#'just to change into a tree grow for ages not hurt anyone'...

[ambigrueity]

Incredibly long post about Trey and Riddle's Relationship that I vaguely said I'd do in the tags of my posts somewhere

Disclaimer: this is not intended to be shipping in any way I very much view them as family, even more so after these updates. To start with I'm going to separate their relationship into 3 distinct stages and focus on their perceptions of each other at each stage. I think their relationship is wonderfully written As usual, I ramble so sorry in advance, but I really want to analyze how complex they are.

Stage one: Childhood: ||Riddle|| A friend: Trey and Chenya were Riddle's first friends. Riddle had spent his whole life knowing the four walls of his home and his mother and both Trey and Chenya were his gateway to experiencing the world outside his windows. As such, they're immensely valuable to him. Under his mother he had no other way to grow socially, so when provided with a logical reason for going out and playing (Chenya stated his grandpa believed play is a form of study) he jumped at it because he wanted that connection. Trey specifically was his ideal. I think he looked up to him a lot. Normal home life. His mother didn't confine or trap him in any way. And he could eat whatever he liked. That's why when Trey said that one or two slices of tart wouldn't hurt, it was good enough to sway Riddle. All his life he'd grown up hearing about sweets being poison. But Trey seems happy and fulfilled so surely it's not as bad. However, breaking his mother's rule made him lose everything. The momentary friendship he'd built and any chance of freedom. It impressed upon him the importance of following the rules because breaking them lead to loss. And on top of that, it left him with guilt. I talk a lot about Trey's guilt in this situation (and I will talk more) but Riddle has his own guilt too that just manifested in a different way. More on that later.

||Trey|| A brother: While Riddle might have viewed Trey as a friend (no doubt because he was an isolated only child with a different perception and a lot of baggage tied to the world family), Trey saw him as a brother. He expressly states in his dream that Riddle was smart enough to identify plants and flowers and had enough magic control to get their soccer ball out of the trees, and he felt proud to have a smart little brother. And this sort of label is easier for him because he comes from a rather healthy family with siblings and has a blood brother around Riddle's age. Instinctively, Riddle became someone he wanted to care for, spoil, and cherish. That's why after knowing Riddle wanted to try a tart he wanted to let him. Later on, he tries to dismiss or come to terms with his actions in various ways, stating that it was not his place and of course anyone would get upset if their house rules and dietary restrictions weren't being respected. He tries to make it out into a joke, saying it's become a family incident of sorts that they just laugh about. "Who gets that mad at children playing." But underneath all those attempts to bury his own trauma, lies guilt. Because he feels, deep down, that as a brother he should have protected Riddle better. And instead, after just 2 months, he had to see everything that made Riddle happy stripped away again. More on this later. Stage 2: Riddle's First Year

||Riddle|| A stranger. Riddle's changed. He's developed some of his mother's anger. He's been confined for years. And because of that one incident with the tart, he firmly believes that growth and by extension fulfillment can only happen under the rules. Moreover, since Trey represents that period of his life where he learned that lesson rather harshly, he ices Trey out, pretending he barely knows him. After all, they might as well be strangers after all these years. Especially since Trey is banned from his house. This is a result of the guilt I mentioned earlier. He failed to follow his mother's rules and the punishment put Trey and his peaceful family that he looked up to in the crossfire. I think a part of him doesn't know how to face Trey after all that, worried that he might hate him. However, he cannot fully erase his own memories. So it is Trey he consults when he asks how to challenge a dorm leader for the seat. Even if he's distancing himself by calling him "Clover-senpai" Trey still remains someone he trusts to a degree. After Riddle takes the throne he makes a decision I find interesting. He doesn't select a vice, instead he leaves it to the popular vote. This could be read two ways IMO. Either, he didn't feel the need to have a vice because he was so confident in his own skills, but was aware that it was customary to have one so it didn't matter to him who it was. Or, deep down, he was afraid that no one would be willing to work with him. After seeing his dream, I do think it might be the latter. All of the darkness versions of his card soldiers showed some form of disloyalty. Willing to go along with the idea that they might jump ship, or that Riddle could be overpowered. It's this insecurity born from his own fear of his mother. He knows he's become a reflection of her, and he's worried how other people might react to it. In the end, he's still chasing those relationships from childhood, but is stuck believing that rules are the only way to keep what little happiness he has which alienates him from Trey to a degree. ||Trey|| A brother still: Despite the years, Trey's feelings about Riddle hadn't changed much other than being swamped with underlying guilt. Upon realizing that Riddle was going to attend NRC, his first instinct was to create a space for him. Trey generally, is introverted but excited to see his childhood friend again, he ends up talking to the people around him saying that Riddle was a quiet but studious boy and he hopes that people will welcome him. That was at least, before he saw what Riddle had become (he ended up fighting Floyd at the entrance ceremony) leaving Trey with the realization that this was not the boy he knew anymore. And worse, he was pretending not to know him. I'm sure it hurt, but even so, when RIddle asked about dueling the housewarden, he did try to accommodate him (after getting over his initial shock). The thing that gets me the most, however, is that Trey still saw the good in him. Trey in the rose maze part of Riddle's dream tells Ortho that the first thing Riddle did when he became housewarden was tend to the roses. To him that was a sign that Riddle was still somewhere in there and he was willing to support that. He would have been resigned to accepting that he was a stranger to Riddle if he hadn't been elected vice, but regardless of how Riddle felt, Trey still felt responsible for him. Both out of guilt and because he was still family.

[celine-song]

The Fountain (2006) dir. Darren Aronofsky

[feral-ballad]

three favourite excerpts/lines?

“Why is the measure of love loss?” (Jeanette Winterson)

“I have lots of heart... I have more heart than anybody, and for all that, I have more bitterness, too.” (Miguel Hernández)

“Not that I want to be a god or a hero. Just to change into a tree , grow for ages, not hurt anyone.” (Czesław Miłosz)

[joelsmochi]

Joel Miller — There You Go

warnings: post-apocalypse, pre-ellie, age change + gap (joel is 53, reader is 33), smut (minors dni), unprotected piv sex + creampie, outdoor/public sex, reader has a thing for joel’s hands, joel has a thing for reader being a pillow princess, joel also has a thing for praising reader, joel loves spoiling reader what more can i say, definitely ooc joel, pet names (baby, pretty girl, doll, etc.), dirty talk, vanilla sex (? should this even count as a warning LMFAO), possessive!joel (only a little it's kinda cute), fluffy!joel, probably an over-usage of the word “pretty”, i always lazy proofread so there may be some typos <3 wc: 4k a/n: there are so many mean!joel or rough!joel smuts (don’t get me wrong i be eating that shit up!) so i thought i’d do something a lil different & give y’all a sweet and endearing joel smut <3 this is lowkey inspired by the scene from jason’s lyric + inspired by a comment i saw where someone said pedro/joel would definitely talk you through it .-.

masterlist

“The sun feels so good,” I think aloud. “Come lie down! You should try it!” I glance over at Joel who is cleaning the pot that we just ate dinner out of.

“You’re gonna get sunburnt,” is all he says. I don’t respond, enjoying the warm blanket the sun is providing. A few minutes later I hear him sit next to me which makes him block the sun from my face so I open my eyes and smile up at him.

He and I aren’t that close, but it never hurt to try and grow closer with him—sometimes he’d give in and laugh with me, but most of the time it was like talking to a brick wall that occasionally grunted at you or rolled its eyes. I understand though. I’m sure he lost someone he loved so deeply and that kind of shit changes you. I’ve lost more people than I can count and no matter how much you try to prepare for it, you’re just never ready. That’s why I always try to get him to smile, I want him to know that someone still cares about him even if he doesn’t care for anyone anymore.

But I know he does. I know for a fact that he cares about me. He never let’s me hold him when we’re trying to sleep but the second I hear his breaths deepen I always wrap my arms around him and he shuffles his back deeper into my body. I loved the way he was too emotionally calloused to warm up to me because it makes me want to fight harder for him which reinforces the fact that I care about him.

“Thank you for dinner, you sure know how to whip up some twenty-year-old ravioli,” I joke.

He just nods and looks at the trees in front of us.

“How old were you when this all started? Thirty-two?”

“Thirty-three,” he corrects.

“Hmm, same age I am now.”

“Ain’t that a bitch?” He huffs, clearly exhausted from our hike. I sit up in front of him and grab his hands; he tries to pull back while giving me a dirty look so I just grip him harder. “What are ya doing?” He asks.

“Holding your hands,” I say with a cheeky tone and a grin.

“Why?”

“Because I think about touching ‘em all the time,” I tease.

He takes a few breaths, watching to see if I break my smile. “You think… About my hands?”

“Mm-hmm,” I hum, “I think about your fingers.” I hold one of his hands up to my face and analyze his digits, memorizing the cuts and bruises and wrinkles along them. Even though my words are true, I still played as if I were joking endearingly, but the more I looked at his fingers the more complicated it got. I feel my nipples perk up underneath my tank top from the cool breeze and… Well, from being horny. “I think you’re a cool guy,” I say after looking at him and dropping his hand.

“Why?”

Shrugging, I say, “Because you take care of me. You teach me a lot.”

His eyebrows rise and force wrinkles onto his forehead. “I teach you a lot?”

I hum again, nodding slowly and blinking even slower not able to hide my true intentions anymore. “Yeah, you… Taught me how to use a gun safely… You taught me how to get past an infected… You taught me how to hunt a buck.”

“Shit your parents shoulda taught ya when your were a kid,” he retorts, letting me know he doesn’t see my desperation.

“Maybe,” I whisper. I carefully move onto my hands and knees, slowly crawling closer to him. “Maybe I was just meant to have you as my teacher.” The look in his cold eyes shifted yet he continues to leave me confused. I may be overstepping here, but his lack of resistance only urges me to push further and further. I bat my eyelashes at him and reach my nose just in front of his. “You could even teach me how to fuck.”

His eyes bat shut and he exhales as if he were committing the worst of sins. His eyes reopen after a few quiet seconds and they flicked between both of my own eyes. His cold irises were now warm with dilated pupils and his pulse is beating so strong I could see it pump against the skin along his collarbones. I glance at his lips more than once and press one of my hands to his thigh.

“Is this okay?” It comes out shakier than I intended it to as my breathing feels much heavier than before. Joel makes me feel so small but in the best way possible. It’s as if he were my sworn protector and I could always count on him to be there for me. Like a lovestruck twenty-year-old, I cling to him in my most desperate of times even though he pretends to hate it. I could tell he likes having someone to take care of, and I love that he takes care of me.

Hesitating, he nods and carefully reaches for my forearms.

“You sure?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he whispers sounding more desperate than me.

I can’t help but simper at both his confirmation and touch, finally touching my nose to his. A knot twists deeply into my stomach, and my chest fills with waves of nervousness. “I’ve only done it a couple times,” I whisper.

“That’s okay,” he hums against my lips, his chest rumbling at the low vibrations from his voice. “I’ll teach you.”

I snicker and giggle at his words earning the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen on him in the time I’ve known him, then he presses his lips to mine so softly I thought I was imagining it. The smack of his warm mouth dazes me momentarily and I grasp onto his shoulders before completely falling into his touch. He lies back onto the blanket and encapsulates my body with his thick legs and firm arms. He whines into my mouth and holds onto my waist as if I would fall apart if he let go.

I pull away after a while to look down at him, wondering how we should start. It’s been well over a decade since my last time and I don’t want to disappoint Joel.

“Lie down,” he instructs while admiring my flustered look.

I do as he says and allow him to take my shoes off, which he does so carefully. I always pegged Joel to be a bit rougher, and eager for it, especially after a long time of waiting.

His fingertips nuzzle the hairs along my calves and thighs up until they reach the hems of my shorts and this is where my expectations become true; he wraps his fingers into the folds and tugs gently, probably trying to pace himself, but the rise and fall of my chest catch his attention and his patience runs out. He yanks my button undone and doesn’t even bother taking my shorts off, he just slips his hand inside to feel around. I prop myself up with my elbows to get a better view of everything. He strokes the stubble along my pelvis, then around my clit, dipping down to my entrance and slightly parting my lips to see how ready I am.

I inhale at the feeling of his warm finger coming into contact with my cool precum, locking eyes with him to watch the subtleties in his face change at every new feeling he notices. He just barely whispers, “Fuck,” when he rises his finger to my clit. He gives it a gentle stroke and watches me breathe slowly for him. “You’re doing so good, staying still like that for me,” he praises. I bite my lip and confidently smile at him. He starts to rub soft circles onto my skin, eliciting a gentle coo from me. The space between my eyebrows tightens at the relief and my eyes close softly. “Fuck, look at’ya… So eager for me already, huh?” I look at him and nod. “Tell me how bad you want it, doll.”

“Do you remember the night we first met?” I ask between moans. “And I had that cut on my arm that you had to clean and wrap? All I could do was stare at your fingers and—and imagine how good they would feel rubbing my clit the way you’re doing right now. It was the first night I had touched myself in almost a year.”

He squints at me sharing this information and rewarding me with more pressure from his fingers. “And how often do you touch yourself now?”

“In the past two years I’ve known you?” I sheepishly ask; he nods and halts his moving fingers. Desperately wanting him to keep going, I shout, “Almost anytime I get left alone for longer than ten minutes.”

“Since we’re being honest…” He leans down to my ears to whisper, “…Sometimes I leave you alone to touch myself as well.” He takes his hand out of my shorts to slide them off of me.

He looks around the trees, and I do the same to make sure no one living or infected is around; once we’re sure it’s clear he sits to remove his boots which I laugh when it starts to take a long time. I reach for his shirt buttons, undoing them carefully as a few were hanging literally by a thread. I push his flannel shirt off of his arms while he finally kicks his boots off, then he hovers his head over mine and just barely pushes his pants down to reveal his swollen cock. I reach for it despite my intimidation at the girth but he stops me, guiding me to lie down again.

“Joel?”

“Yes, baby?” He asks against the skin above my collarbone whilst placing lovely kisses all over my neck.

“It’s really big,” I say tensely, laughing at myself.

He gives me a juicy kiss and shares a winsome look with me. “I’ll be gentle if you want,” he promises. I barely smile, not realizing how harshly my nails are digging into his arm. I give him a slight nod and spread my legs slowly for him. “I promise I’ll be real nice to your pretty pussy.”

I lift my head up to kiss him again and he shifts to rest his body weight on top of me with his hand reaching between our bodies to line his tip up with my entrance. His tongue folds over my lips and into my mouth restlessly and I feel his hips push forward against me. I prepare myself for the discomfort, squeezing my eyes tightly and pulling away from the kiss to brace myself.

It’s difficult to breathe with my ribcage pushing against him and I feel him leave a trail of kisses along my jawline in an attempt to soothe me. I constantly squeeze around his thick cock, trying to ignore the slight burning and get used to the pain faster. He notices how long I remain tense and anxious, so he taps my cheek gently with his fingers and I open my eyes to look at him which relaxes almost every nerve in my body.

“Just relax, honey, okay? Can you do that for me?” My eyes roll to the back of my head as his raspy voice continues to beg me to relax. “Hmm? Can you relax for me, baby girl?” He pulls back a little and begins to slowly pump himself in and out of me, chuckling as he watches my body actively relaxing around and beneath him. “There you go… There you go… Here.��� He adjusts his knees to be flush against the back of my thighs and moves my arms and legs to wrap around his back. “How’s this?”

I wait for him to start moving again, noticing the difference in closeness. “Yes!” I hiss. I feel his hand pop my boobs out of the top of my tank top and I look to his fingers to watch them rub against the sewn-in rose in the middle of the shirt, but soon enough his hand cups my boob and gives it a delicate squeeze. I notice my pussy get wetter at the steady pace he is going at, feeling the curve of his cock hit the deeper parts of me.

“That feel good, baby?”

“Yes, Joel,” I moan. I slide the straps of my shirt off of my arms to get a better grip on him making him smile at the now bunched-up fabric around my waist. All I can do is moan and roll my eyes back and forth at his cock filling me up repeatedly. With my thighs trembling around his hips, my nails digging into his back, and my back arching deeper into the ground, he lifts his upper half off of me more than likely to see me—all of me.

