#I genuinely do not know how I can keep going

[fairestwriting]

Reader sleeping on the couch after an argument w/Dorm leaders? How they would react w/happy endings?

this got super long so i decided to change up the post layout so longer stuff would look nicer. But im also posting from a new device so if this goes up and theres any formatting fumbles then uhm. you didnt see anything

𐙚 Riddle Rosehearts

Despite how hotheaded and stubborn he is, it’s actually really rare for you two to really argue. He values your opinions on everything, and he’d hate for you to feel like he doesn’t hear you or care about your feelings. The last thing he wants is to make you feel like doesn’t care.

That, however, is something he’s still learning. It’s not very easy to let go of the habits he developed growing up— Especially if he thinks what he’s doing is best for you. He doesn’t know how to convince people, so he ends up coming off forceful and inconsiderate. It might even happen without him noticing he messed up, if you’re not extra straightforward about it.

So he knew you weren’t happy with him, but really didn’t think it was that bad, seeing you asleep on the couch is the last thing he was expecting. Even more if it’s the first time it happens, it makes him freeze go into panic mode.

You’re woken up to a really shaken looking Riddle, asking you what you’re doing on the couch at this time in very genuine confusion. He might not even have considered it was because of the argument, too focused on trying to figure out what’s up with you. And it’s hard to stay upset at him when he so readily listens to whatever you have to say, apologizing profusely and making a promise to not do it again that he’ll always keep. His intention from the start was to do what’s best for you, after all— So if he turns out to be wrong, the first thing he wants to do is to correct it.

𐙚 Leona Kingscholar

Arguing with Leona is… definitely a situation. It might have you wondering if it even counts as an argument at all. Sometimes he just doesn’t seem to even react to what you have to say, sometimes he straight up states he can’t be bothered to argue. He’s not as stubborn towards people he really likes, but he’s still very proud.

He can actually tell that he messed up very quickly, pretty much in the middle of whatever interaction went wrong, but can’t bring himself to actually back down and admit it. He doesn’t even bother trying to convince himself that he’s right or anything, he’s just that allergic to saying the word “sorry”.

When he walks past you, his first thought is that he should just “let you sulk”. It’s probably not the first time it happens to him in a relationship— And the same routine plays out every time. He wants to walk away, but he can’t. He eventually does, then he comes back and stares for minutes. Regret starts to really sink in then.

You have a blanket draped over you the day after, and Leona just so happens to be around to ask, much more tentatively than usual, if you’re coming with him to get breakfast. It’s his version of an apology, kind of. He’ll actually say it out loud if the subject of the argument was more serious, but that’s rare. He’s not very good at this and the both of you are aware of that, but he still cares, and he’ll get there eventually. Maybe.

𐙚 Azul Ashengrotto

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, he might actually have the lowest argument rate out of all dorm leaders? He owes a lot of it to just being good with words, he pretty much always manages to bring up his disagreements in a really non-confrontational way, they’ll barely even register as disagreements at all. If he can’t find a way to seamlessly compromise, he often just keeps his thoughts to himself.

...Mostly because he gets too anxious at the possibility of you rejecting him. Even if it’s something small, it’ll stay inside his head and refuse to leave, getting dwelled on when life starts to get particularly stressful. If you two argue, the likelihood is that he actually started it, because some other minor issue came up and the pile he was mentally stacking ended up falling apart.

Things can get really messy in the moment. Everything sounds offensive to him when he’s freaking out, while at the same time he’s painfully aware that he’s being overly emotional and causing problems that didn’t exist before. He stops his rant suddenly when self control manages to return to him, but at that point things were already said, and you’re walking separate ways after he awkwardly suggests you two just take a moment to cool off.

He might not even see you on the couch, being too ashamed to leave his office, but Jade will let him know either way. Azul won’t disrupt your sleep, and he’ll even try to give you enough time in the morning to get through your usual routine, but as soon as it’s possible he’s looking for you to privately apologize. He takes care to clear up any misunderstandings before voicing any of his worries, even though it’s visible how nervous he is. It comforts him just to see you looking at him with fondness again, seriously relieved that he won’t be losing you over the situation.

𐙚 Kalim Al-Asim

Kalim is another one who doesn’t really argue, but that’s not to say he doesn’t voice his disagreements, because he does, and he does it very often. It happens as soon as the thought pops up in his mind, spoken all lightheartedly. Regardless of what the subject being talked about is.

…Which can very easily become a problem. He does take all your boundaries very seriously, but you need to be very straightforward about them. So if it happens that you two get into a topic he doesn’t know is touchy for you, he might say something that comes off insensitive. And yes, he will ask you as soon as he sees the change in your expression, but the lack of tact doesn’t mix well with you already being upset, and you end up just walking away.

Only then he stops talking, freezing up completely. He can tell, that you probably want some space now, and he’ll honor that— but the whole thing doesn’t leave his mind for hours. He has no clue of when he should go look for you to try to talk and apologize, no clue of how he should even word it all when he doesn’t know what he did wrong. His heart shatters when he sees you sleeping on the couch.

He probably asked Jamil for advice, then heard that he should really give you your space, but he just can’t take it. You get shaken awake and he’s tearing up while he apologizes, saying he really didn’t mean to make you upset, that he’ll do his best to be more careful if you tell him just what went wrong, but also that you don’t need to talk right now if you don’t want— He’s a little clumsy, and very emotional, but you know he means well, and that he loves you very much, which he’ll be sure remind you of over and over again.

𐙚 Vil Schoenheit

It’s no secret that he can really nag people, but Vil really doesn’t like to actually argue— He’ll say it every time a disagreement or misunderstanding starts to get tense. Partially a self-reminder, he’s aware that he doesn’t have nearly as much patience as he would like to. It can take a decent amount of effort to keep himself in check.

You two do successfully compromise very often, but sometimes even his suggestions can come off very harsh. It’s no secret to anyone who knows him. His peacemaking attempts are still pretty blunt, and his opinions are never held back. It can easily get upsetting, going as far as feeling like he’s judging you even though he’s not.

Vil actually takes a moment to tell that he might have said the wrong thing. He’s not so proud he’ll refuse to admit his own mistakes, but he’s just… used to upsetting people. You can outright leave mid conversation and it still won’t be his gut reaction, he always believes whatever he’s saying and only wants the best for you. It can take a good few moments until he realizes you’re not just “sulking” the way his underclassmen at the dorm do when he scolds them. Finding you asleep on the couch can honestly shock him.

He won’t wake you up right away— It’s still important for you to get your rest, and he wants to really think about what happened before he says anything— but there’s no way he’ll let you spend the night there. His voice is really soft when he calls your name, waiting for you to gather yourself before he tells you he’s sorry. Gently reassuring you in whatever you need while he explains himself, he’ll make sure everything is okay before he touches you at all, wrapping you up into a hug when everything is finally settled.

𐙚 Idia Shroud

He’s freaking out, full stop. He didn’t even think he’d ever get far enough with someone to be in this position. Since when does he even have the audacity to argue with a partner he never even believed he’d get? Whatever he did, he wholeheartedly believes he screwed up big time.

...And even though it’s his anxiety talking first, he might actually be right. He’s usually really passive, doesn’t even voice disagreements beyond maybe just whining about not wanting to go somewhere with a lot of people. And even then, he might be willing to try, just for you — So what went wrong? Probably a messy misunderstanding, where he said a lot of things he doesn’t mean…

He’s honestly just expecting it to be over. Believing that you’re going to block all his socials and never speak to him again. The second you walk away, the only thing in his mind is the absolute worst, so when he sees you on the couch he’s… relieved? But just for a second. It means there’s still hope for him! You would have just disappared if you wanted nothing to do with him, right? But he also recognizes the trope, he knows he’s going to need to work to be forgiven—

Idia is just standing there when you wake up. Pacing around the living room and losing his mind. He gets startled when he sees you’re awake, like he’s terrified of what will come next. At least he’s had (more than) enough time to think about what happened… the apology you get is very much sincere, even if it gets rambly at certain parts, ending with the two of you comforting each other.

𐙚 Malleus Draconia

For obvious reasons, things can get tricky with Malleus. Whenever you feel like you’re really starting to understand him, something strange will happen again, it’s a real cycle. All the factors in his upbringing connect with each other to build a very specific kind of character. Even if it looks like you two are really similar, there’s going to be a minimum of a handful of details that just change everything.

He’s always careful with his words, with basically no exception, but sometimes he just doesn’t know what the “right” thing to say would be, or he doesn’t know what a certain cue could mean in the moment, or whatever he knows is something that doesn’t apply outside of specific context of the royal family he’s a part of— The possibilities are endless, but a lot of the time, it’s more likely that things will just chalk up to the fact you don’t understand each other’s perspectives.

He might notice something is off right away, he might think nothing wrong happened at all, it can be wildly different depending on the topic at hand. He’ll ask what’s wrong if he does notice, but even if you do try to explain to him why you’re hurt, it may not make sense inside his head right away. And even though he’s genuine and fast to apologize, it can feel cold when he clearly can’t tell what’s actually wrong.

When he walks by the couch you’re asleep on, it doesn’t even register as being related to the argument right away. He shakes you awake to tell you it’s not a good idea to sleep there because it gets really cold later in the night. Right now, he’s had enough time to process and understand the situation, quickly giving you a new, truly heartfelt apology. Even if in the whole thing, in retrospect, was a pretty minor issue — And if it isn’t, or you’re just not ready to forgive him yet for whatever reason, he doesn’t push it. The only thing he’ll insist on is having you sleep somewhere more comfortable, really.

if you like my work you can support me by commissioning me or tipping me on ko-fi ── ᵎᵎ ✦

[jasper-ontheoffbeat]

I’M UP HATING POP PSYCHOLOGY. MEMEME

to be more serious: i have empathy for the urge to compartmentalize like this. genuinely, i do— for some, processing trauma feels easier when there are ready-made labels for the things/people that hurt them. i so deeply understand the urge to file away overwhelming chaos; to make sense of the cruel and senseless; to be comforted by pop psych “gotcha” moments and cling to categorizations. i know what it feels like to try to neatly reorganize broken self-concepts and horrifying histories. i’ve dealt with this exact issue myself.

that being said… unfortunately, it just. doesn’t. work.

automatically slapping warning labels on ASPD, NPD, BPD, etc is simply not fair nor accurate. the nuances shouldn’t be ignored: does the concept that mental health matters come with conditions? does furthering the stigma really empower victims, or does it drive offenders away from self-awareness and recovery? does it really help to boil human behavior down to lists and labels, or does it just skew our perceptions of ourselves and others even further? is it productive to focus on condensing things, or should we ultimately focus on understanding the complexities that make generalization ultimately impossible?

this is NOT to say that ANYONE has to entertain or forgive abusive people. not at ALL. i’m also not saying those who don’t care to improve should be forgiven and/or granted the opportunity to keep treating others poorly. there is a stark a difference between acknowledging nuance and normalizing/excusing abuse— you can express pain without making harmful blanket statements. in fact, it’s straight up ignorant to disregard those who are working their asses off in recovery. these disorders can be uniquely challenging to live with, and stigma makes everything 10x worse, especially when trauma, defensiveness, and self-hatred are inseparable from disordered beliefs/behaviors. you have EVERY right to cut off shitty individuals and despise them and feel rage and do whatever you need to do to heal— at the same time, people who present in malignant ways won’t get any better if they’re universally met with hostility. after all, 99% of the time, recovery seems like a far better outcome than total shunning. wouldn’t it be so much better if these people had safe spaces in which they could to learn to never abuse other humans again, and to develop healthier self-concepts?

(i say this as someone who’s been abused horribly countless times by people who present like this, developed BPD as a result, and gone through wild amounts of intensive therapy. i no longer meet the criteria for BPD.)

(of course, there are some acts that are UNFORGIVABLE. those require a… unique approach. i don’t feel qualified to go into that territory because personal experiences have left me way too biased; just know that i don’t mean to erase that line.)

also, re: MBTI/love language/brain development/brain gendering/dark empathy/blah blah blah: the same principle applies. individuals’ psychological makeups and backgrounds are too complex to accurately box in. that is the nature of the human condition, and even though it gets overwhelming, at the end of the day, it’s beautiful! there is no linear pathway for anything, and that is a GOOD thing! at best, all of those words can provide useful loose blueprints for furthering introspection; at worst, they create interpersonal divides that are either based on faulty assumptions or entirely non-existent.

we don’t have to fit into boxes to find community. it’s fine to use things like MBTI and love languages as cute, unweighted bonding tools, BUT in order to truly understand each other’s wants, needs, traits, and issues, we simply need to COMMUNICATE. no matter how isolated we feel in our struggles, WE ARE NOT ALONE. we are all mosaics of the experiences that have shaped us, and we each deserve to be understood as works of art, not as sums of our most basic parts.

tl;dr pop psychology egregiously simplifies human behavior and it is Not helpful as it seems

who up hating pop psychology

[maretinelli]

THIS IS LOVE

Lando Norris X Piastri!fem!reader

Summary: When Oscar's twin sister shares a feeling with Lando beyond friendship, the first to notice is the girl's own brother. And then, he and Lily help bring the two together.

Words: 2.7K+

Warnings: I think you can consider it something like friends to lovers, Y/n and Oscar being twins, Lily being cute, idiots oblivious to feelings haha and hanging out with friends (couple)

Author: English is not my first language, so I apologize for any mistakes that may be in the story. And you can request stories, just go to my profile and go to questions or messages. ❤️🇧🇷

MASTERLIST

"This could easily be a couples' date," Lando commented casually as he slung his arm around Y/n's shoulders with a mischievous smile on his face.

