#Fishing Line Maintenance

[ricardoreview]

Can Fishing Line Go Bad? A Comprehensive Guide to Maintain and Save Money Buying Fishing Line

As an avid angler, you may have wondered, “Can fishing line go bad?” In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the factors that can lead to the deterioration of fishing lines and provide essential tips for maintaining them in optimal condition. Whether you use monofilament, fluorocarbon, braided, or copolymer lines, this article will equip you with valuable insights to enhance your fishing…

[mod2amaryllis]

What did you do with the fish that was being incredibly rude and biting your snail before taking them out for coffee first?

i took his ass BAAACK!!!!! to the fish store!!! cuz upon checking the mystery snails i realized he must've bit EVERY SINGLE ANTENNAE. felt so bad for my girls, they were all acting withdrawn too. today i did big maintenance, cleaning the filter, adding plants, water change, to get the tank as healthy as possible for them to recover </3

but now the issue is.... I'm pretty sure the replacement i got is another female OTL

it's been impossible to get a clear shot, but you can see they're the same size, and they look so similar i no longer know which one is my og. they stick together, but they're usually pale and seem more like they're fighting than bonding. I've decided that for now........i am going to give it time. gonna let them grow a little so maybe they're easier to sex, see if they settle into each other, just let stuff happen. because at the very least they are NOT biting my snails, so 👍 win 👍

[katsu28]

summer's golden haze - chapter three

pairing: lando norris x reader

summary: bar hopping, damsels in drunken distress, and a late night heart to heart. (5.1k)

warnings: swearing, alcohol, lando talks about the hungarian gp shitshow

a/n: yes this is me maybe slightly projecting my feelings about hungary onto my characters okay! they're my barbie dolls to play with i can do whatever i want 😌↕️ anyways hope u enjoy <3

previous chapter | masterlist

“Hello? Are you even listening?” 

You blink, bringing yourself back to reality and back to the current conversation. Your friends are looking back at you with matching concerned, albeit a little annoyed expressions. “What? Sorry, I was—I’m here, sorry. What’s going on?” 

Samira tuts, but not unkindly. They all know you’ve got a million things running in your mind at the moment. “I was saying our dinner reservations got canceled. Something about the kitchen having to close down for maintenance, I dunno. Anyways, it frees us up tonight and we’re trying to figure out what to do instead.” 

“Oh. We could stay in? Order some food, watch a movie?” 

“I know what we need,” Camille gasps suddenly, eyes lighting up like she’s just had a brilliant idea. “We’re going bar hopping tonight.” 

“Bar hopping? We haven’t done that since—” You pause, taking a moment to think. You haven’t been bar hopping since Samira got dumped by her girlfriend a few months back, the time before that when Maren finally cut ties with her situationship last year. The only time you all go bar hopping is after a breakup. They think what happened with Lando is the same as breaking up with a partner. “Guys, seriously, I’m fine. He was never even my boyfriend anyways!” 

“Say what you want, but you’ve been super out of it these past few days. You need to let loose, do something that makes you stop thinking of Lando and start thinking about yourself again.”  

You scowl, crossing your arms over your chest. “I think about myself plenty.”

Camille rolls her eyes at you. “I mean not in that mopey, sad ‘I say everything is fine even though it’s not’ way. There’s more fish in the sea than Lando. Find one, or don’t, it’s up to you. But you need to forget about him.” 

Your lips press into a thin line as you sink back into your seat.

You don’t want another fish in the sea. You want the weird little crab with the cute accent and the sparkly eyes, the one you’ve already let back into the water.

The one you can’t have. 

Things haven’t been too awkward with Lando yet, but they definitely aren’t the same. Two people who really like each other but have decided to remain friends doesn’t really scream smooth sailing from now on to you. The wound is still fresh, and there are hints of it as you spend more time with the guys. 

Immediately filling the empty seat next to each other like it’s second nature but then having to awkwardly scoot away when your shoulders bump or your hands brush. Lingering glances across tables and rooms until one of you breaks and looks away first. Finding him first in a place full of other people and drifting towards him, only to come to your senses and switch up directions at the last moment. 

You wish you could say forgetting Lando would be easy. It really isn’t—not when your friend groups have basically melded into one big one, and everyone gets along so well. It would’ve been easier if you’d gone your separate ways, but you don’t think your heart would’ve liked that very much. Not that it enjoys skipping a beat every time you catch Lando’s eyes on you a little too long either. 

You wrinkle your nose, brows following. “I’m sad and mopey?” 

“A little bit.” 

“Okay, fine. Fine, let’s go bar hopping,” You concede, letting your shoulders drop. 

If you’re going to get over him, you might as well start right now. 

That’s how you end up in bar number one of the night, four tequila shots on the bar table in front of you. You eye the unassuming little glass warily, even as each of your friends snatch one up eagerly. 

Samira, as if sensing your hesitation, nudges yours toward you. “It’s one shot, babe. It won’t kill you.” 

“I know that,” You insist, throwing your shoulders back. “I just…need a second.” 

“Take all the time you need. We’re going all night.” 

Tonight isn’t about your feelings for Lando. Tonight is about you moving on, moving past what could’ve been with him and looking forward to what might come next. With or without him. 

You hold up your shot towards them, grinning big. “Here’s to moving forward, and making memories that’ll last a lifetime!” 

Clinking your glass against all of theirs, you throw back the clear liquid as smoothly as you can, only wincing a little bit at the burn of it going down your throat. It isn’t your usual drink of choice, but change has to start somewhere, right? 

-------

As far as bars go, this one isn’t the worst one you’ve been to tonight, but the fun has started to wear off for you. You’d stopped drinking around bar number two, the buzz of your much tamer drink choices after those first few shots starting to die down bit by bit. On the other hand, your friends are still going full steam ahead. You’ve honestly lost track of how many drinks they’ve had at the bars you’ve hit tonight, but they’re holding on pretty well. 

“Fuck boys!” Samira exclaims, slamming another shot glass down onto the table with gusto. Maren and Camille agree wholeheartedly with identical slurred ‘yeah, fuck ‘em!’s that make you chuckle into your glass of water. 

You know they’re just trying to make you feel better about your decision, and in a way, it helps. You’d finally been able to talk about what went down that afternoon without feeling an indescribable rush of guilt, and although they were disappointed at first, it became less when you’d told them why. They’re your best friends, and they know you better than anyone, so they know for a fact Lando’s lifestyle was not the one for you. 

Tonight was supposed to be all about forgetting your feelings, but as the night went on longer and your inhibitions became lower, you still couldn’t help but think about Lando. That mental box you’d put him has burst wide open already. 

You’re a little embarrassed to admit it, but you’d done a little research on him after getting home, which turned into a deep dive of his career, his life, anything that piqued your interest in him. You were curious to know what a guy like him saw in someone like you. 

It felt a little weird to see him outside the Lando you’ve gotten to know him as, because he seemed…different. He’s still the same sweet guy you know, but on video he’s a more tame version of himself. 

Carefully chosen words and shy smiles, he wears his confidence like a suit of armor on camera, to protect himself against the world. Here, he’s all bursting grins and loud belly laughs, unfiltered and so, so happy. He seems so normal, it��s hard to remember that he’s not just your everyday guy. Lando is one of the best and well known racing drivers in the whole world.

Making sure to separate the two is important if you want to stay firm in your decision. 

Somehow it hits nearly four in the morning, and it’s about high time you make the executive decision to call it quits and go home. The only problem is, you’re the only semi-sober one out of the four of you. You have the car, but you don’t trust yourself to drive in this state. None of your friends are in any shape to be of any help either, not when Maren is nearly passed out on the tabletop, and Camille and Samira drunkenly swaying with each other right next to you. 

You don’t really trust any rideshares at this time of night in an unfamiliar place, and even then, there’s no way you can get them all home by yourself. There’s only one other thing you can think of, one other person you can call to help you out. The one person you were hoping to not have to call. 

The moment your finger hits Lando’s number, you have half a mind to hang up. You’re about to, but then the line connects. 

“Yeah, what?” Lando’s voice is gravelly, thick with sleep. A little grumpy. Of course he’s grumpy, it’s nearing three in the morning and he was probably asleep. You feel bad that you've woken him up, but you couldn't think of anything else. 

“Lando? I’m so sorry to be calling you this late, I just didn’t know what else to do.”

Immediately, he sounds more alert when your name leaves his lips. “Is everything alright? What’s up?” 

You gnaw on your lip in contemplation until he says your name again, gentler this time. “We’re at a bar in town and the girls are really drunk and we need to get home, but I had a few drinks too so I didn't think I should drive. And I tried to call an Uber but at this time of night I don’t—” 

“Hey, no, it’s okay. I can come pick you up.” He interrupts your rambling and you're grateful for it, because the more you talk the more you think this was a bad idea. You’re asking him for too much, you're stretching the limits of an already awkward friendship too far, you're— “Just tell me where you are, I’ll be there as soon as I can.” 

“Really?” 

“Of course. Drop me your location and stay there.” You can hear rustling on his end of the line, pounding on a door, someone’s groggy voice saying something you can’t make out. Then Lando’s voice fills your ear again, soft yet firm. “Hang tight, ‘kay? Be there soon.” 

“Thank you so much,” You breath, truly grateful. He hangs up, and you can finally let out a breath of relief. Lando is coming. You won’t be stranded here. 

Lando jumps out of the car as soon as it pulls to a stop in front. He’s got on some nondescript jumper with the hood pulled up over his head and a random pair of joggers, and he definitely doesn’t look like he’d just been roused from his sleep. In fact, seeing him all disheveled with worry like this is kind of doing it for you. 

You’re in the middle of apologizing again when Lando crashes into you, arms wrapping around you tighter than you’re expecting, nearly squeezing the breath out of you. You meet Max’s eyes over his shoulder, who you’d just realized was also here, and he doesn’t look surprised at all. He looks rather smug, actually. 

“Are you okay?” Lando holds you at arms length, worried eyes scanning you for anything out of place, any injury. Other than your pride, you remain unharmed. Though that pesky fluttery feeling in your stomach is back again, as is the warmth in your chest, and it isn’t from the alcohol. 

His hood has fallen off from the force of his hug to reveal the tornado of curls on his head, flat on one side from his pillow most likely, as are the lines on his face from what was probably a good night’s sleep. Until you called, that is. 

You blink at him, caught off guard by the amount of care he still seems to have for you. It feels like an impossible feat to tear your gaze away from his. “Yes? I mean, yeah, I’m fine. You—wow, you got here fast.” 

“I thought maybe something—nevermind.” He cranes his neck around you to glance at your half asleep friends on the bench. “Are…they okay?” 

“Yeah, they’re fine. Tequila, y’know?” You shrug. 

Max lets out a snort of laughter from where he’s wandered over to check on them, waving a hand in front of Samira’s face. She swats at him halfheartedly, mumbling a sleepy, “Fuck off, Fewtrell.” 

“Sorry to wake you too, Max.” 

“Oh no, you didn’t wake me. He did.” He juts his chin over at Lando, who still has a hand around your elbow. You can’t help but let your eyes drop down to it, and Lando does too, inhaling sharply before letting go. Still, the warmth from his grip lingers. “And not very nicely might I add.” 

“I had to get you up quick!”

“You nearly took my head off with a pillow, you dickhead!” 

“Oh, I’m sorry, did you want a kiss on the forehead?” Lando snorts. 

“Not from you!” 

“Come off it already, won’t you?” Lando turns his attention back to you instead, rolling his eyes playfully when he finds you stifling a giggle behind your palm. “You said you had your car?” 

“Um, yeah, it’s around the corner. We can just leave it here, I’ll circle back and pick it up in the morning.” 

Lando clicks his tongue, shaking his head. “It’ll probably be stripped for parts by tomorrow. How bout we split up? Two and two?” 

“Well, we all know who you want,” Max says knowingly. It makes your cheeks flame hot and Lando’s flush pink, but Max doesn’t waver in his shit eating grin. For some reason, you find his candid bluntness refreshing, even if it is poking fun at what’s going on (or not going on) between Lando and yourself. “You guys take Maren in your car, I’ll take these two and meet you at your house.” 

Max manages to coax Camille and Samira to their feet with little trouble, and before you know it they’re off, leaving you alone with Lando and a very sleepy Maren. He rocks back on his heels, biting the inside of his cheek awkwardly, like he’s not sure what to do. 

“Should we—” 

“I think—” Lando bites back a laugh, gesturing for you to speak first. 

“We should probably get going.” 

“Right. Let’s get her in the car then, yeah?” 

You couldn’t be less well versed in cars if you tried, but even you know the one Lando came to your rescue in is expensive. You’re almost too reluctant to even sit in it. But then Lando’s hand touches softly against the small of your back as he pulls open the door without hesitation, and you have no choice but to help Maren in. 

Not like you had much of a choice anyways, what with him being the knight in shining armor to your damsel in distress call. 

“Did you have fun? Before having to play mum to the girls, I mean.” Lando asks a little while later, not taking his eyes off the road. 

You blow out a deep breath, sinking back into the plush leather of the passenger seat. The soft smoothness is heaven on your skin. “Kinda. The first few drinks, at least. Felt a little out of place, honestly.” 

“What, you didn't charm some guy the same way you charmed me?” Silence fills the car like cement as soon as the words leave his mouth. A pang of something sharp shoots through you, something akin to hurt that flashes through your chest but is gone a second later. 

No, you shouldn’t feel hurt. You’re the one who hurt him. Even though he’s told you over and over that it’s okay, it’s fine, he understands your decision, Lando has every right to express his true feelings, no matter how it makes you feel. 

“Sorry, that was—that came out wrong. I just meant—” 

“I know what you meant,” You say quietly. He wants to know if you met someone else, and the answer is no. No, you didn't meet another guy, because all you could think about was him. But you’re just friends. You’d made certain of it. So why did you feel like you’d done something wrong? “I didn’t meet anyone else.” 

“Oh. Cool.” 

“Is it?” 

A muscle in his jaw clenches as he swallows thickly, nodding. “Yeah. I mean, if that’s what you want. What you’re looking for.” 

“I don’t think I’m looking for anything right now,” Your voice is soft, nearly a whisper. 

I’m not looking for something that isn’t you, you could add. You don’t. It wouldn’t do anything other than hurt him, and yourself, even more. 

The rest of the ride home is basically silent, and Max is waiting on the sofa with the other two when you finally get there, entertaining a story that Camille is telling not unlike one would with a child, uh huh-ing and wow, that’s so cool-ing until he realizes you’re finally here. 

You take over from then, thank him profusely yet again when he says he’s going to head home, before corralling all three girls into the bathroom like a zookeeper with their animals. 

One by one, you help each of your friends through an abridged version of their night routines until they’re all ready for bed, and then you tuck them into the same bed as best you can. You’ve relegated yourself to the floor with a littering of pillows for the night. It’ll be easier to get to them if they need anything during the night if you’re all in the same room. 

You’re surprised to see Lando in the doorway once you’ve gotten them all settled in for the night. You thought he'd left with Max, but apparently not.  

He glances up as he hears you approach, frowning. “You’re gonna sleep on the floor?” 

You shrug. “Yeah, it’s fine. I can keep an eye on them that way. You can, erm, you can go home now. Go back to sleep.” 

“No offense, but I’m pretty sure they’ll sleep through the night. Plus, you must be knackered too. You should get some rest, yeah?” You want to say no, but your body’s response betrays you in that moment, because you yawn big, and it makes him chuckle. “Come on. Sleep in your own bed. I’ll watch over them.” 

“No way.” You shake your head insistently, despite the enticing offer. “You’ve already done more than enough, Lando, I can’t ask you to stay up all night. I’ve got them covered.” 

“You shouldn’t either.” He shoots back, chin tilting up in challenge. You match him as best you can with your eyes growing heavier and heavier by the moment, and eventually, he backs down, hands up in mock surrender. “How ‘bout we take shifts? The living room’s right across the hall, if we camp out there and anyone makes a racket, whoever’s up will be able to hear them.” 

You twist your lips to the side in thought. “Deal. I call first watch though.” 

“I can live with that. Why don’t you go freshen up, or something?” 

“Is that your way of telling me I stink?” 

Lando’s eyes glint with mirth, teasing smile curling his lips. “Maybe.” 

“Well, maybe you don’t smell too good either!” That’s a total lie. He actually smells really nice, a mixture of remnants of his heady cologne from the day and something fresher, a little citrusy. His soap, maybe? 

A hot shower certainly does wonders to sober you up the rest of the way, and as you’re toweling your hair dry enough to where it won’t be dripping water down your shirt, you take a good look at yourself in the fogged up mirror. 

This is fine. You can spend a night alone with Lando without feeling anything towards him. You can do this. You’ve done harder things than this. 

Lando’s frowning at something on his phone when you make your way back into the living room, scowling like whatever’s on the screen has personally wronged him. It isn’t the first time you've noticed his demeanor turn sour like this, and your concern is piqued each time. 

You clear your throat as if to announce your presence, offering him a small smile when his head whips up. “Hi. Is everything okay?” 

“Yeah. Yeah, everything’s fine. It’s just work.” He tosses his phone on the coffee table, dragging a hand forward through his curls, mussing up the front before raking them back. It doesn’t seem to do anything but make them messier, but you suspect it’s more of a nervous habit than anything.

He smiles back at you as you sit a respectable distance away from him on the sofa, though even that looks entirely forced. Something is wrong, and it’s eating away at him. 

“Look, I know things aren't how they used to be with us, but I hope you know I’m still here for you. You can always talk to me if you need to.” 

Lando gnaws on his bottom lip, head tilting from side to side like he's unsure. “Really? You’d do that for me?” 

“Friends are there for each other.” 

He blows out a deep sigh, sinking back against the pillows like a deflated balloon. “Yeah? You’re sure?” 

“I’m a good listener, remember?” You nudge his knee with yours gently. “Whenever you’re ready, I’m all ears.” 