He drives his hips faster, not fully entering inside of me but using the curve of his shaft to his advantage. As my hands flail around either gripping the sheet or his arms, I accidentally dig my knees into his stomach, and I can tell it’s hurting him but he doesn’t stop.

“Come on, baby,” he grunts, somehow managing to go even faster, “cum for me, pretty girl, I can feel it—oh, look at’cha!”

I whine at the ticklish feeling of his tip rubbing against my g-spot, feeling sudden shocks in my nerves from my stomach to my feet. I feel my muscles stop squeezing around him and start pushing against him as my orgasm creeps up. Joel hunches over to pop one of my nipples into his mouth adding waves of electricity to swim through the rest of my body.

“Joel, I—“

“Shh, shh shh shh,” he mumbles against my breast. “Look at me, darlin’. Hold onto me.” My fingers wrap into his curls and I watch his eyes trail over my face. I feel myself fall over the edge and into my orgasm, and his words seem to only exist to intensify this burst of energy. “God, look at you cumming for me—oh, my God, I can feel it," he repeats. "I can feel you cumming, it feels so fucking good."

“Yeah?” I whimper. “Fuck, please don’t stop!” He grunts and gets a bit more sloppy with his thrusts which help ride out the rest of my orgasm. I release his hair and drop my legs down next to his, feeling soreness spreading throughout my thighs from them being stretched. “Do you want to switch?” I ask after seeing how tired he is.

He pretty much pouts and shakes his head, cupping my face in one of his hands. “No, baby. I wanna take care of you,” he says. “You look so pretty in the sun.”

I blush to thank him, then take his scruffy face into my hands and give him a few kisses until they turn into our tongues dancing together. I moan at the taste of his skin, pushing my hips down to get his shaft deeper inside of me.

He listens to my body and instead of thrusting he rocks his hips after resting some of his weight on me again. I feel the layers of sweat from both of us stick his skin to mine but we just ignore it. All I care to focus on are his groans and the way his cock fits so perfectly inside of me.

“I was made just for you,” I moan, reaching out to run my hands along the hair on his chest.

He shoves one of my legs up on his shoulder, bending forward to somehow fuck me even deeper. “You were made just for me?” He asks, kissing the inside of my knee.

I mewl out, cursing at how smoothly his hips continue to roll in between my thighs. “Yes, Joel!” I shout when he shoves his dick all the way inside of me, stopping once he presses against my depths. “My pussy was made just for you!”

I watch his pretty eyes roll under his twitching eyelids, and he whimpers. He actually fucking whimpers. I gasp at his shaft throbbing inside of me and cradle the back of his head.

He lifts himself to his knees again, forces my legs to spread apart, and pulls out. “Fuck, baby,” he groans with furrowed eyebrows. “You keep talking like that you’re gonna make me cum too fast.”

Grinning wide, I sit up and turn around to my hands and knees like earlier. I figured a change in position could help excite things a bit more, plus my ass is starting to hurt. I moan and giggle while I tauntingly wave my ass for him to grab. Instead, he yanks my knees back knocking me down to my stomach which admittedly hurt a little bit, but I didn’t care. I finally got to have Joel and that was all I needed.

He pushes my legs apart with his chest pressing against my back. I shudder at his warm breath on my sweat-covered cheek and ear, flinching when he nibbles on my lobe—not from pain, but surprise. He moves down to bite my shoulder, then my spine before I feel his hand push his thick cock back inside of me.

I kick my limp legs up to meet his wide thighs and lay my face against the ground. He fucks me like he’s desperate for me to know how strong he is, how weak he can get me. I arch my neck up for my lips to meet his chin; listening to his little whimpers has my entire body weak for him. I didn’t want the noises to stop, I don’t want him to stop.

“Oh, baby,” he whimpers some more, “you feel so good. S-oh good.” His breath is shaky as are his words.

“I want you to cum inside of me, Joel,” I beg before pecking his chin. I relax the arch in my neck to instead bury the back of my head into his shoulder. He stops for a few seconds to absorb my words, using this time to wrap his arms below and around my stomach. “I love the way you fuck me,” I whisper against his jaw. “You make me feel so good, baby.”

“That’s my job, honey,” he tells me, thrusting a couple of times. “Oh sh—oh my God,” he mewls. He bites my cheek which makes me giggle and turn my head to kiss him. He starts to drill in and out of me while our lips fold over each other, our moans and begs and whimpers falling out occasionally. I feel that bubble growing inside of me again just itching to be popped, and I completely crumble when he says, “You take my cock so good, princess, I know you got another one in ya.”

I can’t even speak whilst he wraps his strong hand around my neck to hold my head up rather than to choke me. I cry out his name shallowly and squeeze around him so tight I’m sure his cock started to ache. He curses into my neck, not letting up on my pussy one bit. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it.

“You look so fucking pretty when I fuck you. Look at how helpless you are, fuck. You’re mine, pretty girl.”

“I love the way you fuck me, Joel,” I say breathlessly as my orgasm doesn’t let up.

“My sweet girl,” he coos in my ear. “Keep talking to me, mmm, I love hearing you beg for it.”

By this point, I am suffering from the pain of overstimulation, which I never thought could hurt so bad but feel so damn good at the same time. “You’re so good to me, Joel,” I tell him doubtlessly. “I want you to cum for me, please.” His body jerks a few times and it instills confidence in my tone. “I want you to use me… Use me to cum, please…”

“You want me to cum in that pretty pussy a’yours? Hmm?” He cuddles his face into my shoulder blade, striving to reach even deeper inside of me. “Turn around. I wanna see you,” he whispers; I turn around and he lifts me onto his lap, still standing on his knees. His burly forearms manage to hold me up enough for him to keep doing all of the work, but by this point, I was thankful for it with how much he’s worn me out. “You take my cock s’good. Look at your pretty face, your pretty little helpless face.”

I watch as he takes his lip between his teeth into his weeping mouth, breathless gasps leaving my own. He looks so majestic with how the sun casts subtle shadows along his face; his vulnerability coats the look in his eyes as his face begins to relax which tells ms he is close. His nails dig into my spine and he looks to me for reassurance.

I run my fingertips over Joel’s broad shoulders and blink slowly, drawing my tongue out to lick his lips briefly. “Can you cum for me, baby?” I ask softly.

“Yes,” he says, heavily nodding his head. “Anything for you, honey.” He kisses me swiftly, smiling at me and stroking my thumb over his cheekbone. “Fuck, I’m gonna cum.”

We both moan out little praises against each other's faces and lips and sometimes kiss roughly. My chin burns from his stubble but I don’t pull away from him. I don’t want to. I just want to feel all of him.

He tells me he’s going to cum once more and I say, “Look at me, baby. Look at me when you cum.”

I hold his head still in my hands and rock my hips against his, but he stops me by pushing my hips into him and holding me there. I whine but allow it, cockily grinning at him when I feel his warm cum paint my walls. He is a whimpering mess, cowering his face to my chest. His body twitches underneath my legs and his hands fall to my ass, squeezing it enough to lift my hips up and back down a couple of times. Grunting when he finishes, he peels his face from my skin to smile down at me after lying me down carefully. He looks around for a moment before pulling out and laying next to me.

“Sorry, I got a little carried away,” he says, still out of breath.

I look over at him and twist to my side. “It’s okay. I know you like taking care of me.”

“Do I now?”

I nod and hum. “You’ll never say it, but I know you do.”

Joel also turns onto his side to stare at me. “I like taking care of you,” he admits with a hoarse voice. He reaches to pull my shirt straps back over my arms before covering my boobs, then grabs my panties to slide them up my legs but stops when he gets to my vulva just to place a kiss on it. He half-dresses himself before pulling my warm legs onto his lap; I sit up to get more comfortable and stare at his hands massaging my legs. “Your face is sunburnt,” he tells me.

I touch my cheekbone and flinch when I feel it is indeed sunburnt. “Dammit.”

“Doll, I want ya to know that this doesn’t mean nothing to me. It isn’t nothing, I mean… It’s something… If you want it to be.”

“Something?” I question with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah…” He shrugs, looking back down at my legs. “If you want.”

I crawl into his lap, responding to him with a loving kiss. “I want you. Not something.”

“Oh, pretty girl…” He moves some hair from my face and bashfully smiles at me. “You already got me.”

[quirkwizard]

Final Note: A Look at the True Ending of My Hero Academia

Wow, Hori. Way to ruin my heartfelt review of the final few chapters of your series. It was very inconsiderate of you to put this out.

Okay, but seriously, I was not expecting this to happen. When I had heard that Volume 42 was going to have a lot of new pages added, I thought there were just going to be more extras. Stuff like little notes and character profiles. Imagine my shock when we get a whole additional chapter for the proper finale of the series.

I am only writing about one chapter here. In spite of the fact this is ending the series, there's only so much I can cover here. So this is going to be a lot shorter than some of my other mega posts. More notes and a few longer tangents then the bigger analysis I had written about on the final arc and the epilogue.

And yes, I am using the fan translations here. Normally, I'd wait for some official translation to come out, but going by what people have said, these translations are pretty close to what's going on in the manga. Plus, the last volume isn't likely to come out until October and there is no way I am waiting that long to talk about this.

Duds and Duds: The Final Stitch-Part 2

Let's get something simple out of the way first: new looks.

-Nejire got one of the more improved looks. The spiral gauntlets and leggings are simple additions, but really add a lot to her look.

-I guess Present Mic's hair works like a tree. It grows as he ages and if you cut it, you can tell how old he's gotten by the rings.

-Best Jeanist, how did you get a hair cut that somehow even made you look like even more of a complete fop? And why the laces? Why do the jeans have laces in them?

-I'm mixed on Mirio's new look. The ones on his legs are kind of silly, but very fitting for him. I also miss the visor he had on as well. However, I cannot accept the pompadour as a part of his appearance. I'm sorry, but it just looks silly.

-Kamui Wood's new look is simple, but amazing. The narrower eyes look more menacing, the branches around his mask forming a makeshift crown, the wreath of leaves around his head to give him this regal look. It's great, no notes.

-The Ketsubutsu Schools kids got some minor touch-ups to help them stick out more, such as Shikkui's more rap artist-inspired look and Tatami's arm sleeves. It just makes them look less generic. Yo Shindo caught me off guard though. Maybe it's the cow-lick or hair dye, but he looks like an entirely new character. Like I swear his face changed shape too.

-I think Tamaki just won me over. No joke, he actually may have gotten one of my favorite looks. The all-black look with the hood gives this monstrous appearance. The teeth on the hood is not only amazing appearance, but a really cool reference to how his power works around eating. The little bendy straw on his costume is amazing as well. It's both a cute detail and a practical part of the costume.

-Juzo, Setsuna, and Kendo didn't have much going. Maybe a few minor design choice changes that don't hurt anything. Same with Tetsutetsu, but I really like his sharper hair and larger eye accents. Just something about them made him pop out more. I like Manga's drawing tablet as his chestpiece. It's a really cute design for his character.

-Seiji looks even cooler now with his sharper features. Inasa is more of a sidegrade. The Slimy Shadey hair is really odd, but I do like the goggles to help fit in with his steampunk look. Camie I'm the most confused about. Why does she have feathers in her cap? Is that a reference I'm not getting? Maybe to a superhero or mythological figure?

-Monoma has the worst design out of anyone here. I don't even know where to begin with him. The clock earrings are dumb and just seem like they'd get in the way. His gloves are actively keeping him from using his Quirk. And do I even need to say anything about this hair cut? I can't believe Hori turned Monoma into an e-boy.

-Fat Gum is a bit of a downgrade for me. The all-black look doesn't suit his more welcoming brand and personality. Plus, the "M" and "G" in the middle of the "F" already present on his chest just look really out of place. I just think it worked better with the "F" and "G" on his old costume. They just fit a lot more seamlessly into his overall look and helped break up all the yellow with some white.

Meet Up/Catch Up

Now to talk about certain changes to Class 1-A. Yes, I'm dedicating another list segment to this. I have a lot of thoughts on it

-Wow, I really don't like Sero's peach fuz mustache. It looked bad in the helmet, and it's even worse now. It just looks so wrong on him.

-I despise Iida's half buzz, though I will admit that's more than everything ruining that hair cut over the past seven years.

-Nighthide is such a terrible hero's name. I'm not sure if that's just bad translation, a lack of creativity, so simply an in character choice for Shinso to be bad at naming stuff. Just like his mentor.

-Kirishima threatening to scratch the hood of Bakugou's car is one of my favorite jokes in the series. I know it's only part of the fan translation, but I'm going to be disappointed if it isn't in the official one.

-I like how Hori basically had Denki and Jiro look into the camera and confirm they are not dating. Right after confirming two characters getting together that nobody cared about but him. 

-I have once again been vindicated by canon. Iida is in fact faster than Bakugou. The manga out-and-out said it. All the power scalers out there can turn on your badge and calculators.

-Hey, look at that, a billboard with Izuku's face on it. It's almost as if he hasn't forgotten about it over the last couple of years. Maybe Hori wanted to make it extra obvious for some of the fans.

-I appreciate how not everyone is a pro hero by the end and some of them are still sidekicks. Any other author would have had it, so all the students are pros with their own agencies, but it's realistic not every one of them would have the want or ability to become a proper pro. I'm honestly surprised which ones are and aren't though.

-I'm kind of amazed that my guess of the rankings of the heroes ended up being so spot on. Pretty much all of them ended up in the brackets. I would have guessed where they were. Even some of the reasoning was spot on, like Bakugou's terrible people skills still getting in his own way a lot of the time. The dark horse of all this was certainly Shoji. I assumed that he would have fallen in the rankings due to spending so much time trying to deal with the heteromorph situation, but I guess that ended up helping him in the long run.

Missing Invites

So one complaint I've heard about this ending is how focused it is on Class 1-A and especially Uraraka and Izuku. Which I can kind of get. It's just that, as the final chapter in this entire story, it carries a lot more finality to it. So, if some character isn't given any attention, chances are they are never going to get it. I can understand the desire to see other characters. Like I wanted to at least get a look at how All Might and Endeavor were doing. Even if it's only one panel, it would have been nice how things were for them eight years on.

However, I do think that misses the point of this chapter. Because a lot of this chapter is around to act as an epilogue to the main cast of the series and to show us the future that they were and are still fighting for. As well as to tie up Izuku and Uraraka's arcs and to affirm what the story is about and what messages are. Anything that isn't focused on that feels more like a nice bonus rather than something integral we needed to see, such as getting to see the Big Three as heroes. A lot of the characters and their arcs were wrapped up already. As nice as it would be to see where they ended up, you don't really need to.

Ships Docked

Look, I'm glad there weren't a lot of ships got together within the final act. If we're being honest, a lot of the ships that people love didn't have a strong foundation in canon. So I didn't really want or expect an "And then everyone paired off and had a kid" ending that people were wishing for or dreading would come to pass. Considering that there hasn't been much in the way of personal relationships for more than 1-A as a whole, instead of pushing 1-A more as a larger unit of people that help and support one another rather than focusing on individual pairs, it would have been very jarring.

That being said, it's hilarious how, in a fanbase as famous for shipping as this one, there are only three canon pairings at the end of the series. Maybe four depending on how you interpret Gentle and La Brava's ending. And two of them were for ships nobody cared about. There was Shindo and Tamati, a pair that you'd only know was a couple from the databooks. Then there was Kuroiro and Komori, a connection that only had the faintest of set up in the databooks, a brief exchange during the Joint Training Arc, before being pushed front and center in the very last chapter. And of course, there was... we'll get to that, trust me.

Ghosts of Shipping Past

So you're telling me that Izuku got pushed to Uraraka by Bakugou and Toga pushed Uraraka to Izuku? Bakugou and Toga, who are the most popular pairs for Izuku and Uraraka respectively, are literally pushing Izuku and Uraraka together. And that's what ends up making them confess to each other. If I didn't know any better, I would say this is a Supernatural finale level of spite on Hori's part. That he got so tired of people harassing him and his staff about shipping and had this part sketched out to specifically make people upset about it. 

