#I guess that didn't really answer the original question

[saikenakoego]

Last one before I try doing it with another character (and before i force myself to get back to work on art and stuff lol)

With the usual lady herself. The scourge of the undead and the paranormal alike. Hunter of monsters. Breaker of bones (and hearts). EATER OF RARE HAMBURGERS.

The unwilling vampire, Sammy!

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv This gal! vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

This one is really long, so I'll be dividing them by sections like the original!

Appearance

1. What is your favorite physical trait that you possess?

SM: If I could, I'd be feeling flustered right now. But since I can, I'll just say something at random.

SM: ...

SM: Hair.

2. What would you wear if they told you you had to gussy up?

SM: ...

SM: I AM gussied up.

3. Is there anything about your appearance that you would change if possible?

SM:

SM: Hope that answers your question.

4. Do you have a favorite material that you like to wear?

SM: Denim or leather. Easy to wash, hardy enough. Hides bloodstains.

5. What's your opinion on scars?

SM: I miss them.

6. How much do you take interest in trends?

SM: More than I'd like to. Apex predators have to stay at the top of the game.

SM: Oh, you mean fashion trends? About the same. Even if I don't feel anything, I want to look my best when I put the bloodsuckers back in their graves.

7. Is there someone you try to look similar to?

SM: Myself. From about 2 years ago.

8. Do you have a physical trait that you're known for?

SM: Take a guess.

9. What do you smell like?

SM: Wouldn't you like to know. Good enough, is what I'll say.

10. If you could splurge on a particular garment, what would it be?

SM: Sunglasses. Or a new jacket. Anything that can help keep me cool.

11. Is your favorite color a color you wear often?

SM: Yeah.

12. Have you gone through major stylistic or physical changes?

SM: I guess you could say somethin' like that.

13. What is something you would refuse to wear?

SM: Anything degrading.

14. Is there a style you're afraid you can't pull off?

SM: Average.

15. Would you wear something someone else picked for you?

SM: Silver picked this outfit for me. It's easy to move in and looks good, so I don't mind.

16. Is your appearance more telling or deceiving?

SM: What a way to ask about it. Hopefully the first one.

17. What are your thoughts on wearing costumes?

SM: It's been tainted for me, the whole "human pretending to be a monster" thing. But if it's for innocent fun, I try not to mind.

18. Do you have a favorite outfit?

SM: I feel like I already answered this.

19. If you had to get a tattoo, what would it be?

SM: Crucifix. Practical reasons.

Objects

1. Is there an item you don't like to live without?

SM: Crucifixes. Have to keep them upside down, though.

2. What gift would you give to someone you didn't like, but felt obligated to?

SM: Something as cheap as generic as possible. A card or something.

3. What object is likely to catch your attention?

SM: The answer is inside you. Literally.

4. Is there an item you liked that you can't get back?

SM: Don't think so. None that I recall.

5. Would you ever try to haggle?

SM: Depends. For what?

6. Is there something you're proud to own?

SM: I can't feel pride anymore. But I used to brag a lot about my cd collection.

7. Do you ever spend more time than you have?

SM: I have all the time in the world. But I do spend more time than I should...

8. What would it take for you to give up an item you like?

SM: A stake, or cash. Depends.

9. Do you prefer to give or receive gifts?

SM: As long as they're useful, receive.

10. Is there a type of object you don't like?

SM: Anything that can cause bodily harm. And I don't mean to myself.

11. What might an acquaintance think is a good gift for you?

SM: Burger.

12. Do you personify objects?

SM: No, but I know someone who does.

13. What do you most enjoy shopping for?

SM: Nothing in particular.

14. Is there an item you're embarrassed to own or want?

SM: Again, I can't feel embarrassment anymore.

15. Would you prefer something bought or made personally?

SM: Something that functions.

16. Are you willing to ask for things?

SM: Who isn't?

17. What is most important to you when shopping?

SM: Keeping an eye on the budget. Unlike some people I know.

Food and Drink

1. What flavor would you say your personality is?

SM: Bitter.

2. Would you prefer baking, cooking or mixing drinks?

SM: Cooking. No one seems to get it right for me.

3. Is there a food or drink you're unwilling to try?

SM: Their... "specialty".

4. How big is your appetite?

SM: One appetite too big.

5. Do you consider eating fun?

SM: These questions make me angry.

6. Would you consider eating something you didn't like just to appease someone?

SM: No.

7. Is there food that has made you sick?

SM: Not anymore.

8. What is your favorite food group?

SM: Food has groups?

SM: ...Why?

9. Do you like to try new foods?

SM: I sure hope I did.

10. What is a childhood meal you cherish?

SM: ...Burger.

11. Are you food-motivated?

SM: ...

SM: Really?

12. Which meal time is your favorite?

SM: The final kind.

13. How much do you care about wasting food?

SM: Very. My mother raised me well.

14. Do you prefer restaurant or home-cooked food?

SM: Restaurant. For the time being.

15. What food or drink do you consider a treat?

SM: Burger...

16. Is there a food texture you don't like?

SM: Liquid, viscous and slightly oily.

17. What kind of drinks do you prefer?

SM: Water.

Weather and Nature

1. What would you do if you were suddenly caught in the rain?

SM: Find a place with a roof.

2. Have you ever had a meaningful encounter with an animal?

SM: If I have, I can't recall.

3. What season would you say you're most similar to?

SM: ...What?

4. Is there a natural phenomenon that scares you?

SM: I don't feel fear. But for sake of the question, I'd rather not be involved with any right now.

5. Have you ever had an animal phase?

SM: Don't think so.

6. Do you enjoy sky-gazing?

SM: I don't mind it when Johnny asks me to join him. That's about it.

7. Do you have a good sense of direction?

SM: Yeah. Par for the course.

8. What type of environment do you like best?

SM: Not too hot, not too cold.

9. Are you good with animals?

SM: Animals tend to run away from me. Don't blame 'em.

10. How would you react to snow?

SM: Just 'cuz Vegas is in a desert doesn't mean it doesn't snow. The place is literally called Nevada, por dios.

11. What part of nature do you most resonate with?

SM: The supernatural has no place within the natural world.

12. Could you survive on your own in the wilderness for a week or more?

SM: Depends on the place. Probably.

13. What element best represents you?

SM: Darkness.

14. Do you prefer hot or cold weather?

SM: Cold. Reasonably cold.

15. Is there a creature that scares you?

SM: No.

16. What celestial body interests you the most?

SM: The sun.

17. Are you good with plants?

SM: About as good as anyone.

18. How willing would you be to nap outside?

SM: Unwilling.

19. What animal would you say best represents you?

SM: A mosquito.

Community and Relationships

1. Do you prefer company or solitude when sick?

SM: I don't get sick.

SM: ...

SM: But Silver being a pest during... that, wasn't so bad.

2. What is your favorite kind of social event?

SM: None.

3. How comfortable would you be with singing and dancing in front of everyone?

SM: I would not care. Though it would be better if I got something out of it.

4. Are you upfront about your feelings?

SM: If I had any.

5. Who would you seek first if you needed medical help?

SM: Nobody. For their sake.

6. How willing would you be to go to a party with people you don't know?

SM: If it leads to something useful, willing. Otherwise, rather not.

7. Who are you most honest with?

SM: Silver.

8. How likely is it for you to initiate a friendship?

SM: Unlikely.

9. Where is your comfort place?

SM: ...Home.

10. Is there a habit you've learned from someone else?

SM: Less learned and more forcefully conditioned into me.

11. Do you think you have people who would worry about you if you got injured?

SM: Yeah. Somehow.

12. How would you react to being put in a position of leadership?

SM: I don't like it.

13. Would you be good at providing medical assistance?

SM: Would a starving bear be good at it? Carajo.

14. Who would you say knows you best?

SM: Silver. Maybe a little too much.

15. Is there a person you would turn to for backup in a fight?

SM: The boys. Either of them, for different reasons.

16. Who would you most like to sign your cast if you got one?

SM: If I were able to get a cast? Everyone, probably.

17. How well do you work with others?

SM: Well enough.

18. What is your favorite form of affection?

SM: Minding your business.

19. Do you enjoy celebrating holidays?

SM: I really don't care.

20. What would it take for you to get into a fight?

SM: Not much.

Mind, Body and Soul

1. What is a habit you have that others might find cute?

SM: I don't think anyone would ever find me cute.

2. Are there any particular sounds you're fond of?

SM: Heartbeats.

3. Are you more prone to fight or flight?

SM: Fight.

4. Do you believe in myths and fairytales?

SM: Do you?

5. What words could tear you down?

SM: None.

6. How well do you act under pressure?

SM: Pressure isn't something I'm familiar with.

7. Are you good at practicing self-care?

SM: That's not a luxury I can afford.

8. What do you find most comforting?

SM: Not comforting, but I'd rather be left alone.

9. Do you have any allergies?

SM: No.

10. Are you a light, medium or heavy sleeper?

SM: I don't need sleep.

11. Do you have a strong willpower?

SM: Given how everyone around me remains safe and ignorant, I'd say yes.

12. Are you more likely to give advice or take it?

SM: Johnny seems to ask me for advice often, and I can't understand why.

13. How do you relax?

SM: I don't.

14. Is there a secret you long to hear?

SM: The method to end this madness.

15. Do you have a sleep routine?

SM: I used to.

16. Would you feel confident in a fight?

SM: Why would you be in a fight otherwise?

17. Are you more energized in the morning, afternoon or at night?

SM: Night. Self explanatory.

18. How often do you have nightmares?

SM: ...Often.

19. Are there scents you dislike?

SM: Blood.

20. Is there a fear you'd like to learn to overcome?

SM: I fear nothing.

21. If you had to act in a play, what role do you think you'd perform best?

SM: Background character. A tree or something.

22. Do you have a high pain tolerance?

SM: Pain is a quality of the living.

Hobbies and Activities

1. What kind of games do you most enjoy playing?

SM: Silver introduced me to Castlevania. Good game.

2. Do you have a secret hobby?

SM: Its a secret.

3. What talent do you wish you had?

SM: The talent to end this quickly.

4. Is there an activity you used to enjoy that you now dislike?

SM: ...Hard to decide.

5. Which do you prioritize more, work or hobbies?

SM: Work.

6. Do you work better with creative or technical endeavors?

SM: Direct endeavors.

7. What is a talent you're proud of?

SM: The talent to brutalize all these parasites.

8. Are you more outdoorsy or indoorsy?

SM: ...

SM: "Indoorsy".

9. What is a topic you'd be exited to talk about?

SM: Again. Can't feel excitement.

10. Is there a skill that you don't know you're bad at?

SM: I-- What?

11. Do you have any injury story?

SM: Fine. Since you're so insistent. Let's see, I've been stabbed and maimed multiple times. I've had my limbs torn one by one. I've been cut in half. Decapitated. Had my bones broken. One time I had to gouge my own eyes out. Had my tongue pulled off. My neck broken. I've been ripped apart, and one other time I was eviscerated. Then I got flayed. Had my skull caved in, my mandible displaced. And lately I had my brains blown out with my own friend's gun.

SM: Oh, and this one time a creep bit me and drank my blood. But really, it didn't hurt. Happy now?

12. What kind of music do you enjoy?

SM: I used to like pop. But lately, I've been subjected to hours of rock music by Silver.

SM: It's not so bad. The guttural screams keep my... mind off things.

13. Have you ever made something for yourself or someone else?

SM: I used to cook often.

14. What is your opinion on cheating in games?

SM: A necessary evil sometimes.

15. How good are you at following through on projects?

SM: VERY good.

16. What's an activity that reminds you of someone else?

SM: That's... I don't wanna answer that.

17. Do you prefer music or silence?

SM: Its complicated.

18. What is something you wouldn't wanna talk about?

SM: I don't want to talk about it.

🌸My Super Long Hopefully Fun Character Ask Game:

👕Appearance

What is your character's favorite physical trait they possess?

What would your character wear if they were told they had to gussy up?

Is there something about your character's appearance that they would change if possible?

Does your character have a favorite material they like to wear?

What are your character's opinion on scars?

How much interest does your character take in trends?

Is there someone your character tries to look similar to?

Does your character have a physical trait that they're known for?

What does your character smell like?

If your character could splurge on a particular garment, what would it be?

Is your character's favorite color a color they wear often?

Has your character gone through major stylistic or physical changes?

What is something your character would refuse to wear?

Is there a style your character is afraid they can’t pull off?

Would your character wear something someone else picked out for them?

Is your character's appearance more telling or deceiving?

What are your character's thoughts on wearing costumes?

Does your character have a favorite outfit?

If your character had to get a tattoo what would it be?

📦Objects

Is there an item your character doesn't like to leave without?

What gift would your character give to someone they didn't like but felt obligated to?

What type of object is likely to catch your character's attention?

Is there an item your character liked that they can’t get back? 

Would your character ever try to haggle?

What is something your character is proud to own?

Does your character ever spend more than they have?

What would it take for your character to give up an item they really like?

Does your character prefer to give or receive gifts?

Is there a type of object your character doesn’t like?

What might an acquaintance think is a good gift for your character?

Does your character personify objects?

What does your character most enjoy shopping for?

Is there an item your character is embarrassed they own or want?

Would your character prefer something bought or made personally?

Is your character willing to ask for things?

What is most important to your character when shopping?

🍽️Food and Drink

What flavor would your character say their personality is?

Would your character prefer baking, cooking or mixing drinks?

Is there a food or drink your character is unwilling to try?

How big is your character's appetite?

Does your character consider eating fun?

Would your character eat or drink something they didn't like to appease someone?

Is there food that has made your character sick?

What is your character's favorite food group?

Does your character like to try new foods?

What is a childhood meal your character cherishes?

Is your character food motivated?

Which mealtime is your character's favorite?

How much does your character care about wasting food?

Does your character prefer restaurant food or home cooked food?

What food or drink does your character consider a treat?

Is there a food texture your character doesn't like?

What kind of drinks does your character prefer?

🌤️Weather and Nature

What would your character do if they were suddenly caught in the rain?

Has your character had a meaningful encounter with an animal?

What season would your character say they're most similar to?

Is there a natural phenomenon that scares your character?

Has your character ever had an animal phase?

Would your character enjoy sky gazing?

Does your character have a good sense of direction?

What type of environment does your character like best?

Is your character good with animals?

How would your character react to snow?

What part of nature would your character most resonate with?

Could your character survive in the wilderness on their own for a week or more?

What element best represents your character?

Does your character prefer hot or cold weather?

Is there a creature that scares your character?

What celestial body would interest your character the most?

Is your character good with plants?

How willing would your character be to nap outside?

What animal would your character say best represents them?

🤝Community and Relationships

Does your character prefer company or solitude when sick?

What is your character's favorite kind of social event?

How comfortable would your character be singing and dancing in front of others?

Is your character upfront about their feelings?

Who would your character first seek if they needed medical help?

How willing would your character be to go to a party with people they don't know?

Who is your character most honest with?

How likely is it for your character to initiate a friendship?

Where is your character's comfort place?

Is there a habit your character has that they learned from someone else?

Does your character have people they think would worry about them if they got injured?

How would your character react to being put in a position of leadership?

Would your character be good at providing medical assistance?

Who would your character say knows them best?

Is there a person your character would turn to for backup in a fight?

Who would your character most want to sign their cast if they got one?

How well does your character work with others?

What is your character's favorite form of affection?

Does your character enjoy celebrating holidays?

What would it take for your character to get into a fight?

💓Mind, Body and Soul

What is a habit your character has that others might find cute?

Are there particular sounds your character is fond of?

Is your character more prone to fight or flight?

Does your character believe in myths and fairy tales?

What words could tear your character down?

How well does your character act under pressure?

Is your character good at practicing self-care?

What scents does your character find comforting?

Does your character have any allergies?

Is your character a light, medium or heavy sleeper?

Does your character have strong willpower?

Is your character more likely to give advice or seek it?

How does your character relax?

Is there a secret thing your character longs to hear?

Does your character have a sleep routine?

Would your character feel confident in a fight?

Is your character more energized in the morning, afternoon or at night?

How often does your character have nightmares?

Are there scents your character dislikes?

Is there a fear your character wants to learn to overcome?

If your character had to act in a play what role would they think they’d best perform?

Does your character have a high pain tolerance?

🎲 Hobbies and Activities

What kind of games does your character most enjoy playing?

Does your character have a secret hobby?

What is a talent your character wishes they had?

Is there an activity your character used to enjoy that they now dislike?

Which does your character try to prioritize more, work or hobbies?

Does your character work better with creative or technical endeavors?

What is a talent that your character is proud of?

Is your character more outdoorsy or indoorsy?

What is a topic your character would be excited to talk about? 

Is there a skill your character doesn’t know they’re bad at?

Does your character have any injury stories?

What kind of music does your character enjoy?

Has your character ever made something for themselves or someone else?

What is your character’s opinion on cheating in games?

How good is your character at following through on projects?

What’s an activity that reminds your character of someone else?

Does your character prefer music or silence?

What is a topic your character wouldn't want to talk about?

[welcometohellfilm]

Congrats to everyone who has been working on W2H2! 🎉 If it's alright, I'd like to ask to ask 2 questions:

Is there by chance an official ref of colors for Debbie, or is it still up to interpretation at the moment?

Would you say that your personal, real life experiences within the 10 years moving from W2H to W2H2 shifted the tone/story of the series in some way? Something that I've always been fascinated with when I started looking more into W2H was the shift in Sock's character from the original comic -> first film -> second film, and Jonathan's character from the first film -> second film.

Thank you! ✨

I actually just made some 'official'-ish colors for Debbie! Her voice actor Kaitlyn wanted something to use on a banner for conventions haha... so here you go!

2. I'm not really sure how to answer this one, haha. I mean I've definitely changed as a person over the course of making each iteration of W2H. I started the comic while I was at community college, before I went to art school. I adapted it into an animation for my graduation project. And I started W2H2 a couple years after I graduated college. So there's a good 2-3 years between each attempt at W2H I've done, haha. I think a lot of my original ideas from the comic had to change because it needed to be condensed into a short film. I didn't even GET to Jonathan yet in the comic! Some things just didn't make sense to me anymore, like the idea of Sock already having a human body count. It'd just be absurd for him to be able to hide it for so long! Plus, if I made it so that Sock has only ever entertained the idea of murder, it makes his new job that much more appealing-- it's a chance for him to really lean in to this thing he's always had to hide. Between the first and second films though, I mean... I think there's been some tonal shift, for sure (I don't know about a character shift? We'll get to that haha) But basically, when I was first thinking about W2H2, my idea was "Sock and Jonathan hang out and attempt to figure out touch physics, also there's some drama about a journal Jonathan keeps." All of the hell stuff is something that came from bouncing ideas around with my friends, Michael and Neil. I was worried that sending Jonathan to hell would be too bonkers for a "2nd episode", but we all kinda agreed that enough time had passed that the fans would probably enjoy something higher stakes, so it would be fine. (I'll give everyone a moment to realize this conversation would've been happening in 2015-16... ha.)