He isn’t ready right away. For a little while, you sit in silence. You get the feeling Lando doesn’t have much experience with letting people in very easily, but it's okay. You’ll sit here as long as he needs to get his thoughts together. 

Finally he speaks, but even then, his tone holds hesitance. 

“I feel like everything is going to shit. The car is great this season, it’s better than it's ever been before, so that’s not the problem. It’s me, I’m the problem, I keep fucking everything up," He sighs, shoulders slumping. "And my team work so hard for me to be able to perform and deliver and I feel like I’m just letting everyone down, y’know? They deserve someone who can give them better than the shit stuff I’ve been putting out these past few races.” 

Lando as a person is impossibly hard on himself, you’ve come to learn—always thinks he could’ve done better, even if what he’s already done is enough. The same is true when it comes to his job. 

You’d know—you checked. In your uninformed opinion, the results he’s been achieving in the races are great. To be finishing high in the top five out of twenty of the best drivers in the world in almost every single race recently, it’s enough to make anyone proud.

But when you think about it from a competition perspective, a cutthroat drive with everything you’ve got, put everything on the line perspective, you get a sense of why he’s beating himself up. 

To know he can win and still fall short, race after race…god, you can’t even imagine how he must be feeling. 

You might be clueless still, but at the very basis of it all, you understand. Lando has worked so hard for so many years, put in blood, sweat, and tears, and he feels like he’s not living up to expectations. 

You know what it’s like to have such high expectations placed on your shoulders and nearly be crushed by the weight of everyone counting on you. Surely not on a scale as large as his, but you understand the struggle. 

Then he goes into the race in Hungary a few weeks back, and you can tell there’s some lingering hurt in him about what happened. 

“It’s like they were guilt tripping me or something. Telling me I’ll need the team in the championship fight, that I should do the right thing and give up my position. Call me crazy, but that just didn’t sit right with me at all. They want me to be a team player and that’s fine, I’m happy to, but I dunno…” Lando trails off, nose wrinkling like the words leave a bitter taste in his mouth.

You notice him picking at the skin below his nail and move without thinking, closing the distance between the two of you and redirecting his fiddling fingers by linking them with your own. 

It gets him to stop picking, but it also makes him stop talking. Whatever words are about to come out of his mouth die into a drawn out exhale, eyes drawn to your joined hands like a magnet. 

“Yeah? Keep going, I’m still listening,” You urge gently, nodding. Lando blinks at you, as if he’s lost his train of thought. “Hungary? The team?”

“Uh…yeah. Right. I was—I guess I just didn’t think they’d pull all that crap over the radio. Like, everyone could hear what they were saying—other teams, the commentators. It was on live broadcast too!” His fingers tighten around yours ever so slightly, dark brows knit with frustration. 

Even though you know close to nothing about the sport, what his team pulled seems like a dick move. You understand wanting to put their drivers in the best position possible, but airing things out on a radio where everyone can hear it feels wrong to you. Then again, you have no idea what goes on within a team at this type of performance level. 

“It’s like, they knew I’d do what they wanted me to do and I did, but for a moment, I almost didn’t. I almost went against team orders, and that’s…” He laughs humorlessly, shaking his head. “You don’t do that. You can’t. You listen to what your team says and you do it, and that’s the end. My boss has been calling every now and then, trying to get me to talk and shit, and I just don’t really wanna talk about work right now. I don’t even wanna think about it.” 

“Oh, Lando…” You sigh. Your thumb rubs circles over the prominent ridges of his knuckles, hoping it brings him some sort of comfort.

“I know I probably sound like such a brat right now, but I’ve given everything I have to McLaren and it still doesn't feel like enough. They want more, and right now…I’m not sure how much more I’ve got in me.” 

“Can I be completely and totally honest with you right now?” 

“Yeah, please.” 

You hesitate, taking a beat to reply. You don’t want him to take your response the wrong way. “I’m not gonna sit and pretend like I have any clue what it’s like to be in your situation, because I don’t. But I do think you’re being too hard on yourself. Yeah, sometimes you might not get the results you’d hoped for, but you’re doing the best you can, and that’s all you need to be doing.” 

Lando doesn’t need your advice, and you’re in no place to be giving any in the first place. He just needs someone in his corner, someone who cares about him to tell him that it’s okay to not be perfect. You want to be that person, even though you’re both still trying to settle into this new dynamic with each other. 

Thankfully, your words seem to soak in, easing the tension in his shoulders just a little bit. “Thank you. I think I really needed that.” 

“Glad I could help,” You say warmly, squeezing his hand. 

“Y’know, I just realized that I’ve never said any of that out loud to anyone.”

“Do you feel better?” 

Lando chuckles, and somehow, he even seems better. Like whatever was weighing him down was gone. “Yeah, I do. I feel…lighter, actually? Is that weird?” 

“Not at all. That’s what letting things out will do for you.”

“Maybe. But maybe it’s more than that, maybe it’s…you.” 

Your breath hitches in your chest. “Me?”

“You make me feel like I can be myself around you. Like, the real me, not the me the rest of the world knows me as. I feel genuinely happy around you, and I—I can’t just sit here and ignore it any longer. I still really like you. And I know what you said about us, and I know why, but I can’t help the way I feel around you. The way I feel about you.” 

“Lando, I—” 

“I swear I’m not trying to change your mind or make you feel guilty, or anything like that! I just had to say it before it made me explode,” He adds, exhaling shakily. “In the spirit of letting things out.” 

You’d be lying to yourself if you said you hadn’t been starting to question whether or not you’d made the right choice by deciding to walk away from Lando, because the more you get to know him, the more it chips away at your resolve. He’s kind and sweet and funny, and he gets you like nobody else has before. It’s been hell these past few days, tiptoeing around each other when all you want to do is kiss him senseless.

Right now, you want to kiss him senseless. He’s right here in front of you, holding your hand, looking at you with those stupid sparkly eyes. You want to say it’s the leftover alcohol buzzing in your veins making you feel this way, but that would be a lie too. 

Fuck it. 

You cross the already dwindling space between the two of you, sliding a hand around the back of his neck, and kissing him softly. Lando freezes for a split second, but before you know it, he’s kissing you back, guiding you closer until you’re nearly on his lap. His hands roam your back, curling into the material of your shirt, thumbing under it just a tiny bit to stroke at the warm skin there. 

It isn’t at all like the first time you kissed. He lets you set the tone, following your slow lead without question. 

You’re not sure how long you keep at it—lazy, gentle kisses punctuated with hushed giggles and tiny satisfied noises from the both of you.

Lando takes a pause every so often, pulling back just enough to look at you, take in the sight of you breathless from his doing, and every time, his mouth curls into a squinty, close mouthed smile. You can only bear the fondness in his expression for a few seconds before growing too aware of the way he looks at you and kissing him again. 

Your brain doesn’t want to stop, but apparently your body decides you’ve had enough action for a day, because at some point you feel your eyes start to droop, chin following.

As if sensing your exhaustion, Lando pulls away, chest rising and falling heavily. He’s breathless, lips kiss-swollen as they curve into a soft smile. “We should stop. You need to get some sleep.” 

“No! We should talk about this. Us.” 

“I agree, but I don’t think you’re really in the right headspace to do it right now.”

“I’m fine! I’m okay, I swear.” 

“You just nearly fell asleep whilst we were making out.”

“For a second!” You whine, letting your head thunk against his chest. A chuckle vibrates through him. “Don’t laugh at me, I’m tired.” 

“Then go to sleep. We’ll talk about it in the morning,” He insists, lips pressed to the crown of your head. You sigh through your nose. You’d argue a little more, but Lando is right again. All you want to do is go to sleep. “I’m not going anywhere, alright? I’ll be here when you wake up, we can figure it out then.” 

“Promise?” 

“I promise.”

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[bambiesfics]

Cock in a Gloryhole - Ellie x reader

𝜗𝜚 Author’s notes ✦ public sex, reader deepthroating Ellie’s cock (strap-on), Ellie cums untouched, Ellie yearns for readers lips, very hyper-sexual descriptions. Ellie’s strap is almost exclusively referred to as a cock/dick/etc, pining, missed connection. This is a filthy fic.

Ellie’s a slutty gay and very judgmental.

!!! [please help palestine] !!!

kisses u. ⋆ 𝜗𝜚 ˚⟡.

Ellie slid her converse off of the toilet handle. The brazen girl fished for her pants’ zipper. She held her cock in one hand, and fought with the zipper with the other. The cheap metal wasn’t fastening over the straps on her hips, it was catching on her harness. “Jesus fuck. Now? Seriously?”

She rolled her eyes and smoothed her bangs down. After a few beats, the bored brunette circled the stall, then slumping against the chipped navy door. Cock in hand, balls barely zipped up. She chuckled to herself, there was probably some stupid fucking metaphor for that out there somehwere. She wasn’t going to step out like that, with the veins of her dick saying “hi” over her half zipped pants? Fuck. No. It wasn’t in the cards. But the zip wasn’t budging. Ellie felt a scowl forming; The kid was pissed. She didn’t have time for this, not now. Not when there was a gorgeous service teller at the center that she’d been mentally undressing for the better part of her visit. A woman who belonged on her knees, in front of Ellie. A woman with the perfect mouth to suck dick clean. Ellie toe’d her converses on the dirty grout lines hatch marked across the tile floor. The repetition of it lulled her into a meditation as she contemplated how to escape this awkward mess she somehow tripped headfirst into. Getting into awkward shit like this was her forté, but the benefits of packing far outweighed the headaches.

The stall next to her swung open, the clacking heels were rhythmic and sharp. Feminine little steps. A woman sat down, and did her business as she hummed. Ellie scaled her eyes along the bathroom wall that separated her and the lady. The wall was grotty. Old and well worn from years of servicing and decades of business. The maintenance was abysmal on its best day, and it made for a pleasant surprise when Ellie’s eyes zero’d in on the hole carved out haphazardly. There were still pieces of drywall sticking out past the lament of duck tape all around the hole. Ellie chuckled grimily, just high enough that the woman paused her rustling once the realization that she wasn’t alone had settled. The prick-fucking developers who were responsible for this project definitely forgot to remodel this bathrooms stalls’ when they added a new male bathroom to the bottom floor of the building. The little glory hole had a glaring missing chunk of ‘wall’ from its separation of the two stalls, and it’d had that for years from the looks of it. It had a bunch of old thin splinters of amber oak and drywall sticking out. The eyesore pointed to the empty hole like a pair of flashing neon arrows pointing to a seedy Las Vegas strip club.

Ellie doubted it got used much, if at all. If any of the prissy women who sat down to release themselves understood why there was a giant fucking hole the size of a two baseballs stacked vertically in their bathroom stall. Nah, Ellie mused. They definitely just kept their gaze straight ahead if they noticed anything amiss. A prim attempt at respecting the other woman’s privacy. Except, the irony was in the fact that, the point of that hole carved in the wall, the hole yelling “FUCK ME,” was to trample all over another stranger’s privacy. To proclaim yourself a king with a heavy cock and see if they’d submit to it.

Ellie stroked her cock, squeezing the base then working her way to the tip, warming it up in her hands. She unzipped the rest of her pants, and let the balls spring free. The balls dropped a little past the zipper, it took the edge off the pressure in her leather jeans. Mmm, now this felt right.

She took a tentative step forward, debating her next step. But then she rolled her anxiety off her back. Undulating those fast twitch muscles that lined her back to stretch and warm, to relax. It wasn’t that serious. Call it “part of the plot,” call it whatever you want. But what Ellie wanted to do was going to be insanely amusing. She needed the amusement if she was gonna be stuck here until her zipper decided to cooperate. Ellie’s converses padded to the wall, it’s toe box lined up with the bottom of it. Nosing against the edge. She lined up her cock with the glory hole and slowly fed the hole inches of her cock, until she bottomed out and her balls were trapped between her hairy pelvis and the wall. She held her breath. Her palms scaled the wall. The woman on the other side gasped, Ellie could only imagine how she clutched her hand to her chest and scrambled to pull her bag up over her shoulder. Ready to run to building security and report the “creep” in the ladies bathroom stall. The creep was Elizabeth “I <3 pussy” Williams with her cock fucking a glory hole. This would make for a hilarious prank to joke about with Jessie later. Jesse would think Ellie was bustin’ his balls, making up some new lie to fuck with his head. And she’d revel in the way his face would drain of colour once he realized she wasn’t.

Ellie grasped the base of her cock and lifted it up a little bit, practically taunting “yoohoo!” With the motion. Letting her heavy shaft say “hi” to the poor woman who was facing it head-on. She grinned again, and prepared herself to tuck her dick back in her pants like a good boy and behave.

But then she heard clothes rustling, and the tug she felt on her harness made her eyes fly open. Her heart rate picked up. Blood was rushing in Ellie’s head. She didn’t actually expect a sweet lady to open up her lips and suck her off. But the eager lips on the other side, started sucking her cockhead before she could process it. The woman bubbled saliva onto Ellie’s tip to aid in the lubrication. Then the lady sucked Ellie’s fat cock in all the way to the hilt, until her nose bumped the soft skin shove Ellie’s groin. All that could be seen were puffy red lips and the tip of the girl's nose. But it made Ellie fucking sprung. Her mind was clouded with raging lust as the moans of “…fuck baby..” whimpered from Ellie’s lips. The rest of the sentence would’ve concluded with “…I didn’t expect you to actually blow me.” If Ellie could think straight.

The girl on the other side of the stall was enthusiastic to have cock in her mouth. She was sucking up and down Ellie’s full length. Using her sloppy saliva to help her lips slide up and down the length. Ellie shoved her pelvis into the wall until both of her hip bones were bruised and beat grinding against the wall. She was greedy to feel more suction. Ellie’s chubby cock had a puffy head, and a fat veiny shaft. Her cock was the color of obsidian, just like Ellie’s harness. And her wrinkly fat balls held her squishy testes. The ones she forced all girls to palm for reality’s sake. For all intents and purposes; this was Ellie’s fucking cock. And so she could feel it when the woman on the other side gagged on her dick so eagerly, it was as if she was desperate for Ellie to paint her throat in warm cum.

Ellie started moaning the more she heard the woman on the other side gag on her. She could just imagine the way her dick was creating an imprint in her throat, sliding down and bulging. Ellie was large, she’d seen her do that to a girl before. She couldn’t help but whimper at the image of a sweet girl impaling her dainty throat around Ellie’s thick piece, in a seedy business bathroom. God what a beautiful fucking piece of ass must on the other side of the stall. A girl with the lips of a killer, sloppy and greedy. Hungry to suck off a creep. Probably with a perfect vagina to match; a hole just as sloppy, just as greedy. A hole only fit for a King to thrust into. Good thing Ellie thought of herself as a King too. Ellie decided, as she watched your red lips deepthroat her length, that the very moment the girl on her knees was done digging her tongue into Ellie’s cock slit, she’d knock down the door of the stall you were in, and ram into your glossy pussy over the toilet. You would coat Ellie’s cock in the sticky saliva held inside your puffy little hole too. Two sets of lips for Ellie to abuse.

Ellie bit her fist to prevent herself from choking out a moan. God. You popped your lips off, and stroked up Ellie’s dick with your little fist. Up and down and up and down, before you put it back in your mouth to deepthroat one more time. You wanted to nose against the pale girl's skin again, feel her bush tickle the tip of your nose. Smell the soft patch of hair, the salt of her skin. The sexy art of her bush and happy trail. Ellie yelled out a hoarse “Fuck-k!” And you could tell she came. She soaked her black Klein boxers. Maybe she came from those eager motions grinding her harness against her swollen pink clit. Or maybe she came untouched, hole spasming scarily just because of how aroused Ellie was by you. You placed a gentle kiss on her cockhead with your red lips. Ellie bit down her fist, hard. She broke skin, and drew blood.

If you could’ve, you would’ve loved to have Ellie’s real cum dribbling down your tongue instead. You stood up to pull your panties flush against your plump cunt. Finished with your prior business. There was slick dripping in between all of your puffy folds, and you knew your panties would stay wet the entire rest of the day from just the way they were suctioned to your cunt alone.

You stepped out to wash your hands, heels clacking with an air of comportment. You waited for the girl whose cock you inhaled, to come out of the stall and address you. But she never came. Her back was pressed against the wall. Instead she slid down to collect herself. So you fixed your blouse, hid your cleavage, touched up your smeared lipstick after rubbing it all off on Ellie, and massaged your nipples so they wouldn’t poke so prominently through your blouse. You shimmied in your tight skirt and clacked out of the bathroom. Leaving the girl hiding in the stall, to catch her breath and will the staccato of her heartbeat away. Ellie wasn’t new to coming untouched, but coming from the visuals and motion of a stranger sucking her cock clean? That — that was a new one. She gulped and adjusted her boxers, because fucking Christ, they were heavily soaked from her own slick. With shaky hands the pale girl fished for her leather pants zipper. Pleading with the bitchy, cheap, metallic hardware over and over, until it finally pulled all the way up.

A rapid river of relief washed over Ellie, she couldn’t afford to be stuck in there anymore. Ellie stumbled out of the washroom, hoping to find you. She snapped her head back and forth, then stumbled around in circles trying to catch a flash of sloppy red lips. She thought of going to people and asking if they’d seen a lady with puffy red lips strut by. But then thought better of it. The idea sounded dumb as rocks, even to her own horned-out brain. Ellie rubbed her cock through her pants, feeling phantom sucks from memory. You were burned in her brain, forget the cute teller from earlier. You were her new Madonna, her new whore.

In your honour, she’d stroke her g-spot to a hot strap blowjob video tonight, to keep the memory of your filthy cocksucking mouth fresh.

Ellie hoped if there ever was a next time in that glory hole for her, that you’d line your little greedy hole right up in front of the glory hole in the stall, so Ellie could make you drip your cream down her cock. She’d love to pull her dick out of you, just to marvel at the beautiful rings of milk wrapped around her veiny shaft from your own sopping cunt. Ellie savored the idea of the screams she’d rip out of you, the cries and pleads you’d wail for her ears only. She’d rip you apart, and that would be the fucking cherry on top of her fucking birthday cake.

