#// i miss when the series had some Unsettling Themes

[demonsfate]

it would be interesting to find out more details regarding the first tag and what story they had in mind when it was being developed as a canon game. especially unknown's character ... who wasn't originally jun, but jun's younger sister named "hitomi [kazama]"

interesting enough, in concept arts - she has jin's mark on her left arm, which is the same arm jin has his. (in the games, unknown has it on her right - opposite of jin's.) which i may have brought this up before, forgive my memory - but it does make me wonder if there's a particular reason WHY only jin, "hitomi," and jun (noncanonicaly) have this mark whilst the other devil gene holders don't. maybe because kazamas are like natural enemies over the devils, the devils intentionally "brand" them as showing they've dominated their enemy.

she also has the mark bandaged in her school uniform. this could be that either she's ashamed of it, or she was just recently inflicted and it hurts (in the opening of tek3, it appears as though it's "burned" onto jin, so yeah - it might be painful)

though this leaves many questions now. how is she infected with the devil gene? (if that's what it is) with jin, it's because his father has it. but why would his aunt, with no connection to the mishimas, be affected? and what about the wolf spirit?

he appears to be controlling her like a puppet in this game. is a devil? was he conceived around the same time as hitomi was? although there's only one concept art of him-

interestingly enough, there are faces coming out of him. (which i think you can see faces in certain renders of him, just not as noticeable) what could this have meant? souls he have already took? seeing as unknown, in the first game, can mimic other fighters' styles, maybe it had something to do with that? the wolf is probably even more mysterious than unknown because once they've confirmed that unknown is jun in tag 2, he's completely gone, they've discarded his character. (other than easter eggs pertaining to him)

then i wonder if after they've dropped her being jun's sister... who was she supposed to be in the game? had they already planned her out to be just jun? people always theorized this (because it wasn't until tek6 when they admitted she was planned as jun's sister) because she always starts with jun's moveset, their similarity in appearance, as well as unknown being protective of jin in ogre's ending. but seeing as she was planned to be jun's sister - that could be why she always starts with her moveset in the boss fight. her being protective of jin... well, it's very possible an aunt would want to protect her nephew. and it's possible she's doubley mad at ogre for harming her sister.

and plus in her ending, when she frees herself from the wolf - her eyes are green, not brown like jun's. thoooo once they dropped the idea of her being a younger sister, and keeping her name entirely as "unknown" and never giving away her identity until stating their initial plans for her in tek6, and then ONLY revealing her as jun in tag 2... it could just be that they just wanted to keep her identity... well, unknown! and that's why she has green eyes, to help stray away thoughts that she could be jun.

[back2bluesidex]

Slide - The Other Side - MYG (18+)

Pairing: Producer!Yoongi X Lyricist!Reader 

Theme: Angst, smut, unplanned pregnancy. Fwb to ?

Word count: 1.6k+

Summary: 

I shot back, then she told me I should speak up "I can't even hear you through the speaker"

Alternatively, 

No matter how much Yoongi had been trying to compile his focus and pour it all on Gyuri, his mind kept reeling back to you.

Warnings: angst, yoongi is a dilemma, he is suffering quite a lot too.

Listened to Slide by Chase Atlantics

Minors do not interact!!

Series Masterlist | Masterlist | Patreon (for early access)

A/N: Very first Yoongi's POV.

Taglist requests are closed for now

Read the next chapter

It is a human instinct to seek for what we don’t have and try to get our hands on it. 

Be it tangible or intangible - human beings will always run after what they don’t own and what they think they need. 

Yoongi is a human. 

So he, too, ran after everything he is not, everything he thought would fill the gaps of his soul, fit like a missing piece of a puzzle and make him whole. 

Hence, he fell in love with Lee Gyuri. 

Given the fact that Gyuri is everything he is not, he thought she would make him a perfect sphere. He thought his imperfectly titled earth would stand straight and spin round.

However, alarms of his mind set off very loudly whenever Gyuri brought forth the topic of marriage and kids and living together. 

He himself came from a broken family. He witnessed how his father and mother were once so in love but then suddenly they were drifting apart. 

A part of him believes that marriage ruins love. And he wanted to stay in love, without having to exchange vows and reproduce another life. 

But to his dismay, Gyuri thought his idea of love was absolutely absurd and it doesn’t make any sense. In the end, she decided to leave him, saying that his cold shoulders are hard to take, his distant persona hurt her beyond measure and that she thinks she’s the only one who is keeping this relationship alive. 

Hence, his four year old relationship came to an end just like that. 

Gyuri walked away and she took the larger part of yoongi with her. The part that was left, was unable to fall in love, unable to feel anything concrete, just unable to process human connection anymore. 

If Gyuri thought he never loved her properly, she should have seen him after her departure. Yoongi was devastated, broken, shattered beyond repair - and you only fall too hard when you climb too high, you only break too much when you love too hard. 

Yoongi wished Gyuri knew.  

For once Yoongi wished to be seen. 

And Yoongi felt seen. 

Yoongi felt the feeling of being seen in every corner of his skin, deep in his bones each and every time you looked at him with those knowing eyes. 

Ever since that night you picked him up, you have always looked at him with kindness. There was no pity, no curiosity in your eyes to unsettle him. 

If he dares to add then he has perceived affection in those eyes of yours. And by some magical force, you made him open up - something even Gyuri couldn’t do. 

If he is honest enough to admit then he would say that he was afraid of opening up to his former girlfriend, what if she ran away (which she did regardless).

But somehow you felt like a safe space - he could show the real him, the one that is scared and weak, and you wouldn’t judge him, you would embrace him (which you did every single time). 

And that is what kept him coming back to you again and again. 

Those quiet nights of shared understandings soon turned into something more - skin on skin, hands on body, mouth on mouth. Yoongi hated none of it. 

Yoongi started liking it all way too much. 

Soon enough he realized, it’s not always important to fill up each gap, to seek for a person who is everything we are not. 

Sometimes peace comes from alikeness. 

Sometimes peace comes from someone very much like you. 

And you are very much like him. 

Just like him you, too, belong to a broken family, prone to close yourself up around people, you don’t laugh too loud, talk too loud, you don’t say things you don’t mean. 

You like maintaining a distance. 

You like to hide behind a facade. 

Again, you are just like him. 

Even after knowing his views towards commitment, you never questioned him once. You never asked why he thinks what he thinks. You never once asked for anything more than what he could offer. You never demanded recognition from him. 

You never said anything but still Yoongi knew that you were falling in love with him. 

And right on that moment he knew - you would have been the one for him. Only if you two could travel to a parallel universe, where he wasn’t so pathetically in love with Gyuri, he would allow himself to fall for you. 

That day when Gyuri came back, when she gracefully stepped into his life again as if nothing happened - he didn’t know what to feel or what he was feeling. 

He didn’t know what if he was more happy or more regretful that the sand castle he built with you was about to tumble down sooner than he expected. 

He always feared waves but Gyuri in the shape of a wave - he both feared and loathed it. 

His sense of fear and resentment heightened when he felt you touching his knee under the table. You are just too kind, way too kind for your own good. 

You stayed in this arrangement even after knowing Yoongi wouldn’t be able to return your feelings and you were still trying to comfort him when you yourself knew things were coming to an inevitable end. 

At that moment Yoongi wished he never loved Gyuri to begin with. 

“I will not force you to do anything you don’t want, Yoongi. I promise, I will not fight. Let’s give each other another chance please. I- I have been missing you terribly.” Gyuri had said standing behind the closed wooden door of the meeting room. 

Yoongi’s heart lurched inside his chest a bit. 

But it’s not the flattering kind. 

When he looked into her eyes, he found sincerity but he couldn’t see himself reflecting in them. 

That is why he said, “I don’t know, Gyuri. I don’t think it will be ideal for us -” 

“I know the damage is done. But please please let’s try once more. Three months, let’s try for three months, for the sake of old times, our memories, for our love. I love you, Yoongi. And I know you love me too. So, please.” Gyuri had cut him off desperately. 

Yoongi thought then. Getting into this trial with Gyuri would mean leaving you behind. Leaving you behind would mean setting you free from his grasps. 

If Yoongi sets you free, you can move on and find everything that he can’t provide you with - love, a lover, maybe even a home. 

So he had said yes.

“I love you so much.” Gyuri murmured on his chest. 

“I love you too.” Yoongi didn’t mean it. 

“.... but the lyrics just won’t come out. I have been trying to write ….” 

For a fleeting moment, Yoongi heard Gyuri saying something about the lyrics but his brain didn’t register anything solid. 

He had been zoning out, staring at the door, waiting for you to come in with your notebook and ipad, give everyone a tight-lipped smile and a muffled greeting and settle somewhere near him. But you were nowhere to be found.  

When the door creaked open, his heart creaked too, only to be disappointed when Namjoon slipped in. 

A moment later his heart creaked and cracked even more when Namjoon announced you had withdrawn from the project. 

He should have felt relieved then. This is what he wanted, he wanted to set you free from his painful grip. 

But that didn't mean he wouldn’t feel an unexplainable pain in his chest. 

That didn’t mean he wouldn’t feel something important sliding through his fingers. 

At that moment Yoongi realized, he did the forbidden. 

He got attached to you. 

Every pore in Yoongi’s body oozed relief when he saw you for the first time in a month. 

You look distressed but you look beautiful regardless. 

He tried his best to appear nonchalant, stoic so that you don’t get a hint of the tempest that had been raging inside of him. 

No matter how much he had been trying to compile his focus and pour it all on Gyuri, his mind kept reeling back to you - how you silently cried with him that night, how you didn’t hold him back when he left, how you didn’t object when he ended it all. 

For once he wished you wouldn’t be so much like him. 

For once he wished for you to ask something more from him. 

“I can take care of it myself, Yoongi. You have a life to lead, you have better days ahead now, why would you even care about me? I was just a fleeting chapter anyway. Please- please don’t act like our time together meant anything to you. Please, I beg.” you broke down right before his eyes. 

If he is reading between the lines properly then is that animosity? 

Are you angry with him? 

If he riles you up more will you confess? Will you ask for more?

Will you… will you ask him to come back? His thoughts swirled inside him making him feel dizzy.

“wasn’t it a given? A silent agreement that our time together wouldn’t mean much to any of us?” he pushed you more, even though he knew it wasn’t the right thing to say but he tried to pull the truth or the demand or whatever might it be, out of you. 

And he didn’t even know why? 

What does he even want? 

Does he want you? Even the thought of wanting someone other than Gyuri scared him to death. 

You nodded, “Yeah. You are right. Forget I have said anything. Bye.” 

And with that you were gone. 

For the second time in life Yoongi faced a loss. 

However, unlike the first time, this time it was his fault. This time, he knew, a second chance would probably never come by. 

He should have felt relief. 

He felt a prospect of quiet, peaceful love sliding through his fingers instead.

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[upslapmeal]

Space Babies

Ok so I've been hopeless at doing my usual Episode Thoughts during s14 but if I don't get them posted before the finale then I never will. SO. the next few days will be a trip down memory lane to a whole 6 weeks ago before I'm off to the cinema on friday night!

here we goooo

no cold open we’re going straight in babes (heh)

I know we had it last ep but I do love a good seeing-the-tardis-for-the-first-time face

‘I’m the doctor’ yes you are!!

man I wasn’t a huge fan of 15's theme just hearing on its own in the concert but hearing it in context with him it works SO well

‘kinda posh’

‘they used titles’ and then i kidnapped a couple of teachers, told one to drop the 'Foreman' and the rest is history

ngl I've totally lost track of the gallifrey sitch

the master was going to blow it up then he didn't then the Doctor was going to then some guy stayed behind instead and then flux??

whatever we're back to last-of-my-kind square one

this is gallifrey theme my beloved how I have missed you

Martha and Bill yelling I told you so in the distance about the butterfly

‘Rubathon Blue of the 57th hemisphere hatchlings’ good to know I've got my Ruby tag sorted early doors!

anyway alien companion when

ooh they're going for a flying tardis

love fifteens energy!!

‘most of the universe is knackered babes’

‘the question is why did I run’ Doctor running is a key part of your whole deal. you know this right

‘yet again push the button’………when was the first time

(I have since learned there was meant to be a song on the jukebox that tied to this...would have been nice to see the jukebox being used. and also would have made these comments make sense)

…..baby looms?

‘food????? they’re not tomatoes!!’ lmao Fifteen is SO outraged

oh Ruby’s getting an End of the World moment <3

‘no boss or rent or taxes’ yeah forget time and space travel, NOW Ruby's thinking she's gotta get in on this

oh that baby is unsettling

oh no that baby mouth does not match that voice 

‘mummy and daddy are here!’ Ruby and Fifteen: 😬

it's so weird having fairly confident small child voices paired with very vacant baby faces

.....do these babies have nappies? that they change??

aww you can really see Ruby is used to kids, lifetime as a foster sister <3

ok Captain Poppy is the only voice so far that kinda works

‘oh popsicle’ naww Fifteen is so sweet with them

Fifteen and Poppy are so cute!!

also lol I love RTD going hard with the timeless child at every opportunity

‘nappies are changed at 1800h’ ok well that explains that

Ruby: ‘I didn’t mean to scare you 💞’ Fifteen: 'hey kids it's the BOGEYMAN!!!!!!' Ruby: 😠

ok listen. I know this is not it. but the boots and the length of the trousers.......Ruby's mum kinda looks like Thirteen

oh that's very much a hug-is-a-way-to-hide-your-face hug there

‘that’s the fate of every refugee, you have to physically turn up on someone’s shore’

Eric and the world’s most tiny and useless sword

‘a crock of waste product'

‘nice plan but what now' Ruby hon. this was your plan

you can really tell Ruby is used to looking after kids

‘don’t you touch them you illegitimate person’

FLAMETHROWER BABIES

oh Fifteen knows Ruby’s a keeper

‘oh babes…space babes’ lol Fifteen's just here to have fun (space) baby

‘it’s snot’ ‘it’s not’ the beauty of the english langauge

‘it is one of your children!!’ :(

even the (space) babies think that death by airlock disintegration a bit much

awooooooo!

I guess seeing the doctor save the bogey monster made them less scared??

appreciate RTD's commitment to getting some good fart work in both his first series of this show lol

but what will happen to the monster on the new planet??

like sure it's their sibling but.....does it know that?

‘I’m very very happy’ says the baby with the most sorrowful eyes I’ve ever seen

tardis key!!

Ruby letting 15 into the tardis <3

RIP Carla Sunday's kitchen ceiling 

first a crack and now this......at least the Doctor's giving the local plasterer good work

‘what the blinking flip’ Cherry Sunday's got a nanny filter on her

‘tell your mum not to slap me’ Thirteen got off light with Yaz’s mum

now when are we meeting the timelord called The Saggy Sheet??

the Doc's just going around giving their name willy nilly now lmao

as it should be I never enjoyed their name being a Big Mystery

kinda wish we got to see Ruby's family react to learning more about the Doctor!

hmmmm the dna scan is giving me v s6 vibes (derogatory)

Well that was a weird one, but since when hasn't DW been weird! Ngl it took me watching a second time to enjoy it a bit more because I was just SO thrown off by the baby voices lmao, but it was just generally a fun time, nothing too serious and just a chance to see a bit more of Fifteen and Ruby's dynamic! And it did tie in nicely to the ideas of Ruby and the Doctor both being abandoned, Ruby being a foster sister and the Doctor being the last of their kind. Two baby episodes in a row is enough for me though, glad it looks like next ep is baby-free, space or otherwise 😅

[ghostflowerdreams]

Witch Films

It’s October! The month in which I watch even more horror movies than usual. Each year I tend to have a theme to help narrow down what to watch. So far I’ve done Zombie Films, Werewolf Films, Vampire Films, Slasher Films, Ghost Films and Lovecraftian Horror. This year's theme will focus on witches, though I'm surprised I haven't already done this.

I think this is my shortest list yet. I expected to find more films featuring a witch or witches, but it seems there aren’t as many as I thought. With fewer actual horror titles available, I had to include some lighter options to add a bit of length to the list.

Hocus Pocus (1993) – an American fantasy comedy film directed by Kenny Ortega from a screenplay by Mick Garris and Neil Cuthbert, and a story by David Kirschner and Garris. The film stars Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Vinessa Shaw, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy and Sean Murray.

After moving to Salem, Massachusetts, teenager Max Dennison explores an abandoned house with his sister, Dani, and their new friend, Allison. Skeptical of a spooky legend Allison shares, Max unwittingly brings back a trio of wicked witches on Halloween night. Now, with the help of a mysterious cat, the kids must seize the witches' spellbook to prevent them from achieving immortality and unleashing chaos on the town.

Halloweentown (1998) – an American fantasy comedy film directed by Duwayne Dunham. The first installment in Halloweentown series, it stars Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Joey Zimmerman, and Judith Hoag.

The story follows 13-year-old Marnie Piper, who uncovers her family's magical heritage after following her grandmother to a hidden world where it’s Halloween every day. In this magical place, Marnie encounters witches, vampires and monsters who live peacefully, separate from the mortal world. But as she learns more about her own powers, Marnie faces a choice: embrace her destiny and protect Halloweentown from a looming threat, or risk losing her connection to this magical world forever.

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) – a Japanese animated fantasy film written, produced, and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Eiko Kadono.

At thirteen, young witch Kiki sets off, as tradition dictates, to find her place in the world and hone her skills. With her loyal cat, Jiji, she settles in a seaside town and starts a delivery service to help the townsfolk. But as Kiki navigates her new life, she encounters challenges that test her independence, resilience, and the magic within herself.

The Craft (1996) – an American teen supernatural horror film directed by Andrew Fleming from a screenplay by Peter Filardi and Fleming and a story by Filardi. The film stars Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True.

When new girl Sarah transfers to a Los Angeles high school, she’s drawn to a group of outcast girls rumored to practice witchcraft. Together, they form a powerful coven, casting spells to transform their lives. But as their magic intensifies, so does its darker side, and Sarah soon learns that power always comes at a price.

The Witch (2015) – An period horror film written and directed by Robert Eggers in his feature directorial debut. It stars Anya Taylor-Joy in her feature film debut, alongside Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, and Lucas Dawson.

Set in 1630s New England, a devout Puritan family finds themselves exiled from their community, struggling to survive in isolation near a foreboding forest. As their crops fail and livestock perish, unsettling events begin to plague them, fostering paranoia and mistrust. When their youngest child goes missing, the family’s faith is put to the ultimate test, and dark secrets come to light, suggesting that something sinister may be lurking in the woods.

Sleepy Hollow (1999) – a gothic supernatural horror film directed by Tim Burton. It is a film adaptation loosely based on Washington Irving's 1820 short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", and stars Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, with Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon, Casper Van Dien, Christopher Lee, and Jeffrey Jones in supporting roles.

New York detective Ichabod Crane is sent to the small, eerie village of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of brutal decapitations. He’s a skeptic of the supernatural, but the villagers believe the killer is the Headless Horseman, a vengeful spirit from local legend. As Crane delves deeper, he uncovers dark secrets, mysterious rituals, and a sinister plot that threatens both his life and his beliefs. With each discovery, he’s forced to question what’s real—and what might be lurking beyond reason.

The Witches (1990) – a dark fantasy film directed by Nicolas Roeg from a screenplay by Allan Scott, based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. The film stars Anjelica Huston and Mai Zetterling.

There's also another adaptation of the novel, The Witches (also known as Roald Dahl's The Witches), a 2020 dark fantasy comedy horror film co-produced and directed by Robert Zemeckis, who co-wrote the screenplay with Kenya Barris and Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel. The film stars Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, Kristin Chenoweth, and Jahzir Bruno.

The story follows a young boy who encounters a group of witches led by the Grand High Witch, who despise children and plot to eliminate them using a magical potion that transforms them into mice. When the boy and his grandmother stumble upon their nefarious plan, they must outsmart the witches and find a way to stop them before it's too late.

The Blair Witch Project (1999) – an American found footage supernatural psychological horror film written, directed, and edited by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez.

Three student filmmakers venture into the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, to create a documentary, about the terrifying legend of the Blair Witch. What begins as a simple project quickly turns harrowing as strange, unsettling events draw them deeper into the forest—and into a nightmare from which they can’t escape.

You Won't Be Alone (2022) – a Macedonian dark fantasy horror drama film written and directed by Goran Stolevski. It is an international co-production of Australia, the United Kingdom, Macedonia and Serbia in the Macedonian language, and marks Stolevski's feature film directorial debut. It stars Sara Klimoska, Alice Englert, Carloto Cotta, and Noomi Rapace as some of Nevena's forms, alongside Anamaria Marinca as Maria.

Set in 19th-century Macedonia, the story revolves around a young mute girl named Nevena, who is raised in isolation by her mother, Maria, a witch. After being transformed into a shapeshifting creature, Nevena embarks on a journey to explore the world through the experiences of others, discovering the joys and sorrows of humanity.

I Married a Witch (1942) – an American romantic comedy fantasy film, directed by René Clair. The screenplay is by Robert Pirosh and Marc Connelly and uncredited other writers, including Dalton Trumbo, is based on the 1941 novel The Passionate Witch by Thorne Smith, who died before he could finish it; it was completed by Norman H. Matson. The film stars Veronica Lake, Fredric March, Robert Benchley, Susan Hayward and Cecil Kellaway.

A mischievous witch named Jennifer and her grumpy warlock father, Daniel, are accidentally freed from centuries of captivity and set out to take revenge on the descendants of the Puritan who condemned them. Together, they set their sights on Wallace Wooley, the unwitting descendant. Jennifer plots to enchant him and ruin his upcoming marriage, with Daniel adding his own brand of chaos. But things go hilariously awry when Jennifer finds herself falling for him instead.

Suspiria (1977) – an Italian epic supernatural horror film directed by Dario Argento, who co-wrote the screenplay with Daria Nicolodi, partially based on Thomas De Quincey's 1845 essay Suspiria de Profundis. It stars Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci, Miguel Bosé, Alida Valli, Udo Kier, and Joan Bennett, in her final film role.

