#ohhh wow it took ages

[charseraph]

IT’S OUT

[nnight-dances]

FOR LOVERS WHO HESITATE.

PAIRING: jeon wonwoo x fem!reader (ft. xu minghao)

GENRE: fluff, some angst

TROPES: best friends to lovers, reader is oblivious and an idiot sometimes, kinda he fell first and she fell harder, reader is a moa lol and also a hopeless romantic, wonwoo is in photography school and a youtuber.

it's raining cats and dogs when you step out of the shower and the burst of thunder that follows has you thanking that your commute from work to home hadn't seen any such rain. it's a big night for you, after all, you can't have anything spoiling it. it's txt's comeback night and for once, your schedule's freed up in time for you to be able to enjoy the coming weekend with some brand new music from your favorite kpop group. what's more is you had a date on saturday and where usually you would be shaking with nervousness, you actually quite liked this guy. his name was minghao, and he made you feel a calmness with him that you had yet to feel with another man on any dating apps. maybe there was hope after all…

you apply your prized lavender-scented body lotion as you re-listen to some old albums that have been close to your heart and hum along happily. you're about to turn the kettle on for some tea when you hear the doorbell ring. with a sigh, you glance at the time. there were only a handful of people who'd drop by your place at 9 on a friday. 

"wonwoo," you murmur when you start to vagule recall texts from him about coming over for ramen and ice cream. you pad over and open the door to the tall man peering at you through his glasses, "you didn't read my texts again, did you?" 

you gasp in feigned offense, "wow, you're really just gonna assume i didn't? of course i did! and that's why i knew it was you barging into my house this late at night."

"late?" wonwoo questions your wording as he lets himself in and then pauses when he catches sight of the elaborate set-up in your living room. the tiny projector you had bought ages ago and long-forgotten about is now out and function, displaying your laptop screen on the white wall, open on txt's youtube channel. 

"ohhh," he slowly turns around in realization, "are they coming out tonight?"

"coming back, yes," you call out from the kitchen, turning the kettle on like you'd planned, "i'm making some tea, you want any?"

"no, but i'll have the ramen you promised me." 

you narrow your eyes at him, "you do realize you promised yourself ramen, right?" 

"come on, y/n!" wonwoo starts whining, "you never hang with me anymore! it's always just work, home, txt, hinge boyfriend, work, work with you. what about jeon wonwoo time? what about best friend bonding hours?"

you can't help the chuckle that escapes you, watching the tall man slumped against your light blue fridge with a pout on his lips. he pushes his glasses back with sleeve of his black hoodie to stare you down. 

"...i hear you, sir," you start, "but to be fair, we did hang earlier this week when i took you out to lunch for getting a million subscribers on your youtube channel." 

"that doesn't count!" he complains, "that was like, duty-based hangout."

"right," you laugh, "listen, woo, i do wanna hang but you did see my plans for the night in the living room. so i mean, if you wanna grab some ramen and watch five men being silly before their new music drops… you're more than welcome." 

this time wonwoo's quiet, mouth moving undecidedly as he weighs his options. then, he shrugs, realizing he wasn't going to change your plans for the night. "eh, sure. it's not like it's my first time anyway." 

"cool! we have a plan!" you clap, "glad we came to an understanding." 

wonwoo laughs as he watches you take out to packets of ramen and start preparing the soup for them. now that he knows he gets to spend time with you, he relaxes, taking in the light blue pyjama set you have on. it matches the scrunchie in your hand and the hairclips that hold your bangs back in place. he notices how in the silence you naturally start humming a song under your breath, the melody vaguely familiar to wonwoo from the time he's spent listening to txt with you. 

truth be told, wonwoo really needed this tonight. he's had a long week of juggling classes and content creation, now that he had the new burden of pleasing a million people who had put their trust in him to speedrun and try out the newest video games. he's also had to meet up with friends, old and new, who reached out to him thanks to his new milestone. while he was always so grateful for the support, at the end of the day, he was an introvert and it was only in solitude he could gain back the energy he'd spent. 

except of course, solitude came back when it was with you, nevermind the real definition of the word. easy to say, over the years of your friendship with wonwoo, he'd become used to finding comfort in your warmth, though it changed with time. when you were both in college, it meant studying together and holding each other through the hard times. when you graduated and went on to get a job at a publishing company you'd always admired, wonwoo continued school to get a masters in photography like he'd always dreamed. now, comfort meant escaping his dorm room to drop by your place so he could bother you. 

sometimes, he hesitated, worried that he might actually be bothering you. you were an actual working adult, after all. but then, he'd find you sending him stupid memes in the middle of the night on a working night and he'd change his mind, knowing he couldn't go another week without seeing your face. 

"hello? you're just gonna stand there and watch me do all the work?" 

your stern voice breaks wonwoo out from his daydreaming and focus on the two steaming bowls of ramen that have appeared on the kitchen counter. "oh, sorry," he says, "just zoned out."

"not that you would've been much help with your hands of disaster."

"hey," wonwoo calls, "that's unfair, i'm a perfectly competent cook."

you raise a brow at him, "really, woo? would you say a perfectly competent cook would cut his thumb on a potato peeler? or, what was it the other time, would he spill boiling hot soup all over himself?"

wonwoo purses his lips. "whatever. i can just wash dishes if you're gonna be so mean about my cooking skills."

"sorry, woo, but there are no skills to be mean about," you murmur as you top the ramen with some fried egg. "anyway, here, take these and i'll bring us drinks. beer good with you?"

"you know it, sir," he confirms as he carries out your orders, balancing the bowls in each hand and making his way to the living room. he takes a seat on the couch, when something on the screen catches his attention. though your youtube screen is crowded with suggestions related to txt on different variety shows, there's a video in the corner that shows wonwoo's face. he recognizes it as one of his newer videos this week, one he made to thank his followers for their overwhelming support. he's honestly surprised to the red bar under the video indicate that you'd already watched the whole video. he didn't think you'd have the time to watch an hour long video.

he can't help the satisfied smile that creeps up his face, feeling a new level of accomplished knowing you were so up to date with his content.

"you're really just gonna grin like that to yourself?" your voice calls out, "i'm scared, should i keep a weapon close?"

wonwoo shrugs, "i don't know, would you really have the guts to kill your favorite youtuber?" 

you're caught off-guard and when you see wonwoo's video on the screen, you redden, averting your gaze as you place two cans of beers on the table. "so much for supporting my best friend," you mumble, adorable pout on your lips as you break open your chopsticks, stirring the hot ramen around. 

wonwoo keeps his smug excitement over the fact that you didn't deny his claim to your favorite youtuber and simply joins you in cooling his noodles. "anyway, i thought that txt was releasing new music? why would that include them being silly?"

"the countdown live, obviously," you inform him before slurping some ramen.

"ahh, right, i forgot those were a thing. when does the live start?"

you turn your laptop to yourself and scroll till you find the link to the countdown live, "hmm, let's see. it says here that there's 33 minutes." 

"wanna watch an episode of demon slayer while we wait?" wonwoo asks gingerly, ready to be rejected immediately. but you seem distracted by your phone, your quick typing indicating you were texting someone. "hm? texting a new guy?" he asks, swallowing the sudden lump in his throat. 

you hum out a yes and after a minute, you put your phone down, smile on your lips. "you must really like him if you're texting him back that fast," he comments.

you look at him with a chuckle, "i met him last week on hinge. woo, he's stunning and genuinely nice. how rare is that combination?" you sigh, "i honestly still think he's a little too good to be true but i guess i'll find out tomorrow."

"tomorrow?" he asks, "where's he taking you out?"

you cough, "we're going to a museum and then to lunch at an italian place."

"damn," wonwoo mutters, "he's rich then, i presume?"

you hit wonwoo's arm, "what's your next question? how much does he make a year? his criminal history?"

"i mean, does he have one?"

"wonwoo," you warn him, "he's a perfectly nice guy. or so i hope. anyway, wanna watch this episode of txt's show? it'll warm you up for the live." 

wonwoo quietly nods as you click on the recommended video. he takes a deep breath to settle the storm in his stomach and sips his ramen soup to clear his head. he was here to spend time with you, not fight with you over questionable dates you found on hinge. 

"that one's soobin, right? he's my favorite," wonwoo smiles when the guy's dimples deepen with a joke another member cracked. 

"i thought you liked beomgyu!" you laugh, "you're a really unfaithful one, aren't you?"

he shrugs, "i don't know what you're talking about, i've always been biased toward soobin." 

"you didn't even know his name till five minutes ago, but sure, woo, if you insist."

the episode ends with both of you weak with laughter, partly because of the goofy nature of the games txt was playing but mostly because throughout, one of you would make a remark that would get the other laughing and build from there. it really was a never-ending battle with laughter when wonwoo was around. 

"oh, i must know what happens next! i know soobin's gonna win this thing," wonwoo says. 

"ahh, as much as i want to watch the second episode, we should tune into the live or we're gonna be late," you tell him. "we can watch the second one some other time?"

"it's a date," wonwoo teases back before he can stop himself from filtering his thoughts. but it's too late, you've turned to him with a look of scrutiny, wondering if he was joking or not. 

"right, okay, here it is," you pull up the live, which has been on for about five minutes. soobin is in the middle of talking about the album when you tune in. "ohh, look, your favorite boy's talking about the album."

"i see that," wonwoo smiles, "where's your favorite guy at?"

"hmm, wait… ah, there he is, yeonjun with his new haircut," you gasp, "god, black hair suits him so well." wonwoo narrows his eyes at the black-haired guy you've pointed out. you're right, he looks amazing, though he can't tell if it's the hair or just his general abundance of beauty. 

the rest of the countdown live goes not unlike before, with you helpfully supplying wonwoo with any context he might missing behind the member's comments. at exactly midnight, wonwoo watches their new music video with you, laughing when at its end you immediately click the replay button. after its third re-watch, you switch to spotify and listen to the entire album once before nodding in satisfaction.

"that's a solid album," wonwoo comments, smiling at your half-contained excitement. "it's everything i need to get through life till their next comeback," you say, "the title track's my favorite for the first time. although that might change as i relisten to the album."

"the title's the catchiest so that's probably right," he says. wonwoo's about to say some more about the album when he catches the look in your eyes. "what's wrong?"

"sorry, i feel bad for making you sit through that for like, three hours."

wonwoo's heart melts a little when he catches you fiddling with the hem of your pyjama top. he lets out a lighthearted chuckle, "you didn't force me. i had fun, y/n."

you smile, "i had fun, too. i always do with you." wonwoo's heart skips a beat at your admission, his cheeks warming up, "oh, right, i should show you the new speaker i bought the other day." you stand up and run over to your room excitedly. 

a few minutes pass and wonwoo sighs, hand at his chest, trying to calm himself down. he rests his head against his arm, slumping against the sofa, as his mind races. this won't do, he thinks, closing his eyes to shut out his bothersome thoughts. 

perhaps, he calms down a little fast because when you return with the speaker clutched in your hand, you find him dozing off on the couch. you smile at the sight, plopping down next to him. "always falling asleep anywhere, aren't you?" you mumble under your breath, eyes drawn to the portrait of serenity that wonwoo was. you watch him breathe steadily for a while before you rest your head against his arm, inexplicably drawn to the sight before you. 

you felt… weird, almost itchy, when you're this close to wonwoo. his eyelashes were longer than you expected at this distance and you have to contain the desire to brush your knuckles against them. you wonder what he must be thinking, to appear to be so at peace. you let out a hum unknowingly and wonwoo stirs. 

he comes to with a start, feeling a weight on his arm that hadn't been there when he fell asleep. and then he opens his eyes, almost convinced he's still dreaming when he finds your head against his hand, blinking solemnly as if you had been watching him sleep.

wait… hadn't you actually been watching him sleep? wonwoo starts to wonder but you cut him off when you whine, "you dozed off, jeon wonwoo." 

"sorry, i didn't mean to," he mutters, unusually shy. 

"well, it's fine. it's getting late," you say. then, after a moment, "do you just want sleep over? it's kind of a trek to your dorm from here."

wonwoo hesitates, blood rushing to his face at the idea of sleeping over at your place. "no, it's fine, i'll just go back."

"no, i would feel too bad letting you do that," you insist with a pout, "plus, it's saturday tomorrow so you don't have to worry about rushing back to class or anything."

he pauses. you were right, it was a pretty reasonable proposition once he thought about it with straight mind. "then, i will," he agrees, "but where do i sleep?" the question comes from the knowledge that you did only own one bed, the one that was in your bedroom. never mind that it was big enough to fit you both, the fact that it was in your bedroom made it off-limits in wonwoo's mind. 

"my bed?" you ask.

wonwoo sits up, "absolutely not."

"damn," you mumble, but don't think much of it, "i guess you'll have to take the couch then?"

"that works for me."

you narrow your eyes at him, not wanting to push him to sleep in your bed if he really was that strongly against it but you can't help but pry a little more. "you sure you don't prefer a soft mattress with proper pillows?"

"you forget that i can fall asleep anywhere at any given moment with minimal trouble," he shrugs. "but i will ask of you to lend me one of your plushies."

you chuckle at that, "alright then, if you insist. i'll bring you a blanket and a plushie." when you leave to accomplish said missions, wonwoo takes a second to marvel and… well, panic at his situation. 

he'd only ever slept over at your place once and that was when he passed out from drinking too much soju. that didn't really count, especially since that time hoshi and karina had also passed out next to him on your floor. so this really felt like a big deal to wonwoo. 

you come back with a pile of a soft pink blanket and a matching pink bunny in your arms, dropping them next to wonwoo on the couch. "there," you say, "you want tea before you sleep?"

"nope."

"anything else? water?"

"oh, is there a toothbrush i can borrow?"

"ah, right. i should have some spare ones lying around. come, i'll show you."

it's nearly 2 am by the time wonwoo's in bed (couch), changed into some oversized shorts you had and sporting the same skincare that you used every night. it's all a little much for his poor heart, doing these domestic things with you as if he hasn't been down bad for you since he can remember. 

"okay~ goodnight, woo, sleep tight!" you call out. you pat his cheek, crouching next to the couch as you watch him settle down for the night. he mumbles back a goodnight somewhat quietly and you can't help but laugh to yourself at how adorable wonwoo looked.

"tell me if you need anything, okay?"

you stand up, ready to head to bed yourself and really, wonwoo should be thankful he can be alone at last, perhaps, collect his thoughts and rest his brain for the day. but being up so late must be getting to his reason because he reaches out to hold your wrist when you're about to leave, with a hurried, "wait!"

you stop with a raised brow, "what's wrong?"

"my goodnight kiss!" he blurts out with a sudden rush of courage. "i need one to fall asleep."

silence follows his words and wonwoo's ear slowly start to burn up when he hears the echoes of his absurd request playing back in his mind. he lets go of your wrist just as quickly he'd reached for it, covering up with a half-laugh, "i was just kidding. good night!" 

a beat passes and he thinks you must really find him ridiculous to not respond to anything he's said but before he can dig himself any further into the hole he's made, he feels your hair brush against his skin. he barely has time to register your body leaning over him when he feels you lips press against his cheek. the moment should last forever but it's over all too quick. wonwoo can't see your face in the darkness but he hears your voice near his ear, breath soft, "good night, woo."

he could die now, he really could, and he would die a happy man. he muffles the sound that escapes his throat when he hears the door to your room creak as you close it behind you. you, on the other hand, stare at yourself in the mirror in disbelief at what just happened. 

you really didn't know what to make of wonwoo's request out of the blue, but something about the way he looked so cozy, hair sticking out every which way in the moonlight that spilled into your living room, something about this night in general had you feeling strange. you felt the same itch you'd felt when you found yourself unable to take your eyes off a sleeping wonwoo. it's like when you encounter a beautiful cat lounging in the sun and had to drop everything so you could take in its joyful existence. you couldn't move an inch, completely fascinated by this being before you.

"what the fuck am i thinking…" you mumble, feeling your cheeks warm up. "i must be really tired." 

turns out even after a night's sleep you feel as confused as you did when you fell asleep. with a grunt of frustration, you roll over in bed and choose to scroll on your phone to distract yourself for a bit. it's almost 11 when you hear a knock on your door. you contemplate pretending to be asleep but then there's another knock, followed by wonwoo's, "y/n?"

you feel too bad leaving wonwoo to fend for himself in your home so you force yourself out of bed, patting your hair down as you pad over to the door. "hey, morning–" 

your greeting is interrupted mid-way when wonwoo's face moves close to you – hilariously close until he's kissing your cheek. your breath catches in your throat and you freeze up. wonwoo stands back up, arms on the doorway, a small smirk on his face. what had possesed him overnight? 

you could only ponder in defeat when he merrily called out, "good morning! did you sleep well?" 

"i… did…" you start and then stop, hand coming up to the cheek where wonwoo had kissed you. "what was that for…" you wonder more to yourself but wonwoo picks up your flustered question and shrugs.

"i was only paying you back for your goodnight kiss," he smiles, unsettling you to your very guts, "that was your good morning kiss."

you groan, suddenly losing all clarity. frustrated, hiding the blush creeping up your neck, "you know that's not a real thing…" but where you mean to sound harsh, you simply sound bewildered. wonwoo swallows his chuckle and pats your head, "i'm hungry. can you make me breakfast?"

you glare at him, trying to figure out what his real plan was but he simply follows up with, "pretty please? you wouldn't let a guest in your home leave on an empty stomach, right?"

