#taking care of a little garden and being totally self centered

[julianottheastrologer]

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⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Intro ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

The Sun and the Moon are the luminous stars in the natal chart, that is, the ones that shine. In a person's life the most important thing will always be their Sun and ascendant, but we cannot leave everything else out. Sun and Moon are the twins Apollo and Diana in mythology, extremely different but inseparable. That's why it's important to know the combination of these two in your birth chart. They are in total harmony only when they are in the same sign, after that every other sign has its harmonies as well as disharmonies.

Feel free to send me feedbacks, since I only will truly undertand one sun and moon combination, mine, the rest I require a little help.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Aries Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - Outgoing, self-starting, with an endless supply of enthusiasm; fast in thought and action. You may lack tolerance, yet you are extremely self-centered.

🌙 Taurus Moon - Confident, energetic, and likeable, with ability and competence for the arts, Taurus Moon can be a good builder, architect, or gardener. It has the potential to be dogmatic.

🌙 Gemini Moon - Has a lot of talent, can work with engineering or draftsmanship, and has a lot of amazing ideas. When it comes to language, it's quick and witty, but it can also be confrontational and sarcastic. The proclivity to delegate responsibilities to others.

🌙 Cancer Moon - Firm in your projects and ideas, with good business skills, as well as a pleasant character, you can consider family and home life in a special way. You can be sensitive, but hide this facet from others.

🌙 Leo Moon- A genuine entrepreneur who requires the attention of the public. You have a strong desire to lead and dominate others because you are enthusiastic and optimistic. It's not uncommon for highly creative people to be unaware of less evident effects.

🌙 Virgo Moon - Inquisitive, analytical, and bright, it can show a lot of efficiency and talent at work, but it withdraw in personal affairs. You can write well, but you have a tendency to be a severe critic who is always seeking for mistakes.

🌙 Libra Moon - You are bold and ardent on the outside, yet serene on the inside. Others are sensitive to your feelings, and you are loving and enthusiastic about what you do. You have a commercial talent with a lot of ambition.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - Because you have a high level of concentration, you can be an exceptional soldier or surgeon. You can be tough to tolerate in your enthusiasm with people and your fixed opinions if you are coherent, intense, and enthusiastic about everything.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - You are a restless and dynamic intellectual explorer who can influence people with your idealism and love of life. When dealing with others, you are prone to being impolite and caustic.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - Nothing can stop you, and you desire to a high position even if it means sacrificing your personal life. Your dominant personality tends to dominate others.

🌙 Aquarius Moon -Humanitarian and idealistic, you can be a great teacher or sports coach. However, you tend to make thoughtless sarcastic comments.

🌙 Pisces Moon - You may appear energetic on the outside, but on the inside you may be reserved and lacking in self-confidence. You are kind and well-meaning, and you tend to provide counsel to others. However, you might occasionally separate yourself from the rest of the world.

👇 The other 132 combinations follow after the click.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Taurus Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - You may appear calm on the outside, but on the inside you have enormous desire and tenacity, and you value your own opinions. You can be a good engineer or builder in addition to having a strong aesthetic sense and artistic talent.

🌙 Taurus Moon - Materialistic, you have deeply rooted beliefs. A music enthusiast who is really creative and artistically gifted can create things that will stand the test of time.

🌙 Gemini Moon - With good perception and artistic talent, you can dedicate yourself to media or marketing expertise. Affectionate but with little sensuality, loves home and family, but can have occasional restlessness.

🌙 Cancer Moon - Able to motivate others to achieve their goals, you can hide behind the scenes. Your imagination can be the cause of success, in addition to family and domestic pleasure.

🌙 Leo Moon - Strong opinions and personality, it is difficult to adapt to changes. You're very fond of children and has great loyalty. You can be a good singer or dedicate yourself to dancing.

🌙 Virgo Moon - You work with focus and understand how to merge detail with art. Possess the ability to learn and teach word or music-related techniques. You are attached to your family and have a strong interest in nutrition, but you are quite critical and gloomy.

🌙 Libra Moon - You can be very sensual, with artistic talent and business aptitude, and you can be quite accommodating for major successes; yet, you can attain success when motivated. You have a tendency to be soft and nice, but also greedy.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - You have strong opinions that go beyond obstinacy. You are loyal and persistent, and you have artistic abilities. You may be a terrific salesperson while yet being incredibly self-sufficient.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - It is hard on the outside but agitated on the inside. Interested in traditional religion may pass hasty judgment on others. Travel through your imagination.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - You are determined and ambitious, and you have a strong need for security. You have commercial skills and practicality, yet you're reserved and anxious on the inside, while being passionate.

🌙 Aquarius Moon - You have artistic talent, are innovative, make nice company, and work hard. You require independence yet insist on others having restrictions, as well as a high level of concentration and confidence.

🌙 Pisces Moon - Dreamer and patient, you have a tremendous talent for the arts but may struggle to realize the ideas you envision. Because of your loving and tender personality, you're capable of caring for disabled individuals.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Gemini Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - With a very sharp mind, you can get carried away by enthusiasm. Excellent media professional, good friend, but prone to sarcasm.

🌙 Taurus Moon - Good ideas and patience to complete what you start, you can dedicate yourself to domestic matters. Appreciates dialogue and understanding in relationships, and can engage in artistic and intellectual work.

🌙 Gemini Moon - Many brilliant and skilled ideas, yet tough to implement. You have a tendency to be tense and have difficulties relaxing or feeling, and you can be highly insensitive.

🌙 Cancer Moon - Friendly and communicative, with a large number of phone contacts. Enjoys travel and novelty, family life, and being able to provide a pleasant household. People with a stronger personality, on the other hand, can control you.

🌙 Leo Moon - Lively and sociable, you can be eye-catching and quite popular. You must communicate your views in a creative manner. You value children because you never truly mature into an adult.

🌙 Virgo Moon - Inventive, adaptable, and full of ideas, but lacks self-confidence and is easily frightened. Excellent researcher who can also work as a writer or secretary.

🌙 Libra Moon - You have a lot of ideas, but you don't always put them into action. Diplomatic and entertaining, you can be restless, flirty, and amusing, yet you tend to express yourself too much without purpose.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - With a bright and insightful mind, you're extremely cold-hearted loner; but intimately burns in secret passions, being emotionally vulnerable. You can be very creative as a writer, musician, doctor or spy. Skillful with words but sarcastic.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - Restless can be an excellent athlete, an adventurous traveler, an academic, or a teacher. You may, however, be unconcerned about other people's feelings.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - Intelligent and ambitious, competent and cultured, you can be successful in the media. Relationships can be difficult because of your lack of warmth with others.

🌙 Aquarius Moon - Open-minded, a good academic and teacher, broad-minded, and extremely perceptive. You make sound choices and have the potential to be a successful journalist or salesperson. You, on the other hand, are afraid to express your emotions and feelings.

🌙 Pisces Moon - Your personality has hidden depths and has the potential to become an inventive writer. Kind to children, but tends to explain yourself excessively and lacks self-confidence, anxiousness, and gets paralyzed under extreme stress. You can engage in sports and dancing. Have propensity to accept issues from others.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Cancer Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - You are capable and competitive, with a talent for business and understanding others. You require a good home, but you become easily bored when you spend a lot of time at home. A strange blend of concern and frustration.

🌙 Taurus Moon - You are a caring, helpful, and affectionate person who adores your home and family. You have artistic talent and can devote yourself to music or meditation, or you can use your business and management talents. However, it is quite accommodating.

🌙 Gemini Moon - You may appear slow yet you're really clever. You're intelligent and serious, charming and successful. Good politician and salesperson who can also handle sports.

🌙 Cancer Moon - Strong emotions, solid connection with the family, you tends to change of mood and isolation. You're generous and understands the needs of others. Linked to the past, you can become a good historian.

🌙 Leo Moon - Helpful and sympathetic, caring for family and friends, but emotionally vulnerable. You have high standards, which might be detrimental.

🌙 Virgo Moon - This is a general placement for nurses and doctors, as well as people who help others in practical ways. You have a keen sense of detail and an outstanding memory. When you are hurt, you isolate yourself. Commercial ability, a little obstinate, and an excellent salesman You may, however, be quite concerned.

🌙 Libra Moon - You have commercial ability, personal drive, and an appreciation for beauty and harmony in your family. Your artistic and aesthetic talent may make it challenging to realize your ideas.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - You have a strong intuition, frequent mood swings, and you struggle to maintain an optimistic attitude on life. You have a strong magnetic presence that is difficult to ignore.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - You require emotional freedom, are idealistic, and can expect more from life than is rationally possible.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - Business skill, intuition, and cunning can lead to success, but it can also lead to cutting corners or being too cheap.

🌙 Aquarius Moon - A skillful politician with a bright mind who works behind a quiet façade. You're always on the lookout for opportunities to take advantage of because you're good at communicating your points of view.

🌙 Pisces Moon - You are very sensitive and intuitive, and you are so tuned in to others that you sometimes forget about your own needs. You might opt to work in a field where you'll be helping less disadvantaged people or animals.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Leo Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - You have courage, vivacity, and passion, but you can be unpleasant to others. You will only succeed if you learn to focus on other people's needs rather than just yours.

🌙 Taurus Moon - Gentle, dependable, family-oriented, and quite practical, yet can be unduly adamant in seeking self-benefit. You have a traditional outlook on life.

🌙 Gemini Moon - You are continuously occupied, and your intellect is overworked. You are self-sufficient, creative, and intellectual, and you are a wonderful leader, yet sarcasm can harm you.

🌙 Cancer Moon - Very close to family, with a great desire to care for others. Emotions might take control of you at times. You enjoy the history and traditions, and you are very helpful and caring.

🌙 Leo Moon - Dramatic and outgoing, you need to dazzle others and show up.You're funny and entertaining, but you can be a little too self-centered. You tend to ignore details.

🌙 Virgo Moon - An excellent worker who can delegate and work intelligently. Your sharp tongue, on the other hand, can be a little difficult to put up with. You're truthful, and your nature is generally kind.

🌙 Libra Moon - Affectionate and sexy, you exudes class. You have business and managerial talents, but you have a tendency to demand things exactly the way you want them. It encourages emotive connections.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - With intense and powerful personality, sometimes a little too dramatic. You're devoted but possessive. You can be admired at work for your honesty and competence.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - Nothing can stop you, adventurer. You're devoted, self-assured, and generous. Have high personal standards, but use sarcasm a lot with others. You also don't hesitate before making a decision.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - Very well-organized and ambitious, destined for success in a traditional sector of employment. However, you may mistreat others or conceal your tenderness.

🌙 Aquarius Moon - You have strong beliefs and are willing to devote yourself to a cause. You're dependable, trustworthy, and have a strong sense of fairness. You can, however, be unrealistic and uncompromising.

🌙 Pisces Moon - A mystic and a dreamer who can make your dreams come true. You are constantly present for people who require your assistance and strength. However, if your plans do not work out, you may become disheartened. Creative, generous, and kind.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Virgo Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - Your thinking is as keen as your tongue, and you must express yourself through writing. You can excel in a variety of jobs if you are agile and intelligent.

🌙 Taurus Moon - Interested in growing and preparing food, your creativity is structured. You're kind but may not have the confidence to start projects. Sensible, useful and practical points of view.

🌙 Gemini Moon - It is incredibly agile and intelligent; you have a restless mind and must continually speak. You have the ability to gather and analyze information, but your intellect can keep you from tuning in to feelings—both your own and those of others.

🌙 Cancer Moon - Very helpful, interested in food and nutrition, you can succeed as a small business owner. You love your family, although you may be a bit irritable and unpleasant at times.

🌙 Leo Moon - You're someone who can be relied on when it comes to being helpful, conscientious, and organized. Can work with children, have high personal standards, but lacks self-assurance.

🌙 Virgo Moon - You lack confidence as a result of an unfortunate childhood. You can obsess over minor details and become overly concerned about trivial matters. You are honest and caring, and you always want to serve people and do your duty in every manner.

🌙 Libra Moon - You may have a good middleman or work together if you are orderly and structured, but you take your time making judgments. You can devote your life to assisting others.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - Intelligent and critical, you have the potential to be a good doctor or nurse. Needs to get to the bottom of problems, but can be chilly to others. You have a sense of debugging and are picky about things that aren't useful.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - Humanitarian and forward-thinking, with an interest in education. Warm and friendly, impulsive at times, can take care of details, and would make an excellent teacher or travel agent.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - Business-savvy, but perhaps exaggerated self-discipline and earnestness. You are capable, conscientious, and clever, but you need to develop a sense of humor and pay attention to the needs of others. Also, you're quite dependable with your family.

🌙 Aquarius Moon - You have the potential to be an excellent teacher, a deep thinker, and a tremendous assistance to those in need. However, the need for independence can deprive you of family life or distance you from feelings.

🌙 Pisces Moon - You live to meet the wants of others and then wonder why your own needs aren't addressed. Your mind is good when it projects outwardly into intellectual pursuits. Intuitive people are often interested in medical and nutrition.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Libra Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - You have the initiative to start things, but you may struggle to finish them and may need the assistance of others. You're smart and insightful, but you're also selfish and impatient. In times of difficulty, you're generous.

🌙 Taurus Moon - You have good look and tastes; appreciates music and art, but can be too accommodating to develop essential technique. Appreciates family and domestic merriment.

🌙 Gemini Moon - You have strong theory, but it is often superficial. Skilled and intelligent, you can put some technique into practice with the support of others. Your challenge is being in touch with your emotions.

🌙 Cancer Moon - You may create a lovely home while being attentive to the family if you are kind and polite. A good human resources administrator or accountant. You struggle with separating yourself from others and taking better care of yourself.

🌙 Leo Moon - You are passionate about love, and your attitude in life is romantic and dramatic. Intelligent and creative, you can get bored easily. Very astute in business or politics.

🌙 Virgo Moon - Pleasant, charming and sensible, you can do almost anything, as long as there is no clutter and dirt. You are loyal to your friends and have the ability to do meticulous work as well as musical culture.

🌙 Libra Moon - You are incredibly appealing in both appearance and demeanor, yet you can spend half of your time dreaming and lack the ability to be energetic and resolute.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - You have a strong sexual and deep desire to control and dominate others. You can give practical application to some technique, as long as you have help from others.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - You will most likely travel extensively for work and be able to bargain with foreigners. You may be drawn to the law because you have good judgment skills.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - You're a dedicated individual who works harder than other Libras. You have a good chance of success because your judgment about people is sound.

🌙 Aquarius Moon - You are self-sufficient and intelligent, with good judgment and the ability to deal with others in an enthusiastic but calm manner. You have a vivid imagination that you may put to good use at work.

🌙 Pisces Moon - Musical and artistic, you can be a romantic dreamer. Your personality and appearance are attractive. Have a deep intuition but can be slow to act.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Scorpio Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - With strong character, you will always be willing to fight everything and everyone. Your feelings are intense, you're impatient and intolerant, you has a great reserve of courage to accomplish much.

🌙 Taurus Moon - Sensual and musical, you may have a talent for something attractive, such as horticulture. You can be stubborn or too practical. A very trustworthy person.

🌙 Gemini Moon - This combination indicates a rough upbringing and an early sense of loss, which can lead to a skeptical view of the world. You're incredibly intelligent and intuitive when it comes to people.

🌙 Cancer Moon - You're pleasant in appearance and speech; you're extremely perceptive, and you understand animals better than people. Your weak area is the fluctuation of your mental state.

🌙 Leo Moon - Because the two signs are fixed, you have difficulty adapting if you have strong opinions. You are devoted to your family, particularly your children. Can create a lot of drama out of minor details, and has good finishing skills.

🌙 Virgo Moon - It demonstrates a challenging childhood, with feelings of solitude that might damage your trust in others. Intelligent and duty-bound, you may be drawn to a medical career.

🌙 Libra Moon - You are both handsome and intellectual, and this combination lends itself to diplomacy and drive. You have the potential to be a good politician. You can use your personality to dominate the family or to abandon it for the sake of your profession.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - You have a fiery personality and are often filled with zeal for everything. You may seek to dominate others and obtain practically anything you desire.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - You have the intelligence and perception to be a competent lawyer, businessman, or detective. Your sense of humour prevents you from losing your bearings.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - You're a serious and diligent person who can accomplish success in any subject to which you devote yourself; yet, you'll only be able to address personal concerns when you're mature.

🌙 Aquarius Moon - You are self-sufficient and bright, with a strong intuitive tendency. You're decisive and instinctive, but you're also a little intolerant and unpleasant.

🌙 Pisces Moon - You are intuitive and have artistic abilities, most likely musical; you have a strong desire to help others or work in the medical field; nevertheless, when threatened, you may shrink into quiet.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Sagittarius Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - You're straightforward and honest, but you have a tendency to jump into new and exciting tasks. Restlessness might take you all over the world, but it can also make it tough to maintain connections.

🌙 Taurus Moon - You are nice, have a decent heart, and are enthusiastic about the good things in life. Cooking or art capable of mixing practicality and imagination can motivate you.

🌙 Gemini Moon - Always busy and agitated, you can be a good sportsman or interpreter, or become a good writer, as you has the ability to express yourself.

🌙 Cancer Moon - You have the potential to become a medium if you are intuitive and creative. There is a tension between your want for home comfort and your desire for freedom. You're a child at times.

🌙 Leo Moon - You can flourish on stage if you are dramatic and expansive, but you will have difficulties tuning in to the needs of others. You're a very enjoyable company because you're jovial and lively.

🌙 Virgo Moon - You have the ability to think deeply and in an organized manner, and you have the potential to be a teacher as long as you don't impose too many rules on others.

🌙 Libra Moon - You can make an excellent lawyer, as you have a talent for dealing with laws and courts. But you may lack pity for others who are not so bright and successful.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - You have investigative and legal reasoning skills. However, you can be harsh on others who have different hobbies or are less capable.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - You can be an explorer who likes to travel and be on the go. However, you have difficulties tuning in to folks who do not share your mental breadth.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - Intelligent and determined, honest and fun,you can achieve success. Perhaps you get involved in business that relies on travel, but you lack patience with less capable people.

🌙 Aquarius Moon - You are broad-minded and capable of educating others, yet you tend to live in your own world, out of sync with others, and you may be an eccentric genius.

🌙 Pisces Moon - You have the qualities of a wonderful teacher: you are intuitive, gentle, and spiritual. You have a lot to offer others in terms of creativity and imagination, yet you can be a little hazy and impractical.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Capricorn Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - You are rather determined and also quite intelligent, and once you have chosen what your aim is, you will surely achieve it, even if you may run over some people along the way.

🌙 Taurus Moon - Practical and sensible, you can accomplish a lot in the world of arts and business. Beware of stubbornness; and try to see the point of view of others.

🌙 Gemini Moon - Intelligent and well-organized, you have the potential to become a good writer, salesman, and businesswoman, capable of putting your ideas into action and finishing what you start.

🌙 Cancer Moon - Domestic type, home-loving, exceedingly devoted, respectable, and serious. You may be prone to withdrawing and are concerned about everything. You have the potential to be an excellent teacher or counselor.

🌙 Leo Moon - Ability to exercise authority, a helpful, respected, and trustworthy boss, but also quite tenacious. You might be able to get through weaker opponents.

🌙 Virgo Moon - Really steady, trustworthy, connected to the family, and you most likely know how to cook very well. Business savvy, yet lacks a certain sense of humour.

🌙 Libra Moon - A good combination of steadiness and business skills. You know how to live together and achieve a lot, but your money-making ideas may fail due to over-enthusiasm.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - You definitely know where you are heading and what you want out of life since you have a lot of character strength. Very dependable, loyal, and nice, but have no time for pranks. You hate expressing your feelings.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - A great deal of steadiness and ability, as well as a broad understanding of things. You can work in travel, education, law, or religion. You have a talent for any type of intense activity that requires you to deal with people who wield power.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - You are a hard worker who is quite timid and reserved, and you have the capacity to deal with your elders. Life may be challenging till old age. It would be quite useful for you to have a hobby or creative outlet.

🌙 Aquarius Moon - Organizer, capable of doing things on a large scale, you can be a little harsh on yourself and others, but you are tenacious and capable.

🌙 Pisces Moon - Quite serious., deep, caring, intuitive, and capable of assisting professionals, particularly in regard to old age; nonetheless, you can be a little too shy and easily hurt.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Aquarius Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - Great vision, resourcefulness, learns and teaches, and energetic intelligence, but can be difficult to live with. Tendency to pass harsh judgment on others, yet keeps a decent sense of humour.

🌙 Taurus Moon - Capacity for labor and achievement; tenacious, obstinate, and trustworthy; may be interested in music, art, or beauty items and services.

🌙 Gemini Moon - Studious, lively intelligence, but have a tendency to alter your mind frequently and does not provide much stability in your relationships.

🌙 Cancer Moon - You can be a good teacher if you are attached to your family and are gentle with children and animals. It is pleasant company, however it has a tendency to hide.

🌙 Leo Moon - Lively personality, usually absorbed in multiple things at once, determined and independent, but clumsy with others.

🌙 Virgo Moon - Intelligent, studious, and capable of putting ideas into reality in a precise manner, you may be dedicated to research, yet you can be eccentric and difficult to live with.

🌙 Libra Moon - Everyone's friend, fun, easygoing, but not very dependable in close relationships. You can be an excellent professional if it does not necessitate constant effort.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - A lot of self-confidence, leadership abilities, and a tendency to treat people harshly; original thinker, quickly frustrated by stupid people.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - Independent, outspoken, a little tactless, and open to new ideas. You could be a good instructor, or you could be a person who jumps into things without thinking.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - This position denotes spontaneity, as well as fresh ideas and the will to carry them through. In your profession, you become more responsible, capable, and competent. You're usually closer to the family.

🌙 Aquarius Moon - Eccentricity, a love of freedom, independence, and pleasure, as well as having very creative ideas and a way of life Perhaps you get more involved with friends and outside interests at the expense of family. You have a tendency to pass harsh judgment on others.

🌙 Pisces Moon - Very inventive and intuitive, having the capacity to blend logic with mysticism. You're friendly and clever, yet you're prone to daydreaming and can get carried away by fantasy.

☀️ ⊹ ⋆ﾟ꒰ఎ Pisces Sun ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ 𓂅

🌙 Aries Moon - Intuitive, agile, and brilliant, determined, amusing, and a fantastic friend, but not very dependable with family. You have the ability to switch between selfishness and consideration for others.

🌙 Taurus Moon - You are sociable, friendly, and charming, and you have musical artistic abilities. Regardless of your lack of motivation to begin a project, once you make a decision, you will follow through. You're elegant and appealing.

🌙 Gemini Moon - Nervous, loquacious, educated, and concerned, you require a dependable spouse who understands you. You're entertaining and engaging, and you can never really mature.

🌙 Cancer Moon - Sensitive, kind, and considerate; mood swings frequently, yet they are also kind and solicitous. You have the potential to be an excellent nurse, doctor, or teacher. You might be interested in diets and cooking as well. Comprehensive, yet lacking in practicality.

🌙 Leo Moon - You feel the desire to move because you are generous, imaginative, creative, and kind. Likes the stimulation of new friendships, have a high level of trust, and is sensitive to adoration.

🌙 Virgo Moon - You can perform very well working on your own in a creative field if you are nervous, thoughtful, deep, and perceptive. Can be extremely worried and meticulous; need a strong companion. Food and diet are areas of interest.

🌙 Libra Moon - You have good ideas and can carry them out as long as they are coupled with a strong and practical person; You must be motivated by others or you will lose touch with reality.

🌙 Scorpio Moon - Perceptive, insightful, and profound, Drawn to medicine and work in the police and judicial systems. You are aware of others' flaws and are capable of exploiting them. Your mood swings, yet you're also helpful and caring. You have the potential to become self-absorbed and difficult to get along with.

🌙 Sagittarius Moon - Sales ability, as well as a deep and serious mind. You could work in religion or as an environmentalist. Usually, you allow your mind wander to various locations, or you are always on travels, and as a result, you do not attach yourself to the family.

🌙 Capricorn Moon - Your creativity, intuition, and practical sense are combine; as a result, you can either satisfy yourself professionally or be a type close to the family, but you lack self-confidence.

🌙 Aquarius Moon - Friendly, capable of starting a project and then abandoning it. Mystic, good teacher, and helpful, you need a sensible and dependable partner since you are rarely grounded.

🌙 Pisces Moon -Extremely active imagination. Have omens or find meaning in the most insignificant things; perhaps you participate in some solitary activity at home; tends to believe that people can tire you down; absorbs the difficulties of others and occasionally finds family life tough.

🎺 Thank your for your company, if you like it don't forget to like and reblog and of course, if you feel confortable leave you feedback.

Created by @madamsaturn; Instagram / Tip Jar; Resources: here

Kisses,

Ju Francisco 💋

[theramseyloft]

Beginner’s housing for a pet pigeon

We can go into the complexities involved in housing multiple pigeons at a later time.

Right now, we’re going to focus primarily on setting up for a single bird who is intended to be a companion animal.

The biggest problem you are going to run into is that the housing commercially available for birds is designed either to display a finch or a parrot.

Finch cages make excellent hospital cages for pigeons, but that is their only useful application.

A Hospital cage needs to be small to discourage the bird from moving around too much and doing anything other than eating and drinking, so that their recovery, be that from disease or injury, can progress with as few delays as possible.

A healthy bird cannot tolerate this degree of confinement for long.

Parrot cages are huge and expensive, but too narrow for a pigeon to be physically able to use.

The bare minimum requirements for any cage a pigeon will be housed in for more than an hour a day is that it be two inches wider than the full wingspan of the bird at the narrowest point, to allow their wings at least an inch of clearance on either side.

They are cliff nesters that don’t roost on branches. Round perches hurt their feet, so they need either flat platforms or square perches.

Pigeons cannot climb the way parrots can. They can only walk or fly, and they cannot comfortably fly if their wings will clip into things like hanging toys or ramps.

So they tend to prefer their enclosure be as uncluttered as possible.

Socialization is best done outside the enclosure, so that’s where most of the toys should be.

Dog kennels set up like this one above are kinder to both the pigeons and the wallets of their care taker than pretty much any indoor bird cage available.

A Labrador sized (usually marketed as a “Large”) kennel will fit bird about homer sized and smaller.

Larger breeds or breeds with longer flight and tail feathers will need a larger size as a base line.

These are very simple to modify.

The nest box is a bunny/ferret corner litter box, about $8-10 at most pet shops. Easy to clean and comfortable.

The perch is a garden stake cut to length, about $5 from the garden center at Walmart or a hardware store like Lowes or home Depot.

Honestly, if I had this to do over, the birds would get a wider, shallower food dish.

