#so anyway it goes on everything is so good they play so much for stardust i think is this the last song it's so so good

[fezwearingjellybananas]

It was a close call after a bad morning but guess what I did yesterday

[002yb]

AU where Dick dies for the greater good but then comes back to life as a deity, and Jason is immortal because of the lazarus pit

Jason sitting in a chair and while Dick makes coffee, he asks:

"Do you think you'll want to be with me after a long time? even when everyone we know has gray hair?"

Dick turns, goes to Jason, kneels down and takes his hands.

"I will love you, even when all the mortals have forgoten about us, and we are nothing but stardust, and if we are ever able to reincarnate, in the next life, and the life after that, no matter what, I will still love you"

Ngl anon, you almost lost me with the start of this with killing off Dick but brought me back with deity!Dick LOL. The emotional whiplash, phew. ε-(´・｀) ﾌ

But yes, just taking it from the top.  Where immediately after Jason loses Dick, he ends up losing himself, too.  Since there’s such a strong magical element to this prompt, let’s roll with Jason succumbing to a sort of pit madness, or just heightened emotions because of the pit’s magic lingering in him.  And all Jason’s grief just brings him to ruin.

Kind of torn on Jason wasting away or violently lashing out at the world (everything evil in it that dared to take someone like Dick from them), but regardless Jason just wouldn’t be himself for a time.

And maybe when Jason’s ready to step off some metaphorical ledge (with going down a dark path of carnage, or hurting himself), deity!Dick holds him back.  Just wraps himself around Jason, an arm around his waist, a hand over Jason’s eyes as Jason breaks and cries and screams because Dick died and Jason can’t follow - the Lazarus magic in his veins won’t let him.

Maybe Jason would be convinced that it’s the magic in him playing with his head, making him hallucinate.  It wouldn’t be the first time.  But then Dick would still be there when Jason comes back down.  When he wakes up the next day.  And it would break his heart again and again because this can’t be real.

And Dick would have to struggle to convince Jason that he’s actually there.  Still himself, but not.  Still Jason’s, but also - a little more, a little less.

This is kind of sounding more like a haunting story the more I write LOL.  Deities can be spooky?

Anyway, jumping to the actual content part of your ask here, anon.  Sorry for all the digressing LOL.  But YES.  What the heck ‘even when we’re nothing but stardust [I’ll still love you]’ ffffffffffffffffff.  So sweet.  So romantic.  This is perfection what could i even add to that??

Jason being insecure about the longevity of Dick’s feelings though is ;n;  A valid concern when you’re looking at eternity with someone, but still.  Jason would be confident in his own feelings, of course.  His crush/love has persisted two lifetimes, after all.  Which Dick would find endearing as all get out.  Then he’d be all sorts of pleased because guess what?  Dick can say the same (given he’s on lifetime 2/2). //U\\\

((Side note:  once they’re past their honeymoon phase, Jason would just be like... ‘wth are you even a deity of?  you’re always hanging around don’t you have a job to do?’ and Dick is just l: LOL))

Is this the red/blue anon from before?  Whether you are or aren’t, hello hello~  Thank you so much for sharing such a cute idea with me!!  It gave me a lot of aww feels. ;U;

[sepyana]

Jjba Stardust Crusaders Ep. 45 - FINALE Thoughts

God. Fuck.

Under the cut.

Ep. 45

This is the least insane episode of the four we have.

So, the episode starts with Polnareff and Dio. The whole sequence is just Dio toying with him. He could have killed him 100 times over. Dio's ego is actively making things harder for himself.

I love the crew bring absolutely horrified and jumping out of the window. The sun is setting so they don't have much time.

Joseph's plan of hiding till dawn makes sense to me. Polnareff and Kakyoin object though, I get why. They both have been used by Dio, Polnareff saw Advol and Iggy get murdered in front of him.

The group splits in two, though we end up mostly focusing on Kakyoin and Joseph. The chase sequence is nice. All the info they get is about the physical stand, unfortunately.

Ep. 46

Kakyoin has a plan to find out Dio's ability.

The episode starts with with a childhood flashback and yeah... I pretty much accepted he was gonna die at this point. You know how it is with jjba.

Really interesting flashback. It confirms me saying he was a lonely kid as true. He feels alone because no one can see Hierophant Green. "How can they understand me if they cant even see the real me." He thinks of his stand as a part of him from a young age. A stand is a part of one's soul. In a way, his stand is the reason why he feels so alone but also his companion. I was under the impression having a stand was something that runs in the family. I thought at least his family could understand but we never learn if that was the case (most likely not). Also, how rare is a stand anyway? 2%, 0.01%? Makes you think.

Our crew were people with stands, I imagine this was the first time he could connect with people.

Kakyoin's plan is to make Hierophant invisible, surround the area with tendrils to hopefully detect Dio's stand. It goes so horribly wrong.

This entire section is me talking about Kakyoin's death and it's so long. just skip it if you don't wanna hear all that. I had fun puking my thoughts straight into paper (keyboard?? Screen?) tho.

There is heroic and everything and then in a split second Kakyoin crashes to a water dam nearby with half of his stomach gone. Not showing the World at first was a great choice imo. Just shows how horrifying this stand is to our characters.

This scene is fucking heartbreaking. He has pretty much accepted he was gonna die, thinking about his family. He uses his last breath to help the Joestars. Despite being a crybaby, I don't cry watching tv shows all that much. This one got me tho, I'm getting really sad just writing.

When you kill of a character you destroy any potential plots and writing you can have with them in the future for one single gut punch (sorry). When you are writing it's measuring a characters potential vs the impact of their death.

I can't say if he would fit well into later parts because I haven't watched them yet. What I can say is, Kakyoin got what he wanted, friends. He is still not mature yet, he is 17 for fucks sake, but him finding friends for once and not feeling lonely anymore was his main storyline.

I can understand why he was killed. I do this was a good choice for his character, compared to making him an minor side character for the later parts. His death is done really well. Only thing I would change is the music. It's a bit corny imo.

And you can't deny his death wasn't in vain. There was no way in hell's chance Jotaro would have beaten Dio otherwise. He plays a huge part in Dio's demise. They could have gone for a a vain death, Kakyoin is the closest we have to an heroic archetype. They could have gone for a tragic death instead because of this. I'm glad they didn't. It's not like unfair deaths couldn't be done well (They could be even better than the standard sacrifice when done well), it's just that I'm tired of seeing heroic characters die unfairly all the time nowadays.

I personally am a big fan characters who had their character arc already be a part of later parts as a supporting character. Either having a different storyline or being a source of stability. I was hoping Kak would have that instead but Jotaro fills that quota better than he does. You could have both as a duo if you felt like it though.

All of this is also why I didn't like Advol's death all that much. At least that's why I think I don't like it. I like Advol almost as much as Kakyoin but his death left me frustrated more than anything. His character was underutilized here, so killing him off seems bizarre to me. He still has a lot of potential.

His death is done so much worse too. No time to grieve, no one outside of Polnareff mentions him. He dies really early into the episode too. We don't even get to hear his thoughts like we do with Kak. He just sacrifices himself for Polnareff, again. That's not a great send off for a character. Polnareff being saved by others was established multiple times. Literary every Crusader has saved him at some point. Iggy sacrifices himself for him later too. So, I have to ask, what's the point of killing Advol then 💀?? I don't understand and I would love to read people's opinions on this when I get the chance.

Okay death talk over.

Oh yeah, there was the rest of the episode.

Joseph also fucking dies but not really. Before he dies he reminds us hamon exists for a second. Makes sure to tell Jotaro Kakyoin's find.

I would like to point out how Dio kills the cat for shits and giggles. This is such a huge contrast to Kars that it's cracking me up.

Love that Jotaro gets more and more pissed off every time Dio spurts out someone's name.

The episode ends with the meme. I thought the meme would hamper my enjoyment but the Jotaro vs Dio is just kinda silly like that. I found it pretty funny personally. Not sure if that was the intended vibe.

Ep. 47

Dio opening?? Di o opneing? das so cooll

I've been replaying the za warudo sound effect for an hour now someone help me

Here comes the big plot twist, Dio and Jotaro have the SAME STAND. I love this reveal, I'll be honest. My one complaint would be that it could have been better if it was lightly hinted before. Otherwise though, I love it when characters realize their actual power. I also love characters with time powers and I already like Jotaro a lot, I fully support this.

It was so satisfying seeing Jotaro trick Dio and punch thru his stomach. Get karma'd shithead.

Oh, Polnareff. I forgot he was here.

I love the shot of Dio just zapping to Jotaro when he sees him move. Some looney toon ass bit.

Using Star Platinum to stop his own heartbeat was definitely one of the boldest things he has done.

Zero context gif

And then. And then just as he was about to die he sucks away Joseph's blood to revive himself. And that gives him a just awful hairdo.

I have no idea what they were going for with this. He is so ugly holy shit. Kill him with fire.

Ep. 48

It's mostly the same stuff as episode 47. The steamroller was pretty funny.

"You've done one mistake, Dio. You pissed me off." Who thought of this line it's awful.

Joseph gets revived wit Dio's blood. I live how Jotaro was basically saying how painful this journey was and that he could at least get one thing positive.

I'll be honest if my grampa did this to me I would have straight up killed him again.

Holly is fine and well. The Joestars and Polnareff part ways. Poor Polnareff tho, he was the closest to both Advol and Kakyoin.

The part 3 ends.

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

We still not done!! There is still the OVA. It differs a lot from both the manga and the anime in a lot of ways so I thought it deserved it's own section.

OVA 11

They merged the coffin scene and Advol's death together. So instead of some goon Dio kills Advol. I like this better compared to the anime/manga but not by much.

Aaaah poor Iggy.

They don't bother with Vanilla Ice being a vampire, which I like.

Instead of having the whole group chat on the roof they get naturally separated instead. Jotaro and Joseph come across Dio. When Joseph tells Jotaro to run away he answers "You want me to run away now?" echoing Polnareff and Kakyoin's statements in the anime.

And then Dio throws Jotaro off the building with The World. As much as I like the sound design of the anime, I actually love how they didn't add any sound to his stand here.

Joseph gets saved from death by Kakyoin. He uses one of the tendrils to save Joseph and then uses emerald splash to make the dome of the building crash on Dio. It's actually a pretty cool sequence just watch it.

So that's how the gang gets separated. I like it more than the anime if I'm being honest.

OVA 12

This is the episode most faithful to the manga of the three.

The comments tell me Satoshi Kon was one of the directors in this. I am too lazy to confirm but it does have a similar style to his works. I'm really glad for that honestly. I've always loved Satoshi Kon.

I like the detail of Kakyoin saying maybe his power was teleporting, and Joseph telling him not to draw conclusions.

Emerald splash is a lot more intimidating in the OVA. I'm not sure which one I prefer. I do like the sound design of it in the anime.

In the OVA, Dio doesn't attack him right away. Dio says he shouldn't hasten his death, and that he is talented and just join him instead. Anime Dio doesn't bother with all that. He is just like "You wanna see The World do bad?? There you fucking go fool." and then kills him. While I do like what Kak says to Dio, I like the anime version of this wayy more.

OVA 13

I could go on about all the differences and what I like but just watch it tbh. They throw around cars and towers it's amazing.

I love the art style of the OVA just as much as the manga/anime. It's voice acting and soundtrack are not the best. The animation has some issues but it's fun. Also free to watch on Youtube.

ANNND We are done. This was a wild ride. I'm glad I watched it though. I can't wait to watch part 4.

I probably won't write as much for part 4 because it takes a long time. Maybe go 8 episode per post. I haven't figured it out yet. I might not even journal anything for it depending on how things go.

[thatgamingkid45]

…so I might be a tad obsessed with Fall Out Boy’s newest album.

Just a smidge.

Anyways, oh my god this album is fucking amazing. We started off with some absolute bangers; “Love From The Other Side” and “Heartbreak Feels So Good” are masterpieces, and I was deeply curious about the rest of the album. It did not disappoint, and lived up to the hype and more. See the music rant below the fold if you want to read this dingus’ thoughts!

We start off the album (post the first two) with a great banger. That bassline just hooks you in and gives you a sense of “oh shit, this album is gonna be good”. It feels like old plus new Fall Out Boy, like comfort food but reinvented with different spices, you know?

“Hold me, hold me like a grudge. The world is always spinning and I can’t keep up”

The next song I wanna gush about is one that’s really upbeat and happy. As funny as this sounds, it’s like “Happy” but done right, you know? XD But seriously, I like this song a lot. It samples “Little Bitty Pretty One” by Thurston Harris, which many of you might recognize from Matilda (1996). It literally made me pop up like “I RECOGNIZE THIS BUT WHAT IS THE NAME”. Anyways, take a listen!

“Feeling so good right now, Feeling so good right now. Til we crash and burn somehow”

Strap in for this next song, because it feels straight out of a movie. Like seriously, it’s so dramatic and dark for almost no reason, but it slaps. It feels like this should play over the climax of a movie, probably over where the villain is monologuing, or hell even over the fall/corruption of a hero. Especially with that line “Just another day spent hoping we don't fall apart. So drop a bomb on all the things we dreamed about”. Anyways, it’s an amazing song that goes so hard, take a listen!

“Smash all the guitars. Till we see all the stars. Oh, got to throw this year away, we got to throw this year away like a bad luck charm”

Ok ok I cannot stop myself from talking about this song any longer. I knew this song was going to be good, I knew it was going to slap, but I still was not prepared for the sheer amount of talent, work, time, and music that went into this piece. Call me dramatic, but like, masterpiece doesn’t even begin to describe this. I absolutely love the call back to “Love From The Other Side” with “You were the sunshine of my lifetime, What would you trade the pain for?”. This song resonates with me so strongly, on such another level. From the jazz and orchestral background blending with FOB’s punk rock so seamlessly, to the lyrics and vocal performance, everything is just so goddamn amazing. Anyways, please listen to it. It’s way too good to just fall under the radar. I honestly think it’s one of my favorite songs I’ve found in a while.

“So much for stardust! We thought we had it all, thought we had it all. Thought we had it all, thought we had it all, thought we had it all…”

Broooo I absolutely love this album sm, FOB really came back with some absolute bangers. If only they were close enough so I could see them in concert 😭

[blossom-hwa]

Stardust - CHANGMIN

So like. This was the first full scenario I wrote for TBZ and I can’t believe I wrote this before actually even STARTING No Air, but whatever! It was cute! I couldn’t help myself but I didn’t want to post this before No Air so that’s why it’s late

Thank you to @deathbykpopboys for helping me put this scenario together! Honestly I don’t think I’d ever write anything without sunny hhhh she’s always so great with ideas <3

Pairing: Changmin x fem!reader

Genre: fluff, a little angst if you squint, teacher!au

Triggers: alcohol, cursing

Word Count: 2.7k

Changmin sometimes thinks you’re a little too perfect to exist.

TBZ Masterlist | No Air | Touching Stars | Breathe, and Live

Friday nights are always fun, for Changmin. Friday’s the last day of the work week and kind of blends into the weekend, and because he’s a schoolteacher, he (sort of) gets the weekend off. Sure, he might be making lesson plans or writing reports or doing other important, not fun things, but he also has his stolen moments for dance or shopping or things that he doesn’t have time to do during the week. He’s free, more or less.

The last Friday night of each month, though, Changmin enjoys the most, when he, Jacob, and Kevin meet up for cheap food and drinks. And as much as Changmin likes to wreak havoc on the lives of his fellow teachers (mostly by scaring the wits out of them with dolphin screams and horror movie masks), he really does enjoy their presence in his life and appreciates them for it.

They haven’t a missed a night so far, not since that time Jacob was out with the flu and Kevin had a family emergency. And even though Changmin’s definitely done and said some stupid (read: really embarrassing) things while under the influence, the pros of each night always end up outweighing the cons. So if Changmin wakes up the next morning with a hangover, well, that’s just a side effect of having some fun.

But sometimes he has thoughts. Thoughts that he’s repressed so well he might not even register them, but that exist nonetheless. And Changmin, sadly, is a truthful drunk. His thoughts come spilling out of his mouth, mostly unfiltered, whenever he’s had enough to drink.

And this week, Changmin has been having thoughts. Thoughts that he isn’t sure he wants to spill.

If he drinks, they’ll flood out. It’s the way Changmin works – he’s had enough experiences with alcohol and his brain that he knows what will happen. As he stares at the soju bottle on the table, he knows that if he drinks, he’ll probably regret it in the morning. Not necessarily because he’ll remember what he says – his memory tends to get a bit spotty even after a round of light drinking – but because Kevin definitely will.