There's also Suspiria (2018) film, directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by David Kajganich, draws inspiration from Dario Argento’s iconic 1977 Italian film of the same name. It was described by Guadagnino as an "homage" to the 1977 film rather than a direct remake, reimagining the story in Berlin in 1977. It stars Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth, and Chloë Grace Moretz, the film also includes a cameo by Jessica Harper, the lead actress from the original Suspiria.

The story follows a young American dancer named Suzy Bannion who arrives at a prestigious ballet academy in Freiburg, Germany, only to discover that the school harbors dark secrets. As unsettling events and strange occurrences disturb her surroundings, Suzy becomes entangled in a sinister mystery lurking within the academy’s walls.

[whalleyrulz]

halloween 2024

8) V/H/S BEYOND

sorry for the delay to both people who read these, i'm having a time

i love the vhs series. even when they're bad, they're fun. there's just something appealing about a series made of horror vignettes where people are genuinely trying. shade thrown at abcs of death right there

beyond's framing narrative was about aliens, and it was easily the least grungy the series has looked. and for the most part, the shorts all kept on theme, which was like, hell yeah, love it. was this one the best? absolutely not. but it was good, and it had one of the most horrifying ideas the series has gone for, so hell yeah!

ABDUCTION/ADDUCTION: this was fun. it was presented as a history channel style show about proof of aliens, and it was fun that they got some real world ufo debunkers to play their part in this. i think it was a little dry, and the payoff, while it matched the energy of some of the series, didn't quite live up to what i was hoping for. still, one of the better framing narratives they've had!

STORK: for the most part, this was what it was. using cop bodycams for the found footage was good, but it felt very videogamey in a boring (to me) way. that said, the payoff was GREAT, and i fucking cackled like a witch at that last shot as the short ended. i'd like to see this as a bigger thing, but then, if only one of the shorts in this collection should be expanded, this one ain't it

DREAM GIRL: love me some bollywood horror. paparazzi are always good horror protags, and the inclusion of a fully filmed bollywood number was cheeky, but it worked. that said, after the reveal, i found myself checking my phone like "is this still happening?" and it never really gripped me again. it was alright!

LIVE AND LET DIVE: second best of the show for sure. skydiving during an alien invasion is fucking phenomenal, and the continuous shot from the plane all the way to the ground was great. i loved this honestly; it wasn't anything more than what it was, but what it was was inventive, unique, and had some absolutely great visuals. incredible work

FUR BABIES: y'all this shit would have been on the bottom of fucking v/h/s viral. it missed the promise it set up at the start, it missed the theme, it had no point, and for what? SPOILERS: i've seen tusk? why would i want to see that but worse?

STOWAWAY: hoooooly shit. hooooooooly shit. i want to see this as a full length movie. i want to see this as a standalone. stowaway is about a woman who desperately wants to film proof of ufos. then she finds one. then i cannot stress enough, we are subjected to one of the most horrifying ideas i can think of. and because it was written by mike flanagan, you KNOW it's got that unsettling eerie sadness that he rolls around in. i don't want to spoil what this is about. i just want everyone to see this

v/h/s beyond is absolutely worth the watch for that last one alone. i mean also for live and let dive, which was great, but goddamn. stowaway. goddamn. fuck

1. late night with the devil | 2. history of the occult | 3. destroy all neighbors | 4. lisa frankenstein | 5. monolith | 6. escape the undertaker | 7. hellraiser

[katesprocessblog]

Week #1

Introduction

In class I had explored the topics of Belonging, Movies, and the Uncanny Valley. After doing the mind mapping exercise, I decided that for this week I will explore the idea of belonging and nostalgia in unsettling media. I don't have a particular destination in mind with my research, so for this week I want to expand upon those ideas and just go wherever the internet took me.

Research

Beetlejuice (1988)

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

With the sequel coming out, I thought it would be interesting to rewatch the original which I haven’t seen since I was a kid and then watch the new one in theaters. After watching them both as well as looking into the reception of the new movie, I realized how Tim Burton occupies a very niche place in Hollywood. And I think it makes sense to research him because I guess I am interested in exploring things that are unsettling, but I am not a fan of typical horror.

What I found out was that Burton got his start as a Disney Animator but slowly transitioned towards things that were more “spooky”. Here’s a list of all of the spooky movies he’s done: Beetlejuice, Sleepy Hollow, Frankenweenie, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Hansel and Gretel, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and more. Looking into his background, Burton grew up in Burbank, California. Burton said that growing up there left him deprived of seasonal change, and the spooky holiday was a time he could experience that without actually having it.

Now knowing his background, it makes sense that most of his work is about a young outsider “suspicious of adulthood's normalcy”. I loved learning about his work. Going into this I actually was not a fan of Beetlejuice. I just thought it was too creepy as a child, but being able to look back as an adult now I was able to relate a lot more to the themes behind the films. While researching him, I also checked out some work from an art exhibit of his. I think the aesthetic in Beetlejuice is not for me, but I enjoy some of his other work a lot more.

"Untitled (Ramone)," 1980-1990.

"Untitled (Romeo and Juliet)," 1981-1984. 

Room of installations at the Tim Burton exhibit at LACMA

I Saw The TV Glow (2024)

Another movie my research made me think about was I Saw The TV Glow.

The director Jane Schoenbrun uses nostalgia and horror tropes to portray the feeling of queerness but that can be expanded to feeling alienated in general as a kid. In the movie, the main character Owen is introduced to this one show that he becomes obsessed with called the Pink Opaque. We see many clips from it throughout the movie. There’s a really powerful scene near the end of the movie where many years later he rewatched an episode from the show and it looks nothing like it used to be. It was far more childish. I think the movie really captures the feeling of rewatching something and your perception of that media being completely different from what you had in your mind. Sometimes a memory of something from your childhood persists far past the actual thing itself if that makes sense.

Don't Hug me I'm Scared

Salad Fingers 3: Nettles

Going down a bit of a nostalgia trip, I remembered some videos on YouTube that went viral when I was younger. I remembered how my brother liked to show me things like Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared and Salad Fingers because he always liked to freak me out and scare me.

These series were huge for my generation and they tap into this like collective cultural fear of unsettling dangerous things that are hiding “beneath the facade of normality”. It goes into the idea of the uncanny valley, the phenomenon whereby nonhuman objects or creatures’ resemblance to a human creates a feeling of unease and fear. You definitely feel this when watching these videos, where the characters depicted are seemingly harmless because they’re 2D or animated and resembling kids toys that should be safe. But then it devolves into a more sinister world and nature. While these examples don’t go super deep into a meaning or explanation, I thought it was a good starting point due to their huge popularity.

Other Sources

DeSalvo , Robert. “Exploring Tim Burton’s World of Outsiders and Misfits.” AV Club, www.avclub.com/tim-burtons-world-of-troubled-misfits-1850735603.

Southern California Public Radio. “Last Chance to See Tim Burton’s LACMA Exhibit.” Southern California Public Radio, 14 Oct. 2012, https://archive.laist.com/programs/madeleine-brand/2011/10/31/21195/talking-with-tim-burton-lacma-exhibit-winds-down/.

“‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.’” Spotify, The Big Picture, 6 Sept. 2024, open.spotify.com/episode/4vC26kGPTqJmboI8nJIZ1E?si=0968e62393964919.

Reflections

I think I explored some really interesting ideas pertaining to the topics that I started with. I like how this eventually led to where I am now. I also like how a lot of the media I watched and researched centered around the idea of not belonging and the feeling of being alienated. Going forward I’m not sure if I want to continue down such a creepy path and I might explore the topic of belonging through a different lens.

[copiasghoulfriend]

Sinfully Yours,

Summary: In this enigmatic tale, Nurse Penelope (Penny) awakens next to the alluring Terzo in an unfamiliar room, leading to confusion and intrigue. Amidst her nursing duties, Penny grapples with her attraction to Terzo and her commitment to her distant boyfriend, Mary. Mysterious gestures from an anonymous admirer and Terzo himself further complicate her emotions. While Penny navigates the complexities of her feelings and her role in the intriguing Emeritus family, she remains torn between the allure of the unknown and her unwavering connection with Mary, resulting in a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and personal growth.

Rating: Mature, Explicit, Eventually 18+ MDNI

Mary Goore / Emeritus Family / Copia

Warnings: Sexual Themes, Infidelity, Emotional Turmoil, Mature Language, Suggestive Imagery, Alcohol Use, Romantic Tension, Implied Nudity, Intrigue and Mystery, Personal Struggles

Word Count: 3.2K

AO3 Chapter One

Chapter Two: Unexpected Encounters

The early hours of the morning saw a few Sisters seeking my attention before I embarked on my way to the town for the scheduled meeting. Just as I was locking up the clinic, an unexpected encounter transpired. Cardinal Copia entered the office, prompting me to pause. "Ah, Copia! I'm actually heading out for a meeting soon. Is this urgent, or can it wait?" I inquired, intrigued by his sudden appearance. He appeared somewhat flustered and offered an apology. "I just wanted to check in on you. You seemed a bit distressed when you left the dining hall last night."

The realization that he had noticed my departure from the dining hall surprised me. Recollecting the previous night's events, I confided, "Oh, it's just some personal matters. I miss my boyfriend, that's all. I asked him to visit soon." Copia's expression shifted, a mixture of concern and something else I couldn't quite place. He nodded in response, bid me well for my meeting, and hurried away.

With the clinic door securely closed, my attention was drawn to Terzo, who was engrossed in conversation with a fellow Sister in the hallway. His gaze, however, seemed to intermittently drift in my direction as they conversed. This observation added another layer of curiosity to the enigma that was Terzo, a sense of attention that both intrigued and unsettled me.

As I prepared to depart for my meeting, assistance arrived in the form of one of the Ghouls named Sodo, who volunteered to drive me into town. The day was unfolding with a series of puzzling encounters, each interaction offering a glimpse into the complex dynamics of the world I'd entered, leaving me to navigate the intrigue with a mix of anticipation and caution.

Sodo's assistance brought me to the local town hall, where nurses from various ministries gathered to discuss protocols. The meeting stretched on, leaving me weary by its conclusion. Yet, even in my fatigue, my thoughts oscillated between the enigma of Terzo and the memories of Mary. Terzo's potential involvement in the mysterious gestures hinted at a romantic disposition that held a certain allure, while Mary's protective nature and rebellious reputation had always been an intriguing combination.

Mary's involvement with his band and his charismatic role as a guitarist and lead singer often had him mingling with other girls, a fact that I grappled with. The internal struggle between trust and uncertainty continued to be a source of inner conflict. Lost in thought, I was abruptly pulled back to reality when I realized that all eyes were on me, awaiting my input. Apologizing for my distraction, I shared my insights to improve our collaborative efforts.

As the meeting continued, a familiar face suddenly appeared outside the window, a sight that caused my heart to skip a beat. "Mary?" I whispered in disbelief, my gaze fixed on the figure that had materialized. The abrupt appearance of my boyfriend added an unexpected twist to an already eventful day, leaving me questioning what might have prompted his unexpected visit.

Gathering my belongings, I hurried outside to meet Mary, my heart light with anticipation. "Baby!" I exclaimed, rushing into his arms, only to find his reaction surprisingly muted. His embrace lacked the usual warmth, leaving me puzzled and concerned. My eyes shifted to Sodo's still-running car in the background and the additional passenger seated inside—an unfamiliar face that only added to my confusion. "What are you doing here, Mary?" I questioned, seeking answers from his eyes.

His response came hesitantly, accompanied by a distracted gaze. My patience waned as I tried to regain his attention, snapping my fingers and attempting to draw him back to our conversation. His absent-mindedness was infuriating, especially as I noticed the source of his distraction—an infatuated nurse who had his full attention.

"Excuse me? Earth to doofus?" I snapped, hoping to redirect his attention back to me. It worked, albeit only momentarily, as he seemed to register my presence. However, his behavior was unsettling; he wasn't acting like himself. The realization that he might be under the influence of substances hit me like a punch to the gut. "Are you high again? I thought you were sober?" I hissed, stepping back in both anger and disappointment. His attempts at making excuses only deepened my frustration.

But then, Mary's slurred words took a shocking turn, shattering my heart into a million fragments. He confessed to cheating, his words ringing in my ears as my tears began to flow. The revelation left me stunned, the pain a visceral ache that overwhelmed me. His confession cut deep, and my voice trembled as I struggled to find words. "Is this payback for what Terzo did? Are you punishing me?" I choked out, my voice laced with sorrow and confusion.

"No! I promise it's not," he protested vehemently, his desperation echoing in his tone. But the damage was done, the trust we shared fractured by his admission. Tears streamed down my face as I grappled with a flood of emotions, unsure of how to proceed. "Goodbye, Mary," I finally managed to say, my voice laced with a mixture of sadness and anger. Pushing him aside, I fled to Sodo's waiting car, aware that Terzo was seated in the front. His gaze bore witness to the painful scene, adding yet another layer of complexity to the situation.

Silence filled the car during the drive back to the ministry, the weight of betrayal heavy in the air. My heart ached, torn between the shattered pieces of what had once been and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. The events of the day had taken an unexpected turn, thrusting me into a whirlwind of emotions that left me grappling with a sense of loss and the need to make decisions that would shape the path forward.

Arriving back at the Ministry, I hastily disembarked from the car, abandoning my meeting notes without a second thought. Sodo and Terzo's presence went unnoticed as I made a beeline for my living quarters. Slamming the door shut, I sought refuge in the solitude of my room. Collapsing onto the bed, I succumbed to the wave of emotions that had been building throughout the day, letting my tears flow freely.

The persistent knocks on the door went unanswered, my determination to isolate myself from the world unyielding. The ringing phone was an unwelcome intrusion, its persistence finally compelling me to pick up, my frustration evident in my tone. "What the fuck do you want, Mary?" I snapped, only to be met with an unexpected response. "eh, oh! Penny? This isn't Mary... It's Terzo."

Terzo's voice, a mix of concern and uncertainty, caught me off guard. His words tumbled out in a ramble, and I could sense his genuine worry for my well-being. "Terzo, you don't care about my love life, so why are you curious? Because I could be single? Don't worry about me," I retorted, the turmoil within me seeping into my words.

Interrupting my tirade, Terzo's voice gained a measure of seriousness. "Listen, Penny, we all go through this. Lovers come and go." His attempt to console me carried a weight of understanding that surprised me. His next words, however, revealed a gesture of kindness that I hadn't expected. "I left you some dinner outside of your door whenever you decide to get out of bed."

His mention of the dinner left me momentarily puzzled, until realization struck. "Terzo, you're the one who was leaving me flowers?" I asked, seeking confirmation. He stumbled in his response, caught off guard. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm sorry," he replied, his tone evasive. It was evident that he didn't want to admit his actions.

The conversation came to an abrupt end, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. Terzo's unexpected concern and his underlying gestures left me questioning the complexity of his character. The day's events had taken me on an emotional roller coaster, revealing layers of intrigue and unexpected connections that I had yet to fully comprehend.

I opened the kitchen door, finding the warm dinner Terzo had left outside. The gesture, though unexpected, struck a chord within me. It was a small act of kindness that contrasted the turbulence of the day. My thoughts lingered on Terzo, contemplating the depth of his character revealed through these moments.

Setting up a makeshift dining area in front of the television, I attempted to distract myself with a movie while I ate. However, the food hardly seemed appetizing amidst the emotional turmoil. The upcoming weekend loomed with the responsibility of being On-Call for emergencies, a duty that now seemed both overwhelming and isolating.

The movie failed to divert my mind from the heartache, and my tears began to fall once again. A sudden knock interrupted my sorrow, and I mustered a weak response. "One second!" I called out, my voice tinged with sadness. I wiped away tears, trying to regain composure before opening the door.

To my surprise, Cardinal Copia stood before me. His presence caught me off guard, and his compassionate gesture of wiping away my tears only added to the unexpectedness of the moment. I hesitated, caught between my reluctance to expose my vulnerability and the genuine concern he seemed to offer. "Cardinal, this really isn't—" I began, only to be cut off by his words.

"Penny, please don't cry. I brought you some wine… maybe we could drink some together? I would hate for you to be alone," he offered, his words laced with empathy. His gloved hand wiping away my tears, I found myself leaning into the comfort he offered, a gesture I hadn't anticipated.

"I don't want you to suffer with me… it's bad enough that you're seeing me cry," I replied, conflicted by the mingling emotions. Inviting him inside, I closed the door behind us, the world outside momentarily forgotten.

As the phone rang, startling Copia, he offered to answer it on my behalf. I watched as his demeanor shifted upon hearing the voice on the other end. "Penny," he addressed me, relaying the message. "There's a young man named Adam. He's requesting to speak with you." With a sigh, I approached the phone and took it from him, bracing myself for whatever news awaited.

The connection crackled with static as Adam's voice reached me, his urgency palpable. His words revealed a disturbing truth—Mary was spiraling out of control. Drunk and consumed by self-destructive behavior, he had even damaged his beloved guitars. My heart ached at the realization that he was hurting himself. Adam's plea was punctuated by the admission that Mary loved me deeply.

"Put Mary on the phone," I demanded, my voice a mix of anger, sadness, and concern. After some rustling, I finally heard his slurred words. "Baby… I'm so fucking sorry. Please… forgive me. I love you…"

Tears flowed anew as I grappled with my emotions. I glanced at Copia, who had come closer, his presence a source of unexpected comfort. "You have to give me time... You broke my heart, Mary. I understand you're sorry," I replied, my voice wavering.

As the conversation continued, the emotional roller coaster carried on. Mary's attempt to salvage our relationship was apparent, his words slurred by the effects of alcohol. Copia's calming presence by my side became more pronounced, his touch grounding me in the midst of the chaos.

Mary's voice came through once again, seeking clarity. "Wait… eh… errm… are you breaking up with me?" he asked, his uncertainty palpable. I exchanged a fleeting look with Copia, who now stood at my side, his gaze empathetic.

"Personally, I'm not sure… right now I just need some time to reflect—" I began, only to be interrupted by Mary's desperate plea. "Penny, baby, I'm coming to see you tomorrow. I don't give a shit. We have some serious talking to do. I love you."

The weight of his words hung in the air, my heart torn between pain and the remnants of a once strong connection. "I'll believe it when I see it," I responded, my voice tinged with skepticism.

Hanging up the phone, I turned to face Copia, who had been silently observing. Our eyes met, a silent exchange of understanding that transcended words. "Would you like some wine, Cara?" he inquired, offering solace in a simple gesture.

As Copia gracefully opened the bottle of wine and poured its contents into our glasses, I observed his every movement. We settled on the couch, a noticeable space between us, and I sipped the wine awkwardly, attempting to navigate the newfound intimacy of the situation. His initial comment caught me off guard. "So, you've definitely created a stir within the Emeritus family. You definitely make people crazy here," he remarked, his tone casual as he took a sip of the red wine.

Perplexed by his statement, I questioned, "What do you mean...?" My own nervousness was masked by sips of the wine, each gulp making the atmosphere more comfortable.

Copia cleared his throat, his gaze briefly averting as he seemed to search for the right words. "You're very gorgeous, Penny... er, I'm just saying that with your, uh, boyfriend out of the picture... you'll have plenty of other choices." His voice held a tinge of nervousness, and he turned away slightly.

The implication of his words slowly registered, and I met his eyes with a mixture of surprise and confusion. He was addressing the void left by Mary, suggesting that I might have other romantic opportunities. We continued talking as the wine flowed, discussing topics ranging from outside life to ministry duties. Copia's presence provided a refreshing change of pace, allowing me to momentarily escape from the shadows cast by Mary's actions.

As the evening progressed and the bottle of wine emptied, the atmosphere grew more relaxed. Laughter echoed through the room, and the lingering butterflies in my stomach became more pronounced. A glance at the clock jolted me back to reality—it was nearly 2am. I cursed under my breath, apologizing for keeping Copia here for so long.

Copia shared my concern, realizing the lateness of the hour. "Oh mio dio! It's extremely late. I apologize for being here so late. I shall get going. It was such a pleasure getting to know you personally," he said, standing up and adjusting his clothes.

Turning from the sink, wine glasses in hand, I looked at him with a hint of sadness. "Do you have to go? You can sleep on the couch if you'd like. No pressure. I would even let you sleep in my bed, I could take the couch," I offered, hoping to alleviate the loneliness that had become so overwhelming.

Copia's response was kind, albeit hesitant. "Penny, please don't take this the wrong way. It would be inappropriate for me to sleep here. We're obviously both not sober... I wouldn't want you to do something that you'd regret in the morning," he explained, his actions and words reflecting his respect and concern for my well-being.

Though disappointed by his decision, I nodded slowly, tears welling up as I looked away. Copia's comforting touch brought my gaze back to him as he cupped my face with his gloved hands. He wiped away my tears gently, his compassion evident. "I just thought you would want to spend the night with me. We bonded so well," I admitted, my voice quivering with vulnerability.

Copia's eyes held mine, and his response was tender. "Penny, I know... I'm just looking out for your well-being. You have a good night, okay? Eh, if you need anything at all... please give me a call. I don't care if you wake me up." His words were reassuring, and he leaned down to place a gentle kiss on my forehead before heading towards the door.

With a final nod, he left, and I closed the door behind him. Changing into an oversized shirt, I settled into my bed, the weight of the day finally catching up to me. My tears flowed freely as I lay there, staring at the ceiling, releasing the emotions that had been building within me.

The morning air was crisp, a reminder of the previous night's indulgence. My head throbbed as I stepped into the common area, Mary's presence a sudden shock to my senses. "Mary... I didn't expect to see you here," I greeted, my voice laced with both surprise and unease.

He stood and closed the gap between us, planting kisses on my lips that felt both familiar and distant. His words carried the weight of regret, and I could see the genuine pain in his eyes. "Penny, I miss you so much. I'm so sorry for what happened. I tried so hard."