Oscar rolled his eyes, but a smile escaped the corner of his lips. Y/n, in turn, laughed, pushing Lando's arm away from her shoulders.

"Hey, don't push it, Norris," she said, still laughing as the four of them entered the bowling alley, ready for the friendly competition that always ended in jokes and teasing.

--------

It was evident to anyone looking in from the outside: Lando Norris and Y/n Piastri had something special. It wasn't just the close friendship they'd built over the years - ever since Y/n started accompanying Oscar to the races - but the way they seemed to understand each other on a level that went beyond the norm. Their connection went beyond words or gestures, and everyone around them could tell there was something more between the two.

Everyone, except themselves.

Lando seemed unable to hide how much Y'n meant to him, even if he didn't realize it or admit it. He protected her, pampered her, flattered her in a way that only he could do, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

On the Piastri twins' birthdays, he never failed to send Y/n a gift, no matter where he was in the world. Of course, Oscar got something too, but Y/n's gifts were always absurdly more elaborate and full of meaning.

Like that last birthday, when Lando had sent Y/n a pair of Saint Laurent shoes that she had proudly worn during the FIA awards. At that event, although Oscar had offered her a seat as his guest, it was Lando who had taken her, making it clear to everyone that Y/n was important to him.

That same night, he surprised her once again. Before they walked onto the red carpet, he handed her a small black box with the Cartier logo in gold. Y/n's eyes widened as she opened it and found a stunning set of jewelry: A delicate diamond necklace and matching earrings.

"Lando... That's..." She began, completely stunned, not knowing whether to look at him or the present.

"Yeah, I know. It's beautiful, isn't it," he interrupted with a smile, shrugging like it was no big deal. "It's just a gift, Y/n. I wanted you to feel special today."

"You didn't have to..."

It's about you. You deserve this, Y/n. You deserve so much more, actually."

It was impossible to ignore how genuine he seemed, as if his only goal was to make her smile. And he succeeded. Y/n smiled, holding the small box like it was the most precious gift in the world because, for her, it wasn't just about the jewelry. It was about the gesture. And about him.

It was a night off from racing, a rare moment to relax. Oscar and Lando had suggested a game of bowling to unwind, and Lily and Y/n had happily accepted.

They chose one of the best break points in bowling, the atmosphere was a place with colorful lights, lively music and unlimited drinks, where it was easy to spend hours having fun.

As they picked out bowling balls, Y/n looked at Lando with a challenging smile.

"You know I'm going to beat you today, right?" She teased, leaning slightly towards him.

Lando arched an eyebrow, returning her smile. "Oh, really? I want to see you keep that confidence after the first round, Piastri Girl." He stepped so close that Y/n almost lost her breath, and then gently lifted her chin with one finger. "Good luck, princess" he murmured, before patting her back twice with a mischievous smile and moving on to pick up his bowling ball.

Yin stood there for a moment, somewhat stunned, while Lily and Oscar watched the scene from afar.

Oscar sighed, crossing his arms. "I know you've told me how much they love each other and don't realize it... But my stomach still turns seeing my sister with Lando."

Lily laughed and lightly slapped his shoulder. "Cut it out, Osc," she said, shaking her head in amusement. "You know, Lando can be a little... overly cheerful, but if they finally open up one day, he'll take great care of her. You can see it in his eyes."

Oscar rolled his eyes again, though a small smile formed on his face. He knew Lily was right, but that didn’t make it any easier for him. She was his sister, after all, and he had a reputation as a protective twin to uphold.

Oscar and Lily approached Y/n and Lando, who were still exchanging provocations in the short break before the game started.

"Lando, come with me to get the chips so we can start?" Oscar asked, pointing to the counter at the back.

Lando nodded, giving Y/n one last smile before following his friend. "Don't worry, Piastri Girl, I'll give you a chance to beat me today."

Y/n rolled her eyes with a smile as he walked away. Lily, taking advantage of the opportunity, sat on the bench next to her sister-in-law, who was now absent-mindedly fiddling with her cell phone.

Only one other group was on the opposite side of the room, while the venue played upbeat 2000s music. It was the kind of place where you felt comfortable enough to forget about time.

Lily watched Yin for a moment before smiling and dropping the bombshell, "You like Lando."

Y/n almost choked, stopping her cell phone and putting it in her pocket in a hurry. "What? No!" she replied, laughing a little, but with a touch of nervousness in her voice.

Lily just laughed, shaking her head. "I didn't ask. I'm saying! You like Lando."

Y/n bit her lower lip, looking away to where the counter would be and could hear Lando and Oscar laughing, while they took the chips. She sighed and looked away, confessing quietly: "Okay... I like him, but you can't tell anyone. I like having Lando around and, if this doesn't work out, I would lose his friendship."

Lily smiled, touching Y/n's arm affectionately. "Do you think no one notices? Everyone knows, Y/n. Only you two are oblivious to it."

Before Yin could respond, the two pilots returned with the tokens.

"Okay, guys," Oscar said, handing over the tokens. "Let's make this a competition: Female Engineers versus McLaren Drivers."

Y/n arched an eyebrow, laughing. "Oscar, I don't do engineering. Only Lily does."

Oscar shrugged. "Whatever, pick any name. It doesn't matter, because Lando and I are going to win anyway."

Y/n laughed and crossed her arms, exchanging a challenging look with her brother. The coexistence between the twins had always been marked by this slight competitiveness. Despite this, it was impossible to deny how close they were, always teasing each other, but with evident affection.

With the teams decided, the game began. Lando was the first to hit all the balls at once, and he turned to Y/n with a victorious smile.

"See? That's the difference between you and me. I make it look easy." He teased.

From afar, Lily and Oscar exchanged a knowing smile. Lily leaned towards her boyfriend and whispered, "I managed to make Y/n confess that she likes Lando."

Oscar raised his eyebrows in surprise, but then smiled. "Really? Let's try to get the two of them together today, then. I'll try to get something out of Lando too."

"Deal," Lily replied, walking to the lane to retrieve her ball.

"By the way..." She said out loud, turning to Oscar and Y/n "Just for the record, Y/n and I are ahead in the score."

Oscar burst out laughing. "Honey, that was just the first round for everyone!"

"And that makes me better than you!" Lily teased, laughing as she prepared to throw.

The room was filled with laughter, teasing and the light energy that only they knew how to create together. Far away, Lando watched Y/n as she focused on her turn, with that smile that he only seemed to use around her.

As time passed, the game continued to be lively. Laughter echoed through the cozy atmosphere, accompanied by the sound of balls rolling and pins falling.

Lando, as always, didn't miss the opportunity to tease Y/n every time he hit all the balls, while she only managed to knock down three.

"Seriously, Piastri Girl," Lando began, with a smug smile. "You have to try harder. I don't want you to say you only won because I'm nice."

Y/n huffed, crossing her arms. "I'm going to win, Norris, and it won't even be hard. I'm just giving you an advantage so you don't cry later."

Lando chuckled, giving him an amused look before moving on to his next move.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Lily and Oscar watched the game unfold. Without the two of them realizing, they were discreetly planning how they would make Lando confess his feelings for Y/n.

It was Y/n's turn, she confidently caught the ball and positioned herself. But as she threw it, she lost her balance and almost fell. Before she could hit the ground, she felt firm hands on her waist.

"Careful there, sweetie," Lando murmured, catching her and helping her regain her balance.

Y/n's eyes met his, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. The two exchanged an intense look, a mixture of surprise and something else that neither of them could name. They were so close, they could feel each other's breath.

The trance was broken by the sound of the ball hitting all the pins. Y/n smiled widely and raised her arms in celebration.

"STRIKE!" She screamed, running to hug Lily.

Lando chuckled as he watched the scene, but he looked a little dazed, his mind still stuck in the moment he had just shared with Y/n.

Oscar, attentive as always, noticed his friend's condition. Lando muttered something about getting more chips and headed for the counter. Piastri exchanged a knowing smile with Lily before following him, determined to seize the opportunity.

Lily, for her part, leaned against the bench with a mischievous smile, watching Y/n tie her sneakers.

"You felt your heart racing just now, didn't you?" Lily commented casually.

Y/n rolled her eyes, chuckling softly, not responding.

At the counter, Oscar approached Lando, who was distracted as he waited for the new chips.

"What's up? Everything okay?" Oscar asked in a casual tone.

Lando let out a short laugh and nodded. "All right, man."

Oscar crossed his arms, looking at him with a calculating expression. "So... Y/n is doing well today, huh? Or is it you who's distracted with her around?"

Lando paused for a moment, clearly uncomfortable. "What are you talking about, Oscar?" he asked, trying to hide it, but the slight blush on his face gave it away.

Oscar raised an eyebrow, noticing his friend's discomfort. "Ah, don't act like you don't understand, Norris. It's kind of obvious, you know?"

Lando laughed nervously and looked away, trying to appear casual. "Obvious what, Oscar? We're talking about bowling, remember?"

Oscar took a step closer, as if he were about to reveal a secret. "You know what I'm talking about. It's not bowling that's making you this way. It's my sister."

Lando snorted, shaking his head. "You're imagining things. Y/n and I are friends...close, that's all."

Oscar gave a cynical smile. "If you say so... But let me give you a warning: If you want something more, you better not play with her feelings. Because I won't hesitate to put you up against the wall if you hurt my sister."

Lando's tone grew more serious as he stared at Oscar. "I would never do that. Never."

Meanwhile, Y/n and Lily noticed how late they were. The Piastri girl looked at the delicate watch on her wrist.

"What's taking so long?" She puts her hands on her hips. "I'll take a look, I'll be right back, okay?"

Lily smiles, knowing it was a plan. "Sure, I'll take a break here."

Y/n smiles and starts to approach where they were. The counter wasn't facing the tracks, so they couldn't see the two pilots talking.

Walking down the hallway, she bumps into her brother, who is smiling mischievously. "Hey, look at you there!" She smiles and before she can say anything else, Oscar grabs her shoulders.

"I'll be with Lily if you need anything." He smiled and left.

Y/n frowns without understanding anything and opens her arms in question, as she watches her brother disappear into the hallway and return to the bowling alley.

"Y/n!" Lando's voice echoed behind her.

She smiles, oblivious to what had happened between her brother and Lando. "Hey, I thought you ran away from us!" Y/n laughs, lightly hitting his chest, but when she sees his nervous expression, her smile falls. "What's wrong?"

"I... need to talk to you. Now."

She stares into his green eyes, trying to understand what could be wrong, but nods. "Okay. Let's go."

They walk in silence to a quieter area of the venue, away from the noise of the bowling balls and the excited laughter. Lando stops, taking a deep breath, and turns to her.

"Y/n, before I say anything, I want you to know that... I never meant for this to happen. And I feel terrible about it, because you're Oscar's sister. But... ever since the first time I saw you, back at McLaren, at the first race... I haven't been able to stop thinking about you,"

Y/n's eyes widen in surprise as he continues, his voice becoming more hesitant.

"I tried, I swear I tried to ignore it. But you're amazing, Y/n. You make me laugh, you make me nervous in a way no one else can... And I know it's wrong... I guess... and that I shouldn't feel this way, but I can't help it."

Lando runs his hand through his hair, frustrated, his eyes fixed on the floor. "I'm sorry, I know this is absurd. And I... I don't expect anything from you. I just needed to get this out of my system. Because my love for you is overflowing."

He turns to leave, but Y/n quickly grabs his arm.

"Lando, wait!" He stops, reluctant, but doesn't look at her. "You're not the only one who feels this way," she says, her voice low, almost a whisper.

Lando looks up, surprised.

"Ever since that day... ever since you showed up at the McLaren garage and started talking to me like we were already friends... I knew you were different. And I tried to ignore it too, because you're my brother's best friend and you work with him, and that would complicate everything, but..." Y/n smiles shyly. "I guess my heart doesn't care much about rules. Because it loves you too."

Lando stares at Y/n in silence for a moment, as if trying to understand if what she said was real. Then, a nervous and relieved smile appears on his face.

"Are you serious?" he asks, his voice almost breathless.

She laughs, feeling her cheeks heat up. "I am. And I think Oscar already realized that, from the way he was acting just now.

Lando laughs too, feeling his nervousness dissipate. "He probably knows. He knows everything."

Y/n steps forward, staring at him closely. "So, what do we do now?"

Lando hesitates for a moment, but soon his fingers touch hers, intertwining them delicately. "I don't know. But I want to find out with you."

She smiles, and before he can think too much, Y/n pulls him into a slow, passionate kiss. Lando holds her tightly, as if he's been waiting for this moment forever.

[simpurnatural]

“Sugar Baby” || Oneshot

XO, Kitty - Min Ho Moon x Fem!Reader

Note from Nat: "After making the alphabet which you can also read here, it has given me inspiration for more Min Ho writing! Enjoy babes! Oh also, requests will be opening soon so keep your eyes peeled!"

Warning(s): Suggestive, woah and not a smut-fic??

A summer getaway with Min Ho to Cebu, Philippines. But despite of booking first class, the airline manages to leave your luggage back in Korea.

“Do I just stay in the same clothes the whole time?” You groan, throwing your hands up in defeat.

“Apologies ma’am,” the worker replied, “Your luggage will be available to you once you land at Incheon International Airport,”.

“It’ll be alright,” Min Ho insisted, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “Thank you,” he nods to the worker before pulling you away from the baggage claim counter.

You let out a large sigh as you trudged towards the exit doors of the airport. You had already curated amazing outfits to post on your IG throughout your travels. But all you have now is your backpack.

