#the italicization ;; 'If that is our truth...'

[bylertruther]

do you ever think about the fact that throughout the entirety of stranger things we’ve always seen mike practically shout his love for will from the rooftops by throwing his everything into believing, protecting, and helping will no matter the stakes, and how a majority of byler moments are initiated by him, and how will has always loved him back quietly despite being the one canonically confirmed to be in love, and how will is almost always on the viewer’s right in iconic byler moments but in season four we find him on the left in what used to be mike’s spot because their “roles” have switched AND when we’re taken out of the viewer’s pov and put in jonathan’s pov we see jonathan Come To A Realization here because while mike has always made it clear how special will is to him and how different their relationship is, will has always managed to keep the true depth of his feelings a little closer to his chest and it’s only when he publicly takes up that support role that mike has played for him previously that the audience is purposely made to realize, too, how romantic it truly is, because coming from mike everyone might have thought it was his usual overzealous theatrics but when the same tenderness and earnest love comes from will they realize oh. this is... this is actually something more. this is how they are this is mike and will like nothing has changed and no time has passed but it’s now that we realize just what it is, and now that will is starting to slowly but surely come out from this curtain he’s hid behind his whole life and voice that yes he loves mike of course he does he’s always loved him and loves him in precisely the way that mike expresses he needs to be loved there is simply NO conceivable way that they can come out of this hellish slow burn miscommunication trope not in full acknowledgement and eager acceptance of this love they have for each other and have always had and always will !!!!!!!!

[stormhearty]

Paring: former Azriel x Reader

Triggers: mentions of cheating, mentions of death, cursing, a lot of bold and italicize

Word Count: 3K+

Summary: The High Lords called a meeting to discuss the Death-God’s resurrection. However, with the death of their Seer, tensions run high between Day and Night Court, Helion outraged by the loss of your life. Truths are revealed and lies are exposed. And what happens when the High Lords realize that they have all been too late?

Note: I thank you all for all the love you have given to my one shot!! I had never thought it would have been so well received by fans and writers! I am very amused by everyone's reactions and thoughts on the one shot — everyone is wanting blood and redemption for our poor reader. And she will! This chapter is a segway/filler chapter — but still important. It's still angsty, don't worry. This one shot will probably become a 3 part series. I know in that voting poll I had done asked if you guys wanted a 5k chapter, rather than a 2- 2k chapters, but I wanted to leave you guys with one more chapter to look forward to! Please look forward to it!

Part One | Part Three | Epilogue

<Pushed to the Edge> Masterlist

“You had abandoned my emissary, disregarded her sight and had her take her own life in your Court… And for what? Your mate’s sister’s powers?!” Helion was fuming, amber eyes staring the High Lord of Night down, “And that her mate — - “a growl escaped his lips, as he glanced at the Spymaster next to Rhysand, “Had cheated on her for said sister?!”

The High Lord of Day’s voice echoed throughout the throne room, shaking its very walls at the allegation of what had happen within the wards of the Night Court. Helion’s fingers gripped the edge of the large round table, his claws causing the wood to splint underneath his fingertips.

“And now… you are telling me that her body disappeared?” his voice deathly low, “That your Spymaster’s shadows had whisked her body away to — God-knows-where… That, that child, never had never had a proper burial?!”

Rhysand couldn’t utter a single word against the claims placed against him and his Court — he couldn’t when everything that Helion had roared was true.

“… Show me…” Helion hissed, focusing at his old friend, “Show us what had happened that day…”

Rhysand gulped, staring at Helion before glancing around the table towards the High Lords of Pyrthian. All of them staring him down before all felt the claws of Rhysand's power creeping in their minds, images of that day of your death playing in their minds — all of them watching the confrontation between the Inner Circle and you — on how you were cornered and betrayed, leading up to your very death.

He hated it. Rhysand not only relived that that multiple times during his dreams — where he had failed you. He now had to relieve it while he was awake. Hearing your pleads and cries for him to listen to your visions, and seeing your body dying on that marble floor — to watch it be taken away by tendrils of shadow.

Once the memory came to pass, sobs echoed throughout the room. Helion being the loudest as he ran a hand down his face, his form shaking in his seat. Rhysand glanced towards his Inner Circle, watching his family relive that moment as well; eyes focusing on Azriel, who gripped the arms of his chair as his face wrinkled in anguish at the memory.

It had been a month ever since your death, a month since the sliver of shadows that once served the Spymaster had taken your body away — unknown to even Azriel on where they had brought your body to. And a month ever since more and more whispers of Koschei’s resurrection echoed throughout the Courts. The Death-God’s power vibrating throughout all of Pyrthian — it was difficult to not miss.

The High Lords gathered in Day Court to strategize on the impending danger of the Death-God. However, it was no secret on what had happened in the wards of Night Court. The loss of your light present throughout all of Pyrthian — every High Lord felt it.

Especially Helion.

He wanted nothing more to hurt and maim every member of the Inner Circle; but that wasn’t the purpose of this meeting — though he wanted it to be.

Helion reigned in his emotions, trying to calm the rage that boiled in his blood. Trying to clam the sadness he felt for the loss of you. He straightened up in his chair, letting out a shaky breath, looking back at the Night Court High Lord.

“… I regret that I ever had sent (Y/N) to your Court, Rhysand,” his tone small and disappointed, “Her powers were wasted on you and your Court. A Seer taking their life, being betrayed by the people she called her family,” His head shaking, a laugh, one so loud and so sarcastic escaping his chest that it echoed in throne room, startling the other High Lords, making Rhysand flinch in his seat. “What a damn found family you made. Betraying one’s mate, betraying a person who had served you for five-hundred fucking years over a female who barely has control over her own powers.”

Amber eyes darted to Elain, as he watched her flinch back, hiding behind the eldest Archeron sister, “What prophecy have you seen now?” the sarcasm very evident in his tone, “Have you seen what (Y/N) has seen? Have you seen the resurrection of Kosechi, as well? Your powers are nothing compared to (Y/N)’s.”

“How dare you talk to someone in my Court like — -” Rhysand started.

“You have no right to challenge me in my own Court, Rhysand!” Helion bellowed, hands slamming on the table, standing up as he glared at his once-called friend, “Do you realize what you have done?! Do you realize why there hasn’t been a Seer in millennials? Why (Y/N) has been the only recorded Seer in the history of Pyrthian? Because Seers have been hunted — by Fae, humans and Gods alike. They are so sought after, for their power, for the knowledge, for their sight. Seers have the power to uncover what is hidden, lurking in the darkness. They are the very light that unveils the darkness. They have been hunted to be exterminated for that very power…”

It had been the very reason why Helion had taken you in when you were a child, guarded carefully in the Day Court. To ensure the prosper of your power, the prosper of your light.

Amber eyes darted around the table, eyes staring at the High Lords that had situated themselves in this very room, listening to his tale before they stared back at Rhysand, “You, being the powerfullest High Lord if all of Pyrthian should have known that. And now, her body, one filled with Unknown-God-and Cauldron bound powers is missing…”

A huff escaped his lips in exasperation as he sat down back into his seat, “Her body should be buried here, in my Court, where she rightfully belongs to. But, no. And none of us could properly pray respects for the loss of her light…”

It was no secret that Helion had a soft spot for you. You were like his child, raising you since you were small, watching you grow and become a bright light within the Day Court. He knew how your light felt, how he basked in it as if it was the sun that radiated overhead.

And so when he had woken up that night in cold sweat, feeling the vanishing of your light — he knew something had gone terribly wrong.

“… — Helion…” Feyre tentatively called out to him, “You said her body is Cauldron bound? What do you mean by that?”

The Day High Lord glanced at the High Lady, staring her down before he nodded his head once. Leaning forward to rest his chin on his hand, “That’s what both myself and (Y/N) believe. (Y/N) is one the strongest Seers I have met in my life, those few Seers that I have encountered, ones that have wanted to remain hidden, are no match to (Y/N)’s powers. Your little Cauldon-Made Seer is no match for her either,” he sneered at the middle Archeron sister.

"There has been little records of Seers in Prythian, we all know that. Not even my libraries had enough information about them and their powers. But, despite that, (Y/N) was able to hone into her powers with little instructions… You know that she doesn’t just see the future, she was able to see what was happening now. She was able to focus on parts of Pyrthian and tell me what is and what will happen.

“But during the war with Hybern, much like when Nesta felt the Cauldron, (Y/N) felt it too. We didn’t know why, but we realized she and the Cauldron were somewhat connected. Whether it be the Cauldron was reason why she has her visions or if the Cauldron was the source of her power, they were bound. A natural connection between the two of them. And when the Cauldron broke, (Y/N) had told me she felt the Cauldron’s power sought refuge with her, as if the Cauldron sought her light.

“After the war, she had asked for my opinion — she felt the remnants of the Cauldron’s power tingling through her. She told me she saw more visions, visions of the far off future that she had no idea when would happen, and that her powers were starting to become out of her control. She was starting to lose herself in her powers, lose her mind to it… I didn’t know how to help her…”

The Inner Circle remembered, weeks after the end of the war, (Y/N) had asked if she could return to Day Court for a few weeks. Rhysand had let her, thinking it was not important. Azriel, too, didn’t question on her reason why she wanted to leave.

It was when they started to not care. When they started to focus their attention to Elain — the Seer that had defeated the King of Hybern.

Helion let out a broken laugh, staring at the Inner Circle, “I’m sure you never knew, did you? On how broken she started to be after the war. You never knew how her sleep was plagued with visions, that she couldn’t even close her eyes without images flashing behind them. Of how she sobbed in bed, wondering if she was in a dream or reality. She couldn’t differentiate anymore… And you…” eyes focusing on Azriel, “You never felt her pain because you put up a wall between your mating bond. Did you know, Azriel…”

The Day High Lord’s tone was seething, remembering those day.

“Did you know, how she cried for you? She begged down the bond for you to come and help. Wanting your protection, wanting to help sooth the pain she had felt? Wanting you just to be there? But all she could feel was the wall you placed, ignoring her… abandoning her when she needed all of you the most…

“I sent her back, hoping that all of you would help. I sent her back with sleeping tonics, hoping to help her with her sleep. Hoping that her family and mate would help her through her toughest time. Hoping that you all would see her. But I can see that never happened. That no matter how much she begged for you all to listen to her visions, to see her in pain, you ignored,” his voice was laced with anger, disappointment.

No one said a word. The air in the room tense and dense at the revelation that Helion lamented. No one knew of what you had gone through.

