#All of them deserve their problems to properly get resolved but If you demand the show to not hold everyone accountable in s5

[familyagrestefanblog]

My sugar take on SentiAdrien within the shows canon and me slightly ranting about current bad fandom takes for Adriens situation in general (because FFS guys)

My personal take on Adrien being a Sentimonster is that Emilie created him to be a human (as Thomas DIRECTLY confirmed is indeed possible) out of her emotion of love so strong that it overstepped the limitations of the peacock miraculous and broke it.

And for his creation to have THIS EFFECT on the miraculous he needs to have a quality about himself that seperates him vastly from the other Sentimonsters. So until Canon proves me otherwise this quality of his is for me the fact that Emilie loved and wanted him to be human so much that he actually CAN'T be destroyed out of existence anymore by the peacock miraculous holder. He is an actual human, because that's what he was created to be.

If he were a Sentimonster who still stands under such control of the peacock miraculous (holder) than there would be no reason for the Miraculous to have been so maxed out because of his creation that it's power destroyed and destabilize the jewelry vessel it is contained in. That makes no sense. Adriens creation must have gone at least one solid step BEYOND even the most powerful and perfect Sentimonster that can be created, since maxing the Peacock power out to its limits like this is STILL very much within its natural limitations. Even if it stretches the most upper limit the miraculous has, the creation of even the most powerful and perfect Sentimonster would NOT naturally have the effect of breaking the miraculous. So Adrien can't be a normal Sentimonster whose existence follow the same rules as the others.

Also, I legitimately dig the thought of the Black Cat of Destruction being brought into his Ladybugs world as a Sentimonster through the power of a mothers love so powerful that his creation immediately broke the nature of the source of the unnatural restrictions of his existence until only the direct influence of the sources power on him (here the twin rings) is left to keep him under realitys natural orders control. But if he somehow manages to actually ESCAPE said direct influence he can even destroy them and break free of their control and the last restrictions keeping him from being his own person as a free human being in the world he so desperately wants to be part of.

Yeah not gonna lie, that concept is FIRE and I absolutely adore it!

This would also explain the imo biggest reason what spoke against Adrien being a Sentimonster before the release of "Ephemeral".

Because in "Chat Blanc" (what a COINCIDENCE that it is this episode and "Ephemeral" that once again form a bigger picture huh?) the wave of destruction that extinct all of humanity including Ladybug and Hawkmoth also obviously would have destroyed the twin rings, of which one was in Gabriels possession and the other still in Emilies as we saw one episode later in "Felix" (again, what a coincidence)

Yes, the episode didn't show us if Emilie also ended up a corpse of ashes like everyone else, but... it literally is the only logical conclusion when Chat Blanc was the only person left in that future who survived that destruction wave. If Emilies body simply being underground had made her unreachable to Blancs destruction then a whole bunch of other people would have survived his power escalation as well. Unless you wanna make the nonsense argument that somehow Emilie was the only person NOT located on the surface area of earth at that moment then her being uneffected simply doesn't add up to the circumstances Chat Blanc’s future were shown to be: an akumatized Chat Noir was the only survivor because his power escalation turned everyone else into a damn dust corpse.

Meaning so was Emilie and therefore the twin ring she wore as well. And THAT means BOTH of Adriens amok objects got destroyed but he still proceeded to exist despite of it. You can write this off however you want but I'm seeing a bigger picture here and I will talk about it.

Adriens was created out of Emilies emotion of love so powerful that it destroyed/ destabilized the peacock miraculous and put her into a magical coma (death, let's be real) because Emilie pushed the Miraculous beyond its natural limits turning her son into an actual normal human being.

The only Sentimonster quality still about him currently is the fact that he is controlled by whoever wears his control amok rings, but that's only because Adrien was created out of the peacock Sentimonster power which fundamentally require a control object to even begin the creation process and the fact that these rings STILL EXIST. But if these rings were to be destroyed (maybe even only by the power of destruction but who knows) it wouldn't affect him the same way it would a normal Sentimonster. Because he's not. He's a HUMAN.

So here is how I want this go down:

I want it canonly confirmed that Adrien/Chat Noir was indeed created by Emilie with the peacock miraculous power and all its horrific and abusive implications that come with this truth. And the twin rings are his amok control objects that also get used against him to drive home the point of how absolutely horrifying his living conditions were in the villains wrath.

But have two things happen to resolve his terrifying enslavement. It doesn't matter in with order but 1) have a peacock miraculous holder (doesn't matter who right now) actively try to wipe him out of existence but to everyones shock it doesn't work on him. And 2) when Adrien gets his rings and is finally free of everyones outside-force control over him actually let him cataclysm the damn rings. Because he knows that for the rest of his life those rings are too easy to be taken from him again, violating his entire free-will and autonomy. That is a lifetime of living in paranoia and fear because NO ONE should have and never should have HAD this kind of control over him, so he rather leaves by his own choice as a free person instead of someday having to end up completely at someone else's mercy again. For who knows how long and who knows WHAT they will do to him and have him do.

And NO. Don't even start with the arguments of Marinette/Ladybug always getting the rings back for him to save him or even the utterly disgusting option of Marinette (wearing them to) keeping them safe for him.

That's is absolutely NOT the way for the horrifying nature (and TRAUMA) of Adriens fucking life long mental and physical ENSLAVEMENT to be solved! Marinette is in no position and has absolutely NO RIGHT to hold this impossibly wrong amount of power over her future-husband for the rest of their lives. No, she does NOT. Marinette is a human being. A very flawed human being as she is correctly portrayed for the entire show because demanding that she is anything but is outright dehumanizing. It doesn't MATTER how much Marinette loves him and would never try to take advantage of that power; she is a normal and flawed human, she WILL make mistakes and that is completely inevitable! No matter what kind of mistakes it were and if she was even actually at fault in the first place. It's doesn't matter, because this is NOT about her!

And you can't possibly demand from Adrien to just accept, forgive and comfort HER when HE was the one who had to suffer through mental and physical ENSLAVEMENT again (maybe even accidentally by her own hand because she dared to have an impulsive, negative-emotional and instinctive human reaction to something regarding him at ANY POINT of their sheared lifetime). Do you understand the horrific and naturally toxic/abusive nature of this absurdly concerning power imbalance between them in this scenario? Marinette wouldn't even have to make a mistake INTENTIONALLY for Adrien to fall back into his learned survival techniques of self-protection to avoid having to face the terrible consequences of "getting on her bad side". And it doesn't MATTER how sorry Marinette would be afterwards, because Adrien would still life in at least somewhat paranoia and fear of his own wife. And I KNOW for some of yall the husband being afraid of his wife somehow equals to couple goals but keep that shit out of this scenario Miraculous could very likely talk about in the future.

Not only should Marinette absolutely NOT have this much power over the love of her life for his sake, it is also beyond awful to demand of MARINETTE to carry such a burden all her life when she is literally by the nature of human existence set up to make unforgivable mistakes against her loves very humanity! The constant pressure she would be under 24/7 for all her life to not accidentally repeat the same abusive mind control Adrien had to live under and escape from in the highly abusive family he grew up in. The unspeakable guilt she would have to life with whenever a mistake happenes and Adrien is hypocritically forced by himself, maybe even her to some extent, their friends and environment to make and accept excuses for her harmful behavior/ actions towards him because "Gabriel is evil, him doing it was inhumane and unacceptable for Adrien to forgive but Marinette is GOOD! Her hurting him in similar ways can't possibly be compared to Gabriels doings in any way and therefore shouldn't be hold responsible or be treated as such. How DARE Adrien even think about comparing Marinettes actions to Gabriels? She LOVES him! How ungrateful, irrational and selfish of him!"

I hope im getting the point across that this solution is outright one of the worst ways to handle this for every party involved and should NOT be fucking justified by "Adrien just trusts her so much! \^o^/"

Just as the very existence of these damn rings is absolutely unacceptable to go beyond the resolution of this arc. Give Adrien back his rings in season 5 with all the painful knowledge they come with (don't you even DARE argue against that!) and let all the aspects of the show that involve Adriens/Chat Noirs suicidal behavior lead to a massive final act of defiance (because the show is NOT shying away from actually portraying it like this) where everybody god damn HAS to get their shit together and face the reality of his situation no matter how much it upsets them.

Because when Adrien is granted the dignity to do this for himself because he KNOWS he doesn't deserve the fate these rings hold for him and WON'T accept the helpless conditions they bring upon his life AND EVERYBODY HAS TO GOD DAMN DEAL WITH HOW UNBEARABLE THIS IS FOR HIM; it's is THEN that it is revealed for good that destroying the rings has no affect on him and his life turned out to not be as unbearably hopeless as it was made out to be. But everybody is from then on on the same damn page from what horrific pain Adrien/Chat Noir has to come back from for the rest of season 5 and everything Adrien/Chat Noir was put through and is still painfully sidelined for everyone elses sake since the beginning of the show can be properly resolved with them working it out UNITED.

THIS is how I want this to get resolved and I'm not taking any kind of criticism that dismisses Adriens/Chat Noirs pain that has been inflicted upon him til now and still WILL be inflicted on him for any other characters sake. I don't CARE, because the pain has now grown to such a massive size and will utterly mercilessly be brought down on him escalating in the worst way possible in near future that no character is Miraculous comes even CLOSE to what Adrien/Chat Noir has to endure (Marinette/Ladybug is a solid second, but keep in damn mind that Marinette ALWAYS had and always will have HOPE and control and most if not all the agency in the show. She is solid SECOND).

Im more than willing to see what the show has planned since everything that has happened til now is completely within what I expected the show to do, because I'm now more convinced than ever that I KNOW what she show has been leading up to since the very beginning.

I said it before, I'm saying it now and I'll say it a hundred-and-one times again (hah, see what did there), but I legitimately TRUST the show with what is happening but I just KNOW a solid part of the Fandom is gonna piss me off.

So I just had to get this out of my system since I've seen way too many horrible takes in way too short of a time on how the SentiAdrien story aspect should be resolved and I'm not having it right now.

[that-blue-vault-dweller]

TW Companions react to sole getting raped? Also like the new PFP 😫? 💜❤

I absolutely love your new profile pic!!! It's gorgeous!!! 😍😍😍

Thank you for the request! I hope you enjoy 💙💛

Cait - Is going to kill the person that did this. She demands to know what he looked like and where F!Sole last saw him. If she is too upset to tell her, Cait just carefully holds her for a while until she has calmed down enough to talk to her about it. When she gets a description, Cait heads out, her specially modified baseball bat wrapped in razor wire in her hands, and when she finds the person that did it, she makes them confess before beating them to a pulp until they're a nasty mess of gore.

Piper - Is some really crazy combo of sick to her stomach and angry as can be. However, she is ultimately just shocked and feeling terrible for her best friend. Piper just opens her arms and hugs her Blue tightly, not knowing what to do, but offering a shoulder to cry on and a safe place for F!Sole to talk about it or not. After a while of this, they finally settle down to talk about how to keep this from happening next time. Like maybe certain safety strategies to take and whatnot. Plus, Piper mentally resolves to just follow her Blue around way more often and keep a closer eye on her best friend.

Curie - Is horribly stricken, and she honestly feels like crying about it. She shakily offers F!Sole a checkup whenever she is ready, feeling that it is honestly best that she try to treat any physical wounds that could have occurred. When F!Sole agrees to it much too quickly, Curie hesitantly starts her examination. However, when she asks her to remove her shirt so she can examine for any injuries that could have been caused, Curie is horrified by the ugly bruises she sees, and she just hugs F!Sole gently for a long time, deciding that they're going to have to take this checkup thing slowly.

MacCready - Cannot believe what he is hearing, and he is just totally horrified. He offers her his hand and a hug if she needs it, and he just reels in the wake of the information. He is tempted to ask her about the man so he can go and take care of him properly, but he does not want to reawaken any flashbacks or anything of the traumatic experience. He honestly just feels awful for her, and he tries to give her any comfort she might want, even if he does not feel that he is exactly qualified to do so.

Deacon - Is honestly terribly shocked. He is for once completely at a loss as to what to say, and he just sort of swallows hard and sits down next to her. Finally, despite his own lack of comfort with physical contact, he offers her a hug, and she embraces him tightly. However, when she starts crying, he has no idea what to do with her. When he finally gets a chance to leave and when he gets a description of the man from F!Sole, he tells Glory that she needs to take care of a problem. He does not give her details on what happened, but he tells her that someone did something bad to F!Sole and she needs to dispose of that someone. Of course, she does it without question.

Codsworth - Feels absolutely terrible for his mistress, and he offers her any comfort he can. He is at her beck and call and swiftly heads out to retrieve anything that she could possibly want. He is also there to listen, and he offers a sympathetic ear as he expresses how sorry he is that the entire thing happened. He tries to offer physical reassurance as well as he raises his pincer and gently places it upon her shoulder.

Hancock - Just immediately hugs her tightly to his chest, stroking her head and letting her cry on him as much as she needs. However, as soon as he helps her to feel better, he gently asks her what the person looked like that did this to her. He also asks her where it happened. When he gets those answers, he tells her to try to get some sleep and that he'll be right there with her the whole time. When he is sure that she is asleep, he quietly slips away to tell Fahrenheit about the person and he asks her to bring him to Goodneighbor alive. Soon enough, she finds him, and she drags him to the lower parts of the Old State House and lets Hancock know he's there. Hancock then takes pleasure in stabbing the man to death.

Danse - Feels himself overcome with guilt and rage all at the same time. He feels like this is his fault and that if he would have been keeping a better eye on her, then he might could have protected her from this. He just tentatively offers her a hug, and he engulfs her entirely in his arms, trying to give her some sense of security in the middle of this vulnerable time. When he makes her feel at least a little better, he asks about the person, where it happened, and all of those things. When he receives answers, he dons his power armor and heads out to find the person. When he finds him, he makes sure to leave multiple sizable holes in his head, and Danse leaves him where he lies.

Preston - Is a little angry, but mostly disgusted and deeply saddened that this happened. He cannot believe someone would have the audacity to do this to the General of the Minutemen. He almost feels like puking, but he just pushes it all aside to offer his truest friend all the comfort that he can give her. He hugs her warmly, just rocking her back and forth lightly as he tries to make her feel better. He does not ask about the person, and resolves to instead question her later about him so that she can have time to heal a little from the horrible occurrence.

Valentine - Feels an intense disgust for the person that did it, and feels deep, deep pain for F!Sole. He hugs her gently, rubbing her back, and mumbling soft reassurances to her as he tries to reassure her in any way that he can. After she is calmer, he heads out and asks around, trying to pinpoint the culprit on his own without having to remind her of the experience. He then finds the man and forcibly drags him to Diamond City lockup for holding until they can give a trial.

X6-88 - Feels himself on the verge of shaking from the boiling anger running through him. However, he just barely manages to hold it together long enough to offer her his deepest condolences before heading off to ask questions and find this person. After some time of searching and making inquiries, he finally finds the person and lets loose on them, blasting them full of laser holes and finally, after a long moment of debating upon it, he spits upon their fallen body, offering them as much disgust as they deserve for such a horrid, inexcusable act.

Dogmeat - Can smell the pain and the blood and the fear on her, and he is immediately worried. He whimpers quite a bit, and when she finally just hugs him for a really long time, he lets her squeeze however much she wants. He licks her face and whatever part of her that he can reach from his place against her, and he wishes that she was not hurting. He would do anything to take away the pain and make things better for her.

Strong - When he finds out that someone hurt tiny human, he is ready to go on a rampage. She has to beg him to stop to make sure that he does not injure any innocents in the nearby area. He hesitantly quits, but not before he has smashed a nearby object. He finds a piece of raw meat finally and offers it to her, hoping that eating will heal her somehow, but he does not understand that most of the damage is of an emotional nature.

Maxson - Receives her with open arms, unsure of how to handle this horrid news, but deciding that he will try to be there for her. He makes sure that they are away in his quarters before he does anything such as this, but he comforts her as much as he can when they are out of the sight of prying eyes. He then carefully asks her about the person that did it as soon as she has calmed down some. The moment he figures out about it, he heads out to take care of them, pulling together a group of soldiers to search the Commonwealth for the person. When they eventually find him, Maxson has them bring the person to him. He then makes sure to take care of the person himself. No one knows what happened when he took the person in the lower parts of the Boston airport, but when Maxson comes out, he mysteriously looks just as put together as he was when he went in. He just does not have the person with him. However, the blood on his boots is pretty telling that the person met no good end.

[mammons-tax-returns]

Hey! I saw that your ask box was open, so I was wondering if I could request how the brothers (if not all then just Lucifer, Beelzebub, and Leviathan) would react to the mc defending them! Like they get into a fight and their only response was "they were talking bad about you" or something! -🥀 (Also side note, do you right for GN! MC's, or just male?)

BROTHERS REACTING TO MC DEFENDING THEM

Hey anon! Thanks so much for requesting! As for your question, This is TECHNICALLY a male reader blog, however, if it isn’t necessary, I will use he/him pronouns loosely. In other words, if the prompt doesn’t specify/depend on it being a male mc, it will be gn!mc! Hope this clears up some confusion! I’ll start putting whether a post is for a gn or male mc at the very beginning of said post from now on.

✖️GENDER NEUTRAL MC✖️

fluff, some angst :).

Lucifer was more angry than anything to hear that MC had gotten in a fight. The one thing he made sure they did was to stay out of trouble. And yet, they seem to be a magnet for chaos.

He stumbled upon the fight before it got bad, and had the demon dealt with as he accompanied MC to an empty room at RAD.

Although he seemed to be sweating out of exasperation, it was easy to tell that he was simply worried about them.

Well. Kind of.

If you look past the hour-long lecture it is.

MC tries countless times to explain themself, and yet he never fails to reroute the conversation back to his lesson on running from a demon before things get bad.

It gets to a point when MC has to put a hand over his mouth to quiet him.

Only then do they explain what happened, and what caused the fight to begin with.

First, he is absolutely shocked. And he can’t really find the right thing to say.

Then, his eyes relax, and his frown seems to melt away. He truly wants to be mad still, to teach a proper lesson. But he just can’t do it.

“It is true that humans tend not to think things through, I suppose.”

He crosses his arms and continues, “Well, I appreciate it, but I don’t need the protection.”

After ruffling their hair, he smirks a little.

“I’ll have to keep a closer eye on you if you rush into situations like that. Maybe put you on a leash.”

After things are cleared up, he finds the situation a little comical. A human defending a demon.

Luckily, the wounds aren’t bad, or else Lucifer wouldn’t have hesitated giving some sort of consequence to the MC.

Mammon is, unfortunately, not around to witness or intervene into the fight.

So when the next time he sees MC there’s a dark magenta ring around their eye, he loses it.

He wastes no time taking them home from RAD. We know he never really cared for classes anyways.

Unlike Lucifer, he wants to hear them out on the way home.

Although he physically feels himself getting butterflies in his stomach from the idea of being cared for, he clears his throat and tries to push it aside.

He knows that they’re not going to be taken away from him anytime soon. At least, not with his unintentionally vice grip on their wrist they aren’t.

And yet he can’t help but constantly flick his gaze back to them and their wounds.

We were all waiting for this one: he feels horrible that they got hurt because of him, albeit indirectly.

He puts emphasis on steering clear of hotheaded demons— or, all demons that aren’t the brothers for that matter.

“I hear ya, The Great Mammon is a gem that all of devildom should be tryna’ protect! But... You’re better off ignoring that... I mean, look at ya! All beat up and stuff... N-Not that you look bad or anything. Well... Um.”

When MC laughs at him, he’s both relieved that they’re not upset enough to sulk, and embarrassed because of his wording.

So they have to reassure him that they simply find him worth protecting— for exactly this. He cares for them, and is probably willing to protect them too.

As he’s sloppily tending to their bruises, he offers to spend the day with them.

He says its his payment, and that he would defend them when Lucifer found out about today.

But it’s more so the fact that he wishes more than anything to spend every day for the rest of his demonic life with them.

Levi is another brother who is unfortunately not around at the time due to his home schooling.

That’s why he’s one of the last people to find out about it, and he feels guilt hit him like an 18-wheeler.

The injuries are a little more severe, but nothing that would keep someone from going about their daily life. Nonetheless, Levi is demanding to be the one to patch them up.

As soon as MC cuts him off before he can start rambling, they make sure to explain the situation, i.e. “I had to defend you! Or else they would have kept talking bad about you.”

He turns red and covers his mouth, undoubtedly mumbling something about how impossibly romantic the situation was.

But after that, he shakily asks that MC tries not to talk as he takes time to let everything sink in. He still can’t believe it.

So he finds himself shakily asking questions like, “So... You just heard him and decided to-... To defend me? No one asked you to?”

For every reassuring nod that he gets, he feels his head spin a little faster.

It takes him a while, but all the wounds are properly sterilized and taken care off beneath his cold fingers.

He leans back in his seat, and blows out a slow puff of air. “MC... You’re badass. Seriously. I don’t really know what I, a demon, have done to deserve you... But... Thank you.”

