#Dazzling winter collection

[mango-bango-bby]

Have you watched the Barbie movie

I have watched the Barbie movie!! I personally loved it 💖

[ice-creamforbreakfast]

🛷Download🛷 (Patreon - Free from 21st December 2023)

Sleigh All Day in this collection of winter partywear by @joliebean and Ice-CreamForBreakfast! Whether you're looking to sparkle at the party or want to turn heads as you get from party to party, we've got you with this glittering collection of party dresses, jewellery and outwear. You'll be sure to look hot (and feel hot in a fabulous coat), even when the temperatures plummet.

Get Joliebean's part here!

Item Descriptions:

Zahara Dress - Whether you're channelling the absinthe fairy or simply want to sparkle at the party, this asymmetric kite-hem dress is perfect for you.

Mimi Dress - Turn the shine up to 100 with this fully be-dazzled cowl-neck maxi.

Millicent Suit - Can't decide on a suit, a jumpsuit or a dress? This mid-century classic look is for you.

Midge Dress - A simple, knee-length cross-over dress with bow details, because making a statement doesn't always mean being extra!

Rossellini Dress - Why choose between showing skin and sparkling then you can do both? Comes complete with optional pasties so you can choose how much skin.

Joan Coat - Make a statement like the frostiest woman in showbiz! This fur coat is sure to get you noticed wherever you go!

Talia Earrings - These metal drop earrings can be worn with both modern and classic looks. They come in two sizes depending on how much of a statement you want to make.

Natalya Earrings - Obnoxiously whimsical vintage Christmas bauble earrings because why ever not?

[syboubou]

Winter holidays neon (TSR)

Introducing the Winter Holiday Neons mini-set for The Sims 4, a dazzling collection designed to illuminate your Sims Christmas nights with festive flair. This set includes 14 new items that seamlessly blend into the Sims universe with a Maxis Match aesthetic, ensuring compatibility with your favorite lowpoly creations.

Experience the holiday season like never before with wall lights adorned in vibrant neon colors, each carefully crafted to infuse your Sims' homes with a cool and contemporary design. The glow of these lights casts a warm and festive ambiance, creating the perfect backdrop for holiday gatherings and celebrations.

Download

Available on TSR Part 1 (free) and Part 2 

[cupidseok]

things that evoke memories of riize

💒 — SHOTARO AS

the bittersweet tug of homesickness, the aromatic smell of freshly ground coffee beans that first hits you upon stepping into a cafe, unexpectedly meeting a high school friend you really missed on the streets, the solace found in being able to comfort you, the warmth of sunlight kissing your skin, ties with cute little patterns on them, the click of film cameras while taking photos of you, the lingering feeling after a hug, getting bungeoppang in the winter and chatting with the street vendor while waiting for his order, carrot cakes, a large collection of bucket hats, love countdown by nayeon, wonstein

🩰 — EUNSEOK AS

soft ballad music playing in the background, the gentle warmth of intertwined hands, early morning strolls, the adrenaline rush coursing through you while riding roller coasters, holding hands in haunted houses, long facetime calls spent in silence, brushing his lips over your forehead, trembling lips as he lets himself be vulnerable to you for the first time, exploring a place he has never been before, the feeling that you’re going to know each other for a long time, a handsome stranger you saw on an overseas trip once and never again, watching studio ghibli films together, carbonara pasta, breathe by lauv

💭 — SUNGCHAN AS

texts to check if you’ve eaten, greeting dogs that pass by, wandering aimlessly in an art museum, purposely stepping in a puddle of water just to splash someone, playfully fighting you for the tv remote but letting you win in the end, opening jars for you even though you can do it yourself, letting him play with your hair until it’s all tangled, the chime of school bells signalling the day’s end, taking photos with friends on the last day of school, the soft brush of elbows while writing side by side, keeping your hair tie on his wrist, eating vanilla ice cream on sunny days, 爱你 by kimberley chen

✨ — WONBIN AS

late night walks under the moonlit sky, someone’s hand slipping in yours, dark chocolate, dazzle of fireworks illuminating the night, reflecting on his eyes, learning how to play a new instrument, a faceless photo of you and him on his lockscreen, watching a drama together and rooting for different male leads, putting on a facade of toughness to impress you, gently reassuring him that perfection isn’t always necessary, clothes that fit you just right, love at first sight, matching earrings, only letting you touch his guitar, the reluctance to bite into cute chinese piggy steamed buns, wish you were sober by conan gray

💌 — SEUNGHAN AS

sweet goodnight texts, good luck charms handmade with endearing clumsiness, trying new food, finding something you thought you lost, autum leaves rustling in the wind, holding the door open for you, exchanging affectionate words endlessly, winning a soft toy at an amusement park on the first try, patiently teaching you how to play games, looking through his photoalbum when he misses you, doodling shinchan on the corners of your worksheet, taking a bite of your spicy bibimmyeon, then complaining that it was too spicy for him, die for you by the weeknd, ariana grande

👒 — SOHEE AS

shopping for caps together, a tranquil morning greeted by a gentle breeze, buying a new fuzzy blanket, curtains billowing in the wind, waiting for you to come home to him, the comfort of oversized plain white shirts and grey joggers, playing rock paper scissors to divide household chores, needing to pause and go outside for a breather every time he realises how down bad he is for you, trying to order a kids meal at a restaurant and getting embarrassed after the waiter doesn’t allow it, getting tteokbokki together after school, candy by baekhyun

🎧 — ANTON AS

wired earphones connected to an mp3 player, warm beach towels, trying to make an asmr video, eating cake off the floor so you wouldn’t feel bad for dropping it, constantly sending you tiktoks that remind him of you, water parks on hot summer days, classical music, old books with yellowed pages and worn covers, putting on sheet masks together, reading children’s storybooks for you to help you fall asleep, making eye contact across the room, the moment where you realise that he feels the exact same way that you feel at the same moment, snow on the beach by taylor swift, lana del rey

© cupidseok — do not copy / repost / translate my works

[lalathemediterraneanmermaid]

What do ikeprince suitors smell like? Pt.2

Hi my beautiful Belles, it's such an honor to present you with part 2 of "What do ikeprince suitors smell like? I absolutely loved and had so much fun doing the first part. So here is the promised second part, where we will discover the perfumes that the princes from Rhodolite are most likely to wear. This is not entirely accurate - it's only based on their routes information and the vibe each boy gives me.

Jin Grandet

The big bro, seductive womanizer and alcohol lover definitely smells like seduction and playfulness with a mature vibe. I'm sensing some kind of citrusy freshness along with some spices on top of a woody warm bed.

Notes: bergamot, galbanum, tangerine, liqueur, pink pepper, ho leaf, amber, rosewood and oakmoss.

Perfumes he might like:

Sauvage - Dior (Basic, but it still works)

Cuirs - Carner Barcelona

Grand Soir - Maison Francis Kurkdjian (sometimes he takes this one from Nokto's perfume collection).

CH Men Prive - Carolina Herrera - His favourite, probably layered with "Grand Soir" for special occasions.

Stronger With You Intensely - Giorgio Armani

Chevalier Michel

King Highness, my man, your man, nation's man, world's man. It is said in his route that he showers a lot. It is also said by Belle that Chev smells like vetiver and winter. So I'm getting fresh clean boy vibes from our pookie man. He may also be a huge Byredo boy.

Notes: vetiver, green apple, wintergreen, sweet orange, white rose, white lily, jasmine, gardenia, ylang-ylang, sage and soap.

Perfumes he might like:

Sycomore - Chanel

Grey Vetiver - Tom Ford

Philosykos - Diptyque

Aqua Universalis - Maison Francis Kurkdjian - His favourite

Blanche - Byredo - His second favourite

Bal d'Afrique - Byredo

Mister Marvelous - Byredo

Clavis Lelouch

The Hellcat Troublemaker charming gentleman probably smells like sweat, chaos, trouble, chemicals and gunpowder, but let's pretend he doesn't. This mf brings joy and happiness to everyone's lives. He's the life of the party. We've all been charmed by him at any point in the series, don't you dare denying it. Yes, he is traumatized, but so are we. He is dazzling and fresh like a summer breeze, sweet and funny like an ice cream.

Notes: mandarin, lemon, sea salt, jasmine, rose, muguet, heliotrope, musk, vanilla, coconut and aromatic herbs.

Perfumes he might like:

Bleu de Chanel - Chanel (courtesy of Keith)

Aqua Allegoria Bergamote Calabria - Guerlain - His favourite (layered with "Pulp" to add playfulness).

Blu Mediterraneo: Fico di Amalfi - Acqua di Parma

Pulp - Byredo - His other favourite, he loves this one because he stole it from Chevalier's Byredo collection.

Allure Homme Sport - Chanel (this one is the one he uses while pranking people, just because the word "sport" in the perfume's name.)

Leon Dompteur

The gold digger girl dinner love of my life. He is a true gentleman, he treats you right, it's the princess treatment for me girl. He is classy, sweet, thoughtful, a liar friendly, masculine (in the best way possible) and sensitive. Roses seem to bloom whenever he smiles. A provider. Husband material. He gifts you PLUSHIES, how cute is that? Love him.

Notes: lavender, linalool, bergamot, roses, cinnamon, anise, clove, thyme, jasmine and cedarwood.

Perfumes he might like:

Fahrenheit - Dior - His favourite for high events

Y Eau de Parfum - Yves Saint Laurent

Rive Gauche pour Homme - Yves Saint Laurent - His favourite

Black Saffron - Byredo

L'Homme Ideal Sport - Guerlain

Blenheim Bouquet - Penhaligon's

Green Irish Tweed - Creed - His second favourite (layered "Black Saffron").

Yves Kloss

The Barbie Haughty Kitty. He definitely smells like flowers, especially roses, and something really sweet, gourmand with a soft clean base.

Notes: apple, peony, rose, apricot, jasmine, iris, musk, vanilla, praline, sugar, strawberry and peach.

Perfumes he might like:

Peony & Blush Suede - Jo Malone London

White Suede - Tom Ford

Eau Rose - Diptyque

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre

Love in White - Creed

The Favourite - Penhaligon's - His favourite

Bianco Latte - Giardini Di Toscana (layered with "Eau Rose") - His favourite combination (he uses this one to go see you Belle).

