#the phrasing of this title confused me a little

[littleeyesofpallas]

GAMER ga Isekai Konten shite HAREM Jinsei e CONTINUE suru sou desu[ゲーマーが異世界魂転してハーレム人生へコンティニューするそうです] It seems GAMER in Anotherworld (must) turn (his) soul around to CONTINUE to HAREM life

[littlemizzlinguistics]

Me @ YouTube “polyglots”

[epicthemusicalstuff]

My Thoughts On The Wisdom Saga

Legendary: To put it lightly, it was Legendary! I loved it so much, and it was pretty much what I expected! I loved the suitors using the Man Of The House melody, and Antinous gave me a little jump scare, but I liked it and it made sense. I loved the progression from “if I fight these monsters is it you I’ll find” to “if I might this monster is it you I’ll find” (and that whatcha gonna do about it champ was amazing)

Little Wolf: Still really good! I was a little startled to see Athena, but it made sense! Antinous was amazing! I thought it was funny how we finally got the “I made your thoughts quick” because no where else in the musical does it explain quick thought! The very final line though felt weird to me that it was a part of little wolf? Particularly because Athena is responding to him in We'll Be Fine, so it’s interesting that they broke that apart.

We’ll Be Fine: I loved that Athena finally acknowledged that Odysseus was her friends! Also “then his went dark…” Polites… let me be your light…. After that Odysseus’ own light dimmed too- anyways. ALSO going from “what’s a title any goddess could lend, if I’ll never sleep at night” and then now Athena is telling us she isn’t sleeping- I loved this song so much

Love In Paradise: This is where is gets ever so slightly more critical. I loved the time dive at the start, though something felt off about the way suddenly we were at Calypsos island? I think if I didn’t have the visuals of the livestream last night I would have been slightly more confused. Anyways, I adore Calypso voice, though she felt very earnest the whole time, which was an interesting choice. I am aware Jorge made the decision to remove some parts of Calypso from the Odyssey, which is perfect fine, and in his right to do as Epic is inspired by the Odyssey and not a direct copy of it, but still something felt slightly off? I will say thought I loved how it was shown Odysseus was still very haunted and traumatized by his experiences. He is haunted by the voices of those he loved, his friends. Eurylochus, Polites, and Anticlea. Which I will say I sobbed at. (Also Calypso’s like about Stay In My Open Arms, I nearly screamed, that was rough she chose that phrase)

God Games: As much as I was looking forward to God Games, and as good as it was, I feel a little let down? The opening part which we already had was amazing, and the way the gods sounds build on each other was amazing. When it came to the actual gods though? The singers were all amazing, but I thought Apollo might have a little more beef with Odysseus? I mean, they fought on opposite sides of the Trojan War, Apollo was the protector of the young, I mean, even the cows (that were really Helios’ but could have been given to Apollo for this). I get that level one is supposed to be easy though! Next was Hephaestus, and JORGE’S DAD!!! I love that Jorge has his family being in it too, and his dad did amazing! As for Hephaestus’ argument, it made a bit more sense, though was still over easier-ish? Which makes sense for a second level. Then Aphrodite and Ares, which we had already!! It was amazing, and I loved it so much! Then Hera, which we also had! So groovy, I liked it, though she felt a little easier to convince for being the second to last level? Then Zeus beating up Athena, that was wild. Ares asking if she was dead? (She is not by the way, she appears later in Epic I believe)

Anyways, those are my thoughts about the Wisdom Saga! Overall I liked some parts of it more than others. The pacing was maybe a little wonky, but to be fair there was a lot of skipping around time wise, so I guess it’s to be expected. The vocals were amazing though!

[ja3hwa]

Day 23 : Creampie/Breeding - San

「Title」 : Not so Harmless

「Word count」 : 1.21k

-> Genre: Smut, Fluff, Fantasy au

Paring: Werewolf!San x Bunny Hybrid!Reader  

[Warnings] : Mention of sex pollen. Dub-con (you know cause sex pollen and all). Swearing. Dirty talk. Unprotected sex (Don't do this) mention of knotting. Werewolf talk (knots, mate, presenting etc.). Oral (reader receiving). Multiple orgasms. Hair pulling. Lots of bodily fluids. Some clit play. Let me know if I missed anything.

Note : This is part two, of a fic I wrote a while back and decided it would fit this todays theme ♡ you can read part one -> [Here]

February Filth Fest Event Day Calendar

“The-The flower. It’s a lascivious toxin.” You practically moan out, leaning back so San’s body and the table trap you. You feel so hot, sweat beading down your forehead. He looks at your with confusion, feeling himself grow with worry and lust. He can smell you dripping, but he shakes the thought, trying to make sure you are okay first.

“W-what does that mean Sweets?” He asks, bringing his hand up to hold the back of your neck.

“Argh, It’s a toxin that makes you horny San!!” You look at him dead in the eyes, frustration taking over. “It makes you very…” You grind your hips against his. “Very…” You do it again. “Very horny…”

“Oh…” I mean at least you are not actually in pain, well the bad kind anyway.

“Fuck, Fuck, Fuck.” You panted feeling Sans's tongue lap at your dripping cunt, his fingers deep inside you. The pace was slow, maybe a bit too slow for your liking, but you were so sensitive you couldn’t help but want to come at the smallest of actions.

“You gonna cum again baby? You want to make a mess for me?” San smiled against you with a wolfy grin, picking up the pace with his thrusts just slightly, enough to tip you over the edge. Your grip on San's dark hair, loosens, finally feeling better. Maybe the toxin has finally left your system. San sat up, wiping his mouth while studying your figure. Concern mixed with lust. He wanted, needed to know you were okay. “How are you feeling baby.”

You sat up so you were crossed-legged in front of San while he sat on his knees. You were about to reply with a confident ‘I feel so much better’ but all of a sudden the sharp pain and heat bursts through your body again. How could this be? You had an orgasm, well more like four now, why aren't you feeling better? Tears began to form, as you feel an overwhelming sense of anxiousness and frustration.

“S-San I think. I think I need something more…” You felt strange asking your lover for sex. You didn’t want to make him feel like you were using him. San sat there for a moment thinking, and then a sudden thought came to mind. Something Yeosang had told him about heats and mating cycles. He said that no matter what you do the heat will only go away once the knot is performed. So maybe…

“That's it!” San chirped a little too loudly making you suddenly jump at his burst of energy.” I just need to knot you.” his words made you blush as if it was taboo for him to speak about knotting. It wasn’t like you haven’t don’t that with him yet, but him saying it so mundanely made your fluffy ears twitch.

“This isn’t a heat though… How will you cumming insi―” Your brain clicked, remember a word or was it a phrase, who knows, but your Herbology book said something about sex toxins needing another partner to cure, but you didn’t think it meant their seed. You pushed yourself up, further on the bed before turning around, sticking your ass up in the air and head into your pillow. “Breed me Sannie..”

Did San just die and go to heaven. His mate. His sweet little bunny, presenting for him while asking to be bred. Oh yeah, he is definitely in heaven. His cock twitched in his boxer, making the fabric get tighter around his thick length. His body was moving faster than his brain, crawling onto the bed so his hands could reach out for your hips. He pulls his boxers down so his cock can slide again your cheeks spreading his precum between them. Some of his slick gets on your cotton tail too, making you shiver. You push your hips into him, feeling the tip of his cock grazes your entrance. You needed him so badly. You felt like you were going to combust.

"Sannie, please. Please hurry, " you begged desperately, wiggling your hips more aggressively in order to try and get a bigger rise out of him.

"My sweet baby. All you needed was my knot to fill you, hmm?" His growl that erupted from his chest sounded animalistic, predatorial. "I'll give you just what you need."

His cock thrusts deep inside you in one motion, your slick being a great source of lubricant. You were already screaming, gripping the sheets in desperation. He didn't wait for you to adjust like he normally would. No, the snap of his hips was nothing but hard, fast, and deep. Hitting every spot you needed in order to make you see stars.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck." You chanted, tears running down your cheeks, soaking the pillow below you. His hand landed a harsh smack on your ass, making the soft flesh turn a nice shade of pink. Your whole body felt like it was on fire, burning from the inside out. You were going to explode any second, and when San's hand snaked down to your clit to apply pressure to your sensitive bud you knew you were done for. "SAN!!"

"I know baby. Come for me. Make a mess on my cock." His soft voice melted off his tongue, soothing you over the edge. Your vision started to become blurred, fearing to be blacked out entirely. San was now so close, sitting up straight he grabbed both sides of your hips in pound himself inside you at an inhuman pace. Sensitiveity surged through you as San chased his own high and after a few more thrusts he felt himself spill into you. His hips stutter until they completely stopped, his cock was still deep inside for a moment while you both collected yourselves. And to your happiness the pain that had consumed you was now finally gone.  

“Oh Fuck…” San growled under his breath as he pulled out of you slowly. He watched his cum mixing with your own, staring at it while it started to spill out of you. It dripped down your thigh, making San’s cock twitch. You turn to look back and see San was already hard again.

“You got to be kidding me.” You panted with a light-hearted half-smile.

“I can’t help it. Not when I have such a beautiful view in front of me.” His fingers swiped up the slick from your thigh, pushing it back into your sensitive hole. You mewled at the feeling, trying to get away from him, but he just grabbed your hips in order to spin you around. Your legs on either side of him, being kept open by his thighs. His fingers keep pushing his cum back inside you, enjoying the way it looks when comes back out.

“S-San” You moaned rolling your hips, starting to feel hot and bothered again. he leaned over so he was caging you against the mattress, his nose nuzzling against your neck while his hand brushed over your long fluffy ears. His words make you shiver;

“Don’t worry baby. I’m not don’t with you just yet.”

-

Ateez Masterlist

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© 𝐉𝐚𝟑𝐡𝐰𝐚. Do not steal, plagiarise, translate, repost, or use my work in any way, shape, or form.

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[todofics]

Off The Market | 2/6 | Todoroki Shoto x Reader

♡ Summary: The Todoroki name had always borne a heavyweight amongst even society’s finest. When the family’s youngest son, and heir to the title, is forced into the marriage market, it’s no surprise that he quickly becomes the season’s most eligible bachelor—hoping to avoid marriage for at least one more season, who better than to circumvent the ton other than his long-time friend, you? 

♡ Content: regency au, fake-dating trope, aged-up characters, age gap (4 years), mutual pining, fem reader, fem pronouns, mature content in future chapters 

♡  Author notes: Would anyone be interested in a tag list? I’ve never written on Tumblr before, so everything is new to me! Please let me know if you are, and I can start one for the next chapter :)

♡ 2.4k words/est. 15k words (chapter 2/6)ˋ°•*⁀➷ Main Masterlist ♡  MHA Masterlist ♡ Story Masterlist ♡ Previous ♡  Next

Your breath caught in your throat as Shoto’s unexpected proposal hung in the air, your ears tauntingly ringing from the stress of the uncertainty. Had you heard him correctly? 

“(Y/n)?” the dual-colored man asked, a hauntingly beautiful frown painted across his face as he waited for your answer. God, he was so unfair. 

“Allow you to court me?” you parroted, face warm again despite the cool summer breeze. Your eyes glanced down to where his strong hands held your own, unable to make eye contact with him; you feared you’d quickly give into his qualms if you did. His handsome looks could drive just about anyone to obey. 

Shoto coughed, clearing his throat as he steeled his resolve. “Yes, allow me to court you,” he repeated, shutting down any doubts you had about mishearing the man.

“My lord, and I ask this with the utmost respect, have you lost your mind?!” you managed to choke out, tone hushed as you were afraid that anyone inside could hear the ridiculous conversation. He continued to hold your hands, unwilling to let go. He knew that if he did, you’d simply run away from the conversation - a fate the future Duke would not allow. 

“I have given it long thought,” Shoto informed you, his tone steady and calm now. He had already made up his mind, his intentions resolute. “Allow me to court you - at least for the season.” Although the sentence was phrased as a question, the burning look in his eyes told you it was not. You looked away once again, mind reeling with apprehension. 

“My lord, I’m afraid you confuse me - for the season?” you ask, your heart pounding rapidly. It was as if the man didn’t know of the effects he had on women - yourself included. The man nodded, his eyes never leaving your face as he tried to gauge your reaction.

“Yes, only for the season,” the man reassured as if his plan was apparent. Shoto was never the best at explaining his inner musings, always leaving you guessing. “For the season, I will act as your intended - and you as mine. You know I do not wish to marry,” he explained as your expression shifted, your furrowed brows keying him into the workings of your own mind. 

You drew in a shaky breath, taking a moment to comprehend his words' meaning. “I know you have no prospects,” he pointed out bluntly - oh, what a way with words he had. You shot him a look but didn’t take the words to heart. Shoto had never been one to mince words. His honesty, while sometimes cutting, was one of the things you admired most about the man. 

“It’ll draw the attention of suitors for you and keep mine away.” It seemed he had given the arrangement thought; it made perfect sense. You had never dreamed of being a spinster, and Shoto knew that despite the lack of conversation surrounding your prospects. In your first season out, you had bashfully given your earnest attention to all potential suitors, dreaming of a future filled with private affections and little feet toddling around. Even if those men had all been chased away from intimidation surrounding your companionship with the half-and-half man, it was clear you weren’t uninterested in the thought of marriage. 