The conversation ends with tears, but they couldn’t have been anything but happy.

He just can’t believe someone could go as far as to fight for his sake over a simple ill-intended comment.

Satan witnesses the event. Which... May or may not be a good thing.

MC doesn’t notice him at first. They’re too busy with the demon that has her hands on their uniform collar.

But then they see the green flames licking at their peripherals, emitting from somewhere behind them.

The demon girl in front of them seems to lose all color in her face at the sight of those same flames. She instantly drops MC to their knees, and attempts to run.

As Satan steps forward to grab the female student, he spins MC around with ease so that they won’t have to witness whatever he’s about to do.

MC doesn’t know how much time has passed due to the shock of the moment. It could be seconds or minutes. But when Satan pulls them back up to their feet, he is stone faced.

MC walks stiffly to the House of Lamentation with Satan, careful not to set anything else off in him.

The entire walk to his room is silent. The first time he speaks is when he offers a seat on his bed, nudging books aside with his foot.

He takes a deep breath before he begins diligently tending to the injuries.

“Mind explaining what happened?” He doesn’t sound angry at them, but it’s hard to tell with him.

Satan notices the hesitation in answering, so he gives a small smile. “Are you scared? You shouldn’t be. I’m just a bit... Tense, is all.”

After a moment, MC tells him the reasoning for the fight.

Satan sighs once more and places a hand on theirs. Oh to be so selfless yet still be a fragile human.

“MC... Demons talk. And it’s not always nice. It’s best to just let it go, okay? Well... Give me their name first, but I can’t have you losing a limb for me. Who knows what i’d do then.”

MC can’t completely promise that they’ll simply forget about anyone that talks badly about him, but Satan only gives a helpless sigh.

“What ever will we do with you.” He is much more relaxed than before, and his tone is affectionate.

MC doesn’t know what happened to that girl, and you figure it’s best to never ask.

Asmodeus is preoccupied with a hand mirror, but a circle of gathering demons certainly catches his attention.

He hums, interested. He’s always been one for drama.

But as he peeks over the crowd, his heart sinks impossibly deep in his body.

MC isn’t bloody, but by the looks of it, they may be very soon.

While he’s ridden with shock, a punch lands on their face, and the crowd roars. The yells overtake his own, and he can’t get through the group of people pushing and shoving.

Diavolo and Barbatos were alerted of the congregation of students, and are only just now arriving. And at the sight of them, students scatter like bugs. Leaving MC on the ground and clutching their face in pain.

Diavolo and Barbatos leave MC in the care of Asmodeus while they turn to resolve the problem with the attacker.

Asmodeus is frantic, fanning his face as he helps MC to sit up. He doesn’t know what to do first, does he ask to see the wound? But what’s the point when he doesn’t really know how to treat it in any circumstance? No one has ever socked him in the face before.

So he opts to carry them off to the infirmary, bridal style. All along the way, he gives reassuring words that seem to slightly calm the injuried MC.

“Hey, beautiful! Ughh, the nerve of some demons! I can’t even begin to— Oh right... The ice pack, I’ll get that now, so sit tight, love!”

While he allows them to press the ice to their eye themself, he is massaging his frowning face. All while he seems to be worried about all the wrong things.

“Is this type of injury permanent on humans?? Your face is too good for that!” “That low-level demon... I wish I could ruin his face a hundred times worse than what he’s doing to innocent bystanders!”

MC patiently allows him to vent, because hearing him fret of the most “Asmo” things somehow brought light to the situation and distracted from the throbbing in their face.

An hour must have passed before Asmo actually takes in the situation. “Oh, but I haven’t even asked... What in devildom were you doing with such a grotesque demon? Do I have to replace Mammon in guarding you?”

Finally, MC explains.

He’s less than shocked. Instead, he holds his own arms with an almost sympathetic smile, “Oh, darling... It’s better to talk to Lucifer about things like that... If at all. As the Avatar of Lust, It’s kind of part of the program to get nasty birds twittering about you... Fan behavior.”

MC seems less than convinced, replying with a small, “But...”

Asmo grins and puts a gentle hand on their shoulder. “It’s adorable that you’d do that for me, MC, really. I wish I could just dress you up and show you to the world, show them how special you make me feel! But please. Don’t sacrifice your complexion for a-ny-thing!”

Even Asmo can feel himself get butterflies when MC does the smallest of things for him. But taking care of that face is no joke to him.

Beel is at the gym when it happens, and is the last one to hear about it. The brothers are all discreetly trying to decide whether or not to tell him. We all know how scary he can get.

MC listens to Mammon... For some reason. And that entails avoiding Beel until the scrapes and bruises on your body heal.

Bad idea. Beel now looks like a hurt puppy, and is desperately trying to figure out what he has done.

The fateful moment of realization for him comes on a Tuesday night, less than a week after the incident. MC walks into the kitchen, searching for a late night beverage to drink and also hold against their wounds.

Beel is already there, instantly looking ashamed when he sees them.

“Beel...” MC starts, forgetting that they were supposed to be avoiding him. They stop themselves before hastily pulling their sleeves down to cover the lingering bruises.

This catches Beel’s attention to detail when it comes to others.

His eyebrows furrow a bit, and MC gulps.  There was no getting out of this.

Before completely explaining everything, MC has to calm him.  Because if not, he’d be checking every inch of their body for serious injuries.  And even if there were none, he’d never let them leave bed for the next week.  At least.

They take a deep breath and start with the people poking fun at his soft personality in such an intimidating body.  And then finishing with the plan of steering clear of him to keep him from getting worried.  (you leave out mammon’s part last second)

At first, his eyes are serious as he listens intently, silently going over things more than once in his head to ensure that he was understanding the story properly.

Once MC has finished, his eyes change completely.  They’re soft, and concerned, but not overbearing.

MC felt a bit guilty seeing him like this.

Beel reaches out to hug them, but is hesitant, worried that they’d still be hurt.  So MC has to let him know that their wounds have healed for the most part.

“MC....  Firstly, thank you.” He pulls them into a soft hug.  “It makes me all happy on the inside when you do things like that.” His voice is quiet, but much too unstable.  MC knew that this was a telltale sign that he was near tears.

MC doesn’t hesitate to reach up and stroke the back of his hair, feeling him bury his head into their shoulder.

“Beel? Are you okay?”

“I should be the one asking you that.”

‘you should know better’ is what he wants to say. But maybe they don’t, he thinks. Afterall, when was the last time a human with such limited magical capability was surrounded by demons 24/7?

“I just need you to promise me.” He carefully pulls back and sucks in a breath, keeping himself from imagining MC scared and hurt without him— because of him.

“Promise me that you’ll tell me about things like that first. Before you get yourself hurt, or... Or worse.” There’s another word that he has to stop himself from saying. He doesn’t know how he could handle that thought.

There, he thinks. If they didn’t know before how serious it was, now they did. Hopefully.

The brothers notice that Beel is a bit more normal than the days before, so they assume that things have been cleared up for the two.

Although they have to pretend as if they had never heard about the incident when he mentions it.

Belphie was definitely not there when it happened.

But unlike with every other brother, MC was unable to be saved immediately after having found themselves in a brawl with a low class demon.

MC silently curses as they find themselves limping through the halls of the House of Lamentation.

They’re lucky to have only gotten out of that with an injured ankle, they remind themself. It didn’t seem... Broken. But it definitely needed more medical attention than it received now— A knee-high sock they pulled off of their foot wrapped tightly around a ruler they used as a makeshift splint.

They were sure that the majority of the brothers were at school, so they’d have at least a few hours to figure out what to do.

How would the brothers react if they saw them like this? Would they feel that this was a mere inconvenience? Afterall, this may just be a bad sprain, and now look at them. They can barely limp. Much less walk. But maybe after a bit of rest, it would magically heal.

They decide to head to the music room (?), where they knew that none of the brothers would immediately run into after school.

After finding a stool to sit on, MC hisses when they bump their ankle on the floor. The throbbing seemed to shake their whole body.

“Holy shi—“

“MC?”

A sleepy drawl from the couch behind them causes them to freeze. They wanted to slap themself. Of course Belphie would be sleeping here, why didn’t they think of that?

“What’re you doing h—....” He stops.

MC can already tell that he had noticed the poor job they had done with their ankle. “I fell down the stairs. But it’s okay, I just—“

“MC. I’m not stupid. Why are you home so early, alone? If you skipped or left early, Mammon would have sniffed you out like a dog and be here, too. Spill it.”

If Belphie was good at anything (besides sleeping), it was reading emotions. There was no lying anymore. And so MC simply explained the fight and its causes.

When they turn to look at him, he simply blinks. He doesn’t seem very concerned, but he sleepily walks over to inspect their leg.

He’s careful to support their foot as he lifts their entire leg, checking the swelling.

“... Geez. You’re stupid.” His eyebrows knit together with an unknown emotion. Worry? Irritation? A mix of both? “I don’t care about what such irrelevant demons think, and you shouldn’t either.”

MC is a little speechless, but only laughs. “Yeah. It was a little dumb looking back at it. But you should have heard them, Belphie... There was no way I’d go without a fight, okay?”

Belphie smiles back. “If you wanted to prove yourself to me... There were other ways, you know?”

“Should we get Beel to help us set up the pillow fort?”

“Well, how else are you gonna heal? You can’t get better if you don’t rest with me.”

[thewritinggrindstone]

How to Format Your Finished Manuscript

as written by a perpetually flabbergasted editor

Congratulations, you’ve finished a manuscript! That monumental achievement alone deserves a reward. Please get yourself something delicious—don’t worry, I can wait.

Back? Awesome, because it’s time to talk about an important step of the prepublishing and/or pre-editing process, and that is how to format your manuscript.

When you’re writing your manuscript, it’s likely you have a unique setup. Fancy fonts, different text and document background colors, your preferred way of formatting the document—all elements work together to create a comfortable writing space where you can be your most creative.

As both a writer and editor, I have no problems with writers going wild with their documents’ technical aspects while they’re drafting—I do exactly the same thing when drafting. But when it comes time to share your project with other people—especially professionals in the publishing world—your snazzy setup is no longer going to be a benefit. I could share horror stories relating to document setup, from thousands of spaces used instead of the tab key to wacky file conversion issues.

Please don’t make your editor’s job any harder than it needs to be. Fancy formatting looks great, but it can be a nightmare to undo and wastes time that your editor could otherwise spend polishing the words themselves rather than what’s around them. It’s also significantly easier to work with a document that adheres to a standard format because it’s easier to catch mistakes that way—the editor isn’t distracted trying to wrangle extra spaces and text appearing in other languages.

Most publishing houses have what are called submission guidelines. Read them. Follow them. There’s little chance your manuscript is exempt from the rules, and believe me when I say authors who flaunt the guidelines don’t win the respect of the people who are working on their manuscripts.

If the publisher/editing service you’re submitting to doesn’t have obvious guidelines, first ask about them. They might have preferences. If not, as follows are some basic standard practices in North American publishing.

First off, if you can’t bear to give up your fancy writing setup, create a new copy of your document specifically for editing/submitting. Clearly label it as such. Make sure you implement any changes to this for-editing/submitting document, not just your fancy original.

Page and text setup:

Remove any document background images/page colors.

Change the entire document’s font to Times New Roman point 12. Make it black. Not dark gray, not dark brown—black.

Set the margins to one inch on all sides. This is Microsoft Word’s default document format, but not enough submitted manuscripts use it. Remember: layout for publishing comes after editing, not before. Editors are liable to completely change your document’s pretty formatting to industry standards anyway.

Set the document’s orientation to portrait, not landscape.

Center all section and chapter titles (e.g., Table of Contents, Chapter 1, Acknowledgements, About the Author, etc.).

Remove all double spaces from the file. Seriously. This is an incredibly easy step. Do not make your overworked, underpaid editor do this incredibly trivial and time-consuming task for you. Especially if you are using double spaces to indent or center content. If you, for some reason, are using the space bar to indent or center content, please stop what you are doing and follow these steps:

Use your word processor’s “center text” function. In programs like Word, this can be done by hitting Control + E. (Ctrl + L and Ctrl + R, respectively, align text left and right.) Do not justify your text unless the guidelines demand it.

Use the tab key to indent paragraphs.

But bear in mind that sometimes this can result in a “tab” character existing at the beginning of a paragraph. This is bad. Preferably, set the entire document to a 0.5-inch indent and delete all tab characters.

Seriously, though, you should be searching every document before you send it out or copy it to an online format for double spaces. Make this a good habit, and you’ll ensure you set yourself apart as a cut above the other writers out there.

Set the entire document’s line spacing to double.

Front matter, chapters, and back matter should be separated by page breaks, not by a series of blank lines.

If you really want to delight your editor or anyone else who needs to work on your manuscript, consider removing all leading and trailing spaces from the document (link embedded).

Style elements:

Run spell check. This sounds obvious, but trust me, I’ve received manuscripts riddled with obvious spelling errors. If you write with spell check off for one reason or another, turn it back on when you’re getting ready to send a document out. Make a full pass on the document, and pay attention to every instance of that red squiggle.

Make sure you’re spelling the names of your characters and places consistently. I’ve seen Matt become Mike in the next paragraph, and Donilo become Donillo. Editors’ trust in the author’s abilities to do anything with competence drop drastically when we find these kinds of careless errors.

Similarly, either use the American spellings or the British spellings. Be consistent.

Separate your scenes with fleuron breaks. Three centered asterisks (***) used without spaces is the most common method of creating a fleuron break and the one I recommend using, although sometimes three number signs/hashes (###) can be acceptable. Do not use fancy symbols or symbols created through special fonts. They will not carry through if your editor changes your entire document to Times New Roman.

Optional change: remove the indent from the first paragraph in a chapter or after a scene break.

Make a point of using punctuation consistently. If you’re going to use the oxford comma, use it every time. Use a single dash consistently. Punctuate dialogue properly.

Improperly punctuated dialogue is one of the most common errors editors fix. There are only a few basic rules, covered here (link embedded), so please make an effort to learn and use them.

Use paragraphs properly. New speaker = new paragraph. New subject = new paragraph.

Once again, if you really want to delight your editor, change all hyphens between number ranges to en dashes. 3-5 days will become 3–5 days.

Correctly title your document. The title isn’t somehow going to magically change from StupidProject.docx or afhuowjfoa;wijef.docx to TheHungerGames.docx between your submitting it and other people reading the title.

If possible, use the .docx file format.

I want to wrap this up by saying that yes, editors are here to catch the mistakes you’ve missed, and we invariably have obscure technical knowledge that most writers don’t know exists (in Greek, the question mark is represented by a semicolon), but it’s your job as the writer to put your best effort forward. Also bear in mind that not all editors get paid to handle formatting issues but are expected to resolve them anyway. Fixing these basic issues yourself or, better yet, not creating them at all will help both you and your editor(s) ensure the version of the book you put out is the best possible version.

[goth-albino-angel]

Yugiri's smile is everything. She has so many of them and they all mean different things. When she's relaxed, when she's excited, when she's confused, when she has no clue what's going on but everyone else is happy so she's happy, when she's relieved, when she's proud... She has so many different smiles and if Tumblr didn't have the 10 image rules, I would absolutely gush about every single one of them in detail. Unfortunately, if I do that, all of those posts will probably be eaten out of the tag, so instead, here are my top 10 favorite Yugiri smiles so far, images included. (Pre-Revenge episode 9)

10. Season One, Episode 2: The First Smile/ 9. Season One, Episode 10: The Sentimental Smile

Episode 2 is the first time we ever see Yugiri smile. Before this, she seemed relatively nonplussed or generally disinterested in pretty much everything going on. Even though she was in a different time period with complete strangers and a madman demanding her to be something she has no knowledge of, she was fairly calm. Then the first time we see her smile, it's when she sees something completely familiar. Her own face. Not only that, but she directs that smile toward the character that is going to become basically her little sister. The first one means so much and it's so important.

Within the same vein, her smile to Kotaro in episode 10 is one during an emotionally heavy moment. It's the first time he's hit an actual snag in his plans. Sakura's singular focus on the Arpino show rather than on the bigger picture of the group as a whole would have been a massive roadblock had she not realized her mistake.

Yugiri is the only one who properly realizes the reason they were sent into the mountains in the first place. Instead of simply sitting on the information, she's proactive about it and actually goes to discuss the problem with Kotaro. She wants to understand his reasoning so that she might be able to help him. And when she turns toward him, she also gives him the observations she's witnessed throughout her new life. This smile may be low on my list of favorites, but it's still unbelievably important.

...Also, when they released the preview image of this smile, my brain short-circuited for ten minutes, so it had to make it onto the list regardless.

8. Season Two, Episode One: The Professional Smile

This smile isn't much out of the ordinary for what we've come to expect of Yugiri, but it's on here because this was our first look at Yugiri after basically two years of very little. None of us knew how the group would come back, how the writing team had incorporated the unexpected pandemic, how things would play out, or what would be happening. The Promo showed Tae's hand flying off to knock off Sakura's head, but as 2018 displayed, the promos can't always be trusted. This showed that, even in this new world where she's only been awake for a year, she's putting her skills to use and working just as hard as the others. Thanks to the conversation from Episode 10 of the first season, we know she was trained as a geisha which would make service work much easier than it would be for the other girls.

I don't have too much to say on this one, to be honest. I do like that she's in softer lighting, as opposed to the others who were all surrounded by harsh lighting on their season two introductions. The softer lighting lends itself well to the lack of pigment and coloration in the girls' makeup, allowing Yugiri to look like she has some color, even if she still looks somewhat pale and tired. It doesn't give her quite the same sickly look the others have at their jobs. The red dress? 100/10. Perfect decision.

7. Season One, Episode Five: The Proud Smile

SHE. DOES. GYMNASTICS. She has every right to this smile! I did the math for this specific part of the episode and Yugiri got third place. The judges liked her rope aerobics so much, they shot her all the way to third place even though her distance was zero meters. It wouldn't have gotten her interviewed, but it would have at least put Franchouchou at the forefront. I still applaud Tae snagging first place, but Yugiri deserves some praise. She really did go face first into the mud on a bike and said, "Never again." She's so proud of herself. I'll be gushing about the actual gymnastics part in a different post a little later, too, but she definitely deserves to be proud of herself. I'm really gay...

6. Season One, Episode Four: The Cute Smile

Originally, this was just going to be me doing some keysmash version of a squeal or something, but there's something I'd like to draw attention to. I'm pretty sure that, by this point, Franchouchou only knows two songs. Yomigaere, which was supposed to be performed in episode 2, and Mezame Returner, which is what's being performed here. Of these two, Yugiri has more experience with this one, but from what the audience had been shown, it wasn't good experience.

Memorizing the lyrics would have been the easy part for her. It's that a good portion of the dance practice was also spent helping Lily get the steps down and potentially calming her frustrations. Then the performance itself would have been a complete disaster if Junko and Ai hadn't gotten over themselves at the last minute to finally help.

This is the first successful performance of Mezame Returner we're witnessing and it's clear the group's had more practice since then. You can see how excited and happy Yugiri is here because this one is actually going well. They had a bit more time to prepare, the two lead roles were actually involved this time, and the audience also was clearly enjoying the performance. She's so happy and it's just so heart-warming to see. Yes, even with the CGI. Don't @ me, she looks adorable.

5. Season One, Episode Seven: The Sassy Smile

This one also was just going to be a squealing keysmash thing, but again, I have something to point out. Look how much more confident she is now that Junko and Ai have, once again, gotten over themselves. Yugiri sees the effect that Junko stepping in had on the others and just like the rest of the group, her movements are more relaxed and free.

It's more obvious, actually, if you look at the way the other girls are moving directly after Junko helps Ai up in comparison to how Yugiri is moving. She did a spin while waiting for Sakura and Lily to finish their segment, and she could be cheeky during her own. She sensed that the tension had mostly dissolved and because of that, she allowed herself to relax and could properly throw herself into the performance. When she throws out this smile and wink, it's not actually directed at the audience. It's Yugiri telling the others that they've got this without breaking the performance.

4. Season Two, Episode Four: The Gentle Smiles

I put both of these here because Yugiri's just... so... caring? So much of what she does is passive that you don't realize just how much work she puts into relieving the stress from the other girls until long after the problem has been resolved.

In the first, she's speaking to Sakura. No doubt, Yugiri probably noticed how worried Sakura was about Junko. Even though Sakura was trying not to let the others catch on just how anxious she really was, Yugiri still knew that something was bothering Sakura as well as Junko. Yugiri knew that the key to easing Junko's mind lay in placating Sakura first. She's seen what happens to them all when they fall apart and she wants to avoid that at all costs. So, Yugiri lifts Sakura's spirits and gives her back the fire and determination to make a great performance.

In the second, Yugiri is watching Junko eat. Unlike the others, it's clear Yugiri knows that Junko is in much higher spirits than when last they saw her. Junko would likely have still been a stuttering, quivering mess otherwise, but she wasn't stuttering and her actions were purposeful and self-assured. Yugiri is very observant. She would have caught on that something had happened to make Junko feel better. What makes this smile even better is that she's not the least bit disappointed. The reason she made dinner was to help Junko, but she doesn't view the meal as a waste of time. She's so focused on other people, that she's happy Junko is feeling better at all and even offers her different platters to help keep her mood up.