His forehead touched mine, and I closed my eyes, taking a moment to just breathe. It was good to have him near, but the complexity of our situation couldn't be brushed aside with kisses and apologies. "Do you forgive me, princess?" he asked, swaying us gently.

I held his gaze, torn between my feelings for him and the need to address the issues that had surfaced. "Mary... you being here doesn't automatically change things. But I appreciate you making the effort to talk."

His lips found mine again, and I let myself get lost in the sensation, just for a moment. "Please, baby... I don't want to lose you. Please," he pleaded, his voice a mix of desperation and longing.

The depth of his emotions tugged at my heartstrings, and I found myself softening. "Mary, let's grab some coffee from the hall. It's early, and my head is still pounding," I suggested, hoping that a change of scenery would allow us to have a more coherent conversation.

He nodded, and together we made our way down to the dining hall. Whispers and curious glances followed us, given Mary's unexpected presence and his unconventional attire. He fetched us coffees while I searched for an unoccupied table. As we sat down, my eyes drifted to the front table, where the Emeritus Family was gathered. Primo, Secondo, Terzo, and Copia were all seated, and it seemed like something was amiss among them.

Engrossed in my thoughts, I found it hard to fully engage in Mary's conversation. His attempts at light-hearted chatter seemed distant as my attention remained on that front table. Terzo and Copia were engaged in an intense discussion, their expressions strained. I couldn't make out the details, but it was clear that tension simmered beneath the surface.

Suddenly, Mary leaned in and captured my lips, snapping me back to the moment. "Sorry... I was just caught up," I apologized, trying to recenter myself.

He brushed my hair away from my face, his touch both tender and possessive. "I noticed... I don't like it. Which one of those freaks did you accidentally hook up with?" he whispered, a mix of jealousy and concern in his tone.

My heart raced, and I shot a quick glance at the front table, hoping they hadn't overheard. I whispered urgently, "Please... not here."

Mary's jaw tightened, his frustration palpable. I realized he wasn't here to make amends; he was here to stake his claim and assert his dominance. As we sipped our coffee, I knew that the tangled web of emotions, desires, and misunderstandings would only continue to deepen.

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

Chapter 44: The captains hold a meeting, which is most unsettling, because it seems that Julius really isn't coming back. And Fue still chooses to remain silent about the matter to Solara, which creates a lot of uncertainty and unseasy emotions. 

A part is modelled after a oneshot by @lyranova​ and thus please consider her as a co-writer of the chapter

Tag list: @succulentsunrise @loosesodamarble​

Keeping in mind that this series contains themes and topics some may find uncomfortable, reader discretion is advised. 

Warnings: Angsty mood, references to pregnancy

Chapter 44: Lie to me

Time passed, during which life continued, and suggestions were presented and submitted. But the time felt far longer than what it was; the weeks, felt like months. Long days, and endless hours that seemed to go nowhere and offer no solutions. Which didn’t mean that the Captains wouldn’t have needed to make decisions.

And that meant a new meeting.

“There have been rumours about a new Wizard King,” Charlotte stated as each of the captains sat down around the table.

“It was to be expected,” Fuegoleon replied. “No one has seen Julius for a long time, and they’re expecting him to make a statement as the Wizard King. And because no statement about the latest events has been made, by the Wizard King, they’re making assumptions.”

“Rumours are nothing new, and we shouldn’t make rash decisions just because they happen to be more accurate than most of the time,” Nozel continued, to which Charlotte nodded. Noble circles were indeed more than familiar with gossip, which most often was out of ill intentions and malice, and miscommunication on others. Nothing to take seriously in any case.

“And when Julius comes back-“ Rill begun, but didn’t get to finish, as Marx spoke on top of him.

“He won’t.”

The room… fell silent. Everyone turned to look at Marx who stared in front of himself with a prominent frown and tired eyes. Even more tired than usually. But not quite lost, not quite, but… almost.

“I have used a considerable amount of time during the last weeks to scour the kingdom for Julius and Damnatio… And found nothing.”

The silence… continued. No one had anything constructive to say. None of them wanted to say what crept up on them from the depths of their thoughts. Instead, they listened as Marx continued.

“Which means that they were either killed or abducted…”

A logical statement, but the fact that it was logical, made it all the more terrifying. Because who could have, even with that window of opportunity when the majority of the Kingdom’s most powerful mages were out on a field of battle, managed to take them both? Julius was weaker due to still having only one page from his grimoire, but Damnatio was still a fully fledged mage. Not to mention that they had both been in the heart of the Capitol, as they disappeared. And… Marx had spoken with Julius only a moment prior to him having gone missing. Thus, whatever had happened, had taken place after the battle had been won, and before they had returned. It meant possibly more than one person. People who could move in the castle walls, without being noticed. People who were strong enough and knowledgeable enough to take the two.

“I have ruled out everyone in this room, along with Owen, to be the culprit, because of where you were, your affinities and motives that you might possess…”

Another statement. A logical one. They all were in a position where they were, objectively, on that short list of people who could fit the description.

“I’m uncertain about the law department, because Damnatio was supposedly working on something, of which he didn’t discuss with anyone, but it involved going through records in the Royal Archives…”

An unsettling statement, because it could mean a wide variety of different things.

“And it’s possible that whatever he was researching is the reason as to his disappearance. Of course, it is possible that he disclosed this information to Julius, which made them both a potential threat. But Julius, as the Wizard King, could be considered a threat simply for his title.”

The people around the table gave a nod. Just one, but they did.

“Furthermore, since those of you who were appointed as viable candidates to be the next Wizard King, have all rejected the offer, I propose that I assume the position of taking care of the paperwork, which would belong to the Wizard King. Meaning that I wouldn’t hold the title, nor would I introduce myself as such, but I would make sure that Magic Knights remain functional. In essence, I would continue my work as it was prior to Julius’ disappearance, but wouldn’t need to locate him to sign documents. And as a note, I would sign papers as ‘Office of the Wizard King’, as long as you approve of this.”

Everyone nodded. It wasn’t a bad suggestion. And Marx was most qualified out of them to assume such a position on such short notice, without having to adhere to the public responsibilities and take part in battle. He’d simply take care of the desk job portion of the position.

“It’s not ideal,” Marx admitted. “But until we know how to proceed…”

“It is a reasonable plan, for now,” Nozel stated.

“If there is someone looking to target the Wizard King, it would also attract unwanted attention to the throne, which none of us need at this time,” Fuegoleon continued.

“Precisely,” Marx nodded. “Until we find out what Damnatio was researching, and who is behind this, I suggest that we don’t actively look to appoint a new Wizard King. Which leaves the question of what to do with he rumours, but there is also a possibility that the rumours will simply die out. Especially given how harsh this winter seems to be.”

“And we were only beginning to heal from the attacks of the Eye of the Midnight sun, as well as the Devil Believers,” Kaiser thought out loud with a stern expression. But he was simply speaking out the thoughts of everyone present.

“I made propositions concerning governing the kingdom for the winter, which involves us as Captains taking more responsibilities in our quadrants of the kingdom, but it should be manageable. I trust that you all received it.”

“There is also discussion about negotiating for resources from Thea to make it through the winter,” Nozel added, though technically paperwork with the alliance still needed to be finalized, but both parties saw past technicalities. And Clover needed help.

“We did,” Kaiser nodded, along with the rest of the Captains. “And I presume that we shall be opening a discussion on how to carry it through.”

“That was on the agenda,” Marx agreed while reaching behind him for a stack of papers.

It was going to be a long, and taxing meeting; just one more among the many. And they all knew it. They all knew it; it was something that needed to be done.

---

Night had fallen upon the earth again, as Fuegoleon made his way through the halls, towards the bedroom. The long meeting, along with a more intense training session with Leo, and more paperwork that simply needed to be handled, had required him to work in more hours. Again. Even if Solara and Randal were managing some of the workload, they couldn’t complete some tasks on his behalf, which left him to do it. Not that he could scold anyone but himself about it, since he had been the one to suggest adding onto the squads’ workload, even if just to make it through the winter, deal with the devils, and the disappearances.

But still, the long days, added workhours and stress, were getting to him. Once or twice, he had thought about taking a long bath, just to calm his nerves, but had decided against it. Because it’d only mean work not moving along. Thus, it was best if he just bore through it.

I wonder… what this means for us, in the long run… I can’t say if… if Julius being kidnapped, or him double crossing us, is the better option. Because if there is someone strong and capable enough to take him, then we have to face someone who is able to do that to the Wizard King. But then again if… if he was to-, no. That can’t be. We can’t have another betrayer among our ranks. Julius has worked with us for years. He became the Wizard King. He saved the kingdom from Wil-, Patry.

He took a moment, as his brows furrowed and he sighed while redirecting his thoughts.

Patry. Julius saved the Kingdom from Patry. If his goal was to turn against us, why not do it then? No. Then it must… It must be that someone took Julius. Or killed him. He wasn’t-, at his strongest, in terms of mana, so he was much easier of a target than he usually is. And Damnatio… he is a fully fledged mage, but he is not a combat mage. He’s more unfamiliar with combat, which puts him at a notable disadvantage.

He tried and tried to reason with himself. He tried to convince himself that what he could think of, made enough sense for him to believe it. But still, worry, the weight of his responsibilities and the uncertainty, swirled in his stomach. They had settled onto his shoulders, as if they had found a home; digging their claws into his skin, flesh and bone.

The worry, begun seeming something else than temporary.

Yes… Damnatio isn’t familiar with combat, and Julius is in a weaker state, thus…. Thus. It is possible that they were simply surprised and outnumbered. Yes. It’s the likely option.

But he needed to trust that the worry would be temporary, no matter what it might have felt like at that moment. He needed to trust, and hope, that it’d be alright in the end, because most things were alright, in the end.

It’ll be …alright…

He closed his eyes, and let out another sigh as he placed his hand onto the cool handle of the master bedroom, taking just one more moment to gather himself before sneaking into the room, since he didn’t want to wake Solara up. And then he pushed the door open, only to see… a still lit fireplace, and his wife, sitting in her chair.

---

Solara knew that Fuegoleon had a duty to the kingdom. And she knew that he took it seriously, which didn’t mean that he’d be any less devoted to her. It was simply about the kind of a man he was. He was devoted to his family, and his work. But family would always be first.

She knew it. And she knew that she had fallen in love with him, precisely the kind of a man that he was at that moment too. But. Still, the fact remained: she found it easier to fall asleep when he was next to her, which is why she waited for him to come home. Not that she minded waiting.

She missed him. Hoped that he’d have time to rest, unwind and relax. She wished that he’d have time for himself too, soon.

So, as the door to their bedroom opened, and he stood there with tired eyes, she gave him a warm, loving smile.

And he gave her one as a reply. But it was weighed down by tiredness.

“I thought I told you not to wait up for me,” he tried to muse to himself, while maintaining the gentle smile on his lips, and closed the door behind him.

“I sleep better when you’re next to me, just as I always have,” she told him with a smirk as he made his way across the room, to her, and placed a kiss onto her forehead.

“I apologise,” he stated as his fingers graced locks of her hair, running through them as if they were streaks of silk. “If it helps, I sleep better when you’re next to me as well,” he continued before pulling away and making his way back to the dresser and the dressing table, undressing as he did so.

The cape was discarded to a coat rack next to the door, the coat and the belt, were thrown onto a bench at the foot of their bed, from which they’d eventually find their way into the hamper.

But his movements were heavy. Exhausted. They were tired in a way she didn’t think she had ever seen before. And as he sat before the vanity, she could see his expression through the mirror.

That expression… she couldn’t-, it didn’t look right on him. The burden of the worry. The weight. Worry that was more than what they had been used to, and she didn’t think it was just because of the baby.

“My love…” she begun while getting up from her seat and making her way to him across the room. “Is everything alright?”

He shook his head and let out an amused chuckle as she leaned against the wall, next to the vanity. And as she stood there, looking at him, he was trying to keep the veil, the blanket of worry away from his face. “No, nothing is wrong. Leo simply asked for a longer training session on top of paperwork today,” he replied with a slight chuckle, but she remained unconvinced.

“Are you sure?” She asked with a slight frown and a tilt of her head, while searching through his expression. “Are there more devils appearing?” She suggested with a small smile as he begun untying his hair. “Or does it have to do with Julius’ slightly longer disappearance?”

The movement of his hands paused, just for a small moment. But it did.

And that told her enough. It told her that her guess was right.

He placed the hair ties onto the vanity and turned to look at her; eyes scanning her expression, as if he was debating something. Even if only for a passing moment. A few seconds longer than he’d take while deciding which words to use. Seconds that were far too long for her liking.

Please… tell me. I can’t help you figure it out if you don’t tell me. Or at least tell me that it’s not something that I should know. Give me something to work with, she pleaded, within the depths of her mind. But as the seconds ticked away, and there was a shift in his expression, a miniscule, micro expression she wasn’t even sure she saw, but felt, her thoughts took a different turn.

Please… don’t lie to me… Just tell me that you are in no position to talk about it if that’s the case. Tell me that something is worrying you, and that you can’t tell me just yet. But… Please… Don’t lie to me…

She kept her expression the same. She still wore the faint, gentle, small smile as she waited calmly and patiently while leaning against the wall. Her arms were to her sides, one on the surface of the vanity and the other simply hung by her side. She wanted to remain open to him. And she wanted him to trust her with whatever was troubling him; that she wasn’t worried about his worry.

But… As he got up, and wrapped his arms around her, her stomach sank. And yet, the embrace wasn’t what hurt her the most in that moment. Not that she would ever have, even in her wildest dreams, thought that his gentle, warm embrace could have hurt her.

“Everything is fine, my beloved. I’m just tired. There is no need to worry,” his tone was soft and gentle, quiet and tranquil. The words were spoken with a whisper that perhaps once would have brought her such sweet comfort, but now felt like the quiet utterances of winter frost pricking her skin.

He might have needed to keep some things from her, just like she needed to keep some things from him. That was the life they lived. Their work required it, and they understood it. But this was the first time he blatantly lied to her. Even if it was about being alright.

He was lying to her.

And that terrified her. Because she couldn’t fathom what could have been so utterly horrid about the disappearance, that he couldn’t talk about it. Not even with a statement of work requiring him to keep it a secret. What could have been so worrying, that he needed to feign normalcy, even to her?

She didn’t have an answer. She didn’t have a reply or words to give him. She didn’t know what to think. Because even if the lie was something along the lines of ‘no need to worry’, a sweet sentiment, perhaps, she hated the uncertainty that came with it. She hated that he lied to her.

Even if out of a wish to offer her comfort.

She wanted to believe it was out of the wish, to offer her comfort.

She wanted to believe.

But. She couldn’t know.

She didn’t know what to think.

And as he leaned back, away from the embrace and pressed a kiss onto her forehead, she stayed in place. His lips remained on her skin, lingering, cherishing; his breath glided over her, into her hair, but she could barely feel the warmth. The kiss, the wordless love confession, didn’t feel like one.

“Let’s get to bed,” he whispered into her ear with soft syllables as he took her hand, and begun leading her away from the wall, the vanity, the cold, towards the bed where it’d be warm.

Or so he thought. That it’d be warmer under covers. It’d be a place where they’d both get to rest, even if only for the night.

They climbed under the covers, after which he wrapped his arm around her waist, and held her close. His head was pressed against hers, breath gliding into her hair once more, and his hand found its place on her stomach as his thumb drew circles onto her skin. Just like that, in the quiet night. They laid, with her, in his embrace.

But… for the first time, it was as if there was a wall, a chasm, between them. Even during all the times, when they had been separated by a door, she had never felt this… disconnected from him. Not when they had been together, at least. Not even when she had thought, that he had dismissed her. Back then she had simply misunderstood him, but now… she knew that he was, with intention, telling her something else.

“I have to think about the few next steps… and I need time to think them through,” he uttered through the silence, laced by the crackling of wood in the fireplace. “But no matter what happens, I will keep you safe. Both of you,” he told her while still stroking her stomach.

“Mh,” she hummed as a reply, the best she could, while placing her hand onto his. But it didn’t mean that she would still have known what to make of the situation. From what he needed to keep them safe?

I… if he doesn’t-, can’t tell… Then… there would be no reason to ask, right? Would I… do more harm than good, if I tell him that I see his worry? She found herself thinking. The one coherent thought that ran through her mind, while the rest was a sea of static. A place of only questions, and no answers, where time lost its meaning, just like many times, within that room of theirs. But this time, the meaning was lost in all the wrong ways.

As the silent seconds ticked away without a sound, it eventually led to her hearing a sound right beside her.

Her husband had fallen asleep, out of pure exhaustion, she presumed. And that was when she dared, for the first time during that night, to squeeze her eyes shut, and let tears run down her cheeks. Tears that burned all the while it took for them to climb into her eyes before rolling over her lashes and onto her skin.

She kept her lips pressed tightly together in order to keep whatever sobs or passing whimpers, that might be stuck in her throat, in place. No matter how filled with thorns they were, and how bitter they might have tasted.

And so, she wept, in silence, with nothing but the crackling of woods in the fireplace as her companion, for the man she loved with all her heart, and who she still trusted to love her in return, slept right beside her; behind the freezing chasm of good intentions.

---

My dear daughter of generations passed,

I know that you are tenacious. You are tough. You have known strength, and you have known weakness, and all of it you shall know again.

You shall laugh, but you shall also weep. Much like I, you shall encounter grief. Because grief, is for us all. It shall reside in all of us, and it shall sow thorns during its stay. It shall prick and sting from within with its bitter taste, coat your tongue with disappointment and bile.

But remember, my dear daughter of generations past, that it is not because you would be weak. It is the stead of us, to withstand, as much as grieve. Because there are things in life that are worthy of your grief, for even that needs to be earned.

Your grief comes from care. You feel it, because you hold within you the most tender of emotions. And it hurts… it hurts like nothing has hurt before, for each new grief stings like no other.

But it is because you care.

And remember, my dear daughter, that it shall pass. It is not but a guest within you. It demands to be felt, but it is only a mere guest. It shall not find a home within you. Instead, let it come, and let it go, much like the wind, or the turn of tides.

In the end you shall remain, because you are strong. Your grief is a stead of yours, but it is not you, and it is not your home.

The words that Idalia had spoken for too many times to count. Words that she was sure, that she would speak out time and time again, because they were without time and place, much like grief, loss, and pain were. But they were not the only things without time and place.

Only if Solara could have remembered them as she laid in that bed that seemed far colder than ever before. If only she had remembered, that grief and pain are nothing but mere guests, and the sea of static noise and stagnant thoughts, on which she felt lost, were not endless.

Only if…

But instead, she fell asleep, eventually, hours later, during the wee hours of the morning, right before her husband was due to awake again.

[mediaevalmusereads]

The Child Thief. By Brom. Harper Collins, 2009.

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Genre: fantasy

Series: N/A

Summary: Peter is quick, daring, and full of mischief—and like all boys, he loves to play, though his games often end in blood. His eyes are sparkling gold, and when he graces you with his smile you are his friend for life, but his promised land is not Neverland. Fourteen-year-old Nick would have been murdered by the drug dealers preying on his family had Peter not saved him. Now the irresistibly charismatic wild boy wants Nick to follow him to a secret place of great adventure, where magic is alive and you never grow old. Even though he is wary of Peter's crazy talk of faeries and monsters, Nick agrees. After all, New York City is no longer safe for him, and what more could he possibly lose?

There is always more to lose.

Accompanying Peter to a gray and ravished island that was once a lush, enchanted paradise, Nick finds himself unwittingly recruited for a war that has raged for centuries—one where he must learn to fight or die among the "Devils," Peter's savage tribe of lost and stolen children.

There, Peter's dark past is revealed: left to wolves as an infant, despised and hunted, Peter moves restlessly between the worlds of faerie and man. The Child Thief is a leader of bloodthirsty children, a brave friend, and a creature driven to do whatever he must to stop the "Flesh-eaters" and save the last, wild magic in this dying land.

***Full review below.***

CONTENT WARNINGS: suicide, physical abuse, sexual abuse of a child, homophobia, violence, disturbing imagery

OVERVIEW: I loved Slewfoot, so I figured I'd check out Brom's other work. The Child Thief was available at my library, so I figured this was as good a place as any. While I usually love retellings, this one didn't fully resonate with me. It's not that I don't appreciate a dark fairy tale - I do - but it was difficult to see Brom's vision as something more than extreme violence. Maybe I just missed it; lots of people seem to like this book, but personally, I can only give it 2.5 or 3 stars.

WRITING: Brom's prose in this book seems to vary. While I loved the fantastical world and the descriptions of different creatures, I also think the descriptions overshadowed what was happening for a large portion. Telling and showing felt unbalanced at times, and while I could generally follow the shift from past to present, there were instances where I wasn't quite sure where I was or what was happening.

I also think some of the action/fight scenes were repetitive and went on overlong, slowing down the pace of the story as a whole. The brutality of these scenes was also overwhelming, and while I can understand a dark, violent reimagining of a fairy tale as a tool for exploring certain themes, I struggled with the degree of violence being directed at (and perpetuated by) children. If you're sensitive about reading about kids being exposed to and committing violence, I would discourage you from reading this book.

PLOT: This book is a loose retelling of Peter Pan, imagining Peter as a faerie child who steals children from the mortal world. Peter takes kids who won't be missed or who won't want to go back - kids who are subject to horrific violence or who have no one to care for them. The children are brought to a magical land - Avalon - which is not only dying, but needs the children to help defeat the encroaching scourge.

On its face, the plot of this books sounds fun. I do like the way Brom reimagines Barrie's original story and adds some Celtic elements to the lore. The creatures were very imaginative and frightening, and I liked that Avalon was wild in all kinds of ways. I can even appreciate Brom's intent; in the author's note, he explains his fascination with the original Peter Pan and how unsettling moments of violence are glossed over on account of J.M. Barrie's lyrical prose.

