. 

From Kuni’s perspective, he sighed as the strap on his hat flew against his face, making him raise his arm to move it away. The wind began to howl in your faces, he sighed once more and glanced over in your direction. You squinted and continued forward, your scarf covering your mouth.  Walking up to one of the torches that were lit up near the path. You placed your gloved hands out and sighed for a moment. A certain feeling began to build up inside Kuni as he glanced toward your face. The small glow of the fire illuminated your face in the cloudy atmosphere. He glared a tiny bit. You were talking non-stop before and after you left Sumeru city. Even your journeys after. What happened now? 

“Why are you so quiet?” He asks with a hint of annoyance.

You glanced up at him surprisingly as he said this. Only for a moment, as you stood up straight, your scarf stooping below your chin. You thought for a moment before a smug look was then plastered onto your face. 

“I thought there was no need to exchange pleasantries.” You gave him a small smirk. His eyes widened before he scoffed and turned on his heel. You didn’t see the embarrassment on his face.. 

“Moron,” he mumbles

“I forgot that humans get cold,” Kuni spoke as he then continued his way, taking the lead this time. 

“Wait for me!” you said as you ran after him. He took a turn into some type of cavern. You saw the elemental monuments and took a step forward before you stopped and saw two Ruin Guards who were currently sitting on the ground.  

“Shit.” You whispered.

“I don’t think that they’re powered. Think about it, they would have already gotten up.” Kuni speaks, his back against yours. 

“Yeah but I bet they’ll power up when we finish this puzzle.”

“You said you needed to finish this commission though. We can take them unless you're too weak, I can do it myself.” He smirked 

“Ugh I'm not weak you ass, you’re right about me needing to finish this commission though.” You groaned 

 It took a good few minutes but you got the puzzle done. Your theory had been correct about both Ruin Guards turning on after the puzzle had been finished. Both Ruin Guards indeed stood up, and a strong gust of wind and snow began blowing around you both. Kuni and you both made swift work of taking care of both of them. You let out an exhale when suddenly a huge Ruin Grader crossed your path in front of you. Your breath hitched as you summoned your weapon. 

“You’re fucking joking,” you stated making Kuni hold out a hand in front of you. Standing in front of you as he then rose into the air quickly taking care of the annoying machine. 

“Thanks,” you sighed as you exhaled softly before pausing and sneezing softly. 

“Let's head up.” you finished. Kuni glanced up at the sky for a moment seeing that the once bright sky was now dark and cloudy.

“I think we should find somewhere to stay for the night and get some rest,” he states 

“Why are you tired?” you ask in confusion, it’s hard to believe that he could ever be tired. You thought to yourself.

“It’s not for me,” he sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

 “Then?” 

“Are you seriously this dense?” he asks 

“Rude I understand now, I’m fine, let's keep moving.” You started as you made your way back down the path. After fighting a few hilichurls, samachurls, and mitachurls. You finally made your way to a tiny cliff with a clearing. You began to feel a bit weird, tired actually. Panting as you made your way forward. 

“[Name], I’m not kidding anymore let’s head to mondstat and find an inn or-”

“Kuni, I said I’m fine-” you stopped as you felt dizzy, your vision blurring. You heard a ringing noise in your ears whilst also hearing shouting and growling. Your gaze made its way toward a white and blue blur to your left. A Frostarm lawachurl growled and pounded its hands on its chest, getting ready to attack. Your vision began to fade into the abyss as you felt yourself being yanked backward and a blur of blonde and white before the world fell into complete darkness. 

  ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ

Waking up to see a blur of red made you groan softly. You began to slowly sit up before you were pushed back down softly. 

“What the hell are you doing, lay back down.” you heard Kuni’s familiar voice. You slowly regained your vision after blinking a few times.

“What happened?” you asked groggily.

“You fainted because you were beginning to catch a cold, now it’s worse,” he stated before moving the covers above your shoulders. His hand grazed past your cheek making your heart jump for a moment. He then looked straight toward you for a moment.

“Shit, you’re burning up again damn it!” He states he sighs before turning and walking toward another part of the room. It was then that you took a look at your surroundings that you realized you were at an inn in mondstat. 

“Drink, now.” he held a cup toward you. 

“Okay mom.” you joked, making him glare at you for a moment.

You tipped the cup to your lips before tasting the bitterness of what you assumed was medicine. Sucking it up, you finished it before letting Kuni take the cup from you. You sighed and laid back down before resting your eyes once more. 

“Don’t ever do that shit again.” you heard Kuni’s soft low voice reach your ears making you snap your eyes back open. 

“What?” you asked, he snapped his gaze back toward you with wide eyes. 

There was an awkward silence for a few moments as you two stared at each other before he scoffed and got up. He then said something that you couldn’t make out.

“Nothing. I have to go and get something. I’ll be back, go to sleep.” He states without looking back before walking out the door and closing it behind him. 

“Well okay.” you frown as you think back to the look on his face.

Was that..Fear? Sadness? 

ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ

You heard a knock at the door and slowly woke up from your sleep and slowly sat up. 

“Come in,” you stated, throat a little dry. 

That’s when a familiar girl dressed in red walked in. 

“[Name]!” Amber stated as she made her way over to your side of the bed. She reached her arms out and gave you a gentle squeeze.

“You’re okay.” She smiles as she pulls away.

“Amber, it's so good to see you! I missed you!” You smiled before you both began to catch up a tiny bit on things.

“Who is that boy that's been here with you?” she asked as she gave a tiny smug look.

“He’s my travel partner and friend. I call him Kuni.” You held your hands up. 

“Mhm, I see. You know when he and albedo brought you in, he looked so scared. Yelling for us to make sure that nothing happens to you or else. He was pretty scary himself.” Amber gives you a cute eye-closed smile while laughing nervously and scratching the back of her head. 

“Really?” You asked as you then pictured the scene in your head. Your face began to heat up. 

“Yeah well, anyway I brought you this!” Amber smiled as she held out a tiny red pin that resembled the cute bunny ears on her head. 

“I’ve been meaning to send you a letter or find you because I’ve missed you, but you’re always traveling so it was kinda hard ha.” She said sweetly. You glanced down at the small cute gift. Tearing up a tiny bit at how sweet Amber could be. 

“Thank you Amber I love it!” You smile and wrap your arms around her. After pulling away you smile and turn to glance around the room.

“Was Kuni in here or?” You asked 

“Last thing he said was that he needed to get you more medicine, that he was heading to liyue. For now he wanted you to rest so just try to take it easy. Oh! I brought you a book from the library, Here!” 

She reached into her pouch that hung from her belt and pulled out a small book, handing it over to you. 

“I know that you liked these type of books so I picked one up for you since you were practically asleep for a day already-”

“A DAY?!” You thought it was just a nap.

“Hey hey relax! You were really tired and sick! Kuni? Was it? He’s the one who’d been taking care of you all day yesterday and ever since you were brought here into the inn.”

You turned your gaze to glance worriedly out the window, guilt eating your insides. You couldn’t exactly understand why you felt this way. You did know that you deeply care for Kunikuzushi AKA Scaramouche. Ever since you had run into Aether and decided to travel along the famous traveler for a few journeys. You were there the day that those mysterious meteors had appeared, meeting him changed you. From the very moment that you met him, you saw right through him.You recall the night that you had spent camping out near the meteor occurrence. 

You glanced at the dark night sky to see another meteor flying into the ground from afar. Running off toward the sight, your body ached a bit due to being tired. Coming to a halt, the air around you made you feel light headed. It was then that you realized you weren’t alone, over toward the left far side of the crash to see that mysterious boy from earlier. His eyes were closed as if he seemed to be remembering something. It looked like it pained him, the frown on his face was clearly evident that this boy had been through a lot in his past. His eyes snapped open, his gaze flicking toward you. 

“You again.” He grumbled, he then wiped that frown off his face. 

“Where are your f-”

“You’ve been hurt before.” Lips moved without thinking.

