#the hands down family favorite is spirited away though

[spookypete-94]

Pregnant by Proxy

SimonRileyxPregnant!Reader

Have had this idea in my head for many, many months. Finally just decided to do it- even if it seems strange to some.

Triggers for medical inaccuracies, language, minor angst, still born mentioned

What triggered it all is you not showing up. Being Laswell’s right hand while she was Watcher, given you the opportunity to assist Task Force 141 on multiple missions. So much, they considered you a part of their team.

Here instead, Simon Riley stood back watching you from afar. He had hunted you down and located you in your hometown. Something he was never ever supposed to do. There was a no contact rule for them outside of their work. Price enforced it for safety reasons. But Simon just couldn’t stand not knowing where you were or what had happened. That was unsafe for him. He needed to see you, needed to make sure you were alright.

“I can’t tell you much, just that she will not be attending this mission.” Laswell spoke from the computer screen during their video call meant to be a mission brief for the 4 of them.

“She ok at least?” Price asked, looking up over the stack of papers in his hands up at the camera.

You had made your mark on all of them… but maybe not as dark or inflicted as you had on Simon.

“Medical emergency back at home. I know you guys are worried about her, but I really can’t disclose anymore.” Laswell’s voice firmer, protecting you.  “She deserves privacy and her time off.” Something you had earned away from them.

Simon couldn’t help but pipe up. “When will she be back?” You are an asset to this team, as much to his spirit.

A heavy sigh from Laswell, “We need to focus on the task ahead.” She was putting up a wall. How dare you leave without relaying some sort of word to him…

What had happened to you?

That was the moment Simon knew he needed to find you. You were at risk, something had happened. Did you get sent somewhere without him and hurt? Are you bruised and bloody? Had someone laid hands on you? Dangerous as you were… Simon couldn’t help feeling that you were fragile. He had seen you in the most intimate of ways on more than one occasion. Perhaps that had changed his perception of the clarity of body. Fragile like clay figurine, porous and breakable. Skin smooth, even though littered with scars in places. Special, is the way to describe you to him. You understood him. An extension of his peace.

So, he finished the mission. Angrier than he had ever been at the end of one. Days drawn out, even though it only took them a week to find their target and take him into custody. It was a success, a record in apprehending someone capable of such violence. Little did the Task Force know, Ghost’s unbridled rage of procrastinating the ability to find you, the result of such a feat.

Price knew something was up when Ghost had turned down the interrogation of the suspect. This was his forte. One of his best qualities of finding intel was beating a man into submission. Glancing with a side eye filled with suspicion, Price then closed it. Halfway knowing what Ghost was up to, the fact that Simon now needed this. He needed to know you were alive.

There were a few times you would tell him stories of your hometown and family after you would connect and lay naked together. He enjoyed it. It distracted his mind while his brain would close his eyes and imagine it. Never once did you tell him where you from or the name of the town… but he had seen it so many times in his mind’s eye, he had just an inkling of where it was hidden.

Imagine his surprise when had finally found you outside your favorite coffee house. A small coffee in your hand… and a swollen belly round in front of you as you slowly waddled away from him. He had stood back near the corner about 3 buildings away from you, following you ever so slowly.

Shock had filled his system. He could walk away now… in fact he fully wanted to bolt and sprint in a different direction. He knew you were safe, alive and clearly thriving… but he had more questions now then when he did about your absence.

Feeling like you were being watched made you turn around. Eyes instantly locked on the black shadow that was following you.

“Simon?” Your sweet voice called to him, filled with confusion and happiness.

“Wanted to see you…” Was all he could mumble out as he approached.

Awkwardly you tried hard to lurch to him, hard to do so when your counterbalance was way off.

“I’ve missed you so fucking much,” a rushed hiss to him, as you tried to lay your head into his chest. It was difficult with how round you were, the babe pressing you away.

His finger guided under your chin, lifting it up so he could see your eyes. Tears welled in them that he brushed back with a thumb. Fucking hormones.

“Missed you,” you repeated. Somehow even through all your emotions, the glow on you was so strong and intense. How beautiful.

Simon remained quiet, while he tried to decide how far along you were. The time frame… seemed possible, but he wasn’t entirely sure. The time away from you seemed so much longer. He wanted to ask, he needed to know this now. Sure, he wanted to run at the same time, but you were important to him. This was important to him.

“Is it mine?” He asked his palm spreading over the circumference.

You stood there unable to speak. It was such a long story. Words hindered, closed off. Instead, you shook your head with a slow no. Regret written all over your face.

Instantly, the rage returned to him. Of course he wasn’t good enough for you. That’s why you left. That’s why everyone eventually does. How dare you be so important to him….

Turning on heel, he pushed past the crowd of people nearby trying to get away from you. Anger blinding him, deafening your calling out.

“Simon!! Wait!! She’s not mine either!!” Trying your hardest to run after him.

What?

He stopped dead in his tracks, unable to turn to look at you yet. The same tears that had stung yours now been transferred to his. Had he really wanted this with someone so bad before?

Your hand pressed into his back letting him know you were still there.

“She’s my sisters… it’s a really long fucked up story, but she is my sister’s.”

Abstract. This whole thing was completely abstract and fucking strange. You were being a surrogate to it all.

“What?” Simon said again, finally turning around, his head looking to the side, still not fully able to look at you yet. He needed clarification, needed to comprehend you hadn’t betrayed him.

“I went on leave because my sister was pregnant and went into labor at about eight and half months…but something had happened. She got this blood infection in her uterus causing a still birth. And when it did, it made things happen to her reproductive organs so she would never be able to carry a baby again…They had to take it all out.” A heavy breath left you, as you started to explain, a shake he could hear in your voice, one that and couldn’t ignore.

He turned back around, finally able to look at you again. To you, it was like the break of dawn and the sun greeting the Earth for the first time. He was listening to you. This whole time you were fearful of losing him… but here he was standing before you. Shining like the sun every morning, a wordless pact.

“My sister… she lost her baby and I saw what it did to her. This is all she has ever wanted was to be a mother, and her chance has been taken from her. So, when the doctor said they had saved some of her eggs…I knew I had to do this for her.” Taking his hand, you placed it back on your belly, sprawling his long fingers over it. “This baby isn’t yours… and she isn’t mine. That doesn’t make her any less important though. Just know I had to do this for her.”

His hand was warm. Radiating warmth into you. It gave so much into you, like you had just spewed out back to him.

Did he doubt you?

“I was on my way to an appointment. Why don’t you come with me and maybe that will help you understand.”

A compromise. Let me make this right.

Sliding his hand across your belly, over to your hand he took it and gripped it, squeezing once in awhile. His quiet assurance. So, you led the way. The sail to his boat, teaching and guiding him.

The room was white. White bed, white paper covering it. White walls. White Floor. So much white it hurt for him to look at. Carefully, he stood next to you, letting you climb on the bed to lay down.

“Where is your sister?” A valid question. He would think if this was her baby, she would want to know details, right?

“Work. I think it still hurts her to come sometimes… She has come to a few in the very beginning, but as it gets closer it scares her.”

A valid response.

“You been coming by yourself?”

A slight shrug of your shoulders. “I have…” That hurt him to know you were doing a majority of this alone.

“How did you…?” He said looking down and looking back up at you.

“Conceive?” Unsure if that was what he was asking or not. “Artificial. They planted the embryo after it was fertilized."

Oh, thank God. The relief written on his face makes you laugh.

“Don’t worry. No one else has been inside me in that way. I would never let anyone, let alone my brother-in-law.” Still chuckling.

“Better not.” The only words he could say in his embarrassment of thinking so.

In walked the doctor, who looked over at the mountain of a man.

“Well, hello. Is his him then?” She pointed to him and looked back at you.

“It is.” A smile radiating back at her, truly at your happiest.

The doctor glanced back over at him. “She has talked about you quite a bit and how much she wished you could be here. It’s hard, what she is doing for someone else, but I’m glad her person is here with her now. Your girl’s quite brave.” Rolling across the floor of the room on her stool.

Simon was dumb founded; you had talked about him to someone else? Did he really mean that much to you too?

“Now let’s have a look.”

Rolling your shirt up, exposing that smooth skin to him one more time. It’s been so long since he had last seen it, and here it had changed so much but remained stunning to him.

The doctor measured it before pulling out the doppler to hear the heartbeat. A soft whooshing noise was instantly recognized, making you close your eyes and smile. It was so surreal to Simon. Like he was on the outside looking in. He had the opportunity to see you in this light… and somehow it still was that way for you too. Knowing you were carrying this baby… but it wasn’t entirely yours either.

“Your niece is looking wonderful. See you at your thirty-six-week appointment. Will be once a week starting then.” Niece… A reminder that you were grateful for this baby, but a deep part of you wished it was daughter.

Somehow, he had made it to the checkout desk with you and hadn’t even realized it.

“Can I list you as an emergency contact?” the question that brought him back to reality. Your eyes were looking up at him, pen and paper in your hand before you wrote his name down.

“Sure,” he said taking the pen and paper, scribbling his number down next to his name. Who said anything about no contact outside of work again?

Ending the day, you brought him back to your home. Allowing him to see more of your personal life. Baring it all to him today. His fragile figurine, safe and protected now that he had found her once more. Never again would you be out of his sights. He will see to fix that, all on his own.

Two hands started at your hips before snaking around, his arms fully embraced you from behind. He lifted up on your heavy belly, taking the weight off your hips. A pleasant groan emitted from you. How good did that feel.

“Such a nice thing you are doing for your sister… but next time, the baby in there is going to be ours.” His mouth hot and heavy next to your ear, before running his tongue from the bottom up. It made your skin run hot and cold all at once, goosebumps in the wake on your skin.

“Going to be such a good mother,” his hand trailing down your belly and onto your thigh before squeezing it. “I want this to be safe and healthy for you all, but as soon as you can… I’m fillin’ you with my own. As many as you’ll let me.” Grinding into you, imagining you swollen with his seed making him aroused.

“I missed you.” You whispered out the thrice time today.

Simon "Ghost" Riley Masterlist

[thedensworld]

Chill Dad | K.Mg

Pairing: Mingyu x reader

Genre: fluff, parent au

Summary: Mingyu always wanted to be the chill and cool dad for his kids, however the world don't let him.

Mingyu remembered the exact moment he fell to his knees upon hearing the news—you were pregnant. After years of waiting, his dream of becoming a father was finally coming true. Boy or girl, it didn’t matter to him. But, as if fate had a plan, he was blessed with both—a beautiful baby girl and a baby boy. God had granted him twins. The day they were born, his heart nearly burst with pride. He named them Kim Kayi and Kim Kiha, and from that moment on, they became the center of his world.

Mingyu loved nothing more than showing off his babies. When the twins were just a month old, he threw a house party, eager to introduce them to everyone he knew. In his big arms, he proudly held Kayi and Kiha, beaming with pride as he introduced his friends and family to “the cutest babies in the world.” He wasn’t just saying that because they were his blood; they truly were the cutest—at least in his eyes. He adored every inch of them, from their tiny fingers to their chubby cheeks.

But, as the years passed, those adorable babies grew into spirited four-year-olds, and with that came the inevitable challenge: rebellion. Despite their cuteness, Kayi and Kiha had quickly learned how to test their father’s patience.

“I don’t want it!” Kayi’s small voice rang out defiantly one evening, her lips firmly pressed together as she refused to eat the vegetables on her plate.

Mingyu sighed, sitting across from her at the dining table, while you, seated on his left, were busy helping Kiha with his meal. Gently, he placed a carrot on Kayi’s fork and handed it to her again, hoping for cooperation. But with a little too much force, she pushed it back onto the plate.

“Kim Kayi…” His voice rose a few decibels, a warning in his tone.

You intervened softly, your voice a balm to his frustration. “Kayi, that’s okay. Just finish your meat, and then we can have your favorite fruit for dessert,” you said, standing to clean the small mess Kayi had made. Your other hand gently rubbed Mingyu’s back, calming him.

Another day, it was Kiha’s turn to test his father’s patience. “Kiha, we’re late, come here!” Mingyu called out, clothes in hand, as his son stubbornly refused to get dressed for an event. His small body was still glued to the floor, protesting.

“I don’t want to go…” Kiha mumbled.

“Mom and Kayi are waiting, everyone’s waiting,” Mingyu said with urgency, trying to reason with his son. “You shouldn’t be like this!”

When you walked into the room and saw the scene, Mingyu sighed in exasperation. “He refuses to wear anything,” he explained, shaking his head.

“What’s wrong, baby?” you asked gently, kneeling down to Kiha’s level and pulling him into a warm embrace. The two of you shared a quiet conversation that Mingyu couldn’t quite hear. Before long, you turned to him with a smile.

“Why don’t you and Kayi go ahead to the event? Kiha and I will stay home today,” you suggested softly, rubbing Kiha’s back as he clung to your neck.

Mingyu frowned. “Why?”

You smiled and gave Kiha a reassuring squeeze. “Kiha doesn’t want to go today. That’s okay, love. We’ll wait here for you.”

Though these moments tested Mingyu’s patience, he had a very healthy relationship with his kids. He adored them, and they adored him right back. Still, parenting during this rebellious phase often left him stressed, struggling to be the cool and chill dad he had once dreamed of being.

Later that evening, after the kids were finally asleep, Mingyu climbed into bed, visibly worn out. “You really need to stop spoiling the twins, love,” he said as he lay beside you.

You raised an eyebrow, confused. “I don’t spoil them.”

Mingyu shook his head. “You let them get away with everything. That’s why they fight me on everything I ask them to do.”

You let out a soft laugh, recalling the five rounds of dance battles you’d just had with the kids before bedtime. “They’re just babies, love. They’re supposed to be spoiled.”

“They’re babies, yes, but there are still rules in this house,” he said, his tone exasperated. “I’m exhausted, and I swear they still had energy left even after I forced them to close their eyes. But eventually, they passed out.”

He sighed. “And earlier tonight, Kiha said he doesn’t want to go to daycare tomorrow. He wants to stay with you.”

You nodded. “Then I’ll take him to work with me.”

Mingyu gasped dramatically, yanking the duvet over himself. “See! This is exactly what I mean. You’re spoiling them too much! And don’t think I forgot about the ice cream yesterday—you got them ice cream without telling me!”

You giggled, guilt evident on your face. “I’m sorry… They were so cute; I couldn’t say no!”

You snuggled closer to him, kissing his neck softly. “You’re an amazing father, Love. You’re doing such a great job. Trust me.”

He turned toward you, wrapping his arm around your waist. “I know…” He smirked, leaning in for a kiss.

“Is this your way of telling me you want another kid?” Mingyu teased as he hovered over you, kissing you again.l

You grinned up at him. “Maybe…”

*

The next morning began like any other—filled with the usual whirlwind of activity as Kayi and Kiha ran around the house, their laughter echoing through the halls. You were busy getting breakfast ready, while Mingyu tried to wrangle the twins into their clothes.

“Kayi, Kiha, come on! We’re going to be late,” Mingyu called out, his tone growing sharper as the twins continued to ignore him, engrossed in their game of chase.

You glanced over, noticing the tension in his shoulders. “I’ll handle Kiha,” you offered, but before you could move, Mingyu sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

“No, I’ve got it,” he muttered, though the strain in his voice was clear.

The twins, oblivious to their father’s growing frustration, continued to run around, giggling as they eluded his grasp. Mingyu managed to catch Kayi, but Kiha slipped away, squealing with laughter.

“Kiha! Get over here, now!” Mingyu snapped, his patience fraying. When Kiha only giggled in response, Mingyu slammed his hand down on the counter. “I said, now!”

