#underground walkway

[puppyeared]

does anyone else feel like they could be a really really good tour guide if the memory problems didnt exist

[formerhell]

ive been playing alot of minecraft lately do you guys like my wizard towers

[ink-asunder]

And if ANYBODY tries telling me "oh, well, the cave is STRUCTURED in a specific way; it can't be made accessible without damaging a significant amount of the cave" I don't care. I have no way of knowing that because they wouldn't let me through the FUCKING DOOR

[marcrnt]

Unterführung Friedensengel

[paulpingminho]

[boneless-mika]

My face when none of my Canadian friends have ever mentioned the underground pedestrian walkway network in Toronto: 😮

[japansapporowalk]

【4K】🇯🇵札幌大通地下ギャラリー 500m美術館 散歩／北海道 札幌市 中央区【Binaural ASMR】

[trxangleboy]

Montreal Contemporary Basement

[hometoursandotherstuff]

We visited the little wine windows of Italy, and now it’s time to pay a visit to the “Klek” (kneeling) boutiques of Bulgaria. 

These little below-eye-level shops are common in Sofia, Bulgaria. 

You’ve got to literally be on your knees to shop here. The concept arrived after the fall of the Berlin Wall when Bulgaria moved away from communism and legalized private ownership.

Bulgarians could now own their own businesses, but due to the high costs of rent many people were unable to afford their own place.

So, using their initiative and creativity they started setting up shops that operated out of the basement of old buildings and soon klek shops were spotted along the sidewalks of Sofia.

Most of the shops sell snacks, drinks, alcohol and cigarettes although you can also find shoe repair shops, or service businesses such as laundry shops.

All the goods on offer are kept safely behind glass-covered shelves that surround the window,

Customers choose their items, crouch down, and pay the owner. 

While their big boom was back in the 90s, many shops are still maintaining their businesses around busy roads and walkways. You’ll find most of them strategically placed beside bus stops.

Most shops are open late or 24 hours, making the klek synonymous with after-hours nightlife– a convenient local amenity for party-goers on their way home in need of a quick bite, hair of the dog or a nicotine reboot.

https://gudsol.wordpress.com/2017/10/29/the-knee-shops-in-sofia-bulgarian-underground-shops/

[drabblesandimagines]

Hitched

Leon Kennedy x fem reader, established relationship Couple of swears, mentions of blood

The sudden noise behind you sends you spinning on your heels to confront it. Your pistol is raised, finger slightly squeezing the trigger in preparation to blow the next monstrosity’s head off only to see Leon’s alarmed face, his hands up in surrender, gun dangling from his grip.

“Whoa, baby, it’s just me.”

You exhale in relief, immediately dropping and holstering your weapon. “Sorry – jumpy. You okay?”

You look him up and down, looking for injuries after you’d been separated a little while ago. It felt like every other mission these days led to the two of you working your way through underground caverns, as evil scientists seem to just love setting up their bases there, with ill-maintained wooden walkways that collapsed below your feet. Leon had gone toppling down the last one, reassuring you he was fine - he did always manage to forward roll his way out of taking any impact – and said by the map he’d pilfered from one of the supply rooms, it looks like your paths would cross again eventually and it meant the two of you could cover more ground until then.

“I’m fine. You, however…” He steps forward, grasps you by the elbow and pulls it up gently in front of you to reveal a nasty slice across your forearm, dripping blood on the dirt.

“Slashed out at me as I took it out. Misjudged the space. I blame the moody lighting.” You joke, but Leon doesn’t respond, inspecting the damage.

“I’m okay. We should keep moving, we can’t be far from-”

“Uh-uh. Come on, there’s an alcove just back this way to provide us some cover whilst I see to this.” His grip is still firmly on your elbow as he tugs you back the way he emerged from.

“I promise I’m fine.”

“Sweetheart, you’re gonna leave a blood trail if we don’t. Besides, as your fiancé, I insist.”

The fiancé card is not one that Leon pulls out often on a mission, but has started to do so considering how long your engagement has been. He’d proposed two years ago, literally the moment he got you within eyesight as he returned from a solo mission to Spain to rescue the President’s daughter. He didn’t have a ring – later rectified – but just dropped to his knees and asked you to become his wife. It wasn’t like you hadn’t started wedding planning. There was a folder of brochures under the coffee table, half-drafted emails to venues and caterers on your laptop, saved photos of wedding gowns and centerpieces… But it just felt impossible to ever truly put a plan in place, nail down a concrete date, you didn’t know where the two of you were going to be one month from the next. Sorry, terrorism, could you wait a week or two for the Kennedy wedding to pass first?

“Okay.” You concede and allow him to guide you back a few hundred metres to the alcove – it’s more a deep crevice in the wall, but it won’t be obvious the two of you are hiding in there if anyone or anything was to stroll by.

“Sit.” He points to the space furthest back and you drop down, crossing your legs beneath you so he can crouch down in front. You lay your wounded arm out in front of you with a slight wince. If you were being honest, it did hurt.

“Here, chew this. It’ll make you feel better.” He passes you one of those stupid green herbs from his supplies. The man swears by them as a natural pain reliever – useful in a bind, he claims.

“Ugh, really? But they’re so bitter.” You shake your head, “I’ll be fine without.”

He quirks his eyebrow at you, pulling out a roll of gauze from one of his pouches to begin to dress your wound. “Sweetheart, either you chew it, or I will go mamma bird on your ass, chew it for you and then kiss you so hard you’ll have no other choice but to swallow.”

You laugh, dryly. “I think that might be the most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

“Chew.”

Again, you concede. Leon won’t stop at anything to ensure you’re taken care of. As his gentle fingers begin to wrap the bandage tightly around your wound in an effort to stem the bleeding, you crunch the herb between your teeth. It’s scratchy, horrendously bitter, makes you want to gag almost. You can’t chew fast enough to get rid of it. He is right about them, though – a moment or two later the stabbing, stinging pain in your forearm where the creature slashed you dulls to a low, much more tolerable ache.

He has a smug look on his face, knowing your tells too well.

“Told you it would make you feel better.”

He finishes wrapping the gauze around your arm and ties it off with a tight knot, slicing the excess off with his knife. He puts away the roll before he turns and sits down besides you, throwing his arm around your shoulder and pulling you into his chest, kissing your crown. You can feel his heart pounding beneath your cheek – he was worried about you. He knows you can take care of yourself, you’ve been through as much hell as he has, but seeing you injured always sets him off.

You know you should press on – BOWs wait for no man - but it’s clear the two of you need a moment to catch your breath, take stock of what’s occurred, work out how you’ve ended up here - again.

You begin to fiddle with the engagement ring that hangs around your neck. Too much risk wearing it on your finger when out on missions, but it felt odd and wrong to leave it at home on your dressing table, so you’d settled for having it like this, tucking it away on a chain out of sight, but playing with it had soon turned into a nervous habit.