However, I was also overwhelmed by the brutality and violence and I struggled to see much of a story. Maybe that was the point; maybe I was supposed to be horrified at what the children were being forced to do and I was supposed to think about how Peter was willing to sacrifice the lives of children to save his home. And maybe that's the end of it. But personally, I wanted a bit more. It's all well and good to be horrified by violence, but I think Brom could have taken his message a step further.

Also, I think it would have helped if the plot as a whole was a little more streamlined. There's a lot that goes on in this book, from Nick's background to Peter's backstory to bullying and in-group conformity to things with religion and the flesh-eaters. I personally found it to be a bit all over the place, and I think Brom's intent might have come across better if the plot was more focused.

CHARACTERS: There are a lot of characters in this book, so I'll only focus on a few.

Nick, one of the children that Peter abducts, serves as a kind of guide for the reader. The reader experiences a lot of things through Nick's eyes, and in general, I think it was a good strategy. Nick was at his most interesting when he was both wrestling with his own violent tendencies and when he was actively questioning Peter's motives. I was hoping Brom would use Nick to really delve into those things a little more, perhaps exploring the effects of violence on traumatized kids or the cycles of violence that can perpetuate. Maybe there was some of that, but I definitely think they could have been pushed.

Peter is a familiar figure yet also strange in his own way. I appreciated that Brom didn't just recreate Barrie's world, but reimagined Peter as a charismatic leader who stops at nothing to achieve his goals. While I could see the critiques of Peter by the end, I also think his story could have been a bit more streamlined.

The other children who are brought to Avalon are fine. I liked that they seemed to have various personalities, which made them feel multi-dimensional. I also liked them best when they were talking to Nick about why they left home and the complex feelings about being "free" in Avalon. But there were aspects that bothered me, such as the brutal deaths of two prominent characters of color. To be fair, there are a lot of brutal deaths, but these two seem to be major turning points in the story and, in my opinion, Brom didn't quite do enough to show how these deaths created some distrust or reflection amongst the group.

The flesh-eaters were perhaps the most confusing for me. They exist as a background threat for maybe the first 2/3 of the book. When they come in, they do feel like interesting adversaries; the claim that they just want to leave and the refusal for the inhabitants to negotiate with them really muddies the waters regarding who we should be rooting for. Bringing religious fanaticism in was an interesting parallel to the fansticism surrounding Peter, but ultimately, I felt like the religious dynamics in the book felt strange and underexplored.

I don't have much to say about Ulfger. I think I understood his function, but he seemed to only exist in order to prop Peter up as the more worthy champion. I don't quite know how I feel about him.

TL;DR: While I understood what Brom was trying to do, The Child Thief ultimately overwhelmed me with its violence and overstuffed world. I'm sure there's a takeaway from the plot about charismatic leaders and ego, but it just wasn't something I subjectively enjoyed.

[safyresky]

Frostmas Year Nine: Behind the Scenes

Prologue | Y1 | Y2 | Y3 | Y4 | Y5 | Y6 | Y7 | Y8 | Y9 | Y10 | Y11 | Y12

(in Kermit the Frog voice) Let's begin!

I straight up thought this chapter would be fairly short, because when I wrote it out in point form the events didn’t seem like they’d have a lot of action. Then I began writing it, and I was DEAD wrong

I listened to the opening scene of the North Pole Resort SOO MANY TIMES to hear the lyrics to the song perfectly. I had to ask my wonderful housemate to take a listen to try and figure out the “santa t-shirts, santa ties” line and WHEN I FINALLY WATCHED IT ON DISNEY WITH SUBTITLES, HEARD THAT I GOT IT W R O N G! It's Santa SIZE. I'll have to change that up lol

FUN FACT! “at this point I’ve adopted a stance of the less I know, the better” is my family’s motto up until recently

“I like the cut of your berg” is one of my FAVOURITE frosty-fying slang lines I’ve ever done! It’s a frosty version of “I like the cut of your jib” which was used in sailing in the 1700s ish to describe if an incoming ship was frens or not frens

-> I originally thought it was just some funky 20s slang, then googled it to make sure I was right and learnt the above!

-> the berg is short for iceberg--B likes the cut of Jacqueline’s iceberg, being the idea to maybe get rid of the awful recordings :)

Sometimes I’m like ‘these things don’t really need explaining’ but I get excited about my own work and then have to share how I got the ideas with everyone so ONWARDS I SUPPOSE

Man I miss multi-level lists! this Frostmas BTS has been in my drafts for FOREVER, and was the last one I did before tumblr switched to the new post editor

WHICH DOESN'T LIKE MULTI LEVEL BULLETED LISTS!

So it's kinda all over the place. My bad lmao.

LET'S KEEP ON KEEPING ON

Jacqueline realizing that she hadn’t updated everyone on what the elves thought of her nonsense was a BLESSING because I realized that I hadn’t addressed it, so thank you for that opportunity, Jacqueline

Archie's Guide to Important People in the North Pole: Big Man->Santa. Boss Man->Bernard.

I would like to take this moment to credit @shittyelfwriter with Archie’s existence in those few chapters of ROE, because I love him and always picture him as the elf playing the piano and going UGH and facepalming during Jack’s rendition of North Pole, North Pole (pictured below). THANK YOU FOR NAMING THE BOY, ANA!

The conversation between Jacqueline and Archie, that dripped sarcasm, was my favourite thing to write this chapter :D

The scene with Chrys give you weird vibes of all manner? Yeah, that was intentional. "Perfection" can be unsettling, after all

Bernard is definitely so DONE this year and it SHOWS -> That is exactly what I was going for, especially since I know that he's not normally

Okay so. Let's Talk About Chrys. TW: Sexual Themes

very embarrassing, but I got the concept from a series of fantasy erotica novels and I wish I was joking

(they’re called the World of Hetar series, very good, very very VERY smutty. I’d say it’s 60% SEX, 30% PLOT, and 10% SEX DRIVEN PLOT)

(I know people who know me are like YOU READ SMUT? YOU?? AN ACE??? and yes, I did, I read exclusively smut from the ages of 12-17 because my Dad worked for "Trash Romance Novel Company" and brought home books for free every month, and the books were, in fact, mostly if not totally smut)

Erotica aside, I quite liked how the author had built up the magical world, the beings, and how magic works in it

In the third or fourth book, called “The Twilight Lord”, the fairies ally with the desert princes who are some kind of magical fae themselves, and they create the Perfect Wife for the corrupt leader of the neighbouring continent to distract him from starting a war

She was a mix of his current 2 wives and the things he liked about them, and looked like the protagonist, Lara, who cursed him to not be able to fuck I shit you not and who he ALSO had a big huge thirst for which was GROSS because he was old as fuck and even though she’s half fairy, she was like. 12 or 13

And this new wife is able to GET IT UP with him, hence how he’d be distracted--he really liked sex (reminder: this is an erotica series)

So he’s too busy fucking her and then on top of that, she would divide the other two wives and basically bring the house down from the inside, neutralizing the threat of this corrupt sex loving mofo

And that’s where the idea of Chrys came from!

So basically tl;dr: Chrys was inspired by a spell a sexy bunch of desert princes in an erotica series did to make the perfect wife for their enemy and knock him right tf down :)

How this works with Cheri’s magic: same concept, less sex

Chrysanthemum is a Perfect Being, who is bound to a specific magibean. Chrys’s purpose is to be Jack’s Mrs Claus, and because she was made with dark magic she drains energy of those around her (except for jack’s energy bc he’s the person she’s bound to) and magnifies bad ideas

spoiler alert: in the long run, Chrys will be TOO perfect and TOO agreeable for Jack and he’ll grow tired and it adds to the whole “I thought this would get me everything I’ve ever wanted but it didn’t” long term theme I have going for Jack as Santa

but yeah

end tw for sexual themes. away from chrys we go!

battled with the “cultural appropriation” bit because I felt as though it may be insensitive but then I wrote it anyway because that’s what it is at it’s base :\

it was supposed to be a stand in? I'd go back and change later? then I didn't. We're rolling with it now lol

Have you ever heard Elf’s Lament by the Barenaked Ladies?

Because it’s where I got the Union Comment from

Then I was like “but DO THEY HAVE UNION???!?!” and remembered the “accident or design” thing and realized “OH they ARE their own union” and figured that in terms of a Santa like JACK, The council would step in (which they’ve done. and tried to do stuff. but haven’t had luck bc PLOT)

god Frostmas is exhausting. Villains are underappreciated for all the effort they put into for being on TOP of things

(in Korvo Solar opposites Voice) what fucking scene are we on. why are these so long. why did i do this to myself. FUCK

ANYWAY CIRCLING BACK TO THIS MESS OF A BTS!

This uniform thing was unplanned/meant to be just a footnote. Then. Well. THIS.

It is a decent feature of the Resort in the movie so, I guess it works out :)

FUN FACT: I was playing a very good dnd campaign at the time! And that's how Davian got her name, lol. One of the amazing NPCs was named Davian, and we had a really good session with them and the name stuck and boom! Into Frostmas it goes. Once again, Frostmas is proving to be a time capsule reminding me of wtf I was doing while writing these bad boys :)

I miss my friend's campaign ):

And yeah, this fight is one Jacqueline cannot win. this is on the elves. So what does she do? Goes back to her hyperfocus of destorying SantaJack

How? By figuring out wtf Chrys is >:)

STUPID DUMB CHRYS

Alright. Scene subheadings are back! Right on.

"Myles would be proud AND would probably have been able to connect the dots and figure out what was up, and then place it on a neat presentation board, to boot."

LEGATE DROP! Myles is Tooth Fairy's Legate! He's v sweet, a lil bit clumsy, SUPER into conspiracies--hence Jacqueline being like "MAN I WISH THAT KIDS WAS HERE, HE'D KNOW WTF IS UP"

So let's talk about BLINTER. Just to clarify: THEY WERE NOT ABOUT TO GET IT ON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DEN. This is just a typical post work day for them: start a fire, make a blanket nest, be cozy until kid 2, 3, or 4 come to harass them

Blaise is pouty bc they didn't even get a single cuddle in before Kid 2 came in like

And I was 100% referencing the meme lmao.

god tumblr killed the quality. I'll post it separately. ANYWAY

the Blinter and Jacquie scene was fun to write! This is one of the scenes where I was dropping very strong hints that Jacqueline was freezing--and Winter AND Blaise were noticing. Winter'll explain it all in Y11 ;)

FINAL RESORT

"You could really tell that graphic design was Chrys's passion"

another meme reference:

I think we, as a collective people using slang, should bring back "gag me with a spoon". Also some older slang! I try to sneak those in when I know of some to show. Y'know. AGE.

This whole scene with Jack and Chrys actually was me laying the ground work for FINAL RESORT. Trying to get in all of the booths we see, the petting zoo, and the different announcements about various activities set up before the double digit years! That was my goal :)

THE ELVES UNION AT WORK

Ah yes. the walk out. God, this uniform thing was meant to be small, but lord did it EVER go big. I'm actually okay with it--my y9 notes were so lacklustre, I was concerned it would be (you'll laugh I know) TOO SHORT lmao

No. Fr. Look at them.

"Because those outfits are a joke, and you wouldn't catch me dead wearing those."

Sassnard. We Stan.

"I'm so proud of all of my crew," said Davian. "Crimes against fashion should NEVER be tolerated!"

"And the break from the constant ruined showtunes, what a relief!" said Archie, leaning very far back in his stool."

The elves have their priorities lol. I Bet Archie and Davian are biffers.

Curtis on damage control was A) a stroke of genius on my part and B) the way I decided to start laying the groundwork for Customer Service Sales Person Curtis we see when Scott gets to the Resort! God, there is SO MUCH GROUND WORK FOR VARIOUS ITTY BITTY BITS WE SEE IN THE MOVIE, IT'S ACTUALLY INSANE. No wonder you all dig Frostmas so much. good lord

And then, we have it! Final Resort. Wholly heckeros! And yes, I did indeed name the Fire Marshall. Marshal. I'm a genius 🙃🙃🙃

""Course! It's lunch. I doubt anything will happen during lunch."

Famous last words, B-Man. And yes, I did that on purpose >:)

CHRYS UNMASKED. AND ALSO, IT'S CHERI!

Cheri's...interesting

While she is master of the dark witch arts, she isn't evil? Very chaotic. Kind of lets it slide a lot of the time when Witches use "dark" magic. Everything has a price, blah blah blah, it's not her place to tell people off about it--that's the other Grand Witch's place, Gwen, aka, Glenda, master of the light witch arts

And also, dark magic will take what it needs in response. She just makes sure people don't use it SUPER illegally. Otherwise she kills em. It's her favourite part of the job :)

Lawful Evil?? Idk.

FUN FACT: She gave Gwen the nickname Glenda, like the good witch in The Wizard of Oz (derogatory), and Gwen went, "oh! Glenda, like the good witch in The Wizard of Oz (affectionate)? you're such a sweet sister I'll take it :)" and now everyone calls her Glenda much to Cheri's (dis)satisfaction.

Cheri is very not serious and hates being called in for business unless murder is involved. She does NOT ignore any summons, ESPECIALLY from Mother Nature.

Hence why Tara had a easy enough time getting her in

But Cheri does NOT make things easy for people, nope!

"Hay, Jacquie" a la Catra going "Hay, Adora". I was watching SPOP at the time. It's a DAMN good show, Catra/Adora my BELOVEDS

FUN FACT: Only recently decided how Warlocks worked in my universe! They know everything and can guide ANY castor. It's like a reverse of Warlocks in DnD. They don't need a patron; they ARE patrons!

By RETIRING Cheri means that a lot of Warlocks went into Rosehaven with the Call. They were making BANK on the feuding fae factions.

Petty vengeance->one night stand with Jack where he said he'd call back, and didn't, which Cheri expected but any excuse for petty revenge is a good one! Good karma->Cheri explains it herself: if it helps the "good" forces, and she contributed to it, she gets a bit of a pass on being The Worst :)

OH SHIT I FORGOT ABOUT THE SNAP BACK INTO THE PRESENT

this was an idea I had had since like, the BEGINNING. Halfway through or so, Jack would bug Jacqueline in the proper timeline, to check in and also let her know that he'd like a turn and also, as a plot device so I could remind everyone it's a story of the past being told from the future, and plant the seed of "wait, is Jacqueline going to forget it? Or is she going to remember it?"

Is she? Well, you're not finding out until the Epilogue :)

It is just as jarring as I had hoped it'd be, especially since I forgot all about it! I was ready to title this section THE END and talk about Bernard's amazing exit.

But yeah, it was a fun reminder that this takes place POST redemption, TECHNICALLY, which is a lot of fun! And that was so pleasantly jarring. I'm pleased >:)

anyway

THE END: BERNARD'S STELLAR EXIT

if you listen to this version of the halo theme song on loop, you may enter the space I entered when I wrote this bit

anyway. i love Jack. He is. the Blorboest Blorbo EVER. But he did, in fact, steal Christmas for his own holiday and turned the park into a Resort. Implying that there is an overnight stay. Especially with a pamphlet THAT THICK. It;s not even a pamphlet. It's a fucking guide book. FUCK.

And like, there were no hotels that we saw. Maybe there are inns! I mean, the Winter Wonderland has rooms. But I digress.

REGARDLESS, something needed to happen to really get B-Man, well, GONE. And this was the final straw: Elf's houses for you to stay at, with your own personal elfsisstant!

It HURT to SUGGEST Jack would make the elves like. SERVANTS so I tried really hard to avoid that sort of thing--but yeah, they'd be like hotel staff but live in. Imagine being an elf and having to NANNY HUMANS?! FUCK

"That's what your emotional support sprite is for," I said.->Meme alert! "sir this is my emotional support x" meme lol.

Jacqueline gets to kick down doors, once again. Idk why she slams doors open so much? She just does lol

"...It's perfect," Jack said. "It's everything I've ever wanted." I tilted my head. There had been something about the way he said that that made me think that he did not believe that anymore"

I'M LIKE, DROPPING HINTS NOW AT JACK'S ENDGAME FOR FROSTMAS (since we already know Jacqueline's)

AND JACQUIE IS PICKING THEM UP!

I wanted to avoid "servant" related words, but B-Man is way more blunt than I am and we thank him for it tbh

"Really? Cause this is me, walking away."

SO THIS RAW ASS LINE WAS GIVEN TO US BY @shittyelfwriter YET AGAIN! WOMAN'S A GENIUS! We were chatting about BMan's exit and she sent a snippet with that line and I went "Ou. Yeah. That's GOOD" and did a bit of "do it different so they can't tell it's copied"

but credit is given where credit is due lmao! Ana's mind is like, BIG BRAIN when it comes to writing and connecting dots n shit :)

and there we have it! Frostmas BTS: Y9. Y10 coming to you SOON I hope! I'm clearing out my drafts. They're all just. Frostmas BTS and wips that have yet to see the light of day :3

[midnightswithdearkatytspb]

VelvetCardiganBucky’s Recommendations 2021: Week 12 & 13 | March 14th – March 27th

Welcome to weeks 12 & 13 of my recommendations, if you would like to be featured on a future list, I follow the hashtag #VelvetCardiganBucky, message me, tag me in your future works, or reblog this post and link to your story, one-shot, Masterlist, writing challenge, etc.

Be aware some if not most stories and writers on this list are meant to be consumed by an audience of those 18+. My blog is also an 18+ blog.

✨Page breaks are made @firefly-graphics✨

«Last Week

Week 14»

My Masterlist

My Fic Rec List of Mafia/Mob Bucky/Sebastian & Steve/Chris/Andy

Stuff I Posted This Week:

Steve + Bey = 4Ever » Steve Rogers and Bey carved places in each other’s hearts, that no one else could ever replace.

I Hear A Symphony » Bucky Barnes x Mutant!Reader — Reader plays an important song to her for Bucky.

—Formerly The Winter Soldier » “I’m no longer the winter soldier, my name is James Bucky Barnes & you're part of my effort to make amends.”

Lee Bodecker

(Mini) Series:

*Give In by @not-a-great-writer » soft!dark!Lee Bodecker x shy!Reader — She didn’t think she was anything special. So when the intimidating Sheriff takes an interest in her, she can’t help but feel a little unsettled. Her boring life is about to get a little interesting. | This story has to be one of my all time series I’ve ever read, and I know I will weep when it’s over. The chapters are decently sized, you have angst, fluff and smut. I couldn’t ask for more, it’s simply a masterpiece.

Deadbeat Pt. 9 by @the-witty-pen-name » Lee Bodecker x F!Reader — You work at the bar at the edge of town, the Sheriff is going through a divorce and needs to rent a room. | Cole thank you for feeding my current Lee Bodecker obsession after I watched The Devil All The Time, for the time. This story is good and I love soft!Lee, and one where no one dies. At least I hope no one dies...

SamBucky

One-Shots:

Loving You Is Cherry Pie by @river-soul » Sam Wilson x Reader x Bucky Barnes — When Sam Wilson, one of your regulars at the cafe finally asks you out, you’re ecstatic until he tells you he wants his friend to join. When you meet Bucky, you decide it might be worth your while after all. [Allusions to stalking, exhibitionism and explicit sex, 18+] | There is just not enough SamBuck stories out there and we have @river-soul to thank for feeding our love for the boys and giving us some good smut, especially to tide us over till Friday.

Nothing Good Happens After 2 AM by @callmeluna » Sam Wilson x Reader x Bucky Barnes — You are admittedly a handful when you’ve had a few drinks in you. Luckily, your partners Sam and Bucky are more than up for the challenge… maybe. | If you are looking for something to make you laugh, might I suggest reading this? The whole time as I read this I couldn’t get the huge smile off my face, it was that good.

Bucky Barnes

Drabbles:

Matching by @heli0s-writes » Bucky Barnes x Reader — Reader and Bucky are “matchy matchy,” with their belly button rings. | This is adorable as well as very funny.

One-Shots:

Smooth Criminal by @bestofbucky » Bucky Barnes x Reader — Based on a dream @velvetcardiganbucky had. You’re parents told you to never give rides to strangers, but when you notice Bucky Barnes trying to break into your car, you know some strangers aren’t so bad. | Jenny did my dream justice! I honestly couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Don’t Over Do It by @whisperlullaby » Bucky Barnes x Reader — Your boyfriend is an asshole. Bucky reminds you that you are perfect the way you are. | I can’t describe this anyway other than perfect, that I wish I had a Bucky like this there for me. Trust me you’ll love the ending.

Coming Home to You by @angrythingstarlight » Biker!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Your Biker boyfriend is finally home and he’s going to show you how much he missed you. With every inch he has. And you’re going to remember how much he loves you. | It’s not very often you read something that has an alternate ending and when you do you find yourself loving both endings. Both endings are hot, the smut is great, again who couldn’t love Biker!Bucky?

Won’t Let You Go by @kind-of-crazy-butthatsokay » Mob!Bucky Barnes x OFC!Kori — Kori met Bucky in one of his clubs, out to get shit-faced with a couple of friends to forget about her worries and maybe take home a guy to further rid herself of her numerous frustrations. Little did she know that the one-night stand with Bucky would turn into so much more than that. | Thank you so much for entering my writing challenge, it means so much. This one-shot is so good, it hit me right the feels and left me falling in love with Kori and Bucky.

Show Me How To Ride by @angrythingstarlight » Beefy Biker!Bucky Barnes x Reader — You’ve been keeping a secret from your biker boyfriend. He is going to get the information out of you one way or the other. | It’s hot and it makes you realize just how much you realize just how much you love Biker!Bucky.

Bubble Baths by @floatingpetals » Bucky Barnes x Reader (Modern AU) — Even your boyfriend Bucky, needs to wind down at the end of a stressful with a bubble bath, but he doesn’t want to do it alone. | Okay, so my summary of this sucks but let me just say this is fluffy and smutty all at once. I wish I had Bucky to take a bubbly bath with.

Bad Boy!Bucky Barnes x Shy!Reader by @gagmebucky — in which there’s nowhere to sit and bucky offers his lap—then, subsequently, his cock. (bad boy!bucky x shy!reader, dirty talk, exhibitionism and voyeurism, cockwarming, unprotected sex.) | *chugs water* yeah is it a little hot in here? I probably would have failed class if Bucky had been in my class along with Steve, I wouldn’t have known who to stare at, forget learning the material.