The sudden loud noise made Kiha freeze, his smile fading as he stared at Mingyu with wide eyes. Kayi, still in Mingyu’s arms, shrunk back, her playful energy draining away. You watched the shift in the atmosphere, your heart sinking.

“Babe…” you began softly, but he shook his head, setting Kayi down a little too abruptly.

“I can’t do this right now,” he muttered, his voice tight with frustration. “Every day it’s a fight. I’m just trying to get them dressed, and they act like I’m the enemy!”

Kiha, still frozen in place, looked from you to Mingyu, his lower lip trembling. Kayi wrapped her arms around her father’s leg, her small voice barely audible. “Daddy… I’m sorry…”

But Mingyu didn’t hear her. He turned away, muttering something under his breath as he walked out of the room, leaving you and the kids standing there in stunned silence.

You knelt down, pulling Kiha into your arms as Kayi clung to your side. “It’s okay, babies,” you whispered, kissing their heads. “Daddy’s just upset right now. He doesn’t mean to scare you.”

They nodded, though you could see the hurt in their eyes. Your heart ached, torn between comforting your children and wanting to check on Mingyu. You knew he didn’t mean to lose his temper, but moments like this had been happening more often lately, and it was beginning to take a toll on all of you.

Later that day, Mingyu retreated to the bedroom, wrestling with his emotions. He felt a heavy weight in his chest, the guilt settling in as he replayed the morning in his head. He hadn’t meant to yell. He loved his kids more than anything, but sometimes the pressure of parenting, combined with his own fears of failure, made it hard to keep his composure.

It wasn’t until you walked into the room, your eyes soft with understanding, that Mingyu finally let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

“They’re okay, Mingyu,” you said gently, sitting down beside him on the bed. “But they were a little scared. You know that, right?”

Mingyu rubbed his hands over his face, letting out a groan. “I messed up. I didn’t mean to yell, but I just… I don’t know. I’m trying so hard, and it feels like I’m failing. I just want them to listen to me.”

“They’re just kids,” you reminded him, your voice calm but firm. “They’re going to push boundaries—that’s what four-year-olds do. But you have to remember that you’re their dad. They look up to you. And when you lose your temper, it affects them more than you realize.”

Mingyu closed his eyes, the tension slowly melting away as your words sank in. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice heavy with regret. “I’m sorry I yelled. I just… I feel like I’m failing.”

You squeezed his hand gently. “You’re not failing, Mingyu. Parenting is hard, and we’re both learning. But you’re not in this alone. We’ll figure it out together.”

He looked at you, his eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and self-doubt. “I need to apologize to them, don’t I?”

You nodded. “It’ll mean a lot to them.”

That evening, after dinner, Mingyu gathered the twins on the couch, pulling them close. Kayi and Kiha sat quietly, their big eyes watching him, sensing something serious was about to happen.

“Hey, guys,” Mingyu began, his voice softer than usual. “I want to talk to you for a minute.” He took a deep breath, glancing at you before turning back to the twins. “I’m sorry for yelling this morning. I was upset, but I shouldn’t have raised my voice. That wasn’t right, and I don’t want you to feel scared of me.”

Kayi crawled into his lap, wrapping her little arms around his neck. “It’s okay, Daddy,” she whispered, her face pressed against his chest. “We love you.”

Kiha, still a bit hesitant, scooted closer and leaned his head against Mingyu’s arm. “We love you, Daddy,” he echoed quietly.

Mingyu’s heart clenched as he held them close, his eyes misting over. “I love you both so much,” he whispered, kissing the tops of their heads. “I’m going to try to be better, okay? We’ll work together.”

You watched from the doorway, your heart swelling at the sight of the three of them. Mingyu wasn’t perfect, but he was trying—and in the end, that’s what mattered most. Parenting wasn’t about being flawless; it was about showing up, even in the difficult moments, and finding your way back to love.

As the night settled in and the twins eventually drifted off to sleep, Mingyu turned to you, pulling you into his arms. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “For always being here. For helping me through this.”

You smiled softly, resting your head against his chest. “We’re in this together, love. Always.”

And as you held each other in the quiet of the night, you knew that, no matter the challenges that lay ahead, you would face them side by side—just as you always had.

[allgoodnamesrgoneee]

CAN U DO JUDE BELLINGHAM FLUFF LIKE TOOTH ROTTING FLUFF... LIKE uh having a family with him and its all sweet

Pink Dress

Masterlist

𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚 — Your daughter takes after you, something that Jude both hates and loves.

𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 — Husband!Jude Bellingham x Wife!you

𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 — 1.2k

Warnings! FLUFF, cute kid, domestic fluff, sweetness, baby fever, dilfjude, he's such a good dad.

Jude had always loved that your daughter had taken your sassy side.

After all it was the thing that made him fall in love with you.

But right now, he was at his wit's end. The spirited retorts that once charmed him now echoed through the house like tiny thunderclaps. Your daughter, standing defiantly with her hands on her hips, mirrored the very stance you used to take when you challenged him.

The same fiery determination in her eyes, the same spark that had drawn him to you so many years ago.

He took a deep breath, and he knelt down to her level. "I'm sorry babygirl, but we have to hurry." Clearly, that was not the right thing to say.

Her lips pursed in that familiar way, a mini-him staring back at him with an unyielding resolve. "But Daddy, I not wanna wear the blue dwess. I wanna wear the pink one!" she insisted, her stubborness rivaling yours.

Why did the women in his life love to go against him.

Jude glanced at the clock, knowing they were already running late. He softened his tone, trying to channel the patience you always seemed to have in abundance. "I know you do, and the pink one is lovely. But remember, mommy picked out the blue dress for picture day. We don't have time to change now."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and for a moment, his heart ached at the sight. He could never say no to his little girl. Something she knew. And used to her advantage.

He pulled her into a gentle hug, her small frame trembling slightly. "Okay, okay," he whispered, stroking her hair. "How about this? After picture day, we'll have a special Daddy-Daughter day, and you can wear your favorite pink dress then. We can go to the park, get some ice cream, whatever you want. Deal?"

Nora sniffled, considering his offer. "Pwomise?" Her tiny voice was filled with hope, and Jude could see the wavering resolve in her eyes. He smiled and wiped away her tears with his thumb. "I promise, sweetheart. Pink dress, ice cream, and the park. Just the two of us."

She nodded slowly, her lips curving into a small smile. "Otay, Daddy."

Jude stood up, lifting her effortlessly placing her on his hip before giving her a big kiss on the cheek. "Let's go show Mommy how beautiful you look in your blue dress, huh?"

Her giggle was music to his ears, and as they made their way to the bedroom.

Jude felt a wave of relief wash over him. The crisis had been averted, and his little girl was smiling again. He would kill to keep that smile on her face. Forever.

He gently pushed the door open, and there you were, laying in bed with Klara laying on your chest. Jude felt his heart swell at the sight. She was fast asleep, her tiny hand clutching your shirt. And you looked as beautiful as ever.

Even though it had only been a few days since the baby had arrived, you seemed to radiate an otherworldly glow. Just like the goddess he knew you were. God, he was a lucky bastard.

Jude tiptoed into the room, not wanting to disturb the peaceful scene. You looked up at him with tired but loving eyes, and he could see the exhaustion etched into your face. Yet, there was an unmistakable serenity there too, a contentment that mirrored his own.

"Look who's ready for picture day," he whispered, turning slightly so you could see Nora perched on his hip, now beaming in her blue dress. You smiled, amusement swimming in your eyes. You knew how much of a hellion your daughter could be and you were thankful to Jude for volunteering to tame her. The cute adorable little beast.

"Well, don't you look absolutely stunning, my little princess," you cooed softly, careful not to wake the baby. Your daughter preened at the compliment, any earlier resistance forgotten in the face of your praise.

Jude carefully set her down and she immediately ran over to you, climbing onto the bed with the kind of energy only a young child possessed. She carefully snuggled up next to you, and you wrapped an arm around her, holding both your children close.

"Ready for your big day?" you asked her, brushing a stray curl away from her face. She nodded enthusiastically, her earlier tears now just a distant memory.

"Yeah!" she chirped, her excitement bubbling over. "Daddy said after pictures we can have a Daddy-Daughter day!"

You glanced at Jude, raising an eyebrow in amusement. "Did he now? That sounds like a wonderful idea." The softie. This is how it went everytime.

Jude chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck as he shrugged. "What can I say? She's got me wrapped around her little finger." That she did.

You laughed softly, the sound a soothing balm to his soul. "I know the feeling," you said, looking down at Klara who was still peacefully asleep. The love the both of you had for your daughters was something that sometimes scared you. The way you would do anything for them. Anything.

He watched as you gently kissed the top of Nora's head, and sighed. Jude knew then and therre that he couldn't have picked a better mom for his precious little girls. You were everything he ever wanted, ever dreamed of. You've given him everything and he vowed everyday to reciprocate that.

He loves doing life with you.

Nora snuggled closer to you, her tiny fingers playing with the edge of your shirt. "Mommy, can you come too? To the park and ice cream?"

Your eyes met Jude's, a silent conversation passing between you. You knew how much he cherished these special moments alone with Nora, needed them.

What with his career taking up a lot of his time sometimes. He had often shared his fears with you. Fears of missing out on their lives. But you were always there to reassure him.

"I think Daddy and Nora should have their special day," you said softly, smoothing down her curls. "But maybe we can all go together another time. What do you think?"

Nora seemed to ponder this for a moment before nodding. "Okay, Mommy. We can do that."

Jude smiled, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. "It's a deal then," he said, giving you a grateful look. "And maybe tonight, after picture day and our little adventure, we can all have dinner together. Just the four of us."

You nodded, your eyes shining with love and happiness. "I'd like that very much. Now you guys better get going so you're not late. I want good pictures." You squinted playfully at the two, causing Jude to get into a soldire stance.

"Ma'am! Yes ma'am!" Jude teased, saluting with a grin. Nora giggled, mimicking his salute with an exaggerated seriousness that melted into laughter. You chuckled softly, shaking your head at their antics.

With a final glance at Klara, still peacefully asleep in your arms, Jude gently scooped up Nora and headed for the door. She squealed in delight, waving enthusiastically at you as they made their way out of the room. You waved back, your heart swelling with love for your little tribe.

You were the luckiest woman in the world.

No one could convince you otherwise.

-Bianca🌻

[qwimblenorrisstan]

Insufficient Pt. 2 | Azriel x Reader

Summary: Following the disastrous breakup between you and Azriel, Nesta invites you out to a night at Rita’s, where you then discover that you might not be as safe in Night Court as you think.

Word Count: ~ 4.3k

Warnings: Stalkings, nasty public bathrooms, alcohol, drunk people, obsessive behavior, painfully bad description of blackjack, etc

A/N: ok so I kinda switched gears with this one, I’m trying to flesh it out before introducing another man, but lmk if you liked it, or if you have any opinion on where you’d like it to go, hope you enjoy <3

Requests are open!

Previous | Masterlist | Next

Only a week had passed since the disastrous breakup between you and Azriel, and as it turns out, it was harder to get rid of him than you’d originally thought.

Beforehand, he’d always seemed so controlled and stoic, that even being one of the main problems in your relationship was that he couldn’t ever let go of control. Being in charge meant he felt safe and secure, regardless of his feelings.

He had always seemed almost above you at times, above groveling and begging in bed, above communicating his feelings and emotions normally as he just expected you to read his mind or moods despite the way he hid any kernel of emotion from his body language. However, all of that seemed to have changed.

After the breakup, you’d gone back to working in the bakery, working specifically in the back making bread with your family, so you wouldn’t have to see him when he came in, probably trying to hunt you down. The heat the ovens gave off also seemed to repel his shadows, for whatever reason, so they wouldn’t spy on you any more than they already had. Though he had come asking for you before at the counter, your family had always shut him down. You felt bad about it for a second, but thinking back, you also didn’t. He’d chosen his words, and he was only sorry because you were his mate.

You’d moved back into the family home for now, your relatives surrounding you in love and empathy, and plenty of righteous fury regarding Azriel, and even a few “I told you so.”’s from the older generations.

Nesta would come by to visit now and then, having tea with you and updating you on all the latest news and developments, if not just funny stories to bring your spirits up, such as Nyx swallowing an ancient coin that he got from Rhys’ desk, only to poop it out shiny and clean a few days later, or how Cassian got so drunk he jumped from the top of the townhouse into a nearby pool that belonged to a neighbor.

On the bad days, she would offer some quiet company, or even open up to you about similar things that happened to her in the past.

Specifically, her past relationship.

She didn’t give a name, simply the details that he was a poor man’s family, his father abused his mother, and he was no better. She only was going to marry him to let Feyre take better care of Elain, really, even if it ended up with her getting beaten by some pathetic man. And then she told you of the night she rejected him, and tried to break it off, and how she almost barely got away before he could take what wasn’t his.

You both sat in silence after that, your hand in hers.

Eventually, though, the conversation continued. You told her of the flowers that would mysteriously appear on your windowsill each morning. Neither of you knew how Azriel knew what room you occupied in your family’s home, or even how he knew your address or favorite type of flower, Ditch Lily’s, but he knew. Or the letters you received nightly, always carried by some bird of prey to your window, and would leave it there.

She snorted when you told her about the letters.

“He’s being ridiculous, seriously, even Cassian isn’t that bad. He only cares because you’re his mate, not because of who you actually are, and until he gets his shit together I wouldn’t even open them.”

She said, taking a sip of the herbal tea your mother had prepared for both of you. It was a special recipe, one that some of your distant relatives in Autumn Court had created, originally meant to relieve muscle tension and stress from overuse of magic, and even assist in alleviating burnout. You were mildly convinced that there might be some healer blood in you, because of that half of the family.

You could’ve sworn you felt a tiny tug on the bond at the mention of Azriel.

“I know, I’ve just been burning them, but he won’t leave me alone. Every shadow feels like they’re watching me now, and I just…”

You sighed, trailing off as your hand went to rub the bridge of your nose, and she gave a hum of acknowledgment, finishing your sentence for you.

“Don’t feel safe in the one place that you used to only feel safe in?”

You glanced up, eyes widening a bit. That was precisely how you felt.

“Yes, how..?”

She took another sip of her tea, glancing over to the window and looking out of it, eyes almost glazing over as some memory must’ve come to light.

“Beneath the House of Wind is the library, though I’m sure you’ve already heard of it. The priestesses stayed there, and it was always quiet, and something about it made me feel…safe, even when I was in an unfamiliar body in new surroundings, the world in the middle of a war.”

She said, and you nodded, waiting for her to go on. You knew plenty of the library beneath the House of Wind and how massive it was.

“One night, me and Feyre both descended nearly to the bottom, for what I can barely remember, and there were two twin males. Sent by Hybern, I think. They were taken out before they could do any harm, but the damage was still done. It took me quite a while to think of the library as a safe space after that.”

The glaze in her eyes faded away as she took another sip of her tea, looking more relaxed than before. She looked over at you, her eyes meeting yours.

“How did you get it back like that? A safe place, I mean.”

You then asked, and she looked away for a moment to think, a common habit of hers. One you’d noticed by now. Always noticing things, something you must’ve learned from Azriel, and as much as you hated the reminder of him, it was useful regardless.

“Changing environments helped me. During and after the war, we were always traveling a lot, which forced me to appreciate the thought of home more. Then again, home was also linked with Cassian for me.”

She said, thinking aloud before eventually speaking again.

“I’d try moving around a bit. Exercise helped me, especially travel and hiking, or breathing exercises. I could teach you a few if you’d like?”

