#I couldn't think of a good reply at first

[starkeyslibrary]

FALLING OUT OF FRAME | Part 4

pairing: you x drew starkey

authors note: first off, I want to apologize for the delay in getting Part 4 to you. the flu hit me hard, and while I’m feeling better now, I’m still not 100%. Today’s been one of the better days, so I’m happy to finally share this with you! also, for all the new readers joining this series (welcome!), a quick note about the taglist: If you’d like to be added, please send me a message instead of commenting under posts. my notifications can get a little wild sometimes, and I don’t want to miss anyone’s request. Enjoy!

It had been a couple of days since the paparazzi had caught you. The pictures of you crying alone in the street made their rounds through the tabloids. Headlines blared across every news outlet: “Y/N Heartbroken: Tears on the Streets After Split with Drew Starkey”. You couldn’t escape them – everywhere you went, there were reminders of how vulnerable you had been, how much you were hurting. You had tried to fight it, tried to keep up a front. But the pictures, the emotional rawness, had taken a toll.

Your phone buzzed incessantly with notifications, and Drew’s name popped up more than you cared to count. The text messages, the calls, the voicemails – he was reaching out, desperate to fix what he had broken. You could feel the weight of his messages pressing down on you, each one pulling at the strings of your broken heart.

Drew’s text:

“I’m so sorry, Y/N. Please let me see you.”

“I didn’t mean this to happen. I miss you so much.”

“Can we please talk? I hate seeing you like this.”

You stared at the screen, your fingers hovering over the keys, but you couldn't bring yourself to reply. Every time you thought about responding, all you could see was that night – his absence, his lies, the way he had been with Odessa, and the emotional toll it was taking on you. The tears had fallen freely and now, in the cold light of day, they felt like a public spectacle. And that hurt.

Your friends were your saving grace during this time. Madelyn had taken you in the moment she found out about the photos. You spent long nights at her apartment, binge-watching shows and talking about everything and nothing. It was a distraction you needed, but even then, your thoughts kept circling back to Drew.

Madelyn was a good friend, she knew how to give space when you needed it but also to push you when you were being too hard on yourself. “Y/N, you can’t keep torturing yourself like this,” she told you one evening, as you both sat together on her couch, a glass of wine in hand. “I know it’s hard, but you have to stop looking at those pictures and thinking that’s all there is to your story. You deserve so much more than to be defined by what happened with Drew.”

“I know,” you sighed, resting your head against the back of the couch. “But it’s hard, Madelyn. It’s not just about the photos or the press. It’s everything. I thought we were more than that. I thought… I thought it was real.”

Madelyn’s expression softened, and she leaned in, taking your hand. “I know you did. And I think, deep down, Drew did too. But right now, you need to figure out what you want. Not what he wants. Not what the press wants. You need to decide what’s best for you.”

But even as your friends gave their support, you couldn’t escape the pull of Drew’s attempts to contact you. His phone calls became a constant. Every time your phone buzzed, your stomach twisted in knots. You hated that he was the one making you feel like this, that he still had the ability to drag you back into his world with just a message.

Finally, on one particularly sleepless night, the phone rang again. Drew’s name flashed across the screen.

You didn’t answer it.

Minutes later, another text from him:

“Please I can’t stand this. I’ve seen the pictures. I know you’re hurt. But I need you to know, I never wanted to hurt you. Us. I’m sorry for everything. Can we please meet and talk? I love you please don’t forget that.”

You stared at the message, feeling that familiar ache in your chest. Part of you wanted to believe him, wanted to give him the chance to fix this, to explain himself. But another part of you – the stronger, more resilient part – was terrified of falling for the same lies, the same empty promises.

You knew what you had to do. You couldn’t keep letting him pull you back into this mess.

__

The next day, you went to work, keeping your head down, avoiding any attention. But it was impossible to escape the ever-present eyes of the public. Every glance at your phone, every time you stepped outside, you could feel the weight of the scrutiny. The paparazzi had followed you more than once, snapping pictures of you walking alone, trying to find solace in your routine.

But no matter where you went, there was always someone watching. Always someone commenting. The paparazzi caught it all – the lonely moments and the sadness in your eyes. It felt like you were trapped in a never ending cycle of being seen,  but not truly known.

It wasn’t long before Madelyn called you again. Her voice was gentle, but you could hear the concern behind it. “Y/N, Drew wants to meet. He’s asking if you can at least hear him out. He says he’s messed up. He is not asking for forgiveness, just a chance to explain.”

You stood by the window, staring out at the city, the weight of her words sinking in. You had to make a choice. You couldn’t keep going back and forth between holding on and letting go.

But could you trust him again?

The uncertainty gnawed at you, and all you could do was take a deep breath and say “Tell him… I’m not ready. Not yet.”

Madelyn didn’t argue. She knew this was something you had to figure out on your own.

You spent the next few days doing everything you could to put distance between yourself and the mess that had become your relationship with Drew. You kept working, you spent time with friends, and you tried – really tried not to think about him. But you couldn’t escape the feeling that something was missing, that your world felt incomplete without him in it.

But then you realized: You had to be okay without him first. You couldn’t keep trying to piece yourself together with someone who had already shown they weren’t ready to treat you the way you deserved.

And so, you decided that you needed to move on. You deserved better than being stuck in a limbo. You deserved love that was real, not based on a public imagine, not tainted by lies and half-truths.

This was your time to find yourself again. And maybe, just maybe, Drew wasn’t a part of that future.

TAGLIST: @princesspeach124 @idiotussupremus @eitaababe @13tter @drewsephrry @drewstarkeyzwhore @cooper8224 @maybankslover @elyseesarchive @ietss @esquivelbianca @josephandrewstarkey @willowpains @wtfdudesblog @purplerose291 @rafegf-real @matthewswifeyy @fangirl-magic @snowtargaryen @slut-era @leather-n-velvet

[purinfelix]

can i request hot cocoa + let you break my heart again + franco colapinto

perhaps the both of them are at some kind of gala/event/party for f1 with a mix of yearning maybe some mutual pining 🙈

one day ⊹ ࣪ ˖ - franco colapinto

w/c: 800 a/n: UGH this idea was just sooo scrumptious i loved writing it sm (and maybe got a bit carried away since this was supposed to be a blurb) BUT thanks bff hope u like <3333

this is part of my 1k event - check out the rules here!!

Stuffy formal events were something you thought you'd escaped by choosing a career in motorsport.

Little did you know, becoming an F1 driver meant signing up for a lifetime of them - a fact you were sourly reminded of when the annual gala rolled around, and despite it being your first, proved awful every step of the way. Somewhere in between the pretentiously tiny portion sizes and long, boring speeches, you found yourself growing more restless, desperate for an escape.

That's how you ended up here - leaving the toilet cubicle that had been your safe haven for the last half an hour, following a less-than-kind text from your pr manager demanding your return. As you washed your hands, your eyes glazed over your reflection in the ornate bathroom mirror. A small smile perked at the side of your mouth, satisfied with the job your stylist had done - even if the outfit she had chosen was suffocatingly tight and only added to your long list of nightly grievances.

Leaving the bathroom, you took in a deep breath, mentally preparing to sit through several more insufferable hours of this event.

"I was wondering where you went," came a voice from the other side of the hall, emerging from the men's bathroom. Looking up you locked onto a pair of green eyes, a coy expression on his face.

"Didn't think you'd notice in between all your flirting, Franco," you spat, though you couldn't stop yourself from offering a sly smile. You feel his eyes run over you, trying to maintain your composure as you feel your cheeks heat up under the weight of his gaze.

"You look good," he lets out, a little softly, almost like a confession. You're tempted to reply back with something snappy, though you stop yourself.

"You too." And you're not lying. In a black suit, cleanly pressed and fitted, he looks almost unrecognisable from the normal race weekend outfit. Though his deep brown curls, which you can tell his stylist has tried their best to tame, still fall carefreely onto his forehead.

He brushes a couple away as he lets out a shy laugh. "Well, it seemed a good time to clean up, hm?"

There's a moment of silence that seems to indicate that the two of you should return back to the event - but you don't. Neither of you move, just standing there looking at each other, almost daring the other to say something else. It's unlike the two of you since usually any space between you is filled with snarky comments and quick insults - the result of being two rookies from opposite teams, fighting to make a name for yourselves.

