#♪With eyes that know the darkness in my soul♪

[milky-aeons]

— TO LOVE ME

౨ৎ . . . in which DAZAI OSAMU apologises for being a little too rough.

warnings: semi-nsfw, f!reader, hair-pulling, flashbacks to sexual activity, rough!dazai (he pulled your hair a little too hard), soft!dazai, slight angst, comfort, fluff, non-established relationship, w.c 1.6k

♪ . . . ˗ˏˋ ꒰ november — mahalia ft. stormzy ꒱ ˎˊ-

𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍.

It was a type of awareness — a fond little quirk, if you will — that you had developed a few months into dating the Armed Detective Agent. Or as far as dating someone like him would go; he never really liked the label, after all. You were both stuck in that chaotic, intoxicating limbo of not quite lovers, but too far gone from friends. Because friends did not stay the night and wear each-others shirts as you washed the dishes, friends did not hum softly into the empty apartment he owned as you waited for him to return with your favourite take-away coffee.

As if your souls were already intertwined, protesting at even the slightest distance, your whole body sang to life when Dazai Osamu tried to sneak through his front door unnoticed.

With wet fingers, you reached over to turn the faucet off just as his airy voice sifted through the air.

"I'm home~"

"Welcome back." You beat him to it.

Dazai made a wrangled sound. "How do catch me every time I try to sneak up on you?" He moaned, his voice coming closer until he rounded the little alcove of his small, one-walled kitchen. "It's almost like you have a sixth-sense, you know? Oh! We should put this unique talent of yours to the test!"

You hummed, following his playful line of thinking. Does his blood thrum to life underneath his skin when you breeze through the Agency offices, you wonder, does his mind eddy of all thought when you cast your eyes his way — just like it does yours?

You did not know. You would probably never know. But he remembered your exact coffee order perfectly, every single time.

"I'm almost afraid to wonder what that would entail." You muse, drying off your hands and leaning back on the countertop. He handed you one of the take-away cups. "But not for me. If I know you at all, Osamu, then you would definitely tie Kunikida-kun up in this elaborate experiment just to set him back a few days on his schedule."

"Pft. A few days?" He echoed, incredulous. One of his eyebrows raised. "How you insult me. If I don't set Kunikida-kun's precious schedule back by at least one month at a time, then why would I even bother at all?"

"You're absolutely right. My ignorant mistake."

"And yes, you do."

"Hm?" You hummed, uncapping the coffee to take a greedy inhale.

"Know me." Dazai finished.

Those two words jarred you a little. Your eyes flickered up to meet his, wordless, the coffee cup held just an inch from your parted lips. Dazai was looking straight at you with that ever-present unreadable expression, but it was a little softer around the edges, a little less impenetrable this time. This was familiar. This is what you two were; you took each other's hand and danced around the truth. You let things hang in the air, unsaid, untouched, staring at one another in his apartment while you wore his shirt like you were both in love — but not quite, not yet.

"Do I?" You said softly. You reached for that thing left unsaid and used it to challenge him.

He tilted his head, amused. Letting you rock the boat. His unkempt curls slid across his forehead when he did. But as always, he said nothing. He danced. He changed the subject.

Do I know you, Osamu?

Instead, he let his dark eyes wander to the dishes you had stacked on the drainage rack. "Wah, [Name]!" He exclaimed with exaggerated shock. "Did you clean the dishes while I was gone?! If you keep doing things like that I'll seriously have to marry you, you know!"

Precarious. A tease. Oh, but he loves to twirl with you close to the fire.

You stayed silent, opting to take a sip, instead. A small, bashful smile fought its way onto your face — you hid behind the disposable cup, but you knew he caught it. Dazai Osamu caught everything, but only with you, did he wear that boyish, self-satisfied grin when he saw the effect he had on your heart.

The sunlight was soft and choppy as it filtered through his broken shutters that barely gave any privacy to the kitchen. It was winter time; Yokohama was bustling, as it always is, but this corner of the city was delightfully sleepy. It was just you and him, enjoying the silence of two people almost in love. A car horn beeped in the distance. You noticed the smattering of freckles on his nose when he stepped forward into one of the balmy sunbeams.

Quietly, Dazai reached towards you. You didn't move — how could you? — as his long fingers half-hidden in bandages danced across your exposed shoulder. A shiver broke out across the skin he barely touched. He noticed. He grew bolder, slyer, letting his lazy touch flutter across your skin; the column of your neck; tickling the nape of your neck and burying into the mussed tresses of your hair—

"Ow—!"

You winced.

Dazai jerked his hand away. "What's wrong?"

You placed your coffee cup down and lifted your fingers to where his own had just been. With ginger movements, you traced the tender spot, your face souring into a grimace at the little shoots of pain that resided there. It was still sore, you noticed. And so did Dazai. When you glanced up at him, his brows had knit together. Not quite a picture of concern — but pressingly curious, his eyes wide and imploring.

And for the first time that lazy morning, you found yourself averting your gaze from him. You stayed quiet for a pregnant moment, searching for the right words as Dazai too, placed his cup down. He dipped his head, trying to meet your eyes. "Bella?" He called again, his voice soft and coaxing.

"Sorry," You chuckled quietly, smiling small. You gave the tender spot another rub before releasing your hand from your hair. "It's just a little sore, that's all."

Dazai's lips tugged down into a frown. "Sore—?" A bell chimed on some astral plane of recognition. His words died on his tongue, his expression halting. You saw the shutter in his eyes then; his mind moving, racing, taking scintillations of the night you two shared and meshing them back together.

You had let him do it before — fisting his lithe fingers into your hair while you were both caught in the throes of passion. As a matter of fact, you quite liked it. He'd bow your head back and decorate your lovely neck with a multitude of bruises, just for you. Or during those times where you took control — settling between his legs as he sat on the edge of the bed. You'd start slow first; taking the length of him into your mouth, licking, kissing. But as you picked up the pace and worked him right to a fever pitch — Dazai would wind his hand into your hair. Around, around, until he had a decent grip, and guide your movement just the way he needed it.

It had been an accident last night — but you still had not mentioned it; had not wanted to draw too much attention as you knew he did not mean it. It was a frenzy on both parts. But he had gripped your hair and tugged it a bit too tight. A bit too rough. Leaving the spot at the crown of your head tender as you passed a brush over it once you two were done.

He remained so uncharacteristically silent — staring at you like he was meeting you from a previous lifetime again after searching for so long. You tilted your head, suddenly worried. It wasn't like you were upset with him — so why did he look like that? Like he had revoked any and all permission to touch you? Like he was suddenly afraid?

Dazai was not acquainted with words of apology. He had went his whole life posing as a shadow, looking in on people and never being a part of them. But standing there looking down at you with the realisation that he had hurt you, that he — by his hand — had brought harm to someone like you — a sudden paralysis took hold of his body. He stared at you with wide eyes. He couldn't speak. He felt like he had lost all privilege to be near you — that for the first time in his life, he had met someone so bright and so genuine, and he had succeeded at tainting that, too.

He was abominable. He had always been, it was part of his makeup, ingrained into the lining of his very bones.

And yet, to him, he was also selfish. Because he had the gall to ask for your forgiveness.

"I'm," Dazai started. It wasn't like him to be at a loss for words. "I . . . [Name] I didn't realise . . . "

"Osamu, really — it's okay," You implored, your expression honest. "I know you didn't mean to. I'm fine! Just a little sore, is all." Smile turning lopsided, you turned to fully face him. "How about next time, we just don't pull as hard? I do really like when you play with my hair, but not that rough. Hm?"

Dazai opened his mouth to speak — but whatever he wanted to say got lost between his head and his tongue. He blinked once, twice. Then, in such a quiet voice, he whispered, ". . . I apologise. I'd never try to hurt you, beautiful [Name]. It will not happen again."

It was so resolute. In a tone you have never heard Dazai Osamu speak with before; not quite unsure, but lacking the perfectly precise way he would usually choose his words with. It speared into your chest and made your heart lurch. Such a raw, clean-cut promise. Like he'd burn his own hand before he let himself cause any such harm to you, ever again.

The smile that softened the sides of your lips no longer belonged to someone who was almost in love.

You reached out suddenly for his hand before he could react. You guided his palm to your face, nuzzling into his warm touch, delighting in the soft scratch of bandages against your cheek. "I know. I'm sorry too, for not mentioning it sooner."

I love you, it was the three words you still left unsaid. Because not quite, not yet. Although the way Dazai's fingers curled against the shell of your ear, the way he stepped forward to tug you into his sturdy chest — something about it all whispered the words I love you, too.

from this lovely nonnie // writing requests!

[eempyreall]

♪ 444 𝑏𝑦 𝐴𝑠ℎ𝑙𝑒𝑦 𝑆𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑎 ♪

༺༺ Devour ༻༻

Oneshot ~ Bonten x Female Reader

Summary ~ You are devastated to learn that your soulmates are power-hungry monsters entrenched in an illegal industry. Despite knowing they only seek to consume your life source, no matter how fast you run, you can never escape fate.

Featuring ~ Sano Manjiro, Hanemiya Kazutora, Sanzu Haruchiyo, Kokonoi Hajime, Kakucho, and the Haitani Brothers

Extra Notes ~ *Slight Language Barrier

*I didn’t mean to make this story as angsty as I did.

This story should only be posted under eempyreall on my tumblr and ao3. Report if you see it posted under anyone else but me.

l apologize if I get any Japanese etiquette or culture wrong, I literally have to research the culture for some of my fandom stories so if anything is wrong, please excuse my ignorance.

Warning ~

You and the characters are 21+. Although I picture the reader as a black cis-gendered female, physical appearance will not be described at all.

Content within this story may not be realistic or factual.

I do not condone any of the behavior displayed within the story.

There may be dark content such as: gore, violence, triggering topics, graphic scenes, vulgar language, explicit content, sexual content, non consensual and/or dubious consensual content, etc.

That being said, this story is for 18+ only.

Your breathing is ragged as the platform of your shoes slam against the pavement. Liquid runs down your face as rain pours from the nightly firmament. You rub your eyes to clear the drops of water from your eyelashes so you can continue making your way through the crowd.

You’ve finally escaped your prison with nothing but the clothes on your back. You have no clue what to do other than run through this foreign city.

It was supposed to be a normal trip. An impulsive decision on your part. You decided to stay in Japan for a week just to take a break from your work life back home. Truly, you had grown bored of your everyday routine and decided to up and leave.

Your friend reprimanded you out of love, knowing you tend to act impulsive despite your overthinking tendencies. You ignored the small voice in the back of your mind and said, “Fuck it,” before buying your ticket, packing your bags, and disappearing.

What you hadn’t expected was to finally meet your soulmates.

It was a beautiful night in Tokyo. The lights of the city shimmered as busy people—tourists and natives alike—walked the streets. You strolled alone, leaving a random bar as you made your way through the crowd.

Suddenly, you feel a pull in your chest, eyes locking on the red ribbon that protrudes from the middle of your chest. You watch in awe as it spreads out in front of you, the soul tie flying through the air before splitting into seven strands.

“Seven?!” you breathe out in disbelief. You can’t fathom finding one soulmate, let alone seven.

You spent years bitter and lonely when you couldn’t find them. It was a normal occurrence to find your soulmate on your eighteenth birthday, as everyone else did in your town. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen for you.

Considering you never even felt a slight pull from your chest, it was concerning. You thought that maybe your mate had died tragically, or perhaps you were one of the unlucky individuals who could never find your mate.

You spent many nights crying yourself to sleep, as this occurrence was seen as something very tragic. You wanted to be loved. You wanted to be cared for, and you were tired of the loneliness consuming you. So when you finally felt the pull and saw the ties in a foreign setting, you didn’t hesitate to follow where they led you.

“God, I’m so stupid!” you exclaim as you recall the memory. The months you wasted being nothing but a fucking energy source caused tears to mix with the raindrops on your cheeks.

You feel broken and used. You never knew how awful your soulmates could make you feel. You should’ve known when you figured out who they were—what they stand for and their tainted morals.

“I—is this the real reason why you all accepted me? Am I truly nothing but a pawn to bring you more power?”

Your heart ached, your stomach heavy as you felt nausea build in the back of your throat at the statement Kokonoi just told you. You bring your fingers to your mouth, biting your nails as you await his response, your eyebrows furrowed.

“You are fulfilling an important role for Bonten. You can never leave.”

Your eyes widened as the platinum-haired male kept his arms behind his back, intently eyeing you with an unreadable gaze. You glare at him with anger as you step forward, his office lamp shining the only light into the dark room.

“It all makes sense now. Whenever I gave myself to any of you, I always felt pure weakness after. For days I couldn’t move after you took from me, and yet somehow you all were stronger than ever. You never even bothered to replenish me. You lied. You all lied to me!”

You fight the tears threatening to fall as you feel your face heat up with anger. The cold look Koko gives you really hurts. Where was the man with the content smile who asked you to give him a show when he had you try on new outfits? Where was the man who was a romantic? Had you really been deceived all this time?

“We did what we had to do. In order to receive your life source to the fullest, you must be happy with the circumstances, so we made you comfortable,” he said with impatience in his tone, stepping closer to you.

“You say it like it’s some sort of transaction,” you respond, disgust prominent in your expression and tone. You look at him with wide eyes, a scowl fixed on your face.

“It has always been a transaction, Y/n.”

You continue to run to nowhere, passing by citizens as you shove them out of your way, apologizing swiftly in the process. You knew that you had to at least find a place with a phone.

“I’ve been here for a while, Rin. Don’t you think I should learn more Japanese instead of you guys being my personal translators?”

The purple, mullet-haired man wraps an arm around your waist as he keeps you pinned to his lap, the rest of your legs lying on the seat of the sofa as he leans back in his seat. He ignored you while his lips grazed your neck, sucking the skin as he fed from you, the soul tie wrapped around your figures.

“Rin!” you exclaim as you try to catch his attention, pulling back from him slightly as he sighed, giving you a lazy smirk.

“You don’t need to learn any language. T’s not like you’re around anyone else anyway,” he responds before his hand meets the back of your head, forcing you into a heated kiss as you feel the drain of your energy. You obliged as you weakly kissed back, pathetically yearning for the touch as he was rarely affectionate aside from feeding. The soul tie tightens as the kiss deepens.

You grab your own scalp at the unwarranted flashback. God, you felt so stupid. It had been right in front of you the whole time and yet you missed it. Then again, maybe you hadn’t really missed anything at all. You just ignored that familiar voice in the back of your head. You blamed the unsettling feeling in your stomach on your own nerves and insecurity.

“I don’t want to see this shit anymore!” you scream at Sanzu, shoving his chest as you turn away from the limp body in front of you.

He snatches your wrists, pulling you closer to his chest with the maniacal grin growing on his expression. His enlarged pupils almost replace the blue in his irises.

“Yer gonna fucking kill him, Y/n.”

You preferred when Sanzu was sober.

Although he was still sadistic, he seemed much calmer and more collected. He was especially gentler when feeding from you in the bedroom, despite his erratic and rough behavior when he was high.

"No, I'm not! Let me go, you fucking asshole!" you yell, yanking your arms from his grip, only for him to twist you around and force you to face the kneeling man who was barely conscious.

You glare at the deep lacerations and bruises on the man’s skin as Sanzu forces you to hold the gun. His fingers are wrapped around your trembling hand as he aims the weapon at the male’s head.

Before you can react, he forces your finger to pull the trigger with his own. Your body jolts at the loud noise as the blood from the man splatters on your own legs. You begin to hyperventilate while eyeing the dead human, something you’ve never seen before.

The way the pieces of brain and blood have splattered on the floor — the way the man’s head dropped and his body limped. The dullness of his open eyes. The bullet split his skull open, the skin no longer concealing what’s beneath. His face was almost unrecognizable, split open in the top middle of his features.

Once Sanzu released his grip, you dropped to the floor, body shivering as the hairs on your arms stood straight. You couldn’t stop staring at the bloodied corpse in front of you. The smell made you sick.

Arms hugged you from behind as legs trapped you from both sides of your body.

“You killed that man in cold blood,” he chuckled, lips meeting your neck to begin sucking your energy. The red ribbon forms around both of your figures, locking you in place.

You finally reach a structure that looks inviting, with its lack of people and a bright light.

You rush to the entrance, pushing the door open swiftly. A black-haired man eyes you with concern, his hand gripping a broom.

“I need help!” The man seems to understand your distorted Japanese as he nods before walking toward you.

The palms of your hands cover your eyes as tears smear against your cheeks. Kakucho strokes the middle of your back as you both sit on the edge of the bed.

“I’m tired of being trapped in here, Kakucho! I just feel like this is some sort of trick or something. Do mates really act like this over here? Everything is so much different back home. I feel like a prisoner who’s used for labor here. I can barely feel my arms and legs at times.”

He pulls you closer, causing you to straddle his thighs as he wraps his arms around your waist. You continue to cry on his shoulder before his hands rub up your torso, slightly pulling you back so you’d make eye contact.

“I want you to know that you’re important to us. Without you, we’d be weaker. We need you, Y/n,” he says before pulling you into a kiss, the soul tie returning as it traps you both together.

Your eyebrows furrow at his words. Although they were meant to sound sweet, there seemed to be a hidden meaning—or… was it really that hidden?

“I need a phone!” you exclaim, pointing at the device lying near the register. “I need to call someone! Please!”

He nods before handing you the phone.

“Thank you!” you respond before walking to the back of the store, erratically dialing your friend’s number.

“F—F/n! I need your help!”

You hadn’t been able to contact her for months, considering you weren’t allowed a phone. They told you it was because they couldn’t afford any leaks to their whereabouts, considering what they do for work.

“Y/n? Hey! Are you okay? What’s going on?”

“I found my soulmates! But I’m in trouble! They aren’t who I thought they’d be, and they’ve been holding me captive for months! I—I need you to get me out of here! I have nothing! Please!”

You felt bad for bringing her into this, but you had nothing. No money, no phone, not even an extra pair of clothes. You didn’t have time to grab anything. You had to leave immediately or else you might have ended up killed.

After you stole Ran’s gun when he fell asleep, you immediately rushed to the guard who would be taking you to Mikey’s headquarters, contemplating your next move as you sat in the back seat. They hadn’t noticed the gun in your back pocket nor when you slowly pulled it out while eyeing the rearview mirror. Before they could even begin driving, you shot both men who sat in the front of the car, killing them accidentally considering you had a bad aim. You hadn’t had time to think about the fact you had just murdered two people.

“Y/n,” the voice sings behind you.

You freeze in your spot, eyes widened as your friend calls your name. Slowly, you turn to see Kazutora standing there, a grin on his face. You shakily snatch the gun from your pocket and aim it at his torso.

“Stay away from me,” you hiss with a mix of anger and fear. You watch as the soul tie forms, connecting both of your chests, the red ribbon stretching in the space between you.

“Aww, are ya really gonna shoot me? That’s not very nice,” he chuckles with mock disappointment.

At that moment, you realize that you can’t shoot him.

Why don’t they ever say it back?

The lump in your throat burns as you drop the phone, staring at Kazutora with a crazed look on your face. His grin shifts into a frown as he watches your movements with caution, the ribbon vanishing.

Is this all I’m ever good for?

“Put the gun down, Y/n,” he says calmly.

You scream, your throat gurgling with blood as you try to snatch the scissors back from Ran’s grip, the bathroom floor covered in red as he forces you on your back.

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” His smooth voice is filled with unease.

You tried to cut the soul ties by stabbing your own chest. You don’t know how you survived but the medic must’ve arrived in time, rushing you to Bonten’s underground hospital.

“I don’t want to go back,” your voice breaks as your breathing becomes erratic, bringing the gun to your head.

Your eyes shut tightly with your teeth clenching.

Why can’t you just let me go?

Before you can pull the trigger, a hand roughly knocks the gun out of your grasp before yanking you from behind. A hand on your jaw forces you to face them, your teary eyes fully exposed.

Your eyes widen at the crazed look Sanzu gives you, his grip on your jaw tightening roughly as you feel his hand tremble slightly.

Neither of you says a word as he glares down at you before roughly releasing you and snatching your wrist.

Before you can begin to struggle against his grip, a syringe is gently pressed into the skin of your neck. Your shocked gaze shifts to Kokonoi, who simply gives you a disappointed look before darkness engulfs your vision.

"If you try that again, I'll keep you chained to my bed for as long as you live," Mikey warns while you lie barely conscious on your bed.

You stare back into his dark eyes before he lowers himself, his lips pressing against your forehead.

[killusmoke]

◜ ͡ ◝ৎ ͜ ◞ ۫ ♪ slow dancing in the dark

⟡ dancing with cloud in a random empty field in the dark

cw : x fem!reader with she/her pronouns, tooth-rottening fluff (as always lol)

♬ - slow dancing in the dark (please listen to this while you read! I love this song <3)

The night was quiet, with only the soft hum of the wind brushing past the trees. Stars dotted the sky, twinkling like tiny diamonds above. The air was cool, but not too cold, just enough to make the moment feel crisp and alive, with the wind blowing gently on you. Cloud had led you out into the open field just beyond town, where the lights of the houses were mere specks in the distance.

“You didn’t have to do all this,” you say softly, your voice barely above a whisper, not wanting to disturb the peacefulness that surrounded you both.

Cloud turns to you, his usual stoic expression softened in the moonlight. His eyes, those deep, soulful blue eyes, catch yours, and for a moment, it feels like time has stopped. He steps closer, holding out a hand toward you, his expression a mix of tenderness and a hint of shyness.

“Dance with me?” His voice is gentle, a stark contrast to the battles and chaos the two of you have been through. But right now, in this moment, there’s only him and you, and the night that surrounds you both.

You smile, your heart fluttering at the thought. “Of course.”

You take his hand, and he pulls you closer, wrapping one arm securely around your waist while your free hand finds its place on his chest. You sway together, slow and steady, with faded music playing in the distance assisted with the faint rustle of the wind through the grass. The world around you fades into the background, leaving only the sensation of Cloud’s warmth and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat under your palm.

His chin rests lightly on the top of your head as you both fall into a gentle rhythm. The wind picks up slightly, ruffling Cloud’s messy blonde hair, but you don’t mind. It feels like something out of a dream, the kind of moment you’d want to last forever.

“I never thought I’d be doing something like this,” Cloud murmurs, his voice vibrating softly against you. There’s a smile hidden in his tone.

You chuckle softly, leaning back to look up at him. “Really? I thought you’d be the dancing type,” you tease.

