#those veins never fail to keep my interested

[edenalieth]

LOVE CURSE

Pairing: god of love!minho x Y/N

Genre: strangers to lovers, fluff with angst

Being a god of love wasn’t always easy. When you got assigned to Minho to be bonded to your soulmate, he thought his mission would be done in a blink of an eye. Little did he know that his biggest ally would be his greatest enemy: love.

Words: 6K 

A.N: first fic of 2024, we cheered! sorry, it took me more time than i thought it would,,, that photoshoot inspired me for this story, as well as the song "rewrite the stars". my bad for the possible mistakes, hope you enjoy :) any interactions are sincerely appreciated 🫶. — 240304

Being a god of love wasn’t always easy. Mortals thought it was all about fate and butt naked babies shooting their arrows at them. However, it wasn’t as perfect as they could imagine it and deities didn’t look like cherubs. 

Minho had not a single memory about his past life. One day, he had opened his eyes after wandering into darkness for a really long time and had been welcomed by an angel. This angel happened to be his new brother, Felix, who introduced him to more brothers and sisters. Felix was always cheerful, he exhaled warmth and passion, a ray of sunshine in a solid form. He taught him everything he had to know for his new function as a love god. The good sides and the bad ones. Among the great ones was the chase, as they called it with his siblings. An interesting part where they used their magic to get close to their assigned human. Using ancestral methods, they tricked their customer into thinking that they knew each other since forever. This way, it was easier for them to establish a bond with their chosen one and Minho was always sincerely curious about their lives, hopes and dreams. Once the spark of love was strong enough, came the second step. The aim. It was truly thrilling for Minho to shoot an arrow. The way the wood of his bow perfectly fitted on his hand, like an extension of his arm. Or when his fingers, hooking on the silver bowstring, had to keep the perfect balance before releasing his arrow, which never failed to ignite the passion between two human beings. It gave him goosebumps every time. Finally, came the evanescence. When the arrow had reached the heart and the two lovebirds were united, the god of love had to disappear from their lives. Despite how poetic all this appeared to be, not everyone had the chance to get their « happy ever after ». Divinities exclusively interfered to match a mortal to its soulmate and they had a glimpse of their future together. Unfortunately, they sometimes had to tie someone to a person who would break them in the most awful ways. No matter how bad it would be, they would remain in love with them to the point where they would forget about themselves. Minho had forced himself to become insensitive to such situations but, deep inside, he despised it. He felt nauseous and anger was running through his veins as he had to watch his customers becoming miserable in front of his eyes. Occasionally, he wished he could bribe the lord of death, Chan, into getting rid of those pests… Sadly, this deity wasn’t easy to negotiate with. They did their duty and nothing else. 

When you got assigned to Minho, he didn’t think much about it and started his chase. You were a university student, pretty cheerful and a bit grumpy when things didn’t go your way. You loved to meet new people and hang out with your friends. Reading was one of your favorite hobby and you had a chubby black cat named Churros. Funny, he thought with a small smile on his face. He liked animals because they weren’t fooled by his powers like humans were, especially cats. With their piercing gaze, they could see the magic surrounding the deities, energy flows swirling around them in tints of red, black and gold. Truly smart beings. 

Minho put his backpack correctly on his shoulders as he looked over his surroundings. Students were walking toward the entry door, chatting, laughing or shuffling sleepily — probably some hangover or all nighters for exams. Finally, he spotted you. Walking through the crowd, he reached you and put a hand on your shoulder. You turned around, visibly surprised and wondering about who the hell was touching you unprovoked. You frowned, met by a face you had never seen before, a beautiful face. It was a guy. He seemed to be the same age as you, his skin looked smooth, his pink lips stretched into a gentle smile and his hair were copper brown. Slowly, you attached your eyes to his. Warm and deep. 

The god of love knew it was the perfect time to use his powers, you were visibly confused. Coming closer to your face, he saw your eyes widening. « I’m going to help you. » he whispered to your ear. When he glanced at you again and noticed the light veil over your eyes. Magic was happening. Shaking your head, as if emerging from a dream, your face lit up. « Minho! Gosh, I really thought you were going to leave me alone again. You know that I hate that class… », you gritted your teeth saying that. 

Perfect, he thought. From now on, he would be your longtime friend who happened to go to the same university as you. « I know, I know » he replied, ruffling your hair. You looked offended as your fingers were quickly brushing your locks in an attempt to style them back properly. « You… Do you know how long it took me to do this ? » you grumbled, your eyes sending daggers to your friend. Minho smirked, playing his role to get to know you better. « Are you doing all of this for Thomas ? » he mused, teasing you. Naturally, you were his assigned human and he knew who he had to match you with and how to play with it to make you fall. Your cheeks turned into a bright red. You scoffed in disdain. « Me ? Doing this for a man ? Don’t be silly. » you rolled your eyes and grabbed his arm, changing the subject to the paper you had to write for today. Your crush was ridiculously obvious. He wondered if he would act this way if only he was able to love. However, your budding feelings for Thomas would help to get his job done faster. It took more time when he had to do all the job, create the meeting, put the right mood to some situation in attempt to make both parties fall in love. Yes, it would be easy. You sighed, « And here we go, for two hours of boredom… ». You sat down and prepared your papers, hurrying Minho to do the same. Obediently, he did as told and started his own class: learning about you. 

Days turned into weeks and he knew a lot about you by now. You frowned when you were highly focused on something, you hated romcom — at least it was what you said, except that Minho witnessed you tearing up in front of 13 going 30 —, you were the type of person to scream your lungs out to songs while driving, you chewed on your lips and then complained about it when they were getting chapped. To make it short, you were lively in the most beautiful ways and the love god didn’t seem to grow tired of it. « Pull yourself together » he thought, lightly splashing his face with water. He had to make things move on between you and Thomas. Your interest for him didn’t seem to fade, after all, you were meant to be. He looked at his reflection on the mirror and was surprised by his expression: he seemed annoyed. Straightening his back, he glanced one more time at his face, defying it, before exiting the bathroom. 

« Took you long enough » you stated, looking at the brown haired boy. He shrugged « Sorry ? ». You gestured him to come sit next to you. Churros was purring on your legs as you scratched it behind its ears and Minho looked at the scene fondly. Taking place by your side, he joined you to pet the black cat. You discreetly looked at your friend. You had been knowing him since you were kids — magic made you think that — and never had you realized how handsome he was. In your eyes, he was just your annoying lost twin. Kind of. At least, you thought… Or tried to convince yourself. Also, Thomas was there and you liked him, right ? Minho raised his head and caught you staring at him. He tilted his head before asking you, « What’s troubling you ? ». You shook your head, scratching your cat under its chin. « Hmm nothing… » your voice was low and not convincing at all, your friend wouldn’t fall for your masquerade. He came closer to you and nudge your shoulder. « Come on Y/N, what’s on your mind ? ». Seeing his eyes, you couldn’t resist them and gave up. You felt a bit embarrassed but gathered your courage up. « Have you ever been in love ? » you asked, your hands stopped moving and Churros half opened its eyes, its green pupils looking deep inside your soul. A brief silence filled the room. Minho was staring at the ceiling before clearing his throat. « Well, I’ve never experienced it myself but I believe it’s a precious and incredible feeling… » your friend seemed a bit gloomy and you were almost disappointed by his answer. « Have you ? » he kept going, curious to know if you were going to talk about your crush with him. The god of love was expectant. « Yes… » « How does it feel ? I can only imagine. » Minho smiled but his eyes weren’t. « It feels warm and exciting but complicated at times too… » you stated. « I mean, what do you do when you start having feelings for someone unexpected ? » The brown haired boy hummed. « Like falling for someone you never thought you would ? » You nodded, « Exactly. It's like... you have this image in your head of who you're supposed to be attracted to, and then someone comes along and totally flips that upside down. » The deity chuckled. « Hmm. I see what you mean. » a tint of bitterness lacing his voice. « But isn't that part of the magic of love? Discovering new feelings and connections you never imagined ? ». Why were you so hesitant about your feelings ? Never in his career he had witnessed that. Lighting the spark of love could took a bit longer to build but his customers never openly expressed their confusion. Was he lacking on some point ? As earlier when he was in the bathroom, he felt annoyance rushing through his veins and a strange tickling at the bottom of his nape...  Churros left your lap, feeling the agitation of yours and Minho’s hearts. « I suppose so. It's just… I know you’ve noticed, I've been crushing on Thomas for a while now, but lately, someone else came into the picture… » you were elusive on purpose. Minho got caught off guard on that one. What was going on ? Something was definitely wrong. Who were you talking about ? He would have to review every single people being close to you to find out if you decided not to speak. You bent towards him, your move making your fingers brush against his, sending electricity into your system. « It’s a secret. » you sticked your tongue out and stood up. Still on the floor, Minho looked at you in disbelief. « What ? You started this conversation and now you’ve decided to remain silent ? ». Towering him, you shrugged and turned on the music to distract him. 

This was an emergency. He needed to talk to Felix, right now. On his way home, he grabbed his phone on his pocket and looked for his brother’s number. He tapped on his name and waited to hear the ringtone. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. « Your contact isn’t available at the moment… » Minho swore as he was welcomed by the robotic voice. « Please leave a message after the ri… ». He hung up and dialed the number again and again and again. Finally, no automatic message but a deep upset voice, which was pretty rare. « For love sake, Minho. Why are you calling me ? I was preparing my aim. You better have a good reason to bother me and make me miss my shot. » he groaned. « My human. Y/N. She’s hesitant. » He heard his brother sighing. « And ? It happens all the time. Give her one more week and she will be ready. Now, if you may exc… » Loosing his temper, Minho cut him off. « It’s not like usual. And, for your knowledge, my clients never hesitate on their feelings. » he cockily added. Felix laughed. « Ok. Then, describe me how is it different ? ». Minho could hear the noises of the city coming from the end of the line. « I don’t feel that energy coming from her, it’s like… glowing a different way. And I have that constant itch bothering me... » he whispered, confused by the events. « Have you ever heard of someone changing their fate ? » « Minho. It’s written in the stars, it’s impossible to undo it. » the angel stated firmly. « Are you sure ? Wasn’t there any case of someone rewriting them ? » His voice felt desperate and he was. He was hundred percent sure that something odd was happening. A loud silence echoed his question. « Do you want my honest opinion ? » « Please. » he begged. « I think you’re the one with an unsteady heart. You’ve been around Y/N for too long. You’ve never spent much time with one of your assigned mortal and your magic is weakening. » Felix answered. Offended, the god of love received those words like a slap in the face. However, it would explain his discomfort. « This is nonsense. I’m telli… » but he hadn’t time to finish his sentence. « One week and not a single day more. » The ringtone resonated, announcing the final sentence. 

One week. He had to calculate all his next moves. If Felix was right, nobody knew what would happened if Minho was loosing his power. Yet, he wasn’t scared about it but was terrified at the idea of loosing you forever. Once his job done, it would be as if he had never existed. You would remember a presence but would not be able to put a name or a face on it. Usually, Minho considered his mission like a book. He had to get into it, enjoy it, untangle the plot and put it on a shelf once done. With you, he wanted the story to keep going. However, he was supposed to be a side character and not a main one. The love god felt stupid and bothered by that strange sensation squeezing his heart. What was it ? He could only identify anger and disappointment. His fists were clenched and he had to fight the urge to punch the nearest wall. This is when you decided to intervene. He felt his phone buzzing. The screen illuminated the room he was in. 

y/n: want to grab a coffee before class tomorrow ?

minho: sure!

y/n: perfect! see u :)

He sighed. He had to find a solution by the next morning and make you and Thomas fall in love, for once and for all. That night, the brown haired boy barely slept. 

You were waiting for your friend in front of the coffee shop. Minho appeared at the corner, disheveled and dark circles under his eyes. « Wow, you definitely need some coffee. » You teased him. He groaned and opened the door for you. « Barely slept. » he briefly explained. « Thanks, I had noticed. » you scoffed. Once your coffee taken, you strolled along the path toward university campus, backpacks slung over your shoulders. « So, any plans for the weekend ? »  the love god asked, trying his best to look cheerful. You shrugged, a playful grin tugging at the corners of your lips. « Not much, just the usual. Probably bury myself in textbooks and drown in a sea of caffeine. Exams are coming up. »

Minho rolled his eyes, nudging you with his elbow. « Come on, Y/N, you need to loosen up a bit. Life's not all about studying. Besides, I heard there's a party happening this Saturday. You have to come with me. » Your ears perked up at the mention of a party, your curiosity piqued. It has been a while since you wen to a party and going there with Minho sounded even greater.  « A party, huh? Sounds intriguing. Who's throwing it ? ». The brown haired boy flashed you a mischievous smile. « Oh, you know, just some friends from the other campus. But here's the juicy part – I heard that Thomas will be there. »

At the mention of Thomas’ name, your heart sunk a little. Maybe you would finally be able to put a word on your feelings for him, know if it was a small crush or something more serious. Maybe you would understand why you felt jelly and happier than ever around Minho too…

« Thomas? » you echoed, « Are you sure? ». The love god nodded enthusiastically. Going to a party was a simple strategy but it often worked. "Positive! This could be your chance to make a move. » He winked. You rolled your eyes. « Shush. I’m not even sure if I want to be with him anymore. » you whined. « Then it’s the perfect occasion, right ? » He was right. « Alright, you've convinced me, » you finally replied, a determined glint in your eyes. « I'll go to the party with you. ». Minho seemed relieved by your answer and closed the gap between the both of you to quickly kiss your cheeks. That sudden move of affection startled you as you brought a hand to your face. « Good! I will see you later then. » he waved you goodbye and disappeared in the corridor. As he rushed to his class, mixed feelings and a strong sensation of warmth filled his system. 

When he came back home on that day, the deity decided to face his own feelings. The kiss on your cheek ? It felt natural, yet really odd. Never he had done this with a mortal before but he wanted to try again. As he sat there, lost in the midst of his own thoughts, he couldn't shake the strange sensation that had been creeping up on him lately. It was like a whisper in the back of his mind, gentle yet persistent, nudging him to pay attention to something he hadn't noticed — or even felt — before.

At first, he brushed it off as nothing more than a weakness, a fleeting moment of curiosity. But the more he tried to ignore it, the louder it became, until it was impossible to ignore any longer. It was a feeling, unfamiliar yet strangely comforting, like sunbathing on fresh grass. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, couldn't find the words to describe it, but it was there, simmering beneath the surface, waiting to be acknowledged.