Leon clocks your fidgeting immediately and takes your hand, lacing his fingers through. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“Nothing. Just… thinking.”

“About?” He probes, gently.

“What we’re doing here.”

“You forget the brief?” Leon teases and you elbow him lightly in the stomach – not that you’d manage much damage given how muscular he is.

“Like, is this just our life now? Every couple of months, another set of BOWs appears, we deal with and eliminate - rinse and repeat.”

“I…” He sighs. “I don’t know, sweetheart. I hope not. I’d like to think that one day we stop them all and we get a pretty sweet retirement package.”

“I want to get married.” You say, softly.

“Hey, I’m the one who did the proposing, you’re the one who said you wanted to wait until-”

“I know, but I don’t want to wait anymore. I can’t keep holding off for a big event that I’m not sure we’ll ever get to have.” You pause a moment as you sit up, turning to face him head on. “The second we are out of here, I want to marry you.”

“Seriously?” He raises an eyebrow.

“Seriously. Registry office. We’ll wear what we’re wearing – blood splatters, camos, bruises, all of that. I don’t care. I just want to be your wife already.”

“My wife, huh?” He grins at the idea. “Yeah, I want that too. I can’t lie, though, I was looking forward to seeing you in a wedding dress.”

“You will. We’ll do that later – a party or whatever, something that can be rescheduled easy enough if the world goes to shit. But this, this can just be us, huh?”

“Just us, baby.” He places a hand on the side of your face and guides you in for a heated kiss, teasing your bottom lip with his teeth until you permit his tongue entrance and the wrestle for dominance begins. After a moment or two, you place your palm flat on his chest and push back.

“We’re getting distracted, Leon.”

“We sure are.” He gets to his feet and offers you his hand, pulling you up with ease. “Come on, let’s go kill these bastards and get hitched.”

“Took the words outta my mouth, handsome.”

--

“Okay, Leon said it was casual, but I didn’t picture this casual.” Hunnigan appears behind you in the restroom mirror, dressed in her usual work suit, albeit with a paper bag in hand. Leon had radio’ed in as soon as your objective was clear – DSO teams swooping in to clear up and confiscate and destroy the weapons retrieved – and asked Hunnigan to get them into the registry office today.

“Yeah, we were going for work casual, but we had to leave the weapons in the SUV.” You shrug, washing the grime off your face in the sink. You supposed you should at least prep that much. “Thank you for getting us in.”

She shrugs, “It was one of Leon’s easier requests, funnily enough.” She holds the bag in front of her in offering. “For you.”

“Just me?” You raise an eyebrow.

“I don’t think Leon will like it as much.” You take the bag with a smile and place it down on the counter to open it – a small bouquet of white daisies within.

“Just so I can catch the bouquet, obviously.”

--

Hunnigan acts as the witness, of course, as you find yourself standing in front of the officiant. He barely batted an eyelid at your attire and you think he must’ve seen all sorts come through the door in his time, so the couple who decided to get married in tactical gear, bruised and bandaged, is just another day.

“Do we have rings?” The officiant questions and before you can say no, Hunnigan steps forward again, handing over a box.

“Should’ve known you’d have our ring sizes on file.” Leon laughs.

“Had a suspicion it might come in handy one day.” She smiles, taking her place back in a seat behind the two of you. The officiant opens the box to reveal two simple gold wedding bands.

Leon takes your hand then – his leather gloves removed for the occasion – and smiles. He’s got a bruise blossoming on his left cheek, his hair’s a beautiful mess, but he’s here and you’re here and it’s perfect.

“If you’ll repeat after me.” The officiant looks at Leon, who continues to look lovingly at you, biting his lip in an excited smile. “I, Leon Scott Kennedy…”

He wets his lips with his tongue and squeezes your hand. “I, Leon Scott Kennedy….”

The vows are over before you know it. You feel giddy, a combination of exhaustion and love, surely.

“I pronounce you husband and wife. It gives me great honour to introduce to you,” he looks at Hunnigan, “the new Mr and Mrs Kennedy. You may now kiss the bride.”

Leon doesn’t hesitate, pulling you in close and into a bruising kiss, dipping you back a little before returning you to your feet. “Just a little show for our guest.” He whispers in your ear, nodding his head over at an applauding Hunnigan.

“Dare I ask about honeymoon plans?” Hunnigan comments as the three of you exit the registry office. “I’m expecting the two of you back in HQ tomorrow for a debrief, after all.”

“I don’t know. Any ideas, beautiful?” Leon brings up your hand to his mouth, placing a kiss across your knuckles, the gold band sitting snugly on your ring finger.

“Yeah, I have one.” You nod. “I wanna burger – a real greasy one – and fries. And a beer.”

“I knew there was a good reason I married you.” He drops your hand and wraps his arm around your waist and slips another under your knees, sweeping you off your feet and into his arms and you squeal.

“Gotta carry my beautiful wife over the threshold of the nearest diner, don’t I?”

You grin. “That is the tradition. Oh, and speaking of traditions…” You toss the bouquet over Leon’s shoulder into Hunnigan’s arms. “Look who’s next!”

“On second thought…” she walks over to you and places them back into your hands, “keep it. I might as well wait for the redo. See you tomorrow, lovebirds. As a wedding gift, I won’t expect you in until the afternoon.”

“Too kind, Hunnigan.” Leon smirks as she waves over her shoulder and heads towards the parking lot.

Once she’s out of sight, you grab the back of your husband’s head, pulling him down into a chaste kiss and smile up at him. “I love you, Leon.”

“I love you too, Mrs Kennedy.”

--

Comments, likes and reblogs make my whole day x 400 Followers Event.

Masterlist . Requests welcome . Ko-fi

[gkutfdvnn]

Just like every year chaos had unfolded right before Christmas. Flights were delayed and cancelled, disgruntled passengers were screaming at the employees desperately making phone calls, while some others had decided to just lay down on the seats to sleep.

As soon as you heard that your flight back from Paris was cancelled due to bad weather, you had taken your leave from the International Airport. Right now you were waiting for the metro, drinking some bear you were given at the airport by a stranger, some french dude you couldn't understand. With it came a leaflet to some party tonight, the only thing you understood was that it was Christmas themed, everything else just was gibberish to you.

Finally the metro came, mostly empty given the hour, so you just sat down and closed your eyes thinking about the last few days in Paris. Honestly, you liked the city. It wasn't as glamorous as seen on TV, yes the folks could be rude, but it had some sort of rustic charm, and for every unfriendly guy you had met twice the amount of kind people. You were thinking about the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, both the good and bad food you had eaten, the crêpes and the gauffres, and the beautiful Christmas market. The "vin chaud", you chuckled as you thought about the word in French, was actually delicious and you had gotten quite tipsy of it, to the point at which your friends had to accompany you to your hotel.