Normally, Changmin would praise God for Kevin's ability to remember drunk things. Coupled with his inability to lie, it makes for so much potent blackmail. Sure, Kevin makes Changmin and Jacob swear not to talk about anything he said under the influence, but Changmin isn't an angel the way Jacob is. If it came down to it, he'd sell Kevin's secrets for a single corn chip and some entertainment.

(Okay, not really. But the point still stands.)

If he complained about this to people, they’d probably just laugh and say something about how Kevin is a precious pure meme, that he’d never sell out Changmin’s deepest thoughts for anything. After several years of working with him, though, Changmin knows better.

(He’ll just say that sometimes, Mr. Kev Kev isn't the happy-go-lucky meme-y little boy that everyone likes to make him out to be.)

So maybe Changmin shouldn't be drinking tonight. There isn’t necessarily a lot on his mind, but he’s been thinking of things that he doesn't want spilled just yet, and drinking will only make that possibility a reality.

Isn’t that what alcohol is for, though? To make those worries disappear, if only for a short while? The soju beckons at Changmin, even more so when Kevin actually opens the bottle. Eventually, he throws caution to the wind and fills his own glass.

It’s a clear night, mostly. A bit cloudy, but no sign of rain, and there’s a pleasant little breeze that feels cool against his cheeks. Sitting at one of the small tables outside of the restaurant, Changmin loses himself in the food and the conversation.

After an hour, Jacob decides he needs to leave because he’s supposed to meet with his family the next day and can’t get too plastered. Kevin calls him a noob while making a face, but Jacob, being the angel he is, just pats him on the head on his way out. Privately, Changmin thinks Kevin is much more of a noob than Jacob, but the alcohol hasn’t addled his mind enough to say that out loud just yet.

At some point, though, the world becomes pleasantly muddy. Changmin can register what’s going on at a distant level and he probably shouldn’t drink too much more, but he takes a last shot anyway, just as Kevin asks a slightly slurred “How’s life with Y/N?”

A stupid smile stretches across Changmin’s lips. “Kevin, oh my God, she’s perfect.” He grins, the breeze cool against his flushed cheeks. "She’s so beautiful, it doesn't make sense that we exist in the same world."

Kevin mutters something that sounds like "whipped" and "so soft."

Changmin is sure that if he were sober, he would've attacked his fellow teacher by now, but his tipsy haze is too pleasant to interrupt. He just wants to keep talking. "Kevin," he whines. "Pay attention."

"Okay." Face flushed, Kevin puts his chin on his fist. "'M listening."

"Y/N’s so beautiful." Dimly, Changmin is aware that he's just repeating himself, but he can't help it. The point needs emphasis. "Kevin, she’s so amazing. So much more amazing than me. So smart. Did you know Y/N knows like ten programming languages?"

Tipsily, Kevin shakes his head. "What... what's a program."

"Computer shit." Changmin plays idly with his shot glass. "Doesn't matter. So smart, so nice, so... lovely, Kevin. Y/N’s good at everything. She cuts fruit for me when I work late and make me go to sleep. She doesn’t know anything about dance and tries to help anyway. She works so hard and never takes anyone’s shit and she always knows when I need time alone or when I need comfort.” His mouth draws down into a slight frown. “She’s like... she’s like..."

Why is it so hard to come up with something to explain you? Your entire existence defies definition. How can he even find something comparable to the way you sparkle in his eyes?

Ignoring Kevin’s gaze trained on him, Changmin slumps over the table, eyes gazing out at the dark night. A few stars manage to glitter past the clouds and the piercing lights of the Seoul skyline.

Stars. Something tugs at the back of Changmin’s brain. Stars. Sparkly.

An image of your smile pops, unbidden, in his mind. Your bright eyes glimmer. Like stars.

Oh.

Stardust.

Yes, stardust.

You're like stardust, warm and gentle and... magical. Magical to the touch.

"She’s like." Changmin hiccups. "She’s like stardust, Kevin. Stardust. Perfect. Warm.”

A tear trickles down Kevin's cheek. Changmin has exactly two seconds to ready himself in his drunken haze before Kevin launches himself at his purple hoodie, loosely grasping at the soft cloth as he fully encases Changmin within his arms. "Ji Changmin," he sobs, muffled, "that is the most adorable thing I've ever heard you say."

Even sober, Changmin doesn't think he'd know what to say in response to that, so he just stays silent. It's not like Kevin would even hear him over the sound of his overemotional crying.

Anyway, Kevin's hug feels nice. Warm. Changmin doesn't think he needs to speak words at the moment, he's too comfortable. It's not the same as being in your arms, but he'll settle for it now. He burrows a little deeper into his friend's hold.

“You little child, you,” Kevin sobs into his shoulder. “You’re so sweet and small and warm, I can’t believe you exist.”

Changmin doesn’t feel like replying. There’s a bubble of something growing in his chest that he can’t entirely decipher right now, and his brain has focused on that. It’s some sort of emotion, he thinks. It doesn’t feel very pleasant.

His head gets pulled out of Kevin’s arms. He whines a little, annoyed by the lack of warmth, but he doesn’t really have the presence of mind to do anything but sit there limply as Kevin starts shaking him back and forth, still wailing about how “adorable his little Ji Changminnie is.”

The bubble keeps growing as Kevin keeps shaking him. It doesn’t feel like vomit – Changmin knows that sensation a bit too well – but it makes him feel a little sick. A little upset. The bubble feels suffocating, cold, but it also burns.

Not vomit. He doesn’t feel nauseous. But still unpleasant.

Kevin goes back to hugging Changmin into his chest, which soothes the bubble a little bit. The soft warmth of Kevin’s sweater smooths the burning and takes away the edge of the cold. But the bubble still stays as Changmin rocks back and forth in his friend’s hold, blankly trying to decipher the stupid emotion growing in his heart.

“There’s a bubble.” The words slip out of his mouth just past Kevin’s ear. “There’s a bubble in my chest.”

“Bubble?” Kevin pulls back slightly, flushed face confused. “What bubble?”

Changmin vaguely gestures at his chest as best he can with Kevin’s arms partially trapping his hands. “Here. Doesn’t feel good.”

Kevin’s eyes squint. “Need to vomit?”

“Nooooo,” Changmin whines. “Kevin, it’s a bubble.” He pauses. “Think it’s an emotion.”

He hears Kevin suck in a breath. “I can’t believe my precious little Scorpio child is finally feeling emotions,” the older boy says in a stage whisper, loud enough for at least the next two tables to hear. Changmin has enough presence of mind to slap him. “Hey!”

“It hurts.” Changmin’s lips pout deeper. “I don’t like it.”

“Aww, no, baby.” Kevin pats his head – a little too hard, but Changmin can deal with that. “Why does it hurt? What emotion is it?”

Changmin racks his brains for the word. It’s not a good feeling, so he tries to eliminate the good words as they pass through his mind. Not pleasant. Definitely not happy. Not calm, either.

Sadness? Maybe that’s part of it, but it’s not specific enough. Anger? Not really.

Fear?

Changmin isn’t scared of many things. He loves horror movies and thinks possessed dolls are cute, and it’s hard for anyone to really startle him. Fear is not an emotion that regularly appears in his repertoire.

But this time…

“I’m scared.” The two words slip out of his mouth, quiet, lonely. “’M scared, Kevin.”

Kevin pulls back again. “Changmin, you’re never scared.”

“I am now.” He purses his lips petulantly.

“Why?”

Unconsciously, the corners of his lips turn down even further into a blank pout. "Sometimes I think Y/N’s gonna leave. Slip through my fingers."

Even tipsy, Changmin can tell there are more tears welling up in Kevin's eyes. "But… you love each other?"

"Y/N’s stardust." Changmin's pout deepens. "Too perfect. She’s gonna realize that, that I'm not... I'm not good enough but she’s too nice to say that so she’ll just slip away." He hiccups again, feeling his cheeks burn with drink, fluttering his fingers loosely to make sure Kevin gets the point. "Like stardust."

Kevin remains silent for one, two, three seconds. Changmin takes that time to drain the last little bit of soju left in his cup.

Then Kevin nearly knocks the cup out of his hand when he literally grabs Changmin and forces him to curl up into his sweater, nose buried in the soft folds of cloth. “You beautiful, pure little child, you,” he coos, patting Changmin’s head (still a little too hard, but Changmin really doesn’t feel the need to deal with it right now). “You small little child. You poor, small child. Y/N is so in love with you, there’s no way she’ll ever leave.”

“Stardust,” Changmin reminds Kevin, words muffled into his sweater.

“Stardust,” Kevin agrees. “But good stardust. Gonna stay with you. Never going to leave.”

Changmin doesn’t remember much of what happens after that. He knows that they eventually pay for everything and Kevin’s partner picks them up (well, they were the one who was supposed to pick the two of them up. He doesn’t actually register the driver’s face, but Changmin hears Kevin calling them “love muffin, better than Beyonce,” so it’s probably them. He refuses to acknowledge any alternatives), but he’s too drunk and too tired to process anything else.

Somehow, he wakes up the next day curled up in his bed, forehead threatening to split from the dull pain. Mentally, he thanks himself for closing the shades before he passed out last night (or was it morning? He isn’t completely sure when he got home) so that the sunlight isn’t adding to his headache.

Get up, Changmin, he tells himself, summoning the strength to swing his legs out of bed. Step by step, he exits his room and slowly brushes his teeth before heading toward the kitchen for a bottle of water or something to get rid of the pounding in his head.

Changmin’s so out of it that he doesn’t register the smell of something cooking wafting out of the kitchen before he’s almost in it. He finally stops, confused, just in time to see your head poke out from the kitchen entrance.

For a second, Changmin just stares at you, brain buffering as he tries to come up with a suitable greeting in his hungover state. There’s this look on your face that Changmin’s muddled mind can’t seem to decipher.

Oh, God.

You look like you’re about to cry. 

He panics. What did he do wrong? Did he say something bad last night? He can’t remember anything – how badly did he screw up, what the hell did he do –

Then you leap at him, much the same way Kevin did last night, and bury your face into his shoulder.

“Ji Changmin,” you say, words muffled into his rumpled shirt, “I love you so much.”

Changmin’s mouth can only come up with a confused “huh?”

You pull back, eyes shining with tears, but mouth stretched into a beautiful, beautiful smile. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember what you told Kevin last night,” you say teasingly, though there’s a hint of uncertainty in your gaze.

Slowly, slowly, the events of last night begin to piece themselves together in Changmin’s brain. Every single stupid word he said to Kevin in his drunken stupor comes flooding back in one massive, jumbled mess.

He blushes.

“Ji Changmin.” You cup his puffy, red cheeks between your hands, voice trembling. “Listen to me. I’m not leaving. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to slip through your fingers and, fucking, I don’t know, fly away. Because I am not perfect, I am not stardust, but god, I – you’re perfect for me. You are good enough for me, more than good enough for me. You are perfect, and I’m staying here forever. You’re not going to be able to get rid of me. Understood?”

“But –”

“Understood?”

Changmin stares into your shining eyes. Even with you standing right here, hands cradling his face with the gentlest touch, he can’t quite believe you’re real and not just some beautiful figment of his imagination. Slowly, slowly, one of his hands rises to touch the fingers resting against his cheek. Just to make sure this isn’t a dream.

Solid. Warm.

Not a dream. 

This is real.

He nods dumbly, a stupid smile spreading across his face. “Okay.”

You crush him close again and this time, Changmin’s arms automatically move to wrap around your waist, pulling you flush against his chest. He can feel a few tears soaking into the fabric of his shirt as you hold him tight, so tight, and he smiles, one hand coming up to pat your back.

You’re here. You’re here, alive, solid, real. He can feel your warmth against his body, feel your hair tickling his skin.

You may be ethereal. You may be something completely out of this world, beautiful, divine. You may be sparkling, glimmering, brilliant in the morning sunlight. You may be made of stardust, something too perfect (he’ll fight you on that) to exist on earth.

But now, with you wrapped warmly in his arms, Changmin realizes that even though you may be stardust, that doesn’t mean you’re going anywhere.

A tear slips out of his eye as he smiles.

If you enjoyed, please don’t forget to reblog and leave a comment to tell me what you thought! Thank you for reading and have a lovely day <3

(1 reblog = 1 cheek pinch for changmin idk why I just think that’d be fun <3)

[washymylifeaway]

KyouHaba Fanfic recs

Hiya! How much do I love KyouHaba? Yes. This is one of my favorite ships and one of my comfort ships <3 KyouHaba has got some amazing fics, so even if they aren’t really your thing, you should still read this :D Anyway, onto the recs!

As always, pls check WARNINGS, TAGS, and SUMMARIES for fics before reading (esp since KyouHaba usually deals with darker topics and not all of them tag/warn for it!) and make sure you’re taking care of yourselves (since mental health is key!) Stay healthy loves <3

CP:

Close to the Chest by darkmagicalgirl (T) 61.1k // THIS ONE man anyway I just love the progression of their relationship and the way this fic is written! The way we really go into who Yahaba is really what makes this fic great! Also there's some slightly ~angsty~ IWAOI so look out for that hehe.

Police Dog by surveycorpsjean (E) 34.9k // if you’re super against like any *furry* implications, pass this one LOL. But TBH I don’t like furries, but this one was pretty great (hence why it’s here LOL) and they make me laugh. Also I really like some of the head cannons for Kyoutani in this one and the writing style is super freakin’ good, so it’s definitely worth the read~~~ Pls CHECK TAGS AND WARNINGS cause there are a couple REAL spicy scenes in this one ;)

Team Mom by All_My_Characters_Are_Dead (T) 2.7k // so as I was going through this tag (because that’s what I do LOL), I remembered this fic and I love it. Like yes Yahaba is the fear factor and yes Kyoutani is the DAD. I really like the team dynamics in this one, and the first years make me laugh pls.

Camellias by kiyala (T) 1.9k // I love this fic and when I starting looking for this ship, it was the first one I thought of hehe. I really love magic and their interactions are so cute and the PLANTS ARE DOING THE MOST. Pls read both in the series, cause domestic KyouHaba is best KyouHaba ngl LOL. I love the plants, and if you read the second one, someone tell the trees to stop bullying Yahaba.

Sixth Time’s the Charm by tsumekakusu (T) 2k // ok THIS was SO FREAKING funny, please Yahaba how dumb can you get LOL. The number thing made me facepalm so hard, but the ending was cute and that’s all that matters, right?

Sleep by GangstaCrow (T) 5.5k // the plot twist…. omg…. I had to pause and take a moment of silence for the people suffering because of LL… Poor Kyoutani….. But this is a really funny but cute fic at the same time :D

a little bit funny, this feeling inside by postcanons (G) 5.4k // PLEASE THIS ONE omg crow matchmaker ftw. Like I said, I really love magic and this one is just so freaking funny. Also, very informational curtesy of one Kyoutani Kentarou.

meet me at the fucking pit (and let me hold your hand) by anyadisee (T) 5.4k // IF THE TITLE ISN’T MAKING YOU LAUGH ALREADY WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING????? (JK but am I really?) This was SO funny and it KILLED me,,, like all the conspiracies and how everyone was so seriously invested in it. Yes, CHAOS.

if not, winter by knightswatch (M) 54k // YES THIS FIC. THIS ONE RIGHT HERE. I love the development of their relationship,,, IT’S SO GOOD. Like when our boy Yahaba goes on that really friendly field trip and Kyoutani takes matters into his own hands? UGH YES. And when they visit? CUTE OMG. Yes this fic is it.