His eyes widened, he looked purely surprised to hear you say this.

How could this strange mortal know anything? I can tell that she is being sincere.

Her eyes.

Her expression.

“I’m sorry..” she muttered.

“Nevermind that, It was nice running into you again but I have to go.”  He turned and took off. 

“[Name]?” you heard Aether call out making you turn.

“You can’t just leave like that, you scared me..” Aether trails off, his eyes held fear and worry. Looking as if he was on the verge of tearing up. Your eyes flashed with guilt.

“I know I’m sorry.” You reached out and gripped his shoulders in reassurance. Giving a soft smile before turning to glance in the direction of where that boy had gone, only to see that he had already disappeared. Or so, you thought.

From the top of the cliff above you, his eyes lingered on you as the blonde haired traveler guided you back to your campsite. 

“You’ve been hurt before.”

He watched as you tried looking for him but never spoke of him. Scoffing as he turned and made his way back.

Back to the present

It was already evening in Mondstat, the sun beginning to set and he still wasn’t back yet. 

Where was he?

 You do understand that Liyue isn’t exactly close but still. Archons, you already finished your book Amber had given you. You sat up and pulled the blankets off of you, Getting dressed into your usual gear and outfit. You opened the door to your room and stepped out, making your way toward the exit. Stepping out into the city of freedom, the wind blew softly against your face, and through your hair. Gazing toward the sky and your mind immediately thought of Venti. 

Strolling through the courtyard and making your way toward the Knights of Favonious headquarters. Entering the building made you feel nostalgic as memories of you and the traveler meeting everyone flashed through your mind. Your lips tugged into a smile, beginning to miss him a tiny bit wondering how Aether was doing.

You walked through the doors of the library, and made your way down the staircase, toward the section of your choice. That’s when you heard a familiar high pitched voice coming from another section. You immediately walked toward where you heard Paimons babbling and met face to face with Aether,Albedo,and Paimon. 

“[Name]! What are you doing here?!” Paimon exclaimed in disbelief.

“Yes I was just about to ask you the same question.”

“I see you’re doing better after the attack, I’m glad you’re well, though you really shouldn’t be out of bed and should be resting, how are you feeling?” Albedo’s voice reached your ears.

“Yeah about that-”

“An attack? What happened, are you okay?” Aether asks 

“I’m fine honestly, Me and Kuni were just trying to finish a commission and it was in dragonspine so I caught a cold and almost got attacked by a Frostarm Lawachurl.”

“I was able to deflect the attack and saved her while her partner pulled her out of the way when she fainted. I managed to take out the Lawachurl with one blow, but after that He kept threatening to kill me if I got too close. He seemed very wary of me and didn’t trust me one bit. It took a bit of explaining but we got her to my lab and got her a potion. Brought her to Mondstat where we took her to the infirmary. He threatened me and Amber telling us that we’d better make sure nothing happens to her or else. After she was treated, he took her to the  inn.” Albedo explained, you sighed when he mentioned how Kuni threatened to kill him.

Aethers arms caught you off guard as he gave you a tight hug.

“I’m so glad you’re okay.” He whispered, making you smile softly and return his hug.

“I was just thinking about you when I walked in, I missed you.” 

“I missed you too, it’s so nice to see you again-”

“Hey don’t forget Paimon! Paimon missed you too!” you laughed.

“Has your temperature risen at all since then? Shall I prepare some potions?” Albedo places his gloved fingers along your cheekbone. 

“[Name]!” you heard a familiar voice making you pull away from Aether.

You turned and felt your hand get tugged toward Kuni.

“You’re supposed to be resting, you’re still getting over your cold idiot!” He speaks

“Kuni,”

“Traveler,” There was a brief moment of silence before Kuni pulled your hand again.

“Sorry to cut this reunion short but she needs to be in bed right now.”

“I’m fine!”

Kuni softly smacks his hand against your forehead making you glare at him.

“Your fever is coming back moron, I told you to rest,” He turned toward the traveler and Albedo for a moment.

“Excuse me but I’ll be taking her back with me.” He finished as he began dragging you back to the inn.

“I’ll talk to you soon Aether!” You said softly and he glanced at Kuni and you surprisedly before returning your smile and a wave. 

As you both made your way back toward your room at the inn, he closed the door behind you and pushed you toward the bed. He turned his back toward you and picked up a box that laid on the dresser. He opened it and took a bottle out pouring the substance into a cup. Turning toward you he pushed you to lay back before handing you the cup. 

“Drink it, then go to sleep.” He watched as you took the bitter medicine in before laying down. He walked toward the door and walked out into the living room. You sighed and closed your eyes. Soon enough you fell asleep. 

“No! Wait please! Anything but the Gnosis! That’s mine, don’t even try!” 

“[Name]?” Aether called out to you.

“It doesn’t feel like a victory..” You whispered before turning away from the former harbinger. Seeing the pain in his face and hearing it in his voice made you unable to stay any longer.

You sat up with a gasp, tears wanting to prick at your eyes. Those were memories that you hated to remember, due to the way they made you feel. Yet no matter how hard you try to push them back, they continue to eat at your mind. No luck with falling asleep now. Your mind wandered to Kuni. The hurt he must’ve felt. You couldn’t take it anymore. 

“Kuni?” You call out a bit loudly. 

After a moment you hear some movement and shuffling, before the door opens and Kuni pops in. 

“What?” He asks with a small glare.

“I can’t sleep-“

“No you can’t get up, just close your eyes.” He said as he was about to close the door.

“Wait!” 

He paused.

“I was gonna ask if you can come and talk with me until I fall asleep?” 

He stood quietly for a moment before closing the door and taking a seat in the chair beside the bed. 

“Thank you,” you smiled before getting a little dizzy, your face fell, laying back into the bed. 

“I wanted to say a few things since we haven’t really been able to talk since I’ve been out. I’ve also been thinking about a lot of stuff.” Your voice made Kuni glance toward you.

“About what?” He tore his gaze from you toward the window.

He sounded a little cold with his tone. Trying so hard not to make eye contact with you.  

“Thank you, for taking care of me, I really appreciate it.”

He continued to glance out the window as you spoke.

“Hmph.” He scoffs 

You frowned softly and scooted toward the side he was near. Grabbing his hands in yours making him glance up at you.

“I really mean it, the fact that you went all the way to liyue to Bubu Pharmacy. When Amber told me, I pieced it together. I really appreciate you, I also want to apologize for not listening to you when you suggested that we should go to mondstat. I was reckless and stupid. I understand now..” You gripped his hand before reaching the other to tilt his hat up to a perfect angle, that way you could see all of his face. 

He looked a little flustered for a moment, like he wasn’t expecting this. Glancing into your eyes before turning his gaze toward the window. 

“Yeah well,” he started before he squeezed your hands as well.

“You should know I’m always right.” He glanced back at you. 

You rolled your eyes.

“I’m being serious here,” You glared 

“I really appreciate everything you’ve done so far to take care of me. We’ve been traveling together for quite some time now. If anything were to happen to you at all. I would do the same for you, because I really care about you. I wanna tell you something.” You pulled his hat off and placed it on the desk. Standing and Pressing both hands to either side of his face while glancing down at him. A stunned look decorating his face. 

“Puppet or not, you and I aren’t that different when it comes down to it, I believe that you have come so far to prove that you have more of a heart than anyone else. You have feelings.” You grabbed his hand and laced your fingers with his. 

“Because in my mind,”

“You’re human as far as I’m concerned.”  You whispered sweetly. His eyes widened, his breath hitching. Those familiar words. His face appeared in mind, the moment that he said those words. The smile on his face. 

“You deserve to be with your family and friends.”  Niwa’s smile and voice found it’s way back into Kuni’s mind.

“I just want you to know that you aren’t worthless. You are so much more. You may have chosen the wrong path once but now, You walk with those who care. No matter what anyone says. You deserve to be with family and those who make you feel like you’re home, I’m glad you’re here.” You smiled at his widened gaze. Tears pricking at his eyes. Teeth clenched. 