Shit, you must have fallen asleep. The can you were holding had fallen out of your grip and spilled beer all over your clothes. The doors opened and you looked up to the board. You were now a few stops too far ! Grabbing everything you could you rushed out of the wagon just before the doors closed again, falling face down on the floor. Luckily no one was there to witness your embarrassing fall. You cursed aloud, the "putains" and "merdes" leaving your mouth as if you had spoken french since birth. Too caught up in the moment you failed to notice the growing hairs that had appeared on your cheeks and chins, covering your lower face in a dusting of dark black dots. You looked back at the now empty railroad, a new series of French curse words escaping your lips as you noticed most of your things missing. The jacket, your gloves, your backpack and your suitcase were gone with the tram, lost in the maze of Paris Metro, all you had taken with you were the can of beer, and the pamphlet. Worst of all your wet jeans were starting to cool.

It was best to get on the move before freezing to death. You made your way through the white-tiled walkways of the underground metro while rubbing your arms and shivering. The rubbing seemed to help though, your skin was getting warmer each time you caressed it with your hands, your fingers pushing through the softer muscle. It was strange feeling around your arms with your palms, they both felt bigger and a bit softer, like they had swollen just a little bit. Soon, you didn't even need to rub your arms anymore but you still continued to, your own touch felt amazing, the tingling provoked by the tips of your fingers felt pleasant, great even !

After the corridors came the stairs, at first you were taking two, even three steps at the time. Being tall surely helped in these kinds of situations. But soon you were even having issues keeping the speed up, your feet were hitting the steps and you almost tripped and fell down, gripping the handrail as you were about to fall. That was close ! You waited a moment as some sort of dizziness settled around your stomach, you were sure the steps must have gotten slightly bigger on your way up, although your clothes also seemed a bit looser on your frame. Even though the dizziness didn't fade completely, you began your ascent again. Your whole body felt weird and out of place, just like you were shrinking, step by step. It wasn't much, enough to be almost unnoticeable. Each step you took altered your body just a little bit more. Your arms continued to swell while getting shorter with the rest of your body. Your legs lost in length and your back grew shorter too as they swelled with muscle, eating your rat away. Soon even your shoes didn't fit you properly anymore, your feet having left a bit of width and length. Your thighs expand to a fit and healthy girth, soon followed by your calves. Your back strains and stretches to the side as the muscles grow and expand there too. On the last steps, just before the automatic gates, you took a break as you caught your reflection in a broken screen.

The changes had been slow and gone unnoticed by you until now, there in the reflection stood a person you couldn't recognise. You wouldn't describe what you felt in that moment as panic, it was more like.. dissociation? As if the person you were looking at didn't match the person that was inside. You rubbed your hand through your beard that was still a few shades darker as your hair, then you lifted your shirt quite hesitantly revealing a lean stomach and then.. two pierced nipples set on a pair of girthy pectorals. You rubbed the silver rings and bit your lips. That tingling you felt earlier was spreading through your body again but this time it was transforming into growing pleasure. With one hand you continued to rub one ring, with the other you took your shirt off and threw it away. You looked back at the screen and pressed your lips together, a soft moan escaping your lips as the boner grew in your underwear.

You looked just like some handsome and not so average Parisian dude. You pushed your pants down and kicked them off with your shoes, exploring your body from top to bottom, gliding your hands in every crevasse and on every curve. Your thighs and calves jingled slightly as you moved around in front of the screen.

The mental changes didn't come suddenly, but were slowly rewriting your thoughts and memories. It was really more like acceptance. Of course that handsome guy's reflection couldn't be anything else than french. In fact, every second you spent in front of that screen made you feel ever slightly more french. You weren't working as a cashier abroad, but studying hard for a master's degree in economics. Paris was of course your only choice since you had grown up in a small french village without much to do, it was quite a lonely place for a gay dude like you. Soon, even your basic thoughts were expressed in French, every trace of your mother tongue erased and left forever forgotten. New moans escaped your soft lips as your hair darkened to match with your beard, and a fine layer of black hairs covered the rest of your body. Finally, with a few strokes, you came, and with it the last remnants of your past life vanished, just a stain on the floor, nothing more. You were now Pierre, a Parisian student, living your best life in Paris.

Some of your cum had landed on the flyer to the gay Christmas party you were going, you looked around for your clothes, somehow you had scattered them all around you. But hey, you sure damn didn't need them, the party was just above the entry to the metro, and you always enjoyed coming of strong !

With one jump above the automatic gates you left your past behind, ready to enjoy the Parisian city life !

[cityof2morrow]

NetworkMAT: DIY Neon Tunnels

Published: 1-21-2024 | Updated: N/A SUMMARY The Network Materials (NetworkMAT) (Simmons, 2023) series includes assets for building modern road networks in Sims 2. Use these items to enhance your city’s streets, walkways, highways, skyways, bridges, and so on. A set of modular objects for constructing tunnels…or sewers, secret passages, underground escape routes and such. Small tunnels must be at least 5x6 tiles while large tunnels must be at least 9x12 tiles. Of course, you can mix and match items for your own needs.

DETAILS Requires all EPs/SPs. §100 | Build > Architecture You need the BBNiche1Master (Buggybooz, 2012) or the Repository Pack (Simmons, 2023). Objects are meant to be used with 1-story or 2-story walls. Rain/Snow will fall through them unless you add floor tiles on top. **There are some shadowy spots on the meshes but I don’t mind them much.

ITEMS Small/Large Tunnel (624-822 poly) Small/Large Tunnel Entrance (603 poly) Small/Large Tunnel Wall (96 poly) Small/Large Tunnel Inner Cable (496 poly) Small/Large Tunnel Neon (1008 poly) - requires Nightlife EP. Small/Large Tunnel Vent (875 poly) DOWNLOAD (choose one) from SFS | from MEGA SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

Easy assembly – place the tunnel and entrance objects on the SAME tile. Objects are quarter-tile enabled but you’ll probably need “move objects on/off” and “grid on/off” cheats. Add the deco wall, cables, vents, and neon accents as needed by 1) placing them on the SAME tile as the other object, then 2) moving them forward depending on where you want them in the tunnel. Make sure accent items are aligned (in the same tile row) as the wall, entrance, and tunnel parts. Finally, you’ll need walls/fences to block sims from walking through the structure. The Tile Blocker (Simmons, 2023) may come in handy as well.