If she got the cake, she’d love to write “Ellie ‘Hung’ Williams” on the face of it just for shits.

[luvvixu]

how to tame your boyfriend

content: bf!gojo, mentioned of sex and sexual stuffs, 16+, fluff, drabble, does not contain any smut, i think gojo's like this can't blame me

wanna know how to tame your annoying (and horny) boyfriend when your flight is delayed?

that's very easy. just buy him some lego and he would go on instant mute.

"i can't believe you really bought satoru—a full 27 years old ass man—a set of legos?" your friend from the other line, shoko, wheeze and at the same time confused for your action to tame your boyfriend.

sighing hardly while massaging your temple, you answered. "i had to, sho. he won't stop bothering me to have a quickie since our flight was delayed and he was bored."

your flight overseas was delayed for three hours because of some maintenance needed to be checked in the aircraft. now, satoru thought it is a good idea to spend those three hours having a passionate fornication.

of course you immediately dislike the idea even though you are tempted too. you value your morals, ethics, and dignity. unlike your boyfriend, he has no shame and would even proudly tell some random people that you are his by some marks solely created.

"could've played with his phone but seriously, why lego?" shoko was still laughing, now that you opened your camera and showed her your boyfriend who's literally sitting on the airport floor with bricks of lego on his hands.

satoru looked so focused and unbothered, which is an extremely good thing—like he couldn't stop whispers in your ears, whining about how needy he is right now and how badly he wanted you. but now he's occupied, it is the greatest relief for you.

"first, his phone is dead and was tempt to buy a new fucking phone just because he said charging using a power bank takes a lot of time. had to smack the shit outta him and force him to get out of the apple store."

yep, the idiot forgot to charge his phone before you left for the airport. now his phone is dead, the desire to buy a new one instead of waiting for his phone to be charged in a powerbank is crazy. although, money is not a problem for the head of the gojo clan—he got figures that cost more, more, more than your annual salary.

"second, lego made him focused and entertained on building it, not for having scandalous sex with me. i feel like he's being my child than being my boyfriend at this moment." you joked, lowering your voice so your big baby wouldn't hear you.

"you said it yourself that satoru is a full package." shoko rolled her eyes, but she's not wrong tho. satoru is everything, he could easily afford things and could even make some things impossible to possible.

"touché."

shoko let out a laugh. "anyway, gotta go now. got a client in an hour so bye my boo, mwa!" sending also a virtual flying kiss to your platonic friend, you both bid a farewell to with sweet smile on your faces.

as you ended the call, you turned your attention to your boyfriend who's now almost done on his lego that he's been occupying himself for like an hour now.

you made to take some photo of him and post it on your close friends in instagram because this scene of your boyfriend is literally a wholesome and definitely iconic. satoru glanced at you when he heard you giggle at some adorable shots of your boyfriend.

"what are you laughing at?" your boyfriend glanced up to you, confused and warily.

you shook your head, holding your laughter to not raise any suspicion. "nothing babe, just focus on fishing your lego instead of other things."

satoru showed you the figure "oh but i'm finished and we still have like an hour before our flight…" he paused. your mouth hangs wide, questioning about how the hell he builds almost five hundred tiny pieces in just an hour?! truly your boyfriend was really something but this is wild.

"how did you—"

"can we have a quickie now?" satoru smiles sheepishly.

your face turns more sour at his shameless request. although you understand that satoru is a man in need, but his neediness sometimes is really out of place and it took a lot of effort just to stop him from doing so.

"no, satoru. instead, we're going to have a quickie stop at the lego shop to buy you some more entertainment."

your boyfriend pouted at your answer like a hurdled puppy. "but i'm enjoying it more when i'm inside you."

that completely took you off guard.

"... tempting but no."

©luvvixu2023

[delulustateofmind]

Bad Luck

Yan!Mahito x Reader

Description: You bring home a blue worm, what could go wrong? 

TW: Mahito (that’s literally the only one you need), Noncon/dubcon, brief lactation kink, Yandere behaviors - just obsession, threatening to disfigure people, Somnophilia, overstim, teeny-tiny piss mention (listen I would piss myself if I saw Mahito’s creations), praise (towards mahito) 

MDNI

WC: 2.3k

A/n: I literally despise Mahito, but I just feel like he would be such a good horror yandere. The dude is spooky. Fair warning, I am not the most comfortable with writing smut, especially dark stuff like this, so it could be actually terrible, but I figured I would test the waters. There may be errors, as I got to shy to read my own smut.

Today was not the day. Everything seemed to unravel at once. First, you lost your job at that trendy new café—a small but lively spot you had started to actually enjoy—all because you spilled a drink on your now ex-boyfriend. He’d walked in holding hands with your best friend, their shared laughter and kissing had…struck a nerve with you, and before you knew it, your world tilted. Your scholarship? Gone, revoked due to an anonymous tip accusing you of plagiarism in your senior project. You were lucky they didn’t expel you, but the word “lucky” felt like a cruel joke.

The streets of Tokyo buzzed around you, a dizzying blend of neon lights and the chatter of hurried crowds. The rain started, cold and sudden, soaking through your clothes and chilling you to the bone. Great. No umbrella, no clear memory of where you’d left your bike. You shuffled through the rain, each step heavier than the last. The absurd thought flitted through your mind: maybe you should have reshared that Facebook post you saw years ago, the one that said, “Share if you love Jesus or ignore for ten years of bad luck.” Perhaps ignoring it had been your downfall. You’ll make a note for next time. 

After several minutes, you found your bike, its metal frame slick with rainwater. Just as you were about to sit down, you noticed something small and peculiar resting on the seat—a grayish-blue caterpillar, fuzzy and oddly mesmerizing with what seemed like patchwork markings. You’d never seen one like that before. Your first instinct was unexpected: maybe you should bring it home. If you left it here, it might get crushed by a passerby or snatched up by a bird. Or worse—maybe it was poisonous and someone else’s day would become just as disastrous as yours.

Carefully, you opened your empty bento box and placed the little creature inside. It seemed to squirm contentedly, almost as if it understood your intention. You opted not to close the lid, fearful it might suffocate. Gently, you set the box in the small basket of your bicycle and began the short ride home. Your apartment was only a few miles away, nestled in the heart of Kabukicho, Tokyo’s vibrant and infamous entertainment district. It wasn’t ideal—the clamor of nearby bars, the Yakuza lurking in shadowed alleys, piles of trash and drunks lining the streets—but it was the only place you could afford. And on most days, it felt safe enough.

You climbed the eight flights of stairs, each step more taxing than the last, breath hitching as you struggled to catch it. Maintenance had promised to fix the elevator months ago. By the time you reached your door, you were gasping, sweat and rain mixing on your skin. You looked down at the caterpillar. Or was it a worm now? Its form seemed more elongated, less distinct. It stared back at you, almost knowingly. The hairs on the back of your neck stood up. Perhaps the rain was already starting to give you a fever. You should have brought a jacket today. 

You blinked, shaking off the thought. You were exhausted. It had been a day of too many shocks, and your mind was playing tricks on you. That had to be it. Right? 

You found an old tank from that one fish you tried keeping alive, setting the worm, caterpillar, thing—whatever it was—inside. You placed a few leaves from your plants that were barely living. Perhaps a reflection of you in a sense, starting so bright in life only to wallow in self-deprecation. You placed the cover of the tank, giving the worm thing one last look before scrounging through your fridge for something besides leftovers.

You could always move back home.

Go back to your little small rural town, tend to the rice fields just like your parents. Marry some local boy.

You tried to wipe the tears before they could fall into your sad bowl of ramen, the running snot and the wails of your cries. Was this pack of ramen always this salty or was it your tears adding to it? You weren’t sure if you cared or not.

After your good little cry session, you passed out in bed. Unaware that you had made a huge mistake bringing home that silly little caterpillar.

You awoke in the middle of the night to a heavy weight on your waist. Was your stuffed animal always this heavy? You blearily looked up, eyes adjusting to the darkness of the room. Your heart nearly stopped in your chest when your gaze was met with a cruel smile, teeth white and unsettlingly human, glistening in the dim light.

Cold terror seeped into your veins. The figure looming over you was not human. Its eyes were black voids, bottomless pits reflecting nothing but curiosity. The skin, pale and stitched together like a mangled corpse.

Was this how you die? At the hands of some nightmare made flesh? Maybe you should have reblogged that post. Maybe you should have sent that money to that Nigerian prince you thought was a spam email.

“Hello,” the voice giggled, a mockery of warmth twisted by an unnatural echo. The creature tilted its head, gray hair that was partially braided spilling to the side. Its markings, dark and jagged like stitches. You suddenly remembered the caterpillar, and your stomach roiled with dread.

“Did you bring me home to play?” it whispered, voice lilting with a sickening glee. The grin widened impossibly, the teeth remaining unsettlingly human. The creature’s eyes glistened with delight as it fed on the raw, unfiltered terror etched across your face.

“I’m so glad you did,” it cooed, fingers like talons skimming across your cheek with a touch too cold, too calculated. Suddenly, it giggled again—a sound both childlike and unsettling, as if a child were delighted by their favorite toy—and clapped its hands. ���We’re going to have so much fun! Let’s see how long you can scream,” it said, eyes sparkling with manic glee.

Suddenly, Mahito’s expression softened, taking on an eerie, almost affectionate look. He traced your jawline with a gentler touch, tilting his head with an unsettling innocence. “But you’re special,” he murmured, as if sharing a secret. “You brought me here, after all. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll keep you.”

The room spun as confusion and fear filled your mind. The monster’s gaze shifted from playful to possessive, a twisted sort of fondness darkening his features. He pressed his forehead against yours, the unnatural coldness of his skin seeping into you.

“You’re mine now,” Mahito whispered, a mockery of affection that sent chills racing down your spine. “And I protect what’s mine.”

The next few months were hell. You found out that only you could see Mahito. Something about him being a curse or something. At times, he would remind you that you were lucky that he liked you. He’d remind you by dragging you to witness his “experiments,” humans grotesquely twisted into unrecognizable forms, clawing at the damp walls of a forgotten sewer.

“This could be you,” he cooed so playfully, pressing a few light kisses to your neck as your eyes widened in horror at the sight before you. You trembled, unable to look away from the writhing, desperate figures.

“But you’re so pretty, I just… I just love you,” Mahito giggled, an almost boyish smile splitting his face as he looked at you, eyes brimming with a twisted sincerity. His arms wrapped around your waist, a possessive embrace that felt more like a shackle.

“You take such good care of me, y/n,” he whispered, the words sending shivers down your spine as the grotesque chorus of agony continued around you. The contrast between his gentle tone and the grotesque scene made your stomach churn. You knew there was no escaping him—not now, not ever

“Mahito... can we go home?” you rasped, voice trembling as his teeth grazed your neck, leaving a stinging mark in their wake. The sensation sent a shiver down your spine, but you bit back a cry.

“Go home...?” His voice took on a mocking, airy tone as he nuzzled against your skin. “I was going to join you at the university today. I need a few more shrunken experiments, you know? I was thinking about picking that one girl who sits next to you. The one who always compliments your outfits.” His hand slipped under your shirt, his touch cold and insistent as he left another bruising kiss on your collarbone.

“She should’ve known you were mine,” he giggled, the sound innocent and jarring as he toyed with your vulnerability. His hand made its way to your chest, and a shocked, playful laugh escaped his lips. “No bra? My, my, you spoil me…”

His eyes glistened with delight, a twisted mix of childlike excitement and sadistic pleasure. “Remember when you used to run away? I miss those days... I miss scaring you with my experiments. But I also love when you let me touch…”

Mahito’s lips quivered in a deranged smile, as his fingers found your nipples. Twisting and pulling until milk begins to dampen your shirt.The tips of his fingers becoming sticky with your milk. A giggle escaped his lips “I was so lucky this alteration to your body took…I was nearly worried it was going to kill you in the process….messing with brains can be hard” he whined the past few words as he continued to milk you, staining your poor blouse with each tug and pull. The only thing that filled the room was the sound of your sweet moans and the horrors that were monsters clawing the walls. You felt sick as slick began to coat your thighs, something that could be mixed with piss from the sight around you and the arousal building up from your sensitive buds being toyed with, to the point where they ached. 

You practically whimpered in his grip. Clawing at the arm that held you to his chest. 

“I love you,” he continued, his voice dripping with twisted delight, the words flowing out in a sing-song manner. “Say it back and we’ll go home…okay?” His smile, stretched wide and near-manic, sent a chill down your spine as he watched you wither under his touch.

“Hah…I…” The words caught in your throat, lodged behind the growing bile threatening to choke you. You forced them out, pushing past the terror and the nausea that gripped you as your eyes darted to his grotesque creations, their hands clawing desperately at the walls of the forgotten sewer. “I love…you…” The phrase broke into fractured sobs, each one echoing in your mind, barely masking the sound of Mahito’s gleeful laughter as he swept you up into his arms.

“That’s my girl! See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?” he chirped, the cheerfulness in his voice a sickening contrast to the horror around you. Your body tensed, but you forced yourself to relax, leaning into his chest. They were once people, weren’t they? 

As your vision blurred, exhaustion pulled you under, your mind swirling with nightmares of those poor, wretched things clawing and pleading in the darkness. 

You weren’t sure how long you were out for, your mind hazy, you felt like you had a fever as you panted. You blinked away the sleep, feeling a pool of heat between your legs and you could hear…moans? Everything felt so hot…so messy. 

“Give…give me one…more” Mahito whined with each and every breath. Has he been?…The soreness hit you first, you felt so raw. You watched at the pale creature pathetically humped the bed like a bitch in heat. “I was a good boy…right? Right? I waited…so that way you could enjoy it too…” His dead eyes looked up at you, expecting some sort of praise for his deranged actions. You hoped that you could mask the horror on your face, right before, he curled his fingers deep inside you causing you to squirm. 

“Hah…I memorized your body…while you were asleep…if I touch you here” you nearly screamed out of pleasure, your body compulsing as you saw stars, your eyes rolling back of your skull, You were just so overstimulated. “It will make you climax within seconds…so I figured I would keep hitting that spot until you wake up” He smiled as he licked your clit, circling his long tongue around the sensitive nub that caused a guttural moan to slip out of your lips. “Then this little thing causes your legs to shake…must feel good right? All red and puffy” he continued licking up and down, side to side. Spelling out his name until you were spilling out curses from your lips. His fingers kept curling around that sweet spot that was located deep inside of you. The sounds that filled the room, made your stomach tighten in knots. You shouldn’t be feeling this….good. 

You peeked down at him, the way he looked up at you like a lovesick bitch in heat. He enjoyed this a little too much you could tell. 

“Tell me, I’m a good boy, please…please” He moaned as he continued to fuck himself against your bed. “Y/n…I’m your good boy…” he whined in between licks. “I cleaned you up and everything…hah…you were just so messy…couldn’t…help myself.” 

You forced the words out in between labored breaths.

“You’re…a good….boy” After that final word, pleasure clashed into you. Your hips moved involuntarily as you squirted on his face, earning a large, cruel smile from his lips as he licked at the sweet juices in between muttering Thank you and I love you. You were thankful you passed out. Not wanting to know what else he had in store for you tonight. 

Perhaps hell would be better than this.

[hopelesslydimwitted]

some fun facts from my portal reversal au with fiddlestan

fiddleford’s first gift to stan was a keychain, complete with fuzzy dice and a bottle opener

ford keeps said gift, along with all of stan’s things, for thirty years until he returns

stan’s not a very good gift giver but fiddleford doesn’t mind. he keeps all of stan’s gifts anyway

stan’s the little spoon. always

fiddleford was taller than stan for the majority of their time together. only recently has he shrunk

stan does most of the maintenance on fiddleford’s robit arm, even tho fiddleford can do it himself

ford used to wear contacts, but stopped once stan and fidds disappeared. he didn’t like looking in the mirror while wearing them

stan has saved fiddleford’s life (in various ways) a total of 60 times

fiddleford has saved stan’s life a total of 71 times (but he’s not counting)

they used to have an alien pet. it looked like a fish but could survive in the open air. they named it gilliam (RIP frilliam)

they have friends in as many dimensions as they’re banned from. fiddleford’s southern charm works even in different realms

before the portal, fiddleford tried to teach stan how to play the banjo (he wasn’t good at it)

likewise, stan tried to teach fiddleford how to box (fiddleford already knew, but let stan teach him anyway)

after weirdmaggedon, fiddleford’s second proposal included the line, “will you let me fall in love with you all over again?”

[ikeoji-subs]

Zettai BL Ni Naru Sekai VS Zettai BL Ni Naritakunai Otoko 2024 - Episode 2 Eng Sub

VS SMELLS and VS AGE GAP RELATIONSHIPS

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translation notes:

about Fish Cake Man (7:28)

As we state in the subtitles, this guy’s monologue isn’t something we’re equipped to translate and if we did, it probably wouldn’t make much, if any, sense to English-speaking viewers. We learned from Snow’s Japanese friend that he's a comedian who is famous for doing this particular bit. After we had already finished most of the subtitles, I rewatched seasons 1 and 2 of the show and found that he was also in the other two seasons. In the first season, when Mob is explaining about how he's a side character and intends to keep it that way, he looks at a gardener on his university campus who is pulling weeds, illustrating that the world of BL needs to include some people who are unlikely to ever become main characters. That’s this dude. He appears again in season 2, when Mob is scouring the university for signs of Kikuchi after reading his goodbye letter. In every appearance, he's shown wearing the same sort of nondescript work clothes and cap and seems to work in some kind of maintenance or cleaning capacity at National BL University. –Towel

His name is Nou Misoo (脳みそ夫) which means brain tissue. I believe there's a pun here I'm missing but you can check our his sillyness on youtube, instagram or tiktok. –Snow

about “the gods decided to smite me” (10:24)

The first version of this line said that Mob “received divine punishment” for his Mob Move. That was already a great line! But I thought it had the potential to be a little more specific and evocative in an English-speaking context. At first, I was just trying to think of something a bit more specific to replace “received.” I thought of a few possibilities, including “I was smitten by divine punishment.” But since “smitten” is barely used anymore except to describe someone who's in love, it had the wrong connotation. Then I thought about how another tense of the same verb, “smite,” avoids those connotations and has a kind of King James Bible quality. But if I was going to say “smite,” I’d have to change the sentence from passive voice to active voice (which is generally best anyway) and give the sentence a subject who is doing the smiting.