But sometimes you wish it weren't. Sometimes, in between the snide remarks and menacing stares, you think about how maybe if fate had favoured you just a little more, Franco might've been your teammate. And maybe, just maybe, you might've gotten along.

Though being 'rivals' meant being similar, even if you refused to admit it, and knowing each other deeply - on a level that being friends wouldn't come close to.

He reminds you of this fact when he pipes up again, hands shoved in the pockets of his dress pants. "I really don't want to go back in there," he confesses.

"Me neither," you sigh in agreeance, relieved he feels the same.

"It's just so-"

"Stuffy."

"Yes, exactly!" he replies, a thankful smile on his face, "plus, I feel like this tie is trying to strangle me."

"But I guess we have to go back, my media manager is going to be looking for me."

"Right," he says, looking down, "unless."

You quirk an eyebrow, intrigued at what he's implying. "Surely not."

"What are the chances of us actually being needed tonight, we're two rookies, it's not like they're going to give us any awards."

"You really haven't been listening in those media training lessons of yours, hm?"

"Oh, because you care so much about my image," he laughs, "c'mon let's get out of here, do something else, something that isn't so mind-numbingly boring." As he speaks, he brings a hand to his neck, loosening his tie, and you suck in a sharp breath as you watch him.

"Franco," you say softly, almost begging him not to make you make this decision.

"Fine, if you want to head back in there, be my guest, but I'm going." He turns around, giving you one last look, almost daring you to follow him with one eyebrow raised and the corner of his lips quirked up.

As he does you're struck by the feeling that maybe one day the two of you won't be posed as rivals, that maybe you might truly get along.

That maybe one day he won't have such a strong effect on you, that the way he looks at you won't make your heart flutter and brain stop as much as it does now.

But today isn't that day.

"Franco, wait," you call out, jogging up to him and letting out a defeated sigh, "where should we go?"

"Anywhere you want," he replies, looking at you with a smug yet endeared smile - almost as if he knew you'd join him all along.

taglist: @spreadyourwings-my-smiling-angel @alelo23 @scill-a @multifan-idk @presleycaudle

[lara4eclipze]

›› there must be a good reason that you're gone

sypnosis -» we don't talk anymore like we used to do , what was all of it for?

beware -» angst , nasty break up , going against girl code(?) , twice mentioned, lara x reader mentioned

talks -» for my anon 🫢!! hi missed you soo much

taglist (open) : @nyssalvr @ohmyhaely @vrtualstar @jellaaa @c-yerim

you don't know where you went wrong — did you give too little love? did you not give her enough attention? yet as much as you asked yourself nothing came up nothing answered you

moments that lingered in your mind made it seem like you were the problem yet you never were , sophia has never been loyal as much as you tried to make it seem like , she's always behind your back talking to a new woman

you only reached your breaking point when she started forgetting important dates such as your birthday, your anniversary and the day you both made it official

"now the maknae! hello y/n , the question for you is , have you ever broken up with someone and how did it go" the interviewer asks as he approached you

"이 질문에 대답할 수 있나요? (can we answer this)" nayeon asks looking behind the cameras towards their manager who just nods

"ohh , well uhm I have had one and it really was a bit messy , yet I think that was a very good lesson for me" you answer recalling everything that happened during that night , "우리 막내가 다 컸네요! (our maknae is all grown up)" jihyo says giggling as the rest say all their memories when you first debuted

"that sums it up, again twice everyone!" the host says before you and your group bid goodbye , " one in a million! we are twice!" the group says "우리 새 노래를 들어주세요 Strategy! (please listen to our new song strategy)" momo says before the cameras cut

ᯓ ᡣ𐭩

after the program you secretly went out to meet your now girlfriend lara , after the break up you didn't really know what to do but good thing she was there and from that point forward you both started dating

"hi love!" you said hugging lara as she ran up to you to hug you as well , "I missed you! , anyways let's go?" lara asks leading you inside the kats dorm

inside the dorm you were greeted by manon who was sitting down watching some tiktoks "hey" you greet

finally making it to lara's room she sits you down on her bed as she takes a seat on your lap, "so you miss me?" you ask cocky about her missing you , "obviously miss y/n" she replied

just before both your lips touch the door opens with sophia oblivious that you were here , "lara have you seen my- oh sorry" she says looking at the scene before her you and lara just being lovey dovey , suddenly the whole mood changed lara was now on the bed next to you sensing the unease , as sophia exits you two let out a heavy sigh

"baby I feel guilty, I mean she's my friend and I date her ex?" lara admits you look at the frown on her lips you held her face with your hands making her look at you "baby I understand , but know that she did something I probably won't forgive her for"

"ill never do that to you" lara says

"I hope not , that's the exact words sophia said" you chuckle remembering the countless lies she told you

ᯓ ᡣ𐭩

it was late yet you couldn't sleep so you left lara on the bed to get some water , at the kitchen was her , sophia

"hey" she greets , you took note of how she was still wearing the bracelet you gave her for your first monthsary

"hello , just need some water" you replied awkwardly , you get to the fridge and take out lara's water bottle and drink out of it

you were walking back by this point , but you hear sophia mutter something , "I'm sorry , could you maybe give me a second chance?"

"no soph , I'm tired plus me and lara are together , I've never felt any better with anyone else" you replied trying your best not to look at her , and just continue walking

"how is that okay? — we break up and you get with my friend? , how fucked up is that?" she reasons as you hear her sniffle

"soph , you cannot be talking about what's fucked up when you cheated on me , fuck I'm not gonna have this conversation again, goodnight" you replied mad at her audacity to get upset over you picking lara , yet you didn't mention that instead going inside the girls room

"babe? — where'd you go?" lara asks in a groggy voice as she opens her eyes , you're so glad you chose the woman who knows how to treat you

"just drank some water love" you replied trying not to sound like you just finished crying , you both lay down with her in the crook of your neck as she hums a gentle tune

"I love you so much" you whisper as you place a kiss on her head

[ihaznoclue]

Hello I was just wondering if you can do a angst to fluff post with my baby Tamaki Amajiki. Like the reader (female) is having continuous nightmares about her past and never seemed to have a good night sleep so Tamaki as her boyfriend/soulmate helps the reader is any way possible to get her a good night sleep. Thank you! :)

Pairings -> Tamaki Amajiki x Reader

Warnings -> Nightmares?

Note -> Reader having nightmares so Tamaki is there to help to get the reader a good night sleep

Genre -> Angst to Fluff

Tamaki Amajiki

This is getting ridiculous, it had seemed you had the same nightmare over and over again and you're just sick of it to be honest.

A repeating cycle of nightmares about how your parents died in a fire that was caused by the LOV. You hated those villains with a fiery passion but right now you needed to figure out how you were gonna go back to sleep.

You were laying on your back as you started at the ceiling of your dorm room, you were a year three, which was surprising to you as you didn't think you were gonna come this far but here you are.

Your arm was resting on your sweaty forehead as you calmed down from your mental breakdown for the fifth time in a row this week...

You sighed as you sat up, you throat was a bit dry so you decided to go to the main lounge to get a drink of water from the tap, you stood right up from your comfy bed as you walked slowly to your door and opened it quietly trying not to make sound so you didn't get in trouble for going out of your dorm room.

You now closed the door as quietly walked to the elevator to take it down, you couldn't be bothered to take the stairs since you were literally half-asleep.

What if you fell and face planted on the floor and make a lot of sound to wake everyone up. Nope not on my watch.

You waited until the elevator went down and open the doors, you walked out and came straight to the sink. You opened a cabinet and got a glass cup and poured some water in the glass and then took a sip of it

Thank God. You were finally free from the dry throat that was bothering you as soon as you woke up.

You then took a couple more sips until it was empty and put the glass cup back in the sink to do it in the morning, because you didn't want to make such sound of glass and metal sink clinging to each other.

You sighed as you didn't want to go back to your dorm alone, even though your dorm room was a comfort area for you with a lot of stuff that comforted you in a type of way.

So you turned around to walk back...

"Name?"