CREDITS Thanks: Simming, Blender, and Sketchfab communities, as well as the ChocolateCitySim, SimCrafters, and Sim Shenanigans discords. Sources: Beyno (Korn via BBFonts), EA/Maxis, Modular Tunnel (Just8, 2024; 2023 via CCA), Nooks & Niches (BuggyBooz, 2012), Offuturistic Infographic (Freepik, Stair Cover(s) (Khakidoo, 2013; 2007), Uranium Rod Neon Floor Lamp (PineappleForest, 2022).

[gilly-moon]

You're right, combing thru the angst prompts just to narrow them down is so much more difficult than it needs to be! Some of them are just too good!

But!!! I think I narrowed some down that would fit both/either blackice or Vlad and Danny, author's choice:

2., 23., 39.

~harley

This one was very fun to write ♡ enjoy!

-

39 : “He’s the only person left! He’s the only thing I’ve got, the last good thing in my life!”

The Shadows were hardly pleased with Pitch’s new friend.

A month ago, Jack Frost had managed to slip through one of the slim skylights of his underground lair. They’d scuffled briefly, until Jack hovered out of reach and explained why he had come.

His voice hadn’t wavered as he spoke, but his eyes were looking at Pitch’s hands instead of his face. There was tension wound through his small frame, a fear that his body betrayed despite the confidence of his words. It had been…almost endearing.

Pitch had accepted Jack’s offer of friendship faster than he would ever admit, much to the frustration of the darkness shrouding his lair.

Jack had departed soon after, but promised to return within the month. The fear that had been tangled around him had withered away by the time he floated off, and two weeks later he came back with a tentative smile on his lips.

It had been enough time for Pitch to convince himself that this was just temporary. Perhaps this was truly just a new tactic from the Guardians to take Pitch down once and for all. Or maybe one of them would get tired of the other eventually, or Jack would cross some line and Pitch would let the Shadows consume him slowly and painfully.

But then he was floating down into Pitch’s cavern, practically glowing in the shaft of light with his lopsided grin and frosted hair, and Pitch knew instinctively that it was already too late for him. Whatever he’d told himself about being over the idea of befriending Jack Frost had been nothing more than a pathetic lie.

He ached to draw Jack in closer to him, to entwine their lives together until they were inseparable. As often as Jack wanted to visit, Pitch was more than pleased to have him. But the closer he got to Jack, the heavier his shadow became.

Ever since accepting Jack’s friendship, there had been more dark whispers in Pitch’s ear, and an increasing weight on his shoulders where agitated Shadows draped themselves. Several tried to sink their claws into him, attempting to manipulate his actions as they pleased. It was getting more difficult to shrug them off.

The few Nightmares that remained tried to inflict themselves upon Jack against Pitch’s orders. Luckily, Jack was quite adept at ingratiating himself with the creatures. He had many fears and nightmares to feed them, and was more than willing to give them up in return for their friendship.

It was while Pitch was watching Jack lay himself out on his stomach on the back of a Nightmare, so comfortable and at ease in this dark and fearful place, that Pitch began to wonder what it would be like to follow this boy out of his cave and into the light. To see the world through his eyes.

This was the final straw for the Shadows.

.

“I am your King,” Pitch snarled. “The same as you decreed thousands of years ago. You will listen -”

‘We declared you King,’ the Shadows said, a hissing chorus of Nightmare Men and Fearlings. ‘We are your power. We decide how you rule.’

Exhaling a noise of frustration, Pitch wound his hands into fists so tight his nails cut into his palms. They’d been going back and forth on this for hours now, dark figures darting around him on every surface of the cavern. Pale eyes occasionally peeked out from the hoard, piercing into Pitch where he stood on the central walkway.

“You are nothing more than lost, scattered souls,” he retorted. “Without me, you would still be captured, rotting away in a dark cell and starving for a light to devour.”

‘Without you, we would have consumed this weak little world already. Including those noisome Guardians.’

“The Guardians and their lunar friend have defeated us twice now,” Pitch sighed, less than pleased to remember it. “Fragmenting our forces with these petty arguments only reduces our chances of succeeding next time.”

‘Next time?’ the Shadows repeated curiously, no longer flitting around quite as furiously.

“Yes. We will need to have an even larger army than before. More Nightmares. Perhaps some automatons, and armor to protect against their weapons.”

‘We need him.’

Pitch’s spine snapped straight.

“No.”

‘Yesss,’ the Shadows whispered. They slipped over the floor, winding around in a circle that trapped Pitch where he stood.

“We’ve tried that before,” he reasoned with them, still managing to keep his voice level if only barely. His fears were a tightly corked bottle, shaken and at the verge of bursting open. “He’ll side with the Guardians even more firmly this time. There’s no use.”

‘So we take him by force,’ the Shadows replied. ‘Just like we took you.’

Something white hot flared behind Pitch’s eyes. He was blinded by it, too shocked to speak. The fire coursed down through his limbs, a sensation he almost recognized. A need to defend. To protect.

“Pitch?”

He blinked. No. Not now.

‘Take him!’

“Pitch, what’s going on?”

“Get out,” Pitch shouted without looking up. That deliciously familiar cold was already permeating the air. “Now, Jack!”

The Shadows thrashed, rebelling. With a guttural cry, Pitch threw his arms out, fingers spread wide. He tugged hard against his connection to the Shadows, using it as a leash to reign them in.

“Tell me what’s happening! I can help!”

Pitch grit his teeth. He’d never resisted the Shadows like this before. Already his hold on them felt fragile, ready to slip at any moment.

‘LET US HAVE HIM!’

“NO,” Pitch bellowed. His refusal only stirred the Shadows into more of a frenzy, dark shapes leaping from the floor and walls erratically in a whirlwind around Pitch.

Still, he stood firm, yanking at the threads connecting him to any that tried to leap for Jack.

‘WHY DO YOU STOP US?!’

“Because he’s the only person left!”

Pitch was panting, vision blurry. He could see the faces of every Nightmare Man and Fearling. Corrupted souls who were once people. Mothers. Fathers. Daughters. Lost to darkness for good.

“He’s the only thing I’ve got,” Pitch gasped, “the last good thing in my life!”

The Shadows didn’t care.

“Please.” Pitch looked to Jack directly, unable to process the look of shock on his face. “Leave. This is my fight, and mine alone.”

Jack hovered slightly higher, hesitating for an agonizing moment. His expression shifted into one that Pitch knew instinctively, but couldn’t name.

“You’re not,” Jack called down. “You’re not alone.”

He flitted away and vanished through the skylight.

It dawned on Pitch then, what Jack’s expression had been. As the Shadows twisted, aiming their fury inward to him, he found the word and held it tight.

Belief.

[angel-with-paper-wings]

The Siren’s Song

A super quick one-shot I threw together after being inspired by this amazing art done by nipuni!

This takes place while Erik the siren/merman is in Persia and working for the Shah, and Nadir is charged with making sure he is cared for and ready to suit the Shah’s whims. I hope you all enjoy and thanks again to nipuni for the incredible art and idea!

