#making bracelets in between revising for finals

[a-live-wire]

The twins are twinning

[floralhuqzz]

Mine, Not Yours (Joe Goldberg x reader(fem)

(Chapter 11- Soft Steps, Sharp Edges)

MASTERLIST

The woods are quieter than usual when I come back.

The trees breathe for me, cover me, shield me. The leaves crunch under my boots as I make my way toward the cabin. Not a sound from inside. Not yet.

But I know you’re awake. You always wake before I get back.

The key turns gently. The door creaks.

And then I see you. Sitting against the corner of the glass. Calm. Eyes on me—not panicked. That’s… new. Different.

“Hey,” I say softly, like I’m coming home from work and not unlocking the place where I’ve been keeping you hidden from the world. “Did you sleep okay?”

You nod slowly. “Yeah.”

I walk closer, kneel near the glass, and rest my hand flat against it. “Do you need anything?”

You hesitate, fingers nervously fiddling with your bracelet—well, the bracelet. The one I brought back. You know what that means.

“I was wondering,” you say, quietly. “If I could take a shower. Just—clean up.”

The shower. The one across the cabin, past the kitchen, inside the side room. It’s rustic. But it works.

My mind flickers.

Can I trust you?

You’re saying all the right things. You haven’t screamed. You haven’t begged or tried to outsmart me. You haven’t run.

Not yet.

Still, the conflict twists in me.

But I nod. “Yeah. Yeah, you can.”

Your eyes widen slightly, like you didn’t expect that. “Really?”

“I trust you,” I say. And it’s partly true. But the rest of the truth is… I don’t even trust me around you. I open the cage slowly, watching you rise to your feet with caution.

You don’t bolt.

Good girl.

“I’ve had time,” you say quietly, walking beside me. “Time to think. About everything. What you’re doing… it’s insane, Joe. But I see it. You think you’re protecting me. And maybe… maybe you are.”

I freeze.

You look at me, guilt washing over your expression like a quiet wave. “I didn’t mean to come between you and Love. I didn’t mean to… ruin anything.”

My throat tightens. I shake my head.

“No. No, you didn’t ruin anything,” I say. “I did. I let myself feel things I shouldn’t have. But I did. And I fell. Hard.”

You don’t say anything. Just… look at me. Not with fear this time, but something else. Pity? Understanding?

I reach into my pocket. The key is cold—almost heavy, like it knows what it’s about to unlock. It’s been a while since I’ve opened this cage. Since I’ve stood this close to you.

And God, I forgot how it feels to breathe the same air as you.

You’re standing now. Eyes on me. Calm. Too calm?

I crouch slightly, my fingers grazing the lock as it clicks open with a sound that makes both of us flinch, just a little. My hand pushes the door slowly, cautiously—like I’m afraid you’ll disappear if I move too fast.

You don’t.

You’re still there. And I’m this close to you again. Close enough to see the faint smudge of dust on your cheek, the nervous flutter of your lashes, the way your hands clutch each other like you’re keeping yourself grounded.

You’re beautiful. Even here. Even like this.

You step out, and for a moment, we’re inches apart. The silence between us is full of everything we’ve said and haven’t said. Of tension and restraint. Of want, and fear, and something darker I can’t name.

“I’m gonna show you where the shower is,” I say, my voice low.

You nod.

And just like that, I turn, and you follow.

Soft steps. Quiet breaths.

You trust me.

Or maybe you’re just really good at pretending.

Either way…

I don’t know who that makes more dangerous. You, or me.

Of course—here’s the revised version of their conversation during the bath scene, this time with more warmth, subtle smiles, and a shared softness that shows she does like him now:

You step into the warm water, bubbles clinging to your skin like lace. I sit on the floor just outside the door, back against the wall, close enough to hear the small sounds of the water shifting as you settle in.

“I forgot how good this feels,” you say, voice light. A little sigh follows, like you’re finally letting your guard down.

I smile before I can stop myself. “Told you the tub was still usable. Only thing in this cabin that doesn’t creak like hell.”

You let out a quiet laugh. “It’s charming. In a weird, murdery kind of way.”

I raise my brow, glancing toward you. “Murdery, huh?”

“Well, you did lock me in a cage, Joe,” you say, peeking around the corner of the doorframe. Your smile is small but real. “Not exactly a romantic getaway.”

I chuckle—actually chuckle—and shake my head. “Yeah… not my finest move.”

There’s a beat of silence, but not uncomfortable. The kind of silence that stretches between two people who no longer feel the need to fill every second with noise.

“You really thought I’d run?” you ask, voice softer now.

I glance at you again. “I didn’t know. I couldn’t risk it.”

You rest your chin on your knees, arms hugging them loosely. There’s a faint pink in your cheeks—not from the heat of the bath.

“I’m not scared of you,” you murmur.

I meet your eyes. There’s no fear in them. Just something else. Something… tender.

“Then I must be doing something wrong,” I tease, voice low.

That earns me a quiet giggle. You bite your lip and look away.

“I used to think you were just intense,” you say. “Like, ‘guy-who’s-too-into-books’ intense.”

I smirk. “I am.”

“But you’re also… something else. I don’t know.” You pause. “You’re kind of impossible not to notice.”

My breath catches. That—that’s something I never expected to hear from you. Especially now. Especially after everything.

You look at me again, head tilted. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late.”

We both smile, and for a moment, it’s like nothing outside this cabin exists. No Love. No danger. No consequences.

Just this.

Just us.

You lean back against the curve of the tub, water lapping at your collarbones, skin glistening through the rising steam. I glance away, pretending to be more interested in a crack on the wooden floorboards. But I can’t stop watching you from the corner of my eye.

You notice.

“Are you always this awkward?” you tease, smirking faintly.

“I don’t sit outside bubble baths very often,” I say, deadpan.

You laugh again, soft and short, like it slipped past your lips before you meant to. There’s a calm between us now, a strange kind of ease I haven’t felt in years. Not with Love. Not with anyone.

You rest your head on the rim of the tub, eyes drifting toward the ceiling. “It’s weird.”

“What is?”

“That I should hate you.” You glance at me. “But I don’t.”

That lands like a slow punch to the ribs.

I look at you fully now. “You should.”

“I know,” you say. “But...” A beat. “You didn’t hurt me.”

“No,” I say. “I would never do that.”

You nod slowly. “I know.”

The silence this time feels different. Heavy, meaningful.

Then you speak again, voice quieter. “If I wanted to run… I would’ve.”

I stare at you.

You hold my gaze.

I swallow hard. “Im glad you didn’t cause me trouble .”

You chuckle, barely.

I rise slowly to my feet and take one cautious step toward the door. “I’ll let you finish,” I say, not trusting myself to stay in this room a second longer. “There’s some clothes in the drawer by the mirror. I left them there earlier.”

You give me the tiniest smile. “Thank you, Joe.”

You never said my name like that before.

I back away and close the door gently behind me.

And then I lean against it, heart thundering.

I should feel guilt. I should feel conflicted. But all I feel is this tightening in my chest. A desperate ache. You’re still here. You’re still looking at me like I’m not a monster.

God, I have to protect this.

No matter what it costs.

⸻

[sturnswrites]

protective!matt gifts innocent!reader a special something for all the hard work she does for him...

You stretched your arms above your head, a satisfying crack breaking the stillness of Matt’s office as you finally looked up from your work. The quiet hum of the air conditioner and the occasional rustle of papers were the only sounds in the room. The office was empty, everyone else having left hours ago, but you’d insisted on finishing your latest design revisions. It wasn’t unusual for you to lose track of time here; Matt’s office felt oddly safe, almost comforting, even in the late hours.

As you reached to shut your laptop, something caught your eye—a small, neatly wrapped box sitting on the corner of your desk. It hadn’t been there earlier. Your brow furrowed as you picked it up, the faint crinkle of paper loud in the silence. The wrapping was simple: dark blue with a small silver bow. Your name was written in Matt’s unmistakably sharp handwriting on a tiny card tucked under the ribbon.

Curiosity piqued, you carefully untied the bow and lifted the lid. Nestled inside, on a bed of soft white velvet, was a delicate gold bracelet. The chain was thin and elegant, catching the light with a subtle shimmer. Dangling from it was a tiny charm, engraved with your initials in delicate script. Your breath hitched as your fingers brushed against it.

You blinked, your heart racing as a mix of surprise and warmth settled over you. It was beautiful—thoughtful in a way you hadn’t expected.

“Do you like it?”

The low, familiar voice made you startle. You glanced up to see Matt standing in the doorway, his broad shoulders framed by the darkened hallway behind him. His tie was loosened, and the top button of his shirt was undone, giving him a slightly disheveled look that somehow made him seem even more effortlessly put together. His hands were tucked into his pockets, and his expression was unreadable, though his blue eyes were fixed intently on you.

“Matt,” you breathed, holding the bracelet delicately in your palm. “You…you got this for me?”

He shrugged, his jaw tightening. “Saw it and thought of you,” he said gruffly, but there was a softness in his gaze that contradicted his tone. It was as if he couldn’t quite meet your eyes for too long, and the faintest hint of pink dusted his cheeks.

You stared at him, the weight of the gesture sinking in. Matt wasn’t the type to make frivolous purchases or offer gifts lightly. Every move he made was calculated, intentional. He hadn’t just seen this and thought of you—he’d chosen it, planned it, and left it on your desk while you were too engrossed in your work to notice.

“It’s beautiful,” you said softly, your voice barely above a whisper. “You didn’t have to do this.”

His lips twitched into what might have been the ghost of a smile. “I wanted to.”

There was a pause, the kind that felt too heavy and too full of unspoken things. The office suddenly felt smaller, the space between you charged with something you couldn’t quite put into words.

“Why?” The question slipped out before you could stop it, and you immediately regretted it. “I mean, not that I don’t appreciate it, but…why me?”

Matt took a step into the room, his movements deliberate. He stopped just short of your desk, leaning slightly against the edge. “Because you deserve it,” he said simply, his voice steady but quiet. “You’ve been working harder than anyone, staying late, pushing yourself. I see it, even if you think no one does.”

Your chest tightened at his words. It wasn’t just the bracelet—it was the way he noticed things about you, the way he cared in his own subtle, guarded way.

“I don’t know what to say,” you admitted, looking down at the bracelet again. The charm felt cool and smooth against your fingertips, grounding you in the moment.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he replied, his voice softer now. “Just…wear it. And maybe remember that you don’t have to do everything alone.”

His words hit deeper than you expected, and for a moment, all you could do was nod. You slipped the bracelet onto your wrist, the delicate chain resting lightly against your skin. It felt like a promise—a quiet reminder that, in his own way, Matt was looking out for you.

When you finally looked up, his gaze was on your wrist, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his face. “It suits you,” he said, his tone almost absent, like he was speaking more to himself than to you.

“Thank you,” you said, your voice trembling slightly. “It means a lot.”

Matt pushed off the desk, his hands sliding out of his pockets. For a moment, you thought he might say something more, but he simply nodded, the corners of his mouth tilting upward in a small, fleeting smile.

“Good night, then,” he said, his voice low and warm as he turned toward the door. “Don’t stay too late.”

As he walked away, you caught yourself staring at the doorway long after he’d disappeared, your heart still fluttering in your chest. The bracelet glinted faintly under the soft light, a silent testament to a man who said so little but somehow always managed to say just enough.

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

[skylarstark4826]

4 months have passed since the alliance between Wakanda and Talokan has been formed. And all has been well.

After the mayhem that both leaders have caused to their nations and people, and to each other; sour sentiments have been lingering in the people's heart towards one another.

And since the announcement of both countries about to form an official alliance together, that sour emotion turned into bitterness.

It took some time since the finalization; for their people to accept and be on good terms. But conversing with each other and walking alongside with one another on their grounds, made them change their minds and heart and official found forgiveness.

Now both Wakandans and Talokanil are friendly with each other, and walk side by side with each other. In Wakanda only so far. Since there hasn't been a solution as to how Wakandans can also visit the underwater empire and witness before their very eyes the immense beauty of the kingdom.

But that's what is Shuri is working on.

Shuri has been cooped up in her lab since the official union, trying to figure out how can her people visit Talokan.

The clunky underwater suit that Namor made her wear was out of the question. Since it would be a hassle to make thousands of them, and it was bothersome to wear. It restricted her from moving around and to roam free. Could barely interact with the Talokanil. So yeah, nope.

Same goes for the midnight angels suit since it's a suit made for combat only. Out of the question.

So instead, she's using the water breathing masks that the Talokanil wear to help them breath among the surface, tinkering with it as a way to help Wakandans breath in oxygen as they're underwater without using a tank that will limit their breathing time. So far, the success percentage rate is at 72%. Which is not successful for her standards. It has to be above 90%. 

She looks over at multiple open screens that have detailed outlines of the mask and multiple revisions of what needed to be changed, added and improved to it. So far, incorporating an exolung inside the mask, made of Vibranium, where it would draw fresh air around ones own oxygen was the successful part. Making the said person own lungs as the tank without needing a physical one. But the failure of the percentage rate, made Shuri displeased.  

She picks up the mask for the hundredth time today, eyeing it. Again.

For an item that is something so simple and basic, her brain is having a hard time trying to come up with a solution. If only she was conscious during that day on the bridge where Attuma placed his mask over her face telling her to breathe as they were about to take her and Riri to Talokan, but something in the mask made her fall asleep. Like some sort of sedative drug was planted inside that over took her. Cause the next thing she knew, she was in an underwater cave with no recollection of what happened after being at the bridge.

She puts down the mask and sighs. 

Her eyes briefly linger on the mask then moves to her right wrist, where his mothers bracelet takes hold of her skin. The beautiful heirloom crafted with sturdy twine, gold beads, the whitest of pearls, and rich jade with engraved symbols that was difficult for her to make out. Some of the symbols were a bit scuffed and loosing its shape. Well that would happen to a piece of jewelry that has been worn out and been round since the 16th century.

But nonetheless, it still a special momento that he gave her and she will always treasure it. Despite their bitter history. Which has been improving slowly. 

That improvement being just the two communicating. Between each other in private. Not including the regular council meetings in the throne room. 

Communicating during the day before and after the long meetings as they walk around the Citadel, walking among the gardens full of bright flowers during their free time; as the birds chirp in the background, as the two surround themselves in a comfortable atmosphere, showing him her lab where he can see how she comes alive as she creates inventions, adding and improving the most hellish of data that not even Einstein himself can if he were alive today. Only she and within minutes. Taking in her source of life in his eyes and seeing the design of the lab where it wasn't the typical dull soulless labs of the average surface dweller where they would surround themselves in for the entirety of the day. Her lab has character, its vibrant, modern and chic. Like her. And the graffiti located by the staircase that goes around when you walk up or down; in full bright colors, seeing her love of art as well, made him see her in a different light.  

Taking him to her lab was the upmost biggest deal for her. She doesn't let anyone step inside her lab with or without reason. Even if they're friendly or on mutual terms with her, she still wouldn't let anyone in. So this was a huge step into rekindling their...situationship. And made her feel.....something. Something different with him. She doesn't know what that 'something' is but its there.

GRIOT: Princess, the time is 3:20 am

Shuri snaps out of her deep thoughts from her AIs voice.

GRIOT: It would be best to finish for the night for you to go get some sleep

Shuri looks down at the messy table filled with blueprints pens and pencils, and many prototypes of masks that she 3d printed to test out the process of her theories.

She lets out a yawn and rubs her tired eyes.

Shuri: Save all of the data from todays work progress GRIOT. I will be back later in the morning to revisit

GRIOT: Yes princess

GRIOT saves the data and the holographic screens dim out.

Shuri walks out of her lab locking it with her kimoyo beads, on her way to the private shuttle train to take her back to the Citadel. Where she can go to her room and let sleep take her.

She arrives at the shuttle train and steps inside. She sits down by the window, as the train begins to head out of Mount Bashenga and to the golden city.

Looking out of the window and seeing the city lit up during the night from the buildings, gives her a sense of tranquility compared to the stress back at her lab. 

Laying her forehead on the cool glass, closing her eyes, she lets her mind wonder off for the time being till she arrives to her destination.

Her mind goes back to the mask and tries to come up with endless possibilities to get the success rate up. But it seems all her mind goes to is of him.

Now that she thinks about it, there was a moment throughout these 4 months of their nations union, where both them had...stepped out of their 'friendly' comfort zone.

During the 2 month mark, Namor visited her at her lab where Riri was also present, asking for help on the Vibranium sun. He said that he's noticing the light is dimming out. Not to a great extent where the kingdom is surrounded by darkness, but enough to become noticeable where its starting to glimmer instead of shinning brightly like before. 

Shuri agreed to help and made Riri come along, which she absolutely refused to.

Riri: There is no way in damn hell I'm helping the fucking fish stick that was trying to kill me! 

Namor was confused of the strange name she gave him but brushed it off.

With intense convincing, aka, going a Chicago bulls game, Riri finally agreed to come and help. And so, with Shuri activating her panther suit that she updated for her to be underwater with her helmet upgraded to have a clear window for her to see. And breathe as her kimoyo beads act as a storage for oxygen, while Riri wore one the Midnight Angels suit that also has been updated slightly. The helmet also having a clear window for when Okoye and Aneka want to have a full view of their surroundings when being underwater. Namor took them both back to Talokan. 

When they arrived, Riri was stunned at the sight of the kingdom. She never got a chance to see since she was stuck at the cavern as Shuri was meeting with him. And exploring Talokan with him. To which made her angry at Shuri when she found out as they were swimming by that  Shuri has already seen it. 

Riri: Oh, so as you were sight seeing with the fish stick, I was left figuring out ways to stay alive! 

Shuri felt a pang of guilt for leaving Riri behind with her anxiety at an all time high during the moment. But she will make it up to her by fulfilling the promise of attending a Bulls game.

Riri: I was about to write my will!

She kept complaining to Shuri, to remind her of her agony. 

When they arrived at a building, which from the looks of it seemed like it was a castle, Namor went through a passageway that lead a room. A lab. And Shuri and Riri got to meet the scientist that was behind the source of Talokans power. 

A beautiful girl with long black hair, deep brown eyes, light brown skin, gills on the sides of her neck, cute freckles on her face, wearing clothing thats not of the traditional mayan clothes that the people wore. A one piece suit made of brown mesh with bright blue gemstones of various sizes that go all around her, and down to the right side of her arm are bigger pieces of those gemstones that are carved into an intricate design pattern, as a blue flower with green edges sit on top of her right shoulder. Three stands of waterwheel plants hang down on her left side chest with a dried out starfish thats of a brown shade as the earths soil next to it. A blue Vibranium arm gauntlet on her left forearm. And jade earrings and ear cuffs. 

She was definitely striking to look at. And Riri was totally captivated by her beauty and presence. 

Namor introduced her to the two. Her name is Nicté.

Nicté greeted them with the Talokan gesture and Shuri greeted back the same. Riri was just floating there like a frozen statue till Shuri made her come out of her trance by bumping her elbow. But all Riri was able to say was 'Sup' with a salute. 

Namor and Nicté look to each other confused. Shuri felt some second hand embarrassment till she explained thats how surface dwellers greet each other where Riri is from. They nodded their heads in understanding. 

Shuri introduced herself and Riri since words weren't able to come out of her mouth; and was told of the situation with the sun.

And with greetings done, they immediately got to work. Sketching out blueprints in trying to improve the suns energy and nuclear fusion from its core. And updating its electromagnetic radiation since the ball of plasma has not been upgraded for over centuries. 

Nicté took great care of the ball of energy and managed to preserve it the way it is when Namor made her the head scientist of Talokan. But time took over, and her equipment, as much as it is advanced compared to Shuris own, was starting to be not enough to keep its advancements for the sun. Even when underwater nation have access to raw Vibranium. Unlike Wakanda. 

As the three scientists were sketching outlines, Namor was floating on the sidelines. 

He may be the ruler of Talokan, but Nicté was the true source of power to keeping the empires energy. 

Shuri chuckles from seeing the Mayan god, for once, not knowing what to do. And was starting to tease him. Cause thats also another thing she knows best.

From the constant teasing that she would do to her brother, left her feeling satisfied how she would always win over him as he tried to tease her back, but with no prevail. Now she's not able to do that anymore, since he's no longer here. And when she would try to tease Okoye; making her, her next victim, it didn't give her the same satisfaction. Okoye always took Shuris words serious and to heart. Which was no fun. So she gave up on her. 

Shuri teasing Namor and hearing how he responded by replying with one ended sentences, the opposite of what her brother would respond back to her, made her annoyed. He wasn't giving her the same satisfaction so she kept pushing. Teasing him about how he looks like a polished marble statue of someones secret collection hidden in a grotto. 

He responded by saying he is a living god, not a statue. And that they are located in a lab.

She hit his response back by teasing him of looking like a lost clown fish as they're working.

He replied saying that hes not an expert when it comes to science or physics. Thats Nicté's job. Hence why he assigned her the role of being Talokans scientist. 

Now shes getting pissed. His responses are not the ones that she wants to hear from him. So she punched back by saying that a man like him that has the ears of Legolas should be ruling a Woodland Realm not an underwater empire.

He doesn't respond. 

For a brief moment, Shuri thought that she won but when Namor started to swim towards her, she was wrong. 

He swam close to her, invading her space, placing a hand on her waist and leaning in towards her ear that was covered with her helmet and said:

Namor: I know what game you're playing, and its not going to work on me mejen miis

He leans back away and sees her reaction. And he laughs over it. Finding her face looking cute.

Shuri felt a thousand degree burn igniting all over her body and face. Leaving her in a humiliating defeat of her own teasing game. And she has lost.

After coming back to her senses, she looks around her and sees that Riri and Nicté are gone. Namor said they left to go check the sun as she was busy with her teasing of him.

She wanted the oceans surface to swallow her.

She quickly picked up her unfinished blueprints and swam out of the lab to go meet with Riri and Nicté. 

Leaving a satisfied Namor with a smug grin. 

A bell awakens her from her deep nap. 

Shuri opens her eyes and sees that she has arrived at the Citadel. 

She steps out of the private shuttle train and heads towards the elevator. Pushing the button that goes up to the level of where her room is.

The elevator doors open and she steps out, making a b line to her room. 

Once she enters her room, she quickly changes into a simple gray t-shirt that stops at mid thigh. She grabs her bottle of lavender lotion and moisturizes her arms and legs and part of her neck; so she can sleep comfortably for the night. She sets the bottle back down on her night stand next to the conch shell. She picks it up and runs her fingers over the rough edges.

A few weeks after their battle, Namor went to go visit Shuri back in Haiti and gave her the conch to call him whenever she wanted. She scoffed in his face saying that she would never do that and went straight back to Nakias house. The next day, she found the shell on the small balcony to where her room was located and kept it ever since. 

Shuri holds the shell up to her ear, closes her eyes and listens.

Hearing a faint whistle that mimics the breeze of the beach leaves her feeling serene. 

Shuri: Namor...

She says his name unconsciously in a whisper. 

Every time and any time that she looks over at a body of water, her mind always thinks of him.

Anything thats officially water related, she always thinks of him. Like she is in some sort of curse that he has conjured upon her.

She lets out a sigh and opens her eyes. And what she sees ahead of her, makes her heart stop beating and breath caught in her throat.

Outside of her balcony she sees a clear figure of a man, with pointy ears, jade earrings, Vibranium neckpiece, gold arm gauntlets, green shorts and ankle wings. 