“Hey, at least you didn’t lose your passport or anything super important,” your boyfriend said, trying to look at the bright side.

“My skin care pouch was in there too,” you muttered as a chauffeur with a sign that read Min Ho Moon became visible.

“Sounds like the perfect excuse for a shopping spree,” Min Ho smirked.

“Okay we don’t need to be doing all this,” you scoffed as you walked into the mall.

“Don’t worry about it babe, I’ve got it,” your boyfriend ensured, waving his wallet in his hand.

“That’s even more of a reason not to be here,” you retort before feeling an arm grab yours and whisk away towards one of the boutiques.

“This place looks nice,” Min Ho nodded in self-approval. “I’m sure you could pick up a couple things here,” he ensured.

Your eyes did linger on a few items, totally giving beach vacay vibes. Upon tossing at least the weight of a small dog-worth of clothes to your boyfriend, you decided to try everything on.

“Baby, you’ll have to be honest with me, okay?” you call out from behind the curtain.

“Always baby,” he hollers back before you pull the curtain aside. “Wow,” he says, genuinely astonished.

“Shush,” you blush, turning back to the mirror and examining the flowy white dress. “I think this is nice for a beach stroll or maybe a swimsuit cover up?” you suggested as you turned back to your boyfriend.

“I think one in every color would be nice,” Min Ho added, “What are the other colors exactly?” He asked, looking towards the sales associate

“No no, one of these is fine,” you insist before shutting the curtain again.

After trying on other items, you made your way to counter to pay. But the cashier began waving her hand at you dismissively.

“No need ma’am,” she assured with a smile, “The young gentleman paid for your items,” she adds as she placed large bags on the counter.

“Baby-“you gasped as you whipped your head to look at your boyfriend.

“I just saw how much you liked pretty much everything you tried on and decided that it should last you the whole trip,” Min Ho replied, the corners of his lips turning up.

“This is basically my lost luggage,” you state as you took the bags from the counter, totally in disbelief by your boyfriend’s actions.

“Next stop, bathing suits,” Min Ho smirked with a knowing look on his face.

After walking into the next boutique, Min Ho failed to notice that this particular store didn’t just specialize in swimwear but also lingerie.

So, you thought, what better way to thank your boyfriend for treating you like sugar baby than show him what’s going to be treating him?

Right after you made selection of bathing suits, Min Ho got up instinctively and assumed you would be done. But he was surprised to see the sales attendant hand you a couple more things to try on.

“More bikinis?” your boyfriend asked as you shimmied on a lace thong.

“Nope,” you replied, also hooking its matching bra and a silk robe.

“I’m not complaining,” he chuckles as he sat back down. “More for me,” he shrugs contently to himself.

“Ta-da,” you sang whilst pushing aside the curtain. “What do you think baby?” you smirked,

Min Ho was struck by a lack of words, his attention totally absorbed by the stunning view in front of him. It was very rare that you had sported a look like this. Especially since if you wanted to do the deed then there would be no need to special attire.

Standing up, your boyfriend wordlessly walked over to you. His hands appeared at your waist as you stood there and watched him just about drool over you.

“This is brilliant,” he finally said, his hands behind to trail up your torso.

“We are in public!” You giggled before stepping back and shutting the curtain in his face.

“I’m going to require some assistance from you later,” Min Ho blushed as he utilized the countless shopping bags to cover the tent in his pants.

JAN 2025

[chocobje]

How I like to characterize Sprout is that he’s great talking with the ones he’s close with (Cosmo, Astro, etc.) But incredibly socially awkward with others. He comes off as brash, but he’s trying his best.

What guidelines do you try to follow when writing Sprout? I’m just curious.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to yap about one of my favourite characters hehe..

You asked for guidelines I gave you a character analysis instead.

(Don't mind the images I didn't want this post to look naked)

ALSO NOTE THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY THIS IS MERELY MY INTERPRETATION OF HIS CHARACTER. EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN!! Don't take my post as a mandatory guide to follow.

Let's talk about what's canon:

I like checking the Wikipedia for his dialogues every now and then to make sure he's not too out-of-character.

Sprout comes off as blunt, he does not sugarcoat his words when he has something to say.

Not even an excuse or a reason as to why he doesn't want to join Teagan for tea; It was straight up a "no" until Teagan told him Cosmo will join them too. (Also I want to point out he doesn't immediately say yes when he's told Cosmo will be there, so for all we know he'd still decline even if his best friend's joining Teagan).

Dandy's dialogue when you purchase Sprout. I think about it a lot. Out of all the character dialogues, the one with Astro is what I feel like is an example of his overprotectiveness coming across as "pushy".

He'd definitely be the type to scold his friends. Especially after Gardenview's shutdown with all the Twisteds wreaking havoc and whatnot. I don't think Sprout is fond of going on runs, but only does so he can watch over everyone and keep them safe. He makes sure everyone is focused and on high alert, he doesn't want anyone to be reckless.

He prioritizes safety over answers. His dialogue with Rodger shows that. Maybe he's also curious as to what has happened, because in Vee's dialogue he tried talking to Dandy only for Dandy to walk away. I assume Sprout just wanted to check up on him rather than knowing what's going on with Gardenview and the Twisteds.

Another thing I don't really see often is how Sprout is actually pretty forgetful and impulsive.

For a Toon who's constantly keeping watch on everyone he surely does not apply the same kind of attention to himself.

He talks before thinking about his words, but once he realized that he immediately apologized to Vee. I don't think he always notices when he comes across as rude though.

I actually think he's actually quite reckless when he bakes. I obviously can't show it in this post but if you look at that animation with Cosmo and Sprout baking they're not even measuring the ingredients. I mean what. 😭

The way he bakes feels so impulsive and it just looked like they were winging it. Somehow despite that their baked goods still end up great and that's honestly impressive.

Okay now for that dialogue between Bobette and Sprout, I was getting there-- I've never made a gingerbread house but from what I've seen from other people it requires a lot more patience and carefulness.

Sprout is neither.

According to him, his gingerbread house fell apart immediately and then he stopped trying afterwards. It's honestly funny.

I feel like this also shows through his stats. Both his extraction speed and skillcheck is 2 stars. His stamina and speed is way higher. He prefers running around, probably to make sure he can watch over everyone during their runs. That or because he has long legs.

Anyway to recap; Sprout in canon is blunt, pushy, overprotective, and impulsive. But he genuinely has good intentions and means well. He cares for his friends, which is why he scolds them because he wants to make sure they're safe.

Now for some headcanons:

Okay this is the part where I make stuff up. So it's just my take;

• He has ADHD.

I'M STARTING WITH THE NEURODIVERGENT HEADCANON.

This is not a unique headcanon. I've seen so many people who headcanons this too so it's relatively popular. Personally, I only see him with ADHD. (I'm projecting).

He's forgetful, impulsive, and quite socially awkward in a way aswell. He's easily distracted. He keeps forgetting about the oven. He's impulsive when baking. I'm a very impulsive and reckless person myself, I constantly make mistakes when I draw, yet somehow they end up okay 😭. When I'm not able to draw something right, I give up immediately. (I projected this onto the gingerbread house thing earlier).

• He comes across as intimidating.

You know in Kids' birthday parties when there's a mascot a lotta kids go run and hide? I based it off of that. I remember when I was like, 6 or 7, when a mascot came in I cried and hid under a table. They were tall.. <\3

I feel like there was a concerning number of kids who were actually afraid of him, despite how friendly he appears both in person and in the show. Maybe it's the RBF when he's not smiling..

I also like to think he's taller than some of the kids who comes to Gardenview which plays a factor to the whole "intimidating" thing. The way Sprout deals with this is giving the kids cupcakes or other sweets. Once the kids actually talk to him they're immediately comfortable.

• He was one of the very first to become "Twisted".

I don't have a concrete idea on how the story of the game goes, but I always imagine the Mains being the first victims. Sprout is a healer and he keeps an eye on everyone, so he had to go first.

–

Okay, I think that's all now. If you read all of that wow thanks, this took me hours to write 😭. I love overanalysing characters.

[linkcharacter]

Love the difference from how Jimmy rejects the pills aggressively while it’s implied in canon Curly just tries to keep his mouth closed rather than hurt anyone. I also love how Curly thanks Jimmy for letting him help vs Jimmy complaining that he had to in canon despite never really being an asked more than once and talks down to Curly.

It’s an interesting difference in how they both take the duty from Anya where Curly is def trying to salivate her of having to take care of Jimmy due to every pre-crash and the guilt but also because that is his friend still. Just comparing it to Jimmy who only does it cause he needs to feel useful and asserting himself as more capable than Anya.

I know you likely wanna keep it vague or open to interpretation but since Curly acknowledged the pills aren’t doing much for Jimmy do you think he’s genuinely doing it just cause it does something even if little for Jimmy or to ease his mind? Sort of like how the crew mainly gives Curly his pills to keep him quiet and more so how Jimmy does it cause Curly’s sobs def mess with his crippling repressed feelings of guilt.

Very interesting how it differs. Also love how you still didn’t show the actual feeding of the pill

Oh yes the differences :) The whole time I was making the comic the 2nd audio of Jimmy feeding Curly the pills kept spinning in my brain. And yes, I didn't show the actual pill feeding, the game doesn't show it visually, so I didn't think there was a reason to do it here.

You are correct, I would like to keep it vague. It's interesting how you interpreted Curly's comment on the pills as just him thinking they aren't doing much for Jimmy, and I'm not saying it's wrong, but I see (and put) a couple of different meanings for his thoughts' text, all of which are valid, this one included.

As to why Curly gives him the pills, I'd say it can be both reasons at once. Curly does want to help, but he also wants to feel like he's helping. The thing about Curly is that he prioritizes doing what his own sense of righteousness dictates as doing the right thing, whether or not it's a smart or a helpful decision or not. Like how he decided to tell the crew about them losing their jobs. It wasn't a smart nor a productive decision, all it did was make the crew stressed and brought the morale down for the rest of the 8 months they were supposed to haul. But it was what Curly saw as 'what a good person would do', 'what a friend would do', that he "can't keep this form them all" because it gnawed on his conscience. He didn't consider consequences of telling upsetting news to his crew, or if he did, they didn't outweigh the importance to do right by his crew to Curly. To him it was the 'less scummy' way to go about it, the one that didn't leave Curly feeling like a bad person for "deceiving" his friends. But he means well at the end of the day too, he doesn't want his friends to feel betrayed, feel like they've been kept in the dark. He doesn't want to use his special treatment as a Captain while his subordinates are worse off than him.

And here with Jimmy, Curly wants to do his best to ease whatever pain his friend is in, but he also doesn't want to force him into anything because that would make Curly feel like he's undermining Jimmy's autonomy, whether or not Jimmy by himself would make a decision on medical treatment that was 'best for him', and whether or not the pills do jack shit at all. Curly tries to do good by everyone, because he genuinely wants to help and because he feels that doing a helpful thing is what he 'should' do. Curly's a complicated guy and it all comes down to what you personally consider as 'genuine want to help' and whether or not, to you, the actions a person takes matter more than the intentions behind them.

Thank you for your comments, as always very discussion engaging, I love it!!

[starryylies]

What about Si with a reader who's giving him the silent treatment? I feel like at first he'd be like "fine whatever" but after like 10 minutes he begs his princess to talk to him

Silent treatment and Simon

Hii thank you sm for the ask! I loved writing it <33

Sorry if it got a bit self indulgent though.

It’s heavy on comfort so hope you enjoy!

You’ve been ‘off’ Simon could tell something’s going on but he couldn’t pin point why it’s going wrong.

Youve been ignoring him since he came home that night after his deployment, giving him short and curt greetings and replies a contrast to your sweet and elaborated ones.

He thought he’d let you deal with whatever you’re going through without butting in.

But no,

Just no

He couldn’t stand there and watch his baby look so down,

He couldn’t stand not hearing your sweet voice echo in the room.

He couldn’t stand the thought that you’re getting tired of him.

He was an overthinking wreck,

All possible ideas came to his mind as to why you’re ignoring him.

“Maybe she’s tired of me, ‘m a fucking mess aren’t I.”

“Maybe she found someone else, someone her own age. Nah fuck no, she wouldn’t do that. Would she..?”

His mind was going on overdrive and he broke down.

And now he found himself marching up to your shared room where you sat on your bed watching a movie.

He turned off the movie and put you on his lap.

“Love what’s happenin’ whys my baby ignoring me huh? Did I do somethin’ wrong?”

“Are ya tired of me?”

He croaked out the last question, tears welling up in his eyes.

You looked at Simon as if you’d seen a ghost

“You really think I’ll be tired of you? I’m here thinking yr’ gonna be tired of me” you confessed with tears welling up in your eyes now.

“It’s just that, I know I can be a piece of work sometimes. I probably just make life harder for ya so I thought maybe keeping my mouth shut wouldn’t annoy ya like I annoy others.”

Simon is hurt to hear you say that, how could you think you annoy him. He fights to come home so he can listen to your sweet voice and look at that pretty face.

And who the fuck told you you’re annoying?

He holds it in him to ask that later because he doesn’t want to stray from the conversation going on but he makes a mental note to give them a personal visit when you’re done

“I don’t even know why you’re with me there’s so many people out there who are better, prettier, more competent.”

“I’m nothing si,I’m not the girl you make me out to be. I’m so scared of the day you start seeing me the way I see myself”

Simon felt his heart break in pieces when he heard you say such cruel things about yourself.

How could he feel okay when the love of his life thought so badly about herself

How could he show you you’re the prettiest and the only woman that matters in his life

“Ya fucking stupid?”