Rating/Warnings: rated T, tiny amount of gore, references to murder

The sun dipped just below the west horizon, painting the Mazenderan sky a bright blood-red. From the window of the great Persian palace overlooking the Caspian Sea, the sunset’s glowing splendor made for a breathtaking view. A single figure stood at the window; Nadir watched the light disappear below the horizon with a heavy sigh. With the end of the day came one of Nadir’s most important duties, one that he either found mildly enjoyable or extremely unpleasant. The probability of either outcome was as unpredictable as the waves in the sea below him. 

Nadir tipped the last of his cup of tea into his mouth, letting the flavors cradle his tongue for a moment before turning away from the window. He then walked through the halls of the fine palace towards the kitchen. The Shah had spared no expense in the construction of the lavish building, which served as His Majesty’s personal home in the region of Mazenderan. Nadir Khan held authority of the property when the Shah was not present, and as such was in charge of the strange rituals that occurred within the building. Or, more accurately, below it.

In the kitchen, Nadir prepared two small baskets of sustenance, then took them and proceeded to the entrance to the palace’s cellars. Down the dark stone steps he treaded, so accustomed to the path by now that he could walk it without the aid of a lantern. He arrived outside a large wooden door with a ruby-encrusted doorknob. Willing his heart to stop beating so fast, he turned the doorknob and opened the door.

Inside was an enormous room, with dark stone walls lit intermittently with torches. The floor of the room was almost entirely missing, replaced instead with a great pool of black water. The surface of the liquid was eerily still and presented no indication of how deep it was. The stillness, coupled with the obtrusive feeling of unknown, gave any who entered it a chill along their spine.

Nadir felt the feeling wash over him again, but let it pass with a practiced air of calm. He stepped forward from the doorway onto the stone platform that formed the edge of the pool. The platform extended forward about three meters, before stopping at the water’s edge. However, a thin stone catwalk, wide enough for a single person to stand on at a time, extended out along the surface of the water, stopping in the center of the great pool. Simply standing on the platform near the door was terrifying enough, but many enemies of the Shah had found themselves being urged out onto the slippery catwalk to meet a ghastly fate. No one in their right mind would step foot on that catwalk, even if they were unaware of what lay beneath the water’s surface; even now, Nadir felt his primal defenses tensing and urging him not to step forward. But he had done this many times before.

He closed the wooden door and let the loud slam echo off of the stone walls. He then stepped forward across the platform with purposefully heavy footsteps: one, two, three, four, five. With a deep breath, Nadir then stepped forward onto the catwalk. He kept his movements slow and scanned the water carefully with his jade-green eyes.

Once he was almost at the edge of the walkway, he became aware of a strange sound surrounding him. It was so faint he did not notice it at first, but by each passing second it grew into a low droning note, half-breath and half-music. It seemed to rise from the water itself, the surface of which remained smooth and black as ink. The soft humming wove itself into Nadir’s mind, pulling him closer and closer, but he fought to keep his legs steady on the platform and his eyes fixed on the water. His voice called out into the chill air of the room, breaking through the humming with a single word.

“Erik?”

At once the humming stopped. Nadir looked around for any sign of movement below the murky water.

“You’re late,” a voice called from behind Nadir. The Persian man jumped and almost slipped on the stone catwalk, hissing out a curse. He turned around to see the figure of a man—well, a man’s head and torso—sitting atop the edge of the stone platform. Where his hips would have begun, the pale skin faded into black scales: the beginning of a long black tail that at the moment remained hidden beneath the surface of the dark water. The top half of the siren’s face was covered by a sculpted white mask, and the bottom half was curled up in an unsettling grin, his yellow eyes unblinkingly fixed on Nadir.

“I had to finish my tea,” Nadir muttered. “But I am not one to forget my duties.” He held up the pair of baskets in his hands.

The yellow eyes shifted to rest on the basket. Erik’s eerie grin widened, his thin lips pulling back to reveal two rows of razor-sharp fangs. Without warning the siren plunged himself into the water, barely leaving a ripple in his wake as he disappeared beneath the surface. The room became deathly quiet again, until Nadir saw a shimmering out of the corner of his eye. He turned to look down at the water next to him, and watched the spiny points of fins dragging along just under the surface. The whiplike tail then flipped out of the water, sprinkling Nadir with a spray of droplets. The man grumbled and wiped his face bitterly.

He whipped his head around to the other side and saw the siren’s head poking out of the water a few feet off of the catwalk, the sly grin frozen in place. Nadir knelt down on the stone walkway and said, “You make this quite difficult. Although I’m sure that is the intention.”

Erik scoffed. “You offend me, Daroga. It is always my intention to make guests feel comfortable when they visit my home.” He brought his bony elbows up to rest on the stone catwalk and craned his neck to see what Nadir was rummaging with in the basket. “What have you brought for me to break my fast with today, hmm?”

Nadir let out a huff as he extracted a large fish, freshly caught. He avoided meeting Erik’s eyes as the siren’s tongue poked out from between the thin lips, dragging across the dagger-like teeth. In the other basket, Nadir revealed his own meal: seasoned lamb kebab with rice and flatbread. At the sight of the “human” food, the siren turned up his nose. “You’ll spoil my appetite, Daroga,” he whined, inching himself further away.

Nadir gave Erik an amused glare while he sat and took a bite of the bread. The siren made a face of disgust before turning his attention to his own meal.

The strange pair began to eat together; at one point, Nadir looked up at the siren, but immediately wished he hadn’t. Erik’s mouth was rimmed with blood, and Nadir’s stomach turned as he watched the long tongue swipe hungrily over his fangs, wiping them clean of fish. “How is your new invention coming along?” Nadir asked, attempting to distract himself from the rather frightening image.

Erik’s yellow eyes sparked. “Perhaps you could tell me,” he said mischievously. At Nadir’s questioning look, he added, “I just tried it on you.”

Nadir frowned. “The humming?”

The siren nodded. Behind him, the fins of his long black tail splashed excitedly in the water. “I have found a frequency of sound that most humans find relaxing, even intoxicating. Amplifying this signal allows it to pass through water with relative ease, reaching their ears without them realizing the source…until it is too late.” The fang-filled grin flashed across his face again.

Nadir nodded in understanding. He wouldn’t lie, it made him a bit disappointed inside to know that Erik was capable of such ingenuity and artistry, only for it to be exploited in the name of causing torture and death. He sighed to himself.

“What about you, Daroga? How are things faring in the world above?” Erik asked as he set aside the bones of the fish and began picking at his fangs with one slender finger.