And if Uraraka is seeing Himiko and Izuku is seeing Tomura, does that mean that they are both being haunted by them? Fanfic writers, this is a golden opportunity here to make a comedy fic. A newly minted hero couple try to live their lives while being haunted by the ghost of their archenemies. What, is Himiko going to be cheering Uraraka on about getting together with Izuku and that she should take him right now? Meanwhile, Tomura's haunting Izuku about how he should grind out another level in League of Legends before doing anything else?

Odds are LeMillion to One

I'm still pretty mixed about Mirio becoming the Number One hero. I guess it feels like such a big deal to get the top spot only to have it fall to Mirio. And I'm not saying that to slam Mirio. I do like Mirio. Mirio is one of the most heroic figures to come out of UA, if not the whole series. It's just odd to me because Mirio feels like such an afterthought. Outside the Yakuza Arc, he hasn't had much going on with him, let alone an arc where it feels like a proper conclusion. I suppose it's to show the change in things. How the greatest hero in Japan isn't this invincible pillar, but this jokey guy that can hang out with kids and make a fool of himself.

I guess that has less to do with where Mirio ended up and more about how little presence he had in the story. Looking back, I do think that Mirio's presence and momentum were put to a grinding halt because he lost his Quirk. That Horikoshi just wasn't sure what to do with him once the Yakuza arc was done. Because when I try to map out Mirio's character and his arc, I struggle to understand where it was going and how it ended up here. He's introduced as the guy who seems like the best "One For All" candidate on paper. Then it's shifted to being more about carrying on Sir Nighteye's successor. I know I'm getting way off-topic here. It's just been something that's been on my mind ever since I read the chapter.

Temperate

Shoto is great in this chapter. I've always stood by the idea that part of Shoto's arc in the series is about him trying to define himself as a person. Away from all his family and the baggage that came with it. From trying to accept his power as his own to riding himself over the demons of his father to finally being able to be his own person. Saying that he just wants to do something because he wants to do it. It's also a good contrast to how Enji was. Instead of obsessing over the same thing that destroyed his family, once Shoto got as high as he felt he could go, he instead turned to something new that he wanted to try. For no other reason than he simply liked soba and thought it would taste better with something he made. 

I also really like how they tie this into the idea of heroes having more free time and becoming less and less needed. That now heroes have chances to take care of themselves, stop worrying about everyone else, and have lives outside their work. Again, that's something I feel like didn't ring as true with only Chapter 430 as context. We never got to see anyone besides Izuku working in that chapter. And since he was a teacher and not a pro hero, it didn't feel like what Hawks did came to pass outside of maybe a few lines. So I'm glad it got some focus on Shoto and his own arc. I think it's a excellent note to end his character on. I'm glad that it was more overtly finished as opposed to the single panel we got for it in Chapter 430.

Blast Back

So, after all that, what do I think about Bakugou's ending? I think it's an effective bittersweet ending to his character. He reminds me a lot of veterans after a war. And I'm not just saying that because he was in two wars for his life, both of which he technically died in, though that is part of that. It's more about the mindset and character of Bakugou. He's a man who defines himself by his ability to fight and win. Now the world is coming to the point where those aren't as valued, and he lashes out because of it. He tries to find that drive in other people like his sidekicks, but none of them have it anymore. He tries to reignite that rivalry with Izuku, only to find that he's moving on with his own life. 

It's like a natural expansion of his failure to move past his mindset earlier on in the series and how obsessed he was with being the best, only now it's twenty times more depressing. It's an interesting way to end his character. Bakugou got what he wanted, but realizes how little any of it really means. Which isn't to say it's a sad ending. Bakugou was able to complete his arc and come out the other side a better person. That is a more worthwhile reward than any kind of ranking. However, I do think there is some hope for Bakugou. Considering how much of the chapter is about people trying to live their lives outside of being a hero, I prefer to think that he would eventually do the same.

Weightless Burden

Out of all the characters, Uraraka needed this chapter the most and easily benefits the most from the extra focus. There's just a lot about her character that felt unfinished otherwise. Like with a lot of stuff, it does help that we get to see Uraraka in action and helping people with their Quirks. It helps clear the air about what exactly Quirk Counseling is and how it's going to affect people from now on. That what Uraraka said wasn't just hot air, and she did help people. And that, yes, what the League did and went through was important. It helped push people to make changes later to keep something like this from ever happening again.

More importantly, we get to see her dealing with her emotions. I feel like an underrated part of Ochako's arc was her being more honest about her feelings. We got a lot of her trying to understand people and the importance of reaching out with Toga. And without that part of her arc completed, it seemed like a part of her story was left unfinished. I like how it gets so much focus in this chapter, with Uraraka basically being literally haunted by her feelings, both metaphorically and literally. All in all, I like how Uraraka was handled in the final chapter, and I think this is a good end for her. If only there wasn't something that overshadowed her entire storyline in the eyes of the fans.

Within Reach

I feel so vindicated by this whole chapter. Besides all the claims people made about Izuku being disproved, it retroactively makes Chapter 430 better. I was always fine with Izuku being a teacher. I felt it was a very natural place for his character to end up in hindsight. It's something he has the skill to do, especially in a place like UA with his observational skills and hero knowledge. However, it can still feel jarring with just Chapter 430. Izuku's dream was to be the world's greatest hero. He did achieve that, but it was never mentioned that he wanted to be a teacher. Having Izuku say that was what he wanted and enjoys doing is very important. It helps add a lot of validity to this writing choice and shows how much Izuku has grown into wanting things outside of hero work.

More importantly, I feel like this works much better as a finale for him. While Izuku working with Dai about his Quirk did work as showing Izuku's change in mindset, I don't think it was as satisfying of an ending. It worked to tie up some of the thematic ends to the story and Izuku, but it did not work as well for an emotional climax. Because Dai was just some nobody we hadn't met before. Now, we get a lot more proper closure with Izuku and the rest of the cast. We got his final moments with All Might and Aizawa, but not much else. Now we finally get closure with all of his classmates, Bakugou and Uraraka included. And it gives us time to show him enjoying stuff outside of hero work instead of just being told about it.

Car Bomb

Alright, let's disarm this first bomb. The car ride.

Speaking of growth, it is not out of character for Izuku to reject Bakugou's offer. It has been over a decade since Izuku has been in middle school. He has grown a lot over the year the story takes place in. Shoot, he's probably grown a lot more since then as well. My point is, this is not the same Izuku at the start of the series. He would not freak out over signed All Might merchandise. Izuku and All Might have been friends for a decade. He would not jump at the chance to work under Bakugou as a sidekick or with him as an equal. Izuku does and should have a life outside of Bakugou. Izuku does not owe Bakugou anything for helping to make him a suit. It was a group effort with Toshinori and the rest of Class 1-A, and I really doubt Bakugou would even want Izuku to join just because Izuku "owed him one".

I bring this up after talking to Izuku and Bakugou on their own because both are important parts of why this section of the story was done this way. Izuku out and out said that he wants to be a teacher over a pro hero. Being a hero is important to him. It lets him spend more time with his friends, and he gets to help people, but it doesn't define his life any more. He's doing what he wants now. He doesn't have that self-destructive heroism as a part of him anymore. His wanting and choosing to be a teacher is part of that healthy selfishness I was talking about before. I honestly think that him working with Bakugou would undermine that part of the ending. That he'd go back into hero work full time and have it take over his life rather than focusing everything on teaching. Shoot, it even ends with Bakugou telling Izuku to think more for himself.

And I think a lot of this comes down to people overestimating Izuku and Bakugou's connection and its relevance to the overall story and underestimating their own growth. Bakugou is Izuku's rival, and they play a part in each other's story, but their rivalry is of minor note to the greater story. This isn't like Naruto and Sasuke, where the two main rivals are of vital importance to one another's storylines. It's more like Ichigo and Yuru, where the rivalries are far less prominent and only occasionally cross over. It was more that Bakugou's own arc was heavily tied to Izuku, but Bakugou's arc was only part of what was going on in his own story. Specifically, the part of Izuku training to be a hero and how they both learn from one another. However, that part of it is done because Izuku found a life for himself outside of hero work, leaving not as much for Bakugou. Which is why I think the ending seems sad for Bakugou, even though I'd describe it as more bittersweet.

Holding Hands? How Scandalous!

All of this chapter aside, let's get into the real meat of this and defuse the second bomb. There were a lot of fans that were upset about this. Let's remove the good chunk that were simply upset their ship didn't become canon and focus on some real issues people have with this.

No, this isn't a fake-out. This wasn't made by Hori's assistants, generated by AI, or whatever other piece of cope you've heard online. This did happen, it is canon, and it is romantic. And yes, them holding hands is supposed to be romantic. Not only would it be out of character for these flustered nerds to do anything more implicitly romantic, but them holding hands ties a lot more into their characters. Them grabbing each other's hands is an integral part of their connection and growth. It's to show the two are connected and understanding one another. It ties back to the idea of reaching out being about understanding someone and part of why the two do it so much together. By them clasping hands at the end, it's to show the bond the two have made and how close they are now.

No, Uraraka getting with Izuku is not something that was forced into the story, nor was it something that came out of nowhere. Uraraka's feelings for Izuku have been set up ever since she was introduced. It started out as a crush but was slowly reinforced and built up between the two's appearances, both apart and together. Having her get with Izuku ends part of her arc as well. One of the biggest points of Uraraka's story is how bad it is to repress your feelings and not be emotionally open with the people around you. This is contrasted by Toga, someone who was hurt by that same repression, yet now was totally honest with her feelings. It's why Uraraka said that she admired Toga as a person for that honesty. Shoot, it's why Ochako confesses her feelings for Izuku in that fight. Something people seem to be forgetting. Uraraka pushing down her feelings wasn't the end of that plotline, it was merely another plot point in her story that culminated in this confession.

No, this doesn't devalue or reorient Toga's story to be about the two of them. Toga has always played a major role in the romantic connection between Izuku and Uraraka at various points in the story. There's a reason why Izuku keeps getting brought up whenever Uraraka and Toga fight each other. However, that was only a part of her character. Toga's story was all about trying to be understood for who she was and trying to find happiness in her life. She got that when Uraraka was willing to bleed and die just to try and reach out to her. And Toga's story was over when she died and saved Uraraka's life, living life as she chose to till the very end. Izuku and Uraraka getting together does not ruin that. Her usage here is more about her manifesting due to Uraraka's unresolved emotions. It's why Toga only shows up when Izuku becomes more active in her life. Again, it goes back to that whole thing about Uraraka admiring Toga for being so open about her feelings.

No, the fact that Uraraka ends up with Izuku does not devalue her character in any way, shape, or form. Her getting with Izuku is part of her story, but that's it: part of her story. She can still be her own person with her own life outside of Izuku while being in a happy relationship with him. They aren't mutually exclusive. Uraraka has this whole other arc she goes through with Toga that is integral to each character and the story overall. For the past eight years, Uraraka was and still is a pro heroine who helped countless people with the expanded Quirk Counseling program. That part was well established before the relationship was resolved. Because that's just as important to her story and character as the romance with Izuku. That doesn't go away because she updated her status to "In a Relationship". It doesn't automatically reduce her to a housewife. I'm sick of people saying this, and it's a frankly disgusting way to look at her character.

Epilogue to the Epilogue

So what do I feel about this ending? It was nice, and I am glad that we got it. I am someone who defended the original ending and have only come to appreciate it more as time has gone on. That being said, it did leave me with this feeling of incompleteness. Like the overall picture was there, but there were fragments of it missing. And in those fragments, people started filling holes with their garbage ideas. I do think that Chapter 431 filled out some much-needed holes within the first finale and ends the series on a good note.

Heck, Hori was able to fix and cover a lot of the problems I had with Chapter 430. The fact that Izuku wanted to be a teacher seemingly coming out of nowhere? Settled and expanded upon that he always wanted to be a hero as well as a teacher. The lack of any real final moments between Izuku and Bakugou? That was settled pretty well with the two of them in the car. The lack of resolution regarding Izuku and Uraraka? One of the main focal points of this chapter and what we ultimately end the series on. It feels more complete, if that makes any sense. And I'm glad Hori got this opportunity. Few authors ever get the chance to make a recovery like this, and fewer still are able to pull it off.

I will say that now I'm less worried than I was before. When I ended my review of the final few chapters, I talked about how much the general perception of the series would have been tainted by the ending. I feel like most fans are a lot more agreeable with this than they were on Chapter 430. I still stand by the fact that it was ruined by leakers and the general anti-hype tainting any discussion people could have about it. And it wouldn't have stung so if all of the obnoxious memes and straight-up lies surrounding the ending weren't out there.

Will My Hero Academia live on? Oh, I'm sure it will somehow. Maybe Shonen Jump will force the hand of one of their many mangaka into making a sequel series. Maybe it will live on through merchandise sales, spin-off light novels, and however many movies they decide to make about it. I know for certain it will live on. In us. Countless characters, stories, and art pieces that we all made because of it.

I started this series right around the same age as Izuku. Some young kid who was quiet, socially awkward, and obsessed with superheroes, knowing all sorts of trivia about them. So naturally, I was drawn to series where the protagonist was literally me. Yet what kept me was the story, the worldbuilding, the characters, the art, and, of course, the power system. But the thing that resonated with me more than anything was the message: anyone can be a hero as long as you choose to be one. Now that the series is over, here I am again. At a similar age to Izuku. I wonder if I've grown as much as he has. All I know is that My Hero Academia will always have a special place in my heart.

Sure, there were ups and downs throughout the story. Yet, in a strange way, I appreciate that as well. This story helped me a lot when it came to my critical thinking with the media I interacted with. It made me think about and reconsider what I was watching and reading over and over again. It helped me overcome my gut reactions to events and how those reactions would stick with me. It helped me think more and more about the actual message and meaning of it. Not what I thought the story was saying, but what the story was trying to tell me. It made me reconsider parts I despised and helped me appreciate what I enjoyed so much about this story.

Most of all, it inspired me to create this blog and to meet all of you. It filled me with so much creative passion that I couldn't help but share it with all of you. Was it hard? At times. But there was always the feeling that what I did inspired and helped the people see the series in a new light. I've had so many people talk about how much they love my blog, how they are excited to see me post, and how much they want to use my Quirks for their stories and characters. I've even had people say to me that what I did helped them think about stuff critically, and they were inspired to make their own stories all because of what I did. That means so much to me. More than you could ever imagine.

And now it's over. I'm left to wonder what I will do with myself and this blog now that it's done. I suppose I'll have to figure that out soon enough.

[rubyreduji]

🧸 Woooo happy anniversary/3k! =D May I ask for a Woozi drabble? I'm thinking something along the lines of the reader being a witch/magic user but she's also a witch/magic user hunter, tracking down those that misuse their power against normal folk. She goes above and beyond to hide this from Woozi but he and a few of the members just so happen to be near during one of her fights. Plot twist: he already knew! Fluffy romance, if you please. I hope this is okay, thanks so much!

— sleepover event now over!! 🧸️

the witches in the woods - ljh

summary: being a witch and a witch hunter is not always the easier, having to keep your two identities separate, but it’s the job you have to do to keep from your crush finding out

tags: fluff, witch & witch-hunter!reader, witch-hunter!jihoon, f!reader wc: 1.7k an: this made me miss watching the owl house lol </3 so some of the powers may be based off that…this is a bit more plot than fluff but i hope you enjoy!

“Pull back! They outpower us!” You hear Seungcheol’s call from your earpiece.

You know if your whole team was here you guys would be able to take them on, but your whole team isn’t here, deciding to split up earlier. The thing is your split up team couldn’t take them, but you can. You tune out Seungcheol’s orders, continuing hot on the trail of the five witches ahead of you.

You can already feel your magic coursing through your veins as you start to gain on them. It’s been so long since you’ve been in a proper fight, always relying on your team rather than your powers, keeping them a secret from anyone else.

