#reincarnated subplot

[memento-morieris-carpe-noctem]

Hear me out, Mina but it was completely unrequited. She just ends up loathing Dracula twice as much and Dracula realizes no one ever loved his possessive ass.

[bubba-buff]

Art dump with a very rare Obito. But mostly Vale and Indra

Last 2 pics: right sided OC belongs to @moldy-flowers

I HATE drawing with just pen- ive gott a dedicated sketchbook where I do just that to remove my perfectionism. How’s it going? Idk.

But i didnt color any of these I realize….

[asurrogateblog]

I had a vivid dream that paul also made a flop family-friendly sitcom in the 90’s. it starred him as himself again, and the plot was that he ate a cursed gumball that de-ages him back into a 12 year old, but only sometimes and at completely random intervals, so he has to balance going to school all over again with also being an aging rock star. everyone thinks the young version of him is paul’s secret son that he’s trying to hide the existence of, including ringo who takes pity on this abandoned child and tries to help raise him properly. hijinks ensue in paul’s attempts to prevent people from finding out what’s actually going on

[ofthevanyar]

{" the weather takes a tumultuous turn, meaning a late night hangout has to turn into a sleepover when a character gets stranded there for the night "}

Behind her, a warm fire crackled as Amarie watched the skies. There was a certain kind of beauty in the violence of it, the uncaring nature of the skies as it pelted the earth below, turning the plains into mud.

This was easy to say when one was sheltered by stone and warmed by fire, rather than out in the aforementioned beauty.

Earlier that morning, the Éored had stopped in a remote village on the outskirts of Rohan. It really was not a village of note, not famed for anything in particular. The Éored had stopped, intending only to stay for a few hours. The horses needed to be watered and resting, supplies needed to be restocked, and Éomer King had business of some sort with the Thane.

The afternoon brought rain showers. The Éored had been disinclined the travel in such weather. After all, surely the storm would pass. It did not. The evening brought a ferocious thunderstorm, turning the plains to mud. The Éored was especially disinclined to travel now.

The Thane, a gracious host, though not in possession of an especially large manor, welcomed the Éored in. Amarie and Eomer, and a few of the higher ranking members of the Éored were shown rooms in the manor, the rest being hosted in various homes of the village.

"Enter," Amarie called, hearing the knock on the door. Éomer had given her the room to prepare for bed, having gone elsewhere to change himself. She smiled over her shoulder at him as he entered, lightning illuminating her features.

In another time, in another life, he would not have left for her to change. Such a thought wouldn't have been considered. But, that was a different time, a different life for Éomer. This was now.

When Amarie had accepted the Thanes invitation (she suspected his invitation had more to do with the novelty of hosting an elf, than any status he assumed she held), she did not realize the manor was so small that it necessitated her and Éomer sharing a room.

"You can take the bed," She told him. She was an elf after all, she could manage without one night of rest.

@menelvagor

[solxamber]

Trash Novel Chronicles: I'd Rather Date the Male Lead's Dad - Lilia Vanrouge x reader

When you end up in your best friend's favourite but absurd novel about breaking a fae prince's curse, you didn't expect to get attached to his little family too. Even more unexpected? You fell for the male lead's dad, but hey it looks like he likes you too.

Series Masterlist

You love your best friend. You really, really do. But sometimes—sometimes—the things they drag you into make you question your life choices. This time? It’s a novel. A bad one.

The plot is borderline unreadable, but somehow, it’s now your problem. Because of course it is.

“So, listen,” your friend had said, waving the book around like it was some kind of literary masterpiece. “Malleus Draconia, the fae prince, is cursed—chained up in this forest. The curse can only be broken by someone who isn’t attracted to him. But here’s the kicker: he’s so hot that no one can break the curse. For ten years.”

“Uh-huh.” You’d nodded along, already feeling your brain cells start to wave white flags of surrender. But your friend continued.

“The main character stumbles upon him after years of drama and frees him because they’re the only one not drooling over him. Then they fall in love, blah, blah, blah.”

At this point, you were barely listening. But then they dropped the bomb. Your eyes were shutting and you felt the sweet embrace of sleep call to you.

“Also, there’s this subplot where a magical plague of squirrels overruns the kingdom, the Saint betrays everyone by secretly being a double agent for some shadowy organization, and—get this—there’s a surprise paternity reveal where the devil is the father of the Saint who turns out to be the evil villain controlling everything.”

Your face had hit the pillow as your soul left your body.

And somehow, the next thing you remember is waking up dead. Or, more specifically, reincarnated. In the body of the heroine. In that story.

You can't believe the story was so terrible that it killed you.

The first thing you notice when you wake up is that the room is way too fancy for your tastes. The bed is massive, the sheets feel like they cost more than your entire existence, and the walls are adorned with tacky portraits of people who are probably supposed to be important.

“Oh, no,” you groan, rubbing your eyes. “This can’t be happening.”

But it is. You’re in the novel. The very one your friend had been yammering about. And not only are you in it, but you’ve woken up a full year before the plot is supposed to kick off. A year of waiting for terrible drama, an ex-fiancé who can’t take a hint, and a poor fae prince you’re supposed to rescue.

But you? Yeah, you’re not that patient.

“No way am I waiting a whole year for some garbage plot to unfold,” you mutter, throwing the covers off. “I’m just going to free Malleus now, take my reward, and live a quiet, drama-free life by the beach.”

With that plan firmly in mind, you march out the door.

It takes a bit of wandering through some overly cursed forest, but you eventually find Malleus’s “prison.” And honestly? It’s not nearly as dramatic as you expected.

There he is, sitting in the middle of a clearing, chained up in some kind of spooky-but-also-weirdly-ornate setup. He looks just as the novel described: tall, dark-haired, horns giving him an air of mystery and power. But what you weren’t prepared for? The way his eyes widen slightly in surprise when he sees you.

“I wasn’t expecting… company,” Malleus says, his voice soft, almost tentative.

You pause for a second. He looks intimidating, sure, but there’s something oddly… sweet about him. Like a guy who’d get excited over a party invite and then be too shy to actually show up.

“Yeah, I’m just here to get this whole ‘curse-breaking’ thing out of the way,” you say casually, walking up to the chains. “I’ve got stuff to do.”

Malleus blinks, looking a bit confused. “You… are not attracted to me?”

You snort. “Nah, not really. You’re nice to look at, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve got my own problems. Let’s just get you free so I can collect my reward and move on.”

He still looks mildly surprised but nods. “Very well.”

With a shrug, you reach out and touch the chains. There’s a brief flicker of light, and they dissolve. Just like that.

Malleus looks down at his freed wrists, clearly shocked. “It… it worked.”

“Yeah, wild, right?” you say, brushing off your hands. “So, about that reward…”

Before you can finish, Malleus stands and, in a tone so polite it makes you feel guilty, says, “You have freed me. Please, allow me to invite you to stay at my castle. As a guest.”

You blink at him. “Uh, no thanks. I’m good.”

Malleus’s expression falters for a moment, and you swear he looks a little sad. “But… I would like to repay you for your kindness.”

He’s giving you this look, all wide-eyed and hopeful, and you realize—he just wants to hang out.

Oh no.

“Ugh, fine,” you groan. “I’ll stick around for a bit.”

The way his face lights up is honestly too pure for someone who was supposed to be all intimidating and all-powerful.

When you arrive at Malleus’s castle, things get interesting real fast. You’re greeted by his entourage—Sebek, who looks like he’s one insult away from going Super Saiyan; Silver, who’s napping on his feet; and Lilia, who seems like the embodiment of chaos.

Sebek is the first to speak, scowling at you with righteous fury. “How DARE you approach Lord Malleus with such insolence!”

You roll your eyes. “I just freed him. You’re welcome.”

Sebek looks like he’s about to explode, but Lilia steps forward, his sharp grin making you instantly suspicious. “Oh? You broke the curse? Without being… swayed by our dear Malleus’s charms?”

“Yup,” you say, popping the ‘p.’ “Didn’t even break a sweat.”

Lilia’s eyes gleam with amusement. “Fascinating. You must have quite the willpower. Or perhaps…” He looks you up and down, clearly intrigued. “You simply have different tastes?”

You blink. Then, without thinking, you point at him. “Actually, yeah. You’re hot.”

There’s a beat of stunned silence, during which Sebek looks like he’s been hit with a brick, and Lilia lets out a delighted laugh.

“Oh, you are a delight,” Lilia says, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Perhaps you should stay longer.”

“You think I’m joking, but I’m not,” you deadpan, earning a grin from Lilia.

Silver, meanwhile, is still half-asleep and completely unfazed by your chaos. “Good job on freeing Malleus,” he mutters, yawning.

Malleus, who has been silent this whole time, finally speaks up. “You… do not find me attractive?”

You turn to him and sigh. “Look, it’s not that you’re not attractive. You’re, like… objectively pretty. But I don’t really go for the whole cursed prince thing.”

Malleus seems to process this slowly, his brows furrowing slightly. “I see…”

“But don’t worry,” you add quickly, feeling a bit bad for the guy. “You’re sweet. It’s a compliment, really.”

Malleus looks a little less confused and a bit more happy. “Sweet? No one has ever called me that before.”

You snort. “Well, I’m calling it now. And hey, you’ve got your freedom, right? Now you can get invited to all those parties you wanted.”

At this, Malleus’s eyes widen slightly, and you realize—oh no, he’s the type who really just wants to be invited to stuff.

“Oh,” you mutter under your breath, “you’re like a giant puppy, aren’t you?”

Malleus tilts his head, clearly confused, but before he can ask, Lilia leans in with a knowing grin. “I think you’ll fit in just fine around here.”

You sigh, rubbing your temples. “This is gonna be a long stay, isn’t it?”

Lilia’s smile widens. “Oh, most definitely.”

Later, you’re sitting around the dining hall with the group when Lilia casually brings up the dreaded plot points.

“So, when do you think the magical plague of squirrels will hit?” he asks, almost too casually.

You nearly choke on your drink. “The what now?”

“Oh, didn’t you know?” Lilia smirks. “There’s a prophecy. The squirrels will overrun the kingdom unless someone stops them.”

You blink. “This is real? I thought that part was a fever dream.”

Malleus nods seriously. “The squirrels are quite the threat.”

You slam your head on the table. “I’m trapped in a nightmare.”

Silver, half-asleep as always, just yawns. “I’ll take care of them. Probably.”

And that’s when you realize: maybe you should have let the curse be.

You didn’t mean for it to happen, but you and Malleus… well, you’ve become friends. It started small, mostly casual conversations where he’d hover around, awkward but eager, just happy to be included. There was this one time you invited him to tea, and the poor guy looked like he was about to cry from happiness. Now? You’re taking your frienship to the next level.

“Hey,” you say, strolling into the throne room where Malleus is doing the farthest thing from brooding. He’s just kind of standing there, staring out the window like he’s daydreaming about a really nice picnic. “Want to go to the market with me?”

The look on his face is priceless. His eyes widen like you’ve just handed him a golden ticket to the best party of the year. “You… want me to accompany you?”

“Yeah,” you shrug, as if this isn’t the biggest deal of his life. “I need to pick up some stuff, and I figured it’d be more fun with a friend. Plus, y’know, maybe someone will actually give me a discount if you’re there.”

Malleus looks like you just offered him the world “I would be honored.”