She offered. You would be a fool to refuse any sort of advice or help from Nesta Archeron, and she’d never led you astray before, so you nodded, and she smiled brightly, clearly happy to show you.

The next few hours were spent in the backyard on whatever flat surface there was, practicing impossibly stretched that seemed like whoever made them wanted to turn you into a pretzel. Nesta managed them just fine but didn’t laugh when you fell, only helped you back up, telling you all about how when she’d first started training with Cassian, it had been just as hard for her too.

She’d even outright refused to do it the first few times.

However, after that, she showed you cool-down exercises and helped you practice breathing techniques.

“Wait, so…I hold it for how long?”

You asked, and she held back a giggle at the sheer confusion in your tone as she answered.

“Twenty seconds, but you can-“

“TWENTY??”

At that, she burst out laughing, and before you knew it you were laughing too, both of you laying back on the grass of the yard and hoping none of the seasonal bugs crawled up onto you. She finally sat up a moment later, wiping tears from her eyes as she stood and helped you up.

“Build up from five, you can start at five seconds and build up, is what I was going to say.”

She said, and you sighed.

“And I thought I was in shape before.”

You said in an amused tone, and she snorted again, only for the both of you to look over where you heard another loud snort and see Cassian standing, leaning against a large tree in the backyard. He was grinning widely as ever, his eyes full of pure glee.

“Having fun without me, ladies?”

He asked, putting a hand over his heart in a dramatic expression as he rolled his eyes, acting fatally wounded.

“Honestly, I’m hurt-“

He wasn’t able to finish his sentence before you barreled into him, giving him a tight hug that he chuckled at and returned, ruffling your hair. Nesta was soon to follow, and hugging him in a much more elegant manner than you.

When you finally separated, you spoke.

“Gods, I’ve missed you. We should let him come to tea time, too, Nesta.”

You said with a grin, and Nesta rolled her eyes playfully, squeezing his bicep. A tiny twinge of jealousy seemed to echo down the bond, as if Azriel had seen you hugging Cassian, and didn’t appreciate it. Another tug on the bond that you shut out, now hyper aware of any shadows.

“You’d be surprised at how much of a gossip he is, it’s never-ending with the Devlon-rumors.”

She said, and his expression shifted to playfully offended as he swatted at Nesta’s hand. You giggled, and Nesta glanced over at you, before gaining a thoughtful expression.

“We could do Rita’s tonight if you could make it?”

She asked, and Cassian gave a little nod as if also agreeing with this. You didn’t have any plans tonight, so why not spend a night out with your friends? It would certainly help you get your mind off of things.

“Sure, what time?”

You asked, head cocked slightly to the side. Nesta shrugged.

“Is 6 good for you?”

She asked, and you nodded in confirmation. She gave you one last smile before Cassian scooped her up to fly away.

“See you tonig-“

Her words were cut off with a little shriek as Cassian launched into the air at maximum speed just to spook her like he always did, and you giggled to yourself, heading back inside the family home. Unbeknownst to you, a shadowy figure lurked behind that tree after Cassian left, watching.

To be fair, the shifts were switched out now and then so everyone had a break, but he usually ended up babysitting. Despite his objections and complaints, he was good at it, sort of a baby-whisperer.

“Who was that pretty lady?”

He asked, a slight touch of color on his cheeks as you smirked with a knowing look.

“That was my friend, Nesta. She’s taken.”

You clarified for him, noticing the way his face fell in disappointment all too clearly before you patted your baby cousin on the head, and walked up to your temporary room. Maybe Nesta’s idea of traveling a bit and exploring different places was good. You had all of immortality ahead of you, after all. Might as well use it well.

You walked to your room, before going to the bathroom attached to it. You were more than lucky to get a room with a bathroom attached, and you knew it, since everyone bickered over who got to shower first and who had been in there too long for the normal bathroom in the hall. Stripping your clothes off, you turned the water on, letting it settle to a warm, but refreshing temperature.

You went through your entire hair routine and washed your body off, shaving and everything. Tonight was an everything shower. You wanted to look your best at Rita’s tonight, and you desperately needed a confidence boost after what Azriel had said to you.

Nearly half an hour later, your hair done all pretty, makeup on, and a pretty red dress gracing your form. You’d even painted your nails yourself, forgoing the usual stylist you went to for it.

By the time 6 had rolled around, you were almost to Rita’s, walking down the bustling streets of Velaris as the cool air blew by, the sun already beginning to set as early as it did in this season.

The moment you walked into the bar, already full of people, it only took a few seconds to spot Nesta and Cassian inside. Cassian was drinking and laughing his ass off with some other males, and doing arm wrestling that he never seemed to lose at, and Nesta was playing poker, and by the looks of it had already won a few games before based on the sly smile she wore.

You walked over and ordered your drink, nothing too strong, and decided that you could take a little time away from Nesta for now. You couldn’t help but feel a little guilty, considering she’d been listening to all of your problems every time she’d come over. It was probably best if you gave her a little alone time for herself.

Walking over to a table to try your hand at what looked like a boring game of blackjack, you were about to sit down when something captured your attention.

A lone shadow lurking beneath your feet.

You swallow, getting a weird feeling about it, but you simply stomped one foot down on it before sitting down, determined not to let something so small ruin this night for you. The cards were dealt, and you received a queen of spades and eight of clubs, and as the game progressed, you took risks, choosing to hit, and somehow miraculously not going over 21 the entire time. You felt the lightest tug on the bond, but ignored it.

It was mildly suspicious, considering how bad you usually were at cards. That was until you spied the same wispy shadow from earlier on the deck of cards, hiding in the normal shadow of it. It was discreetly moving cards, changing them for you to win.

Now incredibly annoyed, you excused yourself from the game and walked to the bathroom. Rita’s bathrooms weren’t extremely clean, but you just needed a place to take a breather.

You pushed the door open, not surprised by the few females in here who were either redoing their makeup or drunk out of their minds and crying. Oddly enough, though, they filed out almost as soon as you entered, some giving you off looks as you entered one of the stalls, sliding the lock closed, and sat on top of the toilet seat, pulling your knees to your chest.

Sure, things were weird tonight, but it was probably just Azriel trying to play mind games with you. He was a Spymaster. His entire job revolves around torturing information out of people and playing mental gymnastics to get what he wants from them. You wouldn’t be surprised if he was now hyper-fixated on you, determined to get you back if only to feel better about himself.

You heard the bathroom door open, barely creaking as the lightest footsteps became apparent to you. Probably another drunk woman, or someone looking to fix their makeup or outfit. Nothing out of the usual, you told yourself, even as your body began stiffening and your heart rate sped up. A lock clicked. The bathroom door.

You couldn’t get a decent whiff of the stranger, whether it be the alcohol or the reek of the bathroom in and of itself. Not daring to open up the stall or peek out, you became still as a statue.

Nearly silent footsteps.

A knob creaked, probably the sink, and water began running at its maximum speed.

Another sink turned on.

Then another.

Until all the sinks were on.

Your heart began beating faster. Why would anyone turn all the sinks on, if not to cover up the noise of something else, or someone else making loud noises?

Louder, bolder footsteps in your stall’s direction.

Glancing down beneath the door, you could see a pair of thick, black leathery boots now standing in front of it. You recognized those. How could you not?

A certain shadowsinger’s shoes. His work shoes.

You didn’t dare move, even as you heard a knock against the stall. It would’ve seemed polite in any other situation, but not here, not now.

“I know you’re in there.”

His quiet voice spoke, still filled with that tension you’d seen in his eyes the day you’d decided to finally break free of him.

He knocked again.

“I’m sorry for what I said, I shouldn’t have said that, if you would please, please, just give me another chance, I’ve been trying to talk with you for days but you were busy, and when I saw you here tonight, I thought that maybe we could talk this out-“

He said, voice filled with pleading and desperation as he rambled on. You’d never heard him express so much emotion before in his voice. It was interrupted by the bathroom door almost being opened, despite it being locked. A bang on the door, and Nesta’s muffled voice was heard through the door.

“Bullshit, I’m getting a worker..”

Azriel must’ve known he had limited time now, because he banged on the stall door louder, a bit more panicked.

“Please, just open the door. I’m sorry, just let me in. We can figure this out.”

He said, now shaking the stall door with the handle, and you didn’t dare move. Didn’t speak, didn’t do anything other than sit and pray to whatever gods you believed in. The Mother. The Cauldron. Anything. Whatever would make him go away. You had known the respectful, kind Azriel. The one that had waited centuries for Mor and not pushed anything, even when she openly went to other males and pushed him away. The one who wouldn’t push any boundary, but this Azriel…you didn’t know him.

The jingling of keys outside the bathroom door was heard, the worker Nesta must’ve called, and a frustrated sigh came from the voice outside your stall.

You could almost see it now, him angrily running his hands through his inky black hair, shadows swirling and writhing in agitation as he tried to think on how to fix this.

“You can’t hide from me forever, you’re just confused right now. I will get you back.”

He spoke finally, before the bathroom door burst open, and his presence was completely gone. You released a shaky breath, not daring to move still, even as the worker cursed and began turning all the sinks off.

“Haven’t seen it that jammed in a long time,”

She muttered, walking out eventually, you unlocked the stall door when you felt alone, only to swing it open and Nesta to pop into your vision. You almost screamed, jolting backward and slamming your head into a wall. She raised her hands in mock innocence.

“Easy, it’s just me. I figured you might be in here when I couldn’t find you, and…..”

She looked you up and down, noticing how shaken and pale you seemed, and frowned. Tilting her head sideways, she asked the obvious.

“What’s wrong with you?”

You looked all around the bathroom, finding no sign of him anywhere, no moving shadows or dark presences.

“He was here, Nesta. He kept begging me to come out and—I don’t know what he would’ve done if you hadn’t shown up.”

You said, tears welling up before falling as you began sobbing. She frowned deeper, now scowling as she pulled you against her chest, worry filling her expression.

“It’s alright, I’ll take you home.”

She said, helping walk you out of the bathroom, and as she passed by Cassian she grabbed the big Illyrian by the ear and dragged him out of the bar, outside with fresh air. Cassian immediately looked concerned, brows furrowed, but one look from Nesta was enough for him to nod grimly as his expression darkened, the two of them no doubt communicating mentally as most mates did.

He scooped the both of you up, and despite the alcohol in his system, managed a decent flight to your house. He gave you a pat on the head before Nesta walked you inside, and as soon as the two of you were in the privacy of your room, she spoke.

“Look, I’ll tell Rhys to keep an eye on him, but it’s not like Azriel will listen to anything Rhys orders him to do regarding…this. Just…be careful.”

She said in a hushed tone, and you nodded weakly.

“I can’t stay here. Not when he’s..watching and following me.”

Nesta gave a little nod, as she understood, but she still looked concerned. She was friends with Azriel, you knew as much, but even this was pushing it.

“I have family in Autumn, I could go find them.”

You suggested, and she sighed.

“You do realize he could just have one of his shadows follow you? Unless you left without telling anyone, then…”

The both of you shared a glance, and in a moment, understood what you needed to do to get away. A stalker problem wasn’t one that you thought you would have, but Azriel was obsessive and possessive, even after you’d thrown out all the flowers he’d left, and burnt all the letters you’d given him. He wouldn’t stop at anything, no matter what boundaries you tried to set.

You dragged the duffel bag out from under your bed, the same one you had used to pack your things the day you’d left and began shoving clothes into it, clothes that would suit a few days of travel in the wilderness. You nearly tore your dress off, shoving dark clothing that covered almost every bit of your skin.

If you headed through the main routes of the Court traveling system, Azriel could easily find you. The mating bond would only make it easier from there.

Nesta began helping, choosing clothes from your closet that she deemed acceptable and neatly arranging everything in the duffel bag.

“Are you going to tell your family?”

She asked quietly, and you sighed.

“My grandmother, she’d understand. She fled Autumn when she was younger, some long story about escaping a lover from the royal family.”

You said as you continued packing, and hurried down the stairs. Everyone was asleep this late, except for your grandmother for her nightly tea session. She was sitting in the living room, sipping away, and her eyes shifted to you. Despite her young form, her eyes were old and carried a wisdom you couldn’t explain.

“Grandma, I can’t explain, but-“

“You need to leave, I understand. Under the stairs, there is food. I expected this. Find your great aunt in Autumn.”

That made you pause for a moment, eyes widening, a little twinkle in her eye, and a small mischievous smirk made its way onto her face as she saw your confusion.

“I am not nearly as oblivious as you think I am, now go. Time is of the essence.”

She said, making a little waving motion, and you hurried off to find the little place under the stairs, opening the tiny area beneath it through the small cabinet door, rations were stashed there just like she’d said. You grabbed them, and hurried back up the stairs, and walking into your room you shoved it into the now-full duffle bag and zipped it up. Nesta gave you a confused look when she saw all the pre-prepared food you somehow had, but you only shrugged and she moved on.

“You’re going to need a way to travel, it’ll be thousands of miles to Autumn.”

She said, and you sighed, looping your arm through the handles of the duffle bag and throwing it over your shoulder as you hurried down the steps again, trying to be quiet for the sake of your sleeping family.

Nesta followed you out of the front door as you shut it, Cassian still standing outside, quietly watching with that same grim look on his face as you hopped your neighbor's fence, running across the mass of property they had in the backyard, straight to the small horse stables they had. You went in and opened the first one you could find, a dark-colored mare with a splotchy white stripe down her face, and some white near her hooves.

Pulling the winter coat off of her the gentlest you could, you scrambled to find a bridle that fit the mare as she stomped nervously, and you eventually found one and slipped it on, the horse not seeming eager to get the bit in its mouth, even though you managed to get it in.

Nesta caught up with you and glanced from you to the horse.

“You are crazy.”

She said though she had a slight smirk as she said it. You sighed, grabbing the reins and leading the mare outside of its stall, and you glanced over to Nesta.

“Give me a leg up?”

You asked with a small attempt at a grin, and she sighed, shaking her head in fond exasperation as she held her hands out for you to put your foot in, and you did, and she counted down from three before hoisting you up over the horse.

The large animal did not seem happy about that, either. But despite its protests, and the fact that you were riding it bareback because taking care of a bridle, saddle, stirrups and more was probably more than you could handle, you managed.

“Tell Rhys to ignore anyone complaining of a missing horse for me, will you?”

You said with that weak little half-grin, and she returned it.

“Sure, I can manage that.”

She said in an amused tone.

A moment of silence passed, before she swallowed, and spoke.

“Be careful. Don’t get yourself killed.”

She said, and you nodded, laughing softly.

“I won’t. Once I’m..safe, I’ll figure out a way to let you know. I promise.”

The inky mark of your oath spread around both of your wrists, reminding you of the promise. You didn’t know how you’d tell her without anyone else, or a specific shadowsinger catching wind of where you were, but you would figure it out.

The wind blew by, and you swallowed again.

“Well…I guess this is goodbye.”

“For now.”

She replied, and you nodded.

“For now.”

And with that, she gave a single nod and began walking back over to Cassian, who offered a dip of his head in goodbye. You gently nudged the horse with your foot, gathering up the reigns, and it jolted forward, taking any excuse to run wild after being cooped up in a stall for so long.

It hopped the fence easily, despite how you almost fell off and began bounding off before you adjusted it Southeast, where you would skirt the boundaries of Night Court, and then head to Autumn.

Into Autumn, where freedom loomed, and into Autumn, where the threat of more than just your self-discovery loomed as well.

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[yandere-romanticaa]

A month has passed since a strange cult took you within its ranks. It wasn't necessarily by choice but it was something you needed to do in order to survive. Your entire village had been destroyed in a sudden onslaught of ferocious demons, massacring all of your friends and family.