These are high on the list for two reasons. One, they're a show of just how much Yugiri does for her girls. Two, YUGIRI COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS HEADCANON CONFIRMED BITCHEEEESSS!!! I GOT ONE RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!!

3. Season Two, Episode Six: The Affectionate Smile

I will be completely honest, I have no idea why this one is as high as it is. I admit, I did spend three hours replaying this single thirty second scene because it's really sweet and Yugiri and Tae don't interact very often, so seeing Yugiri not only be worried for Tae, but also be immediately reassured that Tae would be fine was just something my heart didn't know it needed until it had it. The sheer level of affection Yugiri shows toward Tae is too adorable. Especially since Yugiri usually only has moments like those with Sakura and, to a lesser extent, Lily. This smile's really cute, it's in the middle of a wholesome scene, and it made me love both Yugiri and Tae that much more.

2. Season One, Episode Three: The Excited Smile

Once again, an entry that was going to be a simple squealing keysmash until I realized there was something to point out here as well. This is the first smile we ever see from Yugiri that's genuinely enthusiastic. She has plenty of them, especially during her performances, but this is our first time seeing her fully incorporate herself into the group as an actual member and actually look excited to do something with the others. This was an omen of adorable things to come and damn did it deliver.

Honorable Mentions.

I'm only going to touch on each of these briefly because to be honest, there are a LOT of smiles I could've picked.

The first one is from episode 6 when the group is talking about their very first meet-and-greet. Lily asks Yugiri if she's keeping up okay, and Yugiri remarks that she's taking things as they come. This was a small look into the kind of character she is. As I mentioned before, she's very passive in the way she operates, but that's to the benefit of those she cares for. This is her admitting that she doesn't want to be a problem and it's just sweet that even though Lily is worried about her, Yugiri's still highkey thinking about everyone else.

To the right is a shot of Yugiri during Electric Returner. This one is just the squealing keysmash because she looks so genuinely ecstatic, it's contagious. She's NO DAMN CLUE what happened or why they sound so different, but she is absolutely living her best second life.

The next shot comes from the beginning of Yomigaere and is somewhat of a repeat of the above. She's excited to perform for such a big crowd, she's glad Sakura finally agreed to actually participate, and she's living her best second life. Whoever animates Yugiri's CG model? I love you. I want to send you a gift basket. She's always so happy during performances.

Then comes her smile after the group finds out Sakura's memories are back. She's just glad Sakura, her Sakura, has come back to them, that she accepts her crap luck and is still willing to stay. For Yugiri, this goes under the list of Best Possible Outcomes. Her family is whole again and she's so relieved.

Last in the top row is the first full frontal shot we get of Yugiri in the Saga Jihen music video. She's so unbelievably adorable here. I wish I could've gotten her first expression, but the curtain was still rising and without photoshop, I'm not editing an image to the degree needed to get her whole face lightened. Point is, she's cute and everyone deserves to see her adorable face on the first song she got to be center for.

First on the bottom row is Yugiri looking apologetic from episode 8 of Revenge. She's so cute. It was an honest mistake and she had no way of knowing the paper belonged to Kiichi. No doubt, that was probably why she offered to help him rewrite them later.

Next is how cute she looks in big sister mode. She's wiping the mud from Kiichi's cheeks and is taking such care with him. Throughout the entire episode, she treats him like a little kid and it's likely because her role was big sister for so long that she doesn't know how not to treat him that way. It really does shed light on just how kind she is to everyone, though, that she doesn't even think about her dirty kimono and focuses on cleaning him up a little first.

Then we have her smiling at Kiichi as she remarks on how beautiful his dream of reviving Saga is. She even says she hopes it comes true. His dream means something to her. She can't even fully see it, he can't even fully see it, but they don't need to. What Itou didn't understand this whole time is something Yugiri understood immediately just from listening to Kiichi talk. They don't need to see it in their minds, all they need is to feel it in their hearts, and that's something Yugiri knows.

And lastly on the honorable mentions, because this post is already super long, Yugiri smiling while she's cooking for her guests. It was a tossup between this or the pinwheel because it's just really nice that Yugiri can simply enjoy mundane things. I chose this one because it's a direct contrast to how she was at the beginning. Before, she ate with a disinterested expression, but now, she's cooking for guests rather than just for herself. The lift in her mood is obvious, and it's something so small but so heartwarming, I couldn't resist.

I would've put the pinwheel moment anyway, but unfortunately, as a com major, formatting and design are everything and an extra picture on the top or bottom without a balancer would've thrown the whole thing off. Maybe next time.

NOW FOR NUMBER ONE

1. Season Two, Episode Eight: The Softest Smile

This should have been expected. There's something genuinely touching about the fact that Yugiri really does give her everything, even to complete strangers. These girls barely know her, everyone in town barely knows her, but because her dance students suggested Yugiri go out and actually experience, Yugiri gives it actual thought. She doesn't dismiss them, she doesn't deride them, she doesn't make them feel foolish or anything like that. She treats their suggestion the same way she would if it had come from a close friend. And she does actually take them up on it.

Later, we see her come into contact with Kiichi to demonstrate that even full-on strangers aren't exempt from her kind heart, but this means more. All we know is that these girls take Yugiri's dance class, and from the way they speak when we first meet them, it's clear Yugiri has a professional wall between herself and those she instructs. But she still treats them as she would the girls back in Shimabara. It's proof that, even in the past, Yugiri really was just as kind-hearted as in the present. It's a show don't tell kind of thing that just speaks so deeply to the writer in me. I love this smile. It's everything. Her smiles are everything. She's everything.

[rwdestuffs]

Likely because Oz’s early attitude came off as more “Arrogant Headmaster” rather than “Traumatized Victim of his ex”, I feel more sympathy towards Salem than I do towards Oz.

It’s a major writing flaw that persists because the overall show. A lot of the early attitude of the show is kinda dropped because they don’t know what to do with these characters.

For example, Ruby’s obsession with weapons was dropped and was never mentioned again. While it’s admittedly sweet that she didn’t start fawning all over Penny when she found out that she was in essence, a living weapon, the fact that her weapons obsession was dropped early on makes that interaction less heartwarming, and more like they were just bonding.

So, when Oz’s early attitude reeks of arrogance, like when he more or less overruled a lot of Glynda’s objections, and how he more or less was implied to have known that Jaune cheated his way in, it comes off as moves that were less due to his trauma, and more due to his arrogance.

Contrast Salem, whose name not only invokes sympathy what with the witch trials, but was also introduced and had her backstory revealed not too long after said introduction, she invokes more sympathy than Oz does because of a combination of her name and her early reveal of her backstory.

While yes, both Oz and Salem were victims of abuse, Salem’s came much sooner than Oz’s after their initial reveal, which invokes more sympathy for the character.

In a similar sense, this is why Cinder isn’t that much better. Without the Cinderella motifs, nobody would have guessed that she had a rough childhood. It’s also why Adam is also demonized. The naming motifs combined with how long it took for the characters to receive any meaningful backstory (Supplemental material for Adam, and 8 volumes for the fire hag), creates a situation where it’s hard to sympathize with one because of how the naming conventions work. Like I said here, names are important to a character. Had Salem been named Lilith, after a biblical demon, she would not have received as much sympathy as she does now. Had Adam been named Maurice (After Belle’s father), he would have received more sympathy than he did. Adam invoked more similarities to Gaston than he did to any other character, resulting in him not getting as much sympathy as Cinder did, despite them both having similar backstories and actions throughout the show.

If the writers have done anything right, it would be knowing how naming conventions work.

But this still ties back into how early traits were just… dropped. Blake stopped calling out racists to their face, and stood by when Velvet was being a victim of Cardin’s bullying.

Weiss’ early racism was resolved off-screen and was never really addressed again.

Yang’s overall protective nature is only ever brought up when the plot demands it.

And Ruby’s weapons obsession, a trait that could have been used to properly describe each character’s weapons in an unforced manner, was never mentioned again.

Oz’s early arrogance was now replaced with the backstory of “He was traumatized!” And look: Oz is indeed traumatized. But it’s clear that that wasn’t something the writers thought about until recently. There were few (if any) hints that this was Oz’s situation from the start. Hos arrogance in wanting Pyrrha to give up her hopes and dreams by forcing her to take on the maiden powers with that “Become the Fall Maiden for us, or the Bad Guys win” ultimatum, combined with his overall secrecy led a lot of conclusions to think that he was more arrogant than he was traumatized.

Now, this isn’t to say that he wasn’t traumatized. His feelings and emotions towards the subject are completely valid and he deserves sympathy. But given how the early writing was, it’s hard to really feel sorry for him because again, his early actions came off as if it was fueled by arrogance, as opposed to trauma.

It’s admittedly hard to land the sweetspot for backstory reveals, especially for characters that aren’t your title character, but it really feels as if the writers didn’t know what they wanted to do with Oz until they came up with the idea of him and Salem having been romantically involved together.

They lyrics of the song Sacrifice also don’t help,

You can't have my life I'm not your sacrifice You can try, but I'm free And you won't conquer me I won't crawl, most of all I won't fall for you

The overall way the song is done implies that Oz sacrifices people for his own gain. Given that this song was made and released well before the backstory reveal, it also lends to the idea that Oz was more arrogant than traumatized. Admittedly, this is basically Raven’s song, making the views a little skewed, but again, it was made and released before Oz’s backstory reveal, meaning that it had more time to fester in peoples’ minds and be analyzed to come to the conclusion that Oz was a manipulative bastard rather than a traumatized victim.

Like I said, it’s hard to land a sweetspot for a backstory reveal. You either do it too early, and make the character lose their mystique, or you do it too late, and people won’t care about the character making the reveal pointless.

In addition, doing it too late, such as the case for Cinder, means that you have to make all prior actions make sense in this scenario. If Cinder’s backstory did anything correctly, it was that it made her attack on Weiss back in Volume 5 make sense. But all other actions don’t make sense. For example, she was a slave, so her abusing the WF into working for her makes no sense since both have had to deal with slavery. If anything, her revealing that scar would have made it make sense, even if it was off-screen, because then Adam has every reason to take her side. He would know that she was abused by the elite, and he would sympathize with the mentality of overthrowing a system that allowed such things to happen, even if it meant the deaths of a bunch of people.

Then we get to Cinder’s reveal and we find out why she was so hellbent on tearing down a hunter school. A Hunter decided to arrest her for fighting back against her abusers, so she views them all as the same: A bunch of privileged assholes who punish victims, but not the perpetrators.

If anything, Cinder’s was revealed far too late to make her actions make sense, or make audiences truly want to forgive her actions. She killed Penny and Pyrrha. Had this been revealed in Volume 4, where everyone was dealing with parental figures, Cinder’s motives would have made more sense. She was betrayed by a person she considered to be her father figure, and that led her down this path. Think about it. Yang was dealing with her dad calling her soul a temper tantrum (And no, I’m never letting that go). Weiss was dealing with her abusive father Jacques and the best parental figure ever Klein. Ruby was dealing with parental figure Qrow, and the prospect of losing him. And Blake was dealing with best biological dad Ghira and his advice on not letting the past or your fears control you. Cinder’s backstory would have fit right in.

These characters had really interesting personality traits that got dropped. I would have loved to have seen Ruby and Jaune work together to give Jaune an upgrade to his weapon that would make it cool, but still make it Jaune’s. But no. A random blacksmith does the upgrade.

It would have been so cool to learn about the other characters’ weapons through Ruby. We could have learned the names of the weapons, their function(s), and maybe even learned a it of symbolism about the weapon and the weapon’s user. Another thing the writers do well is that they make the symbolism of a weapon and their user make sense. Blake is a stealthy, quiet, and reserved character. So her weapon isn’t loud or fancy, but it has a lot of utility. Yang is loud, boisterous, and wants to tackle her problems head-on, so her weapon reflects that by giving her the option of getting in close for powerful blows. Jaune is a basic character with nothing special to him, so he gets a basic sword and shield combination.

So the weapons and semblance being the only way for us to know what a character is like is honestly really jarring when some of those character traits are no longer that applicable.

[youtuberswithalex]

I reblogged your post with my answer, but I don’t know if you actually got it, so here it is:

Well, it’s still worrying since the Asides were supposed to be separated from the main plot but now they aren’t, and already by the second one you have to watch it to know what’s going on. Plus, they’re apparently such a priority we’re getting two more before the season finale. But yeah, it could be worse.

As for the Patton-jealousy arc, that’s just a theory that one of the fans had for something that happened a lot in some of season 1 and early season 2��� Logan, and Roman, would often be pretty hostile to Patton. Mostly Logan, and then Roman would follow as if to prove himself.

Like, they’d often be deliberately depicted to act upset and jealous whenever Patton got any acknowledgement from Thomas. Logan seemed sensitive to Patton being commended for being smart in any way and kept trying to leave him out, like in the Sherlock episode. In one episode when Thomas went along with Patton in saying that Logan and Roman worked well together, and Patton’s theme began to play, the two belittled him and told him he was acting immature. They kept brushing him off and wouldn’t take him seriously. They also slowed Patton down in Accepting Anxiety Part 1, when Patton tries to point out Virgil isn’t there by brushing him off and talking about other reasons. And in Logic vs. Passion, at the end of the video, a point is made in the end card of Virgil sitting with Patton and saying that it’s a shame Patton wasn’t there since he would’ve probably made some good points. It very much seemed like a deliberately built up plot point.

Then it was just forgotten about after Moving On. And honestly, it wasn’t resolved. Not completely. All that happened was that Thomas realized it was okay to feel sad and that Patton wasn’t always as happy as he acted for them. And they might’ve subconsciously realized that they should’ve listened to him in the beginning, though they didn’t even seem to consciously know they were talking over him.

But it wasn’t properly resolved. The sides never apologized and acknowledged they should listen to him more— heck, Logan wasn’t even there in person. And his “gift”?? Where it’s a “compromise” between Patton wearing something he likes that hurts no one and Logan... just wanting to control what he wears?? Thomas should understand that’s not an apology. Barely acknowledging that someone can be nonconformist while still forcing them to conform to your slightly more lenient standards isn’t a complete resolution, and it’s definitely not an acknowledgement of everything Logan especially did wrong to Patton. Thomas leaving it at that wasn’t a “subtle” finish, it was downright incomplete, and it wouldn’t be the end of the issue in a real relationship.

But it’s just vanished after that. Half-done, and then discarded. Like it just was there for drama. Like we’re supposed to assume that it was worked out offscreen, which, no. Building up a conflict for that long kind of requires you to resolve it fully on-screen, not set up a possibility of finishing it and then leave it. That’s just asking the audience to write the story for you. It just feels forgotten about.

Just like the unresolved issues at the end of LNTAO. Are we ever coming back to that one? It was established after the episode that the conversation wasn’t done, that Roman’s apology and wanting not to shy away from his pain didn’t solve anything yet.

Heck, the whole problem was mostly caused by Logan— Roman is having trouble creating because creativity isn’t a machine that endlessly churns out product. He needs some time for Thomas to self-reflect in order to be able to create more easily. But Logan is worried taking time will drive fans away, so he’s just demanding Roman produce. And when Roman can’t, Logan doesn’t have a solution, he just keeps demanding Roman create more, so of course Roman lashes out. And Logan’s the one who thinks Thomas should get a “real,” societally-approved job, like an accountant. And Roman ends up apologizing? For lashing out in response to Logan’s bullying? That doesn’t actually solve anything!

It was implied we were going to come back to it, but then immediately afterwards Deceit appears, and then we were just given new plot thread on top of new plot thread, as if the new ones are meant to bury the old ones. Roman’s issues were never returned to, and it seems like they’re eventually just going to explode. But from the way the other sides are acting, I don’t think it looks like they’re being set up to understand why Roman’s upset when it all becomes too much. It looks like they’ll just think he’s being difficult. Will the conflict actually be wrapped up and resolved properly, or will there just be a bunch of drama, and then a hastily rushed half-done conclusion?

Roman deserves better than that. But I don’t know how much I trust the writers anymore.

Sorry I got a bit off topic there. But I just really needed to get my worries out. I hope I answered your question, anyway.

I did get your reblog, I just got sick last night (nothing covid related, dw) and wasn’t feeling well enough to respond.

That makes sense on where the jealousy idea came from, but I’d honestly interpreted it as them being like “you’re an idiot and are throwing Thomas off track”, and then in Moving On they realized “oh shit that was all a front, you’re like... really hurting”

BUT, that being said, your interpretations/theories/etc are all completely valid, just because we saw it differently doesn’t mean one of us is wrong. 

I’m sure they have... something planned? And maybe it’s all just setting up for a slow-burn type of thing? but... the execution of that is sure going to be... something, if we ever get to see it

[laulink]

So I've mentioned before that usually poly ships don't really appeal to me because there's always one of the relationships that I like more or less than the others and so the ship entirely loses its appeal for me because of that

But you know what poly ship I actually DO like ?

Zelda x Lana x Link from Zelda Hyrule Warriors

They're just- They're great together, ok ? All of them

Zelda and Link are some kind of fated lovers, two souls bound by destiny and powers beyond comprehension and the two we meet in Hyrule Warriors really give off that whole soulmate feel since their very first meeting, it's adorable. Link's expression when they fail to find Zelda says it all : he's not just looking for his princess, he's looking for someone he's genuinely worried about, someone he feels a connection with, and he's scared he'll lose her before he could even properly talk to her.

Lana has been in love with Link for... well, we don't know how long, but she's been in love with all of his reincarnations, she watched their lives to see more of him until the day she couldn't stand it anymore and Ganondorf used the power of her love to turn her full evil, so that says something about how strong her feelings are. Also she values Link's happiness over her own feelings because she knows she can't destroy the link he shares with Zelda and she just wants him to be happy even if it's not with her and that will always be my #1 sign that someone is a good person and their feelings are real and genuine.

Zelda and Lana don't interact much in the game's story, but the few times they do, Zelda is nothing but kind and friendly to Lana, even being the one to ask her if they'll ever meet again, even though they had just heard Cya say that Lana wants to make Link hers and at this point we're supposed to have accepted that Link and Zelda are soulmates, so she'd have pretty understandable reasons to not really want Lana around the boy she's supposedly attracted to. And you know how the characters have little cheering phrases for each other when the player character reaches a certain amount of kills in a battle ? I just find the phrases between Lana and Zelda to be absolutely adorable. I think they're the most admirative bunch of the game (aside from Zelda's line to Link and Proxie's lines for Zelda, but that works in the poly ship idea's direction)

Also by the end of the game all three of them hold a piece of the Triforce and I think it would be pretty great to see the three holders coming together, loving each other, forming a whole the same way the three parts of the Triforce are meant to.

So that's for canon information, which admittedly is just a basis for headcanons given how scarce it is, so here are my own :

- Zelda is attracted to Link, sure, but I also think she's really attracted to Lana for the reasons cited above : she's always kind and friendly to her, never suspicious even when she learns that Lana and Cya used to be the same person, she's the one who speaks out when Lana is leaving to express her desire to see her again, etc.

- Zelda's feelings and behaviour toward Lana would surely have an effect on her because, honestly : look at Zelda, look at her smile, imagine being on the receiving end of it, and dare tell me you wouldn't propose to her in the same breath. Anyway, I think Lana would develop a bit of a crush on the princess, especially if she's trying to move on from her feelings for Link because she thinks it's hopeless. She wouldn't be trying to fall for someone else, much less the princess since she's just as inaccessible as the hero, but I think she'd be trying to put some distance between herself and her feelings for Link, try to talk to her friends more and do something other than obsessing over the boy, and develop her relationship with Zelda as a consequence. When she realises she has a crush on Zelda now ? She just screams and hits her head on a wall because GODDAMNIT she did it again. Of all the people in Hyrule, her next crush just HAD to be the one her old crush was fated to be with.

- Meanwhile, Link is around two gorgeous, smart, kind, supportive girls who seem to like him and while he's been attracted to the princess since the first time he saw her, I think he would have developed a close bond with Lana too while fighting together. She's playful and cute, but also strong and reliable, and I think, in the weeks where he fights with Lana and doesn't know where Zelda is, he would develop a small crush on her, which wouldn't really leave even after the princess' official return and would actually only grow when he learns the truth about Lana's birth and feelings.

- now fast forward to the end of the game, the three had some time to sit down and think through their feelings and realise that they like both of the others and have a hard time deciding what to do about it. Or rather, Lana thinks she should just exile herself before she falls in love with the Goddess or something, but Link and Zelda do ponder what they should do, because suddenly, the obvious, fated love they've heard so many tales about doesn't seem so certain and they don't know if they could ever be truly happy without the witch who's wormed her way into their hearts.

- I think Zelda would approach Link to tell him about it first. She's a reasonable, mature young woman who tries to talk things through and see from other people's perspective, so I think her go to move would be to talk about it, but Lana's feelings have been hurt enough as it is, so she'd go to Link first to try and see things a bit more clearly before saying anything to Lana. Thanks to that, they realise that they both like each other and Lana as well, and so they decide to try and see what Lana thinks of them.