And that’s how you, Malleus, and the rest of his chaotic entourage—because of course they followed—ended up at the bustling market.

Sebek? Less than thrilled. In fact, you think he might actually be foaming at the mouth. “I cannot believe you are fraternizing with Lord Malleus so casually! Do you not understand the honor you’ve been given?!”

“Sebek,” you sigh, waving a hand dismissively, “we’ve been over this. I’m his friend. Friends do normal stuff together. You know, like going to the market.”

Sebek glares at you like you’ve just insulted his entire bloodline. “Lord Malleus does not engage in such trivialities!”

“Uh,” you glance over at Malleus, who is currently inspecting a row of intricately carved fruit. “He’s literally doing it right now, Sebek.”

Malleus turns to you, holding up a fruit shaped like a tiny dragon. “Would you like to try one? It is said to bring good fortune.”

You grin at him. “If you’re offering, I’m down.”

Sebek looks like he’s about to explode from sheer indignation.

“You dare—!”

“Sebek,” Malleus cuts in, his voice as gentle as ever. “I am quite enjoying myself. There’s no need to worry.”

You grin at the sight. “You’re really into this, huh?”

Malleus glances at you, a little bashful but still smiling. “I have never been invited to something like this before. It is… a new experience.”

Oh god, he’s so sweet. You feel like you’re corrupting a baby deer by dragging him into the real world, but it’s so worth it.

Lilia, however, is having the time of his life. He leans over, grinning like the mischievous little gremlin he is, and whispers in your ear, “I must say, you’ve got quite the charm. Lord Malleus rarely accepts invitations. You might be more important to him than you think.”

You snort. “Yeah, well, maybe he just really likes fruit.”

Lilia laughs, a sound that’s equal parts endearing and dangerous. “Or maybe he enjoys your company, hm?”

“Careful,” you say, flashing a grin. “Keep sweet-talking me like that, and I might start flirting back.”

Lilia’s eyes gleam with amusement. “Oh? I think I’d enjoy that.”

Oh god, he’s not backing down. Now you’re in the deep end. “Listen, if you keep going, I’m gonna have to ask if you’ve got plans for dinner.”

“I’m free this evening,” Lilia replies smoothly. “Shall I prepare a feast? Or perhaps we could have something more… intimate?”

You blink at him, unable to tell if he’s messing with you or if this is just how he operates. Either way, you’re so down to find out.

Before you can respond, Sebek cuts in, voice raised to what can only be described as ‘angry airhorn.’ “You will not speak so casually to Master Lilia!”

“Oh, Sebek, relax,” you say, patting him on the shoulder, which is a mistake because it feels like patting a brick wall. “He likes it.”

Lilia winks at you, thoroughly enjoying the chaos. “Indeed, I do.”

You smirk, shooting Lilia a playful look. “See? The man’s practically begging for attention.”

Malleus, meanwhile, has been watching this entire exchange with mild confusion. “Is this what humans call… flirting?”

You give him an exaggerated nod. “Yup. It’s a sacred tradition. Very serious stuff.”

“I see,” Malleus muses, looking between you and Lilia. “Perhaps I should try it as well?”

“Oh, please don’t,” Sebek groans, looking absolutely horrified at the idea of Malleus flirting. “Lord Malleus, you are above such trivial pursuits!”

Lilia is practically cackling at this point. “Now, now, Sebek. It wouldn’t hurt to let Malleus explore new experiences.”

You grin and elbow Malleus lightly. “Don’t listen to Sebek. You can totally flirt if you want.”

Malleus, sweet as he is, looks completely serious when he asks, “What would I say? I do not wish to offend.”

You pause, trying very hard not to laugh. “Okay, how about this? Try complimenting someone. Like…” You glance around and point at a vendor selling flowers. “Tell them they have lovely flowers.”

Malleus nods, taking this very seriously, and walks over to the vendor. You, Lilia, Sebek, and Silver (who’s been napping the whole time) watch as Malleus, ever the gentleman, says to the vendor, “Your flowers… are as radiant as the moonlight.”

The vendor looks flustered, blushing furiously. “Oh! Thank you, My Lord!”

You can’t help but laugh. “See? You’re a natural.”

Malleus returns to your side, looking pleased with himself. “I believe that went well.”

“Yeah, now you just have to work on *accepting* compliments,” you say with a wink, and Malleus tilts his head slightly in confusion.

“Accepting?”

“Yeah,” you grin, “like, if I were to tell you you’re the sweetest giant fae-dragon puppy I’ve ever met, you’d say…?”

Malleus looks genuinely flustered, his cheeks tinting the faintest shade of pink. “I… would say… thank you?”

“Good enough,” you laugh, nudging him playfully. “We’ll work on it.”

Sebek is muttering to himself about ‘disrespect’ and ‘sacrilege,’ but Malleus looks… happy. Like, really happy. He’s still a little awkward, sure, but you can tell he’s having a good time. Probably more fun than he’s had in years.

Lilia, meanwhile, is back at your side, leaning in close with that smirk of his. “You’re quite the influence, you know.”

“Yeah, well,” you grin, “someone’s gotta drag him into the real world.”

“Perhaps you’ll drag me into something as well?” Lilia purrs, his voice low and teasing.

You blink at him. “Keep talking, and I might actually propose to you.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it,” Lilia says, eyes glinting with mischief. “Perhaps later tonight?”

“Is that an invitation?” you quip, raising an eyebrow.

Sebek practically has steam coming out of his ears. “Master Lilia!”

But Lilia just laughs, utterly unfazed. “Oh, Sebek. You really must learn to loosen up.”

Silver yawns loudly, cutting through Sebek’s rant like a chainsaw through butter. “Can we get food now?”

You snort. “That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”

Malleus, ever the polite host, nods eagerly. “Yes, let us dine together. A family outing is not complete without a meal.”

You pause, blinking. Family? Did he just call this a family outing?

Lilia catches your expression and chuckles. “Oh dear, it seems Malleus has grown quite fond of you.”

You shoot him a playful glare. “You make it sound like a bad thing.”

“Not at all,” Lilia says, smiling knowingly. “In fact, I believe it’s quite the opposite.”

Before you can respond, Malleus steps up, still radiating pure joy. “Would you do me the honor of joining me for dinner tonight? I would very much enjoy your company.”

Sebek looks like he’s about to self-destruct from sheer disbelief, but you? You can’t help but grin. “Sure, why not? But if I catch you stealing my dessert, it’s game over.”

Malleus chuckles, his awkwardness fading just a bit. “I shall do my best to restrain myself.”

Lilia leans over, voice low and teasing again. “Perhaps you’ll save dessert for me, hm?”

You snort. “Don’t push your luck, old man.”

“Ah, but I’m a fae. Luck is my specialty.”

You shake your head, grinning as you walk alongside Malleus, who’s positively glowing with happiness. Yeah, this is one weird, dysfunctional family, but maybe you like it that way.

It’s quiet tonight, the kind of quiet that settles deep in your bones, making you feel both peaceful and unbearably restless. You find yourself standing on a balcony, overlooking the courtyard bathed in moonlight. The cool breeze whispers through the trees, the scent of night-blooming flowers drifting lazily through the air.

Lilia stands beside you, leaning against the stone railing, his usual playful demeanor absent. In its place is a rare solemnity, something you’ve only seen glimpses of before. You glance at him, noting the way the moonlight catches in his hair, casting soft shadows across his face. It feels... strange, seeing him like this. So serious, so quiet.

After a long silence, he speaks, his voice soft but weighted with emotion. “I was terrified, you know. Of losing him.”

You don’t need to ask who he’s talking about. Malleus. The curse that had wrapped around him for so long, a dark cloud that threatened to take him away. You had been the unexpected catalyst for breaking it, and while you hadn’t fully understood the gravity of it at the time, you’re beginning to now.

Lilia continues, his gaze fixed on the stars above. “I’ve lived a long time. I’ve seen many things, lost many people... but the thought of losing him...” He trails off, his voice catching in a way that makes your heart ache. “It would have broken me.”

You swallow, unsure of what to say. What can you say to something like that? You’re just... you. You never asked to be involved in any of this, never imagined that you’d become such an important part of these people’s lives. But here you are.

“I didn’t do anything special,” you finally manage, your voice barely more than a whisper. “I was just... there.”

Lilia turns to look at you, and there’s something deep in his eyes—something raw and real that takes your breath away. “Sometimes just being there is enough,” he says quietly. “You saved him. And in doing so, you saved me too.”

You shift uncomfortably, not because of his words, but because of the way they tug at something deep inside of you. A part of you that you’ve been trying to keep buried for as long as you’ve been in this strange, unfamiliar world.

You’re silent for a long time, your gaze fixed on the moonlit sky. The memories of your old life swirl in your mind—your family, your best friend, all the people you’ve left behind. You haven’t spoken about it to anyone here, not in detail. It feels too dangerous, too vulnerable. But standing here, under the moonlight with Lilia, you feel like maybe... just maybe... you can share a piece of it.

“I miss them,” you admit softly, your voice barely above a whisper. “My family. My best friend. I miss... home.”

Lilia doesn’t say anything, but you can feel his presence beside you, warm and steady. He doesn’t press for details, doesn’t ask questions you’re not ready to answer. He just listens, and somehow, that’s enough.

You take a deep breath, the cool night air filling your lungs. “It’s hard,” you continue, your voice shaking slightly. “Being here. Being away from them. Sometimes it feels like... like I’m losing pieces of myself. Like I’m forgetting what it felt like to be... whole.”

Lilia’s hand gently rests on your shoulder, a comforting weight that grounds you. “You haven’t lost yourself,” he says quietly. “Not even a little.”

You close your eyes, letting his words wash over you. You don’t know if he’s right, but in this moment, you want to believe him. You want to believe that despite everything, despite the distance and the pain and the uncertainty, you’re still... you.

For a long time, the two of you stand in silence, the only sounds the soft rustling of the trees and the distant chirping of crickets. The moon hangs heavy in the sky, casting everything in a silvery glow. There’s a quiet understanding between you and Lilia, a shared pain that neither of you needs to fully explain.

Eventually, Lilia speaks again, his voice so soft it almost blends with the wind. “The world can be a cruel place,” he murmurs. “But it can also be kind. And in moments like this... it feels just a little more bearable, doesn’t it?”

You nod, your throat tight with unshed tears. “Yeah,” you whisper. “It does.”

The night stretches on, and though neither of you say anything more, there’s a comfort in the silence. A bond formed in the quiet acknowledgment of each other’s pain. And for the first time in a long while, you feel like you’re not quite so alone.

Maybe, just maybe, you’ll be okay.

You’re not entirely sure how you ended up here, but somehow, you’re on a date with Lilia. Yes, that Lilia—lord of chaos, culinary adventurer, and general source of havoc.

The setting is picturesque enough: a meadow at sunset, complete with wildflowers and a gentle breeze. At least, it would be picturesque if not for the feast Lilia has prepared, which has a worrying amount of color, movement, and mystery.

“Surprise is the key to a romantic evening,” Lilia declares as he gestures proudly over the assortment of dishes.

You take a moment to assess the display. There’s a vibrantly colored stew that seems to be emitting steam with a life of its own. A platter of vegetables is twitching as if they’re reconsidering their life choices. And there’s a pie—definitely a pie—with something that looks suspiciously like an eyeball poking out from under the crust.

