#personally i like facial hair i think it's fun to touch. more importantly i want my partner to be comfy. if they prefer being cleanshaven

[snowshinobi]

enough of the goatee hatred and memeing on folks with patchy beards and calling ppl "scruffy" like who the fuck asked you?? dude's just existing. maybe they're making an active choice w their facial hair maybe they're just vibing. if you hate it so much then hate it quietly. but tell ppl when you do like their facial hair. be specific: you look sharp/mysterious/cuddly/etc. and for the love of god ask whiskered partners if you can pet their whiskers. spiky texture good.

[crescentsteel]

Keeping a Secret - Part 1

pairing: Tsukishima x f!manager of Sendai Frogs genre: sexual tension/crack warnings: lots of swear words  wc: 4.8k 

a/n: 

Thank you @tokyosdawn​ and @oii-sugasan​ for the betaread!

As always, let me know if you want to be part of the taglist. 

Prologue || masterlist

You notice an unfamiliar presence by the entrance. You stare at them for some time from your seat to see if they’ll leave, but after a few minutes of them standing idly there, you decide to deal with them.

“How may I help you?”

You cross your arms as soon as you reach the entrance. It’s a green-haired guy with freckles wearing casual clothes. You’re pretty sure you’ve seen him somewhere. You study him, scrutinizing his build from the loose hoodie, which didn’t give anything away, down to his denim pants which verifies your hunch.

Yep. Most likely a volleyball player. 

You probably saw him play somewhere before if he’s familiar, but you haven’t seen him in any recent games.

“I’m sorry, but this gym is closed for training,” you announce strictly. You’re not sure if he's actually from other teams, but you’re not taking any chances. You can’t have people spying on your players. Never mind that this guy is doing a bad job of making it discreet.

“Oh, sorry,” he gives you a panicked apology which doesn’t decrease your suspicion one bit. “I’m Tsukki’s friend. I just came by to return his headphones.”

Tsu...kki?

You hear Kogane use that name for Tsukishima all the time but hearing it from this guy sounds different. It’s very warm and pleasant to the ears. 

“Tsukki,” you test it out with your own lips, liking the way it rolls out your tongue.

“Yeah. Tsukishima? Is he here?” the green-haired guy asks, thinking you don’t know who this ‘Tsukki’ is.

It’s decided. From now on, you’ll call him Tsukki too. Oohhh, you can’t wait to see how he’ll react as you roll the nickname of your tongue with your very own ‘pleasantness’ reserved only for Tsukishima.

But more importantly...

You scan the green-haired guy again as he takes out something from his bag; white Sony headphones. It’s Tsukishima’s alright. He always has the thing on his neck whenever he comes to the gym, when he leaves, and on bus rides during tournaments. It’s like his part of his anatomy.

Thinking back, it was no wonder he looked off you to you when he came in that afternoon -- he didn’t have his headphones around his neck.

“I didn’t mean to intrude. He’s not answering his phone, so I waited. If you don’t mind, can you give this to him?” the guy  asks while handing the headphones at you with a very kind smile and a faint blush that accentuated his freckles.

This is Tsukishima’s friend? This is his friend? For real? How can someone so adorable and nice be his friend? Not that Tsukishima is incapable of making friends, but this guy here is so timid, adorable, kind, and everything Tsukishima isn’t. 

“I’m sorry. What’s your name again?” A subtle smile forms on your face from how interesting this friend of Tsukishima’s is. 

“Uhh. Tadashi Yamaguchi.”

Yamaguchi? You’re positive you’ve heard that name somewhere. You rack your memory on where you could have possibly seen him from.

You clap your hands in realization. “Yamaguchi! Captain of Karasuno, the float server. Oh my God, I am so sorry for being so rude earlier.”

He seems surprised as well that you know him. You didn’t remember it immediately because it was years ago, but even in high school, you’ve followed volleyball teams that you find interesting. So when you became a manager, the players of the teams weren’t really new to you. 

“Do you still play?” you ask out of curiosity since he’s not in your grid. 

“For fun, yeah,” he responds, laughing nervously.

Oh my. That’s so precious of him. You walk closer towards him until you’re at his side. You rest a hand on his shoulder and lean a bit closer. “Do you mind if I call you, Yams?”

Yamaguchi flusters from your touch. Earlier, you were so scary, looking like you wanted to throw him out of the gym. Now, you’re suddenly too close with an overly friendly smile.

“S-sure,” he agrees out of the domineering aura you give off despite the nice smile you have. 

“Cool!”

He can tell you’re really pleased, but he doesn’t know why.

“We’re cutting practice today because our coach is out. You can wait for him inside if you want.” you offer nicely to which he accepts.

You must be the manager Tsukki is talking about, Yamaguchi thinks. You’re not at all what he expected. Granted, he based only off of Tsukki’s explicit and detailed descriptions of how ‘detestable’ you are. You were a bit stern a while ago but he can understand that because he was practically a stranger.

You’re a bit weird, sure, but you’re not as evil as his best friend says you are. It’s actually nice of you to let him come in. Tsukki always tells him not to go there because visitors aren’t allowed. 

“Can I ask your name as well?” He asks hesitantly.

“Oh right! My bad. I’m y/n. I’m their manager.” You stop in one of the benches and sit. You beckon him to join you.

“So, how long have you been friends with Tsukishima?” You ask while watching the team with their spiking drills. 

“We’ve been best friends since middle school.” 

You raise one eyebrow and break into a wide smile even with your watchful gaze focused on the team. He can’t tell if it’s because of him or you saw something mirthful. “Ahhh. I see.” 

“How’s he doing here?” Yamaguchi asks, curious to know what you think of Tsukki.

“Great! I’ve seen him play in high school and I thought he’s really smart. But being his manager? He’s a fucking piece of work. He finds it fun when he says something sarcastic to others. He sucks at team spirit. Everyone will be hyped as heck and he’d just be standing there giving us nothing. I have to manhandle him 90% of the time, and he despises me with a passion because of it.” You simper with your last statement. 

Yamaguchi wonders how Tsukki would react about being ‘manhandled.’ However, from what he can tell, you don’t actually despise Tsukki. On the contrary, your eyes twinkled with amusement as you talked about him, despite the sharpness of your words..

You settle down with a smile as you fixate your eyes on the subject of the conversation. 

“Honestly though, I think he’s a great player. He’s disciplined. When he’s at his best during matches, I could just kiss his big brain from the consistent smart plays he does. And between you and me, Yams. Behind those uncaring, dead eyes he has, I know he loves it here. He loves the sport.”

Yamaguchi is astounded at how profound your understanding of his best friend’s personality is. But yeah, he can see why Tsukki doesn’t like you. Tsukishima didn’t like the mere prospect of being ‘put in line.’

“Oh look. They’re done now. Let’s go call your friend.”

You cup your palms around your lips and take in a deep breath. “Tsukki!” 

Yamaguchi and Tsukishima both flinch when you suddenly yell.

Tsukishima shudders at how nauseating his nickname resonated from your pretentious, frilly voice. He could tell right away that it was you. He could recognize that tone from anywhere. In the three years you’ve been the manager, you never called him that. 

So why now?

He turns around to see what your deal is today, only to find you beaming with one hand in the air eagerly waving at him, and beside you is…Yamaguchi?

Yamaguchi joins you in waving at him. Your obnoxiousness and the obliviousness of his friend makes it even more odious. He should be used to it by now, but you always come up with more annoying antics to bug him with. 

“Tsukki!!” You call out again. “Your best friend is here.” You announce with all smiles. 

What the hell? Why did Yamaguchi tell you that? Knowing you, you’d find ways to use it against him. As if calling him by that nickname isn’t enough.

He lengthens his strides to your direction, and even though he’s trying his best to look unbothered, you know he is. It’s pretty easy for you to tell. After all, you’ve been observing every member so carefully to the point that you can pick up the changes in their demeanor and facial expression. Especially, Tsukki who was a pain in the ass in your first year of being a manager. You had to watch him more closely than others ‘cause aside from his well thought sarcasm, there’s literally nothing else you could get from him.

Having your eyes on him for three years, you became aware of the little changes in his front, like that barely noticeable scowl in the corner of lips and the slight squint of his eyes. 

He’s pissed. 

Oh lord. Why must Tsukishima be so goddamn entertaining? It’s even funnier that he doesn’t acknowledge you at all, turning his complete attention to his friend. Your cheeks hurt from how wide you’re smiling.

“What’re you doing here?” He asks Yamaguchi disinterestedly. 

“He came here to return your headphones,” you answer on behalf of Yamaguchi. Tsukishima gives you only one quick glance before turning to his freckled visitor. “Let’s go. We’re done with training today.” Then he walks away to the lockers. 

Yamaguchi stands abruptly and bows to you. “Nice to meet you, y/n.”

You wave at him amicably. “Nice to meet you too, Yams.”

Tsukishima wished he didn’t hear that. Yamaguchi visits one time and you give him a nickname already? 

“She’s not that bad,” Yamaguchi comments once they’re out of the gym.

“Yeah. She’s worse.” He’d like to tell his friend not to interact with you, but what Yamaguchi does is not up to him. He can only warn him. “Don’t be swayed by her smiling face. She looks dumb, but something’s going on in her head all the time.” 

“She’s very pretty.”

He looks at Yamaguchi with a vexed frown. “So? That doesn’t change anything.”

Yamaguchi laughs nervously. “Yeah, yeah. Of course, it doesn’t. I just noticed.” He’s not going to deny that, but to him, that superficial shit doesn’t matter. You are a repugnant presence when you want to be, and that’s all he can ever associate your face with.

“I think she’s really looking out for the team though,” Yamaguchi points out. 

“I don’t wanna talk about her anymore.” He doesn’t need any more reminder of what he’s very much aware of. He doesn’t want to think about you when he doesn’t have to. Your presence already plagues him enough when you’re present. 

“Sorry! Anyways, I’m meeting with Yachi tonight. Wanna come?”

He wouldn’t mind going, but he has plans for tonight. “Can’t. I have a group project I have to finish.”

“It’s fine! Next time then.”

—

This is why Tsukishima hates group projects. He should’ve done the whole thing himself. Instead, he’s in a crowded bar (Or is it a club? He can’t tell the difference. Not that it matters anyway.) looking for his groupmate who thought it was best to put the data in a flash drive instead of uploading them somewhere he can access.

He can’t count the number of times someone has bumped on him. The place reeks of alcohol and cigarettes. He has trouble seeing because the lights are too dim. His ears hurt from the loud music banging on every corner.

He dials the number of his teammate again. One more unanswered call and he’s doing the project on his own from scratch.  It doesn’t matter if that means staying up all night because of it. He’d rather do that than stay in this foul place any longer than he should.

He navigates through the clusters of people, trying to spot his groupmate while ringing their phone. It’s a good thing he’s tall. If he isn’t, he’d be swept up by this sea of drunk party-goers by now.

His eyes scan the place for the millionth time, still listening to the endless ringing from his phone when he spots something in the crowd.

It’s not his groupmate however, but an oddball wearing a onesie pajama, looking completely out of place. The hood of the cloth is clad over half of their face but he has a very bad feeling who they are.

And just as he thought, you reveal your own face by pushing back the hood previously hiding it.

He’s not surprised you’re in this lame gathering organized by a fraternity in the university. But he’s not happy about it either. 

That’s it. He’s going home and he'll do the project himself. He can’t let you see him there.

Just as he’s about to step away, a guy starts getting handsy on you while you’re talking to another girl. You must have noticed it too because even though you keep conversing with the girl, you also keep swatting the hands of the guy.

Tsukishima is frozen in place. There is a busy tone on his cell now, but he doesn’t press redial right away. Right now, he’s deciding whether he should intervene or not. 

It isn’t like what you do or what happens to you outside the court is any of his business. Plus, he doesn’t want to get involved with you. Ever . But… something about the scene unfolding in front of him ticks him off. It is common sense that people should be left alone when they want to be left alone. But this imbecile… rather than being discouraged, the pervert becomes even more persistent. 

He steps closer to the scene pushing through the crowd. He decides to ‘nicely’ tell the perv off. You’re annoying, but you don’t deserve being harassed. But before he even gets close enough to cut in, you face the guy and shock everyone near you by giving the guy a well-executed jab on the face. 

Everyone stops whatever they’re doing and stares at you. Impressive, knowing how occupied everyone had been. Tsukishima doesn’t particularly like violence, but fuck . That was one mean hook delivered nicely on the guy’s lousy face. 

“I SAID FUCK OFF!” you shout at the guy who fell on his ass from your punch. The music was loud but because everyone froze from how you just sent a guy flying, your voice was heard. You take a deep breath and comb your hair back, glaring at the staring crowd.

Suddenly...

“YEAH!!” The place roars with cheers for you as you break into a wide smile for everyone. The bass drops and everyone is dancing around once more.

He sighs. Why did he even think you needed help? You manage a bunch of boys almost everyday. Good for him though. At least he didn’t have to interact with you and he can go home now. 

Or not.

Before he can make his retreat, your eyes meet - his full of charin and yours full of zest. You disregard whoever you’re talking to earlier, pushing everyone aside to reach him.

Tsukishima thinks that maybe he should have ran away when he had the chance. Maybe he could even have pretended to not see you.

Anyway, it is too late now.

“Oh my God. It really is you, Tsukki!” Your eyes are wide from disbelief and amusement from his presence in the place. “You actually go to these places?!”

He hasn’t answered yet, but you already cut him off by suddenly screaming when the song changed. “I LOVE THIS SONG!” He’s sure you weren’t talking to him. You were regarding the area eagerly like you were talking to everybody who’s there. 

Then you start moving weirdly. You’re swaying your hips in a one second late from the beat of the music. You’re banging your head side to side while you’re flailing your arms all over the place. You look like a fledgling who was just thrown out of the nest. 

“Are you supposed to be dancing?” He asks but you don’t hear it.

You look so horrendous that he’s getting secondhand embarrassment from the people around giving you second glances. This is his chance to get sarcastic with you, but you look like you won’t be ashamed of anything even if he does say something about that ghastly display of body movements. 

“C’mon Tsukki!” You grab his wrist and give him the unfortunate experience of ‘dancing’ with you while he stays completely still while you randomly swing his limb from one point to another. 

You don’t take Tsukishima as a person who’d go to parties. You don’t even have any clue as to what his idea of having fun is. You peg him to be someone who prefers the quiet rather than the chaos. Saying that seeing him here is surprising, is an understatement.

Even though you like seeing your players all serious with training, you want them to have a balanced lifestyle, especially those who are working or studying. Since there is no training tomorrow, you don’t mind seeing him here being a normal college student.

You take a peek at Tsukishima to see if he’s having a blast like you are, but only sees him standing still with an inconvenienced expression. You stop dancing and burst out laughing. Amidst all the people grooving around, he sticks out like a sore thumb because of his height and his evident discontent in being here. It’s like he’s a very tall building mistakenly built in the middle of a lively forest. 

You didn’t have the wrong impression of him. You’re spot on as you witness him getting even more displeased by the minute. 

You release his hand and put both of yours on your hips with a regaled smile. “What are you even doing here?!” 

He rolls his eyes, but he looks relieved that you finally stopped dancing. He mumbles something but is drowned out by the chatters and the loud music. “Sorry, what?!” He should know that the only reason he can hear you is because you’re basically yelling. At this rate, you expect him to walk out already. 

What you don’t  expect is for him to lean down with his mouth just an inch away from your ear. You instantly inhale his scent. You can tell that he hasn’t been here too long. He smells like citrus with a hint of mint, while everyone else smells like sweat and alcohol with a hint of vomit. You vaguely wonder what you smell like right now.

You’ve always pestered him, but this is the closest you two have been, so this is the first time you’re acquainted with his scent and find that you like it. You’ve never liked men with strong musky scents. You prefer it like this - refreshing and comforting, especially in this smoke-infested club.

“I’m looking for a classmate,” he whispers in your ear then quickly retreats back to his stoic standing position. Oh, of course. What are you suddenly flustered for? It’s much easier on your throat to be whispering than shouting your words. Yes, yes. You can really rely on Tsukishima for brainpower. 

You place your hands on his shoulder and tiptoe to reach his ear. Doing so, you only manage to reach his neck. He’s so tall that you had to gently tug him down a bit so he’d be able to hear you. 

“Who are you looking for? I know everyone here,” you mutter next to his cheeks. You retain your position so he wouldn’t have to repeat leaning and standing up from talking to you. But instead of answering your question, he slightly turns his neck to look at you, making your faces only centimeters apart.

Tsukishima thought you’re going to keep squawking your words like you were doing earlier. He didn’t think you’d mirror his action. It should’ve been a strange scenario with you gaping at him this close, but you two remain focused on each other with confusion and a hint of something completely foreign reflecting in both your eyes — a certain spark of attraction that shouldn’t have been there and neither of your expected. 

A miniscule hint of panic shows itself in your eyes, and in this proximity, Tsukishima doesn’t fail to notice it. You instantly take your hands off of him, planting your heels back on the floor to create a safe distance from him. 

You don’t completely falter though. You still have that stupid grin on your face, but he knows it’s forced.

There it is -- something he’s been waiting three years for. He waited for the moment that you’d show an opening that he could pick on and exploit as payback for the many times you’ve gotten on his nerves, but he didn’t anticipate it would be something like this. He wanted to see what riles you up and to be able to  tease you nonstop about it until he makes you uncomfortable the way you make him. 

Yet something tells him that he shouldn’t. As much as he wants to see that smile of yours completely stripped off and reduce you to flustered shambles, flirting with you isn’t how he’d do it. It doesn’t sit well with him. 

Still, he also wouldn’t scream his lungs out for you. So he dips down again, leveling his mouth against your ear. “Hiro Takahashi. He’s from our Herpetology class. Seen him?” He doesn't stand up straight as he waits for you to answer so you wouldn’t have any reason to touch him again.

He feels you nod, the soft skin of your cheek grazing against his. You murmur something but your voice is too low that even with the short distance, he doesn’t hear it very well. “Louder. I can’t hear you.”

But you don’t comply. Rather than raising your voice, you nestle your face closer to his. “Yeah. I saw him a while ago. I’ll help you look for him.”

He heard it, but his whole attention was on how warm your breath is and how your lips are ghosting over his ear. He feels goosebumps at the back of his neck and his mind starts reeling.

Fuck this. He should have started the project on his own. He shouldn’t have gone here. He should’ve left the moment he saw you. He shouldn’t be having this stupid interaction where you’re at a spitting distance. And even if you are, he shouldn’t be this affected . 

He hears rumbles of footsteps behind him accompanied by reverberating male voices which he couldn’t make sense of. “Going through!” Someone shouts but he hears it late, resulting in him getting knocked over when they pass by. 

He wouldn’t have staggered if not for you who was snuggled in front of him, which results in his footing faltering from the impact. He grabs your waist and pulls you to him to make sure you don’t fall over when you collide with him. Your reflexes probably kicked in as well as you wrap one arm around his neck and while your other hand clutches his shoulder.

“Shit!” He hisses on your temples. He would never go to a party again, even if someone pays him to do it. 

It was already bad when you two were only whispering to each other. Having your body pressed against his is three times worse. He doesn’t like anything about this, yet he can’t take his hands away from you. The crowd has long passed and the party rages on around you. He expects you to do something about it, push him away or say something stupid to irk him even more like you always do. 

You loosen your grip on him, pulling back slightly to meet his gaze. And when you do, he realizes instantly that you’re held captive by whatever’s happening right now between the two of you. Your face is too close and goddamn, everyone was right. You really are pretty, especially right now that your mouth is shut. Even in the dim lighting he can see it -- the captivating spark in your eyes, your nose, and the shape of your lips.

He wets his lips unconsciously, all too aware of the warmth of your skin against his neck, and the curve of your hips against his palm.

He tries to quiet the havoc in his head. You’re adamant to not date anyone from the team. Surely, that meant not getting into anything remotely physical with them as well. So whatever the hell this is, you certainly won’t allow it to happen. Not that he wants it to happen. It’s just that you should really get the fuck out of his hold already. 

“Tsukishima,” you mutter his name with dangerous uncertainty that alerts all his senses, rendering him to dread the next words that will come out of your mouth with anticipation.

“Can you keep a secret?”

Even like this, you’re still the sly person he knows you are. By asking him that, you’re going to make him an accomplice in your own disobedience of the rule you, yourself, strictly imposed. 

As if he’ll agree to that. Did you really think he’d go along with this just because you look slightly more adorable this close to him with your doe eyes gleaming with apprehension as you wait for his answer? Of course not. Nothing about this is appealing, not even the way your lips are parted slightly as if you’re deliberately luring him in. 

He must have taken too long to respond because reluctance takes over whatever ounce of boldness you had about the situation. The shame your question brought gradually settles in your face.

He realizes right then that you’re just as conflicted as he is, so you start pulling away when he doesn’t say anything.

Rather than relief, he secures his grip on you to stop you from completely backing out. He replicates how you whispered into his ear, but purposely does it this time as he lets his lips rest on the shell of your ear, his next words going against every rational thought swimming in his head. Maybe it’s the atmosphere of this goddamn club, maybe it’s the way your body fits perfectly with his, or maybe it’s his own selfish curiosity getting the better of him, but he gives in. Against his better judgment, he gives in.

“Yeah. I can keep one, manager.” He hums grimly in your ear, intentionally stating that you’re their manager so you’re fully aware of what consequences these whispered nothings might have with your relationship.

You drag your face back just a little bit until your lips are just a breath away from his. Your eyes flick up to his just for one second as the unruly temptation lingers heavily around you two. 

Then you give in. 

He didn’t really know what he’s looking for when he agreed to this illogical spur of the moment tomfoolery, but at the first touch of your lips on his, he regrets it. He regrets it, but he doesn’t pull away. He didn’t have any expectations, but for fuck’s sake, you’re not supposed to taste this good. You certainly haven’t been drinking tonight. Your mouth tastes like honey and milk, coaxing him to nip on it further to have more. 

He’s seething. How can a pair of lips that spat a ton of shit be this fucking delicate. It doesn’t make sense. 

Your arm finds its way back around his neck while he draws you even closer as he waits for resentment or disgust to hit him, relentlessly sucking on the softness of your lips to find anything remotely unpleasant. But he finds neither. He only finds himself enjoying this despite the lack of privacy, the blasting music in the background, and the athlete-manager relationship he has with you.

He withdraws a bit, leaving you panting against his mouth. When you raise your gaze to him, he meets your bewildered orbs that even the dimmed blue led lights weren’t able to hide. 

Then your eyes drift behind him. 

You see something that instantly snaps you back to the wild persona he knows you have. Your whole body shudders when it sinks in your features what you two just did. You retrieve your arms quickly as if his skin burns yours.  

Your eyes are scorching with both embarrassment and determination when you grab his collar and yank him not so gently. “We tell no one about this shit!” You tell him aggressively and let him go instantly.

You put the hood of your onesie back and look down before gripping his shoulders to get him to turn around. 

A few steps away is the classmate he’s looking for. Before he calls for his irresponsible groupmate, he looks behind him to catch where you’re going, but you already disappeared. Even in this wretched place kilometers away from the gymnasium, you still manage to have the last word.

He fists his knuckles with anger. Out of all the maddening shit you put him through, this the worst.

Prologue || masterlist

Taglist (those crossed out can’t be tagged):

 @ameliaxo @suikrem​​ @akaashisslave @tsumurai​​  @babythotshq​​ @loving-unicorns106​ @berna-dette​ @just4readingfics​ @suteorra​ @xxekitten69xx​ 

[corrupt-fvcker]

My Everything (Thor x fem!Reader)

My Everything ( Thor Odinson x fem!Reader )

Request: can you do something like thor gets self-conscious from all the weight that he gained from endgame and reader comforts him.

Prompt: #93 from angst/fluff list - "you're more than that." 

Warnings: angst, fluff/comforting, low body image

Word Count: 2.2K

Authors Note: i wrote this years n years ago, please don’t judge :,,,)

It was no secret that Thor had had a rough past couple of years. He'd suffered through the loss of his mother, father, sister, best friend, brother, and half of the universe within the span of a few years. Prior to all of the death and destruction, Thor was truly content with his life. He was to be the ruler of Asgard after his father, a great honor that Thor looked forward to. He was considered a hero to both Asgard and Midgard, loved by all. But most importantly, he was loved by you. His sweet Y/N, the love of his life that he had somehow luckily managed to woo after decades of showing off his looks, combat skills, and intelligence. You were perfect in his eyes, an angel that had blessed him with its love. You were his everything and he was yours, and together the two of you were to spend an eternity ruling Asgard hand-in-hand.

But then everything fell apart. His mother's unexpected death alongside his sister destroying the kingdom the two of you were supposed to rule was only the beginning of the pain. Thanos murdering the Asgardian refugees as well as Heimdall and Thor's brother Loki.

Then all Thor had left to cling onto was you, his precious wife. And with you by his side, Thor could make it. He could recover from the pain he endured. He could survive as long as he had you.

But then he lost everything; he lost you.

He lost you as tears streaked down your cheeks, your glossy eyes gazing up at Thor with a painful mixture of admiration and fear while your body turned to ash in Thor's arms. You were Thor's everything, his whole world, but in the end, he couldn't save you. And the worst part of it all was that it was all his fault. It was his fault that he lost the love of his life and all he could do in the end was hold you in his arms, watching you wither away in an instant.

And once Thor had truly lost everything, he was nothing more than a shadow of his old self. He just slowly faded away into someone else, not able to stand his own reflection. He didn't want to be Thor Odinson anymore, he hated Thor Odinson. Thor was the god that Asgard perished because of. Thor was the man that was responsible for half the deaths of the universe. Thor was the husband of Y/N, the innocent woman that had died because of Thor.

Thor didn't want to be himself anymore, so he became someone else.

Every single thing Thor Odinson was, he did the opposite. He stopped grooming himself, letting his hair grow out and become long matted locks that matched his unruly beard. He stopped leaving his home, staying in the dark on the couch playing video games and watching television. He stopped dressing himself, staying in the same pair of sweats and t-shirt for days at a time. He stopped caring, doing nothing but eating, drinking, and playing video games as the pounds added on and his mental health became an utter mess.

Thor knew that if you were alive, you would've never let Thor treat himself in such a manner. You would've kicked his ass off the couch and make him do something productive. But the thing was that you weren't alive, you were gone and so Thor wasted away.

But Thor was better now, so much better. It had been two months since the universe had been restored, which meant Thanos was dead and you were back in Thor's arms.

And despite everything, the pain others and he had inflicted on himself, Thor would be okay. Thor knew that he could recover from everything with your support. He was slowly accepting the deaths of his friends and family, but the hard part was accepting his own mistakes. Thor was angry with himself, angry of how he acted once Thanos had snapped his fingers. He was angry that he didn't keep fighting, he hated how he gave up so easily. And now he was paying for his mistakes along with you, which was something Thor would have a difficult time forgiving himself for.

To begin with, Thor looked like a hot mess. You had helped him cut his hair and trim his beard which had helped a lot, but he still wasn't the same. He couldn't fit in his Asgardian armor, leaving him in sweats and sweatshirts. And he was struggling to lose the excess weight that he had put on in your absence, something that he found rather embarrassing.

It certainly didn't help that you truly looked like a goddess. In Thor's eyes, you were perfect in every way. Every curve and valley of your figure was absolutely perfect, mesmerizing Thor every time he caught a glimpse. Your hair was always flawless, framing your face in all the best angles. And your figure looked as if it had been made to fit in traditional Asgardian gowns, the fabric always comfortably hugging your stunning frame.

You were stunning in every way while Thor somedays couldn't even see his toes.

You and Thor sat in your quarters on the Benatar, you were reading a book as Thor was lost deep in thought. The back of your head was resting on Thor's chest, Thor's arm slung over you and his thumb rubbing small circles on your stomach. Despite loving you so close to him, Thor couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. He wondered if you could feel his pudginess beneath all the clothing, he wondered if it disgusted you; if he repulsed you.

Come to think of it, it had been quite some time you and he had been intimate. There was lots of cuddling, some lingering kisses, and a few suggestive touches, but apart from that, nothing. Thor knew that you were tired, moving in with the Guardians wasn't an easy transition. Not that it needed to be said, but the Guardians were a lot different from the people on Asgard. But it had been nearly four weeks since the last time anything sexual had conspired between the two of you, and Thor was convinced that your reasons for being distant had to be more than exhaustion. Thor was sure that he revolted you.

You could sense Thor's uneasiness despite your back being to him, you looked up from the pages of your book and set it down on the sheets. You shifted in place, sitting upright and turning to face Thor. You met his stare, your eyebrows furrowed in concern as you took in his almost scared facial expression.

"Thor?" You uttered softly, reaching out and place your hand on top of his. He interlocked your fingers hesitantly though his grip on your hand was firm. "Are you alright?"

Thor swallowed thickly before nodding his head, a small smile curling his lips as he puffed out a tiny laugh. It was a weak facade but it was all he had to offer. "Of course, darling. Why wouldn't I be?"

Of course, you saw right through his lame attempt of a lie. You pressed your lips together into a grimace, leaning forward to cup his face. "Thor, please, tell me what's wrong."

Thor practically melted into your gentle touch, your hands so smooth against his stubbled cheek. You always had a way with Thor that made him putty in your hands. Thor believed that you had spent too much time with Loki, the god of mischief's skill of shaping words must've worn off on you because Thor was totally encaptured whenever you spoke.

Thor gazed into your E/C eyes, a sudden rush of tears sudden brimming his eyes. You were so beautiful, you would surely leave him.

You stared back at Thor with concern, you could see the pain on his face. You studied his face, smiling softly. He was so beautiful, his mismatched eyes framed with smile lines that reminded you of the centuries of fun the two of you had experienced together. Norns, you were so lucky to have him in your life.

"Thor," you whispered, leaning forward and pressing a quick innocent kiss to his cheek. "What's wrong?"

"Y/N..." Thor started in a sigh, dipping his head down in shame as he avoided your gaze. "Do you still love me?"

You couldn't help but be offended, a sharp twist of hurt ripping through your heart. You openly frowned, your eyebrows furrowing. "Of course I do, why wouldn't I?"

Thor didn't answer at first, letting out a shaky breath. He was embarrassed to say the least, not even wanting to continue to conversation. He felt stupid, like an idiot begging for love from a person that he didn't deserve.

Though Y/N was not going to let Thor's behavior continue. She tilted his face up to level with hers, his gaze forced to meet her worried eyes. The raw emotion the filled them was clear as day, but Thor's insecurities clouded them from his view.

"Why would you?" Thor finally replied in a weak voice that didn't fit Thor's character. "I mean look at me, Y/N, I'm nothing more than a coward. I'm disgusting and now you're stuck in a marriage with a coward."

You let out a short breath from your nose, trying to process the lies Thor had just dumped on you and come up with an answer.

A tear slipped from Thor's eye when you didn't respond immediately, he knew you were about to leave him. This was your chance to take an escape pod to the nearest planet and forget about him. But you didn't move from your spot beside Thor, instead, you just stared at him. It was almost a glare, but you weren't angry.

Thor dropped his head, another tear rolling down his cheek. "I'm a coward," he repeated in a broken whisper.

"Don't you dare say that," you almost growled, upset that your beloved husband would even think such things. "Don't you dare call yourself a coward when we both know that you're so much more than that."

Thor met your gaze, still not believing your words. "After the snap, after I lost you, I quit. I didn't do anything but feel sorry for myself. I should've kept fighting, I should've stayed strong -- but I didn't. Instead, I got drunk and distracted myself just so I could ignore the pain I felt. I was a coward, Y/N. I should've kept fighting, but I didn't."

"You had lost everything," you said in a firm tone, holding both of his cheeks in your hands. "You lost everyone and everything you cared for. You got the worst of it all. You were lonely and in pain, you were trying to heal yourself the only way you knew how. You are not weak and you're certainly not a coward. You are strong, you came back and because of you, I'm here. I'm here now, Thor. You saved me. You are not a coward. You're my hero and my husband and the love of my life, but you're more than that too. You're my everything, Thor. I love you with my entire soul, don't you know that?"

Thor couldn't help but feel a sense of relief from your words. Despite him still not one hundred percent believing everything you said, he was convinced that you loved him. And that was enough for Thor at that moment, to know that he still had you.

Thor didn't know how to phrase his next insecurity, so he just tried to muster through it. "Doesn't it bother you how much I've changed?"

Y/N smiled, leaning forward and pressing a loving kiss to Thor's lips before pulling back, staring into his eyes. "Thor, I love you no matter what. Everything about you is amazing to me. You're handsome, sexy, beautiful, and so much more. So no, it doesn't bother me how much you've changed because I will always think you're the most handsome man in the universe."

Thor huffed out a breath he had been holding in. "I love you so much, darling."

You smiled, wrapping your arms around your husband as he pulled you into his chest. He held you, your head resting in the crook of his neck and his chin resting on the top of your head. You pressed a few kisses on his neck and jaw, feeling nothing but safe in Thor's arms. "I love you too."

Perhaps there was a lot more that would need to be said, Thor's scars running too deep for your words and kisses to fix alone. But at that moment, with you in Thor's arms and your words of love swimming in Thor's head, everything was perfect.

━ ━ ━ ━

A/N: tysm for reading <33 chubby thor is supreme thor 😌 this was originally posted on my wattpad @ corrupfvcker :) 

[wakaoujisenhime]

Hey, I was just thinking about something. What if Tetsutetsu's s/o has his hands tied down (with something strong enough to restrain him) and she's sexually teasing him. This is the first time they try this. He's teased her before. Now it's his turn to experience what it's like being teased. And by the time he is released, he loses it to lust, and he goes at her rough. Loses it in a good way of course. I've never actually seen anyone write something for him where he's the one being teased.

