#(was stressing out so much today trying to draw backgrounds)

[dailynakaharachuuya]

chuuya dressed as a wine bottle ororor dazai dressed as a wine bottle trying to coax chuuya into talking to him or something :D

Our favourite mascot.

Bonus, Dazai as a wine bottle too:

[moonpascal]

IN THE SHADOW OF MEMORY

CHAPTER TWO series masterlist

SUMMARY II WC: 2.1k

After the tense encounter with Theo, you’re unsettled and distracted.

WARNINGS

angst, migraines, anxiety, feelings of emptiness

AUTHORS NOTE

this is more of a filler chapter. this took many rewrites and i’m hoping this is good enough! (although this plays into deathly hollows it will not follow it. mostly used it for the room of requirement scene). thank you for all the love on the first chapter!

Thank you thank you @amiableness for reading this and listening to me stress over it all! i love you! 🤎

You sat at the Gryffindor table, staring blankly at your plate. The usual warmth of the Great Hall—its lively morning chatter and clinking dishes—felt distant, like a scene observed through a glass wall. Harry and Hermione were talking softly beside you, but their words barely registered. Your mind kept circling back to the hallway, replaying the way Theo had looked at you.

The cruel words you’d hurled at him still echoed in your mind. Theo’s eyes, filled with anger and hurt, kept flashing in your memory. You couldn’t shake the image, nor could you understand why it affected you so deeply. It was just Theodore Nott-a Slytherin you barely knew. So why did the thought of him in pain twist your insides with guilt?

“Harry, why was Nott so mad at you?” Your voice cut through their conversation, drawing startled looks from both Harry and Hermione. They exchanged a brief, tense glance.

Before Harry could respond, Ron interjected. “Doesn’t take much to set that lot off. Probably thought he looked at him funny.”

While Ron’s words had a grain of truth, they didn’t fully explain Theo’s reaction. Although Theo wasn’t innocent, you’d noticed he rarely got into fights unless provoked—though no one deserved to be hit regardless of their reasoning. Yet, with Harry involved, and given the Slytherins’ usual treatment of him, it was hard to dismiss Ron’s comment. Theo often stayed in the background, smirking as others were bullied, but he rarely got his hands dirty.

The way Theo treated the other years was something you despised, and you always stood up for the victims of Slytherin cruelty. The frustration bubbling inside you mixed with an unsettling feeling you couldn’t quite place. So you simply hummed in agreement.

Your head throbbed, a constant reminder of the earlier events of the past 24 hours. As you pushed your food around your plate, you kept glancing at the doors to the Great Hall, expecting someone or something to happen. Hermione must have noticed because she nudged you, pulling you back into the conversation.

But you didn’t catch Harry and Hermione’s silent exchange, too lost in your own thoughts. Everything felt off today, your emotions were raw, on edge. Whenever you tried to pinpoint the source of your unease, it slipped away, leaving you more confused.

It didn’t make sense. Nothing had happened to make you feel this way—at least, nothing you could recall. You’d woken up in the hospital wing with a headache and a vague sense of confusion, Theo strangely sitting nearby. But Madam Pomfrey had assured you it was nothing serious—a bump on the head, perhaps a little too much stress. As she gave you a sleeping draught to take later.

So why did it feel like something was missing? Like a piece of your heart had been taken, leaving behind a hollow space?

Harry was speaking again, his voice soft with concern, but you barely heard him. You nodded automatically, forcing a smile that didn’t reach your eyes. You just needed some fresh air, some time to clear your head. Maybe then the tightness in your chest would ease, and the world would stop closing in on you.

You excused yourself from the table, ignoring the worried glances from your friends as you slipped out of the Great Hall. The cool air in the corridor was a relief, and you took a deep breath, trying to calm your racing heart.

But even as you walked aimlessly through the castle, the unease persisted. It was like an itch you couldn’t scratch, a sense of dread that clung to you.

You leaned your forehead against the cool glass of a window, closing your eyes. You just needed to rest, to give your mind a break. Maybe you’d take that draught soon.

As you walked into class, a wave of whispers followed you, accompanied by fleeting glances. Normally, you were used to blending in—not exactly shy, but not someone who sought the spotlight either. Today, though, it felt like everyone had something to say about you, twisting your stomach with discomfort.

You kept your head down, heading for a seat in the back, hoping to escape the attention. You set your bag on the table, pulling out your parchment and quill with slightly trembling hands. The pounding in your head was getting worse, each throb making you consider skipping the rest of your classes.

You rubbed your temples, trying to soothe the ache, so focused on your discomfort that you didn’t notice Theo slipping into the seat beside you.

When you finally looked up, your body tensed. Theo’s jaw was tight, his expression hard. You knew why—your argument had been harsh, and the guilt that had been gnawing at you all morning flared up again.

You were surprised he sat beside you, thinking he wouldn’t want anything to do with you now, especially after this morning’s exchange. Let alone being this close to anyone outside of Slytherin. But you knew you had to apologize for saying those awful words in the heat of the moment. Just as you lifted your arm to nudge him, Lavender turned in her seat, her eyes landing on you with concern.

“Hey Trouble, how are you feeling?” she asked softly, nervously glancing at Theo. “I heard you were in an accident. I was worried, but was told no visitors.”

You blinked, confusion flickering in your mind before you forced a response. “I’m… okay, I think. It must’ve been a pretty bad fall since I’ve had this migraine all day,” you tried to joke, but the weak attempt didn’t erase the worry in her eyes.

Before Lavender could say more, Theo cleared his throat, shooting her a look that made her quickly turn back to the front just as the professor began the lesson.

You struggled to focus on the lecture, as the pounding in your head intensified. You sighed in frustration, squeezing your eyes shut to block out the lights and noise. The migraine was worse than any you’d had before, leaving you anxious, wondering if there was more to your accident than you remembered.

Just as you were about to spiral into worry, you felt a subtle pressure at your side. Theo had leaned closer, his arm brushing against yours as he reached for some ink.

Normally, you would’ve tensed at the invasion of your personal space, but instead, the warmth of his presence was oddly grounding. The anxiety and pain that had been building all day eased just a fraction, allowing you to take a breath that didn’t feel so tight in your chest.

Whether intentional or not, Theo stayed close, his side pressed against yours, a silent connection that gave you a fleeting sense of calm.

As the lesson dragged on, the professor’s words blurred together, becoming an indistinct hum in the background of your thoughts. Despite Theo’s comforting presence, the tension in your body refused to fully release. You could feel his gaze on you from time to time, a mix of concern and something you couldn’t quite identify.

When the class finally ended, students began gathering their things, eager to leave. You remained seated, reluctant to move, still grappling with the persistent ache in your head and the knot of emotions in your chest. Theo didn’t make a move to leave either. Instead, he waited, his presence steady beside you.

Finally, he broke the silence, his voice low and concerned. “Are you okay?”

You hesitated, wondering why you felt so vulnerable around Theodore of all people. “I don’t know,” you replied quietly, your voice tinged with exhaustion. “I feel like something is wrong, but I can’t quite pinpoint it.”

Theo’s eyes softened, and he slowly turned to face you fully in his chair. His hand hesitantly moved to rest on top of yours, his touch soft and anchoring. It made you feel worse, knowing you’d said such harsh things to him, and yet here he was, comforting you—someone you never expected to show this kind of care, let alone toward you.

You took a deep breath, gathering the courage to say what had been weighing on you all day. “Theodore, I’m sorry,” you began, your voice soft but sincere. “I’m sorry for what I said earlier. I was scared and angry, but that doesn’t make it right. It wasn’t fair, and you didn’t deserve it.”

You could see him visibly deflate, as if your apology wasn’t what he was hoping for. But he quickly masked his emotions, sitting straighter with a blank expression.

“It’s fine,” he said your name, like it pained him to say it. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”

His dejected tone caused an ache in your chest. You’d never had a one-on-one conversation with Nott until today, and it felt off.

You wanted to say something to comfort him in return, but a sharp pain in your right temple made you recoil, and Theo quickly caught you before you could fall from your chair. His touch sent another wave of warmth through you.

“Woah easier there, what’s happening?” Theo’s words cut through as you blinked, trying to focus.

“I’m fine. I think I just need some rest. I’ll see you around, Theodore. Thank you,” you murmured, gathering your things and half haphazardly shoving them into your bag. You walked out of the class, feeling his gaze on you the entire time.

The further you got to your dorm, the more uneasy you felt, your mind racing trying to grasp at something.

When you finally reached your room, you immediately collapsed onto your bed, your bag dropping with a thud as a vial rolled out.

You’d completely forgotten Madam Pomfrey had given you a sleeping draught and took it without hesitation and settled into bed, too tired to notice the faint vanilla and cigarette scent lingering.

The sleeping draught did its job, but only for a few hours. You woke up feeling empty, at least your headache had subsided. The dreams that had visited you were oddly vivid—filled with a gentle comfort and a loving presence—but no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t place where they came from.

In your dream, a faceless figure held you close, murmuring sweet nothings into your ear, placing delicate kisses on your shoulder. The love you felt in the dream was almost overwhelming, as if it was something you’d known for years. But every time you tried to focus on the details, a sharp jolt in the back of your head pulled you away, leaving you more confused.

You tried to fall back asleep after noticing it was well past midnight, meaning you’d missed the rest of your classes and dinner. Feeling restless, and knowing your dormmates slept like the dead—or with silencing charms—you decided to tidy up your side of the room. It was messier than you remembered.

As you gathered your clothes into a neat pile, you spotted some jumpers and hoodies you didn’t recognize. Frowning, you folded them and placed them next to your trunk, deciding to ask about them later. Then you noticed a green tie peeking out from under your bed. You sighed, assuming it was one of Grace’s latest conquests leaving their things behind, and tossed it onto her side of the room.

Once everything was in order, you turned your attention to the blank picture frames scattered across your desk. Which was odd not recalling when you bought so many. You’d just have to take some photos to fill those soon.

As you undressed for a shower, your fingers brushed against a cool metal object resting against your chest. You hadn’t noticed it before, and a sense of unease settled over you. Gently lifting it into view, you realized it was a locket—intricately detailed, with your favorite flowers etched in gold on the surface and your initials engraved on the back.

You tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge. Maybe it was just designed that way, you thought, but the fact that you couldn’t recall ever owning it puzzled you. Curiosity piqued, you took it off, intending to examine it later. But as soon as the chain slipped from your neck, a sudden wave of emptiness washed over you, leaving you breathless.

Without thinking, you clasped it back on, and the feeling slowly faded. You decided to leave it there, too tired to worry about it out now. You’d ask your friends about it in the morning.

After a long, hot shower, you finally climbed into bed, wishing for more dreams of the faceless figure who had brought you such a profound sense of comfort and safety.

If you enjoyed, please reblog or comment! Your words keep me motivated to write.

dividers from @saradika-graphics

[lilyrachelcassidy]

'Amity' (Felix Catton x Reader)

A/N: Hiya, y'all. Welcome back after this what-seems-like-forever hiatus. Coming back with a fully-fluffy fluff, so if you are feeling mushy today, go for it.