Azriel felt his his heart burn in his chest, as if his siphons were burning his skin — he felt the remnants of the broken mating bond in his chest, aching more at Helion’s words.

He didn’t know, he didn’t see, he didn’t feel the pain you were going through. He had ignored the tug of the bond when he had that wall up. He had been too infatuated with the middle Archeron sister, wanting her to feel belonged in their Court — all the while alienating the person who had been with him through thick and thin.

And, yet, he couldn’t do the same for you.

Bright blue eyes closed as Feyre silently mourned and apologized to the Heavens, to the night sky where you might have been.

But she realized on the implications of what had Helion had told them — that you might have been the Cauldron-bound object that Koschei needed to escape that lake.

She looked up at Rhysand, and he to her as they communicated down the bond. Both of them realizing what could happen.

The gesture wasn’t missed by Helion as he watched them, waiting for them to explain what they might have discovered. However, when they did not say anything, a growl escaped his chest.

“What is it?”

Feyre and Rhysand looked at the Day High Lord, hesitance shown in their features, “… It’s about what (Y/N) had told us. You all saw it in that memory…”

Helion thought, playing the memory back as he watched remembered your face, the anguish of your features shining through his head, listening to your words — your vision of what might pass.

“… That Koschei needed something from the Cauldron to be released from the lake,” Lucien pointed out from his spot next to Helion, the russete eye looking at Elain before back to Feyre.

“What if…” Tarquin mumbled, “…Koschei found (Y/N)’s body? If you and (Y/N) knew of the connection to the Cauldron, that the Cauldron sought her power. He could use her body to be freed from that lake.”

Helion looked at the Summer High Lord, amber eyes wide at the realization, “… If that were to come to pass, we would be doomed. (Y/N)’s body is probably soaked in Cauldron powers. It would be so easy for Koschei to be freed, and no one would ever notice. It is not impossible, but since (Y/N)’s body has disappeared, it is possible for her to have fallen into his clutches.”

Kallias, in the mist of the conversation, was watching, observing, the only remaining Seer in the room. He leaned forward, bright blue hues staring the Made-Fae, as he rested both arms on the table, “Have you had any visions?”

Heads turned towards the High Lord of Winter at his question. It did not phase him, as he continued, ”I heard from your High Lady that you rarely said anything about your visions, since the Cauldron broke. So do tell us, what have you seen about the Death-God?” If she had her powers still, a Seer would be still useful in this situation.

Elain visibly swallowed, as all attention was on her once more. Brown eyes frantically glanced around the table, over to her sisters and then to Azriel who both looked at her expectedly.

A heartbeat later, and the Middle Archeron sister knew that she couldn't lie.

She shook her head, “I have not seen anything… since the Cauldron broke…” her words nothing but a whisper in the wind.

It was as if a pin dropped on marble floors, the silence in the room was penetrating.

A laugh broke the silence. Eris’ shook his in disbelief on the drama they were hearing, “So you’re telling us, you have been lying about having your powers. And that (Y/N), who has actually seen those visions had taken her life?” he glared at the middle Archeron sister, “For what? Because you needed a position in the Night Court? So that you can gain the Spymaster’s affection? To bed him?”

Elain shook her head again, brown eyes desperate as she tried to catch eye with her family, with Nesta, who just looked away, brows furrowed with anguish, “… I just wanted to be useful…” she whispered in fear, slumping down in her chair, “My powers… were the only thing that made me feel like I belonged… But I didn’t have them, and… I just, didn’t want to lose my family.”

“And yet, you were willing to let (Y/N) lose her family, her mate… and her life. Just to keep your own,” Thesan expressed, "That selfishness will be the downfall of Pyrthian."

Elain flinched at the truth thrown onto her face, eyes down-casting, silence taking over her form.

Before anyone could reprimand Elain for her actions, the grand doors slammed open, a dark mist blowing throughout the room. Frightened and confused screams echoed through the room.

Helion stood up, using his power of light to dissipate the darkness that tried to cover the room. Amber eyes glowed as he watched as a cloaked figure float into the room.

Eyes watched the cloaked figure as it settled its form onto the floor, bare pale feet touching the marble.

“… I would think… that if the Pyrthian High Lords would gather… they would invite a God to their meeting. But I guess, manners do not exist in this world…” the voice was grating and brittle.

The hood swept, as if eyes inside were looking at all the High Lords that were now standing up, all attention to him.

A eerie chuckle escaped the hooded figure, spiny fingers grasping the edge before slipping it down. White hair and black eyes were revealed, pale, sickly skin glowed underneath the darkness that had surrounded him.

The figure bowed, a mocking gesture to the High Lords.

“It seems, that you are unaware of who you are being greeted by…” a boney finger raised up and pointed towards Nesta, the eldest sister stiffening, “Though I’m quite sure you do, dearest sister…” he grinned at her.

Nesta gulped and looked at the uninvited guest. She knew who would greet her like that — only the Death Caver has echoed the same words, “You’re Koschei… aren’t you…”

Koschei grinned wider, head tilting to the side as he stepped forward, laughing as the High Lords ready themselves for a battle with the Death-God.

“Oh don’t be so tense, my High Lords…” he mockingly commented, sweeping a hand, “Please sit… Do not stop your meeting for dear little old me. Though it is such an honor for you to do so.”

He rounded the table, eyes making contact with each of the High Lord, black eyes sweeping over their forms before he stopped before Rhysand.

Violet hues and black sockets stared at each other.

“Though I do have to thank you, High Lord of the Night… You have gifted me the precious gift of life. Though, it was through the loss of one of your own… You might have known her. Cared for her… Loved her…” Koschei looked at Azriel whose hazel eyes burned at the Death-God.

He let out a low laugh.

Tarquin’s assumption was right — the Death-God had used your body to free himself from the lake, right underneath their noses. No one felt it, no one knew. And it had been too late to do anything about it; months too late to prevent the resurrection, months too late to find your missing body, months too late of not listening to you.

Koschei looked behind him, far past the grand windows, the familiar cry of the bird of fire and ash echoing through the lands of Day Court, heading towards them — Vassa had come to stop the sorcerer-lord from his destruction.

However, before she landed on the balcony, an arrow, made of shadow and darkness struck her, causing the great bird to plummet to the land beneath her.

Lucien gasped and ran towards the balcony, peering down to see if the mortal queen had survived the fall; but there was no sign of the cursed queen anywhere below.

“What a dramatic entry by Vassa, as always…” Koschei said with a sigh, before another chuckle escaped his lips, dark eyes boring into the empty spot beside him, “Don’t you think… (Y/N)?”

All heads snapped towards the Deathless God, your name slipping from his lips, as they watched a swirl of darkness materialized a familiar figure. Azriel watched, hazel eyes wide as he took in your form, whisps of shadows that had whirled around you — his shadows, one that had abandoned him ever since your death.

“…(Y/N)…” Azriel whispered in disbelief, his voice shaking.

There you stood, next to the Death-God, very much alive.

Very much like a Death-God yourself.

And it echoed in your outfit — tendrils of shadow made up your dress, covering you from head to toe, fluttering near your feet as if a gown swayed by the wind. In your hands, a bow and arrow made of those shadows — the very bow that had struck Vassa down from her flight.

That was where Azriel’s shadows had gone to — leaving him, following you to your death, and making you someone completely different.

Someone that was going to be the downfall of Pyrthian itself.

Tagging: @cleverzonkwombatsludge, @setayeshmohseni, @kindasleepycryptid, @f4iry-bell, @woodland-mist, @kalulakunundrum, @topaz125, @thelov3lybookworm, @hnyclover, @harrystylesfan2686, @anuttellaa, @ithan-holstroms-girl, @judig92, @venuseuripedis, @fairywriter-oracle, @thehighlordishere, @acourtofbatboydreams, @willowpains, @historygreekqueen, @dr4g0ngirl, @ayme301, @kemillyfreitas, @crazylokonugget, @abysshaven, @michaelharrypotter, @naturakaashi, @kittenbi, @namelesssav, @guiltyreader, @awkardnerd, @je-suis-prest-rachel, @quackitysdrugdealer, @thesunloveschips, @brieflyclassymortal, @justdreamstars, @isa1b2h3, @himesuedi, @fxckmiup, @starswholistenanddreamsanswered, @t0uch-starved-h0e, @mybestfriendmademe

[itjazzbicch]

Escaping False Fate

Pairing:  Shang Tsung x Reader 

Summary: Based on Shang Tsung's tower ending:

With Shang Tsung escaping the Le Chin prison, but his partner, the reader, being wounded and captured, the reader loses all faith. Not knowing if Shang is even alive, they can only sit in silence and sad emotions, until fate turns again...

Warnings:   Flashback (it is italicized) MK Ending spoilers, reader starts the fic depressed, some fighting (that's about it!)

Word Count: 1.4k 

Time didn't seem to exist in this prison cell I was rotting in. Shao, Reiko, and Shang Tsung had escaped, but I didn't have that luxury since I was wounded.

All I could do was sit and dream that Shang and I were successful with our plans. I remembered our horrible life, barely surviving, then going toe-to-toe with an Empress, God, and Titan.

I went as high as possible just to smack the lowest pits. I was lifeless inside, and my body nearly reached that point.

"You're a strange one."

Li Mei watched me on the other side of the bars, unsure if she was curious or worried about me.

"What do you know?" I mumbled, thinking deeply as she asked:

"Your wound healed quite some time ago; not going to try and break out like the others? Just know-"

"I'm not going anywhere," Staring into the dark corner across from me, tears ran down my cheeks, but my voice dead and prolonging, "There's nothing in realms needing nor wanting me. So, tell me, why would I bother to break free?"

She wasn't expecting defeat from me, but I was in the dark corner, crying and reminiscing.

-------

"Our lives will be changing for the better, dear."

That storming night, I'd never seen Shang's face so bright, optimistic, promising with a kiss:

"With time, we will have the realms at our feet. We'll never have to live like this ever again."

-------

"To tell you the truth," Li Mei whispered before checking her surroundings to tell me, "I don't think that you're like Shang and the General. You're not evil like them."

"Watch your tongue," Snapping at her, that bit of anger was the only emotion I've shown since being thrown in here, "You don't know me, and your opinions have no value."

"I'm serious," Her kindness was annoying me, shutting her down as I shook my head, voice breaking:

"The only motivation I had is gone now. So, if you don't mind, can I rot in peace?"