You were left with nothing.

For days you had roamed the mountains and with a heavy heart had accepted the fact that you were going to die, be it from starvation, dehydration or some stray demon devouring you from head to toe.

Lord Douma had other things in store for you.

He was a strange one, the man who rescued you. He was oddly easy to amuse and absolutely everything you did was incredibly entertaining to him. One of his favorite past times were when he would simply stare at you as you talk about your life and perform everyday, mundane duties. At first you thought nothing of it - he saved your life, the least you could do was indulge him just a little bit.

Red flags started to show up soon though - the way he would move and carry himself, it simply was not natural. Whenever there was a meal, Douma would not even look at the food or even have a sip of water. You chalked it up to him having his own private meals and decided to think nothing of it.

You had managed to settle within a comfortable routine which just so happened to often cross paths with the great Lord himself. He seemed to greatly enjoy your presence and would have you with him from the moment the sun had risen until wee hours in the morning.

How was he never tired?

Suspicion slowly turned to fear as you noticed that some members of the cult were missing. No one knew what came of them or where they were last seen, as if some foul creature had spirited them away.

You brought up your concerns with Lord Douma but he just called you silly and told you not to worry about it. "Nothing bad will happen to you!" he'd say reassuringly but his words gave you shallow comfort.

Douma, for whatever reason, was also quite fond of physical touch and you were his favorite when it came to that. He was absolutely shameless and would explore your body however he saw fit. Amongst those odd trysts, you noticed that a powerful metallic smell would cling onto him and would never go away no matter how hard you washed his clothing.

No amount of praying could prepare you for the horror you'd encounter on one moonless evening.

You had woken up due to a strange noise and, against your better judgment, decided to investigate. With nothing but a single candle in your hand and a long but thin nightshirt covering your body, you ventured downwards the dark and creepy hallways. It felt as though the shadows themselves were out to get you because you'd flinch at every single sound no matter how miniscule. The closer you got to Lord Douma's chambers the stranger the noises got - giggling, slurping and crunching could be heard as a horrible stench filled the air, a smell so vile that it made you want to throw up your dinner. You'd often ask him what he liked to eat but naturally, Douma would just dodge your question or say something really silly. "It's easier if I eat alone!" he'd say as he caressed your hair. With each step you took the stench became stronger and stronger and Douma's words continued to ring inside your head like bells.

"You see, I'm a bit of a night owl! It's also not smart to come to my chambers without knocking first!~"

You should have listened to him and his thinly disguised warning.

Through the tiniest of cracks you saw Douma on the floor, covered in fresh blood. A wicked grin danced across his lips as he toyed with the severed limbs with the mauled corpse of a young woman, her eyes stricken with fear even in death.

It took you every ounce and willpower to not scream bloody murder.

With the way he was treating the corpse you'd think that Lord Douma was but a child with a precious toy. His light tone and playful gestures sent chills down your spine as you covered your mouth with your hand, a desperate attempt to conceal any potential noises that may escape you. You watched him for a few moments as you let it all sink in, not even realizing just how much your entire being trembled with fear. Just before you could make a break for it you heard Douma speak.

"I know you're there, watching me. I don't know who you are but I can smell you!"

Crap.

Dropping the candle to the floor you could do nothing but freeze as Douma continued to speak, total indifference lacing his voice.

"I would leave, if I were you. I am in a good mood tonight and shall play stupid so I won't turn around to see your face! Now, be a good little disciple and go back to bed!"

Squeaking like a helpless puppy, you ran away with your tail behind your legs, not realizing that Douma knew damn well that it was you. The demon could sense your presence across a giant mountain if need be and your sweet smell would invade his senses every time he would think about you. It was a shame that you saw him in such a state but he really did not want to kill you. He was content with playing dumb and hoped that it would be the same case for you as well.

As long as you kept your lips sealed, everything was going to be alright.

Part 2 here!

[woso-fan13]

Comfortober 2023: 3 (Arsenal)

3. Leaves Changing

The changing leaves only meant one thing- autumn was arriving. The season was bittersweet this year. It has always been your favorite season- thanksgiving being your favorite holiday, but being away from home puts a damper on your spirits. As you watched the fallen leaves tumble in the wind, you couldn’t help but long for home. 

This was your first year in London, and the excitement of playing for Arsenal had yet to wear off. It was the greatest thing to happen to you and you loved all of your teammates dearly.

But you were in London. Your family was back in the US. You had talked to them for a while this morning, but the conversation was cut short by a pot boiling over and a frantic goodbye from your mother. No doubt she was stressed about making the perfect meal. 

Now, you were alone in your apartment. You couldn’t think of much to be thankful for at that moment. While your father was getting everything ready to carve the turkey, you would be eating a spoonful of peanut butter and calling it dinner. 

Luckily, an urgent knocking on your door pulls you from your pity party. You want to ignore it and pretend you’re not home, but some nagging part of your brain insists you open it. 

As soon as you pull the door open, Katie pushes past you carrying a large pan. 

“Took you long enough, didn’t it? I was burning my fingers waiting for you to open this door,” she exclaims as she hurries to the kitchen. 

Looking back out the door, you see a few more of your Arsenal teammates. They’re all holding dishes and pans, eagerly waiting to put them down. You invite them all inside, moving to shut the door behind them and investigate what’s going on. Leah stops you.

“I’d just leave that propped open if I were you. Save yourself a couple trips when the others arrive.”

This confuses you even more. Who else was coming? Why were some of your teammates here in the first place? 

Before you could question it though, the door was pushed open as more of your friends invited themselves into your home. They greet you eagerly, also moving to the kitchen. You follow them. 

Inside, a group of girls have opened a few bottles of fine and are passing glasses around. Food is stacked on the countertop, an eclectic array of colorful dishes. A glass is passed into your hand as soon as your body is fully in the room. 

“Guys?” you ask, gaining their attention, “not that I don’t love you all, but what are you doing here?”

It’s Leah who answers, looking similarly confused, “did we get the date wrong? I thought it was today?”

“What date, what are you trying to do?”

“It’s Thanksgiving, isn’t it? We’re trying to celebrate.”

And suddenly, you had so much to be thankful for. 

[slut4sohee]

always

two friends separated by unfortunate circumstances long for nothing more but to hold each other in their arms until one day their wish is granted

genre. fluff (kinda), angst

words. 1k

warnings. implied death

part two

🎧 the ghost of you ♫

you stood by the small creek, accompanied by birdsong, the falling of the water, and the occasional rustle of the trees and bushes when the wind danced through their leaves. 

you were waiting for your best friend, sohee, to arrive but it started to seem like he might not show up. it was getting late and the allotted time you had together was running out. 

then you heard the crunching of twigs that can only be produced by something stepping on them. soon enough sohee emerged from the trees. 

“hi,” he smiled when he saw you.

you mirrored his smile before pouting, “i thought you weren't gonna come.”

sheepishly he said, “sorry i got distracted.” he brought his arm from behind him, revealing his hand which held flowers, “hope you're not upset.”

you broke into a smile again. he was just too lovable to even pretend to be mad at. “you could never make me upset.”

the two of you walked further into the woods to your spot; a small clearing that allowed for the sun to shine. when you both finally settled down, sohee began making a crown out of the flowers. 

it had been about a month since you last saw each other so he had quite a bit to tell you about.

he told you about little positives and big accomplishments in his life. like how he overcame his creative block and was progressing on the drums (he tried to play what he had memorized so far with two sticks and a rock but gave up because “it doesn't sound the same”). he told you about how he was finally able to go eat at your favorite restaurant again without bawling his eyes out. 

he also told you about some negatives, but he avoided going too deep. like how he still can't speak to your mother without feeling an insane amount of guilt (though you told him it wasn't his fault). how he stopped going to the trial and he now only gets secondhand information from friends and family who still attend. he told you and you listened.

he had finished making the flower crown and presented it to you.

“it's pretty,” you said, smiling.

“...it's for you, take it.”

your smile faded, an aching feeling appearing in your chest. “you know i can't.”

“please, just take it,” he pushed it towards you. you sighed and held out your hands. 

unsurprisingly, it fell right through your hands to the ground. 

every now and then, he would want you to hold something or try to touch you. almost like one lucky day you would - by some miracle - become tangible and come back to him. every time this happened, he become despondent, and you couldn't help but blame yourself for it.

the silence between you two was deafening. your being intangible was a harsh reminder that you were no longer there and definitely not coming back. 

he reached for your open hand with a slight tremor. his hand passed right through yours.

“i...” he clenched his fist, “miss you so much.” 

"sohee..." it was painful to see him like this. your usually high-spirited friend now dejected... because of you. "i miss you too."

"nothing i do feels the same anymore because you're not there.” he sniffled, tears now streaming down his face. 

you strongly wished to be able to wipe away his tears and hold him in your arms until he felt better.

your relationship had been a physical one. there was hugging, hand holding and secret handshakes. there were many instances of you having him in your arms, and you being in his arms. all never to be felt again. 

“i shouldn't have let you go that night,” he said, his hands moving to tug at the roots of his hair.

you shake your head, “please don't blame yourself-”

“it could have been easily prevented. i should've made you stay the night or-or walked you to the station or-or-or i should've- i should've-” he sobbed, “oh god, please come back to me!”

you reached out and tried to caress his hair but obviously you couldn't. it was frustrating, to say the least, especially at a time like this. 

seeing him in distress and not being able to do anything about it was agonizing. it tore at you. you couldn't offer him any but words.

“my soul is forever; i’ll be with you always.”

upon hearing you say that, like a switch, sohee calmed down. his breathing steadied, he stopped crying, wiped his tears, and gathered himself. “you're right. the soul is forever.”

the switch was kind of jarring. he went from sobbing to calm in a few seconds. he had calmed down though, so you were willing to let it go unquestioned.

he stood up, “the sun is setting; i have to go.”

“right. i'll see you soon sohee.”

he waved, leaving behind the flower crown that you couldn't even pick up.

🌱

you say by the small creek, listening to the light rush and trickle of water. 

you watched a duck and her ducklings waddle near the stream while you were waiting for your best friend, sohee, to arrive. 

then you heard your name called. you turned to meet your friend, a small smile on his face.

you stood and mirrored his smile, “i didn't hear you coming.”

“i really missed you.” he said.

you frowned as he walked closer, “what's wrong? you feel different.”

he let out a chuckle, “nothing's wrong. but everything is different.” he now stood in front of you.

suddenly he hugged you, taking you by surprise. tears prickled your eyes; he was hugging you; it was something you hadn't felt in almost a year.

you pulled away from the embrace. “wait but that means-“

he nodded with a rueful smile.

you pulled him back into an embrace, a tight and long hug in case it would be the last.

you would ask him what happened later but for now you enjoyed being in his arms and internally thanked whoever or whatever made your wish come true.

𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊

a/n: hope you enjoyed!! :)

divider by @saradika

[generouskittentidalwave]

Watching the She-ra reboot after 5-6 years

Hey remember that show in 2018 that came out on Netflix during Tumblr's Twitter era and stirred up enough toxicity to turn you into Dave the Skeleton in the highschool science classroom?

Well BUCKLE IN for a RIDE cause I recently watched that show for the first time after avoiding it for YEARS, after seeing the fans and the haters be so devoted to either the fans praising it like a godsent deity or haters devoting their whole life to finding something wrong with every aspect of the show that it makes you wonder if they realized that they've become the Catra that they sought to destroy, I decided to avoid even touching the show and went about my life in other fandoms.

Well years have passed and like a Hallmark movie time abruptly went on and the drama soon faded, the tides have settled, the war has ended, and neither side remains the same. The fans have grown up, matured and enjoy the show as it is and the haters have lost all that sweet sustenance back in 2019 and have went the ways of the DoDo. With everything finally settled, I joined in on the rush of new fans recently that started rewatching the series and wanted to display my thoughts as well as a first time watcher ^^

I went in well aware of all the criticisms in mind, and having seen the original She-ra, and I just gotta say that my worrisome thoughts on watching it was completely washed away from the start of the show. I was worried of Adora being that one marysue character that is from the bad guys side but is actually a good a guy with the personality of white bread and with flaws of just being "a little bit QuiRkY" but she completely shooed away those fears. She is a well balanced character with a unique and well done backstory, her character breaking away from the steriotypical chosen ones and her having flaws that don't take away her being a good person but instead have their own charm and relatability that makes her very fun and down to earth. She is so golden retriever coded and I love it. What I like most though is that she wasn't "random main character comes in to lead everyone to victory out of nowhere" , instead of making her the unsaid leader, they made her the main character who is the muscle of the group and part of the heart and has to learn overtime and understand their ways instead of making her the leader. It makes way for her to pave and earn her way as being the main character instead of it being given by default by making her the leader and I love that break away. And that break away also helps to counter the fears I heard about the white savior trope by making Adora the way she was and making Glimmer and Glimmer's mom the queen the actual leaders of the rebellion that they helped start.

Love the best friends squad, I love Glimmer's growth and her bond with Adora, I like how she went downhill and built herself back up again as a person as it was very realistic with her being so young and having to replace her mom as queen. Bow is my spirit animal, period, but I really want to know more about his huge family. I imagine that because they are all historians they must go to the academy or similar academies that Bow was meant to go to and I can see why they wouldn't question him not being there as 12 siblings is A LOT to keep track of. Swiftwind is great but he shall always be known as Horsie and the queen's sacrifice hurts everytime I see it, I love how she owned up to her own flaws. Shadowweaver messed up being a mother figure 3 times, she needs parenting classes fr, 'nough said. I love all the princesses but Mermista is my personal favorite. Also why is aunt cast named Castaspella, I can't even say it without dying of laughter 💀🖐️

Now I know some of you are sitting at your computer with 5 monsters in hand and sweat anxiously dripping from your forehead as you dramatically hover over the keys just WAITING to write a five page essay response if I even dare to utter the name Catra and her relationship with Adora. So, I'ma give you my opinion.

Honestly, their romance was the end goal since the beginning and the story made that clear and honestly I like Catra's growth as a character from her knowing she has anger issues and actively working on it to better herself, helping to save others and helping to save Adora in the end. Her realizing that pushing others away to protect herself only harms her and everyone around her in the end and her realistically taking it slow and steady to better herself as a person for herself and for Adora is something a really like. Yes their relationship was hella toxic, especially in the middle (but I do like how Adora recognized that and punched Catra when they were in the portal). The build up was great, the middle ground of her doubling down was great, and I think her growth at the end was great and that the two are happy and not in a toxic relationship with eachother anymore at the end. I think what truly makes it odd is although the redemption was great the time constraints made it so they couldn't flesh it out to help answer and address the past actions that were caused by her, they did so great with her slowly becoming better and better, and so it wouldn't have come off as bad as it did if they had just a bit more time to address everything with that instead of being forced to dive right into it which definitely left a- well- less than good impression to it's audience. But they tried their best with what they could do and honestly for a show as surprisingly dark as this I'm just glad they aren't in a toxic relationship anymore and are happy in the end and that Catra got redeemed. It definitely wasn't trying to romanize abuse, however it came off as such due to constraints and them rushing the ending which gave plenty of ammo to people who already hated the show to have a reason to hate it more. In my opinion if you don't like it that's valid, if you do like it that's valid, me personally I'm not a romance person so I couldn't care enough either way.

Now to address some things I know some people are waiting for, but in speed run fashion. Mara's She-ra design was the fault of the designers not agreeing on what they wanted her to look like, I was expecting her to have brown flowing hair not blonde, I get the stripping of individuality message they tried to go with, it just needed better designers and better execution but that's as deep as it goes. It's not that they are racist, they are more along the lines of "you need a more organized team cause her design changes every five seconds like wtf" kind of situation. I'm glad they didn't automatically forgive Hordak or accept him but I'm glad he was changed enough to not be a killer that's mass murdering people anymore and as long no one is dying by his hands anymore and people don't automatically forgive him then that's fine by me, whatever keeps others from dying a horrible unnecessary death.