Lilia smiles at you, eyes glinting. “Would you like to try the stew first, my dear? It’s my own special concoction.”

You stare at it, then at him. “How many people have survived eating this?”

Lilia leans in, eyes full of mischief. “Define survived.”

You grin. “Only one way to find out, right?” Before he can respond, you reach for the bowl and take a large spoonful of the stew. Lilia’s eyebrows rise, clearly impressed by your boldness.

It tastes... unusual. Like someone mixed spicy peppers, sweet berries, and some kind of very sharp herb. You take another bite, considering.

Lilia watches you, waiting for a reaction. “Well?” he asks, a hopeful glint in his eye.

You swallow, then nod thoughtfully. “It’s... actually good. Really good, in fact.”

Lilia blinks, his expression shifting from mischief to genuine surprise. “Really?”

You nod again, going in for a third bite, savoring the strange combination of flavors. “Yeah! I mean, it’s different, but in a good way. The spice, the sweetness... it kind of works.”

Lilia’s face lights up, his delight palpable. “You truly mean it? My culinary prowess is usually met with... trepidation.”

“Trepidation might be an understatement,” you say with a laugh. “But honestly? I think people don’t give you enough credit.”

From somewhere nearby, a strangled gasp echoes across the meadow.

“Master Lilia!” Sebek’s voice rings out, sounding more horrified than ever. You glance in the direction of the bushes where, sure enough, they’re rustling. Apparently, Sebek has taken it upon himself to supervise this date from afar.

Lilia chuckles, clearly enjoying Sebek's reaction as much as yours. “Oh, my dear Sebek. One day, you shall learn that adventure begins in the kitchen.”

You take a sip of the iridescent liquid before you—a drink that looks more like a potion than anything else. It’s sparkling, and it has the distinct taste of... glittery fruit juice? You’re not sure, but it’s oddly refreshing.

Lilia eyes you, his smile turning softer, more genuine. “I must say, you are full of surprises. Most would have fainted by now.”

“Hey, I can handle a little excitement,” you say, reaching for one of the twitching vegetables.

Lilia watches in awe as you pop it into your mouth and chew. “And?” he asks, almost breathless.

You blink. “Crunchy. Kind of earthy. I like it.”

Lilia’s smile widens, his eyes twinkling with delight. “Oh, how wonderful! My dear, you truly are one of a kind.”

Sebek’s dismayed groan echoes once again, and you laugh, glancing toward the bushes. “I think we’re breaking poor Sebek.”

“Well, that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?” Lilia replies, leaning closer to you. “And speaking of fun, I have something special for you.” He produces a bright blue flower, presenting it to you with a flourish.

You take it, giving it a cautious sniff. It smells like fresh-baked cookies, and you look at Lilia, raising an eyebrow. “A flower that smells like dessert? Now you’re really spoiling me.”

Lilia’s eyes soften, his voice lowering. “Only the best for someone who appreciates my unique touch.”

Before you can reply, there’s another voice—this one distinctly sleepy. “Father, what... what’s going on here?” Silver approaches, looking like he just woke up from a nap. He takes one look at the scene—the half-eaten dishes, the flower in your hand, and Lilia’s delighted expression—and sighs. “Are you actually eating this... willingly?”

You nod, grinning. “Turns out Lilia’s cooking isn’t so bad. It’s actually kind of great.”

Silver looks at you, then at Lilia, then back at you. He blinks, his brain clearly trying to process this information. “Father, are you using magic to manipulate their taste buds?”

Lilia puts a hand over his heart, looking offended. “Silver, how could you suggest such a thing? I assure you, our dear friend here is enjoying my cooking purely of their own volition.”

Silver sighs again, rubbing his temples. “I think I need another nap.”

Lilia laughs, turning his attention back to you, his eyes filled with affection. “You truly are something special, my dear. Few have ever dared, let alone enjoyed, my creations.”

You smile, giving his hand a squeeze. “Well, I guess I’m just full of surprises.”

Lilia leans in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Would it be too much to say I find you... irresistible?”

You chuckle, narrowing your eyes playfully. “Don’t push your luck, old man.”

Lilia smirks, his gaze full of warmth. “Ah, but pushing my luck is what I do best. Perhaps next time, I’ll cook an even more adventurous meal for us.”

You pretend to consider it, tapping your chin. “Define adventurous.”

Lilia’s eyes glint mischievously. “How about roasted phoenix feathers?”

“Phoenix feathers?” you echo, shaking your head with a laugh. “You know what? I think I like you just the way you are—absurd cooking experiments and all.”

Lilia’s expression softens, his smile turning tender. “I’m glad to hear it.”

With that, the two of you rise, arm in arm, leaving behind the bizarre remains of the meal. Somewhere in the bushes, Sebek is probably fuming, and Silver has most likely already fallen asleep again.

But as you glance at Lilia, whose eyes are still filled with excitement and warmth, you think that maybe absurd is just what you need.

You love this little family, but you had to gain equal footing with Sebek before you got attached any further. So you did what you thought would work the best— Challenge him in something he enjoys.

You and Sebek had been circling the field for a while now, your horses galloping side by side as you both tried to outpace each other. The competitive tension was thick in the air, though not hostile—it was more of an unspoken game to see who would crack first.

“So, you’re telling me you’ve been riding horses for *years*?” Sebek shouts over the wind, his eyes sharp with determination.

“Yup,” you reply, grinning as your horse picks up speed. “Equestrian club, since I was a kid. Surprised?”

Sebek huffs, his posture straight and rigid as always, but you can tell he’s impressed. “It’s… commendable. For a human, you’ve got some skill.”

“Some skill?” you tease, glancing over at him with a mischievous smile. “Is that all I get? Come on, Sebek, I thought you were competitive.”

He narrows his eyes at you, spurring his horse faster to pull ahead. “I am competitive! You’ll find I do not lose so easily.”

You laugh, nudging your horse to keep up. There’s a thrill in it—pushing each other, but not in a mean way. Sebek’s passion for horse riding matches your own, and it’s fun to finally find common ground with him. Plus, you’re enjoying the challenge.

The field blurs by as you both race toward the far fence, neither of you backing down. As you approach the finish line (or rather, the arbitrary spot you both decided was the end), you both cross it at nearly the same time, pulling your horses to a halt, panting slightly.

Sebek is the first to speak, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. “Hmph. You’re not bad.”

“Not bad? I’d say I’m pretty good,” you shoot back, grinning ear to ear.

Sebek scoffs, but there’s a lightness in his tone that wasn’t there before. “You’re still a human, but… I’ll admit, you ride with some honor.”

“Wow, high praise,” you tease, but you soften your smile. “Thanks, Sebek. You’re not half-bad yourself.”

For a split second, you think you catch the ghost of a smile on his face, but it quickly disappears as he straightens in his saddle. “Of course. Riding is in my blood.”

You roll your eyes playfully. “Oh, obviously. I bet you were born in the saddle.”

“Perhaps I was,” Sebek says, completely serious. You stifle a laugh, realizing he probably believes that.

But before you can retort, Lilia rides up, his usual mischievous grin firmly in place. “Ah, what’s this? A friendly competition between two of my favorite people?”

“Master Lilia,” Sebek says, immediately shifting into soldier mode. “We were just—”

“Competing, yes, I can see that.” Lilia’s grin widens as he glances between the two of you. “I must say, the sight of you both racing like that was… quite exhilarating.”

You smirk, not missing a beat. “What, did we impress you?”

Lilia leans closer, voice dropping into a playful tone. “Oh, darling, I’ve been impressed by you for quite some time now.”

Sebek looks like he’s about to faint from sheer mortification. “MASTER LILIA! HUMAN!”

You laugh, waving Lilia off. “Careful, Sebek, you’re gonna scare your horse.”

But surprisingly, Sebek doesn’t snap back. Instead, he looks at you, something softer in his expression. “I admit… you’ve shown me something today. Perhaps you’re not just a reckless human after all.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Wow, Sebek. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re starting to like me.”

Sebek grumbles, looking away. “Do not mistake my words. I merely acknowledge your competence. Nothing more.”

“Sure, sure,” you reply, still grinning. “But hey, anytime you wanna ride again, I’m game.”

Sebek glances back at you, his usual harshness softened just a bit. “Perhaps… I will take you up on that.”

Lilia chuckles, clearly pleased with the budding camaraderie. “Ah, it warms my heart to see you two bonding. Who knows? Maybe you’ll become the best of friends.”

You wink at Lilia. “Well, if Sebek keeps up, maybe I’ll make him my official riding partner.”

Sebek, for once, doesn’t argue. Instead, he gives a small, determined nod. “We shall see, human. We shall see.”

As you ride back toward the stables, you can’t help but smile. You’ve earned a bit of respect from Sebek, and who knows? Maybe you’ll turn this into a full-fledged rivalry—one with a bit more fun and a lot less shouting.

Lilia, of course, flirts all the way back, making sure to keep the mood light and teasing, much to Sebek’s increasing exasperation. But even he can't deny that today was fun

The day should've been as normal as you could have these days—your stomach had other plans. There’s this nagging craving in the back of your mind for ramen, but of course, you’re stuck in a medieval isekai world where even the concept of instant noodles would make heads explode.

You groan, pacing back and forth in your room. "Ramen, ramen, ramen..." You’re practically chanting it like a spell. Finally, you snap your fingers. "Alright! Let’s get some ramen going!"

With all the determination of a contestant in a cooking show, you head to the market, a list of makeshift ingredients mentally prepared. You have no clue how you’re going to explain seaweed or soy sauce to the vendors, but hey, you’ve gotten this far in life on sheer audacity.

Except, ten minutes later, you find yourself hopelessly lost. You had been walking with confidence, chest out, head high, until you somehow managed to wander into a part of town that definitely wasn’t on your mental map. Instead of bustling vendors and cheerful shoppers, you’re now looking at a spooky, abandoned-looking area, complete with dense fog and suspiciously creaky trees.

“This... This isn’t the market,” you mutter, pausing in front of a seriously ominous cottage. If there were ever a sign that said "DO NOT ENTER" in flashing neon, this would be it. And yet, for reasons unknown even to yourself, you approach.

Before you can bolt in the opposite direction, the door swings open with the most dramatic creak you’ve ever heard. A woman, dressed in black robes, stands in the doorway with a gaze that could curdle milk. Her aura practically screams witch, and not the cool kind either—the villainous, melodramatic kind.

“Well, well, well,” she sneers, stepping out with all the grace of a Broadway villain, “look who wandered into my lair.”

“Uh, yeah...” You trail off, scratching the back of your head. “So… this isn’t the market?”

The witch gives you a look so condescending it could melt iron. “No,” she hisses, “it most certainly is not. You’ve trespassed on my domain, little fool!”

“Right, so sorry about that,” you say, trying to backpedal. “I’m just trying to make some ramen, and I—wait, hold on, who are you exactly?”

Her eyes flash with annoyance. “You don’t know who I am?”

You blink at her. “Is this the part where you tell me, like in those cartoons? ‘Cause I’m getting major ‘I’m about to monologue’ vibes right now.”

The witch’s face twitches, clearly not used to people interrupting her villain speech. “I,” she says, pausing for dramatic effect, “am the witch who cursed Malleus Draconia!”

Oh, that witch. You’ve heard some stories about her, mostly from half-paying attention when your friend geeked out over the original plot. But now that you’re face-to-face with her... this is not how you pictured it. You tilt your head.