I thought a unitary, capital-G God would make it sound a little too Biblical, possibly tipping it over into sounding overtly Christian. I knew that some religious traditions practiced in Japan, like Shintoism, included multiple gods. So I tried “the gods decided to smite me.” This seemed to balance out the Old Testament-ish aspect of “smite” a bit. The end result seemed more vivid than the earlier version, and it seemed like something Mob would say.–Towel 

about “select shop” (11:30)

Observant English speakers might notice that when the guy who used the same shampoo as Mob talks about where he got it, he uses a term made up of English loan words. He says he bought it at a “serekuto shoppu" (in English, a "select shop"). While both parts of the word are borrowed from English, the term you get when you put them together isn’t commonly used in the US. I ended up replacing it with “boutique,” which gets across some of the meaning. But I’ll explain in more detail here. 

It turns out that a “select shop” is a kind of smallish shop with carefully curated items that all fit a certain aesthetic. A business like this might be called a “lifestyle boutique” in America, but it’s slightly different from any business model used widely here. The big selling point of a shop like this is the fact that they’ve already vetted and coordinated these products. Their offerings are tailored for a particular niche, so that if you’re into the general idea a select shop is going for, you’re likely to be interested in a lot of what they’re selling. The items for sale will also have been hand-picked by a professional who’s able to find just the right thing in a way that a typical consumer wouldn’t be able to. 

You can imagine what kind of college student would not only shop at this sort of place but declare it proudly. Even if Mob was going to fall in L with a B, this guy would be a bad fit.–Towel

about “a listless ne’er-do-well” (19:04)

The more literal translation of this part goes “a man like this, without ambitions or vitality.” It’s a nice turn of phrase, definitely, but I thought if I could localize it a bit it might evoke more of the right feeling. I thought it would be more typical in English to express this in terms of an adjective plus a noun describing the kind of person he’d appear to be, rather than saying he was without these qualities. From “without ambition” I got “ne’er-do-well” and from “without vitality” I got “listless.”–Towel

Tag list: @absolutebl @bengiyo @c1nto @come-back-serotonin @lurkingshan @my-rose-tinted-glasses @porridgefeast @sorry-bonebag @twig-tea @wen-kexing-apologist

[skellymom]

"Sunset Over Pabu"

Hunter X OC/Reader One Shot

Word Count: 910

Background: An "Old Love" relationship. Nostalgia. Saying Goodbye. Using planet and star interchangeably. The celestial body in this fic is a Moon, similar to our planet Mars it reflects light so the appearance is a shining star.

The inspiration for this story came from @lightspringrain artwork. Including the link to her Etsy shop and image of "Hunter's Moon"

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1556715876/star-wars-the-bad-batch-omega-or-hunter?ref=yr_purchases

There are parallels to the first time Mad met Hunter in this fic. To read how they met, here is the link:

https://www.tumblr.com/skellymom/738467105361494016/vagabonds?source=share

Warning: Sadness.

(Credit: Cool moving star dividers by @4ngelic-wh1spers )

They snuggled close on that settee just as they did the first night meeting on Ord Mantell.  In between trips off world, children, weddings, funerals, holidays, and all manner of life Hunter and Mad carved out while on Pabu to watch the sunset together.  Approximately 10 standard cycles of building a bonfire on the beach and cuddling up together to watch the sky turn deep shades of crimson, purple, and eventually black.  Gazing at the stars as they cycled by with the seasons in the night sky. 

The broken settee was resurrected by Hunter’s own hands when they first settled.  He built it strong enough for two.  A solid foundation so it would never break again.  Mad helped weatherproof it to withstand the ocean salt.  Together, they performed maintenance when needed, so it would last for many years.  A continuing project and labor of love. 

In addition, a firepit was constructed to hold the burning heat kept within.  Hunter and Mad collected stones on their travels around the galaxy.  Bringing back chunks of memories to line into a continuing never-ending circle.  Occasionally family and friends would add their own additions when returning to Pabu. Wrecker kept his eye out for oddly shaped or colored rocks while fishing and would surprise them with a new addition already stacked against the ring. 

Tonight, Hunter had a bit of difficulty making his way down the stone steps to the beach.  Mad took his hand, providing support.  His long hair and beard had gotten greyer the last few months.  She joked that he was almost as silver as her.  The wrinkles and laugh-lines accumulated since being together, a happy long life for a clone prominent on his face. He smiled as she fussed about him being careful not to slip. 

“Taking good care of me.” 

“Of course, what else would I do.”  

She winked, and he chuckled. 

He told Mad tonight he’d forego their usual “Spotchka under the stars” and just do “The Stars” for tonight.  The alcohol was wearing heavily on his system, making for extremely tiring mornings after...even with him cutting back considerably. 

In the last few months, Hunter and Mad watched a vibrant moon make its transit across the heavens.  It stood out amongst the other stars.  Burning a brilliant red flicker that could be easily seen even though it was millions of light years away. The bright red star reached the zenith of its orbit and total brilliance tonight per Tech’s calculations.   

“There’s YOUR moon, Hunky!” Mad pointed up above.  

There was a number for this moon at one point. With millions of celestial bodies orbiting the galaxy, only numbers were given to keep track of them all. That wasn't good enough for Omega though. She named it “Hunter’s Moon” rotations ago before leaving on her own journey with Echo and Crosshair. 

“Shame it’s the last night we’ll see it on Pabu.” Hunter mused. 

Mad sighed. “Didn’t Tech say something about it being visible somewhere else?” 

“Think he mentioned another planet not far from this one...” Hunter trailed off. 

“Whattsamatter Hunky?” 

He looked a little guilty “Not sure I’m up to traveling much any time soon.” He also sounded tired. 

“Not in any hurry. We have a sky full of stars.” 

“Mhmm, that’s my Mad... always thinking ahead.” 

“It’s the wanderlust. Brain never shuts off.” 

“I LOVE you, Maadienne.” 

Mad smiled and squeezed his hand. “I LOVE you too, Hunky.” 

They both gazed up at Hunter’s Moon.  

“Make a wish, Mad!”  Hunter said quietly.  

They were both silent for a while.  Then Hunter gently rested his head against hers. 

She knew he wouldn’t come out and tell her his wish, that to tell it wouldn’t come true.  Mad still liked to chide Hunter and try to playfully tease it out of him.  It would end in tickling, laughter, hugs, kisses...and on less tiresome nights love making. On tiresome nights they fell asleep in each other's arms on the beach. 

“Okay Hunky, spill the beans.”  Mad hugged Hunter tighter.  He didn’t reply.   

“Hunky..?”   

Mad brushed Hunter’s long locks away from his face. She gazed down at him, marveling at how the bonfire illuminated his hair, tattoo, dark skin. The face of a sleeping angel.  A rhyme in time back on Ord Mantell all those years ago.  The younger man who decided to buy her a drink in Cyd’s Parlor.  A partner that travelled with her across the galaxy, helped care for her family, whose brothers adopted them all, and a partner that never left her side. 

She caressed his face lovingly, immersing herself in the scent of his skin, hair, and... 

...breath...? 

Hunter’s chest had stilled.  An expected, but heavy weight resting against her body, a bit heavier than his usual bodily presence. 

“Oh...Hunter...Hun...” Mad suddenly hitched and exhaled, tears running down her face. 

She knew this day would eventually come.  And as the full rotations went on, she kept wishing on a certain red star that she could have another standard day with him.  Every standard day she wished to have another. 

But wishes only carry you so far...and there are only so many wishes granted. 

And you must accept that the universe has other plans. 

To believe in having just a moment of happiness instead of none. 

Mad kissed Hunter’s forehead.  “Aw, Hunky...we were REAL good...  Weren’t we? 

The red star above Pabu twinkled in reply to Mad’s words as she hugged Hunter for the last time. 

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[readyforthegarden]

kait my beloved! i saw your prompts earlier and then forgot to send one, but allie's just reminded me, so i came here to request "peppering small kisses all over their face to wake them" with jakey pleaseeeee 🥰

we know he's a giggler as much as he tries to be serious all the time, and the thought of quiet little morning voice giggles almost just sent me to the hospital

okay i'm back with these prompts!!!! thank you for your patience pj my love!! i hope you enjoy!!

It had been a long week, and you were so ready to be home. Your mother had decided to put your childhood home up for sale, citing the lawn care and general maintenance was becoming to much for her to do alone as she got older. Instead, she had found a nice condo, where everything would be taken care of for her. You'd flown back to your home state to help her pack and clean out the house.

Your boyfriend, Jake, had wanted to go with you, however his own schedule had been full of studio time and rehearsals before he and his brothers went back on the road in a few weeks. You made do with facetiming almost every night, or talking on the phone. You were usually fine being without him for stretches of time. You had to be, knowing your work would keep you from joining him on tour a lot, and during album cycles he'd be busy. But there was something about the emotional time you were having, packing up memories from your childhood, or setting them out for a garage sale or into a donation box. It made you crave the comfort of your partner, the reassurance that even through the changes that were happening, he was going to be steadfast.

You hadn't told him you changed your flight to an earlier one. Jake was supposed to pick you up from the airport at one-thirty in the afternoon, but your mom had been settled into her condo for a few days, and there wasn't anymore reason for you to stay. You'd opted for an uber back to your home, the sun just starting to rise as you arrived. You were thankful the uber driver got out to help you get your bag out of the trunk, it being heavier with a few extras from your home.

Rolling it up to your front door, you fished your keys out of your bag and quietly unlocked it. There was a fifty/fifty chance that either Jake was still awake putzing around the house, or he was in bed, dead to the world. You had fallen asleep on the phone with him last night, listening to him talk about at restaurant Sam had taken him to, that he was exited to take you to try. But that didn't mean Jake had fallen asleep.

The house was quiet, still dim with just the early morning sun starting to creep in. You could hear the faint hum of your fan on upstairs, meaning Jake was indeed in bed. You left your suitcase and bags at the door after locking it again and kicking off your shoes, nearly tip-toeing across the foyer and making your way upstairs. Pushing open the door to your bedroom, you were hit with the cool air in there, the fan blowing on you as it swiveled. Jake was tangled up in the bedding, his dark hair splayed across the pillow. As you stepped closer, you saw his phone clutched in his hand, a sign he also fell asleep while on the phone with you, no doubt listening to your breathing on the other end of the line to fall asleep himself.

Softly, you climbed into the bed, smiling at your love and how serene he seemed while sleeping, his mouth parted slightly. Jake's round face was always something you found so sweet, so handsome. His cheeks were the perfect place to leave kisses, other than his lips. You couldn't help yourself, you'd missed him too much. Leaning forward, you pressed a soft, gentle kiss to his cheek.

One turned into to two, and then suddenly you were raining soft kisses all over Jake's face, feeling him start to wake underneath you. As his body stretched, his chest rumbled with deep giggles, turning his face so you could get the side that had been resting on the pillow.

"Well good morning honey," he chuckled as his arms encircled you, rolling over so you were on top of him. You mumbled out a good morning reply between smooches, making sure to get every square millimeter of his face. Jake continued his laughter as you kept going. "I missed you too,"

"I'm sorry," you sat up, brushing the hair out of your face as you gazed down at him and caught your breath. "I just needed to kiss you, I missed you so bad." Jake raised a hand, sliding it under your hair and around the back of your neck, gently guiding you down for a sweet, slow kiss on the lips.

"You booked an earlier flight just to come home and shower me with affection?" he asked, a playful smirk on his lips. You shrugged with a small nod.

"And what if I did?"

"I'd say that's the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me." Jake smiled sleepily. "Now, why don't you change into your pajamas, crawl back into this bed, and cuddle with me until it's a decent hour to be awake?"

"That sounds perfect." you climbed off him, and moved to your dresser, taking off your plane clothes and changing into one of Jake's old t-shirts and a pair of your sleep shorts before crawling back into bed, snuggling up into Jake's side, catching up on some much needed sleep.

[willowser]

okay this but more.

the man staying in room 6 is kind of...odd. very handsome, dresses nice, has a great charm about him—but he comes in at terrible hours of the night, a little more ruffled than he left. and there's something so surface level about him; his penchant for standard small talk and his perfectly timed quips, almost like he's recited the same lines a dozen times and practiced them even more.

gojo satoru is the name you find on the registry.

(a series of spontaneous, not-so-thought-about decisions have left you working—and staying—in the far countryside, at an inn on a hill overlooking a meandering river. it's a far drive from town, but the views are nice and the worst guest you have is a high-maintenance woman in room 2, that would never forgive you for serving tea cold.)

(you're up late fixing her a glass of warm milk, in the tiny kitchen of your tiny lodgings, when everything goes awry.)

"got enough for one more?"

you jump at the sound of his voice, hushed and raspy as it is, before spinning from the counter to face him. it's the kind of quiet night that makes the crickets sing and footsteps thunder and you're not so sure how he managed to slip into the kitchen behind you, pull out the chair at the small dining table and plop himself down without rattling the whole inn.

—but he's there regardless. gojo satoru, looking a little worse for wear; hair shiny and down, clothes dark and clinging to his skin, as if they'd been soaking wet not long ago. it hasn't rained in days.

your heart is nearly beating out of your chest, but all you can manage to say is, "you're bleeding."

the smile that brightens his face drops, sending the little droplet of blood down his cheek. there's a small gash marring his perfectly high cheekbones, vibrant and stark against his smooth, pale face.

gojo reaches up a long finger to wipe it away, and when he pulls his hand back to assess the stain on his hands, he frowns.

"yowch," he pouts, and his eyes drop to his chest, as if he's expecting there to be more. "someone has to do something about that gang of cats living outside."

when you snort, it draws his eyes back to you and something silly warms the center of your chest; his wide gaze has always made you feel a bit young, school-age and easily flustered. you're sure he can hear the stutter of your heart and the flip of your stomach.

you gain a little bit of ground when the microwave beeps behind you. "cats, huh?" you ask, though instead of pulling out the mug, you fish a dish towel from the drawer. "that why you need the milk?"

gojo takes it quietly, when you offer it. but instead of dabbing at his face, he only stares at the little flowers patterned on the material, runs his fingers over the thread. it's an old, handmade thing, knit by the wife of the owner to the inn—but it looks small in his large hands, heartfelt in contrast to his expensive suit.

something shifts, as if you've given him more than you have, and when he raises his head to look at you, his wound seems brighter, fuller and painful. his eyes are always so big on his face, but they're—too big now, round and all-seeing, like whatever it is scares him.

"gojo?" you murmur, but his head wrenches hard over his shoulder, looking out into the small lobby, and before you can question him further, he's dashing out of his seat and crushing you into the countertop.

the edge digs into your hip painfully and you cry out against his chest as he hugs you—but the sound is lost under the deafening blow that tears the inn in two.

gojo's body is further rammed into yours, but he's all encompassing; a shield against the explosion at his back; cradling you beneath the ceiling as it comes down on the both of you.

you try to scream but inhale drywall and debris, the fabric of his damp shirt with how tight he's pressed you to him. when he groans, you feel it in your teeth, the sound lost under the incessant ringing in your ears; you think you say his name, but you can't hear.

the explosion has completely shattered your bearings, and you don't realize you've been shoved to the floor until gojo is throwing pieces of the upstairs carpet off his back and hauling you to your feet. he says—something, but you can only blink the dust from your eyes, even as he shakes your shoulders and begins to drag you along the battlefield of the kitchen.

a gaping hole has been blown into the right side of the inn, the night ready and waiting as you come to stand at the precipice. gojo is still talking, shaking you by the arm until something catches his eye: he brings a hand up to your head, lightly touches at your ear before curling a fist. blood is on his fingers—but you can't even be sure if it's his or yours.

"gojo?" you feel yourself ask again, and just the movement of your jaw has a sharp pain shooting to your head. you think you're going to be sick—even moreso when that horrific look pales his face again, has him twisting around to see a ghost you can't.

again, gojo winds his arms around your body tight, before tossing you both off the ruined edge of the inn. the grass rushes up to punch the air out of your lungs as you're flung downhill, barreling straight for the river below as a second explosion blows what remains of your quiet life apart.

[animalsalvationassociation]

A.S.A. Octonauts Headcanons:

Pt. 4 — Barnacles Pt. 2: (Adulthood)

Barnacles & the Navy:

The Navy was a large part of Barnacle’s life for a very long time.

He worked hard to make sure things ran smoothly with every crew and team he worked with.

Believe it or not it was hard for Barnacles to make friends at first.

Everyone saw him as this large and pretty scary guy, but once they began to see him outside of things not related to training they actually found that he was probably the sweetest and most considerate guy you’ve ever met!

After a few years Barnacles would climb the ranks until he was the captain of his own ship. The S.S. Adelaide. A beautiful ship that rode the waters like a knife through butter, but with the gun power that put an entire fleet to shame.

This is where he met Kwazii.

Now Kwazii was only an Ensign at the time, moved over from another crew when there was an opening on the Adelaide. But when they first met it was clear Kwazii was holding himself back. Now mind you he was an excellent soldier, and thrived in his duties of keeping order within each team. But there was something off about him.

After some months of observation the captain decided to sit him down and figure out what was going on. Barnacles needed his crew to be at their best, and this was one of the only ways he knew how.