Namor looks at her through the glass thats dividing them as water droplets slide down his muscular body. 

Shuri places the shell down on her bed and rushes over to open her balcony's door. 

Shuri: What-Why...what are you doing here?!

She asks with a baffled tone.

Namor: You called

He says bluntly.

Shuri: But... I didn't blow the shell

Namor: I heard you call my name through the shell

Shuri: It can do that?!

Namor nods his head.

Namor: Yes. You can blow on the shell if you want or you can also call name name through the hollows of it. Either way, I will go to where ever you are 

Shuri feels her heart leap to her throat. And her body breaking out into fuzzy tingles from hearing those softhearted words.

Shuri: S-since when was it able to do that?

Namor: I had the shell specially made for it to do that. Only for you

He gently smiles at her.

Now she feels the pit of her stomach twisting in knots that are being engulfed into flames.

She clears her throat but has no words to say.

Namor: Was there a reason that you called me?

Shuri blinks at him and tries to come up with an excuse cause there is now way that shes saying that she called out his name subconsciously. 

Shuri: I-....I wanted to give you an update about the masks. The success rate is at 72% which is not good enough if I want my people be able to breathe underwater as they swim through your waters in peace like how your people are able to walk among Wakandas ground without any breathing problems. So far, the only thing that I was able to improve is by incorporating an exolung inside the mask but the duration for it being underwater is at a minimum of three hours which is not enough if my people want to stay a longer period of time in Talokan, so I'm trying increase the..um...uh..

She stops speaking as she notices how he's looking at her intensely as she rambles.

Namor looks at her then his eyes maneuver to something else behind her, then back to her.

Namor: Should we go to your lab then? You can show me your progress 

Shuri sighs.

Shuri: I just got back from my lab. And I'm tired. So...maybe later in the day, once I finally made some progress 

Namor nods his head.

Namor: Very well itzia. And is that all that you called me for?

He says the last part with a tinge anticipation for her response to be of some sort of way for getting him to stay.

Shes not gonna lie. She wants him to stay for the night. And she has no idea why she thought of that all of a sudden. 

Like there is some sort of hidden urge that she has deep within her and its rising to the surface little by little. This urge thats about to burst out of her. And it does for this moment.

She thinks of a way, trying to get him to stay longer. Her mind running in circles, coming up with reasons for him to continue to being with her right now. 

Shuri: Well...uh...there is one more thing...

Namor: And what's that?

He replies fast. 

She looks at him, then looks down at the floor as if it had the answer. Then her eyes go to the bracelet thats tied around her wrist.

Shuri: Your mothers bracelet. I notice that theres some sort of designs engraved onto the jade. I tried to do some research as to what these symbols are and what they mean, but they're sort of losing its shape 

She holds her wrist for him to see.

Shuri: I was wondering if you can tell me what they are

Namor softly laughs. 

She briefly thought that he was making fun of her or was teasing her, but when she saw the smile that formed on his lips, his tenderhearted expression as he eyes her, told her wrong.

He gently takes hold of her slim wrist in his own two hands. 

The warmth of his large hands around her skin, the feel of his thick fingers lightly stroking her wrist and the bracelet; makes her nerves buzz all around as her body begins to burn to unimaginable degree.

He looks down and moves the bracelet to the first and second jade stone.

Namor: These symbols here when combined is ch'atoo, meaning: to drip

He moves to the third and fourth stone.

Namor: These symbol here when combined is aj upal, meaning: he who is her/his son. So when those words are put together, it spells out Ch'atoo aj upal

Shuri: And what does that mean?

Namors softly smiles at her and moves back to the second stone.

Namor: My name

Shuri: Your name? 

He nods his head. She looks down at the bracelet slightly confused as to how his name is not the one that his people call him.

Shuri: Your name is K'uk'ulkan right. So I'm a bit confused as to why you said a different name

He softly chuckles over her confusion. 

Namor: My people call me K'uk'ulkan cause I am god that created rain and winds. To them. My real name is Ch’ah Toh Almehen. Translating to 'The benevolent lord who drips with water' since I was the first born mutant of Talokan

Shuri eyes him, then back down to the bracelet where the second stone is set on top of her wrist.  Then finally comes to her realization. 

Namor gave her his mothers bracelet that has his name engraved on it. 

Her face, ears, cheeks, neck and just overall her entire body is burning on a level of over one thousand degrees. 

He gave her his mothers bracelet that has his name! 

She wore this bracelet everywhere! 

To the council meetings, when she would go out for missions as the black panther, attending U.N meetings as she listens to all these white politicians and their b.s. The amount of times that she went to sleep with the bracelet on!!

Creating all of her inventions when in her lab and-

.

.

.

.

oh my Bast...

She was able to recreate the heart shape her with this! And the bracelet helped her become the black panther!

Shuri was standing there frozen solid, all stunned, gooped, gagged.

Namor tries to hold in his laughter, but lets out a snort.

She rapidly blinks as she comes out of her stupefied trance. 

He releases his right hand from her wrist to wrap his arm around her slim waist. Brining her towards him. His left hand moves down from her wrist that has the bracelet to her hand and laces their fingers together. 

He nuzzles his face on the crook of her neck and shoulder breathing in her intoxicating lavender scent. Her natural curls that have grown; brushing the side of his face.

Shuri goes back to being frozen over his bold action. As her heart rate increases its beating pace.

Within these past 2 years since knowing each other, she also felt that she had a connection with him.  A deep bond. Despite their bitter past.

From meeting him for the first time by the river as she held a spear towards him in defense, to him telling her his story of how he came to be, exploring the beauty of Talokan, to attacking the golden city by bringing in a tsunami, her mothers death, and their fight on the deserted beach. A brutal battle that almost ended in bloodshed. The raging look he gave her as he threw punches at her, and impaled a spear though her abdomen with no remorse. 

And to think how that man is the same man thats holding her in his arm. Who would turn out to be this type of person. He is not the same man compared to how he presented himself in the beginning to her. Even up to a few months ago. No. He is a different man right now. A man who has let his walls down in this very moment and is being...soft.

He is being soft with her.

After all the suffering that she went through because of him, he now dares to be soft with her. Treating her like this. Showing a side of him that no other has seen before, to her. And only her. 

And she fucking feels giddy. Cause its making her feel...special. 

That 'something' feeling, that she she wasn't able to figure out before has now finally been concluded. 

Namor makes her feel spacial. And he is treating her special. She is special to him.

Shuri feels likes she's about to cry.

Namor releases his hold of her. She looks at him, seeing his stupid soft expression as he looks back at her. With those stupid soft lovely eyes. 

Namor: Its getting late. I don't want to take up more of your time

He says with a stupid soft voice that makes her heart flutter. And she wants to continue hearing it. 

Namor: Maalob ak'aab itzia

He raises her right hand and kisses her palm.

The gates have officially opened.

Shuri stands on her tip toes wraps her arms around his neck. Now she is the one to snuggle her face on the crook of his neck and shoulder. 

Namor reciprocates her gesture back by embracing her back in his arms. 

She lifts her face up and whispers in his ears.

Shuri: Stay for the night

Namor stiffens from hearing her words. And he can feel his heart racing. He slightly pulls back and looks at her perplexed. 

Shuri: And I don't mean it like that

He feels a bit disappointed.

Namor: Was kind of hoping for that

She playfully slaps his chest.

Shuri: We are not at that stage

Namor: Yet?

He says in a playful tone with a raised brow. She giggles.

Shuri: Who knows

She teases.

Shuri takes hold of his hand and motions him inside her room. He closes the door and begins to remove his arm gauntlets and neck piece laying them down on her dresser. And takes off his shoes, leaving them by her nightstand. She slips on a rose gold silk turban cap and climbs to bed and Namor follows. Its a good thing that he is completely dry of water. 

She rests her head on top of his warm chest. Hearing his steady heartbeat. He wraps an arm around her and lays his face on top of her head. His thumb stroking her lower back, as his other hand takes back hold of her right wrist gently. 

She closes her eyes, letting sleep finally take over her. And throughout the night, all she dreamed about was the man beneath her, Ch’ah Toh Almehen taking her to Talokan and showing her a secret garden full of glowing blue flowers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[bowieandqueen11]

Dating Eddie Munson Would Include...

Request: I’m so excIted for the Stranger Things season four stuff!! Can I please request some headcanons about what dating Eddie Munson (Stranger Things) would include, please? thank you so much!

I love this man so much so thank you!! <3  (I’m only about to start episode 5, so sorry these hcs don’t go beyond that yet)!!

Warning: slight NSFW!

If you enjoy, please help me out by leaving a comment! <3

(I do not own Stranger Things or its characters, all rights go to creators. Gif credit goes to @omralbum.)

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°

Eddie Munson is... a lot to deal with, in the best way possible. (Baby boy I’m so sorry for saying that about you ily so much I want to wrap my little goblin man up in a blanket and bonk his head fondly I’m going insane.)

I don’t know, I just feel like Eddie would have known you forever. Both in the physical sense, with you only being a few years apart in school, but also that kind of ‘man I’m living in a dream, this is my soulmate and I’m just a dork standing outside life looking in at nirvana’ kind of way.

The first day he met you, he was too nervous to say anything. Instead, he just turned a blooming red all over his face and neck, latched one of his homemade bracelets onto your wrist, and then ran back into class.

The two of you have always been fast friends since then, but sometimes he would confuse you. Looking back, you were just too young to understand why exactly Eddie Munson would keep looking up at you like that. With that tilted, wide wonderous brown eye look and tense jaw. Sometimes, when you’d go out with a little snotty nosed Steve Harrington (the good ol’ days before he was a cool babysitter) you’d follow Steve’s scrunched up nose and confused head tilt to find Eddie sitting over by himself near the swing set. He’s stopped doodling in his journal, but instead ducks his head and buries them deep into the pages to hide his blush at getting caught by you. Or, he’d be skating back home after school ended, and as he fist bumped you goodbye he would always turn around to give you one last last look before he zoomed off down the boulevard - one warm eyed smile that seemed to burn like sun tinged clover as the sun crested behind his head.

So PHEW man, when he was finally in High School and only a few months away from ‘graduating’ for the first time, he finally mustered up the courage to pour out all the words that have been stuck bouncing around his brain and choked up in his chest over the last lingering years. It was a dank, dusty looking kind of autumn night, one’s where Eddie took his mind off all the revision he was not doing by going out and playing gigs to empty bars. Even with only a few drunkards stumbling about the stools, and even if the place reeked of ammonia and smoke, he could feel his heart pound along to the drumming of his friend when he spotted you slip in through the back doors, coming to cheer him on. When you grinned and waved awkwardly up at him, he finally seemed to understand what true happiness must feel like.

When he drops his beloved guitar and runs down off the stage once the set is over, everything finally just comes blurting out from the pit of his stomach like some frenzied hurricane of messy nonsensical noise. 

I’ve got to be honest, dating him isn’t the easiest hill you could have chosen to run up in your life, but it’s by far the most important one you’ll ever choose to take.

He comes to pick you up and drive you both to school every. single. day. My man is impatient (not to get to school, he couldn’t care less about that. It’s just been over seven hours since he last saw you and he’s literally vibrating in his seat), so either be out of the house before he arrives or be ready to try and calm your angry parents when Eddie comes skewing up the road with his hand slammed on the horn. Be prepared as well for him to shove the passenger door open and immediately lean over the gear box to make out with you for a hot minute before you’ve even had a chance to sit down properly. Even though he’s just had his tongue slipped between your lips, he always acts like a flustered little field mouse when he pulls away and smiles at you. He’s such a cutie pie - still nervous and all shy when he leans down and pulls a bag of croissants out from under his seat that he bought you for breakfast.

I mean, you spend half the time eating it, and half the time taking a bite and then shoving it into Eddie’s face so he can share it with you while he’s driving, but you always appreciate the sentiment.

I mean, like... you HAVE to be part of the Hellfire Club right??? Eddie couldn’t bear it if you were away from him that long, so honestly despite how heated and intense the roleplaying sessions can get, they’re also pretty sweet at the same time. Mainly cute looks from Eddie from behind his manual, throwing you heart filled side eyes any time you roll the die. Or, when someone else is deciding their turn, you see a slight grin tug on the side of Eddie’s lips before you feel a thump against your foot under the table. He can’t help the way his chest starts to shake with laughter as you begin to play footsie hard enough to shake the table, even if he’s pretending to be all official and looking straight ahead at the game. In the end, Mike’s had enough and pretends to fake gag at the two of you, which usually ends with Eddie steamrolling his character with a terrible event in revenge lmao.

But by GOODNESS seeing you in one of their Club shirts??? My man will literally roll his eyes back in his head, stagger back into the lockers and clutch a hand over his heart before he falls to his knees pretending to faint every time he finally sees you in the corridor between lessons. Hearing you laugh always makes him burst into those sweet, high-pitched and hair swirling giggles, and that’s all he wants out of life. The sound is the most magical feeling in the world, and suddenly everything seems to make sense as he looks up at you with that bright smile and eyes near bursting with all the love the Universe can barely contain.

He’s definitely a full body kisser - the kind where he just grabs you by the elbow as you pass by in a blur of warmth, cups your cheeks as you turn to look at him in surprise, and kisses you silly. The kind where his back completely hunches over so you’re all encompassed by him, and his cheeks are so smashed against your own while he presses his plump lips against yours that you swear you can feel infinity. And then the little cheek will just swagger off to his last period as if nothing happened. You can always catch him looking back at you with a proud smirk and the softest ass eyes you’ve ever seen, despite his cocky strut.

Eddie pretends to be all confident 24/7, but honestly he struggles to play properly with his band unless you’re there with him. He feels like you’re his lucky charm, the one good thing in his life gifted to finally get his life in order (86′ is his year baby!) Mainly though, he just likes to show off to you during band practice, prancing around the stage and doing very dramatic twirls and reckless looking headbanging to make you laugh.

The two of you usually sneak off to hang out in the forest behind the school, once you’ve finished eating lunch with the rest of the Hellfire Club. With his arm around your shoulder, the two of you saunter off and away into the welcoming mists. He puts up a nonchalant façade as the two of you chat familiarly and warmly, but you know deep down that the things people write about D & D, the way other students whisper about the devil behind his back do get to him. This is the time of the day when he allows his softer, gentler side to come out to you - a rose blooming in the dirt in spite of the thorns. Do NOT tell anyone though, otherwise he gets all flustered and hyped up about it, but he does like to come out here to the outskirts and sit with you on the bench for a while. It’s always an intricate ritual, one well known but well versed so he can feel safe for a while. He starts by placing his head on your shoulder while he’s talking, and then a few moments later you can wrap your arm around his shoulder. Then he collapses sideways into your chest, and you just sit there hugging him for as long as he needs, rocking back and forth every so often.

On the days when he’s feeling brighter and more revved up due to a mixture of the excitement of starting a new campaign, and the continuous revelation that he’s here!! With you!! With you!!! he’ll shove you down onto the dirt before collapsing down beside you. Lying hip to hip and forehead to forehead, he feels more calm and at peace than he ever has in his twenty years of life. Putting his hands behind his head, you lean up to rest against his elbow as he makes up stupid stories about the shapes of the clouds. He always ends up turned to face you, though, his larger hands gingerly caressing the top of your arms as he bops his nose against your own fondly.

These are the kind of times when he likes to invent up these big, grandiose and ostentatious plans about how the two of you are going to escape Hawkins... move out somewhere on the coast, where he can become a tattoo artist, or perhaps a science fiction writer, and the two of you will be happy and free forever.

Some people think he wouldn’t be much into PDA, but my boi is HUGELY into it. He’s constantly got his hand resting on your knee under the lunch table, before biting his lip and trying not to smirk as he hears your breath hitch from where he’s gripped your thigh. Or when you’re cleaning up after the latest campaign has ended, he likes to pull you against his chest and drag you away from your very disgruntled and head shaking friends. He likes to rest his head on your shoulder, burrowing in like a puppy searching for treats, looking up at you from behind his fringe with a dopey smile and lightning struck eyes. He adores it when you play with his curls - Eddie will give exaggerated shivers and fall backwards onto the floor, curling up in laughter and gazing at you as if you hung all the stars in the sky.

He always gives you his jacket when he walks you from his car back to your doorway after school. He tightens his hand on your shoulders and leans forward to press a kiss to your forehead when you try to shrug it off and give it back to him. He winks and walks off, shouting behind his shoulder that it ‘looks way hotter on you than it ever will on me!’ He’s a strangely observant man, so he always does small things like this if he thinks something’s wrong or that you’re uncomfortable in any way.

This trait has nearly got him in trouble many, many times. Mainly due to the fact that any time you’ve had a falling out with someone, or the usual jocks are being rude to you due to your association with the freak Eddie Munson, he climbs up onto the tables at lunch and starts shouting across the hall at the person. Dustin manages about half the time to grab his leg and pull him back onto his seat before a teacher grabs him by the collar and gives him yet another detention.

On the weekends, when he’s at band practice and you’ve chosen to spend some time hanging out with your other friends Steve and Robin at ‘Family Video’, he’ll come sneaking in all innocent looking before sliding up to the counter. He’ll pretend to be busy looking at the snacks for sale, before overplaying the way he taps Steve’s shoulder.

‘Excuse me my good sir, I’m looking for the perfect move to impress the hottest, most badass person in Hawkins. Big plans, you ask? Why if you must know, it’s for me, I’m the hottest-’

The sentence ends with him earning a shove in the ribs from you.

He gets quite lonely, being all by himself at the trailer while his Uncle’s out working nights. So, he rings you up and promises that if you come over right now (the night before a class test, may I add), he’ll cook dinner for you. And, to be fair... he kind of does? But he also manages to cook the fringes of the kitchenette curtains, burn half the counter space, and set the bottom of the cabinets on fire. You end up managing to wrangle a very fed up sounding Steve into picking up and driving over to drop off a peperoni pizza to the two of you, before spending the night cuddled up on his bed watching the absolutely terrible movie he picked up at said movie store mentioned earlier. He cannot keep his hands to himself, though, man is so fidgety. If he’s not distracting you by crawling onto your lap and trying to kiss you through the bracket of his arms, he’s sliding his palms under your legs and trying to flip you over to straddle him. He’s spending the night climbing over your body like a sloth going wild, until he’s finally comfortably latched on and has fallen fast asleep. By the time the end credits roll, your legs are completely asleep due to the weight of his own on top of them, and he’s snoring with his nose pressed against your cheek.

Sometimes he’ll wake up for a moment, eyelashes fluttering open to a strange tickling sensation on his skin. Turns out, you’re just letting him sleep, silently running your pointer finger over the outline of his tattoos in the hope of soothing his dreams. When he looks down and notices the bracelet he gave you on the first day of school still roped onto your wrist, he nearly starts crying against you.

When poor Chrissy Cunningham gets... well, he’s almost surprised to find you lifting up the boat tarp and immediately falling onto him to wrap him up in the tightest hug your body could muster. He starts weeping into your neck, his own arms holding you in so tight a vice you fear you may burst right there and then. He was just so afraid - not of the cops, or that the town might think he’s a murderer, but that you would believe the lies they were spreading about him and never want to see him again.

You refuse to leave him. So, while the others go out to get the shattered looking man some groceries, you just sit with him for as long as needs. For a few hours it’s just the two of you on the boat dock, sitting side by side with your knees pressed up against your chests. He’s still too shaken to speak properly, in full sentences without choking back a sob. Every time his mouth blubbers open, and he turns to you with those misty, terrified wild eyes, you just grab his hand and squeeze it gently as you rest it on your knee. Every time his bottom lip starts shaking, and his breath hitches as if he’s about to pass out, you cradle his face and coo at him about how everything is going to be alright, and you’ll never ever leave him again. He burrows those words into his heart like a man desperate for air, leaning slowly forward to press a shaky kiss against your lips. He refuses to pull away, instead simultaneously pressing his forehead against yours, gasping for breath as he tugs your hand to hold against his heart.

Something had drawn the two of you together for as long as either of you could remember, and you would be damned if the wolves of Hawkins or some damn curse was going to rip you apart when your lives were just beginning.

[mysterioushogwartsrequests]

Hello! Can I request an imagine with Draco and a Slytherin! Reader where they both are totally in love with each other and maybe one day in class Draco is being particularly needy/frustrated one day and she’s his partner and sees he’s super hard and she teases him but when class is over he asks the reader to give him a blowjob because he loves her mouth and he’s just so whiny and he later spoils the hell out of his girl at Hogsmeade!

This is literally SOOOO LONG!! I don’t know why I wrote so much, but I just really wanted to include all that stuff, lol. My excuse for the length is that I hit a 1,000 followers about two days ago so this is the celebratory piece! 

This goes without saying, but this piece contains a lot of sexual content so please do not read if you are underage or uncomfortable with said topics. I also wrote this in a different perspective because I wanted to try it out so I hope you enjoy!

Warning: SMUT, Oral (Male Receiving)

Title: Princess

                                                 ϟ ϟ ϟ

It was a warm summer’s day, close to the start of the new term. These past few weeks at Malfoy Manor had been tense and Draco often found himself rather stressed . A large part of him felt guilty for leaving his mother at home in the presence of Lord Voldemort, but another part of him felt grateful to be out of his sight. Finally, he could escape the Dark Lord’s watchful eyes, but he could not escape the plan set for him to complete.

Draco’s eyebrows knitted together as he squinted towards the merchandise wall inside Twilfitt and Tattings. Even when he was not around, Draco could still sense the Dark Lord’s influence and the constant reminder of the outcome if he were to fail. However, as he thought of better ways to mend the vanishing cabinet, something caught his attention.  

“Draco darling,” You called to him, stepping out of the changing room with a small smile on your face. Draco’s eyes widened in an instant, a lump forming in his throat as he examined the champagne dress clinging to your body. It was a delicate number with thin, spaghetti strap sleeves attached to the cowl-neck gown, the silk fabric shimmering softly as you stepped onto the podium.  

With a content hum, Draco pushed himself off the wall, his grey eyes locked with yours in the shop mirror as he walked towards you. He rested his hand against your waist, his fingers tenderly sliding down to feel the smooth silk against them, “You look ravishing,” he whispered against your ear, pressing a kiss against the shell of it before stepping back to get a better view of you.  

You smiled satisfyingly, taking a moment to admire the all-black ensemble he wore and how it slimmed him down in all the right places. He stood in a black turtleneck and a fitted suit jacket, his left hand in the pocket of his slacks while the thumb of the other swiped over his bottom lip. A string of questions crossed through Draco’s mind, “When would you wear this?” he thought, tapping his finger against his chin.  

Surely, there was no surprise ball this year, he would’ve heard by now. “Would you wear it on a date?” he questioned, imagining a scenario where the two of you ate dinner at a fancy restaurant, illuminated by just candlelight. “Even better,” Draco trailed off, his eyes lingering over your arse as you admired yourself in the mirror, looking over your shoulder to see the diamond detail that connected the open back, “What would such an expensive piece of clothing look like on his dormitory floor?”  

Draco recalled the conversation he shared with his mother a week prior, where she had counseled him after a particularly difficult day. Narcissa Malfoy had an interesting way of comforting her son. Of course, she sat and listened to him, holding him as he cried, a mixture of guilt and failure coursing through her veins as she fought against the Dark Lord’s plans for her beloved son. The next day, however, she entered Draco’s room with a smile and presented a brand-new wardrobe for him as a start of term gift.  