Licht Klein

The lone wolf, our cutie pie, Yves's baby. I feel like he smells like fresh rain on top of a sweet and clean base with some spices added.

Notes: orange, wintergreen, rain, mint, green apple, white lily, sweet pea, orchid, vanilla and sandalwood.

Perfumes he might like:

Silver Mountain Water - Creed

Acqua di Giò Profumo - Giorgio Armani

Royal Water - Creed - His favourite

Celeste - Giardini Di Toscana

Millésime Impérial - Creed (Silvio's gift).

Nokto Klein

Our frivolous womanizer, the slay and cunning fox, my baby. Chev's personal clown. He LOVES perfumes - Silvio and he are in some kind of competition about who has more perfumes. He is the layering king, not just because his perfume gets mixed with other girls' scents, but because he knows what he is doing. In literally everyone's routes, it's said that our silly boy who just wants to be loved and understood smells like a red flag "late night trysts", but what exactly that smells like?

Notes: Freesia, white rose, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, cinnamon, musk, sandalwood, heliotrope, queen of the night, vanilla and jasmine.

Perfumes he might like:

L'Homme Ideal - Guerlain

Noir - Tom Ford

Black Orchid - Tom Ford

Do Son - Diptyque

Flowerhead - Byredo

Luna - Penhaligon's

Grand Soir - Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Roses Musk - Montale

Intense Café - Montale

Reflection Man - Amouage (matching with Azel)

Royal Mayfair - Creed

Borabora - Giardini Di Toscana - His favourite

Blu Mare - Giardini Di Toscana (Silvio's gift)

Luke Randolph

Our own big (enormous) Winnie the Pooh. The Honey Lover. The Nap Lover. He is sweet, lovable and caring, the perfect brother you will never have. He will do anything to help you and to make you happy. He doesn't really care that much about his appearance, so the majority of his perfumes are gifted.

Notes: Honey, vanilla, herbs, honeysuckle, violet leaf, white musk and amber.

Perfumes he might like:

Mojave Ghost - Byredo (Clavis's gift, stolen fom Chev's perfume collection)

Oajan - Parfums de Marly (Jin's gift)

Chergui - Serge Lutens (Sariel's gift)

Honey Aoud - Montale - His favourite

And this is the end. Hope you enjoyed this silly little simulation, because I did. I had so much fun, especially with ma' boy Clavis.

This may not be the end of this series, next I'm planning to do the same dynamics (scents and perfumes) with our evil boys from Ikemen Villains. But if you have any suggestions let me know!!!

Kisses my beautiful little bunnies. xoxo.

[thecursedprince]

Monster High Howliday Winter Cleo Doll

Highlights

Ghoulish Greetings! Wrapped up like a mummified present in dazzling fabric, this Winter Edition Cleo De Nile Howliday doll shines brighter than the stars glittering in the sky!

It’s the night of the winter solstice, and Cleo De Nile sparkles with all the scary brightness of the season in her satiny dress and pleated organza overskirt

A gleaming “feather” and bow headdress crowns her sparkling, tinsel-strewn hair. Elegant snake details on her collar and belt complement this statement headpiece!

Her snowflake-dusted shawl glides behind her with gore-geous grace, the fringe swishing above her Anubis heels on the dance floor

Monster High wishes everyone a scary and bright howliday season! Explore the whole doll skullection for more scary-good gift ideas. Each sold separately, subject to availability

Description

This Monster High doll is the gift that keeps on giving! Cleo De Nile lights up the howlidays in a radiant golden gown and shimmery shawl. She sparkles like the fright of the season herself in a gleaming headdress, faboolous fringe, and sculptural heels. Featuring majestic packaging worthy of a pharaoh, this Winter Edition Howliday collectible is a perfect keepsake for skelebrating the most festive time of year! Doll stand included. Doll cannot stand alone. Colors and decorations may vary.

[simsfvr]

This is Tiago Pecholobo for Simply Lilac BC by @ethicaltreatmentofcowplants Tiago Pecholobo is a man with a chest as hairy as his last name suggests (Pecholobo translates to "Wolfchest") and a pompadour that defies gravity.

This charmer is a master in the art of wearing open shirts (because why button up when you can dazzle?). His gold chain isn’t just an accessory, he wears it like a "Bachelor of the Year medal" (a title he’s awarded himself for the past five years, naturally).

As if that weren’t enough, Tiago proudly showcases a collection of figurines so bizarre they could have their own horror movie. He affectionately dubs it an "artistic conversation starter", although it often leaves people speechless.

Tiago is searching for the love of his life, and after years of fruitless searching and relationships shorter than the number of closed buttons on his shirts, he doesn't want to miss the chance to try his luck with Lilac.

Name: Tiago Pecholobo Age Group: Young Adult Pronouns: He/Him Orientation: Hetero Skills: - Traits: Cringe, Overachiever, Hot-headed Aspiration: City Native Likes: affection, jokes, backyard music, pranks, deep thoughts, white, gossip, flirtation, singer songwriter music, hip hop music, blue, metal music, complaints, alternative music, carnival beats music, physical intimacy, electronica music, dj booth music, compliments, potty humor, silly behavior, arguments, small talk, soul music, gray. Dislikes: black, lullabies radio music, deception, winter holiday music, easy listening music, kids radio music. Gifts: goat, lump of clay, photo camera Misc: His motto is: Where there's hair, there's joy… and I've got an endless supply. He loves to wear lipbalm.

Watcher

Are you comfortable with your pixel person:

Flirting with other contestants? (The bachelorette will have the ‘player’ trait cheated and her boundaries set to no jealousy, so it will not impact your sim’s relationship with her.) Y

WooHooing other contestants? N

Flirting with/and or woohooing NPCs? Y

Flirting with the host? Y

Changes to traits via gameplay prompts? (ie. Evil to Good, depending on what your Sim does, or adding traits) Y

Becoming an occult? Y

[treebarkzine]

Meet your organiser and host the splendid @scrambledlikeeggs

Pronouns: Any

Scrambled is a writer and artist but does neither as much as they would like to, you will often find them in some online rabbit hole or world building for a new project.

Meet one half of our brilliant writing mod team, the awesome @apollothetransboy

pronouns: he/him

Apollo is an artist, composer, and a musician, though primarily spends his time as a writer. You’ll find him buried in a book, Google Docs, or the next episode of Supernatural.

Let me introduce the second half our our writing team, the dazzling @the-dark-abyss

pronouns: they/them

Abyss is an avid fic writer and fan media consumer. They also draw sometimes. They haven't left the winter or the desert, are definitely not obsessed with Joel Smallishbeans, and go feral on a daily basis.

Meet the wonderful @winterbyn!

pronouns: he/any

winter is an artist and writer who, if not busy doing either of those, will either play video games or be busy making ones. any of the above will most likely result in a new AU idea.

introducing the terrific @tinjap!

pronouns: she/her

Tinja's hobbies include drawing (usually pictures of Martyn), starting unnecessary amounts of silly projects and collecting cute looking toys

And last but not least the great @goldstargloww!

pronouns: they/them

Gold is a random blob you've encountered on the internet who does approximately too many things to coherently summarize. drawing, writing, coding, always doing some form of creating—but for now, they'll just be watching while lurking in the background.

[lamprophonia]

》 [ yandere!Heir. ] 《

yan!heir x gn!reader: introduction. 517 words. reader referred to as 'you'. cw for general yandere behavior — manipulation etc. DO NOT USE OR REPOST MY WRITING ANYWHERE.

leon vidal was the sole heir of vidal inc., a bioengineering company started by his father in the late 80s.

since then, the company has only grown, now having divisions in just about any industry possible. that's how you met leon — your father was a trusted work associate of his father's being sat together at a business dinner at the age of four so you wouldn't disturb the adults, you two were expected to get along — and get along you did.

you two quickly became friends. your parents were glad you got along with the young heir and were even happier to drive you over for playdates while they talked shop.

little leon was even happier to dazzle you with his impressive collection of toys. later, that grew into the new mountain bike he got, or the latest game system, or wait- what do you mean your family doesn't have an indoor pool? come on then, what's his is yours.

and in a way, he was right. you two were inseparable since the age of six. coming over was a weekly occurrence, which then turned to daily once you didn't need your parents to drive you everywhere.

the same went for every social circle.

he was popular, obviously — and since you were his best friend, you were popular by proxy, no matter whether you were actually a social person or not. in school, you gathered a large friend group, but leon didn't hesitate to favor you.

like, blatantly favor you out of all his friends. sure, they all got nice gifts, and invites to parties, but you were the one he was willing to spend thousands on 'just because'. you were the guest of honour at every single party. you were the one that got invited on trips with him to his family's summer home... or winter home... or really, wherever you want.

he doesn't care. as long as you're there, he's happy.

if you asked, or if anyone asked, for that matter, he didn't even like you like that. he definitely didn't think he was obsessed. it's only natural for him to want to see his best friend happy, right?

because that's what you are. his best friend.

and he would do anything for you. anything, ranging from spoiling you to the ends of the earth to taking apart your social circle by methodically driving away anyone he sees as a threat.

what? you're just so... perfect in his eyes. you deserve the best. it just so happens you don't seem to realize that the best is right there in front of you. it's not his fault you keep making these dumb decisions by choosing others over him. hell, he doesn't even mind.

he'll happily help set you straight. leon isn't above anything — bribery, gossip, blackmail. if that doesn't work, he'll take it a bit further — of course, he doesn't want to gaslight or manipulate you, but it's for your own good. promise. he knows you so well, after all; he knows what's best for you. he'll help you out.

you don't even have to ask.

[techytin]

🍂 Coffee shop fiasco

🔑 ONE-SHOT! (1) - Hongjoong

PAIRING: Workaholic Hongjoong x Afab! Reader

GENRE: Romance (Fluff)

WARNINGS: Cursing, Suggestive Jokes, Mention of alcohol.

WORD COUNT: 7K+

🔒 English isn’t my first language, so I apologize for any mistakes.