Suddenly it hit him, like a bolt of lightning. Could it be...? No, it couldn't. It was absurd, unthinkable, impossible. He was a god of love, he was here to help mortals not to fa… No, no, no. And yet, the more he tried to deny it, the more it seemed to make sense. He was definitely falling for you, for your laughter that echoed like music in his ears, for your smile that lit up even the darkest corners of his heart. It was a realization that sent his mind into a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty.

What did it mean? What was he supposed to do with these newfound feelings ? What was going to happen to you, your fate, his powers ? He felt torn, caught between the familiarity of the past and the uncertainty of the future. Part of him wanted to hold onto what he knew, to the comfort of familiarity, while another part yearned to embrace this new, unknown territory with open arms. But one thing was clear amidst the chaos of his thoughts: he couldn't ignore this feeling any longer. It was a part of him now, a piece of the puzzle that had been missing all along or messing with the stars. And whether it led him down a path of heartache, he knew he had to face it head-on, for better or for worse. He was scared, obviously. However, he would enjoy his final days with you, shoot his arrow and disappear. He would get another mission and drown his feelings, trying to forget about you for the rest of his immortal life…

Days passed by, slipping from his hands, and weekend was already there. He dressed himself up and headed to the party. As he was getting closer of his friend’s house, he felt his heart sinking. When he entered the place, the thumping bass reverberated through the crowded living room as Minho scanned the sea of faces, his heart pounding in his chest with a mix of excitement and gloom. He had promised himself that tonight would be the night he finally bonded you and Thomas for eternity, but now that the moment was upon him, doubt gnawed at his resolve like a persistent itch.

Spotting you across the room, your radiant smile lighting up the dimly lit space, Minho's breath caught in his throat. You looked absolutely stunning, your eyes sparkling with laughter — you seemed a bit tipsy too — as you mingled effortlessly with the other partygoers.

Determined to seize the opportunity before it slipped through his fingers, Minho made his way through the crowd, weaving between bodies. But just as he reached out to tap your shoulder, a voice cut through the din like a knife slicing through butter.

« Hey, Minho! What are you doing over here all by yourself ? »

Minho turned to find Felix grinning at him, a beer in hand and mischief dancing in his eyes. « Felix… What are you doing here ? »

Felix arched an eyebrow, his grin widening into a knowing smirk, except that his eyes felt low-key frightening. Minho had never seen that look on his face before. « Let me guess – you're trying to find Y/N, aren't you ? I hope it’s to do your job. Tomorrow is your last chance if you can’t do it tonight, which would honestly be a shame.»

Minho felt the heat rise to his cheeks, cursing himself for being so transparent. « Yeah, actually. I was hoping to talk to her. »

Felix chuckled, clapping Minho on the back in a gesture of camaraderie. « Talk to her about what exactly ? » he aggressively whispered. « You were right, Minho. The ancient gods noticed your weird behavior and they’re now asking for results. That’s why they sent me here tonight. Also, I hate to break it to you, but it looks like she's already found her right match."

Minho's heart sank like a stone as he followed Felix's gaze across the room, where you were engaged in animated conversation with none other than Thomas. His stomach churned with jealousy and disappointment as he watched you laugh and joke together, your easy proximity like a dagger to his heart.

Desperate to salvage the situation before it spiraled out of control, Minho racked his brain for a way to interrupt. But before he could formulate a plan, fate intervened in the cruelest of ways, as Thomas locked eyes with yours and began to make his way toward you with the inevitability of two stars on a collision course.

With a unpleasant feeling in the pit of his stomach, Minho realized that his efforts to keep you for himself would be in vain. And as he watched you both draw closer, he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps he had been fighting a losing battle all along.

But even as the bitter sting of defeat washed over him like a wave crashing against the shore, Minho knew that he couldn't give up hope just yet. For in matters of the heart, anything was possible – even miracles. Adrenaline rushing through his veins, he nearly sprinted in your direction, pushing away the guests and ignoring his brother’s screams. 

With newfound determination burning bright within him, Minho felt prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead. If there was one thing he knew for sure, it was that love was worth fighting for – even if it meant risking everything he held dear: his powers, his own life. Because what would happen if things weren’t turning the way they should ? He was going against destiny and it had messed up yours too. And, if he lost his powers, you would probably forgot about him since your friendship had, at first, been built on the illusions he had created.

And as the party raged on around him, Minho took a deep breath and stepped boldly between the two of you, stopping Thomas from achieving his move whether it was a hug or a kiss. The man seemed surprised and offended. « Yo… Do we know each other ? » he asked. « We don’t, but I'm here with her. » Minho held your hand in his, the warmth of his skin against your sending electricity into your veins. You looked at them, glaring at each other as a third guy — blond hair and an angelic face — approached you. Who was he and why it looked like he wanted to punch Minho in the face ? Focusing back on the brown haired boy and Thomas, you said « Minho, it’s fine we were just talking. » He turned his head, frowning, his grip on your hand strengthening. Yet, behind that visible annoyance, you could notice despair and softness in his eyes. « Well, I need to talk to you too. » Before you or Thomas could add a word, he made you follow him across the room. The blond guy was still following you but was struggling to slide between the students. You went upstairs, Minho was trying to find a place where people weren’t making out or throwing up. Eventually, a couple left one of the room, giving you the opportunity to get some privacy. 

The love god closed the door behind you, letting your hand go. « I don’t have much time and I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen after but… I have to try. » 

« What are you talking about ? » you chuckled nervously, your mouth getting dry. « Remember when I told you I’ve never loved anyone before ? » he asked. You nodded, anticipating. He walked closer to you, putting a strand of hair behind your ear in a tender gesture, looking at your face features as if trying to engrave them in his mind. « It took me long enough to admit it but I did… No, I do love someone. » « Oh… » you sounded disappointed, your heart starting to be torn into pieces until you felt your friend’s lips on yours. His hands cupped your face, your eyes widened as his were closing, a single tear threatening to fall anytime. Almost instantly, you drowned onto his touch, your lips moving in perfect sync as your fists were gripping his shirt. Your heart was beating so loudly that it echoed in your eardrum and you felt butterflies getting restless in the pit of your stomach. 

A deep muffled voice could be heard from behind the walls as Minho delicately stepped away from you. As soon as his lips detached from yours, you started to miss them like you would miss oxygen to breathe. « Minho you know about Tho… » « Don’t worry » a tear was rolling down his cheek and he quickly whipped it. « I know you like him… But, I had to try… ». However, you didn’t feel that way about your old crush. You had a little something for him, yes, but the feeling you had for Minho was stronger than anything you had felt before. You loved him. « Minho I lo… » you couldn’t confess fully when the same innocent looking guy you had seen earlier crashed into the room. 

« Minho. I hope you didn’t do anything stupid or… » however his face started to break down. Scared, you looked at Minho who was getting paler second after second. You rushed to support him as his knees felt weaker. He could feel it, his magic leaving his body. He felt so sleepy, the itch getting intense and your and Felix’s voices sounded faint. Felix cursed as he was walking toward you. « Don’t come closer ! » you warned him, not forgetting the way he looked at him before. Not listening to you, he put one of Minho’s arm around his shoulder and helped him laying down. « Wh-what are you doing ? We need to call an ambulance. » you stuttered. Felix bitterly laughed « Your mortals shit wouldn’t help him, now move aside. ». 

Everything was becoming blurry and dark for the brown haired boy. Laid down, he could see Felix’s lips moving hastily, trying to cast a spell, while your hands were holding his left one tightly. « Mor… What ? ». The blond hair guy didn’t answer, his hands moving above Minho. You couldn’t see anything but the deity did. Slowly, a golden arrow was appearing on his brother’s hands, shining brightly.

You were done with this strange guy. With trembling hands, you took your phone and dialed the emergency number. Immediately, someone answered you and asked for the reason of your call.

« My friend is… He is really pale and… he doesn’t speak anymore. I… Yes, he’s breathing. No… » 

Conversation kept going as you described his state, distracted and barely paying attention to Felix who was finally done casting his spell. The arrow weighted heavily on his hands, more than usual. He looked at his brother with uncertainty. The ancient gods gave him the mission to do the necessary to help Minho, no matter what, even if it had to cost him his life. His throat was burning and his hands were holding the arrow so firmly that his knuckles were turning white. With a gain of lucidity, Minho looked at Felix. Who would have thought that his biggest ally would turn out to be his greatest enemy, love itself. Minho knew what would happen if the angel was planting the arrow on his chest. He would die. It was created for mortals only and unique for each of them. Defying destiny was dangerous. Without his power he wouldn’t be able to live, he was doomed by a love curse. 

« Do it. » he whispered, his words so faint he could barely hear them himself. 

Felix looked at him, a frown on his face and teary eyes. The brown haired boy repeated his demand, more loudly this time. His brother closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, holding the arrow still, right above Minho’s heart. « Remember that you did this to yourself. » Felix’s deep voice broke. « I should have noticed your behavior… I’m sorry, brother. ». 

Distracted by the sudden agitation at the corner of your eyes. You noticed that the blond hair guy was holding both his hands above your friend. Confused, you looked at them, not answering on the phone anymore. Suddenly, Felix slammed his fists on his brother’s chest. 

The last things Minho could remember was your scream, you pushing Felix as his tears were falling on Minho’s face like a warm summer rain, his energy swirling in a thundery way around him, and the blinding light of the arrow painfully entering his rib cage. He wasn’t regretting his decision. He hoped his brother wouldn’t blame himself. As he said, Minho had did this to himself and, for as long as he could remember, he had never felt so alive. He was happy that he had been able to meet you, love you, share his feelings with you. It costed him his life, yet, he knew that it wouldn’t have been the same if you weren’t part of it. Fortunately, you would forget everything about this thanks to Felix. It would be like a blurry nightmare, nothing more, even if he secretly hoped a part of you would never forget about him. With some sort of contentment, he drowned into darkness. 

Darkness. Sounds scary at first but felt familiar to Minho. After all, he had been wandering in their meanders for a long time before becoming a god of love. It felt cosy, like a nest. He didn’t have to think about anything, just let himself sail around. However, that peace wouldn’t last eternally. Slowly, a reddish light appeared, troubling his comatose state, pulling him out of this world. 

Bip. Bip. Bip. His eyelids were trembling as he tried to come to his senses. Opening his eyes, he noticed where the sound was coming from. A cardiac monitor was near, perfusions were attached to his wrist. Was he at the hospital ? How was it possible ? And what was that muffled noise ? Scanning his surrounding, he saw him. Felix. His face lighting up as his brother was awaking. He could tell that he was definitely fighting the urge to hold him, scared to hurt him. 

« Minho! I… I can’t believe you did it… » he sputtered. 

The brown haired boy was confused. « W-why am I here ? » he asked with a hoarse voice. Surprised by it, he brought his hand to his throat. Felix’s face lost his brightness as he started to explain what happened. When the ancient gods sent his brother to bring him back to reason, they also knew that, once every thousand years, a love god could fall for someone. In the manuscripts, few were the ones who survived, most of them loosing their powers before they could do anything except one case. The love god realizing the situation they were in, they decided to shoot the arrow toward themselves, the weapon absorbing all the power but not their soul. 

« This is why they told me to do this. They didn’t explain why until I came back… The arrow saved you however… » Felix seemed to hesitate. 

« What ? » Minho breathed out. 

« You’re a mortal now. »

The blond haired man seemed sorry, it was some sort of punishment for going against fate. Minho wasn’t. He had a second chance to meet you. 

« Y/N. How is she ? Does she and Thomas…» he expectantly asked, hope lacing his voice as he tried to sit up properly, in vain, his muscles still weak. Felix softly smiled at his brother. « She’s doing great. And, no, they’re not bonded… ». A sigh of relief escaped Minho’s mouth. « She doesn’t remember me, right ? » he asked, sappy. The angel shook his head. Of course. He had erased her memories with the brown haired boy. Seeing the sadness creeping up Minho’s face, Felix started to rummage into the bag he had across his chest. Finding what he was looking for, he handed them to Minho. 

« Here. Welcome to your new life. » 

Papers. Lee Minho. Twenty five years old. Born in South Korea. He looked at the angel, baffled. Was it real ? 

« Oh! And you’re starting your final year of university this autumn. You better be ready. » Felix added. 

« Excuse me ? » Minho groaned. 

Several months later. 

The crisp morning air was filled with the buzz of anticipation as students hurriedly made their way to their respective classrooms. You rushed through the throng of students, not wanting to be late for your first day. You glanced at your schedule, confirming the room number for your first class of the semester.

As you approached the corridor where your class was to be held, you noticed a figure leaning casually against the wall, engrossed in a book. His rugged charm caught your eye, and you couldn't help but steal a few glances as you neared him. His deep concentration on the book intrigued you. You have never seen him taking this class before. Was he a new student ? 

With a hesitant smile, you cleared your throat softly, catching the attention of the young man. He looked up, his gaze meeting yours, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Hi, sorry to bother you," you began, your voice soft and friendly. « Do you know if this is where the Literature class is supposed to meet? »

The young man's eyes twinkled with amusement as he closed his book, revealing a cover adorned with intricate designs in a language you didn’t know. "Yes, it is. I'm actually headed there myself," he replied, his voice warm and inviting.

Relief washed over you as you returned his smile. "Great, thank you. I'm Y/N, by the way," you introduced yourself, extending your hand.

"Nice to meet you, Y/N. I'm Minho," he replied, accepting your handshake with a gentle grip.

Your brief introduction was interrupted by the sound of the classroom door opening nearby, signaling the start of the class. You looked at your watch, realizing you were running out of time.

"Well, it looks like we better head in," you said with a nod towards the open door.

Minho agreed, falling into step beside you as you made your way into the classroom together. As you found seats near each other, you couldn't shake the feeling of serendipity that hung in the air. You didn’t know him, yet, you felt a deep connection and a sensation of deja-vu.

As the professor began the lesson, you stole another glance at Minho, captivated by his features and feeling grateful for the unexpected connection fate had brought you that morning.

© edenalieth

[aiiviiloo]

Two Truths One Lie

Smosh: Shayne Topp x Reader

WC: 1.8K

Warnings: A little bit of suggestive(looks n feelings), use of she/her pronouns, Y/N is one of the ogs in smosh, slight fluff if u squint, Y/N is kinda famous

It was a warm day in California when the team chose to make Y/n and Shayne film the video, which they both silently thanked them for. Getting sprayed with ice cold water wouldn't be as harmful with the weather.