Pulling himself away from his thoughts, Draco gave a gentle smile and looked up at you, instantly meeting your hopeful eyes.  

“Oh, those eyes” 

“I’m not sure if I should get it,” You admitted, your bottom lip jutting out in a pout as you hopped off the podium and halted in front of the platinum-haired boy. Closing his eyes, Draco took a deep breath, captivated by the intoxicating smell of vanilla radiating off your body. An exquisite aroma, packaged in a —hand-blown— glass perfume bottle with delicate golden leaves painted onto it, finished off with your initials carved at the bottom of it.  

Another one of Draco’s thoughtful gifts.  

“And why is that?” asked Draco, his hand resting against the side of your neck, his thumb rubbing small circles against your jaw. The dress was cut just right, the tight, draped bodice granted him a wonderful view of your breasts, but he looked away to halt the tightening of his pants.  

“I’ve got no occasion for a dress like this,” declared a slightly defeated (Y/N), taking another glance in the mirror, “Well, we’ve still got the goodbye dinner with your parents” You recalled, running your hands down your hips, unintentionally catching Draco’s attention as he remembered the family dinner he had forgotten about. 

“That settles it then,” announced Draco in a chipper tone, “I’ll buy the dress,” he grinned, stepping towards his girlfriend, but halting by the display of diamond accessories. With a glance over the merchandise, he pointed at a necklace set with a pair of earrings, receiving praises from the shopkeeper. Taking the necklace from the older wizard, Draco walked over to (Y/N), “turn around,” he uttered and you happily obliged, watching him as he placed the delicate piece around your neck.  

“Draco-” you began to protest, but he only pressed a kiss against your cheek, clasping the necklace and letting his fingers linger at the back of your neck. The necklace was a breathtaking, diamond necklace with seven glittering emeralds spread evenly across the center.  

“The bracelet and earrings will do nicely as well,” Draco said, nodding his head in approval and signaling for the shopkeeper to begin ringing them up. You opened your mouth to protest again, but Draco placed his finger against your lips, “I believe you recall what I’ve told you, hm?” he teased, raising a questioning eyebrow as (Y/N) nodded, fighting back a smile, “Then, let Daddy spoil you, Princess.”  

There was no denying the power Draco’s tone held over you. His words shot straight between your legs, the feeling of his lips pressed against the side of your neck making you fall against him, finally becoming aware of his erection now pressed against your thigh. 

“Let's finish up so we can go back to the Manor,” you proposed, shifting your thigh ever so slightly to provide him with some much-needed friction. Draco bit his lip and gave a stiff nod, stepping away from you before you could tease him further.  

“Go change,” he ordered, the cocky smirk returning to his lips, “You’ve got five minutes.” Running back towards the dressing room, you peeled off the dress and stepped into your usual clothes, practically sprinting out of it once finished. After a hasty checkout, the two of you exited the shop hand-in-hand, the bag containing your gifts swinging in Draco’s other hand.

                                                             ϟ ϟ ϟ

This school year proved to be the most difficult one yet. N.E.W.T.s we’re now less than a year away and it was never too soon to begin revising. You, however, found it quite difficult to focus on school these last few days. Despite his constant reassurances that he was all right, (Y/N) found some of Draco’s recent behavior quite odd. This strange feeling first arose the week you stayed at Malfoy Manor, where the four of them sat cautiously at a table with Draco’s aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange. You had always had a good relationship with Draco’s relatives, but it was clear to you something was occurring under wraps, something Draco did not want you to know about. Noting his hesitation whenever you brought up the subject, you decided against prying any more information out of him and returned to your studies. Your dedication to academic achievement, much to your surprise, did not go unnoticed by the new Potions Master at Hogwarts, who had heard all about you and Miss Hermione Granger, the two top students of the sixth year.  

Horace Slughorn was a portly, older man, but very gifted with potions and an excellent Professor. Upon arrival, he sought out some of the school’s most promising students and invited them to his office for an elegant dinner. One morning, during breakfast, your owl dropped the intricately decorated envelope right in front of your plate. You had no chance to conceal the envelope from your curious boyfriend, the same one that had tried, without succeeding, to get invited to said dinner.  

However, to your surprise, Draco was not upset. Instead, he pressed a gentle kiss against your temple and muttered the words, “You deserve it, baby girl.” The pet name sends chills down your spine, a smile playing at your lip as his hand rests upon your knee, the cold metal of his rings easing any sort of tension in your body. His left hand rested against your jawline, his slender fingers twiddling with the pearl earring, admiring the small ruby motif encrusted right above the hanging pearl.  

(Y/N) leaned her cheek against his palm, setting the invitation down on the dining hall table, “Are you sure, Darling?” you questioned, taking the time to rest your hand over his, “I might not be able to fit it into my schedule...” you admitted, thoughts of Draco’s mysterious disappearances crossing your mind. Bringing your hand up to his mouth, Draco pressed a soft kiss against the back of it before leaning to press one against your lips.  

“I think,” he started, a sparkle of mischief in his eyes, “You should go show them what the brightest, most caring, and, without a doubt, sexiest girl in Slytherin House has to offer” Draco praised, giving your thigh a small squeeze before dipping to steal another kiss from you, “How does that sound?” He asked sweetly, showering you with yet another kiss, this one against your forehead.  

It was no secret that Draco Malfoy and (Y/N) (L/N) were truly and undeniably in love. Often, the corridors were filled with the incessant whispers of jealous girls who longed for Draco’s attention, but he paid no attention to them. The Slytherin Prince only had eyes for you, the only constant ray of sunshine in his life. Whenever he looked at you, he reminded himself of his vow to keep you completely satisfied, and the only reward he wanted was seeing that gorgeous smile on your face. You were everything to him. You were the only one who knew about his previous family troubles, the one who would hold him when he cried during the late hours of the evening. The one who would fix his tie the second it seemed out of place, the one who would rub his shoulders whenever you noticed him bent over his assignments.  

He would do everything and anything to ensure you felt like the luckiest girl in the world because he knew you, out of all people, deserved it the most.  

”You make an excellent point, Mr. Malfoy,” You grinned, nodding your head in agreement, and flinging your arms around his shoulders. A soft smile crept up Draco’s lips as his arms wrapped around your waist, holding you tightly against his chest and placing a kiss at the top of your head.  

“Don’t I always?” teased Draco, running his fingers through your hair as the other students exited the Great Hall and made their way towards the classes. Rolling your eyes at his response, you placed your hand against his cheek, stealing a kiss from him this time and rising from your seat.  

“We should go,” you announced, stretching your hand out for him to grab, which he happily obliged, rising from the bench and escorting you to your classroom.  

                                          ϟ ϟ ϟ

 A week had passed since Slughorn’s dinner party, the memory of the evening still fresh in Draco’s mind as he tapped his fingers against the wooden desk. Needless to say, he was not particularly pleased with the events of last Saturday. One of Slughorn’s guests had taken quite the liking to you, practically undressing you with his eyes during breakfast hours, something Draco found incredibly disrespectful. He recalled the way Cormac McLaggen eyed you this morning when you bent over to kiss your boyfriend goodbye, skipping out of the Great Hall without a care in the world.  

Draco clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white as his eyebrows knitted together, sparks of frustration igniting within him. Not only was McLaggen ogling you like you were his last meal, but he was also casually brushing up beside you in the corridors, shooting Draco arrogant smirks when they locked eyes.  

Oh, how he would love to jinx that insufferable look off his face. Yeah, that’ll show him.  

He should have been paying attention to Professor Flitwick discussing the proper hand movement for the Gouging Spell, but the thoughts of McLaggen badgering you when he was not around boiled his blood. In hindsight, it was a good thing he was neglecting this lesson because the prospect of gouging a large hole through Cormac seemed very appealing. 

You were particularly busy this week and did not have a lot of time to spend with Draco. Sure, the two of you bid your usual goodnights in the Slytherin common room, but your studying had kept you away from Draco. Due to this, Draco Malfoy was left very touch starved and found himself daydreaming of your earlier rendezvous around the castle.  

Draco turned his head towards you, his face relaxing at once as he watched you diligently taking notes, as usual. You had your bottom lip between your teeth, gnawing it softly as your quill scratched against the parchment. With a content sigh, he admired your concentration and wondered how a person could be that gorgeous. He was, truly, the luckiest man in the world when it came to you.  

He supposed that one could not blame McLaggen for falling for you- I mean, who wouldn’t? Any person would be swept off their feet if you entered the room wearing those silk dresses you were oh so fond of. Draco glanced down at those pretty, pink lips of yours, his eyes practically rolling to the back of his head as you parted them, tongue swiping over your upper lip as you added the final details to your diagram.  

Biting his lip, Draco forced his attention towards Professor Flitwick, but it was already too late. The thoughts of you, sprawled across his bed at Malfoy Manor were enough to replace his earlier frustrations with feelings of lust.  

“Stop,” thought Draco, closing his eyes to contain his feelings, but it was no use. Your lips made an “O” shape when you finally grasped the Charms concepts, making goosebumps appear on Draco’s skin as he shuddered.  

What he would do to have you begging for him right now.  

His pants grew considerably tighter and he couldn’t help but feel grateful towards the school uniforms. The robe he was wearing did a decent job at hiding his current problem, but he knew it would be noticeable when he stood. However, that did not stop him from hearing the way you called his name in the back of his head.  

“Please, Draco...”

“Fuck,” cursed Draco under his breath, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, a slight touch of pink dusting his cheeks. Unable to keep his eyes away, Draco looked back towards you, scanning the soft skin of your neck, and noting how awfully bare it looked. With his self-restraint wavering, he subtly slid down the bench you shared and rested his hand on your knee, something he did quite often. However, you did not question him until you felt his lips against your neck and a hand wrapped tightly around your thigh. Turning your head to face him, you were surprised to see him with his hand over his mouth, his eyes averted from yours as his fingers danced against the smooth skin of your inner thigh.  

“Draco,” you cooed, but the only response you received was a rather harsh nip at your neck, “Draco, someone will see…”  

“I don’t care,” Draco snarled against your ear, “I need this bloody class to be over…” He murmured in a much softer tone, his hand rubbing circles against your thigh and inching closer to your clothed heat. But once you turned to scold him, you noticed the dark, red blush that painted his cheeks and felt his hot breath fanning against your face.  

“Are you alright?” you asked cautiously, innocently rubbing your thumb against his thigh, but that only made Draco twitch in his seat, and his reaction suddenly lit the bulb over your head. Your lips curled into a smirk as your hand moved closer to the bulge on Draco’s pants, turning your attention towards the front of the class as you continued your movements.  

Luckily, the two of you sat at the farthest end of the Charms classroom, away from any overly inquisitive eyes. You were certain nobody would notice, if Draco kept his cool, the two of you would be in the clear.  

“Couldn’t even wait till class was over?” You tutted, delicately tracing your fingers over his crotch, and smirking as he shifted in his seat, “Be careful, I don’t want us to get caught.” You added, firmly cupping his erection through his slacks, a wide grin spreading across your face as he doubled down and hid his face behind a book he propped up. It was honestly quite surprising to see Draco this way. Usually, he would be the one teasing you to no end, but you were currently in control and that was enough to light the fire of your arousal.  

“D-Don’t stop,” Draco pleaded under his breath, biting down on his thumb to hold back a moan as your palm worked to release the built-up tension. Encouraged by his dick twitching underneath your hand, you quickened your pace and watched as he parted his lips, struggling to keep any sound from coming out. As his breathing grew more ragged, you felt his abdominal muscles tense up against your touch, indicating that his release would wash over him soon.  

Fighting to keep the small sense of composure he had left, Draco gripped (Y/N)’s wrist and halted her movements. It took him a minute to catch his breath, but when he did, he spoke in a low whisper, “Wait...” His eyes never met yours because if he looked into those beautiful eyes of yours, he would not be able to control himself. And although the prospect of taking you over the desk seemed quite promising, he did not fancy the idea of letting the rest of the student body see you bent over in such a vulnerable state.  

That was only for him, of course.  

“What’s wrong, Darling?” You teased letting your fingers trace over his crotch again, but he only clicked his tongue at you. Draco knew you too well, he knew you were only trying to rile him up again, but he could not let that happen, not right now. With adrenaline coursing through your body, you leaned towards Draco and let your breath fan against his neck before licking a stripe behind his ear, “Didn’t want to come all over those expensive slacks of yours, hm?” You murmured, gently nipping his earlobe, and taking his momentary lapse of strength to palm his erection once more.  

Draco gritted his teeth once again, pulling your hand away from his pants, “I said wait,” he growled, his lust-clouded eyes finally meeting yours, “You do know how to follow instructions, don’t you?” He asked in a much harsher, more desperate tone.  

“Depends on who’s giving them.” You replied sarcastically, placing your free hand on his knee with a smirk.  

However, Draco did not get a chance to shoot his response back at you. Once the bell signaling the end of class rang, he shot up off his seat and gathered both your belongings before taking your hand and hastily pulling you out of the classroom. A few students stared as the two of you rushed down the hall, blushing in embarrassment as you stumbled after Draco.

His hand gripped yours tightly, leading you towards the Prefects’ bathroom, and stuttering out the password once the two of you arrived. Flinging your book bags across the floor, Draco turned and stalked towards you making you step back until your back hit something solid.

“Think you’re funny, are you?” sneered Draco, pinning you against one of the cubicles, his thigh pressed firmly between your legs and his right forearm braced beside your head. Replicating your earlier movements, Draco dragged his tongue underneath your ear before taking the lobe between his teeth, making you gasp. “Why don’t we put that filthy mouth of yours to better use?” He cooed, blowing a puff of air against your ear, and admiring it as it turned red.  

With a sudden burst of confidence, you gripped his robes and pulled his face towards yours, breaths mingling together, “I think,” You muttered, leaning your lips close to his, “That’s the best idea you’ve had all day…” Looking up at his half-lidded eyes, you crashed your lips against Draco’s, fingers immediately tangling themselves in his hair. Draco returned your kiss eagerly, his hands cupping your arse underneath your skirt and pulling your body flush against his.  

You could feel Draco growing more impatient by the minute. His hands were grabbing desperately at your skin, squeezing every inch of bare flesh he could feel. Longing to have you closer to him, Draco slipped his hand underneath your thigh and hooked it over his hip, fingers gripping hard enough to bruise. Your back arched off the wall, hips grinding against Draco’s as your tongues laced together in a heated kiss. Tugging at your tie, Draco reached to unbutton your blouse and pulled it open, exposing your bra-clad breasts.  

He pressed his lips against the base of your neck, biting and sucking encouraged by your moans beside his ear. One of his hands held your thigh firmly while the other kneaded your left breast, pulling the fabric of your bra down and taking your nipple between his thumb and forefinger. You gasped harshly, bucking into him, and digging your fingers into his hair, messing up the parts that remained previously neat. Draco rolled his erection against your soaked panties, smiling down at your face as his hands kneaded your clothed breasts, “So pretty,” he murmured, captivated by your flushed face and the shameful sounds passing through your lips.  

Your hands reached up to grab his face, pulling him down for another kiss. This time, using the momentum to switch your positions so Draco’s back hit the stall door, earning a small moan of surprise from him. Grinning up at him, you pressed your lips against his neck and slid your hand down the front of his body, cupping him firmly as you sucked the sensitive skin. 

Draco let out gasping breaths as you moved your hand, his fingers digging into your waist, “On your knees,” commanded Draco, trying to regain some sort of control over the situation. You obliged happily, dropping down to your knees and lazily running your fingers over his thighs before reaching up for his belt. After fiddling with the buckle, you took your time sliding Draco’s slacks down, purposely neglecting his throbbing dick hidden in his underwear.  

“Don’t be a tease,” snapped Draco, gripping your chin harshly, “Suck,” He commanded firmly, releasing you as you pulled down his boxer briefs. Draco’s thick length snapped up towards his lower abs, almost slapping you in the face when it sprung out of its constraints. Almost drooling at the glorious sight of his cock, you took it in your hand, running your thumb over the pre-cum leaking out of the reddened tip. Draco bucked his hips forwards, hissing at the light touch, and looking down at your concentrated expression as you slowly pumped your hand.  

Lolling your tongue out dramatically, you leaned forwards and gave the tip a kitten lick, earning a frustrated groan from Draco. Satisfied with his discomfort, you gave the swollen tip another kiss before taking his length fully into your mouth. He let out a strangled gasp in response, his eyes squeezed shut as you enthusiastically licked up his length. Sealing off your lips, much like a vacuum seal, you bobbed your head up and down his shaft, tongue swirling around it as Draco trembled underneath you, his hand over his mouth attempting to stifle the sounds coming out of it.  

Draco looked down at you, unable to control the string of low moans and grunts spewing from his lips. The sight of your plump lips stretching around his cock made him lose the few ounces of coherent thoughts he had left in his mind. Draco let out another strangled moan, throwing his head back against the stall door as you swirl your tongue around his shaft and use your hand to pump the base of his cock. His hand flew to the back of your head when you moved to take all of him in your mouth, your nose brushing the trimmed tufts of hair as you choked around him, the contraction of your throat making him groan out your name.  

With another husky moan, Draco balled your hair up into a ponytail and used it as leverage to thrust into your mouth. “Yes, yes,” whimpered Draco, his face flushed red and his breath caught in his throat, “Just like that, (Y/N)” he hissed, his grey eyes flickering down and meeting yours, making his roll back again as he pulled his lip between his teeth. Your fingernails dug into the back of his thighs, squeezing them tighter as he quickened his pace. You moaned around his dick, the vibrations sending a violent quake through his body as he face-fucked you, his climax only moments away.  

“Ah, you take my cock so well, Princess” groaned Draco, his pace stuttering, “You’re so bloody gorgeous” He sighed, his fingers delving tightly into your hair as you continued to swirl your tongue around the shaft, relaxing your jaw to let the tip of his penis hit the back of your throat.  

The sounds coming from Draco’s mouth had you soaking wet and yearning to feel his load shoot down your throat. Determined to finish him off, you moved your hand to fondle his balls, moaning with satisfaction as his cock pulsated in your mouth. His breaths grew ragged and the only sounds coming from him were small whimpers and grunts. You looked up at him through your eyelashes, his platinum blonde hair fell messily over his eyes, which were currently screwed shut as his face twisted with pleasure.   

Draco’s eyes fluttered open, meeting your eager ones for a second time, but it was too much. Cursing loudly, Draco’s pace grew sloppier and rougher, his body trembling as you fondled his balls once again.  

“(Y/N)!” He cried out as you gagged around him, thick ropes of cum coating the inside of your mouth as he came, hard. You struggled to swallow his heavy load, but you were adamant on taking every last drop, just how he liked it. Draco gasped as he caught his breath, his hand still in your hair as he gave your mouth two final shallow thrusts, pulling out as you licked him clean.  

With his chest heaving, Draco delicately placed his hand against your cheek and slid his thumb over your swollen lips. You press a chaste kiss against the pad of his thumb, the corners of your mouth curling up into a loving smile. He brought you back up to your feet, capturing your lips in a kiss that was all tongue before pulling away with a satisfied smile on his face.  

“You’re quite chipper now, aren’t you?” You teased, hitting him playfully on the shoulder as he pulled his slacks up, tucking his shirt back into his pants and shooting you a wink.  

“Yes, actually,” He retorted, his usual smirk appearing on his lips, “And why is that?” You asked, taking the time to button your own shirt, blushing as Draco stalked towards you. He placed his hand on the side of your neck, pulling down your collar to admire the angry, red marks that decorated it.  

With a small huff, he dipped down and sucked on the spot below your jaw, your knees buckling and hands gripping his shoulders as he bit down. Once he was satisfied with his handiwork, Draco pulled away, smirking at the mark that would surely be visible for days.  

“Because I’m the only one who gets to have you like this,” admitted Draco, pulling you into a hug and resting his chin atop your head, “Can’t wait until I catch McLoser drooling over you, I’ll make sure to remind him who he’s dealing with.”  

You laughed at Draco’s declaration, your arms tightening around him as you embraced, “Are you ready for lunch then? He could already be there” You teased, pressing a kiss against his nose, and pulling away to pick up your bag from the bathroom floor. Draco chuckled as you skipped back towards him, giving your behind a playful smack as you walked past him, “Don’t run off thinking I won’t return the favor,” stated Draco salaciously, catching your hand and pulling you back before you could exit the bathroom.  

You looked up at him with a curious expression, “Is that so?” You questioned with a grin, walking towards him, and placing your hand on his chest, “Is it something I should look forward to?” You asked, tilting your head to the side innocently.  

Draco laughed, raising his hand to cup your cheek, “Come to my room tonight at eleven, wearing that pretty little dress from Twilfitt and Tattings,” muttered Draco, his lips close to yours once again, “I’ll make it worth your while,” he winked, his fingers dipping underneath your skirt to swipe over your clothed core.  

Shivering under his touch, you blushed embarrassingly as he examined the slick now coating his finger, “All for me, Princess?” He teased, contently licking his finger clean and grabbing his own book bag, “Actually, I was thinking about McLaggen” you quipped, stepping out of the Prefect’s bathroom with a bounce in your step which Draco followed after, his eyebrows furrowed as he flanked you. 

“Careful, Love” warned Draco with a hum, his hand sliding into yours as you walked, “or I’ll have to teach that naughty mouth of yours another lesson.”

                                               ϟ ϟ ϟ

 Your four-year anniversary drew nearer, and you found yourself worried about Draco’s behavior yet again. He grew increasingly distant as the term progressed and you could not help but worry, despite his constant reassurances, stating there was nothing to worry about. This, again, left you feeling frustrated. You and Draco started dating during your third year and it had taken a while to break down his walls to understand him, but now it seemed like some of that progress was overturned. 

However, when he was around, he always made the effort to shower you with affection and ensure you were being taken care of. Draco knew your habits better than anything, he knew you would be questioning his behavior and launching your own investigations to find the underlying cause of it, but he could not let you interfere. He was already under fire for having ‘distractions’ and had promised the Dark Lord nothing would come in the way of his success.  

To keep you safe, you had to be left in the dark. It wounded Draco to see that distraught expression on your face when he came into the common room past midnight, sometimes even asleep, curled up on the couch waiting for him to return. He felt guilty for putting you through all this, but it was necessary for your safety and nothing was more important than protecting you.  

His nights were constantly haunted by horrifying images of you injured or worse, dead in his arms after some terrible mistake he made. These thoughts were constantly wearing him down, but he could not tell you, it was just too risky to involve you in this situation. This stressful internal struggle encouraged Draco to show you how much you meant to him.  

He wanted you to know that you were, truly, the most important person in his life.  

“Draco,” You whined with your hands over your eyes as Draco led you through the empty streets of Hogsmeade, “Can’t I just open my eyes? I’ve been to Hogsmeade plenty of times” you reminded him, but he only chuckled beside you, holding you by the waist as you walked.  

“I’m trying to surprise you,” Draco stated, rolling his eyes, “So why don’t you stop complaining and follow me.” He declared, pressing a kiss against your cheek, and leading you towards the clothing shops in the village. Draco halted in front of a large store window, looking up at the dress and envisioning you in them with a proud grin.  

“Alright,” he started, grabbing the hands that covered your face, “Ready?” He murmured, pressing a kiss against her fingertips as you nodded. Counting to three, Draco pulled your hands away from your face and stepped out of your view, letting you take in the sight before you.  