A/N: It was really fun to write something like this for Tetsu, so I hope you like it as much as I do! A big thanks to @gallickingun for beta reading it and @honeytama I hope you like it as well ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ ❤️ 

Tags: Tetsutetsu x reader ✅  smut (18+) ✅  bondage ✅ orgasm denial ✅ slight fluff ✅   

image/art source: Twitter (art by Gwillarmy)

━━━━☆ ━━━━☆ ━━━━☆ 

Eyes on me - Tetsutetsu x reader

Was this really happening?

Was your boyfriend Tetsu, the man who absolutely loved to tease you until you were crying, seriously lying underneath you, panting, drooling, groaning, and most importantly moaning?

Yes, he was…

It was just an idea you had shared with him, but you would’ve never expected him to agree and go with it in the first place.

All you did was ask him if he’d like to know how it feels like to be teased until he cried and desperately begged for release. It surprised you to hear him say ‘yes’ in the first place, but the moment you returned home from work and saw him waiting for you half-naked on your bed was when you realized that he was serious about it. 

Tonight was Tetsu’s free day, he had all the time to prepare some toys as well as himself (mentally and physically), so it shouldn’t have surprised you that much to see a vast collection of sex toys, vibrators, and even some carbon steel handcuffs.

“Go ahead (Y/N)..show me what it’s like”

That was all he had to say and you were already all over him, your arms were wrapped tightly around his neck, your hands were buried in his hair while slightly tugging on it, you pressed your body further towards his which caused him to fall over and groan silently in between your kiss.

Now that his back was touching the soft mattress you didn’t want to waste any more unnecessary time and began stripping him from the small number of clothes he already had on. The moment you lifted his shirt over his head, you almost bit your tongue off. 

“N-Nipple clamps…?”

Embarrassed by seeing your surprised face Tetsu avoided looking into your eyes. 

He thought that you were off-put by it, seeing such a big bulky man acting like a bitch in heat and that’s the main reason he never wanted to be the submissive one between the both of you, but seeing how much you actually wanted it made him give in easier than he wished for. 

That’s why he spends his entire day-off shopping and preparing...all of this just for you. 

You on the other hand began feeling your body’s first reactions. 

Seeing your boyfriend blush so much that it even reached his ears only made the heat between your legs increase by each passing second. 

The fact that he was awaiting your return with his nipples squeezed painfully between the black plastic of the clamps while being able to keep his usual demeanor and facial expression up made you realize that your boyfriend might have been more of a masochist than you’d originally thought. 

You immediately bend down to his muscular chest and began licking around the bright red skin of his left nipple. One of your hands was still holding onto his shirt while the other began gently tugging on his right nipple. He grunted and was ready to bite his lip so that he could prevent himself from moaning, but you were quicker. Your lips were on his in an instant and without holding yourself back any longer you just let the urge of seeing him more disheveled beneath you take over. With just the tip of your tongue, you caressed his bottom lip and nibbled on it softly, all of this serving as a request for him to let you explore his mouth’s insides, unfortunately, your boyfriend remained stubborn and refused your advances by pressing his lips together tightly. 

It amused you to see him that embarrassed and unwilling. 

You would’ve even let this disobedience pass if it were any other day, but today you were determined to top him and there was absolutely nobody and nothing that could stop you - not even your boyfriend himself. 

So in order to make this rock of a man open his mouth for you, you decided to play dirty and tug on his already sensitive nipples.

The reaction you got was more than just satisfactory. His moan was so high pitched that you questioned your ears for a slight second. 

Was this really the same Tetsu you had confessed to from back then? 

The one who made your body tremble and quiver during your guys’ first time? 

Was he the same person who let that high pitched moan leave his mouth just now? 

The answer to all of these questions was yes and somewhere deep inside of you, you enjoyed that switch in roles.

Suddenly you felt Tetsu lift his hips upwards, purposely grazing his evident bulge between your thighs making you moan silently between the kiss. 

You immediately broke the kiss off much to his dissatisfaction. Once again you would have probably indulged him further...but not today.

“How should I start..?”

While your gaze was jumping between the different objects Tetsu had displayed on the mattress, he used that small time frame to finally free himself from his shirt, but for some reason, he hesitated to do the same with his underwear.

After a short while, you finally made up your mind and decided to use the handcuffs and a small egg vibrator. 

Much to your surprise, Tetsu didn’t struggle much while you handcuffed him, but the moment you wanted to slide his boxers down he almost headbutted you. 

“This is his first time as a sub so it’s alright if he struggles a little bit”, you thought while you continued sliding the thin fabric down his muscled thighs. 

His erection - as if glad to finally be free from its confines - slapped up against his abs staining them with some droplets of his own pre-cum. If you thought that this sight alone was hot, then let me tell you how wrong you are.

You hadn’t pulled his underwear down completely, but it was enough for you to see that something was poking out between his asscheeks. Upon further inspection, you recognized that object as your dildo. 

“Tetsu...did you seriously use-”

“S-Shut up…! Don’t say it..” 

It proved to be quite hard for you to suppress the happiness you felt at the exact same moment you saw the familiar toy you had used on yourself so many times, to be used by him now. 

You actually didn’t know what made you happier at the moment was it the fact that he was actually willing to take on your role for tonight? 

Was it the fact that he had prepared himself so good for it? 

Or was it simply because it was Tetsu who was doing it?

You didn’t know and to put it simply you didn’t care...all you wanted to do right now was to pleasure this man as much as he had done to you all those times...

——   

And that’s what got you guys in the present situation. 

Almost an hour and a half had passed and you had denied every single orgasm your boyfriend had been approaching (including the dry ones), you had shut down each attempt of his to touch himself and most importantly you’ve not even once kissed or shown him any affectionate gestures for this whole time. 

You knew you were playing with fire since Tetsu is more affectionate than some people give him credit for and when he didn’t receive the attention he needed and loved he’d get really mad about it. So not kissing him for almost an hour and a half was too much for him and you knew it, but what you wanted to know as of right now was how far you could go, how much more could you tease him until he finally snapped. 

At the beginning of this ‘teasing session’ you were very confident in those carbon steel cuffs since they were made out of a material which was certainly stronger than his own quirk, but some part of you knew that they weren’t going to hold him forever.

You were sitting on top of him while your hands slowly began moving from his blindfolded face down to his left nipple which was still being squeezed by the nipple clamp, to his right pecs where you had tapped one of the small egg vibrators on his other perked nipple, down to his lower abdomen which was now alongside his pubic hair stained by his love juices. When your fingers finally arrived at your desired destination you let them ghost alongside his dripping tip and then went down his prominent vein slowly.

That minimal contact only made him buckle his hips up, indirectly begging you to touch him, but you weren’t going to stop your teasing game here...oh no.

When Tetsu realized that his attempts were all deemed to fail, some tears began forming at the corner of his eyes. His tears were so big, that no matter how much effort he put into holding them back they had already begun leaving his eyes. 

This entire time he hated the fact to be robbed of his sight by the black blindfold he himself had bought. It was actually meant for none other than you, but the place he had tried to hide it at was so obvious that it had been a matter of seconds for you to find it.

But now? This boy was seriously thankful that this thin black piece of cloth was absorbing the tears he was so ashamed of. 

Though it didn’t take you long to notice that something was wrong with your boyfriend, he had suddenly slumped down on the mattress and wasn’t moving. Sure there was a twitch here and there, but what really got you thinking was the fact that his erection had softened ever so slightly and you panicked. 

Was that too much? 

But wait...he would’ve said something if I overstepped a boundary, right? 

D-Did we even agree on a safeword…? 

While all of these questions were now haunting your mind, your hands went for the blindfold first and when the knot finally gave out despite your trembling fingers the sight you were faced with was unbelievable.

Tetsu’s cheeks were now redder than your favorite lacy lingerie set. His mouth, parted, giving you an excellent view of his lips which were completely chapped from all of his ‘moan suppressing’ attempts, he had even managed to draw some blood. But most importantly…

“Are you crying..?” 

Instead of answering, the muscular man beneath you just growled and turned his head away from you. 

Even if he tried to hide it, the black piece of fabric had caught some of his tears and was now wet on the exact spots where his eyes were. 

Seeing your boyfriend like this pained you more than it should’ve. 

Normally it was you who looked like that, but instead of feeling sorry for you, Tetsu would just continue teasing you until you either said the safeword or passed out. He’d whisper sweet as well as dirty pet names next to your ear, nibble and bite it while the wet noises that resulted from his pelvis slapping hard against your own lower body.

It all appeared so easy when he did it, but why was it this hard for you?

You ignored the throbbing between your legs as you began undoing the handcuffs, your mind was so occupied with worrying about him that Tetsu’s wide grin completely slipped your attention.

Suddenly you felt the soft touch of the mattress on your back, your arms were pinned above your head and an intimidating shadow loomed over you.

That rock of a man who was covering and weeping underneath you not to long ago had now reversed the roles and was towering above you. His pupils were actually bigger than usual and that alone made the small alarm bells in the back of your head ring.

Before you could even comment cheekily or feign being sad about the sudden change in roles, a big hand spread your legs apart roughly exposing just how wet you’d actually become from teasing your boyfriend. 

The grin on his face grew even wider the moment he looked at your facial expression.

“Y’know (Y/N), I felt bad for always rejecting your request to top me, but it’s just as I thought...”

In an instant your wrists were bound together by the black blindfold, restricting your movement and making it a tad harder for your blood to flow all the way through to your fingers. His muscular calves pressed your own ones down in order to stop you from even thinking about closing your legs out of embarrassment or any other reason. Tetsu then licked two of his fingers while maintaining his deep eye contact with you, enjoying the way your lower lip quivered at the sight of his wet tongue preparing his thick digits to enter you. 

When his fingers left his mouth a string of saliva connected them up until he positioned them right where you wanted them to be - at your entrance.

You wanted him to move them inside of you, massage your sensitive bud of a clit, spread your pussy lips apart, lick them or at least do something, but he didn’t do anything. In your desperation you began moving your hips, trying to at least create some friction, when a deep chuckle made your body suddenly tense up.

“You shouldn’t have done that...”  

Hearing that sentence leave your boyfriend’s mouth made you instantly regret acting as horny as you did just now. 

“W-Wait Tetsu, please. I’m sorry, I-”

The man above you didn’t even let you finish, he just covered your mouth with his hand and looked you deep inside of your eyes, aligning his precum covered tip with your entrance and grinning the moment you arched your back towards his chest. The thought of him thrusting inside of your tight hole without even preparing you properly made his cock throb with anticipation. 

He loosened his hand from your mouth, moving it up to the top of your head, pressing it down so that your eyes could focus on what was about to happen to you and your body.

“(Y/N)...I want you to keep an eye on your sweet and tight pussy while I’m penetrating it with my thick and throbbing cock. You are to never look away, you got that?”

His low whisper sounded almost like the growl of a mad dog rather than an order from your boyfriend whose common sense had been replaced by sheer, animalistic lust. 

As soon as you opened your mouth in order to answer him, your vision suddenly went black. The roughness of his sudden and deep thrust, made you lose all words and literally knocked the air out of your lungs. 

Tetsu’s tip would usually just touch the entrance to your womb as if to give it a small and gentle kiss, but the way his weight had you trapped in a mating press, allowed him to even go deeper and almost penetrate that small cervix opening. You shuddered just by the sheer imagination of that blissful yet impossible phantasy to become a reality, your body reacted almost immediately and tightened your wet insides around your boyfriend’s throbbing shaft. Thanks to your position his whole body vibrated the moment a deep grunt left his mouth and it only made you want to throw your head back and moan out in pleasure, but you couldn’t. 

The warning he’d hummed next to your ear just some minutes ago, was haunting your mind, causing you to constantly be on high alert. 

The silver-haired boy noticed you tensing up, instantly realizing the impact his whisper had on you. Even though he knew full well that he was the source of your worry, a bright grin appeared on his face. All he wanted was to see you cry and beg for release like always, but he decided to postpone that plan. All he wanted right now was to make you see stars, lose your mind, and become absolutely undone beneath him. The more he thought about it the dirtier he desired you to look like. 

So to make that happen, he had to put in some work and he knew exactly what to do.

Tetsu slowly moved his right hand behind your head, taking a firm hold of your hair, indirectly supporting you and at the same time making sure that your eyes stayed focused on the thrusting of his hips. His left hand ghosted alongside your neck, down to your collarbone, and finally arriving at his destination - your chest. 

At first, he let two of his fingers glide as softly as he possibly could alongside the beautifully shaped curve of your left breast, biting his lip in the process in order to hold the urge to straight out bite into the plush flesh of yours, back. When your breath hitched and goosebumps covered your entire skin, causing your normally soft nipples to harden almost to a painful extend, he knew that you were craving for more than just some soft treatment. 

That’s how he had disciplined you after all...   

He bared his abnormally sharp teeth and sank them right around your areola, making you finally release the cry of satisfaction you had been holding back for quite some time. Upon hearing your sinfully sweet voice, Tetsu bit harder, observing the arch your back made with a wide and confident grin. 

Come now...just a little bit more

The young man’s thrusts had slowed down, now relying solely on precision instead of speed. 

Each time his tip deliciously glided past your g-spot it made your legs trembled ever so slightly and your determination to look down was gradually declining.

Wet slapping of skin against skin was everything you could hear and that mixed with your boyfriend’s slurping noises is what caused you to finally give up and let your head plop down onto the mattress.

“Big mistake”

You shuddered at that statement and before you could even question its meaning, one of your legs was hoisted up to your boyfriend’s shoulder causing his tip to further spread your walls apart, turning your previous moan into a mewl.

The speed at which he now moved, was relentless and left you with almost no time to recover from the countless pleasure waves his ministrations brought you. 

His thick fingers pinched and massaged your breasts’ sensitive buds while his rough lips explored your thighs and calves - leaving a trail of kisses, nibbles, and bites behind. 

Not long after and the familiar feeling of a knot building up inside of you, spread around your entire body, screaming and begging you for desperate release, but you knew better than to just let that heat consume you. 

“The longer you hold it back, the better it’ll feel in the end.”, that’s what Tetsu had always told you when your climaxes approached and he was always right about that. 

For every time you managed to hold out longer than him, he’d always reward you with a mindblowing orgasm and every time was better than the other. 

While you were imagining what kind of reward you’d get today, the man above you was now holding onto your waist with his right hand and with his left one he was gently squeezing your ankle, burying his pointy teeth muscle deep inside of your lower leg, all the while thrusting in and out of you, sloppily yet precise and quick. 

He was close and knowing that you had denied him of many orgasms a while ago, only made your heart rate go up a notch just from the imagination of the sheer amount of cum he’d soon release inside of you. 

The combination of your warmth enveloping his shaft and your sultry voice calling out his name gave him that last push he needed to finally reach the euphoric feeling of release and spill his seed deep into your womb, flooding and painting your insides white. 

Not short after and your turn to finally let the pleasure consume you had come. The second your orgasm settled, your boyfriend’s fingers were instantly on your clit, rubbing it frantically, causing countless waves of bliss to overrun your body, sending it to countless spasms and tremors.

Finally, after several seconds of nothing but pure satisfaction, Tetsu let go of your leg, leaned down to your face and kissed your temple, nose, cheeks, and lips while his big hand caressed the top of your head gently. You lazily wrapped your arms around his neck and returned his kisses in the same loving manner he did. 

“I love you Tetsu...”

With a smile the man buried his forehead in the crack of your neck and whispered:

“I love you too (Y/N)..”  

[ohwereusingourmadeupnames]

Shining Just Like Diamonds Do

Pairing: Peter Parker/Tony Stark (Starker) Rating: General (G) Word Count: 5k Notes: This gem started after I saw this post here. The idea of Peter being the person who hid an engagement ring in plain sight was too hard to pass up. Thanks to @goindownshipping & @starkerscoop for the final push in the right direction.  Warnings: There aren’t any - this madness is pure fluffy goodness. Summary: 

Peter buys an engagement ring on a whim - he’s ready for the next step, but lacks a plan. Instead of wasting brain bytes worrying about it, Peter makes a challenge out of it instead. The ‘how many ways can I hide a ring in plain sight’ game becomes a thing. 

Or - Tony is oblivious and Peter takes advantage of it to be the cutest sneak out there. 

Check out more of my writing here and read this story on AO3 here

---- 

They met at a conference.

Peter loved getting to shed his professor title and get into the nitty gritty of engineering and the technological advances being made. In another life, he took a different route and didn’t end up in a classroom – but in this life, Peter got to escape from it to play with all of the cool tech in the name of continuing education.

That year, however, Peter was tasked as a keynote speaker for the nanobyte technology research he started to work on when Wakanda opened up its borders a few years prior. Being in direct contact with the brilliant Princess Shuri gave him lots of insight and many tangible examples of the technology – her brother’s Black Panther suit design amongst them. He loved his research and felt more than prepared to present upon it. Especially at such a big wig conference like the International Conference on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering – all of the monumental names in the industry would be there.

It wasn’t often that Peter got to leave New York during the school year, so he relished the train ride into Boston without pulling his work laptop out once during the journey. He practiced his talk so many times that he’d been doing it in his sleep for the past few nights. Any more rehearsal seemed like overkill. Relaxing into the 1st class seat he splurged for instead, Peter took a long sip of the complimentary red wine. The welcome banquet started right around the time his train got in – so the harder stuff would need to wait.

When he got to the hotel, Peter made a quick pit-stop in his room to drop off his bag and change out of the suit trousers he started the day in. He bought a brand-new pair of black slacks for the occasion and planned to wear them to their fullest. Splashing some water on his face and undoing the first couple of buttons of his shirt, Peter slung his badge around his neck and headed down to the meeting room the banquet was in.

His sensitivity to crowds never seemed to dull over the years – as a 29-year-old, Peter should’ve been able to control the way too much stimulus affected him. That was not a success he could claim, however. It took several minutes to blend into the crowd and by the time he calmed down enough to fit into it, the line for the bar wasn’t even worth standing in.

He looked around to see if any of his fellow academics were in attendance and was stopped by a soft touch to his elbow. “Dr. Parker, it’s nice to see you here.” Natasha Romanov, the beautiful red head with a mouth like poison and wit so sharp, stood before him, a soft smile on her face. Peter shot her a swift look of gratitude, his own smile shaping his lips.

“We were research partners for 3 years, Nat – you can call me Peter,” he replied easily, his hand finding hers for a brisk shake. They did great work together during their time at Columbia – she specialized in Aeronautical and him in Mechanical – they were the perfect team when GE Aviation came knocking with an idea of how to minimize fuel costs down to the creation of the plane – parts and pieces included. The journey to his doctoral degree was a fun one, the many hours of work made tolerable by the woman in front of him.

“You’re right. The title never does get old, though – the blood, sweat, and tears to get it were pretty memorable, too.” Natasha smirked at him, her blood-red lips enhancing the look. “I saw your name on the itinerary – nanobyte technology, right?”

Not a single bit surprised by her knowledge, Peter nodded excitedly. “Correct. They even gave me the prime-time spot tomorrow night.” He grinned widely, his eyes lighting up at the look of excitement that crossed her face.

“You’re on your way up, Peter. I’m actually glad I caught you, there’s someone I’d like for you to meet,” Natasha said, her eyes moving past his face and over his shoulder. Trying not to look too stupid doing it, Peter turned slightly, his eyes settling on the beautiful brain that was Tony Stark. He turned back around and suddenly berated his choice of no tie – what kind of professional came to a dinner without a tie? The mini freak out ate up his time to make up an excuse, Nat was already calling the man over.

Slipping his hands into his pockets, Peter kept his eyes down until he felt Nat’s elbow press against his arm. “Tony, I want you to meet a former colleague of mine, Peter Parker. Peter, this is Tony Stark,” Natasha announced, her eyes burning into his.

Peter took a quick breath in, his hand slipping out between them in what he hoped was a casual manner. “Tony, it’s great to meet you,” Peter decided on, his eyes finally focusing on the other man. As expected, the tech guru was dressed in a fine 3-piece suit – the shirt and waistcoat both black to enhance the darkness of the ensemble. His pale skin balanced everything out – the well-kept facial hair adding a new and admittedly sexy element to the whole thing. It wasn’t enough to be incredibly intelligent, Tony Stark got to own the obnoxiously sexy title, too.

Tony grabbed his hand and gave it a firm shake – the callouses on his fingers way more developed than Peter expected them to be. He knew that Tony was the brain behind everything that Stark Industries created – Peter wasn’t aware that carried over to creation, too. It made sense, though – what sort of brain didn’t want to have their hands all over the thing stuck in their head? They locked eyes and something just clicked. Whatever it was, Peter couldn’t keep his mind off of it from that second on.

“Nice to meet you, Peter Parker. I saw your name in the keynote spot tomorrow night. I can’t wait to hear more about the nanobyte tech. I’ve been trying to get face time with King T’chala for years – he’s been surprisingly fussy,” Tony said in reply, his mouth moving gracefully through some of the petulant words coming out of his mouth.

It took everything in him to stop the spread of an amused smile – the only evidence of his true feelings reflected in the glow of his eyes. The similar look in Tony’s made him want to laugh even more. “He’s particular, that’s all. I flew out there last summer and met with Princess Shuri, the king’s sister – she’s smarter than you and I put together.”

As if those were the magic words, Peter and Tony spent most of the next couple of hours talking about Wakanda and it’s many attributes, the nanobytes and the technological advancements they could make, and most importantly – how much they were looking forward to playing with the new tech at the booths the next day. Peter was surprised by how nerdy Tony truly was, the man completely enraptured by the topic of particle physics and the latest coding programs being taught to the up and coming engineers of the future.

When the end of the function was upon them, Peter didn’t think twice about accepting the offer of a drink at the bar in the hotel. He felt a certain way and didn’t want it to end – whatever it actually was. A few of the others had the same idea and soon, there were many groups scattered around the bar – the conversation going like there was never a break in it to transfer venues.

A warm hand on his knee when they sat down behind the bar had Peter looking up, a shy smile overtaking his face. Tony looked at him for a moment, then returned the look – the darkness in his eyes highlighted by the low light they were sitting in. “What’s your poison?” Tony asked, his hand staying exactly where it was, the long fingers now cupping his patella.

“I’ll have a whiskey neat,” Peter answered immediately, his own hand landing on top of Tony’s. It wasn’t normal, the freedom he was giving himself in that moment. At the same time, it felt good to be a little reckless – he genuinely liked the things he was learning and wanted to at least see where getting to know Tony went. The fact that the older man turned his hand over and let their fingers slide together sent a tingle down his spine – the warmth of it sitting in his lower back, starting the pool of heat there with a jolt.

Shooting him a smile, Tony flagged down the bar tender and order their drinks – the efficiency in which he did it more than impressive. Tony pulled his credit card out to start the tab, the sharpness of the look sent in Peter’s direction enough for him to put his hand down and stop the reach for his own wallet.

“Tell me more about you, Pete – there’s got to be stuff outside the nanobytes,” Tony said, breaking the comfortable silence they found themselves in.

“There is a lot of stuff outside of nanobytes. I have a beautiful golden retriever named Marla – she’s an agility dog, so we spend a lot of time at the training complex. I’m a New York native, so I spend a lot of time heading to the little hidden gems I’ve found over the years – food spots and little record stores. My most hidden talent, though – is caricature.” Peter paused then, his eyes turning to take in Tony’s reaction.

It was well worth it, too – Tony’s eyes bulged, his cheeks crinkled at the corners – his smile wide. “Caricature? There’s got to be a story behind that,” Tony muttered through a laugh, the free hand that was fiddling with the rim of his glass coming up to swipe at the rogue laugh-tear threatening to spill from his eyes.

“I spent every summer of my undergraduate college years working at Coney Island. The research assistant job I had on campus didn’t pay enough to make rent – so I rode out to the island on the days I didn’t work in the lab to draw families and couples in the silliest fashion I could.” Peter smiled at the memory, his chest warm from the recollection and the alcohol settling in his system. “What about you? Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist – that’s quite the resume.”

A swift feeling of satisfaction rolled over him when the skin of Tony’s cheeks and neck colored, the pale skin there taking on a reddish hue – the blush absolutely divine. “And exaggerated. I’m a pretty big nerd that gets to tinker for a living. The playboy lifestyle went out the window a long time ago,” Tony replied, his eyes moving down to the lock of their hands still resting lightly against Peter’s leg. “I would’ve taken you to bed by now if it hadn’t.”

Though Peter didn’t comment on Tony’s admission, the fact remained between them for the rest of the night. He couldn’t deny that the very thought passed across his own mind a time or two throughout the conversation, and when they headed back to their rooms, Peter gave Tony the go ahead. Yet, he wasn’t surprised by the fact that Tony didn’t take it – his denial seemed to be more about the principal of it than anything else.

Not wanting to leave himself hanging, Peter let his hands linger on Tony’s sides when the older man pulled him in for a hug. Peter dug his fingers into Tony’s trim flanks, the grip just enough to keep Tony exactly where he was. Leaning in, Peter was not disappointed when Tony took the remaining space and met him in the briefest of kisses. The remnants of expensive whiskey and something that could only be classified as Tony sat on his lip, the taste a constant reminder of what a little more time and effort possibly held for him.

----

4 years later, Peter still liked to remember the hurried blow job Tony gave him five minutes after his speech the next night, the obscenity of 2 highly sought-after professionals locked in a bathroom stall together making the moment even more powerful. Tony wasn’t subtle in the way he practically dragged Peter with him towards the men’s room, his eyes were completely overtaken by dark pupils, a sharp look of lust there for anyone to see. Tony muttered endlessly about Peter’s brain and sucked him down with a skill that he still couldn’t describe.

The last night of the conference was spent in the confines of Tony’s room and the next day in the back of the private car that Tony ushered him into without asking about the train tickets that Peter willingly let go to waste. Happy, who took his bag with a knowing look and a stiff nod, turned up the music and made no noise for the rest of the drive from Boston back into the city.

It was easy to get lost in Tony after that. He appreciated Peter’s work and genuinely wanted to help in whatever way he could. Peter tested that theory out and prompted Tony to come and talk with all 5 sections of his coding class – he not only showed up but put on an amazing presentation for the kids that were already looking up at him with dreamy eyes. By the end of the 5th one, Peter was pretty over the moon, too. Tony’s comment about Peter’s brain made a lot of sense after seeing his lover in action – there was something about a handsome man with expertise that really got him going.

In the same way their brains were compatible, their interests lined up, too. Tony was adamant that they take a weekly trip to Coney Island when it was possible and joined Peter for his random walks around the city – the new food places all of the sudden taking on a different look after introducing his favorite person to them. Peter found himself making room for Tony in his life without much of a thought – there wasn’t any reason not to. Since the day they met, they were inseparable.

Which quickly became apparent when Tony asked him to move in before they were together a whole year. Peter was flipping his famous candied bacon with a pair of tongs when Tony saddled up next to him, a peculiar look on his face. “Why don’t you move in? I like having you here, you look good exactly where you are – you’re always over. I can get a key made right now,” Tony babbled, his affinity for speaking while all the words were ripe on his tongue a thing Peter loved the most about him.

The grin that overtook his face hurt a little, the muscles in his cheeks not ready for the intensity of it. “I could get behind that.” Peter spoke nonchalantly, but his hands were shaking, the move obvious in the quake of the tongs in his hands. It would be the perfect time to admit that he was thinking the same thing – he craved the coziness of Tony’s penthouse when he wasn’t around, the man’s presence engrained in every inch of the place.

Peter spent most of his adult years on his own with very little interest in accumulating things, so the transition into the penthouse was pretty seamless – it took them 2 trips across the city to get all of his stuff and another few hours to get it all adjusted into the nooks and crannies that seemed to be there waiting for Peter. Christening every square inch of the place was the best part – Tony took great joy in introducing him to all the different surfaces that Peter looked absolutely divine bent over and pressed against.

Happiness that flowed so easily between them made the rest of that 1st year together fly by. As did their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years together – May always told him not to blink; and now he understood why. Without really knowing it, or giving time his permission to do so, life with Tony sped by. There was so much contentment and ease in their relationship that dates didn’t seem to matter – being with Tony every day felt like something to celebrate. The thought might be cheesy, but the genuine nature of it reigned supreme – Peter didn’t mind the fluff when it came with a Tony attached.

Which is why Peter didn’t feel a single bit odd wandering into a a jewelry store after a rare afternoon without his other half. Despite loving Peter for everything he was, Tony still didn’t like to spend an abundance of time with May and sent him on his own to the bi-weekly lunches his aunt still insisted upon. Though telling Tony was out of the question, Peter cherished the separation – it was nice to have a reason to miss his partner in crime. Shaking his head of the thought, Peter sucked in a deep breath when he was immediately tracked down by one of the workers in the store – his presence a possible commission for whoever got to him first.

Like all things with Tony, Peter didn’t struggle to find the perfect ring for his boyfriend. In the years of knowing him, Peter knew that Tony wore lots of black to contrast his pale complexion. The rich darkness of the tungsten of the simple band would look so good against the creamy white porcelain of Tony’s skin. Despite the dagger of a price, Peter instinctually knew it was the marker Tony deserved – the ring a simplistic, yet complex beauty; not unlike the man himself.

And though he found the perfect ring, Peter never actually meant to slap down the black credit card he carried in his pocket for impulse purchases such as that very one. His eyes bulged with reluctant acceptance at the price, long fingers wrapped delicately around the bag the woman behind the counter slipped the box into, and when he walked into the street, Peter smiled to himself – he didn’t walk into that building with a plan, and still didn’t have one; but, he was one step closer to having Tony Stark as a permanent fixture in his life for all the years to come.

Peter assumed an idea of how to propose to Tony would just pop into his head. When it didn’t in the 20-minute walk back to the office, Peter felt a little miffed. Most things were so simple, especially where Tony was concerned. Yet, a suitable idea didn’t come to him, no matter how hard he thought and willed it into existence. Tony deserved absolute perfection – Peter knew that from the second they met. Striving for anything less in this situation just wouldn’t do.

In an attempt to jumpstart his brain, Peter started carrying the ring box in his pocket. If pre-planning didn’t work, maybe spontaneity would. Trying to force himself into a bubble never worked before – why he ever thought it could for something so important seemed a little silly. Peter worked the best when he was relaxed and stress-free. Proposing felt stressful enough, tacking on a precise plan of attack only added to it.

For the first few days of his plan, Peter worried that Tony might catch on. Not every pair of pants let the box rest peacefully against his leg – the very first day he decided to start carrying it with him, Tony tried to feel him up in the elevator and almost palmed the velvet box instead of his rapidly stiffening erection. A swift move of his hips into Tony’s was the only thing that saved him.

As the days went by, Peter found it easier to keep the secret and quietly delighted at the fact that Tony genuinely didn’t have a clue. The damn thing was right under his nose most of the time – so much so that Peter found himself wanting to test fate even further. If Tony really wasn’t paying attention, Peter wondered how many times he could set the ring out in front of the man without him noticing. Blinking, Peter pulled in a deep breath and let the rightness of that plan settle over him. He wanted creativity and perfection – a little game seemed like the perfect way to achieve both of those things.

His first attempt at it was very minimal. They were sitting in the kitchen preparing dinner together – the whole scene insanely domestic. A rush of want crept up into Peter’s chest and sat there, taunting him to pull the ring box out. He stuffed his hand into his pocket as quietly as he could, the top of the box making the slightest bit of sound when he pulled it open. Looking up, he smiled to himself; Tony was completely occupied, carried away by the oldies rock on the radio and the sizzling warmth on the stove. In the picture, Tony’s hips were swaying, the movement tangible in the blur of his figure.

From there, Peter got a little friskier about it. He took one when they were sitting together on the couch, his back against Tony’s chest, the man’s hair spread out on Peter’s shoulder as they watched TV. The next was in bed later that night, the ring between their bodies while Tony snored obliviously. Peter saved each of the new snaps into their own folder and spent several minutes after taking each one cooing over the cuteness of Tony’s naivety. There weren’t many moments when Tony didn’t know exactly what was going on. Peter allowed himself to revel on the few he crafted.

There were several more encounters of oblivious Tony over the next couple of weeks. Peter planned a picnic and let the box sit in the collection of goodies on the blanket for what seemed like hours before picking it up and storing it in his pocket again. He pulled it out when they were sitting in the drive-thru line at McDonald’s and shared a laugh with the young girl behind the window when Tony went about his business, despite the open box showcasing a shiny black ring right by his face. Peter shot her a wink, the girl’s smile in the photo one of the best mementos of the experience yet.

Just as Peter figured, the perfect opportunity came during one of their many treks out to Coney Island. In the span of the last week, Peter put the actual ring in Tony’s hand while he was sleeping, left the box open on his lab table, and let it sit in Tony’s briefcase all the way from their office into the house. The idea of getting away with his ploy made that finale that much more important. He played with fire enough – it was finally time to make Tony his.

Getting out of Happy’s car, Peter pulled them towards the teacups – Tony’s favorite ride on the island, despite the dizziness it brought them both for the rest of their trip. He wanted Tony disoriented – it was an important part of Peter’s plan finally coming to fruition. Since they were a little earlier than usual, the lines weren’t long, so they were able to ride the cups twice before the idea of waiting became a thing.