"i- uh, let me wash my face and i'll make you something," you say, pausing for a split second befroe shutting the door in wonwoo's face. you speedrun your morning routine despite your very best efforts to act and thus, feel normal, you wash your face and brush at your teeth at an abnormal speed. you stare at yourself in the mirror when you consider changing out of your pjyamas and mentally scold yourself for acting like an idiot.

"stupid," you tell yourself as you leave your room to find wonwoo cackling at his phone screen. no matter how you look at it, wonwoo's acting different… he seems more confident, or rather, full of conviction, though you couldn't think of any reason why that would be. 

etiher way, in an attempt to act normal, you start making eggs for breakfast, scrambled and slightly runny the way you know wonwoo likes them. "toast?" you ask him as you whip the eggs onto a plate. "yes,," he calls out, "with some butter, please!"

you sigh as you place a slice of toast on his plate, sliding it toward him. you plop the stick of butter next to him with a knife and tell him with a sarcastic smile, "you can butter your own toast." 

"i sure can," he says with a satisfied smile. you really can't understand what he was thinking and it pisses you off, but not nearly enough to sit next to him as you dig into your own plate of eggs.

"as thanks for feeding me two meals in a row," wonwoo starts, swallowing a mouthful of food, "can i do anything for you? buy you a new pan? go grocery shopping with you?"

"i'm good, thanks."

he frowns at your curt reply. "ohh, how about a movie? it could make for a solid saturday night."

"sorry, i've a date tonight, remember?"

"ah, that," he says, flatly, "i mean, if you have time later right?"

"i'm pretty sure i'm gonna be beat by the time i'm done with the date. maybe tomorrow," you say but you know he can tell you're only half-heartedly saying so. he gives up after, thankfully for you. 

"all right, i should get going! as it turns out i forgot my clothes in the dryer for two days straight and someone threw them onto the floor…" you let out a horrified gasp at wonwoo's casual confession, "so i should probably deal with that."

"dude, please, why aren't you running back to your dorm right now?" 

"alright, alright, i get it! see you later, y/n!"

with that, the man's off, seeming somewhat appropriately concerned for his clothes now. you sigh once you hear the door close after him, resting your forhead on your fist. your head hurts and it's not even noon. you're mostly just having a hard time comprehending the last 12 hours you spent with wonwoo. 

it's not out of the ordinary for you to do impromptu things with him like this but you feel strangely empty now that he's gone. what's worse is your mind keeps replaying this morning when he kissed your cheek like a broken record. it makes you feel like a pervert, thinking about the kiss as if it wasn't wonwoo, your best friend for life. plus, there's that itchy feeling that won't let up every time you think about him. "man, this sucks," you groan out, opening your phone, "and i still have to get ready for that date." 

in an efffort to clear out the weariness you feel, you hop into the shower and take extra long in there, singing along to the new txt album and letting your worries wash away with the new vanilla scented body wash you'd bought earliere that week. without a doubt, you feel much better after, patting your damp skin down with some skincare.

that's when you're suddenly reminded of how last night wonwoo had crouched next to you, ridiculously focused on applying the products you handed him all over his face. he looked adorable, straining to get every pore covered as his fingers ran over his face. he had to squint of course since you'd told him you wouldn't stand him getting your precious skincare all over his glasses. after he was done, he'd elbowed you lightly, "how do i look?" 

"so clean and healthy, my princess," you joked as you patted him on the head. the proud look on his face made you swoon a little–

what the actual fuck. "fuck," you curse out loud when you realize you'd lost your newly regained sanity to the walk down last night's memory lane. "what the fuck," you repeat under your breath as you through your last steps in a hurry. you feel yourself spiralling again when a ping on your phone saves you. 

it's minghao.

minghao: afternoon, y/n! hope u slept well last night :)

minghao: just wanted to tell you i might be a little late cuz i forgot i had to run an errand for my mom! sorry

you melt a little at how sincere he is in informing you of every little change in your plans and can't help but feel a little guilty for viewing the date as a burden. that's right, you owed it to minghao to respect the date and approach it with an open mind. confusing feelings for your best friend for another day. 

you: hey!! thx for telling me but don't worry about it 

you: i'll text you when i get there so you know where to find me 

minghao: that would be great yay

minghao: can't wait to see you 

you: me either :) 

— 

minghao is amazing, exactly as you expected him to be. he shows up at the exact ETA he'd texted you earlier and not without a whole rose in his hand. when you turn impossibly red and shake his kindness away with a, "...but i didn't get you anything," he smiles and tells you to take it, "it's an apology for me being late to our first date." 

you inwardly lose it over his emphasis on first date and calm yourself down, accepting the rose with a thankful smile. you had to keep it together if you want there to be another date, for real. he's incredibly sweet the whole time, walking through the museum at a comfortable pace – enough that you'd be able to admire the piece but not too long that you ended up staring into nothing. 

after over an hour of perusing the museum's collection, your feet start to hurt a little, no thanks to the uncomfortable loafers you'd brought out for the special ocassion. it's like minghao senses your discomfort and offers to rest at the museum's in-house cafe and get some refreshments. "ahh, i'd love that," you mumble shyly, embarassed that he could see through you so well. 

over coffee, you try not to stare at minghao, noticing the few strangers who would pass by your table and do a double take at the man in front of you. he did catch the eye, what with his blonde hair which sat just right by the nape of his neck. you couldn't think of the last time you'd seen someone pull off a mullet so well.

"sorry if i'm a little out of it today," minghao starts with a small smile, "i slept much later than i usually do because my friend came over without notice."

"wait, you won't believe it but something really similar happened to me last night too," you say with a grin. "what did your friend want?" 

"really?" he asks with a similar smile. "also, well, he's not really a friend, more like a former roommate who can't get over the fact that i got a job and now have my own place. he likes to cope by barging in and having meals with me or watching a movie."

"wow, it's insane how similar your story is… my friend's still in college so he likes to also barge in and eat my food that i cook and watch stuff with me."

the two of you share a laugh, thrilled at the newfound similarity. "that's cool, we're like each other in a lot of ways, huh?"

"yeah, that's pretty cool," you agree. this is bad. you can't stop smiling. was minghao always this charming?

not that you would know, you remind yourself, laughing at his blunt sense of humour all throughout lunch, barely focused on the taste of the pasta minghao had ordered. you feel unlike yourself. like you're floating and all you could feel was minghao's magnetic charm, keeping you focused on him and him alone. or maybe that was the wine talking. 

that's how you end up at your place, kissing his face, before you can comprehend the situation. "fuck," you breathe between kisses, "i don't usually kiss on the first date." 

minghao pulls away with a small grin, "i don't either." with that, he kisses you again. and again. eventually, you make it to the couch, each somewhat recovering in their own way. now that you're back to your senses a little, you're more than glad things didn't go any further with minghao. it really was only the first date. you would hate to regret any of it later. 

"oh, i'm so rude, i didn't even offer you a drink or anything," you stand up, embarassed, "can i get you something? water? tea? coffee? um, i also have beer but i don't know if that's to your taste." 

minghao chuckles, "you don't have to worry, y/n. i'm good as it is."

"no, that won't do. we've been here for like 20 minutes and i haven't even gotten you water," you say, walking over to the kitchen.

"to be fair," you hear minghao say smugly, "we were kinda occupied for a hot second."

"...right," you mumble, reddening a little, "well, i'm gonna get you something whether you want it or not, so what will it be?" 

"some tea would be great," he admits finally. "nice, two teas coming up in five," you call out. you spend another 30 minutes just talking to minghao over tea, when you hear a knock at your door. you frown. 

you try to excuse yourself but minghao gets a phone call at that very second so you silently gesture to the door and he nods in understanding. you open the door and almost close it right back when you see wonwoo on the other side. he's grinning, all merry as if he didn't just interrupt your date. 

"wonwoo?" you question, "can i help you?"

"wow, that's cold," he says. "am i interrupting something?"

"actually, yes. remember the date i had today?"

"i thought that was just some boring stuff like museum and italian food?? now, he's followed you home??" 

you shush wonwoo urgently, thankful that minghao was still on the phone and couldn't hear his rude comments. "wonwoo, i'm busy. i'll hang tomorrow–"

"no, i wanna say hi to your date," wonwoo declares, pushing by you and into the living room where minghao talking on the phone. "rude, bro's on the phone in the middle of a date."

before you can ridicule wonwoo's stupid reasoning, minghao turns around, apparently done with his call and raises a brow when he spots the new figure next to you. you grimace apologetically, "sorry, minghao, this is the friend i was telling you about earlier. i tried to stop him but he wanted to say hi–"

"you've been badmouthing me behind my back?" wonwoo interrupts you with an unimpressed look, shaking his head. "whatever she's told you about me, i'm sorry. i'm wonwoo, nice to meet you."

minghao stands up and strides over to shake wonwoo's hand like the nice guy he is and introduces himself. "nice to meet you, too. i'm minghao." 

"i just came by because we had plans tonight," he says, with a side glance at your perplexed face, "but i guess i must've gotten the time wrong or something."

"oh, no, no, you're probably right. i've been here longer than planned," wonwoo doesn't miss the small smile minghao throws at you. "but i should head out, too. i also have some guests coming over later tonight."

you look deflated at how things are going, "are you sure?" minghao nods as he gathers his things – things such as a brown leather jacket that looked more expensive than any item of clothing wonwoo owned – and heads for the door. you follow him like a lost puppy. 

when you reach the door, out of wonwoo's earshot, you apologize to wonwoo again and he brushes your sorrys off, "don't worry about it. i'm the one who should be sorry for taking off like this. i would've liked to spend time with your friend."

"i don't know how that would've gone down," you say uneasily, "but thank you for today. really. it was great."

"i'm glad to hear that," minghao says with a grin. he reaches close and hugs you, a warmth radiating between you when he pulls away. "thank you for letting me take you out. i hope we can do it again some time." with that he places a kiss on your cheek and takes his leave. 

once he's gone, you go back inside and sigh, a mix of feelings in your chest. on the one hand, you feel uneasy now that your date with minghao is over, doubtful of whether he really meant his words about wanting to go on another date with you. your past experience had taught you can never tell with men, even if they told you they loved spending time with you with the sweetest smile on their lips. 

on the other hand, you were now alone with wonwoo, which was a whole another problem on its own. a problem you didn't feel equipped to handle right now. not when you still hadn't sorted your feelings about him out. whatever it was, it wasn't easy and it sure as hell didn't become any easier when wonwoo was staring you down, intently. 

"...wonwoo," you start, voice low, "i'm really sorry but i don't have the energy for this right now. i just want to head to bed now."

wonwoo doesn't hide the look of hurt on his face. "what? it's like six right now."

"yeah, but i've had a long day and–"

"is this because i interrupted your date with minghao?"

you feel an rush of annoyance rush to your head but reign it for the sake of your friendship. "it's not about anything other than the fact that i'm tired."

"you seemed perfectly energetic when minghao was here. why'd you invite him over anyway? i thought you kept it chill on the first date." 

"well, have you considered that i just genuinely liked him enough to bring him over? more importantly, i don't see how any of this is your business, wonwoo."

"of course it is! i care about you–"

"if you care about me, maybe don't cut my date short next time!" 

the silence is resounding, following your silence and you hate yourself when you see the grave look on wonwoo's face. he was being for real right now. but you really can't bring yourself to understand him.

"wonwoo, i'm sorry, i just don't know what you want from me, okay? i thought you would support me when i'm finally have some luck finding a boyfriend–"

"what i don't understand is why you want to find a boyfriend so bad. i think you're happy enough as it is and you only seem to become upset over men. why invite heartbreak into your life–"

"because i'm a romantic, wonwoo. i just want to fall in love!" you tell him, "i got degree my parents wanted, settled for a job that makes me enough money and maybe a little happy sometimes, but the one thing i want to do for myself is find someone i can love. i want to experience love, at least once in my life. is that really so bad?"

wonwoo scoffs much to your utter disbelief, "some romantic you are…"

"what the fuck did you just say?" 

you see him visibly inhale deeply and sigh. "y/n, i don't have a problem with you finding love." 

"really? because it sure looks like you do? i know you don't really care about love but–"

"why would you think that?" 

"well, have you ever been in love?" you ask him incredulously. 

"of course i have!" he cries out, "i'm in love with you, y/n." 

"you wouldn't–" you start when he says he's been in love and then stumble over your words when you hear his next words. you stop short with your mouth hanging open, "you're– wait, what?"

over the recent years, wonwoo had thought about whether his feelings really needed to be said out loud at this point – he felt like he was crazy obvious. but looking at the shocked look on your face right now, it was clear that if you would never have figured out his feelings without him telling you. which is fair, he can't expect you read people's minds but what really got his heart in a twist was the fact that you hadn't even remotely considered him liking you, which meant you were far from liking him back. 

though this a fact he's gotten used to, he feels the sting stronger than usual, maybe because the last day has him confused. to be honest, when you'd kissed him without a warning, it got to his head. thought maybe he had a chance after all. it was that high he'd been riding the whole time; that morning when he shamelessly kissed your cheek, this evening when he invited himself into your place when he knew you had a date over. 

but now he's positive he was delusional because all you have are platonic feelings for him at the end of the day.

"wonwoo, i'm sorry, i had absolutely no idea that–" you don't even know what to say, you cut yourself off, "i'm- i can't give you a clear answer right now. but if you give me some time, i promise i can."

"you don't have to answer me, y/n," wonwoo says with a bittersweet smile, "i know how you feel about me. but i had to tell you at least once before i gave up. i don't want you to feel burdened by my confession, just– why don't you forget about it?"

you blink at his words slowly, "but–"

"i should probably leave," he says, "i've long overstayed my welcome here." with that, he heads for the door, not heeding your requests for him to wait a second, "sorry for ruining your date by the way," he calls out as he leaves without another glance. 

– 

it takes you a whole day of overthinking your entire life – after all, that's how long you'd known wonwoo now – to come anywhere close to an answer. and really, it's not much. so far this is what you have: 

a week ago, you had never once considered wonwoo as more than a friend. maybe the best friend you'd ever have, perhaps a rare and special connection that you wouldn't have with another person. while the idea had come up, through other people doubting the purely platonic nature of your relationship, you had truly never entertained the thought. not because you had something against it, but because you were convinced a link like the one you had with wonwoo was only possible in a friendship. 

but then last night had happened, and something had possesed you to kiss him on the cheek – that something might've something to do with the itch in your body every time he was closer than normal, something to do with the way you'd been captivated by his sleeping form. 

and reflecting back, you were dumbfounded by how many times wonwoo had tried to hint at his feelings. a few years ago, when you'd gotten drunk with friends back in college, they'd dared wonwoo to kiss the person he liked and he'd politely declined, muttering that he couldn't kiss someone who was being pursued by someone else. as it turns out, and as you had been too stupid to realize, you had been the only one there in a talking stage with a guy you'd met at your part-time job. 

then, there was the way he always responded to you quickly, no matter what, ready to do things he was otherwise reluctant to do. always asking to spend time, always trying to stay close. there was also the eye-contact that he barely made with other friends, even other people – the way you'd look at him to find him already looking at you. 

"i'm an idiot," you tell yourself as you stare at wonwoo's contact on your phone, wanting to hear his voice but not when you still were so undecided. 

that's how it gets all the way to friday and you still haven't reached out to wonwoo. if you're daft reaction to his feelings hadn't closed the deal, your radio silence for the past week sure did. but unwilling to accept that truth, you call him, only a little surprised when he doesn't pick up. 

he must be mad, you think. but as much as that thought scares you, you can't stand giving up already. you end up making your way to his college campus, hoping he'd be in his room, even though it was 6 on a friday night. 

uncertainly, you knock on his door. and then louder a few more times when you don't hear a response. you're close to giving up and walking yourself home when you hear faint voices inside. "--sick of you making me open the door every time—" it's wonwoo's roommate, mingyu. he stands before you, in boxers and incredibly shirtless, and you think you should've at least texted wonwoo that you were coming over. 

but despite your apprehensions, mingyu doesn't seem embarassed, just amused. "oh? it's noona." 

you can't help but smile lightly at mingyu's use of the honorific, as if you weren't only a few months older than him. but him continuing the yearslong tradition reassured you, though you were sure he'd heard some foul things about you from wonwoo over the past few days. 

"hey, mingyu," you wave uncertainly, and try to get a look into the room past him with no avail, "sorry to show up like this, but is wonwoo around? i was trying to reach out to him but he didn't pick up." 

"ah, right, wonwoo…" mingyu says as if he didn't quite know who you were talking about. you can see the gears turning in his head, probably considering if he should tell you the truth or not. the choice is made for him when wonwoo's voice reaches you. he's screaming, "KIM MINGYU, I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR ASS BACK RIGHT NOW— WE'RE FUCKING LOSING OUR LEAD BECAUSE OF–" 

you stifle a laugh at mingyu's guilty expression. "right, so he is here," you comment in what you hope is a neutral tone. "you think i can see him?" 

he pauses, looking unsure, "listen, i don't know the full details of what happened with you guys, but wonwoo's been really quiet the past week and i'm not sure if seeing you right now– if he's in the right state of mind…" 

"is that so…" you mumble disheartenedly, though this was a fact that you yourself had been grappling with. "i guess i should leave him alone, then." you're about to take your leave when an arm drapes itself over mingyu's bare shoulder, wonwoo's face poking into your view. 

you freeze up when you lock eyes with wonwoo's face, his smile visibly disappearing. "y/n? what're you doing here?" 