We also kind of thought, y'know... I have no idea how many more of these there's even gonna' be, so why not go a little bigger with this one? W2H2 is a higher stakes story than what I set out to make in the beginning, that's for sure. It is interesting to compare all of them.. the employee handbook was actually from the comic and I cut that because it wasn't helpful for W2H... but then it became helpful for W2H2, so it came back! Haha. I'm curious to know in what ways people think the characters have changed though. (And is that a good thing or a bad thing?) Especially a character like Jonathan, no one's really even seen that much of him yet, I think most of the characterization comes from fandom, or like... art I've drawn, I guess? Haha... I'm not sure! I guess Sock's a little more confident and antagonistic in this one (though he'll have his moments of hesitation... we're only at Part 1 right now!), and Jonathan has had to become a more vocal/active character, just by nature of the kind of story it is, I suppose. But yeah, I'm not sure! Happy to hear your guys' thoughts though!

[frenetic-chameleon]

Is there anything that you really want to do before you die?

honestly, i think i'd just like to really live first. you know? i want to do more, experience more, learn more, see more. the universe is so vast and beautiful and busy, and i am so small and tired but part of it nonetheless. i want to see the world get better than it is right now. i want to feel better than i do right now. i want to build up a better support system for myself and start seizing opportunities as they come to me. i wanna see myself and the people around me keep growing into the people we want to be, even as that ideal changes with us. mostly, i want to be safe, and loved, and happy. i hope that answers your question

[mechaknight-98]

Deep in the Water (NSFW) FT Minju

Operator’s Notes: “Said you wanna take control of me but I got all the answers”

A fist hit my face and sent me to the ground. Unsure of where the fist came from in the bar brawl I found myself in I got up to face the first person directed at me, an angry man approached me and said, "You look like a bitch."

I laughed and said, "You look like a snitch" before tackling him to the ground. I got a couple of strikes on him before shotgun fire rang through the bar. I stopped striking the man and turned behind me.

A girl with a wolf cut and an angered look stared into my eyes and said, "This brawl stops now. You!" (she pointed at me.) You told me that you would not get rowdy.

I scoffed at the young woman, "The hell are you talking about this dude attacked me first," I responded defiantly. The girl rolled her eyes and said,

"NOT you the one under you. He is the one I am mad at. The person you're bashing." The girl points back at me and says, "You're fine Sparkles," I nod and get up. Before paying my tab. The lady with the wolf cut smiles cutely and says, "Now go handsome before I change my mind." I smirk and she shoos me away I get out of the bar and start heading home before I feel someone grab my wrist. I turn back to see the young lady, "Um hey can you help me fix the bar? You were the only one who didn't make a mess, and I need help." I consider my options, and say "Sure why not"

At first, I considered my choice a mistake, but the Bar owner was cute and cool, so the time just melted away as we cleaned and restored the bar to its original shape. After we finished cleaning, we sat next to each other, and she slid me a Shirley Temple.

She smiles at me and asks, "So sparkles do you have a real name?"

I nod and reply "Dio it's short for Diomacho"

"What?" The young woman scoffed surprised, "does that even mean anything?" she asked confused

"My Grandma thought it would be funny to name her son, my father who I am the junior to, a name that could mean anything and nothing. According to her though she wanted to make the next great "African American name" So for her it means prosperity, wisdom, valor, and the ideals she believed made a strong Black man,"

the young lady smiled, "Hmm I like it." The young lady outstretched her hand, "My name is Minju. Nice to meet you." I nodded and smiled at her. She smiled back then said, "So what brings such a unique young man out here?"

"Young?" I questioned, as I turned to her, "I am tired like leather and old as dirt." I replied.

Minju smiled as she rolled her eyes, "No you're not. I looked at your ID before you got here. You're barely 3 years older than me." her smile was knowing, cute, and a little flirty maybe.

I scowled confused as I said, "Really you're only three years younger than me?" I looked deeper at her face and hands, "you look like you could be in college still,"

Minju smiled and said, "Black and Korean don't crack I guess." I laughed and she pouted, "What I thought the phrase was Black doesn't crack." she added defensively. Her hair bounced as she spoke expressively.

I nod and respond, "No you're correct It's just not what I thought I'd hear out here." Minju's pout disappeared and was replaced with a wide smile. She moved a bit closer.

“So Sparkles what brings you out here?”

I turn to Minju and she’s still all smiles, “you’re a curious one.” I respond. Minju smiles and nods before saying.

“So what brings you here?”

I sigh as I relent while answering her, “ Well, this was supposed to be a vacation but I got roped into a work thing,”

Minju leans in close and rests her arms on my shoulder, “Oh what do you do?”

“I am a part of the American Titan Fighting Force or the ATFF for short,” I answer as I shift to support her weight better. Minju smiles and leans in closer.

Minju leaned back slightly, her eyes still focused on mine. “So, you’re a Kaiju fighter… but you don’t seem too thrilled about it,” she said, her voice soft but curious.

I raised an eyebrow, a little surprised by the observation. “What makes you say that?”

She smiled knowingly, tapping her fingers lightly on my shoulder. “You’ve got that look. Like this isn’t exactly what you wanted to be doing with your life. I mean, you were minding your own business in the bar earlier. Doesn’t seem like you go looking for fights.”

I sighed, taking a moment to consider my response. Her gaze was patient but intent, and for some reason, I felt like talking.

“You’re right,” I admitted, leaning back in my chair. “I’m not exactly a fan of the whole ‘fighting monsters’ thing. I didn’t sign up for that part.”

Minju tilted her head, intrigued. “Then why are you doing it?”

I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head. “I was supposed to be a researcher. I’ve got a background in Titan/ Kaiju biology and ecology. I actually wanted to study them, you know? Understand how they work, and how they survive. Maybe even figure out a way to live with them, rather than always fighting them.”

Minju’s eyes widened slightly. “That’s really interesting. So how’d you go from research to… wrangling and fighting them?”

I sighed again, this time more heavily. “Well, let’s just say the ATFF had other ideas. I played football in college, so I was built like an athlete. When they found out, they figured I was ‘perfectly suited’ to do more than just research. Next thing I know, I’m not just studying Titan/ Kaiju—I’m out in the field, wrangling them, fighting them… basically doing all the things I didn’t want to do.”

Minju frowned, her expression softening as she listened. “That sounds… rough. It’s like they took advantage of your skills for something you didn’t even want.”

“Exactly,” I said, nodding. “I mean, I get it—someone’s gotta do it. But it’s frustrating when you’re dragged into something just because you’re physically capable. I wanted to use my brain, not my fists. But they couldn’t see past the fact that I’m big enough to fight.”

Minju’s gaze softened even more, and she shifted closer, her hand resting gently on my arm. “That must be hard,” she said quietly. “Being good at something you don’t even want to do.”

“Yeah, it’s not easy,” I admitted. “Every mission, I’m thinking about what I’d rather be doing. I could be learning more about how these creatures fit into the world, figuring out how to protect people without always having to kill them. But instead, I’m out there wrestling Kaiju into submission.”

Minju smiled, her touch lingering as she spoke. “You’re not just a fighter, though. It sounds like you care about what you do, even if it’s not what you want. That’s… admirable.”

I glanced at her, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. “I guess I try to make the best of it,” I said with a shrug. “But it’s hard to keep going when you feel like you’re not where you’re supposed to be.”

Minju leaned in a little more, her expression thoughtful. “You know, I think people can surprise themselves. Maybe one day you’ll find a way to balance both—fighting when you have to, but also using your knowledge to change how things are done. I mean, if anyone could do it, it sounds like it’d be you.”

Her words caught me off guard, and I found myself smiling a little. “You really think so?”

She nodded, her smile bright but sincere. “I do. You’ve got this… strength, but it’s more than just physical. You’ve got a mind for this stuff, and that’s something not everyone has.”

I stared at her for a moment, feeling something warm settle in my chest. “Thanks,” I said softly. “Not a lot of people see that side of me.”

Minju smiled again, her eyes twinkling with a mix of playfulness and understanding. “Well, I do. And I think you’re gonna find a way to make it work, Sparkles.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “You really don’t give up, do you?”

“Nope,” she replied with a grin. “And I’m not letting you give up either.”

I sigh, before my watch goes off. I looked at it and saw that the JADKF wanted me to go to the briefing tomorrow. I roll my eyes and Minju smiles,

“What’s wrong tough guy?” She teases.

“The JAKDF wants me to go to the briefing tomorrow about this new Kaiju. So I gotta wake up early tomorrow. So this is Goodbye Mini” I say. Minju eyes widened before she said

“Wait! Before you go give me your phone,” she says. I turn back and she smiles as I take out my phone. She quickly types in my phone and then looks at hers before handing me back mine. I look at it and notice I have a text from “my lovely Girlfriend Min” I turn to Minju.

“This is presumptuous,” I say to her. Minju laughs before kissing me on the cheek.

“I’ll see you tomorrow babe,” she says as I walk out. I put on my helmet, get on the motorcycle I rented for the vacation, and race off into the foggy autumn night.

I get back to the hotel a little later and turn in early for the night. Unsurprisingly I dream about Minju. In the dream, the sun was setting on a beach, casting the sky in hues of pink and orange. The waves lapped gently at my feet as I stood on the soft, warm sand. A breeze rolled in, carrying the scent of saltwater, and for a moment, I felt completely at peace.

Then, I saw her—Minju, standing barefoot at the water’s edge, the ocean reflecting in her eyes. She smiled at me, the same teasing, playful look from earlier, but softer, more inviting. Her wolf-cut hair blew gently in the wind, and she waved me over.

I walked toward her, feeling that familiar warmth in my chest. “What’s going on, Min?” I asked as I reached her side.

Minju grinned and held out her hand. “Come with me,” she said, her voice soft but with a hint of mischief.

Without thinking, I took her hand, and she led me into the water. At first, it was just the gentle waves washing over our ankles, then our knees. The water was warm, and with every step, we drifted further from the shore, the beach slowly disappearing behind us. Minju laughed, tugging me deeper into the ocean, her smile never fading.

“Where are we going?” I asked, my voice a little hesitant as the water reached my waist. The sand beneath my feet was giving way, growing softer and harder to stand on.

“Don’t worry,” she said, turning back to me. Her eyes were bright, reflecting the fading light of the sun, and I could see the playful glint in them. “Just trust me.”

I did. I kept walking, following her deeper and deeper. The water rose higher, up to our chests now, and I realized I could no longer feel the ground beneath me. Minju’s hand tightened around mine, and for a moment, I felt a strange sense of security, even as the ocean swallowed us.

“Minju, we’re getting pretty far out,” I said, glancing back at the shoreline, now a distant blur. “Maybe we should—”

“Just a little further,” she interrupted, pulling me along as she started swimming, her strokes effortless and graceful. “We’re almost there.”

“Almost where?” I asked, feeling the unease creeping into my chest. I started to paddle, keeping myself afloat, but the ocean felt deeper and darker now. The sky had shifted to a dusky purple, the stars beginning to peek through.

Minju didn’t answer, just smiled over her shoulder. Her hand still held mine, but it felt different—firmer, almost like a lifeline. I kept swimming with her, the water cool now against my skin, but something in me was starting to panic.

“Minju, we’re too far,” I said, my breath catching in my throat as the waves grew stronger, pushing us around. I couldn’t see the shore anymore. The ocean surrounded us on all sides, an endless expanse of dark, churning water.

She finally stopped, turning to face me. Her eyes were soft, but her smile was gone. “We’re here.”

I looked around, confused. “Where?”

“Here,” she repeated, her voice almost a whisper now. She let go of my hand and floated in front of me, her hair spreading out in the water like dark ribbons.

I tried to swim back toward her, but the current pulled us apart. “Minju!” I called out, suddenly feeling the weight of the water pressing against me. I kicked harder, but it was like the ocean was holding me in place, dragging me down with every movement.

Minju’s face remained calm, almost serene. She didn’t seem scared, but something about the way she looked at me made my chest tighten. “You always fight, don’t you?” she asked softly.

“What?” I panted, my arms struggling to keep me afloat.

“You’re always fighting,” she said, her voice carrying over the waves. “But sometimes… you just have to let go.”

Before I could respond, a wave crashed over my head, pulling me under. The saltwater stung my eyes and filled my lungs as I fought to break the surface. Panic surged through me as I flailed in the water, but I couldn’t find my footing. The ocean was too deep, too vast.

And then, through the chaos, I felt her hand again. Soft, steady, pulling me up. I broke the surface, gasping for air, and there she was—Minju, holding me close, her arms wrapped around me as if to anchor me to her.

“Let go,” she whispered, her breath warm against my ear, despite the cold water around us.

For a moment, I did. I let my muscles relax, and let the water take me. I stopped fighting.

Minju smiled again, her face inches from mine. “It’s easier when you’re not fighting alone.”

And then, everything faded—her face, the ocean, the stars overhead. All of it washed away like the tide, pulling me into darkness.

I woke up in a cold sweat, the sound of waves still echoing in my ears. The hotel room was quiet, and the early morning light filtered through the curtains. I blinked, disoriented, the dream lingering in my mind, as vivid as if it had just happened.

Minju’s voice, soft and playful, echoed in my head: “It’s easier when you’re not fighting alone.”

Sure! Here’s an expanded version of the scene with more flirting as they text each other and gradually get to know each other better:

I got up and started getting ready for the day when my phone buzzed. Another text from “my lovely girlfriend” flashed on the screen:

Minju: “Hey Dio, I don’t know when you’ll be done, but I wanna go on a date today. When you’re ready, come to this address.”

She had attached a location to the message. I laughed and shot back a quick reply:

Me: “Okay, Queen Min.”

There was a pause, and I slipped on my jacket, half-expecting to get another teasing text in response. Sure enough, my phone buzzed again.

Minju: “Oh, I like that.”

I smirked, knowing she was probably grinning at her phone, already planning the next playful retort. Just as I expected, another message popped up:

Minju: “I really like that. Careful, at this rate I’ll have to make you mine.”

I could almost hear her voice, the teasing lilt, and that mischievous smile she wore the night before. Rolling my eyes, I leaned against the doorframe and typed back.

Me: “You don’t waste time, do you?”

She replied almost immediately:

Minju: “When I see something I want, I go for it. What can I say? I’m decisive.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. Her confidence was magnetic, and I wasn’t sure whether I should feel flattered or slightly on edge. But I was hooked, no doubt about that. I decided to play along, raising the stakes.

Me: “Decisive, huh? Bold words for someone who doesn’t even know my favorite color.”

Another pause. I could imagine her reading the message, brow furrowing in mock frustration, but I knew she’d have a comeback ready. Sure enough:

Minju: “Well, that’s easy. It’s black—same as your soul.”

She followed up with another message almost immediately:

Minju: “But I guess I’ll find out for sure today, won’t I?”

I laughed at her reply, impressed by how quick she was on her feet. She wasn’t giving me any space to catch her off guard, and I liked it.

Me: “Touché, Minju. So, what’s my prize if you guess right?”

Minju: “Hmm… if I’m right, I’ll make you dinner. If I’m wrong, I guess you’ll just have to impress me enough to keep me around.”

I raised an eyebrow. She was challenging me, but also giving me a chance to step up. Something about the way she pushed and pulled made the banter exciting like we were already playing a game neither of us wanted to end.

Me: “So it’s a win-win for me, huh? Either I get dinner or I get to keep you around. Sounds like you’ve stacked the deck in my favor, Queen Min.”

Minju: “Consider it a gift for being charming enough to catch my attention.”

Her words sent a small thrill through me, and I couldn’t help but wonder what the day would bring. The conversation was light, but there was something undeniably real about the tension that hummed between us, even through a screen. She had me intrigued, and I was curious to see where this would go.

Minju: “Besides, I’m good at reading people. I’ll bet I know more about you than you think.”

Me: “Oh yeah? Prove it. What else do you think you know about me?”

Another buzz:

Minju: “You seem like the type who pretends not to care, but deep down, you’re the guy who fixes everything for everyone else. You’re probably really responsible, but hate being told what to do. And…”

There was a long pause, and I waited for her to finish. Finally, the next message appeared:

Minju: ”…I bet you haven’t gone on a real date in a long time, huh?”

I blinked, taken aback by how easily she had read between the lines. She wasn’t wrong.

Me: “Guess you’re better at this than I thought.”

Minju: “I told you, I’m good at reading people. That, and I like a challenge.”

I smiled at the screen, impressed but also feeling a little exposed. She saw more of me than most people did, even with our limited interactions. But instead of feeling uncomfortable, it made me want to know more about her.

Me: “Well played, Min. But let’s see if you’re still this confident after our date.”

Minju: “Oh, I will be. See you soon, handsome.”

I finished getting ready, anticipation stirring in my chest as I thought about the day ahead. If our banter was any indication, this date was going to be anything but boring.

After riding into the makeshift JAKDF office, I parked my bike and headed inside. The place was buzzing with the usual mix of officials and soldiers prepping for whatever briefing we had in store. Since I was early, I found an empty chair in the corner and pulled out my phone, figuring I’d kill some time before the meeting started.

With nothing pressing on my mind, my thoughts drifted back to Minju—my lovely girlfriend Min. I smirked at the memory of her cheeky text and suddenly realized that despite all the banter, I didn’t know much about her beyond what I’d picked up during our flirty exchanges. Curiosity piqued, I typed her name into the search bar and hit enter.

A sea of results flooded the screen, and I blinked, surprised by how much there was to uncover. I scrolled through the first few hits, noticing immediately that she wasn’t just some random girl who worked at a bar. No, Kim Minju was a full-on celebrity—formerly of IZ*ONE, a K-pop idol turned actress.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued as I tapped on one of the articles. She’d been on hiatus for a while, something about waiting for the right role to take her acting career to the next level. And apparently, she wasn’t alone. Rumor had it she was eyeing a potential action movie alongside one of her old group members, Hyewon. I chuckled, imagining Minju doing high-flying stunts in some action-packed blockbuster. She didn’t exactly scream action hero when I first met her, but then again, neither did I.

Without realizing it, I clicked on another link, and then another. Before long, I was knee-deep in everything there was to know about Minju and IZONE. My curiosity spiraled, and I wasn’t just reading about Minju anymore. My AUDHD latched onto the deeper threads, pulling me into the world of K-pop fandom. I found myself learning about IZONE’s music, their disbandment, and how the members had gone on to form or join new groups. The intricate web of connections between all these artists was staggering. Daughter groups, subunits, solo careers—I was way out of my depth.

But I wasn’t stopping.

Every article led to a new tangent, and soon I was clicking through random trivia about the K-pop industry, how group contracts worked, and how fandoms shaped the careers of idols long after they’d stepped off the stage. I dove into comment sections, reading fan theories, interviews, and even rumors about future reunions. The more I learned, the deeper I fell into the rabbit hole.