“So, wait,” you begin, trying to suppress a snicker, “you’re the one who came up with that whole 15-year curse plan? And your big finale was… what? Swooping in at the last second to save him and then expecting him to marry you?”

Her eyes narrow. “That was the plan.”

You stare at her for a moment, the absurdity sinking in. “...That’s ridiculous.”

“How dare you mock me?!” she shrieks, her voice reaching a pitch that probably scared some birds out of nearby trees. She raises her hand, dark magic swirling between her fingers, and you swear you can hear thunder crack in the distance.

“Okay, hang on,” you say, taking a cautious step back. “Let’s not get all zappy here. I’m just saying that’s a lot of effort for a plan that has, like, a one percent success rate.”

“Silence!” She’s fuming now, throwing her hand forward to launch the magic at you—and you brace yourself for the worst. You’ve seen this in movies before. This is the part where you get turned into a frog or something equally terrible.

Except… nothing happens.

The magic fizzles out midair like a dud firecracker, leaving a puff of smoke and an awkward silence in its wake. You blink. She blinks. You both stare at the spot where the magic should have been.

“Uh…” you begin, rubbing the back of your neck. “Was that supposed to do something?”

The witch looks at her hand, then at you, then back at her hand again like she’s having a serious identity crisis. “What...?”

“I mean, points for the drama, but I’m still standing here,” you say, waving your hand in front of your face as if checking for damage. “And I don’t think I’m a toad.”

She tries again, gathering more magic in her hands and launching it at you with renewed fury. But once again, nothing. The magic stops short, fizzling out like it’s hitting an invisible barrier around you. Now she’s just staring at you, dumbfounded.

You, on the other hand, are absolutely flabbergasted. “Okay, this is getting weird.”

That’s when Lilia appears—literally, out of nowhere. He casually steps out from behind a tree like this is all a normal Monday for him. “Ah, I thought I sensed some familiar mischief afoot,” he says, his voice cheerful, though his eyes glint with something far more dangerous as they lock onto the witch.

The witch recoils, visibly shaken. “Lilia Vanrouge,” she hisses, sounding more like a disgruntled cat than a fearsome sorceress.

“In the flesh,” he says with a light bow, his grin all sharp teeth and mischief. “What brings you out of your little hidey-hole?”

She glares at him but doesn’t say anything. She’s outmatched, and she knows it. With one last seething look at you, she vanishes into thin air with a dramatic whoosh of smoke, leaving you and Lilia alone in the now eerily quiet forest.

You turn to him, utterly confused. “What the heck was that about? Why didn’t her magic work on me?”

Lilia’s grin softens, his gaze turning fond. “Ah, I see I’ve forgotten to tell you. I placed a fae’s blessing on you some time ago.”

“Wait, what?” You gape at him. “When did you do that?!”

He chuckles, as if you asking when he bestowed a magical shield on you is the most amusing thing he’s heard all week. “You tend to attract trouble, my dear. I thought it best to give you a little extra protection.”

You blink at him, still processing. “So… you’ve been secretly protecting me this whole time?”

His gaze turns a bit more serious, the usual playful air dropping away. “I don’t want to see anything happen to you,” he says softly, the words carrying a weight you hadn’t expected.

For a moment, you’re left speechless, flustered even. The teasing and jokes you’re so used to from Lilia are gone, replaced by something… deeper. It throws you off your game.

“Well, uh…” You clear your throat, desperately trying to recover. “I appreciate not getting turned into a frog or whatever she was planning.”

His grin returns, and the moment passes. “You’re welcome. Now, shall we head back to the market? I believe you were on a quest for... ramen, was it?”

You let out a laugh, shaking your head as the absurdity of it all catches up with you. “Yeah, let’s do that. And maybe next time I’ll avoid wandering into spooky villain lairs.”

“An excellent plan,” he says, offering you his arm. “Shall we?”

And just like that, you’re back on track—albeit a bit more shaken than before, but at least you’ve got a magical blessing you didn’t know about and one very charming fae escorting you through the mess.

You’re sitting under a large tree in the courtyard, soaking up the rare bit of peace and quiet that’s fallen over your life. It’s a nice day, the kind that makes you feel all warm and content, the sun shining gently through the leaves. Beside you, Silver is leaning against the trunk, dozing off as usual. You’ve become used to his tendency to fall asleep mid-conversation, and honestly, it’s kind of adorable.

He stirs a little, blinking his sleepy eyes open and looking at you with a soft smile. “It’s nice to have moments like this,” he says, voice a bit groggy. “Especially after everything.”

“Yeah,” you reply, leaning back on your hands. “It’s been... a lot.”

Silver glances at you, his gaze thoughtful. “You really helped us. My family,” he says, his tone a bit more serious than usual. “Freeing Lord Malleus from that curse... it was no small feat.”

Your stomach twists a little at the mention of Malleus. It still feels surreal that you had a hand in such a monumental event. You shrug, trying to play it cool. “Eh, you know... just another day of accidentally stumbling into chaos.”

He chuckles lightly, his smile softening even more. “I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to thank you properly for what you’ve done. You really saved us all.”

You wave your hand dismissively. “Stop, you’re going to make me blush. I was just trying to make some money, and suddenly I’m in the middle of an epic quest. You know how it is.”

Silver hums, half-amused, and then casually drops the bomb on you like it’s the most normal thing in the world: “You’d be perfect with Father.”

Your brain short-circuits. “...Sorry, what?”

Silver, utterly oblivious to the internal crisis he’s just unleashed within you, looks at you with that serene, peaceful expression of his. “Father. You’d be perfect with him.”

The world screeches to a halt. *Perfect? With Lilia?* You stare at him, wide-eyed, your mouth hanging open in a most undignified manner. “I’m sorry, did you just—did you just suggest that I—me—should be with your father?!”

Silver nods, looking completely at peace with his assessment, like he’s just commented on the weather. “Yes. You two get along well. You make each other laugh, and he seems fond of you. And Father... well, he deserves someone who can make him smile like that.”

Your mind is racing at 100 miles per hour. “Silver. SILVER.” You clutch your head as if physically holding your brain together will stop it from spiraling into madness. “Do you have any idea what you just said?”

Silver, ever the calm and composed knight, merely tilts his head. “Was it something strange?”

“STRANGE?!” You’re flailing now, completely losing your cool. “You just casually suggested I should date your father! Who, may I remind you, is an ancient fae with enough power to casually toss me into another dimension if he wanted!”

Silver blinks, seeming to consider this for a moment. “I don’t think he’d toss you into another dimension. He’d probably just... laugh and then take you out to dinner.”

You’re having a full-blown existential crisis. Your face is bright red, your heart is doing somersaults, and you’re not sure if you want to scream, faint, or throw yourself into the nearest fountain.

Silver, meanwhile, is just sitting there, serene and utterly oblivious to the emotional chaos he’s just unleashed upon you. “Father’s a good person,” He says softly. “I think you two would be happy together.”

“I... I...” You sputter, trying to form words but utterly failing as images of Lilia’s teasing smile and playful banter run through your mind. And then you imagine the alternative: Lilia’s serious side, the one that is somehow even more terrifyingly attractive, and you feel your heart skip a beat.

“Oh no,” you whisper, clutching your chest. “Oh no, no, no... Silver, what have you done?”

Silver looks at you with concern now, finally noticing that you’re having what can only be described as a breakdown. “Are you alright?"

“NO!” you cry, standing up and pacing back and forth in front of him. “You’ve broken me! You’ve ruined me! I’m—Silver, your father is... He’s... and I... Oh, gods, this is too much. TOO MUCH!”

Silver watches you pace for a moment before quietly saying, “You’re thinking about it, though.”

You freeze mid-step. “I—NO! Maybe? Yes? I—Why would you say that, Silver?!”

He just smiles, a soft, knowing smile. “Because it’s true.”

You slump back down beside him, groaning loudly as you cover your face with your hands. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

Silver chuckles softly, resting his head back against the tree again. “I’ve heard that before.”

And as you sit there, your mind spinning with thoughts of Lilia and all the ridiculous, impossible implications Silver’s comment has brought to life, you can’t help but think that maybe—just *maybe*—he has a point.

But you’re not ready to admit that yet. Not even to yourself.

“I need a drink,” you mumble under your breath, and Silver hums in agreement.

“Father would probably help you make it,” he says, and you let out a loud groan, flopping onto the grass in dramatic defeat.

“Silver, you’re killing me.”

He just smiles that peaceful smile of his.

It’s a quiet afternoon, the sun beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the courtyard. You’re standing with Malleus and Sebek in one of the palace’s gardens, the tranquil hum of life around you contrasting with the more serious conversation that’s about to unfold. You can feel the weight of what Malleus is about to say, and your mind spins as you prepare yourself for another emotionally charged moment.

Malleus takes a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. “For the longest time,” he begins, his voice soft and filled with an unspoken vulnerability, “I thought I would be stuck. Trapped in that cursed state forever. I had resigned myself to it, believing that it was my fate to be alone.”

You shift slightly, unsure how to respond to such raw honesty. Sebek, standing next to Malleus, is silent for once, his usual loud and defensive nature tempered by the gravity of his lord’s words.

“But then you came along,” Malleus continues, turning his glowing eyes toward you. “You broke the curse, something no one had been able to do. You gave me back my freedom, something I had lost hope of ever regaining.”

Sebek clears his throat loudly, his usual dramatic flair coming to the surface despite the tenderness of the moment. “Yes, well,” he says, voice gruff but tinged with the awkwardness of someone who isn’t quite used to expressing gratitude. “I... suppose we should be... grateful. After all, if it weren’t for you, Lord Malleus would still be... cursed, and we wouldn’t be here together as we are now.”

You blink at Sebek’s begrudging admission, feeling a small smile tug at your lips. The fact that he of all people is thanking you, even in such a roundabout way, is oddly touching.

“Wow, Sebek,” you say, voice teasing but soft. “Who knew you had it in you?”

Sebek bristles at your words, his expression a mix of indignation and embarrassment. “D-Don’t misunderstand!” he exclaims, face turning a shade redder than usual. “I’m merely stating the facts! Nothing more!”

Malleus chuckles softly at Sebek’s outburst, his usual gentle smile returning to his face. “Sebek’s gratitude, no matter how begrudging, is indeed a rarity,” he teases lightly before turning his attention back to you. “But truly, I am grateful. You’ve given me back more than just my freedom. You’ve given me back... this.”

He gestures around him, indicating the garden, the palace, the sky above. “This life, this chance to be with those I care about. And for that, I owe you a debt that I may never be able to repay.”

You shift awkwardly, feeling a strange warmth bloom in your chest. “I mean, I didn’t really set out to save anyone,” you admit, your voice light but with an edge of honesty. “I just... wanted the reward. And then maybe to go home.”

Sebek’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and he opens his mouth to argue, but Malleus holds up a hand, stopping him before he can launch into one of his dramatic tirades

You hesitate, glancing between Malleus and Sebek. “I didn’t think I’d get attached,” you admit quietly, your voice softening. “But I have. Somehow, I’ve found myself... caring about all of you. This weird little makeshift family.”

Sebek looks as though he’s about to protest the “weird” part, but a stern glance from Malleus keeps him quiet. You can see the begrudging acknowledgment in his eyes, though—he knows it’s true, even if he doesn’t want to admit it.