"i was just–" you rub your neck, looking away in an attempt to come up with a credible excuse, "i was just taking a walk around here and thought i'd drop by to say hi. but um, since you guys seem busy, i'll just find another time. anyway, good night!" 

with that, you take yourself out of their sight, rushing down the stairs to the room so fast that you almost trip over and die. thankfully though you've made it to the door that leads out without actually leaving a crime scene on the poor residents' hands. 

"y/n! wait!" 

you stop in your tracks when wonwoo's voice echoes in the stairwell and almost lose all feeling in your knees when you see him run after you, out of breath. "god, woman, since when have you been this fast?"

"sorry," you say quietly, though you're not sure why you're apologizing. 

"can we talk?" 

you look up at him in surprise, "...that should be my line."

"i know, gyu told me why you actually came by," wonwoo admits with a deep sigh, "that idiot, i can't believe he tried to shoo you away without even letting you in. sorry about him."

"no, he was just trying to protect your peace. i get it."

"really? in what world is keeping a guy from the girl of his dreams 'protecting his peace'?"

you gasp at wonwoo's blatant admission and swallow against the lump in your throat. wonwoo looks tired, you can tell from the bags under his eyes and the way his shoulder is set, and you feel guilty for adding to his exisiting stress. you owe it to him to give him a proper closure. 

"wonwoo, i'm so sorry i didn't reach out to talk this past week. i was just so in my head figuring things out and i kept losing the guts to face you. i truly can't express how much i treasure what we have, and honestly, i'm starting to doubt if it was always platonic. because somewhere along the way, i got so used to being around you, i didn't think about what it meant to be that close to someone.

"that being said, i still can't wrap my head around how i feel. i know it's not the clear answer i promised you, but if you give me a little bit more time, i will be able to think it through. but i understand if you wanna keep your distance with me while i do that. sorry." 

"why do you keep apologizing?" wonwoo asks you, brows set in confusion, "you're maybe the sweetest person ever to even think so hard about your feelings for me. and i understand if you need time, it's years' worth of feelings after all… but, there's one thing…" 

you perk up at the last part of his words, "yeah, what is it?"

"i don't think i can keep my distance from you," he says, eyes dropping to his feet for a few beats before meeting yours again, "i thought about it and honestly, the worst thing about the past week was that i couldn't just thoughtlessly intrude into your house and eat with you after a long day. maybe that's on me for having quality time as my love language, but god, y/n, i think i'd be a miserable man if i had to live without you."

"wonwoo, i…" 

"i'm warning you, if you say sorry one more time, i'm gonna do something bad. plus, i feel much lighter now that the cat's out of the bag. i can finally be the truest version of myself around you."

swallowing the millionth apology on your tongue, you say, "then let's not avoid each other. maybe spending time with you will help me understand how i feel–" you stop yourself mid-sentence when you hear what it sounds like, "wait, no, that sounds insensitive… what i meant was–"

"wait, no, you might actually be onto something," wonwoo says and you feel a chill run down your spine at the smirk that takes hold over his face. "perhaps i can find a way to make you sure about me? like, seduce you?"

"what? that's not what i was suggesting–" 

"i know but it's what i am suggesting!" he says, slowly closing in on you, hand coming to rest atop your head. "maybe i can finally let go and do the impulsive things i've wanted to do– don't worry, all within a limit, of course. think of it as the talking stage?" 

"the talking stage?" when he puts it like that, you can see some reason behind it. it wasn't serious enough to be a relationship but still served as a step up from your normal friendship with wonwoo. "i guess that wouldn't be not fine…"

"wouldn't be not fine…" wonwoo repeats your words under his breath, "so you're fine with it??" he sighs in relief, fingering coming to brush through your hair before they returned by his side. "alright then! glad we came to an understanding! now, i'm sorry i must excuse myself for i promised kim mingyu i'd be back at game night in no time." 

"oh yeah, you should definitely get back to game night," you say with a soft smile, but then catch him by the wrist as he turns around, "oh, wonwoo! thanks for letting me say my thing, by the way… and i'm sorry."

he sighs lowly at that, pulling you into a hug, "what did i say about apologizing again? now i have to do a bad thing or i'll be someone who doesn't keep his word." before you can protest, he pulls apart and leans in close to kiss your cheek. then he kisses your other cheek– and then, your forehead. you're turning beet red by the time he stops at your nose, laughing at your struck expression. "alright, now we're good. and i should be the one thanking you for taking my feelings seriously. i'll see you later, yeah? we should do something tomorrow since it's a saturday." 

"yeah," you agree and give him a slight push away, "okay, now go do your thing with mingyu or he's gonna hate me even more."

"he doesn't hate you, he's just–"

"don't wanna hear it! go play your games, gameboy!" 

"alright, miss, whatever you say."

– 

"watch it," wonwoo warns you, eyes fixed on your screen, "no, no, don't go that way, the turret's gonna hit you."

"i don't understand," you whine, "there's too many things on my screen." 

when you'd agreed to let wonwoo teach you how to play one of his favorite games, league of legends, you hadn't forseen the amount of stress would running in your veins. your head hurts and your vision is blurry. you've just started and you're only up against the easiest level of bots but every time you step outside the safety of your base, you seem to get immediately obliterated. 

"okay, y/n, here, let me show you," wonwoo shifts closer to you and if anything, it makes it harder to focus when you feel his shoulder come to rest against yours. at the same time, his warmth soothes you somewhat when he calmly instructs you where to go and how to attack the enemy. his tips help you drastically and in the next ten minutes, you've gotten to the enemy's turret, eventually scoring a kill.

"wonwoo! i got my first kill! did you see that?" you turn to him with a bright grin and find him sporting a similar grin, his hand coming to pat your head. "you did so well!" 

that's how you slowly make it through the first game, securing a victory, mostly thanks to wonwoo's overpowered skills, destroying his own lane and getting to the base in no time. "god, you're such a show-off," you mumble when you see the dramatic difference in KDAs on the final stat summary page. "i don't think i was built to be a gamer." 

"now why would you say that?"

"look at me, woo! i'm sweating my balls off and that was only against bots! i won't last a day in the real world," you complain with a pout, "plus my fingers aren't fast like yours. i take forever to cast my skill and by that time, it's too late."

"y/n, it took me like a week of playing to get my first kill against a bot," wonwoo tells with a grimace, "so the fact that you got through that with a decent KDA is incredible. and my fingers got because i played so much, i didn't get good in a day."

you sigh, resting your head on the couch, "hmm, you have a point."

"but we can call it day if you're tired," he says with a smile, coming back to rest his shoulder next to you and following your resting figure, "thanks for trying though."

"it was fun, but i'm gonna need a week before i can touch this game again."

you feel the laugh that leaves wonwoo in your own chest, the sound filling you with his joy, as if it were your own. without thinking about it, you shuffle closer to him, a soft sigh escaping you when you feel his bicep harden against your arm. 

"you good?" he asks you in a low voice when you stay unmoving for a while. you nod with your eyes still closed. "i'm doing great," you say, "just recharging." when wonwoo doesn't say anything in response, you take a peek at him to see him looking at you sideways, with a goofy smile. 

"mind telling me why you're looking at me like that?" 

"nothing, i just thought it was cute how you volunteered to play league for our date when you don't even know how to play."

you flush, "well, i figured i'd have you teaching me the ropes. and i've been wanting to play with you because you said it's one of your favorite games." 

"that's sweet of you, isn't it?" wonwoo says, unable to stop smiling. "you always treat me so well." 

"i do, for some reason. it's almost like i'm attached to my best friend or something."

you bite your tongue when you accidently let the words slip, tensing up as you start to correct yourself. "i didn't mean it like–" 

"y/n, don't worry about it," wonwoo shushes you with the same smile he's had this whole time. "i know what you meant. and i'm flattered." 

you sigh in relief as you drop your eyes to your lap, fiddling with your fingers, somewhat nervous for no real reason all of a sudden. maybe it's because you're conscious of wonwoo, afraid to slip up again and say something hurtful.

"you don't have to be so careful around me, you know?" he starts, "i've lived with this feelings for a while so it takes a lot for me to sway. and remember no matter what happens between us, i'm always gonna be your friend at the end of the day." 

"thank you for saying that," you say quietly, eyes still on your hands, feeling guilty. 

"hey, at least look at me if you want to show your gratitude."

"i can't. i'm…" you trail off, and then, "i'm sorry." 

"there it is again," wonwoo groans, "now you've done it. i'll have to punish you again for apologizing." his hand comes to rest atop your restless ones, slowly stopping your uneasy movements and intertwining his fingers with yours. and then steadily, he takes your hand close to his lips, placing a soft kiss against the knuckles. "the more you say sorry, the more i'm gonna have to work harder to make sure you fall in love with me, okay? and it's honestly pretty bad for my heart if i keep having to do things like this, so spare me."

bad for your heart? you question him in your head but don't voice iti, shaking your head at wonwoo's sly words. "you're insane," you murmur. 

"alright, that's more like it." 

– 

the following week, you see new sides of wonwoo because he takes it on himself to do all kinds things that are out of the blue for him. for one, he's been labelling every hang-out as a date, even when that day entailed perfectly normal activities you'd done a million times over with him. "it's an attempt to rewire your brain," he tells you with a foxy grin, "i'm making sure you don't forget to view me as a love interest."

speaking of love interests, he'd been straightforward with you that if you wanted to go out with minghao that would be fine. but you'd declined the possibility because you wouldn't know what to do with yourself around him now that you were immersed in the uncertainties of your relationship with wonwoo. and on thinking long and hard about the date with minghao, you'd gotten the feeling that you were interested in his looks more than anything. sure, he'd been so charming but it was wonwoo that was keeping you up at night. 

that's why you find a way to turn him down when he asks if you'd like to go on another date with him:

minghao: hey, y/n! there's a night market near where i live this weekend

minghao: i've never been able to go but i've heard it's super pretty

minghao: so i was wondering if you'd like to come with me? :) 

you: hey, minghao

you: i'm sorry, i don't think i can see you again

you: i really enjoyed our date but there's someone else i'm talking to atm

minghao: oh

minghao: i see

minghao: dw about it! it was nice to see you either way!minghao: but just out of curiosity, is this new person your friend from the other day?

you: huh??

minghao: you know the one who came to your place when i was over

you: …it is him

you: how'd u know

minghao: hehe i just got a vibe

minghao: he looked at you like you were lovers in another lifetime

you: girl what 

you: i mean that's so sweet but really?? didn't he just look at me like i was going to feed him for the night?

minghao: no way, when a guy looks at u like that… i don't know how else to say it but he'd love if you were a worm

you: interesting

you: thanks? idk

you: you're cool for a guy that just got rejected 

minghao: it's ok, i'm sure i can land another date in time for the night market ;)

you: of course you can 

you: goodnight minghao :)

minghao: night, y/n! maybe we'll meet as friends someday 

you: maybe…

"damn it, he's smooth…" wonwoo whines when you show him your screen the next day, only after you've made him promise you that he wouldn't jump to conclusions. "i don't think i can stand you being friends with him. like ever."

"wonwoo, i don't think that's gonna happen. but even if it did, i don't know, i think he'd make a great friend."

"oh he most definitely would. that's precisely the problem. i can't be outdone by another man like that," he says in a ridiculously grave tone, "he's too cool. i wouldn't stand a chance against him."

"you realize that the only reason i'm not going on that date with him is because i'd rather go on a date with you?" you poke wonwoo's arm with a soft smile.

the man hesitates, processing your words before a smile breaks out onto his face. "wait— i mean, of course i know i'm– wait, does that mean you–?"

"i'm in love with you, wonwoo. i think i've always been. i was just too much of an idiot to understand it."

wonwoo's imagined you saying something along these lines a lot but what he's been far more prepared for is you rejecting him. for the longest time, he's lived with the reality of you not reciprocating his feelings and that's honestly what became normal for him along the way. so when you look into his eyes, it's like you're looking into his soul and leaving him completely starstuck. all he can see is you before him for a solid few seconds before he truly comprehends you. 

"don't look so shocked! i thought this whole week was for this exact outcome!" you laugh at his speechlessness. 

"right," wonwoo swallows against his dry throat, suddenly shyer than he's ever been, "i'm just shocked. i didn't expect for it to actually work? i don't know, are you sure you love me? it's not just as a friend? like, i'd understand if it's just because we've known each for the longest time and seen each other through hard times."

"wonwoo…" you exhale, "are you rejecting my feelings right now?"

"no! of course not!"

"then why are you doubting me? i know how i feel about you. that's the whole reason why i took so long to give you an answer."

"i know," his gaze drops to the floor, head reeling a little. this is what he's wanted deep down for the longest time so he can't help but feel like he's dreaming right now. 

when you hear the doubt in his voice, you take his face in your hands, forcing him to look back at you. "wonwoo," you shake him, "i love you." you peck him on the nose. "i want you to be my boyfriend, if you'll have me."

"of fucking course," wonwoo seems to return to his senses when you press your lips against his skin. cheeks red and eyes wide, his hands find your body, fingers already by your jaw, pulling you closer. "i love you so much, i think it'll kill me one day. but for now i think being your boyfriend will do." 

you giggle at his dramatic statement and close the distance between you, feeling the warm of his breath like never before. he kisses you back immediately, letting out a low groan at the action, the hand at your waist, squeezing you lovingly. 

"can't believe i waited so long to do that," he says when the two of you pull back. 

you kiss his cheek with a soft mewl, "you're so warm, woo." 

"am i?" he wonders, arms moving on their own as they bring you closer to his chest. he kisses your forehead, "now we can both be warm." 

— 

"okay, okay, i'm ready to leave," you call out victoriously as you step out into the living room. wonwoo looks up from the projector screen where he's currently rewatching a run-through of a new game was gonna try out for his channel. but he immediately loses the smart comment he was gonna throw out there when he sees you, all dolled up and showing off the dress you're wearing with a smug smile.

it's a simple blue dress with a modest neck and long skirt that hugged your hips perfectly. and it also happened to be the dress wonwoo's birthday gift to you last year. you'd worn it out with him before but this is definitely the first time you'd taken it out on a proper date. and how appropriate for it to be a date with wonwoo himself. 

"you like?" you ask him as you walk closer to him, running a hand through his hair. 

"i love," he replies instantly, arm coming to your lower back, "you look heavenly. god, do we have to go out? i don't mind just staying here and watching you in this dress."

"no," you decline his ridiculous request firmly, "i've been wanting to visit this bookstore for the past year. so i'm sorry, love, but you'll have to do with watching me read if you really want to be creepy."

"it's not creepy if i'm your boyfriend, is it now?"

"...maybe."

"alright, i think i'm good to go then! let's go!" 

at the bookstore, you genuinely have to shake wonwoo off your back and force him to find a book he likes before you leave. he complains and whines about how he just wants to enjoy his girlfriend's taste in books but when he does finally wander off, you find him engrossed in a book he found in the science-fiction section.

you sneak up onto him with a grin, "enjoying yourself?"

he looks up, "...surprisingly. but only because i got kicked out…"

"you wanna get that?" you ask him, taking a glance at the book cover. "just drop in here," you show him your basket that already has a couple of your picks in it.

"you're buying?"

"mhm, think of it as a token of our first real date?"

wonwoo smiles, eyes bright, "alright then. thanks." 

after that, the two of you walk over to the restaurant wonwoo had had reservations at. it was also a fairly new place but had gotten popular for being a couples' hot spot. and wonwoo understands why when the waiter shows you to your table for the night– it's secluded by a corner on the porch, with nothing but a candle illuminating the surroundings. 

"ah, we can also move the table so that both chairs are next to each other?" the waiter says with a polite smile, "would you like that?"

"yes, please!" wonwoo calls out enthusiastically and you squeeze his hand with a chuckle as the waiter nods and shifts for the rearrangement. 

"this is perfect," he says when you sit next to him. "this way, i can still hold your hand," he mutters. 

"you're cute," you tell him with a soft grin, "i love you."

wonwoo leans in to kiss your lips softly, leaving you a little breathless when he slips in a quiet, " and i love you more than you could imagine." 

author's note:

oh my god this fic took everything out of me to get out there... took a whole entire week but she's here, i really hope you guys like it!! i'm really down bad for wonwoo recently, to the point that he might've joined my bias line haha... more reason why tomorrow's gonna kill me. honestly though, this man will keep me going through some tough times (aka jeonghan and wonwoo shortage).

also, i lowkey fell in love with minghao while writing him here so expect a fic soon??? lol idk for a moment there i was confused who this fic was really for (sorry wonwoo i love u tho). as always, thank you for reading and i love reading what you think so please do let me know <3

[dozing-marshmallow]

Dawg…..i NEED NEEED NEED more of Chris Nibling with the other campers please 🙏 🙏

You ask, you shall receive ;D

CHRIS MCLEAN’S NIBLING! READER AND CAMPERS (CONTINUED HEADCANONS)

“Where did I leave it...?” The pretty blonde girl wondered around the campsite one day, in search of something. She finds you sitting in your beach chair and the missing item fades from her priorities,“Oh! Evening (Y/N)! Woah...you look tinier than I remember...” 