Poor Kwazii was more nervous than a fish caught on a line, but once the captain made him comfortable and showed how safe he really was, Kwazii confessed what was wrong.

Note: Y’know how Kwazii is always mentioning his “Pirate Days”? Well it turns out that his “Pirate Days” were actually references to his squadron. Appropriately named “The Pirates”.

It turns out that one of the reasons he left his last crew was because there was an . . . accident. Kwazii was slow to confess it but it was clear this was the real reason he had been so aloof.

The Pirates were known to be one of those squads that escorted and guarded scientific parties to and from their respective locations. Along the way of helping these research teams his team would run off any troublemakers (local gangs, regional military) that caused the scientists any grief. They earned their name after an endeavor where they had to actually steal an entire lab in order to save the research that in turn had already been stolen by the local government.

From then on that’s what they were known by and they made the very dangerous decision to live up to that name.

But it turns out, a month before Kwazii joined the Greatsail, his squadron had been attacked and he was one of the only remaining survivors to make it out.

It was hard to move on from what Barnacles learned. Whether it was the protective brother/papa bear living inside him, he couldn’t help but not think about it. Kwazii had lost his squad, his family. And in terms of bloodline Kwazii’s didn't exist either. It broke his heart.

Now Barnacles isn’t one to meddle in people’s personal lives, but he is one to make sure that everyone feels included.

Every chance he got he made sure to allow Kwazii the space to feel comfortable. His door was always open, and Kwazii was no exception.

Thankfully he didn’t have to wait long for Kwazii to start showing his true colors. And Barnacles wasn’t the only reason~

The Kelp Family:

Barnacles was much younger when he first met Professor Jade and her crew. In fact he was just starting out in his new roles when they were invited to the ship.

At the time, the Octonauts were still pretty young as an organization but had proved themselves greatly. Professor Jade was there to go over terms and procedures with the captain while they traveled through the ship’s route. But it wasn’t the professor that caught his attention when they arrived but the young girl she brought with her.

Barnacles was performing maintenance on the lower levels when a little girl showed up looking very interested in what he was doing. She had actually been tremendously quiet, to the point where he didn’t even know she was there until she had tugged on his sleeve nearly giving him a panic attack.

This had been the very first time he had met Emma, but it definitely wouldn’t be the last. From then on whenever Professor Jade or one of the other Octonauts showed up for reports, Emma would tag along right with them. No matter how dangerous the waters were that day, he could count on her being there.

It was quite sweet actually, and even though she was still a child they grew to be great friends. Barnacles was the first one she’d find as soon as they landed. If you asked, he’d say she was his greatest little helper. Following him like a little duck, insistent on carrying his tools or his clipboard. The crew grew fond of her too and soon enough it was all anyone could talk about whenever someone mentioned the Octonauts.

Years drew on and through little Emma (who seemed to grow before their eyes) the Octonauts found themselves a part of any crew they came into contact with, even if they were more often than not away saving the ocean.

As mentioned before, it wasn’t only Barnacles that got Kwazii to smile again. It was Emma and her family. They weren’t serious for some time, in fact Emma and Kwazii didn’t start dating until after he had joined the Octonauts. Before that, all he really needed was a friend. (Ref. Post)

Joining the Octonauts:

Professor Inkling was the one to approach Barnacles with the title of Captain. It was a few months after Samara Jade had passed and it was clear that the original crew of the Octopod weren’t going to return to action any time soon.

Inkling had done everything in his power to rally them, offering to find a new captain to lead the team. But the burden was too much. The Octonauts were still in mourning, and that’s when they came to a singular agreement. They would disband.

Barnacles had been the first Captain that came to anyone’s mind when Inkling went searching. He fit every standard: strength, agility, leadership, kindness, and best of all . . . his heart. If anyone was going to lead a new crew, it would be Barnacles.

But even if he was qualified, in all technicality, Professor Jade had been his friend. He had watched her daughter grow up and become a woman. He had worked alongside her for years. To take her title would mean . . . taking her place? Would that mean she was truly gone?

Inkling may have been the one to approach him with the offer, but it was Marin Kelp, Samara’s husband, who gave Barnacles his blessing.

The transition was hard for everyone, and it didn’t help that Barnacles had to start from the very beginning. At that point he didn’t even have a crew. What was he supposed to do without one?

Thankfully he wasn’t alone. Kelp and Inkling were more than happy to search for willing candidates who could take place on the crew. Several months went with many interviews, and after all that time finally they were able to add to fill the roles needed.

The Crew:

First they would need a mechanic, someone to fix the ship whenever it needed repair. Kelp had sources from one of Emma’s close friends, he was a ranger who worked under a man named Marsh in the Everglades. Apparently Marsh’s daughter had a gift for building massive machines that could take on high intensive tasks. Kelp hired her before she even said hello.

Then they needed an IT Officer. They found her in California attempting to become a programmer for the government. Not mentioning her feats in intensive watersports including her world class champion status in surfing.

The scientist roles were easy to fill. There was a Scottsman, a Marine Biologist–young enough for his age–who had personally studied under Professor Inkling for over a year and would take his place, allowing Inkling to retire. (Though we all know that never stopped Inkling from leaving the Octonauts)

And lastly, an ambitious young student from South America who was only a week away from graduating. A penguin with a heart of gold who would take the role as Medical Officer.

Now all they needed . . . was a Lieutenant.

Unfortunately when Barnacles left his position on the Adelaide his lower ranking officers would step up and take his place. Besides that, as grateful as they were, they had no interest in taking on such endeavors. They served the navy, that was their life. And no amount of money was going to convince them either, Kelp may or may not have already tried that.

So they kept on, but the longer they waited the harder it was to find. Barnacles’ new role was coming fast, the crew they had picked was being trained as he prepared for their first launch. But somehow the news had spread before it had even been announced, earning some very unwanted attention. To this day no one is sure how the information was leaked, only a select few were allowed full access and even then some details were limited.

In any case, Barnacles set off on his way home. His sister had just graduated and he was intent on celebrating with her and his family.

They were only a few hours from the dock when he was attacked. It was one of the scariest encounter he had ever experienced, but thankfully for him, he wasn’t alone. In fact, he had an escort . . . Kwazii. (Ref. Post)

It was because of Kwazii that Barnacles survived that day. If the captain hadn’t asked Kwazii to help him on his way home, who knows what would’ve happened?

Of course they made it out, earning a very warm welcome when they got home. But that was the day Barnacles realized that Kwazii might’ve been the Lieutenant he was searching for all along . . .

Fun Facts:

He LOVES the color blue.

He's a romantic at heart, you can't tell me he's not.

That being said . . . Rom Coms and Historical Romances all the way baby!!! He EATS that stuff up! Barnacles adores Jane Austen's work. His favorite movies are "You've Got Mail" & "Legally Blonde".

Admiral Sweaty Sock was a childhood coping mechanism. When he was little the admiral was the only one who would talk to him besides his sister.

Professor Natquik taught him the accordion but when he joined the navy he lost his ability to play. That’s why he’s so shaky at it now.

Barnacles actually loves to sing. His voice isn’t as well trained but it never stops him from enjoying a perfectly good tune.

(He gets a lot of ear worms. Hence his habit of singing, humming, or even whistling. Dashi likes to put on music in the HQ while they’re working, she totally does this on purpose because she enjoys his voice)

His favorite vessel is the Gup-C. Not only because it's a classic ;) , but at the time of the first season it was the biggest gup, and I feel like it would’ve been great for his claustrophobia.

When the crew first started out Barnacles would use the steering wheel. He eventually stopped when Tweak updated the systems to have automatic steering which Dashi of course controlled.

Barnacles doesn’t have too many hobbies, and until Above and Beyond he doesn’t really have time for them. But when Barnacles finds that he has less and less duties to fulfill he starts making his own.

I want to say that he aspires to be a crafter. I see him (even with his massive hands) taking up small collectable hobbies.

It would probably start with photo albums, then scrapbooking, and eventually adding even smaller collections to those. Little shells, pretty rocks, cool fossils. Anything he can get his hands on in every area, as long as it isn’t harming the ecosystem or any of the creatures. (Because I’m sure the hermit crabs would have a thing or two to say to him if he picked up the wrong shell.)

During Above and Beyond he definitely picks up his accordion again and maybe he starts writing his own songs (sea shanties anyone??)

Kwazii / Captain Barnacles ( 1 / 2 ) / Peso / Dashi / Tweak / Shellington / Inkling

[ This is a Octonauts AU, in no way is this canon to the OG storyline. ]

(Lol sorry this took so long. I was hoping to get this posted before work but I had to go in a few hours early. Anyways I'm gonna pop in bed now since I have the day off "tomorrow" (lol it's almost 2am for me).

Pt. 5 is coming, hopefully I can get it done today??? Who's it gonna be about?? Well our favorite Dachshund ofc!!! aNyWaYs, good night my dears! I'll see you soon! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!)

[bridgyrose]

Weiss sat down and wiped away a little sweat from her brow. “You both can go. Its still a bit too warm for me to go out right now. Just… dont be out too long, alright?” 

“We’ll be back soon,” Penny answered as she followed Ruby out the door. 

Weiss smiled a bit as the door shut, standing up and rushing to the kitchen. Knowing Ruby, she’d be out for a walk with Penny long enough for cookies to be baked, but she needed more than that. Today, she was ready to take a step she’d been too nervous to take before and she needed everything to be perfect. 

And to start, she needed to make sure dinner was ready by the time the two came back. Or at least ready enough for Ruby to sit down and focus on something other than her next mission or weapon maintenance. And to start: a meal she could look forward to. 

Weiss scrambled around the kitchen to look for Ruby’s cookbook, nearly causing a few glasses to fall out of the cupboard. Once she found it, she flipped to the page for the strawberry cookies that Ruby liked and searched for all the ingredients she needed. And while she wasnt too familiar with baking, she at least knew enough from watching Ruby that it was a science and that as long as she followed the instructions, she would be fine. 

She set the oven to preheat and mixed the ingredients into two bowls, separating the dry and wet ingredients as instructed. Once she was sure she hadnt been missing anything, she mixed the two together and waited for the oven to finish preheating. 

Weiss once again found herself flipping through cookbook pages, looking for anything that resembled a main course. Cookies, tarts, brownies… enough sweet recipes to fill a bakery lined each page as she continued to look through. Finally, she came across a page that was torn and crusted with some old batter along the edges. 

A smile crossed her lips as she spoke to herself. “Fried fish? I think I can handle this.” 

She started by getting a pot on the stove, filling it with a cup of oil and let it heat up to 425 degrees. Then, she looked through the fridge for the salmon that Ruby had come back with a few days previous, relaxing when she found it still wrapped up in newspaper from the market.

Weiss then placed it on the counter and paused when she read the next step. Filet fish. She quickly pulled out her scroll, not quite sure what the recipe wanted her to do. After watching several videos, she found a knife that looked like the fish knife the videos used. She placed a hand on the fish and slowly and carefully cut through it to try to mimic how the videos showed her how to filet a fish. Though, it didnt take long for her to lose control of the knife and cut the fish unevenly. She sighed and tried to salvage as much as she could, putting chunks of fish onto a cutting board and doing her best to make them as even as possible. 

Next came the batter. She added a couple cups of flour, a teaspoon of sugar, and a pinch of salt into a bowl and mixed. Next was to add twelve ounces of beer. It took her a little longer than she cared to admit with finding the beer, almost mistaking it for soda. 

Once the beer was mixed in, she took chunks of the fish and added them into the batter, making sure every piece was well covered before tossing it into the hot oil. The oven went off and she nearly dropped a piece of battered fish on the ground, not expecting the chime to be so loud. Still, she finished putting the fish into the hot oil and started to get the cookies into the oven. 

As everything started to cook, Weiss flipped through the cookbook again, slowing down as she passed through a few of the recipes. It was almost like she was catching a better glimpse into the woman she loved, who Ruby was outside of huntressing. A blush crossed her cheeks at the thought of calling Ruby someone she loved. Still, this was the step that she wanted to take. And she knew that Penny felt the same about Ruby and wanted her in their relationship just as much. 

She smiled as she started to smell the fish, turning them in the oil with a pair of chopsticks to make sure the fish cooked evenly. Then, she started some rice and vegetables to have along with the fish, wanting to make sure she had a full meal ready. 

“We’re back,” Ruby called out as she walked back into the apartment. “And the fish smells good.” 

“I hope it tastes as good as it looks,” Weiss said as she finished getting the rice cooking. “Would you like to help? Its my first time doing any of this and I’m still not quite sure what I’m doing.” 

Penny smiled and pushed Ruby forward a bit. “Go on, maybe it will give you something to talk about.” 

“S-sure,” Ruby said with a blush as she made her way to the kitchen. “What would you like me to do?” 

“Could you keep an eye on the fish?” Weiss relaxed a bit as she checked on the cookies by opening the oven door, only to stop when she felt Ruby’s hand on hers. “I’m just checking on them.” 

“Its better to check while the door’s closed. There’s a light you can turn on to see into the oven.” 

Weiss blushed a bit as she felt Ruby press up against her to turn on the oven light. “You know, I could get used to this.” 

“Used to this?” Ruby asked. 

“You helping me cook and… being here with me.” Weiss took Ruby’s hand for a moment and smiled at her. “You’ve been close to Penny and I for a while now and… we’d like for you to be with us.” 

“If you are willing to,” Penny chimed in.

Ruby slowly nodded. “I’d… I’d like it.” 

Weiss blushed and gently leaned against Ruby. “Then maybe we can make this our first dinner date.” 

“As long as you dont let me burn the food,” Ruby said as she started to spoon the fish out of the oil. “The fish are done.” 

“Right.” Weiss turned the oven light off and started to focus on the rice and veggies, taking a few glances at Ruby. “But with you here, I’m sure everything will be perfect.”

Prev

[katblu42]

Dinosaur Bandaids

I am totally blaming thanking @womble1 for inspiring this one, with one little line from her Sweetapple Slice 8 fic.

Also many thanks to @gumnut-logic for the read-through and help with the piece that was missing.

CW for mentions of blood/bleeding (nothing gory)

Virgil fumbled the opening of the box, contents spilling to the floor as he attempted to grab what he needed with just one hand.  He cursed himself for his clumsiness.  Again.  It was clumsiness born of distraction that had necessitated the raiding of the little first aid kit to begin with.

Just a simple slip of the screwdriver and his left hand now had a nice bloody gouge in it.  Not deep, and not longer than a few millimetres, but bleeding profusely, and a little painful.  He had immediately wrapped a somewhat clean rag around his hand to staunch the bleeding while he fetched a bandaid to put over the wound.  Next stop would be the sink to clean the area before applying the sticky plaster.  If he was quick no one else would be any the wiser about his little mishap.

Of course, his hopes on that front were dashed as he bent to pick up the mess.

“Hey Virg!  Watch doin’?”  Gordon asked with mock innocence.

Virgil simply huffed in reply as Gordon scooped up the handful of little paper packets.

“Dinosaur bandaids, huh?”  A raised eyebrow to rival one of Virgil’s own was deployed, along with a knowing grin.  “Here, let me help.”

Plain beige sticking plasters were a rarity on Tracy Island.

The older residents of the villa would say it was because the Terrible Two had always demanded bright colours and fun designs on their wound dressings when they were little, and no one had ever bothered to change the habit during re-stocking purchases.

The Two in question would complain and say it was because said older residents had never admitted that the little ones were now adults.

There were some practical reasons too.  A brightly coloured sticky plaster that had fallen off while performing tasks like food preparation or some types of maintenance would be more easily visible than plain beige.

If Virgil was honest with himself he’d say the real reason was because they all sometimes needed the little mood lift the bright designs provided.  It was part of the magic ability bandaids had to make small injuries better.

Virgil allowed Gordon to take his hand and begin the process of cleaning and dressing the injury.  Once done, Gordon gently smoothed the sticky plaster’s edges down one last time before looking up and locking eyes with his big brother.

“There you go.  All better.  The dinosaurs will take care of that little scratch.”

Virgil matched his little brother’s smile and thanked him with a hug before returning the box of bandaids to their rightful place.

Long gone were the days when Gordon or Alan would come running to a big brother because of some perceived injury that was completely invisible.  The application of a blue bandaid covered in brightly coloured fish, or a black one with little red rockets, and a kiss to make it better was all it took to have a little brother smiling and running off to do more mischief.

Mom had done the same for the older boys when they had needed their bumps and scrapes tended.  And Dad and Grandma had done their share of both patching up, and sticky plaster purchasing.  There had never been boring beige ones as far back as Virgil could remember.  And there had often been a variety of sizes and shapes in the medicine cabinet.

The habit had stuck so fast (not unlike the plasters themselves) that it had even affected the restocking of the Thunderbirds. Plain bandaids in a variety of sizes and skin tones were carried in every kit and medbay, but there were almost equal numbers of the patterned ones in the larger first aid kits.

Offering an injured child a choice of dinosaurs or aeroplanes was sometimes just the right kind of distraction from the fear and confusion of whatever event they had just been through.  Virgil had even patched up a few beloved dolls and plushies with their own teddy bear plaster.

But, the novelty bandaids worked equally well on adults. 

There had been so many occasions when Virgil had treated a rescuee with only minor cuts and scrapes, but with the tell-tale tremble and haunted expression that prompted him to offer the choice of plain or patterned.  Without fail the glassy eyes would focus on the various designs, the tension in their bodies would ease and the bandaid magic would begin to take effect as they made their choice.

After all, when you’ve been through an event traumatic enough to require a Thunderbird to the rescue, doesn’t everyone deserve their very own superhero or fairy princess plaster to patch their wounds and lift their mood.

[genshin-impact-updates]

"To the Stars Shining in the Depths" Version 4.1 Update Details

Dear Travelers,

Below are the details of the Version 4.1 update "To the Stars Shining in the Depths" and the update compensation.

