#this is my latest masterpiece please clap

[bugscholar]

anything can be beatles… even vintage sewing patterns i find on pinterest. i just have to realize the vision…

[amorest-viesse]

[To The World Of Our Friends] - Rustica SSR Card Story Translation

Ft. Akira (and Chloe mention in the card episode!)

The Music of Our Miracle - Chapter 1

One inconspicuous afternoon, we were greeted by an unexpected visitor. 

Akira: Wow, I can’t believe it! It’s really you! I’m so glad you’re here again, Kitty!

Rustica: It’s been a while, Miss Kitty. Your smile looks lovely as ever.

Kitty: Ufufu, Kitty is glad to see everyone too! How are you doing?

For some reason, Hello Kitty and her friends could suddenly use magic to visit us.

Akira: Do you remember your conversation with Rustica the last time you were here?

Akira: Well, there’s a place we want to show you related to that, and we were wondering if you would like to go now.

Kitty: Why, I would love to! I wonder where we’re going.

Rustica: Didn’t you tell us you wanted to experience lots of wonderfully exhilarating things?

Kitty: Wow ♡ You remembered!

Rustica: But of course. Thus, we’ve picked out the perfect place to take you.

Rustica: Your hand please, my dear lady. Let us depart.

♡♥♡

[City of Music]

Our destination was a place known for the symphony of sounds that arise from its every nook and cranny. Its name is…

Akira: The City of Music. Musicians from all over gather here, and it’s known for producing high quality instruments as well.

Kitty: Wow~ What a lovely place! Hearing all of these wonderful songs reminds me of Puroland.

Kitty: I feel oh so happy strolling down these streets!

Rustica: I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. To tell you the truth, I was invited here by some dear friends for the unveiling of a new instrument.

Rustica: Ah, here we are.

Before us was a plaza filled with people crowding around something covered with a shiny cloth.

Mayor: Your attention please, everyone! We’ve kept you waiting long enough, but now, it is time to reveal the latest masterpiece created by the greatest artisan in this city!

Townspeople: It's finally time!

A thunderous round of cheering and applause erupted from the crowd as the cloth was pulled away.

Beneath it was a glossy, black piano. As everyone marveled at it in delight, a lively tune began to fill the air.

Akira: Huh!? The piano began to play itself…

Kitty: My goodness! It’s like the piano is singing!

Rustica: There is an enchantment cast upon it.

Rustica: The inventor wished for people to enjoy its music whenever they like, even without a player.

The Music of Our Miracle - Chapter 2

Kitty: Why, what a kind inventor. This is such a warm melody. Surely, it’s a happy song.

Kitty: Ufufu, it suddenly makes Kitty want to dance.

Rustica: Then dance we shall. This is the Western Country after all.

Rustica: If your heart tells you to dance, then listen to it and lose yourself to the music. Might I join you, my lady?

Kitty: Of course! You should join us too, Akira!

Akira: M- Me too!? I can’t dance very well, but I’ll try my best!

Kitty: It doesn’t matter how well you dance! The important thing is having fun together!

Kitty: Come on, you can just copy Kitty.

Kitty: R—ight, left, u—p, back. Easy as pie!

Akira & Rustica: R—ight, left, u—p, back!

Kitty: Just like that! You’re doing amazing!

Rustica: Next… I’ll spin around and give a little bow to the lady by my side.

Kitty: Oh, how lovely! Kitty will twirl around too… And give Akira a little bow!

Akira: S- So cute…! In that case, I’ll do the same for Rustica.

Rustica: It’s an honor, Master Sage.

Akira: Ahaha, I’m having so much fun thanks to you two!

Kitty: I’m glad! Now it’s your turn to make up a dance move!

Akira: Oh! Umm… What if we jumped twice and then clapped? How is that….?

Kitty & Rustica: Jump twice and clap~!

Kitty: Ufufu, this choreography is so fun!

Rustica: Then shall we spice it up even more and add a little singing? For example…

Rustica: By a miracle, we could reunite ♪ Let’s follow our hearts and celebrate~ ♪

Rustica: By making flowers bloom across the sky ♪ Now I’ll snap my fingers like so and…

[Snap]

[Fireworks Launching]

Akira: Wow! What gorgeous fireworks!

Townsperson: Ahaha, this is amazing!

Towsperson: It’s like the sky is full of flowers!

Kitty: Ufufu. What dazzling flowers bloom in the air~, Just like the smiles that bloom down here~ ♪

Akira: (Oh wowow! I can’t believe Hello Kitty is singing right in front of me!)

As Hello Kitty adorably sang along to the piano’s song, Rustica snapped his fingers once again.

[Snap]

[Fireworks Launching]

Multicolored fireworks launched into the air as singing filled the city. It was a fantastic sight to see.

Everything felt like a dream from the smiling faces all around us to the fireworks above. Before we knew it, a large crowd of people had gathered around us, singing and dancing as well.

♡♥♡

As the piano wrapped up its song, the townspeople began to call out to us.

Townsperson: That was a brilliant show! I bet the inventor of that piano would be delighted!

Kitty: Kitty also had a lot of fun!

Rustica: That was a truly splendid time. It’d be a shame to let it end now.

Townsperson: Your friend there was also a great dancer!

Akira: Oh! Me? T- Thank you…!

As the applause continued around us, I sheepishly followed Rustica and Kitty’s example, and waved to the crowd.

The Music of Our Miracle - Chapter 3

[Puroland]

After our successful visit to the City of Music, we took Kitty sight-seeing throughout the rest of the Western Country.

To return the favor, Kitty then invited us to visit Puroland.

Kitty: Welcome to Kitty’s room.

Akira: Wow… I can’t believe I’m really here!

Rustica: This place has quite the air of beauty and refinement, doesn’t it?

Rustica: I’m greatly intrigued by that lovely piano in particular. From its sheen, I’d say you’ve taken marvelous care of it.

Kitty: Ufufu, thank you very much.

Kitty: Actually, I wanted to have fun playing a duet with you on it.

Kitty: Akira could choose the song and the two of us could try playing it. What do you think?

Akira: Huh!? Really!? I’d be incredibly honored to!

Rustica: My, what a coincidence. I was just thinking the very same thing.

Rustica: While I enjoyed the time we spent in the City of Music listening to that lovely tune… I am also a musician.

Rustica: My dear lady, my aspiring pianist, won’t you play this wonderfully exhilarating song with me?

Kitty: Of course I will! Now then, you can choose from these songs… Oh!

Kitty: Since our alphabet is different from yours, won’t our sheet music be too? Sir Rustica, will you be able to read this?

Rustica: Please do not fret. There shouldn’t be any issue so long as I listen to your performance.

Kitty: Wow, that’s incredible! I should’ve known you could do it!

Kitty: Alright, Akira. You can choose whichever song you like.

Akira: You got it!

Akira: (...Ah, I know all of these songs.)

Hit with an unexpected wave of nostalgia, I felt myself smiling as I flipped through the pages.

Akira: I’ve decided! Could you play this one? 

Taking the sheet music with one hand, Kitty reached out to Rustica with the other.

Together, they walked towards the piano and slowly took a seat.

My heart raced as I watched over them. Kitty gently placed her hands on the piano.

Akira: (They’re starting…!)

Occasionally sharing a smile, they began to happily play the piano together, shining brightly as if a spell had been cast on them.

Akira: (A star born from my world playing a song I chose with a wizard I met from another…)

Akira: (This truly is a miracle.)

As I listened to the music we’d created together, I etched the scene upon my heart so as to never forget it.

To Commemorate Our Reunion - Card Episode

Akira: Good afternoon, Rustica.

Rustica: A good afternoon to you as well, Master Sage. I was just looking for you actually…

Rustica: Oh? There are water droplets glittering in your hair. It’s as if you’re wearing a circlet of dew.

Akira: Ah, I was taking a walk earlier when it suddenly started pouring on me.

Akira: I dried myself off, but it seems I missed a few drops.

Rustica: Here, hold still.

Akira: T- Thank you very much…! Sorry to make you do this for me.

Akira: Huh? Isn’t that… Hello Kitty embroidered on your handkerchief?

Rustica: Yes. Chloe made it for me to commemorate our reunion. Now, I’ll be able to recall our lovely young lady any time.

Rustica: He also made one for you which I have right here. Please, take it.

Akira: Wow, this is amazing! It’s so detailed now that I’m seeing it up close. Her ribbon and clothes look perfect!

Rustica: I’d expect nothing less from Chloe.

Rustica: My favorite detail is here. It looks like Miss Kitty is waving at us.

Rustica: It’s as if she’s saying we’ll meet again.

Akira: You’re right! Looking at this handkerchief makes me certain we’ll see her again someday.

Rustica: Haha, I feel the same way.

Rustica: When that time comes, we ought to give her a matching handkerchief too as a commemoration of our reunion.

Home Screen Voice Line

“‘My dear lady, my aspiring pianist, won’t you play this wonderfully exhilarating song with me?’ …If I ever meet Miss Kitty again, that’s what I plan to say to her. Haha, seeing your enthusiasm makes me look forward to it as well.”

[teenmomcentral]

Here are some of the major (and minor but interesting) ‘Teen Mom’-related things that happened over the last few days…

Catelynn Lowell Responds to Her Brother Nick’s Claims That She & Tyler Baltierra Used Their Kids’ Money to Pay Their Tax Debt

Catelynn is clapping back at her little brother’s recent claims about her and Tyler and their finances!

As The Ashley has previously reported, Cate & Co. have been having a very public online family feud over the last week or so. The family problems were made public last week when Catelynn slammed her mother April, teen brother Nick and grandma on Instagram. Nick later made two videos in response to Catelynn’s post. 

In his first video, Nick accused Catelynn and her husband Tyler of taking money out of their three daughters’ bank accounts to pay off their massive tax debt. (As The Ashley told you, Cate and Ty paid off their $800,000+ tab to Uncle Sam in January.)

In Nick’s second video, he accused Tyler of mistreating Catelynn, stating that Tyler frequently criticizes her about her weight and other things.

“I can’t and won’t respect a man who tells my sister that he’ll love her no matter what, then proceeds to call her a heifer; a person who says he doesn’t care how she feels, a person who would constantly drag her down about her weight, and make her cry herself to sleep,” Nick said in the video posted earlier this week.