Time blurred as I scrolled through pages and pages, soaking in details about group dynamics, music charts, and choreography breakdowns. I was getting lost in it, fascinated by the mechanics of the idol machine and how it all worked behind the scenes. Hours felt like minutes, and by the time I surfaced for air, I realized I wasn’t just learning about Minju anymore—I was uncovering the whole universe she came from.

Eventually, my brain, as it often did, decided to connect the dots between two seemingly unrelated things. Somewhere between reading about IZ*ONE’s international tours and fan events, my thoughts drifted back to work. Kaiju and Titans weren’t so different from these idol groups, in a weird way. Both were massive forces in their respective worlds, with entire ecosystems built around them. That familiar itch for research started up, and I felt my focus shift.

From there, I leaped back into Kaiju biology. I pulled up some articles on recent Kaiju sightings and cross-referenced them with Titan ecological patterns. My mind was already threading together theories about why certain species were resurfacing, likely brought on by environmental shifts and human interference. One-click led to another, and soon enough, I was neck-deep in scientific reports on the breeding cycles of Titans, pulling apart the data like a puzzle I couldn’t resist solving.

It was wild how quickly I’d gone from K-pop idols to Kaiju migration patterns, but that’s how it was for me. One moment I was reading about Minju’s latest drama offer, the next I was knee-deep in an article on how Kaiju adapts to different environments based on territorial disputes. Everything, somehow, was connected in the weird, tangled web of my brain.

Here’s an expanded version of the scene, emphasizing the narrator’s dwindling attention and his intense focus once he’s challenged:

After my impromptu research session (and draining my phone battery), I sat slumped in the makeshift conference room, idly watching the seconds tick by. Three hours had passed since I’d arrived. I drummed my fingers on the table, my mind starting to wander, diving in and out of random thoughts. The ambient noise of the office—conversations, footsteps, and clacking keyboards—faded in and out of my awareness like background music in a waiting room.

Four hours. That’s when I’d had enough. I stood up, stretching my legs, feeling that strange mix of frustration and resignation wash over me. This meeting was supposed to take one hour, maybe two at most, they said. I made my way toward the exit, ready to cut my losses and leave.

As I reached the door, I nearly collided with two JAKDF officers—Kafka and Mina. Both looked startled to see me.

“Oh, Diomacho! You’re already here?” Mina said, her surprise bordering on confusion.

I glanced at my watch, suppressing a sigh. “Yeah. I’ve been here for…,” I paused for emphasis, “four hours now.”

Their eyes widened, and they immediately launched into a flurry of apologies, scrambling to explain the miscommunication. Apparently, they’d been waiting for me at the entrance this whole time, completely unaware I’d already arrived. After a bit more back-and-forth, they promised to gather everyone and get the meeting started. I nodded, returning to my seat, but not without a roll of my eyes.

Settling back into my chair, I checked my phone and noticed a new text from Minju.

Minju: “Babe, I’m hungry. When are you going to be done?”

I chuckled at her dramatic choice of emojis—angry faces, and crying faces, all perfectly encapsulating her impatience.

I smirked, typing back: Me: “Probably 90 minutes or so. You should see if any of your friends wanna hang out.”

There was a pause before her next message came through.

Minju: “I don’t have any friends, babe.”

I scoffed, shaking my head as I replied. Me: “I’m calling BS on that.”

Minju quickly fired back a laughing emoji, followed by another message.

Minju: “Ugh, fine, but text me as soon as you’re done. I can’t wait to feel you in my talons.”

I raised an eyebrow at that. Me: “That’s an odd turn of phrase.”

Minju: “I know, but trust me. Once you’re in my talons, you’ll never want to leave.”

I smirked, typing my reply: Me: “That’s pretty bold and presumptuous.”

Her response was nearly instant as if she’d been waiting for my text. Minju: “Aw, you think I’m pretty and bold.”

I was still grinning at her flirty response when Mina, Kafka, and a group of other officers entered the room. Among them was a tiny blonde woman who looked at me skeptically, her eyes narrowing.

“This is him? The American expert?” she asked, her tone laced with disbelief.

I let out a tired sigh and started to stand, half-ready to walk out again. But before I could move an inch, Kafka placed a firm hand on my shoulder, gently shoving me back into the seat.

“Kikoru, stop being so mean,” Kafka chided, his massive frame blocking my view for a moment.

Resigned to my fate, I leaned back in my chair, already zoning out again as Kikoru shot me a disdainful look. She clearly wasn’t impressed, and honestly, I couldn’t blame her. I wasn’t exactly giving off the ‘engaged expert’ vibe at the moment. I pulled out my phone again, figuring I could at least text Minju to pass the time.

Me: “What are you in the mood for?”

Minju: “Oh, you’re done? (smiley face emoji)”

Me: “Sadly no, close though. So, what food do you want?”

There was a pause before her reply came through.

Minju: “Hmm, pizza? Yeah, let’s go with pizza. There’s this little place near my home, you’ll love it.”

Before I could respond, Kikoru turned to me, her eyes narrowing even further.

“Um, excuse me, are you paying attention?” she snapped, her voice cutting through the dull haze that had settled over my mind.

I looked up, suddenly aware of the room around me again. The group discussed the Kaiju and theories about its behavior and location. I blinked, shaking off the fog as I pieced together what they were talking about. Thankfully, I’d already read all the reports and sightings, so I caught on quickly.

“Yeah, sorry. So, we’ve got a humanoid Kaiju hiding in Seoul and the Incheon area. Based on the sightings, it’s potentially female, with Garuda or Phoenix-like traits. Crimson, golden, and umber plumage accented with dark navy. It’s been attacking men who were in the process of assaulting women. Our mission is to capture or subdue it within the next few days.”

The room went silent for a moment, everyone looking at me, taken aback by my sudden burst of focus. I shrugged.

“Just because I don’t want to be here doesn’t mean I’m going to sabotage the operation.”

Most of the group seemed to accept my explanation, but Kikoru wasn’t convinced. She crossed her arms, glaring at me.

“I’m sorry, do you expect your studies to carry you through?” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I narrowed my eyes slightly, focusing on her now. It was like a switch flipped in my head. I leaned forward, meeting her gaze with an eerie intensity that almost made her flinch.

“Most battles are decided long before the first blow is struck. Planning and preparation are key. But more than anything, it’s the desire to win that counts.”

“Oh, really?” she shot back. “You want to prove that?”

I stared at her for a beat, feeling my pulse slow. Everything else faded into the background. My mind honed in on her challenge like a predator locking onto prey.

“No, not really,” I replied evenly, watching as her frustration mounted.

“Come on, smarty-pants,” she taunted. “Show me how far that know-it-all attitude has gotten you.”

I was about to brush her off when the door swung open, and a clerk poked their head in.

“Officer Mina, can you let Diomacho know his gear came in five minutes ago?”

I sighed deeply, already knowing where this was going. Kikoru smirked, her arms still crossed.

“Well? Are you going to give me that attitude adjustment or what?”

I exhaled, standing up from my chair. “Fine.” We made our way to a nearby arena for our little face-off. I was quiet the entire time, my mind already elsewhere, even as Kafka and Mina tried to get me to open up, offering words of encouragement or ways to calm me down. But I didn’t need to be calmed; I was already in a headspace Kikoru wouldn’t understand. When we faced off, Kikoru was still as cocky as ever, her posture loose and her grin wide as I slowly took out my weapons.

“You know, you can still back out, kid,” she teased, her tone almost bored as she held her axe at the ready.

I ignored her taunts and activated my nano suit, only at ten percent. It was more than enough for now. I dropped into my combat-ready stance, my body poised for motion.

“Oh, is that your ready stance?” she asked, amusement dripping from her voice, underestimating me completely.

I didn’t waste time with words. In an instant, I launched myself forward at incredible speed, closing the distance between us in the blink of an eye. Kikoru barely had time to react, managing to block my first strike with her axe. The impact sent a tremor through her arms, and I could see a flicker of surprise cross her face.

But I didn’t give her a moment to recover. I dashed behind her, aiming another punch toward her back, and again, she barely managed to block, her axe swinging around with just enough force to intercept my strike. She backed off, visibly rattled, her earlier confidence shaken.

“You’re fast,” she admitted, still trying to sound cocky, but there was something off in her voice now, a note of uncertainty that hadn’t been there before. “I’ll give you that.”

I didn’t bother replying. I just kept the pressure on, my focus narrowing until the rest of the world disappeared. The arena, Kafka, Mina—everything faded into the background. All that mattered was Kikoru and the way she moved, the way her axe dictated her strategy. She was good, but her weapon was slow and bulky. Every swing required commitment, and once she started a motion, there wasn’t much she could do to alter it. All I had to do was read where she was going to strike and not be there.

It was almost too easy. I weaved in and out of her strikes, dodging, waiting for the moment her fatigue would show. She was starting to realize that no matter how fast or powerful her swings were, I was always two steps ahead. Her frustration began to boil over.

“Would you just stay still?” she yelled, her movements becoming sloppier, more desperate.

Her breathing was heavier now, her stance a little less sure. I could see the fatigue creeping into her features—the way her grip on her axe was tightening as if she could will herself to keep up.

I decided I’d seen enough. “Nanosystem, activate 40%,” I commanded, feeling the suit surge with power. In a burst of speed, I shot forward, my fist aimed directly at Kikoru’s torso, intending to end the fight with one clean hit.

But before I could land the blow, Kafka and Mina intervened, rushing in to stop me, their arms outstretched as they pushed me back. I relaxed my stance immediately, taking a step back as I let the adrenaline ease out of my system.

Kikoru was panting, clearly exhausted, her earlier bravado replaced with confusion and irritation. She looked at me with wide eyes, finally realizing just how outmatched she had been.

I glanced over at Kafka and Mina, who were still standing between us. “Have I shown my capability enough?” I asked, my voice calm as if I hadn’t just nearly knocked Kikoru out in front of them.

Kikoru didn’t respond, still too stunned by the realization that, despite all her training, she’d been completely unprepared for the speed and power I had been holding back.

I left the arena went back home showered and got ready for my date. When I was ready I rode to Minju’s home. I knocked on the door and it opened. I walked inside but was confused when I saw it was not Minju behind it, but a person who looked like she could be her sister.

“You’re not Minju,” I say slowly.

the lady nods and says, “I’m Hyewon”

I nod and say, "Okay Hyewon do you know where Minju is…or is this the wrong address?"

"No, you are in the right place. Minmin is just getting ready for you," Hyewon says cheekily. it was at that point I recognized Hyewon.

"Oh you're Hyewon the actress and from Izone," I said. Heywon smirked as she nodded leaving the foyer/ entrance area. a few moments later Minju arrived in a cute blouse and nice jeans. I smiled and she gave me an annoyed but happy expression,

"You're late," she said exasperated,

I furrowed my brow in mock confusion as I leaned in closer, "Um I recall you said when I was done." I said before kissing her forehead.

Minju short-circuited as she tried to form a reply, "I did but…"

I cut Minju off before she could get going, "Um I don't think so Queen Min. You said when I was done." Minju rolled her eyes and then followed me to my motorcycle where I pulled out the jacket for her and a helmet. She graciously took both as we rode to the pizza parlor she recommended.

The pizza parlor was small, tucked away on a side street with just a handful of tables. It had a cozy charm, with the smell of freshly baked dough and melted cheese filling the air. The place had a laid-back atmosphere, the kind where you could unwind and forget the rest of the world for a while. Minju and I sat in a booth by the window, the late afternoon sun casting soft golden light over the checkered tablecloth.

As we waited for our pizza, I took a sip of my soda and glanced over at her. “So, why’d you stop being a K-pop idol?” I asked, trying to keep the conversation casual even though I’d been curious ever since my deep dive into her career.

Minju leaned back, twirling the straw in her drink. “Well, you know how it is. Idol life is…intense. It was fun, don’t get me wrong, but after a while, I wanted to do something different. Something that wasn’t so scripted.” She smiled softly. “Acting gives me a chance to play different characters and explore different parts of myself. With singing and performing, I always felt like I had to fit into this mold, but acting… lets me be anyone. Plus, I wanted more control over my life. K-pop is all about schedules, rehearsals, and appearances. I just…needed a break from that.”

I nodded, understanding. It wasn’t hard to see how the pressures of idol life could wear someone down. But before I could respond, she leaned in a little closer, her eyes narrowing playfully.

“Okay, your turn,” she said. “What’s been bothering you?”

Caught off guard, I raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Minju laughed softly, her smile full of mischief. “I know you better than you know yourself. You’ve been distracted ever since we sat down. Something’s on your mind.”

I was about to deny it, but her confidence threw me off. “Oh yeah? You think you know me that well?” I challenged. “What’s my favorite color then?”

Without missing a beat, Minju grinned. “Teal.”

I blinked. “How did you—?”

“Because you’re obsessed with the northern lights and the sea,” she said, leaning back with a self-satisfied smirk. “Both of which have that teal shade. You're lockscreen has the northern lights and your wallpaper on your phone is a teal ocean. Your case is teal and I am going to assume that .”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “Alright, you got me.”

Minju’s eyes sparkled. “Your turn.”

I smirked, raising the stakes. “What’s your favorite ice cream?”

Her grin widened. “Ooh, a challenge. Go ahead, I’m waiting.”

I thought back to my impromptu research session, remembering a random tidbit from one of her old interviews. “Chocolate,” I said, watching her reaction.

Minju’s eyebrows shot up, and then a smile spread across her face. “Well, someone did their homework.”

I shrugged, playing it cool. “Maybe a little.”

We shared a laugh, but soon, the playfulness faded as I thought back to what had really been weighing on me. The conversation shifted, and I could feel the atmosphere get a little heavier.

Minju noticed the change. “Okay, spill it. What’s really bothering you?”

I hesitated for a second, unsure of how to put it into words. But Minju’s gaze was steady, reassuring like she could handle whatever I was about to say. “It’s the Kaiju human hybrid process,” I finally admitted. “They’re pushing me to undergo it. To…merge with Kaiju DNA. They say it’s to give me an edge, make me more effective in battle, but…”

She frowned, concern flickering across her face. “But what?”

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “I’m worried I’ll end up like my friend. He went through it and…well, he’s not the same anymore. He’s a Kaiju supremacist now, convinced humans are inferior. He’s become a terrorist, Minju. I don’t want that to happen to me. I don’t want to lose myself.”

For a moment, Minju was quiet, her eyes searching mine. Then she reached across the table, placing her hand on top of mine. “You won’t,” she said firmly, her voice steady. “You have a good heart. A strong one. I know you. You’d never go down that path.”

I looked at her, trying to let her words sink in, but the fear still lingered. “You don’t know that, Min. That process, it changes people.”

Minju squeezed my hand. “Maybe. But it’s not just about the process. It’s about who you are deep down. And I know you, Dio. You’re not like your friend. You wouldn’t let it control you. You’re too stubborn for that.”

I chuckled softly, though the worry still gnawed at me. “Stubborn, huh?”

“Very,” she teased, but her tone remained soft, her expression sincere. “Listen, you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. And I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere, okay?”

I looked at her, feeling some of the weight lift off my shoulders. “Thanks, Minju.”

She smiled, a soft, reassuring smile that made everything feel a little less daunting. “Now,” she said, leaning back with a smirk, “about that pizza…”

As Minju and I were walking out of the pizza parlor, the night was quiet, almost too quiet. The cool breeze carried the distant hum of the city, and I felt a strange tension settle in my gut. Something was off. I didn’t say anything to Minju, not wanting to spoil the moment, but my instincts were buzzing, and alert.

Then, from the shadows of the alley across the street, I felt it—the heavy, oppressive energy of something far too familiar. The ground trembled beneath our feet. A low growl rumbled through the air, followed by the sound of something massive scraping against concrete.

“Min, get down!” I shouted, grabbing her arm and pulling her behind me just as a Kaiju emerged from the darkness, its grotesque form towering over the buildings. It was huge, with blackened scales and crimson eyes that glowed with malevolent intent.

I’d fought Kaiju before, but this one felt different. More vicious. More intent on destruction. My heart raced as I tried to assess the situation, my mind scrambling for a plan. I activated my nanosuit, but I wasn’t fully equipped for a battle this size. My weapons were back at the base.

The Kaiju roared and lunged toward us, and I prepared to hold it off as best I could, knowing the odds weren’t in our favor.

But before I could react, Minju stepped out from behind me, her expression deadly serious.

“Minju, get back!” I yelled, but she didn’t move. Instead, she looked at the Kaiju with a calmness that didn’t match the situation. I could see something shifting in her eyes, something I’d never noticed before.

In a heartbeat, her body began to change. Her skin shimmered, taking on an otherworldly hue, and her eyes glowed with a fierce light. Her entire form twisted and grew, morphing into something powerful, something that was…part Kaiju.

I froze, stunned as I watched her transform. She was beautiful—her humanoid form still present but adorned with iridescent scales, her hair flowing like molten silver, and her wings, bright and feathered, unfurled from her back. She looked like some kind of mythical creature, equal parts terrifying and awe-inspiring. Like a phoenix, or a garuda. I watched as she approached the creature awestruck and my heart raced.

She glanced at me, her expression uncertain. She expected fear. Terror. Rejection. But all I could do was stare in awe and admiration.

“Minju…” I whispered, but my voice trailed off as I marveled at her. I wasn’t afraid. I wasn’t disgusted. I was captivated.

Minju turned to the Kaiju and, with a powerful roar, charged at it. Her speed and strength were staggering. She tore into the creature with a grace and ferocity I’d never seen before, her movements fluid and calculated. It didn’t take long before she overpowered the Kaiju, forcing it to retreat into the shadows, defeated, and whimpering.

Breathing heavily, Minju returned to me, her form slowly reverting back to her human appearance. Her eyes, still glowing faintly, searched my face for a reaction.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice wavering. “I didn’t want you to find out like this. I’m…different.”

I shook my head, still processing what I’d seen. “Huh? What are you talking about? Min, that was incredible.”

She blinked, clearly taken aback. “You’re…you’re not afraid?”

I stepped closer to her, reaching out to gently cup her face. “Afraid? No. Why would I be afraid? You just saved both of us.”

“But I’m not…I’m not fully human, Dio,” she said softly, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “I’m a hybrid. A human Kaiju hybrid.”

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. “Okay and like that is going to stop me from liking you? Minju, I don’t care what you are. That doesn’t change anything. If anything, it makes me admire you even more.”

Her gaze softened, and for a moment, the world around us seemed to disappear. There was no Kaiju, no danger—just us.

I slid my hand down to take hers. “Let’s get out of here.”

We made it back to my hotel room, the adrenaline from the attack still thrumming through my veins. Minju was quiet, still processing everything that had happened, and I could sense the weight of her unspoken worries.

I led her to the couch, and we sat down. The silence between us was heavy, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was more like the calm after a storm, a moment to collect ourselves before diving into the next part.