Autumn slowly took over Seoul as It painted the city with all sort of vibrant colours. The trees that once wore a lively green now presented a dazzling array of reds, yellows, and oranges. The newly found atmosphere truly turned the streets into a cosy wonderland. Say goodbye to your favourite summer outfits and start dressing more toasty! A soft breeze is sure to follow your every step, and what is better than a hot beverage to battle the upcoming cold?

As much as I love the beautiful scenery, the cold does always seem to bite me in the worst ways. Luckily, the winter collections were in sale during the summer, giving me the perfect excuse to go shopping for toasty and cosy new clothing items for this autumn and winter!

As I made my way towards my workplace down the street, I gently adjust the folds of my new shawl. The fabric was so soft and warm, it kept my shoulders and face just the right temperature. A tender smile graced my lips. My body and mind relaxed. I felt confident, as if today was going to be easier than usual.

A contented sigh escaped my lips as I stepped into the cosy haven of the coffee shop, a place familiar and dear to my heart—“Rise & Shine,” the finest coffee haven on this block. This shop had such a lovely ambiance to it, you just felt like you had to sit down and relax. The soft smell of coffee and pastries accompanied by the sound of vintage oldies softly playing in the background had a special place in my heart.

"Good morning, Y/N," Seonghwa's warm voice greeted me as I entered the space, his attention momentarily diverted from tidying the tables, a towel casually draped over his shoulder. Our gazes met, for just a split second. "Morning, Hwa," I replied, a soft smile gracing my lips, a silent acknowledgment of the comfort found in our shared routine.

I headed to the bar and punched in to start my shift. Grabbing my assigned apron, tying it securely behind me. I cracked my knuckles and began my usual opening tasks, getting things ready for the day ahead.

A few hours passed, and the shop was rather empty. Don’t get me wrong, I was incredibly happy It wasn’t super busy. Who would want to work that hard? I get paid minimum wage… No, thank you.

While I carefully tidied up the bar, Seonghwa came closer, his expression adorned with a mischievous yet charming smile. "Y/N~," he called out softly, his tone laced with a hint of guilt. "Table six wants a cappuccino and a pastry. Anything would do, according to him. Would you pretty please handle that for me?" His voice carried a playful whine, accompanied by an earnest gaze framed by puppy-like eyes and a pronounced pout gracing his lips.

"Seonghwa, this is the third time you've asked me to do your order. Is everything alright?" I ask sincerely as I made my way to the coffee machine to prepare the requested cappuccino for table six.

"Honestly? Not really," Seonghwa admitted, a hint of vulnerability colouring his voice. Leaning against the bar, he wore a sad smile while sharing his struggles. "I'm having a rough day. I can feel a cold coming on, that irritating scratch in the back of my throat will not leave me alone." he confessed, his expression a mix of discomfort and resignation.

"Ah, that's rough," I sympathized, offering a gentle, understanding smile as I turned towards the pastry counter. Bending down, I retrieved a delectable chocolate-filled croissant, my voice slightly muffled by the action. "If you're feeling under the weather tomorrow, do let me know, alright?" I suggested, hoping to alleviate his worries.

Seonghwa emitted a soft chuckle. "I'll keep that in mind.”

"Perfect. I'll handle table six, no need to fret," I assured him, tenderly patting his back as I straightened up. Placing the chocolate-covered croissant on a dainty plate, I carefully transferred it to a tray, positioning it beside the freshly brewed cappuccino. Each movement carried a sense of care and consideration, a gesture intended to comfort not just our customers, but also my co-worker behind the bar.

Carefully, I balance the tray in my hands as I approached table six. A young man, seemingly in his mid-twenties, sat there typing away on his laptop. His tired appearance was very clear. Beneath his eyes, slight eyebags were present. They were slightly red and puffy, as were his lips... Almost as if he had cried. But I knew better than to question strangers by their appearance. Maybe he just had a bad day?

"Here's your order, sir," I murmured softly, my voice almost a whisper, almost as if I felt the need to not disturb him further. His deep, dark brown eyes met mine as I carefully positioned the tray on his table. "Thank you," he replied. A subtle smile graced his lips, causing his glasses to shift slightly upward. My heart skipped a beat at the small gesture.

I couldn't help but get lost in his eyes, holding my gaze longer than I intended. A flush of embarrassment coloured my cheeks as I realized I might have been staring a bit too intently. Swiftly breaking the eye contact, I coughed lightly, hoping to alleviate the awkwardness that had settled in the air.

Managing a timid smile, I spoke up, "If there's anything else you need, my colleague and I will be over at the bar." I tried to sound composed, despite the lingering awkwardness from my inadvertent staring. I shifted slightly, attempting to regain my composure as I awaited his response, hoping to smooth over the momentary discomfort.

The man gave me a nod in response before going back to typing on his laptop. Quickly, I made my way back to behind the bar. Once behind the bar, a large amount of air left my lungs with a complimentary hand on my chest.

“What was that all about? You into sleep-deprived blondies?” Seonghwa laughed silently before shoving my arm playfully. "What? No," I replied with a scowl, "He just has pretty glasses.” Rolling my eyes at his teasing, I returned my focus to the task at hand, but his laughter lingered in the air, making my cheeks flush.

As more time drifted by, I found myself nearing the end of my shift. The intriguing man with the tired eyes and pretty glasses was still here, completely absorbed in his tasks. But that wasn't odd at all. It seemed like a routine—people dropping in every day to finish whatever they had to do. As a matter of fact, tonight, the mysterious glasses man wasn't even the only one typing away on his laptop.

As the final moments of my shift approached, I neatly folded my apron and set it aside. The mysterious man signalled Seonghwa for the bill. With a nod, Seonghwa called out, "Y/N! Table Six, the bill, please!" A reluctant groan slipped past my lips as I headed towards the register. I swiftly printed the bill and carried it over to his table, my steps feeling slightly heavier than usual.

"Here you are, sir," I offered, extending the bill, which he accepted with a gentle grace. "Here, keep the change as a tip," he insisted, passing me the money, a generous act that conjured a genuine smile upon my lips. "Oh, thank you. That's incredibly kind of you," I expressed my gratitude warmly. “It is no big deal. Now, I really must get going. Goodnight.” As he stood up to leave, I made my way back to the bar to finally officially end my shift.

"You know, I'm certain you did that on purpose," I accused Seonghwa, my gaze stern yet filled with playfulness. He chuckled sweetly in response. "What? You liked his glasses, didn't you?" Seonghwa teased, struggling to contain his laughter as he noticed my annoyed expression. Causing a heavy sigh to escape my lips. "You're an asshole. I'll see you tomorrow, unless you're too sick. Take care, Hwa!" I giggled as I made my way to the coffee shop's exit, our banter leaving a lingering smile on my face.

The chill of the autumn evening brushed against my cheeks, prompting me to swiftly wrap a shawl around my shoulders, seeking warmth against the cool breeze. Thankfully, my home was a mere five-minute stroll away, and the path home promised a serene and beautiful walk.

Under the morning sky, I strolled down the familiar street, heading towards the cosy café filled with the inviting scent of coffee and the soft old vintage tunes. Yet, today was different. There was something else on my mind—a lingering thought about the mysterious man from yesterday.

Would he happen to be there again today?

As I walked, I couldn't help but wonder, my mind was filled with anticipation and a hint of excitement. My routine felt a tad more thrilling, tinged with the possibility of crossing paths with the intriguing stranger once more.

I couldn't believe how much space he was taking up inside my head. I mean, seriously, I didn't even have a clue what his name was. But those gorgeous blond locks and those deep, soulful brown eyes? They managed to hijack my thoughts last night, keeping me wide awake for longer than I wanted.

I pushed the thought aside as I stepped into "Rise & Shine," immediately met by a familiar face—Seonghwa. "I'm not sick!" He blurted out before I even reached the counter. "I freaked out, thinking I'd have to blow my only sick days on a stupid cold. Morning, by the way." His grin lit up the room as he wrapped me in a swift hug. I chuckled and returned the embrace, feeling a warmth spreading through me at his contagious happiness.

"Thank goodness you're not sick. I'd hate to grind through the shift solo," I remarked, securing my apron around my waist.

"I know, I'm irreplaceable," Seonghwa said, a playful smirk on his lips. "Kidding, kidding. But let's face it, I'd miss dealing with your whiny ass." His teasing tone carried a hint of affection, sparking a playful banter between us as we readied ourselves for the day ahead.

A few hours into our shift, Seonghwa approached me, leaning against the bar. He had just finished tidying some tables. "Lost in thought, huh?" His sudden question caught me off guard. Was I that noticeably distracted? I mentally scolded myself. "No, not really." I replied, attempting to sound casual, all while scrubbing the counter with more vigor than necessary.

"Come on now," Seonghwa nudged, his eyes holding a knowing glint. "We've been best friends for three years. I can always tell when something's bothering you, Y/N." He was right. There was no need to keep this dumb thought hidden. The man wasn’t even here, so what harm could it do?

"Okay, fine. It's about that guy from yesterday," I admitted with a sigh, meeting Seonghwa's gaze. It was unusual for me to discuss customers, especially if I found them intriguing. Normally, the only time a customer came up in conversation was if they were rude or caused some sort of trouble. But this situation felt different, and it intrigued my coworker enough to prompt his attention.

"You mean the one with the ‘cute’ glasses?" Seonghwa arched an eyebrow, fully invested in what I had to say now. He had his arms prompted up on the counter as he looked at me with a slight smirk on his face.

"Yeah… It’s just his looks and the way he spoke... so gentle. Kept me up longer than I care to admit," I confessed, feeling a hint of embarrassment tingeing my cheeks.

Seonghwa's reaction was unexpected; he let out a small gasp before bursting into laughter. "I totally get it! The guy did have a certain appeal, even with that, how should I put it... sleep-deprived look. Seriously, that guy needs some shut-eye," Seonghwa chuckled, his laughter filling the air around us. I couldn't help but shake my head at his response, his light-heartedness bringing a smile to my face.

"He was cute, and surprisingly kind. Even left a tip. Hard not to think about him. I guess I sort of hoped he'd come back," I admitted, a slight shrug accompanying my words. Seonghwa nodded in understanding.