"Are you ready to get sprayed to death?" Shayne joked while bumping his shoulder into Y/n who turned to smirk at him.

Y/n only ignored his comment and walked into the studio where Courtney, Amanda and Angela hung out in their stools beside the "game" table.

It was a little intimidating, the guns leaning against the table while a crew member filled them both up with water.

Shayne followed after Y/n into the studio and walked with her to the sound manager who mic'ed them up, connecting their microphone while the two of them clipped the small black electronics onto their clothes.

As they finished with that, the studio manager once again called everyone to their places, checking so that everyone were feeling alright.

Y/n sat down across Shayne, Courtney to her left as she looked down at the cards in front of her.

Before any filming session, Y/n always felt a shock of adrenaline pulse through her veins, as if she felt like any second, her body would explode - which it never did of course.

"And.. Action!" Emily, the director, shouted. The studio turned quiet before Shayne turned to the camera with a dramatic sigh escaping his mouth.

"Welcome, everyone, to another round of Two Truths One Lie. In this game, me and an opponent tell three statements, where two of those statements are truths and the other one a lie." Shayne explained, still in his dramatic voice.

"If my opponent, who is Y/n today, say hi Y/n." He continued

"Hello." Y/n answered shortly, smiling into the camera.

"As I said, if my opponent fails to find my lie, I get to spray her with water, but if she succesfully finds my lie, I get sprayed by her with water."

"I think I put on the wrong clothes for this." Y/n stated, looking down at her outfit, which was a knitted sweater with some grey baggy jeans.

"Atleast you look cute!" Courtney added, making Y/n and Shayne chuckle.

Amanda coughed, glaring at the pair in front of her.

"Oh, right! This is our three watchers. Courtney, Amanda and Angela." Shayne introduced the three women, making them mutter things with annoyance.

"I'm so happy to have gathered boygenius with us today." Y/n joked, making the whole studio laugh at her joke.

"Anyway, would you like to go first?" Shayne asked Y/n who nodded, clearing her throat dramatically.

"Here are my statements. First one. I have been in a relationship with Jeanette McCurdy for an event." Y/n began, making Amanda chuckle a short laugh at the first statement.

"I have kissed Tom Cruise, on the mouth." Shayne's eyes widened at this, not at all ready for this.

"I was in a marching band in Japan when I was fifteen." Y/n said her last statement with a small smile while Shayne stared at Y/n mysteriously, trying to figure out which one is the truth.

"Okay, first statement. When and where was it?" Shayne asked as Y/n put her card down.

"It was at an event, some Nickelodeon event. I don't remember the year but I remember we were talking and I asked if for a joke we should fake a relationship for the whole event and she agreed. Really nice person she is!" Y/n explained while keeping a straight face.

Shayne nodded.

"And the next one? That seems like such a lie but if it's not I'm so jealous of you." He joked, making the trio beside him chuckle.

"Okay, so I got booked into an actual move not too long ago, no clue who was my love interest or anything, but when I arrived to the "love" scenes, there Tom Cruise was. I think it was about seven years ago or so."

The studio was quiet, everyone actually intrigued to hear the whole story, even the trio sat quietly.

"Wow, and do you remember the kiss?" Shayne sarcastically asked, but he actually wanted to know.

"I do, it was a great kiss. I was a nervous wreck but he was so calm and collected and just a nice co-worker to work with." Y/n answered with a soft smile on her face.

"And the third one?"

"As many of you know, I've lived in Japan with my family for a part of my life. And some of you know I also play the clarinet, well played, and I wanted to play it in a marching band so I joined one." Y/n explained, quite easily.

"I think I know the lie." Shayne said quickly with a smirk while Y/n only sat with a soft smile on her face.

"It's the second one, the Tom Cruise one." He continued and Y/n sighed, looking down at the table.

But she quickly grabbed the water gun and sprayed Shayne in the chest with the ice cold water.

"WHAT!?!?!?" Angela shouted while Shayne sat in shock.

"You've actually kissed Tom Cruise?" He asked, eyes wide as he laughed in just pure shock.

"I have! It was some movie, I don't remember but I was the love-interest." Y/n chuckled while putting her gun down, letting it lean against the table.

"Wait so which one was the lie?" Shayne asked, making Y/n smile.

"The marching band one. I moved to Japan when I was fifteen but joined the marching band when I was eightteen because they had an age restriction." Y/n told the group who all made 'aah' noises as an understanding.

"Alright, so my turn. I have eaten a whole tarantula on camera. I have eaten a bull penis on camera. I have eaten surströmming on camera." Shayne said quickly.

"Okay, I know one of these 100%. You did eat a tarantula. It was on Mythical Kitchen. I was there with you but I chickened out and never ate the spider but you did." Y/n thought outloud, looking directly into Shayne's eyes.

Shayne chuckled and smiled, knowing that Y/n was right with that, they both were there.

"Ah, shit. I wasn't on the filming day of the surströmming. I remember it was you and Noah and his two brothers. Shit." Y/n muttered and sighed.

"I think the bull penis one is the lie. You must've eaten some piece of surströmming that day, your fingers smelt like shit after that I remember that." She claimed, making Shayne laugh.

"Are you sure?" Shayne checked with her and she nodded.

"I'm sorry Y/n, but you are very wrong-"

"Shit! No- No please, spare me!" Y/n began shouting as she watched Shayne pull the gun up from his side.

"LET ME TAKE OFF MY SWEATER FIRST PLEASE!" She continued yelling as everyone else laughed their asses off at her reaction.

Shayne let her take her sweater off and so she did.

Y/n unclipped her mic and pulled her sweater off, her t-shirt slightly following with but with the help of Courtney who held the shirt down, she threw the sweater away to the side.

While all of this was happening, Shayne felt his ears turn slightly pink at the sight of Y/n's stomach and a small part of her ribcage.

What was going on with him? He thought, blinking his quiet suggestive thoughts away.

"Okay, I'm ready." Y/n said, now only in a tanktop.

Shayne chuckled and slowly pumped the water gun, making Y/n nervous.

"Shayne! Just do i-" Y/n got interrupted by Shayne shooting water against her stomach, making Y/n jerk in shock.

The studio began laughing in the scene that just happened.

"OW! MY SIX-PACK!" Y/n joked, making the studio continue laughing, even Shayne laughed, his eyes closed as he did.

The studio calmed down and Y/n and Shayne continued the game, Shayne absolutely failing the game, getting completely drenched in water.

After a shot of water was shot against Shayne, Angela began joking about something, distracting the studio and audience of what happened anywhere else.

Y/n took the chance to look at Shayne who focused on Angela.

He had a big part of his t-shirt completely soaked, and Y/n kinda thanked herself for that, because now she could see Shayne's chest.

Her eyes drifted down a little before looking back up, but now on Angela who was still talking about who know's what.

Now it was Shayne's turn to look at Y/n, her tanktop had only gotten a little soaked, only showing some parts of her bra underneath.

Shayne had to control his breathing, his hands tightly knitted together underneath the tablecloth as he felt his ears turn pink again. He had felt Y/n's stare, he wasn't gullible, and damn did it make him feel good.

They continued the game after Angela's rant and finally it ended, ending with Y/n winning quite naturally.

The cameras turned off and the pair of them walked up to the sound manager who they handed their microphones to before walking out from the studio.

"That was fun, really." Y/n began, smiling softly at Shayne who chuckled, looking down at himself.

"Yeah, sure, maybe for you." He sighed dramatically, making Y/n grin while pushing Shayne's shoulder jokingly.

"Oh, shit, I forgot my sweater. Let me go get it." Y/n remembered, running back into the studio and getting the sweater.

As she picked up her sweater, Courtney walked up to her with a small smile.

"I saw you looking at him." She blurted out, making Y/n look up at her with slight wide eyes.

"I-"

"And he was looking at you too, y'know." Courtney said while smirking as she watched Y/n's cheeks turn slightly pink.

"Okay, fine. I was looking at him, he looked hot okay." Y/n sighed, confessing to Courtney who chuckled.

"Don't tell me that, tell it to him." She said while nodding to someone behind Y/n, who turned around to see Shayne stand there with slightly tinted ears.

"Oh-" Y/n said before trying to stutter something about how she did think like that and that it was okay if he didn't feel the same.

"Y/n, would you like to go out with me?" Shayne interrupted her rambling, making her stop in her tracks.

"What?" She asked, flabbergasted.

"Would you like to go out with me?" Shayne asked again, now with a smile on his face.

"Ye-Yeah, that'd be nice." Y/n said, now also with a grin on her face as she watched Shayne nod and walk away.

"Finally! I've waited for that since you both started working here." Courtney groaned, walking away from Y/n who stood there, excitement filling her entire body.

[darling-i-read-it]

Right Family, Wrong Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy x fem!reader

Word Count: 2.6k

Warnings: toxic relationship !!!, age gap (legal ofc, reader is in her mid to late twenties), you dated draco and then lucius lol, insinuations to smut

Author’s Note: I DONT KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS. i think i like it and i went a slightly spookier/intense route but idkkkkkk. I love writing for lucius though so this was a fun little twist 

Requested: by @russian-soft-bitch, Hello love! I'm officially requesting that Lucius idea you had, I HAVE to read it 😤 Thank you and have a good day!

Summary: What started as a revenge plot against your ex boyfriend Draco ended up with you in Lucius Malfoy’s bed. 

Song: Back to Black by Amy Winehouse 

I don’t own these characters. They belong to author/director/creator

(not my gif)

Lucius wrapped his hand around yours. You were sleeping soundly beside him, breathing evenly. Your expression was peaceful. Serene. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen you at such peace. You were always stomping around Malfoy Manor with such umph that he would’ve thought you ran the place if he didn’t. 

Your lips were parted ever so slightly. The same lips that had touched every part of him, the same lips that left marks on covered places, the same lips that whispered things to him that would never be said in the daylight. Your presence here was something he had never expected but something he granted with open arms. 

Narcissa had left him in the dust years ago. She was to raise Draco. There was no need that Lucius put himself into affairs that had nothing to do with him. Truthfully, Lucius had no real interest in raising Draco any longer. It was a project that continued to fail him. He was too much like his mother. 

Which meant he had Malfoy Manor to himself most of the time. The help walked around without making a sound. It was him in the large place and it was never lonely because now he had you. 

“Lucius,” you whispered. He hadn’t noticed your eyes open. You squinted at him for a moment and then your expression turned into a doe’s. Wide gaze, looking at him like he had all the control in the world. “You’re starring.” 

He raised his hand and brushed your face. 

“I’m admiring,” he promised. His voice was gravely. It wasn’t even light outside yet. It was still dark outside, the moon the only thing illuminating the crevices of the room. You nuzzled your head into the silk pillow. 

“Go to sleep,” you whispered. Your eyes shut again. He lost the doe look he had savored so dearly for a moment. He dragged his hand down your face to your chin, raising it. Your eyes opened again at the sudden movement. “Lucius…” 

He dipped his head down and kissed you. It was a hungry kiss, something to be relished. There was nothing like an extremely early morning with a Malfoy. You would know better than most. 

You gripped the back of his head, scrunching up his long white hair. You brought him to you so that you didn’t have to strain your neck kissing him. He was a much better kisser than his son. He was more attentive. He was cautious with his words, knowing the weight of them. 

For all of those reasons it was easy to slip from the youngest Malfoy boy to the eldest. It was easy to forget all of Draco’s vein promises when you had new ones being made by someone who would keep them. 

You opened your mouth, gasping at his cold touch. The icy night left the imprint of his hand on your cheek. He worshiped at your bare skin, making it a point to touch every inch of you as often as he could. 

There were no thoughts of Draco as he kissed down your stomach, moving lower with each deliberate kiss. 

-

There was a letter on the table. You opened it with a Malfoy letter opener. You knew that it was addressed to you before you even checked the name. Draco had always left you a special seal, one that dripped red as it dried. You wondered if he knew you were staying at the Manor or if your owl had brought it. 

You tossed the envelope back onto the table and sat down on top of it. Your black dress flowed nicely onto the ground, just barely touching the hardwood. Lucius had gotten it for you. 

Please answer my owls. I can’t speak to a wall any longer. 

It felt like a waste of paper. You tossed it aside. Draco had been an awful boyfriend, one that you grew up beside and all you had known. You had never understood what love was actually supposed to look like because Draco had promised you that he knew. 

He did not. 

You were doomed to him from the second he stared at you in the Great Hall. Slytherins were naturally tethered to one another, based on their shared personalities and pride. Draco had chosen you far too young. 

Now you were older. You had grown to be more mature. Draco hadn’t. He didn’t understand that it was truly as simple as that. Draco had hurt you. You recoiled. The relationship ended. 

“Your son sent me another letter.” Lucius walked from the kitchen to the dining room. The walls were clad with portraits of the Malfoys going back decades. The most recent was of Lucius, Narcissa and Draco. It was slightly tilted, as though someone had tried to take it down. 

“Are you going to answer it?” he asked, uninterested. 

“No.” He kissed your forehead as he passed. You watched him go to the head of the table. Dinner would be served soon. He had invited you to stay, though you likely would’ve stayed without any invitation. 

“Good girl,” he grumbled. 

What had started as a revenge plot against Draco had started to become a domestic relationship. The secret was thrilling. The only people that saw you were the help, who were sworn to silence. 

“I have to leave in the morning,” you said as you approached your seat. “Work is calling.”

“Work seems unnecessary,” he said curiously. “You could stay. I’ll give you an allowance.”

“I’m not your child. I can live my own life.” He leaned back in his seat. He had a hand wrapped around his staff as his eyes narrowed on you.

“Those statements have nothing to do with each other,” he observed. “Stay. Just a while longer. Live in his honeymoon, finally allow yourself to know what it’s like to be worshiped.” His words were alluring. “I have to go to Knockturn Alley tomorrow. You could come with me, get out of the manor if you insist on leaving.” 

You half smiled. You had never assumed Lucius to be the type to come up with other options to spend time together. You were so used to Draco who had endlessly forced you to follow him along like a lost pet and lose you in the corners like you were a joke. 

This whole thing was so cloudy. 

“I have been meaning to stop by the apothecary.” 

“It’s settled. You’ll come with me tomorrow.” He clicked his water glass with his fork. Someone brought food through the doors. You wondered what it was like to have so much power.