Malleus hums thoughtfully, his gaze lingering on you for a moment before he speaks again. “Well,” he says casually, as if discussing something as simple as the weather, “if you’re so attached, perhaps we should make it official. Perhaps you should marry into the family."

You freeze. Did he just—?

You whip your head towards Malleus, completely flustered. “M-Marry?! What?!”

Sebek, on the other hand, looks as if someone just punched him in the face. His mouth opens and closes like a fish gasping for air, his eyes wide with outrage. “L-Lord Malleus, what are you suggesting?!” he sputters.

Malleus blinks, as calm as ever. “I’m suggesting marriage,” he repeats, as if it’s the most logical thing in the world. “If they are so attached to us, it seems a reasonable next step. Perhaps they should marry Lilia?”

Your face turns a bright shade of red as your heart pounds in your chest. “Wh-What?!” you stammer. “Lilia?!”

Sebek turns even redder, his face contorting in disbelief. “Master Lilia?!”

Malleus nods sagely, completely unfazed by both of your reactions. “Yes, Lilia. He has shown great affection for them, and they would fit well within our family. Would you not agree, Sebek?”

Sebek looks like he’s about to explode, but there’s an uncomfortable silence as he realizes… he can’t argue. He knows Malleus and Lilia both care about you. He knows that you’ve proven yourself to be a good person, despite his initial distrust. His mouth twitches, the words clearly struggling to escape his throat.

“I—well—Lord Malleus,” Sebek starts, looking every bit as if he’s been defeated by sheer logic. “I… I must admit… They are a suitable companion for Master Lilia… even if the idea of them marrying… well, it is quite… outrageous.”

You feel your soul leave your body as the conversation continues. Sebek can’t quite bring himself to fully agree, yet he doesn’t outright refuse the idea either. His loyalty to his lords binds him, and his begrudging acceptance of your presence has left him caught between duty and outrage.

“I—This—” you stammer, completely overwhelmed. “I—This is insane!”

Malleus looks at you with a calm smile. “Think it over,” he says, voice gentle. “You’ve already become part of our lives. Why not make it official?”

You open your mouth to protest, but the words die in your throat as you see the sincerity in his eyes. This isn’t just a flippant suggestion—it’s Malleus genuinely offering you a place in his family. But the idea of marrying Lilia? That’s… that’s a whole new level of madness.

“I—I think I need to lie down,” you mutter, pressing your hands to your temples. “This is too much.”

Malleus chuckles softly, and even Sebek seems to relax—if only a little. But as you glance between the two of them, you can’t help but feel a strange warmth in your chest. Even with all the absurdity, you know one thing for sure: you’ve found a place with them, whether you intended to or not.

The cat was just sitting there. Innocently perched on the branch, fluffy and regal like a tiny, judgmental king. You don’t even know what possessed you, really. Maybe it was those huge, adorable eyes or the way its tail flicked back and forth. But somehow, someway, you ended up halfway up a tree. Climbing a tree. For a cat.

“I just wanted to pet you,” you mutter, feeling slightly ridiculous as you hug the branch for dear life. “And now I’m stuck. Great.”

The cat stares at you, completely indifferent to your plight. You sigh, glancing down at the ground, which now seems alarmingly far away. Heights were never your thing, but in the moment, with that cute little furball teasing you, logic flew right out the window. Now, you’re clinging to the tree like a cowardly kitten yourself.

“Why did I think this was a good idea?” you groan. The cat blinks at you. “Don’t look at me like that. This is all your fault!”

And then, because fate has a terrible sense of humor, you hear a voice from below. A familiar, unmistakable voice—playful, with a hint of amusement laced through it.

“Well, well, what do we have here? It appears my dear little beastie has gotten themselves stuck.”

You nearly slip off the branch as you glance down to see Lilia standing at the base of the tree, arms crossed and an infuriatingly amused grin on his face. He looks every bit the mischievous fae, eyes twinkling with barely suppressed laughter.

“I—uh—this is—” You stammer, trying to come up with some kind of excuse, but nothing comes. You’re halfway up a tree. Because of a cat. No explanation is going to save your dignity now.

Lilia tilts his head, chuckling. “Were you planning on living up there from now on? Or should I assist you in returning to the ground?”

“Hey, don’t judge me!” you huff, cheeks burning. “The cat—look at the cat! It was really cute, okay?”

Lilia glances up at the feline, which is now licking its paw in complete disinterest. He raises an eyebrow. “Ah, yes, the cat. I see now. How could anyone resist such a noble creature?”

You groan, feeling your face get even hotter. “I—um—I might need help getting down.”

Lilia’s grin widens. “Of course, my dear. I was planning on catching you anyway.”

You freeze. “C-Catching me?”

“Mmhm. Just jump down, and I’ll catch you,” Lilia says, his tone so casual, as if catching people out of trees is just something he does every day. He spreads his arms out, waiting expectantly.

Your heart races as you eye the distance between the branch and the ground again. It’s not terribly high, but… still high enough to make you nervous. But Lilia’s standing there with that easy confidence, and the thought of staying stuck in this tree forever doesn’t exactly appeal to you either.

Taking a deep breath, you inch closer to the edge of the branch. “O-Okay. I’m going to jump.”

“Go ahead,” Lilia says, his voice soft. “I’ll catch you.”

With one last look at the disinterested cat, you finally push yourself off the branch. For a split second, there’s nothing but the rush of air—and then you feel yourself land securely in Lilia’s arms. You’re caught. Easily, gently. Like it was nothing at all.

He looks down at you, his face much closer than you anticipated. “See? I told you I would catch you.”

You’re breathless for a moment, your heart doing flips as you realize just how close you are to him. His arms are around you, holding you steady, and you can feel the warmth of his body through his clothes. He’s staring at you with that soft, amused smile, and you’re suddenly acutely aware of just how handsome he is.

“Oh no,” you whisper to yourself, “I’m swooning.”

Lilia raises an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

“Y-You’re really smooth,” you blurt out before you can stop yourself. “Like, catching me so easily and looking at me like that. It’s—it’s really unfair.”

He chuckles softly, clearly entertained by your flustered state. “Unfair, you say?”

“Yeah, like—like, you’re so effortlessly cool and charming, and I—” You freeze, suddenly realizing what you’re saying. You clamp your mouth shut, but it’s too late. The words are out, and your brain has completely short-circuited.

And then, before you even know what’s happening, the words just spill out of you in a panicked rush. “Okay, I like you! No, wait—I think I’m in love with you! I mean, how could I not be? You’re so amazing, and I just—Oh god, I’m confessing! I’m confessing right now, aren’t I? This is a confession. Oh no, this is terrible. I didn’t mean to—”

You feel your entire body heat up as you bury your face in your hands, completely mortified. Of all the ways you could’ve confessed your feelings to Lilia, this had to be the worst possible way. You weren’t ready! You were supposed to be calm and collected, not blurting it out after getting caught in a tree!

For a moment, there’s silence. And then, you hear the softest chuckle from Lilia. His arms tighten around you slightly, pulling you just a little closer.

“You’re adorable,” he says, his voice soft and full of warmth.

You peek through your fingers, confused. “Huh?”

“I’ve known for a while that your feelings for me were more than friendly,” Lilia continues, his smile gentle. “But hearing you confess like this… it’s endearing.”

You blink, trying to process his words. “Wait—you’ve known?”

Lilia nods. “You’re not as subtle as you think, my dear.”

You groan again, hiding your face in your hands once more. “This is so embarrassing…”

Lilia laughs softly, and before you know it, he leans in and presses a light, gentle kiss to your forehead. Your heart skips a beat, and you lower your hands, looking up at him in surprise.

“There’s no need to be embarrassed,” Lilia says, his eyes soft. “I’m honored to be the one you’ve chosen.”

Your heart flutters as his words sink in, and you realize that, despite your mortification, he’s… accepting your feelings. He’s not teasing you or brushing it off—he’s genuinely acknowledging your confession. And more than that… he’s reciprocating.

“Lilia…” you whisper, your face still burning with embarrassment, but also with a warmth that you can’t quite describe.

He leans in a little closer, his nose brushing against yours. “You don’t need to say anything more, my dear. Just know that I feel the same.”

And with that, Lilia closes the distance between you, his lips meeting yours in a soft, sweet kiss that makes your heart race even faster. All thoughts of your earlier panic melt away, replaced by the warmth of his touch and the feeling of being completely safe in his arms.

As he pulls back, you’re left staring at him, wide-eyed and breathless. Lilia smiles down at you, his eyes twinkling with amusement and affection.

“So,” he says, his voice teasing, “was that worth climbing a tree for?”

You blink, still dazed from the kiss. “I… I think so.”

Lilia laughs softly, pressing another quick kiss to your lips before setting you down on the ground. “Next time, though, perhaps we’ll find a more dignified setting for your confessions, hmm?”

You groan, covering your face again as you mutter, “Please don’t remind me…”

But despite your embarrassment, you can’t help the small, giddy smile that creeps onto your face as you realize that, somehow, things turned out perfectly anyway.

You sit with Lilia on a bench beneath the shade of a massive oak tree, the same one he caught you from, nerves simmering beneath your calm exterior. He’s as composed as ever, leaning back against the tree with a small, amused smile playing on his lips.

Across from you sit Malleus, Silver, and Sebek, all three watching you with varying degrees of curiosity—Malleus with calm interest, Silver with that sleepy, gentle acceptance, and Sebek with what you’re sure is the beginning of a tirade bubbling just beneath the surface.

“We have some news,” Lilia says, breaking the silence with his usual playful tone. His hand slips into yours, squeezing lightly. “About us.”

Malleus’s eyes light up with interest, his draconic gaze honing in on the subtle intertwining of your hands with Lilia’s. “News?” he repeats, leaning forward slightly. “What sort of news?”

You exchange a glance with Lilia, and he gives you a nod, as if to say go on, it’s safe. Taking a deep breath, you steel yourself and blurt out, “We’re together. Like, romantically.”

There’s a beat of silence.

Then Malleus’s eyes widen, his entire face brightening with delight. “Truly?” he asks, a rare, genuine smile spreading across his face. “That is wonderful news! You will be joining the family then?”

You blink, momentarily thrown off by how happy he is. “Uh, well—eventually, I guess. We haven’t exactly planned a wedding yet…”

“But when we do,” Lilia interjects smoothly, eyes glinting with amusement, “you will be the first to receive an invitation, Malleus.”

Malleus beams, the delight practically radiating off him like sunlight. “I would expect no less. To witness your union—ah, it will be a grand day.”

Meanwhile, Silver gives you both a small, approving nod. His expression is calm, though there’s a softness in his eyes that shows he’s happy for you. “I’m glad,” he says, his voice as gentle as ever. “Father deserves someone who makes him happy. And you… you seem to do that.”

Your heart warms at the approval from Silver. “Thanks, Silver,” you say, offering him a smile in return.

And then there’s Sebek.

For a moment, he just stares at you and Lilia, his mouth working as if he’s trying to form words. You brace yourself for the inevitable protest, expecting him to shout something about how inappropriate it is, or how you could never be good enough for Lilia, or—

“You…” Sebek finally speaks, though his tone is less outraged than you anticipated. He scowls, but there’s an undeniable hint of reluctant acceptance in his eyes. “You’re together, then?”