“I- Shoto,” you cut yourself off, still not used to formally addressing the man. “My lord, it’s just that…”

This time, the man interrupted your speech. He knew of your tendencies to overthink things - especially ones that were quite simple. “You will break off the engagement at the end of the season - it’ll prevent scandal toward you.” Your expression softened as the thumping of your heart slowed. His plan seemed to offer a solution to all the potential problems. If you were the one to break off the engagement, it’d leave the question of what was possibly wrong with him rather than you. It’d give you both exactly what you wanted.  

Still, the idea of the plan worried you, an unsettling feeling sinking into your stomach. As your lips parted to give the man an answer, the balcony door swung open.

“Shoto, mama is looking for you!” Your eyes shot over to the voice, then back to your still-connected hands. Unchaperoned and in close contact - two things that would surely lead to scandal. 

A gasp left the woman’s lips, a gloved hand moving up to cover her dropped jaw. Shoto finally released your hands, moving back a respectable distance as he cleared his throat and adjusted his cravat before turning to face the owner of the voice. “Fuyumi, I’ll be over in just a minute,” he told her, the woman’s shocked expression transitioning into delight. Being close to Shoto often led to you interacting with the girl, and your time spent together, while usually short, was pleasant. She had always enjoyed your company. On the other hand, you were left wide-eyed at being caught in such a compromising position, the panic beginning to set in.

Shoto turned his attention back to you, your expression still not composed. A coy smile played on Fuyumi’s face as if she knew something you didn’t. You hoped she’d spare you the decency to leave this scandal unspoken. “We will continue this conversation tomorrow,” Shoto told you before following his sister, leaving you alone under the twinkling starlight. It seemed the world had made its decision for you.

The following day, you were rudely awakened by a loud knocking on your chambers. “My lady, my lady!” your maid chirped as she rapped on your doors, voice full of panic. You groaned, rolling over in bed, your eyes still heavy with sleep. What could drive your maid to wake you up with such alarm? The sun beamed through the curtains, its warmth pleasant against your bare skin. Sleep was simply calling your name. “My lady, you must rise! You have a caller waiting!”

Your eyes shot wide open, suddenly recalling your conversation with Shoto the night before. You didn’t think he’d really show up at your house! You threw off your fluffy blankets in a flurry, quickly throwing on a chemise. Hearing the commotion of your rise, your maid promptly let herself in, helping you lace your corset as you grabbed a simple pale muslin gown. You felt no need to impress the man despite his newly declared intentions. 

Arranging your hair in a delicate bun, you took one last look in the mirror, deciding it’d have to do for now. “My lady, is that outfit really alright?” your maid asked, eyeing you up and down - it had been so long since you had last received a caller (especially one of Shoto’s caliber). Your staff, aware of your long history with the Todoroki son, had long been rooting for your official pairing. You shot her a soft smile, appreciative of the apparent worry on her face. “I assure you, this is more than sufficient.”

The maid clicked her tongue in disapproval, shaking her head as she rummaged through a nearby jewelry box. Taking out one of your finest pastes, she nodded in approval before holding the piece to your skin. “At least wear this,” she reasoned.

Sighing, you raised your hands in submission, “if you really see it as necessary.” there was no point in this effort - after all, his courtship was only a falsehood.  After putting on the jewels, your maid rushed you out the door and into the sitting room. 

As you entered the room, Shoto was already engaged in light conversation with your mama, the two snacking on pastries and tea. “(Y/n),” he rose, noticing your presence. Your mother shot you a scolding look, obviously disappointed at your long arrival time. Seasons without a caller or any prospects, and this is how you received him? She’d surely bring it up later, the thought of the conversation making you groan internally. 

“My lord,” you replied in kind, giving him a slight nod as you approached the table. By now, your mama had evacuated the area, sitting on the opposite side of the room. Her careful gaze analyzed the interaction, making you feel more self-conscious. Although you two typically had some sort of chaperone to protect your reputation, this time felt… different. The undertone of romantic intentions made your head swirl. Sure, his courtship was for a more beneficial resolution, but it was still a courtship nonetheless. 

“You’ve kept me waiting,” Shoto said, the start of a grin gracing his face, hinting towards a more teasing manner. 

You brush a delicately placed curl from your face, rolling your eyes at his playful words. Your friendship with the man had always been far more casual than typically allowed by your different standings, and his intentions to ‘court’ you did little to change that attitude despite your nerves. It would be best to attempt to maintain some normalcy, lest you draw suspicion towards the sudden change of nature between you two. In your eyes, portraying the courtship as a regular ”friends who simply grew too close” story would call for the least amount of scandal.

“You’ve arrived rather early, my lord,” you jested, pointing out his irregular calling time. It was only 10 AM, an hour earlier than most typical morning calls started. He hadn’t even written, the only warning of his arrival being his parting words the night before. “I was eager to see my future intended,” Shoto replied smoothly. His intended. Despite being unspoken before by the man, the words seemed to roll off his tongue as if they were natural. You knew he wasn’t seriously going to propose, but the words still stirred something within you, causing you to shift nervously in your seat. 

His lips upturned slyly, seemingly noting your nerves at the words. He couldn’t explain why, but a sense of satisfaction washed over the man. “I don’t recall agreeing to this arrangement,” you pointed out, voice wavering. You knew you had little choice in the matter - Fuyumi had already witnessed you alone, unchaperoned, and intimately close. Doing nothing else but portraying your situation as a courtship would surely lead to the leaking of scathing rumors. Fuyumi was kind, but some status still had to be upheld. 

“I don’t recall any disagreement either,” Shoto pointed out, hopeful you’d accept the proposal. Without you, he’d be forced into a loveless marriage - a fate he’d rather not succumb to. With a sigh, you readjusted your position, drinking a sip of tea as if in deep thought. He looked at you expectantly, eyes gazing into the depths of your soul as he waited for your answer. 

“I… I will do it,” you mustered out, your hands wavering as you set down the cup. If you were caught faking this, your reputation would be ruined, and you actually would be doomed to life as a spinster. 

Shoto frowned at the hesitation in your voice as he gently took your hand, his touch reminding you of the events from the night prior. “I do not mean to force your hand in the matter.”  

As much as Shoto despised the idea of his fate, he valued you far too much to force this upon you. Your heart swelled at the genuine care in his voice, your anxiety settling just a bit. Again, the thought of the unfairness of the situation flashed in your head. If Shoto wasn’t so obtuse, perhaps you actually could fall in love with him one day.  

You shook your head, erasing that thought - it’d never be possible. To Shoto, this action looked as if you were denying his worries. “I assure you, you aren’t forcing my hand in this matter - I am mature enough to make my own decisions.” If gossip were to besmirch your name - so be it. 

He let out a sigh, clearly relieved by your answer. This truly was to both of your benefits. “Not so fast,” you told him, still not entirely satisfied with the resolution of his proposal. “If we are to do this, there will be conditions.”

He raised an eyebrow curiously, waiting for you to finish the thought. “What kind of conditions?” You shot him an awkward smile, having thought it over the night before. Even if you hesitated, you mulled over everything before accepting Shoto’s offer. 

“Well,” you started, clearing your throat. “Behind closed doors, I want everything to be normal,” you told him. Even if your family would now be more meticulous about ensuring a chaperone, the idea of acting romantically in front of so few people failed to delight you. If this was simply an act, you wanted to maintain as much distance as possible from the man, protecting your heart. Besides, your families wouldn’t push the matter too much. Your mama, delighted with the mere idea of you finally having prospects, wouldn’t question the lack of intimacy. Perhaps you could play it off as fleeting shyness towards a first love. 

You continued with the terms, your face warming at the memory of last night as you looked down at his hands that grasped yours, “No need to grab me or anything like that either. We will act as if this is a proper courtship,” you scolded. The idea of being caught again caused a shiver to roll down your spine. 

He retracted his touch, putting his arms up defensively before laughing at your embarrassed expression. “I’m sorry,” he apologized half-heartedly, realizing you referenced the night before. “I promise I will act as if this is a proper courtship.” This promise brought a smile to your face - at least now, the relationship would be mostly without scandal. Rumors were sure to spread, but the attention on you would hopefully be positive. 

“Then I suppose we can close this deal out,” you told him, your intentions now steeled. Nothing could go wrong if he could follow through with these boundaries. Your heart would be safe from his charms, and he would be safe from the constant pursuance of desperate debutantes. Everything, in the end, would safely return to normal, with no one being none the wiser.

[aego-weaver]

Asexual characters getting laid

So, the recent discussion around a certain demon has brought a certain subject to the forefront of my circles. So, in this essay, let's talk about asexual characters getting laid, usually in fanfiction, but my advice applies to original work as well.

Glossary

As I discuss this, I will be using the relevant terms. For your convenience, I will define them here. Those in the community, you can skip this section.

Asexual: Often shortened to Ace, an asexual is a person who experiences little to no sexual attraction.

Gray Ace: Notice how I said "little to no" in the previous definition? gray Aces are why. Still falling under the field of asexuality, gray aces experience sexual attraction only on rare occasions or in specific situations.

Demisexual: A person who only experiences sexual attraction after a close emotional (not necessarily romantic) connection exists. It is a form of gray ace.

Aromantic: Often shortened to Aro, an aromantic is a person who experiences little to no romantic attraction.

Alloromantic: Alloromantic is opposite of Aromantic, being a person who regularly experiences romantic attraction. For this essay, I will use the abbreviated form Allo for this meaning exclusively. In more general parlance, Allo can also be short for allosexual, the opposite of asexual.

Sex Repulsed: A person who is sex repulsed has a strong negative reaction to sexual situations. This can manifest as fear, disgust, anxiety, etc.

Sex Favorable: A person who is sex favorable has a positive reaction to sexual situations. This shouldn't be confused with being sex positive, which is about your opinion regarding sex in society and sits outside the scope of this essay.

Opening Principles

The main question is this: Is it okay to write a story in which an asexual character has a sexual encounter or long-term sexual relationship?

The answer, in my opinion, is yes, if you do it right.

The question you need to ask is why are they doing this? You should really ask that question for any character getting laid, but it's really important when you want an asexual character to do the dance.

Asexuals and their relationship to sex

Now, as I start this section, I feel the need to drop my credentials... I am a sex-favorable aroace with an axe to grind. That's it really.

As far as a stereotype exists for asexuals, it's a sex-repulsed aroace who is usually so extremely repulsed they just about faint at the sight of a bare breast or is so naive they wouldn't know what a dildo is.

Now, both of these people exist, I'm sure. But, they aren't the only options. You can have sex-neutral or favorable aces, you can have allo aces, you can have gray aces and demisexuals. Asexuals can like kinky stuff or keep it vanilla. The options are limitless.

Libido is different from attraction. I'm sure you've heard of people who just need it more or less often. Guess what? Asexuals can get aroused just like everyone else; we just have less of an outlet for it.

A good but honestly overused analogy is food: libido is getting hungry while attraction is thinking something looks delicious. Some of us aces (like myself) are just sitting in the kitchen, hungry as all hell, but nothing catches the eye. We still might eat something and enjoy it, but it's a different process.

The only unifying factor for asexuals is experiencing little to no sexual attraction. That's it!

Reasons your asexual character might want to get laid

I'm going to run through a bunch of reasons why an asexual person might find themselves getting laid. I'll go over story ideas they make me think of (which you are free to steal; please steal them, I beg you) and potential pitfalls you need to avoid.

Do note the phrase "want to" in the title of this section. I'm only covering story reasons that are at least mostly consensual.

These aren't in any particular order; I'm just writing them as I think of them.

Personal Gain

Perhaps they benefit in some fashion from the arrangement. For example:

An asexual prostitute is an easy example.

A con artist, using sex to influence their victims, but not feeling anything real towards them.

This one is a great choice for dark character exploration. It's also one of the few options that works well if the character is sex-repulsed; put the reader in the shoes of a sex-repulsed character who needs to have sex for some reason and you've got something I've never seen before and really want to see done well. Tread lightly though, that idea is very easy to get wrong.

For a loved one

This one's for the allo aces out there. An asexual character could have sex for their partner's sake. Just like you, for example, might see a movie you don't care about because your SO wants to see it.

That's a fine reason... with a major caveat: it shouldn't be a transactional thing. Nothing in relationships should be, but I'm calling it out. Your ace character doesn't owe their loved one sex, but if they want to make their love happy, it's an option.

That said, if you want the audience to hate the loved one, get as transactional as you want. You don't have to write healthy relationships, just be aware of what you are doing.

For pleasure and fun

If your asexual character isn't sex-repulsed, they could just... want sex for its own sake. The only caveat here is treating the issue with respect. The characters approach to sex is different from attraction, being more something they want rather than a need.

Exceptions

You could explore an ace character drifting into gray ace territory, struggling with new emotions... or even just a character who already identifies as gray asexual.

My main concern here is avoiding invalidating the character's identity: they are still asexual, just with some shades of gray.

A common refrain from those opposed to asexuality is "you just haven't found the right person yet". Two things about that:

Don't unwittingly write a story where those idiots are right.