- Problem is, like I said, Lana thinks she should self-exile before her stupid heart makes one more stupid decision about who she should be in love with, and that starts by avoiding her crushes at any cost. Luckily, Zelda and Link end up cornering her, but her emotions are so volatile at this point that she just blurts out that she likes them both and doesn't know what to do about it anymore (among many other things and in a way that's a bit hard for the other two to understand until something clicks and a lightbulb goes off in their heads). Of course, Zelda and Link are elated and quick to tell her that they both like her too and maybe they could try all loving each other ? There's a lot of smiles and tears and hugs and they're all really happy.

- They thought it would take some time to adjust to this new kind of relationship, but not at all : they clicked together like pieces of the same puzzle, loving toward each other and comfortable showing it. Lana was the shyest of them at first since she was still half-convinced this was a dream and she would wake up any moment, but one adoring look from her partners (because let's be honest, Zelda and Link, once aware of their feelings and knowing that they are returned, would be the loveliest, dorkiest, goofiest, most adoring partners anyone in Hyrule has ever had) would reassure her right away, and before long she starts being more open about her affections and showing her love for Zelda and Link more easily.

- since they're all cinnamon rolls but two of them are socially awkward and the other is leading a country at age 19 and probably has A Lot to deal with, I think them trying to comfort each other when one is looking glum or stressed would be pretty fun. Like, when Zelda is overworking herself with the kingdom's affairs, the other two will team up to try and ease off her burdens by taking some themselves, but after reading the same piece of paperwork 5 times and still not understanding what it is even for, they give up and just work with Impa to clear off Zelda's schedule for one evening and prepare a nice dinner and relaxing bath for her so she can at least recharge her batteries. Sometimes though, she has so much to do they can't even manage that, so they at least try to support her as much as they can in the little ways (bringing her tea and cake when she's been holed up in her office for hours, taking her to bed when she's fallen asleep on her desk, taking care of the minor demands that can be time-consuming but not really difficult to resolve, etc). Zelda loves them for it and always makes sure to let them know.

(- they try to cook dinner themselves and this in itself deserves a whole post because they try to do something GREAT and that Zelda will love but they are NOT royal level cooks. Far from it. In a modern AU, they'd be living off of ramen noodles. In the end nothing they prepared is edible so they end up asking the cooks to prepare something, but Zelda is still very touched (and amused))

- When Lana is depressed (because she thinks of Cya or has a moment of self-doubt), Link tries to cheer her up by taking her on a nice walk, going to the market together, playing games, or something like that, while Zelda will bring her flowers and tasty treats or just cuddle with her for a while, which is often enough to make Lana feel much better. On the worst occasions, Zelda takes one or two days off and Link and her take Lana on a trip, just the three of them, to have fun and just be together until the bad moment passes. But the first time Lana said she was sad because she was thinking of what happened to Cya and the fact that she couldn't experience the happiness Lana now had with Zelda and Link ? Dumbass princess who thinks she can do anything because she runs a country decided "hey, how about we try to raise the dead ?" and Link had to do damage control. Impa had to step in at some point to prevent Zelda from desecrating holy grounds.

- When Link is glummy, it's usually about pretty deep stuff like destiny and his past lives (for example, the fact that his past lives and the princesses from the past never met their Lana causes him great distress because now he can't imagine his life without her or Zelda, so he gets anxious thinking that his past incarnations might have spent their whole lives feeling a hole somewhere in their life). Zelda and Lana usually try to cheer him up with cuddles, afternoon naps in the gardens, reading together in the library or other quiet, relaxing activities, which he loves and helps ease his mind, but the first time the gloominess lingered... Let's just say that dumbass princess moment 2.0 + time witch are not a great mix when trying to cheer up a man worried about his past lives. Impa had to step in again, this time to prevent some really fucked up changes to the space-time continuum or whatever.

- I kinda doubt that Hyrule has laws about poly marriages, and doubt even more that poly marriage is something that's happened in the royal family before ("but what if the first born is a child between the King consort and the Queen consort, without a drop of royal blood ?"), but in any case, this is dumbass "I raise the dead and travel through time" princess we're talking about, so she manages to pass a law that makes it legal for multiple people to marry, including the royal family. She did that after Link, Lana and her had expressed interest in getting married, and the second the law was passed (in secret, she wanted it to be a surprise for her lovers), she drags them to their favourite quiet spot to relax and cuddle away from castle trouble and responsibilities and she proposes to them. Link and Lana tackle her to the ground and cover her in kisses while laughing and crying and- ok, it's a bit of a mess, but they're happy and they're gonna get MARRIED ! The first time the girls call each other "wife", Link their "husband" and Link calls them his "wives", they cry a little and hug the breath out of each other.

That's all I've got for now in the SFW section (do tell me if you're interested in the NSFW headcanons) so

TL;DR : they're cute and goofy and happy and I love them.

[orangegreet]

No Minor Miracles | Chapter 6

A Weed in Autumn Part One

In which our Immortal Idiots reunite in more ways than one.

The time had come for the Darkling to make his move on the Ravkan throne.

A dozen years ago he had been on the cusp of enacting his plans when his long fabled Sun Summoner presented herself to him. With a quaint little glow in her palms and the secret of her existence shared between them, he fostered new aspirations.

A whirlwind romance. A joint coup. Eternal Sovereigns.

Together they would liberate their people from oppression, slavery and slaughter.

Together they would ride into the Fold, manipulate it’s borders and neutralize the threat of their enemies.

Together they would reunite with their countrymen and women in the West.

Together they would return home to the Little Palace, fostering the next generation with authority and care.

Together they would write treaties and forge alliances.

Together they would bring Ravka into a shining new age of prosperity.

They would serve for millennia. They two would preserve their home country—a safe haven for all Grisha, so long as they reigned.

Visions of Alina, seated in his lap as he lounged on the throne, had heated his midnight hours for a time.

It was a barren dream now.

Unpublished work with third-act problems and a stubborn lead.

Once-cherished ideas now sat abandoned in a journal and stored in the hidden pockets of his private library.

The time had come to prepare something new. The Darkling knew of the private meetings conducted by the Tsar and the Tsesarevich behind closed doors. They were fools to believe he would not uncover such treachery.

The Darkling dealt in treachery long before their foolish line ever came into existence.

In earnest, he began new designs. Plotted key points, dates, events to leverage and, after thorough deliberation, invited Ivan and Fedyor into the process. Second Army spies collected intel ushered from every point of Ravka on both sides of the Fold.

New dreams and better fitting plans emerged to fit the circumstances. The coup was underway. It was now a matter of time.

The months following their reunion were some of the happiest in Aleksander’s memory. Their visits occurred multiple times a week and varied between degrees of urgent desire, meandering conversations and simply lounging in the peace restored from using their connection.

A sweet little humming vibration put his unease at bay for a little while.

Aleksander no longer pressed her for details, satisfied enough that he at least kept his own secrets in return.

He hungered for the day when he could tug on their tether from the dias of the throne room, crowned in the jewels of Ravka. He would extend an invitation to her to join him at a formal court gathering and soak in her shock.

Though it was unlike him to vibrate restlessly in anticipation of anything, this daydream was too enticing to fight it.

Several cold centuries of loneliness might have hardened him into stone—an everlasting and virtually unchanging being—but even stone had a melting point under the right conditions.

The one thing not eased by their supernatural visits was the urgency his body felt to be with her in person. The yearning doubled each time he saw her and he would inevitably pull her body to his, demanding she succumb to his request for a true meeting.

Early on, she was resilient to his commands. Over time her resolve was gradually ground into a brittle patience.

He continued pressing, praying for the snap. One night in autumn, she relented.

“Five days. Three weeks from tonight, I will meet you at the edge of the Fold just south of Adena.” Alina placed a tender kiss on his lips, holding his face between her palms. “Five days, that is all I have. But they are yours.”

Aleksander was speechless.

He kissed her in return and then once again in a bruising way that furrowed his brow and produced a groan from his very soul.

Before they parted, he repeated, “Three weeks exactly from tonight. Five days together. Leave it to me to arrange everything for us.”

He pressed a kiss into each of her palms.

The horse shuffled a few steps, apparently ill-at-ease being so close to the Fold. Aleksander laid a gentling hand to it’s mane. He squinted into the dense shadow before him, determined to see the little light bobbing inside.

Anticipation wrung his guts and he could only be thankful Ivan and Fedyor were not present to witness his darting eyes or gaping mouth—the humiliating lurch of his body when he sensed the slightest movement within the Fold.

Alina and he had decided to meet under the cover of night for obvious reasons. Anyone seen casually entering or exiting the Fold would not go unnoticed.

Although, Aleksander insisted this meeting take place before dawn, unwilling to compromise the loss of a whole day. She had blushed and agreed.

The ride from Os Alta to Kribirsk took almost a full week as it required traveling with troops and carting along the newest generation of Sandskiff.

The pilot run was to take place in a couple weeks time. Fortunately, this provided cover to be away from the Little Palace for the month which was preferable given how close he was to enacting his designs on the throne.

Ivan and Fedyor knew little about the current assignment. Fedyor was to remain in Kribirsk overseeing the troops during the General’s unexplained absence.

Ivan was to head on to the dacha which would be the home for him and Alina for the next five days.

The location, an Os Altan nobleman’s dacha in the country, sat between Adena and Kribirsk. This had been the most difficult piece of the arrangement to secure. However, an obscene amount of money and a plausible cover story carried him through and the situation would be quite refined, all told.

Aleksander would have no less. Five days with the center of his very soul would not be spent in anything less than luxury.

Every meal would be catered, every bath drawn for them and every distraction dealt with by more capable hands. This time was going to be sacred and shared between they two alone. No distractions. Of this, he was determined.

A bed, a home—things both he and Alina had lived without during different times in their lives—were not to be in question.

At his core, Aleksander felt an intoxicating desire to care for her. To show her how well he could care for her body, her and her Light.

Sex in the real world was easily arranged for and exchanged on whim. He intended to ruin her to her very core with the way he would care for her being.

The way he would sate her being would be outright. Irrefutable. She would have no way to go back after these days.

The General considered leaving Ivan at the front and taking Fedyor along to oversee the dacha staff for the week. Upon further thought, however, he considered it preferable to stomach the occasional side-eye from Ivan over the blushing delight which would be sure to issue from Fedyor if given half a second alone with Alina.

In the quiet and in the dark, Aleksander assured himself once more of this plan. It was right and it was good. This was no mere woman to woo.

This was the Sun personified.

This was the Light which mitigated his existence.

If he could not properly honor her gift, he deserved to be struck out of the world at her hand.

He felt her nearing him before his other senses caught up.

Something was coloring inside his lines. It filled him up as she closed in.

A flicker of light cut through the shadow. Or rather, the shadow moved around it, parting in reverence for the light.

Aleksander maintained some twenty steps of distance from where she would exit the Fold.

Hooves clopped over packed earth.

A white mare emerged from black curtain, the rider atop it dressed in black.

From his distance, he watched Alina stroke the mane of her horse. Watched her hair slide around her shoulders as she looked in each direction for him.

Aleksander swallowed.

He climbed to his horse and trotted in her direction. When she caught sight of him, seated tall and proud on his black steed, she beamed.

“Hello.” She said, softly in the dark.

“Hello.” He returned her a small smile.

Lifting his reins, he indicated their direction. He did not feel capable of speaking somehow.

She nodded, still smiling and trotted her horse alongside.

The journey was silent. Birdsong filled in the background, rising in volume as they neared the dacha. The night would be coming to a close soon.

Though the silence persisted between them; neither was moved to end it. He managed to keep his smile soft for her and she, for once, took her direction from him.

As they reached the gardens, Aleksander dismounted his horse and waited for her mare to come to a halt. He tethered both their reins together and reached for her, lifting her small body in his hands and setting her on the ground.

They stood together, his black eyes rested on hers. His hands cupped her waist while hers pressed on his chest. He kissed her forehead with reverence, then her cheeks. She blushed under his attention.

Together they walked to the door.

Everything was set up as directed.

Wisps of steam rolled over the surface of the water in the large bath off the bedroom and Aleksander looked at Alina with a question in his eyes.

He thought he heard the ghost of a laugh in her throat. She smiled and began to undress. After a moment, he followed suit.

Curiosity colored her features and she stared, utterly unabashed, at his naked body. He straightened his back, pausing to allow her to look her fill before stepping into the water.

The heat of the water licked up his legs. A chill broke out over his skin at the sudden rise in temperature and Aleksander turned back toward her, extending a hand.

She preened a moment under his questing gaze.

It was pleasing to get to watch as he became aroused for her. Her eyes swept below his waist to his swelling cock and then back up to his eyes.

The shyness of the smile on his face should have been astonishing—she was sure he had never before in all his centuries held this expression on his face.

However, outright astonishment would have broken the fragile quiet. Alina stored the memory away for herself for later and joined him in the heat.

Under his unwavering gaze, Alina assumed his consent and picked up the soap from beside the bath. With tender strokes, she began to bathe him, working the soap into a lather over his skin.

The smallness of her hands was something he relished, breath stuttering as she passed them over his chest, brushing his nipples and wrapping up his throat. His eyes fell closed a moment.

She looked drugged, lost in her work. Watching as his Adam’s apple bobbed under her palm. The ends of his long hair dampened against the skin of his broad shoulders.

Tracing the lines and crevices of the muscles on his shoulders and then down his arms. Her face acquired a dewy glow from the rising steam.

Aleksander forced his hands to stay at his side, determined to observe her only. To let her explore as she wished.

When she reached his waist, her eyes lifted to his again. The way she looked at him tested his resolve. Alina stared into his dark eyes even as her hands lowered into the water.

The soap lost it’s lather in an instant as she rubbed it along his thighs, pausing then to grip at the thick muscles.

They both watched her hands reach for his cock, erect and swaying under the surface.

Her small hands relinquished the soap as she wrapped him up in her palms and fingers. Her breath hitched and she rubbed the slippery residue all over him, twisting her hand a little at the top and reaching for his balls underneath.

Her wet skin on his wet skin, sliding easily with the assistance of the soap. The sense of power she felt was heady, holding him in both hands, feeling him throb under her grip. Feeling him grow larger.

Her mouth opened unconsciously as she watched her hands holding him, still stroking him in that slow, smooth slide.

“‘Lina…” he groaned and she stopped, smiling in innocence at him and brought her hands back to his thighs. She rubbed over his thighs in comfort, persuading him to calm what she aroused.

Aleksander took a couple deep steadying breaths before he opened his eyes. His hand lifted and caressed her throat, holding her little neck in the entirety of his grasp.

Her lids closed slowly and she tipped her head back to allow him access as his large thumb smoothed over her pulse.

She was nothing more than a small deer with her neck caught in the mouth of wolf. She waited for the wolf’s sentence. A grunt issued from his throat and he let go, his palm brushing down her body.

With calloused hands, he picked up the abandoned soap from the floor of the tub. Smearing it in his grip so the lather returned and he began to bathe her, mapping her curves.

He massaged his fingers into every divot around her collar and ribs, her navel and hips.

He spread the lather to the tops of her breasts, around the sides and back up the center of each. His fingers dragged over her nipples and she hummed, the drugged look making another appearing across her face.

He thought to kiss her again, almost closing the distance before the thought could fully form.

Aleksander pulled back.

He was determined to let them ease into this week slowly. Determined to infuse devotion into every movement this first day instead of letting the pure need take over. It would eventually.

The need was Inevitable.

However, this was a time for care and attentive patience. Alina was a star on earth, bright and celestial and wild. She was a star who was owed proper worship and Aleksander was the only being in the universe capable to treasure the responsibility. To see it through in it’s entirety.

And yet, as he brought his hands under the surface of the water, he could not stop himself from leaning into her mouth. His teeth gently tugged on her lip as he enveloped each of her inner thighs into his large hands below the surface, spreading her legs until they met the tub walls.

When his teeth let go of her lip, he kissed the swollen little thing, pink and protruding under his gaze. She whimpered for him, making him smile.

Thighs still in his grip, his thumbs rubbed along the inner path where her legs joined her hips and her skin was fine and sensitive.

With another soft kiss to her mouth, his thumbs parted the lips between her legs. Under the surface he felt her wet slick even as the water tried to sweep it away with every fond stroke of his thumbs.

“Aleksander…” her eyes were closed and his thumb ran slow circles over the prize. Her sweet, swollen clit, supple and sensitive under his touch.

Only for him, he wanted her to promise.

She moaned. It was a broken, little gasp.

Her eyes were closed but her mouth lifted to be kissed again. Unable to resist the request he met her lips with his own. His tongue brushed hers and carefully stroked into her mouth while his thumb continued coiling around her clit. Painstakingly slow and gentle.

Alina lost control of her jaw, panting.

When he felt her head slipping against his, her forehead falling to his jaw, he abruptly lifted his free hand from the surface and grasped her around the throat again, directing and holding her mouth to his.

Alina whimpered again into his mouth and he felt every inch the brutal wolf to her submissive doe. He could keep his action reverent and still be himself—evidently, she enjoyed the ways he took control.

When she cried into his mouth, he squeezed his eyes shut in response. The painful pleasure of her orgasm echoed to him across their connection and he was unable to dismiss the emotion easily.

A tempering rub to her thigh and he removed his hands, gliding them up her arms and kissing her once more, imbued with tenderness.

He parted with a deep steadying breath for himself and reached for the pitcher. Scooping the water inside and tipping it back over her shoulder, he began to rinse her. Though the suds down her torso were mostly gone now.

The water cleaved pathways through the white lather and past to her navel. Aleksander watched the shapes change across her skin as he erased them entirely, eyes lingering on the way the water pooled in her collar bone and skated into drips clinging to her rosey nipples.

Lifting her chin with a gentle finger, he poured water over her hair, careful to keep it from falling back into her eyes. She moaned again at the renewed warmth.

Alina took the pitcher from him, repeating the rinse on his body.

His long hair was let loose after a tug to the leather strip and she ran fingers along his scalp as she washed it.

She towered over him, kneeling to reach around the back of his head and Aleksander could not help the way his mouth reached for her breast, offered so freely just an inch from his face.

He laved her peak with his tongue, lifting the water from her skin as if he was drawing the juice from an overripe plum.

The pitcher slipped into the water behind him, apparently cast aside, while her arms wrapped around his head, holding him to her. Her ribs fit between the span of his large hands and he guided her body where he wanted it.

Aleksander suckled the water from one breast and repeated on the other. She moaned into his wet hair.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her body into his. Bare, wet skin pressing against bare, wet skin. Softened by the water. A moment of calm before they were done.

Aleksander lifted her out of the tub, setting her back on the mat and joining her with a towel. He dripped onto the floor as he dried her.

His chest thrummed with a building anticipation.

It was not dissimilar to what he felt on the last night he saw her all those years ago. Something inside of him knew he was about to join with her. Knew they two were about to exist in the exact same space for a few precious minutes.

Judging by the look on her face, she felt it too.

He took the towel from her and set it aside, lacing their hands as he led her into the bedroom.

When he sat on the edge of the bed, she took up her rightful place between his legs.

Aleksander met her eyes, never looking away as he pressed a kiss to her sternum. His hands lingered over her hips, drawing her into his lap. Her legs fold around his hips as her soft bum rested on his knees.

Alina kissed him then.

It was a surprise at first but as they both sunk into the act, it felt as planned as the existence of either of them. As the balance of the universe. Light and Dark meeting and touching as they always would; pressed together.

He pulled her hand from his shoulder and down to his cock and emitted an involuntary groan into her mouth when she stroked his head.

Alina picked up his hand for her use, pressing his fingers into her mouth where she coated them. His brow furrowed in unrequited pleasure as he watched her guide his slick fingers down to her core where she rubbed herself with his fingers.

An untempered growl sounded from the back of his throat and he tipped her forward with his knees, her body falling toward his cock.

She yelped in surprise and then smiled; a challenging look alight on her face.

Aleksander held her stare with his and shifted the head of his cock into her slippery cunt, Thrusting together in tandem until she enveloped his cock from tip to base.

“Fuck.” He grunted.

“Saints, Sasha.” She said simultaneously.

Aleksander’s hands stroked her sides absently, enjoying the warm little cage around his cock more than he had anything in his long, long life.

She began to move first, unhurried and attentive, clutching at him with her inner muscles on every upstroke.

Whenever he bottomed out, his grip on her hips tightened and he rolled her against him. Joint moans rumbled between them.

His forehead fell to her breasts and he placed an open mouthed kiss to her valley. Lips wrapped around her nipples and he lapped at the buds with agonizing tenderness.

Her arms cradled his head to her body and she rested her cheek to his hair as she had done before. Her cries melded into whimpers at the aching sweetness of his ministrations.

He was not cruel to her. Not this first time. He did not toy with her. She did not tease him.

As their mutual pleasure built, so did the humming of their chests.