Pigeons are ground foragers. It’s easier for them to eat comfortably from a shallow dish than a deep one.

The water dish can be as deep as the pigeon can reach the bottom of.

This is the upper level of a ferret nation Double modified for my first breeding pair of Lucerne waaaay back before my loft was built, when I had a grand total of four breeding pair of pigeons and 16 pairs of Ringneck doves.

This one also has a garden steak cut to fit as a perch.

Their nest box is a large dog bowl full of timothy hay.

Notice that this enclosure has a single hanging bell toy exactly at standing head height for the birds, well out of the way of their wings.

This probably looks unbearably spartan, especially if you come form a parrot back ground.

Remember that pigeons cannot climb and will not fly in a space where their wings may bump into clutter.

The cage for an indoor pet pigeon should serve the same function as the kennel does for an indoor dog:

That is NOT where the dog lives!

At most, it’s where they sleep at night, and where a puppy stays when they can’t be supervised until they’ve learned the house rules.

Pigeons are absolutely smart enough to learn house rules just like a dog or cat.

And pet pigeons are happiest when they have the freedom of motion to exercise, play, and interact with their human flock mates at will.

While they can free fly an entire house, a single bedroom is enough space for most breeds to move around happily.

Pigeon proofing is pretty simple.

They aren’t capable of chewing like parrots, so no need to worry about your electrical chords being damaged and your bird giving them self a nasty shock.

They can’t damage wood or drywall or fabric by chewing.

Pigeons don’t eat plants, but do like the feel of ripping them and will use strips of leaves as nest bedding, so house plants may need to be protected by glass covers.

Things displayed on shelves in the room or rooms the pigeon will have access to need to be heavy enough or well enough wedged in that the bird can’t pull them down if they land awkwardly on them or push them off if they bump into or try to squeeze past them.

Papers need to be stored where they won’t be scattered by the wind that their powerful wings kick up in flight.

Any crevices too high or awkward for you to easily clean need to be blocked some how.

Poop is simple.

The poop of a well fed, healthy pigeon with a good diet should be round and solid enough that it can be easily picked up with a square of toilet paper or a tissue when wet or vacuumed up when dry.

Once you know your bird’s favorite perches, you can make clean up even easier on yourself by laying down puppy pads under them that you can just change out as often as needed.

Once a pigeon has mastered the house rules, you can do away with the cage entirely.

This is the feeding station we set up for Ankhou and Bird-bird.

On the little feed tray for cats were the feeder and waterer with oystershell offered free choice from a dish between them.

Pigeons are one of the very few animals that recognize their reflection in the mirror as a a reflected view of themselves, instead of another bird.

Most like to practice dancing, strutting, their sweeping charge, and bow-cooing in front of mirrors, so those are excellent enrichment for them.

Being cliff nesters, bricks are simply the most comfortable thing for a pigeon to stand on.

Strutting back and forth on the rough surface in front of a mirror will help them keep their claws blunted.

The bricks are holding down a crinkle sack for cats, laid out flat. 

Pigeons love noise stims. Particularly crinkly, jingly, or chiming.

The noise it made made dancing in front of the mirror extra fun on the crinkle mat.

The dead keyboard serves a similar function.

This beans box from Walmart full of straw served as Bird-Bird’s nest box.

She laid eggs fairly regularly, and slept in there most of the time.

Ankhou was a man of simple tastes. 

This baby doll blanket on the nightstand at my bedside was where he slept at night.

Social bird was social and wanted to be as close as possible to us at all times and involved somehow in everything we did.

Pigeons like to take baths, and our free flying pet liked to be offered the opportunity to take one when we showered, but did not like to actually be in the shower with us.

So we got him a little pyrex casserole dish about as long as he was that stayed on the side of the bathtub and made a habit of filling it for him before we got into the shower.

Anhkou didn’t care much for forage pans or puzzle toys, but many pigeons do and they are very simple to make.

A pan or tray with a few fists full of straw, paper strips, sand, or a mix of all three with a high value treat like Safflower seeds sprinkled in to find mimics the way rock doves would forage for seed in the wild.

Puzzle feeders for pigeons are as simple to make as crumpling a sheet of paper with a few high value seeds inside.

Pigeons love crinkly sounds and tugging on the crumpled paper or blowing it around by flapping at it will reward them with a few spilled seeds and a fun noise.

The little wicker balls for kitties with a jingle bell inside complete the holy trinity of stick-texture, shiny, and jingly, and many pigeons love to kick, peck, and toss them.

They like to pick up and shake and toss bread ties with a small jingle bell fastened to the end.

Bird-Bird’s favorite toy was the bell intended to go on a kittens collar. 

She liked to strut around with it holding it by the loop by which it was supposed to fasten and very softly jingling it.

Q-tips with the cotton tips removed and toothpicks with blunted or clipped ends are basically pigeon Legos.

Miniature wind chimes like this little angel and her harp are fun auditory stims too.

If you can swing it (ha!), pigeons enjoy swings, as long as the perch is flat.

Experiment with your birds and see what kind of enrichment they enjoy. ^v^

[yesimwriting]

hi, i love all your work! could i please request headcanons for what it'd be like to go from being enemies to lovers with nikolai lantsov.

thank you:)

A/N maybe i moved this up on my request lists bc i woke up today and went 'nikolai lantsov'

--

- i'm being a little liberal with cannon bc my mind first went to 'princess! reader who hates nikolai bc they're competitive and then they have to team up together to try to get their parents to break up their arranged marriage but fall in love in the process (this might be a little undetailed but i'm thinking of writing a full fic or mini-series with this plotline so let me know if you'd be interested!! i could see a smutty ending to that fic but idk,, lmk what you thing ig lol)

- Ok so first off enemies to lovers with the loml nikolai lantsov would be SO GOOD bc he's so dramatic and obviously attractive so even though you hate him you know he's hot,, there's never a dramatic realization that he's attractive bc it's just a fact

- butttt you'd rather give up any claim you have to your family's throne than feed his already gigantic ego

- okk but lets get to the beginning of your enemies to lovers relationship

- so basically every summer your parents go and stay with Nikolai's family at this super fancy vacation home bc your parents are both royalty and your kingdoms have a very healthy relationship

- just bc it's the summer season doesn't mean it's summer vacation,, so as children for about a month you two share a tutor,, and when i tell you that created a rivalry so fast i mean it

- you're not the eldest princess and you're always trying to be the best for your parents approval, nikolai just wanted to impress the really smart girl who had a pretty laugh (poor nikolai lol,, he had no way of knowing how important being the best in school no matter what was to your self esteem)

- maybe if you two could communicate you’d like each other a little better at this point but it starts when you’re pretty young and by the time you’re like 13 it’s a solidified dynamic (and 13 year olds are the MEANEST and most insecure people in the world so that’s when your relationship turns to full enemies)

- now that you’re 13 you have more princess-y requirements, especially over the summer. So when you see that Nikolai gets to practice with swords and gets more free time while you have to practice setting tables you hate him more than ever. 

- Nikolai senses that you’re extra hostile but he has no idea why,, he tries asking once but he makes a joke about how ‘maybe you’re jealous bc youre no longer the center of my attention’ and even though he’s just trying to ease the tension you feel like he’s making fun of you

- so that’s when things get aggressive, but at that point summer is almost over so it’s whatever

- next summer comes and you’re still SO MAD at him,, so when you get to the estate you’re like ‘i’m not even talking to him idc how quiet these next three months are’ 

- and you get there all determined to hate him,, but once you get there and see him something in you cracks bc he had the audacity to spend the last year going through puberty AND LIKE HE’S ALWAYS BEEN CUTE BUT THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE 

- so youre mentally panicking bc how do you even talk to someone that looks like that now???? but then you remember that you didnt even want to talk him so in a panic youre like ‘maybe i can avoid him and he’ll just assume it’s bc i hate him bc i do,, who cares if he’s unbelievably hot now’ 

- nikolai doesn’t assume anything, he just gets to the estate and is like ‘why hasn’t she insulted me yet?? is she suddenly too good to give me attention?’ so during the lessons that you still share he gets an idea

- he decides to one-up you in everything bc that’s always gotten a reaction out of you 

- it works,, every time he corrects you or steals an answer from you, you’re ready to snap but then you look at him and take in his stupidly perfect face and  you just shut up 

- nikolai thinks it’s not working so he just tries harder

- by the end of week one you can’t take it anymore so when the tutor leaves at the end of lessons you snap, you tell him off for how often he’d repeat what you said and change a few words and get all the praise from the tutor

- on the inside he’s like ‘took long enough’ but the more you rant he’s like ‘is she okay???’ he’d be more concerned if you weren’t threatening his pride and at this point he’s still annoyed bc if you were that annoyed you should have just talked to him instead of ignoring him for a week

- he’s thinking that just bc you got really pretty over the last year doesn’t make you too good to yell at him on the daily

- the worst thing anyone can do to nikolai is ignore him LMAO (lowkey relatable)

- so he starts arguing with you and you’re so upset that you forget about how aggressively attractive he is 

- and you two are alone in this room and the more you argue the closer you two get

- the climax of the argument is when neither of you are yelling, you’re just so mad you’re beyond raising your voice and once you’re both at that point it goes like this: 

“Nikolai Lantsov, you are the most insufferable person I’ve ever met” 

“Well then, Darling, you should look in a mirror.” 

“You are so entitled, so ridiculously self obsessed that it ruins your attractiveness.” 

“...” he literally just like blinks twice. “You think I’m attractive?” 

“Uh? No--i didn’t say that at all, maybe if you didn’t have the language comprehension of a child you’d understa--” he just reaches forward, grabs the collar of your dress, and kisses you. 

- it’s your first kiss so you have no idea what you’re doing and it’s with some one you CANT STAND and you’re so mad bc you had expectations for your first kiss and he’s taken that from you--but the thing is,, 

- he’s good at it. Like really good at it. Like so good it makes you curious about what he does the nine months of the year he’s not stuck here with you bc there’s no way he hasn’t had practice. 

- but you’re also extremely confused and nervous and aware of how stupid you’re being (and a little hormonal bc being 14 isn’t easy) and then he places his hand on your cheek and that snaps some sense of reality into you bc it’s one thing to enjoy the kiss but another thing entirely to want him to escalate it

- so you place one hand on his chest and push him off of you slightly. He takes the hint, pulls away enough to look at you and then you two just stare at each other 

- your hand is still on his chest and you have absolutely no idea what comes next, but you find yourself looking at his lips

- since you haven’t slapped him or pulled away more than a few inches he thinks maybe things are okay so he leans forward slightly and kisses you again. 

- you reciprocate a little too fast, the kiss lasts two seconds before thinking about how insane you’re being so you push away entirely. 

- He lets you go,, and in the most awkward display ever you’re like ‘uh I need to go,, i can’t be late to ball preparation lessons’ and you leave that room faster than you’ve ever left a room in your entire life. 

- the next day you consider pretending to be sick to avoid him but that would only give him more power over the situation so you go,, and he’s just sitting there calmly

- youre on edge the entire day but he never even jokes about it

- a part of you is a tiny bit annoyed bc who kisses you and then pretends it never happened? but overall, you’re relieved 

- the days pass and it never comes up but now whenever you two argue you think of how quickly kissing him both shut him up and got rid of your tension 

- the summer goes by quickly, your usual dynamic has returned and you wonder if he even remembers kissing you. twice. in a row. 

- the next couple of years are normal,, even when you two no longer take lessons together you still dont like him. He’s just so assured and he takes such joy in bothering you. 

- and then one summer your parents sit you down and they’re like ‘we need to plan the future alliance of our kingdom’ 

- you’re a little confused bc you’re rarely allowed to sit in on these things bc you’re a girl and you’re basically meant to just be a royal’s bride--and then you realize why you’re there. 

- you start protesting before your father can finish announcing your engagement 

- the parents were smart bc they announced it at the end of summer so you two couldn’t drive them crazy or conspire

- the first thing you do when you get back to your castle is write to him for the first time ever 

- your letter is basically ‘pls tell me you’re doing something’ 

- the two of you talk until you come up with the plan to get your parents to break up your engagement 

- your parents dont really care about your feelings and they expect the two of you to argue with them,, but they care about the kingdoms

- so you two decide that if you act like youre so in love that you let your duties slip the engagement will end,, especially if you two are in love in a toxic way 

- so the next summer you two make sure to flirt and act like youre totally obsessed with each other and skip lessons together and just are constantly together and acting like you’re on a honeymoon

- your parents are like ?? since when 

- at one point you flirt with a random guard just so Nikolai can have a ‘jealous outburst’ while your families are strolling through the garden 

- ngl jealous nikolai had you ready to RISK IT ALL,, you were ready to drop the plan and marry him on the spot 

- he notices bc he notices everything about you and when your family walks away he gives you a quick kiss and youre stunned,, much to his delight 

- your desire to break up your engagement takes a slight backseat in your mind bc you decide to set off on a secret goal to make him flustered

- it doesn’t take much, your dresses get a little more risky, your comments get a little more suggestive

- the only problem?? he seems to have his own personal goal and it’s to make you even more flustered than he is

- soon the two of you are lost in layers of pretend and competition

- when your parents are finally thinking about delaying the engagement and keeping you two away from each other until you calm down a little (i feel bad for them,, an entire summer of being surrounded by the ULTIMATE sexual tension) 

- you’re sad and you don’t know why bc this is what you wanted, but then Nikolai stands up and says that you two planned for this and he has the letters to prove it (he was ready to drop the receipts LMAO) and youre like ??what are you doing?

- and he says he’d rather marry you then never see you again bc now all he wants is to get know you bc he has no idea how he wasted so much time arguing with you 

- and you just meltttt but your in front of your entire family and his as well so you just sit there for a minute and then you tell him you feel the same way 

- but the summer’s over

- you kiss him before leaving and he says you’ll have to visit bc he can’t go an entire year without seeing your ‘pretty face’ 

- you promise to visit him soon

- your at home for exactly a day and a half before getting an invitation to visit him 

- you laugh bc the only way that letter could get to you that fast is if he mailed it before you even left 

- you say yes obviously,, and spend some time having a really cute fall-dating vibes together until you figure out how you really feel 

- and you feel like he makes your heart STOP and that’s why you hated him,, bc you didn’t like being vulnerable 

[trinketprince]

Meet the Townies of Coral Island

Coral Island boasts about 50+ unique villagers! With 20 forming both bachelors and bachelorettes, let’s see the other half of the villagers!

Mayor Connor used to run his own general store before deciding to run for office many moons ago. He loves Coral Island and knows all the islanders. He lives by the creek in the Woodlands & his favorite past-time is fishing.

Dippa usually spends their day looking for inspiration and painting around Coral Island. Favorite spot: the lake. They do not like night-outs, feeling that those days are now behind them. A big fan of jam!

Joko is a local carpenter who lives in Hillside. Married to his wife, Dinda. He spends a lot of his time after work teaching his son, Archie, skills such as fishing or pumpkin carving near the forest.

Dinda is also a carpenter. Married to her husband, Joko. Other than carpentry, Dinda tends to her herb garden, cooks, and busies herself with community activities such as yoga on Saturday.

Zoe is a wild-life enthusiast, just like her parents. Zoe goes to school on the weekdays and spends her weekend following her dad around. She enjoys a game of volleyball, bird watching, and winters.

Anne makes a living by filming wildlife documentaries around Coral island. On the weekend, she can be found at the beach, enjoying the weather and sharpening her volleyball skills. She likes carrots and hummus combo for snacks and a cup of green tea to start the day.

Paul is a dad, husband and wildlife enthusiast. Along with his wife, Anne, the couple spends their days capturing wildlife footage around the island. He would leap out of his bed the second he is needed to save animals, without hesitation. Big heart, likes hummus.

Back in the day, Betty used to run the Tavern with her late husband, Frank Sr.. Now, she spends her retirement days going around town re-filling bird feeders, educating kids about coral reefs, and baking patisseries.

Frank and his brother, Noah, run the tavern at the town center. Though he doesn’t live there anymore, Frank spends most of his time at the tavern, trying out new recipes. Frank is married to his high-school sweetheart, Erika, and the couple live with their 2 cats, Peanut and Butter.

When Erika isn’t working at the salon or volunteering at school, she can be found around town, lending her ears to those in need, free of charge. She is honest and would say things as is. Perhaps a good candidate to marry if she weren't already married to Frank. Loves all sorts of jam!

Emily runs the hair salon with Erika and lives on the second floor of the General Store, with her husband, Sam. The couple has been wanting to start a family since getting married, however have been unsuccessful.  Emily has a heart for vintage items and thinks mushrooms are disgusting.

Sam owns the general store and is very proud of it. He lives on the second floor with his wife. Sam usually spends his day off relaxing at home, enjoying home-cooked meals, and working on puzzles. On the rare occasion that he goes out, he visits the Beach Shack to catch up with his friends over chess.

Ling spends her day working as a marine biologist at Coral Island laboratory. During time off, she knits cold weather accessories, beanies, scarves, etc. She has dedicated her life to study coral reefs, and how to make them more resistant to rising ocean temperatures.

As a full-time elementary teacher, Randy's remarkable ability to explain complex ideas in a very simple and easy-to-understand manner comes in handy. When he isn’t at school, he can be found at the Vineyard enjoying a glass of wine with his wife, Ling, or reading at the Library.

Bree is model-turned-housewife who spends her days doing quality control for her vineyard. She is also an excellent homemaker who loves cooking gourmet meals and throwing parties. With a little bit of light detective work, Bree should be in her late 40s, though she's never directly confirmed this. To this day, it remains a mystery.

Jim is a retired fisherman, he used to supply fish and seafood to local establishments. His son Theo inherited his boat and now fishes, something Jim is indifferent towards. With plenty of time on his hand, he spends the day making killer smoke salmon and helps run the Beach Shack.

Kira is a retired huntress with an adult son, everything in her life, right now, is basically self-sustainable. She spends her day keeping watch of the forest from the comfort of her cabin. Kira also enjoys doing yoga and playing the flute. Though retired, she still wears her combat boots, just in case...

Jack, his wife, Kira, and their son, Kenny live in a humble cabin in the forest. Jack works as the island’s rancher. Aside from taking care of animals, Jack spends his day managing the shop’s supplies, making sure that they have enough to sell. On some days that they don't, the ranch is closed early. His hobbies include watching cooking shows and “experimenting” in the kitchen.

Emma, not much is known about her.

Not seen so far are Joko and Dinda’s son and Surya’s cousin, Archie. Rafael’s niece and possibly Pablo’s daughter Valentina. And Oliver, these three + Zoe makeup the resident children of Coral Island. Making a total of 42 villagers so far.

In addition to Ben, Suki, Charles and Millie being dateable due to a stretch goal being reached, 4 more characters are added to the cast of Coral Island, bumping the total from 42 villagers to 46. So far only one has been revealed. 

The Giants. Legend has it The Kingdom of Giants existed to cultivate the rich soil of Coral Island. Ruins around the island depict Giants & what appear to be humans, farming alongside one another.

Agung, a merman from the Merfolk Underwater Kingdom.

Denali, a mermaid from the Merfolk Underwater Kingdom.

Apparently more Merfolk are being added. separate from the 40+ villagers, there are 20 Merfolk, 10 befriendable and 2 romanceable.

Not including the pets that each of the villagers have, the total amount of villagers in Coral Island so far is 66 unique villagers so far.

Check out Coral Island’s Twitter, Kickstarter and Website for more info on the game!

Check out Coral Island’s steam page!

[erosofthepen]

Hello! I hope you're doing well, happy holidays! Thanks for doing those really self-indulgent Dark Academia asks for me, I really appreciate it! I was wondering if you'd be willing to do a similar Imagine about which Lotr and The Hobbit Characters would most enjoy having a Cottagecore s/o. I really like Aesthetics, so I thought this idea might go well with the Academia one. Thanks so much, I hope I'm not bothering you with all these Aesthetic-themed Asks. Best wishes!

Happy Holidays! It’s never a bother to do these, I enjoy them immensely! It’s actually quite funny that you asked this today, because I spent maybe two hours watching cottagecore tiktok compilations on youtube today, so i’m most definitely in the mood for this! I hope you enjoy!

Lotr:

~Samwise

This one is a no brainer. Of course this Hobbit would absolutely love a Cottagecore s/o! He is a cottage core icon. Expect early mornings out in the garden, tending to the flowers and vegetables. He would probably teach you the different names and meanings behind all the flowers, and you can bet that he would then place said flowers behind your ear, kissing your cheek in the process. Such a sweet Hobbit. Afternoons would be spent baking all sorts of breads and pastries and cookies, and probably getting flour everywhere too! After dinner, you both would sit in gardens and sip tea or read to one another (Sam is very proud that he is learned in his letters). He would love everything about a cottage core s/o!

~Legolas

Legolas, in my opinion, is a very gentle elf, despite being able to kick-ass. He loves how nature-centered his s/o is, and adores everything about them. He would totally be down to flower pick any time of the day, and would most definitely end up weaving them into their hair, singing elvish melodies all the while. And given that elves are so good with animals, he might even attract some little bunnies or deer! For clothing, he would commission fabrics from the shire to Mirkwood for his s/o to ensure cottage core authenticity. Because everyone knows that the Shire is where cottage core was born. Legolas with a cottagecore s/o would make for a very soft couple.

~Faramir

The best man in Middle Earth, Faramir is perfect with any type of s/o. He’s incredibly sweet with a cottage core s/o, always making sure fresh flowers are delivered to them every morning. He is always looking for books or poems that give off cottage core vibes in the Gondor libraries, and when he finds one, he delivers it alongside a warm cup of tea. If you fall asleep reading, Faramir might bookmark your place with flowers, so when you open it up the next day, you are greeted with some lovely, fresh-pressed flowers. In return, his s/o would bake for him, and whether it’s sourdough or muffins, Faramir will savor every bite.

The Hobbit:

~Bilbo Baggins

Again, this is a no brainer. Bilbo is ✨soft✨, and will forever enjoy his books, his garden, and his cup of tea. However, he enjoys them better when his cottage core s/o is around. Both his s/o and him would bake nearly everyday, and would totally make and store jam for whatever fruit or berry is in season. Berry picking and mushroom foraging are daily hobbies, and picnics in the garden happen at least once a week. Bilbo is also a fashion expert, and will forever help his s/o with their outfits, and would probably like coordinating the colors to compliment each other. That’s just what he does.  

~Fili

Ah, my favorite little lion dwarrow, who i’m pretty sure everyone in the fandom would die for. Fili is naturally very protective, so him having a soft and sweet cottage core s/o would triple his protective instinct. He’s very worried about his s/o going off on their own, so he always comes along for walks in the meadow or foraging in the woods. During picnics and such, he would find different flowers and ferns and braid them into his s/o’s hair, probably while they read him stories and/or facts about nature. Gifts are a big part in dwarrow culture, so expect plenty of pretty jewelry and such that matches with his s/o’s outfits and hairstyles. He would also probably make his s/o a special knife for foraging that is decorated with dwarrow runes and flower designs.

~Bofur

Bofur would absolutely love a cottage core s/o, and would love nothing more than living a quiet life with them in the forrest. Again, with dwarrow, there’s always going to be gifts involved, and I believe Bofur would make his s/o lots of little wood figures and carvings, bring pretty crystals or gems from the mines, and perhaps write a few songs in his s/o’s name. He’d love helping out with baking/cooking (though, he says he could never match his s/o’s skill when it comes to the kitchen), and there will certainly be times when Bofur steals all the sweets before they were meant to be eaten. He’s sneaky like that. I imagine while his s/o tends to the garden, he’d be off gathering/chopping wood for the fire. The dynamic of Bofur with a cottage core s/o is very sweet.

~Beorn

Beorn, the man, or bear, depending on his mood. We all already know that his Halls are the cottage core dream, complete with a humongous garden, giant bumblebee hives, and all sorts of animals, so it makes sense that this skin changer would be attracted to a cottage core s/o. They would spend much of the time storing honey, taking care of the bees, and making candles out of beeswax. There would be a great deal of woodworking (I mean, the interior of his house is practically all carved with norse-inspired designs), and I believe reading by the fire after a hard days work would be common. Baking would occur often, as well as playing chess with his giant chess set (I want it sooooo bad). He would be incredibly protective over his s/o (as his entire race was killed off), and would be wary of them going out alone. When he cannot come along, he sends one of his dogs with his s/o (in the books, his dogs were so smart that they could talk).

[yandere-sins]

“Just because I’m tiny doesn’t mean I lack the power.” For yandere fairy prince Deku? Maybe he used magic to shrink his darling for his size

Uhi, this one really kinda jumped at me for an idea! Thank you for requesting, I hope you enjoy it!

“Just because I’m tiny doesn’t mean I lack the power.”

»»————-———— ♡ ————————-««

“Hey! Here!” you heard, and you turned your exhausted body into the direction of the voice. It took you a few seconds before you noticed the quick waving motions coming from a tree trunk close to you, but only when you approached did you make out who was making those movements.

A part of your mind was aware. Aware of how totally wrong it was for you to lean down to the little being standing on the trunk and softly cooing, “Aww,” while your eyes admired it. Never before had you seen something so small, so adorable. Like a doll, but prettier, with wings shining in all the colors of the rainbow, and even a small crown on his head.

And yet, it was exactly what you did.

You were so, so tired after wandering all day. And even if his face was as big as your fingertip, you were just glad to see another person again. There was no use denying it, that you weren’t exactly familiar with these woods, and as time passed on, you began to fear you were lost. Despite the other part of your brain being rational, giving you a hint of hesitation, you took your chances, desperation having fogged your mind for a while already.

As if it wasn’t bad enough that you couldn’t find your way back to the camping spot you resided on for the weekend, you totally disrespected the creature before you, even holding out your hand for him to hop on. If there had been anything you knew about how to handle supernatural beings as he must have been - if he wasn’t just an illusion - you threw the knowledge out of the window in an instant. With him in your palm, you sat down on the tree trunk, ready to converse a bit.

He certainly was cuter than any baby you had seen before, scratching on your fondness of baby animals even. So before you had a grasp on the situation, he already had your fondness of him on his side, and really, how could something so small, so fragile possibly cause you harm? Before anything happened to you, you’d probably squeeze him to death, that thought made you feel safe.

“I am Midoriya Izuku, prince of this forest! What brings you here, little human?” His introduction showed no hesitation despite the differences you two had, he even bowed his head to you and brought a soft chuckle to your lips as he called you little. After all, it was him barely fitting into your hand. A prince, you thought. How cute!

“I’m [Name],” you replied, holding out a finger to him which he shook with both hands. The feeling of his tiny fingers made you almost ticklish, but despite the naive happiness you felt about meeting him, you got some sense back through his touch. “Ah, you see... I lost my path back to the camping grounds, and now I am lost.”