If a person experiences no sexual attraction, and then finds themselves doing so for a specific person, usually one they are close to, we have a word for that. It's in the glossary, starting with a D.

One-offs

Rapid fire time. These are all reasons an asexual character might have sex on a short term basis. If you're writing a short story, that might be all you need.

Peer pressure to stop being a virgin. Not a fun reason, but I'm sure it happens.

Curiosity about sex.

Manipulation by their partner. Be careful with this one, it borders on non-con... unless that's what you're writing.

They are trying to have a baby.

Some weird magic thing in your setting.

Fuck, they could lose a bet if you feel like it.

Conclusion

Just because you're writing about people doing the horizontal hula doesn't mean the few ace characters we have need to be stripped of their identity just to be stripped of their clothes. Keeping that identity in mind can help open new story paths, paths that are currently unexplored.

Side note: if you can find any well written smut featuring an asexual lead, please tell me about it. I want to read it.

[skythighs]

Calista's Dream: Cream on my Lips

We all saw the amount of drool Feyd was dripping in the movie, right? So this shouldn't come as a surprise 😆. Also, don't ask why he's obsessed with sniffing things. I really just get that vibe from him lol anyways here's our first taste if you will of the adult content, so please 18+ only.

Warnings: Rough handling, possessive behavior, and female orgasm.

Word count: 3.1k

Chapter 3

The wedding ceremony was now a short seven days away. Knowing that there was so little time before she left her old life behind to become Na Baroness Harkonnen, meant she spent her days with loved ones. Her father had even taken to visiting her in her chambers before retiring for the evening. He would of course excuse his visit by saying he needed her counsel for some menial matter. He would sit beside her on her lounge chair and hold her hand. She knew he would miss her, when she was gone, but it would not be forever. With any luck House Atreides and Harkonnen could use this marriage to really put the past behind them. A new beginning for an alliance between them.

Today marked the first day of the wedding celebrations. An array of fun games and other attractions were set up outside of castle Caladan and even a feast was being held this night for any Caladan native to come to wish the bride and groom well in their union, they would present little trinkets and tokens of their affection for the most beloved Atreides heir. Which of course meant Feyd and I would be expected to be in close proximity for the duration of the feast, and together playing said games and seeing the attractions.

It was nearly noon now so I should grace the Na Baron by showing my face for the first time today. I had taken my morning meal alone in the comfort of my chamber. A rarity these days since I’ve been busy ‘courting’. The Na Barons cold demeanor towards me actually soothed my mother for reasons she wouldn’t disclose. I washed and dressed for the momentous occasion, since this would be a long day with no reprieve between the carnival and feast. I had to look stunning in my first and only gown for the day.

As I rapped on Feyd Rautha’s chamber door, I was startled when it was pulled open abruptly before I finished knocking. He stood in front of me with a wild look in his usually inexpressive eyes.

“I could smell you approaching, my lady.”

He raises his left hand and strokes my cheek. The most contact we’ve had since the training incident weeks ago now.

I gulped.

“And how pretty you smell today indeed.”

He was so close to me, all I could do as of late was freeze in front of him. Like prey for the taking I would become almost immobile before his very eyes. Noticing my shocked still frame he took the opportunity to pull me into his chamber slamming the door by pushing me against it. The door slam jostles me out of my stupor and I take a deep clarifying breath looking up at him with my wide brown orbs.

“What are you doing?” I ask hesitantly, very confused at his odd behavior.

He doesn’t bother answering me as he pushes his form against me. The door knob wedges into my lower back and I adjust, unintentionally pushing against him in the process.

“I’ve been here too long, my lady without tending to my...appetite.”

As always the phrase ‘my lady’ drips with pure ownership of the title, ownership of me. 

“Your appetite for human flesh I presume?” Lifting my chin trying to hide my revulsion.

He chuckles dryly. Stroking my cheek tenderly.

“I don’t have an appetite for human flesh, but my darlings do.”

“Your darlings?”

“My concubines.”

He looks me in the eye no longer stroking me but now holding me in a vice-like grip just under my jaw. He searches my eyes for something. Whatever it is he finds it, because he smiles now.

“I wasn’t aware you had..concubines.”

It makes me feel uneasy. Of course I knew he had had many women in his bed, but his own concubines made my skin crawl. I felt envious of them, hearing him call them his darlings.

“Don’t pout my lady..your lips look far too tempting.”

His iron grip moved down to my throat and I felt his fingers twitch and flex with excitement. 

“I did no such thing. Why would I pout? I don’t care about your darlings.” 

The last word comes out in a sneer, and the excitement is promoted to glee. He’s enjoying this. And somehow so was I. He had been hiding himself away from me and now seeing him look at me that way again- my heart skips a beat and then two.

I place my left hand on his chest and I feel something there beneath his tunic, beneath his skin. Something akin to a siren's song. A dangerous temptation to feel more of him. A dark urge to be skin to skin rips through me and suddenly I’m transported back to the day he tasted my blood on his pink tongue.The hunger in his eyes was desire f-for me in much the same way I'm seeing now.

I continue up his chest until my hand cups his neck, much more gently than the way he holds mine. I feel him shudder beneath my perusal and I move my hand to the back of his neck as leverage to pull his black mouth closer to mine. He doesn’t resist until the last second, tensing his muscles preventing me from pulling him further. 

We lock eyes, both pairs searching for an unanswered question that hung between us like a deep secret never to be spoken aloud by either of us.

“Please.” I whisper, feeling my lips brush against his as I speak. I move to my tiptoes trying to close the distance but he sharply shoves me against the door before wrapping his arms around me claiming my body before claiming my mouth.

His kiss is not gentle, or kind. It is not patient or sweet. It is rough and biting. It is possessive and sloppy. There is so much wetness between us, his tongue swipes it away before diving into my mouth. My first kiss isn’t quite what I imagined it would be. I thought it would be sweet and slow, coaxing even with the promise of more. Feyd Rautha, however, kissed me like I was an enemy being conquered on the battlefield.There was not an ounce of softness between us. Even being victim to his rough handling I felt my insides quiver. A moan slips past my lips into his own. He claims it for himself, swallowing it down never to be heard by another set of ears. He pulls away then, a string of saliva connecting us now as we catch our breath. 

“Lead the way my lady.”

And with that his touch is gone from my frame nearly causing me to crash down onto the rug beneath our feet. My lack of him left me bereft and struggling to catch my breath even more than the kiss. I gather my composure relatively quickly and smooth the front of my gown before looking up at him.

He has a smile hidden behind his dark blue eyes. They aren’t the same cold detached ones I’d grown used to and that made me smile at him as I opened the door peeking out first to make sure no one would see me leaving from inside his chamber.

As we walked around the carnival I noticed many of Caladans residents looking at us in uncertainty and bewilderment. It was almost as if they knew what we had been up to minutes ago alone together. Self consciousness prickled at my nerves mercilessly. I glance at Feyd who walks beside me with a smug look of satisfaction on his face. My hands resting on his bicep unconsciously squeeze him lightly, just enjoying the raw power beneath my finger tips. My mother spotted us and she looked stricken for a brief moment before schooling her expression and approaching us.

My mother pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to me whispering in my ear.

“Wipe your mouth Calista. It seems some of the Na Barons paint didn’t have time to cure before...” She waved her hand at my lips to explain.

I quickly snatched the cloth and wiped my mouth embarrassment, seizing me. No wonder the bastard looked so smug. It was literally written on my face what we had been up to. My cheeks felt like they were on fire as I try to separate myself from him. I don’t get very far before his unyielding grip imprisons my wrist. I glance up at him, eyebrows raised before glancing down to his large hand.

“I was just going to excuse myself for a moment to get cleaned up.”

I find myself explaining my actions to him.

“There’s no need, my lady.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Don’t try to wipe me away, besides everyone here knows who you belong to well enough.”

My mother locks her eyes on his punishing grip before clenching her jaw. Sensing the tension I attempt to placate them both. 

“I suppose that’s true. Would you spare me a moment to speak with my mother Na Baron?”

I hold my breath praying my attempt would work. His grip loosens shortly after my request and he steps away from us. Mumbling something about looking for wine. My heartbeat flutters faster than a hummingbird's wings.

Once my mother sees that he has left us alone for a moment, however brief it may be she tries to calm me down. 

“Breathe my girl. Just breathe.”

“He’s very possessive. It’s such a sudden change to how he’s been behaving.”

“You should know, your father spoke to him after the training incident. He asked him to be mindful that you are a lady of Caladan.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you are not familiar with the overindulgence of carnal desires like he is.”

“Oh god, is that why he started avoiding me?”

My mother nods her head once. 

“There was a heated exchange between him and Duncan after what happened and they had to be separated.”

I was an oblivious fool. I remembered the biting tone he used towards Duncan after he helped me up and checked on me, but I didn’t realize.

“Don’t fret about it now, everything is fine, enjoy the celebration. He’s approaching so I will take my leave.”

She walks away just as Feyd Rautha reaches my side with a goblet of wine in each hand.

“Thank you”

I sip the drink gingerly feeling awkward knowing this new information. I try to act natural, but I wasn’t sure what this new natural was. We had just been entangled in his chambers and now his possessiveness was showing itself. Which apparently isn’t new, but my father talked him down before, what could be done now? I was to be his wife in seven days. What would stop him then? Did I want him to stop? I enjoyed this side much more than his cold distant self that had been my companion these last few weeks. My only concern was what he said to Duncan Idaho, my brother in all ways but blood.

“Just spit it out Little Duchess.”

I startle from my deep thoughts. He was using my nickname coined by Gurney, and from his lips it made me throb somewhere deep within. Was I really so easy to read? I clear my throat gathering the courage to be blunt in my questioning.

“What happened with you and Duncan after I left that day?”

His face sours at the mention of Idaho's name leaving my lips. 

“Why do you ask?” He probes.

“My mother just informed me there was some sort of disagreement between you two.”

He doesn’t speak for a long time. We stand in the middle of a crowded area and yet I know that if he wanted to hurt me right here and now, no one but me could stop him. There was such a fine line between attraction and aversion between him and I. Perhaps it’s a natural give and take considering our families' long standing rivalry.

“If you insist. I simply made him a promise I intend to keep.”

He encroached on my personal space immediately seizing my small face in his large hands. Looking beyond my skin. His gaze pierced the very blood beneath its surface. 

“What was the promise?” I press further.

“Give me your ear, and I’ll tell you, my lady.”

I tentatively move my ear closer to his inky mouth, hesitant, but eager to know what transpired between him and Duncan. He’s cupping the back of my head when he softly utters his promise to me.

“If you ever touch her again in my presence it’ll be the last thing you ever do. Or something to that effect.” He states coyly.

He casually strokes the soft strands of my hair, watching my face again to see my reaction up close.

“You needn’t be so worried about him. He is like a brother to me, Feyd Rautha.”

He only smiles at me threateningly. Releasing his hold on my head before we continue on to the next attraction. 

Later that same night I lay awake in my bed. Sleep evades me, and I can’t help but comb through every interaction I had with Feyd today. I could still feel his bruising touch on my lips, and my wrist. My white nightgown feels heavy all of a sudden when in reality it was quite thin. There was an ache between my legs that felt even more painful than Feyd Rauthas brutal touch. I do my best to ignore it before I find myself sneaking away from my chambers somewhat compelled to find what I lack and somehow knowing only he could provide it to me. I don’t bother knocking on his door as I let myself in. Surprisingly he was asleep beneath his sheets only his bottom half was covered. He made the large four poster bed look mediocre despite its grand size. The rest of him lay bare before me to see. He was all lean muscle and cream colored skin. He nearly blended seamlessly with the crisp white linen. I subconsciously move closer to him. As if possessed, my hand reaches towards his sleeping face. He looks so peaceful I can’t help myself.

Before I can feel the touch of his alabaster skin, my wrist is snatched into a crippling hold. I whimper attempting to pull away from him. Realizing it was me he relaxes his crushing grip ever so slightly. Without speaking he pulls me onto his lap as he sits propped against the headboard. I straddle his lap a tad awkwardly.

“Now why would you be sneaking into my room at this time of night Little Duchess?”

He asks the question as if he already knows the answer. Smirking as he waits for me to verbalize why I'm here. This was purely for the sake of further embarrassing me.

“I couldn’t sleep...I don’t know why I came here.”

I move to get off of his lap, but he grips my hips, holding me in place.

“You’re no coward, Calista. Tell me why you're here.” He barks at me with a voice so rough he could have swallowed glass.

“I don’t know what to say.” I whine out, much to my mortification.

He watches me steadily, making no attempts to speak or release me. I could only blame myself for this predicament so I might as well tell him the truth.

“I- I’m aching for you. I couldn’t sleep.”

“Aching for me?” He inquired before continuing “Show me where.” He demanded sternly.

Like a wolf circling its kill he licks his lips lasciviously in preparation for what was to follow. I reach my hand beneath my gown as he watches me without blinking. He refuses to miss even a second of this show. I cup my sex slowly, unsure of myself. 

