#2021 is the gift that keeps on giving huh?

[queenofapeacefuldawn]

Rudy's Redemption Arc (Christmas Oneshot)

a/n: they are. so silly. this is, in itself, so so so silly. i hope this gives u some sort of serotonin rush (like the one i got while writing it at 12.26 AM while on my notes app instead of sleeping)

also, um. there will be a lot of santa slander. so go into this with that knowledge. idk.

————

Like the storms he was aptly named after, Yamini Kapoor-Mercado-Lopez's boyfriend burst into her apartment in a whirlwind, his face flushed, his breaths heavy. 

“My queen! We have a problem,”

Her fight-or-flight response instantly activated by those words, she got up, her fingers curled around Dee Dee, dormant in its compact mirror form. 

“Is it a monster?” She asked, mentally preparing herself for a possible battle ahead. 

“No,” his voice grew soft, his eyes wide. “It's worse. I have to host a Christmas party.”

“...Huh?”

————

In the past two years they'd been dating, and the 4 years in which they'd known each other, only once had Rudy been trusted to host a party. He was banned, of course, after the Naga Palace Screening Room Incident of 2021. The mental scars left behind still stung, to this date. 

Rudy thrust his phone in front of her face, which was open to their Potatoes group chat, where the last message was, from Brynne: I can't wait!

“I thought you were banned from hosting parties?” She frowned, pushing her glasses further up the bridge of her nose. 

“Ugh, I thought so too— but Brynne had a medical emergency—”

“Hold up, hold up— Brynne had a medical emergency? And I wasn't told?”

Rudy caught her shoulders, steadying her. “She's fine, but Hira's not allowing her to enter the kitchen for the rest of the day. Seems like she burned herself while cooking. But, unfortunately,”

She knew her boyfriend and her friends well enough by now to complete that sentence. 

“With the Naga kingdom's resources, chefs, and ballrooms…” she continued, 

“...they wanted me to host. Last minute,” He finished.

“Why not just cancel the party?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, before saying, “I agreed without thinking, before I remembered that none of you are allowed back in the royal palace.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, slowly, already anticipating how this sentence might end. 

To save him the pain of finishing it, she said, “Now you need help finding a venue,”

He nodded, vigorously, desperation making his eyes shine. Leaning forward, she pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose, hoping that would make him calm down, while the cogs of her brain turned. 

Glancing around her apartment, she remembered that her roommate was out of town, spending Christmas with her family, so it was just her...

“I mean, we can host it here, but…” She felt her stomach turn when she checked her watch. 5 hours left. 

Releasing herself from his grip, she snatched her coat up, and continued, “We don't have a lot of time, so we need to rush to the store now.”

His eyes glittered. “You're helping me?”

“Obvi—” she couldn't finish her sentence before he wrapped her in a hug, the words Thank you, thank you, thank you! Leaving his mouth in a rapid succession. 

She patted his shoulder, and said, “We don't have a lot of time, jaan.”

“But I like hugging you.”

“Rudy. My hugs won't save you from Brynne's wrath.”

“Okay, fair.” He let go of her, and just as she was about to drag him to the door and to the grocery store, he said, nervously, “Um, I just realised we have another problem.”

“Oh, no,”

“I haven't exactly grasped the concept of Christmas yet.”

“Oh.”

————

This tradition of their Christmas parties had started two years ago, when Aru had broken her hand around this time, and they'd thrown a party and plied her with gifts to keep her spirits high. After that, Nikita had jokingly suggested to 'make this an every-year thing', and her suggestion was taken into stride, with each Potato being given a chance to host (Rudy was forbidden. Until today, as Aru, Aiden and the twins had flown in from Atlanta, Brynne was incapacitated, Hira was taking care of her, and Mini had the bad habit of ignoring their texts while she was studying). From the point of view of religion, they didn't really celebrate the festival, but they saw the novelty of giving each other presents and throwing parties involving strictly non-alcoholic drinks.

Since they hadn't really celebrated it 'traditionally', they'd forgotten that Rudy didn't exactly know what happened on Christmas. And Rudy, bless his sweet, lovable, adorable heart, had just taken it in stride. 

“So, basically, there's a belief a dude called Santa Claus comes in through the chimney, drops off presents underneath the Christmas tree, for the good kids. The naughty kids get a piece of coal.”

She glanced up at Rudy, his nose wrinkling in that cute way of his whenever he was in deep thought. 

“That's creepy,” he decided. 

“That's one way to look at it,”

“And he lives in a cottage on the North Pole? That's lame— you could easily build a palace there. It's free real estate!”

His voice took on that haughty tone, the one that she found extremely funny. 

She pulled into the parking lot, her thoughts wandering, making their way back to him, just in time for her to hear, “...And the concept of the elves making all the toys is just... iffy. Are they unionised? If they have to make toys for all the children in the world, then I doubt they get many benefits. It isn't fair to them— in my opinion, Santa is an extremely cruel and crass business owner, and not just a business owner— a regular home invader.”

“All that hangs true if Santa is real.”

He lifted a shoulder. “I, an exceedingly good-looking prince who is half-snake, am real. You, the demigod daughter of the god of death, with the best karaoke voice in the Otherworld, are real. So who says that Ol' Saint Nick isn't?”

Silence fell in between them. “If Santa decides to invade our home, will you protect me?” He whispered. 

She laughed, and pressed another kiss to his nose. “Of course. I'll beat him away with Dee Dee.”

“Thank you. I love you.” Then, he snapped his fingers. “Wait, why are we here?”

“Panicking over party decor.”

“Right. Mini, let me introduce my plan: Get Shit Done And Evade Brynne's Wrath.”

“I'm listening, and intrigued.”

————

Rudy was a taught strategist. He knew what to do, having it be taught to him during his tutoring sessions that were required as a prince. 

Mini herself hadn't seen much of his strategist side, except during Plan: Attack Mini With Cuddles And Shower Her With Affection (which worked, it instantly lifted her mood); or Plan: Steal Shadowfax As Revenge For Aiden Finishing the Nutella (which kind of worked, he succeeded in stealing the camera, and wheedle a jar of Nutella from Aiden, but it also earned him a bruise on his head and a lifetime ban from Aiden's room). 

She was now seeing this side of him, as he explained to her his strategy: one that would allow them enough time to buy the food, decor, and go back to the apartment to set up. 

“Okay. I run to the food department, at the same time, you run to the decorations. If you can't get through, bribe them, brute force your way, I don't care. My life is on the line.”

“I will do no such thing,” 

He pouted. 

“No, your eyes won't work... ugh, fine, if there isn't enough time, I'll resort to trickery,”

“Okay.” He turned, but stopped, “Oh, and Mini?”

“Yeah?” She said, readying her shopping cart. 

“If I don't survive today, know that I love you.”

She snorted. “Hurry up, Drama Queen. Meet me at the cashier in 30 minutes,”

“Fine, my queen. Bye!”

She laughed as she pushed her shopping cart, breaking into a run, her gaze and focus fixed on the decorations department. 

Her gaze swept across a sea of people, no doubt in the same position as her, as she checked her watch, thinking, There's not much time left...

Then, she thought, I'm sorry, people. But it has to be done.

Flicking her wrist, she felt a familiar wave of magic wash over her, and, leaving her (now invisible) grocery cart in its place, she ran to the nearly empty shelves, filled with tinsel and cheap fairy lights, and anything vaguely Christmas-y off the shelves, bundled up in her arms, and threw it in the shopping cart, mentally laughing at the comments Nikita would give. 

After a five minute power struggle to get out, she raced back to the cashier's to see Rudy in a similar state, his own cart piled with groceries. 

As they reunited, she aggressively plied herself and him with hand sanitizer, as she anxiously checked her watch. “We're five minutes behind schedule.”

“It's fine.”

“No, it's not?”

“It's fine,” He looked as if he was on the end of his metaphorical rope. 

They paid for everything and made their way outside, and, as they were loading the groceries and decorations in the trunk, she glanced at Rudy's anxious face. Cradling it in her palms, she pulled him close. “Listen. To. Me. This is a silly Christmas party, and there's nothing to worry about. You hear?”

He would sometimes get a little invested in these things, and get overly anxious about them. As a person who dealt with anxiety, Mini knew how it felt. 

He gave her his signature smirk. “Sorry, Mini, but I will 100% worry about this. Because this is my redemption arc. My one chance to prove myself after the screening room disaster.” They both shuddered at the memories of that. 

“Okay, fine. But if this has a negative toll on your stomach health—” He decided to plant a kiss on her cheek. 

“Don't you worry. As long as I have my favourite doctor with me, nothing can go wrong.”

As she pulled open the car door, she said, “It isn't a joke, you know. Excess stress can cause acidity, and the buildup of hydrochloric acid in your stomach walls will—”

“The Christmas cookies will fix that.”

“No, they won't.”

“It's a proven science. A little bit of sugar from cookies and a bit of love goes a long way,”

“Uh-huh,” she bit back a laugh, as she pulled out of the driveway. 

“Don't deny yourself happiness by not laughing,”

“I was not laughing,”

“Were too,”

————

Mini got to work sorting the ingredients. (Rudy was told, “You're tall, will you please hang up the fairy lights?”)

She frowned at the food, and thought, Maybe I could make some Filipino dishes...

Those were the only ones she knew how to make well. 

She got to work, chopping vegetables, when she saw a bundle of leaves in a plastic baggie, unlike any other— as she picked it up, she realised it was mistletoe. 

Her first thought was, it's an invasive parasite to trees, what is it doing in my home? 

Then, it’s poisonous, what is it doing with the food?

And then, she connected the dots. 

“Ohhhh.”

“Hey, Rudy?” she called out, waiting for his response. “Yeah?”

“You forgot the mistletoe with the food,” she called out. 

“Oh, sorry!” 

A beat of silence. 

“Can I help put it up?” 

“Oh, sure, why not?” 

She kicked off her sneakers and got up on the couch, carefully cutting off a piece of tape, and attaching it to the piece of wool tied to the bundle of mistletoe. 

Just as she squinted and tried to secure it, she felt a strange sensation travel up her palm— and when she pulled her hand away from the mistletoe, she saw— a spider.

“Whoa!” She tried flicking it off, but it only crawled further up her arm. 

She fell off her couch, and would’ve probably cracked her skull if Rudy hadn’t caught her, yelling, “What’s wrong?!” 

“SPIDER!” She yelled back, “ON MY ARM!” 

Rudy cringed; he was as fond of spiders as she was (which was to say, not much), but when the need arose (and Brynne wasn’t there), the responsibility of getting rid of the spider would fall to him. (The other Potatoes had claimed that it was because he was immune to poison, as a snake, but, as much as he’d insisted that, That’s not how it works! ; he’d been named ‘Official Substitute Spider Crusher’; contracted to do his duty in the absence of Brynne. 

But, this time, he failed his duty, as, he scooped up the spider, half-listening to Mini’s doomsday declarations about the kind of poison it might have, half-feeling the spider try and escape, and, with one quick swipe, opened the window and threw it out. 

As if a weight had been lifted from his chest, he took a deep breath, and told Mini, who was crouched, hands covering her eyes. 

“It’s gone.”

“You killed it?” 

“No,” he said, in his most sombre tones, “I didn’t have the heart to. It’s the season of forgiveness, after all.” 

She offered him a weak smile, which fell when she checked her watch. 

“We don’t have time.”

Already resigned to his fate of being never, ever allowed to host a party again, he held out his hand to help her up. “Well, then let’s walk into this fiery hell together.” 

She took a deep, determined breath, accepted his hand, and said, “No. We can’t let your reputation die like this.” 

————

And, thankfully, Rudy’s reputation did not die. It was on life support. The combination of sugary drinks, sleep-deprivation, and heavy food led to all the Potatoes crashing on the floor of Mini’s apartment, the silence that comes with sleep being interrupted by Rudy. 

He carefully avoided stepping on them, and began gathering up stray hot choc mugs, and plates that had been scraped clean of pasta. 

He yawned, turning a fond look at Mini, curled up on the couch, bundled up in the hoodie of his she’d sworn that she hadn’t stolen last week. 

Carefully putting the dishes in the sink, narrowly avoiding stepping over an asleep Aiden, (and mumbling an apology to him), and sunk in next to the couch next to Mini. 

She yawned, leaning in closer next to him, as he felt her weight and warmth. 

He glanced up with tired eyes, seeing the glitter attached to the mistletoe glint in the distant lights of the city. 

He smiled, slightly, and, stealing Mini’s favourite move to use on him, he pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. 

“Merry Christmas, my love.” 

————

[roskirambles]

(Archive) Christmas Movie of the day: Klaus (2019)

Originally Posted: December 13th, 2021 Christmas really gets the best toys when it comes to animation compared to other holidays, huh? Not only does it get proportionally more but also gets some of the higher quality shorts and movies. It's very materialistic how much they want to sell in "true" spirit of the season. So it's delightful to see one of the best movies on the front, made from an undying passion…is also a movie about altruism.

So…Santa Claus. This is not the first movie to try and talk about the origin of the story(seems people tend to forget he's inspired in Saint Nicholas) this is the first one to do so without magic involved…probably. It's also one that remembers WHY giving gifts to children is such a considerate act. It's an act of selflessness, but not the ONLY act of selflessness from the character nor the protagonist… Jesper. The dynamic between the at first spoiled man child and the brooding gentle giant is entertaining and heartwarming. Not to mention funny, they contrast so much between each other. As played as some of the tropes of this film are, they're presented magnificently thanks to a well rounded script for such a simple aesop: kindness begets kindness.

It also helps that the animation in display is out of this world. Courtesy of Spanish studio, Sergio Pablos Animation, it almost looks like it's 3D despite being hand drawn, frame by frame, old school style. Well, they had to develop some new tech in order to keep the coloring consistent It was worth it the color palette, character designs, shapes of the settings. They all make for a visual delight, ever expressive and bringing the little town of Smeerensburg to life….. as messy and rundown as it is.

I honestly don't think there's much of a downside to this film. It's cute, funny, wholesome, and still delves into the mellow side of the human experience by addressing things like loss so it isn't just sugary fluff. This is a modern Christmas classic through and through.

[roxyteal]

And now, more ACNL shenanigans......... (Do I have to mention that it's long because it is)

"No?! I think?!"

"No. Yeah. No. I'm okay."

"Huh... Good to know...?"

"NO SIR! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!"

"Damn dude, that's rough. Howdy."

"Hm? He must have been early. It was a hot plate with a pancake on it. It's quite lovely, I appreciate it so much. But... If he already considers me someone to give a gift to, then... It would be rude not to do the same. OH GOSH I NEED TO HURRY"

"F... Father?"

"Just a bit tardy, but I don't mind. It's the thought that counts. It's a nice chaise lounge. I'll cherish it. Thank you..."

"Alright guys. 2021 is coming- And it's here. And Winter's over. Fuck waiting for Feb 25th again. Fuck that shit. We be speedrunning Winter."

"I feel like you should have a name... Oh, I know! I'll call you Petunia!"

"Almost two months and I never met you?! Oh gosh I'm so sorry..."

"Hi."

"This is a lovely park."

"Also, I got this neat idea to use one of the museum's exhibit rooms to show the natural minerals! It's, ah... Very incomplete right now, as you can tell. But it'll get better!"

"Oh wow, that's bright...!"

"Huh... I never would've thought about that."

"Everyone, huh? I hope they keep spreading the good word."

"It's starting to come together!"

"Oh! Uh, he... He's..."

"... I think you lost me."

And that's all the space we have for now! More to come!

[bewitchingfanfiction]

Persona 5 (2021/12/06)

“Huh…” Sophia let out a rather obvious sigh from Akira’s phone, gaining the boy’s attention away from the curry he was making in Leblanc.

Overtime, Akira had learned that Sophia often sighed whenever she wanted to talk, but she didn’t know how to start. It was her way of asking for somebody to take notice of her distress.

Akira’s told her before that she never has to do that, she can just ask him to talk to her, but she’s struggled to break the habit.

“Something on your mine, Sophia?” Akira questioned kindly, glancing down at his phone which rested on the counter by Morgana.

Sophia hummed a little, looking off to the side. “According to the web, Mother’s Day is right around the corner.”

“Oh yeah. That is coming up.” Morgana mused, looking at Akira. “Are you sending anything to your mom?”

Akira frowned in thought.

It’s not that Akira’s relationship with his parents was bad, it just wasn’t as warm and fuzzy as others. Things were still a bit rough between the two from back when she sent Akira to Shibuya in the first place, without any regard to whether he would be okay.

But times had changed. Akira and his mom spoke a bit more over the phone and were working to slowly rebuild their relationship.

Maybe getting her a gift wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.

“I might send her something I cook.” Akira spoke finally. “Or some flowers.”

Morgana smiled. “That sounds nice. Anyways, what was your point, Sophia?”

Sophia sighed. “It’s just…Ichinose is coming back on that weekend. I wish I could get her something to celebrate.”

“Huh, well I guess Ichinose is your creator.” Morgana commented.

“Exactly. However, I fail to come up with something that can express how I feel towards Ichinose.” Sophia explained to them sadly.

Akira frowned. “Well, what does Ichinose like?”

“Actually, Ichinose is still struggling to fully figure out what she likes and dislikes. Part of her journey is learning about different things. She has no clear interests beyond technology.” Sophia told them.

