#on the bright side it keeps me from overdoing it

[nashvillehotchicken]

getting dizzy off of half a beer. it's actually embarrassing what antidepressants has done to me

[ususmomo]

i love your coloring so much, it's addicting!! may we see your drawing process?🥺

Thank you! Honestly, coloring isn’t my strong point, so I’m really happy you complimented it! 🥺💓

I haven’t studied art formally, and my coloring style is mostly intuitive, but I’ll try to explain my process clearly!

Recently, I started making a color sketch before starting the main coloring. It’s a simple but important step. Don’t choose colors randomly, and sometimes switch to grayscale to check overall brightness and balance. My coloring style doesn’t involve layering colors for depth, so planning colors beforehand is especially important for me.

I’ll explain using my most recent drawing—the Kuma family driving!

In that illustration, I first chose pink, blue, and yellow as my main colors. When picking these, it’s good to choose colors that form a triangle on the color wheel. You can learn more about this from books on color theory. Usually, I pick about three colors, but two or four colors also work. Having a color palette reference book is very helpful!

Next, I roughly applied the colors I’d chosen. At this stage, it’s really rough 🤣🤣 For example, blue for the sky, yellow for the car, and pink for the characters’ skin and hair. So, my main colors became pink and blue, with yellow as an accent.

After that, I made a rough color sketch. Here, I try to stick closely to the original three colors and avoid choosing colors from very different hues. This time, I wanted to express a summery sky and atmosphere, so the background is bright, and I made the characters darker for contrast. Additionally, I imagined backlighting, so I added highlights with colors close to white. Because the car was yellow, I used warm colors for the rim light. If the car had been blue, I’d have chosen cooler colors. Rim lights look nice when they’re slightly brighter and more saturated than your base colors.

Personally, I think you don’t need to strictly follow the light source. Sometimes I even add fake highlights if I think they look good! However, too many fake highlights can look unnatural, so it’s important to keep them moderate and still keep the main light source in mind.

I used the color sketch as a reference to paint the base colors. (Sorry, the background was already merged at this stage, so I can’t show that separately!)

After painting, the character colors looked a little too pale, so I adjusted them with tone curves. Higher contrast gives a stronger summer feel!

Next, I painted details according to the color sketch. My style is mostly anime-style coloring, so I use a hard brush primarily, but I occasionally soften some areas like skin.

First, I added highlights and rim lights.

When viewed in grayscale, Ginny and Bonney’s faces were blending into Kuma’s body. To help their faces stand out, I added brighter colors around their faces. In situations like this, I often use layer modes like “Soft Light” and “Color Dodge,” but feel free to choose your favorites!

Next, I added shadows and further emphasized bright areas for balance.

Now, onto finishing touches!

I mainly use

Screen (for adding gentle overall lighting)

Soft Light (for slight brightness or color adjustments)

Overlay (I didn’t use this time, but it’s great for increasing saturation)

For example, I used the Screen layer mode to add some yellow-green lighting on the right side, to represent sunlight.

With Soft Light, I adjusted areas where characters overlap. I added pink around the hair and a yellowish tone around the skin to clearly separate the characters when viewed in grayscale.

But honestly, I often overdo this step, making the picture feel vague or fuzzy. Looking at this again… yeah… there’s room for improvement. Anyway, don’t overdo it! 🥺🥺

Finally, I slightly adjusted the overall color (lowered saturation because it felt a bit noisy), added a gentle glow effect, applied some noise, and sharpened it a bit—and it’s done!

Explaining this was a good way for me to reorganize my own coloring process! Thanks for asking! I’m not sure how helpful this explanation was, but I hope you have fun drawing too! ✨ I’ll try to record a timelapse video of my drawing process next time. But my computer slows down a lot when I record, so it might be tricky 🤣

[ranchracoon]

Change Pt. 2

Change pt 1

Alcina Dimitrescu x Fem Reader

"What if I turn into one of those...things down in the basement?" you whisper softly. 

She holds your hand gently, kissing your knuckles before placing her other hand on top.

"Everything will be fine, and if you do, you'll be the prettiest one."

"You're not helping" you scold. 

"Mother Miranda says there is a good chance you won't, you're healthy, alive, and have all your blood" Alcina explains. 

"I feel better already" you whine. 

"Trust me."

"I trust you."

Healing from the cadou implant takes longer, and is more painful, than the actual procedure. The scar down your abdomen takes forever to properly heal because you keep overdoing it which causes the stitches and sores to pop open. Alcina insists you take it easy but it's in your nature to not be a burden, you clean up after yourself and even feel a bit of guilt when the staff does their job and cleans. Even years later, you still hate being waited on and served, especially now when you have nothing to do but lay in bed. On the bright side, the girls have officially warmed up to you and even spend time with you. 

Daniela loves to come in a snuggle, grateful you kept your humanly warmth. Bela will read with you, and try as she might, she eventually ends up laying in your lap, curled up, and usually asleep. Cassandra was the most hesitant at first, she was convinced you'd be dinner but now you've gotten the cadou which means her mother is serious about you. She checks in on you, she likes to pretend she's checking that the staff did their job but then she winds up laying on the bed talking with you. Still no supernatural powers or anything though, which is a little disappointing, the only reminder being the massive scar. 

You sigh heavily as you stare in the mirror, your fingers tracing it up and down your abdomen when Alcina walks in. She kneels behind you and kisses your shoulder tenderly as tears start to form in your eyes.

"Do you still love me?" You whimper out. 

"Of course I do. I still think you're beautiful, and you're the only one I want to share my bed. If I wasn't 100% committed to you, I would have never suggested giving you the cadou. I want to spend eternity with you."

She spreads her hand over your abdomen and kisses your shoulder again. 

"Now come along my love, it's time for your daily walk."

The castle life is different now thanks to you. No more torturing maids, no more threatening them with violence, instead you've implemented more tame measures. Even allow them to leave and come back which has boosted moral. The girls enjoy torture which you still haven't curbed, but you have given them...outlets for their pent up energy which keeps the staff alive and well. Even Alcina has had to curb her own appetite for violence, having loved the sounds of screaming maidens and the gurgling chokes when their life is sliced short. It has been a hard adjustment for everyone, and there's still slip ups here and there, you cannot expect them to be perfect right away. They found a loophole though: who notices the disappearance of a lowly thief, drunkard, or criminal?

*          *          *

"Please can you meet with her? You know how mother can be, I really like this one but I don't want a repeat of last time" Daniela begs. 

"I don't know Daniela, I don't want you to get hurt again, and she does have a knack for knowing people's intentions" you answer. 

"Please mom."

You stare at her and Daniela looks away sheepishly, the first time any of them have referred to you as mom, or any kind of parental figure. How can you say no now? 

"Very well" you sigh. 

Daniela squeals and disappears momentarily before returning with a girl being dragged by her heels, until she sees you. The poor girl relaxes once she realizes you'll be the one interrogating her and not the other mother. She sits across from you, she's not a staff member but appears to be from the village. She's not malnourished so she has access to resources, she's pretty, but Daniela tends to rush into these things. The questions start off simple enough: what do you do, where are you from, who is your family, do you believe in the teachings of Mother Miranda? Then comes the hardest questions. 

"What are your intentions with my daughter?" You ask. 

"I want to have sex with her."

The girl blinks rapidly, her face turning bright red, "I mean-I-she-"

You tilt your head and cross your legs, furrowing your brow, "do you have any other plans?"

"Probably not. She's known to fall easily, so I figured I would swoop in for an easy lay, maybe take some jewels to earn a little cash."

The girl fumbles again and shakes her head as you raise your eyebrows in surprise. 

"You know what this means don't you?" You ask.

"You'll probably kill me."

"Normally, but consider this a firm warning. You leave and never return. Should I see your face again, I will not hesitate to allow my other daughters to do with you what they please."

The girl rushes through the door, Daniela comes in with a mopey look and sits beside you, curling onto your lap as she sniffles a little. 

"Why me?" She asks. 

You stroke her hair lovingly, "someone will come along dear. You just have to be patient. At least that one didn't lie."

It got you thinking though, why would they willingly admit something so easily? You decide to put your theory to the test. You ask the staff basic questions to get them talking to you, and then usually ask them something more personal and every time they admit something without fail. One even admitted to drinking on the job. You rub your chin in thought, did you get a power from the cadou? Can people not lie to you? You decide to test it right out. 

"Can you lie to me?" You ask one of the staff members. 

"No" she answers. 

"Why not?"

"Because-I.....I don't know. It's like my mind turns to mush and I can't control what comes out."

Unfortunately is seems to only work on those who don't have the cadou, because you tried it on your daughters and they easily lied to you. They each have a tell which you learned long ago that they do when they lie, and each one of them did it. Still, could be very useful in the future. 

*          *          *

"Mother?"

You look toward the door to see it opening and Cassandra stepping in, she sees you and sighs softly. 

"Sorry, I'm looking for mother, do you know where she is?"

"In a meeting. Perhaps I can help?" You offer. 

Cassandra hesitates in the doorway before swarming over to you, sitting across from you as you close your current read to give her your undivided attention. 

"What's bothering you?" You ask softly. 

"I um...it's nothing.."

"It's obviously not nothing, otherwise you would have left instead of sitting down. I can't help you if you don't talk to me Cassandra."

"You're gonna think I'm being silly.."

"I would never think that of you."

Cassandra picks at her glove before starring off into the flames of the fireplace, "there's...a girl...she's the blacksmith's daughter and we've been...corresponding via letters..I sound like Daniela" she curses. 

You hide your smile, "there's nothing wrong with that Cassandra. Do you want to invite her over?"

"You know mother won't allow that, but..yes..I'm afraid mother will scare her off or...."

You tilt your head again, "or she won't like you?"

"Or she'll be using me. Or she'll find out about the things I've done. Or she'll be disgusted by my diet.."

"Well, I could certainly speak with her. Before your mother terrifies her of course. Invite her over for tea Cassandra. You won't know unless you try."

A few short days later a young girl arrives with a bundle of flowers which she promptly hands to you, stuttering as she did so. 

"I-I- these are for you" she finally gets out "Lady Dimitrescu" she mutters. 

"Please, Lady Dimitrescu is my wife, you can just call me Y/N. Come on in dear."

You lead her to the courtyard, it's a warm summer day, and although the girls are weak in the sunlight they can make it to the gazebo at least. 

"Will um...Cassandra be joining us?"

"She should be" you answer as you put the flowers in a vase on the table. 

Surely enough Cassandra walks out into the courtyard, she never walks and it's apparent from how heavy and clumsily she steps. She rushes through the sunlight and takes a seat, you've never seen her like this: nervous, anxiously picking at her leather glove, and she's entirely clean. No blood anywhere on her. Oh, she must REALLY like this girl. 

"Hi" the girl says sheepishly. 

"Hi" Cassandra answers without looking at her but it's evident she's blushing as she tucks her head away.

"So, tell me a little about yourself" you say breaking the silence. 

"Oh well, where do I start? I work for my father who's the blacksmith, he said I couldn't take over until I finished my apprenticeship which at this point I'm pretty sure is gonna last until he dies. I've lived in the village my whole life um..I like cats..."

The poor girl stats rambling again and you raise your eyebrows in surprise before chuckling which makes her stop talking and blush, thinking she did something wrong. 

"Is the first time you two have met?"

"No" the girl answers. 

"Yes" Cassandra cuts in before looking at the girl. 

"I thought so. How long has she been sneaking out to see you?" You ask coyly. 

"A couple months.." the girl answers. 

"What are you doing?" Cassandra whispers. 

"I...I'm not gonna lie to her" the girl whispers back.

"So what are your intentions with her?" You ask with a smirk.

"I love her. She's kind, she's funny, she keeps me on my toes and it's never a dull moment with her. I want to be her wife someday."

"How do I know you won't use her?"

"What would I use her for? Money? I could get that by marrying her. Killing her? That would only anger you and the other Lady Dimitrescu which would be detrimental to my family and the village. Sex? Well I do admit she's-"

"Ah! I don't need to know about my daughter's sex life thank you" you cut off. 

The girl seems genuine enough, but there is one thing you want to know. 

"I assume you know that Cassandra's diet is anything but normal yes? How do you feel about that?"

"It's no different than me eating pork, or beef. It's apart of her" the girl reaches over and takes Cassandra's hand, "and something that I've grown to accept."

"Well, you have my blessing to continue this..courtship but know you'll need the approval of Alcina before anything further happens" you stand from the table then glare down at Cassandra, "and no more sneaking out."

"Yes mother" Cassandra grumbles. 

*          *         *

"It's not fair!"

Daniela storms into the room which makes you and Alcina both look up, thankful you two weren't in a more compromising position. Daniela flings herself onto the bed over Alcina's legs which makes Alcina sigh softly and stroke Daniela's back. 

"What isn't fair?" Alcina asks. 

"Why am I always last?"

"What do you mean?" You clarify. 

"Cassandra has a girlfriend! and Bela isn't interested in dating. When will it be my turn?"

Daniela's turn comes a few short days later, when Mother Miranda drops off a failed experiment of hers. A woman who was given the cadou parasite and started the transformation of turning into a lycan, but somehow regained her human functionality. Even you don't need your powers to see this girl is absolutely smitten for Daniela. She follows Daniela everywhere, whimpers when left alone, practically jumps Daniela when she returns from anywhere,  and more importantly; Daniela is happy. 

Cassandra has a girlfriend, sorry, fiancé, and Daniela has...whatever she defines their relationship as. That only leaves Bela. 

You knock on her door one evening and she promptly allows you in, she's working away at her desk writing something as she take a seat on the edge of her bed. She finishes her thought and turns around to look at you, her hands folded in her lap. 

"Can I help you mother?" She asks. 

"I just wanted to check in with you. I know there's a lot of changes happening right now with your sisters. I wanted to see how you were doing?"

"I'm doing fine, more than fine actually. Since you've been around I've had more time to work on my writings and I think I'll have my first book done by the end of the season."

You smile proudly, "that's very exciting. Anything else? Perhaps..in the dating realm?"

Bela keeps her smile but it does lessen slightly as she takes a deep breath, "I don't think I'm interested in dating, or anything for that matter. I've had relations with staff members in the past and every time I felt...nothing afterwards, like it was more for their benefit than mine. I've had many suitors and I've felt attraction before but they always want sex, and I don't feel the need to do that. Is that wrong?"

"Of course not. It's perfectly normal to not feel sexual attraction while still being romantically attracted to someone."

"I'm not....broken?"

You stand and walk over to her, kissing her forehead lovingly before stroking back some of her hair. 

"Absolutely not, and if anyone says you are, you send them right to your mother."

Bela scoffs and looks away before she rests her head on your abdomen, "thanks mother" she whispers softly. 

"Any time."

Master Post

[eclipsaria]

Pairing:

Secretary! Yeonjun x fashion designer! Y/N

Warnings:

Fluff, alcohol consuming

Side characters:

Itzy Yeji and TXT Soobin

W/C:

14 419

Note:

Me torturing myself to do one of each kpop group(originally just svt, but because of @cherry-zip i got the stupid idea to make one for nct dream, enhypen and txt each) is just... because wdym i last minute typed out 3 other valentine fics?!?! JUST CNWFOANXKABFKSN—

I love you alaska❤️

@stvrrylove @sol3chu

Song:

TXT Masterlist

The soft hum of conversation and laughter fills the air as you step onto the grass, the cool evening breeze brushing against your skin. A canopy of twinkling fairy lights stretches above the gathering, casting a warm glow over the familiar yet unfamiliar faces scattered throughout the venue. Round tables are draped in white linen, and the scent of grilled food and sweet desserts lingers in the air.

You pause for a moment at the entrance, taking it all in—the elegant floral centerpieces, the distant clinking of glasses, and the low melody of a song that tugs at a memory buried deep in your past. The invitation had seemed like a simple, casual get-together, but the effort put into the decorations tells a different story. Someone—perhaps the organizing committee—wanted this night to be unforgettable.

As your eyes scan the crowd, recognition flickers at the edges of your mind. Some faces you remember instantly, tied to fleeting moments from school—classmates you once studied with, laughed with, maybe even argued with. Others are less distinct, their names sitting just on the tip of your tongue, just out of reach.

The moment of hesitation passes, and you step forward, smoothing out the fabric of your outfit—a sleek yet effortlessly stylish black button-up tucked into tailored beige slacks. A minimalist silver chain rests against your collarbone, catching the glow of the string lights above. You wanted to look put-together without overdoing it, and judging by the occasional glances thrown your way, you pulled it off.

As you make your way deeper into the gathering, the class's ex president approaches with a welcoming smile. “You actually made it,” he say, half-teasing, half-genuine.

You offer a small smirk. “Of course. I couldn’t miss it,” you reply, slipping your hands into your pockets. “After all, I was the vice-president. Wouldn’t be a reunion without me, right?”

The title feels nostalgic on your tongue. Back in school, you took the role seriously—handling event planning, stepping in when the class president wasn’t around, keeping things in order. You weren’t the loudest or most outgoing, but people respected you for your reliability. Even now, some classmates nod in recognition as they pass by, as if remembering how you used to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

“You look good,” someone comments, giving you a once-over. “Vice-president energy still intact.”