He asked curtly, regretting his harsh words the second he spit them out.

“Excuse me?”

“No genuinely are ya fucking stupid, you fucking think I’ll get tired of you- the first and the only thing that’s ever mattered to me?”

“Fuckin’ hell lovie you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve seen and yr’ important person in my life.”

“Ya think you make life tougher for me? Ever since you’ve come in my life you’ve made it liveable, you made life seem something worth experiencing, I was just blood and guns before I met you, now I’m a person”

“Fuck id kill for you, die for you, do anything for you. You seriously believe I’ll ever get tired of ya? Because if you do I’m sorry to say you’re a fuckin’ idiot”

Tears prickle down your face as you hear his confession,

You’ve been feeling so insecure, so incapable and so unlovable these past months when simon was away, you’d forgotten how much he loves you.

You cried into his chest, gripping onto him and nestling yourself in his arms.

His beefy arms rubbed your back as he cood at you, telling you how much he loves ya and how he will never get tired of you.

[ell6ied]

blue lock men as love island contestants

𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼

pairings: (separate) sae itoshi, rin itoshi, yoichi isagi, meguru bachira, seishiro nagi, rensuke kunigami, oliver aiku, ryusei shidou x f!reader

sae itoshi

i’m so undecided about this man. i feel like he could be either a lover boy or a heartbreaker.

like i can see him either coupling up and not even batting an eyelash for a bombshell, or he’s literally getting to know every single bombshell, keeping you constantly on your toes.

either way, i can see twitter going crazy once he enters the villa, love island producers knew what they was doing putting the itoshi siblings in the same villa.

it’s definitely one sided beef though, he doesn’t entertain his brothers side comments about him during challenges and even tries giving him girl advice on occasions 😭

is so unbothered by the challenges, especially the twitter one. this man couldn’t care less about what the public had to say about him or his girl.

he always makes sure to be so half assed about them too, never putting in full effort because he thinks they’re ridiculous.

i can imagine him telling you to stop embarrassing yourself on tv for a silly challenge.

after his clip plays on movie night, he’s genuinely confused why you’re mad about it since it happened 2 weeks ago.

you can’t tell whether he’s being manipulative or oblivious.

i feel like he’d also be that one boy telling the rest of them that if they’re not exclusive they shouldn’t hold back on getting to know the other girls, ESPECIALLY during casa.

doesn’t understand why you think it’s a big deal that he said that since he was still being loyal to you. twitter keeps calling him a red flag.

despite everything though, i feel like he’d also be the guy to have your back in any argument you have, but making sure to correct you where you went wrong in private.

rin itoshi

idc what ANYONE says this man is a lover boy.

he locks in with one girl (you) and stays loyal the whole show even with you having ups and downs, you both always make it through and the public just love you both.

i feel like he’d be the first bombshell to enter the villa and the girls are ALL OVER HIM. like when miguel entered the villa on love island usa and the girls just kept pulling him away 😭

he gets so mad when he sees his brother walk in as a bombshell a week or so later, definitely causes sm drama to the point the public are divided 50/50 about who’s side they’re on.

literally so competitive in challenges and games, especially couple ones.

he’s always stressing at you to pick up the pace so that you both can win, which gets him clowned on twitter.

you both end up winning though.

lowkey gets into beef with the boys on movie night since his clip just showed him talking shit about them all 😭

he def hated casa amor too, refusing to kiss the girls for the challenges, causing the main villa to win the points. also sleeps outside on the day beds, looking at pictures of you on his phone.

yoichi isagi

obviously an og. i feel like he’s also the type to find you early on and settle. though, i can see him still getting to know the bombshells, he just thinks they don’t compare to you in the slightest.

is the maid and chef of the villa. always the one to clean up after people. he’s also the first boy to make breakfast and coffee for his couple.

overall, he’s very sweet to all the islanders, he’s like the main boy all the girls come to for advice and a shoulder to cry on when their couple has done them dirty.

however! we know how this man can be and when he gets jealous omg, the villa absolutely kicks off.

i feel like everyone watching got so surprised when they saw him turn into this territorial guard dog over you when a new boy tried kissing you.

so yeah, all the bombshells kinda left you alone after that, which he was definitely pleased about.

lowkey gets rinsed in the twitter challenge and genuinely doesn’t understand the publics beef with him.

“i don’t even get that jealous.”, the rest of the islanders just keep quiet.

i feel like during casa he wouldn’t be completely innocent but he wouldn’t do anything bad enough to cause you to break up with him, just him having little flirty chats which definitely get shown at movie night.

he’s also incredibly shit at challenges, especially the couple ones, like your both notorious for being last place each time.

meguru bachira

this man would be so sweet and cheery, definitely the comedic relief of the group. i feel like he’d be on the og lineup.

but i can see him being an accidental heartbreaker, like he’s in a couple and during casa amor there’s this one girl who shows him so much attention and he’s missing you so much so he shares a bed with her and gives her a kiss outside a challenge 🫣

i feel like it’d get exposed during movie night or during the casa recoupling when he comes back alone and one of the girls expose him.

surprisingly brings everyone watching to tears when he’s apologising, begging on his knees for you to forgive him.

definitely becomes a huge thing on tiktok and twitter like kordell and serena after casa.

eventually he makes it up to you, and the public seem to love you both even more, landing him in the final 4.

seishiro nagi

he’s such a sweetheart but i can see him being a bit of a slow burner. i feel like he’d struggle opening up and showing affection to the girls which cause them to fall back on him.

like if you want him you’d definitely have to play the long game, but i don’t think he’d entertain anyone else so i guess there’s some benefit.

when the both of you were a new couple the public definitely made so many comments thinking he was so uninterested in you until they see the unseen bits and see how much more affectionate and loving he is with you.

i feel like that would also be what’s highlighted during movie night, like a conversation with isagi where he’s telling him he’s not sure if he feels a connection with you yet. you can tell it was when you was both just getting to know each other but he doesn’t escape the foul side eye you give him.

during casa i feel like he’d talk to the girls so condescendingly 😭

like, production make him join the conversations with the girls and he says the most backhanded things to them, causing isagi to snicker at him while the girls just look all confused.

hates challenges so much. he tries a bit harder for the couple ones but you always end up getting second to last place.

“at least i’m not as bad as isagi.”, he’ll say when you roll your eyes at him after he miserably failed yet another challenge .

renuske kunigami

oh everyone would love this man.

i feel like he’d struggle finding a connection at first until he’s at risk of being dumped and then you, a bombshell walks in and just completely clicks with him.

such a romantic type, i feel like the islanders would let you and him get the chance to go to the hideaway first.

even after going to the hideaway, he remains so respectful, even though his mind is going crazy with the lingerie you wore for him.

is also weirdly good at challenges. seems to know who all the questions are about, even if it’s a guess.

during movie night he just sits there munching on his popcorn, watching the boys get exposed while he knows he’s one of the only boys getting a peaceful night in his couple.

this man also despised casa. it’s the only thing him and rin really bonded over. he was also sleeping on the day beds but i feel like he’d kiss in challenges if he hadn’t made you his girlfriend before casa.

probably the only man to not have any arguments or problems with his couple.

oliver aiku

this man is either hated or loved by the public.

can’t find a genuine connection for the life of him. he definitely comes in as a bombshell, and steals someone from their couple, then just keeps getting his head turned by every single bombshell that enters the villa 😭

he genuinely can’t help himself

always says, “i can’t put all my eggs in one basket.” or “do you wanna go for a chat?”

gets nervous when any of the boys talk to one of the many girls he’s pursuing.

i feel like at first people would have zero idea this man is a player, but then eventually the public just start getting sick of him, chanting on twitter to get him out next.

the boys take him as inspiration on what NOT to do.

he’s also incredibly shit at challenges, always gets them wrong and dreads every time a text comes through on someone’s phone, praying it isn’t a challenge.

ryusei shidou

he’s always getting into trouble with production, i feel like he’d end up getting kicked out after maximum a week for prohibited behaviour.

definitely gossips with the girls telling them what their couples have been saying behind their back, like this man is MESSY. i can imagine him saying like, “oh, yeah he’s definitely into the new girl, he was telling the boys how she’s his type on the outside.”

the boys absolutely despise him for this 💀 ESPECIALLY OLIVER.

gets awarded messiest islander in the awards ceremony night.

speaking of, i feel like he’d LIVE for the challenges, especially movie night or the twitter game. he wouldn’t even hold back on who he thought the tweets were about, which would cause drama after the challenge 🫢

in terms of coupling up, i think he will just go for whoever wants him, he doesn’t seem too picky. but once he gets attention from multiple girls his head is definitely turning and he wouldn’t care about how you felt.

gets absolutely rinsed on social media once he gets back home.

[lavenders388]

hey :) I was wondering if you could do a Dae ho fic, where he and the reader are absolutely oblivious to their feelings and Jung-bae decides to do what he can to push them together (the ultimate wing man) Thanks

~Oblivious~

Kang Dae Ho x Reader

requested 💌

a/n: this is the cutest request ever:) i love jung bae and dae ho together and this is such a sweet idea! sorry if this seems a bit rushed!! i wrote it before school:3

"during lights out, we should keep watch over the group in pairs." gi hun states sternly. he is met with some mumbled "why?"s, but out of desperation and lack of anything else to follow in the place, everyone has silently agreed to just go with what he says.

as the recorded voice echoes throughout the large, intimidating room you all will call home for the night, you look around to who could be your second for watch duty. you think about choosing maybe guaem ja or her son as they have become the closest to you, closest to friends.

"hey y/n, you watch with dae ho tonight." you hear from the bunk next to you. you look and see it to have come from jung bae, the man who knows gi hun from before the games. you've grown to trust him as well, his genuineness aiding in delivering moments of relief from the awful place you've all found each other in. you notice he's trying to hide a smile.

"okay sure!" you say with a small smile, relieved to know what the plan is for the night as well as to have someone to spend it with. the thought of not being alone relieves your fear massively, and then thought of dae ho being your partner made your twinge.

"may i stay here until it's my turn?" you ask gi hun, referring to your bunk that's across the X side of the room. "yes of course, it wouldn't be safe to walk all that ways in the night." gi hun replies. the reminder of the unsafe situation makes your skin crawl thinking about what could come throughout the night.

all you want is to just go home, but knowing that home wouldn't be much better makes your spirit falter. you've grown to enjoy being apart of your group, the community being something very starkly different than what you're used to. you had a few friends before coming to the game, but you were never super close. they probably haven't even noticed you're missing yet. as the brisk thought of them not having a clue of your whereabouts crosses your mind, you look around to the group who decided they would protect you throughout this before even knowing you. they're all talking amongst themselves, joking and being kind. its refreshing. it makes you forget all about where you are.

you decide that when you're out you wont be notifying your friends back home. you'll take the money and spend your time with the people you're with right now, the people who chose to care for you out of the kindness of themselves.

thinking about this makes you realize how much you don't want to stop spending your time with these people. your thoughts are interrupted by a soft hand on your shoulder. you turn and see dae ho.

you smile at him, and listen as he begins to tell you why he got your attention. "we should stay close together until its time for our watch. would you like to sleep in the bed next to mine?" he says with his normal confidence, all though you notice his voice faltering a bit when he asks you to sleep next to him. "of course dae ho, thank you for asking." you say smiling at him again.

"actually would you guys be okay taking the first watch, it would probably be the safest one." you hear from above you as you see jung baes head poking out of one of the taller bunks. you both agree and get out of bed heading to where gi hun designated the watch point of your little base.

after you get settled, an awkward silence falls on you. "do you really think that people will try to fight us tonight?" you ask dae ho in a whisper, trying to start a conversation but also speaking your worry in a way that might make you feel better. "I'm not sure, but gi hun said that's what happened last time. he didn't say it was every night though, so maybe we'll be okay tonight." he says in a soft but still confident tone. it makes you feel safer, knowing that fighting may not even break out tonight. his voice comforts you as well.

"what do you plan on doing with the money when you get out?" you ask him, looking up at him for the answer. "well first i would pay off some debts, then i think i would buy a house, or even an apartment depending on how much i get. and then after that i haven't really thought of anything." he says with a chuckle that brings a smile to your face. "what about you, y/n?" he asks you. "honestly the same as you. like exactly. I wanna pay off whatever I can and then settle down somewhere. and then I'm not sure." you say to him with a smile. you think its funny you both have the same plan.

"i think thats a great idea y/n." he says to you softly and genuinely. you've grown to really appreciate the way he speaks to you, to everyone. you smile at him again as another awkward silence falls over the two of you. "if you make way more than what you think you will, then what do you think you would do?" he asks sweetly, caring for your answer as well as to dissipate the silence. "I have no idea!" you say a little louder than you should've, with a hint of sarcasm. "i think maybe id get like a cool car or something i don't know." you say laughing at yourself. your laugh makes him smile.

"what would you do dae ho?" you ask him in return. "i might start up a business or something, like maybe a coffee shop or a little market." he answers. you find this endearing. "that's really interesting!" you reply. "that sounds really fun, maybe ill do that as well."

"maybe we could do it together."

he states, his mood shifting from small talk to something more.

"i would really like that." you reply.

"hey lovebirds its our turn to watch." jung bae says laughing with gi hun from behind the two of you. you wonder how long they've been standing there.

as you crawl back into the bed next to him, you begin to hope there was truth in jung baes words.

[swappermanent]

Sugar Baby

When I started going out with Paul, it felt like everything had finally settled into place. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was in a relationship that made me feel alive. We were super attracted to each other—magnetically, almost—which, after years of boyfriends who left me feeling unsure and self-conscious, was a relief. I knew I was attractive, sure, but there’s a difference between knowing it and feeling it. With Paul, I felt it.