“Huh?” You look up at her. Did her mind go on holiday again?

“Yeah! You’re like a little kid, I’m surprised they let you on the show!” She blurted out. Yep, it has.

“That’s because I am a kid! Not a little one.” You proudly remind her,“A little kid wouldn’t own a makeup kit now, would they?” you held up the one you found to her, not knowing it was hers, let alone what she was searching for until she squalled.

“Omg!” She plucks it from you, her long hair shimmering with the sun,“Thanks (Y/M)! You’re like my Santa’s little helper! Oooo! Have you ever tried this stuff?” 

“The makeup?” You tilt your head,“Isn’t it for adults?”

“It’s for everyone!” Lindsay averred,“Oh, it’s a must! Makeoveeer!”

The idea startled you,“I don’t know... Uncle Chris might not-“

“Ohhh we’ll be fine! He’ll totally change his mind after seeing it!” She was very certain, which could either mean it’ll go exceptionally or horribly.

Only one way to find out.

"So lucky!” She holds your jaw up,“You're still at that age where you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want!”

"Huh? Can't you also eat whatever you want?" You asked your beautician of the day, unaware of adolescence’s side effects.

"I caaaan't! Too many carbs and butter tarts is bad for you!" She complained,"You break out into hives, grow hair everywhere and get taller...!"

“Eww!” you pull a face of repulsion,“I can’t imagine what you’re going through! It sounds so hard!”

"As Buddhism says, it's a part of life if you wanna keep tanning." A breath of sorrow, she searches her bag,"Okaay... Um, let's start off with the foundation!"

You watch her squirt some of this skin matching liquid on her blender,"Do you know what you’re doing?”

"Sure I dooo! But I bet you didn't know that when I was eleven, we had this charity called something Foundation visit us at school and they weren't even about make up!” She begins to dab it on your cheek,“So glad I exposed those con artists in front of everyone! What kind of charity deceives people like that?"

Uh huh...

"Eyeliner time!" She declares, hoarding the blender back into her kit.

You didn’t recognise what “eyeliner” was until she took it out, a pen looking thing,“Ohh I know what that is! My uncle uses that all the time! I always thought the way he did it looked creepy.”

“Uncle? You...have an uncle?” She repeated wide-eyed like the term was foreign.

“...Chris?”

“Ohhh right!” Her mind brought back to the minimum work,“That’s where I know you from!”

Having that needed to be recalled, you were kind of getting scared about what was she putting on your face.

“Let’s add a beauty mark therrrre! And you’re done!” She takes out her mirror and holds it in front of you,“Tadaa! What do you think?”

“It’s the wrong way, Lindsay.” You lightheartedly inform her.

“Oops! Sorry!” She flips it around, and you see the final product at last.

You gasped... 

Wow!

Maybe it’s because you were inexperienced with makeup, but in your eyes, Lindsay was phenomenal, the very best: the shine on your nose and correctly placed pastels were all so glamorous to your young mind, you felt guilty for ever doubting her. She knew what she was doing!,“I love it! I love it, I love it, I love it! I look like those models Uncle Chris talks to sometimes! I don’t think I ever wanna wash my face again!”

"You're welcoooome!” The “dumb princess” chimed, twirling her finger around a strand of her hair,”Still think he won’t like it?”

Absolutely not! Maybe if he likes it enough, you could convince him to replace his current make up artist with her! Fingers crossed!

Hearing DJ, you jump into a non-lethal bush and waited until he was in your peripheral vision to grab his attention.

“Thought I heard you (Y/N)!” he warmly came over to you, used to your ways of a child,“Everything alright with you?”

“Yep!” you emerge, lifting your head up to make eye contact with the tall jock,“I wanted to know if...you wanted to feed the squirrels with me.”

“Aw, I’d love to-“ He paused. He had to remember that this adorable child was related to Chris,“Count me in!”

"Yay!" You pull onto his large hand and led him into the woods. Seeing a family of squirrels, you lean on a log and pass him your spare bag of nuts. While you waited for the bushy tailed rodents to warm up to you, DJ had a very serious question to ask.

“What’s the name of your teddy?”

Oh man! You were going to miss him so much when he goes,“Mrs Maple! She was there for me since day one! Chris got her for me.”

He takes a second to appreciate your innocence, connecting the story to his relationship with momma,“You really love him a lot, don’t you?”

You made a fuss from his imprecise words,“Mrs Maple is a girl!”

“I know that! I meant Chris.” Now they were precise; even at your error, he managed to not raise his voice if it meant the feasting squirrels could continue entrusting their vulnerability to the both of you.

“Ohh! Yeah, I love him a lot too! He’s on my top ten favourite people list(and so are you)! There’s no uncle in the world I would trade him for.” You exclaimed, goodbye-ing the squirrels in your thoughts,“Aww...”

Luckily, you weren’t left alone by nature’s animals for long; something further away moves into your sight, slow and mature. You excitedly point it out,“DJ, do you see that? There’s a moose over there!”

And he returns the excitement, by picking your smaller body up and sitting you on his shoulders. Woah! You’ve never been this high before! “Let’s get a closer look! Moose are also friendly.”

With his hands secured around your legs, you spread your arms out, mimicking an airplane,“Weeeee!”

Another session of free time led the campers to be diffused everywhere on the island, so there were very few people in the mess hall- such as Harold, Leshawna, and yourself, who was playing uno with Duncan. The stack was currently a green 8, like his mohawk. It’s Duncan’s turn and he takes a pause, before smirking.

“Two plus six makes eight...” he places down two cards at once, a blue two and a blue six.

This boils you to take discipline,“Pick up two cards, Duncan! You can’t do that, that’s cheating!”

“No it’s not!” He revolted back.

“Is too!”

“Is not!”

“Is too!”

“Is not!”

“Is too!”

“Is not!”

“Is too!” you huff,“Chriiis!”

Having being called, your uncle gets up from where he was sitting and comes behind you,“What’s the problem?”

“Tell Duncan he can’t do that!” You demand, throwing a finger at the smug juvenile delinquent.

Chris complies to your exact words, by repeating in a dull tone,“Duncan, you can’t do that.”

“Aww come on, dude! You should’ve seen what I did! Look and decide as the host if it’s fair.” He gleefully folds his arms.

So Chris does and whether it was so he could see you irritated or that he genuinely liked what Duncan pulled, he approved of it.

“Hah! Sorry smarty pants!” Duncan laughed in triumph at you gritting your teeth,“Looks like you’ll be the one picking up two cards!”

You throw your deck at him,“No I won’t, because I quit!”

“Aww, is someone mad they couldn’t handle my genius?” He derided, resting his face on his palm, monobrow wiggling.

“Shut up, cheater!” You stuck your tongue out at him,“Cheater!”

So annoying!

[canonically47]

Share the Disventure Camp thoughts Geo. Also, now that you've seen both seasons, what are your All Stars predictions?

oliver was one of the best parts of the season and i loved him so much ohhh the skrunkle

aiden & james were my favorite characters i think! <333 i really liked their development i love gay people i screamed at their first real kiss

it took a while for me to get used to every character because of their mics and acting. some of the acting was not believable at all and was the reason i dislikes some characters for a bit (cough rosa maria cough) before eventually warming up to them. it’s clear they improved a lot and found better actors for season 1. i’m curious how the S2 actors will be in S3.

maggy was genuinely annoying and not just because of her voice. sorry :(

lake was amazing!! i loved her arc!

connor was a good guy and i liked him, but i wouldn’t have brought him back for all-stars and i definitely wouldn’t have paired him with riya. that 21 year age gap is not looking good.

I LOVED HUNTESSALLY SO MUCH OH MY GOD THEY ARE EVERYTHING TO ME POLY REPRESENTATION IN MEDIA IS THE BEST STOP I WILL CRY OMGMGMGMGGM why are they fighting in the S3 opening. someone save me. huntessally stay strong. STAY STRONG!!!!!

WHY IS YUL YELLOW 💀 also i hated his ass “a latina stealing why doesn’t that surprise me” NAH MF YOU CANNOT BE REDEEMED I’M SORRY MAN YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN 💀

anyone wanna talk about how weird some challenges were? no? like making people kiss other people just for a challenge? i know it’s fiction but? what if someone is uncomfortable with it? yk? my aro ass couldn’t watch most of those scenes like ik it was to make some ships kiss and probably appeal to the fans but nah. you lost me brah. and outing aiden (while not specifically saying his name but yk) like. wow. this is. not fun! weird episodes

karol fuck you

riya, thin ice, i like you for your assholery but leaving aiden hanging left ME hanging as a fan of both. sadge

ally should’ve been a scene kid that’s all i came here to say

fuck you yul hope ur the first boot of S3

why was nina there. /vvvneg

now for predictions/wishes:

YUL FIRST BOOT WOOHOO 💯💯💯 /hj

if i don’t get gabellie & tessally alliance i will actually cry myself to sleep for those entire ten months the show will be airing i mean it guys i’m so fucking serious /j

alec and fiore need to make up or i will actually go bonkers and die

yul first boot

trevek do gay shit & krystal breaks them apart every time because they’re so cringe every time they flirt or something not in the high school couple way but just sooo fucking bad at flirting that it is physically damaging to everyone around them

nina dies in a fire YAY!!! WOOHOO!!! PARTY!!! (seriously she was the most annoying gimmick of the season hope she just disappears and its not brought up ever)

maybe. if connor is there. and he gives advice. he can give alec and fiore advice. right. right guys. I MISS MY FATHER-DAUGHTER DUO OKAY WAAAAAAA

jake will be a fucking idiot and hate aiden for NO reason because he is a fucking idiot. love him tho but i was hoping he wouldn’t be as insecure in s3 like girl get a therapist cmon

if i don’t get james-tom friendship.......

miriam early boot 😞 sorry queen 😞 i got this feeling 😞 inside my bones 😞

ashley early boot (pleasepleaseplease WHO ASKED FOR HER TO BE HERE i wanted nick or kai back so bad omfg)

this is more based on a fanart i saw but fiore should totally terrorize aiden and aiden just hates her ass

i want the teams to form then switch a bit so that there’s both s1 and s2 contestants on both teams bc wdym the teams are s1 and s2. thats the worst decision yet and the season hasnt even started

[rosyrosethorns]

“… Uhh…” When Madi entered the room with Maxime and Valentina, she was admittedly stunned to see two unfamiliar faces. “Are these… new ‘Revenge on Gru’ club members?…”

“Yep!~” Balthazar Bratt replied confidently. One of them was a large middle-aged man with black hair and a red shirt with a neck cut low enough to show part of his chest, and the other one… looked like a science nerd twink around her age, wearing an orange jumpsuit and reclined in his seat with both hands behind his head.

“Ahh, Maxime Le Mal! Is this the señorita you and Bratt mentioned?” the larger man spoke with a Spanish accent. “A bit on the young side, isn’t she?~”

“Well—“ Maxime was about to remind him that Madi was an adult before the girl spoke up:

“I’m 24…”

“Hmm, I rest my case,” the large man replied in a teasing manner. “It’s still nice to meet you, Miss Madilyn—me llamo El Macho, and this is Vector!”

The girl turned to the nerd in the orange jumpsuit as she took her seat. The rest of the villains had jumped right into discussing Gru, but Vector seemed curious about her… With a push against the table, his chair moved closer to hers as he looked up at her with a smirk.

“Heyyy~”

… He probably didn’t realize that Madi was socially awkward. But also, she wasn’t sure what his behavior was implying. “Um… Hi?” she muttered in reply; her eyes shifting.

“So your name’s Madilyn? You’re close with both Bratt and Maxime?—wow, you really get around for someone who’s not even a villain~” Vector seemed to jump right into an attempt to initiate conversation. “You wear glasses too?—I like your frames, they’re super elegant; they even match your whole elegant style you’ve got going on, it’s not really my own vibe but it suits you pretty damn well~”

… The girl blinked as she quietly processed all that for a moment. “Uh…?”

“Oh!—yeah, you wanna see something that is my personal style?~” Vector pulled out one of his weapons. “EEL LAUNCHER!! Oh yeeeeah!! Fires live electric eels!”

Seeing the eel’s awkward face pop out of the weapon, the girl looked simultaneously baffled and awkward. “Uh—??”

“Vector…” Maxime had interjected at this moment, looking mildly irritated as he and the other villains turned towards him. “Are you going to contribute to the conversation, or are you only here to make poor advances?”

“Pfft! POOR??” The extroverted nerd seemed offended. “Listen, I totally have enough rizz to keep a lady’s attention!! I mean, I doubt she’s ever seen anything like THIS—there’s literally no way she could, I invented these kinds of weapons myself. Name one other person who has weapons that fires aquatic animals!!”

“Don’t mind him, Señor,” Eduardo interjected. “Let’s get back to what we were saying and he can catch up.”

Maxime rolled his eyes, but heeded El Macho’s words anyway. Vector let out a humph before turning back to Madi, holding the eel launcher up again. “Would you like a demonstration?~” he inquired.

“UH—no. No, no, no.” The girl had hastily replied before he could pull the trigger. “You might… damage Bratt’s stuff…”

“… You want a demonstration later?~”

His immediate interest still baffled her. “Wh… Why are you… asking anyway…?”

“Aww, c’mon, I’m just making conversation; are you not used to that?” Reclining in his seat once again, he waved his weapon around as he continued: “Is that part of why you barely said a word the whole time?—Do you let the other guys do all the talking also?”

“No—I mean…” The girl was getting shy again as she struggled to look at him directly. “Why… are you making conversation with me in the first place…?”

“What do you mean by—? Ohhhhh.” Vector’s eyes widened for a moment in realization. “Ohhh, I get it~ You’re the insecure type, huh?~”

Flustered, Madi opened her mouth to speak—but no words could come out.

“Alrighty then. How about this?” The strange nerd held out a hand. “Hiiii. I’m Vector. Let’s be friends~”

… The girl blinked; still visibly stunned. “Friends…?” She hesitantly reached out for his hand, still unsure what to think about him… Vector had grabbed her hand after a moment’s pause and shook it firmly; looking rather proud of himself.

“Theeeere we go—no worries, am I right?~” he assured her in a confident tone. “Nice to meetcha~”

[nekobami]

HUGE SPOILERS. (Screenshots I took w some comments & thoughts - not too hight quality however)

Oh wow. Long text.

I mean, finding out that everything was a plot fanficed by the demon and Morty's mind alone couldn't have been a better plot, I mean, It's really funny how Morty sees the random and insane things that happen to them.

Even though it's always something really out of the ordinary, I don't know how to explain it, but... Like, I can't help but feel like everything is too convenient. Because the focus is on fear, I mean at the end, it's an unconscious fear-focused narrative built using Morty's worldview as bricks. So that he didn't even know that this was really his fear at the end of the day.

But I'm surprised he doesn't even suspect how convenient and quick everything is. Like, "HOLY SH#T, A YOUNG RICK JUST ENTERED THE LIVING ROOM BURNING TO DEATH HOLDING A DIANE." JUST LIKE THAT. IN THE SAME SPEED YOU RED IT

But in parallel, I love how Morty sees the partnership between him and Rick. In the end, despite all the lore, all the narrative burden that should separate Rick from this family, Morty still sees them as the two weird friends who isolate themselves to talk to each other when something sinister happens. I also felt something in Rick's expression during this episode, but I talk about that in the screenshot

(( Marriage working out sounds ))

I also loved the "anti-aging thing" and the "Dad, stop! you're traumatizing her." I mean, For Morty, everything is so convenient for Rick that he can simply inject a blue liquid into his vein and become young again. CASUALLY. Not that it doesn't exist. It's probably something exactly like this.

WAKE UP, SUNSHINE! YOU HAVE A VIRTUAL EXISTENCIAL CRISIS TO LIVE!

By the way. I agree with other opinions I've seen recently. All of this is completely set up from the beginning, and it certainly wouldn't be so easy for Diane to simply ignore her grandchildren and her thirty-year-old daughter just to casually hang out with Rick. I mean, it's part of it. But bro. I'm sorry, I know Rick is a silly and romantic guy when it comes to it, even more so with HIS WIFE, the woman of his life, BUT, a breakfast bot? It still sounds too much like Morty's vision of Rick's flirting skills to me. Anyway. BREAKFAST BOT.

OHHH yeah, look at them. They're not real, but will make you feel good.

Oh, also. About this... this... thing. Like, I have to agree that it was a very wise choice to have only Morty go into the hole. Like. That demon devours your fears clearly means he enters your mind, he knows you by what you fear. He will use everything you know to taste your fear and suck everything out of you. He won't kill you, I guess. He was probably just making fun of Morty about his fear thing being able to actually kill someone. But he is a demon. Supposedly that's what he does. Unless maybe he has adapted to feed himself without actually needing to kill someone, or if he casually lets people live just for the sake of it. I don't know... I can't help but feel like this guy never needed them to go into the hole to build the narrative.

He's already managed to find out about everything Morty knows about Rick. Now imagine what we would have seen if he knew everything Rick knows about himself and others? I'm sorry, but it would obviously be too heavy. I know, it hurts. And you cannot compare the extent of people's fear, after all it is completely individual. But, my friend, imagine what this guy would discover about the multiverse as it is, just by getting into Rick's mind? The recourse he would have in this here is above tolerable. HOW DAMN POWERFUL CAN THIS GUY ACTUALLY BE? Hihi. Fear hole demon. I'm totally not attracted by him.

