#you said i made you do that because i wasn't being sensible. i had been crying too hard to speak clearly.

[inkskinned]

it mattered because when my brother asked me what if this is the happiest you'll ever be? the best you'll ever get? the thing i felt was fear, not peace. everybody thought you were so perfect for me. even i thought you were "helping me grow". i had to challenge every internal clock. make myself more thoughtful, more kind, more beautiful.

i told my therapist it was good because i like the changes i made and there's something so strong about saying i did that. the problem is that i can like the difference all i want, but i changed for you. something akin to getting your name tattooed, all my progress is stamped with fuck you.

it was the happiest i'd ever been and also the best i'd ever gotten. i would still get in the car and think what the fuck just happened.

[keen-li]

What you need | prologue

Synopsis: everybody needs, but how do you define need? Do you even know what you need.

Genre: best friends au, angst, fluff, smut, slow burn.

Jungkook x reader.

4.7k

prologue | next

-

‘’you can’t be serious’’ your brows knits as your voice shakes with disbelief.

‘’I’m serious as fuck yn’’ he spits out like venom from a snake’s glands ‘’Is it so hard to stop being friends with him?’’ he says it like it’s that easy to end a friendship, especially with no valid reason.

‘’yes. We’ve been friends for forever’’ You can feel your throat tremble with all this defending you have to do.

‘’yn 3 years isn’t forever’’

‘’but it's longer than we’ve been together’’ you spit back with your own venom. You wouldn’t put Jungkook over Yunho cause he’s your boyfriend, but that’s not going to make you forget Jungkook. The person who’s been there for you the most (not that you’re counting) ‘’I’m not going to stop being friends with him over nothing or just because you’re threatened by him’’

You know that’s what this is about. You don’t know when it started but Yunho has always seemed to be threatened by Jungkook. You’ve reassured him so much you got tired of it, so you just let him talk to himself when he complained.

‘‘so, this is nothing to you?’’ he stops walking around to stare at you with a glare you’ve never seen. This argument is not like the others you’ve had over Jungkook, it’s worse. The fire spat out and acid thrown (in form of words) causes the whole house to overheat around you, leaving you scorched and burnt.

‘’you really do love Jungkook more than me?’’ he seems fed up with it, and you are too. For how long can you continue to baby his insecurity?

‘’I’ve told you a million times that Jungkook and I are just friends and there’s nothing you need to worry about’’ you try and be the sensible one (as always). Since this argument was about you; you were going to be the one to try and end it if you were going to be able to put out the fire in Yunho.

‘’if I wanted to be with him, I would’ve done it by now, but no, I’m with you and I want to be with you’’ you say with everything, apart from the irritation and anger, in your heart. Maybe it wasn't the best way to say it but you said it, and it did nothing but make him angrier.

He’s silent as if analyses the validity of your words. He knows you’re probably correct, you would never choose Jungkook over him but something just bothers him. He wonders if this has anything to do with you and Jungkook or just an inner unacknowledged vengeance.

‘’what I said still stands, either you stop being friends with him or we’re done’’

Your skin paled as his skin stayed healthy and glowing like this was a piece of cake for him. As if he was unbothered and doing this to make you uncomfortable. You thought you made it to the crossroads but you're far from it. You're actually in the middle of the highway waiting to be hit.

‘’come on yunho, why are being like this’’ you’re getting tired of trying.

‘’you’re doing this to yourself yn’’ How are you doing this to yourself when he’s the one pointing a gun to your head to choose between a rock and a hard place.

‘’it's not fair, because you know I love you and i really care about you’’

‘’if you love me and care about me, you’re going to stop being friends with him’’

His stubbornness is so unbelievable.

‘’you’re not being fair’’ you bite your lower lip. you hope the pain from it can distract you from the pounding of your heart. Your fists clench and unclench as you try to think of what to do, things don’t seem to be easing down and you don’t like it at all.

‘’no yn I’m not, but I have to protect myself’’ his face and tone are as uncaring as ever. He’s being difficult and uncaring as you fight for this relationship. Are you the only one who cares?

‘’protect yourself from what?’’ your voice raises an octave; you start to get frustrated with the confusion from his indifferent behavior.

‘’from getting hurt’’

You’ve had it.

‘’I TOLD YOU, JUNGKOOK AND I ARE NEVER GOING TO BE TOGETHER!’’ you yell like you’ve never yelled before that he’s even taken aback. "I swear’’ your voice goes back to its light and softness, almost begging. But still no change on his part.

You feel like everything in the room is laughing at you.

All the little laughs and happy moments all the promises made, all the kisses gave; in your face laughing at you, mocking you for giving love another chance just for it to spit in your face another time.

If this doesn’t work out, you’re never going to do this again.

‘’That doesn’t guarantee me anything’’ he watches you and you scoff.

‘’so, tell me, me or Jungkook?’’

‘’you’re not being fair’’ you roll your eyes.

‘’that’s just how it is’’ is it really? Or is it how you want it to be? you want to say but hold back you don’t want to add gasoline to this ticking time bomb of a relationship.

‘’Please make the right choice, think about us’’

You chuckle bitterly internally, is this when he cares about what you had?

What you had.

You think of that. Yunho was your hope in love after your last relationship, he was-is your everything. So, if he cares about what you have then why is he doing this?

You think about it. Yunho is your boyfriend, and Jungkook is your best friend. You’ve known Jungkook longer but you love Yunho more (well in the boyfriend way) and you love Jungkook in the best friend way.

Which is more valuable and worth keeping.

‘’I can’t, I’m sorry’’ you breathe out ‘’jungkook is my friend’’

‘I guess you’ve made your choice’’

-

‘’Next time we go out remind me to carry sunscreen’’ jungkook says through the speaker ‘’im looking like a roast turkey’’

You snort.

Knowing Jungkook he’s probably in his bathroom staring at himself. You giggle when you hear him whisper a hot one though.

He isn’t wrong.

‘’speaking of going out, please never bring your boyfriend again.’’ He chuckles out but you stay silent.

At the mention of yunho you freeze, everything does. You know jungkook means no harm. All your friends tease you about Yunho.

Now you begin to wonder if it was a warning hidden behind humor because they knew how much you loved him and passed little jokes about him.

Maybe you should’ve known, how could you have thought of it when you were so “so in love’’ with him though.

‘’yn, you with me?’’ jungkook asks noticing how quiet you’ve gone. He starts to worry that he’s offended you, but you know he’s just joking right? Well, he’s not. He doesn’t like Yunho one single bit and never wants to see him ever again, cause if he does, he’s going to punch him. For many different reasons.

“Are you okay?” he coos out, body tensing in worry at your silence.

Silence.

Sniffle, sniffle.

Jungkook pauses when he hears you sniffle, you’re crying. His heart muscle contracts at the sound.

Why are you crying?

Is it something he’s done? Cause he wouldn’t forgive himself if he was ever the reason a tear left your eye. He wouldn’t forgive anyone who was the reason for your tears.

It was so hard keeping this to yourself and not telling anyone, especially jungkook.

‘’yn what’s wrong, is something going on?’’ you don’t answer and he gets more uneasy. It makes it worse for him that you’re in two different places.

‘’does it have to do with Yunho?’’ he knows he’s probably right, but he just wants you to say it; so, he can have a reason for whatever he’s going to do after.

Silence.

‘’Did he do something to you?’’ his voice gets more impatient.

‘’yn please talk to me’’ at this point he’s begging you to say something. He can’t see you, so the least you can do is say something; tell him he’s overreacting and you’re okay (even though he wouldn’t believe it until he saw you in person. And even then he still wouldn’t believe)

‘’if he did something to you, you need to tell me’’ jungkook paces around his bedroom slowly.

‘’he didn’t do anything’’ You finally speak but it's not what he wants to hear. But it does confirm what he’s thinking.

Jungkook knows it's hard for you to speak when you're crying, normally he’d let you cry it out until you’re calm and can tell him. But right now, he wants you to speak.

‘’it doesn’t sound that way’’ You can hear the anger rising in his tone, if you never knew him, you’d think he was mad at you.

But he’s just on the road to anger, that’s why you didn’t want to tell him. You’d planned on telling him later but your emotions were not on the same page with you.

‘’Did he touch you?’’ now he’s just giving you options to pick yes or no. It's a bit of an overstep in jungkook's part but he's worried and you're not giving him an answer. He wouldn't put it past yunho though.

‘’I swear to god yn if he did...’’ jungkook fumes out letting his thoughts go ahead of him cause you won’t seem to tell him.

You don't know where your voice has gone but its not there, you do want to speak but you can't seem to find the voice or energy.

Even though he’s angry, whatever it is it’s not your fault and he shouldn’t take it out on you. Anger won’t make you speak any quicker.

Jungkook isn't so protective, most of the time, but when yunho is mentioned he has this inkling to keep you closer to him. He doesn't know why but he just does, he tries to keep to himself but his heart aches too much.

‘’talk to me bunny’’ he coos hoping to get more insight.

That pet name does it for you.

‘’he broke up with me kook’’ you wobble out your words.

Jungkook’s hands tap against his table angrily. his jaw unintentionally clenches. He wants to be happy that you're not tied to that bastard anymore, but this is not about him. It's about you. And unlike jungkook, you actually like yunho and are, surprisingly, in love with him.

‘’yn, when did this happen?’’ you can’t tell what emotion he’s speaking with.

‘’two days ago,” you speak out slowly and so low that jungkook wouldn’t have heard you if he didn’t know you.

‘’And you’re only just telling?” you feel like he’s blaming you but you’re just in your feels and you know he isn’t.

‘’I’m still processing it” you defend.

‘’okay’’

‘’I’m coming over right now’’ you can hear him shuffle around, probably putting on some clothes.

“kook, that’s no- you don’t have-‘’

‘’Don’t tell me I don’t have to; I’m on my fucking way’’

-

‘’you didn’t have to drive here’’ you say when you open the door and see a hooded up jungkook.

‘’shut up and let me in’’ he jokes out and lets himself in.

-

‘’you know I’m mad that this when you’re telling’’ jungkook hums out into your hair as his hand comfortingly rubs your arm.

‘’I told you I’m still processing it’’ You coo into his chest, and the vibration from your voice soothes his previously aching beating muscle.

‘’I know, that’s why I’m letting it slide for now’’ Jungkook’s eyes move to look at you, your eyes closed as you lightly breath against his chest.

He's happy you've calmed down now. After walking in he asked you to tell him what happened, you did (not all but you did). You ignored any question of 'why did he break up with you'. You don't want to answer that or even tell him.

His eyes roam your living room which is still the same from the last time he came, maybe with the addition of a new painting. But the overall ambiance and warmth are still present and he knows Yunho’s presence hasn’t contaminated it.

‘’next time you tell me immediately’’ he says without thinking.

‘’Next time?’’ you move away and jungkook cringes and the disappearance of your warmth.

‘’that’s not what I mea-‘’

‘’yeah I know’’ you place your legs on his lap and he gladly accepts them. ‘’but there won't be a next time’’

You say still in thought.

‘’I think I’m done dating’’

It hurts jungkook hearing you say that. He’s seen how many times a douchebag has hurt you, and it weakens him to slowly watch you give up on love.

‘’I’m tired of getting my heart broken, cause that’s all that happens when I date’’ you start ‘’honestly I knew love didn’t exist but I still wanted to try. So, I guess I shouldn’t be mad if love shows me its ass, cause I’ve known all along. true love doesn’t exist, maybe love in all doesn’t exist.’’

One thing jungkook fully believed in his life was true love, he thinks he probably got it from watching his parents be so in love with each other. His mother always told him, that people always look around for what they think is true love when the actual thing is right in front of their face. You just have to pay attention.

‘’I guess this gives me enough time to focus on my career’’ you sing-song.

You try and seem okay and prove something to jungkook.

‘’bunny’’ he calls out softly as his hand brushes passed yours making little electrons lightly dance over your skin.

‘’you'll find someone who truly loves you’’ You understand where his words are coming from but they don’t help you feel not less than.

‘’maybe not in this lifetime, but thanks for trying kook’’ you let out a painful laugh. Jungkook’s eyes sink deep into yours as if trying to find what you’re not telling, what you’re so afraid of showing him.

He wants to know and wants to see everything; you don’t need to hide anything from him.

He hopes you know that.

You move away from his gaze and try to hide what’s left of your hurt. You don’t need him more worried.

‘’so have you taken up my offer for the dating app’’ You change the topic with a smile and a heavy heart.

‘’I’m still thinking about it’’ You watch he’s teeth play with the silver loop at the corner of his lip. You’re still not yet used to his pierced lip even though he’s had it for over a year. Jungkook taps your calf when he catches you looking a little too long at his lip.

‘’if you take any longer, I’m going to have to find a blind date for you myself’’ your eyes flush amusement.

Jungkook’s brows rise in playfulness before they drop and he smiles.

‘’I’m sure anyone you pick would be a good fit’’

‘’glad you know’’

‘’I think I’m going to clock in for the night’’ You yawn and stand. Jungkook watches your figure hover over him. ‘’feel free to stay longer and eat whatever’’

You know he would cause he’s done it before.

‘’I’m just going to head out, got work tomorrow’’ he stands with a groan. “as long as you’ll be fine” he stares at you waiting for an answer. You give him one with your eyes. He’s helped to a lot this night and you don’t want him going late to work.

‘’love you kook’’ you say abruptly and jungkook doesn’t have time to process it when that tingling feeling in his stomach starts. It feels like the time when he had to perform in front of the whole school, in the 10th grade.

He didn't like that feeling, but this one feels more enjoyable.

‘’thanks for coming tonight’’ your bright eyes beam at him.

‘’Anything for you bunny’’ he smiles before he’s out the door.

-

Jungkook didn’t have work the next day, okay maybe he did but one day of not attending wouldn’t hurt him, right?

He did write to his boss after all.

I apologize for the late notice, but...... cause my mother is unwell.

It's just one lie. He hopes his mother doesn’t mind.

As Jungkook pulls over he’s suddenly grateful for all the times you’ve asked him to drop you off at Yunho’s house and how he persisted in walking you up to his apartment.

With his mind made up Jungkook raises his hand to knock on the door. He hopes he still lives here cause it would be embarrassing if he didn’t. If he had moved you would’ve told Jungkook, after all, you tell him everything.

‘’nuguseyo?’’ [who are you?]

Jungkook’s blood boils when the feminine voice speaks. He swears Yunho still lives here. Who’s she?

If what jungkook’s thinking is correct then Yunho is in for more than an ass whooping.

‘’Yunho. does he live here?’’ he speaks to her bluntly. She’s not why he came so he doesn’t care for her.

‘’eung’’ she says before she speaks again ‘’Yeobo’’

Jungkook is too familiar with that term of endearment, so he is correct.

This bastard was cheating on her. And even if he wasn’t and jungkook is reaching, how can he be with someone only a few days after breaking up with her?

‘’someone’s here for you’’ she says as his figure comes into focus.

‘’wh-‘’ his voice cuts off. ‘’jungkook? Look what the cat dragged in. Did yn send you here’’

It pisses Jungkook off how he says your name with no damn respect.

It would have honestly been better for him if you had sent him, he would’ve been at mercy.

But the fact that he’s here on his own accord means Jungkook can do whatever he wants. No mercy.

He just prays you don’t find out. You hate violence and he knows it. You would kill him if you knew he was about to do what he’s about to do. But the red pumping to his fists makes him think unclear, right now all he cares about is avenging you. But maybe he’s doing this to also quench the hatred he has for Yunho within himself.

‘’I’m sure she told you what happened, you won I guess’’ he says it like it was a game ‘’But did you win really.’’ He chuckles.