“So when you told me I would be a great human Kaiju hybrid you were speaking from experience,” I said gently, breaking the silence.

Minju laughed and said, "Yes. You would."

I sighed and then smiled. Min smiled back.

"I can see with my job why you wouldn't have told me, and I appreciate finding out, but I'd have liked to know this earlier,"

“I know,” Minju admitted, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of her sleeve. “I wanted to. But it’s…complicated. My hybrid nature is something I’ve kept hidden for so long. Only a few people know. I didn’t know how to tell you.”

I nodded, understanding. “I get it. that's fair. However, now since you're my girlfriend you don't have to hide anymore.”

She looked at me, her eyes softening. “You’re really okay with this?”

“Of course, I am.” I reached over, taking her hand in mine again. “You’re still you, Minju. Nothing about that has changed. You're just hotter…literally. Are you a phoenix type?”

She smiled, but I could still see the lingering hesitation in her eyes. “ You are ridiculous…yes, I am a Phoenix type, I just…I didn’t want you to think I was a monster.”

I shook my head, my grip on her hand tightening. “You’re not a monster. You’re strong, and you’re brave. You’re…amazing.”

Minju chuckled softly, finally relaxing a little. “You really are something, you know that?”

I smiled. “better that than nothing.”

She leaned her head against my shoulder, and for a moment, we just sat there, the weight of the day slowly fading away.

“So…what happens now?” she asked after a while.

I thought about it for a moment before replying. “We figure it out. Together.”

Minju tilted her head up to look at me, a small smile playing on her lips. “Together, huh?”

I nodded, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Yeah. Together.”

She sighed, her expression softening. “I’m lucky to have you.”

I smirked. “You’d better believe it.”

Minju laughed, a sound that filled the room with warmth, and in that moment, everything felt a little lighter. A few moments later I said,

"You know my sisters would often tease me that the only girl I'd ever find who would like me would be a Kaiju. This was before we discovered Kaiju human hybrids of course but it is funny how they were right essentially."

Minju laughed at that for 4 minutes. After that, we fell into a comfortable silence, and in that silence Minju's hand found mine.

"your hands are really warm," I say. Minju laughs and says,

"Well I am a firebird," she says before cuddling me close.

Minju rests her head on my chest and she says I love your heartbeat. "it's so peaceful, this loud drum going boom, boom," I laugh as she nestles closer before drifting off to sleep.

The dream started like a memory I’d rather forget—blurry, disjointed. I was back in that lab, the one where everything went wrong. The sterile smell of antiseptic hit me first, followed by the low hum of machines working relentlessly. Arthur was on the cold metal table in front of me, tubes running from his arms and chest, his body already showing signs of the transformation. His muscles twitched, convulsing slightly as the Kaiju DNA fused with his own, patches of scales flickering in and out of existence. It was unsettling, watching someone I considered a brother turning into… something else.

I took a step closer, my heart hammering in my chest, but I couldn’t let him see my fear. He needed me to be strong. I had to be the anchor, the one thing in this madness that he could hold onto.

“Arthur,” I called softly, trying to keep my voice steady. “You’re doing great, man. Just hang in there.”

His eyes fluttered open, glowing faintly, and I felt my gut twist. His voice, once so full of life, now sounded strained, weak. “It hurts, Dio… so much.”

“I know.” I forced a smile, gripping his hand, though my own was shaking. “But you’re going to get through this. You’re stronger than anyone I know.”

He winced, his face contorting in pain as another wave of whatever the hell was happening to him hit. His fingers—no, claws—dug into the table, leaving deep scratches. “They said this would make me stronger, but I feel… like a monster.”

“You’re not a monster,” I said, more to convince myself than him. “You’re still Arthur, and we’re going to get through this. Once this is over, you’ll be able to do things we never dreamed of.”

Even as I said it, I saw the doubt in his eyes. The glow in them was changing, shifting into something darker, something I didn’t recognize.

The days blurred together after that, a nightmare on repeat. Arthur’s body transformed further, his skin hardening into scales, his face becoming… alien. His conversations with me became shorter, his words laced with bitterness. Every day, he seemed less like the guy I grew up with and more like something else. Something angry.

“I should have never trusted them,” he spat one day, his voice harsh, jagged like broken glass. We were back in the lab, though he was no longer on the table. Now, he towered over me, his form almost fully Kaiju. His eyes—dark, swirling with malice—bore into me. “They don’t care about us, Dio. They just wanted to use me. Turn me into a weapon.”

“That’s not true,” I said, even though I wasn’t sure I believed it anymore. “This was supposed to make you stronger, to protect people.”

He laughed, a hollow, bitter sound. “Protect? Do you really think that’s what this is about? Look at me!” He gestured to himself, muscles rippling under his newly transformed skin. “I’m not a protector—I’m a monster they’ll use until they don’t need me anymore.”

“Arthur, stop,” I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice. “You’re still you. We can fix this. Don’t let it turn you into something you’re not.”

But his eyes had changed completely. There was no recognition in them anymore. Just anger. “I already am something else. And you—” He pointed a clawed finger at me, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “You’ll see it too, eventually. They’ll try to change you like they did me. And when that happens, you’ll understand. You’ll see why I hate them.”

The dream shifted, and suddenly we were outside, standing amidst the wreckage of a city destroyed by a Kaiju attack. Arthur was standing on a pile of rubble, his monstrous form towering above me, flames licking the horizon behind him. His face was twisted with rage, his Kaiju eyes burning with resentment.

“They never cared about us, Dio,” his voice echoed through the chaos around us. “And now I’m going to make them pay.”

I tried to reach him, tried to pull him back. “Arthur, this isn’t you. You don’t have to do this. We can still fix this. We can make it right.”

But he was gone. The Arthur I knew had been replaced by something else—something consumed by hate and anger. His transformation was complete, not just in body, but in spirit. He was no longer my friend.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered as I watched him, powerless to stop it. “I couldn’t save you.”

His last words echoed in the dream, haunting me as they always did. “You’ll never be able to save anyone, Dio. Not even yourself.”

And just like that, everything faded to black, leaving me alone with the crushing weight of failure.

I woke up to the sensation of warmth, but not the kind you’d expect from the blankets. No, this was different—alive, almost. When I opened my eyes, I freaked out for a split second, seeing flames wrapping around me, flickering like they were sentient. My heart raced, and for that brief moment, I thought I was about to be consumed by fire. But then my brain caught up with reality. Yesterday’s events came flooding back—Minju, her transformation, her true nature. This wasn’t any ordinary fire. These were her flames.

I relaxed, my panic subsiding as I watched the flames float around us, not wild or dangerous, but gentle and serene. They danced in the air like little night lights, soft orbs of orange, yellow, and red floating along the ceiling of the room. They didn’t burn or release smoke; they just existed, quietly glowing like they belonged here. The sight of it made me smile—a new, beautiful part of Minju I hadn’t yet seen. Another reminder of how extraordinary she was.

I turned my head and saw her beside me, still half-asleep, her face soft in the flickering light. Her hair was a mess, strands falling over her face as she shifted slightly, the movement causing the flames to ripple gently, almost in sync with her. She stirred, slowly sitting up, rubbing her eyes groggily as if she didn’t realize she was surrounded by her own flames.

“What time is it?” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep as she clumsily tried to tidy her messy hair.

I glanced at the clock on the nightstand and saw that it was still early, around 5:30 AM. “It’s 5:30,” I whispered back, keeping my voice low as if not to disturb the peaceful moment we were in.

Minju groaned softly, her shoulders slumping as she lazily fixed her hair. “Okay… can we go back to sleep?” she asked, sounding like a little kid who didn’t want to get out of bed for school. There was something so endearing about it, this powerful, hybrid girl being so… human in this moment.

I nodded, smiling at her as I shifted back into the pillows. “Yeah, we can. No rush.”

She sighed in relief, giving up on her hair and snuggling back under the blankets. Her flames responded to her emotions, dimming slightly, and I could feel the warmth they radiated calming me down as well. Minju curled up close to me, resting her head on my shoulder, her breath evening out as sleep pulled her back in. Her fingers lazily intertwined with mine, her soft touch grounding me even more.

I lay there for a while, wide awake, just watching her. The way her flames glowed softly, the rise and fall of her chest as she slept, the way her lips curled into a faint smile even in her dreams. I marveled at how someone like her—a Phoenix-type Kaiju hybrid, capable of unimaginable power—could be so gentle and vulnerable in these quiet moments. And the fact that she trusted me enough to let me see this side of her? It made my heart swell.

As the minutes passed, the flames continued to flicker above us, casting a warm, ethereal light over the room. I couldn’t stop smiling, realizing how lucky I was. How I’d ended up here, next to her, in this strange but perfect moment. I eventually drifted into dreamland again.

In the dream, the vast cosmos stretched out around us, filled with stars, nebulas, and galaxies, but there was something more—something darker, deeper. As I floated in the endless space, I felt a presence behind me, a shadow that moved with me, wrapping around me like a cloak. It wasn’t menacing, but it was powerful, deep like the void between stars.

This darkness, however, wasn’t just empty. It swirled and moved in its own dance, creating shadows that formed intricate patterns, twisting and coiling like a living entity. My body glowed faintly with orbs of black and deep blue, darkness following me as I moved through the cosmos. It contrasted with the surrounding stars, like an eclipse casting shapes across the heavens, a night sky contained within me.

And there, floating in the midst of it all, was Minju.

Her flames were back, but this time, they burned brighter, more vivid, like they were responding to the presence of my darkness. Small orbs of fire—orange, red, and yellow—swirled around her, rising and falling in a rhythm that matched the beat of the universe. She radiated warmth and light as if she had pulled the very essence of the stars into herself, her movements fluid and graceful. Her eyes sparkled like galaxies, full of understanding, full of wonder.

As she danced through the stars, her flames reached out toward me. And without a word, I extended my hand, my own darkness following. The moment our hands touched, the cosmos reacted. My orbs of darkness swirled around her flames, twining together in an elegant, mesmerizing dance of light and shadow.

Shapes formed between us—stars born from the clash of fire and darkness, colors erupting where our energies met. Our flames and shadows combined, creating something entirely new, a swirling mix of hues that shifted between deep blacks, purples, and vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. It was as if we were creating galaxies of our own with every step we took, each swirl of our hands causing new nebulas to form and dissolve.

The dance we shared now felt different, more intense, a balance of opposites. As Minju spun and moved, her flames flickered and danced alongside my shadows. They twisted together, merging and separating, forming beautiful, intricate designs in the cosmos. Sometimes the darkness would wrap around her flames, dimming them, only for her fire to burst through, illuminating the void. Other times, my orbs would dance alongside her flames, weaving together to create new patterns, each one unique and fleeting, a creation of beauty that only existed at that moment.

As we moved, I felt the darkness pull at me, but not in a way that frightened me. It felt like an extension of myself, like something I’d always known but had only just begun to understand. Minju’s light balanced it, her flames pushing back against the void, and together, we created something neither of us could do on our own.

Our dance brought us closer and closer, the distance between us shrinking as the cosmos around us responded to our combined energies. The swirling lights and shadows formed a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors, like fireworks made of stars and galaxies, painting the universe with our movements.

When we finally stopped, we were so close I could feel her warmth, her flames flickering gently, wrapping around us both, dancing with my shadows. Her eyes met mine, and there was no fear, no hesitation, just understanding.

The orbs of darkness that surrounded me, which had once felt so isolating, now intertwined with her light in a perfect balance. My darkness no longer stood apart from her flames, but merged with them, creating something beautiful and powerful.

As we stood there, our faces mere inches apart, the universe seemed to be still. Her flames burned softly against my skin, and my shadows wrapped around her like a protective veil. I leaned in, and she did the same, the galaxies around us swirling in anticipation. Our lips drew closer, and closer, the fire and shadow blending in a way that was so perfect, it felt like the entire cosmos was holding its breath.

But just as our lips were about to meet, the dream began to fade. The stars, the galaxies, the nebulas—they all slowly dissolved into the darkness, pulling me away from her. The swirling flames and shadows that had danced around us melted back into the void, the colors and shapes vanishing as if they had never been.

I reached out, trying to hold onto the moment, onto her, but it slipped through my fingers like smoke, leaving only the lingering warmth of her flames and the quiet comfort of the darkness. And then, I woke up. For real this time. I blinked a couple of times as I looked around for Minju until I heard the shower start and guessed where she could be. At that moment my mind gave me a small spark of an idea to join her followed by an image of her nude in my mind. I felt myself hardening at the thought and almost did but I chose not to at least for now. I got up stretched and played my switch to wait for her. When she came out she was wrapped in only a towel and I found myself salivating over her. Her long legs seemed so perfect so inviting.

“Do you like what you see?” She teased, which snapped me out of my trance. I nodded slowly and Minju said, “Well then maybe I’ll let you see more tonight at my place.” I smiled and she quickly qualified that statement,

“If you aren’t late. I expect you at my place at 7:00 tonight.

I nodded and replied “Well I’m just going sightseeing tonight. You’re welcome to join me if you don’t have work,”

“…hmm that sounds like fun. Sure. I am taking a two-week vacation since I was able to hire a new person at my bar so I don’t have to be there 24/7.” She answered

I nodded and quickly got ready after that we were off. The sky was a crisp blue, the autumn air light as Minju and I strolled through the streets of Seoul. The city buzzed with life around us, but somehow, it felt like it was just the two of us. Minju had insisted on this date—a day of exploring the city, seeing the sights, and, according to her, “having some fun for once.” I had my reservations, but I wasn’t going to say no to her. I originally was just going to ride my motorcycle around the cities going from tourist trap to tourist trap but Minju said this would be more “intimate and fun”

We started at Namsan Tower, the towering structure looming above us as we took the cable car up. Minju was practically glowing with excitement, leaning over the railing to get a better view of the city below. I gripped firmly onto the side railing as my nerves worsened the higher we got.

“Look at that!” she exclaimed, pointing out landmarks, her eyes bright with wonder. I just nodded, content to watch her as she took it all in.

“You don’t seem that impressed,” she teased, nudging me as the cable car rocked gently.

I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. “I’ve seen tall buildings before.”

She rolled her eyes, not buying it for a second. “You’re such a liar. I know you’re enjoying this.”

“Am I?” I raised an eyebrow, but the small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth betrayed me.

Minju then noticed my white knuckle grip and said, “Wait are you okay Dio,”

“Just a fear of falling from large heights,” I responded. Minju smiled and said,

“Why don’t you know I’ll catch you,” I looked at her and she just smiled and my heart hurtled at that moment. After that, I was able to relax my grip a bit.

Minju grinned, stepping closer to me in the confined space of the car. Her presence was warm, a quiet reassurance that I hadn’t realized I’d been craving. I felt her arm brush against mine, and for a moment, I let myself relax into it. She slowly and deliberately wormed her hands into mine and had my arms wrapped around her.

“You feel so cool like a nice ice-cold soju hot day,” she said as she tightened my grip around her.

Once we reached the top, we wandered through the observation deck, Minju dragging me to the love-locks area. She handed me a lock and a marker, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

“Go on,” she urged. “We should put one up.”

I stared at the lock, my hand suddenly feeling heavier. “You want us to do this?”

“Why not?” She tilted her head, her soft smile melting away my hesitation. “It’s a nice way to mark this moment, don’t you think?”

I couldn’t argue with that. I scrawled something quickly and handed it to her. Minju took one look and burst out laughing. “Really? ‘Dio was here’?”

“Hey, it’s to the point.” I grinned, but inside, something shifted. This was more than just a lock. It was a piece of me—something I didn’t realize I wanted to give.

Minju smiled at me and said, “Say something that truly comes from the heart, not just some declaration of presence,” despite her smile, her presence insisted she was serious so I wiped off the lock and wrote something else. I looked at Minju and remembered my last couple of dreams about her so I wrote, “Deep in the water it’s just you and me,”

I showed Minju and she blushed as she showed me hers it read, “In all of the cosmos I chose you and you chose me,”

I laughed and said, there are you happy?” Minju nodded before using her flames to discreetly etch our messages in the locks together. I smiled watching her be so focused on her work.

We locked it to the fence, side by side with thousands of others, a quiet symbol of something deeper I couldn’t quite name yet. But Minju seemed to know, even if I didn’t. She didn’t say anything, but the way she looked at me, the way her eyes softened, told me she understood.

As we left the tower, she looped her arm through mine, guiding me through the winding streets of Insadong, pointing out little shops, and stopping occasionally to show me something that caught her eye. Her laughter was light, her energy infectious. It felt like every wall I’d built up, every layer of distance I’d kept between myself and others, was slowly being chipped away with each step.

When we reached a small park by the river, Minju sat down on one of the benches, pulling me down beside her. The sun was setting now, casting a warm orange glow over the city. I felt her lean into me, her head resting against my shoulder.

“You’re awfully quiet today,” she said softly.

I shrugged, trying to play it off. “Just taking it all in.”

She didn’t buy it. “Come on, Dio. I know you better than that.” Her voice was gentle, with no accusation in it, just understanding. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

I hesitated, staring out at the water. “You really want to know?”

“Always.” She shifted slightly to look up at me, her eyes full of something I couldn’t quite place—trust, maybe. Or something deeper.

I sighed. “Well minus the constant stream of plans and ideas I tune out. It’s just… I’m not used to this. Being with someone like this. Letting someone in.”

I hesitated for a moment before saying, “You are radiant. I mean that both literally and figuratively. I am not the most likable even at the best of times so you being so close to me is odd, to say the least,”

Minju smiled softly. “I know. But I’m patient. I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected, and for the first time in a long while, I felt my guard completely drop. I turned to face her, and in that moment, it was like everything else faded away—the noise of the city, the hum of people around us. All that mattered was her.

“You make it sound so easy,” I murmured.

“It’s not,” she admitted, her hand reaching up to gently cup my cheek. “But I believe it’s worth it.”

I felt my heart clench in a way that both scared and exhilarated me. She wasn’t just someone I was dating. She was someone who saw through every wall, every defense, and still chose to stay.

Without thinking, I leaned in, pressing my forehead against hers. “You’re giving me your heart, aren’t you?”

“I already have,” she whispered, her breath warm against my lips.

At that moment, I knew I had already given mine to her too. Every defense, every hesitation, crumbled under the weight of what I felt for her.

“Well,” I whispered, brushing a thumb over her cheek, “you have mine too.”

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she smiled, leaning in to press her lips to mine in a soft, tender kiss that felt like a promise. A promise of something bigger than either of us could have predicted.

As we pulled apart, Minju rested her head back on my shoulder, her hand entwined with mine. The sun had fully set, leaving the sky painted in hues of pink and purple.

“You know,” she said after a moment, her voice playful again, “I was starting to wonder how long it would take for you to realize you’re completely in love with me.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Yeah, yeah. Rub it in.”

She grinned, squeezing my hand. “I’m just saying, it’s about time.”

