#Also pictured: Camellia's new look

[rainbowolfe]

Why Aym and Baal?

They were, according to Shamura, supposed to be Narinder's replacement family/companions. Narinder never really got that memo, but like, what did Shamura expect? Relationships don't work that way. You can't just throw two strangers at someone and have them fill the void of a millennia-long relationship.

But the question of the hour is, why Aym and Baal? I don't think it's because they're cats.

It's implied Narinder had his own family (made up of cats or whatever he is) and chose the Bishops, a goofy assortment of non-mammals over those blood relations. So he's not exactly inclined towards members of his own species. So that doesn't feel like the reason why Shamura chose them. And it doesn't feel like the reason Narinder kept them.

I noticed that this photo from Jalala's journal had to have been of pre-servitude Aym and Baal, cause they're much younger. Baal's hair is shorter, they're both just wearing basic tunics instead of their signature robes, and Forneus isn't wearing her hat. So Aym's always looked a bit scuffed, and it wasn't the result of his time spent with TOWW in the Realm Beyond.

Which means Shamura saw him and went "wow that's literally Kallamar". Scar over one eye? Check. Messed up ears? Check. It would also loosely confirm that the boys were sent after they sealed Narinder, since Kallamar's ears wouldn't be scuffed before then.

It would be really funny if what Aym's looking at is Shamura, and this picture was taken 5 seconds before disaster.

Now, my first instinct was that Baal would be Narinder, and what Shamura hoped to recreate was Narinder's relationship with them and Kallamar. But that doesn't quite make sense. The new "family unit" already has a Narinder, so why would Shamura give him another?

Baal can't be filling Shamura's role for two reasons. One, as the head of the family, Shamura would be more likely to be Forneus (the role they are now placing Narinder in). If not Forneus, then the unseen father presumably taking this picture. Two, Shamura does not believe that Narinder loves them. That's. Kind of why they're doing all of this. So they wouldn't give him a replacement-Shamura either, unless they were feeling really really egotistical.

Which leaves us with two options.

And the correct one is Leshy. Leshy, whose core item is the red camellia. And whose symbol becomes a black heart when he's cleansed.

While we don't get to hear much from Baal, Heket's core traits are that she's a shit-talker and likes to eat. Leshy's core traits are that he's chaotic, but has an appreciation for/focus on the world around him. Smells, sights (when he could see), and sounds.

Baal is actually the politer of the two and, based on his recruitment dialogue ("So much color... so many creatures") he too is the worldly type. Also, Baal thanks Lamb for helping them. Leshy and Narinder are the only Bishops who thank Lamb in the end.

And, you know, if you take the order Shamura lists the family in into account, Leshy and Kallamar are the first and second sons respectively.

...

Of course, this can be taken one step further in another direction :3c I can't just leave Heket out of this.

Although Shamura only gave him Aym and Baal, theoretically what they saw was a four-person family unit that reflected their own... before Narinder entered the picture. I mentioned before that if Shamura isn't a reflection of Forneus, then they're a reflection of the unnamed father. (Who I suspect to be Paean)

Which means they saw Heket in Forneus.

Do you see the vision??

Cause this is a found family, age order doesn't necessarily matter to the familial hierarchy. Even if Shamura wasn't the eldest, they would still be the head (whether matriarch or patriarch) because their role is as the leader of the other three. Heket would be below Shamura, but above Kallamar and Leshy, because she serves as caretaker. She's even the one who takes charge upon Lamb's return, as the matriarch would do if something were to happen to the patriarch.

((Traditionally, while the father is seen as the protector and provider, his purpose is specifically to rule/lead the family. It is the mother whose sole purpose is to protect. Primarily the children, as their (often only) caretaker. But in traditional circles, it's commonly felt that the mother should sacrifice everything for the father as well.))

It would be particularly fitting because a lot of Heket's side of things revolves around sacrifice. How she's burdened by it, and seemingly how much she tried to do to find a better/different outcome. She's characterized as particularly family-inclined.

...

This would suggest that who Narinder valued the most in the family were Leshy and Kallamar. At least, it would suggest that's how Shamura saw it. But I'm liking this line of thought, so let's say their read is accurate.

Shamura saw that Narinder. Could also be Forneus. And Shamura loved Narinder the most, so...

Narinder and Heket's disdain for each other stems from them competing for the same role in their family: The matriarch. Shamura's second in command, and the boys' caretaker.

Not in a "raise them" type of way, at least not in Kallamar's case. But to guide and influence them. To be the one they trust and rely on. Heket has been that. And, intentionally or not, Narinder intrudes on that.

Narinder's the 'other woman' lmao

As a bonus:

Baal is aligned with his father (you get Tears of the Vengeful Father in exchange for him). Aym is aligned with his mother (ditto for Tears of the Merciful Mother).

If Aym = Kallamar; Baal = Leshy; Forneus = Heket; and The Father = Shamura

Then that dynamic is actually reflected in this Tarot Card. It pairs Kallamar with Heket, and Leshy with Shamura. :3

[wisteriasonthemoon]

About the DRV3 Cast's Flowers

I was very enamored with the new DR x animate collab's vibes yesterday. I have never wanted a piece of merch more than DRV3's I Believe In You shirt because its' meaning is so laser targeted. at me. specifically

it's so beautiful. I can't

so, I became interested in digging up the flower language of the flowers the DRV3 cast was holding to see if this collab could be even more laser targeted at me. the results

Kokichi

these are 紫陽花 (ajisai), Japanese hydrangeas. A couple different Japanese flower language blog posts cite purple and blue hydrangeas as being associated with the meanings "cold", "heartless", "cheating", "intelligent", "mysterious" and "patient love"

the contradictory meanings of "heartless" and "patient love" is pretty on brand for Kokichi imo

Shuichi

I had to *DIG* for these flowers. when I began looking, I hadn't the slightest clue what Shuichi was holding. partway through I even questioned if the artist was being accurate, because I had gone through two! TWO! flower databases searching by color and petal count with nothing to show for it

I kept eyeing different species of lilies, because even though the shape was slightly off, the six petals and maroon-purple was reminiscent of lilies. they turned out to be lilies, and I had to search in Japanese through google.co.jp

these are 黒百合 (kuroyuri), black lilies. and they mean. uh. UH. well

"curse" and "revenge" ... and "(romantic) love". but also curse and revenge??? I would doubt this identification, but I can't find a flower that bears a better resemblance than this. this sure is an interesting pick compared to Kokichi's hydrangeas

Shuichi. who did you offend my dude

Kaede

Yeah, so. IDK lol

pictured from left to right is: begonias (specifically elatior begonias), peonies and camellias. I could not find a flower that fit both the petal and leaf shape 1:1 with what Kaede is holding

begonias have the closest petal structure imo, but the wrong leaf shape, and they have the weakest connection with Japan

peonies show up in all kinds of famous Japanese flowers articles, and I did find a blog post in English claiming they are associated with bravery. this is in line with the shirt she is wearing, which if you do look closer says

"If you're scared, borrow the strength of others who will be there to help you."

y'know. the shirt says something. unlike Shuichi's, which just has black bars, kind of like a redacted statement. as if he were lying in plain sight

or Kokichi's! which you might think says nothing but I'm certain says something deeply personal and revealing! it's just printed black on black

anyway, if you look peonies up on blog posts in Japanese, they say the opposite, peonies are associated with "bashfulness" and "shyness". so lmao. also the leaf shapes are still off

camellias mean "humble beauty, love, modesty" and "loved by you". a somewhat fitting meaning for Kaede for a flower that somewhat fits her flower's petal shape. but again, has a totally off leaf shape. not very convinced personally

if anyone does find a matching flower for Kaede, would love to know. it's gotta be a common flower. feels like I'm missing something obvious

regardless, very interesting collab

[vividspectrum]

So fun fact about me: I study floriography (AKA the language of flowers), which means the moment I had a clear picture of what the giant flower in Mizuki's new costume looked like, I tried to identify the flower and determine why the flower may have been included within the costume (beyond just aesthetics)...

...which in turn led to me overthinking a single design element that may not have any deeper meaning, but this wouldn't be the first time I've overanalyzed a flower!

- Rosa

I think this is what the flower is meant to be based on the petal shape and alignment, but I don't really like this explanation? For one, in order to have this coloration, the rose would need to be a hybrid rose -- likely a 'Francis Meilland' hybrid tea rose based on how the pigmentation manifests, though that is more pink than red -- and that makes the floriography aspect of this deep dive a lot more complicated than it needs to be. Hybrid tea roses (as a broad category) symbolize an enduring desire, but roses are also flowers where the color influences the symbolism...

...which leads to problem number two: the meanings behind the different rose colors. Red roses are fairly popular, so their meanings are fairly well known (mostly beauty, love, and passion). They do symbolize protection, but the other meanings are more prevalent. White roses have a similar problem; they can symbolize silence, but their other meanings (purity, virtue, innocence, etc.) are more well-known. Dried white roses do carry symbolism of death, but it's specifically in relation to innocence; they represent death before loosing innocence. Not only that, but the colors within the accessory are too vivid to represent a dried flower.

In other words, it could represent protection and silence -- which would fit the end of the event -- but those aren't the meanings most people associate with these colors.

- Camellia japonica

I actually thought of camellias first based on the rounded petal shapes (as well as how camellias are fairly prominent within Hanakotoba (AKA the Japanese language of flowers)), and the red and white coloration is more common in Camellia japonica (though still not common)...

...unfortunately, it's fairly obvious visually that the accessory isn't meant to resemble a camellia. Not only that, but camellias run into a similar problem to roses: the symbolism. White camellias can represent waiting (and this is actually their meaning in Hanakotoba), but they also represent beauty and adoration. In contrast, red camellias are very explicit with their symbolism of love and don't leave any room for other interpretations.

- Begonia x tuberhybrida

Another hybrid on the list, but this is one I personally really like being an answer due to its symbolism; non-hybrid begonias have a variety of meanings (including balance, "beware," and sending a warning), but Begonia x tuberhybrida can symbolize cautiousness and danger, as well as peaceful friendships -- which seems to fit this event extremely well; there's Mizuki's cautiousness when preparing to tell Ena her secret, the hopes for her peaceful friendships to remain the same, and the danger in the possibility of change. Not only that, but it has the possibility to manifest the red and white petal pigmentation seen in the accessory.

The petal shape and alignment doesn't completely match the accessory, but it's fairly close! I honestly feel confident in saying that this could be what the accessory represents (even if that is my own delusion)

TL;DR: The accessory is probably meant to resemble a rose, but I don't like that answer and will instead say it resembles a begonia hybrid because of flower symbolism

[4littlefishies]

The Eighth of September - Baby I'm Yours

satoru gojo x suguru geto

warnings: smut :3

wc: 10.1k

note: Start with The 36th Floor! This is technically a sequel but I dont see why you couldn't read this one on its own. There's also a link to story on ao3 at the bottom!

White roses, red camellias, red carnations, and pink chrysanthemums; all flowers whose meaning relate to love, new beginnings, and longevity. They all coalesce in one large bouquet sitting off to the side of Suguru’s desk that sits in the middle of his new office - well, new to him at least. Looking down his nose at the screen of his computer, Suguru continues looking over and responding to some emails that he’d missed while he was in a meeting earlier in the day. There wasn’t much time left in the work day, so he was starting to wrap up what he had been working on.

His office was on the 44th floor of Yokohama Landmark Tower on the east side of the building that faced the water. The wall behind him was completely glass, allowing the rising sun to bathe his office in warm morning light as it climbs up into the sky. The sparkling water below was immediately one of Suguru’s favorite things to look at, and not just because it reminded him of his husband's eyes. There are shelves lining one wall, full of binders and files, along with a few decorations and pictures. On the other side of the office sits a dark brown, worn leather couch with a small side table next to it. It was something that the previous VPO had in the office, and didn't want to deal with, so he left it for Suguru. 

Above the couch hung up on the wall sits a hyper-realistic, extremely detailed painting that Satoru had commissioned for Suguru’s new office as a surprise. It was a painting depicting two hands reaching out towards each other from either side of the canvas and touching fingertips in the middle - somewhat resembling a small portion of The Creation of Adam by Michaelangelo. Shortly after Satoru had gifted it to Suguru, he realized that the hands in the painting were actually their hands. Suguru tried for weeks to get Satoru to tell him how much he spent, but this time he wouldn’t budge, smiling smugly every time Suguru asked him. Begrudgingly, but also very, very appreciatively, he had it hung up in his office. 

“Suguru, if these flowers are for both of us, then why did they send it to your office?” Satoru asks, laying on the couch in Suguru’s office. He has his feet up and his hands locked together behind his head, taking up the entirety of the couch and then some as he looks up at the ceiling. It was Friday, so Satoru had brought lunch for Suguru and decided to stay and just go home with him at the end of the day.

“Probably because they don’t have our home address, darling.” Suguru says sweetly with just a hint of sarcasm, not looking up from his work as he tries to play catch up. The flowers arrived with a note that Suguru had set up to the side of the vase that sat on his desk.

‘Congratulations on your new position, as well as your wedding! We wish you good health and happiness for many years to come. - Nanami, Utahime, and everyone at the Tokyo branch’

Suguru smiles, his eyes quickly flashing to look at the small card that accompanied the flowers. Even though he and Satoru hadn’t worked at that branch in nearly a year, it was nice of them to think to send flowers; probably Utahime’s idea. They were delivered Monday morning after he had come back from his two week break; a break in which he and Satoru were married and went on their honeymoon together. He looks down at the solid black ring that sits on his left hand, reminding him of the past two weeks as he fidgets with it, a soft smile sitting on his face.

“Can you believe we’re actually married?” Satoru asks, holding his own hand up in front of his face, looking at the silver band that circles his ring finger. It was a question that he’d asked at least once - usually more than once - daily since their wedding day, and Suguru agrees every time. Both of them have done a lot of looking at their rings over the short weeks they’d been married, mostly just because they’re unable to believe that it had already happened. It felt like the whole thing went by so fast and was all over just the same. It seemed like they blinked and they were back home and married with their honeymoon behind them.