Antsy now, Peter pushed through the spin in his head and led Tony over towards his old station. Despite the fact that more than 10 years passed since his job there, artist alley was in the same place – the easels there the same ones he spent hot summer days behind. His eyes met MJ, who made a guest appearance in her old spot for the occasion. Tony knew enough about her to know about their connection, but not enough to put all of the pieces together.

Peter took his seat first, his part of the picture already complete – the rough draft of it sitting on his art counter at home, the design one he sent to MJ that very morning. He sketched himself kneeling on one knee in the mirror twice before it was exactly how he wanted it. 

She went through the motions, however – Tony’s nosiness needed to be assuaged while he stood there, waiting impatiently for his turn. Wiggling his eyebrows, Peter relaxed into the chair and let the anticipation build – the ending of his game was quickly spiraling towards them. 

It took another 20 minutes for MJ to finish up whatever she drew of Peter and the two of them to switch chairs – Tony’s excited smile making it super difficult not to just drop down on one knee right then and there. Instead, he watched with a huge smile as MJ went about finishing the actual picture she’d be presenting at the end of their little modeling session. Peter crouched down and let his eyes move with the brush of her hand – the sight of the art becoming exactly what he pictured exhilarating, better than the game of chase the last few weeks provided.

With the last flick of her wrist, MJ finished their portrait, her eyes narrowing into the smoothest wink – her immense coolness still a thing after so many years. Grinning in her direction, Peter got up, his heart slamming against his chest. The distraction of MJ’s “do you want to see it?” proved to be enough for Peter to get into position on one knee – Tony’s attention was on the end result completely, his ability to focus so singularly such a gift in that moment.  

The soft inhale of air was the only sign Peter got before Tony was looking in his direction, whiskey-smooth eyes glued to him. “Pete?” Tony whispered, his head tilting ever so slightly. The expression never ceased to drive Peter crazy, Tony’s cuteness pulling a soft smile across his own lips.

“I bought this thing weeks ago. When I saw the jeweler on my way home from lunch with May and couldn’t stop myself. It didn’t have any intention of actually getting anything – but here we are. I spent way too many brain bytes wondering how the hell I’d pull off this insane proposal – you’re the personification of all things good and perfect, our first step towards forever needed to be exactly that,” Peter stopped a second, his fingers readjusting the box in his hand. “I finally figured out that there would never be a perfect way, because the perfection is you and the promise of forever, not the proposal or even the question itself.”

As he spoke, Tony moved a little closer to him, his face split into the biggest grin Peter recalled ever seeing. Reaching out, Peter grabbed his hand, their fingers tangling together. “There’s not a better person in this world to spend the rest of my days with. Your brain is marvelous and gives way to the biggest heart I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Time with you flashes by like the recollection of beautiful memories. It’s exquisite, really – the consuming way love resides in us. There’s no forever without you. Not when my heart beats for you and my thoughts exist in hopes of melding with yours.” Peter looked up; his eyes wet with unshed tears. “Marry me, Tony.”

----

Hours later, Peter spent the entire drive back into the city with his hand covering Tony’s possessively, the coolness of the ring on his finger the best reminder of what just happened. After Tony mumbled a soft ‘yes’, he pulled Peter onto his feet, strong arms wrapping around his neck to pull him into a hard kiss. A soft throat clearing pulled them away from each other a few moments later, MJ’s smiling face meeting them when reality came crashing back. “You two are so sickeningly cute. Congrats, guys,” MJ said, the smile on her face a smooth juxtaposition to her sassy words. Peter shot her a wink, his hands already moving to pull Tony close again.

Between getting the ring on Tony’s finger and making sure their caricature made it off the island with them, Peter got lost in the next couple of hours. They wandered around for a little while before Tony’s demanding hands and tantalizing ideas whispered against Peter’s ear were a little too much. Peter led them back to the Bentley before the idea of the dirty boardwalk underneath them became a good one.

In their fumbling to get to the car, Peter started to describe the whole proposal process to Tony – the whole thing a desperate attempt to distract himself from the boiling attraction that always threatened to consume him. He talked about all of the different places he hid the ring, all the obvious times he let the damn thing rest right under Tony’s nose – each description of the past month’s events making it easier to lean into his fiancé’s warmth without the sizzle of arousal consuming him.

Settling into the back seat of the car, Peter took out his phone, the file of photos opening easily after weeks of navigating to that very spot time and time again. Going through them with Tony made each one feel a bit more special, the other’s reaction and surprise bringing the memory to the forefront, crystalizing its beauty with a whole new coat of affection.

“I can’t believe I didn’t notice. The ring is sitting in the palm of my hand in this one,” Tony remarked, his eyes flashing with amusement as he made the picture bigger, his fingers toggling on the screen. “Oblivious was never a word I’d use to describe myself.” He turned then, his hand finding Peter’s cheek. “Until now. Thank you for this, Pete. The whole thing – it’s gorgeous.”

Their lips met in a soft kiss – the genuine nature of Tony’s words alive in his warmth and attention. Tony’s singular focus on Peter felt like a rainstorm – intense and all consuming, rowdy in the eye of it. The subtle press and pull went on the rest of the drive, Tony’s lips only leaving Peter’s when oxygen became a necessity – they shared breaths when they could and separated mere inches when they couldn’t.

Both knew they didn’t need to rush – that seconds and minutes were no longer a factor.

Forever was an awfully long time.

[mystic-kitten-writer]

A Taste of Honey [M]︳01

Pairing: Jung Hoseok x Reader

AU: Greek Mythology (mini-series - 1st installment)

Genre: Romance/smut

Rating: NSFW

Warning: Dirty talk, fingering, oral sex (fem. receiving), multiple orgasms, virginreader, public sex, unprotected sex (put a sock on it people!), creampie

Words: 10500+ 

Notes: It’s all done! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL. You requested a smut for your birthday, and I deliver~! I hope you all enjoy the story, I can totally see this becoming a mini-series for all of the members. Let me know what you guys think! Thank you for all the support and don’t forget to leave a like, comment, or reblog <3

EDIT: So I decided to make this into a mini-series for all of the members! You guys said you’d be interested, so lets do it! Story order: A Taste of Honey (Jung Hoseok), Teach Me (Kim Namjoon), Flutter (Kim Seokjin).

Masterlist  ︳ Prologue

❤ Buy me a coffee? ❤

The Greek Goddess, Aphrodite, wanted nothing more than her favourite honey-nymph to experience the power of love. So after pulling a few strings, the Goddess promises Demi-God, Jung Hoseok, an offer he can’t refuse; “Sweeter than sweet.” he purred into your ear, your cheeks flushed watching the way he licked his fingers with delight, “Oh little bumblebee, you’re going to be my breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the rest of my life.”

A Taste of Honey ︳Final

           Cheeks flushed, jaw to the ground, and eyes as wide as a deer – to say that you were out of place would be an understatement and a half.

           The twinkling stars and moon didn’t stand a chance against the illuminating torches that were scattered throughout the clearing. Women and men dancing to live music, a few animals watched from the trees – seemingly entertained at how drunk Gods can be from the renowned wines Dionysus provided to his guests.

          Your hands tightly gripped the white peplo you wore, palms sweaty as you watched everyone intermingle and intoxicated – all things that you never participated in. Parties such as these were a foreign concept to you. A small puff escaped, taking in your surroundings keenly – so this was how Dionysus’s parties were?

          What in the world have you walked yourself into?

          You huffed once more, unsure where to go, so instead, you awkwardly stayed in the same spot that you’ve been in for the past hour.

           “Indulge love, the wine is free!”

          Your eyes widen, turning on your heel after hearing a high pitch voice shriek from behind you, bumping into your figure. The lady’s cheeks were glowing, drunk as she wore luscious furs – a Maenad, one of Dionysus’s followers.

          She held her cup of wine to her lips, stealing a sip before raising her perfectly arched brows towards you, “Well, the wine is over there. Don’t tell me you expect me to fetch it for you too now?”

           A crimson blush flooded your cheeks, not uttering a word as you shook your head, and with that, she bolted, back to the circle of people who were twirling to the tune of the string instruments. Seriously, why in the world did you agree to come to this festivity?

          And it was a graceful laugh that ostensibly carried throughout the crowds that made you remember – ahh, the Goddess Aphrodite.

          She leaned against the God Dionysus, her hands light-heartedly resting against his chest as she giggled to whatever words he spoke. Her presence alone could make any place or thing that much more beautiful, and tonight was no exception.

           Aphrodite knew you were too much of a prune to come to these events and instead told you of all the fun she had in the mornings when you gave her a face mask with the honey you gathered. So when she asked you to join her at this party, something she rarely asks – how could you say no?

          The way she held your hands, coaxing you into agreeing and coming along. You even let her dress you, wearing makeup and gems that a mere mortal would dream off.

           You pulled your gaze away from them, eyes settling on the Maenads pouring wine into the glasses of the greedy. This was one of the few nights you went to such a party, might as well have fun, right?

          With a heavy breath, you skipped forward, dancing bodies bumping into you, laughing maniacally. Your eyes frantically searched for a glass, or at least something remotely close to the shape of a cup, to get some wine. But it proved fruitless.

          Between the noise, the music, and people, you struggled to catch the attention of the maidens serving. The curse of being a honey-nymph! You were petite, a fragile thing compared to these other people, and although it was helpful with the bees, in situations like these – it worked against you.

          A small pout formed on your lips, curious to taste the liquid. Maybe if you just throw yourself into the crowd?

           “Here – have mine.”

          Your eyes widen as a hand ran up your back. Their breath tickling your neck as they pushed a glass of wine into your grasp. The abrupt action and delicate touch stealing your breath, goosebumps rising upon your skin.

          Their fingers trailed down your spine, brushing themselves against you, feeling the fine furs and silks they wore. The white-yellowish liquid swished in the cup, your hands quivering from the sudden amorous gesture. Whoever was behind you was immense, their broad chest seemingly devouring your frame as your flickering shadow was lost with theirs.

          “What you waiting for? The wine isn’t going to drink itself.” They droned, chest vibrating against your back, and despite not seeing their face, you could hear the cheeky smile that adorned their face.

           With a swift turn of your heel, you turned around, desperate to see the person who offered you their glass. “Oh, t-thank you-” Your words faded, lips dry as you faced your saviour.

          They were tall, that was for sure. But more importantly, he was drop-dead gorgeous.

           A sauve smile painted his face, showing off his pearly whites. A smile so bright it was like he stole the sun itself. Your cheeks flushed; he was handsome. So strikingly attractive he took your breath for the second time this night - was he a God?

          His eyes were a dusky brown, and while people often overlooked dark coloured eyes, you couldn’t ignore his. Like melted hazelnut, his gaze lured you in. He brushed some loose strands of his black hair from his face. The whole time his smile never wavered, instead, it deepened, adorable dimples embellishing his face as he looked down at you.

          “Well? Do you need help drinking it?” He chuckled, entranced with the way you stared at him so honestly. Your head shook feverishly, embarrassment consuming you.

          Never, in your whole lifetime, have you been left flabbergasted by a man.

          It was odd, the way your heart raced, hands sweaty from his presence. A whole range of emotions buzzing within you. There was just something about him that got your pulse racing. Was this the feeling Aphrodite often spoke about – attraction?

          “S-sorry, um, t-thank you.” You muttered, still flustered by his appearance.

          He ran his tongue along his lips, wetting them as he tilted his head. You, entirely ignorant to the way he studied your figure up and down – lewd thoughts running wild.

          “Well?” he started, eyebrows raised as he nudged his chin towards your hands. You smiled enthusiastically, just as keen to take a sip of the liquid as he seemed to watch you indulge. Cautiously, you brought the glass to your lips, feeling the chilled liquid touch your tongue, flavours bursting with each drop.

          It was like a work of art; citrus flavours teeming from left-right and center.

          Was wine always this delicious? Was this what you’ve been missing your whole life? As you swallow, the cold fluid going down your throat, you could taste the lingering essences of orange blossom, and was that…some spice as well?

          It was his chortle that brought you back to reality, laughing at your facial expressions, “You’re acting like you’ve never tasted wine before! ”

           “I haven’t…” you shyly muttered, brushing the curtain of hair behind your ear. “Never!?” he shouted, eyes bulging as he stumbled back a bit. He was eccentric, gestures overdramatic, but it caused you to giggle, nodding your head as you stole another sip, “This is my first time.”

           His hands fell over his chest, smiling radiantly towards you. A faint, shiny glow caught your attention, noticing the extravagant rings that adorned his hands. Almost every slender finger of his bore some form of gold, but more importantly - he had the most beautiful hands you’d ever seen.

          Not a single imperfection as your eyes lingered along his hands and down his arms, veins slightly bulging.

           “Well, I’m glad I could be your first.” He snickered, clicking his tongue as you stole, yet another, sip from your cup. A faint buzz started in your head, as if your bees were swarming, a rush you’ve never experienced before.

          You titled your head to the side, oblivious to his comment as you openly pouted, realizing the glass was empty. “You want more already?” He mused, watching the way you studied the hollow glass.

           “I do, but I want more of this. It’s delicious!” you cheered, louder than you had intended. Is this what wine does to you? Make you bolder? But the way his eyes lit up at your words as if you were complimenting him rather than the wine.

           “You like it? Really?” He inquired, stepping closer to you with interest. Without hesitation, you mimicked his gesture, tempted to get closer as well. He was fascinating, his gestures, his voice. “I do, I could drink this all day. It’s a taste I don’t think I could ever forget…” You hummed, speaking softer now and blushing a tad, you were blurting everything that came to your mind. The wine is really taking over.

          “Assyrtiko.” He said softly.

          “Assyrtiko?” You repeated, puzzled.

           “It’s the grape used to make this wine – famous for its citrus flavours, mostly lemon.” He finished, quickly taking the glass from your hands. His soft skin brushed against yours, his fingers lingering a second longer than needed. You could feel your blush radiate down to your body, unsure if it was the wine or just him.

           He let the glass dangle from his fingers, a Maenad grabbed it from him without a second glance.

          Who was this man?

          The fancy furs, the gold and gems he wore – was he a man of status? A God? But his easy-going personality didn’t make him seem like a God, he was far too friendly, so pleasant to be with. You found yourself staring at him intently, trying to figure out who he was, you didn’t even know his name.

          You came to this party expecting to be out of place, standing along the sidelines as you watched people indulge in ecstasy. But now, you weren’t too sure. You didn’t feel like the shy honey-nymph you were, you felt bolder, happier, and maybe that was due to the glass of wine you practically chugged in a heartbeat.

           His eyes moulted over, breathing coarsely as his hand lasciviously grazed your cheek, “Do you want to dance?”

          “I-I don’t know how to…” you slurred, hypnotized by his eyes. They were breathtaking, seemingly reaching your soul with every breath.

           He grinned, “Don’t worry…follow my lead.”

          A cheeky gasp escaped you as he pulled at your hands towards the music - so fast you didn’t get a second chance to think. Your feet struggled to keep up to his quick pace, feet feeling light as you tried your hardest not to stumble. But your anxious gasps soon turned into giggles of excitement, this man was something else.

          He had this energy to him - exhilarating.

           Your eyes studied his back, shoulders broad, his muscles easily visible underneath his robes and furs. How it would feel to be embraced by him, underneath him…So entranced by him, you were oblivious to the looks you received by the people around you – looks of bewilderment and curiosity. Just as you caught yourself shamelessly staring at him, again, he stopped.

           He turned on his heel, pulling his hands onto your waist as he pressed you against him. His dark green robes starkly contrasted against your white ones, but you couldn’t peel your eyes away from his. They were electrifying, he looked so pleased, laughing as you found yourself moving pathetically to the music.

          “I really don’t know how to dance.” You groaned.

           But he shook his head, smiling as he guided your steps with a firm grasp on your hips, “You’re overthinking, just enjoy the music, listen to the beats…” He mumbled, pulling you close to him once again. ‘Listen to the beats…easier said than done’ you thought as you awkwardly danced side by side.

           You stared at your feet, mind buzzing as you tried to understand what in the world you were supposed to be doing. Oh for Zeus’s sakes, your feet didn’t seem to listen at all, refusing to move at a steady beat. And it wasn’t long till you heard the man who had you wrapped around their finger wincing slightly.

           Your cheeks flushed, realizing that you accidentally stepped on his foot amidst your so call dancing. And while you would definitely say you were tipsy, you weren’t intoxicated enough to brush off the look of shame on your face. The way his lips turned upside down slightly, eyes closed as he hissed under his breath.

          “I-I’m sorry, you know, I should probably just get going-” you blurted, seeing a look of pain flash across his eyes. What were you thinking? Drinking, dancing - things you’ve never done before, let alone with a man! You were way over your head, you were just a honey-nymph at the end of the day, you don’t belong here one bit.

          You pulled away, desperate to hide away in a hive and cry to your bees out of frustration, but before you could, his grip tighten, pressing you firmly against him as his hand gently cupped your face, “I promise I’ll teach you, one broken foot at a time.” He laughed, playfully tapping your nose. Your mouth dropped, rosy at his words, “You’re not mad?”

          “Why would I be mad, to be fair, you did warn me.” You couldn’t help but let a smile sneak up. He was such a sun; illuminating, hopeful. I’ve never met a man such as him before.

          “Don’t give up hope just yet, I see a little spark in you.” He teased, his hands guiding your hips once again. His smile was comforting, your body relaxing, and you got a bit bolder, letting your body press against him as your head laid on his chest. Your face on his furs, warm to the touch and soft.

          But you could also smell him – citrus.

          It was like the wine you drank earlier, but oddly enough, it suited him. His natural tangerine and lemony scent, seemingly representing his energetic personality - a burst of energy. Maybe a follower of Apollo? It would explain his radiance…

          This time, you got what he meant – listen to the beats. The way the musicians strung at their instruments, the way the people moved their bodies to the music. Hands waving, feet moving, “See – and you already lost all hope.”

          You laughed at his words, realizing that you were in fact dancing, although terrible, it was still dancing. His hands travelled around your hips, drawing you closer and trailing down your spine, resting along your lower back. His head leaned into your neck as you moved, feeling his warm breath; teasing you.

          He was so close, so close you could feel his heartbeat through his furs, your fingers brushing against his skin that his robes failed to cover. “You know, I’ve never seen you before…” He muttered, lips brushing against your ear.

           “This is my first time coming to a festivity of the God Dionysus…” You answered. There was no point in lying, it was obvious you were a naïve bee. What person attends a party of Dionysus multiple times and say they never drank wine?

           He pulled away slowly, eyes studying your features with curiosity, searching for an answer, “I can’t say I’m surprised…I would remember seeing someone like you…”

           “You attend these often?”                                

           His mouth parted, closing just as fast before he broke into a smirk, “You can say that…Dionysus and I are close. Extremely close – like blood.” You raised a brow at his words, trying to catch on, but the wine from early seemed to still have a grasp over you, your brain unable to decipher his words.

           “What about you? What brought you here, you’re for sure no follower of Dionysus.” He mused. The tone of the music changed, slower this time. You reduced your pace, matching his instantly and gave he gave you an approving smile. “I’m a honey-nymph…”

           “A follower of Demeter? Now, I wasn’t expecting that. Demeter isn’t exactly a party-type of gal.” He blurted truthfully, and you giggled, “No, I’m not a follower of Demeter.”

          His brows pinched together, speechless, and your laughter grew more, watching the way he struggled to comprehend your words. “So you’re a honey-nymph, who isn’t a follower of Demeter, did you just happen to waltz into this party or something?” He asked, inquisitiveness laced with his words.

          You kittenishly shrugged your shoulders, teasing him as he had done to you, “Who knows, maybe I did, maybe I didn’t…”

           “So you wanna play like that, huh?” He roused, his face snuggling into your neck as his hands dropped. You could feel them, no longer on your lower back but along the curvature of your ass. You flushed, gripping onto his robes, feeling his touch.

           He was intoxicating – making you feel drunk, awakening a new side of you, a side that you didn’t even know you had which speaks plenty - given that you spent most of your time with the Goddess of love and sex herself.

          “Oh, little bumblebee.” He cooed into your ear, a soft moan escaping you hearing the nickname he gave you. His voice, it was like he was singing, taunting to himself as one of his hands easily grasped your chin. He tilted your face upwards, licking his lips with delight as he studied you, trying not to devour you right then and there.

           “What’s your name?” You gasped out, your lips just barely touching his. Your fingers dug into his shoulders, pushing yourself against him, seeking more. He chuckled, watching how eager you were for him, his thumb brushing your bottom lip with temptation, “Hoseok.”

           Your brows furrowed together – Hoseok.

          A name that seemingly jolted a sense of familiarity. Why does it sound familiar? Like you’ve heard that name before. The wine made your mind fuzzy, that and being in his presence, “Do I…do I know you?” You muttered innocently.

           Hoseok grinned, “You’re far too good for this world my little bumblebee. How did someone as innocent as you last this long?” You flushed, his face leaning close to yours, your eyes fluttering shut as you felt his warm breath along your lips, a taste. You just wanted a taste-

           “Oh my precious honey-nymph, where do you hide?”

           You jolted, pulling away from Hoseok’s grasp in a flash. He staggered backwards at your actions, Aphrodite.

          “I-I’m sorry, I have to go.” You blurted, but you felt your heart squeeze seeing Hoseok’s face. He looked sad, a faint frown on his face as he studied you carefully, “Did I do something wrong?”

           “N-No! I’m sorry, I have to go, she’s looking for me-”

           “My love, where are you?” You heard Aphrodite sing once again.

          You frowned, looking at Hoseok with regret. His warm eyes looked distressed, already missing the warmth of his fingers against your skin.

          “It was nice meeting you Hoseok, and thanks for the wine, it was marvellous.”

          “Your name-” he shouted, but it fell upon deaf ears as you already bolted through the dancing bodies. He let out a sigh, watching the way you beelined. You were fascinating, “Little bumblebee…” He muttered under his breath. He needed a drink – actually, make that two.

          Your eyes scanned frantically for Aphrodite, hearing her soft cries through the crowds. Your hands anxiously gripped your robes, eyes bouncing from person to person to spot the gorgeous Goddess herself.

          And after searching for a few more seconds, your eyes finally settled on her.

          She sat on Dionysus’s lap, her hands entangled with his curls as she giggled. Her cheeks were rosy, evidently a bit tipsy as you as Dionysus held a wine glass in his hand. He took a sip from the cup coolly, although his wine was different, a scarlet red – wonder what type of wine that was?

           As if Aphrodite could feel your gaze upon her, her head tilted towards you, a bright smile shining all the way to you, “Ah, my precious follower, come here!” She hummed, her finger curling and motioning you towards her. You huffed, letting go of the fabric that you bundled up in your hands, feeling the eyes of Dionysus upon you.

          It was strange, for the past few days, Aphrodite and Dionysus were oddly…close.

           You were well aware of his and hers pleasurable rendezvous’ – Aphrodite’s husband ignorant of such, but it was more than just that.

          Dionysus would often engage in conversations, well beyond the normal realm of ‘small talk’ with you. It was as if he searching for something, or trying to figure something out…

           Aphrodite’s hands caressed your face, a happy smile painting her face as she gazed over you like a proud mother, “Doesn’t she look absolutely stunning tonight?” Aphrodite purred pleasantly, nudging Dionysus friskily. You blushed once again, trying desperately to look away as Dionysus agreed and took a sip of his wine. “Ahh, nothing compared to your beauty, Goddess.” You murmured, looking down humbly.

          You didn’t have to look up to know she was already rolling her eyes, your hair slipping through her fingers as she hummed once again, “Since you’re all dolled up, this would be a superb opportunity to meet Dionysus’s sons!” Your eyes widen, sharply looking upwards, because everyone has heard of the infamous bunch.

          The Divine Gods of Grapes.

          They were Demi-Gods, children of Dionysus, but over the years, they proved their strength and power, ultimately gaining status as Gods themselves. Seven Gods – each one representing a particular grape that produces wine. Each grape complimenting their unique personalities.

           Dionysus smiled, chuckling as he raised his wine glass, swirling the red liquid with ease, “You’re right my Goddess – they happen to all be here tonight. What a happy coincidence.”

           “My little one meeting your children, it’s like a date!” Aphrodite giggled, her hands falling against Dionysus’s chest once again. Your eyes widen, piecing the puzzle pieces together – Aphrodite planned this, all of this.

          She was trying to set you up with one of Dionysus’s sons!

          Your cheeks flushed, realizing that when Aphrodite told you that she would make sure you found love, she wasn’t joking.

          You – with a God?

          Sure, they were technically Demi-Gods, but the thought of a mere honey-nymph, an utterly innocent and chaste one at that, being with God?

          You could feel your head buzzing already. But while most would be honoured to be paired up with men of such high status, you couldn’t help but let your mind wander back to one particular man.

           His chocolate eyes, those cute dimples, you found yourself smiling sweetly to yourself – Hoseok. You had just met him, but there was something about him, something utterly addictive about him. He was so happy, cheery, and you felt a blush appearing on your cheeks, remembering the nickname he gave you; little bumblebee.

           Aphrodite gentle caressed your cheek once again, catching your attention and realizing the situation you were in. She was going to introduce you to Dionysus’s sons, she expects you to find the love of your life with one of them. You pushed Hoseok to the side, no point dreaming of a future with a man whom you just met, a man who only offered you wine and a dance. But the first man to ever do so…

           You could hear some commotion behind you, a few men and women gushing.

          “Ah, here they are – my boys!” Dionysus boomed, shouting at what you could only assume were the infamous group of men. You bounced from side to side, palming your legs as you prepared to meet the notorious bunch.

          Knowing that his sons were here made sense. Even someone like you could tell there was an abundance of people at this festival, and it also explained the array of different coloured wines that were being passed along. I wonder what son produced that flavourful wine you drank?

          “Father, Goddess of love and beauty - Aphrodite.” A man spoke from behind you. You felt your body tense, hesitantly moving to the side as you turned on your heel.

          Six men stood together, proud and tall as they bowed in acknowledgement to Aphrodite. She giggled, clapping happily, “It’s been far too long my lovelies, working hard at the vineyards I suppose? The wine is utterly heavenly.”

          They all smiled, nodding at her words. They were handsome, each single one of them, each having their own charm. You felt Aphrodite run her hand along your hair, “Let me introduce to you young men my dearest…” She droned. Your cheeks flushed, having all their eyes on you.

          They didn’t seem as intense or petrifying until you felt their eyes on you. Each one studied you up and down as if you were a gift. But in retrospect, you were. Finally, the man in the center of the bunch cleared his throat, seemingly sensing your uneasiness, “Pleasure to meet you, I am the God of Agiorgitiko – Namjoon.”

          Agiorgitiko?

          It clicked. Grapes.

          They were naming the grapes they were in control of.

          You smiled and nodded your head in acknowledgement. “These are my brothers-” he started, gesturing to the men standing with him. The man to his right smiled radiantly, stepping forward and bowing, “I am the God of Roditis, Seokjin.”

          His voice wasn’t as rough or coarse as Namjoon’s, and same with his appearance. Seokjin held a rather classic beauty, timeless, a man of status. He wrapped his arms around the man beside him, “This here is my youngest brother, Jungkook – the God of Athiri.”

          Jungkook was nervous, not nearly as bold, or at least as outgoing, as the other bunch. A faint blush tainted his cheeks, shyly nodding his head towards you. You couldn’t help but smile, you could sympathize with him – being so deathly timid yourself, although the wine in your system did seem to cure that for the time being.

           “Hi, my name is Jimin! I’m the God of Moscofilero.” Blurted a voice.

          It was light and feminine, almost as if they were singing. Your eyes travelled back to Namjoon, noticing that this Jimin character was standing on the other side of him. His lips were pouty, eyes nearly closed as he shot you the biggest eye smile you’ve seen. His smile was contagious, noticing that you were no longer tightly gripping your robes in your hands as you giggled back at him.

          They weren’t as intimidating as you thought, and not as formal or ‘prime and proper’ as the Gods usually were. But more importantly, …if they were all Gods of particular grapes – Assyrtiko.

          That was the grape Hoseok told you, the vine to that delicious wine you had. Would it be silly to pick your date solely on the taste of wine? But you found your tongue running along the edges of your mouth, trying to pick up the faint traces of the flavour.

          You wanted something else, something more…

          A taste of those lips - Hoseok’s lips.

          “Yoongi - God of Malagousia.” A deep voice spoke.

          Yoongi brought you out of your thoughts once again, although his greeting was short and sweet. His eyes seemed unamused, looking elsewhere. He didn’t look particularly bored with you per se, more like he was just tired of being at this party altogether. The last person chuckled at Yoongi’s expression, wearing peculiar furs over him, “Taehyung, I’m the God of Xinomavro.”

          Your eyes flickered between them; one, two, three, four, five, six…six?

          “Ah, what gentlemen! What do you think, my dear? Anyone pick your fancy?” Aphrodite hummed into your ear as she brushed your hair. You would’ve blushed at her words, making you pick a man so upfront like this, but you couldn’t because you were too busy focusing on something else. “God Dionysus.” You spoke, a slight waver in your voice.

          Right away, he raised a brow, seemingly intrigued that you called him out, “Yes child?”

          “You have seven sons….but, I only met six.”

          “Six isn’t enough for you?” Yoongi grumbled, crossing his arms with exasperation as Namjoon shot him a glare. You blushed, realizing how your comment may have sounded, as Aphrodite brushed your cheeks, “We thought we would introduce to you your best matches…”

          You gazed at the six men, sure – they were handsome, but what made them the best matches for you? You looked at Aphrodite with confusion written on your face, “I wanted someone who would compliment your shy persona,  someone who would cater to your delicate being.” Aphrodite soothed, already knowing what you were thinking.

          Was the other brother rough, a brunt of some sort? You pouted as you looked over them, they all looked kind, and you understood what she meant by ‘compliment your shy persona.’ They didn’t seem necessarily gaudy or tremendously sociable – especially that Yoongi and Jungkook character. For the most part, they appeared relatively timid like yourself. Shy.

          “You seem unsatisfied child.”

          Your eyes widen, rapidly looking at Dionysus with terror, “N-not at all! I’m just, uh, picking.” You stuttered. But Dionysus didn’t seem offended, as you thought he was, but somewhat interested. “If you wish…I may call upon my last son for you to decide, it only seems fair to make a proper decision.”

          “But we agreed to these six…” Aphrodite mumbled under her breath, so she did plan this with Dionysus! Before Dionysus could say anything more, Jimin spun, waving his arms frantically at someone, “Over here! Father wishes to see you!”

          “Me? What did I do now?”

          Your ears perked up at the voice, moving forward without a second thought.

          “Nothing bad – promise!” Jimin cheerfully bantered back. You heard an airy laugh, and you could feel your heart swell. No – it can’t be.

          “Father, you requested me?” The man spoke, wrapping his arms around Jimin with a charming smile.

          But Dionysus didn’t have a chance to speak.

          Your finger rose, pointing at the seventh brother, “Hoseok…?”

          Hoseok’s head turned at the sound of your voice, his mouth wide open, “Bumblebee?”. A blush erupted on your cheeks, flustered by your nickname.

          Hoseok was a Demi-God, no – a God.

          The son of Dionysus.

          He was dropping hints to you all night, but you were so caught up with his beauty, his charm, you didn’t clue in one bit. That’s why his name sounded familiar, that’s why he wore such extravagant robes, that’s why the Maenads beckoned at his call.

          “Hoseok. The God of Assyrtiko…” You muttered under your breath.

          Hoseok was the mastermind behind that rich, acidic wine. That’s why he was so happy when you told him you loved it. Without hesitance, you looked at Aphrodite and Dionysus, hands to your chest, “I made my decision. I know who I want.”

          “Amuse me, child.” Dionysus beamed, leaning forward, eager to hear your words.

          “Hoseok. I choose him.”

          Your head was buzzing, and you knew that in the morning to come, you would soon come to regret your outright passion for Hoseok. But right now you let his wine work it’s magic, your voice stern as you pointed at Hoseok without hesitance.

          Aphrodite and Dionysus didn’t pick Hoseok, not because he was rude or rough, but because he was the exact opposite of you.

          You were shy, the wallflower at parties such as these, while he was the sun, always shining the brightest.

          He was loud, eccentric, while you were quiet, naturally tame.

          But it was because of this, you felt drawn to him. This night alone, you did things you haven’t done in your whole lifetime – he made you feel alive. And that’s what you wanted, someone who pushed you outside of your comfort zone.

          If you chose any of the other brothers, you knew they would treat you right, Aphrodite wouldn’t let them touch a single hair on your head, but you didn’t want to feel safe – you wanted exciting.

          The grin on Hoseok’s face as he stepped forward, your blush only intensifying as his eyes etched into your skin, “Oh little bumblebee…” He purred, the tips of his long fingers tilting your chin upwards, “You won’t regret this. Not one bit.”

          A busy bee – precisely what you were, pun intended.

          You sat on your knees, humming softly as you overlooked the sprouting blossoms on the cherry trees, adorning the fields. The gentle breezes made the grass brush against the skin of your legs, you nose bursting with the calming aromas of fresh flowers – all tale-tell signs that spring is officially here.

          A content sigh escaped you as you continued humming away, the sound of your bees buzzing away above you. With spring in full swing, you had your work cut out for you. Making sure the bees were pollinating and producing enough honey to last the upcoming winter.