He seemed to be in thought for a moment, before he nodded in understanding, directing his next words at you again. “I regret that you lost your way, would you like me to show you back?”

“You can do that?” you chimed up, smiling from ear to ear at his offer. Your legs were hurting, but it must have been late afternoon already and you weren’t too hot on the thought of sleeping in the wilderness. Even if the offer came from a fairy, you were more than happy to accept it. After all, he was a prince, he surely had other interests than harming you.

The smirk on his lips was nothing that would have changed your opinion of him, as he agreed, and you offered to carry him around for his troubles in return. He sat down comfortably in your palm, legs dangling from the edge of your hand without much care in the world. Together, you set off, conversing merrily as he led you back into the thicket. “I am always glad to help! The forest can be a dangerous place, you know?”

“How come?” you asked, a sudden anxiety bubbling in your stomach. The last thing you wanted was to encounter anything potential dangerous while you were out in the forest alone. “Any dangerous creatures lurking around?”

Midoriya laughed softly as he shook his head, “Not when I am around. They wouldn’t harm me or those under my protection.” At that, he placed his tiny hand into your palm and you felt like a wave of comfort spread through you, knowing he was with you.

You two exchanged a row of polite talk, things like the forest, and your home. How your garden differed from what you could see around you, and how he preferred to sleep in moss-beds rather than flowers. The question burned on your tongue, but you held it back as long as you could until it simply burst out of you.

“You are... a fairy, right?”

Letting out a soft laugh, Midoriya flapped his wings, looking down at himself. “I think so? At least, that’s what humans would call me.”

You joined him with a chuckle, nodding. “That’s really amazing!” you admitted, and his eyes grew wide as you praised him. “Everyone always says you must be a myth because we never get to see any fairies, so for one to actually show up when I am in trouble, I must be so lucky! I always hoped to meet one someday!”

With your eyes on the path before you, you didn’t notice how his grew wistful as he nodded slowly in response. “Not many humans believe in us anymore, but we are always here, all around you.”

“That’s nice,” you sighed, really meaning it. Fairies were very nice, you had decided minutes ago. After all, he was helping you get back to your camp without any demands, and kept you a company. Without this fairy in particular you’d certainly be more lost and scared shitless by now.

Taking his time, he inspected you, the happy grin on your face, the joyful spark in your eyes. You were sincere, and Midoriya adored that about you. Many humans he had encountered were so different from you, and it made you even more special than anyone else.

“Hey...” he caught your attention, ever so softly. His fingers were drawing little circles in your palm while his legs swung back and forth. “Do you want to meet my people? Our kingdom lies on the way and I am sure they’d be so happy to meet you!”

Slowing down a bit, you thought about it. Aside from your gut feeling telling you to be wary, you didn’t have a reason to decline. Another few more minutes out in the forest wouldn’t hurt, and there was no reason to decline his invitation, so you gave him a firm nod, humming happily. His eyes began to shine at this as he directed you forward and towards his home.

The settlement was about what you expected it to be. Little houses, beautifully decorated with flowers and wood carvings, hanging from trees and sitting on branches. The moment you two stepped in, you were surrounded by hundreds of giggling fairies, one prettier than the other, asking you questions, braiding your hair. They took over your whole attention, you didn’t even notice the prince slip from your hand, taking a stand at what seemed to be a stone functioning as a plaza in the middle of the tree group that made up the colony.

Midoriya observed you carefully, your every move. How you interacted with his peers, you were tender and charming. They brought you honey and put flowers into your hair, all because they adored you. There hadn’t been a human for them to enjoy in so long, nowadays humans were always too self-centered to notice them. But not you.

He was smitten with you because you were different.

You liked fairies. You had fun with them, and you liked their company as much as they wanted yours. In your own words, you said it was ‘amazing’ and ‘nice’. How you were ‘lucky’ and you hoped you’d meet one someday. If this encounter wasn’t fate, then what else was there to believe in? How long had he searched for someone like you? Someone to rule his lands with and who’d be kind to his people? It could only be in your interest too, as you were so smitten with the fairies.

“[Name],” he called out, and the other fairies took a step back from you as their prince demanded your attention. You kneeled down in front of the stone, taking a bit more of his eye level, while everyone else took a seat somewhere they could stand back and watch. Holding out his hands, you were confused before you simply put your finger towards him again, allowing him to touch you gently.

“Wouldn’t you like to stay? Isn’t it fun here? You could be with us forever!”

“Huh?” you only brought forth, the surprise written in your face. “But... My Prince, I can’t! I have a life back in my own home! Despite...” you looked around uncomfortably, fearing your next words would upset the fairies around you, so you whispered them into his direction instead. “I mean, I am human... I can’t live like you do...”

His shoulders slumped as you thought he understood now, his eyes full of sadness. “If that’s the case...” Midoriya sighed, letting go of your hand. “This might sting a little.”

“What?” you asked when suddenly, the lights from the little lanterns all around you seemed to vanish, and you squeezed your eyelids together as you felt a sting of pain go through your head.

“Open up, [Name]~” you heard him coo not even seconds after the feeling hit you, and you slowly began to blink, the lights being back on again as you opened your eyes. “See, that’s no problem at all,” he chuckled as you looked him in his eyes, slowly taking in the tall surroundings around you. It wasn’t until another fairy flew down to the stone podium that you noticed the thing that confused you the most about what just happened.

She was a pretty fairy, smiling wildly as she handed you a red cloak, and suddenly, you realized that she wasn’t small anymore - neither of them. Embarrassed, you had to take note that you were not only their size now, no, you were also completely naked. A glance over your shoulder as you frantically put the cloak around your body revealed your original clothes, still in human size spread on the ground.

“W-What did you do?” you asked the prince, who’s hand you hesitantly took, letting him help you up. “You guys were so tiny and now... now I am tiny?!”

“Yes, I made you fit in. That’s what made you so hesitant right? Now you can live with us!” A row of cheers echoed all around you, scaring you as they were so much louder now than the noises the fairies had made at you before. “B-But how? How could I shrink so much, I am human!”

“Oh, [Name]...” he sighed, smiling belittling at you. “Just because I’m tiny doesn’t mean I lack the power.”

You grew more and more restless under Midoriya’s big eyes, the prince now almost a head taller than you. There were no wings on your back while his looked as tall as you were and even more mesmerizing up close. For a moment, you feared you could get lost in their shimmer, not yet aware that they were only a presentation of his power. Even in his size, there was still enough difference between you two to make out that you were not the same. Looking around, you tried to figure this situation out, but it made less and less sense to you the more you tried. “You promised to help me!”

It was absolutely delightful to see the colorful play of expression on your face. In contrary to fairies, humans were so much more expressive and supplied with a range of emotions, so full of themselves, he could only be impressed. You looked lovely in his cloak, just like he expected, and you were even sweeter to him, now that you fit into his embrace.

Under no circumstances would he have let anyone take this moment away from him, as he enveloped you in his arms, your struggles vanishing as you couldn’t even start to comprehend his thinking. But you didn’t need to as Midoriya had already done that for both of you. You two would live happily in the settlement, reign over the forest together, and you’d be the loved ruler of his people by his side. Only someone like you, with a heart for fairies, could have ever been qualified enough for this position, and he had waited centuries for you to come around.

You couldn’t just leave now.

“I don’t understand...”

It was the first time, he didn’t like what he heard from you, a sob falling off your lips as your confusion melted into the desperation of not understanding and unable to cope with what happened to you. “Well,” he huffed. One arm snaked lower, right under your butt, and with less strength than you thought he’d need, he lifted you up, finally able to see eye to eye with him. “You don’t need to understand,” he chuckled, and with your legs already dangling over the ground, your eyes widened as he flew up into the air, about the same height that you had when you were still a full-grown human. “I’ll take care of you from now on, you just need to be the [Name] I met today. We’ll be very happy, I promise.”

Your eyes fell to the ground, several feet away now, and as if stung by a bee, you clung to him as Midoriya gently stroked your hair in response. “How... How could this happen... I was so tall and you so tiny...” Shivering in his arms, you felt like fainting just imagine how a fall out of this height must feel. Midoriya just sighed, when his hand suddenly clawed into the back of your head, making you squeal in shock while he guided your eyes up at him.

“You are safe with me, don’t you remember?”

Nodding slowly, you remembered his words about the dangerous creatures in the forest. The conversation suddenly had a whole other meaning for you as your mind began to realize how much you had underestimated the creature right in front of you. It became painfully clear now, with his hand so forceful in your hair and his eyes so scolding. Even his next words sounded so cold, you could only shiver more in his arm, clutching his shirt tighter between your fingers.

“Just don’t forget who’s the tiny one now, okay?”

[lesbianlotties]

Journeys end in lovers meeting - Sam/Deena - Fear Street x Bly Manor AU - Chapter 2

Chapters: 2/10 Fandom: Fear Street Trilogy (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Samantha "Sam" Fraser/Deena Johnson, Sarah Fier/Hannah Miller (Fear Street), Christine "Ziggy" Berman/Nick Goode, Samantha "Sam" Fraser & Deena Johnson Characters: Samantha "Sam" Fraser (Fear Street), Deena Johnson, Kate Schmidt (Fear Street), Simon Kalivoda, Josh Johnson (Fear Street), Constance (Fear Street Part 3: 1666), Christine "Ziggy" Berman, Nick Goode (Fear Street), Alice (Fear Street Part 2: 1978), Sarah Fier (Fear Street), Hannah Miller (Fear Street), Solomon Goode (Fear Street) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, The Haunting of Bly Manor AU, Not Canon Compliant, Haunted Houses, Ghosts, Character Death, Minor Character Death, Canon Lesbian Relationship, First Meetings, Fluff and Angst, Eventual Smut, Happy Ending, Au Pair Sam, Gardener Deena, Housekeeper Kate, Cook Simon, Josh and Constance as troubled kids, Ziggy and Nick in an unhealthy relationship, minor Cindy/Alice, Martin cameos, special appearances of all the Shadyside killers as ghosts, Somebody Lives/Not Everyone Dies, The Rest Is Confetti Summary:

The year is 1994. Samantha Fraser recently moved to Shadyside, and she desperately needs a job that will help her leave her troubled past behind. She starts working as au pair at Shadyside Manor, where she is not the only one tortured by ghosts. Grief, regrets, guilt, innocent victims, and an ancient curse. At the center of all of it... love.

Chapter 2:

Sam hadn’t been kidding when she said she would deal with the kids by herself. About nine years as a teacher were worth it. She knew exactly how to balance patience and authority, and exactly when to crack a smile. It wasn’t time for smiles though. It was time to let the kids of Shadyside manor know that their days of self-government were over. Sam was brought there to bring them an education, and that included rules, discipline, and consequences to their actions.

So, if they locked her in a closet, there would have to be a sort of punishment. If they were responsible for the muddy footprints that appeared on the staircase of the house, there would also be a punishment. Nothing too severe, of course. Sam knew even the word punishment seemed too hard for kids. But she knew this would be her only chance at asserting her position in that place.

That was how, after breakfast, Sam found herself with nothing to do while Josh and Constance worked on cleaning up the stairs. Luckily, she was quickly approached by two of her coworkers.

“So, since you have put the kids to do my work,” Kate said. “Why don’t you come hang us for a bit?”

Simon pulled out one of the chairs from the table and with a flourish offered it to Sam, “Miss Fraser, would you care to join us for a mid-morning shit-talking session?”

“Oh, sure,” Sam chuckled nervously and accepted the seat. “And you can just call me Sam.” She couldn’t help repeating herself. She didn’t exactly have good memories attached to her name. She only ever wished to be just Sam.

“Don’t creep her out, please,” Kate told her friend and two of them took a seat as well. “So, Sam, what do you think of the house so far? And the kids?”

The new au pair took her time to answer. “The house is… big. It’s uh, I mean, sure, it looks scary. But once inside, it doesn’t feel as bad as the rumors make it out to be, you know?”

Kate nodded firmly, seemingly satisfied with that answer. Simon grinned playfully and leaned forward on the table as if about to discuss a secret, “You don’t have haunted houses in Sunnyvale?”

Sam chuckled bitterly at that. Apparently, it wasn’t a secret for anyone the place she came from. If only they knew the full story. “No we don’t,” she looked down and shook her head. “Sunnyvale has its different types of hauntings though.”

“What about the kids?” Kate blurted out.

“The Sunnyvale kids?”

“What? No! Constance and Josh,” Kate scoffed, and sent an unimpressed look in Sam's way. 

“Oh, right,” Sam laughed nervously. She desperately hoped she wasn’t blushing in embarrassment. Kate was staring at her very intently, studying her. But it was, somehow, not getting exactly the effect she was hoping for in Sam. Because yes, maybe Sam was deeply intimidated. But she could also tell that Kate’s harshness came from a place of being protective of the kids and caring about them. “They seem great, really,” Sam eventually replied. “Constance is bold and Josh is an introvert, but I’ve dealt with kids like that my entire life. I’m going to try my best with them though, that’s for sure. I just… have to get to know them.”

At that moment, Kate and Simon exchanged a look. Sam had no doubt it was true that those two had been best friends for a long time. It seemed like a really important conversation was silently happening between them. Finally, Simon spoke up.

“No, you haven’t worked with kids like them,” he replied, suddenly very careful with his words. “No offense, you know? But, bold and introverted mean different things in Sunnyvale and Shadyside. Here they mean something more along the lines of survivor and traumatized.”

A not completely discreet cough from Kate got him to stop talking. “No, I know, I’m sorry,” Sam was quick to apologize. They weren’t completely wrong. “I know, it’s just, well… I don’t know anything… I mean, what, uh, why…” She ended with a sigh and slumping in her chair, knowing there was no right way to ask the questions she had in mind.

“Constance’s parents died two years ago,” Kate said. She was speaking almost in whispers, but it nearly startled Sam, who didn’t think she’d get any sort of explanation. Afterward, she would hope she hadn’t. “Cindy Berman and husband. Plane crashed. Then, last year… her aunt. Christine killed herself here on the property. Really gives you some perspective into all the fucking rumors, doesn’t it?”

Afterward, Sam was beyond speechless. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t find a thing to say. That’s when Simon joined in.

“And Josh, he… uh, well, he is not one of the Bermans,” Simon was struggling to explain. “Look, he has his own fucked up past, okay? But I can’t tell you more because Deena would totally kick my ass. It’s their story to tell, you know? The past is the past anyway.”

Sam nodded thoughtfully. At least, she hoped she appeared thoughtful. Not too thoughtful though. Just thoughtful enough for someone that has perfectly normal reactions to hearing the name of a very particular co-worker. That momentary panic at least gave her an idea of how to reply to the tough conversation. A change of subject.

“What about you guys?” Sam asked. “How did you end up working at the manor?”

Instantly, Kate seemed to relax. “I just like bossing people around,” she grinned, earning laughter from the other two. “My aunt used to work here. Alice pays well enough. And if you don’t get scared easily, it’s not a bad place to live in.”

Sam smiled at her and then looked at Simon, noticing how he didn’t look half as relaxed as Kate this time. “What can I say?” he smiled in a way that kept a lot hidden. “It pays the bills. It’s close to home. And I fucking love food.”

The au pair decided it wasn’t time to push for more information. Instead, in that brief moment of silence, she turned her head to look through the door at Josh and Constance working on the stairs. They were doing well, but their day was far from over. From her point of view, she had no way of seeing the man standing on the other side of the stairs. Tommy Slater had been standing there for longer than he could remember. He was still wearing his red flannel shirt, still holding on to his axe, still looking impossibly sad, cold, and lonely.

--

As she made her way to the greenhouse, Sam tried to convince herself she wasn’t nervous at all. She had no reason to be anxious at all. Deena Johnson was another one of her coworkers. Sure, maybe she pulled Sam out of a pretty embarrassing breakdown the previous night. Yes, maybe she had an incredible smile that almost painfully reminded Sam of feelings she had spent a lifetime running from. But… she reached the greenhouse before coming up with a reason not to be on edge.

“Hi?” she called out, tentatively stepping inside the place.

“Over here,” a voice replied from the back of the greenhouse. A voice that was like no other Sam had ever heard.

“Um, hi, Deena,” Sam approached her slowly. “It’s me, uh, Sam.”

“Yeah, I can see that,” Deena replied, a small smile on her lips. She stood up from the ground, where she had been kneeling down to work on one of the multiple plants that filled this space. “What do you have there?” Deena asked, nodding toward the plate Sam was holding in her hand.

Sam looked down, as if she had forgotten what it was she was carrying. “Simon,” she blurted out.

“Oh. He looks a little bit different than I remember.”

That made Sam laugh nervously. “I mean, it’s your breakfast,” Sam said. “You didn’t come down for breakfast and Simon asked me to bring it to you.”

Deena nodded slowly, and accepted the plate from Sam’s hands. Then she moved to one of the two chairs at the back of the greenhouse and sat down, inspecting her breakfast.

Afterward, Sam might chastise herself for it, but at the moment she couldn’t help but blurt out, “You’re welcome.”

That earned her an annoyed sigh from the gardener. “Listen, you don’t have to do this,” Deena said.

“Do what?” Sam wondered, taking a seat on the spare chair.

“Play nice with us, with me,” Deena explained, nearly whispering the last part.

“I…” Sam stuttered, she was definitely taken off guard. “Well, we are coworkers now, we live under the same roof, I think-”

“I think you have no idea what you got yourself into. This place, and everyone here, is doomed,” Deena interrupted her. “You’re Sunnyvale, we are Shadyside trash. I know your type. I only hope you’ll run away before the kids get attached to you.”

For a moment, all Sam could do was stare, frown silently at Deena, as the other woman nonchalantly got started on her breakfast, as if she hadn’t just put Sam’s entire mood upside down. It was interesting though, the way Deena chose not to mention the fact that she skipped breakfast just to avoid a set of blue eyes that were too dangerously pretty to wander into Shadyside.

Sam jumped out of her seat, and took a deep breath to reign in her feelings. “You don’t know me at all,” was all she said before walking out of the greenhouse.

--

The rest of the morning passed by in a blur of hard work, mostly for the kids. Surprisingly though, at one point they stopped looking so bothered about it. Josh wasn’t the kind to complain out loud, but Sam noticed from the way his shoulders relaxed and his lips almost started to smile. Constance, on the other hand, was pretty content complaining as much as possible, but she seemed happier doing something new, entertaining, and different from studying. They especially seemed to enjoy working outside.

Sam had wanted to avoid the unkind gardener as much as possible, but she had already planned this, so there was no turning back. This was part of the kids’ education, hard work, and Sam was proud of her methods. The one thing she wasn’t proud of was the way the gardener was making her feel. Her plan to avoid Deena had backfired. Deena, Kate, and Simon were lounging in the garden, while Sam guided Josh and Constance on their work.

As hard as she tried, Sam couldn’t stop herself from second-guessing what her new coworkers were talking about. Were they talking about her? Good things? Did Kate and Simon feel the same way as Deena? Were they criticizing her? Those smiles on their faces, was that a good or bad sign? Deena’s posture on that chair, the way she held a cigarette, played with the delicate chain hanging from her neck, teased her young brother, locked eyes with Sam precisely once… did it mean anything at all?

--

The rest of the morning went by easily. Sam dragged Josh and Constance back to the house to continue cleaning, and they had to comply. Tragic as it seemed, they couldn’t complain to anybody. Kate, Simon, Deena, even Alice in the safety of her own home, they all would have supported Sam’s teaching methods at best, would’ve laughed in their faces at worst. 

Things couldn’t be perfect though. Sam would scold herself for letting her guard down at all. She had been in one of the bedrooms, assisting Constance with cleaning the windows, when it happened. One second it was just a window, showing the green grounds around the property, nothing more. Then the next second, all Sam could see was his face. Dark. Just a shadow. Furious. Disgusted. Head tilted. Observing her. Unforgiving. Horribly familiar.

Sam let out a yelp of surprise and stumbled backward. She caught herself before falling down to the floor, but not before Constance saw her. At first, the girl chuckled, but she sounded somewhat genuine when she asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m- uh, I’m okay,” Sam replied, voice trembling. “Give me a minute.”

She was out of that room before hearing the girl’s reply. She couldn’t move fast enough, but her legs were trembling. She couldn’t shake that image of her mind. Her own particular ghost. The monster that she hadn’t been able to leave in Sunnyvale. Following her reflection everywhere she went.

Sam stumbled down the stairs and out of the house. She finally found refuge behind one of the big bushes on the sides of the entrance. A place where she could break down in peace. She couldn’t stop the tears, and she could hardly breathe, and she was so scared.

“Are you okay?”

The question makes Sam choke one of her sobs. Of all people that could have caught her at this moment…

“I get it,” Deena cautiously added, from a safe distance away. “I swear I had the same reaction after I met Constance.” She could barely see Sam, hiding behind the bush, but she guessed that privacy was exactly what the blonde wanted. “If Josh’s the problem though, just let me know. You aren’t allowed to, but I can totally kick his ass.” That earned her a tearful chuckle from Sam, which was a very good sign. “Just so you know though,” Deena added, “That’s usually my spot for having an emotional breakdown. Now I have to go to this other corner and there are spiders and shit in there, no privacy at all.”

This time, there was a genuine laugh coming from Sam. The tears had stopped, and she managed to find the strength to look over her shoulder, show her face to Deena and say, “Thank you.”

Deena softly shook her head, dismissing Sam’s need to thank her. “You’re doing better than most people could,” she said. Seeing Sam smile sadly, acknowledging her tear-streaked face, Deena insisted, “I mean it.”

There was a pause then. Sam opened her mouth, desperately wishing she could say something else. All she wanted was to ask Deena how she could be so kind and so cruel as if a switch was flipped inside her. But Sam feared that saying more than two words would make her cry again. Deena took that as her cue to go on with her day.

“Back to work then,” Deena said, starting to march back into the house. “Stay strong, Sunnyvale.”

Definitely done with her tears, Sam was having trouble holding back her smile. She tried to sneak another glance at the gardener, but Deena was gone, leaving behind only a pleasant warmth in Sam’s heart and a firm smile on her face.

--

Nine years of teaching had taught Sam a lot. She knew how to handle kids, that was for sure. The unruly ones, the proud ones, the ones that struggled, and the ones that shined brightly. Simon had been right when he said she had never worked with kids like Josh and Constance. Still, she was prepared to deal with Josh picking up spiders from the garden, and trying to scare her. She didn’t lose her ground even when Constance’s attitude sometimes made Sam feel like she was the teenager out of the two of them.

What she did that day wasn’t the worst Sam had to do for one of her students. Still, it was pretty awkward explaining to Deena how her younger brother had massacred the rose bushes to give the flowers to Sam.

When the two women arrived at the scene of the crime, it was a huge mess. Josh had picked a few roses for Sam and destroyed the rest. He must have been pretty aggressive to earn that small limp he had when he walked toward Sam a few minutes earlier.

The teenager fell to second place in the forefront of Sam’s mind though. She was slightly more preoccupied about the furious gardener gripping the broken stem of a rose as if it were a knife.

“I’m going to fucking kill him,” Deena yelled, not for the first time in the past minute, and tried to walk away.

“Hey,” Sam stopped her with a firm tone and a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll deal with him, it’s my job.”

Deena took a deep breath. She was pretty much shaking with anger still. She pursed her lips, suddenly aware of the way she had been yelling at the innocent au pair for god knows how long now. She wasn’t good at apologizing though. She slumped her shoulders and exhaled.

“It’s just… he should know better than this,” Deena said bitterly. “We are lucky to be living here. He knows he has to stay out of trouble.” She looked up into Sam’s blue eyes and the careful attention she found there nearly turned her breathless. “That was the deal,” Deena added softly, taking a moment to gulp nervously. “I made a deal with Cindy Berman years ago, when we had nothing. Josh and I could live here, and I’d pay her by working on the grounds of the manor.”

Sam nodded slowly, with a barely-there smile that let Deena know she had listened, and understood. “It’s okay,” Sam said. “I don’t think it’ll be a big deal. I won’t say anything if you don’t.” The two women exchanged a smile. “It’s just a few flowers-”

“It’s not just a few flowers,” Deena protested immediately.

“I know, I know,” Sam quickly said. She was tiptoeing the line between fearing Deena’s temper and being endeared by how protective she was of her plants. “They’re also a weapon, apparently.”

Deena tilted her head in confusion. “Ah,” she said when she looked down at the rose’s stem she was still holding in her hand. She couldn’t say anything else though. Sam had taken the initiative to reach out and gently pry open Deena’s fist to take the stem away. That’s when they both noticed there had been thorns involved. “Shit,” Deena cursed.

“Um,” Sam mumbled pensively as she stared at the couple of red spots on Deena’s hand. “You know, to be a teacher, you have to learn a thing or two about first aid. Do you want help?”

Deena was already shaking her head. Her wild curls shook with her movement. “No, it’s okay- fuck!” She exclaimed in pain the moment she tried to close her hand again. Now there were a few drops of blood on her palm. “Fine,” she grumbled. 

--

Deena was so upset about having someone bandaging her hand, that Sam found the whole process much easier than she had expected. It was a little bit like dealing with a kid, not that she would ever admit such a thing to the gardener. 

“So, you really like those roses, huh?” Sam asked while cleaning up the little wounds in Deena’s palm.

“They’re some of my favorites from the entire property,” Deena shrugged. “I like all these plants more than most people, that’s for sure.”

Sam nodded, picking up the bandages. “Why would he do this?” she asked. “Josh, I mean. He doesn’t seem to be the type to vandalize the gardens.”

“He isn’t. There was one bad fucking influence and…” Deena replied. Her words were hiding a lot, but her resentful tone warned the au pair against making any further questions. Instead, Deena looked up and added, “or maybe… he just really likes you, Sunnyvale.”

Sam laughed at that, and ducked her head to avoid those gorgeous brown eyes. Surprisingly, she decided to admit something right then and there in the otherwise empty kitchen of the manor while holding on to Deena’s hand. “You do know I’m not even from Sunnyvale, right?” 

“What?” Deena asked. She looked caught off guard for the first time since Sam met her.

“You guys don’t fact-check your gossip, huh?” Sam chuckled. “I was born here, in Shadyside. I moved away when I was little, after my father died, but… I guess, now I’m trying to find my home, you know?”

“Right,” Deena replied.

She blinked slowly, and her eyebrows furrowed into a small frown as she took in the information, the significance of Sam sharing it with her, and the unknown reason why the word home sounded so perfect coming from Sam’s smiling lips.