And with that, we sat in the quiet comfort of each other, the city lights twinkling around us, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I knew I wasn’t alone.

We arrived back at Minju’s place and as we crossed the threshold into her apartment and the door closed: she pounced on me. She grabbed my shoulders and I felt her transform. Her smile was as sweet as ever and I felt at peace in her arms. She brought me in close for a kiss and reciprocated.

It was innocent at first I swear but then I felt her tongue in my mouth and that’s when things get hazy. I let her tounge explore my mouth for a few minutes before returning the kiss with even more fire .(metaphorically of course cause you know Minju’s a firebird herself) our tongues clash for dominance as we try to get over on each other.

I noticed Minju’s kisses tastes like cinnamon and when we break the kiss I see the mutual love and admiration in her eyes that I felt for her. I plunge in back to another kiss with her before ripping her blouse open. She frowns and says, “that was one of my favorites?”

Caught in a haze I say, “I’ll buy you a new one. right now I you all of you,” Minju smirked then said

“Such a greedy needy boy,” her teasing only spiked my adrenaline more as I furiously yank her jeans and boots off leaving her in her bra and panties. We both stare into each other’s eyes panting as the heat simmers between us. She guides me to her bedroom and I tumble into the mattress with her. She brings me in for another kiss as this happens she wraps her legs around my waist bringing me in as close as possible. I feel her “talons” dig into my shoulders and she tears into my flesh but the pain surprisingly doesn’t come. Her touch is warm and only inviting. We break the kiss and she stares at me with a wild fire in her eyes.

“Get naked right now,” she demanded and I complied. Minju’s eyes hungrily tracked my eye my crotch until I was unclothed. She smiled when she saw my manhood.

“Oh you’re so hard for me.” She teases as she crawls at me. Her eyes glow orange as she approaches her wings furl and unfurl. When she closes in on me all I can do is salivate over her body her wide hips, her long legs, her petite breasts and her pretty face that always draws me in. She lowers me to between her legs. I dive in without any instruction as lap at her pussy. She tastes sweet and spicy as I carefully lick and inhale her scent. She pushes me into her welcoming cunt as I devour her,

“Oh fuck keep going,” I do as probe her walls deeper and deeper until I decide to take a little nibble of her clit.

Minju moans melodically as she lifts my face to her. She smiles at me as her hybrid from becomes more apparent.

“Keep going,” she says before lowering me back to her pussy. I continue to eat her out with the rapacious abandon.

Minju groans before she says, “oh you greedy needy naughty boy” as I go deeper and she gets closer I firmly grab her ass, which was pillowy soft. As I knead her ass she encourages me to eat her out more. At this point she had wrapped her thighs around me and was drowning me in her juices but I was so pussy drunk I didn’t care I could only want more, and more is what i got as I dove into until she couldn’t take it anymore. She pushed me from her pussy as she came violent squirting and squirming as her body was seized by tremors of pleasure I was still dazed as I watched. A million things and nothing raced through my mind. Minju panted as she came down from her high. A thick layer of sweat covered her pale body causing her to shine just a little bit brighter than normal. When her breathing returned to normal, She stared at me with an even hungrier look. She grabbed me and said, “You're fucking mine,”

A few days later Minju and I were caught fully in the throes of our whirlwind romance heading on all these cute little dates and just being stupid in love. I was at peace with her and found myself doing anything and everything I could for her. I guess nickname Queen Min was correct after all.

Minju and I were walking back from one of our dates, the warmth of the evening lingering in the air. Seoul’s city lights flickered around us, and for once, everything felt right. Minju was laughing at some joke I had made, her arm hooked in mine. Her laughter was like music, light and effortless.

Then, without warning, a shadow passed over us. A chill crawled up my spine, and I instinctively pulled Minju closer.

“You feel that?” I muttered, scanning the area.

Minju frowned, her eyes narrowing as she sensed it too. “Yeah, something’s off—”

Before she could finish, a figure dropped from the sky, like a bolt of lighting landing on top of me with a deafening crash. Dust and static exploded around his feet, and I recognized him instantly: Arthur.

His eyes were wild, glowing with a golden energy that made my blood run cold. He looked nothing like the friend I once knew. He jumped away from me and elegantly landed in front of me. I got up and felt my broken arm

“Arthur?” I took a step forward, confused. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Arthur didn’t respond at first, his gaze locked on Minju. He smiled—a twisted, malicious grin that made my stomach turn. “I always thought you were weak, Dio. Immature and too naive to see what was in front of you.” He made a move to Minju I kicked and he flew back disoriented.

“That really hurt,” he yelled angrily. I shrugged still holding my broken arm. Arthur laughed as he spoke again

“You always were too soft, Dio. Too trusting. But I knew you’d lead me to her.”

I looked at him even more confused before he grabbed me and slammed me to ground. I heard a few ribs crack in the process.

In a split second, he lunged forward, faster than I could react. I barely managed to push Minju out of the way before his fist collided with my chest, sending me crashing into a nearby building. The impact knocked the air from my lungs, and I coughed, trying to get back on my feet.

“Minju, run!” I shouted, struggling to stand.

But before she could move, Arthur was on her. His hand wrapped around her throat, lifting her off the ground as if she weighed nothing. Minju tried to fight back, flames flickering at her fingertips, but Arthur’s grip tightened, cutting off her powers.

“Let her go!” I roared, charging at him. But Arthur was faster—he slammed me into the pavement with a single blow. The pain was blinding, my vision blurring as I watched him drag Minju away.

“You don’t deserve a specimen this fine she’s mine now, Dio,” Arthur taunted. “And you’re too weak to stop me.”

I tried to get up, but my body refused to move. The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was Minju’s terrified face as Arthur disappeared into the night.

I came to a few days later in a sterile hospital room. I was back in America and judging from the looks of things in an ATFF Facility. I was rigged to several machines and tubes. As my recollection came back about what happened my anger began to burn and my heart rate spiked. A nurse ran in and noticed I was awake. She smiled and said

“Welcome back to the land of the living Dionacho when we found you, you were almost dead, but you fought through and are going to make a full recovery.”

I turned to the nurse and whispered into her ear.

“Where is Dr Kwon?” She gave me a worried look before fetching him. A few minutes later Dr. Kwon walked in, my anger barely contaminated as I watched the scientist who had once been my ally. Dr. Kwon looked up from his clipboard , his eyes widening in shock at the sight of me.

“Dio,” he began, “you shouldn’t—”

“Do it,” I cut him off, my voice cold. “Now.”

He hesitated, eyes flickering with uncertainty. “You know what this means, don’t you? If you undergo this transformation, there’s no going back. You’ll be bound to the Kaiju energy. Just like Arthur.”

“I don’t care.” My voice was hard, my resolve unshakable. “He has my girl. I have to kill him.” The room was silent on my declaration. Dr Kwon looked at me and I knew all he saw was hate and vitriol.

Dr. Kwon’s face tightened, but he nodded. “Very well. We will begin later today. Nurse please prep the patient I fear this is going to be an unpleasant experience for all involved.”

The procedure room was sterile, its walls lined with machines that hummed with an ominous energy. I lay down on the table, staring up at the ceiling as the restraints clicked into place. My heart pounded in my chest, but I didn’t flinch. I had to do this—for her.

As the machine whirred to life, I felt a cold surge of fear, but I buried it beneath my determination. The injection came first—a burning sensation that spread through my veins, followed by a pressure so intense I thought my body might tear itself apart. My vision blurred, colors and shapes distorted as the transformation took hold. As the pain grew more intense pain turned into tickles as my nerves burned out and reconstructed. This caused me to laugh uncontrollably. I watched as the doctors and nurses stared at me with concern.

Darkness swirled around me, a gravitational pull I couldn’t resist. It was like sinking into a black void, a force pulling at every fiber of my being, reshaping me from the inside out. My muscles twisted, my bones felt like they were cracking under the strain, and yet—I felt stronger.

I could feel the gravity, the pull of it coursing through me. It was overwhelming, yet I embraced it. The darkness didn’t scare me anymore. It was mine to command.

Finally, the pain subsided, and I opened my eyes. The restraints were gone, and I stood, feeling the raw power coursing through me. My hands glowed with a dark energy, shadows swirling around them. I stood up and began walking around looking for my clothes which I found a simple beige sweater, black jeans, and boots. I changed out of the hospital gown.

Dr. Kwon watched me, his expression unreadable. “It’s done,” he said quietly.

I nodded, clenching my fists. “Where’s Arthur?”

“We don’t know—” the doctor stammered.

“I don’t care,” I growled, cutting him off. “I’ll handle it.”

I knew where Arthur would be, A place he called “the titan’s nest I walked past a mirror and noticed dark leathery wings sprouted from my back. The Doctor approached and said,

“They should be retractable but I’m not sure.

“Don’t care,” I said as I gave them a few explanatory flaps to test them.

“This will do,” I responded as the lift was incredible. On the way out of the facility i grabbed a sword and flew off to find Arthur.

When I arrived, the area was dark, the air thick with tension. I could feel Arthur’s presence before I saw him, the familiar pull of his Kaiju energy. He was waiting for me.

“Well, well,” Arthur’s voice echoed through the abandoned docks, his figure appearing from the shadows. “I see you’ve made the same mistake I did.”

I didn’t answer, my eyes scanning the area for Minju. She was nearby, I could sense her, but she was hidden from view.

“You think you can save her?” Arthur taunted, stepping forward. “You’re just like me now, Dio. Embrace it.”

I breathe a heavy sigh before saying, “With respect to our friendship I’m going to give you one chance to let me take Minju and go back home with her,”

“And miss this golden opportunity to face you and prove who’s the strongest? Never!”

The darkness around me responded to my anger, swirling in a chaotic dance of shadows and energy. I wasn’t like him. I’d made this choice for her, not for power, not for revenge.

“Your funeral,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.

Arthur smirked, his body shifting, the Kaiju form overtaking him. “Let’s see if you can stop me.” I sigh lift three large rocks and use the darkness swirling around me to make 4 more blades. Arthur looked at me and laughed,

"God you're edgy,"

My wings flap angrily and my eyes narrow and I reply, "That's rich coming from the ashen-gray lighting dragon man," He laughs and launches a bolt of lighting at me that seems to move in slow motion. I slap it away, and he gives me a worried look. I open my backhand and use the darkness to pull him towards me. He looks at me terrified before shooting out more bolts of lighting. I slash away two and crush one in my hand. When I open my hand again I have Arthur gripped by the collar in my arms. He stares into my eyes. I look into his and see terror. I slam him into the ground and then throw him into the air before throwing him back to the ground.

Arthur, trying to get away, uses an emp field to blind me. I sigh as he resets our positions. I begin my approach. He tries to run away, but I use my darkness to keep him locked in a specific range near me.

I laugh as I watch him try to escape,"you wanna run away scared now?" I ask and Arthur tenses before turning to face me. He takes out a high-frequency blade and our weapons clash. I parry two attacks then land one on his chest. he tries to flee but I grab his leg and slam him behind me.

"Where is Minju?" I ask coldly as I close in on Arthur. Arthur looks at me in terror.

"What did they do to you?" He asks his eyes paint his terror as I close in. I laugh before using my darkness, and gravity wells to keep him there.

I shake my head, "No they didn't do this I was always like this. The ATFF didn't change me. You did. We were supposed to be heroes and help people with this power; not fight each other, but your cowardice fucked that to hell. So here were are stuck in combat against each other"

"They made me a monster." Arthur.

"No, they made you a bitch. Or more accurately revealed you were a bitch the whole time." I said as I kicked Arthur in his face knocking him out.

after incapacitating Arthur I went looking for Minju and found her in the next room. she looked at me and as I sauntered out of the shadows Minju smiled.

"I knew you'd come for me." she said smiling.

I laughed and said, "Well you probably didn'y expect this" I said gesturing to the black dragon wings flapping and folding behind me. Minju smiles and says, "I Love it regardless" as she spoke she ran to me and caught me in a hug.

in my mind the dream echoed, "Deep in the water it's just you and me."

[teddybeartoji]

office au! with coworker!gojo

he's the type to always be a little late. by a little, i of course mean a lot. he always bursts in the door with the biggest smile on his lips and four coffees in his hand. he winks at his coworkers, who then always blush and giggle out a hi, satoru! and you always roll your eyes at that. satoru nods his male coworkers, who always try to dap him up and start a conversation but he doesn't have time for that. he has things to do. (as if he isn't literally Late smh)

he answers the guys' question while he's walking – his eyes set on his favourite coworker. you. sitting in your cubicle, you're trying to ignore him and his dramatic enterance. that he does every single day. how annoying can he be? before you can roll your eyes again, a cup of coffee has landed on your table, making you glance over your shoulder.

he's blinding you, his grin is stretched so wide it's almost a bit creepy. he's standing right behind you, leaning his hand on your table right next to where he just placed the coffee. he's way too close for a co-worker and you gulp.

ugh.

"aren't you gonna thank your favourite coworker for bringing you coffee? whew, tough crowd, huh." his smile doesn't falter and he just leans in closer, his cologne clouding your senses.

UGH.

and he really does do it every single fucking day. he brings you coffee and he annoys you and he makes your eyes roll so hard you almost go blind and you hate to admit that he's kinda cute... it's whatever.

back to the coffees. so one of them is for you – he knows your order because he dug out the receipt from your bag when you weren't looking on his second day there. he almost got caught, too. but he only did that because you didn't wanna tell him your order!! and he was so insistent on bringing you coffee that he just had to find another way. he loved the way your eyes widened and how you tried to mask your surprised expression but nothing gets past his keen eyes. when you asked how he did it, he just told you that he guessed it. yeah, right....

the second coffee is for him. it's an insanely sweet latte. how do you know? he made you try it. more liked begged for you to try it. you also hate to admit that his puppy-dog eyes worked on you... he only drinks the special latte from the corner coffee shop and he refuses to drink the office "coffee". he's fancy like that.

the third coffee is for his second favourite coworker – kento nanami! they sure make an interesting pair. kento is the main reason why satoru even got the job. the latter begged him to pitch for him to the boss; he was so excited by the concept of Office Work and just had to try it out. he, of course, passed the interview with flying colors and kento regrets his decision to "help" him out in the first place. satoru yaps his ears off whenever he isn't doing the same to you and he's constantly leaving little notes for the man. you once saw one and it just had a miniature penis drawn on it. very mature.

and the fourth coffee is for your boss. satoru isn't sucking up like you originally thought he was. you think he just wants to bring her coffee? your boss is cool – she's in her forties and she has a strong voice, everybody always listens to her and she really does make for a very good boss. your guess is that satoru has a crush on her. (you're wrong. he also just thinks she's super fucking cool. literally nothing else to it.)

he's always wearing a fancy white button-up with a black tie loosely hanging around his neck and a pair of matching black slacks that hug his thighs so nicely that the women and the men of the office are always finding it hard to not stare at them. he gets an obnoxious ego boost from this.

he's constantly leaning on other people's desks, pushing his hips out and it really is hard to concentrate whenever he does it. the pose and the smug smirk he sends you when he catches you looking is making you feel hot. he always catches you too, it's so annoying. why can't he just continue doing whatever he's doing so you can admire him in peace?

he's loud, he's annoying and he's so fucking good at his job that firing him couldn't even be a passing thought. he actually does his paperwork rather fast; often finishing before you and that gives him the time to tease you for being slow. he does that way less than you expected though. only a few times in a day – enough to annoy you but never enough to actually make you upset or angry. he actually helps you sometimes. he can tell you don't wanna ask and he doesn't wanna make you feel bad - he'd rather watch you roll your pretty eyes at his stupid jokes with a small hidden smile than roll them with a deep frustrated sigh. he learned that the hard way.

he loves your smile. more often than not you can't keep the straight face you try to put up with him, making your loud laughter resonate throughout the whole office. oh, how his eyes shine at that.

long story short. he's infuriating. he's funny. he's way too good at his job. he's way too handsome. you loathe working with him and yet, you can't stop smothering him in kisses whenever you two "happen" to meet in the printer room.

[occudo]

wait, yo there’s an entire mage magic system in this au? Might I ask for more details?

Sooo...

The short answer is that is a soft magic system, with no hard rules, it's just fun with the characters.

The long answer on the other hand...

I had a similar ask before, but since then some things changed, so I guess I try to explain it as best as I can.

So! This is a magical-fantasy-medieval AU, I was loosely inspired by arthurameslove 's fic This Lonely Knight, but since then I made my own version of a similar premise. The magic system is based on the original fears, the avatars are people who are affected by their magic, in one way or another. The more close to the fear the person is, the more magical effect it has.

The most known magic users are witches. They go to school to study, and from there, they can go and become advisors in small kingdoms where they can get gifted titles like Lady and Lord, but they don't get actual lands or servants.

Jon is not an advisor, but Elias' protégé and he can afford to employ Martin, who is a Knight, and previously worked for Lord Lucas. Elias is the advisor of King Magnus.

The kingdoms are based around the Fears, with most avatars being nobility or witches. (I wasn't sure if I wanted to make Simon a noble or a mage, maybe he is not so open about his skills) The witches are glass cannons- they can be really powerful in some situations but otherwise, kinda weak so is a common thing to have a designated knight bodyguarding them if they leave their palaces.

Martin is 'touched' but can't do magic the way Jon, or other witches.

If a witch finishes school, they are respected and believed that they can control powerful magic (with circles and runes) without it affecting their bodies and minds negatively - not like Jane Prentiss, for example. She was a noblewoman who got- corrupted.

Not every witch goes to serve nobility, there are plenty of small village witches, and Gertrude also tried to leave the palace and become a bog witch kinda deal.

Innisially for this au, I made the 'witch factor' the characters' connection to the eye in canon. I didn't see either Tim or Martin really eye-aligned, so I made them knights instead.

Since then I added Sky Mages for the Vast avatars- I just tought flying and stars and sky really deserve their own coven.

I'm not sure about the other fears names and schools jet. The phrase Seer Mage came from @skell3 's fanfic inspired by my comic, and I loved it so much that I baked it in my au. Also, the thought that eye-aligned mages are all about seeking truth and other's secrets, while can't really fly or fight mutch was funny to me.

So this is a loosy-goosy system that I'm still working on. I'm also open to suggestions- like with Basira and Daisy- they ended up being witch hunters.

or Georgie and Melanie

And I changed Michael from a jester to an actual noble/prince

So yeah, I hope this answers your question. Mostly a character-based, case-by-case thingy.

[prokopetz]

what would say is the most popular crowdfunded metroidvania that took a decade plus to fufill

It depends on how we're defining "popular", for a start.

For example, one might be tempted to say Hollow Knight, since Silksong is technically still a stretch goal from the original Hollow Knight Kickstarter, which concluded in December of 2014, and one can hardly say that Hollow Knight isn't popular! However, Hollow Knight's campaign wasn't hugely successful as indie metroidvanias go, having raised just a little under $38 000 USD from ~2000 backers; for comparison, a really successful crowdfunded Metroidvania will easily bring in five to ten times that total.