Also. Holy sh#t.

Cursed as f#ck, damn, ew, it wasn't even necessary, please don't do nothing similar to this, I'm begging you. I can't see this again in any context.

About Rick's expressions. (Yes. Yeah, yeah, the whole narrative load of this interaction between them, and Rick coming back after hearing that Diane was there, Morty afraid of Rick hugging him still being a hole thing, Morty afraid of being replaced, Rick coming back to put up Morty's photo, photo of Morty in the wallet, yes yes, extremely nice, lots of cool stuff, of course. But I would like to point out something.)

I could be wrong, after all I didn't watch the episode again. Like, I know Rick being with his wife must have exacerbated that factor, but throughout Morty's fear-centric narrative, Rick's features are softened, I don't know how to explain it. But in that moment, when Morty comes out of the hole, what really is Rick as an individual comes in, and not just the Rick built with Morty's vision of him and their interactions. Like, he just got that totally tired annoyed-like expression, since, after all, he's still affected by the recent events, and his face... Uh, I can't explain it perfectly, but around him is still heavy, while in Mortys narrative, things seems... lighter, since they've SUDDENLY, VERY CONVENIENTLY got another worries. And even if he was romantic with her in the narrative... I can't explain, but he was still very... cold and insensitive at times. Something that I find very difficult for Rick to do, as an individual and being extremely affected by all his experiences.

Anyway. Nice episode. Definitely. Merry Christmas too. HAHA. Christmas.

[itzpris15634]

Butterflies (ft. Blythe and Roger)

A bright, sunny afternoon in the Suburbia neighborhood. It was a lovely day to tend to gardens.

As Roger watered the flower bushes, his 7-year-old daughter Blythe sat quietly in the shade, drawing. Roger was so proud that Blythe had found herself a hobby. And she was good at it too, especially for her age.

As he tipped over the watering can to water the next bush, something caught his eye. Something small and light, flapping in the air…

"Blythe, come here!" Roger called his daughter over. "A butterfly!"

"A butterfly?!" Blythe looked up from her sketching in excitement. She left her sketchbook on the table and ran over to her father's side. She jumped in joy when she noticed the little insect.

"A butterfly! Woah, it's so pretty!" Blythe said.

"Absolutely," Roger nodded.

Finally, the butterfly flapped away in another direction, leaving the Baxter's garden.

"Aww, bye bye little butterfly!" Blythe waved the creature goodbye.

"You know Blythe… your mother really liked butterflies. She found them fascinating."

"Really?"

"Yeah. When were in highschool, she'd constantly mention bugs whenever we talked. She even took entomology in college."

"En…toe…wha?"

Roger chuckled, "Entomology. The study of insects. And butterflies are insects."

"Ohhh… Okay, okay! Wow, I wanna draw butterflies now!"

"Well, go right ahead!"

Blythe walked back to the shaded part of the garden, where the table with her sketchbook lay. Once there, she got back to drawing.

Roger smiled. He was so, so lucky to have this little girl.

---

15-year-old Blythe was seated on the couch, sketching. She had her music playing through her headphones.

"Hey, Blythe?"

"Yeah, dad?"

"Can I see your sketchbook?"

The question made Blythe shiver.

"Uh… why? You don't think I'm up to anything, do you…?"

"No! No. I trust you, Blythe. I know you wouldn't. I just wanna see your pages about butterflies again."

"Oh. Sure thing, Dad!" Blythe flipped the sketchbook over to the right page, then handed it to her father.

"Ah, I see…" Roger hummed as he examined every little sketch, "Wow. Wow! You're doing butterfly-inspired jewelry?"

"Yeah!"

"That's great! Totally great. Super great. Lovely."

"…Is there any particular reason you wanted to look into my sketchbook?"

"Uhm…" Roger hummed as he sneakily took out his phone and took a picture of the page, "No reason at all."

"You just took a picture of it."

"No I didn't," Roger immediately shoved the phone back into his pocket, and the sketchbook back into Blythe's hands.

"Lovely sketches, Blythe! You're really good at this."

He was clearly dodging her questions, but today she was going to not mind it. So instead, she said;

"Thanks, Dad!"

"You know, if you're up for it, would you like to go to art school? I think you'd be fit for that."

"Oh, I was actually thinking of something more like… fashion design. Like, fashion university."

"Ooh, fashion! Very ambitious. What are your goals for that one?"

"I'm… not really sure yet! Work at a fashion magazine? Start my own fashion business? I dunno."

"I see. Well, who knows? You've got plenty of time to think about that! What are you in again? 7th grade?"

"Mhm."

"Yep. Plenty of time!"

---

A few weeks later, Roger was on some sort of overnight trip. He was heading to Britain this time? Yeah…

So when Blythe heard the doorbell ring, she bolted over to the door to check who it was.

"Who is it?"

"Blythe, it's me! I'm home!"

When Blythe opened the door, she found her father standing there, dressed in his pilot's uniform.

"Dad! Welcome home!" She didn't hesitate to give him a big hug, which Roger gladly returned. "How was the trip?"

"Lovely! In fact, I've even got a few things for you!"

"F-for me? Really?"

"Hmmm… I'll show you after dinner! Come on. I got some food on the way back here." Roger said in a sing-songy voice, whistling on his way to the kitchen to prepare the food.

"Bah, cliffhanger…"

-

"Mmm, that was some really good food!" Blythe sighed, satisfied and happy with the night's meal, "Which restaurant did you get this from?"

"Oh, not exactly a restaurant. You know Ms. Lora's place?"

"Lora Hall? The lady who lives… 7 houses down from here?"

"Yeah, her. Her daughter recently started up a cooking business, so I checked it out."

"That's amazing! Do they have anywhere I can leave a 5 star review?"

Roger chuckled, "No, I don't think so. It's just a neighborhood thing, y'know? But I'll be sure to tell them that the next time I pass by their place!"

Father and daughter laughed together, enjoying each other's company.

But then, Blythe remembered.

"Hey, Dad. I remember you mentioning you had something… for me?"

"Oh! I do, yes I do! Here, let me just…" Roger reached into his bag, digging around in it, looking for something. Finally, he brought out a tiny little box.

"Wait… jewelry?" Blythe asked in disbelief.

"Yes! Or no. Maybe. Open it and find out."

Blythe followed the instructions. Her fingers took careful hold of the lid of the box, gently lifting up to reveal…

"A… candy necklace." Blythe held up the confection jewelry, looking at it with a raised brow and a look of confusion.

"Yes! A great addition to your closet, right? At least until you eat it. Or the ants do…"

Blythe simply rolled her eyes, chuckling, "Dad…"

Roger couldn't help but chuckle as well, "Okay, no, but seriously. Here's your actual gift." He presented another little box to Blythe, taking back the candy necklace (which he promptly ate).

When Blythe opened the new box, she was surprised to find…

"Oh. Em. GEE!" She gasped, "Is this one of my designs?"

"Ding ding ding! You got that right." Roger nodded. "I took it to a jeweler, and now I got you this!"

Blythe held up the necklace, watching its gold shimmer in the light. She recognized the design on the charm as one of her own- an outline of a butterfly's wings, with several bright, shining, magenta gems sealed in.

"Dad, it's beautiful! Thank you so much… would mind helping me put it on?"

"Of course, anything for you, Blythie."

---

25-year-old Blythe Baxter groaned, repeatedly banging her head against the desk, not caring that she could crack her glasses. Said desk was a mess, covered by a thick layer of documents, designs, notes and writing…

This stupid job. Her stupid co-workers, Brittany and Whittany. And their stupid, nepotistic mother for allowing them to work in the place-

Okay, no. Not these thoughts again. She's getting all worked up…

Sighing, Blythe took off her glasses to pinch the bridge of her nose.

As she went to hang her glasses by her shirt, she heard the familiar dangling of a chain on her chest.

Oh. Right. The butterfly necklace.

Butterflies. Insects. Mom. Dad…

How long has it been?

While Blythe loved Downtown and met all these amazing people there (everyone down at the pet shop, plus her friends at work that made her days there just a bit more bearable), she also missed Suburbia. She hasn't been there since she left. More importantly, she missed her Dad…

She'll have to go back and visit him sometime.

===

Day 7: Nostalgia

Planning to continue this with tomorrow's prompt, Homecoming, but idk man. Got real life stuff going on, but we'll see.

[kidflashimpulse]

Ohhh my god Bart my boy you deserve all the comfort this world can offer

This chapter had me in such a chokehold, everything slowly being revealed had me on edge the whole time

Also your references were really sly! With the mall and sleeping on the floor made me think of others fics! I really like how you combined them all!

That being sad, the way you wrote about Jay finding out about Bart's past shattered me to pieces. You really have this gift to absorb the reader in your story and I adore you for that, but holy shit did I nearly cry because of this chapter. Jay talking about Bart to Pat and Zeek, blaming himself for not knowing how to parent and the references to Joan had me in an absolute puddle

Thank you for such an incredible update, it must have taken a lot out of you with whatever your private life looks like right now, so thank you for taking the time and energy to write all of this <33

right? no wonder yj wally was spoiling him with snacks 😤 give the boy a whole convenience store !

about the references 🙈 nice spot !! sdfghj they were for the (as an ao3 comment so nicely put it) certified bart scholars out there ! there’s a very high chance i have those fics in my bookmarks on ao3 so if anyones curious check them out if u haven’t 👀 honestly those fics feel like borderline canon to me cause they’re just so good, like i read a fantastic story that has bart eating a rat? then he’s eaten a rat in canon !! (jk but that story is def in my bookmarks cause of a detective bart stan, Golden Age, true bartholomew literature right there my god and if i remember correctly it’s the one where he freaks out at the mall!)

hearing this from you, wow!! thank u so much for sharing your kind words with me ❤️ i truly appreciate it !!! especially because yes, it is a heavier chapter compared to previous ones in different ways, so i was a little nervous regarding how it would be perceived !! it’s very reassuring to hear this kind of feedback, like i’m doing something right at the very least 😅

i mentioned in a previous comment that for this chapter i had the majority of it (about 8-10k) drafted for a really long time, there were small specific parts though that took me like a month to figure out or write, it was crazy, i don’t know if it was because i was burnt out from life or because of the themes/storytelling of the chapter, but when i finally completed it, it felt so rewarding just to see it finished. Sure it can be a bit of a struggle, but taking the time to write all this brings me such joy and fulfilment, it’s a hobby that is very dear to me and a pleasure to do. I learn a lot from it and the interactions with the community elevates it to a whole other level!! I’m so grateful for this experience honestly !

thank u for taking the time to share this with me too ❤️❤️

[optimismxmagicism]

Ewan in Fodlan!

Personal Info:

Gender: Male (transmasc) Birthday: 22nd day of the Harpstring Moon (May 22nd) Age: 14 Height: 145cm Weight: 38 KG Crest/Holy Blood: N/A Class: Blue Lions Affiliation: Gerik’s Mercenaries, Caer Pelyn

Personal History:

Magvel 791 - Was born to a wealthy merchant couple in Jehanna To protect him, Tethys took him from their home and fled. Grew up on the streets of Jehanna’s capital with his sister, Tethys.

Magvel 799 - Was found and recruited by Gerik’s Mercenaries

Magvel 800 - Started tutelage under Saleh in Caer Pelyn

Magvel 803 - Participated in the war of stones, joining Princess Eirika in her battle against the Demon King.

Magvel 805 - Received a letter of acceptance and traveled to Fodlan, joining the officer’s academy as a student of the Blue Lion house.

Interests: Studying Magic, harmless pranks, Likes: Learning, Magic experiments, brain teasers, sharing sweets with his loved ones, eating sweets, playing pranks on friends, Dancing. Dislikes: Poverty, the dark, being alone for too long, being made fun of for his height, spiders, going to bed hungry, lecherous men. Status: Student to the Great Sage Saleh and junior member of Gerik’s Mercenaries

Close Allies: in TOA: Erk, L’arachel Outside: Tethys, Saleh, Gerik, Marisa

Dining Hall Preferences

Likes: Saghert and Cream, Sweet Bun Trio, Pheasant Roast with Berry Sauce, Peach Sorbet, Small Fish Skewers, Fried Crayfish, Vegetable Pasta Salad, Onion Gratin Soup, Country-Style Red Turnip Plate, Fruit and Herring Tart, Fisherman’s Bounty, Fish Sandwich

Dislikes: Beast Meat Teppanyaki, Pickled Rabbit Skewers, Daphnel Stew, Cheesy Verona Stew, Pickled Seafood and Vegetables, Gautier Cheese Gratin.

Dining Hall Quotes

Favorite Dish

“Wow! This is seriously tasty! Do ya think they used magic to make it?”

Least favorite dish

“Uh…. I’m not hungry right now. ..what? No dessert?! Aw… okay..”

Tea Time Guide

Favorite Tea: Honeyed-Fruit Blend

Favored Topics

A place you'd like to visit / Books you've read recently / Children at the market / Cooking mishaps / I’m counting on you / Our first meeting / Past Laughs / Reliable allies / Someone you look up to / Tell me about yourself / Thanks for everything / The library’s collection / The view from the bridge / Working together / You seem well / You’re doing great work / Favorite sweets / Shareable snacks / Books you’ve reach recently / Heart-racing memories / Hopes for your future / Dreamy Knights

Tea Time Quotes

Greeting

“Thanks for the invite! I always enjoy drinking tea with a friend!”

Favorite Tea

“Ohhh, this is my favorite! Sis sometimes bought it for me as a treat!”

5 star tea

“Gosh, are you sure you wanna spend such a fancy tea on me? Well hey, thank you!”

Being Observed

“Aw, do I have something on my face again? I can wipe it off myself, I’m not a child!” "What is it? Am I just so adorable you can't look away?" "I can see the clarity in your eyes! ..That's what teacher sometimes says, hehe." "You can poke my cheek- it's soft, I promise!"

Introducing Own Topic

“I was studying before you called me here, so getting the chance to relax is so nice!” “Have you ever tried tea made from mountain herbs? It’s surprisingly sweet!” "This school is so fancy.. Kid me would've never imagined attending such a place!" "I wonder how my big sis is doing. I should send her a letter again sometime..." "You're not my first teacher, did you know that? I'm studying magic under someone else too!" "I wonder who got the idea to put leaves in hot water.. I wonder if other plants would work too..." "Hey so, I've been thinking about designing Pegasus-pulled carriages! What do you think? Doesn't that sound fun?" "The air here is so nice. So much better than dry desert air, yuck!" "There's so many pretty people here- but none are as pretty as my big sis!"

Quips

“Hm?” “Oh!” “Yeah!”

End

“Ahh.. I feel so refreshed already! Thanks so much for the tea, Professor!”

Misc. Dialogue

Gift Guide

Favorite Gifts: Armored Bear Stuffy, Board Game, Tasty Baked Treat, Gemstone Beads Disliked Gifts: Blue Cheese, Smoked Meat, Training Weight

Gift Quotes

Disliked gift

“Uhh.. Oh, here’s a magic trick! One, two, three.. and poof! It’s gone!“

Liked gift

“Oh, wowzers! Thank you!”

Favorite gift

“Whoa, is it really okay for me to have this?! I'll have so much fun with it, thanks!”

Lost Items

Doodled Tome - A beginner spell tome full of juvenile doodles, much to the original owner’s chagrin. It probably belongs to a scatterbrained mage. Location found: dormitories

Dancer’s Bracelet - An ornate bracelet usually worn by dancers outside of Fodlan. It’s held on a string, as if to be worn as a necklace. It probably belongs to someone close to a dancer who’s too small to wear it properly. Location found: library

Ribbon Staff - A healing staff decorated with flashy red ribbons, perfect for use on stage. Probably belongs to a mage that likes to show off a little. Location found: Classrooms

Lost Item Quotes

Owner

“Ooh, I was wondering where I dropped that! Thanks so much for finding it!”

Not owner

“No, that doesn’t look familiar to me. Should I use magic to figure out who's the owner?”

Battle Quotes

Mock Battle Retreat

“Owie! Aw.. I guess I still have a lot to learn after all..”

First Kill

“I.. I took on magic to protect my friends, but this is… so much blood…”

Monastery Lines

Choir Practice

“La La laaaaa~ Ehehe, surprised? I used to sing all the time with my sister!”

Cooking

“Hey, do you think this would go well with what we’re making? …no? Aw, okay.”

Tutoring

Instruct

Bad

“Huh?! What went wrong here?! Aw, boo..”

Console: “Thank you.. I-I’ll do better next time, promise!” Critique: “Yikes, that’s harsh! I was trying my best!”

Great

“Heehee, that was no problem at all!”

Perfect

“Did you see that?! Are you proud of me, Teacher?”

Praise: “Aw, shucks, I’m blushing.. keep it coming though!”

Stable Duty

“Aww, you're such a cutie, aren't you? Want a sugar cube- OW! Don't bite my hand!”

Weeding / Clearing Rubble

“Ow, my back is starting to hurt.. why don’t we take a break soon?”

Sky Watch

“W-Whoa, we’re so high up! Don’t drop me, okay Pegafriend?”

Certification Exams

Failed

“Aw, what the heck? I totally thought I nailed that one!”

Passed

“Woohoo! Do I look more like a great sage yet? Huh? Do I?”