"Such a shame," She shook back, quickly taking guard as feet stomped.

"FIRST CONSTABLE?!"

"Yes? What is it?!"

A guard came running down, and this caught my attention. I scooted to watch as the guard came and explained:

"Rebels! They're launching an attack."

"You can't be serious?!" Li Mei took off running, hearing screaming and yelling outside.

Rebels had to have been attacking, but that guard who came to get her flashed a smirk at me—that smirk. Shang Tsung's face flashed in my mind, the same expression on his face. He'd do that as a signal to get ready.

My blood pressure shot through the roof, and not long after that guard left, I heard yelling and screaming from inside. It was the guards.

"Did the rebels get in here?!"

The guards down the hall from my cell started marching down, and my fighter instincts overtook me. Something was telling me to get ready to get out of this place finally, and so, shooting a beam of my magic at them as they passed, going to grab the one with the keys, but they fell to the other side of the wall.

"Curse you!" Trying to squeeze through the bars, I was fingertips away from it, and of course, they had these bars in my way, and my magic was considerably weakened. I was so close, straining my body to try and get them, but freezing as I heard the voice I missed so much:

"Don't strain yourself, dear. We're not done fighting just yet."

"Shang-"

Watching him bend over for the keys, seeing that he was him, I cried tears of happiness for the first time in my life, hurrying to stand, jumping into his arms when the cell opened.

"It's you. It's really you," I cried, holding his face and pinching his cheeks softly as he smiled:

"Live in the flesh."

I was starting to go erratic, squeezing his face a little while pulling his lips to mine, feeling vital energy from within, knowing that something had happened while I was alone sitting in that cell.

"I truly hate to ruin our reunion, sweetheart," He kissed before picking up his head, hearing more footsteps, "But we have some unfinished business to settle."

"Please, allow me," I smirked, ready to go towards the guards headed our way, stopping at him reaching to his side:

"You're forgetting something."

My Khopesh.

The last missing part of me was finally home, and as I held it, energy flowed into me. Did Shang do something to it? There was no time for questions; guards coming from both ends:

"Shang Tsung?! Y/N is escaping! Don't let them escape!"

"Oh, how unfortunate that you chose this vocation," I laughed, that energy growing more vigorous, and with just a swing of my khopesh, the blast wiped them all out, and I was in awe by it, mumbling to myself, "I've never felt stronger."

"I told you," Stepping over the bodies, Shang started leading me to an escape, telling the exact words from the beginning of the new arc in our once meaningless lives, "With time, we will have the realms at our feet."

Out the back, where we were safe from guards, I was in awe at how effortlessly he opened a portal for us to disappear into, his eyes beaming back at me with a bright smile:

"That time has come, my dear, Y/N."

"Finally," I smiled back, stepping into the portal with him, unsure where we were, but all that mattered was that we were safe.

Once the portal was closed, just the two of us, I jumped into his arms again, giggling with joy as he spun a little. I didn't want to let him go; he knew the depressing emotions I dealt with in that cell.

"You didn't think I was going to leave you there, did you?"

"I didn't know what to think," I admitted, "I couldn't even move for days after I was wounded, and I was so worried about you."

Millions of worse-case scenarios were in my head during that time, bringing back my concern when he told me:

"I nearly died in the sea while fleeing."

That made my heart sink a little, but now that we were reunited, I was done with worries, bringing his head to mine:

"But you're alive. That's all I care about, Shang."

"Alive and very well," He smiled excitedly, kissing my cheek and taking my hand, "Come with me."

Following obediently, I began to wonder more about where we were, feeling the energy I felt in my khopesh again. This had to have been the source.

"What I thought would be my death was a blessing in disguise," He spieled, leading me down a dark hall, "Lui Kang may think that because he created time, my life is meaningless. My doppelganger may have tried to feed me false hope, but they both failed. All they did was lead me to greatness."

I finally saw That energy for myself: souls—a massive well of souls holding unimaginable power.

"You are the only one who ever truly believed," Standing before the well, there were no lies in his voice, echoing around me as he held his hands out to the sky, "And together, we will become invincible!"

"The power I felt in my sword came from this?"

"Magnificent, isn't it?"

Nodding, I rose to be at his side, smiling brighter than I ever had as our future had nothing but victory laid out for us.

"Just that little bit made me feel like a deity," I expressed, taking his hand and my voice echoing too, not realizing its enthusiasm, "No one will be able to stop us!"

"Not a thing," Squeezing my hand and pulling me into his arms, kissing him again made me feel complete, not daring to part lips till I couldn't breathe.

Nose to nose, staring deep into each other's eyes, we started laughing as we thought that every soul who tried putting us down would soon pay dearly.

"Y/N, my sweetheart," He breathed, an arm keeping me embraced, staring down the well of souls, then back into my eyes, "Are you ready to defy the cruel fates our enemies tried to put upon us?"

"Of course," I laughed once more, serious and undoubtedly ready as I smiled, "It's our fate to do so." 

[l1tw1ck]

Heizou and the Dad He'd Like to Fuck

Your neighbor Heizou decides to pay you a visit

FTM!Heizou x Top!Male Reader

Warnings: Non-Con Somnophilia, Oral, Creampie, Age Gap (Reader Age Unspecified), Daddy Kink

Words: 1,323

"Oh, Heizou? What brings you here?" You open the door to your neighbor. He was wearing a very cute outfit, a loose white tank top and brown booty shorts. If you looked at him from the side, you could see a part of his tits. He apparently wasn't the type to wear bras.

"I know you're alone during the day so I wanted to give you some company! I made you something...it's my own special recipe," Heizou smiles and shows you the dish he made. "I call it The Only Truth."

"It looks great, I appreciate that you're thinking of me Heizou. Come in." You step out of the doorway, allowing Heizou to come in. You lead him to the table and go into the kitchen to look for the right utensils to eat it.

"How have you been?" You ask, sitting across from Heizou.

"I've been great! I'm actually the top of my class." Heizou grins smugly.

"Congrats!" You clap. "I can't wait til my kids get to college." You sigh happily.

"Thanks, I wonder what major they'll choose." Heizou smiles at your expression.

"This is amazing, Heizou! You're a great cook!" You praise him. "That's a good skill to have y'know? Especially when you get married, you gotta pull your weight."

"Y- yeah. Thank you.." Heizou blushes.

"I'm not the greatest cook myself, my husband is the one who cooks here. I make up for it with my job though." You laugh. You didn't work everyday but you got paid very well.

Heizou smiles.

The two of you continue talking and end up watching TV on the couch. You got yourself a few cans of beer, it was very early for you to be drinking but you were feeling stressed.

"(Name), is everything okay?" Heizou asks.

"Yeah....no..." You shook your head.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't wanna bother you with it. You're only 19, you don't wanna hear an old man like me vent."

"I do, just tell me." Heizou insists.

"Alright..." You sigh.

"Me and my husband haven't been getting along lately. We're really only together for the kids. I want a divorce but it would hurt our kids. My husband sleeps in the guest room now." You take a big sip of your drink. "I know it's bad to stay together with the kids but the both of us have traits our kids can't live without. He cooks and I work. His job doesn't pay enough to properly support the kids."

"I see.." Heizou hides a smile. "If you were to get a divorce, would you have full custody?"

"I'd want to but they'd have to eat my shitty cooking everyday." You laugh.

"I could cook for them."

"You're a college student, you should focus on that instead. Not somebody else's kids."

"If I lived here though...I live alone so it'd be nice to be around a family."

"Why would you want to?"

"Because I like you." Heizou leans towards you.

You look at him in shock. I mean, sure you had a few passing sinful thoughts about Heizou but you never wanted to indulge in them. The age gap kept you away.

"Heizou-"

"I know we haven't known each other long but I really do like you." Heizou goes in to kiss you, locking your lips together.

And maybe it was because you were feeling upset and had 2 cans of beer, but you found yourself kissing him back.

Heizou moves his hand past your thigh, palming your crotch.

"Mm- Hey-" You put your hand on his wrist.

Heizou frowns. "Why?"

"Kissing is where I draw the line, okay? You're just too young." You move his hand away.

"I'm an adult! I live alone, how am I too young?" Heizou huffs.

"Maybe in a few years but I just can't date a 19 year old. It's not right."

"How? I don't understand...This is perfectly legal!"

"It's not right to me, I'm sorry. I think you should go home." You stand up.

Heizou sighs and reluctantly leaves the house, not without secretly swiping the extra key though.

──────────────────

*Both of you are whispering i just dont wanna italicize all of it sorry*

Heizou sneaks into your house late at night, knowing you'd be there asleep. He knows all too well how illegal his entire plan is but he doesn't care. It's not like he's going to murder you.

He creeps into your room and quietly makes his way onto your bed. He thanks the Archons for your bad marriage.

He pulls down your pants and underwear, freeing your soft dick. He spits on his hand and jerks you off to full size, he was practically drooling at the sight.

He licks the tip of your dick, taking in the taste and smell of your pre cum, before he sucks you off.

You weren't too heavy of a sleeper so you eventually woke up to Heizou's head bobbing up and down on your dick.

"What the-" Your words are cut off by a low moan forcing its way out of your mouth.

Heizou reluctantly removes his mouth from your dick and looks up at you. "You're awake.."

Yeah, and incredibly horny. You had an erection that needed to be taken care of and you were so damn worked up and tired you decided to use Heizou to do it.

You pulled Heizou up and pinned him down on the bed. You took his shorts off with ease. The dim light that shone from the curtains revealed Heizou's ecstatic expression.

"Yes!" Heizou pulls his shirt off then his underwear. He was dripping wet, he even had slick on the inner part of his thighs.

"You're a whore, you know that?" You line your dick up to his hole.

"I'm a whore!" Heizou nods. "Please fuck this slutty little whore daddy!"

You were glad your kids never called you that.

"Don't you dare complain, got it?" You started to ease yourself into him.

"Mm- yes daddy~" Heizou nods, biting his lip to hold back his moans.

"Fuck- you're tight." You groan, stopping and giving Heizou time to adjust.

"Move, please."

"'S gonna hurt."

"Please daddy." Heizou pouts. "I won't complain at all."

"Fuck. Fine." You grip onto his waist, thrusting into him like there's no tomorrow. Heizou covers his mouth, his small tits moving along with your thrusts. You regretted rejecting him earlier.

"Mmph~!"

You hated that you couldn't hear his moans but there was no way in hell you were going to stop and change locations.