“It still feels like I’m dreaming, if I’m being honest.” Suguru says, taking his attention away from his computer screen and turning over to look at where Satoru lays on the couch. He thinks back to the day, almost three weeks ago already.

~~~~~~~~~~

Yakushima Island was the place that they had chosen; a small island just south of Kyushu Island that’s covered in lush, vibrant forests and scenic waterfalls. It was Septemeber eighth, an overcast Sunday morning. They had arrived the afternoon before and spent the evening just relaxing and enjoying each other’s company as they prepared for the big day.

Suguru is the first to open his eyes in the morning, the grey light from outside finally starting to make its way in through the cracks in the blinds. With his arm draped over his waist, Satoru is holding him close to his chest like he’s going to disappear if he doesn’t. Suguru takes a deep breath as he stirs, lifting his head to try and gauge what time it is before he reaches for his phone on the nightstand. When he shifts to reach for it, a groggy groan comes from Satoru’s chest as his arm holds onto Suguru tighter.

“Mmmm.” Satoru hums as Suguru retrieves his phone and checks the time. Only 11:30. Good. They had stayed up fairly late the night prior, so they had no problem sleeping in a little bit.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Suguru reassures him, tossing his phone to the side of his pillow and settling his back in the same spot up against Satoru’s chest. His voice is gravely as he speaks his first words of the day. “Don’t worry.” He holds his hand over Satoru’s and laces their fingers together, smiling as he feels Satoru’s hold on him tighten.

Before even opening his eyes, Satoru presses a soft kiss to the back of Suguru’s head, letting his lips linger for a moment and taking a deep breath in through his nose. “What time is it?” He mumbles against Suguru’s hair. 

“Just after 11:30. We’re meeting Moriko at 1:15 out front.” Suguru tells Satoru the plan for meeting their photographer, although he knows it already. He feels Satoru take a deep breath and let it out into his hair.

“We’re getting married today.” Satoru whispers with a smile on his lips as his eyes fall closed once again, unable to fully believe it. 

Suguru can’t keep the excited smile from his face. “I can’t wait for you to be my husband.” He says, giving Satoru’s hand a squeeze, not entirely able to believe it himself.

Satoru slots one of his legs in between Suguru’s, tangling their limbs together under the covers. “I can’t wait for you to be my husband.” He parrots back at him. He takes a deep breath as Suguru shifts in front of him. “Mmmm.” He hums, feeling Suguru’s hips pressing backwards towards him. 

Suguru chuckles, knowing full well what he’s doing as he flips over, coming face to face with Satoru. He looks into Satoru’s sleepy eyes and presses a tender kiss to his lips, draping his arm over his waist and running his fingers fondly over the bare skin of his back. “Suguruuu,” Satoru whines, furrowing his brows with their faces just inches apart, “Stop teasing.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Suguru says with a smug smile up against Satoru’s lips. He brings his hand up to rest it on Satoru’s cheek, holding him gingerly for a moment in the palm of his hand. “I’m not doing anything.”

“You know exactly what you’re doing.” Satoru scrunches his nose as he presses his lips to Suguru’s again, chasing after him as he pulls back for a second. He lets out a whine which Suguru chuckles at before moving back towards him to kiss him again, this time, much needier and passionate. Satoru hums happily against his lips, deciding that he needs more. “Come on, we have time.” 

“Baby, we definitely don’t have time.” Suguru tries to talk some sense into him which is met with another whine. “We both need to shower and I need to dry my hair and we both need to get dressed.” Satoru takes a breath to try to object, but he stops him by continuing on. “And… We’re not even supposed to see each other before we get married, you know?” 

With his nose scrunched up, Satoru furrows his eyebrows with a huff. “Sugu, we’re not even doing a normal wedding, why are you bringing up those stupid rules?” 

“Because I think it’s fun to tease you.” Suguru responds with a smirk on his lips, earning a glare from Satoru. He presses one last quick kiss to Satoru’s forehead. “Now quit your pouting and let’s shower.” He throws his legs over the side of the bed and sits up, leaving Satoru sitting there with his mouth open, gawking as Suguru stands up and stretches his arms up. “You should take a picture, it’ll last longer.” Suguru teases, turning back to look at where Satoru still lays with his head buried in the pillows. He leans back on one arm, looking slightly over his shoulder as Satoru scrambles for his phone. “I didn’t actually mean it.”

“Yeah but now that you said it, I need to.” Satoru says, quickly snapping a picture, perfectly encapsulating Suguru’s muscular back and shoulders, as well as the way his hair already looks perfect despite having woken up just minutes before. “I can’t have you looking like this and not have a picture - and it’s our wedding day so I have to. For the memories!” He explains further, continuing to take pictures as Suguru stands up and heads towards the bathroom. “I think we should sleep naked every night.” He says with a smile as he stands up to follow behind.

“Baby, I don't think either one of us would sleep ever again.” Suguru points out as he quickly runs a brush through his hair. “It was hard enough to get you to go to sleep last night.”

“But that’s because I was excited to marry the love of my life!” Satoru defends himself, turning on the shower to allow the water to heat up for a moment before stepping inside. “Skin to skin contact is good, Sugu.” He remarks, letting the water run over his hair while he waits for Suguru to join him.

A chuckle escapes Suguru’s mouth as he turns around to get into the shower. “Yeah, for babies.”

“Am I not your baby?” Satoru looks at him with puppy dog eyes and a pout on his lips as he joins him.

Suguru looks at him with a blank stare, doing his best to keep contained the smile that threatens to cover his face. He does nothing but shake his head as they trade places and he stands under the water. “Of course you’re my baby…” Suguru finally caves and agrees. He snakes his arms around Satoru’s waist, pulling him in for a hug. Feeling Satoru’s lips press softly against his temple is enough to have him closing his eyes with a content smile on his face. “What if we just stay here?” He says as Satoru’s arms wrap around his shoulders and they sway gently back and forth under the running water. 

“You were the one just saying that we had to get ready, Gugu.” Satoru reminds him, holding him close.

“Yeah… But this is just so nice.”

Satoru can’t disagree. It would be nice if they could stay in this moment until the end of time, but they had important things to do today. “I know, but we have to go get married, remember?” Satoru says in a sweet voice, only slightly teasing him. 

Suguru lifts his head up from where it rests against Satoru’s chest with a soft smile. “Then let’s go get married.” 

They both get dressed up for the occasion - Suguru in a rich brown colored suit and Satoru in a dark forest green one - and meet their photographer before they take off down one of the many trails into the thick forest. It was just the two of them and Moriko trailing slightly behind. 

“I don’t think we really need to do anything crazy. I would be happy marrying you right here.” Satoru had said when the two of them were standing in their kitchen one morning back in Tokyo together.

“Baby, don't you want it to be a little more memorable than the kitchen?” 

Suguru’s suggestion was Yakushima Island and Satoru agreed, not having a care in the world where it was, just that they would be together. It wasn’t a super high traffic location, so there wouldn’t be big crowds of people around. It also rains about half the days out of the year, which they had prepared for.

It being a rainforest, about ten minutes into their hike, the grey skies finally started raining down on them. 

“Don’t you think it’s kinda cheating to go to a rainforest to get married? Like, is the rain actually lucky?” Satoru rambles on as Suguru opens up the clear umbrella that the photographer had brought. “You know?” He grabs onto Suguru’s hand as they continue, trying to stay close and stay as dry as possible underneath the umbrella.

“Baby.” Suguru says, his voice patient and kind as the word rolls off his tongue.

“Yes, my sweet?” Satoru responds just as sweetly, giving Suguru’s hand a squeeze.

“I know we’re about to get married, but shut up.” Suguru says with a smile, shaking his head at Satoru. He chuckles lightly in response before bringing Suguru’s hand up to his lips to press a kiss to the back of it before letting it rest back down between the two of them, their fingers still laced together.

As they walk, they pass trees that are hundreds of years old, covered in moss and greenery. It looks practically untouched by humans, as if it was left to continue growing more and more beautiful even after the island was finally inhabited. Small drops of water fall through the leaves and onto the ground, leaving a dewy coat on the entire ground. 

They continue walking out deeper and deeper into the forest until they eventually come across a small waterfall that’s surrounded by moss covered trees and rocks. There was a break in the trees, allowing the light rain to fall straight down rather than being stopped and slowed by the thick canopy of the trees. The sound was unlike anything else; just the pitter-patter of rain falling, water running, and nothing else.

“I think we should do it here.” Satoru says with a smile, finding a good spot to stand just off the seldom-used trail. He steps out from underneath the umbrella and turns back to look at Suguru, their hands still entwined as the droplets of rain softly pelt his head and shoulders. 

Suguru looks forward at him, looking into his eyes with a soft smile, feeling his heartbeat pick up in his chest. He doesn’t care where they do it, because all he sees in this moment is Satoru; his best friend, his soon-to-be husband, the person he loves most in the world. He doesn’t need to say it because his eyes say it all, but Satoru is thinking the same thing. Suguru nods his head quickly, following Satoru to stand right in front of him. “Definitely.”

The two of them stand there under the umbrella in silence for a moment, just looking at each other. Satoru was already trying not to cry, but made up for it by laughing instead, the two of them unable to keep straight faces for more than a couple seconds.

“I don’t know why I’m nervous.” Satoru says, pulling out a small notebook from his back pocket, “It’s just us.” Suguru does the same, adjusting to hold the notebook and umbrella in the same hand so that his other hand could return to hold Satoru’s.

“Me too.” Suguru admits, unable to stop smiling, looking down at the small tan notebook in Satoru’s hands. The two of them laugh together. “I think it’s more so excited than nervous.”

Satoru nods in agreement and looks back at Suguru. “Should I go first?”

“Do you want to?”  

“Well, we’re already here.” Satoru says, shrugging his shoulders, poorly pretending to be nonchalant about the whole thing. Suguru chuckles and feels as Satoru squeezes his hand. 

First they each started out with what they had personally written for each other, Satoru opting to go first. Taking in a deep breath, he pushes it out quickly, trying to get rid of the nervous energy in his body. 

“Suguru, I never expected that the newbie I was assigned to train on a random Monday in November would become the person that I love most on this Earth. You quickly became my best friend and the one person that I can count on anything for; whether it’s saving the last mochi for me, or getting up to feed Shiro in the mornings when I really don’t want to.” Suguru chuckles lightly. “I’ve looked at you what feels like an infinite amount of times and thought, ‘I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him,’ and now we’re actually doing it and I couldn't be happier.” Satoru quickly wipes away the tear that trails down his cheek.

“Crybaby.” Suguru teases with a grin, giving Satoru’s hand a squeeze. 

 “Shut up.” Satoru says with a chuckle, wiping his eyes once again. A smile remains on Suguru’s face as he listens to him continue. “I promise to keep loving you just the same as I have until the end of time. As long as there are stars in the night sky, you will be my one and only.” As he says it, happy tears continue to spill over the edges of his eyes and down his cheeks. “I also have a short poem that I read while I was writing this and wanted to add in here because it made me think of you.” Suguru nods his head with a soft smile, silently urging him to continue.

“Compared to my heart 

After seeing and meeting you, 

The thoughts I had in the past 

Mean nothing at all.”

Suguru can’t help but feel tears starting to well up in his own eyes. “I really don’t know how I’m supposed to top that, baby.” He says, causing them to both laugh, looking into each other’s eyes. He hands the umbrella to Satoru to hold while it’s his turn. He takes a deep breath and pushes it out quickly, similarly to Satoru, trying to shake off his nerves before starting on what he had written. 

“Satoru, every time you say my name, it feels exactly like it did the first time you said it. I don’t know how you do it, but you bring out the best in me in every way, and I love you endlessly for it.” Satoru wipes his cheek once again, sniffling as Suguru continues. “I thought I knew what love was, but then I met you and I’ve never been more sure that I now actually know what love is. It’s the way you have a hundred different names for me; it’s the way you hold me tight as we lay in bed each night; it’s the way you bombard me with kisses to make me forget the rough day I had at work.” Satoru smiles through the tears, noticing Suguru’s eyes getting misty as well.

“I promise to share all of my sweets with you and continue to order all your Shirley Temples with extra cherries and extra grenadine, no matter how ridiculous that sounds.” They both chuckle lightly, Satoru grinning wide as he listens. “My heart is laden with love for you; there’s simply not enough time on this Earth for me to spill it all, but I will definitely do my best. You’re the brightest star in my sky, lighting my way through a seemingly endless abyss. I promise to love you forever, no matter what the future holds for us.” As he finishes up, he tries his best to hold it together, but can’t stop the tears from spilling over the edges of his eyes.

“And you had the audacity to call me a crybaby.” Satoru teases, his own tears still falling and wetting his cheeks.

“Shut up.” He says back to him, chuckling as he wipes the salty tears from his cheeks, looking into Satoru’s vibrant blues through his vision that’s blurred with tears.

They finish up with some more traditional vows to each other, which somehow seem even harder to get through without crying. They finally get through exchanging rings with shaky hands and Satoru speaks up again. 

“You may now kiss me.” Satoru says in a deep announcer-like voice. Suguru smiles and shakes his head as they each step closer and kiss for the first time as a married couple. Satoru’s hands are cupped under Suguru’s jaw tenderly pulling him in while Suguru’s free hand is wrapped behind Satoru’s waist, pulling him closer. They smile against each other’s lips as they cherish the moment together, not thinking of anything but one another.

When they finally pull away from each other, they hear a small, “Woo!” From Moriko that makes both of them smile as they turn back to look at her in the distance, the two of them completely forgetting that she was even there snapping pictures.

Suguru quickly closes the umbrella and tosses it aside before pulling Satoru in for a second kiss, both of his hands wrapped around his waist pulling him closer by his jacket. Satoru laughs lightly against his lips, feeling the rain drops pelting his head once again.  

The drops quickly turn their jacket shoulders a darker shade where the drops land and spread quickly. Satoru’s hair is sticking to his forehead, as are Suguru’s bangs. None of it matters though; as far as they’re concerned, they’re the only two people on the island at this moment. They share this moment together, just taking in the entirety of it all, the rain, the trees, each other.

“I love you.” Satoru whispers with a smile up against Suguru’s lips, their wet foreheads pressed gently together. Water runs down both of their faces, washing away the obvious tear stained cheeks and leaving them with warm, rain-soaked skin. 

Suguru stares into Satoru’s glittering eyes, noticing the tiny droplets of water resting on his white eyelashes. “I love you too.” He repeats back, a bright smile on his face.

By the time they make it back to the hotel they’re mostly dry again and ready for their dinner reservation. Getting out to the spot that they finally picked had taken about an hour, which meant just about as much time getting back. Trying to stay out of the rain made for an even longer walk as they both tried to stay covered under the one umbrella. Walking deep into the forest and back out again was the perfect way to work up an appetite. 

“I’m starving.” Satoru says quietly, his fingers still laced between Suguru’s as they follow the host back to their table. She leads them through the restaurant, people congratulating them with polite smiles as they walk back towards their table. 

“Well it’s a good thing we’re about to eat, isn’t it?” Suguru says with a smile as they make it to their table, their hands still holding onto one another. 

It doesn’t take long for them to get their first course, but they don’t even realize it until it’s sitting in front of them. They’re too preoccupied with each other, just blissfully looking across the table in between them, unable to focus on anything else. “Do you like your ring?” Satoru asks, fidgeting with Suguru’s fingers, swirling the black ring around his finger while they wait for the waiter to come back with another course after finishing the first one. 

“Considering I picked it out, yeah I do.” Suguru shoots back, a smirk on his face as Satoru looks up from where their hands are connected. “Do you like yours?”

“Considering I picked it out, yes I do.” Satoru repeats sarcastically back at him, pulling a soft chuckle from Suguru as well as an eye roll. “The black looks really nice.” He continues playing with Suguru’s fingers, something he would do especially when he was wearing rings. 

“Thank you, baby.” Suguru looks down at the silver ring that circles Satoru’s ring finger and smiles. “I think yours looks really nice too. It suits you.” It was just a tiny piece of metal, but the meaning behind it was enough to make his heart bloom in his chest every time he caught a glimpse of it. Their rings had been sitting in their own tiny boxes next to each other in the closet back home, and it was extremely difficult for neither of them to just take theirs and slip it on before the big day.  

Satoru smiles across the table at him, hearts practically in his eyes. The two of them don’t pay attention to anything other than each other until their next course is set down in front of them. They’re taken through a wide array of different flavors and foods as they eat through their fancy french-inspired dinner. 

After they’re done, they start the walk back to their room, fingers interlocked once again. “Which one was your favorite?” Satoru asks, swinging their arms as they walk leisurely through the resort, earning polite smiles from employees and other guests as they walk past.

“I really liked the one that they served on the flower plate.” Suguru thinks back, not completely sure of anything he ate. “That’s really the only way I can describe it.” He chuckles, not having eaten at a fancy restaurant like that before. “What about you?”

“I loved that risotto. It was only a little bit, but it was super good.” Satoru gives his hand a squeeze as he speaks, the two of them slowly strolling back towards their room. Suguru thinks back, trying to remember, but after so many different dishes, they all kind of run together. 

“I’m surprised you didn’t say one of the desserts.” Suguru points out, seeing as they had three different little desserts after their dinner was finished.

“You would think, but honestly, I wasn't that impressed.” Satoru shrugs his shoulders as he says it, looking over at Suguru, not paying attention to the direction they’re walking whatsoever. 

Suguru smiles back at him, squeezing his hand in response as they finally turn down the hallway that their room is down. “I love you.” He says, mindlessly admiring Satoru’s side profile as they approach their door at the end of the hallway; the angle of his nose, the way his eyelashes curve perfectly, the shape of his jaw, everything that he’d looked at for countless hours daily. They just looked all the more perfect on today of all days.

“I love you too.” Satoru says, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Suguru’s lips, lingering behind for a moment as he fishes his key card out of his pocket. Suguru smiles against his lips as he feels one of Satoru’s hands gently cupping the side of his face. They have their short moment in the hallway before Satoru finally pulls away and opens the door, excited to be back to their room.

They enter their room and upon turning on the lights, Satoru is immediately surprised with something sitting in the middle of the table, surrounded by a bucket of ice with champagne and a plate of chocolate covered strawberries. In the middle was a box that he was sure he’d seen before, but he wasn’t entirely confident.

“Suguru.” Satoru says, not breaking his intense eye contact with the box in front of him.

“Yes baby?” Suguru responds, the smile very apparent in his voice as he closes and locks the door behind him. He knows what’s waiting for them; he was the one that had it arranged, so he knew that it would be there when they got back from their dinner.

“I’ve seen that box in one place before.” Satoru continues, inching closer, not knowing if he should be believing his eyes. 

“Yes you have.” Suguru affirms, now just waiting for him to open it. Satoru turns back to look at Suguru with raised eyebrows and Suguru mimics his face back at him, looking at the box on the table. “Open it!” He says, an impatient smile on his face, knowing that he got Satoru one of the best wedding presents possible that he could think of. 

Satoru whips back around and carefully takes the tape off the sides of the box before lifting the lid and seeing exactly what he had hoped was inside: a perfectly decorated cheesecake. “Baby!” Satoru shouts before turning around and wrapping Suguru into a tight hug and kissing the side of his face over and over again. “If I didn’t just marry you I’d do it right now.” He says, grabbing the sides of Suguru’s face and planting a kiss right on his lips, pulling a laugh from Suguru’s chest. “How did you get this here?” 

“It definitely took some planning, but it’s actually not that hard to get a cake shipped somewhere if you can believe it.” Suguru explains as Satoru carefully unboxes the cake that was already cut into ten perfect pieces. He completely ignores the champagne and strawberries for now, totally focused on the cake. “And obviously we need a wedding cake, so I thought ‘why not this one?’”

Realizing that there’s no plates or utensils in the room, Satoru does the next best thing and picks up a piece confidently in his hand, almost holding it like a piece of pizza. “Oh, uh- baby.” Suguru starts, but quickly stops, knowing not having a fork wont stop Satoru from having some right away. He holds it towards Suguru, offering him the first bite. “If you smash that in my face, I’m taking back my vows.” 