          But while you sang softly, guiding a combination of Honey and Bumble bees from flower to flower, your mind was elsewhere…

          A rosy tinge painted your cheeks as memories flooded your mind, a few bees stopping their work to flutter around you, curious as to why your voice has changed from a pleasant high pitch tune – to a low, sultry one.

          Your tongue ran along the inside of your mouth once more, a pitiful attempt to taste that wine – his wine.

          It has been a bit over a week since that fateful night. And while you hoped that time would ease your nerves and hopefully make you forget how bold you were that night, Aphrodite didn’t let you off that easily.

          She giggled like a child when she saw you, raising her eyebrows and poking your cheeks teasingly as you applied her morning mask, ‘I’ve never seen you so…lustful my little one’ she would purr into your ear. You let out a sharp groan, just remembering the mischievous remarks Aphrodite said to you.

          But despite outright claiming Hoseok as yours that night, you haven’t seen him since. Nor, did you see Aphrodite with Dionysus.

          It was strange, how insistent Aphrodite and Dionysus were that you pick any of the brothers besides Hoseok, but now that you chose him, Aphrodite couldn’t seem happier. As if she wanted you to pick him all along…

          Your eyes fluttered upwards, gazing at the bees, realizing that none of them were working. Instead, they flew around you, playing with one another, “H-hey, get back to work, sillies!”

          Right away, they faced you, buzzing softly as they swiftly brushed against your skin and back to the pink and white blossoms on the trees. A soft smile painted your face, you loved your bees, every single one of them like children. You felt a soft touch on your hand, looking down to see a single bee resting contently on your palm, “Hey, you too buddy…” You giggled softly.

          The bee fluttered its wings, and you swore the bee puckered before flying away. So much attitude!

          Just as the bee started to fly away, you noticed their buzzing got intense – furious.

          You felt yourself starting to panic, the bees pulling away from the blossoms and instantly flew around you, seemingly all facing one direction, “What’s wrong…?” You cried, watching the way some of the bees wagged their stingers.

          They felt threatened.

          The sudden shuffling of shrubberies caught your attention, up ahead the bushes moving slightly. Someone was in the underbrush, and the bees were petrified. You pushed yourself off the ground, gripping your white robes as you walked forward, the bees swarming around you protectively. Who in the world is in the bushes?

          Black hair bobbed, green robes-

          “Hoseok!?” You shouted.

          A head poked out, his face bearing the sweetest smile you’ve ever seen. The way the sun bounced off his skin, his skin glowing radiantly. It’s him, it’s really him.

          But before you could even blink, your bees freaked out - mistaking your beating heart for fear rather than utter bliss.

          They swarmed forward, and the quirky smile on Hoseok’s face soon shifted to that of fear. You ran ahead, waving your hands frantically, “Don’t worry, he’s a friend – a friend!” you anxiously shouted.

          The bees movements stopped, and you knew they were gazing at Hoseok, and you – suspiciously.

          You outstretched your hands, a few bees prudently brushing themselves along your fingers, “He’s a friend…he’s good…I promise…” You muttered softly, trying your best to comfort them. Their buzzing relaxed, their wings no longer flapping powerfully, as a few of them flew back to the blossoms - still keeping a wary eye on Hoseok.

          A soft sigh of relief escaped your lips, before turning on your heel and pouting, “What in the world were you doing? They could have murdered you!” You cried, hands on your hips as you scolded Hoseok. The very fact that he was a God slipped past your mind as he scratched his head and pushed his way through the bushes.

          “Oops?”

          You couldn’t help but giggle, because as worried as you were, you were spellbound. Now in the day time, the sun shining directly on him, you could see him in all his glory.

          What a fool you were, he literally screamed God. The way he walked towards you, a bounce in his step, but more importantly, he held something in his arm, a bottle?

          “W-what are you doing here, Hoseok?” You muttered softly, shyness consuming you as you crossed your arms and tried to look at him in the eyes. But the way he grinned, licking his pink lips caused you to flush and divert your eyes. He was intense.

          “I was going for a nice afternoon stroll.” He hummed, standing right in front of you. A few petals from the cherry trees fell on his head, a flower crown. You let your arms drop, pressing your hands against your thighs as you anxiously gripped the material, you were nervous. So damn nervous.

          Your eyes studied him, the way his dark green robes did little to cover him, showcasing his muscles as he chuckled at your rattled appearance. His shoulders were just as broad as you remembered them being. As your eyes scanned him, you noticed the bottle once again – wine.

          “Do you always walk around with wine in your hand?” This time you saw his cheeks flush, slightly rosy as he looked down at the bottle, “You never know when you bump into a certain honey-nymph who just happens to like Assyrtiko white wine.”

          You laughed, shaking your head as you brushed your hair behind your ears. He was something else, something else entirely.

          “I don’t think I’m allowed to drink on the job Hoseok.”

          “Who says the wine is for you?” Hoseok grinned, raising his shoulders mischievously. You placed your hands on your hips, smiling towards him – what a tease.

          “You’re right, my wrong-doing for assuming. Actually, now that you’re here, I wanted to ask about your brother Jungkook…” You hummed. The way Hoseok’s eyes narrowed, stepping forward with a coy grin, “Be careful my little bumblebee, you don’t know who you’re messing with.” His hand reached forward, caressing your cheek while his thumb brushed against your lips.

          His touch. You melted instantly, the way his long fingers easily slid across your wet lips, stealing your breath just like the very first time you met him. “Hoseok…” You gasped, not realizing that you stepped forward, bumping into the bottle he held in his arms.

          The way you acted that night, the way you crumbled under his touches, the need to kiss him, it wasn’t the wine. Because right now, utterly sober, you felt your skin tingling, eager to wrap your fingers into his raven hair and kiss him. He leaned forward, eyes heavy as his hand ran down your neck, grasping the back of your head keenly, “Why did you pick me?” He huffed.

          You blushed, watching the way he struggled to breathe, his fingers pulling on your hair, forcing you to look upwards. “I don’t know. It just-it just felt right.” You gasped out, taken off guard by his roughness. “You could have picked any of my brothers, but you picked me.” He gulped, pressing his forehead against yours.

          You let your hands rest against his chest, he was right – you picked him.

          But…did he want you?

          “I picked you because you make me feel alive. But if you don’t want me, that’s fine. J-just tell me now, and I can talk with Aphrodite. I’ll just pick one of your brothers-”

          The sound of the bottle hitting the lush grass, Hoseok’s hand gripping your chin, pulling you towards him in one tug. A sudden warmness upon your lips, a taste of wine.

          Your eyes shut closed, he was kissing you.

          You threw your arms around his neck, drawing him closer as you moaned in his mouth, he tastes like wine. Citrus flavours bursting as he growled, his hold on your hair and chin not wavering a bit. His teeth grazed your bottom lip, biting and causing you to whine underneath his grasp.

          He groaned at your sound, pulling away as your eyes fluttered open. Your knees felt weak, your breath uneven as your head buzzed. This was all you wanted, his lips against your own, but now that you got a taste, you wanted more. So much more. Your head spun as if you were drunk, “Honey.”

          You titled your head to the side, struggling to breathe as your fingers dug into his hair, what? “A taste of honey.” He groaned, eyes half-lidded. The way he grunted, his lips nibbling yours made you press your thighs together, a growing itch as you felt yourself getting wetter by the second. The way you squeezed your legs shut didn’t go unnoticed, Hoseok grinning madly as he jolted your head back, exposing your neck.

          “Why haven’t I meet you sooner my precious bumblebee?” He sighed before spoiling your neck. You whimpered, your hands gripping onto him for dear life. He didn’t bother trying to be tender, nipping and sucking your neck and collarbones enthusiastically, “G-grapes.” You gasped, his tongue dragging along the neckline of your robe.

          He stopped his movement, giving you a chance to open your eyes. His hair was messy, eyes blown out as his hands gripped you hungrily. “Grapes - they don’t need bees. They reproduce themselves without the help of bees.”

          “Well good thing I’m not a bloody grape because the need to reproduce with you is driving me insane.”

          You bit your lip to muffle your cry, Hoseok biting your neck once again as his hands moved down to your waist, just barely skimming your chest, “May I, my sweet little bumblebee?” He muttered, his kisses pushing the thin fabric down, almost exposing your breasts fully for him. You coloured, anxiously huffing – torn, “I-I-”

          Right away, Hoseok pulled hearing your hesitance, his touch dropping as he looked up at you, eyes soft, “I won’t force you if you don’t want to.”

          “I want you too, it’s just that…” Hoseok raised a brow, confusion written all over his face as he watched you squirm under his grasp. You wanted him to touch you so badly, take you right here out in the open, “What’s wrong, my little bumblebee, tell me.” He cooed, placing tender kisses down your chest, his fingers starting to once again run over your upper body, ghosting your skin through the fabric.

          Your eyes widen, back arched, gasping delightfully as his touches, “I-I’m untouched.” You whined, cheeks red as you blurted out the cause of your conflicting emotions. But the look on Hoseok’s face, the smirk as he licked his lips leisurely, “Oh my little bumblebee, how can a follower of Aphrodite be untouched? Ignorant to greatest pleasures of man and God?” He buzzed.

          Your eyes tightly shut, his hands firmly groping you through your robes, his thumb and index fingers teasing your hardening nubs through the fabric. Your knees buckled, falling against his body as you quivered.

          The answer was simple - because you never found a man worth your damn time until now.

          “Show me.” You whined as you clung onto him, not realizing that the cries you were hearing were your own, so desperate to be touched. Hoseok groaned, his lips brushing against your ear, “You want me to show you what?” he pestered, his hands cupping your breasts as you press your thighs against each other, your wetness starting leak down your legs - frantic for a release.

          “S-show me the greatest pleasures of man and God.”

          “Right here, out in this open field?” He taunted, his voice hitched as he listened at the way you whimpered, “Yes~!”

          His hands dropped to your waist, lifting you in a single movement. Your legs wrapped around his waist, feeling something hard throb against your heat. “You’re mine, your body, your soul – everything. You’re all mine.”

          You were pushed against a tree, cherry blossoms showering your figures as he hungrily ate your lips. You sighed once more into his kiss, seeking out some sort of relief as you bucked into him. The way his bulge rubbed against you, breath escaping as a jolt of pleasure ran up your spine. Hoseok groaned, eyes rolling back as he rutted.

          “Touch me, please, I-I can’t wait-” You begged.

          Tears threatened to pool over as you helplessly ground against him, the new sensations consuming you. Hoseok chuckled, clicking his tongue as he ran his fingers down your chest. Those long slender fingers, how much you wanted to feel them against your skin, doing things you have only dreamed the moment you met him. “Where do you want me to touch you, bumblebee?”

          With his hips firmly planting you against the tree, his hands were free to roam your body. Your nails dug into the tree bark, panting heavily as he slowly pulled at your dress. “Do you want me to touch you here?” he snickered.

          Before you could speak, he tugged the remaining half of your dress down, the sound of fabric tearing echoing into the field. But you didn’t have a chance to lament, his hands greedily fondling your breasts and kneading them.

          Your mouth hung open shamefully, trembling at the way he ran his tongue down your chest and sucked your nipples with a loud ‘pop.’

          “Hoseok~.” You moaned breathlessly, stars flooding your vision. You bucked against him once more, feeling the way his member twitched, just as aroused as you. “Oh, you want more bumblebee? So greedy.”

          His kittenish licks along your breasts, taking his sweet time as he watched over you with desire. You felt one of his hands move down your clothed stomach, bunching up the remaining fabric into a fist, lifting the dress further up your legs before exposing you.

          His breathing hitched, seeing the growing wet spot against his robes, biting his lips. You were fully exposed, and the sudden realization hit you hard as you anxiously covered your blushing face, “Look at the mess you made, you’re drenched.” His other hand quickly gripped your wrists, pinning them above your head, forcing you to show your rosy face.

          The way he licked his lips, his fingers running up your thighs, slowly inching his way closer to your core. “D-don’t tease, please.” You whined, springing your hips, trying urgently to feel his fingers against you. Hoseok growled, his fingers just barely skimming your heat, inducing another painful moan from you, “Please~.”

          Your hips jerked forward, feeling his fingertips running along your slit. The sound of your slick so clear. Your eyes rolled back, head hitting the tree as you moaned, his fingers spreading you wide for him. The way he easily slid up and down your cunt made you want to hide in embarrassment - but the pleasure convinced you otherwise.

          Your hips bucked again, causing his fingers to hit that particular bundle of nerves. A sharp exhale escaped you, wanting desperately to claw at his back. But the grip on your wrists above your head was unrelenting. His fingers lubed as he rubbed and pinched your clit with ease. “Is this what you want from me bumblebee?” He groaned, watching the way you helplessly arched against his hand.

          “Y-yes, oh- Hoseok, God- yes!” Hoseok beamed, watching the way you struggled to keep your eyes open, a knot in your stomach building as you humped his fingers urgently. “That’s right, I’m a God, the only God that can make you feel this good, right?”

          You nodded your head frantically, the pleasure building, the way he rubbed your clit effortlessly between his fingers. Pinching tighter and rolling the bud faster as you cried.

          The pressure built, unable to handle it anymore as your legs twitched. Hoseok smirked, feeling the way your thighs tried to hug his hand, hips bucking non-stop, “Are you gonna cum for me, bumblebee?”

          You were at a loss of words, merely nodding your head, “Say my name, who is going to make you cum like this? Just from their fingers?”

          “Hoseok!” You gasped.

          He clicked his tongue, “Not loud enough bumblebee, scream it.”

          “HOSEOK.”

          “Cum for me love.”

          You lost it.

          Your legs shook as your back arched against the tree. Mind blank as you convulsed under his grasp, rubbing you harshly as you rode out your high. You couldn’t think - tears prickling from your eyes as you experienced your first ever orgasm with another person. His touch lightened hearing you whimper, your face and chest red.

          Your eyes fluttered open, Hoseok smirking madly at you, like a cat that got the cream. His fingers ran between you slit, scooping your cum with ease. His eyes never left yours, bringing his fingers to his lips before sighing sensually. “Sweeter than sweet.” he purred into your ear, your cheeks flushed watching the way he licked his fingers with delight, “Oh little bumblebee, you’re going to be my breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the rest of my life.”

          “Good. And I expect you to give me a glass of wine with every meal.” You muttered back. Hoseok laughed, cupping your face before kissing your lips, “Honey and wine, a mix I never thought of…” He groaned, lazily kissing you as his grip on your wrists loosened.

          Your hands wrapped around his neck, dragging him closer to you, your breasts pressed against him as you tasted a bit of yourself in his mouth. He was right, you did taste like honey.

          “Hoseok…” You muttered into the kiss, he pulled away, only to fall into your neck as you ground against him, “I want you inside me.” You felt your cheeks heat up at your words, but you meant it. The way you clenched, the need to be filled. He lifted his head, “Undress me then.”

          Your legs dropped from his waist, without a hesitation untying the sash around his waist and tugging at the furs that adored him. Like a God, he stood still, watching the way you unclothed him like a mad animal. Your hand ran over his clothed manhood, causing him to hiss as you rubbed teasingly through the fabric, “Hurry up bumblebee, I waited a damn week for this, I refuse to wait any longer.”

          A week, he wanted you as much as you desired him that night.

          You tugged at the last knot, his robes falling gracefully onto the grass, exposing him fully. Your cheeks flushed, unable to rip your gaze away from him and his manhood. His member standing tall, head oozing with pre-cum as he pushed you up against the tree. You wanted to touch it, feel the way the veins pulsed under your gaze, but his voice stopped you, “Turn around, I need to stretch you.”

          His hand gripped your hip, spinning you around, so your ass stuck out with your hands grabbing the tree for balance. You were leaned over, legs spread wide for him and fully exposed. You were panting, emotions of eagerness and fear coursing through your veins as his hands ran along your ass cheeks.

          His fingers agonizingly trailed down your ass, before brushing against your cunt once again, a sharp gasp escaping you. So distracted by his touch, you didn’t realize that he was on his knees, directly across from your womanhood. You felt his hot breath, jumping slightly at the sensation, “Sorry, but I can’t help myself.” He purred before you felt his wet muscle against you.

          Your nails dug into the bark, moaning loudly as you felt his tongue parting your lips, lapping every drop that dripped out of you, “So sweet…” he groaned to himself, his tongue flicking against your clit. Your back arched to his face, oblivious to the fact that his fingers were already teasing your entrance.

          He pushed lightly, your pussy eating up his fingers with ease and sucking him in. The way his fingers moved in and out with ease, had you moaning, a pressure building up again from the new feeling. “How does it feel bumblebee? It doesn’t hurt, right?” He whispered between licks, his tone a bit gentle. But the speed of his fingers increased, as he saw the way your eyes shut closed and how you pushed yourself back against his every thrust.

          It felt so good, feeling those deliciously long fingers of his inside you. His fingers curled, searching for something. And that’s when you felt it, a sharp jolt of pleasure. Your legs stiffen, crying his name out as you blacked out for a second, “R-right there.” You moaned. Hoseok’s tongue never stopped moving against your clit, letting you fuck yourself on his fingers.

          You felt the pressure in your gut building as he slipped a third finger inside you, hitting that one spot over and over again. The stretch his fingers caused was quickly dismissed as the pleasure was knee-jerkingly intense. Your cries grew louder, as Hoseok groans caused his mouth to vibrate against you. His teeth grazed your bud, legs quivering as you struggled to stay up, “H-Hoseok, I’m gonna-”

          He pulled away.

          You clenched nothingness as you whimpered. You were so close, so damn close. You made a movement to straighten up, ready to tear him to pieces, but his hand firmly pressed on your back, holding you down.

          You could feel it, the head of his dick rubbing along your slit, lubing himself with your wetness. You looked over your shoulder, head thrown back, and eyes shut as he rubbed himself against you. His lips were covered with your own cum, not bothering at all to wipe it, and the sight alone almost made you cum right then and there.

          “I’m going to enter you, it’s going to hurt for a bit, okay?” He muttered, his hands running up and down your back to soothe you. “If it hurts too much tell me, I’ll stop. Just don’t let your bees hurt me.” Your brows furrowed together, my bees?

          The laugh that erupted from Hoseok the moment you realized what he meant. You were outside, and you could still hear your bees buzzing around, not even working just playing amongst themselves while you eagerly await Hoseok to enter you. You blushed, nodding your head, “The last thing I need is to be stung while making love to you.”

          “I promi-hmpph!”

          Without warning, you felt him push at your entrance, a strangled moan escaping as you felt the head of his dick inside.

          You felt everything.

          You felt the way his member pulsed inside of you, inch by inch pushing himself inside. The low erotic growl that Hoseok let out, hissing as he slid himself gradually. You never felt so stretched, a slight stinging feeling as you pushed himself against you. It wasn’t painful as much as it was uncomfortable, “You’re so tight.” He groaned, his fingers digging into the flesh of your hips, struggling not to thrust into you and seek out his high.

          You moaned, pushing yourself against him, adjusting to his size. His grip harden, gasping as you pushed yourself against him. He was inside - all the way in.

          He leaned over your back, placing soft kisses along your back and up your neck, “May I?” He hummed, teasingly pulling himself back, “Yes.” You moaned, and that was all it took.

          He slammed his hips back into you, stuffing your hand into your mouth to muffle your cries.

          Hoseok snickered, hurriedly grabbing your hands with a swift motion and pulling them behind your back, “I want to hear you bumblebee, loud and clear.” He huffed, slamming himself inside you. You felt your mind go blank, as he hit that sweet spot inside of you once again as he had done with his fingers.

          You clenched around him as he lunged ruthlessly, causing him to whine slightly, “You’re so tight, it feels so good.” He groaned into your ear, nipping at your neck as you cried.

          It didn’t take long for your denied orgasm to bubble up again, gasping and crying out desperately for him to go faster, harder.

          And he listened, to every single whine.

          The sound of skin slapping against skin quickly overpowered the buzzing of the bees around you, your eyes shut closed as you felt an explosion building in your stomach. Hoseok groaned lowly, feeling you tighten around him, releasing your hands to grab your hips, “You going to cum already for me, bumblebee?” He hissed, breathing sharply as his chest heaved against your back.

          Not a single word escaped you, only endless cries and moans as you nodded your head, grasping onto the tree for dear life as he rammed himself inside you. “J-just wait bumblebee, I’m so close.” He huffed.

          His thrusts were erratic, no longer controlled as he sought out his high. You whimpered, the tension building so much, ready to pop any second, needing that extra push. Your knees buckle underneath you, “I-I can’t wait.” You gasped out, squeezing your eyes shut as you tried to hold back. Flashing colours flickered despite your closed eyes, overwhelmed with the pleasure.

          Hoseok panted above you, one hand leaving your hip before sneaking back to your slit, looking for that magical spot. “Cum with me bumblebee.” He grunted, his fingers rubbed your clit, letting it roll between his fingers as he pounded you. You shuddered, tears falling as you let your climax overtake you.

          You could feel Hoseok shudder, weak thrusts as you felt warm spurts of his cum inside of you. His dick twitching as he let out the most animalistic groan you’ve ever heard. You were at a loss of words, your hands falling along the tree as Hoseok panted into your ear.

          You just had sex for the first time, and it was with a God.

          “Are you okay?” Hoseok huffed, struggling to catch his breath.

          “I-I can’t feel my legs…” you whimpered out, before collapsing onto the earth. Hoseok hissed, wrapping his arms around you before you dropped, a groan escaping you both as he accidentally thrust himself inside of you and a jolt of pleasure coursed through both of your bodies, “Please, I can’t do another round.” You muttered, struggling to keep your eyes open.

          You could hear Hoseok laugh from above you, slowly pulling himself out, leaving you empty as his cum dripped down your legs. You wouldn’t dare say it, but you already missed the feeling of him inside you. He raised you upwards, snuggling you to his chest, “I made a mess of you.” He grinned, planting a soft kiss on your forehead.

          A blush filled your cheeks, realizing what you just did. “Sit down, I’ll cover you.” He muttered, leaning you up against the tree as he gathered his robes and furs. You let your legs lay against the grass, hearing the faint buzzing of your bees up in the air.

          A sudden warmth embraced you, noticing he loosely put on his robe and wrapped your body with the expensive furs he wore. He crouched in front of you, running his hands along your face with the broadest smile, “You don’t know how badly I wanted to do that.”

          You giggled softly, exhaustion consuming you as you let your head rest against the tree, “So…I’m going to assume it’s a yes?” You shyly muttered, crossing your arms with the furs he enveloped you in. Hoseok raised a brow, tilting his head to the side as he observed you tenderly, “What do you mean bumblebee.”

          “That you want me…that I picked the right brother.” Hoseok laughed, running his hands through your hair gleefully, “I swear, Aphrodite and Dionysus already knew. I think they knew we were meant to be, they just introduced you to my brothers to upset me.”

          You opened your mouth but quickly shut it.

          He was right.

          Aphrodite was the Goddess of love. She’s the first one to tell you who we are all destined to be with. So why bother introducing you to all of Dionysus’s sons if you were going to end up with Hoseok in the end? Unless…

          “She wanted to make me realize…” you giggled breathlessly to yourself, before looking up at him, “She wanted me to see my options, just to show me how perfect we are…” Hoseok shook his head, grinning before reaching behind him. He pulled out the wine bottle from earlier, the bottle he dropped onto the ground in the heat of the moment, “Well…I brought this bottle for us to drink, have a little date. Clearly, that didn’t happen.”

          You smiled, reaching forward and grabbing the bottle from his grasp, “An after-sex wine celebration? In honour of my first time?” You proposed. You tugged on the cork, hearing a bit of air escape, “To the taste of wine~.” You teased.

          Hoseok smiled, “To the taste of honey.”

          Aphrodite giggled, playfully slapping Dionysus’s arms as she squealed with delight, “I won, I knew it!”

          Dionysus huffed, shaking his head as he watched Hoseok push you up against the tree, your moans drifting with the wind, “I really thought he would’ve last two weeks….” He grumbled. Aphrodite rolled her eyes, tugging on Dionysus’ arm as they walked off. They didn’t need to stay and watch to know what was going to happen, your moans spoke plenty.

          “I knew it, you saw the way they were at the party. They almost kissed!”

          “How I wish to be young again…” Dionysus sighed, but Aphrodite just bumped her hip to him, “I can’t reverse time…but I do know something that can make you happy, feel young.” She purred, her fingers running up his arms, letting her nails trail along his skin. Dionysus smirked, looking down at the sexy vixen on his arm.

          The ultimate temptation of all man and God – love and sex.

Copyright © 2019 Mystic-Kitten, inc. all rights reserved. No reposting, modifying, or translations of any kind allowed. Thank you for your cooperation.

❤ Buy me a coffee? ❤

[pinkchanelbag-moved]

ooo can you write something based on the song ex by kiana ledé for zion plsss?

this got SO long omlll umm enjoy the angst! i didnt proofread this so dont come for me if its messy 

---

ex - z.k.

i don’t wanna be your ex

we’re way too good at being friends

your stomach trembled as your friends pulled you into the overflowing party house. the immediate onslot of smells—alcohol, sweat, pot—made your nose crinkle, and the thrumming base snaked through your ears and embedded itself into your ears. everything felt wrong; after having spent two straight weeks in your room surrounded by pillows and tissues, this scene felt too foreign to be considered enjoyable. 

“just give it a chance,” your friend’s low voice broke through the noise. you turned to look at her desperately. she squeezed your shoulder and began nudging you past the foyer and into the living room where people bumped around, dancing, talking, laughing. another one of your girlfriends linked your arm in hers and began leading you off to find drinks, but you watched the room, trying to steady your breaths. already you were getting looks, and you could guess that at least a few knew who you were, which would mean they knew what happened. and now you had to put on your fun face. you would pretend like you were healing healthily from your breakup, that things happened for a reason, and that no matter what, you would never forget yourself because of someone. you would live that lie for the night until you could go home. 

you trailed behind your friends as they collected their drinks and found an empty part of a couch to sit on for a moment. you were the first to sit down, calmer than before but not quite ready to have fun. the girls began glancing at where the party goers danced near the centre of the room, although none made a move. 

“guys,” you said. “don’t let me ruin your night. dance. imma try to join you in a bit, i’m just not up for it yet.” 

after some arguing, you saw to it that your friends reluctantly made their way to the dance floor. you sighed and sipped your can of beer. the taste repulsed you for a moment, but you let it slide down your throat as bitterness set into your stomach. 

at least being here meant that you had to stay composed, which gave you time to think properly. unfortunately, your thoughts were utterly unhelpful. 

just ‘cause it’s different, no we’re not the same

doesn’t mean things have to change

i got no trouble with my pride

got trouble cutting ties

you tried to put aside the fact that you missed him in a heart aching, shattering kind of way. you missed zion so much that envisioning him in your head made the hand holding your beer falter for a moment, nearly spilling. you tried your best to put that aside, hard as it was. the fact of the matter was that the breakup wasn’t over something terminal, like cheating. you just didn’t have time for each other anymore, and it made you worse for each other. thinking of it now, it felt so stupid, so completely idiotic. you were perfect for each other as people. more than that, he was perfect. a lump formed in your throat at the thought. yes, he was perfect. and maybe he hadn’t been the person you wanted him to be leading up to the breakup, and maybe you would never feel the same way about him as you did when everything was going well, but that didn’t blind you from seeing how good of a person he was. the fact that you would have to lose such a perfect human being seemed outrageous. you raked your mind for any way that you’d be able to keep zion in your life. you understood, albeit painfully, that you could never work romantically. but that didn’t mean you had to lose him, did it? all the good times you had together weren’t necessarily based on romance. fast food runs, beach trips, sing along car rides, lazy days. you couldn’t imagine not having those with him anymore. and other things, too; days where you wouldn’t even leave the apartment, where your legs would be weak all day from his work on you, the places his mouth touched you. what kind of life would you have without those things? 

your thoughts broke as a laughing and clearly wasted girl backed up into you, actually causing your beer to spill down your shirt. you hissed at the cold, barely registering her sloppy apologies.

“it’s fine,” you said, putting down the can and getting up to find a bathroom. you shoulder past molds of people and sour breath and take two turns down a corridor before arriving to a long dark hallway where the music was slightly muffled. you spotted two people waiting in front of a door and heard the flush of a toilet and took your place in line for the bathroom. before long, you made it in and pulled off your shirt and bra and tried as much as possible to rinse away the stickiness from your chest. you cursed as the water droplets tucked themselves into the hem of your skirt and splashed on your legs. after some time, you dried off with a guest towel and threw it in the tub, redressed, and opened the door. 

the lined had been renewed considering how long you’d taken. you scanned to count the heads and felt your heartbeat stop at a tall head of dreads halfway through the line. your light touch on the wall suddenly turned into a tight grip as the head turned. the facial structure, the lips, the blond hair, and the eyes, all things you knew. your chest heaved like an empty vomit as those lazy eyes caught yours and froze. 

“excuse me,” you distantly heard the person in front of you say, shouldering past you into the bathroom. the words echoed for a moment before they reached your ears. when they did, you found your flight response. you looked away, turned around, and walked stiffly down the dark hallway, turning the first doorknob you felt under your fingertips. 

in the black room, you breathed, low and long, until the tears began dripping to your cheeks. 

you didn’t want to let him go, no matter the circumstance. 

it came like an epiphany, a eureka moment. you didn’t want him to be a part of your past. more importantly, you didn’t want to be a part of his. something for him to bury inside him and only talk about on late nights with someone new. someone that wouldn’t be you. the thought made you gasp as you took two quick steps forward. things were different, but you knew that one thing that wouldn’t change was your need to have him there for you. maybe you could learn to live without the romance, the love, but to lose him, zion, seemed like an atrocity no one should have to bear. 

you jumped at the sound of the door opening behind you, and then again to see who it was. 

he nudged the door half shut before turning to you. he looked…nervous? startled? maybe the exact way you looked. your mind was trying to comprehend so many things at once that it didn’t do a thing.

“uh…” he said in a small voice. the sentence ended there. he swallowed before trying to start a new one. “you okay?” 

soft light from the hallway defined the curve of his jaw and the lines of his dreads, but that was all you could see. almost like a dream, like you were just talking to a shadow. 

“i don’t know” you whispered to the silhouette after some time. some moments passed before you decided to speak again, deciding that whatever pride you had left was not important enough to ruin whatever you had left of your relationship. “i…i don’t wanna lose you.” 

you didn’t see him react, but you knew his eyes were on you, and that knowledge reminded you that he wasn’t a shadow. he was real, standing in front of you. that heart wrenching feeling of missing him found its way back to your chest. was he not yours? in some manner of speaking? maybe you weren’t his girlfriend anymore, maybe you weren’t even in love with him anymore, but in some way, your heart still belonged to him, and his to you, and that should precede labels or circumstances. 

he crept closer, and it was enough. you found your way to each other. his arms came around you almost as soon as his lips touched yours. your hands held his face with a slight tremble. his warmth felt so familiar that new tears of relief pricked your eyes. your thumbs caressed he wet of tears on his own face as his hands came up into your hair. 

you didn’t come apart for some time, but once your lips left his, you heard it. the thumping of the beat, the buzz of other people just outside. you felt like a ghost in the arms of the man who was meant to make you feel alive. you understood the mistake you had just made. 

you released a breath of absolute pain. zion seemed to understand when you drifted out of his hold, his arms loose and idle, letting you go. you didn’t look anywhere but the floor as you left the room and rolled your lips together to stop them from tingling. with hazy eyes, you found your way back to the living room, and then eventually to the front door, until you were walking down the sidewalk of the foreign neighbourhood with your arms clasped around yourself, your heart feeling freshly cut open.

never again. you would never go back to him again, because leaving him every time would hurt more than the last. 

[creaturecarnival]

Hylics Part 2

Okay, first off, hello to our massive influx of new followers! We look forward to writing for you all, and want to give a huge thanks to the folks over at @weirdmarioenemies​ for being so gosh-darned cool :) Now I have something to actually motivate me to write more reviews, so without further ado, here’s part 2 of our Hylics creature review!

Creature

For our first new creature, we have, well… Creature! Creature here is an optional boss that you can encounter in one of the overworlds. It seems to be made almost entirely of the most basal of all clay shapes: balls and snakes (there is no way you could possibly take that out of context so don’t even try it)! I do love the layout of this thing, even if it’s very simple. I feel like the appeal of a giant mass of writhing tentacles is relatively universal, but I also like that the only feature Lindroth elected to give it other than tentacles is a little cluster of pale eyeballs on top and to the front(?) of its body. You’d kind of expect it to have some kind of big, gaping maw full of teeth, and maybe it does! Like a lot of the other denizens of Hylics, there’s not much to them other than whatever we can discern from their sprites, and I think that’s fun! When killed, Creature drops a Chitin Jerkin, which is described as “Sensible everyday-wear for the modern machine” as well as a Parasite Crystal which just does some stat buffing stuff we don’t need to talk about, I just really like the names.

Ghost

Ooh, they’re peekin atcha! Peekin out through their wacky flesh spirals! The way the clay winds around the action figure part really gives off the impression that it’s some kind of creature wrapped around a human, like a flech mesh flesh mesh flesh mech! Especially since there are tendrils coming off the extremities that look like they would function as essentially extensions of the body within. Speaking of those extensions, I love that instead of just one projection coming off of each foot, there’s two! So instead of walking like a regular person, it walks using its four sub-legs. Also it’s got a cool funny hat that I kind of wish came down over the eyes so that it looked like the clay part was the head, but at the same time the eyes peering through the clay bits is really eerie.