On Thursday, Cate took to Instagram Stories to respond to Nick’s latest claims and once again state that Nick is lying.

“Never in my LIFE have I taken money from my damn kids!” she wrote. “[People] that do that are disgusting!”

(Years ago, Tyler talked about how his daughters all have trust funds with the money they’ve earned from being on ‘Teen Mom.’ He stated in 2020 that the kids are “totally set up for life…college is paid for.”)

Catelynn also responded to Nick’s claims that Tyler mistreats her.

“And PLEASE, Tyler emotionally abuses me?” she wrote. “That’s LAUGHABLE.

“The real problem is none of them have EVER seen a REAL & HEALTHY relationship! Just more and more lies. #ToxicFamily,” Catelynn added.

Farrah Abraham Uses Yelp to Accuse Her Doctor of “Female Suppression,” “Women Abuse” & More

Farrah has delivered another one of her signature Yelp reviews, this time taking aim at the ENT surgeon who performed her recent nasal and sinus surgeries. The Backdoor Teen Mom— who has written one-star negative reviews for everything from a med spa (in which she accused the business’ technician of “face robbery”) to Harvard Extension School (which she memorably called “educationally abusive” after a professor told Farrah she was mentally unstable and had a neurological issue.)

Anyway, Farrah’s latest Yelp masterpiece took aim at the Austin, Texas, ENT who performed a septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery (which are not plastic surgery procedures, by the way.) The fired ‘Teen Mom OG’ star accused Dr. Zachary Wassmuth of  being a “medical legal liability” who “plays mind games so you don’t use your own insurance. (It sounds like Farrah was charged for the procedures, despite claiming her insurance covered it.)

“Zachary Wassmuth is a scam fraud…” Farrah wrote before launching into the “Farrah Speak” word salad that her writings are infamous for.

Farrah claimed that the doc “discureges” insurance use. (For those of you who don’t understand “Farrah Speak,” that’s The Big F’s attempt to spell “discourages.”)

She also accused the doctor of creating “breathing health issues.”

“My breathing health has declined since all of his failed surgeries,” Farrah wrote.

She claimed Dr. Wassmuth has a “greedy ego that’s severely dysfunctional and in denial,” and accused the doc of being a “red angry bolt face lier” at her post-op appointment. (As always, The Ashley has left all of Farrah’s writings intact to better preserve the genuine “Farrah Speak.”)

Farrah was also big mad that the doctor wouldn’t prescribe her a non-steroid nasal spray. Because of his reluctance to provide the anti-histamine spray, Farrah stated that the doctor had committed “female suppression.”

As you do…

“This is what female suppression is!” Farrah wrote. “Women abuse, emotionally manipulative and abusive tactics using my own words against me.”

“Trying to blame a patient since his ego got in the way of healthcare,” Farrah continued. “I now have chronic sinusitis and nose polyps from this man, no steroid or shot fixes this as I’m left with a sexist ENT IN DENIAL!”

Farrah finished her review by stating, “highly don’t recommend!”

(Just FYI- Dr. Wassmuth currently has a 4.5/5 star rating on Yelp.) 

As The Ashley has previously reported, Farrah has used the power of Yelp to accuse numerous people and businesses of being sexist or woman-hating, even her female gynecologist. 

Jenelle Evans Gets Called “Jealous” of Chelsea Houska After Jenelle Randomly Discourages Her Followers From Buying the Shoes Chelsea’s Promoting

Jenelle‘s attempt to shade her former ‘Teen Mom 2’ co-star Chelsea has seemingly backfired on her.

The fired ‘Teen Mom 2’ star— who frequently posts about her former co-stars despite claiming she has moved on from the show— took aim at Chelsea this week for a post the Down Home Fab star made to her “Like To Know It” shopping page. The post featured links to an outfit Chelsea had posted, including a pair of $560 Gucci sandals. 

For some reason, Jenelle did not like that Chelsea was promoting expensive sandals on her social media accounts, so Jenelle posted about it on her own Facebook page.

“You can probably find these same shoes at Target, Dillards, or Forever 21 and they won’t be that much money,” Jenelle wrote in the caption of a screenshot of Chelsea’s post. “In fact, here are some I found that are similar. You’re welcome!”

(Jenelle then linked to a pair of random sandals that don’t look like the ones Chelsea was wearing.) 

The Lady ‘o’ the Land’s attempt to kill Chelsea’s commission didn’t go over well. In the comment section of Jenelle’s post, fans called Jenelle “salty and jealous,” among other things.

“All I see in this post is you being so jealous of Chelsea and her success that you can’t keep her name out your mouth,” one person wrote. 

“I love how Chelsea never even acknowledges Jenelle,” another person wrote.

“You spent way more on a broken down boat for a guy who won’t work,” someone else pointed out.

“Always hating on Chelsea,” another person commented.

One comment pointed out that Jenelle gets more attention when she posts about her former co-stars. (Jenelle also likely earns more money from Facebook bonuses by doing this, as she likely is paid more when her posts get more engagement.) 

“Posts a picture or video of her own family and it only gets 50 likes or so, posts ‘Teen Mom’ or Chelsea and gets 100s of likes. This is why she posts other teen moms cause she gets the attention,” the person wrote. 

“You are obsessed with Chelsea’s life,” another comment reads.

This is not the first time that Jenelle has randomly posted her thoughts about a ‘Teen Mom’ star. She recently posted a photo of Leah Messer and her daughters going to a Pride parade, and asked her followers to give their opinions. Leah clapped back at Jenelle (via her rep), stating, “[Leah] recommends the former cast member of ‘Teen Mom 2’ to focus on herself and her own kids.”

After Leah responded, Jenelle claimed the post wasn’t about Leah…even though she used a photo of Leah and her kids in the post.

As per usual, Chelsea has not responded to Jenelle’s latest antics.

[songmingisthighs]

[16.14] hongjoong × roadie!reader × yunho

⇀ you've always admired him, and after being given the chance to work for him, you couldn't help but fall for him. But to him, you're just his groupie.

⇁ tw : joong's an ungrateful jerk 🙃

You stood by the side of the stage, eyes dreamy watching Hongjoong performed his latest song so beautifully. He looked ethereal on stage; the spotlight on him, his expression, the emotion he brought out. To be able to see him perform in person is a whole out of this world experience. Even after a year of being his roadie, you never once felt like it was a waste of time.

Without you realizing, he finished his performance and walked off backstage after waving to his fans.

As he walked to you, you couldn't help but jump excitedly and clap for him.

"Oh my god, Hongjoong! That's amazing !!" you exclaimed loudly to him. You had a wide grin on your face as you handed out his water bottle and towel.

The initial genuine smile that Hongjoong shot to his fans changed immediately as he came face to face with you. He raised an eyebrow and just scoffed, "of course you'd think that's amazing," he muttered, snatching the items from your hands rather harshly. The staff around watched with pity, while idols and celebrities tend to treat staff in a shitty manner because they're not close, it was particularly harsh for an idol to treat the person who willingly follows him around like a lovesick puppy so badly, like they're nothing but a nuisance. And it was particularly heartbreaking to see even through the abuse Hongjoong gave you, you still look at him with much love and adoration.

As Hongjoong took a sip from his bottle, he grimaced. He looked at the bottle before he shot you a displeased look, "this is not the brand I usually drink," he stated.

You blinked in confusion initially, "what?" you asked, not quite sure. Hongjoong groaned in annoyance at you, "this is not the bottled water brand I usually drink, do you want me to lose my vocal abilities that you claimed you love so much?" he scowled.

Realizing he was being serious, you stuttered, "I-I'm sorry, I tried looking for that brand from the vending machine and the cafeteria here but they don't sell it," you explained.

Hongjoong took a step closer to you, he was so close that you could count his eyelashes. The proximity made you blush furiously, nervous as the position seemed very intimate.

"If you can't even go out to look for the things I specifically asked you to do, drop out of being my roadie because I can find your replacement in two seconds if I want to," he growled out lowly. He proceeded to push the water bottle into your chest harshly, sending you hurtling backwards and hitting the wall behind you.

You chuckled to no one as he walked off, "I'm sorry, Hongjoong! It won't happen again!" you called out pathetically.

Tears threatened to drop from your eyes as your head had just bumped into the wall rather harshly. But you couldn't cry then and there. You knew that if you cried, people would talk badly about Hongjoong. He already had his own share of stress, you can't add more to it. So you just gripped onto the part of your head that was pounding from impact pain, silently hoping it'd go away soon.

"Hey, are you okay?" a voice called out.

You looked up to see one of the rising idols leaning close to you, he had a worried look on his face. You immediately recognized him as Jung Yunho, the idol who is very esteemed for his performance abilities. He was scheduled to perform on the same stage as Hongjoong today and he had performed two stages before Hongjoong but you didn't think you'd be able to see him.

Smiling sheepishly, you rubbed at the sore spot, "Y-yeah I'm okay, I'm such a klutz tripping over my own feet like that," you chuckled.

Though you tried lying, Yunho saw the whole thing unfold from not too far, he caught the interaction between you and Hongjoong. He didn't know how Hongjoong was able to treat someone so badly.

But, seeing how hard you were trying to cover it up, he decided to just spare you and play along. Yunho shot you a gentle smile, "if you're that clumsy, then maybe you should have someone be with you always," he teased.

You look up at him and blushed slightly. You bit on your bottom lip in embarrassment but also out of shyness.

"You're Hongjoong's roadie, right?" he asked, tilting his head to the side rather adorably. You nod at him in confirmation, rather eagerly than you intended. But you were just happy that someone noticed that you were a part of Hongjoong's entourage.

Just as you were about to verbally confirm him, Hongjoong reappeared, grabbing onto your arm rather harshly.

"What are you still here for? I was waiting for you to- oh, hey Yunho," he greeted as he noticed Yunho stood in front of you. Yunho smiled at the older guy. To regular people, it might seem just like a regular smile but to those who know him well, that smile spoke of how Yunho is apprehensive of Hongjoong and how he doesn't seem to like the guy so much.

"Hi, hyung, long time no see," the younger said to which the older just shrugged, "our schedules never seem to match," he simply stated.

Yunho's eyes darted to Hongjoong's hand that was still on your arm. That seemed to make Hongjoong realized what he has been doing so he immediately let go, much to your disappointment.