〓Compensation Details〓

Maintenance Compensation: Primogems ×300 (60 Primogems per hour the servers are down)

Issue Fix Compensation: Primogems ×300 (please refer to the relevant compensation mail for more details)

〓Scope of Compensation〓

Maintenance Compensation: Travelers who have reached Adventure Rank 5 or above by 2023/09/27 06:00 (UTC+8).

Compensation must be claimed before the end of Version 4.1.

Issue Fix Compensation: Travelers who reach Adventure Rank 5 or above by 2023/09/27 06:00 (UTC+8).

Please log in and claim your compensation before 2023/09/30 06:00 (UTC+8).

Our developers will distribute compensation to Travelers via in-game mail within 5 hours after the update maintenance is finished. The mail will expire after 30 days, so don't forget to claim the attached compensation in time.

〓Update Schedule〓

Update maintenance begins 2023/09/27 06:00 (UTC+8) and is estimated to take 5 hours.

〓How to Update Game Client〓

PC: Close the game, open the Genshin Impact Launcher, and click Update.

iOS: Open the App Store and tap Update.

Android: Open the game and follow the directions on-screen.

PS5™ and PS4™: Highlight Genshin Impact from the Home Screen, press the OPTIONS button and select "Check for Update."

Please do not hesitate to contact Customer Service if you encounter any issues installing the new version. We will do our very best to resolve the issue.

〓Update Details〓

I. New Areas

New Areas in Fontaine Now Available

◇ In Version 4.1, the following areas in Fontaine will become available: Liffey Region and Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy Engineering Region.

※ After the Version 4.1 update, as long as Travelers have completed Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom," a Teleport Waypoint will be automatically unlocked in the north of the Court of Fontaine Region (If you have already completed this Archon Quest, the Teleport Waypoint will be unlocked after the update). You'll also receive the Primogem reward for this Teleport Waypoint when it unlocks automatically. If you've already unlocked this Waypoint, no new Waypoints will be unlocked.

New Daily Commissions will be added in Fontaine.

◇ New Daily Commissions Unlock Criteria:

Complete World Quest "Fontaine Research Institute Chronicles"

In addition, there will be new Fishing Points and "Radiant Spincrystals" in Fontaine.

II. New Characters

"Ordainer of Inexorable Judgment" Neuvillette (Hydro) (5-Star)

◇ ???: Hydro

◇ Weapon: Catalyst

◇ The Chief Justice of Fontaine, known as the Iudex, is renowned for his unassailable impartiality.

◆ Neuvillette's Charged Attacks can be charged up. While charging, he can move and change facing, and also absorb any Sourcewater Droplets in a certain AoE. Every Droplet he absorbs will increase the charging speed and will heal Neuvillette. When the charging is complete, then a Charged Attack: Equitable Judgment will be unleashed, dealing continuous AoE Hydro DMG to all opponents in a straight-line area in front of him. If Neuvillette's HP is above 50%, he will continuously lose HP while using this attack.

◆ Elemental Skill "O Tears, I Shall Repay"

◆ Summons a Raging Waterfall that will deal AoE Hydro DMG to opponents. After hitting an opponent, this skill will generate a certain number of Sourcewater Droplets.

◆ Elemental Burst "O Tides, I Have Returned"

◆ Unleashes waves that will deal AoE Hydro DMG to opponents and will generate a certain number of Sourcewater Droplets.

"Emissary of Solitary Iniquity" Wriothesley (Cryo) (5-Star)

◇ Vision: Cryo

◇ Weapon: Catalyst

◇ Duke of the Fortress of Meropide, Lord Incognito of the murky depths.

◆ Elemental Skill "Icefang Rush"

◆ Allows Wriothesley to enter the Chilling Penalty state. This state increases Wriothesley's interruption resistance. When his HP is above 50% and his Normal Attack hits opponents, it will consume Wriothesley's HP to enhance this attack and increase its DMG.

◆ Elemental Burst "Darkgold Wolfbite"

◆ Activating his boxing gloves, Wriothesley uses Icicle Impact to cause multiple instances of AoE Cryo DMG in a frontal area.

III. New Equipment

New Weapons (Examples based on Refinement Rank 1)

Tome of the Eternal Flow (5-Star Catalyst)

HP is increased by 16%. When current HP increases or decreases, Charged Attack DMG will be increased by 14% for 4s. Max 3 stacks. This effect can be triggered once every 0.3s. When the character has 3 stacks or a third stack's duration refreshes, 8 Energy will be restored. This Energy restoration effect can be triggered once every 12s.

◆ During the event wish "Epitome Invocation," the event-exclusive 5-star weapon Tome of the Eternal Flow (Catalyst) will receive a huge drop-rate boost!

Cashflow Supervision (5-Star Catalyst)

ATK is increased by 16%. When current HP increases or decreases, Normal Attack DMG will be increased by 16% and Charged Attack DMG will be increased by 14% for 4s. Max 3 stacks. This effect can be triggered once every 0.3s. When the wielder has 3 stacks, ATK SPD will be increased by 8%.

◆ During the event wish "Epitome Invocation," the event-exclusive 5-star weapon Cashflow Supervision (Catalyst) will receive a huge drop-rate boost!

The Dockhand's Assistant (4-Star Sword)

· When the wielder is healed or heals others, they will gain a Stoic's Symbol that lasts 30s, up to a maximum of 3 Symbols. When using their Elemental Skill or Burst, all Symbols will be consumed and the Roused effect will be granted for 10s. For each Symbol consumed, gain 40 Elemental Mastery, and 2s after the effect occurs, 2 Energy per Symbol consumed will be restored for said character. The Roused effect can be triggered once every 15s, and Symbols can be gained even when the character is not on the field.

◆ During the event wish "Epitome Invocation," the event-exclusive 4-star weapon The Dockhand's Assistant (Sword) will receive a huge drop-rate boost!

Portable Power Saw (4-Star Claymore)

· When the wielder is healed or heals others, they will gain a Stoic's Symbol that lasts 30s, up to a maximum of 3 Symbols. When using their Elemental Skill or Burst, all Symbols will be consumed and the Roused effect will be granted for 10s. For each Symbol consumed, gain 40 Elemental Mastery, and 2s after the effect occurs, 2 Energy per Symbol consumed will be restored for said character. The Roused effect can be triggered once every 15s, and Symbols can be gained even when the character is not on the field.

◆ During the event wish "Epitome Invocation," the event-exclusive 4-star weapon Portable Power Saw (Claymore) will receive a huge drop-rate boost!

Prospector's Drill (4-Star Polearm)

When the wielder is healed or heals others, they will gain a Unity's Symbol that lasts 30s, up to a maximum of 3 Symbols. When using their Elemental Skill or Burst, all Symbols will be consumed and the Struggle effect will be granted for 10s. For each Symbol consumed, gain 3% ATK and 7% All Elemental DMG Bonus. The Struggle effect can be triggered once every 15s, and Symbols can be gained even when the character is not on the field.

◆ During the event wish "Epitome Invocation," the event-exclusive 4-star weapon Prospector's Drill (Polearm) will receive a huge drop-rate boost!

Range Gauge (4-Star Bow)

When the wielder is healed or heals others, they will gain a Unity's Symbol that lasts 30s, up to a maximum of 3 Symbols. When using their Elemental Skill or Burst, all Symbols will be consumed and the Struggle effect will be granted for 10s. For each Symbol consumed, gain 3% ATK and 7% All Elemental DMG Bonus. The Struggle effect can be triggered once every 15s, and Symbols can be gained even when the character is not on the field.

◆ During the event wish "Epitome Invocation," the event-exclusive 4-star weapon Range Gauge (Bow) will receive a huge drop-rate boost!

Ballad of the Boundless Blue (4-Star Catalyst)

Within 6s after Normal or Charged Attacks hit an opponent, Normal Attack DMG will be increased by 8% and Charged Attack DMG will be increased by 6%. Max 3 stacks. This effect can be triggered once every 0.3s.

◆ Ballad of the Boundless Blue (Catalyst) and its refinement materials can be redeemed in the "Waterborne Poetry" event.

IV. New Main Story

1. New Archon Quests

Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act III "To the Stars Shining in the Depths"

◆ Quest Unlock Criteria:

• Reach Adventure Rank 40 or above

• Complete Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act II "As Light Rain Falls Without Reason"

Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act IV "Cataclysm's Quickening"

◆ Quest Unlock Criteria:

• Reach Adventure Rank 40 or above

• Complete Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act III "To the Stars Shining in the Depths"

◇ After the Version 4.1 update, Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act III "To the Stars Shining in the Depths" and Chapter IV: Act IV "Cataclysm's Quickening" will be permanently available.

2. New Story Quests

Neuvillette's Story Quest - Diluvies Chapter: Act I "The Remains of the Past Day"

Permanently available after the Version 4.1 update

◆ Quest Unlock Criteria:

• Reach Adventure Rank 40 or above

• Complete Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act IV "Cataclysm's Quickening"

Wriothesley's Story Quest - Cerberus Chapter: Act I "Reborn in the Land of Grievances"

Permanently available after 2023/10/17 18:00

◆ Quest Unlock Criteria:

• Reach Adventure Rank 40 or above

• Complete Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act IV "Cataclysm's Quickening"

3. New World Quests

New World Quests

◆ New World Quests: "Unfinished Comedy" Quest Chain, "Fontaine Research Institute Chronicles" Quest Chain, "Villains," "Both Brains and Brawn," "Treacherous Light of the Depths," "Road to the Singularity," "Our Purpose Is in Another Canal," "In Search of Lost Time," "A Letter," etc.

V. New System

New Daily Commissions System: Adventure Encounters

You can complete various encounters in your adventures to obtain Encounter Points, which can be used to collect commission rewards in place of completing Daily Commissions. You can obtain 4 commission rewards in this manner each day. Once you have obtained these 4 rewards by any means, completed your Daily Commissions or your Encounter items, you will not be able to obtain more rewards. At this time, you may go to Katheryne at the Adventurers' Guild to obtain additional Daily Commission rewards.

Your Encounter items will not affect your Daily Commissions. You can still do those Daily Commissions after you have reached the limit of obtainable rewards and advance those quests.

Encounter Points are only valid on the day they are obtained. Whenever the Daily Commissions refresh, so too will your Encounter Points reset.

◇ Methods of Obtaining Encounter Points:

1. Complete Quests: this includes Archon Quests, Story Quests, World Quests or Invitation Quests. The Encounter Points you will gain will depend on the length and type of said Quest.

2. Collection: Collect lost Oculi, Crimson Agates, Lumenspar, and Plumes of Purifying Light to obtain Encounter Points.

3. Chests: Open chests during exploration to obtain Encounter Points.

4. Events: Take part in events and complete event objectives and obtain rewards to obtain corresponding Encounter Points.

◇ Unlock Criteria (satisfy any one of the criteria below to unlock):

• Reach Adventure Rank 35 or above

• Complete Archon Quest Chapter II: Act III "Omnipresence Over Mortals"

VI. New Enemies

Millennial Pearl Seahorse

◇ A lonesome lord of seahorses that has gained the form of a fantastical beast and has surpassed almost all other Fontemer Aberrants.

The Xenomare Pearl beneath its head is a crystallization of Electro that will allow it to use more powerful elemental attacks and possess stronger defensive abilities. Other than using Elemental Reactions to destroy the Xenomare Pearl, you can also destroy the Resonant Coral Orbs it creates while guiding Fontemer Hoarthunder to deal effective DMG to said Pearl.

Located in the Liffey Region

Experimental Field Generator

◇ A large and out-of-control Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy Engineering device.

During combat, it will channel ousia energy to unleash a Gravity Reduction Field. Characters within this field can jump significantly higher. When the device is in this state, its Gravity Reduction Field will shut down if its core is annihilated by Pneuma attacks.

Located in the Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy Engineering Region

Frost Operatives and Wind Operatives

◇ Elite agents among the Fatui.

In combat, they will use the Hunt Down skill to attach a Life Bond to characters they hit. While Life Bond is active, the character will take continuous DMG, and Hunt Down will deal more DMG to them.

Deepwater Assault Mek

◇ Machines created from the union between Fontaine's intricate device and special energy technologies.

Based on whether it's imbued with ousia or pneuma energy, the machine will operate differently in battle. When either energy is annihilated upon being attacked by its opposite, an Overloaded state will be induced, causing the machine to lose energy and its combat capabilities.

VII. Other Update Details

New Recipes:

○ Hotel Debord, Fontaine: Boudin Noir aux Pommes, Tripes du Port, Consomme, Tomates Narbonnaises, and Cassoulet

○ Café Lucerne, Fontaine: Crepes Suzette

○ Wolsey (NPC): Trout Amandine, Barbeque Ribs, Coffee Bavarois, and Haggis

New Character Specialty Dishes:

○ Wriothesley's specialty: Secret Sauce BBQ Ribs

○ Neuvillette's specialty: "Consomme Purete"

New Achievement categories such as "Challenger: Series VIII," "Fontaine: Dance of the Dew-White Springs (II)," and new Achievements added to the "Wonders of the World" category.

Adds some prompts for loading screens.

New Namecards:

"Neuvillette: Surge": Reward for reaching Friendship Lv. 10 with Neuvillette

"Wriothesley: Detention": Reward for reaching Friendship Lv. 10 with Wriothesley

"Travel Notes: Falling Star": Reward obtained via the BP system

"Achievement: Perpetual": Reward for completing all achievements under "Challenger: Series VIII"

"Fontaine: Redemption": Reward for completing all achievements under "Fontaine: Dance of the Dew-White Springs (II)"

New Wildlife: Subdetection Unit

Adds Set 26 of "Paimon's Paintings" chat emojis.

Adds the "Mute When Minimized" function to the PC platform, which can be enabled in Settings > Audio. When enabled, the game will be muted when the window is minimized. Audio will be restored when you reopen the game.

Fountain of Lucine: Increase in the Level Cap of Fountain of Lucine to Level 30.

"Genius Invokation TCG" Gameplay Update:

New Character Cards: Dehya, Wanderer, and Yaoyao, and their corresponding Talent cards.

New invitation duels and guest challenges added to the Player List.

New Action Cards: Moonpiercer, Crown of Watatsumi, Yayoi Nanatsuki, Gandharva Ville, Fresh Wind of Freedom, and Pankration!

The weekly Guest Challenge gameplay will be upgraded into the Sennight Gauntlet system:

1. The Sennight Gauntlet system will unlock at Player Level 2.

2. The rewards in the original "Guest Challenge" system will be issued in the "Sennight Gauntlet" system.

3. Win Guest Challenges, matchmade Co-Op duels, or Arena of Champions matches to earn Sennight Gauntlet rewards, including Player EXP and Lucky Coins. Rewards will further increase as your Player Level increases.

4. Player EXP and Lucky Coins earned from the Sennight Gauntlet are subject to the weekly limit, and the total rewards obtained through different game modes cannot exceed the limit.

5. The Sennight Gauntlet Rewards will refresh each Monday, and the weekly rewards for the Sennight Gauntlet will be determined based on your Player Level at that time:

Player Level 1-4: Up to 2,400 Lucky Coins and 800 Player EXP

Player Level 5-6: Up to 3,600 Lucky Coins and 800 Player EXP

Player Level 7-9: Up to 4,800 Lucky Coins and 800 Player EXP

Player Level 10: Up to 6,000 Lucky Coins.

The Forge Realm's Temper is once again available. The theme of this edition is "The Forge Realm's Temper: Clever Strategems":

1. During The Forge Realm's Temper: Clever Strategems, you can select the parameters for each stage. Parameters that may be set include: stage difficulty, enemy health, and the round limit for the match.

2. After you complete the stage battle, you will gain a score and the corresponding rewards based on the highest score you got in the stage.

Spiral Abyss

Floor 11 Ley Line Disorder changed to:

• All party members receive a 60% Cryo DMG Bonus.

• All party members receive a 60% Hydro DMG Bonus.

Updated the monster lineup on Floors 11 – 12 of the Spiral Abyss.

Starting from the first time that the Lunar Phase refreshes after updating to Version 4.1, the three Lunar Phases will be as follows:

Phase I:

Cleaving Moon

When the character's HP increases or decreases, their Normal Attack and Charged Attack DMG will be increased by 16% for 6s. This effect can be triggered once every 0.5s. Max 3 stacks.

Phase II:

Converging Moon

After the character's Charged Attack hits an opponent, the character will receive a 20% Elemental or Physical DMG Bonus, corresponding to the Elemental or Physical DMG type of the Charged Attack, for 5s. This effect can be triggered once every 0.5s. Max 3 stacks. Charged Attack DMG bonuses from different Elemental types or Physical DMG are counted independently.

Phase III:

Coalescing Moon

After the active character's Normal or Charged Attack hits an opponent, that character's Normal and Charged Attack CRIT Rate is increased by 6% for 5s. This effect can be triggered once every 0.1s. Max 5 stacks. Each stack's duration is counted independently. This effect will be cleared if the character leaves the field.

〓Adjustments & Optimizations〓

● Enemies

Reduces the DMG done by Annihilation Specialist Meks when hitting a character multiple times in a row with Ousia: Ceaseless Blade attacks.

Optimizes the patrol routes of certain enemies nearby the Domain of Blessing: Molten Iron Fortress in order to prevent an issue where characters would enter combat straight away after teleporting.

Optimizes the camera performance when the Aeonblight Drake descends from mid-air and lands on the ground.

● System

Optimizes certain creation screens.

a. After crafting, forging, cooking, or creating furnishings, the selected formula will no longer be moved to the last line in the list.

b. When crafting, forging, cooking, or creating furnishings, the currently selected character will appear at the top of the list.

c. After creating furnishings, schematics for which you've run out of materials will not be refreshed immediately. The list will only be updated after you switch to another screen.