Warnings: As much as I love exploiting TGs, today is not the day.

Summary: Some fluffy encounter with Felix.

Word Count: 0.6k

"Y/N, yeah?" asked a voice behind you.

You turned around, clearly startled to see no other than Felix Catton right in front of you. It was unforeseen, seeing as he had never engaged in nothing beyond a quick gaze exchange with you. You always wondered who would be the one to give in and finally initiate a conversation, should that ever happen in the first place.

"What's up?" you asked, innocently, bestowing him with a friendly grin on your part. Instinctively, he reciprocated the gesture.

"Uhm.. yeah. So I have seen you around the campus. Plenty of time, actually. We never really had a chance to talk... And I... you know..." He began toying with his fingers, momentarily losing your gaze.

Was he stressed? It seemed so... A bizarre sight it was, seeing a flustered man of two meters stumbling upon his words and blushing like a girl. Upon his downcast smile, your grin ever so widened at the cuteness of this scene.

But gosh, was he bewitching. These doe brown eyes and slightly too-long-hair played the tricks on your mind as he stood there, dwarfing over your figure with his lofty posture.

"You know, if you want to ask me out..." A taunting smirk pained on your lips. "I would be more than pleased to say 'yes.'"

He instantaneously, somehow with too much animation, looked at you from the ground. His eyes held a state of avidity and relief in them. After ogling you for a few seconds, frozen, he probably realized that he was gaping and so he smiled at you keenly with his gaze momentarily dropping to your lips. It was a hasty action, almost imperceptible if you weren't scrutinizing his face. But you noticed.

"Really?" he more sighed than asked. Even so, your eyes lit up and you nodded, trying to pull off the most composed version of yourself, yet failing miserably. "So that's cool."

You both laughed at that. You studied each other's expressions for longer than necessary, the two of you somehow locked in the moment and not able to draw away. Somewhere in the background, someone called out your name and it finally clicked that you should probably get going at this point.

"Listen, as much as I love talking to you... I have to go," you said with a pout which was actually genuine. You detested the fact that you couldn't stay out any longer, delve into the chat with Felix; but your teacher probably had already begun the lecture and it didn't deem ideal for you to lose another one of disquisitions after a day of a hangover break. Or a series of such breaks.

Felix pursed his lips, disappointment imparting on his features. With a mere nod of acknowledgment, he forced on a smile, making some nugatory movement with his arms as if suddenly not knowing what to do with them. "So see you after classes, yeah?"

"Mhm..." you hummed, casually smiling at him in response. Once he started to walk away, his long legs taking the strides that quickly carried him away from you, you determined to ask him one last question before departing: "Don't you want my phone number or something?"

He only twisted his head over his shoulder to get a better view of you. Then he beamed at you. "Already got it."

And he winked. A cocky, playful wink that made your insides flip.

A minute or two later, your phone screen lit up with the unknown number sending over a text: "So a picnic, next weekend?"

xoxoxooxooxoxoox

A/N: I feel like everyone at some point of their lives has to have a crush on Jacob Elordi. Imo the best version of him is the one in Saltburn, like *a girly scream of thirst.* As always, constructive criticism and whatever feedback highly appreciated.

[angelbaby-fics]

Hi love, how are you! I haven’t been on tumblr much lately but I still love you and your work!! I’ve been dealing with some tough stuff with my health and have been little a lot more lately. Would you write Cg!Ransom as just turning into a melted fit of mush for the reader?Just like absolutely spoiling them and doing whatever they want when they don’t feel good?

Love,

🐣

Daddy's Day Off

Word Count: 750

A/N: Aww hello angel! I'm glad to hear from you again & I hope you're always doing alright 💕 eeep I love Ransom so much, especially in the cold months I just want to cling to him hehehe 💕

It was a busy day full of stressful meetings and Ransom was not at all pleased about it. As much as he loved being extravagantly rich, the people he had to deal with on a daily basis almost made it not worth it. Almost. One thought of you, your bright eyes and contagious smile, and Ransom was reminded that he’d go through hell just to make that happen. He checked the time on his phone, just an excuse to look at the background image really. It was a picture of you and him, a selfie he had taken while you were curled up with him on the couch - he smiled at the camera, but your loving gaze was locked on him. Every time he saw this picture it reminded him what he did it all for.

He couldn’t do it today though, he just couldn’t. You’d had a nightmare earlier, screaming yourself out of slumber in the wee hours of the morning. The rest of the night was spent with you curled up against his chest and him hardly sleeping, dutifully keeping watch on you to make sure you stayed at peace. It broke his heart to close you out of his home office that morning, your rejected face echoing through his head as he tried to focus on today’s planner entries. All he wanted was to be finished with this stupid workday and to spend the rest of it with you. Your love was the only thing that could relieve his stress after a long day of dealing with a bunch of a-holes. Yes, he needed his baby just as much as you needed him. 

To hell with it. Ransom sent a short email to his assistant to cancel all his meetings as he needed to take a personal day. With that, he shut his laptop and tossed his work phone into his desk drawer, nearly slamming it shut. He was so eager to get away from all this and just relax with you. When he opened his office door, he almost expected you to still be there looking up at him with tearful eyes, but like the brave and independent baby he’d raised you to be, you had already begun trying to distract yourself until Ransom was finished with work. 

You knew Ransom didn’t like distractions when he was in work-mode, so although you’d rather spend the day curled up with him just as you’d spent last night, you took it upon yourself to keep occupied. That’s how Ransom found you on the floor of the living room, the massive flatscreen tv playing a marathon of Bluey episodes above you. Every color of crayon was scattered all around you, a pile of already finished drawings stacked upon the coffee table. At the sound of Ransom’s heavy footsteps, your head shot up from your picture of a cat in a garden.

“Daddy, you finished already?” You asked hopefully.

“Daddy got a surprise day off, baby!” He replied, scooping you up into his arms. 

“What are we gonna do?” You asked, looking up at him with more love in your eyes than Ransom thought he deserved in his whole lifetime. 

“Anything you want, babydoll. I’m all yours.” Ransom carried you to the giant sofa, keeping you pressed against his firm chest as he swaddled the two of you together in a big plush throw blanket. 

He handed you the remote, happy to sit through any cartoon or cheesy musical if it meant making you happy. When he heard your tummy rumble after a while, Ransom grabbed the house phone and ordered your favorite pizza, without even needing to ask if you wanted it. He knew you better than he even knew himself. He helped you eat your pizza as you watched tv, something you rarely got to do at the same time. When you finished eating, he carried you to the kitchen to get you dessert and a bottle, not wanting to put you down for even a second.

Hours later, the credits on your second movie of the day were crawling across the screen, and Ransom was sure you were fast asleep, when suddenly he heard your tiny voice muffled through the blankets and his comfy thick sweater.

“Dada?” You asked, even smaller than you’d been this morning.

“What’s up, babydoll?” He whispered down to you.

“You gotta get a day off more often.” You mumbled, drifting into sleep.

“I will, baby. I will.”

[dutiful-wildcraft]

Been having some trouble with ye old autistic burnout, so I wrote a fluffy little piece about it.

Ghost x M!OC Darren "Thumper" Martin

Unedited, just straight fluff and comfort, enjoy <3

Ghost finds Darren in their base's kitchen, he's perched in the uncomfortable metal chair that's really too small for any of the 5 men that live there.

He's been sparse all day, slinking around in the background. A shadow, not unlike Ghost himself on some days. It's not uncommon for Darren to slip off on his own. He knows his limits, and Ghost often leans into his room to find him napping, tucked into a bear sized burrito with the fancy little sleep mask Gaz gifted him. It fits him perfect, even has little bluetooth speakers so he can play white noise to block out all the rest. 

Usually he reappears after an hour or so, the buzzing rain cloud of too much noise and fluorescent lighting temporarily shooed from around his head. 

There appeared to be no such reprieve today. Darren was far away from himself, faded into the background from his usual interactions. Ghost knows the signs well, has an easiedr time spotting it in others than himself. He usually gave Darren the opportunity to regulate himself before butting in. 

And Darren had given it a try really. Ghost had watched him fuss incessantly with his shirt, the familiar soft cotton suddenly too tight and itchy on his sensitive skin, cuffs hugging his biceps too much, clinging to his stomach. Hands rubbing over and over along his thighs in an attempt to smooth away stress. He'd changed his shirt at least 3 times if Ghost had noted correctly.

He'd even braved lunch with them, wincing slightly at the whir and inevitably blaring beep of Soaps microwaved macaroni. Pushed around his food for a bit before giving up, throwing it in a container to hopefully attempt later.

He'd avoided the gym all together, and then dinner, shooting a quick text to Price to let him know he was feeling ill. Wanted to rest. Ghost doubted Price bought the lie either, but decided against pressing the issue. 

Ghost had resolved to check on him that evening only to find it empty in the late hours of the night.

And so he finds him here, bundled in a big sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head, leg bouncing rapidly as he stares at the container of leftovers he'd put away that afternoon. He holds his head in his hands, looking equal parts disgusted and distressed.

“Why you thumpin’ Thumper?”

Darren jumps, big body jolting hard enough to make the chair squeak as whips up to look at him.

“Jesus christ, I didn't even hear ya come in.” He gives him a superficial nervous laugh, hiding his face again. Ghost hates it, when he hides his face. But he can’t say much, he hides too, keeps the mask on, hides earplugs or headphones underneath so the buzz of electricity doesn’t drive him mad. Rotates the same 4 lunches over and over in such a way as to not draw too much attention. He understands. 

He knows the pain, the frustration. Feeling like a silly cartoon thermometer, smoke fuming from his ears when Soap asks him one to many questions, the rising pressure of discomfort that never seems to shatter the glass, just mounting pressure that makes him feel like he’s suffocating in his own skin. And even with all the therapy and little tricks sometimes self soothing can only carry him so far. And while he thinks he understands why Darren suffers now, this was not the time for blunt solutions. This would take some tact, gentle prodding to keep Darren from buckling down and writhing himself deeper into the tangle of troubles that has him staring at stale mashed potatoes at midnight.

“Gonna tell me what's got you worked up?”

Darrens shoulders sag, and the other leg fires up in its bouncing, moving in an opposite rhythm to the other. Darren tries to wait him out, but Ghost is having none of it. Let’s him sit and writhe in the uncomfortable silence until Darren finally spits it out. 

“Lieutenant, it’s fine-”

“We ain’t workin’” Ghost cuts him off sternly, moves to sit down in the chair beside him. 

“I’m hungry.” he throws at the table, tired, antsy. He crosses his arms over his chest, squeezing tightly, another barrier he attempts to put between him and Ghost. 

Ghost’s eyes flick between Darren and the plastic container, prompting him to keep talking. Darren squirms.

“Its..It’s not that serious, I’m just being a toddler about…just,  I know I need to eat, It’s why I’m pissy. Everything just sounds bad, and I’d rather starve than eat any of this shit. But I need to eat.” he snaps, more at himself than Ghost. 

Ghost knows the feeling all too well. 

“Alright, if you could have anything right now, hot or cold?”

“What?”