Jungkook can hear the mocking in his voice.

He didn’t need much motivation until his body reacted and soon crimson painted on his fist.

-

‘’that asshole’’ willoe spits out through her swallow. ‘’he really wanted you to pick?’’ you nod.

‘’I’m glad you made the right choice’’ She places her mug down. You don’t even want to bother and tell her that you almost (for a split second) wanted to pick him over Jungkook. And for the past 2 days, you’ve been wondering if you should’ve. But it’s the loneliness speaking.

Remembering how Jungkook came over yesterday to see you makes you glad that you made that decision. You feel shitty for even thinking of picking Yunho.

‘’Making someone pick is ruthless, selfish and immature’’

Willoe has been wallowing out curses ever since you told her about Yunho, you kinda regret it.

You wonder how Jimin can handle her tongue.

Unlike Jungkook, willoe took you not telling her better. You pin it on the fact that she’s also kept things from you too, for quite a long time too.

One of the things was that she and Jimin had started dating. now that you think about it you probably complained her and Jimin’s ears off (like she’s doing right now to you). Who goes 3 months without telling their bestie that she’s dating her love at first sight who’s also your friend? What impresses you more is how Jimin was able to keep it from you.

If you had even the smallest inkling that she and Jimin were dating you would’ve probably pulled it out of him. But there were no signs.

Or maybe you were too wrapped around Yunho’s nagging that you didn’t pay attention.

‘’Can you stop cursing that man’s lineage’’ Your coffee’s probably going cold with how you’re just holding it. The warmth on the ceramic provides some comfort in a way.

‘’oh I haven’t even begun cursing his lineage’’ she scoffs ‘’It's just that I have a date with Jimin tonight, otherwise, I would’ve gone to pull out the candles’’ You know she’s just playing. Even though Willoe on her days off looks like she’s the type, she’s far from pulling out candles to curse someone. But you wouldn’t put it past her.

You just laugh.

‘’Have you told jungkook?’’ she lowers her voice down to a serious tone.

Your head lifts to look at her confused. ‘’told him what?’’

She rolls her eyes at you as if you don’t know.

‘’that he made you pick between him or jungkook.’’

It clicks. You don’t know if it’s cause of what’s going on but your mind has been foggy of late.

‘’hell no’’ you spit out quite roughly.

‘’why not’’

‘’because it would piss him off, I don’t even know what he would do’’ You finally take a sip of your coffee and cringe at how lukewarm it's gotten. Willoe watches you noticing that you haven’t taken a sip of your coffee.

‘’you think he would beat up Yunho?’’ you ask her for an opinion.

‘’oh, I know he would, without a doubt. I’m surprised you haven’t gotten a call from a hospitalized yunho’’ willoe stares at the waiter to bring her another order. She comes here often so she hopes they remember.

‘’like be for real yn have you looked at him’’ if only she knew how many times you’ve looked at him. ’’He could take Yunho in one go and win’’

you know he can, you have hundreds of his gym pics in your gallery. Not because you stalk him but because jungkook feels the need to send you some every time he’s in the gym (which is like every day).

Why haven’t you deleted them? Because it’s cute that he can share this cute ritual with you of all people. And even though you don’t go to the gym with him at all. The pictures make it like you are accompanying him on his gym journey.

Though your storage isn’t so pleased.

‘’but I just don’t like violence, especially if it's jungkook. I don’t want him to get hurt’’

‘’girl be serious jungkook would never let someone whoop his ass, he’d rather die’’

She’s so right.

‘’and its kinda hot having someone wanting to fight another person for you’’ Willoe blushes at the thought ‘’Jimin once punched a guy who was flirting with me, and I’ve never fucked him harder’’ She looks lost in the thoughts ‘’It was one of the reasons I kept in touch with him. I love possessive men’’ you chuckle as you watch the blood go to her cheeks.

You know Willoe is into those kinds of things.

And that’s one of the things that makes you two different. You don’t like men who do that kind of thing, even though you get where it's coming from. It's unattractive to you.

And that’s one reason you’ll never attend Jungkook’s boxing training sessions. It would kill you to see someone hit Him, even If it’s not serious.

‘’anyway, how’s Jimin? Haven’t talked to him this week’’

‘’yeah, same. He’s been busy lately so he promised me a date to make up for it.’’

You watch her blush at the mention of Jimin, she always does.

You love how they work together. It makes you feel so happy to see her happy and be with someone like Jimin who treats her right.

But it just makes you think of your lacks, when or where were you going to find someone who would love you like Jimin loves Willoe.

‘’god, when will I meet someone like Jimin’’

‘’you will, you just need to open your eyes’’

‘’my eyes have been open and all I can see is bullshit’’

Willow laughs almost choking on her second coffee, you’ve barely touched your first. She’s a coffee addict anyway, so you can’t compete.

‘’Don't worry yn someone will come around’’

You roll your eyes ‘’well I’m done waiting for that one person’’ you feel yourself tense at the thought of being alone forever.

‘’I’ll send you some lavender and chamomile to calm you down’’

Maybe it's time to get into the herbs she’s been recommending.

-

You’ve now been tuning out Jimin’s lecture for a minute. You don’t even know how his consolidation turned into him giving a speech on how to find someone who cares about you, and how you should take a break from dating and ‘’find yourself’’. Whatever the fuck that means.

Most of the time you think you and Jimin are similar, and share the same ideas and beliefs. But maybe it's just the means of saying them that differ.

You’ve missed Jimin and the last thing you want to talk about is Yunho. You’d rather catch up and laugh around.

It's best to get it over with right now anyway. So you let your ears bleed as he speaks.

‘’and that’s why I didn’t like him in the first place....’’ he rumbles on. The red button seems so far away. Your fingers twitch to press it.

Jimin isn’t the most talkative person, you give that title to Willoe. But once he starts to talk he doesn’t seem to stop.

You need a fucking savior right now.

‘’yn are you hearing me’’ he asks from your lack of response.

‘’yeah jimin, well and clear.’’ Lies. You’ve been tuning him out, he could’ve changed the topic and you wouldn’t know.

‘’Good’’

You groan.

In a second after your plea, your savior finally shows.

‘’jimin can I call you later jungkook is calling’’

‘’jungkook? Tell him you’re busy. I’m talking to you’’

‘’I would but I think it's important and you know how whiny he gets’’

‘’alright then I’ll call you later, tell him to stop ignoring my calls too’’ you hum in acknowledgement and nod.

‘’okay bye’’ you click so fast he doesn’t get to respond.

‘’my fucking saviour’’ you say immediately after Jungkook’s call is accepted. He’s a little confused by your abruptness but takes it anyway.

You watch the confusion on his face with a smile.

‘’thank you?’’

‘’is that a question’’

‘’yeah, I just don’t know where it's coming from’’ you watch him fix his hoodie.

‘’you’re my fucking savior, what don’t you get?’’ for a second, he thinks you're talking about Yunho, but if it was about him the last thing, you’d be doing is thanking him. ‘’you just saved me from a jimin lecture’’

He makes a face of realization, he sees you don’t seem to know about Yunho.

Like on cue, Jimin’s text pops up.

Minnie Boy: I know you didn’t want to hear what I was saying, but please consider taking a break for yourself.

Minnie boy: And I promise to not bring it up again.

You giggle at his text, he knows you so well, that maybe you will consider taking his advice.

You: I hope you know I appreciate your advice and I will consider it. Thanks, Minnie.

‘’what was he saying?’’ jungkook’s velvety voice pulls you back to him.

‘’It was about Yunho’’

He lets out a hum, understanding that he gave you one hell of a lecture.

There’s a little comfortable silence as you and jungkook just watch each other.

‘’About that. How are you doing?’’

‘’I guess I’m okay, you guys have made a easier for me”

Jungkook’s happy to hear that.

‘’I appreciate it’’

‘’we’re you’re friends we’ll always be here for you’’

he sounds so sentimental it makes your heart throb.

‘’how about you? how are you doing?’’ you change your position.

Laying on your back with your phone above you. you watch jungkook turn his eyes away.

‘’I’m doing okay, just working and stuff’’

You nod.

‘’and how about the date thing have you thought about it’’

Jungkook will probably never hear the end of it. He runs a hand through his dark hair which seems to be growing longer and longer.

‘’about that, I don’t want to’’

Your glare would probably teleport you to him and smack him if it could.

‘’what do you mean you don’t want to?’’ you sit up and jungkook sighs disappointedly with the position change.

‘’I mean, you’re not doing well, and the last thing I want to be thinking of looking for a girlfriend’’

You roll your eyes.

‘’This is why I don’t like letting you know things, you get so worried and forget about yourself’’

You’re not wrong and he knows it, but he doesn’t find a problem with it.

‘’I’ll be okay, don’t worry about me’’ he watches you talk.

It’s so hard for him not to worry about you when you don’t seem to be telling him the truth about if you’re truly okay. You’re saying it but he doesn’t believe it.

You continue to express how you’re okay and he needs to find someone for himself instead of spending his days worrying about you.

He can’t help but think about whether he should tell you Yunho was cheating or not, he doesn’t want to hurt you. Cause that news would kill you.

But keeping it to himself feels like it will do more harm.

But it won’t hurt you if you never find out, all you have to do is never talk to Yunho again and he trusts you can do that.

‘’okay yn if you want to so badly find me a blind date’’ he says after you suggest it for a millionth time.

You’re shocked by his acceptance but also excited.

‘’and I will. Get your suit jacket ready 'cause jungkook you’re going on a date ’ you mimic the voice of dating show presenters.

‘’I'll be waiting’’ he chuckles out watching you smile.

-

A/n: I don't know why the prologue is so long.😭

Feedback is appreciated.

[o-wild-west-wind]

so after the s2 teaser drop the pirates have been ping-ponging inside my brain for the past few days rapidly enough to reach a boiling point and I think it’s just cooked a theory: the Kiss™ was, for all intents and purposes, a marriage proposal—and Ed’s not raiding weddings just because he feels like the possibility of a future marriage is off the cards, but because he sees himself as, quite literally, having been jilted by a man who just said yes to his proposal.

Prefacing that a) I know the historical context is not (and absolutely should not) be given much weight in this show, and b) I am not a historian (so please correct me if I say anything patently ~falshe~) but that said and with my only qualification as being a Certified Slut for period dramas, I think a case could be made that this show—and Ed specifically—could be assuming an era-specific formula for romance.

While the majority of society was kind of a free-for-all when it came to sex/marriage/etc. in the 18th century, the upper echelons were still bound to a relatively strict level of propriety, as well as transactional views of a relationship; and at the same time, this was a period when the notion of marrying for love was rising in popularity (Stede, of course, is the poster child of someone forced into this contradiction). For the upper classes, you'd be lucky to get a period of courtship before the actual marriage, because if you did, it meant you got a shot at getting to know the person you were going to end up with (and had the potential for love). And—as such—courtship was kind of a thrilling, romantic thing with a few common qualities: it tended to be very public, very loaded & grandiose, and very brief, and even though it didn't have to end in marriage, marriage was always the end goal. You can probably see where I'm going here.

I think it's easy to read the "you wear fine things well" scene as a possible soft-launch of their courtship, and Lucius's nudges solidify it. Courtship was traditionally full of big, romantic gestures—maybe planning treasure hunts and setting ships on fire weren't typical ones, but they sure do count—and as much "getting to know you" as possible. Like dating, it was the time when you'd learn the other person's values, hobbies, preferences, etc., except perhaps to a shallower degree given the typical lack of privacy. If anything, Ed and Stede have a leg up in this respect.

Now, I do think it's a misconception that the majority of marriage proposals in this time happened after, like...3 weeks of knowing each other, but the trope is there for a reason. It was a lot more common for the engagement period to be the time you really got to know each other, and it wasn't abnormal for the engagement to last longer than the actual courtship; a marriage proposal kind of WAS the first truly official step in someone's relationship socially, emotionally, and physically. And while this might not have been true of the rungs of society Ed has been a part of, it definitely would've been true of Stede's.

Now, I don't think Stede is really thinking consciously of all of this during the timeline he's with Ed; he's intent on breaking all the rules he's felt strangled by his whole life. But Ed—he wants all that. He loves the idea of an aristocratic life, but he's also a romantic who wants an aristocratic love. Like how so many of us romanticize Jane Austen novels because it's a world we're so far removed from, Ed probably romanticizes love in Stede's world. He doesn't want the free-for-all he's been living; he loves the thrill of a courtship, of gentlemanly sensibilities, of the metaphorical dance of it all. And when an upper-crust gentleman appears to have initiated this courtship—and when he's being encouraged by everyone (except Izzy, but there's even more romance in rebellion) to reciprocate—he's going to indulge in it with all his heart. He's literally living a romantic novel dream world, and once he's sure of Stede's feelings, he has absolutely no reason not to expect that their trajectory is marriage. Sure, Stede is a pirate now—but he's still a gentleman, and isn't that what being wooed by a gentleman means?

So when they're in a desperate situation and the bar for grand gestures can't go higher, and they experience true privacy for the first time ever, and Stede kisses back, and he says yes to running away together—and Ed even asks for confirmation to make sure it’s all for real—"yes?" "I think so?" "yes!"—that's as good as a vow. That's a promise on par with a proposal. And this is probably when it clicks for Stede, too—he hears Mary's words, "we never would've chosen each other," and suddenly he realizes that he can finally choose love! And so there they are: relationship made official, 1700s style.

Cut to Ed, crashing weddings and stealing little cake toppers in dramatically tragic, anachronistic fashion—because, well...they were supposed to get married, weren't they? Because that's what gentlemen are supposed to do, or so he thought. But in reality, gentlemen aren't romantic; they're just fickle.

And let the divorce arc commence.

[melanieph321]

Dusan Vlahovic x Reader - Boss Me Around Part 3/6

Reader is a former yacht girl now newly moved to Turin, Italy for her job as a real-estate accountant. There she meets Dusan Vlahovic, a former client of hers, a client she never thought to see again. However, with Dusan being Readers new boss their past becomes a liability. Nevertheless the spark between them still lives. This story is a romcom with both His and Her POV!

Enjoy!

Your first month in Turin was the perfect description of hell, and it made you seriously contemplate your life choices up until now. Your living hell situation wasn't because of your continuous struggle with the city's public transport system. No. Your living hell situation was caused by one man and one man only. Your boss, Dusan Vlahovic.

"Yeah, this is wrong. You'll have to redo it."

At this point you thought of him as a robot on autopilot, because every week when it was time to hand in your calculated reports of the companies revenues, Dusan seem to always find a way to belittle you by dismissing your work for the slightest and miniscule errors.

"It's just a spelling correction Mr Vlahovic. I'm sure you can interpret what I meant to write." It was strange, addressing him by his last name, however he made it very clear during your first week on the job that addressing him by his first name was a no no, and that he would  ignore you if you  did. To him Miami must have been a hallucination. A shame, because to you it had been very real.

"Interpret?" He frowned. He had been typing away on his laptop as you stood before him, presenting the weekly revenues. This was the first time he took the liberty to actually meet your eyes, however he did not seem happy to see you. "Interpret." He repeated, this time shaking his head with disappointment. "Y/N, you must not take your job very seriously if you're asking me, your boss, to interpret such an important document as the company's revenues."

His raised but steady voice, sucked all of the air out of your lungs and the room. And in the back of your head you prayed that you wouldn't shed a tear at the mercy of Dusan Vlahovic.

"I will not have it." He said, shutting his laptop.

"I...get that." You said, speaking through the sharp rasorblades that cut deep in your throat.

"Do you, Y/N?" He smiled, an evil and sarcastic smile. "Do you really?"