Optimizes the Adventure Rank Ascension experience:

a. Enhances the Adventure Rank Ascension prompt in the Paimon Menu. Travelers can open the "Adventure EXP and Adventure Rank" screen and redirect to the corresponding quest by tapping the prompt.

b. Adds a prompt for the Adventure Rank Ascension Quest in "Adventurer Handbook: Guide."

c. Adjusts the lineup of opponents in the Adventure Rank Ascension Domain, and shortens the overall length of the Domain.

Reduces the Adventure Rank required to unlock "Adventurer Handbook: Embattle" from 20 to 16.

Adds enhancement quests for Prototype Rancour and Favonius Warbow in "Adventurer Handbook: Embattle."

Optimizes the "Change Avatar" screen: Avatars for the characters and character outfits you've obtained will now be displayed separately in the avatar list. Travelers can choose which one they want to use (you'll need to obtain both the outfit and the corresponding character in order to unlock outfit avatars). Account avatars will no longer change automatically when Travelers switch their characters' outfits.

Optimizes the navigation location for Hilichurl Shooters in Adventurer Handbook: Enemies.

Increases the amount of certain Character and Weapon Enhancement Materials that can be exchanged each month in Stardust Exchange within the Paimon's Bargains section of the Shop.

● Audio

Due to unforeseen circumstances, in Korean, the voice of Lisa in content related to Version 4.1 will be temporarily provided by Shin Na-ri.

Changes certain words in the Japanese voice-overs for the Traveler on the Character Screen.

Optimizes the sound effect heard when the character is climbing certain materials.

Adds sound effects for certain areas and NPC dialogues in the Court of Fontaine.

● Other

Optimizes certain anti-cheat mechanisms.

Adjusts the anti-piracy watermarks on terrain vegetation in earlier versions.

When speaking to the NPC Yayoi Nanatsuki, you can now start using the Crafting Bench right away by asking "May I use the Crafting Bench here?"

〓Genius Invokation TCG Balance Adjustment〓

Adjusts the skills of the Character Card "Tartaglia": His Elemental Skill now also applies Riptide to the target character, and the Duration of the Riptide effect is now unlimited. Hydro DMG caused by Flash of Havoc has been adjusted to 5.

Adjusts the Elemental Dice cost and effect of the Talent Card "Abyssal Mayhem: Hydrospout" of the Character Card "Tartaglia": The Elemental Dice cost has been adjusted to 3 Hydro Dice. In the End Phase, 1 Piercing DMG will now be dealt to active characters affected by Riptide.

Adjusts the Elemental Dice cost and Skill DMG of the Character Card "Kamisato Ayato": The available Usages of the Takimeguri Kanka state applied by his Elemental Skill has been adjusted to 3. The Energy Cost required by his Elemental Burst has been adjusted to 2, and the Hydro DMG caused has been adjusted to 1.

Adjusts the effect of Cryo Cicins summoned by the Character Card "Cryo Cicin Mage": After the Cryo Cicin Mage takes Elemental Reaction DMG, this card loses 1 Usage.

Adjusts the Elemental Dice cost for the Talent Card "Shaken, Not Purred" of the Character Card "Diona": The Elemental Dice cost has been adjusted to 3 Cryo Dice.

Adjusts the Elemental Burst DMG of the Character Card "Xingqiu": Hydro DMG caused has been adjusted to 2.

Adjusts the Elemental Dice cost for the Support Card "NRE": The Elemental Dice cost has been adjusted to 1.

Adjusts the Elemental Dice cost for the Event Card "Teyvat Fried Egg": The Elemental Dice cost has been adjusted to 2 Dice of the same element.

An additional effect has been added for the Support Card "Dunyarzad": The first time the effect is triggered, draw 1 random Companion Support Card from your deck.

An additional effect has been added for the Support Card "Chef Mao": The first time the effect is triggered, draw 1 random Food Event Card from your deck.

An additional effect has been added for the Event Cards "Master of Weaponry" and "Blessing of the Divine Relic's Installation": After changing Weapons or Artifacts, the number of times that the effect of the corresponding Weapon or Artifact can be triggered per turn will be reset.

Adjusts the effect of the Equipment Card "Emblem of Severed Fate": This card's effect can now only be triggered once per turn.

Adjusts the effect of the Event Card "Wind and Freedom" to the following: During this turn, after one of your characters uses a Skill: Switch your next character in to be the active character.

Adds the new Arcane Legend card "Fresh Wind of Freedom," with the following effect: In this Round, when an opposing character is defeated during your Action, you can continue to act again when that Action ends.

〓Version Update Known Issue〓

In Version 4.1, there is currently an issue whereby there is a chance that characters will lose any abilities previously obtained from Xenochromatic Fontemer Aberrants after teleporting to an underwater Teleport Waypoint. This issue is scheduled to be fixed in Version 4.2.

〓Bug Fixes〓

● Quests

Fixes an issue in the Archon Quest "Soloist's Prologue" whereby the NPC Cowell would appear wrongly in a certain scene.

Fixes certain images that were displaying incorrectly in Noelle's Hangout Memory "A Conundrum Called Love."

Fixes an issue on iOS devices whereby certain audience NPC models were displaying abnormally in the Archon Quest "When All Return to the Waters."

● Enemies

Fixes an issue whereby there was a small chance that Armored Crabs and other enemies would turn back abnormally while pursuing the character in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby there was a small chance that the Cryo Hypostasis would be unable to enter its regenerative state.

Fixes an issue that would occur in Co-Op Mode whereby the Electro Hypostasis's Lightning Burst skill would be abnormal in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby characters could not attack the Electro Hypostasis in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby Annihilation Specialist Meks could still inflict DMG on characters with the Ousia: Slashing Pirouette attack even after being frozen or petrified.

Fixes an issue whereby during the "Dirge of Coppelia" challenge, the AoE of some of Coppelius' attacks was inconsistent with the attacks' actual special effects.

Fixes an issue which would occur in certain situations where enemies would be affected by both Hydro and Pyro at the same time, but wouldn't undergo an Elemental Reaction.

Fixes an issue whereby certain attacks of the Aeonblight Drake, Ruin Drake: Skywatch, and Suppression Specialist Mek would go through walls abnormally on Android and PS5 during Version 4.0.

Fixes an issue whereby there was a chance that Anemo Hilichurl Rogues would stay suspended in mid-air for extended periods of time after being knocked away in certain situations.

Fixes an issue which would occur when challenging the Local Legend: Hunter's Rays where, after defeating one of the Hunter's Rays, the other one couldn't be defeated in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby the movements of some clockwork meka would be abnormal after they were defeated in certain situations.

● Characters

Fixes an issue whereby the special effect would appear abnormally high up when holding Lynette's Elemental Skill to enter a high-speed state on the surface of water.

Fixes an issue whereby Freminet's diving helmet would not disappear as it should after the end of his Elemental Burst in certain situations.

Fixes an issue with Venti whereby, after hitting certain enemies with his Elemental Skill, the skill's special effect would display diagonally.

Fixes an issue whereby the Wanderer would react abnormally after being hit by the Hydro Abyss Mage's Mist Bubble skill in certain situations.

Fixes an issue with Lyney's Elemental Burst icon and the fireworks ignited when the Grin-Malkin Cat generated by the Elemental Burst is canceled actively or its duration ends whereby the position of its eye teardrop is indicated wrongly.

Fixes an issue whereby Lyney would abnormally gain Prop Surplus stacks without consuming any of his own HP when unleashing a Charged Attack at Charge Level 2 in certain situations.

Fixes an issue on mobile devices where the brightness of certain special effects would be abnormal when Alhaitham unleashed his Elemental Burst.

Fixes an issue on PC and PlayStation whereby there was a chance that the screen would go blurry when holding the Elemental Skill button to enter Aiming Mode with Nahida.

Fixes an issue whereby pressing the Normal Attack or Elemental Skill buttons would not unleash the corresponding abilities properly when characters were moving underwater in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby the shape of characters' bows would be abnormal when they were performing Aimed Shots in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby characters would fall slowly and experience other abnormal states in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby characters would start swimming abnormally while they were still on dry land in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby characters would walk instead of swim at the junction of air between water bodies in certain situations.

● Audio

Fixes an issue which would occur underwater whereby, when destroying multiple Pufferfruit in a row, only the first one to be destroyed would make a sound.

Fixes an issue whereby opening or closing the party setup interface would cause the music to switch abnormally in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby the volume of the sound effects of certain items could not be controlled by adjusting SFX Volume in Settings.

Fixes an issue whereby the sound effects for certain buttons were missing when using a controller during Genius Invokation TCG duels.

Fixes an issue whereby the voice-overs of certain characters would be abnormally triggered when characters were moving underwater in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby certain monologue sound effects would not play during Archon Quests.

● Genius Invokation TCG

Fixes an issue whereby when the Character Card "Fatui Cryo Cicin Mage" equipped the Talent Card "Cicin's Cold Glare" and the Cryo Cicins reached their max usage count, if the player then used the Event Card "Quick Knit," the effect of the Talent Card "Cicin's Cold Glare" would not be applied properly.

Fixes an issue whereby there was a small chance that the HP of Character Cards would overlap abnormally when watching Genius Invokation TCG duels.

Fixes an issue in Genius Invokation TCG whereby if you had 0 Elemental Dice before the Action Phase began, you would still be able to abnormally play the Event Card "Covenant of Rock" due to the Omni Element generated by the Equipment Card "Gambler's Earrings" after the Action Phase began. (Under normal conditions, "Covenant of Rock" should not have been playable as you had more than 0 Elemental Dice at this time.)

● System

Fixes an issue which would occur in certain situations whereby, when characters were moving underwater, the camera view would go through the character and cause their model to display abnormally.

Fixes an issue whereby the diving camera effect would show twice when characters went underwater in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby the camera would shake abnormally when the water level was rising in certain situations.

Fixes an issue in Co-Op Mode where, after using an underwater Teleport Waypoint, Xenochromatic creatures would appear as if their abilities had not yet been gained even after a teammate had already gained them.

Fixes an issue whereby jagged light would show up around the edges of Xiao's character model on the Party Setup screen.

Fixes an issue whereby there was a small chance that the Crystalfly Trap wouldn't appear after being used in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby Talents would wrongly show as having been leveled up to Lv. 11 in certain situations (when in fact they hadn't).

● Other

Fixes an issue whereby after entering Wolvendom, Apep's Resort, or Bayt Al-Sukr, the corresponding area name would not display properly on the game screen in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby characters would arrive at the wrong location when teleporting in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby there was a small chance that the Antoine Roger Aircraft would automatically take off again after returning to its starting point.

Fixes an issue whereby, after a character ate an apple to restore HP, skill effects that were supposed to be triggered when the character was healed would not be triggered properly.

Fixes an issue whereby the Waverider's attacks would not automatically lock onto Explosive Barrels in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby some enemies in the water and some characters in swimming mode were unable to take DMG from Electro-Charged Reactions in certain water bodies.

Fixes an issue whereby some gadgets would still produce leftover special effects after the character had gone underwater.

Fixes an issue whereby there was a small chance that effects such as Slowing Water from the first half of the challenge would remain into the second half when challenging the Spiral Abyss.

Fixes an issue whereby Dehya's head would display abnormally when taking photos with her in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby the camera would feel like it was stuck when in Aiming Mode.

Fixes an issue whereby there was a chance that the game would get stuck when characters entered a body of water by climbing into it.

Fixes an issue whereby the timer in the Spiral Abyss would be abnormal under certain circumstances.

Fixes some text errors in certain languages and optimizes text. (Note: Related in-game functions have not changed. Travelers can view the changes in different languages by going to the Paimon Menu > Settings > Language and changing the Game Language.)

Text-related fixes and optimizations in English include:

◆ Fixes some punctuation and spelling errors in the stories and skill descriptions on the profile pages of certain characters.

◆ Optimizes an issue where the lines and voice-overs were inconsistent on the profile pages of certain characters.

[shit-begone]

WISHES (Part 3)

Wishes (Masterlist) | Prev (Part 2) | Next (Part 4)

STORY LINE:

*Lee Chan/Dino as your best friend that suddenly confessed his feelings for you.

*Choi Seungcheol/Cheol as the annoying mutual friend who wants to be a part of your life.

The confusion began when you realized that your best friend may have offered you the world while your annoying friend that resembles a lot like your college heartbreaker, Seok-jin, wanted to be part of yours.

It was an easy-peasy thing for you, not until you had to join Chan and Cheol in a five-day vacation with the boys.

-----

PART 3                       WISHES: Bros Before Hoes

WORD COUNT        4,665

CATEGORY              Fluff and Angst

-----

You switched on your flashlight. It was you who finished first, so you glanced at Dino who was still wishing with his eyes closed, then to the tour guide who kindly smiled at you.

After a moment or two, someone across the space switched on their light; the second person to finish their plea. The world stopped when your eyes met, as if it was an answered prayer...

...with Seungcheol.

And with the feeling of sincerity still in your heart, through the dimmed silence, you exchanged smiles with him.

As soon as everyone finished their wishes, the tour guide led the group outside the cave and guided you back to the boat. He explained that you're going to hop on to another island where the lunch awaits. Everyone was excited on the idea of food. Everyone enjoyed the transfer to the next island because you have encountered flying and colorful fishes along the cruise.

As soon as you docked to the next island, you were greeted by people with lots of music and gave each one of you flower crowns to wear in the island. You gladly went to the hall where the lunch was waiting and the tourist guide took the opportunity to speak on the microphone.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen."

"Yep, that's me: the only gentleman." Joshua proudly said.

"Shut up." Vernon said. Everybody quietly giggled as the tour guide spoke in front.

"May I present to you, the chef with his seafood specialties in the house."

Everybody clapped their hands as the chef walked in.

The tour guide then continued, "We would also like to thank Mr. Boo Seungkwan and Mr. Jeon Wonwoo for booking with us and availing our vacation package. However, on the fourth day, we regret to inform you that the Jelly Fish Sanctuary is under Conservation Maintenance due to the previous hurricane. If it's okay with you, we can transfer your payment to different amenities or we could just refund you the unused fees."

"Can we make the fourth day a free day instead? Then if we want to avail some amenities, that's the time we decide?" Mingyu negotiated.

"Can that be per person, tho? Because what if I want to go Rappelling but Jun wanted Aqua Cycling? Would that be possible? Joshua asked.

"That's a better suggestion from Mr. Joshua. We'll prepare the list of all the amenities available for you on the fourth day. Whatever amount left unused will be refunded. We would want to make it more flexible for you by converting amenity stubs as transferrable. If others prefer the fourth day to be rest day in preparation for the night rave, then you can avail added amenities."

"This place is the best!" Jun stood up to show appreciation to the tour guide.

"Ten-out-of-ten service! Tiger approved!" Soon-young added.

"We appreciate your visit! Also, before I leave everyone to enjoy the delicious meal prepared by our chef, we would like to congratulate the following: Mr. Lee Chan and Ms. Y/N. For today is their seventh year best friend anniversary,"

"Thank you." You and Lee Chan said with wide smiles on your faces.

"Also to the newly engaged couple: Mr. Kim Mingyu and his future wife," The tour guide continued.

"Thank you, guys. We love you." Mingyu said.

"And finally to our newly appointed professional: Nurse Lee Seokmin."

"Thank you, thank you!" Seokmin said.

"It's an honor serving young adults like you, the place is yours. I will leave you now so you could enjoy your lunch."

Everyone cheered and thanked the tour guide. It was indeed a very nice experience thinking it's only day two of vacation. What more will happen for the remaining days here? Not to mention the wide variety of food, places and activities to choose from.

It was mid-lunch when Seungcheol walked towards you with iced coffee in his hand, "Spanish Latte, Y/N." He smiled.

"Thanks, Cheol."

"So it's really possible that you mention my name with kindness, eehhh?" He sat beside you and asked Seungkwan to pass his plate, "I'll sit beside Y/N, thanks."

Kind of annoyed of the iced coffee Cheol gave you, Chan put a few chicken wings on your plate. "Eat up, so you have energy. You're overdosed with coffee already."

"Nah, you can just wash it up with water later. I know you love coffee." Seungcheol put a glass of water on your left side.

Now to your right side, "And some greens too, so you could be healthy." Chan said.

Left, "Take my greens, too. They're healthy."

Right, "We'll go for a bowl of fruits later, Y/N."

Left, "Why can't I take Y/N for myself? You're always around Y/N."

Right, "I'm the best friend. Who are you?"

Seungcheol was nervous of Dino's question, "Uhh, I.. Roommates! I'm roommates with Y/N!"

"Ahhh. Roommates." Vernon mocked Cheol.

The group laughed to how Vernon mocked him. The laughter died when suddenly Lee Chan answered a cold: "Okay."

The group have let go of Chan's passive response. But you knew for yourself that it's not the tone Dino uses on you or anyone. It's Dino's leave-me-alone voice. He stood up and went to the fruit bar. You followed immediately so you could choose fruits to your liking.

"Dino, I want to have mang---."

"You can ask Seungcheol to do that for you, right?"

"But I thought you offered to share a fruit bowl with me."

"Seungcheol asked if he could do these things for you, then I said okay. What's wrong?"

"But.."

"Go now before your guy gets jealous." He glanced at Seungcheol.

"Dino.. I--"

"Have I not told you to leave me alone?"

He didn't, but you heard his heart say those words.

You quietly returned beside Seungcheol.

"Have you picked anything you like?"

"Yes, Cheol. Bring me cheese, strawberries and a bottle of beer."

"But your coffee?"

"I'll drink them both."

"But---"

"Actually, bring me three bottles."

"That's too---"

"I won't be rude to you. Just give me what I want."

"Right away, sugar!" Seungcheol smiled to your command without knowing what happened between you and Dino by the fruit bar.

Seungcheol immediately returned with a beer bucket containing five bottles and your requested snacks. You know for sure that Dino was intentionally taking a little more time by the fruit bar just so he could avoid you or make you leave the area before he comes back.