"The evening rush is coming up. Who knows, maybe he'll show up again?" Seonghwa tried to lift my spirits, offering a gentle pat on my head. His attempt to lift my mood was appreciated.

"I hope you're right," I murmured quietly, my thoughts lingering on the possibility before refocusing on the tasks at hand.

As the evening rush surged in, a wave of late-night workers, young adults, and teens flooded into the café. It was a bustling night, each order stacking upon the other, demanding my undivided attention. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, my mind was too preoccupied with the mounting orders to even ponder if the mysterious man had made a return.

"Three lattes for table twelve? Ugh, I'm beat. Why couldn't Yunho have been called in to lend a hand?" Seonghwa complained, swiftly getting to work on the lattes.

"Mingi's on shift at the other location tonight. And I tried reaching Felix, no luck," I replied with a slight pout, noticing the disappointment etching on Seonghwa's face.

"Don't stress, we've got this," I reassured him, playfully nudging his shoulder before hurrying off to attend to the order placed by table two. Working in tandem, we manoeuvred through the busy café, determined to tackle the mountain of orders with teamwork.

I returned to the bar, ready to tackle the next set of orders, when I found Seonghwa sporting a mischievous grin. "Y/N~ I've got a special request for you. And before you say anything! I’ll take care of your order. Could you do this one for Kim Hongjoong?" His smirk widened, clearly revealing in the baffled look on my face.

"Uh, okay," I replied, arching an eyebrow in curiosity as I glanced over the order slip he passed me. It was an iced Americano. Nothing too complex. Swiftly, I prepared the drink, effortlessly crafting it to perfection before making my way to the designated table. Table six, situated right by the window.

There he was, yet again. My eyes slightly widened at the sight of those blond locks and those beautiful eyes. He was focussed on his laptop, much like the day before. A rush of emotions stirred within me, causing my heart to skip a beat and a faint blush to grace my cheeks. It was confusing. Why did I feel this nervous around him? After all, he was just another customer.

Gathering my nerves, I approached his table with a deep breath. "Your order, sir," I delivered with what I hoped was a cool and collected tone. His eyes met mine, and that familiar small smile adorned his face, making my heart flutter. He was seriously good-looking.

"Thanks," he replied, his voice warm and friendly. Despite my attempt to play it cool, I couldn't help but grin back before hastily stepping away, hoping he didn't catch the small dust of pink that painted my cheeks.

"You! you, oh my god!" I exclaimed, pointing at Seonghwa before playfully hitting his arm. His laughter filled the air. "Ouch, Y/N!" he protested, catching my arms and holding my gaze. "How about a thank you? Now you know his name, at least," Seonghwa said, a hint of amusement fading as he noticed my puzzled expression.

"Take this order for Kim Hongjoong?" he repeated the words from earlier, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You're a bit slow on the uptake, Y/N," he teased, chuckling at the way my eyes widened in surprise.

"Kim Hongjoong... That's his name? Oh, Seonghwa, you're a lifesaver!" I exclaimed, brimming with excitement, and pulled him into a grateful hug. His smile beamed with pride as I thanked him.

"I know, I'm amazing," Seonghwa joked with a playful grin. "But hey, let's focus and finish up these orders before our shift ends, or we'll be stuck doing overtime." He gently disengaged from the hug, flashing one last reassuring smile before turning back to his tasks.

He was right, as always. My fleeting moment of happiness was swiftly overshadowed by the overwhelming pile of work that awaited us. "I swear, I hate this job," I groaned, feeling the weight of the tasks ahead as I grabbed hold of a coffee glass.

"Excuse me?" A drowsy voice called out from behind me, pulling my attention. I spun around to meet the source of the voice, only to find myself face to face with the man I now recognized as Kim Hongjoong. My heart skipped a beat, prompting me to hastily tidy my apron and smooth down my hair before offering him a welcoming smile. "Hi, how can I assist you?" I greeted him nervously, my smile betraying the subtle flutter in my chest as he looked at me with curiosity in his eyes.

"Um, could I get another iced Americano?" His voice sounded slightly unsure, and it echoed with a hint of nervousness. His uncertainty reflected in my own nerves. Did I have something on my face? Was my hair dishevelled? I fought off the panic rising within me, offering a kind smile in response. "Absolutely, not a problem at all. I'll bring it to your table."

"Oh, no, it's fine. I can wait here. You seem quite busy already, and I don't want to add to your workload. I'm already here anyway," he quickly replied, wanting to spare me the trouble of walking over to serve him. His consideration only added to the flurry of emotions swirling within me.

"That's really kind of you," I remarked, a genuine smile lighting up my face as I reached for a glass to prepare his iced Americano. Catching his gaze, I noticed his returning smile, soft and gentle, causing a warmth to spread through me. His simple gesture made my cheeks flush with a soft hue.

"Here's your coffee," I said, passing him the freshly prepared drink. As our fingers briefly brushed against each other, a surge of warmth ignited within me, sending a subtle yet undeniable spark. Could it be possible? Was I actually starting to feel something for this stranger?

"Thank you so much. I desperately need this caffeine to stay awake," he chuckled, his laughter so endearing it effortlessly brought a smile to my lips.

"You seem like a hard worker" he nodded towards me. "Thank you, I do my best," I replied. "Oh, by the way, I never caught your name," he said, his lips curled in a gentle, constant smile as he looked at me.

"I'm L/N Y/N, but feel free to just call me Y/N," I replied, feeling a rush of happiness. Him starting a conversation and asking about my name made me feel like I was in some sort of movie.

"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Kim Hongjoong," he introduced himself with a warm smile. Although I already knew his name, I played along.

"You can just call me Hongjoong," he added, offering his hand for a handshake. I gently accepted, feeling the softness of his touch and the carefulness in his handshake, which sent a pleasant shiver down my spine.

"I'll let you get back to work. Thanks again for the coffee," he said graciously before making his way back to his table, leaving me with a lingering sense of joy from our brief interaction.

"Okay, what was that?" Seonghwa questioned from behind me. I could almost feel the mischievous grin on his face as I turned around to face him.

"Nothing special," I nonchalantly brushed it off, trying to downplay it. However, the warm flush on my face betrayed my true feelings. Without thinking, I instinctively hid my face in my hands, attempting to shield my embarrassment.

Seonghwa chuckled softly at my attempt to hide the evident blush on my face as he leaned against the bar. "You sure about that? Looked like more than just 'nothing special' to me."

I sighed, letting my hands fall back to my sides. "It wasn’t something ‘special’ It just left me a bit flustered because he’s cute Hwa. But, it doesn’t matter, he’s just a customer."

Seonghwa raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. A look I know all too well."Just a customer? That's not what I’m seeing here. The way he looked at you and that whole handshaking thing—come on, Y/N, don’t be like that!"

Rolling my eyes, I leaned against the counter right next to him. "It's not like that. We had a little chat. That's all."

Seonghwa leaned in, his tone teasing. "Uh-huh, just a little chat that left you blushing like a schoolgirl. Classic sign of something more, if you ask me."

I nudged him playfully. "You're reading too much into it. Besides, he's probably not even interested.” I said while turning away from him to try and continue on with the last few orders.

Seonghwa grinned mischievously. "Well, there's one way to find out. Why don't you slip him your number with his next coffee? You know, just in case he needs any more 'caffeine to stay awake.'"

I hastily turned back around to give his arm a playful slap, my cheeks flared a rosy pink as an undeniable smile crept on my lips. "Seonghwa! You're unbelievable. I'm not just going to give a customer my number."

He laughed at my sudden display before shooting me a small wink. "Who said anything about giving? Slip it in with his receipt, make it a little mysterious. Trust me, it works like a charm."

“Yea right, maybe in one of those movies or K-drama’s you watch.” I laughed with a smirk on my lips. If he got to tease me, so did I. He looked at me with a small pout. “Y/N, just give it a try. How will you ever get prince charming if you don’t take your first step?”

I sighed, contemplating the idea. "I don't know about that, Hwa. It feels a bit too forward."

Seonghwa gave my hair a small ruffle before returning to his work. "Well, you'll never know if you don't try. Life's too short for missed opportunities, Y/N."

As I pondered Seonghwa's suggestion, my gaze involuntarily drifted back to Hongjoong's table. He was immersed in his work, unaware of our conversation. The thought of taking a chance and leaving a note lingered in my mind, adding an unexpected twist to an otherwise ordinary day at the coffee shop.

There was just a pang of regret in my heart. Why did I have to turn down Seonghwa’s advice? The missed opportunity to just get a little bit closer to mysterious glasses man slipped through my fingers like sand.

By now days, no weeks? Two whole months had passed, and Hongjoong had returned every single day. He became a constant presence in the coffee shop, engrossed in his laptop, as he quickly became a pleasant part of my daily routine.

Seonghwa, being my best friend of course, did some digging for me and found out about Hongjoong's workplace—a high-ranking office. It all made sense now. His perpetual dedication to work had a foundation in a position of apparent importance, a fact that intrigued me. Seonghwa insisted that Hongjoong held a significant role in his company. “I swear, He must be some high rank there if he has that much work.” Were his exact words.

Despite my missed opportunities, I still managed to have a few interactions with Hongjoong. Usually just casual exchanges. Our conversations, while enjoyable, still made me year for more than casual. I wanted to get to know him. His mysterious self just made me so… Drawn to him.

"Evening, Hongjoong!" Seonghwa's familiar voice rang out from behind the bar, drawing my attention in his direction. A gentle smile graced my lips as my eyes locked with Hongjoong's, those captivating deep pools that had captured my heart.

I greeted him with a small wave, and he gave me a smile and a wave of his own. "The usual?" I asked as he approached the bar. "Yeah, you always know just what I need, Y/N," he chuckled, a warmth lingering in his laughter as he headed toward his regular spot at table six, like clockwork, just like every other day.

The evening shifts had become my haven, and the reason why, wasn't much of a mystery. The soft music of oldies whispered through the building, creating a comforting melody that made me feel at peace as I prepared Hongjoong’s favourite iced Americano. Tonight, the coffee shop wore a quiet ambiance, with only a few scattered customers, but that didn’t bother me at all.