Overall, in conclusion, love the show, great depth, great characters, love the humor and amazing magical girl transformations, awesome rep, stronk princess punching things, would most definitely recommend, especially now with all the wave of chaos it's initial release sucked in now evaporated. (Seriously there are full tags and blogs deticated to hating a show about glowing princesses fighting aliens, it's okay to not like a show but come on people there is more to life than that 💀) Enjoy it, have fun, and I hope you have a great day/night! ^^

[lovelyney]

──────DATING THEM !! LIYUE GUYS───────

CHARACTERS: childe, chongyun, xiao, xingqiu, zhongli

SCENT: headcanons

WARNINGS: suggestive themes on xiao’s, but that’s it.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯2022 !! #©LOVELYNEY

꒱₊˚ 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐄 !! 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐀

𖠵𝟎𝟏: He’d totally be your malewife if he didn’t work in the Fatui.

𖠵𝟎𝟐: He’s playful and spirited when talking/teasing you, but if he senses something’s wrong, he’ll drop it immediately and ask what’s wrong.

𖠵𝟎𝟑: Dating a member of the Fatui, let alone a harbinger, immediately puts a target on your back because of how treacherous their work is, so you two keep your relationship primarily to yourselves.

𖠵𝟎𝟒: Includes you in many of the letters he sends to his family, never failing to mention how much you take his breath away and how keen he is for when they meet you.

Childe’s continuous mention of you almost immediately led Teucer to recognize it was you when you first met him.

he calls you “big sis/bro” and Childe MELTS because he’s so happy Teucer recognizes you as a part of the family.

𖠵𝟎𝟓: He can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but he’s YOUR pain in the ass, LMFAO.

𖠵𝟎𝟔: Calls you “little fox” and “baby.”

❝Hey, (NAME) I was thinking and wanted to ask if you'd like to visit Snezhnaya the next time I go? I really want you to meet my family because I'm 100% sure they'll love you just as much as I do. Yeah? I'm glad to hear it! We ought to get you some warmer clothes first the blizzards in Snezhnaya can get kind of extreme. Rest assured, I'll keep you warm, lisichka! I wouldn't dare let my little fox freeze under my watch.❞

𖠵𝟎𝟕: It can be hard finding time to go on dates and such when you’re both so occupied with work; you try and make amends, though.

𖠵𝟎𝟖: Is extremely dedicated to marrying and starting a family with you ‹3

he can’t wait until he can settle down and have kids with you. domestic bliss is one of his biggest dreams.

𖠵𝟎𝟗: Cooks some delicious ass meals. You two cook together when you can, and it’s one of his favorite domestic moments you two share.

𖠵𝟏𝟎: Knowing how to take care of his siblings means he’s (mostly) ready to take care of you when you’re sick. 

𖠵𝟏𝟏: He goes into harbinger mode as soon as he hears that someone has hurt you. NOBODY lays a hand on you to hurt you and gets away scot-free.

if it’s because they’re trying to get information on him out of you, then he’ll make sure the pain is excruciating. he already felt bad that there was a target on your back from dating him and had vowed he’d protect you from those people.

𖠵𝟏𝟐: He is, in fact, your sugar daddy if he sees you looking at something for longer than a second, he’ll get it for you the next day.

and he insists on spoiling you; even if you were to protest against it !! he simply will not budge.

𖠵𝟏𝟑: Cherishes and protects any gifts that you might give him.

𖠵𝟏𝟒: If it meant coming home to you, he’d work every day and hour of his life.

𖠵𝟏𝟓: Glares at anyone who looks at you for too long. What’re you doing ogling his s/o ?? Fuck outta here, LMAO.

𖠵𝟏𝟔: He loves whenever you call him Ajax because it means you don’t see him as a harbinger.

꒱₊˚ 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐘𝐔𝐍 !! 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐙𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐑

𖠵𝟎𝟎: GRR, I LOVE CHONGYUN SO MUCH, MAN ‹//33

𖠵𝟎𝟏: You visited Dragonspine one day and happened to see him floating in the river and were like, “???” His eyes were closed, and he wasn’t moving, so you assumed he was dead. 

when you called out to him to confirm your theory, he instantly jolted up and locked eyes with you. blood rushed to his face so fast that it felt warm in the freezing water.

𖠵𝟎𝟐: It took some time for Xingqiu to fully convince him to confess, but he eventually worked up the courage to do it.

𖠵𝟎𝟑: He’s new to the concept of relationships and is too embarrassed to ask you directly, so he goes to Xingqiu for guidance, which isn’t much better considering he usually teases him.

𖠵𝟎𝟒: There’s always a box of his favorite popsicles stored in your freezer in case of emergencies.

𖠵𝟎𝟓: As part of his energy-balancing, you and him practice breathing and meditation.

he finds himself at peace whenever you’re around just in general, so you just being there helps him a lot.

𖠵𝟎𝟔: He likes to call you “(my) love,” “(my) dear,” and “yin!”

❝You look like you’re about to freeze to death, love! A-Are you sure you don’t want me to take you back home? You-You don’t have to come with me, you know. . . W-Well, if you’re so persistent, at least t-take my jacket and gloves! I-It’s not much, but at least it’s something. . . Um, um, I know when I-I kiss you, you seem to warm up. . . Do-Do you want a kiss, maybe?!?❞

𖠵𝟎𝟕: Since he has to keep his body temperature significantly low, you two can’t cuddle as much as you’d like ‹/3 Heart been broken so many times.

he’s always on the lookout for solutions and/or alternatives because he feels bad ):

𖠵𝟎𝟖: When you get into a disagreement, you always devise a peaceful solution to avoid him getting worked up and passing out.

that said, it’s not like you guys consistently fight, so it’s not a major and concerning issue.

𖠵𝟎𝟗: In the modern world, Xingqiu writes fanfic about you two ‹/3 Sorry, I don’t make the rules here.

however, given in this world, he’ll ask Chongyun about his experiences with you and jot them down so he can portray relationships accurately in his stories. 

𖠵𝟏𝟎: Doesn’t get a break from Xiangling’s and Xingqiu’s constant teasing regarding your relationship.

𖠵𝟏𝟏: Loves affection !! He becomes so soft whenever you show him an ounce of love :( He especially loves when you pepper his face with slow kisses; it distracts and calms him down. 

𖠵𝟏𝟐: Clinging to him in the summer because he’s naturally cold, and hugging him is like hugging a bag of ice ‹//3 He hates that he has to push you off sometimes because he gets too warm.

𖠵𝟏𝟑: You went to Shenhe and asked her if she could teach you how to expel spirits; she was delighted to after hearing that you wanted to help her nephew ‹3 (Supportive auntie Shenhe!!)

when you told Chongyun about it, he nearly started crying because he was so touched.

𖠵𝟏𝟒: The two don’t see each other very often, but when they do, Shenhe likes to bring you up in conversation to see how you’re doing. She thinks you two are adorable together and likes to lightly tease Chongyun about it. 

𖠵𝟏𝟓: E̸X̸O̸R̸C̸I̸S̸M̸ D̸A̸T̸E̸S̸

𖠵𝟏𝟔: His lips are cold from all the popsicles he eats, so whenever he kisses you, you’ll shudder a lil,’ and it makes him all giddy because he thinks it’s so cute ‹3 (I love Chongyun I’m going to throw up.)

𖠵𝟏𝟕: You like to experiment with popsicle flavors you make for him !! Of course, avoiding any type of spicy.

𖠵𝟏𝟖: Protective over you !! Especially when you two are out adventuring together. He’d hate to see you hurt ):

꒱₊˚ 𝐗𝐈𝐀𝐎 !! 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐘𝐀𝐊𝐒𝐇𝐀

𖠵𝟎𝟏: He mentioned to Zhongli that he didn’t believe in “mortal rituals like falling in love” when the archon asked him if he considered settling down with someone in the near future. Yeah, that didn’t go as planned. 

𖠵𝟎𝟐: When he first fell in love with you, he distanced himself out of fear, both of scaring you away and getting too attached.

𖠵𝟎𝟑: One of his biggest fears is accidentally hurting you, whether that be emotionally or physically. He considers mortals incredibly fragile, so he tries to treat you gently so as not to shatter you.

𖠵𝟎𝟒: Is always on high alert when it comes to your well-being, reasoning it’s “his duty to protect and defend all of Liyue,” which translates to, “I’m worried you’re going to get yourself hurt if I don’t have my eyes on you for even a second.”

𖠵𝟎𝟓: Gave you a necklace infused with adeptal energy, so if you need him at any given time, all you have to do is squeeze the heart-shaped pendant in your hands, and it’d notify him. (The flowers inside are violet grass and qingxins that he picked himself!)

𖠵𝟎𝟔: This man is incredibly touch-starved; please give him all your undivided love and attention. He desperately needs it ‹//3

𖠵𝟎𝟕: Didn’t see the purpose of giving you nicknames, but Zhongli said that if he didn’t give you one, you might think he doesn’t love you (peepaw’s got your back ‹3), and that directly grabbed his attention. So, he started calling you “qingxin” because you remind him of the flower’s petals, both fragile and pretty. Additionally, he likes to call you “love” and “(little) dove.”

❝Urgh, why must you be so stubborn, qingxin? You know I’ll ALWAYS come at your call. What do you mean it’s just a scratch?! You’re still injured, are you not?! It’s my duty as an adeptus a-and your boyfriend to protect you. . . Shit, you know I’d do anything for you, so take advantage of that, will you? L-Let me protect you. . .❞

𖠵𝟎𝟖: The first time you fell asleep against his chest, his initial thought was, “i’m so fucked,” because it was then he realized he’d bring the world to its feet for you. 

𖠵𝟎𝟗: He would go through all those years of pain and torment 1000 times over if it meant reuniting with you.

𖠵𝟏𝟎: He’d go to great lengths to protect your smile; he isn’t one for experiencing joy, but when he sees your smile, he remembers that there are things in this world worth saving.

because of this, he HATES seeing you cry or upset. he feels like he’s failed his job at being your boyfriend.

𖠵𝟏𝟏: Argues that he doesn’t like touch or affection, but when you draw away from a kiss, he leans in closer and pulls you closer against him, his breath still hovering over your lips.

it actually took him a while to grow accustomed to gentle touches because all he did was conquer demons. but with how patient and gentle you were, progress flew by. 

𖠵𝟏𝟐: Sometimes when you have to leave for commissions in the early mornings, he’ll circle his arms around you and pull you back against him, whining that he doesn’t want you to go.

𖠵𝟏𝟑: Super protective over you !! if he sees someone getting too close to you, he’ll go over there and wrap his arms around you from behind—his golden eyes piercing into the latter's skull as he nestles his nose against your neck. 

𖠵𝟏𝟒: Acts disgusted when you compliment him, but the redness on his cheeks gives away how he truly feels.

𖠵𝟏𝟓: You like to trace his adeptal markings with your fingertips, and he melts right there and then—hiding his face in your chest or neck as he lets out breathy sighs.

don’t get me started when you kiss them. he has to physically restrain himself from moaning (sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t), LMFAO. the feeling of your soft lips against his skin is his weak spot.

𖠵𝟏𝟔: When he kisses you, it’s long and desperate because he doesn't know if he'll see you again when he leaves to rid the demons of Liyue.

𖠵𝟏𝟕: Zhongli often brings up marriage and kids to one of you (he thinks you two are perfect for each other from how contrasting your personalities are); grandpa wants his grandkids ‹///3 come on you guys, give them to him, LMAO. I kid, I kid. 

𖠵𝟏𝟖: Whenever you’re off to sleep, he’ll sit perched on your balcony or by your side, guarding you while you’re dreaming—only hoping that his presence is enough to wield off any nightmares. 

𖠵𝟏𝟗: He’s always warm because of his karmic debt, so he’s a walking heated blanket. Perfect for the colder days, but horrible for the warmer ones, LMAO.

in the summer, he’ll always pout because you sometimes have to push him off you because he can get too warm for you to handle; he likes to cradle you in his arms while you slumber ‹/3

𖠵𝟐𝟎: He knows his fallen friends would’ve ADORED you, and that thought brings him both comfort and pain; he wishes they could’ve met you at least once to see just how much of a lovable being you truly are. 

𖠵𝟐𝟏: Sometimes leaves bruises (squeezing your thighs & hips, other things). . . and marks (bite marks, hickeys) from how hard he loves you.

𖠵𝟐𝟐: He loves you so much that it sometimes drives him crazy. It’s hard for him to remain civil and under control when it comes to you—especially when you purposely press his buttons.

𖠵𝟐𝟑: Shivers and/or blushes whenever you call him Alatus. hearing you call him by his adeptal name is a turn-on for him; There, I said it.

you normally call him that when you’re upset with him or trying to grab his attention. but sometimes you just call him that just because.

𖠵𝟐𝟒: Adores it whenever you kiss the diamond on his forehead or his hands/fingers ‹/3

꒱₊˚ 𝐗𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐐𝐈𝐔 !! 𝐉𝐔𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐓

𖠵𝟎𝟏: Listen, he can be one hell of a gentleman, but he can also be a lil’ shit sometimes. Which is basically Xingqiu’s personality wrapped up. 

𖠵𝟎𝟐: Didn’t initially know much about relationships and how to pursue them—only reading about them in his novels.

𖠵𝟎𝟑: Rather than jumping to conclusions, he asked you outright if what he felt for you was love. Spoiler alert: it was.

𖠵𝟎𝟒: His love for you is a neverending flame—always burning bright. It is never a secret that he loves and adores you, so you are never left feeling unloved. 

𖠵𝟎𝟓: He’s incredibly gentle with you, treating you as if you’re a precious family heirloom that’s destined to break at any minute.

𖠵𝟎𝟔: Rambles about you to his dad and brother quite often. (He isn’t quite ready for you to meet them. Only because he knows he wouldn’t hear the end of their teasing—most likely ending in both of you feeling embarrassed.)

𖠵𝟎𝟕: Gently coaxes you to sit between his legs, sugarcoating his words so that he can read you some of his favorite stories while you rest peacefully against him. It doesn’t matter if you were to fall asleep; just your body pressed against him is all he needs (:

𖠵𝟎𝟖: When you two started dating, he started to call you “(my) love,” “(my) dear,” and “(my) flower.”

❝Good morning, my lovely flower. Sit up, would you? I’ve made you breakfast, perfectly assembled by yours truly. Hm? What’re you looking at me like that for? Pardon? No! Of course, I didn’t add anything nauseating! Goodness, do you not have any faith in me, my dear? Can’t I do something nice for my partner?❞

𖠵𝟎𝟗: Dedicates a lot of his stories and poems to you! ♥️

𖠵𝟏𝟎: Very observant of you, always knowing when something’s wrong or when you take a particular interest in something—he’s trained himself to take notice of smaller and simpler things when it comes to you, just in case there’s a bigger picture.

𖠵𝟏𝟏: You have to save Chongyun from his pranks more often than you’d like. Poor boy never gets a break from your boyfriend’s antics ‹///3 #Savechongyun2023

𖠵𝟏𝟐: (↑) It’s not like you’re entirely safe from them, though. Your lover can be quite the teaser sometimes. 

𖠵𝟏𝟑: Sneaks out late at night to see or take you somewhere. He loves the adrenaline and the smile on your face as you recognize it’s him gently knocking on your window.