Lilia nods, his smile never wavering. “Indeed, Sebek.”

Sebek inhales deeply, closing his eyes as if preparing for some kind of inner battle. You can almost hear him wrestling with his instincts, wanting to object but also unable to deny the truth of the situation. After a long pause, he finally exhales and mutters, “Well… I suppose… if it makes Master Lilia happy, then…”

You’re about to breathe a sigh of relief when Sebek opens his eyes again, pointing an accusatory finger at you. “But that does not mean you should grow complacent! Just because Master Lilia has chosen you does not mean you are exempt from proving yourself worthy!”

Lilia laughs softly at Sebek’s stubbornness, and you can’t help but grin. “Of course, Sebek,” you say, teasing him lightly. “I’ll do my best to live up to your high standards.”

Sebek huffs, crossing his arms. “See that you do.”

Despite his bluster, you can tell he’s not truly upset. There’s a begrudging acceptance in his stance, the same way someone might finally accept that their favorite hero isn’t perfect, but still worthy of respect. Sebek might not be able to fully wrap his head around the idea of you and Lilia being together, but deep down, you can tell he doesn’t disapprove. Not really.

Malleus, meanwhile, is still beaming. “I look forward to your wedding,” he says, sounding genuinely excited. “It will be a grand celebration. And I will be the first to celebrate your union.”

You laugh, finally feeling the tension melt away. “You’ll be the first to get an invitation, don’t worry.”

Lilia squeezes your hand again, his eyes warm as he looks at you. “Indeed,” he says softly, “and I think it will be a lovely celebration.”

As you sit there, surrounded by Lilia’s peculiar little family, you can’t help but feel a swell of emotion. For all their eccentricities—Malleus’s dragon-like mannerisms, Silver’s sleepy but sincere approval, and Sebek’s stubborn loyalty—you’ve somehow found yourself among people who care. Who, in their own ways, are happy to see you and Lilia together.

And as you glance at Lilia, who’s still watching you with that fond, amused expression, you realize something important: this makeshift family of fae and knights… they’ve accepted you.

Flaws and all.

The living room felt a little too tense for your taste today. You were sprawled out on a chair, arms crossed, listening to the absurd conversation that seemed to have spiraled out of control.

Malleus, sitting at the head of the table, had the "serious prince" expression that made you roll your eyes every time you saw it. Lilia was perched on the back of his chair, his legs dangling, thoroughly amused by the current predicament. Sebek stood in his usual soldier-like stance, ready to protect everyone from... squirrels, apparently. And Silver was doing his best to stay upright while leaning on a wall. He was losing that battle.

“It’s time to discuss the prophecy” Malleus said, his voice carrying an ominous weight you found ridiculous. “The Squirrel Plague will bring misfortune. Entire kingdoms will fall to their tiny paws.”

You blinked. “We’re seriously talking about squirrels?”

Lilia nodded with an overly grave face. “Indeed, my dear. Squirrels are resourceful creatures. Vicious even, if the stories are true.”

Sebek puffed up his chest, eyes blazing with his trademark fervor. “MY LORD, IF THOSE RODENTS BELIEVE THEY CAN THREATEN YOU—"

You leaned forward, waving your hand dismissively. “Alright, alright, let's not hype up the squirrels too much, okay? This whole situation is ridiculous.”

Silver, who had just about managed to pry his eyes open, muttered, “It’s not just the squirrels. I heard some people talking about... uh, the Saint being accused of spying or something.”

The room fell into silence for a second, everyone digesting that little bombshell.

Lilia’s grin widened as if the idea of spies delighted him. “Spies, you say? This is getting quite intriguing.”

You groaned, pinching the bridge of your nose. “Yeah, no thanks. Squirrels are bad enough, but spies? I’m not dealing with this.”

Malleus turned towards you, a slight frown on his lips. “I assumed you wished to stay here. You haven’t mentioned wanting to leave before.”

You sighed, shrugging. “I mean, I don't have any attachments to this place. I stayed because you guys were here. But right now, let's bounce. Immediately. The squirrels can have this place.”

Silver, rubbing his eyes, nodded. “They're right. It’s a lot of hassle, and honestly, the squirrels are starting to weird me out. I saw one trying to chew through the wall this morning.”

Sebek turned to Silver with his mouth agape. “A SQUIRREL DARED TO ATTACK OUR DOMAIN?!”

Lilia chuckled, nodding. “They’re getting bolder, indeed. I even had one throw an acorn at me this morning. It was a declaration of war, I tell you.”

You waved your hands at them. “Guys, seriously. I don’t care if we’re at war with the squirrels. I just don’t want to be here. Briar Valley sounds much nicer, doesn’t it? No plagues, no spy accusations, no rabid rodents.”

Malleus blinked at you, then slowly smiled. “If you wish to leave, then there’s no reason for us to stay. I thought perhaps you'd not want to leave the place you grew up in, that you would be attached.”

“Attached?” You gestured dramatically at the window, where you swore you could see a squirrel watching with beady little eyes. “Nope. I’m only attached to you four, and I’m not risking my life for some acorn-flinging rodents.”

Silver yawned, already giving in. “I say we go. Less hassle, more sleep.”

Lilia gave a theatrical sigh leaning on Malleus. “Well, I suppose the adventure ends here. Back to Briar Valley it is! And I’ll be sure to bring along some acorns... perhaps we can keep the spirit of battle alive.”

Sebek, his voice still full of misplaced enthusiasm, nodded fiercely. “IF MY LORD DECIDES TO RETURN, THEN I SHALL ENSURE OUR JOURNEY IS WITHOUT PERIL! THE SQUIRRELS SHALL NOT—”

You interrupted with a grin. “Yes, yes, Sebek. You’ll protect us from the squirrels. Good job.”

Lilia hopped off Malleus’s chair, already halfway to the door. “I’ll go prepare the portal. Who knows, maybe we can get there in time for the fireflies.”

You got up too, stretching and giving one last look at the living room. “I think I’ve had enough of prophecies, plagues, and espionage.”

Lilia grins "Maybe we could have our wedding in Briar Valley". Malleus, now entirely on board, nodded with regal finality. “Then we shall return to Briar Valley. I trust the squirrels will not miss us.”

Lilia snickered, and you felt him squeeze your shoulder. “Perhaps we should bring a souvenir,” he mused. “A squirrel, perhaps, as a reminder of this peculiar little chapter of our lives.”

You shook your head, laughing. “I think I’d rather forget it altogether.”

With that, you and your four favorite Briar Valley residents left—leaving behind the squirrels, the spies, and every bit of drama that had nothing to do with you. Peace, it turned out, was just a portal away.

With that, the group made their decision—no heroic stand against the prophecy, no attempts to sort out spy dramas. Just a swift, sensible retreat to where things were far less complicated. And honestly? That suited you just fine.

Alright! I liked writing this a lot, It's not as chaotic as my other isekai ones but I like how it turned out!

Also if the formatting is off, I'm so sorry but I fell spectacularly on my ass while ice-skating and can't sit long enough to edit on my laptop.

Also quick poll for the next trash novel one, I'll definitely finish all of them, this is just for which one should I post first. They're all almost done.

Series Masterlist ; My Masterlists

[witchofthesouls]

so if we're going with the energon-are-depressed-version-of-tellytubbies-soup. Send a chef reincarnating into a cybertronian, thus blessing Cybertron with more varient of cuisine rather other than bland energon. Or something alike like that.

Heads up, this is mainly going to be commentary.

I actually did have some thoughts along this ballpark. One concept was a college student taking a break to clear her head and finding out she inherited a magical farm in the middle of nowhere and finding out some Cybertronian squatters (one adult and two kids) in the barn.

It was basically a slice of life between the two trying to get the place up and running. Human is getting access to supernatural crops and space farm animals that the sparklings adore, and the miner is getting access to a safe haven with a variety of food that she wouldn't have dreamed in her entire functioning.

(I really wanted to do a take on mechanical chickens and sheep. Potentially go into how Cybertronian domesticated animals may still exist because of trade before Cybertron and its colonies were consumed by warfare, strife, or other means. Go into crossbreeds and all that jazz.)

Other storylines were humans-into-Cybertronians (Welcome to Noctem residents, Grandma Darby, or an old friend of June/Jack's honorary uncle) with some subplots on what TFP Cybertronians were missing out on the food scale since they mainly subsisted on the equivalent of Pedialyte/Ensure gruel sprinkled in with some "Earth is Space Australia"/"humans are space fae" to play on the Earth-is-Unicron subplot, like those ex-humans able to straight up consume hots spring water without issues. Just for Ratchet to significantly test it out and find out hotsprings can help hydrate Cybertronians since they can filter out a lot of the rich minerals. Think of it like coconut water. Very rich in electrolytes. The Autobots would get a speed run on humanity's way of doing cooking. (Imagine if Ratchet, being the very conscientious scientist he is in TFP, needs to interview an Asian ex-human that prefers a more intuitive cooking style instead of exact measurements. Or a homecook that doesn't own any kind of exact measuring tool and just eyeballs/ratios it.)

So going back to it, if a chef was one-wayed ticket via Truck-kun to Cybertron, then they would honestly have an easier time with the Wilder tribes as those mecha would have some sort of cuisine as a massive FUCK YOU to the city-states, Quintessons, and Functionists. Same if they landed somewhere in a Lost Colony. Meanwhile, a bartender/chemist would have an easier time adjusting to the city-states. It would be interesting to explore a duo between the chef and a forager or even the chef with a folklore historian that's been discredited because they had the ball-bearings to publish (now banned) works about early Cybertronian cuisine prior to Quintesson occupation. There's one pairing that's relatively rational with their experimentation and other pairing are just fucking madlads that veer into culinary food crimes.

Guess which is which?

[see-arcane]

Thinking about the Karnstein family connection thing.

Laura's mother is descended directly from the Karnstein bloodline.

Carmilla is/was Countess Mircalla Karnstein.

While the gothic (and some classic vampire lore!) elements can easily point to an incestuous implication for why Millie is so fixated on Laura--what with some vampire legends focusing on undead that pursue family members first--I think the more straightforward hint is that Mircalla married into the Karnstein lineage and died/got vampire'd young, before she could produce any heirs.

While we'll learn later that ye olde Millie had multiple lovers, including a certain young man who will become important later in her revealed history, I think it's worth noting that Mircalla, prolific in romances as she was, did marry, and did choose a Karnstein to do so with. Which suggests one of two options to me:

A) Count Karnstein had her heart (Surprise! She's Bi!) or

B) It was a marriage of convenience and her heart belonged to some unknown lady Karnstein

Either way, this is the biggest sign to me that Carmilla not only has a type, she has a specific craving for Karnsteins. And, in case it needs yet more emphasis, I am shouting from the top of the castle roof that CARMILLA AND LAURA DESERVE THE REINCARNATED LOVER SUBPLOT MORE THAN ANY OTHER VAMPIRE LOVE STORY!

Because think about it! Why else would Carmilla/Mircalla zero in on Laura as a literal child before ever slinking up to her in late adolescence? What was the point unless she got a spiritual ping from the girl that was too familiar to ignore?

“Darling, darling,” she murmured, “I live in you; and you would die for me, I love you so.” I started from her. She was gazing on me with eyes from which all fire, all meaning had flown, and a face colorless and apathetic. “Is there a chill in the air, dear?” she said drowsily. “I almost shiver; have I been dreaming?”