The question, then, is: do we mean "popular" as in popular now, or do we mean "popular" as in popular at the time it was crowdfunded?

Other potential candidates run into similar questions. Take Hearth Forth, Alicia, for example; it had a pretty good run on Kickstarter, taking in roughly $230 000 USD from ~7500 backers. However, in spite of famously having one of the longest development periods of any indie game on record, having been in the works since December of 2006, its actual crowdfunding campaign didn't happen until 2016, so strictly speaking its fulfillment time – as distinct from its development time – hasn't yet hit the decade-plus mark.

Then, of course, there's Radio the Universe, which had a middling Kickstarter campaign way back in 2013, and so arguably meets our criteria for both popularity and fulfillment time – but it's a Zelda-like, so now we have to quibble over the definition of "metroidvania"!

At this point we've litigated the definitions of "popular", "ten years", and "metroidvania", so it seems only appropriate to round things out and bring up the fact that the current version of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is still missing features which were promised in its crowdfunding pitch. We thus have another potential candidate depending on how we define "fulfilled" – i.e., does a campaign count as fulfilled upon delivery of any playable product, or only when it delivers the product that was actually promised?

So I guess there are a few games which might be the answer to your question, depending on how pedantic we're feeling today. How pedantic are we feeling today?

[descendant-of-truth]

Sooo has anyone else noticed that Chaos Sonic seems to know things about Sonic that he logically shouldn't?

He constantly brings up Sonic's failures, describes him as looking "sad and pathetic" and being "tragic" when Sonic doesn't even look upset, and seems to have inherited chili dogs as his favorite food to boot.

But the Chaos Council doesn't know about Sonic's biggest failures. They don't know that he feels sad about anything, or that he likes chili dogs. Not even Nine knows these things in detail, and even if he did, we're not given any indication that he told the Council anything after giving them the initial idea for Chaos Sonic by accident.

And yet, he takes every opportunity to poke at Sonic's insecurities, even targeting his friends and blaming him for getting them hurt.

How does he know Sonic well enough to make these kinds of targeted remarks? I like that he can, it leads to a lot more interesting interactions than if he couldn't, but what's the in-universe explanation?

Well, Sonic absorbed some of the Prism's energy when it shattered, and Chaos Sonic was created mostly with the energy from the shards. While this could give them a sort of mental connection, it doesn't seem to go both ways, and I have a slightly more specific theory for how it all works.

That being: I think the Prism itself knows Sonic. Which is kind of a bold claim, I think, but hear me out.

First of all, the energy that's in Sonic's body (once tempered with Nine's tech of course) adapts his gloves and shoes to his environment in ways that'll protect him. New Yoke doesn't require anything special, but the Boscage Maze has tall trees that are difficult to climb, so it gives him retractable claws. No Place is filled with water, and Sonic can't swim, so he gets hover shoes to keep him afloat even if he falls in.

That's a suspicious amount of intent going on there, isn't it? And they appear the instant Sonic enters a new world, so he doesn't even encounter the obstacles his clothes are protecting him from before getting them. It's like the energy already knows what the world is like and what Sonic's capabilities are.

Secondly, Shadow reacts physically to the giant sparkly specter of Tails that shows up in the void, which tells me that those are all Actual Things that the Prism conjured up.

And that's. kind of weird, right? I just assumed these were symbolic of memories flashing through Sonic's head, but I guess they're also flashing through space itself, which I will admit did get a laugh out of me the first time I watched it

(They might not be "memories" exactly since we never flashback to when these lines were originally said, but they're certainly Something that came from Sonic's head so my point still stands)

Finally, when the Chaos Council uses the Prism energy to make the Giant Eggman, it specifically takes the form of the original. That didn't come from Mister Doctor's imagination - that's how Sonic remembers Eggman.

Not to mention, they keep hammering home how uniquely linked Sonic is to the Prism, so why not have it be the other way around? I'm not saying that the Paradox Prism has to have any kind of sentience for this theory to work (in fact I'd be surprised if it did), but it could be acting as a sort of container for data on Sonic, just like how Sonic is a container for its power.

And if that's the case, then it explains how Chaos Sonic knew so much; he's tapped into that very data bank from the get-go. It also complicates the question of how to restore the Prism a bit, because yeah Sonic might have to put his energy back into it, but does the Prism have to give anything back to him in return?

Regardless of the answer, I'm really looking forward to learning more about how the Paradox Prism works (and also any potential future Chaos Sonic appearances because I loved every moment he was on screen)

[leafostuff]

Welcome to the CATS club [Ft. kep1er Chaehyun]

Tags: Fluff, Cuddles, Comfort-ish?, Sweet talk, No beta we die like Chaehyun's Scalp

Author's note: worked on this for a while but i am proud to finally release this, make sure to tune in later for an announcement regarding my activities on the app

And have fun reading this cute fluff

=================================

“Are you sure this is the right place?”

You say to your best friend through the phone, you are confused after he calls you at 8 AM claiming he has found a way to cure your loneliness, which all he did was send you a random address to a place called “CATS” without much explanation

You were reluctant to agree but after thinking out loud, you realize that there isnt much to lose, worst case scenario you wasted an hour or so trying something new.

“Im sure bro, i had a friend of my cousin go here, 2 hours later and he never felt more relaxed” he speaks with confidence and without a choice you sigh in defeat

“Ok, whatever” you say, saying a quick goodbye before ending the call, you look at the place: quite the average look for a morning club, you can see from the outside people having casual talks, some laughing and overall having a good time,

As you get inside the place you hear a ding from the doorbell above you, soon after hearing a feminine voice saying “Hey, come here”.

Locating the origin of the voice it comes from the counter at the other side of the lobby, a girl around her early twenties, close to your age waves at you, signaling you to walk toward her

“Welcome, it's always a treat to see a new face coming here, what's your name” she asks, her voice is quite soft yet energetic.

“Oh, i'm Lee Jihoon, nice to meet you ms…” you say, reaching your hand for a handshake, she simply laughs and shakes your hand back

“Chaehyun, Kim Chaehyun” she exclaims, smiling lightly at you before she continues to talk “Now then: how did you find out about our club?” She asks

“Oh, a good friend of mine recommended me this place” you answer “i must say though: for a club that calls itself ‘CATS’, there isnt a lot of cats going around here, are they like sleeping or something” you say, trying to see if you miss any however as you look back at Chaehyun she looks quite puzzled

“Why would there be any animals here?”

“This is a cat cafe, no?”

Your question make her surprised for a second but soon after she begins to giggle, you are not sure if you said something dumb.

“I guess your friend didn't tell you when he recommended this place didn't he” she asks, you are not sure what to respond but she continues, “CATS is an acronym for ‘Club against touch starvation’” she explains but you are still confused.

“Club Against touch starvation?”

“Basically: this place is a cuddle club” she says cheerfully as everything makes more sense now, looking around again you notice how people are holding hands, laying their head on someone's, some even hugging each other as you could feel yourself getting more and more uncomfortable

“Oh…i didnt turn turn you off from the idea, didnt i?” She asks, tilting her head as she looks worried, it may be part of her job to ask however her eyes genuinely looked like it was real.

“No no, its not that…its just”

“Not what you were expecting?” She asks as you nodded, “Well makes sense, our club name is easily confused, and i guess your friend didnt know” she added, you sighed as this logic did seem sound considering your best friend didn't really explain to you about the club itself, as you were starting to turn away and walk out of the club, Chaehyun quickly moved in front of you.

“i have an idea” She exclaimed, “I will have today for you completely on the house, i will show you around, you just try to soak in the vibe of the place and after this you will make your decision about this club? I have a feeling you will really like it here” she explains

You couldn't lie to yourself that even though this idea seemed completely off from what you expected when you got in here, you were curious about this place now, more than before, so as you look around, you slowly nod as Chaehyun eyes shine at your response

“Great!!, follow me will you?” she said as you happily joined her, throughout the tour she showed you all of the places you need to know, from the lobby to the cafe itself, the place is full of sofas where people are all cuddled up with each other (“just know that if you are not comfortable with cuddling you can always sit on the barstools” she says, she knows you are still nervous).

“Hey, you're there? You look like zoned out for a sec there” Chaehyun’s voice gets you out of your inner monologue.

“yeah yeah i am here, is the tour over?” You ask

“Almost, the only thing left is the quiet rooms” she says, pointing toward them. “Those rooms are mostly used for people that feel uncomfortable cuddling in public, or just some people who wants to nap” she adds

“This is actually is my favourite part of the club, as i go there to nap during my breaks” she jokingly says, letting herself release a quick laugh as from her pocket she takes out a key and opens one of the doors, “Lets go in?”

You both head inside, the room itself isn't that big, just enough for a double mattress and 2 couches, “Wow… i got to say, this place is quite impressive” you say, now sitting on the couch as Chaehyun finds her spot on the mattress.

“I know, right? I am actually one of the Co founders of the place” she says, catching you off guard

“You are joking right?”

“Dead serious, my best friend is the owner of the club, and i am the first one who joined her business” she explains, her position now switches from her sitting on the bed to now lying front down, looking at you with a peaceful yet still sweet smile

A bit nervous, you ask, “why are looking me like that”

“Sorry sorry its just like…what are you doing here?” She responds with a question

“Excuse me?”

“I mean, people come here because feel depressed, lonely or just…need someone to hug her, but from the 30 or so minutes that i know, you seem like someone who doesn't really need this place” she explains, you can see from her face she is trying to navigate that question without offending you.

“Well, my friend is the one who suggested me this place, you can always ask him” you respond, jokingly

“Well, he must've suggested this place for a reason, no? So something must go on in your life”

You stay quiet for a moment as the moment became more serious even Chaehyun's face changed from cheerful yo to worried, not sure what to say but soon you continue talking

“I mean…it has been a while since that happened but i did break up with my ex 4 months ago” you explain, just remembering this makes your heart ache again.

“I see…makes sense why your friend told you to come here” Chaehyun says

“I dont know, i doubt that i am feeling sad just because of that” you respond however she simply sighed before she continues to talk

“Well you see, while breakup itself may have not been affecting you, it is something important when it comes to touch deprivation, have you two used to cuddle a lot?” She asks as you respond with a simple nod, “so your body does miss the physical touch you had" she adds

“Hmm…that makes sense, and its not like i hug others” you add, thinking about her explanation

“You see, for a lot of people, the idea of being hugged or even being touched by someone that isnt your partner is inappropriate or even weird…but not here” she explains, now patting the side of her signaling you to sit as hesitantly you get up from the couch and move to the mattress near her, getting up and now sitting near you

“In this club we believe that physical touch is the best way to heal from the life experience, if its a breakup with your special one or a loss of a family member” Chaehyun adds, you now notice that while she was talking, her hand inched slowly toward you before stopping near your hand while her eyes directly staring at yours, as if telepathically she asks ‘Can i?’

Your heartbeat starts to race while your cheeks reveal a shade of pink, but you manage to take a deep breath and nod in agreement, Chaehyun smiles lightly at your response.

“And if you feel uncomfortable just say and I'll stop, okay?”

“Got it” you answer, her hand now intertwining with yours, “I am just starting with this ok?” she says, now her thumb rubbing on the skin of your palm.

“You can also rub mine if you want” you oblige as your thumb joins her, “just like that hehe…yeah” she giggles, try to make some form of eye contact with you but your too nervous so the best you can do is look down.

“This first step is good for people who have been touch deprived for a while” she adds

“You really…know your way about this stuff don't you?” You ask, it isn't too weird, right? You are already feeling awkward by the situation, so this would turn it up to 11.

“Yeah haha” she chuckles, now its her turn to blush, “this is actually my specialty In this place, so knowing about all of this stuff is kind of my job”

“What do you mean?” You ask

“Well, for a lot of people, this type of club is embarrassing for the first time, so I am there to ease people into the concept,” Chaehyun explains, now her thumb doing little drawings on the back of your hand instead of just rubbing it.

“Oh…that's cool” you sheepishly hum, looking away, your hand holding mate noticed you as she giggles lightly.

“You are doing very well Jihoon, i am surprised you already getting comfortable as someone who just came here 30 minutes ago” Chaehyun says, her left hand now grabbing your left hand, mirroring the right hand in rubbing your skin as you could feel the heat of your cheeks rising higher and higher.

“Would you like to go to the next step?” She asks

“There is a next step?”

“Only if you are comfortable, it's nothing drastic” she reminds, nod in response as her smiles grow larger, as her palms leave your own, now travelling across your arms, wrists to shoulder

You are a blushing mess right now, her touch too soft for you to handle thinking straight, you could swear your heart rate is on 200. “it feels good…” but you dont mind, if everything you wont mind if it could last forever.

“I'm happy, you can do the same to me” you oblige and follow her movements, time might as well pass like a snail, the moment is serene, pure even. The only indicator that you know time did not stop is that you could feel both of you falling into the mattress, both lying facing each other as your hands still moved around the arms.

Eventually you become bolder as you ask “Can…i hug you?”, Chaehyun face is surprised but quickly returns to her default smile.

“Of course, let me scoot closer, ok?” Chaehyun says, now inching closer toward you, practically you are at a nose length of each other as she now lets her arms wrap around you.

You could almost instantly feel how the stress that built up in your body starts to disappear as by instinct your head finds its rest on her shoulder.

“You’re so exhausted baby, you really need this don't you?” was that a pet name? Eh you are too tired to think, it's probably part of her job and honestly, who cares? so instead just let your arms go behind her back and let yourself melt into the embrace

“Mmm” you lightly nod, you don't even have the energy to talk from how soft you feel right now, Chaehyun’s right hand gently rake your hair while her other hand slowly scratches your back

You slowly raise your head, slowly looking at Chaehyun, her eyes mirorr her mouth in her bright smile while your timid eyes looking directly into hers, a small giggle comes as she asks, “i think you want to stay like this for a little more, don't you?”.

Even though your brain might as well be mush from how soft her entire body is, wrapped around yours and letting you feel her warmth surrounding you, you have enough energy to mumble words of agreement as her hands pull your head back into her neck

“Good, just let yourself enjoy it”

=================================

“So?”

“So what?”

“For the first time, what do you think?” Chaehyun asks, both of you out of the silence room, looking at your watch you see that only 2 hours has passed since you got inside there however it might as well be the entire day by how relaxed you feel.

“It's good, honestly it felt really good, i get what you meant when you said i would like it here,” you answer, still surprised that you actually were just cuddling someone for that long of a time.

“Really? I'm glad that you had fun,” she exclaims, her eyes shining brightly, eventually the both of you are back at the same counter where you met the girl in front of you. “So I will see you next week?”

“Next week?” You ask, a bit confused

“Of course, sessions like those are perks of new club members, and you did say you will join the club in the quiet”

“Yeah…i guess i did” you say awkwardly, scratching the back of your neck while the both of you share a laugh

“So what do you say? Are you joining the club officially?” She asks now, as you remember how up until now you never felt more happy than now, you have your answer in mind.

“Yeah, why not, it will probably be fun” you say as Chaehyun's face brightens up from excitement.

“Great, i am so happy you decided to join” she says, giving you a high five and a small hug, “I will see you next week then” she adds as you wave goodbye, walking out of the club, but not before looking back, seeing the smiling girl returning the waving, the rather chill and relaxed atmosphere as you think to yourself.

“I think I am gonna enjoy it here”

=================================

Posted on June 27th 2024

[lexyeevee]

Haven’t seen you around in a while. You been ok or have I just completely missed seeing you

huh i just recently posted about how there are wasps in my car

and now i'm going to take the opportunity to update everyone on the wasps in my car

they're paper wasps and they managed to find out that if they crawl in through the tiny crack between the driver's door and the front side panel, they can access a little secret cave that's on the side of the door. like the nest is visible when the door is open, but only if you're looking for it, and as i'm getting into the car it's within inches of my shin. but with the door close it's completely cut off from the interior of the car

i was actually wondering for like a month why it seemed like every time i pulled into my driveway a wasp would come over and inspect, like, my side mirror. turns out i drove away with its house

but in all that time they never bothered me. they don't even seem to care too much that i take their whole little village away sometimes. just "oh, there it is" when i get back. i read up on paper wasps some and i guess they have a couple stages of escalation when they think their nest is threatened, starting with raising their wings, and they've never even done that. sometimes i open the door to check on them and they're just standing there on their tiny nest. they're weirdly chill. and i guess they like communally raise their young which i didn't really know before

i originally thought i'd need to dislodge them but now i'm not sure. they haven't bothered us at all. maybe i'll just let them vibe

anyway i hope that answers your question

[oh-no-its-bird]

hi listen i just had a divine intervention or smth lmk if you don't like it but

what if your team Ro time travel au + my time travel Tobirama

Team Ro would have memories of the canon and they got to this different timeline and there's Tobirama actively trying to seduce Uchiha fucking Madara. They didn't teach THAT in the Academy

They got in the time when Tobirama still orchestrated meetings, but Butsuma is already dead so if everything goes well, Tobirama would get Madara and peace soon.

And then there suddenly spawn a Hatake with a sharingan with 2 Uchiha kids and a Mokuton user. Political nightmare.

Later Tobirama recognises Kakashi and was like "The fuck? It's that Hatake from the war. What is he doing there, he should not have been born yet!!"

OHHH THATS SO GOOD THO???

I'm gonna be real I love the concept of "team ro time travel au but they time travel into someone else's time travel au," that's so good

If we go with your au, there's a really interesting immediate aspect of like: hey ! Tobirama might recognize Kakashi or maybe even Tenzo from the war, but these guys are way fucking younger than when they met !!!

Idk what exactly can be done with that but it's interesting to consider. Also Tobirama talked ab Itachi and his crimes before I'm p sure? So like he knows what happens to the Uchiha and that it was Itachi who did it for the village. I wanna see him faced w the kid who he once praised for slaughtering his own clan to prove his loyalty.

I wanna see him feel the consequences of the stress Itachi is under when he (and possibly Shisui) attempt to kill Madara.

Stop interfering with his fix it fic you brats!! He's already got it covered!! You're just causing a mess!!!!

They get zapped in, like, in the middle of Tobirama's happy ending epilogue too. Tobirama is peacefully eating dinner in his house w his new husband Madara thinking "well. Alls well that ends well." Then BOOM Kakashi Shisui Itachi and Tenzo crash out of fucking nowhere directly onto their table, getting covered in food and breaking the table in half

Immediatley arrested !! I feel like Tobirama would instantly understand what happened by recognizing their uniforms + potentially Kakashi + he's already a time traveler himself so it's really no stretch for him to go "oh fuck I didn't think we'd get a double jepordy in this bitch but I guess not"

But like it's not like he can just SAY that ? Or he could but it would bring a lot of questions he probably does not want to answer.