"You're doing so good." You groan. "Just like that, taking me so well."

Heizou bites his hand, holding back a loud moan.

"You're so much fucking better than my husband." You praise Heizou. "He rarely had sex with me. You're so perfect compared to him..."

He bites harder, he's so happy but he has to be quiet.

"I could make you into my wife. You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Your hand trails up to Heizou's chest, your thumb circling his nipple.

Heizou nods his head rapidly.

"I'd fuck you all the damn time." You lean into his ear. "You'd be my little bitch."

"D- da~ daddy~" Heizou manages to speak quietly. "Cu- cu-" He covers his mouth again as he feels his orgasm quickly approaching.

"Slut." That one word is enough to have Heizou's back arching as he has the most intense orgasm he's ever had. He squirts all over the two of you.

"Fuck-" You feel your own orgasm coming after witnessing that. "I'm close."

Heizou wraps his legs around you, making sure you don't go anywhere.

"You want me to- fuck-" You couldn't hold it in anymore, you shoot your load into him.

"Mm~" Heizou removes his hands and grins.

You pull out and flip Heizou over, lifting his ass up and watching as your cum drips down onto your bed. You'll clean the sheets in the morning.

"Daddy?" Heizou looks back at you, confused.

"What? You thought that was it?" You smirk. "I'm gonna pound you til the sun comes up."

[totallynotaraccoonindiscuise]

hey guys do you wanna have a flash fic of dean doing the Gay Crisis Tango?

of course you do have some destiel highschool au where Dean sees Cas and cannot cope

Italicized stuff is flashbacks, sorry if theirs eyestrain!!

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

Dean sat on his bed, starting at a wall across from him. It was his first day of school in this new shitty town and he was already starting to hate it.

The teachers were annoying, the classes were hard, and he was learning things he wasn't ready to know about himself.

"And this is our new student Dane Winchester!"

"Its Dean." Dean corrected, not in the mood to deal with annoying teachers.

"Right, Dean. Sorry." The teacher corrected himself.

Dean grabbed his hair and let himself give into gravity, falling onto his bed in the motel room he'd be staying in with Sam for supposedly only two weeks, but he knows his dad isn't good about that stuff.

"Alrighty Dane, you'll be over there with Mr. Novak."

"Its Dean." He insisted as he walked over to the desk the teacher, whos name he hadn't bothered learning, had gestured to and sat down.

It wasn't their first time staying in a town so small that the middle, elementary, and high school were all in the same building, having to share desks and only moving from class to class maybe three times a day, one of those being to go to lunch, but, this was definitely the most interesting iteration.

He sat down and looked over at his new desk mate for hopefully only two weeks, and immediately took back that last notion.

The man next to him, Novak, was it? Was... hot. Beautiful in ways Dean hadn't seen in anyone before. Messy brown hair stuck up in every direction, a grim look to his already stubbled face. Bright blue eyes, so blue they pierced Deans heart, lay heavy-set into his skull. Chapped, large pink lips that made Deans mind wander.

Dean immediately looked away, his face growing red and his heart pounding.

'What the fuck?' Dean thought to himself.

'No, no no no no no no no. I am NOT gay. I like women! I've had girlfriends! I am NOT into a guy ive never talked to.'

Dean laid now, after a long, tiring day of seeing that handsome guy he now knew as Castiel roam from class to class and going across rooms and sitting and- Dean had been watching him all day.

Walking back to the motel from school Sam had brought up his staring, as he was now also in highschool and noticed his brothers odd behavior.

Dean new better than to push his brother away and decided to open up.

"I think I might be bi."

Dean had always been aware of being gay and bi and such but his dad had made him think that things like that were just as unnatural as the monsters he hunted.

Sam, of course, immediately told him he was cool with it and asked him why he'd decided to tell him now.

Dean had told him the truth.

And now he's here. Wondering what the fuck changed to make him suddenly bi.

He thought back all the way to his first memories, as far as he could go. In his digging, he remembered the fourth grade, where his dad told him liking men as a man was as wrong as sucking blood. Why had his dad said that?

Then, it clicked.

He'd told his dad he had a crush on a boy in his class. He remembered now. How his dad had freaked out and beat him. Kicked him out of the house for a night. He couldn't believe he could forget something like that.

"Uh, hi?" Dean had said to the man next to him.

"hello." Jesus, even his voice was hot. Rough and deep with a twinge of sincerity.

"Fuck."

[faintingheroine]

I mainly think that Heathcliff isn’t being truthful about Isabella being free to leave if she wants to because of this:

First we have a “he said, she said” situation:

“If she desired to go, she might: the nuisance of her presence outweighs the gratification to be derived from tormenting her!’

‘Mr. Heathcliff,’ said I, ‘this is the talk of a madman; your wife, most likely, is convinced you are mad; and, for that reason, she has borne with you hitherto: but now that you say she may go, she’ll doubtless avail herself of the permission. You are not so bewitched, ma’am, are you, as to remain with him of your own accord?’

‘Take care, Ellen!’ answered Isabella, her eyes sparkling irefully; there was no misdoubting by their expression the full success of her partner’s endeavours to make himself detested. ‘Don’t put faith in a single word he speaks. He’s a lying fiend! a monster, and not a human being! I’ve been told I might leave him before; and I’ve made the attempt, but I dare not repeat it!”

From this alone we can’t determine who is saying the truth - admittedly our 21st century progressive/feminist sensibilities are inclined to side with the abused wife, but it is indeterminate as of yet.

But then there is this a couple of paragraphs later:

“‘There—that will do for the present!’ said Heathcliff. ‘If you are called upon in a court of law, you’ll remember her language, Nelly! And take a good look at that countenance: she’s near the point which would suit me. No; you’re not fit to be your own guardian, Isabella, now; and I, being your legal protector, must retain you in my custody, however distasteful the obligation may be. Go upstairs; I have something to say to Ellen Dean in private. That’s not the way: upstairs, I tell you! Why, this is the road upstairs, child!’”

I think from the italicized words we can easily gather that Isabella wouldn’t be able to leave even if she wanted to. It seems like she is trying to leave, but he is directing her upstairs. Also lol at the “child”, he is only two years older than her, but he likes to twirl his mustache, what can I say.

[aceofwhump]

I know that it’s not realistic to headcanon that all of my favs are ace especially when there is canon evidence that says otherwise but it’s not my fault that all my blorbos are actually ace so 🤷‍♀️

(I have only seen broadchurch s1 and s2, but spoilers for those, and TW for not entirely enthusiastic sex/internalized acephobia/Tess being Not Nice to Alec and also Alec being Not Nice to himself…)

Alec Hardy is ace and always has been. The thought of sex makes him mildly nauseous. He might not know precisely how to label how he feels but as gross as the deed makes him feel he really truly did love Tess romantically and he tried to make her happy and do what she seemed so enthusiastic to do (and he got Daisy out of it so he’ll never regret it), but his reluctance (“Can’t I just hold you instead?” Tess rolls her eyes and shifts away from him on the bed, brushing his hand away when he reaches for her) may have been a contributing factor to things falling apart.

He asks Becca because he’s so confused and he’s such a mess and people keep saying it will help (it never has) and if part of him is so disgusted with himself he thinks he’d deserve it anyway nobody needs to know…

Nonny! Oh my god! Now to preface, I tend to do the same and just headcanon all my favorite characters as ace because I'm ace and I can do what I want. BUT! I've headcanoned Alec Hardy as asexual since I first watched the show!!!! He's one of my favorite ace headcanoned characters!!!! Oh I'm thrilled to talk about this.

Alec Hardy is totally asexual!!! All of what you said. All of it. My headcanons incoming! So he has ZERO interest in sex and always had. He did it just to please Tess but would never initiate and after a while Tess got pissed off and annoyed at always having to be the one to initiate and believes he doesn't care about her since he doesn't initiate anything physical. That, coupled with Alec never being home because of work, was a major contributing factor to her cheating on him during Sandbrook. Alec never liking sex but yes like you said he got Daisy out of it so in the end he can't regret having sex with her (even though he didn't want to have sex).

After Daisy starts living with him she notices how little he dates and how disgusted he usually looks when anything sex related comes up that she asks him if he's asexual. He's never heard of that before and she shows him some websites and he finally finds the word for what feels.

Ahh god I love it! So many ideas!

Oh guess what! I've found a couple of fics with ace Hardy! Please enjoy!

It's not like love at first sight is an actual thing by thisisarandomuser Summary: A night out in the pub and a conversation with his daughter help Hardy to make sense of his sexuality.

Recalibrating by pulse_in_the_pages Summary: Alec Hardy didn’t understand what all the fuss was about sex. Or, four times Hardy didn't know he was asexual, and one time he did.

Admissions Aren't Easy by Asexual_Enjolras Summary: When forced into sharing yet another hotel room with just one double bed - once again - for a new case, DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller soon discover that their relationship is a lot more developed than what it was the first time this mess-up happened at a reception desk. While settling into their new room, Alec reminisces about the hotel, having stayed their with his ex-wife in the past. In their discussion, Alec finds himself admitting that he is - in fact - an asexual man. Ellie tries to comfort him as all of his truths begin to spill out, and then they find their feelings for one another also beginning to come to light.

italicized oh for the realizations by strawberryopals Summary: Daisy Hardy talks to her dad, and they both realize something about him.

Our experiences have shaped us by brokenlycan Summary: Alec had been very stressed lately so the two of them decide to surprise him with something to help him relax. But it backfires.

[smoll-tangerine]

ten reasons why i hate you: reason #5

SYNOPSIS. while you admittedly didn’t refuse the arranged marriage between you and jung jaehyun, that didn’t mean that you’d allow him to treat you like a doormat. for the emotional distress he had put you through during the months leading up to your engagement party, you ensure that he will pay for the way he had been treating you for the rest of his life. 

PAIRING. rich boy!jaehyun x rich girl!reader  GENRES. romance, angst, drama, rich kid!au  CHAPTER WORD COUNT. 2261

WARNINGS. none. 

DISCLAIMER. this is a work of fiction based on fictional events and characters. it is unrelated to any real people, organisations, locations, and events. the laws, and legal and medical interpretations in this work have also been modified for storytelling purposes. 