Isolated Parts by darkmagicalgirl (T) 3.3k // I love this fic cause old men KyouHaba are funny (fight those refs) and I love the nonlinear plot. It really adds another layer to the fic itself, and slowly unraveling the plot through the different years was SO IUAHFJF. I really loved it and piecing everything together :’)

Magicked by HoneyBeeez (T) 8.4k // CHECK TAGS, I love KyouHaba Hogwarts fics, and this one is SO good! We do love some slightly oblivious Yahaba and fake delinquent Kyoutani LOL. Though there is some violence and homophobia so if that puts you off, steer clear of this fic :)

stardust by InkCaviness (G) 1.4k // like I said, in love with KyouHaba and hogwarts fics, anyway,, this one was so short and sweet! It’s full of fluff, and honestly, if you like KyouHaba, read this entire series cause I really love these KyouHaba works :’)))))

New:

knightswatch // GREAT writer, but most of their KyouHaba works are explicit/mature, so be careful as you go through their works! My fav T one? all you have is your fire by knightswatch (T) 6.4k, but they’ve written some of the best KyouHaba I’ve read (they’re just mostly M)!

kiyala // another amazing writer and their works usually alternate between G and E LOL. But, all of their Gs are amazing, and rn my favorite was between Room To Grow by kiyala (G) 50k or Cost by kiyala (G) 1.1k cause it was either secret doggy relationship or magic LOL. But all of their fics are worth reading, and there’s a large variety of AUs!

snoqualmie // I love this writer, but they don’t have much KyouHaba (enough that I would put them here though LOL) My favorite? Mixed Signals by snoqualmie (T) 7.8k // it’s a really cute fic and I love the hc that Kyoutani has the good family! It has like a semi continuation (I think it’s in the same verse as it), but Jan. 6 features the sisters again! (Also yes for veggie fiend Kyoutani,)

tale as old as time by crossbelladonna (series) 30.2k // AHH this series is fully of such good KyouHaba fic!!!! I really love all of them but my favorite is through open doors by crossbelladonna (T) 4.3k // I love soulmate AUs and salty Yahaba is best Yahaba. Also at the end when the coffee incident happens, I love Kyoutani :’)

Words Not Spoken by Dogsocks (series) 51.5k // this is a continuous fic series (meaning all the fics are in the same verse and related to one another), but it’s so FREAKING good and I love reading it!!! It’s got some mentions of ABUSE, and things like that so please read the tags carefully!!!

kyouhaba week by InkCaviness (series) 6.7k // I loved KyouHaba week (all of them are just such AMAZING fics and tropes) and my favorite from this list was stardust by InkCaviness (G) 1.4k // I mentioned what I loved from it above, but it truly is a great fic :D

Kyouhaba Trash Week 2016 by HoneyBeeez (series) 28.9k // all three of these fics are SO good. I literally cannot choose a favorite because I loved all of them :’) Like no joke, just go read all of them because singing Kyoutani? Yes please. And also like the tattoo one was SO ajksdhfkjshdfjkln I LOVED IT AND DON’T GET ME STARTED ON THE HOSPITAL ONE. I loved loved loved the ending, and her going to the school? UGH ADORABLE. These fics were some of my absolute favorite KyouHaba fics!

Venom and Vulnerability by darkmagicalgirl (E) 48.3k // OAAJKSFNKJ I LOVE THIS ONE YES. The concept? AMAZING. Execution? FLAWLESS. This is a GREAT fic and it’s done SO WELL,,,, I realllllly loved the plot in this and their teamwork is making the dream work! WARNING check the tags and warnings cause there’s smut, (non kinky) bondage, and death!

it's tradition. by hicsvntdracones (T) 5.5k // this fic made me want to die from second hand embarrassment. GOD, the awkwardness and really the way they went HARD on those dares PLEASE. If you don’t mind feeling embarrassed (and even if you do) go read this fic cause it’s V funny and the comedy factor cancels out the embarrassment LOL (does it? That’s what I’m tellin myself LOL).

An Equivalent Exchange by Chibs (E) 14.5k // PLEASE THIS WAS FUNNY,,,, like chill Kyoutani, Yahaba is trying his hardest okay? BUT NOT HARD ENOUGH anyway it’s a happy ending in the long run and no one dies :D how nice is that <3 (but the baby agenda? yessssir.)

The Wall Thing by rideahorse (M) 6.8k // THE TENSION :0,,, but I love how many fics go based on that one KyouHaba wall slam in the middle of the Karasuno match LOL. Also, I love the dynamics they have in this one and the way fighting ~is their communication~ Some smut is here so WARNING and they do something about the tension LOL obviously :))) Constantly curing KyouHaba is good, happy Kyouhaba.

Sixteen by surveycorpsjean (E) 13.4k // Yahaba is a basic btch and Kyoutani does football LOL. Honestly, I think that’s a pretty good summary (jk) but what’s a fic without some good tension ;) Also, cheerleader Yahaba lives in my brain rent free and I would like to propose it live in your head as well :D Aren’t I such a kind soul~

Safe in Your Hands by shions_heart (T) 8.9k // um soft KyouHaba? I think yes,,,, this also do be a common trope in the KyouHaba realm, but I’m not complaining,,,, it’s a good trope :) There IS ABUSE in this fic so big warning here! Check the tags and warnings! But the real mvp is the girl on the bus and points to Yahaba for playing spot the difference unintentionally.

The Sweetest Smile by FindingSchmomo (T) 6.6k // cake making! Yes! Bakery! Yes! It’s a great time and think about it, Kyoutani, our baby, working in a bakery making cakes? UGH my heart :’D Yes Oikawa is right, a cute grumpy puppy making flowers (CUTE VERY CUTE) and it doesn’t help that Kyoutani looks like a total bad boy in this fic too :DDDDDD

wear your love like it's made of hate by parenthetic (renaissance) (T) 3.3k // we are starting this off with the alt title totally worked and I would’ve read it either way LOL. Also, the ending was funny and thinking about why everyone was wearing it would’ve been so confusing to the other teams (also shout out to Yahabas line and Kyoutani calling his eyeliner a whore). But yes to random sexual tension, this is KyouHaba nation.

captain's orders by whitemiists (G) 3.7k // okay we love Watari in KyouHaba nation (surprised I haven’t talked about loving Watari yet but better now than never right?), but also Yahaba being messenger for Kyoutani (baby first years are ajhsajdfh). I love this trope and also I love rooftop lunch crew is yes :D

Running In Place by cleiioo (T) 33.3k // GUYS OMG THIS FIC. CAUTION ABUSE AND RUNNING AWAY AND BAD PARENTS SELF DEPRECATION I COULD GO ON BUT BOTTOM LINE IS BE CAREFUL READ TAGS! This fic is UGHHH YES. First, twenty questions make another appearance, and DUCKS. Yes, ducks. But this fic is just written really well, and honestly Kyoutani might be a tad bit ooc, but it’s okay, you don’t even notice. Distracted by the amazing writing :)

Something About Fate by patteh (T) 4.6k // SOULMATES! And then they were soulmates :D I love a good soulmate denial AU, and this is no exception. I loved Yahana’s backstory in this, and I think it set up a great framework for the plots progression! Also, the ending was really cute (and we all know, I’m a sucker for a cute ending :D)

toeing the line by masi (T) 2.7k // the mcDonalds cause WE’RE LOVING IT! But this was a fun read cause a. it goes pretty fast and b. communication exists? ANyway, I like the ending cause Yahaba is one smooooooth btch! It’s just a lot of banter (playful and not), and I’d read tags jic for this fic :)

bumblebee by shizuoh (T) 1.5k // he got sht on by a bumblebee. Points for creativity Yahaba, points. But this is just a fun, random AU where pepperoni on pizza is a universal aggrievance (esp the infused on cheese kind,,, I feel you Yahaba), we disown furries (for good reason), and you confront people staring at you! This IS a flirting 101 textbook. (also yes Yahaba, murder Mattsun!)

The art of fighting in heels by boxofwonder (T) 8.7k // yeah don’t question this fic. It’s like,,, you just kinda,,,, well,,,,,, I mean who doesn’t want to read about Iwa fighting in heels? Like you’re not thinking about magical guy Iwa? Maybe you should. (the way the summary has nothing to do with KyouHaba, I swear they’re a main component, but no thoughts just Iwa in sailor moon cosplay.)

yahaba vs. the miyagi captains by blessings (T) 3.7k // I love this hc and I wish there was more of it because Yahaba picking fights with everyone is fun and I like the chaos :D Like honestly, the creativity of some of the burns? Just amazing, it filled me with serotonin. I’m not kidding :0 But like, Kyoutani having to make sure that he doesn’t go overboard was askfkahf.

Love the One You Hold by shions_heart (T) 3k // f tough KyouHaba, I’m here for the soft, loving KyouHaba. Like mushy feelings KyouHaba, the kind which makes me feel singler than I already am single. Reassuring of feelings and ajsfdhla KyouHaba. The ending is KYAAA!!! Caution for implied bad parents!

a thousand and one roses by rorarot (T) 3.4k // I love florist Kyoutani and it’s honestly a crime I didn’t recommend more florist Kyoutani fics :( Points for the pun, Yahaba, points. Also, the progression of their relationship was YES, and this fic was SUPER cute :D

It Takes Two by Poteto (G) 24.1k // IT’S COHESIVE KYOUHABA WEEK! I really loved this fic and I enjoyed how they incorporated each prompt into each day! There is homophobia and running away so be careful when reading this fic, and check the tags!

So I Like Your Dog by helloyesIamtrash (G) 4.8k // FIRST, this is within a series of soulmate AU fics (all in the same verse) and SECOND, this was really good! I loved the way Yahaba’s family are a bunch of late bloomers and how YAHABA DIDN’T LET THE MF RUN AWAY. Yes communication, WE LOVE AND STAN.

but tonight i'll need you to stay by InkCaviness (G) 2.2k // the feels were strong with this one :’( Pushing my SOFT KyouHaba agenda. But I LOVE this one for the feels and also because they don’t dance around it. Just straight forward, random a confessions. It’s a great time. But also, I can’t believe he slipped LOL.

Down River Road by carafin (G) 4.4k // I love list fics, I think they’re great and I think I might just have a thing for lists in general (LOL). But also, I love the growth both of them undergo over time and the interactions with Oikawa in KyouHaba fics are always fun :)

I (Heart) You by darkmagicalgirl (T) 3.6k // I really like this fic. Like REALLY like/love. Maybe it’s the ending where Yahaba goes ham on that one guy. Or maybe it’s the magic. I think it’s just cause it’s written spectacularly. But no seriously, it’s a great fic and I really loved the AU :D

Five Times Kyoutani Failed to Say 'I love You' (And One Time He Didn't) by patteh (T) 3k // a 5+1! Yes! TBH I don’t understand the importance of saying ily to your significant others (maybe it’s just because I don’t understand romance very well LOL someone explain it to me), but if it’s important to them, IT’S IMPORTANT TO ME. Also, Kyoutani is dog agenda, full force ahead.

Baby steps (or 'Yahaba's guide to applying eyeliner on a grumpy puppy') by ghostsgf (G) 1.5k // more Yahaba and eyeliner fics! Of course :D If you can’t tell, KyouHaba nation and I really love Kyoutani + eyeliner, so yes. Eyeliner. But also, fractured arms and toilet adventures!

baby don't hurt me by orphan_account (M) 4k // LET ME BEGIN THIS WITH THE A/N AT THE END. YES I AGREEEE. Also SMUT alert but like nothing really happens? And again, while I don’t 100% get the ily thing, this one makes more sense to me and I can see why Yahaba got angry. We love crying boys though ahaha.

Retrograde by dreyars (T) 19.5k // AJFJLSFJLASD ANGST THE ANGST AND I- I love amnesia fics, they have such GREAT angst potential (which was totally used in this fic YES!) and UGH this fic. The feels you go through while reading this but ALSO THE ENDING! YES I LOVE. IN LOVE. THEY’RE IN LOVE YOUR HONOR.

restless by Crawlingthroughashes (T) 2.4k // PLEASE the petty Yahaba agenda is back and the way I ajfhdjkadshlf when he started his plan. BRB CRYING (of laughter ofc). Also the CONFRONTATION. Smooth Yahaba, oh so very mf smoooooth (very much so nailed it). Sugar high trick-or-treater in bunny slippers.

The Time Yahaba gained a boyfriend by sammysosa157 (T) 3.8k // PLEASE I saw the post for this fic and it was SO funny! I really loved this prompt, and the execution of it was done really well. Boo for weird food combinations, though ig if you’re in college and you’re broke, you gotta do what you gotta do :/

wanna give you a kiss by Slumber (T) 2.8k // kith give kithes muah muah (omg I’m so sorry you had to read that no regrets tho ahaha only shame). But this fic is SO cute and boyfriend chicken is fun :D Like the fluff in this fics is just so AJKKJAF and like Watari knows best.

Touch by tetskuroo (T) 2.4k // aihdjk PLEASE. This is SOFT! KYOUTANI! and non a hole but pushy! YAHABA! There is HUGGING cause WHY NOT! But the soft Kyoutani agenda is getting pushed hard today LOL. I mean the mans starts to turns the waters works ons. What more could you possibly need? (other than a cuddle session cause why tf not >:( and me to write normally LOL)

what the night does to the day by deathbyglamour (G) 9.9k // AHH HOGWARTS! I realized I forgot to add this fic to the Hogwarts list and I was so angry at myself. The potion version of our get along shirt :) I loved this fic and their relationship development was lovely :DDDD

Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back by Asimi_Shadowborn (T) 30.6k // I love magic AUs and this was ahdjsjjfjs. The trope was amazing, the execution was flawless, and the communication? Nearly nonexistent just how we like it :’) it’s a great read and you’ll regret nothing.

Baby, I bought a dragon by tetsuskitten (T) 1.1k // AJKSFHKJ WITCHES. I love them being witches/warlocks cause IT’S AN AMAZING TROPE DUH. But like the dragon made me laugh, the conman Kuroo is KJAFN. But yes, THERE’S ANOTHER FIC AND IT’S AJSHKJASF YES READ <33333 (why didn’t I just put it as a series, cause I forgot and then I got lazy, leave me be.)

Thorne-blessed by fish_wifey (T) 19.4k // (again, another that HAS ANOTHER FIC but then I was too lazy to transport it up to the series section deal with it.) But THIS YES. First tattoo artist Kyoutani is a sight to see. But also, Yahaba is baby. And like the ending of how it all got resolved was so satisfying and the conflict execution was really creative :D CAUTION FOR THIS ONE, some bullying and violence-ish!

what a wonderful kind of day by qingting (G) 1.2k // PLEASE. I love it when Kyoutani talks to animals, it fills me with joy. But also, ofc points to Yahaba for the new nickname, dog whisperer. Cute and I like it more than Mad Dog chan. Also, Kyoutani’s thoughts on Yahaba were funny and are worth the read LOL. I like pats too, Shiromaru.

what becomes of broken hearts by plumtrees (T) 8.1k // OOOOF some angst right here. Like I’m in paiiiiiiin. But you should read it so we can be in pain together :’D Like the way we had to witness the falling out AND the break up to be happy again. UGH. Just don’t think too much and jump in.

we both know what we know by Slumber (E) 4.7k // UHH EXPLICIT FOR A REASON LIKE WITHIN THE FIRST SECTION I THINK BUT THEN IT CONTINUES AHHAHA. But also, riling Kyoutani up and just teasing him in general? Fun times (at least Yahaba thinks so LOL). But like also, random thought but the comments on the (fake) IwaOi divorce made me laugh LOL.

new constellations by thealmostviki (G) 4.3k // reincarnation AU, but it’s like non linearish! It’s really good and the writing is very eloquent :D I really loved this fic and the ending was UGH adorable! I love references and the way they still feel things in the next lives :’) Milk and honey guys, milk and HONEY.

FINALLY DONE. WHEW. I hope you all enjoyed these fics, and ik my commentary got/was super bad but pls just pretend like you’re not seeing it. I swear once upon a time it was informational but now it’s just me writing random sht down LOL. Again, I love KyouHaba so this honestly was a lot of fun to make (even if I kept complaining about it) and I ended up not splitting the list hence why it’s so long! I hope I made all of you into KyouHaba lovers cause it’s one of my favorite ships :D

[mandoalorian]

i have this random headcanon about maxwell, i don’t know if ive shared it with you!

i think he’s really fascinated by animals, and really likes being around them. animals of all kinds really— he thinks they’re adorable and so interesting. he’s never thought about having any besides his cat, lady lord (he spoils her rotten), but he adores going to zoos and watching wildlife documentaries.

on that note, he probably donates A LOT of the company money per-year to wildlife conservation efforts. he’s a real softie and just wants to make sure he’s doing everything in his power to make sure the cute innocent animals are safe.

he might even volunteer at a cat shelter once in a while, but he keeps that a secret :)

Animal Lover Headcanon [Maxwell Lord]

Masterlist

Permanent taglist, let me know if you want to be added: @supernaturalgirl @phoenixhallow @ah-callie @luvzoria @stardust-galaxies @wickedfrsgrl @goth-topic @nerdypinupcrystal @wonderfulfluff @kiwi-the-first @pedroepascal @castiel-barnes @honeymandos @rocketqueen @ladycumberbatchofcamelot @dybalalover10 @girl-obsessed-with-things @elena-myth (I don't normally put my taglist on headcanons but I know that this isn't going to show up in tags because I've got my Max tags muted for now, so I hope you don't mind me tagging you just this once!) — This includes NO spoilers for WW84.