The chemistry was undeniable. We were having sex all the time, barely able to keep our hands off each other. It had been seven months, and honestly, I thought the honeymoon phase might never end. We’d built this bubble around us, this glowing little world where nothing else mattered… until that night.

We’d just come back from dinner at a trendy little spot downtown. I thought the evening had been perfect. The food was great, the wine was flowing, and Paul had looked incredible in his tailored blazer and skinny jeans. But as soon as we got back to my apartment, I could tell something was wrong.

Paul dropped his wallet on the counter with more force than necessary and crossed his arms. “Did you hear what that server said tonight?” he asked, his voice sharp.

I blinked, trying to think back. “What are you talking about?”

“He called me a sugar baby, Oliver,” Paul snapped, his eyes flashing. “Or at least he implied it. Don’t tell me you didn’t catch that.”

I frowned, replaying the night in my head. “I think he said something about us being a…‘cute couple,’ maybe? I don’t remember anything like that.”

Paul threw his hands up. “Of course you didn’t notice. Why would you? You’re not the one who gets judged every time we walk into a room together.”

“Paul, what are you talking about?” I asked, genuinely confused. “What do you care what some random waiter thinks? He’s nobody.”

“It’s not just him,” Paul said, his voice rising. “It’s everyone. Every time we’re out, people look at us and assume I’m with you for your money or because you’re older and can…‘take care’ of me or whatever.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I said, trying to keep my tone calm. “No one’s judging you. Why would they?”

Paul’s laugh was bitter. “You really don’t get it, do you? Even though you’re super, super hot, you’re still older, Oliver. People notice. They talk. And I’m tired of it.”

I opened my mouth to respond but realized I didn’t know what to say. I’d always thought of us as equals, partners in every sense. But now Paul was voicing something I hadn’t even considered. I didn’t care what anyone thought of us, but clearly, he did.

The argument spiraled from there, each of us throwing words we didn’t mean into the space between us. By the time we finally fell silent, the tension was suffocating. I hated it. I hated that we were fighting, that I couldn’t make him see how little anyone else’s opinion mattered.

That was when Paul said something I never expected. “I wish you could understand what it’s like to be me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, folding my arms.

“It means you have no idea what it’s like to be young and judged for being with someone older,” he said. “You’ve never had to deal with that.”

I wanted to argue, but something in his tone stopped me. He was hurt, and I didn’t know how to fix it. Instead, I sighed. “I don’t know what you want me to do, Paul. I love you. Isn’t that enough?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he grabbed his coat and left, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

---

The argument with Paul left me feeling helpless. For days, his words echoed in my mind: “I wish you could understand what it’s like to be me.” I hated the wedge it had driven between us, and I wanted to show him—prove to him—how much I cared.

That’s how I ended up in a small, dimly lit shop tucked into a back alley downtown. A witch, of all things, had been recommended by a friend who swore she could “fix anything.” At first, I thought it was ridiculous, but desperation does strange things to a person.

The witch, a woman with piercing green eyes and a voice that felt like velvet and steel all at once, listened to my story. When I told her I wanted to switch bodies with Paul, she raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask questions. “It’s a bold move,” she said, studying me. “Are you sure you want this? The spell isn’t permanent, but it’ll be… revealing.”

I nodded. “I need him to see how much I care. I need to understand.”

That night, I surprised Paul with dinner at home—his favorite meal, candles, wine. He was suspicious at first, probably expecting another long conversation about our fight, but eventually, he relaxed.

After we ate, I told him. “I did something for us,” I said, my hands trembling slightly as I held his. “It’s… different, but I think it’ll help.”

Paul looked at me warily. “What did you do, Oliver?”

“Just trust me,” I said, pulling the small vial of shimmering liquid from my pocket. “Drink this with me.”

“What the hell is that?” he asked, leaning back.

“It’s magic. Literally,” I said, smiling nervously. “It’s going to switch our bodies—for a little while. So I can understand what it’s like to be you. So we can understand each other better.”

Paul stared at me like I’d lost my mind. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am,” I said firmly. “I know it’s crazy, but… I love you, Paul. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work. Please.”

He hesitated, but eventually, he sighed and reached for the vial. “This is insane,” he muttered. “But fine. Let’s do it.”

The sensation was indescribable. A rush of heat, a pull deep in my chest, and then—suddenly—I was staring at myself. At Oliver. My body. Paul’s jaw dropped, and I realized my mouth—his mouth—was hanging open too.

“Oh my god,” I whispered, my voice high and light. Paul’s voice.

“Holy shit,” Paul said, his tone low and steady—my tone. He looked down at his hands, flexing them. “This is… weird.”

We stood there for a moment, just staring at each other, until a grin spread across my—Paul’s—face. “I’m… cute,” I said, looking in the mirror to admire my new body. “You’re adorable, Paul. I mean, I knew that, but… wow.”

Paul rolled his—my—eyes. “Great. Glad you’re having fun already.”

But I could see the curiosity in his expression as he studied his new reflection in the window. “This is so strange,” he muttered, running his—my—hands through his hair.

---

The first few days were exhilarating. I had always thought Paul’s body was beautiful, but living in it was something else entirely. I felt light and full of energy. I was used to being strong, but in Paul’s body, I felt… different. More vulnerable, maybe, but in a way that made me more aware of the world around me.

And then there was the bedroom. That was… an experience. For the first time, I got to see myself—my body—through Paul’s eyes, and it was hotter than I ever could have imagined. I couldn’t stop staring at him. At me. At the way my body moved and how it felt under Paul’s touch.

“Wow,” I whispered one night, lying on my back and looking up at him—at me. “I didn’t realize how hot I am.”

Paul smirked, his—my—hands running over my chest. “Told you.”

The roles had reversed completely. He was stronger now, more dominant, and I was smaller, lighter. It felt amazing to let go and be tossed around a little, to feel his strength in a way I’d never experienced before. And the way he looked at me—his eyes hungry and full of admiration—it turned me on even more.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I teased one night, watching him as he explored his new body.

Paul grinned, his face lighting up. “Maybe a little,” he admitted, his tone playful. “You’re… pretty great, you know.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Took you long enough to figure that out.”

---

At first, being Paul felt liberating. I loved the way people looked at me—at him—with a mix of admiration and envy. I enjoyed the carefree lightness of being in his body, his energy, his youth. But the novelty wore off faster than I expected. The longer I spent as Paul, the more I realized his life wasn’t as effortless as I’d thought.

The first real cracks appeared with his friends.

I’d always thought they liked me. They were always so warm when I was me—when I was Oliver. But as Paul, I got to see the unfiltered version of how they really felt about our relationship. The jokes started small.

“You’re still with Oliver?” one of them asked over beers. “Man, the dude’s practically a fossil.”

The group laughed, and I forced a grin. “He’s not that old,” I said, trying to brush it off.

Another friend, Darren, smirked. “I don’t know, Paul. Next thing you know, you’ll be helping him pick out retirement homes.”

More laughter. I clenched my teeth, trying to laugh along, but it stung. The digs didn’t stop there. Every hangout seemed to come with new jabs. “How’s the old man holding up?” “Bet he falls asleep before you even make it to the bedroom.” “Does he have to stretch before you guys have sex?”

I tried to defend myself—Oliver—but it only made things worse. “He’s incredible,” I snapped once, tired of the ridicule. “He’s smart and successful and—”

“And old,” Darren interrupted, grinning. “C’mon, Paul, we’re just messing with you. Don’t be so sensitive.”

It was grating. Even though they claimed to be joking, the constant comments wore me down. I started to see how much pressure Paul must have felt every time we were out together. I understood now why he’d been so sensitive about the waiter’s comment. This wasn’t just an isolated thing; it was everywhere.

Things came to a head on the beach trip.

Paul’s friends had organized a day at the beach, and I’d been excited. The sun, the waves, the chance to relax—it sounded perfect. But I realized they had ulterior motives.

“Hey, Paul,” one of them said with a sly grin as we set up on the sand. “We invited someone new to join us today. You’ll love him.”

That “someone” turned out to be Vince. Tall, tan, and absolutely ripped, Vince looked like he’d walked straight off the cover of a fitness magazine. His laugh was deep and easy, his smile dazzling. I couldn’t help but notice how good he looked in his swim trunks, his abs catching the sunlight. He was polite, charming, and… clearly interested in me.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. But as the day went on, it became obvious this wasn’t a coincidence. Paul’s friends had brought Vince along to tempt me—Paul. It was a cruel test, one I hadn’t been prepared for.

The group seemed to push us together all day. “Vince, why don’t you help Paul with the cooler?” “Hey, Paul, Vince is really into hiking. You should talk to him about that trail you like.” “You two should totally go for a swim together.”

And Vince played along. He was magnetic, and it was hard not to be drawn to him. His confidence was intoxicating, and the way he looked at me—as if I were the only person on the beach—made my heart race in a way I hadn’t expected.

By the end of the day, we found ourselves at a seaside bar. The group was dancing, drinks in hand, the setting sun casting a golden glow over everything. Vince and I ended up on the dance floor together, and he moved closer, his hand brushing against mine.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” he said, his voice low. His eyes locked on mine, and I felt a rush of heat.

“I’m not—” I started, but he interrupted me.

“Yes, you are,” he said, stepping closer. His hands rested lightly on my hips, and I didn’t pull away. “You’re gorgeous, Paul. You deserve to be adored.”

Before I could respond, he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine. I froze, torn between the pull of his touch and the voice in my head screaming that this was wrong.

I hesitated, and in that moment, his hand slid lower. He gently cupped my bulge, his fingers pressing just enough to send a shiver through me. My breath caught, and before I could stop myself, I kissed him back. It was slow at first, tentative, but then his other hand slid up my back, pulling me closer, and I melted into him.

For a moment, nothing else mattered. Not the group, not Oliver, not the consequences. Just Vince and the way he made me feel—desired, wanted, free.

It started as a moment of weakness. The kiss with Vince was supposed to be just that—a fleeting mistake, something I could forget. But I didn’t forget. I couldn’t.

The first time we slept together, it was like an explosion. Vince was passionate, attentive, and completely unlike anything I’d experienced before. He made me feel alive in a way that both thrilled and terrified me. I told myself it would just be a one-time thing, but one night turned into two, and then three, and soon I was finding excuses to see him.

It wasn’t just about the physical connection—although that was incredible. With Vince, I felt like I could shed all the insecurities I’d been carrying as Paul. He didn’t see me as someone trying to live up to anyone else’s standards. He just saw me.

But every time I was with Vince, the guilt weighed heavier. I was lying to Paul—not just about Vince, but about everything. The whole reason I’d switched bodies was to understand him, to bridge the gap between us. Instead, I’d let the gap widen, filling it with secrets and betrayal.

After weeks of this, I couldn’t keep it up anymore. I knew I had to end things with Paul.

We sat across from each other in his apartment—my apartment, technically—and I struggled to find the words. Paul looked so hopeful, his expression soft despite the tension that had grown between us since the switch.

“I’ve been thinking,” I started, my voice trembling slightly. “About us.”

Paul frowned, leaning forward. “What about us?”

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “You were right,” I said quietly. “The age gap… it’s too much. I thought it didn’t matter, but I see it now. You deserve someone who’s in the same place as you. Someone your own age.”

Paul’s face fell, and my chest tightened. I could see the hurt in his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a tight smile. “So, you’ve come around, huh?” he said, his voice heavy. “I guess I should’ve seen this coming.”

“I just want what’s best for you,” I said, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “You should be with someone who gets you. Someone who can make you happy in ways I can’t.”

He nodded slowly, biting his lip. “Yeah. Maybe you’re right.” His voice wavered, and I could tell he was holding back tears. “I guess I’ve been thinking the same thing… but I didn’t want to admit it.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, guilt gnawing at me. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

Paul took a shaky breath, brushing his hands over his thighs. “Well, I guess this means we need to swap back, huh?”

The words hung in the air between us. I could feel the weight of them, the finality. But instead of agreeing, I hesitated. My heart pounded as I looked at him—at me.

“Actually…” I said, my voice quiet but firm. “I’m afraid we’re not going to be doing that.”

Paul blinked, confusion washing over his face. “What? What do you mean?”

“I mean… I think it’s better this way,” I said, trying to keep my tone steady. “You can start fresh. Be with someone who fits into your life. And I can… I can do the same.”

Realization dawned on him, his eyes widening. “You’re serious,” he said, his voice rising. “You’re not giving my body back?”

I looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “I’m sorry, Paul. I think this is for the best.”