That get’s his attention, tired gray eyes flicker up to meet his. He squints for a moment, thinking before piping up, slow and careful. 

“Hot”

“Soft or crunchy?”

His next reply comes a little quicker.

“Soft, I think”

“Spicy? Sweet?”

Darren wrinkles his nose, not unlike a bunny, and Ghost can’t help the amused smile tugging at his scarred lips. 

“Think I just want somethin’...kinda gentle?” he peeks up at Ghost, as if to ask permission. His sweet man. He looks a little more clear now, he’s stopped bouncing, hands now shoved in the front pocket of his hoodie as he looks toward him with a hopeful little glimmer. 

“Should be easy then.” Ghost nods, standing easily, mindful of the chair scraping against the tile floor. He takes the leftovers from Darren and pops them back in the fridge as he begins to dig around for other ingredients. 

Darren twists, following him across the room with curious eyes. Ghost digs out all he needs, a pack of noodles, butter, some of the cheap parmesan that Darren insisted they keep. Salt, pepper. 

“Whatcha makin?”

“Those noodles you like, should do well enough, yeah?

Ghost has barely gotten the water on the stovetop before a set of burly arms wrap around him, soft and slow as Darren molds himself to his back, face pressed between his shoulder blades. He’s content to let him stay there, clinging to him like a koala as Ghost takes half-steps back and forth to finish up their dinner. He makes them each a plate before guiding them both back to the table. 

The simple buttery noodles were just the ticket too. The tension from his shoulders easing as he digs in finally, scarfing down the food with an iron focus. The man must have been starving all day, the chips steadily stacking against him with each added stressor. He even goes for seconds, pushing his hood away from his face and returning to his seat with a happy little sway. A bouncy ritual that tells Simon he’s pleased. 

He grins up at Simon once they’ve both cleaned their dishes, sweet and sheepish. 

“There you are. “ Ghost murmurs with a smile, “C’mere love.” he gingerly guides Darren toward his front, tucking the bulky man close against his chest and hugging him tight. “You’ve been hidin’ from me today.” he chastises softly, pressing a soft kiss against his hairline as they sway gently in place. 

“Been real tired.” Darren whispers, letting some of the defeat bleed through. “M’sorry.”

“Let’s get you to bed then.” 

It’s short walk back to Simon’s room, Darren’s warm hand tucked in his as they go. He leaves the tired man perched on the edge of his bed as he prepares the room. Turns out the lights besides the soft glow from the night stand, sets up the small desk fan, digs out the extra pillows and tosses one at Darren’s head playfully. Earning him light giggle as he keeps the prize to himself and flops backwards, shimmying himself up nicely in Ghost’s bed. 

“Negative, take that off, you're going to be roasting us both in that.”

Darren huffs, shucking off the soft hoodie and t-shirt underneath, revealing a soft broad chest and even softer stomach, delicate inky lines run over his breast and shoulder and along his arm, soft flowers that contrast the hard lines on Ghost’s own arm. He folds them both up neatly, before shimmying under the blankets in just his sweatpants, tugging the covers up over his chin, and waiting for Ghost with sleepy sweet eyes. 

Ghost knows damn well the sweatpants will also get kicked off in the night, and he will wake up with a big southern octopus clinging to him in just his briefs. (If he’s lucky those might come off too.) He crawls over him in the bed, pausing briefly to straddle his hips and catch his lips in a soft slow kiss. Darren hums happily, hips wiggling under the blankets as he wraps his arms around his neck. 

“Careful now.” Ghost warns, nipping at his jaw playfully before flopping down beside him with the grace of a lazy cat. With some fussing he manages to get under the covers, tucking himself against the wall and dragging Darren across the bed. Simon tucks him against his chest, curling an arm around his waist and letting his fingers trail idly over the coarse hair of his belly. 

“Thanks for taking care of me Simon.”

Simon only hums, pressing another soft kiss to the back of his neck before squeezing him closer. Finally, with full bellies and the soft whir of the fan, they both fall into a peaceful sleep, curled into the warmth of one another.

[mutilatemyheart]

Summary: Mij hasn't known a moment of peace while Fixer has been in the bacta tank, but the commando is finally awake, and it's time to find out how much he heard you say. Warnings: I don't think any. Attempts at flirtation. Not edited. Pairing: Fixer x fem!reader Word Count: 1098

Part 1 Part 2 Part 4

Mij Gilamar is many things. He’s a Mandalorian, a surgeon, a sergeant in the GAR, a damn good Sabacc player, and your newest friend. He’s kept you updated on Fixer’s condition for the past several days. He informed you early on that Fixer’s condition wasn’t quite as critical as Sev had made it out to be. You knew the Deltas were shaken seeing Fixer injured that badly. They weren’t used to having to send someone home to the medbay. The games of Sabacc helped to keep your mind off the fact that the other Deltas were now off as a three-man team in the middle of a firefight. Sure, General Jusik had gone with them, but you know it has to be difficult not having their brother with them.

The medbay doors slide open in front of you, and you’re instantly greeted by the smiling face of the Mandalorian doctor. You’re grateful they asked him to come back on as a trainer. You’re not sure that the other doctors here would view the critically injured clones as worthy of being saved. Your anger at how your friends and the other troopers are treated by the Republic grows every day, but it gives you hope to know there are some out there who truly do care about what happens to them.

“How are you today, ad’ika?” Mij asks as you make your way over to him.

“Good. Even better now,” you say with a smile. “How are you?”

“Fine, but I know you’re not here for me.” He throws a glance over his shoulder. “Fixer! You have a visitor.”

Your heart stutters at the sight of the commando sitting on the edge of the hospital bed in his blacks with a datapad in hand. He doesn’t look injured or tired anymore. He looks whole, and the smile on his face when his eyes meet yours is worth all the days of stress and heartache you’ve endured. It takes every ounce of self-control not to throw your arms around him.

“I didn’t believe him when he said you’d been by every day,” Fixer says, setting the datapad to the side and focusing his attention on you.

You turn to shoot your best evil eye at Mij, but he’s already made his exit to give you two some privacy. What else had he told Fixer. You shift your weight from one foot to the other. Does he remember what you told him that first night he was brought in?

“Of course I did. I was pestering Mij about your condition every chance I got.” You don’t trust yourself to look him in the eyes for too long, so you focus your gaze on the way his hand rests on the edge of the mattress. His fingers lightly press into the foam, and you wonder briefly what they would feel like on your skin. “I was so worried about you.”

“I didn’t mean to worry you. Though, I have to admit that it’s nice to know that someone would care if I didn’t make it…especially when that someone is you.”

“Me?” You don’t try to hide you smile when you look back up at him.

He nods. “You. It’s rare for us to meet someone who handles Scorch’s humor and Sev’s…everything as well as you have. Boss joked about making you an honorary Delta just to try to keep those two in line, but I shut that down quickly.”

You heart sinks. The chances of you ever going on a mission with them is slim to non-existent but knowing that Fixer wouldn’t want you there even if you could be stings. Maybe his brothers were wrong. Maybe he just wanted you to leave them all alone.

“Not that it wouldn’t be nice to see you more,” he continues, drawing you out of your thoughts. “But I’d never be able to focus. You’re very distracting.”

“Aren’t soldiers supposed to be able to tune out distractions?”

He tilts his head to the side and narrows his eyes slightly like he’s debating his answer. “Absolutely. I can tune out most background noise like the sound of voices or nature and put my attention where it needs to be, but I can’t get you out of my mind when you’re not around. It would be impossible if you were close by.”

Your feet move on their own until you’re just a breath away from his body. The rise and fall of his chest and the deep brown of his eyes are like stepping out into fresh air after breathing in the recycled air on a ship for weeks. He’s beautiful and alive and he thinks about you when he’s gone.

“We need to celebrate your recovery.”

You run your fingers along the new scar above his jawline.

His eyes flutter shut at your touch, and you want to kiss him. You want to taste the life on his lips and feel his breath against your skin.

“You did say we could go anywhere I wanted,” he smirks.

So, he had heard you. His eyes open and search your face for any clue you regret what you had told him all those nights ago.

“I did say that, and I meant it. All of it.”

Your words seem to be confirmation enough for him as his hands find your waist and pull you closer to him. You're so close that you can count the shades of brown in his eyes. Your heart thrums in your throat as you lean forward.

“Am I interrupting?” a voice asks from somewhere behind you.

You jump away from Fixer and fight to keep the string of curse words in your mind from spilling out of your mouth. So close. You were so close to finally kissing him. You turn toward the owner of the voice, ready to tell him that yes, he was interrupting. But the words die on your tongue as a tall figure in all black armor approaches. A six-legged creature who looks like a wrinkled mass of skin stares up at you and sniffs the air curiously.

“Sergeant Vau.”

Fixer’s voice is back to its usual serious, no-nonsense tone. Any hint of the playful, flirty tone that had laced it before is gone. The tension in the air is almost suffocating.

“You should go,” Fixer says to you. His eyes don’t meet yours.

“Yeah, uhm…good night.” You throw one final glance at him before you step around Vau and make your way to the door. You almost miss the sad, quiet ‘good night’ that slips past Fixer’s lips.

[tikiface]

do you have any thoughts about what Potemkin's past/childhood was like?

DO I? Boy howdy- There doesn't seem to be much canon information on Potemkins past/childhood besides:

-He was born the way he is. No genetic modification or augmentation. Man just won the genetic lottery for SWOLE.

-He was a slave (for who knows how long, but likely his entire life)

-Potemkin learned a lot of his moves from Gabriel (including Buster lmao) seemingly before he was freed in GGx, So that means Pot and Gabriel had known each other quite well before the world tournament.

So my HCS are -Weather or not he was born into his place in the caste system, he had been a slave since childhood. He was a particularly useful farmhand in his younger years because of his unusual strength, until he was noticed and bought by Zepps military for that exact reason. -Potemkin is particularly well-spoken, intelligent, politically and philosophically savvy, so in spite of his captivity, he must've had opportunities to educate himself. I like to think he payed particular attention to other soldiers wisdom. Gabriel could have had a hand in educating him past his assigned purpose in the old regime.

-Potemkin was forced into to Zepps military at the ripe old age of 11... because he was already much bigger and far stronger than most fully-grown men by that age. He didn't look like a kid, but he certainly still acted like one. Shy, scared, inexperienced, and profoundly unable to cope with stress.

-It didn't take long for Gabriel to notice someone managed to put a FUCKING CHILD in HIS military training program. Angered and disgusted by this, Gabriel secretly excluded Potemkin from training and instead left him some place safe to read books during training hours. All while being careful about catching the attention of his superiors.

-Gabriel eventually did train Potemkin though, so that he may survive whatever the regime set him out to do. Gabriel tried not to be overly-involved in Potemkins life directly (lest his superiors take Pot and put him under the command of someone far less forgiving, or find out Gabriel has secretly been acting treasonous in other ways), but he pulled strings in the background so that he could keep an eye on him and loosely stay in charge of Potemkins 'training' to keep him relatively safe and enriched with a few actual childhood experiences… like reading fiction, drawing, and encouraging his childlike hopes and dreams.