Dread Meat

Oh no, somebody left this boy out in the sun! They’ve gone all melty! Dread Meat is very similar to Ghost in its structure, however, its limbs do not have projections, and there is no trace of humanity to it beyond the hands and feet just barely emerging from what I can only imagine to be rolls of oozing meat. It feels like a zombie of some kind, although there is nothing else in the game that looks like it could be the un-undead version of this corpulent corpse. The thing I like most about its design is probably the fact that the head is a big loop with a grisled knot off to the right, presumably to hide the action figure head. It gives it some nice asymmetry.

Sub Shrub & Tomb Shrub

Oh my god. Adorable. These little green guys with huge lumpy wedges for heads and no discernible facial features should not be anywhere near as cute as they are. Also, I guess the name implies that these guys are plants? Anyway, Sub Shrubs can be encountered separate from Tomb Shrub, but they’re relatively weak on their own. But during the Tomb Shrub fight, it summons Sub Shrubs to help it out. Teamwork makes the dream work! I just love these little fellas! They look so squishy and silly! Also when he first encountered one, Vinny said the Sub Shrub looks like an “aborted pizza” and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Fathead

I was just thinking when I was writing Dread Meat’s review how fatty tissue isn’t something you see a lot in monster design, and here we’ve got this funky fella, whose head appears to be nothing but a massive glob of fatty tissue! I know there’s not much more to it than that, but it’s a nice concept for a creature and I like it a lot.

Monoops

Monoops’s gimmick seems to be its single eye… wait.

...Huh. I guess contrary to what the name would imply, Mono-ops has two eyes. That’s pretty neat actually! You don’t see many monsters with eyeballs as their design gimmick that have only two eyes. Usually, it’s either one or a whole bunch. It even has a move called Steady Stare that does damage as well as paralyzes its target, solidifying it as having an eyeball-centered design. I also really like the battle sprite’s color scheme.

Deadly Statue

Occupying a very similar role to the Ambulant Skulls, which you can read about in our last review of Hylics, Deadly Statues are only found in one area of the game. Similar to Ambulant Skulls, they kill you when you touch them, making them a purely overworld enemy. They are also much faster than Ambulant Skulls, matching the speed of the player exactly. Who'da thunk a big ‘ol statue’d be faster’n a skull made half’a legs?? Not me, that’s for darn tootin’! Anyway, I quite like its design. If I were an eccentric millionaire, this is exactly the kind of shit I would want sitting in the main foyer, flanked on either side by two huge, sweeping staircases of course.

Clawman

Clawman is the second-to-last boss in the game, they are equipped with two big yellow pincers and a ridiculously enormous head. I feel like the name and inclusion of pincers really makes you want to read it as a crab when really, the claws are the only vaguely crab-like feature they possess. You could argue that those spines on top are reminiscent to those of a king crab, but they’re flexible and curl inward towards each other like claws! That’s such a cute little touch!

Moon Soldier

Moon Soldiers barely qualify as enemies, since they literally can’t harm you, crumpling into a heap of bloody bones the moment you touch them. However, I think they’re really cool looking so we’re gonna take a look at ‘em anyway, god dammit. They guard the palace on the moon in which the final boss resides. It’s interesting how their heads are shaped much like that of our protagonist Wayne, (maybe they’re even the same species?) and the pale blueish color of the head against the cream of the clothes is really nice to look at. I kind of wonder if those are helmets they’re wearing, since the skull-like face markings almost look artificial, but there seems to be a very thin line between organic and synthetic in Hylics. 

Gibby & Statues

Gibby is the main antagonist, and therefore the antithesis to our protagonist Wayne, who is a waning crescent instead of a waxing gibbous like Gibby, and instead of having a rad mohawk has no hair at all, which is basically the antithesis of having a rad mohawk. Gibby is, like, the king of the moon or something? I dunno, the plot in this game is kind of impossible to follow. If you’ve made it to the final boss, you’ve probably given up on trying to understand anything and are just here to see whatever batshit nonsense thing happens next. If you thought Clawman’s head was ridiculously huge, get a load of this guy! It looks like he can barely support its weight! How is it simultaneously swollen and gaunt? I dunno, but it’s kind of legitimately unsettling to be honest. It looks like his skin is pulled super taut over his face, almost like a desiccated corpse. 

He also has two statues that aid him in battle. The Vital Statue to his right heals him, and the Eerie Statue to his left can afflict the protagonists with the nausea status effect. Can I just say how cool it is that there are four separate enemies in this game that have “statue” in their name, and they all look completely different? It’s really neat to see a single idea represented in so many different ways, ranging from somewhat recognizable to completely abstract. Most importantly, I think they’d all look lovely in the foyer of my imaginary mansion.

Conclusion

Hylics is a hell of an experience. It definitely has its flaws, such as clunky controls and practically nonexistent plot, but it’s at least worth watching someone play. The visuals are truly stunning, and you can really tell how much love went into making it. A huge portion of what you see in-game was painstakingly crafted from clay, rendered as a sprite, and worked into the game to become characters, enemies, and even the settings you walk around in. Please follow Mason Lindroth on Twitter, Tumblr or Instagram, where he is currently posting updates on the progress of Hylics 2, which looks absolutely gorgeous judging by what he’s shown us so far, and I’m so excited to play it when it’s done. Please also consider donating to his gofundme page to support him in his development of Hylics 2.

[27emailsicantsend]

Beautiful: A Muffy Fic

Author Note: I was requested this fic based off of the song, “Beautiful” by Megan Nicole. I drew some of the fic from the song lyrics and from the music video (both of which you can find on YouTube). This fic takes place in universe post Buffy meeting Rachel. Because I don’t want to rehash all of 3x17 and 3x20, I’ll briefly skim over a lot of it and add scenes to 3x17 and 3x20 to make the song make sense with Muffy in this fic. A good portion of this fic is made up scenes to compliment canon scenes.

TW: I add a small part about Buffy comparing herself to Rachel because of skin color. It’s not meant to be harmful, racist, or anything of a similar nature. It’s brief and slightly vague, because I don’t want it to be the main focus of the story. I more want Buffy’s full comparison of looks to Rachel’s (clothes, make-up, etc.) to be the plot dynamic. Please understand I asked for second opinion’s on this from people who weren’t white to be extra careful with how I approached it. They said they thought I handled it ok. I felt like it was an important message to add, while still being sensitive to people who may struggle with this. I think Buffy/Sofia is wonderful and beautiful and I hope she recognizes that.

Ok, that’s it! Enjoy the fic!

Buffy finally met Rachel. She didn’t understand. Why was Marty so into her? Rachel was mean. She jumped to conclusions about Marty and Buffy before Marty could even say what they were. While some of the things he was accused of were true, she was also saying things that Marty said weren’t true. Maybe.

Buffy couldn’t help but think of the walk they went on together, the costume they did, the race. The race. There was no way Marty didn’t like Buffy. Even when he was fighting with Rachel at the bowling alley, he still came to her rescue. All she wanted was for Marty to admit his feelings for her. She wanted him to find her beautiful. Rachel was so pretty though, with her big doe eyes and small nose. Buffy could never compete with that.

But the way he held her when they walked together after Buffy got dehydrated. The way he made sure they finished the race together, because they were never going to be able to race each other separately. Both of them knew that. What was it going to take for Marty to finally see her the way she sees him?

This was all so stupid. The timing was absolutely off. Buffy wasn’t ready for a relationship and the idea of her and Marty scared her when he tried to date her the first time. She thought she didn’t like him, but maybe she was wrong. Now she feels like maybe there is more. Maybe she feels more. But he’s got Rachel, so maybe it’s obvious he moved on. Maybe.

“Have you talked to him yet?” Cyrus cut off Buffy’s train of thought, making her jump. She had been staring at Marty while he got things out of his locker and talked with his friends for the past two minutes.

“Cyrus! Don’t scare me like that! And what? Talked to who?” Buffy said, playing dumb.

Cyrus didn’t buy it and it was registered in his facial expression. “Buffy, I saw you staring.”

“Oh...” Buffy said, shame settling in.

“Yeah... so did you talk to him?” Cyrus said, perking up.

“No. Maybe it’s better if I disappear off of his radar again for a bit. He’s obviously not into me”.

“Buffy, that’s not true. He so likes you!... See!” Cyrus said as he noticed Marty’s face light up in their direction. Buffy started to feel better seeing how excitedly he was waving his arm back and forth in their direction. A smile began to appear on her face and she raised her hand to wave back. However, just as soon as she raised her hand, she lowered it, and her face dropped again as she watched Rachel run into Marty’s arms. She threw her arms around his neck and he lifted her up off of the ground, her legs kicking behind her.

Cyrus picked up the collar of his shirt and whispered into it, “yikes, abort! Abort!” He then threw his arm around Buffy and quickly turned her around to walk her away.

Marty was right about one thing: this was torture. How was she ever going to get clarity on her feelings- or his- if he kept dating Rachel?

Later, during lunch, Buffy saw Marty and Rachel laughing and eating. Andi, Jonah, and Cyrus were busy talking and hyping up some play Cyrus made for tater theater, but Buffy couldn’t focus on that. Not with Marty and Rachel smiling at each other... daring each other to eat a small bit of salt from their hand... and did Rachel just blow a straw wrapper at Marty which followed with playful nuzzling?

“H-H-Hey guys- I’ve got to go”, Buffy said as she made a clumsy attempt to get up from the table, knocking her milk off her tray.

“You ok, Buffy?” Andi asked, concerned.

“Yeah, you ok? Want me to come with you?” Cyrus chimed in.

“No, I just really need to use the restroom,” Buffy said as she accidentally looked back and Marty and Rachel again. In the time she had taken to stand up, Rachel’s and Marty’s chairs moved closer, with his arm around her.

She nearly tripped trying to swing her leg over the attached bench to the table. Just as she was walking away she faintly heard Cyrus say, “oh...”. It was an understanding “oh”. He had seen the same thing Buffy had.

Buffy dumped her tray quickly and ran towards the nearest restroom, head down. She trapped herself in a stall and used the walls to support her as she caught her breath and held in her tears.

This was so stupid. Crying? Over a boy? A boy she turned down awhile ago? She didn’t even want this with him. Why now? But more importantly, why Rachel? What did Rachel have that she didn’t?

Buffy took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her breathing began to slow and she dropped her arms. She creaked the stall door open and peered around. No one was there. She embraced the sink slowly, holding tight to it’s edges. She stared at herself in the mirror. And stared. And stared.

What does she have that I don’t? Buffy thought. She knew she wasn’t supposed to beat herself up or have shame over her body image. Her mom taught her to love herself and the way she looked, but it was hard not to. Personality wise, she and Marty clicked. They loved the same sports, humor, and TV shows. It had to be the way she looked. That’s why he went to Rachel instead of coming back to her.

Buffy began to examine herself. Is it my hair? She thought as she used her hand to tossle her small black curls. My hair has gotten me into trouble before. Rachel can do stuff with hers. I gave myself a bald spot. 

Or maybe it’s the way I dress. Buffy pulled on her shirt and tilted her head. I wear some cute clothes, but mostly sporty gear. Rachel carries purses and shops at outlet malls.

Or is it the fact I don’t wear much make up, if any sometimes? Buffy touched her face and used a finger to try and curl her eyelash up to see what it looked like.

Maybe it’s my skin. I shouldn’t think that, because it’s unfair and wrong, but maybe his family has a problem with girls like me.

Buffy could hardly stand to look at herself in the mirror anymore. She had completely demolished her imagine in a matter of seconds and didn’t want to think about the way she didn’t look or the way Rachel did look anymore. She wasn’t going to be as beautiful as Rachel. She knew it.

The bell rang and Buffy walked moodily back to class, feeling defeated.

She spent the rest of the school day feeling sad, hardly focusing on her school work. She went into a total hibernation mode. Not thinking of anything, really- more that she just wanted to get home and lock herself in her room. And also ice her foot. It was killing her. She had been spending so long focusing on Marty that she completely forgot how bad her foot had been hurting her. When she finally became numb to him, her physical pain returned.

She hobbled outside of class and started to walk towards the stairs. She couldn’t keep walking because the pain was starting to throb, so she sat down.

“Buff-ay!” Marty called out happily.

“Mart-ay,” Buffy said, with much less enthusiasm and more pain in her voice than anything. She faked a small smile as he sat down next to her.

“How’s the foot?” Marty asked, examining it from where he was sitting.

“It’s ok,” Buffy said, rubbing it. It definitely wasn’t, but he didn’t need to know that.

“Buffy....” Marty said in a warning tone.

“Marty, I will call the doctor. I promise. Today. I swear.”

“Ok, good,” Marty said authoritatively. “Actually, I’m glad I caught you. I’ve been meaning to ask you something”.

“Really?” This peaked Buffy’s interest, but she acted a little too interested and backed off. “I mean, yeah, what’s up?” she asked, trying to seem nonchalant but clearly not pulling it off.

Marty giggled. “I was wondering if you were still planning on coming to the indoor track meet. I really don’t think you should race, but it would be fun to see you there. You could even cheer me on. Since I know you want to see me win,” Marty said with a smirk.

Buffy liked the idea of that, but knew that she wanted it to just be them. She didn’t want to ask straightforward if a “certain someone” was going to be there, so instead she just asked, “is anyone else coming?”

“Well, I did ask Rachel...” Buffy’s face dropped. “But she said she didn’t care much for coming, so it would just be you and me”.

Buffy’s face lit up a little again. She was fine with that.

“Sure,” she said softly. Just as she was saying it, she heard a voice call out behind her, “Martyyyy! We need to go”.

Rachel. Of course.

“Hi Rachel,” Buffy said politely, but slightly grimacing.

Rachel gave Buffy a half smile and then turned towards Marty, “we need to go”.

“Is it time for...”?

“Yes!” Rachel replied excitedly, cheering. “Come on! We don’t want to miss it! It’s supposed to be one of the best movies to date!”

Marty’s face got a huge smile. He quickly turned to Buffy and said, “hey, I’ve got to go. We’ll make plans for the meet tomorrow, ok?” 

Rachel’s face grew suspicious at that last sentence and Buffy said, “yeah, ok”, with obvious pain in her voice.

Marty stood up and he and Rachel walked down the hall with their arms around each other. “Don’t forget to make that call!” Marty yelled over his shoulder.

“Ok...” Buffy said loud, but it turned quiet real quickly as she noticed Marty didn’t hear her at all. He was too busy making jokes and giving Rachel a quick kiss on the cheek to notice her.

Buffy sighed as she stared at her foot. The emotional pain was definitely back.

The next day at school ended up being surprisingly productive. She had a lot of work to do in her classes and every free second she had she was making a play book for the Spikes team. She felt like it was going to be a really good idea on how to help the team win their last game... but also to keep her mind off of Marty. However, she was looking forward to tonight. Finally getting some alone time with him and away from Rachel.

Later that night she was at home, still working on her play book, when she heard her dad yell, “Buffy! They’re here!” 

Marty’s mom came to pick them up for a game. She was a hippie of sorts- she wore shawls, believed in world peace, and made Marty check his horoscope everyday to make sure the universe was in line with him. Buffy couldn’t have loved her more. 

She had already been growing a relationship with her before things went sour with Marty. Buffy got rides from her, played board games with Marty and his family every Sunday night (until things went south, that is), and even helped her make cookies for a bake sale once- Marty wasn’t even home during this! Marty’s mom acted like a second mom for Buffy while her real mom was stationed. Her connection to his mom was clear and unwavering. Buffy missed her a lot during the time she was separated from Marty. She was happy and relieved to see his mom again, who was equally as happy to see Buffy.

Buffy limped her way up the sidewalk and gave a large smile and wave to Marty’s mom. Marty’s mom waved back just as excitedly. Buffy yanked on the back of the tan van door and her smiled dropped immediately. Rachel. She was sitting on the other side of Marty. Luckily, Marty was in the middle so Buffy was a little more comfortable.

Or so she thought.

Marty and Rachel ended up talking and laughing the whole way to the track meet. Buffy would have sat somewhere else, but Marty’s mom was kind of a hoarder (go figure), so all of the other seats were taken by clutter. Buffy watched out the window the whole way, not saying anything to either of the two kids.

At one point, Marty asked if she was ok, but she just brushed it off with an, “yeah, I’m fine” and kept staring out the window. He didn’t seem to notice too much because he and Rachel just went back to joking around. Buffy just wanted to go home, but decided she was already there so she might as well deal with it.

Fifteen minutes later (or what felt like an eternity to Buffy), the van pulled up to the track meet. Buffy hopped out a little too hard and landed on her bad foot wrong. Marty asked if she was ok, but Buffy just played it cool and tried not to limp too much inside.

Marty didn’t believe her and ended up insisting that she just sit with Rachel and his mom while they watched him race in the indoor track arena. She hated this moment. She hated not being able to race. She moved up the bleachers and sat next to Rachel because Marty’s mom was on an end. She hated this seating arrangement.

Rachel turned to Buffy and gave her a vindictive smile. “So, are you dating anyone?”

“No?” Buffy said, extremely annoyed.

“Well, I sure hope you find someone. Marty and I are so happy together. You deserve to be that happy too”. The way she said the entire last sentence was as vindictive as her smile. It had no actual empathy laced anywhere in it.

Marty ran up the bleachers before the track meet started. “Hey, do you have my water bottle, mom? I forgot to grab it”.

“Oh, sure sweety,” Marty’s mom said kindly. She reached in her giant bag made of mismatching fabrics she stitched together and handed him his water bottle.

Marty smiled. “Thanks, mom”.

“Oh, Marty, you look so cute in that uniform. Tell him how cute he looks in his uniform, Buffy,” Rachel said with a mischievous tone.

Both Marty and Buffy gave Rachel weird looks, but Buffy obliged. “You look really cute in that uniform,” Buffy said under her breath, head hunkered down.

Marty didn’t say anything. He just looked around uncomfortably and then said, “ok... I have to go race now. I’ll see both of you later”. He leaned down and gave Rachel an awkward side hug, which she didn’t seem too amused with, and then ran to talk to his coach.

Buffy couldn’t believe Marty had taken Rachel back after how she treated him at the bowling alley. But, she also couldn’t blame him. Rachel was really pretty. Buffy observed Rachel while Rachel cheered Marty on during his first race. Rachel was in overalls with a sunflower t-shirt. She had a gold necklace with an “M” on it that Marty must have given her for some special occasion. She had white tennis shoes on and a braid in her straightened hair. Her make up was done perfectly and naturally.

Buffy looked down at what she was wearing. An over-sized shirt with a band name on it, jean shorts, tennis shoes, and nothing new to the same hair she’s had her whole life. No make-up, no purse, just herself. She couldn’t help to compare. Rachel was beautiful. Buffy started to contemplate stores she could go to to change her look or things she could do to make herself prettier.

She got lost in thought and was shaken out of it when a buzzer sounded. It was the break buzzer for all contestants to get water, use the bathroom, etc. before the second half of the meet. Marty won the first race, and barely got second in the second race. He needed to win at least third place for the next two races to place on the Shadyside score board in the events center. 

Rachel ran over to him and gave him a hug. Spectators weren’t supposed to get on the track, so Buffy silently scoffed to herself as she watched Marty push Rachel off and tell her to go sit back down. Rachel came back upset and a few minutes later Marty showed back up.

“Sorry, Rach, you just can’t be down there. It’s for competitors only,” Marty said as he sat down in the empty seat next to Buffy. Rachel said nothing to him, arms folded with her body turned away from Buffy, obviously annoyed she didn’t get her way.

“How are you enjoying the race so far, Buffy?” he said with a huge grin.

“Good... I mean.. you’re good.. I mean the race is good and great... you’re doing great”, Buffy stammered.

Marty smiled softly at her. “Thanks, Driscoll. You better get that doctor called so I can feel the victory of beating you at a race all over again”.

“In your dreams, Marty,” Buffy said as she playfully punched his arm. “You already know the only reason you’re winning is because I’m not on that track to give you actual competition”. 

They both started giggling and Rachel cut off the giggling with, “Oh Marty, your mom wants the three of us to go to dinner tonight. Kind of a celebratory type thing. You know, for the three of us”. 

Marty gave Rachel a look and said, “well, I think we should invite Buffy. Would you like to join us?” Rachel scowled at this.

Buffy thought that Marty was so sweet to invite her, but by the look on Rachel’s face she knew she was already pushing her limits, so she declined. “I’m sorry, I am still working on that Spikes playbook and I have a ton of homework, but you guys have fun”. Only half of that was true. She didn’t have homework because she got it all done during her productive day of classes, but she couldn’t stand the thought of going to dinner with Rachel so it was best to just lie her way out of this one.

Marty looked hurt. “Oh... ok. Well, some other time then?”

Buffy felt bad so she gave him a small, genuine smile and said, “sure, some other time”.

Rachel looked happy with a tinge of jealousy. Just then, the buzzer rang for the contestants to go back. Marty quickly ran back to the track beneath them. Buffy got carried away in thought again. This time, however, it was more confusion.

Maybe he does like me, Buffy thought. He hardly spoke to Rachel when he came back. And he seemed really upset I wasn’t going to dinner. But he was just being friendly. But what if he wasn’t?

Buffy thought on and off about this until she started getting invested again in cheering on Marty. Marty got third place in the third race. The racers were getting harder to beat and the distances were increasing.

In the fourth and final race, Marty was starting to get drastically behind. He was currently in seventh place and Buffy was worried he was going to accept defeat. Just as he was making his way to the next hurdle, he looked up at... Buffy? Buffy shook her head and blinked in disbelief. It was as if time slowed and the only thing in the room was them making eye contact. He quickly turned his head away and got incredibly fast. He started passing the sixth person, the fifth, the fourth... he was a few strides away from passing the third person but there wasn’t much track left. His legs broke into large strides, practically leaping, and he barely passed the person in third, crossing the finish line in third place- making the register. Marty’s mom, Rachel, and Buffy broke out in applause. Marty grabbed his legs and bent over, catching his breath. He was smiling so much- and Buffy couldn’t tell if that was because he had just won or because of the moment during the race that helped him win.

The next morning at school, Buffy saw Rachel wearing a cross country jersey for the school. Buffy hobbled over to Rachel and said, “I didn’t know you did cross-country. I’ve never seen you on the team”.

Rachel gave Buffy a dirty look and explained, “I don’t. This is Marty’s jersey”. Rachel was talking to Buffy like she was teaching math to an annoying seven-year-old. “He won and I’m his girlfriend so I’m wearing it to celebrate him. It’s what he wanted”.

“Ok, yeah, whatever. Nice talking to you, Rachel,” Buffy said as she walked away, peeved.

Buffy then heard Marty’s voice. She wanted to walk away faster but her boot only let her travel so fast, so unfortunately she heard another fight of theirs.

“Rachel!” Marty said, frustrated. “Why did you do that?”

“Do what?” Rachel said, innocently.

“Why did you talk to Buffy like that? You keep treating her badly. Can’t you just be her friend?”

At this point, Buffy had finally rounded a corner. She was going to keep walking, but this time her curiosity peaked, so she stayed on the other side of the wall where Marty and Rachel couldn’t see her. Eavesdropping.

“No, Marty. I can’t! She is clearly into you and I don’t want to lose my boyfriend”.

“Rachel, you aren’t going to. And don’t you think that even if I still did like Buffy it would be my choice whether I date her or you?”

“Oh, so you do like Buffy!” Rachel said, her tone now completely defensive.

Marty huffed loudly. “No. I. Don’t. Stop accusing me of that, Rachel. I was making a point. I like you!”

“Then if you like me so much why is she coming to everything now?”

“She came to one thing, Rachel. One. That, in case you’ve forgotten, she was supposed to compete in. She didn’t end up competing because of her hurt foot”.

“That foot is just an act to get you to talk to her”.

“Rachel, you’re being ridiculous! She’s hurt- wait, no, Rachel, I’m sorry I didn’t mean that,” Marty said, begging.

Buffy heard footsteps but couldn’t walk away fast enough so she flattened herself against a wall. Rachel walked right by her and down the other hallway. Buffy breathed a sigh of relief Rachel didn’t see her, heart racing.

Later, between classes, Buffy was trying to walk to her next class she had with Marty. She was panicking on what to say to him, but thankfully her foot started hurting so she sat down to take a rest. She was hoping if she waited long enough she would be late to class and not have to talk to him, giving her more time to think about what she was going to say.

This pipe dream didn’t last long because Marty found her. In short, he basically told Buffy that Rachel broke up with him over her. He insisted to Rachel- and Buffy- that he didn’t like Buffy anymore. But Rachel didn’t believe him. It must have happened during lunch, but Marty seemed to have bounced back really quickly. 

He also explained that he felt like he and Buffy were better off as just friends, because Buffy said so. She couldn’t help but feel like such an idiot for saying that. Karma had officially come back to get her for it.

Buffy spent the next few weeks in active avoidance of Marty and Rachel. Meanwhile, she finally listened to Marty and went to see a doctor. She had a stress fracture and was put in a walking boot. Marty talked to her once about it, thanking her for finally taking care of herself and giving her a hug. He asked if there was anything she needed, but when Buffy insisted she could take care of herself and that he did enough, he stopped talking to her. She was really good at pushing people away. It was all she seemed to know how to do as of late. 

She wasn’t sure he would talk to her again after pushing him away a second time. While it wasn’t as harsh, it was still forward and Marty seemed to get the hint. It wasn’t worth trying right now if she wasn’t even sure how to be friends with him.

The Spikes also won the game with the playbook she had been crafting for so long. Making the plays was a good hobby to keep her mind off of Marty. She was sad to not see him at the game, but understood why.

After this time had passed, Andi’s big party was finally here. It was on a Friday night. The music was loud and there were people everywhere. The Mack house was decorated beautifully with balloons and lights and Buffy was having the time of her life... until she saw Marty. She had classes with him and had seen him in the halls up until this point. She would stare sometimes, but she did her best to give him (and her) space while she figured out her emotions and he recovered from his break-up. Especially if the break-up was because of her, she knew it would just hurt him to keep seeing her.

But, at the party, she couldn’t help herself. She wanted to talk to him so badly, but knew it would only hurt. She was caught staring at Marty again by Cyrus. Cyrus, once again, tried to assure Buffy that he liked her as more than a friend, but Buffy knew differently. Why? Because he said so.

She decided that maybe the timing was off and that maybe it was better they were just friends. She later saw Marty dancing by the food table, the place where they first met. For fun, she rehashed the conversation about eating the live-frog. Marty took well to it and they were having a good time. Until Buffy messed it up. She thought that the bants were probably too flirty and they needed to have a normal conversation. A normal conversation would make them friends and finally allow her to move on from whatever feelings she was having- if they were something more. She was obviously never going to be Rachel. Not as intriguing or as committed to Marty. Not as beautiful. He was over Buffy and she needed to accept that for whatever it was worth.

However, when they tried a normal conversation, it died right after Marty asked, “how was your day?”

“Fine, how was yours?” replied Buffy.

“Fine”.

It wasn’t better. It wasn’t going to get better.

“Never mind. It was a stupid idea,” Buffy said before she ran away from that horrible conversation, fighting back tears. Her chances of even being friends with Marty were lost. She wanted to be more than friends with him and she knew it now. It was so clear to her.

Her jealousy with Rachel, the way he smiled at her, the way he helped her and cared about her, his dimples, his eyes- she wanted to be more with him, but she was too late.

As Buffy was running out the door, she heard someone call her name.

“Buffy!” yelled Marty. She turned around.

He asked if they could try the conversation again. More straight-forward and honest.

Here goes nothing, Buffy thought.

“I like you,” Buffy said. “Like the way you used to like me, but don’t anymore.”

“That was very straight forward, well done.”

“Thanks.”

There was complete silence. Buffy didn’t know what else to say. She came clean and was at a loss of words, but also proud of herself for finally acknowledging her feelings. 

However, the silence bothered her so she panicked and quickly asked Marty, “is it still my turn?”

“No, I’ll go,” he replied gently. “Really?! Now it’s your turn”. Marty seemed pretty enthusiastic she finally liked him, but it probably just boosted his ego so what was the point. Her opportunity was probably lost.

“That’s it. That’s all I wanted to say in case you ever changed you mind”. Defeated, Buffy looked at the ground. She wanted out of there so badly, but something was holding her there. Keeping her body locked in place.

“Buffy,” Marty said as he grabbed one of her arms, his hand sliding down to meet hers. He then grabbed her other hand with his other free one.

What is happening? Buffy thought. Her heart began to race. She felt herself start to clam up. The comfort she felt from Marty’s touched outweighed the panic that was starting to work up in her.

“I’ve never changed my mind,” Marty said, reassuringly.

That’s when something she never saw coming happened. He kissed her. It was as if the kiss made all of her fears and doubts vanish. Everything she worried about with Rachel was gone. He wanted Buffy and always did, but he safeguarded himself by lying. While Buffy was upset he lied, she didn’t let that get to her and ruin the now best night of her life. She understood why he did it and that’s what mattered.

He put his arm around her and she nuzzled into his chest as they walked back into the Mack house. It was where she belonged. That spot in his arms was meant for her and she knew it the moment she was there.

After they walked back in the house, Marty dropped his arm and grabbed her hand again leading her back onto the dance floor. He had a big, cheesy grin on his face and began to dance goofy while holding her hand as a way to coerce her into dancing with him. She rolled her eyes and shook her head laughing at him. He was so funny and she loved everything about him. The way he laughed, the way he never took himself too seriously, they way he banted with her. And he was hers now. They were together. It felt like a miracle.

Buffy relaxed and danced to the rest of the fast song with Marty. He spun her around and they jumped up and down as they sang loudly to the chorus. When the song ended, a slow song came on. Marty stuck out a hand, puffed up his chest, and asked in the most gentleman-like manner he could muster, “Buffy Driscoll, would you give me the honor of having this dance with you?”

Buffy grinned and rolled her eyes again, grabbing his hand. He moved the hand he was holding hers with upright and then put his other hand on the small of her back, quickly pulling her in close. She lightly rested her free arm on his shoulder.

Buffy put her head on his free shoulder and they gently swayed for a bit while he sang the song softly in her ear. This made her heart melt.

Then she heard something that solidified everything. His feelings, her feelings, correcting her doubts, and giving her confidence in herself, in them. It was four words, but it was all she needed to hear.

“You are so beautiful”. She knew he meant on the inside and out. He saw her for everything she was and she felt the same about him. 

She smiled, moving her arm from Marty’s shoulder, around the back of his neck. She was going to hold him as close to her as she could. He was the only one who could break down her wall. He was truly close to her, in every way possible and she couldn’t have wanted anything more than that. They were beautiful.

Requested by: @dancerdramatic14

[alex-the-trash-master-blog]

Guide to Organize Your Wedding

WHEN DO I BEGIN TO PREPARE MY WEDDING? Guide with tips to prepare your wedding so that everything goes perfect !!!

The ideal time to start preparations is one year before the link. The first thing you have to do is specify the date with the church or the court and, in parallel, you can start making a selection of the best wedding restaurants. From here, we recommend that you follow a good planning to avoid accumulations of work and an excess of nerves in the last days. The tranquility and security are the best allies during the final stretch before the big day and, of course, on the same day of the wedding.

Six months before - Start looking at the wedding dress and suit for the groom - Prepare the guest list - Go to the restaurant to do the wedding menu test - Think about the type of photo report you would like and start looking the photographer that best suits your style - Think of different destinations for the honeymoon and visit different travel agencies to collect information on prices, if you need to process visas or any special vaccination ...

Four months before - Order and send invitations , since you will need time to make confirmations and get the final list - Start assessing different options for services such as floral decoration, if you need a coach for the guests or if you want to rent a classic car for the displacement of the bride and groom - Hire the photographer

Three months before - Process the necessary documentation for the religious wedding or civil - Choose and order the details for the guests - Buy the last accessories you need for the bride (veil, underwear, jewelry ...) and the groom (tie, shoes ...)

Two months before - Order alliances - Hire the coach and the rest of the services you will need - Start a good beauty, facial and body treatment - Do not forget to hire the bride and groom trip

A month before - Do the penultimate test of the costumes with all the accessories - The bride has to do the makeup and hairstyle test - Order the bridal bouquet - Make the last calls to the guests who have not yet confirmed assistance

Two weeks before - Close the list of guests to facilitate it to the restaurant - Do the last test of the dresses A week before - Make a good review of everything and call the restaurant, the photographer, the coach service, the disc jockey, the travel agency ... - The bride has to book a day at the beauty center for hair removal and the last facial treatment

A day before - Manicure and pedicure - Remember to also prepare a small “survival kit” with thread and needle, makeup if you need any touch up during the day, replacement stockings, perfume…

WHAT PROCEDURES DO WE HAVE TO DO TO MARRY CIVILY? To get a civil marriage, you must process a file in the Civil Registry of the town where you are going to get married, being necessary that one of the two members of the couple is registered in the town.