He lets out a soft laugh, his hand tightening ever so slightly around your waist. “Not really. But… for you, I’ll do anything.” His voice drops slightly as he pauses, his eyes catching the sparkle in yours. “I know how much you love dancing, and…” He hesitates for a moment, his gaze softening. “I wanted to do something special for you. Just for you.”

Your breath hitches at his words, and for a moment, you simply stare into each other’s eyes, the connection between you so strong it makes your chest ache. Slowly, Cloud leans down, his eyes soft but still locked on yours, silently asking for permission without saying a word.

You close the distance, and his lips meet yours in a soft, lingering kiss. It’s not rushed or hurried. It’s slow, full of unspoken emotions, as if he’s trying to tell you everything he feels in that one moment. His hand moves up to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing your skin tenderly as he deepens the kiss just slightly.

When you finally pull away, your foreheads rest together, breaths mingling in the cool night air.

“I could stay like this forever,” you whisper, your voice laced with contentment.

Cloud’s eyes soften, a rare, genuine smile pulling at his lips. “Me too.”

And with the stars above and the wind wrapping around you both, you continue to sway, lost in the peacefulness of each other’s embrace.

a/n: i want to make my posts dark but idk how to change the post color itself 💔 it clashes with my profile aesthetic sm... anyway look at this cute pic of my husband ￬

[ermesskiss]

what music I think jjk adults would listen to

✧ ft: satoru, suguru, nanami, shoko, choso, higuruma, toji, sukuna, and kenjaku ✧ a/n: been thinking about this for a minute, and I decided to write out my opinions/hcs

jjk student version here + jjk character playlist works here

· · ───────────── 𖥸 ────────────── · ·

✦ gojo

➥ Gojo is a very laid-back and fun guy, so I think he would listen to music that has that same energy

➥ He kinda reminds me of those moms who listen to the overplayed songs on the radio and always sing them, I don’t know to explain it, but that's him

➥ I think that he gets his song recs from his students in a attempt to bond with them

songs

♪ Heaven To Me: Tyler, The Creator ♪ Chanel: Frank Ocean ♪ Died and Came Back: Lil Uzi Vert ♪ Pop Style: Drake ♪ Wake Up in the Sky: Gucci Mane ft. Bruno Mars

───────────────────────────────

✦ geto

➥ I think Geto listens to a little bit of everything, alternative, rock, rap, R&B,  and hip-hop. I can’t really picture him strictly listening to rock and alt. It doesn’t feel right

➥ As Geto got older, I think his music taste changed. He still likes everything, but he leaned towards one genre rather than several

➥ When Mimi and Nana show Geto their favorite music, he adds the one he likes to his own playlist, and vice versa

songs

♪ Sextape: Deftones ♪ Passion Fruit: Drake ♪ Rental: Brockhampton ♪ 3005: Childish Gambino ♪ Even Flow: Pearl Jam

───────────────────────────────

✦ shoko

➥ I think the music that she listens to is very mellow and relaxing but might have some sad undertone to it from time to time

➥ She gives me older music vibes from the 70s to the 90s. Like Fleetwood Mac, ABBA, and Sade. I can’t see her listening to newer music

➥ I think she listens to more female artists than men; it’s not intentional. She does enjoy songs from men, but it’s a pattern. I also think that Shoko is a big fan of The Cranberries; I am a soul believer in this

songs

♪ Sunday: The Cranberries ♪ Bette Davis Eyes: Kim Carnes ♪ Fade Into You: Mazzy Star ♪ Landslide: Fleetwood Mac ♪ So Far Away: Carole King

───────────────────────────────

✦ nanami

➥ Student Nanami was emo, so he definitely listened to My Chemical Romance

➥ He started listening to more rock when he grew out of his emo phase. He prefers light rock rather than heavy

➥ When he gets sick of music, he puts on a podcast about business/the economy, or world events OR OR audiobooks

songs

♪ Helena: My Chemical Romance ♪ I Miss You: blink-182 ♪ Dust in the Wind: Kansas ♪ Dancing In the Dark: Bruce Springsteen ♪ Rocket Man: Elton John

───────────────────────────────

✦ choso

➥ He’s giving off rock and metal vibes, also like sub-genres of those

➥ His go-to music is rock, but I definitely think he listens to other music, something like R&B and hip-hop

➥ Like the great sibling, he is, he always gives Yuji the aux and listens to his song recs

songs

♪ Granite: Sleep Token ♪ Generation Dead: Five Finger Death Punch ♪ Enter Sandman: Metallica ♪ Chop Suey!: System Of A Down ♪ War Inside My Head: Suicidal Tendencies

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✦ higuruma

➥ Similar to Shoko, I think he also listens to older music rather than newer stuff, but it’s not because he doesn’t enjoy new music; he is just too busy and stressed to figure out what artist he likes and just stays to what he knows

➥ He’s a big Radiohead fan, and maybe The Smiths, too? Music that's kind of sad and angst, yk?

➥ Genre-wise, I think he would like a little of everything if he could sit down and enjoy music.

songs

♪ Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now: The Smiths ♪ Karama Police: Radiohead ♪ Wild Sex (In The Working Class): Oingo Boingo ♪ Eyes Without A Face: Billy Idol ♪ What’s Up?: 4 Non Blondes

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✦ toji

➥ Definitely listens to divorce dad music

➥ Drinks a nice cold beer while listening to Nickelback

➥ I think because Toji doesn't think highly of himself, I can see him listening to self-loathing music and music that relates to anger or internal turmoil

songs

♪ How You Remind Me: Nickelback ♪ Pancake Land: Element Eighty ♪ The Man Who Sold the World: Nirvana ♪ It’s Been Awhile: Stained ♪ Crawling: Linkin Park

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✦ sukuna

➥ So, at first, I was sure he would listen to heavy metal and rock because he has such an aggressive personality, but after I gave it some more thought canon, Sukuna would hate it. Music or noise that loud and obnoxious would annoy him.

➥ Acknowledging the fact that he was born in the Heian era and during that time, they listened to Gagaku (court music), which is either instrumental or vocal. It’s calming and relaxing in contrast to his persona

➥ Or he hates music altogether, idk; he's a grumpy old man. Everything pisses him off

songs

♪ Menace: Five Finger Death Punch ♪ Monster: Skillet ♪ Bullet With Butterfly Wings: The Smashing Pumpkins ♪ Push: Matchbox Twenty ♪ Geisha: Anthony Davilio

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✦ kenjaku

➥ Since he's over a thousand years old, imma say he has a very diverse taste of music and probably listens to a little bit of everything. If I were to choose what genre he likes most, I would say rock, both light and heavy

➥ Kenjaku enjoys listening to Marilyn Mason and Oingo Bingo. Marilyn Mason because he’s Marilyn Mason (derogatory) and Oingo Bingo because of their surrealist music, which I think Kenjaku would find them entertaining

➥ Listens to music that feeds into his delusions, motivating him to continue with his vision of the world he wants

songs

♪ Weird science: Oingo Boingo ♪ Aerials: System Of A Down ♪ Break My Stride: Matthew Wilder ♪ The Beautiful People: Marilyn Mason ♪ Everybody Wants To Rule The World: Tears For Fears

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✧ I currently have over 1.9k liked songs, so hopefully, there is enough diversity in songs and artists. i was going to do yuki, but it was stressing me out. Maybe in the future, I'll add hers. There is definitely more I wanted to add but my mind can only contain so many thoughts, unfortunately. ✧ Anyway, I want to hear other people's opinions and/or if people agree or disagree!!

[w3ath3r-0f-sw34t3rz]

˗ˏˋ ♬⋆.˚ ― RAYLLUM ♪⋆

★ I, Carrion (Icarian) - Hozier you have me floatin' like a feather on the sea // while you're as heavy as the world // that you hold your hands beneath // once i had wondered what was holdin' up the ground // but i can see that all along, love, it was you all the way down

Moonlight - Grace VanderWaal remember last year when you told me // to always stay here and never leave me // the light from your eyes made it feel like // we were dancing in the moonlight

Talk Too Much - COIN you know i talk too much // honey, come put your lips on mine // and shut me up

★ Down Bad - Taylor Swift i'll build you a fort on some planet // where they can all understand it // how dare you think it's romantic // leaving me safe and stranded // 'cause fuck it, i was in love // so fuck you if i can't have us

Someone to Stay - Vancouver Sleep Clinic you were alone, left out in the cold // clinging to the ruin of your broken home // too lost and hurting to carry your load // we all need someone to hold

★ Forever With Me - Conan Gray but who am i to blame? // i broke your heart the same // but i ain't sorry // i wouldn't change a thing // but it'll take a lifetime to get better // i ain't sorry // though i should probably be // i think i'm gonna love you // you're forever with me

I Was an Island - John-Allison Weiss i was a fighter and i was so brave // but i lowered my sword when you held me and swore // you'd stay, stay, stay

Wonderland - Taylor Swift didn't they tell us "don't rush into things"? // didn't you flash your green eyes at me? // didn't you calm my fears with a Cheshire Cat smile? // ooh, didn't it all seem new and exciting? // i felt your arms twisting around me // it's all fun and games 'til somebody loses their mind

Talk to Me - Cavetown you don't have to be a hero to save the world // it doesn't make you a narcissist to love yourself // it feels like nothing is easy, it'll never be // that's alright, let it out, talk to me

Habits - Genevieve Stokes you go and i stay // it's always right person and wrong way // i hate to be right, please, tell me i'm wrong // please, tell me i'm wrong // 'cause it's on again, off again // love you like oxygen // you don't know what i'd do for you

★ BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Billie Eilish birds of a feather, we should stick together, i know // i said i'd never think i wasn't better alone // can't change the weather, might not be forever // but if it's forever, it's even better

Take Me to the River (I Will Swim) - Alex Yurkiv + Thelma Costolo i'm in the river, its rising // for you i'm all in // my soul is bursting with praises, deep within // your presence overwhelms me, It cleanses my soul // oh how you saved me and changed me, make your glory known

This Love - Taylor Swift your kiss, my cheek // i watched you leave // your smile, my ghost // i fell to my knees // when you're young, you just run // but you come back to what you need

Adore You - Harry Styles you don't have to say you love me // you don't have to say nothing // you don't have to say you're mine // honey // i'd walk through fire for you // just let me adore you

★ The Great War - Taylor Swift my hand was the one you reached for // all throughout the Great War // always remember // uh-huh, tears on the letter // i vowed not to cry anymore // if we survived the Great War

Scared of the Dark - BoyWithUke don't you tell me you're fine // i can tell when you're lying // caught you slipping on ice // but your heart is on fire // 'cause i notice your scars ... 'cause i'm scared of the dark // can we skip to the part // where you fall in my arms // and you tell me you're tired?

Peter - Taylor Swift and i won't confess that i waited, but i let the lamp burn // as the men masqueraded, i hoped you'd return // with your feet on the ground, tell me all that you'd learned // 'cause love's never lost when perspective is earned

★ Over the Moon - Penelope Scott and on god, i love you // i'll keep you here with me // if i have to fight every devil in hell // then i'll run out of blood to bleed // before i lose you

Dummy - The Regrettes i know i'm a dummy but // you love me either way // maybe you're the dummy // 'cause you say you wanna stay

So High School - Taylor Swift are you gonna marry, kiss, or kill me? // it's just a game, but really // i'm bettin' on all three for us two

At The Cemetery - Madilyn Mei + cloudkissed i have something to tell you // just promise me one thing // i have something to tell you // promise you won't scream ... would it be better if we never // met each other, never stayed together? // would you stick around with all that you know?

★ Nothing Matters - The Last Dinner Party even when the cold comes crashing through // i'm putting all my bets on you // i hope they never understand us // i put my heart inside your palms // my home in your arms // now we know nothing matters

Cosmic Love - Florence & The Machine i took the stars from my eyes and then i made a map // and knew that somehow i could find my way back // then i heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too // so i stayed in the darkness with you

anything - Adrianne Lenker weren't we the stars in heaven? // weren't we the salt in the sea? // dragon in the new warm mountain // didn't you believe in me? // yeah, you held me the whole way through // when i couldn't say the words like you

You Get Me So High - The Neighbourhood wish i didn't doubt it // i wish i never ever told you all about it // but i just had to let you know // i never meant to hurt you though ... used to stick together // you're my best friend, i'll love you forever

Sharpest Tool - Sabrina Carpenter we were going right, then you took a left // left me with a lot of shit to second guess // guess i'll waste another year on wondering if // if that was casual, then i'm an idiot // i'm looking for an answer in between the lines // lying to yourself if you think we're fine // you're confused and i'm upset // but we never talk about it

★ No One Noticed - The Marías come on, don't leave me it can't be that easy, babe // if you believe me i guess i'll get on a plane // fly to your city excited to see your face // hold me, console me and then I'll leave without a trace

Strange - Celeste isn't it strange // how people can change // from strangers to friends // friends into lovers // and strangers again?

Jackie and Wilson - Hozier happy to lie back watch it burn and rust // we tried the world, good god, it wasn't for us // she's gonna save me, call me "baby" // run her hands through my hair // she'll know me crazy, soothe me daily // better yet, she wouldn't care ... we'll name our children, Jackie and Wilson // raise 'em on rhythm and blues

★ From Me, The Moon - Lav two years and you still look the same // wide blinking eyes look at me the same way // do my lips take you back to June? // do my lips make you miss me, too? // tell me if the years are all gone // is the moon still in love with the sun? // do you still keep counting my sins? // will your heart ever forgive my skin?

[orshii]

Will I Ever See You Again? CHAPTER 3: Bad Decisions

Author: orshii

Pairing: Kim Hongjoong x reader

Warning: cursing, violence

Word count: 4,1 k

Summary: You were left alone with your brother, Yunho, and his best friend Hongjoong, after your parents' death. Yunho had someone to grieve with, but you? You had no one as your brother and his best friend pushed you away, singing becoming your only savior. There was one rule that Yunho made inside his friend group: “Don’t touch my sister”. And for this reason, Hongjoong had always kept his distance. But one night, you find yourself in danger. And from then on, Hongjoong does not leave your side. He is suddenly overprotective of you, and your relationship shifts and becomes fraught with tension and unspoken feelings, with secrets lurking beneath the surface and a painful past haunting you. Will you find out the secrets your brother and best friend have been keeping away from you? Will you be able to finally free yourself from your cruel past?

Will you fall in love amidst the chaos around you?

A/N: Uhh...sorry it took me so long to update but I have to write my thesis as well and I hate it...I just want to write anything except that pls:'(...so things are slowly unfolding in this chapter, and they are getting closer a little hehet. I am not 100% satisfied with this chapter but it is what it is. I hope you like it tho. Enjoy reading! :') <3 p.s: I'll try to update sooner, but I can't promise...also listen to this song, as it is included in this chapter. tyy, byee.

Taglist: @bvidzsoo @vixensss @deltamoon666 @scarfac3 @chatsgotmytongue

@xiang-zalea @cookiesandcreammy <3 (taglist is still open)

  I was at Mist, sitting in one of the chairs opposite the stage, I was listening as another band was playing, Yeosang was sitting next to me, and we were waiting for our turn. I really tried not to look to my right side as the girl from yesterday night, was clinging to Hongjoong, they were sitting on a sofa pulled next to the wall. I side glanced at them at the same time when Hongjoong leaned close to the girl, grabbed her chin, and kissed her slowly. Suddenly he opened his eyes, just to look at me with fiery eyes, which made my heart rate speed as he still kissed the girl. That poor girl did not know, he wasn't into her. I just locked my eyes with his, not leaving it for even a second, as he imagined me in the place of the poor girl.

I thought of our kiss the other day and to be honest I don't really remember. I have only some little flashbacks in my mind, as he was looking at me, fighting with his thoughts, and kissing me. I don't know, what came into my mind that night, I can blame it on the pills and the alcohol, but if I'm honest I just wanted to play with him. I like to break the rules, and I like to break people, my intention was only to break him because I knew he wanted me, he just couldn't and I made him do it. I don't care if it makes him feel bad, I was long gone in caring about other's feelings. I didn't care about my feelings then why would I do that with others?

Darkness hugged me again as I stepped on the stage. This is the state where I step into another world, leaving behind my problems. When I'm in the dark before the lights turn on, I feel like I'm me, I'm myself for minutes, letting my emotions break free and when the lights turn on, I just give my soul to the music.

I leaned close to the microphone to start singing my feelings out.

♪ There's a war inside my head

Sometimes I wish that I was dead, I'm broken ♪

At first, only Jongho followed me with the drums, sounding like thunder. Then Yeosang joined us, leaving little sparkles behind with his guitar like a fairy.

♪ I'm tired of trying to be normal

I'm always overthinking

I'm driving myself crazy

So, what if I'm fucking crazy ♪

The beat started to slowly quicken as San followed the loud drums giving power to the songs as I sang my soul out, leaning forward to let my voice out.

♪ Just 'cause you say I'm crazy

So, what if I'm fucking crazy

I'm gonna show you ♪

I sang as my eyes met with Hongjoong's, the girl next to him hugging him, then leaning to his ear and she whispered something to him. But Hongjoong looked only at me the whole time, our eyes attracted each other like two black magnets. He was holding a can of beer in his hands and glared into my eyes like he was obsessed with me like he wanted to watch me for eternity.

♪ Loco, maniac, sick bitch, psychopath

I'm gonna show you

Yeah, I'm gonna show you crazy ♪

I sang as Hongjoong’s words echoed in my mind from the night he kissed me.

‘You are crazy’

Loud clapping woke me up, stepping back into real life, as the four of us stood in one line to bow for the crowd. I think this was one of our best performances. I loved it, felt like I was finally alive, and felt like some life crawled through my veins after a while.

As we finished our performance, we gathered together to celebrate. However, our moment of triumph was interrupted when strangers began to approach our table, offering congratulations. We were so surprised by the sudden attention we got. A tall guy came to me and congratulated me as we cheered our glasses together, and when I drank the sweet whiskey, my eyes met again with a familiar one, he stared at me as I couldn't read his face, the girl still clinging to his side.

I lifted my glass towards him into the air, lifting my eyebrow cheering my glass in the air, then I drank the remaining alcohol from my glass, as he watched my whole scene, his eyes sending me red warnings towards me as to stop it. I don't know what cruel game are we playing, but this suddenly seemed like who's gonna be more jealous.

≫The lights were never showing your face

Darkness took over you as fate≪

It's Friday finally, and we were done with classes as we walked home with Yeosang until we said our goodbyes and parted ways. I searched my headphones from my backpack and I let the music flow through my body, feeling every inch of the melody.

The sun beamed down warmly, a welcome contrast to the cold winter that had gripped the town. Spring crawled slowly through the world, bringing life into our little town with some beautiful flowers, the wind blowing away the remaining cold and slowly the sun warmed up the ground giving hope to the plants. Spring is always the time when I think it brings hope to the people's hearts as well. A hope for a better life, a hope that gives you the power to keep going, the feeling of hope, to never give up.

Lost in my thoughts, I navigated the familiar alleyways on my way home, accompanied by the music echoing in my mind. Suddenly all I felt was that I was being pushed against a wall a strong hand on my throat and all I saw was a man in front of me shouting at me, I couldn't hear him as my headphones were still on. My breathing started to quicken I didn't know what was happening. The guy, who still squeezed my neck as I slowly wasn't able to breathe, grabbed my headphones as he realized I didn't hear him.

"Fucking shit are you listening to me?!" The man said angrily, his voice low as he suddenly released my throat. He was wearing a black mask I only saw his dark eyes; he seemed young.

"What the fuck do you want?" I suddenly got some courage to speak as my voice was a bit raspy from the neck grabbing.

"I need you to deliver a message to your brother and his little friend." He stepped close to me pushing me against the brick wall.

I remained silent as he continued. "Tell Yunho that we know who he is, we know whose son he is, so stop doing whatever he is planning to do. Or next time we won't be nice, this is his last chance." My heart started to beat so fast; I was afraid it might jump out of my chest. What did he mean by 'I know whose son he is'? Why the hell did he mention my father? Who died three years ago, not knowing how. Why the hell did he bring him up?

"What do you know about my father?" I demanded; my voice tight with urgency.

"Ohh." He laughed. "He died as a hero, sacrificing himself for you and your brother." The guy smirked in front of me while talking about my father. "Didn't you know it? Your brother kept it from you, didn’t he? Keeping you in a cage to not find the truth." He slowly caressed my checks. I felt disgusted as he touched me. I couldn't control myself anymore, there were too many emotions swimming through my mind, and I just lost control over myself.

"Fuck you!" Adrenaline boiled through my veins as I suddenly spat on his face and punched him with all my strength. He suddenly held his right cheekbone where I hit him, his eyes filling with anger as he pushed me against the wall and suddenly slapped my right cheek. I felt as blood streamed down on my face, just like sad tears.

The guy was surprised by his actions as he stepped back.

"I don't want to do it again so, please tell Yunho." He told me this like he regretted hitting me and just ran away.

I was just standing against the brick wall, slowly slipping to the ground, staring at the opposite wall. Emotion drained from me, leaving a hollow emptiness in its wake. Tears escaped from my eyes, which I didn't even realize, mixing with my blood slowly drying on my face. I just couldn't believe what this guy said.

Did Yunho really know how our father died? Why did he keep it a secret?

Why won't he tell me anything?

So many questions, yet no answers to be found.

Suddenly I felt pressure from my throat as I started coughing, leaning to my right side as my lunch came back, landing on the ground. This brought me back a little into real life as I realized I should go home.

Lost in thought, I resolved not to involve Yunho. With determination, I made my way home, he wouldn't tell me the truth anyway, so I needed to find answers myself. I arrived home and I quickly showered, washing away that fucker's touch from me, the dirt from his hands.

I planned to search for some evidence, for anything which is going tell me something about all of this shit. I stepped into Yunho's room; I knew he wouldn't be home until late at night. I looked around in agony, not knowing where I should search. I thought it was good to start with his laptop, I sat on his bed and opened his laptop, there wasn't a PIN code, he is such a basic human. I searched through his files and opened a few, but there wasn't anything. Just when I saw a suspicious folder, I heard the bell ringing, it was angry, and someone pushed it continuously.

"Shit." I closed the laptop quickly and ran down; on my way, I grabbed a cap and organized my hair so the wound on my cheek wouldn't be seen. Whoever was it I didn't want them to think Yunho may hurt me.

"Coming!" I shouted to whoever was in front of the door, to stop ringing that bell, my head hurt enough already.

I opened the front door and saw a furious Hongjoong standing there, not waiting for me to fully open it, he stepped inside pushing me aside.