You chuckle. “And you haven’t changed a bit,” you reply, even if a part of you knows that time has shaped everyone in ways that aren’t always obvious.

Amidst the chatter and the clinking of glasses, a familiar voice calls out your name—clear, bright, and unmistakably hers.

“Hey! Over here!”

You turn on instinct, and there she is—Yeji, standing near one of the cocktail tables, her figure illuminated by the golden glow of the fairy lights. She looks effortlessly stunning, dressed in a chic off-shoulder top paired with high-waisted trousers, her hair styled just like you remember. A glass of white wine dangles from her fingers as she waves at you, her signature grin stretching across her face.

A chuckle escapes your lips as warmth spreads in your chest. “Yeji,” you say, shaking your head in disbelief before rushing toward her.

She barely has time to react before you wrap your arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. She lets out a surprised laugh but quickly melts into the embrace, squeezing you just as tightly.

“You actually came,” she says, pulling back slightly to look at you. “I was betting you’d bail at the last second.”

You roll your eyes, smirking. “Come on, I wouldn’t miss this. Vice-president duties, remember?”

She scoffs. “Please, as if that title still applies.” But there’s a fondness in her eyes, a silent acknowledgment that no matter how much time has passed, some things never really change.

“Still,” she adds, giving you a playful nudge, “it’s good to see you again. You look great.”

“So do you,” you reply sincerely, taking in the familiar but matured version of the best friend you once spent countless school days with.

She lifts her glass toward you. “Let’s get a drink and catch up properly. We have years to cover.”

You grin. “Lead the way.”

Yeji leans against the high-top table, swirling the wine in her glass as she watches you with a knowing smile. "So, tell me—what have you been up to all these years?"

You let out a small chuckle, grabbing a plastic cup from the drink station. “Well, I finally started my dream,” you say, glancing at her before pouring yourself some orange juice. “I’ve been working as a fashion designer for about four years now. It wasn’t easy in the beginning, but things have been picking up lately.”

Yeji raises a curious brow. “Oh? What do you mean?”

You can’t help but smile a little, pride warming your chest. “Just recently, a really well-known model wore one of my designs for a photoshoot. It got a lot of attention, and since then, I’ve been getting more opportunities.”

Yeji’s eyes widen, and she practically lights up. “Are you serious?! That’s amazing!” she exclaims, reaching over to playfully shake your arm. “You always had such an eye for fashion—I knew you’d make it big one day!”

You chuckle at her enthusiasm, feeling a little embarrassed but grateful. “It’s still a work in progress, but yeah… it feels good to finally see it pay off.”

As you pick up your drink, Yeji watches you, her head tilting slightly. “Oh, not in an alcoholic mood?” she asks, nodding toward the juice.

You shake your head. “Nah, I’m driving back home later.”

Yeji hums in understanding before taking a sip of her wine. “Responsible as always,” she teases. “You really haven’t changed.”

You smirk, leaning slightly against the table. “And you still drink like you own the place.”

She laughs, nudging your shoulder. “Well, someone has to bring the party energy, right?”

The conversation flows naturally, the years of distance melting away as if they never existed.

As you take a sip of your orange juice, Yeji suddenly bumps her elbow against your arm. You glance at her, ready to question her actions, but she simply tilts her head slightly, her eyes subtly motioning toward something—or rather, someone—behind you.

You immediately know what she’s trying to do.

Carefully, without making it obvious, you turn your head just enough to catch a glimpse over your shoulder. And there he is—Choi Yeonjun.

Stepping into the area, he looks almost unrecognizable. Gone are the flashy outfits, the cocky smirks, and the air of reckless charm. Instead, he’s dressed smartly in a well-fitted suit, his hair neatly styled in a way that screams "good boy." He carries himself with a quiet confidence, greeting familiar faces with polite nods instead of flirtatious winks.

Your shock is immediate. Your eyes widen as you whip your head back to Yeji, completely speechless.

She smirks knowingly, taking another sip of her wine. “He changed,” she states, answering the unspoken question on your mind.

You blink, still processing. “From a playboy fuckboy to that? That’s too much of a dramatic change, no?” You look at her, still not fully convinced.

Yeji chuckles, amused by your disbelief. “I wouldn’t believe it either,” she admits. “But after you rejected him—heavily, might I add—he just… stopped playing around. Right after graduation.”

You scoff, shaking your head. “No way.”

She swirls the wine in her glass, watching Yeonjun from the corner of her eye. “I’m serious. No more jumping from girl to girl, no more meaningless flirting. He just stopped.” Then, turning her gaze back to you, she tilts her head slightly. “You remember those days?”

You do. Vividly.

Memories flood your mind like an old film reel playing at double speed. Choi Yeonjun—the notorious campus flirt, the shameless playboy—loitering around you like a lost puppy, always finding new and increasingly ridiculous ways to get your attention.

You remember the way he’d drape an arm over your shoulder out of nowhere, grinning like he had already won you over.

“Come on, just one date,” he’d say, his voice laced with playful persistence. “You’ll regret it forever if you don’t.”

You’d roll your eyes, shove his arm off, and keep walking, but he’d always reappear, as if he had all the time in the world to chase you down.

There were the exaggerated declarations in front of your classmates.

“Everyone! Listen up! I, Choi Yeonjun, am once again asking this incredible human to go on a date with me.”

Laughter. Teasing whistles. Some people even cheered for him. You, however, were unimpressed.

And then there was the final straw.

One afternoon, right before the graduation exams, he pulled yet another stunt in front of a crowd, this time more dramatic, more insistent, more infuriating. And that was when you snapped.

You remember the way your voice cut through the chatter, sharp and cold.

“Choi Yeonjun, listen to me and listen well.”

Everyone quieted. His grin faltered for the first time.

“I will never date you. Not now, not ever. You’re an arrogant, self-absorbed flirt who only likes chasing because you can’t handle being ignored. So do yourself a favor and stop wasting both of our time.”

The silence that followed was deafening. He didn’t laugh it off. He didn’t try to argue. He just… stopped.

After that, you never saw him loitering around anymore. Whether it was because of your public rejection or because he decided to focus on graduation exams, you didn’t care. He was out of your sight, and that was all that mattered.

Until now.

Seeing him tonight—calm, mature, and seemingly obedient—makes something in you bristle. You click your tongue and roll your eyes.

“Unbelievable.”

Yeji, still watching your expressions like they’re the most entertaining part of the night, smirks. “In which sense?”

You exhale sharply. “Back in the day, he had thick skin. A thick wall of ego. Chased me all around campus like he was starring in some dumb romance drama. And now, just because of one harsh rejection, he completely changes?” You scoff, shaking your head. “That’s ridiculous.”

Yeji chuckles, sipping her wine. “Then why don’t you check him out?”

Your eyebrows furrow. “What do you mean?”

She shrugs, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Get along with him.”

The very idea makes your face contort in disgust. “Absolutely not.”

Yeji bursts into laughter. “Relax, I don’t mean date him. I mean talk to him. See for yourself. The way he speaks now? You won’t believe it.”

You hesitate, but the curiosity is already planting itself in your mind.

Yeonjun—polite? Controlled? No way.

But if Yeji is so confident, maybe, just maybe, you should find out for yourself.

The rest of the reunion party flows smoothly, laughter and chatter filling the cool evening air. Conversations come easy with old friends, and for once, you let yourself enjoy the moment—catching up with familiar faces, reminiscing about embarrassing school memories, and indulging in the buffet spread.

Most importantly, Yeonjun doesn’t willingly walk toward you.

That realization makes you sigh in relief.

You’re not naive—you know Yeji wouldn’t lie to you about his change, but that doesn’t mean you’re ready to test it firsthand. It’s one thing to hear about his transformation; it’s another to face it. After all, for years, Yeonjun’s presence in your life had been nothing but persistence, teasing, and over-the-top affection that you never once encouraged.

And yet…

As the night progresses, you find yourself unconsciously keeping tabs on him.

You don’t mean to—it just happens.

While chatting with a group of old classmates, your eyes subtly flick to where he’s standing near the bar, conversing with someone, posture relaxed but composed.

When you're laughing at one of Yeji’s sarcastic remarks, you spot him in the corner of your vision, politely nodding as an old teacher engages him in conversation.

Even when you’re focused on refilling your drink, your mind wonders—what would he even say if he did approach you now? Would he be awkward? Casual? Would he still look at you with that same mischievous glint in his eye, or has that faded, too?

The thought lingers longer than it should.

You shake your head, trying to focus on the present. Whatever has changed about him doesn’t concern you.

Or at least, that’s what you tell yourself.

As the reunion party stretches into the night, the atmosphere becomes louder, livelier. Conversations slur, laughter turns unrestrained, and the scent of alcohol lingers thick in the air.

Yeji, far from sober, decides to step away from the crowd for a bit, mumbling something about needing fresh air.

You, being completely sober, decide to do the same—not because you need a breather, but because standing among a bunch of intoxicated people is starting to make your head spin. The warm breeze outside the main gathering area feels like a much-needed escape.

But as you scan the surroundings, expecting to find Yeji swaying somewhere nearby, you come up empty.

Instead, your gaze lands on someone else.

Yeonjun.

Standing alone near the edge of the venue, his suit still impeccably in place, hands tucked in his pockets, eyes scanning the scene before him like a quiet observer rather than the life of the party he used to be.

Unknowingly, a small hiss escapes your lips.

Of course it had to be him.

Out of all the people you could run into while escaping the chaos, it had to be Choi Yeonjun.

You instantly regret the noise you made, but it’s too late—his ears twitch slightly at the sound, and you watch as his head tilts just enough to glance in your direction. His gaze settles on you, but it’s unreadable, far from the teasing sparkle you were once used to.

For a moment, neither of you say anything.

You scowl, half-tempted to turn on your heel and walk away, but something in the air stops you. Maybe it’s curiosity, maybe it’s unfinished history, or maybe it’s just the undeniable fact that you’re now alone with him for the first time in years.

You sigh internally, weighing your options.

Going back into the crowd isn’t ideal—the stuffy air, the strong smell of alcohol, the slurred conversations—it’s too much. But staying here, alone with him, doesn’t seem like the best idea either.

Well, it’s not like you have to stay. You have Yeji’s new phone number now. You could just tell the ex-president, let him know you’re heading out early, and be on your way. That should be easy.

But just as you take out your phone, Yeonjun calls out to you.

"Hey, vice-prez."

Your fingers freeze over the screen for a moment before you glance up at him.

"Ex-vice," you correct immediately, emphasizing the word as if to remind both yourself and him that you no longer hold that title. You’re no longer tied to the past you shared with him.

Yeonjun hums, as if acknowledging it, but says nothing more. Instead, he tilts his head slightly, looking up at the night sky.

For a brief second, it almost feels like a normal moment. No tension, no unfinished business—just two former classmates standing under the same sky.

But you don’t let yourself dwell on it.

This time, it’s not too late to back out.

You take a step back, prepared to turn away, when—

"Y/N."

Your name. Spoken in a tone you don’t recognize from him.

You stop.

You don’t know why, but you stop. You look at him again, expecting something—maybe another playful remark, maybe some old habit of his slipping through.

But instead, all he says is—

"Sorry for my past."

The words hit differently than you expect.

Not a dramatic confession. Not a plea for forgiveness. Just a simple, straightforward apology.

And for the first time tonight, you don’t know how to respond.

Yeonjun lets out a soft chuckle, shaking his head slightly as if amused by his own words. Then, as his laughter fades, he looks at you again—this time with sincerity.

His eyes, the same ones that used to gleam with playful mischief, now hold something else entirely.

Regret.

He reaches out his hand toward you, palm open, offering something simple yet significant—a truce. A proper handshake to leave the past behind.

You stare at him.

Longer than you expect.

The weight of the moment settles in your chest, heavy with old memories and lingering doubts.

Yeji said he changed.

She said you should check for yourself.

And now, with this opportunity staring right at you, you realize you have to take it.

So instead of shaking his hand, you smack it away.

His eyebrows raise in mild surprise, but before he can react, you step closer, looking up at him with a firm gaze.

"Give me your phone number."

Yeonjun blinks. “What?”

“We’ll hang out,” you continue, unwavering. “Let’s see if you really changed or not, and if you actually mean this truce.”

Without waiting for his response, you take out your phone and hold it out to him, silently telling him to key in his number.

For a moment, he just stares at you, as if processing the unexpected turn of events.

Then, with a quiet chuckle and a small shake of his head, he takes your phone.

You don’t miss the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips as he starts typing.

Yeonjun hands your phone back to you, and you take a moment to glance at the new contact saved in your list. The reality of what you just did settles in—you're willingly giving him a chance.

Weird.

Shoving the thought aside, you look around, scanning the area. “Have you seen Yeji?” you ask, half-expecting her to be dancing somewhere in the crowd again.

Yeonjun gestures toward a different spot, off to the side where the lights barely reach.

“She’s over there,” he says simply.

Your gaze follows the direction he’s pointing at—only to find Yeji hunched over, vomiting.

You sigh, rubbing your temples. “Of course she is.”

Without hesitation, you make your way over, crouching beside her as she groans dramatically. “I told you not to drink too much,” you mutter, holding her hair back.

She barely lifts her head, eyes hazy. “But I was celebrating,” she slurs, leaning her weight against you.

“You’re suffering now,” you deadpan.

Knowing she won’t be in any condition to walk, you turn to Yeonjun without thinking. “Tell the ex-president we’re leaving.”

Yeonjun says nothing. No teasing remarks, no sarcastic comments—just a nod before he turns and heads back into the crowd.

With him gone, you focus on the challenge at hand: getting Yeji out of here.

Dragging her jelly-like body toward your car is no easy feat. She’s barely cooperating, mumbling incoherently about how she’s fine before immediately slumping against you again.

By the time you finally reach your car, you’re out of breath, and Yeji is mumbling something about getting rewarded for your heroic efforts.

“You’re lucky I like you,” you grumble, strapping her into the passenger seat.

Now, all that’s left is waiting for Yeonjun to return. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll see if this ‘new’ Yeonjun is really as different as everyone claims.

Yeonjun returns not long after, hands in his pockets, looking unfazed as he approaches.

Before he can say anything, you cut straight to the point.

“What’s your job?” you ask, unlocking your phone.

He blinks at your sudden question. “What?”

“Your job,” you repeat, already opening your calendar app. “And your working hours.”

He raises an eyebrow, but when he sees how serious you are, he sighs. “I work in marketing. Nine to five, weekdays.”

You nod, quickly typing it in and adjusting your monthly schedule. If you were going to test this truce, you needed to find the right time to fit him in.

Yeonjun watches in silence, likely still processing how straightforward you’re being.

Once you’re satisfied with the adjustments, you lock your phone and finally look at him. “Alright.”

Then, without another word, you move toward your car, opening the driver’s door.

Yeonjun looks amused now. “That’s it? No ‘thanks for helping’ or ‘drive safe’?”

You glance at him briefly. “Nope.”

And with that, you get inside, start the car, and drive off—leaving Yeonjun standing there, shaking his head with an exasperated chuckle.

A few days pass, and during your break, you sit at your usual spot, eating your meal while scrolling through your phone.

Remembering your little arrangement with Yeonjun, you decide to message him.

"Are you allowed to be out immediately after work?"

You take a bite of your food while waiting for his reply, expecting a simple text back.

Instead, your phone suddenly vibrates with an incoming call.

The loud ringtone startles you, making you jolt in place. You quickly fumble to pick up, bringing the phone to your ear.

Before you can say anything, Yeonjun’s voice comes through the speaker.

"Yeah, I’m free immediately after work."

You pause for a second, processing how casually he just called you instead of replying through text.

Well, whatever. His answer is what you wanted to hear.

“Good,” you say, satisfied. “Send me your work address.”

Yeonjun hums in response. “Where are we going?”

“Shopping mall.”

There’s a brief silence, then a quiet chuckle. “Didn’t take you for the type to take a former playboy shopping.”

You roll your eyes. “You’re my test subject, not my date.”

Yeonjun laughs at that, but you don’t entertain him further. “Just send me your address. I’ll pick you up.”

“Got it, vice-prez.”

You end the call before he can tease you more, shaking your head at how comfortable he sounded over the phone.

Looks like today’s plan is set. Now, you just have to see how he handles it.

You pull into the parking lot of Yeonjun’s workplace, turning off the engine before stepping out. The building is sleek and modern, towering over you as you make your way inside.

Once in the lobby, you approach the front desk, glancing at the receptionist.

“I’m here for Choi Yeonjun,” you say, keeping it short.

Before the receptionist can even respond, a familiar voice cuts in.

“I have arrived in front of you. Let’s go.”

You turn your head and—sure enough—Yeonjun stands there, dressed in his work attire, looking as composed as ever.

You say nothing, simply nodding before leading him out of the building and toward your car.

Once inside, you buckle your seatbelt and start the engine.

“So,” you start, eyes on the road. “What position are you in marketing?”

Yeonjun exhales, as if debating whether to answer properly.

After a short pause, he finally says, “Leader of marketing… and secretary to my boss.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Secretary?”

“Yeah.” He leans back in his seat. “I handle a lot of planning and meetings on top of my marketing duties.”

You hum in response, processing his words.

So, he’s not just working a simple office job—he actually holds an important position.

Interesting.