After a brief silence that felt like it stretched for hours, Deena cleared her throat. “Well, uh, thank you, for giving me a hand,” she said. The mention of her hand made both women realize that this entire time they hadn’t let go of each other’s hands. They pulled away from each other quickly, but nothing could have wiped the smiles off their faces. “It’s not the worst I’ve dealt with so I better get back to work. I guess I’ll see you around… Sunnyvale.”

Sam didn’t even attempt to hold back her grin. Distantly, she wished she wasn’t blushing too much, but that was it. She turned around to watch Deena walk away from the kitchen. Then she was rewarded with the sight of Deena looking back at her once before crossing the doorway.

When she was alone again, Sam leaned her back against the counter and sighed. It was a mixture of contentment and exhaustion. She had tried her best to maintain a good impression in front of Deena, and now she could finally relax. She was starting to understand her better too, how Deena’s boldness came from a good place of being protective over her brother, and maybe even over the whole property. Sam’s exhaustion though, didn’t come from anywhere near Deena, the teens, or the house. She was only realizing how absurdly debilitating it had been to keep up a false version of herself at all times during those years in Sunnyvale. Slowly but surely, she was leaving all that behind.

Sam took a deep breath and straightened up. Then she started to walk out of the kitchen following the path Deena had walked a minute ago. She didn’t have to look back before crossing the doorway, she just kept walking. This way, she missed Ryan Torres’s presence in one corner of the kitchen. Lonesome, unknown, fumbling with the knife he still carried at all times.

--

“Josh! Constance! You guys are way too old for this kind of game!” Sam was yelling as she walked around the house. She didn’t understand how Kate hadn’t heard her yet.

She wasn’t scared. Just because they had turned off all the lights and she was only barely familiar with the house didn’t mean she should be scared. The kids wanted to improvise a game of hide and seek to avoid going to bed? Fine. Sam wasn’t scared of the dark. In the darkness she couldn’t see her reflection and whatever cursed company she would find there. If she had to drag a couple of teenagers to their beds from their ears then so be it. 

When Sam caught sight of the curtains of one room moving strangely, she hurried towards it and pulled at it, but there was nobody there. She sighed, disappointed, stressed, but not scared, not yet. She heard footsteps behind her, and when she turned around, she distinctly heard the front door of the house open. Chills ran through Sam’s spine. It was unsettling, but not too bad, right? She would be deeply upset if she had to chase a pair of teenagers out in the middle of a storm, but it could be worse.

It could be worse… Maybe it was much worse than she imagined. That was the thought going through Sam’s mind when, very slowly, she turned back around to face the window again. At first, it looked like a blur. Then, she feared it was that same ghostly silhouette that followed her everywhere. Somehow, it was worse. Somehow, the figure moved closer and it became clear. There was a man standing on the other side of the window. Tall. Dark hair. Hazel eyes. Smile that never, under any circumstances, would have been mistaken for friendly.

Sam took a step backward, so did he. Then she took off running. Not in the direction some might have expected. She wasn’t running away to hide. She ran out of that room, taking the fireplace poker from its stand and gripping it with force as she rushed out of the house.

“I’m going to call the police!” Sam yelled while the rain poured down on her. “I’m going to call the fucking police!”

She ran toward the window where she’d seen that man. He was nowhere to be seen but, as if it was all part of a pattern, she stumbled across the worst possible scenario.

“Sam?” Josh mumbled. He was just standing there, shaking with cold, drenched from the rain… then he just crumbled down, falling to the ground, unconscious.

[krenlios]

Shattered

Hours had passed by in ambiguity, moments feeling as though they both crept on and flew by at the throw of some unseen switch. It was a torrent of losing seconds in his own mind, and being thrust back into reality again, only to realize what the senses perceived was often not much more than an illusion despite how real it might have felt. There was some faint reminder of Aelranth’s presence at his side that kept him from total loss of self in the violent struggle of emotion within him. A breath here, a whisper or touch laced with worry as he watched Kren’lios fade back and forth between sanity and the unreal. Hours ago there might have been a gentle embrace, the heat of passion, or something of far more grandeur in their evening together. But now, Kren’lios could barely discern his lovers motion from a hallucination, and it only got worse the longer he sat still. Afterall, stillness bred instability, nothing to bury the abject sensation of pure fear away behind, as though putting on a mask.

Soon, it became too much to lay there in the moment, suffocating in the darkness of his own vision. Without even hearing Aelranth anymore he was up on his feet again, pacing the floor of his room from wall to wall. He felt along the paint and solid plaster with trembling fingers before a moment would flash over his mind as his soul writhed with the days upheaval. The harsh metal bars, the heat so fierce under foot that it burned the spirit itself with no respite. Hours or days, months or weeks, it had all been unclear but the pain had never stopped, never ceased even for a moment. Those memories were forced into the forefront, and soon what was a wall in front of him felt like a prison. His hand shot fourth as he broke into tears, beating the wall so harshly he broke through it. Only then did he pause, coming back to the familiar empty black of blindness and the garbled unstable voice somewhere behind him.

Instability was certainly one word for it all, and it weighed on his shoulders with sheer embarrassment for the few moments he found himself secure again. He tried to think back on how he had gotten here, mumbling incoherent and incomplete things as he sunk to the floor before the gash he had just freshly beat into the wall. Of what little he could recall in the confusion and turbulence, Sylestras was most prominent. Her words had given him answers no matter how badly he had not wanted them to be true...a corrupted and extremely splintered soul. Something permanent and in need of the constant agonizing procedure that magical healing had become, lest it deteriorate to the point of killing him all over again. Nothing like she had ever seen before, pain like she had never witnessed as his body had all but panicked and thrown him overboard with the lights intrusion. And now he found himself in that sea of memory and pain again, barely treading enough to keep his head above water. He was barely held away from drowning all together.

As he moved forward to stand up again onto trembling legs, he recognized pain in his hands finally, throbbing and unyielding. He could not see them, but there was no doubt in his mind he had damaged them. But even in that moment of recognition, adrenaline left the pain dulled. So when he moved across the floor in a slow shuffle to grab his mug of tea that had long since gone cold, it panicked him when pain shot up his arm from his likely broken hand, the mug coming loose from his grip and shattering to the floor. It made him reel backwards into a hard flinch as his hands came up over his ears and he fled the room, tears and sobbing springing forth all over again. He moved down the hallways as quickly as he could, lucky that they were familiar to him lest he bump into everything on his way. Only when he reached the doors to the back balcony did he stop, letting his head rest there with a shaking sob before they were thrown open before him. The cold of a late Quel’Thalas evening embraced his near entirely bare skin, feet easing slowly out onto the dusky cold stone,

Feet flexed against the solid ground, Kren’lios taking in a deep breath and trying so desperately to center himself in the firmness and chill. After standing a while he was off on the move again, his body shaking by now as he made haste towards the stairs just off to his left, a winding tower path that would feel steep and endless were it not for the wall he guided himself upward with. At the very top, the tightness of the stairway opened up to a space of lush beauty. The rooftop garden...a place he had so often fled to in an attempt to free himself from the weight of his own thoughts and now was certainly no exception. Though he could not see the flowers and well taken care of bushes, they always had a smell to him. It was the smell of comfort and of home, and lucky for him, it was enough to momentarily occupy his mind. He tiptoed slowly over the dew sodden lawn, his breathing still ragged as pain racked his body alongside physical exertion. His grief wracked form finally gave up, sending him to his knees at the very edge of a nearby bush. It left him tucked well under the low lying branches as he fell to his side, his mind going black as lost consciousness embraced by the damp grass below and the bitter air above.

At the very least, he had found a moment of peace.

(Mentions for: @blacktaloning )

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #475

(from two days ago, oops)

What is your favorite background noise? (Ex. Water dripping, people talking.) I really like a steady rain tapping on the windows. Do you like taking selfies? Why or why not? No, because I'm ugly. It's annoying because I've been wanting to take pics with Girt considering even as just friends literally none exist of us, but yeah. I fucking hate taking pictures of myself and it takes a billion and two tries to get a picture I deem "acceptable" anyway. Were you named after anyone? No. What was the last comic book you read? I don't and never have read comic books. What is your heritage? German, Irish, and Polish. Describe the worst friend you have ever befriended. All things considered, somehow my former best friend was the worst. She was homophobic, racist, extremely self-centered, drama-driven, excessively bossy, ungrateful... I will never be able to explain how our friendship ever worked. If you found the recipe for immortality, would you sell it or would you burn it? Burn it. With certainty. We just aren't meant to live forever. What is the most embarrassing, cringe-worthy thing you have ever done? 99% of my life has been Cringe. What is the worst thing someone could do on a date? Be distracted/not pay attention to the other, like by constantly using their phone. It's so rude. That would immediately make me lose interest in you. If you could turn one legal thing illegal, what would it be? I dunno. What is something you swore you would never do when you grew up, but you did anyway? I was absolutely going to college as a kid. Fast-forward to the future, I've dropped out three times and am going nowhere. Little me saw me as so, so much more successful. Do you actually iron your clothes? No. Unless it's a formal occasion. Do you rent or own your current home? We rent. Have you ever used cursive after school, aside from your signature? My handwriting is naturally mostly cursive. Do you have your groceries delivered or do you buy them yourself? We order our groceries for pick-up, so we have to go to the store, but not in. Do you have a gym membership? Sigh. I do, but Mom and I have really been neglecting going since my time with my personal trainer ran out... What’s your favorite computer game genre? Horror, of course. Do you have any exes your parents never liked? No. Have you ever been severely mentally ill? I am. What was the last thing you purchased from a small local business? I don't know. Have you ever used chewing tobacco? EW no, that shit grosses me out so much. If someone’s laughing, do you instantly think they’re laughing at you? Suuuure do. How would you react if your parents told you they were having another baby? Well, they're divorced, Mom cannot stand my dad, and she also had a complete hysterectomy when she had ovarian cancer, so like... Have you ever had a garage or yard sale before? How much did you make? Over the course of my life, we've had a few yard sales. I don't remember how much we made at any. Have you ever had to evacuate your home for any reason? No. Which mythological creature is your favorite? DRAGONS. I love dragons. Have you ever been to a butterfly garden before? No, but that sounds amazing. What's the biggest bird you've ever seen up close? Oh my god y'all, when I volunteered once at a wildlife rehab center, I was FEET away from some sort of falcon. Guys, you would not believe JUST how big birds of prey are. I was shocked and in total awe. Have you ever seen a double rainbow before? More than once. Were you ever afraid of the dark as a child? I don't THINK I was? What is the strangest thing you’ve been asked? Something inappropriate that really pissed me off. What was your favorite game as a child? I was obsessed with the original Spryo trilogy and would play all three obsessively. What is the darkest thing you have seen on the internet? I don't know, dark shit. Do you crack your knuckles, neck or toes constantly? No, but ugh Girt does that with his neck and it drives me insane alsdkjfaljdlfkwe. Are you constantly catching colds or other sicknesses? No, my immune system is a legend. Are you afraid of mice? No, they're precious. What type of souvenir do you usually purchase when on vacation? I go on vacations so irregularly that I can't really answer this. I've been on a vacation maybe twice in my entire life. Do you own more than one copy or edition of a book? No. If you could see any musical on Broadway right now, what would it be? I don't like musicals. Will you willingly sing in front of other people besides your family? God no. Do you eat soup when you’re sick? No. I don't like soup. Who can never fail to make you laugh? Absolutely my boyfriend. He's the funniest person I know. Have you ever been on a tour bus? No. Do you prefer listening to things through headphones or speakers? Earplugs. Are you listening to music right now? No; I'm watching Gab play The Evil Within. Have you ever unbuttoned your ex’s pants? Just one of them, but we were together at the time. What are you planning on eating for dinner tonight if you haven’t already? Mom made pizza. What was the worst news you’ve heard this entire week? Girt's mother has Covid. He's vaccinated, but nevertheless, he's still getting a test done just to be safe, and also because if he's contracted it, I might have it. And that means my mother could get it, which just cannot happen, even if she's vaccinated, too. The poor guy is really freaking out about it, but ASTONISHINGLY, I'm not panicking yet. Girt's health has seemed fine, I'm fine, so... We'll just have to wait to see what his test says. Do you have a lot of trees around your house? What about buildings? No; yes. I hate living in the suburbs, it sucks here. Would you say either one of your parents are 'pack-rats?' No. Have you ever disowned anyone in your family? For what reasons? No. Has anyone ever called you a sociopath before? No. Do you have freckles? Do you like/dislike them? Not on my face, no. I have a few randomly on my body though. Would you ever consider getting dreadlocks? No. Have you downloaded extra fonts for your computer? Oh, plenty. Who is the latest great YouTuber you’ve discovered? The latest, uhhhh. I'd probably say John Wolfe as a truly "great" one considering I watch him regularly now. Do you read the Bible regularly? Yeah, no. All the Bible does is piss me off, frankly. Name three patriotic songs you like. I don't know about three, but I do shockingly like this one country song with a name I can't remember. All I know is it has "red, white, and blue" in the title. ... I think. Oh! There's "Deutschland" by Rammstein, even though it's not about my own country. Has it ever snowed on your birthday? Maybe at some point as a kid? Idr. Do you like the way your name is spelled? No, actually. I wish it was "Brittney." It's more true to the pronunciation. Do you believe in astrology? Not in the slightest, and while I really shouldn't care, like believe what you want, it's a genuine pet peeve of mine when others base their fucking lives around what positions some goddamn stars are in in an infinite universe. They make decisions based on bullshit being spat at them that might not be suitable. I know, it's stupid to care, but I can never seem to NOT roll my eyes when I see/hear people blaming their flaws and shit on this stuff. Are you one of those people who has like a hundred apps on their phone? No; I have very few. What’s the band that you love even though you know they’re awful? I can't help but love some Blood on the Dance Floor songs. :x Do you coo over other people’s babies? No, not really. Like I can acknowledge a cute picture and be like "awww," but it's nothing I lose my mind over at all. What is something that makes you very squeamish? VOMIT. If you’re out of high school, have you stayed in touch with your high school friends? If you’re still in school, do you think you will? The only high school friend of mine I'm still actively friends with/is still in my life is Girt, obviously. Like I have HS friends on Facebook that I still very much love and will react to what they post and sometimes comment, but we don't really talk-talk. Do you dye your hair regularly? No. :/ That's not something I can afford to do. Do you have an alter ego? Describe them: No. Do you know both of your biological parents? Which one do you prefer? I do, and I love them both. Do you store a lot of pictures you’ve taken that no one else has seen? I'm a wanna-be photographer, of course I do. If you had to name your kid after an American state, which would you choose? Probably "Dakota" for either gender. What do you use to dry your clothes? (Tumble dryer, radiator, etc) We have your normal dryer. Do you ever play the built-in games on your computer? Which ones? Nah. Do/did you doodle on your books at school? My notebooks and binders, ohhhh yes. Actual school textbooks, absolutely not. Who’d you last see in a tux? The groom and groomsmen of the last wedding I shot. Who’s the bravest person you know? Sara. Have you ever dated someone who was real sportsy? No.

[ethelphantom]

What’s a Soulmate?

Heeeeeyyy so I'm here again even though I'm totally supposed to be studying for my upcoming exam week (I've got seven exams coming once Thursday arrives on every single day except for the weekend. Oh well.

This is based on the What's a Soulmate? audio thing that went around a lot more before, and I've been wanting to write something based on it for years now. So. You're getting a Daminette fic based on it.

If you're still HOPEFULLY reading this, here's a little thing. This fic WILL get very angsty (like, heavy angst and grief and death and stuff) BUT it will also get way better later. There's a happy ending, their story will get a happy ending, and this will NOT end like Of Flowers and Strawberries, I swear, seriously. Pinky promise and all that. So, once you get there, just keep reading. You'll get your happy ending.

Ao3 || The audio

This is Maribat -- don’t like, don’t read.

________

“What's a soulmate?”

A girl with black hair leans against a boy around her age, his hair just as black as hers. He wraps his arms around her shoulders and kisses her forehead like the rest of the world didn’t matter. Their intertwined fingers bring them comfort as they watch the sunset on the horizon, painting the world in warm, calming tones of red, orange and yellow.

It doesn’t matter that they know their time is limited. They are together now, and that is all that mattered in the world.

After all, the memories they had together were everything.

“It's a… Well, it's like a best friend, but more.”

“I hope you two have a good explanation for this.”

The girl looks at the boy, both considering their next words carefully. They absolutely cannot let his older brother know how the kitchen and garden caught on fire at the same time as though on cue even though they weren’t even in the house, because everyone else is too scared to do such a thing. Especially with the butler still in the house, prepared to scold them and take away their rights to spend time together for a while.

Maybe they would deserve it and all, but it doesn’t matter. The children do not want to spend any less time together regardless of their actions.

“We have three, actually,” the girl says and tilts her head with feigned innocence. All of them know she’s responsible for whatever she’s being accused of this time, just like the boy is, but they don’t really care. If there’s anyone that could pull off looking innocent while covered in blood and then get away with murder, it would be her. No doubt.

“Pick your favourite,” the boy tells his older brother, only to make him exasperated and sigh as he buries his head in his hands. It seems they’re going to get away with it again. Like always. They never have the energy to deal with the both of them at once. Perhaps going over this with one of them at a time wouldn't be too much to him, but as it is, he tried to save time and scold both of them at once.

“Fine, you can go,” his brother finally tells them and leaves, muttering something about children being impossible and him not understanding how they keep succeeding.

The boy grabs the girl’s hand and squeezes it. “I told you, Malaki, didn’t I? We can do anything together, even survive my older brother’s intervention.”

“So you did, mon cœur. So you did.”

—

“What’s the plan for our next grand scheme?”

“I have an idea!”

“That’s wonderful. What is it?”

“Well, it involves fire—”

“Absolutely fucking not.”

After all, they ended up getting along like a house on fire.

“It's the one person in the world who knows you better than anyone else.”

If there was one place in the world where you’d least expect to find either of them, it would probably be under the table in a gala. Yet, times and times again, that was exactly where one of them always found the other. Usually, crying or at the very least uncomfortable with the situation around them.

The year they announced they were engaged to one another to the world was the first (and perhaps last) time this didn’t happen even though they weren’t comfortable in the least with the people around them. They weren’t even allowed to be with each other as people crowded each of them separately, asking how and when and why everything happened. After all, they had kept their relationship secret until now.

From the corner of his eye, Damian noticed the clear discomfort on his habibti’s face. No one was allowed to do that to her. None of them even noticed how horrible they were making her feel — she was on the brink of tears but kept smiling through it. They didn’t give her any personal space, not even space to breathe. His habibti was strong, but this wasn't a situation when she should need to be.

Damian made his way through the crowds to Marinette, not caring for a second if it meant having to push people out of his way with force, if it meant someone might get hurt because of him and his actions. All that mattered (and the only one that mattered) was his habibti and that she was not comfortable.

As he saw someone with a glass full of wine, he got a great idea. He made sure he walked into them, or that they walked into him, and that their drink would spill on him. He detested the feeling of being in wet clothing and smelling like alcohol more than he could even begin to explain, but what wouldn’t he do for his beloved.

The person began apologising over and over to Damian, him being his father’s heir and all, but he just glared at them and walked off to his fiancée.

“Malaki, I am afraid this imbecile spilled their drink on me, and you know how much I hate smelling like alcohol. Could you perhaps help me clean up and change into dry clothing?” he asked, knowing he sounded exactly like the rich, arrogant, self-centered, entitled brat he was raised to be and everyone thought he truly was. It was fine, as long as it was for her and she knew what he was doing.

“Look at him, forcing her to leave such a wonderful event for him. To help him when he could very well do so by himself. So selfish.”

“Shut it! If he hears you, you might get kicked out! He’s the son of Bruce Wayne!”

“Well, if he wanted his only biological son not to be bad-mouthed, he ought to not take him to this kind of places.”

Damian didn’t pay any attention to them and just held her hand, as though ready to drag her away with him. Both of them knew that was not what it was for, though. It was reassurement that he was there for her, that he was going to save her if she so wished.

The squeeze of his hand confirmed Marinette did want it.

“Of course I will. Let’s go. I’ll have Tim inform your father about this,” she said, trying not to look so relieved to get away, but the look in her eyes betrayed it to him easily.

Damian kissed her hand and led her away through the masses, ignoring any and all unpleasant comments directed at him. He knew she was uncomfortable, and for her, he would do anything, he could take anything, he could endure anything.

After all, Marinette was his everything.

“It's someone who makes you a better person.”

A long time ago, Damian thought he could get anything and everything at the snap of his fingers because he was the grandson of the Ra’s al Ghul, and then he thought he could have everyone at his every beck and call because he was the blood son and the legal heir of the Bruce Wayne. Of the Batman. They would start dancing to his music the second he told them so, that much was sure.

And he treated people like one would expect him to precisely because of that mindset no one ever helped him to lose.

He could get anything he wanted, and he was sure that even the most expensive things in the world where obtainable because he had the money. Or, his father had, but it wasn’t like he wouldn’t have gotten anything he wanted anyway.

Dying certainly didn’t ease things. After all, his father and mother had gone to great lengths only to resurrect him. That must have meant he was worth more than others. He was worth more than his brothers. Of course he was, he was his father’s true son. If they had died, the rest would have stayed dead; no one would have desperately tried to find a way to get them back.

People around him didn’t matter, no matter whether they were family or foe. If he didn’t need them, he could simply discard them and show them he didn’t care at all. Because he didn’t. Even if he needed them, he rarely spoke to them with much respect — the only ones that he thought deserved his respect were his father, Alfred, his mother and his grandfather. No one else mattered.

And then…

Then there was a girl.

No, there was the girl.

The girl who saw him.

Someone who took one look at him and decided that no, she was not going to do whatever he wanted her to no matter who he was because she was her own person and he did not own her. She did not belong to him, she did not owe him anything. She looked at him, truly looked at him, and saw how lonely his behaviour and actions made him.

“Marinette. My name is Marinette.”

Yes, Marinette was the first to actually see him and see through him. He kept trying to push her away, but she was determined to see things through as long as she didn’t make him uncomfortable — and she knew exactly when to back off even when he wasn’t able to express his discomfort. Every. Single. Time.

Slowly, as time passed by, they became friends. He started to see the value of his family, understand their lives were worth something. Marinette smiled when talked about his brothers with a hint of respect for the first time near her.

Then best friends. He knew he valued his family a lot, they were worth so much it didn’t take him even half of a second to go to their defense, even if he still hardly showed any of the care he held for his family to them. Marinette beamed when he admitted he loved them for the first time. She threw herself at him and hugged him tight when he made an offhand comment about other people he didn’t even know having some kind of a basic worth because they were human.

It took a long time, but as she snuggled closer to him and he kissed her forehead while they watched the fire dance in the hearth, he knew that there was something he could never obtain with money or fame. There was one thing more precious than any other, one thing that he could only get once he admitted he was only rich in the literal sense of the word.

Marinette had made him understand that he would only be rich once he had something he couldn’t buy with money — something that had a name, a face and feelings. Something that could walk away if he fucked up. Something that loved him and that he loved back with all his heart.

Or perhaps, someone rather than something.

Damian learnt that other people were valuable when he finally let Marinette show and teach him that the world was also a good place that held so many opportunities to learn from if he just knew to look for them.

And truly, Damian learnt that other people mattered, regardless of whether they were family or foe, because they were human. He wouldn’t need to like all of them and he could hold some people more dear to him than others, but no one was worth nothing.

But he knew that Marinette would still be the most precious and valuable thing he could ever have, and god forbid if he didn’t do his damnedest to make sure she knew that and that he wouldn’t lose her.

After all, Marinette was worth everything.

“Actually, they don't make you a better person,”

“I’m glad you came into Damian’s life, Teacup,” Dick told Marinette one day while they were watching Damian and Jason spar. Tim was working as a referee, Marinette and Dick were there simply to enjoy themselves and make sure Damian and Jason didn’t kill each other… or Tim. All of the three were a little too important to them for them to lose.

“What do you mean?” she asked in turn though she didn’t take her eyes off her boy. She was cheering for him, albeit quietly, because she knew there was a chance she could be a distraction and that meant Jason’s win.

“Your love for him is so…” Dick seemed to try and search for a fitting word as he tilted his head, “unconditional . No matter what he does, you still love him and accept him, so long as he understands how his actions may affect others and then does accordingly. You don’t let him push you away, but you also don’t let him walk over you or hurt you if you can help it. You’re good to him.”

“But you do that as well, don’t you?”

“No. I mean, yeah, I do, but it’s more out of obligation as his family. Even I might not be able to tolerate him as much as you have if I were not his older brother. But you, you came into his life and stayed. You’ve changed him and made him a better person.”

Marinette stayed quiet for a while after that, watching the boys solemnly. She rested her head in her hands and sighed before she closed her eyes. “No,” she said and shook her head. “I have not made him a better person.”

“But you—”

“Dick, no. He’s changed, yes, and I know he’s changed the most after I came into his life, but perhaps it’s just that he needed a different perspective to things. He kept pushing everyone away but he was lonely, so the least I could do was to be there and stay there. Or help him find someone else. All that’s changed in him… it was all him. People don’t change that much if they aren’t willing to, but he actively and consciously worked on himself to become a better person. Don’t take that credit away from him and give it to me,” she replied.

Dick huffed with a smile on his face. Marinette certainly was good for Damian. That boy better not fuck it up.

As Damian won and Jason lay on the ground, defeated, Marinette jumped up and cheered before she ran to Damian and tackled him on the ground with a hug. Dick smiled and walked to his family, congratulating both of his brothers. He was glad she was in their lives, in Damian’s life, because she had so much love to give, and while she was not good at taking, Damian was determined to make sure she couldn’t go without receiving a lot in return.

Because after all, she loved him with her everything, and he too loved her everything.

“you do that yourself…”

Changing oneself was more difficult than Damian wanted to admit. Everything had always been so easy to him (or at least it had been far less difficult than this was), so much had just been handed to him.

But this?

Yeah, no. He hated it and he didn’t want to do it. It was annoying, he didn’t want to change, and all of this was so horrible.

The thing was, it didn’t matter that he didn’t want it — for himself, at least. The reason as to why he needed to do it was because there was someone he couldn’t keep treating like he did now. That also meant having to change. He wanted to change for her, he wanted to be able to give her what she deserved — and she deserved so much good. Damian couldn’t let himself keep being like he was now.

Marinette loved and loved and loved, and she kept coming back to him no matter how he was like to her. She didn’t give up. That said, whenever he went too far, she didn’t hesitate to call him out, sometimes even in front of other people, even if she did it politely and didn’t try to insult or offend him in any way — no, she went out of her way to try and avoid it, because, to quote her, “no one, even you, should be treated like that, because everyone deserves being shown respect.”