"Where's Yunho?" He asked walking around furiously.

"He is working, he'll be home only at midnight," I said looking at Hongjoong as I tried to understand what was happening.

"Fuck." He said running his fingers through his hair and mixing the two colors of his hair.

"What happened, Joong?" I started to feel worried a bit.

He suddenly stopped, and that's when I saw his face. Which was all black and blue, some fresh cuts on his lips, on his eyebrows, the blood long dried. On his cheekbone, there was a slight cut, that seemed to be made with a sharp knife. I gasped at him as I pressed my palm to my mouth.

"Just don't ask, please." He said as he saw my expression.

Fuck this isn't good. "At least let me treat your wounds, please." I looked at him concerned.

He just nodded, so I took his hands carefully to lead him into the kitchen. He sat on the stool next to the kitchen counter, so he was now a little shorter than me. I searched for the first aid kit and when I found it, I stepped between his spread thighs, he then locked me with his thighs pulling me closer to him. I looked down at him concerned when I gave his wounds a closer look, my cap still hiding my eyes.

I pulled out a sanitizer and cotton from the box so I could treat him. Silence took over us as I was pouring some liquid on the cotton and slowly, I reached it into the wound on his right cheekbone, just where mine was. He hissed a bit from the contact, but his eyes never left my face, as he analyzed my behavior. I didn't dare to look into his eyes, I kept my focus on his wounds instead, moving the cotton to his soft lips, which were wounded now, he parted his lips so I had more access to them. When I was done with his lips, I moved forward to his left side, as I felt his hands carefully squeezing my waist. That was when I looked at his hands and his knuckles were bruised as well, from the defending. He tried to look into my eyes, leaning down so he could see my eyes, as I reached the cotton to his red knuckles that screamed, he did not let himself fall for even a second. I hid behind my cap, as I felt his sharp glare.

"Why are you hiding?" He got suspicious and reached his hands towards my cap. "Don't hide your beautiful eyes, sugar." I grabbed his wrist, preventing him from taking off my cap.

He just looked at me, slowly figuring out something was off. I had no time to react when he quickly pulled off my cap, revealing my face, which really wasn't a big deal. But he made it like it.

He just stared at me, with round eyes, looking at the little red wound on my cheek.

"What the fuck happened, Y/N?" He stood up, I saw his body suddenly start to tremble, his blood was boiling.

"It's nothing, really, Joong please, just calm down," I said slowly feeling terrified seeing this Hongjoong.

He stepped closer to me until my back hit the fridge. Cold ran through my back, spreading through my whole body. He held my jaw carefully, tracing his thumb over the little red wound.

"Who did this to you?" He asked in a low tone; I never heard him like this before. Suddenly I felt like I was in front of the Devil.

"Did I ask who did that to you?" I pointed at his wounds.

"That doesn't fucking matter, Y/N!" He shouted suddenly. "Who was it tell me! I'm going to kill them." He hit the fridge next to my head. I squeezed my eyes shut from the sudden impact, starting to breathe heavily. I wasn't scared, I was terrified seeing him like this. But I knew his anger didn't tend towards me. He was pissed because someone hurt me.

"Hongjoong, you are scaring me, please calm down." I looked at him as tears started to appear in my eyes.

He looked at me, surprised, then stepped back from me, leaving me with a cold feeling. "Shit" He rubbed his palms into his face, trying to calm down. "I'm sorry, I don't know what's happening to me." His eyes were full of regret. “When something happens to you, I can’t control myself, Y/N!”

I sighed, feeling the weight of the encounter. “It was a man,” I confessed, unable to meet his gaze. “I didn't see his face, but he had a message for you, " I said looking down at my hands, I tried to remember what he exactly said. "He said something about that plan, to tell Yunho to stop it because they know who he is and shit like these…and…he said something about my dad Joong, they know how he died, do you understand?" I was so confused I didn't even know what was I saying as I started to tear up.

"Fuck, they don't know shit, don't believe them, sugar." He stepped closer to me, to peck my red wound on my cheek. "I think those who attacked me were from the same gang." This was the first time he said some information to me. "Let's wait for Yunho and we'll figure it out." He said caressing my cheek slowly.

≫When your dark side leaves

I'm falling for you deeper≪

I nodded. "Let's drink something." I suddenly offered, trying to break this tense atmosphere. 

Hongjoong frowned at me. "Really?" I saw a little smile appeared on his lips.

"Yeah, I think we can use some, nah?" I turned around to grab two wine glasses.

"I guess." He said watching me as if I might disappear at any moment.

Pouring out the red wine, its hue resembling blood, I made my way to the living room with the bottle in hand. Hongjoong followed me and sat down on the other side of the couch. I looked at him, after sipping the red liquid from my glass.

I tilted my head looking at him curious. "Do you ever smile? I never saw you smiling?"

Well—that was a lie, but I never saw him smiling because of me.

He suddenly chuckled at my question. Oh My God, and that was the sweetest melody I ever heard. He hid his lips behind his palm. "Yes, it happens, sometimes."

His face grew serious as he drank from his glass, downing it in one go before pouring another. I did the same as he poured into my glass too. He turned towards me and laid his head on the back of the couch.

"Do you know you have beautiful eyes?" My heart started to race all of a sudden. "It's mysterious like a dark forest." He looked at me with sincerity. I think the alcohol already hit him. It was funny seeing him like this.

"Oh, so you are a Shakespeare now?" I said teasing him. Downing the wine from my glass to reach for the bottle to pour another, he did the same as I poured for him as well.

"I was a Shakespeare all my life." He said as he closed his eyes and smiled. His sudden smile caught me off guard. Was this the same Kim Hongjoong who had been shouting at me just moments ago? "I write music since…I don't know a long time ago."

I was surprised at that. "Really?" I asked as my face showed how surprised I was.

"Yea" He stared at his hands. "I wrote some for bigger companies."

"Wow, I didn't know," I said respectively. "That's really a big achievement."

He lifted his head to look at me. "Thank you."

"Recently…I don't know, I kind of write something in my mind, but I never wrote it down, and… it may sound weird but I hear a melody as well, which I never heard before. I never tried writing something before." I tried to explain to him my weird thoughts.

"It's not weird at all, I had times when I wrote a whole song like that, but as soon as my brain extended it, I wrote it down quickly. You should do that too." He sipped from his glass.

"Hmm, okay I will. I would be glad if I could write a song, it seems fun." I said to him honestly, staring right next to him into a blank point.

"It is, but it has the bad sides too. The process of music-making is tiring. You have to listen to it a thousand times and change a lot of things so that in the end, it is going to be perfect. But it's worth it, I can promise that." I never heard him talk this much; it was strange. I liked this side of him. He looked so soft and nice, with his black hoodie, the sleeves, and the hood close to the color of beige, the hood now on his head, and black sweatpants hugging his legs tugged up on the couch. I felt like I wanted to hug him, which was strange.

"Mhhm, I'll try doing something," I said laying my head on the couch's back, turning towards him. I slowly started to feel the effects of the alcohol, my body was lighter.

"Since when do you sing?" He did the same as me looking at me curiously.

My heart started to beat fast at that question. I looked down on my hands. "Hmm, since I was seven…maybe." Unwanted tears started to appear in my eyes as I blinked them away.

"Your voice is so beautiful; I get chills all the time you are on the stage." He complimented me. I lifted my head and smiled at him. "Why do you sing?” He asked while his eyes never left me.

It was always hard for me to talk about this. "My mother discovered I can sing, so she was the one pushing me in this way. I fell in love with everything that's music, and since my mother died…" I stayed quiet for a second, trying to be able to talk. "After she died, it was my only escape," I said, my fingers toying with the glass, my breaths shallow and uneven.

It was a long time ago since she took her own life, I was only 12 back then, but how could I forget her beautiful smile, as she looked at me proudly every time I sang? Every time I stepped on the stage, I saw her beautiful face smiling at me and saying 'You've got this'.

Abruptly, Hongjoong's presence pulled me from my reverie. "She would be proud of you." He smiled at me sweetly, reaching his hand to my cheek, and caressing it.

I stared at him as if I didn't recognize him. "Thank you."

We stared at each other for a moment. "Does Yunho's rule affect you?" I suddenly broke the silence. He took his hands away from my face, sudden change went through him, as I mentioned Yunho's name. It really did affect him. He turned on the couch leaning against the back, staring at the blank TV.

"So, it does." I acknowledged as I drank the remaining wine from my glass and I stood to put the glass down. As I turned towards him, he lifted his head, his gaze piercing into mine.

 As if he knew what I was planning. I walked towards him and slowly straddled him staring into his eyes the whole time. I left my hand on his shoulders as he did not move at all.

"Why are you doing this?" He was struggling I could see it in his eyes.

"Because I know you hold yourself back, for a reason of a stupid rule, my brother made," I said leaning closer to his face. "You can't hold back for too long, Joong." I whispered on his now bruised lips. A surge of anger coursed through me at the sight of his injuries, a protective instinct rising within.

I saw as his eyes got softer, he slowly reached his right hand towards my lips and brushed it with the softest touch I ever felt. He stared at my lips desperately.

"What do you want, Hongjoong?" I grabbed his wrist to stop him.

"I want to kiss you." He whispered a little dazed from the alcohol.

I reached my hands to his face to cup his face into my hands. "Then do it," I whispered into his lips as they almost touched his, it felt like a bad decision, but I couldn’t think about that when that's all I had to say, and he grabbed my waist to pull me closer to him, his lips finding mine finally, and I felt complete again.

≫You complete me like black the white

I complete you like fire the water≪

I didn’t even realize back then how it felt to kiss him, because I'm sure it hasn’t felt like this. Our lips moved together like it was destined together, slowly, passionately. His kiss conveyed a desperate longing as if he never wanted to part from me. I felt his bruised lips against mine, as his tongue went through my parted lips, inviting mine for a dance. His hands slowly found their way under my shirt, running his fingers through the line of my spine, I arched my back from his touch. It never felt so good, his touch was like a sin I could commit anytime. I reached my hand to his nape, and slowly teasingly ran my fingers through his hair, mixing the colors, as his lips escaped a moan, that sounded like the melody that was playing in my head rent-free.

All of a sudden, I heard two car doors slamming. I departed from Hongjoong immediately as he heard the sound as well, looking towards the front door with round eyes.

"Yunho is with his motorbike, right?" He asked looking back at me.

I nodded.

 "Fuck they followed me," Hongjoong said as he stood up quickly his hands still holding my lower back. We heard two loud bangs on the door.

"I know you are there, open up or we will break the door." A low voice shouted from the front door, and I started to panic.

<Previous Part Next part>

[fierymiasma]

✸ Monstrous ✸ // Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

Summary/Request: Could you write about a Hufflepuff's thoughts post-Solomon-dying? As the only house that sees Azkaban, I imagine they'd have a strong opinion on what to do about Sebastian.

♪ Tags: Slight Dark!Sebastian, angst, sadness, manipulation, making out, heartbreak

A/N: This is a slight variation of what actually happened in the game.  Takes place after they have been dating for quite a while.  Mostly Angst.  Thought Sebastian's life was a bit too easy, you know? 😉

Word Count: 2.5k 💔

|| Masterlist || AO3 ||

Her lungs were burning with exertion as she chased Sebastian through the dark dungeon. 

"Sebastian!  Sebastian!  Wait up, please!" 

Part of her couldn't believe that any of this was real.  Solomon.  Anne.  The killing curse.  It was hard to wrap her mind around it all.  She never thought Sebastian, the love of her life, was capable of killing anyone.

How did it all go so wrong? 

Seeing the blight streaks of sunlight pour through the entranceway of the cave, she used the last burst of energy to catch up with the fleeing boy in front of her.

The Hufflepuff tackled him.  Her hands fisted into his robes, begging him to slow down, to wait for her.  Huffing, she bent over trying to catch her breath.

"Sebastian, why wouldn't you stop?"  She gasped wetly, trying to even her respiratory rate.  "I was calling after you!"

He broke off from her grasp, pacing frenetically back and forth.  "Anne won't survive this. She's writhing away, inside and out."  His arms were shaking, with anger or fear, she couldn't tell.  "Solomon's never been there for us, not really. You saw him, didn't you? He was going to ruin her life.  He attacked us first.  I had to defend myself, defend you."

She gaped at him.  "Sebastian," she whispered quietly.  She's never seen him so unstable before.  "S-sebastian, that's…that's not what happened.  You struck first.  I saw it, with my own eyes."

He paused, face trained on the ground before him.  His eyes darted back and forth, thinking of something.  "I couldn't let Solomon hurt you.  He was going to take the both of us to Azkaban."  He finally looked up to meet her eyes.

She took a step back from him, what she saw scared her.   Sebastian's eyes were wild, full of fury and awful promises.  Who was the man who stood before her? 

Perhaps sensing her unease, he approached her gently.  His rough, tremulous hands cupped her cheeks, willing her to stay in place.  To be not so frightened of the monster in front of her.  "It's all right, my love.  I got you now.  He'll never hurt you."

She wanted to throw up.  A tear rolled down her cheek.  Sebastian gently brushed it away from her face. "Sebastian, that's not what I'm afraid of.  I don't care if Mr. Sallow tries to hurt me, I just care about you and Anne, Sebastian.  Professor Fig says the dark arts leave a mark on the very fabric of our souls."

Sebastian's twisted into an ugly snarl.  "Solomon attacked us, love.  He attacked you.  Was going to lock you up in Azkaban forever, throw away the key."  His grip on her face tightened.  She winced.  "He's already given up on Anne, already ruined her life.  I'm not going to let him ruin yours."

She shook her head harder in disagreement, trying to release herself from his grip.   

Sebastian tried again, more soft and pleading this time.  "Please, sweetheart, you need to understand me.  I couldn't let him hurt you."

Finally, she dared to return his gaze.  He was startled.  Sebastian was able to see his reflection in her glistening eyes.  He didn't recognize the man he saw.  "No, the killing curse is never necessary.  You could have used a myriad of other spells."  The usual shy Hufflepuff stood her ground.  "Goodness knows, we've dueled enough people to know how to handle ourselves."

Sebastian floundered.  His sweet Hufflepuff always took his side.  Against the professors, against Uncle Solomon, even against Ominis.  "You don't understand.  I had to do it.  There was no other choice."

She scoffed, tired of his excuses and his constant twisting of his words.  "There has always been choices, Sebastian.  You just chose to make the bad ones."

Her mind was already racing, trying to repair the damage Sebastian had inflicted.  She wasn't sure why, but it was always her instinct to cauterize the wounds to Sebastian always left in his wake.  She wasn't sure at what point in their deep connection to each other she had fallen so naturally into this role.  But, nevertheless she always covered for him.

Oh Merlin, Anne, Ominis.  Two people had bore witness to Sebastian's crime.  Two people who always protested against the more heinous of Sebastian's misdeeds.  Already, she knew what the future had in store for her lover. 

"Sebastian, you're going to go to Azkaban."

He froze.  All his protests and pleads stopped.  Sebastian's eyes were trained on her ghostly pale face.  She blinked, she hadn't realized she said that part out loud. 

"Ominis…he was on the way to speak with Headmaster Black.  The second he hears of your uncle's fate…" she couldn't bring herself to finish her thought. 

'"Love, I never intended on hurting anyone."  His eyes brimmed with tears.  "I did the right thing.  Protecting the both of us.  I know you, you wouldn't send me to Azkaban.  You know I don't belong in Azkaban."

Something in her snapped.  She was done with his pleads, his sly words, his excuses.

"No, Sebastian, you listen to me." her eyes felt hot.  It was hard to see Sebastian's face through her tears.  "The only reason why you're not in Azkaban is because, I have been there.  I have seen what it does to people.  The only reason why you're not there is because I don't believe anyone should be in there.  Not Rookwood, not even Ranrok."

Sebastian was stunned silent.  He had no idea what to say.  Had all of his sweetheart's good will and patience towards him finallly run out?

She shook her head, deflating quickly, as most Hufflepuffs did.  "S-Sebastian, I just need to think.  I..We need to find Ominis."

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ

How did everything go so wrong?  Standing alone in the Undercroft, she didn't know what to believe anymore.  Ominis's words rang in her ears like a death toll before an execution. 

"He clearly regrets everything, Ominis."  She pleaded.  "Sebastian had promised me that he won't do anything like this ever again."

Ominis lifted his head, turned slightly towards the sound of her voice.  She shivered.  It was almost as if Ominis was seeing right through her.  "We've both heard that before.  You are so in love with him.  Ironically, it is you whose been so blind to his misdeeds." 

Her throat was dry.  She had no defense. 

"Sebastian deserves to pay for his actions."  Ominis decided.  His fingers left deep imprints in his palms as he struggled to release his clenched fists. 

Her heart leapt in her throat.  Crazed eyes, blood tinged, decaying teeth.  Emaciated individuals shivering in the cold damp cells.  Dementors sucking the soul of everyone in Azkaban. 

No, not Sebastian.  Not her darling. 

She reached up to brush the tears collecting at the corners of her eyes.  Was Ominis right?  Was Sebastian manipulating her?  Just as he manipulated Ominis into opening the Scriptorium for him?  It was no secret that Sebastian had a way with words, of charming people into what he wanted.

She thought of the way he looked at her, the way Sebastian begged her to convince Ominis to do the right thing.

"Make Ominis understand, love.  He listens to you."

She found herself acquiescing to his wishes.  "I'll talk to Ominis."

Sebastian looked relieved.  "Thank you love.  No matter what happens.  I am glad to have been with you." 

He surged forward, giving her a bruising kiss.  His mouth was hot and rough.  Her lips were already half parted in shock, allowing Sebastian's tongue to slip inside.  She quickly fell apart, as she always had to Sebastian's strong will.  His firm body was pressed flush against hers.  Dark sparks were igniting in her chest.  The warm smell of his rich cologne was dizzying and confusing.

What did that kiss mean? 

She never once believed Sebastian as evil or malicious.  He'd had been so of youthful boyhood and charm when they first met that she could never think of his actions as nefarious.

Now she wasn't so sure. 

The heavy iron gates of the Undercroft creaked open, interrupting her deep thoughts.  In strolled the very man himself.

She smiled grimly at Sebastian's appearance.  "I've got your owl.  What news do you have for me?"

Sebastian's face was dark and cold.  "Ominis spoke with Anne.  She believes I should pay for what I did, but she decided not to turn me in.  I suppose I have you to thank for that."

She gave a small nod in agreement.  Her heart felt a bit looser now that the threat of Azkaban had passed. 

'The thing is, I think I lost my sister, lost my best friend too, forever."  He looked up at her.  "And I might be losing the love of my life too."  He approached her, gauging her reaction closely.  "I can't blame them.  I wouldn't blame you either, if you gave up on me entirely.  You've always believed in me.  Always stood by my side.  Always defended me when I flirted too far with the dark arts."

Her breath was caught in her throat.  What were Sebastian's motives using such flattery on her?  Were they empty words or soothe his frightened prey or pleas baring his fragile heart?

"I realize I can't undo what's been done.  But I can try."  Sebastian looked up into her eyes.  "At least, with you by my side I know I have someone who won't let me stray."

She was incredulous.   So, that was it?  Mr. Sallow's death swept under the rug to become a distant memory.  Anne, so fragile, so reliant on her former guardian, now alone forever?  And Sebastian, escaping unscathed from the jaws of punishment?

What if everyone was right?  What if, under all the coy looks, butterfly kisses, and whispered sweet nothings, Sebastian was using her?  What if Ominis's fear and Professor Fig's hesitancy had merit?

What if she was flirting with evil, and she had been too lovesick to even notice?

She thought of all that she did for him.  She stood up for him over the inferi relic, knowing with every fiber of her being how evil the artefact was.  His sweetheart covered for him whenever Ominis looked too closely at his questionable actions.  Merlin, she even cast Imperio on Ominis, a sweet boy who just wanted his friends to be safe and be good. 

This…this wasn't right. 

She wasn't sure if she had the power or the strength left in her to say it.  Anne was right to not turn Sebastian into Azkaban.  No one belonged in Azkaban.  Not even the darkest wizard themselves.  But…that didn't mean that Sebastian didn't still deserve some form of punishment.  With tears in her eyes and conviction in her trembling voice, she issued her judgement.  "No Sebastian, I know a punishment that is far worse for you than Azkaban.

He scoffed at the idea.  "And what's that?"

"Me."  She replied.  "We're through, Sebastian."  Something was screaming inside her heart.  She could feel its fibers being torn to shreds.  "I don't know what we were.  I don't know what we are, or what we could have been."  His eyes were glassy, tears swimming in his eyes.  "But I know now, I cannot be with you.  Y-you're dangerous.  The effect you have on me." 

If it had been Sebastian who was incapacitated, if it had been Solomon willing to strike the final blow on Sebastian, would she have used the killing curse?

If Sebastian had asked her harder to consume Isadora's magic to use it for evil, would she? 

She was afraid of the answer. 

"I love you so much Sebastian.  The things I'm willing to do for you.  The things I have done for you."  She shook her head, the tears were flowing freely down her cheeks now.  "Sebastian, this has to stop.  This is too dangerous." 

He looked like he was mortally wounded.  She's only seen that expression once before, when Solomon had passed.

He shut his eyes tightly, "I understand.  You're well within your right."

She bit her lips, ignoring her every instinct that she screaming at her to look away to turn from the intensity that was his fierce eyes.  "Unless everything stops and you go back to the man that you once was, I don't know if I stand at your side anymore."

Sebastian was in free fall.  He'd never felt more alone in the world.  His parents.  Anne.  Uncle Solomon.  Ominis.  Now her too.  The only good things that was left in his life was now leaving him.  His Hufflepuff, his moral center, his emotional rock, his everything.  Gone.  In a blink of an eye.  Their relationship and friendship were both drawing to their end.  He despaired, thinking of their secret kisses in the dark, her warm embrace as she held him, her beautiful eyes looking at him with such joy.  He looked up calculating, gauging her reaction.  There was an uncertainty in her eyes that he could pinpoint.  A part of her that was pained to have this conversation, full of regret for what she was doing.

It was enough of an opening for Sebastian. 

His voice was about to crack.  "Can I kiss you goodbye?  Just this one last time?"

Against all of her better judgement, she gave a slight nod, almost afraid of saying yes out loud.  It was all the permission he needed.  He inclined his face towards her, capturing her in his lips.  His jaw moved, devouring her hungrily.  Sebastian couldn't help but deepen the kiss into something more risqué, almost forbidden.   One last reminder of what she was leaving behind.  To his delight, she was kissing back, as if starved for his love and attention despite every fiber in her body telling her what an awful this whole affair was.  His teeth nibbled on her bottom lip dangerously.  His kiss was full of promise of what Sebastian could offer, if only she succumbed to his wishes.