"Well, I gotta go now, I have to go back to the company to finish up my next project," Hongjoong excused, You know very well that he has no new project lined up which means that Hongjoong was feeling rather uncomfortable and maybe even threatened.

Luckily, Yunho just shrugged at him, "yeah, sure, see you around, hyung," he then shifted his gaze to you, shooting you a blush-inducing charming smile, "and I'll see you soon, (Y/N)," he smiled widely at you.

You smiled back to him and nod, "yeah, see you soon, Yunho,"

From behind you, you could hear Hongjoong scoffed loudly before he simply walked away without saying anything else.

When you realized he had left without you, you immediately rushed to catch up with him.

Back at his waiting room, staff were packing things and you helped around, making sure things are in order and nothing gets left behind. Halfway through the packing, you realized that Hongjoong was actively ignoring you. Sure, he usually does that anyways but he'd throw comments here and there and even make you stop what you were doing to get him something or do something for him. You couldn't deny that there was this uncomfortable, tingling feeling that lingers. But for now, you ignored it and got back to doing what you had been doing.

Once everything was packed and loaded onto the car, you silently walked behind Hongjoong and his manager who was discussing his schedule. You weren't paying attention as it doesn't really concern you particularly anyways.

But you suddenly felt like you had bumped into someone. When you looked up, you realized that Hongjoong had stopped mid-way before he turned to look at you.

"I think I left my AirPods backstage, could you please help me find it?" he asked with a blank expression on his face.

Without even hesitating, you eagerly nodded and shot him a smile, "Yeah, sure! No problem!" you said before running off back to where you had just been.

Due to the large building, it took you quite some time to reach backstage and it took you 20 minutes to look for Hongjoong's AirPods. Some of the staff around were helping you look for it but they weren't able to find what you were looking for.

Dejected, you walked back towards the parking lot where you knew Hongjoong's van was parked.

But when you arrived, you saw that the reserved parking spot where Hongjoong's van was parked was empty. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion, you were pretty sure that this was where it was parked, the spot still had a sign with Hongjoong's name on it.

You reached into your pocket to dial his manager, knowing that when in the car, Hongjoong is more likely than not to be asleep since he usually spend his nights writing masterpieces.

The manager thankfully picked up at the third ring, "Hello?" he called, "h-hey, it's me! Where are you guys? I'm at the parking lot and the van's not here?" you asked him. "Us? We're already on the way back to Hongjoong's apartment, why?" his words made you felt like your stomach just dropped. "W-what? Y-you left me here?" you asked in disbelief, "left you? We didn't, Hongjoong said an idol invited you to hang with him and that you were going, Yunho was it?" he asked back.

Right at that moment, you felt like you wanted to cry for the second time that day. Though it was evident that Hongjoong was punishing you, you convinced yourself that he was just joking and that he wanted to prank you. You convinced yourself that Hongjoong didn't mean for what he did.

Thanking the manager, you quickly hung up and walked back inside to exit through the main lobby.

As you walked dejectedly to the main lobby, you felt someone tapping on your shoulder and to your surprise, it was Yunho again.

"Hey! You're still here? I thought you had left a while ago," he asked. You took notice of his tendency to tilt his head to the side when asking a question. You laughed sheepishly at him, "uhh, yeah, I-I- uhm, I left something behind so I told Hongjoong to leave without me," you said. After you said that, you realized how ridiculous it sounded and how people could tell it was a lie from miles away.

But even if Yunho realized your obvious lie, he said nothing. He kept a gentle smile on his face and nodded towards the main door, "you know, it's kinda nearing dinner time, and I'm quite hungry. There's this little small restaurant nearby, the owner knows me well so we're gonna get some pretty good discount for our meal, what do you say?"

Just as Yunho finished his sentence, your phone rang and when you looked at the caller, you were quite surprised to see that Hongjoong was the one who called you.

You excused yourself to Yunho to take the call, but you didn't move to the side to answer it. When you picked up, you heard Hongjoong sighed on the other line, "you still need to be picked up? We can turn around if you want," despite his offer, his voice sounded begrudging as if he was forced to say that.

Nevertheless, your heart skipped a beat at his offer, thinking that maybe he does care. But when you looked up and see Yunho's genuine and gentle eyes, your breath caught in your throat and for the first time ever, you seemed to realize just how different Yunho treated you compared to Hongjoong.

While you were the one who chose to be his roadie, a glorified unpaid staff, he never treated you as to how you deserve to be treated. Meanwhile, Yunho, who had only known you for probably 10 minutes, treated you better than Hongjoong ever could.

"Hello? Just say if you want to or not before we're too far from where you're at," he sighed in annoyance. A small smile broke on your face after the epiphany you just got.

"Sorry, Hongjoong, you don't have to turn around to get me," "Really? My manager said it's still possible to turn around," he said. The use of 'my manager said' confirmed that he didn't really care about you. And maybe you should start caring about him less.

"Yeah, no, I'm going out to eat with Yunho," you told him simply. Before he could respond, however, you had hung up and shove your phone deep into your bag. You beamed up at Yunho and nodded your head towards the door, "so? Are we gonna eat or not?"

Yunho smiled brightly at you and nodded very much eagerly, "Yes! You're not gonna regret this!" he exclaimed happily.

Yeah, deep down you know you weren't going to regret your choice.

[holylulusworld]

Hi Hi. Got a lil somethin somethin for you in the form of a drabble request. Specifically a demon!Deanxdemon!Lisa request, if you are willing/able to do so. If not, I understand entirely, but I just thought I would ask and mainly because I love/miss them that much and could simply just do with some good ole demon on demon goodness:) Feel free to make it as scourching hot/smutty/angsty/fluffy? :S IDK, as you like. ;) Thank you xxx

Bloody Revenge

12,000 followers 2021 New Year’s resolutions drabble prompts

Summary: Dean met his match.

Pairing: Demon!Dean Winchester x Demon!Lisa Braeden; Sam Winchester x Reader

Characters: Rowena, Castiel, Crowley, Ben Braeden mentioned

Warnings: angst, murder, blood, killing spree, mentions of violence/murder/tortur, language

New Year’s Resolution: Killing people who broke your heart.

A/N: I usually don’t write Character x Character - I just don’t do ships. This turned out angsty and bloody. I had to match the theme which was ‘New Year’s resolutions so I used the resolution ‘killing people who broke your heart’.

Words: 593

Divider by @firefly-graphics

Please head the warnings before you proceed! This is not a love story...

“Look at him, Lisa,” Dean purrs, a dark grin on his lips, his bloody lips. He likes to taste his victims’ blood lately.

Maybe it’s the influence of the mark or that he finally has a mate, someone he doesn’t need to bend to his will or break.

He broke her months ago, though.

Lisa snickers at her lovers’ words, watches the demon he became cut a pattern into her former lovers’ chest. 

“Deeper, Dean,” she smirks now, eyes black holes matching Dean’s soulless ones. “Let him suffer for leaving a single mom.”

“I will kill him for you like everyone else,” the demon threatens. He drops the knife, to cup Lisa’s face with bloody hands, enjoins she moans his name. “Later I’ll fuck you, covered in his blood.”

“I can’t wait for you to do so, baby,” Lisa licks over Dean’s cheek to taste the blood on his skin. Ben and the life she had before Dean turned her into the monster she is now long forgotten. “Do you think we can kill more people tonight? I’m so—hungry for more.”

“Always,” Dean pants, cock swelling in his pants. “I know exactly where to go to find more victims.” he grins, lips claiming hers again. “My brother has such a nice girlfriend, and he just doesn’t want to leave us alone.”

“Maybe we should pay them a visit, find out if they take good care of my bastard child,” Lisa snickers, hands cupping Dean’s face. “I’d like to taste their blood.”

“You know,” the demon cocks his head to look at his latest masterpiece. “We could cut this short and go right for my brother. Imagine,” he grins, lazily licking his lips, “he must watch us play with his nice girl while I take her apart in any way…”

“Please, yes-“ Lisa claps her hands, giddy to watch Dean torture another victim for her to enjoy. “Let’s do it…”

“This is a stupid plan, Sam,” you wring your hands, looking around the bunker. “Once they are inside, we are locked in with your demonic brother and his devilish girlfriend.”

“Trust me,” Sam pecks your hair, gently running one hand over your back, “Dean will come here to end what he began months ago.”

“He almost killed you after he escaped the devil's trap, went on a killing spree, turned Lisa into a demon, and tried to kill her son,” swallowing thickly Castiel looks at you, knowing you can’t take another encounter with the demon. 

“Sam, Y/N is not wrong. Dean isn’t himself anymore. Before we captured him he was still partially himself but now he does anything to prove he’s no longer a hunter, nor your brother.”

“Oh, wings,” Crowley snickers, patting Castiel’s back, “if you are scared, lemme hold you to make it better.”

“Can we all just not freak out now,” Rowena snaps her fingers. “I will take care of Lisa, she’s weak without Dean. A low-rank demon without specific powers. “Y/N, you’ll protect Ben and bring him in if I tell you so. Fergus, Castiel, and Sam will take Dean down. Just don’t mess up.”

When the lights suddenly shut off, leaving red lights flashing as the alarm begins to sound once again, you feel the fear creep into your thoughts.

“It begins,” Sam whispers, squeezing your hand when you look up at him with fearful eyes. “He’ll not hurt you again.”

Footsteps echo through the bunker and you gasp watching Dean walk into his former home, smirking at you knowingly.

“Home, sweet home! Are you ready to play Sammy?”

[ejzah]

Can you do a drabble about Callen asking for Deeks advice on how he asked for Julia’s blessings to marry Kensi since he is preparing on proposing to Anna and needs advice on how to talk to Arkady after his failed attempt.

A/N: I know I wrote a similar story to this, but hopefully it’s still enjoyable. Even if we don’t know the current state of Callen and Anna’s relationship.

***

Man To Man

“Hey, you’re just in time for last call,” Deeks called out to Callen as he walked in to the bar.

Since Deeks had been on involuntary vacation (it made him feel a little better to think of it that way instead of being furloughed), he and Callen had a lot less contact that usual. Actually, he typically only saw him when Callen had time to drop in to talk about their beer making ventures.

“We got lots of that microbrew left and a special on our latest masterpiece, the habanero and honey stout. I highly recommend it.

“I didn’t really come for a drink,” Callen said as he shifted onto a barstool with a groan. “Although, on second thought, I could use some liquid courage.”