Well, he was fairly sure she always mumbled something about a Lila not deserving respect, but he decided to ignore it… for now.

And so, he looked up what he could do to change and started doing those things actively. Or trying to do so, anyway.

He found himself biting his tongue more often than he ever had just to keep himself from saying something that Marinette deemed offensive or insulting to other people. He started reading people to find what were their weak points, not because he wanted to hurt them, but because he wanted to avoid doing so. And maybe it was a bit because if they dared to hurt his friends, he would know perfectly how and where to strike them.

Then, once he knew how to do that and didn’t need to pay as much attention to it as he had at the beginning, he started trying to do one kind thing to people every day — and someone other than Marinette, Jon or Colin. To them he managed to be an alright person more often than any other people. Sometimes it was helping them with their schoolwork, sometimes it was defending someone from harassment or bullying, sometimes it was as simple as being polite and thanking them. Like Marinette told him, he didn’t need to conquer the world for anyone — on the days he was too tired to do much, the simple “thank you” or holding a door open for someone was more than enough.

And slowly but surely, he started finding himself feeling better. It was easier to let go of anger, his relationships with other people improved, he didn’t snap at people all so easily. It was rather refreshing to, for once, hear other people say something positive about him instead of complaining about his actions.

All because he had once decided Marinette deserved better than him, but he still wanted to be the one beside her. That had meant working on himself to become the person he thought she deserved, a person worthy of her.

After all, she deserved everything.

“...because they inspire you.”

“Hey, Damian?”

“Yes, Malaki? What is it you’re thinking about?”

Marinette massaged Damian’s hand with her thumb, trying to decide how she wanted to voice her thoughts.

“I— I’m proud of you,” she finally decided. Marinette smiled at her boyfriend, happy she was able to spend time with him. “You’ve grown so much in the past few years and even months I’ve known you. I’m not sure what is the main reason for that, but that doesn’t matter, I’m just happy you seem to be doing better nowadays. Are you?”

Damian huffed and squeezed her hand. “Yes, I am. And you, sadiqti alhabiba (my beloved girlfriend), you were what drove me to change. You deserve so much and I wanted to be worthy of you and worthy of your love,” he replied, pressing a soft kiss on her lips. “And I thank you for that.”

Chuckling, Marinette leant against him and closed her eyes, knowing that she was safe as long as he was with her. She didn’t need to be on her guard all the time.

“You’re a fool.”

“A fool? Perhaps, but then I am a fool in love with the angel who decided I was worth fighting for.”

After all, she thought he was worth her time.

“A soulmate is someone who you can carry with you forever.”

His breathing got significantly faster as he frantically tried to look for his beloved, and once his eyes landed on her body some metres away, they widened in horror. He could only barely see her from the smoke that obscured his vision, but the blood staining the ground and her petite body was more than easy to spot.

He kicked the man in front of him away, with much more force than he knew was necessary, but it didn’t matter to him — he just needed to get to her. Nothing else mattered right at that moment.  

Damian ran towards his beloved, coughing the smoke out of his lungs. He covered his mouth and nose to keep himself from breathing all of it, but his hand fell when he finally saw Marinette in front of him.

Dead.

Her eyes were wide open, red from all the impurities in the air, and the streams of her tears were still visible on her face as ash and dust had dyed them dark. Her mouth was still open in a silent scream that never got out of her lungs, because there was a clear bullet shot gone through the left side of her chest and a blade had impaled her throat.

Why, oh why hadn’t she worn her miraculous suit that day?

Why had he let her go out without it?

And why had he let her come with him — he knew they were up against the League of Assassins.

Damian gathered her small body in his arms, bringing her close to his chest and holding her tight. He’d be damned if he let anything worse happen to her, he’d be damned if he let her body be taken away from her.

“You—” Damian choked out the word and tried to keep his tears at bay, batting them away from his eyes. “You made me love you— you made me let you in and you—” He breathed in sharply and tried to regain his composure, but it was nearly impossible. He clutched her tighter in his arms as though she was just injured and he needed to get her away from there…

But he knew that wasn’t possible. “And then you died in my arms.” The last words were barely breathed out because he couldn’t— he wasn’t able to get his voice out. It was stuck in his throat along with the lump that made it so hard to breathe, so hard to stay up and standing when he would have rather crumbled then and there.

“You’re on your own!” he yelled to his comms, knowing he didn’t need to but he couldn’t help it right then and there. He could only hope Red Robin and Red Hood were alright with it, that they would survive without him and Marinette, because he knew he wouldn’t be able to fight longer than this without needing to kill the ones that were the reason his beloved was dead.

There was no doubt about it. If he stayed, he would kill the ones that were the reason they were even fighting to make them pay.

...And she would not be happy about it.

As it turned out, they won. Both his mother and grandfather were dead, the League was gone from the face of the earth (they would create it again one day, but they were gone for now and that was better than it had been for the longest time now. His beloved’s death wasn’t in vain.

Her funeral was a quiet affair.

It wouldn’t have even been necessary as she had wanted to be cremated, but he had insisted on it. Damian wouldn’t have wanted her to be cremated, but he knew it had been her request so he never attempted to not let it happen. That’s why the least he could do was to make sure there was at least a funeral for her. He dressed up in white and black for the funeral, which was the reason he stood out in the crowd, but he couldn't care less.

He was allowed to keep his wife’s ashes in their home, though he did spread some of them around the Wayne family’s lands since she had enjoyed spending time there a lot. Damian needed to make sure that her last place (or places, he supposed) of rest would be one she loved— no, had loved, because she was dead now — when she was still there in the world with him. She had been too young to die. They had barely graduated from university a few years earlier. She didn’t deserve it.

His brothers tried to console her. They really did. Cain tried her best as well, just staying there with him in silence while each of them did their own thing, letting the other one grieve. It was nice. If there was anything good about Marinette’s death, it was that he ended up getting closer with his family.

Not that he preferred having better relationships with them — he would have chosen his beloved over them any day.

On the first anniversary of her death he crumbled against their dinner table and tried to hold onto the table as he fell on his knees under the weight of his suppressed grief and agony. Damian could feel tears running down his face until he knew all he could do was to let it be, and so he sobbed.

“Oh god, why can’t you be here? I should have been the first of us to die, not— not you.”

He had trouble breathing and he could only take short, sharp breaths. All he needed was to be able to hold his wife, his beloved, but that was the only thing he would never be able to do anymore.

Later that night Drake — no, Timothy, because maybe he deserved that much for dealing with him that night without making fun of him even once — came over and just forced Damian to the sofa and gave him food he had bought before that. After that, he used Alfred’s recipe for an Irish coffee to calm him down a little.

Timothy let him set the pace — if Damian wanted to talk, he was allowed to and Timothy would sit there in silence, listening to him, unless it was clear he wanted Timothy’s thoughts on the matter, or they would both be quiet, and at some point Damian was rather sure they had watched a few movies without really sleeping. Eventually, the coffee had him rather tired and he fell asleep, leaning against Timothy’s shoulder.

Come the morning, and Timothy was still there. He even offered Damian rather sound advice, once he’d thought it over and realised Timothy was, in fact, right and didn’t deserve the blowing up he’d received from Damian.

“With the death of a loved one, you’ve got to let yourself grieve. Otherwise, you will not be able to get better. It’s just a sign there’s excess love inside you that you can’t give anyone because that bit of love was reserved for someone special. It’s… Well, it’s something you need to let yourself feel because otherwise it will make you come crashing down and you don’t want to collapse,” he told Damian after making him sit down and drink some water. It looked like Timothy hadn’t slept at all.

And he looked even worse than he usually did — he looked worse than Damian knew he himself had looked when Timothy had found him the day before.

“It’s unlikely you’ll ever be able to stop grieving, but… It will get better. One day. Slowly. And then sometimes it will hit you all over again, but on those days — well, every day, but especially on those days — I’m here. All of us, all of your family is. We won’t let you go through this alone. She was dear to us all, too.”

Later on (it must have taken some weeks, because by the time he heard it, Timothy had gone missing again) he heard from the rest of his family that it was amazing Timothy had come to him then. They still hadn’t gotten along well at that time (they’d gotten along on any level before his beloved’s death only for her sake as she’d expressed her utter sadness whenever they fought too much), but he’d come to help Damian specifically anyway. Because he cared.

And it turned out he’d been as much of a mess as Damian had, but he'd forced himself to get up and deal with Damian too. It had taken him a while to understand how Timothy could have been as bad as he had, but then it hit him — he and Marinette had been best friends, and losing her had been just as much of a tragedy to him as it had been to Damian.

That was something.

And it was certainly an act to be respected.

Fortunately, they found him within the next few months, alive, because even Damian had admitted he missed Timothy and he wouldn’t be able to take it if more of his family died. Losing Marinette had been enough.

On the fifth anniversary of her death, the entire family got together to remember her. Damian had baked her favourite pastries, fraisiers, for everyone. He had needed to do it — after all, it was her who taught him to bake them.

Every one of them loved them. The children — Grayson’s, Todd’s and Thomas’, though no one really knew where Thomas had gotten his (none of them questioned it because they were too used to Father’s antics, at least he wasn’t training them to be vigilantes) — were just happy they got to eat sweets, though the older ones did notice the sad presence in all of them. That, and there was no way they didn’t know they gathered together to keep the memory of Damian’s late wife alive. It was certain that Todd’s children all knew a lot about the happened and knew that Marinette Dupain-Cheng-Wayne had been close with all of them, but Damian wasn’t sure if they understood why everyone was like that.

He could only barely see it from the blurriness in his own vision, but there were tears in Richard’s eyes that he refused to shed. Timothy just smiled that sad smile of his at the dessert and looked like he was talking to himself, but there wasn’t even a trace of tears in his expression. He was doing better.

“It will get better,” he had told Damian years ago. “Not now, and the developement is going to be slow, but it will.”

Maybe that was what had Timothy smile.

Damian didn’t know whether he should be happy for him or bitter.

He decided to be happy for him, because that was what he knew his beloved would have wanted.

Years went by and yet Damian never forgot about her. He knew he could never. He was finally getting better, he could go about his everyday life easily, though sometimes he needed to take a day off when the grief surfaced and he couldn't handle it anymore.

Somehow, Timothy seemed to always know when those days hit (Damian wouldn’t put it past him to have all their siblings and even Father looking after him and reporting his moods to Timothy), and every single time he was there at some point, either offering a listening ear or something to watch or food or just his presence, even if both of them worked on their own projects in silence.

But he got better, and the pain and grief born from losing her loosened their grip on him.

Through all the years, Damian carried a picture of Marinette along with him. He made sure her legacy would stay alive in some way, and ended up founding the Marinette Foundation that technically offered help for young artists and those bullied in school. In reality, they helped anyone they could, because that was what Marinette would’ve done.

Jon and Colin told him he was nothing like the boy they knew at some point, that he had changed, and they were proud of him. They said Marinette would be proud of him too. Damian, in turn, told them that they could thank Marinette when they met her in the life after this one and themselves for showing him the way (and Marinette for getting tired of his antics and shoving him down and onto said way because he refused to step onto it himself.)

Even on his deathbed decades later, he held a picture of Marinette in his hands, refusing to forget her no matter what.

Because after all, she was the reason he was still there.

“It's the one person who knew you and accepted you…”

Damian swallowed — damnit, an al Ghul did not swallow when nervous or anxious, that was a sign of weakness and he wasn’t weak — as Marinette stared him down. He had to consciously keep himself from shifting in place where he was sitting on his bed. Marinette was on the other side of the room, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest.

The lights in the room were rather dim, the brightest light source being the daylight that made its way into the room through the windows Alfred had had them clean a few days earlier. Something about them needing to know how to do it and being able to be outside the window relatively safely compared to Alfred himself.

He didn’t dare to say a word after his confession, simply waiting for Marinette to speak up. For her to say something, anything. He’d told her everything he could remember, even things he had never told anyone else, and her opinion on it mattered so much, regardless of what he wanted to convince himself of. Her opinion always weighed more than others’ at this point.

Eventually, she opened her mouth. “Alright, so tell me if I got it right. You were born to the daughter of the leader of the league of Assassins, you were raised to become one, you actually killed tens and tens of people, then you were taken to your father at the age of ten to distract him from his work as Batman, tried to kill Tim — my best friend — multiple times, and you never told me until now? After we’ve known each other for seven years and having dated for four of them?”

Usually, Damian could read Marinette easily, but now her face was blank, and the only thing he could hear in her voice was a hint of exasperation and anger. A hint. That meant she was hiding something huge, because his beloved was never this emotionless unless she was actively hiding something from him.

And that was something that had him swallow his pride and admit to himself that he was frightened about what that meant for him, for her, for them and their relationship. He had no idea.

He nodded, drawing out a slow “yes, that’s pretty much it summarised.”

Marinette sighed and ran a hand down his face. For a second, there was a flash of absolute fury and sorrow visible on her face, but then it was already gone. Damian wasn’t sure what to make of it, but he was rather sure that this meant the end of their relationship.

“I am so furious right now.”

“I understand that you’re furious with me. I did hide it from you for a long time. I just thought you deserved to know, even if it came later rather than sooner. Better late than never, isn’t it?”

Yet another sigh. “Damian, love, mon cœur, I am not furious at you. I am furious at your mother and I am furious at your grandfather and so many others, but not you. And yes, I deserved to know that my boyfriend has killed people, multiple of them at that, but I can see why you hid it from me for so long. When was the last time you killed anyone?”

“A bit after I became Robin.”

“Well then, it’s long since that happened. I can’t promise I won’t be a little uncomfortable around you for a while, but I’ll work on it. Your mother and grandfather took your childhood away and it isn’t your fault you became an assassin — you didn’t know any better. You were a child. You aren’t supposed to have to know how to be at that age, especially if you’ve only ever seen one way of living, if you’ve only ever been told that way of living is the correct one. Instead, I’m ready to break this family’s “No kill” rule and go do that to your mother and grandfather. You didn’t deserve all of that. No child does.”

There were tears in his eyes that were threatening to spill, and Damian needed to think about breathing in order to be able to do so.

“I— What is wrong with you? Why do you care so much about me?!” he began with a broken voice, his tone borderline hysterical, but Marinette interrupted him by putting a finger on his lips. She’d crossed the room fast.

“Because you’re my friend above all else. You’re the one I love, and there’s nothing that can change that.”

Damian’s breath came to a halt. Tears burned in his eyes and suddenly he felt like a scared child, clinging onto anything that could save him. Marinette smiled at him so gently, so reassuringly as she reached out to him. She was truly an angel bringing light to his life, being the light in the darkness that was his life. “But I— I killed—”

“Oh love, I don’t blame you, so please, don’t do that either. Children cannot be blamed for the actions of their parents, and they can’t be held responsible for something they did because their mother and grandfather told them to do so. It took, what, ten years before you were even told you were allowed to not kill people. There’s no way I could ever blame you.” Marinette pulled rather limp Damian into her arms and squeezed him, and both of them tried to ignore the tears that were now flowing down from their eyes. Marinette hid her face in Damian’s hair, keeping Damian within her embrace in the way he’d once (surprisingly) admitted felt safe to him, his face buried in her shirt. Marinette said nothing about the tears staining the piece of clothing.

She never would, not with her dearest. Especially not when he was like this.

Marinette wasn’t surprised in the least that Damian had come crashing down like this. Keeping something a secret from your loved ones was tiring. The bigger the secret and the longer you kept it, the bigger the consequences would be once you let go of it.

All she could do now was to be there for him and prove that she wasn’t going to leave, even if it took her a long time. He deserved that much.

Because after all, he deserved the world.

“Believed in you before anyone else did…”

Marinette bend over and put her face in her arms and knees, sitting on her bed. Her sketchbook lied on the other side of the room, some of its pages crumbled next to it. She had no idea what to do. The only thing that could be heard in the room were her heavy breathing and sobs, at least until someone was at the door.

That someone knocked on the door three times, each knock the slightest bit different. She didn’t want to see anyone right now, but the knocks already told him it was either Damian or Tim on the other side of the door. They were the only two she’d told about how to knock on her door to make sure she knows it’s one of them if they needed to talk to her and she reacted to no other means of contact.

So, reluctantly, she stood up and walked to the door, opening it to reveal Damian standing there, wearing a worried expression on his face. Marinette stepped aside and motioned for him to come in before closing the door behind the two of them.

“What is—” she began but was interrupted before she got any further.

“What happened, habibti?”

Marinette snapped her mouth shut. This was not what she was expecting. Damian sounded worried.

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. You don’t throw your sketchbook across the room and look like you’re about to cry when you are alright.”

That was enough to make her stop with the excuses. Damian had her figured out. She should have guessed. She swallowed, visibly deflated and dropped on the ground, hugging her knees. Damian was at her side within seconds.

“I just—” It was hard to talk about it and they fell into silence again. Damian put his hand on her shoulder hesitantly, as though he wasn’t sure if it was okay. As she didn’t move away or flinch at the touch, he just let it rest there. Marinette guessed he was trying his best at showing he was there by doing what he’d seen Tim and Dick do before.

“You can take your time, I am in no hurry,” he said, drawing a teary laugh out of her.

“Thanks, Dames.”

Marinette stared at the ground as she started speaking. “I— It’s just that I realised, I remembered that I didn’t want to be a designer, not to begin with. I do enjoy designing, it isn’t that, but… It’s kind of like video games. It was meant to be a hobby.”

“Why did you change your mind, then?”

“I think… I think it’s because of Mlle Bustier. She saw me designing clothes one day and she kept insisting I was good at it and telling me I should become a designer. I did tell her I didn’t want to, but she insisted I should become one for weeks, months, years. Eventually I— eventually I just thought that was what I wanted and should do, I guess.”

Damian growled, like, honest to god growled. “I am going to sue that disgusting, sorry excuse of a teacher,” he all but snarled, but didn’t go anywhere from where he was kneeling next to her.

“Please don’t. You don’t have any proof.”

“Tt. As you wish. At least she cannot do anything to you anymore as you’re now here. Then, what was it you wanted to do? Before that loathsome woman interfered, that is.”

Marinette smiled at him with teary eyes. “I wanted to be a baker, just like my parents. They loved their job and baking was so much fun. I loved trying new things and I always imagined how it would be to either take over our family bakery or start my own,” she said, chuckling. Then her smile disappeared from her face and she frowned a little. “But every time I mention this to someone now, they’re saying I shouldn’t abandon my “dream” of becoming a designer, that I don’t need to worry about whether I can make it. They think I’m just scared of whether my designs are good enough — I know they are — and I do want to do it as a side thing, but I… it’s not what I want from life. I want to be able to bake and make these amazing, wonderful creations and make people smile when they eat them!”

Damian reached his hands out to cup her face but hesitation made him jerk away. Why was he hesitating now? That was not something he usually did. But, when he watched her expressions carefully, the slightest bit of disappointment he could see on Marinette’s face had him reach out again and cup her face.

“Whatever it is you want to do, I support you, and I’m sure you’ll do great. If you want to be a baker and create a bakery, I say go for it. If it makes you happy, I want you to do it, and I’ll be there supporting you through every step of the way, if that pleases you.”

“Yes, it would. Thank you, Damian,” she said, and finally a smile graced her lips again. It was like it lit up the entire room, but Damian didn’t have long to think about it before Marinette had surged forwards and her lips were on his.

Just as soon as the kiss had started, it also ended. Marinette looked embarrassed and ashamed, letting her gaze fall to the side, averting Damian’s eyes. Her sudden movements had Damian lose his grasp on her.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I simply—”

And then she was interrupted by Damian cupping her face once more, pulling her forwards and claiming her lips in turn. Marinette melted into it and traced her hands along his body up until they found their place on his shoulders and behind his neck. When they broke the kiss off, Marinette simply let herself go limp against Damian who held her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

Perhaps she was.

“I meant that. I will always be here for you because I love you,” he whispered into her hair.

After all, it wasn’t like he wouldn’t fight the entire world for her.

“...or when no one else would.”

“Have I ever told you how I met one of my best friends, Damian Wayne?” Lila asked one day after school when they were all waiting for their lifts or friends on the school grounds. Alya immediately perked up and looked at her friend curiously. She already seemed ready to take out her phone and record Lila talking about it, but Lila simply laughed sweetly and told her that she needed to protect Damian’s privacy from the media. Alya understood and put her phone away.

Marinette mostly ignored it, still waiting for her lift — she didn’t like it when Lila lied about her friends, but as long as she wasn’t slandering their name, she had decided not to intervene because one, it’s not like her classmates would care, and two, why should she care about her ex-friends being lied to if they didn’t believe her when she said so? As long as Lila didn’t bully her or her ex-friends didn’t do it, she couldn’t care less.

“Alright, so it went like this. A few years ago, I was at the Wayne gala with my mother, when this woman spilled her drink on my dress. It was so unfortunate, I had gotten the dress from Prince Ali the last time I’d met him, and it was my favourite one,” Lila explained, making an effort to put shock and sadness in her voice, her expressions no doubt matching the story perfectly. Rose gasped in horror. Marinette was half-listening to the story, ready to start recording in case there was going to be any slander against any of her friends. After all, she would need proof if they wanted to take it to court.

“Oh girl, what happened then? Did she at least apologise and offer to get it cleaned up for you?” Alya asked, grabbing Lila by the shoulders. Marinette could almost imagine her concerned, angry face in her mind.

Marinette could find a slightly bitter taste in her mouth at the nickname but ignored it.

Lila tilted her head and furrowed her brows, looking away for a second as though she were sad. “No,” she sighed. “She was jealous about me and the beautiful dress I had. Then she smirked at me and tripped, ripping my dress. It couldn’t be repaired afterwards. The biggest problem was, when she— when she ripped my dress—”

Lila swallowed and stopped speaking and wiped a tear away from her eye before continuing. “When she ripped my dress, it revealed my undergarments, right there, in the middle of the gala,” she whispered. Marinette would be amazed at her acting skills because she sounded just like she were embarrassed for a second there if it wasn’t for the fact she didn’t like it when people lied.

“What happened then?” Mylène asked, holding her breath.

“Then Damian swooped in and shed his jacket quickly, giving it to me to be able to cover myself. Then he took me away from the ball and got me one of his sister’s dresses. He apologised that it wasn’t the same thing, but told me it was too unfortunate the woman had been like that. He then reassured me that his family would take her away so I could enjoy the rest of the gala. He still let me keep the jacket because I was cold.”

The girls around her cooed.

“Tell us more!”

“Well, alright,” Lila complied, looking like she didn’t want them asking more. Like hell she didn’t, she reveled in their attention. Lila Rossi loved the sound of her own voice more than she loved breathing. “So, a few days after that — as I hadn’t been able to find him at the end of the gala to be able to give his jacket back to him — I was walking outside using his jacket because it was so warm and that way I could return it to him or one of his family members should I see them there. The a dog ran past me without his owner. He clearly belonged to someone because he had a collar and he was groomed, but I couldn’t even see anyone running after him. So, obviously, I ran after the dog to catch him, hoping he had a name tag and the owner’s information so I could return him. It took me a while and my feet were so tired, but eventually I succeeded. That was about when I saw a young man running towards me. The dog visibly brightened and started wagging his tail just as when I was trying to check the nametag, so I guessed it was the owner.”

“Who was it, then?”

“Ooh, was it Damian?”

“Yes! It was indeed Damian! His dog had run away! He was so kind to me because I found his dog and thanked me so many times for it. He asked me if I wanted to come for a walk with him and his dog who was so sweet the entire time. It was so wonderful talking with him — he’s a great conversationalist!” Marinette did agree with her there. “Then I gave him his jacket back and he gave me his number so we could keep in contact. We kept talking even after I returned to Italy and he’s one of my dearest friends!”

Well, Lila had said nothing problematic about Damian or any of the other Wayne family members, so Marinette decided she couldn’t bother to get involved in it. At least she’d done her research for once, because while there were things you could check on the internet, it would be much harder unless you knew exactly where to look and who to ask.

Marinette pulled out her phone to call Tim as he was supposed to fetch her from school with Alfred. Tim was her best friend and they were going to take her to the States for the next few weeks so she could get a break from school and all the stress surrounding it. Well. She was going to go to school with Damian in Gotham to make sure she didn’t fall behind, but it wasn’t like it was the schoolwork stressing her out. It was Lila and all her lies and the lack of anyone she could talk to or rely on. In Gotham, none of those things would be a problem.

But, instead of Tim walking up to her, she got Tim and Damian, both heading straight her way. Once she got over her surprise, she smiled brightly and waved at them before running towards Tim and hugging him. He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tightly.

“I’m so glad that you’re coming over for the next few weeks, Cupcake! There’s so much I want to show you. Did I already mention that Lucius and Tam are both looking forward to seeing you at the office during your stay? Because they totally are. They want to show you around the company. You can’t let them down. Bart and Kon mentioned wanting to see you at some point during the week too.”

Marinette laughed and wriggled out of Tim’s grasp. “I’ll make sure I’ll have time for all of them. I do need to set time aside for you especially, but I’m reserving Dames for myself for at least a few days,” she told the two boys and smiled at Damian. She still wasn’t too close with him so she tried to keep away from hugging him or tried to keep the touch contact at minimum because he always seemed so uncomfortable with the rest of the family showing their affection by hugs or ruffling his hair and so on. She didn’t want to do it to him.

(So what if a bit of it was because she had the tiniest crush on him and didn’t want to ruin her relationship with him before she even had any kind of a chance.)

“Oh, Marinette, who’s your friend? Your boyfriend? Or boyfriends?” Lila asked with the slightest smirk hidden behind her smile, the tone of her voice sounding the slightest bit scandalised at the idea of multiple boyfriends. It seemed everyone else caught it too and with wide eyes, stared at Marinette. Marinette scowled, hoping Tim and Damian didn’t catch the mood change in the air.

A pointless wish because both were children of Bruce Wayne and raised by the greatest detective in the world, but a wish nonetheless.

“This is my best friend, Tim, and this is his little brother and also my dear friend, Dames,” she replied, gritting her teeth a little.

“Oh no, your best friend? Isn’t Alya your best friend?”

That drew the attention of the entire class still present to them. They smelled drama and they wanted to see it.

“No,” Marinette said coolly, pressing her nails into the skin of her palm to keep herself calm and grounded. Tim seemed to notice it and put a hand on her arm, rubbing circles on it with his thumb. “Alya was my best friend until she decided to believe you over me. We grew apart.”

“God, Marinette, this ploy of yours isn’t going to work. You’re still my friend, but I’m also friends with Lila! I don’t get where this jealousy and need to have people for yourself is coming from! Are you still mad that Adrien doesn’t like you as much as he likes Lila?”