Morgana shook his head. “Alright, forget about that. Why don’t you go traditional? Flowers or sweets?”

“I see. A cake would be nice I suppose, but it feels impersonal since I can’t make it myself.” Sophia looked down.

Akira hummed. “Why don’t we ask Ann what she plans to do?”

Sophia smiled. “Ah, getting new perspectives would be very beneficial. Calling Takamaki Ann.” She announced.

The phone rang, and soon enough Ann picked up on face time.

“Oh, hey Akira! What’s up?” She asked cheerfully.

Morgana pouted. “Lady Ann…I’m here too…”

Ann’s eyes widened. “Oh, sorry Morgana, I didn’t see you there! So, why’d you call?” She smiled.

“I’m trying to come up with something to get Ichinose for Mother’s Day, and was curious what you were getting your own mother.” Sophia explained.

Ann nodded. “Ahhh, that makes sense. Well, I’m getting my mom this really pretty necklace. She loves jewelry and it seemed perfect for her.” She explained.

“Huh, jewelry?” Sophia frowned. “Interesting. I’m not sure Ichinose has a preference when it comes to jewelry.” She admitted.

Ann giggled. “Well keep thinking Sophia, I’m sure you’ll come up with something awesome! Hey, why not ask Ryuji?”

“That’s a good idea.” Morgana smiled. “Thank you, Lady Ann. Talk to you later!”

“Bye guys, good luck Sophia!” Ann hung up.

Sophia hummed. “Ryuji may have an idea, let’s call him next.”

Akira nodded. “On it.” He dialed.

And soon enough, Ryuji answered. “Yo, Akira, how’s it hanging?”

This brought a smile to Akira’s face. “We’re trying to help Sophia pick something to give to Ichinose, any ideas?”

“Ooooh man, Mother’s Day is really soon!” Ryuji gasped in horror. “Shit shit shit!”

Morgana deadpanned. “You forgot.”

“Ahhh, as for ideas, I mean, man I don’t know, just- Give her something that shows how you feel!” Ryuji hung up.

Akira sighed. “Not very helpful…”

“No, it was.” Sophia insisted with a smile. “It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one fretting over the day. Perhaps I’m just overthinking it.”

“That’s possible.” Morgana nodded in agreement. “I can’t say much on the matter, since I’ve never had parents, but it’s essentially a day to celebrate the one taking care of you, isn’t it? So maybe just ask yourself…what does Ichinose mean to you?”

Sophia went quiet at this, deep in thought.

For a moment, Akira was worried she froze or something, but then she let out a gasp of excitement.