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t waste this.” Satoru says, wanting to savor every moment of the cake he rarely gets to taste. He holds his hand under Suguru’s chin as he takes a small bite to catch any crumbs before bringing it to his own mouth to take a bite. They both let out satisfied hums, the taste taking them back to their first vacation together in Okinawa. Suguru had also done this for their first anniversary while they were still in Fukuoka, and Satoru was just as pleasantly surprised then as he is now. 

The two of them remain in their suits with their jackets thrown haphazardly over the back of the dining chairs. They eat their cake together sitting cross legged at the foot of the bed. When Satoru finishes his piece, he picks up one of the strawberries from the table, of course wanting to try it. Suguru remains on the bed as he finishes his piece of cake, smiling and just enjoying being there with his husband. 

“Should we open this?” Suguru asks, referring to the bottle of champagne sitting in the bucket of ice that’s starting to melt. Satoru nods his head, knowing that he probably won’t have more than a couple sips. He stands up from his place on the bed and pulls it out of its icy bath and dries it off before unscrewing the muselet and tossing it. Satoru watches, his eyes transfixed on the way Suguru’s hands move as he seemingly effortlessly pops the top.

“Woo!” Satoru claps and celebrates quietly as Suguru sets the cork aside and fills the flutes. He picks them both up and hands one to Satoru. 

“To us.” Suguru says simply as they both hold their glasses up. 

“To us.” Satoru repeats with a soft smile before carefully clinking his glass against Suguru’s. They both take a sip and Satoru is pleasantly surprised. “This is actually pretty good.” The bubbles tingle lightly in his mouth as he takes in the taste. The alcohol lightly warms his chest as he swallows, the feeling putting a soft smile on his face.

“I asked for one that wasn’t so dry so you’d hopefully like it.” Suguru explains, continuing to sip on his glass.

“I’m gonna pretend I know what that means - thank you Sugu.” Satoru says, looking at him with a soft smile.

“I asked for one that was sweeter.” Suguru clarifies for him.

Satoru takes one more sip before setting his glass back down on the table. “You know me so well.” he says dramatically before sitting back down on the edge of the bed and just looking up at Suguru, leaning back on his hands. 

“What?” Suguru asks, looking down at him, smiling up at him like an idiot.

“Just looking at my handsome husband.” Satoru says with a smile.

The words immediately put a smile on Suguru’s face as well. It was really the first time either of them had said it and it caught him slightly off guard. “Wow.” Suguru stands with his glass still in his hand as he turns to face Satoru. “You’re my husband.” He migrates closer to stand right in front of him.

“I can’t believe it either.” Satoru grabs onto Suguru’s free hand before standing back up with a small surprised-sounding gasp as if he’s just realized something. Suguru tilts his head, slightly confused at what’s going on. “We need to do our first dance.” Satoru spits out, looking at Suguru with widened eyes. 

“You want to?” Suguru takes one last sip of his quickly emptying glass and sets it back down on the table before turning back to look at Satoru who’s nodding his head. “Do you have a song in mind?” 

“Do you?” Satoru asks in response instead of answering the question. 

“I have an idea but I think we should go with yours if you have one.” Suguru admits, his hand still holding Satoru’s.

“You sure?” He asks, grabbing his phone to pull up the song. “You don’t even wanna tell me what it is?” 

Suguru shakes his head. “It can be our second dance song.” He says, putting a smile on Satoru’s face as he scrolls through his playlist looking for the song he has in mind. 

“Whatever you say, handsome.” Satoru teases, earning a chuckle and a head shake from Suguru. He turns his volume all the way up before clicking on the song and tossing his phone down on the foot of the bed. 

As Satoru wraps his arm around his shoulders, Suguru quickly recognizes that the song he picked was “Baby I’m Yours” by the Arctic Monkeys and smiles. He wraps his arm around Satoru’s waist, holding him close as their other hands are out to the side, still holding onto one another. “You’re not going to believe me…” He starts as they gently sway along with the music, “but this is the song I was thinking of.” 

“Really?” Satoru asks, a surprised smile on his face as they dance. Suguru nods his head in response. They really were just two sides of the same coin. As the song continues on, Satoru silently mouths along to the words. “Baby, I'm yours, and I'll be yours until the stars fall from the sky.” Suguru smiles, watching as he carries on dramatically lip syncing towards him. “In other words, until I die.”

“You’re cute.” He says with a chuckle, feeling Satoru squeeze his hand in response. “Do you want me to twirl you around?” He asks, knowing that Satoru would of course agree, and he’s quickly met with a head nod. They each let go of their hold on each other while Suguru holds Satoru’s hand above his head, letting him spin around before coming back to how they were. 

“Your turn.” Satoru says, doing the same thing. Suguru laughs lightly as he does it, landing back with Satoru’s arm around his waist, and before he knows it, he’s being tipped over.

“Satoru, wha- ah!” He gasps as Satoru dips him down and presses a kiss to his lips. The two of them are unable to keep from laughing against each other as Satoru stands him back up. Suguru shakes his head at him, unable to keep the smile from his face as they continue as if nothing had happened. 

“Your turn.” Satoru nudges, raising his eyebrows at Suguru. 

“What if I drop you?” Suguru teases, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

“I’d forgive you.” Satoru says with a smile. Suguru smiles and repeats the same move back on him, the two of them giggling once again against each other’s lips as they kiss. “See, you did perfect.” 

Suguru smiles at him, just thinking back on the day. “I love you.” He says quietly, his honey eyes soft and gentle as he looks into Satoru’s.

“I love you.” Satoru repeats back at him before leaning in for another tender kiss. He holds the side of Suguru’s face, his thumb lightly grazing his cheek as their lips softly work together. They’ve stopped dancing altogether, now just focused on the feel of each other’s lips as the song fades into nothing and the playlist continues. Satoru finally breaks away to turn off the music, but Suguru pulls him back in by the tie, not wanting him to leave for even a second. 

Smiling against Suguru’s lips at the feeling, Satoru happily obliges, not complaining at the gesture whatsoever. “Yeah?” He says with a smug grin against Suguru’s lips.

“Mmhm.” Suguru hums in response, his hands gripping Satoru’s waist and pulling him closer, his fingers clutching onto the bright white fabric of his shirt. 

Satoru smiles at his seemingly sudden desperation, but quickly realizes that he’s in the same boat and in this moment wants nothing more than this. He nips lightly at Suguru’s bottom lip, an invitation that he gladly accepts. Suguru swipes his tongue lightly over Satoru’s bottom lip before pressing further into his mouth, pulling a satisfied sigh from Satoru’s throat. 

“Why don’t we get this off?” Satoru asks, pulling gently on Suguru’s bow tie to undo it before tossing it to the side and loosening his own tie. There’s an eagerness between the two of them, but there’s also not really any rush. They both take their time in undressing each other, their touches tender and delicate as their skin softly grazes against one another. 

Sitting at the foot of the bed with just his pants left, Satoru looks up at Suguru as he stands in between his legs. He wraps his arms around his waist, pulling him in close and hugging him tightly, his face pressing against the warm skin of his chest as he inhales deeply. “You smell so good.” He coos, pressing a kiss to his warm skin before looking up at Suguru who looks back down at him. “I could just eat you.” 

“Is that a threat or a promise?” Suguru teases lightly in response. 

“Which do you want it to be?” Satoru pokes his tongue into his cheek as he says it, trying to suppress a devious smirk on his face. Suguru doesn’t answer verbally, but the way he looks back down at Satoru says plenty.  Satoru smiles back up at him and releases his hold, moving his focus to undoing Suguru’s belt and pants. His fingers work quickly to undo them, gravity helping them fall to the ground. He reaches around, his hands roughly kneading at Suguru’s ass before he pulls down his boxers, leaving him fully exposed standing at the foot of the bed. “Mmmm.” Satoru hums at the feeling of the soft flesh between his fingers once more before he lets go and scoots further up the bed, laying his head down just below the pillows. “You coming?” He asks, laying with his hands clasped behind his head, watching with a smirk as Suguru walks around the side of the bed.

“You act like I can read your mind.” He responds as he puts one knee down onto the bed.

“Seems like you know what I meant.” Satoru says as with a smug smirk Suguru throws his other leg over his head, straddling his face. His arms snake around his thighs, holding him in place as he cranes his neck up to press a kiss to one side of Suguru’s ass and then one in the same spot on the other side. “Suguru. Sit.” Satoru demands, his voice slightly muffled as he’s trying to pull him down closer to his face. 

“I don’t wanna hurt you though.” Suguru explains, looking down at the way Satoru’s arms wrap around his thighs. He lowers himself slightly, still not putting his full weight down.

“Baby, you say this every time, but I would be the happiest man on Earth if you broke my face with your beautiful ass.” Satoru says, his warm breath tickling Suguru’s skin. His tongue licks a quick stripe over Suguru’s hole, causing him to gasp slightly at the feeling. Satoru’s fingers dig into the flesh of Suguru’s thighs, trying to pull him closer as he kisses around, continuing to tease him lightly. “Sit.” With a sigh and a slight smile, Suguru lowers himself all the way down, finally taking a seat on his husband’s pretty face. “Mmmmm.” Satoru hums underneath him, the warmth of Suguru surrounding his head. 

“Ahh.” Suguru lets out a sigh as Satoru’s hot tongue presses against his hole. He feels as Satoru quickly flicks his tongue around, his cock quickly growing harder as it sits there untouched. It feels to him like Satoru is trying to pull him down even harder onto his face. “Baby, don’t hurt yourself.” Suguru warns, only to be met with a bite on the ass cheek, Satoru’s teeth sinking into the flesh for just an instant before going back to what he was doing. Suguru chuckles, but it turns more into a gasp as he feels Satoru’s tongue press into his hole once again.

“Fuck, baby.” He moans out at the feeling, resting his hands on Satoru’s chest to help hold himself upright. 

“Could live just like this.” Satoru says proudly, his voice muffled underneath Suguru. 

“Hah, shit Toru.” Suguru lets out another moan, slightly whinier as he feels the warm, wet tongue continue pressing into his hole. Satoru’s fingers grasp and pull at the flesh of his ass, digging in as he skilfully devours Suguru from beneath. He doesn’t do it on purpose, but his hips grind upwards at nothing, his own cock quickly growing harder in his pants. Nothing gets him going quicker than hearing the desperate noises that came from Suguru’s mouth; a stark contrast from the noises that he makes when he’s the one doing the fucking. Suguru reaches forward and palms at it tenderly, earning a loud surprised groan from Satoru underneath him. He smirks and continues, the vibrations of Satoru’s moans against him adding to the sensation of it all. It’s hard to keep himself from grinding against Satoru’s face to chase after the feeling.

Quickly growing impatient, Suguru undoes Satoru’s belt and pants, freeing his cock that’s already rock solid. “Fuck- baby.” Suguru’s words falter as he leans forward, wrapping his hand around it as Satoru continues like he’s eating a Michelin star meal. He grips Satoru’s hard length before pumping his hand up and down it slowly a few times, pulling more moans from Satoru before he leans down, quickly repositioning himself. 

“Sugu? What’re you- hah.” Satoru lets out a breathy moan as he feels Suguru’s warm wet mouth unexpectedly close around the throbbing feeling between his legs. “Shit- ah- fuck, baby.” He hisses out in between continuing to lick around Suguru’s hole. Suguru moans around Satoru’s slick cock, his saliva mixing with the already leaking precum. The vibrations pull a whiny moan from Satoru against Suguru, their noises just becoming a positive feedback loop as they continue moaning around each other, their mouths taking a break to let out needy sounds at the same time. Although he’s focusing on Satoru now, Suguru can’t help but grind his hips further down, the feeling of Satoru’s tongue making him desperate for more.

“Yeah, use my face.” Satoru directs from his spot underneath, his fingers digging into the flesh beneath them, sure to leave finger-shaped bruises only for him to see. He gives one side of his ass a smack that sounds out throughout the room before gripping hard once again, the skin beneath his hand slightly red from the impact. Suguru slowly moves his hips back and forth over his mouth while he bobs his own mouth up and down on Satoru’s cock, unphased by the rough smack to his ass. “Fuck, gonna cum if you don’t stop that.” Satoru warns from where he lies.

Suguru takes it as a challenge and continues, picking up his pace just slightly. His eyes close softly as he relaxes his throat, determined to make it happen now. “Suguruu-ah.” Satoru whines out, now distracted. As he moans against Suguru’s hole, his hips twitch upwards, causing his tip to hit the back of his throat. Suguru’s eyes shoot open and widen in surprise, but it doesn’t stop him, saliva mixed with precum slowly trickling down between his fingers that lightly massage Satoru’s tightening balls. “Shit shit shit.” He hears from beneath him, knowing that he’s seconds away from tipping over the edge. It’s no surprise when he feels Satoru’s cock twitch, followed by the warm liquid running down his throat as he continues sucking him dry. 

The whimpers that leave Satoru’s mouth are muffled underneath Suguru as he tries to focus on what he was doing, but finding it difficult to keep going as he comes undone. “Sugu, I wasn’t supposed to cum first.” Satoru whines, gripping Suguru’s ass in between his fingers, his knuckles nearly turning white with how hard he’s grabbing. His breaths are heavy as he looks up at Suguru who looks back at him.

“Is that supposed to be my fault?” Suguru asks in response, lifting off of Satoru’s cock, his tongue trailing slowly up the bottom as he does so, pulling a weak whimper from an oversensitive Satoru. He sits back up for a moment before taking himself off of Satoru’s face while he’s too distracted to keep him there any longer.

“Wait, I wasn't done!” Satoru cries out softly as Suguru moves down to reposition himself in between his legs. 

“Not my problem.” Suguru smiles down at him as he lies down on top of him in between his legs, crashing their lips together. The slippery mess of saliva on Satoru’s mouth and chin isn’t a problem, only making him feel more crazed and insane as they kiss. Satoru wraps his arms underneath Suguru’s, pulling him down on top of him more. Their lips are slick against each other, their tongues licking into and around each other’s mouths as if it's their own.

“You’re so mean.” Satoru whines as Suguru pulls back and readjusts his position between Satoru’s legs. He sits back on his heels momentarily as he brings his hand  under one of Satoru’s thighs and lifts his leg up, letting it rest on his shoulder as he scoots forward once again.

“Yeah.” Suguru responds quietly, a wry smirk playing on his lips, “But you like it when I’m a little mean, don’t you baby?” His voice is sweet as he finishes, with only a hint of sarcasm hiding behind that perfect smile. The silence and narrowed eyes are enough of an answer from Satoru. “That’s what I thought.” Suguru adds as he brings his hand up to cup the side of Satoru’s face, his thumb grazing the rosy apple of his cheek as he admires the enticing scene below. Without having to be asked, Satoru opens his mouth, his tongue sticking out as he does so. “So good for me, baby.” Suguru praises him softly as his thumb finds its place in the middle of his tongue. His thumb is immediately engulfed in the warmth of Satoru’s mouth as his swollen lips close around the thick digit. His eyes are filled with lust, looking down at his white haired husband while his other hand slowly caresses the skin of the leg that rests up on his shoulder.

Satoru diligently sucks on the thumb in his mouth, tasting the saltiness as his tongue moves around it. His eyes are locked on Suguru’s as he does, waiting for him to make the next move. Satoru loosens his lips, allowing Suguru to pull his thumb out and stick his middle and ring fingers in. He lets them get plenty wet before he pulls them back out, playing with Satoru’s lips for a moment before he leans back down and connects their lips once more. They both smile into it, but Suguru is smiling for a completely different reason. He takes his now slick fingers between them and with no warning, slowly pushes one inside of Satoru, which results in a surprised gasp from him. 

“Suguuu,” Satoru mewls against his lips, his eyebrows knitted together as one quickly turns into two, “shiiit.” 

“You sure you even need my cock, baby? You’re already squeezing me so hard and it’s just my fingers.” Suguru teases, his mouth hanging slightly open as he watches Satoru’s face diligently, his bangs hanging in front of his face as he does so.

“Please.” He whines weakly. “Need your cock please Sugu.” Satoru says, knowing that he won’t get very far with Suguru without using his words. 

Suguru smiles at the mess he’s making of his husband with just his fingers, biting his bottom lip as he watches. “Of course baby.” He obliges, slowly pulling his fingers out and positioning the tip of his already oozing cock against his entrance. “When you ask so nicely it’s hard to say no to that pretty face.” He coos before slowly pushing his way inside. Both of them let out a satisfied moan in unison, the gratifying stretch for Satoru and the warm tightness for Suguru after what felt like an eternity. 

“Fuck.” Satoru cries out meekly as Suguru slowly pushes all the way inside. 

“You okay?” Suguru asks sweetly, waiting for a response from Satoru before moving. 

“Mmhm.” Satoru nods his head, his bottom lip in between his teeth as he looks up at Suguru through half lidded eyes. Smiling back down at him, Suguru slowly pulls back out and pushes in again, keeping an almost painfully slow pace. 

“Shit, Toru. It’s like you were made just for me.” He says, his hips maintaining the slow rhythm. There’s no real desire from either of them to go any faster, both of them loving the slowness and the way that they can feel everything. 

Satoru smiles up at him before he takes his own leg off of Suguru’s shoulder. He reaches his arms up at him, persuading him to lay down on top of him. “Wanna feel you closer.” He reasons, pulling him down. Suguru happily agrees and repositions himself, putting his forearms down on the mattress on either side of Satoru’s torso and feeling the strong arms wrapping around the back of his neck and holding him there. “I love you.” He mewls out, tangling the fingers of one hand into the long raven locks on the back of Suguru’s head, pulling on them gently. 

With a smile on his lips, Suguru presses soft, open-mouthed kisses to the side of Satoru’s neck, his plush lips leaving wet marks behind as he does so. Satoru continues babbling I love you’s mindlessly over and over with each one of Suguru’s slow deep thrusts. The knots deep in both of their cores are tightening, winding up to snap at a moment’s notice. “I love you.” Suguru coos back, lifting his head just enough to look into Satoru’s misty, fucked out eyes. “I love you.” He says once more before pressing his lips against Satoru’s.

Both of their bodies are tingling, their hearts both beating out of their chests so full of love and adoration for one another. Their skin sticks together, the light sheen of sweat covering both of their bodies as they both grow closer to their orgasms. The way Satoru’s walls twitch around Suguru lets him know that he’s close again. 

“Suguru- ah, Suguru, Suguru, Sugu-” Satoru lets out whimpers with each one of his thrusts, feeling him hit that spot inside him that he’d never be able to reach on his own. 

“Let it out baby.” Suguru reassures him, feeling his own orgasm close. Satoru wraps his legs around his hips, locking his feet together and holding Suguru as close as he can. Whiny, breathy moans escape Satoru’s mouth, not bothering to hold anything back because he has no reason to. Keeping his pace, Suguru looks into the glittering blue eyes beneath him with such affection and reverence behind them, Satoru can’t hold back any longer, finally tipping over the edge with one small gasp. His breath hitches in his throat as his mouth hangs open and his walls twitch and contract around Suguru, his eyes uncontrollably rolling back into his head as he cums hard. Suguru watches as his white-haired husband comes undone underneath him, quickly following behind with a shaky moan. He continues slowly fucking him through both of their orgasms, his hips only finally stilling once they’re both on the come down.

Breathing heavily as he looks down at Satoru with a smile, Suguru’s mouth hangs slightly open. Satoru’s arms and legs are still locked around Suguru, not allowing him to go anywhere, and he doesn’t plan on letting him go just yet. “Just stay here for a little bit longer… Please.” Satoru says quietly, sounding out of breath. Suguru doesn’t say anything, instead just closing his eyes as he rests his own forehead against Satoru’s for a moment. They stay like this for a minute longer before Suguru speaks up, finally calmed down.

“I love you.” He whispers before pressing a delicate kiss to Satoru’s forehead, his hair sticking to his skin and all. “I love you,” He presses another kiss to his cheek, “I love you,” and another to his other cheek. Satoru can’t help but smile a beaming smile as Suguru peppers his face and jaw with kisses and whispered i love you’s. His nose scrunches as his smile turns into a cute giggle.

“Sugu that tickles!” He shouts out as Suguru continues along his neck. Suguru presses one final slow kiss to his pulse point.

“What? I can’t show my husband how much I love him?” Suguru asks sarcastically, looking down at Satoru with an eyebrow raised. 

“I didn’t say that, I just said that it tickles.” Satoru explains as Suguru sits up and finally pulls out, earning a gasp from Satoru at the sudden emptiness. “Sugu, you gotta warn me next time.” 

Suguru chuckles, shaking his head as he stands up from the bed. “I thought me sitting up was enough of a hint, baby.” He explains, leaning over to press another kiss to Satoru’s forehead before slowly heading towards the bathroom to turn on the bath. “I'm guessing you want me to carry you, huh?” Suguru asks, pretending to be annoyed, but they both know that it’s one of his favorite things to do. 

“My legs don’t work.” Satoru says with a fake pout on his lips as he looks at him standing in the doorway. Suguru chuckles silently, shaking his head as he moves to pick up the whiny string bean that he proudly chose to call his husband. 