**Greater Good by @fuel-joy » Bucky Barnes x Reader — There is a cure for the zombie outbreak but is it worth the cost. | Grab your tissues, because you are going to need them. Thanks darling for entering my writing challenge and making me feel so many feels with this one.

(Mini) Series:

A Tender Heart ♥️ Pt. 2 by @river-soul » Alpha!Bucky Barnes x Omega!Reader — You’ve been sweet on Bucky since you started working at the compound six months ago. Normally quiet and mild mannered, an unexpired fight with a coworker brings Bucky into your orbit. [A/B/O dynamics, brief mention of bullying and fluff] | If anyone can pull at your heartstrings it’s @river-soul making the beginning of this series look so promising and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

Run To You 🪙 Pt. 10 🪙 Pt. 11 🪙 Pt. 12 by @bestofbucky » Mob!Bucky Barnes x Bodyguard!Reader — Mob boss Bucky Barnes hires you to be his bodyguard. | Jenny left me at the edge of my seat, making this such an amazing story, I always look forward to her updates, and so sad that there is only 1 chapter left.

Better than Working sequel to This by @angrythingstarlight » Beefy Biker!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Beefy Biker Bucky shows you all the benefits of working from home. In fact what he has for you is so much better than work. | Sometimes you just need to read something hot to lift your spirits, let this do that.

Stucky

One-Shots:

*Tell Me What You Want by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Steve Rogers x Reader; Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Your mob boyfriend, is none other than Steve Rogers and he is willing to get you whatever you wanted, all you have to do is ask. And be careful what you ask for because he’s going to give it to you over and over again. | This is so hot that I highly recommend not reading this anywhere out in public. The smut in this is just *chefs kiss*

(Mini) Series:

Miracle Pt. 2 🥀 Pt. 1 by @heavenhatesme » Soft!Dark!Bucky Barnes x Reader; Soft!Dark!Steve Rogers x Reader — When infertility threatens mankind with extinction and there hasn’t been a baby for almost 18 years, what happens when two certain super soldiers fall for the same woman and accidentally impregnate her? | It’s not tagged as dark, sorry to the writer I tagged it that please forgive me? But I just want to tell everyone heed the tags. I do look forward to reading what happens next. The smut in this is great!

Invisible Ink by @navybrat817 » Bucky Barnes x Reader, Steve Rogers x Reader; Bucky Barnes x Reader x Steve Rogers — The owners of the Howling Commandos Tattoo Parlor want to make you their best girl. | I love the idea of tattoo’d Bucky and Steve, but that's because I have a weakness for tattoo’s. So this series is just right up my alley, and the start of it is so good that I know it’s good to be a great one!

Steve Rogers

Drabbles:

Chocolate Milk & Dino Nuggets by @nony-bear » Steve Rogers x Reader — Daddy Steve helps make his little girl feel better after a long week. DDLG THEMES | Had me wishing I had a Steve to make me Dino nuggets after a long day at work. It’s precious folks.

Prompt 4K Drabble Challenge by @sweeterthanthis » Steve Rogers x Reader — “Show me how deep you can take it.” | You’re going to need an ice cold bath after this one.

One-Shots:

A Cruel Tide by @writerwrites » Nomad!Steve Rogers x Reader — A lost hero thinks she needs saving, but this divorcée’s needs were different, fleeting, and then full of attachment. Can they overcome the burdens on their shoulders and keep their word? | Sometimes you want to wrap the reader and Steve in a blanket and protect them while enjoying the smut. This gave me that and more.

Untitled Request by @navybrat817 » Steve Rogers x Reader — Sending Steve a naughty photo while he’s in a meeting leads to punishment that will remind you to never do it again, right? | Hi, I’m just going to drench myself in ice cold water. ✌🏻

(Mini) Series:

*Control Pt. 3 🔐 Pt. 1 🔐 Pt. 2 by @river-soul » dark!Steve Rogers x Reader — When a probationary agent asks you out on a date you learn Steve’s intentions for you have evolved. He doesn’t take kindly to someone touching what’s his. [Noncon, physical violence (biting), grooming behavior and explicit sex, 18+] | Definitely one of my favorite series to read on Tumblr so far, you know it’s dark, and the smut is great. I always look forward to the updates on this one.

*Lipstick and Crayons 🖍 Ch. 4 by @oneoftheprettynerds » Dark Mob!Steve Rogers x Reader — Steve can’t ever repay you for what you did. After meeting you, Steve believes his broken family is the missing piece in the puzzle of your own wrecked one. Indebting the crime lord to you has been the biggest mistake of your life, cause now you can’t get rid of him, no matter what. Loyalty and favours go a long way in the mob. | This story always gets my heart a racing and leaves you with questions as to what is going to happen next. I truly love it and Soft!Dad while being Angry!Mob boss Steve all at the same time, this story just has it all for me.

This Is My Unbecoming by @river-soul » Werewolf!Steve Rogers x Witch!Reader — When the Hydra pack graduates from turning humans to swell their ranks to kidnapping and murdering witches to consolidate power, Steve knows he needs to strike. He makes a deal with a powerful coven leader for a witch of his own in exchange for destroying the rogue pack. [Magical realism, biting, blood, slightly dubious consent and explicit sex, 18+] | Okay this is so good and I would like to thank the teenage mind of @river-soul for creating this! Like seriously thank you. I look forward to reading more!

It’s been a long, long time ☕️ Ch.1 by @mostly-marvel-musings » Steve Rogers x Reader — Steve Rogers – a man who has lost too much finds himself blending into the crowd in attempts to forget his past but revisits familiar places and spends days sketching his heart out. A rainy evening leads him to find shelter in your coffee shop. Is having meaningful conversations over endless cups of coffee with a stranger the key to unlocking a heart that’s lost the will to love? | The prologue tore my heart out, it truly did but the first chapter just puts the pieces back together. I really love this and I’m honestly looking forward to reading what happens next. I can’t thank you enough for entering my writing challenge!

*Not A Team Part: 1 by @shedobewritingalittle » Steve Rogers x Reader — The Reader tries to live a normal life, but her memories won’t leave her alone. Rhodey comes to visit the reader with a proposition. | There aren't a lot of stories out there that have walk on parts with Rhodey in it and I didn’t know how much I missed out on having him in stories till I read this. This was just so well written and the characterization of Rhodey was perfect, how Peyton got the emotions written across, it’s perfect. Read this and have some tissues on hand. I will always love it.

Andy Barber

One-Shots:

Closing Arguments by @river-soul » Andy Barber x Reader — Andy and you are going out for the first time since your daughter’s birth. Anxious about leaving her behind Andy does his best to make you feel better. [Fluff with explicit sex (f recieving), 18+] | So fluffy and sweet!

Keep the Heat by @ozarkthedog » Andy Barber x Reader — Andy fucks you in the coat. | Semi-Short and the smut is oh so good.

(Mini) Series:

Homebound 🏡 Ch. 1 by @fuel-joy » Dark!Andy Barber x Reader — You witness your neighbor kill his wife. You try to gather evidence all from the comfort of your home. | Prepare to be at the edge of your seat with this one, it’s just that good.

One Night by @darkficsyouneveraskedfor » Dark!Andy Barber x Reader — One night changes your entire life. | This is dark and exciting, with tons of angst in it. I love a real good dark!Andy fic and this is it.

Chris Evans

One-Shots:

Mirrors by @cherrychris » Chris Evans x Reader — “wanna know what i see? me owning you and this sweet little pussy” | Sometimes you read things that just blow your mind and this was one of those things.

*Work Party by @harrylovex » Chris Evans x Reader — you get drunk at a work party and chris looks after you… | This is really adorable and probably one of my favorite fluffy Chris Evans one-shots I’ve ever read.

Misc.

One-Shots:

An Act of Kindness by @stargazingfangirl18 » Jake Jensen x Female!Reader — A simple act of kindness seals your fate. | I would like to simply start of by saying that this was my first Jake Jensen fanfiction in years, or maybe my first one, and all I could was where have I been hiding from him? So good and glad I read this and so will you!

*Come Back Safe by @celestialbarnes » Sam Wilson x Reader — based on tfatws, you find out sam’s leaving for a mission, afraid to lose the man you love, you confront him, and he promises you to come back. | So fluffy you’ll want to cuddle it under a blanket fort and wish under a thousand starry night skies for it to come true.

(Mini) Series:

Fiery Friends Pt. 3 🔥 Pt. 4 by @wanderinglunarnights » Johnny Storm x OFC!Sophia Jones — Johnny invites his best friend Sophia to stay with him in his penthouse during quarantine. | I really like this story, because I find myself mentally rooting for Sophia and Johnny, also going you go girl. Looking forward to what is next for this duo.

Ensnared Pt. 2 🔗 Pt. 1 by @stargazingfangirl18 » Ransom Drysdale x Female!Reader; minor Robert Pronge (Mr. Freezy) x Reader — Robert preps you for the handoff to the smooth talking stranger who bought you, but before he lets you go, he wants to have a little fun first. | So good and hot. Honestly I look forward to hopefully finding out what happens between the reader and Ransom.

Made With Love by @ayybtch » Wanda Maximoff x f!Reader + Friends to Lovers — Wanda is an excellent cook but a terrible baker. A rough day leads her to the bakery in the Avengers compound where she meets you, the lead baker. After a dismal attempt at making chocolate chip cookies, you volunteer to help Wanda learn how to bake. Your friendship grows stronger with each successful recipe until the two of you stumble into something even sweeter than baked goods. | This story will constantly have you smiling, sure it’s only 3 chapters so far, but I started off reading it in a bad mood but by the 3rd chapter I was just so sappy and happy. I can’t wait for more!

Without Me by CuttingMyFingersOff » Legolas x OFC!Braigeth — Braigeth was an elf who has nothing but memories of Legolas to help her survive being imprisoned in the walls of Orthanc. That is, until she is able to escape and reunite with him. | I’ve been invested in this since my friend came forward to me with the idea for this story and now that it’s being written, I couldn’t be more excited to read it. I need more Lord of the Rings in my life if I’m being honest.

Forever and Ever More by @syntheticavenger » Dark Alpha!Ransom Drysdale x Omega!Reader — Ransom Drysdale may be Boston’s most eligible Alpha but he has his eyes set on you. With his inheritance hanging in the balance, he won’t take no for an answer, whether you like him or not. | Prepared to go on a Hawaiian EMOTIONAL roller coaster with this story, there are so many times in this story you find yourself picking your jaw up off the floor. I’ve linked you to chapter 9, which has all the previous chapters, listed.

Is A Shout Out To My...

@bluemusickid in celebration of 700 followers is hosting a Holi Celebration Writing Challenge, that is due April 30th, but extension can be given. Any Marvel or MCU characters can be used in addition to Chris Evans and his characters. The theme is Holi and its colors, for better explanation visit the link provided.

@whisperlullaby in celebration of 700 followers is hosting a 700 Followers Challenge, your entries will be due May 5th. The theme is kinks, no RPF, DDLG/MMLG, bathroom related , incest, or under age kinks. This is MCU characters, Sebastian Stan, and Chris Evans characters x OFC or Reader. For more information visit the link provided. Congrats Becca on the 700 followers you deserve it hun!

@stargazingfangirl18 in celebration of 5K followers is hosting a Soft Dark Writing Challenge, which is due May 31st. Don’t let the name fool you, your writing can be soft, dark, or soft!dark, or headcanons about any Chris character. 500 word minimum with no max, but new or be read as a stand alone piece. For more information visit the link provided and be sure to congratulate Siri on her 5K milestone!

@cloudystevie in celebration of 4K followers is hosting a Mob!AU Writing Challenge, that is due on May 30th. You can use Chris Evans and any of his characters he’s played before, as well as make it NSFW or SFW. To learn more about it please visit the link below. Also congratulations Jasmeen on the 4K followers! 💗

[killerskillercaptain]

Embarrassing moments w/ Levi Ackerman BOOK II

I only put one incident in this one because inspiration was running wild and things got out of hand, so enjoy !

You can read BOOK ONE here

word count : 1,9K

warnings : implicit seggsual themes, slight angst.

The client incident

Erwin had put you and Levi on a special mission; both of you received one letter from the commander urging you to go meet Balkus Adomas, a businessman whom Erwin was used to work with to get funds for the SC, and god knows the Survey Corps needed that financial support lately. With all the casualties, injured horses and used up equipment you lost in your encounter with the female titan, you could definitely use some help, any help actually.

The letter instructed Levi to tie up the negotiations, as Erwin had already sent a letter to Balkus, stating the nature of the visit; the letter also instructed Levi to take you with him to officialize everything on legal documents.

Levi sent one letter back to Erwin asking the commander about the nature of the business this man held. Three days later, the response consisted of a short sentence that wasn’t very helpful, and its vagueness didn’t make Levi happy; he hated being kept in the dark about the people he needed to work with.

The letter only said « « You’ll know when you get there »

The next morning, right after dawn, you and Levi were already on your horses, heading to the small town situated in the west, where the businessman was to be found. It was a good four hours ride, but you were accustomed by now to even longer distances.

Reaching your destination, Levi followed Erwin’s instructions, it didn’t take long for you two to find the location. Heading towards the main entrance, you couldn’t help but notice the frowning faces locals threw at you while passing you by. The place was an old, seemingly neglected property, it didn’t look like a business run by a rich businessman who could land money to the military, and you could sense that levi was thinking the same. You stood there studying the poorly maintained building for a moment until the main door suddenly flew open and a little round man, probably in his forties appeared with a dangling woman at his arm, the woman was laughing uncontrollably while planting kisses alongside the man’s neck, both of them completely ignoring the accusing stares being directed towards them.

Is this a tavern ?

Wait no.

You felt your legs tremble a little, and you suddenly felt embarrassed at the realization : it was a brothel. And the cheap kind by the looks of it.This Balkus Adomas runs a freaking brothel. Slightly alarmed, as this was completely out of your comfort zone, you glanced nervously at Levi who didn’t show any sign of tension. But little did you know, the short man was infuriated and boiling under the surface.

You on the other hand, were visibly stressed out. In a moment of hesitation you wanted to grab Levi’s hand like a child lost in an adult place but you managed to hold your composure, and decided to follow him by staying as close as possible to him. Levi headed rapidly to a broad bearded man, he looked like he was the receptionist or something of the sort, Levi asked if he could see Adomas.

" You should have been notified we were coming, we’re sent by Erwin Smith "

" Yes, yes this good old’ Erwin Smith, he said he’ll send someone ! "

The way the man said « good old’ Erwin Smith » made it look somewhat suspicious, and you wondered if the commander was fond of such places as it hardly seemed so to you.

" Well Lord Adomas is not here now, but you can wait for him, he comes early in the morning to do some accounting, as you see, the business is running wild lately "

" You can spend the night here if you want " he added.

You felt Levi tense up.

" Erwin will hear me about it, making us stay the night, not even being able to get an appointment correctly " you heard Levi mumble to himself between greeted teeth. You could clearly see now that this place is stressing him just as much.

" Don’t worry, Erwin Smith has always been good to us, intervening for us every time something threatened to close this place, and get Lord Adomas out of business, so we owe him big time "

You somehow got reassured that this was the nature of their connection to Erwin.

" I’m gonna give you a room to stay in for the night for free, it’s on the house "

He dangled a golden key in front of us, but when levi reached out to take it, the man retracted his hand behind the counter, a mischievous smile contorting his lips.

" Unless you want to spend the night as a customer Captain Levi ? "

Levi snatched the key from the man who now turned to you, completely ignoring the short captain.

" Hey miss, you’re not bad either, have you ever thought about leaving the army ? We could get you a job here, you’ll see, Lord Adomas treats his employees with extra care " he ended his speech with a nasty tone that had you both in such discomfort that you could almost feel Levi’s anger and you shivered at the way he said extra care. Dragging you by the collar of your military jacket, Levi headed with you towards the stairs, in search for the right bedroom while you followed him closely. As you were afraid of; the walls were incredibly thin in this place, and discernible sounds could be heard from each door. A series of thuds, creaks and lewd voices which you did your best to ignore, while you and the captain hurried to find the right door. Being here with Levi made this whole situation so much more uncomfortable, and right now, you cursed yourself for being the only person capable (and available) to do the paperwork, you hated that you were in charge, you hated that your signature was required, you-

" Here’s the shitty door "

You looked at the door, it was situated at a fair distance from the others, but didn’t look as damaged, maybe it didn’t get used a lot, or at least you hoped.

A demanding and urgent female voice erupted suddenly, close enough that both of you could hear it clearly. You tried to ignore how shaky your legs were now, you tried to focus on Levi opening the door but your eyes met a trembling Levi having difficulties opening the door, his hand too shaky to insert the key right, obviously he was just as startled as you were. When both of you finally heard a reassuring click, he slammed open the door with a "Tch"!

" Can’t believe this mess Erwin put us in, he’ll hear me about it ! "

You followed him inside. The room seemed fairly in order, didn’t seem to be too dusty, you sighed in relief, but your relief was short-lived, it sure wasn’t dusty but it did look completely unsanitary, no wonder this place gets threatened to be closed so often.

" Tch ! I’m taking fifty showers after this, and i’m gonna scrub my feet with Erwin’s- "

" Um Captain ? "

" WHAT ? " he asked harshly, getting you a bit startled by his tone.

Hey don’t lash out at me, it’s not my fault we’re in this mess.

" There’s only one bed "

" You can have it, i’m not sleeping in this filth "

" Neither do i , Captain " you said picking up a long strand of hair from the pillow and studying it before tossing it aside. The place was filthy.

But to both your consolation, there were two chairs made out of wicker that seemed not too risky to use.

You took the one on the left, Levi took the one on the right before looking at you.

" We’ll wait here until this Adomas piss of shit shows up so we can get it done with the paperwork and get out of this filthy hell " and those were the only words he spoke to you for the rest of night.

You were already feeling a bit sleepy, all the exhaustion caused by the trip creeping back to you. You had dozed off for what seemed like half an hour before you were awaken by new sounds rising abruptly from the next room. You jolted in your seat, the unsettling sounds of moans and boastful voices filling the room quickly, followed by a string of giggles, then another string of incomprehensible moany gibberish. You couldn’t make up a single word but you understood all too well the activities taking place in the other room. Still trying to compose yourself and get rid of the embarrassment sucking you in you right now, you suddenly remembered that you weren’t alone in the room, and turned quickly to look for the captain.

Levi was still sitting in his chair, you realized he had moved it away from you, almost placing himself at the other corner of the room, his fists tightening on his knees, he had the most irritated expression you’ve ever seen on his face, he looked like he was ready to snap a neck in half. Was it possible that he has been awake the entire time while you were sleeping ? Having to listen to the most indecent events going on next door ?

He was staring right in front of him, he looked as if he was trying to avert your gaze, afraid that a single stare shared between you two at this moment would aggravate the discomfort, and he was spot on.

Now the lewd voices were joined by the most obscene of sounds. You could feel your face, your hands and everything in between grow hot, you tried your best to keep a steady composure and not look at Levi who was incredibly silent at the other end of the room. Damn it, the smutty opera next door got you so alert you couldn’t even hope to sleep it off so you don’t have to endure this unbearable atmosphere.

You stayed like this until dawn. You and the captain, sitting stiff with both your hands glued to your thighs like two Egyptian statues while the auditory nuisance went on, all fucking night.

For a brief moment you heard Levi mutter something that you deciphered as « Erwin you piss of shit, you’re gonna pay for this»

--

You did get to Balkus Adomas the next day at the crack of dawn, he did accept to continue supporting the Scouts, you did go through the administration stuff you were dragged in here for. You even had Adomas make the same suggestion to you as the bearded receptionist; offering you to leave your uncomfortable scouting uniform for something else, vaunting about how much you can get paid in one night here, nothing like you meager salary at the Scouts for sure ! At one point you literally had to forcefully take off his hand that he sneakily placed on the small of your back. At the sight of it, Levi snatched the documents, handed a copy to Adomas and hurried you and himself out of the place.

Back to HQ, you were happy to reunite with your bed, ready to recover from last night. You shared your quarters with Petra, laying on your mattress, you filled her in about what happened to you with the captain as she bursted with laughter at every detail you gave her.

The next day, Levi was nowhere to be found as you went to his office as usual. You asked one of the soldiers where if he'd seen the captain and he just shrugged his shoulders, saying that Levi left a message for you as the soldier gave you a folded piece of paper.

« Going to see Erwin for a special meeting ».

[theseerasures]

Re: that anon who asked about the shuffle step of the themes of sacrifice

I also found the ideological shift in the volume very interesting, and I think she most interesting bits are with Team RRAYNBOW. Like I think the dynamic between Yang and Ruby and their respective missions this volume is very interesting (if maybe a bit underdeveloped, atm at least). You said a little about it with Team JOYR in Chapter 7. Do you have anymore thoughts about the "shuffle step" in regards to that?

i’m gonna admit upfront that i find this question kind of perplexing, because i don’t know what “ideological shift” it could be alluding to when imo our heroes didn’t so much pivot (or shift, or shuffle step) ideologically so much as make a series of context-specific decisions according to what they felt in the moment they could live with, or would die for (don’t make me tap the sign, etc).

what i DO think might be helpful, though, is to lay out what was at stake in each of the weighty choices/discussions our heroes took part in, from the very beginning of the Long Night to the end of volume 8, to see what (if any) throughlines persist or change. so:

Cordially Invited (7.8) to Out in the Open (7.10): our heroes are all in accord. transparency (telling the truth to Robyn) and collaboration (working with/helping Mantle) are paramount, and Ruby specifically takes steps to remedy her own wavering in that earlier in the season, by letting Oscar tell the whole truth to Ironwood. what’s key about this run, though, is that our heroes aren’t calling the shots yet. they advocate for certain actions when advising Ironwood, but they still trust him to take charge of deciding Atlas/Mantle’s fate.