“Can I hug you?” You ask softly.

“…” 

His hands gripped at your arm. You automatically knew that was a yes. So you wrapped your arms around him and hugged tightly. Tears pricking at your own eyes as you softly caressed the back of his head. Playing with his hair. It was at that moment that you pulled him to lay along with you. A warmth spreads throughout your chest, your heart beating rapidly. You two laid there, with him in your arms and you letting him cry everything out.

ღღღღღ

Opening his eyes to glance around the room. He sat up with wide eyes. 

“Did I actually sleep for a bit?” He glanced down at his hands. His mind wandered to the previous conversation you both had. He smiled softly before turning to glance at you. That’s when his smile dropped. Your eyes were squeezed shut. Your hair sticking to your forehead. Teeth clenched and hands gripped the blankets. Your fever must’ve gotten worse. 

“[Name]!” He grabbed your arm to turn you onto your back. He flinched back once he felt how your temperature had risen. You were practically burning up. 

“Shit!” He ran toward the dresser and checked the medicine box. To your luck there was nothing left. He sighed in frustration before tossing the box toward the wall. Putting his shoes on, hat, putting your shoes on. Draping a cloak over your shoulders before picking you up onto his back and carrying you outside. He had to do something quick before it got even worse. With that he took off toward the gates of mondstat.

ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ

Part 2 anyone? Anywho I’ve been working on this for maybe a few weeks trying to perfect it I hope you guys love it!🥺 - may <3

sorry for any errors I tried my best to edit it as best as I could! good day loves!

[pretzel-box]

Good Morning Sunshine Prologue [Leon x Neighbour!reader series]

Summary: After your home got destroyed by a fire, you seek a sanctuary in Claire's apartment. The catch? Your neighbour is the opposite of a sunshine, but luckily, there's an unknown number brightening up your days!

Tags: Female Reader! | Stangers to Lovers | Slowburn | Neighbour AU x Wrong Number AU | Strong language, fluff, mention of trauma late on. Tags will get updated.

Bright flames roared, hungrily consuming the wooden elements and everything they could reach. The acrid scent of smoke filled the hallway, and crackling sounds echoed through the chaos.

Your eyes teared up as the smoke reached them and you forcefully pressed your dusty jacket to your face, covering your mouth and nose. All your senses were overloaded and adrenaline kicked in. You couldn't die here. With quick steps you hurried through the smoke-filled rooms, desperately looking for a free exit that wasn't blocked by the highly destructive flames.

The faint reflection of glass caught your attention from the side and you hurried towards the soot covered window. In a matter of seconds you dropped the jacket, long forgotten now, to cling onto the window to push it up, praying to whoever was watching over you for a miracle.

With enough strength, you managed to push it up, cracking the glass from the force. All you can focus on is the heat of the flames in your back and the darkness that stretches before you. You can either get eaten alive by the fire or jump from a high floor. All adrenaline pushes you forward and you finally take the step forward to jump…

…forward but the seatbelt quickly held your sweat-covered body back into the uncomfortable car seat. The stare that Claire gave you from the side didn't stay unnoticed and you quickly caught your breath, pretending you just didn't have a hyper-realistic nightmare from the events that happened a month ago.

“Same dream?” The woman chirps up and holds the steering wheel in a tight grip while muttering something about idiots being on the road without having the ability to drive a car right. Complaining about other drivers was a natural thing when you were a passenger in Claire's car. You wish you could just give a comment about her small rant instead of answering the question but you knew: Claire Redfield will ask till you answer her question. And the patience that the woman had is longer than any search history you own on your phone, and this was supposed to mean something.

“More like a nightmare.” You mumble and grab the seatbelt, trying to get some of the pressure of your chest so you can breathe properly. “Same as always, no worries.” Those words were far away from calming Claire's worries. She gave you another unhappy look and her eyebrows furrowed.

You knew Claire from highschool and you two became friends over a coincidence and you might call it the best one of your whole life because this woman is not only a true angel but also your very own independent girl friend. You had the best and the worst moments of your life with her and your bond was special.

“You know what, maybe you need a new perspective. A motivation in life, a very good one night st-” “Definitely not, Claire. I don't need to get laid.” You replied in a wheezy voice, pushing some strands of hair out of your flustered face. The car stopped in front of a red traffic light and Claire took the moment to stare at you in complete silence, taking in your features and reading your mood. Her eyes looked deeply into yours and you could swear that the woman tried to peek into your soul. You gasps playfully. Claire once told you, people who have eye contact with you for more than 6 seconds either wanna kill you or sleep with you. The memory makes you chuckle and you relax into your seat once more. “Claire Redfield, do you wanna hook up with me?”

The question caught the brunette off guard and she choked on her own salvia, coughing heavily before laughing loudly. “Always.” The way she laughs so carefree was infectious and in a matter of seconds you two were laughing and not even noticing the green light that the traffic light gave you. Another car behind you started to honk, which surprised Claire and made her speed up. “God people nowadays are always in a hurry.” You don't pay attention to her words anymore, since the apartment complex came into view. Claire lets you stay in her apartment for a while till you can afford your own place, you tried to decline but she insisted.

It took only a few more minutes till you stood in front of the building, taking in the not so charming view. It definitely needs a renovation or at least some better paint on those outside walls. You could swear this place looks like a historical pile of wobbly stones and people just label it as ‘home’. Claire told you the rent is cheap and seeing the building in person explains the reason for it pretty well. Claire was busy taking out the small suitcase of the car trunk, putting it next to you before following your gaze. “Home sweet home, dear friend.”

It took a while to get all your stuff up the stairs to the small flat that is owned by claire. Apparently, the elevator was broken for a while now, and there is no way that someone will actually repair the old trashy box. Not worth the money or the effort, at least that's what most of the other tenants mumbled in the hallways. And you slightly curse them for it, then obviously it was a painful struggle to get everything up, especially the heavy boxes. Your bones will definitely thank you in the night by giving you the pleasure of a sore back. Nothing is better than the delightful first back issue after freshly moving into a new home. Especially after your old one burned down, right?

You giggle about your own depressing thoughts, depression and Claire are the only friends that you need right now after all the catastrophes that entered your life, and maybe vodka. The four of you could throw the pitty party of the year with the cheapest confetti.

Claire was the one that ripped you out of your thoughts, her hand squeezing your shoulder softly to get your attention.

"Um so, there's something I have to confess..." She laughs nervously while rubbing the back of her head with a free hand. Typical Claire movement.

"You sold me to the mafia." It was a joke that came out of your mouth, laced with sarcasm and you act shocked by putting your hand on your chest and gasping loudly. "And I thought we had a special connection. I even lend you my lipstick in the car!" But the other woman quickly shook her head with another nervous chuckle.

"Actually.. It's a really messed up situation and I need you to help me, my adorable little guardian angel. I beg you on my knees." In an instant she was on the ground, seeming desperate and even clapping her hands together over her head. A sigh escaped your lips.

"Your prayers have been answered, tell me foolish woman, what crime have you commited in those noble times?" Hearing your words was enough for Claire to get back on her feet. Her hands clutching yours tightly.

"Okay so time to spill the tea. I gave your number to a guy who's been asking me for a date since ages to make him shut up...When he's texting you pretend its me and dump him for me!"

It took more than just a full minute to grasp the concept of the situation and the more you thought about it, the more question marks appeared over your head. But despite the weird context and the fact that she gave your number out to a stranger, you couldn't deny her. She's literally letting you live in her flat for free after all. You owe her one and it's time to pay back the kindness.

After you accepted to help her, she went out to buy some takeout for dinner as a thank you. This left you all alone on the couch, watching the world's worst cooking show. Basically a high-quality documentary about your awful kitchen adventures but with paid actors.

Suddenly your phone lights up, showing an unknown number.

???: Listen I apologize for earlier. It was wrong of me to pressure you like that but I really wanna close the case between us.