~~~~~~~~~~

“Hellooo?” Satoru draws out, looking over at Suguru from where he still lies on the couch, his hands still clasped behind his head. “Earth to Suguru.”

“Sorry baby, what?” He shakes his head as he asks, not sure if Satoru had asked a question or if he was just being obnoxious. 

“Are you almost done?” Satoru repeats his question that Suguru obviously didn’t hear the first time. Suguru looks at the time in the corner of his monitor and sees that it’s nearly 5 o'clock. 

“Oh shit, uh- yeah, just let me finish up these last couple things and we can get out of here.” He answers, trying to clear his mind and focus. 

“You can’t just save it for Monday?” Satoru sits up, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees as he looks at Suguru where he sits behind his desk. 

“Sorry baby, can’t do that.” Suguru says, quickly clicking through his email to find the ones that he needed to reply to before leaving for the day. His week had been busy, full of playing catch-up after being away for two weeks and he didn’t want to let anything roll over to next week, so he was dead set on finishing everything before leaving. 

“Well we’re meeting Shoko and Utahime at six, so if we’re late you’re telling them that it isn’t my fault for once.” He says dramatically. 

“Don’t worry you big baby.” Suguru has a smile on his face as he says it. “I’m only gonna be a few more minutes.” His fingers quickly type out a response to the first email on his screen before he sends it off and moves onto the next one. 