Gravity (7.11): the Big Shift in terms of status quo. our heroes (JNR more implicitly) remain in accord--abandoning Mantle is the line in the sand they refuse to cross. but what does RWBY advocate for, if not Ironwood’s plan? they all agree that the best thing to do is to stand their ground, but for what? Blake and Weiss are comparatively silent on that front, but Ruby and Yang are more explicit. Ruby makes her plea about Amity--that if they hold out long enough, they can do what they always planned, and unite the world, and get help. Yang’s argument is that Huntsmen and Huntresses don’t back down from a fight. (she’s also the first person to suss out that Amity isn’t ready for launch.) this difference is going to come up later.

The Enemy of Trust (7.13): Oscar makes his last individual plea to Ironwood. his reasoning, much like Blake’s (and presumably Weiss’), is simply that abandoning Mantle is a sacrifice of such magnitude that it becomes unconscionable. it’s wrong because it’s wrong, and Ironwood’s rebuttal that it’s pointless to argue about philosophy when Salem’s right on their doorstep, is dickish, but not incomprehensible. Oscar is still looking to retain the advisory capacity that Team Unwieldy Acronym has had for the entire season, and guide Ironwood to making the right call, but that bridge has already been burned. they have to decide the fate of Atlas/Mantle now if they want to save both.

Divide (8.1): The team is no longer in accord. Ruby and Yang recognize that though they agree about Ironwood, their reasons for not abandoning Mantle are different. Ruby’s looking at the big picture, both in terms of what they have to do for the world, and what the world can do for them. Amity looks to be the only obstacle to getting both and saving everyone. Yang thinks it’s pointless. Yang didn’t want to abandon Mantle because that’s just not what you do, but she has no expectation of fighting toward any good outcome. she’s gonna do what seems more readily achievable, which is saving whatever lives can be saved. Ren and Nora split along similar lines more acrimoniously, because Ren at this point is desperate for tangible success and Nora is...just as desperate for total consuming optimism. Blake throws her lot in with Ruby, Weiss abstains, remaining the most quiet on the fate of Atlas/Mantle despite being Atlesian. Jaune and Oscar, though they go with Yang, mostly go for pragmatic reasons.

Refuge (8.2) to Midnight (8.6), Yang’s Team: the plan to help with Mantle is almost immediately derailed when the Hound kidnaps Oscar. i’ve talked about JYR’s plea to Winter in War, but that of course is not the first time that team chooses the few over the many; they do that IMMEDIATELY after Oscar is kidnapped, when Fiona calls for their help and they--without even verbally consulting with each other--go for Oscar instead. in that moment the more proximal thing they can and need to achieve becomes rescuing their friend, whose captor was still in view. but crucially: as soon as they lose Oscar in Fault, and especially after they discover the Grimm River in Amity, JYR had been on their way back to Mantle, and presumably, back to the less impossible thing to do, the thing they promised the Happy Huntresses they’d help with. running into the AceOps and Salem’s invasion throws a monkey wrench into that plan. suddenly rescuing Oscar becomes possible (though not probable)...

War (8.7), Yang’s Team: but not if Ironwood blows up the Whale, whereupon the equation changes again because now doing nothing for Oscar means leaving Oscar to certain death. tbh the confrontation on the airship is about like fifteen different things at once, because the variables keep changing and everyone is having their own argument over whether to rescue Oscar, and why. Yang’s response once she hears about the bomb is mostly you can’t; it is once again just not what Huntresses do, with some personal stakes thrown in. for the AceOps it is about the weighing of lives, and how they can’t put the mission to save Atlas on hold for one life. Jaune is the one who thinks of an idea where they might be able to do one without delaying the other (the second time this season Jaune has suggested the “go for both” option), where they would be the only ones risking their lives, and no harm comes to the greater good. only then does Ren jump in and shift the argument to caring and friendship; that is to say, after the stakes have been lowered so it’s not Oscar vs. Atlas anymore. i don’t think it takes away from his big moment, though: we know from Fault that Ren has taken Yang’s challenge of “let’s do what we can do” and run with it, and come up with “and what we can do is nothing because we’re not ready and we get everything wrong,” so him vowing to do whatever we can here is important. the point is clear: Team Hero draws their strength from their friends, and they’re willing to die for each other...but the question of if they’d let the world burn for their friend is put off for now.

Strings (8.3) to War (8.7), Ruby’s Team: in contrast to Yang’s plan faceplanting at the first hurdle, Ruby’s plan...works. they accomplish their primary objective! but they had to pay a steep price, and the only immediate consequence of that victory was entirely negative. Nora threw so much of herself into Ruby’s optimistic gamble that she now has lasting scars, and if they had never gone to Atlas Command Penny would not have been hacked (so easily; she might have been regardless). Ruby successfully put the ball in the world’s court, but that the problem: the ball is in the world’s court, and the longer it stays there the less sure she is that help will come. and it IS just about the help they’ll receive by War; Salem batting away Atlas’ hard light shields has shifted the goalposts from “hope the other Kingdoms can prepare :/” to “BLAKE’S PARENTS CAN YOU PICK US UP???” the question of Atlas or Mantle rears its ugly head for the first time since Gravity, and this is the first time Weiss is the first one to advocate, and she says we can’t leave--which, not coincidentally, is also what RWBY said to Ironwood in Gravity. May’s argument, of course, is driven by far more compassion: the need in Mantle is greater, and having finished facilitating Ruby’s (and Robyn’s) plan she’s going to do what Yang decided to do, what Joanna wanted them to do, which is fight for every last life. there’s no longer any big wheels to turn, nor any big powers to convince; all they have to do is decide what they themselves will do, and who to fight for. and Weiss finally shows her hand here. she believes in not leaving Mantle behind, but when it comes to the faces she’d fight and die for, Weiss’ are still in Atlas. Blake and Ruby are the ones to abstain this time, and notably when Ruby tries to argue that they’re all in this together it’s much less effective, because...there’s nothing left for them to do together. Ruby is out of concrete solutions.

Witch (8.9): what goes easily missed here that in retrospect is very important is...Oscar kills Hazel. (which means that an Ozcarnation killed BOTH of the Rainart twins.) we all thought he doubled back to make a sacrifice play, and he did, but not for himself. he received Hazel’s verbal consent, and Hazel would have died regardless, but the point still stands. he had to kill Hazel to neutralize Salem, to buy them the time they desperately needed. an unsettling portent for what comes later, innit? it highlights what his own kidnapping, Nora’s injuries, and Penny’s hacking already illustrates, which is that they are now risking every inch of their body and souls in this fray, and it also illuminates the other part of that, which is that by continuing to throw themselves back into this conflict, they now control the fates of other people as well. Hazel trusted Oscar to make the right call, but Oscar had to make the call.

Risk (8.11): where we ultimately land with the splitting of teams is that: Yang’s team went out to achieve the easily graspable, and they ended up forging alliances they never anticipated and dealing a devastating blow to Salem. Ruby’s team went out to achieve what should have been much more difficult, and they did, but with little palpable impact beyond the negative. what comes out and blends exquisitely with their conversation about Summer is that yes, Ruby sent out the call to warn the world, because she believed in humanity and unity, but Ruby sent out the call because she wanted help. she wanted people--say, parental figures--to save her and tell her things would be okay, and she wanted back the innocence to believe them. Ruby didn’t ask to be the face of the war against Salem, and she most certainly does not want to be in charge of it; she has lived with the material consequences of her family being the centerpiece of that war for her entire life. the Hound reveal is the final twist in the knife of Ruby’s childhood, because now the figure on the highest pedestal in Ruby’s mind has been perverted to a malevolent specter, and if that’s the case there are no more adults. THEY have to be the adults now, and look what a terrible job she’s done with that. Yang’s response is that Ruby is not alone--either in her traumatic fall into adulthood, or in her choices not panning out as expected. all they can do is the best they can in the moment, and Yang’s probably going to keep defaulting to what feels more tangible to her, but that doesn’t mean she wants Ruby to stop going for pie-in-the-sky options, either. Summer is still Yang’s hero, which means Ruby is too. what matters most is that they remain responsive to the moment, and don’t get bowled over by despair when something inevitably go off the rails.

so given all these developments, what are we to make of the plan from Creation (8.12) to The Final Word (8.14)? we start with the archetypal Third Option, as championed by Ruby and Jaune: use the Staff to save Penny and Mantle, and Atlas along the way. but the priorities of the plan--civilians first, presumably even before the Relics or the Maiden powers (though the question of one of them or a Relic is really only answered by Winter, who does not speak for Team Hero)--have Yang all over them. we have to do this for Yang isn’t just because Yang’s gone, it’s because they know it’s what Yang would have wanted, and they will respect that. they made a Ruby n Jaune style Big Plan, but when that plan fell to pieces there was no time to think of a fourth, or fifth, or sixth option that would get everyone out, so they had to improvise and double down on what they all agreed was most important. the choice between their friends or the people could no longer be deferred, or augmented, so they chose. civilians, then the Relics and the Maiden powers, then each other. and when any of them wavered--Blake, Ruby, Jaune--someone else checked them, reminded them to trust and respect what they all committed to. they’re still drawing strength from each other, still dying for each other, but they acknowledge that they are not directing just their fates with their decisions anymore. they took a huge desperate gamble to save Atlas/Mantle, and it worked, but what they gambled with was their own lives. and they made themselves make peace with that--that they’d have to do what they can, everything they can, without hoping for salvation for themselves, even from friends or family.

in the end, what comes across just from doing a close reading of these moments is that RWBY’s views on sacrifice, logic vs. sentiment, the greater vs. the few, etc can’t really be plotted on a solid line. that’s why i can’t really think of what happened this volume as a palpable shift--because so many of these choices were context and character dependent. what i DO think happened with our heroes’ ethical beliefs (or “ideology” ig) is that they were tested across a sequence of stressful and traumatic situations, and as a result they had to compromise on a few things they hoped to never have to compromise in order to shore up defenses on what they were certain they could not live without, or would die for (or both! in the case of six of them). if they have to die like every other Huntsman in history so be it, but they refuse to be so cavalier with the lives of others. none of that is meant to be definitive, however: in-universe RWBY is far from over, and Team Hero is going to get to re-litigate and reexamine these questions from lots more angles, out-of-universe...RWBY is far from over, and the point of the show is not to provide an ethical rubric against which the audience can judge themselves and the characters. there are things--like y’know. genocide--that this show will always consider to be beyond the pale, but in terms of grayer complex questions it is content to simply feel out what is and is not allowable in each particular instance, without trying to resolve all options into One Correct Option.

because sometimes you do just have to sit with the discomfort of there not being one right choice or one golden rule, and sometimes you are awash in the consequences of not only your own actions but the actions of others. and then you have to keep going.

[jikookiekosmos]

Classified & Confidential || kth (Part 1)

➥Pairing: detective!taehyung/reader

➥Summary: It’s been years since your close friend passed away, case going cold due to lack of evidence. You never once believed the story the police gave you, since they classified it under an ‘unfortunate accident.’ Now that there are telltale signs of something similar at play regarding someone else you hold dear, you decide to take things into your own hands. You hire world renowned private detective, Kim Taehyung. And he goes above and beyond everything you expected.

➥Genre: strangers to lovers (kinda slow burn), detective au, mystery, angst, eventual smut, fluff

➥Rating: 18+

➥Words: ~7.1k

➥Content Warnings: detective/mystery au, (tw: mentions of death, brief mention of suicide in relation to a criminal case, implied foul play, stalking behavior, non-graphic detailing of a crime scene), slight forensic talk, mentions of nervousness and anxiety, some cursing, mentions of cops/police, unhelpful law enforcement (like they’re kinda terrible with the whole solving this case thing), feelings of unease and tension, we get bestie hoseok, tae is kinda extra but for good reason, no suggestiveness/smut in this chapter but it’s still 18+ due to it involving some of the aforementioned warnings

A/N: This will be a multi-part series that explores some darker themes, and each part will have appropriate content warnings listed; please read at your own risk. This part touches on backstory and introduces the characters, things will start getting a little more intense in the following chapters. I don’t have any kind of specific update schedule but ideally I’d like to get updates out every few weeks at the latest! I hope you look forward to this, and if you wanna be added to a taglist, please let me know~

Thank you @dntaewithluv​​​​ for your constant motivation and support (and for always beta-reading for me, even when we scream at each other about our ideas); hopefully I do Tae justice for you! I love you lots ❤️

taglist: @inlovewiththemoonn @mwitsmejk​ @bangtanhome

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5 Years Ago

The night sky was dark, blanketed by stars as it emitted a peaceful aura. There was no way to bask in the calmness of the night, however, with all the hustle and bustle that surrounded you outside of the apartment complex.

Crime scene tape marked off the area, and many onlookers had gathered to try and get a glimpse of what happened. You were one yourself, but you weren’t there out of sheer curiosity.

Your breathing was ragged, staggered, as you tried to hold yourself together and observed the scene in front of you unfold.

Police wouldn’t let you beyond the tape, despite knowing the person currently covered by the white tarp.

Minutes prior, one of the cops had been politely trying to hold you back as you thrashed around, mind muddled by the vision of your best friend’s face before the tarp concealed it.

“I’m sorry, we can’t let anyone unauthorized come past this tape, please stay where you are.”

“You don’t understand, that’s my best friend, please let me through, please-”

You couldn’t control the volume of your screams, prompting a few of the other bystanders to try and calm you down seeing as you were very clearly distraught.

An unknown amount of time passed before the thickest part of the crowd decided they’d had enough excitement for one night, retiring to their own homes. You stayed planted in your spot, prepared to not move until you got more of an explanation for what was going on.

You’d resigned yourself to the fact that if someone wanted you to leave, they’d have to do it by force, but you eventually complied after two cops convinced you to come down to the station and issue a statement, given your relation to the victim.

They didn’t grill you hard, which was something you appreciated at the time, since you were really in no state to handle a grueling interrogation. You knew you could be marked down as a potential suspect, but everything from their investigation pointed to them believing it had either been an accident or a possible suicide attempt, the latter of which would almost entirely exclude your involvement.

Over the next few weeks, you cooperated with the investigation and helped them with whatever leads you could provide; you were determined that foul play was involved, because you knew your best friend better than anyone, and the story the cops were feeding you wasn’t adding up.

The theory as you knew it was this: she jumped from her apartment window, which was up a significant amount of stories, more than enough to kill a person. A potential suicide note was found at the scene on the nightstand by her bed, typed on a sheet of paper, so handwriting analysis wasn’t an option. The apartment was undisturbed aside from the window having been open.

It almost seemed like a cut-and-dried case, aside from one other small factor: unknown DNA from a hair follicle was found in the apartment alongside the victim’s own.

This didn’t surprise you…at first. You knew Ky had been perusing multiple dating apps and would often invite people over to her place after successful dates. But as far as you also knew, Ky hadn’t recently been on any dates, so there wasn’t a clear reason for that DNA to show up.

Ky had told you in the weeks leading up to her death that she was afraid someone had been following her around, and it unsettled her so much so that she deleted all the dating apps on her phone until she felt safe again.

Sadly, that day never came, and this fact alone caused the nagging suspicion of foul play to burrow itself even deeper into your subconscious.

Since the DNA was unknown, tracing it would be no easy task, but that didn’t stop you. Anything you could do to shed light on what had actually occurred, you were going to do it, plain and simple.

Which is why when the police decided to close the file on the case and label it as an ‘unfortunate accident,’ you were floored.

You begged them to keep focusing on leads when there really weren’t any, offering to aid in any way you could because there was no way that there wasn’t something missing.

Their response?

“Go home, Y/N, there’s nothing else you can do.”

You left the station that day only after you had caused somewhat of a scene, arguing back and forth with one of the lead detectives until you were ‘carefully escorted’ outside. Enraged, you banged your hand against the glass of the door before you slid down the wall beside it, hugging your knees as you tried to compose yourself.

You weren’t sitting that way for long before you felt a gentle tug on your sleeve. You looked up reluctantly and were met with one of the softest pairs of eyes you’d ever seen.

The stranger offered you a kind smile, one that made your heart ache in the aftermath of everything you’d endured the last several weeks. You’d been tackling this situation all on your own, with barely any help from mutual friends or Ky’s family since she’d been estranged from them.

But now, this man stooped down in front of you and smiling at you like everything would be alright…

It almost made you want to believe it.

“Hi, I uh, couldn’t help but overhear about your situation,” he finally spoke up, sounding somewhat bashful. He had bright red hair that peeked out under a cap he wore, and he was sporting a rainbow colored sweater.

A tinge of embarrassment fluttered through you. “Oh. Sorry you had to witness that.”

So this random stranger heard you telling off the police by yelling at them in broad daylight. Way to make a first impression.

To your surprise, he simply shook his head, smile widening. “No, don’t be sorry! I was, uh – happy to be able to listen.”

You quirked an eyebrow. “Ok…may I ask why?”

“Well,” there was that bashful tone again, hand flying to the back of his neck as he looked to the side, “I’d been coming up here for a while, hoping to hear something regarding this case specifically. Usually when I stop by, there isn’t much going on and it’s not like I can just walk in and ask for classified information-”

He stopped speaking immediately once you held up your hand. You didn’t want to be rude, but you were thoroughly confused.

“Is there a reason why you’re eavesdropping for information about this case?”

He nodded eagerly. “Sure is! See, I’m working as a crime reporter, and-”

You scoffed as you pushed yourself to a standing position. “Unbelievable.”

Without sparing another glance to the gentleman, you shouldered past him, earlier hopeful mood soured by the fact that he was just another person looking for a scoop about Ky’s demise.

He was quick to follow, almost jumping down the steps to catch up to you.

“Hey, wait! Please.”

The way he begged pulled at your heartstrings because of how genuine he sounded, and for reasons beyond you, you turned around to face him and decided to hear him out.

You crossed your arms as he sighed with relief.

“Thank you. Ok, to start with, I’m a crime reporter, but I’m not trying to report on this case as everyone knows it.”

Another eyebrow raise from you. “What do you mean?”

The man smiled shyly, brushing away the red hair in his eyes. “I want to bring the injustice of the system to the public’s attention.”

That got your attention. “You do?”

“Yes. And I think your story could help with that.”

“My story?”

He nodded again, this time more eager than the last. “You’re pretty adamant that what happened to your friend was no accident, am I correct?”

Any mention of Ky caused the dull pain in your chest to come back, but at least this time, she wasn’t being mentioned in a gruesome or negative light.

“Yeah, I really don’t think it was an accident. But no one believes me.” You looked down at your shoes, scuffling one against the pavement.

You only looked up again when you felt the stranger’s hand on your shoulder.

“I believe you.”

All of the breath was knocked out of you.

“You…you believe me?”

The smile he gave you this time was bright and sincere as he dropped his hand by his side. “I do. I’ve been following everything posted online or in the newspaper about this case, and some of it just really does not seem plausible. And then after hearing you today, it made so much sense as to why.”

It still bothered you a bit that you were loud enough in the station to be heard outside, but that worry was now being overshadowed by the possibility of having someone else who could stand by you on your conviction.

“It…really means a lot to me that you would even consider my side of things. Truthfully, I think the police only tolerated me this long due to protocol.” You wrapped your arms around yourself.

The red-haired man grimaced at your remark. “Yeah, no kidding. For as long as I’ve been in this line of work, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them take things as seriously as they should.”

“How long have you been doing this?”

“About a year. But trust me, I’ve seen a lot during that time.” His determined expression might have made you giggle under other circumstances because it clashed so much with the rest of his soft demeanor.

“I don’t doubt it.” You walked over to the nearby bench seated a few feet away and the stranger followed hesitantly, only sitting beside you when you didn’t give him any indication his presence was unwanted.

The both of you turned toward each other slightly before you spoke up again.

“So, how can I help you with what you’re wanting to do?”

He seemed pleased that you were on board, eyes shining. “For starters, do you think I could interview you? I’d have to ask some sensitive questions, but I feel like I could have a better understanding of the case that way…only if you’re comfortable, though.”

You swallowed as you thought it over. Your participation in the numerous interrogations during the investigation had now proved to lead nowhere, but maybe this time the outcome would be different.

“Sure, I don’t mind. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know, to the best of my ability.”

The stranger beamed, looking happy enough to nearly jump out of the bench, despite the current subject matter. “Great!”

His cheerful nature was a little infectious, you had to admit, because you already started to feel a little lighter in his presence. A hand appeared in your line of vision.

“My name is Hoseok, by the way. We haven’t been properly introduced yet so that would be the next best step, I think.”

You did giggle this time at his action. “Nice to meet you, Hoseok. I’m Y/N.” You took his hand into your own to give it a small but firm shake.

“It’s my pleasure, Y/N. Now,” he regarded you with that same soft look he had in his eyes when you first saw him at the station, “what do you say we discuss some logistics over lunch? My treat, of course, since you’re agreeing to help me.”

For the first time in ages, the smile that graced your face was wholeheartedly genuine. “Sounds good.”

Thus, the beginning of a beautiful, long-lasting friendship bloomed that day outside of the one place you’d begun to loathe more than anything else. Over the next few years, Hoseok stood by your side in more ways than you could count, and he was now someone you considered to be one of the best friends you’d ever had.

One of the only best friends you’d ever had.

What you never expected was to be seated with Hoseok at the same diner that started your initial conversation about Ky’s case 5 years later, discussing something much too similar for your liking.

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Present Day

You sipped from your coffee mug, enjoying the warm beverage as you waited at the diner. The weather had been less than ideal, with rain pouring all day long and displaying little signs of stopping.

But Hoseok had been adamant about the two of you meeting up after your voicemail you left the previous night.

As you were thinking about your close friend, you heard the bell above the diner door ring, signaling his arrival. He spotted you across the room and quickly rushed over to your table, leaving rain droplets in his wake.

Hoseok shrugged out of his soaked jacket and tossed in into the booth seat beside him as he shook his head to – hopefully – rid himself of the water trying to slide down his face.