The processing of this file is done by providing the following documentation:

- Literal birth certificates of the two members of the couple (they are valid for three months and are processed in the Civil Registry of the place of birth) - Certificates of registration or accrediting residence of the domicile during the last two years of the two members of the couple (they are valid for three months and are processed at the Town Hall) - Photocopy or original of the DNI, passport or residence card - Request for marriage (it is processed in the Civil Registry of the municipality where you are married) - Affidavit on the marital status of the parties (it is a form contained in the request for marriage)

WHAT DO WE NEED TO MARRY FOR THE CHURCH? You will have to present the following documentation:

- Literal birth certificates of the two members of the couple (they are valid for three months and are processed in the Civil Registry of the place of birth) - Baptism certificates of the two members of the couple ( they are asked in the parish where you were baptized) - When the spouses come from a different diocese from the church where the wedding will take place or when they have spent more than a year abroad, a certificate of ecclesiastical singleness is needed (they ask in the current parish) - When the bride and groom belong to different cults, a dispensation is also needed - Certificate that certifies the couple's attendance at the premarital course - After the religious wedding, you have a period of five days to register the marriage in the Civil Registry. Do not worry if you have to go on a trip, since this procedure does not have to be done personally and you can send a friend or relative

WHERE TO CELEBRATE THE BANQUET? For all the advantages they offer, private farms and farmhouses, such as Can Marlet, are currently the most demanded alternative by couples looking for a place to celebrate their wedding feast. They are exclusive and elegant spaces, in natural environments of great beauty, and where there is also the possibility of celebrating the religious or civil ceremony, which means a plus of comfort.

Most farms that host banquets have good parking, coach access and, more importantly, have their own kitchen, so they can ensure good gastronomic quality. Another point to keep in mind is that the farms usually offer wonderful gardens where you can enjoy the snack before the banquet and where the bride and groom can make, without the need to move, a beautiful photo report.

WHAT WE HAVE TO FIX BEFORE HIRING THE BANQUET? - Choose professional and specialized establishments in the organization of wedding celebrations because they are the ones that will best advise and control all the development of the banquet (times, protocol, attention to family and guests ...) - Inform yourself of the experience and credentials of the place. Nowadays, with a tool like Internet, you will easily find information and opinions of other couples about the different options that you are evaluating - Do not only look at the figure that the banquet supposes, but also on the quality of the service they offer you. The cheapest options are also the most incomplete ... And, in an event as important as your wedding, what counts is the result - Choose locations that offer other complementary services without increasing the price of the menus. You have to pay special attention to the fact that they can deal with the printing of the minutes, the floral decoration, the music for the banquet and the later dance ... - Choose establishments that can and can adapt to your desires and needs - It is important that the chosen place can advise or facilitate contacts with other professionals that you will need on the wedding day, such as photographers, babysitters for the little ones or a coach service

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BANQUETS? The conventional banquet starts with a standing snack that is usually made outdoors. Next, the guests and the bride and groom access the lounge to enjoy a lunch or dinner that ends with the traditional dance.

There is another formula that lately has a lot of acceptance and that is to offer an all exterior cocktail. In Can Marlet we think that it is a very suitable alternative for more informal weddings, since the whole evening takes place on foot. Depending on the wishes of the bride and groom, the cocktail can end after the wedding cake, with the service of coffees and spirits or, on the contrary, it can be extended with the dance, as if it were a usual banquet.

HOW CAN I CONFIRM A BUDGET AS EXACTLY AS POSSIBLE? To design your wedding budget, the best thing you can do is divide the expense into different items:

Preparations: preparation of invitations, sending invitations, alliances ...

The ceremony: processing of all certificates and the marriage file, donation to church or rent the place where the civil ceremony, floral decoration of the church ... will take

the bride dress, accessories (shoes, jewelry, veil ...), makeup, hair, aesthetics (manicures, facials ...), bouquet ...

the boyfriend: suit, accessories (tie, shoes, cufflinks ...), aesthetics and hairdressing ...

The banquet: menus, open bar, disc jockey, thank you details for guests, details for mothers and fathers ...

Other details: bridal car rental, coach rental for the displacement of guests, photography and video ...

Honeymoon: travel, visa processing ...

HOW CAN WE SAVE? The current panorama forces us to rationalize very well all the expenses involved in a wedding. The best advice we can give you is to make a budget and try to respect it. You can organize a wonderful wedding by saving money on what details and without wasting resources that can be allocated to those really important things, such as guaranteeing the quality of the banquet and the fun of the subsequent party. And, above all, saving on the most superfluous elements will not require you to cut the price of the menu or the number of guests. The day of your wedding is to share with all those you love and who love you!

Here are some suggestions to organize your wedding without ruining:

- Do a first internet search of everything you will need (dresses, restaurants, flowers ...) and save on travel - Think that many restaurants apply better conditions for banquets on Fridays and Sundays, as well as in low season (between November and March)

- Set priorities and compare prices, but without losing sight of the quality of the proposals. It is preferable to spend a little more and ensure that nothing will fail on your wedding day.

-Choose proposals with everything included, that the extras are not a surprise, a pack where everything is ... appetizer, menu, music, open bar, decoration, suite ...

- A good idea is to make the invitations yourself. You will save money and get more personal ones - If you have time and are a little "handyman", you can also elaborate the details for the guests in an artisan way

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MENU? Can Marlet offers you a menu test where, apart from deciding the minute, you can check other aspects such as the presentation of the dishes, the quality of the products or the amount of food. In addition, we offer the bride and groom a complete advice to prepare a good menu, not only to their taste but also to the taste of the majority. Here are some of the tips we usually give:

- The banquet is preceded by a rather copious snack, so it is necessary to choose a well-balanced menu, consisting of a lighter first dish, preferably fish or seafood, and a second dish more forceful - Decantaos for proposals made with very good raw materials and that can be liked by most - Choose a menu based on very varied products and that includes fish, seafood, vegetables, meat ... - Confer more variety to the menu choosing different elaborations. For example, if the second course is a well-seasoned baked meat with a good side dish, choose a salad or a barbecue of seafood first - Choose wines that match well with each of the dishes. If you are not very expert in the field, let yourself be advised by professionals - Before the wedding cake, it is always convenient to offer a light and refreshing pre dessert. We are currently offering a glass of Mojito, it is very successful, it refreshes us and prepares us for the Bridal cake that will be accompanied by an ice cream.

AND THE APPETIZER? Although we often don't give it all the importance it really deserves, the appetizer is one of the crucial moments of any wedding banquet. It is the beginning of the party, a time for the guests to interact and where the parents of the couple, waiting for the couple to join the snack after the photo report, dedicate themselves to attend the guests and thank them for their assistance .

For all these reasons, the appetizer has been perfected in recent years and, currently, is as relevant as the banquet itself. In Can Marlet we have a standard appetizer proposal and a wide range of extras so that the bride and groom can customize the appetizer according to their gastronomic preferences, in addition to a complete drinks bar that includes champagne, wines, soft drinks and a cocktail.

Our appetizers are made up of small hot and cold tastings, as well as buffets. And, among all this, there are certain classics and some "delicatessen" that can never be missing. We are talking, for example, about hand-cut ham, some specialty with foie or cheese and rice buffets. It is also very topical to include skewers prepared at the time of a barbecue grill, fish plates made in front of the client, some Japanese-style tasting or a wine tasting.

FOOD OR DINNER? It is a very personal decision, but in Can Marlet we always advise you to take into account the time of the year in which the wedding will take place. In summer, when the day is longer and it is so hot at noon, it is more convenient to have an evening and evening wedding. You will avoid the hours when the sun itches most and you will enjoy the mild temperature of the night in a place where, due to its vegetation and location, the nights are especially pleasant. On the other hand, if you get married in spring, autumn or winter, it is much better to celebrate it at noon. So you can make the most of the daylight hours and get a complete and lucid photo report.

WHAT ARE THE PROTOCOL RULES IN THE CHURCH? The guests will enter the church and await the arrival of the protagonists of the ceremony. Just before the bride and groom, the couple formed by the father of the groom and the mother of the bride will enter. The groom will enter later, when everyone is already inside the temple, from the arm of his mother or godmother, and will wait for the bride, who will walk to the altar caught by the right arm of his father.

The bride always has to be to the right of the groom, which will also mark the placement of the families inside the church, since the guests by the bride will occupy the banks on the right and, those of the groom, the part of the left.

At the time of departure and while the bride and groom sign the marriage certificates accompanied by the witnesses, the guests will leave the church and wait for the newlyweds abroad to comply with the ritual of rice and rose petals. Then the witnesses will come out and, finally, the bride and groom. As the protocol marks, the bride, once married, will go to the left side.

IS THERE ANY PROTOCOL FOR CIVIL CEREMONIES? It is necessary to differentiate between weddings that are held in the offices of a town hall or court and those held in banquet spaces. In the first case, we can find that a protocol has been designed specifically for these ceremonies or, conversely, that there is no regulation. On the other hand, in the civil ceremonies that take place in the same space where the banquet will be enjoyed later, the formulas of ecclesiastical weddings are increasingly copied. Those responsible for the space will detail the protocol and will be watching at all times of the ceremony so that you do not have to worry about anything and that everything goes perfectly. In any case, civil weddings do not require a strict ritual and it is the bride and groom who have to decide what kind of ceremony you want.

WHAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE MUSIC FOR A CIVIL CEREMONY? As we explained in the previous question, this type of event is characterized by not forcing such a strict ritual. This means that the bride and groom can design the ceremony to their liking ... And what element better than the musical selection to personalize such a special moment?

The moments that are always illustrated with musical accompaniment are the entrance of the groom, the entrance of the bride, the readings, the signatures and, of course, the exit of the newlyweds. Many couples opt for classical music or instrumental themes, but it is also a good idea to choose current songs that have a special meaning for the couple. Another possibility that can increase the emotional of the ceremony is to hire live music, such as a lyrical ensemble or a small string orchestra.

DOES THE CLOTHING CHANGE CHANGE DURING THE WEDDING TIME? The bride and groom can indicate the costume protocol in the invitation. If not, the standard says that if it is a midday wedding, the ladies will necessarily have to wear a short cocktail dress, except for the mother of the groom, who is allowed to dress long. Short dresses, which go at knee height or slightly above, allow the use of pamelas or hats, which cannot be removed at any time during the wedding, including the banquet.

In late weddings, women have traditionally dressed long, although currently the protocol is not so straight and cocktail dresses are also allowed. At night it is not advisable to wear a hat and much less pamela, but some small headdress of flowers or feathers is allowed.

The norm that women must respect is essential not to wear white, color reserved exclusively for the bride. Black, despite not being a prohibited color, is also not recommended for being related to mourning. Anyway, you can always choose a dress that combines black with other shades. Nor is it appropriate to choose colors that are too strident and, of course, too low-cut and bold models.

The men, specifically the parents of the couple and the godfather, will have to take into account if the boyfriend has chosen to wear a jacket. In that case, all of them will also have to wear this ceremonial outfit. They should also know that it is not allowed to take off the jacket or jacket during the banquet, unless the groom does it first.

SHOULD ANY PROTOCOL BE RESPECTED DURING THE APPETIZER? The appetizer has to be a particularly relaxed moment and it is not convenient to apply strict rules that may end up curling it. The guests go to the appetizer as they arrive, while the bride and groom are incorporated with a little delay, since they take advantage of this moment to take the photographic report. That is why, in the absence of the couple, the snack becomes the time for parents to greet all attendees, thanking them for their presence and doing the "public relations" task. The tradition is that the bride and groom enter the appetizer welcomed by the applause of the guests and give a toast to their family and friends.

WHO AND HOW DO WE HAVE TO SIT AT THE PRESIDENTIAL TABLE? The bride and groom will not arrive at the banquet until everyone is seated. It will be then when, the bride to the left of her brand new husband, enters the room holding hands or arm.

The bride and groom, with the bride always on the left, will occupy the central seats of the presidency. The parents of the groom will sit next to the bride and, those of the bride, they will sit next to the groom. This is the conventional protocol, but currently it is also accepted that the bride and groom sit next to their respective parents, as well as incorporate grandparents or siblings to the presidential table.

WHAT ARE THE CRUCIAL MOMENTS OF THE BANQUET? The nuptial banquet is also governed by a protocol where different moments stand out, for their emotionality and significance. In Can Marlet, to turn the celebration into an unforgettable memory, all these moments are illustrated with songs chosen by the couple.

- The toast: without a doubt, one of the most exciting moments. Before the cake leaves, the bride and groom get up and toast for all the guests as a sign of gratitude - The presentation of the cake: it is also one of the most anticipated moments. The bride and groom get up from their seats at the presidential table and cut the cake symbolically with a sword, grabbing all the attention of family and friends. It is a good time to make a second toast - Delivery of the bride and groom of the cake: when the wedding cake has already been served and the guests are drinking coffees and spirits, at a time of special relaxation, it is when it is used for the bride and groom to deliver the most special gifts. The first one is the figurine of the bride and groom of the cake, which is given to the next couple who has to get married. If the couple have more than one commitment, several figures can be delivered - Delivery of the bride's bouquet: traditionally delivered to a young single or a single. Many brides want to keep their souvenir bouquet or to take it to a deceased relative, so they order a replica to give away - Delivery of the bouquets for mothers: many couples accompany the mothers gift with a framed photo of the same wedding day, a detail that is given to parents - The details of thanks to the guests: the custom has always been for the couple to take a walk through all the tables to deliver the detail of thanks and to greet all the guests. In Can Marlet we always recommend leaving the details on the tables, an equally valid formula that allows the couple to enjoy a little more peace of mind. It must also be said that in recent years, with the entry into force of the anti-smoking law, smoking is not allowed in banquet halls. This has made it not very advisable to give away the traditional cigars and cigarettes, which have been replaced by a wide range of details, such as scented candles, key chains, pens, dried flowers or chocolates - The opening of the dance: the bride and groom are in charge of opening the dance. Until recently, the protocol said that the inauguration should be done with a waltz, but now most couples prefer to choose a current song that has some special meaning for them. The tradition is that, after the first dance, the couple dance with their respective in-laws. In the later dances, it is customary for the consuegros to dance among themselves.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO MAKE FAMILY PHOTOS WITH GUESTS? There is no rule that indicates when the photos should be taken with the guests, but a good option is to take them right after the ceremony. In this way, the couple can go to make their report with more peace of mind, then joining the appetizer and enjoying it until the end. There are also many couples who choose to take family photos a little before finishing the appetizer, just before entering the room.

IS IT HAPPENED TO CELEBRATE THE HAND REQUEST? The hand request ceremony has changed its meaning a lot, in parallel to the changes that our society has been experiencing. In its origin, it was a meeting in which the bride had to obtain parental permission to marry, at the same time that the two families negotiated each other's contributions to the marriage. At present, the hand request is just a family gathering like many others, but with the difference that the couple makes the traditional exchange of gifts and officially communicates their intention to marry.

The decision to hold the hand request is very personal. If what worries you and throws you back is the vision of this ceremony as an excessively cheesy and traditional act, think that the hand request does not have to follow a rigid protocol and that it can become the perfect excuse to gather the Two families, favor a closer relationship and have a good time in the company of the people who love you the most and are most happy about your future wedding. That is why it will not be necessary to celebrate a too formal evening ... You can convene a meal or a dinner at the house of one of the two families (traditionally it has been at the house of the parents of the bride), in your house (if it is already you live together) or go out to a restaurant.

As for gifts, the most common is the ring for the bride and the watch for the groom, although today the range of gifts is much wider and allows the door to be opened to originality. For example, you can give yourself the romantic trip that you have always wanted to do.

WHY DOES THE BRIDE HAVE TO BRING A NEW THING, AN OLD, A LOAN AND SOME DETAIL OF BLUE COLOR? It is a very old tradition that, today, has not changed at all and that most brides respect. Bringing something new represents the new life that is about to begin in the company of the husband. On the day of the wedding, the bride releases practically everything…

A jewel, the league or a handkerchief can be perfect details to bring something old, which means the past and the affection of the bride to life with her parents, and the borrowed piece, which symbolizes friendship and is a good omen that Friends will always accompany you. Ultimately, wearing something blue embodies fidelity, while acting as an amulet of good luck and protecting against disease.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN SUPERSTITIONS ON WEDDINGS? The groom cannot see the bride's dress before the ceremony because it brings bad luck - Pearls, according to Christian tradition, are the tears of angels. That is why they are considered to be carriers of bad luck in marriage if the bride wears them on her wedding day - Formerly it was believed that getting married in January caused economic problems to the marriage - Weddings on Friday bring love for the whole life, since Friday is the day of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Sunday, if we pay attention to superstition, it is also a good day for a wedding because it is the day of the sun, which will bring health, joy and fortune to the marriage. For this same reason, June 24, summer solstice, is a good day to get married - To ensure a happy and strong union, wear a diamond on your wedding day. Diamonds are a symbol of purity and hardness - If you want your single friends to find a husband, on your wedding day you have to write a paper with their names and carry it hidden in your right shoe - The tradition of honking the car or hanging cans of the bridal car has to do with the noise that was formerly made to ward off evil spirits

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF WEDDING CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS? The veil is a symbol of purity, modesty and innocence of the bride. It was also considered to protect her from the envy of the guests. In some oriental cultures, the bride has the veil served to hide her face from the bridegroom, who has never seen her future wife before, until the end of the ceremony - To keep it from raining on the wedding day, tradition mandates carrying eggs to a convent of Poor Clares nuns. Anyway, a wedding passed by water is an augury of happy marriage and a lot of offspring - The rice that is thrown to the bride and groom at the end of the ceremony has the purpose of guaranteeing the couple's fertility. It is a modern custom imported from Asia - The alliances, authentic symbol of the union, mean eternity and are a ritual that comes from the Roman era. They are placed on the ring finger because in the past there was a belief that the vein that passes through this finger went directly to the heart - The tradition of the honeymoon is due to the Teutons, who only married full moon nights. After the ceremony, the couple spent thirty days drinking honey liquor because they were considered to be a powerful aphrodisiac. This period after the wedding was known as honeymoon - The bridal bouquet was launched into the air in the direction of the single guests. According to tradition, the lucky one who managed to catch it would marry soon - The wedding cake comes from ancient Rome, where a bread was broken on the head of the bride as a symbol of fertility and long life for the couple. The resulting crumbs were believed to bring good luck, so the guests took them from the ground to eat

WHAT ARE THE WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES? Although, traditionally, silver and gold weddings are the most celebrated, each anniversary is very special and deserves its own name.

- First anniversary: ​​Paper wedding - Second anniversary: ​​Cotton wedding - Third anniversary: ​​Leather wedding - Fourth anniversary: ​​Linen wedding - Fifth anniversary: ​​Wooden wedding - Sixth anniversary: ​​Sugar wedding - Seventh anniversary: ​​Wool wedding - Eighth anniversary: ​​Bronze weddings - Ninth anniversary: ​​Mud weddings - Tenth anniversary: ​​Tin weddings - Eleventh anniversary: ​​Steel weddings - Twelfth anniversary: ​​Silk weddings - Thirteenth anniversary: ​​Lace weddings - Fourteenth anniversary: ​​Ivory weddings - Fifteenth anniversary: ​​Crystal weddings - Twenty-fifth anniversary: Porcelain weddings - Twenty-fifth anniversary: ​​Silver weddings - Thirtieth anniversary: ​​Pearl weddings - Thirty-fifth anniversary: ​​Coral weddings - Fortieth anniversary: ​​Weddings Ruby - Forty-fifth anniversary: ​​Sapphire Weddings - Fifty-year anniversary: ​​Golden wedding - Fifty-fifth anniversary: ​​Emerald wedding - Sixty-year anniversary: ​​Diamond wedding - Sixty-fifth anniversary: ​​Platinum wedding

I HEARD THAT EVERY FLOWER HAS ITS MEANING AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW A LITTLE BEFORE CHOOSING THE DECORATION AND BRIDE OF BRIDE ... Flowers have a language that symbolizes the great concepts of humanity, such as love, friendship or mourning. This language, which has come to this day, was born in the early seventeenth century in Constantinople and was introduced in Europe by an English lady, in the eighteenth century. He had a great success in France, where he even wrote the book "Le Langage des Fleurs", but it is considered that his golden age was Romanticism, when lovers began to use flowers to communicate in secret.

Many centuries later, in a society as modern and advanced as ours, flowers maintain their most romantic essence and continue to speak to us with their colors, aromas and shapes. Starting from its meaning, the most suitable flowers for a wedding will be roses, especially if they are red, since they constitute a true symbol of love and passion. Pink roses can also be perfect, since they symbolize happiness. White flowers, like lily, have always been widely used at weddings because they mean purity and innocence. Orchids, which represent beauty, should never be lacking in a wedding celebration.

[resplendcnt]

hiya friends !! my name is cas ( she/her ) & i live in the land of cst !! here’s my baby brinley, you can learn all about here under the read more !! 

「✮° SCARLETT LEITHOLD, CISFEMALE, SHE/HER » don’t look now, but brinley anderson just walked into the party. i heard the twenty-one year old got invited for being+captivating & +effervescent, even though i heard they can also be -fickle & -guileless at times. they’ve been described as the resplendent, which makes sense because soft sunlight slipping through drawn shades, the sound of laughter as wind dances through her hair, dazzling & kaleidoscopic light scattered across white walls, freckles that resemble constellations. 

**I’M CURRENTLY MOBILE & GETTING A FACIAL...BECAUSE TREAT YO SELF...BUT LIKE THIS & I’LL COME TO YOU FOR PLOTS !!

background !! 

brinley was born into a very quaint life. with three other siblings & her parents jammed into the small home her grandfather built over seventy years ago, it was safe to say that brin never had any privacy. wichita, kansas wasn’t exactly the biggest place either, which meant that the neighborhood was always looking after each other’s kids. 

in her junior year of high school, brinley made a youtube account, where she vlogged, did make up/outfit tutorials, and posted some comedic vodes as well. ( she reminds me of kennedy walsh & mikaela long as youtube legends ) within a year, brin had almost 500K subscribers. 

when she turned 18, a prominent modeling agency from los angeles recruited her, she signed & moved out to california. soon enough, her instagram & youtube blew up. currently, she has 4 million subscribers & 2.5 million instagram followers. 

personality !!

THE RESPLENDENT: shining brightly; full of splendor; dazzling ──  brinley is the light in every life she touches. she’s the girl that can make just about anyone laugh. she mesmerizes, she enchants, and she captivates. brinley is the girl that everyone likes. 

it’s safe to say that a girl from kansas hasn’t fully comprehended the twists and turns of hollywood. a little naive and way too open minded and big hearted, brinley often lets her ability to trust get the better of her. 

she doesn’t really know what she wants either...which makes it hard to keep loyalty or focus on tasks or jobs. her youtube channel is pretty much whatever she wants it to be, and that has gotten her pretty far...but fans are expecting a more serious schedule rather than random bursts of videos. 

most importantly, brin loves to live life to the fullest. she’s the girl you call at 2 am to do anything with. she loves with all her heart & won’t let you ever feel alone.  

wanted connections !!

﹆ ON AGAIN OFF AGAIN ( 0/1 ) ➵ they constantly lead her on and she does the same. whenever one wants the other, they are aren’t interested and vise versa. on the surface, it would appear that the two fought more than anything, but maybe it’s deeper than that.  ﹆ AN EX THAT CHEATED ( 0/1 ) ➵ i love the idea of having a person who brinley trusted completely when she moved out to cali. then they cheated on her & broke her heart. now, it seems like all brin wants to do is forget about the whole thing. however, it seems like she falls in love all over again whenever she sees them. ﹆ (UN)HOLY TRINITY ( 0/2 ) ➵ they say bad news comes in threes & with this group that statement is somewhat true. when together, they cause more trouble than alone. always out for a good time, they support each other like no other. we love a girl gang !! ﹆ TINDER MATCHES ( 0/? ) ➵ these are the people that she matched with & probably had casual hook ups with. brinley is the type of girl to plan the weirdest dates. maybe some went well, but others probably didn’t. maybe they realized they were better friends than anything.  ﹆ SIBLING FIGURES ( 0/2 ) ➵ growing up in a big family meant always having someone older than you around to help. now that brinley’s alone in this big city, she needs people to look after her and steer her in the right direction.  ﹆ ROOMMATE ( 1/1 ) ➵ brinley needs someone to share the rent with her & i’d like to think that these two really hit it off and actually became close friends. they practically do everything together. would be fun if this person was also an social media influencer !! TAKEN: LYLA ﹆ YOUTUBE/INSTA COLLABS ( 1/? ) ➵ if there are any other youtube influencers hmu because i’d like to think that she meets up with a lot of different people to boost her follower count and do the same for them. TAKEN: DAISY  ﹆ ETC. ➵  i’m really down for anything. childhood friends, party buds, model friends, enemies, good/bad influence...you name it, I WANT IT. i’m also down to plot for anything else you have in mind !! 

**LIKE THIS & I’LL MESSAGE YOU AFTER I’M HOME

[violetosprey]

admittedly we clearly know not much if anything about him but we can speculate. What do you think about Axel? If anything i can at least say he has interesting fashion choices. Maybe he'll eat someone in front of us and then ether invite us to join him or try to flirt with us after the fact. I like his visual design even if we only have half his face for now. I already like those gloves. Not sure what else to ask, but feel free to add anything. at least were meeting this hot guy together.

Oh wow, you’re askingme about a brand new character in a possibleupcoming game series from ElectricPuke while Mark of Belial is still being developed right now XD  That’s cool.

And I have like…1ounce of details to go off of (literally 2 images and a tiny summary of thegame he’d be in).  So on the bright side,hey I can’t spoil anything!  On thedownside, I worry about overhyping (especially if the game idea gets scrapped)or just saying something that…I don’t know, will ruin something about him?

But *bites thumb* I reeeaaaaalllllyyyy wannasee what I can say here.  So against mybetter judgement, I’ll chatter away.

So yes, already inlove with the one possible outfit of his. It doesn’t help that…sometimes I get more hot and bothered by “tease”outfits than full nudity *sweats*(that low crotch line and the one nipple visible…god be still my beatingheart).  But more importantly!  Yes the choices he’s made for the image aresimple but effective.  The gloves andapron, and the line in the summary about the parents loving to have people fordinner…that’s what makes me guess he’s probably a cannibal.  At the very least, he’s a butcher or operateslike one when prepping meals.  I’m gonnaguess the whole farm family will end up being cannibals, but you neverknow.  Could get some apathetic vegetarianmurderer thrown into the mix there who just doesn’t care what the rest of thefamily eats.  That’d actually be prettyfunny :P

Now he’s also got amask on, the kind that you’d use when welding like with a blowtorch orsomething.  That’s something differentthere.  Puke’s had characters that haveboth eaten MC like a wild animal, or forced the MC to eat themselves.  And we’ve had an MC boiled alive before.  But if Axel (who’s name btw I love, but now Ikeep thinking he’s gotta have red hair because of the character from KingdomHearts.  Darn it!), does use such a mask,it means he exposes himself to hot temperatures.  He could possible roast his victims, or takethat blowtorch and…you know how like with some desserts you take a blowtorch togive it that extra touch (NO idea what the cooking term is for it, but youusually lightly crisp the outside, like with a cream brule)?  He could be trying to make a nice lookingdinner and slowly crisps the outsideof the meat >:D If Puke wants to do some other new stuff, he could alsoalways have a killer who chops off just parts of a victim at a time, thencauterizes the wound with a blowtorch (so the bleeding stops), and keep em tillthe next meal.

…What?  Too dark? Well let’s just say the mask is just to avoid being a complete copycatof the Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre then :P  Puke’s character’s are usually easy on theeyes, but they CAN be scarred up a bit. So I doubt Axel’s actually ugly or disfigured like Leatherface, but hemay or may not be hiding a facial feature under there.  He doesn’t look like the type at face valuewho’s got low self esteem.

Speaking ofpersonality, yeah it’s all just speculation here.  The tongue sticking out does give a sense of “playfulness,”or he just enjoys the taste of the blood he’s getting off the sides of hismouth.  Now Puke’s usually pretty good atmaking his character’s pretty distinct. As his cast grows, it will understandable get harder for him to makeeveryone incredibly unique (but he’s still a much better story writer andcharacter creator than I could ever be). So we may see some traits recycled every now and then.  Like I’m gonna take a blind guess here thatif he were to recycle a manner of speak, he probably would not use something asdignified as Cain’s or as detached as Sano’s. Probably something closer to Akira or Vincent (heck Vincent’s alreadyfoul mouthed with a Texas accent, which would actually fit pretty well withthis scenario).  He could still be newthough by either doing a different southern style, could have Axel sound morehill billy or redneck, or he could actually sound a little more fun andeducated compared to Vincent (but not as much as Cain).  I’d looooovvvveeeee if he was flirting whenmeeting the guests (butter people up), during the meal prepping (that’d be kindof twisted), OR after the meal (if the…victim still has consciousness somehow).  He could also be the type though thatliterally just views the person as a bipedal pig ready for slaughter.  No sympathy, and no attachments.

Well I got to squeezea little bit out of that for fun!  I’m notgoing to hold it to Puke that he absolutely has to go through with any of thisstuff.  He’ll make whatever he’s feelingup for (he never likes to put out incomplete or messy projects).  This would definitely be fun to seethough.  And I…I need to still calm downafter that last drawing *shivers*.

Yep, glad to see otherpeople interested in the character as well.

[speedytreefart]

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Don't pin so many conflicting ideas that you can't decide on your bridal bouquet mother of the bride dresses jjshouse, or your wedding favours, or your hair. I started feeling depressed after giving Pinterest references to and getting quotes back from vendors, so I took a break from the app after a while to stop Pining over all the expensive things I couldn't have, and remember why I was reining in my wedding budget'to build a more beautiful home for many years of marriage. Michelle: Rustic and whimsical with a good dose of fun and spritz. We had the lovely team from In Merry Motion to help us with styling our jsweddenladress20107 event summer formal dresses. We presented a moodboard of rustic and whimsical items and looks that we wanted to achieve. They took it one step further by adding really personal, fun and cool elements (i.e.: Batman coasters, illustrations of us, our childhood pictures, and geometric patterns) to the space. As millions of Americans admired the pomp and circumstance of the Kennedy wedding, Lowe's name was left out of the narrative. But that was not the first time Lowe went without credit, and unfortunately wasn't the last, either. She created Olivia de Havilland's 1947 Oscar gown (the actress ended up winning Best Actress that year) wedding dress shopping tips, yet, Lowe's name was not on the label.

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[real-life-pine-tree]

Arc-V Aftermath: Dance Do-Over (2/26)

When all is said and done, things have quickly recovered in the four dimensions. But when weird things start happening, the Yu-Salad Boys and the Bracelet Girls quickly realize they have some loose ends to fix. Co-written with @violetganache42​.

WARNING: Dub names will be featured in the story.

Yuri switched back to Yuya while heading downstairs. He knows how Yusho is still having a hard time trusting him, especially after carding him, so he would rather let the son of a Dueltainer talk to him. Besides, Yusho and Yoko would still get filled in on what’s wrong with Yuto now that they know what happened.

Before sitting down to eat breakfast and talk to his parents, Yuya was greeted by En, Core, Kilo, Watt, and all the other pets his mother rescued. Some of them jumped on his legs, wanting to lick his hands and face, while the rest barked and meowed with excitement.

“Whoa!” Yugo exclaimed. “That’s a lot of pets!”

“Mom just can’t say no to strays,” Yuya explained as he picked up En and cuddled the corgi pup in his arms.

He looked over to see his mother in the kitchen—cooking a few more pancakes—and his father, who had just finished breakfast. “Morning, Yuya!” Yoko pleasantly said. “Were you talking to your friends?”

“Yeah,” Yuya answered, setting En down on the floor before taking his seat at the kitchen table. “And I need to talk to you and dad.”

“What about?” Yusho asked.

“I want to host a dance at the LID’s Center Duel Field,” Yuya explained, sensing that Yuto wasn’t present.

“What for?” Yusho asked.

“It’s for everyone who attended the Heartland Duel School dance,” Yuya continued.

This surprised Yoko and Yusho. They were curious as to why Yuya wanted to host a dance at LID’s Center Duel Field, so their son filled them in on what happened that very night. He really wants to give the students who attended the last dance another chance to hang out, sing, dance, and have fun, but more importantly, he wants to bring back the smiles that were taken from them by Duel Academy. He was also determined to make this an extra special night for Yuto and Lulu.

“What a kind thing to do for your friends,” Yoko said.

“And I’ll get everyone in Paradise City in on it,” Yuya continued. “It’s clear that the people of Heartland are still recovering, so they need to be happy again.”

“I don’t see why not,” Yusho said. “I’ll even contact Skip and Declan to see if they could help out.”

Throughout the day, Yuya, his parents, Yugo, Yuri, and Sora worked together to put together the upcoming dance. It was going to be a lot of work, so they need all the help they can get. Yusho called Declan and Skip to inform them about his son’s surprise dance for the students at his duel school and asked if they can help. Naturally, they both said “Yes”. Declan offered to distribute inviations to the people in Heartland City while Skip said he’ll talk to Zuzu to help prepare Lulu for the dance; they also made sure to keep it a secret. Shortly after hanging up, Zuzu and Henrietta came in to see what their respective relatives were talking about.

“What’s going on, dad?” Zuzu asked.

“Great, you’re here!” Skip said. “I need to speak to you privately.”

“Uh… Sure,” Zuzu said. “Okay other me’s. I need you to…go away for a while?”

“No, wait, Rin and Celina need to hear it as well!” Skip corrected.

“Alright,” Lulu said before she disappeared into Zuzu’s shared mind.

“Okay dad, Lulu’s gone,” Zuzu informed.

“There’s going to be a dance for the former students of Heartland Duel School,” Skip explained. “I need you to get Lulu ready for tonight.”

“A formal dance?” Zuzu asked.

“Yes!” Rin cheered. “As a fashionista of the Synchro Dimension, I would be more than happy to help Lulu switch out those old rags for better outfits.”

“I think Lulu can handle it herself,” Celina replied, aware that Rin and Lulu have different fashion sense.