TAGLIST. @crescent-iak​ @moonchele​ @ahtisa02​ @ghostfacefricker6969​ @jaehyunnie77​ @jungish​ @anya-writes-stuff​ @hey-won @ishireads​ @xxxx-23nct​ @peachibevuti @shepeelsoranges​ (bolded = unable to tag) 

[a/n]: thank you all so much for your comments!! i’m always so giddy when i read them hehe. this chapter doesn’t have any angst and it’s more fluffy(?) and it’s probably going to be the fluffiest of the chapters, so enjoy it while you can!! ♡ the honeymoon is broken down in 2 parts/chapters, so the next chapter will also be set during their honeymoon. 

also, italicized sentences = spoken in italian because i was too lazy to actually write in italian. Also, fun fact, Vini Da Arturo is an actual restaurant in Venice and its owner’s name is actually Ernesto lol 

← REASON #4 || MASTERLIST || REASON #6 → 

REASON #5  

You didn’t need a bachelorette party, but your friends digressed. 

Jennie took the liberty of charting your private jet for a small girl’s trip to Paris. Though, you were pretty sure she just wanted to go to visit the Chanel store on Champs Élysées. 

“So, spill the tea,” Jennie said to you with her famous feline-like smile. “How does it feel to be married to Jaehyun?” 

Your tongue poked your cheek and you tried to refrain yourself from huffing out in frustration. “We’re not married yet.” 

“Engaged, soon-to-be-married, married—in the end, isn’t it all the same?” Krystal commented with an air of nonchalance. “All of those specifics are not going to matter anymore in a matter of–” she glanced at her watch. “–thirteen hours and twenty two minutes.”

“No, it’s not the same.” 

Your two friends noticed how the tone of your voice didn’t match with one of a happy bride that was about to get married in a day. They shared a look of concern and scooted closer to you. 

“I thought the purpose of flying my jet instead of commercial so that we’d have our own personal space,” you mumbled tiredly. 

You could practically feel the hesitation behind their words and actions, and you sighed. You never meant to turn the atmosphere into one where your best friends needed to tiptoe around you. 

You wondered whether you should tell them the truth about the whole situation. While they knew that your marriage was most likely arranged (a common occurrence in your world), they were also clueless to a number of details such as the fact that Jaehyun was still very much with his girlfriend, that you only went through with the engagement to spite him, and that Jaehyun hated your guts. 

Or did he? 

After the conversation you two had in your penthouse, you never saw each other again, other than just for a few dinners with the two families. You two never spoke to each other properly since then, so to speak. That was about almost a month ago. 

You also took in more surgeries than usual to avoid thinking about the what-if’s and the nature of your relationship with Jaehyun. 

Were you two now... friends? 

You rid yourself of that idea. As long as you were going to stay married to him, preventing him from being with Chaeyoung, the idea of you two being friends was simply not feasible. 

Not to mention your lingering feelings for him was an obstacle to whatever relationship you two might potentially have. 

You bit your bottom lip in slight apprehension. 

Jaehyun was no stranger to your feelings, whether they be romantic or negative. But wouldn’t it be better for your mental health and well-being if you two were to be civil with each other? 

Your two feelings were not only at the opposite ends, but they were also clashing. And thinking about the way you had to treat Jaehyun onwards was more complicated than it seemed. 

You thought that your romantic feelings for your fiancé was gone once and for all after your engagement party. But the way they so quickly resurfaced, like taking a breath of air after being underwater, showed that what you did was just bury them in hopes that they never recover. 

Your efforts proved to be futile. 

“Say, have you already gotten Jaehyun a wedding gift?” Jennie asked when she sensed that you had calmed down. 

Your fingers tapped against the arm rest, thinking about the olive branch Jaehyun had extended to you. The one that made you think whether you’d be a monster for refusing it. 

“Mhm,” you hummed as you came to a conclusion. “I think I know what I will get him.” 

The wedding ceremony was kept relatively small, despite the media’s attention. 

You wondered if that was how your wedding was supposed to be, because it certainly did not match with the vision you once had. 

You glanced at your wedding band, one that you were certain that Jaehyun asked his secretary to get. 

For some odd reason, it reminded you of Doyoung, of how he was also someone you were supposed to marry. 

Only, your engagement fell through when you refused to go with him to Germany. 

You glanced at Jaehyun who was sitting in front of you, and you felt an odd sense of déja vu. What was the point of using your private jet again if you weren’t given the space you hoped you would get? You would have thought that Jaehyun of all people would select a seat that was away from you, but contrary to your expectations, he didn’t. 

If anything, he looked excited to be going on the honeymoon with you. 

“What should we do when we land?” Jaehyun asked you as he was looking through a brochure on things to do in Venice. “I heard that Venice is always packed with tourists. But since it’s slowly sinking into the lagoon, it’s good that we get to visit it before it completely disappears, right?” 

His excitement was unnerving to you. 

“...Venice is sinking because of climate change and tourism,” you muttered as you looked outside, the jet slowly descending to land in the Venice Marco Polo Airport. “And besides, who says that I was going to spend time with you?” 

Jaehyun seemed surprised by your statement. “What do you mean? Aren’t we on our honeymoon?” 

“I don’t recall saying that we aren’t?” 

“Then, why are we not spending time together?” 

“Why do you even want to spend time with me?” you refuted almost in annoyance. “I know it’s not enough that we’re now married against your will, so shouldn’t you thank me that I’m giving you space?” 

Jaehyun fell silent. 

You immediately felt awkward at his reaction, not expecting him to be disappointed by the fact that you wanted to be away from him. 

But shouldn’t he be happy that you were giving him freedom? He could do whatever he wanted! 

But this was one of the times where your feelings for him took over whatever hatred that was left in your heart. 

You sighed through your nose. “There’s a little bit of time before check-in and we haven’t eaten lunch yet. Let’s go grab a bite together.” 

His face instantly brightened up at your words and went back to his brochure. “Oh, we can–” 

“Drop the brochure,” you said with a small smile. “I’ll bring you to my favourite place in Venice.” 

Your favourite restaurant in Venice was a very small and cozy restaurant nestled in a side alley called Vini Da Arturo, a gem of a place you have found before you became a surgical intern. 

“Ernesto!” you exclaimed happily as you two finally arrived at the restaurant. “Ciao!” 

“Ah, bella!” Ernesto replied with the same enthusiasm. “The usual?” 

“Yes, thank you.” 

Ernesto glanced at Jaehyun who only smiled obliviously. “That’s not the same man I saw you with last time.” 

While Jaehyun was not fluent in Italian, you remembered that he was fluent in Spanish instead. And those two languages were practically the same. Yet for some reason, you hoped that Jaehyun didn’t understand what Ernesto just said to you, even if you had a feeling that he probably wouldn’t care. 

“This is my husband, Jaehyun,” you said not exactly answering his question. “Jaehyun, this is Ernesto, the restaurant’s owner.” 

“It’s nice to meet you, Ernesto,” Jaehyun greeted him. “I look forward to your food.” 

“You won’t be disappointed!” 

Ernesto brought you to your favourite table, which was the second to last booth from the back. Close enough to the kitchen that you could hear what was going on, but not close enough that you’d be bothered by the kitchen commotion. 

“Do you know why Ernesto’s restaurant is so special compared to the other restaurants in Venice?” you asked giddily, ignoring how conflicted Jaehyun’s eyes seemed at the moment. 

“Jaehyun?”

“Huh, yeah?” 

“Did you hear what I said?” 

He closed his eyes for a moment. “Yeah, no, sorry, could you repeat that?” 

“I said, do you know why Ernesto’s restaurant is so special compared to the other restaurants in Venice?” 

He shook his head. 

“Ernesto’s restaurant doesn’t serve fish dishes,” you answered. “Only meat.” 

“A small restaurant in Venice that doesn’t serve fish dishes?” Jaehyun questioned. “Pardon my language, but is he mad?” 

You laughed. “A mad genius! Trust me. You’ll see when you taste his pork chop and eggplant salad.” 

True to your words, Jaehyun did call Ernesto a mad genius as soon as he took a bite of the pork chop. 

After eating, all you wanted to do was get back to your hotel and sleep off your jet lag. But Jaehyun’s eyes begged you to hop on a gondola and tour around Venice. You understand that it was, surprisingly, Jaehyun’s first time in Venice, but you were staying a whole week in Venice—he’ll have enough time to tour the city on a gondola. 

So, the compromise you two came up with was a water taxi. Though, because the hotel you were staying in was already so close and at a walking distance from the restaurant, you two had to walk back to the S. Toma’ “A” ferry terminal—located around ten minutes walking-distance away from Vini Da Arturo—so that Jaehyun could fully enjoy the water taxi ride. 

Twenty-five minutes later, your water taxi arrived at Hotel Danieli, your favourite hotel in Venice. You loved it due to its rich history and architecture. While the outside looked like the rest of the city, it was the interior décor and architecture that always blew your mind away. 

“Welcome back to Venice, signora,” the hotel concierge greeted you. “The Doge Dandolo Royal Suite has been prepared for you and your guest.” 

You smiled in thanks and handed over your passports. “Our documents.” 

“Thank you,” he said as he processed everything. “The hotel would like to offer you a complimentary night free of charge, as one of our most esteemed guests. Would you and your guest like to stay for another night?” 

You didn’t know Jaehyun’s schedule, but you weren’t about to refuse the offer. 

“We’ll stay.” 

“Wonderful,” the concierge continued. “Will everything be charged to the card we have on file?” 

“Yes, please.” 

“Amazing,” he said and handed you the keys to your room. “Enjoy your stay.” 

You followed the bellman to your room and tipped him as soon as he dropped off your luggage. Jaehyun’s jaw evidently dropped at the grandiosity of the room. The Doge Dandolo Royal Suite was exquisitely decorated, reminiscent of 14th century Italian Renaissance-style. 

Perhaps the opulence of the room scared Jaehyun a little as he stuttered out timidly, “S-so, h-how much d-does it cost for a whole w-week here?” 

You stretched your whole body as you walked across the room, taking everything in. “I don’t know, it costs around 9500 euros a night so do the math.” 

“9500 euros?” he exclaimed in disbelief. “Wait, so that’s about 67 000 euros for a whole week?” 

“I mean, they’re giving us a complimentary night so it’s technically for eight nights.” 

Jaehyun glared at you. His glare was so fierce that it reminded you of when you two first found out that you were engaged to each other. 

“Do we have to stay in such a luxurious suite?” 

You found Jaehyun’s attitude curious and intriguing. 

While Jaehyun would be considered as nouveau riche, he certainly didn’t act like one. Most of the nouveaux riches you knew loved flaunting their newly accumulated wealth. 