Completing his drink, I carried the cold cup to his usual table. As I handed it over, our eyes met, and he expressed his gratitude with a warm smile. I mirrored the sentiment with a smile of my own.

"Busy as ever, Hongjoong?" I found myself asking, an inexplicable urge to talk to him. It wasn't every day that I felt this confident, but having known him for a while now, I dared to strike a conversation.

He shook his head, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "I actually worked ahead a few days back, so I'm working on extra tasks for the future." His response caught me off guard for a brief moment, my eyes widening in surprise, before I quickly composed myself. Hongjoong, noticing the change in my expression, wore a concerned look.

"Work ahead? Seriously, do you ever take a break?" I added a teasing tone to my words, hoping to lighten the mood, but Hongjoong simply shook his head, his expression carrying a weight of solemn determination.

"I can't afford to rest. I'd rather stay ahead of the game, even if it means diving into work I haven't received yet,"

His words lingered in the air, leaving me both speechless and impressed, and I took a moment to formulate a response. "That's admirable. But really... When was the last time you had some time for yourself?"

Hongjoong paused, contemplating his answer. "Honestly, I don't exactly remember when I last took a day to myself." A small chuckle escaped my lips. "Come on, man. You're already ahead. Why not take a day off?"

He pondered on my question for a moment. "What could I even do?" His response left me slightly puzzled. Was he serious? "Well, you could go get dinner or go out, maybe catch a movie?" I suggested a few options, and he looked at me with curiosity, nodding to indicate he was listening.

"Actually, I have my day off in two days. I was planning on grabbing dinner somewhere, but I haven't found someone to accompany me yet. No worries, though; the main thing is, you should take some time for yourself. It's important," I shared, watching Hongjoong nod once again.

"Well, I suppose I can look into taking a day off," he mused, a smile forming on his lips. I returned his smile before turning my attention back to my work.

The remainder of my shift went peacefully, passing by quicker than anticipated. As the end drew near, I noticed Hongjoong rising from his seat, gathering his belongings, likely heading to the bar to settle the bill.

"Hey, Y/N. Could I get the bill and a pen, please?" His voice caught my attention. "Sure, one second," I replied, drying my hands before tearing my gaze away from the unwashed glasses. Was I going crazy or did Hongjoong look, nervous? The thought stayed in my head as I approached the register to input his bill.

I handed him the bill and a pen, and he silently thanked me. Observing as he jotted something down on a small note, I assumed it was just a reminder for a task he intended to work on later. However, my surprise grew as he handed me the money, along with the mysterious note.

Confusion painted my face, but before I could voice my confusion, he bid us goodbye and exited the building, leaving me to unravel the mysteries concealed within that note. The lingering question of what could be written on that piece of paper danced in my mind, a subtle thought that lingered even after he disappeared from view.

I could feel Seonghwa’s growing presence behind me as I unfolded the note. “I took your advice, and planned a day off. You mentioned earlier that you had your day off in two days and that you lacked someone to accompany you to dinner. I figured I would take this opportunity to ask if I could accompany you? Just in case of yes, here’s my number.”

I read out loud, a growing smile playing on my lips. "Oh my god..." I muttered, utterly speechless as I revisited the message, reading it again and again. "Did he just ask you out?" Seonghwa inquired curiously, grabbing the note from my hands to read it himself.

I spun around in an attempt to retrieve the note, but Seonghwa only laughed, holding it higher and making me grow more annoyed. "Hwa, please! Give that back."

"Fine, fine. Here you go." He handed me the note, followed by a playful pat on the head. "Don't want to keep Prince Charming waiting now, do we?" His teasing voice caused my cheeks to flare, and a small huff escaped my lips.

Yet, any lingering annoyance dissolved as I reread the note for what felt like the hundredth time. He had actually given me his number!

For the rest of my shift, a small, content smile adorned my face as the thought of going out with Hongjoong occupied the forefront of my mind. The anticipation and excitement lingered, making me feel content and happy for the remaining hours of my day.

Once nestled in the cosy embrace of my home, I sank into the sofa, the note clutched in one hand and my phone in the other. With a sense of excitement, I scanned the words again, feeling like a teenager in love with their crush. As I entered his number, I changed the contact name to his, savouring the small moment of victory.

Now, faced with the task of responding, a nervous energy settled in. Why had I suddenly become so jittery? He had asked me out; the least I could do was send the first text. Inflating my cheeks with air, I hovered my finger over the text and call buttons beneath his contact.

Should I call him? Would he even be awake at this hour? It's only eight PM; he should be, right? Thoughts and insecurities waltzed in my head, and with a deep breath, I pressed the call button before chickening out.

My phone rang, each ring feeling like an eternity until a warm voice answered, "Hello, Kim Hongjoong speaking. How can I help you?" The politeness in his tone elicited a small, involuntary chuckle from me. "Hey, Hongjoong. It's Y/N," I began, settling into the cosy position in my favourite spot on my sofa, drawing my legs to my chest. "Oh, Y/N! Good evening," he responded, and the slight sound of excitement in his voice sent a delightful shiver through my stomach.

"I called about your note." "Ah, yes. About that. I completely understand if you don't want to," he expressed, a subtle insecurity seeping into his words. "No! Wait, no, not that. I would love to go out with you." I said quickly before he could feel like I did not want to go out with him.

A sigh of relief and a soft laugh echoed on the other end of the phone, and the warmth of his response wrapped around me like a comfortable blanket. "I'm glad. What restaurant did you have in mind?" His question, laced with anticipation, stirred a slight flush in my cheeks. His genuine eagerness to make plans mirrored my own excitement, prompting a soft giggle to escape from me.

"Do you know that cute Italian place near our café?" I asked, curiosity lacing my words. "Ah, yes, I do. Yunho, one of my friends, recently went there with his girlfriend. He went hours on about how delicious the food was." As he spoke, I could hear the faint sounds of him jotting things down, our conversation taking on a more casual and comfortable tone. He shared details of his friend's experience and the amount of dishes they had ordered. Our conversation soon turned into us talking about our favourite foods and what we would love to try in the future.

After about ten delightful minutes, he coughed slightly. "My, we really got off track," he chuckled, and I joined in. "I suppose... I didn't mind, though. You're very interesting, Kim Hongjoong." He released a breathy laugh. "Thank you. You're very interesting yourself. I have a feeling going out with you will be quite an adventure." His words left me blushing. God, he knows just what to say.

"Send me your address; I'll pick you up that day around six?" I hummed in agreement before responding, "That would be lovely. I can't wait." "Me neither. I'll see you then." After bidding our farewells, the moment he hung up, I grabbed the nearest pillow and let out a joyful scream. Making a mental note to share every detail with Seonghwa once I calmed down, I couldn't help but bask in the excitement of the upcoming date.

The much-anticipated day of the date had finally arrived, and I found myself pacing around my house in a frenzy, frantically searching for the perfect outfit, experimenting with various hairstyles and makeup looks. I was practically a ball of stress. Seonghwa, who joined me on FaceTime, couldn't help but laugh at my suffering as I showcased numerous outfit choices.

"Y/N, calm down. He literally met you in your work attire. Any one of those outfits will blow him away. I'm sure of it," Seonghwa reassured me, his words acting as a soothing balm to my nerves. I nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, Hwa. But seriously now. Black or white?" Seonghwa snickered and pointed at the black dress. I hurried into my bathroom, leaving Seonghwa on FaceTime in my room.

After a few minutes, I emerged, donned in a beautiful black dress that hugged my curves just right. "Perfect! He is so going to fall to his knees for you!" Seonghwa playfully exclaimed, his words and jests working their magic to boost my confidence, making me laugh at his attempts to ease my pre-date jitters.

I settled into my desk chair, bringing my phone along to continue chatting with Seonghwa while I worked on my hair and makeup until I was satisfied. Once I completed my beauty routine, I checked the time, realizing it was only twenty minutes away from six. "Oh my god, Hwa! I'll call you after I'm back. It's almost six!"

"Yeah, yeah. If you don't end up spending the night with him, you mean," Seonghwa teased, giving me a playful smirk before laughing and hanging up. “That sneaky... teasing son of a bitch.” I sighed as I tried to shake off the thought, grabbing my handbag and stuffing it with everything I might need for the evening. The anticipation of the upcoming date filled the air, and a mix of excitement and nerves danced in my stomach as I prepared myself mentally.

A few minutes later, the sound of my doorbell echoed through the house, prompting me to hasten a final check in the mirror to ensure I looked just right. Satisfied with my appearance, I made my way to the door, anticipation fluttering in my chest, and swung it open.

There he stood, clad in beige dress trousers paired with a loosely fitted dress shirt and a stylish dark brown vest. His glasses added a touch of intellectual charm, completing the ensemble that made him look like a smart and beautiful book lover. I found myself captivated, as we just stared at each other. And for how long, I couldn't tell, caught in a moment of silent admiration.

"You look... beautiful," he chuckled, breaking the silence. "Thank you. You look very handsome yourself." I replied with a shy smile, accepting his hand as he extended it towards me. He guided me out of my home, even going the extra mile to lock the door behind us.

As we strolled towards his car, he opened the passenger door for me, allowing me to step in. "Such a gentleman," I giggled appreciatively as he closed the door and circled around to settle into the driver's seat.

"Here's my phone. I'll unlock it for you so you can play some music. GPS is already running for the restaurant," he said, handing me his phone before securing his seatbelt. I accepted the device, a bit surprised at the sudden trust vested in me with such a personal belonging. Scrolling through Spotify, I decided to press play on one of his playlists.

The drive to the restaurant unfolded with light talk about our day and other casual topics. Fortunately, the restaurant wasn't far, just a few minutes away.

As he parked, he instructed me to stay put. Retrieving his wallet, he opened the door for me once again. A flustered smile graced my cheeks as I linked my arm with his. He closed the car door and locked it before walking alongside me towards the restaurant.

Once we stepped into the restaurant, the atmosphere embraced us with undeniable romance. The soft melodies, the flicker of candlelight, and the tantalizing aroma of delectable cuisine – they weren't kidding when they said this place was perfect for lovers. Hongjoong wore a proud smirk as the server led us to a window seat, where the table was adorned with the same intimate candlelight and a breathtaking bouquet of red roses.