I cannot even put into words how much I adore this headcanon— this type of thing literally means the world to me.

I love the idea of him being intrigued by animals. When he gets free time he loves to sit at home and watch the wildlife documentaries on the Discovery Channel or National Geographic. I just know he owns stacks upon stacks of books about birds and reptiles and fish. He's so curious and really enjoys learning about them, despite him not really having anyone to show off this knowledge too. It's like his guilty pleasure.

I like to think he has an aquarium at his home and even one at his office. He probably keeps Marine fish because they're so pretty and colourful (despite being difficult to take care of), and he really finds peace in watching them swim around after a difficult or stressful day at work. He's fascinated.

YES— Lady Lord. Because Maxwell has a fluffy white lapcat with big blue eyes. She's loyal, she's protective over him and slightly territorial around new people who Maxwell invites over. Maxwell adores her. She keeps him company when he's lonely and she rubs herself all over him, curling up on his tummy when he lies in down and following him around the house. She loves to get attention from him. When he goes to read the morning paper, he'll find her sitting on it so he can't get to it unless he gives her attention first. She's a loud purrer because she's always happy, she has absolutely no reason not to be. And Maxwell really does spoil her. She eats the best gourmet food like salmon and caviar. She prawls around the house in her pretty pink collar with her name embellished into it. When Maxwell says "anything you want you can have it," that extends to his cat too. Maxwell has a huge garden with high walls for Lady to play out in when she feels like it but she prefers the indoors anyway. Maxwell will grumble and complain about the way she sleeps at the foot of his bed or the cat hair on his suits, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He tells her about all the complicated business stuff he's faced with during the day at work, and she listens. Lady is probably his best friend.

Max volunteering at a cat shelter?? My heart can't take it. He is totally a cat person. Whilst Lady is a gorgeous pedigree, he loves all different cats no matter the breed or where they come from. He cherishes the comfort that spending time with animals can bring.

He absolutely donates to wildlife conservation charities whenever he can. At least once a year he'll hold a charity gala just to help grant liberty and freedom to the likes of enslaved animals or animals that are nearing extinction. I feel like Maxwell's love for animals is truly where he differs from his other business associates. Whilst they'd prefer to donate to capitalist organisations for their own reputational gain, Max really does have a soft spot for animals and wanting to take care of them. I'm not saying Max doesn't occasionally donate to a charity for his own selfish benefit— to make himself and his business look good (because he totally does), but he's aware of the power and influence he holds and he will do everything in his means to make sure positive change happens.

There's a relatively small cat shelter in the suburbs of DC and he'll help out there when he gets the chance. Everytime he leaves he will always leave a sizeable donation. He keeps it a secret because he isn't exactly sure how it might affect his reputation. Despite being seen by the public as an influential CEO responsible for creating one of the most successful businesses in America, he genuienly is a softy at heart, especially for animals.

[jombocostello]

hey!! can i request a Polnareff x Reader where it’s basically set after the events of Stardust Crusaders where they go their separate ways and Polnareff goes to back to France but the reader decides to go with him cuz it’s been her dream to go to France and now they’re just a lovey dovey couple doing romantic things that deserve a happy ending after the events in egypt. (ik in pt 5 he said he travelled europe in search of the arrows but i just wanna see my french man all goofy w/ a happy ending)

hi, thanks so much for the request!! i am so happy my first request is a polnareff one lmao. this is such a cute idea! and i agree- polnareff deserves a nice relaxing life on the french countryside with the love of his life more than anything!

perfection (polnareff x reader)

"So... You're sure about this, right?"

"Yes! God, how many times do I have to tell you?"

That had been three months ago, after you and the other crusaders had defeated Dio. You stood at the airport, one hand securely holding your luggage and the other held tightly in Polnareff's. "I don't have any family, so we'll be on our own. It's quiet where I'm from."

"It's not gonna be quiet if I'm there," you said, and he laughed a little. "I'll brighten up your little neighborhood in no time, trust me."

"I'm glad." He leaned down and kissed your forehead, and despite being relatively new, the gesture felt like the most familiar, comfortable thing in the world. "Our plane'll be leaving soon, (Y/N). You ready?"

You nodded, setting your luggage down on the ground and gently letting go of Polnareff's hand. "One second." You walked over to Joseph and Jotaro, who were getting ready for their own flight a few feet away, and pulled them both into a hug. "Bye, guys," you murmured into Jotaro's shoulder, grinning. "I'll see you around."

You all pulled back and took in each other's expressions. "Good luck with him," Joseph said, gesturing to Polnareff. "He can be a real pain in the ass."

Jotaro cracked a smile. "But so can she, so I think they'll be alright." You all laughed and, after one more hug, said goodbye.

Polnareff handed you your bag when you got back. "So, are you excited?" you asked, grinning up at him as you walked. "I am. I'm really happy."

Never one for suppressing his emotions, Polnareff smiled widely down at you and again took your hand in his. "I can't even describe how happy I am. My heart is so full." You felt your face heat up and you sighed, raising his hand and kissing it gently. "I promise I'll make you happy."

You had no doubt that he would fulfill that promise.

---

"Shit! Ah, uh... Jean, on a scale of one to ten, how important is this mug to you?"

Three months later and you've settled into domestic life wonderfully. Polnareff's hometown really isn't much of a town - every house in the area is a five minute drive away - but it doesn't bother you one bit. The gorgeous scenery and the peace of total silence is a welcome change, especially after what you've both been through.

There had been a couple bumps in the road during the first month; you'd taken your relationship pretty quickly, to be fair, so there was a bit of awkwardness and readjusting as you learned to live with each other. Still, though, you both make each other so happy that those problems sorted themselves out pretty quickly.

And now you're here, holding half of a bright red coffee mug while the other half lies shattered on the ground. Polnareff pokes his head in from the other room and you meet his gaze, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry."

He looks from you to the smashed mug, and before you can get nervous, a grin splits across his face. "It was ugly anyways! And now we have an excuse to get a new one." He walks over to you with long strides and crouches down, carefully picking up the shards. "We can get one in your favorite color, which is... Uh..." You watch him with raised eyebrows as he wracks his brain for a few moments. Finally, he tries a color, and to your surprise he gets it right! He smirks as he stands back up and tosses the mug in the trash. "We're on the same wavelength, ma cherie," he says with a laugh.

"I guess so. Definitely on the right track, at least." You grab a different mug and VERY carefully bring it over to the counter. As you pour your coffee, you watch Polnareff lean against the kitchen counter. His hair is nearly touching the ceiling; it's so funny how he dwarfs everything in his own home.

"I didn't know you drink coffee," he comments.

"I haven't been able to sleep for the past two months so I figured I probably shouldn't," you answer as you spoon sugar into your cup. "This week has been pretty good sleep-wise so I'm bringing it back!" You take an obnoxious sip and burn the hell out of your tongue. Polnareff laughs loudly as you swear, but you just set the mug down and laugh a little with him. "The coffee doesn't agree with me."

"Apparently not." He walks over to you and wraps his arms around you, resting his chin on the top of your head. Part of you hates the fact that he's tall enough to do this, but the other half absolutely loves it. "Are you okay?" he asks softly, and you feel your heart skip as he takes your hands in his.

"Yeah, it's fine," you breathe, smiling. "It'll take more than a cup of coffee to get me."

"I know." He presses a kiss to the top of your head and sighs. "Well I might as well start drinking coffee too, huh? I never used to but I can try."

You smile as Polnareff walks over to the coffee maker and squints at it for a moment, as if judging by its appearance whether he would like it. "Jean, I'm not making you take up coffee drinking. You don't have to if you don't want to."

"But I want to try!" he declares, and he decides to steal a sip of yours. He picks it up and quickly drinks a minuscule amount; almost immediately his face scrunches up. You snort as he sets the cup down, grimacing. "Maybe it's not for me."

"It figures you wouldn't like something so bitter," you say, a cheeky grin making its way onto your face. "You're just too sweet!" He groans loudly with a huge smile on his face as you wrap your arms around him. "I couldn't resist, sorry."

He sighs. "It's gonna take me a week to get over that one." You let go of him and sit down at the kitchen table with your coffee. "But I forgive you." You look down at the wooden table as you drink some more, while Polnareff looks through the cabinets for something to have for breakfast.

You haven't been sleeping very well for the past few months - ever since you got back from Egypt. Most nights you get a few hours, but sometimes you can't even bring yourself to close your eyes; whenever you do, you're plagued by images of the horrors you witnessed and the friends you lost. Kakyoin's strangled scream as he was killed plays almost constantly in your dreams, and the fact that Avdol hadn't even gotten a chance to say goodbye hurts more than anything. You shut your eyes and take a deep breath. Polnareff is going through the same thing, so you both spend a lot of time comforting each other, but it's still ridiculously hard. You're so, so, lucky that you have him, but not even he can keep you from falling into all those memories on some days. You clench your fists when you feel your eyes well up with tears; maybe this grief is never going to fade -

"Holy shit! When did you buy brownies?"

Polnareff's elated voice tears you from your thoughts, and you laugh loudly. He looks at you with wide, excited eyes. "Seriously! Did you know they're my favorite?"

"I know now."

"Let's make them," he says definitively.

You raise your eyebrows. "Jean, we haven't even had breakfast yet."

He looks from you to the brownies and back again. "...We could have brownies for breakfast...?"

God, you love him so much. With a laugh, you grab the box from him. "I'm not gonna argue with that." He grins and thanks you as you open up the box.

After a breakfast of slightly-burnt brownies, you and Polnareff spend the day around the house, fixing up the yard and rearranging some furniture. If someone had told you a month ago that you'd be living out this perfectly domestic life, you would've laughed out loud - but somehow, you found yourself in a cottage on the French countryside with the man you loved more than anyone in the world. Days just fly by, because you have so much fun being with him. It's honestly perfect.

Later in the day, you're in your bedroom reading when Polnareff steps into the room. He places his hands on your shoulders and leans down, kissing your cheek. "Hi," he murmurs.

You turn to face him and kiss him, wrapping your arm loosely around his torso. "Hey," you reply. "What's up?"

"I have a request, dear." He gently takes your hands and pulls you out of your chair with a gentle smile. "Put on the nicest outfit you have and meet me at the door."

You squint at him. "What's this about?"

He smiles. "It's a surprise!" You stare at him for a while longer; you know secrets only last about 30 seconds in Polnareff's brain. He finally relents, sighing and letting go of your hands. "I made a reservation at that restaurant you said you wanted to try."

"What?" You hug him tightly, grinning. "Thank you!"

"Of course." The softness of his voice makes you smile; he's just so sweet. "I figured since it's been three months of being together, we should celebrate!"

"Three months..." You lean back and look up at him, cracking a smile. "It's really been wonderful. I love being with you, Jean."

His eyes widen, and he slowly leans down and kisses your forehead. "Three perfect months with the perfect person," he murmurs.

He leaves to get ready, and you get ready yourself. Just thinking about all the wonderful gestures of love Polnareff showers you with makes you blush. Taking you to restaurants, showing you all the best parts of his hometown, the little hugs and kisses he gives you all throughout the day... He's truly a master of romance, that's for sure. He wins you over more and more every day.

You're ready to go, and you head for the door. Polnareff is waiting for you in a crisp button-down shirt and a nice pair of pants; he looks handsome every day but this is just ridiculous. When he sees you his eyes widen, and his mouth just barely turns up at the corners. He stares at you for a minute and then blinks, as if he's forgotten how to speak. "(Y/N), you're so beautiful," he says quietly, taking you in.

Your face flushes and you glance down, unable to hold his gaze. He takes a couple steps towards you and places his hand under your chin, guiding your face up to look at him. "I mean it," he tells you, and you know he does. His voice is so earnest and adoring and you feel your heart nearly burst from your chest. "I love you."

You stand on your toes and kiss him, wrapping your arms around his neck. As you part, you reach out and fix a strand of hair that had somehow fallen from its immaculate style. "I love you too, Jean," you say softly, as you briefly run your hand over his cheek. "Thank you for being with me."

He suddenly puts an abrupt end to the gentle moment by leaning in and giving you a loud kiss on the cheek. "The pleasure's all mine," he says with a warm laugh, and you snort, punching him in the arm. You can't imagine a life or a love that's better than this.

[mail-me-a-snail]

Stardust of a Song

Chapter 1:  Sero Maaviks tag list: @starl1ght-child​ tw: violence, swearing The first chapter of the mafia AU :3c 

On any given night in the Last City, the lounge that goes by the name Luna is packed full with patrons drinking their worries away and listening to the nightingale tone of the lounge’s singer.

No patron that dines or drinks there lives in the rich districts of the City; they all come from the back alleys, looking to make connections or strike up a deal. Any rich patron that comes comes with a posse of bodyguards and a poorly veiled aura of disgust. The lounge is nice--silver tiles, dark blue wallpaper, comfortable sofas, and mahogany shelves lined with spirits--but more often than not it’s the people that puts a damper on the ambiance. Rich folk like to mingle with their kind, because they have all the connections to more money.

Washed up gamblers with debts hanging over their heads have a reason to go to Luna, however, because it’s not just a lounge--it’s the Hive. Dredgen Yor, owner of the establishment and boss of said Hive, walks through the doors from his personal office. He surveys the room and catches the eye of several clients.

Some of these people will want someone dead; others just want a job. It’s not Yor’s place to question it. All he asks for is money, unwavering royalty, and a when and a how. No job is too bloody, no amount of cash too great. You want someone dead?

Done. Quick, clean, and best of all--entirely discreet.

Dredgen Yor is considered the golden standard of the back alleys. A gentleman who's all business and ambition, who's heart softens only for the love of his life--the lounge singer, an Exo by the name of Avidan-9. He sings something from the Golden Age, maybe even well before it, and Yor is entranced. He is enthralled, has been ever since they met. They are, as everyone knows, partners in crime.

--

The lounge is peaceful tonight. There are two, three patrons, none sitting together, drinking their worries away and shooting billowing clouds of smoke out of their parched lips. They’re waiting out the storm. The band play something appropriately soft; chimes of the piano, deep plucks of the bass, and soulful trumpet remind those lonely drinkers that they’re not so alone after all.

The owner of the lounge sits at the bar, swirling golden whiskey in his glass. He is not alone, unlike the midnight crew. The prettiest thing sits beside him, not drinking or smoking, in order to keep that nightingale voice of his in pristine condition. He has never heard an Exo sing more beautifully than this one. On the surface, he might not look like much to anyone but Yor; grey and what had once been white paint, now yellowed with age; green, almost blue optics; tall build, enough to rival even Yor’s stature; all tucked into one midnight blue suit. Always with the clean cut suits of muted colors.

“Yor, darling,” he says, laying the adoration on thick, accent emphasizing; dar-ling. He brushes Yor’s hair out of his face. “promise me you won’t get blood on the tiles tonight. You know how hard it is to get blood out of leather soles.”

It isn’t hard at all; take soap and dump it in some water, lukewarm, just right. Stir it until it’s sudsy and you take the foam with a sponge and gently wipe the leather. Easy as pie and just as clean. For his love’s sake, Yor indulges him.

“I know, dear,” Yor sympathizes, taking an amused sip, trying not to sigh as the Exo’s hands move through his hair. “I promise. Whatever business might go down--”

“--business always ‘goes down’ in this lounge--” The singer removes his hands from his hair and Yor tries not to groan. How can metal hands feel so good?

“--I will handle it,” Yor cuts him off. He cups the Exo’s cheek. “in the backroom. Will that suffice?”

He grins, takes the glass from Yor’s hand, and sips. One drop never hurt nobody. “If I say no, what would happen?” He challenges, “You’re the big, scary mob boss; what would you do to this buzzing bee of the Hive?” His hands, always moving, always gentle, tug at his tie. Black, tonight; Yor had gotten an earful about getting blood all over his green one.

“Always such a tease,” Yor tuts, his hand now holding the other’s chin, thumb stroking gently. He leans close, just close enough to smell the whiskey on his metal and hints of cologne here and there. “Honey, if I did what I wanted to you, what I have always wanted to do to you, you wouldn’t be able to sing. And we don’t want that, do we?”