𖠵𝟏𝟒: His kisses are very delicate and gentle—usually placing them on your fingertips and forehead.

𖠵𝟏𝟓: He has already looked at rings for you, despite being a few years away from proposing. He can’t help but daydream about the day.

𖠵𝟏𝟔: He 100% believes fate brought you two together and that no matter what parallel universe you guys might be, he’ll always find his way to you ‹3

𖠵𝟏𝟕: Rest assured, if someone is bothering you, he’ll be more than happy to take care of the situation for you. Civilly at first, but if they’re stubborn and persistent, he doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty if it’s for your sake (:

𖠵𝟏𝟖: For someone who’s delicate and tone is usual of silk, he has a razor sharp tongue when it comes to harsh words against you. He doesn’t mind the words directed at him, but if it’s you, then they’re going to leave humiliated.

your lover is quite the mischievous one, which also means he might play a free pranks on him for extra good measure, hehe

𖠵𝟏𝟗: One of his oh-so-favorite things to do is slow dance with you ‹3 He loves simple and sweet moments like that.

𖠵𝟐𝟎: A deep and hopeless romantic—the trait developing from the romance books he’s read.

꒱₊˚ 𝐙𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐈 !! 𝐕𝐀𝐆𝐎 𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐎

𖠵𝟎𝟏: Ah, Zhongli. . . Also quite the gentleman ‹3

𖠵𝟎𝟐: He knows how to treat you properly and makes it his job always to do so; you’re always his top priority. 

𖠵𝟎𝟑: He's protective over you, but in a gentle manner—constantly telling you to take care of and not overwork yourself. 

𖠵𝟎𝟒: One of the things that lured him to you was even when he told you his identity, you still saw him as Zhongli rather than Morax. 

𖠵𝟎𝟓: Once word got out to Hu Tao and Childe; Archons, they would NOT shut up about it, always nagging and asking him questions. 

𖠵𝟎𝟔: Despite his almost boundless knowledge of a variety of different things, he asks you to teach him many things involving mortal life and relationships.

𖠵𝟎𝟕: Has a cor lapis engagement ring that’s infused with his archon powers stored safely somewhere. he used some of his geo-energy to ensure it’d be pretty indestructible. 

it also leaves elemental tracings whenever you go, so if he were to worry about you, he’d use elemental sight to find you. 

𖠵𝟎𝟖: He’s an old soul, so I see him calling you “(my) dear” and “(my) love.”

❝Ah, welcome back, my love. How were your adventures today? Tiring, I presume, based on how sluggish you look. . . Would you like me to draw you a bath and prepare some tea? It looks like you could use some spoiling.❞ 

𖠵𝟎𝟗: Gives you amazing massages when you’re feeling stressed or tense.

𖠵𝟏𝟎: Buys you expensive ass gifts somehow, given his lack of understanding of using and spending mora. 

𖠵𝟏𝟏: His hands are big and warm !! I like to think he finds comparing your hand sizes amusing. The way his entire hand can wrap around yours brings a smile to his lips.

𖠵𝟏𝟐: Gives the best and sometimes the worst bedtime stories as he rambles on and on without even noticing. The silver lining is that his voice helps you drift off to sleep.

𖠵𝟏𝟑: Isn’t one to argue with you, preferring to solve things peacefully. In all honesty, as much as it’s nice, it can sometimes be annoying because he always answers you so calmly and stares at you lovingly whenever you’re trying to make a point against him. In simpler terms, it’s hard to be mad at him. 

𖠵𝟏𝟒: He’s threatening when he’s mad because he doesn’t show it in his expression but rather in his voice.

that said, it’s (normally) not you who he gets mad at; it’s the people who dare think they can raise their voice or lay a hand on you. 

𖠵𝟏𝟓: The feeling of being loved (relationship-wise) was, to some extent, foreign to him for a while since his first love had passed. Because of that, it took him a while to fully adapt to that kind of relationship, but the more time passed, the more comfortable he got. 

𖠵𝟏𝟔: You’ve become Xiao’s other parent, often looking after him if he’s injured and giving him advice on mortal life. And since Zhongli trusts you so much, he sometimes actually listens to you. talk about miracles. 

𖠵𝟏𝟕: He comes home with a different bouquet every time he goes out, and you’re like, “??? where the fuck are you getting these?” 

𖠵𝟏𝟖: Not many people try to mess with you, given your Zhongli’s lover and a close friend of Hu Tao—both of whom work at a funeral parlor. And if someone does ?? Well, then they just gained a new customer !!

[overnowsfcb]

cindy lou who; rúben dias blurb

summary: hurts to realize you were the woman before the one

warnings: angst, alcohol abuse as a coping mechanism

note: this blurb is inspired by the song 'cindy lou who' by sabrina. im gonna make a new series with fruitcake ep so this is the first — venus 🫂💐🫧

You wished you hadn't turned on your phone, wished you hadn't opened Instagram with the intent of capturing the first time you felt a positive emotion after four months of doubting your worth.

That spontaneous happiness, your smile for the festivities, and your outgoing personality were snatched away in a second when you saw that photo on his Instagram. Your finger hovered, filled with sadness, analyzing his facial expression and his enamored gaze.

His lips on her cheek as she laughed, a flawless smile adorning her face with crimson lipstick highlighting her full lips.

You swiftly turned off your phone; you couldn't continue torturing yourself. But your mind denied you that possibility—how could you escape the unbearable alarm that had triggered in your mind? Just when you thought you'd found an exit, it turned out to be an illusion, and you were standing on the edge of the cliff all along.

Even your favorite song blaring through the club speakers wasn't going to stop you from unfairly reproaching yourself for not having been enough for him. Had you failed at something?

Perhaps you should have tried harder to reach his heart, even though you were just rubbing salt in the wound because, in your wisdom, you knew the limits he set in front of your actions to prevent you from crossing further.

Why with her? Why did she seem to have found that ingredient you had been searching for so desperately? Your chest burned. What kind of karma did you owe to endure this?

Could you even blame her? If she resembled a fallen angel from heaven with her white dazzling teeth and long, jet-black hair like Cleopatra, and you admitted that your assigned role in Rúben's life was to guide him, to accompany him to the final stop, to the dock.

And now, drowning in alcohol, your mind kept processing the treatment he surely gave her, everything he denied with you—introducing her to his family, sitting by the fireplace with her in his arms telling childhood stories, dreaming about a life together while kissing underneath the fireworks, feeling the explosive magic he didn't want with you but with her.

You downed another shot, the climax in your state that failed to make you forget about him, the whole room spinning around. Amidst your group of friends, you grabbed your best friend's hand, running to the bathroom where you vomited while she rubbed your back and tied up your hair. "He didn't deserve you," she whispered, watching as you finally crumbled, hugging the toilet.

A night where you thought you could return to your former self before his body was tattooed on your fingerprints like a spirit clinging to your shoulders, one that would forever haunt you turned into just another chapter with an open ending.

[greyskyflowers]

I think it's so powerful that all the strawhats represent the ideals for a good adventure. They're the gods you'd pray to before setting off on the adventure of your Iife.

💙💙💙💙

There are things to be done before one can set out to follow adventure and hear the welcoming call of the sea. They must find and honor the Gods and Goddesses that they hope to carry on their journey.

You know exactly which ones you want to carry. You've always know.

Your parents are happy but still cry as they watch you gather your gifts and offering, their little one all grown up and ready to set sail. You assure them they have time because you're expecting it to take time to find all the ones you want to carry.

The first is easy. The sun god who plays in grassy fields and shore lines, always found under summer skies. You ask him for adventure, happiness, and the will to follow your dreams.

You leave your old hiking boots, laces fraying and heels worn but it's your favorite pair. They look well loved with a flower scribbled by your best friend on the side in faded ink, a black spot from where you got too close to the bonfire making marshmallows, and a hundred memories pressed like dirt into the soles. They've been on so many adventures with you but they can't go on this one.

You leave a photo of your family, brother and you front and center with big gap tooth smiles. It's old, years ago, and it has tape stuck on the back from hanging it on your wall but it looks perfect in the sunlight.

You leave a four leaf clover, hardly anything worth offering really, but you've always loved the idea of picking up luck on the side of the road. It feels right to leave it even though it's lost among the other flowers and grasses on the edge of the field.

The last offering is carefully wrapped in thick cream linen, a combination of dried meat and crackers. It's not a lot but the meat is from a local hunter and the crackers are your favorite.

They say this god has a big appetite and a even bigger heart.

You hope he's full when you leave.

The second god is your favorite, although you never admit favorites outloud, it's disrespectful. He's older, something ancient, and strong.

He's harder to find and you wish for your old boots by the time you find a spot worth stopping. You find him in the forest when you ask for protection, strength, and devotion.

It's dusk and everything is caught in shadows, the late summer humidity has sweat running down your face. There's dirt on your hands and some blood from where a very aggressive stick got in a hit but you feel like he'd approve.

You settle on a flat stone under a fallen tree, tangled in moss and ivy.

You leave a bottle of rum. It's old, dusty, although you tried to wipe all the age off earlier with the hopes of making it look more expensive than it actually was. The bottle is pretty though and fits well in the hand.

You leave rain water, caught from a downpour last night and sweet on the tongue when you went outside to collect it.

You leave a old pocket knife, confident in the offering but hesitant in how it will be received. It's small, hardly even the size of your palm, and it's dull from age and broken. But it was your great grandfather's and you think it's spirit will be happier here than tucked away in a box.

You leave incense, the smell of something warm and earthy. The humidity has made everything too wet to worry about it catching but you still sit with it for a bit while it smokes before gently putting it out and leaving.

You get home later than planned and your mom scolds you, but laughs when you tell her you got lost on the way back. She knows exactly who you went to see.

The third is a goddess, known for good fortune and guidance. She lounges in sunbeams and chases lighting, gold hanging from her wrists.

It's storming when you visit her but the hair on your arm stands up more as a greeting than a warning.

The little stream at your feet will quickly become a river, and once the rain dries it will go back to a small dip in the ground. Right now though, it's all her.

You leave a gold coin, not worth much but you made it shine as bright as it could. It gleams even under the storm clouds.

You leave a broken compass that's always stuck pointing north. It makes you think of the stars and specifically the northern one that always hangs in the sky over your house, and you hope this will be accepted.

You offer a orange, which looks oddly out of place next to the dark, wet earth and grey skies. It's ripe and beautiful, you picked the prettiest one you could find.

The edge of the stream is growing wider, carefully pulling at the offerings like it's curious.

You leave without looking back, they'll find their way to where they need to go.

The fourth god always has good hiding spots, some people having never even found a good place to leave his offerings.

He's steadiness and bravery, the children say he tells them wonderful stories when they get scared at night.

This one is odd and you debate where to find him. You shouldn't have worried though. The answer, it turns out, is right under your nose. Literally.

You bed is hardly off the ground, just enough to shove some things under when you don't feel like cleaning. It was big enough to hide all the monsters when you were little though and maybe, just maybe, it's big enough to hide a god.

You offer the book your mom always read you when you were little. It's not the same book since you no longer have that one, but this will work. You hope he likes it enough to read it to the children he comforts at night.

You leave a small, potted plant. It honestly has a better chance of life with a god than to stay in your hands. You can practically feel the poor thing give a sigh of relief to be free of you. It's kind of ugly, prickly, and oddly colored, but you love it. You hope this God has a better green thumb than you.

The last is another non physical offering. You smile and suggest a game. You offer two truths and a lie.

That night you think of everything that scared you when you were little and you fall asleep to dreams overrun with old fears.

The offerings are gone when you wake up and you had the oddest dream about a man with a ridiculous nose who asks for two truths and a lie.

The fifth god is a little harder and it takes a while before you find someone who welcomes you into their kitchen.

It feels odd to ask a stranger but the man is happy and curious at the request. He's not someone you know well but you've seen him around the town before. He's the only one you know who still has a spot in his kitchen for a fire and uses it.

He asks a lot of questions at first but you find it easy to get carried away in the conversation. The food is almost ready when you remember why you came.

You apologize for the inconvenience but he waves you off, watching as you carefully set your offerings just off to the side of the hearth.

You leave fresh, baked bread. It's not very pretty because you've never been very good at the visual part of cooking, but it tastes good. You added in some honey from the beekeeper down the road and it's just the right amount of sweet.

You leave a small cup of salt water. You're not sure why that one feels right but it does. The glass makes the water look blue and it's like a small part of the sea.

The last is a old note from a past girlfriend. It's worn from where it's been folded, the ink almost gone in the creases and the edges soft. You haven't been able to bring yourself to get rid of it and passing it on seems easier.

They say this God is a lover, a admirer of passion, and fullness for life. You hope he appreciates all the love you have left for him.

The old man insists on sharing his dinner with you so you leave full and with a laugh still laying on your lips.

The hearth is empty when you glance back.

The sixth one is always a fun god to find, known for playfulness and good health. The frozen grass crunches under your feet and a deer watches you curiously before darting back into the timber.

The garden is frozen and dead now but that's okay, there's life in the roots for next spring.

You leave your offerings by the garden gate, next to where the ginger and lavender grow.

You offer flowers from the garden, ones just found and still covered in the first frost. They're a little more brown then you had hoped but the frost was a little late this year. They look beautiful edged in white though.

You leave a handful of berries, a mix of your favorite. The blackberries stain your hand purple and the blueberries are round, rolling a little before you get them all gathered.

You leave a small tea candle. This one you leave burning, it's small and will go out quickly in the cold. It's white, and smells like peppermint. Memories of being coaxed into taking cold medicine cross your mind.

You hope the scent makes him think of healing, of being cared for, rather than sickness.

The seventh goddess is wisdom and grace, beauty in darkness, and the library loves her. They encourage offerings, more than happy to see you when you stop by one winter evening.

Your nose is red and your cheeks burn but you smile as the librarian fusses over you and goes to get you a towel to dry snowflakes from your hair.

It's quiet with her gone and the little corner behind the first shelf catches your eye.

The spot is warm, even with it being by the wall, and you place your gifts down.

You leave your favorite book. It's worn, the cover scratched and torn, notes inside from over the years. Part of your soul is stuck in those pages. All the times you were lonely and would read to forget for a bit, all the sleepless nights where curling up to read would eventually lead to drifting off in uncomfortable positions, it's all in this book.

You leave warm tea. The cup is something you bought second hand but it's beautiful with hand painted flowers and a rim like gold. The tea is your favorite, not caffeinated but soothing. The warmth from the thermos thaws your hands as you fill the cup.

The last offering is a little different but you think she'll like it. The secret leaves your mouth quietly and rushed, something you've never spoke aloud or told anyone before. Telling her has your chest feeling lighter and life fills you lungs.

The librarian comes back with a towel and a small smile to the offerings before urging you to sit down and stay awhile.

The eighth god you find down at the docks, tucked away between boats and building materials. He's creativity and creation.

The spot you settle on is a little quieter than the main walk ways and you feel less like your being observed.

The wood is soaked with salt water from the tides when you set down your offerings.

You leave a nail, old and brown. You pulled it from the walls of your home, the same one you grew up in. It's from the foundation of who you are and what made you. It's a little bent, a little odd, but it represents home.

You leave a firework, a small one you stole from your brother before he could set it off somewhere he shouldn't. It's just a simple one that will pop and sparkle for a few moments but those are your favorite kind.

The last offering is a soda. You spent a little more money and got something special. It's sealed in a skinny glass bottle and bubbles slide along the side when you move it. It's made with the good sugar, a treat that you don't often allow yourself.

You leave with knees damp from the wet wood and end up spending a good part of the day talking to the workers and breathing in the sea air.