“Don’t worry, dad,” Zuzu said. “I’ll see if Julia can help out.”

“So Declan, is there anything I can do?” Henrietta asked as Zuzu went over to the Krystal residence.

“As a matter of fact, there is,” Declan answered. “Because Yuya wishes to have the dance located the Center Duel Field, I was hoping you can arrange the decorations.”

“Certainly, Declan,” Henrietta replied.

As the day went to, Declan finished working on the invitations. He then scrolled through a list of XYZ residents who attended Heartland Duel School on his computer. After checking, he sent the invitations to the former students’ Duel Disks, except Yuto and Lulu. The gray-haired teen decided to message Shay to head on over to LID for measurements. It was obvious he was going to need a new suit.

Meanwhile, in the XYZ Dimension, life was slowly returning to normal for the people of Heartland. They have been working together to clean up and rebuild the city. Aster Phoenix, the Tyler Sisters, and Mamoru Noro even decided to stay and help the citizens out, continuing to distribute food, drinks, and medical supplies, as well as assist in reconstruction. Just then, a notification alarm went off from someone’s Duel Disk. Followed by a second. No, third. Fourth. Fifth. Now, multiple notifications were popping up from several Duel Disks. This was rather bizarre.

One of the Duelists who received a notification alarm was none other than Sarah. “Hey Alex, are you getting this?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Alex answered as he checked his Duel Disk. “I wonder what it’s for.”

They checked their notifications to see what it was. They received what looked like invitations. This was rather unexpected, but that quickly turned to joy when they read the invitations. They were invited to a dance at the Leo Institute of Dueling.

“A dance?” Alex asked. “We haven’t attended one since…”

Sarah sadly looked over at Alex. “I know,” she agreed. “Hopefully you can wear something than a hoodie and a poncho this time.”

“It was my cleanest poncho!” Alex insisted.

Meanwhile, Aster checked his Duel Disk. “That’s strange…” he noted. “My Duel Disk doesn’t have a notification.”

“Neither does ours,” Gloria said as she and Grace showed Aster their Duel Disks.

Back at the Pendulum Dimension, Zuzu was heading towards the local spa, where she—well, technically Lulu—was supposed to meet up with Julia. The long, dark-haired girl has never met Zuzu’s XYZ counterpart before, so spending some time preparing for the dance in there can also result in the two girls becoming friends. The Fusion Dueltainer also figured this would finally give Lulu a chance to bathe; since she constantly had to deal with Duel Academy, she pretty much earned it.

Zuzu stopped in front of the spa’s entrance and looked through the windows to see if Julia was in there. Sure enough, she was there, waiting near the front desk for Lulu. “You want me to go to a spa so I can bond with a Fusion Duelist?” the dark-haired teen asked.

“Sure,” Zuzu said without hesitation. “You need to know that not all Fusion Duelists are evil. Julia’s a nice person, so you should spend the day with her.”

“Alright,” Lulu said. “If you say so.”

Lulu switched places with Zuzu, still feeling a tad bit unsure about this Julia person. She opened the doors and entered the spa; the sound of the bell grabbed the Fusion Duelist’s attention as she saw what looked like Zuzu but wasn’t actually.

“Uh… Hello?” Lulu told Julia.

The Gem-Knight Duelist walked over to Lulu. “You smell,” she said bluntly.

“Excuse me?” Lulu asked, alarmed.

“It’s your body odor,” Julia explained. “It smells like burnt rubble and blood. If that isn’t enough, your face looks unwashed and your clothes are severely damaged.” She lifted up a lock of Lulu’s hair. “And your hair feels too greasy, even under normal conditions.”

“Your point?” Lulu asked, taking a few steps back to make sure Julia stopped touching her hair.

“Zuzu explained everything to me,” Julia continued. “You need a complete makeover. Thankfully you came to the right person. By the time we’re done, you’ll feel like a new person.”

Lulu felt a little bewildered; she didn’t expect Julia to instantly find out how she hasn’t bathed in a while. It’s like she can detect imperfect hygiene, and you know what? Given that she can detect people’s talent and hesitation, one can consider this to be no surprise that she can also tell when someone is dirty.

Julia directed Lulu on where to follow her. Without any hesitation, she went along with her. The two girls headed to a special room designed for full-body pampering, which is what the XYZ user clearly needed. In it, there was a bathtub with a bathmat in front of it and was in between a couple of tabletops. One of them had bottles of bubble bath soap, shampoo and conditioner, makeup remover, face cleanser, and a facial cleansing brush whereas the other had a couple of candles with a sweet, cherry-blossom fragrance; both tabletops had small cabinet doors that contained towels and facecloths. Not too far away was a chair that had a light yellow bathrobe on it. There was even a smaller room meant for getting changed in and out of clothes. Lulu was astonished at the room she was led to.

“This is amazing!” Lulu exclaimed. “How-”

“I’m a regular customer,” Julia explained. “I was saving a lot of reward points, so I figured they could go to good use.”

Lulu was nearly in tears of joy. “Thank you,” she said.

Elsewhere, Yuya and Yusho were at a local clothing store, planning on getting Yuto a new tuxedo to wear for tonight. Since the tomato-haired boy has the same body figure as his XYZ counterpart, he’ll be helping his father with measurements. While that is going on, Yugo and Yuri were conversing about something; they wanted to figure out how they were going to get a new pair of prescription glasses for Yuto since his first pair was probably destroyed during the Invasion.

“I know!” Yugo exclaimed after a bit of thinking. “We’ll have Yuya go to the eye doctor so he can see what Yuto’s prescription is!”

“Except Yuya, you, and myself all have perfect vision,” Yuri pointed out.

“You sure?” Yugo asked, suddenly standing too close to Yuri. “‘Cause you tend to squint a lot.”

“I can assure you my eyesight is normal!” Yuri exclaimed, shoving Yugo away from him. “I simply have smaller pupils!”

“Geez, I thought that after the whole Zarc thing, you’d stop acting like a jerk,” Yugo muttered loudly.

“The darkness within Zarc’s heart merely clouded my judgement,” Yuri corrected. “That doesn’t mean my personality completely changed when that same darkness vanished!”

“Guess that explains why you haven’t gotten along with Celina yet,” Yugo pointed out.

“Miss Celina simply has a hard time accepting I have somewhat changed,” Yuri insisted.

“She probably doesn’t like how big of a spoiled brat you are,” Yugo remarked.

“Oh, that is it!” Yuri exclaimed. “Now you just got personal!”

As Yuya was about to try on one of the first suits in the fitting room, he overheard his Fusion and Synchro counterparts arguing. He wondered what they were even fighting about; they were supposed to find a way to get Yuto a new pair of glasses, but knowing Yugo’s short-temper and rude remarks and Yuri’s high nobility, disputes like this are bound to happen. Yuya decided to quickly intervene and help them formulate their plan.

“Come on, you guys,” Yuya said. “We’re supposed to be figuring out how to get Yuto new glasses without him finding out about the dance.”

“He started it!” Yugo exclaimed.

“Excuse me?!” Yuri angrily asked. “I’m not the one with a rude attitude!”

Yuya let out a sigh; if those two keep it up, either this day will go on forever or Yuto will end up finding out. Within only a few seconds, he conjectured an idea on how they will carry out their plan. It might be crazy, but it could work.

“I think I know how we can get this to work,” Yuya said. “But I’m going to need Yugo’s help.”

Yugo directed his attention towards Yuya when the latter mentioned his name. He looked rather puzzled; why did he need his help? Heck, why can’t Yuri help as well?

Meanwhile, Shay had just arrived at the LID main entrance. A bit earlier, he received a message from Declan telling him to come meet him inside the institute for suit measurements. He pondered on why he needed to be measured for a little while. Then again, he wore this outfit ever since the Invasion, so it would make sense to try and find something nicer to wear.

Upon entering through the doors, he noticed Declan waiting for him at the main lobby near the front desk. “Thanks you for coming, Shay,” Declan said.

“Why did you want to see me?” Shay asked.

“I have recently found out the Invasion on your home dimension began on the night of a formal event,” Declan explained. “And because of that, you have been wearing the same tuxedo underneath your coat. Correct?”

“Yes,” Shay explained. “When the Invasion started, none of us had time to change outfits.”

“Which is why I asked you to come here,” Declan continued. “Think of it as a thank you gift for serving the Lancers.”

Shay accepted the gray-haired teen’s offer. He hasn’t worn anything else other than his tuxedo and a trench coat since the night of the dance, so this will finally give him a chance to try on something new. Besides, it was the least he can do after being a member of the Lancers and helping them defeat Duel Academy.

Back at the spa, Lulu finished taking her bath. Seeing that it was her first one in a while, she needed it. She even got to bond with Julia during that time. It started when she asked the dark-haired girl what Fusion Summoning was like in the Pendulum Dimension; she and Zuzu are the only two Fusion users who were great people. Julia’s response was it was mainly used for Dueltaining, especially in Zuzu’s case. She continued by explaining how much her friendly rival has improved in this particular special summoning technique ever since they first met. The rest of their conversation involved discussing beauty tips and the different dueling strategies they use.

With Lulu wearing the bathrobe and had a towel wrapped around her head, Julia informed her that she can get dressed in the smaller room; she mentioned about picking a new outfit for the now clean XYZ user. Lulu was eager to see what her new friend picked out. When she walked into the changing room, she saw a long, sleeveless, and really beautiful dress hanging up. It was sky blue with frills at the bottom, had a lighter shade of blue around the chest area, and peacock feathers were attached on the side. Next to the dress were a pair of matching sapphire heels. She was so ecstatic about the new outfit Julia got for her.

Not long after finding the right suit for Yuto, Yuya and Yoko were sitting in the waiting room, waiting for his eye examination. “Wait, why would Yuya need an eye examination?” one may ask. Ah, but there’s a catch. It was actually for Yuto; Yoko being asked and taking Yuya to the eye doctor was part of his and Yugo’s plan. Of course, Yuto still doesn’t know about what’s going on. He was still deep within the shared mind, replaying his memories of his mother like home videos. He couldn’t help but repeatedly watch these memories, from his days as a baby to his gradual appearance and personality change to the last night he saw her. After everything he’s been through, he really missed her.

Suddenly, Yugo barged in. “Hiya!” he exclaimed.

“Not now,” Yuto said, wiping away forming tears from his eyes.

“Nope!” Yugo cheerfully said. “Yuya needs you out right now.”

Yuto was suddenly shoved out of the deep part of the shared mind. What on earth is going on? he wondered. And why does Yuya need me? It can’t be that important, can it? Before he knew it, he and Yuya quickly switched places, with the former taking control. What is this place? He looked around to find himself sitting in a chair in a doctor’s office. An eye doctor’s office.

“What’s going on?!” Yuto asked.

“It’s okay, Yuto,” Yoko reassured. “Yuya wanted to get new glasses for you.”

“But I don’t need glasses!” Yuto insisted.

“Relax, it’s my treat,” Yuya said. “Just sit back and go through the eye exam.”

Yuto couldn’t believe he was going through with this, let alone Yuya and Yugo planning something like this. Yuya did say it was his treat, but he still wasn’t so sure about it. Glasses always looked weird on him, so why do they even bother trying?

A couple minutes later, the eye doctor came in. “Hello Mr. Sakaki,” he said, thinking Yuto was Yuya. “Shall we begin?”

“Fine,” Yuto muttered in response.

Back at LID, Declan was typing down a list of measurements he needed to find a tuxedo that fits Shay. At the same time, Shay was wondering how Yuto and Lulu were doing.

“Does Yuto and Lulu know about the dance?” Shay asked.

“So you figured it out from my message,” Declan remarked.

“You’re usually not this generous,” Shay pointed out. “The new suit is for the dance.”

“Correct,” Declan replied. “And to answer your question, no they did not. Yuya wanted it to be a surprise for them.”

“Can’t blame him for doing that,” Shay said. “Discovering that they and the other counterparts turned out to be the center of the universe must have been hard for them to comprehend. At least my parents understand that Lulu is permanently fused to three other people. They still miss her, though.”

“If it makes you feel better, my father recently informed me that he’s currently working on a way to separate all eight counterparts,” Declan said.

That piece of information astonished Shay.  Leo Akaba, the man responsible for the Invasion, having the Obelisk Force card innocent people and Yuri kidnap Rin and his sister, and fuse all four dimensions just to bring his daughter Ray back, is working on a way to split them back into their individual bodies? This was amazing! That means his parents can see their daughter again! Simultaneously, another question struck his mind. After everything Leo did, why is he suddenly doing this? Is it an act of redemption? Or has he accepted that Ray may never return? Or was it both?

“Why is Leo doing that?” Shay asked.

“He takes full responsibility for Zarc’s return,” Declan answered. “He learned that if he had never tampered with the dimensions, none of this would have happened. Bringing back Zuzu was part of his separation plan. Once he receives a blood sample from each of the counterparts, he can work on separating them.”

“How come he never told anyone about it?” Shay asked.

“He’s aware of any possible consequences that might occur during the separation,” Declan continued. “For all he knows, they might receive permanent amnesia, or even end up with severe mental damage. He fears that the procedure is too risky at the moment.”

What Declan said just now is reasonably understandable. Not every plan is smooth sailing from here on out, especially the fact that the separation plan is still in its early stages. Who knows how long it will take for it to take shape? From the sound of things, it was going to take a while. It was also worth noting that this may be the first time someone is attempting to separate souls back into their individual bodies via blood samples. Shay didn’t think that was possible, but this is Leo they’re talking about; he would do whatever it takes to fulfill any plan he has, no matter how long it takes. The teen wondered if Lulu will be mentally okay or if she will remember anything once the separation is complete. He then decided not to worry about that at the moment; for now, he just wanted to focus on getting ready for the tonight’s dance.

“Thanks for telling me about it,” Shay said.

“You were the closest to Lulu,” Declan replied. “I figured you would understand.”

Elsewhere, at the eye doctor’s, Yuto finally finished his eye examination; throughout the entire exam, he wasn’t very fond of it deep down. Now he just has to wait for the results, but one thing is for certain: there is no way he was going to wear glasses, regardless of what anyone says. He said they look weird on him before and that’s an opinion he was going to stick with. Yuya, Yugo, and Yuri, on the other hand, would all beg to differ.

“What’s wrong with wearing glasses, Yoot?” Yugo asked.

“I told you, I would look weird,” Yuto repeated.

Yuto’s counterpart all agreed he would actually look nice in glasses; as an added bonus, it’ll be their first time seeing him wearing them since they have never seen him with a pair on his face. Yuya couldn’t help but comment they would make him look smart.

“Smart, huh?” Yuto repeated.

“Yeah,” Yuya replied. “Like a sharp businessman.”

Yuto pictured himself as a businessman with glasses on. Not only do they go with the suit, but they also seem to help give off an intelligent impression. This thought gave him a bit of second thoughts about thinking glasses looking weird on him; Yuya was left a bit dumbfounded on whether if that compliment fed his ego.

The eye doctor came out with the results; sure enough, Yuto needed glasses. But the fun part was coming up. One of the best things about getting glasses is choosing a pair that go well with the person. The Yu-Salad Boys offered to help him out pick some, such as choosing the shape and color of the frames. Some time later, they settled on the glasses with rectangular, light gray frames that worked well with his dark gray eyes. With a suit picked out and the examination finally out of the way, they now need to worry about Yuto getting ready without ruining the surprise.

“Thanks for the glasses, Mrs. Sakaki,” Yuto said. “Now I should really let Yuya-”

“Not yet,” Yoko interrupted. “As soon as we get home, I need you to shower.”

“What?” Yuto asked. Did he really smell that bad?

“Every time you take over, your stench makes the whole house reek,” Yoko explained. “It’s for the best.”

Later that afternoon, Yuto and Yoko returned to the Sakaki house and the first thing he did was taking a shower. He immediately headed straight to the bathroom, shutting the door for privacy and taking off his tattered attire. It was clear they also needed to be cleaned; he tossed them in the hamper so that they can get washed. Closing the shower curtains, he turned on the water and adjusted the nozzle until it was set at a comfortable temperature. He stood underneath the shower hose as water sprayed out and rained down on Yuto’s entire body, soaking his hair in the process. It was a miracle how it still maintained its shape despite it being as greasy as Lulu’s; he wondered how his girlfriend is doing right now. Once his hair was all wet, he grabbed a bottle of Yuya’s shampoo so he can lather some in his hair, but there was one problem: the bottle didn’t have enough shampoo for him to use.

“Yuya, please tell me you have more shampoo,” Yuto said, holding up the bottle.

“That should be enough,” Yuya pointed out.

“For you,” Yuto corrected. “Didn’t you notice my hair is longer than yours? I need more shampoo to get it fully washed.”

Realization hit Yuto. “Oh…” he said. “Right… There should be more in the bathroom cabinet.”

“Thank you,” Yuto said, turning off the nozzle and wrapping a towel around his waist. “But I hope you actually have Spike and Curl.”

“Eh… Come again?” Yuya asked.

Yeah, there was one slight problem with that. Actually, make that two. Yuya may have a crazy hairstyle, but it’s not as spiky as Yuto’s; he also hasn’t even heard of this “Spike and Curl” brand, so…that could be an issue.

Yuto let out a groan. “Why do I even bother asking…?” he muttered out loud.

Meanwhile, with Lulu, she was all ready for tonight. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and was amazed at what she saw. The dress and heels Julia picked out looked elegant on her; the loose braid added an extra nice touch to complete her appearance. It was as if she was a completely new person.

“Don’t start crying on me,” Julia said, taking out a makeup kit from her bag. “I still need to help you with the finishing touches.”

“Sorry Julia,” Lulu said, wiping away tears. “I haven’t felt this beautiful in months.”

Julia took out some blush, mascara, and some makeup brushes from her bag. Since Lulu was already beautiful, she only needed a light coat of makeup. Julia examined the assorted shades of blush to see which one would go with Lulu’s skin tone. She took one of her brushes, brushed it in the pale pink blush, and applied it on the latter’s face. Once that was done, she grabbed the mascara and used it to add a black coat on her eyelashes. Now completed with the finishing touches, Lulu looked at the mirror again, having a much nicer appearance with the added makeup; she was as beautiful as a princess.

“Thank you,” Lulu said, beaming with pure happiness. “I…” She couldn’t say anything else due to being so happy.

“Anything for a friend of Zuzu’s,” Julia happily replied. “Now I just need to bring you to the Center Duel Field.”

The Center Duel Field? At LID? Why there? Is anything special going on over there? Before Lulu could say anything, Julia led the way to the duel school; as a student of the Fusion Summoning course, she happens to know how to get there from the spa. A curious Lulu followed her, wondering what is happening.

Back at the Sakaki residence, Yuto had finished showering and is almost done getting ready. The black suit Yuya and Yusho bought fit him well; now all he has to do is put on his tie. He looked at his reflection in the mirror to put it on and make any adjustments to it, but he started fumbling. Something nearly caused him a trigger; he could have sworn he experienced this before, almost like a déjà vu, but what was it? He soon remembered what had happened back at Heartland City. He remembered checking his reflection on the night of Heartland Duel School’s dance. He remembered spending the night with the dueling club and having fun. He remembered Duel Academy suddenly invading and wreaking havoc in the city. He remembered…seeing Lulu and Shay’s parents getting carded…and his own mother getting killed by an attacking Chaos Ancient Gear Giant…as a way to protect her only child…

Yuya quickly heard sobs coming from his XYZ counterpart. “Is something wrong?” the tomato-haired teen asked.

Yuto heard Yuya’s concerned voice, startling him a little. He wiped away the tears as fast as he could before answering, but up to no avail; his Pendulum counterpart already figured out why he was sobbing. “The last time I wore a suit…it was when…” But Yuto choked up before he could finish.

Yuya could determine what he was going to say—because of the flashback he was told about earlier that morning—and comforted him. “Don’t get all sad now,” the Pendulum Duelist said. “Look at how far you’ve come since then. I can even help you get more clothes for you to wear so you can stop wearing those old rags.”

“S-Sorry,” Yuto said, stammering a bit.

“You can apologize later,” Yugo said. “Now you better head downstairs so Mrs. Sakaki can take you to-”

“Yugo!” Yuri exclaimed.

“Oh… Right…” Yugo said, feeling embarrassed. “Never mind.”

Wiping away the excess tears, Yuto finished adjusting his tie; he was all ready to go, except one thing was missing… His new glasses! He grabbed them off of Yuya’s nightstand, but before he could them put on, he stared at the pair. He couldn’t believe he was going to wear glasses again. This would make tonight the first time he has ever worn them in quite a while. Letting out an exhale, he finally put them on his face and checked himself in the mirror once more. What Yuya said earlier today was true; with the suit and the glasses, Yuto did look like a sharp businessman. He couldn’t help but smirk at his appearance. The Yu-Salad Boys loved the glasses Yuto was wearing… Well, Yugo and Yuri were in awe; Yuya was more stunned at the fact that his earlier comment is feeding his ego again.

Yuto headed downstairs and saw Yoko near the door, waiting for him. She told him Yusho and Sora had already left to go to the Center Duel Field, so they’ll catch up with them.

“I’m ready to go, Mrs. Sakaki,” Yuto said, bracing for impact.

Yoko turned her head to see how nice Yuto looked in his tuxedo and glasses. “Well someone knows how to clean up nicely,” she said.

Yuto blushed a little at her comment; he told her it took a while to get himself ready, especially when he was in the shower. He was more used to his mom being around. He thought back to when she was so proud of how much he has grown and attending his first dance. She even hugged him tightly, so he was kind of hoping Yoko would do the same.

Yoko asked him if he was okay, with him responding that he wished his mother could see him once more, especially considering how well-dressed he is for the night.

“I understand how much you miss her,” Yoko said. “You have every right to mourn, especially since she died to protect you. But you shouldn’t wallow in sadness. Focus on the now and how much you accomplished since then.”

Yuto nodded and thanked her for not only the kind words, but for today as well. Yoko smiled back and accepted his thankful compliment. They both left the house to head on down to the Center Duel Field.

Meanwhile, back at LID, the Center Duel Field was all decorated for tonight’s dance. Streamers were hung around the walls with balloons were scattered and tied up in various places. There were a couple tables located near the Field’s entrance that were set up with a variety of foods and drinks. The center included a stage with the band finishing setting their gear up. Declan walked towards Henrietta, who was holding baby Riley in her arms, to say how impressed she did with decorating.

“I’m impressed, mother,” Declan said.

“I used leftover materials from previous company parties,” Henrietta explained. “Unfortunately I couldn’t find any working festive lights.”

“Not to worry,” Declan said. “As we speak, Skip Boyle of the You Show Duel School is managing the lighting using one of Yuya’s cards.”

“Smile World?” Henrietta asked.

“Not quite,” Declan answered.

Up in LID’s Solid Vision machine room, Skip used one of the machines to activate a card Yuya gave to him earlier; it was called Smile Universe, a retrained version of Smile World. With a click of a button, the devices underneath the Center Duel Field began to illuminate planets, galaxies, and stars across the night sky, with the planets and galaxies having smiley faces on them.

“Not bad,” Henrietta remarked.

“What else would you expect from the son of Yusho Sakaki?” Declan asked in response.

Out of all the former students that were invited, Shay was the first to arrive; then again, he practically spent the day at LID helping Declan with suit measurements. His tuxedo was similar to the one he originally wore, except it looked brand new, was dark gray and the shoes were black instead of brown. Shortly thereafter, a lot more people started showing up. He could recognize them as students who used to attend Heartland Duel School. Among the crowd, he saw Sarah, Alex, and Kite and headed towards them.

Sarah was in complete awe over the scenery. “This is incredible!” she exclaimed.

“No kidding,” Alex replied. “First Leo Corporation hands out invitations to a dance, then they offer the students free makeovers, now this!”

“Guess this was their way of apologizing to us,” Kite guessed.

As the three continued to admire the decorated Duel Field, they noticed Shay, who was just about to meet up with them. “Hey guys,” Shay said, walking up to his friends. “Glad you could make it.”

“Why wouldn’t we?” Sarah asked. “We received these unexpected invitations for a dance, then Leo Corporation provided hot baths and new outfits to anyone who received an invitation. I haven’t experienced such comfort in months.”

“Although not all of us accepted the makeovers,” Kite said.

“I bought this shirt with my own money!” Alex exclaimed, gesturing to the tuxedo t-shirt he was wearing along with his usual pants and boots.

Shay, Sarah, and Kite all chuckled at Alex’s response. It’s been months since their last dance and he still doesn’t follow the dress codes. Kite wore a proper suit instead the one his father gave him whereas Sarah had a long-sleeved, aquamarine and white princess gown with a pair of diamond flats.

After a few minutes talking to each other, two girls entered through the doorway. They all looked over to see who they were. Shay recognized the dark-haired girl, who was about to surprise the other one, which he was more focused on. Who was that? She had her eyes closed, but something about her seemed familiar. He then spotted her long, loosely-braided, dark purple hair, lilac side tails, and her now open magenta eyes. It was his sister Lulu! He has never been this overjoyed before and he was extremely happy to see her again.

“Lulu!” Shay exclaimed, so glad to see his sister again.

Lulu heard someone calling her name. She looked to find out where that voice came from, leading her to see Shay running towards her. A small gasp escaped her mouth; she couldn’t believe she is seeing his older brother and was immediately filled with glee.

“Shay!” Lulu happily cried out, knowing she hasn’t seen him since the dimension crisis.

Shay ran up to her and they gave each other the biggest hugs they have ever gotten. “I never thought I would see you again!” Shay exclaimed.

“The feeling is mutual,” Lulu replied.

Kite, Sarah, and Alex saw Lulu as well and caught up with Shay so that they can also hug her. It feels like it’s been too long since they last saw their friend and they are thrilled to be reunited with her.

“You’re alright!” Sarah exclaimed once the group separated from the hug. “And you look absolutely amazing!”

“Thanks Sarah,” Lulu replied. “You look great as well.”

Kite smiled softly. “So how about that?” he asked. “The dueling club of Heartland Duel School is finally reunited. Funny how a dance hosted by Leo Corporation brought us together.”

“Leo Corporation did this?” Lulu asked.

“Sort of,” Shay explained. “It was actually Yuya’s idea. Yuto must have told him what happened when the Invasion began, so this was probably his way of saying thanks.”

For Lulu, this was quite the surprise indeed; she was amazed that this entire event was all Yuya’s idea. They now have another chance to bring back the fun and shared smiles that were taken from them by Duel Academy. However, someone was missing, but who? Lulu realized that the dueling club wouldn’t be complete without Yuto. She was right; he was an important member of the club, where (according to Shay) he underwent a big change ever since he joined.

The five members of the reunited dueling club searched all over the Center Duel Field to find Yuto, but none of them had any luck. Suddenly, Lulu saw two more people enter through the doors, but more particularly, the masculine one. She recognized that spiky, black and light purple hairstyle anywhere; it was Yuto, who was accompanied by Yoko Sakaki. The loosely braided-haired girl stared at the outfit he was wearing. Last time she saw him, his usual clothes were practically his ruined suit on the night of the dance; instead, he now wore a clean black suit with a new pair of glasses. He looked really handsome.

At the same time, Yuto was astonished at what was happening. It was no wonder why his counterparts and Yuya’s parents wanted to help him get ready; this dance is amazing. Before he knew it, his eyes stumbled upon someone staring back at him. The person standing across from him was none other than Lulu and she was dressed beautifully. He found himself blushing at the sight of seeing his girlfriend in person once again.

“Uh… Guys?” Yuya asked Yugo and Yuri as Yuto walked over to Lulu. “Do you feel a weird thing in your hearts?”

“Yeah…” Yugo answered. “Weird.”

“Sort of,” Yuri admitted. “But I do feel something off.”

This was a strange feeling indeed; it has never happened before when Yuto and Lulu were in Yuya and Zuzu’s shared minds respectively. But now that they’re controlling their Pendulum counterparts’ bodies, this feeling was emitting onto the Yu-Salad. Even Zuzu, Celina, and Rin sensed they were also feeling weird.

“Yuya…?” Zuzu asked, concerned why she was suddenly feeling certain things towards the tomato-haired teen.

“Please tell me I’m not the only one getting this weird feeling,” Rin said, almost as if she could swoon.

“Trust me, you’re not,” Celina dully replied.

What on earth is this feeling they’re experiencing? They soon discovered why they were feeling this peculiar emotion: Yuto and Lulu were the reason. Their love for each other must have indirectly transferred to them. For Yuya, Zuzu, Yugo, and Rin, this was understandable, but what about Yuri and Celina? They have been rivals ever since Zuzu returned from the ARC-V machine. For the two of them, this was more unusual than what their counterparts were perceiving.

At the same time, Yuto walked over to see Lulu. Of all the times she was beautiful, this one tops them all. Everything from her attire to her loose braid to the touch of blush and mascara empathized her elegance and beauty. Likewise, Lulu can’t stop staring at his handsome features. His gravity-defying hair, his eyes, his suit. Everything about him was perfect; this was also the first time since the last dance that she got to see him wearing glasses. Although she liked his dark purple glasses, she knew the light gray glasses suited him more.

Once the two were right next to each other, they were so overjoyed to see each other. “You look beautiful,” Yuto said. “Absolutely beautiful.”

“Thanks,” Lulu replied, smiling softly. “You don’t look so bad yourself, especially since you stopped squinting.”

Yuto blushed a little at her compliment; maybe wearing glasses isn’t so bad after all.

Kite, Shay, Sarah, Alex were wondering where Lulu has gone off to until they saw her with Yuto. They ran towards them to give him a huge hug.

Yuto let out a small chuckle. “Good to see you too,” he said.

He was very glad to see his friends. They also comment how nice he looked and thanked them, saying he had some help getting his outfit together from a certain family. He turned around to see Yoko, who was with Yusho, giving him a thumbs up; he smiled back at her and gave her a thumbs up as well.

Now the dueling club was officially reunited.

Declan checked his Duel Disk to see what time is was. 8 PM. It was time for the dance to begin. He took a microphone so that he can make a special announcement to everyone attending the dance.

“Attention everyone,” Declan said. “I would like to thank you for attending tonight’s dance. I’m sure a lot of you are wondering why Leo Corporation is doing this for all of you, but wonder no longer. As you are probably aware, I have only invited former students from Heartland Duel School.”

He explained how their last dance was interrupted by Duel Academy when they invaded Heartland City. During that time, students realized he was right about what he was saying. During the Interdimensional War, people from Leo Corporation were turned into cards because the XYZ Dimension were confused as to who attacked them. Their confusion led to a grudge against the company because various members of LID were carded all because they were in the Fusion Summoning course. They all felt guilty about their past actions, but Declan reassured them it was okay; he knew how sudden and unexpected the Invasion was for everyone, especially for the former students.

He then went on to mention that putting the dance together was all Yuya’s idea; the Pendulum Duelist felt bad about what happened that fateful night and how Leo Corporation helped him set everything as a way to revive the lost smiles. Everyone cheered, applauded, and thanked Yuya for making this event possible. Although he wasn’t there physically, he saw how happy they were about attending the dance and was flattered with their thanks.

“There’s more,” Declan continued. “As we speak, my father, Leo Akaba, is currently working on making amends, as he takes full responsibility for causing the near destruction of the four dimensions. That is why I am pleased to announce that everyone in the XYZ Dimension will receive new clothing courtesy of Leo Corporation.”

Everyone’s faces were filled amazement; it felt like forever since they got to wear different clothes, especially since the clothing stores were pretty much destroyed. They all got excited after hearing the news.

Once all the announcements were made, it was time for the dance to officially start. “So Leo takes full responsibility for Zarc’s resurrection?” Yuya asked.

“Well I did give in as soon as I felt RinRin disappearing,” Yugo admitted.

He wasn’t wrong. If Leo hadn’t abducted the Bracelet Girls and fused them back into Ray, the whole Zarc incident wouldn’t have happened. But what matters now is everyone having an enjoyable time at the dance.

The band started playing music and everyone began to spend the greatest night of their lives. Some ate and drank, others danced to the songs, and the rest chatted with their friends. The dueling club talked about how they have stuff they should catch up on; after the whole Invasion fiasco, it would be nice to find some time to hang out with each other.

“Then Rella kicked that Ancient Gear Hound with her glass slipper-covered feet and reduced the Obelisk Force soldier’s life points to 0!” Sarah concluded.

Lulu laughed in amusement. “He must have been surprised that you defeated him using your Fairy Tails,” she said.

“He was,” Sarah said. “You should have seen the look on his face when I creamed him!”

Although Sarah rarely dueled, she uses a Fairy deck, consisting of not only Fairy Cheer Girl, but also Fairy Tail cards, with the XYZ monster Fairy Tail - Queen as her ace monster.

“So what have you been up to lately, Yuto?” Alex asked.

“Yuya wanted to give me, Yugo, and Yuri a tour of Paradise City a while ago,” Yuto explained. “One of the stops was a local museum, where I noticed an Egyptian exhibit featuring an ancient puzzle…or at least I think it was supposed to be an ancient puzzle. The only thing that was on display was a golden box.”

An ancient Egyptian puzzle? How odd. Rumor has it that the puzzle once belonged to a great pharaoh who was best known for sealing away the dark magic that caused special kinds of duels called Shadow Games. And now that magic hasn’t been on Earth’s surface for 5,000 years. Yuto remembered seeing something written in hieroglyphics on the golden box. It read: “The one who solves me shall gain the powers and knowledge of darkness…” He figured who that person could have been if they solved this puzzle. Perhaps a shy, game-loving high school boy who would’ve been destined for greatness…

“Has anyone tried to solve it?” Lulu asked.