Her chest pressed against his, he could feel her quickened heartbeat against his.

They broke apart, panting.  She refused to look at him in the eye, less she lose even more control of the situation.

"Good bye Sebastian." She declared with an air of uncertain finality. 

Sebastian licked his lips, chasing at the last remnants of her taste on his lips.  His eyes tracked her as she turned her back and left him.  As the iron gates of the Undercroft shuttered close, he couldn't help but grin.

He would get what was rightfully his, in due time.  Just with a little bit of patience.

He thought of how exceptional she was, how forgiving of his sins she would.  He would change.  For Ominis.  For Anne. For her.  He would do everything to be the man that she deserved.

He just hoped that it wasn't too late. 

[berryless]

Sunday Mass BGM

Sunday (Honkai Star Rail) Fan SoundTrack

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Jann — Emperor's New Clothes

Bow and smile And nod your head Approve, applaud Agree, don't ever Question the decisions of The high almighty God society

You'll be as a martyr to me Dying for the crowd that you lead Pedestal for you to believe You're the only king

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Regina Spektor — Two Birds

Two birds of a feather Say that they're always gonna stay together But one's never going to let go of that wire (oh-oh-oh) He says that he will But he's just a liar

Two birds on a wire One tries to fly away and the other Watches him close from that wire He says he wants to as well, but he is a liar

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Mitski — Abbey

I am something I have been something I was born something What could I be?

There is a light that I can see But only, it seems, when there's darkness in me There is a dream that I sometimes see That only appears in the dark of sleep

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IAMX — The Stupid, The Proud

God is dead, We get to sleep tonight, Walk with me into the truth, Out of your lies

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Jaymes Young — I'll Be Good

I'll be good, I'll be good And I'll love the world, like I should Yeah, I'll be good, I'll be good For all of the times that I never could

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Mother Mother — Oh Ana

I'll be God I'll be God, I'll be God, I'll be God today Hold my head under the bath and breathe away Slit my wrists and watch that blood evaporate

I'll fake God I'll fake God, I'll fake God, I'll fake God today Hop up on a cloud and watch the world decay

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Eddie Vedder — Long Nights

Long nights allow me to feel... I'm falling...I am falling The lights go out Let me feel I'm falling I am falling safely to the ground Ah...

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Porter Robinson — Goodbye To A World

Thank you, I'll say goodbye soon Though its the end of the world Don't blame yourself now And if its true I will surround you and give life to a world That's our own

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The Choir, James Whitbourn — The Lamb

Little lamb who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee life and bid thee feed By the stream and o'er the mead? Gave thee clothing of delight Softest clothing wooly bright? Gave thee such a tender voice Making all the vales rejoice! Little Lamb who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee?

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Claire Boyer — Kitchen Fan Lullaby (Raw)

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Eurielle — City of the Dead

I'm scared of what's inside my head, what's inside my soul I feel like I'm running but getting nowhere Fear is suffocating me, I can't breathe I feel like I'm drowning, I'm sinking deeper

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half·alive — creature

I am creation both haunted and holy, made in glory Even the depths of the night cannot blind me, when You guide me Creature only

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Isak Danielson — Silence

It's hard to look It takes a lot of courage to see But open your eyes You'll be standing next to me Forget the words, they don't know what they're saying To save us all, it takes a lot of praying We have to Speak into the silence We never wanted violence We have to stay, unite No one left outside For us to overcome the things that we have done I want to see the change before I die and lose my voice

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Phildel — Icarus

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Two Feet — Play The Part

An intermission of your fate Close your eyes, god gives, or takes it away You try and forget all your hate Anger thrives, trapped in a steel crate

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Thomas Newman — Any Other Name

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Anson Seabra — Trying My Best

I know you think I got it all figured out 'Cause I walk around like my head's in the clouds But I'm just a boy with his heart pourin' out of his head I wish that you could see the pain that I've seen All of the times I spent being not me I hope you know that it's not always happy in my head

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Kalandra — Brave New World

Close your eyes and sleep Ignore all the burdens that you keep Come whatever may They could never harm you anyway Waking from the dream Witnessing the smoke that's rolling in The end is what you fear The scent of embers lingers in the air It's like a web there is no escape from It's got you trapped, and you long for freedom Every wish, every dream was granted Never knowing what they demanded

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Liana Flores — rises the moon

Days seem sometimes as if they'll never end Sun digs its heels to taunt you But after sunlit days, one thing stays the same Rises the moon Oh-oh, close your weary eyes I promise you that soon the autumn comes To darken fading summer skies Breathe, breathe, breathe

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Кристина Дзейтова — Грёза*

*the title translates as daydream, reverie, etc

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Dругой Ветер — Сны про бесконечность

Сны про бесконечность. Это сны про бесконечность. Там, где дни вписаны в вечность Пролегла полоса. Пульс на мониторах Бьётся секундам вторя. Я - твой космос. Ты - моё море. Так поднимай паруса. Ты меня не спасёшь. Я тебя не уберегу. Словно выброшенными на берег китами, Нас найдут поутру, прибитыми к берегу. Нас найдут поутру с зашитыми ртами.

Rough translation

Dreams about infinity. These are dreams about infinity. Where days are written in eternity There's a line. The pulse on the monitors Rhymes its beats with seconds. I am your space. You're my sea. So hoist the sails. You can't save me. I won't save you. Like whales stranded on a beach, They'll find us in the morning, nailed to the shore. They'll find us in the morning with our mouths sewn shut.

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Radiohead — No surprises

A heart that's full up like a landfill A job that slowly kills you Bruises that won't heal You look so tired, unhappy Bring down the government They don't, they don't speak for us

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Searows — House Song

Sound it out to an empty house Was it just like you had before? Savior pulled from an open mouth Did you want to be something more? Something is rotten inside of me I have to find it and cut it out, cut it out

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bo en — My Time

おやすみ おやすみ Close your eyes and you'll leave this dream おやすみ おやすみ I know that it's hard to do

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Kendrick Lamar — United In Grief (Intro)

I hope you find some peace of mind in this lifetime Tell them, tell 'em, tell them the truth I hope you find some paradise (tell them, tell 'em the truth) Tell 'em, tell 'em, tell 'em, tell them your- I've been goin' through somethin' One thousand, eight hundred and 55 days I've been goin' through somethin' Be afraid

[breezingby]

Crosby, Stills & Nash ~ Dark Star ~ ~ ~ (1977)

~ ♫♪♫♪ ~

Forgive me if my fantasies might seem a little shopworn.... I'm sure you've heard it all before I wonder what's the right form Love songs written for you it's been going down for years But to sing what's in my heart seems more honest than the tears

I am curious Don't want to hurry us I'm intrigued with us Ain't this song a bust I don't care dark star

I met you several years ago The times they were so strange but I had a feeling You looked into my eyes just once An instant flashing by that we were stealing

Another time you felt so bad And I wasn't any help at all as I recall We didn't know quite what to do so we left the wanting be Still there for me and you

Dark star I see you in the morning Dark star a' sleeping next to me Dark star let the memory of the evening Be the first thing that you think of When you open up your smile and see me dark star

It's easy to be with you Even with the storms that rage beneath your search for peace We must make some time together Take the kids and find a world that's ours to keep !!!

Now you've got me dreaming girl It's been so long that I thought that I'd forgotten how My heart is once again my soul We touched we did you know we did no more teasing now

Dark star I see you in the morning Dark star a' sleeping next to me Dark star let the memory of the evening Be the first thing that you think of When you open up your smile and see me dark star

~ ♫♪♫♪♫ ~

Dark star I see you in the morning Dark star a' sleeping next to me Dark star let the memory of the evening Be the first thing that you think of When you open up your smile and see me dark star

Let the memory of the evening Be the first thing that you think of When you open up your smile and see me dark star

~ ♫♪♫ ~

[aroacesigma]

ok idk what en has so im just gonna give u the banger songs i love from each unit. some might not be in-game but also im bad at knowing where en is. also idk the en names of a lot of these songs so uh. you may need to look them up.

fine: hajimari no fantasia (BELOVED.), neo sanctuary, miracle dream traveler, tempest night (wataru goes off), feathers of ark (idk if en has that yet). also fucken. ghostic treat house. that is not in EN but its a banger.

Trickstar: BREAKTHROUGH, Kiseki, Finder Girl (i don't think u guys have that yet) and Daydream x Reality (also don't have that) the world.....

Ryuseitai: Tenka Muteki☆Meteorangers!, Ryusei Hanabi, Suisei HALATION, Nekketsu☆Ryusei Ninpouchou (i don't think u have that yet)

Alkaloid: Distorted Heart (do NOT play that expert beatmap unless you are confident. or do :3), Artistic Partisan, Believe 4 Leaves (u do not have that probably), and Vermilion (my beloved)

Eden: Dance in the Apocalypse (ignore the choreo its SUCH a banger), Awakening Myth, Majestic Magic, Exceed...... idk which ones you have of those Adam: Melting Rouge Soul is good... you don't have that tho. Eve: Sunlit Smile <3 Trap For You <3 Ruby Love <3

Valkyrie: MIWAKU GEKI. THE LOML. Last Lament. Memoire Antique. Tonight in this moonlit mansion. Eternal Weaving. also uruwashi no nightingale but that's not in-game at all you gotta go find that somewhere else.

2wink: Kangei☆2wink Zatsugidan, Heart Prism・Symmetry, LEMON SQUASH CHEERS!, Sugar Spice Hōteishiki !!! idk if u have the last two yet

Crazy:B: Crazy Roulette, Honeycomb Summer, Paranoia Street, Yubisaki no Ariadne, NOISY:BEEP (my beloved......), Helter-Spider (i don't think u have that yet)

Undead: Melody in the Dark, DESTRUCTION ROAD, Gate of the Abyss, Valentine Eve's Nightmare (if you don't like this song we can't be friends /j), FORBIDDEN RAIN (idk if u have that.... adonis went off tho)

Ra*bits: Nousagi March♪, Milky Starry Charm, Made in Tokimeki♪, Love it Love it, Pocket ni Uchuu (the other loml)

Akatsuki: Zan -Ketsui no Yaiba-, Kengeki no Mai, Usubeniiro no Yakusoku, Summer Bird is also very good <3

Knights: Fight for Judge, Silent Oath (if you like slower more chill songs. its very soft lyrically), Article of Faith (the in-game cut does not do it justice listen to the full version elsewhere), Grateful allegiance (listened to a tiny bit of that and almost started crying. oops), Promise Swords, Little Romance (RITCHAN THE WORLD), Mystic Fragrance (NARUNEE THE WORLD), Coruscate Breeze (TSUKIPI THE WORLD), Starlight Parade, Or the Beautiful Golden Drop (IZUMIMI THE WORLD)

Switch: Galaxy Destiny (if you don't like that song either we can't be friends /j), Emerald Planet, Magic for your "Switch", Omoi no Kakera, Majestic Magic, Romancing Cruise (natsume the woooorld)

MaM: Festive!, Yukai Tsuukai That's Alright! (mam the only unit to have bagpipes in his songs), Blooming World

Double Face (rip): Stippling, =EYE=, No name yet

ok thats like everything. lets ignore that i sent you basically 95% of the knights discography. we don't talk abt voice of sword that song doesn't exist

THANK YOU SO MUCH (melody in the dark is the one i am currently obsessed with it is such a banger)

and thats what made me remember . voice of sword is the one i cleared expert on . it was an ordeal but it was the easiest 😭

[bejoomi]

* ♪ – brainwashed

it's interesting to learn how the kpop industry looks at songwriting. joomi soaks it in like a sponge, knowing that now, this is his career. he isn't writing songs for a punk rock band anymore; no wall of sound made of two guitars strummed nearly to death on top of bass you can barely even hear and the consistent pounding of the drums. he misses it, but not as much as he thought he would. writing kpop is fun in its own way; something new and challenging in its own right, and who's to say he can't write rock songs anymore? his instructors, maybe, but they can't really stop him from doing it in his free time, can they?

this isn't one of those times, though. this is independent time to work on applying what they learned in the previous songwriting lecture, joomi sat obediently with a notebook and pencil in front of him and yuji at his side. he hasn't really had a chance to talk to her despite them sitting next to each other for this, because he was almost late and saw a familiar face and open seat and took it.

now would probably be an ideal time to talk, with the instructor encouraging collaboration if his pupils felt so inclined. joomi has something on his mind, though, and he doesn't want to forget.

they're lyrics he wrote in his phone days ago, but hasn't transferred to his songwriting notebook yet. he takes his phone out, opens his notes app, refreshes his memory, and then jots them down.

he just thought of them the other day, waking up next to jinyoung a little before their alarm. he looked over at him, jinyoung always looking deceptively innocent and peaceful while asleep. angelic. no one would ever mistake a waking moon jinyoung for an angel, but for a moment, with jinyoung's supernatural beauty shining through joomi staring at him in the darkness, joomi wondered. maybe jinyoung is a thousand year old angel-soul, slowly corrupted by the human world throughout a dozen different lives he doesn't remember, only to end up here, with joomi as the one holding all of those angelic fragments.

the lines he typed into his phone that moment between night and morning, before promptly falling back asleep:

do you think god knows you've been sneaking out of heaven? were his eyes closed? 'cause there's no way he's just letting you fall from the stars and get in my car, go to my place and you put away your halo

they're the lyrics he transcribes into his notebook now, and once he has them written there, he stares at them for a few moments. he still likes them. joomi tends to just write down whatever comes to mind when writing songs, having gone through countless notebooks lining pages with nonsense that eventually formed into coherent songs. the angel concept is a fun one to run with for a song, so he jots down another "banger line" that comes to mind:

what a match made in heaven i'm so hellbent on you

he gets so absorbed in his thoughts that he forgets about yuji next to him.

–– @beyuji

[proxylynn]

MY WISH WAS ALWAYS YOURS (part #4)

[I have no idea why I went so hard on this chapter. It has everything! How the hell did I cram all of this into a cohesive narrative?! I hope Little Lynn's messed-up backstory wasn't too bad. The poor girl had it hard. But the makeout scene made up for it...right? Anyway, thanks for reading this far. The next chapter will be in the works after I recover from my relentless need to finish this one. Seriously, I powered this bad boy out in two weeks. My drive for this story is nuts!! Take care you lovelies, hope you have a good day/night. ^_^]

Traveling wagons are a usual thing to be seen on the outskirts of towns and villages. It's an easy way to make money provided you have something of value to sell or have a talent others would want to see... or you have magic of some kind. People eat magic up like ants with a mound of sugar. Truly insatiable.

One such wagon is that of “Horner's Pies”. A basic yet humble wagon run by, as the name implies, the Horner family. Mr. and Mrs. Horner, along with their eight-year-old son Jack. Established bakers from a minuscule settlement, they managed to save up for the wagon and began traversing the land in search of a decent place where their goods could be appreciated. However, there's just one tiny problem. They specialized in pies. Plum pies. One of the lesser pies. Not a popular flavor. Not even breaking the top 50 of pie flavors.

Yet, they had something that made it a bit easier to make sales. Jack wasn't just their son, no. What made them so reputable in their settlement was that Jack was one of the rare souls born into this world who would be destined to be special. This came in the form of a Nursery Rhyme. Sadly not a good one.

“♪Little Jack Horner sat in the corner, eating a Horner pie. Stuck in my thumb, pulled out a plum, and said, "What a good boy am I!"♪”

The boy did his best to put on a show, draw in a crowd, and gain attention. But very few look his way.

“Hey! Look! It's a magic puppet.”

Immediately all eyes go to another wagon. One that was far more decked out and glorified. It had lights, it played music, it had confetti cannons, and even merchandise! All of it centered around this old man's wooden puppet that was magically brought to life named Pinocchio. And since it's magic, the people loved it.

“♪‘Cause I'm a real boy. No strings attached!♪”

The cannons blast confetti, the puppet takes a bow, and the crowd goes nuts throwing gold coins at it.

This annoyingly was a sight that the Horners have witnessed often, leaving them rather dejected.

“Geppetto again?”

“I swear, he shows up everywhere we go. How are we supposed to compete with that?”

While his parents sulk further about once more being overshadowed, Jack boils over with spiteful envy.

“What's this guy's hook? He's not a puppet?! I don't have strings and I don't brag about it.”

Knowing their boy and how he tends to get when upstaged like this, his parents try to calm him down.

“Jack, settle down. There's no point getting upset.”

“Your mother's right. Just ignore them and help bring out the fresh batch. Maybe the smell will pull some of them away.”

But Jack doesn't pay them attention. His temper getting the better of him.

“This guy's greatest wish is to be a real boy? What's impressive? I've been a boy the whole time! And you're more impressed by HIM?!”

Jack yells and throws multiple pies in a fit at people, drawing some attention but not in a good way, before he runs off. His parents shout for him to come back, but he doesn't listen. His father attempts to chase after him, yet despite being overweight, Jack is very quick on his feet and outruns his father with ease. He runs and runs and runs some more. His little legs carry him all the way into the nearby village.

This place was dark and dreary. The people looked either depressed or agitated. And Jack stood out like a sore thumb. He was the brightest thing around what with his fair pale skin, faint periwinkle blue eyes, pink bob cut hair, tiny fairy tale pink bow, white long-sleeved shirt, purple trousers with suspenders, black boots, and of course his bright purple thumb.

Adults pay him no mind, though they give a double take due to his color. By the looks of it, it seems children running through the streets unattended is common, if seeing them running around was anything to go by. So when he passes by muttering hard words under his breath, no one bats an eye. His tantrum has him blindly wandering, not paying attention to his surroundings. He doesn't notice the incoming youth running for their life and they collide rather harshly, both being knocked to the ground.

Jack rubbed his head and glared daggers at this idiot who couldn't watch where they were going. Before him is a girl around his age, looking disheveled and scared. The second she shakes off the collision and sees his vicious stare she panics, scrambling to get away. Yet Jack doesn't let her get far. He snatches her by her hair and yanks her back. He'd found a target for his pent-up frustration to be unleashed on. Distant movement draws his attention away slightly. A man, a very angry one, storms down the way looking for something. Or likely someone. Putting things together, he drags her away and out of sight in the back spaces behind buildings. They wait. Ducked behind crates and other miscellaneous gobbledygook. Listening as the stomping steps pound on the stone path as the man passes. Slowly getting softer as they move further and further away. A sigh of relief is shared between the two kids.

Then he remembers why he did this and the moment of peace of avoiding an adult is tossed away. He shoves her. He would rough her up while shouting demeaning things. Venting all his frustration, rage, and jealousy on her. He does this for who knows how long. For them, it felt like hours. All the while something irked him. A nagging little thought. Why? Why was she just taking it and not fighting back?

This made a new annoyance for him.

“What's wrong with you?!”

He fumes, holding her by the scruff of her top and shaking the slightly taller girl.

“Why are you letting me do this? Do you like this?”

“I'm sorry!”

She pleas but there's something about it he begins to like. There's something about controlling this situation and having someone's full undivided attention that pleased a part of him.

“You're a wuss. A pathetic scaredy-cat. I bet you'd let me beat you up if I wanted it. Wouldn't you?”

He slams her back into a wall and she yelps intensely, a sound that resembles that of a hurt dog. It was finally a sound with emotion, all the faint noises she made during his fit were empty. It took him by surprise enough to let her go. She slides off the wall and falls to her knees. She whimpers in pain much to his confusion. Then he looks at the wall. The dark stone is now damp. Curiosity grips him. He moves to her side and nudges her enough to see her back. There's a patch of red that's slowly growing bigger.

“What the...? Why are you bleeding?”

“I'm sorry...”

Her voice is weak.

“I thought I had healed.”

This was awkward now. He just wanted to blow off steam. He didn't expect things to get serious.

“Uh...You should go home. Maybe have your mom...”

“No!”

She practically snaps before immediately recoiling in fear.

“I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I'm a good girl! I'll behave! I promise! ”

He takes a few steps back, about to turn tail and flee. She slowly picks herself up and holds her sides, sniffling softly. For some reason, this was the point where he got a good look at her. Somehow she was paler than him, malnourished, the parts of her exposed arms and legs were bruised to varying degrees. Her brown hair is long down to her ankles and matted. Her clothing, a pale blue dress and faded grey pants, both tattered. She's barefoot. But what really got him, aside from her bleeding back, were her eyes. Dark circles made her yellowish-green eyes stand out. Such a weak girl yet she has strong eyes.

It makes him pause. Clearly; something isn't right. He should just leave and forget this encounter. Whatever is wrong with her is none of his business. Yet, for some reason...

“Hey.”

He can't bring himself to ditch her. She meekly looks his way, those eyes of hers glisten with building moisture. He flinches lightly, the sight catching him off guard a bit before he regains his former bravado.

“You know how to get out of here, right? Like to the edge where the vendors park their wagons.”

She tilts her head for a moment, giving it some thought before nodding.

“Great! Tell you what...You guide me out and we keep this whole thing a secret. And if you do a good job, I might be generous enough to help you with that mess you got behind you. How does that sound?”

She's stunned. His offer smacked her as if he had used his hand.

“...R-Really?”

The disbelief in her voice highlighted by a smidgen of hope makes him smirk.

“Yeah, sure. Why not? It's just basic business. You do something for me and I do something for you.”

In the time it takes him to blink she suddenly has her arms around him, hugging him surprisingly tightly. It takes him longer than he cares to admit to realize what's happening. How this girl who looked like she'd break if she fell over was faster than she seemed and was now embracing him. His face heats up and she pushes her away in a fluster.

“W-What do you think you're doing?! Do you want me to change my mind?”

He dusts himself off.

“Gross. You better not give me cooties or some other nasty girl germs.”

“Sorry.”

“Yeah, you better be.”

“...Thank you.”

That got him to look at her funny.

“For what?”

She rubs her hands sheepishly.

“For being nice to me.”

He scoffs.

“You're kidding, right?”

She just smiles and he rolls his eyes.

“You're weird, you know that?”

He starts walking off and she is quick to get to his side before taking the lead. She kept them traversing through the back alleyways, actively avoiding going out onto the main streets. It got him wondering.

“So...Why were you running? When we met I mean.”

His question made her shrink a little.

“I took something.”

“What did you take?”

She hesitates, but she pulls a small bag from her pants pocket.

“Is that...Caramels?”

“I know. It's wrong. But with this, I won't be too hungry for a while.”