It’s not like being a witch is uncommon in this day and age, but when you work a job with the title “Witch Hunter” it’s probably best to keep that part of your identity secret. Though you’re fairly sure that even if your team did find out it wouldn’t change anything, you don’t want to run the risk if you don’t have to. 

That being said, you quite miss using your powers and you can help but let giddiness overtake you as you chase after the other witches. You can hear their snickers of joy, thinking they’ve gotten away, but you’re not going to let that happen.

You raise your hand, feeling your mind and body connect with the woods around you. You focus your energy into the tree branches before you clench your fist and drag it down, causing all of the branches to grow down into a wall, cutting off the path from the witches. Before they even have time to process what just happened, you throw your hand back into the air, raising vines from the ground to wrap around their bodies and suspend them in the air.

“What the- there!” One of them calls, pointing at where you stand a few feet away.

“A witch!” Another shouts.

“Traitor!” The first one yells. “You’re a witch, what are you doing helping the enemy?”

“Enemy?” You spit out. “The only enemy is you guys. No witch should ever misuse their powers yet you guys run around and do nothing but commit crimes. People are getting hurt because of you!”

The man chuckles. “What’s the point of powers if you can’t enjoy them? Who cares if some people get hurt? That adds to the fun!”

You roll your eyes. You don’t know why you’re standing here listening to them. They’re the ones who are on the unfortunate side of this predicament. 

You wrap a vine around their mouths in hopes to shut them up as you reach for the anti-magic cuffs on your belt. You push the vines to the ground, pinning the witches down. You move over to them, snapping the cuffs on the loud-mouthed man who is clearly the leader of them. He curses you out the whole time and you wish you also had tape on you to shut him up.

You’ve clicked the cuff on the second person and are moving to the third when you hear a shout. “Y/N!” It’s Jihoon. 

Jihoon, the one person who absolutely can not find out you’re a witch. Not only due to your eensy weensy crush on him, but also due to the fact that he comes from the longest standing dynasty of witch hunters. 

In a mere second, your concentration is lost, the vines loosening their grips on the witches, allowing the three uncuffed ones to quickly break out of them. Out of the corner of the eye you see a flash from the trees and you recognize the figure as Jihoon.

Shit.

“Y/N, watch out!” You whip around to see a rock hurtling towards your face. You quickly shoot your hand up, stopping the rock and making it crumble into tiny pieces. A flicker of shock passes the attacking witch’s face. 

Jihoon isn’t the only one coming from a long line of powerful people. It’s not common for witches to be able to harness multiple kinds of magic, but you’re a bit special.

Normally if it was just you, you’d be able to wipe all three of the witches out, but you now have to think about Jihoon standing a few feet behind you. You don’t have much time to assess the situation either, with attacks coming at you from three ways. It’s taking all of your energy and focus just to be on defense, let alone offense.

“Y/N!” You can hear Jihoon’s approaching and you quickly create a vine to block him off from the fight.

“Jihoon, stay back! I have it covered.” A fireball shoots past your head right as you say this and you quickly pull your attention back to the fight.

You sweep your arm in one large arc, growing the ground up to trap the witches’ feet. With the few seconds of distress you’ve put them in you regrow the vines around their bodies, trapping their hands to their sides. 

You don’t allow yourself to lose focus this time, carefully placing the handcuffs securely on the final three witches’ wrists. They’re all grumbling as you do so, even one going far as to spit at your feet.

Once all five of them are firmly secured again, you finally withdraw Jihoon’s restraints. You don’t look at him as you hear him call Seungcheol through your communication devices, giving him the update on your positions and the status of the witches.

You busy yourself with getting yourself recomposed until Seungcheol and Vernon run up. “Woah,” Seungcheol mutters, looking at the damage of the woods and the vines wrapped around the witches. “Well, uhm, good work team. Let’s gather up the others and get these guys out of here.”

No one speaks about the elephant in the room as your team regroups and waits for the people from the Witch Hunter’s Association to come and pick the witches up. As soon as Seungcheol releases you all, you quickly book it, heading far away from your team.

“Y/N, wait!” Somehow in just two words, dread fills your body. You want to run away, or even use a spell to disappear, but you know you can’t run away forever. You take a deep breath before turning around to face the one and only Lee Jihoon.

You can’t read the emotion on his face and you can’t tell if that’s a good or bad thing. Deep down you know that Jihoon won’t do anything to you, but that doesn’t help the way your throat tightens as you stare at him. You’re both still in your hunter gear and you really take in Jihoon. He looks exactly like his father, the man most notorious for locking away the most witches in the history of witch hunters.

The gear looks comfortable on his body, his boots well worn and his pants faded from prolonged use. His gloves and goggles both stick out of his pockets and his belt is well loaded with gear, Jihoon never low in stock.

You open your mouth, like you’re about to say something, but the words don’t come out and you’re glad they don’t because you’re not sure what you even want to say. You close your mouth instead.

“Can we talk?” Jihoon’s voice is soft, like he’s also unsure of his words.

“U-uhm, su-ure,” you say, hating the shakiness in your voice.

“Let’s walk.” Jihoon starts to walk, walking past you as he does. You’re forced to follow, a few steps behind him. “You know, I was never going to go into this field. I was going to be the first in my family to do something that wasn’t witch hunting, yet here I am. Ask me why?”

“…Why?”

“Because I wanted to be better than my dad. Better than the rest of my whole family.” For a second, you wonder if Jihoon is going to kill you right here on the spot. “My job as a witch hunter is to incarcerate every bad witch, and to protect every good witch from dangers coming from their own people, and from my own people.”

Your pace slows down as you listen to Jihoon talk, eventually stopping just so you can stare at him. Jihoon senses you’re not with him anymore and stops as well, turning to face you. His gaze finally meets yours for the first time since in the woods. 

“I’m not mad at you Y/N. I don’t care that you’re a witch, because you’re a good person. You’re my friend, and you’ve proved time and time again where your morals stand. Everyone on the team knows that too, so don’t be afraid. Not to mention you’re a valuable asset to us, we’d be fools to let you go over something as trivial as something you can’t change about yourself.”

Your body is flooded with relief. Your heart lightens at Jihoon’s words.

“I- thank you,” you say, tears brimming in your eyes.

Jihoon walks closer to you, so you’re face to face. “I may have…also known,” he admits.

You go slack jawed. “How?!”

Jihoon chuckles at you. “When you come from a long line of witch hunters you learn to pick up on things, and it’s not like your own lineage is too secretive. I may have also caught you using your powers one day.”

You groan, causing Jihoon to laugh again.

“I don’t know why I was so worried,” you murmur. “I know you and the guys on the team aren’t like that…but-”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad that we’re good.”

“Yeah…good,” you mutter. You and Jihoon stand there in silence for a moment and you wonder if this is your cue to part ways. You’re about to walk away from Jihoon when he stops you.

“Y/N?”

“Yeah?”

“Actually I uh…if you wouldn’t mind, would you perhaps tell me more about witches? Maybe over dinner one night?”

You raise an eyebrow at Jihoon. “Was that an attempt…to ask me out?”

You try to hide your giddiness at the idea, choosing to tease him instead.

You watch as Jihoon’s ears turn red. “I- maybe. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be focused on the witch thing. You’re so much more than that. So Y/N, will you please do me the honors of letting me take you out for dinner, on a date? And we don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to.”

You grin at Jihoon, wide and bright. “I would love to. And don’t worry, I’ll give you all the details about being a witch. Maybe you’ll even get to meet my parents.”

Jihoon turns even redder, and you’re not sure if it’s from the notion of him meeting your parents, or him coming in contact with some of the most powerful witches of the century. Either way, you’re sure that dating Jihoon is going to be nothing but fun.

taglist: @ckline35 @toruro @jeanjacketjesus @namjoonbaby @n4mj00nvq @lovelyhan @ovai @scorpiobitch88 @im-gemmy @lllucere @tulipgarland4 @embrace-themagic @sulkygyu @leejihoonownsmyheart @synthetickitsune @yeosayang @miraclewoozi @d0nghyck @soonhoonietrash @violetvoo @yongi-lee @spilled-coffee-cup @morklee02 @17kwans @candidupped @ressonancee @m1nghaos @1-800-jeonwonwoo @anothershorthuman @chwecardcaptor @dinoissupreme @speaknowlwt @hyneyedfiz @jwnghyuns @flwrshwa @valentxi @heavenly-mobo @pandorashbox @enhacolor @starlight-night0 @todorokiskitten @miriamxsworld @just-here-to-read-01 @sunnyteume @debsworld23 @seuomo @tinkerbell460 @feat-sun @ryuwonieebae @hotricewoozi

join my taglist: here!

[fangandbow]

Always thinking about Inuyasha's boundless capacity for love.

This boy who was alone for so long, who had only known love from his mother, and then from a young age was made to struggle to survive in a world that hated him.

Who met a girl who was as sad as he was, and fell in love with her strongly enough to be willing to change what he was in order to let her be free. And then after she (to his knowledge) betrayed him - the one person he let in - he didn't take his pain out on anyone else. He didn't hurt any of the villagers. He could have. It would have been easy. He didn't.

Even after he awakened, he didn't. He attacks trees instead of the villagers trying to stop him. He talks a big game, but never follows through. Again, he could have. It's what they expected him to do. It would have been easy. He doesn't.

He never does -- this rough living, harsh talking, impatient boy is also, in his way, incredibly gentle. Time and time again he helps and protects even those who are cruel to him, those who proclaim hatred and distrust of him, and even though he loudly declares every time that he won't help, he doesn't care... he does, he does.

The girl who betrayed him was betrayed herself. He takes on the guilt of this, even when she doesn't take on any of the guilt of his own betrayal. He swears to help her, to protect her. To give her the love that wasn't given him.

He falls in love again, with another girl with the same face, but who is so, so different. He falls fast. Despite his hurt, his scars, his betrayal, he falls so, so easily. He can't help it. He has so much love to give.

He tries to love and protect both of them. Often making mistakes, and handling it badly in the way someone so young and so traumatized can't help but do. But he always gives more of himself than he asks of them (when he asks anything at all), is always the first to take on the pain, even when all it would mean is a future of more suffering for himself. He does it anyway, because as selfish as he proclaims to be, he is anything but. He doesn't matter. They do.

Kikyo was a tragic figure, one who deserved a chance at a life that wasn't a constant battle at the cost of her own desires.

Kagome is a force of nature, a girl whose kindness and determination is a match for Inuyasha's own. It's she who stands by him, who heals him, who allows him the space to figure out what he needs while never threatening to abandon him if he doesn't make the right choice. She encourages him to grow, into who he is, without fear, instead of becoming something or someone else. Time and time again, she trusts him, even at the start when she has little reason. Time and time again, she guides him towards the right choices, but lets him make them himself, because she knows that he will.

Kagome, amazing as she may be, didn't make Inuyasha the person he is. She just made it so he could be.

Because as beaten down as he may have been, as disdainful and contemptuous as everyone around him was of him, as disparaging and dismissive as he may have been towards himself, as skeptical of his own capacity for goodness, and for love-- she knows.

He is. He does.

[modelbus]

AYYYYYYE!

EVENT! EVENT! EVENT!

OKAY so,

TommyInnit x Fem!Reader (Platonic or romantic, idrc)

AU: Royalty (Plot below, potential readers skip allat, I’M SO SORRY-)

Word: Puppeteer

(Both are royalty in kingdoms that have been at war with each other all their lives. Growing up they both often snuck away from all the doom and gloom of kingdoms plagued by long lasting war. When they were both very young, doing such for the first time, they ran into each other in a beautiful forest clearing, neither of them had any friends, being locked away for their safety all their lives. After agreeing neither was going to hurt the other, they became fast friends, meeting there every day and talking for hours.. yet never about their royal statuses.

As they grew, they each found how war tore people apart, in more ways than one. Witnessing the pain of war from such a young age, they both decided to do everything they could to finally end it.. when they were older of course. Tommy took the more direct approach, training in combat, set on one day leading the charge to storm the enemy castle. While Y/N found she was gifted in the ways of strategy, listening in on her parents meetings with their council and reading countless books on many topics. She grew excellent at investigation, problem solving, planning ahead, psychological warfare, and all sorts of control.

The older Y/N got, the more determined to reach her goals she became, slowly visiting the clearing less and less, they began carving messages into the surrounding trees, so they could still communicate when they weren’t both there.

But one day, when they were 16, Y/N just stopped coming entirely.

The clearing became Tommy’s personal training ground, yet he never stopped writing to her, until eventually, years later, every tree within a mile had message upon unanswered message engraved into it.

The day Y/N stopped coming, was the day her parents were killed, and she became queen. While she was infinitely better at it than anyone expected from a 16 year old, she lost any and all free time, to the war efforts she ran with the help of, what was now, *her* council. She still thought about the boy for years upon years too come, until a week before the final battle, she returned to the clearing. She didn’t find the boy, no, but she found more than that in his messages. She found out he was the prince.. the prince she planned to kill with her own hands.

In a week, as their army’s were to fight, her top soldiers would sneak into the castle and kill the king and queen, while their son, would be separated from his army, and poisoned as Y/N lured him into a conversation over wine, in her throne room.

Y/N couldn’t change the plan, every tiny detail had been accounted for… except this one. She spent the week ensuring she could keep her composure upon seeing him. The plan would probably go smoother with their past relationship.. at least on the side of him trusting her.

BUT I’LL LEAVE THE ENDING UP TO YOU, MOTHY!!! WILL HE DIE? WILL HIS PARENTS DIE? WILL EITHER WIN THE WAR? IF SO, WHO? WILL SHE KEEP HER COMPOSURE? Who the hell knows…)

DUDE I’M SO SORRY I SAID I’D BE CHILL WITH THIS ONE, Y’KNOW NOT WRITE TO MUCH AND SHIT. I LIED TO MYSELF.

ANYWAYS, LOVE YOU MOTHY! HOPE YOU HAVE FUN WRITING THIS!! (If you do decide to write it. <3)

P.S, I’m so sorry.

-✨🌌🌙 NOT Anon

me: I’m going to get these done same day! you: mwahahaha

Pairing: Tommyinnit x Fem!Reader

Royalty AU - Puppeteer

You can’t quite remember all the details of when you first met Tommy. Did you see him first, or did he see you? Which direction did he come from? Who introduced themselves first? They were menial details lost to youthful minds that were too busy with other things.

But you did know this: the forest clearing was yours before it was his. When your parents got all shouty over the ongoing war, you fled the castle and went out through the woods. They were too busy debating on moving armies to notice you leaving, and any servants were kind enough to keep their mouths shut. Nobody wanted to a ruin a child’s innocence. When everything was about bloodshed and death, your cheerful escapes were permitted.

Tommy said he wanted to get away from the war where he was from too. He had a funny accent, different from yours, so you assumed he was one of your kingdom’s allies. Not like your parents let you visit other countries much, seeing as your status as a young royal made you much too valuable. A little princess.

But Tommy didn’t treat you like a princess when you run into him. He treated you like a playmate: handing you a stick, he played knights with you and taught you how to climb a tree. You two could babble on for hours and hours about anything. He once spent three days talking about how he hated eating fish. And you liked that he acted normal around you, liked that you weren’t some princess to be taken advantage of. So who could blame you for keeping your mouth shut about it?

Tommy was your best friend, and you were his. He told you it, so it must be true. Besides, it wasn’t like you had anyone else. The maid who made conversation with you went missing one day, and suddenly all the knights that used to joke with you vanished too. Your mother told you it was war. That war was greedy, and stole and stole and stole until it took everything from the loser. That’s why you had to win it.

Of course, you shared this with Tommy while drawing in the dirt. The golden haired boy was covered in mud because it has rained recently, and you were using a stick to make drawings in the impressionable earth.

“War steals from me too.” He had said, looking mad. “All the dogs at my house had to leave, and so did the horses.”

“Where’d they go?” You had asked, although you didn’t even know where your own people went.