“I know just the thing!”

~~~

“Hello? Is anyone here?” Ichinose called as she entered Leblanc.

Sojiro smiled at her from behind the counter. “Ichinose, welcome. Let me get you a coffee, on the house.”

“Oh, thank you.” Ichinose nodded, sitting down. “Where’s Akira? He’s supposed to transfer Sophia over to my phone for the weekend.”

“I think he’s upstairs. Akira, Ichinose is here!” He called. “Here you go.” He slid the mug of coffee over to her.

Ichinose smiled softly. “How kind of you.” She took a sip. “It’s good.”

“Well, thank you, sadly Akira makes it better these days.” Sojiro chuckled rather fondly.

Akira came down the stairs with Morgana in tow and his phone in hand. “Ichinose.” He greeted.

“Ah, Akira.” Ichinose smiled. “It’s good to see you two again. Is um…Is Sophia there?” She noticed the blank screen.

“Yeah, but she wanted to make an entrance.” Akira chuckled. “It being Mother’s Day and all.”

“Huh?” Ichinose’s eyes widened.

The screen lit up, showing a transfer was beginning. Ichinose took out her phone, and watched as Sophia appeared on it, smiling brightly.

In her hands was a pretty bouquet of flowers, and a Mother’s Day banner was in the background.

Sophia gave an eye closed smiled.

“Happy Mother’s Day, mom!”

Ichinose let out a gasp, eyes wide in shock. “M-Mom?”

“I spent time trying to figure out what to give you, but no item could describe how I was feeling.” Sophia smiled. “And that’s when I realized what Mother’s Day is really about. It’s about my mom! Let this be the day I officially begin calling you that!” She explained cheerfully.

“I…I don’t know what to say…” Ichinose admitted softly, still a bit in shock. Tears began to well up in her eyes and slide down her cheeks, startling her. “What…What’s happening to me?”

Morgana smiled. “I believe those are happy tears.”

“Mom, please don’t cry.” Sophia told her.

Ichinose laughed wetly, wiping at her eyes. “F-Forgive me…I just…thank you, Sophia. This is…a wonderful gift.” She sniffed.

Akira, Sojiro and Morgana shared a grin as Sophia and Ichinose continued to talk. It was from that point on that Sophia referred to Ichinose as mom, and every time she did Ichinose’s eyes seemed to get a little misty.

And just like that, Mother’s Day became Ichinose’s favorite day.

[latin-dr-robotnik]

Sooooo... a friend of mine who tends to predict shit in a way you cannot even figure out how or why just sent to our friends group that he dreamed of something falling on Europe later this year, either a missile, a meteorite or something else, he didn’t know exactly.

How much do I trust him? Well, in 2019 we were discussing the future of our country, and while I was optimistic about 2020 and beyond being a turning point for our economy (which was in a crisis already), he told us he predicted 2020 and 2021 would be even worse years. He didn’t expect a whole fucking worldwide pandemic to happen, but he was right on the money about things not getting better by a long shot.

Considering recent events and stuff like the covid situation over there, I'm more inclined to take this new prediction as a sort of symbolic way of calling a possible political collapse all across Europe. I mean, you’re already seeing some of that right now. 

Like Marx said before the 1848 Springtime of the Peoples, “a specter is haunting Europe”; I don’t know if it’s gonna be the Specter of Communism like he wrote back then, but I could see a big change coming.

[love-archer]

Hello there im not sure if you're accepting requests but I was wondering if I could please have a fluff headcanon for Lucifer, Mammon, Diavolo, Simeon (separately) reacting to MC giving them a bouquet of their favorite flowers? Thank you and have a great day 💖

"For you!"

♡ Pretty flowers for pretty men <3 ♡

♡.Obey me!

♡♡.Fluff but still MDI!!

♡♡♡. Hi, this is so adorable! thanks for requesting and sorry for the delay, love :( I went with flowers that went with his strongest personality trait

. . . L U C I F E R !

♡ Working as always in his study, it was evening when he heard a knock on his door, "Come in."

♡ He didn't look up until he heard a soft thud on his desk, something hit it, he was about to arch an eyebrow but stopped when he noticed scillas tied with a purple silk ribbon

♡ That's strange, Devildom doesn't grow flowers like these...did you go to the human world to get flowers...?

♡ His lips twist up in the smuggest smirk he can muster! So smug and teasing, you love him that much? Sneaking in the human world without a word to Lord Diavolo for him?

♡ How...brave of you

♡ After kissing your forehead, he closes the book he was reading and sits you down to lecture you for going out without telling anyone but Solomon! Didn't he tell you not to hang out with that shady human so much?

♡ After that earful, he thanked you and went back to working, not paying much attention to the flowers you worked hard for to get

♡ Don't let that act fool you, dear, the next day, you'll find him worrying about what vase will look pretty with the scillas and what spell to use on the flowers to keep them fresh

♡ "Yes? Is there an issue with me caring about a gift from a loved one?"

. . . M A M M O N !

♡ During a photoshoot break, he got a package! Ohh is it the new- flowers? He didn't ask for any dumb-

♡ ....you sent flowers to him? O-Of course you would! It's only natural to show your love to the Great Mammon!

♡ Alone in the room, He'd carefully put the bouquet of Delphiniums on the table in front of him, hand on his mouth as he slips down in a chair...you were thinking of him?

♡ After thinking and staring at the flowers, he'd change into his next outfit and grab the bouquet with him

♡ A few hours later, your DDD is suffering with notifications from Devilgram! A new post of Mammon...woah it has a lot of likes!

♡ Aww he's posing with the flowers in his hands!

♡ There's a video and Mammon's tagged

"Hey Mammon! Who send those?"

“…hmm." Mammon was walking off to his makeup room, a curt, hot-bothered face was all the camera was showing along with quick zoom-ins of the flowers in his hand

"Is it that human you always talk about? HUH!"

"SHUT UP!" He closed the door and the video ended

♡ Then a message popped up in one of your chats, a picture of Mammon smiling next to the flowers with a "Thank you, human"

. . . D I A V O L O !

♡ Diavolo was walking back to his office, all tired from a meeting he had, yet all those complains stopped at the tip of his tongue when Barbatos told him that you've stopped by

♡ Oh? Why didn’t you text him, he could’ve used an excuse to get out from that meeting early!

♡ His eyes widened when he noticed hyacinths flowers on his desk, with closer look, he saw a card, ‘These made me think of you :)’

♡ Aren’t you thoughtful! He’d be over the moon because of this gift all week! He won’t shut up about it!

“Can you believe MC got me flowers?”

“My lord, you have a meeting in five minutes, go change, please.”

♡ Oh the flowers now stand on his desk, next to your picture with him and Lucifer is in the background send death glares at you for getting too close to the demon lord

❦ © love-archer 2021, all rights reserved ❦

[mochinek0]

2021:28-Call A Friend

Jon was confused by the sudden phone. Damian had called him to meet him at the ravine in the woods. It sounded urgent, but he couldn't help but wonder about all the secrecy.

"Why did you want to meet out here?" Jon asked, floating down, next to Damian's motorcycle.

"I didn't want anyone to follow us." his friend sneered, "Isn't that obvious?"

Jon sighed, "Okay? What's up? Is it a League issue?"

Damian remained silent. Jon tilted his head in confusion.

'Is he seriously double guessing calling me out her? This must be serious! He usually just tells me.'

"Are you okay?" Jon questioned.

Damian nodded.

"Is ...your family okay?" he continued to pry, only to get another nod, "Did your dad adopt another kid?"

"Surprisingly not." the young Wayne answered.

'He spoke! Okay; progress.'

"Are you in trouble?" Jon asked.

After a moment of silence Jon opened his mouth for another question, only to be silenced.

"No." Damian declared.

'He hesitated? He already said it wasn't League related. He just tells me when his brothers bother him.'

"Do you my help for something?" Jon questioned.

Damian sighed and looked away.

'That's a yes.'

"Damian, tell me." Jon pressed, "You know I'll give my honest opinion and-"

"Marinette." the young Wayne spoke.

"The new girl?" the super asked, confused.

Damian nodded, crossing his arms and looking away. Jon looked over his best friend. His heart was beating rapidly. He wasn't making eye contact with him and he was fidgeting with his fingers, as if he want his dagger. He only reached for it when he was nervous.

'No way!'

"You like her!" Jon exclaimed.

His friend sighed, keeping his eyes on the woods.

"Okay! So, how do you plan on telling her?" Jon questioned, happily for his best friend.

"I'm....unsure." Damian declared.

"You want my help?" the super asked.

"I'm- I have never been one to express my true feelings." he answered, "Thanks to Mother."

Jon paced back and forth, thinking of how to help his best friend. His best friend with a crush! His smile only grew.

"How about you write it down?" Jon spoke, "Oh or you could draw her something!"

Damian shook his head at the options.

"No good, huh?" Jon questioned, "Well, what does she like? I can only assume you know."

"Fashion, she sketches, cooks, bakes, rock music." Damian began to list off.

"Maybe something to do with those?" Jon offered.

Damian said nothing as he revved his bike and drove away.

"That's it! You're not gonna tell me?" Jon shouted, "Did I even help?"

Damian walked up to Marinette at school and handed her a gift that was wrapped in paper. Marinette looked at him confused, but took it nonetheless.

"For you." Damian spoke.

Marinette looked down at the wrapped gift and then back up at him. When she got to Gotham Academy, she was told that the one person she never wanted to cross was Damian Wayne. She had him in several classes with him, but she couldn't comprehend why he was giving her a gift. They hadn't talked much, but they had worked on projects together. She had always made sure to get straight to the point with him and kept a physical distance. It hadn't been hard to notice that he didn't like other people in his personal space or people annoying him with unnecessary information.

"May I open it now?" she asked.

Damian nodded in response. Marinette curiously opened the gift. Inside was a leather bound sketchbook. She carefully opened the book and saw the first page. In beautiful cursive read: To fill the pages of your wildest dreams so they may come true. Underneath it was a watercolor painting of the Eiffel Tower.

Mari whispered in shock, "Did.....Did you paint this?"

Damian nodded, unsure of her reaction. When she began to tear up, he began to panic.

'This was not my intention!'

"I hoped that-" the young Wayne began.

Marinette quickly hugged him and kissed both of his cheeks. Damian knew it was customary in Paris, but it didn't mean it hadn't taken him by surprise for her to kiss him.

"This is so wonderful, Damian!" Marinette smiled, in French, "Thank you!"

Damian nodded and noticed they had attracted a crowd. No one else seemed to have any idea what was exciting the new girl.

'Good.'

"I was hoping I could take you out to dinner." Damian stated, back in French, "I am aware it's not the cooking you are use to, but there is a French resturant-"

"I'd love to." Marinette smiled, a blush prominent on her cheeks.

"Would tonight at six be open in your schedule?" he questioned.

"It is." she replied.

Damian grasped her hand and brought it to his lips, before placing a kiss on it. Mari blushed at the new contact.

'I could get use to seeing her like that.'

"I'll pick you up at 5:30." Damian smirked, before walking down the hall.

Marinette smiled, brought her new sketchbook to her chest, and wore a smile as she walked down the hallway to her class.

Jon quickly heard the rumor how the Ice Prince of Gotham brought the biggest smile to the new girl's face.

'I guess I helped.'

@maribat-calendar-events​

PERMANENT TAGLIST:  @animeweebgirl​ @animegirlweeb​ @abrx2002​ @blueblossombliss​ @thepaceperson​ @alysrose-starchild​ @marveldcedits20​ @09shell-sea09​ @nickristus-dreamer​ @saltymiraculer​ @icerosecrystal​ @vixen-uchiha​ @a-star-with-a-human-name​ @meme991001​ @fandom-trapped-03​ @dood-space​ @moonlightstar64​ @insane-fangirl-of-everything

[mortedeveles]

a whisker away― 1 | HQ Movie Collab!

COPYRIGHT © 2021 BY VELES. DO NOT REPOST, PLAGIARIZE, OR READ MY CONTENT AS ASMR OR AUDIOFICS.

SUMMARY: After a strange series of events, turning into a cat becomes part of your daily routine, in which you visit your crush- Kenma, every day after school. But he doesn’t know you’re the cat that visits him. And to make things worse, you’re not sure how long you’ll be able to keep this up before your world spirals out of your control.

PAIRING: Kenma Kozume x fem!reader

GENRE & THEME:  A Whisker Away! AU (movie), fluff to angst to fluff, pining. [(two part) ONE-SHOT] [Haikyu Movie Collab!]

TAG’S & TW: Cursing, a bit of unhealthy family dynamics. Mentions of social anxiety, rejection. Some angst, mentions of insecurities and small graphic violence. Reader might come off a bit as yandere-ish/obsessive but she’s just head over heels over Kenma, who’s barely discovering his feelings as well. 

WORD COUNT: 5.7K! 

A/N: Hey y’all! I’m here with my first Kenma fic :) Which is part of @/hitokas-angel Haikyuu Movie Collab! I’ll link the masterlist in my taglist reblog. This fic is based on the movie A Whisker Away but doesn’t follow the entire plot, and I haven’t written in a while and this is my first time writing for Kenma, so I hope it’s okay! <3 Please REBLOG, like and COMMENT if you enjoy! 

Second (and final) part will be out this upcoming week! If you want to be added to the taglist, check my pinned post. 

People are a fickle thing, Kenma thinks. And he snorts at the thought, knowing he isn't any better than any of the passing strangers he's walking by as he heads to Nekoma High. But still, there's something about people, about crowds and socializing that makes him want to crawl into a hole and never come out.

People are hard to deal with. If he can barely deal with himself, why bother with others? It's not that he's a sociopath, he does have friends and family he cares about. And he cares about what others think of him. But still, socializing is so intimidatingly hard that he'd rather just avoid it altogether if possible. 

Even with his headphones, he can hear the loud blaring of cars, the chattering of people that brush against his arms, and he tries to ignore it, tries to ignore the nervous fluttering that's sprouted in his stomach from all the alternating and overwhelming noises. Whatever, it's just a car honking. It's just a little kid screaming. So he braces his arms as he buries his hands in the pockets of his sweater, feeling a bit more relieved as he spots Nekoma High School in the near distance. He usually walks to school with Kuroo, but his friend decided to be productive today and wake up at four in the morning. The mere thought of waking up so early made Kenma yawn and feel drowsy. His eyes feel a bit heavy, though he knows it's his fault for staying up playing video games, again. 

But Kenma doesn't mind the slight drowsiness that courses through his body. In a sense, it feels comforting. Like if the world's been sedated to a more managing level. A world that he can handle without his anxiety bursting through the roof. 

A soft mew snaps him out of his thoughts, and Kenma spots a white kitten rubbing across his legs, and he smiles. It has a unique pattern across its fur, with brown and black spots. He kneels down and gently scratches the cat under its chin, and the furry animal purrs and preens with his touch.

As a small sigh escapes his lips, the boy raises his head and stares at the high school building ahead of him. Several classmates are walking past him and he watches the girls with swishing skirts and boys with their boisterous laugh and messily done ties. 

Despite a large number of students pouring into the building, the morning at Nekoma High is quiet and serene. Giving the black kitten one last scratch, Kenma stands up and heads inside the building, working his way through crowds. His gym bag is heavy in his hand and his backpack slightly thumps against his back, but he pays it no mind as he exits the building and finds his way into the gymnasium. Kuroo, Kai, and Yaku are already in the gymnasium, the three third years chattering amongst themselves. The gym's doors creaked from being pushed open, and Kuroo's gaze snapped towards Kenma, a wry smile crawling onto his lips. 

"Look who got here early. I'm impressed," the black-haired boy crossed his arms, and Kenma rolled his eyes. "You're the first second-year to get here today."

Kenma merely lets out a small grunt of acknowledgment, before trudging towards the locker rooms. He stashes his bag in his locker and then heads out back to the gym, already decked out in his volleyball uniform, but furrows his eyebrows at the sight ahead of him.

Not again. He swallows down an annoyed groan as he spots the all too familiar girl standing with Kuroo, a bright smile painted on her lips as she laughs and talks along with the boy. Why are you here?

"Kenma!" Kuroo calls out for him with a shit-eating grin on his face, "Your super fan is here with a gift." Great. Now he has to talk to you and thank you for whatever you brought. Why couldn't you just take a hint and leave him alone? He thought he made it clear last week when he ignored you as you called out his name and Kenma proceeded to ignore your every word as he raced home. 

"Hi, Kenma!" And there you go again, making his stomach twist with your wide smile. Why did you make him feel this way? He didn't like this feeling. "I had some free time today, so I decided to make you a bento box. I hope you like it," you explain before handing over the box, and Kenma ignores the way his skin heats up as your fingers brush against his. 

"Thank you," he murmurs but refuses to meet your gaze, hoping you'll go away without another second to spare.

"Aww, aren't you two adorable!" Kuroo coos at his left, and Kenma feels his pride shrivel and glares at the black-haired boy, but he pays him no mind.

Kenma drops his gaze to your shiny school shoes, hearing you stammer and step back nervously, and Kuroo's boisterous laugh echoes in the gym. Kenma lifts his gaze as he watches his best friend approach you and watches as your eyes widen as Kuroo grips your chin.

"If Kenma doesn't appreciate your gifts, I sure will. If you ever get tired of him, give me a call, eh?" Yaku and Kai laugh loudly as you squeak and nod, before rushing out of the gym.

"Poor girl, did you see the look on her face? You've tormented her too much, Kuroo," Yaku says with a disapproving tone to his words, but there's a wide grin on his face that says otherwise.

"Relax, it's all just a bit of fun. You don't mind, do you Kenma?" And the boy turns to look at the blonde, dropping his mischievous expression as he faces Kenma with genuine concern. 

"No, of course not." Kuroo relaxes at the boy's response and beams. Kenma turns around towards the benches, ignoring the loud pounding of his heart and the ugly feeling that begins to boil in his stomach. 

                    ═ ═ ═ ╰☆╮ ═ ═ ═

Despite the searing heat that spread across your face after fleeing from the gym, you'd like to think your mission went pretty well. One, you made it to the gym without chickening out and two, you talked to Kenma without looking like an idiot! And three, you handed over the bento box and it was successfully received. 

So you spend the rest of your day at school with a bright smile, the small interaction with Kenma being enough to lift your mood. Soon enough, the school bell chimes softly, and you walk to lunch with your friends, Azumi and Emiko.

While Emiko goes off to the vending machine, her brown hair bouncing with her each step, Azumi and you walk towards a lunch table. But you freeze in your steps at the sight ahead of you. With only a tree and a few bushes separating you two, Kenma and Kuroo walk languidly ahead of you and you quickly duck behind the bushes, pulling Azumi down with you. Before she can protest, you slap your hand over her mouth, signaling her to be quiet. 

"Shh!" You peek your head over the bushes, watching with rapt attention. Kenma walks side by side with Kuroo, the taller one gossiping as they approach a lunch table. They sit down at one of the tables blanketed under the shade of the trees, and your eyes widen as you watch Kenma pull out your bento box. He kept it! A small part of you was fearing he would drop kick it at a trash can, but you feel much more relieved now that you see him with your gift. The branches begin to scratch against your forearms and thighs, and your friend grumbles at your side about how the bushes are annoying, but you pay her no mind as you watch almost in slow motion as Kenma opens your bento box and begins to eat. He digs into the food with his chopsticks and you strain your ears to listen as Kuroo speaks. 

"Oh? You're eating the bento box Y/N prepared for you?"

Kenma's brows furrow as he rolls his eyes, before continuing to dig into the food, cheeks puffed out with food. He ignores Kuroo's teasing words, and you don't think the smile on your lips can grow any wider. Wow....have you ever felt this happy before? You can't describe the happiness, the joy, and the satisfaction that blooms from your chest and floods your mind at the sight of your crush eating your food. 

"Okay," you let out a deep breath as you dramatically fall back on the grass, closing your eyes in bliss. "I can peacefully die now..."

"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Azumi chides you but falls back onto the grass at your side, and you can't stop the giggle that leaves your lips. 

"But it's true," you mumble as you drape your arm over your eyes, blocking off the blinding sunlight. "Kenma took my bento box. Kenma Kozume, the boy I've crushed on for years, took my food! And he's eating it!"

"Nothing else can make you happier, huh?" Your friend says with amusement, and you hum. You push your arm away from your face, and stare at the bright sky, raising your hand upward and partially block the sun's rays. 

"There is something else," you murmur, and Kenma's face flashes across your mind. "But beggars can't be choosers. I'll take what I can."

"What do you want?" Azumi rolls to the side and propels herself with her arm, looking at you expectantly. "Tell me."

You glance at her briefly before looking away with a small smile. You gaze at the sky, and you notice a small, burning light that travels across the blue horizons. A shooting star? That can't be it. It's the middle of the day. But you furrow your brows, a small prayer whispered in your head as you respond to your friend.