Lecture Questions

Approach

“Hey teacher, I have a question!”

Question

“Hey so, I sometimes hear people say magic is lame and that makes me so mad! Yet when I confront them they just laugh me off and call me a pipsqueak.. how should I get rid of them?”

OK: “Just ignore them, they aren’t worth your time.” Bad: “Have you thought about bulking up a little?” Good: “Give them a demonstration! Show em who’s boss!”

Bad Answer

“Uh.. if you say so!”

Good Answer

“Yeah, I totally thought so too!”

Update Goals

Reason

“I wanna be a great sage like my teacher back home as soon as I can, which means achieving total mastery over anima magic! To that end, please help me train my reason skills!”

Faith

“I fight to keep everyone safe, but sometimes injury is unavoidable right? If I can heal everyone I can be even more helpful! So please, help me train in Faith!”

Swords

“I’m not one for swordfighting, but my sister and everyone else in the mercenary company knows how to use them! So maybe a little practice would be good, what do you think?”

Level Up

0 to 2 stats up

“Maybe I should just take it easy for a little bit…”

3 to 4 stats up

“Hey, not bad, not bad at all!”

5 stats up

“With magic like this, I’ll protect everyone!”

6 stats up

“Wahoo! I’ll catch up soon Teacher! You’ll be so proud of me!”

Upon reaching level 99

“Whoa… I’m already so strong, yet I don’t have a wizard beard… phew.”

Budding Talent

“Heehee, I’m just a treasure trove of surprises, huh?”

New Skill

“Ooh, I wonder what I can do with this!”

Reclassing

“Hehe, what do you think of this snazzy new look? Am I tough? Or adorable?”

Battle Quotes

When selected

Full/High HP

“Ooh, I’ll help!”

Medium HP

“Still got energy to spare!”

Low HP

“I’m.. a little worn out.”

Enemy Deals 1 or No Damage or Misses

“That’s all?” “Whoops!”

Critical Attack

“I’ll protect us all!” “Woo, watch me go!” “This show’s over!” “Magicaboom!” “Like a great sage would!”

Gambit

“Let’s do this everyone!”

Gambit Boost

“You can count on me!”

Defeated Enemy

“Oh! I won!” “How do ya like them apples?!” “My magic’s the best!” “Are you proud of me, teacher?”

Ally Defeats Enemy

“Wow, you were so strong!” “Heehee, don’t hog all the spotlight!” “Hey, could you teach me how to do that?”

Ally Heals/Rallies

“Feeling SO much better!” “Yay, thank you!” “Just what I needed!”

Death/Retreat Quote

Casual

“Ow ow ow OW! That was too much! Sorry guys, Time to exit… stage left..”

Classic

"Why can’t I.. move? I don’t.. Sis.. Teacher.. I’m so sorry, I completely… messed up…”

[yostresswritinggirl]

Since we're on the subject of npcs I'd like to give a mention to my favorite oni boy Takuya.

It's been a long time since Itto's character quest but after experiencing Shinobu's hangout, I've been plague by wholesome found family Arataki gang thoughts.

I kept thinking Takuya would basically be in Traveler's place around the squad, being the one trying to be responsible but ends up dragged into shenanigans anyways.

I'd imagine his relationship with Shinobu is a "your the only bitch I trust in this house" type of thing being the only other person holding any braincells (she low-key favors him more than the others sometimes but no one really notices cause my queen is subtle).

I have a soft spot for the Arataki gang in general as you can see.

But of course we can't forget about the sad priest boy Kasala who I keep throwing so much angst at.

Since you said dilf!Kasala here something:

If reader and Kasala had a child together before reader died of eleazar I can imagine how hard it'd be for him to not only process the grief but support their child going through losing a parent as well.

Maybe after Deshret's sacrifice, Kasala just lost all faith in anything anymore so he gives his child to someone trustworthy to take care of as he locks himself away to keep guard of a temple.

Kasala at end of his life, despite dying peacefully can't help but regret everything that happened to his family.

Helplessly seeing the love of his life dying before him.

Not doing enough for the last living remnant of their love for each other.

Letting his child loose both of their parents so soon because of his selfishness.

So as Kasala close his eyes for the last, his final thoughts were a hope for his little to be safe and forgiveness he knows he doesn't deserve.

Okay maybe Haitham isn't the only character I like to see cry at this point

Honorable mentions to Niwa who I can't help but feel like Kabukimono had a small crush on at some point.

I feel like Niwa's good with kids so imagine him and Kuni babysitting the children of tatarasuna together and at night he'll read bed time stories to some of them but Kuni ends up falling asleep to Niwa's voice too because of how comforting it is.

Mostly wholesome from me tonight.

- Vagabond Anon

Admittedly I have not done Itto's quest so I only know Takuya in a surface level but *pulling up pictures of him* Best looking npc in the game engine by far, they really made effort to implement him

But Itto's little found family is my favorite, it's like Mondstadt on a tiny level (adding in the three youkais from Akitsu Kimodameshi too, oh they're growing!) but on the back office it's actually Takuya and Shinobu holding the whole thing together hahaha Takuya being the Traveler, Takuya and Shinobu being tired parents, oh I love all of it

Hey when did I say dilf - YES DILF KASALA, MORE PAIN MORE REPENT

Continuing the curse of unhappiness down the line, how cool would it be if Cyno is part of the bloodline of his past self but their history has been lost thru time or whispered scarcely by his elders so as not to be discriminated in the age of the Akademiya ohhh

What if their child took on the temple duties after he died, or maybe Rukkha took care of them too aww why must we torment this unnamed child we just conjured

Also true, like a small possibility maybe innocently, Niwa supremacy in everything that he does. I want more Niwa content, he died too soon (fuck you Dottore) he's definitely the Tighnari of Tatarasuna in my mind, and Kabukimono is like Collei? Oh wow I'm starting to see parallels - ack I miss him so much, I'm gonna listen to his voice now-

[daehee]

Chapter 5

Come Here Baby Girl I Wanna Kiss You

When the four of us arrived the party was already in full swing. I thought it would be like the cliché high school parties with lots of people, loud music, and alcoholic drinks, but it turned out to be a smaller, more exclusive sort of party. There weren't that many people there, only the main people from my dance class. Everybody was just chilling on the couches in the living room. All in all, about twenty people including us.

"Ohhh heyyyy. It's the newbieesss!" Keita and I were greeted by some guy who seemed really energetic. Keita and him did some sort of complex handshake... seems like he had made a lot of friends already.

"I'm Eric, you must be Akahana Ezihe... gotta admit, you're way hotter than I expected for a 15 year old." I glared at Keita.

"Does everyone already know my age?"

"Sorry... was just being honest. I cant lie."

"There is a thing called... not talking about it or me, you should practice it."

"Haha very funny, plus no one caressss, why are you so sensitive about it. As long as you don't act like some booby sucking toddler nobody will even notice."

"He's right though. I don't give a shit, you seem chill. Come on sit, sit, make yourself at home. Want anything to drink?"

"Got any Fanta?"

"Uhh yeah, orange and berry."

"Berry."

"Aight, I'll be back."

Eric returned with my drink and I plopped down onto the couch next to Keita. I opened the bottle and took a sip of my favorite flavor of soda. Keita took the bottle from me and took a sip.

"Are yall like... dating?" I choked on my spit in response to that question.

"I'm sorry what?"

"Are yall dating... your always hugging, holding hands... sharing the same drink."

"Dude... he's my best friend. We've been friends since I was like 4 and he was... I don't even know 6?"

"Yeah, our parents became best friends when they moved from Australia and then we grew up hanging out together. I was her-..."

"No need to go that far." I said cutting him off and slapping my hand over his mouth. He wrenched my hand off of his mouth and held my wrist tightly pushing me back into the couch playfully.

"Ouhh... embarrassing childhood stories, please continue."

"No, please don't continue."

"I was-." I once again slapped my hand over his mouth, but he grabbed both my wrists first and held them so I couldn't escape. I kept wrestling with him as he continued his story.

"I was her babysitter... when we... were kids. She al-... yah I'm gonna kill you Hana... She always... dragged me to her... dance studio, and made me practice with her."

As the group watched us wrestle, chuckles could be heard. Everybody loved watching us fight like children.

"Y'all are so cute. You'd make the cutest couple." Eric said, knowing it would annoy me more.

"Oh my gosh, we would not." Keita then started pretending to kiss me in response.

"Yah Keita! Get your crusty lips away from me."

"Nooo come here baby girllll. I wanna kiss youuuu." I started laughing uncontrollably at his mocking tone of voice as he kept pulling me back to him. Finally he pulled me so hard that I couldn't push him away and his lips landed on my cheek. I didn't really react because I had been laughing so hard, plus it wasn't like we hadn't ever kissed before.

"See you didnt even react to him kissing you. It's like you two are already dating."

"That's just because it was only a kiss on the cheek, I'd freak out if it was anywhere else."

"Mhm sure, I bet he was your secret first kiss." My face reddened at this because Keita was indeed my first kiss. Keita laughed out loud and our reactions were obvious.

"Oh... wow... ok I guess it aint a secret now. How and why did yall kiss?"

"It wasnt really on purpose..." I said quietly, covering my blushing face.

"Are you kidding, there is no way that was an accident. You were so madly in love with me back then. I bet you 100 bucks you did it on purpose."

"Oh my god I did not. I was not in love with you, it was a harmless crush."

"Ouhhh so we did like each other at one time?"

"No... she liked me at one time."

"Right because you cant look like a pedo falling for a girl two years younger than you?"

"Oh nah it had nothing to do with her age. She's never really felt younger to me. I was just too dumb to notice her feelings, otherwise we probably would've dated."

"Awh so you liked her after she liked you?"

"Yeah... kinda missed my chance."

"Y-you liked me?" Keita looked at me as if he had forgotten I was sitting right next to him.

"Oops... late confession. Yes I did." I didn't really have a response. I just kinda sat there with my mouth open in shock.

"You may now kiss the bride." Eric said in a mockingly priestly voice. I think Keita noticed my shock and sort of awkwardness.

"You ok babe?" He asked quietly. Eric was engaged in another conversation with someone else.

"C-cam you not call me that please."

"Oh come on Hana, don't let something stupid in our past change our relationship now."

"T-this isn't in my past Keita, I just found out. Honestly you're right I was in love with you. Both of us know that doesn't just go away."

"Do you mean you still have feelings for me?"

"I-I don't know. I fell for you really hard, really fast, but I was also really young. I don't really know if that qualifies as love but I thought it was. It took me a while to get over you but I finally did and I don't plan on enduring the pain of loving you for a second time."

"The pain?"

"Yeah because you didn't like me back, and it's pretty clear you don't like me now."

"What? Hana I never said that."

"Oh so you do like me now? Just because it'll be a defining factor of if I like you back or not?"

"That's not what I meant babe. I just mean to say I was in love with you too. I thought you didn't like me back so I also made myself get over it."

"Whatever Keita, I don't wanna talk about it right now."

"Are you mad at me?"

"A little."

"For?"

"Not telling me sooner. You're the only one I wanted to end up with. I still think that maybe in the end after we've had our fun, it'd be nice to end up together and be childhood sweethearts, but I'm not planning my life around that."

"Well just so you know, I'm not leaving you. No matter who you date, no matter who you marry, we will always be best friends."

"Don't worry, I didn't plan on letting you go."

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

The intro post for this story has all the chapters listed.

[xxgothchatonxx]

I’m lowkey scared but also excited & a bit Sad. I don’t want this to end, so I’m milking this second to last episode for all it’s worth! I GASPED SO MANY TIMES THIS EPISODE I THOUGHT THIS WAS GONNA BE FUNNY!!!!

The Number of the Beast is 666

* OHHH, The DRAGON!

* OH FUCK IS THAT MOLLY???

* BEDELIA?? OMG I DIDNT KNOW THIS WAS GONNA HAPPEN!

* “What’s he going to take from you [Bedelia]?” Your leg.

* “He’s in no position to eat me now.” She’s so insane.

* God, William you are so dumb & in love & smart but also dumb & in love.

* AT LAST! A STAB OF HUNGER!!!

* BUT DO YOU ACHE FOR HIM?😭😭😭😭

* And who is the lamb WILLIAM? HANNIBAL BASTARD LECTER

* Lamb to Lion Magical Girl Transformation

* Jack likes being God, Hanni.

* SO YOUR EX BOYFRIEND IS THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB, HANNIBAL?

* NOW WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT, FRANCIS??

* FREDICK, THE RETURN OF MY FAVORITE ASSHOLE!!!!

* Oh, he’s MAD MAD!

* & Hanni is just standing there, LOVING IT!

* “But this was quantifiably bitchy!” EXACTLY, FREDICK! GET HIS ASS!

* Fredick is so mad, I love it. There’s so much truth to him!

* & again, Hanni is just there, Having His Fun! This is pure entertainment to him! Cat & mouse, forever they go!

* Hannibal is gonna be someone’s bitch? Fuck no babeyyyy

* OHHHH FREDDIE & HER SHITTY BLOWOUT!

* I loooooove this translation decision!

* Oh no, not the evil shoulder touch!!

* Francis is back in his leather straightjacket, what FUN!

* OH NO NO NO FREDICKKKKKKK

* LMAO HE PUT A PAD ON HIS EYES

* Need some chapstick, love?

* I loooooove the Dragon’s voice so MUCH! Terrifying & everywhere! Clearly in opposition to Hannibal, who is whispers and influences!

* OH HE IS STUCK YUCKYYYYYYYYYYYY

* “Believe me?” BITCH, YOU KNOW THE LINE OF WORK YOU’RE IN! AT LEAST ADMIT TO A HINT OF CURIOSITY!

* All Fredrick does is LIE! (Notice how I spelled his name correctly this time? Wow, what a first!)

* OH FREDICK OMG HE IS TERRIFIED WOWWWWWW I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE THE DAY

* “And does God help you?” “No.”

* REBA COCKBLOCKED HIM OH MY GOD DONT YOU DARE PUT HER LIFE ON THE LINE, DRAGON!!!

* SHE BROUGHT SOUP😭

* GOD I LOVE REBA SO MUCH!! I love her love!

* He’s an artist, Fredick!

* “A SLUG IN THE SUN!” WOWWWWW

* Oh my god. I LOVE YOU, RICHARD!

* Oh, here comes Dr. Chilton into Francis’ little home movie!

* OH NO DONT PUT THE MASK BACK ON! DONT TAKE THE TEETH OUT, NO WHAT THE FUCK???? YOU TOOK HIS LIPS??

* WHAT IS WITH THE PIANO?? OH MY GOD NO WAIT HE’S GONNA GIVE HIM THE LIPS!! He’s gonna have a snackkkkk

* “Where’s the other one?” MONCH!!!! STRAIGHT TO CAMERA MONCHHHH

* Oh, he’s in a great mood, I kinda love it.

* “That would’ve been you lip is was tasting. Again.” YUCK SHUT THE FUCK UP, BASTARD!

* “You publicly discredited Dr. Chilton.” No offense, Alana, but everyone else had probably been wanting to do that for ages, Hannibal just finally beat you all to it!

* “From my own lips,” OH NO HE DID NOTTT NO STOP TURN IT OFFFFFFFFFF

* “We’re not pilgrims, we’re pets!” OH I LIKE THAT!

* There’s no wondering with Will Graham.

* There is, however, always curiosity!

* oh FUCK NOT THE PARTICIPATION CALLBACK TO THE FIRST FUCKING EPISODE OF THE SEASON!

* William is his agency? Hmmm, I’ll bite

* OH MY GOD AN ACTUAL FREDDIE LOUNDS MURDER FOR FREDRICK!!!

* WOAH THIS IS SOME CURLY HAIR WILLIAM RIGHT THERE

* Look, we all know medically, he’s Very Dead. But the idea of having him still be alive post-fall will never not be funny to me.

* OH MY FUCKING GOD NO YOU KIDNAPPED REBAAAAAAA

* What are we doing back at the house? WHY HAVE YOU KIDNAPPED HER?

* STOP TELLING HER TO SHUT UP!

* UUGHHHHHHHH I LOVE THIS BUT HATE THIS I JUST WANT REBA TO BE WELL BUT THAT WONT HAPPEN

I promise, Reba is going to be okay.. well, physically. She is going to live, she'll just need some therapy.

What I love about Fredick in this episode is I piss myself laughing whenever I watch that scene of him and Will discrediting Dolarhyde and Raul's face-acting when Francis is crawling towards him makes me cackle, because I've got a warped sense of humour. But right at the end, despite Fredick being, well, a dick, I do kind of feel bad for him. But the fact he didn't realize he was being used is a testament to just how stupid our boy Fredick is. Side-note, that was REALLY cool makeup!

Adaptation-wise it was a really cool twist because in the book it's Freddy Lounds but because that character's been genderswapped in this show and Bryan didn't want to put his Freddie in that kind of situation, which does have sexual undertones (remember Bryan had a very strict "no rape storylines" policy which is greatly appreciated), he was like "...well let's use our other Fred!"

The fucking *lip slurp* is just comedy gold! "That could've been your lip I was tasting... again" ooohhhh where's Bella when you need her??