He shrugged. “To war, dad said. ‘N sometimes, I see people crying because war took their people too.”

“Me too.” You nodded, remembering when your parents had gone to make a speech and every townsperson had been crying. A little girl was sat alone in the streets when your parents had dragged you back to the castle. You had slipped her your bracelet.

“I hate it.” Tommy’s nose wrinkled up, and you had sworn he looked a bit like a grape.

“Me too.”

“It’s so stupid! Why can’t it just end?” That was when he had thrown mud at your drawings of rainbows. You glared at him until he mumbled an apology for it. “The two sides should just shake hands and be done with it.”

At the time, you had agreed. “Uh-huh. Maybe we’re just smarter than all the adults.”

“Adults are stupid.”

“Very stupid.”

“Mega stupid.”

Maybe that was when the idea really took root in your mind. It was started long before, but right then with Tommy was the moment it seemed real to you. The moment you were mad enough about the thievery of war that you wanted to really do something.

“We should end the war.” You had declared.

Tommy had looked up at you, something new gleaming in his blue eyes. Something you had never seen before, not in him.

“Yeah. Let’s fucking end it ourselves.”

From there on, your meetings in the forest clearing changed. Tommy started bringing a practice sword, brutally assaulting any tree that dared to stand in his way. You started bringing books about strategy, content to fluff your dress out and read quietly.

Meeting up went from hours of chatting to hours of simply doing things around each other. It was nice to know you could look up from studying and see someone else just as determined to fix everything. Someone you could believe in just as much as your believed in yourself.

Tommy started jumping from swords, to bows, to knives, practicing with every sharp thing he got his hands on. Changing from the skinniest boy you’ve ever to seen to something more dangerous, something honed.

You can’t help but wonder if you changed like that too. You weren’t one for hands-on fighting—your parents would never let you—but strategy? Solving problems? Hell, you even had a knack for psychological warfare. Tommy started calling himself a soldier and you a puppeteer of the war. A joke. Whenever you could, you’d sit in on your parents’ meetings, quietly listening as they argued over what to do.

The first time you missed meeting with Tommy was because of those meetings. One had ran long, hours over, too many grown adults shouting about too many things. By the time you made it to the clearing, head full of the idea of surrendering a village to slaughter a battalion, Tommy was long gone.

He left one thing behind: a message, carved into a tree. You almost walked right by it, only stopping because a firefly had light up at the exact right time.

Missed you :(

The message made you laugh, and before you could think about it, you grabbed your own knife to carve a response. You weren’t as good with a knife, mauling the poor tree, but you got the job done.

Missed u 2

You had to shorthand things, and your palm was hurting, but it was a message.

As war raged on, there were many times you’d give up going to meet Tommy so you could listen to meetings. And when you did show up, Tommy might not, too busy with his own weapons training. Carving things into trees became your way of leaving messages. You started getting callouses just from the effort it took, but seeing a response always made it worth it.

You settled into a routine, even if you missed seeing Tommy every day. It’d be worth it, you kept telling yourself. When this war was over, and your parents relaxed, you could even take Tommy to meet them.

And then they die.

An assassination, you were told. Poisoned by their own cook, the one you executed damn near immediately. Your mother, who always had a weary smile for you, gone. Your father, who let you listen in on his important meetings, gone.

Everyone started moving around you, making plans and speaking, and it was like you were on a different planet. This couldn’t be real, your parents couldn’t be dead. You were only 16; too young to be an orphan. War wasn’t meant to take this from you, too.

You blink, and there’s suddenly a crown on your head. A coronation happening, members of your council bowing to you. Queen.

“I’m sorry for you loss, your majesty.” A balding man you recognize as an advisor says. Earl, if you’re remembering correct. “I hate to ask, but what’s your stance on the war?”

Your head turned slowly. “The war?” You repeat, words sinking into your mind slowly.

Earl nods nervously. “With the murder of your parents, they’ll be expecting retaliation.”

The war. The war you swore you’d help stop, the war that took everything from you. Your parents, your free time, your life, your Tommy. You were a kid when you made that promise, still are a kid.

But you’re also a Queen now. A Queen who can ruin the country that stole your parents.

“We take them down. For good.”

-

Settling into being a Queen took longer than you ever thought. You were more prepared than you had any right to be, but your parents left so much for you to clean up. Vengeance had to take a backseat while you fought to keep your country afloat, days and weeks and months and a year flying by. Only then could you step back and work to end the stupid fucking war.

It didn’t take long to come up with a plan. A few months, a lot of meetings. Mostly, you just argued you wanted something tactful. Justice wasn’t enough; they needed to hurt like you did.

Tommy, the blond boy you used to know better than you knew yourself, would’ve said to go in guns blazing. The little devil on your shoulder. But you were about plans and quiet plots, so that’s the way you went. Something foolproof. Something where you’d be up close and personal.

In a week, there’d be a clash between your two armies. That’s where your general would kill the king and queen. Meanwhile, you’d lure the prince away. Tell him of the death of his parents over some dinner and wine, watch as poison took him too. Win the war.

You start taking long walks around the castle to help your nerves. Everything needed to be perfect, after all. Every little detail was in place.

Before you can think, your feet are automatically taking you right back to that forest clearing you spent so much of your youth in. The trees you know, with a slight breeze ruffling their leaves.

Tommy isn’t there.

You aren’t sure if you expected him to be or not. After all, it’s been years. Nobody would’ve expected him to wait for you that long.

With a sad smile, you turn to look at the trees you used to leave messages on. But you stop, seeing a new one. And on another tree, another message. You spin, realizing they’re surrounding you. His story, laid out for you whenever you came back.

Where are you?? You okay? Something big is changing My parents are getting worried Are you okay? I think the war is changing We’re going to fix it dont die on me I can’t keep coming, please answer Fuck you Im sorry I miss you. If you ever need me, ask for Prince Tommy at the castle Ill be waiting You better find me, bitch

Prince Tommy. No, no that doesn’t make sense. There’s no prince in your kingdom: it’s just you now. But that only leaves one other kingdom he could’ve been from.

You’re running back to the castle, branches tearing into your clothes. He can’t be. Your Tommy can’t be that Prince. Maybe he was joking? Maybe his parents call him a Prince, maybe his house is just big. Maybe he plans on becoming a Prince.

“Your highness?” A servant asks, watching you run by. “Your highness!”

They don’t matter. Whatever rumor that’ll be there in morning can wait.

“What’s the name of the enemy Prince?” You ask, slamming into the meeting room door. Your shoulder aches, but your eyes are only on the people in there.

“The enemy Prince?” A guy asks. “Uh…”

“Tom.” Your only female advisor speaks up. Sarah. “Tom Simons. But most people call him Prince Tommy.”

No.

No no no no.

Your Tommy, the same Tommy who stole your family from you. Your Tommy, the same Tommy you’re poisoning in just a few days.

How would you face him?

Oh, God. You promised to stop the war together. But you were on opposing sides, working against each other.

How would you kill Tommy?

“Is everything alright?” Sarah dares to ask.

You nod frantically. “Yes, yes everything is just fine. Proceed with our plan.”

There’s nothing you can do. Not with everything already in motion. You’ll have to see Tommy no matter what. You’ll have to watch him so his poisoned wine, knowing you killed his parents and he killed yours.

For some reason, that doesn’t feel good anymore.

-

You hear him before you see him, and suddenly a week of preparation doesn’t seem like enough. His boots click on the tile floor as he approaches the table, and you know you should tear yourself away from the window to look at him, but you just can’t.

For a second, you just want to pretend. Pretend that this isn’t your Tommy. Pretend that this is merely a friendly dinner. Pretend there isn’t a war, that you haven’t killed his parents, that yours are still alive.

But you can’t pretend. You aren’t a kid anymore, young as you may be. So you inhale, steel yourself, and turn.

“I’m glad you could make it.” You force out of your mouth before it stops working when you see him.

Tommy is the exact same. Blond hair, blue eyes, a determination you could never beat. There’s a sword strapped to his side, a real one. And his clothes are far nicer than anything you’ve seen him in.

You wonder what he sees in return. Recognition flashes through his eyes, and he halts in place.

“You’re alive.” He says, sounding so damn happy about it. “Holy shit. How are you here? Where is the Queen? I was meant to— you have to get out of here!”

You give him a sad smile. “Tommy. Prince Tom, I mean. Why don’t you sit?”

He stares at you, hand slowly shifting to the hilt of his sword. “You’re the Queen.”

“I’m the Queen.” You nod, sitting down because you’re not sure you can stand anymore.

He trusts you, and you’re going to kill him for it.

“You never told me.” He says slowly, like he’s figuring it out. “You didn’t fucking say anything!”

“You didn’t tell me either!” You can’t help but shout back. How easy it is to fall into old habits.

“Yeah, well you’re a whole ass Queen!” Tommy shakes his head, grabbing his wine glass to take a drink.

You should sit and watch. Let him take a drink, know that he won’t be walking out of here alive.

Instead, you lunge across the table, knocking the wine out of his hand. It splashes against his chest, red staining his clothes, while the glass shatters on the floor.

“What the fuck?” He exclaims, jumping back. “Am I not allowed to drink wine or some shit? Because I think I deserve it!”

”I’m sorry.” You choke out. Oh, God. Oh God, what have you done?

“It’s fine, shirt was fuckin’ itchy anyway.” He huffs, dabbing at it with a cloth.

“Tommy.”

Tommy looks up at you, borderline impatient. “What? Why are you looking at me like that? All sad and shit?”

You crush him in a hug, clinging onto his alive body. You hold onto the boy who chased fireflies with you, the one who carved messages in hundreds of trees in case you saw them. He clings back, wrapping his arms around you.

“We can fix this.” He tells you, solid and self-assured. “We can make a treaty now, mom and dad will listen.”

And then you remember. His parents.

“I’m so sorry.” You choke out. “Tommy…”

He must figure it out in your voice, because he stiffens. You stagger back from him so quickly that your crown drops to the floor.

“No.” He shakes his head. “No, I just fucking saw them!”

“I didn’t…” you didn’t what? You didn’t know? Because you did. You knew exactly what you were doing.

“You?” He asks, drawing his sword from its sheath. “You killed them?”

You’re fairly certain he wouldn’t kill you. But then again, he probably thought you’d never kill him or his parents.

“You killed my parents.” You defend yourself feebly.

“I didn’t do shit to your parents! That wasn’t my fucking fault! This? This is yours, isn’t it?”

Before he can advance on you, guards burst into the room. Your guards, that is. All twenty of them that were lying in wait, just in case. Armed to the teeth and ready for a fight, they point weapons at Tommy.

He looks around, slowly lowering his sword. “The wine…?” He asks you.

You can’t face that one. Instead, you turn to a guard. “Change of plans. Arrest him.”

Tommy doesn’t resist, likely knowing he’d be fighting a losing battle. You can’t bear to watch them manhandle him away, so you look back at the food on the table.

Why waste a good meal, after all?

[gyupremacy]

Friends Can Break Your Heart Too | jjk. ft. kmg.

↳ Pairing(s): childhoodfriend!jk x reader (one sided), jk x oc, kim mingyu x reader

↳ Genre(s): angst (loosely based on "i hate u, i love u by gnash & olivia o'brien), fluff

↳ Au(s): first love au, non-idol au, college au, childhood friends, slow burn

↳ Word Count: 4.3k

↳ Rating: PG-15

↳ Warning(s): cursing, y/n coping with heartbreak (I'm telling you it gets gutwrenching), rejection, mentions of toxic friendships

↳ Summary: Getting rejected hurts. Even more, when it's your childhood friend turned crush... for your best friend.

↳ a/n: The amount of feels I felt while writing this 🥲 This is probably one of, if not, THE angstiest thing I've ever written. Thank you to @shina913 and @kthpurplesyou for letting me break your hearts before everyone else lol. Another thank you goes out to @hobeemin for making this great banner!

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

The winter air nipped at your feet as you closed the door of your childhood home. It was winter break and you were spending time with your family for the holidays.

It also gave you the chance to spend more time with your best friend, Jungkook. You had known each other since you were 8 when your family first moved in.

Everyday, once the school bus dropped you off at your stop, Jungkook would come off with you and play together in your tree house. When the sun started to go down, he would go home which was conveniently located on the opposite side of the fence behind your house.

You two would play house, pretending to be a happily married couple or a princess being saved by her knight in shining armor. Despite this, the relationship was your typical "puppy love" childhood friendship. You didn't have romantic feelings for him at the time due to your age (along with the fact he insisted that you had cooties).

This all changed by middle school. Puberty was starting and Jungkook was proving to become a rather handsome boy. Another thing changed as well: your duo had grown into a trio, as you had become friends with a girl named Chaeyeon, who was in your homeroom class.

"The Three Amigos" as your teachers lovingly called your friend group, but your feelings for Jungkook only grew the more time you spent together. You didn't have the guts to tell the boy about your feelings, but your female best friend would understand… right?

Hwang Chaeyeon. That name alone rang around the halls on a consistent basis. She was one of the most popular girls in school, with star athlete status and looks too boot.

She had an "interesting" way of showing her fondness for you, including making jokes at your expense if it felt necessary. During her birthday the summer before 8th grade, she had invited you to a slumber party at her house, along with her teammates on the volleyball team.

A rather intense "Truth or Dare" game had begun, including some TMI from the gaggle of girls. It was your turn to go and you chose "dare", which would become a decision you would soon regret.

"Are you crushing on anyone?" Chaeyeon's teammate, Gaeul asked.

"Well… there's this one guy…" you didn't want to divulge something so personal to girls you weren't really close with, but that's when Chaeyeon spoke up.

"She likes Jungkook!" she blurted out to everyone.

"Wait, Jeon Jungkook?" Ryujin, another teammate, questioned.

"The really cute one that was in our health class last year?" Yoona sighed dreamily.

"Really, Y/N? You don't seem like his type," Aeri, the team captain, said.

"What exactly is that supposed to mean?" you asked pointedly, tilting your head.

"She's just playing! Right, Aeri?" Chaeyeon looked over at the brunette.

"All I mean is, don't you think he'd want a girl a little more developed?" The group of girls all snickered, including Chaeyeon.

You were never self conscious about your bra size, especially considering you were still growing as a person, both physically and mentally. Aeri was mature in everything, but personality. You couldn't get the sounds of their laughter out of your head, even as you tried to sleep.

You avoided Chaeyeon for a while after the incident, but Jungkook was there for you about your friendship troubles. That's what you liked about him, he was always there for you when times were rough.

Reminiscing about all the times he supported you, had put you in your current predicament: finally telling him how you feel. You called him saying you wanted to hang out underneath the tree that held the little house you spent so much together in.

Jungkook's figure soon passed by the wooden planks that made up the house? were placed around your house, hastily climbing over and landing with a loud "thud" on the ground. He brushed the dirt off his pants with ease, taking his spot right next to you.

"Jungkook! I thought we talked about you not breaking bones whenever you came over!" you laughed.

"We did, Y/N! In fact, after the tree stump incident, I've been able to perfect the landing," he replied.

You spent much of your time just talking about your classes next semester, your professors, and what you had planned for the rest of the break. He mentioned going ice skating with his brother and that's when you noticed how beautiful his eyes looked as the sun began to set.

"Y/N? Are you still there?" Jungkook asked.

"What? Oh yeah, I was just thinking about something," you smiled shyly.

"I thought I lost you for a moment. Please tell me if I sound boring," he chuckled.

"I could never see you as boring even if you tried, Jeon!" you pat his shoulder.

The both of you sat there in silence for a bit, letting the world around you be your music. Cars honking, crickets chirping, and televisions playing shows become much of the only noise that could be heard.

You took a deep breath, seeing this as the opportunity of telling the boy next to you about the feelings you harbored for him these past six years.

"Jungkook?" you started.

"Yes, Y/N?" he questioned.

"I like you." you bit your lip and closed your eyes, not ready to see his response.

"How long have you known you did?" was all that he said at the moment.

"Since seventh grade. I can't think of a specific moment, but you've always been there for me and that made me like you more than a friend," you said.