The Exo visibly fidgets in his seat. He can dish it, but he can never take it. That’s what Yor has always loved about him. Even with limited expressions, he can tell he’s struggling not to overheat.

“Is that a threat?” He snorts and puts the whiskey glass down. “Besides, there’s nothing that can keep me quiet. You of all people should know that.”

“You’d be surprised.” The doors of the lounge swing open and in walks his clientele, all sharp suits, all business in black and white. Not an ounce of color. They’re just in time.

The one at the head of the posse is holding a shiny leather briefcase with gold clasps. He can smell the abundance of Glimmer from here. They’re not Guardians; no Light on any of them. Guns, maybe, tucked into their suit jackets or strapped to their legs. Their leader is Sero Maaviks, an Awoken man with light blue skin and white hair in a braid over his shoulder. He’s one of the few to come from old money, being Reefborn, however his status as a City dweller and the scorn of his fellow Reefborn has diminished that repertoire considerably.

All three patrons stir. They didn’t come in together, but they sure are leaving together; they know danger when they see it. Nevermind the hail outside. The band stands at attention.

Yor slides off his stool, as does his love. Before they separate, Yor grabs his hand, relishing the smooth metal grooves for just a moment. “You can start off gentle, if you’d like, but in ten minutes’ time,” he advises under his breath, “it’d be better if it’s big, loud, and extravagant. You know how these things go.” He raises his voice loud enough for the clientele to hear. “Remember, Avidan, you are the beauty of this Hive.”

Avidan grins, or as much as an Exo can. “Like me, it’s hard to forget.” Reluctantly, they part, and Avidan goes to the stage. He talks with the band for a moment. They nod along to his every word. Both know exactly what to do.

Avidan’s been in this business as long as Yor has--they had started this lounge together, after all, when he had first met the Exo in Spinam Gorge, those many, many years ago, when the Exo had been down on his luck. It hadn’t started out as love, but does it ever really start at the best part? It had taken a while (several proposals, in fact) until Avidan had said yes. The wedding had been private, of course. Yor takes off his ring and slips it into his pocket. Avidan keeps his on--he won’t be dealing in blood tonight.

“Gentlemen,” he addresses his clients at last, downing the whiskey in one go, and giving them the best smile he can. One of them shivers. They must be the replacement for the one who’s fingers got broken; he had had it coming, touching Avidan in a way that would’ve garnered all ten fingers broken, not just the five, had he had gone any farther. “Shall we?”

Yor gestures to the backroom. He always makes good on his promises. Avidan flashes him a wink from the stage. Yor resists grinning. The Exo steps up to the microphone and taps to test it. The piano player picks up a violin, as does everyone besides the bass player, and they begin. Their strums are gentle and sweeping, but they’re loud. They don’t call it big band music for nothing. Avidan reels the microphone stand in to waltz. He holds it close, as close as he had held Yor on their wedding night.

“And now the purple dusk of twilight time,” Avidan starts, soft, but not quiet. His mouth glows green, though not the sickly green of the Hive. A vibrant green, and it is easily the brightest thing in the lounge. The clientele stop to gape. His voice floats without a care in the world. It’s soothing--almost like a drug. It tells you everything will be just fine. “steals across the meadows of my heart. High up in the sky, the little stars climb...”

Yor feels sorry he won’t be able to hear the rest of the song as he leads the gentlemen into the backroom. It’s one of his favorites; the one they had played on that night years ago on a record they had found in the City archives dating back to long before the Golden Age. Avidan’s voice fades behind them as they go past the deserted kitchen and into his personal office.

It’s a lived in, yet professional office. One mahogany desk, leather chair behind it, and unimportant documents--bills, mostly, for the lounge--piled on top. A cart with his own personal whiskey stock sits under a painting. A bottle of that horrible swill vodka is next to it. Four pristine and polished glasses sit in a tray beside it. A couch sits across the room. Yor leans against the beautifully cut edge of the desk and crosses his arms.

“Care for a drink?” Yor gestures to the vodka. Unfortunately, it’s just the kind of drink for business. Poisonous for the liver and mouth, as all business in the backwaters is, and clinically impersonal enough with its clear white color.

“You know I don’t drink on the job,” Sero says, then adds, almost begrudgingly, “sir.”

“The only thing I know about you, Maaviks--” Yor reluctantly pours himself vodka. He doesn’t take a sip right away; a clear sign of his distaste of the drink-- “is your insufferable pride. Then again, I can’t blame you for keeping it so close. It seems to be the only thing you have to offer.”

Sero bristles and growls. He moves towards Yor, fangs bared. “If you would just accept my offer on the Vanguard job--”

It’s a shame to crumple such a nice tie but Yor grabs Sero’s tie anyway and pulls him forward, bearing his own fangs. The Awoken man gulps, aggression evaporating. “And if you would just hear sense,” Yor snaps, “you wouldn’t still be coming to me about that. I told you: I won’t do it. Tell your bodyguards to lower their guns.”

Sero waves them away and the guards holster their guns. They stand at attention. Yor releases him and the man stumbles. Sero fixes his tie, tucking it back into place and dusting off his suit.

“It isn’t as crazy as you make it out to be,” Sero argues, though with more caution, “I have the floor plans. I’ve got moles in the Praxic and the Vanguard. Nothing will go wrong.”

“Apparently, you’re a terrible gambler, too,” Yor snorts, then gestures to the couch. “Have a seat.” Sero does not and stays standing, as if he didn’t hear him. Yor rolls his eyes, rubbing his temple with his thumb--prideful and stubborn.

He goes around his desk and takes a seat. There’s no reason for him to stand when Sero is already doing plenty of it for the both of them. He sinks into the comfortable leather. He swirls his drink around in one hand while the other taps against the mahogany surface.

“I have all the winning cards. I think I’m more than inclined to play them. Don’t you want to share the winnings, Yor?” He sweetens his tongue with charisma. “I’m sure we can find something in that vault that could work for you.” Yor doesn’t appreciate the patronising tone, as if he’s a child being asked to pick out a toy. “There could be any number of items that might...interest you.”

“Maaviks. I already told you. There is nothing I want in that vault.” Guns and gadgets to sell, maybe, but there is nothing rare enough to risk so much. It would be so much easier if Sero had just been asking for an assassination, but a heist? “It’s a suicide mission. If either of us get caught, we’re done for. The Praxic vault is one thing, but the Vanguard vault? You must be more arrogant than I thought. It won’t succeed.”

They’ve been over this countless times. From the first day Sero proposed it, Yor has had no reason to say yes and he’s not seeing anything promising now. Every time he asks, Sero doesn’t have a convincing argument.

“I’m not so arrogant as to think I can do it alone.” Sero crosses his arms. “I’m putting aside my pride to ask for your help. You are the one and only Dredgen Yor...”

“The flattery won’t get you anywhere.”

“...and besides, if what’s in the vault doesn’t interest you now, it might look appealing in just a few moments; if you don’t accept my offer, that is.”

Yor puts his glass down and smiles at the nerve this little punk has. He stands, pushing his chair backwards, and laying his palms flat on the wood, leaning forward to look Sero right in the eye. His fingers go to the holster on his hip. The Thorn hums.

“Are you threatening me, boy?” He says quietly.

“Am I?”

Just as he whips the Thorn out, the band explodes with sound, rattling the walls with percussion and bass, Avidan’s voice commanding every listener’s attention.  The volume masks the gunshots; two for each of them. They fall, a dark red splatter blooming across their white shirts. It’s a good thing they wore black suits. Sero barely flinches, even as a graze on his ear bleeds and drips onto his shoulder.

“Are you threatening me,” He growls, louder now, “boy?!”

Sero pauses to look at the two corpses behind him. Puddles of blood grow under them, staining the soles of his shoes and the rug. He looks wholly uninterested. The man smirks.

“Not you,” He answers, “specifically.”

He turns, swings open the door, and runs down the hall. Yor takes a second to register these actions, then slides over the desk with a curse, hearing his glass shatter on the floor, and chases after Sero. He splashes the puddle of blood on his way out; there goes his promise to not get blood on the tiles.

The band has stopped playing when he rounds the corner. He only realizes why when he sees Sero behind Avidan, holding the Exo at gunpoint. The blood in Yor’s veins turns ice cold. He comes to a halt. Avidan stands statuesque, rigid with tension. Only the piano player remains of the band; the rest have hidden behind the bar. He sits on the stool, shaking hands poised over the keys.

“Blood on the tiles,” Avidan says, nightingale voice faintly warbling,  “I thought we talked about that.”

“No choice, darling,” Yor says through gritted teeth, then swings his glare around to Sero, who is still fucking smiling. “No choice.”

“Your answer, Yor: yes or no?” The gun clicks as it’s loaded.

“You’re fucking insane; you’re not going to walk out of this bar alive.”

“I’m not going to walk out of here alive?” Sero snorts, “That’s rich. Considering your boyfriend is at the end of my gun, you’re gonna wanna rethink that.”

“Husband,” Avidan corrects him tersely, “Didn’t you see the ring, asshole?” He wiggles his finger. The ring glints in the low light.

“It hardly matters.”

“So, this is your plan?” Yor keeps him distracted by talking as he inches closer to the stage. “Threaten me with my husband’s life to force me to work with you just to repair your goddamn reputation with the Reefborn?”

“It’s not about them,” Sero hisses, but it’s not very convincing. Yor can see right through him. He’s now inches away from the stage. “There is something in that vault I need, something that would benefit all of us, every gang, especially yours. So what’s it going to be, Yor?”

Yor remains silent. Just as he formulates a plan, Sero cuts across his thoughts.

“Yes or no? Come on, Dredgen, your boyfriend is waiting.”

He opens his mouth to speak, but Avidan interrupts him.

“For the last time,” the Exo growls, “he’s my husband.”

He swivels right around, catching both Yor and Sero off guard, and grabs the man’s wrist. They wrestle for the gun, Sero pushing back, struggling to keep his grip on the weapon. Avidan pulls his arm this way and that but the man won’t budge. Sero wrenches free. He strikes Avidan’s jaw with the gun. It knocks the Exo back and he stumbles. The microphone topples off the stage and the feedback disorients all. He nearly falls off the stage, but Sero grabs his arm, pulling Avidan towards him.

The gun slips under his chin, presses against his neck--there is no music or song to mask the gunshot now. There will never be any music or song, ever again. 

Yor climbs the stage but always, always he is too late.

In a way, this is all music. The click of the gun, the pulling of the trigger, the release, the... 

BANG!

The thud.

Then, the deafening silence.

part two coming soon :)

[legobiwan]

Thrawn: Treason (the rest of it)

Wow, Assistant Director Assbucket is the literal worst, I can’t believe Thrawn foisted him on Ar’alani at the end that poor woman puts up with a lot with Thrawn I never thought I’d live to see the day Grand Admiral “I have a plan for everything” Thrawn being the insane troublemaker of the Chiss.

Anyone notice Eli was starting to sounds a little...Thrawn-ish towards the end of the book? At least, when he was reassuring Vah'nya he would kill her and the other navigators if the Chiss fell to the Grysks???

But let’s back up a moment to the mission on Aloxor. ONCE AGAIN, I am so happy to see Thrawn’s strange cosplay fetish rearing its head, right where (or perhaps I should say wear hahahahah I’m so funny I’ll be here all night, make sure to try the chicken) it belongs - with Eli Vanto. 

I love that Ronan cannot let go of his stupid cloak given to him by the Supreme Being of All Light and Intelligence Director Krennic what is Ronan’s deal with Krennic???

But Mole/Dayja had it right when said all people in charge love capes. Hahahahahahaha. Too right. 

Savit’s little internal monologue about petty politics and corruption being the death of the Empire was really interesting because - as we all remember - the exact same accusation was lobbed at the Republic. And the Republic was bloated and corrupt and ruled by petty politics that ended up drawing the Jedi in and that didn’t end well but the same thing is happening in the Empire, just on an accelerated time-scale. Which makes me wonder, did Sidious believe that once the Death Star was up and running, it would quell any grumblings because everyone would just be too terrified to say otherwise? I mean, what was Sidious’s endgame being immortality and ultimate power? What do you even do at that point? (This gets a little close to the philosophical debate that death gives meaning and Sidious’s whole thing was avoiding death and I just kind of wonder what the point is after a while. Ultimate POWAH, I suppose.)

ANWAY. 

Who was it in the book that pointed out that every weapon, ship, etc has a weak point, including the Death Star? I feel like it was Thrawn, but maybe it was Savit. Anyway, hahahaha foreshadowng. 

Okay, so Savit was playing Imperial Robin Hood, stealing from Stardust to arm the rest of the Navy because he felt Stardust was both shortsighted and an onus on the budget. He’s not wrong. The Death Star is kind of a stupid gamble, and you have to wonder if Sheevy Sheev was getting a little too confident (as Luke pointed out in RotJ) and thus put all of his space eggs in one space basket. I mean, the man loves consolidating power, and a Death Star is just another step in that direction - but...it’s a bad idea??????

BUT. THE MUSIC THING WITH SAVIT HAD ME ROLLING. You guys have to understand, I finished listening to this while I was out on my run and I was laughing so hard at this scene I just had to stop on the street, double over, and cackle loudly through my mask. Thankfully, we’re still shut down over here, so there were fewer people to stare at me like I was insane, but this was great.

First of all, Savit arguing that he’s not an artist, he’s a musician and then between that the Ronan commenting on the hand gestures I knew exactly where this was going to go and it didn’t disappoint one bit.

I love that Thrawn says music is too up to interpretation, ah yes, composition - the true death of the author. (And the true death of the composer, who is likely spinning in their grave.) Except Ronan Savit plays (and conducts!) his own works. Starting with the high winds (of course, there are too many high wind players out there, market’s tight you have broaden your activities hahahahahahahaha), and then expanding as he gained status. I’m not entirely sure how this fed into his patronage/favors by the Coruscanti elite (did they just really like increasingly bombastic music?) but I’m totally willing to roll with it. 

Anyway, this was GREAT I needed this ridiculousness in my life I’m so glad that whole conversation from the beginning of the book between Krennic and Savit came back. I love Thrawn and his art analysis classes can I audit the next one? Just for fun?

By the way, I am so glad Zahn didn’t go down the romance route with Eli and Vah'nya, I was a little afraid of that but it was unfounded. 

But Eli. Ohhhh Eli. Your secret mission that you don’e even know about aboard the Steadfast. He’s analyzing numbers and data from Navigators in order for the Ascendancy to be able to locate future Navigators and perhaps gain insight into their skill. Their skill is Third Sight (and rarely, Second Sight), which is essentially Force-sensitivity. The Chiss are trying to locate Force-sensitives. As in, trying to create something like the holocron in the Jedi Archives that listed Force-sensitive babies. Hooooo boi. Sidious would want to get his paws on that and I think Thrawn knows that. Thrawn, despite his loyalty to the Empire (loyalty that goes deep enough that he brought in Savit despite likely agreeing with him on the objective facts of Stardust draining the budget). This, however, has to be a line in the sand. And it harkens back to something Eli was pondering earlier, about where both his and Thrawn’s true loyalties were.

Hooray both Eli and Faro got a promotion. Thrawn is such a good boss.

Okay, but the ending. *deep breath* Here we go. This happens, I believe, pretty close to the ending of Rebels. Now, I’ve seen discussions where people believe Thrawn was neutered on Rebels, especially with the somewhat deus ex machina ending. I’m in the middle of a rewatch so I won’t comment further on that until I’ve gotten through it, but here’s my initial reading, just based on instinct. Sidious is planning to either eliminate Thrawn or use him to conquer the Chiss. Sidious doesn’t know about the Force-sensitive list Eli is creating, but if Sidious got to the Chiss, he’d get that list and it would be bad times for everyone. Thrawn is not as politically naive as he allows everyone to think, at least not with this. He’s been playing both sides to the middle for a long time now and between Sidious and the Grysks, he is going to be forced to choose. I just wonder how much of that plays into the ending on Rebels, how Thrawn deals with Lothal, and - given his penchant for acquiring certain non-Chiss for the Ascendancy - what his possible plan for Ezra may have been (especially given what we know about the Second and Third Sight). I won’t say much more until I finish my rewatch, but those questions are floating around my head.