He moves my hand aside, replacing it with his own. His calloused fingers gently travel between my velvety folds. He presses into my nub and a jolt of pleasure makes me hiss. I lean my head back from the delicious feeling invading my core. His free hand grips my chin moving my eyes back to his. He presses against my bud once more before he circles it continuously watching me so intently he must be waiting for something to happen. I lean forward against him, changing the angle slightly so that my lips can reach his. Unlike earlier he doesn't resist as I kiss him gently. He let me kiss him this time not forcing such aggression upon my delicate lips like he did then. 

I take my time enjoying the softness of his lips with my eyes closed before I falteringly glide my tongue over his full lower lip. His lips make room for me to taste him deeper still and I do. I slowly and assuredly lick the inside of his inky mouth. He continues circling my nub before sliding one slow finger into me up to the knuckle. I moan into his mouth for the second time today and once again he swallows it whole. 

Of their own accord my hips begin to match the pace his finger sets inside of me. I never stop kissing him as he adds a second finger. My core holds the fingers in a vice-like grip and he groans against me.He suddenly removes his digits and flips us over so that i’m now beneath him. He pulls my gown up to my hips fully exposing my thatch of soft dark hair. Leaning down he buries his nose in my hair and breathes deeply. For a moment I'm stunned with my eyes two sizes too big.

“Ah, there it is.”

“What?” I ask, a bit alarmed by his vague statement.

“I found the source of that smell. Makes my mouth water.”

His drool lands on my sensitive folds and I gasp.

He plunges in without abandon, swirling and twirling his tongue anywhere it would fit before harshly sucking on my clit. It takes all my willpower not to cry out. Being found with his face between my legs would not be ideal. More noises bubble up from within me and I can’t contain them all causing me to bite into my fist harshly. I reach an unexpected peak so soon after he starts and I feel my empty core clenching around nothing as my vision whites out. He continues to lick and suck as I come down from my high with shuddering breaths. He bites my inner thigh before pulling away and moving up towards the head of the bed. There was a large bulge between his legs and I couldn’t take my eyes away.

“I won’t fuck you tonight my pet, or else I might break you.”

Taglist: @mamawiggers1980

[sketches4mysw33theart]

To Indeed Be A God

The title has almost no bearing whatsoever on the writing, I'm just obsessed with the Dead Poets Society right now.

Pairing: Henry Winter (The Secret History)

Summary: A drowsy morning at the country house with Henry Winter involves a row around the lake, a breakfast picnic, and falling asleep in the boat.

Warnings: Google translated phrases, please let me know if these are wrong!

Check out my previous Henry Winter piece!

I awoke to a throbbing in my head, a contrasting harmony to the soft twittering of birds floating in through the open window. I couldn’t resist the groan that forced its way from my mouth. It felt as though my head was being split open repeatedly, like a misguided executioner was standing at the head of my bed and swinging an unsharpened axe.  

It was several moments before I moved at all after I had rolled over, my body feeling scarily heavy yet weightless at the same time. I had little desire to so much as breathe manually, let alone open my eyes and face the merciless joy of the sunlight.  

As I lay there, eyes closed firmly, hands grasping the thin silk duvet, flashes of the previous night came to me as though through a camera’s lens.  

The dinner, a large affair to mourn the passing of the twin’s beloved dog. The wine sloshing in the Abernathy’s prized crystal wine glasses. Those same glasses raised in multiple toasts and clinking together like blood-soaked moths in the candlelight. Charles at the piano playing melodies of sweet summers past. The bottle of Bourbon passed between us without a care for tumblers. Francis plucking Camilla from the armchair she had curled herself up in to stumble around the library in a clunky dance. Bunny’s face, lined with confusion and acidity, watching us all through rolling eyes. Richard’s reflection, gaping at the chandelier-lit room through dazed eyes, as I stared out of the window, looking for stars but finding only my own distorted face.  

And Henry, tall and proud and stoic and quiet. Him I could picture clearly, as sharp and focused as a still life portrait. He’d drank as much as us, more, yet he’d never fizzed over like we did. Only watched from the sofa as we exploded like fireworks, flashing reds and yellows reflected twofold in the whites of his eyes through his glasses.  

Then, me falling into place beside him, head spinning in dizzying circles even as I laid it back on the plush sofa cushions with my eyes shut, light popping behind my eyelids.  

Then, him whispering to me, the soft, cold anchoring of his deep voice, but either I couldn’t tell what he was saying, or I was not in tune enough to listen.  

Then, I was there, waking up in bed. 

I opened my eyes when the pounding in my head began to lessen, allowing the bird song to wash over me rather than suffocate me. The thick curtains were open, weak sunlight creeping across the oak floor and furnishings, lighting them up like whisky. It was cool, that early morning chill before the last of the lingering summer heat could settle in again.  

I watched the floor for several minutes, praying for my headache to cease. Of course, praying never did anyone much good. Henry would be disappointed.  

I didn’t have a clock in the room I stayed in during nights at the country house. Francis’s great aunt, whose room that used to be, couldn’t stand them. She felt they made her rush.  

Still, I could guess it was early. There was no noise. Francis wasn’t singing in the kitchen as he made breakfast, Charles and Camilla weren’t bickering meaninglessly in the depths of the house, Bunny wasn’t honking his laugh at some ridiculous jibe. There was nothing except pure tranquillity.  

I knew of one other person, for certain, who would be up so early. That was motivation enough to get out of bed. Still, it was a struggle. My body fought it as I sat up, pushed myself to my feet, scrabbled through my bag for clothes, and checked myself over in the mirror to make sure I looked presentable. 

Finally, I exited the room, closing the door with a soft click behind me. The hallway was quiet, eerily so, and I paced down it, focusing on the soft, luxurious carpet against my bare feet over the pounding of my head. 

On the stairs at the end of the hallway, Francis was curled up, still fully dressed, like a small child unable to stay conscious on a drive back from the beach, snoring obnoxiously and fiercely cuddling a near-empty bottle of whiskey. His overcoat tails were tangled between his bent legs, pale, slender ankles poking out conspicuously from his half pulled-off socks. In the country house, this was not an uncommon occurrence. 

I clambered over him, trying not to catch his limbs or face with my foot. As though sensing my presence as he slumbered, Francis uncurled his body, spreading himself out across several steps and out of the way of my bare feet. Smiling, I leant down to pat him gently on the cheek, careful not to disturb him. He looked incredibly peaceful, for once.  

I left Francis on the stairs, snoring in the shadows of the half-shuttered windows, and headed towards the library. There was a fair chance Henry would be there and, if not, I would likely spot him on my way over. 

As expected, it did not take me long. Henry valued the morning hours, the weak light illuminating the thick pages of his books, the quietness of a dawn tainted only by the songs of the birds.  

He was sat outside, of course, fully dressed, a suited silhouette through the ornate glass doors, a splatter of ink against the canvas of autumn. Although I pushed open the doors as softly as I could, his head shot up as soon as it began to squeak. 

“Good morning,” he said, with a smile. “Drink up.” A slight gesture of his hand brought to my attention a full glass of water and a sleeve of ibuprofen sparkling in the cool, creeping light. 

“Good morning,” I mumbled, fumbling with the package in my desperation to push out two of the pills. When I managed to do so, I swallowed them quickly with a large gulp of water, which I drained gladly straight after.  

Once I’d swiped at my lips, I took the few steps to his seat. Standing behind him, I rested my hands on his broad shoulders and bent down to press a kiss to his cheek. I caught the smile on his face, which did little to lessen the furrow of his brow. 

“How’s the translation going?” 

This question elicited a heavy sigh from him. “It’s all wrong, unfortunately. The verbs won’t translate well, and these sentence structures are ridiculously tricky.” 

“Boreís na to káneis éfkola agápi mou,” I breathed into his ear, bringing my fingertips to his sharp shoulder blades. You can do it easily, my love. 

He laughed. “Óchi ótan eísai étsi, den boró.” Not when you’re like this, I can’t. 

I hummed humorously, spreading my massaging fingertips along his taut shoulders. Spread out before us was the house’s garden, as pure and fierce as Eden, coming swiftly to life in front of my eyes. The sun was just emerging, lingering in the far east like God, watching His creations come to life as on the seventh day. Henry was watching it too, finally relieving himself of his books in favour of the glitter of the autumnal flowers, Gomphrena and Didiscus and Goldenrod. 

It wasn’t often I was up early enough to catch Henry on mornings like this. Despite our circumstances, we never shared a bed during our stays at the country house, primarily because Henry didn’t want to disturb me during our short vacations, or so he said. But also, because, I believe, he was rather shy about our activities around the rest of the Greek class. They knew, of course – we were never as subtle as we thought - but, still, there was something prudish lying within Henry. Or perhaps it was possessive. Not that it matters now, I suppose. 

“Let’s go to the lake,” he said, suddenly, startling me from my observance of a large bee bumbling its way drunkenly through a flowerbed.  

“Now?” I questioned, surprised. Henry enjoyed the mornings because of the quiet solitude they offered him, the time to be alone with his books and his papers. Things he valued even more, I think, than me. 

“Would you like to?”  

I was still sleepy, even more so after taking the ibuprofen Henry had laid out. Still, I could picture how lovely it would be: the drowsy, sun-laced walk through the dandelions and uncut grasses, the heady smell of nature flourishing around us, the somniferous sound of waves lapping at the gently rocking boat, the mesmerizing feeling of floating on air. 

“Yes,” I said, “I would, actually.” Henry was always confidently persuasive. Eerily so. Not that I would have needed much persuading, really. I just liked to think there was something magic about him.  

He sighed, stretching out his aching limbs as he got to his feet. Pre-emptively, he removed his jacket and folded it meticulously, leaving it on the seat of his chair. “Good. Perhaps we should take breakfast with us?” 

It was a wonderful idea, and we slipped back inside to prepare a breakfast picnic: a full bottle of orange juice, a half-full stoppered bottle of champagne left over from the previous night, a package of strawberries, a selection of pastries bought from Camilla’s favourite bakery on our way to the country house the previous morning, and a packet of large blueberry muffins.  

With our breakfast packed in an old wicker basket, we set off into the morning sun, meandering through the budding flowers and tall grasses, clasped arm in arm. It wasn’t a particularly long walk to the lake, but we lingered meaninglessly on the way, I to admire the nature and wildlife, and Henry to momentarily relieve his arm of the picnic basket and watch me with a smile when he thought I couldn’t see him. 

Eventually, we made it, and eagerly hopped into the lonesome boat oared at the makeshift jetty, picnic basket still in hand. Considering it was so early, Henry was alive with vigour, and rowed eagerly, pushing us quickly to the centre of the lake. He had been somewhat withdrawn over the last few weeks, particularly during our days at the country house, so seeing him come to life among the falling birch leaves was a gift.  

We covered one lap of the lake at a fairly quick pace, talking about our latest classes, Julian’s theory of Dionysiac architects (which was, essentially, that the secret language they spoke was more akin to modern day English than any other language throughout history), and the startling resemblance that morning of the pond and surrounding countryside to Jan Brueghel the Elder’s ‘Odysseus and Calypso’ - one of my favourite paintings.  

Henry slowed as we began our second lap of the lake, and I watched his concentrated expression in the water’s reflection.  

“Aren’t you tired?” I was feeling a little peppier now, despite the rhythmic sound of the waves lapping gently at the boat, and I knew Henry had been up significantly longer than I had. “Can I take over?”  

“No, you don’t have to do anything.” I was still watching him in the warped shine of the water, and he caught my eye through the fairy-dust covering of birch leaves. “Just sit right there and look like you do.” A smile flittered across his face briefly, and I shook my head, laughing.  

“If you say so,” I said, still laughing. Henry rowed on and began to fill the silence with his stream of thoughts on Heraclitus’ ideas of opposites, and how the philosopher decreed Hades and Dionysus as the same God, a belief Henry was strongly against. Occasionally he’d break his speech to mumble a suggestion for his translation, which he no doubt tucked away into another corner of his mind for later. 

At some point, I lay back across the seat of the boat, head coming to rest on the lip, one hand stretching over to trail in the lukewarm water. Francis had said once that one of the neighbours had seen leeches in the lake, and Bunny always swore blind that there were water snakes in there. Yet, still, we all went out on it as often as we could, swimming and fighting and trailing our hands through the ripples.  

Listening to Henry speak tantrically and feeling the warm water kiss my fingertips was as delicious and satisfying as being carried in Charon’s boat across the rivers separating the worlds of the living and the dead. I wanted it to last forever. The best kind of purgatory. Psuche. 

But eventually, we did come to a stop, once Henry, with some difficulty, had managed to turn the boat and situate it towards the centre of the lake. I sat up and stretched, groaning at the creak of my bones.  

As I heaved the picnic basket up on to the seat, Henry balanced the oars properly, wiped at his brow, and rolled up his sleeves, eying the cutlery and plates I was laying out. He must have been starving.  

I looked to him to ask if he had any preference for pastries as I began doling out them onto our plates, but the question died on my lips when I saw a constellation of bruises flowering in a strange pattern along his freshly revealed arm. They were fresh, a shocking purple tinted with red. 

“Henry,” I exclaimed, croissant held in one frozen hand. “What in God’s name have you been doing?” 