“Don't you have food at home?”

She shakes her head.

“Mama says bad kids don't get to eat. A lot of us have to do this.”

She looks at the bag with sullen remorse.

“...I try to be good a good girl. I really do.”

He shakes his head.

“Don't feel bad about it.”

He interjects.

“I shouldn't?”

“No! You have no other choice right?”

“Not really, no.”

“Then don't feel bad about it. Because if your mom isn't feeding you, then you have to eat somehow. Otherwise, you're going to die. And you don't want that; clearly.”

“...I never thought about it like that.”

“Hey...Want to make another deal?”

“Another?”

He points to her caramels.

“You give me those and I'll give you pie.”

That brought a weird look to her face.

“What's pie?”

Such words have never been heard by him before.

“Are you serious? You don't know what pie is?!”

She shakes her head.

“Well, then you're in for a life-changing experience. I'll have you know, me and my parents are bakers. And our pies are the best.”

“Bakers can make pie? The bakerman here only does bread.”

“That explains that then. Still, you're going to like it. And it'll be way more filling than that stuff.”

She looks at her bag. She has no reason to trust or believe him. After all, he was tormenting her not too long ago. If anything she shouldn't be entertaining any idea he gave her. But here she was, giving him the bag with all the faith of someone who didn't just hand over what was going to feed them this week.

“Thanks.”

He wastes no time popping a small palmful into his mouth.

“Not bad...”

His lip-smacking as he chews is very unbecoming yet strangely hypnotic to watch.

“They're not all that great really, but for a snack, it's decent.”

Her empty stomach growls from that alone.

“Sorry.”

“You apologize a lot, don't you?”

She nods.

“Don't apologize for things you didn't do or can't control. It's annoying.”

“Sorry.”

“What did I just say?”

“I'm sor-...”

She covers her mouth before she can finish.

“You're really weird.”

It only now dawns on him.

“What's your name anyway?”

“You...want to know my name?”

Her reaction was as if he had asked her to jump over the moon.

“Yeah. What's wrong? Don't tell me you don't have a name.”

“N-No, I have one. It's just...No one's asked before.”

“Wow. You just keep getting more depressing.”

She rubs the back of her head with an awkward laugh, clearly about to apologize but holding it back.

“My name...My name is Lynsie.”

“And your last name?”

Her blank stare answered for her. This girl was all sorts of odd to him. He mulls her name over in his head.

“Nah. I'm going to call you Lynn.”

“Heh. Okay. And what about you? What's your name?”

He puffs out his chest with pride.

“The name's Jack. Jack Horner.”

She smiles.

“It's nice to meet you...Jack.”

————————————————–

“Jack...”

A faint voice calls to him softly.

“Jack...”

He groans and tries moving away from the voice that starting to get louder.

“Jack...Come on. Wake up!”

He snaps awake with a gasp, a little on the confused side as if lost completely when coming out of it.

“Jack?”

He looks over at his side and there she is. Hard to believe she was once that frail beaten-down little kid.

“Are you alright? You were muttering a lot in your sleep.”

“I'm fine. Just weird dreams brought on by stress is all.”

He sighs and runs his hand through his hair.

“I'm not looking forward to this.”

She frowns in concern.

“How did this even happen? I can't imagine they twisted your arm that much.”

“It's your fault...”

He mutters.

“You've made me complacent.”

She looks at him funny.

“I used to be able to focus on everything. Now if you're not around, I space out and things get by me that shouldn't.”

She looks away. He's always like this. If she's unable to help him for whatever reason, he blames her for not being there for any mistake he makes. She's used to it, but it's why she doesn't like being apart from him for too long. Being made to feel at fault for something beyond her control is an unpleasant weight on her soul that keeps her down. She sinks in her seat and keeps quiet. On his end, Jack averts his eyes to the window and gazes out at the passing scenery. The carriage they sit in has made good time it seems. They'll reach their destination sooner than originally anticipated.

And he hates that.

…

Happily Ever After Acres.

Nestled in the foothills of the great mountains, is a premiere active adult retirement community situated along a crystal clear lake. It has become one of the best retirement communities in the land with a moderate four-season climate. From championship golf courses to waterfront living, it has all the luxury amenities anyone could want.

From the moment you step into this upscale retirement community, you'll be hit in the face with the serene ambiance it provides. Spectacular mountain views make for a special retirement destination. Complete with a 5-star restaurant, a sports & aquatics complex, an indoor and outdoor oasis pool complex, a 400-seat ballroom, bowling alley, 54-Holes of championship golf, creative arts center, 9 badminton courts, 4 tennis courts, a softball field, a multi-purpose gymnasium, community garden, dog park, and much more.

The enchanting welcoming gates open forth for a rather large carriage being pulled by four pitch-black shire horses. To some, this sight is awe-inspiring, surely it belongs to a member of nobility and is either here to offer financial aid or to visit/leave someone here. However, the staff maintaining the area unfortunately know all too well who's inside that elegant display that goes by to the houses.

The carriage pulls up to a stop and the wide door opens to a woman with long flowing brown hair that reaches as low as her thighs. Nothing too out of place unless you took into account her choice of attire being that of a man. Her outfit consisted of a grape purple vest, a crimson linen shirt with frills on the cuffs, maroon knee breeches, black silk stockings, and black leather shoes with stacked heels that were medium height. A carmine full-skirted knee-length coat tops it all off. Her only accessories are that both of her ears are pierced twice with steel ball stud earrings and around her neck is a silver choker band studded with a row of amethysts gems.

She takes a moment to look around, surveying the area before opening the door more, and out steps a much larger more annoyed-looking man. Short pink bob-cut hair and piercing cold periwinkle eyes. Donned in a purple dress vest detailed with little plums, a white buttoned dress shirt, dark grey leather pants, and black knee medium buttoned leather boots with small heels. A long wine-colored overcoat is casually draped over his shoulders like a cape. Despite all that, the most striking thing about him is a bright plum stain on the thumb of his right hand.

“Ugh. This place gets more detestable with each visit.”

She sighs as she digs into her jacket to pull out a flask and offers it to him.

“So, you can be good for something.”

He takes it with indifference and quickly drains it down his throat.

“At least you had the good stuff on you.”

“I've taken the liberty of stocking more on the both of us. Even so, do try to pace yourself please.”

He sneers and shoves the flask at her.

“Don't tell me how to drink.”

She rolls her eyes while taking it back, getting a tad irritated at his attitude.

“Fine. I won't. Just don't expect sympathy when you start acting a fool for chugging Slivovitz.”

“Good. I don't want your sympathy. I'm not some lightweight pushover. I can handle it.”

“Fine.”

“Fine!”

“Fine!!”

“FINE!!”

The door to the home opens and their demeanor changes as fast as a coin flip.

“Mother. Father.”

Jack is stoic in an almost emotionless professional way.

“Mr. & Mrs. Horner!”

Lynsie is the delighted one as if being presented with a puppy for the first time.

“My boy!”

A tall blonde woman comes rushing out and embraces Jack much to his chagrin.

“My sweet little man. Look at you! Oh, I could just love on you all day. Yes, I could!”

This would be his mother, Elizabeth Horner. Long wavy golden locks tied up in a humble yet elegant bun. Bright violet eyes that put flowers to shame. Her attire is a simple yet comfortable champagne pink dress consisting of a full skirt braided round the hem and an upper skirt with a wider braid, the square-cut china pink bodice, also braided, being finished with a turned-down linen collar, everything lightly done white accents and pink slippers.

She holds Jack's face, smushing his cheeks like one does a chubby-faced baby. Jack, understandably, hates this with a passion. But he holds himself back, biting his tongue as his right eye twitches.

“Mother...Please, would you mind not doing this?”

“Boy, you let her have this...”

A large man with brown hair stands in the doorway.

“It's not every day she gets to see you.”

And this is Jack's father, Jonathan Horner. Short shaggy auburn hair that mops at his neck. Deep sapphire eyes like the water of the sea. A strong pronounced chiseled square jaw. Donned in a faded powder blue leather jacket, a white buttoned linen shirt with frills on the cuffs, dull black leather pants, and black boots.

Jack rolls his eyes at his old man.

“God forbid raising me wasn't enough time.”

“Be nice.”

Lynsie chides and Jack snarls at her.

“No one asked you!”

“Lynsie!”

Mrs. Horner switches her attention to Lynsie and the smaller woman is easily lifted off the ground in a parental hug.

“My precious little lady!”

As more inclined to enjoy this kind of attention than Jack, Lynsie still isn't used to it. Especially when everyone else was bigger and tended to handle her as if she were a toy. Jack is 7'7” naturally, his father is 6'6”, his mother is 6'2”, and Lynsie at 5'7”. She might be of decent height when compared to others, but there's a reason her nickname is “Little” Lynn and it's not just to pair up with the “Big” of Jack's handle.

“Mother, could you refrain from smothering her for five minutes?”

Mrs. Horner lets Lynsie go and then gasps.

“Goodness, dear! Did you get paler? You look dreadful.”

Lynsie is a bit taken by that but it makes Jack snicker.

“Oh, that. That's from the blood loss.”

“Blood loss?”

“There was a burglary attempt at the factory. I got careless and the thief managed to wound me.”

“What?!”

“Fear not. They didn't manage to take a thing.”

Lynsie states such things as if talking about a paper cut. But, like a normal person and the concerned parent that she is, Mrs. Horner doesn't take this well. Taking Lynsie by the arm and dragging her inside, leaving the men together.

“You have your woman fighting your battles for you now?”

“It's literally her job. And don't say that.”

“Say what?”

“She is not 'my woman'.”

“Shame.”

Jack leers at his father.

“And what's that look for?”

“You always do this.”

“Do what?”

Jack huffs, choosing to not take the bait his old man is dangling in his face, and brushes past him to enter the home.

“Well, this is going to be a long visit.”

Mr. Horner shuts the door. Mrs.Horner continues to pull Lynsie along.

“I swear...That boy knows better. Letting you get hurt like that.”

“It's fine, Mrs.Horner. Really.”

“No, it's not fine. A woman has no business fighting.”

“But it's literally my job.”

Mrs.Horner rolls her eyes.

“He has other guards. You don't need to put yourself at risk. Not after all you've gone through.”

“Mrs. Horner...”

“Give it a rest, Mother.”

Jack interjects only to get slapped on the back of his head by his father.

“Don't disrespect your mother, boy.”

Jack sneers.

“I'm not a child.”

“Then don't act like one.”

Thus begins something that could be called neutral chaos.

…

Mr. and Mrs. Horner, aka Jonathan and Elizabeth, are two of the nicest people one could hope to encounter. This is why it's all the more baffling to those around them how their son could be, for lack of better words, kind of an asshole. Granted, raising him wasn't easy. They struggled for a good portion of his formative years, garnering financial success in his early to mid-teens...only for him to force them both into retirement once he hit his prime. It was a complete takeover. Most would see that as rude. Yet...This was a welcomed relief to them. Especially when Jack set them up in such a fine place. One would assume he would have them left in the woods or sent on a ship never to be seen again. But no. Seems even someone as callous as Jack is capable of general respect to the ones that brought him into this world. So this easy life after years of hardship was a gift. One they occasionally like to use as a means of giving their always working son forced time off to relax and not burn out.

However...The disconnection between them couldn't be any wider.

To tolerate any of this, Jack drinks and avoids his mother. Which is easy when she's mothering all on Lynsie. But then that just leaves him as the sole attention point of his father. And Jonathan likes to get under Jack's skin by plucking at nerves that Jack never indulges in due to his single-minded self centered ambitions.

On the opposite side of things, Elizabeth does a similar thing with Lynsie and treats her like the daughter they never had. This dynamic is a bit complicated. Granted, unlike Jack, Lynsie takes to this better. Her submissiveness and obedience to parental figures definitely help with that. Even if she's awkwardly uncomfortable with being pushed into more lady-like things.

Once pleasantries are out of the way and the welcomes have become lukewarm at best, the pair are separated. Elizabeth takes Lynsie into another room, muttering small motherly chides and concerns. But Jonathan pulls his son aside and leads him outside, taking him to nowhere in particular, merely strolling along the community grounds.

“So how are things?”

Jonathan starts things off.

“Business is fine.”

Jack bluntly states.

“That's good. Very good.”

Jack rolls his eyes. This is how this usually begins. Unassuming small talk. Then his father will blindside him with the more annoying chatter once his guard drops for even a second. Absentmindedly feeling his coat, the outlines of more flasks tucked inside bring him comfort. Hopefully, he'll be good and sauced by the time his father starts laying on the personal talk.

“Tell me, boy. Are you up for playing a few games with your old man?”

“That all depends.”

“Depends on what?”

“Where you're going with this.”

Jonathan chuckles.

“Always blunt and to the point. You still have much to learn about tact.”

“Just answer the question, Father.”

“Fine. Fine... I know how much you enjoy our conversations. So, I figure, how about we make a friendly wager.”

This has Jack eyeing his dad with suspicion.

“What kind of wager?”

Jonathan smiles to himself. He knows his boy well. Jack doesn't back down from challenges, not even small ones, so long as it inflates his sense of superiority and has a prize he can lord over others.

“You know that bottle I've been saving? My prized Armagnac that I've been saving for when you announce your betrothal?”

“...You're serious?”

“Quite serious. We partake in a few of the activities provided around here. The winner picks the next game. And whoever has had the most wins by supper time gets the prize.”

“What's the catch?”

Nothing is ever so straightforward when dealing with Jonathan Horner. His cunning and ruthlessness in business were something Jack inherited after all. All the decency they show is purely to the ones closest to them. To anyone outside their family, the Horners are to be feared and respected. Empires don't just pop up overnight. Sometimes it takes shady dealings and less-than-honest means to emerge from the grave of poverty this world expects souls to die in.

“The catch, my boy, is this...”

Jonathan pokes his son's side and smirks.

“You can't sneak your little drinks till we get back to the house.”

Jack's eyes widen.

“What?!”

“I want you sober while with me. That and I promised your mother I'd ensure you keep your wits about you.”

“Oh come on! That isn't fair!”

“What's not fair is how you ignore that which is in your face and rather than acknowledge it, you dismiss it and drown it out with distractions.”

“There you go again with your inane ramblings that make no sense. This is why I drink when I come over.”

“I swear you can be such a child. Always whining when things don't go your way.”

Jack's face reddens in building annoyance, his right eye faintly twitching.

“I. Am not. A child!”

“Then you should have no trouble in accepting this challenge.”

“Fine! But on one condition.”

Jonathan cocks his brow curiously.

“Name it.”

“If I have to do all this without a drink, then you have to not bring up anything about my personal life.”

“Sounds fair.”

“And that goes double for my romantic life too.”

“Of course.”

“Seriously. Why are you so fixated when it comes to useless crap like that? I don't gush over you and Mother being all lovey dovey gross. So what is it about my nonexistent social life that gets you all eager to integrate me? Oh! And the weird insinuations you make too. I can't stand it when you do that.”

Jonathan merely chuckles.

“Well, you got me there. But can you blame me? You're our boy. Our only child. You're the generation to continue the line and pass the Horner blood into the future.”

“This bloodline dies with me and you know it.”

“It doesn't have to though.”

“I have no interest in such matters. Attachments are nothing more than self-made weaknesses waiting to be exploited. I don't need companionship. I loathe children. I mean, I guess they're useful for cheap labor and tax benefits. But otherwise, they're just more annoyances and liabilities.”

Jonathan chuckles.

“What? What's so funny?”

“Don't need companionship? This from the boy that has his only friend live with him; works by his side, and even brings her along to visit his parents.”

Jack flinches.

“T-That...That's completely out of context! She lives with me because she has nowhere else and it's the most logical position for a bodyguard to be. She's also my assistant so of course she'd be at my side when working. I bring her with me so Mother has someone to coddle that isn't me. And she is not my friend.”

“Sure she's not.”

Jack snarls.

“That woman means nothing to me and I won't have you trying to make it seem like there's something more when there clearly isn't!”

“You know...I seem to recall there was a time long ago when you demanded we take her in because she was yours.”

“...Are you seriously justifying your entire argument based on something I said as a child?!”

“Mama! Papa! Can we keep her? It's not like anyone will know.”

“Not like I was wrong. And I'll reiterate...I. Was. A. CHILD!!”

“And you liked her.”

“I did not!”

“For someone that claims that, I remember you doing a lot of begging.”

“I do not beg! I demand!”

“So you were demanding we keep her?”

“Yes! Because she belongs to...”

Jack cuts himself off once the smug look on his father's face finally registers and the realization of falling for yet another of Jonathan's stupid ploys hits him like a pie to the face.

“Well? Go on. You were saying...?”

Jack huffs and ignores him. This only makes Jonathan grin.

“Such stubborn pride. You get that from your mother.”

Says the man that won't let this talk die.

“Come on, old man. Let's just get this over with already.”

Jonathan chuckles and leads his son to the golf course.

“As you wish.”

…

Back at the house, the conversations aren't any less contrived.

“So...How did it happen this time?”

Lynsie asks Elizabeth while seated in front of a vanity, the older woman brushing out the younger one's hair.

“You know how that boy gets. His mind was so focused on other things that we just made him answer yes to a bunch of nonsense then threw the 'will you come visit' question at him. Sweetiepie agreed and we left it at that before it dawned on him.”

She knew gifting them that two-way communication crystal would bite them back, but did Jack want to listen? Of course not. Because "Big" Jack Horner is never in the wrong or makes mistakes.

“It's amazing how much grew back. Your hair is nearly as long as it was when you were small. Oh! I bet if we braided it you'd look gorgeous.”

“If you say so, Mrs. Horner.”

These were aspects Lynsie didn't particularly take interest in. Her appearance didn't concern her. And the lengths of time most women use just to peacock themselves for the approval of others seemed like like a big waste. Looks mean nothing if you have no substance to back it up. Like a sword made of gold. Sure, it looks pretty. But gold is a soft metal and it makes the sword worthless as a weapon. What's the point of having something like that if not just to parade it around for bragging rights? Nonsense.

Elizabeth on the other hand, not having a daughter of her own, sees the potential that a young lady in her prime has to offer. Sure, the girl is skilled in a variety of things. But it's such a waste that she doesn't apply her charm while she still has it. You could have the world's largest diamond but if it's dull and not shaped right then none will want it. At least she knows Lynsie will allow her to make her over while here. Perhaps if she does a fine enough job she'll convince the tomboy to get in touch with her more sophisticated feminine side.

“You really are a lovely woman, Lynsie.”

Elizabeth remarks.

“But I'm sure you get that all the time.”

“Not really.”

Well, that was shot down faster than an Robin Hood shooting ducks.

“What? You can't seriously tell me my little girl isn't noticed.”

“Then I don't know what to tell you. Most avoid me.”

“Really?”

“Probably the death threats keep them away.”

“Oh.”

“And I don't honestly care about what others think of me as well.”

“So...There's no one whose opinion of you matters? Not even the slightest?”

“Well, I care what you all think of me.”

This takes Elizabeth back for a moment, to which Lynsie looks at her funny.

“Does this truly surprise you? Why would anyone else matter to me? Your family was the one that showed me any decency. The rest of the world can fade away to nothing. After all...it expected me to.”

She sadly knew that to be true. She can recall it so clearly still. Those memories from their past of when they were still traveling around in that wagon and that one day their son came back from his typical fit with a scared beaten little girl at his side. A child in need that none so much as batted an eye or acknowledged was even there.

“It's hard to believe sometimes. Seeing you as you are now. What you've become. You've come a long way since then.”

Despite the positive words, Lynsie says nothing, her expression is blank but there's trouble in her eyes. The silence that builds is a bit unnerving. Mother mode activates for Elizabeth.

“Is something the matter, dear?”

Again, there's only silence.

“If there's something on your mind, you know you can tell me.”

She stops brushing. So Lynsie looks up at her.

“Mrs. Horner...Did you ever do something you've come to regret?”

The serious tone of such a question has Elizabeth cease her doting to pull up a seat beside her.

“Everyone has something they regret. It might be something small. Or something large. But having regrets is normal.”

Lynsie puts her hands on her knees, taking slow calming breaths through her nose.

“You know the life I had as a kid. And what I did after I fled. I learned to steal. I learned to lie. I learned to kill. And not once would I ever cry. I have taken lives or been the cause of many to be laid to ruin. And I have not once felt anything about it. But there is one...”

Her hands tighten on her knees.

“One life stains my hands. Haunting my dreams. Tormenting my soul. Bringing me to the brink of it all.”

Elizabeth hasn't seen her this vulnerable in a long time.

“Would it help ease you to talk about it?”

Lynsie eyes her with concern.

“I fear to burden anyone with this. I should shoulder this weight alone as I had done it to myself.”

“Lynsie.”

Her tone, that parental “you better tell me now or else” tone, always works on the girl.

“Very well.”

There's a pause as she collects herself.

“It started as a normal day. Jack sent me on a simple item collection mission. Nothing overly complicated. But...He came along with me. That should've tipped me off that something was wrong.”

Elizabeth made herself comfortable, this was going to get interesting.

“I take it he doesn't go with you often when doing these tasks.”

“No. Jack knows I'm capable. I'm usually alone when working on such missions. This was different. He wouldn't tell me what it was and insisted on coming along. He was actually kind of giddy about it. It wasn't until we got close to where it was that I realized what the 'item' was. And it all spiraled out of control from there.”

Her grip tightens.

“That house. That stupid god-forsaken shoe...”

————————————————–

Jack looks smugly as they stand outside. A large shoe, likely one from a Giant that fell from the sky, that was converted poorly into a house. A house that is in very horrible condition. The leather is chipped. The laces were stripped. The tongue flopped out like its namesake. The windows are cracked or broken. And the roof is one bad storm away from collapsing. It's honestly an eyesore and appears to be abandoned to rot.

“Wow. What a piece of crap. You really lived in this dump?”

Lynsie can't take her eyes off it. This was her home. The house was a living hell. This is where she and countless siblings were under the remorseless rule of their mother. She swore never to return.

“Why are we here?”

Jack rolls his shoulders.

“Isn't it obvious? This. We're here for this pile of garbage.”

“What?!”

He snorts.

“What's with that reaction? You know how I collect trinkets like this.”

“Yeah, you collect things of value. But THIS?!”

She points.

“Since when do you give a crap about Nursery Rhyme icons?! If you can even call this circle of hell on Earth an icon.”

Being here was agitating her, she wouldn't be like this normally. But uncharacteristically, Jack just smirks playfully at her.

“Who said that I do? This isn't for me.”