“Hey,” he finally breathed out once he was settled. His usual wild red hair was darker now thanks to the rain, stern expression plastered onto his face.

“Hey.” You responded meekly, attempting to give him a weak smile. Your stomach was churning with unease at the conversation you were about to have.

Hoseok took a deep breath before he folded his hands together and rested his elbows on the table. The coffee you’d ordered for him had been pushed to the side, momentarily forgotten.

He lowered his voice. “Are you sure the pattern of behavior is the same?”

You nodded slowly, going over all the details again in your mind. “I’m positive. The only difference is Yuri waited longer to tell me that she thinks she’s being followed than Ky did.”

Ky. Not a day went by where you didn’t think about her, seeing her smiling face when you would close your eyes at night and try to drift off to sleep.

Slumber came much easier these days than it did those first few months, but every now and then the same nightmare would plague you about the night you saw her on the sidewalk.

You shook your head to shrug the thoughts away. Now wasn’t the time.

“Shit,” Hoseok finally responded. “That doesn’t seem like good news for us.”

“My thoughts exactly. Who knows how long this has been going on. And she’s been receiving the same kind of ‘gifts’ Ky would get, too. Random text messages, voicemails from unknown numbers…she tries to brush it off, but I know this scares Yuri.”

“She doesn’t recognize who’s speaking in the voicemails?”

You shook your head solemnly. “No, they’re using some sort of voice modifier.”

Hoseok cursed again, this time under his breath. “Well, what do you want to do?”

You gulped. Truthfully, you didn’t know the answer yourself. On the one hand, everything currently happening to your friend mimicked what happened to Ky, almost exactly. But on the other hand, Yuri made it known time and time again that she thought you were too paranoid for your own good sometimes.

So, you were at a loss.

Yuri and you were close, in a sense. You’d been friends for the last 4 years, working at the same company after graduating from college and even getting transferred to a new one in the same division so as to not be separated. Outside of Hoseok, you considered her your dearest friend.

But at the same time, you knew that Yuri had those she held very dear in her own life that were there before you, and you’d never try to overstep.

Still…the events surrounding Yuri were too specific to be coincidental in your opinion, and if the hunch you had right now was correct, you needed to do something.

You wouldn’t – you couldn’t – let another person die. Not if there was some way for you to prevent it.

Something you didn’t do with Ky, and that would haunt you for the rest of your life-

Hoseok pulled you out of your thoughts by calling your name, frowning deeply once your gaze focused on him again.

“I…I don’t know. I feel like if I push too hard on this, I’ll also push Yuri away, and I don’t want that.” You worried at your bottom lip, your most infamous nervous habit.

“Be that as it may, this doesn’t seem like something you should ignore either. What’s worse: pushing her away but potentially saving her life, or not saying anything and she ends up in danger?”

A heavy sigh wracked through your body.

Your silence was enough for Hoseok to continue with his own line of thinking. “Well, we could consider going to the police-”

“Absolutely not,” you answered fiercely, with more emotion than you’d displayed the entire conversation, “not after how they handled everything with Ky and how they treated you.”

You and Hoseok had made a name for yourself throughout the town as ‘Public Enemies 1 and 2’ with the local police department. You, due to your persistent insistence that they were wrong in their deduction about Ky, and Hoseok because of the article he published that shamed their name.

The article was the first – and last – one that he published under the company that had hired him to be a reporter, seeing as the police department had enough sway to get him fired afterwards. He wasn’t able to find another reporting job anywhere within the town or those surrounding it.

There also weren’t any remaining records of the article anywhere online or in paper publication, but as a ‘fuck you’ to the department, Hoseok had a copy of it printed and hanging up on his wall for anyone and everyone to see. You had always admired how he handled the situation with grace even though it made your blood boil every time you thought about it.

Even so, some good had come from the whole ordeal. After failing to find another reporter job, Hoseok had made a somewhat notable career as a crime novel author, popular among locals because of how he came to be a novelist, and eventually rising to fame due to his own amazing writing skills.

He enjoyed his career and had a happy life, but that didn’t mean you had to forgive and forget the shitty events that happened to get him to that point.

Hoseok nodded in understanding. “Ok, so no police. Does that mean we try to tackle this whole thing by ourselves?”

“Neither of us have any legit experience with this kind of stuff, so that’s out of the question, too.”

Hoseok tapped his chin as he pondered another idea. The way his eyes lit up as it came to him made your lips curve upward.

“What if we go to someone who isn’t involved with the police but does have experience with that?”

“…not sure I’m following you.”

Hoseok huffed in an endearing way. “Have you ever heard of a private detective?”

The word ‘detective’ made you wince, considering your last encounter with one evolved into a screaming match…but it was also how you met Hoseok, so there’s a silver lining for everything.

“I’m not familiar with a private detective, but I’m open to listening to your idea.”

He grinned. “Perfect. Ok, so in my research for my latest novel, I actually ended up looking into some real-life private detectives.”

“And what did you find?” Your own curiosity was definitely piqued now, as it always was when Hoseok would talk about something so passionately.

“There’s one who’s basically world renowned, like he’s really fucking good. And his office isn’t too far from here, it’s basically in the next town over.”

You took another sip from your coffee, swirling the now lukewarm liquid around in your mouth as you contemplated.

“What else do you know about him?”

Hoseok’s shoulders slumped slightly at that. “Not much. The only information I have on him is his name and how you can contact him. From what I’ve read, he seems to be pretty selective with clients.”

“No idea what he looks like?”

Hoseok shook his head. “None. There weren’t pictures or anything like that, I’m not even sure how old he is.”

You hummed as you pictured this mystery man in your head, automatically defaulting to envisioning an older man, maybe in his 50s with already graying hair. A wise old soul who had seen so much in his long years of investigation work.

“Not like all that really matters, I guess. Do you think I should reach out to him?”

Hoseok nodded around his coffee cup before he tilted his head back to take a large sip. “That’s our best shot right now. And if it doesn’t work out, at least you tried.”

Such a simple statement but it made your stomach twist at the memory of Ky and how you weren’t able to save her because you didn’t know how. “Right.”

Hoseok pulled his phone out of his pocket and scrolled through what looked like Google search results. When he found what he was looking for, he texted you the information.

“Kim Taehyung?” You said the name aloud, making sure you got the correct info.

“Yup, that’s him. If you do decide to contact him, let me know how it goes, ok? I’m already worried as is about you delving into something like this again.”

You patted his hand. “I know, Hobi. Don’t worry. I’ll be careful, and I’ll keep you updated as much as possible.”

He smiled brighter than the sunshine. “That’s all I can ask for, bub.”

⊱──────── ✬ ✬ ✬ ────────⊰

You paced around your apartment, staring at the text that Hoseok had sent you earlier. The rest of your time with him at the diner had been calm and helped to quell your nerves, but now that you were alone again, you were riddled with anxiety.

You had typed in this Kim Taehyung’s number into your phone, ready to call him and just get it over with. The worst he could do is decline your ask for help, but you wouldn’t know unless you tried.

After a few more minutes of useless pacing, you finally hit ‘send’ and raised the receiver to your ear.

You were met with an answering machine almost immediately, wondering if maybe you typed it in wrong until you heard ‘you have reached the number for Kim Taehyung.’ The name had been uttered by a human voice, one that was deep and took you off guard.

You had barely enough time to ponder over the voice before you heard the tell-tale ‘beep’ signaling for you to start your message.

“Oh! Um, hello, Mr. Kim. This is Y/N- well my name is Y/N. I was referred to you by a friend of mine who said you may can help me with a situation I’m having. There’s…some suspicious behavior involving someone dear to me and I’m afraid they could be in danger, but I’m not sure who to turn to. I-If you’d like to give me a call back, you can reach me at this number…”

You finished your voicemail with your contact information before thanking him and wishing him a goodnight. Once you pulled away your phone, you checked the time.

10:36 PM. No wonder you got his answering machine.

The anxiety that had settled down while you were leaving your message started to come back, so to combat that you made the decision to go ahead and get ready for bed. There wasn’t anything else you could do right now, anyway.

You texted Yuri just to wish her a goodnight, and when you received a response almost immediately, you breathed out a sigh of relief. At least she was alright and that was one less thing to worry about for now.

You didn’t dream that night – which was a blessing in its own right – as you thought about the deep timbre of the voice from the answering machine. You’d only heard it briefly, but it left enough of an impact, that was for sure.

⊱──────── ✬ ✬ ✬ ────────⊰

You awoke around 8 AM, your typical time no matter what day it was. It was the weekend, so you could get more sleep if you wanted, but a quick check of your phone had you sitting upright at a record speed.

[Unknown] 6:28 AM: I got your voicemail. If you want to discuss your case, meet me at this address.

Your heart thumped faster as you re-read the words over again. The following message had an address attached, and when you opened it, you noticed how it was for the neighboring town.

With all of the context clues, and taking into account everything Hoseok told you yesterday, you figured that it was Mr. Kim who had texted you. Obviously it would be from an unknown number, and he wouldn’t give out any explicit personal details to lead back to him; that’s just how he did things, as Hobi had mentioned.

And if he contacted you back, that meant he was interested in helping you!

Well…he was interested in hearing you out, at least. Still, you wouldn’t pass up on this opportunity. You quickly crafted a response before you started to make yourself presentable.

[y/n] 8:03 AM: Thank you! When should I meet you?

You had just finished brushing your teeth when you heard your phone chime again.

[Unknown] 8:06 AM: Whenever is best for you. I’ll be here all day and don’t have any other clients lined up.

You clutched your phone to your chest. This was really happening.

Once you were done getting ready to head out, it was just past 9 AM. You called Hobi to let him know what you were doing, and his excitement was tangible even through the phone. He urged you to keep him posted about all the details, which you assured him that of course you would.

The drive to the address you’d been given didn’t take too long, maybe around 20 minutes or so. What surprised you when you arrived, though, was the outward appearance of the building.

It looked abandoned, for lack of a better term, and you checked the text message 3 more times to make sure this is where you were supposed to be.

[y/n] 9:28 AM: I’m here…but I’m not sure if this is the correct place?

There was an eerie feeling settling in your stomach as you waited for a response. Maybe this had been some sort of trick? Had someone set you up?

The sound of a deadbolt clicking grabbed your attention, and the door a few feet in front of you opened up to display an older woman. At first, she seemed a bit disgruntled at having an unexpected guest, but before you could apologize for intruding, her gruff expression was replaced with a warm smile.

“I take it you’re Y/N?”

You gulped and nodded, placing your phone back into your jacket pocket.

“Follow me.”

She turned on her heel to walk back into the building, not bothering to wait and see if you would obey. You quickly scurried after her, only stopping once you were a foot or so behind.

You walked through about 3 or 4 different hallways, trying to remember the directions you’d taken but failing miserably. There wasn’t much to this building…you saw what appeared to be a few offices here and there but otherwise, not much else.

“Here we are,” the woman croaked, gesturing with her arm to a much nicer looking door that had gold lettering on the window.

The etchings were bold, and it was very evident where you were as you read the words:

KIM TAEHYUNG

Private Detective

The older woman rapped on the door 3 times with her knuckles before she walked off. You were standing there, dumbfounded, until you heard a voice softly telling you to come inside.

The doorknob clicked easily under your hand, and as you entered the room, you were in awe of how different everything looked.

The office was tidy and, dare you say, extravagant compared to what surrounded it outside of this room. There were two brown leather couches that had a decent sized coffee table seated in between them; further into the office, you saw the same type of leather chairs, one in front of and one behind a large wooden desk. You also spotted a few plants that looked to be well taken care of, one sitting in a windowsill and the other on a small table next to some black filing cabinets.

Whoever had designed this room clearly had a knack for matching furniture together, because it all meshed well and you appreciated the sleek look to everything.

Your eyes ended their scan as you looked over to the far wall, almost letting out a gasp when you noticed the figure across the room whose back was turned to you.

When you softly shut the door, the other person in the room turned around. It took you a second to start thinking properly again, because he was not at all how you pictured he would be.

For starters, he looked much younger than you thought originally, closer to your own age, which you thought was admirable considering his high status as a detective. He had brown hair parted down the middle that was slightly wavy, with bangs covering his forehead. He had very handsome facial features as well, some of the most handsome you’d ever seen, if you were being honest with yourself.

He was wearing dark jeans and a shirt with black and white print that was hidden underneath a black leather jacket. Everything about this man seemed to scream fashionable and it was throwing you for a loop. You weren’t trying to stereotype him based on your own experience with detectives in the past, but he was just…so not what you expected him to be.

You were wondering again if this might be a prank, until he finally spoke up and acknowledged your presence.

“Y/N, is it?”

You nodded dumbly, scrambling to walk across the office as he motioned to the chair in front of his desk. He sat down in his own once you were close enough, and you shrugged out of your jacket before following suit.

There was a moment of silence between the two of you, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. If anything, you felt small under his scrutinizing gaze. He was leaning on one elbow, chin resting in his palm as he stared at you with intensity.

He spoke suddenly, almost making you flinch with surprise.

“So, you mentioned a friend of yours might be in danger?”

You nodded, not sure what to say or if you should say anything.

“Does this friend know you’ve come to a private detective about their situation?”

You opened your mouth, closed it, and opened it again. “Well…no.”

The man nodded, more to himself than you, it looked like. “Alright. That’s not an issue, just have to cover all the basics first.”

“What do the basics entail?”

He seemed amused by your interest as you took the initiative to ask questions now.

His fingertips drummed along the desk, a rhythmic sound that you found to be oddly soothing.

“It entails me finding out as much about your case as I’m willing to before I decide whether or not it’s something I can assist you with.”

He started twirling a pen with his unoccupied fingers, clearly waiting for you to speak first again before he continued.

“What do you want to know?”

“Anything you feel is pertinent to tell me.”

You sighed. “Well, to start with, I think my friend is being followed by someone-”

“Proof?”

You frowned. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Do you have proof? Does this friend have pictures or a video of them being followed, or is it just a feeling?”

“To my knowledge…no. It’s more that they sense it than have actually seen it.”

“And you want me to find out if this is happening or not?”

“Um…yes?”

It was his turn to sigh this time. “You don’t sound very confident in your answer, Y/N.”

His tone rubbed you the wrong way. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What it means,” he broke off to look away from the pen to your face again, “is that I need to know what it is you want from me before I can agree to help you.”

You were catching onto his game now. He wanted you to very specifically lay it all out for him, instead of leaving him to figure it out by grasping at straws.

“Well, Mr. Kim-”

“Taehyung.”

“Sorry?”

“Taehyung. You can call me that, if you want. I’m not super big on formalities for myself.”

You chewed the inside of your cheek. Why was his presence so overwhelming?

“With all due respect, Mr. Kim, I’ve never done this before. All I know is something isn’t right, and I don’t trust the police to offer assistance in the way I need.”

You swore you saw something flash in his eyes.

“Why don’t you trust the police?”

You crossed your arms and leaned more into the chair. “The last time I worked with them, it didn’t end well.”

“You’ve worked on the force?” He almost sounded impressed.

“No, sorry, poor choice of wording. I tried to help them with a case before.”

“Ah,” his eyes narrowed as he busied himself with the pen again. “Were you a suspect, or?”

“I was close to the victim,” you said softly, almost a whisper.

For a moment, his expression softened. “I’m so sorry.”

You shrugged, inhaling a shaky breath as you looked at your lap. “It’s fine. Just…there’s your answer. I don’t want to work with them again, so I came to you.”

“If I’m able to take your case, I’ll make sure you don’t regret that decision.”

His tone had you picking your eyes back up. You noticed a fire within his own, one that made you feel like he meant every single word he’d just said to you.

“Thank you.”

He carded a hand through his hair, the action drawing your attention to the silver watch that adorned his wrist.

“Can I ask…could you tell me about the case you were involved with?”

A slow nod from you. “If it’ll help, I can do that.”

He motioned for you to continue. As you started telling him the details, you noticed as his eyes widened. At one point, he politely interrupted you.

“Sorry, just – I remember that case. You were involved with that?”

“Yes.” You were twisting your hands together in your lap. “Ky was my best friend.”

“And the police just let the case go cold, without considering all traces of evidence?”

“I begged them not to, but there wasn’t much I could do. They made that known several times,” you trailed off. You thought you heard some semblance of a growl coming from the detective.

“I always knew something was weird about that…every report they published made no sense, and none of the pieces of evidence seemed to corroborate their theories.” His hushed tone suggested he may have been talking more to himself, but you didn’t question it.

“There were signs of suspicious behavior leading up to her death that they never considered, and any time I tried to bring it up, I was shut down immediately.”

“Are these ‘signs’ something you’re noticing now, with your other friend?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Taehyung hummed. “I see. You want to inspect this before it gets out of hand, so you came to me because the police are a lost cause.”

You nodded feebly, voice softer than ever when you spoke again. “I don’t want to see another person die.”

“You won’t.”

His answer startled you, even if it was as quiet as your own. Your eyes met briefly before he started looking anywhere but your face.

Another hush befell the room, and this one seemed more awkward than the last, considering Taehyung cleared his throat before he rifled through one of his desk drawers.

“Before you tell me anything else, I need you to look over something first.”

“Sure, whatever I need to do, I’ll do it.”

A crooked smile tugged at Taehyung’s lips. “You know, you’re a lot more obedient than most of my other clients.”

You…weren’t sure how to take that.

“I am?”

“Yeah. Most of the time they come in with demands and don’t like to listen when I push back on something. It’s part of the reason why I’ve gotten choosier about who I decide to do business with these last few years. But you,” he fished out a piece of paper from the drawer, “are proving much easier to work with. I appreciate that.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

He chuckled, the sound low. “You’re also way more polite than most people I encounter.”

You smiled at him for the first time. “I’m grateful you’re taking the time to hear me out.”

His eyes lingered on yours for just a second before shifting down.

“First and foremost,” Taehyung slid a piece of paper across the wooden desk that separated the two of you, “if we agree to do business, you’ll need to sign this contract. It lists my stipulations and services I can provide.”

You picked up the paper, not quite sure what to expect.

“Take your time to read over all of it carefully, just so everything is clear on both our ends.” He leaned back in his chair, the sound of squeaking leather breaking your concentration for a moment.

You scanned through every line, all of the contract terms seeming straight-forward and easy to agree to-

-but the last line caught your attention.

“Could you explain this last part, please?”

Taehyung leaned over to look at which line you were pointing to before he let out a soft chuckle. “Ah, that. My #1 most important rule. Never get involved with clients’ personal lives.”

“But don’t you have to sometimes?”

“For work, yes. But this is more referring to what happens outside of that. Things can get…messy.”

“You talk like that’s happened before.”

Taehyung smirked but offered nothing more to that specific conversation.

“So, are we in business?”

You didn’t have to ponder long before you signed the contract with a flourish. When you passed it back across the desk, Taehyung smiled.

“Perfect,” he stood up to shake your hand, “I’ll be in touch with you shortly, once I’ve reviewed your case.”

You returned the shake. “Thank you, Mr. Kim.”

He squeezed your hand once before letting it go.

“The pleasure is all mine.”

You waited to see if there was anything else he might need from you, shifting your weight from one foot to the other. He leaned down and sifted through his drawer once more, this time pulling out a Manila file folder.

“I use these to get the typical information needed for me to start my research. It just asks for client’s name and contact info, as well as a summary about what you’re wanting from me and other names of those involved. In this instance, it would be your friend. You can give me as little or as much info as you think I need.”

He handed the folder to you, and upon opening it up, you saw everything he had just mentioned to you on a sheet of paper stapled to the inside.

“I’d prefer you fill it out now so you can leave it with me, but of course I can’t force you to do anything.”

His tone suggested he was teasing, but you were quick to sit on one of the couches and begin filling out the paper. It didn’t take you very long, and when you were done, you noticed he was sitting on the opposite couch, elbows resting on his knees with his hands folded.

“Finished?”

You nodded as you slid the file across the coffee table, his pen placed on top. He accepted both and smiled at you.

“Alright, if that’s all you want to discuss, you’re free to go. As I mentioned before, I’ll be in touch with you after I’ve looked over everything and have some sort of plan on how to proceed. And of course, all of this information is strictly classified. You read that in the contract, but I always reiterate it anyway, due to some problems I’ve had in the past.”

“Of course.” You agreed with no hesitation. Honestly, you couldn’t fathom just how much he’s had to endure in his line of work, how many times he’s probably had to change locations and phone numbers.

Hell, Kim Taehyung may not even be his real name, and you’d never know.

“Any questions for me?”

You mumbled some form of ‘no’ as you shook your head. Taehyung walked over to the door to open it for you, and you certainly weren’t expecting the same woman from before to be out in the hallway, but there she was.

“Ms. Choi will show you out since this place is a bit of a maze,” his tone was light, a sheer contrast to the mood that had settled over the two of you from when you stepped into his office. “Don’t forget: I’ll contact you.”

“Yes, sir.” You couldn’t help the authoritative term as it slipped past your lips, and you walked through the door before you could see the look on his face. You thought you might have heard some sort of laugh from Ms. Choi as she escorted you back to the front, but your imagination liked to play tricks on you sometimes.

Besides, Taehyung said he wasn’t one for formalities, so it didn’t really matter that much, did it? He had to be older than you anyway…right?

You spent the entire walk through the building trying to justify in your head what had just happened, and Ms. Choi gave you a soft smile as she held the door open for you to leave.

When you settled back in your car, you gripped the steering wheel and took a deep breath, leaning your head back as you shut your eyes.

You still couldn’t quite believe that the last 30 minutes or so had happened. Taehyung had proven to be quite different than what you anticipated, but he was truthfully better than you could have hoped.

He seemed driven and motivated about his line of work, and the way he reassured you when you had your doubts-

-it made you feel…safe. Like this was a step in the right direction after all.

As you called Hobi to fill him in on everything during your drive home, you started to believe that maybe, just maybe, things would turn out alright.