-

Knockturn Alley was permanently dark. At least, it seemed that way. The people rushing by never rose their faces and when they did they were indistinguishable. It was as though everyone had enchanted themselves to become mundane and unremarkable. Lucius had a hood over his head but made no attempt to hide his blonde hair. Your hood kept you shrouded, even as you walked closely beside him. He had a list of things he needed to get and you looked through the windows of the shops at things you had never studied before. 

Stores selling human fingers were of interest to Lucius. He let you go inside first as he pursued. You had never been inside a place like it before. It felt like a forbidden realm, something that was locked off to you because you had no reason to enter it. 

“Fingernails,” he muttered. “Do you see the fingernails dear?” 

You looked around, trying to stifle the reaction you had to being called dear in public. 

“Here,” you breathed. You raised your hand and he approached. “Aged,” you read from the small note card. “What do you use this for?” 

“Severus sent me a potion he’d been testing. I wanted to try it.” 

“What kind of potion?”

“An unnamed one,” he muttered. “Perhaps you could help me with it. Draco said you were rather good at potions.” You were reminded of the age difference suddenly but quickly brushed it aside. 

“I was the best in my class. Snape seemed to like me,” you said proudly. It was a fact you took pride in. Snape didn’t like just anyone. 

“I should’ve asked you to tutor Draco,” he muttered, grabbing what he needed off the shelf. 

“I tried. He was often distracted.” Lucius’s hand brushed your side as he walked past you. Like father, like son. 

You could feel prying eyes. You glanced around the dark shop that was illuminated only by floating candles. The shelves looked like people. You had to search to find anything actually moving. Your eyes landed on the sales clerk, another man who had been shrouded in a dark hood. You couldn't see his eyes but you could feel his gaze on you. You raised your chin, as though in defiance. Lucius didn’t seem to notice as he grabbed your hand and dragged you along to the next row of shelves. 

You avoided eye contact when Lucius checked out. 

-

You returned back to the Manor later that night. The sun was setting behind the peak of the house. It was like you were living your life shrouded in darkness nowadays and you couldn’t say you were complaining. It was slightly like you were constantly hidden from anything important. The door opened for Lucius. By the time it shut you couldn’t see who had been the culprit of moving it. 

Living in the house with Lucius was vastly different than living in the house with Draco. Draco knew the best hiding places but Lucius didn’t need them. You felt the most in control as you ever had. 

Lucius put down the bag of things onto the dining room counter as he walked into the room. Sitting in the chair at the other end of the room was a face you hadn’t expected to see, one that stopped you completely. 

Toying in Draco’s hand was the letter you had discarded. 

“You aren’t scheduled for a visit,” Lucius said. His voice was strong. There was no hint of weakness. You raised your chin to match his attitude. 

“This is why you haven’t been answering my letters?” Draco questioned, staring at you as though his father wasn’t there. “You found a different Malfoy to follow around like a lost puppy?” He sat forward, accusatory. 

“Draco,” Lucius snapped. You met the young Malfoy’s gaze with ice. 

“I haven’t been answering your letters because I have no interest in speaking with you.” Draco set his jaw, chewing on his cheek. Lucius took a deep breath. 

“This isn’t a ploy to make me jealous? To get me back?” he questioned but it felt more like he was stating a fact. 

“Why would I want you back?” you asked him. “Why would I beg for your forgiveness and your kindness when I know I can get it from someone I like far more?”

“My father?” 

“Yes Draco.” Draco stood up. He put his palms down on the table, leaning forward. He shook his head, a signature scowl on his face. 

“Were you plotting to steal the Malfoy money through different means because I tossed you aside like a piece of trash?”

“I wanted someone who would treat me like a woman and not like a charm to accompany his pride,” you seethed. 

“This is ridiculous. There’s no way you’re entertaining this father,” Draco said, his eyes now set on the older Malfoy. Your eyes followed his as well. Lucius had taken off his cloak and set it on a chair. He was acting completely unbothered by the conversation. 

“Draco, you’ve always been too much like your mother.” Lucius raised his chin. He eyed his son, knowing he would cower under the gaze. “If you intend on being a pest, I’ll have you escorted out of the manor.”

“Father.” 

“You were a stupendous failure Draco,” Lucius said lowly. “You took something great and you botched it with continuous frustrations. There is no need to take out those frustrations on someone who salvaged the situation or the woman.” Draco’s jaw set. “Go back to your mother. Maybe she’ll teach you some manners.” 

Draco choked on whatever words he intended to say. He took the letter he had written to you and ripped it in half. He left it on the table, dramatically. He gave you a lingering angry look before walking past the both of you out the room. The manor was so large that he could return to his room and neither you nor Lucius would ever know. 

The tension in the room defused. 

“I’ll put away the things we got,” you said, grabbing the bag from him. You took a jar with you into the kitchen. He followed you. 

“Your son is impossible,” you muttered. There were no feelings resurfaced at seeing Draco again. You wondered how long you had been over that relationship, if it had been longer than you even remembered. 

“His mothers fault.” Lucius raised his hand and brushed your hair off your shoulder and onto your back. He leaned forward and kissed your neck. You let out a soft sigh. 

“You’re distracting me from the task at hand.”

“My fault,” he muttered against your skin. 

“You have no reserves?” you asked. You turned around to look at him. He had his hands on your sides in an instant. “Your son's ex-girlfriend in your bed every night?”

“Do you have reserves?” he questioned. You weren’t sure why you were even asking the question. Lucius had done some morally challenging things in his life. There was no way this was a concern of his. You found that realization quite freeing.

“No,” you said finally. You meant it. He nodded once, proud of himself. He traced your jaw with his finger. 

“Then I don’t see any issues.” You glanced at the door Draco had left. You knew he was likely still in the manor. You kissed Lucius like it was the last thing you would ever do. You didn't care if this was a relationship that would fizzle out, all you knew in the moment was that you wanted to kiss him. You devoured his lips, holding his head so he was as close as you could get him. 

Everything else felt like an afterthought to him. It occurred to you that in the past you had had the right family, but the wrong Malfoy. He hoisted you onto the counter, pushing aside everything you had gotten from Knockturn. 

[thetriumphantpanda]

Cruel Summer | Javier Peña (Chapter One)

Javier Peña is back in Laredo, this time for good. He hadn't banked on you still being there, especially not with a wedding ring on your finger. A complicated shared history and plenty of unresolved feelings between the two of you should make for an interesting summer.

Pairing | Javier Peña x reader

Warnings | angst, fluff, swearing, alcohol consumption, eventual smut in future chapters, verbal and slight physical domestic abuse (Not from our boy Javi) but nothing else at this stage.

Word Count | 2.9K

Authors Note | So, Cruel Summer by T Swift has me in a chokehold right now and my boy Javi is getting the multi-chaptered fic he deserves from me. I wanted this to be different to what I've written before, there will be some tough reading but I want to challenge myself with this fic. Please let me know whether you like this - I've got a few chapters written and I can't wait to share them with you. Likes, reblogs, and messages in my ask box help keep me going so please do share your thoughts.

Bad Bad Boy, Shiny Toy With A Price, You Know That I Bought It.

The heat was stifling in Laredo. June had hit hard and no matter of the fact that you’d spent your whole life living here, you’d never quite got used to the summer heat. You could feel a bead of sweat pool at your collarbone as you leant over the sewing machine. Without looking up, you swiped the handkerchief sitting on the side of your worktable and dabbed at it, not wanting it to fall onto the material of Gabriela’s wedding dress that you were currently altering. 

The tinkling of the shop door hitting the bell alerted you to someone in the front of the shop. Sighing that someone had broken the concentration you had been using to focus on the seams of the dress in front of you, you stood up and went to see who had come to visit. 

“Hola Gabriela.” 

Gabriela had been your friend since school. The two of you had been inseparable, even when she’d traded small town Laredo for the bright lights of Austin to get her degree, you’d visited every weekend. As much as you’d always wanted to get out of town yourself you knew no matter what happened you’d be back so you’d decided against signing away your parents life savings and decided to open up a small tailoring shop in town. 

“Hola, querida niña,” She replied, “How are you doing today?” 

“Ah, I’m fine,” You replied, “Apart from melting in the back of the shop altering your dress.” 

“I still can’t thank you enough,” Gabriela gushed, holding a hand over the growing baby bump, “I still can’t quite believe I’m going to be one of those pregnant brides.” 

You chuckled, reaching out a hand to squeeze her shoulder, “You’ll look beautiful regardless,” You reassured her, “You’re already glowing.” 

“You’re too kind,” She replied, “Listen, I only came by to let you know a few of us are heading to the bar tonight if you wanted to join us?” 

“Ahhh Gabriela, I’m not sure, I think Ethan probably wants me at home.” 

She raised her eyebrows at you, “It was actually his idea, so no getting out of this one.”

You sighed but relented, agreeing to meet your friend at the bar once you’d closed up shop later that afternoon before giving her a hug and sending her on her way with a promise that she could come and try the altered dress on next week. 

*** 

The bar was packed by the time you arrived from the shop. People had filed in throughout the afternoon to seek shelter from the stifling heat outside. With whiskey and beer running through their veins, many of them had failed to leave after lunchtime. Standing at the bar whilst you waited for the bartender to open your beer you scanned the room looking for your friends. 

You’d found them huddled in a booth in the corner. The number of empty bottles that littered the table let you know they’d been drinking for some time. You hated it when Ethan drank too much. His short career as a college football star boosting his ego enough to make him quite possibly the most unlikeable person you’d ever met, even if you had married him. 

“Can I get a whiskey as well please?” You asked the girl behind the bar once she placed the open bottle of beer in front of you. 

She nodded and was back quickly with the whiskey which you shot in one, placing a couple of notes on the bar to cover the cost before reluctantly joining your friends in the corner. 

“Baby!” Ethan exclaimed when he saw you, pulling you down by the arm to sit on his lap, “What took you so long?” 

You took a long drag of your beer before answering, “Sorry, I was trying to get as much of Gabriela’s dress done as I could.” 

In front of everyone he pushed the hair away from your neck and placed chaste kisses behind your ear and down your neck which caused a shiver to run down your spine and not in a pleasant way. 

“Ethan please, not in front of everyone.” You chastised, standing from his lap to sit on the open chair opposite it, next to Gabriela. 

You watched closely as he shot a glare your way but was soon distracted by Gabriela’s fiancé and the rest of his friends and moved on. 

“You know, I heard some interesting new today.” Gabriela spoke into your ear so you could hear her over the music. 

“Hmmm?” You mused, turning to look at her. 

She paused, looking at the door of the bar, “Well, speak of the devil.” 

Your eyes followed her line of sight at your breath hitched in your throat. Javier Peña. Javier fucking Peña, in the flesh, back in Laredo. You, like most people in town, hadn’t seen him in years. There had been a rumour he’d been back a couple of years ago but had disappeared as soon as he’d arrived, but there was no denying he was here now. 

“Jesus fucking Christ,” You murmured, “What the hell is he doing back here?” You asked. 

“Mamá heard from Chucho that he’s back for good,” She spoke, “She doesn’t know the details but something happened in Colombia and that’s all I know.” 

You watched intently as he walked to the bar and ordered a drink. Folks who were sat at the bar or standing around it turned and gave him a welcome, some of the men clapped him on the back or shook his hand, obviously congratulating him for a job well done. 

“Aren’t you going to go and say hello?” Gabriela spoke, lower this time so no-one else on the table could hear her. 

You turned to her with open eyes, panic flooding through your veins. You lifted the bottle of beer to your lips only to find it was empty, your brain had obviously been subconsciously telling you to drink it to keep your anxiety at bay. 

“Looks like you need another, go on!” She all but pushed you from your seat into a throng of people. 

You sighed; she was right. If Javier fucking Peña was going to be in your periphery for the rest of the night you were going to need more alcohol and if he was staying around for a while you needed to rip the band aid off instead of slowly peeling at it. 

You tried to hang back from the bar as much as possible, trying to hide yourself amongst the crowd but it was just your luck that the spot that opened in front of you was right next to him. You stepped forward, leaning against the bar to wait for the bartender to notice you. You turned to face Javier who had his eyes trained into the glass of whiskey. 

“You know, it’s usually tea leaves you read for visions of the future, not whiskey.” 

He lifted his head at your voice, clearly as taken aback by your presence as you were to his. You watched as his eyes looked at your face before the spark of recognition washed over him. 

“Well, I’ll be,” He spoke, “Of all the people I thought that would still be here, you were the last person I would have guessed.” 

You shrugged, “I could say the same for you, last I heard you were gone for good.” 

He shrugged back, “Things didn’t work out.” Was all he offered. 

“That’s not what I heard.” 

“Yeah, well, you shouldn’t believe everything you hear or read.” 

The bartender stood in front of you, you handed her the empty bottle and asked for another, dropping the notes required to cover the cost on the bar as she walked away. 

“Are you back at the ranch?” You asked, attempting to steer the conversation somewhere that wouldn’t lace his voice with venom. 

“Yeah,” He sighed, “Pops needs help and it’s a good enough distraction right now,” He drained his glass of whiskey, asking the bartender to refill it when she’d placed your beer in front of you, “What about you, what’s keeping you busy?” 

You snorted through your nose, “Nothing grand, I’ve got a little tailoring shop in town, it’s small and most people tend to go to the bigger shop a few streets over but it suits me.” 

He smiled at that, “You were always creative,” He spoke, “I remember that dress you made for the summer party at school, it was lovely.” 

“Thanks,” You said, “I have to admit I’m much better now, Gabriela has entrusted me with altering her wedding dress, it’s probably the biggest responsibility I’ve ever had.” 

“I’m sure you’ll do a great job.” He shot a smile your way. 

“Well, it’s good to see you Javier,” You spoke, picking up your beer, “Don’t be a stranger.”

He placed a hand on yours that was resting on the bar and gave it a soft squeeze before you turned and made your way back to your table. You sat back down next to Gabriela before glancing at Ethan who had a face like thunder. There was no doubt he’d watched your every move when you’d left the table and you knew you were going to pay for that when you both got home. 

***

“Who were you talking to at the bar?” 

You’d barely walked into your house when Ethan started on your interrogation. 

“His name is Javier,” You replied, dropping your bag by the front entrance, “Gabriela and I knew him from school although he was a couple of years above us.” 

“Peña?” He asked, “Laredo’s resident hero?” You didn’t like his tone. 

“If you’re going to say something Ethan, then just say it.”  

“You know how I feel about you talkin’ to other men,” He started, turning away from you to pour himself a glass of whiskey, “You’re my wife.” 