To summarize: it was a delight seeing Thrawn with some of his people and knowing he’s a weirdo there, as well. Thrawn and Eli together is still the absolute best combination and I wish we had more of it. Ronan is an ass and I hate him. Ar’alani just needs a damn drink to deal with all of these fools, Thrawn most of all. I would say out of the three, the first novel is still my favorite, but this comes in a close second and I really hope we get a fourth novel at some point. 9/10 

[jojo-daydreams]

Hello! Welcome to taking over the world with fan fictions! Here's my request. If you are willing to do the whole group I would like to request the Stardust Crusaders hanging out with their S/O and their just relaxing and chatting until their S/O jokingly says lets take over the world. Would they join in on this chat, make a full blown plot, or just be judging their S/O? Lol. I can't wait to see what you can manage with this. If you can't do the whole lot of them choose who you want to do!

this is my first request :oooo

I hope you like it! I changed up the prompt setting a bit for a few of them just to change things up, I hope you don’t mind! ^^

Jotaro Kujo-

You and Jotaro had just been relaxing in his room.

A long week of finals was finally behind the both of you, and at his request you’d come over to “celebrate” (read: lay on his bed and very nearly fall asleep while casually snacking and chatting)

The two of you had been talking about nothing in particular, the weather, sports, a stupid commercial you saw the other day.

It was just a simple casual hangout, but it was something you realized you desperately needed after the week you’d had, and you could tell the laid-back atmosphere was good for Jotaro too, although your stoic boyfriend rarely showed how stressed he was, you knew he felt just as tired as you did.

You look up at him, his eyes are closed and his signature hat is missing from his head

“You know, when I’m with you I always feel so happy and content, like I can handle anything.”

He snorts at your sudden confession but doesn’t open his eyes

You’re grinning now, “You know what Jotaro, we should take over the world! We could probably do it too, you and me. I’ll be the brains and the beauty and you can be the muscle.”

His eyes snap open at Take Over The World

“No.”

You pout. “Whaaat? How can you shut me down so fast like that.”

“Taking over the world is a serious thing. It’s a no.”

His tone implies the conversation is over.

You sigh, puffing out your cheeks a bit.

It had just been a joke but wow what a crushing reply that had been.

You played with the edge of your shirt as you sulked.

It was quiet for a few minutes after your failed proposal before Jotaro spoke up again.

“And anyway, I’d have to be the brains and the muscle and I’m not doing two jobs.”

“…..HEY WHATS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!”

Joseph Joestar-

Currently you were sitting next to your husband, Joseph Joestar, on an airplane as you accompanied him on a business trip.

Something something property something or other. To be honest you hadn’t been paying attention.

Joseph was a busy man, so when he asked you if you wanted to go with him this time, you’d jumped at the chance without a second thought.

You two were both watching “The Black Cauldron”, a childhood favorite you’d insisted upon when you saw it on the screen.

As a child, the villain, The Horned King, had scared you so terribly you remember sleeping with your parents for two night in a row after.

Now his monologue and evil lair seemed a bit cheesy- you felt like you could probably do it better. In fact….

You turn to Joseph, yanking out one of his earbuds.

“We could do this way better than this Horned King guy, you know?”

“Huh? Do what better than him?”

“Take over the world, raze the opposition in hellfire, make loyal followers of the rest.”

Your tone was so very casual.

Joseph scratched his chin for a minute, pretending to think.

“We’d probably need some extra help. Maybe I could get my grandson on the case as well.” He mused.

You laugh as he plays along, turning to face him fully as much as the airplane seat would allow.

“Jotaro would certainly be a worthy investment in the cause, we could do it on our own but he’d surely increase our efficiency by at least …. 75%!”

“What would our first decree be when we finally finished taking over everything, then?”

This gives you pause.

Wow you never thought you’d get this far. Ruling the world. What should the first thing you do be?

“Um. I’m not sure. I’d probably… take a day off?”

Joseph grins, leaning back a bit.

“Just one huh? What a hard working ruler you would be.”

“Well fine, then what would you do?”

He pretends to think very hard about this again, his mischievous grin never leaving.

“I would make my birthday a world-wide holiday, and then make yours a slightly lesser world-wide holiday, like only half a day off, so that everyone would much more excited for mine.”

You gasp, “That’s so mean Joseph! Maybe you’re not going to be a part of my plans now!”

“Ahh, the world’s new overlords first lover-spat!”

Mohammed Avdol-

“I’m going to take over the world, you can join me, or you can stand aside.”

Harsh terms, but that’s what someone who was going to take over the whole world had to be like sometimes.

Avdol frowns.

He wasn’t exactly sure where this was coming from.

The two of you had been sitting at your kitchen table, eating a peaceful breakfast together and talking about nothing in particular.

Then you’d said something to the affect of “Cereal ALWAYS goes in the bowl before the milk, always.” Which had turned into a small muttering rant and had somehow led to world domination.

“I’m not sure that is a good idea.” he replies, measured.

You finish another mouthful of cereal, swallowing as fast as you can to reply.

“I cannot let people exist out there who are making cereal wrong.”

You shake your spoon for emphasis.

You’re mostly joking but it does bother you a bit when people do that. Its unnatural.

Avdol watches you as you go back to eating, eyes unreadable, and waits for you to finish eating before weighing in once again.

“What if instead of world domination we travelled the world and taught people to pour milk at the appropriate time.”

You hide your smile behind your hand as best you can.

You’re joking about the whole thing of course, but even in this fictitious scenario your ever serious boyfriend is trying to come up with a practical and reasonable solution. Sometimes he was just truly too kind for his own good.

“Well. I suppose I can try that way first, but if I go on this milk peace mission you have to promise to help me when it fails.��

Avdol gives you a gentle smile, leaning over to kiss your cheek.

“If. If it fails. And of course, if it came to that I would take on the world at your side.”

Noriaki Kakyoin-

Readjusting you grip on his hand, you pulled your boyfriend to a stop beside you, forcing him to turn and look at the setting sun with you.

The two of you had spent a lovely evening at the beach, laying around and playing in the waves a bit, but now it was time for your favorite part of beach trips.

The sunset part.

Kakyoin allows himself to be pulled along without any resistance, letting go of your hand only so he could stand behind you and wrap his arms around your waist, resting his head on your shoulder as you both took in the scenery together.

Deciding it was time to break this tranquil silence, you spoke up, perfectly serious.

“This sunset is so pretty, I think I’m going to take over the whole world and keep them all for myself.”

Kakyoin tenses for a moment behind you, arms holding you a bit tighter.

“Take over the world? Where is this coming from?”

You shrug as much as you can in his embrace.

“I just love the sunset, it would be cool to own it.”

“Own…it…” He trails off, unsure how to respond to such a strange idea.

“Well, I suppose if it makes you happy then do what you must.”

“Thank you for the permission.” You reply with a smile, turning around in his arms to face him.

“You know, since I’m quite fond of you I think I’ll let you have all the sunrises.”

Your loving “gift” causes a small smile to blossom on his face, and he turns his head to hide his blush.

“Thank you, but… that was so sappy!”

“Well, I have to treat my trophy husband nicely now don’t I?”

Jean Pierre Polnareff-

You sat across from your boyfriend Polnareff, mindlessly stirring your coffee as you listened to him talk about the cop drama he’d spent all night watching.

You weren’t particularly interested in the show, but you found it adorable how animated he had become as he talked about the characters and the drama, so while you wouldn’t say you were tuning him out, you were certainly more focused on his actions than his words.

“And then he was like BAM BAM and the criminals were forced to face the hand of the law and- hey, are you listening?”

Uh oh.

“Huh? Oh yeah, of course. Bam, justice.”

Polnareff doesn’t seem totally convinced, but he shrugs it off, unbothered.

“Sorry, I know you don’t really care about the show haha, I just get so into it!”

You smile- ‘Oh I know you do’

“Anyways, tell me what you’ve been up to? What’re you thinking about?” Polnareff prompts, leaning forward towards you a bit.

“Me? I was… Thinking about…um. Taking over the world.”

He leans back again, confusion plain on his face, but before you can clarify that it was a joke or, hopefully, change the subject to look at bit less silly, he’s on the move again, throwing himself into the chain next to you instead of across from you and grabbing both your hands in his.

“Baby, you don’t have to worry about that- if you want the world just tell me and I’ll get it for you!”

You blush, unsure of how he can declare something so absolutely cheesy with such sincerity.

“Oh well, um, thank you Polnareff.”

He’s still smiling at you charmingly as gives your hands a reassuring squeeze.

“Anything for you baby! And while I’m at it, I can ask the writers how the main detective is going to beat his rival this season.”

You roll your eyes at that, but lean against his shoulder anyway, offering your silent support of his antics.

[skamamoroma]

Episode 4: Wtfock S3

Thank you so much for all of the lovely messages about these posts. Who knew people would want to ready my rambly thoughts. I wrote these kind of overly long in-depth emotional spiral posts about Skam It s2 and enjoyed it so much so it’s good to know wtfock inspires similar spiralling!

I’ve tagged these posts specifically so if you want to read the others, then follow the tag below :)

Anyway, I love that the episode opens with someone interested in Robbe’s life. We’re reminded that Milan cares even if he does want a bit of gossip, he’s sitting there looking at the videos and taking an interest. I love that he and Robbe had that ‘little club of two’ moment about Zoe being jealous… it makes you remember Robbe’s not alone and he has the beginnings of a home.

Seeing Robbe just chilling on his sofa, headphones on and scrolling through photographs is so similar to Isak and every other remake where they search and end up finding something to stare at and obsess a little over. It kills me that all Robbe has are photos of Sander with Britt. Sander is in the background and Robbe still smiles to himself. This isn’t a video like Marti, Lucas and Isak had… he has less but he’s had more of Sander in real life and it just reminds you of that DISTANCE. I love how in other remakes, you still felt that longing but it was more exciting whereas here I feel a little bit heartbroken for Robbe as he’s had to spent days and days keeping himself away from Sander and nearly gave in. He came so very close to letting himself lean into his feelings and it was abruptly ended… he wasn’t thinking when he nearly kissed Sander, he was clearly acting on impulse but now he has this distance, he’s thinking and it’s easy and harmless and means nothing in his head. I think he’s fully aware of how he feels but Sander is so far away in every sense of the word that the reality isn’t as overwhelming. That’s really kinda sad to me.

Then there’s Milan again with his casual sexuality chat. It’s so important in every remake to have this moment because it’s the Isak of it all being faced with an open homosexual man who is talking about relationships and sex and guys and they use that to ask questions they wouldn’t ordinarily ask… and the answers always kill me because Eskild said the whole “if he talks about blow jobs” thing which made Isak remember Even did EXACTLY that… but here, Milan says that sometimes you can tell is someone else is gay from subtle signals, a look in their eye “something trapped inside that desperately wants to come out”. That look at Robbe is VERY telling. I’m not sure if Milan knew 100% but he certainly had the whole shady history of the girls telling him Robbe might be but the fact that Milan tells him that being gay can be SENSED… yeah it’s kinda true but also kinda wildly untrue in many many many cases but Robbe believes it in that moment. He’s left wondering whether that part of him can simply be SENSED by looking at him, by assessing him and that clearly freaked him out. We don’t know the intensity of his internalised homophobia but Milan’s words here were so different from the original that it had such an effect for Robbe personally and for his story. His face at the end is A LOT. That moment when he’s about to download Grindr, to actually accept and lean into his feelings, the feelings he KNOWS are there… and he doesn’t. It’s hugely important to understand Robbe because he’s fighting it massively. BUT THE SONG. Oh the song. Hahaha. Todrick Hall and ‘I Like Boys’ could not have been more perfect for this moment. It’s kind of tongue in cheek, it’s a little like we’re seeing the reality of the part of Robbe’s mind he’s denying and it’s a little nod to Milan too… so so so good and I think when I realised that this season’s music was going to be killer!

But aside from an adorable moment with Yasmina, we’re straight into THE DANCERS SCENE. Ah the classic. This episode mirrors the original so closely but they’re made subtle changes that are really telling and specific for Robbe. He isn’t sitting there looking bored and check out like Isak, he’s UNCOMFORTABLE. He looks like he wants to be anywhere else. It’s all kind of oversexualised and he looks a little like he’s sorry for witnessing it and isn’t that something he does a lot - he always feels BAD for objectifying women or seeing the stuff his friends talk about play out in real life. He clearly looked almost sorry for touching Noor in his bedroom, he had to check nobody was watching when he was sweet to her in the sand dunes and now he looks embarrassed to be watching what he’s watching. Poor kid. He can’t accept it’s a piece of art because all he’s doing is connecting it to how he feels WRONG in himself, how he’s not experiencing what his friends are, how he didn’t want to come along in the first place, how ALL OF IT ties into Noor, a girl he’s dating but doesn’t feel attracted to… it’s so overwhelming and poor love looks like he wants to crawl out of his own skin. 

And just like he did with Milan, he sees a chance to distance himself from being gay by using the dance teacher. His internalised oppression rears it’s ugly head but what I LOVE about this moment and god KUDOS to Willem H is when Jens kicks back and Robbe immediately questions if Jens has a problem with it….. Robbe’s FACE. It’s a 360 turn around and instead of wanting that distance between GAY and himself, he’s now terrified that actually Jens might have an issue with it. Talk about being crippled by fear and insecurity surrounding something true about yourself. How terribly sad and Willem H sells that little moment because his eyes are full of fear. 

I kind of understand Jens in this moment. At the time it was difficult to because of how the whole group had been framed. Jens has consistently checked in with Robbe and given him those moments of friendship and support and yes, the group has failed to notice Robbe’s obvious discomfort and unhappiness and they wound him up over the vlogs and the pranks but here, Jens has no real reason to understand why Robbe would flip. It IS out of nowhere but it’s another moment of Robbe just being so overwhelmed and hating himself and the situation he’s in that he snaps and retreats. I find it so tough watching Robbe do this knowing how much he changes and how much more comfortable he becomes with who he is and the world around him… this all feels like he’s constantly feeling suffocated and fights to get out of any situation so he can breathe. 

Oh isn’t this the episode of being bombarded by ideas of sexuality. I LOVE watching it in this way as episodes because every single clip is another prod at Robbe, another way for him to realise he’s DIFFERENT and to feel like he doesn’t fit, not with his friends, not with Milan and his life, not as someone who appreciates the attractiveness of women, not with religious folks… he feels set aside from all of that, confused, alone and every part of him is saying that the fact he feels uncomfortable is because it’s wrong and then you have Yasmina saying that homosexuality is perhaps a ‘disorder’ or a ‘choice’... and isn’t that the nail in the coffin of misery. It’s that confirmation the dark part of his brain has been looking for.

ENTER SANDER. The one person who makes something in him feel nice. Sander reminds him of when he was in his little bubble dream world of the seaside, when he was able to pretend his life was different. Sander’s mentioning Bowie again and being interested and friendly and making Robbe special by including him in his interests. It’s incredibly sweet and the moment Robbe lies down and listens to Space Oddity, I remember feeling like this season could be something really impactful. That spinning camera, the stillness, the close up of his eyes makes you feel like Robbe is kind of day dreaming he’s back there… and the fact that day dream is interrupted by Sander’s call is just PERFECT. Sander, ever the whirlwind, doesn’t just message, he calls to chase up! And the whole moment of Robbe preening himself is so youthful and cute, I can’t handle it. God, he KNOWS he likes Sander. He goes in and out of allowing himself to act on that feeling that he gives himself whiplash. 

I think I genuinely feel, way more than any other remake, that Sander feels like a dream. EVERY SINGLE TIME Sander appears (and it’s true of the end of this episode too), he takes Robbe out of himself, transports him and it’s like Robbe is dreaming, existing in some other place because Sander shakes everything up and he’s this platinum haired dreamboat figure… it’s almost like he’s unreal and he feels that way on a proper rewatch like this. He feels otherworldly and isn’t that kina cool given how much he loves Bowie. 

Maybe Sander is like the Ziggy Stardust working his way through this alien planet?! To Robbe, he’s a walking dream and Robbe gets mesmerised and forgets himself… and it isn’t until that distance kicks in that Robbe returns to reality with serious force. 

Their telephone call is so CUTE. Sander is a little flirty and you can see how endeared Robbe is. Willem H’s FACE when Sander suggests Robbe bribe him… that moment of shock and awe. PERFECT, my god. But the moment that kills me is just how utterly devastated Robbe looks when Britt appears. His whole face falls and you can see he’s so instantly saddened at the realisation that he’s not ‘special’, that Sander isn’t ‘his’. We, with the benefit of knowing the future, know that that’s nonsense and Sander is clearly doing all of this because he’s 100% smitten and wants Robbe in every conceivable way… but Robbe’s little forlorn look makes me want to crawl into the screen and squish him. 