He furrowed his brows at me, following my eye line quickly. I saw him flounder for a moment, but in a flash, he was as composed as the Queen’s Guard.  

“Don’t fuss, it’s nothing. I fell in the garden yesterday morning, those damn dogs left more garbage on my front path. Is that for me?” 

I believed him, of course. It was a perfectly sensible answer, and certainly not the first time something like that had happened. If only I’d known... 

I gave him the croissant, and finished plating up the food as he poured two Mimosas into the old teacups we’d packed, using far more champagne than orange juice. We ate in a comfortable silence, broken sporadically by random thoughts and anecdotes; we were both slipping into fatigue once more now the sun was fully risen, not too warm against our skin, and the inebriating smells of flowers and the birch trees were reaching out to us, woody and smoky like winter night’s gone by.  

Four Mimosa’s later (between us), we had finished our breakfast, and were lying, nearly unconscious, in the boat, which was very slowly bobbing its own way around the lake once more. Henry was stretched out completely, arms acting as a pillow, and I was tucked in on my side next to him, resting my head on the broad stretch between his shoulder and chest. 

God knows how long we stayed there in the boat, moving listlessly without direction or need, bumping lightly against the bank until one of us made the effort to lift a foot and push us away, listening to the birds' tweet and fly above us, feeling the gentle caress of the birch leaves across her skin, hearing the soft intermingling of our breaths just over the gently lapping water as it granted us passage, seeing the shades of light and dark through the shield of our eyelids. Zoe. The divine life of God. 

When we were roused, the air, the very nature around us felt different, alive, charged. The sun was crawling towards the centre of the sky, but several dark clouds were on its heels. Hours must have passed.  

I came back to life first, awaking as though from death’s sleep, drowsy and confused. What came to me, however, was the distant call of my name, the familiar cadence of the voice. Francis. It was Francis.  

As his shouting got closer and slightly more frantic, I pushed myself up with one hand braced against the smooth wood of the boat’s sole, using the other to first wipe the sleep from my eyes and then shield them from the sun.  

Francis was on the far bank, heading towards the small jetty, and waving his arms as though welcoming in a plane. He was, I noticed with some amusement, still wearing the same clothes he was in when I’d stepped over him that morning. I waved my free hand at him, and he shouted my name again. “Are you insane? We’ve been looking everywhere for you. Is Henry with you? It’s gone 12, you know.” 

I couldn’t muster up the energy to respond to him, but I did lay a hand on Henry’s shoulder to shake him awake. With a bit of resistance, he came to, and sat up in the same sluggish manner as me, stretching out his arms, back, and neck. 

Francis called to him now. “Henry? Henry! Bring the damn boat in, will you? Julian’s coming to dinner tonight, and I need everything to be ready.” 

Henry waved his fingers at him, a dismissive acknowledgement, a king sending away a disobedient courtier. Finally, he opened his eyes, landing his gaze directly on me. He smiled, pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth so quickly I did not have time to respond. “Piso ston politismó,” he said lowly, a melancholy look setting in his features. Back to civilization.  

He situated himself carefully on the seat while I stayed where I was watching him like I was at the feet of one the post-Socratics. He picked up the oars once more and started rowing us back to bios. Back to life. 

[jelly-fish-wishes]

I’m gonna put it out there because my brain cannot contain my excitement for this idea.

First, let me explain.

When I was around…what…6? I was gifted my first ever Gameboy Advance. I only had four games. Hamtaro Ham-Ham Heartbreak (never found all of the ham chats lol), Sonic Advanced (only ever beat the game as Tails because his flying allowed me to swim out of the water when I was drowning), Super Mario World Advanced, and a copy of Super Mario Bros 3 Advanced (gifted to me the day it came out. Never beat it because I kept dying to the sun on world 2 and then lost the copy)

Ok ok. This was my only source of Mario content at the time besides Mario 64, Sunshine, and Mario Party, so 6 year old me thought the “Bros” in the title meant like “friends”. You know? Like “This is my bro!” So little Jell-O here thought Mario and Luigi were friends, not brothers.

But Jell-O, you might ask. They look the same! Surely you weren’t that dumb? You underestimate my stupidity. But at the same time it made sense as to why I thought they weren’t brothers? Peach and Daisy also looked similar to me as a kid, and they weren’t related. So my confusion was justified!

So as a Hispanic child who was bilingual, when I first heard Mario say “Mama Mia,” I concluded that he was Mexican since that phrase also works in Spanish (fun fact, the direct translation of Mama Mia is “Mother of mine”). I should have taken the hint that they were blood related when I also heard Luigi say the same thing every time he died, but my dumb ass was so convinced that they weren’t related that I assume he was Irish because he was GREEN CNLKDWLKCWSNPKSDNKP. Somehow I knew what Ireland was, but not Italy 💀.

With all of this in mind, I wanna make a roommates AU where Mario and Luigi are NOT brothers. Mario is Mexican with a little bit of a potty mouth and Luigi is a superstitious Irishmen who is weary of mushrooms and ghosts (tbh, not that different from canon Luigi)

Just picture a scenario where they both try to gift each other flags of their respective countries, but they confuse both flags for the Italian Flag 😭

Luigi: *staring at the Italian flag that Mario is trying to pass off as the Irish flag* Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Mario, the flag has ORANGE, not RED.

Mario: *staring at the Italian flag that Luigi is trying to pass off as the Mexican flag* What happened to the eagle?

[drmaddict]

Kitten and Grizzly

Summary: Sy finds out what his kitten really wants

Word count: 941

Warnings: mentions of primal play, mentions of masturbation

What Sy held in his hands was not what he had expected. Not quite. He thought his kitten would read tearjerkers.

She rarely allowed this form of girly hobby in front of other people. Hid them outright. He remembered once coming home from a binge earlier than he thought because one of his friends had broken his leg and finding her on the sofa watching Bridgerton. Her cheeks flushed abruptly, but she just said, "Shut up." and turned back to the TV.

He had sat silently watching along with her. Actually, he shouldn't say something like that, but he liked the show. So when the second season came out, he just turned it on for their weekly movie night and pressed (y/n) against him. "I want to see what happens to Eloise," he shrugged.

They were both treating it like their little secret.

So he would have expected that this secrecy around her Kindle was simply related to the fact that she just preferred to keep this girly preference to herself. Without comment from the outside.

But when the little device was switched on and lying forgotten on the bed and he read the first sentence of the page, he realized that he had been mistaken.

He wasn't stupid. He had heard of Fifty Shades and had also seen the movie, but it had amused her rather than being a serious read.

But after what he had now read, he realized why. Fifty Shades was probably rather laughable against this. Before he knew it, he was lying on the bed, immersed in this new world. Got to know a whole different side of his kitten. Neither of them were prudes, but she had never been so explicit about what interested her. Was she actually interested, or was this just a more outlandish outing for once? He hesitated, but then looked at the considerable library on the device.

He read through the summaries and some reviews. One theme seemed to run through. Primal Play.

He memorized a few titles and put the Kindle back in its place as he had found it, only this time turned off.

He said nothing about it for now. The next few days, when his kitten was at work, he spent reading more and more of the books he had found. Not only once did he have to interrupt himself to get relief. If she liked that sort of thing, he was definitely into it.

Little fantasies crept into his head. How he caught her. Burying her underneath him. How she would live up to her nickname and scratch his back until red streaks decorated the skin. How he would growl when she bit him as hard as she could. Animalistic lust.

He wanted it. He wanted her. He wanted her that way.

He needed to talk to her. Today.

He waited until they were lying on the sofa together, watching a horror movie.

He cleared his throat hesitantly. "Kitten we need to talk," he began. She broke away from his embrace and looked at him uncertainly.

He looked back uncertainly. "First... It's important to me that you know I didn't WANT to snoop," he began, holding his index finger up to her nose. "But your Kindle was on the bed, turned on, and I picked up a phrase and then I just couldn't stop." He looked at her searchingly. She let no emotion flit across her face. Her walls completely intact and set on a defensive course.

He sighed. "Why didn't you ever say you liked that kind of thing?" He stroked her calf gently with his thumb. She shrugged her shoulders. "Kitten. Come on. If there's one thing I can say, it's that these ideas don't leave me cold, and I really, really want to hunt you." He grinned at her, but that grin fell from his face as she got up and left.

"Kitten!" he called after her, following immediately.

"Sy. This isn't going to work." she sighed still walking.

He grabbed her wrist and held it tightly. "Why?"

She slumped her shoulders. "Because my head won't cooperate," she sighed.

Sy was confused. She let her back fall against his chest. He held her tightly. "It's not about the hunting," she began. "It's... In the books... It's just feelings and actions. It's no thoughts. It's not overthinking. It... Damn you know me Sy. I always think about everything way too long until my thoughts are no longer thoughts. It... I want someone to rip this burden out off my mind. I don't want to have to think. I want to be able to just be, if only for a short time, but I can't. And I never will be able to. All I have left are the books." She literally fell against him. "If you want to chase me through the forest like Little Red Riding Hood, we can do that. But that's not really what this is about for me."

He turned her around and she dropped against his chest in surrender. He just held her close and stroked the back of her head.

"I just want you to feel good," he mumbled softly.

"I want to. But I'm afraid that if I do, I'll just be disappointed.", she murmured humbly into his chest. "After all, you're made for this.", she said and a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

Sy grinned. "I'll be your grizzly if you stay my kitten."

She sighed. "We'll try."

He smiled and continued stroking her hair. "You just wait kitten. I've managed to handle a few other missions."

She smacked his chest.

They laughed.

[asoulwithadream]

Shoscombe Old Place / Part 2 - Sherlock & Co From the diary of ASoulWithADream…

I'm so excited that we're getting a three-parter after three-parter. They're brilliant and as the production quality increases exponentially, these drawn out adventures holding more content are so important to me.

Live Soul Reaction (my little on-the-spot commentary):

The episode sub-title just makes me think of Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. "🎵 You've got a fast car, I want a ticket to anywhere,"

John explaining the stupid social hierarchy, state-till-8's, the little 'I dunno's' of doubt, as if he still feels a bit confused or insecure about the whole situation with Carrie and him. The way he phrases it makes me think of superficiality.

"Like some big slobbery traitor!" I like how the roles have switched to Sherlock defending Archie from John.

Again with the card references!

Gary Lineker's mate. That's the second time HE's been mention. There's been an awful lot of emphasis on repeating motifs. Makes me wonder what else from last week's episode will feature today.

"You're invaluable, Watson!" "Awh." "Cheers!" <33333333

"Ah! Goodness! Hello Bob- UH, Robert Knob- Robert Norbertson! Ugh, spit it out, John."

"Just what she needs. Just… what she needs." Bobby you are not making yourself look more innocent you smoldering drama queen.

Sherlock swallowing a fly 😭

Lineker again!

Jump in the river. Jumping into a body of water. This is the third time. For fuck's sake.

"World's colliding. New friends, meeting old friends."

Who's calling John a twat on the internet???

Ash. Ash on the leaves, on the nettles, on the bark of the trees. Didn't Sherlock mention smoke? From the house, Shoscombe? Last week, he said it very explicitly. Smoke.

"It's a house for the dead." "A mausoleum." "Yes, a very tired one."

I SEE DEAD PEOPLE.

"Sherlock." "Yes, Watson." "Quick question." "Fire away!" "Are we… trapped? In a… four-hundred year old mausoleum?" "Trapped is a rather subjective term. We did CHOOSE to enter." "Sherlock." "Yes actually, I think we are."

Pick a tomb, mate! COS' I AM GOING TO KILL YOU >:(

"Brings a certain perspective, doesn't it? Being in here, with the long dead."

The way John realises that he's snapped just immediately forgives and dismisses Sherlock as the cause of their predicament really goes to show the bond they share, how they're able to adapt and just remain sane in their situation.

"What… feels like home?" "Baker Street." <3333333333333

"Rivers are just as doubtful, Watson. Just as unsure. They take the course they find easy, through the soft earth. That's why their paths are winding and splintered. They look for the easy way. Only the most determined bore through the hardest rock. Overtime, much, much time." More water, which could mean nothing. But seriously speaking, I love Sherlock's perspective on things, and how he reassures Watson with these beautiful metaphors, connecting their surroundings and the information he has consumed to describe his dear friend. <3

"Even the torrents that seem so wondrous to us will reach their end in a sea, a lake… a waterfall." HE SAID IT. Before I thought I was being delusional! Anything could be water, but the hesitation, the torrent he speaks of being a metaphor for both himself through John's perspective and the adventure that Moriarty will pose for them both, but especially for Sherlock Holmes!! I'm freaking out!!

"Shout out to Pro- ooh, Professor!" I AM DEAD. I HAVE TO PAUSE. IT CAN'T BE. WHAT I WAS JUST JOKING BEFORE. I'M BEING DELUSIONAL.

PROFESSOR JAMES MORIARTY.

JAMES MORIARTY.

MORIARTY.

WHO IS LISTENING INTENTLY, TO EVER WORD.