"JESUS FUCK-!" You yelled but then the stranger covered your mouth quickly, you looked up a little to only see Tamaki

"Shh.. You need to be quiet love" You nodded as your mouth was un-covered by his hand, you were a bit scared but as you soon realised it was Tamaki, you loosened the tense in your body

"Tama? What are you doing up?" You asked, Tamaki perked at this then replied

"Oh well, I wanted to go to your dorm but then you weren't there so I figured you were out here.." He wanted to find you? This dork

You gave out an airy chuckle as you shook your head a bit "You know you can't come to my dorm you know, I don't want you to get in trouble you dork"

"Uh- Well I mean I just wanted to check up on you you know, you seemed to be tired this whole week and I just wanted to make sure you were okay, I did text you at first but then you didn't reply back as you usually do so I went to your room and didn't find you" Tamaki explained

You totally forgot to bring your phone that you left on your bed side table beside you bed, you groaned as you face palmed yourself

"I totally forgot to bring my phone, I'm so sorry Tama" You worried looked up at him, you might of gave him a fright though

"It's okay love, no need to be sorry about that. We should head on back then" Tamaki requested as you follow him down the hall to the elevator

The doors opened and went inside, you forgot how there were lights in the elevator but luckily you could see Tamaki's face instead of seeing him in the dark

"Um.. Love? Have you been crying?" Tamaki asked, you gave a confused face so he pointed to your cheeks where you had dried up tear stains from your breakdown earlier before you went down

"Oh.. Um it's fine.. I just had a little crying session earlier no biggie" You back the topic down but Tamaki was worried if something happened to you so he came closer

"Uhh- Tama.. Hun? What are you doing-?" You were then interrupted by him rubbing your cheeks that seemed to get rid of the tear stains, then he seriously looked at you

"You had another nightmare didn't you?" Tamaki asked then his eyebrow furrowed in worry, you couldn't bear to look at him in the eyes now

You didn't tell Tamaki about your nightmares that seemed to keep you awake most of the time but he didn't think it was going on forever he thought it was just one night

"Love.. Look at me"

God you loved that nickname, you always seemed to melt at it, you then seemed to melt into his hand that was staying on your cheek as you started to cry again

"Y-Yes I did.." Your voice cracked as you answered, look at him with sad eyes, he instantly pulled you in for a hug, a tight one to let you know you were safe and cared for

He petted your head to calm you down a bit which worked, the elevator doors opened as he took your hand in his as he guarded you to his dorm room

"Wait.. Tama, we will get in trouble If-"

"I don't care.." Tamaki replied

You never saw this side of Tamaki until now, he was more confident to speak as you gave him a reason to be confident but right now he was being confident for you and you only

You didn't say anything after that as he opened his door as led you in, his room was basic but looked comfy, his bed was big for the both of you

"Lay on my bed, I'll turn off the lights when you are on the bed then I'll come over" Tamaki spoke

You walked over to the bed and climbed on it as you crawled to the front and tucked yourself in, his bed was comfy and smelled good.

The lights turned off as you felt tense again as you felt alone until you felt hands wrapping around you as you heard shifting on the bed. Tamaki was tucking himself in now as he placed your head near his chest to hear his heartbeat

His strong arms were wrapped around to make you feel safe and secured

"Try to go to sleep, you really need it, I'll be here to help you if you have the same nightmare again. Now sleep" He said as he kissed your forehead

His heartbeat....

His soft breathing....

His warmth....

This feeling felt nice..

It felt good..

You felt peaceful

and it was all because of

HIM <3

-A<3

[brodygold]

It Makes Sense

Inspired by @misctf and his post "Make It Make Sense". Be sure to check out his work too here!

Brody had just played the game of his life. As the captain and midfielder of the Golden Army, he'd pushed himself to the limit, scoring the winning goal in the last few seconds of the match. Every play, every pass, every movement on the field had just clicked. It wasn’t luck—it was strategy, precision, and heart. As the final whistle blew and his teammates rushed to celebrate, Brody couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Tonight was his night.

The post-match celebrations began quickly, with the team planning their usual victory dinner. This time, it was Brody's turn to pick where they’d eat. He already had his heart set on his favorite fried chicken joint, but first, there was one last hurdle: a quick interview with Channel 3 News.

Channel 3 had been covering the Golden Army since the team’s inception, and Brody had been interviewed by Andrew, their dedicated sports reporter, dozens of times. The two had built a solid rapport over the years, a bond of mutual respect that often made the interviews feel more like casual chats. But as Brody walked toward the camera crew, something felt... off.

Instead of Andrew’s familiar face, a new reporter stood in front of the camera. The man was stiff and uncomfortable, his dark suit and neatly knotted tie completely out of place on the field. His expression screamed disdain, as if he’d rather be anywhere else.

Still, Brody approached with his signature easygoing smile. “Hey there, bro. Where’s Andrew?”

The man turned to him, his face twisting with visible disgust. “Andrew is sick, so I’m covering for him. My name is Zachary. And let’s get one thing straight—I’m not your bro, ‘bro.’”

The contempt in Zachary’s voice was palpable, but before Brody could respond, the cameraman started counting down. Zachary plastered on a fake smile as the broadcast began.

“And we’re back after another thrilling game of soccer, with the Golden Army emerging victorious once again. I’m here with Captain Brody, who scored the winning goal in the final seconds! Good to meet you, Brody.”

“Likewise. Glad to be here,” Brody replied smoothly, despite the lingering tension.

“So, Brody,” Zachary continued, his tone dripping with condescension, “my sources tell me you’re the one who designed the plays that won your team the match. How does a jock like you come up with such clever strategies?”

Brody chuckled, brushing off the thinly veiled insult. “It’s not that hard for me, really. I’ve always been the smart one in the group. Ask the bros—they’ll tell you.”

“A smart jock? Now that’s a good one!” Zachary laughed, his amusement clearly genuine this time.

“Well, it’s true. I’ve got a master’s degree in mathematics and statistics. But, to be honest, I found my true calling here with the Golden Army.”

Zachary’s smile faltered. “That… makes no sense! I only have a bachelor’s degree, and I’m a journalist! You can’t be both smart and a jock! You have to pick one or the other, like I did!”

Brody tilted his head, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Well, if it means anything, I think you chose correctly, bro. Those arm muscles must have taken a lot of effort!”

Zachary blinked in confusion, but before he could retort, he felt a strange tingling sensation in his arms. His biceps began to twitch and swell, growing larger and more defined. The seams of his tailored jacket strained, and his sleeves rode up, exposing thick, powerful forearms.

“What the—” Zachary stammered, staring at his newly muscular arms in disbelief.

“And those pecs look ripe for bouncing, bro,” Brody added with a grin.

As if on cue, Zachary’s chest began to expand, his shirt straining against his growing pectoral muscles. The buttons popped off one by one, revealing a broad, chiseled chest. His tie slipped to the ground, now utterly unnecessary.

“What… what are you doing to me?” Zachary gasped, his voice wavering between fear and bewilderment.

“Just don’t worry about it, bro,” Brody said soothingly. “In fact, don’t worry about much of anything.”

At those words, something shifted in Zachary’s mind. His thoughts, once sharp and cynical, began to dull and soften. The ever-present buzz of worries and calculations faded into blissful silence. Why stress about things he couldn’t control? Why stress at all? His lips curled into a goofy grin.

“Huhuhu, yeah… guess you’re right,” Zach mumbled, his voice deeper and more relaxed.

Memories of his old life started to slip away. His prestigious journalism career, his wife, his kids—all faded like a distant dream. In their place, new memories formed: the camaraderie of the Golden Army, the joy of training with the bros, and the thrill of victory on the field. The idea of dating a woman seemed absurd now. Why would he ever want that when he had a whole team of hot bros to bond with? He could have them any time he wanted, after all

As the transformation completed, Zach’s outfit shifted. His starched dress shirt shimmered and morphed into a tight, golden soccer jersey with black details, the number 58 emblazoned on the back. His slacks became shiny gold athletic shorts, and his polished shoes turned into gold cleats. He looked every bit the part of a Golden Army player.

“How ya feeling, Zach bro?” Brody asked, his tone playful but laced with authority.

“Never better, Cap! You know I always feel great after a win, bro!” Zach flexed his bulging arms, his grin wide and carefree.

Brody smirked, giving Zach a hearty slap on the back. “Good to hear it, bro. Now let’s go grab some fried chicken. I’ll meet you on the bus.”

As Zach jogged off to join the team, Brody turned to the cameraman, who was still staring in stunned silence.

“Sorry about turning your news anchor, bro,” Brody said with a shrug.

The cameraman hesitated, then grinned. “Eh, it’s fine. He was kind of a jerk anyway.”