Robbe collapsing onto his face, that tortured youthful angst is PERFECT and Sander yet again makes him believe he can do thing. Sander’s presence moves Robbe’s progress on even a fraction… and Robbe can’t ignore these feelings so he tries Grindr again and that moment of “but this isn’t me” that crosses Robbe’s face is gut wrenching. He’s looking at the comments not recognising himself in that behaviour and it’s not wrong, it’s just not him…. Although he’s not able to make that distinction yet. He sees “not him” and meaning he can’t be gay rather than he’s just a different type of person. What a horribly relatable moment. And then the music dictates the entire mood yet again - “shout shout let it all out” because he needs to and things are so tangled and confusing and upsetting and there’s Noor reminding him he has a girlfriend. 

And now we have Noor. Overreacting. I still laugh. He was like half an hour late and she absolutely loses her shit. I can’t take her seriously. I get that she later explains that she feels like he’s not fully into their ‘thing’ but she’s talking about love and it’s WAY TOO MUCH… and hahahaha the fact that this segues into the shot between Britt and Sander while Sander pretends he’s going to feed Britt and actually feeds himself is… i mean it’s genius. ABSOLUTELY brilliant… Sander is everything Robbe wants and kinda needs in this moment and he looms large as Noor and Robbe appear in the background, all the while we’re reminded of Britt also looming large but that Sander has fed Robbe before, enjoyed it and found it incredibly cute and he chooses not to do that with Britt, chooses to be a little selfish and cheeky and think of himself…. Kinda, maybe how he was when he chose to openly flirt with a boy at the seaside while Britt was elsewhere. The four of them in the shot in this way is just AMAZING. 

Robbe, YET AGAIN, doesn’t like to hurt people. He doesn’t like to cause pain but Noor is talking about LOVE and they’re known each other a few weeks. It’s almost laughable if it weren’t for the fact that they’re young and also we know Robbe feels this way about Sander pretty quickly too. Poor Noor really thought they were something. I think Robbe finally shouting that he feels suffocated is so important because we’ve seen it, we’ve seen him explode and then run but he’s always alone. He retreats and we never follow him and he’s rarely honest with his shouting… here he is honest and he retreats but Sander is waiting right there when he does.

I love love love that! This time, Robbe doesn’t end up alone.

The fact that Sander, currently Mr Walking Day Dream or the whirlwind personified, makes a bit of a joke of it all and sings Bowie is endlessly funny and sums Sander up in a second but it’s this flippancy again. He doesn’t really care if Britt hates him or finds him weird or if he doesn’t feed her and certainly doesn’t care about Noor and Britt following her. All he cares about is Robbe and I said this so much at the time but Sander reminds me so much of Eliott in that respect. That “nothing else matters” idea, that all of the MESS around them and the mistakes and confusion means nothing because there’s this strength to the feelings there and there’s an inevitability to them. I think Sander feels that and believes it aka “I saw you in the moonlight and thought he is the one”. 

Sander is just SUCH a bitch in this moment and it’s hilarious. Bleach blonde bitch or what. 

The fact we get an extended shot watching Sander’s response to Robbe’s misery is perfect. He’s not bothered in the slightest about Britt and Noor. He doesn’t know why Robbe wants to message them, he’s waiting for Robbe to engage with him and then that downing the drink…. BALLSY AS HECK. He’s like “ok dude, I’ll do this for us” - he knows what he wants. He wants Robbe to himself and that smug little moment when Britt confirms that they don’t want to be bothered is perfect because Sander gets his wish.

I love that we segue into 21:21 and another Sander dream sequence. These moments with Sander are just overwhelming and almost TOO MUCH. They’re cinematic and they’re bold and send Robbe spiralling… and he gets to rest into the moment, to be present and Sander’s presence makes him forget everything which is why I think he’s able to be so balshy! He’s able to be himself. Nobody else is around, nobody is there but Sander and Robbe knows he’s safe there.

Not to jump the gun but I think this is what makes 22:53 aka the attack feel all the more devastating because Robbe’s dreamlike existence when Sander is around is so brutally ripped from him and torn to shreds. It’s metaphorical but it makes me wish they’d included a moment post attack with Robbe feeling a little more uncomfortable being open with Sander in public. We kind of had a moment of it but not enough, personally, and I feel like it would have served the story well. That said, they brought the comfort with Sander and the defiance hard after the attack that it worked in its own way, I just feel, by way of constructive criticism, that they could have shown the impact that the brutality of beating attacked for being open and comfortable could have on someone like Robbe in a more obvious way to then show how you can overcome that. Anyway…. MUCH lovelier things to talk about!

Sander coming out of that shop and Robbe grinning to himself just reminds me of the words “it’s just you and me”. That club of two thing feels so strong with these two. I felt it with the original and the remakes in very subtly different ways but with these two, I have this real sense of breathing out in comfort when they’re together and it makes you want it for them all the time. Robbe is so relaxed and again, it’s that jarring change. Sander is just smitten and so giddy he gets to have Robbe to himself and Robbe’s making Booking.com jokes and being all cute… how Sander didn’t melt on the floor at all of this knowing what we know about how he felt about Robbe. Bless him! I love that Robbe winked. He’s in his comfortable dream state… he can do that and it’s all fine and lovely and wonderful and Sander’s there looking like a dream and buying him sugary drinks and has a head full of adventure that Robbe just can’t help but smile, swoon and FOLLOW. Because when Sander says “come”, Robbe follows. Every time. Ah Sander, such an Even.

This entire montage is so beautiful. Wildfire is THEIR song. I kind of feel like the words are for Robbe this time. He’s so free. YET AGAIN, he’s with Sander and everything is fun and free and he doesn’t need to worry. 

“When you release, when you let go, you can find yourself where you belong” - those words and for Robbe. The song is for both of them… different verses for different parts of them that represent their struggles. IT STUNS ME. This song could not have been better chosen or used… and thank GOD we got it back when Sander needed saving. This moment, the endless tunnels to bike through and the city at night to sing in… all of it is Robbe’s journey to comfort and knowing what it’s like to let go and feel and experience.

I like that Sander retained the Even rebelliousness, the smugness, the slight pretentiousness… it fits him perfectly and the getting naked does not AT ALL seem weird. He’s extra as all hell and he doesn’t seem out of character… if anything, if they’d have done the same as the original then it would have perhaps felt out of character !!!!!

Then we have Sander’s “all the way or no way”. His motto in life. His character summed up in a few words. He’s perfectly WONDERFUL. You can see why Robbe is so enamoured and in awe. Sander is just the type to turn someone’s world upside down. 

The fact that Robbe is free and at the whim of someone SO freewheeling as Sander is overwhelming. 

THE LYRICS. Wildfire breaking me again and again. 

“Darling, please. Don’t give up. Trap your hate and sing for love, let me be the one who sings along”. MY GOD.

Those lyrics just before Robbe kisses him is so beautifully done. They’re like Sander’s words to Robbe although unspoken. That idea of  - just let go, give in, be free, do what feels right and what your heart is telling you to… because I’ll be right here with you”. GOOD GOD, the music is so perfectly chosen, the moments it fades in to spell out what’s happening in the clip is just so well done. 

I love their first kiss. It’s kind of messy but entirely desperate. It is shot like a dream sequence with that blurry underwater moment, the whole thing sparkly and bathed in shimmery blue light… and Robbe looks dazed and lost to the moment. It’s exactly the effect Sander has on him and what life and the world feels like when Sander’s around. 

Then Sander is gone. 

And we know what happens when Sander goes and Robbe is left to his own mind and the influence of others. Robbe looks exhausted and Zoe’s words slap him round the face. He’s reminded that he’s hurting people, that he has betrayed someone. He looks like he’s going to cry. He doesn’t like to hurt people and once again, he’s WRONG, what he’s doing is BAD.

Space Oddity playing again to remind him of that spiralling and Sander… it’s all acoustic and sweet but Robbe’s alone and Sander isn’t there to help him believe. The way Robbe strokes the screen over Sander’s face and blocks him… the dream’s over and he’s back in his brain and in the real world where he has been told he is wrong.

And the scene that I can barely watch. Sander is so sweet and optimistic and beautiful. We know he’s so utterly smitten with Robbe and how MUCH this must have hurt. Robbe’s choice of words is stark and worrying and just so totally WRONG. He was cruel and calculated and everything he isn’t and you can see the way he shakes when he’s on the other side of the door. Sander’s beauty and promise and that glittery dream world aren’t real and Robbe’s so firmly in reality now, is rejecting that lovely freedom and he actively broke his own heart.

It hurts. It’s not ok that he said what he said and in the way he said it but I understand, in the context of his story, why at the end of THIS episode where is feels WRONG and he believes who he is hurts people… that he chose the WORST but most effective way of putting that distance back where it was.

Poor poor Sander. Poor sweet boy feeling like he has done something wrong and hurt the person he adores… but part of me knows Sander understands behaving in ways that might hurt people, knows the damage your brain can do when it tells you that you aren’t allowed happiness and loveliness. I think thats why Chernobyl and the concept of exploding brains and fucking up because you felt terrified… well, he get it, doesn’t he? And I think he saw Robbe’s truth when he met him. He saw his sweetness and I think Sander always understood Robbe’s heart…

That “i save you, you save me back” concept had to be strong here and thank god it was!!! 

So yeah, this was LONG but this episode is an important and beautiful if brutal one! If you’re still awake, you deserve a bloody huge medal. Thanks so much for reading all my nonsense. These are just my own ideas and interpretations and it’s so interesting to read what others think too! The show lends itself to that so perfectly. 

[citialiin]

2 AM is a good time to make posts about maybe what ziggie’s myusic sounds like

i think the general idea i had for this blog was that the music z plays is literally what you can listen to irl in other words it’s just the actual ziggy stardust album. which i guess makes sense. it’d be his self titled debut to establish his sort of “outer space” theme and his “persona” (even though he’s ... actually an alien. an alien pretending to be a human pretending to be an alien.)  i generally dont like to think of him of having much to do with d*vis b*owey at this point since i want to push him into more stand-alone territory but i am listening to young americans and i am a liddle high so my brain is huge rn. they can share discogrpahies

so the music that ziggy AKA citialiin ziggy makes and the canon i go by is the ziggy stardust album thru young americans            - he has some singles before he makes his first album (he doesnt actually have the entire hunky dory album) prolly just life on marz and o u pretty thingz and queen bitch             - ziggy stardust & the spiders from blahfkdjfldjf is his debut + claim to fame LOL my dog pushed open the door and i almost shat myself JESUS CHRST ok anyways yeah album spaceman yes ... we all know these songs            - aladdin sane would be the album he’s currently working on in most verses, in that he’s currently in the process of writing the lyrics or maybe even going as far as to start recording the actual songs.  aladdin sane is as db described “ziggy goes to america” and i mean ... isnt that the point of this blog ... anyways. it’s definitely like the z stardust album and still has the rock faux americana vibe to it but its a lot weirder/more experimental/the lyrics sound like they’re written by someone who is going fucking crazy. and that’s the point! ziggy (in his current v ; by any other name / v ; turnabout intruder) verses is at the height of his fame and is suffering from the crazy delusions that accompany that kind of attention and celebrity status.  he’s nuts man.  he has brain problems.            - diamond dogs is the next one he’d write, while i personally like this album ive heard a lot of Fancy B0wie Critics say it isnt so great and it was b@wie kind of going into sellout/boring territory in other words it was too close to his previous albums. in this idea it would just be z going so hard into commercialism he doesnt impress anyone anymore. verging on washup territory.  like. he still tried. he still did a good job. sweet thing is a good song.  but everyone is like yea we get it            - aaaaaaaaand then hed come out with young americans! a totally different sound for a totally different ziggothy!! everyone is Impressed that he managed to do such a good job adapting to a new style and a lot of it is lyrically quite different than what he usually goes by (less madman rambling, more almost .... concise commentary?). esp the song who can i be now ... wow ... what a fuckin good song for a character like z ...            - station to station is WAY too associated with the thin white duke, i dont think z would ever write music quite like that.  everything after just ... doesnt exist i guess because at that point bowie is so far removed from the z stardust persona it doesnt amke sense to assiociate that music with him anymore.  i mean technically low is my favorite album but this isnt about what I want this is about me being ...s-sensible ...          - inb4 the personas dont match up technically aladdin sane is for ... aladdin sane and diamond doggy is for halloween jack and young americans is for halloween jack too i think? or is that considered plastic soul man? or do we negate plastic soul man and just combine young americans with station to station as albums for the thin white duke? Anyways, like baking, bowie personas are not an exact science so i dont care really.  you could hold a gun to my head and i sitll would not give a single shit about classic rock.  thus ends my idea for z’s discograhy.            - as a side note i think he would also write a lot of songs sounding like of montreal/kevin barnes stuff.  ^_____^

[atopearth]

Steins;Gate: My Darling’s Embrace Part 6 - Mayuri Route (Stardust Duplet)

Hahahaha, I love how they were discussing the idea for a new gadget to sell to pay for their exorbitant electricity bills and Mayushii suggests a robot Mayushii, and then later she brings a doll with a voice recording of herself saying "Tutturu🎵" loll, it's so cute. Aww, she gave it to Okabe, lmao at Kurisu telling him to hold it to sleep hahaha. I find it hilarious how the game let's you scroll up and down to look at each of the girl's swimsuits properly hahaha. As usual, I think Kurisu looks the best, I don't like Mayushii and her hat with the bikini swimsuit tbh haha. Faris looked all right but nothing special~ It was pretty cute how Okabe couldn't stop staring at Mayushii though hahaha. Aww he lent her his shorts to cover up since she was so embarrassed hahaha, they're so adorable~ Okay, the swimsuits look much better without the jackets hahaha. Awww I loved how cute Mayushii and Okabe were when they played in the water together, I just feel like there's always this nice childlike sweetness to their relationship that Okabe only shares with her, so it's always heartwarming to see. I love how Mayushii taught him how to swim properly, it's rare for him to actually learn something from her so it's fun to see that. Lmao at them playing volleyball and Faris used Daru as a shield🤣

I honestly teared up when Mayuri cried. She saved Okabe from drowning (when he was being silly) but she got so scared that he was actually going to die🥺🥺 I could feel her emotions, Okabe is always so reckless, he's lucky Mayuri watches him closely and knows when he's in trouble. I found it really cool that Mayuri saved him (even though it was expected that she would), since it's nice to contrast it with how Okabe kept trying his best to save her in the original game. Lmaoo I love all the new messages Mayuri added to Robo-Mayushii, it's hilarious how she tells Okabe silly things through it, like telling him to brush his teeth before he sleeps hahaha, but it's so sweet as well, especially since she spent so much time on it, she didn't have enough time to finish her costumes for ComiMa by the first day, we all know how important ComiMa is to her and Daru, so it's sweet to see indirectly as well how much she cares about Okabe. Mayuri is such a pure soul, she was thinking about doing the modelling job Moeka's boss wanted her to do just so she can be of use to the lab/Okabe and help pay off their electricity bill🥺🥺 Why does she warm my heart so much🥺 It was obvious that Mayuri would end up taking the modelling job after all, but it's kinda cute how Okabe joined in too hahaha. The CG of Mayuri and Okabe looking at the Christmas tree together was so nice~ I loved how Mayuri had so much fun taking photos with her Okarin, it was so sweet to see. It's funny how oblivious Okabe is towards Mayuri's feelings but it wouldn't be Okabe if he realised stuff like this, in this game anyway lol. I also loved how he wanted to buy her the star on top of the tree because she kept staring at it hahaha.