You: Sorry, I bet you're super sweet, a great guy. And you surely have a great humor but I don't wanna go out with you, sorry man.

???: What?? How are you coming up with such nonsense suddenly?

You: Don't pretent and just accept it, we won't get together.

???: Listen Ada, I'm trying to apologize and not to ask you out for dinner.

You: Ada?? Gosh you can't even remember the name of the girl you wanna take our for a date?!

You: It's C l a i r e. Not Ada. You're such a red flag, dude.

This text conversation surely hit your nerve, how can someone be such low scum? Not only asking for a date but hooking up with multiple woman? Is this some kind of playboy who likes to see people like her as objects?! Your fingers angrily pressed the keys on the keyboard of your phone.

???: You're not Ada??

???: Oh god! I'm terribly sorry I got the wrong number!...

You: Hooking up with so many woman that you get the names mixed up, hm? Your mother must be very proud of you.

???: What? I'm hooking up with no one, especially not with a random phone number.

???: Listen, I'm sorry ok? No need to get hostile now.

???: The names Leon by the way and you are claire right? I'm really sorry for the misunderstanding.

You angrily slap the phone onto the poor couch cushion and put your hands on your face, groaning in annoyance. You just dumped someone named Leon, without even knowing him.

[bettyshoweduptotheparty]

My Exit Note (for now) - and A Letter to Taylor

I’m so very sorry to the lovely people on here who will be saddened to read this, but this will be my last post for a while. I re-joined tumblr in June last year to re-reconnect to this lovely community, and it genuinely seemed so much safer to do than back in 2017. I thought the fandom had gained some perspective as a whole. But after only 7 months, the fandom (and by that I mean swifties) has once again become a battle ground for us, fuelled by none other than Taylor herself, and I’m no longer willing to gloss over that. I’m choosing my own peace.

It may seem like a very fickle move after only 7 months in this space, when the good people on here are genuinely some of the kindest and most intelligent people I’ve ever met online, but let me explain why I need to take a break. I don’t intend to leave Taylor Swift and her art behind and never look back. In fact, I have Eras tour tickets for the summer and I want to give myself a chance to actually be excited about that by the time June comes around. But it’s all too familiar, pretty much exactly the same reason I left tumblr the first time in 2017. I’m here to discuss and analyse Taylor’s art with likeminded (queer) people and I can’t respect the artist of that very art when she continually gives her toxic ‘fans’ ammunition to come into our safe space and harass us and then watches as we scramble to keep ourselves safe amidst abuse and threats. They are doing this in HER name. Members of a marginalised community she claims to be an ‘ally’ to are being doxxed and harassed in HER name and she’s doing nothing. If anything she’s fanning the flames while it burns. Whatever it is that she’s doing with her brand right now, her silence when her own crazy fans are sending DEATH THREATS to people for simply interpreting her art, means that I cannot be part of that right now. I thought the fandom had changed, that Taylor had grown more confident defending what she stands for, but clearly, I was wrong.

The tipping point back in 2017 for me, was when she told those kids from the rep secret sessions that the album was all about her darling bf and gave them permission to go after anyone who said otherwise. And boy, did they take that seriously. They came after us in our little corner for gushing over how beautifully gay those songs were, fuelled by words straight from the horse’s mouth. SHE sent those people after us. Because she wrote the gayest album in history and she couldn’t deal with the noise getting too loud. And I lost all respect for her. It was only in 2019 when she was suddenly draped in rainbows that I carefully looked at gaylor spaces online again, because it seemed like she was finally actually committing to it. But we all know how that ended… So, to see one of those very rep secret session kids on my YouTube feed yesterday picking apart this beautiful NY Times article with lies and inaccuracies in the name of Taylor’s straightness, just reminded me whose side she decides to put herself on. She invited those people to her house. She caters to them, not us. She made them think they were her friends and then sent them after us. With HER OWN WORDS. And I can’t be in the trenches for someone who hands my bullies a gun and points at the target.

I will leave my blog active this time, so my content will be here for people to engage with if they want. But I won’t be on here to receive your messages or dm’s. I’m sorry that I’m leaving you guys at a time where we need to stick together, but I’m getting more anger and hurt out of this than joy atm and that’s always the time for me to put myself first and step away. I hope that we will come together again when the tide changes, I’m still somewhat convinced that the clock is ticking towards a better time for us, but I need Taylor to come through for us (and herself) before I can look at her again. And I promise if that happens, I won’t hold a grudge.

And lastly, here’s something I’ve never done because I’m not crazy enough to think that Taylor sees us on here, but I don’t have any other social media and I had to get this off my chest. (If you have twitter/instagram, maybe do something similar, you never know, she might actually see it and I think she needs to know how much hurt she’s causing with this)

Dear Taylor, @taylorswift

What are you doing, love? I wish I could actually ask you that. In fact, I’ve wished it many times throughout the decade that I’ve been a fan of your music. I’ve wished that I could tell you what your music meant to me when I was heartbroken, and how much joy it brought me when I was young and felt invincible. You changed my life when you proudly held a girl’s hand in public with a smile that showed me that love is there for people like me to find, after all. And when the world was hard on you, I wished I could ask you if you were ok. But today, I just want to ask you this: what have I done to deserve you sending the worst kind of people after me? Time and time again. And you can’t tell me you didn’t know that would happen, I know you’re smart. I know you know the kind of people I’m talking about, the ones that worship you like a God, that will stop at nothing to defend the version of you they have in their heads. The ones you built your empire on. Good on you, but when did you stop caring for the people that actually see you and read the words you put out into the world for us? Was that not what you wanted? I can’t claim to understand how you live the life you’ve chosen, but at least your art was always there to bring joy to my life and community when I needed it. I didn’t need you to be a hero, but now you’ve become part of the problem.

So, here’s the thing: choose a side. Commit to us, or let us go. This line that you’re walking has reached the end. You want to be an ally? Fine. Let me help you with that: Don’t claim to be a safe space for queer people and then throw a grenade into our community and watch it burn. That’s not what an ally does. Don’t appropriate our culture by using our pride flag colours or the colour lavender and then deny the cultural and historic significance of those colours, effectively erasing their meaning. That’s not what an ally does. And most importantly, don’t let people be slaughtered, gaslit and harassed on the internet, or mainstream news, for interpreting your music as queer. A young queer woman, who is an incredible journalist, got called ‘inappropriate’ and a liar on national news yesterday, because she picked up what you’re putting down in your music and wrote an article about it. An incredible article by the way, one that made us all feel seen and validated. And then you’re letting old white men on national television call that inappropriate and invasive. You may not have said those words, but you let them stand there uncommented, let your cultish fans think that their hero is offended by being presumed to be gay. You guessed it, that’s also not what an ally does. A marginalised group of your fans got DEATH THREATS in your name in the last 24 hours because we pick up on queer flagging in your art. And you did nothing. You handed our bullies weapons and left us to fend for ourselves. That is not a safe space for LGBTQ people. And for that reason, you’re losing me.

Because I have nothing to believe. Unless you actually choose me (and yourself for that matter). Just once.

Until then,

J

[im-not-corrupted]

@samsalami66 very kindly gave me another prompt for a new Dreamling fic--Can I do your hair? from this list of prompts.

Features: human au, too much pining, Dream on the aromantic spectrum, childhood friends, developing friendship, and so many feelings!

-------

The sun is already low in the sky when he asks, evening setting in far too quickly for Dream’s liking.

The question comes as quite the surprise. Dream doesn’t quite know why, exactly—they have been steadily growing closer over the last few months, since they reunited after a good many years apart. It is a strange thing to go from close friends to nothing but tentative strangers after years apart. There is familiarity, of course—not everything changes. Some things remain the same.

Most things do not. Dream recalls the way he saw Hob after their numerous years apart. He did so with an entirely different light, though whether that perspective came with age or that distance, he doesn’t know. It was simply that he saw Hob grin at him—small and tentative, unsure despite the confidence he held himself with, a beautiful study in contrasts—for the first time in years, and it did something to him. Stirred something within him, something that remained stubbornly latent until that one moment.