“Well,” you say, glancing at him briefly before focusing back on the road. “Let’s see if your skills are any good in a shopping mall setting.”

Yeonjun chuckles. “What, you need help with sales strategies while picking out clothes?”

You roll your eyes. “No. Just shut up and wait until we get there.”

Yeonjun laughs but obeys, making himself comfortable as you continue driving toward your destination.

As you drive, your eyes flicker toward Yeonjun every now and then, observing him.

He looks different from the guy you used to know—not just in how he dresses, but in how he carries himself. There’s no smugness, no flirtatious smirk that used to make your blood boil. Just… calmness.

You assume he doesn’t notice your glances.

But he does.

“What’s up?” he suddenly asks, making you immediately shift your gaze back to the road.

You take a moment before speaking. “Yeji said you changed. What happened to the almighty fuckboy that I knew?”

Yeonjun chuckles at the title, running a hand through his hair and flicking his fringe back. “I guess you could say… because of you.”

You press your lips together. So Yeji was right. He really did change because of you.

But why?

You glance at him again. “Why?”

He tilts his head, thinking for a moment before replying. “Facing harsh rejection just sucks?” His tone turns up at the end, almost like he’s unsure of his own words.

You click your tongue. “That’s not how you work.”

Yeonjun exhales through his nose, looking out the window. “Yeah, I guess it’s more than that.”

You don’t press him further, letting silence settle in the car as you continue driving.

But deep down, you know one thing for sure—whatever changed him, it’s not just because of rejection. There’s more to the story. And you’ll figure it out.

Pulling into the shopping mall parking lot, you smoothly park your car before turning off the engine. Without hesitation, you step out, locking the door behind you. Yeonjun follows suit, falling into step beside you as you both make your way toward the entrance.

The cool evening air surrounds you, but before you can fully relax, you feel a gaze on you.

Turning your head slightly, you catch Yeonjun staring.

“What?” you ask, raising an eyebrow.

“You’ve grown beautifully,” he says casually.

You snicker, shaking your head at the unexpected compliment. Before you can respond, Yeonjun quickly raises his hands in surrender.

“I’m not flirting for real,” he clarifies. “I’m just complimenting you. No games, no playing around.”

You narrow your eyes slightly, still suspicious, but ultimately decide to brush it off. “Hmph.”

With that, you step into the shopping mall, immediately met with the refreshing blast of air-conditioning. The bright lights, bustling crowd, and familiar scent of various stores fill the atmosphere.

Time to get to business.

Walking through the mall, you take a deep breath, letting the environment sink in. Bright lights, stylish mannequins, and racks upon racks of clothes surround you—it’s your usual place of inspiration.

As a fashion designer, you sometimes hit creative roadblocks, and when that happens, you turn to real-world inspiration. Shopping malls are your go-to, a place where you can try on different outfits, mix and match styles, and analyze what works and what doesn’t.

But today is different.

Today, for the first time, you’ve brought someone along.

Yeonjun.

And while you do have some errands to run for him, you have your own agenda as well.

Because if there’s one thing you’ve always believed, it’s that actions can be faked—but eyes? Eyes never lie. They hold the truth, no matter how much someone tries to hide it.

Back in your school days, Yeonjun had a certain way of looking at people—especially girls he targeted. His gaze always held playfulness.

But now, things have changed.

So, you decide to test him.

If he really has changed, then his eyes should, too.

“Alright,” you say, stopping in front of a boutique. “Let’s start.”

Yeonjun raises an eyebrow. “Start… what?”

You smirk. “You’ll see.”

With that, you step inside, already scanning the racks for your first outfit.

The moment you step into the first retail store, your eyes scan the racks, quickly picking out a few outfits that catch your interest. Without hesitation, you grab them, moving swiftly through the aisles as Yeonjun follows behind, slightly confused but saying nothing.

Then, spotting the fitting area, you turn to him, pushing him down onto the couch meant for waiting customers. He stumbles slightly but lands in place, looking up at you with raised eyebrows.

“You sit here,” you instruct, placing the clothes over your arm. “And you’re going to tell me your honest opinion on each outfit I come out in. No sugarcoating.”

Yeonjun blinks before leaning back, crossing his legs. “So, I’m your fashion judge now?”

“You’re my test,” you reply, shooting him a look before disappearing into the fitting room.

As you close the curtain behind you, you can’t help but smirk slightly.

Let’s see if the old Yeonjun is really gone.

If you’re going to test him—the once notorious fuckboy—then a bold, sexy outfit is the perfect way to do it.

You slip into the chosen piece, adjusting the fit, letting the mirror reflect your matured figure. It’s something you know would have driven the old Yeonjun crazy, something he wouldn’t have hesitated to use as an excuse to flirt shamelessly.

Taking a breath, you pull back the curtain.

Yeonjun’s reaction is immediate—his eyes widen, his jaw slightly drops, and for a split second, you recognize that old trace of shock. But what follows isn’t the usual smirk, the teasing remark, or the predatory gaze he once had.

Instead, he leans forward, tilting his head slightly before nodding.

“You look hella sexy,” he admits, voice steady. “It suits you.”

But his eyes—they’re different.

There’s no mischievous glint, no obvious desire, no sign of the once relentless chaser you knew back in school. His gaze holds sincerity, as if he’s simply appreciating the outfit on you rather than you in the outfit.

And that’s what surprises you the most.

Because despite standing right in front of him—his last targeted girl from high school, now matured, confident, and dressed in something that would have once had him running in circles—he’s completely composed.

You nod to yourself, shifting slightly to observe the outfit from different angles in the mirror. While Yeonjun’s reaction was part of the test, you don’t forget your main goal—gathering inspiration. The fabric, the cut, the way it accentuates certain features—it all gets mentally noted before you turn back and step into the fitting room again.

This time, you opt for something completely different. An office lady outfit. Clean, professional, yet subtly chic. You adjust the collar, smooth out the fabric, and then step back out.

Yeonjun is still seated on the couch, and to your surprise, he hasn’t lost a hint of enthusiasm.

Unlike most people who might get tired of waiting, he doesn’t look bored, nor does he show any signs of impatience. Instead, the moment his eyes land on you, his expression brightens—his smile warm and genuine.

“You look amazing,” he says, nodding in approval. “You give off that ‘I’m the boss, and I know it’ energy.”

The sincerity in his voice matches the same eyes he showed you earlier—clear, genuine, no hidden intentions.

You blink at him, taking in his reaction. No teasing, no unnecessary flattery, just pure appreciation.

It’s… unexpected.

And as much as you hate to admit it, you’re slowly starting to believe that maybe—just maybe—Yeji was telling the truth after all.

For every outfit you try on, Yeonjun remains consistent—offering genuine compliments with a smile, no sign of boredom or impatience. It’s slightly freaking you out, considering who he used to be, but you push the thought aside.

Eventually, after cycling through enough outfits, you pick one that suits you best, making a mental note of the inspiration it gives you before pulling out your phone to jot it down.

At the register, you take out your card to pay, and Yeonjun steps up beside you.

The cashier, a young woman, momentarily freezes at the sight of him. You catch the way her expression shifts—eyes widening slightly before she subtly adjusts her stance, her flirty smile forming as she processes the transaction.

It almost makes you chuckle.

Yeonjun used to thrive on this kind of attention back in school. The old him would have welcomed it, maybe even played along just for fun.

Curious, you shift your gaze to the side, watching for his reaction.

But there’s none.

He doesn’t glance at the cashier, doesn’t acknowledge her change in demeanor. Instead, his focus is entirely on you, his expression unreadable yet attentive.

Then, as if sensing your unspoken thoughts, he speaks.

“So, what’s my test?” His voice is casual, but there’s an undertone of amusement—like he knows you’ve been trying to figure him out this entire time.

And the fact that he’s ignoring the obvious flirtation right now?

It just adds more proof that he’s truly different from before.

He literally passed the test.

You weren’t expecting him to fail, per se, but some part of you had anticipated even the slightest slip-up—a lingering glance, a subtle smirk, something that would expose remnants of the Yeonjun you used to know.

But no.

Not only did he ignore the cashier’s blatant flirtation, but his focus remained on you the entire time.

You let out a small, almost imperceptible smile as you take your shopping bag from the counter, sliding your card back into your wallet.

Without another word, you step out of the store, making your way toward the next retail shop.

And Yeonjun?

He silently follows, falling into step beside you like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

The quiet between you both isn’t uncomfortable, but there’s an underlying weight to it. Yeonjun has definitely changed, and the realization lingers in your mind as you step into the next retail store.

This one has a mix of casual and semi-formal wear, perfect for your usual inspiration runs. You instinctively grab a few outfits from the racks, feeling Yeonjun’s gaze on you but choosing not to acknowledge it just yet.

Instead, you turn to him with a nod toward the fitting rooms.

"Same deal. Sit and give me your thoughts," you instruct, already making your way inside.

Yeonjun huffs out a small chuckle but obeys, settling onto the couch outside the fitting area.

The first outfit is a simple, cozy sweater with a well-fitted pair of jeans. You step out, adjusting the sleeves as you glance at Yeonjun.

He takes one look at you and smiles. "You look comfortable. Like you’re about to spend a rainy day reading a book."

You hum, tilting your head slightly before heading back to change.

The next one is a sleek, monochrome two-piece set—elegant but casual.

Yeonjun leans forward slightly, his expression thoughtful. "This suits your vibe. Confident, put together… I can imagine you walking into a meeting in that."

You blink at him, caught off guard by how natural his responses are. It’s like he’s actually paying attention to your style and what fits you, rather than just throwing out meaningless praise.

Stepping back into the fitting room, you find yourself hesitating for a brief second before closing the curtain.

Time flies quickly, and before you know it, your hands are full of shopping bags. You place them carefully into the back seat of your car, making sure nothing gets crushed, before slipping into the driver’s seat. Yeonjun follows suit, settling in beside you as you start the engine.

For a moment, there’s only the soft hum of the car’s interior. The shopping trip had gone smoother than you expected—almost too smoothly.

Without thinking too much about it, you turn to Yeonjun and reach out your hand.

He raises an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in his expression.

“Truce?” you ask simply.

Yeonjun blinks before breaking into a bright smile, one that feels genuine, unburdened. He reaches out, grasping your hand firmly.

“Truce forever,” he says, his voice warm.

You let out a small chuckle before releasing his hand and shifting your focus back to the road.

With that, you pull out of the parking lot, the night air cool against the windows as you drive off—your long-standing rivalry now sealed with something neither of you had expected.

The soft hum of the engine filled the car as you followed the directions on the GPS, guiding Yeonjun home. The atmosphere was surprisingly comfortable—no awkwardness, no unnecessary small talk. Just the quiet sound of the city at night, passing by in a blur through the windows.

Yeonjun sat beside you, his gaze fixed outside, watching the streets with a distant look in his eyes. You focused on the road, but curiosity eventually got the best of you.

"So," you started, keeping your voice even, "what’s the real reason you stopped going from girl to girl?"

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he let out a soft sigh, as if gathering his thoughts. Then, after a pause, he spoke.

"You remember Soobin?"

Your grip on the steering wheel tightened just slightly. That name—it brought back memories. You didn’t react outwardly, but inside, something flickered. Still, you said nothing, letting him continue.

"We met after the graduation exams while waiting for our results." He chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Though I gotta say, he never even tried to hide how much he hated me for annoying you back then."

Of course, you thought. You and Soobin had broken up before the exams, but on good terms. Still, it wasn’t surprising that he held a grudge against Yeonjun.

"He was direct about it too," Yeonjun continued. "Told me straight to my face that he only approached me because he saw my potential in marketing. Said he needed someone good for a business venture and offered me a position."

You flicked your eyes toward him briefly before looking back at the road. "And you just agreed?"

He let out a small laugh. "Why wouldn’t I? It was a solid opportunity. We started building an office together, and well, here we are now."

You processed his words in silence. Soobin, your ex-boyfriend, the guy you once trusted the most—was now Yeonjun’s boss.

"Small world, huh?" Yeonjun mused, as if reading your thoughts.

That still didn’t answer your question.

You turned onto a quieter street, the soft glow of streetlights casting long shadows across the dashboard. Yeonjun must have sensed your silence wasn’t just because you were focused on driving.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair before continuing.

"I didn’t know you had a boyfriend back then," he admitted. "And yeah, I was still deep in my fuckboy phase—until graduation, when Soobin actually opened up to me."

Your fingers twitched on the steering wheel, but you stayed quiet, letting him speak.

"He told me that you and him had the best relationship he ever had. Said 'truce forever' after that." Yeonjun let out a small chuckle, but it wasn’t mocking—it was almost… nostalgic. "But the way he talked about you, the way he saw you as a girlfriend, that’s what made me stop going from girl to girl."

You frowned slightly, stealing a glance at him. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe I was jealous," he admitted, voice quieter now. "That he had something so real with you—something that lasted, even if it ended in good terms. And then adding the fact that I kept annoying you back then… I started feeling sorry. That I was trying to toy with someone who actually deserved better."

You stayed silent, absorbing his words.

"So I stopped," he continued. "Stopped playing around. Stopped acting like nothing mattered. I just… wanted to see if I deserved a happy beginning. And the process too. I’m okay with a sad ending or whatever, I just… want to feel loved."

His voice softened at the end, almost like he was admitting it to himself more than to you.

The light ahead turned red, and you pressed on the brakes, letting the silence settle between you two. This was a different Yeonjun—one you weren’t used to. The once arrogant, flirtatious guy now sat beside you, speaking with a kind of honesty you never expected.

And for the first time, you didn’t feel the urge to push him away.

You stop in front of his condominium, but Yeonjun never steps out, and you don’t tell him to. The silence settles between you like an unspoken truce, neither heavy nor light—just there, filling the space.

"Also, by the fact that I got interested in being close to you after Soobin's talk," Yeonjun finally says, breaking the quiet. His voice is softer than usual, lacking the teasing edge it once held. "Not as the past me, of course, but the current me. But as you know, it took four years and a reunion party just to get to know you again. And, well… this shopping mall test."

His hand finds the handle of the door, fingers curling around it, but he doesn’t push it open. His eyes remain ahead, unreadable under the dim glow of the streetlights.

"I swear, if only the past you met the current me. That would be awesome. If only…" He trails off, smiling—except it’s not his usual playful smirk. It’s something sadder, something laced with regret.

And then, without another word, he finally steps out of the car. He waves goodbye by the window, but he never looks back as he walks toward the gate of his condominium, disappearing behind it.

You sit there for a moment, gripping the steering wheel, staring at the space he just left behind.

"If only…"

The words echo in your mind, lingering even as you finally pull away from the curb and drive off into the night.

The next day, you arrive at your workplace, stepping into your office and settling down at your desk. The usual routine follows—you turn on your computer, log in, and pull up the inspiration notes you had keyed in yesterday. But as your eyes scan the screen, your mind drifts elsewhere.

Yeonjun.

His words from last night linger, replaying in your head like a loop you can’t break out of. "If only the past you met the current me." His voice, the way he looked at you—different from the Yeonjun you once knew.

You pause mid-scroll, staring blankly at your monitor before leaning forward and resting your forehead against the desk. A heavy sigh escapes your lips as you knock your head lightly against the surface.

Soobin, your ex, is now Yeonjun’s boss.

That part still feels surreal. Yeonjun—who once flirted his way through high school—is now Soobin’s secretary and a marketing leader. And he stopped chasing girls after you rejected him.

You knock your head again, trying to process it all. Then again. And again.

A sudden knock at your office door startles you. Your assistant peeks in, her expression filled with concern. “Are you… okay?” she asks hesitantly.

You straighten up immediately, forcing a smile as you wave her off. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking too hard.”

She doesn’t look entirely convinced but nods before retreating. As soon as she leaves, your phone vibrates.

A message from Yeonjun.

Yeonjun: Are you free this weekend?

You stare at the screen for a second before replying.

You: Depends. What time?

The dots indicating he’s typing appear almost immediately.

Your phone vibrates again.

Yeonjun: Okay, so… I kind of spilled to him about you.

You blink, confused.

Yeonjun: And now he’s asking if you’d be comfortable with a three-way hangout. You, me, and Soobin.

Your grip on your phone tightens slightly, but you don’t reply yet.

Yeonjun: I swear I wasn’t planning on it! I even told him that it might be awkward because you two are exes, but this guy…

Another message pops up.

Yeonjun: HE KNEELED. ON THE GROUND. AND BEGGED ME.

You can almost picture Yeonjun facepalming on the other end of the screen.

Yeonjun: I got a headache just watching him. So yeah… I hesitantly agreed.

You read through his messages, lips slightly pursed in thought. Soobin wants to catch up?

It’s been four years since your breakup. A clean one, without any lingering resentment or bitterness. Time has passed, and you’ve moved on. There’s nothing holding you back from seeing him again, even if it’s in the company of Yeonjun, who somehow got roped into this mess.

After a moment, you type back.

You: Sure. I don’t mind.

Yeonjun’s response is instant.

Yeonjun: Fr??

You: Yeah, I’ve moved on. No big deal.

A pause, then—

Yeonjun: Damn. You’re built different.

You roll your eyes at his dramatic reaction, but before you can type a reply, another message comes in.

Yeonjun: Alright, I’ll tell Soobin. Let’s get this over with.