“But talking to your friends is fine?” You asked, knowing that antagonizing him was probably a terrible idea, “Because you chose them, right?” 

“Don’t fuckin’ test me tonight,” He warned, “I saw the way he touched you.” 

“He touched my hand for all of two seconds Ethan, for crying out loud!” You exclaimed, “He was my friend and I’d not seen him in years.” 

You watched as Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose to calm himself down before draining his glass and pouring another one. 

“I want you to stay away from him,” He spoke lowly, the voice you knew was a warning to you to not push him any further, “Chris told me you weren’t just friends so don’t fucking lie to me.” 

“Well Chris is full of bullshit, he didn’t know me then and he sure as hell doesn’t know me now, Javier has never been more than a friend to me, but go ahead, believe whatever you want.” 

You turned on your heel to walk down to the bedroom before feeling a hand clamp around your upper arm and drag you back. 

“Don’t you dare walk away from me,” He spat right into your face, “You stay away from him, do you understand me?” 

“Yes, I understand,” You relented, “Please let go of me Ethan, you’re hurting me.” 

He did as you asked, turning away almost immediately to let you walk away. It was the same as always. You’d do something to upset him, he’d grab you, put pressure on you enough to hurt you and then let you go once you turned on your sickly-sweet voice to tell him you were hurting. Then you’d wrap yourself up in bed, pretend to be asleep when he came to bed and lie awake all night wondering what the hell had gone so wrong with your life. 

***

It had been a busy few days following the weekend. Gabriela had come in for her fitting and had decided the arms on the dress needed to go. It would be too hot, and she would be too pregnant to handle the lace sleeves she’d chosen originally so you’d been pulling long hours in the shop basically constructing her a an entirely new gown. You’d be lying to yourself if you weren’t also avoiding spending too much time at home with Ethan and trying to avoid Javier out in public. 

It was just after lunch time when the door of the shop opened, pulling you from your job of dressing the mannequins with some of the dresses you’d made a few weeks ago and to your dismay, Javier was standing in the doorway with an armful of clothes. 

“Oh, Javier, nice to see you,” You spoke politely, “Just give me a minute to button this up and I’ll be right with you.” 

“Take your time, Querida.” He responded, walking over to the counter to set his items down. 

You quickly fastened the buttons of the dress and placed the mannequin in the window before heading to the counter. 

“What can I do for you?” 

“I’d forgotten quite how ranch life worked,” He admitted, “I’ve popped the buttons off two pairs of jeans since I came back but there’s still life in them, do you think you can replace them?” He asked. 

You unfolded the jeans he’d put on the counter; it would be a simple fix for sure, “Yeah of course, it shouldn’t take me more than a few minutes if you wanted to hang around, I can do them now.” 

“If it’s not too much trouble?” 

“Not at all,” You smiled, taking the jeans in your hands, “If you come back here you can sit whilst I work.” 

You led him into the tiny workshop in the back where you kept your sewing machine. Motioning for him to sit on the chair you kept for customers you took your own chair and rifled through the drawers to find suitable buttons. 

“So, apart from ruining your jeans, how is the ranch treating you?” You asked as you picked out a needle and thread. 

“It’s the same as it’s always been,” He replied, “I guess ranching never changes and Pops has done a good job in keeping it going on his own.” 

“Chucho never fails to amaze me,” You mused as you threaded the needle, “I’m sure he’s glad to have you back.” 

Javier scoffs lightly, “I think mostly I’m a hinderance, I’m not as young as I was and all those cigarettes are finally catching up with me,” You didn’t reply, instead focusing on situating the button before you began sewing it onto the material, “And how about you? Pops said you got married a few years ago?” 

Your hands stilled as you looked up at him, “Uh yeah, it’ll be two years in September,” You forced a smile, “It happened pretty quickly but then most things do down here.”  “What’s he like?” Javier asked, you could feel his eyes boring into you as you tried to concentrate on sewing without stabbing your fingers. 

“He’s nice,” You replied simply, “He runs a sales business with one of his buddies from college which managed to buy us a house last year.”  “Nice, huh?” You knew he could see right through you, “Well I’m glad, you always deserved someone… nice.” 

Another moment when you stilled your hands at their work, this time refusing to meet his gaze that you could tell was still fixed on you, “And you?” You asked back.

“Marriage, me?” You could sense some tension in his voice, “The first time I got near I realized I could never be that man for someone, and I knew Colombia wasn’t forever, so no, I’m not married.” 

“Well, now you’re back I’m sure you’ll find plenty of willing volunteers.” 

He chuckled, but didn’t respond, “And your family, how’re they?” 

“Mamá is the same as always,” You mused, finishing up the sewing of the first button, deciding to look at him this time, “But dad died last year.” 

You watched his features soften a little, “Ah hermosa, I’m sorry.” He offered and you can tell there was genuine sympathy, he’d lost his mother many years ago but must know the pain that comes with losing a parent. 

“Está bien, Javier,” You replied, slipping into the small amount of Spanish you had, “He was sick for a while, so it was more of a relief than anything else.” 

“It’s still never easy,” He offered, “And he was a good man, I’m surprised Pops didn’t say anything, they were close.” 

You shrugged but didn’t say anything opting to focus on finished his second pair of jeans. You worked in silence and were done in a few minutes. 

“There, all done now.” You smiled, folding the two pairs of jeans and handing them back to him before leading him back to the front of the store. 

You handed him the jeans back and watched as he fished into his jeans for his wallet, “Oh don’t worry about it, it was a five-minute job, treat it as a welcome home gift.” 

“Don’t be silly, Querida, let me pay you.” 

“Honestly Javier, put your wallet away.” 

He looked at you and finding the serious look on your face he put his wallet back in his pocket, “Well, thank you, I really appreciate it.” 

“No problem, drop in anytime you need anything.” You called as he turned to walk out of the shop. 

He stilled for a moment at the door and you stared at his back, wondering what was stopping him from leaving before he turned his head slightly over his shoulder to speak to you. 

“I’m sorry, hermosa.” 

And then he was gone. 

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[tamurilofrivendell]

Hello, I very much enjoy your works! I would love to see 15 from the list you reblogged with Thranduil if you feel so inclined. Thank you! :)

Thank you so much, I'm glad you like reading my silly little writings! This is what came out so hopefully this isn’t too awful for you!! <3

title: First Kiss

pairing: Thranduil/Reader

summary: Reader's father is a valued council member to King Thranduil and Reader has had feelings for the king for a very long time. Turns out the king may just return those feelings.

prompt: (#15 on this list). It’s in bold in the text below.

It was Mereth Nuin Giliath and you were the most excited you had been in a long time as you readied yourself for the celebration that was to come. It was one of your favourite festivals and you could not wait for the night of dancing and feasting and singing that lay ahead.

The night passed in a beautiful blur of colours and laughter and exquisite wine. You had just finished twirling with a friend on the dancefloor before excusing yourself. You rushed out of the great doors of the hall and out into the night, seeking some fresh air. Your cheeks were flushed from the warmth of the hall and the alcohol courtsing through your veins. Leaning against a railing, you turned your gaze skyward and sighed contentedly.

“You looked to be enjoying yourself.” Came the deep voice from somewhere behind, causing you to nearly jump right out of your own skin. Turning, your gaze fell upon the tall form of the Elvenking pacing carefully towards you.

Immediately dipping into a little bow as your eyes went wide at his appearance. You had seen him across the ballroom a few times but he was engaged in deep conversation with many different people as he always was at these kinds of events. “My Lord Thranduil!” You looked up, nodding quickly. “Oh, I--I was. I am! It is wonderful.”

“Then why do I find you out here all alone, hm?” He questioned, moving to lean against the balcony himself, peering out at the view though it scarcely interested him as much as you standing beside him.

“I just need a moment to catch my breath, my lord.” You explained, sending a little smile his way. “I seem to have imbibed a little too much wine.”

No matter how many times you would come into contact with the king, he never failed to make you so uncontrollably nervous that it was downright embarrassing. It had to be obvious, you knew it, though ever the gentleman he had never drawn attention to it, never mocked you, looked down on you. You just thought he was... perfect. There was no other way to put it. King Thranduil had been the unwitting object of your affections for too many years for you to count. Your father was a prominent figure on his council, a trusted friend in truth, and so you had had a great many interactions with the king over the years. As awkward as you felt you could be around him, it never made in his presence any less thrilling.

“I hope you do not mind if I keep you company?” He inquired, glancing back over his shoulder towards the hall where the festival was still in full swing before he turned back to you and leaned in conspiratorily. “I am afraid that I tire of all the boring political small talk and would much rather hide out here with you.”

You giggled at his tone, his words warming you even as you told yourself it meant nothing, following his lean as you whispered back. “Do not worry, my lord. I will not tell a soul.”

Thranduil grinned as he leaned back and you did your best not to mourn the loss of his closeness. You went quiet, studying him for a few moments, though did your best not to be overly obvious about it. His crown was sitting atop his head and he was clad in a perfectly fitted green and gold brocade tunic, a matching robe, and his favourite boots over plain breeches. Your eyes followed the wave of his fair hair over his broad shoulders, wondering what it would be like to run your fingers through it.

However, when you lifted your gaze to his face, you found that he was already watching you and probably had been the entire time. There was a kind smile on his face but you felt mortified nonetheless, turning your head to look back out at the view, biting your lip. Oh, Valar, you could have burst into tears of embarrassment right there and then!

Thranduil shifted beside you, his hand coming into view as he gently tilted your chin towards him with a finger, urging you to look back at him. “Do not be ashamed.” He murmured, gaze roaming across your face for a long moment before he spoke again. “I fear, my lady, my motives for leaving the party are not entirely as pure as I made them out to be.”

You were pretty sure that your face was bright red at this point but you dare not look away in case you upset him by defying him. Not that he had actually given you a direct order to look at him but still... your mind was all over the place. “Wh--what do you mean, my lord?”

His finger was still under your chin and you gasped a little when his thumb came into contact with your mouth, gently brushing across your lower lip. The two of you stood like that for a long moment, just sort of looking back at each other, as you tried to calm your now reeling mind.

“But...” You breathed, a soft frown clouding your expression as your gaze briefly dropped from his face to the collar of his tunic. “I have never kissed anybody before.” The admission slipped from your mouth before you could even think about it, cheeks immediately heating up once more when you realised what you had said. First of all, he hadn’t actually said that he wanted to kiss you, what if you had simply misunderstood?! Secondly, it just felt embarrassing to say it out loud to him, though you were not sure why exactly.

Thranduil didn’t speak for a moment, he simply looked back at you, studying your face like he was committing you to memory. You really started to think that you had misunderstood and he was trying to decide how to let you down easy, when he finally spoke again.

“I see. Well, if that is the case, my lady...” Thranduil’s perfect mouth curled into a devastating smirk as he gazed back at you. “...I can show you how it works.”

If you had still been drinking, there was no doubt that you would have choked on it. Your gaze snapped back up to his face again, wondering if this was some kind of joke or if you had started hallucinating all of a sudden. Your tongue flicked out over your lower lip as you did your best to calm yourself, doing your utmost to stop your whole body shaking as you looked at him, up into the eyes of the king, which were full of gentle humour as he looked down at you. He did not look like he was playing with you. Yes he looked amused but he also looked kind. His gaze dropped to your mouth when your tongue flicked out and you realised, to your absolute horror, he had not yet moved his thumb and you had just licked it!

You immediately began to stammer out an apology, trying to jump back away from him in pure mortification, but Thranduil gently reached for your wrist and tugged you back to him, shaking with soft laughter as his other hand moved to your waist. The fingers around your wrist released you and returned to your chin, tilting your face gently so you were looking at him again.

“Do not be ashamed.” He whispered, echoing his earlier sentiment as he leaned in, closing the now minute distance between the two of you, and pressed his lips to yours in the sweetest kiss you could ever have imagined. Your lashes fluttered as your eyes closed and you practically melted into him. If it hadn’t been for him supporting your waist, your legs might have completely just given out beneath you.

He kissed you a few more times this way before, when he felt no resistance, he started to kiss you a little harder and began to silently ask for entry into your mouth. You were not sure what to do but when he, sensing this, nipped at your lower lip, you gasped and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue into your mouth. The new sensation overwhelmed you but it was not horrible and, as his tongue sought out yours, you found that you enjoyed the dance.

You became a little bolder, following his lead but feeling a little more confident when he seemed to enjoy kissing you. When you heard something close to a low growl rumbling in his chest, you moved, pushing yourself closer to him, fingers clutching the fabric of his tunic. He seemed to like this if the way he grabbed your hips with both hands and pressed you back against the nearest pillar, deepening the kiss hungrily, was anything to go by.

You had no way to gauge the time that had passed until he finally pulled back and broke the kiss. You opened your eyes, trying to hold in the whine that you felt bubbling up at the loss. You didn’t quite manage and your disappointment was plain to see on your face as he smirked softly down at you.

“Do not worry, my darling.” He whispered, reaching up to brush a stray wisp of hair back into place. “This is only the beginning.”

[kay-elle-cee]

A restless waves rise and fall microfic (series). 🏴‍☠️ Pirate Jily AU. @jilymicrofics August Prompt 9: Discrete || 859 Words

“Love, I believe someone is staring at you.”

Lily lifts her gaze from the map in front of them, allowing her eyes to trail over to where her husband’s staring.

Across the bustling tavern from them a man leans against the wall, knuckles clenched tightly around a tankard in his hand as his eyes—beady and black and set in a pale face framed by slick black curtains of hair—remain fixed on the captain and first mate of The Minnie.

An echo of panic shoots through her veins as she keeps her face cool and unbothered, dropping her eyes back down to the map with little interest.

“Ah, yes. We were on a crew together.” Lily pauses, drawing a line of dashes on the map towards their next destination before letting out a sigh. “He’s the reason I went ashore all those years ago. Well, main reason. It was a piss poor ship to be on, all in all.”

“That was the…” James trails off, trying to recall all the stories she’s told him. “Sailing Serpent?”

Lily nods, reaching for her drink and taking a swig as she looks at him. “Aye. And that captain—Mulciber—the worst I’ve ever served under. Bullied his crew, thought he was too important to fail and nearly got us killed several times over.”

“And is that him?”

“No,” she answers, pursing her lips and looking back down at the map. “That’s Severus Snape. The Serpent’s keeper of the code and pain in my bloody side. He was hell-bent on proving there was something funny going on with Lawrence Evans.”