[channelbomb]

okay NOW i can say this because more stuff came out. i posted something like this last night and then deleted it because i felt bad for the shit i said but honestly idgaf and this person deserves it.

sturniololuv08, FUCK YOU. you’re a HORRIBLE person. 28 willingly talking and flirting with minors is INSANE. that’s not even the worst thing you’ve done, somehow, because that’s genuinely repulsive and you should keep your relationship with minors strictly platonic. BUT YOU ALSO WRITE RAPE FICS!??? YOUR FICS MAKE ME WANT TO THROW UP. they’re disgusting, abhorrent, egregious, gross, horrendous, nauseating, repellent, foul, and distasteful. i can’t put into words how much you utterly disgust me. i haven’t been here that long to get to read the fics when they first came out, but the fact you have gone this long getting away with that shit is beyond comprehension. and you think you can just take a hiatus or whatever IS STUPID!!! you’re a threat to others around you, and you honestly make me so mad i just had to go outside.

i’m typing this from my back porch, motherfucker. maybe you should try it to! i know people with full time jobs, kids, and normal lives who are younger than you. BITCH, SEXUAL ASSAULT IS NOT A KINK, ITS A FUCKING CRIME, CUNT.

imagine you went through something so traumatic one time, and now you’re on tumblr because you like some youtubers, and THEN YOU SEE SOMEONE WRITING ABOUT THAT SAME EXPERIENCE YOU HAD.

consent is sexy! consent is the best thing you could do during that, and sex should be something intimate in anything and NOT INITIATED BY NO CONSENT LIKE IN YOUR FICS.

this is fucking disgusting and i never thought i would have to type out these fucking words, but seriously you make me so mad. the way you had those ideas makes my blood absolutely boil. and then thinking playing the victim will make everything better??? BITCH, FUCK YOU!!! we are fans of three guys who fight and laugh in a car every friday, but yet you had these sick and twisted thoughts to write smut about them, WHO ARE YOUNGER THAN YOU and DEFINITELY would not be okay with this either.

i hope you get toothpicks under your toenails and then you have to punt a boulder, i hope you wash your hair tonight (that is, if you even fucking take showers) and and your shampoo is ACTUALLY NAIR, i hope both of the sides of your pillows are burning hot, i hope you get banned off of every social media, i hope you never get a job because your digital footprint is so bad, and i hope you learn from your mistakes.

writing about rape is NOT OKAY. in any way, shape, or form. it’s a heartbreaking thing that happens to women and men worldwide and daily. it takes away their pride, confidence, and sometimes even their ability to get intimate with anyone after. and writing about it is truly revolting. i can’t even put into words how truly furious i am that you think that is okay to write about. i don’t hold back when it comes to shit like this. this is horrendous.

to my mutuals, followers, or even just other fans of the triplets who have been directly affected by this specimen, just know that i love you, i care for you, and you’re so brave for speaking out about it or even just go through it. i’m so proud of you. and you should never have to go through that.

[signanothername]

I– I need to ask.

HOW DO YOU DO THIS?? Like, share your thoughts with everyone. Because I've been working on my universe for about three years now, AND I STILL FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT READY. At the same time, I’m still afraid to share these things...

So. How do you do it?D:

Alright my answer will seem a bit harsh and/or cruel, but know that I mean it in the most kind, genuine, and gentle way possible, i just don’t know how to word it any other way

With that in mind

Anon, you’re never going to be ready to share it, and the fear will always linger, you will never be 100% confident of what you share

And that’s ok

Again, I know that i make it seem super easy, but I promise that I’m just as afraid to share my ideas as anyone else (I’m a perfectionist, and that also contributes to my fear to share things)

It’s just, I think of it this way

I have an idea, and I got two choices

Either

1- I keep overthinking it, and succumb to my worries and fears when it comes to my idea, and keep my ideas with me, never to see the light of day

Or

2- I acknowledge that I’m afraid, acknowledge that my idea might not be perfect or ready, acknowledge that there might be flaws that I will probably notice later and even feel stupid about it, and still share my ideas anyway regardless of the voice in my head telling me to “wait a little more”

I usually go for choice number 2

The art and writing process is complicated, it’s so not easy to write something and feel ready to share it, no matter how much time it takes, you will never ever feel truly and utterly ready to share it, you’ll have that worry in your mind that maybe it’s stupid, or incomplete, or inconsistent or whatever else

And guess what? Sometimes, the worried voice in your head is completely right

But what matters is how you tackle it

Even if you share an idea, remember that you can always change your mind about it, you can absolutely go back and say, I don’t like that idea anymore and so I’ll remove/ change/ replace it

Ideas are never set in stone, you change and grow as a person as so do your ideas, they grow and change with you as you learn more and more, and sometimes they don’t, they don’t change at all, and that’s ok too

You can’t keep worrying about whether the story or idea you’re working on is ready or complete, because all you’re going to do is just walk around in circles and end up never sharing anything at all

It’s ok to be worried, but you can’t let your worries control you, of course, it’s not easy to ignore your worries, but it’s better than feeling stuck with your ideas

I myself do deal with these worries a lot, most of the time i just tell my brain “shut up” and share my ideas anyway, other times my worries do get the best of me and i tend to keep some ideas to myself

But sharing your ideas is actually essential for you to actually be able to work on them and refine them, because people might start asking questions or giving really good feedback that you actually sit with yourself to think about

But what if they ask you a question and you don’t know the answer to it? That’s actually a good thing, it’ll make you sit down and think of how to connect the dots and answer it, not only does it mean you’re actually making progress on your story/ideas, but these kinda questions help you understand different perspectives and by that, you learn and grow in your writing

It’s ok to be worried and to keep ideas to yourself sometimes, but don’t let them fester, because believe me, eventually your passion is gonna burn out because you kept overthinking it to the point it became just a worry than something you enjoy doing

In fact, to give you a bit of motivation, imma actually share one of the ideas I never shared cause I was afraid it’ll be a bit stupid and out of character

And I’m very worried about sharing it, but fuck my worry I do what I want

Remember when I mentioned Dream received one gift from Nightmare, and never received anything after? My idea for that gift was an echo flower he gave Dream, and it echoes one thing “I love you”

There, I shared it ouuughh the stress of sharing it is killing me actually, but I mean I can keep worrying about it forever, or actually share it and refine it later if I wanted, I choose the latter

And your ideas are never going to be perfect anyway, but you can improve them with time, even after sharing them

That’s all I do really shzggz

So go out there and start sharing anon, fuck anxiety, you can do whatever you want, you’re unstoppable

[echo-riot]

✞⛧ High texts from Ellie ✞⛧

Ellie: Yo…

Ellie: Why do they call it quick sand if it’s slow? 🌀

Ellie: …

Ellie: Did I just invent a question no one’s ever asked before?

You: Ellie, are you high?

Ellie: On LIFE… okay, and a little weed. But mostly life. 🌱✨

————————————————————————

Ellie: Bro.

Ellie: Dinosaurs were just big chickens with teeth.

You: Oh my god.

Ellie: Nah, but like imagine one getting scared and running in circles. 🦖➡️➡️➡️➡️

————————————————————————

Ellie: How do giraffes sleep with those long necks?

You: Ellie, go to bed.

Ellie: No but like… where do they PUT the neck???

Ellie: This is what keeps me up at night. 🦒

————————————————————————

Ellie: Bro, if I had like… a treehouse… and a sloth… and a bag of Doritos… I’d never leave.

You: …

You: Ellie, are you still in the safe zone?

Ellie: Yeah but my mind is in the trees, man. 🌳🦥

————————————————————————

Ellie: Dude.

Ellie: I was thinking… what if the moon is just Earth’s lil’ bestie? 🌍🌙

You: …Are you okay?

Ellie: Nah, but like… it’s always there. Watching. Protecting. Like, moon vibes only.

You: You’re so stoned right now.

Ellie: The moon understands me.

————————————————————————

Ellie: I just realized something crazy.

Ellie: If fire is hot… how is lava hotter?

You: It’s literally melted rock, Ellie.

Ellie: MELTED ROCK, BRO.

Ellie: Nature’s soup. 🍵🪨🔥

————————————————————————

Ellie: You ever think about how tacos are like sandwiches, but cooler?

You: Ellie, what are you even—

Ellie: Like, who decided bread gets all the hype? Tortillas deserve some love too. 🌮

————————————————————————

Ellie: Yo…

Ellie: What if the infected… are just vibing?

You: They’re literally trying to eat us.

Ellie: Nah, but like… what if we’re the rude ones for interrupting their day?

You: Ellie, we’re in the middle of an apocalypse.

Ellie: You’re harshing my mellow, dude. 🧟‍♀️🌀

————————————————————————

Ellie: Can giraffes get high?

You: What.

Ellie: Like if they ate… a lot of weed… would their necks get all wobbly?

You: You’ve got to stop.

Ellie: I bet they’d be majestic.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Wait.

Ellie: How do cats know how to meow?

You: Instinct?

Ellie: No, but like, who was the FIRST cat that decided to go “meow”?

Ellie: What if they were trying to say something and we just ignored them?

You: Ellie, I swear—

Ellie: Ancient cat secrets, man. 🐈‍⬛✨

————————————————————————

Ellie: BRO.

Ellie: If zombies eat brains…

Ellie: Do they get smarter after each meal?

You: No. They stay zombies.

Ellie: Missed opportunity. If I was a zombie, I’d totally become like… Einstein. 🧠➡️🧟‍♂️➡️🤓

————————————————————————

Ellie: Yo. Why do my fingers feel like spaghetti?

You: …What?

Ellie: Like, they’re there, but they’re also not, you know?

You: I’m genuinely concerned.

Ellie: What if I am the spaghetti. 🍝✋

————————————————————————

Ellie: What if the whole world is just someone else’s dream?

You: Ellie—

Ellie: And when they wake up, POOF, we’re gone.

You: …How much did you smoke?

Ellie: Enough to realize I’m a figment of someone’s imagination.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Dude.

Ellie: Trees are just really tall grass. 🌳🌾

You: That’s not—

Ellie: Nah, think about it. They’re just fancy grass in suits.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Omg…

Ellie: What if fish can scream underwater, but we just can’t hear them?

You: Ellie, you’re going to ruin aquariums for me.

Ellie: Dude, they’re probably down there like, “AAAAAHHH” and we’re all like, “aww, look at the pretty fish.” 🐟🎤

————————————————————————

Ellie: Yo.

Ellie: If you replace the “S” in mushroom with a “P,” it’s muchroom.

You: …

Ellie: Like, much room. For activities. 🍄

You: I’m blocking you.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe.

Ellie: …

Ellie: What if grass feels pain when we walk on it?

You: Ellie.

Ellie: Like, imagine all those tiny screams every time we step outside. 😭🌱

You: Are you laying in the backyard again?

Ellie: I’M APOLOGIZING TO THE GRASS.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe, I love you.

You: I love you too.

Ellie: Like, you’re my favorite human. 🥺

You: That’s sweet.

Ellie: But also… if I had to save you or my guitar in a fire…

Ellie: …

Ellie: Nevermind. Forget I said anything.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Are pigeons just spies?

You: Spies for who?

Ellie: The government.

You: Ellie—

Ellie: Babe, no one’s ever seen a baby pigeon. Think about it. 🕊️🔍

————————————————————————

Ellie: You know what’s wild?

You: What?

Ellie: You could be like, the last person on Earth, and I’d still wanna kiss you.

You: Aw, that’s actually cute.

Ellie: …And then we’d loot a gas station for snacks. Romantic as hell, right? 💀✨

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe. Come here.

You: What’s up?

Ellie: Touch my face.

You: …Okay?

Ellie: Doesn’t my skin feel soft? Like a cloud? ☁️

You: Ellie, your face is cold.

Ellie: A cold cloud. Same thing.

————————————————————————

Ellie: You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

You: Aww. That’s so sweet—

Ellie: Wait. And weed. You and weed are tied.

You: Seriously?

Ellie: Okay, fine, you win, but only because weed can’t cuddle me.

————————————————————————

Ellie: If I started a band, would you be my groupie?

You: Ellie, you don’t even play in a band.

Ellie: Okay, but if I did. Hypothetically.

You: Sure.

Ellie: Cool. Our first song would be about you. And also snacks. Mostly snacks.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe.

Ellie: Did you know there’s more stars in the sky than grains of sand on Earth?

You: Yeah, I think I’ve heard that before.

Ellie: …

Ellie: Then why don’t they make starcastles instead of sandcastles?

You: Ellie.

Ellie: I’d build you one. With like, sparkly turrets and shit.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Yo.

Ellie: If I could shapeshift, I’d turn into a dog just to see if you’d still love me. 🐕

You: Obviously I would.

Ellie: …

Ellie: Okay, but like… what about a really ugly dog?

You: Ellie.

Ellie: Like, one ear, weird teeth, drools everywhere ugly.

You: Ellie, I’d love you no matter what.

Ellie: That’s so hot.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

You: Oh no.

Ellie: Did you know I’m like, OBSESSED with you?

You: You tell me every day.

Ellie: No, but like… OBSESSED. I’d fight a Clicker for you. Bare-handed.

You: Please don’t.

Ellie: Too late. I’m ready. 🥊

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe.

You: What?

Ellie: Would you still love me if I had… like… a chicken head? 🐔

You: Ellie, what the hell are you talking about?

Ellie: No, for real. Like, full chicken head but same personality.

You: I’d still love you.

Ellie: You’re the one.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Dude.

Ellie: Why do we call them fingers if they don’t even fing?

You: I can’t do this right now.

Ellie: They should be called grabbers.

You: Ellie, please—

Ellie: Or wiggly boys.

You: I’m leaving.

————————————————————————

Ellie: You’re so lucky to have me.

You: Oh, am I?

Ellie: Yeah, ‘cause if you were dating anyone else, they wouldn’t get my deep, stoned thoughts like you do.

You: …Right.

Ellie: Like, they wouldn’t appreciate my theories about talking giraffes.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Yo, come here.

You: Why?

Ellie: I just realized I forgot what your face looks like for a second and I got scared.

You: Ellie, I’ve been sitting across the room for ten minutes.

Ellie: Yeah, but I missed you.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe.

You: Yes?

Ellie: Do you think plants have names?

You: …What?

Ellie: Like, you know how we have names for our pets? But plants are just… “plant.”

You: I mean, I guess they could have names.

Ellie: I’m calling my fern Gerald.

You: Gerald is a good name.

Ellie: I’m introducing him to you next time. Be cool.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe, wait.

You: What now?