But yes... now we come to the ending... *le sigh*

[ilikemesometaetaes]

ohhh myy godddd hii baby how have you been??? How’s life treating you?? What have you been up to? ITS NEARLY CHRISTMASSS AND 2023 IS ON ITS WAY IT FEELS LIKE A CENTURY HAS PASSED SINCE I LAST SPOKE TO YOU :(

I’ve just read through your new fic and I LOVE IT SO MUCH THE WHOLE IDEA IS SO INTERESTING honestly I’m hooked. How do you manage to come up with such artistic ideas and phrase it in beautiful ways?? You’re an amazing writer I’ve never doubted that wow.

My apologies for being so inactive, life has just thrown so many things my way but I’m still here hahaha.

Did you keep up with the World Cup? Any particular team you were supporting? It (like every time basically) did not come home ahh :( This is the first time I’ve actually become interested in football and it has now (unfortunately) led me down a dangerous path of playing FIFA (disappointing, I know). All I can say tho as much as I understand the basic rules of football the men in this World Cup. Oh my. That’s all I can say haha

AND JIN IS IN THE MILITARY!!! honestly I never expected that the day would come so fast and soon all the rest of the boys will be going too 😭

Honestly though I truly do hope you’ve been well, you’re looking after yourself, eating and sleeping fine. ily stay safe ♥️♥️♥️ xx

Hi there, beloved anon. How I’ve missed you!

I’m okay! I’m an officer now 😎 been learning how to lead my people in school and I’m excited to see how I can contribute to the military once I actually begin duty. Some things are hard to grasp, but I love a challenge.

You’re right! It feels like ages since I’ve interacted with people on here. Any cool plans for Christmas? I’m finally going to see my family. I haven’t seen them in months because of my schedule now, but I’ve come to accept it as part of the job.

Thank you for reading my work after such a lengthy, unannounced hiatus. My life got so busy so fast that it took me off guard haha. But you stuck by me regardless. I voiced to my girlfriend that I was nervous about how it would do after such a long absence, but she was there to reassure me (like she always does, love you baby) and she put me at ease because she also read through the story. She puts up with me so often and I’m so thankful to her as my main inspirational crutch. Her and @ressjeon allow me to bounce ideas off them all the time- and they even unknowingly give me ideas. I can’t stress how integral they are to my development process.

I was mildly into the World Cup. I was rooting for Belgium and once they were out, I was rooting for anyone playing against France.

Because fuck Mbappe.

As someone in the military, it’s exciting to see Jin in uniform! It’s so exhilarating to see him take on this next step in his life. I hope he’s enjoying himself and gaining the lessons learned in a military environment, away from the pressures of being a global superstar.

I’ve been trying my best, anon. How about you? Have you been doing all of those things too?

[rewatch-review-react]

NATLA Episode 1 ReAction/Commentary

oh, who this? why we running

Earthbender! Wait? is this ba sing se? we in the middle of the war?

Wait! Sozin? That you?!

It is you! Ohhh, I get when we are now

Aang! Hi Aang!

wow look at everything! Look at how much bending we have gotten! so much bending! 

The comet festival? We get to learn about the comet already?!

Look at all those sky bison! So many of them! 

Ah, the council meeting. Poor Gyatso being outnumbered in his wisdom

Appa!!

I agree Aang, if you are unable to feed the baby sky bison then you should not have the responsibility of being the avatar, that is sending mixed signals indeed

So that’s how they managed to get up there

Look at this amount of bending! So much bending!

Oh, so that’s how it happened. Thank you Gyatso for efforts in protecting them. 

Ooo, nice transition in my opinion … oh! she’s in the old fire nation ship

Wolf Cove! Do we know it’s called wolf cove? Is that new? If so I like it a lot, if not then I relinquish my membership card

This is a lot more people than I thought there would be

Hi Sokka!! Look at all those kids! Is that one closer to Sokka and Katara’s age?

Heh, you doing a great job Sokka, keep up the good work!

Oh, so we know what really happened at the last raid. 

Katara should have held up the paddle in response to Sokka’s question if she’s the one doing it, would have been hysterical non-verbal sibling interaction, but I digress

Not the canoe!

Zuko!

Haha, Sokka wanting to leave Aang behind, classic Sokka behavior in meeting an unconscious suspicious person in the cold

GranGran!! 

Iroh!!

It sure is your destiny Zuko, just no in the way you think it is!

Wait? Who undressed him? Everyone left the hut right? Did Aang do it in his sleep? 

GranGran gets to narrate the famous lines?! Interesting… actually this whole communal meeting is very interesting 

Oh these flash backs, wait, three years ago? That’s so recent. How old are they supposed to be in this iteration?

Like how Iroh is trying to keep jolly while also trying to get Zuko to grasp his situation more clearly, and of course his Jasmine Tea

Very nice lesson on the heart of bending

Dun-Dun-Dun, Zuko has arrived!

Katara helping Sokka gear up is very sweet

Dun-Dun-Dun part two, the Avatar has been with us the whole time

:( Sokka, don’t be mean

Nice interaction between Sokka and Katara with both pulling on what their parents told them

“I am Sokka, Son of Hakoda, Lord of...” WINTERFELL! (i’m sorry i’m sorry, my brain couldn’t help it)

Oh, this leader vs leader challenge is a fun spin on the narrative

So much Bending! and the Rocks!

Enjoying the Saga of Lead Wolf Warrior Sokka

That conversation, wow Iroh is good at the whole saying what you mean to say without outright saying it

Ah yes, I’m sure someone one day will agree to have Jasmine Tea with you Iroh

Okay, saw that transition coming but doesn’t make it any less fun

That was a fun sequence

That’s a lot of destruction and Sokka took Katara so how is she going to comfort Aang to bring him back?

Oh, Gyatso, that’s how, I see, Thank you again Gyatso for all you have done for us

Careful Zuko, you don’t want to burn all of your hard work on your wall

NATLA Master Post | Episode 1 Review

[the-blaze-empress]

Ask game! 🌸 Best compliment you ever received?

ohhh this is actually a really hard one wow. theres two i can remember that sorta stick out to me, one of them wasnt actually a compliment but i took it as such, it was a family friend (my age) being impressed i ate an entire pizza myself (i cant remember exactly what he said but he was genuinely surprised). we were like. god we were like 12 or 13. idk why but that made me feel so good about myself and i still remember it too this day. the other was last year, when phil called my cosplay "the most incredible cosplay ive ever fucking seen" and told me i should be working in film. that just about killed me lmaoooo

ask game!

[pesterloglog]

Tavros Nitram, Jade Harley, Vriska Serket

Act 5, page 3049-3066

-- adiosToreador [AT] began trolling gardenGnostic [GG] --

AT: hEEEY, jADE,

GG: oh hi!

GG: i remember you, you talked to me a lot in my dreams

AT: yEAH, bUT NOW i'M TALKING TO YOU BEING AWAKE,

AT: bECAUSE,

AT: yOUR ROBOT CAN'T TYPE,

AT: bECAUSE IT HAD AN EXPLOSION,

GG: yup!

GG: thats because my dream self died

GG: pretty catastrophically!

AT: aW, nO, i'M DEFINITELY PRETTY SORRY TO HEAR THAT,

GG: thanks, but i think im ok

GG: i felt pretty shaken up at first though

AT: yES, i DID TOO,

AT: i SPENT SO LONG SLEEPING AND DREAMING AND PLAYING ON PROSPIT,

AT: tHAT BEING AWAKE WAS MADE TO FEEL WEIRD, aND i DIDN'T LIKE IT FOR A WHILE,

GG: yeah i have done a lot of sleeping myself :)

AT: oH, yES, i KNOW, bUT,

AT: i SAW YOU, yOU WERE AWAKE A LOT TOO,

AT: aFTER A CERTAIN MOMENT, i SPENT JUST ABOUT EVERY WAKING HOUR BEING ASLEEP,

GG: wow why did you sleep so much???

AT: iT WAS JUST A BETTER WAY TO BE, mORE PEACEFUL AND FUN AND,

AT: i GUESS,

AT: tHERE WAS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED THAT WAS INCREDIBLY TERRIBLE,

AT: aND SAD,

AT: aND MADE ME FEEL TERRIBLE AND SAD AND SLEEPY, sO i SLEPT, a LOT,

GG: oh no what happened that was so terrible?

AT: i'D PREFER,

AT: tHAT THE THING i WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT NOT TURN INTO THAT TOPIC,

GG: ok sorry for prying!

GG: what did you want to talk about?

AT: i WANTED TO ASK YOU PERMISSION,

AT: i WOULD HAVE ASKED PERMISSION THE FIRST TIME,

AT: bUT AT THE TIME YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO GIVE IT, oR TALK OR ANYTHING,

GG: permission for what?

AT: tO COMMUNE WITH YOUR LUSUS,

GG: with bec?

GG: uh....

GG: what do you mean by commune?

GG: and

GG: what do you mean the first time!

GG: you did it before?

AT: yEAH,

AT: iT MEANS TO TALK TO HIM, aND, sUGGEST HE DO SOMETHING WHICH IS GOOD,

AT: fOR HIM, aND ALSO FOR PEOPLE HE LIKES,

GG: ohhh

GG: like a psychic power??

AT: yES,

GG: pretty sweet!

GG: when did you do it before?

AT: oH, vERY RECENTLY, pERSONALLY SPEAKING,

AT: bUT FOR YOU IT WAS VERY LONG AGO,

AT: aND, iT WAS A REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE i THINK,

AT: oF EXACTLY WHY WIGGLERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DUAL WIELD FLINTLOCK PISTOLS,

GG: hehe what?

AT: sO, i DID THE LIBERTY OF COMMUNING WITH YOUR LUSUS,

AT: wHICH i HOPE WASN'T OUT OF LINE,

AT: bUT LIKE i SAID, yOU WERE UNAVAILABLE,

AT: uHHH,

AT: bY WHICH i MEAN, uNAVAILABLY SMALL,

AT: sO THEN i COMMUNED HIM TO USE HIS AMAZING POWERS, tO,

AT: iNTERVENE,

AT: aND REROUTE THE PROJECTILE AWAY FROM THE PATH THAT WOULD HAVE HARMED YOU,

AT: aND ALSO,

AT: aS A WONDERFUL BONUS AND COINCIDENCE,

AT: iT HAPPENED THERE WAS A FELON ON YOUR PROPERTY,

AT: iT WAS i THINK SURELY AN AGING ROGUE WHO WAS VERY MUCH KEEN ON INTRUDING BETWEEN YOUR REALLY NICE LOOKING FAMILY,

AT: aND AS FORTUNE WOULD HAVE IT,

AT: tHE SMALL MISSILE WAS REDIRECTED INTO THE SENIOR INTERLOPER'S CHEST,

AT: aND HE DIED,

AT: }:)

GG: omg......

GG: that wasnt a senior interloper, im pretty sure youre talking about my grandpa!!!

AT: oH,

GG: and if im interpreting correctly....

GG: youre saying you used bec to make me shoot him???

GG: augh thats so awful!

AT: uHH,

AT: wHAT'S,

AT: a GRANDPA,

GG: oh boy

GG: ok it is basically an old man, who serves the same role as i guess a lusus does on your planet?

GG: he was like my dad, he took care of me!

AT: wHOA,

AT: tHAT IS A REALLY WEIRD CULTURAL THING, i GUESS,

GG: sigh...

AT: sORRY THEN,

AT: aBOUT,

AT: mY CULTURAL IGNORANCE,

GG: well im not blaming you or anything

GG: it sounds like you were just trying to help

GG: and you did save my life

GG: but......

GG: i mean jeeeez

GG: talk about a misunderstanding

AT: wELL,

AT: nOW i FEEL VERY STUPID,

AT: bUT,

AT: i DON'T THINK i WILL GIVE INTO BAD SELF ESTEEM THIS TIME ABOUT THIS,

AT: iT'S IMPORTANT TO STAY CONFIDENT ABOUT STUFF, DON'T YOU AGREE,

GG: uh

GG: sure?

AT: aND i THINK THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BOND, aND BECOME CLOSER IN AN EMOTIONAL WAY,

AT: pROBABLY,

GG: .... it is?

AT: oH YES, sEE THE FUNNY THING IS, i ALSO KILLED MY LUSUS BY ACCIDENT,

AT: i MEAN, mY LUSUS THAT WAS A LITTLE FAIRY BULL, nOT AN OLD MAN WITH A HUGE GUN,

GG: oh nooo

GG: how did that happen?

AT: i MURDERED HIM INAPPROPRIATELY WITH A FOUR WHEEL DEVICE,

GG: :|

GG: ummm what kind of device?

AT: lIKE, tHE KIND BASICALLY FOR CRIPPLES TO SIT IN, aND ROLL AROUND,

GG: oh you mean a wheelchair!

AT: i GUESS, tHAT'S A WAY TO CALL IT,

GG: how...

GG: did that happen?

AT: wELL,

AT: i WAS SITTING IN IT, bEING CRIPPLED LIKE USUAL,

AT: aND HE GOT UNDER THE WHEEL IN HIS NAP,

GG: D:

GG: im so sorry

GG: um also

GG: i didnt realize you were paralyzed

GG: not that im saying sorry for that! that would be rude i think

GG: i am just saying sorry for your loss

AT: oH, iT'S OKAY, oN BOTH THINGS,

AT: hE CAME BACK TO LIFE FOR A WHILE, aND COULD TALK, AND THAT WAS FUN,

AT: aND ALSO,

AT: i'M NOT PARALYZED ANYMORE, }:)

GG: oh?

AT: nO, i HAVE ROBOT LEGS, aND i FEEL GREAT, aND i CAN WALK,

GG: wow nice!

AT: oH YES, iT IS TRULY NICE,

AT: i AM A NEW AND DIFFERENT GUY, mOSTLY,

AT: bEING NOT PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED IS MOST CERTAINLY THE KEY TO HAVING HIGH SELF ESTEEM,

GG: um

GG: that.....

GG: i dont know if i agree with that!

AT: oH ABSOLUTELY, tAKE IT FROM ME AS WHAT FACT IS TRUE,

AT: aND NOW, i FEEL EMBOLDENED TO DO BOLD THINGS THAT HEROES SHOULD DO,

AT: lIKE, sAVE THE LIFE OF A PRETTY GIRL, AND KILL THE FIENDISH OLD MAN, wHO,

AT: wHOOPS, wASN'T FIENDISH, aND YOU LOVED HIM, sORRY,

GG: well

GG: thats good i guess

GG: i just wish...

GG: maybe you'd told me what happened when i was younger?

GG: i spent years wondering about it!

GG: when i was REALLY young, i was sure the doll sitting across from him did it

GG: and for a long time i was terrified of the evil blue girl!!!

GG: she sort of haunted my childhood and i had trouble sleeping for a long time

GG: but of course i got older and realized that was silly, but then i just speculated that maybe it was suicide

GG: which was just a really sad thing to think about!!!

AT: wOW, yEAH,

AT: i,

AT: tOTALLY BLEW THAT THEN,

AT: i GUESS i COULD STILL TELL YOU ABOUT IT IN YOUR PAST,

GG: buuuut...

GG: even if you do, i dont remember you doing so!

AT: oH,

AT: tHEN i GUESS I WON'T,

GG: er

GG: ok :\

AT: bUT YEAH, iRREGARDLESS,

AT: tHIS IS LIKELY TO BE EXACTLY THE KIND OF THING NOT TO STAND IN THE WAY ABOUT GOOD FEELINGS ABOUT MYSELF,

GG: .......

AT: i MEAN, i SAW THAT YOUR LUSUS SAVED YOU ANYWAY, iN ADVANCE,

AT: aND,

AT: i JUST WANTED,

AT: tO MAKE IT POSSIBLE SO THAT i WAS THE ONE INVOLVED WITH BEING THE HERO THERE,

AT: tO SAVE YOU,

AT: lIKE, tO PUT MYSELF IN YOUR STORY, iN A BRAVE CAPACITY, bECAUSE,

AT: tHAT'S WHAT FEELING GOOD AND POSITIVE ABOUT YOURSELF IS ALL ABOUT,

GG: woooooow...

GG: you sound really confused to me!

AT: aBSOLUTELY, i AM CONFUSED LIKE A FOX,

AT: tHE KIND THAT HAS HIGH SELF ESTEEM,

GG: heheheh

GG: youre incredibly silly

GG: i cant really tell to what extent youre joking around here!

AT: i UNDERSTAND THAT, aND JOKES HAPPEN, yES,

AT: bUT FEELING GREAT ABOUT YOURSELF IS NOT A JOKING ISSUE,

AT: iT IS HEAVY DUTY BUSINESS, aND NEEDS TO BE GIVEN ALL THE SERIOUSNESS THAT SAD THINGS GET,

AT: i'VE LEARNED THAT, fROM MY FRIENDS, AND ALSO, FROM RUFIO,

GG: rufio?

AT: yES, hE'S A FAKE,

GG: what do you mean fake?

AT: a FAKE GUY i MADE UP IMAGINARILY,

AT: hE NEVER STOPS BEING A THING THAT'S NOT REAL,

GG: ohh like an imaginary friend....

GG: heh, ok

AT: i'M PRETENDING THAT BEING FULLY HONEST ABOUT RUFIO'S FAKENESS, AND,

AT: bEING UP FRONT ABOUT HIS GENERAL FRAUDULENCE, tHAT IT WILL ONLY GIVE ME EXTRA CONFIDENCE,

AT: i'M PRETENDING THAT AS HARD AS i CAN, iN THE MOST CONFIDENT WAY,

AT: wHICH MAKES IT PARTIALLY MORE TRUE,

GG: that

GG: sure is a philosophy you have there!