"Yes. I do. I really do. It's just that you've asked me to redue this revenue three times already and I'm starting to fall behind on other priorities."

"Then you must not be the greatest at managing your time, don't you think?" He leaned back in his desk chair, legs spread wide like some form of powerplay. It was only powerful to you because you had gotten to know the size of him more than once in Miami, and the memories of those nights now made you feel sick to your stomach.

"I want the papers on my desk before the end of this day, got it Miss Y/L/N."

"Sure." You muttered and with trembling hands went to retain the documents on his desk. You headed back to your office knowing that it was the last time your boss would ever get to talk to you in that way. You'd hand in your two weeks notice along with the revenue.

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

Dusan took pride in being the first one to arrive and the last one to leave his office. It showed his commitment and the passion he had for his job. Others should take after him. Matter of fact, he should be working on a biography about his road to success. He came from humble beginnings in Serbia. Back then his dream had been to play professional football, but his parents had been right to push him towards higher education. Today he owned real-estate in three of the worlds continents. He was successful indeed. The only thing he felt to threaten that success was being taken care of. Yes, she put up a good fight trying to please his ridiculous commands but in the end she seemed to have had enough. Like any sensible person would. Dusan had found Y/N's two weeks noticed amongst the revisions of documents she had presented to him before she left for the day. He held it in his hand in the elevator on it's way down the now abandoned office building. He admired her calligraphy as it was exceptional. It was a shame that she hadn't gotten around to tell him about her higher education in accounting. Maybe then they could have avoided this mess in the first place. Then again, Dusan and Y/N hadn't spent their time in Miami getting to know each other. They had spent their brief time together getting to know each other's bodies. He suspected that she had previous experience with that sort of arrangement. Another reason he felt a need to get rid of her. What if the board found out that he had hired a former harlot as his accountant? It would be scandalous indeed.

Dusan stepped out of the elevator holding up his car keys in search for his Range Rover. It was Friday, which made the car harder to find, since a lot of his employees had the habit of abandoning their vehicles at the office and heading straigt to the bars in town. Dusan wasn't like that. He used his Friday's to unwind at home, not to party. He got into his car longing to cook the steak in his fridge that had been marinating over night. He would prepare it along with a homemade risotto, a recipe from a friend. He left the parking lot a happy man on top of his job and his life, that is, until a strange sight made him drastically turn his vehicle back around.

"Y/N, what are you doing?"

He had pulled up to the bus stop where she sat, arms crossed to shield herself from the night's cold.

"What does it look like I'm doing." She hissed. "I'm waiting for my bus."

"You don't have a car?" He  ignored the attitude she had spoken to him with. He assumed that her newfound confidence was fueld by her annouced resignation.

"No, I don't have a car." She huttured. It was a cold night, too cold for someone wearing heels and see-through stockings.

"Get in then, I'll take you home." He said. He was in a good enough mood to do her the favor. However she snorted in his face, shifting to face another direction. Away from him. "Is that a no?" He frowned. He wasn't angry, just annoyed.

Y/N turned to face him, clearly upset. "That was a hell no, Dusan. As in no fucking way am I getting in a car with you."

"Why not?"

"Why not?" Her eyes widened. "Dusan, you must not be aware of the type of asshole you are."

His shoulders fell. Thank God she couldn't see him through the cars rolled down windows. "Asshole?" He wasn't familiar with the term. Nor had anyone called him that before. He didn't like it. "If you're reffering to our encounter earlier today, you must know that I am in the position to give you my honest but objective opinion."

"Bullshit!"

"Pardon me?"

Y/N, stood but did not approach his car. "Your opinions of my work has not been objective and you know it." She said. "I've been living here for a month and almost everyone in your office has taken the time to get to know more about me. Everyone but you."

Dusan frowned. "I don't see how that has any relevance to...."

"You haven't tried to get to know me Dusan because you know me better than anyone up in that office. And pretending not to, makes me highly suspicious that nothing you've said to me has been of objective matter."

God she was gorgeous, he thought. The way she wasn't having it, the way she saw through his bullshit.

"Just admit it. This is about what happened in Miami, the fact that I didn't tell you that I was moving to Turin right after graduation."

"Y/N, you never even mentioned that you were a student when we met." Dusan yanked the handle to the car door, stepping out onto the street. "Or that you were applying for a job in accounting."

"Why would I?" She snapped. "You told me you were from Serbia, what are you doing in Italy, huh? And as far as I know I didn't owe you anything on that yacht but my company, that's what I was paid for."

He snorted. "You were paid to do a little more than that."

She gasped, and the slap was anticipated. Dusan rubbed his cheek to mend the pain. "I wasn't..." She stood trembling, tears streaming down her face. "I wasn't paid to...." She lowered her head to the ground, wrapping her arms tighter around herself.

"Fuck me." Dusan sighed. He wanted to offer her his coat, but something told him that his concern would be excused for pity. "Y/N, please let me..." He stretched out his arm, offering her his hand. "Let me take you home. The time tables for the bus are different during the weekends."

"Great." She laughed, although he was sure that she didn't find it funny.

"Great" He chuckled

"What's so funny to you?" She frowned.

"I just realized..."

"Realized what?"

"That I am...an asshole."

Her expression withred seeing his smile. She nodded. "You really are."

"Would I still be considered an asshole if I drove you home?"

"Yes." She said, but took a small step forwards. "But a less worse asshole than you were this morning."

He grinned. "That decides it then. Get in, I'm taking you home."

[hyunsuks-beanie]

Enhypen Reaction to Another Member Lusting After You

Content Warnings: A bit of violence in Jake's part

Mellow speaks: Been a while since I wrote a reaction, so here goes!!

Tagging: @sweethyuka @yedamology @enhacolor @axartia @hyunsuksmygod  @duolingofanaccount @zurimochi 

Heeseung

He's got to be joking, right? There's no way he's being serious right now. There's no way on earth Jay actually means what he just said, there's no way on earth he just expressed the desire to fuck you, and in front of the elder too, no doubt. Sure, Heeseung's not your boyfriend yet, but he's sure it would be obvious to anyone who saw the way he looks at you that he's completely infatuated with you. 

And despite being as friendly as he is, he doesn't take well to sharing things he's set his eyes on. So you can well imagine the sneer that curls his lips upwards as he listens to Jay describe in-depth just what he finds sexy about you, everything leading up to the that one sentence that had his blood boiling. "Fucking Y/N's become a dream of mine," he slurs drunkenly, and the next thing he knows, Heeseung is rushing out the dorm, anger evident in every step he takes.

Where's he going, though? To your apartment of course, ready to put the sexual tension that's been building up between the two of you, to rest. It's high time anyway, because now he needs to make sure random guys won't be ogling at you and trying to make moves on your body. He needs to make sure you know you belong to him, and he needs to show it to the world. 

Jay

He had thought having you as one of Enhypen's managers would be all fun and games, because then he'd get to have his partner right next to him the whole day. He wouldn't have to rely on stolen moments and secret rendezvous to get him through the hard work that went into being an idol. But it had never crossed his mind that spending too much time with the group also meant you'd catch their eye sooner or later, and being the attractive soul he knew you were, it wasn't hard to think they'd get hormonal at some point.

So it shouldn't have had come as as nasty a surprise as it was when Jake said he'd like to see the treasures you kept hidden under the layers of your clothing. But it did come as a nasty surprise, both to him and to you, because yes, you were there when he said that. And that didn't fail to make your boyfriend's blood boil. Had the Aussie only known that you in fact, belonged to Jay, he never would have uttered those words. 

But now that they're out in the open, all Jay can do is show him who you belong to, all the secrets be damned if it means getting to have his hands on you at all times, in order to protect you from prying eyes, of course. So he kisses you, his lips full of passion as his hands run up and down your arms, sending goosebumps in their wake. He's giving them a show on purpose, and while you're not too keen on making your private life public like this, you can't seem to mind when he's making you feel this good. 

Jake

He's got a crush on you for ages, and he's down bad for you. Because after all, you're the definition of perfection in his eyes, the most gorgeous Goddess in the world. Yeah, he's down bad, in more ways than one. When he's not blushing at having your hand brush against his, he's fantasizing about what it would feel like to have you fully exposed and writhing under him. But he's not blind, he can see that he isn't the only one who has such fantasies. Not by a long shot.

Still, being the reasonable chap he is, he tries to keep the damage to a minimum and doesn't comment on what the others think of you. Or rather, he hadn't made a comment until right now, until he saw the way Sunghoon's lips curled up into a smirk as he expressed his desire to stuff his cock into you. That's all the push Jake had needed, and now he finds himself engaged in something he never would have dreamed of engaging in, a well-placed punch almost hitting Sunghoon in the jaw had he not dodged at the right moment. 

He knows he should be sensible right now, he knows he should just express his displeasure with words instead of throwing hands, but as he's finds himself being pulled away from the younger, his feet carrying him over to the door in search of you, there's all he can do to restrain his urge to test all the fantasies he's had about you.

Sunghoon

You're his partner, and it sucks that he has to hide his relationship to you. But he can see where you're coming from, not wanting to share the details of what he is to you when you're still at the early stages of dating. He's sure you'll come around and let everyone know you belong to him. And until then, he's content with just getting to love you behind closed doors. Yet there's days when he wants nothing more than to pull you onto his lap and shove his tongue down your throat in front of the others, just so he can tell them to keep their hands off you.

And today definitely is one of those days, his mood more sour than sour cream as he watches Sunoo check you out. The smirk on his face means no well, that much is clear, but when you bend down to pick up the eyeliner that's fallen to the floor, exposing your cute butt to the world, the words that escape the younger (under his breath but loud enough for your boyfriend to hear), end up being his endgame. 

Next thing he knows, you really are on his lap, his teeth digging into your bottom lip, making you let out a gasp of surprise. Yeah, your equation with him is going to become the talk of town now, but if that's what it takes to keep eyes from prying and inappropriate words from slipping, then that's what he's gonna do.

Sunoo

He's still exploring his sexual interests with you, and he's grateful that he gets to go slow and take all the time with you. He wants to learn the ins and outs of how your body responds to his touch, and he wants to be the one to explore what treats and secrets you have in store, just for him. And everyone knows he can get pouty if things don't go the way he wants them to, with the same applying to how he takes to anyone else that's not him getting too handsy with you.

So you can only imagine how annoyed he gets whenever Heeseung is in one of his flirty moods, his hands roaming across your body in a way they shouldn't as you engage in a battle of video games with him. But still, hell doesn't break lose until a little later when he overhears the elder talking to Jay about how he'd love to touch you even more, if only you weren't taken already. 

That's all it takes for him fo get his blood boiling, his hand getting wrapped around your wrist as he pulls you out the front door and out the building, ready to take you over to your own apartment without even answering the questions you throw him, eager to claim you the second you're inside the confines of your own home. 

[marvelita85]

Living in The red keep after your marriage wasnt always easy, most of your time was spend with your husband , when Sir Criston Cole wasn't around, honestly you couldnt stand the man, and thanks to Helaena who made your days happier and complete, your aunt, now sister too looked foward to your afternoons in the godswood with her children who you had doubts they were Aegon's because of how sweet they were

You wrote to your mother quiet frecuently and your mornings were spend in the library after break your fast with Aemond looking for new books to read to your convalecent gransfather, he was very happy you were living there with them... it was like having Rhaenyra again

You shared your mother's figures and looks one of the reasons the queen acepted you to married Aemond, but the truth was both of you married for love, you grow up together and fell in love for Aemond there wasn't any other choise

But spies and maids loyal to the queen was what abuded in the red keep, even you tried to be carefull in what you informed Daemon and your mother and doing so in Valaryan you knew you were being watched

You tried to live as normal as you posibly could but sometimes you wanted your dragon to call "Dracarys" in all of them

- princess...

- queen Alicent... - you were always respectfull of her tittle but you never called her my queen...

- I wanted to see you... my maids informed me you havent bleed in a month...- you looked at her surpriced but what she was saying was not lie... but you didnt think much about it

- I didnt think much of it, I've been busy...

- you should let the maesters check on you... I will arranged it myself...

- thank you queen Alicent but is not necesary... my mothers ladies will come with her shortly

-I dont think is necesary to wait...

- is not that long and if it is true the reason I'vnt bleed is still going to be there, Im sorry but the king is waiting for me... - you gave her a little bow and dissapeared in the corner

Alicent couldnt find to have a close relationship with you, you loved her son but her not so much, you saw her as a traitor to your mother

That night your maid was preparing for bed and Aemond entered your shared room

- leave us... - he said and the maid left not saying a word... - is it true what my mother said? You havent bleed in a month? - you smile a little and nod your head looking at him... - ynn.... - he aproached to you and you stand hugging him

- we shouldnt get our hopes up jusy yet... it could be but maybe not..

- then why you dont let the maester look at you...

- I dont want them near me... he is the same one who butchered my grandmother while having a boy... I want my mother's maids...

- do you think that I would allow them to do anything like that to you..

- of course not, I trust you Aem... Im just asking you this, we have time, we can wait...- Aemond kiss your forehead

Aemond talked to his mother because she didnt insisted you again until your family arried to Kings Landing for Jace wedding, your mother throught your ravens knew about your situation and her and her ladies were in your room first thing upon arrival

- I miss you my little dragon..

- I miss you too momma... - you were sensible but you were missing your family, Rhaenyra was always a good mother, leaving her only girl in the hands of the greens was a struggled for her but she knew you loved Aemond and he loved you, she saw that love and the way he treated you despite the way he was with your brothers, it was a different relationship but you looked happy and that was all it matters

- you are with child princess... congratulations...- you had tears of joy in your eyes, your mother pregnant herself was crying aswell

- you are creating your own family my love...

- is so overwelming... I have to tell Aemond...

- I'll go and fetch my brother....- you laught at the way she said it and smile to your mother, you wished her relationship with her siblings were different but a child of you and Aemond meant peace between your family, your marriage was to united the two branches of it, this baby was to solificated it

- what happend?

- come... I have great news... the ladies of my mother confirm what we suspected my love...

- you mean you are...

- we are.. with child...- Aemond never thought he could feel this full, and complete, he was married with the woman he loved, the almost only thing he thank his own father for because y/n wasn't his mother's choise and now they have created a little life who was theirs and it was undiscribed what he was feeling, he grab you in his arms, felt your body warm against his and knew he would do anythkng for both of you because he loved you but what he felt for that baby already went beyond imagination to the ledges he could go for him

- I have a request from you... before this baby arrives... I wish for him... or her to be born in Dragonstone...- before Aemond could say anything you understood his hesitation...- before you say anything hear me out, the only reason your nephew and even you were born healthy was because of your grandfather, he always wanted his blood in the Iron Throne and your son... our son or daughter will be in direct line of it after my mother and me, we are women and we understand what that means... just imagine if it is a boy... they wont hestidate a second to kill me and raise this kid to their shape and form...

- I wont let anything happend to you...

- then come with me to Dragonstone to have this baby... Luke will go to Drifmark and Jace will be in Winterfell over his honeymoon...

- we are going on Vahgar and your Dragon will follow.... I dont want you to be recless while pregnant with my child...

- as you wish my prince... - you said with a little smile

- I'll do whatever you need of me y/n as long as you and our baby are safe

[factorialsotherfandoms]

its 6am and I'm complaining myself through the ending of purgatory k? This is just the bitching not a full balanced analysis, bits I genuinely enjoyed are missing so it looks like I have a worse opinion than I did, its below a cut because a lot of people don't want that and that's absolutely good. I'm just processing through.