Satoru stands up from his spot on the couch and wanders around the spacious office, looking at all the little things Suguru has adorning the shelves. He smiles, looking at a small reclining Buddha statue that he had bought Suguru in Fukuoka while they were still there at the beginning of the year. It was a reminder of their time there and what Satoru would call “the smallest apartment ever.” Suguru would argue that when you live in a high rise luxury apartment, every apartment seems like the smallest one ever just by comparison. 

He turns back around to look at the art piece that hangs above the couch, admiring the detail that the artist had put into it. Once it was finished and delivered to him, he had spent nearly an hour just sitting in front of it and admiring the artistry; the textures, the perfect shadows, even the patterns of the brush strokes amazed him. He holds his hand up in front of it, comparing his actual hand to the one in the painting and seeing that even the faint purple veins in his wrist were featured. He smiles to himself, looking at the silver ring on his finger once again and fidgeting with it for a moment, twisting it around as he paces aimlessly around in front of the window. He looks through the glass down at the sparkling water below, the afternoon sun glittering as it shines over the calm waves. 

“How’d you get such a nice view?” Satoru turns around as he hears Suguru roll his chair back and stand up. He shakes his head as he rounds the corner of his desk and stands next to Satoru at the window. 

“Good at my job.” He answers simply, crossing his arms as they look out at the view together. 

“Nah, that can’t be it.” Satoru shoots back sarcastically. Suguru shakes his head and smacks him lightly on the arm. “Probably because you’re the most beautiful man here and they just couldn’t deny you the perfect view.” He turns to face Suguru with a smirk on his face.

“Yeah, that’s definitely it.” Suguru agrees, a matching smirk on his lips. “Ready to go?” He asks, resting his hand on Satoru’s lower back, rubbing softly as they stand there, looking down at the water. 

Satoru nods his head, wrapping his arm around Suguru’s shoulders and leaning over to press a quick kiss to his cheek before letting go and picking up his jacket. He has a smile on his face as he takes one last look at the bouquet of flowers on the desk. Looking up from the flowers at Suguru, he nods his head. “Let’s get out of here, I’m starving.”

chapter 2

[readerofoddities]

More of my High Priests (of which the AU they live in I call "Old Wounds")

This is going to include some talking about the Priests as if they were in-game. Also, warning for the Kallamar & Jaynor picture. It's kind of suggestive.

Anyways, below the cut is my ramblings

*Grylie has a unique dialogue if the Lamb is married to Leshy upon his arrival. He has a different dialogue if the Lamb marries Leshy after his arrival

*he has another unique dialogue when given a golden skull that is different based on if Leshy has a golden skull too or not

*he cannot be sacrificed to bring back Aym and Baal

*will refuse to marry the Lamb (he will not appear on the list of followers)

*he will prevent Leshy from dissenting

*if the Lamb gives him a camellia, he will run and give it to Leshy. There is a subsequent animation of Leshy eating it

*he will follow Leshy around and do whatever task Leshy is doing, even if it is a single follower task. This speeds up whatever it is Leshy is doing

*he has a quest similar to the Bishops's Relic quests where he asks the Lamb to retrieve his necklace "The High Priest's Amulet." He will put it on upon receiving it and it will permanently be on his sprite. You can still give him other necklaces to wear, but they will not appear on his sprite

*Dayna, like Grylie, has a unique dialogue if the Lamb is married to Heket upon her arrival and a different one if the Lamb marries Heket after her arrival

*will prevent Heket from dissenting

*will refuse to marry the Lamb

*can't be sacrificed to bring back Aym or Baal

*she will frequently get into fights with the other Bishops (aside from Heket), but is the most likely to kill Shamura. She will also frequently fight Jaynor. If the Bishops and Jaynor are wearing a loyalty necklace, she will not fight them

*she has a unique dialogue based on all of the different necklaces

*if given a menticide mushroom, she will be befuddled for the rest of the day and will generate some sin

*she has a quest similar to the Bishops's relic quest. She will ask for "The High Priestess's Stash"

*Jaynor also has 2 unique dialogues based on if the Lamb is married to Kallamar before or after Jaynor arrives

*will marry the Lamb. He is the only High Priest who appears on the list for marrying

*will prevent Kallamar from dissenting

*he cannot be ordered to start working. He will just run around and do nothing all day

*can't be sacrificed to bring back Aym or Baal

*has a unique dialogue based on the golden skull, moon and missionary necklaces

*if given a crystal, he has 3 different dialogues he can say. However, you can only give him a crystal once

*he has a quest similar to the Bishops's relic quest. He will ask for "The High Priest's Jewel" which will appear as a relic on crusades after that. I'm still working on the specifics of this relic

*Lori also has 2 unique dialogues if the Lamb is married to Shamura before or after Lori arrives

*will refuse to marry the Lamb

*will prevent Shamura from dissenting

*can't be sacrificed to bring back Aym or Baal

*can diffuse fights between cultists on their own

*arrives already wearing a golden skull necklace. They have a special dialogue if you try giving them a new one

*lore appears more often if they are present in the cult

*They have a quest similar to the Bishops's relic quest. They will request "The High Priest's Pocketbook" which opens up a new journal option for the Lamb! It is used to record what the follower's different quests have been

*They are the only High Priest who does not climb out of the ground, instead they come out of the foliage

Felli needs a separate post because they're super special as Narinder’s High Priest, so look out for that later!

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #5

As predicted, the mild sniffles I had yesterday are just about gone today! But also, since I got my immunity to The Plague boosted, I'm just a little bit tired. But that's okay. Unpleasant things are often only temporary, and if you leverage them right, you can weave unpleasant things into good things in the future - good things like temporary immunity to The Plague, in this case! Ahahaha~!

Though I'm a bit tired, I still had enough energy to strain the broth today! Check it out:

It looks a lot better now, doesn't it? I'm pretty pleased with how the color turned out! And my house still smells AMAZING after letting it simmer for a day and a half. Right now, it's in the fridge to let any fats rise to the surface and solidify. Later, I'll scoop out the fats, incorporate them into some flour, and then incorporate the flour into the rest of the broth; the result will be a very smooth, rich consistency that is good for a variety of things!

I thought I would have energy to get it all done today, but I don't; all that squishing of the excess water out of the scraps and back into the pot has left my arms and hands super tired, because unlike you, my body is kinda weak and noodley, hahaha!

So instead, I decided to make myself some tea and relax a bit. I make tea a lot, and so by now, I have what I like down to a science! I'll show you:

This is my tea thermos! It holds 34 oz of fluid (or about 1 liter, if metric is more your speed)! This morning while I was doing my things, I was delighted to find a box of apricot tea that I thought I had lost! So I made some, and added 2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon of honey, and 3/4ths of a cup of milk to it! After a lot of experimenting in the past, I found that this is the tea-sweetener-milk ratio that is ideal for my body's sensory hardware; someone else might have a different ratio that is better for them, and that is good too!

I wish I could make a mug of tea for you. But... when is the last time you've had tea, anyway? Do you even like tea? I ask because not everyone does, and that's all right. Maybe you'd prefer coffee? Or juice? Maybe even some kind of fizzy drink? Or just plain water? I wonder...

If you do like tea, I wonder which kind you like best! In my world, we have an overwhelming number of different kinds of tea - thousands and thousands of them! Lots of them use the leaves of camellia sinensis, but others use different kinds of herbs, fruits, and whatever else people can think of! Often, people will blend various different things together to come up with entirely new teas! The folks of my world are astoundingly creative, and so there's almost no limit to the number of very beautiful and very delicious things that exist here! I wish I could show them all to you!

In particular, there was this one kind of tiramisu tea that a company called Teavana used to make, back when it still existed. This was my favorite tea until it ceased to exist; I've not found any other suitable substitute quite yet. It had black tea leaves, blended with bits of dried coffee, chocolate, and mascarpone cheese, amongst other things. It was really good all on its own, but if you added just a touch of milk and sugar to it, it became unbelievably decadent, oh my goodness!! I wish I could give you a mug of this stuff! Alas, at this point, it only exists in the memories of the people who used to enjoy it, as far as I know. But I can show you a picture of what it used to look like! Here:

I hope you get to enjoy tea again soon if it's something that you like; I can't imagine that The Edge of Creation is especially well-stocked with anything that would offer comfort, nourishment, or joy to a living creature, ahaha...

...It's actually really sad to think about you being over there because of that. I have no doubt that you must have seen some astounding and hauntingly beautiful things during your time over there - surely much of it is stuff that I can't even begin to fathom. But a world without things like soup, tea, macaroni and cheese, soaps that smell nice, warm fluffy towels, blanket forts, and people to enjoy stuff like this with... it seems rather empty to me. Or maybe you have a different perspective?

Maybe someday, those of my world will be blessed to hear you tell us about what your experiences over there have been like and what you've learned along the way. Maybe you could tell us about it over tea and snacks, even! Wouldn't that be so nice?

Please come back to us safe and sound so that such a thing could occur, if to do such a thing with us would be a source of relief, comfort, and joy for you. And if that doesn't sound like a good time to you, then please come back to us safe and sound anyway, because you're still loved and important, even if tea and conversation, as a concept, might seem overwhelming or uninteresting to you - you don't have to perform for others or do what they want in order to be cared about exactly as you are.

Until next time.

Your friend, Lumine

[bergeronprocess]

9/29/24

I gave myself the day off of writing yesterday because I was super busy all day and didn’t get home until late (for me lol). I am going to write something related to that, actually - 

On the realization of aging, and also Atlanta sports.

Yesterday, my friend Amanda and I went to a college football game. More specifically, we went to see our alma mater, Georgia State University. It had been a while. The last time we saw a GSU game, they were still bumming off of the Georgia Dome, and I think it was one of the final events held in that stadium before they demolished it in favor of Megatron’s Butthole. (It has a proper name, and that is not its proper name, but its very camera aperture-like roof does bring mecha cloaca to mind.) 

Since then, GSU has moved from one castoff major league stadium to another, setting up shop at the former Turner Field and transforming it into a football stadium. You can still see the baseball of it all if you look carefully because the stadium’s structure has remained the same; they just tarp and cordon off one part of it so people don’t try to sit there. The field is actually very nicely situated and they’ve built lots of new things around it, including a convocation center that I believe also serves as a basketball arena. GSU has built so many new things since I graduated that I feel like I’d hardly be able to get around campus at this point! All things considered, I’d much rather have the old Turner Field be renovated and used for something instead of it sitting vacant and becoming an eyesore. 

I still have not been to a game at Megatron’s Butthole or Located-in-Atlanta-but-just-barely new Braves Park yet. I’ll get there eventually - they are still both within their first decade and Atlanta only gets itchy to start building “new” stadiums once a venue turns 20. In that way, State Farm Arena is starting to get long in the tooth because it was built in 1999, though it received some renovations around the same time the new stadiums were opening and those renovations may have given it a second lease on life. Those renovations did remove any hockey configuration, though, so if the NHL does decide to give us a third swing at having a team (third try’s the charm, right?) it will have to be in a different venue.

Now that I’ve set the table for the current state of Atlanta sports a little bit, back to the game at hand. Amanda and I are in our mid-30s, but I truly don’t feel that way sometimes. Even though I have hit a lot of Adult Milestones - married, bought a house, refinanced the mortgage on said house, bought a car, lost a parent - I sometimes feel a bit youthful. Well, yesterday, I started to not really feel that way!

After we walked into the stadium, we saw a live performance by the school’s drum line and rock band. Yes, we have a rock band as part of our marching band! It’s a guitarist, a keyboardist and a guy sitting behind a full rock drum set. They get around by standing on a long flatbed and being towed around the performance venue by a guy driving an equipment cart. One time the school band performed in the Thanksgiving Day Parade and that’s how the rock band traversed the parade route.

So the rock band and the drum line are playing. There are a few folks playing large stand-up xylophones, snare drums, tenor drums and bass drums, standing beneath a sweeping display that announces the various big moments of the GSU Panthers football program since its inception in 2010: the 2015 Cure Bowl (lost that one), 2017 Cure Bowl (won that one), 2019 Arizona Bowl (lost that one), the time the University of Tennessee paid us a million dollars for what was expected to be an easy Vols win but actually turned out to be a 38-30 Panthers win (hehe that was awesome), 2020 Lendingtree Bowl (won that one), 2021 Camellia Bowl (won that one), 2023 Potato Bowl (won that one).

College bowl games have such weird names, don’t they?

When we walked up reasonably close to this performance so I could take some pictures, especially to show my husband because he was in the marching band in high school, I was able to closely see the faces of the xylophone players - and in that moment, it struck me. Oh goodness, I thought to myself, they look so young. Smooth round faces without even a hint of a wrinkle, touched only by chin blemishes - these folks looked like children, and that’s because they’re not that far past genuinely being children.

I am not anti-aging. We should all be so blessed to be able to age at all. Many people die before their time and have no such luxury. But in that moment, I really had that kind of “Oh Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore” feeling. Oh buddy, you really are 35 going on 36, and you’re really feeling every little bit of that right now, aren’t you?

And then the marching band played a lot of songs from the early 2000s, an era that Amanda and I remember very fondly, but one in which most (if not all) of those marching band players were not even alive yet. They might think of those songs as something their parents told them about, songs their moms would play while hitting the clubs with her friends, a few years before they were twinkles in her eye. That was another moment where the two of us very much Felt Our Ages.

The Panthers lost 38-21 to their biggest rivals, the inferior GSU, Georgia Southern University. It was the inaugural game of our own cup matchup, a bit like the Apple Cup or the Iron Bowl - things I only know about because I listen to the Shutdown Fullcast. Keeping with the agricultural theme, it’s a trophy sponsored by the state agricultural commissioner and its presentation was adorned with just a few of the various edible crops grown in the state. Peanuts, tomatoes, apples…it wasn’t the most seasonal display (Amanda noted that okra and turnip greens, both of which are currently in season, were missing) and our oh-so-iconic peaches were missing due to their season having already ended. 

Well, let Inferior GSU have their cup this year, I say. We’ll be back for it next time.

[grad604-melody-tan]

10 examples by creatives specifically from Aotearoa.