“Oh, that doesn’t sound good. Bad day at work?” Deeks hoped he didn’t sound too eager. As much as he talked about leaving NCIS, he missed the team.

Without asking, he found a bottle of Callen’s favorite whiskey and poured a shot, sliding it his way.

“No, nothing bad, I uh, I tried to ask for Arkady’s blessing last night.”

“Oh wow, that was quicker than I expected,” Deeks commented, then added, “Not that there’s any kind of timeline.” He’d known Callen was thinking about proposing, but hadn’t realized he that ready to be a married man. “So, how’d it go? I’m sure since it’s Arkady, his blessing was two parts vodka and one part terrifying.”

“Well, you’d be right about the vodka and terror, but I never actually got around to mentioning the proposal,” Callen explained, rolling the glass between his palms. He took a contemplative sip and looked beyond Deeks, his eyes distant. “I just barely broached the topic and he said that we’re not the marrying type.”

“Geez, I’m sorry, man.”

“It is what it is.” Callen sighed, clearly trying to hide just how much it bothered. He looked up to Arkady, or at the very least considered him a friend of sorts. To have him to blithely dismiss the possibility of a longer, deeper attachment between Callen and Anna. It had to hurt. “Besides, he was drunk as usual. Half of what he said might not even be what he really thinks.”

“That’s a possibility. You want another?” Deeks asked, lifting the bottle.

“Nah. I have to drive home.” While he finished off his drink at a leisurely, even snail-like, pace, Deeks started cleaning up. He had a sense that Callen had more to say, but needed to work himself up to whatever it was.

Deeks washed down some tables-ones that hadn’t been used since the last time he sanitized everything- and restocked the glasses and silverware before Callen finally spoke again.

“How did you ask Julia? I know she and Arkady are vastly different people, but it still must’ve been nerve wracking.

“It was,” Deeks confirmed. Callen didn’t look too pleased to hear that, so he clarified, “I think that Julia knew what I was doing as soon she opened the door. But, uh, I wanted her to know the whole truth before she made a decision. So I told her everything. I told her about my dad, that I made a lot of poor choices throughout my career. And I told her that I’m still afraid sometimes that I’ll become like my father.”

“Then I told her if she let me, I would spend every day loving Kensi and do my best to be the husband and partner she deserved.”

“That takes a lot of courage,” Callen said. “What did she say?”

“She told me she appreciated my honesty and it made her more certain than ever that I was the right person for Kensi.”

“Yeah, somehow I don’t think Arkady would have the same response if I told him all the less than above board things I’ve done. Actually, I think he’s been a part of half of them.

“And you don’t have to,” Deeks assured him. “You just have to be honest. For me, that was telling Julia about as much of my past as I could.”

Sighing, Callen scrubbed both his hands over his face.

“That’s going to be kind of difficult since our relationship is partially based on lies,” he said, starting to sound more defeated than he when he came in.

“My best advice is to be as honest as you can be in that moment. I know you’re not a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, but be honest about your love for Anna, about the reason why you want to marry her.”

“What if he still says no?” Deeks sighed deeply this time, dropped his wet rag on an empty table, and dragged a chair over. He sat down heavily, feeling every one of his forty some years.

“Then at least you tried. If Arkady can’t see that you and Anna make each other better, then maybe you don’t need his blessing,” Deeks told him. They were silent for a couple minutes again and Deeks chuckled softly. “I didn’t really help any, did I?”

“No, I think it’s good advice. And if nothing else, I appreciate the support.” He stood abruptly, clapping Deeks on the shoulder as he reached for his wallet.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Deeks added as Callen headed out. “If you ever need a hiding place for the engagement ring, don’t put it in your mouth.” Deeks gave an affected shudder. “It doesn’t end well.”

“And on that disturbing note, good night, Deeks.”

***

Thanks for the prompt!

A/N: Meh ending?

[queenxxxsupreme]

ok ok- the reader is a very talented fighter (let me have this so many fics are about helpless peasant girls tagging along) and gets ambushed, manages to fight off a pretty hefty group, but gets a forehead cut that looks scary in the process. eskel helps wrap her up and they try to avoid eye contact but then she looks up and hes looking at her and Tension and then they kiss???? ok thank you bye

A/N: Hi babe!! I hope you liked this <3

Warnings: mentions of death, nothing outside of canon though, 

***

The sound of swords clashing together still rung Eskel’s ears. He stood in the edge of the woods with his sword in one hand and another man’s dagger in his opposite hand. His side hurt, the stab wound burning and stinging with every breath he took. His left fingers were numb after he grabbed the blade of a sword. Blood and sweat on his right temple caked his hair to his face, blocking some of his vision. His broad shoulders moved with every heavy breath.

Golden eyes flickered around the clearing in search of you. There were a half dozen slaughtered men scattered throughout the open space. Every one of them tried to best the witcher, and every one of them failed.

Eskel’s eyes fell on a man across the clearing. He was on his stomach, trying to drag himself into the woods with his arms. The witcher crossed the clearing and used his boot to turn the man over onto his back. The man cried out in pain, clutching a wound on his stomach. 

“Who sent you?” Eskel spoke through his teeth. When the man didn’t answer, Eskel placed his boot over the man’s hands, pressing down on his stomach. “Who fucking sent you?”

“I’ll-I’ll never tell.” He choked out. 

Eskel growled from within his chest, his eyes lingering on the man before he plunged the dagger into the man’s chest cavity and twisted, effectively putting him out of his misery. 

“Eskel!” Jaskier’s rather high-pitched cry took the witcher’s attention away from his latest victim. The bard was crossing the clearing, looking over his shoulder as he ran. “Eskel!” 

“Keep your voice down, bard.” Eskel spoke through his teeth, moving towards Jaskier.The witcher wasn’t mad at him, but moving caused a searing pain to radiate throughout his body. 

Not watching where he was going, Jaskier tripped over a severed leg and nearly hit the ground but Geralt caught him. 

“Oh thank gods!” Jaskier breathed out in relief, clutching the witcher as if his life depended on it. 

“Where are Y/N and Geralt?”

“Hell if I know. There was a big scary one chasing me-THERE HE IS!” Jaskier moved to stand behind Eskel as a large, bulky man came from the direction Jaskier was running from. Eskel twirled his sword around in his hand, readjusting his grip. 

Eske moved away from Jaskier towards the man. He was taller than Eskel by a few inches and definitely larger. As the man and Eskel crossed swords, Jaskier looked around the clearing in search of you. He cringed at the sight of the bodies laying around on the ground.

Geralt emerged from the tree line, wiping blood from his nose with the back of his hand. Jaskier was about to greet his best friend when movement behind him made his blood run cold. 

There was the glint of a sword in the moonlight as it was raised into the air to cut down the White Wolf. Jaskier opened his mouth to warn Geralt when the assailant’s eyes went wide and his head fell to the ground. 

As the dead man fell to the forest floor, you brought your sword down to your side. 

“Y/N!” Jaskier called your name, relieved that everyone was safe and accounted for. 

However, hearing your name fall from the bard’s lips took Eskel’s attention away from the man he was fighting. He looked away for a split second only to have the blade of the sword brought down on his collarbone. Eskel hissed in pain and spun around to cast aard. The man went flying back into the bushes where Eskel finished him off. 

As he returned to the clearing, his eyes immediately found you. You were standing on the edge of the clearing, eyes gazing around at the carnage. 

“We need to be moving.” Geralt said.

“Some of us are injured, Geralt.” Eskel shook his head. “Can’t travel safely until we’re all okay.”

“Are you okay, Y/N?” Jaskier asked you. 

“I'm fine.” 

“You've got a nasty cut on your head, darling. You should sit.”

You shook your head, moving to gather the items from your bag that had spilled. But your head spun as you moved too fast and you reached out for something to stabilize yourself. 

Eskel was by your side in a heartbeat, offering you a sturdy arm to grasp. 

“Sit down.” He spoke, deep voice rumbling like a quiet thunder. 

You didn't fight him, feeling the urge to vomit as you tried to open your eyes. You closed them tightly and let him guide you down onto a large rock. 

“I’ll be right back. I'm going to get a few things to patch you up.”

You watched the witcher wall away from you to his satchel. When he turned back to you, you quickly looked away. You didn't want him to catch you staring at him. 

You teetered a little where you sat, having moved too fast. 

Eskel knelt down in front of you. 

“Is…. Is it okay if I….?” He couldn't find the right words to use. You opened your eyes to meet his golden gaze. He was so close to you that you could see specks of brown and black around the outside of his irises. 

“Yes.” You answered, your voice a weak whisper. 

He used gauze to clean around the cut. His eyes focused on you, on making sure the cut wasn't too deep and that it didn't need stitches. 

With him this close, you could see all the little scars that littered his features, the ones that weren't as prominent as the one that mutilated the right side of his face. There were little freckles across the bridge of his nose and over his cheeks. You wondered if they'd be more visible if his skin wasn’t tanned from being out in the sun so much. Perhaps if he had a fairer complexion like Lambert or even Geralt, his freckles would be more noticeable. 

His eyes flickered over to you and that's when you realized you were staring at him. 

You quickly looked down, muttering out an apology. He said nothing in return. You wanted to bite your bottom lip, to mess with your fingers or something. You were a little nervous. There was a tension in the air that could be cut with a dill knife. 

Just as you were about to open your mouth and apologize for staring so rudely, he spoke. 

“Good news is you won't need stitches.” He sat back on his knees, putting a little bit of space between you two. 

“Is there…. bad news?” You hated how quiet your voice was. What if you offended him by staring? You didn't mean to. You just had never seen him so up close before, and it was like seeing the stars on a clear night. He was a handsome man, a breathtaking masterpiece of physical imperfections and a heart of pure gold. 

“You could have a concussion. Is your head hurting?”

“A little, but I think that's because one of those bastards elbowed me in the head. I knocked his sword out of his hand and he ended up tackling me before I had a chance to stop him.”

“Are your ears ringing?”

“No.”

“Are you nauseous?”

“When I move too fast.”

“Can you see clearly?”

You brought your eyes back to him. As your eyes met his, your heart began to beat quickly in your chest. You forgot that he had asked you a question. You found yourself lost in his gaze. 

But something moved out of the corner of your eyes. You turned your head to see Jaskier move towards Geralt. 