It went unacknowledged at first, the urge to reach the edge of the cliff became a runaway train and nothing else mattered.

Alina rocked over him and wailed into the sunrise as she reached that euphoric edge and dawn arrived at last, sunlight breaching the horizon and painting the room in an orange glow.

Aleksander pulled her mouth to his, latching on as he rocked into her depths and holding her moans on his tongue until he finally burst deep inside her. It felt as if he burst once and then again and again after.

His nose nuzzled against hers and they rested there, occupying a single space in the universe as one, his cock still pulsing as he filled her.

Wave after wave of energy passed through them and the light of dawn pressed an insistent pinky-red into their eyelids.

Only, it was not the dawn’s rays at all. Light was expanded from between their chests. Power stretching and concentrating into a single strand.

Heat lightning entwined in black tendrils of shadow.

Their eyes met, a combination of fear and awe.

With a hesitant hand, Aleksander grasped it.

Unbridled power charged through him and he was transported into nothing.

Dark and Light surrounded him in lingering wisps and vibrant currents and only when he realized he was alone there did he let go of the strand.

Alina had not moved from her place in his lap. The strand dissolved into nothing between them.

His eyes were wide and fearful and she looked on him, calm and understanding set in her gaze.

Her hands soothed him, stroking over his hair and brushing it behind his shoulders.

“You have seen what I knew must be at the very center of us.” She whispered.

Aleksander opened his mouth to speak, though no words came. He knew what she was going to say before she said it.

“The Making at the Heart of the World.”

Some Three Weeks Later

The General stretched from his seat at the desk. The new Sandskiff would leave on it’s maiden voyage through the Fold in the morning. David assured him the way it was built would make it the swiftest model yet.

Truthfully, the General had lost much interest in these voyages anymore. The existence of a Sun Summoner, for one thing had made the need for a Sandskiff practically moot. It was just a matter of time now.

Aside from that, there was still the matter of an imminent coup which kept him preoccupied.

The first steps of which would be initiated in a week’s time with the autumn equinox and the impending Summit of Allies. The General need only accomplish this mission and return to Os Alta.

His reappearance, along with those of visiting dignitaries and noble people would create the ideal chaotic cover required to assassinate a Tsar and his heir.

As if that were not enough to occupy his mind, vivid, feverous flashes of his week with Alina would appear and incapacitate him.

Being with her had made him feel insatiable in the after.

It was as if her body trained his to need something more than water and he could not stop thirsting for her skin against his anymore.

When they parted she told him she would not be able to be in touch for at least three weeks.

Not by tether, not by anything.

The panic it set off in him at the thought was unsettling, though he found he was more forgiving of himself on this side of their discovery.

Could he be helped if the first elements in existence which crashed into each other to form their very world seemed lived inside of them both?

Could he help that they came with the unfortunate side effect of reducing him into a feral wolf for a woman? Possessive and endlessly ravenous?

This was beyond Small Science. This was beyond love. This was cosmic and Inevitable.

He would not chastise himself for feeling any longer.

The General had just managed to fall asleep when the unmistakable sound of frantic hooves approached the camp.

He was already pulling on his kefta when Ivan entered the tent, Fedyor on his heels.

“Urgent news from Os Alta, moy soverennyi.”

The General took the letter, ripping the seal and reading words which stilled the earth around him.

The Tsar has been assassinated. The Tsesarevich will pass within the week. You are to return to Os Alta with your army within a fortnight.

The words, written in the careful cursive of the Apparat’s hand, seared into his mind and shook him to his core.

Aleksander’s eyes were wild with disbelief as he thrust the letter at his Heartrenders.

With complete disregard for the company in his tent, Aleksander reached for the tether and pulled.

Alina did not answer. He felt her there, somewhere across the Fold and far away.

He pulled again, desperate and needy to see her. He knew she could feel his panic. Knew that she would have to feel it between them.

She did not answer.

The only response available in their shared connection, underneath her desire and her devotion to him, was an undeniable tinge of guilt.

[ayatosmlktea]

Hello! I would like to request an angst turns fluff imagine! Levi x reader where they have an arguments about something serious and reader doesnt want to be a burden to levi

A/N: Sorry this got so long…

𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 ❤️

“Are we really having this conversation again?” Levi groaned one hand gripping his hair in frustration, Y/N bit her lip digging her nails into her palms to keep angry tears at bay.

“I already told you that I’m going to be busy tomorrow night. I’m sorry but I just don’t have time to meet your parents.” Y/N was both angry and hurt, she had been dating Levi for almost a year and in that time she had fallen head over heels in love with him. She admired his dedication and work ethic but sometimes he lost sight of things that were important outside of paperwork.

“It’s not going to take long Levi, they just want to have dinner and meet you and that’s it. You can leave after dinner!” Y/N argues, she didn’t feel like she was asking for much and Levi was making this thing a lot harder than it needed to be. Hell he could use a few hours away from his desk.

“I’m not going to say it again Y/N! I don’t have time to waste right now” His words stung like a slap to the face.

“So that’s how you see me then? A waste of time?” She really cared for him but sometimes he could be a snappy asshole when he was in a mood.

“You know that’s not what I meant, God why are you being like this?” He snaps, he couldn’t take it anymore. She was being too pushy, how many times did he have to tell her he was too busy with work to meet her parents.

“Is it really that awful for you take two hours out of your day to meet my parents? This is important to me Levi!” Y/N doesn’t mean to yell but he was getting under her skin and being unreasonably selfish. Maybe he was purposely putting off meeting them because he didn’t take their relationship seriously. It would make sense, he always had work to get him out of things like meeting her friends and now her parents. The possibility struck her suddenly, just the though of Levi not wanting to be seriously involved with her was enough to settle her mind.

“Actually never mind it’s fine, forget I asked” The angry expression she’d had on her face the entire argument quickly fading into nothing, her face giving away nothing as she silently collects the few things she’d brought to spend the night at his place.

“What the fuck are you doing? You don’t have to leave” Levi huffs, yet not tearing himself away from his spot on the bed, laptop still opened on his legs.

“I think it’s better if I go home” she mumbles, exiting the bedroom to slip her shoes on. Her eyes burn with tears but she refuses to cry in front of him, what was the point. He clearly prioritized work over their relationship, he hadn’t even gotten up to stop her from leaving. Throwing her key on the kitchen table she leaves the apartment, the sound of keys tapping confirming how much Levi valued her.

It was well into the late hours of the night, Levi was still hunched over his computer a cramp forming in his neck. It had been almost two days since Y/N had left and he hadn’t bothered to text her. His head was swimming with information, work had been extra demanding lately and while he liked to pretend that he could handle the heavy work load it was clearly putting a strain on his life. In all honesty he had expected her to message him first but he supposed that he deserved the silent treatment. 

The day she had asked him again if he would be able to make it to dinner had been bad timing, he had just gotten off a long phone call from one of their clients who had a knack for being particularly difficult. Her insistent begging had been the final straw causing him to unleash his temper onto her. It hadn’t been the first time either. Since they had started dating he found it easier to take his anger out on her than deal with his own issues. She always forgave him after, brushing it off like nothing happened.

Thinking back to her blank expression made him cringe, she always tried to hide her emotions but he was pretty good at reading her. Her eyes gave everything away. He had seen how hurt she was and had chose to ignore her. 

“I’m a fucking dick” he sighed, leaning his head back against his chair. He knew it was late but figured that waking up to an apology was better than waiting until he could see her and apologize properly in person.

Hey babe, I’m really sorry. Call me when you get this

Levi’s couldn’t take it anymore, closing his laptop he trudged to the bathroom for a quick shower. Crawling under the covers he checked his phone just in case Y/N was miraculously still awake. Unsurprisingly there was no text or call waiting for him. Sighing deeply he pulled the covers over his head burying his face into the pillows.

Levi was only slightly disappointed when he woke up with no news from Y/N, he rolled his neck wincing at the knot that had formed in his sleep. Despite having slept for a good six hours he felt cranky and unrested. His day only got worse from there, clients were consistently unhappy with the changes they had specifically demanded for and Levi was beginning to lose his mind. Maybe he needed to take a vacation, spending a week or two on a beach in Bali with Y/N sounded like a good idea. 

When his day had finally ended all Levi wanted to do was go over to her place and take a nap with her body snug against his. So he did, only to end up waiting outside for nearly half an hour. He tried texting her, calling her even face timing her but she wasn’t answering her phone. Levi knew for a fact she wasn’t working today so why wasn’t she around.

Where are you? Can we talk?

Y/N?

Please talk to me

Baby…

Levi waited another ten minutes before sitting down on the doorstep or her apartment. Y/N was clearly giving him the silent treatment and he knew he deserved it. She had never ignored him like this before and it made him feel even worse for his actions. Were they breaking up? The empty feeling that followed as he imagined his life without her served as a much needed wake up call. Levi knew he needed to apologize, he had been taking her forgiving nature for granted. He knew she would either have to leave her apartment eventually or be coming back so he made up his mind to wait for her. It was the least he could do after hurting her.

Y/N was stunned when she had come back to her apartment that night, she hadn’t expected to find Levi leaning against her door dozed off. Her heart tugged at the sight knowing that he must’ve been waiting for her for a while. It wasn’t something he had ever done before and she wasn’t sure how to feel.

“Hey Levi, wake up. You must be uncomfortable” she says gently nudging his shoulder. Immediately aware of his surroundings he looks up at Y/N, his entire body flooding with relief. He quickly stands on his feet ignoring the soreness in his spine, he takes her hands in his.

“Y/N I’m sorry, I was stupid and I took you for granted and I will do whatever it takes for you to forgive me” Y/N couldn’t say anything, Levi had never apologized like this before. He looked disheveled and tired, the circles under his eyes darker than usual.

“You don’t have to do anything. I’m sorry, I don’t want to burden you with my problems. I should’ve just let you work.” She moves to pull her hands out of his feeling like she didn’t deserve his attention but he only holds on tighter pulling her closer to him.

“You’re not a burden to me, never. It’s my fault for putting those thoughts into your head and I will spend the rest of my life proving you wrong if you let me.” His grey eyes looked so sincere she felt her resolve slipping away under his gaze.

“Please let me make it up to you” Y/N bites her lip turning her face away from Levi. She really wanted to forgive him but how could she trust that he was actually going to change?

“Let’s talk inside” she mumbles, pulling her hand way to grab her keys and unlock the door. Levi was on edge the entire time he watched her shift around her apartment trying to find any excuse to prolong their conversation.

Y/N was a bundle of nervous energy, she didn’t like confrontation even if it was her own boyfriend. Walking over to the cupboard she placed two mugs on the counter.

“Do you want tea?” Levi couldn’t take it anymore, the past few days had been hell without her and he needed to know where they stood.

“Tell me what’s wrong babe” His arms encircle her frame halting whatever she was doing.

“I don’t know if I can trust you to not keep doing this. I know your job is really important to you but what about us? I don’t want to sit around waiting for you to decide you want to spend time with me, Levi. I’m not here for your convenience.” The words come out harsher than she had intended but her feelings were all over the place.

“I know I can’t take back how I’ve been treating you but please let me make it up to you. I need you in my life Y/N, you’re the best part of my day. I miss you” He whispers against her ear his arms circling around her waist pulling her back flush against his chest.

“Okay, make it up to me then.” She mumbles after a few moments, yelping in surprise when Levi spins her around to face him his eyes locked onto hers.

“I love you” Any attempt at holding back tears failing as they all fall at once. Levi rarely told her he loved her, usually expressing his feelings through actions but the times he did say it were always special. He wipes away her tears with the pad of his thumbs, leaning forward to kiss her his nerves on fire at the feeling of her lips finally on his again.

“Let’s go to bed, I slept like shit without you”

Masterlist

[tiramisiyu]

【未定事件簿】 Tears of Themis: “Romantic Rail Getaway” Zuo Ran Route, Day 4

Translation Masterlist | Themis Event Masterlist

Zuo Ran Route: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5

Videos, where applicable, are hyperlinked on the headings in the post.

See under cut!

Part 1 – Waterbus Scenic Location – “Visiting James River”

After deciding we would report the random fee collection cases in Rumbaliya…

Zuo Ran and my itinerary had an additional sense of mission tacked on.

We recorded every cost during our trip and diligently inspected the amount indicated on each electronic receipt.

MC: Sure enough, there’s an issue! Lawyer Zuo, look…

MC: On the bill for the waterbus we were just on, there’s an additional 30% service fee.

MC: There are also additional costs of unknown sources on the speedboat receipt.

Zuo Ran: And there are additional costs on the waterside restaurant receipt.

MC: If we didn’t check, we wouldn’t have known…

In fact, not only the receipts we received today had issues. Last night, Zuo Ran and I carefully checked the bills from the past few days…

On the first day of our trip, we had been charged with additional service fees. We simply had not noticed back then.

MC: I feel like these are sufficient to indicate problems.

Zuo Ran: Mhmm, I’ll look up the route to the police station…

We hadn’t finished talking when a furious voice cut Zuo Ran’s voice short.

???: You’re bullying others too much – I’m going to sue you!

A man whose hand was wrapped in bandages furiously walked out of the water bus station.

From time to time, he would point into the air and swear, seeming to be severely resentful of some people in the bus station.

However, no one came out of the bus station to respond to him…

Injured Visitor: Don’t hide in there without making a peep. I know you’re there!

Injured Visitor: I don’t care, you better give me an explanation!

Seeing him like this, I couldn’t help walking up and asking him.

--

INTERROGATION START

Issue Reason

MC: Hello, may I ask… what happened?

Injured Visitor: Hmph, I wanted to board the waterbus, but they wanted me to pay for tickets for two!

Injured Visitor: Don’t you think that group is just ridiculous?

MC: Eh? Yeah… that’s so weird, why did they want you to pay double the cost?

Injured Visitor: Because my left hand’s bone is fractured and I’m afraid of accidentally getting my arm bumped into, so I requested the staff to leave a seat empty on my right side.

Injured Visitor: I didn’t force them to give me an empty spot, I was just saying that it would be great if there was a bit more space…

Injured Visitor: But the staff told me that they could give me a single seat, but I had to make up for the cost!

Injured Visitor: They even said that this was their rule, and unless I bought an empty spot, they wouldn’t let me get on the bus!

Injury Situation

MC: Is your injury… alright?

Injured Visitor: Oh, it’s fine. I accidentally fell and injured myself a few days before travelling. It’s already been several days, and it no longer really hurts.

Injured Visitor: The doctor says that it’s regrowing the bone right now, and I can’t jostle it that much.

Bus Rules

Zuo Ran: I remember that… there aren’t rules of this sort when riding waterbuses.

Injured Visitor: Right? I also said, how could there be this sort of rule!

Injured Visitor: After, I told the staff that “I don’t need to pick a seat, I’ll just sit with the other riders.”

Injured Visitor: Who would’ve thought that the staff member would actually say “No can do, this will affect the other riders”!!

MC: (That being so, aren’t they deliberately forcing this visitor to buy another bus ticket?!)

Issue Aftermath

MC: Then… what happened after?

Injured Visitor: What sort of “after” could it be? I straight-up stormed off the waterbus and ran to their office area, demanding they refund the ticket…

Injured Visitor: Hmph, their manager ended up telling me that tickets could not be refunded after sale!

Injured Visitor: Reason this out for me – I didn’t ride the bus… so why shouldn’t they refund me?!

MC: (Looks like, aside from random fee collection cases, Rumbaliya’s attractions have a lot of heartache-inducing problems.)

INTERROGATION END

--

MC: To be honest, we’ve also encountered some bad situations…

I gave a simple explanation of what we’d encountered for this injured visitor.

Injured Visitor: Ugh, so you two have also encountered these things.

Injured Visitor: Actually, same here. When I dined at Kelosi City a few days ago, the restaurant also charged me a lot in service fees.

Injured Visitor: That day I was in a decent mood, so I didn’t make a big deal out of it…

Injured Visitor: Who would’ve thought that they wanted to defraud me today over here! Hmph, I don’t want to endure it anymore!

Zuo Ran: Are you willing to come with us to the police station to account for your situation?

Injured Visitor: Sure, I’ve got to give them a few words and have them give me an explanation!

  Part 2 – James Bridge

[Gameplay]

 Part 3 – James Commerce District

[Gameplay]

 Part 4 – James Plaza – “Governance Program”

James Police Station

MC: The course of events is basically like so.

I gave a systematic, detailed account of the problems we’d encountered for these few days and handed the related evidence to the police officer.

After the police officer who received us finished listening, his brow wrinkled tightly.

Police Officer: I’m very sorry that you had to encounter these things. In the past, though we have received a few visitors’ complaints on the attractions’ price issues…

Police Officer: But as there were few of them, after we finished mediating on scene, we didn’t intervene too much.

Police Officer: Please don’t worry. We will definitely clear this up under pertinent regulations.

Police Officer: For the excess fees at restaurants and scenic locations, we will also supervise the return of those to you all from related persons.

MC: Thank you. It’s just that we hope that there will be a more thorough resolution for this…

I hadn’t finished speaking when that injured visitor started shouting angrily.

Injured Visitor: Hey, so it ends like this?

Injured Visitor: Can’t you properly think up of a way to make sure those people will never defraud visitors again?!

Police Officer: Please don’t worry, please don’t worry, we will definitely bring out a governance program as soon as possible. It’s just…

Zuo Ran: If I may be so presumptuous, is it that you’ve encountered a difficult issue?

Police Officer: Oh, that’s not it. It’s just that a definite implementation plan might require a stretch of time.

Police Officer: Although, please believe us – within the upcoming few months… we definitely will have the ability to completely eliminate the random fee collection cases in the scenic areas.

--

INTERROGATION START

Governance Plan

MC: May I ask… is it alright if you tell us about your governance plan?

Police Officer: Unfortunately, I cannot reveal too much, but I can guarantee…

Police Officer: After we will work with the police stations in all of Rumbaliya to spread rectification work and strictly handle the fee collection cases that already exist.

MC: (It sounds like they’ll probably draw up a very detailed governance plan…)

Visitor Compensation

Zuo Ran: Then, how will the losses that have already been dealt to visitors before be dealt with?

Police Officer: Oh, please don’t worry.

Police Officer: With regards to this, we’ve already prepared a related reimbursement plan.

Police Officer: We will do all we can to guarantee the benefit of each visitor. After verification, we will have related scenic areas carry out compensation according to rules.

Afterwards Handling

MC: I’m sorry, there’s something else I want to ask…

MC: After centralized regulation, do you have other plans to prevent cases of this sort from happening again?

Police Officer: Of course, we will partition out a group of colleagues to manage these affairs.

Police Officer: Also, we will have periodic checkups, as well as irregular spot checks to ensure that staff at scenic locations are cooperating with our work.

INTERROGATION END

--

MC: I hope it’s as you have said… that the fee collection cases can be held back in time.

Police Officer: It definitely will. Please believe in us.

Police Officer: When all of you visit again, you will definitely feel an obvious change.

 Part 5 – Romantic Greenhouse Park

[Gameplay]

 Part 6 – Tenderness in the Greenhouse

James Greenhouse Park

Following James River to the end of a little lane, Zuo Ran and I entered a greenhouse park filled with blooming flowers and wandered in it.

Diverse and splendid flowers, green plants that were full of vitality – everything was filled with life… just like my mood now.

MC: Awesome! Good thing Lawyer Zuo was there for the scenic spot fee collection issue to finally be resolved.

The evidence that Zuo Ran and I collected finally made the relevant people pay attention to the fee collection issue.

The staff repeatedly promised that they would definitely rectify this issue and work on reimbursements for visitors who had blindly suffered losses.

So far, the effort we had expended finally received its harvest in stages.

Zuo Ran: In fact, most of the credit goes to you for how smoothly this issue was resolved. I did not help much.

MC: You clearly helped a lot!

MC: Lawyer Zuo, you helped me organize the information, collect the visitors’ feedback, and helped me obstruct that unreasonable restaurant boss…

MC: If not for you, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to deal with this so well on my own.

Zuo Ran: You’ve already done very well, and good work deserves to be praised. Unless you want me to tell you…

Zuo Ran: Do not be arrogant, and continue doing your best?

MC: They’re all fine. Either way, it’s all praise, and I can accept it all.

Zuo Ran: Ah… I just can’t beat you.

Zuo Ran made a helpless expression, but his eyes revealed a deeper smile.

Zuo Ran: Seeing your mood improve, I can be at ease. For the past few days, you…

MC: Hm? Lawyer Zuo, my mood wasn’t as bad as you imagined.

I sat on a chair in the garden, enjoying the gentle sunlight that shone through the glass of the greenhouse.

MC: We did encounter some troublesome things these past few days and I was indeed annoyed…

MC: But these things won’t affect my mood! I’m even full of confidence that these sorts of things aren’t problems at all.

Zuo Ran sat beside me, his shining eyes fixed on me, seeming to decipher the deep meaning in my words.

MC: Because we’re the best partners. I know that if we’re together, any difficult issues we encounter will be resolved smoothly.

Zuo Ran: You’re right, we are the best partners.

MC: I feel a lot more relaxed! We can finally continue our trip!