Aside from a few of his expenses, Jaehyun was quite particular with his money. It almost made you chuckle as you remembered just a couple of months ago, he was screaming at you that you shouldn’t look down at him for having less money than your family and that contrary to your beliefs, he indeed was able to afford the lunch at Yuta’s hotel. 

“You and your family paid for the wedding,” you answered easily. “My family and I can pay for the honeymoon.” 

It took a moment for him to accept this compromise, but Jaehyun seemed satisfied with your answer. 

“Okay,” he said. “Also, have you thought about what you want to do tomorrow?” 

You looked back at him with a weird expression. “...You want to spend time with me tomorrow too?” 

It was probably the first time you’ve ever seen Jaehyun blush in front of you. “Well, whether I like it or not, we are married and are on our honeymoon! Shouldn’t we spend some time together before we head back home?” 

This was unexpected. 

You planned your honeymoon around the fact that Jaehyun didn’t want to spend it with you. 

Did this mean that he didn’t hate you anymore? 

“I don’t.” 

“Huh?” You realised belatedly that you might have asked that question out loud and Jaehyun heard it. 

“I don’t,” he repeated, “actually hate you.” 

“Oh,” you answered dumbly. “That’s... good.” 

“So, tomorrow?” 

You shrugged and went to the bathroom to take a shower. 

“We’ll see.” 

Whether you liked it or not, Jaehyun’s sudden shift of attitude towards you was one that made you question his true intentions. 

You constantly reminded yourself that just barely month ago, this man hated your guts with a fury for supposedly ruining his life. And one small and insignificant action on your part suddenly made him think of you differently? 

What kind of game was he playing? 

You didn’t know, but one thing you knew for sure was that you would emerge as the game’s winner. 

← REASON #4 || MASTERLIST || REASON #6 →

[christiansorrell]

Play-By-Blog #11: The Isle by Luke Gearing

Welcome to my ongoing play-by-blog of The Isle by Luke Gearing! We are playing this adventure with its original system, The Vanilla Game (adjusted somewhat to fit the format). You can check out the Play-By-Blog Repository to get all caught up if you wish.

How Play-By-Blog works:

I write up the situation, NPCs, and more, just like a DM.

You vote in the poll to help decide the character's course of action.

I roll the dice, resolve actions, and write them up next week.

So on and so forth for the rest of the adventure!

Notation:

[Text in brackets is out-of-character/GM text!] "Non-italicized quotes denote text from the original adventure!" "Italicized quotations denotes NPC dialogue."

Our character: Medon Girou - Magic Cutpurse

Our maps: The Isle, The Dungeon (so far)

[You can use the links above to find Medon's Character Sheet and map of the Isle and the so far uncovered portions below the surface. On the Dungeon map, you are currently in Floor 2, Room 20.]

Now, back to the adventure!

You look back at Fionn, this strange skeleton writhing with leeches and crowned with long, white hair. For the first time on this isle, you find yourself thinking that you can be honest with this man, if you can call him that. Surely, he has far bigger things to worry about than a petty thief like you. Surely, he's done worse to become whatever he is now. Perhaps, there's some shred of a kindred spirit in those old, cracked bones.

You tell him the truth. You have come here for riches. You know and care little for the cares and customs of the monks and their monastery. You have heard there is old hacksilver here to be had, be it in coin or in trinkets of one kind of another. In fact, you've already found some. Fionn lets out a raspy laugh, heading tilting side to side. You are sure he would be smiling if he had flesh. "It is rare to come upon such an honest soul in a place like this. It gives me hope for what you and I may achieve. I too care little for the damned monks on the surface. They, like so many others, were collaborators in my demise. They will find their time in the dirt soon enough. "You see, I do not care for any of the many treasures you may find within these halls. My treasure is my kingdom, back upon the mainland. To reclaim it, my brother Dainéal must die a true death. He is here somewhere, lingering in undeath. Kill him for me and you will forever have a place at my court. In the meantime, you may rest here, make use of my chimney, and loot anything else you wish from this place (outside of this room, mind you).

"Dainéal is my equal heir, you see. We were tricked long ago and exiled. While he lives, I am unable to reclaim my proper glory. You'll find him far from here, but he is here - in these halls. He has Bonded Dead, much as I do." Fionn gestures to the other skeletons shifting in place around him. "They wear furs, much in Dainéal's antiquated style, not that he can wear much these days." He laughs again, shattered teeth and old bones clattering.

"So what say you? Join me in this quest and take your pick of all the treasures of this place, uninhibited by me. A place at my court, if you wish it, for all eternity."

Fionn and all of his Bonded Dead look to you, empty eyes wriggling with leeches.

Beyond them, you here a quiet shuffling sound through the dark doorway to the east and a grinding sound through the doorway to the south.

[I was pleasantly surprised to see y'all take the honest approach! Especially for a cutpurse like Medon, this feels like a big character moment. I'm interested to see how it continues to play out! See you next week.]

[Also, it's worth mentioning that Medon's spell Wizard Eye does summon a magical, floating eye with darkvision (or at least I'm ruling that is does for our purposes), but casting spells are potentially dangerous and can't be relied on as readily as equipment. Still, it's worth noting for the future in a place as dark as this. - Christian]

PBB #12 is live now!

[wxndswept]

Profile: Voice-Over(Yuuki and Moon)

Below the cut is a not-so-quick overview of Yuuki's various voice lines if she was playable I guess? Moon speaks as well, italicized

Entries with a(*) are new!

Hello: I'm Yuuki, a world traveling adventurer. If you've got any- "Hmm, and who is this, Master?" Ugh... and this is Moon. It's an... odd story.

Chat, Drink: You need to take the edge off? I can give you a quick drink if you want. Kidding, kidding!

Chat, Impatience: "Enough standing around. Get a move on!" Moon! Don't be so rude!

Chat, relax: Sometimes it is nice to take a break.

When it Rains: *SIgh* Great. My coat is going to take forever to dry...

When Thunder Strikes: It's getting bad out. Maybe we should go inside?

When it Snows: Brrr, it's cold... better find a warm Seelie.

When the Sun is Out: Haaah, that sun feels nice... Let's just lay on the grass for a bit!

When the Wind is Blowing: Feel that? That's the blessing of Barbatos at our backs!

In the Desert: "Aah, I still have memories of when this wasn't a desert..."

Good Morning: Morning! I was about to head out, you want to come?

Good Afternoon: *Yawn* I could really use a pick-me-up. You want some coffee?

Good Evening: Hey, come with me. There's a spot that looks absolutely beautiful this time of day!

Good Night: "Sleep well, I'll watch over you and wake you if anything happens. Don't worry, as an AI, I have no need for sleep."

About Yuuki: Running: Back in Mondstadt, I would often sneak out and climb the windmills in the city. I just... had to get out of the house, you know?

About Yuuki: Journey: I wonder, if you saw me now, would you be proud of me, mother?

About Yuuki: Truth: Locked

About Us: Adventuring: This journey of ours... I hope it never ends, moon. "......"

About Us: The Sword: You know, I've been calling this the Ruin Blade, but I don't think it's actually connected to Kaehnri'ah. I'm starting to think it might be from a different world entirely.

About Us: Aeternus: Locked

About the Vision: I'm very happy that this reawakened for me. No matter where I go or what I do, she's always with me. Plus the Anemo energy works very well with the elements the Ruin Blade uses. Almost like it was meant to be.

About the Vision 2: Locked

Something to Share: Fragments: It's hard to believe that these little things contain a piece of a person. "I'm not a person, I'm a machine! It isn't that hard to comprehend! "

Something to Share: Teyvat: This world is so rich in history, secrets and culture. It's my life's goal to uncover and learn all of it.

Interesting Things: Moon knows a lot despite being broken. You can ask her almost anything and she should be able to answer! Unfortunately, that doesn't mean she'll actually tell you.

About Moon: I found the sword in Stormterrors' Lair, but Moon I first found in Enkanomiya. To think, they're more than a thousand years old... but so much more advanced than anything here in Teyvat. At least from what I've seen.

About Moon 2: Locked

About Jean: I hope Grand Master Varka returns from his expedition soon. Maybe then I can finally see Jean relax. Nah, knowing her, she won't. 'For Mondstadt, as always...'

About Diluc: Master Diluc... hehe, it's always a good night when he's working at Angel's Share! "You drunkard."

About Venti: Winds: "You do know that bard is Barbatos, right?" Don't be ridiculous, Moon. "Don't be daft. Have you seen anyone else with that much control over Anemo? Pay attention to what he says and does, you'll see!"

About Eula: One thing I've never understood is why most of Mondstadt is so rude to her for what her... ancestors did? That never made sense to me, Captain Lawrence seems like a perfectly good person. That said... she makes me nervous, it's that whole vengeance thing.

About Amber: Y'know, it's because of Amber that I tried out for the Knights. Seeing her try so hard to become an Outrider like her grandfather really inspired me. Heh, good for her.

About Amane: You know, my first thought of him was that he was a loner putting up a literal cold air to push people away. Goes to show you not to judge a book by it's cover. "I don't like the way he looks at you." W-what? Where did that come from?!

About Zhongli: "Over there, is that Morax?" What, no that's Mr. Zhongli. I swear Moon, you might be a bit broken. Still... I kind of want to introduce myself.

*About Zhongli: Help: That power, back at the Chasm. Do you think it was the work of Rex Lapis? "I told you he was alive! That Exuvia back then was fake!" Hm, maybe...

*About Xiao: Help: Hey Moon, next time we're at the Wangshu Inn, remind me to leave some almond tofu out. "Why?" For the Guardian Yaksha, of course! I need to thank him for his blessing back at the Chasm. It must've hurt to not help directly.

About Ningguang: The Tianquan? I once saw her at a pretty cheap food stall buying Mora Meat! She looked like she was enjoying herself too, it's nice to see someone so high up the ladder enjoy something so... simple.

About Tartaglia: Fatui: I'd love to fight Childe honestly. I wonder if the other Harbingers are actually stronger than him...

About Blair: Locked

About Yun Jin: Her operas are something else! I- "Clearly. You spent nearly a week going in and out of that damned tea house for those shows and stories." S-so!? I can appreciate good art when I see it!

About the Raiden Shogun: Curiosity: I wonder if the Shogun still takes duels... "Don't you dare!"

About the Raiden Shogun: Truth: "If you ever get chummy with Raiden Ei, ask her about artificial bodies. Maybe I could have something commissioned like the Shogun puppet." Moon, what are you on about?