You leave him on read, setting your phone down before turning back to your computer. Work awaits, and you have no time to dwell on past relationships or Yeonjun’s never-ending dramatics.

The day you were set to meet Yeonjun and Soobin at a café came after your work hours. Upon arriving, you spotted them already seated, engaged in conversation. After placing your order, you approached them, making your presence known.

At first, the conversation was slightly awkward—exchanging the usual updates about life and work. But gradually, as the minutes passed, the atmosphere eased, and laughter started to fill the space, turning the reunion into a natural and comfortable catch-up session.

At one point, Yeonjun excused himself to go to the restroom, leaving just you and Soobin at the table. That was when Soobin, leaning slightly forward, suddenly brought up another topic.

"So, what do you think of Yeonjun?" he asked casually.

You blinked at the unexpected question, glancing toward the restroom before turning back to Soobin. "Well… he’s definitely changed a lot."

Soobin chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, took some serious mental beatdowns and a reality check to get there." His tone was teasing, making you chuckle as you sipped your drink.

"But honestly," he continued, "I think he changed a bit too much. He went from jumping from girl to girl to basically living like a monk. No flirting, no dating, not even looking at girls. It’s kinda weird… makes me a little scared of the current him."

It was meant as a joke, but the comment made you glance back toward the restroom again, just in time to see Yeonjun stepping out. You quickly averted your gaze, but Soobin, oblivious to his return, kept talking.

"So," he asked, tilting his head, "what do you think of him as a guy?"

Your breath hitched, and before you could stop yourself, you choked on nothing but air. Coughing, you quickly grabbed a napkin as Soobin panicked, apologizing while handing one over.

Meanwhile, Yeonjun had frozen mid-step, his eyes widening at what he had just walked into.

"What do you mean?" you asked, still trying to catch your breath after choking. Your voice came out slightly hoarse, and you reached for your drink to soothe your throat.

Soobin simply shrugged. "Just asking, since he mentioned that he got interested in you."

Your brows furrowed at that. "And you allowed that to happen?"

He chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "I mean, yeah, we’re exes, but that’s the past. If Yeonjun happens to court you, I might be a little annoyed at first—since he’s my friend, my right-hand man, and my work buddy, courting my ex-girlfriend. But only for a while." He smiled, tilting his head slightly. "Because at the end of the day, I’d sincerely congratulate you both. You two would be the present… and maybe even the future."

His words hung in the air for a moment, and your fingers unconsciously tightened around your cup.

Meanwhile, Yeonjun had heard everything. He gulped at nothing, steadying himself before making his way back to the table. Sliding into his seat, he acted as if nothing had happened, but there was something different in the way he looked at you.

His eyes now held something else—something that made your breath hitch. It wasn’t just curiosity or casual interest. It was as if Soobin’s words carried the truth he had been holding back.

And then, like puzzle pieces falling into place, your mind drifted back to that last shopping mall trip with him. The moment in the car.

"Also, by the fact that I got interested in being close to you—not as a past me, of course, but the current me."

You had brushed it off then, thinking it was just Yeonjun being his usual self. But now, under the weight of his gaze, it didn’t feel so casual anymore.

Soobin, oblivious to the tension settling between you and Yeonjun, continued sipping his drink, unaware of the silent exchange happening right beside him.

The next few days passed in a blur, but Yeonjun’s gaze lingered in your mind more than you wanted to admit. You tried to shake it off, burying yourself in work, but every now and then, you'd catch yourself thinking about that moment—his eyes, the weight of his silence, and the meaning behind it.

It didn’t help that Yeonjun had been messaging you more often. Sometimes casually, sometimes teasingly, but there was always something underneath his words, like he was testing the waters. You responded as usual, keeping things light, but a part of you couldn’t ignore the shift between you two.

Then, one evening, your phone vibrated with a new message from him.

Yeonjun: Are you free this weekend?

You stared at the message for a moment, debating whether to ask why, but before you could type anything, another message popped up.

Yeonjun: Just us this time. No Soobin.

That made you pause. Something about the way he worded it felt deliberate. You took a deep breath, hesitating only for a second before typing back.

You: Depends on what you have in mind.

It didn’t take long for his reply to come through.

Yeonjun: You’ll see.

The weekend arrived sooner than expected, and before you knew it, you were standing outside the café where you and Yeonjun had agreed to meet. It wasn’t the same one from before—this place had a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. You glanced at your phone, checking the time. Five minutes early.

Just as you were about to message him, the bell above the entrance chimed, and Yeonjun stepped out, spotting you immediately. He was dressed casually, but there was something different about the way he carried himself today—less playful, more serious.

“You’re early,” he remarked, a small smile playing on his lips.

“So are you,” you countered.

He chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Guess we’re both eager.”

You rolled your eyes at his teasing tone, but there was a warmth to his words that you couldn’t ignore.

Once inside, you both ordered drinks and settled into a corner booth. The first few minutes were light—small talk, jokes, and the usual banter. But then, Yeonjun leaned forward slightly, his fingers tracing the rim of his cup.

“I meant what I said the other day,” he said suddenly.

You blinked. “About what?”

He looked at you then, really looked at you. “About wanting to know you more. After graduation, after all this time… I realized I never really knew you the way I wanted to.”

You weren’t sure how to respond, so you let him continue.

“I don’t know where this leads,” he admitted, exhaling softly. “But I do know I don’t want to ignore it anymore.”

Your heartbeat picked up. It wasn’t like Yeonjun to be this direct, this open. He was always playful, always teasing. But now… he was serious.

The question was—were you ready for what that meant?

The game started off light—questions about favorite foods, childhood memories, and embarrassing moments. Yeonjun laughed when you admitted you once got lost in a mall as a kid and ended up crying in a random shoe store. In return, he confessed that he once dyed his hair a bright green color on impulse, only to regret it the next day.

But as the game went on, the questions grew deeper.

“What’s something you regret?” you asked, stirring the last bit of your drink with your straw.

Yeonjun leaned back, tapping his fingers on the table. “Not taking certain chances when I had them,” he said, his eyes flickering to you for a second before looking away. “You?”

You hesitated but answered honestly. “Holding onto things I should’ve let go of sooner.”

The weight of your words hung in the air for a moment, but before it could settle too deeply, Yeonjun grinned and clapped his hands together. “Alright, last question. Make it a good one.”

You smirked. “What’s your biggest fear?”

He hummed, thinking. “Losing something important to me before I even realize how much it matters.”

Something about the way he said it made your chest tighten slightly.

Before either of you could say anything more, Yeonjun checked his phone and sighed. “It’s already late,” he noted, standing up and stretching. “Guess fun time really does end quickly.”

You followed suit, grabbing your things. “Yeah, today went by fast.”

Yeonjun walked with you to the entrance, hands tucked in his pockets. The cool night breeze brushed against your skin as you stepped outside.

“This was fun,” he said, turning to you with a small smile. “We should do it again sometime.”

You nodded. “Yeah, we should.”

For a moment, it seemed like he wanted to say something else, but instead, he simply gave you a small wave before walking off. You watched him go, the words of your conversation lingering in your mind.

The days following the hangout passed quickly, but the memory of that night stuck with you. Conversations with Yeonjun felt different now—not just casual exchanges, but moments that carried a certain weight. You found yourself thinking back to his answers during your game of 20 Questions, especially his biggest fear.

Then, another message from him popped up on your phone.

Yeonjun: Are you free this Friday?

You stared at the screen for a moment before replying.

You: Depends. Why?

A few seconds later, your phone vibrated again.

Yeonjun: I wanna take you somewhere. Think of it as a follow-up to our 20 Questions game.

Curious, you typed back.

You: Is this a date?

A pause. Then his reply came.

Yeonjun: Would you say no if it was?

Your breath hitched slightly. You weren’t sure how to respond to that, so you settled for a simple answer.

You: I’ll let you know.

You didn’t reply immediately, but your thoughts were already tangled. Soobin’s words from the café replayed in your mind—he did mention that he got interested in you.

You removed your shoes and threw yourself onto the couch, staring at the ceiling. The exhaustion from the day clung to your body, but your mind was restless.

The way he looked at you, the way he listened so intently, how easily the two of you had fallen into conversation. It was almost... natural.

But then came the nagging doubt.

"Once a playboy, always a playboy."

You had heard those words countless times during your school days. Yeonjun had a past, one everyone knew about. Even Soobin joked about it. Had he really changed, or was this just a momentary shift?

Your phone buzzed, breaking your thoughts.

Yeonjun: Got home yet?

You stared at the message.

Despite everything, despite your hesitation, your fingers hovered over the keyboard, debating how to respond.

However, since you had already decided from the start that Yeonjun had changed, you knew you should trust him too. Doubts were normal, but if you kept clinging to them, you’d never move forward.

So, instead of overthinking, you ignored his latest text and scrolled up to your previous conversation—the one where he had casually mentioned another hangout. Or, as he had boldly called it, a date.

You typed a short reply:

You: Okay. Let’s go on that date.

The moment you hit send, your heart pounded slightly faster. You weren’t sure if it was from anticipation or nerves, but one thing was certain—there was no turning back now.

The early morning air was crisp, the sky still a soft shade of blue as you stepped outside your house. You glanced at your phone—Yeonjun had texted a few minutes ago.

Yeonjun: I'm here. No backing out now.

You exhaled, shaking off the last traces of sleep before locking your door. As you turned, Yeonjun leaned against his car, dressed casually but effortlessly stylish, a small smirk playing on his lips.

"You’re actually on time," you teased as you approached.

He scoffed playfully, opening the passenger door for you. "I had to make a good impression. Get in."

Sliding into the car, you buckled up as Yeonjun got into the driver’s seat. "So, where are we going this early?" you asked, glancing at him.

He grinned, eyes focused on the road as he started driving. "That’s for me to know and for you to find out."

And just like that, the date began.

The car ride was peaceful at first, with soft music playing in the background as Yeonjun drove through the quiet morning streets. The city was still waking up, and a comfortable silence settled between the two of you.

"You nervous?" Yeonjun suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

You turned your head to him. "Should I be?"

He chuckled, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. "Nah, I’d like to think I planned a good day for us."

His words made you raise an eyebrow. "You planned? Like, actually put thought into this?"

Yeonjun feigned offense. "Of course! I told you, I’m not the same guy from before."

You hummed in response, looking out the window as the car exited the main city roads and into a more scenic route. The further he drove, the more you started to wonder where he was taking you.

"Are you at least gonna give me a hint?" you asked.

He smirked. "Fine. It’s somewhere calm, fun, and you’ll like it. Probably."

You narrowed your eyes at him. "Probably?"

"You’ll see," he said, amusement in his voice.

A few minutes later, he pulled into a parking lot near a large park with a serene lake in the middle. The sight of it made you pause. The morning sun reflected off the water, and the quiet atmosphere felt refreshing.

"A morning picnic?" you guessed as you looked around.

Yeonjun grinned. "Bingo. But not just that. We’re making breakfast ourselves."

Your brows furrowed. "…We?"

"Yup. I got ingredients in the trunk. Thought it’d be more fun if we made food together instead of just buying something."

You stared at him for a moment, then shook your head with a small laugh. "You really are different now."

He only shrugged, stepping out of the car. "Told you. Now, come on, we’ve got breakfast to make."

Yeonjun popped open the trunk, revealing a neatly packed picnic basket filled with ingredients, a portable stove, and a small cooler. You raised an eyebrow, impressed.

"You really planned this, huh?" you remarked, taking a glance at the supplies.

He smirked. "What, did you think I was just gonna drag you to some random café?"

You chuckled, grabbing the basket as he took the stove. "I mean, wouldn’t have been surprised. But this is… nice."

The two of you walked toward a shaded spot near the lake, where Yeonjun set up the stove while you laid out the blanket. The air was cool, and the peaceful surroundings made the moment feel different—almost intimate.

"So, what’s on the menu?" you asked as he pulled out eggs, bread, and some fresh vegetables.

"Simple stuff. Omelets, toast, maybe some pancakes if we don’t mess up."

You snorted. "If we don’t mess up?"

He shot you a playful glare. "Hey, I’m decent at cooking, okay? Just… not a pro."

"Guess we’ll see about that," you teased.

As you both started prepping the ingredients, the conversation flowed naturally. You asked him about his work, his daily routine, and the things he’d been up to since graduation. He, in turn, asked you about your job and if you’d been taking care of yourself.

It felt easy—like you weren’t just reconnecting but truly getting to know him again. And for the first time, you found yourself seeing Yeonjun in a new light.

"Hey, careful!" he suddenly said, grabbing your wrist as you almost knocked over the pan.

The sudden contact made you freeze for a second, your eyes meeting his. His grip was firm yet gentle, and for some reason, your heartbeat picked up.

"Still as clumsy as ever," he teased, letting go as he flipped the omelet.

You cleared your throat, looking away. "Not my fault you distracted me."

He only grinned. "If that’s your excuse, sure."

As the morning continued, laughter and teasing filled the air, and by the time breakfast was ready, you couldn’t deny it anymore—Yeonjun had truly changed. And maybe, just maybe, you were starting to see him differently too.

As you both settled down on the picnic blanket, plates filled with food in hand, you took a moment to soak in the atmosphere. The gentle breeze, the sound of birds chirping, and the faint ripple of water from the nearby lake—it all felt oddly peaceful.

Yeonjun stretched his legs out, leaning back on his hands. "So, honest review. Chef Yeonjun—pass or fail?"

You took a bite of the omelet, chewing thoughtfully before narrowing your eyes at him. "Hmm… Passable."

His jaw dropped. "Passable? Excuse me, that was at least a solid 9 out of 10!"

You shrugged, suppressing a smirk. "I mean, it’s good, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’m saving the perfect score for something life-changing."

Yeonjun scoffed, taking an exaggeratedly large bite of his food. "Unbelievable. Next time, I’m adding some secret ingredient to make you eat your words."

You chuckled, sipping on your drink. "Next time, huh?"

For a moment, he didn’t answer. He simply stared at you, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. Then, with a small smile, he said, "Yeah. Next time."

There was a slight pause before you quickly averted your gaze, focusing on your plate. The weight of those words lingered in the air, making your chest feel strangely warm.

After finishing your meal, Yeonjun took it upon himself to clean up, shoving the empty plates back into the basket. You helped fold the blanket, the comfortable silence between you two broken only when he suddenly spoke up.

"Wanna go for a walk?"

You glanced up. "Now?"

He shrugged. "Yeah. No rush to go back, right? Let’s just—" he motioned toward the lake, "—walk around, enjoy the view a little more."

You considered it for a second before nodding. "Alright. Lead the way."

As you strolled along the edge of the lake, the conversation shifted to old memories, childhood stories, and even a few embarrassing moments from high school.

"I still can’t believe you once tripped during a school presentation," he teased.

"Oh, shut up," you groaned. "It wasn’t just a trip—it was the mic cord! It got tangled!"

Yeonjun laughed, the sound carefree and genuine. "Excuses, excuses. That was the moment I knew you had a gift for making an impression."

You rolled your eyes but found yourself smiling.

As the walk continued, the topic took a more serious turn.

"Hey," he started, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Do you still… think about the past?"

You blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Like… school, old friendships, old relationships." He glanced at you, his expression unreadable. "Do you ever look back and wonder?"

You inhaled deeply, looking ahead at the glistening water. "I guess everyone does, at some point. But I try not to dwell on it too much. The past is the past, you know?"

Yeonjun hummed in agreement but didn’t say much after that.

And for the rest of the walk, neither of you spoke about it again. But somehow, that moment, that conversation—it lingered.

Yeonjun led you back to his car, unlocking it with a swift press of his key fob. As he opened the passenger door for you, he flashed a grin.

"Since the afternoon has just started," he said, motioning for you to get in, "it’s time for the next stop on our date."

You raised an eyebrow as you slid into the seat. "Oh? And what exactly is the next stop?"

Yeonjun shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side, getting in. He started the engine but didn’t answer right away. Instead, he smirked, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel.

"That," he said, glancing at you playfully, "is a surprise."

You sighed, already expecting this. "You just like keeping me in suspense, don’t you?"

He chuckled. "Maybe. But I promise it’ll be worth it."

With that, he pulled out of the parking lot, merging onto the main road. The ride was smooth, the hum of the car filling the comfortable silence between you. Occasionally, he’d glance over at you, as if checking if you were still curious.

And you were.

As the car continued down the road, passing familiar streets and then veering off into an area less traveled, you finally asked, "Okay, at least give me a hint."

Yeonjun hummed, pretending to think. "Hmm. Alright, one hint. It’s somewhere fun. Something interactive."

You narrowed your eyes. "Interactive?"

He simply grinned. "You’ll see."

With no choice but to wait, you leaned back in your seat, watching the cityscape slowly shift into something less urban, more open. Wherever he was taking you, it wasn’t just another café or shopping mall.

And that only made you more intrigued.

The car ride stretched on, the city’s towering buildings slowly giving way to open roads and patches of greenery. You glanced at Yeonjun, who was humming along to the music playing in the background, his fingers lightly tapping against the steering wheel. He looked relaxed, but you knew he was aware of your curiosity.

After a while, you noticed a sign on the side of the road—one that made you sit up a little straighter.