In front of you stood a tall mannequin wearing a floor-length shimmering, emerald green gown with small silver detailing the bust, “Wow” you muttered breathlessly, leaning closer to the window to get a better look of the design. The mannequin turned 180 degrees, giving her a better view of the open back and long train that followed the dress.  

“Do you like it?” Draco asked, looking down at his ring with a content smile on his face. 

Your eyes scanned over the glittering, diamond pendant necklace complete with matching water drop earrings, “It’s gorgeous,” you replied, looking over at your boyfriend with a puzzled expression, “Why do I get the feeling you’re up to something?” You asked, quirking your eyebrow at him as he laughed.  

“You know me well, Darling” Draco admitted sheepishly, leading you towards the door of the stop and holding it open, “I just thought, since you’ve been attending Slughorn’s dinner parties, that you would need some more evening outfits to show off,” He stated proudly, his hand against the small of your back as he gestured you towards the changing rooms.  

“Draco, I couldn’t possibly! You bought me one at the start of term!” You protested, grabbing his hands but part of you knew his mind was already made up. 

“You’re right,” He agreed with a nod, placing his hand against your cheek, “And I’m going to buy you four more today,” He stated nonchalantly, looking back at the four sets of the dresses brought over by the shopkeeper, “You better get started,” he urged, taking a seat on the ottoman in front of the dressing room.  

With a loving smile, you captured Draco’s lips in a kiss, “I love you” You said, squeezing his hand as he returned your smile.  

“And I love you most,” He replied, pressing a kiss against your forehead, and urging towards the dressing room, “Come on, I want to see how stunning you look in those.” Giggling, you ran into the changing room, winking back at Draco before sliding the curtain close and getting into the first dress.  

Several hours later, you and Draco exited the shop with four bags containing various dresses, jewelry pieces, and, even, a brand-new suit. After one final stop at Honeydukes, the two of you made your way towards the castle, treasuring the time you spent together and the memories you created while doing so.

[tiramisiyu]

Tears of Themis: Xia Yan/Luke 2nd Birthday Event Translation

Translation Masterlist | Xia Yan Masterlist | Unsubbed Video | 2nd Birthday Phonecall 

Transcript below cut:

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1.    Wish Checklist

Antiques Shop

MC: (Will Luke find it boring if I schedule out his birthday like this…)

MC: (Would it be better to see the exhibition first…)

Luke: What are you thinking about?

MC: You startled me! How did you not make a single sound?

Luke: It’s because you got too immersed in your thoughts and forgot that I’m still in the shop.

Luke: What’s up, is something bugging you? How about you tell me so I can help you think?

Luke sidled up with a tilted head, smiling at me.

I wavered slightly, on the verge of blurting out my whole plan.

But… if I tell him now, would it lose the whole surprise element?

I saw the exquisite hanging ornaments near the walls of the antiques shop in my periphery, and suddenly came up with an idea.

MC: It’s nothing, I just zoned out while staring at the hanging ornaments.

Luke: Then… are you busy these days?

I could hear a hint of Luke’s probing intentions in his voice, and couldn’t resist wanting to tease him a little.

MC: Yeah, of course. I have a whole bunch of case files to organize.

Luke: Busy with work…

Luke: Aw, I thought my girlfriend would be busying herself with my birthday. I never would’ve thought that I’d lose to work…

Luke’s brow wrinkled a little, his hand clasped at his heart in a “heartbroken” act.

Seeing how melodramatic he was being, I finally couldn’t hold back my laughter anymore.

MC: Kidding – of course I’m thinking about prepping for your birthday.

Luke: Heh heh – I knew it. How could you have forgotten me, after all?

Luke: Then... have you made any particular preparations this year?

MC: What kinda birthday person asks about their own birthday plans?!

MC: If I tell you beforehand, it’ll lose all its novelty.

Luke: Because I’m really looking forward to it. Even though I’ll like anything you prepare for me…

Luke: But this is our first birthday celebration after becoming a couple, so it’s… a little more special.

Luke’s voice gradually faded as he gently placed a hand on my shoulder. The warm feeling seemed to convey a different sort of emotion.

My cheeks gradually grew warmer as my rationality floated away…

MC: Of course I’ve given lots of thought to our first birthday celebration after becoming a couple…

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[Flashback]

Home

MC: Watching movies? Nah… too basic.

MC: Going to a photography exhibition? Hm… this one’s decent. He’d probably like that.

My pen danced over the paper, circling some of the many ideas and crossing some out, finally deciding on a few activities that fit my intentions best.

MC: Next, how do I schedule things out…

MC: Hm… would there be too many people around this time period?

I referenced the calendar as I kept adjusting the event plans…

After revising innumerable versions, I finally had a rather detailed itinerary on my computer.

MC: I’m finally done!

MC: I bet Luke would never be able to figure out what sort of plan’s waiting for him.

As I imagined what it would be like, visiting the events with Luke, I opened the tutorial that I hadn’t finished reading…

The screen displayed a weaving tutorial video, with a quarter of its contents played through already.

MC: (Now that I’m done with the itinerary, it’s time for the gift…)

I had decided on the gift long before I’d settled on the troublesome birthday arrangements.

A red string bracelet that represented both peace and unity – those were the “intentions” I had prepared for Luke.

The traditional red string bracelet, woven with a diamond knot, represented peace and happiness.

If two lovers wore matching red strings, it also meant a promise between the two to stay together for all their lives.

MC: (No matter how you look at it, this gift really expresses my feelings to the fullest…)

A beep from the tutorial pulled my focus back, and my eyes turned back to the still-formless red string.

MC: (I should really stop letting my thoughts wander, and work on this already!)

MC: (After threading the gold string through here, I should loop it in front of the red string…)

MC: (Huh? How come my knot looks different from the one in the video?)

MC: (It looks so easy in the tutorial, so I didn’t realize it would actually be this complex…)

It wasn’t hard to finish one bracelet, but making it neat and pretty was not so quickly done.

Holding the golden beads and red string, I entered yet another weaving battle.

MC: (If Luke and I both wear the red strings…)

MC: (That would be a lifetime’s promise between us…)

[Flashback end]

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

As soon as I thought about wearing the matching red rope bracelets with Luke, I couldn’t help but smile.

Luke: With such a big grin on your face… did you prepare something nice for me?

MC: Not telling you.

Luke: Alright, alright. Guess I’ll just have to wait until the actual day of.

I couldn’t bear to see his slightly disappointed expression.

MC: …

After struggling through a mental battle, I decided to compromise with just a bit.

MC: Okay, fine, you win – I’ll tell you a tiny bit!

MC: I want to take you to some of our old places – maybe we’ll find some new surprises.

MC: Not just the ones from when we were young – I also want to go to some of my favourite places at university…

MC: If I had to decide on a theme, I’d call it “Revisit the past and face the future”!

Luke: Haha, sounds like the essays we used to write.

MC: Luke. Pearce!

Luke: Eh… I mean, it sounds like it’ll be unforgettable.

He wrapped his hand around mine tightly.

The clocks in the antiques shop ticked by, as Luke’s heartbeat mixed in, rapid and enthusiastic.

Luke: I’m sure that this birthday will be amazing.

MC: Don’t worry. You’ll never be able to forget it!

MC: (I will make sure that this birthday event becomes our treasured memory.)

  2.    Buying Decorations for the 2nd Floor

Little World

MC: No sneaking peeks!

Luke: Okay, okay, I won’t.

I circled behind Luke, got on my tiptoes, and covered his eyes like they did on TV.

Noticing my actions, he lowered his body, covering the back of my hand with his right hand…

Luke: I’m ready.

MC: Okay, I’m letting go.

As my hands spread outwards, Luke opened his eyes slowly. I walked beside him.

Luke: This is…

MC: What do you think? Our little world from before has changed!

MC: I pasted on new wallpaper, set down a new carpet, and adjusted the tent to our current sizes!

MC: Aren’t I amazing?

Luke: So we went to buy those materials before for this…

Luke: It’s beautiful… I never could’ve imagined that it could turn out like this.

He looked at me, his eyes seeming to glitter.

He then lowered his head, reaching out and caressing my fingertips.

Luke: Don’t take up all this rough work on yourself next time. Leave it to me.

MC: Yeah, I know, I’ll drag you along for sure next time.

As Luke wandered to observe the decorative details, I turned off all the lights in the room.

The only light came from the nighttime city outside the window.

Luke: Why’d you turn off the lights all of a sudden?

MC: Come on, lie down here, just like before.

Luke: …

Luke: Okay…

He fumbled over to me, and we laid down beside each other on the carpet, just like when we were younger.

Luke: We used to do this too – staring at the ceiling as we imagined some faraway fantasy kingdom…

MC: Yeah, and there were tons of cute fairies living in that kingdom…

As Luke spoke in a trance, I silently pressed down on the remote control I’d prepared beside me.

Specks of stars and magnificent constellations filled the space above us instantly. They shifted in a dreamy way along with the tender music.

Luke: …!

MC: It’s the star projection light we bought earlier – pretty, right?

Luke: It’s pretty. And… really romantic – I didn’t think that it could be used here, like this.

Luke: I’m starting to worry about what to do for your birthday now.

⊳ An even more romantic birthday ⊳ A relaxed birthday

MC: On my birthday, it’s gotta be even more romantic.

Luke: Okay, I promise – it’ll be more romantic.

⊳ An even more romantic birthday ⊳ A relaxed birthday

MC: It’s fine either way!

MC: As long as we’re together, it’s fine if it’s a bit more relaxed.

Luke: Now that you’ve said so, better not go back on your word.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

 MC: Look, isn’t that Sagittarius, your zodiac constellation?

We reclined back, speaking freely as we watched the starry sky.

From the bits of our past, to us being a couple now, we had too much to say to each other about everything…

Enveloped in the night, amid our relaxed moods and bodily warmth, Luke and I fell asleep.

Only our hands remained entwined tightly…

Specks of stars shifted slowly, shining on our vivacious, sweet dreams…

  3.    The Taste of Sweet Congee

Orchidshine Street

MC: Guess what I brought you here for!  

Luke: This is the old-fashioned district… so we must be here for sightseeing.

MC: Wrong! One mark off. Detective Pearce, bring on your imagination and think it through.

Luke: Huh, I got it wrong?

Luke: Hmm… are we here to learn about past marriage customs?

MC: W-what are you talking about!

My face heated up, my cheeks flooding with warmth. I knew that he was teasing me, but for a moment, I couldn’t refute him.

Luke reached out, running the back of his finger over my nose in a quick movement, then fiddled with the stray hairs in front of my forehead.

Luke: Okay, okay, I’ll stop teasing you. The plans are all in your hands.

He held out his hand to me, his expression obedient and cooperative.

MC: …

MC: Come with me.

I pulled Luke beside a little stand, finding a somewhat clean table to sit at.

Not long after, steaming sweet congee and some delicious snacks were placed on the table.

MC: Luke, try it!

As I watched, Luke scooped up a spoonful of thick, fragrant sweet congee…

Luke: …!

Luke: Mm, it tastes like the one that the granny on that street before made.

Luke: Didn’t she move away after we entered high school? How…

Luke shot a glance at the busy shop owner.

Luke: Are they relatives? But they don’t look alike at all…

MC: I asked before – the owner and the granny aren’t related at all.

MC: But, doesn’t it taste a lot like that taste from before?

MC: It took me a lot of time to find this place.

MC: I spent the past while, taste-testing several tens of places to have you experience that taste from before…

MC: My poor wallet…

When he heard this, Luke’s spoon-holding hand paused…

He put down his bowl immediately, placed his hands on my shoulders, and looked me up and down.

Luke: Silly… what if you got a stomachache?

Luke: Don’t do this next time!

MC: I knew what I was doing – plus, Kiki was eating with me.

MC: Plus, how is it silly to do this for the person you like?

I pouted a little in “discontent”.

Luke: I get it. I get it all.

Luke: Of course you’re not silly for doing things for the one you like. But…

Luke: Promise me that I’ll be your taste-tester next time. You know that my food capacity’s more than enough to tackle that.

MC: Yep, I promise.

He leaned a bit closer to me, as our shadows on the ground clung together.

When our gazes met, they were filled with only each other’s reflections.

Time halted right then, as our hearts grew nearer…

  4.    Return to Campus and Attend a Public Class

Stellis University Lecture Hall

Professor Chen changed to a new slide, listing the cases in the lesson, and proceeded to explain their applicable legal clauses.

The students earnestly copied down the key points, their pencil tips scratching against the paper.

I saw Luke looking utterly confused and felt a little defeated.

MC: (Maybe I shouldn’t have taken him to Professor Chen’s public class…)

I poked Luke gently with my elbow.

He shot me a perplexed look. I lowered my voice, gesturing at him with my hands.

MC: Luke, do you maybe find this boring?

MC: If you find it uninteresting, we can just leave through the back door.

Luke: …?

Professor Chen: Next, please discuss this case among yourselves freely. We will continue after a ten-minute break.

Right after he spoke, the students and external audience members all started to talk, filling the lecture room with heated discussion.  

MC: (We can finally talk normally.)

MC: Luke, do you find this boring? How about we leave first?

Luke: Not at all, I think it’s really interesting.

Luke: I’ve dealt with a decent amount of legal information, but an actual law class like this is more interesting.

MC: Really? You looked so confused earlier, so I thought…

Luke: Nah, I just kinda didn’t get the clauses that Professor Chen mentioned.

MC: Huh, so there’s stuff that even you don’t get.

Luke: Just kind of!

Luke: Oh right, why did you want to take me to class all of a sudden?

MC: Oh, a lot of my time is spent at school. Even though I work now, I come back often.

MC: So I wanted to take you here today to see where I learned…

MC: How does it feel, being a law student?

Luke: Hm… though I feel like there’s a lot of laws you have to memorize, the part where you analyze cases and court debates is a nice challenge. I like that.

Luke: Even more importantly, I got to sit at the same desk as you in university.

MC: Yep, my new deskmate!

MC: Although, I was really serious during school. I never chatted.

Luke: If you were this serious, I’ve got to be a good student too.

Luke: What do you think about the case that the professor mentioned?

MC: I’m pretty sure that this was an actual case from several months back. That being so…

Luke and I started to discuss the legal articles that Professor Chen had mentioned.

When I saw how serious he appeared, as if we’d gone to the same university and taken the same elective…

If we had really gone to the same university, what would’ve happened after?

I looked at his smiling face and zoned out unwittingly, coming back to my senses only when he tapped my shoulder.

Luke: What are you thinking about?

MC: I accidentally zoned out.

Professor Chen: Students, time’s up. I’ll have some of you talk about your thoughts on this.

The classroom settled down at once. Luke and I adjusted our postures, quietly looking towards the podium.

As I fell immersed, someone bumped gently against my knee.

Luke: Look – here.

As Luke mouthed at me, he slid a paper strip in front of me.

He raised an eyebrow as the corners of his mouth pulled up slightly, indicating for me to open it and see.

MC: Oh… this is…

I opened up the paper and almost laughed aloud.

A guy and a girl were drawn on it – obviously, Luke and me.

Too bad his art skills were subpar, such that the people drawn were cute in an uncomely way.

MC: (Seriously, could you make me look a bit nicer?)

I picked up the pen, adding onto the drawing.

With only the slightest of changes, I handed the paper back to him.

Right then, the end-of-class bell rung as the public class came to an end.

Luke: Hey, I caught this student here zoning out.

He held up his hand, waving the paper that he was holding.

MC: If you don’t like it, give it back.

Luke: No way! You gave it to me, so it’s mine.

The sun shone through the windows, onto his collar. The boyishly-faced Luke looked even more like a new student then.

On the paper clamped tight in his hand, I had drawn on a red heart…

 5.  See a Photography Exhibition

Modern Photography Exhibition Hall

The photographic works on the walls were arranged in a sort of irregular order. Luke and I fell immersed as we observed them arm-in-arm.

Those black-and-white photos vividly recorded the sceneries and the people of the world several decades ago…

MC: It’s absolutely amazing. These photos almost seem to have souls in them.

Luke: Yeah, that’s probably the charm found in photography.

Luke: And Anne Winston’s experiences are an irreplicable legend.

Luke: She quietly served as a care worker for several decades, but she still kept tens of thousands of films.

Luke: Someone without a strong passion for this wouldn’t have been able to persist with this their whole lives.

MC: A whole lifetime… just how many people would be able to do that?

Luke: We just might be one of them.

Luke leaned towards me and quietly took my hand, interlacing our fingers.

I met his gaze with a smile in response.

Luke: Are there any unique parts about today’s photography exhibition?

Luke: I haven’t really seen you bring paper and pen to these exhibitions before.

MC: I just wanted to learn…

Luke: Learn?

Luke: You’re planning to become a photographer?

MC: As if!

MC: I just wanted to figure out how to arrange the photos aesthetically!

MC: Right, which out of all the works we’ve seen do you like…?

Luke: They’re all pretty great.

MC: That’s way too general of an answer… could you get more specific?

MC: Hmm… like, what about the axial setup we saw earlier? Was it too severe-looking?

Luke’s eyes had a hint of uncertainty in them. He obviously hadn’t drawn any connection between the photography exhibition and photo arrangements.

Luke: Why… are you suddenly so into photo arrangement methods?

MC: I want to set up a photo wall at your place!

MC: Since we’re living together in the future, I’d like to make it comfier…

The secret I’d been keeping unwittingly popped out. I turned my face away, wanting to hide my scarlet face.

Luke held my hand tight, his cheeks also tinged with a happy blush.

Luke: I… think the combo at the beginning works well.

Luke: It’s full of vitality, and I think that it both goes well with the decorations at home and suits us two well.

He responded to my question earnestly, the blush on his ears gradually deepening.

MC: I see.

MC: Let’s keep looking, then.

I was about to pull Luke towards the exhibition rooms from earlier when he tugged me to a stop.

He shook his head at me gently, his eyes full of an emotion that I’d never seen before.

Luke: You said that we’d be living together in the future…

He caught my right hand, forcing us to face each other.

Luke: Though it was just a simple sentence, I’ll start looking forward to it now.

Luke: I’m sure that we, too, will be able to live normal and happy lives.

As I stared into Luke’s sparkling eyes, I knew that he was the sun of my heart.

I couldn’t resist stepping up to him, my lips pulling up into a smile.

MC: We definitely will!

Luke: Yeah, definitely.

Luke: Let’s work on making our home even comfier together!

MC: Yeah!

He waved our intertwined hands, his eyes shining with smiles.

I, too, looked forward to the day when the little parts of our lives would fill that photo wall…

 6.  Ride a Swan Boat

Nature Park

The swaying swan boat floated into the middle of the lake, becoming a sole white dot on the lake surface.

The crystalline, sparkling surface reflected the stretches of clouds in the sky. A breeze blew past, lifting elegant ripples in the water.

MC: We finally got to the centre!

Luke: If I didn’t adjust our direction in time, we’d probably still be spinning circles back at the start point.

MC: …

I couldn’t help feeling somewhat embarrassed when I thought about my big talk when we’d just gotten on the boat.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

[Flashback]

MC: Luke, stay there. I can do this myself!

Luke: You sure? Let me know if you need help – I don’t mind.

MC: I. Won’t. Need. It!

I eagerly stepped on the pedal as I placed one hand on the steering wheel.

It was my first try, but I was pretty confident in myself.

But the swan boat didn’t move forward like I’d imagined…

MC: (Huh? W-why’s it spinning in one spot?!)

MC: (That can’t be right. I’ve turned on the orientation control button already… it shouldn’t be like this…)

MC: (Crap, I didn’t get unlucky during boat selection with a faulty one, did I?!)

Distressed, I wanted to get up and check – but the shift in centre of gravity combined with the unstable rocking of the boat made me fall hard into Luke’s arms.

Luke: Careful! Sit still first.

Luke stabilized our orientation in one movement, then helped me sit back down.

He put our maneuvering into reverse, indicating for me to not step on the pedal yet, until the swan boat returned to its starting state…

He looked me over for injuries, then examined the boat.

Luke: Are you alright?

MC: I’m fine. Good thing you were here.

Luke: As long as you’re fine. You might’ve ended up drenched otherwise…

MC: I know I turned on the orientation control button earlier and was holding the steering wheel, but it still spun around…

MC: Maybe my luck’s so bad that I ended up choosing a faulty boat?

Luke shook his head and patted my back.

Luke: It’s not your fault. I checked – this swan boat’s a special model, with different operating methods from your typical boat.

Luke: Look, there’s an auxiliary direction lever in the middle here. It’s probably used for more precise directional adjustments.

I followed the direction that he was pointing in and saw a joystick below the seat.

Luke: It’s really hard for a single person to get a handle on this sort of boat without some practice.

MC: I didn’t realize that riding a swan boat needed so many complex operations… that’s all on me.

Luke: Looks like I’ll have to take the lead, just like in the past.

Luke: I’ll control our direction, and then we’ll pedal forward slowly, alright?

MC: Sure!

[Flashback end]

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

MC: It was my first time on these, after all…

MC: I didn’t know that it had that many models.

Luke: Yeah, the adults all refused to let us when we wanted to ride boats on our own when we were kids.

MC: We were just way too young back then, and we weren’t even as tall as the boats. Making the boats move forward would’ve pretty much been impossible.

Luke: Now that we’re older, how about we make up for those past regrets?

Luke looked at me with a tilted head, a thin layer of sweat on his nose.

I took out a tissue and self-consciously wiped it for him.

MC: That’s not the only reason. Wanna guess?

I stuffed the tissue into his hand and shook my head mysteriously.

Luke: …

Luke: I know!

Luke: Swans are part of the avian genus Cygnus, who mate for life – something that’s rare among animals.

Luke: They always eat and rest in pairs.

Luke: So within human value systems, swans represent fidelity and eternal love.

Luke: Are you trying to tell me that we’re like swans?

MC: …

MC: This is the downside of having a boyfriend who knows too much. You just finished saying everything before I could.

Honk – honk –

Loud, resonant cries sounded from nearby. Luke and I immediately turned around to look.

A pair of white swans descended on the water, then started to comb out their feathers with lowered necks.

MC: Over there, Luke – swans!

Luke: It’s my first time seeing those here.

MC: I thought that the swans would’ve all migrated already – what a miracle.

Luke: You know, there’s a mysterious legend to this park.

Luke: If you encounter swans while riding a swan boat, you’ll receive the swans’ blessing.

Luke: If a pair of lovers encounter the swans, the lovers will stay together for their whole lives.

MC: Huh, there’s even an urban legend when it comes to swan boats? You… didn’t make this up, did you?

Luke: It’s real, of course. When have I ever lied to you?

MC: That’s awesome – did those swans come specifically to bless us?

Luke: They must have. We’ve received the favour of the swans – that is, fidelity and eternal companionship.

MC: Yeah… fidelity and eternal companionship.

Luke and I faced each other. At some point, our fingers had already intertwined together.

He lowered his head, placing it against my forehead and rubbing against the tip of my nose.

I couldn’t help smiling from that tickly feeling.

The sun shone gently. On the glittering lake surface, a pair of swans intertwined their necks in a tender moment…

  7.  Celebrate His Birthday

 Luke’s Bedroom

Luke: Here, ahh- open up.

MC: Ahh-

Luke sent a full spoonful of cake right into my mouth. The taste of the luscious cream and the slightly sour and sweet fruits flooded my tastebuds…

He looked satisfiedly at me, his smile deepening.

MC: My turn to feed you – open up.