“Cool. Any chance I can get a copy of that footage?”

“Sure thing. I’ll have it sent to the stadium.”

“Thanks, bro.”

With that, Brody headed to the team bus, ready to celebrate the win with his bros and a big plate of fried chicken. Some people might have trouble reconciling his brilliance with his jock lifestyle, but he didn’t mind. He was always happy to help them make sense of it all.

[jayhyunglover]

S for Studying or Sylus.

Inspired by his myth

Warmings: none just fluff , mentions of burning

--------------------------------

How did I get here ? That's actually a good question. Let's say I got thrown or offered?

Whatever I was thrown there in a fucking chest.

Why am I here? To learn obviously . Learn about that creature hiding in this crypt full of treasures.

I got up dusting my clothes before adjusting my glasses over my nose. Jerome the small chameleon in my hair rested on top of my head to observe our surroundings. Taking an once over of the crypt before looking down at the chasm beneath my feet.

If I tripped I'll be dead for sure but I am gonna die in a few weeks anyway. I shrugged

"Well well well , what do we have here?" I heard a deep voice said the sound more like a rumble making me turn around to take in the figures behind me

"HOLY SHIT" I shouted before running to hide behind the chest I arrived in.

I wasn't a coward (well I didn't think so) but when I read about a Dragon from my late uncle's notes I was thinking about some I don't know 20ft tall reptile with wings and tail not a fucking *beautiful* man with wings and tail.

I peered up at him from where I was hiding taking in his silver hair, red blood eyes and dark scales. A red Gem was embedded in his chest pulsing light faintly

"I must say it's the first time someone reacts so strongly to my presence. I don't know if I should be flattered or offended" he spoke again his voice a rich deep baritone that sent tremors in my body.

"So little one" he leaned down resting a feet against the chest to look at me , crimson eyes hypnotizing "may I know who you are ? And how did you find you find your way in my lair?"

My mouth was wide open , my eyes probably bulging out of their sockets.

Why is he so beautiful and majestic and Gosh that blood red gem glinting against his chest. Was it his heart? I had so many questions but found myself asking the most stupid one.

"Are dragon always that beautiful?"

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion before he threw his head back and laugh

Laugh? Why is he laughing did I say something funny ?

"My , my , my , you're surely something Little human" he pushed the chest with his feet before crouching down in front of me his scorpion like tail flicking to brush against my face making Jerome shift and hid deeper in my hair the sight earning a surprised look from him.

"You're hiding a lizard in your hair?" He asked in disbelief

"Its my friend his name is Jerome" I corrected.

"Interesting" he murmured more to himself than me before feeling his tail graze my cheek. It was cold and sharp .

"Does it inject Venom?" I found myself blurting out before touching the pointed tip earning a slight hiss from him.

Shit I guess I shouldn't touch it so casually

"Sorry" I murmured before quickly getting up making him do that as well.

Why is he actually so huge ?

"You haven't replied to my question yet" he reminded me before feeling his tail wraps around me to bring me closer and yet again I found myself touching it utterly fascinated.

"Do you have a death wish or just stupid?" He asked seemingly baffled by my shameless actions

"I actually do have one . Can I examine it ? And why is it smooth ?" My fingers traced over it making him automatically release me , his breath deepening , the tip of his ear reddening??

No its probably a trick of the light.

Just who was this woman and what does she want?

When he heard this ruckus earlier Sylus excepted to find some thieves trying foolishly to steal him or hunters sent to end him not a woman who didn't know how to keep her hands to herself and couldn't stop eyeing him like he was the treasure she came looking for.

Everything about her was off putting from those neat glasses to the small lizard hiding in her locks. She just wasn't what he faced usually and it grated at his nerves.

"Your eyes are so pretty" she peered up at him leaning in to take a closer look , the gesture making him take a step back

Is he scared of me? I tilted my head in disbelief

"Who are you?" He asked again

She didn't seem to mean any harm. Well his blood pressure couldn't say the same but that was another problem to deal with.

"Oh I didn't introduce myself you can call me Athena but I am nothing like the wise Goddess" I chuckled "and you?"

She was seriously asking for his name . Didn't she know he could kill her in an instant ?

Yet he found himself responding anyway

"Sylus"

"Sylus? Its oddly fitting" I murmured before sauntering towards him to take a closer look at his appearance under his watchful gaze.

"You still haven't told why are you here human"

"To learn" I replied eyes flickering up at him

"To learn?" He repeated voice tinged with disbelief.

Who the hell in their right mind would come in a dragon's lair to learn?

"About you , the dragonic specie" I precised before taking out my notebook to jot down thoughts and observations.

Strange he couldn't help but thought. Wasn't she aware of how dangerous he was?

"So you live here?" I asked walking deeper in the crypt towards the mountain of cold Coins and treasure before sitting down and laying on it.

.

Sylus just watch her from afar and a distant part of him almost found her cute

No way she might be an hunter in disguise trying to charm him to get him to lower his guard-

"How the hell you manage to sleep there?" She exclaimed before letting out a wince .

"Guess it's not fit for your graceful body" he commented before walking over his clawed hands pulling her up on her feet

He touched me . Great graciousness he touched me.

"Your hands are so big" I remarked

They could easily snap my neck in two.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Is that a compliment or an insult?" He asked voice almost teasing

"More like an observation" I retorted reaching out to touch it

Why is she so intent on touching him?

But even as his mind protested he let her touch him this time. Her touch was tender almost reverent as if she was afraid of breaking him while he was the one who could easily crush her.

"Aren't you going to run away ? Try to escape ?" He asked crimson gaze fixed on her face gauging her reactions

She couldn't possibly stay here with him and learn right?

"Why would I try to escape? I came here for a purpose" I asked eyebrow knitting up in confusion before looking up at him.

He scoffed red eyes narrowing at her before stepping closer.

"You're just a mere human with no defense . Aren't you scared I'll eat you or burn you alive?" He murmured lips dangerously close to her ear.

"Burn ??? Wait how do you spit fire Exactly? Do you just combust dioxygene or is there a gland involved"

Here she was again with those damn questions.

He groaned the sound making me instantly shut up.

Maybe I should slow down on the questioning if want to learn something before he make a meal out of me.

Sylus was glad she finally closed those pretty lips shut before he went insane.

"If you are determined to stay here , then stay out of my sight" he grumbled before walking away

Why the sudden switch up ? And how the fuck I am going to learn about him if "I stay out of his sight"

I was tempted to follow him and pester him more with questions but decided against it expanding my lifespan to one more day.

--------------------------------

A/N: this is an idea I got from Sylus's myth and i am gonna make it a series i hope you will like it . And I am sorry if Sylus is a bit OOC and also english isn't my first language

Tags : @jinwoosbabyboo @chibichibi-mia @loveanddeepthroat @poisonf0rest

[lanaroff]

Unwanted- Part 3

Paring: Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Summary: Y/N is an enhanced SHIELD agent who is forced to work with the Avengers. What happens when they discover that she’s not alone?

A/N: Sooo I´m back. After a year I came back with the next parto. Sorry for taking so so long. Hope you like it!!!

The flight back home was one big awkward silence, where no single team member dare to asked what had happened. Not only the mission had failed, but also two members of the team were missing, if not dead. Being that the last thing that they saw was you and Wanda standing on a rooftop that seconds later became ashes.

"Can someone explain me what the fuck just happened?" Tony finally broke the silence. But no one said anything, no one had a complete answer to explain the events that ended with the missing girls. "Rogers?"

"Um... After Sam gave us Rumblow's location Y/N went after him. And I order Wanda to follow her to the rooftop as backup. If it is anyone's fault is mine. It should have been me out there." Steve answered in a apologetic way.

"What was she doing there on the first place?" Tony asked again. But this time Steve didn't answer as he didn't know.

The room once again fell into silence. Tony was angry with the outcome of the mission.  As he should be, at the end it was his reputation on the line.

"Tony, Y/N is a really competent agent. I'm sure they are fine, all we can do is wait. Going back there is only going to make things worse." Natasha said trying to defend her friend. She was well aware of Y/N's reputation of being reckless regarding Hydra.

"12 hours. I'm giving them 12 hours and after that we are going after them." Tony said ending the conversation and leaving the room.