Marinette inhaled deep. “I don’t even like Adrien anymore. I haven’t liked him in months! I’m not jealous, it’s that you all keep believing and choosing Lila — a girl you’ve known for a year or so — over me, someone some of you have known since we were in diapers! Have I ever lied to any of you? Proved you couldn’t trust me? Anything that could justify any of this?”

She was so irritated and done with them. They weren’t bullying her, but honestly, she would have preferred it over them saying they were still friends before doing a complete 180° and deciding to choose Lila over her every. Single. Time. Not once had they chosen her over Lila since she came into the picture permanently.

“Like hell you don’t like Adrien. You just told me over the phone you do!”

“Alya, we haven’t spoken over the phone in ages.”

That stopped Alya. She swallowed, pulled out her phone and frantically looked through it before paling.

“Well?” Marinette inquired. She knew perfectly well it had been a long time since because both of them were just “so busy” all the time.

“It’s— it’s been half a year since…” Alya choked out. Marinette settled for an expression and an arch of a brow that told her I told you so.

“Well then, that’s settled. Can we go now? I’d like to see the rest of the family as soon as possible,” Marinette said, already turning on her heel when Lila decided she needed to have the last word in. At least she had the good idea of speaking in French because every time Marinette spoke to the two boys, it was in English. Obviously, both of them knew at least some French as she used it around the Manor and they sometimes replied to her, but still. It wasn’t like Lila knew.

“Where are you even going? It’s the middle of the school year. There can’t be any good reason as to why you’re leaving now. It’s not like you’re good enough to just not be here.”

“I am leaving because of stress, not that it actually was any of your concern, and my schoolwork is doing just fine, thank you very much.”

“I haven’t even seen you study, you’re quiet in class — in fact, it seems like all you do is draw while you should focus on what Mlle Bustier is teaching us.”

Marinette sighed. She didn’t want to have to deal with this.

The others in class spoke up too, all of them spouting out similar “facts” that actually weren’t true. Marinette could feel tears burning in her eyes and the choking feeling in her throat was just too present, but she couldn’t do anything about it. Tim looked ready to go full Red Robin on them, but just before he opened his mouth, Damian was already in front of them and at it. Tim returned to Marinette’s side, rubbing comforting circles on her shoulders and arms, wiping her tears away.

“I’m not certain if any of you imbeciles have ears. She told you, her schoolwork is excellent. I have seen her grades, Father has seen her grades, her parents have seen her grades, Drake has seen them, and all of us have decided that it is of no problem for her to come with us. And if any of you were the friends you say you are, then you would not question this and be happy for her and trust she knows what she is doing. If none of you are able to do that simple thing, then I deem all of you unworthy of her,” he said, in perfect French, his tone of voice clearly telling them all his word was final. Some of the students paled and backed off when they caught it and understood there was no way for them out of this.

It seemed Lila didn’t.

“Who are you supposed to be? I’ll have you know, I’m the daughter of an ambassador, you can’t speak to me like that.”

“Oh, so you are the liar Malaki has mentioned every now and then.”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“Well, to say what Jason would love to if he were here, I ain’t calling you a truther,” Tim chimed in, a smile on his face, though none of the others could see it as he was still focused on making sure Marinette was okay. Marinette’s snort mixed with her choked sob as she held onto Tim, watching the exchange take place in front of them.

Marinette could have cried out of joy. Her friends — these friends — were actually there for her and didn’t let her deal with all of it alone. And Damian, well. He believed in her. He didn’t doubt her words for a second about a liar and then the moment he met Lila, he stood with Marinette and didn’t let Lila’s sweet, sugary, false words change his mind.

It mattered more to her than she knew how to explain.

The glare he had on his face, directed at Lila and the rest of them, was definitely the perfect blend of Damian al Ghul Wayne and Robin. It was something all the Bats learnt from Bruce and Batman, but Damian had perfected it and turned it into something of his own. Marinette was glad she was never on the receiving end of it. The faintest ghost of a smile crept on her lips as she watched everything unravel in front of her very eyes.

“Wait. Aren’t you— Lila, do you not recognise him?”

That was Alya.

“Why should I?”

Lila.

“Because that right there is Damian Wayne and you were just telling us about how you met him.”

“According to the internet and my various sources, the two people with Marinette Dupain-Cheng are Damian Wayne and Timothy Drake-Wayne.”

Max and Markov.

“I can’t believe this is how you fall, Rossi. You don’t recognise your so called best friend? You definitely dug yourself into a deep hole. It’s ridiculous, utterly ridiculous.”

And Chloé.

That was all the rest of them needed to pull out their phones and start looking up the rest of the things — thoroughly — that Lila had claimed to be true. It didn’t take too long before Markov and Max started listing off things Lila had lied about.

Damian smirked and turned away, clearly satisfied with how things turned out. He led Marinette to the car with Tim, and once they were inside and had said hi to Alfred and apologised for how long it took, he turned to Marinette and actually, genuinely smiled at her.

“Remember, Malaki, you don’t need to do everything on your own. If anyone ever dares to disrespect you like that again or doesn’t believe you when you’re telling the truth, you can trust that I will be there if you need assistance. I will always be there when you need me. Asking for assistance isn’t a sign of weakness.  Besides, isn’t that what Grayson always tries to remind us all of? That ‘asking for help and helping is what family does’, that ‘admitting to your flaws or not being able to do everything alone doesn’t mean a lack of strength’.”

“I agree with him, for once. We all care about you and you’re family. You could never be a bother. You can rely on us.”

Marinette wiped a tear out of her eye and smiled back. “You’re right. Thank you, Dami. For everything. You too, Timmers.” She grabbed the hands of both her friends and squeezed them, completely ignoring the warmth on her cheeks as Damian gave her a light squeeze back.

She would be fine.

Because after all, he wasn’t about to leave her fending for herself.

“And no matter what happens...”

“I’ll go with you.”

Marinette’s tone indicated her words were meant to be taken as final, but Damian wasn’t having it. He was not about to let his wife come with him to take down the League of Assassins for good because it wasn’t safe at all. That was the one fight where he wouldn’t be able to protect her because he’d be too caught up with fighting those who had gotten training nearly as good and tough as his. His beloved, as good as she was, was not comparable to the League because her training had been so different. His mother would be there, no doubt. Even if she liked Marinette, Mother was not above using her son’s wife against him if she thought it would work in her favour.

“No. You aren’t coming. I don’t want you to die there.”

Marinette groaned and threw a pillow at him with way too much force. It didn’t hurt — it was a pillow, after all—, but it did surprise him.

“Damian, ma raison de vivre, I will come with you. There’s no way I’ll be able to go on if you’re gone, so I will come and make sure you don’t die,” she snapped at him, scowling. It was a rare thing to see on her face.

“You are the one who needs to live if it comes down to that. The world and the family needs you more than they need me, habibti. I—” He was interrupted before he got any further.

“No! Don’t you dare start that! You are my — ugh, what’s the English term… whatever, let’s go with French — ma raison d’être and there’s no way I’m letting you die either! You aren’t disposable, you aren’t someone that I — or the family — can lose! I don’t care what it takes, and if I have to follow you from the shadows, hidden from you, to be able to come along, then that’s what I will do,” Marinette said, snarling.

“But this is the League of Assassins, they are there to kill. I might have to resort to that as well, if nothing else works. I will try not to for you, of course, but the chance still exists. They will definitely try to kill me, and if you’re there, you as well.”

“You know what, I’m coming and I’m telling the family of this as well. They won’t let you go alone either. None of us want you to die.”

She had already pulled out her phone and dialed someone by the time Damian had noticed and tried to stop her. It was too late.

“Fine,” he huffed and sat down at the table, watching as Marinette argued with someone on the phone until she finally put her phone away with a smug smile on her face.

“Tim said he’s coming, I reminded Bruce that he wouldn’t want to lose yet another son — especially not for the second time, yes, I know you died like fifteen years ago — so he’s in as well, Dick was in before I even finished trying to convince him, and Jason is coming as well because he cares about you all and wants to be there to protect you even if he’s horrible at saying it out loud.”

“I know.”

“Cass, Steph, Duke and Babs are in as well. So, you know, the whole family is going to be there. I’m pretty sure Jon and Colin would want to help as well if I asked.”

Marinette walked around the table to him, and slid her arms around him. “Dames, whatever happens, I will be there by your side, just like you told you’d be by my side. It goes both ways, love.” She pressed a kiss to his hair and took his hands in her own. “We are going to be fine, I promise. After all, you’re my other half, you complete me, and that means we’re going to survive and get through this as well.”

The day to fight came, and all the kwamii were tired, so Marinette wore kevlar, just like the rest of them. She smiled at him, holding his hand and chuckled, saying they matched. Damian smiled back and tucked some loose strands behind her ear. Yeah, just like his beloved said, they were going to be alright.

Because after all, they worked together better than any oiled machine.

“You will always love them.”

Those were the words he told her in front of both their families, their friends, but Damian couldn’t care less about them. All that mattered to him was that his angel was there, his angel had promised to give all of herself to him for the rest of their lives, until death do them part. In return, he gave her all that he was, all that he had, and he would never leave her side if it was up to him to decide.

He took her hands in his before bringing them up to kiss her fingers. Marinette laughed, the sound of it like music in his ears. It was the most beautiful sound in the world to him. The red of her dress was elegant and brought out her appearance’s best qualities, it made her eyes shine. The golden accents

When the “You may kiss the bride” came, he lifted her up by her waist, twirled them around and placed her back on the ground before he pressed a delicate kiss on her lips. It made her smile, and Damian was certain she could compete with the Sun itself for the place of the brightest and most beautiful thing in the world and win.

When they finally turned to face their closest people present, they were both smiling and happier than ever. Grayson cheered in the front row, Todd had a grin on his face, Father was smiling at them with such pride in his eyes, and Drake… Oh yeah, he was Marinette’s Man of Honor, so he wasn’t with the rest of the family — he had been standing at the side on Marinette’s side, with Brown, Tsurugi and Cain, who were her bridesmaids, and Couffaine, her bridesman, all standing behind him. Damian had given Colin and Jon the honour of being his Best Men (because he simply refused to choose only one of them.) Right now, Drake looked ready to run to Marinette and hug and congratulate her, but decided against it because he knew it was her and Damian’s day, and the right to be there by her side at the ceremony was Damian’s.

(It was clear he was going to spend as much time as possible with her at the wedding reception, though. Damian had no problem with that — his wife should be able to be with her friends, especially her best friend, as long as she didn’t forget him. He knew she wouldn’t. There was a reason she’d married him.)

Marinette smiled at him and gave his cheek a quick peck as they intertwined their fingers and walked down the aisle. It was strange and oh so wonderful how this amazing young woman had decided she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, no matter what kind of a person he had been, no matter how many other suitable people that liked her were there, no matter how difficult life together would be because of how stubborn both of them were — she still had chosen him over everyone and everything else, and Damian would be damned if he didn’t treat her with all the respect she deserved and make her as happy as ever possible.

Because after all, if soulmates existed, she was definitely his.

“Nothing can ever change that.”

A woman perks up as she hears someone call her name, seeing the black hair and the tan skin of the one she’s always loved. The one she’s loved since the day she saw him and until the day her heartbeats ceased and even beyond death. The one she had loved, the one she still loves, the one she will always love. He’s standing there, shocked, tears in his eyes, but there’s so much adoration and love in his eyes that she doesn't even know how to react. Then she rushes to her feet and runs to him, throwing herself at him because it’s been too long since the day we lost each other.

Her treasure got to live a life decades longer than her own, he got to grow old, but she can’t find it in herself to be bitter about it — he always deserved to live a long life, and besides, even though she would have tried to be happy for him if it had happened, he never fell in love again or remarried after she was taken away from him. He’d stayed hers and hers only until death, and now they’re back together, finally. Even if it took nearly seven entire decades of separation first.

Basking in the warmth of sunlight, the young woman with black hair leans against the young man just about her age, his hair just as black as hers. He wraps his arms around her shoulders tightly and presses her against his chest, more than grateful he can hold her again after being separated for so very long. She chuckles and tilts her head backwards so he can give her a kiss on her forehead more easily.

The rest of the world no longer matters. It’s no longer “as though it doesn’t matter”, because now it is “it doesn’t matter”. They have both lived and they have both died, and now that they’re together again, they don’t need to care about the world. It isn’t like they can affect it anymore either.

They intertwine their fingers, a gesture that brings both of them comfort, a gesture that has brought both of them comfort for decades now, and they watch the sun set down below in the world they can only see as outsiders anymore. Even so, the sunset paints the world in warm tones, and the peaceful tones of red, orange and yellow fill their vision.

Their time is no longer limited, for they’ve found one another in the life beyond. They are together again, and that is all that matters to them. Their family is there as well, all of them are waiting to see them, and that’s why they don’t need to worry anymore.

The young woman stands up and offers her hand to the man, and the man takes it, letting the woman pull him to his feet. She cups his face and pulls him down to a kiss, smiling into it as she murmurs her confessions of love to him in all the languages she knows and even the languages she doesn’t. In return, he tells her how she is all that he needs, how she changed his life, and how he will keep his promise of staying by her side until the end of time in all the languages that have ever existed and even the languages that don’t yet exist.

After all,  to one another, the two of them were everything.

Because what’s a soulmate, if not the one person you love more than anything, the one person your life would crash without, the one person that gives you strength in the darkest of times even when they aren’t there, if not the one you choose to love until you run out of air to breathe and until your heart ceases to beat?

What’s a soulmate, if not the one who will keep coming back to you over and over again, no matter what happens, until the end of time and will find you even beyond death?

________

@kris-pines04 @thethirdwheelfriend @daminett4life

_________

Did you find the only two connected scenes in this one because there's totally one scene that leads straight to another (and as the fic isn't in chronological order, the two scenes aren't either, it’s easy but not that easy.)

If you guess what were my favourite scenes to write or tell me what were yours to read, I'll give you a cookie.

[dre248]

The Blind Date

When Lisa had first arrived at the shopping center, fifteen minutes early, her worst fear had been that he was going to stand her up. She knew that it would hurt if this happened, it would make her feel ridiculous... and pathetic.... and.... cheap, she had thought. Like the kind of girl who has to throw herself at a man, who has to use classified advertisements, who doesn't get asked out. But of course that was the kind of girl she was, wasn't it?

The reason that she had chosen somewhere so public and so ordinary, a wooden bench by a fountain in the foyer of a City Centre shopping arcade, was in case this might happen. If she had had to sit by herself in a restaurant or a bar, and he hadn't turned up, all those eyes would have been watching her, judging her. But here - why here she could sit as long as she wished, or simply stand up and walk away. Nobody would pay the slightest attention. She could be waiting for a girl friend, or just resting her feet. She felt almost.... invisible.

Now that she had been there for a while, and the actual agreed time for the meeting was drawing near, she began to worry that he would show up. She was by no means at ease with herself about what she was doing. Rationally she knew that it was a very sensible and honest thing to do: to take control of her own life and go out and find somebody, to simply say what she wanted and see if anybody was willing to offer it. But in her heart of hearts she felt a kind of shame. She was beginning to wish that the whole thing was over and done with. and she was on her way home to her own little room and her own comfortable, single bed.

An even more appalling thought had occurred to her. What if he came to have a sneak preview before committing himself? What if he was one of these men standing around, reading their newspapers, searching for their credit-cards, rearranging the shopping in their carrier-bags, waiting for wives and girlfriends to return from the shops or the toilets or who-knows-where....? He could easily pretend to be passing the bench and take a little peek. Then if he didn't like what he saw he could walk on... she would never know. It was horrible. Maybe at this very moment she was on display, like a cow at a cattle-market, being assessed, weighed-up, considered as a worthwhile prospect... very likely being rejected.

She looked at her watch. Two minutes to go. No, more like one-and-a-half. She wondered if the device was really as accurate as that. Probably not. The moment might have come and gone already, or it might be three or even five minutes into the future....

She stopped herself. This wouldn't do. She was becoming paranoid. She must calm down and try to relax, try to approach the situation like an adult. It was only a first meeting with someone who had sounded perfectly all right on the phone. She hadn't been nervous then. He had been easy to talk to. What was she worried about? She was being silly. She made a deliberate effort to make her breathing slower and deeper, and to stop fidgeting with her handbag. That's better, she told herself. That's much better. "Lisa?" The voice came from behind her, almost next to her ear, and it made her start. "Lisa Cooper?" It was a kindly voice, and when she looked around it was a kindly face that met her gaze. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have sneaked-up behind you like that." "No, not at all, it was silly of me... my mind was miles away..." As she spoke he made his way around to the front of the bench and smiled down at her. She realized that her heart was racing slightly now. He was a lot better looking than she had imagined him! Taller, thinner, younger, better dressed... better in every imaginable way! Now she began to worry that he wouldn't like her... Stop it, she commanded herself. This is ridiculous. "Sam Levin" he introduced himself, although of course she already knew his name, "May I join you?" "Oh yes! Of course. Please do." Now I'm sounding too keen, she said to herself. Oh, why can't I just relax and be natural? For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. They were looking at each other eagerly, with barely concealed fascination, but trying to do it tastefully, without seeming to stare. "Am I... as you expected?" he asked with a broad smile. She was flustered by the question. If she told the truth it would sound too forward... "Yes," she replied hesitantly, "pretty much. What about me?" "Better in every way. Younger, more attractive, more vivacious... a bit daunting, to be honest. You're better than I deserve." She laughed. "Oh, please! We've only just met... you're embarrassing me!" "Sorry. I take it back. You're fat and ugly." She laughed again. He was charming. So charming. And so natural! Why couldn't she be natural like that? "I... I've never done this before, you know," she said hesitantly, then instantly regretted having said it. It sounded such a cliché, and he probably wouldn't believe her anyway, and besides - what did it matter to anybody whether or not she had done it before? It only mattered if she was ashamed.

"I have," he replied, breaking her train of thought, "but nothing ever came of it. They really were fat and ugly. No, that's unkind. They just weren't for me. I told them so. I was quite open about it. I mean, the chemistry is either there or it isn't, don't you think?

"So... you can decide as quickly as that? After one meeting?"

He considered the question. "I think I come to decisions quite quickly about most things. Whether or not they are always good decisions is another matter."

She paused. "And... you've already decided about me, have you?"

"I've decided that you're beautiful, charming, desirable... but of course as you say I don't really know you yet. You might be a mass-murderer or a raging Neo-Nazi. But I would be willing to compromise on things like that." She laughed a little too loudly, then the embarrassment flooded back.

"Why don't we go somewhere and eat?" he suggested with a smile that would have made her knees buckle if she had been standing up, "Somewhere quiet, where we can talk?"

He offered a hand like a knight in a fairy-tale, and she stood up and accompanied him out towards the car-park while he held her elbow, like Prince Charming leading Cinderella on to the dance floor.

Lisa arrived home a little earlier than she would have predicted, poured a glass of plain water at the wash-hand-basin and sat on the edge of her bed to drink it. Her head was swimming with a strange and unfamiliar mixture of emotions. She would not have been able to put names to all of them if she had tried, but among them were elation, excitement, anxiety, and a deep, painful vein of sadness and self-pity.

She sat for some minutes, quite motionless, then she noticed that her bedside telephone answering machine had a little flashing red light, indicating that someone had phoned and left a message while she had been out. She played the tape.

"Hello, Lisa? It's Yvonne. Look, sweetheart, I don't care how late you get in, I want you to phone me straight away and tell me how you got on with that man! Even if it's tomorrow morning!" She giggled suggestively. "I mean it. Don't let me down now! Bye."

Automatically, she lifted the phone and touched the "memory" button to dial Yvonne.

"Hello, Yvonne... Yes, I know, it is quite early. Well, no, nothing happened. It was.... quite incredible, really. He was tall, and very handsome... and he had lovely teeth... and I really liked him. Yes. He was a perfect gentleman... Yes, I know it sounds great.... It's just that...." she found herself choking with tears, "it wasn't real, Yvonne. Do you know what I mean? I mean, he was just being nice to me. He was sorry for me. I could sense it. He's way out of my class, Yvonne. Honestly. Like a film star. I've never spoken to anybody as.... as perfect as that. He tried to make me feel okay, but it was all silly nonsense. He almost told me he loved me as soon as we met! It was over the top, Yvonne. It was just embarrassing. I don't know why I let him go on with it. Why I didn't just go home.... I suppose I was flattered. I suppose I wanted to believe it. But it was no good. I couldn't. No, I just said: You've got my number, give me a call. But I know he won't. Oh, Yvonne, I feel so stupid !" Finally she could hold back the tears no longer.

Sam didn't go straight home. He parked his car in the usual place outside his house, then went for a long walk across the flat stretch of parkland that bounded his back garden. He sat on a bench by the side of the lake and watched the play of the moonlight and the distant streetlights on the water's surface.

He felt deflated. To have come so close, and to have failed. Why didn't she like him at least a little when he was so bowled-over by her? The only girl since Trudy who had actually made his heart leap when he laid eyes on her, who had brought the sweat to the palms of his hands, who had left him tongue-tied. That must have been it. She must have thought him a total fool, babbling with all that nonsense about how wonderful she was when they'd only just met. It was a ridiculous way to behave. She must have been laughing at him inside. She must have felt something close to contempt. Somebody as beautiful as that already knows she's beautiful. She doesn't need a half-witted totally ordinary person like himself to go on and on about it. It must have been such a let-down for her when she saw what he really looked like. She was so careful to hide it too, to protect his feelings. She must be such a lovely person, to humor him like that.

He took the little piece of paper containing her phone number out of his pocket and looked down at it, held it against his chest for a moment like a talisman, cupped it between his two hands.

He was going to have to be a little bit more realistic, he told himself. Lower his sights a little. Stop dreaming impossible dreams.

"Ugly ducklings shouldn't go bothering swans," he announced to any resting water-fowl that might be within earshot. Then he crumpled-up the piece of paper, flicked it neatly into the waste-paper bin beside him, and started back towards the house.

[slow-burn-sally]

Favorite headcanons for: johnsquared, childercelles, johnlock, ineffable husbands

Buckle up! 

Johnsquared:

PIGEON!! I love this pet name for Segundus so much. So you know it made it onto the list. 

I just want to take a minute to recognize how cool it is that so so so many fics adopted the HC that Segundus gets his school, and that Childermass visits it periodically and falls in love with Segundus at Starecross. Any number of things could have happened after the book. It was an open playing field, but we collectively (or rather, writers that came before me collectively) decided that that lovely man gets to have his school! 

I HC that Childermass is very protective of Segundus and sort of watches out for him from the sidelines, and that (at least before they get together), Segundus is sort of blissfully unaware of this being the case. Either that, or he thinks “Oh that Childermass! I used to think he was imposing and intimidating, but now, he’s ever so nice to me!” Meanwhile, Childermass is just a pile of pining-yearning-heart eyes as he brings Segundus little presents from his travels and gives threatening looks to anyone who is short with Segundus, and helps Segundus lift heavy piles of books. 

I have adopted the HC (maybe with the help of a couple of authors?) that Segundus prefers bottoming, but every once in a while, he gets bold and shyly asks Childers if he can top, and Chilers is always thrilled by this. Childers prefers to top, but something about Segundus’ shy little way of asking, and how much fun he has just turns him on so so much. 

Childercelles:

I HC that they both thought the other was super hot when they first met, but then Childermass realizes that Lascelles is an asshole and suppresses those feels. Lascelles is horrified at himself for finding someone so low and filthy so fucking hot and so he suppresses it too, behind a wall of derision. But they both, deep down, want to fuck really really bad, and that only fuels the fire of their mutual contempt. 

I mean, not sure if this a personal HC, or just the entire ship in a nutshell?

I HC that Childermass adores torturing Lascelles sexually, just to watch him fall apart, to watch that uptight, in-control facade slip and see the real person underneath and that Lascelles is a total whore for humiliation and bondage. 

It’s a total dom/sub relationship with Childers domming. Lascelles loves being choked, slapped, held down, jizzed on and called names. But he’s a total brat, so he enjoys fighting back, making Childermass angry and seeing how far he can push Childermass to be even more violent. 

My guilty secret is that I want to take Lascelles from being a horrible, murderous, probable sociopath to just an epic asshole so that they can fall in love and cuddle. I am so soft for soft Lascelles. 

Johnlock:

I HC that John takes care of Sherlock. I mean this is sort of canon anyway, and John is a doctor to start out with, but he takes extra pleasure in caring for Sherlock. Making him eat more regularly, dragging him to bed at appropriate times. Or just making him lie back and accept a massage or a blow job. He wants to take Sherlock from a place of being pale and overworked and way too up in his head, to a place where he’s warm and loose and well fed and happy. It is his mission!

And I HC that Sherlock is totally weak for John. He’s an arrogant arse to everyone else in his life (and to John of course sometimes too) and while he’s a little bit soft on Molly and Lestrade and Mrs. Hudson, he is a mess for John. John is his weak spot and his blind spot. Before they got together, Sherlock had to use all of his epic powers of self control to not grab John and kiss him fifteen times a day because John just AFFECTS him like that. Something about John calms him down and centers him, and John is the conduit through which Sherlock can access feelings of empathy and care and softness for the world around him because John is so very caring. 

Sherlock enjoys thrilling John by turning him on with whispered promises in his ear and subtle touches during the day, until John is a complete mess and drags him to bed.

Ineffable Husbands:

So so many HCs! Many of which are shared by a lot of other fandom folks.

Aziraphale is massively strong and can lift Crowley off the ground with one arm. He just refrains from doing so because this turns Crowley on too much and he knows that if he picks Crowley up, the next stop is the bedroom.

Crowley wears black nail polish. I am ON BOARD with this hc. 

They fell in love instantly up on the wall of the Garden. 

Aziraphale has a large collection of boxes of tea. Like two cabinets full. 

Crowley loves teasing Aziraphale about being old fashioned just to see him get all ruffled and indignant. 

Aziraphale loves turning Crowley on by eating dessert in a very sensual manner and making significant eye contact while they’re out at restaurants until Crowley is squirming in his seat. 

They are both demi for each other. There’s never been anyone else

Or alternatively

Crowley is pan and a total slut and Aziraphale is demi and a total virgin. 

Or alternatively

Aziraphale is a total sexual hedonist and Crowley is a nervous virgin pretending to be a big bad sex demon. 

Honestly, I haven’t met a sexual hc about these two that I didn’t love (unless it’s a super intense kink I’m not into). 

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

Getting lost at the Floating Petal Garden

Who would've thought that getting lost in a tangle of bushes, flowers, and vines would feel so freeing? Being surrounded by a mix of earthy and vibrant colors, organic shapes, and faint floral scents - it feels like I'm transported to another world! There's something about all this greenery that makes me feel calm, like it's okay to shut yourself out from whatever's bothering you and get lost in nature for a little bit. Interestingly enough, that was one of our purposes of visiting the garden.