"I wish Kenma's heart belongs to me as much as mine belongs to him."

Azumi snorts. She rolls her eyes and lays back down on the grass, and you stifle a giggle.

"Well, good luck with that." She murmurs, and you hum in response. You close your eyes and spread your arms on the grass as the wind gently blows across the open area. 

"Thanks. I'm going to need it." You murmur mostly to yourself, but then you open your eyes and raise yourself from the grass, peeking through the branches and leaves. Kenma is still scarfing down the food you made and Kuroo drinks some canned juice. And you feel newfound determination flooding through your veins as you turn and beam at your friend, eyes set on your goal.

"I can do it. I know I can."

Azumi chuckles, watching you with an amused smile. She then rises from the grass, stretching her limbs before outstretching a hand towards you. 

"Well if it's anyone that can do it, it's you." And you smile. With a small huff, you grab her hand and rise to your feet, feeling much more hopeful than before. 

     ═ ═ ═ ╰☆╮ ═ ═ ═

On the way home, you walk with Azumi and Emiko, but soon enough part ways since you three live on different streets. Humming absentmindedly, you swing your bag in your hands as you walk towards your home with no rush in your steps, feeling as if you have all the time in your hands. Your mind drifts back to Kenma- as it always does, and you smile. You're determined to win him over, but truthfully, you're not sure how. A small sigh leaves your lips, and you begin to pick up your pace when you hear a loud crash from the alley on your left.

Stopping dead in your tracks, you slowly turn around and look into the rather dark alley, feeling your heart pound loudly. Uh oh. This can't be good. But you're frozen in place, and all you can do is watch in slight horror as a large and tall figure stomps out of the alley, slowly leaving shadows as it steps into the light. And you find yourself looking at... a cat?

That is if you can call this...thing, a cat. 

Towering over you, the overweight white cat stands on its two paws, black and brown spots littering its fur. Strangely enough, the animal sports a dark blue kimono with a mustard yellow cloak draped over the clothing and a red scarf wrapped around its thick neck. And the weirdest of it all? The cat is smoking a pipe. Rather than being afraid, you're stuck in place as confusion swarms your thoughts.

"Uh..." You stare up at the cat, whose eyes are closed. "Hello?"

"Greetings, human." And the cat exhales a puff of smoke right on your face. Coughing, you furrow your brows with annoyance. "I've heard your prayers, so I am here with an offer."

Oh. Wait, what? How could've he heard your mental prayers? Maybe it was the shooting star- assuming it was a shooting star. But whatever the reason is, you don't dwell on it too much as you swallow and take a step back.

"Which is...?" You wait for the cat to continue. Maybe you're hallucinating, which wouldn't be too crazy to consider. Maybe you've been hallucinating this entire day because God knows it's been too good to be true. 

The cat harrumphs, before opening its cloak, revealing a set of colorful masks. Pretty, you murmur to yourself, and the cat chuckles.

"I heard your pleads, and I am here to help. But I'm no love god, so I cannot make that boy fall in love with you. However," he pauses and grins, sharp teeth glinting. "I am the Mask Seller. I give masks to cats who wish to be humans, and I give masks to humans who wish to be cats."

"..." You frown, not liking the strange glint in the cat's eyes. You don't trust him. "And how would that help me win Kenma over?"

The Mask Seller laughs loudly, his belly slightly bouncing. "I have been watching you and the boy for some time now. You, more than anyone, should know why being a cat will change things."

Racking your head for the answer, you go through your memories of Kenma. A cat? Why would being a cat change anything? But then it dawns on you, and a small noise of understanding leaves your lips. 

"He loves cats," you rush the words, eyes wide and the Mask Seller nods. "If I were a cat, I could approach him easily, and learn more about him! And then, I could use that information to become closer to him as a human-,"

"You catch on fast," the cat croons, and you nod eagerly. But then you frown. Why is he offering to help you? What does he get out of this?

"What are the conditions? Price? Rules?" You cross your arms over your chest, tapping your foot impatiently.

"No money involved," the cat's low voice has you relaxing, but you still can't let down your guard. This is too good to be true. "But there are some conditions and rules you have to follow. And a small fee." 

"I'm listening," you nod in understanding. The cat tugs one of the masks hanging from his cloak, a white cat mask that only covers the upper half of your face, with red and pink markings. He places it firmly in your hands, and then clears his throat. "The mask has a time limit. You can only wear it for one hour and a half per day. After that time, you will turn back into a human. And once my services are no longer needed, I will come to collect the mask. And my fee, of course." The glint in his feline eyes has you swallowing nervously, brows furrowing.

"What's this 'fee' you're talking about? You said I don’t have to pay you money." But the Mask Seller only chuckles before flipping backward, and you watch with a slackened jaw as he spins into the air, before floating down to a pipe and waves at you before swiftly squeezing down the passage.

"You'll see! Enjoy your new life." 

And then you're left alone, standing in front of the alley with a cat mask in your hands. 

Frowning, you stare down at the mask, turning it around. There's no engraving, inscription, or any indication of where it was made or such. Oh well. With a sigh, you hoist your bag around your shoulder and continue walking home, the cat mask held tightly in your hands.

Once you reach your home's doorstep, you stop. Pinching your arm, you wince at the stinging pain that shoots up your dream. Well, that crosses out one thing. You're not dreaming. 

Swinging the door open, you announce your arrival, take off your shoes and kiss your mother's cheek, before racing up the stairs towards your bedroom. You need to know whether the mask will work before getting your hopes up, or if you've been having major hallucinations the entire day. A part of you hopes for it to work. Dropping your school bag on the ground, you examine the mask once again, tracing your fingers over the marks. It's a bit similar to a kitsune mask. Taking a deep breath, you straighten your posture before raising the mask and clasping it tight against your face. 

And then it happens. A powerful breeze sweeps into your room, even though your windows are closed, and you feel the world spinning. Closing your eyes tightly, you slowly open them after a few seconds. 

Woah. When was your bag this big? Things look a bit different, a bit sharper. And you're definitely way smaller than before. Glancing downwards, you spot your paws. White, soft, furry paws. The paws of a cat.

Oh my God. It worked! You want to squeal and scream with excitement, but all that leaves your mouth is a small, gentle mew. 

Oh, right. You're a cat. You can't talk. So instead, you walk towards your balcony, thankful you didn't close it last night as you nudge it open with your head. Once it slides open, you take a step forward before examining your paws. You can retract your claws at your own will. That's pretty cool, you think, but it's time to test them out. Leaping forward, you sink your claws into the cement wall and climb upwards, surprised at how easy it is. Perhaps everything is easier as a cat. 

Once you've reached the top of the half-wall of your balcony, you begin to leap on roofs, tread on pipes and sidewalks until you've reached Kenma's house. Ever since you went there for a project in middle school, you've never forgotten his address. Is it creepy? Maybe- okay, yeah, it is creepy, but it's not like you stalk him! You simply memorized his address by heart. Blame it on your love haze from seventh grade, the same love haze that continues to influence your current actions. 

You walk around his house until you reach his bedroom window. You wonder what he'll think, seeing a white kitten peeking through his window. Dread boils in your stomach when you realize he might not even be home at all. What if he's still at volleyball practice? You might've come all the way here for nothing.

But much to your surprise, after climbing up to his window, you find yourself staring at him. Kenma sits at his desk, black headphones on his head as he scribbles on a piece of paper. He must be doing homework, you ponder. Deciding to not interrupt him just yet, you look around in his bedroom, observing the decoration. 

It's rather simple, with beige walls and a wooden floor. On the right corner of his room, a bed is pushed against the wall with pastel green blankets, and to the bed's left, there's a wooden desk with a PC, as well as several stacks of books, what seems to look like comics, and some gaming equipment. 

After you've gotten bored of looking around in his bedroom, you scratch at his window, mewing softly. He doesn't look up, and you find your stomach twisting. What if he just thinks you're a strange stray and ignores you? Or worse, kicks you out of his home? Dear God, you did not think this through. Why did you take that mask again? Your mother did tell you to never accept gifts from strangers. 

But before your endless cycle of overthinking can fully commence, your eyes widen as you watch Kenma pull off his headphones and stare at you through the window for a few seconds. You watch his short, dirty blonde hair slightly move with his movements and his slightly parted lips. And you know he sees nothing more but a white kitten, but a part of you hopes that he sees through the magic, and sees you. It's me, Kenma. 

Almost hesitantly, he walks over to his window and pulls it open. You sit down patiently and chirp softly once the window has been lifted. Kenma looks rather confused but doesn't say anything as he reaches a hand towards you and begins to gently scratch your chin. That feels good. You purr and lean into his touch, and you hear a soft chuckle leave his lips. Oh. My. God.

"How did you get up here?" He murmurs, mostly to himself and all you can do is meow in response. 

You watch as he stares at his closed door, before turning back to you. And then, you feel his warm and soft hands go underneath your arms as he picks you up from the edge of the window and brings you to his bed. Kenma runs his fingers through your white fur, and the heat his body emits is almost comforting and you find yourself leaning into his touch.

"You like cuddles, don't you?" He says, with a teasing smile that you've never seen before. If you were in human form right now, you're sure you would've passed out by now. 

You let out a soft mew and reach for his cheek with one of your paws, but Kenma laughs as he grabs your paw and squeezes it gently in his hand.

This is it. You've never seen Kenma smile before, much less laugh, and there are no words to describe how it makes you feel. All you can think about is that you need to see it again.

                   ═ ═ ═ ╰☆╮ ═ ═ ═

Your life has taken a strange twist, to say the least. After enduring school, you race home and pull on the mask, heading straight to Kenma's house. You spend an hour there, cuddled in his arms or his lap as he plays video games, one of his hands resting on the top of your head. Kuroo has even come over a few times and seems to enjoy your presence as well. Kenma even feeds you sometimes, but most times you refuse, not liking how your stomach feels once you turn back human. 

"Mmm." Kenma hums as you lay on his chest, pressing his nose to the crook of your neck, buried between your fur. And you purr, closing your eyes. "You smell like heaven. But I wonder," he leans back for a moment, assessing your frame. "What's your name? Do you have a family?" 

"Give it a break, Kenma," Kuroo says at his side, reaching a hand to pet you. His movements are rather brutish and rough and you grumble as he pets your fur. 

"I'm sure she has a family that feeds her. You can't feel her bones or anything, she's a healthy weight."

The boy sighs in response, before sitting up on his bed, moving you to his lap. "But I still get worried," he gently runs his fingers through your fur. "Where does she go after coming here?"

You meow in response. I'm fine, Kenma. You don't need to worry over me. He chuckles, raising you to his face, his nose gently bopping against yours. You stare into his golden eyes, wondering how someone's eyes could be as beautiful and hypnotizing as his, and you feel yourself fall a little bit more in love.

"Your birthday is coming up, isn't it?" Kuroo says as he flops onto the bed, bouncing a volleyball in his hands. 

"Yeah," Kenma murmurs, and you don't miss the way he averts his eyes and how his voice lowers. Does he not like his birthday? "It's this Friday."

"I'm gonna get you some apple pie. Let's go to the park after school on Friday, and then we can go to that arcade you like going to." You turn to look at Kuroo. If you were in your human form, you would've been smiling softly. Though Kuroo can be loud and boisterous at times, you can tell that he cares for Kenma.

"Apple pie is good," he murmurs as his fingers scratch your head. "I like it."

 Your ears perk up at this as an idea pops into your head. Kuroo's going to give him apple pie, but probably store-bought. Which means you can bake him homemade apple pie and buy him a few more gifts. He'll love it! Seeing that his birthday is only in two days, you spring up from his chest and race towards the window. You don't have any time to waste. 

"Huh- wait!" You stop, hearing the sudden surprise in Kenma's words. Mewing softly, you lick your paw and meow one more time before leaping out of the window. That should suffice as a goodbye, right? It's not like you can go up to him and say, "See you later!" You're in the body of a cat, after all.

Once you've dropped down to the soft grass, you begin to make your way home, making mental calculations of what you need to buy and prepare. And you feel giddiness shoot through your chest, butterflies awakening in your stomach. Who knows, maybe the gift will win him over? You can only hope so. 

          ═ ═ ═ ╰☆╮ ═ ═ ═

By the time Kenma's birthday, October 16th, rolls by, you feel ready as ever. Speed walking to school, you're decked out in your school uniform, carrying the warm apple pie in one hand, and a gift bag in the other, while your bag is slung over your shoulders. You can't stop the giddy smile that crawls on your lips, which only grows wider at the sight of your two friends, Emiko and Azumi waiting for you at your designated spot. 

"Hey there," Azumi chimes in while Emiko gasps at the sight in your arms.

"Y/N! What's all this?" Her words are chipper and her eyes are wide as you smile and begin to walk towards the school, the two girls at your sides.

"It's Kenma's birthday today, so I decided to bake him apple pie and I bought him some gifts. I hope he'll like them," you feel your insecurities seep in your last words, slightly frowning as you look down at your apple pie. You were a good baker, having done many other desserts in the past, but you can't help but fear that he won't like your baking.

"Wow. You really went all out," Azumi comments and you giggle. The three of you continue to gossip as you walk towards Nekoma High and it isn't long until the school building towers over you. You feel your stomach twist as you take in a deep breath. 

Azumi pats your shoulder, while Emiko beams at you and gives you a thumbs up.

"You should give it to him before classes start. Good luck!" The brunette says with a wide smile and you smile back, before marching into the building. Here goes nothing. 

It takes you a few minutes to find Kenma, knowing he'll probably be in the gymnasium, but you decide to check some other classrooms just in case. When you can't find him in any classroom, you grimace and speedwalk towards the gym, knowing you're running out of time. You only have eight minutes left before the school bell rings and then you'll have to head to class. 

Once you've reached the gym, you slowly push the doors open, silently praying that only Kuroo and Kenma are in the gym. 

But your prayers go unheard as a ball rolls right towards your feet, and the boy's volleyball team freezes when they spot you. A small moment of awkwardness passes through before you clear your throat and walk towards Kenma, giving the other boys a tight-lipped smile. Kenma sits on one of the benches, drinking from his water bottle as a sheen layer of sweat rolls down from his forehead. When you stand in front of him, he sets his water bottle to the side and stares at you, mouth slightly parted open. 

"Happy birthday, Kenma. I hope you'll like it." You slightly bow before him, handing him over the gifts. He takes them silently, staring at them, and you decide to take this as your chance to escape. Quickly turning on your heel, you half-race out of the gym, feeling your face burn with embarrassment once again. And then you press your back against the gym's wall, catching your breath as your cheeks burn. But then you smile, a small laugh falling from your lips. You did it. 

═ ═ ═ ╰☆╮ ═ ═ ═

Kenma isn't a fan of birthdays. He'll endure his friend's birthdays and he'll even help with the surprise parties, but there's something about them that makes his stomach churn. Especially when it's his birthday. He's not the biggest fan of celebrating his birthday and he tries to avoid it when he can, but of course, Kuroo won't let it slip by this year.

He's barely arrived at the gym and Kenma frowns as he notices that no one's here yet. The gymnasium is dark and empty, and he wonders if he missed a memo or something. Did they not have practice today? 

He sighs, dropping his gym bag on the ground. He'll wait a few minutes, maybe he's early today? But then he hears something shuffle, and he freezes. What was that....?

Then a grumble. Kenma raises a brow, both confused and wary. Is there a ghost or are his teammates pranking him? Neither outcomes sound pleasant.

"...Who's there?"

A sigh. And then, before Kenma can brace himself, the entire volleyball team jumps from the bleachers, shouting eagerly. 

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Jesus Christ! Kenma jumps in his spot, heart thundering as he processes the situation. Okay, so not a ghost. Just his teammates being annoying as usual. Kuroo and Lev are grinning like doofuses, holding a banner that says, 'Happy Birthday Kenma!' Kai holds an apple pie in his hands, a serene smile on his face, Yaku holds the other end of the banner, and the rest of the first and second years hold balloons and throw streamers into the air.

All of this, just for him? 

"What's this?" Kenma murmurs, still wracking his brain as he tries to process his emotions. Lev's about to open his mouth, but Yaku reaches over and slaps his hand over the Russian's mouth, a forced smile on his lips.

Kuroo clears his throat, beaming. "Just a surprise celebration! We wanted to do something special. You don't turn seventeen every day."

And Kenma feels his chest warm, and there's a smile that's threatening to break onto his face, but he holds it back and gives them a small smile, not sure if he can handle so many emotions.

"...Thank you." And he is, he feels thankful and only feels even more thankful as his friends cheer and suddenly rush towards him, embracing him tightly in his arms. He can't help the laugh that leaves his lips and feels serene. Kenma's never been a fan of his birthday, but his friends make it a little bit better. 

     ═ ═ ═ ╰☆╮ ═ ═ ═

The team quickly calms down and begins practice, a few laps, then practicing their spikes and receives. Kenma walks over to the benches and takes a seat as he drinks from his water bottle when the gym doors creak open.

Everyone turns to look at the intruder, and Kenma's stomach squirms. It's you again. And he hates the way his heart skips a beat at the sight of you, and he hates the way it makes him feel.

It's dead silent, and you stand at the door for a second before quickly walking towards him, and Kenma's heart pounds even louder. He doesn't understand you. Why do you pursue him so much? You're cute, he can't deny it. So why, out of all the people in Nekoma High, did you chase after him? And why is it making his heart go wild?

"Happy birthday, Kenma. I hope you'll like it." You slightly bow before him, handing him over the gifts. A freshly baked apple pie that smells absolutely delicious, and a large red gift bag. 

Oh wow... He's speechless. He doesn't know what to say. It feels like with the surprise celebration, and it feels like too much. What is he supposed to say? But before he can even regain his composure, you're rushing out of the gym, and Kenma's stomach churns. Oh... 

Once the gym doors close with a loud slam, the entire team turns to look at him. They blink, and then they leap. Kenma yelps as the entire team rush towards him, yapping and all of them speaking at the same time.

"Lemme see what she got you!"

"Y/N L/N is so adorable!"

"Kenma, have you secretly been dating Y/N this entire time?!" Fukunaga pipes in, and Kenma finds his face heating up as his eyes widen.

"What?! Of course not!" And then Kuroo's snickering as he sits next to Kenma, slinging an arm around his shoulder.

"She's a sweet girl. Why don't you give her a chance?"

He lets out a shaky breath, his poor heart barely handling all the commotion. Kenma definitely needs at least one hour of cuddling with his white kitten after school to recover from all this. He blocks out what his friends say as his thoughts drift off, and he furrows his brows. 

Wait a minute. How did you know he likes apple pie?

A/N: Hey!! I hope you enjoyed the first half of this one-shot :)) I totally did not speedrun it 1-2 days before the collab event was live 😭😭I’ve been busy with school and just life in general so I haven’t had much time to write tbh. And plus I’m lazy :,) but anyway! I hoped you enjoyed it as much I enjoyed writing it :DD The 2nd and final part of this one-shot will be out this week!

Please REBLOG, like + comment if you enjoyed! <3 

COPYRIGHT © 2021 BY VELES. DO NOT REPOST, PLAGIARIZE, OR READ MY CONTENT AS ASMR OR AUDIOFICS.

[wh6res]

three's a crowd | nomin

synopsis. picking favorites is impossible when you like neither of them.

warning. read at your own risk. abuse, bullying, poly relationship, yandere themes, manipulation, nonconsensual touching, noncon, degradation, smut threesome oop