About Kamisato Ayato: Ah, the Kamisato siblings. My mother was close with their parents, so I would see them on occasion when we were really young. I wonder... does he still remember me?

About Faruzan: Aside from Kris, Madam Faruzan is the only person to truly show any real interest in the Ruin Blade. Unfortunately, the only thing she was able to tell me is that 'the name is incorrect.' Pft, obviously... I just can't think of anything cooler!

About Nilou: I happened to pass by one of her troupe's shows, and I must say... I was enthralled, for lack of a better word. *Sigh* I should really go back to the Zubayr Theater. I really want to express how enchanting they are, especially Nilou. She dances like... like... agh I can't find a good word for it!

About Kris: That poor girl blames herself for the accident that took her sister from her. She's dedicated her entire life to finding her again, and because of it... hasn't really led a life. I hope she can find at least some time not worrying and fretting.

*About Karma: I like her hustle! Honestly, if I wasn't an Adventurer, I would probably have become a merchant like her. "What about the Knights?" Maybe, but finding odd items all over and selling them to interesting people? Sounds kinda nice, I won't lie.

About Lesser Lord Kusanali: Truth: "Well well, the previous Archon's reincarnation has finally grown wings of her own. Good for her, I cannot wait to see her fly." Huh? Lesser Lord Kisanali isn't a reincarnation, she lost her power, right? Or something like that, according to archives.

About Wanderer: "Foolish Ballader, you cannot hide your true identity. A discarded puppet, the sixth Fatui Harbinger, a failed god, you will always be those things, no matter how hard you try to hide them." Huh? What? There isn't even a sixth Harbinger, what are you talking about with all this?

About Ruby: There is something about that woman that I can't put my finger on. "My suggestion is to stay away from her. Not only is she not human, she's barely comprehensible." Moon, that just makes me even more interested!

About Lyza: Rival: Haha, I've been hired by Kris to find her, but I can't help but be caught up in the moment every time we fight. Lyza is... she's not like anyone I've faced before. Is this what having a rival is like? "No you idiot! Ugh, that poor girl. Having to deal with those curses, forced servitude, and you."

About Lyza: Family: I wonder, if I was in her situation, would my father expend as much time and energy into finding me? It could have just as easily been me with you, you know. "Mmh, perhaps. That girl does have quite a caring family. I do hope she can see that again."

*About Lyza: Aid: "You did a good thing for that girl, Yuuki. I'm proud of you." Lyza, she... she deserves better than what she's had. I'm just glad we were able to help. I couldn't have done it without you.

About Lyza: Rebirth: Locked

About Neuvillette: The Chief Justice, or Iudex of Fontaine... I hear he's incredibly knowledgeable on all manner of things and has been around for a long time. I'd love to pick his brain about a few things.

About Furina: I sat in a trial once, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say she's... ah, never mind. I shouldn't bad mouth an Archon like that.

About Clorinde: Beautiful and strong? Haha, a small part of me wants to get arrested just for the chance to fight her! Hmm... nah.

*About the Knave: Test: The fourth of the Fatui Harbingers... I hear her strength rivals the Archons themselves. With this new power I have, I... I have to test myself against her!

About P: Revenge: Locked

More About Yuuki 1: I'm actually from Inazuma. Before moving to Mondstadt, I lived with my family in the middle of the city. We weren't too far from the Komore Teahouse, although we were never allowed entry.

More About Yuuki 2: I had quite a few odd jobs when I was younger, after moving to Mondstadt that is. I helped at Quinn's stand, ran deliveries for Sara, and even helped out Grand Master Varka! *Sigh* Things were simpler back then. But not necessarily better. Heh, I did a lot to get away from my father.

More About Yuuki 3: Before I became an Adventurer, I actually tried to join the Knights. Back then, I was doing anything to get out of the house, but... I don't know, something stopped me from following through. I was told I had what it takes and had more than enough skill, but I just couldn't finish. I wonder what kind of person that makes me...

More About Yuuki 4: Locked

More about Yuuki 5: Locked

Yuuki's Hobbies: Aw, this is a bit embarrassing, but... I like to draw. I've drawn a lot of the landscapes that I've visited and a few... portraits. Wha- you... want to see? Nngh... fine. Just don't be too harsh, okay?

Yuuki's Troubles: Moon likes to butt into conversations a lot, usually to inform or correct something in a conversation. "Please, I bring life to some of those boring conversations with boring people!" It's... complicated to explain to people exactly what's happening.

Yuuki's Troubles 2: Locked:

Favorite Food: Aah, I'm not super picky. As long as it's cooked properly, filling and I can have a good drink with it, I'll probably eat it. Especially if I can eat it on the go.

Least Favorite Food: Hmm, I'm not a fan of making soups and stews when I'm out. Clean-up is such a pain, and it's so easy to get the seasoning wrong.

Receiving a Gift 1: Oh wow, this is delicious! Thank you so much!

Receiving a Gift 2: Mmh, you're quite the cook, aren't you? Very nice.

Receiving a Gift 3: Oh... uh... wow... thanks...

Birthday: Happy Birthday! Where do you want to go? From breakfast in Liyue to dinner in Fontaine to star-gazing in Inazuma. Anywhere you want, I'll have you want, in a jiffy!

Feelings About Ascension: Intro: I can feel it... this sword's ancient power!

Feelings About Ascension: Building Up: "Well well well. You found me. I guess this makes you Aeternus, hmm? Well? Come on, take me! I will give you what you desire, my master~"

Feelings About Ascension: Climax: So this is the power of Darkness... the element that Lyza used. I'm... not sure I like how this makes me feel.

Feelings About Ascension: Conclusion: Locked

[valiantamm]

Sunday thoughts for Tumblrstake 10/8/2023

Hello folks. Couldn't sleep last night so hard that it became this morning. But I took the opportunity to do a little bit of study along with some extra things this afternoon.

Since I think you can get a lot out of studying on your own terms instead of just listening to my conclusions, I decided I'd just like to share some of the stuff I've been reading and listening to today:

TW for racism, systemic issues, etc.

Instagram/TikTok posts: (all from James Jones of Beyond the Block): On "thinking celestial"... What the Black Menaces teach us about idolatry "The sin next to murder" Mormon Stories Podcast Praying the gay away as a Mormon teen Stacey Harkey on “leaving” the Mormon Church

Dialogue Journal Truth and Reconciliation: Reflections on the Fortieth Anniversary of the LDS Church’s Lifting the Priesthood and Temple Restrictions for Black Mormons of African Descent (much less scary a read than the length of this title would lead you to believe) ---

My messy summary

Deuteronomy 5:9-10, KJV (italicized for emphasis)

9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto [idols], nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, 10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

I always felt uncomfortable about this verse. Mentions of God as a jealous god feel harsh to me and others with a generally universalist perspective on salvation -- we have a desire for others to be able to be happy now and in the eternities.

Even further bothering me has been the generational guilt that is implied here -- a curse upon someone, their children, and their children's children. But today I see it not as a curse but an explanation of how familial trauma and societal inequality persist.

In the Truth and Reconciliation article I shared, our author brings up that the church might try modeling a truth and reconciliation intiative similar to the one which was used in the country of South Africa after the abolishment of Apartheid.

Obviously, a truth and reconciliation initiative is more complicated when those needing to ask for forgiveness may not have been guilty of the transgressions themselves but may be the present-day representatives of those persons, policies, and institutions responsible for the wrongs. Nevertheless, it seems that they must take the risk of responsibility if true healing is ever to take place.

As modern-day generations, it falls on us -- particularly us in positions of privelige and power, but also to anyone who feels "called to the work" -- to right the wrongs of the past. We may bear no personal blame for the events of the past, but without our own efforts, inequality and unkindness will persist.

I hope I (and you!) can believe and remember this quote from Nelson Mandela:

No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

[gureshinlover]

Rereading OnS Opening Song 2, Two Souls Towards the Truth's lyrics and making connections with the latest chapters

Lyrics:

I was always dreaming with my hopes about to be destroyed

We crossed over time and intersected, each of us with our own kindness

When I casually look up at the sky, I picture your smiling face

Ever since that day, we’ve been seeing different worlds

Those memories of mine know that believing in one another with our hearts overflowing

Is such a simple thing to do

I just follow the unknown hidden in light and darkness

Two thoughts shine: “I want to protect you.”

I embraced the bonds between us I felt in my heart

Now’s the time to stand up, I’ll cut through the sadness

Two souls go…toward the truth!

I’m searching for that smiling face, these feelings will guide us to the truth with strength

If I fight against the thirst, I forget something,

And when I cling to it, I lose my way in eternal confinement

Neverending regret is reflected in these eyes

All that I’m grasping at inside the darkness is the light that you shine

I absolutely want to convey my feelings to you

I believe that some day that time will come,

And I carve out the fate that this soul guided me to

Even now the promise I made with you resonates within my heart

This body that was wounded as I gathered up the fragments of light

I’ll offer it to you alone

Two souls go…toward the truth!

Only my memories with you shine a light on the cold world again today with their warm courage

We spin our own sense of justice from the pain that never ends

I entrust everything to whatever outcome awaits beyond the battle

I embraced the bonds between us I felt in my heart

Now’s the time to stand up, I’ll cut through the sadness

Two souls go…toward the truth!

I’m searching for that smiling face; these feelings will guide us to the truth with strength

This body that was wounded as I gathered up the fragments of light

I’ll offer it to you alone

Two souls go…toward the truth!

Only my memories with you shine a light on the cold world again today with their warm courage

My comments:

Damn the song is still related to the story!! It's insane how much ahead they planned when making the song!

The italicized and bolded texts are stuff I think are important

"We crossed over time and intersected" sounds like they mean how they went back in time in their mind recently! Or, it could mean how Mikaela and Yuu existed though the time and intersected many times

"If I fight against the thirst, I forget something. And when I cling to it, I lose my way in eternal confinement" This reminds me the recent chapters of Yuu losing energy when trying to remember stuff and continuously taking break to eat sth. It's literally the summary of this arc!

"And I carve out the fate that this soul guided me to. Even now the promise I made with you resonates within my heart" Angel Mikaela's and first human Yuu's promise to save his dad!!! The soul guiding him is Mikaela's soul!