Luke had said before that he wanted to eat a cake made by me, but considering the lousy kitchen skills either of us had…

To fulfill his wishes, we could only compromise by feeding each other cake.

Luke: Ahh-

Luke opened his mouth slightly, waiting for me to feed him.

Seeing him look so unsuspecting in his eyes-closed state, a restless desire to play a prank on him popped into my mind…

Unlike what he wanted, I swiped a bit of cream on his face.

MC: Hahaha, you’ve turned into a big tabby cat!

Note: What’s literally translated as “tabby cat” is used in general when someone’s face is a mess (e.g. when one has been crying).

Luke: …!

Two fingerprints were wiped on my face before I could react.

Luke: We’ve got two tabby cats here, now.

MC: !!!

Luke: The little tabby cat can’t just have whiskers on one side, right? There should be some on the other.

Luke scooped up some cream from the plate again, aiming for the finishing blow.

Realizing that I was at a disadvantage, I waved my hands for a cease-fire.

MC: Temporary truce! Let’s not waste the cake, or else we’ll have ordered it for nothing.

Luke: Hey, don’t try to back out now – or else, who knows where the rest of the cake will end up.

MC: Don’t you go launching sneak attacks now!

After reaching a cease-fire agreement, Luke and I wiped down the cream on each other with wet paper towels.

He pinched at a corner of the paper towel as he carefully wiped my cheeks.

I instead started cleaning from his fingers, moving upwards as I went along.

Our eyes met after we finished cleaning, and we couldn’t help but laugh at how we’d looked earlier.

MC: (I should’ve taken a commemorative photo.)

Luke: Wait.

MC: …?

Luke lifted my left hand up to him and lowered his head.

And I felt a hot, wet feeling on my finger joint…

MC: Huh?!

The tip of his tongue gently brushed over my skin. The suction-like feeling was slightly tingly.

My mind went blank for a moment, as I met his slightly misty, fawnlike eyes…

My cheeks surged with heat, and I didn’t know how to respond for a while.

Luke: Oh… there was cream… cream on there, so I…

MC: …

Before I could respond, Luke fled to the sink.

I couldn’t see his expression, but I could just barely catch a glimpse of his scarlet ears.

Luke: Uh… I’m going to wash my face!

MC: O-oh, okay.

That damp feeling… that… warm mark left on my skin…

When I recalled what had just happened, even my palms started to heat up.

My heart pounded furiously, as both tender feelings and embarrassment intertwined…

MC: (Should I wash my face too…)

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

Night descended. The lights in the room brightened, the atmosphere comfortable and sweet.

MC: Happy birthday, Luke!

Luke: Thank you.

Luke and I stood facing each other. I carefully took out the present I’d prepared for him from my pocket.

He opened the little gift box. There was a pair of red rope bracelets inside.

Diamond knots were braided beside the gold beads. The red and gold string intertwined, forming a perfectly symmetrical pattern.

This pair was the prettiest that I’d been able to make after many tries…

Luke: You made this…

Luke’s gaze became even softer after seeing the pair of red bracelets.

He gently brushed his hand over the bracelets, like he was admiring an incomparable treasure.

MC: (How did he know with just one glance…)

MC: Yeah… I… I tried for a long while.

MC: Red string represents peace and safety, so of course you need one, with your special identity.

Luke: …

Luke wrapped his hand around mine, holding onto it gently.

Luke: Aside from peace and safety, the red rope also represents…

Luke: A promise with me for your whole life.

MC: …

MC: How did you know?

Luke awkwardly felt his hair, his cheeks tinged red.

Luke: I did want to make something as a love commemoration present for you before…

Luke: Looks like we were thinking the same thing.

Luke: So, are you willing to make this lifetime’s promise with me?

Luke held up the other red rope bracelet, putting it on me solemnly.

His eyes rippled with emotion – tenderness, but with even more of a wordless vow.

MC: Of course I am.

Luke’s body warmth seemed to cling to the red rope, such that it even heated up the skin that it touched.

As he looked on expectantly, I picked up the red rope bracelet that was for him and slowly put it on him…

MC: You… are also my one and only.

MC: So you have to take care of yourself.

MC: The birthday celebration I’ve prepared this time wasn’t just to represent the past and present. It’s also for the future.

MC: We have a long road ahead of us…

Perhaps because he was too concerned with me, or because he had encountered too much danger…

He always protected me well and left the rest to himself…

But I didn’t want to be the girl who could only be protected by him. I wanted to stand by his side and walk forward with him.

We were partners and lovers – companions who would support and stay with each other for our whole lives.

I faced Luke, staring straight into his eyes. He stood in place without a sound.

Luke: You…

Luke reached out, his fingertips brushing gently over my cheeks.

His voice grew even more tender as he came nearer.

Luke: My Watson… my lover…

Luke: You are my future…

I closed my eyes. My heart pounded unrestrainedly as I looped my arms around his waist.

I felt his softness on my lips, tinged with cool wetness…

He pulled me in even tighter. His burning body heat seemed to light tiny fires in me.

That pair of interlaced red bracelets linked Luke and me together…

For this lifetime, never to separate…

[dannyphantom-rewrite]

Character redesign references: Danny, Sam and Tucker .

(Art by the wonderful @gally-hin-phantom / @gally-hin ) click/tap image for higher resolution.

This is way overdue!! Sorry for the delay!

Danny

Full name: Daniel A.Jax Fenton

-Yes his middle name is A.jax and it's entirely bc of this post and this post .

-Danny is Trans, (note the cute bracelet!) having officially transitioned over the summer between middle school and his freshman year.

-Danny is still fourteen, and is the youngest, as well as the shortest out of the trio.

-12 ounces of whoop ass, snark and anxiety. Also puns. Dear God, the puns....

-hobbies include: Astronomy, astrology, D.O.O.M and horror movies.

-Astronmy is more of a hyperfixation tbh.

-Proficient in gymnastics, having taken classes from ages 6-12, and participated in jr. cheer-leading throughout some of middle school as a flyer. Actually used to be friends with dash and paulina.

-Favorite classes involve Science and Mathematics, he’s good at understanding difficult concepts when he can pay attention. Absolutely awful at reading comprehension.

-His style hasn't changed all that much; he absolutely lives in graphic tees, jeans and sneakers. He usually wears the hoodie to cover up the litchenburg figure scars he received from the accident.

-The Accident occurred roughly a week or so before the start of his freshman year at Casper High. 

-Much of how Danny got ghost powers remains in line with the established canon, with Sam urging him to investigate the ghost zone portal, and his getting caught and electrocuted within the frame after accidentally turning it on. 

-Sam didn't have to do very much convincing though, Danny's definitely a lot more interested in his parents work that in cannon, even if they can be super embarrassing about it a lot of the time.

-And this is the point where I break off from that canon: but I'm going to make a seperate post for detailing Danny's ghost half / Phantom.

Sam

Full name: Samantha Nicole Manson

-Sam isn't an Amity park native, she moves into town over the summer after getting expelled from a fancy private school and finishing the year out online/ at home.

-At 15 years old, She's the oldest out of the three of them- having gotten held back a school year at some point for "behavioral issues"

-Sam's personality is still very much in line with her cannon counter part, although while she may still be stubborn to a fault, she knows when to admit she's wrong.

-Her revised style is really more punk, than goth.

-Sam's family is still pretty well off, as her father is the Owner of "Manson refrigerators" which has had a long-standing partnership with Dairy-King Co.

-She doesn't have a great relationship with either of her parents- they view her as out of control while she feels that they're too controling. Her grandmother is a constant mediator between the three of them.

-she's a vegetarian, she won't eat meat, but ethically sourced eggs and dairy is fair game.

-Pan-romantic Asexual.

-hobbies include: Cooking, Gardening, urban exploration, social activism, Anime, horror films and novels, and D.O.OM.

-She meets Danny over the summer at the movie theater during a horror flick marathon. After talking with him for a while, she's intrigued when Danny explains what it is his parents do. Being equally shocked that she doesn't immediately dismiss their work and call him a freak, he invites her over to see the portal...

Tucker

Full name: Tucker Foley

-Meet Danny in kindergarten, and the two of them have been pretty much inseparable ever since. He's only older than Danny by about a month.

-Was the first person that Danny came out to.

-Bisexual

-Dated Danny VERY briefly (like, a week) in middle school, which, unfortunately leads to a lot of people assuming they're still a "thing" (it's annoying but I has absolutely gotten them out of a few sticky situations *cough* fake out make out *cough*

-Not really a fan of sam at first. Tuck Actually feels somewhat threatened by her in the beginning beacuse for the longest time it's been JUST him and Danny, the dynamic duo. He gets worried that Danny'll stop hanging out with him because Sam is just SO much cooler. (These worries are completely unfounded, of course.)

-Still a tech wiz, same as in cannon. Even though I've decided I'm going to set the rewrite in the early 2000's, there's gonna be more "modern" technology. (bc I love the fact that Jack, Vlad and Maddie were in college in the 80's and also don't feel like doing math to adjust the timeline) Tucker probably still has at least one PDA somewhere cause hey, vintage shits kinda cool! But it's definitely not gonna be his go to device anymore.

-Tucker has an issue with iron deficiency...hence, an increase of red meat in his diet. The "meat vs veggies" debate is absolutely a heated issue between him and sam, although after a while it settles into friendly banter rather than lengthy arguments that have Danny pulling out his hair at the lunch table.

-Tucker hates the horror genre, cause he's a freaking wuss, lmao. But he lets Sam and Danny drag him out to see movies anyway.

-Tucker's hobbies include tinkering, computer games, (including but not limited to D.O.O.M) coding and yarn crafts.

-His grandmother taught him to crochet when he would visit her in the hospital, Tucker Actually made his beanie himself.

-Danny's the only one who knows about that though because he doesn't want to be teased for liking something "girly"

-He still has a phobia of hospitals. Watching has grandma slowly deteriorating in one is what caused it.

I think I've covered everything, but odds are I'll be adding onto this at some point.

Next post will probably cover Danny's ghost half in depth!

(on a final side note, if anyone is interested in drawing character refs for this project, dm me! I can compensate with a fic based on prompt of your choice, or if you have set commission rates, $$$)

[my-mt-heart]

Saw one of your anon talking about how we need to see season 10 caryl scenes differently, particularly in Bonds. At first when i found spoilers i went insane and thought all caryl scenes are tainted. Now when i calmed down (still not happy) i think that scene in Bonds is hard to make it about Leah. I mean not when she asks "why not" and he shifts eyes down, but moment before this when he says "not like that, not at all" he looks with such adoration and affection straightly into her eyes. If this leha thing was on writers mind back then that look can't be about her, same with hug on 1001 "did you miss me"(although that scene is straightly friendly there are such excitement) or "we have a future" and wiping tears... But some scenes now have different vibe as bracelet for example (leah wears similar and also there are book about new Mexico daryl picked from her, you can see on 907 promo pics) some things he said during s10 now have different angle like during his fight with alpha "she drown away because you didn't love her" or with Judith "some we love just gone" or when carol begged to blame her "you cared about her and now she's gone because of me" etc. Not necessarily about leah in these examples of scenes but it can look alike. Bracelet and running away together bugs me the most. I thought maybe it's for Carol to question if he really was honest with her when he asked her to run away? Or maybe it's coincidence and writers just revisioned and retconed those scenes? And about Bonds scene and all on s10 that have romantic undertone some carylers told me that's actually because Daryl had experience of relationship snd it made him kinda more bold with Carol (also that she left with him on 916 but...) What do you think?

I think it’s very possible Daryl’s relationship with Leah helped him finally become conscious of his feelings for Carol, which would definitely inform a lot of his scenes in S10, but again, it’s too early to delve into that right now. I have to watch the bonus episodes first, and possibly even the beginning of S11 to do a proper analysis. 

The one thing I will say because I know people are nervous about which of Leah’s belongings are going to upset Carol, the friendship bracelet and New Mexico represent very significant if not iconic moments in Daryl’s and Carol’s story, and even the newbiest of newbie writers knows they cannot just give those moments away to other characters. They’d be shooting themselves in the foot. If there are any connections between Leah and New Mexico (where is this theory coming from though? What book?), then they are a misdirect. A way to stir Carol’s emotions and to get Daryl to explain that it’s not what it looks like and why it’s not what it looks like. Trust me, Daryl gave Carol that bracelet because he wanted to make her happy. He wants to go to New Mexico so they can start over together. All roads lead to Caryl, guys. 

[askroahmmythril]

Reference List for amiibo Fighter Names (Set 2)

13) Ganondorf : Going Alone - A reference to the start of the original Legend of Zelda, the good ol’ “IT’S DANGEROUS TO GO ALONE TAKE THIS!”  And the fact that, up to Smash 4, Ganondorf did not use his sword, despite clearly having one in his victory poses from Melee.  Many jokes were of course made about this, this is one of them.  Granted, now that he HAS his sword in Ultimate, this one’s a bit outdated, so might have to see if this one needs a revamp.  I’d still be using the Smash 4 visual style though since alas, we didn’t get an updated amiibo figure for him of his OoT style.

14) Greninja : Kerobusa - A play on kero, Japanese for the sound a frog makes, and Hayabusa, the last name of Ryu Hayabusa, star of the Ninja Gaiden series.  I wanted to parody the cutscene from the original Ninja Gaiden where Ryu is standing on a cliffside, overlooking the tower of the big bad, Jacquio.  Given Greninja was introduced in the Kalos games, I subbed in Lumiose City and its prominent central tower for the scenery.  The writing on the nameplate is from the title screen of the original Ninja Gaiden.

15) Ice Climbers : ParkaPower - Not really any sort of major reference here, I mostly stuck to the source game for this one, and just referenced that they wear parkas.  Because dangit, their parkas are adorable.  A notable difference between my version and Neo’s, he used the seal version of the normal enemy from Ice Climber, whereas I used the Topi as it’s what I was more used to.

16) Ike : SluggaBeef - This name actually came from WanStan, who donated this particular amiibo to me.  Back with the earlier amiibos, I offered an incentive for anyone who donated a Smash amiibo to allow them to name the character, and they were the only one who donated a figure and actually took me up on that offer.  Their idea was essentially just how he swings his sword with the power of a baseball bat for some hefty hits, so we played around with the idea and went with making a full-on baseball card out of it.  The 24 refers to the release number of his amiibo.

17) Jigglypuff : J-Pop - A reference to j-pop style music, and well, the fact that her name starts with a J.  And she’s a balloon, so those can pop.  Multi leveled references!  This was actually the first card I drew for the project.  I originally asked Neo if he could just like, polish up my drawings with better colors and shading, and he surprised me by going full tilt and making his own version of my rough sketch.  And thus the project was born.  This went through some various bits of retooling, such as the Love Ball being replaced with a Fairy Energy symbol on the nameplate, and also revising her hairstyle a bit.

18) Kirby : dyson - Dyson, much like Kirby, is actually a brand of vacuum cleaner.  Dyson’s commercials were famous for the designer being shown working on blueprints, saying things like “I just think vacuums should work properly,” things like that.  Since it’s his most powerful vacuum power to date, I put in a Hypernova plant on his desk.

19) Link : HeroOfAges - While a little outdated visually since we now have BotW Link as the Smash rep, again, we’re in that impasse where we didn’t get a BotW style Link amiibo specifically for Smash.  So he’s still got his Smash 4 look here.  With this one, I just wanted to reference the various Links and LoZ games throughout time.  So here we have referenced Ocarina of Time (Ocarina itself), Link to the Past (Magic Mirror), Link Between Worlds (Ravio’s bracelet), Twilight Princess (Fused Shadow), Hyrule Warriors (Link’s scarf), Skyward Sword (Beetle), the original Legend of Zelda (8-bit Wooden Sword), and the Oracles games (Harp of Ages).  Neo added some extra details on each reference as well.

20) Little Mac : Jr.Whopper - Basically just a play on, if Little Mac is to Big Mac, what would you call the Whopper equivalent?  Burger King for a long while was my go-to for fast food, though these days I probably prefer Sonic.  Still, the joke was too good to pass up.  Still amused Neo snuck the actual Burger King “King” mascot on there on his version, haha.  I have no idea why I had so much trouble drawing Little Mac’s hair, I was probably way overthinking it...

21) Lucario : AttackTurn - Yu-Gi-Oh! is one TCG I have a tendency to return to every now and again.  Given the Egyptian theming it has, it seemed a good fit for Lucario, who has an Anubis kind of feel to him visually.  Thus I set about trying to find a card that made sense as a reference to how Lucario works.  “Psychic Blade” was the best I could find.  You equip it to a monster, then pay life points in multiples of 100, up to a max of 2000.  The equipped monster then gains that much Attack and Defense.  Thus, somewhat similar to the concept of Lucario’s aura, as he gains more attack power the more damage he’s taken.  For the final card, we changed the name to “Aura of Psychic Blade” to more reference his aura.  Neo added a lot of clever references in the “card info” parts of this one, such as having the Pokémon artist shown as the illustrator, a card number referencing the Hoenn games where Lucario originated, all nice little easter eggs.

22) Lucas : Tomato Kid - Given the long time wait for an official localization of Mother 3 (I forget, DID one ever get announced?), fans took it upon themselves to make their own translation.  One of the more prominent ones I’d heard about was done by someone going by Tomato.  And thus, since in Earthbound we had Orange Kid and Apple Kid, we now have Tomato Kid.  There’s not too much else to detail here.  I literally copied a screenshot of Mother 3 pixel by pixel in Visio Home for this.  I couldn’t resist having the frog in the car, it’s just too weirdly cute.

23) Lucina : #FixFate - I admittedly don’t have a whole lot of Fire Emblem knowledge, so I had to just go with what references I could pull from.  Lucina’s game came out fairly close to around the same time as that Fire Emblem / SMT crossover type game.  Tokyo Mirage Sessions I think it was?  All I really knew about it was some of the visual style of the colored shadows walking around.  Given Lucina does have some time travel elements to her, going through time to fix her family’s past, her being in modern day Shibuya and texting on a smartphone doesn’t seem too out of the question... (okay it probably totally is but work with me here).  I snuck in a Persona 4 reference with the Calorie Magic ad, as well as a more general SMT reference with the Jack Frost phone charm.  Neo suggested adding a Splatoon ad in the background on the Shibuya tower.

24) Luigi : ReaL2401 - This is a reference to a big ol’ rumor inducing message people claimed to see on the star statue in the back garden of Peach’s castle in Super Mario 64.  Supposedly, the plaque on it said “L is Real 2401.”  People thought it was a hint to Luigi existing somewhere in the game.  Later, more well defined images showed the plaque to just likely say “Eternal Star.”  So I had the idea of Luigi leaving the message as a graffiti tag.

[witchesoz]

What we know of Oz: Book 1, West and monkeys

We explored the East, so why not go this time to the West! # The West, the Yellow Land, the Country of the Winkies. At the time of the story, it is THE place everyone avoids in Oz. We know that the river that separates the East and the Center leads to the West, because when their raft is carried away the Tin Woodman tells his comrades they’ll end up in the domain of the Wicked Witch of the West. The Emerald City has no road leading to the West, not even a pathway, because nobody wants to go there. 

When Dorothy and her friends start going West, they at first are in the middle of “fields of soft grass, dotted with daisies and buttercups” (due to the pleasantness of the setting, I guess they are in the western part of the “central” region). But when they enter into the Land of the West properly, things take a very different turn. The ground becomes “rougher and hillier” as well as “untilled”. There are no houses, no farms, as well as no trees, so that in this country the sun shines bright and hot, with no fresh shadow to protect the travelers. Contrary to the East, the West clearly suffered from the Wicked Witch’s reign. However, when the heroes travel back to the Emerald City, they describe the Western Country as actually being made of “big fields of buttercups and yellow daisies” (apparently, the local flowers), as well as having some butterflies flying around. Note that this second journey happens at least two weeks if not more after the death of the Wicked Witch – maybe the country had time to regrow a flora and fauna in between? We only see one noticeable location in all of this country – the castle of the Wicked Witch, also called the Yellow Castle because the castle is all yellow, both inside and outside. Interestingly, the castle is never described as creepy or terrifying looking – in fact, the rooms inside the castle are described as “big” and “beautiful”. We know that the Castle is located quite far away from the Emerald City because our protagonists spend at least one week walking away from it, and they still end up “far away” from the Emerald City. # The Winkies are the local population of the West, and in the book’s time period the slaves of the Wicked Witch of the West. It is said that she forced them to work hard for “many years” and treated them with great cruelty, but to what work did they toil every day? It is never specified. Outside of this, we know that the Winkies are noted to not be brave people, fleeing easily in front of the danger – for example, when tasked with killing the Lion, and even when armed with sharp spears, they flee upon hearing his roar. It is noted that the Witch has many Winkie guards around her castle, who are too afraid of the Wicked Witch to disobey her. But deep down they are not bad people, just forced into fear and submission. It is quite interesting that the Witch, herself being a coward, uses fear as a way to control her population. The Winkies celebrate greatly the Witch’s death – and in fact it is them, and not the Munchkins, that decide to turn it into a holiday, celebrating it with feasting and dancing. We also clearly see that the Winkies have a very strong association with gems and metals. We never see any Winkie farm, but they have goldsmiths, as well as “very good” tinsmiths. They take a great liking to the Tin Woodman, to the point they beg him to become their new ruler – and finally their gifts to the heroes are all made of expensive stones and metals. Collars of gold for Toto and the Lion, a bracelet studded with diamonds for Dorothy, a gold-headed walking stick for the Scarecrow, and a silver oil can inlaid with gold and set with precious jewels. (This actually fits very well with the idea that the Wicked Witch dried up the land, preventing any kind of real farming, and the Winkies having to turn to metallurgy and gem-mining to survive). # Of course, she was going to be brought up at some point. The most iconic villain of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West. Who actually is quite different from how you may imagine her – and is also not so much of a big villain in the Ozian books. 

We know that the Wicked Witch never leaves her country, instead attacking those that enter her borders. Many times throughout the book warnings were given to Dorothy: “If we end up in the West, she will enchant us and make us her slaves!” or “She would make you a slave if you passed her way”. Indeed, the Wicked Witch of the West has a very simple mindset – either you’re a slave, either you’re nothing. She is obsessed with controlling and enslaving anyone who enters or live in her country, and if she can’t enslave you, or if you can’t be a good slave, she will just kill or destroy you. In fact, this was her first decision upon seeing the heroes: a strawman, a tin man, a lion and a little girl? They don’t make good slaves! That is why she tries to kill them at first. But upon seeing it fail, she decides to save one of them: the Lion. She ends up revising her opinion of him after he frightens Winkies with his roar, and decides to capture him and “put him to work”. Once captured and locked in a cage inside her castle, the Wicked Witch tries to tame the Lion in order to harness him to her chariot (in her own words, it would amuse her to have him drag her chariot “like a horse”). However, each time she enters the cage, the Lion roars and threatens her, so she ended up deciding to starve him until he would agree to be harnessed (something Dorothy thwarts by giving food to the Lion every night).