I think purgatory ending feels bad because we were promised by the way it was advertised and treated the end of the arc, and what we got was another fucking mid point instead. A mid point which after this going on for so long nobody really wanted. Setting up new project cool! But it felt miserable to watch the end. Probably could have been helped if the CCs had more info on a meta level - just the timescales and that this wasn't actually the end of the arc - so they could pace themselves and us better. The eggs missing has gone on for far too long, we've been given far too little to work with, and it's just not fun viewing any more. Which is why my engagement is so dependent on the next little while.

That, plus getting to the boat on foot was impossible without near perfection - something they were never going to all have. I like giving qMaxo his big sendoff with the nuke which solves nothing! But people who were legitimately trying to escape (Cellbit, Tina, off the top of my head - Cellbit just legit got lost in the underground. He said after he decided to stay but like... really? We'll have to wait and see next time he plays qsmp. If nothing else he legit had shit to do planned, and I feel like he would discuss it more with Roier if he was going to perma-kill Cellbit as that's massive to put on someone else's character. Pretty sure ccCellbit was just teasing like he fucking does but we'll see. Also changes what Maxo did if any of them die to it /significantly/. I'll be genuinely worried for ccMaxo if his characters actually pretty neat death arc resulted in a fan favourite character permadying in a game without permadeath) should have had a legit chance to do so. If they were supposed to be able to. I really hope the admins smooth that bit over one way or another, because it just made shit feel extremely bad. Kinda expect the /actual/ ruling to be if one person made it they all did, but dear god they needed to tell the players that immediately after or whatever if so. Failing that you could maybe have the others in the Nether or something, but youd need to coordinate everyone who didn't make it and that'd just suck logistically. The sensible answer is if one person got there they all did because this isn't a high legality sort of game. For players.

Like the other eggs were probably kidnapped by something and reported out? And I'm betting on black concrete plot as that's the plot actually associated with them disappearing in the first place, but for all it's cool moments up until then it just... dropped the ball. Tbh the entire thing with the eggs being involved was a massive ball drop which lead to /one/ cool conversation but otherwise just made everything infinitely less enjoyable.

Poor BBH. Like cc wise. He's one of a whole lot of them who have horrific rp safety practices, but also there's not really anyone to teach them that and that's nothing to punish someone for. Hope it gets hashed out with him. All of them but especially him.

Having players of another project as "advertising" for a new project without them knowing more in advance tastes kinda shitty. Very shitty. We'll see how tied it ends up being but that's just not comfy.

Quackity saying about big stuff planned is absolute ass. Like legitimately and out of character the CCs genuinely need a break for a bit you can't just throw them back into heavy stuff immediately. They need space to breath oc and find their footing ic. Most of them have streamed far more than usual this fortnight, and even for those who do stream daily usually it's been intense. You can say if its hurting them they can just take a break but you cannot convince me they can when their literal irl incomes depend on this. Some more than others, but they do.

Also like the tension just genuinely doesn't hold that long. Most of what I run is combat heavy fantasy events, but I've done horror too. And a big bit of running horror events is studying how pacing and tension works, especially over an extended period (horror events locally tend to be multi-day). You /can/ change the usual layout, but you have to know your fucking shit and be really careful if you do, and the admins and Quackity just don't seem to - as a collective whole, some individuals may - have the experience necessary to fuck with the formula. Like. I'm burnt out, the players are ooc burnt out, the fandom generally seems burnt out - not giving the players a win here was already a mistake, but the tension /has/ snapped. Too many people are too burnt out from playing more than usual and all that, under very high stakes circumstances, for very little reward. There needs to be a break where players who do other stuff can play other stuff and players who don't can take the time to find their footing again. Tension levels are not sustainable and they broke them open. If they hadn't revealed the eggs you could have stretched it another few days, but they did. At which point losing the eggs again is genuinely so fucking unsatisfying. They could have only been shown the winning egg. Like sure fuck with people, that's what's going on IC and OC maybe it was supposed to be reassurance, but it just ended up feeling ghoulish. It was so obviously playing on feelings it just fell flat for me. Not even the fun playing with feelings, just a fuck you.

Also communication has been fucking atrocious. Yes keep twists in the bag, I can see arguments for all plot points, but the players needed to know the timescale, the fact it was a PvP not a lore event, and that this wasn't the end of the eggs missing arc rather an interlude waaaaaaaaaaay earlier. Like they found out as these things became obvious, but given the time commitment it demanded they needed to know like weeks before it started. As soon as it was announced. We can tall all we like about trusting the admins, but the admins have got to fucking trust their players to still make good viewing times even if not everything is a complete surprise. It fucked over Cellbit and Roier and their murder plot planning, it fucked over a lot of people ooc and their streaming schedules and their ability to do actual life things. Forever when given the Judas plot should have been told in advance when it would be activatable. The players - not the characters or the audience, the players - should have known it was 15 days, PvP, only 1 egg was on the cards for now, that the chance to save the others will come later (I have no doubt it will), and that they would need to escape fast at the end. Not the why, not the how, not the plot, but you need to know the fucking stakes.

Like okay let's look at shit I run a sec. Its nor perfect, but we've been building on a 20+ year tradition of larp in the same place and learning from what does and doesnt work. Info players have in advance:

date and time. for things run for and at the university, dates generally are announced start of the year, and which system will be which day is the start of every term. For events for the uni but at an unusual place or time (often an IC dinner party or similar), 3 weeks in advance. For stuff not associated with the university (I help with fewer of these, as far fewer happen and theyte the ones i can still play with my disability)... well, they tend to be multi day in a hired venue and players pay a lot of money to be there, so its usually about a year and a half in advance. The stuff below about pitches are for saturday ones - paid for multi day events all that info is announced at least a year in advance, and for single day non-university ones at least 6 months. But like qsmp is a constantly running thing so the university stuff is a fairer comparison.

Every event has a "pitch". This goes up the Tuesday before for Saturday events - theres a couple of different teams running different genres but same place same time theres a larp every termtime saturday just 9/30 are run by my team. The pitch will contain the information the characters know going into a mission or social or whatever. If theres a twist the twist isn't mentioned, ofc, just the initial setup. Then, there's an out of character section, with stuff like date and time and reminders to weather weather appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.

If the event is /not/ in the format players expect, in the out of character info including things like the time, we say that. We run combat heavy stuff. If it's purely social, we say so. If it'll be more Freeform than usual, we say so. If the party is getting split we - you guessed it - say so.

Our events have different levels of IC rewards. The basic reward can always be assumed (3 gold, iirc). Theres also 4 and 5 gold days. If its not 3 gold, it says so in the pitch, and players know this is a difficulty rstinf system. 3 is normal, 4 is "this is designed to be challenging for late end high xp characters and is likely to kill lower levels", 5 is "we are actively trying to kill someone". Death is always an option, but the ref team don't usually want it.

Sometimes there are RP rewards too. These are not explicately stated, but are alluded to "you will be paid so long as you eliminate the monster. If you capture it and deliver it to the university, however, the chancellor promises an extra something for you" sort of thing. "The Dowager Duchess is well known for rewarding those in her favour. Impress her, and she may do the same for you".

If there's distressing content that isn't covered by genre and game style, we include a warning. Last time was "this session will include horror elements. A list of content warnings is available from any ref on request", and we DMed players we knew have triggers on that list the same day pitch went out to liase with them. Yes even when the trigger is a plot twist or a spoiler because fuck you player safety will always be most important. One which had content warnings but was not horror "this session contains potentially distressing material. A list of content warnings is available from any ref on request".

And like... call me naive but this is the sort of info the players should have? In advance they should have a summary (yes it's also given IC at the start of the event, but it means they can prep properly), dates and times well in advance (so they can prep their lives and other projects), expected rewards (even if vague), and any particularly common triggers (like say a third party intentionally sewing paranoia and fucking with mental health of characters) should have a "theres triggers here please put a message in your help channel for a list". I'd say also some indicator of where on a plot arc something falls.

We dont give this because our pacing plot arc wise is determined by how we run them. Paid events are all always one offs (I run them with a different group of people but same circle) - except when they aren't in which case this is made clear at the pitching stage- and uni ones its dictated by the university schedule - we run nine main events a year, 3 each term. There's a small climax last linear of every term, and a major one at the end of a year. Yearly arcplots do not always exist but when they do they end with the last linear of term. There are some other plots brewing over longer periods - when those come to a head, they will become the main plot for a year and their climaxes run on yearly arcplot rules. It is never the case that all sessions in a year are arcplot related, to give players not interested in a specific thing something to do.

Other things they could probably do with include a safe word and establishing a way for an admin to indicate a fuck up due to glitch or mistake - probably an "ignore me" emote only admins have access to.

This all being said - the admin team want people to have fun and for it to go well, and the medium is much younger than traditional LARP. Information for their specific media does not exist, and while they maybe should look at rp for ideas they probably look at tabletop and don't even consider LARP - let alone larp styles more common in Europe. I can say things all I want, but I'm just a guy over here. The admins are trying their best and do want the best for their players, and will have a plan. It's just infuriating sometimes.

[bomberqueen17]

changes

i don't know if i've discussed this on here or what but i'm leaving the camera store job to do just farm things. I'm not getting paid a lot at the farm but I am getting paid so that's something. Kind of a stipend. The farm work is... ostensibly not full-time so I will still have time to come back to Buffalo and like, get Chita snuggles and you know, be in my house, see my guy, that kind of thing. We'll see how the schedule works out; the main thing for me is to free me from the tyranny of ten hours a week of being on the Thruway, which tends to take up all of my weekend time and a lot of my mental energy.

So tomorrow's my last day. My supervisor has called out for two days so far this week, which has completely shattered my already-nebulous ability to wrap shit up, so this place is entirely a disaster and I have no idea what kind of condition I'm going to wind up leaving it in, but also, it's not my problem and I've done my best. I do think they thought my leaving date wasn't final and that like a sensible person I had left myself time off between jobs, but I did not not do that, I will be leaving Monday morning before dawn.

I'm trying to write checklists for whoever's taking over my job. They've made no moves to replace me. My supervisor has been polite to me but has said to the store manager dramatically that he'll never be able to take a day off again. (Before I knew I was leaving, he'd told me a date he was taking a vacation and I'd said that was a date I couldn't cover and he'd said too bad he did enough to be flexible for me, and like...... no there are other options, sir, but as it happens I managed to force the issue out of my court entirely.) He's out this week, so I have trained people he has previously refused to train. The only reason I'm trained is that I taught myself, but it's also not that hard. So. Now I've trained several people and they will be filling in when Supervisor takes days off, because he will take days off, such as over Thanksgiving when he had a fucking heart attack and it was a crisis because I could not be urgently recalled and he could not leave the hospital. Christ so now three other people know how to do some of the basic shit around here. This does not require an advanced degree. I wrote a checklist. Calm down.

Anyway am I chill? No. Am I excited about my future? No. Let me get there and get a minute to do some decompressing maybe and I will be but at the moment everything is hectic and I just want to go lie down.

Anyway I haven't gotten much writing done either. Or sewing. But. Maybe there'll be time in the future, when I'm not spending most of the time when I'm at my own house sitting in this windowless room doing busywork.

I did the math, I'll be two months short of having worked here fourteen years.

[inkybloom-luv]

Words Unsaid 7, empress's new robes

♪~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♪

Hiiii everyone!! This episode is a little different than usual since it's not fully Jinkies centered,, but! There needs to be plot and there needs to be a healthy ratio from Jinkies to their own lives to make it work!! I promise the next one will be much more jinkies centered tho!!

Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 8

1.3+ k words

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Breakfast in Scarabia that morning ranged from traditional foods of Arabic and Indian origin as well as other requested dishes, that had been asked for by several students in the dorm. Of course there were the usual breakfast items as well for those who liked cornflakes and the like for breakfast, a few fruits too. Scarabia was incredibly lucky to have Jamil as well as the few helpers that were there. Jamil did most of the prep work this morning with Inky, a few other students had joined them later, helping them in the kitchen.

It was nice to have the help but Jamil liked the quiet of that morning before the other students showed up. By now he'd woken up Kalim too so that he wasn't missing breakfast. Scarabia's dining hall was, at least, still clean and the lounge, where the party had been, wasn't too bad for once. It seems like kalim had gotten help and tidied up a little after the party with a few others. It was the least he could do, he knew Jamil was taking a break and perhaps asleep and that the prefect Inky was with him.

For now however they all ate together, talked and made plans, just enjoyed each other's company in the morning while the magical storm raged outside on nightraven's campus. It was strange how different the weather was but it was a nice change to always being cold. That's what Inky thought at least. Her room at home was always nice and warm, but she was always lonely there. Here she wasn't. She had good friends here and Jamil was here too. Good god she knew how smitten she was over Jamil. She'd really been charmed by the snake and didn't care to do anything about it.

Over breakfast it was Jamil that sat across from her, next to Kalim who sat at the table head. Inky was sitting on Kalim's other side, grim having been squeezed in between her and another student. And right then Jamil was stealing glances at her. How could he not? There was just something about her in his jersey. Though it didn't take long for the dorm leader to speak up though.

"Hey Inky, no offense but I noticed your clothes seem really beat up these days.. do you have any nicer clothes? If not we could go and have some nice ones made!" He offered, which actually would be pretty.. pretty great, but Inky still shook her head.

"I couldn't afford that, I've been living off a few thrifted clothes Sam had so they're not gonna be the nicest.. no offence taken though, I get what you mean."

"Did I say you'd be paying? I thought I could get you some nice clothes since you've been doing so much for the school and I think it's more than unfair you don't get recognised for that..!"

Kalim laughed slightly and smiled at her, which made Inky gawk a little.

"I won't say no to gifts but I'll feel like I need to give something back.. so maybe let's not make it too extravagant" Inky said, agreeing but asking for only sensible amounts of money spent.. because she really did feel like she had to give something back if Kalim went through with that idea but something that she also thought, yet didn't say, was that she felt expensive things would be a waste on her.

After calling ahead at home for a car, or rather a limousine, which was standard for kalim, and informing the headmage that they would be using the mirror to take an impromptu trip to the scalding sands. Inky had also changed into some simple jeans and a t-shirt by that point, using a hair clip that had been a gift from Ace and Deuce to put back their curly hair. When they arrived it was already quite hot and Inky was happy for the well working AC in the car, even though the t-shirt did help.

A little drive through the city with a pair of cheap headphones in one ear later and they had arrived at a tailor's, though they also had ready made clothing as well there.

The music Inky was playing during the ride was playing from an old music gadget, a Hamelin-piper which was similar to an iPod from back home, that saved music via something like a USB cable. It was a bit girlish and had the name Gertrude in its casing, it had been the little gadget's nickname apparently. That was from Cater, who had found it but had no real need for it anymore since he had a phone and better tastes nowadays. She was glad he was willing to give it to her even if she had to get used to the music, not that it was a weird genre to her though.

Back to the topic, the Tailor that Inky had been semi dragged into by Kalim and that Jamil followed them both into was quite high end, so a little overwhelming in the first moments. Kalim asked Jamil to step out and talk to one of the people in charge about readying a consultation for custom garments as well as picking out some nice fabrics, since Jamil did have quite good taste. You know, to get him out of the room so that Inky and Kalim could pick outfits and surprise Jamil when the occasion came to wear them. Smart move there, bud.

So he asked for Inky's preferences, so she would feel comfortable in the clothes he suggested. Now, he was not Vil, but he did know his way around the store and even enlisted an employee to help pick things out. Inky picked things out too. Of course she wasn't actually planning to ask Kalim to buy all of those, that would be crazy and she'd feel bad because of the sheer amount of money. But they did get outfits that were quite nice, you know, a skirt or two, some shirts, a good sweatshirt, and a thin jacket, a couple of pairs of shorts, about three.. oh and a hoodie. Inky actually asked for a hoodie since she felt they were comfortable. As well as a singular outfit set consisting of a dark blue cropped wrap top with bishop sleeves and a maxi skirt she could wear at both hip height and at her natural waist, both had small white and sometimes tiny yellow flowers all over it. It was clear that Inky really liked the way it looked, it seemed to be a favourite. But that was all she'd pick and she was sure it was all kalim was going to be allowed to pay for, by her own standards.