⊱──────── ✬ ✬ ✬ ────────⊰

➥Part 2

➥Series Masterlist

➥All Works Masterlist

[rhaaclaws]

HI rhaast ^_^ throws these numbers at you 9, 25, 30, AND 56 :]

9. Fave fight?

KC AND METALLICA MY BEST FRIENDDDDDD listen its gross but thats one of the things I love about it. like the bullshittery and the thought process from each fighter AND MY FRIEND KCCC WOOOOO its so good I rewatch it so fucking often [and then cry at ep28 to humble myself] Another one of my fav fights is Bites The Dusts and Made In Heaven because these two terrify me sooo much like THE HORRORS. BTD with how I was constantly worried shaking and crying over who was gonna die [and listen. you didn't hear it from me but when I thought rohan was gonna die I was CRYINGGGGG like tears down my face it was kind of gross] and MIH is just auauhghghghgh the HORRRORSSSSSSSS like what the fuck.... it did everything it had to do RIGHT but it hurt so fucking much and that damn ending. makes me want to explode anyways teehe "you daughter is your weakness" Dies

25. Stand ability you think wasn’t used well enough in the series?

Sorry for focusing so much on diu and va I'm just silly BUT. Love Deluxe, Purpy haze and Spice girl. first off ik this is more of just the character instead of stand but shhhhh Yukako could've bodied fucking everyone in that damn cast she'd get kira in one hit as she should! PURPY HAZEEE this is obvious but Please pelsepolease I need to see him again I'm so devastated WITH THAT COOL ASS THEME TOO..... BRUH... anwyays Spice Girl my best friend he could've also done it all but noooo. Whatevers.

30. Rank your order: Jojo main villains

ok im exceptionally bad at ranking things BUT I have two lists, villains I Like and how much they scare me. In terms of who I like

Diavolo [toxic slutch privileges]

Dio [sorry hes just such a bad bitch]

Kars [she's my best friend, not really a villain but deserves to be on here]

Pucci [Many thoughts but I trust my friends like Quintus to do him justice, pucci is funny though but please go to therapy instead of projecting]

The bitch who shall not be named

I JUSTS RELAIZESXD IO FORGOT KIRA. I PROMISE ITS NOT ON PURPOSE I WAS JUST LIKE HMMM WHO AM I MISSING FROM HERE BUT PKFSDFKJHGSDFLKGJSFGJKHSFG IM SORRY I DONT SEE HIM AS A CHARCATER HES LIKE. AN ENTITY BUT NOT IN A FUNNY KARS WAY HE ONLY SCARES ME I DONT CARE ABT HIS CHARACTER anyways these r the ones that scare me [With Kira]

Kira [i think hes the best jojo villain in terms of playing his role and bringing that awful unsettling feeling that shit is WRONG]

I'm gonna be honest everyone else is under here in near the same level because I'm only really scared by kira. pucci isn't scary for me bc i was raised around Catholics, whats he gonna do? preach to me? kars is my friend and everyone else id have no way of meeting bc I'm in Mexico yall stay safe though 🙏

56. Any headcanons?

LITERALLY SOOOOOO MANYYYYYYY im only gonna mention some that im obsessed with rn bc its so much dude I have a google docs just for the main p5 cast and its like. 4 pages long

anywaysssss

Akira and Yukako are siblings its true to me it happened and its real like they're SOOO SIBLINGS. they are going to the powerlines and throwing bricks at it and causing electrical damages I could talk about them for hours

I RLLY LIKE THE ONE where the reason Jolyne can turn her midriff into a Mobius strip for the strings is that Jotaro was so traumatized from seeing Kakyoin having a hole in his stomach he passed that trauma onto her and it was a form of protection so she'd never have to go through that again. there's this one post from a couple years ago that says this beautifully but i don't think i can find it

anyways. funny one next: Tiziano almost exclusively uses toxic paints because "theyre the best quality" best friend that's mercury you're snorting

Fugo cut those holes as a way to 'stay clean' from self harm and as a reminder that he's not touched. victim to victim communication

ALSO i rlly like that idea that stands will manifest if the user is experiencing strong emotions [ex Giorno gets super excited and starts growing flowers around]

another stand based one is that when you get your stand they change something physical abt you [like Yukako's hair got wayyy long and thicker bc of Love Deluxe, Diavolo's eyes turned into that shattered green bc of King Crimson, shit like that]

Abbacchio had one hell of a gender adventure. the 'well I'm fascinated by femininity but I'm not a girl' to 'well i like being called a girl but by strangers by presumption' to 'Wait.'

I was talking abt this to Raph earlier but Reimi likes to scare ppl in the alley like that scene in Beetlejuice with the fucked up faces

She tried it on Yukako and she was like. Holy shit can you do that again?

This is bc Yukako is a horror fan through and through. her gay awakening and first movie crush was the girl from the ring SOBS

Also I see Yukako as a lesbian because her arc literally reminds me so much of comphet and the fucking lengths I've gone to be like 'wellll i Have to like men'

This is stolen from a rlly good fic but Akira was struck by lightning as a kid

Fugo is a fucking HATER. this is just canon but whatevs

I think its be fun for Mista to experiment with the Genderisms through drag

Trish and her punk album can be something so personal

Ok tahts rlly long but im always willing to give hcs on fucking. Anything bc my brain is so fat and juicy with intelligence 24/7 its so hard ANYWAYS THIS WAS FUN

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

Chapter 46: Fuegoleon is burdened by stress and his worries. And he has noticed that Solara has grown a bit more hesitant, distant from him. It's a time they talk something out. 

Tag list: @succulentsunrise​ @loosesodamarble​

Keeping in mind that this series contains themes and topics some may find uncomfortable, reader discretion is advised. 

Warnings: angst-y, mentions of pregnancy

Length: ~4.0k

Chapter 46: “We need to talk”

Night had started to roll in, though it had already been dark outside for quite some time. And Fuegoleon sat by his desk with nothing more than a single candle to keep him company along with the scratching of his pen.

It was just yet another night during which he'd get less sleep than he'd like. Not that it was unusual, but it had grown worse over the last few weeks, due to the state of the urgent matters at hand. He simply had to try and get things in order as soon as possible for the greater good.

At least the paperwork for the alliance is now being finalized with the signatures back in Thea... he thought to himself before glancing to the fluttering flame of the candle. The lonely little flame that danced on its own.

There was something... unsettling about it. He thought. Or then, perhaps, it was simply his imagination since Solara had sent him a message, telling him that she'd be spending the night in Thea.

It wasn't unreasonable. Not really. But ever since the portal had been placed onto their backyard, she had always come home for the night. Without exception.

Until now, that is.

He figured that it probably had something to do with, him not having to be careful about not waking her up. At least it was the most reasonable, logical conclusion to make. Or so he told himself as a nagging feeling kept persisting in the back of his head.

Every glance, every less than happy smile that she had given him during the past few weeks, lingered in his mind. All the times she hadn't placed a kiss onto his temple.

The funny thing was that he hadn't realized all the times she had showed him affection, before she didn't anymore. The little things... they haunted him with their absence.

'Tomorrow I'll get her flowers' he had assured himself, but by the time he had woken up and spent the day at work, he realised that it was already evening again. After which he told himself that he'd write it down soon, or that he'd remember the next day. Only that he didn't.

But he did tell her that he loved her. Every day. Because it was important to her, and to him, to hear the other utter out that phrase that was simple, and everything but simple, at the same time.

He did tell her that he loved her. But he would need to start showing it again. He knew as much. She must've missed him, as much as he missed her, despite sleeping in the same bed night after night.

Once we get this settled and I don't need to worry about stressing her out, he thought, because he still held onto the idea that it'd be good for both her and the baby to not be burdened.

But still, all the little things left unsaid, undone, bothered him. Though he couldn't exactly blame her for doing all the work when it came to their relationship on her own. He was more occupied than before, or at least since she had joined the squad, and he couldn't expect her to try reaching out to him continuously without receiving something in return. Which he tried to do with what little time he had. A quick kiss here and there. A message, a note to let her know that he'd be staying later than he thought. An ‘I love you’ whenever he had the chance.

But still, he couldn't remember to get her flowers.

His eyes turned to the side, to an empty page of a notepad on his desk. And his hand moved to pull it closer, just so that the pen he was holding was able to glide over it, creating that scratching sound of the ink pen, and leave behind a note for himself.

'Get her flowers before she comes back tomorrow, and tell her, that you love her. Tell her that soon you'll have more time'.

But the thing was: he wasn't sure when that soon would be. And... as that little nagging voice in the back of his head persisted, the voice that he tried to shrug off, still made his stomach twist in a quiet shadow of a whisper that hoped, that he hadn't kept her waiting for too long. Because this was the time when he was supposed to be there for her. He was supposed to support her by being by her side. But instead work and responsibilities kept him away.

They were supposed to be happy about the addition into the family; choosing furniture into the nursery. Which they would need to do in some point regardless, but he thought that he couldn’t be as happy about it with everything going on, as he otherwise would have been.

But he wanted to be happy. He wanted to be choosing a crib and toys, and a stroller, and… everything that came with it. He wanted to be excited about becoming a father, rather than worried about what kind of a world his kids were being born into.

At that moment, he wanted something, for himself, for his wife, and his family. One simple thing that he couldn’t attain. Something that was far too expensive for him.

To be free.

---

Sun had started to rise from behind the horizon as the shops in the Royal Capitol were opening their doors. And most of those shops didn’t expect getting customers through their doors as the first thing in the morning.

But one did.

It was unexpected, and yet pleasant, although not everything that was wished for, was in season. Which is why some replacements needed to be made.

It was alright.

It was manageable.

And by the time the purchase, two dozen roses and some lavenders were placed in a vase, in a bedroom, sunlight was already glistening over the frost on the windowsills.

I hope she likes them… a simple wish. A quiet wish. But one that he couldn’t wait to see come true, as there was more work to be done. The march of time was relentless, and no matter how much he would have willed it, he couldn’t make it go slower, just so that he could take a day off.

Soon, he could. He was sure of it.

Soon.

Even if he wasn’t sure how long that ‘soon’ would be, it’d come.

It would.

And for now, he needed to focus. He needed to remain calm and concentrate. Everything would sort itself out, eventually.

But now he needed to return into his office, and continue on where he had left off.

---

A few hours later, as he sat in his chair, there was a knock at his door.

It was quiet, and hesitant, as if unsure about being there; if they were supposed to be there. If they should wait. If they should take some more time to think.

But they hadn’t, they were there, making that hard, hollow sound of knuckled coming into contact with the wooden surface of the door.

His gaze lifted, as he waited. He thought that they had moved past it; him having to welcome in such gentle, swaying, warm mana, and the person from whom it radiated. And so, he parted his lips, but before any sound flowed out, a decision was made.

The door was pushed open, and Solara stood in the doorway. Simply stood there, and looked at him, for a while that must’ve been shorter than it seemed, because it felt like an hour, a day, one sixth of an eternity. And as Fuegoleon’s eyes searched for hers, to gaze back at her, he wasn’t sure what to make of it. What to make of it, when his wife stood in the doorway without a smile.

Without anger.

Or a frown.

"We need to talk".

It wasn't an out of place statement from her. And it wasn't a bad statement in itself. But something... something in the way she said it, it chilled him, haunted him, made him stop. It was, as if, whatever lingered between the syllables would have whispered to him in a way that made it feel like an end, like there was a chasm in place of a period.

Her tone was like a whisper, but it held defeat in it that he could and couldn't place. It wasn't a tone, quite like anything he had heard before, but it was one that... he could imagine. Even if he didn't want to. The nightmares in which it existed; he didn't want to imagine.

The tone of divorce wasn't something he wanted to consider. Not now, not ever.

But he wasn't going to turn her down, when she told him that they needed to talk. He wouldn't do that to her. So, the only thing that he could do, could say, was to gesture the chair opposite to him, and nod.

I am overthinking about it. After everything we have been through, we are stronger than this. … I am overthinking. That is not what she wants to talk about.  

"Alright..." he replied with a hushed tone as his chin lowered, even if only ever so slightly.

She nodded, and took a step in, closing the door behind her, without a sound.

Her steps clicked against the floor, along with the ruffling of her clothes, and he couldn’t help but glance at her hands.

Good… He found himself thinking right before a slow blink, as her wedding bands were still on her finger, and while the memory of the vision he had seen at Idalia’s home still lingered in his mind. But. Even if he thought of the word, it was a forced attempt of thinking that it was a good sign. Because it in itself didn’t grant him anything. No hints, no promises.

“Fue I…”

“No, let me,” he raised his hand, just a bit, off of the table. But his palm didn’t lift high enough to face her, just the tips of his fingers, as if his hand was weighed down by something far larger than either of them. “I… know that I have been very occupied with my duties as of late, and I know that I haven’t been able to be there for you, in a way that I would like, but I… I promise that I’m doing my very best for you and the baby.”

“I don’t doubt that,” she told him, while taking a seat opposite to him. “But I-“

“My love I promise that it’ll be alright, and you have nothing to worry ab-“

“Don’t-,” she closed her eyes in the middle of the sentence. Because he wasn’t her enemy, opponent, someone to beat in an argument.

His eyes flickered, scanning, studying her expression, without a sound. He waited, for her to open her eyes again. Which she did.

Her hand reached to his, over the table, and took a hold of him. The best she could. Her fingers intwined with his, as her thumb drew circles onto the side of his hand, and while his flames sought to embrace her; glide over her and warm her.

“I know you are trying your best,” she told him while staring into the depths of the desk. “And I… know that you can’t always disclose everything to me right away… And I know that you want to keep me, and us, safe,” she continued. Swallowed. And let her gaze rise to his. “But please don’t lie to me by trying to claim that nothing is wrong.”

“My love I…”

“I know it wasn’t your intention to lie, and it’s… well it’s, I suppose a more of a reassuring statement than anything else, but it’s…” her head swayed from side to side as her eyes fell again, as she thought. “I am, here, to live a life with you. A life together. Not two separate lives side by side. And I want to be there for you. But I need you to let me do that.”

As her eyes lifted to his again, there was sorrow in them, but also implore, nearly a beg.

She was almost begging for him to let her in. For the sake of them both.

Him, and her.

“Please… let me love you, and not just… listen to you telling me that it’s alright when I can see that it’s not…” tears started collecting into her throat, tears that she struggled to swallow.

And he didn’t know… he didn’t quite know what to say to her. Because that had never been his intention. To shut her out and… not let her love him. It had never been his intention.

He had done, what he had done, with the best of intentions, and here was, his wife, crying to him, about how his decision had made her scared, sad and worried. And it washed away every ounce of pride he held in his body at that moment. Because his family was his source of pride, the most important one.

But, as always when words failed him, he got up and begun circling around the table; to go to her. His hand, took a hold of hers and led her to the couch where they both sat down, and he pulled her into his embrace.

He pressed his head against hers, and buried his nose into her hair, breathing in the delicate scent of jasmine that was combined with something so rare and delicate that it must’ve been from the very heavens themselves. His arms kept a hold of her, strong and secure, as his entire being sought none other than to shield her from the world yet again.

“I… it was never my intention,” he begun with a whisper as the words glided over her hair. “I hoped that I would reduce your stress and… help keep the baby healthier, but I… it seems that I did quite the opposite.”

There was a pause, a moment of silence, as he waited for whatever she might have to say, but instead of words, he felt her hand on his chest, applying pressure, as if to push herself away. And he let her, pull back, and take distance. But she took just enough to be able to gaze him in the eye.

Her eyes studied him, but not with intent. Not with determination. Instead, the emotion, the state of being that he could see clearly in her face, was disbelief.

“You are…” she begun with a whisper as she placed her hand onto his cheek, stroking it with her thumb. “So loving. So caring. But I wish you wouldn’t do that at your own expense,” she told him. And she meant it. “Because… when you are in pain, so am I. It goes both ways, right?”

He couldn’t argue. He couldn’t deny that to be the case, because it absolutely pained him to see her grief.

“And… if I don’t know, it leaves room for me to jump to conclusions and think the worst of the situations.”

She had a point, one that was so obvious that he had become blind to it.

“Honey… I don’t have a definite conclusion… yet. And I’m not-“

“You don’t need to give me a definite answer,” she argued. “I know it’s something about Julius. And you already told me that there is no definite decision being made, but then you just… pulled back and argued that everything was fine. But you didn’t look fine and I just…” her eyes turned to the ceiling when she tried to fight tears back. “Didn’t know what to do.” The words left her broken; as a cry. “Because if it was something that could be discussed, then you would have said something, right? If it was something that could be solved, then you would have told me that though you didn’t know how, there would be a way, and I…”

“You thought that it was something … dire?”

“Is it not?”

“It… might be,” he had to admit. “But we, and this kingdom, have been through many detrimental events. And we have always been able to manage. This should be no different.”

She looked at him, unsure of what to say to him. Because asking him ‘why’ would be pointless, since she already knew why he had done as he had.

“I am sorry, for worrying you,” he continued. To which she nodded.

“And I’m… sorry for not talking about it, sooner.”

“It wasn’t your place to ask.”

“I’m your wife, so it is my place to ask if something is troubling you.”

“You did,” he told her with something that tried to be a smile. “You tried to ask.”

She pressed her forehead together with his again, and closed her eyes. His warmth was still there. The sound of his breathing, was still there, along with the faint scent of lavender.

She felt that the man she loved, was again within her reach.

“Let’s… not do this, either, again,” she told him.

She could hear an amused huff, as if weight tumbling down from his shoulders.

“Mhm,” he hummed in agreement.

“I don’t want to think that you couldn’t talk to me…”

“That is not what this is.”

“In a way it is.”

He paused, for a while. “I suppose.”

A few more seconds flowed through the air, as they simply stayed as they were. “So… is everything alright?”

He didn’t want to reply to that question. But… he had to.

“No.”

“Is it… manageable?”

“We’re taking it as it comes, and making plans according to it.”

There was… a shadow of a smile that passed over her lips. “So, you are manging it.” The statement came out, laced with amusement, but was still a whisper. A soft, gentle notion.

“It is, and will be, difficult, but… there is nothing else to do, at this time, than to see how matters develop.”

Her gaze fell, and this time the shadow of a smile turned into a proper one. So that as she raised her chin, and looked back at him again, there was again that glitter within the forest green that he knew.

She placed her hand onto his cheek again, and smiled to him. “There you are,” she whispered.

His brows furrowed, even if just a little bit, but they did.

“You hardly do things that are easy,” she continued. “A lot of the things you do are, in fact, difficult. And you take it as it comes along.”

His eyes fell to the side as he listened.

“Sometimes you stumble, just like I do, but that’s because we’re imperfect people. It’s a part of life,” she told him. “But… one thing that I do know is that… when you stumble, you always come back stronger. Even if it might take some time. Even if it requires some help from those around you…”

His eyelids fell in a slow blink, but he didn’t say a thing.

“And if you need it, if you want it, I’ll be there to help. Even if it’s just to listen, or hold your hand… I’ll be there for you. You just need to let me.”

He nodded as the corners of his lips tugged up.

“You are strong, and brilliant, and we can manage this. Okay?”

He nodded to her. “It will be alright.”

“It will be alright,” she repeated. “But don’t…”

“I won’t.”

She gave him another smile, and a nod. “Good.”

He took a hold of her hand, and placed a kiss onto it, as if a confirmation. A breath. A mark of them being alright again.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She asked, tilting her head.

“I…” he breathed out. “Perhaps in the evening. I would rather have my thoughts in order.”

“You promise?”

“I promise,” he smiled with a nod.

She let out a hum, and tapped the tip of his nose with the tip of her index finger. Just like she used to. After which she leaned forward and placed a kiss onto his temple; a soft, gentle, caressing kiss that felt like the first rays of springtime sun on his skin after winter frost.

“Is there something I can do for you?” She still asked, hoping that there would be something she could do to ease his burden.

But he couldn’t think of anything from the spot. Not anything more than she was already doing with her work.

“No, I don’t believe there is.”

“Tell me if you think of something,” the tone flowed from her with a tender utterance, like a breath of life itself.

“I will, my love,” he whispered back, practically purred. “Just… know that I love you. More than I can say,” there was a hint of implore in his eyes, in the flicker that she could see amidst the lavender.

“And I love you at least just as much, if not more,” she placed another kiss onto his temple, then another one on his cheek, to the tip of his nose… one more to his cheek.

“Impossible,” he chuckled with closed eyes.

“How bold of you,” she joked with a chuckle of her own.

“Mhm,” he hummed, while brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Did you come straight here from Thea?”

“I… did?” She quirked an eyebrow at him, because she sensed that he was going somewhere with this.

“Then there is something you could do for me,” he mused to himself.

“And what might that be?” She asked with a grin that tried to be.

“Go to our room,” the corner of his mouth tugged up, just faintly, as he was unable to keep himself from grinning.

“Oh?”

“I would hate to ruin the surprise,” he continued, as the flicker in his eye grew ever brighter.

“Ah, so it’s a surprise,” she mused.

“It seems I have said too much already.”

“I see,” another kiss onto his cheek. “[I love you.]”

“[I love you too.]”

“I wish that you could take some time off, for yourself, soon. You’ve been working too hard lately,” she wished out loud while stroking his hair.

“After things settle down,” he tried to assure her.

“Again, tell me if I can help, in any way. Get you something, pamper you or do something in your place.”

He shook his head with a chuckle. “I will, but I don’t want you straining yourself.”

“I’m not that far into the pregnancy. The baby bump is barely visible,” she argued.

“I know, but still.”

“See? You’re so sweet and caring, and I-“

“You wish that I don’t do it at my own expense,” he placed another kiss onto the back of her hand. “I won’t, my love. And I feel better knowing that you are well. It is one burden off of my shoulders.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Life might not have been all good. There might still have been burdens and troubles looming around. But that is what life was. They were both tired, and emotional, due to multiple factors, which brought forth fears and doubts that might have been irrational. After all, it was only human of them. But they had made a commitment, to love each other, to see through those doubt, and talk about them, no matter how absurd, because that was the only way forward.

The future was still bright, despite the clouds in the sky.