-potemkins strength started out unusually accelerated but otherwise manageable in his childhood and teens, so he was able to enjoy normal pencils, sit in normal chairs, and wear normal clothes for a time. It wasn’t until adulthood where it started to become a visible problem and his strength grew so quickly that he frequently began to break everything by accident, even while trying as hard as he could to be careful. Doors, tables, clothes, documents, furniture, infrastructure. It was not a fun time for him, constantly frustrated that he couldn’t control his own strength. Gabriel found the property damage expense on the old government pretty funny though. Potemkin was unintentionally tearing down the establishment from the inside out.

-eventually the combination of wearing his limiters and simply mastering being suuuuper careful allowed him to have the finesse he has today, but its something he’s still not allowed to take for granted.

[scyphosunny]

vargastober day 1 !! time to make pretty pieces !!!

HUGE RANT INCOMING !!!! LET'S GET TO IT

okay so it's currently almost 5AM and i set up an alarm in four hours but hey let's just write an entry right now :DDDD ( at this rate i will die soon

i remember that when i saw this prompt in the list , my brain immediately said " 20 / 21 " . YOU KNOW ME , I JUST LOVE THIS ONE SO MUCH . and once i had all of the prompts , i put all of them in one of those websites to randomize the order of something ??????? yeah . and " memory " was the first one to appear . ( smiles mischievously

okay . . . of course i had to get something to do on the very first day . i'm going out with my famiily today , and i won't be back until tomorrow . . . great timing isn't it

so idk like three hours ago i had to SIT DOWN and work on this . i was extra stressed because i chose to work on some edgar / jake first , for some reason .

then my sister got home and YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS , IT'S CODE LYOKO TIME !!!!! it was like 10PM and i didn't want to get myself to work on it . i really didn't feel like drawing yesterday . but i still did , because usually that means i can just push myself a little bit and if i get something that i like at least a bit , i'll probably just work with it and enjoy it !

for this whole thing , i had an extremely specific reference saved SOMEWHERE on my phone . that thing when you see something neat , and you're like " hey i want to draw that " then , take a screenshot and forget about it forever . I HAD THIS ONE REALLY FRESH ON MY BRAIN THOUGH !! and even if there's plenty of things i could do for this one ( fuck , i even have a whole pinterest board for them !! and for the rest of the characters , really ) i really REALLY wanted to get this one done taking that picture as a reference .

it was a picture of a little girl kneeling down to get some flowers . . . and the whole thing just screamed childhood for me . i could probably just do the whole thing without a reference but i wanted to see the background and overall the slight blurriness to it . that would be harder to recreate without a reference . but i just had this picture floating somewhere on my phone's photos . i didn't even remember the year i took the screenshot ! and i didn't want to check through 13k pics on my phone to find it . i used to clean my gallery a lot , but since i got a phone with a fair amount of storage ( unlike last one ) i stopped doing it so much because it isn't really necessary anymore lolz . so yeah . . . i didn't want to look for it . last time i checked my phone's photos from last year i got depressed because i fully believe i had everything and lost it all . but hey that's not the point-

at the end , i did find the picture ! didn't take too long , too . . .

and here it is ! a tiktok screenshot of an age regression post . really fitting . i wanted it to have this kind of , hazy dreamy end to it . a memory . ( laughing

GOT TO WORK . I HAD TO . THERE WOULD BE NO TIME THE NEXT DAY !!!!!!!!!

first i made this incredibly poor sketch to see how bad it'd look because HONESTLY i didn't think i'd get it right first try . AND I HAD NO TIME TO TRY AGAIN

i've been working with backgrounds for a while , and one thing is certain . i SUCK at them i've already had two pretty pieces ruined by shitty / unfinished backgrounds . last one i made ( the fireflies one ) was at least a bit better . and well , IT WAS FINISHED .

the main problem i had with backgrounds is that , my art is pretty line heavy . and the way most people do backgrounds is just like , scribbling things around with big brushes and stuff . first time i tried . idk it just looked odd ! the characters were so sharp looking and the background looked blurry , almost . i don't even have a picture to show because the file of the piece i'm talking about got CORRUPTED at some point , so . . .

there's this guy on instagram that makes tutorials and just MAKES IT LOOK SO EASY IN WAYS I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND . i did notice something , though . . . this person started with the background first , then drew the character . made sense . i mean yes , that would make the character actually fit in the piece . . . . . . it's funny because yeah common sense OF COURSE you start with the background but MY BRAIN REFUSED TO ACCEPT IT FOR SOME REASON i don't want to draw boring backgrounds I WANT TO MAKE PRETTY CHARACTERS WITH PRETTY HAIR AND PRETTY CLOTHES

( by the way , this is the guy and this is the tutorial i followed ! check his art everything's so cool

i COULDN'T ALLOW MYSELF TO FAIL THIS TIME so i tried it this way . didn't take a lot of screenshots of the progress because i was like JUST FOCUSING ON GETTING THE PIECE DONE but hey i had some screenshots i sent to brusk

started with the sky . . . then added clouds , some mountains . . . brusk told me she liked it ! that it had undertale vibes lolz

then adding bushes . . . some trees . . . the place scri would be standing on . . . i watched the tutorial , got similar colors but still took the reference pic as well , a reference lolz

if there's something i hate , is detailing grass . really really hate it I CAN NEVER MAKE IT LOOK RIGHT . seeing just a nice , open field like this one made me think of another drawing idea i have for them

i have at least three pieces like this on my pinterest ideas board . i was like " what if i do something like this instead " but NNNOOO !!!! I HAD A REFERENCE TO FOLLOW ! and quickly got back to the original idea . hmm . . . i still want to draw a piece like that , though . . .

then , i just detailed the grass a bit more . . . added pretty yellow flowers .

i liked how it looked so far ! which was surprising . i usually never like my backgrounds .

then , TIME FOR THE FFFFFFUN PART !! SKETCHING THE CHARACTER !!!

this was the initial sketch . i keep saying " YYEAHH I DON'T DRAW LINE !! MY SKETCH IS MY LINE !! I'M COOL AND SUPERIOR " but nah this piece and most of them have at least the smallest sketches . i lied to you guys .

honestly . . . i didn't really liked how it looked . bleh .

still , chose a nice , pencil-like brush to work on the line . the background doesn't look really sharp , and i wanted to avoid the problem i talked about before ! characters looking solid and background looking blurry . i used this brush before for a little thing before and i thought it'd be harder to use . but everything okay .

this is what the line looked like at first ! love detailing lines and stuff but i didn't really give myself enough time to detail this one as much . half of the details would be lost , at the end . . .

flat colors ! and a pic of william looking like he's constipated on top lolz . that frame is so funny . i know he's suffering and getting his memory back BUT IDC . I KEEP WATCHING CL ANALYSIS VIDEOS . I CAN'T HELP IT , THEY'RE SO COOL TO WATCH

i had to make my colors a bit less saturated for them to fit the piece . you can't really notice at the end , since the filters i added made it look normal lolz

little break to talk about mmmusic !!! okay so , you know . i really like code lyoko . they have this fake band called " the subdigitals " and one of their tracks was used on the credits of the show . nice song . well , once i read in reddit that they had actual songs ! so , i searched in youtube and THEY DO HAVE MORE SONGS ! a fair amount of them , too . . . so i've been listening to them for days now . THEY'RE REALLY GOOD I CAN'T HELP IT

i really like how distorted XANA's eye looks here lol

( also this is just an excuse to show my old youtube . i love add-ons

BACK TO DRAWING . after flat colors , shading was next ! and oh i've seen people shade with purple since i was a kid . but i was like " that doesn't make sense . I'M DIFFERENT AND I'LL DO IT ANOTHER WAY " so i did , but IT JUST DIDN'T LOOK RIGHT . so i had to . ( sigh ) . shade with purple . ( and it looks great !

TO BE FAIR i do add a bit of a darker blue when shading but this time i just used it as it is .

oh also i did have to go back and correct the colors a bit for it to fit better . this time , i didn't color his hair like i usually do ! i wanted something less scribbly , more solid . . . i think it looks pretty . his hair is shining !

SCRI DIDN'T HAVE FEET AT FIRST i didn't draw them because i mean you can't really see them on the reference picture . but here it just looks like he's SINKING INTO THE FFLOOR OR SOMETHINg so i went back and added them . . .

coloring the line was really important on this one ! at the end , scri did look sharper than the background AGAIN so i tried and colored the line in a way that it wasn't that noticeable . i like it . should do it more often .

even after colring the line he still didn't so i had to save the background and a png of scri's character , set them on a different canvas and then blur scriabin just a little . I REFUSE TO MERGE MY LAYERS . YOU CAN'T MAKE ME

once the colors were set and done , i went to add a bunch of filters ! only to notice that !! i forgot the freckles !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! way to go , sunny !

( most of the pics i added here do have freckles on them because i took them after finishing the piece but . yeah

so i had to GO BACK get everything set and add the filters again . AND , AFTER 5 HOURS OF WORK , WE HAVE THIS PIECE !!!! i forgot the freckles because i don't add them as part of the line anymore . they were harder to color like this . . . so i just paint them on his face when i'm rendering . ah well .

i was strugggggling to find a way to crop it , and now half of the background it's gone . gggreat . i don't think i achieved that hazy feeling , if i'm honest . . . but i still like it a lot . so i'm pretty happy with the result .

( also , i should sign these . it's been a while since i signed any of these ! i just don't know where to add the watermark !

this is the pic with and without the filter !

then , i go to bed , get comfortable and warm . only to realize . . .

I FORGOT . THE YARN . ON SCRIABIN'S HAIR .

GOD DAMMIT

i tried to add it on ibis paint because i DIDN'T WANT TO COME BACK TO THE FILE , ADD IT , CROP IT , PUT THE 999999999999999 FILTERS I ADDED AND GET IT ON THE POST . let's just say it's on the bit of hair we can't see on the picture .

i fforgot it because !!!!!!!!! i ddddon't know !!!!! HOW CAN I FORGET THE MOST IMPORTANT PART WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU

oh , and also . this is how my canvases usually look . i make huuuge files just so i can have lots of spacte to add a bunch of references in the canvas and then crop everything out when i'm done using them .

like this piece i made for the askblog ! hahahahah

i don't really know if there's anything else to add . just that i'm glad i'm doing this , i'm glad i got this one done on time AND I'M EXCITED TO WORK ON THE REST OF THESE

happy october , expect more pieces soon ! :D

( also , as an extra ! here's the piece my 10y.o sister made for today ! lolol

( bbbbefore you come at me and be like " why did you show vargas to a ten year old WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU " i kind of . didn't ? and did at the same time ! she saw me drawng them a year ago , got interested and i explained their dynamic to her . now she knows them ! of course , she doesn't know the DEEP PART OF IT lol

[heliza24]

Let's talk about the music in Young Royals! (Part 2)

This is the second part of a two part analysis. You can read part 1, which focuses on needle drops in the show, here.

I absolutely love Matti Bye's original Young Royals score. It is beautiful and immersive. It makes Hillerska feel like some place special. It shimmers and sparkles and draws us in to the emotions of the characters.