Due to that she was surprised when Kalim nudged her towards a fitting room. She needed.. a dorm uniform! Grim had mentioned that Inky admired the other dorm's uniforms, Scarabia included, when she first saw them and Kalim decided that Inky deserved one! Because Grim also let slip that the prefect felt sort of left out, without that special uniform. So after a lot of measuring, talking about preferences and finally choosing fabrics, the seamstress said she'd be in touch, especially with designs and suggestions she would personally have.

After they were done and outside Kalim looked at his phone and waved Jamil down. Apparently his parents wanted to talk to Kalim, so how about they go back to the Al Asim estate and Jamil could show Inky around the park at the front? Surely the animals would be a lovely sight and Jamil was so knowledgeable about them and the two would have fun together! Inky agreed, on the condition that Jamil also had to wholeheartedly agree and want to show her around. Surprisingly, Jamil did agree to do that, show her around and spend time with her. The ride to Kalim's family's home was quiet and nice. Kalim and Inky shared the headphones this time, because kalim was curious what Inky listened to on her little 'Gertrude', other than that everything seemed normal until they halted.

♪~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♪

@dove-da-birb

@krenenbaker

@escaaaaaanyeh

@azulashengrottospiano

@leonistic

@cy-inky

@az-flaming-sword

[maarrgarr]

High Infidelity.

Gojo Satoru x fem! reader.

Synopsis: The reader was in a relationship with Geto Suguru, but can't help but notice his best friend, Gojo Satoru, whom she supposedly hates.

Warning: English is not my first language, possible grammatical and spelling mistakes, the reader is unfaithful, unprotected sex, kissing, hickeys, oral (both receive), nicknames like (love, cutie, sweetheart) and maybe something else but I can't remember.

n/a: I clarify that this publication has nothing to do with the series "The Unknown Heir".

You and Geto seemed to have the perfect relationship, you almost never argued, the dream of every teenager. Very different from the relationship you had with Satoru, with whom you couldn't seem to spend more than an hour in the same place without fighting.

You never understood why you got along so badly with him, since the first day you met he was like that, and you believed that there was no real reason, you just couldn't be friends. Instead, with Suguru, from the first day you hit it off, you seemed to have the same tastes in everything. Then he started liking you and you started liking him, you were both open about it and ended up being boyfriend and girlfriend.

It had been over a year since then. And, if you were honest, there wasn't much excitement. Since you never argued, it was always the same. And the sex wasn't very good either, very few times he had made you have an orgasm, luckily you were very good at faking it. Several times you had wanted to propose something new in that area, but you were embarrassed, besides it seemed that he had no complaints, so you preferred not to say anything.

You had just had sex, and again, you didn't come, but pretended you did. He left a small kiss on your forehead, before leaving you, "I'm going to take a bath" he said, you just nodded and watched him disappear through the bathroom door. You sat on his bed, got dressed and decided to go for a walk to think for a while.

You loved Suguru, or so you thought. He gave you security, he said everything you wanted to hear, you knew that if you ever felt ugly, he was going to tell you how pretty you looked, he was sensible and intelligent. But that everything was fine, he bored you and that made you feel bad. You had what every girl would want to have, but you needed something more, although you didn't know what and that frustrated you.

It was already three o'clock in the morning, the time had gone fast because you had thought and walked so much. You sat down on the stairs leading to the open courtyard where they often trained. "What are you doing here?" you rolled your eyes at the sound of Gojo's voice, "What do you care" he laughed, "Even though you just had sex, you're in a really bad mood", you looked at him with a frown, "How do you know that-?", "Suguru's room is next to mine, you idiot, I can hear everything, even your fake moans", you blushed a little at having been found out, but of course you weren't going to accept in front of Gojo Satoru that your boyfriend didn't give you pleasure, "I don't fake it", "Please, only a fool wouldn't notice, and your boyfriend", "Surely you know a lot about fake moans" you said trying to annoy him, "Actually I know nothing, girls who sleep with me don't have the need to fake it. If you want I can show you why".

It wasn't the first time that Satoru threw that kind of comments at you, obviously he never did it in front of Suguru, but he did it frequently in front of your best friend, Ieiri "He flirts a lot with you, doesn't he?" she had told you once. "Flirt with me? of course not, he just annoys me a lot" you had replied once, she just shrugged her shoulders and that was that.

You stood up and faced him, "I doubt you can make me feel half as much as Suguru makes me feel." you told him, and even though you couldn't see his eyes, you knew he was glaring at you with them, to your misfortune you had hit right in his ego. He walked up to you and grabbed you by the jaw, bringing your lips close to his, "I'm going to take that as a challenge, pretty girl" he said and kissed you with a passion, with which Geto never did. You put your arms around his shoulders and he lowered his hands to your ass, which he squeezed. While your mind told you that this was wrong, your mouth opened and gave entrance to his tongue.

Suddenly you both appeared in Satoru's room. He lifted you up and placed you on his desk, while you continued kissing each other with need. In a moment you broke away from the kiss, "This is wrong" you said agitated and with swollen lips, but he just clicked his tongue, "Shut up" he replied and returned to the kiss.

You felt his hands grab the edge of your sweatshirt and lift it up, you lifted your arms to let the garment come off, revealing your sensitive nipples already aroused, he laughed teasingly, "How is this, love, you say this is wrong, but your body tells me otherwise". He moved his kisses down your neck until he reached your tits, where he sucked and nibbled on them, eliciting several gasps from you.

You took off his shirt and grabbed him by the hair to get him off your tits, although he didn't seem to want to do it. You got down from the desk and your lips started to move from his neck to his abdomen, where with your tongue you were marking his squares. You knelt down completely and your attention went to the big bulge that had formed in his pants, you smiled mischievously and massaged it over the fabric. You pulled down his pants along with his boxers, took his member and started massaging it up and down, while he began to sigh. You opened your mouth and with your tongue you ran your tongue along his penis from the base to the tip and there you took it all the way into your mouth. He let out a hoarse moan as he felt the warmth of your mouth cavity and placed his hand in your hair, making you go deeper.

You had the perfect view, you could see how he had his head back with his mouth open, while you also felt his fingertips stroking your scalp.

Suddenly, you felt him pull your hair, make you stand up and kiss you fiercely.

You both started walking, until your back ended up against the bed. His hands went down to the hem of your shorts and pulled them off. You soon felt pleasure as he began to make circular motions on your intimate area. "You are quite wet, aren't you my love?" he said, but you were focused on the enjoyment his hand was giving you. You moaned when you felt him stop his movements, "Gojo...", "Shh, something better is coming, honey". And yes he was right, he removed your panties and his hand was replaced by his mouth. You let out a big moan as you felt his tongue swirl over your clit, and then two fingers entered you, as he continued to eat you.

You moaned as you felt his tongue run all over your pussy and his fingers enter it, until there came a moment where you felt like you were in paradise and the only thing you could pronounce was his name, you felt your heart rate accelerate and as Satoru increased the rhythm, "Come on, my love, cum" was what he whispered in your ear and what made you reach your desired orgasm.

Satoru couldn't believe the beautiful image in front of him. You were flushed, your hair was messy, some marks adorned your body (courtesy of him), your nipples were hard and your breathing was agitated.

He grabbed you by the hips and turned you around, made you lift your ass up and your head buried in the pillows. "We're not done yet" was what he said to you before he started to slowly penetrate you. He moaned as he felt your hot walls squeezing him. For your part, still in shock from your own high, you moaned loudly but it was drowned out by the pillow.

Satoru grabbed you by the hair and brought his mouth close to your ear to whisper "You know what I was thinking when I heard your fake moans... I was thinking how stupid Suguru is for not making you feel the real pleasure, and wasting the beauty he has as a girlfriend". He let go of you, you rolled over on your back and he started to slam his hips hard against yours, you felt like you were in fucking heaven.

You moved a little closer to him and removed his blindfold, you knew you were close and you wanted to see his beautiful eyes. He brought one of his hands to your clitoris where he started rubbing it, and thanks to that over stimulation you came a second time. While you were in your reverie, Satoru kept searching for his own orgasm, until he found it and ejaculated inside you.

He collapsed on top of you. Both your breathing was a mess and due to exhaustion you felt your eyes close on their own and you fell into the arms of Morpheus.

When you woke up, you found Satoru's face very close to yours and his arms around you. You moved as little as possible, so as not to wake him up, when you sat up in bed you realized that your whole body hurt, internally you insulted Gojo. You got dressed and left the room, guilt gnawing at you.

What had happened had been a mistake and was not going to happen again.

Well, that's what you wanted to make yourself believe.

[dalishthunder]

Throw a Dart at the Map (p2)

Pairing: Nebarra/LDB (Gender Neutral Reader)

Rating: Mature

Words: 2260

Additional Info: Pining, yearning, fluff, drunk games

It had been over an hour since you'd hopped off the ship to see what the island had to offer, and the night only continued to grow colder, so being the sensible mer that he was, Nebarra had holed himself up in the ship's cabin. There really wasn't much in there, but he did strip the furs off of the bed and swaddle himself in them. It was too risky to start a fire, and he was starting to get a little anxious about letting you go out there alone... and he'd already drunk all of the wine.

It wasn't helping with the cold.

He had no idea how you did it. Probably stupid ancient dragon magic.

The door flew open, wind flooding the room with even more frigid air as you stepped inside.

"About time." Nebarra grumbled. "Close the godsdamned door."

"Awww, is somebody feeling a little nippy?" You grinned at him, face flushed from the elements. Shaking off the snow you muttered a quick, "Yol," and steam began to rise off you as it melted.

"Oh, stuff it. Did you find anything? Maybe an inn...?"

You shook your head. "Just an abandoned shack. But," Your pack clanged down on the table, and you rummaged through it, procuring a few bottles. I didn't come back completely empty handed."

He caught the bottle you tossed it to him. Flin. Well, it wasn't wine, but it would have to do. "Better than nothing."

"Stronger than wine." You said, nudging him to move over so you could sit next to him.

"Stronger than some wine." He popped the cork out, grabbing his straw from an empty wine bottle.

"Hey, I wanted some of that too!" You grabbed the bottle from his hand and took a large swig before he could do anything. The face you made as it went down was priceless, and he laughed, eyes drinking in the countours of your sour expression in the warm lamp light.

"Ladies and gentlemen, The Legendary Dragonborn, Defender of Skyrim, Drinker of Dragon Souls, Most Elligible Bacheloree of Tamriel, Savior of Nirn, Talos Reborn... allegedly, still doesn't know how to handle an itty bitty sip of alcohol."

You foisted the bottle back into his hands, smacking him on the shoulder. He played into it, swaying and falling back on the bed dramatically.

"Careful, this dragon has teeth, ahrk zu'u bahlok*."

"Don't I know it..." It was more a breath than a whisper as it left his lips.

You snapped your teeth with a grin, pulling out a bottle of mead instead. "But I think I'll stick to stuff that actually tastes good."

Nebarra sat up, jostling you with his shoulder as you took your first sip, snickering as it spilled down over your chin.

"Rude!" You smacked his shoulder again. "Now I'm going to be all sticky...."

His eyes certainly didn't catch on a droplet as it ran down your neck, wondering how it would taste on his tongue mixed with the salt of your skin. That was certainly not a thought on his mind as you wiped it away.

"Have you nothing to say for yourself, brigand?"

He sipped some of the flin up with his straw, trying to ignore the tremor of cold in his hands.

He was very much not one known for having a filter, and it was better he occupy his mouth than say something incriminating.

You stopped to look at him, annoyance fading to something more along the lines of concern. "You really are a little Nebsickle right now, aren't you...."

His eyes narrowed... not that you could see it. "Call me that again, and I'll gut you like a fish."

You just shook your head, putting down your mead. "Oh please...."

"The flin is doing a fine job of warming me up."

"It's opening up your capilaries so you may feel warmer but you're losing heat faster."

"So what, you want me to just burn down my nice new ship because I'm a little cold? Do you even hear yourself?" He hissed, sipping up some more flin.

"That's not what I was going to suggest."

He leaned back, licking his lips... there were several activities that he was stiffling thoughts of that he could think of that would warm him up very quickly. "I'm listening." His voice was little more than a wary rasp, and he took another sip.

"Take off your armor, we're sharing body warmth. I can't warm myself up in my sleep, and while you're the most pig-headed, stubborn ass I've ever met, I don't think your eternal flame of burning hatred or whatever is going to protect you from the cold all night." Your voice got less and less certain the longer you spoke, and your gaze shifted to the flickering lamp, "Or we could go look for firewood and set up camp outside."

His breath hitched in his throat, words jumbling for a moment before he replied, "I... understand the utilitarian purpose... but do we really have to take off all of our armor?"

"If you're worried about your helm, it's okay if you want to keep that on... I meant more... body stuff.... There's not a lot of furs here, and I didn't expect to be in... this sort of situation so I didn't really pack appropriately-" You let out an awkward huff, "And there's really only one bed. Xel and I usually-"

He was not about to be one upped by a lizard.

His guantlet clattered to the floor, and you jumped at the noise. "You'd better be warm."

"Don't worry, I run pretty hot."

He didn't comment, instead focusing on doffing down to his clothes. Thank the gods he'd bathed recently.

From the sounds of it, you were busy following his lead. He glanced over to where you were stacking your armor pieces. This didn't have to be weird. You did this with your other companions all the time. Definitely Xelzaz. Probably even Kaidan.

His blood boiled a little at that. Stupid, huge, attractive Akaviri... following you around like a lost mutt.... Nebarra wondered what you had said to him to convince him to stay on the mainland.

For a moment... just a moment he considered taking off his helm as well, but he'd already almost made a mistake earlier in the night, and somehow the idea of sharing a tiny bed all night didn't make him feel any safer on that front. So, he crawled under the furs, eyes trained on you as you finished, downing the last of his flin.

Perhaps his most grievous mistake of the night.

Back to him, you whispered something again before sitting down at the edge of the bed.

"Are you coming, or did I doff myself for nothing?" He asked after a moment, resting his head in his hand as he watched you.

"Yeah, sorry, just lost in thought for a moment." You flashed him a smile.

"Well, I'm getting colder by the minute, but sure whenever you want is fine." You flipped him off, worming your way under the covers next to him until your back was against his chest.

Gods you were like a little furnace.

Hesitantly, he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer and hoping you couldn't feel the way his heart was trying to pound its way out of his ribcage. He let out a little content sigh as you placed your hands over his.

"Wow, you're freezing."

"Sorry." He mumbled, tone far more awkward and unsure than he was used to.

You let out a breathy chuckle. "Don't be." Your fingers tangled with his. "Gives me a chance to practice this."

"Do not set my ship on fire."

You placed his hands over your heart, fingers still laced with his. "Graan Yol Krein**."

It wasn't a shout he was familiar with, but it was impossible to ignore the quick beats of your heart or the way warmth suffused through his veins. Rich and full like a hot bowl of stew, and between the balm of your hands and the stiffness of his drink, a soft moan escaped his throat. A dawning mortification gripped him.

You froze, letting go of his hands.

Well, there went not making things awkward.

He cleared his throat, voice just a touch too high, "Is that a new shout?"

That seemed to relax you a bit, and you settled against him again, his arms wrapping around your waist. "Yeah, I'm thinking of calling it Hearthfire. It was inspired when I was studying fire salts with Xelzaz and how and if they could improve one of his mixtures-"

"What's... What's that whole situation?"