Ellie: If we invented a new color, do you think it would taste like something?

You: …What?

Ellie: Like, imagine a color that tastes like cinnamon rolls. I’d paint everything with that color.

You: Ellie, you’re losing it.

Ellie: I’m gaining it. Gaining color, gaining flavor. 🌈🍩

————————————————————————

Ellie: You ever think about how long it takes to eat a sandwich?

You: …What?

Ellie: I mean, you just like, put it in your mouth and chew, but then you think you’re done, but there’s always that last bite.

You: What are you on about?

Ellie: Sandwich time is weird, man. Time slows down when it’s sandwich o’clock.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Yo.

You: Yeah?

Ellie: If I was a superhero…

You: Oh god, here we go.

Ellie: …I’d be Captain Nap.

You: Captain Nap?

Ellie: Yeah, my superpower would be falling asleep anywhere, anytime, and saving the world with my naps.

You: That’s honestly perfect.

Ellie: I know, right? I’m the hero we deserve. 🦸‍♀️💤

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe

You: What’s up?

Ellie: Do you ever think about how weird it is that we have eyebrows?

You: …What?

Ellie: Like, why do we have them? Are they just for keeping sweat out of our eyes?

You: Ellie, I don’t know.

Ellie: I just… can’t stop thinking about eyebrows now.

You: Okay, new rule: no more thinking.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Hey, babe.

You: Yeah?

Ellie: If we were in a zombie apocalypse and I turned, would you…

You: Please don’t.

Ellie: …Would you still love me if I was an adorable zombie?

You: …An adorable zombie?

Ellie: Yeah, like, I’d still be cute but just a little… extra bite-y.

You: I’d have to end it, wouldn’t I?

Ellie: I’d want you to put me out of my misery, tbh- kinda hot picturing you standing over me with a gun

You: You’re getting way too into this.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Yo.

You: What?

Ellie: You ever realize how much talking we do, but we never just… exist?

You: …What do you mean?

Ellie: Like, we’re always saying stuff, but what if we just sat in silence and let the vibes speak for us?

You: Are you telling me to shut up?

Ellie: No, babe. I’m telling you that silence is the new language. 🦋✨

————————————————————————

Ellie: Hey babe, I’m serious.

You: What now?

Ellie: If I get a pet sloth, will you be my sloth’s godparent?

You: Of course, I will.

Ellie: Yes! I’m getting a sloth and I’m naming him Jerry.

You: You’re making some wild decisions tonight.

Ellie: You love it. Jerry’s gonna be our son.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe.

You: What’s up?

Ellie: You ever just look at me and think, “Damn, I’m lucky”?

You: I mean, yeah.

Ellie: Well, I think about how lucky you are to have me all the time.

You: Oh really?

Ellie: Yep. Especially when I’m high. Makes me think I’m extra cute. 😏

————————————————————————

Ellie: Hey babe, you know what?

You: What?

Ellie: I think I could get lost in your eyes for like… hours.

Ellie: Well, I don’t wanna be found. So… lucky for you. 😉

————————————————————————

You: Ellie, what are you doing?

Ellie: Just imagining how good it would feel if you kissed me right now.

You: You’re making me want to kiss you right now.

Ellie: Good. Do it.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe.

You: Yes?

Ellie: I’ve been thinking… what would you do if I just crawled into your lap right now?

You: I think I’d be too distracted to do anything else.

Ellie: Mmmm, good. Keep looking at me like that, and I might just do it.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Sooo…

You: What?

Ellie: You know what would be really fun?

You: What?

Ellie: If we stayed in tonight… just the two of us… cuddling on the couch… and maybe a little more than cuddling. 😉

You: You have a way of making plans sound irresistible.

Ellie: That’s the idea.

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe, guess what?

You: What?

Ellie: I’m feeling a little naughty tonight.

You: Oh yeah?

Ellie: Mmhm. I might just need someone to help me with that. Someone like you. 😏

————————————————————————

Ellie: You know… I was thinking… if you kissed me right now, it’d be impossible for me to not kiss you back.

You: Oh really?

Ellie: Yeah. You’ve got that effect on me. 😘

————————————————————————

Ellie: Babe… what if we skip the talking and go straight to kissing?

You: I’m very okay with that idea.

Ellie: Thought you might be. So when do we start?

————————————————————————

Ellie: Hey, babe.

You: Yeah?

Ellie: You know I love teasing you, right?

You: I’ve noticed.

Ellie: Good. I like knowing you enjoy it. 😉

————————————————————————

[hakkkuu]

₊˚⊹ᰔRIIZE & MICRO FLIRTING₊˚⊹ᰔ riize x female!friend reader

Shotaro ᰔ Sweet Gestures

Shotaro would flirt through small, thoughtful actions—like tying your shoelaces, bringing you snacks, or remembering little things about you. His way of flirting is gentle and caring, almost impossible to miss if you pay attention.

You sigh loudly as you plop onto the couch, kicking off your shoes dramatically.

“Tired?” Shotaro asks, sitting down beside you, his warm smile making you feel a bit lighter.

You nod. “Exhausted.”

Without a word, he reaches into his bag and pulls out your favorite drink. “I figured you might need this.”

You laugh, taking it. “How do you always know?”

He shrugs, his cheeks tinged pink. “I just… pay attention to you, I guess.” His voice is quieter, and his eyes linger on yours a second too long before he looks away.

Eunseok ᰔ Playful Teasing

Eunseok would tease you constantly, poking fun at your quirks or the way you do things, but in a way that always feels lighthearted and affectionate. He flirts by making you laugh.

You’re struggling to fold a paper crane for a random arts-and-crafts challenge Eunseok forced you into.

“Why does yours look like a… squashed chicken?” he chuckles, leaning over your shoulder.

You glare at him. “Excuse me, artistic expression?”

He grins, grabbing your hand to guide your fingers on the next fold. “Here, let me save this poor bird.” His hand lingers over yours, and you glance up at him. His smile softens just slightly.

“Better?” he asks, but he’s not looking at the crane.

Sungchan ᰔ Subtle Compliments

Sungchan would throw in compliments when you least expect them—usually casual but undeniably genuine. It’s his way of making sure you know he notices you.

You’re sitting next to Sungchan at the café, sharing a plate of fries.

“Okay, be honest. Do I look like a mess today?” you ask, brushing back your windblown hair.

He tilts his head, studying you for a moment. “Mess? No way. You look good even when you don’t try.”

Your cheeks heat up. “Don’t say stuff like that.”

“Why not? It’s true,” he replies, his dimpled smile making it hard to tell if he’s serious or teasing. But the way he’s looking at you says he means every word.

Wonbin ᰔ Physical Touch

Wonbin’s way of micro-flirting would involve casual touches—ruffling your hair, slinging an arm over your shoulder, or nudging you playfully. It’s natural but intentional.

“Let’s race to the end of the street,” you say, already bolting ahead.

Wonbin laughs behind you, catching up easily. Just as you’re about to reach the lamppost, he grabs your wrist and spins you around, both of you breathless and laughing.

“Cheater!” you accuse, and he grins, keeping his grip on your wrist a second longer than necessary.

“Loser,” he teases, tapping your forehead gently before letting go. “But you’re cute when you’re competitive.”

Seunghan ᰔ Steady Eye Contact

Seunghan would flirt with his intense eye contact, making you feel like you’re the only person in the room. He doesn’t need to say much—his gaze does all the work.

You’re in the middle of telling a story, gesturing wildly to emphasize your point.

“Wait, are you even listening?” you ask when you notice Seunghan hasn’t said a word.

He blinks but doesn’t look away. “I’m listening,” he says softly.

His eyes don’t leave yours, and you feel your heart stumble.

“Then… what did I just say?” you challenge, flustered.

“You said that the cat was stuck in the tree, and you had to climb up to get it.” His lips curl into a small smile. “But I was more focused on how excited you looked while saying it.”

Sohee ᰔ Quiet Acts of Service

Sohee would flirt by quietly helping you out—carrying your bags, fixing things for you, or making sure you’re comfortable. It’s subtle, but it shows how much he cares.

“Why is this thing so heavy?” you groan, struggling to carry a box of drinks into the room.

Before you can take another step, Sohee takes it from your hands effortlessly.

“You could’ve asked for help,” he says, setting it down for you.

“I didn’t want to bother you,” you mumble, feeling a bit guilty.

He glances at you, a faint smile playing on his lips. “You’re never a bother.” His voice is quiet, but it carries enough weight to make you pause.

Anton ᰔ Awkward but Endearing

Anton would flirt in a way that’s a bit awkward but totally adorable—like stumbling over his words or randomly bringing up something he noticed about you days ago.

“Hey, uh…” Anton begins, scratching the back of his neck as he walks up to you.

“What’s up?” you ask, amused by how nervous he looks.

He holds out a small bag. “You said you like sour candy, right? I saw this and thought of you.”

Your heart warms. “Anton, that’s so sweet!”

“I-It’s not a big deal,” he stammers, looking at the floor. Then, as if realizing he might’ve made it too obvious, he blurts out, “I mean, it’s not like I was thinking about you or anything!”

You laugh, and he groans, covering his face. “Forget I said that.”

[amitiel-truth]

River Maiden Pt. 6

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,

"Telemachus..." (Y/N) sighs into the sea, leaning out the window with a longing look in her eyes and a small pout, hands under her chin, missing her Prince.

Two guards stand behind her, who is just about done with her yearning.

"She's been longing for the Prince since he left." one of the Guards mutters, remembering how the two barely want to let go of each other, kissing too passionately to the point it unnerved The Prince's crew and (Y/N)'s Guards, before being forcibly pulled apart.

"If we didn't pull those two apart, I swear they were close to having sex then and there." the other Guard points out.

"I can hear you, Ioannis, Panagiotis. Oh, who am I kidding? We were about to have sex then and there." (Y/N) agreed, whining, burying her face in her arms, as the two Guards shared a tired look.

A storm had just passed, (Y/N) doesn't know why but it feels different, familiar.

Suddenly she heard yelling at the palace entrance, there she saw Antinous and the Suitors, antagonizing who seemed to be a Beggar.

"What are they up to now?." (Y/N) grimaces, before walking down the hall with the knights following her.

"You—dare to call me out, beggar? You who live on the scraps thrown to you by the mercy of others, who have never known the power of a seat at the king’s table, speak as though you are in any position to judge me? You think I take advantage of the royalty's hospitality? Ha. You are mistaken."

He steps closer, his voice low and venomous.

"I’ve earned my place at their side. The gods themselves would envy the privileges I enjoy. You? You’re nothing more than a shadow, a fleeting thought that the nobility might spare a coin or two, and that is the extent of your world. Do not mistake my invitation for weakness, beggar. It’s a courtesy you will never receive."

With an icy glance, Antinous leans in, voice barely a whisper.

"Keep your insults to yourself, or I will remind you what happens to those who speak above their station."

He turns sharply, leaving the beggar with nothing but the weight of his contempt hanging in the air.

"What's going on here?" a sharp voice cuts through Antinous arrogant claims, there stands a woman the Beggar never seen before, as the Suitors give way with two guards behind her.

Antinous steps forward, trying to maintain his composure, though his irritation is evident.

"Ah, it seems we have a new guest. I was merely handling a... misunderstanding, my lady. A beggar is attempting to sow discord with his wild accusations." He gestures toward the beggar dismissively, his voice carrying the weight of entitlement. "It’s nothing of concern, truly."

The woman’s eyes meet his with a sharpness that makes his words falter, her expression unreadable as she glances from Antinous to the Beggar. before (Y/N) walked up to the Beggar, a soft smile began to appear on her lips.

"Hello Sir, you seem tired and restless, you seem like you haven't had a good rest for the past 20 years or so, would you like a place to rest for a while, I assure you, you'll be provided with food and fresh clothes, think of it as compensation from our unruly guest, please take some rest." (Y/N) offered gently, surprising the Beggar.

The Beggar stares at her for a long moment, his face a mixture of disbelief and cautious hope. He hesitates, glancing at the guards behind her and then back at the crowd. But there is something in her gaze—something genuine—that softens his hardened exterior.

"Food… fresh clothes?" He repeats, a small laugh escaping him, though it’s laced with uncertainty. "For a beggar like me? A man who’s seen nothing but the gutters and shadows for more years than I can count?" He looks down at himself, his clothes ragged and dirt-streaked.

He bows his head slightly as if humbled by her offer. "But... perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to rest for a moment. A bed… food… I’ve long since forgotten what it feels like."

He nods slowly, accepting the offer, though his eyes flicker to Antinous one last time, a small but defiant smile pulling at the corner of his lips as he steps forward to follow her.

"Thank you, my lady," he murmurs softly, as though the words themselves are foreign to him. "I will gladly accept your generosity."

"Right this way, Sir." (Y/N) leads the way, with the guards following them behind, barely paying any mind to the Suitors's leering eyes

“Forgive me, lady… but I’ve wandered these streets for years. I’ve heard no word of a princess on Ithaca. No news, no whispers, not a single mention of one among the suitors. You carry yourself as though you’re of noble blood, yet none of the townsfolk have spoken of a princess." the Beggar asked in curiosity as they began to walk down the halls near the servant quarters.

"Oh, I'm no Princess, Sir. I'm the Prince's bethrode" (Y/N) clears up the confusion with a wave of both her hands.

"The Prince’s betrothed?" He repeats, voice laced with disbelief. His eyes flicker to the men, now understanding why they’re watching her with such intent. But it still doesn’t quite add up in his mind. "I’m new to Ithaca, so forgive me, but… I’ve heard nothing about any betrothal, let alone the Prince being promised to anyone."