“Let me, uh, finish patching you up.” Eskel muttered under his breath as he moved to sit up on his knees. 

You nodded a little. He went back to work, staying silent as he put a bandage over the cut. You kept your gaze down, unable to meet his line of sight. 

“You fought well today.” He complimented, keeping his voice low. “You handled that sword like a pro.”

“Thanks.” You tried your best not to smile but you couldn’t hide the blush on your cheeks.

When he moved to get up, your hand shot out for his arm. Your body seemed to have a mind of its own as you leaned forward to kiss him, but you stopped short of meeting his lips. 

“Can I….?” You felt your cheeks blaze as you trailed off. His golden eyes were glued to you. “Please?”

His lips moved in a yes, but no sound came out. His hand slipped around the back of your head, drawing you in for a tender kiss. His fingers tangled in your hair, drawing you closer to him. 

There was a wolf whistle that made you both pull away. You looked to Jaskier, who was clapping and wore a happy grin on his lips. 

“Magnificent! Absolutely magnificent!”

Geralt rolled his eyes. 

Eskel let out a little sigh as he stood to his feet. He held his hand out for you. You smiled and put your hand in his.

Taglist: @pressedinthepages @mishafaye @whitewolfandthefox @wolfyland07 @belalugosisdead @persephonehemingway @keira-hulmaster @dinonuggs69 @greatestauthorofmygeneration @shadow-hunters-lover @dancingwith-thesunflowers @tedi-fach-las @thecomfortofoldstorries @raspberrydreamclouds @natkowaa @disasteren @weathervanes-my-oneandlonely @onlyhenrys @wackylurker @criminaly-supernatural @magpie343 @permanently-exhausted-witcher @hina-chans-stuff @the-space-between-heartbeats @havenoffandoms @carriebee1 @ger-bearofrivia @naominami @writingawaymylife @reaganjenelle @theawkwardpedestrian @scarlettwitcher @badassspaceprincess @just-a-sad-donut @summersong69 @an--actual--human--disaster @rubyqueen819 @omgkatinka @c-a-v-a-l-r-y @vonxcon @mazakeen @bravelittlesunflower @thereagles @awkward-turtles-world @menalliha @cotton_mo @maan24 @thefirelordm @monkeymo @krenee1drful @nympha-door-a @she-wolfoftheinquisition @titaniafire

[darkatsumu]

It was an accident. I didnt meant to 😭😭😭, not sure if I even wanted to tbh.

I was walking past Onigiri Miya, minding my own business, trying to avoid the crowds because I'm socially inept and awkward, when all of a sudden this beautiful woman runs after me and grabs my arm (scaring the soul out of me) and offers me a flyer??? Like seriously, this bitch ran all the way and slaps a flyer into my shaking hands and leaves.

So anyways, I thank her with shaky legs and stuff the flyer (I think about food waste??) into my pocket without giving it another glance and run off home because, let's be honest, I've had enough social interactions for the day, I just wanna go home and read a good book with a cup of coffee.

Fast forward a day or two, I'm cleaning out the pockets of my jacket to put in the wash when suddenly I see the scrunched up leaflet and... Oh. What's this? A little piece of paper saying call me with a number attached to it?? Ya bitch was blushing. Ya bitch though a cute guy at uni had slipped into her pocket, yanno. She thought she was wanted, sought after, you feel me.

And she was. Just not by a cute guy from uni.

So I got my friend to phone the number on my behalf (because social skills are not my thing at all) and a woman picks up! Imagine my surprise. Shes talking to my friend, my friend is talking to her. I dont know what happened because I blanked out (the phone call was taking toooooo long, and as someone who has a short attention span, I moved on and started theorising what Eren Yeagers motives are and how I can keep defending him, because I swear to God, just when you think things cant get any worse, this bitch one ups himself, like why Eren, why, please just calm down for a bit, relax, have a cup of tea, eat something, take a nap ffs). She hangs up eventually, smiles at me and says 'you'll receive a package and instructions soon'. Cryptic much, but it's my bestie, so I didnt think much of it. Just wanted to buy food and watch the latest episode of Attack on Titan.

Anyways I forgot about the whole encounter (because of the Table Scene, yes I am still defending Eren, only because I love him and know he'll turn out alright in the end, just like Gatsby), until I received a package a two weeks later. I most definitely didnt order it because the only things I buy are food and books, which explains the extra couple of pounds I've been gaining around my stomach and thighs, but I digress.

Anyways I pull out this uniform, which was very flattering, very very flattering, whoever designed this, good on you. If you can make a fat bitch like me look this good, you deserve an award. Pat yourself on the back love. Well done. Out with the uniform came a note saying:

Congratulations!

Here at Onigiri Miya After Hours we strive to provide the best service for our highly esteemed customers possible, and that means employing the best bar girls we can find as well.

If you're reading this is means you have been selected by one of our expert scouts to come join our team of welcoming, charming and delightful bar maids.

Please find enclosed in this parcel your uniform which you are to wear on you first shift.

Another letter will be sent to you shortly, written personally for you by none other than the owner, Miya Osamu who will assign you to an experienced bar maids for an induction day soon.

We look forward to meeting you in person and having you on our team.

Well, I guess that's that then. I've got a job and my first shift starts next week and my induction is tomorrow!! Wish me luck sweetheart, I'm absolutely shitting myself. I wasnt too sure about it at first, and was about to decline, but I thought maybe it would be good to out myself out there, get used to interacting with people normally with anxiety eating me away. Anyways, pray for me darling, my legs are shaking just thinking about it.

Surely he is interested, always is when someone new wears the uniform he says he designed. Miya Atsumu circles you, eyeing every part of your body in which the simple shirt hangs on you. It feels like a masterpiece to him, even if you’re standing there absolutely about to melt into a puddle being under his gaze, Atsumu claps his hand, a giant smile on his face because he feels like he has just found his muse. 

“Ain’t she a beaut.” he’s grinning ear to ear, showcasing you off to his brother, “Not the uniform. The girl.” 

[leggomylino]

au ceo / trope unrequited love / prompt 8 or 10 / like joshua from svt or yoongi from bts !! 💓💓

au trope + prompt requests! Send me a trope, prompt, etc. and I’ll write a short story or drabble!!

AU Type: ceo!au

Trope: Unrequited Love (I think I did okay- I’ve never written this type of romance so I’m sorry if I failed :c)

Prompt: #8: “Wait, wait. Say that again, please.”

K-pop Boy: Joshua, Seventeen (+ Yoongi, BTS)

~

Genre: ceo!au, angst, comedy, nostalgic

Pairing: ceo!joshua x fem!reader (x ceo!yoongi?)

Word count: ~2.4k

Warning(s): angst, I kinda rushed this one so sorry if I left out any important details…also it’s a bit cheesy and unrealistic lol ^^”

A/N: requests are open~ | Masterlist in BIO! | aaaaaaaaaand as always, yeehaw

~

“Excuse me, Mr. Hong. If you would just sign here, please…”

“Mr. Hong, there’s a call waiting for you on Line Four.”

“Mr. Hong! Mr. Hong, do you have a moment?”

Being swarmed with papers and phone calls and never ending crowds was the life of a CEO. But it was never the life that Joshua Hong wanted.

In his mind he was living a small, peaceful life by the sea within his means, the love of his life at his side and within an absence of the means of time. And he would achieve that, one day.

For now he just had to wait, and continue to play the game. 

As the crowd grew thicker and less transparent, completely blocking his way down the golden-railed hallway ‘til he could no longer move, Joshua halted his pace, took a quick breath, and graced everyone with the usual-plastered smile they’d all been waiting for, addressing his underlings one by one.

“Yes, sign here? Okay…and Janice, you said there’s a call on Line Four? I’ll take it momentarily, tell them I’ll be with them shortly? And Shawn, why don’t we talk during lunch? I’ll have Seungkwan make a reservation–”

One by one he went through them, each and every employee and sales’ person and random fan or citizen that had managed to make their way to the 48th floor of GameOn! Headquarters, handling each concern and care with kindness and as much enthusiasm as he could muster.

The entire act was draining. Thirty minutes later, he needed a nap.

But the moment the mahogany doors opened, the gold-plated doorknob flinching back as he released it to reveal the initials “J.H.” on the cover, yet another face was waiting for him. Sort of.

Hay and wood chips covered the entire room– the delicate swirl-colored carpet in shades of deep blues and cascading velvet, the beach-toned walls that really didn’t match but reminded him of the dream he was pursuing, the crystalline chandelier where a telephone hung among the masses.

“Just so we’re clear,” Seungkwa said, visibly sweating at the seams, “Dokyeom–”

Joshua wasn’t listening. He was too busy scouring the room for whatever had happened to his pet rabbit Mina, who just…jumped…onto the balcony.

Screaming in unison both boys rushed beyond the double french doors, Seungkwa nervously gathering the speckled ball of fluff before shyly passing it to his superior.

“Ha…hahaha…” He bowed. “Sorry?”

“……” His boss looked back inside at the chaotic mess before letting out a sigh, his gentle strokes against Mina’s backside attempting to soothe the terrified creature…and calm his own nerves. “…It’s fine…just call someone to clean this up. Do I wanna know what…?”

His assistant shook his head. “Probably not. I’m blaming Dokyeom. The snake was his idea.”

“Snake?!”

“What? Snake? I don’t know a snake. Unless his name is DK? Haha…ha?”

“…” Another sigh. He stepped back into the office, the brunette boy at his heels. “…I need you to make a reservation for lunch in an hour. I was thinking maybe–”

“Oh! Reservation!”

Seeing as Seungkwan had stopped and cried out with such sudden tenacity, Joshua blinked behind him. “Yes…?”

“Um…” Seungkwan smiled sheepishly. “There’s someone waiting for you in the lobby. After Seokmin dropped by and Mina got loose I sorta forgot about it. She said her name was…y/n?”

Joshua’s face paled. Every motion in his body froze, save his beating heart and racing thoughts.

He gulped. The last time he’d spoken to anyone by that name was…you. Three years ago. “………”

“…Joshua? Are you okay?”

The snapping and abrupt clapping in his face pulled him out of a one-way ticket to Memory Lane. He quickly smiled shyly to avoid any confrontation.

“Yes. I’m fine. Has she been waiting long?” He lifted the fallen plush pin from the ground, resetting it with one hand and placing Mina back into her luxury Barbie Dream home. “What’s her last name?”