The truth was that Natasha wasn't fully sure if her friends were alive. She knew that both Wanda and Y/N we're powerful agents, but she also knew that Y/N had a tendency to act impulsively. So all she could do was hope that the girls were somewhere safe waiting to return home.

And they were. 4 hours had went by since the duo had settled into an abandoned house. Wanda was next to the fireplace, which Y/N turned on for her so she wouldn't be cold, and the girl would close her eyes resting next to the heat of the fire. Y/N, on the other hand, was sitting next to a window across the room. Wishing that if she stared long enough at the rain it would stop.

"You are going to catch a cold. You can sit with me if you want." Wanda suggested trying to lighten the mood.

"No, I'm good here." She replied quickly. However, she immediately felt guilty for her harsh behavior as Wanda was only trying to be nice."Um Venom... it doesn't like fire" Y/N continued.

While looking from across the room, Wanda couldn't stop thinking about Y/N. How she seemed so strong but yet so broken. She knew that Y/N wasn't a person that would open to others easily. Let alone talk to a stranger about herself. But she thought that it was worth the shot since none of them had nothing better to do.

"Can I ask you a question Y/N?" She continued.

"Sure. I won't guarantee you an answer tho." Y/N replied. She could have perfectly said no. But deep down she was curious as for what Wanda wanted to know.

"Why do you want to kill Rumblow so bad? What did he do to you?" Wanda asked the girl.

"He's a traitor." She replied slowly letting herself think about her feelings. "Um... I met him when I first got to SHIELD. I guess that over the years I started to trust him. Turns out he was lying the hole time."

"Is that why you find so difficult to trust people?" Wanda asked again.

"I trust people. Just not you guys."

"Right... Do you trust Nat?" The witch asked again making Y/N nervous.

"Ye-No... Just forget about it. I don't even know why I'm talking to you about it." The truth was that that Y/N didn't knew If she trusted the spy. Sure, they were friends, weren't they? But she couldn't let Wanda know that. She wasn't going to talk about feeling with a stranger.

Y/N started to grew impatient with Wanda's questions. So she did the thing that she did best. Pretend that nothing had happened. She stood up and stared to walk towards the injured girl. She placed her left hand on Wanda's lap, and with the other one she stared to unwrap the wound to check it.

"It hurts a little less, but I don't think I can walk." Wanda said as she saw Y/N eyes staring at the open leg. 

Wanda studied every interaction that the girl made. To her, Y/N was a face with a question mark on it, she couldn't quite understand her actions nor her decisions. Every time she looked at Y/N she was able to see the girl's internal fight. Between having to be strong, and being fragile, and to the girl's fortune her eyes didn't lied.

"You are staring. Stop it, It's creepy." Y/N told Wanda feeling her eyes placed on her as she looked at the wound.

"Can I see it?" She asked. However, all she got on return was a confused look on Y/N face. "Venom- Can I see Venom?"

Y/N locked her eyes on Wanda's. And for a few seconds that was all they did. Y/N wanted to know the girl's intention, she couldn't understand why the redhead would want to do such thing. While Wanda just sat there waiting for an answer.

However, all the answered that she got from Y/N was a sight. The girl moved a few steps away from Wanda and closed her eyes.

"If you hurt her I swear to god that I will kill you." She said before letting the creature out. Venom's head emerged from behind the girl's body leaving a thin thread of materia connecting the both of them.

Wanda stood there patiently waiting for the girl. She was a little bit scared and anxious, but mostly curious to meet the creature. Her eyes features every detail of Venom. Sure, she had met the alien before, but this time Wanda didn't see it as a threat.

"I'm Wanda Maximoff, nice to finally meet you." She said. Y/N's eyes traveled from Venom to Wanda. She found hard to believe that someone would see the alien inside of her as something worth meeting. But she couldn't denied that Wanda's small action made her feel as she wasn't the monster that she thought she was. Maybe she was worth caring. Maybe there was someone who was willing to love her despite having Venom. But her thoughts were cut off by the creature's voice.

"Wanda... We are Venom" It replied. Venom was curious. Why the woman in front of it wasn't terrified? Why wasn't she running already? So it moved with precaution around the girl.

"Hi Venom, May I touch you?" She asked again. This time Y/N was not entirely sure if it was a good idea. No one before had dare to talk to the creature let alone touch it.

"I don't know Wanda. I don't think that Venom would lik..." And her words were cut off again, by the events happening right in front of her. With one hand touching Venom, Wanda let a small grin came out of her.

Suddenly, the alien's and Wanda's interaction were interrupted by the sound of a car getting closer. Y/N quickly made her way to the closet window and, as she feared, they had been found by Hydra.

"We need to leave now." She whispered. Wanda immediately tried to get up, but due to her wounds, she tripped. "Yeah, it's clear that you can't walk"

"Just leave me here. I can protect myself. You leave" Wanda said.

"Do you really think that I'm going to leave you here?" She rhetorically asked de redhead. In a matter of seconds Y/N had carried Wanda outside of the abandoned house. And with her still in her arms, she begin to walk through the woods.

"Do you at least know were you going?" Wanda complained.

"No." Y/N harshly replied.

Both girls made their way to a small town. However, before entering the area, gently, Y/N placed Wanda next to a tree. She checked the girl's leg, and without saying anything she begin to walk towards the town.

"Where are you going?" Wanda asked. She knew that Y/N would not leave without her. However, she didn't want to be left alone.

"I'm going to get a car." She replied. Y/N could see Wanda's worrying in eyes. "I will come back. I promise."

And without further ado, she made her way to the nearest gas station. Right before setting foot inside the market, she gazed a small car parked right next to the building. Y/N walked to the nearest fridge and picked a bottle of water. She placed it on the counter, and waited for the man to tell her it's price.

"Would be 85 cents, anything else?" The man asked.

"Yeah, do you happen to know were the closest route to go to NY is?" She replied. She immediately realized that the employee was starring at her shirt covered in Wanda's blood. "Uhm... My wife and I, we were hiking and she tripped. I would love to take her to the hospital."

"Oh right... Uhm, take the rout that goes south. Please take the bottle, it's on me." He said. The truth was that Y/N had no money to pay the guy. So, with a small grin she left the place. Ones outside, she broke the car's window and ripped some wires to turn on the engine.

"Who's car is that?" Wanda asked as she saw Y/N pulling down next to her.

"Does it matter?" She said and carried Wanda to the car. "Here, I got you a bottle of water in case you were thirsty."

"Thanks." She replied with a smile.

Hours had passed since they had abandoned the town. Once Y/N pulled the car down next to the compound she made her way to Wanda's door, who was fast asleep. For a moment all that the girl did was look at the redhead sleep. The one thing that she feared was happening, and she couldn't stop it. She had begin to like Wanda's company.

Without waking her up she carried Wanda inside the compound. However, Tony's shouting did interrupted Wanda's sleeping "Where were you two? Do you have any idea how worried we were Y/N?

"No, and I don't care. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to take Wanda to the medby." She said and walked her way to the room, where she placed Wanda on a stretcher.

The rest of the team followed the pair in search for answers. Non of them knew why Wanda was injured. Or why Y/N had abandoned her position previously on the mission.

"Let me check on that" Bruce said as he walked next to Wanda.

"So you are not going to say anything?" Tony asked again stopping Y/N from leaving the room.

"What is left to say? The mission failed, and Wanda is alive." She said with a cocky grin.

"Why were you after Rumblow on the first place? That was not the mission." He asked again.

"No Stark, that was not you mission. It surely was mine." She said making Tony anger grew inside of him.

"You are going to get someone kill, or worse, yourself."

"Do you really think that I care If one of you die? Or If I die? I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask for any of this." And with her last statement Y/N left the room.

The rest of the team shared looks, Tony was angry, while Wanda was worried. Y/N last words were on loop on Wanda's head. Why didn't she care for her life? What was the thing she didn't ask for? Wanda was determined to find out why the agent was so cold and distant.

[lotusarchon]

Hi Lotus! If it's possible may I request an x reader scenario with Erlang Shen reacting to a reader who is studying western magic? (harry potter-way) and they come from house Hufflepuff? The differences in how magic is handled by eastern and western countries would be a fun dynamic I think. Also, I wish you a lovely day!

ermine (erlang shen x reader)

content warnings: gender neutral reader, second pov (you/your), fluff, drabble

author's notes: sorry lucky, but i don't like harry potter despite reading the books it was just...eugh for me lmfao 😭 so i'm sorry this isn't too good

“What's the purpose of even using a wand?”