It was something to do with his eyes, Dream thinks. Hob has lovely eyes. Russet brown with specks of gold. They are made for sunlight and seem to crystallise its rays in their irises, all brilliant colours that manage to take his breath away each and every time. They are gentle, hopeful things, those eyes, and made even more beautiful by the soft lines in their corners. Crows feet, barely noticeable but there. Those were not there when they were children, and serve now as proof that they both grew older, but also that Hob has spent these last years away from one another happy.

There is a jealousy to be found there, in the idea that he has been unable to contribute to this joy. He has found the act of bringing smiles onto Hob’s face almost addictive—they are blinding in their brilliance, precious gems Dream just knows he will treasure until the end of time. He wants to be the one to bring him further joy, and wishes he was there to do so during their years apart.

Yet Dream has duties to his family. He could not forsake them, not even for Hob. (He wishes to. They meet every fortnight since their reunion. Dream creeps out the palace, takes his mare from the stables and rides to their obscure meeting place, where Hob is always—always, without fail—waiting for him. The sight always makes his heart ache in his chest, and when they say goodbye…When they say goodbye, Dream wishes he could follow Hob. Wishes he could follow the steps of his childhood friend who he had become ridiculously attached to, a bond that is so terribly unwise he knows he should not continue to meet him yet finds himself unable to not do so. He wishes he could forsake every duty that has ever been placed upon his shoulders and see what life away from the palace might be like—what a life with Hob might be like.

He imagines it to be wondrous. Hob’s stories have always been so…so full of adventure, the tales he spins so full of drama and excitement and everything the palace is not. He wishes he could experience that, if only once.)

In the end, that faint amount of jealousy—the idea that he should be the one to inspire joy inside of Hob, the selfish thought that he has missed so much—it all faded away into gladness. He is happy that Hob has been happy in their time away. He is glad his friend gets to have that, and gets to have enough of it that it has made a permanent mark upon his face.

That, Dream thinks, is enough.

So they have grown closer, these last few months since their reunion. It started tentatively, with unsure steps, a little like walking on eggshells. For Dream, though much about Hob remains the same, the differences are large enough that, at first, he was terribly unsure of himself. There is Hob, with his new-found confidence, with arrogance that suits him instead of feeling obnoxious or annoying like half arrogant nobles back at the palace, with his new-found strength and tanned skin from years spent in the sun, with easy smiles that look so natural on his face. And then there is Dream, who is, for all intents and purposes, much the same. He still dresses in black, as he did when they were younger. He still finds court to be stifling, frustrating, a cage he has yet to escape and one he fears may crush him someday. He still argues with his parents, though admittedly far more politely than he used to, about duties and marriage and all the things that were predetermined for him the moment of his birth. He still wanders the halls of the palace a little like a ghost, stays quiet when he is expected to raise his voice, and is perpetually terrified that he is not enough. For his kingdom, for his family, for anybody he truly cares for.

When he thinks about them like that, it is clear that the two of them are so different. It seemed a foolish idea, that the two of them could be friends, that they could rekindle what they once had. Dream missed him dearly in their years apart, of course—Hob was one of the few things that made his life bearable, along with the books inside the Library and Jessamy. But in that first moment, the day of their reunion, he was sure that he was so much lesser than Hob. That Hob would see it and spit at his feet and simply leave.

That did not happen. For all his fears, all his uncertainty, things were just as easy that day of their reunion as they were the day Hob left. They learned what parts of them had changed, decided they still fit together, and they formed a friendship that now seemed stronger than the one they left behind when Hob had to leave.

It is a blessing, Dream thinks. He thanks the stars that Hob decided, however foolishly, that he is worth befriending. That he is worth knowing.

Still. Growing friendship or not, Dream was not expecting Hob to state at him for a couple of moments and ask, abruptly, “Can I do your hair?”

He blinks, taking a moment to register the question. He replied with a quiet, “…What?” because, truly, he is unsure he heard correctly.

Despite all his confidence, gained from years of befriending people with nothing but a smile, Hob sometimes manages to be so unconfident sometimes. This is one of those moments—his eyes widen fast enough to almost be comical, staring at Dream like he had made a grave mistake, before his face turns red. Distantly, Dream wonders at that, at the way it appears so becoming on him. It compliments the tan skin of his face and Dream wants to see more of it, though isn’t entirely sure where that impulse came from.

“Sorry,” Hob says sheepishly. “Only—your hair is so pretty. I had the sudden urge to braid it. I know that may be…weird? Just. Forget that I asked?”

”No,” he says, and, truly, he is unsure where the word came from. Only, he is not opposed in the slightest to the idea of Hob’s hands in his hair. They’re tough hands, scarred and callused from years of soldiering, yet they have only ever treated Dream with an unfamiliar tenderness he craves. The few touches they have shared are memorable solely due to this—to the carefulness with which Hob touches him. Not like he is a delicate, breakable thing, but instead like he is something worth treasuring. He did not think there was a difference between those two things until Hob Gadling pulled him in for a hug the day they reunited, one arm around Dream’s waist and the other cradling his head.

It is a moment that has changed him, he thinks. Because now that he has been offered more of those touches, more of that gentleness, he wants it. He is familiar with want. It is a great burning thing inside of his chest. He does not want with any kind of moderation, and he wants so much of it that the wanting has nowhere to go.

But it has a direction now. He thinks of Hob’s hands in his hair, of the loveliness with which Hob would no doubt do this with, and he wants. Which is why he looks at Hob, at the red blossoming across his cheeks, pretty like roses, and he offers softly, “You may. If you truly wish to.”

He watches as a smile full of relief and delight breaks over Hob’s face like the sun at dawn. It feels a little like a miracle to be able to see this, and even more like a blessing to know this is solely his. That, in the end, Hob smiles with such beauty in his direction, and now he is able to keep this close inside his memory and revisit it again and again. “Really?” he asks, and he tugs at his ear in a way that can only be nervous, and Dream thinks this is what it means to be in love. “I only want to if you’d be comfortable with it.”

He has read about it, in books. There are plenty in the library, and it seems to be one of the more common themes. Love. Romance. These are things he has never understood.

He does love, of course. He loves his dear older sister, Telute, who they all call Death. He loves his youngest sister Del. He loves Lucienne even if he is not strictly supposed to, for she treats him less like a prince and more like a person, and that is important. He loves Jessamy, who has taken care of him even when his parents have not.

But romantic love is another thing entirely. He feels a little as though he is incapable of it, and cannot quite understand why. It seems to come so easily to everybody else, after all. It seems to be such a universal experience—has to be that, if there are so many works about those feelings inside the library.

Here, in this moment, he thinks he understands. He wants, only he is not sure what exactly it is he is wanting. He aches with it, with the desire to see Hob’s smile again and again. It is different from friendship, he thinks. It is a little like a wildfire catching, burning bright and beautiful and yet so dangerous.

This thing is large enough to ruin him, he can tell. If he reaches forward and lets his fingertips brush those flames, he will burn.

He offers Hob a smile that feels a little like tempting Hell and figures he will be okay with burning if it means he gets to have more of this. More of these moments, lovely and warm and gentle. More of Hob’s smiles and more of his touches. “I wouldn’t agree if I didn’t want you to,” he points out, and Hob laughs.

It is a loud, joyful thing. Dream wants. He wants to taste that sound for himself. Wants to swallow it and let it take root inside himself so that he has a piece of Hob with him. Wants to press his lips to Hob’s and see if he will be as kind to him then as he is every other time.

”Alright then, my friend,” Hob says, and he is beautiful when he is delighted. It becomes him. He had a face built for joy and a voice made for expressing it. Dream wants as many of these moments as possible. “Sit in front of me?”