You picked up your coffee and asked Seungcheol to accompany you to the tree house near the boat. As you walked, you tried your best not to let tears flow down your cheeks. You reached the bottom of the tree house and climbed up the ladder.

You then looked for your comfortable place a little inside the tree house. You opened a bottle of beer and let out a big sigh.

Seungcheol looked afar as he tried to process what he needed to tell you. After all, he thought that it was the perfect time to confess, now that the both of you are finally alone with each other's company.

Just like you, he let out a big sigh.

"Hey, Y/N. I want to tell you something." He paused, "I know I have decided a little too late to tell you this but... WHAAAAAAAT THE?? HEY!!! STOP THAT SHIT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!" Seungcheol was in the state of panic after he saw you alternately chugging on the beer and sipping aggressively on your coffee while silent tears fall down your cheek. He noticed that you were already on the second bottle of beer as he saw the first one roll just beside you.

"Cheol, don't tell anyone, please."

"N--no! I can't do that. Wh---wait what happened?"

You sniffed loudly to his question, "The first time that Chan told me to leave him alone was when I accidentally spilled coffee all over his draft that was due the next day. That was four years ago." You cried.

"And when was the next one?"

You cried even louder, "Just a while ago." You continued chugging on your beer. "Please don't tell Chan. I don't want to hurt him. I don't him want to see me this way, Cheol."

"I won't. But please let me take care of you. You had drunk enough in split seconds. You might faint." Seungcheol paved your hair to your ears.

Seungcheol was worried and didn't know what to do with you, reassuring him of what's going on in your mind didn't work for him. He was really worried.

The tour guide called for assembly for another transfer to the next island this afternoon. Seungcheol didn't see any signs of Dino's presence so he told you to hurry up and get into the top deck so Dino won't see you in that state.

You and Seungcheol reached the top deck and you started drinking again. One, two, three bottles as the boat glided across the calm seas. You continued crying.

Seungcheol suddenly realized what might be the reason behind Chan's harsh words to you. He was the reason; he fully comprehended this time and recalled that Chan likes you as much he does.

"Do you want me to talk to Lee Chan?"

"It's no use, Cheol."

"I could try."

"Maybe you could just let it off. Let it go. I can just talk to him after this vacation. I don't want to ruin everyone's moments just because..." You let out a big sigh.

"Because?"

"Nothing."

"You can tell me, Y/N."

You didn't answer Seungcheol because this time, you felt a little tipsy.

"Last stop for today, let's go guys! This island is the best one yet!" Wonwoo's excitement reflected as the boat docked.

You looked around, and it was indeed tranquil.

"Let's go?" Seungcheol asked.

"I prefer not to go. I'll wait for the rest of you here in the boat."

"Are you sure?"

"Uh-huh." Lesser and lesser words escaped your mouth; your vision went in circles due to your tipsiness,

"I won't leave you like this." He said.

"You should go. I'm fine." You insisted.

"I won't talk. I just want to make sure that you won't jump to the waters or fall down to the bottom floor."

You looked along the shore as you saw Dino's hair tossed by the wind. He won't look for you whenever he's upset, and you knew it.

The captain of the boat checked on you, you told him that you were not feeling well and you prefer to stay on the top deck. Seungcheol didn't say a word and just observed you while cry your eyes out.

Fourth bottle. You remembered once againthe first time Dino told you to leave him alone. He didn't talk to you until he had finished redrafting the plate that you have ruined. That was four days. But what happened a while ago was different; it hurts your guts because you knew that he was just avoidant of his feelings. He was jealous with Cheol and you didn't want to hurt him further— not after you have rejected the love he has to offer.

Fifth bottle. You don't even care about Cheol. Why is he a big deal to Chan? Although you do owe him stories of the moments on how Cheol was being a naughty guy around you. But then again, not after you have rejected what Dino has to offer.

Sixth bottle. You saw Dino scribbling on his drawing pad under a palm tree. That's what he does whenever he's upset. You have rejected Dino. You didn't even care for Seungcheol but he is jealous of that jerk.

You looked to your left and saw Seungcheol sleeping on the outdoor sleeping bed beside yours.

This guy gives a lot of headache.

You went down to look for the captain.

"Sir? Do you serve coffee in your boat?

"No. But we have Starbucks coffee cans."

"Double espresso, please." You smiled at him.

He went to the back of the boat and returned with a glass full of ice and the double espresso can you requested.

"You had too much to drink." He said.

"No, I'm fine, Sir." You giggled and returned to the top deck.

You're drunk.

Second glass of coffee. Everyone headed back to the boat. The sun started to set so you need to return to the villa for dinner time.

Seungcheol woke up from the boys' chatter. You saw Chan walk in the boat so you stood up in attempt to settle things with him right at that moment.

"No." Seungcheol grabbed your wrist, "You're drunk. You need to stop drinking and sober up first before you talk to Dino."

"I want to know what's wrong." You cried.

"Now is not the right time, Y/N." He pulled you to sit down.

"Are you stopping me now, Seungcheol?"

He sighed, "You want to know what's wrong? Huh? I am the problem, Y/N. I know for sure I hold a big part of Dino's anger. So please, can you just let me handle this?"

You took a deep breath and sat beside him. He's right. You're already drunk and you feel weak already. You feel numb to your knees; you can't even feel your nails dig down to your arms. What's left to be felt was the gap that has risen between the three of you. But despite the feelings you have to endure, you trusted Seungcheol and his intentions.

You watched the waves crash to the sides of the boat as you tried to forget what happened earlier.

When did I become a crybaby?

Is this the feeling of receiving rejection from someone you have rejected prior?

The boat docked and you decided to let go of the sad feeling. You allowed your drunken state to take over and enjoy the night.

Maybe tomorrow, everything would be fine.

"Hey, Minghao! Let's drink!" You tapped Minghao's arms.

"Sure! After dinner! I'll ask them to come around. But you're all flushed! Looks like you have drunk a lot." He chuckled.

"It's the sunburn. Don't worry." You laughed.

Third glass of coffee offered by Seungkwan.

"Enjoying the night, huh?"

"Yyyessss!!" You exclaimed.

Good thing that dinner was barbeque, so there's not much attention to whether you were seated beside Dino or not. He took his time talking to his other friends anyway.

Some already started to drink half-way through dinner. Good thing that Minghao made sure that he didn't forget his appointment with you. He tagged along recruits by the poolside.

"Here's your beer. Stop with the coffee now." Minghao said.

"I will! But where's Cheol?" You asked.

"He'll be back in a bit. I asked him to pick up cold cuts from the kitchen before going here." Jihoon said.

Seventh bottle. Seungcheol came with the cold cuts. Everyone seemed happy. Maybe everything will be alright tomorrow.

Eight bottle. Joshua was talking to you but you can't hear a sound.

-----

"Dokyeom!!!! Help!! Where's Dokyeom?!?!?!" Cheol screamed his lungs out.

Dokyeom rushed by the pool and saw you lying on the ground with a little wound on your forehead.

"What happened??" He asked, "Please someone get the first aid!"

Jeonghan rushed the first aid to Seokmin. As Seokmin was cleaning your wound, Dino came and Mingyu's fiancé started to explain: "I think she must have drunk too much."

"I think she had three glasses of coffee and six, seven bottles of beer? Or eight? I don't know. I already told her that she looks unwell. That's when she blacked out and her head hit the corner of the table as she fell to the ground." Shua narrated.

"But that's too much, how did it happen?" Dino asked in a raised voice. He angrily went to Seungcheol and clutched him by his shirt. "Why the fuck did you let that happen to Y/N?!"

"Hey, easy now." Jun exclaimed as he tried to remove Dino's hands on Seungcheol's shirt.

"Me? Should I be the one asking you that? What the fuck did YOU do to her? YOU were the reason Y/N was drinking." Seungcheol shouted.

Everyone was shocked of what's happening. They were not really expecting that this would come. Everyone pulled them away from each other.

"Oh my God. Please can someone carry Y/N to her cabin!?" Seungkwan's girlfriend exclaimed after Dokyeom secured your wound on the forehead.

Soon-young immediately responded to help.

"Careful with the wound, Soon-young. Let's help her to bed. Can a lady please come with us? She needs to get her clothes changed." Dokyeom advised.

"I'll go." Jeonghan's girlfriend offered.

Soon-young lifted you up still unconscious and the three rushed to your cabin to attend to your needs.

"You tell me, Dino. Why the hell would you tell Y/N to fuck off and leave you alone?" Seungcheol was also frustrated but he has kept his hands to himself.

"I gave you the chance to spend the day with Y/N but look what you've done." Dino gritted on his teeth.

"Chance? From you, Dino? Why? Do you own Y/N?"

"No."

"Then what, Dino?"

Dino removed his hands from clutching Cheol's shirt, "Fuck off, Seungcheol. Don't meddle with our stuff."

"That's not how you fucking treat people around you, Dino. I know that you love Y/N more than just a best friend, like I do. I'm trying to win her heart, but she keeps pushing me away. But with you? Just because you were jealous? You had the guts to tell her to leave you alone? Who are you now, Dino?"

And at that moment, everyone knew about the lingering competition between Seungcheol and Chan, in hopes to win your heart.

"Just let Y/N decide." Vernon suggested.

"Y/N won't have the capacity to decide." Wonwoo said. Everyone was in confusion of Wonwoo's statement. "Seungcheol haven't confessed yet to Y/N and I guess our guy Dino was, you know, rejected." He added.

"Trouble went in before the real deal, I guess." Minghao said.

"I told you, Cheol, you should have started with the best friend." Uji added.

"Kill me now. But what kind of best friend is Dino if Y/N is in this state?" Cheol looked Dino dead in the eye.

"For sure with the hangover and all the vomiting, Y/N can't join us tomorrow in the water park." Seokmin said as he walked to the pool side, "We might want to call the club's nurse to look aft--"

"I'll take care of Y/N." Dino and Cheol both said.

Seokmin slow-clapped "Y/N is such a beauty."

"Shut it down Dokyeom." Uji frowned.

"I'll decide." Jeonghan appealed.

"There's nothing to deci--"

"Shut up, Dino. We don't want the two of you knocking around each other." Han added, "Dino will be the morning nurse, from this hour up to lunch time. From lunch time to bedtime, it will be Seungcheol." He walked past Dino and said "You wouldn't want to tell Y/N how sorry you are while she's dealing with her hangover, eeh? By the time she wakes up, it will be Nurse Cheol."

"Case closed." Mingyu agreed.

"Jeonghan can make sense sometimes, right?" Seokmin said.

"Yaaaa!. My life is not all about cheating and ditching stuff." He defended.

"Everyone should rest now." Shua suggested.

Everyone attended to their personal matters after what happened. As Seungcheol made his way inside the villa, Jun called his attention.

"Cheol. You heard Jeonghan." Jun gestured his head to Dino who was sitting alone by the pool side. "You're not tonight's nurse. Remember? Start with the best friend." Jun patted Seungcheol's back and lightly pushed him to Dino's direction.

Seungcheol sat by the living room, having a view of Chan's frame. He was composing what he would say to Chan.

Is this the right time for a talk?

After a few moments of contemplating, he stood up and went to Dino. He grabbed two beers and opened them.

"Dino." Seungcheol gave him a bottle and sat beside him.

"Y/N told me that she sees me as a friend." Dino gulped his beer.

"What a rough anniversary, huh?" Cheol said.

"You can say that again."

"It was seven long years. Where were you? Why didn't you even try to win her heart?"

"I did. But there was this one bastard in college that played with her emotions, and when I was about to tell her my feelings, she became emotionally unavailable until came the thin line between platonic and romantic love." Dino narrated.

"If she's emotionally available now, then why the hate on me?"

"You don't wanna know."

"I wanna know." Cheol insisted.

"Well, the thing is. You're a bit taller than him, but you have the same built and his name also starts with S. That's why she's so annoyed of you."

"She told you that?"

"No. I just knew. I was just actually waiting for Y/N to tell me that you look like Seok-jin. But I guess you haven't annoyed her enough to be worthy of a night-long rant from her." Dino said.

There came a long silence before Seungcheol responded to Dino.

"She said it was the second time you told her to leave you alone."

"Did she cry?" Dino asked.

"She was scared, Chan. She told me not to tell you and she didn't want to hurt you."

Dino and Cheol continued drinking until they consumed their bottles. Dino stood up and pat Cheol's shoulders. "I'm sorry."

"No it's okay. I don't want any conflict with you anyway, especially when we can just talk it out." Cheol stood up as well.

"As long as you promise that you won't hurt Y/N, then I promise there wouldn't be any room for hurting on my end." Chan smiled.

"No way?" Cheol was surprised.

"I'm staying on cabin three. Vernon is still awake." Chan said as he tossed his keys to Seungcheol, "Swap with me before Y/N wakes up. I don't want to scare her."

"I will."

Seungcheol was all smiles with Chan's approval for his best friend. He went straight to Chan's cabin to spend the night.

-----

Meanwhile in Y/N's cabin...

"I'll take it from here, Kyeom." Chan said as he entered your cabin.

"And Seungcheol?" Dokyeom asked as he handed the care kit to Dino.

"We have talked."

"Talked?"

"Nicely." Chan added.

"Goodnight bud." That was enough for him to hear, so he left Dino and closed the door behind him.

Chan sat beside you while you sleep, carefully studying your beautiful face.

"You're so pretty, I could cry. Sorry Y/N." He whispered.

Moments later, you woke up.

"S-s-seungcheol. I n-need to vomit." You uttered.

Chan was in panic and couldn't find any basin near you.

"Can you stand tho? I'll accompany you to the bathroom."

You quietly nodded and let Chan assist you, as you thought he was Seungcheol. "I'll call you when I'm done." You said.

He prepared a warm wash cloth to sober you up a little bit. He became worried when you stopped making vomiting noises and weren't able to call him again. Chan slowly opened the door just to see you sleeping on the floor.

He delicately lifted you up and took you to bed. He cleaned up the mess in the sink and returned immediately to your side with his upper body slightly elevated to yours.

"Cheol, is Chan still mad at me?" You asked whom you thought was Seungcheol.

"No. He was not mad, not even a bit, Y/N." Chan replied.

"That's nice."

Chan saw the smile traced on your face despite the dim light made by the bedside lamp.

"But he did tell me if you could give him some time."

"Oh? That's something to frown, I guess."

"He loves you so much." Chan added

"I love Lee Chan too. Even if he didn’t hug me goodnight."

"I can do that for you while he takes his time."

"Are you, okay with that, Cheol?" You asked, still unaware.

"I'll be Lee Chan for tonight."

You turned a little to your right, faced "Seungcheol" and hugged him tight. "Goodnight. I hope you were Dino. I've got lots to tell him."

"Goodnight, Y/N."

It lightened the burden for Lee Chan— that it's still him that you wanted to get comfort from, we'll not until you find comfort in Seungcheol's arms.

-----

VACATION DAY 3

Dino woke up to the sound of your door opening at six o'clock in the morning, still having you wrapped around his waist.

"Morning, Cheol." Dino whispered trying not to wake you up.

A slight jealousy was painted on Seungcheol's face after he saw you hugging Dino.

"If only I didn't know that you're best friends, I would be jealous by now." Cheol said as he put down the breakfast he brought.

"Don't be," Chan said as he slid out of your arms, "She woke up last night with the lights dimmed down. All this time, she thought I was you. I think I should be the one feeling jealous right now." Chan smiled.

"No way?" Cheol asked.

"Make sure you get her occupied so she won't ask about me."

Dino and Cheol quietly ate together while you were sound asleep.

"I'll be back for lunch." Cheol said.

"No, I'll prepare lunch instead." Dino said.

"But my time would start at lunch."

"You should know that she wakes up for work at five o'clock in the morning. On free days, whether drunk or sober, she wakes up at seven or 7:30. I don't want to stick around any longer."

"There's a lot I should know about her, huh?"

"She's always full of surprises." Dino added.

"What else should I know?" Cheol asked.

"'YOU' told her last night that I requested to have a little time alone, and that I have told 'YOU' to let her know."

"Roger that, Dino."

A few moments have passed and you did wake up just a few minutes before the clock strikes at 7:30. Dino stood up immediately but Seungcheol stopped him from taking another step towards the door.

"Just so she could see you." Cheol said.

"Hnggg. Seungcheol my head hurts." You rubbed your eyes and massaged your head.

"Please don't rub your eyes, Y/N." Cheol suggested, "Just in time, Dino prepared breakfast for you."

"He really made breakfast for me?" You opened your eyes, and were surprised that Dino and Seungcheol were standing in front of you, "DINO!!" You reached for a hug like a baby.

Seungcheol slightly pushed Dino to your bedside and you were able to hug him.

"Where's my hangover coffee tho?" You pouted.

"The group agreed that your nurse for today would be---"

"The group?!" You exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, everyone knew about your condition today. So I was saying, you'll be with Seungcheol. They need me in the waterpark. So stop being stubborn, you should eat whatever is here and whatever Seungcheol will prepare for you." Dino stroked your hair.

"Cheol will poison me." You complained.

"No he won't. The kitchen is monitored today by Mingyu."

"Okay, hmmmm, but just a few more minutes before you enjoy the waterpark." You said still hugging Dino, "Sorry, Dino."

"No, Y/N. It's me who needs to apologize. It won't happen again. I-- I'm sorry. Really. I was just..." He glanced at Seungcheol and continued, "..Jealous that someone finally came with intentions of treating you right." He smiled.

Seungcheol smiled back at Chan.

"What made you think that all things are certain?" You asked.

"You're my best friend, Y/N. But you also need to accept the fact that Seungcheol is also a friend to me, he won't do anything to hurt you."

"But please visit me sooner, or whenever you feel better." You said still remembering what "Cheol" told you about Dino wanting some time alone.

"Please be good to Seungcheol. He knows what to do." He kissed the top of your head and slowly ceased the hug.

Dino looked at Cheol and then smiled at you. He quietly left the room and left you under Seungcheol's care.

-----

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