Toi T Toi Ora: Contemporary Mori Art is the most important look at modern Maori art ever done. It includes over 300 works by 110 Maori artists from the 1950s to the present day. Four great Maori artists will have their work shown at Britomart.

Shane Cotton's mural Maunga, which is five stories high, is the centrepiece of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tmaki's Toi T Toi Ora: Contemporary Mori Art show at Britomart.

This piece is a drawing of 25 pot designs, each of which represents a New Zealand maunga (place or mountain). Find out more about how Maunga came to be here.

Heart of the City, Fort st, Auckland (2016)

Sara Hughes, a well-known artist from Auckland, made the newest Hearts of the City piece. See for yourself at Fort Lane.

Her Hearts of the City piece is a spectacular burst of colour that makes references to the art deco and heritage places in Auckland.

This heart is full of everything life has to offer, like a sunburst. Sara hopes that its rays will make people feel good and give them hope.

Hughes has gotten a lot of attention from people all over Australasia. In 2005, he won both the Wallace Art Award and the Norsewear Art Award.

Misery (Tanya Jade McMillan) and Tomtom (her husband) made the boards below. They are icons in the New Zealand street art scene, and Misery is one of New Zealand's best-known female pop and wall artists. Tomtom is a tattoo artist, and his style can be seen. In these pictures, you can also see that she has Tahitian and Chinese roots.

Beacon, a new sculpture by Auckland artist Lang Ea made of shiny stainless steel in the shape of a circle, has arrived at Milford Reserve. It is sure to make people feel welcome as they walk their dogs and get some fresh air during the COVID-19 lockdown.

It is even hoped that it might bring a little bit of happiness in these hard times.

Lang Ea says: “This sculpture symbolises and reflects the significant and courageous achievements of the suffragettes more than a century ago and lights the way for women in the present and future.” 

In the middle, there is a violet form that looks like a camellia. The people who fought for women's right to vote chose the colour violet to represent honour and self-respect. In Beacon, Violet speaks to modern ideas of gender equality and women's power.

The Lighthouse / Tū Whenua-a-Kura

"This classic 1950s state house sits at the water’s edge, with neon lights representing the constellations and a polished sculpture of Captain Cook inside."

One of New Zealand's most well-known living artists, Michael Michael Parekwhai, created the 8.5-meter-tall sculpture. It looks like a full-size 1950s state house. Weatherboards, windows, shutters, a brick chimney, and a burnt-red front door are all parts of the house. Inside, though, there is no furniture or other signs of suburban life. Instead, there is an installation of bright lights and a sculpture made of highly polished stainless steel called "The English Channel." It shows Captain Cook sitting on a stool and looking down.

I Love You / Aroha atu, Aroha mai

"A bright and beautiful declaration of love transforms this parking building in Manukau, with words shining in colours of the rainbow."

This neon art makes the scenery of Manukau more interesting and turns one of its most useful buildings into a monument to love. Lonnie Hutchinson, an artist, put two statements, one in English and one in Te Reo Mori, on the outside of this small parking lot in the town centre. Attached to two outside stairwells in the bright colours of the rainbow, the artwork says "I Love You" on one side and "Aroha atu, Aroha mai" on the other, telling people that they are welcome and part of the community. "Love given, love returned" is what the Mori saying "aroha atu, aroha mai" means.

The rainbow-themed art piece has more than one message. The colours of the rainbow stand for freedom, peace, love, and getting along with others. And in traditional Mori society, rainbows (niwaniwa) are signs of things to come.

Hutchinson's work is paired with Me Rongo/Walk in Rainbows by Reuben Paterson, which is also based on rainbows. Together, they are called Night and Day, with Hutchinson's neon piece honouring the night and Paterson's the day.

Auckland-based sculptor Samantha Lissette Her art merges organic and manufactured ideas to reveal a natural connection between "planned" natural elements and man's adaptation of them. Her sculptures sometimes use comedy or sarcasm to explore the human condition and add fun and delicacy to a material known for its weight and solidity. Samantha displays in New Zealand and abroad. New Zealand and China hold her work. Lissette has received public and business commissions for her bronze work, from monuments to miniatures.

Object of Devotion by Jim Wheeler

His sculptures contemplate nature and show how humans are part of it. Macrocosm contains microcosm. Finding human nature in nature is his spiritual practise in sculpting. He illustrates the interdependence of all living beings and their environment. Nature is our most perfect system and should inspire our society.

A modest sculpture of a tree's life cycle in your hand conveys a broader truth.

Upon a Pond by artist Seung Yul Oh at Albany Stadium Pool.

Drop a Loop by artist Seung Yul Oh at Albany Stadium Pool.

Upon a Pond and Drop a Loop combine Oh's humour, brilliant colours, and interaction with pool enjoyment, water, and playfulness. They exhibit swimming pool water in its various phases and make art part of everyday life.

Upon a Pond literally vents! Oh, and designer John O'Sullivan's enormous, colourful sculpture, inspired by blowing bubbles with bendy straws, adds surprise and amusement to the pool facility's outside.

Eye-catching Drop a Loop has 11 cloud-shaped light boxes near the pool entrance. They change colour with natural light.

Justice by Lisa Reihana

Lisa Reihana's Justice covers the Ellen Melville Centre's O'Connell Street wall. Ellen Melville, legislator, women's champion, lawyer, and pioneer, inspired a bronze scales of justice sculpture. The bronze shape floats above a 1950s-style abstract wall artwork.

This copper sculpture serves as the focal point of the front; it's a powerful, one-of-a-kind design with a delicate curve, while the lovely abstract wall composition has a 1950s feel, drawing inspiration from James Turkington's painting of the Parnell Baths. To honour Ellen Melville.

[shardclan]

The inevitable day has come. Camellia has finally had a daughter I am going to love and protect with all my heart. She has luminescent freckles and her uncle Actias is wrapped all the way around her finger. 

She is also completely full of sin.

Morpha “Bitch I’m Adorable” D’zetwal has joined the fray.

[karipia]

the notebook | series of one-shots following you, mikey and the notebook from this fic |

i. pink camellias, astilbe, baby's breath

everyone in bonten knew mikey is unreachable on mondays, wednesdays and sundays. no one will dare call him for updates, no meetings are scheduled that needs his attendance. mikey himself made this clear when bonten finally established itself. no one knows why and no one dared to ask.

it was on these days mikey does and will keep on doing the plans you had together. the ones he owed you, the plans you ought to have gone to, the things he thought you might have wanted to do.

it was the flower farm today. he walks through the fresh scent of the place and memories of you fills his head.

you were wearing a white summer dress. it was strapped, reaching just on top of your knees. the sunflowers printed on your dress looked as if they were dancing as you twirled to the soft melody of your own hum. mikey could feel your excitement for today's trip. you've always been a city girl and the thought of being in the countryside was a whole level of new to you. finally noticing his presence, you gave the biggest smile from ear to ear. the sun could never, he chuckles in his mind.

while having breakfast, you showed mikey your notebook and your mood changed. it shocked him a bit. was there a problem?

listen up, mikey. he gulps at your serious demeanor. we only have a day because your schedule needs you here tomorrow morning. now he's scared because this announcement has something to do with him? so... you flipped the pages of the notebook and slammed it on the dining table. we have to do all of this okay? you fake whine and sob. i want to take pictures! i also booked a flower arranging lesson for us to take because i really wanna learn ikebana*. then let's also have a picnic and flower tea! we'll do that at the end of the day to see the sunset and watch the stars! the countryside would definitely have the best view of the stars. i already prepared a blanket for us to lie down. you can't get tired, alright? we have to do all of this. no whining that you're sleepy and letting me do all this on my own! you said all that in a span of a minute and showing any signs of already being tired from your plan was gonna cost him his life so he says hmmm, let's do all that! deep inside, he was already planning how he can start the picnic and lie down on your lap the whole day.

he would not have thought he's at the flower farm by himself. walking in the fields, doing an ikebana lesson, sitting on the grass to watch the sunset and the stars. he comes home and goes straight to your room. mikey sits in front of your frame where you wore a flower crown of amaryllis. perfect for you, he thought. you were beyond beautiful. he then offers you the flowers he has arranged.

pink camellias i miss you so much

astilbe i'm still waiting for you to come back

baby's breath i love you, now and forever

[fireflykaizoku]

Killer x Reader | Purple Lilacs

i had this idea when i went to cover my ugly tattoo this year (the tattoo artist wasn't cute and we didn't date tho, but we can't have everything), but couldn't think of a plot until now

thank you @kerokerogecko for helping me picking a character and the flower! ❤

this was a bit longer than i expected, but oh well!

You’ve been working at your parent’s flower shop for a few years now. It was a small business, but you enjoyed it. It was a colorful place, and you saw every kind of person everyday. Boyfriends buying flowers for anniversaries, young women buying themselves a bouquet for Valentine’s Day because they were single (and happy about it), or bouquets for weddings… It was something new everyday.

In front of the shop there was a new tattoo shop. The front was red and black, decorated with blue flames. While your friend didn’t like it so much, you thought it was nice. It was a change, since the neighborhood was full of bookstores, coffee shops, and clothing stores.

The first time you saw one of the owners, it was about two weeks after they opened the shop, when one of them entered your shop. He was blonde, tall and seemed a bit serious at first. Surprisingly, he was very polite when he approached you.

— Good morning. — he said as he headed to the counter where you were. — May you show me what a Bromeliad looks like?

— Yes, of course. — you smiled and took him to another part of the shop where the flower was. — We only have pink and orange, but there’s yellow and red shades too. Is it for a special occasion? You can order them, but it’ll take a few days or weeks.

His blue eyes analyzed the flower while paying attention to your voice.

— No, this pink one will do. — he took the vase. — I work at the tattoo shop across the street. A client wanted a Bromeliad tattoo and while I looked at some pictures of it, I figured it’d be a good idea to see it in person. I’ll take this one.

You couldn’t help thinking about the man as soon as he left your shop. He was very good looking, his voice was mesmerizing. Not only that, but he bought flowers to make sure he’d portrait the flower perfectly. The blonde was dedicated.

The following week he was back, asking to see Peonies.

— Another client? — you giggled.

He nodded, softly smiling.

— Here, follow me.

You showed the light pink flower that looked beautiful.

— There’s other shades of pink too, they’re just not available today. They’re also white or red, look. — you showed him another vase with red Peonies.

— Which one do you like the best? — he asked, not looking at you.

— I like the pink one. — you smiled.

— Then I’ll take the pink one, please.

He went to buy Sunflowers, Daisies, Lilies, Camellias and even Hibiscus. You imagined the tattoo shop was full of flowers at this point, but you couldn’t complain. It was nice to see him and make small conversation to hear his voice.

But for a week there was no sight of the man. Whenever someone entered the shop and you heard the doorbell ring, you hoped it was him. But nothing.

Your friend who worked with you noticed you daydreaming looking outside, and she guessed you were thinking about the blonde guy from the tattoo shop across the street. You talked about him a few times, and sometimes she even saw him in person. But you still kept talking about how handsome and polite he was. And that he asked for your opinion about the Peonies!

Sometimes you could see them from outside your window, but it was

— Looking to see if you spot the tattoo guy again? — she giggled.

— Yes. He didn’t come to the shop this week. — you smiled looking outside. — The blonde one is so cute, though. Don’t you think?

— I don’t. — your friend laughed. — But you should go there. Didn’t you want to cover up this old tattoo of yours? You’ll have the perfect excuse to go talk to him.

She pointed at an old friendship tattoo you got with someone years ago. Not only this person wasn’t your friend anymore, but the tattoo was poorly done. Of course, it was cheap and done in the heat of the moment.

Sometimes you even forgot about the art on the back of your arm, but sometimes it bothered you a lot. Now that your friend mentioned it, it’d be a good opportunity to finally cover it up.

— I might… — you thought. — But I need ideas for the cover up. I’ll think about it.

You thought for a while, until you realized the perfect art. You loved flowers, so of course, some of your favorite flowers would be the perfect idea for the cover up.

It took you a bit of courage to go there, not because you were afraid of needles, but because you were about to go see Killer, the good looking guy from the tattoo shop.

You entered the store, only to see a red haired man behind the counter. He was busy sketching something, but looked up as soon as he heard your footsteps.

— Can I help? — he asked.

— Yes, I… — you kept tapping your fingers on the counter. — I’d like to cover an old tattoo.

— Sure, can you show me? — he walked from behind the counter to move closer.

You lifted your sleeve, showing the work of art. It was even a little embarrassing, the tattoo was awful.

— Wow. — was all he said.

— I know. — you nervously laughed. — It’s… Exotic.

— That sure is a way to put it… — the man laughed. — Aren’t you the girl from the flower shop?

You hummed and nodded in response. You couldn’t see it, but he smirked. He knew Killer, his best friend who owned the shop with him, talked about the flower shop girl. How she was cute, with a pretty smile and with nice (E/C) eyes. So of course, it was a perfect opportunity to help the blonde.

— I see… — he went behind the counter and checked the calendar on his phone. — Oh, I won’t be able to cover up your tattoo, sadly. But I know my friend, Killer will be glad to do so. You may know him, since he goes to the flower shop sometimes.

Your cheeks felt warm and without even realizing, you smiled when the redhead mentioned the guy. So his name was Killer.

— If it’s fine by you, of course.

— Yes! — you replied a bit too fast, which made him raise an eyebrow and smirk. — I mean, sure.

After telling you his name and picking the best time for you. It’d be on Saturday at noon.

Time didn’t go fast enough that week. But it was finally the day! You’d be able to see Killer and be able to make some conversation with him.

When you arrived at the shop, he was waiting for you in the waiting room, sitting on the couch. Kid was busy with another client.

— Hey. — you smiled holding the bouquet of flowers, because you knew he always wanted to see it in person instead of simply pictures of it. — I’m here for my appointment.

— Hey, (Y/N). Come in… — he took you to another part of the shop. — I see you brought the (F/F).

The blonde designed the art especially for you. He talked about how each flower he drew was unique for each client so it wouldn’t be a simple “copy”. Killer prepared your arm, asked you to choose the music genre to listen to while getting the new tattoo, and when you were laying on the tattoo bed, he started the work.