James stiffens beside her. “Did he…figure you out?”

Lily shakes her head, “No, but nearly. He had a hunch and was obsessive about proving himself right. I don’t know what his angle was but…” her brow furrows as she’s taken into a far-away memory, “…that was not a ship I wanted to be found out on.”

A warm hand covers hers on the table and she’s pulled out of the memory, into the present of her new life. Her open, honest, freeing life. The wrinkle in her brow smooths and she gives James a soft smile.

“Jumped ship at The Republic of Pirates and never looked back,” Lily says with a raised chin and a quirk of her eyebrow, flipping her palm up and laces her fingers with his. “I’d say I’ve done pretty well for myself.”

His hand squeezes hers and they sit there for a moment, smiling and lost in the sparkle of each other’s eyes when the sound of a throat clearing jolts them back to the present.

James’ other hand surreptitiously drops to his sheathed sword as their attention turns to this newcomer—Severus Snape—whose eyes dart from Lily to James and back again.

“Pardon the interruption,” he begins cooly and wholly unapologetic, his eyes fixated on Lily, “but you look quite familiar.”

Lily makes an effort to stay calm, drawing strength from not only the presence of James beside her, but the Potter heirloom—her wedding ring—that hangs discretely around her neck and tucked into her shirt for safekeeping. The physical reminder of the life she's built.

She raises an eyebrow. “I’ve gotten that before. I imagine it’s the hair.”

Snape’s eyes roam her face and she has to fight not to shift under the scrutiny. “No, I’m quite certain we’ve met—I realize this sounds ridiculous, but were you ever aboard The Sailing Serpent?”

Lily blinks, and she can feel James’ hand tight on hers, his eyes watching closely for any signs of distress. “Sorry, doesn’t ring a bell.”

“You’re sure? You look nearly identical to an old crewmate." He squints, eyes glinting with suspicion, and Lily practically feels him imagining her with short, tied-back hair and a deep voice. "Lawrence Evans?”

Expression still neutral, she shrugs, but takes care to make her voice light even in its firmness. “Don’t know any Evanses. The name’s Potter.” Her hold on James' hand strengthens. "Lily Potter."

Severus Snape's black eyes flicker once more between her and James and whatever conclusion he comes to, he nods and steps back with a soured grimace. “My mistake.” With a final scan of her face, he turns and walks away, but something in Lily's stomach sits heavy, not convinced in the slightest that he's content with the interaction.

“Lily Potter,” James hums lowly, and she can hear the grin in his voice as it pulls her out of her worry—she’s still Evans on the ship, so he relishes every public reminder of their union. His hand drops from hers and snakes around her shoulders, pulling her tight. “You’re magnificent.”

Her heart pounds—from the adrenaline, from the love—but her eyes dart around the room. “If Snape’s here, Mulciber’s likely not far behind. We should get back to the ship and avoid them if we can.”

When her eyes meet his after scanning the room, they’re close to her and shining with pride behind his glasses, and whatever unpleasantness Snape’s presence had wrought melts away. She leans forward, pressing her lips against his. “I love you, you know that?”

“Yes, love, I do.” He gives her another kiss. “Now let’s go.”

Read on Ao3 (and subscribe there to see these a bit earlier)

[blackjackkent]

Finally made it to Nine-Fingers' office!

I actually passed it on the way into the Guildhall and definitely didn't actually need to do all that wandering around. XD Ah well. Exploration is never wasted (and we found Mol!).

The biggest mystery about this office is that it has three doors, all equally accessible, but only one of them is illegal to open and locked. Go figure.

[crashes through one of the unlocked doors] NINE-FINGERS I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR GANG WAR; TELL ME WHERE MINSC IS!

She's busy talking with a very creepy-looking masked guy (I assume a leader of one of the groups that make up the confederation of the Guild).

"It's an orphanage, Uktar. What would you have me do, seize their toys as payment?"

"They failed to pay tribute. We should withdraw our protection, at the very least."

"And cede more ground to the Stone Lord? You're not suggesting I yield a single inch of the city - my city - to this cult?"

"I-- we already look weak! If you're seen to be forgiving debts..."

"I didn't say 'forgive.' Seize the building. Arm any children old enough. If they protect what's mine, we'll consider that a start on what's owed."

"...Yes, Guildmaster."

OK, so this lady seems like a badass. I love me a good Aria T'Loak vibe - powerful, possessive of that power, ready to kick the shit out of anyone who crosses her - and we're definitely in that general vein here. Hopefully we can stay on her good side.

At this point they noticed Hector and co. wandering in - particularly Jaheira.

"Excuse me? This is a private council."

"Keep your underpants clean, Uktar. We're playing host to a hero." She turns towards Jaheira, looks her over with a smirk. "You owe me a gold piece, grandmother. When I heard you died out in the wilderness, I made an offering at Kelemvor's well."

"Of gold?" Jaheira responds dryly. "I did not know I meant so much to you, guildmaster."

"I'm terribly sentimental," Keene quips. "Case in point - I've just let a Harper walk through my Guildhall, noticeably unholed. Because I'm curious - about why you're here, and who it is you've brought with you."

She flicks a glance at Hector, although it's clear he is very much a secondary interest.

Normally Hector would just let Jaheira do the talking here, but Jaheira specifically mentioned asking him to do the talking with Keene, so he will do his best.

"Hi there!" he says brightly. "I'm a friend of Jaheira's."

("Jaheira approves." ^_^ )

"How nice," Keene says coolly. "You won't find many of those in my Guildhall."

"We won't tax your hospitality too long, Nine-Fingers," Jaheira says briskly. "I'm searching for Minsc of Rashemen."

The guildmaster tilts her head to the side and smiles slowly. "A big name, that. Such information does not come cheap, High Harper - not in normal times. Of course... seeing as these are not normal times, and we're all such good friends... I'll do better than tell you where he is. I'm bringing him here as we speak."

Hector's eyebrows shoot up. Jaheira stiffens, her eyes narrowing with a sudden, visible flash of hope.

Keene is very aware of the reaction she is engendering, because she lets it linger a moment before she sticks the knife in.

"Or parts of him, at least," she finishes coldly. "I gave no orders about the condition of his corpse."

Hector's fists clench at his sides, but before he can speak, Jaheira has surged forward, a rage flaring into her eyes unlike anything he has seen from her before. "What treachery is this, Nine-Fingers?!" she roars. Her hands twitch towards the blades on her back. "Have you thrown in with the Absolute too?"

Keene's smile turns brittle. "Against my own city?" she answers icily, not flinching back from Jaheira's glare. "Careful - you're in very real danger of hurting my feelings."

Her lip curls in a vindictive sneer. "It's *Minsc* who's found his faith with Faerun's newest god. And a new name with it - the Stone Lord."

All the color drains from Jaheira's face and she goes completely still. "Lies..." she whispers hoarsely.

Oh my god.

OK so first of all - WHAT THE FUCK NO MINSC NOOOOOOO

Second - this feels so obvious in retrospect. An anonymous reader (who I would totally tag here if I knew who they were, to let them know I finally hit the payoff) let me know a few days back that Minsc is LITERALLY ALIVE BECAUSE HE WAS A STATUE FOR A CENTURY. Of COURSE he's the fucking Stone Lord. Especially since the last time Jaheira saw him he was being pounced on by 124135124 Absolutist mind flayers; him becoming one himself is even more likely than him being dead, which was already pretty likely.

After my massive victory moment with the Emperor's identity earlier this afternoon I'm doubly annoyed I didn't make this connection. XD

Third - AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOO WE MUST SAVE MY BOY AND HIS HAMSTER >:|

Hector gets to take over the dialogue here which makes a certain amount of sense because Jaheira is PISSSSSSSSED and UPSET and I want to give her a HUG. D: Clock her incredibly angry face on the right side while Hector tries to salvage the situation:

"What makes you think he's joined the Absolute?" Hector asks. "Maybe he just doesn't like thieves."

"Aye," Keene says with a shrug, leaning against the desk behind her. "I considered that. But there's a pattern to his strikes - an intent. In his short reign, the Stone Lord and his crew have earned a reputation. Pure brutality. No survivors. And where he mows my people down, this ripe little cult takes root."

Oh, Minsc, buddy, no. :( That is not buttkicking for goodness, that is buttkicking for BADNESS. Don't do that.

"But not for much longer," Keene finishes coldly. "We have word on where he plans to hit next - and he'll find us ready to hit back this time."

Jaheira swallows and spreads her hands in a placating gesture; her voice softens, and Hector can hear the note of deep pain underlaying it. "Nine-Fingers--" she begins, then stops, tries again. "Astele. Call off your ambush. Tell us where he is, and we'll handle this."

"'We'?" Keene answers disdainfully. "I heard what happened to your Harpers, Jaheira. I'm sorry - but this fight's too big for you alone."

"She's not alone," Hector points out. "She has me."

("Jaheira approves.")

Keene's eyes flash with sudden irritation. "If you're half the friend you're posing as," she snaps, "you'll tell her that her part in this is done. The Stone Lord's fate is sealed. We have a bigger war to fight. I'd rather turn our talk to that, but if you need a moment, Jaheira..."

She pauses, looks at Jaheira for a long moment, and then her expression softens almost imperceptibly. "Well, you've earned that much. My Guildhall is open to you. Have a drink, Jaheira. Have a *rest.*"

And then the softness is gone, and her whole attitude goes cold as steel. "Just leave well enough alone. It would be a shame for the city to lose two of its heroes in one day."

[river-in-the-woods]

Your previous response was fascinating and gave me a new perspective I didn't consider when it comes to the energy of the spirits! In a similar vein, what are your thoughts on when we perceive fellow people? I form impressions based on eye contact and other characteristics. Maybe it's my clairsentience (?) that gives me ideas or feelings but it comes in like a scale of 1 to 10. Tens are bad news I can't bear to look at for too long. There's also people I didn't find immediately off but felt a quiet reservation upon encountering. I think I happened to pick up on a flaw of theirs that had the potential to inconvenience me and It does--leaving any good faith I had of them in tatters. The signs are sometimes clear as flashing sirens I can't ignore but then they're quiet, almost like whispers. These small voices still warn but I wish they would speak louder😓

How interesting for you to bring this up 🙂

I have a degree of clair-sentience or -cognisance which has been present from a young age. It gives me an instinctual knowledge of whether a person is trustworthy, whether they might deceive or harm me.

Sometimes I can tell at a glance. Other times the instinct gradually makes itself known as the person speaks and interacts with me. It can feel like instant alarm and suspicion, but more often I feel the subtle reservation and discomfort you mentioned. They don’t have to do or say anything particular, I simply observe and my instincts stir.

One of my favourite examples of this happened when I brought up my 'people senses' in a conversation with a couple of housemates at university. They were talking about former friends who had mistreated or betrayed them. Out of interest, they showed me a few group photographs of themselves and their friends.

Their question: "In this photograph, who are the people I'm no longer friends with?" In other words, who were the 'friends' that had mistreated them.

I looked at each of the faces on the photographs, and asked myself if I would trust that person. I pointed out the ones I would not trust. I was right about every single one.

I suspect that 'voice' rings louder the more harmful and unreliable someone is. But people are complicated.

There are those who have good intentions and fail to follow through. There are those who are deeply, sincerely kind, but have so little control over their lives and their emotional impulses, that they end up hurting you anyway. There are those whose perceptions are riddled with ignorance in some places, clarity in others. There are people trying to be kind and virtuous, but are lacking in skill or experience. And there are people who are just innately incompatible with you for one reason or another.

These are the people who inspire that sense of reservation. "They're not bad people, but maybe I should keep a distance..."

Also, there are people who are intimidating, irritating, even offensive - but not truly harmful. All bark and no bite. Sometimes they are kind underneath, other times they are simply not worth the trouble!

My 'people sense' is most noticeable with those that bite, but don't bark. People who seem ordinary, and have not revealed themselves as potential harm or trouble. Yet for some unknown reason I feel I cannot, must not, trust them.

I can't always use it to tell whether someone is lying to me - it depends - but by proxy I can tell if they would lie to me. Or, if they are prone to being deceived themselves and would likely spread false information.

Logic and experience feeds into this. If you can read body language, or simply observe a person's interests and ambitions. Who, where and how they spend their time. That information will mingle with your clair senses.

Remember that it's never "either or". Everyone has strengths and flaws, and so can be trusted with some things, but not others. And that will depend on how your life and your needs intersect with theirs.

The main obstacle that interferes with my instincts is that I have a soft and forgiving heart. If there is any evidence of a person's goodness, then I want to give them a chance, to watch and wait and understand them better. This is a virtuous thing, but it must be balanced out with decisiveness and self-esteem.

My mother also has a degree of claircognisance. She can spot a troublesome person with a single glance. She has a way of predicting the future too, in a rather mundane way. However, she is different to me, in that she focuses on the negative qualities of others. Thus she's prone to isolating herself and assumes more pessimistic outcomes.

This sort of subtle skill requires empathy, observation, and the dissolving of personal biases. This is what allows one to perceive the disposition of others and what their tendencies are.

As I've grown older, I get less of the 'alarmed' response and more 'general caution'. People have fewer means to hurt me because I've grown more resilient and resourceful, and so whether they can harm me is a question of whether I let them. But for the same reason, I trust more easily. I meet people who I just know I am safe with, because I sense their kindness and intelligence.

It can be easy for biases to overrule this subtle sense. And since it doesn't come with any visions or extraordinary sensations, it can be easily dismissed as well. At times it's also bothersome because I know if I can trust someone, but not why or how. Nonetheless, it is an underrated source of protection and good fortune.

Thank you for your question 💚

[unofficialadamtaurus]

First of all CONGRATS for finishing! It could not have been easy (I say as I remember all the times you were sore, bruised, and/or sick while trying to write a chapter LIKE BRUH), especially when each and every chapter is god tier. Seriously homie, you’re amazing!!

But FOR REAL WTF?? these dudes keep working after having infiltrated a massive fucking whale, stopped a Grimm invasion, got exploded to bits, and fought an immortal milf? Babes pls get some. Idk. SLEEP.

Naw but i really do love to see it. Also especially love to see how much they support each other through it 🥹 honestly the highlight of the chapter for me.

GOD like this moment when all of RWBY hug is HNNNNGSOZHBEHAOXH

Blake and Weiss joined the hug by some unspoken signal. Ruby melted into their embrace like so many petals and Blake's heart melted with her. "I missed you guys."