I've already talked about how effective the score can be at elevating certain scenes and creating intimacy in my posts analyzing the sex scenes in the show, which you can read here and here. But today I want to focus on another purpose of the music: the way that it emphasizes themes. Much like the needle drops in the show, the score helps emphasize the difference between public performance and genuine emotion. The conflict between the characters' assumed roles and their actual feelings is one of the biggest themes of the show, and the score helps establish this.

In order to examine how the score reinforces this theme, I want to break down the music in one small section of the show. The music that underscores Wilhelm's speech at the end of 2.6 tells us so much about what Wilhelm is going through in that moment, and it's the culmination of several musical motifs that we've heard earlier in the show.

In order to really be able to listen to the score, I ran this little clip through the program that I use for video edits, that separates vocals from background music. It is admittedly better at isolating words than it is music, so the audio here isn't perfect. But I think having the dialogue muted helps when you're trying to concentrate on the music and pick out melodies. I'm going to use time stamps based on this video for the rest of this post.

At the beginning of this clip, the score feels almost... familiar. There's a shimmery opening sound, and then a sequence of falling notes. It sounds so familiar, in fact, because it's a version of "Recomposed", one of the two tracks (along with "Harmony Theme") that are played most frequently throughout the show, and that together make up a kind of unofficial "theme song" for the show.

However, these two themes are used in very specific ways. You never hear them used in intimate scenes between two characters, or when a character is talking about their true feelings. Instead, they're used over montages of the students at Hillerska, when the class system of the school is on full display, or in moments of stress for our main characters. The best example is probably their wide use in 1.3 during parent's day. "Recomposed" plays when August is making a stink about letting Sara, Simon, and Linda eat with the boarders, and when August makes Wilhelm pose for photos with him. "Recomposed" is beautiful but it's also stressful, and it's used here to underline how arbitrary and discriminatory the Hillerska traditions are, and how uncomfortable Wilhelm feels adhering to them.

So, the first 55 seconds or so of the speech the scoring sounds like "Recomposed". But not exactly like "Recomposed". It's a little slower. The notes are more syncopated. It almost feels like the melody is breaking down. Just like Wilhelm's ability to maintain his facade and play his role is also breaking down. If you were to listen to this section of the speech with the words unmuted, you would hear Wilhelm struggle through and then abandon the scripted speech he's been instructed to give. So the idea of this oft-repeated musical motif also being slowly discarded is just perfect.

The next section of the clip, from around :55 - 2:05, is characterized by a series of ominous sounding chords and the lack of a clear melody, which reflects Wilhelm's anguish as he decides whether or not to tell the truth about him and Simon. I think this is a good reflection of the way the score in general shifts between seasons 1 and 2. Season 1 has a lot of complete, distinctive melodies. By comparison the season 2 score feels muddy. There aren't as many distinctive melodies, and the emphasis is on highlighting the stress and confusion that characters are feeling rather than creating a pretty song. This makes the season 2 soundtrack album less satisfying to listen to on its own, but works really well in context. Season 2 is full of amplified emotions and the score really captures that.

Ok, now we're on the last part of the clip, from 2:05 to the end. This is my favorite discovery that I made while working on these posts. For a long time I could not figure out where I had heard this melody before. The piano notes sounded so familiar. It made me think of Simon and Wilhelm in happier times. And then I remembered: the fish scene. This clip once again has (most) of the vocal track taken out. Can you hear how it's the same melody as the end of the speech clip?

So, we have a musical motif that is closely associated with Wilhelm and Simon's love that plays while Wilhelm is admitting to being in a relationship with Simon publicly for the first time. Makes sense, right? (Also thank you to @books-books-smolderinglooks for pointing out that this is on the soundtrack for season 1 as the track named "Dad"!)

Well I got curious, and did a full series rewatch, looking for this musical motif. And I found it in two more places besides the fish scene and the final speech. It also plays during Wilhelm's first two sessions with Boris the counselor. These sessions are so significant for Wilhelm. They allow him to actually feel his emotions in a safe place and realize that he does actually have agency over how he chooses to live. So while I was originally thinking about this as the "Wilmon Musical Theme", I had to revise my thesis about it a bit. Now I would describe it as the "Wilhelm Living In His Truth Theme", which of course includes Simon.

It's so meaningful that this music plays while Wilhelm is admitting that it was him in the video. He's doing what he should have done at the end of season 1, telling the truth and being honest about his and Simon's connection. And he's reclaiming agency over his life by refusing to continue to lie. The music subtly enforces this, without us even realizing, by using a motif that we have already associated with those themes.

I cut off the clip of the speech right before it transitions into "The Most Beautiful Boy" by The Irrepressibles, but I think the juxtaposition of that needle drop with this musical motif is so beautiful.

Those are all my thoughts on the score, and this particular musical moment in the show, for now. Do you have a scene where you think the score is particularly effective? Do you have more scenes that you want me to analyze? My ask box is open and I would love to hear your thoughts!

[squircatlies]

Today is the day I unleash my Mr. Bonzo fanart upon this webbed site.

This post is relatively safe up until the cut.

Is the *tips fedora* meme over a decade old? Yes. Do I care? No, absolutely not.

~

Now this is where I recommend "getting off" this post to anyone bothered by graphic depictions of body horror, blood, violence, or Mr. Bonzo (monster, not mascot like above).

I know the first image is silly, but I cannot stress enough how serious I am when I say:

Proceed at your own risk.

Now that you have chosen to continue, I have arranged the images in order of least to most vile and disturbing (though that might be slightly subjective on my part).

Remember that you can click off this post at any time.

Final warning: split tongue Bonzo.

I tried channeling Julia Drawfee with the lineart a little bit. Didn't feel like shading that one, so it's a bit flat.

Where did I lose my colours? Plot twist: the first image in this post is actually the last I've made, so technically I gained the colours. I wanted it to have more of a cheery vibe, unlike the ones under the cut, which I wanted to be kinda dreary and I feel like adding too much colour can mess that up.

Alright, I'll address the tongue. Remember how his head splits in tmagp 12? Yeah, it's a nod to that and also I asked myself "how do I make his design worse than it already is?" and that's the only answer I could come up with. I debated adding stitches connesting the two halves of the tongue but couldn't figure out how, so you're welcome. It will be present in all the upcoming drawings as well.

~

The next one is bloody, but it's not that much worse than the previous one overall.

I was playing with filters after I was done with this piece, because I felt like it lacked something, but didn't know what. Really liked this one, I think it's some sort of a gradient map. It pixelised the image and adjusted the colours a bit, it also really made the blood pop out, though it covered up some of the details.

Why did he lose his hat? It's stupid and hard to draw.

You may have noticed the artstyle change a little, the previous images having neat lineart and little to no shading. That's because I am using different tools, sketchy and soft brushes, that allow me to experiment with lighting and textures more (plus the aforementioned filter altering the image even further).

~

Alright, I feel like this last image deserves a separate warning. It references episode 12 (spoiler ahead), specifically the moment before the bartender loses a hand, though it's not entirely accurate. It's rendered in more detail than any of the previous images, so keep that in mind before scrolling down.

Basically it's pov: Bonzo licks your hand.

I feel like I could've made his tongue bigger in this one, it seems kinda small compared to his mouth. I really like how the skin on his face ended up looking. It took a lot of work.

The spit makes it look weirdly sexual, doesn't it? Listen, that was not my intention, but I'm not erasing it. I set out to make the worst thing I could and, though not without cost, I have achieved it.

I tried splattering Bonzo in blood, but it wasn't really working for me and it covered up a lot of the detail I liked, so I just put it in the background.

The human hand is drawn from reference, which I found by googling "hand reaching out away from the viewer". And let me tell you: google is shit at looking for drawing references, but I figured it was just going to be a sketch to explore an idea, so I didn't bother trying to get a better one. And then I fixated on it for a couple hours, you know, like a normal person.

I literally (and I mean no exaggeration) dusted off my drawing tablet after a few months of no use to spend the entire weekend, after tmagp 12 came out, glued to the screen making those images, except for the b'onzo one, which I made this evening.

Just to clarify: I drew all of those by myself. No filthy AI image generation is allowed in this house. I am capable of committing far greater sins than an artificial intelligence ever will.

The only thing left here is to extend my sincere congratulations/condolences to whoever got this far. It's up to you to either think you're brave or realise that you're foolish for doing so, but be comforted by the fact that at least you didn't make this post, which I cannot say for myself.

[wrrrenff]

Mystic Messenger: Valentines Day Head Cannons

What these guys would do with you for valentines day! With valentines coming up, what better time to start putting out some valentines related content. There may be some references to the valentines dlc but mainly my own interpretation of what they'd each do/say. Also some of these will take place in the after endings and some wont.

Yoosung:

You're his first valentine so boy is STRESSED trying to plan something perfect

Will go to Zen for advice and takes detailed notes

Saves his money for a month or two to take you out to a really nice restaurant

Gets you a big bouquet of roses

When you've sat down for dinner this poor boy is sweating and a little shaky

He just want everything to be perfect

When you grab his hand and reassure him that anything he did would've been perfect because it was him, he starts to calm down

"MC you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I just wanted to make this night as perfect as you!"

After dinner, he will take you to and ice cream shop for dessert and then take you to a park nearby to walk through while eating

He'll pull you to a bench nearby and share a nice stargazing moment

Excitedly explains some of the constellations and which stars are actually planets

Ends the night back in the apartment with cuddles and kisses

Jaehee:

Valentines isn't one of Jaehee's favorite holidays but she knows you enjoy it

Decides to plan a nice valentines day in since you both have been so busy at the cafe lately

Cooks your favorite meal for dinner and pairs it with a lovely wine

Followed by you favorite dessert and a cup of after dinner coffee

Feeling a little buzz from the wine, you throw on some slow romantic music and you slow dance with each other for a bit

"I'm so lucky to have met you MC. You changed my life."

Ends the night by falling asleep on the couch cuddled up with both of your favorite one of Zen's musicals playing in the background

Zen:

If there was a competition for most romantic, he would win by a mile

Wakes you up with breakfast in bed

Takes you out to do a couples spa day

He usually treats you like royalty but today especially

Gets a call from his 'manager' and has to go to rehearsal last minute to rehearse an important scene

Super apologetic but reassures you the valentines celebration of you will continue later

Sends you to the movies to keep you busy

Flash forward and Zen is picking you up from the movies and takes you to his secret spot that overlooks the city

You notice there is a whole elaborate sunset picnic set up waiting for you

"I'm sorry I had to lie about work. I just wanted to make today as special as you are"

After your picnic you head home and find the whole house dimly lit by candles and rose pedals leading to the bedroom and covering your bed

The man really is a huge romantic

Jumin:

I feel like he keeps his valentines plans pretty classic

He did want to do something extravagant with you like travel out of the country was a little confused when you said you couldn't accepts something so big like that

Ultimately after some explanation from you he understood and dialed it down

Takes the day off of work to spend as much time as possible together

Asked his private chef to make you a special breakfast

In the afternoon, you go have lunch on his yacht

And for dinner, he gives you a gorgeous outfit personally tailored for you, and takes you out to and extremely upscale restaurant

After an incredible dinner and a few glasses of wine he takes you home and you guy get a little hot and heavy

After certain activities take place, he draws a nice relaxing bath for you both to end the night

"You really are an amazing person MC. I can't imagine the rest of my life without you."