"Oh, Hongjoong. You shouldn't have," I awed at the flowers. Taking our seats, I delicately cradled the bouquet in my hands. The sweet fragrance of the flowers enveloped my senses as I buried my nose in one of the rose petals, closing my eyes to savour the scent. The subtle click of a camera captured the moment, prompting my eyes to shoot open.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist. You looked so beautiful," Hongjoong confessed shyly, showing me the captured image. It was undeniably beautiful. "Don't apologize. It's cute. Thank you so much for the flowers." I offered him a comforting smile, reaching across the table to gently clasp his hand.

"I figured, why not go all out? I haven't been on a date in years, and you've truly become something to look forward to in my daily routine. So, I just had to at least try and impress you," he said with newfound confidence, interlocking his fingers with mine. His words painted my cheeks with a soft, rosy hue.

"You have no clue how long I've wanted to go out with you." It was my turn to confess, causing Hongjoong's eyes to widen for a second. "Oh? Y/N… I don't bite. You should've just asked me for my number. I would have given it to you in a heartbeat." He chuckled lightly, squeezing my hand. "You have no idea…" I replied with a bright smile, the evening unfolded nicely as we shared small talk once more.

A comfortable atmosphere enveloped us as we delved into conversations spanning from childhood hobbies to our first job experiences and beyond. It felt as if I had known him for years. Eventually, the waiter arrived to take our orders, and Hongjoong, with a charming smile, inquired about my preference for wine, to which I responded with an enthusiastic "Yes, of course." So, he ordered a bottle of fine wine to complement our dinner.

As the evening unfolded, our food arrived, but our conversation continued to flow effortlessly. By the end of the night, I realized that I had reached a level of connection with Hongjoong that had taken three years to achieve with Seonghwa, in comparison to just one evening. We clicked like two perfectly matched puzzle pieces, like two peas in a pod, making this date even more enjoyable and leaving me with a sense of newfound connection and warmth.

"The stars are beautiful tonight," I smiled, leaning my head against Hongjoong's shoulder. After our dinner, we decided to take a small walk, not ready to part ways just yet. "A star can't compare to your beauty," he complimented, giving me a comfortable smile that made me laugh just slightly. "That was so cheesy!" I continued to laugh, holding onto his arm, and he looked at me with a small pout.

"I'm kidding! It was cute. Cheesy, but cute." His smile returned as he gazed into my eyes. Standing alone beneath the moonlight, we looked at each other as we had so many times before, yet this time felt different.

I noticed his eyes flicker to my lips a few times, making me mirror his actions. "Ugh, I'm sorry, but... Can I… Can I kiss you?" Hongjoong asked nervously, almost a whisper. A short silence took over us."Why didn't you ask earlier... I would have given it to you in a heartbeat," I whispered, quoting his words from just a few hours before. His smile widened as he gently brushed a few strands of my loose hair behind my ear.

His hand gently cradled my cheeks as he leaned in, bringing our foreheads together. A smile adorned his lips as our lips finally met. The kiss was a symphony of sweetness, softness, and an overwhelming sense of love. It felt as if we had poured all our emotions into that one, transformative kiss—a kiss that altered the course of our lives, forever.

From a diligent coffee enthusiast and a dedicated barista, they transformed into two souls deeply in love. A promise to love forever.

The end.

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Even more Wands!

(part 1, part 2)

So, I have some more wand designs for other characters, here specifically I'll be showing my designs for Fred, George, and Sirius' wands. We aren't actually told anything about their wands, so I took some creative liberties.

So without further ado:

Fred & George

When it came to Fred and George's wands I wanted each to look like a unique individual piece on its own, but together they'd look like a set. I also wanted them to have similar wands (in terms of their properties), but not the same, so I gave them different wand woods but the same core.

Fred's wand:

Spruce wood, Unicron Hair, 12", Whippy Flexibility

Unskilled wandmakers call spruce a difficult wood, but in doing so they reveal their own ineptitude. It is quite true that it requires particular deftness to work with spruce, which produces wands that are ill-matched with cautious or nervous natures, and become positively dangerous in fumbling fingers. The spruce wand requires a firm hand, because it often appears to have its own ideas about what magic it ought to be called upon to produce. However, when a spruce wand meets its match – which, in my experience, is a bold spell-caster with a good sense of humour – it becomes a superb helper, intensely loyal to their owners and capable of producing particularly flamboyant and dramatic effects.

(From Pottermore)

George's wand:

Dogwood wood, Unicron Hair, 12", Bendy Flexibility

Dogwood is one of my own personal favourites, and I have found that matching a dogwood wand with its ideal owner is always entertaining. Dogwood wands are quirky and mischievous; they have playful natures and insist upon partners who can provide them with scope for excitement and fun. It would be quite wrong, however, to deduce from this that dogwood wands are not capable of serious magic when called upon to do so; they have been known to perform outstanding spells under difficult conditions, and when paired with a suitably clever and ingenious witch or wizard, can produce dazzling enchantments. An interesting foible of many dogwood wands is that they refuse to perform non-verbal spells and they are often rather noisy.

(From Pottermore)

Sirius Black

So, I think Sirius has two wands. I believe his first wand was snapped when he was sentenced to Azkaban and throughout the books we see him using a different wand. I headcanon Sirius' first wand to be made of Dogwood, like George's, with a Dragon Heartstring core, 13", and supple flexibility.

After Azkaban, I headcanon he uses his mother's wand, so the one I designed is Walburga's wand, actually:

English Oak wood, Dragon Heartstrings, 12 3/4",

A wand for good times and bad, this is a friend as loyal as the wizard who deserves it. Wands of English oak demand partners of strength, courage and fidelity. Less well-known is the propensity for owners of English oak wands to have powerful intuition, and, often, an affinity with the magic of the natural world, with the creatures and plants that are necessary to wizardkind for both magic and pleasure. The oak tree is called King of the Forest from the winter solstice up until the summer solstice, and its wood should only be collected during that time

(From Pottermore)

[simply-windy]

The Seven Islands - Phighting Au

The "Seven Islands" are a collection of islands ruled over my deities n their families, each island hosting spawn fountains and a number of demons that inhabit them. Each island has their own characteristics that separate them from the rest and have their own "regional pin' that's given to every demon at birth as a form of identification. Island of Flames: Ruling family: King Firebrand and his grandsons, Prince Dom and Prince Valk The Island of Flames is one of the hottest islands with skyrocketing temperatures during the morning hours and cooler, more tolerable temperatures in the night hours. The waters around his island tend to be hotter too, making swimming a tad of a risk. There is also a dormant volcano located in the very center of the island. All demons born here have a natural resistance to the heat. Island of Storms: Ruling family: Queen Windforce and her son, Prince Banhammer The Island of Storms is one of the roughest and toughest of islands, constantly plagued with harsh weather and storms, those who inhabit this island are always prepared for some sort of dangerous/strong weather events. The Island of Storms is also home to one of the biggest fighting arenas within the seven islands, demons from all over come to show their strengths in hopes of fighting the queen herself. Island of Flowers: Ruling family: King Illumina and his nephew, Snapdragon Sword The Island of Flowers is definitely the most beautiful. Covered head to toe in dazzling flowers, luscious greenery and fruit bearing trees. nature prevails here. The Island of Flowers is also home to the biggest animal population as well. Island of Souls: Ruling family: King Ghostwalker The Island of Souls is a quiet one. A peaceful island where those who're on death's door come to find a resting place. Most elderly demons tend to live on this island for that reason. Peaceful with haunting yet cozy beauty. Island of Plague: Ruling family: King Venomshank and formerly his son, Snapdragon Sword The Island of Plague is one where the undead walk freely and openly, where ghouls and goblins n such come to life. Most demons who inhabit this island also grow up with an immunity to most of the plague and diseases that containment the land. Although food n water are kept heavily monitored to make sure they're containment-free and safe for all to eat for non-native borns Island of Shadows: Ruling family: King Darkheart The Island of Shadows used to be a fun place to visit. Any and all demons were welcomed to come and traverse the darkened waters and shadowy landscape, but now very few demons even LIVE on that island in general. The island nowadays is deemed "unsafe for residency" due to a tragic event that befell the king, causing them to lose their mind and basically overrun the island completely with their madness. Those who remain on the island have fallen into said madness too. Island of Frost: Ruling family: King Icedagger The Island of Frost is snowy and chilled, being the coldest island out of the seven. Peaceful and serene, many people tend to travel there to celebrate winter holidays, go on vacation or simply to see a different form of nature. Many cozy cabins and log houses make up the general housing for residents and such. The waters are incredibly frigid, making swimming a danger for those who're not native born. All demons born here have a natural resistance to the cold.

@discothemechanic is also apart of this au!!!! She's the owner of the Sword in this au. Since she's reworking him, his name is currently unknown as of now and will be added once everything's all set. @seaside-merchants and @young-sharkling , two of my own blogs, are also apart of this au!

[shinyfire-0]

In chapter 5 of The Phantom of the Opera - The Enchanted Violin - Raoul and Christine meet at Perros and spend some time together talking in the moonlight on the heath overlooking the sea. The text is from the de Mattos translation, available online.

‘Raoul walked away, dejectedly, to the graveyard in which the church stood and was indeed alone among the tombs, reading the inscriptions; but, when he turned behind the apse, he was suddenly struck by the dazzling note of the flowers that straggled over the white ground. They were marvelous red roses that had blossomed in the morning, in the snow, giving a glimpse of life among the dead, for death was all around him. It also, like the flowers, issued from the ground, which had flung back a number of its corpses. Skeletons and skulls by the hundred were heaped against the wall of the church, held in position by a wire that left the whole gruesome stack visible. Dead men's bones, arranged in rows, like bricks, to form the first course upon which the walls of the sacristy had been built. The door of the sacristy opened in the middle of that bony structure, as is often seen in old Breton churches.