What if this is Carmilla 'dreaming?' Thinking back to the original lover, either the Count Karnstein or some secret partner who ended themselves once upon a time in grief. Before the risen Mircalla could have turned and kept them. Would it not make so much sense that she would see Laura, sense the returned soul in her, and throw herself at her as soon as she could? Just to be sure at first--

Hence the childhood visitation, hello, hello again..!

--and then the instant she was of age--

Oh dear, all alone in these woods? No Bertha to be your only young companion out here? Not to worry, darling, I am here for you...

--and last, if the implication at the novella's end is more than Laura's imagination, seizing upon her as a grown woman.

Found you again, darling. No more dawdling. I shall not wait for another string of lifetimes to have you.

just

aauaougghh

Let Mircalla x Mystery Karnstein slowburn Reincarnated Lovers fic happen, please, I need it, my crops are dying p l e a s e

[nanistar]

power of three would have been so much better if cinderpelt was jayfeather's starclan guide instead of spottedleaf. for starters, she's also disabled so she would know how to connect with him better, and would kick his ass if he started talking about how useless he (and brightheart) were due to their disabilities. but she could also sympathize with him in a way that wouldn't feel like spottedleaf coddling him.

part of me is glad that cinderpelt had that dumb reincarnation subplot because it meant that the erins couldn't ruin her personality like they did to yellowfang but at the same time idk. i miss her

[jisokai]

ughhh shouto crazy rich asians au... Natsuo's getting married... He and the bride have that glorious wedding where she walks through the flooded garden path, everyone holding bird lanterns as the train of her dress floats behind her... Reader learning shouto is the heir to a massively wealthy family that essentially built Musutafu, endeavor doesn't approve, Rei has the most tragic star crossed reincarnation romance subplot known to man, Fuyumi is the rich but down to earth friend that reader can sort of relate to... Touya is the unhinged eldest that endeavor's given up on... Shouto willing to disown himself to marry reader against his father's wishes ..... ITS ALL RIGHT THERE

[laserbeamss]

my fav bbc merlin fics

Uhhh, I just wanted to compile them all as of May 2025. This list includes overwhelmingly Merthur, since I tend to get attached to a singular ship within a fandom.

1. And like the cycle of the year, we begin again - katherynfromphilly (Complete, 207k words, Mature, Merlin/Arthur): Set post-canon in the modern day and totally functions as the season 6 we all deserved: Arthur rises up from the Lake of Avalon, and Merlin, who has mostly adjusted to modern life, has to deal with ancient emotions resurfacing, all while teaching a disoriented and traumatised Arthur about the modern world. I devoured this fic in two days; the writing is beautiful, the pacing is genuinely the best that I've ever seen for such a large word count, and I felt every emotion under the sun.

2. Tributes - TheAvalonian (Complete, 87.5k words, Mature, Merlin/Arthur): A story with the characters of Merlin that is set in the Hunger Games universe, with the events taking place a few years before the trilogy. It's enemies to lovers and has a lot of hurt/comfort, and some of the subplots genuinely had me in a chokehold, along with the main plot, of course. Not for the faint of heart, though, since there is a lot of character death and injury, as can be expected from a Hunger Games story, but no major character death.

3. it'll be a cakewalk, as long as it's me and you - qigiined (Complete, 5.1k words, Mature, mainly Merlin & Arthur, but could be read as Merlin/Arthur): A short Arthur-returns fic with Merlin trying to deal with the fact that Arthur's immune system cannot sustain 21st century life, and also Arthur being himself despite not knowing a word of English.

4. Not In This Land Alone - torakowalski (Complete, 36.4k words, Teen And Up, Merlin/Arthur): Modern AU in which Merlin gets a job at Buckingham Palace, where Arthur is the newly appointed King of England, and they're not supposed to ever really have interacted but they do anyway, and also there's a plot to kill the king, as per usual. Featuring magic and sentient paintings. Very fun to read.

5. glow in grey - helloearthlings (Complete, 3.3k words, Teen And Up, Merlin/Arthur): Modern AU, outsider POV of Morgana and friends witnessing Arthur and Merlin's relationship for the first time, after Arthur having years of bad luck with partners. Short and very, very sweet.

6. Zero Gravity - Sorceressofdragons (Complete, 12.7k words, Teen And Up, Merlin/Arthur, only visible to people with an AO3 account): Basically, Arthur and Merlin get trapped together in outer space, and discover they really, really like each other. Genuinely one of the sweetest things I've ever read, and the space nerd in me was freaking out.

7. The Crown of the Summer Court - astolat (Complete, 24.3k words, Explicit, Merlin/Arthur): Merlin has to partake in a competition in order to fight for his rightful claim to the throne of the elves (he is half-elf), choosing Arthur as his champion. They only realise belatedly that this also means Arthur is now de-facto married to Merlin. The characters are all portrayed shockingly accurately despite the very non-canon plot, and some of the more descriptive parts blew my mind.

8. Emrys the Really, Truly Terrible - lindenwaverly (Complete, 15.2k words, Teen And Up, Merlin/Arthur): Arthur decides to appoint Emrys as his court sorcerer. Merlin... still hasn't told Arthur he's Emrys, because he doesn't want Arthur to feel betrayed. Also, basically everyone knows they're in love. The writing is wickedly funny, then there's a sucker-punch of angst, and then it's super funny again.

9. burn the page, my little dark age - lancelotdulac (mrcogito) (Complete, 33.1k words, Teen And Up, Merlin/Arthur, Gwen/Morgana): Modern AU with magic but also kind of a reincarnation AU, in which Morgana gets to become the person she deserves to be. Very found family, very whack plot, and the writing style is actually to die for, like it has me in a chokehold. Both the character study vibes and the interpersonal relationships between the characters were portrayed so beautifully that I tore through this story but also never wanted it to end.

10. You Have To Chase It - arthurandhisswordbros (Complete, 42.4k words, Mature, Merlin/Arthur): Heavily Arthur-centric; his life as he rises up from the Lake and adjusts to modern life, realises he doesn't have to be alone, that it's okay to feel emotions and make friends and have hobbies and feel alright. Also, he meets a mysterious wizard person online that he gets along swimmingly with and who reminds him all too much of the Merlin he used to know (and love). This fic made me so, so emotional. Arthur's journey throughout it was achingly lovely to follow along with, and the ending pays off so well.

11. the true physics of all things pathetic - deniigiq (Complete, 26.6k words, Teen And Up, Gwen/Arthur, sort of Merlin/Arthur, almost Merlin/Arthur/Gwen, sort of Lancelot/Merlin): Okay, I know the relationship tags are confusing, but to Merlin's defense he really doesn't want more people he loves to die, so he just kind of rejects everyone. In the beginning, it turns out Merlin had given up his heart in a magical transaction to save Arthur at Camlann, and in return, Arthur has had to give up his vision. Merlin cannot truly die, and his friends find him. This fic is a strange (but very beautiful) amalgamation of POV shifts, character dynamics, some plot, and slice-of life that comes together to make a gorgeous whole. The writing style is genuinely one of the prettiest things I've ever lain my eyes on, and I would await every update hungrily when it was still ongoing.

12. Lines in the Sand - Papysanzo, s0mmerspr0ssen (Ongoing, 49.2k words 12/25 chapters as of May 2025, Explicit, Merlin/Arthur): Set in a modern-day Camelot city that Arthur basically owns, and Merlin is homeless and needs employment so is semi-manipulated into becoming Arthur's live-in sub. This story is definitely NOT for everyone; the power dynamics are messed up and the consent aspect is extremely dubious, or even non-existent, in most cases. But that's why I like it -- the dynamics are explored very, very well from Merlin's perspective, and despite the extreme power imbalance, the characters still feel like themselves. I'm so upset this fic went on hiatus because of all the hate; I hope the author feels okay enough to come back to it someday, because even despite the fact that the future of this fic is uncertain right now, I love it so much that it has still made its way onto this list.

13. Wooden Dragons - CaffeinatedFlumadiddle (Ongoing, 78.6k words 15/20 chapters as of May 2025, General Audiences, Merlin/Arthur): In an attempt to save Arthur's life at Camlann, Merlin accidentally transports them both back to the time of their parents' youth. They try to navigate this world of familiarly unfamiliar people whilst also not giving their true identities away, whilst ALSO coming to terms with the secrets Merlin has hidden for so long and the shift in their dynamic. All the different character relationships and dynamics explored in this fic are so amazing, especially everything involving Ygraine. I love the fact that both Arthur and Merlin have to come to terms with the guilt of some of their actions because their past is now their future. I'm usually not even a fan of time travel fics, but this one was just too good to pass up.

I'm sure this list will grow.

[bomber-grl]

౨ৎ‧₊˚ ⋅ 1k Follower Celebration ! .°˖✧

-> ❤︎₊ ⊹ Thank you!

I just want to start off with thank you! I can’t even put into words the immense appreciation I feel for your continuous support and honor I feel whenever I’m complimented on my writing. I know I tend to have commitment issues and difficulties with completing reqs but the fact that you’re still here proves that I’m somewhat tolerable. (Lol) again, thank you so much for everything that amounted to this moment and I’ll never stop feeling grateful for the attention my hard work gets. I hope you enjoy this event, and if you have any suggestions for possible future ones then I’d be more than happy to hear them!

──── ୨ৎ ────

-> ❤︎₊ ⊹ Request requirements

When requesting all you need to do is include the trope you would like to be written, the character, the reader’s gender (e.g. Gn!), and preferably your expectations with the writing. If you’d like me to take creative liberties, then I’d be glad to do so!

NO Nsfw

-> ❤︎₊ ⊹ Character Writing List!

Click Here To View!

-> ❤︎₊ ⊹ Trope Prompt List!

Note: If there are any tropes you’d like me to write that aren’t here, please say what trope it is and explain it.

- Extra! Multiple tropes per fic are permitted, only if they’re applicable and don’t contradict one another, as well as if the requester explains how they’d like them to be applied (if more complex)

1. Enemies to Lovers

(Two characters start out as enemies or rivals but slowly develop romantic feelings for each other over time.)

2. Friends to Lovers

(Characters who have been friends for a long time eventually realize their romantic feelings for each other.)

3. Fake Relationship

(Two characters pretend to be in a romantic relationship for various reasons, only to find themselves falling for each other for real.)

4. Soulmates

(Two characters are destined to be together, often with a mystical or supernatural bond that cannot be broken.)

5. Opposites Attract

(Two characters with contrasting personalities or lifestyles are drawn to each other despite their differences.)

6. Slow Burn

(The romantic tension between two characters builds up gradually over time, often without them acting on it immediately.)

7. Billionaire/Wealthy Love Interest

(One character is incredibly rich and often powerful, while the other might be a commoner or an underdog.)

8. Love Triangle

(A character is torn between two potential love interests, leading to tension, drama, and often a difficult decision.)

9. Second Chance Romance

(Two characters who have previously been in a relationship get another chance to be together after some time apart.)

10. Hurt/Comfort

(One character is emotionally or physically hurt, and another character comforts them, leading to a closer bond.)

11. Amnesia

(A character loses their memory and must rediscover relationships, often leading to romantic confusion or misunderstandings.)

12. Time Travel

(A character is sent back or forward in time, leading to alternate timelines, paradoxes, and often romantic twists.)