"Wait… Are we going to—"

Yeonjun smirked before you could finish your sentence. "Took you long enough to figure it out."

A large, colorful entrance came into view, and your eyes widened. It was an amusement park.

"You brought me to an amusement park?" you asked, half-surprised, half-impressed.

Yeonjun parked the car and turned to you, grinning. "You said you haven’t been to one in a long time, right? I figured today’s the perfect chance."

You blinked. "I did say that, didn’t I?"

He nodded. "Yep. And I remembered. So, shall we?"

You couldn’t help but smile as you stepped out of the car. It had been years since you last visited an amusement park, and the sight of the rides, the game booths, and the lively atmosphere brought a sense of excitement bubbling up inside you.

Yeonjun walked beside you, hands in his pockets, looking pleased with himself. "Alright, what should we do first?"

You looked around, taking in all the options. "Hmm… Maybe start with something simple. A game booth?"

He smirked. "Sounds like you’re scared of the rides."

You scoffed. "I’m just saving the best for later."

"Uh-huh." He chuckled. "Alright, let’s win some prizes first, then."

With that, the two of you made your way toward the nearest game booth, the date now officially in full swing.

Yeonjun led the way to a booth filled with colorful plushies hanging from the walls. The challenge was simple: knock down a pyramid of cans with three bean bags.

"You go first," he said, stepping aside with an amused look.

You picked up a bean bag, testing its weight in your hand. A deep breath, a steady aim, and—

Thud! The first throw knocked down two cans, but the rest remained standing.

"Not bad," Yeonjun teased. "Try again."

You rolled your eyes and threw the second bean bag. This time, it missed.

Yeonjun let out a dramatic gasp. "Wow. That was—"

"Shut up," you muttered, focused on your last throw. Gathering your determination, you aimed carefully and threw. The final bag hit the stack perfectly, sending the last cans tumbling to the ground.

The booth attendant clapped. "Congratulations! You win a small prize!"

You scanned the plushies and picked out a tiny stuffed fox. Yeonjun laughed. "That’s it? You’re not aiming for the big ones?"

"It’s cute," you defended, holding it up.

He shook his head with a grin before stepping up to take his turn. The moment Yeonjun grabbed the bean bags, you had a feeling he wasn’t going to miss.

And you were right. With smooth, effortless throws, he knocked down every single can on his first try.

The attendant looked impressed. "That’s a grand prize win! Pick any plush you want."

Yeonjun turned to you. "Which one do you want?"

You blinked. "Huh? No, you won. You should choose."

He ignored you and pointed to a large bear plushie. Once the attendant handed it to him, he shoved it into your arms. "Here. Now your tiny fox has a bodyguard."

You stared at the giant plushie, then at him. "Yeonjun—"

"Don’t fight it," he said with a playful smirk. "Just take the gift."

You sighed but couldn’t hide your smile as you hugged the plushie close. "Fine. But I’m carrying this in your car, not around the park."

"Deal."

With that, the two of you moved on, the laughter and excitement of the amusement park filling the air.

Next up was the shooting gallery. Yeonjun stepped forward first, effortlessly picking up the toy rifle and testing its weight. The game was simple: shoot down as many targets as possible to win a prize.

Without much hesitation, he took his shots—each one hitting its mark with impressive accuracy. You watched as he knocked down every single target, the attendant nodding in approval.

"Grand prize for you!" The worker handed Yeonjun a sleek, black cat plushie, and he smirked before tucking it under his arm.

Then, it was your turn.

You grabbed the rifle, aiming carefully at the targets. You took your first shot—miss. You bit your lip, trying again. The second shot barely grazed the edge of the target.

Yeonjun let out a soft chuckle behind you. "Giving up already?"

You sighed, lowering the rifle slightly. "Maybe this game just isn’t for me—"

Before you could finish, Yeonjun moved behind you, his chest nearly pressing against your back. His hands slipped over yours, adjusting your grip on the rifle. The sudden proximity made your breath hitch, heat creeping up your neck.

"Here," he murmured, his voice close—too close—to your ear. "Your stance is a little off. Relax your shoulders."

You swallowed hard, but followed his instructions as he gently corrected your hold. His fingers guided yours to the trigger, and when he whispered, "Now, pull," his warm breath tickled your skin.

With your heart pounding, you pressed your index finger against the trigger. The shot fired—and this time, it hit the target dead center.

"See?" Yeonjun grinned, finally stepping back. "Told you it’s all about technique."

You turned to glare at him, but you knew he could see the lingering flush on your face. "You could’ve just explained it instead of—"

"But this way was more effective, wasn’t it?" His smirk was nothing short of smug.

You clicked your tongue, quickly turning away to take your last shot. With the last bit of guidance lingering in your mind, you focused and fired again—another perfect hit.

The attendant clapped. "Great job! You get a medium prize!"

Yeonjun watched as you picked out a small bunny plush. "Not bad," he teased.

You shot him a look. "Whatever. Let’s go to the next game before you start bragging."

Still grinning, he followed you, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. "Fine, fine. But I think you owe me for helping you out."

"Oh? And what exactly do I owe you?"

He leaned in slightly, eyes glinting with mischief. "I’ll let you know later."

You rolled your eyes but couldn't deny the way your heart skipped at his words.

Yeonjun led the way out of the shooting gallery, casually tossing the black cat plushie onto the passenger seat of his car before turning to you.

"Since the afternoon just started, it’s time for the next stop," he said, flashing you a playful grin.

You raised a brow. "And where exactly are we going next?"

He only smirked. "You'll see."

The drive wasn’t long, but Yeonjun kept the destination a secret the entire time. Occasionally, he’d glance at you with a knowing look, but he never gave anything away.

When he finally pulled up and parked, you peered out the window, only to blink in surprise.

"A... go-kart track?" You turned to him, unable to hide your curiosity.

Yeonjun grinned. "What, scared you can’t keep up?"

You scoffed. "Oh, please. I’ll leave you in the dust."

His eyes sparkled with amusement. "We’ll see about that."

Inside, Yeonjun wasted no time getting everything set up, and before long, the two of you were seated in separate go-karts, helmets secured. The engines revved, the countdown began, and the race was on.

At first, you focused on just getting used to the controls, but once you got the hang of it, you pushed the gas pedal harder, gaining speed. Yeonjun was ahead, effortlessly maneuvering through the turns with ease.

Determined not to lose, you took a sharp turn, managing to close the gap between you two.

"Not bad!" Yeonjun called out over the roar of the engines.

You grinned, leaning forward as you pressed on the gas again. "Told you!"

For a moment, it felt like you were flying, the thrill of the race sending adrenaline through your veins. You were catching up—almost right beside him—when suddenly, Yeonjun turned his head, looking directly at you.

Then, with the biggest smirk, he purposely slowed down, letting you speed ahead.

Your brows furrowed. "What are you—"

"Giving you a chance," he teased.

You rolled your eyes but didn’t let yourself get distracted. Pushing forward, you zipped past the finish line first, immediately throwing your hands up in victory.

"I win!" you cheered.

Yeonjun pulled up beside you, removing his helmet with a laugh. "Only because I let you."

You scoffed. "Excuses, excuses."

He only grinned. "Fine, fine. You win this time." Then, he leaned in slightly, voice dropping just enough to make you feel the shift in the air. "But next time? I won’t go easy on you."

You swallowed but kept your expression neutral. "I’ll be ready."

Yeonjun held your gaze for a moment longer before chuckling, shaking his head as he stood up. "Come on, let’s grab something to drink before we head to our final stop."

Final stop?

You followed him, heart still racing—not from the go-karting, but from whatever this day with Yeonjun was turning into.

After grabbing drinks from a nearby vending machine, Yeonjun leaned against the counter, sipping his cola while watching you. The casual, confident air around him hadn’t faded, but there was something softer in the way he looked at you now.

"You having fun?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

You exhaled, still cooling down from the race. "Surprisingly, yeah. Didn't expect you to be this competitive."

Yeonjun grinned. "Well, I had to let you win at least once today."

You scoffed. "Right. Keep telling yourself that."

He chuckled, finishing his drink before checking the time. "Alright, time for the final stop."

You raised an eyebrow. "And where exactly is that?"

Yeonjun smirked, tapping his car keys against his palm. "Somewhere a little more... peaceful."

The drive was longer this time, the sun beginning to set as the sky turned shades of orange and pink. The atmosphere inside the car felt different now—not awkward, but not entirely easy either. There was an unspoken anticipation hanging between you two, something neither of you seemed willing to address just yet.

When Yeonjun finally pulled into a quiet, secluded area, you realized where he had taken you—an open lakeside spot, the kind that looked like it was straight out of a movie. There were no crowds, just the gentle rippling of water and the sound of crickets starting to hum in the distance.

You stepped out of the car, taking in the view. "Wow... I didn't expect this."

Yeonjun shut his door and stretched before stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Figured we'd end the day somewhere nice. After all, I owe you a real win after that go-karting disaster."

You rolled your eyes but smiled. "So, what now?"

Instead of answering, he walked toward the trunk of his car, popping it open. A moment later, he pulled out a blanket and a small bag of snacks.

"You planned this?" you asked, surprised.

He shrugged. "Just in case we needed a chill ending to the day."

You watched as he laid the blanket out near the water, motioning for you to sit down. Hesitating for only a second, you joined him, pulling your knees up as you gazed at the lake. The air was cool, the sky growing darker with every passing minute.

For a while, neither of you spoke. It wasn’t uncomfortable, though. It was... nice.

Then, Yeonjun suddenly broke the silence. "So... earlier, when Soobin brought up me being interested in you."

You tensed slightly, not expecting him to bring that up so directly.

"You never really gave an answer," he continued, his voice unusually calm.

You turned to look at him, but he was already gazing at you—steady, serious, waiting.

Your heart skipped a beat. "I... didn't think you were serious about that."

Yeonjun let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "I don’t say things I don’t mean." Then, softer, "I meant it."

You swallowed, gripping the fabric of your jeans. "Yeonjun, I..." You hesitated. "I want to believe you've changed. I really do. But..."

"But you still have doubts," he finished for you, nodding as if he understood. "That’s fair."

Silence fell again, but this time, it was heavier.

Then, after a moment, Yeonjun exhaled and leaned back on his palms, looking up at the night sky. "You don’t have to give me an answer right now. But... I’ll prove it to you."

Your breath hitched slightly at his words.

"I don’t expect you to trust me overnight," he admitted. "But I want to earn it."

You weren’t sure what to say to that. Your heart was already betraying you, pounding in your chest at the sincerity in his tone.

So instead of responding, you simply nodded, looking back at the lake as the night settled around you both.

Valentine's Day arrived at the speed of lightning, catching you completely off guard. You had been so focused on your usual routine, trying to put together the perfect outfit for the day, that you hadn’t even registered what today meant.

It wasn’t until you found yourself walking through the shopping mall, surrounded by heart-shaped decorations, pink and red banners, and endless stalls selling chocolates, teddy bears, and bouquets, that it finally hit you—today was Valentine’s Day.

Traditionally, it was the day girls gave gifts to guys, whether romantically or platonically. Without much hesitation, you picked up a simple yet thoughtful gift for Soobin. Something nice, but not too complicated—he was an old friend, after all, and the choice came easily.

But when it came to picking something for Yeonjun, it was a different story.

You stood there, staring at the endless options before you. Chocolates? Too cliché. A keychain? Too impersonal. A plushie? Would he even like that?

Minutes turned into almost an hour as you paced between stalls, picking up different items, then putting them back down. Your mind spun with possibilities, and yet none of them seemed good enough.

Why was it so hard?

Then, as you finally made your choice—carefully selecting something you thought would be just right for Yeonjun—you froze.

It had taken you almost no time to pick Soobin’s gift, but with Yeonjun, you had been overly cautious, overly thoughtful. You wanted it to be perfect for him.

That’s when it hit you.

You weren’t just thinking about him as a friend. You weren’t just considering this as a simple Valentine’s gesture.

You wanted to impress him. You wanted him to like it. You wanted to see his reaction, to make him happy.

You liked him.

Your heart pounded at the realization, and your fingers tightened around the small gift in your hand.

What were you supposed to do now?

Realizing that the day wasn’t over yet, a sudden urgency rushed through you. You quickly made your purchase, barely waiting for the cashier to finish bagging your items before grabbing them and heading out of the shopping mall.

As you stepped outside, the sky had already darkened, city lights flickering on one by one. You glanced at your phone, checking the time—it was already heading into the night. Without thinking twice, you hurriedly typed out a message to Yeonjun.

"Im om my wya to ykur hosue, meat me outfront."

The typos were everywhere, but in your rush, you didn’t bother fixing them. Without even waiting for his reply, you pocketed your phone, jumped into your car, and started the engine.

Your hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as you pulled out of the parking lot, heading straight for Yeonjun’s house. Your heart was racing—not just from the hurried drive, but from the weight of the realization that had just hit you back at the mall.

You liked Yeonjun.

And now, you were about to face him with that knowledge sitting heavily in your chest.

As soon as you pulled up in front of his building, you spotted Yeonjun standing outside, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat. His eyes immediately found your car, watching as you parked. The moment you stepped out, you didn’t hesitate.

You rushed toward him, heart pounding, stopping just a breath away. Then, without a word, you extended your hand, offering him the chocolate—the one you had spent hours picking out, agonizing over every detail.

Yeonjun glanced down at it, then back at you, his usual teasing smirk nowhere to be seen. He looked almost… surprised.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Choi Yeonjun,” you said, smiling, but this time it wasn’t just a casual greeting—it was sincere, filled with everything you had been holding back.

Then, you took a deep breath and finally let the words slip.

“And I’ll give you my answer: I like you too.”

For a second, the world seemed to pause. The street noise faded, the cold night air barely noticeable as you stood there, waiting.

Yeonjun blinked, his lips parting slightly as if to say something, but no words came out. Instead, his eyes softened, the weight of your confession settling between you both.

It doesn’t matter whether his backstory is horrible or trash. What matters is the person standing in front of you now—the one who changed, not just in words but in actions.

If he had truly remained the same, he wouldn't have been so careful with you. He wouldn’t have spent time getting to know you, respecting your space, or showing up as someone different from the person he used to be. He even acted the same way in front of Yeji and Soobin, without knowing you would ever witness it. That meant his change wasn’t just an act—it was real.

So why not take this chance? Why not forgive him for the childish mistakes of his past and see where this could go?

Because if Yeonjun had changed this much, and if every part of that change was sincere, then maybe—just maybe—he had changed for you.

[wolverinescheeks]

💛💙Happy Wolverine Wednesday💙💛

Unfortunately I don't have an analysis or headcanon cuz I didn't have time to work on anything (work and adult responsibilities are a drag😓) BUT instead I'm just gonna talk about my favorite Wolverine comic issue so far of all of the ones I read: Weapon X by Barry Windsor-Smith‼️‼️

Train of thought, panel screenshots, and SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS ISSUE YET under the cut...

(I'm half typing this half rereading the comic to remind myself of certain parts but I'll try to go in chronological order so bear with me)

The first thing I loved about this comic was the way the panels were organized in the prologue. You get an idea of what Logan was doing and how he was living before he was kidnapped which parallels what the scientists were doing before they took him. These panels along with Logan's horrific nightmares and the cruel experiments of the scientists gave me an overall unsettling feeling that also made me really curious to keep reading.

The next thing I loved was the writing all throughout. There wasn't more or less writing than any other usual comic issue but the choice of not having an omniscient narrator using third person POV and instead having the characters tell the story was amazing🤩 This is because the characters only really know what they know and nothing more so you get to experience everything that happens with them and know how they feel about it. (Kinda unrelated but there's even text boxes that are cut off by the panel borders to emphasize when a character gets cut off by someone else or something happening all of a sudden). A side note about this is how I think they purposely didn't put Logan's thoughts and speech until a bit later to really push the idea of him being an "animal" while he was being experimented on and the effects of it on his cognition. An example of this is how his first spoken words were garbled and made up of mostly simple words and phrases. A side side note about the writing I love is how they make you feel confused and like you're losing your mind with Logan near the end after he wakes up from his dream/hallucination of killing the scientists.

The third thing I loved was the characterization. It's made somewhat clear the roles each of the three main scientists play in the story throughout the beginning: the professor being the most cruel/antagonizing to Logan, Dr. Cornelius being on the professor's side but still trying not to hurt Logan unnecessarily, and Carol Hines being sympathetic and caring about Logan's wellbeing.

The fourth thing was the graphic detail put into the descriptions of what Logan was going through. His pain being described in the most chilling ways possible really evoked emotional reactions from me (I felt so bad for him I almost cried a couple times😭).

Finally as an artist I absolutely adore the artstyle and just how much it pushes the feeling of fear, unease, and discomfort. The bright almost cartoonish colors contrast heavily against the extremely dark shadows that aren't overdoing it and leaves just enough to your imagination. The inks themselves are so scary (the panels with his skeleton covered in spikes or when he was dreaming being chased and overtaken by his "mutantism") and detailed it felt like I was reading a horror comic the entire time. I just know that if I read this comic when I was much younger it would've given me nightmares for sure😭

To end this post below is my favorite page and one of the best pages in all Wolverine comics imo in terms of inks, colors, composition, and text as well as accurately portraying just how deadly powerful Logan is💖💖💖

[thegingerwrites]

can I ask about Magical Euphoria for the WIP game?