“Well, the Shah is having trouble finding a replacement vizier, one that he finds more trustworthy than the last.” Nadir couldn’t help his eyes from glancing over to where the scaly black tail shimmered and swished beneath the water. The last vizier, after his betrayal to the Shah was discovered, had found his death in this very room not a week prior, his neck snapped within the elastic force of that same strong tail. Nadir inhaled a deep breath to clear his thoughts. “As such, His Majesty has found himself under a lot of stress. He questions the loyalty of almost everyone around him. Because of this, I imagine you’ll be getting more…visitors soon.”

At Nadir’s last statement, Erik’s eyes darkened. “Visitors,” he spat the word with disdain. He pushed himself off of the stone catwalk and sunk lower into the water. He began to effortlessly swim in a circle before Nadir as he spoke impatiently. “There is no need for petty euphemisms, Daroga. I know what my role is to the Shah. I am his royal executioner; he sends me those he hates the most, the ones he wishes to see die the most agonizing deaths. And much like you, I am not one to forget the duties assigned to me.”

Nadir met the siren’s burning yellow gaze. “That is not the only role you fulfill, Erik,” he assured firmly. “You are an architect, the greatest Persia has ever seen. Your creations have brought wonder and beauty to many, not just terror and destruction. Trust me, you are valued much more than as a simple executioner.”

Erik’s tail lashed through the water, and he practically leapt forward until he was in front of Nadir. “Then why does the Shah keep me in a shallow tank and feed me like an exotic pet? Do not dare lie to me, Daroga, for I know my true worth in this country.” He slowly slid back into the water, turning his black-spined back to Nadir. His hand drifted up to touch the edge of the porcelain mask that hid half of his face. “I know my true worth…in this world.”

Nadir watched Erik with great pity within his noble and generous heart. After a quiet moment, he reached a hand into the inner pocket of his coat. “I believe you requested this a few days ago,” he said softly.

Erik turned his head around, and his eyes widened as he looked upon the object in Nadir’s hands. It was a large book, leather-bound with gold letters forming a title across the cover. He eagerly swam closer to find out what it said. “Italian Architecture of the 16th Century,” he read. His fingers reached up and snatched it from Nadir’s offering hands; he opened it up and began looking through it quickly, paying little attention to the small drops of water from his wet hands soaking through the pages. “Fascinating.”

Nadir smiled at his eagerness. “I suppose I’ll leave you to it, then. Enjoy your evening.” He have a small bow before standing and waking back along the catwalk to the stone platform.

Just as he reached for the door handle, he heard the voice behind him again say, “Daroga.” Nadir paused, before turning back around.

Erik slowly swam forward, cutting through the water like glass without leaving a single ripple. He reached the edge of the pool and pushed himself out with his wiry arms, resting the base of his tail on the stone platform. In the torchlight, Nadir could see the scars that slashed across his chest and shoulders, the way his ribs and joints protruded plainly from under his greyish pale skin. Despite the nocturnal darkness that rimmed his golden pupils, Erik’s eyes appeared soft as they focused on Nadir. “You have my thanks,” he whispered timidly.

A warmth erupted in Nadir’s chest as he took in Erik’s quiet words. With the corners of his lips turned up in a smile, Nadir gave Erik one final nod before opening the door and climbing back up to the world above.

[the-goldenbunny-diaries]

Espionage

⚢ Pairing - Jihyo x Reader

✎ Word Count - 1.7k

☆ Genre - Angst/Fluff? maybe?

♡ Description - Your life as a barista changes with one encounter (A/N: surprise i posted early because this is probably my favorite I’ve written thus far)

★・・・・・・★

In a bustling city, you lived an ordinary life, unaware of the secret world that existed beyond your everyday routines. Little did you know that your life was about to take an extraordinary turn. 

Amidst the ordinary hustle and bustle of the coffee shop you work at, your quick reflexes and keen observation skills set you apart. Effortlessly catching falling items and anticipating customers' needs, you impress everyone who witnesses your artistry. Unbeknownst to you, a mysterious observer is captivated by your graceful movements, secretly watching from afar. Your unassuming talents have sparked intrigue in this hidden admirer, leaving them yearning to uncover the person behind the mesmerizing coffee counter-performance.

That evening, as you were heading home, a mysterious figure approached you from the shadows.

Stranger: "Are you Y/N?"

You: "Yes, who are you?"

Stranger: "My name is Nayeon. We've been watching you. Meet me here tomorrow night."

Curiosity mingled with hesitation, but the idea of an adventure beyond the mundane enticed you. Nayeon handed you a sleek black card with the word "TWICE" embossed on it and instructed you to meet at a discreet location the next evening.

As you arrived at said discreet location, a sense of anticipation filled the air. You never suspected that this seemingly innocent spot would become the stage for a test of your fighting abilities. Suddenly, without warning, four people emerged from the shadows, surrounding you with unwavering determination in their eyes. Adrenaline surged through your veins as you prepared to defend yourself. Each move, every strike, and instinctual dodge showcased your honed skills while they pushed you to your limits. The clash of forces intensified, leaving you to rely on both adrenaline and wit to outmaneuver the relentless assailants. In this challenging encounter, you proved your mettle, displaying remarkable resilience and resourcefulness.

After the intense fight that put your fighting abilities to the test, you find yourself catching your breath, adrenaline still coursing through your veins. As the metaphorical dust settles, one of the strangers approaches and, with a cryptic smile, hands you another card. On it, you see an enigmatic location, hinting at a secret base shrouded in mystery. The encounter leaves you puzzled yet intrigued, wondering about the significance of the hidden base and the intentions behind this unexpected invitation. With a mix of curiosity and caution, you decide to venture again to yet another discreet location.

Upon arrival, you found yourself in a hidden underground facility. You walked through numerous hallways until you eventually found yourself in a great hall of sorts. As you walked in, nine pairs of eyes immediately landed on you, four sets on either side of a main walkway and one menacing set of eyes directly in front of you. You continued forward with a bit of hesitation as you made your way toward the woman in the center. Once you stood between the members in front of the leader, she held her hand up to stop you from coming further. This woman exuded an aura of confidence and competence that drew you in immediately. She commanded the room without having to say a word. 

"My name is Jihyo, and I am the leader of TWICE,” she started. She spoke with a confidence unlike any you’d ever seen before. You’ve seen your fair share of the ‘cocky’ type of confident people at the coffee shop, but nothing compared to the woman in front of you. She was powerful, and she knew it. 

”We are an elite group of spies who operate in the shadows, safeguarding the world from dangerous threats. We've been monitoring your skills and instincts, and given how you successfully handled yourself against 4 of our top agents, we believe you have the potential to be one of us."