Hob crosses his legs where he sits in the meadow, amongst wildflowers that bathe the area in a sweet scent that reminds Dream of all things summer. Of sunlight on his skin, its warmth seeping in through his blood and settling inside his bones. It is heady, and it reminds him also of the early days of his and Hob’s friendship—the times when Hob would convince him to take his horse down to the beach so that they might be able to jump in the sea, the times when Hob would drag him to the market in town and teach him the art of pickpocketing. Each time felt a little like courting danger, for he knew his parents would disapprove of both of those endeavours, but they all felt golden, the days so full with possibility that any bad ending would surely be worth it.

(There were no bad endings, not even when they jumped into the sea. Jessamy found him before his parents ever could and tutted softly at the sight of his sodden clothes, no doubt ruined by sea water, and bid him clean up before anybody else found out. There were no bad endings because Jessamy protected him from them, and Dream is eternally grateful to her.)

And, after a moment’s hesitation, Dream sits between his friend’s crossed legs with an insistent feeling of anticipation. He faces forward, turned towards the gradually setting sun. It is beautiful up here, on top of this hill in the middle of a meadow.

He brings his legs up to his chest, wraps an arm around them. With his other, he picks at the grass beneath them, the green so beautiful and vibrant and lovely. It is a nervous thing, this action, and he feels distantly foolish for it. He is not supposed to appear nervous—he is a prince, after all.

Yet Hob makes him feel like this. Like anything is possible. Makes him nervous, despite all the effort Dream has put into learning how to mask these things.

He does not mind. Hob is…Hob is safe. He knows this.

He does not gasp when he feels Hob’s fingers in his hair, but it is a close thing. The touch is so light, so soft that Dream could melt into it. He does not think it would be entirely appropriate to lose himself like so if he does, but he is tempted. For now, he keeps his eyes on the sun and tells his heartbeat to calm down. It is only Hob.

Except it has never been only Hob, has it? This is Hob he is talking about, after all. He is beautiful and lovely and Dream loves him so much. Perhaps a little more than platonically.

”Is that alright?” Hob asks him. He is…close. Which makes sense, considering their proximity, but being confronted with this so suddenly is almost startling.

It takes him more time than he would like to admit to find his voice. When he does, his voice is small and breathy, and he does not have it in him to feel embarrassed. “Yes.”

Hob hums softly under his breath, and then he starts to braid.

He starts from the top of Dream’s head, so it is certainly no ordinary three-strand braid. He sections the hair carefully, mindful not to tug, and braids with an efficiency that feels practised. Dream did not think this would come out of keeping his hair relatively long out of little more than pure spite and a vague like for the style, but does not mind it at all.

“I used to have a sister, you know,” Hob tells him with an air of wistfulness, like he looks into the past and wishes he could go back as he says it. “She used to demand I braid her hair constantly, so I was forced to learn. Admittedly, I rather enjoyed it. Your hair is perfect for it, too.”

He doesn’t preen at the compliment. He doesn’t. “Used to?” he asks softly, then winces slightly. The use of past tense says enough, does it not? There is no need to drag up old ghosts, and yet, he has done so. Accidentally, and without thinking, but he has. “I apologise. You do not need—“

”Hey.” It is so soft that it stops him in his tracks. “Don’t be. You didn’t know. She died a couple years ago. I miss her very much. You would’ve liked her, I think. I am glad you let me do this. Feels like I’m…remembering her by doing so, if that makes sense.”

Dream thinks it does, and says as much. Hob hugs once more, and the two of them fall silent for a while. There is little more between them than slight rustling of movement from behind him as Hob readjusts himself to continue the braid. More than once, he pauses for a reason Dream is unable to determine.

It is comfortable. Quiet. Dream thinks he would like to do this time and time again, if Hob is amenable.

Eventually, Hob tells him, “It is done,” and Dream immediately regrets having not brought a handheld mirror with him. It feels a crime that he is unable to see Hob’s work with his own eyes.

There is nothing for it. But he reaches behind himself and it feels so neat, so tidy, he knows Hob has done well. Then he runs his fingers over feather-soft petals and asks, “Flowers, too?”

”Yeah. There’s plenty about. They suit you.”

Dream turns to face him once more, and Hob stares at him with an expression he cannot quite read. He wishes he could. He wishes he knew what this is, this growing thing between them. He wishes himself capable of putting it into words.

It is enough, he supposes, to leave this thing between them to its own devices. Perhaps it will make sense, make itself known and understood, at some other point in time. For now, Dream lets himself imagine pressing his lips to Hob’s cheek in the gentlest of kisses, let’s himself wonder if Hob might hold him close with the same gentleness he does everything else, and he decides it does not have to be anything more than what they were already, not necessarily.

”Thank you,” he murmurs softly, and Hob smiles. It is a small, delighted thing. Dream adores the sight of it.

”Anytime, my friend. Anytime.” He settles back a little, resting his back against the grand oak tree they mark their meeting spot by, and says, “Come on. Tell me a story. You’re good at those.”

”I am,” Dream agrees. And Hob asked this of him, so he does. He tells him a story, and eventually, the two of them part ways.

He does not take his hair out until long into the night, where he takes the flowers out carefully and keeps them on his nightstand. They will wither soon, he knows, but for now he keeps them as—as a token of Hob’s friendship, he supposes.

When he sleeps, he dreams of his friend, beautiful and joyful and oh so lovely.

[project-reaper]

Moving forward into 2024!

I haven’t really had a proper chance to say Happy New Years, so this will have to suffice, with a little breakdown of what’s been going on and what’s to come!

WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO

I’ve been spending the better part of the last year working on new projects and endeavors. Both with Time Gate and outside of it. From vendoring at markets and working expo’s for the first time to working on art pieces completely outside of Time Gate, 2023 was a hell of a year and it makes me all the more hyped for 2024. That said, I’ve been carrying a weight with me through 2023 that’s made it difficult to enjoy it to the fullest - the weight of knowing that [AFTERBIRTH] is still on hiatus.

This isn’t the longest hiatus that I’ve been on, but it’s certainly starting to approach the record and I wanna get it back on track. Like getting back in shape after spending an entire winter hibernating and eating nothing but junk food, getting back into drawing [AFTERBIRTH] on a schedule is gonna be a process of rebuilding good habits and learning what I can do better to keep those habits alive and well.

The fortunate side to taking hiatuses is that it always does give me a new sense of perspective. In this case, I learned that I put myself through a lot at the start of [AFTERBIRTH]’s production. Like, way more than I realized. At the time I thought I was super capable - and I am! - but now in hindsight I can recognize it wasn’t healthy or sustainable for me to manage that sort of output all on my own. I’m still grinding away at comics like I always do with those other projects I’ve mentioned, but it’s still nothing near the amount of work I put myself through just to meet my own deadlines with [AFTERBIRTH]. I also have this thing called help now in the form of a background artist who’s been working with me on those other projects, which has been an amazing and enriching experience.

Having that time away from [AFTERBIRTH] not only gave me the breathing room I needed to recuperate from the burnout I got myself into, but also got me out of the routines I had stuck myself into, which has given me some new tricks and skills that I’m really hyped to bring back into Time Gate with me.

This does, in a way, mean that I’ve had to really reflect on Time Gate, a lot. It’s a project I’ve been writing since I was a kid, and drawing as a webcomic since I was around 18-19. It’s changed a lot in that time, but I’m finding while a lot of those changes have been reflected in the comic as it is, there are still so many more I want to make - because like the comic, I’ve changed a lot, too, both as an artist and as a person, and considering Time Gate’s always been a sort of personal extension of myself, I no longer resonate with a lot of parts of it that I’ve since outgrown. It’s not so much that I want to hide or take for granted those parts of it that are ‘uglier’, but I want the writing and art to be expressed in the best way it can be because at the end of the day, I’m trying to tell a coherent story that’s enjoyable to read and experience. I’m also the sort of person who learns best by just getting their hands dirty and learning what not to do, and boy, have I spent a lot of years doing just that through Time Gate.