Seven:

Like Yoosung, boy is nervous and has never done this before

Does a ton of research on perfect valentines dates and romantic gestures to do for your partner of valentines day.

He decides to take you to a cat cafe!

But not before surprising you with roses first

He read he's supposed to do that and he's so relived when you love them

After the cat cafe, you go check out the new show at the planetarium

When it comes to dinner, he felt too much pressure going out to a fancy restaurant, he orders in some really nice food

To really help with the romantic atmosphere, he dims the lights, lights some candles, and starts playing some of your favorite music

He looks at you with so much love and adoration throughout the night

"Being with you feels right. Like I found where I'm supposed to be. I will never get tired of being with you. Thank you for loving me MC."

You finish of the night by having a movie marathon all cuddle up on the couch snacking on honey buddah chips in true Seven fashion.

[friendlies-af]

Broken phone p3

Did you miss this section? Today my sister Angel (@littleangelblogstuff) and I decided to draw together again. Today's topic suddenly became Mike (and we didn't discuss what we were going to draw in advance!). We drew within the New World!AU.

Jeremy picked out a dress for Puppet, but he's not sure if she'll like it. Mike thinks everything will be fine.

AI: 1boy, 1girl, :3, beanie, blue eyes, brown hair, crossed arms, crossover, dark-skinned male, dark skin, dress, english text, gradient, gradient background, green eyes, hat, jeans, open mouth, orange background, pants, pikachu, pokemon (creature), shirt, short hair, smile, turtleneck.

AI thinks Jeremy is a girl (does it knows something about the 2019 Rebornica's reboot??). Okay, I decided to stick to the “dress” and draw something from the past. I used the fan game "Five Nights of Flirting" as inspiration for Mike's childhood friend. I really liked Ellie, so I wanted to take her into my AU.

AI: 1boy, 1girl, :3, beanie, brown hair, fang, hat, holding, holding animal, holding pokemon, long hair, open mouth, pikachu, pokemon (creature), ponytail, purple shirt, shirt, smile, sunglasses, sweater, vest, yellow background.

Oh no, the sunglasses are missing! 😭 Okay, Ange decided to try the near-lineless style + Rebornica art style. Mike looks happy to have received the rare card.

AI: 1boy, bandaged arm, bandages, blue background, blue shirt, cellphone, closed eyes, crown, gradient, gradient background, hand on hip, holding, holding phone, male focus, phone, pikachu, pokemon (creature), shirt, short sleeves, smartphone, smile, solo, upper body.

“Bandaged Hands” immediately transported me to the present. No, Mike doesn't harm himself (on purpose)! One of my drawings showed Mike playing a game on his phone. I wanted to expand on this topic. "Mike, how often do you donate to this game?", "This is the first time!"

That's where Angie's part ends. I definitely liked it~

I wanted to draw Mike with Ellie's ghost. Due to his head injury, Mike has frequent headaches, and Ellie's presence almost always makes things worse.

AI: 1boy, 1girl, beanie, blue eyes, dark skin, ghost, hat, silhouette, sweatdrop, sweater, transparent background.

I like that the AI was able to see the ghost in the picture. But what I like even more was how Ange was able to draw something completely new! And then there is Ellie in life too!

AI: 1boy, 1girl, bandana, brown hair, closed eyes, covering mouth, flashlight, grin, hand over own mouth, holding, long hair, long sleeves, open mouth, purple shirt, red shirt, shirt, short sleeves, smile, teeth.

I liked the experience of drawing Michael Afton, so I decided to draw something dark again. The 1999 incident, also known as "the bite of '99". Someone had reprogrammed an animatronic dog to attack a boy who stood in his way to perform a ritual (and no, it's not Vincent!). Mike miraculously survived, but Ellie…

AI: 1boy, 1girl, bandana, blood, blood on face, brown hair, knife, red shirt, shirt, short hair, silhouette, weapon.

Back to the present, back to Ellie protecting Mike. She only does this in particularly stressful situations, because she understands that she is harming her friend.

Each time such drawing brings a new experience. I'm glad that so much attention was paid to Mike this time. This section doesn't end, and someday we will bring something more interesting! (Also, I think it's worth leaving the FnoF tag just in case)

[rdbrainz]

I just found you through some Bleach tags today and I love your art! Zanni is so cute, I love the jester vibes. Would you be willing to share some tidbits about Zanni? If not, I'm a big fan of Shinji. Do you have any hca about him and the rest of the Vizard crew?

Thanks!! Tbh rn I can't add much to what I've written about Zanni so far without telling about the other members of my arrancar troupe but I hope soon enough I'll bring myself to drawing them... Anyway I'm glad you loved him! It means a lot when my designs gain positive attention 🤧 Here's what I have for Shinji:

I think everything that happened with Aizen really took a great toll on him. Ofc Shinji is not the kind of person to show how he's really feeling and the only one he puts the blame on now is Sosuke but for the hundred years that he was in the world of the living every time it was raining he stayed in bed until late afternoon. Literally just lying and doing nothing with music in the background because he felt terrible. No matter how much he tried the rain really did bring the blues out of him and sometimes it had gotten so bad he felt physically ill. Probably because it had been raining a lot when they ended up in Karakura. This habit of his kinda returned once he was in the position of the captain again because he felt like he was not supposed to be there. For the first couple of months his higher-ranking officers had to do EVERYTHING for him on rainy days.

His love language is acts of service... when the person he likes is doing something for him of course. Sometimes he would literally whine so they would cook for him or something like that but he is very grateful if they give into this stupid game. He would snoop around to check on them and sometimes even sneak up on them to look over their shoulder and say something silly.

Speaking of love I think he's very good at unconsciously studying and remembering the habits of the other person. If they do the same and for example don't try to wake him up when it's very cloudy and just leave the tray with breakfast on the bedside table/floor for him to eat later then he's head over heels. It means a lot to him when people take him seriously at all times even though he does and says stupid things a lot.

The last two paragraphs may be the reason why he was very into Kensei at one point lmao

Others:

Kensei has always been very popular among both women and men. I mean look at this guy!! Though it's a source of a lot of stress for him because 1) "My eyes are up here... have some fucking respect" and 2) he's actually very old-fashioned when it comes to love and attraction. Casual flings because he happened to be attractive to someone is NOT his thing. What happened to courting your love interest and all that?..

Sometimes Rose would sing for others. It didn't happen a lot because he didn't exactly get much inspiration in the situation they were in and he knew for sure other vizards couldn't always be in the mood for some music. It was far too cramped and noisy already for something like that and Shinji had already taken the role of the person who was going to annoy everybody with noise. Once they returned to Gotei he hoped it would change but with the sheer amount of work that waited to be done it was deemed impossible. Too busy, too tired, too uninspired. Who sings just for themselves anyway? Though I think if someone asked he would be soo happy to play or sing something for them

Lisa knows EVERYTHING about other vizards. Sometimes she would pick up on things even faster than them. She's not being creepy about it ofc. Well... Usually. But if she thought it could help someone or herself she's gonna use it either for them or against them.

[archive-of-the-lost]

𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 @obsoleteozymandias

Your ideal match is…Lilia Vanrouge!

♡ Lilia would get along so well with you! He also tends to be blunt (when he believes someone needs to hear a harsh truth, though he's plenty nice to people normally) and humorous (he loves scaring people around campus after all). At this point in his life, he also subscribes to the ideology of being kind to others. Basically, your personalities are similar enough for a fast friendship to be formed!

♡ He appreciates that you can keep your head in emergency situations, given his background. And won't judge you when you crumble from stress. It's unreasonable to expect someone handle stress for too long. He forgives you for lashing out when upset, and will speak to others on your behalf while you calm down. Though he also makes sure to check up on you afterwards, and suggests some things to keep in mind the next time a similar situation happens.

♡ Lilia fits a lot of the things you listed in what you look for a in partner. He's certainly kind and understanding, and loves to laugh (mostly through pranking people). He also wants a brighter future for everyone, though his moral compass might fall on the neutral side. He isn't cynical or cruel, all he wants is for people to live their lives happily and at peace. The only thing he struggles with is being open and vulnerable, but he's willing to work on that, especially when you demonstrate time and time again that you're here for him. Every relationship requires work, and he's willing to put in the work for you.

♡ Lilia loves your explorer spirit, as he has one himself. Your habit of getting into weird spaces because of your curiosity sounds so much like him too. Perhaps it's meant to be that the both of you explore together! Lilia would love travelling with you whenever you have enough free time for it. He prefers to travel alone as a hobby, but you are the exception, since you're so fun to be around. He'd like to experience as many new things with you as possible.

♡ The things one would normally consider unsettling is probably normalized in Diasomnia and Briar Valley, those places are built like a villain's lair. Lilia would like to take you to Briar Valley sometime, he thinks you'd really like it there. There are plenty of forests and good hiking spots you would enjoy taking a walk in. Makes good scenery for you to draw and paint too. Maybe he'll try it out with you.

♡ Lilia is in the Pop Music Club, so it's obvious he's interested in music. He seems like the type to like rock too, and certain instrumentals. Since your music tastes align quite well, your song recommendations for each other usually work. He also plays video games, mostly RPGs so the both of you could play together! He can be competitive though, so I hope you don't mind some playful teasing.

♡ Lilia is heavy on words of affirmation, always happy to shower you with compliments and words of affection. Just that his compliments might be a bit weird sometimes, like "your name would be perfect as the name of a drink". At least they're kind of endearing? He lights up whenever you return his words of affection. He also likes giving you gifts, usually some pretty rocks he found in the forest or little love letters because fae courting methods are nothing if not romantic.

Your sibling is…Ace Trappola!

♡ Ace's younger brother energy is too strong, so you're his older sibling. Middle child perhaps, so big brother Trappola is still the eldest. Your personality definitely influenced him growing up, making him develop into the playful and straightforward boy that he is today. But he hates being compared to you like he copied your personality or something (he did, as a lot of younger siblings do). Just don't mention it in front of him. He'll get defensive and say he's just like that.

♡ Ace has a strong moral compass too, though he might not look the type. There's a reason he was put in Heartslabyul. Your habit of saying whatever you please rubbed off on him the wrong way though, because he's grown to be too blunt which has caused some problems for him. He didn't really understand why you would go out of your way to help others at first, especially if you didn't get anything out of it. But after making friends in NRC, he gets it now. Though he still isn't keen on helping strangers for nothing. Hey, at least he doesn't give you a skeptical look when you're kind to complete strangers anymore.

♡ When he was younger and more emotional, he would come into your room and subject you to 1-2 hours of listening to him cry over your parents scolding him. But then he grew up and became more independent so you haven't seen him that vulnerable in a while. He knows that he can come to you for comfort if he ever needs it, he just doesn't need it yet. He's nonchalant like that (but for how long).