It takes him some time before he says anything else, but when he does, you'd wished that you had kept your mouth shut.

"That means a lot that you feel this way about me, but I have a girlfriend," Jungkook looked at you almost as if to say "I'm sorry" with his eyes.

His words hit you like a ton of bricks. If it didn't hurt that he didn't return your feelings, it stung that there was another girl that captured his heart. Did you know her? Was she nice? How long have they been together? All these questions swirled in the back of your mind until he further elaborated.

"We've only been together two weeks and we're going ice skating with my brother on Saturday. I probably should have told you, but-" Jungkook rambled, only for you to interrupt.

"No! No! Don't feel bad! I'm happy for you. I guess I should have expected that things would be a bit different if I told you how I felt." you flash a small smile, if only for it to hide your true feelings.

"I bet she's awesome if she's able to get a guy like you."

"Yeah, she's really great," Jungkook replied with your same shy smile, but something in the back of your mind felt like he was omitting something, but that all went away as you felt your eyes getting blurry.

"It's getting late, isn't it? I should probably head inside now," you suggested, hearing your voice falter.

"My mom's making chicken tonight, so I'll head back there myself. See you later, Y/N!" Jungkook waved, walking over to the fence before going over it.

"Goodbye, Jungkook," you said, feeling a tear escape your eye as you walked inside your house.

A month had passed and the distance between you and Jungkook was palpable. No phone calls. No "hellos" across the fence. No going outside as much, only to avoid seeing him. The new college semester rolled in and you were apathetic about classes.

Your first class was an intro to photography course. You were undecided on a major, but thought that taking the class might interest you enough into possibly furthering your college years in the photography field. The class looked pretty small, with only six other students sitting down at their desks.

The professor was a young woman who didn't look too far removed from college herself. She looked excited about the new semester and felt like a warm presence in the rather metaphorically and legitimately cold atmosphere.

"Alright, everyone! I'm Moon Bora and I work in the photography/digital imaging department here," Bora began.

"I graduated three years ago with a B.A. in art history, but always had a passion for photography. Don't feel like you have to call Ms. or Professor either, considering I'm only a few years older or the same age as some of you."

The class laughed a bit as she continued going over her background, the structure of the class, the semester at a glance, and most importantly, the syllabus. She was beginning to go over the basic functions of a camera and the style of photographs when a tall guy walked into the classroom.

"Sorry, Bora! I just came back from weight training," the unnamed guy apologized.

"It's fine, Mingyu! Take a seat and I'll continue about what your first assignment is," Bora said.

Audible groans could be heard around you from the thought of already having work on the first day back from break. The only one who was not annoyed about the announcement was the aforementioned Mingyu.

"Don’t worry about Bora. She's a pretty lax professor," he stated.

"I'm Mingyu, by the way!"

"Y/N." you said indifferently.

"Y/N… that's a really pretty name!" Mingyu smiled brightly.

You really wanted to like Mingyu, you truly did, but you weren't in the mood to be hit on the first day of classes. He seemed like a nice guy, possibly even "classroom buddy" potential, but you couldn't shake off your winter heartbreak.

"Thanks. I really needed to hear that," you answered honestly.

"Not a fun break, huh?" he mumbled.

"You could say something like that."

Mingyu's expression was unreadable, but you could see the genuine concern on his face hearing your words. He went back to listening to Bora discuss the first assignment, which was to partner up with another person and find something that inspires you and photograph it.

"Want to partner up?" Mingyu asked.

"Sure. We're already next to each other," you laughed.

"Let me give you my number so we can find time outside of class to find some inspiration." Mingyu beamed.

Bora had dismissed the class for the day and everyone gathered their things as you both exchanged numbers and filed out the door. You were about to walk down the hallway, when he tapped you on the shoulder.

"See you around, Y/N!" Mingyu smiled.

"See you!" you smiled, watching as he walked away in the opposite direction. You were feeling optimistic of the semester so far. Your classes were going smoothly enough and you met someone new. Maybe it won't feel too bad after all.

You had gotten a text from Chaeyeon saying to meet her in the student union. It wouldn't have seemed too out of the ordinary since she is your friend, but it had been almost two months since the last you saw her.

She spent a good portion of the days following finals week and the first week of break on a cruise. Based on her posts from Instagram, it seemed like there was a new guy in her life. She didn't post any pictures of him outside of one story where she took a selfie with her mystery beau's face hidden in the crook of her neck.

"Hey, babes!" Chaeyeon smiled, going in for an air kiss on each side of your face while you had your arms extended for a hug.

"Hi, Chae! How was your break?" you asked.

"Amazing as ever, Y/N! I didn't want it to end!" she sighed with a glint in her eyes.

"What did you do?" you questioned.

"Well, after the cruise I started dating this amazing guy and we went ice skating for our first date," Chaeyeon beamed.

You started experiencing déjà vu as Jungkook mentioned going ice skating with his girlfriend during the break. You shrugged it off as mere coincidence just like previously and continued talking with one another.

Just as you were about to ask more about her boyfriend, Jungkook came right up to the both of you. He had a "deer in the headlights" expression seeing the two of you together, which puzzled you, as such interactions were common.

"Baby!" Chaeyeon nearly jumped into his embrace, leaving you in a stunned silence.

That was the moment you put all the pieces together: Jungkook's girlfriend was Chaeyeon and Chaeyeon's boyfriend was Jungkook. You assumed that they both had forgotten your presence as your female best friend started kissing your male one in front of every passerby, including yourself.

Once the two had stopped, Jungkook avoided eye contact with you before meeting your eyes, frozen in place. If the two of you were having a staring contest, it would be down to a tie as neither one of you averted your gaze nor seemed to blink in that minute.

"Hi," was all he could manage to muster out.

You nodded in response, making a point to look everywhere else but back at him. The tension could be felt a mile away and the only thing that was holding you together was the fact that you had one other class, which was relatively short.

"Hello! Earth to Jungkook and Y/N!" Chaeyeon cleared her throat, attempting to break the awkwardness, which was even more evident once she spoke up.

"Were you about to say something, Y/N?" she asked, Jungkook's arm placed firmly around her waist, which you couldn't help noticing.

"I… was just going to say that… I'm really happy that my two friends are together. In fact, I'm so happy that I'll give you too some space to enjoy each other's company," and with that, you power walked away with little hesitation, trying your best not to drop to the ground and scream.

It was one thing to find out that Jungkook had a girlfriend, but for it to be Chaeyeon? How long did they plan to keep you in the dark? None of that mattered as you tried to get on with the rest of your day.

Two days passed and you were back in photography class, continuing working on the project with Mingyu. You tried your best to listen to what he was saying, but your mind was still stuck on seeing your best friends together after hiding their relationship from you for almost a month.

"Y/N, are you listening?" Mingyu asked.

"What? Oh, sorry! I just have a lot on my mind," you said.

Mingyu sighed, looking at you with concern.

"How about we go get some coffee? I could really use a boost," he suggested.

"That would be great!" you perked up, thinking about the smell of pastries and coffee beans, paired with the open atmosphere.

Bora allowed the students to either stay in the classroom or find a spot on campus to work together on the project. Luckily for the both of you, you had a little over half an hour to discuss ideas but a change in scenery was something you needed.

The walk to the next building over was a breeze as the familiar scent of a chocolate loaf filled your nose. Mingyu asked what you wanted and you replied with "caramel macchiato", as he waited in line.

There weren't too many people in the campus café, but from what you could tell the other students inside were completing classwork. Just being inside was soothing, as you spent much of last semester here.

You sat at the table nearest to the windows, watching as Mingyu grabbed two straws and brought both of your drinks back. He sat across from you as you both sipped your coffees.

He had gotten a mocha and seemed to enjoy it by how quickly he was drinking it. Other than that, you were going through your phone when he sparked up a conversation.

"I was going to ask you on the first day, but what year are you in?" Mingyu wondered.

"I'm a freshman! I haven't declared a major yet, but I hope to find something that piques my interest," you replied.

"Cool! I'm a sophomore and if you couldn't tell by how familiar I am with Bora, I'm a photography major,” Mingyu chuckled.

"How did you become interested in photography?" you asked.

"For most of my life, I was dedicated to sports. I played soccer from the time I could walk until I got injured in high school," Mingyu recalled.

"I'm sorry to hear that," you said.

"Don’t be. It made me realize other things in life could make me feel happy," he continued.

"I became passionate about photography after my aunt came back from a trip to South America: all the different animals and sites she saw, made me want to learn more."

"That must have been amazing!" you exclaimed.

Mingyu shook his head in agreement.

"Is there anything in particular you like capturing the most?" you asked.

"I love taking pictures of sunsets. I think they have the best vantage points." Mingyu responded.

That's when it hit you: sunsets… reminiscing about spending summer breaks with Jungkook. Going to the beach and looking at the light hit the ocean waves. It brought back fond memories, which were now tinged in sadness as you pretty much lost the greatest person you had known.

The tears start to blur your vision when Mingyu stops what he's doing to make sure you're okay.

"Oh no! Y/N, what's wrong?" he asked.

You didn't want to tell him, since you thought it would be stupid talk about how you were crying over a boy you never dated to a guy you barely knew.

Mingyu got up and grabbed some napkins nearby and handed them to you. You wiped the corners of your eyes before you regained your composure.

Talking to him gave you a sense of relief, almost like he represented something that's been lacking in your life. He was easy-going and made you feel comfortable being around you.

"Come on! Let's get back to class!" Mingyu smiled, leading the way out of the café.

Several weeks passed and you became closer to Mingyu than ever. You would hang out at his place, the park, and the movies. He was the closest thing you had to a best friend nowadays, but history repeated itself as you started developing feelings for him.

It all came to a head last week, when he ordered pizza for the both of you while you hung out. You bit into a slice, causing a bit of the cheese to stick to the corner of your mouth. Being the gentleman he is, he wiped it off for you but let his thumb linger near your cheek.

You were doomed! You've just started getting close to Mingyu and the thought of him rejecting you and possibly not wanting to be friends was something that you didn't want to happen.

Mingyu was a genuinely nice guy and you could tell how attentive he was in terms of remembering stuff about you. When you mentioned liking Skittles, he bought a special Valentine's Day pack. Then, there was the time you mentioned getting cold in biology class and he brought an extra sweater.

If it wasn’t for the fact you had a history of falling for people that showed you any form of decency, one might think he had a crush on you, but the only way for you to know this is by telling him how you feel.

You both were sitting in the drive-thru line at a small, family-owned fast food restaurant when Mingyu stared at a couple that was passing by.

"Y/N, do you believe in soul mates?" he pondered.

"Well, Gyu… to be honest, I did, but not so much anymore," you responded.

"Oh, really? How come?" he further asked.

You didn't expect to be asked a question like that right before you were consumed with grease and fat, but now felt like the time to open up to him.

"There was this guy, Jungkook, we've known each other since we were little kids and I had a crush on him," you began.

"I told him how I felt over the break, but he said he had a girlfriend… who is also our friend."

Mingyu could tell it still made you feel sad, but he wanted to be there for support. That's another reason why you liked him: he was always there.

"Was that why you were crying when we first started working on the project?" he asked.

You simply nodded your head and watched along as he got the food from the window and carefully drove off.

"I'm feeling… better now, especially with you caring," you smiled shyly.

"Of course I care, Y/N. You're my friend and I hate seeing you sad," Mingyu rubbed the small of your back, while you reassured him that you were fine.

"Actually, I really like you alot,"

Your eyes lit up when you heard that. The guy who single handedly became the constant presence in your life that you needed for a short period of time, the one who always checked up on you, returned your feelings.

"That's a good thing, Kim because I like you a lot, too," leaving you both facing each other at a red light.

Your faces, only mere inches apart, soon molded as you leaned in for a kiss.

It felt as if you two were the only people in the world at the moment. You were lost in each other's presence, not even worried about the food that much anymore.

Mingyu brought his hand up to deepen the kiss when, unbeknownst to either of you, the light turned green and the car behind honked their horn.

"How about we hold off on kissing at a traffic stop for now?" you giggled.

"For sure," Mingyu laughed.

The past three weeks with Mingyu have been amazing. You completed the project by taking a photo of the Moon during a night outing to the beach. He considers it your first official date after the confession and you couldn’t have picked a better place.

Now, you both were coming to campus on a Friday night which was a game night/pajama party organized by student affairs. It was sure to be an eventful night, with Mingyu wearing a SpongeBob onesie and you wearing a Minions one.

There was an intense game of Twister between him, his friend Joshua, and one of the residential advisors when a hand tapped on your shoulder. You turned around to be greeted by Jungkook's face.

"Hey, Y/N. Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked, looking down at the ground like he was nervous or embarrassed.

"Sure."

The two of you stood in the corner when he decided to try and start a conversation with you. Something about his entire demeanor felt anxious, almost as if he was anticipating the worst.

"So, it's been a while," Jungkook blurted out.

"Why didn't you tell me?" you asked, getting straight to the point, since you knew he was going to mention the circumstances of your last encounter.

"What?" he responded obviously.

"You know what. You could've just been up front about you and Chae seeing each other. I likely wouldn't have cared, rather than seeing two people I thought were my friends keeping secrets." you folded your arms, not even bothering to look at him.

"I-I know, I just didn't know how'd you react? I know you two butt heads at times, but I didn't think we'd stop talking because of it," Jungkook sighed.

"For fuck's sake, JK that's not the point! The point is, why do you suddenly feel so remorseful about something that could have been resolved by simple communication?" your voice began to raise a little bit out of frustration, but only enough to where everyone else continued their activities.

"I didn't want to ruin our friendship, there was nothing wrong with what we already had." Jungkook said.

"Yeah, there was nothing wrong with what we had, but you hurt me. I didn't care if you didn't like me back, but do not tell me that you're dating my friend… that's low," you shook your head.

"We all hung out together, so there could have been a time where you both could have just flat out said it."

You tried your best not to escalate the situation further, but it was taking everything in you to not give him a piece of your mind. It took one deep breath, but you were somewhat calm.

"I'm sorry, Y/N. I do care about you and even though it's not romantic, I still want to be your friend." Jungkook sighed, rubbing the temples of his forehead.

"Listen… Jungkook, we've grown up together, you were the one person that understood who I was and we spent some of the best times of our lives together," you started, closing your eyes before continuing.

"But right now, we're in two different worlds. The past two months that we've been distant from each other, I met the most important person in my life right now and I'm very happy about that." you nod, with a small smile.

"You mean a lot to me, but I've outgrown that part of my life where I'm just waiting around for someone. Goodbye, Jungkook."

With that, you walked back to the circle in the middle of the room watching your boyfriend fall to the ground in a fit of laughter. You pulled Mingyu off the ground, earning a big bear hug from him.

In the corner of your eyes, you could see Jungkook standing off to the side watching as Mingyu held you in his arms. Wounds take time to heal, but for now, you were focused on what was straight ahead.

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

© gyupremacy, 2023. All rights reserved. 

[heavyhitterheaux]

Bed Full of Lies

Tahira's Tale as told by @moody4world

Heaux Tales of Jack Harlow

Lord where do I begin. This nigga really thought he had me fooled…fake ass promises, fake ass I love you’s and the list goes on and on. I’ll admit he had me in the beginning, I can admit that I was wrapped around his finger for a little while during our…whatever you wanna call it.

I wonder what the hell was going through his head thinking he could get away with something this disgusting. Beginning of march 2033 was when I met that son of a bitch. Charming as ever, fluffy curls and the most sparkling blue eyes that matched the waters there in Turks and Caicos. My mistake number 1 was smiling back at him in the hotel lobby. Mistake number 2 was smiling at him again that night at the beach side party and being foolish enough to dance with him.

Like a dumb ass I moved quickly to mistake number 3, accepting his invite to a party on a yacht the next morning, leading to my biggest mistake yet. Mistake number 4. Sleeping with him thinking that it would be the best way to conclude my ‘adventurous newly divorcee era’. Yes I had been married before.