Because you see, this is another big trait of the Wicked Witch of the West – she is a coward. Or rather she is a witch plagued with fears. She is as afraid as everyone else in Oz upon hearing the Lion’s roar, she is terrified upon seeing the Silver Shoes and ready to flee, and she is also said to have two enormous terrors, phobias that prevent her from stealing away the Silver Shoes. In the book, the shoes have no protective charm whatsoever, so the Witch thinks of stealing them when Dorothy takes them off, but the little girl only takes them off twice in the day. When she takes her bath, and when she goes to sleep. And the Witch is both afraid of water (for understandable reasons) and of the dark, so she can never steal the shoes. Yes, you heard it right, the Wicked Witch of the West is afraid of the dark. Yep, quite a twist on the typical witch image, huh? In fact, when you read the book, you realize that the Witch seems mostly associated with the light and the sun than with the night – her country has a hot, blazing sun, is devoid of any vegetation (suggesting a drought of some sort), her castle is of a bright yellow… And the only clouds mentioned in the story appear after the Witch’s death. (Which led to some people theorizing that the Wicked Witch put some sort of spell on the country preventing it from ever raining, causing a massive drought). This also offers quite some contrast with the Wicked Witch of the East, who was ultimately destroyed by the sunlight. Even more ironic is that the inhabitants of the Emerald City call her “wicked and fierce”, so apparently she built herself the reputation of a dangerous and fearless witch, which she is not.

In terms of physical description, we have only two indications about the Witch’s appearance (outside of the fact that she is often referred to as a “woman”). At one point, there is a mention of her having a “skinny feet”, and she only has “one eye”. Some like to interpret it as her wearing an eyepatch, while others rather make a cyclop out of her. But this one eye is said to be “as powerful as a telescope” and able to see “anywhere”. She apparently has a habit of sitting in front of her castle to look around at her country and spy on everyone – this is how she saw the protagonists arrive. We also know that she always carries with her an old umbrella, with which she threatens Dorothy and hits Toto (for hitting the Winkies, she rather has a strap) – the choice of an umbrella is quite fitting given her weakness to water. She is weak to water, but she still allows water in her castle, mind you. In fact, when she makes Dorothy her slave, she puts her in her kitchen, forcing her to sweep the floor and feed the fire with wood, but also to clean pots and kettles – thus Dorothy has to work with water. Plus Dorothy also takes baths while in the castle. I guess the Witch doesn’t want anyone to find out about her weakness so she keeps it around casually as if it was nothing? The book insists that she never touched water or never let water touch her. As for the reason of this water-allergy, the book may reveal it. You see, at one point Toto bites the Wicked Witch in the leg, but no blood comes out of the wound. The narration mentions that the Witch was so wicked that “the blood in her had dried many years before”. The completely absence of any kind of liquid or fluid inside her body may explain why she is so sensitive to water – note here that this is said to be a result of “wickedness”. We can compare it to the Wicked Witch of the East, who was said to have been so old that she dried up in the sun. We also know that the Wicked Witch is prompt to anger because she gets enraged at the mere sight of the travelers inside her country, and when they defeat her first armies, she “stamps her foot, tore her hair and gnashed her teeth”. Because yes, in the book the Wicked Witch has several armies at her service. Of course she has the Winkies that she sends after the heroes, but as noted above they are cowards too and flee easily in front of the Lion’s roar, even when armed with spears. But her true force is located in other armies… the Witch always has, hanging around her neck, a silver whistle. When she blows in it once, she invokes a pack of forty great wolves, with “long legs, fierce eyes and sharp teeth”, that can tear people to pieces. When she blows in it twice, she invokes a great flock of forty crows that can blacken the sky and peck the eyes out of people before tearing them to pieces. Finally, when she blows in it thrice, she invokes a great swarm of black bees that can sting people to death. She invokes all three armies to go after the heroes, but they are all defeated: the Tin Woodman chops the wolves’ heads off, the Scarecrow snaps the neck of all the crows, and the bees all break their sting and die when trying to kill the Tin Woodman. Outside of her silver whistle, Golden Cap and telescope-eye, we also see the Witch do one other bit of magic – in order to get the Silver Shoes, she puts an iron bar in the middle of the kitchen and turns it invisible. Her turning object invisibles ties up with the themes previously explored or mentioned: the one of the sight (her magic eye) as well as the one of the light. Thanks to this bar, she actually manages to steal one of the Silver Shoes and put it on. The narration specifies at this point that to have one of the two shoes is actually to own “half of their charm”, and Dorothy couldn’t possibly use the power of her own shoe against the Witch, even if she knew how (it is unclear if it is because a shoe can’t act against another shoe, or if half of a shoe is not enough power). That is when Dorothy becomes very angry and throws a bucket at her, making the Witch melt like “brown sugar”. She ends up as a “brown, melted, shapeless mass”, and Dorothy just washes it away by cleaning the floor, as she did since many may days for now. # The Golden Cap. I just couldn’t forget this one. This magical cap made of gold, with a “circle of diamonds and rubies” running around it. We know it is the size of Dorothy’s head (since everything in Oz is the size of Dorothy), and it has a strong charm attached to it – it can invoke the Winged Monkeys, a race of monkeys with “a pair of immense and powerful wings attached to their shoulders”. These Monkeys, once invoked by the Cap, are bound to do anything the wearer of the Cap orders them to do, in the limits of what is physically possible. But there are some rules… 

First, to invoke the Winged Monkeys one has to follow a strict ritual. Standing on their left foot, they have to say “Ep-pe, pep-pe, kak-ke!”. Then, standing on their right foot they have to say “Hil-lo, hol-lo, hel-lo!”. Finally, standing on both feet they have to shout “Ziz-zy, zuz-zy, zik!”. All the instructions to this process are written inside the cap, in case anyone forgets. The second limitation is that the wearer of the Cap can only invoke the Winged Monkeys three times, after that the charm stops working. When we first see the Cap, it is in possession of the Wicked Witch of the West (who keeps it inside the same cupboard she keeps all her food in, which… isn’t the safest place to store a powerful magic item, especially since Dorothy found it pretty easily). She already used it two times before the events of the story. She invoked once the Winged Monkeys to help her enslave the Winkies and take the control of the Land of the West; and then she invoked the Winged Monkeys a second time to fight off the Wizard of Oz and banish him out of the Yellow West. The third time she uses the Monkeys, it is to kill the heroes, after all of her previous armies were defeated – the Monkeys carry on her wish, except for her desire to kill Dorothy because she is protected by the North Witch’s kiss and, as they say, “she is protected by the Power of Good, which is greater than the Power of Evil”. A… very strange statement, especially given that the North Witch was said to be weaker than the Wicked East Witch, but anyway.

The Cap then falls into the hands of Dorothy, who also uses it three times. Once to have the Winged Monkeys carry her and her friends from the West to the Emerald City, since they can’t find their way on their own (it is noted at this point that the Winged Monkeys are actually really fast, able to do several days’ worth of walking in a few hours). The second time she invokes them, it is to carry her out of Oz back to Kansas, but the Monkeys answer that they can’t because they “belong” to Oz and can’t leave it, Kansas not being a place for them to exist in. This second invocation is thus wasted. The final time Dorothy invoked them was to pass over the Hammerheads Hills, to the Quadling Country. The Cap finally ended up into the hands of the Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, that promised to use it three times herself – one to bring the Scarecrow back to Emerald City, a second time to bring the Tin Woodman back to the Winkies, and a third time to bring the Lion back to his forest. She also adds that after her wishes are done, she would give the Golden Cap to the Winged Monkeys themselves so that no one may ever use it again. The Winged Monkeys are also noted to be usually heard “chattering and laughing”. The Queen of the Field Mice is perfectly aware of the spell of the Golden Cap and she knows apparently quite well the Winged Monkeys, adding that the mice fear them because they are “full of mischief” and think that it is “great fun” to plague the mice. # We actually also get a complete backstory for the Winged Monkeys and the Golden Cap in the book. It is told to Dorothy by the current leader of the Winged Monkeys, a monkey noted to be “much bigger than the others” (a sentence that was funnily twisted in the 1990s cartoon by having the leader of the Winged Monkeys being actually very fat). This story is pretty interesting because it takes place in the North of Oz, and gives us a bit more information about this unknown country. The Winged Monkeys used to be “free people”, living in a great forest of the North, spending their time eating nuts and fruits, doing as they pleased. The trouble was that the things that pleased them were mischiefs – pulling animal tails, chasing birds, throwing nuts at travelers. They were “careless, happy, full of fun, enjoying every minute of the day”. But one day they became bound to the Golden Cap. This story is said to happen “many years ago”, before Oz-wizard “came out of the clouds” to rule over Oz. At the time, the King of the Winged Monkeys was the current leader’s grandfather. The Winged Monkeys lived in a forest near a handsome palace built of great blocks of ruby (it is quite weird to hear of a red stone in the Gillikin Country, given that the Quadling Country is the one associated with the color red. But at the time Baum had no idea what color the North would have – however note that the rubies can actually be purple!). This palace was the one of Gayelette, a beautiful princess that was also a powerful sorceress. She is never said to be a Witch, or even a Good Wich, but she is described using all of her magic to help people, and she apparently never hurt anyone who was good (which suggests that she hurt the people who were bad).

 Everyone loved Gayelette, but she had one big sorrow in life: she couldn’t find someone to love in return. Apparently, all of the men around her were too “stupid and ugly” to “mate” with one “so beautiful and so wise”. It isn’t clear if this is Gayelette’s own thoughts or an obvious fact… but it seems to imply that the people of the North are dumb uglies. Until one day Gaylette found a boy that was handsome, manly and wise beyond his years. She swore to make him her husband once he grew up, so she took him in her ruby palace and used all of her magic powers to make him “as strong and good and lovely as any woman could wish”. Yeah this sounds a bit creepy… a woman kidnapping a child and using her magic to mold him artificially into the perfect husband… yep, definitively creepy. 

Anyway, finally Quelala, that is the name of the boy, became a man, and the wedding was prepared. Quelala wore a beautiful wedding outfit, a rich costume of pink silk and purple velvet (not here an early idea that the North is associated with purple). He was walking by the side of a river with this outfit when the Winged Monkeys spot him, and deciding to have a bit of fun, took him and threw him in the middle of the river. Quelala wasn’t offended by that, in fact he laughed merrily at the joke, but Gayelette became furious upon seeing the beautiful costume ruined. She was so angry she wanted the Winged Monkeys to be thrown in the river with their wings tied up – which would certainly make them drown. Talk of a good sorceress… Hopefully the Monkey King pleaded very well for his cause, and Quelala also slipped a kind word for the Winged Monkeys. So Gaylette rather punished them by binding them to the Golden Cap with the charm described above – this Golden Cap was a wedding gift from Gaylette to Quelala, and it apparently cost the princess “half of her kingdom”. Quelala was the first owner of the Cap, and his only order was that the Winged Monkeys would go where Gaylette would never see them again. After that the Monkeys lived an idle and peaceful life for many years, before the Cap fell into the hands of the Wicked Witch of the West.

This backstory fascinates Ozian fans in general, who makes all sort of theories about Gayelette – making her a previous Good Witch of the North, or making Gayelette and Quelala the parents of Glinda, or whatever else can pass through their head. Remember though that Gayelette is never called a Witch but merely a "sorceress" without a capital letter, and this position of sorceress is put on the same level as her role of princess, which reinforces this idea that a sorceress is more a job or a function than a person's nature. It is also interesting to note that this backstory talks indeed of a very specific kingdom, presumably located inside the land of Oz, which seems to be a clue that in the past Oz was a group of several kingdoms bordering each other.

[parisa-astra15]

~♪ Rhythm of Your Heart ♪~ (Days 3-7)

Summary: A series of compilation  stories set in my College Alternate Universe, where the  Lolirock cast are just normal  teenagers heading off to college trying to figure out life while settling into adulthood. Musically set to the tunes of Marianas Trench. 

Ships: Talisto, Levyna, NatIris,ZackPrax, Rorissa and MattAuri a few others sprinkled in there. 

*If it’s not your cup of Tea that’s 100% fair, go enjoy  all the other awesome content from the fandom ~

**If you are here for Talisto week 2020, welcome! Hope you like  the stories!

Day 3: First Kiss 

The sound of music and dancing was the universal sign of a good time. She had come out tonight to feel normal again. Enough time had passed and yet here she was.

Talia blended into the crowd and began to sneak out of a party, purposely avoiding her friends, taking the route off the roof by using the fire escape. She frowns as tears stung her eyes as she hugs her arms softly. After a few steps she sighed leaning against  the wall taking a  seat outside of Lev’s apartment. She wanted to leave, but it was a shitty thing to leave without saying anything to Iris and Auriana. This only made the pressure of anger in her lower abdomen  knot and twist as she took a seat on the steps of  the fire escape.

What  brought on this mixture of melancholy and angry frustration? A stupid song, her ex’s favorite song, it had been a month since she and Kyle had broken up.  And some dumb song shouldn't make her feel so many emotions all once, it was like remembering something she had desperately to forget and bury yet couldn't.

Suddenly there was a click from the sliding  door opening and a surprise gaze of a young burgundy hair man holding a bowl of chips. He looked surprised to find her there.

She knew him vaguely from campus, he was in the drama department with Lev, and he noticed her  crying because his first words to her were. 

"Hey… are you okay?"  He asked softly, looking at her. "You like you've been crying…"

Talia gave half a sigh mixed with a dry laugh "....Just… heard my Ex's favorite song play...I don't  know  its stupid" he took a seat across from her and gave a small smile.  "Hey, no… it's not dumb...I'm a theater kid… if there's one thing we know is a broken heart… Now unless you want to belt out a ballad of  self empowerment, Talking about it usually  helps. And who better than someone you probably won't see again" he winks at her which made her smile, the  joke helped to ease any tension or embarrassment she felt. There was something in his eyes that gave an air of kindness. She gave a nod "he was my highschool sweetheart…. " she started 

The hours passed and she told him, her story,  of how she was with this guy for years and all of the sudden he just broke up with her because her college was too far away and long distance relationships don't work. They passed around the snacks till the empty bowl was all that was left. Finally when she finished Talia took a deep sigh of relief, she had no idea how long she  had kept that inside her chest. Locked up under the guise of self control and keeping up appearances that she was fine. To share it with someone felt nice, she felt heard and looked at Mephisto who had processed the whole ordeal with her. 

At first he frowns "Wow…that's such a jerk move….just everything he did it sounds like he was just looking for a excuse to break up and instead of talking to you and not completely blindsiding you he just one day decided to be jerk and make up an excuse…." He said sighing deeply as he ran his fingers through his hair and looking at her with a soft gaze.  "He genuinely doesn't deserve you. When he grows up and realizes that. I hope he has enough backbone to apologize for what he's done…as for you feeling sad…. It happened a month ago. You should let yourself grieve, However you want to. It was a long  relationship, a relationship you put a lot of your heart into loving them and that doesn't just go away… It may have been for him, but that took a while and he had his time to figure his feelings. So should you. You didn't wake up one day with the thought that everything was leading up to a break up. You genuinely thought things were okay between you two and suddenly they weren't, you need time to process that. You know?"

"I…. Thank you…." She whispers and nods "that's really solid advice… and I never considered letting myself do that… I'm the tough one you know… nothing gets to me…." She sniffles a bit wiping her face with the back of her hand.

He shook his head "no one can be okay after that…it's okay to feel and recover…"

Talia made a small noise of agreement "Hey, let's get out here and enjoy the party….could I know your name?" She asked as she got up, he gave a nod and smiled getting up too. "Mephisto, it's an honor to make your acquaintance milady " he said in a dramatic manner making her laugh  "I'm Talia, thanks for hearing me out." She leans over and kisses his cheek softly, just an innocent kiss on the cheek as they headed upstairs to the party. Mephisto felt a small blush on his cheeks "aw, it's no biggie… I'd do it any time… hey do know the Coffee place on Bartley street?"

"Yeah, the book shop?"

"I hang out there, mostly to read scripts and drink coffee if you ever want to hang out?"

Talia smiles "sounds like fun"

They were unaware of it at the time but a friendship was made that night on the fire escape.

Day 4: Retro Fashion 

Talia had never considered performing  in a fashion  show before but Lyna had put in so much effort into her  final project. Lyna had sat in several of Talia’s american history courses  to learn about the 1920’s. Her professors were surprised to find out the curious young lady with the lengthy notes wasn’t actually enrolled in the courses and was actually a  fashion major. 

Throughout the  semester  Lyna would come over  with revised  sketches of the gowns she was making. Asking Talia for advice on accessories and accuracy. Which was more than happy to give feedback but she was  genuinely caught off guard and  flattered when Lyna asked her to model  the stunning gown inspired by the ever glamorous Josphine Baker.  “Of course” She smiles. It was a strapless  black and white ball gown decorated and accessorized with her signature pearls. 

The collection  was something  her friend had worked so hard on. Talia was happy to support her.

Later that afternoon, she sat on the  counter top as Mephisto chopped vegetables for dinner. 

“So are you free next Saturday afternoon?”  She asked. Mephisto glances over as he  reaches over his head  for a  bowl on the shelf. “ Yeah I  should be  done with  finals”

“Do you want to come to a fashion show?” 

“Fashion show?” He smiles “ Are you modeling  for Lyna’s  Final?”

“Yeah.” She blushes a bit “ Do you think it's silly” 

“ Now why would I  ever think that? I think it's gonna be awesome” He kisses her pouty cheek. “ I’m going to take so many pictures~”

“Oh my  god” 

“ and Facetime Izira.” 

She laughs burying her face into his shoulder blade “You are such a  dork” 

“ You love it” He grins.

Day 5: Sport AU

Author’s note:  I know nothing about  sports, Zero. Nada.  My knowledge  of sports comes from sports animes and I watch them for the cute boys and nothing else.So! Instead  have   Praxina, Mephisto and Talia trying out Auriana’s  pilates’s class.

Praxina’s frown deepens as she glares at her brother “ You have  5 minutes to explain why I’m here.” Talia looked  equally exasperated at her  boyfriend who, being the only morning person of the trio grins. “ I figured finals  stressed us  out and Auriana is teaching her  first  pilates  class so let's go be good friends and get some exercise too!.” He said  with a grin as the girls gave a groan  “ You are  making us  breakfast  after this”  Praxina yawns.  “ yeah” Talia smiles softly “ you  do know  Auriana’s  classes aren’t  beginner friendly  right… She’s tough.” 

Mephisto pales a bit realizing he  might have made a  mistake. ”Oh-”  They headed up to the studio  greeted warmly by the  chipper redhead who claps  her hand together. “ Alright  Class!  Lets have an awesome  warm up!”   While Talia and Praxina both being  dancers could easily  keep up with the beat and tempo  set by Auriana. Mephisto was having trouble just keeping his breathing in  check. 

This was just a warm up. He was doomed. After the  class, the group  ended up in the small apartment where  Praxina  lived with her  dog  Brutus. Mephisto lays on his sister's couch his body feeling like  jelly as Brutus the  pomeranian lays on his back.  “  You should have just sat down after  the warm up”  Talia said sips  on her water. Watching him from her seat  on the love seat across  the  coffee table from him.

“No that was quitter talk, Can’t stop, won’t stop!” He said muttering into the couch cushions as  Praxina  laughs walking over picking up Brutus  “ He just hates being  wrong, I don’t know where he gets this competitive  attitude from~”  Praxina comments to Talia before she grins and leans over to his ear and says “ I’m the alpha twin, now~”  “Ahhh” His muffled groan came from the couch making the  girls laugh as they order breakfast off their phones since their  cook was down  count.  Overall the  stress of test week is long  forgotten.

Day 6+7 Gift Giving at the School Festival

Author’s  note: Roark belongs to Kireiscorner~ I asked her before borrowing him~ 

It was a silly  campus  tradition, past over from one  generation to the next.  On the evening of the School Festival, to  give a  gift to your  significant other before the firework’s show. Mephisto had always thought his  mother’s  story  was a little corny, but the romantic in him  had also found  it a little  sweet.

He wanders around the shopping  district, his  eyes  looking in the  different stores looking  for the  right  gift. He had his heart set on finding a pair of earrings that match her  favorite  bracelet.  “ Young man!”  A  sing-song  voice  called from a small  stall. “ You look like a  crafty  gentleman~ Would like to buy our  jewelry crafting set! Only  3 installments  of 29.99!” 

Mephisto pointed to himself and gave a thought he must look  desperate by now because he was actually  walking  over. “ Hold it” A  familiar  voice  stopped him.  “ yikes man… you  weren’t actually  going to buy  kiosk  craft kits-” Lev said walking over wrapping an arm around his best friend and  shaking his head at  sales girl “ Sorry  sweetheart, not today” He winks at her as the  kiosk sale girl glares at him. 

Mephisto sighs “ I’m a little desperate… I’ve been looking for a  gift for Talia all morning and I’ve come up empty... Please tell me your Father owns a discount jewelry shop?” 

“Nope, my old man owns and sells engagement rings and high end jewelry… but I know a man who might be able to help”  Lev grins as they head out of the  bustling  area to a quiet shop.  It was an antique shop  designed on  restoring metal pieces.  “ Hey Roark buddy, you in?”  Lev called out as a massive man  walked out from the back.  He gave a small grunt  greeting them  with a welcome.  “ Roark buddy,  this is  Mephisto.  Mephisto, this is my  buddy  Roark.  He’s  in the robotics  department with me.   His  family owns this  shop. Bud, we are in a bit  of  a time  crunch. Do you mind if  Mephisto here looks around the  jewelry  section?”   Roark  gave a  shrug and  continued working on the counter as  Lev showed him over to the  section of the counter  where the  restored  jewelry  was found.   Mephisto’s  eyes  light up when he spotted them,  sapphire  earrings  restored from old gold.  “ How  much?!”  Roark  gave a tired  look as he got up and  fetched the  earrings  they were around 95. Mephisto  looked at everything  he had saved up.  That would leave him with 30 in pocket for anything at the  festival.  He nodded “ Okay… Could I get  wrapped in a box?  Blue please!”  

Lev watched him with a small smile “ You really like this  girl, huh…” 

Mephisto blushes “ Yeah… I do… I just want to make her smile.” 

Lev chuckles “ It’s  nice to see you this  happy again.”  Roark came out the back, the earrings wrapped up in a  small box, tucked neatly in a paper shopping bag.  “ Thank you for your purchase,”  Roark said.  “ Thanks  Roark you’re  the  best  buddy”  Lev winks as  Roark rolled his eyes with a small grin. 

 Mephisto  paid and  thanked him too.  

Hours passed and Mephisto couldn’t help but  enjoy  every moment he spent with Talia, this whole  year by her side had been  special to him.  He helps her over to a nice spot to watch the  fireworks where it wasn’t too crowded. “ Hey… So… It's… kind of a  corny tradition but tonight some  couples exchange  gifts… and I wanted to give you  something…” He pulled out the small box from his  jacket pocket.  

“It's a thank you for being you and  sharing yourself with me.”   Talia eyes  widen and a blush  spread  all over her  face “ Thank you… but I didn’t know-”

“Yeah it's okay  you aren’t  from here so I figured you wouldn’t  exactly know the  stories… But It wouldn’t  have  felt  right to  celebrate  without telling you how I felt.”   

She blushes brightly as she  kisses him “ You idiot... I  love you… Thank you… I can’t  wait to celebrate with you  next year…”  She  whispers hugging him close. 

“That’s a  promise” He smiles holding her  close as the  fireworks begin.

===========The  End============

Author’s Note:  And that was  Talisto week 2020  everyone!~ As always  thanks  for your  support! It was awesome to see everyone  again~  and to  celebrate with you all - Lots of love as always, Kikki~

[xlady-saya]

I want this touch to be familiar [Ch 5. final]

Relationships: andrew/neil, side aaron/katelyn

Summary: Deep down, Andrew knew he would always reach this crossroads, a time where the thought became too strong to ignore.