Ooh! I love that you picked this one! This one started off as a warm up that I've been picking away at based on this tumblr post which screamed Anakin and Obi-Wan to me. I basically came up with a few different scenarios of Anakin being a Force god/chosen one and overdoing in on the battlefield and Obi-Wan stepping in to keep him from falling down (If it all leads to the ultimate dance between the two of them on Mustafar with Anakin pushing as hard as he can and Obi-Wan being there to take it, that's just some good angst babyyyy) And honestly, now that I've taken a look at the post again and started to flesh this out into its own fic, I could probably make it angstier 😂

---

Here's a snippet:

“Kiss me,” Anakin says, eyes bright, smile as big as Obi-Wan has ever seen it.

“What?” But already Anakin is in his arms, letting more of his weight fall onto Obi-Wan’s shoulders than perhaps he means.

“Kiss me, Obi-Wan.”

Anakin is laughing. A bright, giddy thing like he is a boy again. Like they are frolicking through a meadow, chasing each other through a forest, splashing each other in the water at the seaside. Like he has no idea that they are stumbling through a battlefield, droids and clones alike fallen at their feet, though more droids than clones thanks to Anakin.

There are no words for what Anakin can do with an enemy in front of him and a saber in his hands. He is more than a force of nature, he is the Force himself. Strong and bright, blinding as a supernova in the Force. It is all Obi-Wan can do to keep up with him when he gets like this, all he can do to be there at his side in the aftermath.

With a jolt, Anakin stubs his toe on a rock and crashes into Obi-Wan’s side.

“Oops,” Anakin says but the smile never leaves his face. Just another hilarity to add to his joys. Obi-Wan wrestles one of Anakin’s arms over his shoulders and they walk back to the shuttle as some kind of four-legged, two-armed beast.

“How are you, dear one?” asks Obi-Wan. He nods at Anakin’s commander as they regroup, checking in as their remaining battalions pick their way across the rocky battlefield. They fought this battle on foot and in the skies, the terrain too treacherous for tanks and walkers to navigate. In the thick of it, Anakin practically flew through the stony mess, using the Force to make his feet light and quick, his balance steady.

Anakin lets his head fall back, dangling for a moment before falling to the shoulder he shares with Obi-Wan. He releases a long, satisfied sigh and without looking at him, Obi-Wan knows he’s still grinning.

“I’m good,” he says. “I’m good, Master. I feel so good.”

“That’s good,” Obi-Wan grunts, climbing up onto a boulder that is just a little too high and carrying most of Anakin with him as he goes.

“Are you good, Master?”

Something in Obi-Wan’s chest tightens. Perhaps exertion from the trek, adrenaline leaving him after the fight. He ignores it and keeps moving.

“I’m fine, Anakin and I’ll be better once we get back to the shuttle.”

“I can get us there faster—”

Obi-Wan grabs Anakin’s waist more firmly, keeping him from running off. “No, no, no, darling. That’s alright. We’ll get there soon enough.”

And they do. Another few minutes and a trooper takes hold of Anakin’s hands and lifts him into the shuttle. They let Obi-Wan climb up on his own. But that’s the furthest Obi-Wan allows Anakin from his side. Anakin too, sways into Obi-Wan’s arms and clings for dear life. They take up a position with Obi-Wan’s back against one wall of the shuttle so that he can devote all of his attention, his balance and hands and concern, to the boy in his arms.

Obi-Wan takes Anakin’s face in his hands, letting his fingers frame high cheek bones and dark blond curls. With his thumb, he makes a feeble attempt at brushing away the worst of the dirt and the grime from the battle. The job makes it easier to avoid the glassy look in Anakin’s eyes, the way his pupils are big and blown, shining with an excess of everything.

With a lurch, the shuttle takes off. The personnel transport swinging, belly-heavy into the sky with them inside it. Obi-Wan leans further back into the side of the ship to keep their balance and pulls Anakin along with him.

He’s fine. Anakin is fine. The proof of it lies just below his shaking fingertips. The proof has it’s arms wrapped around his waist, is blinking up at him with something unfathomable behind those big blue eyes, is pressing their foreheads together like he wants to breathe the same air as Obi-Wan.

Anakin pouts up at him, a mere two inches between their faces. “You still haven’t kissed me, Master.”

The plush lips can hardly hold onto the expression for long, breaking into the contagious smile that always splits his face in two when he gets like this. He tries though. Anakin tries to mean it, the thought catching and holding for far longer than it usually does.

The proposition shouldn’t be tempting. Anakin is half out of his mind, filthy beyond belief, letting Obi-Wan carry most of his weight. When Obi-Wan thinks back on the desire to kiss Anakin here and now, to give into his request, Obi-Wan will blame it on proximity. On the relief of having Anakin here at all, feeling fortunate beyond belief to hold lightning in his arms once more.

But Obi-Wan holds his ground. He hefts Anakin a little higher on his chest where his knees have started to give way. In return, Anakin tightens his hold around him, gripping tight, enveloping him in his arms.

Anakin buries his face in Obi-Wan’s neck like he’s trying to consume him. Seconds tick by and his fierce hold loosens, his body going heavy and slack as the energy leaves him.

Obi-Wan presses a kiss to Anakin’s hair. “Ask me later, Anakin.”

[lovemylegcasts]

Chad sat on the edge of the padded table in the orthopedic rehab room, his legs dangling over the side, bare feet shifting nervously just above the floor. The room had that clinical scent—plaster, antiseptic, and a hint of something chemical—and a wall shelf stocked with rolls of colorful fiberglass. His eyes landed on a bright pink roll. Really?

“This is your first cast,” said Jake, the physical therapist, as he rolled in a metal cart loaded with supplies. “Pink on the left, blue for the right next week. We’ll switch up colors with each change—makes the process a little less boring.”

Chad raised an eyebrow. “Pink?”

Jake gave a friendly shrug, grinning. “You'd be surprised how many people go for it. Plus, if you're going to be stuck in casts for a while, you might as well go bold.”

Chad snorted. “Right. Might as well commit.”

He wasn’t exactly thrilled to be here. After months of physical therapy for his chronically tight Achilles tendons, this—serial casting—was his last stop before surgery became the only option. It felt a little like surrender. But he also knew his walking was off, his gait stiff, and his ankles barely gave him the range he needed. The casts would force the tendons to lengthen slowly, week by week, stretching him out in stages.

Jake knelt in front of him and began slipping a soft cast sock over his left foot and up to just below the knee. “We’ll keep this first one gentle,” he said. “Not too aggressive with the stretch. Just enough to start teaching the tendon where we want it to go.”

Chad nodded, watching Jake’s hands as he worked—methodical, experienced, calm. The pressure of the sock and padding was oddly soothing, even if Chad couldn’t quite relax. There was something surreal about sitting in a chair while someone essentially encased part of your body in hard, unyielding plastic.

Jake wrapped layers of soft cotton around the foot and calf, pausing occasionally to check pressure points and ensure comfort. “Let me know if anything feels weird. You don’t want hot spots under the cast.”

“So far, so good,” Chad said.

“Alright. Time for the fun part.” Jake cracked open the pink fiberglass roll, dipped it in water, and began wrapping it over the padding. “This’ll feel warm—it’s the resin activating.”

Chad sat still as the cast material wrapped around his leg in smooth, careful spirals. The warmth faded as it dried, quickly turning stiff and supportive. Within minutes, his foot and ankle were locked in place at a slightly flexed angle, held in bright pink fiberglass that shined under the clinic lights. Only his toes were exposed—slightly curled and a little flushed from the position change.

Jake adjusted the cast slightly, pressing here and smoothing there. “There we go. Good position. How’s it feel?”

“Honestly? Weird. Like my foot doesn’t belong to me.”

“That’s totally normal. You’re going to feel a little off-balance walking in it. Your heel won’t fully touch the ground—it’s supposed to feel like it’s being pulled.”

Jake stood and offered Chad a hand to help him off the table. “Let’s get your cast shoe on and see how it feels standing.”

The orthopedic sandal was clunky and ugly, but it kept him from walking directly on the fiberglass. As soon as Chad stood, he felt the stretch—subtle but firm. His Achilles tendon was under constant tension now, and every step made it known.

“Whoa.” He took a cautious step. “Okay, yeah. That’s a pull.”

Jake nodded. “Exactly what we want. Just don’t push through pain. Gentle walking is good. Don’t overdo it.”

Chad hobbled a little, trying to get used to the new mechanics of walking with one leg locked in a downward stretch. It wasn’t painful, but it was very deliberate. Slow. Every movement had to be thought through.

Jake clapped his hands once and nodded approvingly. “Looking good so far. Let’s get you back up and do the other leg.”

Chad returned to the table and propped up his right foot. Jake unwrapped a roll of sky blue fiberglass.

“This leg’s not as bad, so the stretch won’t be quite as dramatic. But we still need to lock it in.”

“Both legs at once,” Chad muttered. “This is going to be fun.”

Jake chuckled. “At least you’ll match. Or… well, kind of.”

As he worked the second cast, Chad relaxed a little. The blue fiberglass molded around his right foot, firm but not harsh. In minutes, he had both legs encased—one pink, one blue—with just his bare toes peeking out the ends.

Chad looked down and laughed. “I look like a walking gender reveal party.”

Jake smirked. “Honestly, I’ve heard worse. One guy came in last year and picked neon green and orange. Said he wanted to look like a traffic cone.”

Chad wiggled his toes, feeling the slight resistance from the position. “So, I keep these on for how long?”

“Five days. Then you come back, we cut them off, check the stretch, and re-cast you at a slightly deeper angle. Most people need four to six casts to get a good result.”

Chad stood again, walking slowly around the room. The casts clunked gently with each step, and he felt like a robot—stiff, awkward, but strangely… grounded.

Jake handed him a pair of crutch tips in case he needed them. “You’ll probably adjust quick, but take them just in case. And if anything starts to hurt—really hurt—don’t wait. Call us.”

Chad gave a small nod. “Thanks, man.”

“No problem. And hey—next time, you can pick the colors again. We’ve got glitter silver, tie-dye, glow-in-the-dark…”

“Oh no,” Chad grinned. “You’re giving me too much power.”

Jake laughed. “Live it up, man. You’re gonna be stuck in these for a while—might as well make people stare becausethey’re awesome.”

As Chad shuffled toward the door, his colorful casts thumping with every step, he couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t love the restriction, but for the first time in months, he felt like he was moving forward—even if it was in bright pink and blue.

[ros3ybabe]

Day 12 - 90 Day Challenge 🎀

So, I'm going to be honest. Yesterday was a terribly rough day for me emotionally. I isolated myself in my room (my roommates had people over for a late Thanksgiving dinner), ordered way too much McDonald's (that I didn't even finish), and cried for a good 2 hours (me and my boyfriend were going through it). But, I figured it would still be a decent idea to post an update to my challenge and keep trying.

🏋‍♀️ Physical Health

walked to work, walked home from work

walked over 10,000+ steps total

🧠 Mental Health

nothing that I can remember

❤️ Emotional Health

cried, a lot, to release some pent up emotions

talked to my dad about how i was feeling (he always calls at the perfect time, he has a 6th sense for when I'm upset)

📚 Intellectual Health

again, nothing that I can remember. that just means I need to get on my grind later with that (6 page) assignment that's due today

🏘 Adulting

showered after work

worked a 6 hour shift

deposited money into my bank account

recieved and put away some new gym clothes I got in the mail (so happy, everything I bought was so cute and just extremely perfect <3 amazon gym clothes for the win)

🥰 Self Love/Care

did my morning skincare

didn't force myself to do homework knowing how emotional I was

planned my workouts for this week (I'm going to start running again, but slowly building my way up because I am a bit on the heavy side so I don't want to overdo it and risk injury. I also still love lifting weights, which I'm going to keep doing 3 days a week <3)

It's rough dealing with life with mental illness, but I just remind myself that bad days don't make this a bad life. It's all about perspective for me. The more I look on the bright side, the longer I can stay in the light <3

til next time lovelies 🩷

[queengiuliettafirstlady]

The warmth of kindness

The warmth of kindness

Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku

Pairing: Kennyo x Juliet

Part of : Ikemen Advent hosted by me and 

Prompt : December 23 - Wind-burnt 

Tag: Established relationship Fluff

Word Count : 685

Author’s Note: A kind gesture shows him once more the reason he had fell in love with her and continue to do so as they enjoy a lazy afternoon together. 🥰

You can find me on AO3 as QueenJuliet 😊

Thank you for everyone who will like, reblog, or comment please be gentle with me english is not my first language so please do not leave rude comments I apologise for eventual errors I hope you will like it 😊

The frizzy wind whistling since morning across the city seemed to have grown even fresher in the forest where a secluded temple stood, many disciples running out and about it minding nothing of the peculiar dress of their abbes, it’s teal gown billowing in the breeze along her emerald cape, whose velvet fabric created a game of light and darkness with the sunrays filtering through the foliage of the trees  reflecting on its surface.

Juliet adjusted her cape once more around her shoulder, fixing her brooch before lowering to the level of a boy who was scraping his cheek with his hand while he tried to put on his haori.

“What happened Lin ?”

“Nothing Juliet-sama.” Like a child caught red-handed he rushed over to hide his hand behind his back.

“Is this true ?”

“A bit.”

“This side of your cheek is a bit scraped Lin, why so ?”

A bashful smile curled the boy’s lips as he trailed his gaze on the floor before looking up at her.

“It hurt a little bit.”

“There is no need to play though you know … now do you feel like telling me what's wrong ?”

“This morning when I came here I felt a sting on my cheek.”

“Do you mind showing me ?” 

Not at all.

Lin promptly obeyed, pointing his index fingers to his cheek, noting her face growing closer to his from the corner of his brown eyes.

“I see … it's wind-burnt.”

“What ?”

“The wind was so harsh it scraped your skin, for it I have the perfect recipe, here I wrote it down for you. First you should put some  lime blossoms in hot water, once it boils you can shut it off and let it cool down after when its’ tepid you have to put it on your cheek. Of course you should ask someone to do it for you.”

“Thank you Juliet-sama. I will run home and ask my family to do it.” 

“Be careful and cover your face with a shawl next time you go out.” 

“I will do thank you.”

A soft sigh escaped Juliet’s lips as she huddled better into the warmth of her cape, leaning to the column of the temple looking at him running out of the gates, she was about to wander away when a voice pulled her out of her reveries, putting a smile on her face as she turned to look at him.

“I saw you talking with Lin. Is everything alright ?”

“Oh yes, it's only that his cheek got chopped by the wind and he asked me for a remedy.” 

“I didn’t know you had become an apothecary.”

“I had to if I wish to help you properly.” 

“You already do .. but regardless thank you.” 

Kennyo wrapped one arm around her hips to keep her close, smiling as Juliet leaned her face on his broad chest, entwined his rougher fingers with her softer ones and bringing them to his lips only to brush a gentle kiss on her knuckles, revelling in her bright smile.

“My only hope is that you don't overdo yourself.”

“Oh don’t worry I won’t.”

With a gentleness Juliet would have never expected from such an huge man Kennyo cupped her face with his big hand, peering into her chartreuse eyes before brushing his nose on hers. 

“I love you so Juliet.”

“I love you too Kennyo.”

With a light boop of his index finger on her nose he murmured a few inches from her lips, robbing a dreamy sigh from her.

“I think we should bring this since before we freeze in this cold don’t you agree ?”

“Absolutely.”

Not sparing any effort Kennyo swept Juliet in his arms like a princess, smiling at her giggles as they walked through the courtyard, minding nothing of the curious glances of the disciples, as they made thor way through the  forest, finally arriving  to their shared cottage ready to warm her up for good, taking delight in the way she curled in his hug after he took place on the sofa, holding her close as they looked at on another with fond smiles.

[tsuga-of-mars]

Tag 🧩 Game 🧩Tuesday !!

Guys I'm doing the tag game and its actually still Tuesday! Must be the luck of the Slurpee Day gods ( 7/11 in the US). Thanks for the tags @juliakayyy, @michellemisfit, and @energievie (this Tue and/or last couple Tues 😝). Thanks for continuing to engage with me even when I'm not the best at responding.

name:  Lily

age: Mid 30s

favorite color: pretty much anything green family

beverage of choice: London Fog Tea

do you have push notifications turned on for tumblr? Yes, for Gallacrafts as I love to see and share our art together. For Galladrabbles, even if I get a little too distracted at work. And for a few of my lovely mutuals💓💓

opinion on fireworks? I used to me so amazed by them as a kid and loved summer firework shows. But now everyone is always overdoing it, scaring dogs and risking starting wildfires.

favorite childhood toy? I had ( maybe its still in a box somewhere) this pink and yellow toucan whistle, with a trombone type slider on it to change the pitch. I'm sure it was super fun for my mom...

the store you shop at the most: Aldi , great prices, I can get all my grocery shopping done in under in hr, and the lack of so many options really is nice for helping with decision fatigue

do you swear a lot? No really, I'm that person that if I do drop a swear word, people who know me are like dang, she is upset for sure

favorite trope: Soulmate with matching marks is def in my top faves

an album with no skips: Honestly I don't really have one of these, I've never really bee an album type of person even in the CD heyday. I did used to keep a Shania Twain Up! two sided (country / pop version) in my car in the mid 2000s that I would listen to the whole thing on road trips.

if you could play any instrument, what would you choose? Bells, but like eastern influence meditation type, not jingle bells.

your biggest pet peeve: One that happened this evening, when people don't pick up after their dogs in public. Lots of us work really hard to be good pet owners and this just makes me so irked. This is one big reason why dogs are not welcome in more public spaces.

favorite time of day: early winter mornings, when things are quite and blanketed in snow, before the world wakes and gets busy

and finally, did you drink water today? I did, yes. I keep a bright colored bottle at my desk to keep me from forgetting it.