The ninth god is for perseverance and hope, and he's sad in some ways.

You find him in the cemetery under a old cypress tree. It feels a little lonely so you decide to sit for awhile, you don't have anything else to do. You offer your gifts while you sit.

You leave a silk handkerchief that you painstakingly made yourself. It's bone white and the edges are ruffled. You're very proud of it and you ignore how your finges feel the phantom prinks of a sewing needle.

You offer a bowl of ice and salt. This might be one of the oddest gifts you've given and you're not completely sure how you even got the idea. It's a pretty offering. The little, metal bowl you found has frosted up from the ice and left little sections of frost here and there. The salt is melting the ice faster than you thought though and the melted water is murky where it's mixed. You kind of give up on the gift after looking it over, offering a apology and using your nail to draw small animals in the frost. One side has a lion, a mane of little lines from his slightly oval shaped head. The other side has a whale, a large blob drawn with a small little tail.

The final offering is following your growing trend of verbal offerings. It's a joke. A really bad one you heard from your dad and even telling it makes you groan, but it also makes you laugh until your stomach hurts.

You leave with graveyard dirt stuck to the back of your thighs and a song you don't remember hearing stuck in you head.

With all your offerings given and your heart ready, you go back to the beginning.

The field is in full bloom and the grass reaches up to your waist. The small drop off at the far side hides a shoreline that's perfect for watching the storms roll in or the sun kiss the horizon. Your feet hang off the ledge over the sand just high enough from the ground to swing them.

The sea calls your name and it sounds welcoming.

💙💙💙💙

Listen when I tell you this ran away from me I mean it. I wrote this in-between tasks at work so please ignore any mistakes because let me tell you my fingers were speeding to keep up with my head.

[kiirotoao]

Byler and Confrontation

I feel like I’m stating the obvious, but there’s really something about the way that Mike and Will argue that make their personalities and thoughts stand out. So much.

And I’m not even talking about the “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls!” or the “And us?” “We’re friends! We’re friends.”

The thought that struck me today was much more meta but still just as revealing, in my opinion.

Truly, when we look at the Byler fights, they’re fighting, right? They’re mad at each other. Then how do their fights by concept manage to make them seem so compatible? Why does their arguing give off the impression of love despite no outright, “I love you” to be heard? Why do we as the audience root for them to stick together despite their moments of splitting apart? Well, I think that a lot of it comes down to who Mike and Will are in regards to confrontation.

For one, Mike hates confrontation. Fights in general. We focus on him mouthing, “stop it!” when Billy and Steve fight. While Dustin, Lucas, and Max are pleading similarly, I find it interesting how the camera focuses on Mike when the fighting gets more intense.

Then of course there’s Mike covering his ears when he’s scared, no doubt a reflex to loud sounds and particularly yells, such as Will screaming.

We also very quickly see this in the shoot out scene in season 4 when Mike panics and covers his head.

And throughout the show, as much as his expression is funny, Mike clearly shows distaste towards arguing, especially if what people are saying to him seem pointless, sudden, unfounded, or wrong.

Mike is a leader as well as a team player and defender, and he doesn’t want to hurt people. Yes, he does argue and confront, not denying that, but time and time again, we see that he doesn’t do it unless he’s prompted.

Now, there’s Will. Will lives confrontation. His main propensity in the beginning of season 4 centers around calling out people for being ridiculous. That goes for Mike, El, and even Jonathan.

Tied to his confrontational attitude comes sass. I won’t try to fit every moment into this post (but I’ll certainly make an entire separate post on Will’s lovable sass haha), but one of my favorite examples is in season 1, believe it or not, when Will replies to Joyce’s question on why he uses fireballs: “Well, yeah, to burn them to a crisp.”

Even though that isn’t a personal confrontation, we see that Will is able to characterize his cleric with sass and boldness, sweetly smiling at his fictional enemies’ demise. I think that Will’s fearlessness is overlooked, subsumed by his constant turmoil, but truly, this boy packs a punch, and he isn’t afraid to face people with honesty.

And to look even further in Mike and Will’s histories with confrontation, both of them have had it pretty rough with their families. Namely, their dads.

In seasons 1 and 2, we see it illustrated through the Wheeler family dinners how Mike has lived his fair share of being shut down by his dad.

Mike doesn’t fight with his dad. Doesn’t confront. He makes an attempt each time to reason with his parents, but his dad ultimately shuts him down. So Mike either walks away or sits and stays silent.

Will, on the other hand, we don’t see with Lonnie explicitly, thank goodness. But what we do see is him overhearing Lonnie and Joyce fighting. In this flashback, we learn that Lonnie never does anything Will likes, and Jonathan encourages Will not to pretend to enjoy that poor treatment.

And while Will seems to be somewhat naturally quiet, I think that there’s also a spirit of quiet indignation that he’s rightfully and righteously grown through moments like these.

So, all of this to say, Mike is non-confrontational while Will is confrontational. That’s how they’ve been built as characters.

So how does this play into Byler? Well, look no further than their arguments in season 3 chapter 3 and season 4 chapter 2. The non-confrontational Mike meets the confrontationist Will. Things go according to character: Will is calling Mike out on his behavior and ignorance and Mike is leveling it and bearing it as he lets Will talk.

But then, both times they fight, the canvas is flipped. Mike ends up being the final word while Will is left speechless.

These reactions are heartbreaking. They’re supposed to be. They show Will’s defeat and Mike’s regret. They show how much their words affect each other and actively change the way they normally face confrontation.

They could have brushed each other off, in fact, they both had the opportunity in both fights to let the other leave (Will could have biked off without another word from Mike and Lucas in season 3 and Will could have let Mike continue looking for El in season 4). But they didn’t let each other leave. They engaged with each other and made known what was on their hearts in the moment.

So what make Mike and Will so important to each other is that they take each other’s words seriously, to the point that they aren’t afraid to be vulnerable and show each other what makes them upset, upset enough to respectively gain or lose their air of non/confrontation. And even though they don’t say “I’m saying this because I love you” outright, it’s clear that they mean as such because they’re ultimately trying to better each other and understand each other in any way they can, raw and hurtful as it is.

So maybe at first glance, this sounds toxic. Why would I call their raw and hurtful arguing positive and bettering and basically a big, unsaid “I love you?” Well, the thing is that Mike and Will don’t continue arguing. Notice their reactions after each one:

They know that they aren’t being themselves when they argue - they know! After both fights, Will falls into somber reflection, and Mike hastens to apologize.

And what gets me is that fact that the canvas of confrontation flips for their apologies, too. Confrontationist Will takes the pain but the non-confrontational Mike initiates the apologies. Both times. And suddenly, Mike having the final word and Will being left speechless isn’t sad anymore. It’s quite the opposite, actually.

What’s even sweeter is how we see them grow from season 3 to season 4. Where the argument is largely ignored in season 3 because of the Mind Flayer, in season 4, they address their argument and explicitly conclude that they want to be friends. “Best friends.”

So despite the emotional damage they inflict on each other, they come together by the end of it, closer than ever. They want to realign their relationship that’s thrown out of equilibrium. They want to stick together. This proves to me that they have undeniable love for each other and an integral bond (and I don’t know about you, but I think integrity is a major sign of relationship compatibility).

At the end of the day, even without fully looking at what they say in their confronting one another, you can see it in the intimate concept of their emotional separation followed by faithful rectification; they love each other. They know each other. Even at their lowest, even though they face confrontation so differently, they ultimately want to support each other. They pursue each other and choose to stand beside each other.

So yeah. If you ask me, Byler is endgame.

Thank you for coming to my completely unprompted, brainrot-induced TED talk lmao

[count-alucard-tepes]

Headcanons and a short fanfic for my hubby, the howling fight spirit aka Saw Paing Yoroizuka 😜😍

Headcanons

He gets hot way too quick so he can never wear long shirts or pants for too long.

He has a bit of a hearing problem from all his various ‘training’ to his cranium so he can’t really hear himself to control his volume, he just thinks it’s his normal voice.

Coffee makes him sleepy and he can’t handle alcohol at all.

He loves spicy food and often challenges Kaolan but Kaolan can’t handle the heat…literally so Saw Paing wins by default.

He’s color blind but always says his favorite colour is red and purple if anyone asks.

A blind date with Saw Paing Yoroizuka 😍

This was the first time you ever agreed to a blind date and you were seriously up for anything since your love life hasn’t been great as of late. All your friend who decided to hook up guys up said, “….you’ll never get bored, that’s for sure”.

You didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

You showed up to the little café that was very crowded and looked around for a moment. Was he here? It was awkward for a moment until you saw a wave that was definitely for you.

A smile graced your face as you waved a little and then walked towards the young man, “…Saw Paing, right?”, you said with a little smile as she offered your hand to him, “Yes! And you must be (Y/N)! It’s nice to meet you!”, he said gently as he took your hand into his and shook it gently.

He did try to hold back in not shaking their hand too much as to not hurt them and pulled out a chair for them to sit.

After settling down, you took the time to admire the man before you. He really was easy on the eyes, that was for sure but how was his personality like, you wondered…not for long though.

He was like an open book from the very beginning and told you all about his life and his family. He even answered any questions you had. That didn’t mean he didn’t want to know about you as well, he asked things about your life that made you blush a little because you haven’t thought about those details in such a long time, most just asked superficial questions but he was so daring…you liked that.

“…so what made you want to try blind dating?”, you asked while you both were enjoying your light meals.

“To be honest, I thought we would literally be blind folded and I thought that it would be a great challenge as dating kind of makes me pretty nervous”, he said with a little blush as he looked away and scratched his head.

You couldn’t help but laugh a little, that was unbelievably cute and so innocent at the same time.

“…you know I think it would have been pretty cool to have blind folds on, it would take a lot of the pressure off…but I feel pretty comfortable with you though”, you said gently.

He smiled softly in response and nodded, “…I feel the same, I don’t usually have the time to date often so I’m pretty rusty…but you make me pretty comfortable too…maybe we could do this again soon?”, he asked with wide, innocent eyes.

How can you say no to that?

“Yes, I’ll bring the blindfolds…”, you said with a teasing smile.

He blushed a little more in response, “…ahh…sure…I mean if you like”.

You reached over and squeezed his hand, “…you’re so cute when you blush, do you know that?”.

It was all over when you said that, he could barely look you in the eyes and kept on blushing more and more. For once, he was at a loss for words😂

[wannabe-fic-writer]

Wanda Maximoff x Reader : Christmas Break

Summary: You plan a fun outing for your family. Covers the ‘Sledding’ square of Holiday Bingo.

Warning: None.

Word Count: 2k

* * * * * * * *

The house is quiet, incredibly so. Given the fact that your children are home due to the holiday break, you were expecting quite a bit of noise.

At the beginning of the week, when you came home around noon, you found them having a blast on their day off. You were certain their excited energy of not being in school would last until the very last day of break but now you’re not so sure.

Leaving your home office, you stroll down the hall to the living room where you find your boys, Billy and Tommy, slumped on the couch with bored expressions as some cartoon plays on the TV screen. The scene causes a frown to form on your face, curiosity and the tiniest bit of worry coursing through you. Before bothering them, you go looking for your wife for possible answers.

Wanda, your gorgeous wife and mother of your children, is in the kitchen standing over the stove. She slightly sways to the soft Jazz playing from her phone as she stirs the contents of a pot on the stove.

Unable to fight the smile that forms on your face, you sidle up behind her and wrap your arms around her waist.“ Hi, my love.” You greet her, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

“Hi, milaya.” Her soft voice flows straight into your ear as she turns her head towards you.“ You finished already?”

You hum,“ not yet but it was oddly quiet so I came to check on things.” Reluctantly parting from her, you move to lean against the counter beside her, arms crossing as you look through the space at the boys.“ Those two have never been that quiet. Everything okay?”

She sighs, lowering the burner, then turning to look at them as well.“ They’re fine, just really, really, bored.”

“Well, with the way they’ve been tearing through this place the past few days, I’m not surprised.” You admit, knowing that within the first three days of their vacation they played every game they could think of.

Wanda nods, mentally agreeing.“ I know but they just look so sad. That’s their favorite show and they’re barely even reacting to it.” Your wife’s insanely soft spot for them bleeds through.“ I offered to make them hot chocolate to lift their spirits. The smell usually has them running over before it’s even done.”

A hefty sigh sounds from you, eyebrow furrow as you take in her words and start thinking.

Christmas Eve is two days away and while you have plenty of fun activities and things planned for then, you hadn’t given much thought to what to do before. You figured they’d be able to keep themselves occupied until you finished up the last bits of the work you had before your time was completely free. Now though, the ever present need to make sure every member of your little family is happy causes your brain to kick into overdrive to find a plan to cure your kids’ boredom.

It’s with a glance outside, seeing the snow fall from the sky and further cover the streets, that inspiration strikes.

“Wanda, I know what we’re gonna do today.” You beam, quoting one of the phrases from the very cartoon on screen.

She rolls her eyes, lightly slapping your arm with the back of her hand.“ What is it, goofy?”

“A surprise.” You stick your tongue out at her.“ Get that hot cocoa into some thermoses, I’ll tell those two to go get ready, and then grab everything else we need.”

Loving the enthusiasm in your eyes and always willing to have some fun with her three favorite people, Wanda nods.“ Will do, mama.” She says a little teasingly.

“Thank you.” You slap a soft, quick kiss on her cheek before heading to the boys.

When you step around the couch into their view, they don’t move a muscle but their eyes follow you as you take a seat on the coffee table in front of them.

“Hi my beautiful boys.” You greet.“ I hear we’re havin a bit of a boredom problem around here.”

It’s Billy who speaks.“ There’s nothing to do.” He practically groans.

“Well, what if I told you I have something really fun we can do,” your words cause them to perk up a little, faces showing their curious excitement,“ it just requires you two putting on your snow gear.”

“Snow gear?” Tommy asks, fully sitting up now.“ What’re we gonna do?”

You smile, eyebrows wiggling playfully.“ Go get ready and you’ll find out.”

Not needing anything more than a mysterious promise of fun, they hop up and run off upstairs to get ready.

Sharing an amused look with your wife, you shake your head and go off to get ready yourself. After having pulled on your boots, coat, hats, and gloves, you dipped out the backdoor to the shed to grab a few things.

With your truck warming up and the things you needed in the back, you slip back inside the house, stomping the snow off your boots on the rug at the door.

“Oh Mrs. Y/ln-Maximoff,” you sing softly, smiling at the beauty that is your wife.“ You also need to go get ready my dear.”

“I will, love. Was just packing a few snacks along with the hot chocolate.” She informs you as she packs a few more things into the lunch bag you usually use for family outings.

When she finishes, you go to grab the lunch bag, smirking as she runs a flirty yet tender hand across your chest. She gives you a wink as she heads up the stairs and you push away the hundreds of thoughts that fill your head with a deep breath, then take the bag out to the car.

Shortly thereafter, your sons come running down the stairs, the swishing of their snowsuits sounding loudly.

“Aye, no running on the stairs. Not safe.” You lightly scold them, making both boys nod as they’ve been reminded of this a few times before.

“So, where are we going, mama?” Billy asks, coming to a halt at your side. He looks up at you with those eyes that are strikingly similar to Wanda’s and you are quick to smile.

Cupping his cheeks in your hand, you lean down and say,“ it’s a surprise,” before planting a kiss on his forehead.

He giggles, wiggling out of your grasp just to send a light and playful punch to your arm.

Immediately going with the flow, you begin play fighting with the boy, his brother jumping into the fray as well.