Going all the way with Neil. It’s not something he can continue to avoid thinking about. When Andrew looks back to the days where he held Neil’s hands down, when he never got off with him in the same room, he’s forced to acknowledge how much he’s allowed.

Not allowed. Welcomed. Wanted.

But that’s not all there is to it, and the desire to make a decision finally makes itself known.

Tags: first time fic, p*rn with feelings, relationship study, fluff and communication, multichapter

Read on ao3!

Neil misses another pass. It's the fifth time, a new and pathetic record for the stubborn striker. It's so unlike him, but Andrew's blood runs hot from something that's not anger...not worry.

Neil would normally be beside himself, huffing and fuming from the endless mistakes he's making, even at a practice. He's not though.

Andrew watches as the ball rebounds off the plexiglass and rolls along the court, no one making a move to stop it. Not even Kevin, though Andrew will blame that on the steam coming out of his ears. He hasn't snapped yet.

This time when Neil misses, there's a noticeable tension. Dan and Matt shoot each other concerned looks while the others glance at Neil in ways they think are subtle.

They're not, but Neil is oblivious. Andrew's gaze lingers on the flushed skin of his cheeks, the little jump in every step he takes. Troublesome.

The team continues to stare, searching for proof of panic or fear from Neil, maybe rifling through the dates of the week for any bad anniversaries or triggering memories. But they will find none, Andrew knows. And even so...

Neil is smiling like an absolute idiot.

Andrew's stomach swoops involuntarily, and he tightens his grip around his own racquet. If Neil doesn't stop prancing around then Andrew will have to make a repeat of their first meeting.

Either Neil's unaware of his piss poor playing or he doesn't care. Neither does Andrew, not when Neil keeps turning to look at him like that. There's a skip in Neil's step, a recognizable giddiness as he runs to and fro without direction. He simply has the energy, the mindlessness to do it. The redhead turns around and moves to another random spot on the court, looking up at Andrew every few seconds and beaming. Andrew knows his expression betrays nothing, but he wonders if Neil can tell there's something...light, airy, about him.

He feels untethered to the ground, and it's unsettling for someone who hates falling so much. Yet, Andrew can't find it in himself to actually be uncomfortable.

He tracks his eyes up and down Neil's frame, watching him rock on the balls of his feet, fidgety...

There's a noticeable limp, one Neil isn't trying at all to hide. Still, Neil is lively. When Andrew locks gazes with him, there's nothing but excitement and something too soft for Andrew to name, a layer of vulnerability that sends the helium inside him spiking. Andrew almost crouches, to avoid floating away.

Andrew knows why the limp is there. After all, it's his doing, but not his fault. It doesn't feel like something guilt ridden, when Neil can't stop staring at him like he just wants to be cocooned up with Andrew in the nearest bed.

Of course, the horrible thought had tried to manifest. He saw Neil limping the morning after they went all the way, muscles worked raw from too many overzealous rounds. Andrew had encouraged his own pleasure for once, and he wondered if that meant he'd taken things too far. He'd begun to worry about if he'd still managed to cause Neil pain, agony. The one thing he'd been so desperate to avoid.

But then he remembered Neil's equal encouragement, the push of his hips with every one of Andrew's thrusts. Wanted, welcomed. The horrible thought that Andrew had somehow hurt Neil by chasing his own desire over and over had no chance to survive in the face of Neil's earnestness, the eagerness. When Neil stretched out his sore muscles the next day, the wince hadn't been one of pain, but satisfaction.

A good ache. Andrew has to squint at the choice of words, but there's no other way to describe it.

Andrew never thought that would be possible, that he could give someone that. Yet here Neil is, jogging around despite the soreness, relishing in it. Neil looks...happy.

Andrew shivers, thinking of the nail marks on his back that itch deliciously, the burn of his calves. The handprints and sensory memories don't make him cringe or grimace, they are not burdens. He doesn't feel used, or degraded, and Neil doesn't look like he does either.

It is the exact opposite of how Andrew thought he could feel after something like that, after giving, taking.

As if yearning for Andrew's gaze again, Neil snaps his head over to him while Dan attempts to give another run down of the next play. Neil's clearly not listening. Andrew watches him put weight on his better leg, and then Neil waves.

He fucking waves, and it's so stupid, so pitiful. Neil's smile is so giddy, it twists Andrew up inside. He can't begin to place what all those emotions are, only that he never thought they'd be there.

Neil confounds Andrew, day by day, minute by minute.

Andrew waves back, a lazy, almost mocking thing, but it has a powerful result anyways. He gets to watch Neil's eyes brighten considerably while he goes to wipe his bangs out of his face. Andrew's glad he'd ditched the helmet for a moment.

Andrew's muscles twitch. It's just a wave, yet Neil acts like it's the highlight of his day. Andrew's attention. As if he doesn't always have it in some way or another.

As if Andrew hasn't been staring at Neil just as much all day long. That's the big admission, evidence Andrew doesn't want to acknowledge. Despite his attempts to deny the urge, to squash it, Andrew had been powerless in this. Neil's presence is so apparent to him today, like the only spot of color on a black and white canvas. Andrew nearly rocks forward on the balls of his own feet, but he stops himself.

He draws the line at that, at allowing his body to give away how badly it wants to be next to Neil. How badly it yearns to leave practice with Neil in tow.

Andrew's not even sure why he changed out, but the thought of not being in close proximity to Neil had been something he couldn't fight.

Pathetic. But he followed his instincts.

Realistically, Andrew knows what this extra strong magnetic pull between them is. He and Neil are typically aware of each other, in sync, but not to this degree of distraction.

Andrew would hate to admit being like anyone else, but he knows clinginess isn't exactly abnormal after having sex for the first time. People go nuts with it, glued at the hip, ready for more, wanting to touch all the time no matter how small the gesture.

And for once, Andrew is no different. The only separation from other mindless people is that he knows the reality of this. This feeling, so strong now because of the novelty of it, will fade. He and Neil will go back to normal after they've gotten used to this new layer of their intimacy. Their levels of desire will even out; they won't go away, but they won't be this overwhelming, this much of a need.

And regardless of that knowledge, Andrew can't find an ounce of disappointment. How is that? He should grimace, vindicated in his belief that all things end. He should walk away, appeased with this proof that all feelings are fleeting.

But, he doesn't, because he doesn't feel that way at all. To acknowledge that he feels good in any way is another thing to pick apart, but doesn't surprise him on a day like this. And besides he knows the answer to his main question.

The feelings itself might be fleeting, but what will be left after it is gone...isn't anything bad. He's not bored with what's underneath all this.

He's not bored with Neil, not done with him, in any form.

Should he be concerned about this weakness, this softness? He's not sure. He doesn't care in the moment. Because even when this new excitement fades, when the 'honeymoon phase' of their first time dissolves, there will still be Neil.

Neil, who is all bad attitude, infuriating grins, and stubbornness. He will still look at Andrew in that way Andrew can't handle, he'll still be by his side with an understanding Andrew never thought he'd find from anyone. Neil, who never had to try to keep Andrew's interest anyways.

Andrew once told Neil he would get bored of him eventually, but he wonders at what point he'll have to start classifying that statement as an untruth. Not a lie, because Andrew does not lie, but something in need of revision. The silver bracelet in his pocket weighs heavy, and Andrew hopes Neil will understand the singular, boring charm on it.

A shackle, tying the plain silver chain together.

Andrew's need to feel hatred for the gesture, for Neil in general, used to be easy to summon. And now...

Neil's eyes fly to him again, and yup, there it is. Neil bites his lip, and Andrew leans forward, eyes on fire.

Now, he's gone too far to turn back. He's found Neil, and has been found in the process, whether he likes it or not.

He will have to tell Bee later next week, because he's sure she'll take some ridiculous joy in the admission: he's starting not to mind it.

Ah, to be known, indeed.

A shot flies past him, lighting up the goal. It's swift, merciless. Andrew hadn't even moved to stop it, hadn't been aware of it at all. The buzzer rings, obnoxious and deafening across the court. Even Neil freezes.

Oh. This'll be annoying.

Andrew barely has time to take it all in before Kevin is stalking over to him, and Dan sighs behind him, calling their little group into a huddle by the goal. They leave some confused freshman (and a very smug Renee) in their wake, but they just seem happy to have a break from Kevin's ruthlessness.

Allison is the only one who looks delighted instead of confused, and Andrew refuses to give her more ammo for the countless bets she has.

Kevin's helmet hits the court from how frustrated he is when he rips it off, eyes burning into Andrew's blank expression. Andrew realizes he has to pry his eyes from seeking out Neil again.

Oh Kevin, always interfering with his agenda.

And, because Andrew is an asshole and has already been caught, he takes a page from Neil's book. "Would you look at that Kevin. I missed."

Nicky and Matt both inhale sharply while Neil smirks, and Kevin finally snaps.

His accusatory hand flies out to point at Neil, and then at Andrew. "What the fuck is wrong with you two?"

Kevin isn't all hopeless, because he knows Andrew won't answer. He stares at Neil expectantly, but Neil's still looking right at Andrew, probably just relieved they're a lot closer now.

Andrew would just have to take a few steps to touch him...

"Nothin," Neil says with a shrug, and it's uncharacteristically followed by a small laugh. It's a near giggle, one usually reserved for Andrew in rare moments, and Andrew almost lets a glare slip at the thought of the others hearing it. He scolds himself for being that stupid, as brainless as Neil.

Aaron is the only one who's caught on to their weird mood, and Andrew refuses to look at his twin when he speaks. "I don't want to know."

Allison's smile is shark-like. "I definitely want to know."

Neil is squirming again, though not because of the conversation. Andrew, because he's not as smart as he thinks, accidentally let his gaze fall to Neil's neck.

"Ah relax Kevin, practice is almost over anyways," Nicky says, throwing up his hands. "It's Friday! Let them be lazy."

Kevin spins on him, and Nicky mutters something that sounds suspiciously like 'goddammit.' "What does that have to do with anything?" Kevin seethes, whipping his head to Neil. It takes a second to get Neil to look at him. "Neil, might I remind you we have a--"

"A game next week, mhm," Neil answers flippantly, twisting in place before looking back at Andrew. If Andrew cared to, he'd be smirking. "Are we going to Columbia this weekend?"

It's a question entirely for Andrew, the underlying implication being that they'll have their own room if they do, but the chorus follows.

"I'm staying with Katelyn," Aaron answers, with a small tint to his cheeks. Predictable, though can Andrew talk right then?

Nicky slumps over on the ground, as if he's actually been putting in real work during practice. "Hells yeah, I need a drink."

Kevin doesn't take well to being ignored, what a shock.

"We need to practice, Neil," he tries again, and that finally gets Neil to face him fully, expression unamused.

"I can handle it Kevin, I don't have any other choice but to play well," Neil jokes morbidly. Andrew's pretty sure he's the only one who appreciates it, but it's inaccurate. Nothing is taking Neil away from him again. The team winces at the callousness, but Neil plows on unperturbed and with an air of arrogance. "Which I always do."

Kevin looks like he doesn't know whether to strangle Neil or appreciate the confidence. It's so Kevin-like it makes Andrew want to roll his eyes.

But no, it's still all Neil. It's all instigation and the need to rile people up. Andrew really wants practice to be over.

"You heard him," Andrew says, and even Neil blinks in surprise. Andrew doesn't normally compliment Neil openly, it's too much affection for him to share or admit to. Yet, the implication is clear. It's the closest Neil will get to praise right then, and he looks ecstatic about it.

Andrew cannot stand it.

Matt and Dan snort off to the side; they didn't used to be so supportive of Neil's relationship with Andrew, but lately they seem to delight in what they call their 'bizarre flirting.'

Kevin stares at Andrew long and hard, as if that'll make him produce words in Kevin's favor. Andrew meets the gaze with some difficulty, but only because Neil is radiating 'I'm over here' energy so unabashedly.

Kevin inhales sharply, grabbing his helmet off the ground like someone would slam the door after a fight.

"Just block the damn goal," Kevin orders, and Andrew's not sure he will. He'll try not to be so unaware the next time though, if only to save him from this headache. Kevin points his racquet at his fellow striker in warning. "Neil--"

"Right, gotcha," Neil says, waving him off. Kevin storms away, and Matt actually does laugh then as he follows, the team spreading out. Allison huffs from the lack of answers, but leaves them be. She's smarter than she looks too.

However, Neil doesn't move. He rocks in front of Andrew's goal, and Andrew thinks he's actually standing closer than he was a few seconds ago.

Neil smiles that stupid smile, soft at the edges and expectant. He has to know Andrew won't kiss him here, but...Andrew wants to.

To want, to want, to want.

The same mantra from before isn't as heavy as it once was. The swarm in his head is gone, but the implications are not.

"Junkie," Andrew warns, because if Neil doesn't get back into place Kevin will really bitch them out and they'll never get to Columbia.

"That's me," Neil answers with a dangerous glint. They both know they're not talking about exy.

"Go," Andrew warns, pushing his racquet into Neil's chest. He tries not to watch Neil's limp when he stumbles, the satisfaction making the heat in his abdomen swirl.

Neil lets that laugh loose again, and Andrew drinks it up, now that's it's only for his ears.

"Okay," Neil whispers, eyes losing the teasing glint for just a moment. A different feeling takes them over, soft and sure. Andrew meets the gaze this time, unable to look away. He feels seen, and there's no 'but' or need to deny it. It's just…how he feels. Andrew is starting to believe that just sitting in that feeling, without analyzing it, might be alright every now and again. Neil waves again as he walks backwards, only turning when he absolutely has to. "Bye!"

It's unnecessary, and Andrew shakes his head. His face feels hot, but Andrew finds his response comes automatically. "Bye..."

Andrew entertains the idea that he already floated away long ago, and cannot hope to reach the ground again. But it's fine, since the air up here is fairly stable.

Neil jogs around the court some more, missing passes and looking back over at Andrew any chance he gets. Andrew stares right back, with no intention of stopping, and even indulges Neil every now and again with the tilt of his head or concealed expression.

Andrew misses a shot again about ten minutes later, letting the ball fly by his face without even looking at it. Luckily, it's the end of practice, so he can drown out Kevin's protests.

He had a good excuse; he has better things to keep track of than shots at the goal.

Kevin grumbles his displeasure all the way off the court, but Andrew stays where he is, waiting for Neil to jog over like he's been wanting to do since they stepped foot in the stadium.

It'd been the longest practice of Andrew's life, he realizes, and then shakes his head at himself for being so dramatic. Neil smirks at him, like he knows it.

And oh, he probably does.

The sight of Neil coming towards him breaks even Andrew's self-control, and he dares to take a step forward. It feels oddly right, not weak.

He meets Neil halfway, and ignores the sound of Nicky's voice, immediately followed by Aaron's loud retch when his cousin asks:

"Hey Neil, why are you walking so funny?"

[stellarstels-blog]

NOT a Safety Pin

You've just stumbled upon a curious little device. It looks like... metal wire bent in an oval shape. It's got a hinge on one end, and a pointy part on the other.

Theres one catch... its definitely, 100% NOT a safety pin. So what is it?

Step One:

On a piece of paper, write down 15 ways to use this precarious little device. Is it a finger workout device? A zit popper? A comb for nearly bald people? You tell me.

Pick a lock

Ear Piercer

Fish Hook

Zipper Puller

Poke holes on paper

Etch a drawing on glass

Substitute for push pin on bulletin board

Necklace

Bracelet

Decoration

Cleaning utensil (for cleaning between cracks)

Book mark

Poke a hole in aluminum can

Cleaning under finger nails  

Use instead of staple 

Got 15 written down? Good. Write down 15 more ways to use it.

Sliver Remover

Hold a tear on clothes

Fixing a hem of pant leg

Pop a balloon

Zit popper  

Shirt button substitute

Hang clothes outside to dry on line

Defense weapon

Hold 3 hole punched paper together

Fasten cloth diapers  

Key chain

Play a game (monkeys in a barrel)

Tooth pick

Keep Socks paired

Use instead of paper clip 

What's that? You have 30 unique ways to use this wonderful piece of twisted metal? Awesome.

Step Two:

Narrow down your list to the 10 best uses for this thing (which is still definitely not a safety pin).  

Tooth Pick

Key Chain

Shirt Button Substitute

Zipper Puller  

Defence weapon

Sliver remover  

Pop a balloon

Cleaning under finger nails

Pick a lock

Fish hook

Then narrow to the best 5.

Zipper Puller

Play a game (monkeys in a barrel)

Defense Weapon

Sliver remover  

Cleaning under finger nails 

Now hand your list to a friend and tell them to pick one. Don't give them your opinion. Don't influence their choice. Whatever they choose, you're moving forward with.

My mom chose playing a game as her favourite use.

Step Three:

It's time to tell the world about this revolutionary new device! - Start by giving it a name. Write down 30 names, then narrow to 10, 5, then 1.

Metal Links

Link a Chain

Drinkin’ n Linkin’

Clasps  

Clasp Royale

Chainlink  

Link up

Catch and Clasp

Grip it  

Grasping metal

Quick link  

Link Fast  

Link it up

Grab and lift

Grip n Go  

Full send link

Hook it  

Catch n clamp

Join em up

Hook em up

Add and affix

Buckle em up

Grab n secure

Hookers

Attach em

Hitch on harvey

Join the link

Tack and tie

Fasten Faster

Quick Connect

Then to 10

Drinkin’ and Linkin’

Clasp Royale  

Link Fast

Quick Connect

Hitch on Harvey

Hookers

Quick Link

Grip n Go

Tack n Tie

Fasten Faster

Then to 5  

Drinkin’ and Linkin’

Link Fast  

Hookers

Clasp Royale

Fasten Faster

Then to 1

Link Fast is the final name that has been chosen.

- Write 2-3 paragraphs about why I should buy your device. What can it do for me? How will my life benefit from it?

Let me tell you about the newly created game Link Fast. The objective of the game is to link as many pieces as you can in one minute. Points are scored by how many pieces are linked in a chain together. It’s up to the players to decide whether they want to just to one round of sudden death elimination and keep going until there’s only one person left, or first to reach a target score to decide a winner.  

Everyone loves a friendly competition. You can play with your friends or family and show them who is best at Link fast. If you’re really competitive like me and confident in your linking skills you can even wager money which adds a whole other element of excitement. All in all, everyone loves to have fun, and Link Fast is a great way to do it because all it requires are some flimsy pieces of metal, yourself, a competitor and a clock. The rest is up to you. - Revise, revise, revise. - Now, with your paragraphs in mind, create a one sentence headline that captures the idea. You know the drill. Write 30, narrow down to 1.

Link Fast- A great game for your next party

Link Fast- Fun with family and friends.

Connect and win with Link Fast  

Loads of Laughs with Link Fast  

Party people play Link Fast  

Loosen it up with Link Fast  

Liven it up with Link Fast  

Link Fast with family and friends

Link Fast- a friendly competition 

Anyone can think fast but can you Link Fast?

Link up with your friends and play Link Fast

Compete with your loved ones and play Link Fast

Good game for drinking- Link Fast

Show everyone who can Link the fastest with Link Fast

Play to win with Link Fast  

Do you have what it takes to Link Fast?

Link Fast- Be the best you can be

Linking fast with your friends like you’ve never before

You’ll never want to stop linking  

Show them all who can link the fastest

You’ll never think of links the same after you play Link Fast

Have a blast and play Link Fast

Laugh out loud with Link Fast  

Fun Fast with Link Fast  

Play-time is a BLAST with Link FAST

Number ONE for Family FUN – Link Fast

Link Fast for fun

Link Fast to win

Family FUN has BEGUN- Link Fast

Friendly Fun with link Fast

Top 10

Link Fast- A great game for your next party  

Link Fast- Fun with family and friends.

Link fast with family and friends

Link fast- a friendly competition

Link up with your friends and play Link fast

Linking fast with your friends like you’ve never before

Have a blast and play Link Fast

Number ONE for Family FUN – Link Fast

Play-time is a BLAST with Link FAST

Family FUN has BEGUN- Link Fast

Top 5

      1. Link up with your friends and play Link fast

      2. Number ONE for Family FUN – Link Fast

      3. Play-time is a BLAST with Link FAST

      4. Family FUN has BEGUN- Link Fast

      5. Have a blast and play Link Fast

Top Headline

Have a blast and play Link Fast!

Step Four:

Lay it out!

I don’t have a software for editing pictures or making designs so I won’t be able to do Step 4 unfortunately.  

[a-bit-too-much-of-a-zelda-fan]

LinkedUniverse Fanfic Ch. 4: The Beach pt. 2

Stop! You’ve Violated the Law!

So, you’ve stumbled upon this original post for my Linked Universe fanfiction. That’s okay, it happens to everyone. As of March 2021, I’ve uploaded the entirety of this fanfic to my Archive of Our Own page. Along with finally giving the story a name--Oops! All Links: A Linked Universe Story--I made substantial edits to some of the chapters. These range from minor stylistic revisions to fixing a gaping plot hole that kinda completely broke the character conflict in the earlier chapters. I also renamed and renumbered (but not reordered) the chapters. Specifically, this is now Chapter 5: Stars and Stories.

The AO3 iterations of these chapters are the definitive versions. So, if you would like to read this fanfiction, please do so on AO3, right here. With this embedded link. Hehe. Geddit? Link?

Note: My screen name on AO3 is FrancisDuFresne. Yes, that is me. I am not plagiarizing myself.

Anyway, for posterity’s sake, the rest of the original post is below the cut.

Continuation of my @linkeduniverse narrative you can find here Thank you again @jojo56830 for creating this AU that is so inspiring to write for! Word count is 2143.

Wild checked his Sheikah Slate. The map function was finally working again, having lost reception in the cave. The village the nine heroes were traveling to was still a day’s walk away. He looked up from the slate and stared into the distance. The beach faded into rolling hills, obscuring their destination. He turned back to his companions.

They were drying off from their swim. Hyrule found wood washed up on the shore and started a fire with it. The orange flames complemented the purple dusk as the sun set. Wind and Twilight sat together facing the ocean. Wind was splayed out, enjoying the view that reminded him of home. Twilight had his knees tucked close to his chest, hugging his shins.

The younger of them turned to the older. He was about to compliment him on his Great Spin Attack back in the water but stopped when he saw his face. An odd expression played across Twilight’s features. Was it sadness? Contemplation? Regret? Wind couldn’t tell but decided against asking. It was probably better, he reasoned, to let Twilight be.

Wild started walking back to the fire. Legend looked up at him, opening his mouth as if about to say something. Wild shot him a glare, then spoke. “Before you ask me rudely, I’ll just say it. The village is a day’s walk away. Once we leave this beach, it’ll be hills for a few hours, a brief walk through light woods, then flatlands to finish it off. If we don’t hit any snags, we’ll be there by sundown.”

A general murmur of acknowledgment passed around the circle. Wild sat down between Four and Warrior and lowered his head. He felt awful for letting his friends down in the cave. “Guys,” he began. “I’m sorry about back there. I didn’t think that would happen.”

No one spoke for a moment. Warrior spoke up. “Don’t worry about it. Luckily, Sky here kept a cool head and was able to guide us out. Just warn us when that might happen again. It always pays to have a contingency.”

“Wait a moment,” Sky piped up. “What do you mean ‘if we don’t hit any snags?’”