MC: In a moment, how about we go see a performance again? Hm… or we could stroll down the riverside?

MC: I saw on the guides that the sunset view at the side of James River is very beautiful. Let’s go take…

The two words “take photos” hadn’t left my mouth when I suddenly froze, and with a “buzz”, it seemed like something was resounding in my head…

MC: Ah! I’m so screwed! I-I completely forgot about taking photos for Yao Yu!

For these few days, I kept feeling like I’d forgotten something, but I didn’t pay it much mind.

I’d completely forgotten about Yao Yu having me take photos!!

MC: I’m done for. Now I won’t be able to finish the task… in the next few days back, I’ll just cling onto Yao Yu’s legs and cry.

Zuo Ran: …

MC: Lawyer Zuo… you’re even laughing at me!

Zuo Ran: I’m not laughing.

Zuo Ran said he wasn’t laughing, but a smile still sprung up in his eyes.

Zuo Ran: Don’t rush, we’ll go now to take a picture of the James River sunset.

Zuo Ran: Also… the train will arrive at Forenlo Palace tomorrow and there are lots of building landscapes there. You’ll definitely be able to take beautiful pictures.

MC: Starting from now, I’m going to take pictures seriously! Lawyer Zuo, you’ve got to supervise me!

Zuo Ran: Okay, I’ll supervise you.

[homeimpgyk532]

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How To Make Moving Less Stressful

I was super grateful our discomfort medications remained in a clear container and also simple to identify the very first evening in our brand-new home, since I needed them after moving throughout the day. As well as, it is even less complicated to recognize what goes where when you have actually labels connected to each of your containers.

The last point you desire to shed throughout the step is any kind of essential files you might have. These papers would include your birth certification, social safety card, home mortgage info, as well as a lot more. Area each of these products inside a safeguarded folder and after that take it with you when you are lastly all set to move right into your new house.

Do you have a lot of your clothes hanging up in your storage room? You might dread the concept of drawing them off the hangers only to hang them back up in a closet in the brand-new house. The good news is that you do not need to do every one of that.

Easy Moving Tips To Make Your Move Less Stressful

Leave the hooks socializing from the top of the trash bag. You may then tie the bag shut. Once you move into your brand-new place, all you'll need to do is simply reduce the trash can off and hang your garments right within the brand-new closet. Not just is this a creative relocating hack to assist save some additional time, but it is likewise one that will certainly assist you keep those clothing clean.

Maintain your kitchen area items together by placing all your favorite seasonings and also little utensils inside your slow-moving cooker. If your slow-moving cooker is huge sufficient, you ought to have no problem suitable lots of things within it. Most notably, you can cover the slow-moving stove with the lid to maintain those spices as well as other points safe during the relocation.

Order moving boxes from a moving company for long moves. So this tip was repeated over as well as over by my pals who have actually made cross nation relocations. I am the individual who discovered free boxes from people for our brief, half mile move, but numerous of my good friends duplicated this, I felt it was essential to place in right here.

can make such a big difference when you are relocating. Or maybe they can assist with amusing your youngsters, assisting you unload, or perhaps cleaning the old or new area up a little bit. Not sure who to ask? Simply ask those that are closest to you, such as your moms and dads, brother or sisters, and also good friends you chat to frequently.

A few of your enjoyed ones might even have products that can make the relocating process a lot more manageable, such as hand vehicles for carrying heavy furnishings and boxes and protective covers for your furnishings. Our friends helped us on relocating day. Their teenage daughter captivated our kids, also taking them to our new community park, while the older youngsters helped us move and also do the heavy lifting.

Although, our buddies' kids declined payment, I rejoiced I at the very least provided. Incentive Idea: Make sure to call and alter over all energies at the very least one week before moving. Make a listing of all the utilities you need to activate as well as those you need to turn off as well as examine them off as you go.

How To Make Relocating Easier And Less Stressful

Moving is stressful for the majority of people. It is not unusual for people to feel aggravated over everything they need to do when it comes to relocating from one place to the following. While relocating takes time, initiative, as well as hrs of effort, there are ways to make it a little bit much less stressful.

Once you resolve into your new area, all the work that entered into moving deserves it.

When it comes to moving homes or houses, many people probably wouldn't have it on their list of leading 10 favored points to do or perhaps on their list of top 100 things to do. Besides being difficult, it's costly as well as taxing, not to discuss several various other not-too-positive adjectives you can most likely think about.

How To Make Moving Less Stressful

Then, when something added pops into your mind, compose it down right away. Points to detail out are disconnection days for energies, leaving your cable box, organizing donation center pick-ups, as well as a lot more. As soon as the list is quite complete, include the jobs to your calendar. A number of tasks each day will certainly make it much less overwhelming than if you have 30 things to do a week before you move. Making use of a relocating list is another vital method to reduce anxiety on relocating day.

This assists you keep things organized and saves you whole lots of time later on when you unpack. If you normally have a tendency to hesitate when doing things, when it concerns moving, do not. Beginning earlier, not later on. Packaging to relocate is not as easy as packaging for a vacation it always takes two times as lengthy as you believe it will. Start immediately by sorting as well as loading products that are not required and used on a daily basis.

That task is demanding enough, so do not complicate it with packaging, wrapping, as well as disassembling furnishings. While several of things you're moving will normally be larger than others, when it involves the majority of your things, it's finest to utilize boxes that coincide dimension.

How To Make Moving Less Stressful

But if you proceed a much less popular relocating day, it'll save you both cash as well as stress and anxiety. If you have a versatile schedule, experiment with prospective moving days and search for the most inexpensive day to make a consultation. Moving business are busiest on weekends, so if you can skip Saturday as well as arrange your step for a weekday, you'll be checking out a respectable price cut as well as prevent the insaneness. Schedule your movers ASAP, approximately six weeks beforehand.

Obtain help and also do not overstate your own capability. It is much cheaper to hire a number of movers than to spend the day in the emergency space. However suppose you can not afford professional movers? If your spending plan will not enable traditional moving companies, there are more low-priced methods to get assistance.

Stress can be lowered, but can not be prevented one hundred percent. Since of this, you require to have a great deal of energy, which originates from obtaining enough rest and also good-for-you food. Although it's tough to maintain excellent type all the time, it is very important to try to take great treatment of your well-being before the step given that you'll need the advantages of doing so.

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Ways You Can Make Moving Less Stressful

Most of us know that moving can be demanding. There are a great deal of things to do as well as it always seems like you may be neglecting something. Likewise, changing your residence implies a great deal of psychological stress also. So here we will certainly tell you some points you can do to make moving much less difficult.

Relocating is stressful for numerous people. The stress and anxiety of a relocation is so notorious that you can find investigations as well as articles such as divorce? That's not as stressful as moving house. But why is moving so difficult? The psychological anxiety of relocating is well-known because altering house is a complicated experience.

Tips And Tricks For Moving Faster And Easier

However, we do not agree with that. Relocating suggests a little bit of tension because it is an important choice. There are likewise several points you have to do as well as make certain you total properly. In addition to that, like virtually whatever, it indicates adjustment and also some unpredictabilities. That is why we are followers of making moving much less difficult.

Numerous things demand your attention as well as it can overwhelm you sometimes! However, remainder ensured that it is entirely feasible to make the experience less stressful. Approve that tension is a regular part of the relocating process, The very first step to getting over relocating stress and anxiety is approval.

Things You Can Do To Make Moving Less Stressful

You will be prepared for it. Assume regarding it like this: anxiety is an all-natural human feedback to a demanding circumstance. However, you have a say in how you respond to that anxiety. You can take it as something adverse and also suffer. Or you can function your way with it and achieve excellent things.

That way, you can actually collaborate with it instead of being controlled by it. One of the most essential point is to acknowledge the tension without letting it prevent you from the jobs available. Remain organized! Something that will certainly aid you a great deal previously, throughout, and also after your step is to be organized every action of the way! For this, a checklist will be an excellent ally.

Simple Ways To Make Moving Less Stressful For You

Keeping every one of this only in your head might bring about extra stress and anxiety and also to forgetting some details. So to minimize tension as well as minimize forgetfulness, creating whatever down will certainly make a large difference! There are lots of sources on the web that can aid you. You can have a look at packing checklists or moving checklists to obtain some ideas.

Honor the journey, all of it. Moving is also a heavily emotional process. Besides all things you have to do, relocating implies a great deal of modification will certainly involve your life. You leave points behind and you fulfill new people. This can produce both stress and also enjoyment. So, honor that procedure as well as live the trip completely.

Fantastic Storage Tips To Make Moving Out Less Stressful

Do not concentrate just on what you are leaving behind and also just how that makes you unfortunate. You can likewise look forward to all the new, trendy things awaiting you! Attempt to keep a favorable mindset. Maintaining a positive frame of mind makes a large difference in every facet of your life, not simply moving! Scientific research has shown that favorable thinking assists with tension monitoring as well as can also enhance your health and wellness.

Embrace it, accept it, endure on your own. And also try to see the silver lining of points. This will most definitely make a distinction for the far better. It is likewise very crucial to search for assistance in buddies as well as family members rather of dealing with every little thing by on your own. Speaking to others will certainly aid you keep your feet grounded and also not obtain brought away by the stress and anxiety.

Expert Tips To Ensure A Stress-free Moving Experience

Regardless of where you are moving to, you are more than likely to experience a terrific deal of stress and anxiety. Stress is somewhat normal yet some things are better done when you are unwinded. Moving is among those points. It is the only method to make moving much less stressful.

Make the strategies before it is also late. A checklist is a necessity. Get expert assistance. Do not move during the active season. Probably one of the most typical blunder is not beginning promptly.

How To Make Moving Day Less Stressful?

If you lack time, whatever will be in a rush and also there is no area for you to catch a breath. That indicates that you will be worried and that is something that you want to avoid. When you have enough time, everything becomes possible. You can inspect numerous moving companies, examine several storage options, and so on. Of training course, you can constantly ensure modifications however the core need to continue to be the exact same. Obtain professional assistance. If you have expert long-distance moving companies on your side, you are going to be more kicked back. Relocating on your very own is certainly a lot more stressful than when having expert assistance.

[burnedbyshoto]

bbs 10,000 celebration

hi all, so this is a lot, like always, because I don’t really know what we call... self control.

what you can do for this: come and thirst with me! come and be soft with me! let’s talk about any of my works you loved and now want to talk with me about! send me your favorite stories you’ve created and i’ll reblog them! or, as my typical antics go, choose a prompt below.

as always there are a few categories, and it is no different now.

you’ll find prompts regarding:  fluff, angst, smut, types of kisses, cliches, and miscellaneous 

all those options are down below so please feel free to choose any of those should you be unable to pick anything.

should you pick a prompt, submit it as the following: character, genre, number.

Fluff

“It’s too cold! Come back!”

“No, I’m never letting you go. It’s too early to get out of bed.”

“I’m not gonna stop poking you until you give me some attention.”

“What? Does that feel good?”

“If it wasn’t for you, I’d be so lost. I’m so glad you came into my life.”

“I’d do anything for you.”

“Us… I like the sound of that.”

“You always know what to say.”

“You weren’t supposed to laugh! I’m so embarrassed!”

“Come here, you tiny smug bastard.”

“Just let me lean on the damn cart!”

“This might sound selfish, but I don’t care about the world - I only care about you!”

“Stop staring at me like that.”

“I know how this goes. First, you buy me a drink, then you tell me how pretty I look, and then, at the end of the night, you ask for my number.”

“Don’t get too close to that one, she’ll singe your fingertips and have you on your knees.”

“You have nothing to be insecure about.”

“______, we have a problem.” “I’ve been gone for like two minutes.”

“No, keep it. I want you to have it.”

“If you’re gonna make fun of me…”

“Oh my God, …we’re gonna be homeless.”

“Why’d you let go of my hand? Did I say something?”

“I know I kissed you before, but I didn’t do it right. Can I try again?”

“I don’t regret every second with you, I treasure them.”

“He loves you, you know? He’s just afraid of admitting it.”

“I want everyone in the world to know you’re mine.”

“You’re so needy.”

“Need I remind you that your ring finger already belongs to me?”

“OH, you’re jealous!”

“Please just kiss me already.”

“I think you might be my soulmate.”

“I could punch you right now.”

“You’re insane,” “You love me,” “Not right now I don’t.”

“I’m going to fucking smack you in a minute, I swear.” - “That’s not very nice.”

Send in your own!

Angst

“You deserve someone who values you.”

“I can’t take the loneliness anymore.”

“Maybe I’m meant to be alone.”

“I’ve been alone for so long.”

“It isn’t up for debate.”

“I told you that I’d never leave you; I’m not going anywhere.”

“You take me instead, do you hear me? Give her back and take me instead.”

“You would risk the lives of millions for one person? Why?” - “Because it’s not just one life…it’s yours.”

“This might sound selfish, but I don’t care about the world - I only care about you!”

“You don’t have to carry the weight of the world all by yourself, you know?”

“You’re a coward, (Name)! You hide away this entirely different part to yourself because you’re afraid that someone might get close to you! You’re afraid that someone might just care about you more than you think you deserve. That - that isn’t fair.”

“I find that being a coward keeps me more alive, so no thanks.”

“You can’t tell that I am in love with you because you were too busy loving someone else to notice me.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m done waiting.”

“All I want is for you to look at me the way you look at them.”

“It was a blatant lie when you said that you love me, but I don’t care.”

“Have you ever loved me? You know what, don’t say anything, we all know the answer.”

“It’s time to stop lying to ourselves.”

“Can I convince you to stay?”

“You were no good for me and I was too naive to see that.”

“You did a wonderful job convincing people that you love me, I almost fell for it.”

“I’ve finally come to accept the fact that you will never think I’m good enough for you.”

“I’m sorry, I think you got the wrong number.”

“Whoever you want to be with right now, that person is not me.”

“I’m sorry that I’m not who you wanted me to be.��

“I thought there’s something wrong with me. Turns out, it’s all you.”

“You used to look at me like that.”

“Sometimes, I wonder if things could have worked out.”

“You know what’s funny? No matter what you’ve done, I’ll still fall for you all over again.”

“Say it, say you don’t love me.”

“I had been in love with you for my entire life and you decided to love me back when I finally gave up.”

“Your ego stopped you from loving me, how sad is that.”

“We aren’t meant to be, can’t you tell?”

Send in your own!

Smut

“Underwear is optional.”

“Would you prefer my tongue or my cock?”

“There are only two acceptable options: either you eat me, or I’m going to eat you.”

“Remember this: your body belongs to me, and me alone.

“Your body seems to have other ideas.”

“If you keep moaning like that, you’re going to wake everyone else up.”

“I want you to watch me when I fuck you.”

“Not until you properly beg for it.”

“Don’t worry…I’ll make sure to take my sweet time punishing you.”

“No need to fantasize when the real thing is right in front of you.”

“Stop teasing me, fuck!”

“You know, you always look so much better when I mark you up.”

“You look so good with my hand wrapped around your throat.”

“You’d better be quiet if you don’t want to get caught.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want? I could really hurt you.”

“If you’re going to act like a little brat then I’m going to treat you like a little brat.”

“I don’t care how good it feels you’d better not cum until I tell you to.”

“I bet you think you’re really cute letting them put their hands all over you. We’ll see how cute you look later when I get you home.”

“You don’t have to be gentle with me, I don’t break easily.”

“You take my fingers so well don’t you?”

“Did I stutter? Do as you’re told!”

“Look at you, I’ve only started using my fingers and you’re already shaking.”

“If you keep making those sounds I’m not going to be able to stop myself.”

“Take it off. Slowly.”

“Such a needy little thing, aren’t you?”

“Pushing back against my fingers already? How pathetic.”

“Did I say you could stop?”

“Well since you want to cum so badly, why don’t we see how many times I can make you cum right now.”

“Come sit on my face, let me show you how much I missed you.”

“So desperate for it, aren’t you? Well, if you want it so bad you’d better start taking it.”

“Maybe I should leave you like this, that way anyone who wanted to use you could have a go with you. Would you like that?”

“You know, you look really pretty when you cry.”

“Look at you, grinding against everything, you’re really desperate for it. Aren’t you?”

Send in your own!

Cliches/Situations

There’s people chasing us and I pulled you into the alley with me and wow you’re close

You confessed your feelings and we’re about to kiss but we get interrupted

I need a date for this wedding

I’m going to save you from the terrible date you’re having

You took a bullet for me

“I’ve been in love with you for years.”

I called you at 2 am because I need you

I’m scared but won’t admit it so you take my hand

Holding out their arm in front of s/o’s view to prevent them from being shot.

Suddenly pulling them in for a dance.

Watching them sleep in the early morning. 

Pleading for s/o to keep walking toward them in the midst of destruction, hand outstretched and desperate. 

Holding their hair back as they vomit into the toilet. 

Taking them to a pet store and falling in love with them as they gush over the millions of puppies. 

Singing together/catching them singing softly to themselves as they cook/do the dishes. 

Showing up at a club after they’ve called them, drunkenly needing their presence, and then taking them home. 

Breaking up in the middle of the pouring rain/watching them through the rear-view mirror as they drive away. 

Helping them with their homework, then proceeding to distract them. 

Taking them a bath after a long day/mission gone awry. 

Bandaging them up, scolding them for getting themselves hurt. 

Willingly becoming the bait in a mission to save them. 

Going on a mission together, partnering up as husband and wife. 

Calling them during a panic attack, having them rush over to sooth them.

Distancing themselves in order to keep them safe. 

Losing their memory only to have it come back after a much-awaited true love’s kiss. 

Watching over them while they’re in a coma, never leaving their side, never sleeping because they want to be there when they wake up. 

Being in denial about them actually being in love with them. 

Having to erase s/o’s memory of them so they can remain safe. 

Choosing someone else over them. 

Wrapped up in a sheet after a drunken night, flustered and trying to find their clothes while they watch you amusingly.

Waking up to them making you breakfast while half-naked.

Being utterly touch starved and too shy to ask to be held, so they resolve to brush their fingers against a part of s/o’s skin, etc.

Being the overly protective one during the pregnancy, doing everything for their s/o.

Send in your own!

Types of Kisses

Small kisses littered across the other’s face.

A breathy demand: “Kiss me” - and what the other person does to respond.

An accidental brush of lips followed by a pause and going back for another, on purpose.

Throwing their arms around the other person’s neck, hugging them close before kissing them passionately on the lips.

Wild, breathless kisses brought on by a heartfelt gift.

French kisses where they trace every tooth with their tongues as though trying to memorize them.

Laying a gentle kiss to the back of the other’s hand.

A hello/good-bye kiss that is given without thinking - where neither person thinks twice about it.

Morning kisses that are exchanged before either person opens their eyes, kissing blindly until their lips meet in a blissful encounter.

Sneaking away to a hidden corner to share a secretive kiss.

A kiss so desperate that the two wind around each other, refusing to let go until they are finished.

A fierce kiss that ends with a bite on the lip, soothing it with a lick.

One person pouting, only to have it removed by a kiss from the other person

Tucking their hands beneath the other person’s shirt, just to watch them break the kiss and gasp in surprise at the sensation of cold/warm hands on their skin.

One person stopping a kiss to ask “Do you want to do this?”, only to have the other person answer with a deeper, more passionate kiss.

Kissing in a stairwell, giving them an artificial height difference.

Deep kisses where they have their hands tangled in each other’s hair to pull them closer.

Brushing a kiss along the shell of the other person’s ear.

Kisses exchanged while one person sits on the other’s lap.

One person tracing the other’s lips with a fingertip until they can’t resist any longer, tilting their chin towards them for a kiss.

Staring at each other’s lips for a moment before moving closer, as if drawn together by some unseen force.

Weak, sweaty kisses because it’s unbearably hot.

Pulling away from a kiss, whispering words of love against each other’s lips.

An unexpected kiss that shocks the one receiving it.

Kisses that start on their fingers and run up their arm, eventually ending on their lips.

Kissing tears from the other’s face.

Kisses shared under an umbrella.

Distracting kisses from someone that is meant to stop the other person from finishing their work, and give them kisses instead.

A kiss pressed to the top of the head.

Tentative kisses that are given in the dark.

One person has to bend down in order to kiss their partner, who is standing on their tip-toes to reach their partner’s.

A kiss, followed by more that trail down the jaw and neck.

A single loving kiss left on the other’s forehead when they fall asleep snuggled close together.

Send in your own!

Miscellaneous

“You are weak with love for her.” 

“You attack one of us… you attack all of us.” 

“Sacrifice, that’s what we do for the people we love.” 

“I thought they’d killed you. I lost my temper.” 

“Don’t you touch her.” 

“If I can still breathe, I’m fine.” 

“Kind of a pretty boy, isn’t he?” 

“I wonder what will get you killed first – your loyalty or your stubbornness?”

“Where you go, I go.” 

“These people are my family, and if you hurt them in anyway – I will kill you.” 

“You are my dearest friend. My deepest love. You are the best part of me.” 

“You are the sun.”

“Oh, darling, everybody sees how you look at him.” 