I'm back in the Golden City with Ginko, who brought along some friends who dropped by to visit. I haven't heard from Storm in a while since Jamie disbanded the entourage. It's a shame that he joined right before things slowed down and everyone was leaving - if he came along a year earlier, then his music career would've definitely taken off by now.

Storm's an aspiring singer-songwriter. He's been singing in choirs and performing in bands for as long as he can remember. At first glance though he comes across as bumbling and well-meaning, not always the brightest bulb of the bunch, but he's a total sweetheart that you can't stay annoyed at him for too long. Not to mention that he's got a hell of a voice, a smooth baritone that contrasts with his fast paced chatter. Like I said, he could easily make it as a singer but he just hasn't had his lucky break yet.

The decision to leave the small and sleepy Midwestern town he spent his whole life in to LA was an impulse one. Basically all his friends have moved on - some have married, many are successful - and he was just getting by, working at a diner and performing occasional gigs there. He was a frequent guest at a best friend's house, even long after his friend moved out, and over time he realized that maybe he should be spending his time doing his own thing rather than barging in on other people's lives.

So he moved to LA, but quickly realized that the fast paced city life wasn't for him. Storm was about to call it quits when Jamie discovered him at a cafe and invited him to the entourage after he gave her a demo tape. They both knew from the start that Storm wasn't "commercial" material, but he had potential and is passionate about what he creates, which was enough for Jamie to give him a chance.

While Storm was able to nail a recording contract with Lawrence Sardar, outside of his EPs selling fairly well, he wasn't getting the reception he hoped he would. Being more of a performer than a recording artist, Storm felt kinda let down. Then the entourage disbanded and Storm lost interest in recording, though Lawrence told him that he's free to come to the studio whenever he feels like it.

Then a few months ago Storm decided to move in with his cousin Buddy in Airy to help him run the gas station/auto shop after the owner retired. I've met Buddy a handful of times through Holly and Sam and he's a big sweetheart like Storm. He tends to run his mouth off a bit and poke into other people's businesses but he means well and just wants to be a part of things.

Plus he's the reason why the shop's been so successful - he's a good mechanic who also provides excellent customer service as well as doesn't overcharge or make people spend more than they have to. Businessmen hate him, but customers love him - and despite what his detractors says, there's no denying that Buddy's a big reason why Airy's still standing strong when other small towns in the area have been declining. The day Buddy Nephele retires from the shop will be a sad day for all in Airy.

Storm's been enjoying living in Airy and working at the shop. He's also quite good with cars too so he's been a great deal of help for Buddy. Aside from singing in the community choir and a few gigs here and there for town events, his singing career has taken a backseat - but not for long. Thanks to Ginko and Benji, Storm will be performing at the Golden City Nightclub twice a month as a replacement for one of their regular performers. If things go well, he might be a regular there, which is exciting! The commute's a bit long - two and a half hours by train - but it's a good start. And if it becomes a regular thing, then he and Benji will work something out to make the commute easier.

So the trip to the Floating Petal Garden serves as a celebration for Storm. He's so excited about it as well as nervous - his first performance being less than two weeks from today. With Ginko living in Golden City and now Storm performing at the nightclub, it looks like we have more excuses to drop by Golden City!

Another reason for the trip was to de-stress and get away for a bit. Storm wanted to invite Buddy along because he's been going through a rough time. Buddy had an older brother who's nothing like him and Storm - a big name engineer who's always busy so he barely had time to visit family. Braden visited a couple weeks ago - Buddy hadn't seen him in over a decade, Storm not since he was a kid - but had to cut his visit short because of work. The work emergency ended up resolving early so Braden went back to Airy, only to die in a car accident on the way there.

According to Sam and Storm, Buddy idolized Braden. He also felt inferior to him and the two noticed right away how withdrawn Buddy was when Braden came to visit. Buddy was pretty bummed out when Braden had to leave, so a few days later Braden called Storm to tell him that he was coming back and wanted to surprise Buddy. But then the accident happened so instead of planning for a fishing trip, Buddy had to plan for a funeral.

Buddy's still his sweet old self but I can tell that he's been trying to keep it together and get through the day. It's odd not seeing him chattering about, keeping us up to date about what's happening in town and making us laugh with funny stories involving his misadventures at the shop. Storm's doing his best to help while giving Buddy space to process everything - that's all we can really do for him right now. It wasn't easy for everyone to convince Buddy to take a couple days off - Sam and some of the others are currently taking shifts at the gas station while the garage is closed - but he relented after some prodding.

I think him being here has helped a little. I mean we didn't expect him to feel better immediately but at least as the day went on he was able to enjoy himself a bit. Sometimes all you can really do is take it one day at a time, hoping that things will turn up for you. Knowing Buddy, I'm sure he'll get back on his feet eventually - I just wish there's more we can do to help him.

Getting lost in the garden is like being transported into a storybook, a whimsical, fairy tale like one where everything looks soft and ethereal. Meadows of soft grass with colorful petals poking out, straight out of a painting. Jungles of wavy vines wrapped around towering trees carrying delicate blossoms. Numerous winding trails surrounded by unusual flowers that can't help but draw your attention with its clashing colors and wavy, organic shapes, all looking like a mismatch that somehow comes together - like an imperfect mosaic.

I think my favorite place is the Great Crimson Way, a lovely trail surrounded by lovely rose blossoms. Like the name says, they're a hybrid of roses and cherry blossoms. There's a beautiful fountain at the center where people go to make wishes. There's something so peaceful about it, just looking at the petals floating in the water makes me feel reassured, like somehow, everything will be all right. There's a lot about the world that makes no sense but seeing these petals hanging around feels grounding - like it's telling me to hang on and soon the hard times will pass.

Buddy seemed to be taken in by the fountain too. I wonder if he's thinking the same regarding the floating petals. He did seem a bit more like himself after that as not too long afterwards he inserted his two cents here and there while Storm talked about town happenings. Sometimes Storm would try to prod him a bit more, only for Buddy to be miles away - he tries, but Ginko and I would remind him not to push too much.

This isn't a knock on Storm and Buddy but they tend to overstep a little bit. I'll admit it can be a nuisance sometimes with them trying to get into everyone's businesses but it's hard to stay too mad at them when they have good intentions, even when they make a mess out of it. While they do need to work on boundaries - which they both are making an effort on - it's good to have friends like them because sometimes you need to be thrown off the deep end.

Another favorite spot is the Stained Glass Grove. The plants over there literally look like stained glass! Translucent, colorful petals with intricate designs - we were lucky to come across this place when the sun was shining just right. The whole place lit up like a light show! We tried taking pics and while they came out good, it just doesn't do it justice. Turns out stained glass flowers are difficult to care for because of the amount of sunlight it needs. The spot where the Stained Glass Grove is perfect because that's where the sun shines the brightest for most of the day as constant sunlight is important for healthy flowers.

After navigating the Sweetie Honey Hills - which was full of fragrant flowers known for their honey-vanilla nectar - we stopped by the cafe. There, we ran into Leif, Kiki, Diva, and Lucky. So we had lunch together and bought some flowers from Leif. On our way out we came across a cute little tea shop so we stocked up on tea. I bought a bunch of new and unfamiliar flavors so I'm looking forward to trying them out!

The Sweetie Honey Hills is nice to look at, though the scent was starting to get a little overpowering so we didn't stay too long. We did harvest some nectar - a small jar costs about 5000 bells - so we each got one jar for ourselves. I like the flavor of honey-vanilla, though I've never cooked or baked with it before. I heard that the nectar's expensive, plus it's better to buy fresh so it's a super good deal!

Orange Blossom River is a lovely place full of bright, vibrant colors and fresh, citrus fragrances. We traveled by boat with Storm taking the sail while Ginko helped with navigation. The water's so crystal clear that you can see everything, from the colorful koi swimming around to the rocks and seaweed scattered about. It looks so unreal that I half expected to be transported to another world when we stepped into the boat.

From there, we traveled to Marigold Meadows, where we watched the sunset. It's a fitting stop as it's a popular place to watch the sun rise and set. Paired with the various yellows and oranges of the marigolds, it's absolutely perfect! The moment the sky turned a lovely red orange, the meadow seemed like it came to life. It was a magical moment when a rainbow popped up and all at once I felt at peace - we all did. It was a funny feeling, like a friendly and familiar presence snuck up on us, whispering to us that  all is well.

Ginko was the one who brought it up first, saying that she felt like Manaka was right there beside her. Buddy then said that he could've sworn his brother was standing nearby for a moment. Storm said the same about his dad and I for mine. I haven't thought about him in years since he's been gone for a long time so I'll admit I'm still a bit shaken up. I still don't know how I feel about it, yet I feel like that's how I'm supposed to feel about it?

If you're feeling lost, uncertain, stuck, or in need of something new and different, I'd highly recommend exploring the Floating Petal Garden.

[boogiewrites]

Mae Flowers Chapter 5

Characters: Alfie Solomons x Mae LeBlanc (OFC)

Summary: A modern, magical Alfie Solomons AU.

Warnings/Tags: Language.Magic/Supernatural. Soul mates.Some domestic fluff, getting to know you stage. Talk of the unknown. 

Click on my screenname then go to Mobile Masterlist in my bio for my other works and chapters. (Had to do this since Tumblr killed links, sorry.)

When she woke to a warm spring morning, Mae was thankful she didn’t have puffy eyes or a headache from crying the night before. She’d sobbed hard, sadness surging from an uncontrolled well of emotion that had always been within her. She was a sensitive soul she’d been told before, both in the form of compliments and insults. Being sad that people weren’t nice to her when she always went into interactions with a good heart wasn’t something new to bring her down. But she’d had something to make the roller coaster of let down shoot back up suddenly and she was caught off guard. A nice man to be kind and take care of her after the rest of the world seemed to be against her all day. It was too much for her still fragile heart to handle and despite being less sad, but mostly confused and uncertain, she cried again. She hated crying in front of others, she quickly became overwhelmed with thoughts of being less than and looking down on her for not controlling herself.

But she hadn’t felt that last night. No, she felt seen and heard. She had someone to look her in the eyes and tell her her feelings were valid, that crying was healthy and being able to feel so deeply was a gift and not a burden. Perhaps that’s why she hadn’t woken up feeling an emotional hangover like she had every other time she’d cried. Things were already proving Alfie right with how they would work better together than apart. Luckily, she had just woken up and therefore didn’t have the capacity to think about that at the moment. Right now all she was really focused on was having to pee.

Alfie sees her scuttle the short distance between her room and the bathroom in her slippers and pajamas. Little shorts and a tank, all her softness wobbling with a sleepy shuffle of her small feet. He grinned, a small huff of amusement for the little fluffy goblin scuttling around her own house.  He hears the click of the bathroom door as it opens and calls out to her, “Breakfasts almost ready. Ya in?” his neck stretches in her direction, head tilted to hear her muffled reply in the affirmative.

She entered the kitchen, hand disappearing into her bed head curls to mindlessly scratch as she yawned. “Smells good.” she approves, a sniff and a heavy-footed saunter over to the round kitchen table.

“Fanks.” he mutters, multitasking with pans and spatula. “‘Mornin’ luv. Ya slept well I take it? Didn’t a hear a peep all night.” He could’ve said my dreams were as smooth and clear as a moonless night’s reflection atop a lake. A sure sign that she wasn’t bothered in her sleep.

“Yeah.” she nods, her hair bouncing as she did so. She fusses with her hair, pushing it back as he approaches the table. “Oddly enough.”

“Odd will become commonplace soon enough.” a nod and a self-assured tone she hoped to emulate moves out of a barrel chest in his plain white t-shirt. She recalled the shirt from the first time she’d seen him in her dreams. What an odd fact, she muses to herself. Perhaps he was right. “That’s some immense hair ya got there.” he smiles down at her with an affectionate inkling in his eye and tone.

“Thanks?” she gives him a quirked brow as she tilts her head up at him, peeking out from under her mop of half-formed spirals.

“Was a compliment.” he clarifies as she nods and becomes quickly distracted by the food being slid in front of her. “Full English.” he declares, his shoulders hunched as he turns to retrieve his own overflowing plate. A perk of being immortal was he could eat almost anything and everything and not give a second thought to it. He now had an excuse to make the rich comfort foods he missed. He found himself not neglecting but finding comfort in the things of old that made him, him. He had run from the messier human emotions for a long while. He ran from the things that made him human in the first place as well. That entailed disappearing and not emerging until everyone he knew was long dead. It included religion, sex, and human comforts. He was his darkness for long years, but this little sunspot was bringing him back to his old self. The things that made him Alfie before things took a turn for the worse and he became what he was now. She made him feel human again. Among other things.

“Tomatoes?” she asks, her head tilted like the curious Percy’s that just jumped onto the table to sniff at the mushrooms dissapprovingly.

“Breakfast, innit?” he says, a fork in hand and a sausage already on the way into his mouth.

“And beans?” she keeps the same confused expression.

“It’s what we ate when money was good when I’s growin’ up. Comfort food, that.” he points with a greasy fork across the sun-streaked table from the light coming through the patio doors.

“Full English.” she mutters as if it were still a question to her. “S’good.” she shrugs and pushes things around on the plate.

“Got tea, English as all bloody hell.” he chuckles and points to the kettle. “Coffee, bangers, beans, bacon, beefeaters from the garden and mushrooms. Ya made me some of your soul food, ya comfort food. This is mine.”

“Food is… weird.” the sleep starting to fade fro her voice but clearly her mind wasn’t matching up to what her mouth wanted to say.

He snorts with a mouthful of food as she chews thoughtfully. “You gonna elaborate on that ingenious remark?”

She gives him a smile, knowing there was no ill will in his jab but agreeing that she certainly would have fleshed out what she meant more. “Everyone’s gotta have it, but it’s different everywhere ya go. It’s the backbone of any culture, somethin’ anyone could know about y’know? But somehow it’s also deeply personal despite it bein’ somethin’ that everyone has.” she pauses and takes another bite. “It’s weird.” she shrugs despite that being her final statement.

“Humans are weird would be a more overlapping remark. But it goes without sayin’. Humans can make anything personal. A rock, a meal, a string of words. Very self-absorbed, very self-important. But it’s in their nature. Means of survival ‘n that.”

“Their nature? You aren’t human?”

“I was. At one time. I’m more of a vessel if you will. I am me, yeah? I hold everything that made Alfie Solomons a man, a human. But I am also timeless energy that is simultaneously full to the brim and empty all at once. Knowledge from the very beginning of time, and past the present. I’ve lived in the underworld and on this side as well.”

“That’s… sorta heavy for breakfast, man.” she states blankly before they both move into a shared laugh.

“You asked. I am here to answer.”

“Thanks for answering,” she says sheepishly. “Do I also contain all that? Time and space and the whole Carl Sagan monologue?”

He gives her one of those smiles that makes her avert her eyes. The kind that handsome men have beautiful ladies when they courted them. She wasn’t equipped to deal with his charm and ruggedly handsome face this early in the morning. Or ever, for that matter. “Yeah, love ya do. Which is why we’ll be starting with some meditation today. Help you get in touch with all that. It’ll help every facet of ya complicated self. Gotta learn restraint and control before we move onto the more… intense activities.”

“Am not gonna have to like..sacrifice anyone am I?”

He lets out a sudden laugh. “Nah, love nothin’ of the sort. Not unless ya want to.”

“I don’t.” is a quick and curt answer given. Of course, she didn’t. A little ray of sunshine made of life itself wouldn’t want to get messy. That was more his side of things.

“Noted.” he gives a firm nod and a supportive closed mouth smile before they both become absorbed by the task of fueling up for their work.

-------

He had asked her where she would feel most comfortable, and to no surprise to him, telepathic of not, she had said in her garden. With a reassuring hand on her back, he leads her to the middle of a grassy patch in the center of the back yard. Her land was totally enclosed with a high fence and the outlines covered in different flowers and bushes and fruit-bearing trees, buzzing with insects already so soon into spring. A warm sun beamed down, making her brown skin shine, freckles happy to soak up the rays and darken across her cheeks, the yellow light hitting her eyes and lighting them up golden with her lush mixture of green spun delicately around her tight iris. Her curls shone, the sun-kissed streaks happy to lighten with their long missed sunbaths every day from being stuck inside during the cold months. They were bouncing happily, air dried as she perched with crossed legs on the soft grass.

“This is a lovely garden, by the way, pet. You’ve done a bang-up job on your own.” he grunts out as she adjusts his legs to mirror her.

“Thank you. I’m very proud of it.” a soft but accepting smile graces her round and darling face as she squints in the sun.

“Ya should be.” he nods and clears his throat. “Have ya ever meditated before?”

“Not really no.” she shook her head. “I’ve lit incense and practiced some deep breathing before. But not like... Ommm and…” she pushes her middle fingers and thumbs together, resting them on her knees to explain.

He suppresses a smile at her wordless explanation of her length of knowledge on the subject. “I see.” he moves to take her hands. “Ya have a hard time quietenin’ down that mind of yours don’t ya?”

She nods, a hint of being ashamed in her eyes as she casts them downward.

“Now, now. No judgment here. This is Day 1, Step 1. Any progress is good progress. No progress is still practice, yeah? I’ll be gentle on ya don’t worry. Not here to upset ya.”

She presses her lips together and nods and takes a deep breath to steady herself.

“Now. First, we’re gonna close our eyes, yeah?” He leads her through being in the present. Taking in the moment. Acknowledging every sound and feeling, the blades of grass tickling her bare legs, the buzz of bee’s and the warmth of the sun, a kiss of wind that rustled her hair. She could sense it all, that was fine, but now she had to let it all go. “Work to clear your mind. No worries. No curiosities and philosophical musings. Just be. If a thought comes, say ‘ello, and let ‘im be on ‘is way.”

She smiles at his playful lit in explaining and she finds comfort now with his touch, hands clasped together between them.

“We’re going to have a moment, now. Try to work on that for a bit. I’m here if ya need me.”

“‘Kay.” is her soft reply as she tries to clear her mind. The garden fades away, but her thoughts still clumsily barge in. Worries about the future, the past, is she doing it right, was he sure he had the right girl? She tries to push it away and struggles.

“Ya need help, luv?” he offers with a gentle rub of his thumb against her hand.

“Yes, please.” she asks in an almost whisper of a voice.

“No shame in asking me for help, right? So make it sound like ya aren’t ashamed. I’ll ask ya again. Do you need help, luv?”

“Yes.” she states clearly, louder and a nod to back it up.

“That’s a girl. I’m gonna use my energy to calm ya down. Don’t be afraid of it. You'll feel it.”

She takes a shaky breath. “Okay. I’m not. Thank you.”

“Good girl.” he acknowledges her attempts at being self-assured and squeezes her hands. He didn’t have to, but he thought a physical cue might help her out at these early stages.

She does feel it, and it feels amazing. A shiver up her spine, his power like cool water in her veins as she exhaled in a sigh, feeling her shoulders lose their tension. Is what relaxed felt like? She didn’t know her.  “Oh, wow.” she exhales.

“Good?” he asks, concern in his voice.

“S’good.” she gives a dazed smile that he doesn’t see. A grunt in response is all she receives.

There’s an easy silence between them. She doesn’t know how long it goes on, but she felt like a popsicle left out in the sun, a puddle on the grass, a fat happy frog soaking up the sun for energy without a care. A thought floats by, and she decides to share it. “Am I...looking for something?” she asks.

“If ya like. It’s a bit advanced but we certainly can. You can ask a question, ask for guidance, clarity, divination. Whatever ya like.” he explains.

“I’d like to try.” her voice quiet but due to the relaxed state she was in and not from fear any longer.

“Go on, then.” he reassures her.

“Do I have to share it with the class?” the honesty in her voice makes him let out a laugh, a quiet one as not to startle her but her endearing and effortless charm was taking him by surprise.

“Nah, luv.” he chuckles out and gives her hand a delicate brush with his thumb again to show support.

What do I even ask? She wondered. I’d like to know… anything at this point. Okay, focus. I wanna know who he is. Who… we are if we’re these… soul mates. I just wanna know what it all means. Hmmph, not asking for much there are you. She sighs out of frustration and focuses up again.

He feels her drifting and pull back and smiles. She’s learning fast.

I want to know who this man is. Who is this Alfie Solomons? Do I trust him? Is he who he says he is? What is it that I feel when he’s near, this vibrating energy inside that feels like I’m on the verge of something, good or bad I don’t know. I just want to know...anything really….please? She would be the only one who could give puppy dog eyes to the universe and have it bend to her will.

After a short while, a not awkward silence, he feels something. A tingling in his fingers first, then moving up his arms. Were they falling asleep? It wouldn’t make much sense he wonders but he soon realizes it’s coming from her. It grows warmer as if he’d sunk into a hot bath. He ran cold, like a reptile, cold-blooded before her, and feeling warm blood in his veins was something he hadn’t felt in over a hundred years. A wiggle of his heart in his chest, a warm slinking feeling up his neck and into his mind. It was far stronger than anything he expected. But he would soon find out, she was a lot stronger already than he anticipated. Her coy nature and shyness a mere cover for the intensity that lies beneath. She had been protecting everyone else with her reservations, not protecting herself.

Her intention ran through him, she wanted to know him, and her power sought him out. The universe said, if you want him, have him, I only made him for you after all, and lets her creep into his mind. It all came in flashes, waves on a shore that faded in and out, too fast to grasp it all at once.

She smelled alcohol. Something sweet and deep, she could hear machines, men yelling, heavy footsteps up old wooden stairs. There were strongly scented leather books, piles of paperwork and a feeling of unease. Another wash of nostalgia washes over her, she sees a dog, happy and excited. She sees an empty bed sat in a dark room filled with books and papers, the walls covered in so many different things, both common and rare that she couldn’t make them all out. She smells the strong scent of cleaning chemicals, a woman by a sink, working hard and a feeling a longing overtaking her. There’s a hat over the doorway, a beacon for something important, a cane by a bed, bottles that looked like medicine on a nightstand. She saw blood in the sink, a sinking in the pit of her stomach.

“Mae.” she hears him echo in her head. He wasn’t speaking aloud. “Stop it. You don’t want to go there. -I- don’t want you to go there. You won’t find what you want here. Go back.”

Her eyes fluttered behind their lids, her hands grasping his, his underlying anger showing itself for her uninvited intrusion.

A hiss that wasn’t Alfie snaps up and shuts her out. It speaks a language she does not know, but it doesn’t frighten her, although she wonders for a moment if it should. His darkness. She knew it immediately. She’s endlessly fascinated. A black smoke, formless and endless whirling, moving through muck and earth as she pursued it with hungry curiosity. -Come see. Your answers.- a distinctly masculine but not human voice says, the smoke twists into a long cylindrical shape, it forms and shifts, an awe-inspiring black iridescence comes to shape. She sees a snake, endless, it could fit in her mind but was larger than the planet somehow. She knew he, his darkness, was the snake. A fitting symbol of rebirth and transformation, immortality and renewal, as death and destruction were all forms of creation in the end. It was as if she were being gifted with sight for the first time. She could see him, and know what his essence stood for.

Sunlight shone on it and the most beautiful colors came off its scales. She realized she was the source of the light. It twists up and directs her eyes to a moon. It’s blue, purple and green, all pastel and colored like the snake. They were one, they were the night and the darkness and everything that called it home. The dirt, the death it holds, both old and new, the beasts that only emerged to worship the moon and live in the dark were its children. Every cold-blooded animal, every reptile and insect knew it and didn’t fear it. So it came for her to understand, neither should she.

She sees her sun take form, moving towards the moon. She felt no fight between them. It was as if they wanted to be close, but had long been separated by the sides of the earth. Something that existed, but didn’t, that faded in and out unnoticed until it was already upon you. They radiated blindingly bright together, and the behemoth snake reveled in it. She felt a strange pull, a split from herself as a rabbit came into view. The snake circled itself, mouth to tail as it writhed, an ouroboros as the white rabbit neared. The rabbit was her, she realized. She was seeing her light, the mate for his darkness. A rabbit she pondered, watching he fearless bound about in the sunlight, warm thick fur and a wet twitching nose, full of life and energy. Her light was life, fertility, and growth, creation and desire. A vulnerability, a softness unparalleled was what she contained. She suddenly understood it. Understood what it meant to be her, to be him, and thus, understood why they had been destined to find each other.

The rabbit and snake entwine, the sun and moon fusing, something that should’ve seemed unholy or apocalyptic seemed to make perfect sense to her. It all came together, just like everything did, from the first creation to the last, she’d always been there, and so had he. She, life, sending him, death, her gifts that he loved so much he kept them forever. A blinding light went dark and she was no longer separate from herself as she gasped and went eyed, flung back into the present, in her human body, hands tight around Alfie’s forearms, nails digging in and sweat pouring from her.

He blinked at her, the most curious expression on his face as she caught her breath. “You understand now, don’t you?” It was more of a rhetorical question at this point. “You’re more powerful than even I knew, Mae.” he pauses again, waiting for her to process it all.

“Yeah… I am.” she says with the first absolutely certain tone she might’ve ever had in her life.

“You’ll only grow more so from here. You’ve surpassed my expectations already.” he pats her shoulder and they meet eyes, as if for the first time. He sees her with a question and not fear in her eyes. She had found the answers she was looking for. At least she had enough knowledge now to grasp the situation. “This is only the beginning, luv.”

I tried to reverse search the image and came up empty handed so if you know whose it is, I’l gladly credit them. 

@jaegeeeeer​  @brianaisasongbird​ @hardygal69​ @emerald-bijou​ @captstefanbrandt​ @coolgh0st​ @tinastarkandco​ @xstylishmileage​   @s-h-e-w-r-i-t-e-s​ @peakys-mystic​ 

[my-simlish-addiction-sims4]

Zodiac Legacy Challenge - Updated for Island Living/Get Famous

As someone who is definitely a nerd of zodiacs, i read charts and have studied the history of astrology and all you can imagine, i became super super excited to see this type of challenge, to combine the best of both worlds; sims and zodiac signs! i wanted to make it perfect, i updated the same challengue so as the person before me did, and i kept some of the characteristics because this challengue’s been made before and its on youtube already, they were fun and pretty accurate to play. The order also stars along with the history of astrology itself! Aries. the newborn baby.

The story of astrology tells the story of the “growth” of a human race, and ourself as individuals are represented by 12 signs in each of our lifetime ages.