He was curious about the meaning behind the old tattoo, behind the new tattoo, why you wanted a cover up.. The typical conversation at first, until he asked more about yourself. You were able to know more about him, his friendship with Kid, why he decided to be a tattoo artist, the music he liked… Even though the pain was bothering you, you didn’t want him to finish, not that soon. You didn’t know when you’d see him again.

— If it’s no bother, would you mind if I went to your flower shop during my free hours to draw some of them? For my portfolio?

— No bother at all. — you smiled, but you were giggling inside. — You can go there anytime you like.

When he finished the tattoo, you were finally able to look at it in the mirror. The man was glad to know he did an amazing job, something you kept repeating. You were smiling, giggling and looking at the new tattoo, relieved to know you didn’t have to show the unwanted old tattoo which reminded you of someone you didn’t want to remember.

On Monday you were reading when someone entered the shop. When you looked up, you couldn’t help smiling seeing Killer in front of you.

— You said I could come here, I hope it’s alright. — he said.

— Yes, it is. — you smiled. — There’s plenty of new flowers that arrived this morning. If you need anything, you can call me.

And he did. You ended up sitting next to him, explaining what you knew about each flower, their meaning, the different shades and origins. He listened to everything carefully, although he used to get lost listening to your soft voice talking about something you were passionate about. The smile when you talked about your favorite flowers, it was something truly beautiful to him.

This became a daily habit. Killer would go to the flower shop whenever he could, and you two would talk. And while at first you two only spoke about flowers and tattoos, the conversations developed to more personal subjects. Kid had an idea on how his best friend started to understand so much about flowers out of the blue, and your friend would often see you going to the man’s tattoo shop to go look at some of his drawings.

They knew something would start between you and the tattoo artist. They didn’t know when, but it really seemed like you had an amazing connection.

It has been about two or three months since you two started seeing each other everyday when the door opened, getting your attention. It was Killer, and he seemed a bit nervous.

— Hey, (Y/N). Do you have purple Lilac? — Killer asked when he entered the shop.

You smiled at the sight of the man.

— Yes, we do have a bouquet left. Come here. — you took him to the back of the shop and handed him a bouquet. — It was for a wedding, but the bride decided to pick other flowers. Is it for a client?

The bouquet was beautiful, with purple and white Lilacs. It was delicate and it would be perfect for the wedding.

— Ah, no. Not this time… — he looked at it carefully. Killer never understood about flowers, he didn’t mind about them until he met you. But he couldn’t deny it, they were indeed beautiful.

— They.. Have a meaning, right? — the blonde asked and you nodded. — I mean, Lilacs can mean purity, spirituality, or happiness. But the purple ones, they symbolize first love, right?

It was hard to know where he was going with this. You smiled knowing he started to look for flower meanings after that afternoon together, but… Would he give them to someone else? He never mentioned anything, and you thought something was going on between you two.

— Yes, purple Lilacs can symbolize romance and first love… — you looked at him, and he was already looking at you with a subtle smile.

— I didn’t find any flower that could mean “(Y/N), would you go out with me?”, but… I guess purple Lilacs can sum up everything pretty well.

Your cheeks felt incredibly warm, your heart started to beat fast and you were at loss for words for a moment, until you smiled.

— Oh, Killer… I… — you looked around and found a bouquet with red Carnations. — I... I think this sums up pretty well too.

Killer tilted his head and thought for a while until he realized that your answer was a “yes”. The blonde remembered the week before when you told him the meaning.

"Red Carnations are often used to express sincere love, affection and admiration."

[chloromanci]

Joker’s hypervigilance blooms within Daniel a tangle of unease and he finds himself mirroring his customer’s glances toward the door. Gothamites pass the shop more often than they frequent it even now that spring begins warming the outside smog. Daniel thinks to inquire about Joker’s worry but he isn’t the only one disarmed by Camellia’s charm. She’s the only one here ignorant to any threat. Joker’s being very nice to her and that’s all she needs in an immediate friend.

Cami blinks verdant eyes the size of silver dollars up at her father before swinging her toothy grin back at her guest. “Uh huh,” she titters excitedly, folding half her body over the counter to get a better view of both the pictures on the phone and Joker’s face. “I used to have a small garden but now I have a big, big one. It’s upstairs! Wanna see?”

“Sprite,” Daniel interjects with a smile that looks as though it’s backed by indigestion. Cami ignores her father like she knows better than to trust his rejection. She’s smiling wider and wider by the minute. “Sprite,” he tries again, this time softer, “I don’t think he wants to see. I think he just wants to get his own set up. Hm?”

Cami deflates only a little but, like her father, is not so much deterred from her joy as she is rerouted from her previous mission. “You need suck…” Her little brow pleats and she looks to Daniel for assistance. “Succulents,” he offers, to which Cami agrees, “Yes. Suck-lants. Fairies like the puffy ones. And the puffy ones like moss.” As though to aid in her pitch, Cami executes a pushup to stand on top of her stool and steal the moss back from her father’s hands so she can be the one to push it over the counter toward Joker. “Like this.”

“Herbs are good too,” Daniel adds, leaning forward to brace his forearms sidelong where his daughter looms in the direction of her sales victim. “What’d we plant last week?”

“Sage!” Cami plants her hands flat beneath her once again and tips forward to whisper like she's got even more government secrets to trade, “It’s soft and fuzzy. Also we have pink flowers too. Because I like pink sometimes.”

“Gerberas. The pink flowers are gerberas,” Daniel explains to Joker. “But any flower will do. If your wife has a favorite that I don’t have, I can outsource and have ‘em here in a day. They’ll just come from over the river.” New York. “I know a guy.”

“Steve,” Cami again whispers to Joker conspiratorially, of the guy her father knows.

The little girl’s attention visibly loosens the coil in his throat. Every muscle spasm that tends to leave his back feeling cemented relaxes. Joker, while softening his painted face so his smile won’t frighten her, squares his shoulders before tapping his screen to keep the dimmer from fading and locking the mobile.

Sokol tucks against his master’s left leg and plops on the floor. Blue eyes cold enough to sear flesh shift from his master’s gentle smile, to the bob of his Adam’s apple as he assures Cami, “Of course you can!” to his feet that may begin shaking or his fingers might begin carving his palm. So far nothing. Since the animal’s head bows, only his big black ears crop up from under the counter.

Before he loses his train of thought after leaning forward and turning his phone around for Cami to see, his brackish stare thrashes her father’s way. Joker swallows what tastes like a rusted nail, then answers Daniel with a quick, albeit quiet, “Given that it’s already spring and her flowers haven’t opened…” despite the shop’s humidity that adds even more volume to his below-the-shoulder length hair and thickens his ringlets, something gelid with an acrid odor grazes the back of his neck.

He’d turned away from the door.

Werewolf’s pupils shrink to pinpricks as he, while keeping the old gnarled tree with a smooth rounded stone staircase leading to a circular hobbit-like door in his yard for Cami’s viewing, touches his chin to his shoulder and watches the shop's door. He should turn. One foot glides as if on air and lands behind him, angling Joker’s hips and keeping the phone in his right hand should he need to draw his gun.

His focus returns to Daniel for a whispery, “I think the actual flowers at this point.” Cami wins his attention once again. Joker shifts from foot to foot in a metronome-like oscillation; he tilts his head and speaks to her as if his own daughters entered the building, “And that’s not all. You see…” he flicks to the next image of a birchwood cottage perched between two shrubs that should be crowned in purple flowers, “My wife is making a whole village for our daughters, but she's having a little trouble with the actual garden part.”

The next swipe shows a walkway made from tons of dried up beans leading to a fairy-sized teatime table and a rounded cottage that also should be surrounded by greens.

“Your dad said...that you happen to be an expert in the matter of homing fairies…” Comedy’s side of his smile stretches back as he glances left and right like they're sharing sealed CIA records, “Got any advice I can pass on?”

[catsandmiracles]

Camellias and Cosmos

A glimpse into the year 2175

You can't see the sky anymore.

I look up knowing that I won't see the awesome colors of a sunset. The sky is dark as ink, but I'm sure there will be sunlight in a while. I'm not used to it yet. While I water the lovely camellias that I planted weeks ago, I find myself thinking about how different things are nowadays.

I usually wake up to my artificial curtains making my bedroom smell like a fresh morning at the beach, telling me with a softly spoken voice the time in the six languages that I know and advising me tenderly if I'll be able to go out or if the streets will be too crowded to even walk around.

Today was one of those days, when half population can't go out due to the lack of spare space in some places. Fortunately, I love to be home.

My camellias are growing healthy, so I water the bunch of chocolate cosmos next. Its perfume brings back memories of my first weeding making me feel nostalgic. While Immortality has brought darkness to some aspects of our lives, it has made chunks of our lives brighter too. Even though I'm utterly aware of the negative stuff, I have a great life with lots of positive things happening to me and around me.

As I walk downstairs to clean my dusty living room, I think about the drawbacks of living in 2175. I can tell they are quite notorious. Even though I've learned to deal with them, they are immeasurably maddening.

My cleaner robot vacuums under the bookshelf and it hands me a photo it found under the furniture. It's a photo of my second wedding, almost a hundred years ago. While I put the old picture back in place, a loud sigh is heard in the solitude of the room.

Time flies, but I don't think we've growth as a society at all. The overall concepts of marriage and lifelong agreements have disappeared because we take time for granted. People forgot how to appreciate these things, becoming presumptuous and impetuous. I even had to hear how two chilly ladies with up-to-date hairstyles and absurd green dresses were gossiping about who would be the next husband at my own wedding! It's so nauseatingly common that mocking attitude towards marriage. I'm not sure when its meaning changed radically, but it saddens me every time I think about it.

Moreover, there are more reasons why I think we haven't growth as a society: We still have some of the same issues we had 100 years ago, but worse. You can smell the damage we're doing to our planet if you just walk outside the hermetic dome above our city. The fetid smell is barely tolerable. I look through the nearest window to the huge dome that protect us from the pollution up there, my lips tightening inadvertently.

I can catch a glimpse of some parts of the new houses in the sky. We call them 'raindrops' and 'crystal towers'. They were built above our domes, so we can spend weeks without sunlight because of the waste they produce. At least the colors of the sky will be seen again next week, hopefully.

What a life.

However, not everything about 2175 is negative. Living for so long and having no illnesses has so many positive things to show off. Poverty isn't a thing anymore, since there are more jobs and people are desperate to make a difference with all the time they have, there are more home shelters and job offers than houses under a dome.

Furthermore, I had gotten married and divorced twice before I decided that I wanted to be single. In the past 100 years, I've met so many interesting people thanks to the places I've visited and the languages I've learned. After my second divorce, I had time to know myself better and my journey has been disparate and exciting.

Also, I had three beautiful boys. I may be old, but I don't look like it at all! So I've made wonderful memories with my three sons, and their families. I get along pretty well with all of them, as a result they visit my old domed city all the time. All of them are happily married and have children, even some of my grandchildren are parents now. I'm fond of each one of them, specially my oldest grandchildren, her curly hair and big black eyes remind me so much of my grandmother, who died before things changed.

I smile thinking about my little girl; not so little now; coming home tomorrow with her mother, punctually as always. I can almost taste the delicious carrot cake she will surely bring tomorrow.

I'm sure I have the silliest smile on my face but I don't care, I love my family so much. The fact that I could be there with them in the hospital, when my last great-grandchild was born a couple of years ago, despite being 176 years old myself is a miracle and I'm grateful to have witnessed so many wonderful moments in my loved ones' lives.

A sudden loud noise startles me, but I can't help laughing at what caused it. My robot just hit the wall. It is cleaning vigorously while dancing without music, so I suppose my mood is influencing our shared microchip. Instead of turning it off, I think of an old jolly song of a boy group from my youth and I press play in my wrist screen. It's funny how I have in a small bracelet everything I used to have on my old-fashioned cell phone. Listening to the upbeat music, dancing with my robot and thinking of my wonderful family it's easy to say that I wouldn't change anything.

All in all, while the negative things of living in 2175 exist and are worrisome, I think is a fair price to pay for having the wonderful life I have. Humanity has now more time to develop and to improve, so inevitably we were going to make lots of mistakes causing the many drawbacks that we have to put up with today, but I hope that the negative things that we have to face now will be just sour memories for the future, while the positive experiences we're going through remain as joyful as they are today.

I haven't forgotten how to appreciate the good in life and I won't ever take the precious time I have for granted.

~Mlih

[youngjusticeslut]

I don't know if you take requests but can you do a fanfiction where Miss Martian and Beast Boy return to Earth and everyone gathers to comfort her in the wake of Superboy's death (mainly the original team).

I do, sometimes, take short drabble requests :) Since bb and M'gann arrived separately... here's my spin!

--

When word spread that M'gann was due to arrive back on Earth, Artemis wastes no time in cancelling her last class of the day and booking it to Happy Harbor. To her surprise, she isn't the first one waiting outside. Zatanna is already present, looking a little worse for wear as Raquel massages her shoulders.

"You guys sure hustled," she notes, taking a seat on the grass next to the two.

"We were at happy hour. Z went a little overboard," Raquel explains, the scowl on her face looking a little too motherly.

Zatanna shoots a glare at her masseuse before jabbing a finger in her direction. "Hey. I helped save the entire world and managed to rescue my dad from the hands of Doctor Fate. I think I'm entitled to a few shots of tequila."

Raquel looks to Artemis for support, but the former archer merely shrugs with a wry grin. "She has a point." Not to mention, she also found her way to a celebratory bottle of wine, shared with her mother, after the whole Jade debacle. So she really isn't one to speak, here.

"Any sign of Bioship?"

The three girls turn their heads to find Kaldur exiting the garage, carrying a bouquet of bright pink camellias. M'gann's favorite. "I hope I did not miss her."

Artemis hasn't seen Kaldur since he and Dick broke the news. She takes a shaky inhale, letting the jab of pain wash over her before making her mouth form into a smile. "Nope. Right on time."

"As per usual. Ouch-- not so hard, Raq."

"Girl, you have knots in your shoulders the size of Aconcagua. It'll hurt no matter what."

"Um. Acon.. what now?"

Kaldur hums. "Aconcagua. It is a mountain in South America-- the second tallest mountain in the world, if I am not mistaken."