My young 20 year old brain believed the guy I met at the ripe age of 16 in high school would be the same man I’d grow old with, only for that idea to come crashing when he told me he found someone new just a year later. That was 3 years ago and I haven’t outgrown my trust issues since. Constantly working and traveling to avoid making connections to anyone in that way again. Yet I unknowingly fell for the same trap but only this time I was the other woman.

Well….one of many it seems. After that night in Turks and Caicos Jack did not just leave it at that. We continued texting and face timing whenever we had the chance which frankly wasn’t that often due to both of us traveling often. Sometimes we would get lucky and end up in the same countries so we’d explore together and always ended up in one of our hotel rooms.

The pillow talk was the most dangerous part yet. That man just says anything when he’s pussy whipped, promised me a family, a house and anything that would make me smile and give into him all over again. We would dance around in our rooms, if I was staying in a suite or airbnb I’d cook for him.

Teaching him how to dance bachata was a headache, really showed his white side because that man had no rhythm. That should’ve been a red flag on its own but I guess I had to learn the hard way. Jack and I never argued up until November of 2033 when he started acting strange, that’s the first time my image of him started to change. He’d become a lot more protective over his phone and defensive when it came to certain topics.

Apparently I was the insecure one for questioning why his followers was somewhat private. Claiming “That’s a violation of my privacy though, why would you go through my followers for?” Everything just seemed to snowball from there, every time we met up we’d argue then fuck and make up then repeat.

Jack knew I was crazy, ever since I told him how I ruined my ex husband’s career after he cheated, Jack knew not to mess with me. After another fuck and make up session, Jack had to leave for sound check. All I could think about was his phone constantly ringing while he was in my bathroom and then hearing him whisper on the phone. I fought my urge, I really did but I couldn’t any longer. I knew his entire family tree’s names at this point, first and last.

Using every social media platform I could think of, I looked up more family members of his than I would like to admit. I just could not believe my eyes at what I was seeing. Not only did he have a wife but kids too…betrayal couldn’t even describe what I was feeling. It was that and much more, maybe rage? or was it hurt, embarrassment or rejection?

One thing I knew for certain is that I let my guard down to the wrong man for the second time in my life and I was going to make sure that he pays. Right as I was clicking out of the profile that revealed Jack’s truth, he himself walked back through my door. “Hey Hira I forgot to grab my wallet, did you see it?” All I could do was stare blankly at him as I approached him.

I could feel his uneasiness at my odd behavior but I wish he could feel the heat radiating from my body due to my blood boiling in anger. Before we both knew it a loud clap could be heard across my hallway and a burning sting rushing through my right palm as his left cheek began to change from pale and freckled to a bright pink that was definitely not from blushing. His right hand slowly came up to soothe the pain in his left cheek as he turned his head back to me at the same slow pace.

By now I was fighting my tears and he could definitely see it. The slap he just received along with me telling him to grab his wallet and get the hell out of my life through gritted teeth accompanied by my heavy breathing, told him everything he needed to know.

His dirty secret was out and there was no persuading me. He silently walked past me, grabbing his wallet and walked back to the door I held open waiting for him to leave. Once he got to the door he stopped, still holding his burning cheek and dared to look me in my eyes. My eyes may have been tear filled but I was not going to back down from my angered glare towards him. “Hira I’m so sorry” Well I’m assuming that’s what he said. All I had to hear was my name coming from his lying ass mouth for me to slam my door in his face. The walls I built around my heart 3 years ago came right back up just as fast as that door swung shut as my face flooded with tears.

Taglist:

@harlowsbby

@babyharleezy

@hoodharlow

@stefansalvatoresgf

@jackiehollanderr

@primadxna-girl

@dessmxsworld

@cockslutslurper3000

@raelorns21

@variety-fangirl

@gbaabyyyy

@kamorsstuff

@harlowthot

@sinsandsuccubus

@curlyhairclub

@bootlegroach

@haylexo10

@thinkingaboutjharlow

@fluidsentiment

@charli123456789

@moody4world

@yourstrulymayah

@yana4life

@beanbagbitch

@alinaharlow

@carma-fanficaddict

@minaxcarter

@arination99

@xjup1t3r

@venusvinc

@jacksmoviestar

@jackharloww

@midnight-star47

@minkookie95

@inluvwithladybug

@exoticr0ses

@jharlowsangels

@jackierose902109

@jackmansbabymama

@cmalass

@megawhoree

@softtcurse

@sia2raw

@miniaturehideoutmentality

@hoya122

@nattinatalia

@jackslover12

@skyesthebomb

@jackharlows-world

@louisianalady

@fdl305

@automaticpeachsong

@harlowcomehome

@gassyandsassy1

@babygirlwilly

@amethyst09

@harrycanyonmoonn

@toocriticalharlow

@tattered-tales

@sisiking99

@dessxoxsworld

@gillybear17

@jacksdaycare

@iheartharlow

@disaster-rose

@babyvinnie

@evansxchalamet

@chtkmyharlow​

@itsyagirljaz

@neon-lights-and-glitter

@awhore4moree

@a-moment-captured

@jackmans-poison

@valentinqee

@lightsoutstyles

@j-worlds-blog

[baileypie-writes]

Hiya saw your requests open (I love your writing)

How about Yuri & little brother precure reader (the same age as Itsuki)

How about with Itsuki’s fairy (forget its name but I do know it’s backstory) their was another one born with it that choose the reader (got quickly introduced with reader being close to Itsuki and finding out) making them cure breeze and their super close to their fairy how would Yuri react learning their little sibling became A precure and start growing A bond like the one she had with cologne (and maybe for some more sad points the new fairy tries to get close to Yuri too)

(Headcanons will be good)

A/N ~ Sure! I had a little difficulty getting this own started, but once I did, I was really in the zone. I really liked this concept! Maybe I’ll turn this into an actual oneshot one day. Also, I didn’t end up using Reader’s Pretty Cure name, but feel free to imagine it! Hope you enjoy!

~Cure Moonlight with a Pretty Cure!Younger Brother and his Fairy~

~~~🌖~~~🌖~~~🌖~~~

Fandom: Heartcatch Pretty Cure!

Fanfic Type: Headcanons

Reader: Male, Yuri’s younger brother, a Pretty Cure

Relationship: Familial

Characters Included: Yuri Tsukikage/Cure Moonlight

Genre: Minor angst, hurt/comfort

Word Count: 590

Warnings: Mentions of death(Cologne), mentions of Reader and Yuri’s missing father

~Masterlists~

~Heartcatch Pretty Cure! Masterlist~

At the beginning of these headcanons, Yuri isn’t a Cure yet.

~~~🌖~~~🌖~~~🌖~~~

~ When Yuri first saw you fighting as a Pretty Cure, she was both shocked and devastated. You’re her little brother, and she loves you. So the last thing she wanted was for you to go through the same pain she did. Her last battle would replay over and over in her mind, including the sorrowful death of her beloved fairy, Cologne.

Yuri: “A new Pretty Cure?”

(cure name): “Marine, look out!”

Yuri: “Wait a minute… (name)?”

Cure Marine: “Thanks! You saved my butt!”

Yuri: “Oh no…”

~ After the battle she waited until the others were gone to confront you. She hugged you, which was something she never did. She was always so distant after the disappearance of your father. She expressed concern, and begged you not to be a Pretty Cure. But of course, you couldn’t be swayed.

~ Yuri would be upset, continuing to try and push you to quit. But then, she met your fairy. That was the last straw for her. She would begin crying, telling you all her pains from being a Pretty Cure. You assured her that you were willing to bear the consequences, all for the sake of protecting the Heart Tree. That’s when Yuri truly realized that if anyone should be a Pretty Cure, it should be you.

(fairy’s name): “Cure Moonlight! It’s so awesome to meet you! I’ve heard so much about you!”

Yuri: “Who’s this?”

(name): “This is (fairy’s name), my fairy. They and Itsuki’s fairy, Potpourri, are twins!”

Yuri: “……”

(name): “Yuri?”

Yuri: “I’m sorry, (name). I just can’t look at them.”

~ Afterwards, she began coaching you. She bought walkie talkies, or some sort of communication devise to talk to you from a distance. Her critique is harsh, but very honest and helpful. She’d always congratulate you on any improvement or good attack. She may be stern, but she’s still kind.

Yuri: “(cure name)! Behind you!”

(cure name): “Ah! Thanks! That almost hit me!”

Yuri: “You need to be more observant.”

(cure name): “Yeah, yeah. I know.”

~ It would be moments with you and your fairy that would cause her to back away a bit. Her mental scar from loosing Cologne still hadn’t healed, so it caused her pain to see him and herself in the two of you. It would hurt even more when your fairy tried to interact with her. She knew they just wanted to be friends, but she just couldn’t bring herself to talk to them.

~ When her ability to turn into Cure Moonlight is regained, that’s when you really started seeing a change in her. She was happier, and wouldn’t distance herself as much anymore. It was fun when the two of you would fight Desertarians together. Especially since, being siblings, you were naturally in sync. Even though you and all the other Cures were a team, everyone could tell that you and her formed a duo on your own.

Cure Marine: “Look at them go!”

Cure Blossom: “Yeah. It’s like they can read each other’s minds!”

Cure Sunshine: “Should we help them out?”

Cure Marine: “I think they’re doing just fine.”