Erlang hadn't meant for the question to come off as rude. He was only mildly curious, and by extension, rather intrigued, observing you walk off ahead with a small frown.

He'd by lying if he said he was only interested in your magic tricks though. Coming across you after fighting that little monkey, walking around with the world's most befuddled expression. From what he could get from you on that first meeting, you were a mortal, with some interesting talents to keep yourself from dying.

And well. Given that you could survive a yaoguai despite having a weird old stick in your hand, you were worthy enough for Erlang to fully acknowledge you.

“It kinda. Like….helps focus the spells, or something?” You replied in response to his question, but judging by your own tone, you didn't quite know why either. It seemed that wherever you came from (which was far from here), using these little pathetic sticks to cast spells was a norm, and a contrast to how Erlang had grown up learning them.

He hummed to acknowledge your answer, quickening his steps to meet yours. “And I presume you know of transformation spells?”

You made a face. “Transformation spells? You mean like disguises?”

When he shook his head, you sighed. “Naw, we don't have that kind of stuff. Least, I don't think so. I mean…” You tapped your wand against your hand. “We can do transformation stuff? But like, I'm not advanced enough for that, plus I'm sure you gotta do like potions…this that…yadda yadda.”

You waved your hand, causing Erlang to chuckle. You glanced at him in turn; “Can you do transformation spells?”

“I have 72 of them.” As if to prove his point, his figure disappeared into a puff of golden smoke. Where he once stood, there was a fluffy white ermine, sitting on its hind feet and beady black eyes gazing up at you. You couldn't help but coo, squatting to rub his head affectionately.

“Your magic is certainly something,” you commented, scratching ermite Erlang’s head. “You didn't even need to cast a spell! Just, poof! So cool!”

And maybe he didn't mind. Just as long as no one knew the cute ermine getting belly rubs in your hands wasn't the great Erlang Shen.

You continued to gush, this time, picking up ermine Erlang in your hands. Though surprised, he remained compliant, allowing you to scratch his head and rub his belly while you continued to walk to whichever destination you wanted. He'd learnt that questioning your logic would only give him a headache in response.

@lotusarchon , 28.11.2024, all rights reserved. do not copy, repost or translate my works without permission. comments, reblogs and likes are appreciated!

[nickscodthoughtsblog]

To Understand (König/Nikto)

The inevitable followup to Shot in the Dark. this time they get to talk a lot more and Nikto helps his new friend understand his situation. i did some research to understand dissociative disorders myself, but if there's some stuff that's not right, i apologise, im still learning. enjoy!!

He didn't get a lot of chances to speak to Nikto again after the first time. He was either busy, or Nikto was gone. Two days later, Krueger was back, safe and victorious. It was kind of nice to see the Russian not sitting alone. But König couldn't figure him out. He referred to himself as we. He could understand they and them, but we? Outside of a group setting, it didn't work. He was missing something.

He was walking towards the gym when he ran into Krueger, only stopping when he felt his hand on his shoulder. “King. One moment.” He stopped him, pulling him to the side of the hallway. König let him distract him from his thoughts, practically welcoming it until he spoke. “Nikto said you tried talking to him.” 

“I didn't try.” König was a little put off by the wording. “We talked for…not very long, granted…” 

“Exactly. You tried.” Krueger replied, a hint of smugness mixed with his accent. “Not my point.”

“Did I upset him?”

“Nein, nein…he was the smallest bit happy when he told me.” He paused, putting his hands on his own waist. “What the hell did you say to him?” It was like he was imitating an angry mother telling a child off for being a bad influence.

“Almost nothing. I got his name, and said it was good to meet him.” König explained. “Is it wrong he's slightly happier?”

Krueger huffed a little. “You're misreading me, and you know it. I'm just wondering how you do it to everyone you talk to.” 

That was…almost concerning, actually. “Do what?”

“Scheiße, King, you have got to notice it by now. You always have a good impact on everyone in KorTac. Even Nikto. He said his system kept thinking of you after you talked.” 

König was about to quote his own mother in that “kindness goes a long way”, but that word caught him out. System… “His what?”

Krueger shrugged, his arms settling crossed across his chest. “It's what he calls it. Whatever it is. Haven't got a straight answer out of him.” So, Krueger doesn't even know everything about him either. God, did anybody besides the top brass know a damn thing about him!? “... you still there, King?” 

He blinked, getting his thoughts in order. “Ja, ja. Do you know where Nikto is?”

“If he hasn't moved yet, he's…probably outside, near the training field?”

“Danke. See you later, Krueger.” And he left, nudging him accidentally as he walked past. Krueger had no time to ask what got into him.

It was cold out, but it didn't stop König from going out and finding Nikto sitting on a bench, by himself. “Nikto, there you are.” He greeted him as he came to a stop next to him. “Mind if I join you?”

Nikto looked up at him, studying his face for a moment. “... feel free, König.” He watched him sit, not uncomfortably close, and not awkwardly far. “Did you need something?” 

“Oh, nein, it's just been a while since we talked.” 

“It's been two days.” 

“Ja…that is while, isn't it?”

A small huff. Amusement, he thought. “Mm. You're right.” It was strangely relaxing to hear. 

But then it went back to quiet between them. Kὅnig wasn’t really sure how to bring up his questions about this system of his. Not yet, at least. “Say, Nikto.” He caught his attention, those distant eyes turning to him. “It’s pretty cold out, isn’t it?” 

“A little.” He took a moment, looking up at the cloudy sky. “...do you think we’ll get snow?”

“I don’t know.” Kὅnig joined him in watching the clouds slowly drift above. It was quite calming to sit here and watch them with him. “Would you want it to?”

“...да. We like snow.” he replied, only pausing for a moment, like he was thinking. Maybe he was seeing what his system wanted him to tell Kὅnig. “It’s…calming. Like a gentle blanket. I like it undisturbed, smooth…это нас расслабляе��.” A few seconds go by, before he glanced over, noticing the slightly confused look in the Austrian’s eye. “You don’t know russian, do you?”

“Ah, nein…” he rubbed the back of his neck under his sniper hood.

“Neither does Krueger.” Nikto looked back up at the sky. “Helps to…hide things from him.”

“Hide things?”

“Things some of us don’t want him to know.” 

“You mean your system?” Kὅnig couldn’t hold his tongue fast enough. 

Nikto’s eyes snapped over to him. “...did Krueger tell you about that?” He nodded a little, slightly nervous he overstepped. “...сука…”

“I’m sorry, should I have not said that?”

“Not your fault.” Nikto grumbled, adjusting and sitting up a bit more. He held out his hand. “Your phone.” He was a little annoyed, but was glad Kὅnig didn’t resist, taking out his phone and unlocking it before placing it in his hand. He sighed, and typed something into the browser before handing it back. 

Kὅnig read over the page. “...dissociative disorders?”

“I was diagnosed a few years ago. Acute, as they put it.” He didn’t watch him read the information. “Don’t expect me to tell you how or why.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Good.”

It was a lot to take in. He spent a bit of time just scrolling and putting things together in his head. “...you didn’t have to tell me, you know.”

“Да. But better I tell you than Krueger.”

“So…he knows?” The Austrian looked back over to Nikto, curiosity in his eyes. “He said he couldn’t get a straight answer…”

“Of course. We told him not to tell anyone.” he huffed. “He missed the part where we meant any of it.”

“Ah. Well, I won’t tell anyone if you don’t want me to.” 

Nikto paused, looking over to him once more. “...thank you.” 

“Of course.” He didn’t want to make him uncomfortable after all. “So, do you like winter then?”

“...it brings some comfort to us.” Nikto replied, not taking his eyes off the tall man. He only nodded a little in return, not pushing it but seemingly open to hear more. “One of them finds peace in the cold. Comfort.” He settled, letting himself be a bit more open. 

“I can see that.” Kὅnig replied, nodding. “It can be nice to watch the snow fall.” 

“Да. She thinks so too.” 

Kὅnig thought for a moment. “Would you mind if I…ask some questions about your, uh…system?”

“Why?” was his immediate response.

“So I can avoid offending you.” He didn’t expect him to respond so…genuinely.

“Go on.” He didn’t see the harm, though he was tentative.