THEY ARE FAMILY OKAY AND I JUST GXHWIYZBXOYWNJ

Ruby is being particularly adorable too (the carrots line killed me 💀) but also like GURL YOU ARE LITERALLY BLIND RN STAY IN BED??

Yang nodded. "We'll get through it. Speaking of getting through things…can we talk?"

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Yang shuddered at her touch. Their lips brushed when Blake continued: "Let's skip that part this time."

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

THOSE TWO ARE SO *frantic arm gestures* YKNOW??? Im happy they got a happy ending because yeah I doubted it for sec okay 😩

LMAO at the reoccurring Oscar interruption but wait FUCK THE KID IS FUCKING DYING?? UGH god I didn’t expect the Oscar and Ozpin thing to hurt as much as it did. Ozpin deserves good things too dammit whyyy 😭😭

GODDAMN Adam and Blake conversations are always so top tier is2g. There’s something I love so much about this conversation brooo. Blake’s resolve and care towards him just 🥹 UGH. her unwavering stares? Easily expressed gratitude? Instant forgiveness (nothing to really forgive cuz like corruption feels like shit and pretty violating and traumatizing tbh fr but she does it anyway to help him feel better ANDANDAND—)? THE LETTER???

OWHXISOWHXNIWOEUDNCKEIHWKFIW I JUST LOVE IT WHEN SOMEONE CARES ABOUT HIM AND HE FEELS IT OKAY

And FUCK I love this part

He swallowed and looked away, unsure how to respond to that. He didn't want to say "You're welcome," because they weren't, and this was never going to happen again. Even if, in some small corner of his heart, the knowledge that he'd helped to save the world like some kind of fantasy hero radiated a gentle heat that would warm him for a long time to come.

YOU DIDNT HAVE TO GO THAT HARD HOMIE IM ALREADY CRYIN 😭

Also LIVING for Neo and Adam team up. Neo’s expressive mannerisms are genuinely so fun to read UGH it’s PERFECT. And the “Don’t stay too long” for Qrow OAISBXOIENWOWIDN

He clipped Blush to his belt and let the spark flare unhindered.

Homie when I tell that IM FUCKING LIVING FOR THISS

"'Part of starting over is saying goodbye. You were first; now it's my turn. If you want to, you'll see me again.

"'Goodbye, Blake.'"

OWJDNEOWHNDDIJENEIDNXIEUWNDIFUENEIDIXJNWO IM EMOTIONAL

wait omfg I think I forgot to mention to Jaune 💀 I don’t hate him I swear The way his semblance and aura are practically working against each other is a REALLY interesting and nice touch, and i don’t think ive ever seen it applied like this. And I love his “i went from nothing to nothing line” and how he’s just so glad he was able to save somebody. 🥹 it captured that part of his character so well and tbh the same goes for all the others (me @ ruby rn is going “bitch is you BLIND”). It’s a really neat touch to the chapter!!

I can't tell if you've read the epilogue yet, but either way I am injecting every keysmash in this message directly into my veins. Your reviews were one of the things I most looked forward to when writing a new chapter - I was excited to see which lines you'd specifically comment on. You're probably at least 20% of the reason this story got finished at all lol.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for never failing to bring a smile to my face when commenting 😊

[shibonzakura]

ZoTash Fanfic OPLA fanmade version. Chapter 1

Under the cut to avoid cluttering the dash. PLEASE DO NOT REBLOG UNLESS YOU ASK ME FIRST.

It's Raining Somewhere Else

"Says a man who failed to get himself out of a hole on the first try". It's raining like the sky itself is weeping for a bond lost and this wasn't supposed to happen. On the opposite sides of the battlefield. One a pirate hunter turned pirate and the other a face from the past turned into a mere copycat marine.

They had met on the marine's day off. An unlucky coincidence. Star crossed in the worse sense. Could had been friends. Might had sailed as hunters of the unjust. Things don't always work out however. Some can never follow their dreams. They told his captain that all the time.

"What matters is that I got out. You wouldn't have lasted even one second in there glasses. And stop saying what she would had said!".

She probably would had gotten out on the first try thanks to the pure undulated rage that the marine was seething towards the pirate hunter. The only kind you could find in only a few men or women in her case. Kuina never was this vindictive but that's a given. Zoro himself never really did mock or belittle her like the marine in front of him. The pirate hunter blames her profession as being the soldiers of cruelty. A weak paper thin thing to make an excuse upon. Really? Stooping this low? Her pettiness was rubbing off on him and Zoro hates it.

"Me? Taking on a personality of others? You lying cad!! How dare you accuse me of stealing things. Pirate! I'm my own person, now and until I face my end at the sharp edge of a blade!"

Veins visible on his forehead appear on their own in a comical fashion, like they responded too honestly from his emotions that were spiking in intensity. Okay that did it. No more mister nice guy. Time to finish this fight once and for all. Her skill of drawing her blade much faster than himself was impressive but it was no match for his more experience in more brutal of fights. The marine's blade, which his captain had called 'Skiing' like the Straw Hat teen had also called his own sword 'something Itchy something Monkey' falls from her hand and onto the soaked ground below.

"Your loss. Now get out of here before I change my mind. Never show your face to me again Copycat".

Although, she can't really get away as he keeps her stuck between himself and the wall as the others in her squad look on in awe, like they are seeing something more risqué than just a battle being over. There's the scent of the faint smell of cherry blossoms coming off from the marine. Plus, the familiar one of steel that both have because of the ways of the samurai both had taken at an early age. Tashigi focuses on the closeness of the pirate hunter's earrings, finding more courage to say the line that might change them forever.

"Like I will you filthy liar! Cheater. If you feel that way, finish me. I don't deserve this blade or my life. Kill me and just get on with it.".

Those words. Spoken so long ago by Zoro himself to Kuina. Why is the marine parroting his words too now? It hurts his head and the pirate hunter doesn't want anything to do with this annoying woman who helped him not get the Wado Ichimonji sold for a cheap price to that crook in the sword shop. The way she smiled like a child on Christmas on holding it in her hands with loving care unlike the unworthy ones who just saw a tool to cut rather than someone's soul and chattering away about her interesting hobby of loving blades. Zoro even remembers the way his heart thumped in his chest when the pirate hunter saw the woman for the first time.

And no, it's not because she looked like Kuina. She was pretty in a traditional sort of way despite her awful taste in blouses. He's not sure how to feel about that, her. Any of this. Even her sword that she carried was, how did someone put it into words….cute? Gah! This is stupid. Luffy needed him right this second. No time for distractions. Can't, won't. Not on his dreams or in them. That one time when he got roped in with her schemes of getting him a job by working for the marines and moping the floors with three of them in hand because of said oxymoron situation, didn't happen. Nope. Not gonna remember that. Focus!

"No. You look too much like the one I made a promise to all those years ago. A friend who died. I can't do this, I won't do this and I am wasting time". It's simple and he leaves, letting the marine defend for herself, not looking back. Zoro has said too much. Not even his crew knew about his past. Sure he had a friend, however, Zoro didn't say who that was in passing. But unlike with Kuina, this woman doesn't let sleeping sharks lie. Oh no. This was quite the opposite.

The fury is not quelled, it's only ignited into the flames of hatred, shame, and vengeance. To chase the pirate hunter turned pirate to the ends of the earth. As the green haired swordsman runs away to help his captain, the words to meet again as bitter enemies to something more escape the lips of the defeat scorned not taken seriously woman with the bespectacled face says,

"I, Dracule Tashigi, promise to fight, train and kick your butt for as long as I live. Roronoa Zoro".

Somewhere in the distant Grand Line, a small miniscule sneeze can be heard, waking a man from his peaceful and relaxing slumber. Someone was talking about his last name, but who? The last person who dared say the words 'Dracule' was a mockery of the way of the sword. Estranged.

Someone who was only a memory. Before anyone called him the greatest swordsman. Only a babe when Gol D. Roger was executed. The one who foolishly believed his lie about the swords crying out and collecting them so that they would leave him alone for the day. Reason why he joined the warlords in the first place as marines had used blackmail of the worse kind on someone as powerful as him. A disgusting weakness.

"So you are still alive. The Grace with still no Power. My foolish stubborn daughter. Living in my shadow since forevermore. Tashigi".

[tobiasdrake]

Back on the road again. We're gonna find us a boat and crew.

Alright, we've stuffed our literate new bestie in a backpack and we're ready to go.

Looks like Garl is carrying her. That makes sense; He's physically strong and he has a huge pack for carrying his cookware and ingredients.

Just a quick pass by the "Mountains are nice" monster unapologetically stolen whole-ass from Chrono Trigger and we should be on our way to civilization.

Teaks was saying something about a broken lift, though? I'm not sure I--

...

Oh.

You know, I spotted the Sleeper earlier, but somehow I totally failed to recognize the incredible flaw in our plan to find a ship.

This is going to be a problem.

These mole people have an appreciably optimistic perspective on outsiders. "Oh, foreigners! They must be here to solve our problems!" is, like, anti-xenophobia.

I guess it's hard to distrust travelers when you live in a fantasy setting.

Garl, please do not volunteer our services before we know what the plot is. Maybe these people are a bunch of anus worms. You don't know.

Probably not, but still. Context. Let's find out what's going on first.

Was he mad that someone named him "Malkomud"? Sounds like a chocolate brand.

That sounds super important and he shouldn't be messing with those. Dragons are better left slumbering. When they wake up, it's a bad time for everybody.

I see where this is going. Kick Malkomud's teeth in and prevent Dragon Apocalypse. I'm sorry I called you a bunch of anus worms.

Oh, that's fun. So even if I don't care about him waking up a dragon and killing us all, it's now in my own self-interest to go kick his teeth in. He is now obstructing the A-Plot. You never want to obstruct the A-Plot. It will move through you if it must.

Okay, so I was right on the money about the anti-xenophobia. These might be the most on-the-nose Hapless RPG Villagers ever.

Guess we're heading down into the mine, then. While Teaks stays up here and scrutinizes the cattails.

You, uh. You keep doing that, Teaks. If you squint hard enough, maybe they'll do a trick.

SCREW YOU. You can't tell me what to do!

Wait a second, I snapped at Moraine back at the Academy for asking me to do this exact same thing.

Am I just a contrarian?

Okay, so it's not anti-xenophobia. They're just... super eager for this to be someone else's problem. They don't care whose.

So. Yeah. RPG villagers.

...is....

...is he going to....

Like.

Send the lift back down for us?

...

No?

<.< I'm beginning to think these people might, in fact, be anus worms.

Architecture's pretty, though. Carving puzzle blocks out of pure emerald might seem extravagant anywhere else but the raw emerald veins all over the place make clear that they're swimming in the stuff.

So there's a bit of old-school Legend of Zelda mixed up in this game's Chrono Trigger DNA. That's a neat combination of things. I like it.

So we get the wind bracelet and gain the ability to push those sliding blocks. This then empowers us to--

--beat the shit out of whatever this is now. It's so doofy. It almost looks like a cuddly puppy.

Oh my god, it is a cuddly puppy. Well, now I feel bad about beating the shit out of him. We went whole-hog on that thing. It was aweso--terrible. It was terrible.

She. She is a cuddly puppy.

Y'know, this is not how I anticipated the confrontation with the evil wizard would go. Am I being shamed right now?

Hey, don't give me that. She threw the first pu--

Actually, no. Due to the nature of the turn-based combat system, it's actually not possible for an opponent to throw a first punch. We are the aggressors in all encounters.

Huh.

...

I'm going to choose not to think about this and instead throw some more punches.

Damn right. Punches: thrown. Man, I am good at this hero shit.

...oh, fuck me. We've been beating up a metaphor for neurodivergence. Goddammit, we're the bad guys here.

I mean, he was going to wake up a dragon and kill us all so there's blame to go around. He sucks too, it's not just me. But still, there's really only one thing to do now.

WHAT'S UP, ANUS WORMS

I solved your dragon problem. Get the lift moving or Rockie will eat you all. I'm throwing one mole person off a cliff for every five minutes it's offline.

There we go. Now I'm good at this hero shit.

[buttermynutter]

Signed, Viktor | 14/18

Transcript:

Flower,

I can't tell if I'm freezing or on fire right now. It feels like saltwater in my veins. Why did he give it to me? I hadn't seen him for years, I had abandoned her and him. No, he abandoned her first. I abandoned you.

I abandoned you. What was I thinking, I abandoned you.

Something's wet on this paper, I'm sorry. I can't tell if it's tears or blood. Maybe both. Maybe just the water of the river.

The river feels so long ago, and the cave longer. I'm at the city bridges right now, but even with this concoction liquidating my mind, I can tell that my strength is ebbing. Not quite the intended purpose of the methods I've resorted to. No, not at all.

The walkways are empty, so even if my voice worked, I can't call for help. I certainly can't turn back into the Undercity. I'm not sure if I can even finish this letter, much less make sense in it. The railing of the bridge does feel cool against my back. How did I get here? How will this get to you? Perhaps this whole trip was merely built on wishful thinking.

Goodness, a little vial goes so far. Singed said it would help me, that he had perfected the mutation, though I'm not sure why I trusted him now if I didn't all those years ago. But, I suppose that unlike Heimerdinger, he had faith I would survive. Either that, or simply interest in if I would. I should've taken it back to you to test it, but all of a sudden there was blood on my hands, and I wasn't sure it was even my throat that the substance had gone into.

On fire. Definitely on fire.

I was upset. I had failed my professors, myself, even Singed. I wasn’t about to fail you. I suppose I thought that if I left you out of this matter, then it wouldn't affect you. I thought you'd be far away enough. But you're never far - there's only one thing keeping the vile image of those bottles and bottles of glowing magenta out of my head, and it's that I see you every time I close my eyes.

I feel I'll be forced to do that very soon. Rio was there. So much for maintaining her life, only to take others.

Perhaps this wouldn’t be such a bad way to go, with the person I love in mind. I can almost see your face in the strokes of these words if I squint hard enough. I’m memorizing the lines of it like it’s the first time I’ve seen it… or the last.

I’m cold.

I miss you.

Always,

Vik

━━━━━━━

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Table of Contents

[piskelo10]

Perks of having ADHD:

(Inattentive, at least—though I'm one symptom away from being combined. Remember that this is just based off of my own experience.)