Confusion smacks her in the face.

“Huh?”

He pulls out a rolled sheet of parchment.

“You see, I've been thinking a lot lately. Revenge is like a fine wine. The longer you let it sit, the sweeter the flavor when you pop the cork. So...”

He tosses it to her and she fumbles but catches it.

“Go ahead. Pop the cork.“

Her confusion only grows but she takes the hint and unrolls the parchment. Reading it, her eyes widen and she looks at him in disbelief. It's a deed. A land deed. With his name on it as the majority owner. ...And her name as minority co-owner.

“I...I don't understand.”

“Not a bad surprise, right? Figured you earned it. Can't say I never did anything for you.”

She is at a loss for words, so he continues.

“Oh yeah. This hunk of dirt is mine and that goes for anything on it as well. That includes this crummy thing. There's just one annoying problem.”

“What's that?”

A sound rattles from inside.

“It's still occupied.”

Her heart falters its beating.

“Y-You don't mean...”

He slaps her back in mock support.

“Yep. That old bat is still loitering in there. It's just her though. I got no reports of any other people going in or out. Seems like she finally learned how to close her legs.”

Disregarding the insult to her mother, no matter how true it was, she asks the question she knows the answer to but dreads.

“So...What is it we're doing then?”

“We? Oh, no no no. YOU are the lucky one here. You get to evict that old bitty.”

“...You can't be serious.”

“I made you a shareholder to something of mine. You damn well know I'm serious.”

He holds her by her shoulders.

“After everything she's done, wouldn't it be bittersweet if she lost what little she has left at the hands of her own kid?”

She looks at the deed in her hands.

“You can't tell me this isn't something you've thought of at least once. You're the one in the position of power here. Not her. This is yours. And there's not a thing she can do about it.”

She couldn't deny it, thinking of it that way did bring on some feelings. She was always the helpless one. But now...Now the shoe was on the other foot. It tickled some spiteful part of her that craved retribution for all the suffering that she went through in her youth. And so, she listens to it.

With a nervous sigh from her and a shove on his part, she approaches the door to the shoe house. She never was the praying type. But at this moment, she begged for any deity that no one was home and that the sound they heard before was merely the inside crumbling on itself. She knocks on the degraded wood. Her heart pounding. Then...She hears it. Footsteps. A sense of dread fills her and she nearly flees, but the door opens before she can react.

“Who are you and what do you want?”

Her voice alone was enough to have Lynsie freeze. All her growth as a person flashed to dust once her mother was before her. She turns her head to look back at Jack, only getting a “well, go on” expression. It wasn't all that helpful.

“Well? Say something or shove off!”

She gulps down her nerves.

“By order of Master "Big" Jack Horner, I am authorized to inform you that you are to vacate these premises.”

“What?!”

Such a familiar shout. It nearly broke her.

“Y-You...You are trespassing on private property. You are to pack up what you can carry and relocate elsewhere. This house and what remains are now forfeit.”

“You have no right!”

“Ma'am, it is well known you've illegally been squatting here for years. And we have a deed.”

She holds up the parchment.

“Please do not bother with resisting. There is quite literally no point.“

The Old Woman fumes, her face getting red with anger. But something gets her attention. It distracts her anger long enough for her to realize something. She takes hold of Lynsie's face, making her flinch. It's the reaction that brings about recognition.

“Yes. I know that look. You're one of mine.”

The lack of response is enough to make the Old Woman grin.

“You came back. You kids always come back.”

It happens so fast. The door slams shut and both women vanish inside. Leaving Jack outside with the horses.

“Well damn. ...I should've brought snacks.”

Inside, however, it's not any better. Trash, dust, cobwebs so thick they've killed spiders, broken furniture and dishware. There's nothing to indicate that children of any kind once lived in this place, minus a few marks that only a former child of the home knows about.

“Dear lord...”

A bit of the floor gives way and her foot goes through it, tripping her up.

“You've really let this place go.”

“I let it go?! You brats did that. You lot were the ones maintaining it. It's not my fault it's like this.”

That makes Lynsie roll her eyes.

“But that's going to change. Now that you're here. You'll fix this place up as good as new. And then things will be as they should be. Just like before.”

The Old Woman must be delusional.

“You can't be serious...”

The Old Woman cocks her head.

“What?”

“I don't know what you think I do for a living. But I'm not a carpenter or a repairman.”

The Old Woman scoffs.

“That's not my problem.”

Lynsie sneers. Damned Old Woman hadn't changed one bit. Refusing to take any responsibility and expecting things to be done for her or for things to just fall into her lap without any effort on her part.

“No, that IS your problem. I'm not helping you.”

The Old Woman glares.

“Yes. You will.”

“I said, no. You're not the boss of me.”

This was something she would never have said to her mother back when she was a kid. Such words would be met with a beating. But she's not a child anymore. She's an adult who has been trained to kill for coin. Plus she deals with Jack 24/7, so she's gained some level of spine. That and a smidgen of pent-up frustration slipped out while she stood her ground.

“You don't understand the situation. I'm not here to clean up your mess. I didn't come here for you. I don't care if you are my mom. I've been gone for years and dealing with my own life. One with responsibilities of my own.”

“What do you know of responsibilities?!”

The Old Woman practically spits venomously.

“You ungrateful urchins never struggled for anything!”

Such a blatant lie makes Lynsie snarl.

“Never struggled for anything?! Do you not even know the rhyme based on us?! There was an Old Woman who lived in a shoe. She had so many children, she didn't know what to do. She gave them some broth without any bread. Then whipped them all soundly and put them to bed. How the hell can you stand there and say we didn't struggle?! Because we all knew you sure didn't have a problem!”

“You watch your mouth.”

“No! You know damn well you didn't have it bad. You were able to eat full meals anytime you wanted. You were able to have decent clothes every day of the week. You had a real goddamn bed while we slept on the floor without blankets or pillows. You didn't do a damn thing for us. We had to fend for ourselves because you gave us no choice. We stole. We rummaged in the trash. We learned to forage. We scavenged for our lives because you sure as hell didn't care if we were even alive the next morning!”

The Old Woman flinches.

“I lost count of how many of us died in this place. Or when I stopped caring when we'd wake to find some of the others not moving. Either succumbing to injuries or other issues. All we knew was when it happened to take what we could get and pass on the scraps to the others. So don't you dare say we didn't have it bad. The only reason we had to do any of that was because of you!“

She huffs to keep her breathing steady but the stream of hate is strong. Repressed emotions unleashed.

“You know, there was a time when I used to wonder why. Why did you bother giving birth to us? Why did you keep us if you were just going to ignore us? Why not abandon us to our fathers so you didn't have to do any of the crap you did? But then...It hit me. It didn't matter. Even if you did have a reason for why you were the biggest piece of shit of a person that ever dared to call themselves a mother, it doesn't matter. Nothing can ever justify anything you did. You are without a shadow of a doubt a miserable excuse for a human being and it sickens me to the core that I spawned from you.”

Fueled by this, she looks down on the Old Woman.

“But I digress. As I said, I'm not here for you and I have my own responsibilities. Like, for example, telling you once more to leave this place.”

The Old Woman balls her fists in rage.

“All be damned if you think I'm going to let you talk to me like that in my own home.”

“It's not your home. It never was. And now it's a matter of fact by law.”

She shows her name on the deed under Jack's.

“Now get out of MY house.”

Maybe it was the authoritative command in Lynsie's voice. Perhaps it was the power that growled in her tone. Maybe it was the defiant way she stood her ground. Or maybe it was the steely resilient look in her eyes that burned with unyielding spite. Whatever the reason might be, this was unacceptable to the Old Woman.

“You insolent whelp!”

The Old Woman is as spry as ever when it comes to dealing out punishments. She cracks Lynsie in the face with a backhanded slap that has her back up a step.

“You dare speak to your mother that way? Disgraceful!”

She expects this to do what it has always done. To have instant subjugation.

“Is that all?”

Yet that's not what happens. The fire in Lynsie's eyes only burns stronger and the Old Woman flinches.

“Well, I've got to hand it to you, Mom. You're still living up to all the memories I have of you. Bravo. You've met the bare minimum of my expectations. Then again, when the bar is set so low that worms can pass it there's not much room to fail now is there?”

A look comes to the Old Woman, one that Lynsie's never seen before. Sure, there's anger. But there's also fear. And seeing that on her mother's face...it makes her smile.

“Such a strange sensation. I don't think I've seen that look on your face before. It suits you.”

“S-Shut up!”

“Were you expecting me to crumble? To fall to my knees? To grovel for your forgiveness? Perhaps your age has caught up with you; because you don't seem to notice what's in front of your eyes.”

She takes a step forward and the Old Woman backs up.

“I took your beatings for years. And after that, I was subjected to harsh grueling training. Hard to believe murderous rouges treated me with more decency than you. But thanks to all that, my pain tolerance is now quite high. Unlike my patience for this pointless delay of the inevitable.”

She keeps up her approach, making the Old Woman back up further till her back hits a rickety table.

“Stay back!”

“I truly hate repeating myself, so this is the last time I'm saying this. Leave. Now.”

“I'm not setting foot outside this house.”

“That wasn't a request. I'm telling you. Get out.”

The Old Woman snarls.

“You're giving me an order?”

This seems to be the last straw on the Old Woman's tolerance. She hurls a chair at Lynsie and she's able to avoid it just barely due to the close range. But it is merely a distraction. In an instant, the Old Woman has her hands around Lynsie's throat, squeezing to either choke her out or snap her neck. For her part, Lynsie is brought to kneel as she holds her furious mother by the wrists.

“You miserable brat! Who do you think you are?! You forget your place! Children do as they are told! They obey their mother! Ingrates. The whole lot of you. I always knew that you mongrels would turn on me someday, but I never knew when.”

“Let go of me.”

“So I had to make sure you all stayed down in the dirt where you belonged. Yet it wasn't enough. You lot thought you were real smart, didn't you? Running off into town, grabbing goodies with your grubby little hands, did you think I never noticed?! I'd hear about it from the people and sometimes see you with my own eyes. I never gave any of you permission to leave!!”

“Mom...Stop this.”

“And you...Don't think I don't remember you. I could never forget those eyes. From the first time you looked at me with those eyes, I knew you were nothing but trouble. A bad seed. A bad girl. And that is why I had to teach you by punishing you. I had to hurt you more to make you an example. All of you had to know who was in charge and what lengths I would go to. For a time, it worked. You all stayed in line. But it was a façade.”

Her grip tightens and Lynsie gags.

“Don't make me hurt you...”

“Now, I see that you were just waiting for the stakes to get high enough before you played your hand. I'd say it was a commendable effort if you all came back together. But you've decided to do the one-by-one approach, a poor decision. Slowly you runaways come back for some reason or another. Yet once you're back in this house I see to it you never walk out that door again. It's like I always told you wretched little heathens. I brought you into this world and I can take you out of it. You all were born in this house and none of you will ever truly escape it. So I hope you've enjoyed your time on the outside, my darling dear; because you're about to join the rest of your brothers and sisters!”

*crash*

A rock comes breaking through a window.

“Hurry it up in there! I've got better things to do than stand out here waiting on you!”

Jack's voice calls out. This gets Lynsie to sigh before her hold harshens, making the Old Woman wince and release her grip.

“Damn it...Well, you heard the man. I don't have any more time to waste on your petty power-tripping crap.”

She stands back up with no issue, the Old Woman trying to pull from her daughter but not budging an inch as she now realizes her once victim has been holding back so much more than she thought.

“L-Let go of me you brat!”

“Poor choice of words.”

Spinning on her heels quickly, she flings the Old Woman across the room and into kitchen cabinetry then hits the floor.

“Look what you've done, Mom. I had the smallest bit of hope you'd be civil enough to talk without your god complex getting involved. But now you've gone and annoyed my boss. And that means I'm done being nice.”

She draws closer as the Old Woman trembles and staggers to her feet.

“How dare you! Have you forgotten who I am?! I AM YOUR MO-!!”

“You're pathetic.”

The words die in her mouth.

“From the moment you gave birth to us, we had to trust you. There was no say in the matter. We only had you. We needed you to protect us. To care for us. To prepare us for the world so we could traverse the hardships, madness, and soul-crushing journey that life could throw our way. You did NONE of that! You took the unconditional love and trust of all of us, then crushed it into dust on a self-fulfilling prophecy to destroy something that you killed the moment it was born!”

The Old Woman feels around the counter behind her.

“So what are you going to do? Get revenge? Make me pay for everything I did?”

Lynsie scoffs.

“You seriously haven't listened to a damn thing I said. I don't care about none of that.”

This confuses the Old Woman.

“You don't care?”

“No. Why should I care? You severed the bond of motherhood the second you laid your hands on us. You're a bitter old hag who got a kick out of controlling her children and lording over them like a demented cat playing with its prey. And as for my siblings...They can rot. Not once did they help when I needed it.”

She grits her teeth.

“No matter how much I begged it to stop...No matter how long I wailed till my voice was shot...No matter how much I bled from the fresh or old scars opening...None of them did a thing. Not even something as small as a comforting word. So no, I don't care about them or what you did to them. I guess I have to congratulate you there, Mom. You succeeded in gifting one lesson to us. Survival of the fittest. The only one that's going to care about you is yourself. Now...”

She cracks her knuckles.

“No more games. I don't care if I have to drag you out, kicking and screaming, I'm getting you out of this stupid shoe. Whether you like it or not!”

Lynsie lunges to grab the Old Woman's arm...only to be met with the sting of a knife slicing across her palm, making her recoil with an intense hiss.

“You want me out of my house? I'm never leaving here. And neither will you!”

The Old Woman comes slashing wildly, aiming to end her child's life as she has done to countless others. However, while Lynsie was humoring her mother before, that time has passed. She, instead of moving away from the coming swing, flows into it to grab the Old Woman's arm with both hands and uses the momentum to flip the Old Woman onto the floor. While stunned, she quickly sits atop the Old Woman, pinning her, and forcing her to hold the knife up to her own throat.

“Are you quite finished? Resistance is futile and useless.”

“Get off of me, you insolent wretch!”

“You're a sad creature. Barely recognizable as a person. You are clinging to the shattered remains of a past that can never return. It's time you wake up and face reality. You are no mother. I am no child of yours. You have burned every bridge and cut all ties. You have no one and you have nothing. And you never will. All you have awaiting you is bleak emptiness in the cold unforgiving void or the anguish of eternal torment in the smoldering pits of Hell. How appropriate for one so hollow and wicked as you.”

“Do it! You hate me so much; you might as well just kill me!”

“Is that what you want? Have you desired your end so much that you ensured that one of your brood would harbor enough resentment to grant you such a wish?”

She sighs.

“Yes, I do hate you. I hate you with every fiber of my being. The thought of you makes me ill. Looking at you fills me with contempt. This world would be better off without you. And while I would have no trouble killing you, really, death is kind of a specialty of mine. I think I have a much better idea.”

A devilish grin smears her face.

“Yes...I guess this is the one time I'm not afraid to disappoint you. A more fitting fate for a coward like you would be to allow you to live. To wander this Earth alone, a meager shadow to be ignored and looked down on till the day fate reaps your worthless soul. And you know what? No one will care.”

The Old Woman's eyes widen as Lynsie savors this. A long overdue victory. A child has bested the parent and rather remorselessly at that. Yet, if there's anything the Old Woman is known for, it's how traumatizing she can be to her kids and how far her pettiness is willing to go to have the final say.

“I favored you so much. Why couldn't you just have continued to obey me?”

This is enough to confuse Lynsie enough for the Old Woman to make her move—the pressure on the knife shifts. No longer is the Old Woman pushing it away...she pulls it in...cutting it into her neck.

“M-Mom!!”

Blood spurts out like a broken fountain everywhere, showering the space and Lynsie in crimson.

“What have you done?!”

She tries in vain to clamp the gash shut with her hands, ignoring her instincts that scream it's pointless.

“No! No, no, no, no, no! Don't you dare die on me! Do you hear me?! You're not allowed to die!! Not like this! Don't you run from me, you bitch! Don't ignore me now! Answer me! Answer me damn you!!”

“Lynsie...”

She flinches. She hadn't heard her mother use her name in years. To hear it now, in a voice so weak and gurgling on the verge of death, it's haunting.

“Y-You did t-this...”

The Old Woman grabs her by her hair and pulls her down, getting in her face, seeing the fear return to her daughter's eyes makes her smile.

“Y-You're such...a b-bad...g-g-girlllll...”

The telltale rattle of a last breath leaves the Old Woman and her hand falls limply along with the rest of her body.

“Mama...?”

It's such a thing to leave imprinted in her eyes. Her mother, lifeless and smiling, blood everywhere. Those words repeat like a ghost whispering in her ear. It was the final hit to her resolve. Tears storm her eyes and fall like rain. Utterly distraught, she isn't aware of the anguished howls that leave her. It's these pained cries that alert Jack that things have gone awry. His size preventing him from entering, he rips a part of the leather wall away by use of a missing window, and the sight he finds would cause a weaker soul to crumble. This wasn't what he wanted to happen. This wasn't what he wanted at all.

————————————————–

“I was hysterical for a while after that. Jack did what he could to talk me back into a state where I at least ceased my sobbing. He explained this was a massive flop and there was no point now in the house being there. So...We burned it. It was so dry that it ignited easily and all the broken openings allowed excellent ventilation. The blaze was intense. Nothing remained but ash that the wind was eager to blow away. It was almost like nothing was ever there. It was kind of relieving in a way.”

Elizabeth had been silent the entire time Lynsie told her story. She knew her mother was an awful person, she'd seen the scars that littered her back as a child and remain even now from the constant whippings. But for that horrible woman to do that? It has even someone as sweet as Elizabeth wishing the worst to happen to the soul of that witch.

“It's funny. I have taken many lives with these hands. I've never felt bad about it, aside from the first one. The first time is always tough. That's what the rouges taught me. It made things easier knowing cutthroats had a hard time killing at the start too. But nothing prepared me for that day. It's affected me. And I don't like it. The nightmares of it leave me restless. The lack of proper sleep makes me sloppy. I don't perform optimally. I snap. I get hurt. I fail Jack. I...I can't do that. I can't fail him! I can't!”

She turns to look at Elizabeth. Her eyes watering with the threat to cry.

“It's my fault. It's all my fault. If I was just better...If I...If I was a good girl...”

Elizabeth can't stand it any longer and pulls the girl into her arms, holding her in an emotional embrace.

“Mrs. Horner...?”

“It's not your fault.”

The buildup of telling that event is too much, and Lynsie becomes too soft to contain her feelings any longer. And what made it hurt a little more was that she was being comforted by the woman she wished was her mother. She clings to Elizabeth tight and weeps.

“You're a good girl, dear. I promise.”

Elizabeth does what any decent mother would and tries to soothe a youth when they're feeling hurt. Little do both women know though their entire conversation was overheard from the hallway by Jack.

He was just passing by on the way to grab his father's lucky bowling ball when he caught wind of familiar-sounding bits, the kind that piqued his curiosity enough to listen to everything. And by the time their talk had ended, he had learned things he didn't know. Things that made other stuff make sense now. He takes his leave before they notice his eavesdropping or things get too emotional. He'd need a much stronger drink if he had to deal with two sorrowful women looking for comfort. Such sentimental dribble.

Elizabeth pets the back of Lynsie's head, gifting the woman more affection than she's gotten from a parental figure in a single day than she'd gotten throughout her lifetime.

“I do...I do have something I've come to regret.”

Lynsie does what she can to hold back her cries so she can hear Elizabeth.

“I regret not taking you with us when we had the chance.”

Lynsie's hold on the woman tightens and Elizabeth nuzzles the top of her head. There was a time back when the struggling young girl would come running to their wagon like it was her home and the idea of adding her to the family was brought up. They could only see a battered starving child who seemed to get along with their antisocial son so long before they had questioned should or shouldn't adopt her. And they would've done it too, but the issue was their situation at the time. Business wasn't good. They were just scraping by enough to cover what they needed at the time to manage. Another child would've been too much especially since they didn't know if or when things would get better financially. It was a choice that guilted them for the longest time as they never thought they'd see her again or worse, that she died due to her situation. Then, one day, Jack visits them and isn't alone. The odds were insurmountable, yet, here she is, back in their lives. And while these visits aren't long, mostly because Jack tries to leave as soon as he can, they make the most out of the time they have to make up for a life that could have been.

“Little one. Would you like to help me with dinner tonight?”

She feels a nod against her chest. It makes the motherly woman smile.

“Do you need a little more time before we get started?”

Another nod is her answer.

“Okay, dear. Take your time. There's no rush.”

…

It wouldn't be long before things went back to normal. The event between the two women was not spoken of more as the evening went on. The home would soon be engulfed by warmth and savory aromas once cooking was underway. The men return to a welcoming abode and with a hot meal at the ready. It's a rather peaceful reprieve. Almost domestic. No one speaks. Just savoring the moment as well as the food. It's nice.

But all things, good or bad, must end at some point.

The sun rises and sets. The moon takes its place in the sky, gracing night's darkness with brilliant light. And while most slumber in their beds, some remain awake. Either for work, play, stress, force, or the cruel joke of some magical hex. Some are up in these fleeting hours of solid peace.

Case in point...Jack Horner.

The man tosses and turns unable to rest in the guest bed that he lays on. All the damned annoying rhetoric his father kept prattling on about and not a drop of liquor passed his lips since he stepped inside. His head was pounding. He was irritable. But...He was victorious. He dealt with all of it. All the accusations. All the grasping at the tiniest of strings to force a narrative where his father's inane nonsense made it seem like fact. He heard it all and disputed the outlandish claims with sound, totally calm and not at all seething, logic. He was going to save the bottle for when he got the map to the Wishing Star, but at the rate the night was treating him, he might as well savor his prize in hopes it helps him pass out.

So with the bottle in hand, Jack leaves the guest room and quietly wanders down to the kitchen to fetch a proper glass. Brandy is not the kind of drink to just guzzle out of the bottle. Silently he passes by rooms, slipping through the living room where Lynsie lies sleeping on a chaise lounge. She almost looks peaceful yet he sneers her way, continuing to the kitchen and scours the cabinets for a cognac glass.

*groan*

The sound makes him pause. Surely he hasn't made any noise to stir her. When the room goes still once more he resumes. Finding the proper glass and then being as gentle as possible with popping the cork...which was a failure, as it popped with quite a loud snap. Surprisingly, this doesn't jolt her. Allowing him to indulge in his drink, swirling it around in the glass before taking a deep inhale of the aroma and getting a nice mouthful.