WHOEVER THAT ONE TUMBLR POSTER WAS WHO SAID "haha what if he got a shoutout" YOU WERE RIGHT. I'VE TRIED TO TAG YOU BUT I CAN'T FIND THE POST, BUT YOU WERE RIGHT. FUUUUUUUUUU-

"I can hear the corpses from the seventeenth century crying into the mic! I've lost my mind!" I doubt you're as much in shock as I am right now.

I was trying to appreciate their little pre-crypt banter and pep-talk, but I can not stop thinking about the ballistic missile which was the waterfall-shoutout section. Absolutely bonkers, and balls to the fucking walls. The balls are everywhere.

I better not see "42 - The Final Problem - Part One" on my Spotify on the 16th of July in the Year of our Lord 2024.

[edajcheel]

𝙱𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍-𝚣𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚍

Summary: You, unknowingly, force a boy that is hopelessly in love with you, into the best friend zone.

Character(s) : Jade L. & Floyd L.

TW: Kind of hints along the line of a small-sized reader (in Jade's), may be some spelling, or grammar mistakes

None of these images belong to me.

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚𝐽𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝐿𝑒𝑒𝑐ℎ.

Goodness, how cruel of you.

How cruel of you to throw his so obvious affections towards you away like how a certain person did to his carefully nourished fungus, and to add on to that, you did it with no hesitation or doubt.

But, he's so sure he's grown nearly accustomed and into a reasonable understanding of regular courting on this land?

Perhaps, it was the matter of his fault? Did he do something to accidentally wrong you?

What was it?— ..Best friend zoned, if he could recall

What a funny phrase, one that he was given no mercy to

Honestly, it truly did hurt when you said it so nonchalantly.

Oh? Did you think he would just give up so easily after this? You don't think him so sensitive, do you?

You misunderstood then, he's merely taking this as a sign to be a bit more.. honest with his courting.

His patience is endless, he will take his time to indulge in you and play as your "best friend", after that, he'll get tired of the title and quickly steal your heart this time.

He doesn't mind that your slow to pick up on his favor for you, he does go by the metaphor that– the longer it takes, the more satisfying it will be– after all.

"Finally, I'm back in action!" You haphazardly swing your right leg around, testing it to see if it's suitable to use again.

It ached only a little bit to your movement, but you could endure this much after all the amounts of crack and snap your leg has gone through.

"Your my savior, jaaade!" You sang, "Why is it that you're always the first one to help me out when I'm in trouble? Hehe!" It did feel embarrassing after every time you injured yourself, Jade would always come by to check up on you. But you could only sigh in dismay, and scratch the back of your head while you surrender yourself to him for his care.

"Is it so wrong for me to come by and check up on you?" He asked in confusion, as he paused from organizing his small medkit he bought by to look at you. "Oh no no, I just appreciate you for coming by and actually caring unlike SOME people." You rolled your eyes to the thought of that brain cell-less trio.

"No need to thank me, I don't mind taking care of you whenever your in need." He would most certainly be glad to, although you don't need to know that just yet.

You smiled up at him, how relieving it is to have an actual mature, and caring companion.

Suddenly, Jade turns his head towards you from his mini medkit to see you running up to him in a speed that would most likely be fit for a marathon race, although.. while limping.

"Oh—?" He's paralyzed as you circle your small, nimbly little arms around him, engulfing him into a hug. He couldn't help but smile at your endearment and replicated your hug.

"Your the bestest friend I could ever have! Better than those snobbish boys..."

Ah.

The silence is enough to hear a pin drop, the air unnaturally becomes stiff and cold. Jade's expression is unknown to you as you hug him, tightly.

"Is that so? I'm quite honored."

He looks down at you with the same ol' gentle smile of his, too bad you don't notice how insincere it is.

❃.✮:▹ ʄʟօʏɖ ʟɛɛƈɦ.

You're real funny, shrimpy.

.... Do you think his feelings for you are just a joke? Who do you think you are to just place his feelings for you the same level as waste?

He really likes you, shrimpy. He really likes, likes, likes, and even loves you.

Why don't you just accept it? Why do you have to be so difficult >:(

You know that he likes you, don't you? He's been going in and out buying you small trinkets and giving you his full attention every day of the week! You aren't that dumb to not notice right? He's practically smothering you with his love!

Even Jade said so, you're one of the few things on his list that he would put his utmost effort in..

Well... He is happy that you think he's better than all those small frys, but he knows he could be more than that.

You obviously like him back, he's just convinced your too much of a small head to confess first. That's why he's going to be the one to confess! But, you never EVER noticed his hints!

It's so frustrating.

Kani-chan said something stupid yesterday. He said that Shrimpy "Best-friend zoned" him. Hehe, Kani-chan went to the nurse with a bleeding nose. It was the most dumbest thing he's ever heard from Kani-chan, he deserved it.

... If Shrimpy isn't going to budge and actually confess to him soon— he won't be so tolerable as he is now. He's been too kind.

Quick, high-pitched squeaks from shoes vibrate through the court, with the hard thumps of the basketball hitting the ground. The cheers of the audience tops it off like a cherry on a cake.

"Go Floyd Leech, Go Floyd Leech, MY BALLER!" You screamed as loud as you can while waving a banner that says, 'Number 10 lowkey fire 🫢' To be a true friend, is to show your support! In regards to that, you went to every basketball game of Floyd's and sought out to be the loudest at the bleachers.

Floyd saw your cute attempt to rile him up, and right you did! You filled him with adrenaline like every game and brought him to his A game every time. His amazing, cute, and squeezable shri—

"This one is for you, Shrimpy!" He yelled, and quickly shook of his guarder, tripping them over. He stomped and bounced the ball easily while avoiding other opponents. Then, swishh, he jumped higher than he'd ever did, higher than the net itself, just to see that face of amazement you make.

He could never get tired of that face.

Thump! The ball bounced on impact to the ground after falling through the net, right on time to the buzzer. 39 to 10. Mannn, Floyd was adamant on getting to 40 this time.. Whatever, that could wait another day— besides! He has something waaay more important to handle.

"Floooyyydd! My baller!" He could see you running up to him from a distance, he stood, ready for the impact.

You instantly hug him when you get close enough to, "Ahh! Shrimmppy, did you see that awesome shot I did for you?" He giggled, with his sparkly, sharp teeth in display.

"Of course I did! You're literally the best for that!" You nudge him on the shoulder, "Here's a gift to congratulate your awesomeness!" You shove it onto his chest, excited for his reaction.

"Shrimpy got me a gift?~ Finally some well-deserved attention—"

"Whaaaat? Where's my reward, Y/n?" You turn your head to where the voice is coming from just to see Ace. "Huh, you don't deserve no 'reward', Ace." You said, while pulling out your tongue at him.

"Huh? Why?? I tried my best too, ya'know. You even saw!" Ace replied in defense, while you roll your eyes. "Ay, I'm your friend too!" You could only look at your nails in disinterest, but you giggled jokingly afterwards.

"Not as much as Floyd! He's my best buddy!"

"What! I've known you longer than he did!" Ace put his hand on his chest dramatically.

'Best buddy'?

Floyd stood still, his arms drooping down his sides, your gift still in hand unopened.

He stared at you two playfully exchanging non-physical blows, with a blank look. No expression, just pure... disinterest? Perhaps.

"Hey, Floyd, you good?" Ace speaks up about his silence as both of you turned to him.

".... Do you really think that, Shrimpy?"

You arched your brow in puzzlement, "What?"

......

Kani-chan stands for Crab-chan which is Floyd's nickname for Ace.

OH AND DON'T CALL ME BIASED FOR MAKING FLOYD'S LONGER... I LOVE THEM BOTH EQUALLY IT'S JUST CAUSE I HAD MORE IDEAS FOR FLOYD YKKKKK I STILL LOVE JADDDDEE PLUS I WROTE A FANFIC WITH JADE AND SEBASTIAN MICHAELISSS. 🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨

[worldismyne]

Iceberg Bing for layer 3 and 4.

My memory is really bad, so some of these might have already appeared in earlier layers.

AMVs - Either specific songs that were popular to use in the fandom, or any fanmade content from during the manga's run that was popular

Soul and Maka Split up - Apparently this interpretation of Maka and Soul's final discussion in the manga is a hot take. There was a lot going on in the final chapter, but here are the phrases from the manga that gave me that impression.

Will cross this box off for any analysis from that final chapter tho.

Thompson Twins - Can't remember if this specific reference was pointed out, but stands in for any pop culture references brought to light.

The Dress - This is a newer development, but at some point this dress got listed on Devil Inspired and advertised heavily on instagram.

A bunch of Chrona cosplayers independently saw it and adopted it. (There were at least 3 or 4 at the first con I went to after it was listed). It's so prolific I've seen it in fanart of Chrona now.

Mary Shelly Theory - Saw someone in the tag a while back theorize Marie might be an allusion to Mary Shelly. It would add a layer to the electricity power outside of the Mjolnir reference.

New Art - Any mention of the 20th anniversary drops. (It didn't fit well in the square)

Purple/Pink Gate - Another one I can't remember if it's already been covered. Despite most fan artists color picking a dusty rose for Crona's hair, lavender wigs are still more common for cosplayers. I am a pink wig truther.

Shinobi - Okay, this is a PS2 game that predates the manga by two years. The main mechanic is a katana that sucks the lifeforce/soul of the user unless it's constantly fed other souls. I am fairly sure this is the inspiration of the uncanny sword. Even the cover art gives post time skip vibes.

If not, both pieces of media have to be referencing the same thing.

Zagreus + Dionysus : Death the Kid's role in SE has similarities with the god of the rebirth. Particularly the part of the legends where he's dismembered and eaten. There is some confusion in greek mythology if these are just different names for the same god or just two gods whose roles overlap, thus why I put both names.

Ragnarok - Particularly how he stops being a character after Salvage. Will also check off for mention of the war of the gods.

Merch - There's a lot of merch out there. Apparently they made a speaker inspired by bonus art. I'm sure there's a bunch of official stuff I haven't seen before.

Official Cosplay - There's a few talking points here that come to mind. Like how Soul is the only weapon with an official cosplay prop. Any Spirit, Ragnarok or Tsubaki props you see were made by the cosplayer. Death the Kid rings get sold one at a time, even if they're advertised as a set.

Translations goofs - There's little things like Afreet and Kishen being used interchangeably in the sub. The Witch hunter evolutions have a few different names. I'm sure there's other translation stuff that I don't know about that might pop up.

Demi-god Black Star - Another umbrella square. Black Star's arc towards the end seems to be referencing something specific. Idk what it is, but Marie goes out of her way to put him and Death the Kid on the same level and snubs Maka at the end of the manga.

The Dread Queen - Comparing Chrona to Persephone is really common in the Kirona crowd. After listening to some deeper dives on the topic there's actually precedence for them to be an allusion ancient underworld goddess that predates Persephone and Hades, but not the abduction myth. They're never referred by name only by titles. Crona's name being literally Dark One in Japanese fits with this theme, as well as usually being referred to as the Demon Sword rather than by their given name. This could be more coincidence than anything else though.

Unlocalized content - The iceberg has already covered the games, but there might be audio dramas or other in-character content that didn't make it's way over when SE was popular in the US.

[faefaye]

Chinese LOTM Fic Recs

(@ihavenobigbrain)

I was asked about this, so here we go! (rubs hands together =D)

A few things to know:

I'll only separate by site (either AO3 or Lofter) and whether it's gen or has a ship. None of these recs have smut as far as I remember, as I rarely if ever read it.

I am not Chinese and know nothing about the Chinese language. I've read these fics through the browser translator. Likely there are errors in the translated English titles provided, please feel free to correct them.

For Lofter fics, I'm using the blog url (x in "x.lofter.com") as the writer's name, though idk if that's how it should be done.

Also for Lofter fics, I've linked the first chapter for multi-chapter stories. The rest can be found by going to the user's archive, or (with a bit more difficulty) by clicking on one of the tags at the bottom and going through that.

Recs under the cut because this became a longer post than I expected. Hope you find something to enjoy from this!

Gen Fics:

->AO3

DEITY MAY CRY, by buerzi: The story of an atheist who becomes a believer of the Fool. (post-Book 1, one of my favourite fics)

【克中心】愚者教会调查实录 / [Ke Center] Investigative Records of the Church of the Fool, by liusheng_A: The state of the Church of the Fool, two hundred years after the apocalypse.

Sing come twilight, by Mirrir_Error: Melissa has a conversation with a mysterious lady and learns the truth about her brother. (post-Book 1)

Fifteen Minutes, by ianto0706: Fors accidentally summons Gehrman's historical projection. (post-Book 1)

在葬礼上 / At the funeral, by Mirrir_Error: During Benson's funeral, Melissa meets a familiar stranger.

【破繭組】為美好的真神獻上祝福 / [Broken Cocoon Group] Offer blessings to the beautiful true god, by Zye_404: The four transmigrators meet up in the Astral Realm and decide to descend to the real world. Klein helps Roselle meet his children, Amanises goes shopping and ASG hunts down Amon.

【诡秘】欢迎加入地球OL保障队 / [Secret] Welcome to the Earth OL Support Team, by abigail_000017: Klein Moretti introduces you to the Earth OL Support Team, the first and last line of defence for Earth, and its various members. Do keep track of what you should and shouldn't do. (alternate universe)

但它不断冒出 / but it keeps popping up, by undertoneaugust: (author's summary) "After being woken up by his little niece for the thousand and eighty-sixth time, Klein Moretti finally agreed to play with her."