♡ Given your habit of putting others before yourself, he probably grew up spoiled because of how well you would treat him. He isn't the type to be particularly sensitive or considerate, so he had to grow up a little to realise how much you do for him and others. He tries to take care of you more often after that, doing some of your chores when you're tired and bringing you food when you're hungry.

♡ Look, you're his sibling, and he loves you (though he won't tell you), but he can only take so many rants about your interests for hours before he either zones out or asks you to go bother your older brother. Also gets so exasperated when he sees you overworking but on your passions. Will force you to take a break and eat something.

♡ Ace loves hearing the tea about others, so the both of you would have weekly gossip sharing sessions. 💀 He's quite sociable, so he's got a good network of grapevines (FLOYD from the Basketball Club ahem). He's also not great at keeping secrets, sometimes accidentally blurting them out to the horror of his friend who trusted him, but at least he's better at keeping them than you. After that time he told you about his crush on the pretty girl his age next door, he learned his lesson to never tell you anything confidential again.

♡ He finds your flexibility so cool actually. Unfortunately, he did not inherit your hypermobility. He definitely tried to copy your almost contortionist-like positions when he was younger. As he got older and less flexible, he wasn't able to copy your sitting poses anymore. Still gets salty about it too like it's somehow your fault. 😭

[danime25]

Whatta Man

masterlist // ao3

*Summary: After a year together, Ken has been living happily with his Barbie girl, and nothing was going to change that for Ken.

*Rating: +18 for mild mature content

*Content/Tags: Mild Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Domestic Fluff

*Status: Series (Part 2)/Complete?

"And so for day 2, I was thinking we could do… this look." She draped a giant drawing across the kitchen table

"Oh that was a great look." He smiled back at her. While he had gotten mostly adjusted to the real world, Ken found himself still very much unaware of the world outside his girlfriend. She leaned in to kiss him and he leaned just as far forward to match her. He pulled away and looked at her eyes, which were all cutely curled up at the ends, which just made him smile all that much more. Her phone buzzed behind her and she turned to look at it.

"Crap. I forgot…" She huffed and picked the device up

"Forgot about what?" He followed her gaze

"I was supposed to have lunch today with some friends from out of town… I've known them since we were little and I forgot to make a reservation for somewhere nice." She fretted, "Can you come with me?"

"Why?" He asked with a smile

"Because I mentioned I had a new… newer boyfriend that they want to meet…" She explained, "That and I'm just so much less stressed about everything when you're around."

"Okay, let me pick an outfit out." He ran to their bedroom and combed through his corner of their closet. Theirs. He smiled down at his feet then got back into the zone, looking for something to compliment his girl. He finally found something and came out. “I’m ready.”

“You always look great.” She kissed his cheek and gave him a quick hug, before running to the bedroom to change. He flipped his phone out and took a quick picture to send to Barbie, showing off his event. She liked the message and sent him a quick, ‘Looking good!’

“Thanks barbie.” He smiled before hearing the door of the bedroom again. He looked up from his phone and his eyes darted towards his girl.

“Okay, now I’m ready.” She picked up the end of her dress and gave Ken a twirl before she walked over to him

“Should we go then?” He offered his arm for her to hold onto

“Yes. Let me just grab my other wallet.” She looked around quickly then took his hand when she found what she needed. She rested her head against his arm while they walked to the car and he went to open the door for her. She got in to drive and she unlocked the door for him on the other side. He quickly slid in, and got comfy before she started the car and they went on their way.

“So… tell me about your friends.” He said as he adjusted the rearview mirror

“Well I don’t know much about them anymore… but we were close before I went off to school.”

“I see.” He listened to her

“Well there was Gabby, Bella…” She listed off people and Ken did his best to follow along as he got a run down of who betrayed who, whose boyfriend someone else in the group had dated. It honestly made his head spin trying to keep the facts straight. “And I think that’s all.”

“Sounds good.” He said softly, trying not to show how much pain his head was in

“Here, wait here and I’ll see if this place can seat us before I go find a parking spot.” She put the car into park and ran inside. After coming back with approval, she gave her keys to the valet and waited with Ken in the doorway. She texted her friends quickly, and Ken caught a glimpse of her phone. He looked back up towards the ceiling so as not to read her messages, but saw that her background was a picture of the two of them. He felt like he needed to say something to her at that moment.

“The lights in the restaurant make you look even more pretty than normal.” It was stilted, but sweet nonetheless

“Thanks.” She pecked his forehead before shoving her phone back into her bag, and held his hands. His grip tightened around her hands before bringing a hand up to his mouth and kissed it.

“I…” He started to say when her phone rang. He let go of her and let her pick the call up

“Sorry.” She said before stepping out of the doorway and out onto the sidewalk, where she started waving an arm around. Ken watched as a group of women surrounded her, and she started hugging everyone. She talked louder and louder until Ken thought she was practically screaming. He tiptoed up to the door before seeing that the group was about to come in, so he held the door open.

“Thank you.” One of her friends said, and shoved some money down his front pocket

“Katie.” His girlfriend scoffed, “This is my boyfriend, Ken.”

“Oh. Sorry.” She sheepishly apologized and took the money back out, shoving it deep into her purse

“Ken, this is Katie, Grace, Bella, and Gabby.”

“Hi.” He smiled, “I’m Ken.”

The girls seemed to whisper in between each other, not that he wasn’t used to that in Barbieland, but his girlfriend seemed a little down after they talked. What had they said to her? He hated seeing her sad. Even when she told him that she needed to feel sad sometimes, he never wanted to see the pain in her eyes. That would break his heart. He managed to navigate a successful segway, “Should we go sit down?”

“Yes.” She nodded and went up to the hostess to get the group settled in. He went to reach for her hand while they walked to the table, but it seemed like her pace matched closer with her friends as they hurried across the restaurant. He practically sprinted to get there first and pull out all the chairs for his girlfriend and her friends. Once she was seated, and he was sitting beside her, she said a quiet “Thank you.”

“So, we get together all the time to get coffee, but we don’t get to see you nearly as often, what’s life like for you out here in Los Angeles?” Gabby, at least Ken thought anyway, asked his girlfriend “Oh it’s not too bad.” She smiled, “I’m having a lot of fun out here and it’s wonderful being by the beach all the time.”

“I bet. But you don’t look any tanner!”

“Yeah, I try to wear sunblock.” She laughed

“Have you been out to Sonoma since you’ve been here? Ooh, what about San Francisco?”

“No, I've been pretty busy with my job…” She started

“What’s the fun in that?”

“Well it’s not, but someone’s gotta pay the bills.” She laughed again

“Oh, he doesn’t work for you?”

“No, we’ve been…”

“I’ve been looking for a job.” Ken said, “It’s been a little hard, but I’ve been really trying.”

“You must work in the tech field.”

“No actually…” He seemed to have to fight to get a word in edgewise

“Obviously he’s a model, with bleach blond hair like that!”

“No.” He replied, a little more curt

“Oh, then are you a surfer?” Gabby prodded, without really wanting to know the answer

“He doesn’t have a job right now.” His girlfriend finally interjected, which made the women sour on him, “But that’s okay. I make more than enough.”

“Alright ladies, who wants drinks?” The waiter asked as he came up to the table. Everyone put their orders in and Ken looked down and around at the place setting.

“Excuse me.” His girlfriend left the table for a second to go to the bathroom, which left Ken alone with these women he barely knew.

“You know it’s weird. You’re like so perfect… almost like a doll or something.” Katie said after a couple seconds of silence had fallen on the group

“Yeah. She was always obsessed with Ken dolls as a kid.” Grace laughed, “She was always a little weird.”

“That’s okay though, we’re fine with weird.” Gabby reassured Ken, as she seemed to sense that he was giving her a weird look

“Okay?” He said. The waiter dropped the drinks off and the girls went on and on about ‘the good old days’. His girlfriend returned, and not a moment too soon for Ken. Because now he needed to go. He got up and waited around the corner for a second before hearing the women speak up.

“I’m so sorry sweetie.”

“Sorry?” Unmistakably his woman’s voice

“That your guy is… kind of a bum. I mean, how’s he even going to afford a wedding.”

“We just started dating a year ago. It’s way too early to think about that.” She said with a huff

“I mean if I were you I’d just want someone that could provide for me…”

Ken had heard enough, he stormed into the bathroom and his lip quivered as he felt a hot stream flow down from his eyes. He whipped his phone out and dialed the one person that could help him navigate his feelings in that moment.

“Ken?” The voice on the other end of the phone asked him

“I hate feelings, Barbie!” He screamed

“Ken. Deep breath. One. Two. Three.” She coached him, and he breathed loudly into the phone, “What are you feeling?”

“I’ve got these stupid streams of water on my face.” He gestured at himself

“Those would be tears.”

“Yeah! And my chest is all hot.”

“Are you feeling anger?” She asked

“Yes, I think that’s what this is.” He let out another deep breath

“And why do you think you’re angry?”

“I feel like I’m missing things.”

“Ken…”

“No. Not those kinds of things Barbie. I mean… a job. A gynec…”

“Ken, you really don’t need a gynecologist. But a job, I can understand that. What brought this up?”

“Talking with, you know… her friends.”

“Oh.”

“How do I stop… mad?”

“Well just go out there, and focus on her.”

“Focus on her. Got it. What else?”

“Take one more deep breath before you go back out there. Hope you can figure the rest out, bye!”

He took one more deep breath and went back to the table where he took her hand and held it under the table. She leaned gently into him as the group talked over the meal. She took care of the meal and said bye to her friends before they all went off on their separate ways and she flagged down the valet. She squeezed his hand tightly and bit the inside of her cheek to hide how she was feeling.

“Hey,” He took his other hand and used it to guide her face towards his, “It’s okay.”

“I’m so sorry. I don’t remember them being this big of assholes…” She let a tear fall down her face and he wiped it away

“They’re assholes.” He nodded. He let go of her hand and opened the door for her when the valet pulled the car up. After he got in, she immediately put the car in drive and drove as fast as she could from that restaurant. Ken could see her trying to hold back her cries and told her to pull over so that she could let her feelings out. She nodded, found a place to park, and began to cry. “They were so mean to you… I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry.” She managed to say and looked up at the roof of her car to get the tears to stop for a minute, “When you went to the bathroom… they just said horrible things about you.” He nodded along. “They were just so mean for no reason, other than to make themselves feel better about their stupid little lives.”

“Yeah.” He reached across the console and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, “I have something to tell you.” Her whole body went stiff, she seemed to seize up when he said that.

“Y-Yeah?” She practically whispered

“I heard what they said…” He started. God she looked mortified. “But I heard you too… the way you defended me, fought for me… and I love you. Just you. Just… how you are now. Not that I don’t want things to change for the better, but… right now. I like you. I love you. I love you.”

“Ken.” She sniffled and practically jumped across the center and into his lap. She kept crying, burying her head into the crook of his neck. His arms wrapped tightly around her as the water works drenched his shirt. “I love you too. Only you Ken.”

“I love you.” He said quieter, but right into her ear so she could hear him profess his love again

“I love you.” She repeated

“I love you.”