And they sat there, not minding the cold as Nikto answered some of Kὅnig’s questions. Things like “What do you call the others in your system?” and “They have different genders?” were simple to answer, and he was more than comfortable to. There were more sensitive questions he was unsure about, but the big man didn’t try to coax anything out of him. As soon as he saw the uncertain look in his eyes, he stopped, giving a small apology and changing the topic for a bit. Krueger had mentioned he had an odd talent for getting on everyone’s good side. He had thought he was just forcing everyone to be his friend. But just from how he didn’t press hard topics, it…didn’t seem that way. 

Nikto didn't bother to keep track of the time on a good day, but it felt like it was flying by. Questions and answers between brief pauses, information not only given, but received. It seemed like every answer he gave paid for a small story in return. For telling him about the therapy he went through after his diagnosis, he received a description of Kὅnig’s own sessions for his social anxiety - how a man bold enough to approach him for conversation could have anxiety was strange, but he was in no position to judge. A short explanation of how his alters work, for a more light-hearted story of the cookies Kὅnig’s mother made for his birthdays. It was nice to hear that he had a family life that wasn't in tatters. 

Ten minutes ago it didn't even seem like he was fishing for details on the disorder. He focused more on how Krueger became close to Nikto, and went on to tell him about his friendship with the others in the PMC. One long tangent. Even now, he was recounting the times Horangi had placed bets with him over seemingly random things. Unfortunately, his phone buzzed, an alarm reminding Nikto to get something to eat. Kὅnig stopped when he saw the masked man close his eyes and sigh. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing is. I have to go get food.” He stood up. 

“Have you not eaten yet?” He seemed pretty shocked, checking his phone. “It's six in the afternoon, Nikto!” 

“We lost track of time. It's fine.” He dismissed it. “One thing, though.” He stepped closer to him, staring him in the eyes. “Do not tell anyone what we have told you. Да?” 

“I promise.” 

He kept staring into his eyes, just to see if he was lying. He didn't seem like he was. “Good. Just making sure.” His hand came up, solidly patting his shoulder twice as he walked past him. “See you, Kὅnig.” 

Even as he left, he was glad the big man had decided to try. He was almost, in some way, disappointed the talk ended. 

Maybe it could go on longer next time they spoke.

[writingsfromstarfleet]

[TOS] Spock - Strange Friendships

♫ - Malibu - Miley Cyrus

Admittedly, your exposure to aliens was rather limited. Despite being at Starfleet, your studies mostly wound you up in libraries and hunched over data pads. Very little of your time was spent around other people.

When you were assigned to the Enterprise, you were leading a study in the science labs, reporting to Commander Spock. You weren't scared, per say, but more nervous around him. From what little you knew of Vulcans and what small meeting you had with Spock before, it was quite well known that he was, for the most part, stoic and serious. Not someone you probably could joke with. 

"Lieutenant," Spock called, and you jumped a little before spinning round. This was not an uncommon occurrence, as often his presence made you a little unnerved. "I would like to thank you for turning in your research early, it is appreciated and your hard work has not gone unnoticed."

"Oh, I- well," you stammered, looking for the right words to say. "Thank you, sir. I hope my research aids the studies quicker than first thought."

Dare you say you saw amusement in his eyes?

"Indeed, it will. Perhaps, if you are not busy, we could meet at 19:00 and discuss the topic more? I believe you will be off-duty by that time."

Your brain couldn't function. Did Spock just ask you to dinner? No, stop thinking like that, you told yourself. It's a one-off, just a chat about the experiments, nothing more.

"I would like that, I will see you then."

That became a common thing, it was not a one-off. Every couple of days, yourself and Spock dined together, or at least spent some time together, and ended up talking about a little more than just what was happening down in the science department. 

Conversation had twisted and turned in many ways, and before long you had both opened up about your lives before being stationed on this ship. You told him of your upbringing and he told you of life on Vulcan. He expressed his interests and hobbies and you responded in kind. Weirdly enough, it felt like you had always been friends. 

"Perhaps I could listen to you play one day," you'd said, after Spock had told you about his love of playing the Vulcan harp.

"That would be nice, Lieutenant. I believe I would enjoy that very much," Spock had replied.

There were times where you felt uncertain, or where your mental health had wobbled and you needed support. Spock was there for you, each and every time, to catch your tears and even hold you until things had died down. Doctor McCoy had always marveled at why you called on a Vulcan for emotional help, and couldn't understand when you explained how comfortable you felt with Spock in those moments. 

"I just don't get it, there's humans a plenty on this ship," the doctor spoke, bemusedly. "Why not one of us?"

"Because," you began, partially exasperated from having to explain yourself again. "He may be a Vulcan, Leonard, but he cares. I feel heard when I speak to him, and I know that he won't harbour my worries or fears as his own."

With a humph, Bones would walk away, leaving you to laugh to yourself idly. 

Doctor McCoy's words always left you pondering, though. You did think it was quite funny how a Vulcan could be your closest emotional companion, especially one of your higher ups. But, the universe worked in incredibly strange ways, and it had thrown the two of you together for whatever reason. 

Over tea that night, you both spoke about your friendship. 

"I remember when we first met, Spock. I was frightened of you to begin with. I never thought I would be sat here now, sipping tea and reading together."

He raised a brow. "Frightened of me?"

Your eyes had widened, realising how that had sounded. "Oh, no! Not like that. I guess I just hadn't been exposed to Vulcans at all, but after having had many of these meals with you, I can see my original opinions were way out of bounds. Thank you for being around Spock, you're a good friend to me."

For a second, you could have sworn you saw a smile flash across his face.

"I am glad we are friends too, thank you for trusting me."

Spock was the most unlikely of friends found in the most unlikely of places, but to you that wasn't an issue. 

A friend is a friend, however random, and that was all that mattered.

[hardly-an-escape]

It starts with the photos on his fridge.

Buck yanks them off in a fit of pique while the first of two apple pies is finishing up in the oven, because he just cannot stand to see Tommy's face smiling at him every time he goes to grab eggs or butter or a bottle of water.

He chucks them into a cigar box left over from Chimney's bachelor-party-that-wasn't, and tries not to think about them.

Over the next two weeks he finds more of the little pieces of relationship ephemera that tend to collect like miniature snowdrifts of memories after someone is in your life for a few months. A matchbook from Miceli's. Ticket stubs from the movies and a jazz concert at the Mount Wilson Observatory (not really their scene, but the tickets had been a gift). A brochure from a bed and breakfast they'd never actually made a reservation at. A handful of post it notes Tommy had left behind, on the bathroom mirror or the nightstand or the coffee maker.

The cigar box fills up. Buck tries not to think about it as the Tommy box. Tries not to think about it at all.

By the time he moves on to the bigger items – a charger for Tommy's bluetooth headphones, the hoodie that had ended up in Buck's laundry basket, the random pairs of socks, the book Tommy had gotten halfway through one weekend and then forgotten under the couch – the Tommy box has already graduated from the cigar box to an Amazon box, and from there to a bankers box he has to dig out from the back of his closet.

The box fills up. One night, knowing he's off the next day, he drinks a bottle of pinot gris by himself and goes through it, item by item, forcing himself to read each note and remember every moment until his eyes well with tears and he's chewed the inside of his cheek raw.

He's not sure why. It doesn't feel like catharsis, exactly. More like a punishment.

In the morning his eyes feel gritty and his head is pounding. He chokes down a cup of coffee and picks up his phone.

I have a box of your stuff. Do you want to come get it or should I bring it over?

It's been almost a month, but Tommy replies within minutes.

I can actually come by now, if that's okay. I'm out doing errands.

That's fine, I'm home, Buck sends back.

Thanks. ETA about 30 min.

God, he texts like such a dorky old man. Buck fights a smile. He doesn't want to feel fond. He drags himself into the shower.

35 minutes later, he's wearing a clean shirt and a pair of jeans he knows make his ass look good and he's making another pot of coffee and determinedly not thinking about how maybe he did choose those jeans on purpose when there's a knock.

"Hey," Tommy says when he opens the door. It's so familiar that Buck feels something around his heart clench. He has to stop himself from leaning in to kiss him hello.

"Hi," he says instead, stepping back to let Tommy in. "Do you, uh, want a cup of coffee or anything?"

"That's okay," Tommy says, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I'll just get my stuff and get out of your hair."