disclaimer. i do not condone whatever tf i wrote in this nor does it reflect my beliefs or values or morals and such. it is all pure fiction and i also dont think jaemin or jeno would act like this in real life.

note. this was meant to be a new year's gift lmao i obviously got a lil carried away 👀 anyway a late happy new year to you all! we survived 2020, let's start living in 2021, yeah? lmao if covid lets us grr mwah!

the relationship you had with the two of them was a weird one, bordering on taboo, but it wasn't as if you willfully chose to be who they wanted you to be and it took jaemin's unwanted pining and jeno's intimidating demeanor for you to fall right into their arms.

it was a joint effort on their part, you couldn't've possibly stood a chance.

"this many?" the cashier asked. "are you sure?"

stepping back and studying the whole situation, you figured you only had your addiction to caffeine and procrastination to blame. it was a chain reaction you didn't even know will lead up to your inevitable doom.

if you hadn't been slacking off during your first semester of junior year college, you wouldn't be forced to overwork yourself trying to catch up to the looming deadlines, but to be able to 'work yourself to the bone' you need your boost of energy… and that was when you met one of them.

"uhm," you scratch the back of your head sheepishly as you eye the six glass bottles of iced coffee. sure, it looks bad and you kinda appreciate the look of concern the cashier throws your way but it was none of his business.

"yes. now could you, like, you know… hurry up? i'm in a little bit of a time crunch right now."

screw it. although you hardly snap like that with other people on a daily basis, it'll be a whole different conversation if you were under a significant amount of stress and today, unfortunately, is one of those days.

now can he just fucking stop asking questions and give you your six bottles of death drink to keep your fucking brain going so you can pass an eight-page essay tomorrow? thank you very much!

the guy snickered, the beeping sound of a barcode being read sounding a thousand times more annoying than it usually sounds as he keeps his hand busy by punching your items out.

you fail to notice how he studies you through the gaps of his lashes, finding you interesting rather than threatening as you stood before him with your messy hair and oversized hoodie.

"haven't seen you around university grounds 'till today," he tries striking another conversation with you. "you new? i'm jaemin."

this was your first mistake, you shouldn't have been so… downright rude when you met him. if you were granted the miracle of meeting him a 2nd time, you would've acted more nice, throwing yourself at his feet even to blend in with the rest of his fangirls you didn't even know about at the time. you would've done anything to make sure he never gives you a second glance, to never pique his interest.

jaemin is the pep squad captain. flying over colored blue mats and doing tumblings in the air with no ounce of fear. he was the best in his team, that much was evident when your friend dragged you into watching a pep rally practice. his landings were clean, balanced, and executed to the best he can at all times.

no wonder he was popular, his talent is outstanding and his looks are a bonus. his killer combo of a smile and wink after pulling off a tough flip is enough to send them squealing in their seats.

he spotted you that day and since then, he snuck the quickest glances at the bench during practices. recognizing you as the coffee girl he met during his convenience store shift. jaemin tries not to let his disappointment show too much when he doesn't see you, but of course, a pair of cold calculating eyes could see right through him.

"i saw that," his boyfriend said, hand darting forward to hold jaemin's gym bag for him. "you kept looking at the crowd. do you want to see her that much?"

"but she reminds me so much of you, jeno!" he retorts, pouting at the slight grumpy tone the other boy used. "i can't help it. she doesn't seem to give a fuck around me so she's quite interesting. maybe she can even be a great addition to our relationship!"

"well," jeno replies after a beat of silence, plastering a small smirk on his face before slinging an arm around jaemin's shoulder.

"convince me?"

you don't like jaemin's attention. not in the slightest. and it seems that was enough reason for the reign of terror his little fanclub has subjected you too.

it wasn't the petty elementary forms of bullying like pulling at your hair or calling you names. they pale in comparison to the other things they do to you—beating you up, messing with your homework, "accidentally" dumping their food trays on you.

and you weren't stupid.

you knew exactly who was behind it, knew how jaemin spectates the whole thing from afar so that he can swoop in at the end to play your knight in shining armor.

"oh, you poor thing. do you need help?"

the first time you accepted his "help" you ended up in a supply closet near the gym during your free period, cornered and weak as your cries for help drowns under the squeaking of shoes and the booming sounds of rubber balls hitting the floor.

if it weren't for jeno appearing out of thin air and prying the boy off of you, you would've been painted blue and red from the death grip he had on your wrist, neck, and waist.

you can still remember feeling the soreness of your scalp from when he pulled your hair too hard. remembered feeling his teeth gnawing at your lips as if he wanted to tear them off.

that time hadn't been the first time you saw jeno. you've shared a few classes with him and it strikes you how polar opposites they are with one another.

while jaemin likes to bask in his professor and classmates' recognition by confidently reciting his answers, jeno would rather keep to himself. liked sitting at the last row, near the window, so he'd be the first to go once the professor ends their lecture. while jaemin loved the attention of his fangirls, jeno preferred solitude. while jaemin is impulsive and wild, jeno liked to think things through.

it was within these reasons that you decided to do what you did. but your judgement of character has never been more wrong.

you approached jeno one day in the library, tried to make yourself appear as stoic and confident as possible. but your constant slouching and averting eyes was a dead giveaway.

you came to talk to him about what jaemin has been doing, hoping there's one person left in this entire school that isn't under the cheer captain's trance. the one reasonable person that has already saved you once and (hopefully) is willing enough to save you again. the only one that probably has a certain level of control over jaemin, if the supply closet incident is anything to go by.

but you've overestimated lee jeno.

"you should've just given jaemin what he wanted."

"but—but aren't you two lovers? isn't it bothering you?"

you try baiting him, only for an uncomfortable shiver to start crawling down your spine when he chuckled humorlessly, pushing his school materials to the side while pinning you with an unreadable stare.

how can a person make someone feel so small just by a gaze alone? it was nothing like you've felt with jaemin. this is way worse.

"the only thing that's bothering me is why you're not ours yet."

you feel cold fingers creeping their way under your shirt, going higher and higher until it brushes against your bra. and when your eyes meet, the look on his face was unmistakable—what are you going to do about it, huh?

you stood up in lightning speed, the chair you've been sitting on scraping loudly against the floor.

you've never ran out as fast as you did.

and jeno swears it'll be the last.

you tried everything in your power to ignore them for the next following weeks but it soon became useless when the two boys took it upon themselves to give you your space.

although judging by the pinpricks you feel on your back, and the constant weight of a stare you feel on your shoulders, you knew they weren't done with you yet. far from it. and for some reason, you just knew they wanted to lull you into a false sense of security first before striking again.

and while they continued to ogle at you from afar like a hawk circling its prey in a desert, you took it upon yourself to return the favor. not because you were the slightest bit interested in those creeps but maybe, just maybe, if you look hard enough you'll find a way out, a weakness.

but what you realized made your insides churn in great discomfort—although it may seem that jeno holds the reins in the relationship since his reserved nature fits the role, it's actually the other way around.

jaemin might appear too self-centered, too focused on himself to give a fuck about his surroundings but in actuality, he has quite a knack for reading people. even more so than jeno. and it was scary how he used it to his advantage, and paired up with his devoted fangirls? it was hell on earth.

you found it alarming how the two seem to magically appear wherever you are.

although you weren't in the least bit surprised. for some reason, you can't take your eyes away when jaemin's devotees flock around him (and jeno) in a circle.

it almost reminds you of a shoal of piranhas, waiting for their meal to drop into the water before ripping it to shreds with their teeth. only their "meal" isn't actual flesh but the carefully crafted words jaemin says that drive them into a sick frenzy.

one that has them doing everything in their power to satisfy him like the loyal dogs they are.

so this was how he got them to bully you?

"oh, that? don't worry! yangyang just ran into me during cheer rehearsal. no biggie. my cheek stung a little bit, though…" is what he said but really he's telling them "scruff him up a bit for me, why don't ya?"

"of course, i can't be the best all the time. haechan is just too good, maybe even better than me…" is what he said but really he's telling them "can you remind him where his place should be?"

all the while jeno did nothing to hold him back.

no matter how wrong jaemin is, how much of an asshole he is, jeno will stick by his side through and through. so as much as jaemin is a puppeteer that gets a kick for controlling people, jeno is as much at fault for looking the other way.

because in jeno's perspective, why the fuck would he do shit when he can just get off from the entertainment that comes with jaemin's sweet little mind games?

we lost :(

you had been busy sorting through paperwork for one of your professors in the faculty when your friend texted you the results of the intercollegiate cheer dance competition. a frown paints your face, heart feeling heavy at the bad news.

in all honesty, you still supported the pep squad—you just hated the captain and his boyfriend. they've been practicing non-stop for this and prior to the weeks of the competition, jeno looked a lot more tense and jaemin less smiley than usual. you swore you even saw the latter snap at one of his fangirls.

not to mention, they paid less attention to you, too, and it was the best three weeks of your life.

tension starts rising in your shoulders, fingers absentmindedly running through the edge of the papers you had been sorting until you became immersed with your thoughts.

jaemin must be in the worst mood yet.

and jeno too, probably. if anything, that guy gets triggered the most when something bad happens to jaemin or when he catches snippets of people talking shit about his oh so "perfect" boyfriend.

jeno is a lot scarier when jaemin is in one of his mood swings, you noticed. he steps up in the relationship to offer comfort to the other boy and for outsiders? it isn't a great experience to go through—being on the receiving end of jeno's ice cold stare is a position you don't want to find yourself in after that time in the library.

he is still as much a threat to your peaceful life like his lover.

you snap out of it when the blinding headlights of a vehicle seep through the closed blinds. you hear the gentle hum of an engine switching off as the headlights vanished as quick as they had appeared. that must be the cheer squad's bus.

as you look around the empty faculty room, something in your gut tells you to ditch file sorting duty for professor kim tonight and fucking get the hell out of campus grounds as quick as you can.

after haphazardly throwing the unsorted papers back into the cabinet, you groan aloud when the keys to the office drop out of your skirt’s pocket.

the indoor gym where the cheering squad practices is right across the hallway. you sure as hell don't want to bump into jaemin. or jeno, too, if he had decided to ride along the cheer squad's bus on the way home.

you kept looking for the keys underneath the cubicles, cursing aloud when you heard the telltale squeaks of shoes rubbing against linoleum. you almost hit your head against a table when you quickly got back up your feet, darting forward to shut the lights for the faculty room.

they can't know you're here. alone. and if it meant sitting in the dark for a few hours 'till they leave, meant going back home a little later than usual is what you have to do then so be it.

you try not to react so violently when the door you're leaning on jolts when someone from outside slams their back against it.

"it's not like we didn't do our best, right guys? i don't have regrets. it might sound fucking cheesy and although i'm sad myself, atleast we did what we can."

it's jaemin. his voice clear as day.

you try peaking, craning your neck up from your place on the floor. only to see the back of his head leaning against the glass section of the door. someone else joins in on the conversation, followed by coach park himself, and you slowly tune out whatever they're saying as you stealthily start scanning the faculty room.

you curse under your breath. is there no other exit other than this door? jesus christ! even classrooms in this university had two doors—

"what are you doing here?"

the switch flickers on, basking the once dark room with light. only when you hear an echo of your name being called, did you snap out of it and quickly picked yourself up from the floor.

"i said, what are you doing here?"

their coach asks, drilling the question as he looks at you skeptically with his arms crossed. you try not to look at the people behind him.

particularly, not at his cheer captain standing on his right.

particularly, not at jeno, who stands out like a sore thumb with his blue hair, a protective arm snaked around jaemin’s shoulders.

this isn't your lucky day, too, you guess.

"i was…" you cursed yourself for stuttering. "i was, uhm, i was file sorting for prof—professor kim, sir."

coach park looked like he didn't believe you as he narrowed his eyes in scrutiny. your nerves are going haywire and you can feel the sharp pins of their stare with how close they are.

you kept juggling your weight with the balls of your feet, hands fisting and unfisting behind your back. you want to leave. you have to leave.

"file sorting… in the dark?" he asked incredulously.

fuck this.

"uhm, you can ask professor kim himself tomorrow, coach. for now, uh, i'll be going now. i'm sorry you guys lost…"

originally, the exit is on the right side, at the end of the hallway. but no, you are not going to pass by those two while on your way out so you ducked behind a random student standing on the coach's left instead and practically ran away from the scene.

everyone had been too busy. too busy looking at your retreating form to even notice jaemin and jeno exchanging glances, too busy to notice the latter untangling himself from their captain to slip away unnoticed, his hurried steps filled with a burning purpose.

you didn't know why you ran, but you did. your shoes practically booming against the floor as you sped away through darkened hallways. you're sweating profusely, heart hammering in your chest. you can worry about professor kim tomorrow but right now you just had to—

"why are you in such a rush, pet?"

crashing into jeno felt like crashing into a wall. if it hadn't been for his arm quickly wrapping around your waist, then you would've landed on your butt before him.

with the small distance between the two of you, jeno could see as clear as day through your eyes.

jaemin was right.

it was addicting to stare into them.

especially when he can see every single one of your thoughts flying through your pretty little head. but hey, it wasn't their fault you were so easy to read.

jeno barely conceals the wicked smirk on his lips when your hands come up to his chest, trying to push him away but to no avail.

he can see your eyes shifting from shock, to confusion, until it finally settles on fear—to which it's slowly becoming a favorite emotion of his to see on your face.

"you know, jaemin is in a really shitty mood right now. and we were wondering, maybe you can cheer us up?"

no. this can't be happening.

"jeno, please." your dilated eyes and disheveled hair made his blood run south. "let me go. you don't want me. you don't need a third party in your relationship."

you yelp when he lets you go, literally shoving you against a wall—which you found out is actually a door, as it swings open as soon as your body crashes against it.

with jeno looming unforgivingly before you in his full height, the tears stung extra hard but you won't let them fall.

if he wanted to bask in the image of your weakness then it'll be something you'll deprive from him for as long as you can.

"i don't need a stupid bitch like you to tell me what i feel." he scoffs. "don't fucking kid yourself, you little whore—i don't want you. i'm not jaemin."

the echo of the classroom door shutting closed surged through you like a wake up call.

this is really happening.

you've always led a decent life, had done nothing too questionable and you've always thought maybe life will spare you if you lived quietly enough. but the feel of jeno's freezing hands crawling against your skin felt like life itself had spat at you in the eye and left you to rot in a ditch.

"i've always liked how you wore skirts," he comments. playing with the ruffled hem of the soft fabric as he purposely grazed his knuckles against your supple thighs. "gives me easy access, don't you agree?"

you scream when he flips your skirt up to reveal the innocent pink of your cotton panties. it was as if a switch had flipped inside of you and the will to fight started coursing through your veins.

"stop! jeno! i don't want this!"

his brows furrow, grunting as he struggles to push the waistline of your skirt up higher with how much you're thrashing underneath him. you buck your hips, tried curling in on yourself, anything to prolong what he wants to do to you.

with your legs trapped underneath his, you blindly reach forward, relying on your upper body instead to push and scratch whatever your palms and nails reached.

you continue screaming like a banshee until he shoved two fingers into your wet cavern.

"stop fighting me," he sounded strained, as if he's holding himself back. you feel him fisting the fabric of your skirt and you fear he's simply going to rip it apart.

you tried responding to him, only the sound had been muffled, gurgled by the flat of his fingers pushing down against your tongue mercilessly. when you reach forward to push him away, your hands land on the apple of his cheeks, nails digging through skin.

until it slips and—

you lie rigid when red scratch marks in the size of your fingernails slowly appear on jeno's skin, his head turned to the side as he paused. your actions slowly start sinking in to him as he shuts his eyes and bit his lip 'till it looked like it was about to bleed.

oh no.

"jeno—"

the slap he planted on your cheek left your ears ringing. all those hard earned muscles of his put to good use—if the tears hadn't fallen for the last few minutes, then it definitely started falling now.

the hit had been so strong, a few of your hair flew astray, the buzzing feeling of your skin tempting you to reach a hand up to soothe your abused cheek.

until jeno let out a low growl and your hand immediately drops limp against your body, afraid of whatever else he can do to you other than a slap.

"that's more like it," he whispers under his breath. you let out the tiniest of whimpers when his hand darts forward to fist your hair. "do you know what happens to bad girls? they fucking get busted up. do you understand me?"

his patience is nonexistent.

jeno slams your head against the floor when you don't answer because you thought his question had been rhetorical. it felt like your skull had been split in two as you wail in pain.

"are you fucking deaf—i asked you a fucking question!"

the hand that cups your jaw is painful as he squeezed your cheek with his blunt nails. your hand shoots up to wrap around his wrist, silently pleading for him to let up as you sobbed out loud. you started nodding as best as you can despite his firm grip on your face.

your reply was nothing short of pathetic. with lips forcefully pursed and the steady stream of your tears and snot rolling down your face, your response is gargled and hardly incoherent and jeno seemed to thoroughly enjoy your anguish if the condescending curl on his lips is anything to go by.

"look at you," he whispers, his face coming close to yours as he holds you down. there was something in the way jeno stared so intently that it made your skin crawl.

"i think you're prettiest when ruined like this."

with his nose touching yours, he felt too close, bordering on intimate as you felt his hand creep back up your thighs, trailing up with feather-like touches that made goosebumps appear on your skin.

you tried wiggling your legs underneath him but one sharp look from jeno is enough to make you stop.

the hand holding your face moves. coming down from gripping your face to encircling his hand around your neck.

"do you like it when i touch you? freaky bitch."

his hands trail further up, up, up until you felt him slotting a finger underneath your panties.

jeno didn't like how frozen you were underneath him as he pulls at the hem before letting go. the elastic snapping back against your skin.

the action evokes a strong feeling through the young male, promising to have you writhing and screaming and begging because by the end of all this, you'll be so needy and frustrated that you will have no choice but to give in to what your body wanted.

"jeno, didn't i tell you to play nice?"

someone stands by the door, the minimal light from the hallway creating a silhouette with his form but you knew who he was. that deep voice, with the same annoying flippant tone, is a dead giveaway.

you didn't know why you even hoped in the beginning. as if there'll be someone who can save you from these two.