If you haven't played yet, or if you have . I'm thinking about you, so even if its not Tue anymore feel free to play if you want.

@sleepyfacetoughguy@arrowflier @the-rat-wins @suzy-queued @sweetbee78

[thesconesyard]

Alright love, @hummingbird-of-light, I finished it. Sorry it took nearly a week past your birthday, but here’s the rest finally 😁

Stuck Here With You

Working together Jim and Scotty got the engineer from his chair and on the floor behind the seats. Scotty was breathing heavily and sweat had broken out across his forehead. His arm had tucked across his chest, holding his side. The restraints had dug into him as well.

Jim tried to keep his face neutral as he took in the bruised body of his friend. He didn’t want to worry Scotty. He turned to get the medkit.

“It’s not good, is it Jim?” Scotty asked.

“What?” Jim asked, trying to play dumb.

“Me,” Scotty said. “How bad is it?”

Jim gave a quick glance over his shoulder then went back to digging through the medkit.

“Jim.”

He heard the sound of Scotty struggling to sit up, and whipped back around.

“Hey! Lie down! Don’t overdo it,” he warned. He reached for his command shirt that had slipped away from Scotty’s shoulders. He folded it quickly and slid it behind where Scotty’s head would lay.

“Come on,” he encouraged. “Back down.”

“Tell me then lad,” Scotty said as he let Jim guide him back down onto his back.

“Yes. It doesn’t look great,” Jim admitted. “That cut is more like a gash on your face, and it’s already starting to bruise.”

Jim had given Scotty another dose of pain meds when he had finished doing what he could for the engineer’s leg. He had stopped the bleeding at least. The medkit only included basic equipment and Jim thanked his lucky stars that Bones had insisted on drilling him about first aid so many times.

As Jim sat back his head began to pound. He looked longingly at the hypo with the pain meds. He wouldn’t take it himself though. Who knew how long they would be stuck and Scotty needed it more than him. Jim could deal with a headache.

Scotty was dozing. He was still stretched out on the floor, Jim’s shirt for a pillow. Jim had found an emergency blanket and draped it over the engineer. Scotty had begun shivering again as Jim worked on his leg.

Five more minutes passed before Jim pushed himself to his feet. His head hurt and his side ached, but they had to get out of here. He had to see what they were dealing with. Whatever had hit their shuttle had knocked out comms and their beacon. The engines seemed alright, but the connection between them and the main console had been damaged.

Jim thought of the Enterprise and the crew waiting for them. Would they know something had happened? Would they know where to begin looking if they did start a search? Uhura would be hailing them only to receive no answer. Bones would be wearing a path back and forth behind the chair and Spock would be calling for wider and wider scans.

Spock.

If anyone could find them it would be the Vulcan first officer and the best bridge crew in the fleet. A quick smile crossed Jim’s face and he began to unscrew covering panels from the main console.

Scotty mumbled something in his sleep and Jim glanced over. Scotty’s fingers tightened in a fold of the blanket. He could almost swear the engineer had mumbled the doctor’s name, but it had been followed by what sounded like Scottish to Jim’s ears, so he wasn’t certain.

As he lifted the panel he had unscrewed away, Jim let out a sigh. He knew his way around the inner workings of a console, but the crushed confusion before him was too much. He set the panel cover aside and crawled back over by Scotty. When the engineer woke up, maybe he would have a better idea of what to do.

Scotty looked more himself when he woke. His face was darkening with bruises around the cut and bandage, but his eyes were bright and eager to work. Jim helped him sit up and maneuver towards the panel he had opened. He didn’t want Scotty putting pressure on his hurt leg.

“Find me some tools lad?” he asked and Jim hurried to the back of the shuttle for the rest of the toolbox.

When he returned Scotty was pushing wires aside and peering through the mess.

“This doesn’t look good Jim,” he said with a frown.

“If anyone can fix it, it’s you,” Jim said confidently.

Scotty gave him a tight smile, then turned back to the console.

It was silent as Scotty worked, except when he asked Jim for different tools. The more he dug deeper into the panel, the lower his hopes dropped. Too many shorts and burnt out wires. He couldn’t make a strong enough signal with anything left still functioning and that was even if he strung them all together.

He could open other panels, in other places on the shuttle. He could take what he needed from those places. But trying to remember what would fit from where would take time, and Scotty’s body was tiring from his injuries.

“I had one idea Jim,” he said softly.

“Hmm?” Jim asked.

Scotty looked over his shoulder and saw the heavy lids on his friend’s eyes.

“Do- do ye and Spock have a bond?” Scotty asked bluntly.

Jim’s face began to color, and he eyed Scotty nervously.

“I- I don’t know what you mean.”

Scotty sighed and set down the tools he was holding. Sliding himself back, he sat up next to the console.

“Jim. He’s Vulcan. They form bonds between partners. Ye’re partners. So. Do ye have a bond?”

“We- we aren’t - we aren’t —” Jim was shaking his head, but Scotty saw the guilty look in his eyes.

“I’m not judging. I’m happy if yer happy. Ye want it to be a secret, great. I’ll keep it secret. But if ye’ve got a bond and can call to him through it…” Scotty looked at him expectantly. “If I could call to Len like that, I would have done it when ye woke me. But we can’t. Too human.”

Jim’s mouth was working around but no words were forming.

“It’d save us a great amount of time if ye can,” Scotty continued.

“You and Bones?” Jim finally got out.

“Aye lad. We like our privacy too.”

Jim looked at Scotty in surprise. His thoughts raced and things he had barely noticed the last few months suddenly made sense. Bones had been cheerier, nicer to Jim when he ended up in medbay. He had also begged off from meeting for a drink more often, claiming he had work or was tired. Of course if he was spending his time with Scotty that all made sense.

He dropped his head to his chest as Scotty continued to look at him expectantly.

“Yes,” he admitted quietly. “We’re together. We want to keep it quiet. I’ve never reached out to him like this though. I’m not sure…”

“I’m sure ye can,” Scotty said encouragingly.

“Ok.”

Jim took a few deep breaths and closed his eyes. He pictured Spock in his mind. The Vulcan’s image sprang up right away.

Jim?

Spock!?

For a moment Jim saw Spock sitting in the command chair on the bridge.

Jim, what—

The shuttle was hit. We’ve got no comm or beacon. Engines are out, and it’ll take time but they can be fixed.

Where are you?

“Scotty, do we have our coordinates?” Jim opened his eyes.

“Give me a minute.” Scotty pulled himself up into one of the chairs, careful to not put pressure on his hurt leg.

Jim closed his eyes and breathed deep again.

Jim?

Scotty’s hurt and will need Bones.

The coordinates?

Jim repeated them silently in his mind as Scotty read them off to him.

Sulu estimates we will reach you in ninety minutes. Are you injured?

Jim hesitated.

Yes, but not like Scotty is.

The minutes dragged as they waited.

Jim had made Scotty lie down again to rest and prevent any further harm to his leg. In turn, Scotty had forced Jim to go find another emergency blanket for himself, since Jim’s shirt was still Scotty’s pillow.

“It will nae hurt ye to stay warm,” he had told Jim.

From time to time Jim closed his eyes and thought of Spock. Almost immediately the Vulcan would respond with how much longer it would take for the Enterprise to reach them. Jim would relay the information to Scotty, who would nod and remind him to relax.

Finally Jim’s curiosity grew too strong.

“How long Scotty?”

“Hmm? Ye just told me twenty minutes.” Scotty glanced over with a confused look.

“No,” Jim shook his head. “You and Bones.”

“Oh,” Scotty said. He closed his eyes for a moment. “A few months,” he said, eyes opening again. “But please Jim, don’t say anything about it. We’ve liked keeping it quiet.”

“Sure. You’ll keep me and Spock quiet. It’s repaying the favor.”

“Will ye and Spock stay quiet? How are ye going to explain how he knew where we were?”

Jim’s face dropped. “Well, I won’t say anything about you two at least.”

“Thanks lad,” Scotty said sympathetically.

“It’s good?” Jim asked. “Bones seems happier.”

Scotty smiled fondly. “Aye. Quite good.”

“Lot easier to be secret when your quarters share a bathroom.”

“Ye would know lad,” Scotty laughed. Jim’s face colored lightly. “But yes. I may have rewired a few things between our rooms. The door and comms for one.”

“What? Really?”

“We spend most of our time on my side. Late night calls from sickbay can’t go unanswered.”

Jim looked at Scotty in wonder before he gave a laugh.

“I don’t suppose—”

“No problem. Tell me when,” Scotty grinned.

When the shuttle gave a shudder, Jim closed his eyes and Scotty looked out the window at the front of the shuttle.

“She’s here,” Scotty said. He pushed himself to sit up. The Enterprise was closing in on them.

“They’ve got us in the tractor beam,” Jim said, opening his eyes again. “Bones and a team are standing by in the shuttle bay.”

“He’s not going to be happy seeing us like this,” Scotty said looking at the cut on Jim’s face and the bruising beginning to surround it.

“No,” Jim corrected. “He’s going to blame me.”

“Nae Jim, he just gets worried. So worried and it comes out like anger. If he didn’t yell at us some, that’s when I’d be concerned.”

Jim managed a weak smile. “Ok,” he agreed with a nod.

The door opened nearly as the shuttle settled on the hangar floor. The doctor was in the shuttle quickly with Spock hot on his heels. McCoy’s face went a few shades paler as he took in Scotty half laying, half sitting on the shuttle floor. His cheek twitched and he seemed to stop himself before he said something.

“What happened?” he finally managed, crouching close to Scotty and beginning to turn the engineer’s head to look at the gash.

“I dinnae ken,” Scotty said, before murmuring something else to McCoy.

Spock looked over with a questioning look, before turning back to Jim.

“Captain, are you injured?”

Jim shook his head. “Just this.” He pointed to his face. “Oh, and my ribs might be bruised. Scotty got pierced and pinned by the shuttle.” Jim pointed at the crushed console where Scotty had been sitting.

“I did what I could, Bones,” Jim continued as McCoy pushed away the blanket to see Scotty’s leg.

“At least something I said to you stuck,” McCoy grumbled. Jim saw Scotty reach for the doctor’s hand. A moment later McCoy added, “you did a good job kid.”

Jim began to get up.

“Sit back down!” McCoy commanded. “I haven’t checked you over yet. Spock, get Chapel and the stretcher in here for Mon— for Scotty.”

Jim felt his mouth twitch into a grin.

“So relieved to see your lover in one piece you almost forgot yourself, huh, Bones?”

Jim moved back a tiny bit as McCoy whipped around and glared at him.

“Aye, love, he knows,” Scotty said, touching McCoy’s shoulder. “And he’ll keep his mouth shut.” Scotty looked at Jim warningly.

“He better,” McCoy growled.

He reached for Jim’s chin and turned his face to see the cut. “Any pain? Light sensitivity? Dizziness?”

Jim pulled his chin away and shook his head. “No, but you’re still going to force me to medbay aren’t you?”

“You know it,” McCoy said, a faint smile appearing slowly. “Thanks for taking care of him,” he said softly.

“You’d have done the same for me and- and Spock,” Jim admitted.

McCoy raised an eyebrow. “Dammit, now I owe you twenty credits don’t I?” he said looking over his shoulder at Scotty.

Scotty grinned. “Aye, ye do.”

“What?” Jim asked in disbelief. “You bet on us?”

“Of course,” Scotty said. “Ye made it obvious.”

“No!— We— No—” Jim shook his head, but the color continued to rise on his face.

“Oh Mr. Scott! You poor thing!” came the voice of Nurse Chapel.

“It’s nae so bad Nurse, the captain did a fine job patching me.”

“Well Dr. McCoy will get you fixed and back to engineering before you know it,” she smiled.

“Yeah he will,” Jim muttered under his breath as the doctor and nurse helped Scotty onto the stretcher.

“Lt. Keenser is already on his way up with a team to begin repairs,” Spock said.

“Good,” Scotty said. “I think I could do with a day off.” He winked at McCoy, who began to blush and Jim laughed.

“Make it two days Scotty. I want you back in top form.”

“Aye aye sir,” Scotty grinned.

[hannahsmusings]

Jackson

*Jackson chuckles softly, shaking his head as he glances over at you, his eyes alight with amusement, clearly entertained by your creativity, thinking back to all the signs you’ve made in the past* You’re something else, you know that? ‘Ford, You Can Ride My Broom Anytime’… really? *he lets out a playful sigh followed by a chuckle, trying to look exasperated but clearly enjoying himself* That’s a bit much, love, even for you, but… it’s also kind of perfect. I can’t wait to see the look on everyone’s face when you hold that up. Hopefully a Gryffindor sees it and loses their balance… would do us some good. *Jackson smirks, knowing you didn’t like when he talked about people falling off their brooms but Jackson was cutthroat when it came to quidditch, it was his passion, plus there was no broken bone, sprain, fracture or wound that Madam Pomfrey couldn’t fix anyways* *he feels his magic tugging at him, it radiating through his veins, starting from where his fingers were touching yours, making him feel warm and floaty, it always being this way when you were near, especially when you two were physically touching, his magic reacting to yours, but he never gave it much of a thought since it had been this way from the very beginning, and he loved the feeling, it bringing him such calm* *he squeezes your hand just a little, a genuine smile on his face, speaking softly* Honestly, those signs… they’re my little good luck charms before every game. I don’t know what I’d do without you cheering me on like that. *his father never came to a single game, never once came to see him play or acknowledge how amazing Jackson was on a broom, so having you there was of utmost importance to him every time* The next stage of trials are in October, but I am going to go out every morning before breakfast and get a few laps in… don’t worry, I will still keep up with my coursework. *he already knew you’d be on his case, like always, about his courseload and his quidditch schedule, especially if he ever started falling behind, but that was one thing he adored about you, you never let him fall behind, you were always there to help him, even if it meant the two of you staying up all night so he could finish an essay that was due the next morning*

_____________________________________________________

*I grin, trying and totally failing to hold back my laughter at your response to my sign, always wanting to make you smile and laugh as I loved that you reserved that side of yourself to me* *my eyes sparkle with mischief as I nudge your shoulder lightly, my fingers still laced with yours as our magic slows and and brushes up against each other at our points of contact* Entertaining the masses and people falling off their brooms? That’s the kind of impact I strive for. *grins, raising my chin in mock pride, but beneath the teasing, there’s something warmer, something real. I know what it means to you, to have someone in the stands showing up for you, wanting to support you and be your little good luck charm whenever I could* *the teasing slips away a little, replaced by something softer as my magic shudders beneath my skin, warming my body as I squeeze your hand a little, my thumb brushing gently across your knuckles* Well, lucky for you, I’m not going anywhere. I’m thinking glitter this time. Maybe even one of those little charmed banners that waves by itself. Go big or go home, right? *smiles, eyes bright with fondness, having missed you so much I was so glad we were right back to normal* *listens as you mention the trials in October, I feel that familiar tug of concern, mixed with pride, you always being so hardworking and determined but hoping you didn’t overdo it, you being your own harshest critic* *my brow furrows slightly, but there’s only affection in it* Just don’t push yourself too hard, Jax. You always say you’ve got it handled, and then suddenly it’s two in the morning and we’re writing your Potions essay with ink smudged all over our faces. *I smirk, looking at you with that stubborn mix of worry and belief that only someone who truly cared could wear* I believe in you, always. But I also believe in sleep and passing your classes. So we’re finding balance this time, yeah? *grins, leaning in just a little and tilting my head back sligtly to look at you properly, my chin brushing your shoulder as my voice drops to a whisper, meant only for you* I’m proud of you. And I’ll be right there - sign, glitter, and all, when you fly. Every single time.

[deniable-masterpiece]

right like why cant we just get SOME of the same sexualisation the girls get, like i dont play that marvel rivals game but they literally removed the bulge from the men which was the only inherently sexual thing about them while the girls are like nearly naked. and youre right, like fine its texas and boiling but not every girl would feel comfortable showing so much skin, like deborah kim from friday the 13th wheres a leotard (fuck i forgot the actual name, swimsuit?) instead of a two set bikini. and stop putting leland in jackets. RIGHT i literally dress like im from the 70's (not even on purpose) and when i realised and looked into it, i realised there was so much more i could do with my stylings so i did like why are they so afraid of some accessories? you should play tcm because its fun as fuck, wish i had the mods you said, id probably get some of my old favourites from friday the 13th as a character model to replace some of them because ngl i find most of the characters so boring (as ive already said), like people only find julie cool because shes attractive - not because shes interesting. and yeah like why cant they add in more in-world references to their lore that we have to figure out in our spare time (like obviously we are playing a normal match but theres something deeper in the area that tells us a story of like maybe a past victim or character? i dont know but just some substance) the princess was ariel, when i realised that instead of being a small twink that she would be a tall big buff man like her dad, i thought it was so sexy. not to mention, im pretty sure that the little mermaids original fairy tale was gay so im just reclaiming whats ours...still deciding what disney prince i should pair them with though. writing one that im keeping secret but if you have any idea of another one i can use (the man im making them sleep with aint a prince dont worry you wont have a wrong answer) then id be so down. and yeah, i hate that like when a character who is genderswapped loses their proportions just because they're a diff sex? like theyre a big strong man...GIMME A BIG STRONG WOMAN WHO WILL PEG MY ASS. NOW. oop- - bow (wait its not sending let me send it fucking separately wtf???