“According to Yuya, a team of archeologists who discovered the puzzle mysteriously fell ill,” Yuto answered. “Since then, no one has dared to even touch the box containing the pieces.”

That piece of history didn’t sound too good. The gang pondered on what will happen if someone did try to solve the puzzle. Lulu didn’t like the thought of it; dealing with the Fusion Dimension after the Invasion was bad enough. The last thing she needed was someone unlocking the powers of darkness and bringing back these “Shadow Games” five millennia later. Yuto reassured her and the others that as long as the puzzle remains in the museum’s Egyptian exhibit, nothing bad will happen. Besides, they should focus more on enjoying this dance, which is exactly what they did.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing no one has solved the puzzle,” Lulu said, snuggling close to Yuto.

Yuto couldn’t help but lovingly look at his girlfriend snuggling next to him; it was really adorable to see her all snuggled up. He reached out his hand to pull her in close when something rather atypical happened. Instead of having it on Lulu’s hips, it accidentally went and touched her butt. A yelp escaped her mouth and an embarrassed Yuto quickly apologized; she forgave him, but mentioned it was unlike him to do something like that. She was right; Yuto is more of a gentleman and even he knows it, but what could’ve caused this unusual action? …Or who? He had a thought on who was responsible for this, and he is within Yuya’s shared mind.

“That was Yugo, wasn’t it?” Lulu asked.

Indeed, it was Yugo. But why did he do something like that? Yuto might need a moment with him. Whatever he did might lead to some new and awkward issues.

“Oopsie…” Yugo said. “Didn’t mean to do that.”

“Don’t be sorry, you moron!” Yuri exclaimed. “Can’t you see-”

“-you’re ruining the moment?!” Yuto immediately covered his mouth.

Whether it was accident or not, Yuto was clearly mad at Yugo for doing something so perverted. He was just having a nice time with his friends and girlfriend. Of all the times for a stupid “accident” to occur, it had to be tonight. Before he could scold at him more, the Synchro Duelist blurted out that he just saw Rin instead of Lulu less than a minute ago. That was oddly surprising to hear; actually, it was more odd than surprising. Yuto asked him to explain what he meant by that. This action may be the beginning of what could spell bad news for all eight counterparts in the near future.

Outside of the Yu-Salad’s shared mind, Sarah and Alex both wondered what their dark, dual-colored haired friend was up to. They knew it involved his counterparts, but they didn’t fully understand it; they were still new to this merge after all. It was a good thing Kite, Shay, and Lulu had a grasp on it, seeing they were more tangled in the Interdimensional War than the duo. They decided to have the rest of the dueling club help them answer the questions that left the two a little confused.

“Yugo…saw me?” Rin asked, amazed.

Zuzu noticed her blush wasn’t fading away. “I still feel weird,” she admitted.

Celina huffed in annoyance. “Give me a break,” she said. “There’s no way Lulu’s feelings for Yuto are actually transferring over to-”

But they were. It was indirect, but the signs were evident on the other six counterparts’ faces. Although Yuya, Zuzu, Yugo, and Rin like it, Yuri and Celina didn’t. Having feelings for someone who aided Leo in his conquest to fuse the dimensions by carding people? Preposterous! She couldn’t bear the thought of being in a romantic relationship with him; if it did happen, disaster would be waiting around the corner. The closest thing to a relationship she’ll ever have with him is a rivalry and it’ll remain like that.

The thoughts, however, couldn’t leave their minds. The thoughts of the other counterparts wearing formal wear was impossible to not think about. Zuzu with her hair down, donning a sleeveless, purple dress with several frills below the purple belt and a pair of flats. Rin having her short, apple green hair curled and wearing a two-piece pink dress—a sleeveless top exposing her midriff and a floor length bottom that splits near the knees—with white flats. Celina without her yellow-orange ribbon tying her hair back and having on a long and simple looking gray dress with a thin white ribbon tied around the lower torso and some heeled boots. The Yu-Salad sporting suits reflecting their personalities—Yuya having on a red tuxedo that gives off an impression of entertaining the audience, Yugo with a white suit based on his Turbo Dueling style and rather impulsive behavior, and Yuri wearing a more luxurious, purple suit that highlights his nobility. They were impossible to not think about.

Yuri chuckled a bit. “You’re trying to seduce me, aren’t you Miss Celina?”

“Celina?” Shay asked, sounding a bit concerned. The indigo-haired girl who saved him after his duel with Sora and rebelled against Duel Academy by joining the Lancers? Why would Yuto mention her all of a sudden? Unbeknownst to Yuri, he unintentionally made his XYZ counterpart say his line out loud.

That was when Yuya had an idea. “Yuto, you brought your deck with you,” he recalled, remembering how Yuto placed his deck in his jacket pocket before heading over to the dance. “Can you check it?”

“What for?” Yuto asked.

“I want to try a small experiment,” Yuya answered.

Yuto took out his deck and checked it like Yuya asked. He wondered what this “small experiment” is until he noticed his cards were jumbled, baffling him. Instead of a Phantom Kinghts deck, he now has a Performapal/Phantom Knights/Speedroids/Predaplant deck. How did Yuya, Yugo, and Yuri’s cards get mixed up with Yuto’s? This night feels like it keeps getting weirder and weirder.

“Whoa!” Yugo exclaimed. “Not bad.”

“Not bad?” Yuri repeated, getting miffed. “What are my lovely, elegant Predaplants doing with such pathetic cards?!”

“This happened once before,” Yuya explained, recalling how Yuto’s love for Lulu caused him to duel with Phantom Knights. “Our conflicting feelings for the girls are causing our decks to get mixed up.”

If that’s the case, then does the girls’ feelings for each boy also result in their decks getting mixed up as well? Yuto asked Lulu if she brought her own, but she said “no.” Of course, with Yuto’s jumbled deck for reference, it’s safe to assume this may have happened to the girls as well.

Yuto put his deck back in his jacket pocket. “But we shouldn’t worry about this problem now,” he said. “We should just enjoy the dance.”

He was right; the night was still young and the former students were enjoying themselves, so the best thing to do is to have fun as well and resolve this peculiar issue another time. Besides, they can’t let this night go to waste. Leo Corporation worked really hard to put Yuya’s genius idea together. The other dueling club members agreed to discuss this issue after the dance and proceeded to spend tonight having fun.

Some time later, everyone continued to celebrate with one another. It was also the perfect opportunity for them to reconnect, share past fun memories and create new ones. At one point, the band was taking their break as the students socialized, except Shay. He couldn’t stop thinking about what happened to Yuto and his counterparts earlier. He knew his friend and his younger sister were in love with each other, but he didn’t expect their love to be that strong. Did it inadvertently result in the rest of the Yu-Salad and Bracelet Girls to be put in some kind of trance? Whatever’s the case, he has to help them out. And he has just the song to fix it…

Shay checked to see if no one was looking, albeit the band since they were probably in their breakroom. He walked casually in order to make sure people became suspicious; a few seconds later, he snuck behind the stage. He looked at the main stage to find the speakers and saw them plugged in with the band’s musical instruments. Checking once again that no one would notice, he quickly unplugged them. He then took out his Duel Disk and a connector to plug it into the speaker. He went online to look up Yuto and Lulu’s song; it was called “Close To You” by The Carpenters. Found it, he thought once the first video in the search results showed up. He clicked on the video and—for a brief moment—the song played through the speakers. This will hopefully help all eight counterparts out.

Lulu let out a small gasp. “Yuto, this is our song!” she recalled.

“Indeed it is,” Yuto agreed. He placed one hand behind his back and he bowed slightly as he held out his other hand to Lulu. “May I have this dance, Ms. Obsidian?”

Lulu smiled softly. “Of course, Mr. Osaku,” she answered, intertwining her fingers with Yuto’s.

Together, Lulu Obsidian and Yuto Osaku danced to the melody of their song. Their gracefully fluid movements and well-timed choreography captivated the attendants. In the two XYZ users’ shared minds, the song seemed to have snapped Yuya, Zuzu, Yugo, Rin, Yuri, and Celina out of whatever trance they were in, mostly due to how each dimensional duo has a song that best suits them.

“Man, this song is too slow!” Yuya complained. “I’m outta here!”

“Me too!” Yugo said. “Besides, RinRin acts too much like a mother. There’s no way I can be attracted to that!”

“I was never attracted to Miss Celina in the first place,” Yuri agreed.

“Well…this is awkward,” Zuzu said, blushing hard. “We better give these two some privacy.”

“Yeah,” Rin replied. “I don’t even know what I was thinking. Yugo’s loud, rude, and disgusting. Why would I fall for that?”

“I’d rather go on a date with that Sylvio guy than fall for that cabbage-haired jerk,” Celina said in utter disgust.

And with that, the six counterparts retreated back into the shared minds, leaving Yuto and Lulu to spend the rest of the night with each other. Shay’s plan was a success. The two danced to the rest of “Close To You,” and everyone around them clapped and cheered for them; they pulled off one heck of a dance. Shay unplugged his Duel Disk from the speaker, plugged the instruments back right where they originally were, and exited through the backstage, with only a couple minutes to spare before the band returned from their break.

Even when the song came to an end, Yuto still held Lulu in his arms. “You smell nice,” he said.

Lulu responded by placing her left hand on Yuto’s cheek, her fingers briefly touching the stray light purple bang that hung in front of his eye. “And your hair feels a lot softer,” she replied.

Their eyes stared lovingly at each other as they embraced their cleaner features. Within a few seconds, their faces moved closer and closer until they locked lips, with Yuto’s hands on Lulu’s hips and Lulu still having one hand on Yuto’s cheek while the other rested on his shoulder. They were finally sharing their first kiss.

The rest of the former dueling club watched from a distance, with Kite smirking. “Well it’s about time,” he remarked.

Yuto and Lulu’s lips slowly moved apart after spending a few seconds locked up in their kiss. They looked back into their eyes before Lulu embraced Yuto in his arms.

“It’s been a long time since we had moments like this,” Lulu remarked, embracing Yuto’s warmth. “But you know this can’t last any longer.”

“I know,” Yuto agreed. “We’re each stuck with sharing a body with three other people.”

“But even though we were once whole, why does this feel so wrong?” Lulu admitted.

Yuto realized she was right. Several years ago, they were once Zarc and Ray; ever since the ARC-V incident, the souls of all eight counterparts were permanently fused into Yuya and Zuzu. Everything hasn’t been the same for them, especially for Yuto and Lulu. Despite having a great time at the dance, it doesn’t change the fact that they may never get a true happy ending.

Shay, while walking away from the stage, noticed overheard the duo’s conversation. Feeling bad for the two, he told them that Declan told him that Leo is currently working on a way to split them back to their original bodies. He said it requires a blood sample from each counterpart, but mentioned that it is still in progress and negative consequences may occur once it’s complete, so it was too soon to actually separate them.

“What?!” Yuto asked, releasing Lulu from the embrace. “Leo might be able to actually separate us?!”

“Declan told me it’s still in the works,” Shay repeated. “There’s a high risk of permanent memory loss or severe mental damage.”

“Then why don’t we just give Leo our blood samples?” Lulu asked.

“I don’t think it’s that easy,” Shay said. “Leo is probably using Arc-V, so he has to rewrite the machine-”

“I don’t care!” Yuto exclaimed, grabbing Shay by the throat. “I can’t stand being fused to three people! Let us speak to Leo, or I will break you in half!”

This was rather sudden. Yuto would never do something like this and that shocked Shay and Lulu. Veins started appearing on his face and his eyed turned yellow. Is Zarc trying to take over again? Lulu tried to calm her boyfriend down, but Declan arrived to explain what just happened. Apparently, this fit of violence is one of the side effects of being fused with the other counterparts. This worried Lulu, but was informed that this seemed to only happen with the Yu-Salad. The rest, however, applied to all of them. Their jumbled decks was also another side effect, as well as speaking in place of whoever was in control and the unexpected swaps.

Realizing that, Yuto recovered, his eyes changing back to grey and the veins disappearing. “Sorry,” he said, letting go of Shay.

“So can he actually do it?” Lulu asked. “Can Leo really separate us?”

“If this gets any worse, I’m afraid I will have to bring you to him,” Declan said. “Hopefully we can fix this before any mind merge occurs.”

“Mind merge?” Yuto asked, sounding concerned.

“Meaning that Zarc and Ray will gradually take over, erasing you eight from existence,” Declan explained.

The last bit of information was very worrisome. All eight counterparts each had different dreams for the future: Yuya and Zuzu want to continue their paths of being Dueltainers, Yugo and Rin also have similar paths as their Pendulum counterparts, but they want to be professional Turbo Duelists, and Celina and Yuri want to help improve Duel Academy. Lulu wants to be an actress, but Yuto is still unsure of what his dream is. Regardless, if nothing is done about this, Zarc and Ray will return, erasing the two’s incarnations from existence and their futures forever.

Lulu was in tears. “I hope Leo’s happy!” she exclaimed. “This whole mess started because he was too selfish to care about the lives of other people! If it wasn’t for him, I would have stayed in Heartland and worked on my dreams of becoming an actress!”

Yuto looked back at Lulu, who was on the brink of crying. He felt terrible that this was happening to the both of them. Suddenly, he thought of an idea; he was considering about remaining fused with Yuya while he, Yugo, and Yuri separate. He lost everything back at Heartland City that night, so this will give him a fresh new start. Living with the Sakakis and Sora already felt natural to him because Yoko reminds him a lot of his mother. The best part is with Yugo and Yuri splitting back to their own bodies means the risks of Zarc returning is reduced to zero.

“What if I said no?” Yuto asked.

“I beg your pardon?” Declan asked in response.

“I never considered any plans for my future,” Yuto explained. “And I ended up becoming an orphan with no home to go back to because of the Invasion. If I was to stay with the Sakakis, stay fused to Yuya, I can start fresh with a new family.”

“Are you crazy?” Lulu asked.

“Being fused to Yuya feels natural,” Yuto continued. “But with Yugo and Yuri being separated, Zarc won’t come back since all four of us are needed for the mind merge.”

“But Yuto, won’t you miss being in Heartland?” Shay asked.

“There’s nothing left for me there,” Yuto insisted. “No family, no house, no-”

“You could live with us,” Lulu bluntly suggested, carefully wiping away her tears to avoid smudging her makeup.

Live with the Obsidians? Even though they have to rebuild everything they lost, that idea is similar to Yuto’s, in terms of starting fresh with a new family and preventing Zarc’s return, but that means living with his girlfriend and having plenty of time to decide his dream for the future. Yuto actually liked her idea better than his own, although he admits that he will miss being fused with Yuya.

“She’s right,” Shay agreed. “Mother and father heard about you and they’re considering hiring you once ObsidianCorp is rebuilt.”

ObsidianCorp is a corporation led by co-bosses Kameron and Astra Obsidian, where they specialize in maintaining the nature of the city parks. Prior to the Invasion, the family wealth came from how the corporation did a fantastic job at keeping Heartland beautiful. Yuto was honestly not surprised about the Obsidians being wealthy because it could explain Shay and Lulu having rare and powerful cards, due to how powerful the Raidraptors are and how Assembled Nightingale can result in a one-hit KO for the opponent, and wearing incredibly fancy formal attires at their previous dance. Of course, restoring the company is essential for Heartland’s restoration; once that is complete, Yuto getting a job there can help out with figuring out his future.

“Really?” Yuto asked. “You’ll actually help me out?”

“You’re a friend,” Shay said. “And mother and father approve of how great of a person you are.”

“Plus ever since I told them about you, they started to work on wedding plans,” Lulu added.

Yuto officially decided to have his soul separated from Yuya’s once the time comes so that he can start anew back in Heartland. It sounds nice to be living with his friend and girlfriend’s family, especially knowing that they highly approve of their soon-to-be marriage, and working for their corporation.

“Alright,” Yuto said. “I’ll separate from Yuya.”

“Excellent,” Declan said. “I will inform my father that you know about his plan. I do suggest that you tell your counterparts about it.”

As Declan headed back to Henrietta, Yuto and Lulu informed the rest of the Yu-Salad and the Bracelet Girls in their shared minds about what has been happening and how Leo will try to fix it. They were gleeful about how they will finally be split back into their original bodies. They were also informed about the risks of severe mental damage or amnesia, but reassured them that their friends, family, and even Leo will be there to help them out. With that, the dueling club and the rest of Heartland Duel School’s former students spent the rest of the night enjoying the dance.

Looks like they may be getting their true happy ending after all…

[victorineb]

Green Scarf to a Bull

So, I've been wanting to write something for the amazing Basic Chickens ship for quite some time now, having fallen head over heels in love with it. And given that @granpappy-winchester has been kind enough to set up Basic Chickens Week, I thought this was as good a time as any. Thanks, yet again, to @desperatelyseekingcannibals, @tcbook, @hotsauce418 and @slashyrogue for their advice and support. Hope you all enjoy.

Also on AO3.

Adam Towers was having a lousy fucking night. Quite literally, in fact. He’d passed through three different clubs and not one person seemed interested in the legendary Towers charm. It was completely inexplicable – who would turn down a prize like Adam Towers? Ok, maybe the language barrier had tripped him up a bit – his Danish was, well, rudimentary would be stretching things – but most of the people in this country supposedly spoke good English, and, anyway, who needed words to communicate the need to shag? There was a universal language of sex, and Adam was fluent in it.

Or he used to be, anyway.

Not that he was losing his touch. That was simply unimaginable. Adam Towers was hot shit and Denmark didn’t know what had hit it. They just hadn't realised it yet.

So now he was in a pub, some old-fashioned, cosy place that had been the first one he’d come to that looked vaguely welcoming and was within spitting distance of his flat. It was after 2am, the window for getting a shag was closing fast, so the one on finding somewhere upscale had been slammed shut. No time to waste on niceties: the first person he found in here who was remotely fuckable, was getting fucked.

Then again… Adam surveyed the diminishing crowd and realised that he might have to turn that “remotely fuckable” into “breathing and able to form thoughts” if he wanted any chance of getting laid tonight. And possibly he’d have to be flexible on that second part. He was definitely dealing with the dregs of Copenhagen society here, for the most part unfashionable, unattractive and un-fucking-likely to give Adam a night to remember. Maybe there really wasn’t anybody left in this godforsaken city who was more appealing than his own right hand.

Adam took a deep breath, a deeper pull of his whisky sour, and took stock. There was a woman in the corner who’d been leering at him since he’d breezed into the pub but he was pretty sure the gleam in her eye was less exciting than utterly psychotic – and he’d had quite enough of that kind of encounter back in London, thank you. And the guy with the ginger hair had a sweet smile but looked exactly the sort to fall in love with the first person who blew him and… no. Love was not on the agenda tonight.

Just as Adam was getting truly desperate, a couple of definite rejects left their seats at the bar, revealing a man seated at the far end, huddled in on himself and nursing a beer. He wasn’t exactly a breath-taking prospect. His hair sat in an unstyled mess of sandy, greying curls, possibly last fashionable when Adam was about ten years old. Beneath that, his eyes were obscured, cast down towards his pint, but Adam could see an oddly misshapen nose, as if the guy had been slammed against a wall several times and never had the damage fixed. And, oh god, the trapped-in-the-eighties look was completed by an ungroomed, unflattering moustache.

Actually Adam had a bit of a thing for facial hair but a little basic grooming was necessary for it to have that effect.

And as for the clothes. There was only one word for the pullover the man was wearing and it was “brown.” Wasting other adjectives on it would be a crime. The rest of the outfit, well, it wasn’t even worthy of prepositions.

But still… even hunched in, Adam could tell he was big, and nicely built. Broad shoulders and, leaning back, Adam could see long legs wrapped around his bar stool. Promisingly large, strong hands clutching that glass, too. If he looked past the unfortunate surface, there were encouraging signs with this one.

And, most importantly, he’d just flicked a glance towards Adam and had swiftly turned a very appealing shade of pink, his eyes widening comically before he snapped them back to his pint.

Target acquired. This should very much not be Mission Impossible. More like Mission “yes, I am just desperate enough to blow you in the bathroom, don’t trip over anything in your rush to get there.”

Adam slipped neatly from his own stool, flicking his hair off his face and slinking his way towards his intended. He could see the man watching his movements from out the corner of his eye, and let a flirty smile play on his lips… which quickly turned to a smirk as he noticed the guy shifting awkwardly in his seat. Such an effect in just a few steps, this really shouldn’t take long at all. Adam hopped up next to the man, making sure to brush close against him as he settled in, glanced at his nearly-empty drink and, levelling a coy look at him from beneath his lashes (the one that had been known to reduce men and women to drooling wrecks), asked, “Can I fill you up, big guy?”

Ok, fine, his flirting technique might have been a little rusty. But still, this was clearly the best offer this guy was going to get in his lifetime, there really wasn’t much need for finesse.

The response wasn’t exactly… enthusiastic, though. The man raised his head and looked at Adam with narrowed eyes that flicked nervily along the length of his body before settling just shy of real contact. “Is it me you are talking to?” he asked, and the voice, while a little strident, was deep and accented and altogether pleasing. And spoke perfect English, what a fucking relief.

“Yeah, gorgeous,” Adam shot back, “I’d like to buy you a drink. What do you think?”

The man snapped his head towards Adam with such a look of surprise that Adam felt his heart swell a little with sympathy, not an emotion with which he was overfamiliar. Obviously this guy had rarely been called something like gorgeous in his life, and Adam was suddenly struck by the strange desire to remedy that. He let his smile, currently turned firmly to sex-kitten, soften into something more genuine and felt a surge of satisfaction to see the other man’s expression relax a little.

And, oh, was that a cleft lip? That was… interesting. How would that feel to kiss, Adam wondered, letting his gaze linger on it for a moment.

“You are staring. It is very rude to stare, you will it stop at once.”

Oh shit. Big mistake. Adam couldn’t give two hoots about his lip (the size of his dick was far more of a concern), but he could see how it might be a sensitive subject.

“Sorry, darling, I just lost myself for a minute thinking about how that moustache is gonna feel when I kiss you. Or when we do some other fun things,” Adam said easily, ready to congratulate himself on an excellent save.

Until he saw the look on the other guy’s face.

“I do not understand what you mean by this,” he began, in a loud, stiff voice, tinged with something almost like panic. “Why would you think I would want to kiss you?”

Oh boy, he’d picked a live one.

Ok, one last shot, and then he was packing it in, fuck or no fuck.

“Look, sweetheart,” Adam said, keeping his tone level but still inviting, “it’s getting fucking late, I’d like to get off before the night’s over, and it doesn’t look like either of us has any better prospects for a shag. Now, you don’t have to take me to your bed, I’m sure the bathrooms in this fine establishment are very comfortable. So how about it?”

For a second, as the man’s pupils blew so huge they obscured the (actually, rather pretty) honey-brown shade of his irises, Adam thought he was in.

But then.

“How dare you speak to me in this way? I have many prospects, I am extremely handsome and virile, women are always wanting to sleep with me. Men too, many of them. You are very rude and not at all attractive. You must be crazy to think such things. Why would I want a crazy person?” The man was outright shouting now, and Adam looked around, cringing at the stares and giggles they were attracting. He held up a hand, meaning to soothe the man’s temper, only to get it slapped away. “No, you are not to touch me, crazy man. I am going to leave now and you are not to follow me, even though you are so desperate to have me.”

And with that, the man awkwardly clambered off his seat, pulled his coat around him and stomped out of the pub, leaving Adam (and everybody else) gawking after him in disbelief.

“What,” Adam breathed out after a minute, “the almighty fuck was that?”

“That,” said a voice from behind Adam, who turned to see the bartender looking at him in amusement, “was Elias. Comes in here twice a week, nurses a beer all night, is incredibly weird with anyone who talks to him and never ever gets hit on. You actually won me a bet tonight – Fryderyk over there is furious that you decided to flirt with the big bull before the six-month deadline was up.”

Adam looked over to see a man with a prissily-trimmed beard glaring at him. If he ever came back to this pub, he definitely wasn’t ordering anything from that guy – he wasn’t paying for spit and tonics all night.

“So, wait,” he said, turning his attention back to the other bartender, “he’s been coming in twice a week for six months and he’s never once got any action?” There it was again, that odd feeling of sympathy, of wanting to brighten this sad sack’s dull life a little bit. Adam quickly stomped it down and added, “And he still turned all this down?” He gestured at himself for emphasis.

“Guess you’re not quite as appealing as you thought,” Fryderyk snarked, smirking nastily over the counter. The other bartender grinned at him and Adam was almost more pissed off at the pity in his expression than the petty spite in his mate’s.

Fuck that, he thought, paying for his drinks and utterly failing to leave a tip, nobody humiliates and rejects Adam Towers and gets away with it. A thought struck him, and he turned back to the bar, a charming smile on his face.

“Terrible manners, fellas, I forgot a tip. Here’s something for all your help tonight, hope it makes up for your loss,” he said, winking at Fryderyk and sliding a high-value note across the bar. After all, he was going to want the bartenders on side when he came back next week.

Look out, Elias, I’m going to make you want me so bad you won’t be able to see straight, then we’ll see how you like a little public humiliation.

[stephhannes]

get better or cry trying

“grief is the terrible reminder of the depths of our love and, like love, grief is non-negotiable”

i started november off back in NYC, which is always a weird experience for me. i was so eager to leave back in may, but now, landing at laguardia feels like home. when nathan and i left new york, i always assumed it would just end up being a chapter in our story, just something to look back on when thinking about where we’ve been. i assumed that philly would end up feeling like home, and had we spent more time there, i’m sure it would have. but now with this transgression of events, new york is just where my heart is. 

new york was always special to us, just because it was the first place that was ever ours. we had spent three months together in abilene, and about a month together in austin before we lived in new york together, but both of those places were riddled with history, of memories of a time before we were together. when nathan visited new york the spring break before he moved there, i was the first person he told that he had decided on columbia for grad school. so from the very beginning, it felt like ours. it was where we finally got to be together every day and where we learned how to compromise and where we respectively made some of our best friends and where we got engaged. and while nyc has its share of pitfalls, it’s where i lived my best life (even though it didn’t feel like it at the time).

so anyways, i went back to nyc for a week at the beginning of november and i was truly back on my bullshit. by “back on my bullshit” i mean i showed up to the theatre almost every night and instead of having to work i was able to just sit and chill during the show. i went to the crocodile lounge two times in one week which was a weird experience both times. the first night we watched some dude try to shoot his shot with a handful of girls, eventually get successful at it, and then blow his chances by getting real weird and kissing the back of the girl’s kneecaps? men are weird and i don’t trust them. the second night we watched some dude sleep for like 30 minutes in a booth and then PLOT TWIST it turns out, he works there. we went to the cauldron which is one of those trendy things i kept seeing on facebook. you show up at a place, dress in a hogwarts robe, get a wand and get to magically brew some drinks. what they don’t tell you though is that the drinks are absolutely disgusting and taste like soap. the experience was fun but oh my god if i ever smell lavender again i’m going to puke. after that, i was drunk and we all went to another bar, where i started crying in the club. for some reason, when i hit a certain level of drunk i always start crying, and then i man up and get over it and rally for the rest of the night. but for that brief moment, it’s always real awkward for everyone around me. oops.

important life update: while i was in nyc i finally did something that was long overdue. like two years overdue. so here’s the thing: i only own 3 pairs of shoes. a pair of sneakers, a pair of sandals and a pair of black suede ankle boots. i wore those ankle boots through a nyc winter and i regretted every day that i did it because not only is faux suede not snow-proof, the boots also had holes in the soles. i FINALLY bought new boots. and i invested in a pair of docs because honestly after this year i deserve it. i’ve never spent more than 40 dollars on shoes before but they’re beautiful and have 100% less holes in them than my old boots.

most importantly, when i was in nyc, i had this brief moment of clarity. i remember having this period of time where i almost felt hopeful. i finally felt like i needed to get my life together and maybe move out of my mom’s house and try to be a normal human again.

grief is weird because some days i feel like a functioning human, like i’m back to myself. i briefly thought that i was actually starting to recover, but as of late, i’ve been having a really bad time, honestly. for the last two weeks or so, i’ve been constantly exhausted. i’ve been incredibly quick to start crying. i’ve started getting that foggy feeling again. i walk into rooms and forget why i was there, and i trail off in the middle of sentences because i forgot what point i was trying to make. the other day i drove to austin and it felt like i blacked out for the 3.5 hour drive because when i arrived i didn’t remember any part of the drive. i’m easily irritated. i’ve started having nightmares again. the thought of leaving my house makes me anxious. i can’t focus on anything anymore.

all of this hit me hard on thanksgiving. i didn’t want to go to thanksgiving dinner with the entire family, but i did it anyways because my mother would have been sad if i didn’t go and i’m too nice so i sucked it up and went. i showed up, said hello to everyone, and then sat at the table and didn’t talk for the next two hours. partly because i couldn’t focus on anything long enough to hold a conversation but also because no one in my family ever really talks to me at these things so whatever, it’s nothing new.

it doesn’t really feel like it, but i guess technically, i survived my first holiday without nathan.

the very last thing i accomplished in november is that i dyed my hair back to black. i’ve spent the last three months experimenting with fashion colors, but i started to get overwhelmed with upkeep so i just went ahead and went back to my natural hair color. it feels weird. i originally went blonde two weeks before nathan died. i bleached all of my hair, and cut a decent amount of it off. i did this because i wanted to both a) grow out my hair and b) be blonde for the wedding, and by starting the process back in july, it would ensure that my hair wouldn’t look like straw by the time the wedding rolled around. when i first cut off a bunch of my hair, along with the first stages of the bleaching process, nathan kept telling me i looked like he-man. which was true. i kept obsessing over my haircut for like three days, continually taking off more and more hair trying to get it perfect (why don’t i ever just go to a salon and get my hair cut??? i know that i’m poor and can’t afford it but oh my god my life would have been a million times easier). i was getting so obsessed with it that nathan literally just hid all of the scissors in the house because he was Done with watching me stress about it, and finally i just ended up with my he-man hairdo. but that was fine because i planned on growing it out. anyways, after nathan died, before going back to black i decided to mess around with some color again, like i used to in college. and it was fun for awhile, but now i genuinely just don’t have the energy to touch up the color every week, and bleach my roots every month. so i went back to black. and for the first time, i really realized that we aren’t going to get married anymore. i felt it a little bit back in august when we were cleaning out our apartment and i threw away the calendar that i had been taking planning notes on for reference: 

and i felt it a little on the day that i realized i couldn’t take seeing wedding stuff in my email anymore so i unsubscribed from all the websites i was using for inspiration, and i deleted my pinterest and i un-bookmarked all of the wedding dresses i was considering. but for some reason, dyeing my hair, i’ve felt it the most.

on another note, last night i actually cooked for the first time since nathan’s died. i’ve been eating like a garbage can for the last three months so i’m trying to get back on my chicken and rice bullshit and it felt so weird going through those motions again. the last time i cooked chicken was the day that nathan died and this is such a bizarre thing to have thrown me into a sadness spiral, but here we are anyways.

along these same lines of “progress,” the other day, i finally stopped sleeping on “my side” of the bed. when i lived alone and had a bed bigger than a twin, i would sleep next to my laptop, phone, and a water bottle. after nathan died, i kept to “my side” of the bed, i would put my laptop on the floor next to me, water bottle and phone on my nightstand, and left the left side of my bed empty. i even had a pillow and extra blanket on that side. the other day, i finally moved all of my pillows into the middle of the bed. i fell asleep with my laptop next to me. i usually wake up curled in a ball, back on “my side.”

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the other day, i remembered a paragraph from a letter i had sent nathan after he came to visit me during his first year at columbia when i still lived in austin-

“It was really great to get to see you again because being apart for so long, I had kind of forgotten what it was like to actually be together. I had forgotten how much I love to spend time with you. I had forgotten how annoyed I get whenever you do that thing where you say the same thing as me before I even say it. I had forgotten how much fun I have when we’re together.”

you don’t realize how much you forget about someone when they’re not with you 24/7. when we lived apart, we made things work, but i didn’t realize how different it was to not be right with him until we were face to face again. when we were apart, i’d forget about the little facial expressions he’d make when i’d start to tell a story he’d heard 100 times before. i’d forget about the way he was constantly putting on chapstick. i’d forget about the terrible sound his ankles made every time he cracked them. but we still talked on the phone every day, so i remembered his speech patterns, and his laugh.

but now i’m realizing that i can’t remember what his laugh sounded like. i can’t remember what exactly his voice sounded like. that’s always the first thing you forget. i lost the phone that i had during our year apart, so if he had left me any voicemails, i don’t have them anymore. i don’t have any videos of him. i still remember how he smelled, and every time i put on chapstick i remember him. i still use the same shampoo, body wash and moisturizer that we used, so every time i shower, i remember him. i still remember what he felt like. the other day when i was drunk and sad, i sent nathan a text that said “i’ve been having a hard time because i feel like i’m forgetting everything about you. but i still remember how it felt to touch your face. and how it felt to have your head on my chest. and how it felt to run my hands through your hair. i still remember how i felt every time you kissed me. and what it was like to lay my head on your chest. i wish that when i woke up sad in the night, you were there to hold me closer to you. i still remember how it feels to have your arms around me. i love you. i miss you so much baby.”

at least i still have that that i remember. 

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i’m still not doing great, but at least now when i wake up, my immediate first thought isn’t “i hope i get hit by a car today.”