"Oh, it turned out that fire salts ran too hot, but if we mixed a pinch with some void sal-"

"No. No, I mean... what's the whole deal with you and Xelzaz? Are you two...?" Oh gods he needed to shut up....

How strong was that flin?

"What?"

"Y'know...."

As realization hit you, you buried your face in your palms. "No... it's not like that. No. He's um... he's not interested in me like that and-"

"Woah, woah, woah... I'm gonna need you to repeat that because I'm sure my hearing is acting up-"

"Nope, if you weren't listening, that's on you."

"How do you even know he's not-"

"Why do you care?" You turned to look at him, eyes wary. You were too close... too close.

"I just...." He let out an uncomfortable chuckle.

And then something passed over your eyes, the corners of your mouth turning upwards in an incredulous smile. "By Azura... you're in love with Xelzaz, aren't you?"

"What?"

"By the gods, how did I not figure this out sooner?" You put your hands over your mouth. "Oh, Honey, I'm so sorry.... I don't think-"

"I'm not in love with Xelzaz!"

"It's okay, I understand! He's my best friend, and you have my blessing, but I don't want to give you false hope for a future that probably will never happen."

He let out an exhasperated groan.

"Don't worry, I think everyone he meets wants to bone him a little bit-"

"Stop. Talking."

"I know your wedding would have been beautiful and practical. Obviously, I'd be the Attendee of Honor-"

"Xelzaz is very much Not My Type. Besides, I'm already supposed to be married to you remember?"

Your eyes widened.

"Xelzaz seems to think we're an old married couple, after all." He elaborated after a moment, very much appreciating his decision to keep his helmet on.

You snickered, settling down again, back pressed up against his chest. "Of course. How could I forget?"

At least that shut you up about your stupid Xelzaz theory.

Auri-El smite him the day that happens.

His fingers played idly with the fabric of your shirt, and he closed his eyes, debating whether or not to pull you in tighter.

"So... husband." You said after a while, and his eyes immediately opened. "What was our wedding like?"

He really shouldn't be playing along with your sick game.

But you were warm, and his blood was more alcohol than anything else at the moment, so he replied, "... Small. We eloped."

You nodded, "There would've been too many invitations to write otherwise. Xelzaz officiated obviously."

"Obviously." His arms tightened around you, pulling you in just a little bit further.

"How many kids did we have?"

He let out a low whistle, "Wow... a parent who doesn't even know how many kids we have. Why did I marry you?"

You snorted. "Two. We had two."

"Wrong! You are bad at this whole parenting thing." He grinned, basking in the warmth. "We had five."

You balked. "Five is way too many."

"I agree, we really should have stopped at one, but you insisted that we absolutely had to have a middle child with self-esteem issues."

Your laughter echoed off the walls of the cabin, belly rocking. "Okay, okay... we had three."

"Which of our children disappointed me the most?"

"Wow... what a cold father." He could still hear the laughter in your voice as you spoke, "Obviously it was our eldest."

"And what did he do that perturbed me so?"

"He wanted to be a bard."

Nebarra let out a snort of derision.

"I funded his way through the bard college, which is how we got divorced."

Affection tugged on his heart strings, "You know me too well."

"Our son was a phenomenal harpist, it's a shame you never stuck around for any of his recitals."

He scoffed, tucking his head to rest his chin on your shoulder. "Well at least he was talented. How about you? Why did you divorce me?"

For a moment, you were silent, and he could feel an uncomfortable twinge in his chest... waiting for your response.

"Because after five years of marriage, I still hadn't seen your face."

It was the flin. It was the flin, and the stupid warmth.

"It's really that important to you, huh?"

"I mean... hypothetically in that sort of situation. But don't ever feel that you have to do anything you don't want to do just because I'm curious."

It was the flin. It was the flin and this stupid, godsdamned game you two were playing.

He licked his lips, letting you go and sitting up a bit.

Your eyes were focused on him, expression curious, something in your eyes that he couldn't quite read. "Neb... you don't have to if you don't want to."

It was the flin.

His helm clattered to the ground with the rest of his armor.

* ahrk zu'u bahlok - and I hunger

**Graan Yol Krein - Warmth Fire Sun

[sneezemonster15]

"Sakura is so unhinged, she doesn't have a backstory yet she manages to keep up with the crazy as the rest of team seven".

That's the jist of it, the person was basically saying shes an interesting character. When she punchs naruto for no reason it doesn't make you laugh, she's never cool because she always gets her ass handed to her in fights and has to be saved, she's not interesting because her goal is a guy's d and the only backstoryshown is her ditching ino who was there for her when she got bullied. How is her being a pathetic ungrateful bullying asshole that acts like an animal in heat when her crush is around interesting? I mean it's fine if a character has negative traits or is a villan, like orochimaru, when he appears you're never disappointed cuz he's interesting and entertaining. Another example is madara.

Sakura on the other hand, has nothing in her that makes her interesting or even entertaining in the least. It's annoying when people acknowledge her Canon traits but then acts likes it's something great and entertaining and interesting or funny.

Sakura could have been an interesting character even after retaining all her toxicities if she simply owned it. Like you said, one can be a villain or an antagonist and still be interesting. Problem with her character is that she doesn't really contribute anything significant to the story, she doesn't really make a difference but acts like she is important and significant and a badass guuuurrrl power candidate when she is not any of that. She is a delusional hypocrite. Which is why she is basically just annoying.

Sensible audiences can see and feel when the character is reliable, this can be done with various narrative devices. Like for eg, when a character has made a promise to themselves to accomplish something, they are able to do it. She wasn't. She thought she had become an awesome kunoichi just after becoming a genin, lol, but she didn't and this was shown clearly in the first arc itself where she proved herself to be utterly useless and pointless in battles. Also no contribution to the narrative, just standing there fainting or cowering in her pants. She decides she would get out of Ino's shadow but still doesn't manage to win the chuunin battle against her and it only ends up in a tie. She hardly even shows any real motivation to become a better or more skillful shinobi unless it has to do with impressing Sasuke, something even Sasuke reprimands her about. In the forest of death arc, when Sauske and Naruto are unconscious, she decides she would protect them but isn't even able to set a trap right and the sound village shinobis aren't fooled by her for one second. Lol. And of course, she needs Lee and Ino and Sasuke to rescue her or fight for her. She dramatically cuts her own hair and immediately mocks Ino for her vanity when she is obviously the more vain of the two. So clearly. She asks Naruto to wait for her and that she would get strong enough to get Sasuke back but doesn't manage to do it either, in fact, does the opposite, pushes Sasuke farther away with her idiotic proclamations and stupid, ill thought confessions. She decides she would kill Sasuke in kage arc but messes up like a total loser and isn't able to do shit and again needs to be rescued by Naruto and Kakashi. She decides she would stop Naruto from going to look for Sasuke in kage arc and without putting any thought into it, fake confesses to Naruto and obviously gets rejected properly like the nincompoop she is. She gets all huffy when cloud ninjas insult Sasuke and tries to take them on but ends up on the ground face first and needs to be again rescued by Naruto. Her stans are funny when they sing about her strength, she couldn't even fight average cloud ninjas. Lol. She prepares to stab Obito's eye in the war arc but obviously almost gets skewered by Madara when Obito transports her out. She tries to attack Madara and charges at him, again without any thought or planning, just like Hinata in pein arc, and gets stabbed. She then tries to follow Naruto and Sasuke into the fray but is stopped by Kakashi who tells her to not go unless she has a plan. Which she obviously doesn't. Lol.

Like nothing she does bears any fruit. Except for her battle with Sasori where she is propped up by Chiyo who is the real fighter here, or in the war arc where she is propped up by Kakashi, she isn't able to do shit.

The audience would still give her some credit for trying if she admitted her mistakes and shortcomings and worked on them till she did something right on her own. But she just doesn't. And what she does accomplish is very very insignificant compared to the amount of visibility she gets in the manga. Plus, she is always putting herself up on a pedestal in terms of ideal shinobihood (a shinobi doesn't cry or a crying won't bring Sasuke back or revenge wouldn't do Sasuke any good, right after which, she throws all her statements away to trail behind him) or gives herself a moral high ground when it is shown again and again that she doesn't have any reason to. So the impression that it makes in the minds of the readers is that she is not only useless and pointless, but delusional, a hypocrite and just a plot device for Sasuke and Naruto's relationship to grow. She simply serves to annoy her audience, who invests in her arc or role but gets nothing out of it except for constant disappointment and irritation. No reward. No narrative payback, no satisfactory climax. And she continues to make an ass out of herself what with harassing Sasuke, confessing to him in such an embarrassing and ill-thought of manner. And she also continues to be a jerk to Naruto, the sweet, empathetic, kind and characteristically reliable MC of this story for no other reason than her own superiority complex which has no real foundation except for her own vanity and resentment towards him given he gets the attention from Sasuke she thinks she deserves.

She would have been an interesting character if Kishi had given her arc an upward movement. She realizes her mistakes and promises herself to be better but she doesn't do shit about it. That's a good way to antagonize your reader. Lol. She mocks Naruto for his orphanhood in front of another orphan right in her introduction, which is when Sasuke mocks her back and sets her straight. So she realizes that she did the wrong thing. This should ideally and narratively have culminated in her not being a jerk towards Naruto. What's the point of a realization if you continue being the same way? Same goes for when she realizes that Naruto is a jinchuuriki in Gaara retrieval arc and has been through many struggles she can't even freaking imagine, but her attitude towards Naruto still doesn't change. She keeps being a violent jerk and condescending bully to him till the end. Even though he shows much more intelligence and presence of mind than she does. He is the one who finds out the way to defeat Kakashi in the second bell test. He is the one who is the unpredictable and clever ass ninja who ends up saving the day while she just stands there and watches the show. Or gets beaten up while he has to rescue her. He is the one who wins both the fights in chuunin exams while she only draws in her first one. He is the one who fights Oro along with Sasuke while she faints (even mentioned by Shizune in Gaiden who says it's Sakura's regular habit lol). Sasuke and Naruto are the ones who fight and defeat Gaara while she is held prisoner by Gaara, unable to do shit. She is a jerk to Lee and Ino, even though both of them try to help her. She corrects her behaviour with Lee but not with Ino or Naruto because she sees them as a threat because of their interest in Sasuke. She insults Kakashi about his skills even though Kakshi himself ends up rescuing her multiple times. She insults Tsunade even though she never surpassed her or came up with her own jutsu or changed the shinobi world with her inventions like Tsunade did.

Kishi very mindfully wrote her to be reviled, otherwise he would have given her a significant arc development in terms of skills and personality. But he deliberately kept her character the same throughout by repeating the same narrative motifs throughout, till the fucking end. Her jealousy, resentment and bullying treatment of Naruto. Her bad treatment of Ino, even repeating it in Gaiden. Her annoying harassment and pestering of Sasuke. Her insensitivity towards Sasuke's predicament and beliefs. Her shallowness towards him and Naruto. Her showing other women down to feel good about herself. Her lack of skills and strategies and propensity to enter a battle without thinking only to be beaten up in return and getting rescued by the same people she mocks. This stops the audience from feeling any sympathy towards her. Her feeling so good about herself when there's nothing to show that she really deserves to. These are the recurring patterns and motifs that Kishi relentlessly repeats to show the audience that her character never improved, never evolved, never changed, never learnt better, never worked on herself in the ways that truly mattered, and never became more emotionally intelligent or sensitive. Never matured. A manga that is about coming of age for so many characters, her and Hinata surely lag miles behind, no?

Kishi had his heart set on showing these two women down, with all his narrative tricks and tools. It's not even indirect, if a little subtle in some places. But mostly and more often, it's blatant af. Her character could have been interesting with some changes here and there. One can be weak, or less than skillful, or not be the brightest, or most courageous, but can still inspire, it depends on how they are written. Inari was weak and helpless, but his arc ended up on an inspiring note. Naruto wasn't skillful to begin with but he works his ASS OFF to learn even though he had all sorts of disadvantages. Chouji wasn't the brightest or most courageous but his arc also ends up on an inspiring note, where he comes of age positively and makes a difference to the story. Everyone in this story has their own weaknesses or drawbacks but they are written to triumph over them with much effort and willpower after realizing their mistakes and doing everything to correct them. Not Sakura or Hinata. They have realizations but keep acting the same, without changing or evolving. This is what sets a very negative impression of them in the minds of the audience. Storytelling works subliminally. And Kishi does everything to affect the reader to facilitate the negative impression of these two women in the manga and the film scripts he wrote or was involved in. Consistently. With the recurring motifs and patterns.

Her stans, who insist her character is so good and amazing and positive and favoured by Kishi are full of shit. Lol. And that's just a fact. No ifs or buts. It's not a coincidence that she is hated with such passion by such a huge part of the fandom. It was all planned. By Kish Kish.

[ot3]

i was always under the impression the black psyche locks weren't anything that special, just indication that he REALLY wanted to hide it and we couldn't bust it open. if i recall correctly (and it's been a while so i apologize if i'm off), they appear in regards to his motive for killing zak, right? but we know why he killed zak. they never really bothered me and i never really considered them unaddressed but i am wondering if i just missed something. take care!

i think you're underestimating their importance. keep in mind, ace attorney is a murder mystery series. there would be no narrative reason to introduce the black psych locks if that wasn't something we were supposed to learn more about at a later point in time.

as for 'we know why he killed zak' the writing goes explicitly out of the way to tell us that, actually, we don't. although it clearly has something to do with the trial 7 years ago, the exact motivation behind why he did what he did in the following years is never clear to us. It's not a plot hole - i still completely buy the events of aa4 even without knowing his motives - but it's a super important bit of characterization that's missing.

think of the scenes with phoenix and kristoph in the detention center. phoenix repeatedly emphasizes wanting to know kristoph's motivation. given that he is both the person with the most knowledge of this situation, and the POV character for this specific scene, we're given no reason to doubt phoenix when he claims there is more to this situation than we've been given.

there's not really precedent in ace attorney for an unreliable narrator, and in general, a lot of mystery fiction doesnt do this, because if you can't trust the information and logic being provided to you from the POV character then you have literally no sensible frame of reference for untangling the rest of the story.

it's a bit vague as to what Phoenix actually knows at this point in time, because of the whole way the mason system works, but we can assume that phoenix is aware that kristoph commissioned the forgery 7 years ago, and he is still not satisfied with that as the motive for the murder. the whole thing about the psyche locks being 'full of despair' and phoenix not even being sure he could unlock them really hammers in that we're dealing with something mechanically different from earlier games. like they just simply wouldn't be here framed like this if we weren't supposed to learn more

why did being taken off this case affect kristoph so badly, when there were seemingly zero material consequences for him? why was it significant enough to him that he seemingly had everyone involved tailed? why was the grudge he held against zak potent enough that seven years later he was willing to abandon all sense and rationality and kill him in a violent outburst that he wasn't capable of fully covering up? takumi and nuri had said that they had backstories in mind for the gavin brothers beyond what made it into the game so i think its beyond clear that there was more here that we just didn't get and are never going to get

[overlydramaticinephile]

Head over heels in love.

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader (no physical descriptions) 

Summary: Steve goes with Y/N to an admissions college party and things don´t go exactly as they expected. (Yep, keeping it vague bc i suck at summarys)

Word count: 2.6k

Warnings: Based in the beginning of season 3. Arguments, fluff, and a tiny bit of angst. Steve is one year older than reader. Some curse words. (English is NOT my first language)

A/N: Hi! Tbh I thought I would only write one fic but I got super motivated to do like a whole different scenes from Dawson´s Creek and incorporate it to Stranger Things somehow…so yeah- hope you guys enjoy! <3 thank you so much for reading my other fic too!