I used to hate when people would treat ADHD like it was a good thing, as I felt that it just inherently wasn't. I continue to struggle with my ADHD, and have for a pretty long time, but I used to see it like some horrible entity that just fucked me over constantly and made my life hell. But now, as I finally have started being able to work with my ADHD instead of trying and failing to force it into submission, it's become more like just... another part of who I am. A part I'm still frustrated with sometimes, but a part I can appreciate both the bad and good in. So here goes.

Being able to let go of emotions fairly quickly

↑ It's not necessarily a given, of course there's some things too stressful or upsetting to be ignored, especially if they're ongoing—but when it comes to things that simply sour my mood, I find it really easy to distract myself and let go of it.

Finding intense joy in fictional media

Hyperfixations can be really annoying sometimes, but a lot of the time they're just hella fun! I love that I can become so excited over something so inconsequential, and I can become so attached to characters and it brings me a lot more enjoyment out of certain content.

Being able to become deeply immersed in things

Maybe not everyone will be able to relate to this one, but I find that I can become very immersed or absorbed into things like shows, books, or games, and it just enhances my enjoyment of things, or intensifies the emotions/experience I have consuming them. I love being able to hone in on a good movie or book or whatever and just feel it so deeply. Also, it allows me to sort of willingly get sucked into my own thoughts and little inner-world when I get really bored, or just for fun.

Being easily able to occupy myself

Of course, this might seem a bit contradictory—and not everyone may be able to relate, and it's not like I'm never restlessly hoping for something to do—however, I find that due to both my ability to immerse myself in my thoughts, and my overactive imagination, I'm able to get well absorbed into fun little stories or ideas to help me keep myself entertained when there's nothing to do.

Further along that vein... it also helps to motivate me for certain things. It might not be beneficial to those who have trouble separating the real from the fictional, or who might not be able to tear themselves out of a certain mindset or put them in one as quickly, but sometimes I like to pretend that I'm a character of mine, or that I'm in some situation/environment that makes something much easier to tolerate.

If I'm having trouble staying occupied while I'm doing something boring, or just don't want to do it—I pretend that perhaps I'm cleaning because I'm hiding the evidence of a murder, and run through my whole backstory in my head.

Or if I'm having trouble simply getting out of bed or the car because I'm too tired—I'll pretend that I'm a character of mine who would, who's determined and has important things to do and people to impress.

And if I'm having trouble taking a shower, because it's too boring or I just don't want to have more things for me to do—I'll pretend that I'm getting in the shower with a love interest, sharing a romantic or intimate moment; or perhaps I could imagine that I'm some creature being born out of the swamp, discovering its surroundings and admiring the nature and pouring rain.

And of course, finally:

Overactive imagination/creativity

I don't really even need to give my reasons for this one as I feel I've already given plenty.

Generally, although there's a lot of things about ADHD that can still really bother me or impact me negatively, there's also a lot I find myself appreciating about it in small ways. For the first time in my life in a very long time, I've been figuring out how my brain works, (even if I haven't cracked the code for a lot of it just yet,) but already it's been helping me substantially. It feels good not seeing ADHD as an enemy, but more of just another aspect of myself I need to work with and discover more about. The things I've listed can also be incredibly unhelpful sometimes, but I wanted to talk about the ways that I can find some benefit to certain aspects of my ADHD that makes it feel a little less awful.

[matan4il]

Not an actual reluctant shippers story but more of I gave this show so many outs story. Listen I just love, love and I ship by nature. The moment I saw those 2 I was like I need them to kiss, then I met Chris and I was like I need them to cuddle on the couch together. I would never not ship them but I half heartedly gave the show liency I may not have in the past. My thoughts over 5 years watching them ranged alot

I'm the beginning I though maybe they just keep them single best bros, helping a single buddy out. Honestly it wouldn't have failed. This show already has 3 very popular couples. An ensemble show doesn't need 5. You could have kept ambiguous flow while throwing in how was your date dialogue and the audience would roll with it.

Then sometimes I thought Ryan and Oliver wanted it because they push and acted it so well. Let's also be real they don't have a say, if the network wants it they get it. Ryan absolutely sold nothing with Anna, and Oliver was meh with Taylor. So I was like OK the network is homophobic?

Then for a period ok maybe they will have off screen girlfriends we occasionally see while still getting them in the glory??

At this point l though it's just hilarious if they aren't together at the end. If you end this with them married off to other people I'm just gonna rewrite it in my head. A year later they both had had to many sex dreams about the other divorced their wives and opened a sure shop in Peru with Christopher

But yeah the moral of the story I gave this show so many outs to dilute them and all they ever did wad make them stronger. Even noncanon they are more connected then some Canon couples on shows.

Hi Nonnie, and thank you for this ask! I always love a fellow hopeless romantic. We're make quite the club (and I'd vote @daphnesvalley to head it, since she was the first one, I believe)! ;D

Honestly, all of this. I mean, I have said the same thing as the last sentence of your ask in at least two of my meta posts (such as my 501 meta). Because it's SO true, it just drives me up a wall! And I have also said it repeatedly: no other Love Interest at this point can compete with the almost 5 seasons of build up that Buddie have had so far, which means no LI they get for either Buck or Eddie at this point will be satisfactory for many viewers. Possibly even most, since it seems a lot of casual viewers have also picked up on the Buddie vibes at one point or another. And for me personally it was a done deal the second Eddie put his thumb on Buck's pulse point, on his VEIN OF LIFE, looked him in the eyes and in the most earnest way possible said, "There's nobody in the world I trust with my son more than you." For Eddie, who is so thoroughly Christopher's dad, there is no greater love statement than that. The guardianship reveal in 414 was an expansion and practical implementation of that statement. Yeah, I knew at the end of 303 that I'm doomed and I would never be able to see Buck and Eddie with anyone else except the other one. Like you said, if that's not how canon wraps it up? That just means canon stopped before the real end of their story. Because those two are BOUND to end up together, fully raising Chris as his married (and sickeningly in love) dads.

Hope you have a great day, lovely! As always, my ask tag. xoxox

[dustinfrueh012]

The Astronaut's Wife (a Film Review)

Negative Reviews Aren’t Necessarily a Bad Thing

Prompted by Tubi to finally watch The Astronaut’s Wife before it left the streaming platform on Friday, June 3oth, I went into it kind of expecting a less than stellar film. I was, however, cautiously optimistic that I’d like it. I was hoping to find one of those rare gems of filmmaking that I’d, at the very least, respect and appreciate, and maybe even love. Those type of experiences don’t happen often, but when they do, it’s worth every second to risk it. To better illustrate my point, it’s entirely possible that I might not have tried it at all, were it not for the film’s alleged saving grace: the performances.

 According to pretty most reviews, (both professional and everyday consumers,) the one quality that saves it from being tossed in the proverbial rubbish heap is the performances of its stars, Johnny Depp and Charlize Theron. They’re said to be on-point. That alone convinced me.

”What I am is a true American hero. Now, the President of the United States of America said that, and you heard him.”

Written and directed by Rand Ravich, The Astronaut’s Wife reeled me in with its opening scene, and it isn’t long before I’m transported by it. Some of those first scenes are beautiful to behold, and I don’t compliment it lightly. It’s fascinating to simply watch the actions of the main players and listen to their carefully chosen words. It’s through those that the audience learns about the close-knit relationship between Depp’s Spencer and Theron’s Jillian, whom he affectionately refers calls Jill. Their marriage is complicated, and is seemingly made stronger by their mutual respect and a deep, admirable love. There’s a lot at stake, and in Ravich’s directorial debut, he makes those stakes clear.

Par for the course, it’s not long before everything they thought they knew and believed to be true comes crashing down like a riotous game of Jenga. Their world can only implode. The latter is emphasized for dramatic effect, because one of the common criticisms speaks directly toward this. With an approval rating of just fifteen percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and an audience score of thirty-three percent, the critic’s consensus is that the film “moves at a snail’s pace and fails to generate enough intrigue to keep viewers interested.”

Not to be dismissive of many, highly regarded reviews (even Siskel & Ebert said that while they didn’t hate The Astronaut’s Wife, untilmately they were apathetic towards it,) but the first act isn't meant to fly by with lightening-quick speed. It’s just not. Furthermore, the pacing is near perfection. In fact, I wouldn’t object to a little more time with Mr. and Mrs. Armacost, to sit with them before the inevitable craziness ensues. Instead of a plot moving at breakneck speed, it’s a predominantly taut, psychological thriller set in a similar vein as The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, with a fairly even balance of science fiction and horror.

As the title suggests, the main focal point revolves around Jillian, as it explores the impact on her psyche and her physical and mental well-being. Theron gives everything to her portrayal of the doting wife and the passionate educator. In many ways, she’s the victim, though she doesn’t come across as such. She has to be the pillar of strength, because her character is intentionally left in the dark and she has to discover what really happened in those mysterious two minutes of her husband’s failed mission. There’s more to everything at stake for her character, but anything more would spoil it. One scene, in particular, between Spencer and Jill, was extremely moving and contrary to many criticisms, the dialogue is on-point. It’s powerful, relatable, and it never feels disingenuous. There’s a strong resemblance to real life to it, almost as though it was taken from an actual conversation.

 None of it seems unrealistic or far-fetched, despite it being science fiction. And that’s saying a lot, because there are plenty of stories in the genre that feel a little unrealistic, and require the suspension of disbelief. I’m not even entirely certain how the filmmakers made it seem so grounded in reality, while simultaneously keeping solid ground in the speculative nature of the story. In response, I can only shake my head in disbelief, wondering if the naysayers somehow forgot that it’s predominantly sci-fi, a genre that almost celebrates the improbable, the unnatural, and the fantastical. Plus, it’s fiction. Escapism at its finest. Making sense or being completely logical isn’t always a necessary ingredient. Why else do we consume fiction, if not for escapism?

 Actually, with the exception of the ending, there isn’t a lot that’s extravagant or impossible. But I love the dramatic culmination of events. It doesn’t really bother me that what took place can’t happen like it did. In context with everything that came before, the resolution felt natural, like it was meant to be. Earnestly, I can’t imagine it ending any other way.

 ”There is something I need to tell you, Jill...About what happened. All there was...was the cold. I knew what the cold was...it was death. Then the cold faded and then I felt warmth. It was the warmth of you.”

 Now, was the basic concept of the film unoriginal? To some extent, yes. Frankly, it’s something that the sci-fi/horror community has seen many times. At the same time, though, it’s not always about originality. Sometimes, execution takes precedence, and I love that about this film. The thing I appreciate most about The Astronaut’s Wife is that its emphasis is on the characters (Jill, specifically,) as opposed to the Other. There’s a beautiful examination of what it means to be human, to be flawed as well as moral. Whereas a lot of stories have a tendancy to simplify good and evil, the film seems to cast a spotlight of understanding on both sides of the coin, and that’s very refreshing.

 The outstanding performances weren’t limited to Johhny Depp and Charlize Theron, either. Girl, Interrupted’s Clea DuVall’s portrayal of Jillian’s empathetic sibling was nothing short of moving, and my appetite for her scenes insatiable. And almost juxtaposed with DuVall’s Nan was Joe Morton’s Sherman Reese (Speed,) a disgrunted NASA representative who might or might not be in his sound mind.

Needless to say, I love everything about this film. The cinematography is beautiful. The haunting notes of the score is the perfect accompaniment, complete with a sense of palpable dread and suspense. The special effects are neither over or underdone, and kudos to all involved for not making it look or feel like CGI. I could go on and on, but reading my high praises is probably starting to sound repitive and nauseating, so I’ll wrap this up.

 If you’re at all curious, I encourage you to give The Astronaut’s Wife and chance and form your own opinions. You might just find another film that you enjoy. If not, then at least you can honestly say that you saw it, didn’t like it, and give your reasons why. If nothing else, go into it strictly for the rock star performances. I hope that I never forget this underrated, extremely polarizing film.

Rating: 5/5 stars

[tmae3114]

[singsong] I’ve got another AU to tell you guys about~

I’ve been alternating between calling this one the No Mist AU and the Kids From Krieger AU (based on my headcanon that “von Krieger” is a toponymic surname) and I’ve been having a lot of fun with it!

Basically, somewhere out there in the multiverse, there’s a timeline where a young Artix didn’t forget all basic advice about helping people who have fallen into rivers and he grabbed a tree branch to help pull Vayle out of the water. They both got home safely that afternoon and, without the misadventure of getting swept downriver and subsequently encountering the Darkness Orb, proceeded to not obtain the extremely tragic backstory of their entire village being destroyed in the night. They still live there, in fact!

However. Neither of these kids were ever going to grow up to be Perfectly Average Doomwood Citizens. It just wasn’t going to happen. So instead Doomwood have a couple of childhood friends running around being home-grown heroes!

Vayle found her way to necromancy on her own terms and is entirely self-taught. In a similar vein to post-Darkness Orb Saga canon Vayle, her focus is on helping the various undead roaming Doomwood, not enforcing her will on them. This has lead to more than a few clashes with inhabitants of the Necropolis when they run across each other. She is very tempted to try and track down the front door to that place so she can go yell at the Necro U faculty about what they’re teaching

And Artix... well, he found his way to that power that the Darkness Orb would have sensed in him, had things gone differently. He’s a very powerful darkness mage (Vayle has been trying and failing to get “nyctomancer” to stick for years) and his main focus with that power is keeping it under control. He is interested in the ideas Vayle’s suggested for ways to use darkness magic that aren’t necromantic and they experiment with things every so often but mostly he wants to just be able to not do things he didn’t mean to (there may or may not be a chest of accidentally created doom weapons buried somewhere in Doomwood. if there is, Vayle’s been sworn to secrecy on the matter for years)

Design notes:

Artix doesn’t have armour in this AU for the simple reason of He Can’t Afford It Yet. He’s saving up!

Vayle can indulge her much more dramatic fashion sense because [gestures at Kid Artix & Kid Vayle’s canon outfits] these two are obviously from different financial backgrounds

That said they both very much did scavenge those weapons from undead in the woods. Vayle’s using a Shake Spear’s spear. I have no idea what Artix got the sword from

Vayle has neither wings nor pointy ears because she never encountered the Darkness Orb. She does have those fancy red tattoos because as far as I can tell those are neither a Darkness Orb thing or a Noxus-trained-Necromancer thing, so I figure they’re just An Aesthetic Choice and thus this Vayle could go for them as well

I spent ages going back and forth on whether I wanted to give Artix fingerless gloves or bracers and then went “wait I can just do both and go asymmetrical”

I gave Artix thigh-high boots. You’re welcome.