Now another problem arises in like. I don't think Tobirama is especially attached to any of these guys. I can see him maybe having a lingering "pay it forward ig" feeling just bc they're "loyal konoha soldiers" and it'd be a waste to let that resource just burn. But also like. Under no circumstances can Tobirama have these guys share certain aspects of future knowledge.

Tobirama worked so hard to get here !!!! Literal years of planning !!!! He got his happy ending and it very much rests on Madara staying safe and sane and NO ONE IMPLYING HE WILL BETRAY KONOHA EVER !!!!! Tobirama does not even wanna RISK that becoming a rumor, he will take no chances.

Anyways I think his best course of action would be to reveal himself as a time traveler specifically to team ro, then position himself as their hokage who they should remain loyal to, say that it is for Konoha's best interests that they do not reveal certain things, and play it by ear from there.

Tobirama deciding he can't risk team ro going forward in time again and potentially fucking up the time stream or smthn. They need to stay here. He can not risk losing this shit. Sorry guys it looks like your trapped here <3

Anyways team ro being scary loyal to him bc he is the closest approximation to their (current?) Hokage and only person w the knowledge to enforce that power over them (at this time)

In my original post, like, all of team ro are already established to be kind of at their worst and most loyal to the village at that point to. They are at THE age(s) to be manipulated like that tbh, rip

It's not too bad tho. I think Itachi would feel relieved but also very guilty. Shisui too. Tenzo is violently neutral bc hes still in his "learning to be a real boy" phase from root, but it's all positive for him tbh. Kakashi is tricky bc his mental state is the equivalent of someone rapidly bouncing a ball on a thin pane of glass trying to prove it's bullet proof (it's not) and has like MOUNTAINS of complexes around the words "konoha authority figure" and what he's leaving behind. He's probably the most determined to go back

Anyways uhh. Izuna gets Itachi to help him be skeptical of Tobirama and spy on him. Itachi only agrees bc he violently reminds him of Sasuke (this will develop into a complex if not stopped. Shisui is working on it.)

[meanbossart]

What horror games have you played/wanted to play? Also have you tried any rpg maker horrors?

I actually don't play that many horror games, I don't think? Between you and me most of them are... Kind of garbagee. But I like when really weird things are taken dead seriously, which most video games don't succeed at. But in the rare time they DO, it usually falls into the "horror" genre at least loosely. I'm just going to list my favorites:

PS: I'm really showing how insufferable I am with these summaries, sorry!

The Outlast series: the most Tasteful tasteless gory-shit-fest of a horror series I've ever seen. I don't like shock for the sake of shock, and Outlast somehow manages to always make it for the sake of SOMETHING. The original game+DLC is a buttload of fun, and if you pull back one layer it also poses some interesting and difficult questions about the place and treatment of the criminally inclined in society. Pull yet another layer back and you find a fascinating subversion of the expected role men are supposed to inhabit in horror games. The second game is a vastly different, and profoundly emotional experience, opinions on it vary for reasons I find very understandable, but I personally really like it.

Fear & Hunger: I guess this answers your question about RPG horror games! Unfortunately, this is the only one I ever played that I liked, but REALLY like it, I have a tattoo of the circle of perfection on the back of my hand, even, lol (I already had other hand tats, don't freak out). I just really like the absurdity of the story and all of the lore that the developer has cooked up for it, and the way it all matters but also kind of doesn't. I think its an insane feat to have achieved the atmosphere he did with the limited tools he has, not to mention the massive amount of respect I have for any creator that simultaneously wears their influences on their sleeves while displaying massive creativity and originality.

Pathologic: This game kind of speaks for itself honestly. Its just brutal, creative, infuriating, I could go on - It's probably the most immersive experience I've ever had in a game. If you've never played it before I would suggest buying Pathologic 2 (don't worry about it) and playing it completely blind. Forget about "winning", forget even about succeeding, just go about it as if you were in the protagonist's shoes and see where you leads you.

Scorn: Without a doubt in my top 5 games of all time and I don't care that that is an insane take. This game is everything I want from interactive stories - entirely intuitive, doesn't spoonfeed you a single grain of its lore or pushes its story on you, it just puts the pieces in your hands and its up to you to feel it on instinct. This 5 hour game with no dialogue, no text, not even any named characters to speak of had me crying at its ending and I didn't even know whether I was sad or overjoyed. I fucking LOVE scorn.

Honorable mention:

The Space Between by Christoph Frey (not to be confused with The Space INbetween.): Is a short, 30 minute experience about intimacy presented through a horror lens. I really don't want to say anything else about it, but I played it like 5 years ago and I still hold it near and dear to my heart. It's a master's guide to storytelling through semiotics and exemplary in it's... Emotionally charged visuals? Like, I had never before seen a story make sentiment into and external, tangible thing quite like this one does, like turning sound into an object or something. Amazing little indie game.

[thechekhov]

Hey Chekhov! How do you start converting an AU idea from character sheets and mini comics into a plot outline for a full, continuous comic? Especially if the series you're basing it on isn't complete?

I've been following your white diamond Steven comics for years, and frankly, I love how it builds and continues the scaffolding canon laid to be something that is thematically still the same but also very unique. And I never thought I'll ever say this, but now I'm working on a canon-divergent AU with someone that's I think aiming to do something similar(continue the themes of canon but different). So I'll just like some advice, I suppose!

You might've answered something like this before, honestly, but I tried to dig a little and couldn't really find it.

Thanks, if you do answer this! I just want take the opportunity as well to say also that your comic and blog accompanied me through parts of my late teens, and I'm very grateful for you being a stabilizing influence during that time.

Thank you! I really appreciate you saying that, and I appreciate you respecting me enough to ask for advice.

As for your question...

Well, to be frank, I don't START with character sheets and mini-comics. In fact, for WD!AU, I didn't have any character sheets until I started season 2.

Think of your story as an aquarium. Your characters are fish.

Yes, they're important, but having a whole bunch of fish without any substrate, tanks, feed and WATER..... will not really make for a memorable aquarium experience.

The reality is that all stories should start with an end.

That's my personal approach, anyway.

What I mean is - you need to know the general idea for your story before you begin to write or plan it.

Let's try this:

1.Tell me about your story in THREE sentences!

Just three. Not long ones, just regular ones.

For my AU, @ask-whitepearl-and-steven, it would be:

"A young orphan runs away from home with a mysterious lady who seems more cryptid than human. He realizes that he's not human either - he used to be the ruler of an alien planet! He and the other aliens he meets decide to (REDACTED) (REDACTED) (REDACTED) and he (REDACTED) (REDACTED) (READACTED) (READ ANDCTED) (READ AND FIND OUT)."

YOU should know how YOUR story ends too! Even vaguely.

It helps if you know at what point you plan to lay down the pencil. Because if you DO know, you are always going to know which direction to walk in, even if the end is so far away it's beyond your line of sight.

It's true that when I began WDAU, I didn't have much information about White Diamond and white Pearl, because they had literally ONLY been introduced. I had to guess a lot of the details (like WP being Pink's originally) and what White would be capable of. And thankfully, my original intent for the story's end fit pretty well with what was later revealed!

But don't forget - you could also just fuck around with stuff! It's your story, after all.

And don't forget... to also look back!

2.Tell me WHY the story is happening in the first place.

There's a reason that the beginning of your story happens when it does. If there is no reason to start somewhere, then find a different place to start.

You should be able to tell me "We're picking up the story here because something significant has happened... and that significant thing happened BECAUSE...."

That 'because' is your main background information that should be revealed slowly throughout the story. In WDAU's case, we only have a few pieces of the puzzle. We know Greg's side. He know Earl's side. But there are still little bits and pieces missing! And they're all important for finding out WHY Steven ended up an orphan and WHY he is being followed by White Pearl (Earl) at the very start of the comic!

3.Tell me what the coolest and most interesting things to happen would be....and then write them!

I think this may be something that's rarely said out loud, but I will speak on the behalf of the people...

We should write the scenes we want to read. If you don't want to read the scene you're writing, then DON'T write it!

If you feel like you "have to" do a page and a half of 'lore' because you think it's traditional to have that 'explanation' about the location of your story, or the history of the species or whatever, you're simply wrong. There are other ways to reveal information aside from just forced paragraphs upon paragraphs of information that would make an SAT Reading Section sweat.

Instead, I recommend that you find the most exciting or hilarious way for the characters to discover the most important bits of info. Find a dramatic twist. Shove it into the narrative. Then, figure out what needs to happen to get there.

Ultimately, though, remember this: When you're taking advice from me or from others, don't forget to take advice from yourself, too! It's your story, after all. You know it best, and only YOU can figure out how to get it written.

I hope that helps at least a little bit! Writing it never easy, but it should still be enjoyable!

[rin-fukuroi]

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 [𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞]

Please do not translate or publish my works without my permission.

The originals of my works can be read here

Fandom: Genshin Impact

Pairings: Neuvillette x fem!reader

Warnings: NSFW, sub!Neuvillette, loss of virginity (Neuvillette), established relationships, oral sex, creampie.

Note: English is not my native language, so I apologize if there are errors in the text qq

I think this guy is definitely a virgin, so I had to fix it ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

art: @eriimyon

— Are you inviting me to come over... to your place? We've just had dinner, — Neuvillette is charming when he doesn't understand your hints at all. Although, he could hardly even make out a hint of what he basically does not understand.

You coquettishly wrap your own wrist behind your back, blunting your gaze at the floor, standing at the entrance to your house after a date that is already quite familiar to both of you. The Hydro Dragon really should have shown more interest in recognizing human emotions at the time, then maybe it wouldn't be so hard for him to understand you now. Yes, he notices when you're upset and understands that your beaming smiles mean you're happy, but now… Your behavior goes beyond what he's used to.

Neuvillette notices how your cheeks are slightly pink, you don't meet his eyes, you don't answer his question, but you don't leave. All the signs must indicate that you are confused, but by what? Did his question put you in an awkward position?

— Y/N, — the man clears his throat before speaking in a more serious tone. — I think there was a misunderstanding between us, and if my words confused you, then I apologize. I don't think I fully understand why exactly I should come to your house at such a late hour, but… if it's important to you, I won't refuse.

— Oh, Archons, you are unbearable! — you pull a confused man by the hand, forcefully dragging him into the hastily opened door of your house.

Just for a moment in the dark, while you stand pressed against the door that you slammed with your back, silence reigns between you. What should Neuvillette do next? Wait for an offer to go into the living room, start talking first? Oh, he's so bad at it.…

— Y/N…

— Listen, aren't we… kind of in a relationship? And it's been a long time, right?

Neuvillet thinks about it before answering anyway.

— Regarding the years I have lived, our relationship doesn't last that long, but if we take into account how long the human age has been, then I think we can say that we have been really close for a sufficient amount of time to designate this period as a long one.

— That's right. And we're already holding hands without hesitation, kissing and hugging when we're alone, right?

The Chief Justice swallows.

— Ahem… yes, that's right. Although it was all new to me at first, but now I understand why you're always so eager to touch me.

— So you like my touch? — you take a step forward, coming close to your lover before your hands fall on his shoulders, slowly sliding down Neuvillette's chest.

— If that wasn't the case, I guess I wouldn't let you do that, — the man tensed slightly as you fiddled with the fabric of his robe. You've never done anything like this before.

— At the beginning of our relationship, I said that I would show you how pleasant physical contact and feelings can be between two people… or, in our case, between a human and a dragon. You trusted me, and now you have no doubt that my suggestions, even the craziest ones, eventually bring you pleasure?

— I have nothing to object to. You've really discovered a lot of nice things for me that I didn't even know existed until I met you.

— Exactly! — you suddenly squeeze the thick fabric on Neuvillette's chest, looking straight into his confused mother-of-pearl eyes with complete seriousness. — In that case, you should know that this is not all.

— Not all?.. What do you mean…

— Neuvi, tell me, do I turn you on?

"Turn me... What?"

— Wh-what do you mean?

You frown, but then the irritation on your face turns to thoughtfulness as you look away, carefully choosing the words you are going to say.

— Have you ever wanted something more than kisses?

Ah, he seems to understand what you're getting at. Neuvillette is quite knowledgeable about the physiology and reproduction of humans, but he never thought about the fact that everything might not be as primitive as it sounds in scientific books. Kissing and hugging are not something necessary for people's life and interaction, nevertheless, it seems to be important to you, and he himself feels some dependence on your touch, although he does not show it. Does this mean that sex is also an obligatory part of any relationship and is a manifestation of love in physical form, and not just a way of one of the types of reproduction of living beings?

— Oh, that's what you're talking about… hmm, — the man really thought deeply, switching off for a few seconds before finally looking into your eyes with all the seriousness that only he is capable of. — I'm sorry, Y/N, I never thought that I fit into society well enough even after centuries, but after realizing that I have feelings for you, I decided that maybe I began to understand people a little better… I guess it's still not so, and it's hard for me to answer your question.

— In that case, I'll help you decide on the answer.

Neuvillette's words dissolve on your lips when you unexpectedly kiss a confused man.

It's not that you've never done this before, but now your kiss is more insistent, more… Passionate? When you unceremoniously invade his mouth, Neuvillette can feel how you are overwhelmed by the desire for intimacy and an irresistible thirst that he has never experienced when your saliva settled on his tongue. No matter how many human emotions he experiences touching the waters of the Fontaine, what you are experiencing now is so new to him, but the Hydro Dragon succumbs to this feeling, allowing his palms to rest on your waist.

And that gesture was enough for you to realize that your lover doesn't seem to mind what you're about to do, so your fingers are now frantically fumbling with the fasteners on several layers of his clothes while your lips are still on his. It's all so weird.… Perhaps Neuvillette undressed in front of someone for the last time only during Sidgwyn's medical examination, which, in fact, there was no need, but he could not refuse her insistence. But now you're gradually unbuttoning his clothes for a completely different purpose. Is this the first time the Chief Justice has thought about whether his human body is attractive at all? But does it matter if you don't seem to be tormented by a single question when you break off the kiss and gently pull his robe and shirt over his shoulders, staring at his now bare chest and torso with fascination.

The tips of your fingers lightly tickle Neuvillette's pale skin as you run them over the man's tense muscles, without taking your curious gaze off the trajectory of your movements, before turning your attention to the dark blue gloves clinging to his graceful hands. You wrap your arms around each of his wrists in turn, gently pulling the thick fabric from the man's long fingers until the gloves go to the floor to his robes and shirt.

— You wear too many clothes, you know? — you giggle, now looking up to meet Neuvillette's gaze, still with the same calmness on his face as always, watching what you're doing.

— No less and no more than is necessary to maintain the image of a judge, I suppose…

— Come on. Everyone in Fontaine knows who you are and how seriously you take your job and will never question it, even if you dress in something more comfortable, — the corners of your lips lift in a soft smile before you take a step back, depriving Neuvillette of the warmth of your hands on his skin. — And now… it's your turn.

The mother-of-pearl eyes of the Hydro Dragon widen when he freezes for a moment, awkwardly glancing at your body.

— Do you want me to, uh… take off your clothes too?

— Yes.

For the first time, Neuvillette was truly embarrassed. A slight blush covered his cheeks as he plucked up the courage to come closer to you and stretch out his hands to touch the button on your jacket. Hesitantly, but the man coped with the first task, unbuttoning your outer clothes before casting a last questioning glance at you, meeting your approving nod, after which the fabric of the jacket finally slipped off your shoulders. It seemed even this was so insanely awkward, but looking at your blouse and realizing that you will only be wearing underwear under it, Neuvillette feels even more excited, nervously swallowing before repeating the procedure again, gradually, as each of the miniature buttons was unbuttoned, exposing more and more areas your skin.

You'd be lying if you said you weren't as embarrassed as he was, even though it's not the first time a man will see you naked, but the fact that this man will be Neuvillette today… This fact really causes excitement in your chest. It's all so new to him, will he even like your body?

You blush even more when the Chief Justice slowly and carefully slides the sleeves of a thin blouse down your shoulders. For a few moments, his eyes roam around the dark room until he decides to look at your almost completely naked upper body.

— Hey, Neuvi… — the man flinches slightly when your palm touches his cheek, forcing Neuvillette to look into your eyes. You furrow your brows and pout your lips, gently pinching the skin of his face. — I think you've forgotten something.

You're really making him do it.…

Neuvillette's gaze finally hesitantly slides down. Oh… your chest is heaving so deliciously in time with your labored breathing, your collarbones protrude seductively under thin pale skin, that now Neuvillette can barely take his eyes off how fragile and graceful your body looks. Taking another short step forward, his palms touch your waist, sliding further behind you. Has your skin always been so soft and warm? Why hadn't he noticed it before? Neuvillette enjoys every second of it, during which his hands work their way up your back before finally finding the clasp of a bra in a pale blue shade. You hear a soft click and feel the fabric pressure on your ribs ease and the straps gently slide down your shoulders.

Neuvillette never thought that you could look even more beautiful. Although your body is certainly beautiful, and he cannot deny how just looking at your bare chest is enough to make an unusual warmth flow to the bottom of his stomach, he is more fascinated by how your face looks now. So embarrassed, but still looking into his eyes when your gazes meet. Of course, you're more experienced at this, but Neuvillette can't help but be touched by how awkward you feel too, even though what's happening is not new to you.

— Come on! — you grab the Chief Justice by the arm again, dragging him into the bedroom.

Even in the semi-darkness of your house, Neuvillette notices how your face takes on a new expression when you lead him to the bed, now moving your hands to his chest and gently pushing him back. Well, he trusted you from the moment he crossed the threshold of your house, so he obediently sits down on a soft mattress, slightly spreading his legs when you come closer, towering over him, standing between his thighs. Miniature fingers cling to Neuvillette's chin, forcing him to look up at you.

— Tell me, Neuvi, do you like what you see?

You expected your question to confuse the man again, but his face has never looked so serious as now, when he looks straight into your eyes, uttering his answer in a soft tone, permeated only with adoration.

— You're beautiful, Y/N.

You squint slightly as you smile, slowly sinking to your knees as your hands move to his hips. It's so sweet that Neuvillette takes every word you say seriously, but right now it didn't take him a second to give his answer.

The man flinches slightly when your hands reach for the fly of his trousers. To look at you in this position… So strange. Neuvillette is used to looking at people from the height of his judicial chair in the courtroom, he is used to literally looking down at you because of your height difference, but now you are … really kneeling in front of him, and he does not know what to say or do, so he continues to remain only a participant in your performance The script you didn't hand him.

— You've never touched yourself here, isn't it? — the warmth of your palm seeps even through the thick fabric of Neuvillette's trousers when you touch his groin, feeling a hard erection under your fingers.

Neuvillette had never felt like this before. Maybe this has happened before, when you pressed against him too hard or when your kisses were longer than in the past, but each time he was slightly confused by the reaction of his body to your touch. And now his cock was straining even more than before. Is this what you called arousal?

— Wh-what do you mean? — Hydro Dragon answers uncertainly, obviously confused by your seemingly very intimate question.