you thought the flash of hurt in your eyes was quick to disappear but jeno noticed it quicker.

in a span of seconds, he pulled you up from your position from the ground and tugged you towards his lap. you haven't even gotten the time to settle on your new position when he already smashed his lips against yours.

it was messy. too much saliva. too much teeth. no tenderness to it at all.

the fabric of his jeans felt rough, not to mention the ice cold belt buckle made you severely uncomfortable as it seeps through the thin fabric of your skirt.

when you attempt to hover over his lap, jeno grunts as he snakes an arm around your waist, pulling you back down without your lips breaking away from each other. you didn't know why he let out a whine, but you understood the moment you fully sat down on his lap and you felt a tent on his jeans hitting your clothed entrance perfectly.

in a normal circumstance, you would've found everything hot and might've actually gotten off from it but not when it's him who’s doing this to you and you didn’t consent to any of this.

you start squirming again. palms lying flat against jeno's chest as you attempt to push him away and jaemin sees this as the opportune moment to slot himself behind you, caging you in between them.

“i want my turn,” he hisses and without an ounce of hesitation, jeno stops to do what he's told.

jaemin doesn't waste any second to grab your face, awkwardly craning your neck up to meet his lips in the same feverish kiss.

while jeno had been all teeth and aggression, practically forcing you to open your mouth and kiss him back, jaemin on the other hand is more soft, more romantic, you daresay. he seemed to like taking his sweet time by clutching your face, kissing you like he actually meant it.

he pulls away slightly, resting his forehead against yours as he murmurs something incoherent under his breath and then he's kissing you again.

you think you heard something along the lines of, "finally."

you've been too distracted by jaemin to notice jeno's nimble fingers quickly fumbling with the buttons of your blouse. it was only when you feel the sensation of his tongue laving against the swell of your breast did you turn away from jaemin, jerking backward in surprise.

"no—!"

your scream is cut off by a hand cupping your mouth. jaemin pulls your back towards his chest, molding your body against his as jeno licked and suckled all he wanted, thankful to have the other boy there to not worry about restraining you and keeping you quiet while he has his fun.

"ah, ah, ah," jaemin teases, going hard over the pleading and teary look you sent his way. it looked pathetic, he wasn't going to lie, but it doesn't mean he didn't love it. "just keep still and appreciate jeno's efforts to take care of you, alright baby?"

you don't like how he talked as if this was all a mutual thing, how he talked slowly like you were some toddler who didn't understand anything.

it's cruel how jaemin giggled and basked in your vulnerable state as he kept his eyes pinned on you while undoing the zipper of your skirt. your muffled cries of his name only serving to egg him on.

the way he stared was similar to jeno, too intently and intrusive, like he wants to burn your image of despair in the back of his head.

you whined involuntarily when jeno got bored of all the licking and thus decided to start biting and nipping at your chest instead. he was hypnotised by how responsive you were, how every little bite and nibble made you shudder.

it was a shame that jaemin had to cover your mouth. he didn't get to hear your pretty mewls but it wasn't as if he'd let the night end without hearing them loud and clear.

jaemin is fast in undressing you, feeling slightly betrayed by how quick your skirt and blouse fell under his hands.

you know what he wants, what he's going to do, and the tears fall harder when you can't dodge away from him. forced to endure and accept whatever they give you.

"you act like you don't like it but look how fucking wet you are," you bit your lip hard when jaemin starts circling the pads of his fingers against your clit, fascinated by how more juices streamed down your thighs.

"jeno, do you see this? fuck."

you can only blink in defeat, staring off to the side as you force down any noise bubbling up your throat, forcing yourself to think of anything else other than what's happening right now.

you try not to think about how they managed to tear all of your clothes off while they're left completely dressed. tried not to think about the fingers lazily drawing up and down your slit to collect your essence.

if they're doing this as a way to further humiliate you, it's working.

"slut," jeno mocked, a wicked curl on his lips when he wraps his fingers around your throat. the moment he dives down to claim your lips again is the same time jaemin pushes two fingers inside you.

"look at how wet you are because of me," jaemin whispers hot against your ear and you feel a sick churn in your stomach when you feel his smile against your skin.

he purposely drives his fingers in and out quicker, settjng a brutal pace, wanting you to hear the lewd squelching sounds. "hear that? do you hear that, darling? that's because of me—"

"don't go talking big now, jaem," jeno retorts, pulling away from your lips to start nibbling on the back of your ear. "i was here first. did you see how she fucking reacted when i sucked on her tits?"

you're quick to catch how jeno particularly loved degrading you. but how he talks about you as if you're literally not in front of him naked made you hit a new all-time low.

you felt… filthy.

his hands find purchase on your butt—only because jaemin has already claimed the front. for now.

you close your eyes tight when he painfully squeezes the flesh of your ass. you swear, his blunt nails will paint your skin black and blue.

"i'm the favorite!"

"i'm the favorite!"

as someone who's part of a varsity team, you already knew a competitive nature runs through jaemin's veins. but never had you thought jeno would share the same sentiment. once again they prove that they're cut from the same cloth.

all of a sudden it wasn't all about claiming you as theirs anymore rather it was all about who can make you moan the loudest, who can make you cum the most, who can make you feel the dirtiest you can be.

you're absolutely terrified for the hours to come.

thankfully, they have yet to ask for your verbal opinion or validation. they let your body do all the talking—every repressed shudder and sharp gasp is enough.

but it's game over once they pop the million dollar question.

"who do you like best?"

you don't want to find out the consequences if you actually answered their question because you didn't know what could be worse.

jaemin's manipulation or jeno's aggression?

but it was all normal. trial and error is inevitable in order to build and mold you into the ideal lover for the both of them.

because adding someone new to the mix has never been easy—after all, three's a crowd.

[alolowrites]

Smack That

Summary: Bakugou has a lot of discipline, but he’s still a man who loves your ass.

Author’s Note: Heyyyyyy *nervous chuckle* how’s it going? I really wanted to get one more story out before 2021 ended and OF COURSE it was Bakugou lmao. I got inspired by a tik tok vid with a gym couple but added my little ~spicy~ twist at the end hahaha. Nothing too crazy (aka no smut, im sorry :/) Also everyone is aged-up! 

Story is kinda a sequel to Gymtleman if y’all wanna read it. 

Enjoy :D 

Word Count: 584

Growing an ass was a process that didn’t happen overnight. You must put in the work, put in the hours, and most importantly, put out a whole lot of tears at the gym. Luckily for you, those tears passed off as gritty sweat that just so happened to fall out of your eyes. 

You plopped on the bench, chugging down the water like a lost traveler who hadn't drunk anything for days. Instant relief washed over you, but the battle was far from over. You took a few moments to rest your aching muscles before trekking toward the dumbbells. The next set wouldn’t be any easier than the last one—Bakugou ensured this. 

After months admiring him from afar at the gym–plus an additional five months of dating–you’ve come to realize that Bakugou doesn’t half-ass anything, especially if it was your ass. He was tougher than a drill sergeant, pushing you to go above and beyond because he knew you had the potential. It was a complete mystery how you managed to survive this long at the gym with him.

You stared at the dumbbells, your chest heaving a bit. The fifty-pound weights were the correct choice, but the twenty-pound pair looked tempting. You glanced over your shoulders and saw Bakugou was busy on the bench press across the room. There was no way he would notice the tiny switch for your next set. You snatched the lighter pair—what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. 

But more importantly, it won’t hurt you or your dying legs. 

“Alright, let’s get this over with,” you muttered, taking in a deep breath to push through the last set of the day. Except you barely had a chance to start after someone yanked the dumbbell out of your grasp. You shot up, annoyed. “Hey, what gives–oh.”

Bakugou gave you a firm look. 

“Sup, babe!” You stupidly hid the other dumbbell with a nervous chuckle. “Done with chests so soon?” 

“Give it.” 

“Ugh, fine.” 

You passed the dumbbell to him. Bakugou put them away and carried over the correct pair without breaking a sweat. You almost fell forward after holding the fifty-pound dumbbells that weighed like an anchor for a navy ship. 

“Really, babe?! It’s heavy!” 

“That’s the point,” Bakugou snorted, crossing his arms. “How else is that ass gonna grow?”

“Yeah, yeah,” you grunted and gripped the dumbbells tight. Feeling cheeky, you wiggled your butt at him. “No pain, no gain, huh?” 

“That’s right.” 

You gasped at the hard sting on your cheeks from Bakugou’s greedy slap heard around the world, or at least the gym. You searched over your shoulders; so far, no one was looking your way. For once, the ego lifters’ loud, obnoxious grunts were a gift sent from above instead of the usual headache. 

“Katsuki! What the hell?!” You whacked Bakugou’s chest and hissed, “We’re in public!”

“Tch, so? I’m just feeling your progress,” Bakugou laughed, his eyes checking you out. He didn’t try to keep his hands off you again, squeezing your body as though you were his personal toy. He growled into your ear, “Gonna have to do a thorough check when we get home.”

Bakugou smacked your ass once again, and you rolled your eyes, fighting back a stupid grin. Sure he might be more disciplined than a drill sergeant, but Bakugou was still a man who had a weakness for your glorious ass. And he’ll make sure to appreciate it with a hearty smack that will leave you sore for days.

Don’t come at me if there’s a Bakugou handprint on your cheeks the next day aksjdhsakjdjh. 

Thank you for reading! And have a fantastic new year :D I will manifest good vibes for y’all for 2022.

[arlen801]

Gakuen Bungo Stray Dogs 2020 - English Translation (Tweet by bungosd_anime official account)

I have not found an English translation for this. The rest of the years (2017-2022) are already translated to English, you can search for Gakuen Bungo Stray Dogs + the year, and you will get the translation, most of them are right here on tumblr. I've only translated the events of 2 years (2020-2021)

Enjoy reading!

Bungo Stray Dogs School

The cherry blossoms are dancing, the season of our beginnings.

Blue sky with dancing petals. A room filled with beautiful sunlight.

This place is the Armed Student Council.

The name of the organization that is a little bit unusual in the school. From the Armed Student Council room, the voice of the student council president can be heard today. It's a nostalgic spring day, as if it's been seen somewhere before.

A fragile heart and mind.

An irreplaceable everyday life where delicate feelings intersect.

This is a portrayal of boys with the names of great writers in their own lives.

A story of a spring woven by boys.

The days of youth that we have seen one day will begin again this year.

Ranpo Edogawa

"If everything's well, I'm well!"

President of the Student Council. The most powerful student in the school. The reason why he is the most powerful student is because he is Edogawa Ranpo.

Yukichi Fukuzawa

"It's peaceful... I'll prepare some sakura-mochi (cherry blossom cakes)".

He is in charge of the school.

Chancellor and headmaster of the school. He has the trust of teachers and students and is also respected by president of the Student Council, Ranpo Edogawa. He has a small wooden cat tower in his office. It seems to be a gift from someone.

Osamu Dazai

"Huh... Yeah. I still think sleeping during the day is the best."

He is the secretary general of the "Armed Student Council," but he does not do any secretarial work. His hobby is suicide. His actual age is unknown because he has been in and out of the hospital repeatedly and has not been able to stay in school. He likes to make fun of Mr. Kunikida. He does not sleep well at night.

Doppo Kunikida

"It's annoying that he hardly attends classes and only scores well on exams..."

Math teacher and advisor of the "Armed Student Council". He values ideals and is an ally of students who burn with ideals. He has a bad eyesight. Dazai often shatters his plans and ideals.

Q.1 Could you introduce yourself?

Answer: Edogawa Ranpo

Hey there, I'm Edogawa Ranpo, the student council president! You know who the student council president is, don't you? I'm the most powerful student in this school. Why is it so? Why? Because I'm the president!

Recently, a servant named Nakajima Atsushi has joined the student council! As a lackey, he even bought me sweets, which I enjoyed while sitting in my seat.

I do small chores!

I get to eat delicious snacks!

Well, Tanizaki and Yosano have been giving me sweets for a while.

The weather is nice today and the cherry blossoms are in bloom, so I'm in the mood for sakura mochi (rice cake with sakura blossoms)!

Zenzai is good too, but the mochi (rice cake) isn't sweet enough.

Mr. Fukuzawa gets mad at me if I leave the mochi alone and just eat the rest~

Answer: Fukuzawa Yukichi

I am the president and headmaster of the academy. My name is Yukichi Fukuzawa. I have many things to think about to ensure that the students' youth is healthy.

The vice principal, however, keeps looking out from the headmaster's office, the science teacher Kajii makes fruit bombs in class, Dazai annoys Kunikida by attempting suicide, the stray cat in the schoolyard is always pining for an intern, Ranpo leaves only rice cakes in his Zenzai... All these things make my head hurt...

(Ok, I will explain this "Ranpo only leaves rice cakes in his Zenzai...", Zenzai is basically mochi (rice cake) with red bean paste, Ranpo does not like to eat mochi because it is not "sweet enough", this was also mentioned in the last lines of Ranpo's answer).

Answer: Kunikida Doppo

My name is Kunikida Doppo. I'm a mathematics teacher.

I'm also the advisor of the Armed Student Council. The "Armed Student Council" has a demon named Osamu Dazai, who appears out of nowhere and smashes my plans and ideals to pieces. He knows the amount of my paycheck, and when it comes payday, he threatens me with a story about my misbehavior at the faculty year-end party... No, it's nothing. It's not the kind of thing you tell people.

Recently, a new student, Nakajima Atsushi, has joined the group, so I have him report to me whenever something happens. I have to keep a bell on the fool who tries to die at any moment.

Answer: Dazai Osamu

Hmmm... hmmm... hmmm...

... What's up? I was sleeping comfortably.

What now? I looked like a corpse? I was lying there thinking it would be wonderful to die buried in the petals of a cherry tree, but I must have fallen asleep before I knew it. Well, I am often mistaken for a corpse. Last time I was offered flowers and manjuu (a Japanese sweet made with red bean paste). I ate the manjuu.

I enjoy suicide, so I often bury myself in flower petals, go down to the river, or try the hanging method. Recently, Atsushi has found me and prevented me from doing so. So, what do you want to talk about? Oh, my name? Hmm, it's Dazai Osamu.

Q2 What impressed you today?

Answer: Edogawa Ranpo

I had some free time earlier, so Miss Yosano and I tested which hamburger steak had more cheese in it and which had more cheese on top.

It was too much of a hassle to alternate between the two, so we ended up eating the hamburger steak with cheese on top and the one with cheese on the inside! Cheese everywhere!

Miss Yosano was eating the hamburger and I was eating the cheese, and when I asked her for some, she gave me some.

After lunch at the principal's office, Mr. Fukuzawa gave me a sakura mochi (rice cake with cherry blossoms).

I ate it while looking out the window at the cherry blossoms.

There was a tortoiseshell cat in the wooden cat tower today. Hmmm.

Answer: Fukuzawa Yukichi

Nice weather. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

The wind was calm, so I opened the window and thought I would have lunch while viewing the cherry blossoms, when little Mii came out of nowhere.

He lay down at the base of the cat tower and I was trying to decide whether it was OK to touch him or not, when Ranpo wandered over.

He started to spread out his lunch box in front of the window and we ate it together. After lunch, he started to beg me to share some of the sakura-mochi I had left behind. I had no choice but to share it with him. It was a nice afternoon.

Answer: Kunikida Doppo

Kenji was sleeping on his stomach at lunchtime, perhaps because he was full, so I took off my jacket and put it over him. What if he gets indigestion? Tanizaki told me that tomorrow afternoon we would have lunch with members of the Armed Students Council for a cherry blossom viewing party, so we divided up the roles of who was going to bring what. I am grateful that his sister, who is always very attentive, is involved, although sometimes things get a bit confusing. I wonder how long Nakahara, a transfer student, will be wearing his old uniform. Sakaguchi, a member of the public morals committee, is always chasing him around. Dazai was attending classes. He's gone more often than not, but he seems to be attending the school diligently these days. I don't know why, and it's not very nice. I'm not sure what he's thinking.

I also saw Atsushi take a coughing Akutagawa to the nurse's office. What a nice guy to take care of him. (These bitches gay, good for them, good for them)

Answer: Dazai Osamu

I was taking the class seriously, but halfway through I got bored and was lying down in the cherry blossom petals when young Atsushi found me. I was taken to the Armed Student Council room, so I thought I'd have another sleep there, but then I found a stuffed animal I'd never seen before. I thought about using it as a pillow, but when I looked at it more closely, I realized that it looked like my neighbor’s, so I decided to put it under my head. Mr. Ranpo said I could take it home if I liked it, so I decided to take it home.

After that, Mr. Kunikida came to the Armed Student Council room, so I made fun of him by putting fingerprints on his glasses and teaching him false health tips. Fufufu, Mr. Kunikida is always energetic, isn't he?

Q3 Is there anything you want to do tomorrow?

Answer: Edogawa Ranpo

I want to solve some interesting mystery! Murder is out of my scope because it's too dangerous for people to die, but I wonder... if there are any truths about the world or mysteries that would make my heartbeat faster somewhere out there. Oh, and that's right. Let's polish up the glasses Mr. Fukuzawa gave me! Kunikida always wipes the lenses of his glasses clean.

I ask him to lend me a cloth that can be used to clean up.

It would be nice if Kunikida said he would come to the cherry blossom viewing tomorrow!

Well, now that that's decided, let's go to bed early!

Tomorrow will be fine. I'm sure of it because I said so!

Good night!

Answer: Fukuzawa Yukichi

I will do what I have to do as the headmaster of the school so that the students can enjoy their youth at the school tomorrow. Also, I heard that the Armed Student Council members are having a cherry blossom viewing party at noon, so I think I will go to that. Kunikida was working hard, so I'll go there to show my appreciation for his efforts.

And then there's the other thing. I'm going to give Ranpo some carrots to eat. He eats a lot of sweets, so I think he needs to eat some vegetables.

Answer: Kunikida Doppo

What do I want to do? It's to stay perfectly on schedule.

First...

Get up at five o'clock.

Wash face and get dressed at 5:05.

Start making breakfast at 5:10.

Tomorrow, I'm going to have a cherry blossom viewing party at noon with members of the Armed Student Council, so I'm going to eat there.

We also make lunch boxes together. Each of us brings one dish, but Dazai will bring a can of crab. I think he will only bring something like that. Everyone is in the mood to eat.

It is not my ideal for students to be hungry.

Then breakfast at six o'clock.

Tomorrow it will be toast and bacon and eggs.

At 7:00... Hey, you listening to me?

What kind of attitude is that, after asking me all by yourself?

I think you need some educational guidance.

Answer: Dazai Osamu

I wonder, though, when tomorrow will come if I stay up all night.

When the clock strikes twelve?

When I fall asleep, have a dream, and wake up, will it be tomorrow? I've been taking naps so much that my eyes are always wide-open at night. I can't seem to fall asleep, so I keep thinking about it. In the meantime, the sky begins to turn white. And then I get sleepy again in the daytime. It's called puberty, isn't it?

You should get a good night's sleep. It is said that a child who sleeps grows up.

I'm already well nurtured, you see. Well... Good night, and please have a nice dream.

[komotionlessqueenmm]

Imagine # 835

Gif NOT mine.

If this gif is yours (or you know who's it is) please let me know, so I can give you/them credit.

Gif credit goes to - @maxhorrorgifs (Unless told otherwise.)

Year posted - 2021

----