Raoul said a prayer for Daae and then, painfully impressed by all those eternal smiles on the mouths of skulls, he climbed the slope and sat down on the edge of the heath overlooking the sea. The wind fell with the evening. Raoul was surrounded by icy darkness, but he did not feel the cold. It was here, he remembered, that he used to come with little Christine to see the Korrigans dance at the rising of the moon. He had never seen any, though his eyes were good, whereas Christine, who was a little shortsighted, pretended that she had seen many. He smiled at the thought and then suddenly gave a start. A voice behind him said:

"Do you think the Korrigans will come this evening?"

It was Christine. He tried to speak. She put her gloved hand on his mouth.

"Listen, Raoul. I have decided to tell you something serious, very serious ... Do you remember the legend of the Angel of Music?"’

(the photo shows heath and the pink granite rocks looking down to the sea at Perros-Guirec. But it was taken on a bright sunny day, not a moonlit night in winter)

Christine then tells Raoul all about the Angel of Music who visits her in her room, and who has been sent by her father. When Raoul is sceptical about this, Christine runs away into the night. Raoul follows her but instead of going back to her room at the Inn she goes to the church where, as Raoul tells M Milfroid, the commissary of police, a few weeks later:

‘“She knelt down by her father's grave, made the sign of the cross and began to pray. At that moment, it struck midnight. At the last stroke, I saw Mlle. Daae life{sic} her eyes to the sky and stretch out her arms as though in ecstasy. I was wondering what the reason could be, when I myself raised my head and everything within me seemed drawn toward the invisible, WHICH WAS PLAYING THE MOST PERFECT MUSIC! Christine and I knew that music; we had heard it as children. But it had never been executed with such divine art, even by M. Daae. I remembered all that Christine had told me of the Angel of Music. The air was The Resurrection of Lazarus, which old M. Daae used to play to us in his hours of melancholy and of faith. If Christine's Angel had existed, he could not have played better, that night, on the late musician's violin. When the music stopped, I seemed to hear a noise from the skulls in the heap of bones; it was as though they were chuckling and I could not help shuddering."’

I took these photos of the church at Perros-Guirec (Église Saint-Jacques) in a hurry. I was with some people who kept getting in the way! and I was trying to look calm and collected while I took in the atmosphere of the place. I think all the graves in the graveyard were removed many years ago.

Finally, did Leroux take inspiration from the noseless Saint Guirec, whose shrine can be found just around the headland?

(from Wikipedia!) 'L'Oratoire de Saint-Guirec stands in the bay at Ploumanac'h with a chapel on the facing beach. Female pilgrims have come for centuries to call upon the prayerful intercession of the monk saint for their seafaring husbands' safety. Young women also come to ask Guirec's prayers that they would soon find a husband. The tradition of putting a pin in the nose of the saint's statue is said to encourage Guirec to acquire the blessing of a marriage within one year for the young pilgrim.'

(thank you to @paperandsong who made me go and find him!)

There is a beautiful beach at St Guirec's shrine and I imagined Christine having a little swim there.

Here is a map to show you where all these places are in relation to each other

[eddiestightywhities]

BetterSleep (Just Like Home)

Rated Teen, POV buck, 1559 words

i was tagged by lovlies @inell, @daffi-990 and @rosieposiepuddingnpie for both snippet sunday and tid-bit tuesday—but alas, i've not been 'round these 'ere parts for a few days, so missed out... in their stead, i'm tagging you guys with this short buck pov pre-buddie oneshot i wrote today while completely projecting about my grown-up son going home (he's been staying with me for the past week) and how quiet it now is in my flat lol.

.

I will fall asleep quickly, and stay asleep, and will sleep soundly, all night long. 

Buck tells himself this on repeat, hoping his preparations mean the mantra won't be rendered fruitless as all the other nights spent alone in his bed chanting words of self-affirmation in his head.

Unlocking his phone, he squints at the too-bright light that is stark as a warm breath on a winter's day here in the muted darkness of the loft. He sets an alarm for the morning then goes to neither Spotify to find a playlist to try relaxing to, nor Pornhub to find something to get off to (he did that already in the shower by picturing golden forearms and a dazzling smile of perfectly pearly whites), and instead heads straight to the download he acquired in a Q-word period at the firehouse earlier in the day. He swipes over the screen and taps his thumb against it a few times till he's found the sounds section of his new BetterSleep app. 

Thing is, Buck loves his apartment, okay? He does. It's a totally sick space with cool industrial-style exposed brickwork and a balcony with a killer view of downtown. It has a great kitchen with a gas oven and an island big enough to comfortably entertain guests. The bathroom is a gorgeous fully tiled affair that boasts not only a double power-shower, but both heated towel rails and flooring. He always gets compliments on the tasteful polished wooden floors it has throughout, which he loves, and it's just seriously a really great place all-round. Like, honestly really, really great.

It's just that it—it's so deathly quiet. 

The loft is absolutely nothing like Eddie's house, for example, where in contrast there are all these quirky little noises you get to listen to at nighttime—the treasured times Buck lays on Eddie's crappy couch with his whole world sleeping in the rooms just off the hallway—which, as a collective, is kind of like some sort of slightly irritating domestic lullaby. 

Buck fucking loves it. 

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READ THE REST ON AO3 HERE

[yukii0nna]

"Hahaha! Well dear, Apollo Justice! It seems you have met your greatest - What?! Don't go I'm sorry!!!"

Heko Latte

Twisted from: Trixie,Python of Greek mythology ,

Age: 27

Birthday: 3/19

Species: Lamia- Human Hybrid

Occupation: Coffee shop owner

Family: Mocca Latte(Mother), Pepper Mitty Latte, Lei-Mon Latte(Father)

Style: Anything suits the great Heco Late! But I do prefer something professional.

Flaws: I can be too dazzling! I think....

Pet Peeves: Okay , I'll be real with you. Despite how I act, I really do believe in justice so if you try to get away with something shitty, heavens as my witness I will make sure you pay.

Favorite Food: Sushi is fine food for me. Also medium rare steak.

Least favorite food: Lettuce. It's a big tasteless leaf

Hobbies: astrology, puzzles, collecting stamps and old books.

Personality

On the outside, Heco is a Chunibyo to the letter. He's boastful, lively and a bit nuts. But he's actually more down to earn and a little more shy then he acts. He's also pretty clever when he needs to be.

Skills

Latte art

Knowledge of crystals

Magical knowledge: Despite his prefer not to use magic, he knows about it and is willing to use his knowledge to help out.

Friends

Apollo Justice

Athena Cykes

Melody Hawkins

Lizz Adders

Trivia

Is the second oldest of his family

Despite what people in the know would think, winter is his favorite season.

Was born and raised in Japanifora

His last name is pronounced as Tea.

Sometimes he considers moving away but doesn't have the heart to do it.

His tea shop is witch themed. It's called Witchy Brews.

@punkeropercyjackson @zexal-club @bakawitch @queen-of-twisted @insomniac-jay

[honeymoonblues]

Kisses & Dreams

Remus Lupin x Professor!Reader

Summary: The school year is ending and you have a question for Remus. (Gender neutral reader).

Part 1 - Part 2

Word count: 2.9k

A/N: This is a continuation to my last remus fic, I never thought this would turn into a little series! I'm not sure if this will be the last part or not, we'll see.

Let me know if there are any spelling errors, English is not my first language.

It had been such a wonderful winter break, the best you’ve had in ages. Those two weeks felt like you had been walking on clouds.

You decided to stay at Hogwarts, along with some other teachers and a few students who didn’t want to go home. At first, seeing all these kids away from their families for the holidays left you heartbroken. But after seeing them all get together for Christmas dinner, you started to understand why they’d want to stay at school. 

It goes without saying that your favourite thing about the holidays wasn’t dinner, but rather the company. 

Professor Lupin had been the most charming companion ever. By the third tea shop rendezvous on the first week, it had almost turned into a routine. You had tried to get creative and do something different each time, but you always ended up back in the tea shop. There were only so many things you could do in Hogsmeade, anyway. 

Remus always ordered the same thing, and you always picked the same little teacup from the extensive collection that Madam Pudifoot’s had to offer. He’d sip on his Cherry Rose tea, and you’d marvel at the gorgeous little tea set that matched your favourite cup while drinking your choice of the day. 

Now that you didn’t pretend to be ‘just coworkers’ anymore, it became the perfect time to get to know each other better, and the shop was a great place to do so. 

Remus was quieter and a great listener, even when you started talking non-stop, he’d still love hearing your stories. But whenever he got to talk it was marvelous. A gifted storyteller with a million different tales about his life, his friends, and his time in Hogwarts. You adored him, and you were so grateful for the great time you got to spend together.

Regardless, the most heartwarming moment of all was when the clock struck midnight on Christmas day. 

When the kids left the Great Hall after the most delectable meal, you had to ensure they all returned to their rooms. You didn’t want to drink during dinner with all the children there, so after all was over, Remus and you got down to the kitchen to indulge in a bit of wine.

Then, Peeves decided to pull a little festive prank by locking both of you down there. Already on your second glass, you heard the poltergeist’s crazy laughter and immediately knew something was up. When Remus got to the door, he sighed and then started giggling.

“Not this again!” His head was resting against the door, his hand covering his face, and you could see him shaking with laughter.

“Again? What do you mean?” Soon enough, you too were chuckling.

When he finally calmed down enough to take a breath, he explained:

“Peeves did this same thing to me on Christmas Eve, back when I was a student here.”

“What? He locked you up? In the kitchens?” You questioned, speaking slowly. When he nodded, your eyes widened. “But what on earth were you doing down here?”

A dazzling smile showed on his face, and he raised his glass.

“Same thing I’m doing right now.” And you almost choked on your drink.

Realizing that whatever Peeves had done to the door couldn’t be all that serious, you agreed that it wouldn’t hurt to enjoy some more wine before unlocking it. Grave error.

When the third attempt at an Alohomora spell had failed because of your incessant laughter, you managed to say:

“How many drunk wizards do you think it takes to open a door?” And that’s how you spoiled Remus’ fourth effort.

At some point, you collected yourselves. You breathed in, and you unlocked the door. It should have been way easier than you made it. Any second year could have gotten out of the kitchen in a minute, as long as they weren’t drunk like you two.