The pieces of the puzzle fall into place as you understand that every move you made before and during the fight was closely observed and evaluated by the organization. You felt a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, but Jihyo's encouraging gaze reassured you. She offers you a choice: 

join TWICE and become a secret agent, but you can never go back to your regular life

or

be killed because no one can know about the organization and its member’s identities

★・・・・・・★

Over the next few weeks, you underwent rigorous training under Jihyo's watchful eye. She pushed you to your limits, challenging you to harness your innate talents and develop new ones. Despite the grueling sessions, you found yourself captivated by Jihyo's dedication and fierce determination.

Under the cloak of night, you and Jihyo infiltrate an opulent gala on a mission to retrieve a stolen set of encrypted documents that held the key to a dangerous international conspiracy. As you glided through the sea of elegantly dressed attendees, Jihyo's grace and charm were nothing short of mesmerizing. Her impeccable poise and magnetic charisma effortlessly drew people to her, making her the center of attention. You couldn't help but admire her ability to blend seamlessly into the high-society crowd, concealing her true intentions behind a captivating smile and eloquent conversation. In the midst of the glamorous event, it became evident that Jihyo's charm was not just a facade but an integral part of her spy arsenal, a tool that could disarm even the most guarded individuals.

As the night progressed, Jihyo's finesse in engaging with key targets proved invaluable. In the face of danger and high-stakes espionage, Jihyo's confidence never wavered. You knew that having her as a partner was not only an honor but also a reassurance that they would successfully complete this mission, no matter the odds. As you continued to navigate the sea of guests, you brought Jihyo aside where no one could hear your conversation.

"You're really good at this, Jihyo," you tell her, smiling as she blushes slightly. "It comes with experience. Just stay focused, and remember our mission objective." You know she’s being professional, but you can’t help but continue to admire her determination. 

★・・・・・・★

Your connection with Jihyo grew stronger with each passing day. She became your mentor, confidante, and, unexpectedly, your source of inspiration. Her passion for justice and unwavering commitment ignited a fire within you.

After a particularly intense training session, you found yourselves alone in the training room. Sweat glistened on your foreheads, and your muscles were pleasantly sore from the demanding drills you had just completed. As you took a moment to recover, Jihyo's eyes lit up with genuine admiration, and a warm smile graced her lips. "You're improving rapidly. I'm proud of you," she said, her voice carrying a blend of pride and encouragement.

Her words filled you with a sense of accomplishment. Jihyo's praise meant a lot to you, as she was not only an exceptional partner but also your fearsome leader with years of experience. "It's all thanks to your guidance, Jihyo,” you replied, feeling a mix of humility and gratitude. "You inspire me to be better."

A brief moment of silence filled the air before Jihyo stepped closer, her eyes locking onto yours. 

"You have something special, Y/N. I see potential in you, not just as a spy but as someone remarkable."

In that moment, the sparks between you were undeniable. The tension in the room was palpable as you both hesitated, unsure of what the other was feeling. You knew that, since the day you started training with Jihyo, you’ve had feelings for her. You didn’t know to what extent until this exact moment.

"Jihyo, can I tell you something?” you asked cautiously.

“Of course! You can tell me anything,” she smiles, putting a comforting hand on your shoulder.

“I... I think I've caught feelings for you," you whisper, but she hears you loud and clear. Jihyo's eyes softened, and a small smile played on her lips. After the confession, the air around you seemed charged with unspoken emotions, and you braced yourself for whatever response Jihyo might offer. As her smile widened, you could see a mix of surprise, gratitude, and perhaps even a hint of reciprocation in her eyes. The tension that had weighed heavily on your shoulders started to dissipate, replaced by a sense of hope and excitement.

Jihyo: "I feel the same way. I've tried to ignore it, but being with you, it's undeniable. It's just... I never imagined this would happen."

You nodded, feeling relieved that she didn't reject your feelings outright. "I know it's unexpected, but I couldn't keep it to myself any longer. Our bond has grown beyond what I thought was possible."

She smiled warmly, her voice softening, "It's mutual. I've admired you not only as a skilled spy but also as a person. The way you handle situations with grace and determination is something I find incredibly attractive.”

★・・・・・・★

However, as your journey together progressed, you couldn't help but wonder what the future held. The world of espionage was treacherous, and uncertainty loomed over every decision you made. Would your love be enough to withstand the perils that lay ahead? Could you continue to balance the intricacies of your relationship with the danger of your missions?

Despite the uncertainties, one thing was certain: the love you had found in the shadows was a force to be reckoned with. As you looked into Jihyo's eyes, you saw a reflection of your own determination and unwavering commitment to this thrilling life you had chosen. Together, you were an unstoppable force, catching villains and saving lives, but also cherishing the moments of tenderness amidst the chaos.

And so, with every mission, you embraced the unpredictability of the world you lived in, knowing that love had intertwined itself with your partnership, making you stronger both as operatives and as individuals. The future remained unknown, and the road ahead was filled with challenges and dangers, but you were ready to face it with Jihyo by your side, knowing that the connection you shared would be carried with you for a lifetime, through every twist and turn, in a love that transcended the boundaries of secrecy.

As spies, your story was far from over. What new adventures and trials lay ahead, only time would tell. But as long as you and Jihyo stood together, you were ready to embrace the mysteries that life and espionage had in store for you. The possibilities were endless, and your love story was still being written—one mission at a time.

[akiology]

hello! i adire your writing style, it brings a smile to my face 🩷

i was wondering if i could rq a yusuke x reader one-shot? i honestly don't mind any prompt, just the fluffiest thing you can think of when it comes to the guy.

thank you, and i hope you're doing well! — 🎀

Love, Love, Love || Yusuke Kitagawa x Reader

Word Count: 1.7k Summary: Yusuke reminisces on the beginning of your relationship. Note: I'm sorry this took so long, sweetheart! I am gonna be honest with you, Yusuke is my absolute favorite so I was really happy when I got this ask! But then the perfectionist in me came out since this IS Yusuke.... I had around 3 drafts until I settled on this one... Hopefully you like it!

For the longest time, romantic love was not really a part of Yusuke’s vocabulary. There was no need for it, honestly. This does not mean he does not experience love, he absolutely does. His love for the arts, and life. He looks out to the crowd and thinks that everyone has backstory, or a page in their book that they cannot tell. He thinks that humanity, despite all their flaws and vices, are inspiring. With hope there is desire, one of the things he learned as a Phantom Thief.

Of course, not every person is ‘good’. But he can understand that with beauty comes vice. And that people are not necessarily evil, there are just those that had difficult circumstances. And then there are those who merely succumbed without trying to do any better.

Yusuke has experienced love, both for his craft and for his fellow Phantom Thieves. Whenever he looks at the Sayuri, he feels the love he has for his mother, and the love his mother had for him. When he looks out at the world, he feels empathy and understanding for their individual experiences. But whether he has experienced love for another, in the romantic sense, is something he cannot answer. 

Until now.