The Tommy box is upstairs. He'd managed to get everything packed neatly away before he fell asleep last night. But he doesn't go get it just yet; he takes just a second to drink in the sight of Tommy, in his space again, maybe for the last time.

He looks good. Tired, maybe; a little more worn than Buck would like to see. He thinks about the box and about his last couple of breakups. When Taylor moved out, when Natalia left – he couldn't wait to get rid of the evidence, wanted to scrape his life clean of them like getting barnacles off the bottom of a boat.

He realizes, suddenly, looking at him, how badly he wants to cling to Tommy. It's been a month and he wants to wrap him up in a blanket and feed him snickerdoodles. He wants to put their photos back up on the fridge. Tommy's standing in front of him and Buck never wants him to leave again.

"Listen," Buck says. "Since you're here. Can we talk?"

What would Buck put in his Tommy box though

[outoftheirdifferences]

"Well, that could have been worse."

star wars: knights of the old republic, vol i.  ∕   sentence starters

"Oh yeah, for sure."

Sitting up, brushing leaves out of her hair, Webby surveyed the debris around them. If it wasn't the best she'd ever come out of an adventure, it also sure wasn't the worst either. And hey, they'd got what they'd come for...

Whatever exactly it was. A relic of Rossiel's history, she had gathered: but while Webby knew plenty about the ancient culture's of earth, she felt like she'd only just scratched the surface of all there was to know about her new friend's people.

She just still wasn't sure she should ask, when it was a sensitive subject for the other girl.

Rather, she shrugged, rubbed the back of her head a little.

"I mean, I always feel like any top secret infiltration that you can get out of without getting almost sacrificed to an undead mummy is a successful one, heh."

[swaps55]

When Sam sent in Kaidan's recommendation to N-school, did he know Kaidan would turn it down?

Oooh, this is a REALLY good question.

I'm going to say he didn't, and Kaidan turning it down came as a surprise to him. Should he have known? Probably. But as intuitive and observant as Sam is, I think in this case, the N program is so integral to him, that he couldn't step outside himself enough to understand why Kaidan wouldn't want it.

From the beginning, the allure of Kaidan Alenko has been that he's hard for Sam to figure out. Sam likes puzzles, and Kaidan is one he never quite solves. People don't often surprise Sam. Every time Kaidan does surprise him, he becomes even more interesting.

So turning down the N program recommendation would have set Sam on his heels a little. He would have taken time to over analyze why, sit with it, and have a little moment of clarity over the ways he'd misunderstood Kaidan's experiences, or just not given enough consideration them. I very deliberately gave Kaidan and Sam very different experiences with developing and learning biotics. Their perspectives are VERY different, and Kaidan's reasons for not wanting to be an N would have helped Sam broaden his own understanding of how un-universal his own experience was. For all the things he knows about Kaidan and BAaT and Vyrnnus, this would have driven home a little harder the ways in which they shaped him.

Sam also would have marveled a little at the ways Kaidan is so relentlessly himself, and rigidly follows his own code.

Truthfully, that was probably a small but important moment in Sam's long, slow fall. The relief he would have felt, however, at Kaidan staying put on the 'Yang and remaining with the squad is something he would have carefully tucked away somewhere he didn't have to think about very hard.

Other people are puzzles, after all. Less fun when the puzzle is yourself. :)

[crossbackpoke-check]

Substance, Shadow, and Spirit [remixed, abridged] by Tao Yuanming

[pinktinselmonstrosity]

alright i have a mild dilemna that i need advice on

on my course we have to post these weekly self-reflection things responding to the themes of the week's class and some questions about it. i posted last week's and yesterday the course convenor replied to it in a way that implies i was wrong (in my SELF reflection) and just generally misunderstands my point/takes it in bad faith. i've shown these posts to others on the course and they agree that my original post adressed the things her reply asks about and that she has misinterpreted me, in quite a "cheeky" way

my issue now is: do i reply and try to explain myself better? or is it better to just let it go?

i don't want to dig myself in deeper if she's really opposed to my viewpoint, but at the same time i do feel like i answered the questions thoroughly in the first place and the things she's accusing me of aren't fair

[cienie-isengardu]

I find it hilarious the Grandmaster probably banging Sektor's head on the wall about how loyalty is important and how Lin Kuei principals are absolute since he was baby and he didn't see Sektor might develop a tinge of independence to realize he didn't have to be told what to do once he's in a superior body. I feel like Sektor was kind of just waiting for a chance to seize power from his father and the Cyber Initiative gave him an opening and I feel his programming somewhat deteriorating was actually just Sektor's personality resurfacing above protocol and seeing that his father was no longer necessary.

I feel Sektor was honestly probably waiting for his father to die in the back of his mind prior(maybe he thought the guy would just die of old age or something) but when the Cyber Initiative was in motion and he got converted, this thought came back and eventually it just kind of weakened the loyalty protocols to where Sektor's desire to rule overrode his father's authority and he didn't feel like waiting for him to expire on his own.

The major reason why I have so hard time buying the whole human Sektor's desire to replace his father from MK9’s BIO is that the story mode, alongside other sources, doesn’t give me anything suggesting he was that ambitious or cunning to begin with and even less to think he was the designated heir. Quite the opposite, from the all named Lin Kuei characters from the same game, he is the most obedient one, the most willing to put Grandmaster’s wish over his own well-being and (at least visually wise) easily dominated by the presence of his fellow clan members. When Bi-Han is shown with Cyrax and Sektor, he takes the central place within their little group. When he is out of the picture, Cyrax openly questions Grandmaster’s vision of cyber Lin Kuei while Sektor is on the defensive, as he has no real argument to add to the discussion and Cyrax clearly doesn’t treat him as his superior, especially when Sektor confronted him about not killing Johnny Cage. 

It may be just me, but the human Sektor lacks the initiative that is characteristic for his cyber version. Similarly, for a supposed heir he feels so… subdued and withdrawn, not to mention his father sent him on a very dangerous mission in which the chance of dying was very high. Sub-Zero’s BIO from Deadly Alliance summed Kuai Liang’s choice to aid Raiden in his quest against new threat as “It was highly unusual for the Grand Master to embark on such a dangerous mission” and I think it wouldn’t be too far-stretched to assume Lin Kuei had a similar approach to the Grandmaster’s designed heir.

Sektor is a grown up man in MK9, if he was meant to replace his father at some point, I imagine he would be trained from birth for this duty. However, all the BIO says is that he had no choice about being Lin Kuei, but there is no information he was designed to be next Grandmaster. For all we know, the Grandmaster could have more children than Sektor and even if the man was considered as a potential candidate, sending him to the Mortal Kombat Tournament seems like too much risk - if he died, literal decades of proper education for the leadership would be wasted, wouldn’t it? 

My point is, I don’t think Sektor was seen by his father as the future leader of Lin Kuei - or anything more than an useful pawn, so I can understand that Grandmaster has never considered him a threat nor questioned his loyalty. Especially after automation, as C.I. Project was supposed to perfect the human warriors, not grand them better understanding of trauma and abuse they endured for Lin Kuei's benefit.

Frankly, maybe the fact that his son was so obedient and lacked initiative was the reason why he allowed Sektor to volunteer for C.I. Project - additional sources like Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms adds a lot to that feeling of my, as Grandmaster’s explanation - complaint - about human weakness seemed to be solely directed at Sektor, the only cyborg fully presented during the speech: “The mortal body is fragile, weak. So, we enhanced them.”

Maybe you are right and Sektor waited for a chance to seize control and C.I. Project provided it - and the BIO indeed tells the truth that his “ultimate goal is to supplant his father as Grand Master of the Lin Kuei”. However I personally think it was not human Sektor’s desire for power nor personal ambitions that corrupted his programming, as he has never been shown trying to enlist Bi-Han or Cyrax for his planned coup. I think the problem lies in the fact that Grandmaster removed the “flaw” that kept Sektor in check, be it out of love or fear of his father. And once the flaw was subdued, Cyber Sektor could clearly see for the first time that his father is the danger he needed to remove to ensure his own safety, but also Cyber Lin Kuei’s independence. Because this is what you get when you remove humanity from a ruthless killer - no loyalty, no mercy. 

And yes, indeed, there is something hilariously ironic about Grandmaster's blindness to the danger of the C.I. Project and perfecting his own son that already dedicated all his life to him and the clan.