Acting like two sober adults, you walked over to your office. Thankfully, you didn’t cross paths with any students hanging around the hallways past their bedtime, or it could have been quite embarrassing for everyone involved.

Fifteen minutes to midnight, you decided it would be the best opportunity to give Remus your Christmas gift. While you were talking, he noticed the way you kept looking at the clock and then realized what hour it was. Excusing himself quickly, he left your office.

“I’ll be back in a minute, I promise.”

Frowning at his sudden escape, you sighed. His gift was carefully wrapped, sitting in a corner of the room. You took it, your hands starting to sweat just by thinking about giving it to him. It felt embarrassing how much sentiment you had put into it, and how easy it was to do so for Remus.

Your train of thought was interrupted by him entering through your door again. He had a bashful smile, similar to the one he got the day he asked you on a date. His back was straight and his hands were behind his back. 

You looked at the clock one more time, three past midnight. 

“Merry Christmas, Remus!” He had a surprised look on his face when you offered your gift to him. 

“Well, thank you very much.” Remus chuckled, and he too extended his arms, offering a little wrapped box. “Merry Christmas to you.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to! Thanks!” The delighted tone in your voice was impossible to hide, you looked contented before even opening your gift.

He was the first to open the package since you were taking your time not to damage the cute wrapping paper on the box.

“Wait… you didn’t knit this, did you?” You smiled shyly at his question. “Merlin, you did! This is… so much work.” He immediately put on the sweater you had made, it looked so incredibly cute on him. “Thank you so much.” His tone was genuine, and you couldn’t stop grinning.

You would have almost forgotten about the unopened gift in your hand if it wasn’t for Remus giving a little nod in its direction.

“Well, it’s nothing compared to your gift but I-”

“Remus! Are you joking? Remus this is so…!” Barely containing the excitement in your voice, you started giggling. “I didn’t know they sold these! This is absolutely perfect!”

“Well, Madam Pudifoot said no one ever asked to buy her cups, but she was very glad someone liked them so much that they wanted to keep one.”

Carefully, you put everything on your table. The plate, the spoon, and the gorgeous little teacup from the shop. Then, without wasting any other minute, you hugged Remus tightly.

“Thank you, thank you! I love it.” Your chuckles were muffled by his shoulders.

It took a moment, but Remus was hugging you back. 

“I still can’t believe you knitted me a sweater, that’s… incredibly thoughtful.”

When your eyes met his he had such a sweet expression, and even in the dim lighting, you could see his cheeks taking a pink colour. You couldn’t tell if the heat on your face was from being so close to the fireplace, or from Remus, and you smiled shyly, realizing that you hadn’t released him. 

Suddenly, you sensed a weird movement from over your head and looked up. Mistletoe was twinkling brightly, floating right over the both of you.

“I didn’t put that there, I swear!” You mumbled, a little confused.

“No. I did.”

Then, you kissed. And if there was any remains of alcohol in your blood, you surely sobered up. It was soft, sweet, and slow. Everything you’ve ever wanted. Remus’ breath against your skin tickled, and you had goosebumps all over. You giggled every time you had to pull apart to take a breath. Then, spent the rest of the night drinking tea, speaking in whispers, and kissing each other some more.

The break passed so fast that you barely noticed, as did the rest of the school year. It was a busy semester, you had very little free time and it was all spent with Remus, which you didn’t complain about.

Sooner than you thought possible, the finals were just around the corner and most people were drained, professors and students alike.

Also, history was a tiresome subject for most kids. Even if they liked going to class, studying became monotonous, and it was much worse for those who didn’t enjoy reading much.

This year, you gave the students a choice. Each one would have the opportunity to choose between an oral exam or a written exam, because you’d seen first-hand the different abilities that the kids possess. Now, you regretted your decision completely. The amount of work that took making two different finals for every class didn’t even compare to the time it would take to take the oral exams for each student who had chosen it (which weren’t many, but still).

But there was no going back now. You had arranged the list of students per year, dividing them in those who wanted which exam. From the 800 students that Hogwarts accommodated, only a few more than a hundred wanted to take the oral exam, but they meant more than one hundred individual finals to take, and you just hoped for everything to go according to plan and not take more time than it needed to.

In those two weeks of finals, you said goodbye to your sleeping schedule, and coffee became your best ally. At least, you weren’t the only one dealing with this. All your coworkers related, and the bags under the kids’ eyes told you they weren’t much better off.

Overall, a torturous moment for all. But you could still see the spark of hope in the promised summer holidays. Every time you closed your eyes, you felt like you were almost there. On your short sleep cycles, you dreamt of the warm afternoons and cool drinks, of going back home and enjoying your local lake, and of finally getting to rest. Of course, you also dreamt of Remus.

Neither of you had been together much this last month. His classes had twice as many hours as yours, and he was always doing the most for the students. Excursions, magical creatures, games and mixing different classes together for duelling. He put his everything into his job, and you admired him so much for that.

Still, there was something else. For this whole year you had spent a great deal of time with Remus. Some of the most wonderful dates, or a simply shared breakfast in the morning. In all these months, you’ve managed to known Lupin on a deeper level, which softened your heart as well as his. But some things just didn’t add up.

Every single month, he became sick and took some days off. Which could totally happen to anyone, but each one of his sickness lined up to a very peculiar day, or night to be more specific. Besides, you weren’t stupid, and Remus knew that incredibly well. He was sure it was just a matter of time before you had to talk it out, but he had always been somewhat of a coward, and you were too respectful of his own space to demand the explanation he thought you deserved.

The truth is, you couldn’t care less if he was a werewolf! Remus made you incredibly happy, and no condition of his could affect the way you felt about him.

At first, you found it so silly that he had tried so hard to cover his lycanthropy. But after you let this knowledge sit in the back of your mind for a while, you understood how terrible of a situation this was for him.

You knew the way of life werewolves lead in Britain. The so called supernatural ‘beasts’ had a long history of ill treatment and abuse by the hands of the government that should be protecting them. It was a miracle Remus even had a job, considering the laws the Ministry of Britain had been putting up recently. The mere thought of the things Remus had to go through broke your heart into pieces.

In Britain, getting bitten by a werewolf meant the end of your life as you know it. It meant the resentment and fear of the other people, it meant persecution and judgement, and it meant the suffering and agony of your transformation, because no one provided you with the potion you’re supposed to have to endure your pain. The only potion that saved a werewolf from their own animal instincts, the only that can a 100% stop you from being dangerous after transforming. It was the same country who would point at you accusatorily and call you a ‘killing beast’, the one that would deny you the medicine to help you, and completely erase any danger a werewolf could pose to others or themselves. The irony was not sad, but infuriating.

Not every country was like this, in fact, most weren’t. And many places venerated the lycanthropes. In some of them, the werewolves were the protectors of the family, the ones that gave hope to the generation. Stronger, faster, with better reflexes and senses than most. It was obvious why they were worshipped all over the world, why wouldn’t they?

The only thing you desired, is for Remus to trust you with this piece of his life, to let you be by his side at all times. Because even with everything that was going on, the man remained kind and loving, and you couldn’t understand how. You wanted him to know that you didn’t care about his condition, no matter if he was a werewolf, a vampire or a fairy, you’d never, ever judge him.

But you refused to rush things, just like you both had been doing with everything else. You let things flow. Surely, he’d tell you when he felt ready.

Sadly, neither had any opportunity to truly speak to each other, not with the end of the semester upon you.

The seemingly endless weeks of finals were almost over, and your nerves began to ease. Your dreams turned more pleasant, and you’d see Remus in almost every single one of them. Walking hand in hand by the seaside, drinking iced tea in your couch, and cuddling with you under the stars, he was always there when you drifted off. And with that, you had a realization. There’s no way you’d let him go away on the holidays. He had to be there with you over the summer, and with butterflies in your stomach, you decided to ask him.

The last exam you took should have left you exhausted, but when the only student left had given you his paper, you felt more alive than ever. You checked the clock on your wrist. Remus last exam ended in fifteen minutes, and then, you were going to ask him.

Merlin, your heart felt like it was about to burst out of your chest with how hard it was beating. You were going to make the move, you were going to ask him! Excitement, confidence and nervousness, your head was spinning with so many emotions at the same time.

Your footsteps echoed around your office, you checked the time every ten seconds, until you decided you couldn’t wait anymore, and you made your way to Remus’ classroom.

‘Goodness, I am going to ask him!’ You thought, and had to stop yourself from running all the way to your destination.

The students were exiting his classroom, and you peeked inside, checking there was no one left, before you started to look for him.

‘Remus, good afternoon! Happy about finishing all these exams at last?” You called loud, trying to find where on earth he had hidden. You made your way up the stairs to his office, still talking. “Of course we still have to grade them, but we have almost a whole week for that!”  Chuckling softly, you finally got to his open door.

With your excitement, you almost missed it, but Lupin looked tired, incredibly so. It was understandable up until some point, but he truly seemed like he hadn’t been able to sleep for days. He barely looked up from his papers, and gave you a slight smile.

“Oh, Remus. Are you quite alright, there?” Getting closer to him, you stood by his side and ran your fingers through his hair, in the way you know calmed him down. But he didn’t look up to you again. You pondered for a moment how to ask him, so you started:

“We really, really need the summer break, don’t we?” And you giggled, not as cheerfully as you wanted it to sound. A soft humming sound is all that you got in response.

“Well, uhm…” Stuttering, you looked at him once more to confirm that everything was alright. “You know, I was thinking…” Thrown off by the contrast of his gloomy demeanour, you placed your hand comfortingly over his shoulder and said:

“Remember how I told you I wanted to go back home for the break, mm?” The cheerful tone in your voice was back, knowing exactly what could lift his spirits. “Would you like to come with me? I hope this is not too sudden because I’d love to-”

And just when you were about to ask him, formally, officially, to be you partner, he looked up with those bright eyes and through his wonderful lashes, and got up from his chair. Then, grabbing your arm softly, he interrupted you, speaking with his warm voice and gentle tone.

“I’m sorry. I- This is not going to work. I’m truly sorry, but it’d be best if we… part.”