“The choices I’ve made I would make again, for him, no matter the cost.”

“I’ll choose her happiness over mine every time.” 

“Of all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you.” 

“That’s beyond stupid. He’s created a new kind of stupid.” 

“People say that I am heartless.” 

“You save everyone, but who saves you?” 

“I think you are the sweetest thing.” 

“Chin up, kid, they’d kill to see you fall.”

“I’m already home.”

“I want you to be proud of yourself. I want you to believe that you’re good enough because you are. You’re so amazing.”

Leaning into the others hand, turning their head and pressing a kiss to the palm

“If you want to leave, we can leave.”

“Should I go first or...do you want to go?”

“Would it help if I stayed?”

“I thought you said no more dangerous stunts?”

“Please don’t say that about yourself. Please don’t believe that. You’re so much more than that. You’re so...”

“You don’t own her/him/them. You don’t get to choose who they choose. I don’t get to choose who they choose. No one, but them, gets to make that decision.”

“I just want you to be happy...”

“I’m going to die. I’m going to die with an absolute idiot!” 

“I want you to be happy...even if its not with me.”

“Have you ever kissed anyone before?”

“If I told you I hate you, what would you do?”

[khhunniewriting]

The Others (1)

[ Mafia/Gang AU ]

When someone dangerous marries someone equally as dangerous there is no room for error. Being the other woman and mother to the other son makes you exactly that.

Warning: None yet...

“Y/N are you alright?” Your landlady asked as she saw you sitting at the foot of the stairs. 

You quickly offered a smile that put her old heart at ease. “I’m fine Mrs. Park.”

She noticed the bags of groceries beside you and your slumped shoulders. “This is the third time I find you here. Are you getting enough rest?”

“Honestly, I’ve been so busy looking for a job and can hardly sleep.” You sat up rubbing your lower back and hitting it a few times in the spot that ached most. There was never a need for you to work when you had Dok2. He took care of you financially during your unconventional relationship in exchange for privacy.

“It must be hard with the pregnancy and all...”

You stared at the elder woman like a deer caught in the headlights. “How did you-?” No one knew you were pregnant, you hadn’t told anyone because you yourself had just found out a few days ago.

She offered you a kind smile as she sat down beside you. “I’m old now but I was once a beautiful young woman with a figure that turned heads and hair that had people asking me what shampoo I used.” 

Soon you were smiling again, your worries from earlier had been taken away by the nice woman who took the time out of her day to speak with you.

“But five daughters later I’m struggling to keep these strands from leaving me.”

“F-five daughters,” you gasped. “Mrs. Park, you never had a son?”

She sighed, “Sadly, never. Or else I might have skin as beautiful as yours.”

“Mine?”

“Darling your skin is just so beautifully radiant and your hair is shining. You're glowing despite being fatigued. I’ll bet you this apartment complex, you are having a boy.”

“You sound so sure.”

“It’s an old wives tale but it’s true. Girls suck the beauty out of you and take it for themselves. If you don’t believe me compare me and Mrs.Kim on the third floor. She had three boys and is as young and fit as a thirty-year-old while I struggle to get up to the third floor.”

You laughed hearing her reasoning. It had been weeks since you last had a conversation with anyone. Depression was slowly creeping up on you but now you felt refreshed thanks to her. “I’m sorry I’m not laughing at you, Mrs. Park. It’s just-”

“I know,” she put her hand on your shoulder and lovingly gave you a tight squeeze. “I’m glad I could bring back that smile of yours. Lately, you were looking down and I didn’t know what to do. You may think I’m just a nosy old lady but why hasn’t the father been around? He should be helping you out, men nowadays should know better than to leave everything to the woman.”

The question” caused your smile to falter while simultaneously making your heart flutter. You knew it wasn’t right but that was what happened. There was no one you missed more than Joonkyung.

Seeing your reaction Mrs.Park stopped. The longing in your eyes spoke volumes to a wise woman like her who had lived a full life. “Darling if you ever need anything you can come to me.”

“Thank you,” the tears you had held back till now suddenly spilled as you thanked her. “I don’t know what to do Mrs. Park. I’m so scared.” You hid your face in the palms of your hands. The thoughts you had pushed aside for weeks were starting to come back up.

“Y/N you have to be strong for your son. He’s going to count on you for everything.”

“I know,” you whispered. “That’s what scares me, I’m not strong like you say.” If she knew how you threw yourself at a married man you knew her opinions would surely change about you. “I’m not fit to be a mother. I’ve done so many things wrong-”

“We all make mistakes. What matters now is that you learn from them and get stronger because you are everything to that child.”

Her words kept you from crying further. It was like they were making sense of the whole situation for you. She comforted you but at the same time, she kept it real. Of course, you weren’t perfect, so what? At least now you got one step closer. “Thanks, Mrs. Park.”

“No need to thank me just make sure you rest well from now on. Eat properly and take care of yourselves.”

“I will.”

\\\

It wasn’t until several months later that Dok2 contacted you. He didn’t mention the past events, ask how you were, or anything for that matter. He simply texted you a time and location. It was a hotel, as usual. You were pretty sure all he wanted was to get away from his wife. A wife you knew close to nothing about. She was always demanding according to him. Now you figured she would be much more than he could handle. 

Carrying a child was no easy task as you had learned so you couldn’t blame her. 

Your feet were constantly aching, every afternoon you walked up the stairs it felt like you were walking barefoot on an open flame. On the outside, you looked good and got complimented on your pregnancy glow but you were dead tired. At first, you didn’t believe in those old wives tales. Now that it was confirmed you were to give birth to a boy you found yourself believing. 

Looking at the brightly lit screen you felt the urge to reply right away with a yes. You desperately wanted to see him. Even if he never really loved you, you loved him with all your heart. 

You knew the risks, you knew where you stood in his life. 

He had a wife... he loved her enough at one point to vow the rest of his life to her. He connected with her emotionally and while the physical relationship between them had died down you were no replacement for the years of love and passion they had already shared up to that point.

Now that she was pregnant, his love and attention were solely hers and their unborn baby. You had no one to blame but yourself for the position you were in. You were the only one who got carried away loving a man that was never really yours for the taking.

Compared to her...you would always be disposable. 

You knew that now...

You: I’m not coming.

After sending the message there was a rush of regret. This was your chance to see him, to hold him, to show him that you too were pregnant. Your arms wrapped around your protruding belly.

“What luck... to be able to impregnate your wife and your mistress at the same time.” Saying it out loud was the only way for you to internalize the gravity of your situation. It was the only way you could remind yourself how wrong it was for him to be contacting you. 

Dok2 stopped midway to his car when he read your response. In three years you had never denied him, even when arguments had ensued.

Dok2: Is something wrong?

He raced to the luxury condo he had housed you in when his text went unanswered. He let himself in only to find It was empty. The place was still intact, all furnishings and even some clothes remained in the closets but it was clear you hadn’t been there for a while. Your prized white orchids had all dried out, their petals scattered on the floor.

Now he was really beginning to worry...

You woke up when your phone wouldn’t stop ringing and flinched at the bright screen when you tried to see who it was. Against your better judgment, you answered full of rage. The one night you had managed to get to bed on time- “Joonkyung its midnight!”

“Why didn’t you respond to my message?”

“I fell asleep,” you lied knowing you purposely chose to ignore it. What you were feeling could not be expressed in a single text. You doubted you could ever explain anything at all to him. 

“Why aren’t you here?”

“I told you I wasn’t go-”

“Not at the hotel,” he stopped you.

Your heart sank at the realization, “You’re at the condo.” The condo you had moved out of nearly five months ago after he broke the news to you and subsequently found out you were pregnant.

“Where are you?”

You sighed, “I no longer felt comfortable living there so I moved.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” In the back of his mind, he knew what was going on but he chose not to accept it until you confessed to it. 

“I’ve been busy.”

“Too busy to send a text?”

“This isn’t really a conversation to be had by text even now it doesn’t feel right to talk about it through the phone.” Judging by his tone of voice he knew that. 

“If you wanted a bigger place I could have found one for you.”

“That’s not-” you pulled the phone away as your eyes glistened with half-formed tears as you used your free hand to lovingly hold your belly. “That’s not the point Joonkyung.” You sighed once more showing how difficult it was for you to voice your thoughts.

Dok2 leaned back against the bedroom wall with a knot in his throat. He wasn’t stupid, this all spelled it out for him.

“By now I know better than to tell you I love you but I really do Joonkyung. Enough to have betrayed my own morals and better judgment. I let myself become the other woman. Knowing that you two had problems made it easier for me to convince myself I did nothing wrong but...” You sighed blinking away the tears. “There is still a chance. Your marriage with your wife still has a chance and I don’t want to stand in the way. I could be the other woman but I can not and will not become a homewrecker.”

He didn’t realize when he had started pacing the black marble floors of the spacious bedroom. He only knew that he stopped when your voice did. 

There was silence for a moment as he cleared his throat. Your heartfelt monologue was to blame for the complications he was having to even speak. “Is that really what  you want?”

No, but... You steeled your resolve to reply, “It’s the right thing to do.” Your thoughts and actions didn’t exactly sync but with time you were hopeful of moving on.

“The right thing isn’t always the best.”

Your heart filled with hope at the idea that perhaps Dok2 did love you. That he wanted to be with you. But you reminded yourself of what was really at stake here. Your son deserved to live a happy life full of unconditional love, sadly he would not be able to provide that. 

“Is she having a boy or a girl?”

Dok2 was taken back by the question but answered nonetheless, “I don’t know.” It wasn’t that he hadn’t asked, she had simply told him it was unclear.

“Say she is a girl, I have no doubt you would spoil her with lavish gifts and treasure her existence as your little princess. Then imagine her as an adult being in my position- what would you say?”

Again silence.

“I’ll answer for you. You would say nothing because you would do anything humanly possible to keep her from ever coming close to this situation. You would see her marry happily and if a problem ever did arise in the marriage you would advise her against adultery, against divorce, against complacency- because that’s the norm. But eventually, one or the other will happen. The best advice you can give her is to do what’s right for her.”

For some reason when you explained it in this manner he felt more affected by his current situation. He felt YOUR pain.

“Leaving quietly is the right thing for me to do Joonkyung. Besides, I know you don’t love me the way you love her.” Your head throbbed with the accumulating pressure of you desperately keeping your composure, keeping from sobbing into the phone. “Goodbye Joonkyung.”

He said nothing as you ended the call.

This was all his fault.

If he had known that someday he would fall in love... he would have never married his wife. After all, their marriage was based on convenience. It was a deal made for the better of their families in a time when he thought himself immune to romance. To keep him away from women that would try to use him for his money and power his family chose someone who already had both. 

Along the way, Dok2 felt something for her that made it easier to accept her as his wife in all the meaning of the word. But... it was never this feeling he had for you. 

The feeling of wanting nothing more than to see you happy.

This was love.

\\\

You thought that would be the last time you ever utter his name but sadly you were mistaken.

Weeks later you had once again joined the workforce. In your condition, you were grateful to have been able to land the position of spa manager for a luxury hotel. 

Overseeing the daily activities of the spa was manageable enough that you did it until you were heavily pregnant and ready to birth your son.

“You should really go on maternity leave already.”

You turned to see the hotel manager making her way past the spa’s receptionist. The woman seemed a serious career-type at first glance but in the course of your time there you had interacted with her plenty of times to know she was more than that. She had become a good friend.

That is why, despite the coldness of her words, you knew she had meant no harm. She was simply concerned for you.

“If I could afford it, I would.”

The receptionist’s brow rose in question, “Manager what about all those luxury bags you gave everyone for Mother’s Day?” The receptionist was a young mom as well, her daughter was only two years old and for Mother’s Day you had gifted her a Gucci handbag she could never in her wildest dreams afford.

You were visibly distressed by her question. “Those were given to me but I had no use for such luxurious things.”

They immediately got the hint that perhaps they were treading into a topic that should be avoided. 

“At least consider reducing your hours.”

“Yeah,” the receptionist agreed with her. “Perhaps you can go home early every once in a while.”

There was a sense of relief knowing there were people who looked out for you. “I’ll consider it,” you assured with a smile.

Just to prove you had done just that and left your duties a couple of hours early.

As soon as you stepped foot into the lobby you noticed another equally pregnant woman looking around as if she were in need of assistance. The pained look on her face and shallow breathing indicated something was definitely wrong with her.

“Are you okay?”

The woman’s gaze was full of contempt once she gave your appearance a look over. When her eyes landed on yours it was as if she came to a realization. Her features took on a frigid state.

“Are you Y/N?”

Your body reacted in shock from hearing your name before you could say otherwise. The wide-eyed disbelief giving away the response.

“I have been meaning to talk to you,” she continued knowing she had found her intended audience.

Of all the questions running through your mind, you lost your chance to ask how she knew your name or what she wanted to talk about but you would soon find out. The way she proposed to continue the conversation outside.

The woman pointed out a somewhat busy cafe across the street that would serve well as a place to converse. Normally you would never follow a stranger this way. However, you were relying on her not being a threat simply because she was a pregnant woman. 

Besides, something told you this woman would get her way regardless of your cooperation. There was a suffocating air of authority around her that demanded you give in to her command for your own benefit. 

Upon sitting down you both released a sigh of relief from being off your feet. It was the only break in the silence since the lobby.

“So... how do you know my name? I don’t think we’ve met before-”

“I am Lee Kylie. Dok2 is my husband although I suspect you know him better as Lee Joonkyung.”

Your eyes shifted down to the wooden table between you two fully grasping the situation now. This was a confrontation between a wife and the other woman. “I always knew this day might come.”

Kylie scowled, “the way you were cautiously cowering away before had me expecting an apology.”

“I am sorry for what I have done,” you began. "But I did not intend to get between you and your husband. That is why I stopped meeting him after finding out you were pregnant.”

A single brow raised in question. Kylie began thinking about her husband’s change in behavior. How he seemed to go out much more recently. That was the reason she found out about you. Yet you say you two no longer see each other? 

“The fact that you began seeing him at all is offense enough for me to take action.” Kylie neatly folded her hands on top of the table leaning in towards you. “In the mafia, it is common for men to have multiple women. Some openly flaunt their adulterous ways while others go by a stricter code of conduct that has them hide all traces of their mistress’ from the family. In which case, if the wife were to come by the information... she would be allowed to do as she sees fit.”

“The mafia?” Your heart began to pound against your chest incessantly.

“The fact that you do not know of his business speaks volumes of your relationship.” She shifted to sit back and look down on you now that she felt much better of her standing. “My husband, Lee Joonkyung, is the powerful and wealthy leader known as Dok2 of the Illionaire family.”

You had heard about Illionaire. But things like the mafia, gangs, and the nightlife was never something you wanted to get involved in. Occasionally the jewelry store you used to work at would see an occasional member as a customer. They tended to be the kind of people who bought the flashier expensive pieces. Coincidentally it was how you met Joonkyung. 

Now you realized it wasn’t much of a coincidence. 

“Tell me, is yours his as well?”

Kylie’s question startled you but you didn’t let it show. Until now you never imagined you would be having such a conversation with Joonkyung’s wife.

“I assume it is but taking into consideration you willingly left... either you are a good girl full of guilt and remorse- obviously unfit for someone like Dok2 who is the head of Illionaire. Or you also maintained multiple relationships resulting in you not knowing the paternity of your child.”

There it was, your way out of this mess. 

“I don’t know...”

-end-

A/N: WTF AM I STARTING A NEW SERIES?!! That’s what you’re thinking and I am asking myself the same thing. I guess I selfishly believe that you won’t mind me lagging on the requests as long as I write something to show I am still here.  Wishful thinking perhaps????

But did you see what I did there with Dok2′s wife?

[dazais-guardian-angel]

About bkg apologizing. Here is my fear. Is Hori gonna frame that apology merely for bkg's sake so that ppl can say "look! He's changed! he's better" or will he frame it as something towards Izuku, something that Izu needs to hear, he deserves, for all the shit, the pain that he went through. Bc I feel that's important, the apology should be for the victim's sake not just to prop up the apologizer. Maybe I feel like this BC I feel the story has acted as if he's redeemed so this doesn't assure me.

First of all, sorry for the huge delay anon; I hope you still see this!! I’ve been sick and just haven’t had enough brainpower to answer this.

But yes, I.... I am extremely skeptical about how this supposed apology would even go down, if Hori is really going to go through with it, and how. Because exactly like you said, and I said in the tags of that post, the story has been going in a way that it feels like Bakugou’s “arc” is already... resolved? Bakugou vs Izuku after the license exam, where they each come to a better “understanding” heavy quotes here smh of how the other feels, and All Might declares their “rivalry” having evolved into a more “healthy” one, where they each push each other to do better by their different approaches to being a hero and Bakugou’s “approach” is a whole other rant, feels like the endpoint of any true animosity between them from the narrative; it hasn’t set up or foreshadowed any more need for anything more on Bakugou’s part to redeem himself or make right past wrongs. In the story, he suffers through being kidnapped, having to carry the guilt that he was indirectly responsible for his idol’s downfall, and failing the license exam (mind you, due to his own arrogant actions). These things are all treated as fair punishments to give him a reality check/deflate his ego somewhat, and in return, he gets a hug and praise and reassurance and highly intimate/personal and classified information from All Might. And... that’s it? That seems to be the end of any problems between Bakugou and Izuku, he’s literally just a running, yelling gag now, and the narrative’s “redemption” of Bakugou seems to be more about sympathizing him and making two squabbling kids learn to get along and tolerate each other, then about... making a bully apologize to his former victim.

Which is why as horrible as it sounds, the way the story has been going, I can’t see any way an apology from Bakugou wouldn’t feel out of place now? The time for that is long past; the narrative has not set up for it at ALL. The story, the teachers, the other students, and Izuku himself have NEVER seen or treated Bakugou as an abuser or even just an unreasonably violent person in general, so there’s no precedent or demand for him to even consider apologizing or even thinking about and regretting his actions! Sure, no one knows Bakugou abused Izuku, but that hardly matters; he’s temperamental, hostile, and dangerous with his quirk, constantly nearly kills Izuku and anyone else he fights, has a terrible attitude problem that he should have outgrown years ago, and yet NO ADULT DOES ANYTHING ABOUT HIM. Rather, they let him BE, because they sometimes see these situations he gets into as a good learning experience!! The other students laugh at him and treat him like a joke, don’t mind getting yelled at or pushed around by him, and even All Might himself praises his “friendship” with Izuku, who he has tried to hurt or threatened to hurt multiple times, until their relationship improved to the bare minimum level of him no longer doing that. And as for Izuku himself, the only person who knows that he was bullied by Bakugou in the past besides Bakugou himself ofc, he does not feel any hostility towards or expect anything from him - he was always frustrated and hurt that they could not get along, that Bakugou treated him as he did, but it was always with the hope that they could one day return to being the friends they once were; Izuku has never had the self-esteem to recognize that he has absolutely no obligation to care about Kacchan as much as he does, that he owes him nothing, and that Bakugou is not his friend and has so much work to do before he can even maybe be his friend again. 

Am I relieved to hear Hori say Bakugou needs to apologize? Absolutely. But all this is why I honestly would have had no idea he even wants this to happen if he hadn’t said it; with the narrative as it is right now, I cannot see what on earth will happen to set it up without it feeling sudden and forced, and thus, ingenuine, like you said. Hori seems to truly feel like Bakugou needs to do this, so I take comfort in the fact that he wouldn’t just throw it in to please fans or something, but... yes, I too fear that if it’s not done properly, without the right build-up, Bakugou stans will grasp at it to say that he’s been fully redeemed, when it hasn’t been earned at all. The recent little hints towards Best Jeanist and Bakugou’s relationship with him that we’ve yet to see give me fleeting hope that he’s related to how this apology will eventually happen, and trust me, I would love that (since BJ is the only character we’ve really seen so far to chastise Bakugou), but I can only wonder and worry and hope for now.

tl;dr I desperately want this apology, but only if it’s lead up to right, and right now I ain’t seeing how that will happen.

[slasherscream]

A/N: i got…  just the absolute sweetest messages from a reader who’s chinese so that’s what this is the result of. we poc deserve hella specific imagines just like anyone else!! smooches @calling-out-maeday. hope you like it!!

     sidney prescott x chinese fem!reader x tatum riley                ft. that’s it …. that’s the whole concept          (and a whole lot of learning to love yourself)

                                                     ——————– 

The girls stop dead in their tracks the first time they notice you. Or        Tatum stops dead in her tracks. She’s the one who actually sees you first. She throws out her arm to psychically stop Sidney (because the moment requires some drama god dammit). Sidney is about to start glaring when Tatum, in the most love-struck voice Sidney has ever heard from her, goes “who is that?" 

Sidney finds you easily in the crowd. Mostly because Tatum is pointing at you in a way that is both not subtle and also … rude. She has to let it go because … well         Tatum has always had good taste, "No idea. I’ve never … seen them around before.” It took her a second to properly get the words out because you were so pretty. 