"This body that was wounded as I gathered up the fragments of light. I’ll offer it to you alone" This one is interesting. Is it about Yuuichirou gathering the keys that Shikama made out of light? By offering it to someone, I guess he means to say for Mika, to revive him and make him normal, which was the original goal for Yuuichirou, but now that he knows Mikaela who is supposed to revived is him it doesn't make sense. But maybe Yuuichirou will still use the keys to turn demon Mika into a human.

"Two souls go…toward the truth!" Most important point of the song to me. They definitely have separate 2 souls!

"Only my memories with you shine a light on the cold world again today with their warm courage" The memories are the key to solve the problem, to lighten the world.

Ok so in the end I think that when Yuuichirou and Mika have a talk about all of this, they'll have a emotional moment about what they think about it. They'll embrace their bonds like it says in the song. And after that, there'll be a grand battle (also mentioned in the song). And Mikayuu's memories that they just got back will be the key to win this battle.

[sebsxphia]

We know Bob is packing. This is a fact. But the other guys don't know this and they're constantly ragging on our humble, quiet Bob at the bar.

Until one day in the lockers/showers they learn The Truth. How do our boys react?

we do know this. we have photographic evidence too (ty lew).

‘the truth’ italicized by the way has me crying with laughter like it’s a such a big deal. like a monumental artifact they’ve discovered hahahahaaaha

but good question dear anon!!

i think for the first time in hangman’s life he’s legitimately speechless. he’s ready to throw some remark bob’s way but he’s just got his jaw on the floor. rooster is the first one to speak. “and i thought they called me rooster.” which breaks the tension and gets everyone to laugh, accept hangman. he’s still processing it.

coyote and fanboy both pat bob on the back as they head to the showers, shaking their heads and laughing. “holy shit. not so much a baby on board.” “your girl’s lucky man!”

it dies down until hangman finally breaks. “dude, what the fuck?”

thank you so much for this thought dear anon!! it was a real gem to think about and had me laughing so hard!! 💌🥹

[antimonyandthyme]

Athy, I saw you also like tenet as well 👀 So I wanna hear your thoughts on sebchal tenet au. Like seb, as an experienced spy who's fiercely loyal and got recruited into the undo-apocalypse team project, meets with a puppy-eyed man named charles for the first time. But why doesn't it feel that way? How does charles know about jägerbomb? What are those gazes charles gives him when he think seb doesn't notice? And then some tokens give charles away and seb gets his italicized oh moment 🥺 The tension and angst of this au. . . chef's kiss!!

Anon. Anon. This is only the most perfect idea ever. Oh my gaude. Oh my gaude! A sebchal Tenet AU. It’s never even crossed my mind but now I see, I see! It couldn’t be more fitting! Anon your mind. Your mind! I have to write this. I have to! Thoughts under the cut, will be a little scrambled at the moment so bear with me!

Imagine Charles as Neil and Sebastian as the Protagonist! A reminder to everyone that the world didn’t end because Neil loved the Protagonist!

Anyway. Sebastian’s on this mission. It’s so top-secret he doesn’t even have details of what it is, or who he’s going to meet. Is it nuclear? Probably. (It isn’t. It’s temporal.) He dresses up in a midnight blue pinstripe suit for his first meeting with his contact. In a crowded bar, someone slides into the seat on his left.

Jesus. He’s young. The circles around his eyes are deep, like he hasn’t slept for two days. His suit is rumpled and marred with gunpowder stains. He already looks like he’s seen too much. Sebastian wants to yell. He keeps his tongue trapped behind his teeth. The fate of the world doesn’t care for the corruption of innocence. And anyway, the man before him is staring at him strangely, drinking him in like he’s seeing a ghost from his past. (Charles is, by the way. Sebastian is alive, alive! Come back to him at last, for this period of time that Charles needs to make the most of. To save the world and to convey to Sebastian just how much he is to him. The love of his life. Sebastian just doesn’t know it yet.)

Maybe he’s nervous, this young man. Sebastian smiles a little, to try to put him at ease. Oddly, it just makes the man’s lip wobble.

He clears his throat, flags a waiter down. “Vodka tonic,” he says, and points to Sebastian, “and a Jägerbomb.”

Sebastian blinks. “That’s for teenagers.”

The man smiles. “You still drink it.”

It’s the truth, though not one Sebastian has ever broadcasted. There’s so much more the man seems to want to say. Sebastian shifts, feeling like he’s being held up to the light and examined. It’s unlike him to feel out of control and wrong-footed in first meetings. There’s something so familiar about the way the man’s sitting, hunched but leaning persistently toward Sebastian. “You’re well informed.”

“It pays to be in our profession.” The man holds out a hand. His grip around Sebastian is tight, and he pulls away with what can only be described as reluctance. “Charles.”

Sebastian nods. Charles’ eyes are eager and determined and so, so wide. (Much later, Sebastian will look back upon this meeting and wonder. If it would’ve been better for them never to have crossed paths. It’s stupid. He would trade the world for more time, looking into Charles’ eyes.) “Let’s get to work.”

[smokingtiger]

i would like to present another pov for GCF tokyo, not to disapprove yours but just as another unbiased perspective.

i was not a bts stan when i first watched it and i knew close to nothing about the group/members. the video was being discussed in a forum about gay idols and the conversation intrigued me so i decided to check it out, and i 100% was floored by the few last minutes of the video - i don’t know if it was the music, the lyrics (boy, i’m holding on to something) or the deliberate cuts at times - but for lack of better words i felt my heart squeeze, and this might sound cliche but in a way i felt like i related to whatever yearning i perceived in that video.

that was on my initial watch. after trying to make sense of it, i also thought about the fact that i would never, under any circumstances, edit an entire video like this centering around a platonic friend, no matter how much they meant to me. that would just too much. and if a friend did that for me i would also start getting ideas.

all in all, as a casual watcher, that video felt like a love letter to me, and as i was reading the comments i could sense that that feeling was shared with many people. so i think that is worth something, and it shouldn’t be so easily dismissed.

Like I said on my first GCF in Tokyo post, I invited some Jikookers to tell me some of their feelings and opinions. So, I’m quite happy that you took advantage of the offer to present how you interpreted it.

After all, GCF in Tokyo is a piece of media, and media, much like art, is meant to be interpreted. I know that we all moaned and groaned through English class every time our teachers would bemoan about the importance of the color of curtains… but if I’m being serious, usually when someone makes a piece of art, it’s their way of self-expression, whether it be a traditional painting or video.

Although I interpret GCF in Tokyo from a very literal point of view, I will not dismiss the emotional impact of the video. It does feel very intimate, especially from a first-person point of view. It sort of reminds me of that boy-band music video cliché where you’re on a date with the members… personally, I don’t like that kind of stuff, but in GCF in Tokyo, it’s a comfortable closeness. I also think that’s why people appreciate it so much, the warmth and intimacy make for a comforting watch.

Despite our opinions differing, I can see why you saw this video as a declaration of love or some type of intimate letter, because like I said, the way things are shot or framed can leave it up to that type of interpretation. But that's what's so great about art, many different people can go home with a different type of feeling about what they consumed!

I won’t disagree with you or fight you on it, because as I stated previously, how I see it isn’t necessarily 100% the truth, the same way as how you interpret it isn’t either. Media usually has no true answer unless the artist attaches one themselves, and that’s why things are usually up for deep analysis.

Someone can talk about how Link in Majora's Mask is actually dead (based on personal research) or how it's exactly how Nintendo laid it out: He is just randomly thrown into an alternate dimension. Both interpretations can be perceived as correct because Nintendo hasn't truly laid down its own concrete truth about how the game is meant to be consumed!

If you choose to interpret it that way, props to you, I’m happy you were able to find a path to Bangtan because of something that warmed your heart.

Also, this made it into the edits of my initial post so I wasn't sure if many people saw, but I did say: My paragraph with all the italicized yes' was not meant to be dismissive of evidence, but rather to provide an opposing point of view. many of these points are incredibly compelling, but there's always a flipside to a coin, ya know? I don't want to seem as if I'm being too harsh on those who are attempting to make a valid argument!

If any more Jikookers want to tag on, go ahead!

[meistoshi]

100 MISCELLANEOUS MUSINGS.

repost, do not reblog! BOLD what applies to your muse. ITALICIZE what applies occasionally/situationally.

an avalanche of change. / the smell of petrichor. / the light goes out; my heart goes still. / friendly competition. / jumping for joy. / every day is a miracle. / blue skies. / i don’t know who i am, but now i know who i’m not. / nowhere to run. / white noise. / a long, winding road. / survival of the fittest. / a new beginning. / shattered glass. / in our great sorrow, we learn what joy means. / let there be light. / face the truth. / don’t try to rescue me. / everyone is a moon with a dark side to hide. / i am desperate, if nothing else. / the smell of sweet perfume. / you are yourself. / seeing stars. / staying up past midnight. / there is beauty in imperfection. / survivor’s guilt. / it doesn’t matter. / is this what vulnerability feels like? / wishful thinking. / cracks forming in ice. / though time is ruthless, it showed us kindness in the end. / street smarts. / the possibilities are endless. / an apology you’ll never get. / the gift of hope. / i just want to feel something, anything. / you’re my fantasy. / a lone star in the night sky. / an old friend. / a second chance. / an open book with a torn out page. / a work in progress. / the faint outline of a divine figure. / silver and gold. / whispers of the damned. / transformation. / how beautiful it is to even exist. / a single loose thread. / you’re not alone. / melancholia. / no more worries. / tomorrow is another day. / rolling thunder. / a harsh reality. / seeing something you shouldn’t have. / there is always room for growth. / the start of an adventure. / my dreams don’t know fear. / the eye of the storm. / the sweet sound of silence. / mind over matter. / all for the love of you. / an overwhelming sense of dread. / what lies at the center of the earth. / you must learn to forgive yourself. / no regrets. / white lies. / a rolling fog. / kiss them goodbye. / the cause. / the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. / a world without strife. / you are completely and utterly hopeless. / lose your mind and come to your senses. / screaming at the sky. / fight or flight. / a blinding flash of light. / the world is painted in dark gray. / losing track of what we’re fighting for. / awakening from a nightmare with a bloodcurdling scream. / a solar eclipse. / belief in destiny. / black and white. / my blood boils. / connecting the dots. / nothing lasts forever. / infinity will fill you with peace. / reckless but honest words leave my lips. / not knowing why. / think fast. / wanderlust. / facing old fears. / i’d really love to break your heart. / pain is a well-intentioned weatherman. / distortion. / fear is a prison. / they don’t know what they’re missing. / don’t forget. / a perfect storm. / a grand finale.