“Mmmm...Notes of oak, smoke, nuts, candied fruit, spices, possibly some chocolate, dried fruit, caramel, and a rich mouthfeel. Heh. I'll give you credit, old man. You have a damn good taste in drink.”

He's able to finish his first glass when she starts whimpering. It draws his recognition to what he heard earlier. Her nightmare, reliving that day over and over. The foolish woman must've forgotten to bring the potion he gave her to suppress them. And her telling his mother the entire thing likely didn't help to keep it off her mind either. Why? Why did that kind of irked him? She tells him everything. So why didn't she...?

She jolts up with a sharp gasp and holds her trembling self. He hated that the suddenness made him jump. He held still in hopes that she wouldn't notice him there. Her breathing is shaky and she curls in on herself like a scared child seeking any form of contact for comfort. Pathetic. Letting mere memories get the better of her to the point they had more control over her than he does. Well, that won't do at all.

“More nightmares?”

Not expecting to hear anyone, she aims with her pillow as if to throw it at an intruder. Only for Jack to chuckle as he saunters over to her.

“Look at you. Were you so lost in your head you didn't even recognize my voice?”

She looks away and sniffles.

“Are you crying? Ugh...You're such a baby sometimes, I swear.”

He shoves her over and sits down beside her, pouring himself another glass.

“Are you giving me the silent treatment or are you just too much of a wuss to talk?”

She just keeps silent with her eyes on the floor.

“Fine. Either way, I just want you to listen. So try not to sulk too much.”

He swirls his glass around, eyeing it before drinking deeply.

“I heard what you told Mother.”

She flinches harshly.

“Man, I knew that hag was sick. But to do that? She gives the Devil a run for his money with that new level of messed up.”

She claws at herself.

“Why didn't you tell me? This whole time I thought you lost it and offed her because she was trying to kill you. But even after she tried, twice in that instance I might add, you were still holding back and she's the one that did it? Then she blamed you? I mean, what kind of psycho does that? And that's coming from me.”

She remains silent.

“Don't tell me...You didn't want to bother me, right? Didn't want to trouble me with your problems or some other weak excuse. Correct? Well, knock that off! Because you bottling your stupid feelings isn't going to do anyone any good.”

When she still doesn't say anything he smacks the back of her head.

“Enough with the pity party. You're better than this. I don't keep you because you’re some sniveling little bootlicker. You're tough. You're clever. You don't stay down when beaten no matter how badly. So do it! Get back up. Pull yourself together and out of the pit that old hag tried to keep you in. I know you can. You're something of mine. And I don't keep useless crap.”

That seemed to get to her, the dim fire behind her eyes began to come back. She's about to speak till he cuts her off by putting the glass near her face.

“What's this for?”

“Don't be stupid. You know what a cup is for.”

He pours some brandy into it.

“Drink. You'll feel better.”

She sniffs it and grimaces.

“You've never had a hard drink in your life, have you?”

She shakes her head.

“Well, there's a first time for everything.”

He yanks her head back and practically forces the glass to her lips.

“Now open your mouth. I'm offering you something of mine. You know how rare that is. Are you really going to refuse my generosity?”

She hesitantly obeys. Her lips parted enough and he, surprisingly, gently tilted the glass for the golden brown liquid to flow in. If it weren't for his hand holding the back of her head she'd be jerking away from this strong taste, but she has no choice but to swallow it down till he's emptied the glass and let her go. He watches as she retches a little before settling down. The whole event made him laugh.

“With a reaction like that, I can tell you're going to be having one hell of an experience.”

“What does that mean?”

He pours a drink for himself and lets her stew in confusion as he savors it. It amuses him. Part of him wonders what kind of drunk she'll end up being. Will she be a happy drunk? An emotionally honest drunk? An angry drunk? A stupid sloppy drunk? A blackout drunk maybe? Or would she be able to hold her booze with no sign of change whatsoever? His money was on the blackout one though. She gave off the vibes of someone who couldn't last a few drinks before hitting unconsciousness. The very idea makes him chortle as he offers another drink to her. This time she doesn't resist and sips it slowly, trying to get used to it. Even in the dim light of the room, he can tell her cheeks are beginning to flush. It won't be long at this rate to see if his little self-bet wins out.

[An hour and one very empty bottle later...]

How?

How did it end up like this?

They were sitting in relative silence and drinking one moment. The next, they were cracking jokes and telling stories. Then the stories went from tales of wondrous adventures to personal events. Things that were kept secret slipped out. Vulnerability shown. One thing led to another and, without sound judgment or clear concern for what the consequences could be, they cave to the lack of inhibitions.

Whoever made the first move is quickly lost to memory. But what came next at least was chaste...For a moment anyway.

She is perched on his lap, held to his chest in his arms, both leaning in to get their rose-tinted faces close to one another. His eyes searched her half-lidded ones for signs of hesitation or reluctance. When he was sure there was none, he continued to draw near till his lips pressed against her forehead, brushing them delicately against her soft skin and sending shivers through her that made her whole body tremble. At that, he vaguely expects a small remark or word of protest. But no such things come from her. So, he keeps going, experimenting with what he can get away with. His mouth traces along the frame of her face, like following a path drawn out on a map. His lips grace the hollow of her temple, then the warmth of her cheek, and peppering along her jawline. Each instance of tenderness is accompanied by the sound of her soft sighs and the quickening of her breathing. It was so much. Too much. Like he was dumping kerosene on a small flame. This was something that set a tiny spark into becoming a roaring inferno.

She reaches up and pulls him to her, rendering him stunned against her lips, but not for long. He kisses her back tenderly, his mouth smothering hers and leaving her breathless. Gone was the time to handle each other like fragile porcelain. Being gentle wasn't enough now, not after being deprived of such affection their whole lives. They were starved for so long and now, the hunger was unleashed and it demanded to be fed. She claws her fists into his shirt, pulling him hard against her, the need for contact is strong. He groans softly, low in his throat almost like a growl, and his arms tighten their grip on her. The tameness they began with had ended and the intensity that followed was embraced fully. The kiss grew in the wake of ignited passion. His tongue is forced inside her mouth, strong and demanding, it wrestles with her own. Every inch of her body feels as though it burns for him. Her hands journey upward, feeling their way over his broad shoulders and encircling his neckline, one clutching him for support while the other combs into his hair.

His hands aren't idle either, no longer content with merely holding her. His massive hands could easily palm her head like she could hold a ball, even one of his hands encompassed her waist with no issue. He was so much bigger than her. The size difference certainly made him enjoy this more. There is something so enjoyable about being able to handle her like she were a small toy to play with as he pleases. So he takes to exploring her figure with meticulous skill, roaming over each supple curve as though trying to commit her form to memory. One of his hands slides up into her hair, his fingers running through her fine locks before gripping hard and pulling her head back, eliciting a wimping gasp from her as they lock eyes. Her heart is racing and her breathing is heavy, her cheeks inflamed with blush, her head was swimming in intoxication as well as the effect of his actions. She was putty in his hands...and he knew it.

His eyes fall to the choker around her neck, the first proper thing he ever gifted her with and she seldom takes it off. Something about that stroked his pride. An idea forms in his sauced-up mind and he grins mischievously. Still holding her head back, his other hand slowly makes its way up to her neck, his fingers brushing along the edge of the choker and making her squirm. Seems her prolonged wearing it had made her quite sensitive there. The reaction only fueled his idea. With his thumb, he nudges the choker up more to expose her nape then brings his mouth to it. His hot breath makes her shiver before he even does anything, her level of sensitivity is rather tantalizing. His lips pepper the smooth skin and then he begins to nibble, her breathing getting shaky. His hand in her hair changes its grip to hold the side of her head, his thumb pressing over her lips. She eyes him in confusion till her breath hitches sharply, muffled by his thumb as his teeth bite into her neck. His thumb presses down more to signal her to keep quiet as his teeth dig lightly into her skin. She tries in vain to fight her whimpers and she clings to him, her nails digging into him as he sucks on the supple skin. After what feels like an eternity, he detaches from her nape with a sickening wet pop, lazily dragging his tongue across the faintly bleeding and already bruising wound, making her shudder. He can't help but grin while admiring his work.

With his thumb still on her lips, he traces the outline of her mouth and then takes hold of her jaw. Her eyes are glossy but bright. He motions to her and then toward where the guest room is. Her mind is too washed with booze and latent yearning to register what this implies, she merely nods like the good girl she is. With that, his grin widens and he stands up with her held close. No words are spoken as he effortlessly takes her to the room and locks the door behind them.

…

Morning comes. A roster crows off in the distance. The sounds of birds beginning their songs are heard. Flowers slowly start to open up and greet the sun. A nice peaceful start to the day. Till the faint sound of knocking happens. With a groan Jack resists the urge to shout or throw something at the door, limply rubbing his face before sitting up. His mind was slow and groggy, his body feeling heavy, standing took a bit more effort than usual but he did get to his feet eventually. He lugs himself to the door and yawns as he gets it open.

“Yes?”

Jonathan mulls over the discarded brandy bottle in his hand before casting his eyes on Jack and his next words die in his throat once he takes in the whole scene before him. His son stands there disheveled, his face portrays someone who is still half-asleep. He's topless, still wearing pants, but his neckline along his shoulders has faint welts as if something tried to claw him.

“Um...You okay?”

Jack rubs his face to get the sleep from his eyes.

“Tired.”

There's a sleepy slur to his speech. He knows his son can handle a hard drink, but maybe the vintage of the brandy made it hit harder.

“Have you any idea where your woman is?”

Jack groans and lazily glares at his father.

“It's too early for this crap.”

“I merely ask because...”

Movement behind Jack is just barely visible, a body shifting beneath the bed sheets, yet this is enough to make the older gentleman smirk.

“Ah, never mind. I see the brandy treated you favorably.”

Jack eyes him funny.

“What are you talking about?”

“Who knew all you needed was some liquid courage to man up and shoot your shot? But I didn't think you would've taken her to bed so quickly.”

Confusion twists Jack's face. He looks back at the bed and grimaces upon seeing her there, knowing damn well he won’t hear the end of it if he isn't careful.

“So...Do you want me to tell your Mother the good news or would you like to do the honors?”

“This isn't what it looks like.”

“Oh really?”

Jonathan's smug “I caught you red-handed” tone made Jack want to slam the door in his face.

“She's been having nightmares about her mom. Been troubling her for like a month now. I let her have some of the Armagnac to take her mind off things. The girl can't hold a drink to save her life. So, rather than leave her a mess out there, I let her crash on the floor in here. Clingy little thing must've crawled into bed while I was sleeping.”

If it wasn't for what Elizabeth told him before bed, Jonathan would call Jack out for the obvious lie. But he does know. And he knows Jack. He doesn't lie. He might not tell full truths but he never lies.

“And you locked the door because...?”

“Would you allow a drunk woman to roam freely and potentially cause chaos?”

A fair and reasonable answer.

“Good point. Sorry to trouble you.”

“It's fine.”

“Will you both be joining us for breakfast?”

“Give me, like...an hour.”

“And her?”

“I'll shove her out in a bit.”

Jonathan chuckles to himself.

“You know...You're really lucky.”

Jack tilts his head.

“There aren't many that would stay with you as long as she has. Lord knows no other woman would put up with you.”

Jack's expression becomes flat irritation; he shuts the door without a word. Jonathan laughs and walks away to help his wife with the morning meal. Can't let the misses work too hard to feed four people. Jack in the room sighs and looks over at the bed. Last night is something of a blurry memory. He remembers bits, enough that the story he told his father wasn't all that false, but it gets harder to picture what happened when he brought her to the room. He doesn't remember losing his shirt or nodding off. But at least judging by how he's still wearing his pants, nothing too crazy happened. His back feels a tad sore, but he blames it on the mattress...Not knowing about the scratches that litter his fair skin.

Coming to the bed, he sits down and holds his head in his hands. Part of him wants to go back to sleep like nothing happened yet he's too awake to conk out now. She rolls over, her bear arm hitting his leg. He glances over at her and two thoughts pop in his head. The first was wondering where was her shirt. Lifting the covers a little bit answered his second thought enough to let him sigh with relief. Pants on; shirt off. Giving her a look over, her neck and shoulders are marked heavily with bite-riddled hickeys. What the hell was in that brandy to make them riled up hormonally charged-up teens? Though there is a part of him that likes seeing her like that. Something about her small body laying there innocently, sporting his marks. It hits a deeply buried part of him in a certain way. And it feels good.

He shakes the feeling away. Now's not the time or place. He gets up once more, gathering his discarded clothing and a pillow, before making his way to the door. He gets out to leave the room but hurls the pillow at her as he shuts the door. From the hall, he can hear her bark in surprise and the pillow flung back at the door with a harsh thud. It gets a chuckle out of him as he goes to the bathroom to freshen up.

What a strange way to start the morning.

…

Aside from the most unusual means of waking and one having her first hangover, the pair act as normal as ever. Breakfast is a welcomed moment. Good food made with care always tastes better. And nothing beats the care of a mother in an oddly cheery mode. For that matter, his father seemed to be in good spirits as well. Jack merely ignored it all. Lynsie was too concerned with soothing her throbbing skull to be aware of anything. Jack uses her condition as a quick excuse to leave and is more than a little suspicious when his parents don't try to pull some ploy to keep them here like offering to take care of her for him or making some obscure outlandish remedy. Yet he's not going to question this bit of luck.

When the carriage pulls up to the home, the farewells are warm and about as awkward as their welcomes when they arrived. Elizabeth hugs Jack and leaves an obnoxious motherly kiss on his cheek that he rubs away at like a little kid would. She then does the same to Lynsie but the girl is just out of it at this point and doesn't fight the smothering. Jonathan offers his hand to his son and Jack shakes it. Then he provides a small basket to him.

“What's this?”

“Something to help with her situation. Take it from someone with experience. You don't want to be stuck in a long ride with a woman that's hurting. Deadlier than any dragon and twice as unpredictable.”

“Thanks, I guess?”

Jack takes the basket and heads into the carriage, eyeing his father curiously the entire time.

“Okay, Sweet-Tart, that's enough. She and the boy have to go.”

“Oh. If only we weren't so far away. Then these visits would be longer.”

“I know, dear. But also...I'm pretty sure she can't breathe and the boy might get jealous of all the attention you're giving his woman.”

“She's not my woman!!”

Shouts Jack and his mother relents in letting Lynsie free from her crushing embrace, only to hold her head due to the shout causing her pain.

“Will you please not be so loud?”

She winces as she heads for the carriage, Jonathan giving the girl a little head pat as she passes.

“Take care you two.”

“And come back soon!”

The moment the carriage door shuts it takes off, a cloud of dust left in its wake as the horses race away.

“Did you see her neck?”

Jonathan remarks playfully.

“That boy needs to learn how to be gentle. My little girl is too fragile for him to just rough her up like that.”

Elizabeth answers with worry before punching her husband in the arm.

“He gets that from you. You Horner men can be such brutes.”

Jonathan merely laughs as he scoops his wife into his arms and takes her back into their home.

Meanwhile in the carriage...Lynsie takes her vest off and shields her face from the sunlight, the brightness makes her head hurt more. Jack looks through the basket. A pouch containing assorted berries. A couple of pomegranates. A bar of dark chocolate. And the one that got him puzzled was a familiar brandy bottle. Opening it and taking a sip, however, revealed it to be filled with water. It's not much, but all of it will aid in speeding up her recovery. Taking into account how long this ride home will be, he peels the tin from the bar and taps her hand with it to get her attention.

“Better eat it now before it melts.”

She fidgets in taking it, letting her vest drape over her head like a veil, she stares at the bar before breaking it in half and holding the separate piece to him.

“It's for you. You keep it.”

“We don't often get to have chocolate and I know you like sweets. I don't mind.”

She wasn't wrong. He was a man who liked his treats. He takes the offered half and bites into it, her eating the other half.

It's a very quiet ride for a while. The both of them, just there, him passing her the occasional aid from the basket and her offering to share. Sometimes he accepts, like with the chocolate and water. He passed on the berries though. She finishes the berries off soon enough and pulls her vest off her head, the light not being so bad now.

“How do you feel?”

She rubs her face and combs up into her hair.

“Decent. Not quite better. But close.”

She eyes the brandy bottle.

“I'm not sure I can be your drinking buddy if I end up feeling messed up afterward.”

“Eh. You fared better than expected.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah. I figured you'd be blacked out after the third glass. Not bad for your first time with something that strong.”

That makes her smile a little.

“For now, at least, you're not touching anything stronger than juice. I wouldn't want you getting hooked on the stuff and acting weird.”

She tilts her head.

“Acting weird? Why? Did something happen last night?”

He flinches. She hadn't asked anything after she woke up and he was hoping she wouldn't.

“Not really.”

“It's okay to tell me if something happened. I wouldn't want to have done something stupid, not know, and then drink later to do it again.”

Seems she didn't recall anything after getting significantly drunk. Luck was on his side.

“Jack? Please?”

He sighs and rubs the back of his neck.

“Fine. But it wasn't so bad. You got a little tipsy and acted a bit clingy.”

Her face gets red with embarrassment.

“I did?”

“Just a little.”

She hides her face in her hands and groans as he bites his tongue to keep from laughing at her.

“Oh lord...I am so sorry!”

He snickers.

“Come on, it wasn't too bad. Trust me, I've seen worse. You were tame.”

“Was that why I was in your room?”

“Well, I couldn't just leave you alone when like that. I'm not a scumbag.”

He says while withholding the more important details for the sake of making the situation better for himself...like a scumbag.

She looks up at him, an expectant gleam in her eyes as if giving him the chance to keep talking. But when nothing more is said she sits back in her seat and puts her hand out for a pomegranate. Instead of being handed the fruit, he pulls her closer to have her sit across his legs.

“What are you doing?”

“Reliving a moment from last night for my amusement. Did you expect me to not find some way of entertaining myself?”

“What?!”

He pokes her head and chuckles.

“Heh heh heh. So small.”

She growls a little but just huffs it off. Better to let him have his way than fight it. He gives her the fruit anyway so it's not like she has much to complain about. Still...

“So I got on your lap last night?”

His chuckling stops and she smirks when his cheeks tint faintly. Such a dangerous question. Something he can't rush yet he also can't take too long to answer. His expression sours but he doesn't miss a beat.

“I did say you were clingy. Don't go making assumptions like my old man.”

“Daww. What's the matter? There's no need to get defensive.”

“I am not getting defensive!”

“Did little drunk me give big Jack hugs~?”

“I'm three seconds away from throwing you out and making you walk.”

She snickers and bites into the fruit, peeling the flesh off to make the insides available.

“Easy now, there's no need for that. I was only teasing you.”

She offers him some of the seeds. He sneers but accepts, feeding along with her.

“Why do I put up with a pain in the ass like you?”

“Because I make your life less boring. That and...”

She pauses, the words getting caught in her throat. Something doesn't feel right. Something's changed.

She doesn't remember much of last night. Much of it is fragmented and foggy, the brandy hit her brain hard. But some parts shine through. Like clean spots on a dirty window but the image is different under each spot. She remembers laughing it up with him and a sense of joy. She remembers throwing her arms around him for comfort when hit with sadness. She remembers a burning need to be close to him and the searing heat of his bite. She remembers the hit of cool air on his skin when he removed her shirt before doing the same to him. She remembers feeling his weight when he climbed over her and being crushed when he passed out on her leading to her own unconsciousness. She remembers all that and also isn't dumb to not notice the bruises when he woke her up. She'd have to be a moron to have not noticed any of that. Especially when waking up topless. It's a no-brainer honestly. They got really close.

She remembers all this. So it's likely he remembers stuff too. Yet...They weren't talking about it. Granted it wasn't something to mention while his parents were around, but still. It's just them now. They're alone. Yet he's acting the same. Like nothing happened. And if he's not going to acknowledge it, then she isn't going to either. Things have changed between them. But at the same time, nothing's changed.

“And...What? You going to finish that or did you lose your train of thought that quickly?”

His voice breaks her thoughts. She shakes her head and palms her forehead.

“Sorry about that. Must be the booze still lurking around in my dumb brain.”

She laughs it off before sighing.

“I was going to say...That and because...”

She gazes up at him, giving him a soft sincere smile.

“Because we're friends.”

He just rolls his eyes.

“Bah. There's nothing sentimental like that involved here. We're associates. Nothing more or less.”

Yep. He's still the same old Jack. And she's still his ever-faithful lapdog.

“Right. Of course, Master Jack.”

Nothing has changed.

Yet that's obviously wrong. Their energy was different. Their behavior has altered. They're grown close.

Change has happened.

Whether they acknowledge it or not.

[justsoohi]

Makoto Yuuki (Gamer's soul) 3*

Work that makes the most of yourself

Characters: Makoto, Sora

Season: Autumn

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

Yuuki: uwah... It's cold!?

(I took a walk around the school for a change of pace, but it's getting chilly even after school and it feels like winter already)

(I don't have work or lessons today, I think I'll go home early, warm up, and finsh the games I have piled up)

Sora: HaHa~♪ Yuuki sensei~! sora finally found you!

Yuuki: Hm? What's wrong, Harukawa-kun? It seems you were looking for me...

Sora: Yes! Sora has come to invite Yuuki sensei~ to the game research club!

Yuuki: Such a grand welcoming again... Could it be that you made a new game or something?

Sora: No, it's not. Sora is inviting you because he wanted to play with Yuuki sensei~ in the clubroom today!

Sora always plays with Yuuki sensei~ in the dormitory, so for the first time in a long time, I want to play the game in the Game Research Club!

Yuuki: Ah, is that so... come to think of it, I feel like I haven't been in the clubroom much lately.

If I remember correctly, there were some maniac games that weren't kept in the dormitory at Game Research Club. It might be nice to play with it after a long time...

Well then, I guess I'll impose myself to the clubroom for the first time in a while today♪

Yuuki: Pardon me for intruding…~ it seems Sakasaki-kun isn't here today?

Sora: Yes! Shisho~ seems to be very busy today, so we're alone in the club room.

Yuuki: I see. does that mean Harukawa-kun was a little lonely?

Sora: Ah sora have been exposed! You can play games by yourself. But today, sora feels like he want to play with someone~♪

Yuuki: I know how you feel. Sometimes you want to have fun by yourself, and sometimes you want to get excited with a party play ♪

Sora: HiHi~♪ yes yes, sora knew Yuuki sensei~ could understand how gamers feel~

So, Yuuki sensei~, what would you like to play today?