It was so funny when Mayuri told Okabe to go to sleep again so she could do the anime cliche thing where the MC's childhood friend goes into their room to tell them to wake up, since when she came to wake him up, he was on the floor (from the shock of his dream about a flirty Mayuri lmao). Wow, Mayuri is so comfortable with Okabe, she's even willing to do his dirty laundry and stuff like dang, my waifu~ lmaooo at Rintaro's dad telling Mayuri to just marry his son and move in with them (since her parents are moving but she's staying here for school and will have to move in with her aunt). HAHAHA, I loved how Mayuri was so into being a grocer (since Okabe's house is a grocery store) when they tended to the shop together. Aww why did she cry looking at Okabe?! Anyway, I loved how when the lab members saw how good the photos were, especially of Okabe, they were so shocked, and even Daru felt betrayed because he thought Okabe was the same breed as him lmaooo. On another note, lmao at Faris thinking Kurisu's name was actually Christina and thought she was part American or something hahahaha. I honestly didn't think Mayuri was actually moving and that's why she cried! I'm glad everyone told Okabe to properly think about his feelings towards Mayuri and stop thinking she's still a kid, I'm also glad that he's properly chasing after her knowing that he's always thought that she would stay by his side forever but now that it might not be so, he wants to tell her that he wants her to stay here with him. It was so sad and sweet when Okabe realised why Mayuri was so insistent on finishing Robo-Mayushii so fast, since she knew she wouldn't be with him for much longer but still wanted to support him, she's the best🥺🥺🥺 OMGGG, Okabe's confession of love, Mayuri honestly telling him that she thought he could live without her especially since he's so close with Kurisu, him giving her the Christmas tree star and in front of her grandmother's grave too, everything was just so perfect!!!! Like, I read somewhere where people praised Mayuri's route for being the best but omg, it's so good, I feel like their relationship throughout the route was so natural and sweet, it honestly felt much better than the main game Mayuri route hahaha. Lmaooo when Mayuri was taught by Kurisu that kisses should be done on the third date hahahah, it's kinda funny how they ended up kissing three times hahaha, but I loved how Mayuri first initiated it and then Okabe did for the last two times, it was so cuteeee, my heart is so full and warm. I love Mayuri and Okabe🥺🥺🥺 I love how they went to Mayuri's parents together and asked for her to stay in Tokyo, it was so cool to see how resolute Mayuri was knowing that it was a selfish decision but she really didn't want to leave🥺 they’re so young and beautiful~

Awww so cute how Suzuha gave Okabe tips on how to win the metal upa in the shooting game at the festival for Mayuri hahaha. Too bad he couldn’t get it lolll. Anyway, I just love how compared to other routes, Okabe is so honest and forthright with his feelings, it's like Mayuri was the one who was able to draw that part out of him haha. It was so funny how when Mayuri was late and they thought she wouldn't be able to stay in Tokyo, so Luka told him to draw fortunes for good luck and Okabe got bad luck, so Luka said he should draw again because their fortunes are inaccurate hahahah, Luka is so silly but kind. HAHAHA, I love how Okabe misunderstood thinking Mayuri told her parents that she would live with Okabe after high school graduation to not inconvenience her aunt when she actually told them she would live at the lab lmaooo, it was so cute though, he practically proposed to her again hahaha. And yes I forgot to say but I loved how he "proposed" to her at her grandmother's grave before saying he wants her to be his hostage until they die haha. Anyway, Okabe trying to run away with Mayuri in embarrassment as everyone congratulates them in their "marriage" is just hilarious and awesome, I loved every bit of it hahahah.

Overall, Mayuri's route is definitely the best route and probably the only one worth my money LOL. As I've already said, Mayuri and Okabe's relationship was very natural and sweet in this route and I think this was the only route that did what I wanted this game to do, which was give each girl a proper route without all the baggage about the world, timelines and everything in the original game so that they can all have a normal happy ending, which I feel like only Mayuri's route showed that, and maybe Faris. What I liked most about Mayuri's route is that they both properly showed their love for each other without having to rely on the fact that they were childhood friends and instead they developed it from that, which I really appreciated. It also really helps that Mayuri's VA Hanazawa Kana is amazing at portraying emotions through her voice, I really wanted to cry whenever Mayuri cried😭 Honestly, even if this game only had Mayuri's route I would be satisfied lmao.

Overall Review: 6/10 b/c of Kurisu & Mayuri

Anyway, I have to admit though, the only route really worth playing is Mayuri's and maybe Faris for the all the maid interactions loll. The rest are okay but honestly, Suzuha's one is pretty terrible and I just felt bad for Luka in his route even though I was happy that Luka kindaaa got through to him? Lol. Kurisu and Moeka's routes I was pretty apathetic about because they weren't terrible but they weren't good either. The funny thing is that Kurisu was pretty annoying in her own route, but she was honestly the best girl in all the other girl's routes lmaoo (aside from Mayuri's of course), she was such a highlight with her banter in them all that I absolutely loved her presence in each one hahaha, she was that enjoyable to watch. Overall, I'd say the game is worth buying if you love Mayuri LOL, because that was the only good romance route, the rest were pretty meh, and I have to mention, it's so weird how in every other route the romance doesn't really end with them together (aside from Luka but that one was kinda weird), it's only Mayuri's that it's very clear cut that Okabe got together with her lol, like c'mon!! I love Mayuri but it's really unfair to the other girls lol. Oh well though, I'm glad I got to finish the game off with a blast because now I can't stop thinking about how cute Okabe and Mayuri were~~~

[melodiesofblueroses]

Star Boy (Yoosung x Reader) Pt.1

☆ ━ 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙮: Yoosung puts the stars up in the sky every night and catches sight of the one who sits atop the moon ━ ☆ 

★ ━ 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩: 2.4k 

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Bonus: Alternate ending

       As a star boy, Yoosung often found his job quite tiresome. It was the same activity night-to-night: align the dark nighttime sky with glimmering stars. While it was calming, the same repetitive action got quite troublesome after a bit. He’s been doing the same job for the past twenty-something years, often finding himself drifting in and out of his thoughts. The blonde was quite lonely, only having his fantasies about love as a companion. Yet, there was something about the thought of the smiles of humans down below. Yoosung sought comfort in that. They smiled at his work. They cried underneath his art. They kissed, they cuddled, they sought comfort in those fiery balls. They appreciated his work, and Yoosung sought comfort in the fact that he was wanted. 

        It wasn’t as if he had never seen her before, but rather he often ignored the girl that sat atop the moon. She always seemed to be lost in her thoughts or smiling down below at the city skyline or the couples walking the streets. When Yoosung first took interest in her, she had been swooped into the crescent shape of the moon. Her glowy pastel pink dress perfectly embodied her structure to some extent as it was a bit long. Maybe she should get it trimmed, Yoosung had thought. It hung over the moon, and her seemingly soft locks seemed to nest her head perfectly. A tiny strand would always be swinging over her forehead which the star boy had found to be quite adorable, blushing at the sight. Her eyes were shut tight, yet she was conscious, humming a soft melodic tune to herself. Yoosung had snuck quite close to her, grabbing stars out of his messenger bag and placing them around the moon in a rather neat order. That was the first time Yoosung had noticed her pink lips and tinted cheeks. 

        Ah, how beautiful. He found himself fawning over her, the girl he had just met a few minutes prior. Her lips looked quite soft, having the perfect shade of pink. Her hands had lain on her stomach as she rocked back and forth in the crescent. Yoosung had become mesmerized. Was this love at first sight? Nonsense. There was no such thing. Tooth-decayingly sweet love only existed in those fairytale books humans seemed to take an interest in. In truth, love was such a fickle thing. From the observations Yoosung had foretaken in, humans took advantage of love with only a handful truly loving love. Sure it broke his heart, yet Yoosung found himself wishing for such a love, one that was so sweet it was disgusting. The girl atop the moon began to shift, scaring Yoosung a bit. Crap, he would have to hurry up. Taking one more glance at her, Yoosung had memorized her details and blushed a bit, thinking about how nice it would be to hold her hands or have a nice chat with her. 

                                                             ~

        The second time Yoosung had seen her, it was the night of shooting stars. Ah yes, the night where humans would gather around and would want to actually watch the night sky. Yoosung had been as clueless as ever though. This was the first star shower since he began working as a star boy, so Yoosung didn’t particularly know what that was. Dressed in his usual attire of a striped gray shirt below suspenders with a beige cross-body messenger bag, Yoosung had been putting the stars in the night sky. He then was hit (rather rudely he would say) with a flying star, smack dab on his forehead. Nonetheless, the throw had been pretty strong, leaving a red imprint on the star boy’s forehead. He was quite irritated to say nonetheless. How rude of a celestial being to throw stars, the celestial bodies he took pride in aligning the empty night sky with. 

        “Hey, are you alright?” Star boy turned to face the voice and was met with a silver-haired being, dressed in a gray coat with a trail of stardust following him. Quite attractive to say the least, at least that’s what Yoosung thought. “I didn’t see you there.”

        “Why are you throwing around stars?” Yoosung asked rather rudely, agitation clear in his voice. The blonde puffed out his cheeks and crossed his arms. “Don’t you know, I’m the star boy. You shouldn’t be playing around with the stars I place in the night sky. They’re for the humans down there to admire.” The silver-haired being laughed at his venting, baffling Yoosung. This hurt him in a way, but the hurt was quickly replaced with irritation towards this cocky individual. 

        “Damn, you gave me quite a good laugh.” The rather rude individual wiped tears from his eyes. “You must be the newbie star boy. Now, what was your name Jihyun had said? Yoo…?”

        “Yoosung Kim.” He pouted, puffing out his cheeks in a rather cute fashion once more. He brushed off the fact on who this Jihyun individual was. It was probably the sun of this solar system since he had heard that they informed their assigned solar system of any new celestial beings. 

        “Oh yeah, yeah. Yoosung Kim, the naive little star boy.” Needless to say, the blonde didn’t appreciate the nickname. “Anyway, I’m Hyun Ryu, but just call me Hyun. You must have no idea what day it is then.” Yoosung tilted his head to the side cutely, giving a confused look to Hyun. “It’s the star shower tonight. I’m actually quite surprised you haven’t heard of one. They aren’t that rare you know.”

        “Yeah yeah, so what?” Yoosung didn’t intend to come off as rude, but Hyun was getting on his nerves a bit. “I’m still the star boy, so that doesn’t explain why you’re throwing my stars around. Besides, shooting stars aren’t actual stars. Rather, they’re space debris that entered the atmosphere.”

        “You’re quite naive aren’t you?”

        “H-Hey-”

        “Showers call for different celestial beings. And I am the one responsible for meteor showers and comets and shooting stars, the great Hyun.” The silver-haired man emitted a smirk as if applauding himself to which Yoosung rolled his eyes. “I go around and take these special stars and throw them all around the night sky, providing a show for the humans to adore and applaud me for. As for the space debris, you don’t actually believe that do you? I mean yeah, sure debris could enter, but they’re actual shooting stars. The humans just don’t know that.”

        “W-Wait, so I’m not the one doing the throwing of the stars?” Not wanting to admit it, Yoosung was a bit heartbroken. He wasn’t special enough to earn the title to throw around stars, yet here he was thinking that humans truly enjoyed his artwork. In reality, humans enjoyed Hyun’s work much more, preferring it over Yoosung’s dusty stars any day. It really brought down his self-esteem. 

        “Hey, don’t get too worked up about it. Only talented individuals like myself are allowed to be graced with such an opportunity.” Geez, thanks Hyun, you really brought up Yoosung’s self-esteem, didn’t you? Yoosung just puffed out his cheeks in anger once more, turning his back away from Hyun and continuing to put up stars. 

        “That jerk. He could throw stars all he wants, but I’m still more important. I have this job every night, unlike that silver-haired jerk.” While muttering to himself about how much of a jerk Hyun was, Yoosung saw him race to the moon from the corner of his eye. Well, that sure brought his attention. The star boy looked towards the moon, spotting the moon girl sitting atop a full moon and touching a nearby star he had put up, making Yoosung’s heart jump a bit. Ah, what a wonderful feeling to have his work admired by such a beautiful celestial being. The happiness quickly dimmed when he saw Hyun go near her.

        “What’s a beautiful young woman like you sitting atop the moon all by yourself?” The comment quickly caught the attention of the eavesdropping Yoosung. How dare he flirt with her! The audacity of him! Immediately Yoosung felt himself getting a bit heated. First off, he left Yoosung feeling insulted then he goes off and flirts with the purest of celestial beings. What a truly strange yet unrestrained individual. Quite sickening indeed. 

        Yet, the strangest of it all was that she laughed at his untasteful flirt. Yoosung was bewildered. Weren’t women supposed to hate the flirting? Aren’t men supposed to be graceful in front of women? Was everything his parents taught him wrong? Yet, those questions were only a side thought. Instead, something else plagued his mind. How could a giggle be that cute? How could it sound so sweet and soft and melt the heart of our star boy within an instant? And why did Yoosung’s face go red once he heard it? He’s heard plenty of other girls laugh before in his training classes, but none have ever close to sounding this melodic, maybe except for the giggle of Areum. That was a close second. 

        “Nice to see you again Hyun.” Ah, it was the first time Yoosung heard her soft-spoken voice. It was a perfect mixture of all the tones he had ever heard: a soft yet strong voice with a bit of sweetness thrown in there, whatever any of that meant. “There’s already another shower? Gosh, how time flies.” So the two of them must know each other, Yoosung deduced. That calmed his anger a bit. 

        Deciding to not butt into their private conversation (he decided to respect the moon girl’s privacy rather than Hyun), Yoosung continued putting the stars up in the sky. It was a tiresome job but the sight of our moon girl smiling and catching up with Hyun kept Yoosung going. He totally didn’t have a crush though. Nuh-uh, not in the slightest bit, as he loved to continue telling himself. 

                                                            ~

        Third time’s the charm as they say, and the third encounter with dear moon girl had Yoosung discovering her name. It was raining that night, and Yoosung was a bit melancholic. All the humans down below had rushed to get out of the rain and into their shelters made of bricks, turning on the blinding lights in the process. Now no one would be able to enjoy Yoosung’s intricate artworks. Was there even any point of putting the stars up now asides from the looming fear of being shunned by everyone for forgetting to do an important task that has been bestowed upon him? 

        “What’s wrong young star boy?” A soft, silvery voice called from behind him. It was the personification of luxury meshed with a spoonful of honey. Ah, the perfect recipe. It was that familiar voice, the one of an atmospheric atmosphere: moon girl. 

        Yoosung immediately felt his face heat up just the slightest bit. He had regretfully shown his crush that he was feeling rather down on himself on this fine night. The falling rain fit the atmosphere perfect for this rather melancholic occasion. 

        “I-I’m fine,” our young star boy stuttered out, hiding his sheepish smile underneath the fedora-esque hat he had atop his bed of hair. “I’m just feeling a bit down is all. I don’t get why humans need all this light during the night. Isn’t the beauty of the night the stars shining right above their heads?” Yoosung pouted and messily hung a star in the sky. It came out a bit crooked. The stars that he had put up looked sad tonight. “I thought that I had an important job dear moon girl. I wanted to be seen as a true celestial being. Maybe I’m not the bravest nor the strongest or most important, but I want to be accepted, prove that I am important. Yet, these humans down below don’t appreciate my art. Maybe I truly am a childish boy with a big dream out of his reach, way beyond what the stars have to offer.”

        “Why young star boy, your job is just as important as the rest of us, for your stars provide happiness to those down below.” The soft-spoken moon girl wrapped her hands around Yoosung’s pale ones, holding them close to her chest. “Humans are simple creatures afraid of the dark for they fear what they do not know. They turn on the lights to ward off their looming fears, but there are some humans that love your work so very much. They think that the stars are the most beautiful thing in this vast universe.

        “Dear star boy, these humans love to watch you put up these stars. They kiss and share secrets underneath your watch. You bring peace to the calamity. You are loved and known all around. You may think that you aren’t accepted as a true celestial being, but I assure you that even the biggest and strongest of these beings tear up at your intricate artwork.”

        Something in Yoosung’s heart shattered at that instant. For the first time since he started this job, Yoosung felt accepted. He felt loved, like he belonged somewhere in this expansive universe. It all fell in place at that moment. Everything inside of him exploded, and Yoosung cried. He let these silent tears flow down his red-dusted cheeks in front of this near stranger.

        Moon girl then embraced him in a warm hug. It was the warmest hug Yoosung had received. He couldn’t quite describe the sensation, but all he knew was that he wished it would go on forever. Time seemed to stop in that hug though. Although his grip around the moon girl’s waist might’ve been tight, he didn’t realize. Moon girl didn’t seem to mind either. Ignoring everything else at that moment, Yoosung realized what he was missing all these years. He had yearned for someone to be by his side, and he had finally gotten his wish. 

        “By the way, what’s your name?” That sweet voice broke Yoosung out of his stupor. The blonde pulled back from the hug and embarrassingly looked at the lovely moon girl with red, puffy eyes. 

        “Yoosung,” he muttered out unconsciously, still stuck in a dreamlike haze. 

        She giggled at his hazy expression and smiled. “Well Yoosung, I’m (MC), the one that sits atop the moon.”