13. Alternate Universe (AU)

(A story where the characters are placed in a different universe or reality, often leading to drastic changes in their personalities, relationships, or world dynamics.)

14. Royalty/Forbidden Love

(A character is involved in a relationship with someone deemed inappropriate due to their social status, often leading to secretive or dangerous liaisons.)

15. Revenge

(A character seeks revenge, either as a primary motivation or as a subplot that drives their actions.)

16. Bad Boy/Girl x Good Boy/Girl

(A rebellious or “dangerous” character falls in love with someone who is more wholesome or law-abiding.)

17. Arranged Marriage

(Two characters are forced into a marriage or partnership for political, social, or familial reasons, but over time they grow closer.)

18. Unrequited Love

(Unrequited love is one-sided romantic affection, not returned by the other person.)

19. Reincarnation

(Characters are reincarnated into new lives, often with memories of their past lives or relationships.)

20. Rags to Riches

(A character starts out poor or oppressed and eventually rises to wealth, power, or status, sometimes with a romantic subplot.)

21. Childhood Friends to Lovers

(Two characters who grew up together eventually realize their romantic feelings for one another as adults.)

22. Secret Identity

(A character hides their true identity (hero, royal, rich, etc.) from the other characters, leading to tension, humor, and eventual revelation.)

23. Bodyguard x Client

(A bodyguard falls in love with the person they’re protecting, often leading to intense drama and a danger-filled romance.)

24. Secret Admirer

(A character anonymously admires another, often leading to confusion, misunderstandings, or the eventual reveal.)

25. Supernatural/Paranormal Romance

(A character falls in love with a supernatural being (vampire, werewolf, ghost, etc.), leading to forbidden love and danger.)

26. Love at First Sight

(Two characters instantly fall in love upon meeting, often leading to a whirlwind romance with challenges to overcome.)

27. Falling for the Villain

(A character develops feelings for the antagonist, complicating the typical good-vs-evil dynamic.)

28. Tragic Romance

(A romance with a tragic or bittersweet ending, where love is unrequited or one character dies or sacrifices themselves.)

29. Insta-Love

(Two characters fall in love extremely quickly, sometimes without much buildup, often a point of tension or humor.)

30. Kiss of Death

(A kiss, typically from a villain or cursed character, has a fatal or dangerous consequence for the person kissed.)

31. Angst

(A story characterized by emotional conflict, often involving pain, sorrow, or inner turmoil among characters, usually leading to growth or resolution.)

32. Secret Relationship

(Two characters are in a relationship but must keep it hidden from others, often leading to tension and secretive behavior.)

33. Identity Swap

(Two characters switch places (either physically or metaphorically), leading to comedic or dramatic moments and a deeper understanding of each other.)

34. Love After Loss

(A character falls in love again after the death or departure of a previous lover, often dealing with grief and healing.)

35. Betrayal

(A character is betrayed by someone they trust, leading to emotional fallout, revenge, or character growth.)

36. Damsel in Distress

(A character (often female) is put in a vulnerable or helpless situation, where a hero rescues them, typically leading to a romantic bond.)

37. Beauty in the Beast

(A twist on the classic "Beauty and the Beast" where the "beast" is a misunderstood character or situation.)

38. Forced Proximity

(Don’t feel like giving description)

39. Only one bed

(Don’t feel like giving description)

+ Any More You Want To Request (see Request Requirements for more info)

—

[forthegothicheroine]

It's weird that in some ways I have insanely high standards for Dracula movies, and in other ways I have insanely low standards for Dracula movies. Weird syphilis subplot? Dracula's wives are all tributes from the same three families over the centuries? Guy drinks Dracula's blood and turns into Dracula? Fine, just don't do the reincarnated wife thing, I'm so sick of that!

[future-crab]

Okay, I’m thinking about the “Mina is a reincarnation of Dracula’s dead lover” subplot in Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula again. Because as far as I have been able to tell, the chain of events is this:

In 1966, Dan Curtis creates the supernatural soap opera Dark Shadows, which features a major plot line about 18th-century vampire Barnabas Collins pursuing a modern woman who he believes is the reincarnation of his dead lover, Josette

In 1974, Dan Curtis adapts Dracula as a made-for-TV movie, and recycles that romance plot, because seemingly no director who has ever adapted Dracula has cared about the original novel even a little bit

In 1992, Francis Ford Coppola releases Bram Stoker’s Dracula, in which Dracula pursues Mina Murray because he believes she’s the reincarnation of his dead lover

So did Francis Ford Coppola steal that plot point just because he thought it was cool, or did he fully not read the book? Did he just watch an adaptation and go, “sure, this is Dracula!”

[howlsmovinglibrary]

February/March Reading Wrap-Up!

I read 7 books in February/March (mostly in March, which is why I didn't bother with a Feb wrap up :')))

Still waiting for a good book to liven up 2025.... when will the bangers return from the war?

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld (2.5 STARS)

I read this book in one sitting, but the more I've thought about it the less I've enjoyed it. This is a romance in a litfic jacket, but while I appreciated the dynamic between the two leads the longer I leave it, the more the feminism in it makes me uncomfortable :')))

Mortal Love by Elizabeth Hand (3 STARS)

I have failed at being a bff with this rating. Unfortunately Mortal Love didn't live up to the other Elizabeth Hand book I've read, though I did enjoy seeing her recurring interest in mythic patterns, reincarnation etc.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn (2 STARS)

Biggest disappointment of the year so far. Carmilla retelling that somehow manages to be less queer than the original, even though they fuck on page. But forget about lesbianism and queer desire, ok? Girlboss time.

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett (4 STARS)

An honestly solid conclusion to the Emily Wilde trilogy, but the most 'cosy fantasy' of the three. Would've been 5*s if Fawcett had taken some more risks, put up a bit more of a fight with her plot points, and not depicted some pivotal moments literally off-page.

Funny Feelings by Tara DeWitt (NO RATING)

This wasn't really a book. It was a series of romcom vignettes. And those vignettes were lovely. Wish there'd been any kind of plot.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (4 STARS)

I think this book could've said some quieter things out loud (love that there's an entire communism subplot we never see in action, while we're forced instead to buy into Haymitch's individualistic rebellion). But it's main message - that any rebellious message or counternarrative can be erased if it's absorbed into the dominant discourse, kinda like what happened with Suzanne Collins' books - was clear as crystal.

Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova (3 STARS)

I picked this book up bc the blurb read more like the vibes of a 2000s paranormal romance than a romantasy. It wasn't exactly a groundbreaking novel, but it fed me precisely what I wanted. The plot meandered in places, but I was never bored!

[exo-raskreia]

How is Gege going to wrap everything up in 5 chapters?! There are still a bunch of questions, things to be resolved:

• Gojo's comeback?! (I've believed in his comeback since 236 cuz there's been hint after hint! Or else, worst character death & I'll forever be salty about it 😠)

• Utahime's potential role in that or something equally important?! (Gege's really wasting her like that?)

• Nobara comeback?! (What about Uta buffing her Resonance against Sukuna's finger?)

• Hakari vs Uraume?! (At this rate, Gege better not waste time on it OR watch him make Hakari offscreen or one-shot/finish off Uraume in a few panels 💀)

• What's gonna happen to Yuuta in Gojo's body?! (He better not stay stuck there—this could ruin YutaMaki—nor die...)

• The Merger?! (Watch Gege kill everyone off & reincarnate in a diff life 💀)

• Kenjaku really died like that? No backstory, his relation to Tengen?

• Tengen backstory?

• Sukuna backstory? No glimpse into the Heian Era?

• Kashimo really just died like that? He didn't even last 💀

• Did Higuruma really die?

• Where are Gakuganji & Ijichi? Are they potentially helping Uta?

• Will Megumi live to find out about Toji like Gojo wanted him to?

• Was Shoko really as uncaring as she seemed towards Gojo & the Horrible Plan? Didn't she want to let him know she's always been there for him?

• The military subplot? (What was the point?)

There's just so much to be concerned about. It's gonna be rushed & bad at this rate. This is Bl3ach all over again 🙄 (a "timeskip married with kids ending" would be the cherry on top... 😒)

I wouldn't be surprised if Yuuji dies along with Sukuna 💀. Or as others have said before, what if Megumi sacrifices himself to bring back everyone—his DE mudra is that of Yakushi Nyorai (Healing Buddha), & his shikigami seem to represent the Ten Sacred Treasures that can resurrect the dead? But still... 😥

If the Merger happens, kills everyone off, & they all reincarnate, my idea for at least a bittersweet ending is that all the adults become teachers/staff in a high school & the kids are the students. Imagine Gojo as a science teacher or counselor or smth, Utahime as the Japanese or choir teacher, Yaga the principal, Shoko the school nurse, Sukuna a sports coach (lol), etc. We could even have a scene of Gojo going to tease Uta in her class, implying GojoHime hasn't changed; and the students go "They're flirting again". 😭

If the Merger doesn't happen, can we at least get a scene of Utahime being pregnant with Gojo's child or showing her with a baby that looks just like him in the future 😭? They were either in a secret relationship the whole time or they got together during the timeskip...

I highly doubt there'll be a sequel or that the final chapters will be longer but who knows. Gege just seems like he's been wanting to end JJK for a long time... Wouldn't be surprised if he releases another fanbook to fill in some of the plot holes 🙄. There's a bunch of things in the manga that I'll forever feel critical about, & I once made a post on it here.

Anyway, we'll see what happens. I shouldn't trust Gege at this point but he might still deliver somehow. The 4th character popularity poll results are coming up with a color spread. Wonder if Utahime went up a rank...

There's also GojoHime's 200% Hollow Purple to look forward to in the anime... 🥹

[jascurka]

what's please save my earth about? I keep seeing you talk abt it and I'm like 👀

"Please save my Earth" tells the story of a pack of highschoolers and a 7year old boy, who thanks to their connected dreams find out they have been living as alien researchers, studying and watching over the earth from their base on the moon in their past life. They have been reincarnated as humans and have to come to terms with the complicated relationships they had in their past lives.

And oh boy it gets interesting.

Note that the aliens I'm talking about are basically some sort of humans but upgraded. They just come from different planets apparently and have powers like communicating with plants or straight up ESP. And small spoiler but for some of them their powers activate again during the series when they're human.

The original manga by Saki Hiwatari was published in the 80s and 90s and the 6-episode OVA came out in 1995. You can watch it on YouTube although I wish I had access to a better quality of it. Personally I think the anime adaptation left some things kind of unsolved, there are implications to what happened but no deep dive into it, which is why I started reading the manga! Hopefully I'll find out more about what didn't make it on screen. So far I really like it, it's been a while since I've read shoujo, it has some humour in it and apparently it starts getting more serious and dark later on.

If you saw me posting about Jinpachi and Issei - they're kind of a subplot, the main character is Alice (Arisu) and Rin, the 7 year old menace. Their relationship is complicated and takes various turns.

Lastly for possible content warnings: there is an age gap relationship in please save my earth. It is also complicated but nothing too... shocking (??) for someone who isn't used to seeing stuff like that talked about in media. It's very tame if you ask me, you'd need to find out yourself orz

Anyways! I think I can recommend giving it a shot, it's really short but the artstyle of the anime is so ahh delicious, the characters feel so solid and shaped, I love that. And the animation is very nice as well!

(x), (x)