Yuuki: hmm... let's see

(Recently, with the official release of "VS" live showdown, I've been spending a lot of time playing with the new games.....then..)

Yeah, let's go back to the basics and play little games!

Sora: Little game it is. If that's the case, it should be around here... Ah, found it! Is this okay, Yuuki sensei~?

Yuuki: Great! I feel like it's been so long since I've played that game. I hope I remember the controls......

after a few minutes

Sora: .......There is a gap!

Yuuki: You rushed into the game, Harukawa-kun! It's a counter!

Sora: Whoa......!? sora lost again

Yuuki: Haha, it's an old fighting game. Compared to the latest one, the movements are quite sluggish and the timing of offense and defense is difficult.

Sora: One more round please! Sora can't leave with a loss!

Yuuki: Of course! As long as time permits, you can challenge me as many times as you like!

Sora: Yes!....., Ah... Speaking of time, sora forgot that he had something he wanted to say to Yuuki sensei~!

Yuuki: something to say? Was there more to it than just wanting to play games together?

Sora: Yes! Sora also watched the livestream of the showdown "VS" the other day!

Yuuki sensei~ Congratulations on setting the RTA world record for "VS"!

Yuuki: Ah so Harukawa-kun also saw it. I'm glad you said that, thank you♪

Well, I guess the record has already been rewritten now that the full version has been released.

Sora: HuHu~♪ But the excitement that Yuuki sensei~ showed at that time was special~♪

sora couldn't take his eyes off the battle with the "king of darkness" when you were on the verge of setting a world record!

Yuuki: Haha! If it was that exciting for you, then it was worth my effort.

I never thought I would be asked to work on a game as an idol. That's why I was even more excited than usual.

When I lost to Hidaka-kun by a large margin in the mid-term presentation, I remember wondering how I was going to recover.....

Sora: Yuuki sensei~ You're giving off a warm "color"~

You must've really enjoyed working on the game didn't you~ ♪?

Yuuki: Yes! I feel that working as an idol in my favorite game has made me love this job even more, and my love for games has deepened

As an idol, I am able to make my favorite game more successful together with everyone. And through the game that I love, I have been able to grow as an idol...

If I have the chance, I'd like to do a job related to games again, and I'm thinking now I need to improve my skills on a regular basis in order to be ready for that.

—So, this is not the time to be looking over your shoulder¹, Harukawa-kun!

Sora: Eh... wh, woah!?

Yuuki Sensei~ is so tough isn't he? Sora lost again

Yuuki: Fufu, just now I was only taking advantage of Harukawa-kun who had completely let his guard down.

Sora: That's not all~ Yuuki sensei~, you've become much better at the game than before!

Yuuki: Do you think so...? I don't think I've gotten that good at all though

Sora: But Yuuki sensei~ hasn't lost any of his skill even though it's been a long time since he played.

Also, it's amazing that even if you play while talking, the controls don't become sloppy at all~♪

Yuuki: Come to think of it, I can concentrate on playing while talking more than before.....

Thank you, Harukawa-kun. I realized that only because I played with you today.

Sora: HeHe~♪ you don't have to thank me. Sora had a great time playing with Yuuki sensei ~!

Talking about "VS" makes sora want to play it next~

Yuuki: Oh, Harukawa-kun are you playing "VS" too? How far are you going now?

Sora: Sora has now advanced to the seventh stage boss. But it's so strong that sora can't beat it. Yuuki sensei~ do you know "The black dragon"?

Yuuki: Ah, Yeah that boss has a lot of nasty attacks anyway. I can see why you'd get stuck~.

Sora: Yuuki sensei~ Have you already completed it!? As expected!

By the way, is Yuuki sensei~ going to be doing any more live broadcasts of "VS"? Sora would like to see Yuuki Sensei's playing with commentary again~♪

Yuuki: hmm, Well I don't have any plans to do so at the moment. I feel I'd like to take my time and enjoy the strategy by myself.

Besides, if Harukawa-kun saw what I'm doing right now, it would be a spoiler isn't it...?

I'd love to play multiplayer in Harukawa's kun world, but I'll end up playing in a state where I know the story......

Sora: That's certainly true....!

It's a pity that I can only choose between playing the game for the first time and playing the game with Yuuki Sensei~ in commentary play. Sora wish he could erase his memory and play again...

Yuuki: In that case, let's both clear the first time, and when we start the second round let's meet in either room again

And with a second round, we should be able to watch each other without worrying about spoilers.

Sora: ... But won't sora make Yuuki-sensei wait?

Yuuki: Don't worry! My progress is not so different from Harukawa-kun's. I'm still in the middle stage

So let's compete with each other to see who can clear the first time first.

Sora: HoHo~ Then there's nothing to worry about! If we're going to compete sora is not planning to lose ~♪

Yuuki: Me too. I was in charge of the promotion of the game so I won't give up on winning.

Alright, since that's decided, I'll go back to my dormitory right away and take a look at the "VS" strategy—

Sora: Please wait, Yuuki-sensei~! Our battle isn't over yet~?

Yuuki: Huh? I won the fighting game, right?

Sora: Sora has yet to admit defeat. Yuuki-sensei~ said, "You can challenge me as many times as you want as long as time permits"

There is still some time left before school lets us out. So, let's play with this for a little while longer~♪

Yuuki: I see. So you can't end the game on a losing note. As I thought Harukawa-kun you're really competitive in games aren't you?

But I feel the same. If you want to play and have fun, that's aside but as a gamer, you can't lose!

The time limit is until the chime of the complete dismissal from school rings. Until then, I won't let Harukawa-kun beat me even once. I swear on my gamer soul!

Sora: sora will definitely win against Yuuki-sensei! I won't allow you to win and run like this~♪

End.

............

¹, to worry or think about the possibility that something bad might happen,

[kinnikinniki]

[English Translation]

葉月ゆら - ブルーベルの森

葉月ゆら - ブルーベルの森 アルバム：Mistletoe -黄昏の妖精歌- 作詞：7chi子♪ 作編曲：矢野トモ(WIZARD ODYSSEY)

Yura Hatsuki - The Bluebell Forest Album: Mistletoe -Twilight Fairysong- Lyricist: 7chi子♪ Composer: Tomo Yano (WIZARD ODYSSEY)

Lyrics:

フェアリーテイル　見渡す限り緑　知ってるようで知らない場所 ココは何処？　つい漏れた声が　独り言じゃなくなった

fearīteiru miwatasukagiri midori shitteru yōde shiranai basho koko wa doko? tsui moreta koe ga hitorigoto janaku natta

Fairytale, green as far as the eye can see, a place familiar yet unknown. Where am I? The voice that then leaked out, wasn’t my own.

「いらっしゃい」と　微笑んだ　浮かぶ華　光る羽 差し出された手に　そっと乗せた　小指が紡ぐストーリー

'irasshai' to hohoenda ukabu hana hikaru hane sashidasa reta te ni sotto noseta koyubi ga tsumugu sutōrī

“Welcome” he grinned. Floating flowers, shining feathers, Were softly placed, in my outstretched hand. His little finger spins a story.

俯く横顔に見惚れる　貴方はブルーベル　青い妖精 導くその先が何処でも　彷徨い続ける　運命でもいい

utsumuku yokogao ni mihoreru anata wa burūberu aoi yōsei michibiku sono-saki ga doko demo samayoi tsudzukeru unmei demo ī

I adore your bowed head, my dear Bluebell, my blue fairy. No matter where he leads me, I’ll keep wandering. It’s okay if it's my destiny.

木漏れ日とも違う淡い光　囀りさえももう　聴こえない 私が誰かは私しか　知らない　それも悪くない

komorebi-tomo chigau awai hikari saezuri sae mo mō kikoenai watashi ga dareka wa watashi shika shiranai sore mo warukunai

This pale light is not the sunlight filtering through the trees anymore, I can’t even hear, the birdsongs, And I’m the only one, who knows who I am, but it's not bad.

「どうしたの？」　触れられた　頬に伝う一滴 理由ごと拭い去るのなら　全て忘れさせて

'dō shita no?' fure rareta hoho ni tsutau itteki riyū-goto nugui saru nonara subete wasure sasete

“What’s wrong?” As I was touched, a tear fell to my cheek. If you want to erase my every reason, let me forget everything.

頷くだけでも麗しい　貴方はブルーベル　甘いパフューム 寂しく独りで咲かせない　青い絨毯に　寝転びましょう

unazuku dake demo uruwashī anata wa burūberu amai pafu~yūmu sabishiku hitori de sakasenai aoi jūtan ni nekorobimashou

Even your nod is beautiful, my dear Bluebell, my sweet perfume. You can't bloom when you’re lonely and alone. Let’s lie down, on the blue carpet.

噓と真実　意志と誘い　光と影　曖昧模様 振り返っても未知はない

uso to shinjitsu ishi to sasoi hikatokage aimai moyō furikaette mo michi wanai

Lies and truth, will and temptation, light and shadow, ambiguous patterns. Even as I look back, nothing is unknown.

俯く横顔に見惚れる　貴方はブレーベル　青い妖精 導くその先が何処でも　彷徨い続ける　運命でもいい

utsumuku yokogao ni mihoreru anata wa burūberu aoi yōsei michibiku sono-saki ga doko demo samayoi tsudzukeru unmei demo ī

I adore your bowed head, my dear Bluebell, my blue fairy. No matter where he leads me, I’ll keep wandering. It’s okay if it's my destiny.

頷くだけでも麗しい　貴方はブルーベル　甘いパフューム 寂しく独りで咲かせない　青い絨毯に　寝転びましょう

unazuku dake demo uruwashī anata wa burūberu amai pafu~yūmu sabishiku hitori de sakasenai aoi jūtan ni nekorobimashou

Even your nod is beautiful, my dear Bluebell, my sweet perfume. You can't bloom when you’re lonely and alone. Let’s lie down, on the blue carpet.

Notes:

This is a song about a girl being turned into a flower. Despite being a brighter song than her typical gothic style, it is still dark and twisted in a lovely way.

How many souls are in the blue "carpet"?

Honestly, Mistletoe is one of my favorite Yura Hatsuki albums. Its such a different style for her which really shows how versatile she can be! I really hope we get some more ethnic folk music from her in the future!

Pronouns aren't often used in Japanese, so I took some liberties adding some pronouns based on who I thought was delivering the line in the story, but there is actually no suggestion of gender.

🪻Please consider buying this album to support Yura Hatsuki on her booth!🪻

[knowlessman]

lol, forgot this show was a thing for a whole month. um, there's more nomus, there's smart nomus I think, endeavor fucking died except he didn't, anyway now it's movie time so probably nothing relevant to the current plot will happen and also nothing in this movie will become relevant to the plot even if it should. (bnha movie 2, heroes rising)

cg cars I think? ohey it's Lizardman from Every Villain Is Lemons. and some buckethead rando who looks like they wandered in from Dark Souls. and that… dude… the lock guy, forget his name. -- did yall fucking kidnap actual literal vegeta from dragonball

yooo it's fukken happening, Dancing Boy's fighting Frowny Man, I didn't think that was til next season

so they were actually just transporting solid snake?

(intro spiel) ♪ and then one sunny afternoon, All Might came to say... ♪

beach episode stuffs ig, no notes cept why did they have to intro mineta first

...tokoyami can fly? in broad daylight? is that, like... is that legit, or just movie-show inconsistency?

("you took an hour to find a lost kid? I'm gonna leave a bad review") should've scolded that kid back for making a fake call and wasting time that could've been spent responding to an emergency

bakugo: "I'm reserve, that means I can lie around and do fuckall unless a villain shows up" -- "cool, thanks for volunteering for guard duty" 'XD got his ass

"hurry up and master that quirk so I can fight you" bakugo continuing to think he's in dragonball

poor hat kid crying wolf. that sister of his is gonna owe him three buckets of ice cream for the chewing-out bakugo will probably give them

I thought the hero-nerfing darts were, like, resolved? Eri got rescued, but I guess there are still a lot of unused darts? -- ah, maybe they've just managed to replicate All for One.

holy shit they got jim carrey for this movie

"the next time you could come home was in ten days, right?" are these kids just completely unsupervised for ten days? don't they at least have a grandparent watching them? no wonder they can't find anything better to do than make prank calls -- dilf legoshi hates trucks? not clickbait?

k, confirmed then, psycho mantis or wever can steal quirks. …and he has mega-explosive farts that pulverise skyscrapers in the background and throw lightning everywhere whenever he does it. (he should probably take something for that.) -- now, I've never played the Metroid Prime games (cept Hunters and it probably doesn't count), but even I know a Phazon overdose when I see one

"you picked the wrong person to taunt!" "katsuki baku… oh! you're that guy that got taken hostage by the slime monster that one time, right?" -- "what's up with that guy, anyway?" A LOT. -- pokemon npcs, that's who these kids look like. they got "level 4 Caterpie" written all over them.

okay, dilf legoshi is on some cool shit. top-tier design right here for a filler villain

"an invisible wall made of air? wow, I definitely didn't just finish kicking someone's ass who had that exact quirk."

"what? the guy whose power is making explosions exploded his way out of my bandages!"

"I can't steal it… no, I don't have enough free spaces to steal them all…" shoulda bought more ram. that is interesting, tho; the previous avatars won't let One for All be stolen (or it just counts as as many quirks as it's had wielders, or maybe adds quirks to its, like, payload when a wielder has one?).

(giant inflatable-mascot-looking deku illusion) …hehe. kid could have a future in advertising.

"ha! I have air maneuverability, so I can get around your shields!" "in response, I summon yellow eyes blue dragon in attack mode!"

-- "detroit sma-" "holding priority, fartocalypse into forked lightning!"

"what happened to the villain we caught?" "you mean the one bakugo blasted in the face with nitroglycerin at point-blank range? he's tied up in the basement, but he's not talking much. probably because his lungs, teeth and entire fucking head got Galick-Gunned into oblivion"

good pep talk happening, but when does some kinda plan show up -- …okay this is actually an awesome plan, and not only takes into account everything the heroes know, but correctly guesses the villains' whole deal. …how the hell are the villains sposed to compete with this? 'XD I guess psycho mantis probably has some tricks left he hasn't shown, but they'll need some other aces in the hole. or at least to not try to come in via the front door.

dilf legoshi lights his cigar with his own fire breath. …damn this guy's cool. I mean, how many characters have fire breath, and I've never seen one do that.

they seriously have nothing to throw at psycho mantis but rocks tho, huh. they did say they gotta keep their distance, I guess. and it wouldn't be *heroic* to make spears or whatnot.

"we poisoned our weapons with a toxic mucus made by asui, who by the way can also turn invisible now." …hah????? is any of this shit canon? is this movie actually set a few episodes into s5? what gives? aoyama has also been firing lasers from his shoulders and stuff, and I don't think I've seen him do that before either. -- daaamn, dilf legoshi also knows hyper beam?

uh-oh, they got psycho mantis to his limit, but it looks like he's juicing with more Phazon to surpass it -- daaang, he's got cg thunder clouds going now. he's going super fartocalypse god super fartocalypse -- he's also got doc ock tentacles except they're dragons from yugioh

second time this movie these dumbass kids have been told to run from the villain and just sat there -- …kid, your quirk is illusions. like, okay, that didn't work last time either, but still, running TOWARDS the bad guy? and your brother is STILL just sitting there

"you did a good job, katsuma" no he fucking didn't, he ran AT the bad guy, maybe hoping his quirk would suddenly turn into something that could attack -- oh NOW you run

"but how did you avoid the lightning?" "we used kaminari as a lightning rod" 'XD harsh, but a legitimate strategy

"what would all might do?" idk, win? all might doesn't have half the brains you do, deku, I don't think he's ever made a plan in his life -- "the power to transfer power…" oh hell no, bakugo is the LAST person you should be trusting with this. deku, for all your brains, how do you still find it in you to assume the best of a guy who has bullied you relentlessly and unrepentantly your entire life?

(flashback) I forgot all for one doesn't have fucking eyes, wtf, he's got overgrown skin where his eyes should be

"besides, I'm sure all might would say it's fine if it's you" jesus christ, all might is an idiot and even he knows better than that. you may be the plan guy but you got a blind spot bigger than the sun. good thing this is a movie so nothing in it sticks.

"wh-what is this?" …so wait, you both did detroit smash and opened the clouds and shit and some lady started singing the star spangled banner or wevertf and you DIDN'T EVEN HIT THE BAD GUY WITH IT -- YOU BOTH HAVE FUCKING PURPLE ARMS AND YOU DID NOT EVEN HIT THE BAD GUY WITH IT??? HE'S STANDING RIGHT THERE TAUNTING AND POWERING UP WTF YOU JUST WASTED SO MUCH

this is some good-ass animation that they've decided to mute and set to America's football halftime showtune (it's just all slow and loud and showy so it makes me think of that, I have no idea what the actual song is but I think most of it's in English)

I'll say this about the last quarter, I like the bad guy's purple energy butterfly wings

"sayonara, one for all, I leave you in the most abusive, self-centered person I know's homicidal hands" -- "the predecessors gave them a miracle…" okay so maybe all might doesn't know better, but the previous avatars do and rejected vegeta, thank fuck

"good night, Nine. good work." but he didn't do anything here. also can handface eat people's quirks too?

"vegeta doesn't remember anything about the transfer of one for all…" again, thank fuck. I guess they knew he'd be impossible to write from there without officially making him an antagonist. hell, how often does a movie have to specify one character not remembering the events from it? (I know, from the writer's perspective it's just that he would talk about it, but really, they're way too generous to his personality in general)

the kid's only got a healing quirk, stop telling him he'll be a hero, he'll think he's a front-liner when he can do no good there. the back line is just as important.

eh. end part was a little annoying, but was good movie overall. Pretty much everybody got to do cool shit, and the action bits were cool.

[w3ath3r-0f-sw34t3rz]

˗ˏˋ ♬⋆.˚ ― CALLUM ♪⋆

★ Daylight - David Kushner there's darkness in the distance // from the way that i've been livin' // but i know i can't resist it // oh, i love it and i hate it at the same time // you and i drink the poison from the same vine

Bubble Gum - Clairo sorry i didn't kiss you // but it's obvious i wanted to ... i'd do anything for you // but would you do that for me, too?

Iris - Goo Goo Dolls and i don't want the world to see me // 'cause i don't think that they'd understand // when everything's made to be broken // i just want you to know who i am

★ Don't Blame Me - Taylor Swift don't blame me, love made me crazy // if it doesn't, you ain't doin' it right // lord, save me, my drug is my baby // i'll be usin' for the rest of my life

Dark Red - Steve Lacy something bad is 'bout to happen to me // why i feel this way, i don't know maybe // i think of her so much, it drives me crazy // i just don't want her to leave me

The Cut That Always Bleeds - Conan Gray but even though you're killing me // i, i need you like the air i breathe // i need, i need you more than me // i need you more than anything

★ New Person, Same Old Mistakes - Tame Impala or see it from this way 'round // feeling it overtake // all that i used to hate // one by one, every trait // i tried, but it's way too late // all the signs i don't read // two sides of me can't agree // will i be in too deep? // going with what i always longed for // feel like a brand-new person // but you'll make the same old mistakes

Be Nice To Me - The Front Bottoms but you're a killer and i'm your best friend // think it's unfair, your situation // you say i'm changing // sorry i didn't know i had to stay the same // can we talk about this later? // your voice is driving me, driving me insane

Happy Life - Roland Faunte holy dancer, come and find me // in the darkness where i've been hiding // oh, you are my answer, my one and only

★ i am not who i was - Chance Peña so if i fly too far // will i still have a place inside your heart? // and when you see what i've become // will you love me for who i am, not who i was?

Mr. Loverman - Ricky Montgomery i'm reeling in my brain again // before it can get back to you // oh, what am i supposed to do without you? // i'm Mr. Loverman // and i miss my lover, man 

right where you left me - Taylor Swifr i cause no harm, mind my business // if our love died young, i can't bear witness // and it's been so long // but if you ever think you got it wrong // i'm right where you left me

★ Pigeon - Cavetown scaly little friend's got my backup // didn't give me time to say goodbye in the way that i wanted to // so honey, close your eyes and stay like you're supposed to do

Bad Luck - BoyWithUke i got 24 minutes to finish all of my sentences // to be dependent to medicine while i saw you running away // i said okay to myself // it'd be better for health if i turn around and look the other way

Would've, Could've, Should've - Taylor Swift god rest my soul, i miss who i used to be // the tomb won't close, stained glass windows in my mind // i regret you all the time // i can't let this go, i fight with you in my sleep // the wound won't close, i keep on waiting for a sign // i regret you all the time

CHIHIRO - Billie Eilish i know you said before you can't cope with any more // you told me it was war, said you'd show me what's in store ... wringing my hands in my lap // and they tell me it's all been a trap // and you don't know if you'll make it back // i said, "no, don't say that"

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart - Taylor Swift i can hold my breath // i've been doing it since he left

Partner in Crime - Madilyn Mei you're slowly killing me // taking your time // you're slowly killing me // and yet i don't mind (you were never meant to win) // you're slowly killing me // but please take your time

★ A Pearl - Mitski it's just that i fell in love with a war // nobody told me it ended // and it left a pearl in my head // and i roll it around every night // just to watch it glow

The Brink - Madilyn Mei i'm standing on the brink of something // new that i want, i know that it's almost mine // yet something tells me i'll // somehow always be // standing on the brink of something new

Easier - BoyWithUke i should've loved you better // i wish i could have been there // i wish we never met, so maybe then i wouldn't see you everywhere ... waking up at night, ripping out my hair // i'm used to having fights, used to hurting everybody that i care for

the lakes - Taylor Swift take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die ... i'm setting off, but not without my muse // no, not without you

October Passed Me By - girl in red i keep the letters that you wrote in a secret place // every now and then, i go down memory lane // October passed me by just like any month // but i still think of the times you took the breath out of my lungs // you don't have to run

★ Twin Size Mattress - The Front Bottoms this is for the snakes and the people they bite // for the friends i've made, for the sleepless nights // for the warning signs i've completely ignored // there's an amount to take, reasons to take more

Strawberry - Addison Grace i'd give you more of what i don't have // you already know, you'd never ask for it // how does it feel? // how does it feel to be so...?

Love Letter From The Sea to The Shore - Delaney Bailey 'cause you hold in my tide // i would die a thousand times // just to see you in another life

★ From Eden - Hozier honey, you're familiar like my mirror years ago // idealism sits in prison, chivalry fell on its sword // innocence died screaming, honey, ask me, i should know // i slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door