GOING FORWARD

So, going forward, I’ve adjusted my schedule with my other projects to accommodate the time I need to both get back into Time Gate: [AFTERBIRTH] as well as prepare for the upcoming convention season. I’ve got a bunch of plans for this year’s markets with new ideas for prints and stickers and other goodies that I’m really excited to make! And I just, overall, want to pull myself out of the burnout funk. You can’t force recovery to happen on your own time but there does come a point where you gotta start taking steps otherwise you get stagnant, and I feel like that’s where I’ve been the last few months.

AFTERBIRTH FORMAT CHANGE

[AFTERBIRTH]’s format will be changing back to page format in its second season. Vertical format works for some projects and stories, but not for Time Gate. It’s been fun, but part of learning what I’m best at is learning what I’m not best at and the vertical format is too limiting for what I want to do with Time Gate in the future. Color will still be remaining!

REAPER RECOMPILED

I will also be working on the Recompiled editions of Reaper. These will predominantly be the first few volumes redrawn and rewritten to accommodate a tighter story down the road. I know, I know, “don’t get trapped redrawing/rewriting stuff”, but I feel the changes that I wanna make are so necessary that they’re part of what’s holding me back from continuing with [AFTERBIRTH] into Thread of Fate and beyond. There are a lot of really silly and otherwise unnecessary writing decisions I made back during Reaper that I currently feel aren’t working for what I’m trying to accomplish in its sequels, and let’s face it, I wrote it almost ten years ago when I was still very much learning, so it’s due for an upgrade. It'll be the last time too, because it'll be putting us on Loop 9999 and remember what Matty said about surpassing 9999-

This will be something I’ll be picking at slowly but surely. When it’s ready I’ll basically be replacing the old pages and updating any new mirror sites with only the new version (I’m currently planning on trying out NamiComi and Lemoon and of course I'll be continuing to post on ComicFury and GlobalComix).

THE BIG GREEN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM-

All of that will basically be working towards my biggest step - getting the flying fuck off Webtoons. Because let me tell you, I've basically spent the last two years like this:

Y’all know that I’m not really one to roll over and take shit from massive platforms, and Webtoons is no exception. I’ve been posting to it since 2016 and I’m very very much done with it; just like with Tapas it’s no longer the site it used to be and there’s fresh competition entering the market that I’d rather put my focus on. At the very least, I want my independence back, if I’m gonna be stuck having to market and network my own work anyways I’d much rather be doing it for my own site or platforms that aren’t constantly undercutting its creators by removing core features and not implementing necessary ones. I as well as many others have been doing our own investigating into Webtoons and we’re basically feeling like canaries in the mineshaft right now, picking up on some massive warning signs that we want to get ahead of. The worst that can happen is that I pull the same stats I pull on Webtoons somewhere else, what a tragedy that would be LMAO

LIVESTREAMING

And then of course there are my livestreams. Like learning the hard way that I shouldn’t have been drawing [AFTERBIRTH] on such a strict schedule, I’ve learned that streaming on the schedule I used to be streaming on just ain’t for me. Call it the ADHD but I’d much rather stream when I have something to legitimately talk about or showcase rather than force myself to stream even on days when I’m really not feeling up to talking. And I’d like to get back into doing actual video editing content, whether it’s speedpaints or gaming videos or commentary stuff, whatever have you. Now that I have a proper PC rig that’s actually built to do heavy duty stuff, the possibilities of what I can create are a LOT more vast and I wanna take full advantage of them!

That said, if you wanna see an example of what the streams will look like when we return, check out this lil’ time lapse demo:

Definitely couldn't do that on my old setup! It might not be regular streaming like before, but it’ll damn well be higher quality and more fun to watch haha

WELL THAT WAS A BIG WALL OF TEXT WASN'T IT

So yeah! That was a lot of words but I hope it clears up everything that's been happening on my end. Thanks for following along with my work all these years, whether it’s Time Gate or my lil’ secret projects or my streams, through all the ups and the downs. Long-term projects like these may take their toll but there’s so much joy in seeing them change and grow over time, and I want to fully embrace and reflect that growth as best as I can through what I bring you guys.

Thank you all so much, let’s make 2024 a good year <3

[five-rivers]

Iewuukaubweenz

AO3

@jaybirdscall

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Footnotes at the bottom!

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“Iewuukaubweenz,” said Danny, smiling toothily at the tour guide.  

“What was that?” she asked.  “I wasn’t quite able to make it out.”

“Iewuukaubweenz(1),” repeated Danny.  

“Ignore my brother,” said Jazz.  “It means good morning in one of the languages he’s studying.”

“Oh,” said the guide, smiling, “that’s wonderful.  Preparing for college?”

“It’s just a hobby,” said Danny.  

“What language is it?”

“Oiwawu uno Yinis(2).”

“Well, it’s lovely.  Ah, I think that must be everyone…”  The guide stepped away and started to do a headcount.  

“Don’t make me regret bringing you,” said Jazz.  

“Oh, you should have done that long ago, nu(3).”

“Nuuhuueiwee, uu iiuuni yinis, uzue(4)!” snapped Jazz. 

“Your pronunciation is a little off, there.  ‘Don’t forget’ should be ‘nuuheiwee,’ since ‘eiwee’ starts with a vowel.”

“You’re insufferable.”  

“Wibli i iiuuni eulmau noo iitsetu(5)!”

Jazz groaned.  “Please, just don’t scare off any of my potential future classmates.”

“I make no promises.”

“Danny.”

“I won’t do anything on purpose,” said Danny.  As annoyed as he was to be here, he didn’t want to tank Jazz’s social life from the start.  “But you know how things are.”

“Yeah, I know.  Uu iiuuni(6).  But you could be helpful, too.”

“That sounds like a jinx, honestly.”

“Danny.”

“If you look at it from a certain perspective, it’s like I’m helping them.”  And Jazz, too, because most people would run for the hills upon being presented with the elder Fentons.  Crummy friend material, if you asked him.  Which people usually didn’t.  

Jazz gave him a look.  It was a remarkably effective look.  He crumbled.  

“Fine.  What do you want me to do?”

“Well,” said Jazz, “when people ask why you’re here, I want you to let me explain that you speak over a dozen languages fluently and that I brought you here so you can look at the language, anthropology, and archaeology options.”

“But,” said Danny, “that is why you… Oh.”

“Honesty is sometimes the best policy.”

Danny squinted at her.

“Look, you’re the one going around showing off ghost speak.  At least stick to Latin or something?”

“Ihi Yinis nyoobli wutish(7)!”

“And maybe stick to English unless someone asks?  Maybe?  Like, it’s kind of weird when someone who isn’t, you know, Spanish or Mexican or something starts a conversation off with hola, right?”

“I guess.  But I am a native speaker of Yinis.”

“Danny.  You have a utwueeeweustee(8).”

“Your pronunciation is still off.”

“Give me a break, here, I’m not sure if you can pronounce things in Yinis correctly unless you’re a native speaker.”

“Native speaker?” asked a young man behind who had crept up behind them.  “What are you a native speaker of, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Oh, it’s Danny that’s the native speaker,” said Jazz, spots of color high in her cheeks.  “My little brother.  I’m hoping he’ll be interested in some of the language programs here at the university, if he gets to see them.”

“The language is super rare, though.  Not very many people speak it at all.”  Well, all of the dead, but that didn’t count.  

“Mind saying a few words to me?  I’m a bit of a language buff myself.  Maybe I can guess it.”

“Noo iileihush hii u ib eunti aawee(9).”

“Yinis!  Noo ieku iiiwoo, noo u hib euwi einu ihwuu muueu(10).”

Danny’s mouth fell open.  A sideling look at Jazz revealed that she, too, was slack-jawed.  

“Hii huuyeu yihi, iim.  Wuicheuu(11).”

“Ur hii(12)!” exclaimed Danny.

The tour guide clapped her hands together.  “Now that you’ve all got a moment to get to know one another, let’s start!”

.