隐瞒之事 / concealment, by undertoneaugust: Bernadette in the present, seeking her father, and the past she remembers.

【诡秘】我有一个朋友 / [Secret] I have a friend, by Kuffskein: I suggested going on a walk to Deacon Leonard Mitchell, and so we visited Tingen. (first-person perspective, post-Book 1)

修罗会 / Shura Society*, by ominoushunter: When Klein resurrects from his grave, Azik is there. This leads to several things, but mainly the Tarot Club's utter confusion on the shape of the love polygon between Mr. Death, his many students, Mr. World and Mr. Star. (all ships present are mainly in the minds of the Tarot Club :p)

(*according to this post, "Shura Field" is a phrase used to refer to an intense struggle on a battlefield but also for shows where multiple characters are in love with the same person)

->Lofter

【廷根师生组】新生-随机爆炸鱼干 / [Tingen Students and Teachers Group] Freshmen, by linyuansuyuan: (author's summary) "Klein has three homes in Tingen, for which he needs to pay a low rent every month, a few carefully completed homework and several times of unburdened laughter." (pre-canon, warning for Canonical Character Death, slight hint of Azik/Klein but only as a student's crush) (this is the fic that shaped OG Klein for me, and made me fall in love with the pre-canon possibilities)

［海上组］冰山浮出一角 / [Sea Group] The tip of the iceberg emerges, by wangyouwushang86832: After the journey in Groselle's Travels, Gehrman loses his memory, only retaining the beginning of his time in Tingen. Danitz, Anderson and the rest of the Golden Dream get to see another side of the crazy adventurer. (incomplete, ongoing)

【诡秘之主观影体】我于神明 / [The Lord of Mysteries] I am in the gods, by xiayanzhangxiangyi: Tianzun tries to use the transmigrators to take away Klein's anchors. In order not to lose, Klein is forced to reveal the truth of his life to several people close to him, as well as the transmigrators. (post-Book 1, viewing fic)

【观影体】如果神弃之地的 "游戏" 被围观 / [Movie Watching Body] If the "game" of the Forsaken Land of the Gods is watched, by muleyi62440: While Klein is in the Forsaken Land with Amon, the Tarot Club pray to him. But rather than not getting a response, they are pulled into the gray fog and get to watch the struggles he's going through. (viewing fic)

【唤醒沉睡愚者24h/8:30】天幕之下 / [Wake up the Sleeping Fool 24h/8:30] Under the Canopy, by rizerxx: In the year 1366, the Fool wakes up.

1-【论坛体】论坛新更新的游戏，有人玩了吗？/ 1- [Forum body] Has anyone played the newly updated game in the forum?, by mlikebc: Forum story (ie, it takes place in some kind of online forum). The Church of the Fools has released a gacha dress-up game called Miracle Meimei, about a person waking up without memories and rediscovering the past. As people play it, they too discover the truth about the angels of the Fool and the people connected to them... (post-Book 1, incomplete, ongoing, mentions of stuff from COI, currently a 21-part story)

Leonard/Klein:

->AO3

【克中心】我可能是假的天使 / [Ke Center] I might be a fake angel, by BB_Roin: Canon divergence- if the Evernight Goddess couldn't separate the curtain from Zhou during the transmigration. The focus isn't on the ship and it's pretty slowburn Leoklein. (incomplete, ongoing)

World/Fool:

->AO3

世愚｜倒计时十五分 / World Yu | 15 minute countdown, by suqiansheng: After the betrayal in Utopia, Klein goes to the Historical Void before the First Epoch and summons Gehrman's historical projection. A much-needed moment is had. (note: not romantic in any way imo but it's tagged World/Fool so I'm reccing it here)

世愚｜小团圆 / World Yu | A little reunion, by suqiansheng: Klein and Gehrman are separated brothers, having a reunion dinner... (Major Character Death of sorts? Also, same note as above, ie has no romantic elements)

【愚世】最优解 / [Foolishness] The best solution, by Indigo10: Post-Book 1, Klein crafts a marionette Gehrman and instills him with the humanity Adam once gave him. (Major Character Death, same note as above :p)

世愚｜数到三 / Shi Yu | Count to three, by suqiansheng: Post-Book 1, the avatar of Gehrman Sparrow makes a suggestion to Klein. He is not the first Gehrman Sparrow to do so. (sorta Major Character Death)

世愚 | 雨夜乌托邦 / Shi Yu | Rainy Night Utopia, by suqiansheng: The Fool Klein shares a meal with his Blessed in Utopia. (AU where Klein's identities are separate people)

访谈录【愚世】 / Interview Record [Foolish World], by Fei Yu: Gehrman Sparrow, a heretic, has been captured and awaits execution. Before that, a reporter seeks him out for an interview about his life.

【世愚】妄念 / [Shi Yu] Delusion, by youlancangqiong: The Fool likes equivalent exchange, and asks Gehrman for his wish. (AU where these two are separate people, sorta Major Character Death?)

世愚｜值得 / [Shi Yu] Worthy, by suqiansheng: Before the apocalypse, Klein and Gehrman share a peaceful moment.

Azik/Klein:

->AO3

关于我那个总是陷入危险而不自知的同行 / About my colleague who's always in danger without knowing it, by ominoushunter: Canon divergence where Klein doesn't join the Nighthawks and instead becomes a history lecturer, but is still a Beyonder. Cue a comedy of misunderstandings between Klein and Azik, and their secret identities of "the World" and "the Death Consul".

【诡秘】死神即将回归……吗? [Secret] Reaper is about to return...?, by Kuffskein: Suarez, a descendant of the Eggers family, reports to Salinger about the changes in the present era. It's enough to make even enemies feel pity.

【诡秘】愚者教会内部论坛 / [Secret] Church of the Fool Internal Forum, by Kuffskein: Forum story. While discussing the past of the Angel of Death, people uncover a strange relationship between the Angel, Gehrman Sparrow, the Fool and an ordinary person named Klein.

苍白 / Pale, by ominoushunter: Rather than continuing his life as it is, Azik chooses to complete his soul in the mausoleum, and what follows from that.

【诡秘】谁才是执政官大人的真爱？/ [Secret] Who is the true love of the Consul?, by Kuffskein: For a festival of Bayam, tradition is that the Death Consul must travel the capital in a coffin alongside his partner. This would be all fine and good, if the high priest of Balam didn't have to decide who to invite between the Death Consul's six lovers.

->Lofter

【兹克24H：他的猫与锚-19:00】降灵之舞 / 【Zik 24H: His Cat and the Anchor-19:00】Spiritual Dance, by xiayanzhangxiangyi: After Azik wakes up, he goes to Bayam to introduce himself as the Angel of Death and learn more about the Church his student established.

【兹克520活动||17：20】艾格斯教授是gay还是邪教徒 / [Zik 520 Event||17:20] Is Professor Eggers gay or a cultist, by mosquitoyeah: During an expedition, a pair of brothers wonder about their guide Azik Eggers, and place a bet on whether he's a cultist or gay. (post-Book 1, two-part story)

Dunn/Daly:

->AO3

【索斯特➡戴莉】直至最后一朵玫瑰凋谢之时 / [Soest->Daly] Until the last rose fades, by GetSomeFries (NachtElf): Soest falls in love with Daly, but she keeps rebuffing him and he wonders why. (the arrow denotes one-sided feelings iirc)

邓恩史密斯查了五次水表 / Dunn Smith checked the water meter five times, by 6749: set within In Modern Day. This is the fifth time Dunn has visited Daly's house, citing reports that she's performing suspicious religious activities.

Amanises/Klein:

->AO3

今天世界不对劲 / Something is wrong with the World today, by Mirrir_Error: (author's summary) "Today is a special day, "—" wants to play an interesting game with the Fool."

Sharron/Maric:

->AO3

【沙琪玛】莎伦小姐心直口快 / [Sharron/Maric] Miss Sharron is outspoken, by huangnanjun: The story of how Sharron and Maric met, and how they escaped from the Rose School of Thought.

That's all from me for now!

For those who've read this far, I leave you with a wonderful Reddit post about how to browse for LOTM fics on Lofter.

[bi-bard]

And Lover, Be Good to Me - Joel Miller Imagine [HBO's The Last of Us]

Title: And Lover, Be Good to Me

Pairing: Joel Miller X Reader

Based On: Be

Word Count: 2,404 words

Warning(s): nightmares, mention of death/violence

Summary: The world suddenly crumbles down. When met with anger, fear, and tragedy, the only constant that Joel has left is (Y/n). And he's desperate to avoid losing that too.

Author's Note: I haven't seen a lot of (or any, really) early apocalypse stories about Joel, so I wanted to shoot my shot with it.

WASTELAND, BABY! - HOZIER WRITING CHALLENGE MASTERLIST

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The beginning of the end could be traced back to the morning of Joel's birthday.

I had gone to see him and Sarah before I went to work.

I knocked on the door but walked in without waiting for an answer from anyone. I had grown so close to them that I didn't need to worry about it.

"Where's the elderly one?" I yelled as I walked into the dining room.

"Sitting right here with perfectly fine hearing," Joel said, flinching a bit at my voice.

"Happy birthday, dork," I ruffled his hair. I waved at Sarah, who was sitting at the table next to him. "Morning, sweetheart."

"Morning," she smiled. "Want some eggs?"

"With added shells," Joel added.

"I actually can't today, big meeting," I explained. "I just wanted to stop by and drop this off."

I placed a birthday bag in front of Joel on the table. He stared at it for a moment.

I chuckled at him before leaning down and hugging him. "I'm serious. Happy birthday."

"Thanks," he muttered back.

I leaned back and waved to Sarah. "Make sure this one has a good day, got it?"

"Understood," she nodded.

I started walking out of the house, but only made it a few feet before Sarah came running out and stopped me. I furrowed my eyebrows, confused about the urgency that seemed to form in the last few seconds.

"I need your help with something," she explained. "My dad has this watch that I was going to get fixed for him, but the guy at the shop-"

"You need cash?"

She sheepishly nodded.

I reached into my wallet and pulled out a bit of cash. "You can keep the change as long as you aren't using it to buy anything illegal."

She sighed dramatically. "I guess that's fine."

I faked a laugh before hugging her. "Have a good day."

"You too."

If I knew that was the last time that I was going to see Sarah, then I would have held onto her for a little bit longer.

That night, the world came crumbling down. In all manners of the phrase.

It all felt like a bit of a blur.

I remember running from work after my boss tried to attack me. I found crowds of people attacking each other and yelling. I saw fires and heard gunshots. I couldn't get to my car. I just kind of ran for it.

I don't remember how long I spent trying to run and stay safe. I was just scared and doing anything I could to survive.

I was lucky. Especially compared to most other people.

I found myself at a triage clinic with a large bruise on my side and a few small cuts.

I was sitting on a cot while a doctor looked over my injuries.

It was the first time that I had taken the time to truly think about what had happened. I was alone. My family was God knows where. The only people I truly had in town were Joel, Sarah, and Tommy. I didn't know where any of them were. If they were alive.

"Do you guys have a list of people that have been here," I asked, cutting off whatever the doctor had been saying.

"No, sorry," he said. "With the large number and the speed it was all set up, we never had the chance."

"Okay," I nodded.

I mindlessly looked at the crowd.

I wasn't truly looking for anything. I just wanted to have some semblance of hope.

My eyes latched onto one person in particular.

I thought I was hallucinating when I first looked over. However, as I sat there longer, just staring, I realized that I wasn't. This was real. Tommy was walking by right now.

I shrugged off the army doctor looking over me. He tried to scold me, but I ignored him. I pushed myself off of the cot that they had been using like an examination table, still not listening to the instructions to stay still to make sure I don't injure myself further.

"Tommy!" I shouted.

He looked over at me, a confused look stretched across his face. I saw the look change into a smile that showed nothing but relief.

"(Y/n)," he muttered.

I ran over, trying to pay no mind to the bruises on my side. When I finally made it to Tommy, he yanked me forward into a hug, holding me close to him. I closed my eyes as I hugged him back.

"God, I was scared you got infected or shot or just- God," he muttered.

"Could say the same to you," I replied.

Tommy stepped back, looking like he just realized something. "I know someone who's gonna be very happy to see you."

I had a sneaking suspicion of who it was. But it didn't bring me the overwhelming sense of happiness that I wanted it to bring. The idea of Tommy just saying "someone" and not something like "people" made my heart sink a little.

I tried to not pay any mind to the sinking feeling in my stomach as Tommy led me somewhere.

I stopped when I spotted Joel.

He looked exhausted. Angry. The exhaustion was understandable. It was hard not to be. But I don't remember ever seeing him with so much anger on his face before. This wasn't a look that went with being angry in the moment. This was anger that was consistent. Anger with the world, instead of anger with a single subject.

I took note of Sarah's absence. I knew Joel. He was protective before all of this. I knew that he would never let her go anywhere without him now. He would be glued to the girl's side, keeping her from all harm. That's just who he was.