"Sorry." Raquel flushes pink as she speaks, laughing a bit to herself. "Amistad has been getting really into mountains and stuff lately. That kid is gonna give me a run for my money, I swear."

"And where are the latest photos of my favorite godson?" Zatanna demands, holding out her hand for Raquel's phone. "Gimme."

As Raquel and Zatanna gush over pictures, Kaldur takes a seat by Artemis, holding the bouquet upright so it doesn't touch the ground. It's only when he's next to Artemis that he finally lets his mask melt, and the heavy clouds of sorrow take shape on his face.

"What if she does not want us here? We are intruding on her grief."

Artemis shakes her head hard. "This is M'gann. She's one of us Kal, she needs us. I... I know she does." After Wally had ceased, M'gann hadn't left her side for hours. It was killing Artemis that she hadn't been able to be there for her friend until now. "Once she's here, we'll help her. We'll patch her up again. It's what we do."

"I wish the circumstances were not so dire." Kaldur lowers his eyes to the ground. Losing a fiancee... losing Conner, none of them had expected it to come to that. Conner was the last one they thought they'd have to lose. It reminds him that everyone is vulnerable. Everyone is at stake. These thoughts should bring Kaldur closer with his friends, his loved ones. Instead, he pushes them away. He is tired of pushing people away.

Behind them, the zeta tube fires up with the telltale sounds of an arrival. Artemis' breath catches in her throat as Nightwing is announced, and they all watch the former boy wonder exit in his civvies.

"Did I... miss it?" he asks, rubbing his neck. "I came as quick as I could get away."

Before anyone can answer, Raquel glances up and points to a tiny figure emerging from the horizon. "Bioship alert!" Artemis, Kaldur and Zatanna scramble to their feet. Nobody else makes a move, simply waiting as the ship grows closer and closer, the wind picking up and blowing everything to the wayside. Kaldur keeps a tight grip on the flowers, making sure they don't scatter away.

"Uh, that's not Bioship," Dick notes, glancing at Artemis. She doesn't have an explanation, however. She rarely does, but Dick always looks to her for answers anyway-- at least, when he isn't being a smartass.

"Questions later, M'gann first."

"Agreed. But that is a sick new color upgrade."

"Not the time, Z."

"Noted."

As the not-Bioship lands, the group inches closer, their eyes glued to the door. After what feels like an eternity, it opens, and M'gann steps out. She pauses, seeing them all there, clustered together. They hadn't all been in the same room together since... was it at Bibbo's? It's a rare occurence.

Artemis closes the distance, her eyes welling up as she takes in her friend. She looks so tired. So broken down. A reflection of herself, two years ago. M'gann's lip wobbles, and within seconds she falls into Artemis' arms, clinging onto her as tight as she can manage. Artemis holds her back just as tight, fighting her own tears.

"It's okay. You're home now," she whispers, knowing it won't bring M'gann any comfort, but it has to be said anyway. Another pair of arms joins the circle. Zatanna. Then Raquel. Then two larger sets of arms, and an uncomfortable bushel of flowers.

M'gann looks up from her tears, swallowing thickly. "Conner... he's gone."

"We know," Dick says.

"And we got you," Zatanna adds. "We're here for you."

[underdevelopedbutterfly]

So this is for people who have been disappointed and hurt because of the ending of 2521. How did I cope with the ending? To be honest up to this moment I’m still disappointed and there’s still a feeling of heaviness in my heart, but anyway, it’s the disappointment now that is stronger instead of the hurt. 

First, things first, I received a news yesterday that I have a deadline for our project next month. (!!)

Second, I understand that it is the forceful narrative and execution (and pacing) are the main reasons why I refuse to accept the ending. It is orchestrated as many eloquent writers in this site already explained. As said in this post, no one really figured out that Yijin and Heedo’s bond as lovers is breakable not until the 9/11 narrative which is suddenly thrown when the drama is already 1 episode behind its ending. Sure, you can still make sense of the 1 1/2 hour if you continuously think about it from the chosen narrative, however, looking at the whole picture, it clearly diverged from its themes that it established throughout the rest of its episodes, which is explain in this another post. There are also better narrative choices that could’ve been done so the relationship can reach into new heights and push greater character development even in that 9/11 narrative, but they weren’t the choice because it will not fit the initial narrative chosen by the creators. 

It is no more than just because my favorite characters didn’t end up together, but it is the irresponsible choices of the creators and many disappointments I felt about the ending, which I already wrote here. It is not just mainly about the Yijin and Heedo not ended up being together but many things about the ending as well.

Yeah, so writing my disappointments is also a good thing and I messaged other people that can understand my disappointments. So, thank you folks for that!

Lastly, I am also trying to rewatch my comfort drama and trying to add a new drama into equation when I am taking little breaks. My comfort drama is When The Camellia Blooms, it is good folks, it won Best Screenplay and Grand Prize awards. Kang Ha Neul also won as Best Actor in Baeksang Arts Awards so if you haven’t watched it, I can assure you it is beautiful and satisfying in every way.

I think it is also important to acknowledge that you being disappointed in the end is you criticizing it as a consumer of art. Do not degrade your opinion or feelings regarding it and I hope others who enjoyed the ending will be respectful as well.

[luna-the-moth]

Tainted Elysium(SFW)

Hello dear! Ohoho, I love this prompt, you have no idea! I’m so sorry if you wanted this in hc/scenario form, but the story potential for this was just Screaming at me- Also, this follows my hc that the Celestial Realm is corrupt (Pointedly looks at the angel event)

As the request says, there will be a character death.

Word count: 1.7k

Reblogs, likes, and comments are lovely to see!

Satan with a Reincarnated Angel! Reader. SFW! With a GN! reader.

Requests are open, but please read my rules and guidelines before reading!

~~~~~~~~~~~

How could this happen?

Falling onto his knees, Satan watched, helpless as your limp body sat lifelessly in the pentagram. Your eyes were wide, shock still ever-present on your features, a last reminder of your death.

He brought himself onto his feet, kneeling beside you, tears dripping onto your cold, lifeless skin. Your body was still warm, although your face had been drained of any remaining sign of life, similar to a mannequin.

This isn’t how he planned things to go, no- You were supposed to become immortal through the ritual, not die. Solomon had said this was one of the safest routes to immortality.

Mind spiraling, Satan gripped his head between his hands, trying to grasp any last shreds of his control. He couldn’t lose is composure. No, he had worked too hard to repress himself, he can’t lose it now.

“Perfect, the ritual has been completed and seems to be successful. Now we just need to wait.” Solomon mused smugly, pleased with his work.

Snapping his head to the sorcerer, Satan’s eyes held a sea of emotions. Disbelief, shock, betrayal, and wrath. Pure, unpolished wrath, in it’s rawest, most carnal form.

“Successful? Successful? They just died, and you say the ritual has been successful? You had sworn that they would become immortal, Solomon.”

His facade was crumbling down as he spoke flames of green and black peeking between his form, the demonic form he despised was coming loose. With a roar, his body expanded, clothes being torn to shreds as an equestrian form stood proudly where a demon once stood.

Charging at the sorcerer, Satan’s jaw opened, a maelstrom of green flames bursting from his mouth, swirling in a cyclone of hellish fire. After that, Satan’s mind blacked out, completely losing control over his grief.

All that he could remember, was the body of his lover fading into white butterflies behind the sorcerer, a white glow taking over your body.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Satan doesn’t remember how long it’s been since you’ve died.

Don’t get him wrong, he isn’t going to be completely hung up in mourning for  your death as long as he lives, but there are times he’ll see pieces of you. Those are the moments the grief will come rushing back.

In certain lines of poetry, ones you had always asked him to read at night.

The cat cafe in the human world, where you would always end up taking dozens of pictures of him, letting him unabashedly show his adoration for the creatures.

But the memory that hurt most of all, was your wit, charm, and intelligence. Smiling, he fondly remembered the way your eyes would gleam when discussing flower symbolism, or demonic history you had learned of in the human world.

You would ramble on for hours, passionate and lively, something Satan greatly admired. You were unapologetically yourself around him, no mask, and no tricks to convince him of otherwise.

Now, he would stop by your gradually crumbling tombstone every year, placing a bouquet of flowers on your grave, along with a bundle of cherry blossoms. They were one of your favorites, and he smiled as he reminisced about your love of the aromatic flora.

However, today was different. Your grave wasn’t there, instead, an angel. Near your gravestone, was an angel, bathed in a heavenly glow, halo shining brightly. Beside the angel, was a young child, a mortal soul, recently deceased.

As the little boy grabbed your hand, Satan’s eyes widened, seeing your face. Nearly dropping the bouquet, he softly placed a hand over his mouth, disbelief and shock clouding his mind.

So this is what Solomon had meant by immortal. You really were immortal, but not in the way he had thought.

Seeing you in silver armor, white cape flowing down your back, it was almost surreal. Your eyes had taken on a white ring, glowing around your irises, brighter than the stars themselves.

Satan hadn’t spent much time in the Celestial Realm, besides the time he had been a part of Lucifer’s subconscious. There had been scriptures in the human world of beautiful, ethereal angels, along with their interpretations of their true forms.

Yet in Satan’s eyes, angels were repulsive creatures. Arrogant, with a twisted sense of justice. Blindingly bright, they were merely demons, masquerading themselves as helpers, and merciful beings. Pathetic excuses for angels.

Seeing his lover become an angel? It made his blood boil. They had taken you, and tainted you. Bleaching you with their morals, molding you into another animatronic being, just another slave to their sick minds

Stepping forward, Satan took a leap of faith to see if you recognized him, and whether or not you would attack him. If there was a shred of you left, even a flicker of memory, there was a chance he could help you see the truth.

However, when within a few steps of approaching, you whirled around, eyes blazing. With a flash of light, you drew out a spear, immediately lunging toward him, blade tilting his chin up.

“Hello Y/n, it’s a pleasure to see you again, my dear.”

Leering, you asked,

“What business do you have with me, Angel of Mercy, wretched demon? Have you come to taint this child? To take him, turning his soul into a meal? Or perhaps, a lessor demon?”

At hearing this statement, the child took on an expression of pure fear, immediately flashing away, the ghostly apparition of his soul disappearing. Perhaps another angel would find him again, or a hungry demon.

With nothing but pure disgust and scorn in your eyes, Satan couldn’t help but bark out a bitter laugh. So this is what they’ve done to you? Modeled you after the archangel Raphael, ever so eloquent and haughty. It’s almost as if the heavens were laughing at him as they had altered you.

Fate really is a cruel mistress, isn’t she? Hasn’t he suffered enough, a demon of Wrath? Cast out even among his own brethren, the only true demon amongst fallen angels.

As you glowered down at him, spear nearly piercing his throat, Satan chuckled. How ironic, that his lover would be reformed into a being that Satan loathed, and one who despised him in return.

Of course not, the heavens would always scorn him, and take whatever they could from him. Twisting them into their vision of perfection, mindless slaves with no free will.

Being reincarnated to an angel of mercy as well, added insult to the injury. Your gaze was hardened in a burning hatred. To you, he was nothing but a mere demon, a being of sin, who deserves to be cast out as scum.

Shock evident across your face, your eyes flashed in suspicion as Satan didn’t show signs of hostility, nor wanting to retaliate. But demons were known to be charming and deceptive, especially the Avatars.

Looking at you with mournful, tired eyes, Satan had nearly given up on bringing you back. And now, you were here in front of him. Yet you didn’t even remember his name. A sad smile making it’s way across his features, he couldn’t help but think.

After all he’s done for himself, and to distance himself from his sin; Fate still frowned on him. Born from wrath, forever seen as an uncontrollable beast, no matter how he painted himself, he would always be struck down, time and time again.

You couldn’t help but feel an odd familiarity within those forest green eyes, and carefully lowered your spear, suspicion morphing into curiosity. Why had that name sounded so familiar?

How could a demon be anything other than the vile creatures told about in the Celestial Realm, filthy and deceptive?

However, you had assumed it was him influencing your mind, when in reality, it was quite different. With a burst of light, the spear disappeared from sight, although you were still in a cautious stance, ready to summon it again.

Deciding to make a leap of faith, Satan carefully presented you the bouquet of flowers he had brought with him. Presenting them to you in a non-threatening manner, lest you point your spear at him again.

This year’s bouquet was different; a new arrangement, one that conveyed his yearning, love, and heartbreak. You had loved Victorian flower symbolism, so he saw these as apt choices for flowers. These flowers consisted of:

Pink camellias (Longing for you), red carnations (Alas for my poor heart, my heart aches), pink carnations (I’ll never forget you), red chrysanthemums (I love you),  columbines (Foolishness, folly), gladiolus (Remembrance), and hydrangeas (Gratitude for being understood; frigidity and heartlessness). Accepting these wouldn’t mean you would automatically fall in love again. Hell, you didn’t even have to be friends at the end of the day. Did he expect you to take it and eventually change your mind? No.

But perhaps if you saw the darker side of things, you would have a different perspective on demons and angels. What Satan wanted, was for you to see the truth. The truth about who you were before, and what’s happened to you.

Taking a step back, you stiffen. Unconsciously clenching your hands, swarms of doubt cloud your mind. Was this some sort of trick? Perhaps a plan to sweep you away, an attempt to seduce you?

However, looking at his eyes, you couldn’t deny the genuine tenderness those emerald orbs shone. Your instincts and thoughts clashed against one another, and time seemed to freeze, the two of you stuck in an eternal will-they-won’t-they.

Throughout your exchange with the Avatar, you had been wondering why a demon of his rank would care so much for a human, and felt an odd curiosity about him.

It didn’t make sense, as the dead human’s soul would be in the Devildom or Celestial Realm by now. Why would he bother visiting a soulless grave, with no benefits to reap?

In a decision made of curiosity and unknown futures, you let out a shaky breath. Extending a trembling hand, you gently wrapped your fingers around the bouquet; Quickly bringing it to your chest as your finger brushed Satan’s.

No fireworks appeared, nor did you kiss under the light of day. You didn’t fully believe Satan, and the demon in question was still in shock, finding out about your existence. Your prejudices weren’t magically wiped away; Neither was Satan’s grief.

But it was a start.