His voice drops slightly, almost to himself as he continues, trying to make sense of what’s happening around him.

"These suitors, they’ve been here for ages. They talk about the Queen’s hand, the one they’re all fighting for. But no word about a Prince, no whispers of his betrothed, nothing at all. It’s like they’re all focused on the wrong prize."

"And I wish to keep it that way." (Y/N) commented, as they reached one of the unoccupied servant's room.

"This is your room for now, I'll make sure someone brings you food, clean water, and fresh clothes" (Y/N) opens the door for him with a smile.

"You say you wish to keep things quiet, but I wonder..." He turns to face her, leaning against the doorframe of the room. "Is there danger in revealing who you truly are? Or perhaps the suitors are only a small part of this, aren’t they? There’s something else, something you're not telling me."

He gives a small, wry smile before continuing, his voice lowering as if speaking to himself. "I don’t mean to pry, but it feels like there’s a storm brewing here, and I’ve just walked into the middle of it." (Y/N) simply stares at him with a smile, but her eyes seem different.

His eyes soften, his voice gentler now as he adds, "But I’ll take what you’ve offered—food, clean clothes, rest. I won’t question your kindness. For now."

"It'll only take a while, take as much rest as you want." (Y/N) stated as The Beggar softly closed the door, and she turned to leave to look for a servant.

As (Y/N) walks down the hallway, leaving the beggar alone in the room, Antinous appears at the end of the corridor, leaning casually against the stone wall. His eyes lock on her the moment she walks by, and he pushes himself off the wall with a smirk, stepping into her path.

"Well, well, if it isn’t the lady herself," Antinous says smoothly, his tone laced with mock admiration. He takes a look around the palace hall as if inspecting the surroundings, then gestures broadly with a sweep of his hand. "You’ve really turned this place into an inn, haven’t you?" He chuckles, clearly amused by the thought.

"Beds for everyone, meals on demand... What’s next? A 'no questions asked' policy?" His eyes twinkle with mischief, though there’s an edge to his words that suggests his distaste for what’s happening. His gaze flickers back to where the Beggar is resting in the room she’d just shown him.

(Y/N) simply scoff "If the palace were an Inn, you'd be our no. 1 customer, the problem is, you don't even bother to pay your bill." (Y/N) taunted, looking at him mockingly.

Antinous’s smile falters for a moment, his eyes flashing with irritation, but he quickly recovers, giving a low chuckle as he crosses his arms over his chest. His posture remains relaxed, though there's a noticeable edge to his voice now.

"Ah, a sharp one, aren’t we?" He gives her a sideways glance, clearly amused by her response, but his tone still holds that familiar arrogance. "I suppose I’d be a loyal customer if the service were worth my time." He pauses, his eyes lingering on her body as the guards cross their spears over her, making (Y/N) raise her hand as they back down.

"And what makes you think you deserve those kinds of services?" (Y/N) asks, tilting her head.

"Deserve?" He echoes her word with a mock thoughtfulness, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. "Well, I don’t believe in the concept of deserve as much as I believe in taking what I want. And I want what I see. It’s as simple as that, (Y/N). You’re not as untouchable as you seem."

"And I don’t need to explain myself to anyone—especially not to someone playing pretend in a palace like this." His words are laced with a sharp edge, his confidence unshaken despite the guards presence. "You might be the prince’s betrothed, but that doesn’t mean you’re above everyone else here. You still have your role to play, just like the rest of us." He pauses for a moment, his voice lowering with a hint of something darker, something more possessive.

"You know," he begins, stepping a little closer, his eyes scanning her with a new, pointed intensity, "the thing about being a betrothed is that you need someone strong by your side. Someone who can really protect you." His lips curl into a sly grin, clearly aware of the implications of his words. "Not some... boy pretending to be a man."

"Especially when you’re as... fragile as you are," he adds with a mocking edge, his voice turning colder. "I mean, look at you—caught in a palace full of men who don’t even see you for what you are. It must be so... lonely, being with someone like the Prince. You need someone who sees your worth, who can show you what real power feels like."

His lips curl into a slow, almost predatory grin as if savoring every word.

"I can give you that, (Y/N). A man like me, not afraid to take what’s mine."

(Y/N) looks at him blankly, a cold stare in her eyes, before laughing, an extremely taunting laugh, akin to someone who's not afraid to...send a message.

"You truly believed all that act?!" (Y/N) laughs, heaving, as the guards look at her confused.

"Oh, but I couldn't blame you, my dearly beloved was so protective of me that day and I wouldn't have it any other way, I just love being doted by him day and night." (Y/N) sent him a smirk with her hands on her cheek.

"Something you can never do~."

"Really?" He drawls, clearly attempting to mask the sting of her words with feigned amusement. "So you think this is some kind of... sweet little game?" He looks her up and down, his gaze sharp as he tries to regain some control of the conversation. "I’d be more careful with your little prince’s doting, you know. Protective, you say? Sounds more like someone’s trapped in a gilded cage."

"Sure, you can love being doted on. But you know what they say about people who need constant reassurance..." His voice lowers, a hint of condescension creeping in as he steps closer, his eyes glinting with a dangerous satisfaction. "It’s not about strength—it’s about needing to be needed. And from what I can tell, your prince is happy to play the part. But let’s be real here, (Y/N). He’ll never be able to give you what you really need."

He leans in slightly, lowering his voice to a near whisper, but his words are as sharp as ever.

"And that’s something I can give you. Strength that doesn’t cower behind softness. Power that doesn’t rely on foolish ideals."

Antinous stands a little taller, his smirk widening at the tension he’s created.

"So go ahead, keep playing this little game with him," he finishes with a mocking laugh of his own, "but don’t be surprised when you realize—he’s nothing compared to the kind of man who can truly show you what it means to have control."

"I don't need control, all I need is Telemachus. and besides, why would I ever replace a Prince, to a man who couldn't provide his own food and shelter? ~." (Y/N) smirked at him, before leaving him in the middle of the hall to collect himself.

Antinous stands frozen for a moment, his smirk faltering as the weight of her words sinks in. He watches her walk away, and for a brief second, his usually unshakable confidence cracks. "Telemachus." The name lingers in the air like a bitter taste, and it’s clear that her declaration has hit him harder than he expected.

He stands there, his jaw tightening, fists clenched at his sides as he watches her retreat, a surge of frustration rising in his chest. He opens his mouth as if to say something—anything—but the words don't come. Instead, he stands in the middle of the hallway, surrounded by the heavy silence, trying to mask the feeling of being dismissed.

His eyes narrow as he watches her back, the smirk on his face replaced by something darker. The mention of Telemachus cuts deeper than he’d like to admit, and he realizes, with some bitterness, that (Y/N) isn't playing by the same rules he’s used to.

With a slow, deliberate exhale, Antinous turns away, his pride bruised, but the fire in his eyes burns just as brightly as before. As much as he wants to dismiss her as another game, a part of him knows this won’t be the last time their paths cross. And next time, he’ll be ready.

For now, though, he retreats to gather his thoughts, the tension of their exchange lingering in the air, his mind racing with all the ways he plans to make his mark.

"Mother, is it truly time?" (Y/N) asked, looking at Penelope in worry, as she held her husband's old bow.

"...I don't think I have any other choice, My dear," Penelope answered with tired weary eyes, as they walked out of the Queen's Quarters with the guards following them from protecting its doors, (Y/N) looking at her solemnly, taking her hand to give the Queen some comfort.

As they reached the Throne Room, The Suitors' chatter died down, as (Y/N) let go of his hand to let Queen Penelope present the bow, her challenge.

"This is the bow of Odysseus, King of Ithaca." Queen Penelope presented it, licking her lips, as she felt her mouth dry to the next words she was about to speak.

"The man who strings it and shoots an arrow, cleanly, through all 12 axes, shall take his place." Queen Penelope presented her challenge, as she placed the bow on a stone pedestal, for anyone who wants to try and complete her challenge.

The Suitors murmur among themselves, some impressed by the challenge while others scoff at it. After a moment of whispers and mutterings, each of the Suitors steps forth to try and string the bow. However, each one of them fails miserably, the bow remaining taut and unyielding in their hands.

As the Suitors fails the challenge, (Y/N) moves to Queen Penelope's side, taking her hand in a show of support. The Queen gives her a small, appreciative smile, touched by the gesture. The Hall is filled with the sounds of the Suitors mumbling and grumbling amongst themselves.

Nightfall came, many had tried but still unstrung the bow, as Queen Penelope and (Y/N) left for Queen Penelope's room.

"Are you sure you'll be alright alone, Mother?" (Y/N) asked in worry after escorting her with the guards.

"I'll be fine, Dear, get some rest as well, It's been a long day." Penelope sent her off with a caress on her cheek, before closing the door, but the three of them could hear her soft sobs, but none of them decided to comment on it.

"Let's go." (Y/N) softly tells her guards, as they begin descending the stairs, as (Y/N) takes the lead, Ioannis notices she's taking the wrong path.

"Lady (Y/N), this isn't the way to your room."

"Yes, yes. I know, I just want to check on them, It's quite hilarious to watch them fail." (Y/N) points out with a teasing smile, as all the guards could do is share a look.

as they reached the throne room, (Y/N) ordered them to wait by the door while she sneaked in to watch.

... a few minutes later, she slipped out of the door quickly, shaken.

"Lady (Y/N), What happ-"

"Keep our voices down, please." (Y/N) requested, calming herself down.

"Go to the Queen's Bedroom and guard the door right now and don't let anyone inside, I'll be there shortly, quickly!." (Y/N) orders as she runs off the opposite way from the guards.

The Guards stand by the Queen Room, unsure for what purpose, as they hear footsteps on the spiral stairs, they point their spears at the would-be intruder, before getting off their guard as they see (Y/N) on sight.

"Lady (Y/N), what's going on?" Panagiotis asked, confused while (Y/N) watched her breath.

"The Suitors, have grown impatient, they're planning to ransack the palace for all it's worth and force Penelope to choose by all means necessary." (Y/N) explains, panting, shocking the guards.

"I ask you both, are you willing to protect your Queen and me, from 108 hungry men?." (Y/N) asked, looking at them seriously, without a second thought, Ioannis pulled out a small dagger from his strap, giving the handle to her.

"Get inside." Ioannis tells her, while Panagiotis opens the door for her.

"Thank you, thank you both of you." (Y/N) Thank them both, before taking the dagger, rushing into Penelope's room, and began blocking the door.

"(Y/N), dear, what's going on?" Penelope asked, sitting up from her bed.

"The Suitors, they've grown impatient." (Y/N) explains, blocking the door as best she could.

"They've formed a takeover, they're going to ambush Telemachus at his return by the pier, they plan on forcing themselves on us, Mother." (Y/N) reveals, tears building up in her eyes.

Penelope’s eyes widened in shock, her heart sinking as she tried to process the gravity of (Y/N)'s words. She could hear the fear in her voice and immediately moved to comfort her.

"How... how do you know this, my dear?" Penelope asked, her voice trembling but steady, trying to keep calm for both of them.

(Y/N) wiped her eyes, taking a deep breath as she stood firm in front of the door, protecting her. "I overheard them, planning it out. They're going to strike before Telemachus can even reach the pier. They know he's the only one who can stop them."

Penelope nodded slowly, her thoughts racing. She had been through so much, but this—this was a new level of danger. She stood, moving toward (Y/N) with a quiet resolve.

"We must think, quickly. We cannot allow them to succeed," Penelope said, her voice hardening with determination. "If we have to, we will fight back. We won't let them take us."

"We only have two guards outside, but they won't be able to hold off 108 men, we also didn't have time to run away, the moment they formed the plan, they began spreading out." (Y/N) panted, leaning onto Penelope's arm.

"I would have thought you'd go after Telemachus, you must have the power for it." Penelope commented, rubbing her back.

"Every fiber of my being is begging to go to him, to warm him, but I know he can handle himself, and he would have wanted me to protect you, Mother." (Y/N) replied, a teary smile on her lips as Penelope appreciated her choice.

"Besides, I've already taken of them."

A group of Suitors began their plan to ambush Telemachus by the pier while laughing along the way like a pack of hyenas.

"Three of you! there! the rest form a formation, keep yourself hidden to not scare him off." their makeshift leader orders, making the rest of them grumble but follow, but their plans are all futile, as an unnatural wave washes over them, falling on all of them, but this wave is different, it doesn't let go of them, it deliberately pulled them into the water, into the sea, and finally, the depths of the ocean, where they are never heard off ever again.

[transgenderpolls]

i really truly think that the best thing we can do as a community right now is to take the horror and the anger and the despair and re-orient that energy into something productive: a drive to help each other. the government won't do it, so we do what generations long past have always done and do it ourselves.

not everyone needs to be a full-time selfless activist going to meetings and organizing coups, but whatever you can do, DO IT. if all it is is existing, do that. there's a lot of trans kids feeling hopeless right now who will be encouraged to keep living by seeing other trans people. or hell, even a trans flag sticking out of the ground, or taped to a pole. you don't have to be visibly trans or out yourself to do it. there is genuine strength in numbers and, just the same as we get scared by being surrounded by maga signs, those motherfuckers will get scared if they know THEY'RE surrounded. they won't be as emboldened if they realize just how many of us there are.

i'm so serious. if you're trans or if you care about anyone who is, leave a mark. it doesn't have to be outside your home or on your person or anywhere else that could render you unsafe. just... print out or draw the flag, or write something, like "a world without trans people has never existed and never will," and go stick it somewhere. if every single one of us did that even just once, i think that alone would make a big fucking difference.