"Thomas get yer ass over here!" Charlie yelled after having knocked the man with blue eyes unconscious. Tommy hurried to his older brothers side, looking down to the man before looking to Charlie. "Take this one up to the attic, he'll be a pet for (Y/n)." Charlie snickered as he thought about the excitement his daughter would feel upon receiving such a generous gift. Tommy nodded his head then picked up the man, tossing him onto his shoulder he carried him straight to the attic, where he chained him up by his wrists and ankles. All the while Charlie went to inform his daughter of the news. "(Y/n) darlin' come here a second." He called out as he knocked on her locked bedroom door, smiling to himself when she obeyed him hastily. "Yes daddy?" She tilted her head with curiosity, her big shining eyes like stars. "I've got a present for ya up in the attic." He chuckled when her eyes lit up with excitement, despite the fact that it was brief. "Come on, I wanna show you." He held his hand out to her, leading her straight to the attic when she took his hand. "Close your eyes sweetie." He ordered softly, leading her the rest of the way a bit slower so she wouldn't trip. "Now open your eyes." He chuckled when she gasped in surprise, turning her attention back to her father. "Go on go play with your new pet." He laughed giving her a gentle push, she nodded her head obediently, before slowly approaching the unconscious man. "I'll leave you kids be." Charlie hummed as he exited the attic, despite the fact that (Y/n) and the man were clearly adults.

Curiously she turned her attention back to the man, before scurrying off to fetch some water and a first aid. When she returned she was both relieved and worried that he was still unconscious. She wet a washcloth then began gently wiping away the blood and grime on his handsome face. He stirred awake before jolting upright with a gasp, starling (Y/n) who quickly scooted away from his reach. "Wha- where am I?" He stammered in a daze, his eyes landing on (Y/n), staring at her with confusion before realization swirled in his eyes. "You?" He frowned trying to remember where he'd seen her before. "You were out at the barn, before the sheriff ran you off." He moved his hand to hold the throbbing side of his head, only to grumble when the chain prevented him from being able to do so. "I wanted to help you, I want to help you." (Y/n) spoke softly, making the man still in his movements. "But I can't... Daddy he'd... He'd kill you, and he'd hurt me." She added nervously, softly biting her lip with fearful eyes. "Get me out of here, and I'll protect you." He tried offering, his frown deepening when she shook her head. "You don't understand... Daddy's lost it, and we're the only ones around for miles... He'd find us, he'd kill us both if I tried running away with you." (Y/n)'s eyes glazed over, scooting a little closer to the man. "This is the only way I can keep you safe, daddy knows you're up here, and I can't risk moving you." She whispered. "There must be someone else around here." He pulled at his chains in a vain attempt to break free. "There ain't, everyone's up and left. Even if we could hide from daddy and uncle Tommy, the elements would eventually kill us." (Y/n) frowned as she looked to the floor with shame in her eyes.

"My names Eric." He spoke softly, a smile ghosting his lips when she peered up at him. "I'm (Y/n)." She mirrored his faint smile, before grabbing the first aid kit. "We can... We can try escaping in time, but we have to wait until its safe, otherwise daddy will be expecting it." (Y/n) whispered as she went back to cleaning up Eric's wounds. "How long will that take?" Eric asked with dread. "I don't know." (Y/n) frowned with sad eyes, feeling sorry for Eric and his friends. "I need to save my brother." Eric stated making (Y/n) still in her work. "The blond?" She asked with worried eyes, pulling away from Eric when he nodded his head. "Uncle Tommy was taking him down into his basement when I was getting this." She pointed to the first aid kit. "Nothing but uncle Tommy comes outta there alive." She added in a quiet whisper, jumping when Eric began pulling on his retrains with all the strength he had left. "I'm sorry." (Y/n) whimpered softly before rushing out of the attic, leaving Eric to have some time to morn in peace. Hours went by, and when the sound of screaming erupted from below, Eric couldn't contain his anger. He screamed, he yelled, he beat the ground with his fists, his chains, anything he could get his hands on. All the while the Hewitt family listened from below, Charlie becoming more and more enraged by the minute. "(Y/n) go quiet that mutt of yours, or I'll do it myself!" Charlie barked at his daughter, who jumped before rushing up to the attic. "Eric please!" She called out over the ruckus he was making. "No those are my friends!" Eric yelled his face red and covered in sweat. "I know and I'm so sorry, but you're making daddy mad, you have to stop." She pleaded, squeaking in fright when he threw a lamp her way, which missed her by a foot or so.

"I don't give a damn about your father!" Eric hollered. "If you don't stop he's gonna kill you." (Y/n) tried to reason with him. "He's gonna kill me anyways!" Eric pulled at his chains again. "No he ain't, as long as you obey the rules, he won't kill you, I swear." (Y/n) approached him, stopping just out of his reach. "And what makes you so certain, huh?" Eric hissed through clenched teeth. "Because he doesn't like upsetting me, but if you push him over the edge, there's nothing I can do to stop him." She murmured softly, jumping when Eric rushed at her, the chains holding him back. It was only then that Eric took in her soft features, noticing just how easy she was on the eyes, especially compared to the rest of her family. Eric felt guilt flood into his heart, at the clear fear in her eyes, the jumpy-ness only confirming his subconscious suspicion. (Y/n) was just as much a prisoner here as he was, if not more so, having been stuck here far longer, without the chance of being put out of her misery. His lips parted to speak, but he was interrupted when Charlie barged into the room. "What did I tell-" He cut himself off with a laugh, taking in the sight before him. "Well well well, what do we have here?" He taunted his words causing a blush to bloom across (Y/n)'s cheeks, who stood frozen, her face only inches from Eric's. "I knew you two would get along just fine." Charlie snickered to himself before leaving the room once more. "Please Eric just do as I say, and I'll keep you safe." (Y/n) pleaded with him, smiling sadly when he nodded his head in agreement, giving up reluctantly for his and her sake, knowing deep down their was nothing else he could do for the others.

----

*I'm seriously tempted to write a short story series extending this even more. What do you think?

[aitseleci]

deceived

details: angst / sfw, albedo x gn!reader

word count: 808 / short 

note: first post / writing work; didn’t proofread — let’s hope there’s limited mistakes

part two ! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

“Darling, be careful out in the cold!” he shouts to you, reminding you of Dragonspine’s cold environment. Those words of concern had always made your heart melt. He loves you.

In your eyes, you felt special. One of a kind.  

Who knew this day would ever come?

Albedo’s face was relaxed, an expression you’re ever so familiar with. The face that still somehow makes you blush. But those bitter words rolled down his tongue. “[y/n], it looks like we can go our separate ways.”

You froze to look at his pale face, expression remained unreadable. Those words were flat. Albedo’s teal eyes stared at you, discouraging yourself from revealing much emotion. 

“Huh, what do you mean?”

”It’s time to break our relationship,” he said with a cold tone. 

Those words: no remorse, sorrow, and no emotion. No quiver, even-tempered. Silence filled the empty space, as he turned away. You watched him walk away, as if nothing happened. The tightness of your chest only became surreal, it must be all a dream. 

”But why?” you managed to utter out, unable to conceal your confusion. He turns to you, whilst holding on documents. He let out a  sigh and cleared his throat. 

”I no longer find interest in you.” Interest? Fascination? No longer, the blonde man says. The only thing that keeps him going forward; intriguing. Specimens and the creation of life attracted Albedo. You for one understood that. The alchemist wants to better understand the world. Alongside, create experiments to find out more. There’s always factors you can alter for inconsistent results. But what variables can be changed now?

Albedo, ever since you met him, idle talk wasn’t his cup of tea. The reserved type really. You thought you were different; you both clicked from the start. Lucky enough for the man himself to go out of his way to talk to you. To care.

You two spent as much time with each other. Exploring, gathering materials, exchanging knowledge. Gifting each other memorabilia during times of separation. 

Those reveries of time for each other, settled your mind. Yet, those daydreams can come to an end. You knew his quirks, behaviors and all of it due to your relationship. Now washed away. 

“Did I do something wrong?”

The man looks up from his paperwork. “No, not at all. Your help has assisted me to understand and achieve my goal.”

Goal achievement; is that what your relationship was? Those words were uncanny, at least you can aid him to success. But was everything one-sided? You poured your heart into each interaction with him. The hand holding, hugs, kisses that you both exchanged. Euphoria filled your little heart with those moments. Now it was all anguish. Were you too blinded by love? Does your presence give him comfort? Was it all just facetious acts? 

“Those times you said you loved me... you lied, liar.” 

Tears were welling up in the corner of your eyes, anger slowly building up. The blonde’s face was painted with the look of a bolt from the blue. 

“If you didn’t mean it, why would you do or say it?”

“Research purposes.” 

As if your world wasn’t shattering, it keeps getting atrocious. Going out of his way to toy with you? Those times of affection, was just for an observation? You poor smitten soul, thinking that it was genuine. He never saw you as someone to cherish with all of his heart. 

Deceived. 

“What made you think that it was okay to put someone through this?”

“Quite simply, my curiosity of human emotions. Though it was quite a waste of time, I didn’t learn much. Matters started to get monotonous, but now, you’re free,” he shrugged.  

“Monotonous..? Are you for real? I loved and cared for you.” 

“I should have figured as much, it’s just that maybe someone who can better express themselves would be a better fit for you.”

You stared down at the ground, away from Albedo and one tear broke free from its cage. An unbroken stream of tears followed, uncontrollable sobbing in front of him. All of this for research of human emotions... this man. You had enough. 

“Goodbye Albedo, since I’m no use to you or your research, I’ll be taking my leave.” 

“Apologies for taking your time, if you need Sucrose-” 

You fled the scene, not bothering to let him finish. Out of his camp, scurrying along the path. The cold slowly swallows you whole, bitterly harsh against your skin. The snow is crunching underneath your feet. Tear stains make your skin glisten with the sunlight above. The wind and trees sighing along the way. Not bothering about the setting, as gradually your waning strength slowed you down. Your hatred was pure, leaving your mouth dry. Still, your mind getting clouded and foggy. 

But you still love him and you hated that. 

Stupid research. 

© aitseleci 2021 ✰ do not modify or repost

[hrts4tsumu]

( ## ) MIYA ATSUMU AS YOUR CLASSMATE !!

he is annoying. he’ll keep bothering you and poking you with a pencil to get your attention.

he often gets called on when he isn’t paying attention to the lesson. then gets scolded about how he should be listening but he just ignores the teacher.

will ask you if you want some of his snacks he stole from osamu. (osamu is furious 😠)

he tries flirting with you but it’s horrible???!! same as suna he uses corny pick up lines

he’s really protective over you whenever someone else tries to talk to you. if you guys are having a convo and you stop talking to him to talk to someone else he literally glares at the other person (ESPECIALLY IF ITS ANOTHER BOY TOO)

NO CAUSE IF YOU’RE INFRONT OF THE DOOR OR SUM HE WILL PUT HIS HANDS ON YOUR WAIST AND THEN MOVE TO THE SIDE!!

like his hands fit perfectly around your waist since they’re so big

did i mention he likes flirting with you 🧐 oh well he LOVES flirting with you. especially infront of his fan girls so they can get jealous. he also says that you’re his girlfriend even though you told him you’re not multiple times

he posted a tiktok like this and you were “😐😟” the whole time.

he purposely trips you when you’re walking to your desk or you’re coming through the door so he can catch you. “guess i’m your knight and shining armor huh 😏” you slap him and then walk away

when you’re tutoring atsumu he likes to rest his hand on you’re thigh (if you’re comfortable with it) and squeeze it sometimes. he doesn’t even realize he’s doing that most of the time

HE WHINES TO YOU ABOUT OSAMU OR HOW HORRIBLE HIS DAY WAS EVERY SINGLE DAY. if you notice that he’s not his usual self and seems kinda down you let him lay his head on your shoulder or lap.

he likes to make tiktoks with you in it either using cringy audios or the thirst trap ones. then the comments will be “omg i wish i was her” or “wtf is this 😭”

on your birthday he most definitely got you a hoodie or shirt with his face on it. he thought that it was the best gift ever and you can wear it when you’re missing him.

he likes to play with your hair. it could either be braiding it, twirling it with his finger, anything. HE LOVES TO GIVE YOU HEAD PATS OR RUFFLE YOUR HAIR WHEN HES TEASING YOU AND YOU GET FRUSTRATED 😩

if you guys were to date (friends to lovers troupe???) you would be the short-tempered girlfriend and he would be the tall teasing boyfriend 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

when you’re cold he gives you his volleyball jacket or he wraps his arms around you and pulls you into his chest 🥰

i feel like he likes to match random things with you once a week. he’ll tell you “hey on thursday we should wear something green on our uniform” when you say “no i’m not doing that”, you come to school the next day with something green on you .

he has a habit of tearing his erasers apart during class when he doesn’t take notes. then there’s a huge mess on his desk but he just shoves it into his pocket.

he’s also that kid who smacks the top of the door everytime they walk in 😐.

© FAIRYOOMI 2021 — all rights reserved. please do not copy, modify, or repost my works and claim as yours. thank you :)

[violettelueur]

— ITADORI YUJI + FUSHIGURO MEGUMI + KUGISAKI NOBARA || HOLIDAYS WITH THEM

↳ featuring : itadori yuji + fushiguro megumi + kugisaki nobara from jujutsu kaisen

↳ warnings : grammar issues

↳ form : headcanons

↳ published : 29 april

↳ pronouns : non specified in headcanon

↳ request : Hi, sorry I'm the anon that just sent the ask about requesting headcanons for Yuji, Megumi, nobara and Gojo and how they'd be like spending the holidays with their significant other and I forgot to say that I would like to order a "classic black coffee"! I'm sorry this is my first time ordering!

↳ barista’s notes : i already did a little holiday headcanons for gojo which can be found on the first masterlist for the headcanons, so i just did the trio instead ╲ʕ·ᴥ·　╲ʔ  i hope you enjoy your first cup of classic black coffee and please come again soon when you are ready to order ʕ•ᴥ•ʔﾉ♡

Holidays with Itadori are fun and spontaneous like how you and him decided randomly one day to go to the beach for your holiday.

You and him seem like the type of couple that enjoy the summer since he is the sunflower he is - sunflowers need sun, right?

So when you and him go to the beach, best know that you and him have so many toys ready, while you are also the responsible one that made a list for you and him to also pack the necessary things to bring like towels, suncream, etc.

Playing beach games with Itadori are so much fun because there are times where you and him get slightly competitive with each other- but, of course, Itadori will try to not like his athleticism get in the way to make the games fair.

Water guns are something you and Itadori packed and to be honest, the kids on the beach are jealous of you both because it seems really fun when you both are just running around.

Itadori also seems like the type to carry you over his shoulder to dunk you into the sea because it’s for a good laugh (if you are not afraid of water or if you are able to swim)

Eating fresh fruits together like manga and watermelon is just a complete mood, especially under an umbrella on a beach table.

Seeing Itadori glup a whole water bottle while in swimming shorts is just a different sight to see - imagine him pushing his hair back while doing it….wow.

During the sunset, Itadori loves to walk on the beach with you and sometimes will carry you piggyback style just to keep you close while holding your shoes in one hand.

In conclusion, your and Itadori’s holiday, in the beginning, is full of energy and fun while later on, it will calm down and endearing like how the sun is during the day to noon.

When you and Fushiguro are going on holiday together, it’s usually during the winter holidays because Fushiguro seems like the type of person that likes winter to me.

Secretly, Fushiguro likes the winter season because he can hold you close and hold your hand without you questioning since usually, you both link pinky fingers - it’s to keep you warm he says.

Unlike Itadori’s holiday, Fushiguro and you will plan everything from where you go and what to pack - but with what activities to do, it will come in randomly when you both get there, but Fushiguro will secretly see what is going on without you knowing.

Sightseeing is you and Fushiguro’s favourite thing to do and this is because to him, it doesn’t matter what you both do, if he gets to spend time with you, it’s enough for him.

Fushiguro really likes to see you under the Christmas lights because it gives your complexion a glow that is really beautiful to him - he does take a few photos without you realising.

If you want to go ice-skating with him or try different foods with him, he won’t deny you because on the low, he wants to give it a try as well - if he doesn’t feel comfortable, he will tell you since you’ve gotten that close during your relationship.

During this time, he does have his gift in his backpack that he has and he will give it to you when you both get to a restaurant that Fushiguro suggested - he is kind of like a tour guide when you both get to the location you both had chosen...he is a cute tour guide though.

He wants to make this winter holiday getaway special because it’s rare for you both to get an off-day or holiday rest together, so his gift is one that he thinks is really memorable and special enough for you.

You and him probably rented out a little cottage with a fireplace to gift each other your presents by the fire with his divine dogs by your sides - because precious family moments~

In conclusion, Fushiguro really doesn’t care where he goes or what he does with you because spending time with you and making every moment precious is all that matters to him.

You and Kugisaki will go on holiday during the spring season because it’s the season of new beginnings and that means a whole new wardrobe for her with the fashion brand’s new season clothing.

If you and Kugisaki decided to go somewhere, it’s definitely somewhere in the city since we already know she isn’t fond of the countryside, even though she will say that she is from the countryside with pride.

However, except for your massive shopping spree with her, Kugisaki will find the cutest cafes around the city that you both chose and just the opportunity to take many Instagram pictures to post them and make Itadori and Fushiguro jealous - FYI, they really ain’t.

I feel like you and Kugisaki will eat so many sweets like cakes and ice cream sundaes because it’s those rare times where you can get those types of things like normal people rather than sorcerers.

When going around the city, Kugisaki can’t help but take many photos of you while encouraging you to be more confident for your Instagram as well as her Instagram story - you will obviously do the same for her.

Kugisaki will take the opportunity to find something to give you since she seems like a person that forgets to gift people things or just gifts people at a really later time - so this is the perfect opportunity for her to pick something for you.

So if you go into Tiffany’s and she is taking a long time...do not ask questions, you were staring at that one necklace for a long time huh?

When it’s the end of the day, Kugisaki probably stole Gojo’s credit card and booked a beautiful hotel room for the both of you to enjoy with a beautiful view.

You and Kugisaki will probably make the most out of this room like the jacuzzi that is in the bathroom and the whole room services for a midnight snack meal and the whole breakfast in bed with white robes on.

In conclusion, you and Kugisaki holiday is luxurious and the dream that everyone wants with the advantage of Gojo’s credit card - because you and her deserve this magically and expensive trip due to your lives as sorcerers.

© violettelueur 2021 : written and published by violettelueur - do not steal or repost

[cheri-translates]

[CN] Shaw’s Summer Solstice Date

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 夏至之约, which has not been released in EN! 🍒

Be sure read his Birthday R&S and Date Prologue before this!! 

[ This date was released on 16 June 2021 ]

The wheels of the skateboard scrape the ground, and the scenery flows past me leisurely.

The gift bag in my hand wobbles, occasionally bumping against the leather belt hanging from my waist, letting out a crisp sound.

Seeing an upcoming crack in the stone surface, I step on the tail of the board, steadying my centre of gravity, and then jump up with both feet-

THUD!

The skateboard tilts as it flies, crossing over the crack deftly, and continuing to bring me forward.

A perfect dolphin flip.

MC: Huff... if only Shaw could see that trick just now. He wouldn’t keep saying that I’m not practising enough...

I pout with mild regret. Just as I’m about to make the final turn, the music in my earphones abruptly stops, replaced by my ringtone.

Stepping onto the skateboard to make it stop, I retrieve my phone. Shaw’s display picture flashes on the screen along with the ringtone.

MC: Shaw? Are you back in the city?

Shaw: Mm, I returned last night.

MC: That’s great. Does this mean we can meet at the skatepark later?

Shaw: Afraid not.

MC: Huh?

Shaw: Something cropped up and the department is lacking manpower, so I was asked to help out.

MC: What happened?

Shaw: Just something trivial-- Hey! Line up properly. Don’t run around...!

Shaw’s voice grows a little distant. The sound of lively children drifts from the other end of the line, and I’m left stunned.

MC: Where are you right now?