Seungkwan thought a moment, picking random wood chips off the floor as he simultaneously flipped through a phonebook for room service. “I don’t think so…and her name was, uh, y/n…l/n?”

Another gulp. Crap. It was you.

He knew what this was going to be about. The same thing, every two to three years. You show up on his doorstep and tell him how you feel without actually saying anything. And everytime, he has to push you away.

Because he knows you. And he can’t have you getting mixed up in this “extravagant” lifestyle. It wasn’t just luxury cars and homes and country clubs and maxing out however many credit cards you wanted. It was busy, and messy, and chaotic. The opposite of you. Often times it got downright evil, shady, and sinful…blackmailings, mindgames, having to uphold an image and reputation. It definitely wasn’t the life he wanted, and he refused to drag you down into it as well.

At least not until after he’d done enough. After he could fall back on an early retirement that would please his family and make everyone happy.

He’d spaced out again. When he came to, Seungwkan was glaring up at him with curiously round brown eyes.

“So should I tell her to come in or…?”

After flinching back and shaking his head (once to recover from shock and once to clear the despondent memory of you), he took a look around and gestured with his hand.

“What do you think?”

Seungkwan looked over his shoulder, up at the ceiling, down at the floor. “Hmmm…probably not. I can–”

The door suddenly opened. “Mr. Hong? Animation Studio’s is still on Line Four and I don’t think they’ll hold much longer…”

Joshua clenched his jaw, closing his eyes a moment. “Tell them I’ll be there as soon as I can.” His eyes shifted to his accomplice. “Keep them busy,” he said.

Seungkwan shook his head. “You want me to handle an important business call?! But–”

The door had already shut, the echo muffled by scattered woodchip and torn featherdown from a certain rabbit-tailored Barbie Dreamhouse. 

A groan overtook the following silence.

~

“Wait, wait. Say that again, please…”

It was no use. This year’s visit was going terribly wrong. Just like all the other visits.

But it wasn’t for the same reason as before. 

“I came to get your blessing. If that’s okay…? Oh, and I wanted to drop off this thank you gift. For my birthday? I know it’s a little late, but I’ve been so preoccupied with the wedding invitations and the planning and…sheesh, you wouldn’t believe how hard it is to get Yoongi to go anywhere on his days off.” Y/n shook her head, hands clutching a rosary-gold picture frame with her latest masterpiece scribbled within its contents. “He’s always so tired so we usually just end up staying in and watching Netflix all day. But sometimes I’m able to convince him to do a little shopping with me. If I ask nicely and lure him out with cookies…er, that doesn’t always work, though…”

He couldn’t believe it. Here he was thinking he was going to have to let you down easy again, thinking up a basic speech plan to go over so things wouldn’t get messy or sidetracked, and your feelings would be spared, and he could go back to tackling another day in the life of Joshua Hong while trying to make the best of things and stay as cheerful and bright as possible, but…

It was his feelings that were on the line now. And dangerously close to the fire.

Things were not cheerful and bright. They were a desolate wasteland.

“You’re…getting married?”

Those words had cast a curse over every last straw of bliss he had left to grasp onto, and yet they’d brought the brightest smile Joshua had ever seen to cross your face, brighter than the sun and the moon and all the stars he was suddenly wishing he’d paid more attention to, stars he would chase to the ends of the earth for you…

But they were too far now. They were no longer a part of his universe. They were a part of yours…and someone else.

He found it adorable the way you bounced lightly in place at his question, nodding ecstatically. “Yes! I met someone…about a year ago, Yoongi. And he’s recently asked me to marry him.” 

Your eyes dipped down to the cerulean rug lining the large office table Joshua currently had to lean against for support, and a film of sadness fell over the atmosphere like a veil of mist or fog.

“So…I wanted to ask for your blessing. You know, since we grew up together and all…and well, I know we’ve kind of had a..history…but I also wanted to know, you won’t have to worry about me bothering you anymore. Haha,” You scratched the back of your head, turning away sheepishly to enlong the avoidance of eye contact. “I know you’ve always seen my yearly or semi-biyearly…tri-yearly?…visits as sort of an…inconvenience. And I told myself if you really felt that way, I should just get over it all and stop coming around anymore. But…” You smiled. “I know how hard this world of yours is. And that it’s not something you ever wanted. So I promised myself I’d just check in every now and then and make sure you were okay, because I really care about you, Josh.” 

This was it. His world was crumbling.

“But you know, now that I’m getting hitched and all, I probably won’t be able to come around anymore as often.”

Why? Why was his world falling apart?

“I’d be really nice if we could still keep in touch though? That is, if you want to…”

Why did any of this matter to him? He’d wanted you to move on. He’d wanted you to stop coming around, and he was finally getting his wish. So why…?

His grip tightened on the chair beside him. On the corner of the table he was propping himself against.

“…Anyway, that’s enough about me and Memory Lane. Here,” you held out the portrait in your gloved hands, the one’s he’d always see you show up in during the Holiday Season from years past. They’d been sewn and patched over a few times, a stark contrast to the Tiffany diamond and quartz watch around your right wrist. 

You glanced down at it as he took the painting from you, eyebrows raising with a smirk. “Ah, I’m going to be late for lunch. We’re almost finished watching (insert favorite series here). I promised I’d try making dinner tonight, too…”

The two of you shared a look. A look that only lasted mere seconds, but to him felt like twenty more years had gone by.

You gripped his wrists, giving him a tearful smile. “I don’t want to say this is goodbye, so…I hope to see you at the wedding? Or at least hear from you soon.” A content giggle chimed from your lips, the means of an afterthought following. “Oh, and…thanks for putting up with me all these years. You know I’ve meant well, right?”

“……” He felt lost. The only thing he could do was nod.

You beamed. “I’m glad. Again, I always knew I kind of annoyed you or that maybe you got the wrong idea but…you know, I just, wanted to make sure you were doing okay. Anyway,” you let go, and he wished you hadn’t so. Every step back was one he wanted to take forward. “I should get going. Don’t worry if you can’t make it, or if…you know, you’re just, too busy, I understand. I honestly should have stopped coming around so much, but I just…couldn’t help myself.” 

And for a moment, just one moment, Joshua could have sworn he saw a flick of regret. A wavering longing of nostalgia, of something so deeply internalized he didn’t have the time to reach down and discover its true nature, for it was gone just as soon as it had come.

And then so were you. As if you’d never existed at all. He couldn’t explain it, but he felt like he’d lost something; or that maybe you were never real to begin with. Which was blasphemy, absolutely ridiculous, he had known you since you were six.

He observed the painting you’d left for him, lips parting just slightly.

It was a portrait of a long forgotten photograph, one your parents had taken of the two of you when you were twelve, fishing for frogs and bugs and rainbow-colored rocks down by the riverbed of your hometown. The sky was the clearest blue it had ever been that day, the fluffiest of clouds providing the perfect shade along with thick blankets of willow trees, and Joshua was smiling while displaying a handful of crystallized rocks he’d found buried in a pile of mud (which he’d detested having to get dirty for but did so anyway), you proudly swinging a silver-colored fish that gleamed in a spectrum of colors beneath the soft peaks of sunlight.

The portrait was signed at the bottom: “To my best friend Joshua, with love - y/n ❤”

And then everything just…clicked. It was strange, but all those unscheduled yearly visits, the bi-yearly and tri-yearly, and all the time the two of you had spent together before that…everything came crashing down like a whirlwind that suddenly ceased, dropping everything it had been lugging and spinning around. It fell like a sudden ton of bricks.

He studied the painting for hours, locking himself away and politely going through the motions of the day on autopilot. Even when he was away from it, it was fresh in his mind, and the moment he had finished one task he would come back to it, even if it was just for a few minutes. At the end of the day, when everyone else had gone home for the night, he found himself staring at it, preferably you, and your smile. The gleam in your eyes.

He’d always thought you’d been squinting at the camera with the sun in your eyes. But really, you’d been squinting gleefully at him.

And he’d always known, deep down. This was all a carefully hazardous game he’d orchestrated to keep you at bay, telling himself he was protecting you and doing the right thing, but now…

Now, the game was over. He’d won.

But he’d truly lost you.

[diyunho]

The Joker x Reader -”On Cloud Nine”

The Clown Prince of Crime died protecting his girlfriend and now The Afterlife Assessment Bureau doesn’t know what to do with him: although J’s actions didn’t change the outcome, it scored major points in his chart and they have to recalculate the final score. Until that happens, The Joker was allowed to wait on the Lower Clouds right below The Higher Clouds where the woman he tried to save is spending eternity.

“Hey lady!” you hear as you watch the beautiful blue skies from your fluffy cloud. ”Hey!”

Y/N looks towards the source of the noise only to notice this strange man with green locks waving at her from the cloud below.

“Yes?”

“Where are we?” the guy asks, having a hard time processing what’s happening to him.

The two don’t recognize each other: once you’re dead, you’ll have no memory of your past; they definitely don’t recall being together while they were alive.

“Not sure, but it’s beautiful,” you sigh and he huffs, annoyed.

“Ugh, it’s boring. Nothing to do besides sitting down and analyze… whatever the hell this is!” J flares his arms around as a voice coming from everywhere echoes in the stillness:

“Please mind your language, sir!”

“Who said that?!” The Joker tries to find the person that just admonished him and there’s no other soul besides the woman he’s having a conversation with.

“I don’t know,” you lift your shoulder up, intrigued. “Kind of weird,” you dangle your feet above the abyss, totally unconcerned about the invisible presence. “What is that?” you point at the sketchbook he’s holding.

“My drawings,” The King of Gotham sulks, restarting to doodle on the almost blank page.

“Can I see?” you curiously inquire.

J bites the pencil and frees his hands, then shows you his current masterpiece.

“Could you hold it higher?” you squint your eyes. “Higher!!”

The expression on your face demonstrates you can’t perceive too much.

“Why don’t you come over?” the man proposes and your stalling makes him snicker: “Don’t worry, I’ll catch you.”

“Hmmm…” you debate on the offer not because you’re afraid of a little jump but because you’re uncertain it’s worth the trouble.

“C’mon!” The Joker wants to get up and help yet Y/N is already hopping down on his cloud: she’s always been independent, one of the qualities he secretly liked about her before they both unexpectedly kicked the bucket. “Nice landing!” J chuckles as you take a sit by him, the artist reprising his work. “What do you think?” he proudly boasts.