The story beggins with the first house of fire, Aries, the first explosion and sparkle energy, as it grows the comes the love of taurus, the sedentary life, the venus, then the knowledge of the gemini generation and the social skills, as the knowledge grows the emptiness is fulfilled by mother caring nature cancerness, family values and nuturing love. When we are all set the leo factor cames, we all want our own individuality and stardomness, we want to put our creativity and fire flames, then our virgo friend came to balance it out, pragmatic and caring nurse virgo, the helper, the one that saves them all. After that comes balance to judge us all, but in an armonic way. Then deepness with scorpio to erradicate all crimes comited, and sumerge on the deep turbulent waters that neither of us wants to face, then ofc comes the lighthearted saggittarious, warm heat stones after all that ice cutting, and then again the empire reforming of capricorn, hard working, money maker, followed by tecnology as it finest with aquarious, evolutionating of sapien sapien, and then all pure love and spiritual growht with pisces.

Starting out:

This is a 12-generation legacy, each generation represents a zodiac sign and their meaning. 

Feel free tu use the cc for each sim,  as you will, as long as it doesn’t break the rules. Traits for each individual will be listed in the description

Custom objects allowed also allowed

There’s different careers options for you to get creative, if the career doesn’t specify a branch or field, you can choose wich direction does your sim take on his path.

Challenge Rules:

- You’ll start out on one of the 50x50 lots or 64x64. The second one brings more difficulty to the game as it leaves you with almost no money to start in. (lot prices varies depending on the town)

 No money cheats

Mods such as MC Command Center is allowed and encouraged, but not allowed for gaining advantage to your life aspiration goal, you can cheat the needs, and some relationships such as friendships as long as its not an especific goal to your zodiac sim, the aspiration needs to be hard work on you as well as the geals.

 Cheating the needs is allowed, since the challenges per generation are difficult by itself, but not necessary.

 CC is allowed

If you don’t complete one of the goals for the generation, you lose the challenge.

Generation One: Aries

“As the first sign in the zodiac, the presence of Aries always marks the beginning of something energetic and turbulent. They are continuously looking for dynamic, speed and competition, overcome obstacles, always being the first in everything - from work to social gatherings.

You’re competitive and hard working, and can sometimes come across as a bit arrogant. However, you have a bit of an inferiority complex, so every time your sibling or a friend succeeds, you aren’t too happy about it and always try to one up them. But after a while, you realize that you acting this way is pushing away the people you care about. Can you salvage these relationships before it’s too late and the damage is done?”

Traits: Hot-headed, Ambitious, self assured, Perfectionist, active, dance machine, loves outdoors, mean, evil (because of the happy moodlet  around sims that are suffering), hates children, outgoing (you have to put one bad in)

Aspiration: Renaissance Sim

Career: politician (politician branch), Military (any branch), Bussiness (any branch), Athlete (any branch).

Goals:

- Be enemies with your sibling until you are both YA

- Only have one friend until you are a YA, since they were the only one who stuck around

- Repair your relationships as fast as possible

- Reach level ten of the fitness skill

- Reach level ten of the career

- Complete your aspiration

- Go for a jog for a total of three hours each week

- Have one kid

Generation Two: Taurus

“Practical and well-grounded, Taurus is the sign that harvests the fruits of labor. They feel the need to always be surrounded by love and beauty, turned to the material world and physical pleasures. Stable and conservative, this is one of the most reliable signs of the zodiac, ready to endure and stick to their choices until they reach the point of personal satisfaction.

You grew up truly appreciating food and what it meant. You were amazed by how a simple meal could bring a family together, and how many memories were made because of that. You were close to your parents and were taught to always stand your ground and share your opinions. However, this caused you to become a little bull-headed (pun intended). You’re super stubborn and don’t like to be wrong, and won’t admit that you are ever wrong. This makes romance hard for you, but you keep trying because you are a hopeless romantic at heart. And once you find that special someone, you are loyal ‘til the end.”

Traits: Romantic, Foodie, Materialistic, glutton, lazy, neat, squeamish, self assured, snob, bro

Aspiration: Mansion Baron

Career: Business (management branch), Culinary (chef branch)

Goals:

- Have a garden with ten perfect plants

- Only make organic meals (using ingredients, no quick meals, no eating out)

- Have a karaoke night with your family every other week

- Reach level ten of the Business/Culinary career (any branch)

- Have four kids (one set of twins, feel free to cheat for this)

- use the cheat sims.get_sim_id_by_name {PlayedSimFirstName} {PlayedSimLastName} Get the pregnant Sim's ID, then use the cheat pregnancy.force_offspring_count {simID} {amount}

- Reach Soulmate status with your spouse before becoming an elder

- Complete your aspiration

Generation Three: Gemini

“Expressive and quick-witted, Gemini represents two different personalities in one and you will never be sure which one you will face. They are sociable, communicative and ready for fun, with a tendency to suddenly get serious, thoughtful and restless. They are fascinated with the world itself, extremely curious, with a constant feeling that there is not enough time to experience everything they want to see.

Growing up, you had the “perfect life”: two parents who loved each other, lots of friends, good grades, and a beautiful house. You were living the good life, so why did you always feel like you wanted more? You decide to take a step on your own, leaving your family behind to pursue your dreams in the big city. However, you quickly realize that life is harder than it seems. You can’t find a job you’re comfortable in, you can’t hold down a relationship, but you find solace in entertaining people and throwing parties. Something about being a host really makes you feel happy.

Traits: Noncommittal, Outgoing, Insider*, paranoid, genius, materialistic, erratic, snob, hates children, vegetarian, jealous, bro, mean, active, bookworm or geek.

Aspiration: Party Animal or City native

Career: Freelancer (Fashion photographer branch, DJ), critic, mixologist (culinary career), secret agent (diamond agent branch), social media (public relations ranch), law (private attorney branch), writer (journalist branch), 

Goals:

- Must have a twin (feel free to cheat for this)

- You are the opposite of your twin, in obvious ways such as style, but also in more subtle ways such as emotions and traits (for example, you could be stereotypical and make one of the twins a “preppy” person and the other an “emo” person)

- Reach level ten of the charisma skill

- Must move out to an apartment with the Needs TLC trait

- Throw every type of party at least once

- Complete your aspiration

- Have three jobs (at least one week for each) before deciding (4 in total).

- Travel to at least two community lots each week and stay there for at least an hour

- Have at least level four in three different skills by the time you’re an elder

- Learn all of the recipes from the vender stalls in City Living

- Have one set of twins (keep trying until you get them)

- Be caught cheating by your spouse (you can decide whether they stay together or not)

-As a teen needs to work as something at least a week

Generation Four: Cancer

“Deeply intuitive and sentimental, Cancer can be one of the most challenging zodiac signs to get to know. They are very emotional and sensitive, and care deeply about matters of the family and their home. Cancer is sympathetic and attached to people they keep. They are very loyal and able to empathize with other people's pain and suffering.”

In another life you would have become a doctor, but in this one you are content with looking after your family and making sure your children grow up the best they can. You’re a loving but strict parent, and just want what’s best for your children. However, will you push them away by being too overbearing?”

Traits: Gloomy, Jealous, Family-Oriented, romantic, foodie, good

Aspiration: Super Parent

Career: None, gardener (floral designer branch), writer (Author Branch).

Goals:

- Gen four heir must reach level five in Imagination and Communication as a toddler

- Master Baking skill

- Master Cooking/Gourmet Cooking skills

- Host a tea party (or a small get together) every week. Invite over your neighbors, your friends, your family, whomever you’d like. Must have a baked good for the gathering made by you.

- Complete your aspiration

- Pick up woodworking as a hobby and craft every sculpture

- You live off of your parents’ money until you get a spouse: you are to be a house wife/husband, and will never have a job. You’re allowed to sell duplicate sculptures for money, however, or books.

- Show off your sculptures by putting them on display somewhere in your house!

- Pack a lunch for your kids every morning. If you forget, make them a snack when they get home.

- Keep the house clean (all you have to do all day is chores, after all!)

- Have two kids

- Both kids need to have A’s in school

Generation Five: Leo

“People born under the sign of Leo are natural born leaders. They are dramatic, creative, self-confident, dominant and extremely difficult to resist, able to achieve anything they want to in any area of life they commit to. There is a specific strength to a Leo and their "king of the jungle" status. Leo often has many friends for they are generous and loyal. Self-confident and attractive, this is a Sun sign capable of uniting different groups of people and leading them as one towards a shared cause.

Your parents were so overbearing to you and your sibling growing up that in your teenage years you began to rebel. Staying out late, skipping class, whatever you could think of. Your parent made sure you got good grades, but you didn’t care about school. All you cared about was the spotlight. You were going to make it big, and you didn’t need calculus to help you rock out on your guitar or make the crowds feel emotions from your acting. You’re arrogant and stubborn, but determined to succeed no matter what the cost. Unfortunately, that means that you can miss out on things that are most important in life.

Traits: Self absorbed, active, outgoing, Materialistic, goofball, ambitious, self ab

Aspiration: Musical Genius/Master Actor, leader of the pack

Career: Entertainer (any branch), Actor, politician (politician branch), bussiness (investor branch), 

Goals:

- Have a one night stand with a groupie/fan once you reach level five in your career, which leads to an unplanned pregnancy. Only if you’re a musician or an actor 

- If your heir for this generation is male, come up with some sort of reason for why you got the baby. The mother didn’t want it, the mother died in childbirth, whatever. You can even move her in until she gives birth, then they have a big fight and she walks out on them.

- Reach level ten of the career 

- Complete your aspiration

- Have one kid

- Never get married, but have as many relationships as you’d like

- Never be that present in your child’s life; you don’t want to be overbearing like your parents

- Reach level ten in a instruments (you can choose), two if you’re already a musician 

- Licensing songs is okay to make some extra money

- Reach level 7 of charismatic 

- Making videos is also okay for extra money

Generation Six: Virgo

“Virgos are always paying attention to the smallest details. Their methodical approach to life ensures that nothing is left to chance and their heart might be closed for the outer world. This is a sign often misunderstood, not because they lack the ability to express, but because they won’t accept their feelings as valid. The symbolism behind the name speaks well of their nature, born with a feeling they are experiencing everything for the first time.

You grew up without a strong parental figure in your life, which made it hard for you to trust other people. How do you know that they would be there for you when you truly needed them? You’re cautious and shy, but curious about the world. You truly enjoy learning and collecting things, you like to think that the best things of life are hard to find, you fish rare specimen for your food and collect spices is through hard work you enjoy more of the things at your table and by sharing this same passion is how you meet the love of your life (by collecting or at work). They are the only person you can trust, but they can tell you’re always holding yourself back and hiding parts of yourself away from them. Can a relationship last with this kind of distrust?

Traits: Neat, family oriented, squeamish, perfectionist, Good, Bookworm, snob, self assured

Aspiration: The Curator

Career: Scientist or doctor

Goals:

- Marry a coworker who has at least one trait in common with you

- Get married right before becoming an adult

-Be as healthy as you can, you can be a vegetarian if you want 

- Separate from your spouse for a while after a large fight (your choice if they get back together)

- Reach level ten of the Scientist or Doctor career

- Complete your aspiration

- Have a home library (at least 25 books)

- Finish a collection (your choice)

- Have two kids

-Work as a babysitter as a teen

Generation Seven:  Libra

“People born under the sign of Libra are peaceful and fair, and they hate being alone. Partnership is very important for Libra-born, and with their victorious mentality and cooperation, they cannot stand to be alone. The Libra is an Air sign, with expressed intellect and a keen mind. They can be inspired by good books, insurmountable discussions and interesting people.

You thrive on socialization. Your parents are kind of shy homebodies, but you crave constant company and cannot stand to be by yourself. This can come across as quite overbearing to some people, so sometimes it’s hard for you to make friends. And, despite being such a sociable person, you are kind of oblivious when it comes to romance. You are very childish in the best possible way, and are the kind of parent to get down in the dirt and play with your children. You are a very supportive parent and you strive to make your family as happy as they can be, through whatever means. You may love outdoors and nature and fresh air, but you hate the wild and dirty part of it, you can be Squamish, a typical balance and contradiction of a Libra. 

Traits: romantic, insider, Materialistic, loves dogs, cheerful, squeamish, loves outdoors, family oriented, bro, childish, lazy, good (only one bad trait)

Aspiration: Big Happy Family

Career: Social Media (any branch), style influencer (stylist branch), law (judge law branch), photographer, Freelancer (YouTuber, Dj)

Goals:

- Go on vacation to Granite Falls every other week (or once a season)

- Encourage your children to do homework and practice skills

- Have your children max at least one skill

- Have four good friends

-have a social club or be part of one

- Be best friends with your spouse

- Visit at least one community lot each week and spend four hours socializing and meeting new sims

- Reach level ten of career 

- You post a lot about your kids and about your life, so take as many pictures of your kids as you can!

- Have a wall in the house filled with family photographs

- Master photography skill

- Master parenting skill

- Complete Aspiration

- Have two kids, and adopt one (total of three kids)

Generation Eight: Scorpio

“Scorpio-born are passionate and assertive people. They are determined and decisive, and will research until they find out the truth. Scorpio is a great leader, always aware of the situation and also features prominently in resourcefulness.

You grew up watching true crime television shows and superhero movies and decided that’s what you wanted to do with your life: bring justice and fight evil. Unfortunately you can’t become a superhero, but you can become a police officer/detective. You want to make the world a better place than it was before, and you want your legacy to be something of legend. Hardworking and dedicated to your craft, you tend to focus too much on work and it puts a strain on your relationship. That’s why the deepest your partner the more you like it, or the more attached he/she is to you.

Traits: jealous, Genius, paranoid, cat lover, gloomy, looner, good.

Aspiration: Nerd Brain

Career: Detective, Oracle (criminal branch), bussiness (investor branch), secret agent (any branch), engineer (mechanical engineer branch)

Goals:

-give first kiss as a child

-get passionate as a teen, if you can, your first woohoo

- Get married to your high school sweetheart 

- Reach level ten of the logic skill

- Complete your aspiration

- Reach level ten of the Detective career

- Reach level ten of the handiness skill

- Get a divorce (you can decide who gets custody of your kids)

- Get remarried as an elder, retire from your career

- Have three kids

-accept every opportunity that the games gives you to solve a case or to help people

-see one of your parents ghost and give them a hug

Generation Nine: Sagittarius

“Curious and energetic, Sagittarius is one of the biggest travelers among all zodiac signs. Their open mind and philosophical view motivates them to wander around the world in search of the meaning of life.”

You love travel and learning new things. You want to experience as much as you can in your lifetime, which means meeting people different from yourself. You heard that one of your ancestors (generation five) was a big traveler too, so you decide to follow in their footsteps.

Traits: Outgoing, Noncommittal, clumsy, insider, cheerful, bro, child of the islands, active, creative, goofball,  loves outdoor, bro, slob, hates children, romantic, self assured.

Aspiration: Friend of the World or Archeology Scholar/Jungle Explorer

Career: None, astronaut, Oracle (criminal career), Athlete (profesional athlete branch), education (any branch)

Goals:

- Live in three different worlds for at least a week before settling down

- Have kids with three different people

- Never get married

- Make money freelancing (collecting, gardening, painting, writing, whatever you wish! This includes the stuff that comes along with Jungle Adventure, such as archeology and treasure hunting.)

- Completely redesign your house at least once (after settling down for good)

- Go to every festival (unless you’re at work/on a date/at a wedding/etc)

- Travel to the Nightclub every Friday

- Complete aspiration

- Master dancing skill

- Master comedy skill

-Work as a life guard as a teen

Generation Ten: Capricorn

“Capricorn is a sign that represents time and responsibility, and its representatives are traditional and often very serious by nature. These individuals possess an inner state of independence that enables significant progress both in their personal and professional lives. They are masters of self-control and have the ability to lead the way.”

You hated how free spirited and laid back your parent was, and craved structure and discipline. Since a teen, you had a schedule every day after school: do homework, practice your skills for an hour, eat dinner, go to bed. Moving around so often meant that you didn’t make many friends, so you chose to devote all of your time to mastering as many skills as you could. But focusing in on one detail of life made you miss out on the bigger picture.

Traits: Ambitious, Snob*, bookworm, mean,  unflirty, perfectionist, neat, family-oriented, looner.

Aspiration: Fabulously Wealthy

Career: critic, bussiness (management brand), 

Goals:.

- Reach level ten of the Tech Guru career (either branch).

- Master logic skill

- Have at least level seven in three other skills (your choice)

- Follow a schedule every day; spontaneity is not your strong suit

- Get married as an adult to someone who shares at least one of your traits and is in the same career as you.

- Live in an expensive house (200,000 simoleons or more) by the time you’re an adult

- Surround yourself only with other snobby people

- Buy an expensive item every Wednesday. (Perhaps even start a collection of expensive artwork or sculptures and showcase them somewhere in your house. Feel free to get creative with it.)

Generation Eleven:  Aquarius

Unique, eccentric Aquarius’ are shy and quiet, but on the other hand they can be are deep thinkers and highly intellectual people who love helping others. They are able to see without prejudice, on both sides, which makes them people who can easily solve problems.”

Aquarius also represents the house of friends and society, people as a collective, so as much a they are weirdos they are usually a team player.

Who ever said eccentricity was a bad thing? You are a little out there and can be pretty spacey sometimes, but overall you are very passionate about your morals and strive to make other people’s lives better. Just be careful not to become a pushover.

Traits: Self-assured, Erratic, Ambitious, geek or genius, outgoing, creative, friendly, goofball, dog lover, insider

Aspiration:  Leader of the Pack

Career: Guru tech, freelancer (programmer branch), level 10 in scientist, style influencer (trend setter branch), politician (charity organizer branch), engineer (computer programmer branch).

Goals:

- Reach level ten of the Politician career, either branch

- Complete your aspiration

- Have a club gathering at least once a week (your club can literally be for anything! Get creative!)

- Have three kids, get married as an adult

- Have at least four good friends (they don’t have to be a part of your club)

- Reach level ten of the Wellness skill

Generation Twelve: Pisces

“Pisces are very friendly, so they often find themselves in a company of very different people. Pisces are selfless, they are always willing to help others, without hoping to get anything back.”

You love to socialize and surround yourself with all different kinds of people. Your parents loved you and raised you to be kind and perhaps a bit sensitive. You can be insecure at times, especially when it comes to your significant other. For some reason, you can’t seem to stay in a relationship for very long. Is there a way to fix this?

Part of you already understand the important things in life, an incredible spiritual soul ready for feel the connection to earth or the real things of life, very namaste and zen.

Traits: Creative, Jealous, child of the ocean (obligatory), good, vegetarian, lazy, loves outdoors, dog/cat lover, foodie 

Aspiration: Soulmate

Career: Painter, conservationist, veterinarian, astronaut 

Goals:

 As the last generation feel free to have kids if you want, preferably not

Have at least three friends of a different race/gender/sexuality than your sim

 Reach level ten of the Painting skill

 Must go through at least two boyfriends or girlfriends before settling down

 Have two kids

 Own a pool (at least a 4x4 size)

 master the wellness skill

Work as a fiver as a teen (island living) 

Make an activist club with your friends to fight for injustice or become a mermaid

Omg we have finally made it to the end of this challengue! i hope you had an amazing time just as i did, and had loved  each one of the generations. For me they were all amazing. Sendind all love, please lets give an amazing applause and thank you to the founders of this challengue trend  Pagenta and AutumnalPixels   let’s all give love to this amazing comunity, and please share your videos, your challengue journey and feel free to send me any picture and update!

please share this and thanks for all the love, i’m always gratefull

i love you guys so much and Peace <3 

[linkspooky]

What are your top 5 Tokyo Ghoul characters?

I love to talk about  how much I love my faves. If you ever ask want to ask me who my faves are for a series feel free to send me an ask.

1. Who do you Fight for? - Koori Ui

Seidou has the best character growth, but my undisputed favorite just in terms of character in Tokyo Ghoul has been Ui. What I like about Ui is that he hides all of the good things about him, and shows all of his most unlikable qualities on the surface. He’s jealous, spiteful, vindictive and far too judgemental on the other people around him. He basically acts like a hardass who has no friends because his entire life is his work. 

But then once you actually get to know Ui as a character, you understand the profound sense of loneliness that affects him and all of his actions. The reason Ui acts so impersonally and even looks down on others so much is because he’s a soldier in a brutal and terrible war that has caused him to cauterize all of his emotional wounds with the burnt end of his cigarette in order to try to continue living.

Ui cares so deeply, but he never lets that caring show because he’s afraid of those feelings. He’s actually the most emotional character in the cast, the most sincere, the most deeply invested, but he is so afraid to let those feelings out of him because they will completely destroy him.

The most intersting thing about Ui’s character is that they do, we see his own grief destroy him. We see his mind deteriorate with loss after loss. Yet, Ui is so self aware in an ugly and visceral way of exactly what kind of terrible person he is, and the awful things he’s doing that he never stops being relatable evne in the middle of his descent to hell. 

Ui can’t properly love other people, but he’d willingly walk into hell for the sake of the people he loves. And in the end, unlike Kaneki and Amon who are blind to their own selfishness, Ui admits he was doing it for himself, and his own grief. Ui’s selflessness, and his deep connection to others has the opposite effect, it does not make him a good person it drives him insane and makes him more selfish. His empathy is not a magic fix-it-all glue that makes others love him, it’s a trait that actively harms him for caring. 

2. Hurry up and Die, Hurry up! - Hairu Ihei

It’s obvious that Hairu is one of my faves, she’s the other half of my all time OTP for this series. What I love about Hairu is the opposite about what I love with Ui. Ui cares too much, whereas Hairu only cares about herself. She’s physically incapable of caring about others, at least not in normal ways. 

Which is why she’s such a perfect example fo what happens to children in the garden. They are all of them, broken and unable to ever be fixed, and all of them trying to live in this broken, half formed state. Hairu thinks that love is the magic glue that will fix her and lives her entire life for the sake of that love. She literally murders people en-masse because she believes that will get her a little more praise. 

What is so interesting about Hairu is how affection starved she is. Literally, one person comforting her by patting her on the head once earns him her lifetime devotion. She lives and dies for the person who showed her the bare minimum of affection. 

Hairu is literally off in her world because she can’t uderstand people. She can’t emotionally connect to them, because she’s broken and she’s about to hit her expiration date as well. And we see this in her character, how desperate she is to connect, and yet at the same time how distant she is from others and how little empahty she has for their pain. Hairu is brutal, she slaughters people, she plays around with them like a cat playing with their food, she could not care less about the suffering of ghouls if it gets her what she wants. But she’s so driven to that point by desperation to be loved, not geniune malice. 

She’s in her own world and doesn’t understand people’s feelings because she’s always been alone, but everything she does to try to escape being alone only isolates her further until it all ends on her at once. A perfect princess, Hairu Ihei’s tower collapses on her and her head is crushed underneath a falling rock. 

3. I would dream of that day, saving you guys, making me a hero - Seidou Takizawa

Seidou’s character is someone I admire for how relatable they are for all of their faults, but also how strong they are for constantly grappling with those faults. In a manga where characters constantly run away from who they are and their uglier sides, Seidou is completely honest with himself and knows the terrible things he’s done. He’s introduced as a selfish, entitled little brat, but then we see him actively get punished for that by being given everything he wants. He gets to be a special person like Juzou and Akira, he gets to be strong like them, he loses everything like them and it drives him completely insane. 

Seidou is a walking inferiority complex, and he’s also someone who genuinely wants to be a better person so he can help the people around him. He genuinely desired to do good and be a hero. Seidou stays true to both of these traits at once, even when he flips from human to ghoul. They are both essential to the core of who he is. 

What’s interesting about Seidou is he’s constantly fighting himself, because he thinks he’s so unworthy of the other people around him. He’s self destructive and always puts himself down, but his feelings of caring for others eventually become so sefless. He loves other people while being aware of their flaws, and aware of their own flaws. 

And constantly confronting himself, his own trauma, and the terrible things he’s done like this is something that only hurts him, isolates him, and drives him insane but he’s the one who decided to live that way and he follows through until the end. No character is more human because Takizawa actually owns up to his human flaws and is constantly facing with them and deciding to live with them. 

4. I hate all of them. Everyone go die, everyone drop dead. - Urie Kuki

Urie is such a bad person, and that’s such a sexy trait to have in a character. I don’t think people who like Urie grasp what a terrible person he is, and really that’s such a shame they’re missing out on all the fun. It’s not just that he’s mean to Sasaki, or verbally dismissive of others. Urie is two-faced, he secretly despises and looks down on everyone. Urie is a child soldier raised in an abusive system, and espite being a victim of that system he has no awareness at all of how much the system victimizes people and devotes all of himself to rising to the top of that system. He actively abuses and endangers the other people around him constantly to rise to the top of that system.

Urie is so selfish that everything he does in the end is for himself. His strength is to protect his weak self, his hatred for others is to keep them at a distance because he feels constant inferiority to them. Even when he tries to protect others, it’s because he doesn’t want to have to confront feelings of loss ever again. 

Urie is just such a terrible person at handling his own little weak emotions, that he always buries them so deep and gets surprised when he goes berserk and lashes out on everyone around him. He’s not strong or even a particularly good leader, he’s a pitiful coward who can’t even have the smallest of humna conversations or confrontations with Mutsuki out of paralyzing fear of losing them.

His entire identity has been based around this oppressive system and because of it, Urie is utterly destroyed as a person. He’s just a total human failure. Which makes him my type of man.

5. “People who need reasons to do things are just trash” - Furuta Nimura

Furuta Nimura is the main character of the tragedy, the hero that tragically falls at the end. Nimura was born in the center of the tragedy, and let himself become as ugly as the world around him. But yet until the end he always used that ugliness in himself to fight against it, rather than succumbing to it.

Nimura is paradoxically, one of the most selfish, violent and cruel characters we see in the series, and yet he does not do a single thing for himself, and everything he does is for the sake of a peace which he himself never expected to live to see. 

Furuta is a terrible person who does terrible things, but he’s also actively aware of this in everything he does. He’s so painfully aware that it crushes his identity and he has to live as something other than human, to continaully wear masks and hide himself in order to just survive. He chose to be the villain instead of the hero because that’s what the world needed him to be. 

What destroys Furuta in the end is the human side he repressed, because he never allowed himself to be human. Not only that but the world around him would never allow him to be either since the day he was born. He’s a child soldier planning a double suicide with the world. He takes all of the ugliness he has witnessed and throws it back in the face of others. There’s no character driven by more powerful, darker emotions than Furuta, and start to finish his tragedy is the backbone fo the entire story. He’s the strongest connecting thread, which makes him a character as ugly, painful and complex as the world around him. 

But that’s all just a joke. He’s actually just a memelord without feelings. There’s no way he’s actually sad about his life, he’s too busy laughing at others.PS: Laugh, it’s fun!