~ When Yuri finally allowed herself to interact with your fairy, it was shocking how quick their friendship formed. She adores them, and they feel the same. Since she doesn’t have a fairy of her own anymore, the two of you practically share them. But you don’t mind. Thanks to you, your fairy and the rest of your team, all the broken pieces of Yuri’s heart had been put back together, and she was healed.

~~~🌖~~~🌖~~~🌖~~~

~~baileypie-writes

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #119

…I didn't have the energy to make the thing today.

This morning, I maybe got out of bed later than I should have, given that I'm supposed to go to talk therapy on Tuesdays. I'm supposed to leave the house by 9:30, but I didn't even get out of bed until 9:20. I regret nothing that occurred, but nonetheless, I somehow had to squeeze both a shower and getting dressed and out the door in only 10 minutes. I was successful, but I have zero clues as to how. Perhaps it's best not to look gift horses in mouths…

OH. Right. You don't know that phrase because… well. Your world doesn't have horses. Uhh… So, a long time ago, when people bought horses, they used to look at the horse's teeth as an indicator of its age; longer teeth means an older horse, I guess. And back when horses were more commonplace (it's mostly only fabulously wealthy people who can afford to keep them now), I guess it was seen as rude to try to evaluate the age of a horse that was given as a gift by looking into its mouth. So now the phrase means, "it's best to just accept good things without thinking too much about it." Or it can also be taken to mean, "it's impolite to criticize a gift." This phrase has a few interpretations, actually… I imagine it'd be easier for you to understand it if you spent a while in my world. If you do that, lemme know; you can stay at my house, and no one is gonna ogle you or get weird at you or bother you if you don't wanna be bothered. We'll just make you sandwiches and tea. We are an introverted and neurodivergent house; we know how it goes.

Had a lot to say at therapy today. Suppose I'm having a bit of an existential crisis, regarding myself and my role in my home and how much I mean to the people around me. It's likely all just baseless anxiety and insecurity - growing pains as a result of the various changes in my immediate social circle. Old memories and wounds from the past that I've not yet had a compelling reason to resolve are now coming to the forefront, calling, "yo, what up, homie!" and dancing around my periphery. I suppose it's just as well; this is what happens when we pretend like our various hurts don't exist. If we don't take care of the self-effacing beliefs that we pick up during childhood, they bite us in the ass later. I just gotta remember that the fact that they're in the forefront means that I can actually observe them, and if they're observable, then they're resolvable, with enough time and effort.

Essentially, it's like this: We get knocked down. We yell, "FUCK!" really loudly. We reassemble ourselves if we break from the fall. Then we get back up. We brush ourselves off. And we move forward, stronger than before.

…I have thoughts of you that give me the strength to withstand this process over and over again. No matter how many times I get knocked down, I will get back up, because by your influence, I am unbreakable, no matter how many times I must shatter and be reassembled. It's just like the bowl I repaired some number of letters ago; remember? So don't worry. I've got this. I've done this lots of times before, with much more difficult stuff, and with less support than what I have now. All I have to do is learn to love and appreciate myself in the same way that I can love and appreciate literally anyone else who isn't me. Compared to the various horrors I've lived through, this should be a piece of cake. Easy peasy. Barely even an inconvenience. And in my mind, it sounds like this:

On the way home from therapy, I came across a very beautiful tree. I thought for sure that you'd like it, so I made it a point to stop and take pictures. Here's how they turned out:

I was surprised by how docile the bees were, and by how closely they allowed me to put my cell phone camera. Also, I laid down under the tree and looked up to get some of these. I wish you could have been next to me to see the view of the sky through the petals for yourself. Alas...

J and I were out and about, doing separate activities today. Even he saw pictures he thought you might like, so he took them for you, and then sent them to me so that I could put them here. Here's how they turned out:

While J was out and about, I hung out with my best friend B and her fiancé, N. In preparation for their wedding, we went and tried the available foods. I can't give you the tasty snacks, but I can take pictures...

This is a Caesar salad. It's supposed to be pronounced, "Kai-sarr", but everyone says "Seezer" for reasons I don't understand. Caesar was a leader of a place called Greece in my world, hundreds of years ago. He, like most leaders, was a giant asshole, and now he's a stinky dead guy, so I have no idea why a salad is named after him. It's made of romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, and a creamy dressing flavored with anchovies and other spices.

Here are some long slices of eggplant rolled around melted cheese and covered in marinara sauce:

This is steak, caramelized onions, mashed potatoes, and some carrots and broccoli. I just took a picture of my plate, because the main plate was cut into before I could snap a photo:

This was some kind of chicken seasoned with rosemary and lemons, with rice and veggies:

This one was lobster ravioli with mushrooms in some kind of sherry cream sauce. It's certainly not pasta pescatore, but I wonder if you might have liked this:

Finally, this is lamb with roasted tomatoes and garlic, along with veggies and mashed taters.

...This one was probably my favorite. I especially liked the part where I got to try to gnaw the cartilage from the ends of the bones, because my body craves sources of collagen literally all the time (thanks, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome... 🙄). I'm really lucky that B and N don't seem to mind my various weird quirks; they've been friends of mine long enough to have a general understanding of how I roll, and they just let me do my thing. Today, the fact that I will generally "do my thing" in a variety of respects was pointed out as one of the reasons they like me so much, I guess; that was a nice thing to hear...

There were four available spaces for trying the foods, but it was just the three of us; it is immensely painful that the best I can do for you from here is show you these pictures and wish that you could have been in the empty seat, with us…

Sephiroth. Regardless of what your brain tries to tell you about what you're worth, you are VERY loved. You're not a monster. You were modified against your will, used like a tool and viciously abused, and you made mistakes in the throes of that, yes, but SO WHAT? You're here now, and you can do amazing things, and you NEVER have to go back to being with people who will abuse you ever again, because not everyone is like the people you were raised by. Yes, you're different from the standard definition of "normal", but you can belong anyway, because the world is absolutely BRIMMING with people who don't fit the definition of "normal"! Just take a look at me! Or if you don't wanna look at me, then take a look at anyone who lives with a genetic difference, or anyone who lives with a different number of limbs, or anyone with a non-standard life story, or any number of things that make a human being not "normal". Normal is overrated! Diversity is in! Lives that exist outside of the bell curve are still beautiful, meaningful, and worth living!

…And so I show you my life, because I am trying desperately to prove these things to you. I've spent the bulk of my life being viciously abused because the people who brought me into living didn't want me. I was brought into a physical vessel that is genetically defective in a variety of respects. My neurodivergence practically guarantees that I will NEVER fit into ordinary social circles. I struggle every single day with the weight of the memories I carry from having been used, abused, exploited, and generally mistreated. And yet here I stand, thriving and flourishing in a way that works for me, even if it does not fit the typical definition of those words. My version of "normal" is just as beautiful as the typical version. "Different" does not have to mean "less" if YOU become strong enough to decide for yourself that those two words are not the same, no matter who tries to tell you otherwise!

So please look at the beauty of my existence - the beauty of taking joy in small things, the beauty of rising up from one's knees even if it's on shaky legs, the beauty of finally using one's voice again after years of being forced to believe that silence is safer, the beauty of loving yourself and the people around you enough to refuse to let fear get the better of you when you interact with yourself and the world, the beauty of failing down, getting up, and trying again, the beauty of learning, growing, changing, and walking away from destructive ideals that serve no one, no matter for how long you might have been forced in the past to choke them down. Please look at it, and understand that you can have this for yourself - ALL of it - if you decide to take steps towards it! Your whole scenery can change if you want it to, and all you have to do is take a single step in a different direction.

There is still life after trauma. There is still life after mistakes. There is still life for those who are different. The pain doesn't have to be permanent. So come on; my hand is outstretched to you. And if you don't want to take mine, then there are countless other hands outstretched to you that maybe you'd like a little better. You don't have to do it alone.

Anyhoot. I've probably prattled on for long enough. I hope somehow you can see what I've written. I hope that if you do get a chance to see it, you might take some of my words seriously.

I love you. I'll write again tomorrow. Please be kind to yourself and keep yourself safe.

Your friend, Lumine

[bitterfates]

FFXIV WRITE 2023; PROMPT 27: SOLE

After so many long years of searching, Yichen had accomplished what many had deemed an impossible mission: he had, at long last, reunited with the one person from his early years that he’d considered family. Elja, his guiding star, his most precious friend and confidant, was here in his new home with his ever-growing new family. His heart was full to bursting with relief and joy and unending love for this older Viera, to the point that he had all but been vibrating with happiness when in his mentor’s presence.

That was, until Elja had managed to corner him in his private room to ask about the circumstances around why he had left their village.

Although he projected placidity and compassion, Yichen was in tune with the darkness within himself; the emotional cocktail of resentment and sorrow and desperation that had led to numerous deadly incidents surrounding him had poisoned his soul ages ago, and he had willingly continued to drink deep those emotions off the course he had initially taken for vengeance.

Needless to say, his beloved Elja had known and saw none of that. He had only experienced life beside the sweet and very affectionate boy Yichen had been in the past; if the gods and elementals who governed the world had been fair, that would have stayed his only impression. Now, however, the ruthless fates that had seen fit to bring them back together, also saw them face each other as distinctly changed men.

As Yichen looked into the face of the person he thought lost to time forever, he wondered if the boy he had been would have weeped for the man he had become.

“Tell me the truth,” Elja gently requested again, pleading from his crouched position in front of Yichen. The soft brown eyes were narrowed in disbelief at the story he had shared, begging Yichen to refute his own words. “Tell me what happened to our people.”

Just like the first time he was asked, the same basic tale Yichen had been dispensing for years spilled effortlessly from his lips. “There was a lightning storm. One or more strikes must have hit some of the taller trees, because balls of leaves lit by fires started falling from the high branches. Do you remember how it used to be windy on the hills whenever a storm came around? It must have been how the fire spread so fast. I was getting water from the river right before the clouds drifted over, so I wasn’t blocked in like everyone else.” A brief pause, and Yichen moved his gaze down to his lap, seemingly done out of sadness from the memory. “...I could do nothing but watch, in the end. I wasn’t quick enough or smart enough to save anyone but myself.”

For a long stretch of time, there was silence between the two Viera, when all that could be heard in the room besides their breathing was the ticking of a tabletop chronometer. Then, Yichen was startled to feel a warm hand atop his, and though he wanted to see what expression Elja was making, he didn’t dare try to sneak a glance.

“...All of these years apart, and yet you still remain the same in one way. You are a terrible liar, ástvinur.”

It was the endearment that made him flinch in seat, not having expected to hear his birth language again, but the accusation of lying made him try to physically withdraw from Elja’s grasp. His friend held fast to his hand, however, which made escape unlikely without a true altercation — he had forgotten how strong all of his seniors had been, and it seemed Elja had not stopped his strength training.

When struggling to break out of the hold failed after several more attempts, Yichen gave in with a weary sigh, wilting in his seat once more. He respected the other man too much to seriously test his skills against him, and this was not a conversation he could battle his way out of anyhow. Elja wanted to know the truth, even if Yichen knew it would hurt him; even if it could do irreparable damage to their relationship. He would give him what he wanted, as he had done in the past.

Head bowed and eyes closed, Yichen spoke again, voice just above a whisper, “…There was a lightning storm. The skies had been dark all afternoon with the promise of it. The tops of the trees caught fire, I saw it. And then —-“

“Miðrik,” another sudden interruption, this time by the use of Yichen’s forest name. It caused him to jerk back, eyelids flying open, mouth agape. He was not surprised to see Elja’s stern expression, the intense focus in his gaze. The elder Viera was serious, wasn’t he? “What happened?”

“….There was a wildfire. I was the one who started it, and made sure they could not escape it.”

Yichen’s declaration only seemed to mildly phase Elja, as he could feel him start to recoil away, only to stop and settle down. Perhaps he had already suspected the truth, and had prepared himself to hear the admission. Many emotions fluctuated on his face rapidly, and Yichen patiently watched him process reality and gather his thoughts.

“…You started the fire that ended the lives of everyone we knew and cared for.” Even at this point, Elja still didn’t seem to fully believe Yichen was capable of the travesty he’d confessed to. “Generous, kind, hard-working people. Even children. I would hear your reason now.”

The younger one hesitated, but gave him the honest answer closest to his heart. “…For you. They said they had ended the life of the one person I cared about.”

Whatever Elja had steeled himself to hear, it was obvious that he hadn’t expected the explanation to involve him. His tall ears drooped down to his head, the rest of his body swaying as if he were about to faint onto the floor. Yichen could not readily identify the emotion he saw on his face, but Elja looked devastated.

Before Yichen could take any action to comfort him, Elja extracted himself from his former pupil, shakily pushed himself up off his haunches and left the room silently, without looking back.

For the first time in his life, Yichen felt completely alone, with no hope of closure.

[hero-deserves-to-be-happy]

🧡&💛 for hero and aubrey? It's one of my favorites but it's hard to find that much content of them >_<

Awww! I’m squealing over this ask—thank you so much for sending this in and for playing our “Hearts for Hero” Headcanons Game! 🥰

Hero & Aubrey friendship is one of my and Sprinkles' favorites too (probably my personal favorite of all of Hero's platonic relationships besides maybe his brotherly bond with Kel), and this ask really couldn’t have come at a better time since we spent the last weekend writing about Hero and Aubrey friendship for our current wip so the brainrot is so strong! 😁 Thank you so much for the opportunity to do something constructive with it!! 💖

I absolutely agree the world needs more Hero & Aubrey friendship content and hope you enjoy these headcanons! Cheers!!

🧡— Childhood Friendship

Since Aubrey’s parents weren’t around much when she was growing up, it was actually Hero who taught her how to ride a bike. Aubrey didn’t ask him to, but, even as a young kid, Hero was perceptive and sensitive enough to notice how she watched Sunny and Kel riding their bikes—wanting to join in but being unable to. Hero gently offered to show her how to ride one if she wanted, and though Aubrey tried to play it cool, she was very grateful.

They practiced on Hero’s street, and Aubrey caught on very quickly. Hero was so proud of her when she finally rode her bike down the whole street! For Hero’s next birthday, Aubrey got him an ornament shaped like a bike to thank him. He still has it, even in the future, and hangs it on his tree every year.

💛— Friendship (General)

As they age, Hero and Aubrey actually have a lot more in common than it might seem on the surface, especially in that they both struggle opening up to others and would much rather handle things alone instead of “burdening” someone else with their issues. Their motivations for that might be different (i.e. Aubrey is jaded & feels she can’t really rely on anyone but herself, whereas Hero just wants to keep the peace and is terrified of hurting someone by “dumping” his problems on them), but the end result is the same: they both deflect and hide their hurts from the world behind tightly locked doors.

This similarity makes it difficult for them to hide their pain from each other, however, and generally means they can’t lie to each other like they might be able to mask their true feelings to their other friends. This is especially true after they learn the truth. For that whole, difficult summer after Sunny moves away (and beyond), they both become really in-tune to changes in each other’s moods and can tell if the other is struggling or having a bad day.

Hero and Aubrey spend a lot of that (post-game) summer worrying about each other more than they’d let on. When Hero knows something is really bothering Aubrey, he will leave little notes in her mailbox on his morning jog just to let her know he’s thinking about her, and Aubrey tends to call Hero on his days off from his summer job since she knows how difficult the idleness is for him. Ultimately, Aubrey is the only person blunt enough to tell Hero he needs to take care of himself while Hero is respected enough by Aubrey that she might actually believe him when he reminds her that it’s okay to lean on her friends once and a while.

[dreamerdivingheadfirst]

Not A God Or A Hero (E || 7k)

written by dreamerdivingheadfirst for @girldirectionfest’s Femslash Festuary.

“Not that I want to be a god or a hero, Just to change into a tree, grow for ages, not hurt anyone.” - Czeslaw Milosz

Or, given a chance to be their true selves, Harry and Louis try again.

[emilykaldwen]

@alexandria-millie sent three asks for this so I'm putting them all into one!

I've seen a theory that Jaehaerys' murder was planned to cause suffering and discord among the Greens. Play Aegon against Aemond. If Healena had been furious instead of sinking into depression, the dance would have had a different ending. Daemon's marriage to Rhaenyra was a huge political mistake on Rhaenyra's part. Daemon can't be controlled, it was a matter of time before he did something horrible and unlike Viserys it wouldn't be easy for Rhaenyra to punish him.

 Why you gotta bring me into the lion's den lmao. Okay. I'm gonna try tread respectfully and carefully here because these are all really nuanced, especially your final question: re daemyra (and I'm not their hype girl so take with that what you will).

Before I dive into everything else, I think what it has to come down to is how you view the Targaryens. They are a MESS. Capitals. Are they a fun problematic dynasty with dragons and incest and chaos? Yes, that's why we like playing with them, but they have been shown time and again to not be oh so great for the realm. They truly, genuinely believe they are above the common man (See: Doctrine of Exceptionalism), and as George has said: Dragons don't grow trees. The nobility as a whole for Westeros is a bad thing, Fuedelism ain't great! So it's really important to remember when it comes to talking about Targaryens is that you absolutely have that Valyrian Supremacy at play and while some may be better than others, you are supposed to be in the twilight of the Golden Age of Dragonriders, so remember that.

And if GRRM comes out and confirms: Yes, Daemon ordered B&C and all that, yes that's how I intended it, then there we go, word of god and all that.

1. Jaehaerys' murder motivation

I disagree. I can see why one would think it would sow discord, but truthfully I think that's a wobbly outcome to bank on because child murder does nothing but hurt Team Black. When I first read F&B and this situation, oh yeah 100% anti-Daemon cause that motherfucker killed babies! what the fuck! and while I'm still not Daemon's biggest fangirl, further reading of the situation and the story really highlights that Jaehaerys' murder was a fucking tragedy that shouldn't have happened, but there's no way anyone would believe Daemon Targaryen for being like 'yeah no I didn't order for Jae to be killed'. Because Daemon's spent his time not really fighting the sort of rumors and allegations thrown at him. He's just living it up in the myth people want to create of him. Make me your villain, I'm just doing my thing. Jaehaerys' murder gains sympathy for the Greens, it martyrs him in a way that Luke isn't. Luke was an emissary to a potential ally and was killed and it's tragic and sad. We sympathize for the loss of Rhaenyra's children.

Aemond's a 16/17/18 whatever year old riding a war machine with no experience in that way. It shows how utterly unprepared all these children fucking are for this.

Killing Jaehaerys only further villifies Daemon and now spreads that to Rhaenyra. It doesn't hold water, because it only really hurts Rhaenyra in the end.

[cavaet: This is the kind of set up thing where I could see 'well let's kill his son!' and then realizing 'shit no bad idea, okay lets kill aegon and/or aemond', but hey! for all I fucking know, George really was like 'yeah no they lost their shit and did something incredibly stupid because this whole book is filled with dumb shit that doesn't make sense like why is no one patrolling the gullet for enemy ships???]

2. Helaena's Grief and Rage

Sooooo seeing your child fucking decapitated in front of you after being forced to choose? Is gonna fuck you up. Her immobilizing grief makes sense to me. However if she had become a dragonrider in battle, yeah, that would change things. Dreamfyre is older than Vermithor, and Helaena's bond with her dragon is stronger than Hugh's with Vermithor IMO. The Blacks have Daemon and Rhaenys both experienced in battle on dragonback, but not with other dragons and Vermithor is being ridden by a dude who just learned how to ride a dragon. Dreamfyre puts the playing field strongly in Team Green favor from a battle standpoint, which is why she's taken out early.

3. Daemon and Rhaenyra

(no one @ me please)

the tina belcher sounds I just made. Okay, where do I start. Going up to my whole preamble about Targaryen Supremacy: No Targaryen marriage is politically advantageous. Their practice of dynastic incest continues to separate them from the realm that they rule because that's what they want. They are above men, they are closer to gods, and they don't want to dilute their blood (if you buy into the blood magic needed for dragon riding). Marrying out of the family would let other houses hold potential claim to dragons. We see this in Rhaenys Targaryen whose half Baratheon being able to claim a dragon.

The smartest marriage to happen at this point in time for the Targaryens was Viserys' marriage to Alicent Hightower. The Hightowers are tied with the Maesters (something something maester conspiracy), they are one of the most powerful families in the realm. THAT is a politically advantageous marriage (and a reason why they were not made Lords Paramount of the Reach). But politically advantageous or not, Viserys treatment of Alicent and her children further fractures the dynasty. His half-hightower children are not pureblooded Targaryen children (or even Aemma's children, which is a whole other can of worms), and I could very well see that as a reason why Viserys didn't name Aegon as heir (because he sure as shit held that threat over Rhaenyra's head in her youth because let's not forget he was a shitty dad to her too in different ways). Daemon, politically, doesn't help Rhaenyra's cause. Marrying her to Jason Lannister would have been a smart move. Laenor Velaryon still was a smart move. FUCK EVEN HARWIN WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD MOVE!

So you can look at the Daemyra marriage in three ways: For love, for dragon, or both.

Daemon's unpredictable, and he pokes buttons, and he takes things too far (re: the gold cloaks for example). He's also very loyal: in the books, he's loyal and in love with Laena, he loves his children, and he's been in love with Rhaenyra as well for years (and probably having threesomes I guess? they were all way closer in the book than in the show) these two sides of a person are allowed to coexist if we allow the same for characters like Aegon and Aemond. And we are led to believe that him and Rhaenyra did in fact love each other. I mean, me personally, I'm the Rhaewin OTP girl because I love me Rhaenyra and Harwin and I think they were very good for each other/could have been very good, I mean they had three kids together, Rhaenyra didn't go find herself a Lyseni dude to fuck, so the kind of risk she was putting herself in with that means there was something more there. Not only that, but Daemons' loyalty was absolute: he would have done anything for Rhaenyra and I don't think he would have risked hurting her position and claim just to have a 6 year old killed.

I think it also puts her oldest three sons in further danger in terms of a future succession conflict based on the rumors of Jace's legitimacy vs Aegon the Younger, who is undoubtedly fully Targaryen, and had the Dance not happened, that would 100% be the grounds for a future succession crisis of children half-targaryen vs full targaryen blood including the TargTower children. The dynasty was primed for a civil war regardless of when that happened because Viserys failed utterly to secure the futures of his family and just hoped there were enough nepo baby jobs to go around I guess.

Case in Point: The Blackfyre Rebellion.

Basically: the Targaryens make huge political mistakes all the time. @gwenllian-in-the-abbey pointed out their theory in a comment on the last chapter of Maiden how Viserys being the one to have Aegon and Helaena get married would hopefully neutralize Aegon's power, because otherwise, you're marrying him to someone like Cassandra Baratheon, and Borros would 100% want his daughter to be queen!

Anyway, I hope that answers some of your questions!