Shaw: Erm, nowhere. I’ll be busy here for a while, so just wait for my call.

He hangs up, leaving me utterly confused.

 MC: If the Department of Archaeology is asking for Shaw’s help, why are kids involved?

I shake my head. Based on Shaw’s temperament, he wouldn’t give me an answer even if I were to probe further. I might as well ask him in person later.

-

Opening the door using the key Shaw gave to me, I’m just about to put down the gift in my hand when I notice certain changes in the house.

The trash bag that I didn’t have time to clear away yesterday has disappeared from the entrance, and the bass has shifted its position.

A few more notebooks are on the sofa, there’s a leather jacket, and a few boxes that were stacked together before are gone...

Even the balloons which were hung crookedly have been set right.

MC: Did Shaw come home? Does this mean he’s already seen how I tormented his house?!

I can’t help but feel slightly dejected at the thought of my surprise being ruined in advance.

At the same time, I also can’t help but start imagining what his expression was like when he saw the room yesterday.

Shocked? Resigned? Within his expectations? Did his eyebrows arch or droop? Did the corners of his lips rise or remain straight?

This rascal definitely also roasted me with a “passable” or “that’s all”.

...did he also say that he “really likes it” just like last year?

The overflowing light in Shaw’s eyes from that night last year flashes across my mind, and my heartbeat inexplicably stutters out of rhythm.

Rubbing my cheeks with my hands, my line of sight returns to the notebooks Shaw had casually left on the sofa, and I pause.

MC: What’s that...?

Walking over, I pull out a pamphlet from underneath the notebooks.

MC: 21 June to 23 June... Loveland Elementary and Middle School History Appreciation Day?!

Making a mental association with the clamour from the call with Shaw earlier, a strange guess surfaces in my mind.

MC: Could Shaw be at...

-

MC: Hello, you can drop me off at the entrance of the museum, thank you.

Stepping out of the taxi, I gaze at the Loveland City Museum in front of me.

The entrance is bustling with activity. Most of the visitors are little kids around ten years of age. They are wearing school uniforms, entering the museum in orderly lines while led by teachers and volunteers.

MC: Will Shaw really be here...

After buying a ticket and walking towards the queue, I start mumbling in my heart.

Staff: Hello Miss, you can’t bring your skateboard into the museum. Please leave it in the storeroom at the entrance. 

MC: Ah, thanks for the reminder.

The staff gives me a friendly smile, but I feel slightly embarrassed.

After all, people typically wouldn’t dress like this and have a skateboard on their backs while walking around the museum.

If I had known earlier, I shouldn’t have brought the skateboard along...

Tugging on the hem of my shorts in guilt, I head towards the storeroom while a group of kids stare at me.

-

Because of the event, the Loveland City Museum isn’t as solemn as it usually is, and there’s more liveliness in the air.

Kids are lined up in the exhibition hall and following the volunteers, full of spirit as they listen to explanations related to the historical relics.

I can hear occasional exclamations of “wow” and “ah”.

Scanning the surroundings, I find myself passing by the porcelain hall and entering the bronze ware hall.

There aren’t many visitors and students here. The ancient historical relics give off a tranquil lustre underneath the tender light, causing one to instinctively slow down their pace.

??: ...in order to pray for his son’s health, a person with the surname “Xun” created this bronze food vessel.

While shuttling around the exhibition hall, I suddenly hear a familiar voice drifting over from behind the wall.

I walk towards a nearby shelf and peek my head out secretly, watching a bunch of kids surround a tall and slender figure.

It’s Shaw.

He’s wearing a volunteer jacket which is completely incompatible with his personality. His sleeves are a little short. When he lifts his arms, his thin but sturdy wrists can be seen.

Whether it’s his voice or appearance, this is a Shaw I’ve never seen before.

Shaw: Here. Do you see this? What does the word on this oracle bone look like?

[Trivia] Oracle bones are pieces of ox bones or turtle shells used as a form of divination in ancient China. Diviners would carve questions to deities onto the bone or shell with a sharp tool. Intense heat would then then applied to it until it cracks. The diviner would interpret the patterns of the cracks

Student: Like... like a big mouth!

Shaw: Mm, that’s half correct. This word is “tooth”.

[Trivia] The inscription on the oracle bone probably looks like this:

He lowers his head slightly, explaining the historical relic to the kids who barely reach the height of his waist.

His brows, which are always arched and stubborn, have become gentler beneath the warm yellow halo of the exhibition hall. 

He points at the electronic screen next to the exhibit, enlarging the explanation of the oracle bone and reading it with a soft voice.

Shaw: Males have teeth at eight months old, and lose their baby teeth at eight years old. Females have teeth at seven months old, and lose their teeth at seven years old. This word “tooth” is missing its front teeth. Doesn’t it resemble how you’re all losing your baby teeth?

With this, the kids immediately cover their mouths abashedly, letting laugher seep out from the space between their fingers.

MC: Pfft...

I can’t help but join in the laughter.

At this point, a kid suddenly spots me, then points in my direction.

Student: Wow, that Big Sister and Big Brother Shaw are wearing the same clothes!

After I’m pointed out by the student, Shaw turns around.

When he sees “that Big Sister”, Shaw arches his brows.

Shaw: [gasps softly] What are you doing here?

MC: [blushes] I was just... just looking for you...

I step out from behind the shelf, landing my gaze on him.

From the back, Shaw looks like a proper museum volunteer.

But underneath his jacket, he’s wearing a casual shirt which matches mine. Even the embroidery patch that I planned to give him as a present has been pasted at his chest region.

The ash black belt, flamboyant lightning patterns, and the drooping chain which are incompatible with the surroundings...

At a glance, one can sense the rebellious heart hidden underneath that “proper” jacket.

After seeing me, Shaw seems to be slightly less at ease, and he waves at me.

Shaw: I’ll talk to you later. I’m busy here. You can walk around by yourself first.

Really? He’s chasing me away the moment I’m here?

With this unspoken gripe, I purse my lips. Suddenly, I have a mischievous idea.

MC: Fine.

I stand at the back of the line of kids, pretending to look around.

MC: Sigh, all I can do is look at the liveliness while walking around the museum alone... No one tells me about the symbolism of the historical relics and the meaning behind them...

While speaking, my head droops pitifully.

Seeing this, a student immediately tugs on my hand in a friendly manner.

Student: Big Sister, it’s okay if you don’t understand. Big Brother Shaw can teach you everything!

He lifts his head and speaks to Shaw.

Student: Big Brother Shaw, this Big Sister really wants to learn. Can she listen along with us?

I instantly nod my head, exclaiming in an exaggerated fashion.

MC: Wow~ That’s great! Big Brother Shaw, can I listen to your explanation too?

Shaw: ...

...am I seeing things? Is Shaw...

Before I can tell if the red hue on his cheeks was a hallucination, Shaw has already returned to his usual state in the blink of an eye.

[Note] The reason why “Big Brother Shaw” (凌哥哥 - “ling ge ge”）resulted in this reaction is because 哥哥 is often used in a coquettish manner! It’s akin to calling someone “oppa” in Korea and “onii-san” in Japan!

Shaw: Tch. Listen if you want to.

Without changing his expression, he gives me a glance before turning around and continuing his explanation to the kids.

Initially, I listened in just as a joke. But without realising it, I was completely engrossed in Shaw’s words.

Shaw: ...“In my left hand I grasp a flute; In my right I hold a pheasant's feather.” The “flute” mentioned in the poetry book “Jian Xi” refers to an ancient wind instrument like this. Are there any students interested in playing the bamboo flute? This is its ancestor...

Shaw: ...this porcelain kilt is most well known for its colour, which is akin to sunshine after the rain. But what the common people praise as “sunshine after the rain” is actually the firewood kiln...

Shaw: Huh? It resembles the colour of my hair? How? Tch. It’s obvious that your art lessons were taken over by your math teacher...

Shaw: ...and this “Painting of a Courtyard and Dayliles” was done by a painter from the Xuan He Imperial Art Academy. From the annotations, this painting was meant to express sorrow regarding his mother’s death...

Shaw: In ancient times, dayliles symbolised maternal figures. It shares the same meaning as how you give carnations to your mothers...

There’s a light in his eyes while he talks about these historical relics.

After bringing them around a few exhibition halls, Shaw takes the kids to the exit.

In just a short span of time, Shaw had already garnered much respect from the kids. One of the them tugs on his sleeve with a look of anticipation.

Student: Big Brother Shaw, I want to learn history when I grow up, and become as incredible as you! I want to know everything too!

As the “only child” in the Department of Archaeology of Loveland University, I originally expected Shaw to welcome this kid’s aspiration. However, he shakes his head.

Shaw: What do you think history is?

Student: Those historical relics Big Brother told us about earlier.

Shaw: Wrong. They’re just one part of history. History exists in a block of dirt, a paragraph of words, and in a painting. These historical relics in the museum are history. The textbooks in your hands are also history. Everything that will happen in the future will also become history.

The student blinks, having a hazy notion of what he said.

Student: If everything is history, how am I supposed to learn it?

Shaw: [gently] There’s no need to deliberately learn it. It’s everywhere.

Shaw rubs the kid’s head.

Shaw: Don’t mull over things that are so far ahead. For now, pay attention in class. When the time comes, whether you get zero or a hundred marks, they will all become your history.

-

When we step out of the museum, Shaw is called over by another volunteer, and it seems there are other things for him to do.

He waves at me, and I have no choice but to wait for him at the entrance.

I look around my surroundings in boredom, and discover that some kids are crowded together. They seem to be pressing something onto the hand of a volunteer.

MC: What are you guys doing?

Student: We’re stamping little red flowers on the Big Brothers and Big Sisters! Our teacher says that people who perform well must be rewarded with a little red flower! Big Sister, isn’t Big Brother Shaw here yet? We have to assemble and return to school soon, but I want to give him a stamp...

MC: He might only be here after a while...

Imagining the back of Shaw’s hand covered with little red flowers, I can’t help but laugh.

MC: How about this - I’ll do the stamping for you?

Retrieving a piece of chocolate from my pocket, I offer it in exchange.

The student considers this for a moment, then nods.

Student: Mm... okay.

MC: Do you only have a little red flower stamp? Do you have any others?

Student: Yes! I have a kitten stamp, a little bunny stamp, a red panda stamp...

MC: I’ll use the red panda stamp then!

I take the stamp from the kid’s hand. Even before I can explain myself, a hand suddenly snatches the stamp from behind.

In the next second, I feel something being pressed on my face gently.

Shaw: [laugh] It suits you pretty well.

MC: !!

The prank I planned was snatched from me. I turn around.

Shaw pinches the stamp with one hand, arching his brows as he looks at me with pride.

While he’s defenceless, I stand on my tiptoes and grab Shaw’s raised arm, snatching the stamp from his hand.

MC: It’s only fair if each one of us has a go!

Gripping it, I think of leaving a stamp on his face too. But Shaw dodges deftly, not giving me a chance to take revenge.

This small scuffle startles the kids in the surroundings. Their eyes are bright as they watch two adults engage in horseplay.

Laughter drifts from the crowd, and it’s clear that we’ve caught everyone’s attention.

Realising this, Shaw clicks his tongue. His hand catches both of my wrists.

I’m unable to free myself, and Shaw pulls me to a corner with ease.

The narrow corner only has space for two. His scorching breaths carry a smile, falling on my forehead and eyelashes.

Shaw: To be watched by a bunch of kids - you’re so childish.

MC: The person who stamped me first has no right to talk.

Shaw: The person with the idea to do the stamping is the one with no right.

MC: Fine, I can’t win against you. I’m done playing, so let me go.

Shaw pinches my wrist, then releases me.

Just as I’m released from my shackles, I seize this opportunity to raise my hand, sending the small stamp towards Shaw’s face!

MC: Success!

Not expecting my bluff, Shaw only has time to step backwards.

As a result, a picture of a red panda is stamped directly on Shaw’s lips.

Shaw’s eyes widen.

Shaw: ...

The air in the surroundings stagnant for a moment. Not expecting to stamp the wrong spot, I feel slightly embarrassed.

After the shock passes, a dangerous aura brews in his narrowed eyes.

I quickly retract my hand, retrieving a sheet of tissue from my bag and handing it to him.

MC: Sorry, I didn’t think I’d stamp the wrong spot... why don’t you stamp me back? I promise not to resist. Is that okay?

Shaw: If I were to take revenge, I wouldn’t use something like a stamp.

Not understanding this, I blink nervously.

MC: S-so... what would you use?

Shaw takes the sheet of tissue from my hand, wiping the colour off his lips.

After being rubbed clean, a bright red tint remains on his lips, and it looks inexplicably attractive.

Noticing that I’m still staring at him, he balls up the sheet of tissue and arches his brows.

Shaw: Guess for yourself.

-

Even though we spent half of the day in the museum, we manage to successfully reach the skatepark in the late afternoon.

MC: This is great! There aren’t many people in the skatepark or the bowl!

After doing some warmups, I step on the skateboard and head over to the side of the bowl. When I see the deep depression of the bowl-shaped curve, my heart feels a little nervous.

Shaw: Scared?

MC: Not at all... As a mentor, shouldn’t you do a demonstration for your disciple first?

Shaw laughs, and he doesn’t expose me.

Half of his skateboard peeks out at the edge of the bowl, and he snaps his fingers at me.

Shaw: I’ll only do it once. Watch carefully.

With this, Shaw leans forward, rushing into the bowl.

He steps on the skateboard, moving in the green bowl wilfully.

At times, he skates around in circles. At other times, he skates up and down. He even grabs the skateboard and leaps up in the air at the highest point, then draws a graceful arc as he comes back down.

He’s just like a swift which doesn’t know fatigue, or a fish which is forever free.

With a final smooth flip, he rides up the bowl, stopping in front of me.

Shaw: Okay, the demonstration’s over. It’s your turn. Relax, you’re my “disciple”.

Pumping myself up, I mimic him and peek half of my skateboard at the edge of the bowl, taking a deep breath.

MC: I can definitely do it.

The moment the skateboard tilts, the sudden gravity sends me rushing downwards-

In the next second, the skateboard sends me upwards!

I did it!

It turns out that with just a wave of courage and a resolute heart, I can exchange them with a gigantic sense of fulfilment and happiness.

On the skateboard, I’m like a see-saw in the bowl, moving up and down.

While speeding around in circles in the bowl, I look in Shaw’s direction and notice that he’s staring at me in concentration.

Being watched with such a gaze, my heart feels like it’s about to burst. I can’t help but shout.

MC: Shaw! Look, I did it! Ah!!

Not even a second after my satisfied declaration, the skateboard beneath my feet suddenly loses control and tilts to the side, causing me to fall down.

Even though I manage to break my fall after having my fair share of tumbling experiences, the pain instantly rushes to my brain.

I lie down in the bowl. From my peripheral vision, I watch as a figure seems to leap down into the bowl.

Shaw: I saw it. This is the consequence of showing off.

Hearing Shaw’s gloating tone, I pant with rage.

MC: I wasn’t showing off. It was just a mistake... [hisses in pain]

Shaw: You’re in so much pain that you can’t even speak clearly, yet you’re still so stubborn. Where did you fall?

MC: My elbow. My leg’s cramping up a little...

Shaw clicks his tongue. Bending down, he stretches out his arms. Carefully avoiding the injured spot, he carries me up.

His palm is on my waist, and the sudden closing of distance makes me hold my breath.

Biting my lower lip, I reach out in a frenzy, wanting to push his arms away.

MC: [blushing] I’m wearing protective gear, so I’m fine. Also, I found a technique to do it, so I can definitely succeed if I try again...

Shaw: Try again later. For now, get proper rest.

Not allowing me to retort, Shaw brings me out of the bowl and towards the resting area.

MC: [blushing] Shaw...

Shaw: Hm?

MC: I’m a little curious... People who skateboard fall often. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen you fall.

Shaw: You just didn’t see it. The first time I did bowl skating, I fell too.

MC: Really? How was it like when you did bowl skating for the first time?

Shaw: Mm, I can’t really remember. I think I wasn’t in a good mood, and I competed against a senior.

He pauses before adding.

Shaw: I just remember winning in the end.

MC: You have such a competitive streak...

Shaw: Don’t people around the age of ten want to get swept away, win against everyone, and leave everyone else far behind them?

MC: What about now? 

Shaw lowers his eyes and glances at me.

His tone is indifferent, but his words are resolute.

Shaw: Now, the process can be slow, but I must still win in the end.

We arrive at a corner of the resting area. Sensing that it’s almost time, I look at the nearby vending machine and am struck with an idea.

MC: Shaw, it isn’t convenient for me to walk right now... could you buy me a can of Cola?

Shaw doesn’t decline. He turns around and heads over to the vending machine. Seizing this opportunity, I grab my bag, taking out the birthday cake at the very bottom.

MC: Fortunately, it isn’t crushed...

After hiding the box behind my back, I watch as Shaw walks over to me with two cans of Cola. I shoot him a huge smile.

MC: Happy birthday!

Shaw: Happy birthday to me.

Shaw and I speak in unison. He stretches out his hand confidently.

Shaw: Okay, you can take out the cake now.

MC: How did you know...

Shaw: Your ideas are too easy to guess. Didn’t you send me away to give me a surprise? Or do you need me to pretend to be overwhelmed by shock?

MC: Shaw! Why don’t you know how to enjoy fun in life!

Shaw: How do I not know how to have fun in life? If I didn’t, would I have let you torment my room?

MC: ...

I pass the cake to him indignantly. Shaw sits beside me and opens the cake box.

Shaw: Did you make it yourself?

MC: ...I’m not taking responsibility if it tastes bad. Regardless, you have to give me some self-respect.

Shaw laughs. He holds up a fork and tries a piece.

Watching him purse his lips for a long time without speaking, I can’t help but poke him.

MC: Hey... does it taste good or not?

Shaw: Try a bite yourself?

He sticks the fork into a small piece of cake and brings it to my lips. I lean over and give it a bite.

MC: ...it just tastes like cake.

When Shaw hears this answer, he becomes even more amused.

Shaw: Not bad. You have a very accurate understanding of your skills.

Despite what he says, Shaw brings another piece of cake into his mouth.

On this late summer afternoon where sweat hangs in the air, it isn’t suitable for eating such sweet food.

But he takes a bite after another, finishing the cake completely.

The youths in the skatepark are shouting and laughing boisterously. Meanwhile, Shaw accompanies me as we sit underneath the shade of trees, eating the birthday cake.

This intriguing atmosphere brews a different sentiment, growing wilfully in our limbs and bones.

MC: Oh yes, I keep forgetting to ask. Why did you unwrap your birthday gifts in advance?

Shaw: Birthday gifts?

MC: The shirt and the embroidery patch... they were birthday gifts I prepared for you.

Shaw opens a can of Cola, looking down at his shirt.

Shaw: Since it’s for me, I can wear it whenever I want to.

MC: Even so, you can’t just open them in advance. The atmosphere’s gone...

Shaw: There’s no need for any atmosphere to give an embroidery patch.

MC: That’s not the only gift.

I count using my fingers.

MC: A custom-made embroidery sticker, cake, new shirt, new skateboard, new bass picks, Metallica’s album...

Shaw doesn't react at all while I count, and I can’t help but feel a little discouraged.

MC: Your brows are arched so high. Are you dissatisfied with my gifts?

Shaw: Mm, I’m not really satisfied.

My eyes widen-

I had prepared all the gifts that I could think of and thought were suitable for his birthday. But Shaw actually said that he wasn’t satisfied?!

MC: In that case, just tell me what gift you want directly! Anyway, you aren’t satisfied with my gifts, and you’re always so picky. Next year, I won’t even give...

Before I can finish speaking, a shadow suddenly looms closer.

Shaw: ...you’re going to die from stupidity.

In the next second, something ice-cold blends with warmth as it stamps my lips without warming.

The soft sensation causes my mind to crash instantly, and gives Shaw an opening.

The taste of the soft drink spreads from the tip of my tongue. Non-existent bubbles explode at my ears one after another.

So this is what blueberry cake mixed with Cola tastes like.

Shaw’s scent encases me completely, occupying my sense of smell, my sense of touch, and sense of hearing. Every single nerve is clamouring.

A suddenly droplet of water falls from a tree leaf, plopping onto my hair. From afar, someone seems to be say, “It’s raining.”

After an unknown amount of time, beneath this sudden curtain of rain on a day with clear skies, Shaw shows me a dazzling and stunning smile.

Shaw: This gift isn’t bad. Wish me a happy birthday again.

🛹 Call, Moments and Texts: here

🛹 ASMR transcript: here

🛹 Epilogue: here

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