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Steve found himself outside of Hawkins High waiting for his girlfriend to come out so they could hang out, it's been a while since they had their fun, you know, with Y/N worrying about her college applications and Steve working full time at the new mall.

When Y/N didn't show he decided to go inside what could be described by many as the hell hole. Steve was a little nervous, but he had to do something, so, he walked in and started looking for the Y/H/C girl. After what seemed like an eternity of looking and asking around, he saw her going down the stairs by herself and he thought it would be the perfect time to surprise her.

“Steve! what are you doing here?”

Steve moved very quietly to where Y/N was now standing and picked her up from behind causing her to yelp for a moment until she realized what was happening. They both started to giggle in a way that would make lots of people throw up. It was way too adorable.

“Well, Missy, you took a while and I decided to come to look for you”

“Right…sorry, I was looking at the last details for the party on Saturday night.”

Oh, yeah, Steve remembers 'the party'. “Do we have to?” he whined.

“Yes, Steve, we have to,” said Y/N for what felt like the tenth time.

“Well, have you thought about hiring an escort? Because from what I'm told you can't take me anywhere.”

“I called around, but they're all out of socially-presentable man-meat.”

“What if I just broke up with you? What would you do then?”

“Look, do what you have to do. You're still coming with me.”

“Fascist.” Steve sighed.

“Scaredy-cat,” said Y/N with a dramatic shocked voice.

“Are we at least gonna have a good time?” he said hopefully but deep down he knew it wasn't very likely.

“My guess is no.” Why sugarcoat it?

“So why can't we just say “Nay” to the whole idea of hanging out with the prep school contingent, and go over to Dustin's party?”

"Because, Steve, that would severely diminish my chances of getting into college," she said a matter of factly.

"Well, when you put it that way--"

"Stevie?" she started doing that pouty face that melted Steve's heart. Every. Time.

"Yes." he looked down, it was hard to look at that face and stay in check with your initial argument.

"You know how important this party is to me."

"Yes, I know," he said in a whisper-like voice.

"And being in a relationship means that sometimes you have to do things that you don't particularly enjoy for that other person."

"Yeah."

That made Steve finally look up. "Oh, hold on. Do you think that I enjoy those dinners for one second? For the record, we could stop those at any time." his voice becoming more excited.

Y/N decided to continue to prove her point. "You know, for me, that would be Sunday dinners with your parents."

Steve chuckled lightly. "Yeah, I really am. Is it working?"

Y/N could read his intentions. At the end of the day, she knew him better than anyone. "I know you're still trying to get out of this party."

"It's like watching a train wreck." She deadpanned and gave him a kiss on the cheek with a grin on her face.

Later that week

The couple started walking with arms linked to each other. Y/N was wearing a simple black dress that cut at the knee with some sensible black heels. Steve, on the other hand, was wearing a suit, which Y/N haven't seen him in since his graduation day. Let's be real, he looked extremely handsome, with his perfect hair and that smile that could cure disease.

"You know, we can always just turn around. Which would, of course, be incredibly cowardly."

Walking through the stairs you could tell Y/N was nervous by how she kept furrowing her face making her look worried. Steve like always, noticed that.

Y/N breathed out. "Yet sounds incredibly appealing." she let out a nervous laugh.

By this point Steve couldn't take his eyes off her, he felt truly lucky to be able to call her his. Lost in thought he couldn't help but smile.

Y/N looked at Steve with confusion in her eyes, yet his face also made her smile. "You're grinning like an idiot."

"Yeah, I know. I can't help it," he said with such a gentle voice.

"Why?" She was beginning to get nervous. What could he possibly be smiling about right now?

"Because…I'm the only guy at this party who gets to walk in with Audrey Hepburn on his arm." Yep. Steve in love was a total sap. No one can convince us otherwise.

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

"You've certainly been quiet tonight, Miss Y/L/N."

Steve and Y/N sat at the table with Walter, the head figure of admissions. Making Y/N even more nervous if that's even possible.

Y/N chuckled awkwardly. "Just soaking it all in, I guess."

"Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?"

Damn, could this get any worse? "Um...there's really not much to tell. I'm pretty much your average teenage girl," she said with a tender smile that she hoped would hide all her insecurities right now.

By now Y/N was hoping for a miracle that would make things less awkward.

"Having reviewed your application, I hardly think so. I seem to remember a certain fondness for art. Have you been to the Guggenheim?"

"No, but I have always wanted to go to New York..."

"Well, the building itself…It's really the most amazing feat of construction. It's an extraordinary combination of intersecting shapes. It's an architectural epiphany."

Steve could tell how uncomfortable Y/N was, she had this embarrassed look on her face so he thought it wouldn't hurt if he cut in on the conversation.

"Nah, I don't know. You ask me, the thing just looks like a big artichoke."

Y/N turned to him in total shock and so did the other guests. Silence overcame the table until of course Steve kept talking.

"No, I'm serious, it does."

Walter looked intrigued by his comment. "Oh, so you've been?" you could tell it was a genuine question with genuine interest.

"Well, no, but my parents, their big architecture buffs, and they're into those coffee table art books. So, I've seen all the pictures, and I'm here to tell you, it looks like a big artichoke."

After what felt like the most awkward tension they had ever lived, Walter started to laugh, making everyone laugh with him like some type of clockwork.

"Big artichoke. You're right. It does look like an artichoke." he seemed to not be able to control his laughter. Y/N smiled confused and gave a little laugh at the scene.

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

"So, then the Rabbi says, “Rectum? I damn near killed 'em!”

Y/N seemed to not be able to make a profound conversation like she hoped to make the best impression. She just sat there contemplating what she could do to make this better while Steve here was making Walter have a great time with his funny little comments. Y/N knew Steve had always been a social butterfly, he used to be “King Steve” for a reason. But she certainly wasn't expecting him to enjoy this so much after the crap he gave her earlier this week about the event.

Walter kept laughing the entire time. "Good one, right?" said Steve with that smile.

He was nearly choking by how much he was laughing at this point. While Y/N just could help but be a little jealous of Steve's social skills.

"It's very good. Y/N, I had no idea your boyfriend was such a charmer."

She gave a fake smile that only Steve could read. "Who knew?"

Walter got serious for a moment. "Emerson could use a young man like you, Steve. Why haven't you applied?" Well, this got interesting.

Y/N saw this as an opportunity to get some time in the conversation. "Yeah, Steve, why haven't you? She knew the answer, he didn't get into any college yet and his parents were trying to teach him a lesson by making him work his ass off.

Steve got quiet for a moment trying to think of an answer. "Well, I-- To be perfectly honest, uh, both of my parents are real big lefties, so for me, it's Yale or nothing."

"Well, that certainly is our loss." Walter seemed genuinely sad at that answer.

Y/N had enough by now, she didn't understand what the hell was happening right now.

"Hey, Steve, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Yeah sure." he seemed very calm.

"Outside. Excuse us." she faked a smile again.

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

Y/N started to walk as fast as she could, and she looked pissed.

"Steve, I can't believe you just did that."

"Just did what?" he didn't see any problem.

"You lied!" she got more and more desperate by the second.

That's when Steve started to understand where she was going with this.

"Hold on a second--"

"After that whole pseudo-motivational diatribe, you flat out lied."

"Y/N/N, can I have the floor for just a second--" he really wanted to explain what was going on inside.

"Why are you trying so hard to impress these people?"

"Are you done yet?" he deadpanned.

She seemed to not be able to stop saying all her thoughts making it impossible for Steve to explain himself.

"I don't even know who you are right now." she sighed.

"All I'm try-"

"Excuse me, Steve. Excuse me. I would love for you to meet the dean. Do you mind, Y/N?" Walter seemed very excited.

And of course, with their luck, they were interrupted. By Walter of all people.

What was Y/N supposed to even say to that? "Course not." she fake smiled for the third time that night.

"Sure," said Steve, looking at Y/N with an unreadable expression while he turned the other way.

Walter started to chuckle. "He's a great guy. An old friend. I'd love for him to hear the, uh…"

"Two Rabbis."

"Yeah." He laughed.

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

Y/N sat at one of the benches outside and couldn't help but cry. What happened tonight? It clearly didn't go as she wanted, and sadness took over her while she sobbed. She didn't even notice Walter coming back outside.

"Hi, Y/N," he said with an understanding tone.

Shit. Y/N thought. She wiped her tears and acted like he didn't see her crying her eyes out just a second ago. "Uh, hi, Mr. Kubelik, um…I'm sorry, I…I think I need to apologize."

He was confused but calmed. "Really? Whatever for?"

Y/N sighed. "Well, I think I blew it tonight. And it's just, um, this is kind of a whole new world for me, and I, um, I don't really know what to do or what to say, and I know that I don't fit in very well--"

"Y/N, you didn't blow anything. Your academic record stands on its own. You're a stunningly bright young lady. No one is grading you on your social skills.

She looked a little more relieved. Like she could breathe again.

"Be that as it may, you couldn't ask for a better character witness than that boyfriend of yours."

Y/N looked up into his eyes confused and wanting him to elaborate on his last comment.

"Seriously. He just talked the dean's ear off, all about you. How you've changed him, how you've helped him. How he couldn't imagine a better life than one with you by his side. What a rare gift, to have someone say such things about you."

She couldn't help to smile a little and get all shy about it.

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

Finally, the party was over, and Y/N joined Steve after she said her goodbyes to some people at the event. Even though the last time they saw each other they didn't see eye to eye, the moment they looked at each other, they felt the need to be in each other's arms.

"Apology accepted," mumbled Steve.

Y/N removed her head from his shoulder. "I didn't apologize, Stevie," she said while furrowing her eyebrows in confusion.

"Well, no, but you were going to."

Y/N gave him a smug smile. "I was?"

"Yeah, you were going to apologize for bitching me out earlier." he was being pretty forward about the whole situation, you had to give him that.

Y/N started to match his energy. "And what about you? You're the one who lied."

Of course. Steve looked deep into her eyes so she could see his honesty. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe I was doing that all for you?"

Y/N's eyebrows shoot up. "And how, exactly, do I benefit from your distortion of the truth?"

"Well," he started to stroke her hair very delicately and continued with all he wanted to say earlier.

"Maybe I just wanted these people to see you through my eyes just for one night. To see this girl, this woman, who has more class and intelligence and beauty and grace than anyone else who's walking the face of the planet."

Y/N's eyes started to water; she opened her mouth to say something, but she shut it again when he kept going.

"And maybe things like this just come tumbling out of my mouth because I happen to be head over heels in love with you, but the really scary thing is--is…I think that they're true."

Y/N's heart melted but at the same time, she started to feel guilt and embarrassment because of her reaction earlier.

"Sorry, Steve. I just wanted to impress these people so bad, you know, to fit in, and I completely froze."

Steve cupped her face and with the softest voice, one could ever imagine he said. "Hey, that doesn't matter."

She took a step back from his embrace. Anxiety took over her. "Yes, it does! I've never wanted anything so bad in my whole life. And you--you just fit right in better than I ever will."

So that's what this was about. "Because there's nothing at stake for me here, Y/N/N. I have nothing to prove to these people. And Y/N/N, this world, is opening its doors to you. And when you step through, you are going to be such an amazing part of all of this.  And wherever you choose to go, you're doing them the favor, not the other way around.

"You know, your mom should get a medal."

Jeez. Y/N truly was tearing up with a small smile. She would never get used to Steve's love words. It made her heart do flip-flops, to say the least.

Well, Steve wasn't expecting that, but he went along with it. "Mom? Really, why's that?"

"Because she raised the perfect boy. And maybe things like that just tumble out of my mouth because I happen to be head over heels in love with you, but the scary thing is, I think it's true," she said with the biggest smile.

Steve pulled away for a second, staying very close to her."Mmm. What do you say if you and I take our little mutual admiration society on the road? Please, can we go someplace we both fit in?"

They couldn't help but chuckle at each other's words making them have the most passionate yet tender kiss that day.

"Yeah. Let's go."

FEEDBACK IS GREATLY APPRECIATED <3

[raaorqtpbpdy]

Why Do Scientists Wear Sensible Shoes?

For the Phic Phight prompt: Four years in the hospital, abandoned and in agony as his body slowly transformed, taught Vlad that ghostly purring only meant pain and suffering of the worst kind and an unhappy life did little to debase him of that notion. So when his newly emerged clone starts happy purring at him, Vlad promptly freaks the fuck out trying to figure out what's wrong with them— inadvertently teaching the clone that more purring means more attention from daddy. (from @reading-wanderer)

AO3 Link

[Warnings for dubious science, unstable clones, and major character death]

The last of Vlad's family, his mother, had died when he was seventeen, leaving him completely on his own when he went off to college. After the proto-portal accident, even his friends, Jack and Maddie, abandoned him. They left him to die, slowly, in agony, and unbearably alone, of horrible ecto-acne that slowly transformed his body, infected his blood, corrupted his soul, over the course of four years.

It was during those four years that he discovered ghostly purring, discovered that it meant only pain, the worst kind of suffering imaginable. It was supposed to self-soothe, to encourage healing, he determined. It wasn't a sound ghosts made when they were happy. And the unhappy life that followed his transformation did little to debase that notion.

He tried not to think about it much, but he did wonder, as he attempted to create a clone of another half-ghost like him, if he was bringing them into the world only to force them through the same suffering he experienced. Vlad shook his head and squared his shoulders. The anguish had come, not in simply being a half-ghost, but in dying slowly to become one.

A long beep sounded, and he hit the release button on the cloning chamber, now that the process was complete. This was his eleventh attempt. Attempts one through eight had dissolved into ectoplasm immediately upon release from their cloning chambers. Attempt nine had survived, but only the skeleton. Everything else had melted right off, and Vlad had immediately thrown a sheet over the thing to avoid having to look at it's grotesque, black bones. The sheet remained, and the only surviving clone thus far was in the observation room for study.

Attempt ten had survived longer than the first eight, but had been malformed and dissolved into ectoplasm after stubbing its toe. Hopefully, attempt eleven would fare better.

Vlad sighed with disappointment when the mist from the chamber dispersed and the eleventh clone was visible. Another for the observation room, he supposed. He'd tried adding some stable human DNA to the mix, taken from Maddie, as well as experimenting with the force-growth process. It looked stable enough, but this one was too human and not human enough, with Maddie's auburn hair and glowing green eyes, and looked about seven years old when it should have looked fourteen.

"Can you switch between forms?" Vlad asked the clone.

"I dunno," the child clone said. It squeezed its eyes shut, clenched its small fists, and tried to shift forms. Nothing happened. "Guess not. Who're you? Who'm I? What is this place?"

"I am Vlad Masters," Vlad introduced. "This is my lab, and you are a clone I created."

"A clone?" Its wide, round eyes blinked owlishly at him. "Is that my name?"

"You don't have a name."

"Why?"

"Because I can't be bothered to name every clone that steps out of that chamber."

"Why?"

"Because there's a fairly high chance you'll destabilize anyway, and you're an imperfect copy, and I don't want to get attached."

"Why?"

"Because I've experienced far too much disappointment already."

"Why?"

"Well to start with, the woman I love married a man I despise and the only other person in the world who's like me hates my guts."

"Why?"

"I may have tried to kidnap him once or twice, and kill his father... perhaps his hatred isn't so unwarranted, but it still hurts."

"Why?"

"Because—oh, wait, I see what you're doing!" Vlad exclaimed. He growled and scooped the clone up by the back of its jumpsuit and cradled it in his arms as he carried it off. "I'm taking you to the observation room." The clone giggled, and then Vlad stilled in horror as he heard a sound he hoped never to hear again. It was purring, a low rumbling in its core.