— Oh, then I guess the answer is "no", — you chuckle softly before gently squeezing the impressive hard organ hidden under his trousers in your hand.

Had he always been so sensitive? Even when you touched his bare skin, it didn't feel as good as what you're doing now.

— You're so tense, Neuvi… relax, you don't have to do anything. At least this time, — you smile again, taking one last look at the confused man before your attention turns to his boots, which you hurriedly pull off his legs before you start fiddling with the zipper of Neuvillette's trousers.

The Chief Justice sees you about to pull off his trousers, and lifts his hips, resting his hands on your soft bed, sheepishly watching how the expression on your face turns to amazement when he finally remains completely naked in front of you.

— Oh, Archons… — you freeze, just looking at his cock, making Neuvillette even more nervous. Is there something you don't like? Is there something wrong with him? — I'm so happy that I got you.

— Ah?..

You would have been amused by another cute manifestation of Neuvillette's misunderstanding of your words if all your attention hadn't been stolen by the view unfolding in front of you between his tense legs. His cock shudders under your gaze, which examines every protruding vein that stretches along his impressive organ. For a second, you even had doubts about whether he could fit anywhere inside you, but your hands reached out to touch the hot, hard flesh, causing a new wave of goosebumps running through Neuvillette's body. Your petite palm slowly slides over his erection before stopping, allowing your thumb to touch the sensitive head, slightly glistening with drops of pre-ejaculate in the dim moonlight filtering through your bedroom windows. It seems so… wrong, but a man can't do anything about how your touch makes this warmth of an incomprehensible nature feel even brighter in his lower abdomen.

You lift your head, glancing at the slightly raised abs and heaving chest, the tense muscles of your forearms, before meeting his pursed lips and half-closed eyes, shamefacedly watching what obscenities are happening below. Neuvillette is amazing. Perhaps his conscience is eating him up for the fact that, as he probably thinks, he forced you to kneel in front of him, but he cannot resist the way his body reacts to your touch. So why not embarrass him even more?

Neuvillette's mother-of-pearl eyes open abruptly when you lower yourself to his cock and touch the salty head with your lips.

— Y/N, what are you doing?! — the man anxiously stretches out his hand, hesitantly touching your head.

— It's all right, Neuvi. I told you, just relax.

What you're going to do… aren't you disgusted? Why are you doing this? Neuvillette's head is just boiling with the abundance of thoughts tormenting him, and he wants to make one more attempt to stop you before his words melt on his tongue, replaced by a moan that even he hears from himself for the first time when you slowly immerse his cock in the warmth of your mouth. Your lips have always seemed incredibly soft to him, but now, when they wrap around his erection, they seem even more tender. The man's palm presses against his open lips, muffling all the sighs escaping from his throat. Neuvillette is really distraught. But this is not the confusion that tormented him when you asked him to take off your clothes, now he is puzzled as to why he can no longer control his own body, which turned out to be completely at the mercy of the pleasure that you give him. It seems that the deeper his cock penetrates your throat, the more sensitive Neuvillette becomes, unable to stop the trembling in his legs, which strive to close if not for your shoulders, which his hips now meet. But what's even worse is the way you look up at him, squinting slightly and grinning when you notice what a mess your lover is in.

It was enough for you to finally start acting more decisively.

Your head starts to rise and fall under Neuvillette's palm, tearing another sweet moan from his open lips.

Damn… It's too much. Neuvillette feels an unusual heat coming from the bottom of his stomach, which reduces him with delicious spasms that make him want to both make you stop and beg you to give him more. The tightness of your fragile throat wraps around his hard flesh so perfectly, and the warmth of your labored breath feels even more distinct as you pick up the pace, plunging him deep into your throat over and over again.

— Y/N… wait, I… — was the only thing Neuvillette could get out of himself before his words dissolved into soft moans again.

His hips trembled as you wrapped your arms around them, and his pelvis lifted slightly to meet the inexorable rocking of your head. It's like a tight knot tied in the very bottom of your stomach, ready to burst, as soon as you swallow his cock one more time, and for a moment Neuvillette feels fear under the pressure of an unknown feeling when he feels his cock swell in the tight walls of your throat. But you don't listen to him, sitting on his throbbing organ again, sending a fatal wave through his tense body. Neuvillette's long fingers instinctively squeeze your hair as his heated flesh shudders in your throat, and you feel hot sticky streams flowing down the far wall of your throat, and the man's legs tremble convulsively, pressing closer to your shoulders.

What's it?.. It was as if all the warmth that had been accumulating in Neuvillette's stomach had now spread under his skin, and his mind was clouded by a haze that drove any thoughts out of his head, except how damn pleasant this unfamiliar feeling was, lasting for some miserable moments.

Your tongue slides up the still-quivering member of the Supreme Court as you slowly pull it out of your mouth, carefully licking every drop of cum left on his semi-hard flesh. Neuvillette is still breathing heavily, trying to recover from the first orgasm of her life. His eyes are closed when you look up at him again, and his hand slips off your head.

— Neuvi? — as soon as his legs relax, you slide your hands along the inside of his thighs, lifting slightly to leave a kiss at the bottom of his stomach, causing the man to flinch and lazily open his eyes.

— Wh-what was that just now?.. — his voice sounds so quiet when Neuvillette finally starts talking, still trying to steady his breathing.

— Huh… Did I mention that you think too much? — you smile, suddenly getting back on your feet. — You don't mind continuing, do you?

Neuvillette rests his hands on the mattress again, watching from under heavy eyelids as you deliberately slowly pull your trousers down your legs, carefully stepping over the crumpled fabric on the floor before throwing the clothes somewhere to the side, remaining in front of him in only panties. For the first time, he can finally enjoy every curve of your stunning body, feeling the heat flare up inside him again, while he just remains a witness to how now you are doing the same with your underwear. Without clothes, you look even more fragile and small, but now… This view causes the Hydro Dragon not only to want to protect you, but also to touch you, to shower every millimeter of your skin with kisses… to possess you. Is this what people call lust?

This time, Neuvillette didn't need any prompting to instinctively understand that he needed to crawl further away on your bed, allowing you to gracefully climb on top of him. His cock has hardened again, trembling insistently under the pressure of your crotch, now comfortably settled on the throbbing flesh, when you press your palm on Neuvillette's chest, forcing the man to lie down. You look so gorgeous, towering over him just like that, that he can't resist the urge to touch you and stretches out his arms to wrap around your waist while you playfully smile, looking into the clouded eyes of the man below you, swaying slightly on his hips.

— Oh, aren't you embarrassed to touch me now? — you giggle as you gently wrap your arms around Neuvillette's wrists and move his palms onto your chest. — It all belongs to you, Neuvi.

The Chief Justice swallows hard before hesitantly squeezing the elastic flesh under his palms. Such… Soft. It felt even more tender than he had imagined, just looking at her in the hallway back then. And you said… Does it belong to him? Why does the realization of this make his heart almost ache in his chest, as if he does not deserve to have such a wonderful girl who managed to get into feelings for someone like him?

— Y/N…

You tilt your head in puzzlement, looking at Neuvillette, who now seems to be considering his next words again.

— I promise that I will take care of you.

You're almost ready to burst out laughing, but you hold back, smiling gently at your man, the only one in all of Teyvat who could say something like that at such a moment.

— Try your best, Monsieur Neuvillette, — you bend down to leave a short kiss on your lover's lips, forcing Neuvillette to lower his hands to your hips before you straighten up again, lifting slightly and reaching down to grab his cock.

Oh, he's even more excited than before. Although he believes that such intimacy is already familiar to him, at least in theory, but it is still something that Neuvillette has never had to deal with before. He feels the moisture oozing from your crotch touching his cock as you align his head with your entrance, starting to slowly sink onto the hard flesh. Your tight walls gradually envelop his throbbing organ, enveloping Neuvillette's flesh with an even more searing warmth compared to what he felt when you plunged his dick into your throat. The slippery walls seem to suck him deeper inside, again awakening in the body of the Hydro Dragon the same heat that had tormented his poor body only a few minutes ago. He wants to stifle his moans again, covering his lips with his hand, but Neuvillette only tightens his grip on your elastic hips, moving his gaze from the place where your bodies connect to your chest, heaving heavily in time with your labored breathing, thanks to which he can finally hear those lovely soft sighs escaping from your throat.

You lean back slightly on Neuvillette's hips, feeling his cock stretch and fill you to the limit. All the past fears that he was too big to fit inside suddenly evaporated, replaced by a pleasant shiver running down your spine when he finally enters to the end, gently colliding with your cervix, which makes the lust bubbling in the bottom of your stomach from the moment you entered your house boil even stronger.

When you finally start to slowly rise and fall on Neuvillette's cock, he finally begins to understand why people like sex so much. It feels completely different from what you did with him before. You feel so good inside and it's addictive. The walls of the vagina wrap so tightly around his cock when you impale yourself on it more insistently each time, and Neuvillette can feel you squeezing around him, sending more and more of these delicious impulses through his body. The man's gaze is riveted to the place where your bodies connect over and over again, never ceasing to amaze him with how his hard organ disappears so easily into your insides. The more your hips pick up the pace, the more distinct the sounds of skin hitting skin become, merging with Neuvillette's restrained sighs and your moans, which will forever remain in his memory.

You lean forward again, placing your hand on Neuvillette's neck, already too lost in pleasure to speak, bringing another smile to your face.

— Do you like it, Neuvi? — the tips of your two fingers slide along his chin, forcing the man to look at you from under half-closed eyelids. His lips are open, releasing more and more sweet sounds from Neuvillette's throat as you continue to rock up and down his length, feeling the blood pulsing in the veins running along his cock. — Don't hold back your lovely moans, I want to hear you.

Your vulgar words settle in sweet spasms in the lower abdomen of a man. You've always been much bolder and more direct than him in everything that concerns feelings and intimacy, and Neuvillette would like to return the favor. Therefore, now you feel more pressure on your hips when he begins to lift his hips towards your movements and push you down whenever you are about to descend on his dick again, driving it even deeper into your insides.

You've wanted this for so long, worrying every time that such an offer might alienate Neuvillette, but now, feeling your lover desperately pushing into you, chasing his own orgasm, you don't regret at all that you finally got the courage. Having completely lost all control over himself, Neuvillette breaks down into the very moans that you so wanted to hear. You never thought that his pleasure could turn you on so much, making you feel like you're already teetering on the edge.

What could be said about him.

Your voice has never sounded sweeter to him than now, when you whisper his name, pressing your forehead against his. The smell of your body, your hot breath blowing over his face, the tense muscles of your thighs under his hands — this is what, even without knowing it, Neuvillette also wanted for so long. Every time you shared another kiss with him, it seemed to him that it was so damn little, but he didn't know any other way to feel you even closer. But now that your bodies are so perfectly fused together, he understands what he really wanted. How can you wish for something you've never experienced? People are truly amazing… And Neuvillette finally got a little closer to understanding what it's like to be human.

Too blinded by the new sensations, Neuvillette didn't even notice how he got so damn close to the very feeling that you gave him earlier, but now it feels even brighter, even more intense, forcing the man to press harder on your hips, accelerating the pace. And at the moment when your lower abdomen is cramping with familiar spasms, you press your lips to his, allowing Neuvillette to feel your body tremble under the onslaught of pleasure spreading somewhere deep under your skin. Your lips taste even sweeter when you squeeze so tightly around his cock, pulling Neuvillette after you into the abyss. His hands hurriedly move to your back, pressing you even tighter against his body as he has his second orgasm of the day. Hot flesh pulsates inside your sensitive walls, gradually turning white with sticky drops of sperm, and you swallow each other's muffled moans, sharing this unearthly feeling for two.

You go limp, leaning on Neuvillette with all your weight, having to break the kiss to catch your breath. You hear his heavy sighs, almost in sync with yours, as you both bask in the echoes of your own climaxes, and you lift up slightly to look at Neuvillette's flushed face. The silver strands of his bangs are stuck to his forehead, and his lips are still slightly parted when he lazily opens his eyes, meeting your gaze.

— Y/N, I'm sorry, I seem to get carried away…

— Hush, it's okay, Neuvi, — your palm gently presses against his hot cheek, and you can't help but smile as you watch him awkwardly avert his gaze now. — Actually, I think you're learning pretty fast!

— Is that so? — the corners of Neuvillette's lips lift slightly as one of his palms gently slides up your back. — I suppose I had a good teacher.

— He-he, of course. Just don't get cocky, I still have a lot to teach you!

Neuvillette suddenly looks at you in surprise again.

— A lot?

— Yeah, — your face takes on a fake serious look. — Do you really want to continue the course of human carnal pleasures today?

You laugh, lightly pinching Neuvillette's cheek before you start to lift off his body, but you are stopped by his hands, still holding you in his embrace. When you cast a questioning glance at Neuvillette, you are suddenly met again by an expression full of unshakeable seriousness, forever stuck to his face.

— I… won't refuse.

[itsmeelenoryayy]

Cannon stuff (pluss a few headcannons) about our favourite boy "Ticci" Toby

Authors note: just i honesly don't know why am making this am just really interested in him and his story he was one if my childhood favorites other then jeff

Cannon:

I feel like a lot of people know this allready but hes originally german they creator of him never acually said if his parents or grandparents are german but he was born in Colorado so am guessing his parents moved to america

Hes not as tall as people make him out to be when he was 19 he was only 5'6 (haha am taller then him)

He haves very pale alnost grayish skin and his hand is bandaged up a lot when hes not wearing his gloves because he bites the flesh on his hands he also haves a emo fringe if yk what am talking about

Please give my boy back his sick haircut

Its cannon that he dosent remember his past unless hes like having an episode then he remembers small things

His personality was described as mostly up beat with bad mood swings very sarcastic and can be frendly to some people a natural born troublemaker and delusonal

He was originally supose to be a cannibal but the creator didn't liked the idea because he thought that it would be way too similar to eyeless jacks story

I personaly see a lot of people argue about tobys sexuality and i even saw some people make headcannons that he had raped people but i don't like that shit pluss the creator allready answered questions about toby sexuality (am just gonna show you the picture am too lazy)

But at that time asexual was used as like an umbrella term and only in 2023 did people acually started seperating things like aromantic asexual or even demiromantic so that could mean a lot of things

Around 2021 or something the creator said that he and the creator of clockwork don't like the ship anymore and are very embarrassed about it (he posted it on Instagram) so i guess ticciwork isint really a cannon thing anymore and they broke up wich is honesly good but i will make a seperate post about that

I could also make a seperate post explaining his backstory if yall want that

The creator said that the gash on his cheek was because of the fire but him eating away his own cheek because he can't do it to his hands because of the gloves is also a good idea

His creator said that toby was insiprated by marble hornets

Headcannons:

I see a lot of people say that he has insomnia but i don't know i don't really see him as one i feel like if he feels safe he can sleep anywhere anytime wich with you is almost always but hes a pretty light sleeper

If you share a bed with him will kick the shit out of you in his sleep

His hands are very cold but the rest of his body is very warm idk how that works don't ask me

Always drumming or tapping on something and god forbid you have anything on thats soft or haves a good texture because he will be touching that all the time

[mxtantrights]

how does dick grayson act when hes jealous 😋😋

a/n: thank you for sending this in anon!! I can't tell you how much I love you for it. this was really fun !!!! <3333

Dick Grayson doesn't get jealous. Or so you think. It's just that-he''s Dick Grayson. What would he have to be jealous about? He's got a great smile, a flirty personality, a nice ass, people flock to him with the bat of his eyelashes.

So sitting across your date for the night, you didn't expect to see Dick Grayson just a few feet in front of you at the bar. He didn't exactly make himself discreet either. He's turned right to you, eyeing you up.

You look back to your date.

"Do you think this date is going well?" you ask straight up.

They look at you, a bit flabbergasted at the brutal honesty of your question.

"I mean, I would say it's going to my liking. Wha-how is it going for you?" they ask.

You smile and shrug, "It's going well. It was."

"Was?" they ask.

Dick Grayson grabs his drink and downs it. Its chilling to see. Chilling and also hot. You didn't think he was the type. The knock 'em back because I'm Jealous type. The jealous type.

"Yeah, because I've got a feeling that we won't be seeing each other again." you answer.

"Wait is this some new tactic to let me down? If so you can just tell me. I can take it." they reply.

You shake your head, "Its not a tactic, but there's this guy I'm also seeing. He just walked in."

"Ah, so I lost out." your date says.

You look at them. If you hadn't met Dick Grayson this date would be going exceptionally well. You'd be laughing, having fun, not worrying about some other guy who has your attention.

You originally didn't think about this date as a date.

It wasn't until you woke up last weekend and got a text from an unknown number. One of your friends had sent you your date's number and picture thinking you would be interesting.

Not knowing that you were wrapped up in the sheets with Dick. Who, also happened to the message. And that fueled another round with him that was exciting and passionate. All for him to say that you should go on that date, ya know since the two of you weren't official.

His words.

You weren't necessarily trying to make him regret his words. You were trying to bend yourself to them actually. Because he was right, you aren't official.

But Dick Grayson sitting at the bar a few feet from your date? That wasn't casual.

"But be honest, did I really charm you enough for a date or was there another reason?" you ask them.

They sit back in their chair with a sad smile on their face.

"You caught me. Yeah. This would be my first date after a long relationship." they answer.

"You could always say it was good. Because it was. I'm just not..." you trail off.

"not available." they finish off the sentence for you.

"Yeah." you answer simply.

"That's okay. I can pay for the bill and we can just end it here." they say.

They hail down the waiter and ask for the bill. But somehow, your bill has been paid. Your eyes dart back to Dick at the bar. He raises his glass towards you.

"Wow, I guess this is some sort of lucky / unlucky date." they joke.

You laugh at that. And then your date gets up from their seat, and bids you goodbye. You say the same and sit back in your chair. Waiting for the inevitable.

You reach into your bag for your lipgloss. As you grab it and take it out, you don't pay attention to the sound of the chair in front of you moving. You reapply your lipgloss.

"Fun date?" a voice asks.

You look across from you. Dick.

"yeah. you having a nice night?" you ask him.

Dick grins and takes a swig of his drink. It's almost down to the bottom. You can't tell if he got another one before he left the bar or not.

"Not really no. I pushed the one person that makes me happy into something because I got scared." he admits.

"Scared of what?" you ask.

"Scared of happiness. I realized how happy you made me and I didn't want to ruin it, but I ruined it anyways. I'm so so sorry for doing that to you." he explains.

You nod your head.

"So I'm so irresistibly charming and I make you so happy that you crashed my date, paid the bill, and apologized for the whole thing?" you least lightly.

Dick shakes his head, "I shouldn't get your forgiveness. I mean I deserve to be put on time-out or put in a corner."

"You're a grown man, Dick. I'm not about to do that to you. I just want you to know what you want." you say.

"I want you." he says effortlessly.

You smile, "Good. Because I'm not seeing anyone else."

"I haven't see anyone else since we first kissed." Dick admits.