You glimpse at the clumsy lines depicting an apparent landscape filled with pumpkins and can’t hold in a smile.

“I think there’s a lot of potential hidden behind the primitive naivety of this little gem,” you give him your honest judgement and J scoffs, intrigued.

“Primitive?!”

“I like your style,” you sweetly reply since you realize you shouldn’t have blurred out the comment; he might be offended by your genuine critique. “The pumpkins are super cute,” you add in order to divert his attention.

“I like pumpkins,” The Joker growls. 

“Me too,” you continue. “That would be an adorable nickname for someone, don’t you think?”

“I suppose,” he shakes his head and mentions: “Why are you staring at me? Do I have something in my teeth?”

“They’re silver,” you bring your face closer to his, puzzled to discern the detail.

“Are they?!” The King touches his mouth, appalled.

“Yes, but it suits you,” the sincere tone calms down his frantic movement.

“Am I ugly?!” his ego emerges even beyond the grave and Y/N has the perfect answer:

“No, you’re handsome in a sort of eerie way.”

J frowns, suspicious.

“So I look creepy?!”

“You don’t look creepy to me,” you candidly emphasize. “In my humble opinion, you’re attractive.”

He straightens his back, pleased at the statement and your rosy cheeks give him a boost of confidence.

“Are you going to ...e-hem…” you cough, flustered at the stupid confession, “…draw another pumpkin over here?” your finger taps on the corner of the paper.

“Might as well,” J agrees and you have no clue that what he’s doing is basically thanks to you.

God knows how much you encouraged his practically nonexistent skills just to keep him away from problems he created for himself and others! You were actually his number one fan and to be honest his only fan: as long as The Clown Prince of Crime was immersed in his unique hobby, it meant Gotham and its citizens were safe.

The Penthouse was filled with The Joker’s phenomenal paintings and sketches, extravagantly framed by yours truly to overcompensate the lack of substantial talent.

“Ma’am, please return to your cloud!” the voice you heard earlier resonates all around once more.

“Why?” you glare left and right, annoyed you can’t see anybody.

“You belong on The Higher Clouds,” the elusive response doesn’t enlighten the mystery. “Hold on, we’re sending our representative over!”

After a few seconds Y/N and the former King distinguish an individual dressed in a black suit carefully jumping from cloud to cloud, steadily approaching his objective.

“Apologies for the delay,” he addresses the stunned couple once in The Joker’s space. “Sir, we had to compile a lot of paperwork for you,” the guy flips pages of a thick file, annoyed. “After adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing your points, turned out your final score is still a negative number.”

“Huh?!” J puckers his lips, confused.

“It seems you were a very bad person, sir; did a lot of despicable things and dying while protecting the girl you loved doesn’t mean diddly squat in the end!”

“Awww,” you gush at the revelation. “That’s so romantic,” you whisper and the man bends over, completely overwhelmed:

“Ma’am, allow me the honor of shaking your hand,” the agent grabs your fingers, softly squeezing them. “You are a true legend and we are forever indebted to your greatness: you put up with him and saved numerous lives also,” he gestures towards The Joker and you gasp, finally understanding the bigger picture.

“He died…for me?!”

“I died for her?!” the awkward pair asks in the same time.

“Yeah, no big deal. You were killed anyway and I’m so, so sorry for that,” the emissary extends his regrets to the woman he admires, entirely disregarding The Joker’s sacrifice.

“No big deal??!!” the latest shouts. “Dying for someone is no big deal?! How the fuck am I still in the negative?!!”

“Language!!!!!!” the omnipresent voice surfaces again.

“WHO.IS.THAT?!” Y/N gets vexed at the multiple invisible interruptions.

“Steve Rogers,” the representative notifies. “He’s in charge of The Profanity Control Department.”

“Who?!” J crinkles his nose, fed up with the messy situation.

“It’s not important,” the agent cuts him off. “What’s important sir is that you can’t be here; we have to move you.”

“Move me?! Where?”

“Yes, where are you taking him?” you quiz the black suited guardian.

“Far away, unless…”

“Unless what?” J crabbily interrogates.  

“Unless someone is willing to transfer their points to you, sir. It hasn’t been done in centuries though; lots of bureaucracy involved and frankly, if I may: why would anybody donate their hard earned credits to you??!!”

The Clown is scandalized at the brutal affirmation while Y/N has a magnificent idea:

“How many points do I have?”

“Mmmmm…,” the man flips more pages and finds the information: “Ten gazillions.”

“How many does he need?”

“Three gazillions.”

“Oh,” you cheerfully clap your hands. “I have plenty so I’ll donate my credits to him.”

“Nah, you don’t want to do that,” the man shrieks, already unhappy with the perspective of putting in overtime for this project. “We’re out of clouds; we’ll have to make more and that takes forever.”

“There are plenty of empty clouds around!” The Joker barks.

“Not empty. They are inhabited by others but you can’t see them: you can only see the people you are connected with, true love type of deal,” the emissary indifferently blurs out.

“So…that’s why I can only see him and he can only see me?!” Y/N’s burning, red face matches J’s stellar entitled smirk after the astonishing revelation.

“Precisely,” the flat tone prompts The King’s logical question:

“Then why can’t I stay on this cloud?”  

“The Lower Clouds are similar to a waiting room; we can’t have them occupied for long periods of time.”

“I’ll share my cloud with him!” you firmly suggest as the emissary is panicking:

“That means more paperwork!! We usually don’t have two residents spending eternity on the same cloud.”

“Make it happen!” J commands. “The lady wants to give me her points and share her cloud. You can’t say no, you said it yourself: she’s a legend!” he preys on the guy’s hesitation.

“I would really appreciate your help,” your disarming smile gives the guardian a nudge in the proper direction.

“Of…of course ma’am,” he stutters because how can one say no to a legend?!

And you surely count on it.

“I have to stipulate a reason for all this, what should I write on the formulary? In a simple sentence, it needs to be specific and concise: why are you gifting him credits and share your personal area?”

Your brain slots are hollow yet there’s one motive:

“I like his drawings.”

The impeccable suit ogles J’s silly scribbling, muttering under his breath:

“Another Picasso…” then louder:

“I’ll do the paperwork; for now, please vacate the premises and go on the Upper Cloud; we have new arrivals that require the Lower Clouds,” he exhales and starts leaping away, leaving you and The Joker behind.

Your cloud descends so you both can step on it and then floats higher in the air again.

Y/N gazes at the stranger in silence, until he breaks the shell:

“Thank you for your generosity, Miss…” J sniffles, realizing an important detail is absent from the whole dialogue. “What’s your name?”

“…I don’t know…” you regretfully answer. “I can’t remember…”

The Joker scratches his chin with a brilliant solution on the horizon:

“You said Pumpkin would be an adorable moniker for someone. Do you mind if I call you Pumpkin?”

“No, not at all,” you gladly accept his proposition. “And you’re welcome, I had so many credits, might as well use them. I have to thank you too for dying for me, Mister… What’s your name?”

“Bits me; I can’t recollect.”

Y/N pouts, upset she doesn’t have a name when a genius recommendation escapes her lips:

“You know… you have this small “J” letter tattoo under your left eye…” you gently poke it and he feels a sudden warmth taking over his body. “Is it ok if I call you J?”

“U-hum,” the hypnotized King gazes at the woman in front of him. “So I have tattoos on my face?”

“Yes, a few: a tiny star and a big one on your forehead that spells ‘Damaged’. And playing cards on your neck…” you describe his ink, mesmerized.

“Do they make me look horrible?”

“You don’t look horrible to me,” you praise and J inflates his chest at the declaration; oh boy, you definitely have a way with words.

“Thank you Pumpkin,” the flirtatious Clown winks and you play with the hem of your shirt, about to burst out with delight. 

“You’re welcome… J.”

“Oh my God!” The Joker snaps out of it since the artist in him is begging for attention:  “The sunset’s gorgeous! I have to sketch this!”

He sits down on the cloud and you scoot over until your thighs touch, interested in his new project.

“Your cloud is a better quality than the one I was on,” he bounces on the white, velvety texture. “It will certainly improve my technique!”

“Absolutely!” you enthusiastically exclaim, determined to assist no matter what.

Heaven knows your new friend J evidently requires steady guidance regarding his hobby: he’s no Picasso yet, but with a legend’s help he might eventually get there.  

Also read: MASTERLIST

You can follow me on Ao3 and Wattpad under the same blog name: DiYunho.

[nightingaletrash]

at a party, confessing feelings, and i'm giving you a wild card: any ship you wanna write about !~

So… I went with Evie/Talbott because they’re dominating my brain rn and I have no self control, so apologies if you or anyone else hoped for anything different from me XD

I had quite a lot of fun with this one, once I figured out how to write it, so I hope you enjoy it ;)

———

January 1st, 1991

The party was in full swing and Evie had trouble navigating the room without someone or other stopping her to impart their best wishes to her or trying to press more food and drink into her hands. Madam Rosmerta looked harried as she served drinks to partygoers and patrons alike, but didn’t seem annoyed or frustrated. In fact when she passed by Evie, she winked and said that she had a present in the back room that she’d grab when she had a free moment.

Evie just smiled and pardoned herself before ducking around another patron when Jae caught up to her.

“There you are, I was starting to think you’d slipped out of your own birthday party!” he joked.

“Not yet, but it’s tempting,” she laughed. “All anyone wants to do is talk to me!”

“Well of course they do, it’s not everyday you turn eighteen. You’re a grownup by muggle standards now too,” he pointed out. “By the way, Pitts says hello. He heard about the party and promised to bring you something special for the big day once the House Elves are done preparing tonight’s dinner.”

He winked as he said this and she just groaned.

“Please tell me it’s not more spiced meat. I ended up feeding the last lot of it to Taliesin up on the reserve, and that was when I could get up there fast enough before it started to stink.”

Not that she really thought that the smell of rancid meat would bother the dragon much once he got his teeth into it, but she’d rather not carry around said bit of rancid meat in her pocket.

Jae just gave her a cheeky grin.

“You’ll just have to find out, won’t you? You look like you’re in a hurry by the way. Looking for someone?” 

Going by the devilish gleam in his eyes, he knew exactly who that someone was, and probably had an idea of where to find them.