Panicked, Vlad changed direction, laying the clone on the examination table and grabbing a stethoscope.

"Whatcha doin'?" asked the clone.

"Quiet now," Vlad demanded, placing the stethoscope against the clone's chest. The purring had quieted, which was good. There was no heartbeat, unexpected, but not out of the realm of possibility. The child was part ghost after all, even if it was a little more human than it was supposed to be. Its core thrummed, strong and steady, so it should be able to fulfill the missing heart's functions just as well. "Breathe deeply." The clone complied. Its lungs seemed to be in excellent condition, so it wasn't that. "Are you in pain?"

"No."

Vlad sighed in relief, and without even thinking, he hugged the clone gently, stroking its auburn hair. He'd been so afraid that he'd inflicted the worst pain of his life on a creature that hadn't asked to be created in the first place. Thank the Ancients he hadn't. Or so he thought. Then he heard it again. That deep rumbling that filled Vlad with dread. Whatever the clone said, there was clearly something wrong.

Vlad pulled back and continued his examination. "Let me take your blood pressure. Look into this light. Turn your head and cough. Does it hurt when I do this?" The clone giggled. That horrible purring grew louder.

"Tickles!" 

So far, Vlad had found nothing wrong. The bones were all properly aligned, the organs the child had functioned properly. He was breathing, eating, drinking, and sleeping just fine. Every time Vlad started to consider giving up, the purring grew stronger, and he redoubled his efforts. He had to find what was causing this child's suffering and fix it.

"Can I be named Vlad two?"

"No," Vlad refused. He was taking a blood sample to run some more tests. His working theory was that the lack of heart was causing the boy distress, even though his core, small though it was, should have been able to effectively take its place. "It would be confusing if we were both named Vlad."

"No, you're Vlad, and I'm Vlad two!" The boy corrected. "Like the number two. It's a totally different name."

"When a child is named after their parent, they are a junior, not a two," Vlad told him, focused on the task at hand.

"Can I be named Junior, then?" asked the boy.

"Fine, whatever!" Vlad snapped, taking the vials of ectoplasm-tainted blood to the next room to perform tests on. It was only as he placed a vial in the centrifuge that he realized what he'd done. "Oh kettle corn!" he shouted. "Now I've gone and done it! How could I let that brat have a name?" He threw an empty beaker at the wall in frustration and it shattered, but calmed down quickly after that.

It was too late now. He'd gone and gotten attached. He was already doing everything he could to spare Junior from the agony he himself had gone through. The only difference was that it felt more personal now. He had to take care of the boy. He couldn't let Junior dissolve like the others had, and definitely not while he was in pain. The others hadn't felt a thing, but Junior... he was purring.

Vlad got back to work.

Still, he found nothing. But Junior's hands got sticky like clay that hadn't fully dried. He left traces of green ooze, like a snail trail on the examination table. His hair started to float around his head, getting misty around the edges. He continued to purr. Not constantly, but as soon as he saw Vlad the purring started up again.

Clones twelve and thirteen had both dissolved within hours of their creation. Vlad didn't care about them. The cloning programs continued in the background. He'd make changes to the programs, initiate the process, wait until the clone was done. When it failed, he would rinse and repeat. He was more concerned with figuring out what was wrong with Junior.

He seemed like a perfectly cheerful kid. He laughed, smiled, played the 'why' game, and made up jokes. He even got up and danced around when he needed a break from sitting on the examination table.

"Hey, Daddy, what do you call a vampire without teeth?" Junior asked while Vlad was reviewing his notes.

"What?" Vlad asked absently.

Junior curled his lips over his teeth and said, "A wampiwa!" Vlad snorted, and shook his head and the boy cheered victoriously.

His body had been becoming slowly more spectral. Blood tests showed the ectoplasm concentration in his blood was steadily increasing. When Vlad stroked his hair now, his hand went right through the ends. His pale skin had become mildly bioluminescent, though it was only visible when the lights went out.

It seemed a core with no heartbeat meant that his ghostly qualities were consuming his humanity. If Vlad couldn't stop the process, or at least slow it down to a rate that would allow Junior to safely transition into becoming a full ghost, he would surely destabilize and dissolve, just like the others. Vlad's heart ached thinking about how much pain the boy must be in.

"What do you call a goose with no teeth?" Junior asked, and Vlad smiled a bittersweet smile at him. Despite the jokes, he could hear the boy's loud purring several feet away.

"What do you call a goose with no teeth?"

"A goose!" Junior said, grinning brightly. "Gooses don't have teeth!"

"The plural is geese, and they do have teeth, actually," Vlad corrected. "In fact, geese have teeth on their tongues."

"Really?" Vlad nodded. "Cool!"

"Are you in pain, Junior?" Vlad asked the same question every day, often several times.

"Nope!" Junior always denied that he was. He was brave, but Vlad knew better.

Clone fourteen dissolved within minutes, an issue with the force growth process, corrected. Clone fifteen survived, but was malformed and overgrown. It was taken to the observation room. The cloning parameters were adjusted again. Clone sixteen was malformed in a similar but less exaggerated manner, but lasted only twelve hours before dissolving in the observation room. Junior's skin had taken on a deathly pallor. He purred loudly when Vlad entered the examination room.

"Are you in pain, Junior?"

"No, Daddy," the boy said, but his smile wasn't as bright as usual. "Do you wanna play a game?"

"Sure, Junior," Vlad agreed. "We can play while I run today's test. What game?"

"I'm gonna pick something in the room, and you can ask ten questions to figure out what it is!"

"Isn't this game supposed to be twenty questions?" Vlad asked.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"The game is twenty questions. One person picks an object or creature, and the others get twenty questions to figure out what it is. My friends and I played it in college."

"How could you played it in college when I just made it up?" Junior asked, cocking his head. 

"Oh, I see." Of course Junior didn't know anything he hadn't learned inside this lab. Similar as the game may have been to twenty questions, he had come up with it on his own. "You invented it independently, but another game already exists which is very similar."

"Well, we're gonna play my version!" Junior insisted. "So you only get ten questions."

"Very well. Is it bigger than a bread box?"

"What's a bread box?"

"It's a box for holding bread." Vlad held out his hands toward Junior, indicating the general size of a bread box. "About this big."

"Oh. Then no, it's not bigger."

"Is it animal, mineral, or vegetable?"

"Uh... mineral I think," Junior said, frowning in thought. "What are beakers made of?"

"Glass."

"Is that a mineral?"

"Yes."

"Then it's a mineral."

"Is it a beaker?" Vlad asked, Junior gasped, his eyes widening in amazement.

"Yeah, it is!" he said. "Wow, you guessed that so quickly! You're really good at this game!"

"It's a gift," Vlad said lightly. He flicked the light off to see the progression of Junior's glow. It had grown increasingly brighter, just since the previous day. It seemed Vlad's, or rather Junior's, deadline was closer than he'd thought.

"It's your turn now! You pick something in the room, and I have to guess it in ten questions!"

"Alright," Vlad flicked the lights back on and looked around, but his eyes landed back on Junior, and he couldn't think of anything else. "Go ahead."

"Is it bigger than this?" Junior held out his arms as wide as they could go.

"Yes." Vlad grabbed his stethoscope and put it against Junior's back to listen to his lungs. "Quiet now, breathe deep." Under the purring and the pulsing of his core, Vlad could hear Junior's breathing hitch in a way it hadn't before. That wasn't good. His stethoscope came away with a green residue on it. "Alright, what's your next question?"

"Is it more soft or more hard?"

"More soft," Vlad answered.

"Is it the cushion on the exam table?"

"No."

"Is it... your lab coat?"

"No."

"What color is it?"

"Lots of different colors."

"Is it the quilt in the cupboard?"

"No."

"Is it your chemistry lab coat? The one with all the funky stains on it?" Vlad laughed once.

"No."

"Hmm..." Junior looked stumped. "Is it... alive?"

"Sort of," Vlad looked at the results from the tests he'd run the day before and frowned. "For now."

"Is it you?"

"No, and that makes nine," Vlad said. "Think carefully, Junior. You only have one question left." 

"Is it me?"

"Yes, it is," Vlad confirmed. "Now, tell me the truth, Junior. Are you in pain?" This time, Junior didn't answer aloud, just shook his head.

"It's my turn to pick!" he said next, and looked around the room. "Okay, I got it! You can ask your questions now."

The seventeenth clone was discolored, and dissolved after twenty-four hours. A glitch in the force growth process resulted in eighteen being approximately six inches tall, but it survived, mostly. Observation indicated that none of the other surviving clones had anything approaching Junior's mental capacity, likely the lack of stable DNA.

Vlad altered the cloning parameters, this time combining Daniel's DNA sample with some of his own. The 'Y' chromosome was damaged, so the clone turned out female, but she was more stable and more cognizant than the others, and quickly dubbed herself Danielle, after her primary DNA donor. Closer. Much closer. But still a failure.

Junior was growing less and less stable with each passing hour.

Vlad had tried everything he could, but it hadn't been enough. Nothing had worked. Junior started to lose his motor functions. His sense of smell went next.

"I'm scared," he admitted to Vlad when his vision started to fade and he was groping around in the dark for his father. Vlad walked over to him, hugged him very, very gently. Even the slightest pressure caused Junior to liquefy, but he couldn't let the boy be alone.

"Are you in pain?" Vlad asked.

"Yes," said the boy. Tears welled up in his brightly glowing eyes and streamed down his cheeks. I wasn't before, but I am now. It hurts, and I'm scared."

"It's alright. I'm with you," Vlad said, though his own eyes were starting to sting and a lump formed in his throat. He stroked Junior's hair with a feather-light touch. "I'm sorry this is happening to you."

"I can't stop purring anymore," the boy choked out. "I did it on purpose before, but I can't stop anymore."

"Why would you do it on purpose?" Vlad asked, trying to keep his voice steady. Junior couldn't see his tears, couldn't see on his face how terrified he was. Junior could only hear and feel, and Vlad would be damned to the furthest corners of the Ghost Zone before he let his child know how terrified Vlad was in his final moments. He deserved comfort, not fear.

"Not the first time," Junior explained, his voice hitching as he cried into Vlad's chest, ectoplasmic tears no doubt staining Vlad's best lab coat. "I was just happy. It felt nice when you held me, and it just happened."

"You were happy?" Vlad asked, confused. "Ghosts purr when they're in pain. They purr to try to heal themselves, to self-soothe. Why would you purr when you were happy?"

"It just happened," Junior repeated. "And your reaction was so funny. Then, the more I purred, the more attention you gave me, so I kept purring. Then I started to feel weird, and I hurt, and the purring wouldn't stop anymore. I just wanted to spend time with you, Daddy." Vlad couldn't catch the tears before they dripped onto Junior's head and fizzled on his scalp as beads of ectoplasm welled up where they landed. Vlad winced at the sight and dried his eyes with his sleeve"Are you okay?"

"Am I okay?" Vlad asked. He forced himself to take a deep breath. "I'm fine, Junior. You're the one destabilizing."

"It's okay, Daddy. Don't cry," Junior comforted him, and wasn't that backwards. Vlad shouldn't be the one being comforted by his dying son. "I got to spend my whole life with you. And we... we had fun, didn't we?"

"Yes, Junior," Vlad agreed. His boy didn't need to know that Vlad had spent the duration of his life worrying about him, not now of all times. "We had great fun."

"Hey, Daddy?" Junior asked, and Vlad hummed in response. "Why do scientists wear practical shoes?"

"Ha," Vlad laughed once, weakly. "Why?"

"So they don't get Bunsens," Junior said, and giggled, just as weakly. "Get it? 'Cause it sounds like bunions?" Vlad allowed the boy a chuckle.

"Yes, I get it," he said, even as the boy's body continued to dissolve, he was still making jokes. "It's very funny."

"Daddy?" Junior called out, but whatever he was about to say, he never got the chance. He destabilized completely in Vlad's arms, and the man was kneeling of a puddle of ectoplasm that had once been his beloved son.

He cried out in anguish.

He wailed and wept. 

A rumbling purr rose in his chest.

[mostlikelytofangirl]

Honestly one of my favourite things about ruoyao is how unhinged a ship it is! Like okay WRH and MY are fundamentally different people but they fit together very nicely! WRH is very capricious and MY knows how to deal with capricious people, WRH seems to be one of the few people in the entire novel to elevate people purely on merit (see: MY, WZL, WQ) and thag drives me nuts!

Like are you serious??? The unhinged megalomaniac is better at recognising and rewarding talent than everyone here??? Says a lot about the jianghu. In the same vein, he seems like the one person that would 100% respect his mom, without being awkward about it because he doesn't give two craps about social conventions or propriety

The same way I don't think MY's kindness is a facade, I don't think his cruelty in WRH's court is one either! MY can be very unhinged and cruel himself when he's pushed to it! (see: JGS's death)

There's also the fact WRH treated him better than anyone until that point (except for LXC) and like, obviously MY was playing a role in Qinshang, but it wasn't a role necessarily antithetical to his character!

It's really fun to explore the whirlwind of emotion MY was dealing with at that point! The power, the rush of WRH's respect and care, so on!

I've read every ruoyao dynamic under the sun (wen-gongzi, wen-furen, codependency, sexy torture times, etc.) And they drive me crazy!!!! Have you seen manhua WRH's reaction to being killed? He doesn't look like he's angry and wants to rage and kill! He looks confused and devastated like he doesn't understand why his talented Yao'er would do this!

It's about the potential. Like yeah WRH is basically a cartoon villain in the books but he's so fun to toy with with the little info we have! One thing that I like to believe about him is that he 100% adores his family! Hurt WX or WC or MY? He'll skin you. He was probably about to shatter baxia and have MY skin NMJ when he died

AAAAHHHH You get me!!!

YES! They are different ppl but they align so well with each other! As you said WRH is the kind to do whatever the hell he wants, and one thing MY is great at is accommodating, and he has no issues with that so long as his own needs are met too, and woULD YOU LOOK AT HOW HE ACTUALLY GOT RECOGNIZED!

And WZL! I forgot about him, but YES, that dude not only got accepted in the sect, he even was given the Wen name! LIKE PLS WRH was going around collecting talented rejects :')

Oh, I totally agree with your assessment of MY. I believe he was an inherently good person, but he was more than capable of cruelty. He probably had to exaggerate a bit in Qishan, but he definitely had what it took already, that cold blood is just something you can't fake, no matter how good an actor. And you know, that's what I love about Wen Yao, that he could be fully himself like that, he didn't have to hide his "dark" side nor pretend to be better to not hurt others' sensibilities bc, as good as he may have been at his core, he was not all about pure righteousness. He understood nuance and the need for harsh measures, and only with the Wen was it properly appreciated (but not exploited and abused like JGS did)

There are so many flavors to the ship indeed! I mean, you are still not going to get the healthiest pairing out of ruoyao lol, but you can get some wonderful codependence or the ever so delicious "I'm horrible to everybody but never to you" dynamics :'D

Ahhh the manhua!! I made this post some time ago PRECISELY bc I was going insane over how crushed WRH was when he discovered his Yao'er betraying him! He wasn't angry, he just couldn't understand why T-T

Lol he's a wonderful cartoon villain XD. It's about his potential as well, how we can have fun with the bits and pieces of info bc those are actually telling. And I do agree that he cared about his family, even if he wasn't aware of how he came off to them (aka that one donghua scene with WC kneeling), bc we would have been told otherwise since this is the Horrible Fathers novel :P. Also iirc, the whole "torture of NMJ right in front of him" thing was bc he killed WX, sooooo...