I KNOWWWW I hate it sm because the men are soooo non-sexualized it's not even funny. like there's such a lack to make the men anything more than muscly or beefy AND THEN cover them up from head to toe. at least with COD it makes sense and they (usually) aren't sexualized on either the men or women side of things. love that COD did kinda lean into it tho and they were guilty of the same thing where I swear they removed Konigs fat monster bulge and never put it back. but again, at least in that game everyone is covered up and not really sexualized. but in MARVEL RIVALS??? every women has fat tits and skimpy clothing and the guys are left with nothing except a boxy physique. and yeah like with the whole 70s thing I get not wanting to be flashy and overdo it like the stereotypical 80s thing people with neon and bright colors, because they could fall into the same trap and make them unrealistic. buttttt we have the canon appearances in the game and they should just go crazy at this point like omfg. just have fun at this point and stop worrying about being so strict to the early 70s and give us something like "a night out" and it's them dressed up and maybe ready to disco omfg

it issss and I have, I want to get back into it so bad and I rebought ps plus and played one match and remembered why I hate it. it's hard!! (I say this as someone who plays silent hill 2 and can't shoot the guy for shit). and yeah I wish the areas had more depth and interesting stuff because seeing random dead bodies is cool and all and yeah I wish we could get more information on the victims. like how we got Nancy and Johnny's lore when we got the addition of her house and his shack into the game. I kinda don't know why they didn't add the tents in the family house map or something because that could give us something. maybe anything about the characters we play as or maybe more dialogue cause omfgggg

and slayyyy. love mermen and I eat it uppppp when it's a land animal paired with a merman, the perfect model of "nature and basically everything else doesnt want us to be together but I love you and won't ever stop loving you" because its sooooo good. and the water sex and trying to make it work is just too good.

[bibookmerm]

content notes: long post, personal life, strained family relationships, bad choices?? (neglecting self care, seeing people that are bad for me), thanksgiving, but positive stuff at the end.

Life update!

I've been ill all month, still not recovered because I am working despite my illness. (first of the "bad choices"). So, that's fun. I tried to chill and drink tea today. I've had a week off because my workplaces are closed on thanksgiving day, I get 1 designated weekend off which was last weekend, second job slashed hours, and it just lined up that way. At least for this little break, I've done pretty good with the house cleaning goals I set, but not overdoing it. That's something!

THE HEAVY STUFF:

I am trying to emotionally prepare myself for thanksgiving day. Going to visit the extended family. Every time I see my family, I feel stressed, sad, and hurt. I'm really on edge the whole time, then I come home exhausted and I fall apart. Or go numb. So seeing them is the second of the "bad choices." But this year, my wife and I are driving ourselves, so we can leave when we want to. Yay agency!

I'd really like to find a way forward navigating family pressures and obligations and all of my feelings on it with a professional. I liked my past therapist a lot, but I thought her advice about family was...incomplete, and didn't quite fit my situation. I'm hoping to feel comfortable plainly saying when I'd like to look at other options or from a new angle, with my next therapist. But for now, I am going to "celebrate" the holiday I loathe with the people who do not understand me, again. I'm going to try to be kind to myself throughout the day and afterward, even though going at all is not very kind to myself. My friend said his house is open for people to hang out on thursday, so I think going there instead of straight home will cheer me up.

Idk, I posted about my cousin's wedding back in July, and being the only queer there without my wife and no one to even acknowledge how hard it was on me, how disconnected I felt, was part of what made it suck so bad. I am going to reach out to folks this time instead of keeping it in.

So yeah, this time of year is rough. I generally feel I have to trudge through a bunch of stuff I hate when all I want to do is curl up and hibernate until February. I am at least Making Good Choices in small ways. Hydrating, eating, folding the laundry, going for walks, reaching out to friends. Listening to sad music but not ONLY listening to sad music and shutting the world out. It's a process! I think I am staying more, um, recovery minded than backsliding? Overall. Mental health wise. I'm really trying!

Also, this is very obvious but when transphobia gets you down, listening to music by trans artists helps 1000%. It's so healing. I'm gonna have my playlist at the ready.

THE BRIGHT SIDE:

I have some creative project ideas cooking. Still working on that one story I mentioned a while back! The multiverse one. I'm learning more about the inciting incident in the story and I like how it's developing.

I also made some preliminary sketches tonight for a zine I want to make. Just a cute little fan zine. I have a lot of zine making pals but this will be my first one!

Also! Today I just heard back about the date for session 0 for a TTRPG with cool new friends. I can't wait to try roleplaying again. I'm gonna look into the mechanics of the system before then so I don't feel lost and I can focus on having fun.

Also, after all the thanksgiving day nonsense...on Saturday, I get to see my amazing friend who is visiting from the other side of the country. They're having a party which I'm sure will be amazing. And next tuesday my friends and I are going to the movies. So. thursday is one crummy day, I will survive it, and there is the warmth of friendship on the other side. I got this. Have a great evening, y'all.

[castrovulcant]

re: random-ass questions, what kinds of sims houses do you like to create? like are there any kind of features/rooms you love to include or do you like to go nuts with the landscaping or the shape of the building or the decorating?

Ohmygod if I could boot up my PC and show you I totally would (I haven't turned it on since last year).

I am absolutely terrible at house design, I can't place the windows correctly, I can't quite figure out room sizes and such, I overdo the lights. I essentially make one giant square/rectangle and then try to separate the rooms, but it always goes badly.

(this is all Sims 3+expansion packs, I didn't really do anything with the houses in Sims 2. I think I was 18 when I stopped playing 2 and stuck exclusively to 3)

So I always take a pre built house, I love making a basement in them as like a hidey hole for one specific sim, there's always a hobby room because I always have a sim be talented in one hobby and just dedicate the room to it. It also depends on what type of town I'm playing in, like Moonlight Falls always has an olde aesthetic, and gothic vibe, so although those houses will have technology, I redecorate the insides to have old looking furniture and decorations. Especially if I'm doing a vampire play through, I once went full in with a Vampire household with candles, chandeliers, stone walls, hidden door via bookcase. There's always a balcony too with a telescope, any chance to get them abducted by aliens.

Ooh, and because each sim has their own traits, each thing they paint looks different based upon that. I usually keep at least one painting of each size and keep it from each sim.

Aside from those few tidbits, I'm pretty generic when it comes to buildings, I give them a personality around the vibe of the Sims I've made (green thumbs have loads of flowers but I gave up with that one super quick because I couldn't stop the zombies.) but that's the extent of it. I love making things such bright colours, if there's a chance to use the colour wheel to change the colour of things I so do it, example being people and their clothes.

This must've been from around 2014, I made one family of different colours to see what colours the kids would be, then I altered an already existing family just to see how long it would take for the whole town to go from base game colours to different. (I found that on my Facebook profile whoops.)

(Side note, this ask made me boot it up on the Steam Deck and I forgot how small the flats are in Bridgeport, I'm dying this is so funny)

How about you, anon? Do you play the game and go nuts with landscaping or decorating?

[djarin]

elio’s colouring tutorial! <3

i've been getting a lot of asks about my colouring process and requests for colouring tutorials, so i finally decided to make one! using a few gifs as examples, i'll show you how i turn backgrounds into a vibrant colour. this tutorial assumes that you already know how to gif; we're jumping right into the colouring!

(disclaimer: just keep in mind that this is what works for me, experimenting is the best way to learn what works for you ahshdgjg anyways, here we go, under the cut!)

four things i keep in mind when i want to make a colourful gif:

scenes should have backgrounds that aren't complicated or full of other objects (especially if they're dark)

scenes should have backgrounds with colours that are easy to manipulate. i.e. a simple blue background will be much easier to change than a background that has a mixture of green, red, and brown.

scenes shouldn't have a lot of movement. scenes with limited movement will save you from a migraine.

avoid dark scenes!!! it's really hard to colour a dark scene, and most of the time, it doesn't turn out looking as vibrant as other scenes.

this alina scene from shadow and bone isn't the best because the lighting is on the darker side, but the relatively solid blue/green background made it doable. that being said, it would have been much less time-consuming if it was brighter.

step one: brightness.

the first thing i always do is click on "brightness/contrast." leave the toggles at 0, but change the blending mode to screen. this generally gives you a decent brightness without overdoing it.

now, if this was a regular gifset, i would move on to "curves." for a vibrant colouring set, i leave that for last. the results turn out much better if your curves layers are on top of your colouring layers; order layer matters!

step 2: hue/saturation.

generally, you won't want to touch this too much because it changes the overall appearance of your gif and can affect things like skin tone. however, you do want to move it subtly either to the left or right depending on what colour you want your final gif to be! think of it this way: the point of hue/saturation is to get your gif (especially your background) to a colour that's easy to manipulate so that your "selective colour" layers work better!

this alina starkov scene has a relatively blue background with mild splotches of green. the blue is easier to manipulate than green since there's more of it, so i'll move the hue/saturation to the right (+8) to make the gif a little bluer.

step 3: colour balance.

colour balance works the same way — use it to change the colour of your gif so that your selective colour layers are stronger.

play around with midtones, shadows, and highlights. don't overuse these, or it'll be a pain to fix other parts of your gif later (i.e. a person's face). again, i made the gif look more blue and less green with this colour balance layer. this is how my gif looks now, with a before and after included so you see what i meant about going from green -> blue:

*i also added two subtle selective colour layers (set on "relative") after the colour balance to make alina's face less grey.

step 4: selective colour

alright, this is where the real colouring comes in!!! selective colour layers are your best friend when you want vibrant colours in your gif. now that we've made the scene take on a bluer tone than green, click on "selective colour." you’ll see two options when you click on it: absolute and relative.

i recommend beginning with absolute, not relative. absolute is stronger than relative, and will therefore give you more vibrant results. you can use relative to "touch up" later.

the key to selective colour layers is to alternate between absolute and relative. think of the absolute layers as a way to set the foundation for a new colour, and the relative layers as a way to subtly fix little things afterwards. the number of selective colour layers will differ per scene and gif. sometimes, i'll have 5 absolute + 10 relative, and other times i'll have 10 absolute + 2 relative.

there's no right answer for how you play around with the toggles in selective colouring, because again, it will differ per scene.

for this gif, the first thing i did was go to the cyans (absolute) and dragged the toggle for "cyan" all the way to the left (-100), magenta (+8), and yellow (+38). this got rid of the cyan tones, but that's alright, because the point of establishing this blue tone is so that the colour of the entire gif is easier to manipulate.

for blues (absolute), i did the following: cyan (-48), magenta (-27), yellow (+100). this gets rid of the blues almost entirely, leaving us with a light grey and neutral tone.

since we now have this neutral tone, i went to neutrals (absolute), and moved the toggles: cyan (-25), magenta (+10), yellow (+100). i also did black (-5) to make the scene a little brighter. now, after all of this, our background is orangey-yellow. the only problem is that it's also affected alina's face, so our gif looks like this:

definitely not the look we want the final gif to have. but this is alright! don't be afraid to make your scene look intense, because your layer mask will help you!

click on your layer mask — the white box next to the selective colour layer. make sure you click on the layer mask of the selective colour layer that's affected the person's face. so, mine would be the "neutrals" selective colour layer. then, grab the brush tool, set the colour to black, and colour over the face/other necessary areas. anywhere you paint black on your gif, the selective colour layer's effect will be erased. if you make a mistake, change your brush tool colour to white and paint the layer back.

my gif looks much better now, and alina's face is no longer orange. but i want the background to look yellow — this is orange. now that we've established a vibrant colour background, it'll be much easier to work with — getting here was the hardest part!

i made another selective colour (absolute) layer. i usually like to have at least two absolute layers before moving on to relative layers.

now that our background is orangey-yellow, we can dive right into the yellows of our selective colour layer. i moved the toggles like so: cyan (-100), magenta (-9), and yellow (+100). this gives me a light yellow colour, but there are still darker splotches in my gifs. this isn't an issue; i just moved black to -40 and fixed most of it.

now that we have a vibrant colour that's similar to the shade we want, it's time for our relative selective colour layers. my gif looks good, but i want it to take on an even more vibrant shade.

make a new selective colour layer and click relative. the changes you make with relative will be subtler than absolute, but because we've established such a vibrant colour already, relative will be perfect! i moved the toggles like so: cyan (-100), magenta (-33), yellow (+16), black (-6). now my gif looks like this:

this gif turned out pretty good without a lot of trouble, but sometimes, i'll have to go ahead and add another absolute layer, then another relative layer, etc. again, like i said earlier: alternate between absolute and relative selective colour layers!!!!

step 5: new layer + brush tool

i could leave this gif as is, but i still think that the darker splotches ruin the overall look. to fix this issue, i made a new layer, used the eydropper tool to find the right colour, and used the brush tool to colour over these areas. again, i usually have multiple layers where i manually colour over certain areas. for this gif, i have 5 layers.

i tend to set the blending mode to soft light because it gives the best results. colour works too, but i find that it tends to make the colours look a bit flatter.

near the top of alina's head are whiter splotches. those bothered me as well, so again, i made a new layer and used the brush tool to cover them. i didn't change the blending mode though. i kept it on normal but lowered the opacity (for this gif, to 63%). this works because there isn't a lot of movement in the gif, so it doesn't look messy. darken will colour in your white spots too, but that doesn't work too well sometimes — in my opinion, keeping it on normal and messing around with the opacity looks most natural.

this is how my gif looks now:

step 6: curves

now that our colouring is done, it's time for curves!

if you click on the curves layer, you'll see that there are three little droppers on the left. i use the first and the third.

click on the first dropper, then click on the darkest point of your gif. then use the third dropper to click on the whitest part of your gif. this will help balance out the brightness and contrast. if your curves are too extreme, lower the opacity.

if your gif doesn't look good with the curves layers, just scrap them. you can fix most of the brightness with a new selective colour layer. for this gif, i used curves and a new selective colour layer to make alina's hair look darker and less blue. this also helped balance out the overall brightness of the gif, as well as her skin tone.

step 7: vibrance

slap on a vibrance layer, but leave the saturation alone. for this gif, i did vibrance +37.

andddd that's it!

this is what my final gif looks like:

*the area around her neck is a bit too pixelated, but it was fine because this gif was originally used in a 268 px gifset, so it wasn't noticeable.

but this is an issue that can happen with vibrant colouring! so, what if the gif turns out too pixelated after a lot of colour manipulation?

this is an easy fix if your gifset doesn't have a lot of movement (and in some cases, even works with some movement!) here's an example.

this gif was given a vibrant purple colour by doing the steps listed above. i've included a before and after so you can see the colouring.

but if you look near the top, it's very pixelated and messy because of how much brightness/colour manipulation has happened. we can fix this by making a new layer, using the eyedropper tool to find a similar shade of purple to the background, then colouring over those pixelated spots.

keep the blending mode on normal but lower the opacity so that it blends seamlessly. for this gif, 48% opacity worked.

my gif now looks like this:

it's not perfect. if you look closely, you can see that some of the purple is painted over spider-man's head at one point since there's a lot of movement happening here. you can sometimes fix this by using the eraser tool with a significantly lowered opacity (i.e. 15-30%). but the main point is, the pixelated areas look much better and less messy, and overall, the gif has a more cohesive look.

AGAIN, the key idea of vibrant colouring:

the key idea of vibrant colouring is, in my opinion, this: manipulate the overall colour of the gif with other layers so you can use selective colour to achieve your vibrant colours.

one method that i sometimes use (but didn't for the previous examples) is to take your gif, do all of the steps, but focus especially on new layers + brush tool to help you colour your gif. here's what i mean.

this admittedly awkwardly coloured gif of MJ was originally blue. this vibrant blue was achieved by making a new layer and manually colouring in the background after doing all the other steps. it was blue before, but it certainly wasn't this vibrant without the multiple manually-coloured layers. you can see what i mean in the before and after:

since we have this vibrant blue colouring, adding a selective layer on top of this will give us fantastic results. since your gif is blue, go to cyans and blues on a selective colour layer.

with the help of three selective colour layers that alternate between absolute and relative, my final gif looks like this:

if i hadn't used new layer + brush tool to manually colour this gif's background, it wouldn't have ended up so vibrant — or if it had, it would've taken me much longer.

so, again: focus on manipulating the entire background so you can take full advantage of selective colour layers!!! with practice, it gets easier.

that's it from me! i hope this overly long tutorial was helpful! give it a like or reblog if you found it helpful, and feel free to reach out to me if something's unclear!!! happy giffing <3