"You alright?" Tommy asked, touching my arm.

I didn't pull my eyes from Joel as I nodded. He dropped his hand and went to guide me further, but I stopped him, touching his arm. "Tommy?"

"Yeah?" he looked back at me.

"Where's Sarah?"

I didn't want to ask Joel when I met him. If it was bad, then I didn't want to be the reason that he thought about it.

Tommy looked down for a moment.

"Joel, Sarah, and I got around that initial blockade that the army had put up," he explained. "We made it into town. A plane crashed and it caused the truck to crash. I got separated from Joel and Sarah for a while, but when I found them, there was a soldier holding a gun up to Joel. I shot him before he could shoot Joel. And then I heard Joel scream. The... The soldier had fired before I got to them. He got Sarah through the torso. She... She died."

I let out a shaky breath as tears filled my eyes. I looked down. "Oh my god."

He stepped forward and hugged me again.

It took me a moment, but I eventually stepped back and let out another sigh.

"You alright?" he muttered.

"I'm good," I nodded. I had gotten my tears under control. I was just grateful that the crowd had blocked Joel from the little scene that had taken place before.

I decided to walk over to Joel after a moment. I steered through the crowd easily enough. Tommy helped.

"Joel," he called once we were a few feet away.

Joel looked up from whatever spot on the ground he had been using to zone out. I saw his eyes go wide as he looked at me.

"I found a stray," Tommy added.

"Fuck you," I mumbled, chuckling a bit.

Joel stood up. "(Y/n)?"

"Hi," I felt a new wave of tears fill my eyes.

He quickly stepped forward and pulled me into a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his shoulder and closing my eyes. His hold on me only seemed to tighten as he did that.

Joel's voice was shaky as he muttered into my ear, "I thought you... I thought you were-"

"I'm fine," I cut him off. "I promise."

His shoulders relaxed a bit, but he didn't let me go. Not quite yet.

When I pulled back, my eyes caught onto a wound on his head. I didn't question it at the time, but I couldn't help but notice it. Something in my gut just told me that something was different about it. It wasn't a normal wound from getting hurt. It was just... something different.

"Anyone tell you guys where we're meant to go," I asked. "Not like there's much left."

"Not in the slightest," Joel muttered, glancing around. "They only seem worried about the really bad ones."

"Really? They were treating me like glass and all I got is a bruise on my side."

"From what?" Joel's eyebrows furrowed, immediately worried.

"It's fine, really," I touched his arm. "I fell while dealing with an infected. It was why I was dragged here."

"Nice to know the clumsiness hasn't changed," Tommy smirked.

"Believe it or not, the end of the world isn't the ideal time to work on coordination," I replied. "And hey, did good enough to live."

"I say we grab supplies and get the hell out of here," Joel suggested.

"Head out on our own?" I glanced around the area.

"If an outbreak hits here, I don't wanna be in the crowd."

I nodded. "Can't get supplies now."

"Tonight," he decided. "We get what we need then we hit the road."

Getting out of the triage clinic with needed supplies was easier than I thought it would be. Maybe it was the universe showing just a brief moment of kindness considering how difficult surviving was going to be after this.

It was a few nights later when we found ourselves hidden away in an old, abandoned house. After clearing it out, we made ourselves a small camp in the living room.

"I'll take first watch-"

"I've got it," Joel cut me off.

"No, you've been taking first watch every time we've stopped," I replied. "Get some sleep, Joel. I've got it."

"You sure?"

I nodded.

"Fine by me," Tommy shrugged before going to lie down.

"Night," Joel nodded at me.

I grinned. "Night."

As the brother drifted off for a few hours, I found myself relaxing against the wall. The first night I kept watch; Joel had told me all about all sorts of habits to keep me awake. Not that I really needed them. Fear was enough of a motivator for me.

That night had been calm. Nothing to worry about.

Until I heard muttering.

I furrowed my eyebrows, looking around the room.

It was Joel.

I walked over, glancing down at him. It took a matter of moments for it to become clear that he was having some kind of bad dream. I furrowed my eyebrows and knelt down next to him.

"Joel," I whispered.

I pushed a bit on his shoulder. Nothing happened.

"Joel," I repeated, pushing a little harder on his shoulder.

He started shaking more, which was when I started panicking.

I grabbed onto his arms, shaking him roughly. "Joel, Joel!"

He woke suddenly, staring at me with wide eyes and panicked breathing.

"Hey, hey," I held onto his shoulders. I quietly hushed him, muttering about how he was okay.

He sat up, yanking me forward into his arms.

I let one of my hands run through the hair on the nape of his neck. His face was hidden in my shoulder as his hands flexed a bit against my back as he tightened his arms around me.

"I've got you," I mumbled.

By the time I had said that his breathing had calmed down significantly. He was just resting against me now. As if he was scared to let me go.

"Always did, didn't you?" he replied. "Always trying to save me."

"I never needed to save you," I argued.

He leaned back slowly. "Maybe you never tried, but you did. You were always there somewhere. No matter what happened."

My hands were still on his shoulders. His arms were still around me. I wasn't comforting him anymore, but it felt like if I pulled away from him, then I'd be committing some crime.

"I... I lost too much these last few days," he continued. "I can't lose you too."

"You aren't gonna lose me, Joel-"

"I... I want you to stay with me," he cut me off. "All the time. I don't want to let go of you."

"Okay..."

There was a long pause between us. I could have sworn that I saw the gears turning in Joel's head. I could see him imagining a million different scenarios in a matter of seconds. I could have sworn that I had never seen him so... nervous.

But the more I looked at him, the more I realized that I had seen that face before.

I saw it just a few days ago when I hugged him. I saw it whenever I left after babysitting Sarah. I saw it every time he walked me to the door of my car and I jokingly called him a gentleman. I knew that look so well. I just never knew what it meant.

I got to know the meaning just a few seconds later.

When Joel leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine.

I paused for a moment.

I had imagined this before. I had spent countless nights drifting off with this very image rattling around my brain, haunting me as I tried to find some semblance of peace.

Experiencing now was nothing short of that pure peace that I had been longing for.

My lips slowly moved against his as my hands moved to cup the sides of his face.

Just a little while ago, I was certain that I had nothing pushing me to keep moving and keep living. But now, I was reminded of why I hadn't just laid down and died the first night it all went to hell.

I leaned back slowly, resting my forehead against his.

"Stay," Joel muttered.

"I have no intention of going anywhere," I replied. "I'm going to stay right here."

And I meant it.

No matter how hard I needed to fight, who I needed to get through, or what I had to do.

I was always going to be right there.

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

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[beautifulfuckup99]

Do you only do BTS? Because I would love a plus-size doc, why choose with Namjoon, Bangchan and Seongwha 🫠🫠🫠

For you, babes, I'm gonna make it a preference of sorts. Hope you like it!

Title: My Girl

Warning(s): Body image issues, hints of ED: Count!ng Calor!es, nut also all-around fluff...

Author's Note: I'm sure this isn't what was wanted, but trust me, it's needed. Lol.

*******************************************

Namjoon:

Breathing in through your nose filled your lungs with the fresh pine scented air of the park you and Namjoon had walked to for a random, mid-day picnic. The scenery was a calm and quiet one. Ducks floating on by in the pond right in front of you, birds flying through the sky over you, and not a single person in sight. You two had gone far enough into the field of the park that you were basically alone. With a soft sigh of contentment, Namjoon set his book down. "I could sleep here." He notes, voice as deep as the body of water in front of you. You eye your boyfriend as he fixes his beanie before laying back, head going to your thighs. You instantly stiffen in slight embarrassment. You could never help it. You knew your body and you knew how it looked. And you knew your handsome boyfriend could always find better. And you knew this angle wasn't flattering at all. "Joonie..." You mutter as you cover his face with your hand as he tries looking up at you. "What?" He chuckles. "Stop that, Y/N. I wanna see you." He smiles as he moves his face from under your palm to smirk up at you before nuzzling more into your thighs. "Like my own personal pillow." He teases and you swat lightly at his broad shoulder. "What? You are!" He laughs. "Not funny. My fat thighs aren't your pillows." You snort and he turns his head to kiss your bare thigh that was only on display because Namjoon begged you to wear a sundress he'd bought for you weeks ago as a 'just because' present. "Yes, they are. I have commanded it..." He smirks. "And don't call them fat." He says as he gives you a look. "I love your thighs, baby." He adds softly, turning his head to kiss your bare skin again, making you blush harder and swat lightly at his arm as he laughs before looking up at you. "Let's start packing up." You say gently after a bit of resting in the silence. Namjoon playfully groans before sitting up to start putting the leftovers back in the basket. You collect the books to put back in your bag but pause whenyou're overcome with the urge to peak in on what Namjoon had been reading these past few days. He must be learning something new because he's been damn near obsessed with this book. You skim the pages for context clues as to what his nose has been buried in and pause as you spot a sentence that has been highlighted. 'The skill of observing is just that: Instead of focusing on the body, have them focus on everything and anything else around them. Mindful breathing is wonderful in that you can do it anytime, anywhere. Focus your attention completely on the new of life, thereby reducing the focus on negative thoughts they may have. And show patience when those thoughts occur anyway'. You blink a bit, slightly confused until you see Namjoon's usual scribbled handwriting next to that paragraph in particular. Little phrases shaped as ideas written a pen, saying things like 'More dates?', 'More traveling?', 'Nature. She likes nature...', 'Quiet. Give her quiet.'. You feel your heartbeat quicken as you silently flip to the front cover of the book since Namjoon had taken off the sleeve of the book. The title is called "Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Loving Insecurities". You slowly look over at your boyfriend who was folding up the blanket you two had been laying on, none the wiser to your findings. Your boyfriend who you've only had the honor of calling your boyfriend for 5 months. Your boyfriend who's decided to spend his time off reading up on how to love you better. You slowly walk over to him as he speaks softly about getting ice cream and place a hand on his shoulder to pull him down to your level, kissing his lips softly. He's surprised, but quickly kisses back. You pull away slowly and smile. "I'd love ice cream." You say gently as you stroke his soft skin with the pad of your thumb. He smiles bashfully and nods. "Then let's go..." He says as he finishes packing up.

Bangchan:

"Oh, that's so pretty..." You say as you hold your boyfriend's hand as you stare up at the window display that showed a mannequin wearing a beautiful red, thinned-strapped, sweetheart-lined dress. Going out was a rarity with how busy you two had been lately, but you were enjoying this peaceful moment of mindlessly window shopping. And you knew even though Bangchan would rather be resting lazily at home, he was allowing himself to be dragged around all for your happiness. "Wanna head inside?" The five-foot-seven Korean man asks softly, and it makes you eye the rest of the store. "Nah. Nothing there would fit me. God, if I had that body type..." You sigh as you eye the mannequin, making Bangchan nudge you playfully. "You wanna be headless and plastic?" He asks as he eyes you oddly and you laugh softly. "Yup. The embodiment of beauty." You play along before you continue walking, pulling him along effortlessly. "Well, I for one, like how you are now." He states simply and you chuckle a bit. "Yeah, yeah." You mutter. "What? It's true." He defends lightly as he softly swings your entwined hands back and forth as you two walk through the shopping center. "Okay, sure. Cause it's not like you're my boyfriend who'll be in the doghouse if you say otherwise..." You tease and he laughs softly before kissing your hand tenderly. A full week goes by and as you lay in bed, one night, scrolling through your phone, Bangchan walks into the bedroom of your cozy loft. "Mail." He says as casually as he can master, which for him is an average tone. You look up from your phone and see the box he'd laid out on the edge of the bed for you. "And... What's this?" You ask as you slowly sit up, watching as your boyfriend gets more comfortable on his side of the bed. He gives a slight shrug before watching you the way a child watches their parent open a gift from them. His eyes giving away his emotion like always. The excitement was clear in those eyes. You hum and grab some scissors from your nightstand. You open the box and freeze as you see the same dress that you had stared at through the shop window that day, only it was your size. "How...?" You stop your questioning and look at your boyfriend in shock. "You are the embodiment of beauty, babe." He says in a soft voice as he watches you closely. You feel your face heat up and turn back to the box. You pull the dress out and see it's the exact same one, just as perfect as when you spotted it that day. "How did you even find this?" You ask in awe as you scrunch your nose in pure delighted confusion. You hadn't been able to get this damn clothing item off your mind since that day, and now here it was. Right in front of you, in your grasp and it looked even more beautiful in person. The plus size sections here in Korea weren't as... widely selective as they were in the US. You'd gotten used to seeing a gorgeous clothing item in a store and putting it back on the rack when you saw it wasn't in your size. "I ordered it online. I wasn't gonna watch you give up something you want badly because the store doesn't have your size. That's dumb." He shrugs as you set the dress down and move over to hug and kiss him while he playfully groans like it's killing him. But you see the tips of his ears turn pink at your affection. "You're amazing..." You whisper with a giggle before kissing his lips firmly as he laughs. "Well? What are you waiting for? Try it on!" He says and you giggle excitedly before jumping out of bed and running to the bathroom with the dress in your tight grasp.

*********************************************

Running out of space, but I will be posting part 2! So, if you're a Seongwha stan, then... Stay tuned!