The scene of you on the floor, both boys laying on top of you, letting out shrieks of giggles as you tickle them, is a warming sight for Wanda. She smiles, pulling her phone out and snapping a few pictures of the three of you. She sends one to the group chat containing your former teammates with the message, ‘Avenger taken down by twin boys’, attached to it. Then she pockets the phone and calls for your attention.

“Boys, your mama can’t take you to your surprise if you never let her up off the floor.” She tells them, which has the 7 year olds scrambling up off you and even assisting you to stand as well.

You chuckle, brushing yourself off and straightening your clothes.“ Thanks for the save, gorgeous.” You wink at Wanda, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

Taking her hand, you shepherd the boys outside and into the truck. You’re all more than happy that the truck is already warmed up, the blasting heat pushing away the chill you felt from the front door to the vehicle.

After everyone’s seat belts are buckled, you turn on your usual playlist for riding with your family, and pull out of the driveway.

Singing along to the songs keeps the boys distracted for about ten minutes, then they shift to repeatedly asking what the surprise is and where you’re going.

Instead of helping you deflect or dodge the heat, Wanda merely watched in amusement, letting out the occasional laugh.

Luckily the drive isn’t long so, in a few more minutes, you’re pulling down a snow covered gravel path and parking off to the side, the bed of your truck facing the destination.

With nothing but trees and a rather large hill in sight, the boys are a little confused. That quickly fades away the second they see the sleds you pull from the bed of the truck.

“Sledding?!” They both exclaim, running closer to take a look.

You know they’d seen kids sledding in movies, having made mention of wanting to do the activity a few times. Before winter last year you’d purchased the sleds but hadn’t had the time to use them until now.

“Yup, sledding.” Turning to them, you pass a smaller plastic sled and a helmet to each of the boys and they happily accept them and take off towards the hill. You turn to Wanda, noting the smile she has just at seeing them happy, and say,“ don’t worry Mrs. Y/ln-Maximoff, they won’t be the only ones having fun.”

When you pull out a larger wooden sled, Wanda can’t help but admire how beautiful it looks. The dark wood shines and the red accents and straps add a nice pop to it.

She takes your hand after you pull it out, tugging as she heads to the mountain with excitement that nearly rivals the twins’.

Atop the hill, you run through some simple safety precautions with the boys(and Wanda) and tell them the fairly simple instructions on how to ride. Everyone gives a confirmation that they understood you completely and in no time you’re all seated on the sleds.

The boys are at your right, giddy beyond belief, while Wanda sits between your legs gripping the red straps with excited anticipation.

“Everybody ready?” You ask.

“Yeah!” They boys and Wanda cheer.

“Alright. 3! 2! 1! GO!”

Pushing off with your hands, all of you slide forward a little slowly, then shoot down the slope of the hill.

Despite the cold wind whipping across your face, you still smile at hearing the happy shouts and giggles from your family.

You all skid to a stop a few feet away from the bottom of the hill.

Dismounting, you check over your family. Smiles are still present, even as their chests heave and their faces redden from the cold.

“Fun?” You ask with two thumbs up.

“Yes!” Wanda exclaims hands landing on your shoulders and slightly shaking you.

“Oh my god that was so cool!” Billy exclaims as Tommy yells,“ we went so fast!” Then they look at you with big brown eyes and ask,“ can we go again?!”

Still matching their energy, Wanda gives you the exact same bright brown eyes.

“Of course we can. Let’s go.” You wave for them to head back up the hill.

You lose count of how many times you all sled down the hill. At some point Tommy even gets a little air which you panic over until you confirm he’s okay. You then have to tell them both not to purposely try to push themselves into the air.

Eventually you and your wife grow tired, so you leave the boys to keep going and head back to the truck.

You prop the sled against the tire before opening the trunk. Spreading a blanket out over the bed of the truck, you nod for Wanda to get up and sit before going to grab the lunch bag from the front and going to join her.

With cups of hot cocoa in hand and the snacks Wanda packed set out, you watch the boys sled with your woman under your arm.

She cuddles into your side, happily sipping from her cup. Unexpectedly, she raises her hand for a high five which you accept.“ Great idea, mama.” She tells you.

“Why thank you, my love.” You respond, placing a kiss on her head, then resting your head against hers.“ They’re gonna be out like a light when they get in the car.”

She snorts.“ I’m not at all opposed to that inevitable future.”

* * * * * * * *

Taglist: @owloftheshadows @blackxwidowsxwife @b-5by5 @lostandsearching @iliketozoneout @alotofpockets @storiesofsvu

[lilacliquors]

pairing: billy butcher x reader

word count: 1166

notes: on the twelfth day of ficmas, lilacliquors gave to me ... billy butcher learning the true meaning of christmas!

and this is the final day of ficmas!! i said it the other day, but thank you so much for participating in our very successful 12 days of ficmas, and for enjoying the little one shots.

the full masterlist will be queued up for christmas day as a little gift to you, and then i'll go back to posting the stuff in my inbox / some other things in the coming days! have a happy holiday if you celebrate, and a very happy new year <3

if anyone was a pre-roast beast carving grinch, it was billy butcher. he was never one to get into the holiday spirit, claiming he had nothing to celebrate. nothing you did could help change his mind, he was so set in his ways. you, on the other hand, loved the holidays. they filled you with a kind of joy that only came around once a year. it had always been a big holiday with your family, and you carried on a lot of the traditions you all had. 

you had your three types of cookies to bake: almond crescent, peppermint pinwheels, and gingerbread men. you started playing christmas music on black friday, queueing up your favorites right away and changing the radio station on the weekends to the one you knew would be playing nonstop holiday tunes. you had your whole apartment decorated just days after thanksgiving, and it looked perfect every time. so perfect, in fact, that billy couldn’t help but be in awe when he came by to visit you.

he knew you loved the holidays, he just couldn’t understand why. to him, it was just any other time of year, just much colder and far more annoying when you had random people ringing bells and collecting for sham charities. it was a load of bullshit to him, but rather than dim your light, he kept his mouth shut when he was with you. today was going to be a little harder, though, because he was joining you on a little shopping trip.

“why are we doing this again?” he asked, watching as you wrapped your scarf around your neck.

“because i picked a few names from an angel tree, and we’re going to give those kids a merry christmas. come on, this is the fun part,” you said.

“angel tree? the fuck is that?” he held the door open for you, and you both ventured out into the cold.

“okay, so, it’s a tree that has the names, ages, and christmas wishes of children from families that might not have the means to celebrate christmas. so, you pick a name, or a few, from the tree, and you fulfill their christmas wish! i think it’s a really great cause, i do it every year,” you explained, walking beside him down the sidewalk. billy said nothing, but just simply shrugged his shoulders. sounded like a load of shit to him, but you were excited for it, so what was the harm in humoring you?

you made it to the department store, and once inside, you pulled out the tags of the children whose names you picked. to billy’s surprise, you had around five tags in your hands, and he guided you to the side as you read them out.

“okay, i picked ones who asked for clothes, but not as many toys. they’ve got the sizes listed, so this will be a piece of cake. come on!” you tucked the tags away, took billy’s hand, and started making your way to the children’s section of the floor. 

“i thought kids wanted all them fuckin’ noisy pieces of junk. why’d you pick clothes?” he asked, watching as you thumbed through the wracks of clothes.

“clothes tend to be more expensive, and not as many people feel inclined to pick them. they think toys are easier, and that all kids want toys, no matter what. but sometimes, all these boys and girls want is a new winter coat, since theirs is two sizes two small. or warm pajamas, or new sneakers because their feet are too big. they don’t ask for much, they know they can’t. so why deny them this in favor of some plastic?”

billy fell silent as he watched you hold up a coat. it was purple with a soft lavender lining, a hood on the back, and pockets that zipped shut. it looked warm, cozy, perfect for a little girl. you set it over your arm and went back to looking, and billy held out his hand.

“here, let me hold the tags. i’ll read them out to you,” he said, and you smiled.

“thanks. here you go.” you handed him the tags, and he read them over himself. just like you had described, four out of the five asked for winter jackets. one asked for a sweater, another for new winter boots. he glanced up at you, and you now had a few more coats in your arms, and you looked over to confirm you had the right sizes.

“all right, you think these will do?” you asked, holding up your haul.

“i think they’re perfect. let’s go find that sweater, and those boots.”

you walked along together, and with him beside you this time, you looked through the children’s sweaters. this one was for a little girl, age six, and nothing was really speaking to you. but then, to your surprise, billy held up a light blue sweater with beautifully knitted snowflakes on it.

“what do you think of this one?” he asked, angling it so you could see better.

“i think it’s perfect, but check the size.”

“already did. it’ll fit her, promise.”

you smiled, then gave him a thumbs up. he smiled a bit, then draped it over his arm before you went on to find the rest of the items on the tags. soon, both his and your arms were full of other clothes, the coats, and one teddy bear that billy picked out for a little boy. you made it to the register, and together, you split the cost of everything. once it was bagged and you were on your way, billy wrapped his arm around your shoulders and tucked you close to his side.

“you’re a good one, you know that?” he asked as you walked.

“so are you,” you replied.

“nah, not me. always been a heartless bastard.”

“a heartless bastard wouldn’t have found that teddy bear. or that sweater. give yourself some credit here, butcher. you’re gonna help make this christmas the best one some of these kids have ever had. it’s the most wonderful time of the year, after all. season of giving and all that,” you said, nudging him gently. he glanced down at the bags between you, then shrugged again and offered a small smile.

“yeah, maybe it is. but that one woman in the toy aisle was a right cunt. did you see the look she was givin’ me?” he asked, and you laughed.

“oh my god, of course i did! it was like she’d never seen a grown man with a teddy bear before. he was a cutie, by the way.”

“mh, cute little fucker. guess that’s what this is all about, eh? making other people happy?” 

“that’s how i’ve always seen it.”

“then … as long as i get to make you happy, i can give this holiday shit a try. starting next year.”

a whole 365 days away? you smiled. after all, it was a start.

[ofoceansandtombsanew]

the leaves were sparkling

cw. olnf week 2024, pre!release, step 1, day 1

pairing. sparkling leaves

notes. it's august 3rd and @olnfweek2024 is finally upon us. i'm not gonna lie, i'm the most boring our life player. with my favs, i just play as myself and act accordingly to the age i would have been at the time. across both games, tamarack is my absolute favorite lead and i can't not indulge in the shenanigans. not apologizing for my shitty editing skills lmao

Standing in the fork of a road in the autumnal forest of Golden Grove, Nyla feels more like the protagonist of a movie than a normal person.

Gone is the familiar scenery of Richmond, California and the people that came along with it. Richmond came with honking cars, oil-stained parking lots and the turbulence of being an inner city kid. Golden Grove, Oregon is practically a new world in comparison to the hoods Mom normally could afford to live in. And if it wasn’t less-than-savory neighborhoods with gang violence and shady neighbors they were staying in, it was Grandma or Grandpa's.

It isn’t the first time Nyla’s moved out of California but this time feels so different.

Everything about this is different.

They weren’t moving into the house of extended family Nyla only knew through stories beforehand. Or moving in with either of her grandparents. As far as Nyla knew, they didn’t have family in Oregon.

It’s just be her and Mom.

And we’re in a house!

A house not an apartment.

An actual home not temporary residence.

Nyla would have her own room, her own space, her own everything and it was far, far away from the normality that had been Nyla’s life until today.

And it’s just ours! At least once the real estate person finally came and let the both of them in the house. 

Until then, Nyla was free to play in the neighborhood and she wasn’t restricted to Mom’s normal “you can go from that corner to that corner”. At least, she wouldn’t be as soon as they’d moved in properly and gotten to know all they needed to know about the mountain town. Who cared about the town itself when there was a veritable forest to explore right behind their new house, however. 

In the forest, she’d find an answer to the mystery at present.

Hello.

Go out.

Hideout.

Nyla.

Nyla reads over what had been a paper airplane once more.

Hello.

Go out.

Hideout.

Nyla.

What does it mean?! Perhaps this is how Jack felt when he was equal parts confused and enraptured by the lights and toys of Christmantown.

Strange paper in hand while she stands between two roads, it’s not hard to believe Nyla's life has suddenly become a movie. Was this some strange code left to her by the mythical beings of Golden Grove? Where is this hideout she is supposed to go to? Would this entire journey take her into one of the fantasy worlds she adored reading about? There is only one way to find out and it all comes down to whichever path she takes.

“I’m right-handed, so I should go to the right, maybe,” Nyla mumbles thoughtfully. Talking to oneself is an easy habit to develop when your many siblings live far away from you and you have to make company somehow. Nyla loves to talk, she doubts she’ll ever be incapable of shutting up and being quiet like a good chunk of her relatives desired. “But I always go right though.” Because I’m right-handed.

Going right has never steered Nyla wrong before.

In spite of her tried and true method, brown eyes can’t help wandering to the path less traveled. She can feel it in her bones, something really really good is going to happen if she goes left.

Magical adventures never happen to characters like Chihiro or Kiki or Yusuke because they decided to do what they’d normally do. Chihiro got into the spirit world because she took a risk, Kiki met Tombo because she left earlier than planned and Yusuke would have never become a spirit detective if he never pushed that kid from getting hit by a car.

Adventures come from being different.

“I’m going left!” Nyla announces to no one in particular, wide-eyed in her excitement. Humming Smile Bomb obnoxiously loud, Nyla continues her quest.

What if this really is her moment, Nyla wonders.

What if she manages to stumble onto something mystical and normally unseen? In a forest like this, it’s easy to imagine being like Alice and falling into a rabbit hole into Wonderland. Or perhaps she’d find a cave with a sleeping dragon. Or perhaps she’d even stumble upon a faerie revelry and dance with the queen?

All of the aforementioned scenarios are easy to picture in a place like this.

There were no forests in Richmond, at least not where she lived.

Nor were things so magical.

Reds and golds blend into one another, mushrooms dot the forest floor. Living with the faerie folk crosses Nyla’s mind more than once as she takes in the sights and sounds of the forest.

Then she hears it; a clatter.

With as much reckless abandon a ten year old can possess, Nyla walks off the dirt path to find the source of the noise. Thin branches and crunchy leaves splinter underfoot and her heartbeat quickens in anticipation as she reaches a cluster of trees akin to the Circle of Holiday Towns. This is magic.

It has to be, Nyla thinks, as the golden rays that peek through the canopy paints everything in a pale glow. This is a place where faeries have their revels. The trees were harmoniously aligned and leaf piles dotted the ground. What if faeries are in them? Faeries are supposed to be good at hiding, Nyla remembers from her stories as she follows her instincts to one pile in particular. This one has a faerie.

Fate doesn’t give Nyla a second later to act on her faerie tale references.

“Hello!” Leaves red, brown and orange rise in a whirlwind as a kid around Nyla’s age leapt out of a pile, arms raised high. Brown stares into red as everything they’d thrown up gently drifts back to earth and just when it seems magic can’t be anymore real, their chests are aglow in berry-reds.

This is the prettiest person I’ve ever seen.

Sparkling, everything is sparkling.

It’s like all the sparkle in their fluffy gold hair was sharing its glow on everything surrounding it. The air and the leaves resting around them. If this is what magic is supposed to be, Nyla doesn’t feel the urge to argue against it.

“You’re so pretty,” Nyla breathes, brown cheeks warm.

“No you!” The sparkly-haired stranger giggles, round cheeks flushed pink as she beams in return.

I met a girl I'm gonna marry.

soulmate au: when you meet your soulmate, your chest glows. one of my favorite spins on soulmate verse that i rarely ever see, so i decided to whip it out for my olnf week debut! within my playthrough of olnf, it's love at first sight for the two of us, kid nyla knew she was marrying this girl when they grew up.