You must be new since the town is small enough to have a vague idea of everyone who attends even if you don’t know everyone’s name. Just being frank Tatum knows she’s not stupid enough to have missed going to school with a Chinese girl all these years since you’d have been, quite literally, the only one. Despite this being California, Woodsboro is a little lacking in diversity. 

“I’m gonna go talk to her.” Sidney thinks she just saw Tatum adjust her shirt (aka boobs) a little before she started trying to walk your way. She grabs her best friend by the arm and yanks her back. Tatum starts to pout, “What?”

“Look at her … she seems kinda ….quiet, y'know?” Sidney notices that you’re outside alone during lunch period. They’re only outside cause they were going to go get lunch off campus. Your energy says you’re outside for a very different reason        discomfort. “Shy, maybe." 

"Just means she could use some friends.” Just like that Tatum yanks her arm away from Sidney and hauls ass over to you. Sidney tries to run after her to stop her from being probably far too aggressive with you but doesn’t make it in time (Tatum runs track instead of doing the bare minimum in gym class like some people).

“Hey.” Tatum skids to a stop in front of you and you jerk back at the sight of shoes suddenly in your line of vision. When you look up there she is, grinning down at you. “Newbie? Never seen you around before.”

“Oh uhm ….yup! The new kid. Having a lot of fun.” Tatum laughs at your barely joke (a little too loudly. the way girls that are flirting always do-). 

“Can we join the party?” She’s already sitting down and dragging Sidney (who has the decency to look embarrassed) with her. 

Just like that Tatum is there to stay. And Sidney          despite her initial protests, is too. You’re fun to be around and oh so pretty. They’ve both caught each other zoning out in the middle of you talking (they can practically fucking hear this playing every … single….time) just …focusing on something like how you throw your head back when you laugh or just the way your laugh shapes your mouth. They’re too gay to be trying to function. 

You become a third part of a duo they’d never known was missing a piece. Having you around feels natural. Not having you around ruins their day (Tatum stop being dramatic-). They’re always hovering nearby and you’re always doing the same. You know you spend a lot of time together because they’re no longer Sidney and Tatum         always Tatum, Sidney, and Y/N. It makes them smile. It makes you smile too.

Tatum loves your smile. But you don’t seem to. You’re always covering it when you do it in a way that looks automatic. Like you’ve been doing it your whole life. 

It’s never really bought up until you’re all having a night on the town and Tatum sees a photo-booth that she instantly crams all three of you into. You take the first set of pictures and all hop out to see the results. The girls are wacky and wild in the photos      meanwhile you’re …restrained, to put it lightly. They crawl back in and demand you make the same poses and faces so you can be a matching set. Quietly you say, “That will show too much teeth.” The girls pause in their pushiness sensing that you’re actually quite serious. 

“What do you mean?” Sidney asks. 

“Yeah, what do you mean?” Echoes Tatum.

“My teeth are kinda….big, y'know?” You gesture at your face and purse your lips together as if you want to hide them forever. “They stick out and that will make them….stick out more. That…that pose. And…that face." 

"Your smile is pretty, Y/N! What are you talking about?” The genuine, earnest, confusion on Tatum’s face and in her voice makes you pause. “It’s one of the prettiest smiles I’ve ever seen.”

“Are you serious?” You ask, bewildered. 

“As a fucking heart attack!” and then Sidney smacks her arms. “What? Tell her, her smile is pretty, Sid.”

“It … is a really pretty smile, Y/N. It was one of the first things I noticed about you." 

"Me too." 

"Yeah because my teeth as so-”

“No         because it’s so cute.” And Tatum grabs your face and pulls you so close that you can feel her breath on your lips, “So make the face with me and Sidney. Or don’t - but don’t do it because you don’t think you look pretty doing it. You look pretty doing anything.”

Her gaze could make a nun blush but Sidney clears her throat and breaks the mood of the booth. She’s been on the other side of a look … similar. She knows how it feels. “Let’s take this picture.” You do take the picture and you don’t do the exact same face as them but one … similar. And Tatum keeps the picture in her wallet. You, Sidney, and her. Her favorite people in the world and her. 

Sidney got sick one week straight and you and Tatum did nothing but pout the whole week. “Where’s your better third?” Shouted Randy as the two of you walked by. Tatum flipped him off and you felt yourself get hot with embarrassment. “She’s at home sick, asshole." 

You two bring her notes and homework. Which means       you are bringing her notes and homework and Tatum tags along. She’s not stupid but she doesn’t do her work in-depth enough to be bringing Sidney friendly "catch-up’s” from History class. 

As Sidney’s flipping through one of your notebooks (you’d given her a whole stack) she notices this particular one’s pages are full of Chinese calligraphy. Tatum, who is sitting too close to her on the bed if she doesn’t want to get sick, sees and starts to ooh and ahhh. 

“You didn’t tell us you could write in Chinese!" 

"What?” You yelp and immediately go to snatch back the book. Sidney, who cannot read them but loves the way the ink looks on the page, dodges you annoyingly easy for a woman on her deathbed, “Wrong notebook! Give it!”

“In a minute! It’s beautiful. You can write like this?” The transfixed quality in her hoarse voice makes some of the tension leave your body. Not all….but some. 

“Just a little.” Trying to sound modest. Or maybe you sound small….like it’s not something you’re particularity proud of. You should be though. It looks like pure art. Tatum gasps when Sidney turns the page and she finds new characters. She’s now well and truly snuggled up to the other girl (definitely going to get sick). 

“How can you know just a little when these pages are full with like … a lot?” Tatum laughs, putting a finger out to brush along one of the ink strokes. Her tone is soft. “What are you writing in them?" 

"Random things.” You shrug, “ I just…I do it so I don’t forget it. Y'know?" 

"Can you teach us what some of these mean?” You blink at Sidney’s question. She’s looking up at you with wide, eager eyes. Tatum follows her lead.

“Yeah get over here!” You don’t have time to move before Tatum is yanking you in-between the two of them and settling the book in your lap. She points to one of them. You’re trying not to notice how they feel pressed and curled against you. They both snuggle closer. Tatum points with more insistence, “C'mon! What’s it say. It’s pretty!” She’s so pleading you can’t not tell her. They spend the rest of the afternoon curled up listening to you read the characters off the page. 

“You don’t seem to like any of the food they serve?” Sidney asks one day when she notices you pushing the food around your plate. The cafeteria food isn’t great but it’s not bad either. “Why don’t you ever bring anything like Tatum does?”

You look like a deer caught in headlights which makes Sidney and Tatum exchange a knowing glance. You only ever make #That Face when they’ve stumbled on one of your very specific insecurities. Now they’re determined to know what it is.

Sidney places a hand on Tatum’s thigh under the table and squeezes, a silent plea to let her try and find out what the insecurity is. 

Sidney can be subtle. Tatum is loving but  … not subtle. When she can tell something is wrong with someone she cares about she’ll raise absolute hell until the problem is resolved. It’s one of her more endearing traits but it can go  … not in her favor, at times. Sidney senses this is one of those times it could go poorly. 

Tatum, knowing this, deflates a little but gives a small nod that she knows you won’t notice. You’ve already gone back to looking at you cafeteria tray a little miserably. 

“I don’t know…” You say after a long moment of silence. The girls are never quiet for long so you know that they’re actually waiting for an answer. The fact that they’re so focused on you makes you want to crawl out of your own skin with nerves. “Just don’t like it much." 

They analyze the ever loving shit out of your response and the next time they have a sleepover at your house while Tatum distracts you upstairs with an impromptu pillow fight attack Sidney goes downstairs to talk to your Mother. 

"Hey uhm        Mrs. Y/L/N?” she plays nervously with the end of her sleeve, “Can I ask you something about Y/N?" 

Your Mother pats the seat on the couch next to her and Sidney comes to sit. She can see the worry on your Mother’s face and quickly starts to reassure her, "Nothing is wrong! Or at least …. nothing is seriously wrong? I just…. Y/N is kinda…. She can be kinda…A little-” Sidney struggles with the words for a long time before she just settles on the first one that’s most honest, “Insecure? It seems         about a lot of little things.”

Your Mother sighs deeply at the words and closes her eyes. By insecure she knows Sidney is referring to how you feel about your Chinese heritage. You’ve always been that way. The world around you telling you that you and your culture aren’t beautiful and wonderful and you        unfortunately, believing the world. “Ah. Yes, she can be… is this about something specific?”

“She hates the food at lunch. Barely eats it. And I can tell she’s super hungry by the end of the day. And I was just wondering … what her favorite food is?”

“Pork baozi. She’s loved it ever since she was a little girl but she … doesn’t like to eat them much in public.” Sidney starts to frown. Your Mother frowns back. Not at each other but at what they both know is going on.

Sidney clears her throat and adjusts herself to sit up straight, “Can you teach me how to make it? Me and Tatum? Please.”

Your Mother stares at her for a long moment and then she smiles, even reaches out to pat Sidney’s cheek, “You’re sweet girls. Come back tomorrow afternoon. She’s always at the library for hours at that time. I’ll teach you then. Now shoo         back to your sleepover.” Sidney grins all the way upstairs. 

Tatum and Sidney arrive promptly and your Mother puts them to work immediately. While they’re learning they all talk about you. Listening to your Mother talk about you is eye-opening. They realize just how deeply some of your insecurities go and just how much they care about you that afternoon. When they leave it’s to your Mother hugging them goodbye. She can tell how much they care about you. Furthermore she can tell they’re good influences on you. You’ve been smiling more since you’ve met them. 

On the ride back to Tatum’s, where Sidney is going to spend the night, they finally start talking seriously to each other about what’s clearly been going on, “I think I really like Y/N. As in … like-like her.” Tatum goes first, deep breath once and then just dives right in. She’s always been like that. Sidney has always loved that about her, “Maybe even … a little more than that?”

“I uh ….. like-like her too. And maybe …also feel a little more than that?” Sidney admits before she covers her face with a groan, “What are we twelve?”

“Maybe.” Tatum laughs and pokes Sidney in the side. Only putting her hand back on the wheel when Sidney’s commands her to do so. “I’ve always kinda…. like-liked you too, though.”

“Yeah?” Sidney asks a little breathlessly, taking her hands off her face to look at Tatum’s. 

“Yeah.” Tatum nods firmly, “But it was never the right time. But now       ” She trails off with a smile and Sidney knows what she means. 

“Now’s perfect.” Sidney will not hold Tatum’s hand but she does give her a kiss on the cheek (how was that supposed to be less distracting? Tatum wants to know as she tries desperately not to fucking swerve-).

So now they’re a thing. And as they wait for you excitedly outside at lunch where they’ve told you to meet them? They’re hoping you’ll all be a thing soon. 

You know they’re up to something as soon as you see them but they refuse to say anything until you sit down. Once you do Tatum starts to nervously reach into the over-sized bag that she bought to school today for “some” reason. Sidney starts talking, “Y/N        you are amazing. You’re sweet. And funny, and beautiful, and our best friend. And we love you. But-”

“We also might wanna be a little bit more than best friends. Maybe. If you’re up to it.” Tatum finishes, and with that she puts an open container of pork baozi on the table. They wait for your reaction. Or they try. The stunned look on your face makes Tatum start babbling, “Either way we made you lunch. Your Mom taught us. It’s your favorite right? She told us it was but we know how parents are. Who really listens to their kid these day       Ow!” Sidney pinched her thigh to shut her up. The look she gives her is gratitude despite the exclamation of pain. She’d wanted desperately to shut up. 

“You guys didn’t have to do this      ” Your voice is so quiet and small it makes them nervous. 

“We wanted to.” Sidney says firmly. At first she was thinking you hated it but your expression shifted to something a little softer and now she thinks that your reaction is coming form a place of insecurity once again. She wishes she could slap anyone who’d ever made you feel like this. Instead she reaches for your hand. When you let her take it she sighs in relief. Tatum takes your other one. 

“We really wanted to. Just like how we really like you.” Tatum is catching on too now. She goes a step further and leans over the table top to kiss your forehead. You release a shuddering breath that makes her do it again. 

So        together. You’re all together and the girls couldn’t be happier. Insecurities don’t disappear in a day but they try to help as best as they can. You’re worried that one day it will finally be too much but so far every-time you reveal a new insecurity they reveal just how deep their compassion and love for you goes. 

And yes          love. Tatum said it barely a month into the official start of the relationship. She knows herself inside out and knew the moment she loved you for sure. She’d wanted you to know just as quickly.

Sidney is always more reserved and careful. But she follows Tatum’s lead a month later and says it when you’re both alone and you’re allowing her to put eyeliner on you. You’re squirming at how much she’s staring at a part of you that has always made you so insecure in particular. She kisses the corner of your eye when she’s done, then she kisses your lips for good measure, “I love every beautiful part of you. I love you." 

Maybe you cry a little. Maybe she cries with you. Maybe it brings you closer.

Tatum even opens up to you about her own insecurities hoping to make you feel more normal. "I know it’s not the same thing and the reasons are different but        everyone has things they don’t like about themselves. I think my hips are too big, and …that my nose is too pointy … and I’m not a natural blonde. If you couldn’t guess that from my totally brunette family." 

You’re quick to comfort her and tell her how beautiful she is and that’s when she snatches you by the face and forces you to look at her, her expression resembles the cat that caught the canary, "Aha! That’s the exact point. I am beautiful. Just because I found some things not to like about myself doesn’t mean I’m not. The same goes for you, babe. You’re a fucking knockout and everyone can see it but you." 

Maybe that makes you cry too. Maybe. Tatum has got thicker skin than Sidney so maybe it doesn’t make her cry seeing you cry but maybe it makes her hold you a little tighter, determined to make sure no one ever makes you feel this way again. Not even you. 

A random dance is coming up. For what no one knows and no one cares. It’s a chance to buy a new dress and party! What more does a teenager need to know?

You’re all trying to go dress shopping but you can’t find anything you like. You go back to your house feeling put out but are determined to go shopping again tomorrow. You all won’t stop till you find the perfect set of dresses that compliment each other nicely (no clashing, demands Tatum, deadly serious). 

While you’re all hanging out in the living room trying to brainstorm Sidney notices something new about the place. "Hey what’s that?” she points at a picture in a frame hanging on a wall surrounded by other pictures. This one is the most eye-catching though. The biggest and prettiest. 

“That? A picture of my grandma my Mom just found. She finally got around to unpacking some things a relative sent us while we were moving. In a box of junk was this. There’s not many pictures of her so she was super excited.” You’re trying to make yourself sound casual but they can hear that you were just as excited as your Mom at the find. They smile at each other. 

“What’s she wearing?” Tatum asks.

“Oh that’s a Hanfu. She really loved it apparently. Was her favorite thing to wear. It's        kinda pretty, huh? I could never wear something like it though.” Sidney and Tatum share another look. You could absolutely wear something like that. And furthermore you will. 

Once again they talk to your mother, “Oh she’d never go for it.” She says right off the bat, “you girls know that.”

“She’s a lot more confident!” Tatum disagrees politely which your Mother can agree on but you’re not that confident. “Maybe this is one of those … one of those one last push things? Like when you push a baby bird out the nest and it’s the one you maybe didn’t think was gonna fly but it surprises everyone cause it does.”

The optimism in Tatum’s voice makes your Mother smile at her fondly, even reach for the girl’s hand to give it a comforting squeeze, “You have done a lot for her these past few months. But this is just something she won’t do. I’m sure of it. She would feel too out of place. Too embarrassed." 

"What if we did it with her?” Sidney asks suddenly, interrupting, which she never does to an adult. It makes your Mother pause and look at the two critically. “I know it’s kind of weird for us to wear them because …you know…but if it got her to do it would it be      okay?”

“I think…. I think that might work.” Your Mother finally says after a long moment of thinking. Then she nods to herself once, “Okay girls. Into the car. It’s time we go shopping." 

The day of the dance comes around and the girls had told you to not worry about your dress because they’ve got one for you but it’s a surprise. You’re already nervous. To that Tatum puts a hand on her hip and scoffs, "No offense but I have more fashion sense in one finger than either of you has in your whole bodies. I’d never let my girlfriends walk into a dance not looking amazing.” She was interrupted by a brief, offended “hey!” from Sidney which she steamrolled over easily. You’d conceded the point and allowed them to keep their little surprise for you. They’d also insisted you not lift a finger to get ready. That they were going to do all that for you. 

“You’re our princess and we’re gonna make you feel that way!” Tatum had rubbed her nose against yours gently all while holding Sidney’s hand and giving it a squeeze (she knows the other girl is getting nervous). 

When they arrive all their makeup is done and so is their hair but they’re in simple jeans and t-shirts. They get to work quickly on you. You feel absolutely pampered. They paint your nails. Give you a facial. The whole tender loving care package. Tatum even surprises you with some make-up foundation included that matches your darker skin-tone perfectly. And a blush that compliments you perfectly, just to sweeten the deal. When you ask her about it she scoffs, “I spend all day looking at you, babe. I remember everything about you." 

When it looks like you might cry she orders you to close your eyes quickly and hold your breath. Cold spray hits your face, "If you want to cry you can do it in five minutes when that setting spray dries.” It makes you laugh so hard you couldn’t possibly cry. 

Once Sidney does your hair they step back and look at you, grinning from ear to ear, “You look beautiful.” Sidney says softly. 

“But she always looks beautiful so what’s new.” Tatum playfully knocks you on your chin. “Okay we gotta go get your dress. Don’t peak at yourself in the mirror though. Okay? You gotta wait to see the whole finished product.” For good measure she covers the mirror on their way out and gives you the “watching you” gesture that you know she means. 

It takes them so long to come back you both get tempted to peak and tempted to go find them. You start to do the first one, pulling at the towel on the mirror. Tatum of course comes back at that very moment, “Hey! What did I tell you?!” You whip around ready to apologize sheepishly but stop dead in your tracks.

There stands Sidney and Tatum. Behind them stands your Mother, a hand on each girl’s shoulder. They’re both wearing Hanfu dresses and in their hands they’re carrying a matching one for you. Silence in the room, “They knew you wouldn’t wear it on your own. So instead you’ll all go as a matching set.” She sounds as nervous as the girl’s look.

You start crying and Tatum mutters that she’s glad she put that setting spray on you. Sidney elbows her before she rushes over to hug you. Twenty minutes of reassurances and cooing and then you’re in the dress. Then the towel comes off the mirror. You look….. well, you look, “It’s beautiful.” You gasp and touch the sleeves looking mesmerized. Your Mother shakes her head and comes up behind you to adjust something, “No honey      that’s all you. You look beautiful.

You take pictures on the staircase as if this is prom. As important as prom. In some ways it is. It’s super important. More important than anything you’ve ever done before. Your Mother hugs you crying before you go, kisses your cheek and says she’s proud of you. Then she’s hugging your girlfriends tightly whispering something to them that makes them look like they’ll start crying too. Then you all say goodbye (Tatum teasingly telling your Mother not to wait up and receiving a swat along with a string of Chinese she can’t understand but she figures she can’t be too mad since the older woman is laughing and smiling-).

You’re nervous all the way to the school even though the girls are trying to distract you. "It will be fine.” Says Tatum, reaching to hold your hand from the backseat. “You look incredible.” Says Sidney, who is a safe driver and refuses to take her hands off the wheel but the fond look she shoots you might as well be a kiss.

When you get to school there’s no more time to hesitate. Tatum doesn’t let you. She steps out the car and opens your door for you, taking your hand to help you out. You feel dizzy with nerves. Sidney takes your other hand and if you’re leaning on them both as you walk into the school they don’t say anything. Just squeeze your hand tightly.

Entering the gym feels like entering another world. It’s not that incredibly well decorated but the music is loud and the lightning is nice. But mostly the change in the world is coming from inside. You’re nervous but … suddenly? A good nervous. When you look down you can see the end of the dress. The trailing sleeves. And you think to yourself        it’s beautiful. I’m beautiful.

The girls are just proud they’ve gotten you in the gym. They’re more than ready to find a table as far from the center of the room as possible and sit there the whole damn night. Or even just ten minutes. They’re proud of you. Really proud of you. You shock them by shaking your head and smiling. No, not smiling      you’re grinning! It’s a grin that shows off your front teeth you never used to like (memory of a photo booth that Tatum had first told you, you were pretty in). A grin that lights up your eyes, tear-dropped curved and pretty (memory of Sidney putting eyeliner to them and then leaving soft kisses behind). 

“I love you guys. Let's       let’s dance!” You shout over the music and they blink in surprise for a moment and you laugh. They don’t hesitate for long before dragging you to the middle of the floor. You can feel people staring but Tatum and Sidney are so close that soon a teacher is going to have to come and separate you guys.

But for now they’ve each got a hand on your hips and you can hear that, yes some people are talking. And yes they’re noticing you. But what they’re saying is       “They all look so pretty!” and “Yeah but check out that one girl in the middle.” “That’s Y/N, right?” “She looks so good! Beautiful! She’d always seemed so shy!” “Guess not anymore. Dating Tatum will do that to any girl      Look at that smile-" 

And you keep smiling. And you keep dancing. And your girlfriends think you look beautiful. But more importantly? You think you look beautiful. 

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