AT: yES, bEING CONFIDENT IS ALWAYS ABOUT SAYING AND DOING THE THINGS YOU FEEL,

AT: eVEN IF THE AFRAID PART OF YOU SAYS, nO, pLEASE DON'T DO THAT,

AT: lIKE, uHHHHHHH,

AT: hERE IS A THING i'M AFRAID TO SAY TO YOU, jADE,

AT: bUT,

AT: i'M TOO CONFIDENT NOW TO LET MY AFRAIDNESS MAKE ME FEEL TERRIBLE,

GG: oh??

GG: well, what is it?

AT: rEMEMBER, i TALKED TO YOU A LOT WHEN YOU WERE SLEEPING,

GG: yes

AT: uHH, aND,

AT: wE TALKED ABOUT LOTS OF THINGS, aND WE HAD SOME THINGS IN COMMON, aND IT WAS NICE,

GG: sure!

AT: aND i THINK CONSEQUENTLY, tHE EMOTIONAL RESULT IS PROBABLY,

AT: tHAT MAYBE i HAVE SOME POSSIBLE RED FEELINGS FOR YOU,

GG: red feelings?

GG: you mean

GG: whoooooaaaaaa

GG: wait

GG: really? :o

AT: wOW, tHAT SURE WAS A HARD THING TO SAY AND MADE ME INCREDIBLY NERVOUS,

AT: bUT i SAID IT BECAUSE OF MY REMARKABLE LEG-POWERED SELF CONFIDENCE,

AT: aND NOW i THINK ALL THAT'S LEFT IS DEFINITELY YOUR RECIPROCATION ABOUT THAT, pROBABLY,

GG: um.................

GG: well

GG: i dont think i can reciprocate!

AT: uH OH,

GG: i mean

GG: youre nice

GG: but i dont really know you...

GG: i dont even know your name!

AT: oH GOSH, hOW STUPID CAN i BE,

AT: i FORGOT TO SAY,

AT: i'M TAVROS,

GG: ok tavros

GG: i dont know if youve fully thought about this!

GG: you dont actually know me very well either

AT: oH YES, i SURELY DO,

AT: bECAUSE WE HAD A NUMBER OF SPIRITED CONVERSATIONS, wHEREIN YOU WERE VERY NICE AND PLEASED TO SPEAK WITH ME,

AT: dID,

AT: i MISINTERPRET THAT, wAS IT NOT ACTUALLY NICENESS,

GG: well no

GG: i was being nice

GG: because

GG: i like to be nice to people when i can, and when they are nice to me

GG: but......

GG: things are a little more complicated than that, you cant know someone just by a few conversations!

GG: i mean, i only talked to you when i was asleep! i am kind of different when im dreaming...

GG: i forget things, and at times im not totally sure whats real

GG: dont you remember thats what its like to dream on prospit?

AT: uH,

AT: kIND OF,

GG: sorry, i feel bad about having to disappoint you...

GG: but i dont know what else to say

AT: bUT WHAT ABOUT,

AT: mY ATTRACTIVE BRAVADO,

AT: aND IGNORING MY INSTINCTUAL COWARDICE HARD ENOUGH TO SAY THAT i LIKE YOU,

AT: iSN'T THAT,

AT: sUPPOSED TO BE VERY ATTRACTIVE, aND ENCOURAGE THE MAJOR HAVING OF FLUSHED FEELINGS IN OTHERS,

AT: i GUESS WHAT i MEAN IS, wHAT ABOUT ALL MY CONFIDENCE,

AT: wHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT,

GG: jeeeeeez, um...

GG: tavros i am really flattered you like me and all

GG: and that sure is confident of you to say so! and thats great buuuut...

GG: i guess confidence is one thing but there is such a thing as being toooo forward i guess?

AT: wOW,

AT: oK,

GG: i aaaalso think...

GG: and really this is just polite friendly advice!

GG: that if youre really confident you dont always have to say it all the time

GG: it...

GG: oh man im sorry to say

GG: it just comes of as a little insecure and off putting and kind of defeats the purpose!

GG: and all things considered i think we should just stay friends

GG: or really........

GG: continue building a friendship in the first place, since like i said we dont actually know each other that well!

AT: yEAH,

AT: uUUUUUUHHH,

GG: sorry :C

AT: nO, nO, iF i'M BEING REALISTIC i THINK THAT'S WHAT'S REASONABLE TO SAY TO ME,

AT: aND i'LL WORK ON TONING DOWN MY SELF RESPECT A LITTLE,

GG: aaaah no! you should have self respect

GG: just...

GG: oh boy this is frustrating

GG: can we talk about this later?

GG: i have some things to do!

GG: why dont we get back to the original point

GG: why do you want to commune with bec again?

AT: yES, oF COURSE,

AT: i WANTED TO GET APPROVAL FROM YOU, tO COMMUNE HIM AGAIN,

AT: nOW THAT HE'S A SPRITE,

AT: tO PERPETRATE ONE OF MY HEROIC IDEAS AGAIN,

GG: uh-ohhh

GG: what is your idea this time?

AT: i WILL SUGGEST TO HIM THAT HE ATTACK YOUR ADVERSARY,

AT: aS WELL AS OURS,

AT: aND MAYBE BEAT HIM, tO SOLVE EVERYBODY'S PROBLEMS,

GG: wow, i dunno about that!

AT: bUT i HAVE GREAT SKILL IN COMMANDING BEASTS TO GLORY IN BATTLE,

AT: aND YOURS IS SURELY THE STRONGEST BEAST I'VE SEEN!

GG: but hes my best friend!!!

GG: and you have already managed to get one of my family members killed

AT: bUT ACCORDING TO MY SELF CONFIDENCE, i THINK i'M PRETTY SURE i CAN USE HIS POWER TO BE SUCCESSFUL,

AT: wHOOPS, PRETEND i DIDN'T MENTION MY SELF CONFIDENCE, oR SAY ANYTHING OFF PUTTING,

GG: but all of our adversaries have inherited his powers!

GG: i would imagine the strongest guy would have all of his powers, and then some!!!

GG: i am really not comfortable with this

AT: oH,

GG: you said you are asking me permission first and i appreciate that

GG: but if you are asking im afraid my answer is no!

AT: oKAY, i RESPECT THAT,

AT: bUT, i WONDER,

GG: what?

AT: i WONDER IF A TRULY SELF CONFIDENT GUY, wITH THE BEST SELF ESTEEM THERE IS, wOULD EVEN NEED TO ASK,

AT: mAYBE THE BEST GUY WOULD JUST KNOW HE WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL, aND WOULD DO IT ANYWAY BECAUSE IT IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD, aND EVERYONE ELSE'S,

GG: no way!

GG: that would be smug and arrogant and would make you a bully!!!

GG: later if my friends and i want to ask bec for help and decide thats our best hope, then thats our business

GG: until then, just please stop meddling!!!!!!

AT: wOW, oK,

AT: yOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT ALL THAT, i'LL RESPECT YOUR WISHES,

AT: oR,

AT: wILL i? };)

GG: nooooooooo dont dont dont dont dont

GG: im serious

GG: uuuuggghh i think my headache is coming back

AT: i WAS jUST,

AT: mAKING A JOKE,

AT: sORRY, }:(

AT: i GUESS US BECOMING A FRIENDSHIP DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN NOW,

GG: no...

GG: its fine

GG: i just really dont want you to do that ok?

AT: yEAH,

GG: i have to go now

GG: bye tavros

-- gardenGnostic [GG] ceased being trolled by adiosToreador [AT] --

arachnidsGrip [AG] began trolling adiosToreador [AT]

AG: Aaaaaaaahahahahahahahaha!

AG: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

AG: Oh my god, I cannot 8elieve how hilariously pathetic that whole exchange was.

AG: Even 8y your wretched standards, Toreadork!

AG: Hahahahahahahaha, oh god I can't 8reathe!!!!!!!!

AG: A8solutely priceless. XXXXD

AT: hEY, vRISKA,

AT: tHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE, oF A PERSONAL NATURE,

AT: hOW COULD YOU EVEN BE READING THAT,

AG: Pff. Tavros, sometimes your stupidity surprises even me.

AG: Next time you decide to open your heart to an alien girl........

AG: Make sure her chat client isn't 8eing holographically projected for all to see, ok?

AT: uH,

AT: wHOOOPS,

AG: It was so em8arrassing just reading that Tavros. I'm em8arrassed!

AG: I am actually feeling genuine em8arrassment. Your o8scene incompetence is actually polluting my otherwise pristine composure. Nice going!

AT: sO,

AT: i DON'T CARE,

AG: Jade let you down too easy. She's too nice! Someone's got to tear into you for that appalling display, and once again, guess who's shoulders that falls on?

AG: That's right. Vriska's, as usual.

AT: i THINK SHE HAS THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF NICENESS, pERSONALLY,

AT: aN AMOUNT THAT IS SOME, iNSTEAD OF,

AT: nONE,

AG: Hey, I'm nice when it matters, and where it doesn't strangul8te the critical development of people I give a shit a8out, ok?

AG: Really I don't know what you see in her. She is completely useless, like you.

AG: W8, of course!!!!!!!! It makes perfect sense. You and she represent the ideal matespritship, how could I have 8een so 8lind!

AG: Two perfectly pointless gru8s in a bucket.

AT: nO, i HAVE TOO MUCH SELF CONFIDENCE NOW TO BE UPSET BY YOUR SCANDALOUS IMAGERY,

AT: i DON'T THINK SHE IS USELESS,

AT: aND i DON'T THINK i AM EITHER,

AT: bECAUSE OF NEW SELF ESTEEMS OBTAINED, rEMEMBER,

AG: Oh will you please stop going on a8out your fucking self esteem.

AG: I will say this much a8out her, she was right a8out that. How insuffera8le can you get, prattling on and on a8out how confident you are.

AG: Tavros, you give confidence a 8ad name. I gave you all the chances in the world to earn it, to earn REAL confidence, and you failed.

AG: You couldn't even do the one little thing I asked you to! The one thing that would have made you man up once and for all.

AG: So instead you flew away and cried, and decided to sleep away your sorrow for the rest of the adventure.

AG: Do you have any idea how sick that made me? Everything a8out you makes me sick.

AG: When you talk a8out your self confidence, I throw up a little. You don't know what confidence is. Ro8o-legs don't give you confidence, that 8n't no more true than saying my ro8o-arm gave me mine. See what I mean?

AG: Your confidence is faker than even the great Rufio himself, Lord of the Unreal. It's pure fiction, a false fakey fraudy con jo8 from a wimpy loser charlatan 8ullshit artist.

AG: It's shallow and nause8ting, just like you. Do us all a favor and SHUT UP a8out it.

AT: oK, i THINK,

AT: tHIS IS ACTUALLY MAKING ME PRETTY MAD,

AG: Yeah right!!!!!!!!

AG: I'll 8elieve that when I see it, chump.

AT: i DON'T WANT YOU TO MOCK ME ANYMORE,

AT: i DON'T KNOW IF MY CONFIDENCE IS REAL, oR WHAT,

AT: bUT i WOULD LIKE YOU TO STOP SAYING STUFF LIKE THAT TO ME,

AT: aND TO STOP SAYING BAD THINGS ABOUT MY FRIEND JADE, tOO,

AG: Jade is an idiot.

AG: A useless, 8oring no8ody. What has she done for her party other than fuck up every step of the way? What does she ever do 8ut take naps and get in trou8le?

AG: She's awful, and you deserve each other. Oh w8, except she h8tes you!!!!!!!! Ahahahahahahahaha. Even the 8oring pointless girl h8s you, talk a8out a guy who can't get a 8r8k.

AG: Though I guess she's not compleeeeeeeetely useless. ::::)

AT: wHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT,

AG: Ok, Tavros, I gave her credit for something, so I'll give you credit for something too.

AG: Your plan to control her lusus really wasn't a 8ad idea!

AG: And using your a8ility to "save her life" (lol) was a pretty good way to test how effective your powers are across sessions.

AG: Pretty good way to practice, to know where you stand!

AG: Practicing your a8ilities is important, so when it comes down to using them for something that really matters, you know you're ready for prime time.

AG: I know this first hand.

AG: I got lots and lots and LOTS of practice with your little guinea pig friend. ::::D

AG: So really, turns out she wasn't so useless at all! Far from it.

AT: wHOA, wHAT,

AT: aRE YOU SAYING YOU DID TO HER,

AG: Not really the point!

AG: The point is I'm trying to pay you a compliment.

AG: At this point, you are so sad and disgusting, you should treat anything nice anyone has to say a8out you like a chest full of shimmering 8oon8ucks.

AT: oKAAAY, gOD,

AT: wHAT,

AG: Like I said! Your plan was solid.

AG: Controlling the guardian to go after Jack was a fine idea. Sure would stir some shit up! 8etter than 8eing an insignificant stuttering piece of trash all the time, I say.

AG: And you were definitely on to something a8out doing it "irregardless" (lol) of her wishes.

AG: 8ecause it's for her own good! That's what winners do. They do what is right for someone they care a8out even if the other person does nothing 8ut 8itch and moan and act ungr8ful a8out it. 8etter you learned l8 than never.

AG: In fact, I would go as far as saying that if you went ahead with her plan against her wishes, it MIGHT just earn you a smidgen of respect from me.

AG: We'll see.

AG: There's really just one catch.

AT: oH,

AT: wHAT'S THAT,

AG: The catch is it's not going to work!

AT: wHAT ISN'T,

AG: Are you even listening to me? Man, clear the Rufio wax out of your ears.

AG: You couldn't sic the guardian on Noir even if you were inclined. Not even if I were to MAKE you inclined! :::;)

AT: uHH,

AT: wHY,

AG: 8ecause you are dealing with a pro here. I already thought of that.

AG: I thought of everything!

AG: The guardian is not going to attack the agents who engineered him in the first place.

AG: Or who I should say were "encouraged" (lol) to engineer him.

AG: I was striking a mutually 8eneficial arrangement! This is often the most effective way to manipul8 others.

AG: I just sort of gave them an idea. Nudged them along in the direction of seizing more power, which they wanted to do anyway.

AG: Remem8er, I already have a lot of experience getting these simple minded agents to march to my drum 8eat.

AG: I was exiling them left and right in our session! I'm an expert at this 8y now.

AT: wHY WOULD YOU DO THAT,

AG: Tavros, at this point it should 8e o8vious.

AG: I am the unseen hand 8ehind every major event in their session, and to some extent, their whole lives.

AG: At least those events not happening 8y the volition of their own natural incompetence!

AG: Don't you think this is how it should 8e? Shouldn't the greatest player leave her fingerprints on every step of the rise to power of her ultim8 nemesis?

AT: wOW, nO, tHAT'S,

AT: i DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO SAY ALL THE WAYS i THINK THAT IS CRAZY,

AG: 8ut you must agree, 8ecause you were copycatting my idea.

AT: nO i WASN'T,

AG: You were 8razenly inserting yourself into Jade's history. The self-insertion plan was my idea, and it's revolting and cowardly for you to deny it.

AT: tHAT WAS, fOR A GOOD THING THOUGH,

AG: Hahahaha, sure. Whatever you say.

AG: It's incredi8ly sad how outclassed you are. It's actually depressing that you thought you could 8eat me at my own game. And then most sickeningly of all, you don't own up it!

AG: I have every angle covered already. The human session is on full Serket lockdown. Any effort you make to disrupt my plans will 8e laugha8le, just like everything you have ever done in your life.

AG: The only thing left to do now is prepare to kill Jack myself, and save everyone's ungrateful asses.

AG: It's a shame you're not strong enough to take him on with me. Too 8ad you spent so long sleeping instead of tur8o-leveling like me.

AG: We might have made a pretty awesome team.

AG: Oh well.

AT: oKAY, tHEN,

AT: aLL OF YOUR USUAL INSULTING THINGS ASIDE, mY TAKE ON THIS IS,

AT: tHAT YOU CREATED OUR IMPOSSIBLY HARD BAD GUY, wHO WANTS TO KILL US,

AT: aND BY ASSOCIATION, i GUESS THAT MAKES,

AT: yOU THE BAD GUY TOO,

AT: iNSTEAD OF A GOOD GUY WHO'S JUST MEAN,

AG: Nice deduction!

AG: Wrong, excruci8tingly linear, and laced with the sort of a8solutes morons like to throw around........

AG: 8ut nice!

AT: aND THAT BEING THE CASE,

AT: eVEN THOUGH i'M TERRIFIED OF YOU,

AT: aND nOT AS STRONG,

AT: oR REAL CONFIDENT,

AT: oNLY MOSTLY FAKE CONFIDENT,

AG: Yeeeeeeees?

AG: Go on.

AT: i THINK,

AT: i AM GOING TO HAVE TO STOP YOU,

AG: Yeah! That's the spirit.

AG: Pretty weakslime threat there, 8ut it's a start.

AG: Tell you what.

AG: If you can find me in this la8, you can have at me.

AG: I'll even give you a free shot! No funny 8usiness or anything.

AT: oK,

AT: tHEN,

AT: hERE i COME,

AG: I'll 8e w8ing. <3