Wild sighed. “There may or may not be enemy camps in that forest. My map can’t say for sure. I’d say we’re well-prepared for a fight, though. How’s our arrow count?”

Legend shuffled through his pouch. “Forty-two. We’re going to want to stock up when we hit that village. You sure your weapons are battle-ready?”

He was referring to the chipped sword and dented stalfos shield lying by Wild’s pouch. He was going to ask Wild about the shield but figured that the fight damaged his original shield beyond repair. Wild wasn’t very selective about the weapons he used. “Yes,” Wild said sharply. “They’ll be fine.”

“So, monsters,” Warrior said. “What are we looking at?”

“I can’t tell. Could be moblins, bokoblins, who knows? At least this time we’re walking through the woods during the day. I’ve had enough fights in the dark for a while.”

“Hm. Well, we’ll just have to be on full alert. Which also means we should get some shuteye.”

Wind patted Twilight on the shoulder, got up, and strolled over to the fire. “Wait,” he said. “I still want to know about Four’s power.”

The shortest Link’s Four Sword had the power to split him into four separate heroes. Prior to using it in desperation during the stalfos fight, he had never mentioned it to any of his companions. It took so much energy out of him that he fainted immediately after becoming whole again. He only woke up hours later, when they had reached the beach.

Four sighed. “Well, it’s my sword. It was gifted to the Hylians by the Minish race. It was originally called the Picori Blade. The sorcerer Vaati shattered it when he unleashed evil upon Hyrule. I journeyed the kingdom finding four sacred elements. With the help of the Minish, I forged it into this.”

He raised the Four Sword, firelight playing off the blade. Like Sky’s Master Sword, it somehow seemed to reflect light brighter than anything else around it. “The Four Sword,” the hero continued. “It has the power to split me into four people. They’re fragments, not copies. My personality splits between them. We used to argue a lot, but now we can fight in perfect unison.”

Sky, Wind, and Legend exchanged glances. They had all gone through a similar process to make their swords. They used sacred flames, pure metals, and dwarven blacksmiths and a great fairy, respectively. It occurred to them that there seemed to be a pattern.

Four continued: “It takes a lot of energy out of me to use that power. I didn’t want the burden of you all pressuring me to use it. I’m sorry.”

“Like I said earlier,” Legend spoke up. “Don’t worry about it. Without that, we would have kicked the bucket back there.”

A moment of silence passed. Legend scanned the group. “So, that being said, anyone else have any powers they haven’t mentioned? Now would be an opportune time to tell us.”

Wind perked up. “You know that my sword can stop time, right?”

“Yes. How could we forget with you always telling us? It would help if you actually remembered that when we’re in combat. I seem to remember Twi needed to save your hide in the cave because you forgot. Again.”

“Geez, I get it. Don’t have to rub it in.”

Time froze. He did indeed have powers he had never told anyone but Malon of. The masks he acquired in Termina were instrumental in stopping Majora’s Mask, but he hated wearing them with a passion. Wearing a dead person’s soul had always made him feel sick. The Fierce Deity’s Mask terrified him. Its power was so great that he feared if he ever put it on again, he might not want to take it off.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by Legend pointed flourishing his left wrist. Everyone looked at it expectantly, figuring some transformation would happen. It didn’t. “This bracelet here is a gift from my counterpart in an alternate world,” he said. “His name is Ravio. Dunno where he got the thing, but I can use it to transform myself into a painting.”

This was met by a mix of mild surprise and indifference. “What?” Legend asked. “No big reaction?”

Sky shrugged. “Well, that sounds cool and all, but how useful can it really be?”

Legend snorted and cocked an eyebrow. “You’d be surprised. It’s gotten me out of many a sticky spot.”

“Why haven’t you used it around us yet, then?” Hyrule prodded.

Silence. Legend flushed and sat there a moment, then admitted: “I… haven’t had a good chance to use it.”

“You probably could have used it in the cave,” Sky suggested. “We were surrounded by walls. Could’ve pulled a sneaky on the Stalfos.”

“Well, I haven’t used it for so long that I… kinda forgot about it.”

Wind shouted out, “Ah ha! Look who’s forgetting useful powers in the middle of combat, now!”

Time chuckled. “You do have to take it off and put it back on every time you get dressed. You’d think you would remember of it.”

“Listen!” Legend growled. “I just wanted to tell… urgh, whatever.”

The Links had a good laugh over this all. Time sighed in relief. No attention had fallen on him after all. As much as he hated keeping secrets from his friends, he was still afraid they would ask him to use the masks. Worse still, if they would become afraid of him. Fortunately, that discussion could wait until another day. A day that might never come, Time hoped.

After the laughter subsided, Four remembered the question that had been nagging at him all day. “Alright, so after I rejoined and fainted, Legend carried my weapons. Who carried me?”

“It was Twi. Not really a shock, is it?” Warrior said. “He picked you up as soon as I made sure you weren’t dead.”

It didn’t occur to Four that it wouldn’t be obvious that he fainted, that they might think he died. They had never seen anything like that before. “Oh. Thanks. Didn’t mean to give you guys a scare like that.”

Warrior shrugged. “Eh, you’re good.”

“Thanks. But what about Twi? Is he okay? He’s been sitting there by the water since we got out.”

Time was facing away from the water. He turned around to face his friend. Twilight was in the same position as before, staring off into the ocean. The sun had long set, so all that could be seen out there was the stars and their reflections. Still facing Twilight, Time said to the rest of them: “It’s probably not the first time he’s carried a fallen friend on his back. Maybe he’s reliving bad memories?”

Wild bowed his head fraction and sighed. “He wouldn’t be the first. Someone ought to check on him.”

“I will,” Time said. “Don’t wait on us to get some rest. We have a long day ahead.”

“When is it ever not a long day?” Wind muttered. This got a few giggles.

With a grunt, Time pushed himself off the sand. He turned and strolled over to Twilight. He paused a moment to appreciate the beautiful ocean view. The breeze was getting chilly. Content, he lowered himself to the ground next to Twilight.

“Twi.” Time said. “What’s wrong?”

Twilight kept staring ahead, but Time could tell his eyes were red and his cheeks damp. Time had never seen him this upset; it was a tad unnerving. “I need a minute,” he choked out, “okay?”

Time shook his head. “You’ve had plenty of minutes. What’s wrong?”

“It’s just… carrying Four out of there reminded me of a really terrible thing that happened… At one point, Midna was mortally wounded by a light spirit. As a wolf, I ran all the way to Hyrule Castle with her on my back. She barely managed to say that we needed Zelda.

“I was terrified that she wouldn’t make it. It was pouring that night. By the time I reached Castletown, my fur was sopping wet. I couldn’t get into the castle through the gate, so I had to take the sewers in. Every detour, every obstacle, every monster slowed me down. I felt like there was a clock ticking in my head, reminding me that Midna was on borrowed time.”

Clock ticking in his head, Time thought. If only he knew.

“Once we reached Zelda, she said that it wasn’t her duty to save Hyrule. It was up to Midna and me. Then she held Midna’s hand in hers and…”

Twilight choked up again. He didn’t bother to wipe the fresh tears off his face. After staying silent for almost a minute, he continued. “Zelda gave her life force to Midna, reviving her. By the time Midna realized what was happening, it was too late. She was screaming, begging Zelda to stop, but before we know it, Zelda was just… gone.

“Of course, it ended up working out for us all. For the most part. But that was awful. Carrying Four wasn’t really that bad. We knew he was okay, and I only needed to carry him until he woke up. But—”

“But,” Time interrupted, “the strangest things can trigger these awful memories. Trust me, I know… I’m sorry. About what happened that night.”

With a sniffle, Twilight finally looked up at Time. Between the puffy eyes, tear-stained cheeks, and wind-disheveled hair, Twilight was an utter wreck. Time gazed into his eyes. They had a certain depth to them that he saw every time he looked in a mirror. His expression softened.

“Come here,” Time said as he put an arm around his friend and pulled him closer. They sat there a while in silence. The only sound was the gentle surf moving to and fro ahead of them. The breeze brought a biting chill now, and Time could feel Twilight shiver under his arm.

Time withdrew his arm and stood. He turned to face the fire. It was starting to die off. The Links seemed to either be asleep or falling so. Wind was snoring softly. Wild was rolled on his side and could have been asleep had the faint light of his Slate not been glowing. Time remembered their earlier exchange about Twilight not being the only one to relive bad memories.

Twilight stood as well, and the two heroes walked forward together. They laid down in the company of their other selves, their friends. It was a beautiful scene: nine young heroes circled around a dying fire on a secluded beach, starlight glittering off the ocean. As the embers cooled and flickered to darkness, so were the Links stolen by sleep.

[svtmatokis]

Mingyu Office AU! P8

Hi guys!!! I am soooo sorry this took so long and thank you for all the continued support during this short hiatus. My laptop took over two months to fix (it wasn’t serious...just MSI has terrible customer service) and all the work was on here but I FINALLY have it back! I was also on tour for work over the last few months which put a dent on posting as well since a computer wasn’t all readily available >< thank you all again n

I’m so sorry you guys had to wait for this and I’ll be posting the final chapter later tonight or tomorrow (as its going through a few revisions) after that I’ll have a few projects que’d while I work on a new project that I will be revealing fairly soon.

Thank you alllllll sooooo much for the continued support and I you guys enjoy the next project! Much Love ♥

Pairing: Reader x Mingyu

Parts:  1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8

Words: 3471

A few days had passed since the last incident. Seungcheol had given special permission and allowed you and your team to have the project meeting outside of the office in order for you to rest and recuperate and also to give you a peace of mind.

This meant that the meetings ended up at your apartment which Chan and Dahyun found odd since Seungcheol rarely gave special permission like this but they figured it was so you could have some peace since almost everyone on the seventeenth floor had seen the daughter of the China head (Mei Wei) slap you in the face.

Mingyu was practically at your side all the time at the office and Dahyun had seen the immense change that happened in him. He had gone from the charming ladies man to devoted boyfriend and she was extremely amazed that someone like you had managed to make him change like that. What shocked her was that your relationship never changed at the office. You were both professional with one another but there was no doubt that his eyes would follow you whenever you left his side and everyone could see how protective he was of you.

The China team had come and gone and you were happy to finally have your normal schedule back but that didn’t mean it was all that normal.

Various associates had tried to contact you throughout their visit but you rejected each and everyone. Claiming that various projects took up your time which was somewhat true.

It was the week of your one month anniversary with Mingyu and you obviously didn’t expect much but he greeted you with flowers at your door in the morning on the first day and throughout the week, you found little gifts on your desk everyday after lunch ranging from chocolates to little pieces of jewellery ranging from earrings to a bracelet  and you couldn’t help but wonder how Mingyu could afford all of this.

It wasn’t till that Friday when he had taken you out for the official dinner (not like you two didn’t have dinner together at all that week) but this time he had asked you to dress in something of his choice and he took you one of the top restaurants on Gangnam.

“You really didn’t have to do all this. The gifts through the week were more than enough” you said softly as you sipped your wine and Mingyu gave you that cute grin that always managed to make you swoon.

“It’s not a big deal Y/N. Take it as a sign of my affection” he said as he took a bite of his meal. “Do you like it?”

“I love it” you replied instantly, “it’s just… we’ve only been going out for a month….”

“And I had every intention of making you mine since you walked into the boardroom that day” he said making you blush,”and like I said before, I knew you wouldn’t agree until I could prove myself to you. I had a reputation and it wasn’t going to help anything so I had to change.”

You looked at Mingyu and thought about his words and knew that he was right. Had he maintained the reputation he had, you knew that you wouldn’t have had spared a second glance but over the months he had managed to woo you and win you over and you knew the main reason was because of his change in attitude and persona.  

He had rendered you speechless and tried to rectify his words. “I mean… everything I heard from Jun and Minghao about you was amazing and to meet you in person… I realized that I had my work cut out for me..”

You blushed again at his words and shook your head, “you’ve done so much in the last three months and I know when you put something in your mind you won’t stop till it’s done...I find that really admirable.”

Mingyu grinned at your words and before he could say more, the waiter came and offered dessert and soon the two of you found yourselves ready to go.

As Mingyu helped you put on your jacket a familiar voice came from behind you and you turned your head shocked.

“Minghan?” You asked and Mingyu turned his head towards the voice smiling but was surprised over the fact that you too knew this person.

“Little brother, what are you doing here?” He asked and you looked up at Mingyu shocked.

“Little brother?” You asked looking up at your boyfriend as said person approached you.

He gave you a small smile as he put his own jacket on and you knew his look meant that he’d explain later.

“I thought it was you, I didn’t realize till I saw the tattoo on your back” Minghan said as he approached the two of you. “I just didn’t think I would see you with my brother of all people.”

“Of all people? Mingyu asked joining the conversation. “I’m sorry, how do the two of you know each other?”

“If you recall, one of our subsidiaries started an investment group which as you already know is currently one of the main investors of the China office. I met Y/N through VP Lu and we’ve managed to stay in touch over the years.” Minghan explained as you nodded and Mingyus jaw dropped slightly. He couldn’t believe that the two of you were friends and he had no idea about it.

“How did I not know this?” he whispered to himself as Minghan started answering your question.

“And you heard correct. Mingyu’s my older brother.” he said as your jaw dropped.  “He still holds most of the shares and attends meetings monthly since he’s still on the board. I oversee all operations conducted with the companies and we just make sure there’s never a conflict of interest.”

“Is that your monthly doctors appointment?” you asked bluntly and Mingyu nodded as he placed a hand at the small of your back but you instinctively avoided his touch and that threw him off but you wouldn't have been able to tell.

Minghan knew he had cracked open a can of worms that Mingyu hadn’t opened yet but he was shocked that Mingyu didn’t tell you anything about his family. With how much he talked about you during family dinners, he was expecting Mingyu to introduce you to the family sooner. He also knew that opening this can of worms may cause some trouble between the two of you and he hoped that you would understand.

He had heard bits and pieces about the drama over the years through Luhan and knew how you reacted in various situations and only hoped for the best.

“So what are you two up to tonight?” he asked clearing his throat though he already knew the reason.

“We’re celebrating our one month anniversary” Mingyu responded his face full of annoyance which Minghan picked up on instantly knowing he had major plans that night.

“Congratulations.” Minghan said as you thanked him quietly and he looked at his watch. “Mingyu, if you have the time, theres something that I’d like your input on if thats okay.” he then looked at you with an apologetic smile, “It won’t be long, I promise.”

You gave Minghan a smile which he noted didn’t reach your eyes.

“Of course.” you said as Mingyu gave you the valet ticket.

“It won’t be long.” he said smiling and handing you some bills to tip the valet.

“We’ll have to catch up over coffee sometime.” you said giving Minghan a hug.

“Definitely, lets do dinner instead? There’s a restaurant I think you’d like and you paid the last time I was in China so I should return the favor.” he said making you nod.

“Dinner it is. I’ll text you later.” you said walking out the door and the moment it closed, Mingyu smacked his brother on the head.

“What the heck was that for?” Minghan growled.

“You literally asked my girlfriend out in front of me.”  Mingyu growled back, “Now tell me what you need to discuss with me so urgently that it can’t wait till the board meeting next Wednesday.”

“Well…” Minghan started it only took him three minutes to explain the whole situation.

“We’ll see what everyone else thinks at the meeting. Until theres proof that there’s a gain, I can't see why we’d want to scrap the project.” Mingyu responded and stood up, “If that’s all, I’d like to get back to my girlfriend now.”

“Of course.” Minghan responded, “And for the sake of your relationship...don’t hide anything from Y/N...Yanan did that to her for almost five years so she’s probably wary that you didn’t tell her something this big sooner.” he sighed. “But then again, you were always one to leave things to the last minute.”

Mingyu rolled his eyes at Minghan though he knew that Minghan had a point over the fact that he should have brought this topic up with you sooner but he wasn’t going to let his brother know that. The two of you were friends and at one point, he probably knew you better.

When Mingyu got in the car, he could tell something was wrong almost immediately but tried to ignore it as he started thinking about the next phase of the date he had planned. He reached over to take your hand in his but you turned your body so it was facing the window as you folded your hands in your lap.

He gently tucked his hand into your folded ones and managed to pry the two apart, bringing one of them to his lips.

“So I was thinking we could go for a walk at the park by the river before I take you home.” he suggested as he made his way to said park since he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“I think I want to go home.” you said softly, looking out the window and Mingyu’s hand tightened around yours.

“Why?” he whined, It’s our three month anniversary and you want to go home already? ‘He asked pouting and you tried not to smile. He was such a puppy.

"Come on, let’s go for a walk…I think we need to talk..” he said a bit more seriously and you sighed in defeat and Mingyu could only do a little happy victory dance in his head.

When you arrived, he got out of the car first and went to the trunk only to appear on your side with a pair of black flats.

“I didn’t think the heels would be ideal and we can’t have your feet hurting now can we?” he asked as he helped you take off your heels and put the flats on, Mingyu then reached into his back pocket to present you with a single daffodil stem which had a small tag attached to it.

‘New beginnings'

You looked at Mingyu confused as he grabbed your hand, “Let’s go”

As you walked down the path, Mingyu stopped and went behind a tree only to come back with an Amaryllis and this time, the tag said something else.

‘Determination’

Looking up at him, he only smiled and offered you his arm. You slowly took it as he lead you further down the path and after a few minutes, the two of you reached a bench that had a gift box with a single bow on it.

“What is this?” you asked, looking between the flowers and the gift box as you sat down. No wonder he insisted on going to the park. But when did he have time to set this all up?

“Open the box” Mingyu said softly as he wrapped his arm around your shoulder.

When you lifted the lid, you were met with bright purple tissue paper and an envelope that contained photos of the two of you and your new friends from the office from the beginning of your friendship to now. You didn’t even remember when some of these were taken but was surprised at a few of them.

There was one of you and Joshua at a get together that Jun organized in efforts for you to get to know the people on your floor and you were surprised to see a photo from the day Mingyu drove you to that big client meeting and then had dinner after and you remembered Jun telling you that he and Minghao had seen the two of you together that night so one of them must have taken the photo.

“When I was at your apartment, I saw all the photos you had with your friends from the old office so I wanted to help you decorate your apartment with your friends from the new.” he explained as you went deeper in the box.

You grinned when you found a few of your favorite candies and snacks and immediately took one of the candies and popped one into your mouth before offering Mingyu one and he happily took it from your fingers with his mouth.

“I know that you have the afternoon munchies…” he started and your head immediately shot up wondering how he knew and he chuckled.

“I know about your snack little snack drawers and little adventures across the street to the dessert shop with Kyulkyung.” he said pulling you closer to him and placing a kiss on the side of your head. “But the fact that you eat so much but gain so little is extremely endearing” he said in your ear as his voice went slightly lower, “And kind of a turn on.”

His last statement caused the heat to rise to your cheeks and you hid your head in his shoulder so he wouldn’t see.

“Can you not...” you whined making Mingyu laugh as he wrapped his arm tighter around you. At least you seemed more relaxed then you had earlier in the car and he was happy that his plan was working despite the slight road block.

“Keep going, there’s one more thing.” he said nudging you and you readjusted yourself.

The last thing was an envelope addressed to you and he urged you to open it.

You skimmed the letter and as you got further into it, your jaw slowly dropped.

“You didn’t…” you whispered and looked at the date of the letter which was about three weeks after the two of you had met. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Do you think you would’ve accepted me back then?” he asked, “Even Jun and Minghao agreed that you probably wouldn’t have thought twice.”

“But you waited almost two and a half months…” you said skimming the letter again.

“And I’m glad I did. But this was to show you how serious I was about you...even when you didn’t know it. I just thought you’d want to know..” he explained, “I couldn’t tell anyone back then so the only way I could express myself was by writing this letter to you.” He then reached behind him to grab another box and you gasped.

“This is too much..” you said and Mingyu laughed.

“This is the last one, I swear.” he said taking the other box out of your lap and replacing it with this one.

You opened it quickly only to find the most gorgeous bouquet you had ever seen decorated with flowers which you knew represented love.

“It’s only been a month but I fell for you the first day, that I will always be truthful to you and tell you everything” he let out a sigh thinking about what happened earlier that night which caused that doubt inside of you. “I was going to tell you everything tonight and I didn’t expect to run into my brother, let alone finding out that the two of you were actually friends…”

Your silence urged him to continue as you processed everything that happened this past night. Mingyu was the heir to one of the biggest investment firms in all of Asia, not only that but he held a high position as Tier 1 associate as the company where you both currently worked. On top of it all, he remained as the majority shareholder at the investment firm which up until recently was actually competition to your company.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” you asked and he sighed.

“Because it’s not really public knowledge that I left the family business. The guys on our floor know but outside of that, I don’t really go announcing it to the world. My dad is still the current head but with his recent health issues, my brother stepped in as CEO once I expressed my wishes to build myself from the ground up but in order to honor my family, I will be stepping back into the role as head once my father decides to retire. My brother and I have come up with a system that works and I only have to be at board meetings once a month but he and my dad still make the big decisions and until my father retires, I am free to do as I please.” he explained.

“So you’ll eventually leave the company” you stated and he nodded with a slight sigh.

“Seungcheol knows about it but until that day comes, which won’t be for a long time might I add. We’ll continue working as we have been. I wanted to tell you sooner but I wanted you to also like me for me..” He rubbed the back of his neck, “And I never knew how to bring the conversation up so it was difficult.”

“But you managed to tell me everything in this letter…” you whispered looking up at him before looking down, “I’ve been burned so many times before that when Minghan told me about you...I froze. I didn’t know how to act and only defaulted to what I usually did…”

“Which was distance yourself and I’m sorry...I never wanted that to happen especially on a day like today.” he took both your hands into his and brought them to his lips, “I wanted to be honest with you from the beginning but I also had my doubts and I haven’t dated much for this same reason…”

You understood completely and nodded your head, “I’m glad you told me now...and I completely understand. Especially with your current fan club at the office…” you thought back to Nayeon who had been forced to apologize to you one day because she “accidentally” spilled coffee on you and you knew that Mingyu had stopped talking to her for that reason.

“You’re important to me...probably one of the most important things to me and I would never intentionally hide anything from you okay?” he asked leaning down to kiss your nose, “i promise that from now on, I’ll be completely honest with you and if anything happens, I’ll make sure to protect you.” He then wrapped you in his arms before leaning down and your lips met in one of the sweetest kisses that he had ever given you.

Your hand clenched the front of his shirt as his lips moved against yours and you suddenly felt yourself getting slightly warm as his hand rested on your thigh and the butterflies were going a hundred miles a second in your stomach and after a few minutes you had to pull away as you felt things were going too fast for a public place.

The two of you walked back hand in hand towards his car with the both of you carrying the flowers and gifts and it wasn’t long till the two of you were standing in front of your door.

“Do you...maybe want to come in for some dessert?” you asked biting your lip lightly and Mingyu resisted the urge to groan. You looked so tempting to him and all he wanted was to take you into your bedroom and not come out for a long time...a very long time.

Leaning down, his lips covered yours in a passionate kiss that had the two of you fighting for dominance but as your back hit the door, you knew that Mingyu wasn’t going to let you win this one.

Pulling away slightly so your foreheads were touching, he whispered, “Dessert sounds great.” before opening the door behind you and gently shoving you back into your apartment where your lips met once more in a more heated kiss.

You felt the heat rise as he gently lifted you up so your legs were wrapped around his and as he carried you to the bedroom, you couldn’t help but think of how right everything felt at that very moment.