He looks behind his canvas, and he sees you preparing him a meal. You were currently playing your favorite music in a low volume, and slightly dancing to the beat. Your hair was in a disarray, but he did not care in the slightest. Yusuke absolutely loves and adores you. He holds his hands up, jutting out his pointer fingers and thumbs, ‘framing’ you.

You were, and still is, his favorite inspiration.

He thinks back to the first time he met you, it was a chance encounter. He was hanging by the underground walkway of the Shibuya train station, people-watching just before he got home. He was looking for inspiration, but today the gods seem to be playful and are preventing him from making the masterpiece he wishes to create.

He sighed deeply, and was about to put his sketchpad back into his bag, when he suddenly felt the weight of another person in his side and dropped his materials. He was able to balance his weight before he could fall face-first onto the earth. You, however, were not as fortunate.

"Are you alright?" he asked as he crouched down to help you up on your feet. You stood up with his help, trying to get your bearings.

"Y-yeah..." you finally answered, and Yusuke gathered his sketchpad and pencil. When he stood up again, you apologized to him.

He was about to accept your apology and tell you to be more careful next time, but when your eyes met his words got stuck in his throat.

You were breathtaking.

And he swears that if he looked into your eyes, he would get lost in it.

You seemed to take his silence the wrong way, and you started fidgeting while offering more apologies. Yusuke finally cleared his throat, "May I paint you?"

It was out of place, and Yusuke quickly explained his situation. He briefly remembers what happened with Ann, and he wished not to come off as a pervert. It seems his explanation was sufficient, and you agreed. Sadly you were busy today, so you exchanged numbers for next time.

The next time you meet each other, it was during the afternoon, on a Sunday in Inokashira Park. The sun was a little forgiving, and along with the shade of the trees it gave off a cool and peaceful vibe. The birds sang a tune, and for a moment it felt like you were in a movie as you leaned against the railings.

Yusuke, on the other hand, is stuck between getting his sketchpad from his bag or looking at you a little while longer.

When you finally turned to look at him, he was snapped out of his thoughts and decided to take out his materials.

“Um, so… how should I pose?”

Yusuke contemplated for a moment, and at that exact moment you tilted your head a bit and the sun hit your face just right. You were ethereal, as if he was looking at a painting.

“Face towards the river, but position your head to the side. Put both your hands on the railing on both sides,” Yusuke instructed, and sat on a nearby bench to get started. For a while, no words were exchanged between the two of you. The chirping of the birds, the light sway of the trees with the gust of wind, the faraway conversations, and the sound of charcoal against paper was all that could be heard. It feels oddly comforting.

You look to your side, trying to stay still as much as possible. You see Yusuke, who would glance at you every once in a while. Some stray hair has fallen over his face. You think for a second that if he weren’t the artist, he would be the one that was being drawn. He is very beautiful.

You think back on a few days ago, your first encounter. You honestly do not know why you easily agreed to being his model, perhaps because he has this air around him? Like, he is not capable of lying, or any malicious actions. It sounds a bit naive, but it feels like you could trust him, with your life even.

After holding the pose for five minutes, you start feeling restive. You did not know what to do, would he get mad if you asked for a break?

As if on cue, you hear him clearing his throat, “Let us take a break,” he says. You internally did a sigh of relief. You stretched and wiggled your fingers, then proceeded to sit beside him albeit with a little bit of space in between the both of you.

He was quiet, but not in a brooding or anti-social way. More like an observer, who is appreciating the scenery in front of him. You decided to start a conversation to get to know him more.

“So, Yusuke, was it? Which school do you attend?”

“Kosei High School,” he briefly says, then adjusted so he could slightly face you. “How about you?”

You answer, and the both of you talk for a while. He talks about how Sayuri inspired him to want to make an art piece just like it. He also talks about how he seeks to capture the sense of beauty it portrays, and how he wishes he could encapsulate how much it inspired him and in a sense, evoke the same feeling in others.

You find yourself admiring him while he speaks. His voice holds your attention, and if he were to say even the most boring things, you just might listen.

Just as you were about to say something, you felt something wet touch your cheek. And then another, and another. Yusuke looks up and grabs your wrist, “Let us take cover.”

You entered a nearby store, taking cover from the sudden rain. Yusuke felt a little disappointed at this outcome, but at least the both of you were able to find shelter right away.

“I apologize for this,” Yusuke says. You were confused. “I have been known to bring rain,” he says lightheartedly.

You smile and shake your head. “No biggie. Although this puts an early end to your drawing.”

“That’s true. May I see you again?”

You blushed. He did not mean it that way, but hearing him say that feels like you were in a teen fiction, “Sure!”

After a while, Yusuke was able to finish his drawing. He got high marks on it, and told you all about it. Even after its completion, you and Yusuke remain in touch. You would each greet each other at the start of the day and end the day with a ‘good night’ from each other. And every Sunday, you would meet up at Inokashira Park, catching up while people-watching. Almost like an unspoken tradition between the both of you.

One Sunday, you were telling Yusuke a funny story that occurred to you recently and you cannot help but feel uneasy as his eyes were trained on you. He was paying close attention, and he never looked away as you told your story. 

“Don’t look at me like that… “ You bring your hand up to your face, hoping to cover up your red-tinted cheeks.

Yusuke tilted his head a bit, “Hm? Like what?”

“I don’t know… like that,” you struggle to explain, and Yusuke’s eyes are on you again. It feels like he could see the deepest parts of you, the parts of you that you hide away, “THAT. Like how you are looking at me right now, and.. while I was telling my story… If you keep doing that, I might think I’m beautiful.”

“You are beautiful,” he answers with no hesitation.

You feel your cheeks flaring up, and you turn away to calm yourself. “Th-thank you…”

“Yusuke! Food is ready!” He was snapped out of his thoughts when he hears you calling out to him. He was back in the present time, in front of his canvas. He shakes his head, and puts back his brush on the table beside him. He stood up and stretched.

As you are preparing the table, you feel Yusuke’s weight on your back and his arms around you. “Hello darling.”

“Hi Yusuke,” you giggled.

He gives you a quick kiss on the cheeks, and another behind your ear, and another on your jawline, and finally stopping on your shoulder. “I love you,” he says with so much weight and sincerity.

“I love you too. Will you help me set the table?” 

He proceeds to grab the plates, and helps in putting the food down. When you both finish, you give Yusuke a quick kiss. He smiled, and grabbed one of your hands to place on his shoulder. He holds the other, and situated his free hand behind your back. He starts humming a tune, and leads your feet to the beat.

You chuckled, “What has gotten to you today?”

Yusuke smiled, “I simply enjoy my time with you. I am at my happiest when I am with you.” You place your head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Yusuke felt like his heart was thrashing against his ribs.

“I feel the same way.”

For the longest time, romantic love was not really a part of Yusuke’s vocabulary. That is, until he met you.