She took a deep breath before saying it with her whole chest, “I love you, Ken.” He cupped her cheeks in between the palms of his hands and kissed her. She cupped his cheeks in her hands and kissed him back with an intense passion. Slowly they pull apart from each other, but not without the other trying to restart the kiss once more. Then she said, “I don’t care about anything they said. You don’t have to get a job if you don’t want to… just be mine, and I’ll be happy forever.”

“Anything for you.” He kissed her cheek “But I really want a job. And a car. Can I have that?”

“Yeah.” She smiled and hid her face back in the crook of his neck. “We should probably continue this at home… Or here.”

“No. No. Not here.” He laughed… Was he feeling jealous?

“Okay.” She unhooked herself from his lap and switched back to the driver’s seat. She rested one hand on the wheel, and let the other drift to the console where Ken’s hand was already waiting to intertwine with hers. She drove them home and they ran to their apartment. She locked the door carefully, and after making sure the thing wouldn’t budge she ran into Ken’s arms. He held her tightly before nearly slamming her into the nearest wall. After making sure she hadn’t hurt her head from his force, he picked her up and kissed her up against the wall. She pressed all her weight into him and held him flush across her body. “Say it again.”

“What?”

“You know… the love thing.” She asked shyly

“Oh. I love you.” He smirked as he said it, surprised at how much power those words had on her. He toyed with the collar of her shirt and let a gentle peck linger on her collarbone. She ran a hand carefully through his hair as he did this.

“I love you.” She whispered into his ear. He looked up into her eyes before pressing his lips against hers. She broke their contact once again to say, “I love you Ken…”

“I love you too.” He scooped her up and carried her to their bedroom, throwing her down on their bed. He towered over her and put his hands down along the side of her body. Her hands reached out and held onto his forearms, pulling him closer to her. He smiled as he leaned in to kiss her and her hands moved from his arms to his cheeks. She cupped them and returned his kiss

“I’d be happy with just this.” She told him, while looking into his eyes

“I’m happy too.” He kissed her forehead

“You sure?” She shifted to sit up a little

“Positive.” He rested his nose against the side of her cheek. He took a deep breath and rolled off her, to sit by her side. She leaned against him and intertwined her hand with his.

“It feels good to say it.” She said after they had sat in silence for a couple of moments

“Yeah… I’ve been meaning to say it for a while.”

“You could have said it any time you had wanted.” She reassured him

“I know… but I wanted to make sure before I said it. It’s kind of a big deal.”

“I get it. It can be hard…” She explained to him, “Even when you think you feel it, you don’t know if the other person feels the same way… it’s just hard.”

“Well this…” He gestured at the two of them, “This isn’t hard.”

“No it’s not. It’s something special.”

[sinning-23]

Mona Lisa

Updates: Chapter 1 found here

Chapter 3 found here

Chapter 2

It's warmer today, the sun high in the sky as a light breeze makes your skin chill a bit. One thing is for certain though, you're starving and there's nothing near to eat. Of course. Just your luck to be stuck painting on an empty stomach.

Your skirt blows up a bit in the breeze. Another fantastic decision on your end. Packing your supplies into the back of your car, you begin to drive through the semi-empty streets in search of food. Breakfast wasn't an option considering you needed to find your perfect painting spot again and make sure it was empty. 

Stomach-churning in hunger, you come across a seemingly empty eatery. But there are people back there.

 “Please god be open.” You huff, parking, and make it to the door that rings when you open it. 

A simple bell situation was strung up from the top of it. 

The tables and chairs are empty, the only thing on the tables were napkins in their holder, moving around weakly due to various ceiling fans. Smells good in here, no wonder the fans are on, the aroma has to spread through the place. There’s an empty counter with the menu dimly lit up. There had to be someone in here. 

“Helloooo?” You call, trying to see if anyone would answer. Silence follows. 

You try calling again but you're met with another silence amongst the sound of kitchen background noise. There’s chatter so someone MUST be back there. Maybe it's too early and they aren't open yet. In that case, why not just wait until they are open? It wasn't like you'd make much noise or even be a bother. You step back quietly, make a quick trip to your car for your beloved sketchbook and head back inside, taking a seat at one of the empty single tables. It was time to perfect your realism.

How many hours went by you didn't know, but thus far you had finished an identical drawing of the restaurant's counter and part of the kitchen peaking in the back. 

“How long has she been there?” Sydney questions, swallowing hard at the fact that there was someone in the restaurant that hadn't been open. 

Did someone flip the sign? Where even was the sign? Did Carmy know her? Where was he?

“I don't know, I just walked out and saw her. She's in her own world over there.” Tina grunts back, looking over at you drawing lines over and over again on your paper. 

“Hey, who the fuck is this!?” 

It was closer than you thought, the volume making you jump and snap out of your work. Your pencils scrape over your paper, completely ruining your stretch. Beginning to scramble you shoved your supplies in your hands and stood. There's a tension in the air that you can only describe as admonitory. You catch several pairs of eyes and swallow hard. Maybe they weren't open after all. Why was the door unlocked if that was the case???

“I-I'm sorry the door was unlocked and- and I thought that it was open in here. I didn't mean to- I just needed to get something to eat before I went back to- I painted and I needed something before I went back to my spot.” You choke out, grip tightening around your sketchbook as the shorter lady nods slightly. 

“Well we open at noon for lunch so, if you wanted to wait for that you could, but you’d have to be outside the-”

“Why is no one in the kitchen? We have shit to do-” He pauses, the once quick stride he had coming to a halt when he meets your eyes. The colors still clash, icy blue and warm brown. 

“Hi.” You breathe, your skin becoming hot and the tension seemingly getting thicker.

He doesn't speak, only nodding and looking around his colleagues who seemed to be stuck between looking at him and then you. Gosh he was so pretty, the creases between his eyebrows being a clear sign of stress as you back out the restaurant. Why didn't she tell you he worked here!? You talked for so long you’d think Nat would’ve mentioned it at least a little bit.

You're quick to turn and walk out, the bell ringing after you and again as quick paced footsteps sound against the concrete. How much more embarrassing could that get? You should've just found some overpriced coffee spot or something, a gas station even! What are the odds of running into him again at his place of work!? Maybe he thinks you're a stalker. It had been a few days since that party but still. 

“Hey wait! Wait.” The voice is seemingly familiar and a firm, calloused hand grabs your shoulder. 

There's no point in trying to run now, so you turn. 

God those eyes. They're darker in fluorescent inside light, but here… in the sunshine. It makes his skin glow, and his eyes burst so beautifully, you’re lost in them, easily forgetting how to form a proper sentence. You're quiet, opting to really focus on how his hand feels on you. Such a small gesture had consumed your thoughts, making your heart squeeze, and for what? Because he was attractive? Because he looks as if he's on the verge of mental collapse the two times you’ve seen him?

Hell yeah.

“You were at that thing last Friday for Sugar? Did she send you over or something?” He questions, the curiosity lacing his tone as his browns arch inward. Cute.

“N-No I really was just looking for something to eat before I went to paint and I saw this place and I thought it was open because the door was unlocked and the lights were on…I'm sorry. It won't happen again.” You explain as his hand releases you upon his realization that it looked like he was holding you against your will. 

He doesn't speak again, just nods, and shoves his hands in his pockets. There's a moment of silence before he turns and begins walking. Damn you and your mouth for what’d leave your lips next.

“C-Carmen! Right? Carmen…?” You hum, gripping your side of the car as he turns a bit to face you halfway. God his side profile. 

“Carmy’s fine.” 

—

The restaurant is back to its usual buzz, Tina and Sydney prepping whilst Richie insists on distracting his already stressed out cousin. 

“You know her?” Richie begins, side eyeing Carmy heavily as he washes his hands and travels to the back of the kitchen with Richie close behind. God he was nosy.

“Does it matter?” Carmy responds, trying to distract himself from the interaction.

Why did you show up here? What were the odds of you accidentally finding his workplace, and managing to get in before opening? Fate maybe? Or not. Fate was bullshit anyway. He didn't care much….well he did but there was no time to be distracted by a pretty girl in her miniskirt clutching her sketchbook. You looked so…anxious speaking with him, the sunlight hitting your melanated skin so perfectly. It felt like an eternity all the while being too short for his liking. He wanted to see more of you, the interaction from Sugar’s party was already keeping his brain busy. 

* “I didn't know Nat had a personal chef.” 

He knows conversation isn't really his forte. But after hearing the sweet tone of voice he felt more compelled to look. And damn was he glad he did. Leaning up against the counter top was you, braids falling over your face here and there as smudges of paint grace your manicured fingertips and cheek. In the span of a few seconds he found himself breathing the very essence of your being in.

 The food was going to burn at this rate so he turned back to the stove, grabbing whatever spices he could reach to try and distract from the warmth that was spreading over his cheeks. He hadn't felt like this since highschool. Damn that was a long time ago. His hands shake. Speak damn it!

“She doesn’t, just watching this for her…but she has a personal painter?”

He’d give anything to hear that slight giggle again. *

“YO? Carm you alright?” Richie questions, seeing Carmy’s face a bright red in his somewhat trance. 

“Yeah. Yeah, it’s fine. Let's go chefs!” He yells, just so he could focus on something other than you…he'd have time for that later

—-

You're squeezing your wheel tighter now, the drafted message in your phone is long deleted. You couldn't text after that, it’d be too weird. He’d definitely think you were a stalker. You dial Natalie’s number and wait patiently for an answer. 

“Hey, what's up y/n.” She hums, light chatter and noise in the background.

“Hi, um so when were you gonna tell me your brother worked at a restaurant? Because I just ran into him and it was so awkward. I'm gonna throw up!” You groan, parking your car and letting your head fall against the wheel, the horn honking abruptly at the movement. 

“What? How did you find it?” She questions, a bit more intrigued now. 

“By accident. And they weren't even open yet apparently! I just walked in and sat down and waited until I could get food and he came from the back and…Nat I can't do this I ruined my chances completely. I didn't even text him that night!” You confess, hearing groans of disappointment from the other side. 

“Seriously?! Y/n you need to get it together! Should I just set you guys up on a blind date or something?” She suggests and you shake your head, not that she could see you. 

“NO! If it's meant to be we’ll run into each other again and if not then…then that's it.” You explain, trying to prepare for your next meeting. 

“Fine, but if not I'm gonna find a way to get you two together. I feel like you'd just work.” Natalie hums, hanging up and leaving you with your thoughts. 

7:00pm

Night in Chicago. Not many stars out but enough noise to make you look over your shoulder any chance you got. The last thing you needed was to end up getting attacked by some psycho. You called yourself trying to save gas and walked to the Al-Anon. Making it safely across the street you enter, eyes following you as you find a seat. Your palms sweat, the lump in your throat already forming and you hadn't even been here a minute. You calm yourself, trying to listen to the older man speak. God knows how long you sat, listening and watching and relieving but it was beginning to be too long for your liking. Before you could bring yourself to speak, the door opens again, and you briefly look over, the same tired, icy blues making a b-line for your own. Fate.