“Yeah, you seen him?”

“I might have done. But I might need a little incentive to jog my memory…”

Evie rolled her eyes. He was up to something and needed his Prefect - her specifically - to look the other way while he did it. 

“Fine, if I see anything then I won’t see anything,” she sighed. “Now where did you see him?”

Jae grinned.

“He’s over in the corner booth avoiding everyone as usual. Thanks Evie, you’re the best.”

With a clap on her shoulder he disappeared back into the crowd and she continued on her way, just barely avoiding a splash of fire whiskey as an overindulgent patron sloppily raised their glass. She barely heard the slurred apology as she darted away into the far corner of the pub, and true enough, there was Talbott scribbling something into his notebook.

He looked up and smiled at her approach.

“That saves me having to brave the crowd,” he remarked as she sidled into the seat next to him. “Having fun?”

“Sure, just needed a break. Like you, apparently.”

He shrugged.

“I’m not big on crowds, and it seemed like you were getting enough attention. I was about to come find you.”

“Just finishing your latest masterpiece first, right?”

She peered at his notebook only for him to snatch it away, his cheeks flushing a bright red. She just grinned and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop peeking,” she giggled. “Am I ever going to be allowed to read those?”

He shrugged, not quite looking at her, so she slid her hand over his and laced their fingers together.

“Hey, it’s fine if you don’t want to show them to me. I know they’re personal to you,” she said reassuringly as she brushed the tips of her fingers against his cheek.

“Thank you,” he murmured, leaning in to rest against her. 

She did the same and lowered her hand to rest on the crook of his arm as she let her eyes slide shut, just enjoying the feeling of his body against her’s and their fingers linked together. She felt him shifting a little as his free hand brushed through her hair before resting against the side of her head.

He then moved some more, turning her head towards him. She didn’t bother opening her eyes, she already knew what he wanted and was quite keen for the same so she leaned in to close the gap between them.

The kiss was lazy, languid, but that was what she liked about it. In the middle of the craziness that was her life, Talbott was a safe haven, these moments being the calm between storms. Here with him, she felt like a normal person enjoying a stolen moment of time rather than a player on a chessboard trying desperately to be anything but a pawn. Here and now there were no Vaults, no R, no threats of death. Just them. Just this kiss, so warm and tender that she didn’t want it to go away again.

But it did as they slowly and reluctantly broke apart. Foreheads still touching, fingers still laced together, and his hand still tangled in her hair, holding her steady. When her eyes cracked open Talbott met her gaze, scarlett eyes all but glowing with adoration and warmth as he gazed back at her. She’d be lying if she thought she didn’t want to press her lips to his again and pick up from where they left off, and it looked like he very much wanted to continue as well.

“I love you Evie.”

The confession came out barely louder than a whisper, yet she didn’t miss a word. Her jaw slackened and her eyes widened, and she stared at him like she’d never seen him before.

He blinked and pulled away, his face going pale as he stumbled to his feet and it was clear he intended to take off right there and then.

“S-sorry,” he stammered. “I didn’t mean to-”

She cut him off by dragging him back down, kissing him hard, the complete opposite of the kiss from before. She didn’t want him to run away and hide. She wanted him - needed him - to understand that she felt the same way. So she kissed hard and passionately, determined to pour every last drop of emotion she had into it in the hopes he’d understand. He didn’t need to run from this, not when she was willing to give it back.

And it seemed he got the message. 

After freezing for a split second he kissed back just as vigorously, just as hungrily. It was no surprise that he overbalanced and the pair fell backwards against the booth’s bench. Evie laughed against his lips but made no effort to break away or stop, keeping her arms wrapped firmly around his neck. He quickly adjusted, bracing his arms either side of her head, still kissing so hungrily, so needily, like he was drowning without it.

They didn’t even care how it looked, completely unaware of the eyes that glanced their way or the people giggling and whispering behind their hands as they pretended not to notice anything.

Then, finally, the need to breathe finally broke them apart. 

Evie surprised herself with how hard she was panting, forcefully dragging air back into her lungs as she stared up at Talbott. She grinned and giggled. His hair, usually so neatly slicked back, was falling into his bright red face. She imagined she didn’t look that much better but couldn’t really bring herself to care.

He loved her. That was all that mattered.

So she couldn’t help herself as she leaned up and pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips.

“I love you too, Talbott.”

[krispyweiss]

Song Reviews: Phil Lesh & Friends – “Jack Straw,” “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” “Truckin’” and “So Many Roads” (Live, Oct. 20, 2021)

Add Amy Helm’s voice and Stuart Bogie’s clarinet and you might just wind up with one of the most-enchanting versions of “When I Paint My Masterpiece” you’ve ever heard.

Following a Grahame Lesh/Phil Lesh co-sung version of “Jack Straw,” one that was as pleasing musically as it was not vocally, the latest version of Phil Lesh & Friends unveiled Bob Dylan’s “Masterpiece” in a fresh arrangement that was aesthetically and aurally overwhelming.

Helm was a fountain of joy, bouncing around the stage, playing air mandolin, clapping her hands and singing as if dear life depended on it as Bogie snaked in and out of the ensemble’s music with serpentine notes that bound everything in to one big musical ball of joy. The song has been done so many times by so many musicians; however, it’s never been done as done as part of the Friends’ residency in New York State.

Shared gratis from the concert, this first-set twofer was paired with another from the second set that proved for all their seriousness, the Friends are a band of Pranksters.

The vocals on “Truckin’” were (most likely) purposely so fucked up – Grahame Lesh singing one set of lyrics; Johnson singing another – it seemed a good-natured jab at Bob Weir, who never met a “Truckin’” he couldn’t steer into a tongue-tied mess. And when the three guitarists – Grahame Lesh, Eric D. Johnson and Josh Kaufman – started to tangle on the outro, it was more obvious than ever the earlier speed bumps were a gag.

Johnson took the vocals on “So Many Roads.” It was a nice-enough rendition of the Grateful Dead arrangement. But like “Morning Dew” and a couple of others, “Roads” is too associated with Jerry Garcia to mean much in the years since his death.

Grade card: Phil Lesh & Friends – “Jack Straw,” “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” “Truckin’” and “So Many Roads” (Live – 10/20/21) – B/A+/A-/B

10/21/21

[aworldfullofmuses-archived-blog]

Not-So-Random Drabble

for @scarsbuilt ;) enjoy

He had chosen her family’s mansion as the venue, taking advantage of their latest art show with their permission. It was carefully as well as perfectly planned out from the beginning, all of her family in on the surprise except for her. She thought he was simply going to unveil a new painting that he had finally finished and contribute it into the show - only half of that was actually true. He did craft a new portrait - his finest masterpiece if he did say so himself - and it was going to be revealed before the night was over, but it wasn’t going to be a part of the show. Oh no, if anything it was one of two gifts he had for her.

Lizza’s mother gathered the crowd before introducing him, followed by a round of applause from all who were attending. Ethan couldn’t help but smile, if he were human his face would be flushed bright pink from the flattery. He raised his hands to hush the clapping and then began.

“Thank you. Thank you all. And many thanks to you, Mrs. James, and to your partner for allowing me to share this moment with you.” The vampire paused, hands clasped together, his gaze falling to the ground for a moment as his mind brought forth the next set of words he would speak. “As you all know, I am here tonight to unveil a new painting of mine. But before I do, please allow me to tell you a little story - a story about love:

There was once a man who had no home and no family. He left the place he knew all of his life behind to explore the world in search for something more. He traveled far and wide, from city to beautiful city, country to magnificent country, learning about many different and fascinating cultures along the way. Despite that, however, there always seemed to be something missing. And this feeling he had, this...emptiness, it lingered for a long time. Until one day, he met someone.” A bright, wide smile. “He met the one. The very person he’s been searching and yearning for his whole life. The person who saw him as more than what he saw in himself. She was the beauty to his beast; and just like in the fairytale, this beast fell in love with his beauty. And though they have gone through many hardships in their time spent together, they have always overcome every obstacle that stood in their way of true happiness. All of the things they’ve done together, everything they went through since the very first day they met, it all came down to one very special and very important moment. This moment.”

His gaze fell upon Lizza and he held out his hand to her, a silent invitation for her to join him at his side. “I want you all to meet the inspiration behind the very portrait you are about to see: the love of my life - the beauty to my beast - Miss Lizza James.” Another round of applause exploded once again and some cheers erupted among the clapping of hands. Lizza appeared to be severely confused and embarrassed and at first did not move from where she stood; it took the nudging from her family to get her to take Ethan’s hand and stand with him in front of the large, sheet covered canvas. 

“Lizza,” Ethan started again, his voice softer and thicker with emotion. To think that a vampire could actually have a storm of feelings flowing inside of his dead heart - that was the effect she had on him. He took her hands in his, dark browns hues gazing deeply into her matching pair. “You have made me feel more alive in this last year than I have ever felt in my entire life,” oh the irony, and only a select few actually knew about it. “Before you, I have never known such happiness and joy and love. I have never known what it’s like to have someone you want to be with and think about constantly, someone who is always there when you fall asleep at night and is always there when you wake up in the morning. Even when we are apart, all I see is you and feels like you’re always by my side, and I am never lonely. I wanted to do something to show you just how much you mean to me and how much I am in love with you - crazy in love with you. And that’s why I made this painting - it is my gift to you, not to your family’s show as I have lead you to believe.” His smile was apologetic, a sign that he was sorry for deceiving her, but in all fairness it was for a good reason.  “Behold, the symbol of my undying love for you, Lizza James.”

With the extension of his arm, he gestured two men to strip the painting of its shield, the sheet coming down to reveal a beautifully life-like portrait of Ethan and Lizza, the vampire positioned down on one knee with a small box in his hands. Gasps and awes burst from the crowd behind them and he could hear Lizza’s heart rate drastically change, beating faster in her chest as she looked upon the painting. With her attention distracted, Ethan took the opportunity to set up for his second gift: down on one knee he went, his hand reaching into his pocket to pull out a small, red box. He waited for Lizza to turn back and face him again before he opened it, revealing the silver band encircled with shining opal stones. The vampire’s beaming smile said it all in regards to how proud he was of her reaction, that being priceless.

“Please do me the honor and make me the happiest man in the world. Lizzianna Marie James, will you marry me?”