Danny and Jazz kept an eye on the young man all through the tour.  Neither of them were quite sure what to do with the fact that a… Ghost?  Human?  Someone who knew how to speak ghost was here, at the college with them.  

“All right!” said the guide, “here’s the student union and our food court!  Let’s meet back here for the second half of the tour in one hour!  Okay!”

Everyone nodded, murmured, or cheered their assent, and scattered.  Danny and Jazz made a beeline for the maybe-ghost.  He had staked out a lonely table in the corner, as if waiting for them.  

… Actually, that was probably accurate.

Jazz slid into the seat right in front of the maybe-ghost.  “Before you two start talking, I want you to know I’m not fluent.”

“Of course not,” said the young man, “I wouldn’t expect a winoo(13) to be.”

“So you are…?” Jazz said.  

“You can call me Roman,” he said.  “But, for what you were actually trying to ask, yes, I am a ghost.”

“Your disguise is really good,” muttered Danny.  

“Yet not, I think, better than yours.  It’s practice.  I’ve been in academia for a while.”

Jazz sharpened.  “As a student?  Isn’t that a bit unethical, considering that there are a limited number of admissions every year?”

Roman laughed.  “Not really.  I’m a ghost student, so to speak.  I don’t really show up anywhere officially, people just remember that I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

So, unethical but in an entirely different way.  “You just… go to school?” asked Danny.  “That’s what you do with your… life?”

“What’s better than learning forever?” asked Roman with a shrug.  “They say you’re not really dead until you stop doing that, and intend to demonstrate that idiom.  I do move around, though.  This is my first time at this university.  But speaking of that…  You must be a lover of knowledge as well, to scout out this place for your afterlife.”

“It’s not like that.  I’m just here because of Jazz.”

“You really should think about what you want to do when you graduate, though.”

Roman cleared his throat.  “As presumptuous as it may be… If you do determine to further your education, I will be here for the next several years.”  He reached into his vest-pocket and pulled out a small, pale green business card.  “I can show you the tricks of the trade.  How to blend in, even if you look, and feel, out of place.”

“Go ahead and take it, Danny,” said Jazz, nudging him.  

“I don’t know,” said Danny.  “It’s not really…”

“You can always throw it away later,” said Roman.  

“Alright,” said Danny, plucking it out of the ghost’s hand.  

“Excellent.  Now that we have that out of the way, what major are you taking, Miss…?”

Jazz blushed.  “I’m Jazz.  Psychology and pre-med.”

“Hm.  I was planning on sociology this year, but that’s not set in stone.”

Danny stood up.  “I’m going to go buy lunch.”

He did not need to watch Jazz flirt with a ghost.  Another ghost.  Jazz… seemed to only flirt with ghosts.  And guys like Spike.  

Oh, ew, Danny did not need to know about his sister’s preferences.  

Did Mountain Dew work as brain bleach?  Yuck.  

Or, as ghosts would say it, nuekawuhuu(14).

1 - Good morning.

2 - The language of Yinis (also called Old High Spirit)

3 - Sister

4 - Don’t forget, I know Old High Spirit, too!

5 - Now you know how I feel!

6 - I know.

7 - But Old High Spirit is fun!

8 - Secret identity

9 - I doubt you have heard this one

10 - Old High Spirit!  I must say, I have not heard that in many years.

11 - You don’t look dead, though.  Very impressive.

12 - Neither do you!

13 - Human

14 - Gross

[allyeardepression]

@jegulus-microfic | march 21 support | words: 976

hiiii so i had the worst fucking time at work lately and i felt like i needed to disappear and wondered why i was a public enemy number 1. so to make myself feel better i wrote this (yes, you guessed- james is me; reg is my therapist 🤠). do i feel better? not really. do i hope someone else with similar feelings will find comfort in this? absolutely.

tw: anxiety, self hatred, everyone is mean

James lay on the carpet and looked up at the fluorescent stars on the ceiling. He was having a shitty day; he started it with a huge smile on his face, but as he walked into the coffee shop he always passed on his way to work, the barista looked at him like he had just killed their pet. Maybe they're having a bad day, he thought.

So he ordered his coffee, waited until the order was ready, and watched the barista. They served another customer with a radiant smile on their faces. Well, maybe they just don't like me.

The thought made him lose his spark a little, but as he grabbed the paper cup and left with a cheery see you tomorrow, he plastered that bright smile back on his face.

It hasn’t stayed there for a long time. While waiting for the light to turn green, he looked at the girl holding her mother's hand and winked at her. The woman at her side must have read it wrong, because she frowned at him and led the girl as far away from him as the other people would let them. Yeah, she didn’t get it right; I was just trying to be friendly, not creepy.

As the day went by, there were similar situations waiting for him at every corner: his boss walked to the break room while James was making tea and gave him a nasty look; his colleagues didn't say a word to him all day, apart from polite greetings. James needed help with some paperwork and asked Carolina from accounting about it. She just huffed and took the papers with an eye roll.

He didn’t get it—what was he doing wrong? He was nice as ever, smiling at everyone and trying not to get in anyone’s way, yet still, each person with whom he interacted that day seemed to hate him.

Even Sirius seemed angry with him when, after being asked if he wanted to come over and watch today’s game, the long-haired man replied i can’t.

By 4:00, when he finished work, there was a purple spot on his hand where he was pinching himself to get his mind off of the whole everyone-hates-me thing. He walked out of the building, saying his goodbyes with a small smile and sad eyes that no one seemed to notice. He walked the five blocks from work to his flat, looking down, deep in thought.

What did I do? Are they mad at me for taking that sick leave last week? I didn’t even know they needed my help so much; I shouldn’t have done that. Was I rude to that barista the last time I went there? And Sirius? He’s never like this; I had to muck something up.

The spiral went on and on until James realised he was at the entrance to the building he lived in. And now he’s here, lying on the floor, looking at the stars he and Regulus put up there so long ago. James wondered if his boyfriend would also be mad at him.

He didn’t know how much time has passed before he heard a key turning and the door creaking. He still lay on the carpet when Regulus shouted, “Hi, baby! How was your day?”

“Good, I guess,” James replied robotically. As the younger man walked into the room, he heard a sigh and quick steps, and suddenly Regulus was looking down at him with a face James couldn’t exactly read from this perspective. “Am I a bad person, Reggie?”

His boyfriend crouched next to him, putting his fingers in James’ hair. That was the first thing today that didn’t make him feel like a piece of garbage.

“Que s'est-il passé chéri?” James has heard this question so many times for the last six years that he didn’t need translation, so he just started rumbling about everything that happened and everything he felt.

The longer he talked, the harder it was to hold back the tears in his eyes. When the first rolled down his cheek, Regulus laid down next to him, taking his face into his hand and caressing it gently with a thumb.

“You’re not a bad person, mon rayon de soleil,” Reg whispered to James, looking straight into his eyes with so much adoration and honesty that it made him cry harder.

They stayed on the floor, with James crying quietly and Regulus cradling his face. It took another eternity for the older man to calm down, but when he finally did, he sat up, rubbing at his eyes. Regulus stood up, extending his hand to help James up and putting his arm around the other’s waist for support. James felt sour after so much time spent in one position, so it actually was easier to walk like this.

Regulus sat him down on a couch and went to the kitchen to make them tea and pasta al pesto. Moments later, he was back at James side. They ate in peaceful silence, yet James' brain was still racing. Regulus must’ve noticed it, because he put their dishes on the coffee table and pulled James to his chest.

“Baby, you could start a cult,” he started into the crown of James’ head, “and you would still be better than anyone else. Even if you did something wrong, you would immediately try to fix it, and this is not a bad-person trait. You did nothing to piss all those people off; it was just an unlucky coincidence. They all had a bad day today, and apparently instead of dealing with it in a mature way, they decided to act like a bunch of kids. It’s not your fault. You’re not a bad person,” Regulus repeated the words like a thousand times.

James still had his doubts.

But James felt better.

translation: Que s'est-il passé chéri? -> What happened, darling?